The person approaching Zhang Ergou was none other than the prodigies of the outer sect.
"Wow! Senior Brother Jiang Hao is here, he's so handsome!"
The disciples of Qiuyang Peak, led by Jiang Hao, entered the Grand Hall of Qiankun Pavilion. As soon as they saw Zhang Ergou from afar, they walked towards him.
The crowd of disciples, following the movement of the Qiuyang Peak group, realized that Zhang Ergou had arrived much earlier, causing many to cast sideways glances.
"Zhang Ergou, from now on, you better pray you don't meet me!" Jiang Hao left after uttering these words.
"Tch, who's this idiot!" Zhang Ergou didn't reply directly, instead shouting a curse.
Ugh!
Jiang Hao, who had turned around elegantly, nearly stumbled and fell. This kid's mouth was too sharp.
Jiang Hao, who had already turned to leave, to maintain his image as a dashing young master, stubbornly did not look back and pretended not to hear, leaving Zhang Ergou's location.
However, anyone could see that Jiang Hao's face was excessively gloomy at this moment.
Following this, Zhang Ergou saw another group of people entering the hall, led by Lu Yan. Their robes bore the words "Xiayang Peak," clearly indicating they were the disciples of Xiayang Peak.
After entering, these people first scanned the venue, then discovered Zhang Ergou's location. However, these fellows seemed to have learned their lesson and did not step forward to say harsh words to Zhang Ergou.
Lu Yan and Yu Heng shot two sinister glances from afar.
Being completely ignored by Zhang Ergou, how infuriating was that!
"Hey, Zhang Ergou, you're quite early!" Then, a voice sounded. Xiao Qingyu, carrying two large hammers, walked directly to Zhang Ergou's side and sat down.
"This is not my first time attending such a grand event, so I was naturally a bit excited and came early!" Zhang Ergou smiled slightly.
"Get lost!" Xiao Qingyu did not believe this kid.
"You guys are here? Junior Brother Ergou, you're quite early. Master was looking for you just now, and I thought you were busy with other things!" Wang Teng also flashed to their side.
In an instant, the corner where Zhang Ergou was became lively.
"Senior Brother Lin, you're here too!" Suddenly, a figure approached Zhang Ergou. Zhang Ergou quickly stood up to greet Lin Yichen.
Ugh!
Wang Teng and Xiao Qingyu saw Zhang Ergou's reaction, and their faces instantly froze. This kid was too fawning.
He actively got up to greet the number one of the outer sect, but he didn't treat them this well. In fact, they were the ones who initiated the greeting.
Wang Teng looked at Zhang Ergou with a resentful expression: "Junior Brother Ergou, aren't we under the same master!"
"Yes! So what?" Zhang Ergou asked innocently.
"You kid, you still remember that! Seeing how you treat Lin Yichen and how you treat me, someone who doesn't know might think Lin Yichen is your senior brother!" Wang Teng acted like a disgruntled little wife!
"Pfft!" A melodious sound came from beside him, "Wang Teng, who has made you so resentful now?"
"Lu Xiaoyu, you're just teasing me!" Wang Teng said upon seeing the newcomer.
"Seeing the number one of Chunyang Peak so sulky, were you rejected by another junior sister again today?"
"Hahaha..." A burst of hearty laughter erupted. Zhang Ergou was already surrounded by a large group of people.
The previously secluded corner had subtly become the center of the venue.
Disciples of the Discipline Hall led by Song Zhinan, disciples of Xiayang Peak led by Lu Yan, and disciples of Qiuyang Peak led by Jiang Hao walked towards the wider open space.
Wang Teng, Xiao Qingyu, and others whom Zhang Ergou had met yesterday were all gathered around Zhang Ergou.
Some ordinary disciples looked on in surprise at this scene, wondering how Zhang Ergou, a disciple who had only been in the outer sect of Misty Sect for half a year, could have such influence.
It was no wonder these disciples were puzzled. These prodigies were not only at the forefront of cultivation but also astute individuals.
If they had heard of Zhang Ergou's reputation before, they might have just looked with surprise, thinking Zhang Ergou was a promising person with whom they had no connection.
However, yesterday, when Zhang Ergou revealed his identity as an alchemist, these prodigies' minds began to stir.
Except for Lu Yan and Jiang Hao, with whom Zhang Ergou was already locked in an irreconcilable conflict, all these prodigies were thinking of building a good relationship with Zhang Ergou. After all, having a good relationship with an alchemist brought many benefits.
Zhang Ergou naturally understood their intentions. He had always been alone in the Misty Sect. Now that he could enlist some genius disciples, he naturally wouldn't maintain a haughty attitude.
Soon, he mingled with everyone, chatting and laughing.
...
Next, several streaks of rainbow light flew in from afar. These were the elders of the outer sect's one hall, one academy, two gardens, seven pavilions, and four main peaks.
After a while, three more divine rainbows flashed and landed on the main platform.
Zhang Ergou looked closely and recognized two of them: one was Elder Chi Yu of the inner sect, who had offered to take him as a disciple a few days ago, and the other was Elder Shi Wuheng of the Beast Taming Peak, whom he had met in the black market.
As for the third person, Zhang Ergou had never met him. However, he heard Wang Teng introduce him as the peak master of the Heavenly Dao Peak, Heavenly Dao Old Man, who ranked first among the main peaks of the inner sect.
Zhang Ergou couldn't help but look at him a few more times. Heavenly Dao Old Man seemed to sense his gaze and cast a fleeting, curious look.
Then, Chi Yu also looked directly at Zhang Ergou, her lips moving as if speaking something.
The surrounding prodigies looked at each other in shock. They hadn't expected this guy to have such strong connections, even knowing the famously beautiful elder of the inner sect.
Lin Yueru and Lu Xiaoyu also cast surprised glances at Zhang Ergou but did not speak.
"Hey, Zhang Ergou, why are you hiding here? We searched for you everywhere." Without needing to ask, Zhang Ergou knew who it was. The little fatty Xiong Bao squeezed through the crowd, letting Zi Lin sit next to Zhang Ergou.
Boom!
With a loud bang, a light projection shot into the sky, instantly transforming into a giant compass radiating brilliant light. The light screen displayed a dense array of names.
Clearly, these were the names of the disciples participating in the outer sect grand competition. The golden names jumped randomly.
The drawing of lots was also random, ensuring fairness and justice and preventing the elders presiding over the competition from engaging in any underhanded dealings.
Opponent selection was done randomly before the start, so the participating disciples did not know who they would face. This also eliminated the suspicion of cheating among the contestants.
"The triennial disciple selection event of the Misty Sect's inner sect and the outer sect disciples' grand competition now begins!"
As Heavenly Dao Old Man's resounding voice rang out, the compass hovering in the sky began to slowly turn, and everyone's gaze was drawn to the light screen.
Zhang Ergou looked up and stared intently at the dazzling light screen.