Young and Carefree

It was not just Lu Yi who was dumbfounded; even the disciples watching below were covered in black lines. Every male disciple glared at Lu Yi through gritted teeth, filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Damn it! Was being handsome and talented really such a big deal?!

Why did someone even invite him out during the grand competition?!

Even the deacon acting as referee was somewhat stunned. The corner of his mouth twitched before he gave a dry cough. "During the grand competition, do not discuss irrelevant matters!"

Gu Mingxi's pretty face flushed crimson, and she nodded repeatedly. "Oh, oh..."

"Start the match already!" The deacon felt a little weary.

Gu Mingxi nodded again and looked at Lu Yi. "Junior Brother, please enlighten me!"

"I wouldn't dare. Senior Sister, please enlighten me instead!" Lu Yi also felt tired. Being handsome really could be quite troublesome sometimes.

But it was not his fault either.

Gu Mingxi cultivated swordsmanship as well. With a longsword in hand, she charged toward Lu Yi like a butterfly.

Lu Yi remained expressionless as he compared their strengths inwardly. He found that Gu Mingxi was somewhat weaker than Senior Brothers Lu Ling and Wang Wulian. Among Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivators, she probably was not particularly strong.

If Lu Yi wanted to, he could end the match in a single move. But when he considered how discerning this Senior Sister was, he could not quite bring himself to do so.

Moreover, he had to prepare for the upcoming challenge matches for the top ten. Once the top ten had been selected, unlike the earlier preliminaries, disciples afterward could challenge any of the top ten if they were dissatisfied. He was hoping that more people would challenge him, so he could earn sparring rewards.

Better take it slow.

Cloud-like qi curled around Lu Yi's longsword as he met her charge.

In the air, Dugu Fang and the elders looked down at the matches below, their attention focused mainly on Lu Yi's arena.

Dugu Fang smiled. "This is the first time we've seen Lu Yi draw his sword, isn't it?"

Qi Feiyu smiled. "Indeed. Sword Qi Turns to Cloud—just as the rumors said, Lu Yi's White Cloud Swordplay has reached the Returning to Purity Realm."

An elder beside him gently stroked his white beard. Watching Lu Yi suppress Gu Mingxi on the arena, he nodded. "Swordsmanship at the Returning to Purity Realm truly has its merits. With Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivation, he can actually suppress Gu Mingxi at Qi Refining Ninth Layer. His strength is indeed extraordinary."

"Indeed. Lu Yi is only sixteen, yet he has cultivated White Cloud Swordplay to the Returning to Purity Realm. His comprehension is remarkably exceptional, and his future potential is immense. Perhaps he may become a pillar of our White Cloud Sect."

"Furthermore, this little fellow's parents are both from our White Cloud Sect. That is the finest part."

"Yes, there is no need to worry about him being a spy from another sect."

As Dugu Fang watched the battle below, a strange look gradually appeared on his face. He smiled. "That little fellow Lu Yi... is holding back."

His words left all the elders stunned. They carefully observed the battle on the arena, somewhat bewildered.

"Grand Elder... are you saying that little fellow Lu Yi is still holding back?" Qi Feiyu found it hard to believe.

"That's right. Suppressing Qi Refining Ninth Layer with Qi Refining Seventh Layer is already quite impressive. And he is still holding back?"

"This old man did not see that the boy was holding back."

Several elders looked uncertain and puzzled.

Dugu Fang gave a profound smile. "Gu Mingxi likely cannot force out that little fellow Lu Yi's true strength. The footwork he cultivates is White Cloud Footwork, and it has likely reached the Returning to Purity Realm as well."

"What?!" Everyone was shocked, staring at Lu Yi in disbelief.

"Grand Elder, is that true?!"

"Two techniques both cultivated to the Returning to Purity Realm? This comprehension... is far stronger than this old man imagined."

Seeing the many elders' astonishment, Dugu Fang chuckled. "When this old man was young, I cultivated White Cloud Footwork as well and have studied it quite deeply. Though that little fellow is hiding his abilities, how could he possibly conceal them from this old man's eyes?"

After hearing this, the elders no longer had any doubts. Their gazes toward Lu Yi became even more astonished, their eyes flickering.

At sixteen, he had brought two techniques to the Returning to Purity Realm... No, perhaps his understanding of his cultivation method was not shallow either?

A genius like this was exceedingly rare even in the entire White Cloud Sect.

He was enough to draw the attention of Outer Sect Elders like them, great cultivators of the Golden Core Realm.

One elder chuckled. "That little fellow Lu Yi is rather young and carefree. Gu Mingxi showed him favor earlier, and he actually knew to cherish a beauty?"

This made the elders laugh. Who among them had not been young once?

Instead, their thoughts began to stir. Young people liking beauties was perfectly normal. They had lived for centuries—who did not have a few beautiful younger relatives? Perhaps they could introduce some to Lu Yi.

The battle on the arena continued for a while. When Lu Yi saw Gu Mingxi's aura beginning to weaken, a sign that she had consumed much of her Spiritual Qi, he decided the time was about right. He activated his footwork, and his longsword, carrying the whistle of tearing wind, struck Gu Mingxi's sword.

Clang!

Gu Mingxi's longsword trembled violently from the impact. Seizing the opportunity, Lu Yi laid his sword across Gu Mingxi's neck.

Gu Mingxi panted repeatedly, her chest rising and falling as sweat appeared on her forehead. She looked at Lu Yi somewhat shyly.

Lu Yi was speechless inwardly... What was with that look in her eyes? She was not going to make him take responsibility, was she?

He hurriedly withdrew his sword and smiled. "Senior Sister Gu, I concede."

"Junior Brother is truly formidable. Senior Sister has lost," Gu Mingxi said.

Seeing that Gu Mingxi seemed to want to say something more, the deacon beside them sensed that something was amiss and quickly spoke. "Since the match is over, step down."

Lu Yi smiled at Gu Mingxi and hurriedly leaped down.

Seeing Lu Yi standing with Wang Wulian, Gu Mingxi was too thin-skinned to go over and merely walked to one side.

After Gu Mingxi, the matches continued.

There were a total of three hundred and twenty disciples participating in the ranking tournament, with thirty-two on each arena. After the first round, sixteen advanced. Those who advanced continued into the second round, until the final two fought for first place on their arena.

In the second round, Lu Yi encountered a Qi Refining Eighth Layer cultivator. That cultivator immediately conceded, and Lu Yi was happy for the easy victory.

In the third round, Lu Yi encountered a Senior Brother at Qi Refining Ninth Layer whose strength was about equal to Gu Mingxi's. Naturally, he posed no threat to Lu Yi. Just as he had against Gu Mingxi, Lu Yi accepted the sparring task and prolonged the match for a while before ending it, earning a Perfect Qi Condensation Pill.

By the fourth round, Lu Yi's opponent was likewise a Senior Brother at Qi Refining Ninth Layer. Lu Yi handled it the same way as before and received another Perfect Qi Condensation Pill.

The fifth round was the final round, the battle to vie for the top ten.

"The final round begins. Lu Yi, Mo Lingxi, take the arena." The deacon's indifferent voice rang out.

Mo Lingxi moved, appearing on the arena in an instant. His sharp gaze fixed on Lu Yi below. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, come up and fight! Let me see whether you can truly enter the top ten as you claimed!"

Lu Yi also jumped onto the arena, grinning cheerfully. "Rest assured, Senior Brother. I will definitely enter the top ten."

Two Perfect Qi Condensation Pills. Including the earlier ones, he would earn five Perfect Qi Condensation Pills from this round of matches. That was not bad either.

Hearing Lu Yi's words, anger surfaced on Mo Lingxi's face. He laughed. "Good, good, good! Since that is the case, then let me see your strength!"

The disciples below, the elders in the sky, and the deacons all found this amusing. They watched the two curiously, wanting to see which disciple was stronger.