Lu Yi quickly arrived at the central arena, where everyone else was already present.


    Jiang Fan had his hands behind his head, with a blade of grass in his mouth. Seeing Lu Yi, he smiled and greeted, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you''re here?"


    The others turned to look and nodded slightly in greeting. Lin Wan''er cheerfully waved at Lu Yi and asked, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, which peak are you planning to join after entering the inner sect?"


    Hearing this, the others looked at Lu Yi with curiosity.


    Lu Yi smiled and replied, "I promised Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang that I would take the assessment for Lingluo Peak."


    Upon hearing this, a handsome senior brother in luxurious clothing, who was at the tenth level of Qi Refinement, smiled and said, "With Junior Brother Lu Yi''s talent, joining Lingluo Peak is definitely possible."


    His name was Bai Yulong, one of the top three experts in the outer sect.


    Beside him, a sturdy senior brother also at the tenth level of Qi Refinement scratched his head and said, "Too bad my talent isn’t good enough. If I go to Lingluo Peak, I''ll probably be sent away."


    This senior brother''s name was Tie Man, and he was also quite strong, practicing body-refinement techniques.


    "Lingluo Peak... that''s a gathering place for geniuses even in the inner sect. How can ordinary people get in?"


    "I''m different. I plan to join Chihuo Peak. I heard most fire cultivators go there. After Foundation Establishment, I want to focus on fire techniques."


    "Once we’re in the inner sect, I wonder if we’ll be able to stand out?"


    "We might not be sure, but Junior Brother Lu Yi definitely will."


    Everyone chatted about their aspirations for the inner sect, looking forward to the future.


    Before long, Du Gufang descended from the sky and landed on the central arena. The ten participants fell silent.


    The spectators around the arena, however, became even more excited.


    Du Gufang swept his gaze across the disciples and said, "Quiet!"


    The atmosphere instantly quieted down. Du Gufang’s authority was undeniable.


    He looked at the top ten disciples and said, "Now begins the ranking battles. As usual, it’s a one-on-one format to determine the final rankings."


    As he spoke, he took out ten jade tokens, which floated toward the ten participants.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Lu Yi picked up his token and saw the number 1.


    He was stunned. He didn’t expect to go first.


    Looking around, he saw others examining their tokens curiously.


    At that moment, Du Gufang announced, "The match begins now. Number 1 remains in the arena; the others step down."


    Hearing this, eight people lightly tapped the ground and floated off the arena, leaving Lu Yi and Tie Man staring at each other.


    Lu Yi looked at Tie Man and grinned. "Senior Brother Tie Man, what a coincidence?"


    He thought to himself, "I must defeat Senior Brother Tie Man!"


    [Task]: Defeat Tie Man (Progress: 0/1)


    Reward: 40 Supreme Yellow Ming Pills / 4 Perfect Yellow Ming Pills


    Accept? Yes/No


    Lu Yi was surprised to see the reward wasn’t Qi Condensation Pills but Yellow Ming Pills instead.


    Yellow Ming Pills were used for cultivating body-refinement techniques, accelerating their practice. Even without such techniques, they could enhance physical strength, though not as effectively.


    This was an excellent reward, more precious than Qi Condensation Pills.


    Cultivators typically relied on their realm for physical strength unless they practiced body-refinement techniques, which required time, effort, and resources. Lu Yi had never practiced such techniques due to his previous limitations and prioritized spiritual cultivation after awakening his golden finger.


    He had considered practicing body-refinement techniques later but didn’t expect to receive such pills now.


    This was a great opportunity. Looking at Tie Man, Lu Yi’s gaze grew kinder—perhaps they could spar more often in the future?


    Tie Man noticed Lu Yi’s friendly smile and returned it with a hearty grin. "It sure is a coincidence. Junior Brother Lu Yi, let’s put on a good show."


    The spectators below saw that the first match featured Tie Man, a tenth-level Qi Refinement disciple, against Lu Yi and immediately grew excited, eagerly watching the arena.


    Du Gufang gave the two a glance and vanished, leaving only his voice. "Begin."


    Hearing this, Tie Man grinned, his spiritual energy surging. His skin turned iron-gray as he clenched his fists, producing a dull thud.


    "Junior Brother Lu Yi, please advise."


    Lu Yi drew his sword, spiritual energy swirling around it. He smiled slightly. "Senior Brother Tie Man, please advise."


    Tie Man grinned and suddenly pushed off the ground.


    Boom!


    The ground beneath him cracked like a spider web. He vanished and reappeared above Lu Yi, exuding a ferocious aura.


    His right fist, wrapped in semi-transparent energy, struck toward Lu Yi’s head, generating strong gusts that made Lu Yi’s hair dance.


    Lu Yi felt his skin tingle under the pressure and marveled at Tie Man’s intensity.


    He channeled spiritual energy, moving as swiftly as a drifting cloud, retreating rapidly.


    Tie Man’s punch missed, hitting the arena floor and leaving a small crater.


    Tie Man pushed off the ground again, vanishing.


    Lu Yi swung his sword to the right, releasing a cloud-like sword aura, which met Tie Man mid-charge.


    Sensing the sword’s sharp energy, Tie Man’s pupils shrank. He roared, his skin turning a deeper iron-gray as spiritual energy flowed over him.


    Tie Man clenched his fists and struck toward the sword aura.


    Boom!


    The collision of spiritual energy and sword aura produced a deafening blast. Waves of pressure rippled outward, stunning the outer sect disciples watching.


    "So strong!"


    "That power... One hit and I’d be offering incense for myself!"


    "...You’re not wrong."


    Near the arena, Bai Yulong and others also looked serious at the display.


    The three ninth-level Qi Refinement disciples exchanged glances, looking bewildered.


    "Is this really seventh-level Qi Refinement? Are you kidding me?"


    "I’m lying flat. I made it to the top ten, and that’s enough for me."


    "Junior Brother Lu Yi is truly incredible. Let’s take it easy when it’s our turn, okay? No need to go this hard."


    The three nodded.


    Lin Wan’er overheard and mischievously said, "You think this is intense? They’re just warming up."


    The three: "???"