When Life Runs Out, the Fun Begins-Chapter 21 – Does this mean... I have to participate as well?

Mu Xiaochuan looked at Su Yao's shy demeanor, her cheeks flushed like the clouds at the horizon, her eyes filled with bashfulness and anticipation. He immediately understood her intentions.
In the past, Mu Xiaochuan would have sat upright, forcibly suppressing his desires and missing the opportunity. After all, in this world of cultivation, he had always been cautious.
But now, things were different. With the Thrill System at his side and his strength continuously improving, his confidence had soared, and he naturally wouldn't miss such an opportunity.
"Oh?" He deliberately elongated his tone, his gaze burning as he looked at Su Yao. "Are you sure?"
Su Yao's face turned even redder. She lowered her head and softly replied, "Mm."
"Haha..." Mu Xiaochuan laughed heartily. "Don't worry, follow me from now on, and you won't be mistreated."
(The following six hundred words are omitted...)
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window into the room. Mu Xiaochuan got up from the bed feeling refreshed. He felt his spiritual power abundant and his spirit rejuvenated, as if he had been reborn.
Though Su Yao was tired, she still insisted on getting up to assist Lin Yue in helping him wash and dress. Her cheeks were slightly red, her movements gentle, and she occasionally stole glances at Mu Xiaochuan, her eyes full of tenderness.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host, feeling joyful and content, earning 30 Thrill Points." The voice of the Thrill System echoed in Mu Xiaochuan's mind.
"Not bad, not bad." Mu Xiaochuan was in a great mood as he watched the two female disciples bustling around, a warm feeling rising in his heart.
With a thought, Mu Xiaochuan opened the System Panel.
[Host: Mu Xiaochuan]
[Thrill Points: 215]
[Realm: Foundation Establishment Stage One]
[Cultivation Techniques: Withered Tree Revives Technique (Minor Accomplishment), Dragon-Subduing Staff Technique (Entry Level)]
[Secondary Cultivation: None]
[Spiritual Artifact: Greenwood Spirit-Pattern Staff (Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifact)]
He browsed through the items in the marketplace, planning to find a cultivation technique for Su Yao and Liu Ruyan, which would aid their cultivation and, in turn, benefit him as well.
"This technique seems suitable for both Su Yao and Liu Ruyan to cultivate together. It can enhance their cultivation base, yet it's not quite appropriate..." He smiled slightly, pondering when suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door.
Leng Yunjian, Ye Qingyu's personal disciple, hurriedly arrived and respectfully said, "Elder Mu, Master requests your presence at the Hidden Heaven Pavilion for an important discussion."
Mu Xiaochuan raised an eyebrow. "Hall Master Ye has come out of seclusion?"
Leng Yunjian replied, "Yes, Elder Mu, Master came out of seclusion three days ago."
Mu Xiaochuan nodded. "Alright, you may return first. I'll be there shortly."
He quickly tidied his robes and said to Su Yao and Lin Yue, "You two rest first. I'll be back soon."
Inside the Hidden Heaven Pavilion, Ye Qingyu was discussing something in low voices with several Inner Sect disciples. As Mu Xiaochuan stepped into the pavilion, he quickly noticed that Ye Qingyu's aura had become much stronger than before.
"Junior Brother, you're here. Have a seat." Ye Qingyu greeted Mu Xiaochuan with a joyful smile.
"Greetings, Elder Mu." The Inner Sect disciples quickly saluted Mu Xiaochuan.
Mu Xiaochuan gestured for them to rise, then sat down beside Ye Qingyu.
Only then did Mu Xiaochuan notice that Ye Qingyu's cultivation had advanced. Previously at Foundation Establishment Stage Five, she had now broken through to Stage Six!
"Congratulations, Senior Sister, on your advancement!" Mu Xiaochuan quickly offered his congratulations.
Ye Qingyu nodded with a smile and said, "I owe it to the Spirit-Gathering Pill you gave me, Junior Brother. Without it, I wouldn't have broken through so smoothly."
Mu Xiaochuan smiled humbly, thinking to himself, "It seems the Spirit-Gathering Pill is indeed effective. I'll need to acquire more in the future."
The disciples, realizing that the Hall Master had broken through, all bowed in congratulations. "Congratulations to Hall Master Ye."
"Alright, enough small talk. Let's get down to business." Ye Qingyu cleared her throat, turning her gaze to everyone. "As you all know, the Yunqi Peak Grand Tournament, held every five years, is approaching."
"Senior Sister, is the Yunqi Peak Grand Tournament important?" Mu Xiaochuan asked quietly.
"Indeed." Ye Qingyu nodded, then looked around at everyone, speaking seriously, "This tournament is of great significance!"
"Yunqi Peak Grand Tournament is important?" Mu Xiaochuan thought to himself. He had heard Mu Qingyao mention it before but hadn't paid much attention.
"This tournament affects the reputation of Yunqi Peak, making it extremely important," Ye Qingyu continued. "Moreover, the results of this tournament will directly impact the Sect Grand Tournament held every five years."
"Sect Grand Tournament?" Mu Xiaochuan was puzzled. The Sect Grand Tournament was also held every five years, but he hadn't felt its importance before as an Outer Disciple.
"Junior Brother, you were in the Outer Sect before and might not know much about it," Ye Qingyu patiently explained. "The Sect Grand Tournament is a selection process for the 'Xiaoque Dynasty Dao Discourse Gathering' held every ten years."
Mu Xiaochuan knew about the Xiaoque Dynasty, where the Qingling Sect was located, but this was the first he'd heard of the 'Xiaoque Dynasty Dao Discourse Gathering.' What did it have to do with the tournament?
Ye Qingyu smiled and said, "As a member of the Cultivation Alliance within the Xiaoque Dynasty, our Qingling Sect naturally has to send representatives to the Dao Discourse Gathering. It's essentially a grand tournament among sects, where the sect that achieves a good ranking can have the dynasty's resources tilted in its favor, affecting the sect's future."
"Then why not call it the 'Xiaoque Dynasty Grand Tournament'? Does the Dao Discourse mean competing with other dynasties too?" Mu Xiaochuan thought to himself, but he gained a deeper understanding of the tournament's importance.
"That's a topic for another time. Let's focus on the upcoming Yunqi Peak Grand Tournament, which is divided into four categories: Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, Outer Sect Elders, and Inner Sect Elders," Ye Qingyu continued. "We need to select ten Outer Sect Disciples and ten Inner Sect Disciples, while both Outer and Inner Sect Elders must participate."
"Everyone must participate?" Mu Xiaochuan was taken aback.
"Yes, everyone must participate," Ye Qingyu said confidently. "In our Heaven Vault Pavilion, I'm the Inner Sect Elder, and now that I've broken through to Foundation Establishment Stage Six, securing a spot for the Inner Sect Elder is not a problem."
At this point, Ye Qingyu glanced at Mu Xiaochuan, thinking that since he had just reached the early stage of Foundation Establishment, he would likely be eliminated in the tournament. However, she still offered encouragement, "Junior Brother Xiaochuan, although you've just broken through, don't feel too pressured. Consider it an opportunity to gain experience and observe the strength of your fellow sect members. Today, we're mainly discussing the selection of Inner and Outer Sect Disciples."
Upon hearing this, Mu Xiaochuan's heart stirred, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. "Senior Sister Ye, does this mean... I have to participate as well?"