Selection Begins

The next morning, Elder Mo Yuan of the Outer Sect stood with his hands clasped behind his back on the viewing platform at the front of the martial arts arena.

He wore a dark robe, and his silver-white beard fluttered in the breeze. His imposing presence, stern without anger, quieted the entire arena.

Lu Yue sat respectfully at his side, while the other elders took their seats in turn.

"What are your thoughts on this year's selection for the Top Ten Outer Disciples?" Mo Yuan's deep, powerful voice rang across the arena, carried by his true energy.

Elder Li Xun stroked his beard. "There's no suspense about the top two. Yuwen Jie and Lu Zi'ang are firmly in first and second place. As for the other eight, I'm afraid the results won't differ much from the rankings circulating among the Outer Sect. However..."

He paused. "I've heard that Su Yu, who only recently joined us, defeated Zou Lintian with a single move a month ago. He's worth keeping an eye on."

A flash of light glinted in Mo Yuan's eyes as the image of that composed, unyielding young man surfaced in his mind. "Could this boy... contend for the top spot?"

Elder Li Xun shook his head with a smile. "Great Elder, you jest. Even Ye Chen, that prodigy of the Inner Sect, only claimed the Outer Sect's top spot after half a year. Su Yu hasn't even been here three months. How could he possibly defeat Yuwen Jie? Even Lu Zi'ang would probably..."

Lu Yue sighed inwardly.

Although he had high hopes for Su Yu, he had to admit Elder Li Xun was right.

Three months was simply too short.

At that moment, Su Yu had already arrived at the arena.

From a distance, he saw Su Yan waving. It turned out Su Yan had come early to secure their seats.

To Su Yu's surprise, Su Yun, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, had also come.

Even more surprising, Yunxi and Ye Xuan were sitting with Su Mei. The three young women chatted quietly, getting along harmoniously.

"Cousin!" Su Mei's eyes lit up when she saw Su Yu approach. "Are you competing today?"

Before Su Yu could answer, Su Yan cut in eagerly. "Of course Brother Yu's competing! I think he can make the top five at least!"

Su Yu smiled calmly. "I'll do my best. I'll leave the ranking to fate."

Su Yun, standing nearby, wore a complicated expression.

Once, he had been the undisputed Number One Genius of the Su Family.

Even after Su Yu surpassed him, he had always believed that diligence could make up for a lack of talent.

For the past two months, he had trained day and night, bringing the Blazing Sun Sword Style to Lesser Accomplishment. He had hoped to challenge Su Yu again.

But when he heard that Su Yu had killed Zou Lintian with a single move, he finally understood that some people were destined to be gazed up at from below.

"Good luck." Su Yun took a deep breath and spoke solemnly.

At that moment, he finally let go of his obsession.

Su Yu didn't know what Su Yun was thinking, but he thanked him sincerely all the same.

He turned to Yunxi and Ye Xuan. "Aren't you two competing?"

Yunxi smiled faintly and shook her head. "Ye Xuan and I are only here to watch today."

A deeper meaning flickered in her cool eyes. "Be... careful."

Su Yu stood by the edge of the arena when a bone-chilling cold suddenly crept up his back.

He turned around. Zou Lintian stood pale-faced beside Zhang Hao, his eyes brimming with a venomous hatred so intense it seemed almost tangible.

Standing before them was a young man in a dark robe, his hands clasped behind his back. His sword-like brows and star-bright eyes were filled with cold severity.

It was none other than the Outer Sect's second-ranked disciple, Lu Zi'ang.

His gaze was as sharp as a blade. He watched Su Yu for a moment, then curled his lips into a cold smile.

Farther away, one solitary figure stood out.

A black-robed youth stood alone at the edge of the arena, his eyes half-closed. No one dared approach within three zhang of him.

Even amid the clamor of the martial arts arena, the space around him seemed like a world apart.

Su Yu's Soul Power stirred faintly. He immediately sensed the terrifying aura lying dormant within the other man, unfathomable as an abyss.

Yuwen Jie... Su Yu murmured the name to himself, his fingers unconsciously brushing the hilt of his sword.

The Outer Sect's top disciple truly lived up to his reputation. Even standing still, he exerted such a crushing presence.

Just then, the bronze bell at the center of the arena boomed. The selection for the Top Ten Outer Disciples had officially begun!

At the center of the arena, an Outer Sect Deacon in a gray robe stepped forward. His deep voice rang across the grounds, carried by true energy.

"The rewards for this year's Top Ten Outer Disciples selection are as follows—"

He swept out his sleeve, and golden light gathered in the air, forming a list of clearly visible words:

Fourth to tenth place: 1,000 Low-grade Spirit Stones and 1,000 Sect Contribution Points. Third place: 2,000 Low-grade Spirit Stones and 2,000 Sect Contribution Points. Second place: 3,000 Low-grade Spirit Stones and 3,000 Sect Contribution Points. First place: 5,000 Low-grade Spirit Stones and 5,000 Sect Contribution Points.

"Hiss—"

A chorus of sharp intakes of breath rose from the crowd.

Even Inner Sect Disciples would envy such rewards!

An ordinary Outer Sect Disciple might earn only one or two hundred contribution points for completing a dangerous mission. Spirit Stones were even scarcer, and having enough could double one's cultivation speed!

But soon, the crowd calmed down. The rewards were generous, but they belonged to only the ten strongest disciples.

The vast majority didn't even qualify to take the stage and challenge anyone.

The Outer Sect Deacon continued, "This year's selection for the Top Ten Outer Disciples will use a brand-new format! It will have two stages—"

"Stage One: Battle for Fourth to Tenth Place"

"This stage will use a challenge-and-defend format. The rules are as follows:"

"1. Starting with fourth place, challengers will take the stage in order."

"2. Each disciple will have only two chances to challenge for a place."

"3. Each ranking will be open to a challenge only once."

"4. Those who successfully defend their place will secure that ranking."

"Stage Two: Battle for the Top Three"

"This stage will use a points system. The rules are as follows:"

"1. Those wishing to participate must register before the competition begins."

"2. Anyone who registers will automatically forfeit their eligibility for Stage One."

"3. The battle for the top three will be a round-robin tournament."

"4. A win earns 2 points, a draw earns 1 point, and a loss earns 0 points."

"5. The top three will be ranked according to their final scores."

"Whoa—"

The crowd erupted. This format meant—

Anyone who wanted to compete for the top three would have to give up the chance to place fourth through tenth!

"That's brutal! If you sign up for the top-three competition but don't make the top three, won't you lose your chance at the top ten entirely?"

"This is clearly meant to sift out the truly top-tier prodigies!"

On the viewing platform, Elder Li Xun stroked his beard and smiled. "This format is interesting. Those who dare sign up for the top-three contest are either true monsters or reckless fools who don't know how high the sky is."

Great Elder Mo Yuan's gaze was profound. "This is just the chance to see how many of these disciples truly have the courage."

At the edge of the arena, Su Yu's eyes glinted. This format suited him perfectly!

"Now, those who wish to compete for the top three, step forward and register!" the deacon announced loudly.

The entire arena fell silent in an instant. Everyone held their breath, waiting.

Who would be confident enough to aim straight for the top three?