Second Place
Next, it was Bi Fan and Li Shu's turn to battle for first place. They both stepped onto the stage.
"Bi Fan, please guide me!"
"Li Shu, please!"
The match began, and Li Shu struck first with a fierce, torrential assault.
Bi Fan had no intention of meeting him head-on. He used the basic footwork of the Misty Dance, dodging left and right with effortless ease.
One of the Qingyang Sect's senior figures exclaimed in surprise, "What movement technique is Bi Fan using? I've never seen it before."
"That can't be called a movement technique. It's only the most basic footwork, yet he's cultivated it to perfection. He's truly impressive. This boy has a good temperament. To have trained basic footwork to such a level—his future achievements will be considerable," Ling Xin Ya said.
Seeing that he couldn't get the better of Bi Fan, Li Shu grew anxious. His rapid assault had been a desperate move.
Earlier, Li Shu had fought Zhou Feng and suffered serious injuries. There was no way he could fully recover in just one hour.
Bi Fan, meanwhile, had won his previous match without fighting and had conserved his strength, so he already had an advantage.
Li Shu had to end the fight quickly. The longer it went on, the worse things would be for him.
But Bi Fan refused to meet him head-on. His movements were less nimble than Bi Fan's, leaving Li Shu utterly helpless.
Li Shu's speed kept slowing. Bi Fan's eyes lit up; he knew the time was about right.
Myriad Ancestor Fist—Black Tiger Rips Out Its Heart.
Bi Fan finally counterattacked. It was the simplest of moves, yet he put all his strength into it, his power overwhelming.
He would overcome skill with strength, taking advantage of Li Shu's inferior strength.
Li Shu hurriedly dodged, now unwilling to meet Bi Fan head-on.
"Ha!" Li Shu gave ground, but Bi Fan followed up with one attack after another, launching a fierce assault and giving Li Shu no chance to catch his breath.
Li Shu's speed slowed, and his posture was no longer as upright as before.
In the end, Li Shu failed to dodge in time and was struck by Bi Fan.
Bi Fan's punches carried tremendous force. Li Shu's already-injured body couldn't withstand the blow, and he was knocked to the ground. It took him quite a while to recover.
Bi Fan won, and the Registered Disciple ranking tournament came to an end.
Yu Xiao Feng called out loudly, "Bi Fan, well done!"
Cheers rang out from the stands. From the Registered Disciple selection through the ranking tournament, Bi Fan had performed well and won the support of many fellow disciples.
Standing on the stage, Bi Fan was overwhelmed with emotion. Just a few months earlier, he had been a frail little medicine boy, bullied and cursed at by everyone.
Now, not only had he become a Registered Disciple, he had also won first place in the ranking tournament.
It all felt so unreal, like a dream.
After a long while, Bi Fan shook his head and stepped down from the stage.
This was only the beginning. He still had a long road ahead and needed to look forward.
Bi Fan walked away lightly, leaving the victory behind. He knew he still had a long way to go.
The revolution had not yet succeeded; comrades still had to work hard.
"The Registered Disciple ranking tournament has come to a successful conclusion. Congratulations to those who achieved good results. Those who didn't shouldn't be discouraged; just keep cultivating diligently," Ling Xin Ya said.
Next came the presentation of the prizes. Bi Fan was called last.
First place came with a high-grade Magic Tool, ten Inner Breath Pills, and three Viscera Solidifying Pills. The rewards were generous, and even as Bi Fan held them, he couldn't help feeling excited.
"Bi Fan, would you like to enter the Demon Realm for training?" Ling Xin Ya asked.
"Enter the Demon Realm?" Bi Fan asked in surprise, unsure what he meant.
The Demon Realm was a place where cultivators could undergo trials. Many sects sent their younger disciples there to temper themselves.
In the Qingyang Sect, anyone who wished to become an Inner Disciple had to complete a month-long trial in the Demon Realm.
As long as they survived, they could become Inner Disciples, gaining much higher status and better treatment.
Of course, Bi Fan didn't know that Ling Xin Ya was asking because he intended to take him as a disciple.
Ling Xin Ya said, "If you can last a month in the outer reaches of the Demon Realm, I'll make an exception and promote you to Inner Disciple, and take you as my disciple. You can think it over."
"I accept," Bi Fan replied without hesitation.
He didn't dwell on it. If he had to think everything through before acting, he'd never do anything at all.
Becoming the Vice Sect Master's disciple already exceeded Bi Fan's expectations.
Once Bi Fan became the Vice Sect Master's disciple, Zhu San's days would be numbered. No one would dare hold him accountable for killing Zhu San.
That was what it meant to borrow power. Cultivators had to learn to wield it, or the road ahead would never be smooth.
"Very good. Once you've passed this trial in the Demon Realm, bring this token to the Peak of Yang Mountain and find me." Ling Xin Ya took out a golden token and handed it to Bi Fan.
Bi Fan accepted the token and bowed. "Thank you, Vice Sect Master. I'll pass the Demon Realm trial as soon as I can."
"Demon Realm or not, no matter how dangerous it is, I'll make it through." Bi Fan stepped down from the stage, thinking to himself.
The Registered Disciple ranking tournament was over, and night had fallen. The Inner Disciples' matches would have to wait until tomorrow, and the spectators began to leave in groups.
"Bi Fan, well done! You were amazing!" Yu Xiao Feng said with a grin, patting Bi Fan on the shoulder.
Bi Fan only grinned foolishly, saying nothing. He was deeply excited.
Jing Feng strode over and said, "Brother Bi, congratulations on taking first place."
"Thank you, Brother Jing Feng." Bi Fan smiled.
As soon as Jing Feng arrived, the female disciples from Jade Maiden Peak kept edging toward him, their infatuation turning almost frantic.
Yu Xiao Feng glared at Jing Feng, then turned her head away, leaving him bewildered.
Jing Feng asked, "Brother Bi, did the Vice Sect Master just ask you to enter the Demon Realm?"
Bi Fan nodded. "How did you know, Brother Jing Feng?"
"I guessed. You performed brilliantly, so it's only natural that the Vice Sect Master wants to take you as his disciple. It would've been strange if he hadn't made you an offer," Jing Feng said with a smile.
Yu Xiao Feng exclaimed in surprise, "Bi Fan, the Vice Sect Master really wants to take you as his disciple?"
"That's right, but only after I pass the Demon Realm trial," Bi Fan said.
Yu Xiao Feng teased, "Bi Fan, you're soaring to new heights now. Don't forget us in the future—especially how highly the young miss thinks of you."
"Sis Xiao Feng, I'll never forget. If the young miss hadn't taken me in and taught me the cultivation method, I might still be quietly tending the Medicine Garden somewhere, unknown to anyone." Bi Fan spoke with heartfelt sincerity.
He wasn't exaggerating. Yu Si Yan had done him a great kindness, and he would never forget it.
Jing Feng gave his folding fan a flick, drawing the sparkling gazes of the female disciples from Jade Maiden Peak.
"Brother Bi, I'll take my leave. Remember to come watch the matches tomorrow and cheer me on."
"Brother Jing Feng, I'll be there on time." Bi Fan rubbed his chin.
"Senior Brother Jing Feng, we'll cheer for you too..." The female disciples swarmed around Jing Feng, frightening him into fleeing in disarray, all pretense of composure forgotten.
Yu Xiao Feng laughed. "That pretentious fellow can look pretty pathetic too."
Though she was making fun of Jing Feng, she wore a smile and clearly meant no harm. If anything, she seemed to like him more.
Bi Fan could tell that Yu Xiao Feng's attitude toward Jing Feng was a little unusual. He felt a twinge of jealousy.
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