Advancement (Thanks to labula for the 100-coin tip)

On the arena platform, Ye Xingyu, as a talisman master, was the first to speak.

He was considered one of the youngest among the Xing generation, not much older than Ye Jingteng, the eldest of the Jing generation, and was also a renowned talisman master.

Once he said this, although the other cultivators frowned, they did not think it was much of a problem.

After all, among craftsmen, perhaps only alchemists would be at a slight disadvantage.

Ye Xinghe beside them said nothing either, clearly tacitly approving it.

In the Ye Family's philosophy, maintaining equal conditions as much as possible was already the greatest fairness.

"Uncle Xingyu, naturally there's no problem!" Ye Jingcheng had no other thoughts on the matter.

If Ye Xingyu had been a first-rank high-grade talisman master, he might have been wary. But in the talisman-making profession, without mastering the corresponding spells, one could not create talismans.

Ye Xingyu was at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, so first-rank middle-grade talismans were already the limit of what he could make. There was not much for Ye Jingcheng to fear.

Moreover, Ye Jingcheng noticed that the other party had not even released a spirit beast.

Whether it was arrogance or not, at the very least, it meant Ye Jingcheng could seize the initiative.

"Uncle Xingyu, your nephew is a beastmaster. Please go easy on me, Uncle Xingyu!" Ye Jingcheng released the Crimson Flame Fox and cupped his hands as he spoke.

He was exceedingly polite.

The moment the enormous Crimson Flame Fox appeared, many cultivators were utterly shocked—even Ye Xinghe was no exception!

Ye Jingcheng's Crimson Flame Fox had grown far too quickly. Judging by the density of its spiritual energy, it had already reached the level of the seventh stage of Qi Refinement.

Ye Jingli and Ye Jingyong, who had been looking pleased with themselves, had their expressions collapse in an instant!

Ye Jingcheng's Crimson Flame Fox had been raised in the same batch as theirs.

Yet now, the gap was simply too obvious.

Ye Xingyu's expression changed, but it was already too late to say anything.

As a bell rang, the arena match officially began!

Four enormous Fireball Spells shot out in rapid succession, flying straight at Ye Xingyu's face!

The speed at which the fox spat out fireballs was something Ye Xingyu had never heard of. He hurriedly took out several Fireball Talismans and several Ice Shield Talismans.

The talisman spells and fireballs exploded in midair like dazzling fireworks!

But what made Ye Xingyu wary was that these Fireball Spells were clearly far stronger than those cast by ordinary cultivators. Though his talismans were also instant-cast, the difference between them was immediately apparent.

The massive fireballs still bore down on him. At that moment, even he was frightened by their power and could only slap down two Swiftstep Talismans, dodging again and again!

The remaining fireballs exploded on the arena platform, turning even the platform forged with black iron red-hot with a boom, as if it could barely endure the impact.

Ye Xingyu hurriedly unleashed several more talismans, while a palm-leaf fan appeared in his hand. With a single sweep of the fan!

The talismans' speed surged again!

Clearly, he intended to catch Ye Jingcheng off guard with thunderous speed before he could cover his ears!

Yet Ye Jingcheng had already swung out a small shield, while the Crimson Flame Fox spat out another three fireballs. The blazing fireballs made even the air's temperature violently tremble!

At the same time, everyone noticed that the spiritual markings on the Crimson Flame Fox's forehead seemed to have ignited!

The clash of talisman spells gradually subsided once more, but while Ye Xingyu was not paying attention, Ye Jingcheng's Ironwood Vines had already wrapped around him.

The Ironwood Vines were densely packed, and as they bound him, a Freezing Talisman blossomed beneath his feet.

Ye Xingyu had nowhere to dodge.

A massive fireball emerged above the Crimson Flame Fox's head!

"I concede!" Ye Xingyu shook his head helplessly!

The Crimson Flame Fox was simply too terrifying. Its casting speed was faster than talismans, and its power was immense.

Combined with Ye Jingcheng's control, he might still have had a chance in varied terrain. But on an arena platform, it was useless.

The Crimson Flame Fox's Great Fireball Spell shot into the sky as well, transforming into an incomparably enormous fireball that exploded in the air, as though proclaiming the victor of this feast of flames.

"Ye Jingcheng wins!" Ye Xinghe nodded, confirming Ye Jingcheng's advancement!

And he had advanced directly into the top six.

He would receive a bye this round.

"Jingcheng, you hid yourself too deeply!" Ye Jingli looked at Ye Jingcheng, quite envious, though also somewhat relieved.

Fortunately, Ye Jingcheng had received a bye. Otherwise, he might not even have made it into the top six.

"Sixth Brother, you flatter me. It's the Crimson Flame Fox itself that's formidable, and I also have the family to thank!" Ye Jingcheng repeatedly waved his hands.

Ye Jingli remained half-convinced. He moved close to Ye Jingcheng and transmitted his voice to him:

"Sixth Brother's snake armor isn't bad, right? Sell Sixth Brother a few more Spirit Feeding Pills, and Sixth Brother will arrange a full set for your Crimson Flame Fox!" Ye Jingli said urgently.

Ye Jingcheng had long wanted to bring this up as well.

Although his treasure book could heal demonic beasts' injuries, it could not save them from fatal wounds. Putting black armor around the Crimson Flame Fox's neck was also extremely necessary.

"Then I'll trouble Sixth Brother!" Ye Jingcheng nodded.

This counted as confirming the deal with Ye Jingli.

While the two communicated through voice transmission, the bouts on the platform began again. This time, there was no suspense—Ye Jingyong faced Ye Jingcheng, a fellow Jing-generation clansman at the fifth level of Qi Refinement.

The match swiftly ended with Ye Jingyong's victory.

His flying dagger artifact and Flying Cloud Leopard both displayed their advantages to the fullest. Added to that was the small seal—ordinary spirit barriers would shatter outright beneath a single press from it.

In the end, Ye Xinghe intervened and caught Ye Jingyong's small seal. Otherwise, Ye Jingcheng's life would have been in danger.

Ye Jingcheng showed not the slightest frustration at his loss. Being able to place in the top ten already delighted him greatly.

Moreover, he had enjoyed the match. Having endured the humiliation of the three families coming to their door to force their hand, every member of the Ye Family had only one thought in their hearts: grow stronger!

To them, gaining something from a match was what mattered most.

Ye Jingli soon took the stage again. His opponent was likewise at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, with an Azure Cloud Wolf as his spirit beast and no lack of combat experience.

Yet Ye Jingli still narrowly claimed victory in the end, relying on the Azure-Scaled Python's spiked armor and launching a frenzied assault.

After all, the Azure Cloud Wolf did not dare attack recklessly, but the Azure-Scaled Python did.

The top six were soon decided. Once they had been determined, Ye Xinghe allowed everyone two hours of rest to recover their spiritual energy.

As the one who had drawn a bye, Ye Jingcheng's advantage was fully apparent. He also turned to look toward the late Qi Refinement arena.

There were only ten late Qi Refinement cultivators in total, yet every match was exceptionally fierce.

Only Ye Jingteng continued to crush his opponents. However, what puzzled Ye Jingcheng was that Ye Jingteng had not used a spirit beast.

He did not know whether Ye Jingteng simply had no need to use one, or did not possess one at all.

As the foremost genius of the Ye Family's Jing generation, Ye Jingcheng felt the latter possibility was unlikely.

This time, Ye Jingyu also brought out a new spirit beast. It was called the Golden Feather Eagle, a late first-rank beast equivalent to the ninth level of Qi Refinement.

The Golden Feather Eagle was clearly an inherited spirit beast. Together with Ye Jingyu's Flying Cloud Leopard, few cultivators on the field could compare. In the end, Ye Jingyu, Ye Jingteng, and three Xing-generation cultivators entered the top five of late Qi Refinement.

After watching this round of matches, Ye Jingcheng had gained a great deal as well. Time passed swiftly, and the sky was beginning to darken.

Brilliant moonlight stones lit up across the plaza.

The top-six matches for mid Qi Refinement were about to begin!