Could it be that I am the cruel villain?

"Sect Master, all Peak Masters."

"I am here to report on yesterday's battle situation."

"In the Outer Sect, Zhan Zilan battled Xian Yongxiang. Both performed excellently, both being low-grade Core Formation. The former is thirty-three years old, the latter thirty-two; their elements are water and fire respectively."

"The Outer Sect disciple Bai Yu performed outstandingly in this round. From the second day, except for encountering a low-grade Core Formation disciple on the first day, the remaining four days faced mid-grade Core Formation and won five consecutive rounds with a crushing stance."

"Starting today, she should gradually encounter high-grade Core Formation Outer Sect disciples."

Slightly bowed towards Liu Tangxi.

Just as someone had guessed, whether it's drawing lots or grouping, all of this was within the high-level sect's expectations, and any particular match-ups or other variables were specially arranged and notified in advance.

Dark high society!

Inside Yuqing Hall, about fifteen people gathered here, sitting in their positions in order of seniority, and these seemingly unfair and manipulated groupings had only two purposes.

"Exploitation."

A positive form of exploitation.

It's not about exploiting the disciples' value but using this Nine Peaks Martial Arts Competition to force each disciple to do their best. If you look closely, you'll find that everyone's opponents in each round have almost the same realm.

Those with particularly high or absurd realms almost all had byes. If you observe a little more closely, you'll find that the monstrous Nascent Soul Stage individuals were not pitted against any potential talents, almost all facing disciples over forty with little development prospects.

Again, the sect can only provide these disciples with a fair starting point.

As for the variables arising in the martial arts competition, they need to bear themselves, find ways to avoid, especially since the Nine Peaks Competition rewards not only based on rankings but also on their performance to motivate disciples.

This is the reason they are gathered in Yuqing Hall, to allocate reasonably, not wasting anyone's talent, which is what sect elders and Peak Masters should do.

"Currently, the sixth round should have already begun. Up until now, in addition to the disciples widely recruited earlier, there is also a batch of Demon Race disciples with quite good talents."

"They performed well, with excellent physiques, familiar mastery of half of the cultivation techniques they're practicing, only slightly weaker in using magic artifacts. If nothing unexpected happens, at least two or three Demon Race disciples should be in the top ten of the Outer Sect this time."

"Here is the list."

Saying this, the sect protector responsible for reporting subconsciously glanced at Liu Tangxi.

The sect's attitude towards Demon Race disciples is quite subtle, not making things difficult, but being more cautious compared to other disciples, after all, they are not of the same race, there are some barriers.

In this martial arts competition, the most representative Outer Sect disciple should be the one from Swordmaster Peak, named Su Yi, hailing from the Fox Clan, with extraordinary talent, further advancing after entering Swordmaster Peak, now at high-grade Core Formation.

The only slight regret is perhaps that the woman is not well-suited for direct combat.

"Hmm, same old ways."

The middle-aged man in a purple robe showed a satisfied smile.

"Sect subsidies remain the same. After this event, those in the top ranks will enter the Inner Sect as usual. I've been keeping an eye on these few; they've been in the sect for over ten years, well-behaved, so we have no reason to refuse."

"Other Outer Sect Demon Race disciples who did not make the top hundred but still ranked ahead will be sent to guard the border for five years, an additional 30% cultivation resources allocated to them to temper their mind before being transferred back to the sect."

"Alright, the results of the first five rounds of the Outer Sect disciple battles have come out, pretty much as expected. If any of you have favored young disciples, you may recruit them under your sect."

"Nephew Liu, the two Outer Sect disciples you taught this time are quite outstanding, I underestimated your ability as a teacher."

Smiling at Liu Tangxi.

Having an excellent disciple is absolutely the proudest thing for a master, to the point where even Liu Tangxi couldn't help but show a barely noticeable smile.

The other Peak Masters also congratulated this youngest Peak Master, given the Nine Peaks Competition is held only once every several decades; their disciples might have taught for decades without shining, but who knew Liu Tangxi could lead his disciples to make a significant name in the sect within just a few short years.

While envious in their hearts, they couldn't help but admire, after all since Liu Jian took charge of the Swordmaster Peak, he has produced a batch of excellent disciples, and now in Liu Tangxi's hands, it's still flourishing, such talent really invites envy.

"Alright, Shande, tell us about the Inner Sect disciples' situation."

The kind-hearted sect master waved his hand, indicating for that protector to continue. This person appeared ordinary, having a standard square face, correct features, but in reality, this person was one of the top ten protectors in Purple Cloud Palace.

Their cultivation had reached the Void Refinement, comparable to the more established younger Peak Masters, their pair of iron fists having exterminated countless evil spirits, the mere mention of which made people tremble.

Inside Yuqing Hall, it wasn't as solemn as imagined. Like the somewhat unkempt Old Man Lu from Qingxia Peak was whispering to Peak Master Zhang of Divine Wood Peak.

Mainly, they weren't discussing topics on cultivation or how to nurture disciples, but rather…

"Hey, my grand-disciple recently brought the rarest sable fur from the Northern Barbarians, gave me and Old Yao one each. Last time he beat your grandson, aren't you jealous, huh?"