The Martial Arena area was packed with people. A large number of outer sect disciples had gathered here—some to participate in the competition and others to watch.


    Those watching the competition could not enter the Martial Arena and had to remain in the outer areas. Many even stood on nearby mountains for a better view. Since they were all Qi Refining cultivators, their eyesight was sharp enough to see clearly.


    Apart from the outer sect disciples, there were also sect stewards and elders present. Most of them hovered in the air on flying swords, hands clasped behind their backs, exuding an ethereal aura.


    Compared to the Qi Refining cultivators who couldn''t yet fly on swords, the elders appeared far more prestigious.


    At this moment, two streaks of sword light crossed the sky and landed outside the Martial Arena. It was Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. Lu Gaoyang was even carrying someone—Lu Yi.


    Feeling the gaze of the surrounding outer sect disciples, Lu Yi’s face turned slightly red. After all, he had some reputation in the outer sect, but now he was being carried in like this?


    His dignified and heroic image was completely ruined...


    Lu Yi secretly vowed to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage as soon as possible and master sword flight immediately!


    Lu Gaoyang put Lu Yi down and patted his shoulder. "You rascal, just do your best. Don''t push yourself too hard."


    Wang Siqi smiled gently. "Yi''er, do your best. Mother believes in you. You''re the best."


    Lu Yi smiled at them. "I understand."


    Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi nodded before turning into streaks of light and flying into the sky to join their peers.


    Lu Yi then walked toward the Martial Arena.


    On the way, many outer sect disciples greeted him with smiles.


    "Senior Brother Lu Yi."


    "Senior Brother Lu Yi, you’re here!"


    "Senior Brother Lu Yi..."


    Lu Yi smiled and nodded in response. Soon, he arrived at the inner section of the Martial Arena, where only participants of the competition were gathered.


    Compared to the entire outer sect, there were fewer participants in the competition, but the number still reached tens of thousands.


    The arena was crowded. Some disciples meditated alone, while others chatted in small groups. Most of them greeted Lu Yi with nods and smiles as he passed by.


    "Junior Brother Lu Yi! Over here!"


    A familiar voice called out. Lu Yi turned and saw Lu Ling, Wang Wulian, and Wang Xinqi standing nearby. Wang Wulian waved at him with a bright smile.


    Lu Yi smiled and walked over. "Senior Brothers."The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Junior Brother Lu, you’re finally here. The preliminaries are about to start. I thought you wouldn’t make it," Wang Wulian said with a grin.


    Wang Wulian laughed. "Junior Brother Lu is the son of Deacon Lu Gaoyang. Of course, Deacon Lu would bring him here. What are you worried about?"


    "I was just worried about losing a strong opponent," Wang Wulian said with a smirk.


    Wang Wulian rolled his eyes. "We’ve never won against him in sparring."


    "This time will be different! My sword techniques have reached mastery!" Wang Wulian said confidently. "This time, my goal is to enter the top thirty!"


    Lu Yi smiled. "Congratulations, Senior Brother Wang."


    "I have to thank you, Junior Brother Lu. Really, I appreciate it," Wang Wulian said sincerely.


    While the four were chatting, a figure descended onto the central platform. It was an elderly man with graying hair, a stern expression, and dressed in white robes.


    He was Du Gufang, the Grand Elder of the White Cloud Sect’s outer sect. It was said that his cultivation had reached the peak of the Golden Core stage, and he could break through to the Nascent Soul stage at any time. He was one of the strongest in the outer sect and a formidable presence even within the entire White Cloud Sect.


    As Du Gufang appeared, the noisy arena gradually fell silent. All eyes turned to the central platform, drawn by the Grand Elder’s imposing presence.


    Du Gufang swept his gaze over the crowd and spoke, "It’s time for the annual outer sect competition. I hope someone will stand out this year and make a name for themselves in the White Cloud Sect. Now, the preliminaries begin. The rules are the same as before—endure my spiritual pressure for one incense stick''s duration."


    As he spoke, a simple incense stick appeared in Du Gufang’s hand. Without any movement, the incense ignited on its own.


    Du Gufang tossed the incense stick. Its wooden base, as hard as metal, embedded itself firmly in the stone platform, burning slowly.


    "Begin."


    A powerful pressure emanated from Du Gufang, spreading outward and enveloping the entire Martial Arena.


    Immediately, the participating disciples felt a heavy pressure on their chests. Many turned pale, and some even coughed up blood and collapsed.


    Most participants were at the fifth level of Qi Refining or higher, but there were always a few overconfident individuals at the third or fourth level who believed they were exceptional and could make a name for themselves.


    Every competition had such disciples.


    Unfortunately, they weren’t exceptional. Under the pressure of a Golden Core cultivator, they couldn’t endure even a breath’s time.


    Compared to them, most fifth-level Qi Refining disciples managed to endure, though their breathing was labored as they circulated spiritual energy to resist the pressure.


    Higher-level disciples fared better. Lu Yi, for example, felt the pressure like a gentle breeze and remained unaffected.


    He glanced at his companions. Wang Wulian and Lu Ling looked relaxed, while Wang Xinqi was slightly pale but still fared better than most fifth- or sixth-level disciples.


    At that moment, Lu Yi had a thought. "I need to pass the preliminaries."


    He had already accepted the competition mission, but what if he could get an additional mission for the preliminaries?


    However, after waiting a moment, there was no change in his task panel. Clearly, it wasn’t possible.


    Lu Yi felt a bit disappointed but not surprised. Exploiting loopholes like this was unlikely to work.


    He quickly refocused.


    As time passed, many fifth-level Qi Refining disciples began to waver, struggling to stand. Some even collapsed, failing to pass the preliminaries.


    Wang Wulian and Wang Xinqi eventually began circulating spiritual energy as well. Both glanced at Lu Yi in admiration. Despite being at the seventh level of Qi Refining, Lu Yi wasn’t even using spiritual energy and still resisted the pressure effortlessly.


    Soon, the incense burned out. Du Gufang withdrew his pressure. Less than half the disciples in the arena remained standing.


    Most fifth-level disciples had failed. Those who passed were generally above the fifth level.


    Du Gufang looked at the remaining disciples, slightly disappointed. The outer sect’s quality hadn’t improved much.


    Still, he wasn’t too surprised and simply said, "Those who passed the preliminaries, stay. The rest, leave the arena."


    The defeated disciples left with bitter expressions, supporting each other. Those who had fainted were carried out by their companions.


    Soon, only the successful candidates remained—still numbering nearly ten thousand, a staggering figure.


    Given the White Cloud Sect’s size, it was no wonder that the competition usually lasted several days.