Once he understood the rules, Ye Fei became quite interested in the so-called joint competition.
He had offended quite a few enemies now, so it was a good opportunity to go to the Artifact Sect to forge some defensive hidden weapons for himself.
"Senior Sister, I won't bother you any longer."
"See you this afternoon."
Ye Fei said with a grin.
He then left the small courtyard and returned to his room.
To secure a spot in the top three, Ye Fei had made all the necessary preparations, including having all the required pills, such as the Spirit Nurturing Pill, ready.
By the time Ye Fei arrived at the plaza, more than a dozen elite disciples were already waiting there.
Among them, a disciple wearing the Wu Sect's attire, with a fine jade pendant adorning his waist, glanced at Ye Fei.
It seemed like disbelief.
After all, the lowest cultivation level among this group of elite disciples had reached the peak of Qi Condensation Layer Five.
The sudden appearance of a novice at the peak of Qi Condensation Layer Four stunned everyone.
However, most people knew that those who could participate in this joint competition were by no means ordinary. Perhaps the person before them possessed some extraordinary talent.
Nevertheless, the man with the jade pendant still let out a cold snort, completely disregarding Ye Fei.
Especially when everyone saw that the Sect Master of the Wu Sect, Song Qingshan, had also arrived at the plaza and would be accompanying them. Everyone immediately became excited.
Only Ye Fei stood calmly in the distance.
As soon as Sect Master Song Qingshan arrived, he had already scanned everyone present.
Naturally, Ye Fei's demeanor also earned his high regard.
Seeing that not everyone had arrived yet, Sect Master Song went to the side to chat with the leading teacher.
At this point, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was terrifying!"
"The pressure from Sect Master Song just now was too immense; I felt like I couldn't even breathe."
"The way he looked at me, I really couldn't bear it."
Everyone was still lingering in fear.
Only Ye Fei remained completely unaffected.
Afterward, Li Qingqing arrived fashionably late.
The man with the jade pendant, who had been waiting boredly, immediately got up with a beaming face and walked towards Li Qingqing upon seeing her graceful arrival.
"Qingqing, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you for a long time."
This man with the jade pendant was a disciple from the same class as Li Qingqing, named Shao Jie. They had known each other for three years.
He would often express his admiration for Li Qingqing.
However, not only did Li Qingqing not agree, but she also seemed to avoid him.
"Shao Jie, thank you for your concern, but I'm used to being on my own."
This sentiment was already quite clear, but Shao Jie seemed not to understand. He once again shamelessly tried to touch Li Qingqing's small hand.
Li Qingqing frowned and immediately dodged.
Shao Jie's gaze turned cold, and he persistently reached out his hand again.
When Li Qingqing looked up, she saw Ye Fei standing in the corner, resting with his eyes closed.
She immediately took a few quick steps forward and stood beside Ye Fei.
As for Shao Jie, he clenched his fists, his breathing becoming rapid.
Having been rebuffed repeatedly, Shao Jie was already furious.
Seeing Shao Jie's displeased expression, his few lackeys immediately followed him obediently to Ye Fei's side, intending to drive him away from Li Qingqing.
"Hey, kid, come over here!"
"This is my big brother's spot!"
The speaker, although not selected for this joint competition, still followed Shao Jie's lead.
"It's my freedom to stand wherever I want. You have no right to question it!"
Ye Fei, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, felt an unprovoked surge of anger when he was interrupted.
The man who was about to continue berating Ye Fei was instantly startled by the killing intent emanating from Ye Fei, swallowing back the words that were about to burst from his lips.
"Kid, you just wait!"
"I won't let you off!"
Since Sect Master Song and the other leading teachers were nearby, Shao Jie dared not do anything openly.
"I'm waiting!"
"I really want to see what you can do to me!"
"Let's go!"
Shao Jie no longer pressed on, lest Li Qingqing reject him again and he lose face. Especially seeing that Li Qingqing had been chatting and laughing with Ye Fei earlier, it made his hatred for Ye Fei even deeper.
Finally, after everyone had arrived, they directly took the teleportation formation to the Artifact Sect.
The Artifact Sect was very far from the Wu Sect. After traveling for two hours via teleportation formation, everyone finally arrived at the Artifact Sect's premises.
The Artifact Sect was located in the western part of the Desolate Domain.
It also occupied a vast area, had numerous disciples, and possessed profound heritage.
Most of the weapons in the Desolate Domain originated from the Artifact Sect.
Since the joint competition was to officially begin the next day, everyone found their accommodations and then rested.
Time quietly passed.
Just as Ye Fei was about to rest, there was a sudden, urgent knock on the door.
"Ye Fei, I have something urgent to tell you!"
"Open the door quickly!"
The voice was unmistakably Li Qingqing's.
"Senior Sister, it's so late, what is it?"
Ye Fei opened the door, speaking groggily.
"Let me in first!"
Li Qingqing was clearly very anxious.
After she closed the door tightly, she then sat on a stool and said.
"Ye Fei, you're in big trouble!"
"Let me ask you first, did you kill Xiao Beiyu, who had a feud with you before?"
"Just answer me yes or no!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Fei's sleepiness vanished immediately. He nodded.
"Senior Sister, to be honest, I did kill that brat."
Ye Fei said truthfully.
"Oh no!"
"I just received news that Xiao Beiyu's uncle, Xiao Nancheng, is also participating in this joint competition, and he's coming for you!"
"You know, his cultivation has reached the middle stage of Qi Condensation Layer Six!"
"Moreover, he holds a high position in the Artifact Sect. I'm worried that you'll be hunted by him after entering the trial tower, which is why I've come to inform you."
"Although everyone is issued a teleportation jade token, it's not a foolproof measure."
Then, Li Qingqing directly took out a hidden weapon from her Qiankun bag and placed it on the table.
"Ye Fei, this is the Nine Tripod Flying Sword, a hidden weapon I originally used for self-preservation. I'm giving it to you now."
"This hidden weapon is exceptionally sharp and possesses extraordinary power. If you can catch them off guard, it should be of great help."
"Don't get into conflicts with them unless it's absolutely necessary. Your life is most important."
"Did you hear me clearly?"
Li Qingqing said earnestly.