Mo Lingxi took a deep breath and charged at Lu Yi once more.


    Lu Yi unleashed his White Cloud Sword Technique to meet the attack. The two clashed again on the stage, their movements swift and precise.


    Mo Lingxi''s movements were unpredictable, while Lu Yi''s were ethereal. Their figures flashed across the platform, and each collision sent sword energy flying. Spiritual energy burst into semi-transparent waves spreading outward.


    Despite this intense exchange, Lu Yi maintained the upper hand. He had nearly mastered the White Cloud Sword Technique to its peak.


    As time passed, Lu Yi seized an opening in Mo Lingxi''s technique. With a swirl of cloud-like energy, Lu Yi struck, sending Mo Lingxi flying off the stage.


    Mo Lingxi staggered as he landed, his expression dazed. He quickly composed himself, let out a bitter laugh, and sheathed his sword. Bowing to Lu Yi, he said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, your strength is truly astonishing. I admit defeat."


    From the moment he saw Lu Yi''s formidable swordplay, Mo Lingxi had felt his chances of winning were slim.


    Lu Yi smiled and nodded. "Senior Brother Mo, you are very skilled. I merely had a slight edge this time."


    Hearing this, Wang Wulian and the others felt a strange sense of déjà vu. When Lu Yi defeated them earlier, he had said the same thing! Now, none of them believed such modest words.


    The overseer on the platform came back to his senses. He gave Lu Yi a long, thoughtful look. His previously indifferent expression softened as he nodded and announced, "Lu Yi wins and advances to the top ten."


    In the sky above, Du Gufang looked down at Lu Yi with a smile of satisfaction. "This boy is truly impressive. He has talent and values relationships. A disciple like this is a blessing for our White Cloud Sect."


    Qi Feiyu, standing beside him, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Compared to those cold-hearted geniuses who lack loyalty, this Lu Yi suits my taste much more."


    The other elders also nodded in approval.


    No one wanted to pour effort into raising a talented disciple only for them to sever ties with the sect or even turn against it later. A loyal disciple was far less worrisome.


    Not to mention, this loyal disciple also had extraordinary talent.


    Du Gufang sighed and said, "If this boy''s talent weren''t so exceptional, I might have taken him as my final disciple."


    The other elders were stunned and looked at Du Gufang in surprise.


    "Elder, are you joking? You''re nearly at the Nascent Soul Realm. How could you not be able to guide Lu Yi?"Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    "Exactly! If Elder Du Gufang is willing to take him in, it would be Lu Yi''s great fortune."


    Du Gufang shook his head. "This boy''s abilities exceed my expectations. His mastery of the White Cloud Sword Technique is likely at its peak, perhaps even unbreakable. With such talent, he''ll surely stir waves in the inner sect."


    "Hiss..."


    The elders gasped. They hadn''t expected Du Gufang to have such a high opinion of Lu Yi.


    Reaching the pinnacle of a technique required incredible comprehension and talent. The elders were momentarily dazed by the thought.


    Not far away, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi sighed in relief after seeing Lu Yi defeat Mo Lingxi.


    "Good! That''s my son!" Lu Gaoyang laughed cheerfully.


    Wang Siqi also smiled brightly.


    Li Mang and the others looked at Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi with envy. They kept offering congratulations.


    "Congratulations, Brother Lu! A Qi Refining Stage Level Seven disciple entering the inner sect—that hasn''t happened in centuries!"


    "Indeed, Nephew Lu Yi is extraordinarily gifted. Brother Lu, you''ll have to host a feast!"


    "What impresses me most is what Nephew Lu Yi said earlier. This boy values relationships."


    Many overseers nodded in agreement.


    "Brother Lu and Sister-in-law raised him well!"


    "Our White Cloud Sect needs more talents like Nephew Lu Yi."


    Lu Gaoyang beamed with pride. "Of course! My wife and I have taught him by example every day."


    Wang Siqi glanced at Lu Gaoyang, amused by his boasting. She made a mental note to deal with him later. Smiling, she said, "Our son has always been sensible and never caused us trouble."


    As the group chatted, Lu Yi stepped down from the platform.


    Wang Wulian approached him with a look of gratitude. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, I appreciate your kindness! If you ever need anything, I won''t hesitate to help."


    Lin Qifeng, a refined-looking Qi Refining Stage Nine disciple whom Lu Yi had defeated earlier, also approached. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you''re welcome to visit White Dew Peak anytime."


    "Congratulations on entering the top ten and the inner sect, Junior Brother Lu Yi."


    "With your talent, the sky is the limit. Congratulations!"


    Several other senior brothers and sisters came forward to congratulate Lu Yi warmly.


    Lu Yi responded with smiles. At that moment, Jiang Fan approached and said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you''re loyal and righteous. Let''s spar more often in the future."


    Lu Yi''s eyes lit up. Jiang Fan''s sparring rewards included hundred-year spirit milk! How could he not take advantage of this?


    Lu Yi grinned. "Senior Brother Jiang Fan, I''ll definitely visit you often."


    As they chatted, matches on the other platforms concluded.


    Soon, the top ten rankings were decided.


    Du Gufang descended onto the central platform and said calmly, "The ranking matches are over. The top ten outer sect disciples, please come to the central platform."


    Lu Yi exchanged glances with Jiang Fan. Both used their movement techniques to soar onto the stage.


    Joining them were eight others: a burly black-robed youth with a beast-like aura, a handsome white-robed youth in fine clothing, a cold-looking black-robed youth carrying twin blades, a refined white-robed girl with a sword on her back, and a lively green-robed girl. These six were all at the tenth level of Qi Refining.


    Additionally, there were two senior brothers and one senior sister at the ninth level of Qi Refining, along with Lu Yi at the seventh level.


    As Lu Yi scanned the group, he noticed the lively green-robed girl. He recognized her as Mu Wan''er, the senior sister who had complimented his looks on White Sun Peak.


    Mu Wan''er also saw Lu Yi and smiled, but she dared not speak with Du Gufang present.


    Standing beside Du Gufang, the ten disciples awaited further instructions. Du Gufang looked at the crowd below and announced with a faint smile, "The top ten are here. According to tradition, anyone dissatisfied can challenge them. If they win, they will take the defeated''s place."


    The crowd stirred. Several disciples at the ninth level of Qi Refining showed interest. While they dared not challenge the tenth-level disciples, they saw an opportunity with the others, especially Lu Yi.


    Lu Yi eagerly looked at the crowd, silently hoping, "Pick me! Pick me!"