SSS rank Mother-In-Law to an Invincible Family - Chapter 477

Chapter 477: The Empyrean Harmony Sect’s Yearly Tournament Starts Now
The Empyrean Harmony Sect was awake early today.

Even before the sun had fully risen, people were already moving. Disciples in training robes hurried between buildings.

Elders stood on platforms, watching over preparations. Flags were raised. Weapon racks were inspected. Formation stones glowed faintly along the ground.

It was the start of something big.

Today was the sect’s annual advancement tournament.

For many, this was the most important day of the year.

The sect had a clear system. Disciples were sorted by rank. At the bottom were the outer disciples.

These were the newcomers, the ones still building their foundation. Above them were the inner disciples—more experienced, stronger, and already trusted with certain duties.

Then came the core disciples, the elites. Some came from strong families, and others had risen through pure effort.

They received personal guidance, had access to better resources, and were often seen as the future of the sect.

At the top, above even the core level, were the true disciples and the elders. True disciples were usually young, but very powerful.

Elders were older, more experienced, and already had responsibilities within the sect. Not everyone wanted to become an elder.

Some core disciples preferred to stay as true disciples, focusing on cultivation and missions instead of taking on leadership.

Others chose to step into that role and help run the sect from the inside.

The tournament was how disciples moved between these ranks.

If an outer disciple had enough strength and cultivation realm, and if they passed all their tests and did well in the tournament, they could be promoted to inner disciple.

If an inner disciple stood out today, they might be chosen as a core disciple. And the core disciples—today was their chance to show they were ready for something more.

Either the title of true disciple or, if they were older and more experienced, the chance to become an elder.

The whole sect was gathered for it.

Disciples who weren’t participating still watched. Everyone was curious to see who had improved.

Who had hidden their progress? Who had broken through in secret. There were always surprises.

Someone quiet might suddenly explode onto the stage with a rare technique, or a known favorite might lose early because of one small mistake. No one could ever predict everything.

The main arena was large. It sat in the center of the sect grounds, with raised platforms for spectators and separate stages for each level of the tournament.

Outer disciple matches were held on the outer stages, closer to the lower seating. Inner disciple fights took place in the middle.

Core disciple duels were always at the center, where the sect leaders and high elders could watch directly.

Today, the crowd filled every platform.

Loud voices mixed with laughter, cheering, and conversations about who might win or what technique they hoped to see.

Some were nervous, some were excited, some were just there to enjoy the day.

Vendors even showed up near the lower sections, selling food and tea to those not competing. It was more than just a tournament. It was a festival.

Many disciples had spent the last year preparing for this moment. Long nights of training. Early morning meditation.

Quiet days spent refining techniques. Even those who didn’t think they’d win wanted to leave a strong impression.

If you fought well, an elder might take notice. You might get called in for a lesson, or even get better missions, or even become the elder’s personal disciple, which is something that is rare due to many elders being either out on missions or closed-door cultivating.

For some other disciples, this was their one big shot.

Once you became an inner disciple, life changed. You received a personal room. Better weapons. More stable access to spirit stones and pills.

You could visit certain libraries and training areas that are not open to the outer ranks. The gap between outer and inner was real, and every disciple here knew it.

That’s why many were tense.

In the waiting areas, outer disciples stood in groups, checking their gear, whispering advice, trying to calm their nerves.

Some were sharpening blades. Others closed their eyes, going over footwork or breathing patterns in their heads. A few sat alone, staying focused.

The inner disciples were calmer—but not by much.

They had more experience. Most had fought before. But the chance to become a core disciple was rare.

Not many slots opened up each year. And competition was always sharp. Even if you didn’t lose badly, losing at the wrong moment could set you back a whole year.

The core disciples had the most pressure on them.

Many of them had names already known throughout the sect. Some were respected. Others were feared.

Some had even served as temporary teachers for lower ranks. But none of that mattered today. What mattered was strength, composure, and showing something new.

In a private platform overlooking the center stage, two figures stood quietly.

Liu Anwei and Bai Xueyan.

They didn’t say much, but their presence was enough. Disciples who noticed them instantly stood straighter. Even the elders gave small nods in their direction.

Anwei wore her usual simple uniform—white with black lining, fitted perfectly. Her long white hair was tied back, her eyes calm as she watched the matches start below.

She didn’t smile, but she didn’t frown either. She looked steady. Focused.

Bai Xueyan stood beside her, her white hair a bit more free-flowing, pinned with two soft blue clips.

Her expression was brighter, more curious. She leaned slightly forward now and then, clearly enjoying the tournament. When a match caught her attention, her eyes lit up with interest.

They didn’t speak often, but when they did, it was short and to the point.

“Third platform,” Xueyan said, pointing.

Anwei nodded. “Unexpected technique. But unstable.”

“Still made it work.”

“Barely.”

They continued watching.

Both of them understood what today meant. This wasn’t just about ranking up. It was about finding the next set of people who could carry the sect forward—not just the strongest, but the most disciplined, the smartest, the ones who could adapt.

At the far end of the arena, a loud cheer went up.

An outer disciple had just won in a surprise upset, defeating someone who was ranked much higher last year. Even Anwei raised one eyebrow slightly at the final move.