It looked like a defeat worth wringing one's hands over, a loss by a single move, and many cultivators watching the ceremony sighed over his poor luck.
Had he faced a slightly weaker opponent, he might well have advanced.
That was what many of the spectators thought.
"Junior Brother Liu, don't lose heart. Victory and defeat are commonplace."
"Besides, the combat rankings are only a reference. In the end, it still comes down to the elders' choices."
Seeing Liu Yu leave the platform after his defeat, looking "dejected," Senior Brother Qian offered some consolation.
But he had advanced through the first round himself, and with the fine magical artifacts his father had purchased for him, he was confident about the second round as well. Delight still crept onto his face despite himself.
"There's no need to say more, Senior Brother. I understand all that."
"It's just that there's still too great a difference between ranking in the top thirty and ranking in the top fifteen."
Liu Yu sighed as he spoke, seemingly genuinely "disheartened" by this.
"Your performance was already impressive enough, Junior Brother. I'm sure the elders will have the discerning eyes to recognize a pearl."
Senior Brother Qian restrained his delight and offered a little more comfort.
Second-tier pills were not something one could simply buy whenever one wished. Demand often exceeded supply.
To keep buying pills at relatively favorable prices in the future, he naturally needed to cultivate a good relationship with Junior Brother Liu, who could refine second-tier pills. That was why Qian Zhijin was so approachable now.
"Yes, I'll do my best."
As though the comfort and encouragement had worked, Liu Yu's "spirits lifted," and he finally stopped looking downcast.
Afterward, the two fell silent and quietly watched the matches.
Anyone who had reached foundation