Not only was Lu Yi stunned, but even the disciples watching below were filled with disbelief. Many male disciples looked at Lu Yi with gritted teeth, full of envy, jealousy, and hatred.


    Damn it! Is it such a big deal to be handsome and talented?!


    Why is someone even getting invited out during the competition?!


    Even the steward acting as the referee was a bit stunned. He twitched his mouth and then coughed lightly, "During the competition, refrain from discussing unrelated matters!"


    Gu Mingxi blushed and nodded repeatedly. "Oh, oh..."


    "Hurry up and start the match!" The steward felt a bit exhausted.


    Gu Mingxi nodded repeatedly and looked at Lu Yi, saying, "Junior Brother, please guide me!"


    "I dare not, Senior Sister, please guide me!" Lu Yi also felt a bit helpless. Being too handsome could indeed be troubling sometimes.


    But this wasn’t his fault.


    Gu Mingxi also practiced sword techniques. Holding a long sword, she charged toward Lu Yi like a fluttering butterfly.


    Lu Yi remained expressionless. After assessing her, he realized that Gu Mingxi’s strength was slightly weaker than that of Senior Brothers Lu Ling and Wang Wulian. She probably wasn’t too strong among the ninth layer of Qi Refining Stage.


    If he wanted, Lu Yi could end the match in one move. However, thinking of this Senior Sister’s good taste, Lu Yi felt a bit reluctant.


    Besides, he needed to prepare for the upcoming top-ten challenge. Unlike the preliminaries, once the top ten were determined, other disciples could challenge them if they were unconvinced. Lu Yi was looking forward to more challengers so he could earn sparring rewards.


    Better take it slow.


    Lu Yi’s long sword carried a misty aura as he went to meet her attack.


    ...


    In the sky, Du Gufang and a group of elders were all observing the match below, with their attention mainly focused on Lu Yi’s platform.


    Du Gufang smiled, "Is this the first time we’re seeing Lu Yi draw his sword?"


    Qi Feiyu laughed, "Yes. Sword energy turning into clouds—just like the rumors say. Lu Yi’s White Cloud Sword Technique has indeed reached the Realm of True Essence."


    An elder nearby stroked his white beard. Seeing Lu Yi suppressing Gu Mingxi, he nodded. "A sword technique at the True Essence level is quite impressive. Despite only being at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, he’s suppressing Gu Mingxi, who is at the ninth layer. His strength is indeed extraordinary."


    "Indeed. Lu Yi is only sixteen years old and has already cultivated the White Cloud Sword Technique to the True Essence level. His comprehension is remarkable, and his future potential is immense. He might even become a pillar of our White Cloud Sect."


    "And his parents are both from our White Cloud Sect. That’s the best part."Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Yes, we don’t need to worry about him being a spy from another sect."


    Du Gufang looked at the battle below and gradually showed a strange expression. He laughed, "This little brat Lu Yi... is holding back."


    This statement stunned all the elders. They carefully observed the battle and were a bit confused.


    "Great Elder... you’re saying that Lu Yi is holding back?" Qi Feiyu asked incredulously.


    "Yes. Suppressing someone at the ninth layer of Qi Refining while only being at the seventh layer is already impressive. And yet, he’s still holding back?"


    "I don’t see it. How is he holding back?"


    Several elders were puzzled and doubtful.


    Du Gufang smiled mysteriously. "Gu Mingxi probably can’t force Lu Yi to show his true strength. He has also practiced the White Cloud Footwork, and I suspect it has reached the True Essence level as well."


    "What?!" The group was shocked, staring at Lu Yi in disbelief.


    "Great Elder, is this true?!"


    "Two techniques at the True Essence level? This comprehension... is even more exceptional than I thought."


    Seeing the elders’ shock, Du Gufang chuckled. "I also practiced the White Cloud Footwork in my youth, so I’m quite familiar with it. Although this brat is hiding his strength, he can’t fool my eyes."


    Hearing this, the elders no longer doubted. Their gazes at Lu Yi grew even more astonished and thoughtful.


    Sixteen years old, with two techniques at the True Essence level... No, perhaps his understanding of cultivation methods isn’t low either?


    Such a genius was extremely rare even in the White Cloud Sect.


    It was enough to make these Golden Core Realm elders in charge of the outer sect pay extra attention.


    One elder chuckled, "Lu Yi is quite charming as a youth. Gu Mingxi already showed her affection earlier, and he’s even showing mercy?"


    This made the other elders laugh. After all, who hadn’t been young once?


    They even started to consider introducing some beautiful juniors to Lu Yi. After all, young men liking beauty was only natural, and they had plenty of lovely juniors in their lineage.


    ...


    The match on the platform continued for a while. Seeing Gu Mingxi’s aura weakening—a sign that her spiritual energy was depleting—Lu Yi judged that it was about time. He activated his footwork and, with a whooshing sound, his long sword struck Gu Mingxi’s sword.


    Clang!


    Gu Mingxi’s sword trembled violently. Lu Yi took the opportunity to place his sword horizontally against her neck.


    Gu Mingxi panted heavily, her chest rising and falling, sweat appearing on her forehead. She looked at Lu Yi with some embarrassment.


    Lu Yi felt helpless... What’s with that look? Don’t tell me I’ll have to take responsibility?


    Quickly withdrawing his sword, he smiled. "Senior Sister Gu, thank you for letting me win."


    "Junior Brother, you’re amazing. I lost," Gu Mingxi said.


    Just as Gu Mingxi seemed about to say something else, the steward, sensing trouble, quickly intervened. "Since the match is over, step down from the platform."


    Lu Yi smiled at Gu Mingxi and immediately jumped down.


    Gu Mingxi, seeing Lu Yi standing with Wang Wulian, felt shy and didn’t dare approach. She moved off to the side.


    After Gu Mingxi, the matches continued.


    There were 320 disciples in the ranking competition. Each platform had 32 contestants. After the first round, 16 advanced, and they continued until the last two fought for the first place on the platform.


    In the second round, Lu Yi faced a disciple at the eighth layer of Qi Refining, who immediately conceded. Lu Yi was happy to take it easy.


    In the third round, Lu Yi faced a disciple at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, similar in strength to Gu Mingxi. Naturally, he wasn’t a threat. Lu Yi prolonged the match for a while to complete another sparring task, earning a Perfect Condensing Qi Pill.


    In the fourth round, Lu Yi faced another ninth-layer disciple and repeated the process, earning another Perfect Condensing Qi Pill.


    The fifth round was the final battle for the top ten.


    "The final round begins. Lu Yi versus Mo Lingxi—step onto the platform," the steward announced.


    Mo Lingxi leaped onto the platform and glared sharply at Lu Yi. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, come up and fight! Let me see if you’re worthy of making it into the top ten!"


    Lu Yi also jumped up, grinning. "Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I’ll definitely make it into the top ten."


    Two more Perfect Condensing Qi Pills—combined with the previous ones, he’d have earned five from this competition. Not bad.


    Mo Lingxi, hearing Lu Yi’s words, looked angry and laughed coldly. "Good, good! Let me test your strength, then!"


    The disciples below and the elders above all laughed and watched curiously, eager to see who was stronger.