Su Yu vs. Lu Zi'ang

The atmosphere on the martial arts field suddenly froze.

The voice of the grey-robed deacon echoed throughout the arena: "Those who wish to compete for the top three, step forward and register!"

Before the words even fell, a black-robed youth slowly walked out.

His steps were steady, his aura like an abyss or the sea, as if he were completely out of sync with the clamor of the entire arena.

"It's Yuwen Jie!" someone exclaimed.

The crowd was not surprised.

This number one Outer Sect disciple was already recognized as the peak existence.

It would be strange if he didn't participate.

Immediately after, a youth in black robes let out a cold laugh and strode forward.

His gaze was like a knife, sweeping across the field, finally lingering on Su Yu for a moment, a sneer curling up his lips.

"Lu Zi'ang is also here!"

The crowd nodded; this was also within expectations.

After all, although Lu Zi'ang was a notch below Yuwen Jie, his strength was equally unfathomable, and there was no suspense about him competing for the top three.

Just as the crowd thought the registration was about to end, a youth in grey robes with a calm face walked out.

His expression was indifferent, lacking Yuwen Jie's arrogance or Lu Zi'ang's sharpness, but his aura was no weaker.

"Zhang Heng? He's actually registered too!"

Zhang Heng, third in the Outer Sect, was usually low-key and introverted, rarely competing with others.

But with the rules today, he had no choice but to step forward.

After all, if he didn't compete, the third spot would likely be taken by someone else.

"Although Zhang Heng isn't as good as the previous two, his strength shouldn't be underestimated either," someone whispered.

Just as the crowd thought registration was over, a figure in white stepped out.

"That's... Su Yu?!"

The entire venue erupted in an uproar!

"He actually dares to register for the top three competition?"

"Even though he could instantly kill Zou Lintian, the top three are no joke!"

"Yuwen Jie, Lu Zi'ang, Zhang Heng – which of them isn't a top Outer Sect disciple? What makes him think he can compete?"

Discussions erupted, some in amazement, some in doubt, and even more in cold laughter.

"Su Yu is indeed strong, but it's as hard as climbing to heaven to make it into the top three!"

"If he went for fourth or fifth, maybe he'd have a chance, but the top three... hehe."

Facing the crowd's doubts, Su Yu's expression was calm. He simply walked to the registration area and wrote his name on the roster.

With Su Yu's registration, some disciples who were initially considering it completely gave up.

"The competition for the top three is too fierce; it's safer to aim for the top ten."

"Yeah, the top three are almost monopolized by Yuwen Jie, Lu Zi'ang, and Zhang Heng. Even though Su Yu is strong, it's too difficult to squeeze in."

"Let's not take the risk; the rewards for the top ten aren't bad either."

For a time, no one else came forward to register.

In the end, there were only four contenders for the top three: Yuwen Jie, Lu Zi'ang, Zhang Heng, and Su Yu.

"The competition begins!" the deacon announced loudly.

On the martial arts field, the battles for the fourth to tenth places were in full swing.

Although this competition wasn't as eye-catching as the fight for the top three, it was still spectacular, allowing the audience to witness the true strength of the Misty Cloud Sect's Outer Sect disciples.

The results of the competition were largely in line with everyone's expectations. The veteran disciples who had consistently ranked in the top twenty of the Outer Sect performed steadily, and several disciples with strong abilities successfully maintained their high rankings.

However, the competition for the lower-ranked positions was particularly fierce, with upsets occurring frequently.

The most surprising was the performance of the new disciple, Su Yun.

This youth, who usually kept a low profile, displayed astonishing strength in the battle for tenth place.

The Blazing Sun Sword Style he wielded had reached the Lesser Accomplishment realm. His sword intent was like a prairie fire, and he consecutively defeated three veteran disciples.

Although he ultimately lost a close match to a senior disciple who had been with the sect for nearly three years, his sharp sword techniques and steady demeanor had already earned him thunderous applause.

The Elders in the stands nodded frequently, their eyes revealing admiration.

Even the usually stern Elder Li Xun had to admit, "Among this batch of new disciples, besides Su Yu, there's actually another outstanding talent."

Su Yan and Su Mei below watched with excitement, but thinking that their own sword techniques had not yet reached Lesser Accomplishment, they ultimately suppressed the urge to go on stage.

Yunxi, on the other hand, kept casting glances at Su Yu, who stood quietly to the side. This white-robed youth, who remained with his eyes closed and meditating, filled her with anticipation for the upcoming peak battle.

The bell chimed through the sky, and the entire venue instantly fell silent.

The first match of the second stage—Su Yu versus Lu Zi'ang!

The announcement struck like thunder, immediately causing a stir in the stands.

Countless disciples craned their necks, afraid to miss a single detail of this grudge match.

"This is going to be good!"

"Senior Brother Lu has been holding in his anger for a month..."

Amidst the clamor, Su Yu, in his flowing blue robes, landed on the martial arts stage like a drifting cloud.

Opposite him, Lu Zi'ang stood with his sword already drawn. The meteor patterns embroidered with silver thread on his dark jade attire glittered in the sunlight.

"Newcomer, you will pay the price for your arrogance that day." Lu Zi'ang's sword tip trembled slightly, tracing points of cold starlight in the air.

Su Yu slowly drew his sword, his tone calm, "I don't recall ever provoking you."

"You court death!"

Lu Zi'ang moved like lightning, unleashing the Blazing Sun Sword Style with all his might.

A silver light, like a falling star, descended. In the blink of an eye, it had pierced to within three inches of Su Yu's throat—it was the killing move, Meteor Chasing Moon!

In the stands, Elder Li Xun clapped his hands in admiration, "A fine Meteor Chasing Moon! Lu Zi'ang's sword speed is three points faster than last month!"

At the critical moment, Su Yu's sword intent suddenly shifted.

"Mountain Suppression!"

The Azure Edge Sword seemed to instantly weigh a thousand pounds, pressing down with the might of a towering mountain.

Lu Zi'ang's swift sword strike hit an invisible mountain. Not only did his attack dissipate completely, but he was also repelled back seven steps by the rebound, his tiger's mouth bursting!

"This is... Elder Lu Yue suddenly stood up, "Lone Peak Sword Art!"

Grand Elder Mo Yuan narrowed his eyes, "The useless sword manual that even Outer Sect Disciples can't master?"

On the stage, Lu Zi'ang's expression flickered between anger and uncertainty.

He shook his numb arm and suddenly sneered, "Interesting."

Before his words faded, his figure dissolved into seven afterimages—Phantom Body!

Seven sword lights stabbed towards Su Yu from different angles, each aimed at a vital spot.

However, Su Yu's movements also became elusive. He unleashed the Fleeting Light Shadow movement technique, neutralizing all the attacks within inches of his body.

Clang clang clang!

The sounds of metal clashing rained down like a storm. In the span of a breath, they had exchanged over ten blows.

Lu Zi'ang grew increasingly alarmed as they fought.

His opponent seemed to predict his every move, and the feeling of being completely seen through sent a chill down his spine.

"Now!" Lu Zi'ang suddenly changed his tactic, seizing the moment when Su Yu's sword momentum was waning. He ghosted behind him.

"Star Burst!"

His long sword, enveloped in violent spiritual power, stabbed directly at Su Yu's back. The power of this strike caused the very air to explode!

Gasps erupted from the stands. Su Yan almost rushed onto the stage.

In that flash of lightning—

"Skyward Pierce!"

Su Yu's figure shot up like a lone peak emerging from the ground, narrowly dodging the fatal blow.

Reaching the highest point, he suddenly reversed direction, his sword edge descending with the force of splitting mountains and severing peaks!

Lu Zi'ang hastily crossed his sword to block, but with a crack, his sword, which had accompanied him for many years, snapped in two.

The residual sword qi directly blasted him over thirty feet away, where he slammed heavily against the protective barrier.

The entire audience fell silent, then erupted in earth-shattering cheers.

A moment later, the Elder Referee, trembling, announced, "Su... Su Yu wins!"

At the edge of the martial arts arena, Zou Lintian's already pale face turned ashen.

He gripped the railing of the stands tightly, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force.

When he saw Lu Zi'ang blasted away with a single sword strike, he felt as if struck by lightning. His legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed.

"This... how is this possible..." Zou Lintian muttered, his lips trembling, his voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

In the stands, Elder Lu Yue had long since dropped his teacup without realizing it.

He murmured, "The third stance of Lone Peak Sword Art... he actually managed to master it..."

Grand Elder Mo Yuan's long beard fluttered in the windless air, his eyes shooting out brilliant light. "This child's comprehension... I fear few within the Inner Sect can surpass him."

In the center of the martial arts stage, Su Yu sheathed his sword.

The sunlight gilded his form, and his upright figure truly resembled a lone peak, standing proudly between heaven and earth.