The top ten seats of the Inner Sect Grand Competition had been settled, and the atmosphere at Ziyang Peak's Training Ground had climbed to its peak. Even the howling mountain wind seemed frozen by the taut, drawn-sword tension in the air. These ten disciples were all cream-of-the-crop figures selected from thousands of Inner Sect disciples. Each possessed the strength to crush opponents of the same level. Three of them had even touched the threshold of the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, their spiritual energy already thick as mist. They needed only one final push to break through another bottleneck and step into a higher realm.
The Referee Elder stood at the edge of the high platform with a Yellow List in hand. His voice, infused with spiritual energy, announced the top ten list before all the disciples, one word at a time. Aside from the somewhat unfamiliar name Shen Hao, the other nine were all veteran powerhouses renowned throughout the Inner Sect. Every name announced stirred waves of discussion below the stage. Ranked first was a disciple named Chu Feng. He had already reached the Half Step Qi Refining Fifth Layer. It was said that he had touched the threshold of the Qi Refining Fifth Layer half a year ago, yet had forcibly suppressed his urge to break through in order to temper his foundation. Chu Feng's swordsmanship was ruthless and fierce, following the path of One Sword Breaks All Laws. Within a single year, he had defeated seventeen disciples at the Peak Qi Refining Fourth Layer in succession without tasting defeat. He was the undisputed favorite for First Place in this Inner Sect Grand Competition.
Following close behind were two disciples likewise at the Half Step Qi Refining Fifth Layer: Zhao Lei, who excelled in defense, and Su Mei, who