In the manor.
Principal Wan said, "Now, that the accommodation has been arranged. You can either stay in or take a look outside. However, do not cause any trouble outside."
Most of the disciples went to check out the spring sect.
This was a new place for them. So, it was understandable.
***
Grim went to Lou Xiang and greeted her.
"Greetings master."
She replied, "Come here. I'll introduce you to your senior brother."
Soon, a tall bulky man appeared.
She introduced, "Grim, this is your senior disciple Ren Dan."
Grim greeted his senior brother, "Greetings, senior brother."
Ren Dan greeted back, "Greetings, junior brother. I finally got to meet you. The teacher always talks about you."
Bam!
Lou Xiang smacked the head of Ren Dan and said, "Alright, now that you have met each other. You can either sit or go have a look outside."
Grim decided to go outside while Ren Dan went to his room.
***
Grim went around the sect and observed different stalls. However, glancing was all he could do.
Everyone within the sect used 'spirit stones' which he did not possess.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Grim went back to his master Lou Xiang for more information.
Lou Xiang told him to exchange his spirit coins for the stones in the trading hall and provided him with directions to the trading hall.
***
Grim arrived at the trading hall.
He went to the counter.
The receptionist asked, "How may I help you sir?"
"I want to exchange spirit coins for spirit stones."
The receptionist told him the exchange rate.
The exchange rate was 1000 spirit coins = 1 low-grade spirit stone.
100 low-grade spirit stones = 1 mid-grade spirit stones
100 mid-grade spirit stones = 1 top-grade spirit stone.
Grim had around 15000 spirit coins. So, he exchanged it for 15 low-grade spirit stones.
"At least I can afford food now."
Grim went out of the trading hall.
***
Currently, he possessed some spirit stones. But, it was not enough to buy him things he desired like liquid Qi, skill scroll, or treasures.
He went to a cheap restaurant and ordered local cuisine.
He paid 1 spirit stone for the food.
"At least the foods are cheap here."
Then, he returned to his room.
All these times he had focused on physical strength only. So, it was time for him to cultivate.
The Qi was abundant there. So, he started absorbing Qi like crazy.
While practicing body enhancement, he used the 'moonlight storm', and it allowed his cultivation to progress by a degree.
He was very close to breaking into the second level of the evolution realm, and he was able to break through the second level in a week.
While he was busy cultivating, the remaining participants had also arrived.
The tournament was announced to be held after two days.
***
Deep Region of the forbidden forest.
A giant bird-like figure was sleeping inside the cave.
Suddenly, its eyes opened.
Screechhhhhh!
It released a loud screech that could be heard up to a few hundred kilometers away.
Hearing the noise, two griffins came and knelt in front of the figure.
The beast gave them orders through telepathy.
"Go and assemble the troops. I have received the message that the messenger will arrive in fifteen years."
"We have to take over the planet before the messenger arrives."
"We will attack in a month and our first target will be the weakest of the bunch, the 'Frost Sect'."
The griffins nodded in response and flew away.
The Griffins flew to the middle region of the forbidden forest and started recruiting beasts.
Some beasts dared to defy the orders. But, they were slaughtered on the spot to make an example.
The entire world was oblivious to the development taking place in the forbidden forest. But, they would find out soon.
[Evo points left: 128,750]