On the stage, Tie Man''s expression was stiff, still carrying a trace of shock. After locking eyes with Lu Yi for a moment, he grinned and said, “The White Cloud Step Technique at the Perfection Realm?”


    “Yes.” Lu Yi smiled and nodded, withdrawing his sword.


    Tie Man scratched his head and cupped his hands towards Lu Yi. “I admit defeat. Junior Brother Lu Yi, you are impressive. I lost.”


    With that, Tie Man jumped off the stage and began meditating to recover. The top ten matches weren’t just a single round. Losing this round meant no chance at the top five, but there were still rankings to fight for in the lower five. Without recovering now, his state would suffer later.


    Lu Yi also jumped off the stage and noticed Jiang Fan and the others looking at him. He smiled sheepishly. “Senior Brothers and Sisters, what’s wrong?”


    Bai Yulong coughed lightly, waved his folding fan, and asked, “Junior Brother Lu Yi, tell us honestly, have you also cultivated the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique to the Perfection Realm?”


    Lu Yi froze for a moment, then looked surprised. “Senior Brother Bai Yulong, you’re so smart. You could even guess that.”


    “…” Bai Yulong and the others fell silent.


    Even Tie Man, who was already meditating, showed fluctuations in his breathing, clearly having overheard the conversation.


    The atmosphere was silent until Du Gufang stepped onto the stage and announced, “Number 2, come up.”


    Only then did everyone snap out of their daze. Lin Wan''er and a Senior Brother at the ninth level of Qi Refining jumped onto the stage simultaneously.


    The Senior Brother at the ninth level of Qi Refining appeared calm. He knew he wasn’t Lin Wan''er’s opponent and didn’t plan to force it. He simply displayed his full strength and conceded decisively when things became hopeless. It was uneventful.


    Next was the third match between Jiang Fan and a Senior Sister at the tenth level of Qi Refining. The Senior Sister’s sword techniques and footwork were quite outstanding, having reached the Transformation Realm. However, Jiang Fan was clearly superior.


    Jiang Fan practiced blade techniques called the Sharp Gold Blade Technique, which was extremely sharp and aggressive. It contrasted completely with his ordinary appearance. As soon as the fight began, he dominated, forcing the Senior Sister to retreat repeatedly until she was ultimately knocked off the stage with a single slash.


    Watching Jiang Fan''s blade techniques, Lu Yi’s eyes flickered. He noticed Jiang Fan seemed to be holding back, not using his full strength.


    Senior Brother Jiang Fan''s Sharp Gold Blade Technique might have also reached the Perfection Realm.


    Lu Yi sighed. No wonder Jiang Fan felt like a threat to him. His strength was indeed formidable.


    The fourth match was Bai Yulong against another Senior Brother at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Bai Yulong wielded a rare folding fan, surprising Lu Yi.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    At Foundation Establishment and above, magical weapons varied widely, but in the Qi Refining stage, swords, sabers, and spears were more common.


    However, Bai Yulong’s folding fan was a lower-grade magical weapon with considerable power. The attacks he launched with it carried sharp blade intent, making them incredibly strong.


    Looking at Bai Yulong, dressed in white like snow, Lu Yi’s mouth twitched. He realized this Senior Brother was quite vain.


    Using a saber would have made better use of his technique, but this guy deliberately chose a folding fan, clearly thinking it looked cooler.


    Watching Bai Yulong show off, Lu Yi started considering whether he should also get some flashier spells or magical items.


    After all, strength is temporary, but style is forever.


    Bai Yulong’s strength was naturally top-notch. The Senior Brother at the ninth level of Qi Refining didn’t last long before being sent flying off the stage by Bai Yulong’s fan.


    The final match was between Li Yun, who used dual blades, and a Senior Sister at the ninth level of Qi Refining.


    Li Yun was not the type to show mercy. His blade techniques were also extremely sharp. He mercilessly sent the Senior Sister flying with just two strikes, leaving her eyes red and on the verge of tears.


    Lu Yi glanced at the expressionless Li Yun and thought this guy might be doomed to stay single forever.


    After determining the top five, they were given an hour to meditate and recover.


    Then came the second round of matches. The five competitors would battle in pairs, with one person getting a bye, determined by drawing lots.


    Du Gufang and the five competitors stood on the stage. Five jade tokens floated before them. Du Gufang smiled. “Choose one.”


    The five looked at each other, and Bai Yulong smiled. “Junior Brother Lu Yi, you’re the youngest. Why don’t you go first?”


    Lu Yi smiled and didn’t object. “No problem.”


    He glanced at the five jade tokens and silently prayed, “Please don’t let me get the bye! Don’t let me get the bye!”


    He picked the token on the far right. When it fell into his hand, he flipped it over and saw the number 1.


    A smile immediately spread across his face. No bye! Perfect!


    The other four looked at Lu Yi’s token and then selected their own.


    Afterward, Jiang Fan froze for a moment and laughed. “Looks like I got lucky.”


    He flipped his token to reveal a blank slate—the bye.


    Bai Yulong''s mouth twitched slightly. He silently flipped over his token: 1.


    He looked at Lu Yi and smiled. “Junior Brother Lu Yi, looks like we’re matched up.”


    Seeing Bai Yulong’s token, Lin Wan''er and Li Yun both looked relieved.


    Lin Wan''er grinned. “Good thing I didn’t run into Junior Brother Lu Yi or that show-off Bai Yulong. Those two are a headache.”


    Li Yun glanced at Lin Wan''er and said coldly, “What? Do you think I’m weaker than them?”


    Lin Wan''er looked at Li Yun and laughed, further irritating him until his demeanor grew even colder.


    At that moment, Du Gufang spoke calmly. “Everyone else step down. Lu Yi and Bai Yulong, stay.”


    Lin Wan''er smiled at Lu Yi. “Good luck, Junior Brother! Give that flashy guy a beating!”


    Lu Yi glanced at Bai Yulong, whose expression stiffened, and found it amusing. It seemed Lin Wan''er knew Bai Yulong’s vain personality quite well.


    Jiang Fan patted Lu Yi’s shoulder and smiled. “Good luck.”


    Li Yun said nothing, still brooding from Lin Wan''er’s jab, and quietly stepped off the stage.


    With the three leaving, only Lu Yi and Bai Yulong remained on the stage.


    The disciples below burst into excited chatter.


    “Lu Yi and Bai Yulong are fighting already?!”


    “Lu Yi’s White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Step Technique are so strong, and Bai Yulong is one of the top three outer disciples. This is going to be exciting!”


    “Yeah, both are geniuses. Who will win?”


    Not just the disciples, even the elders and stewards in the sky were eagerly watching. Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were no longer worried since Lu Yi had secured a spot in the inner sect. Winning more rounds was just a bonus now. They were simply excited to see how strong Lu Yi could be.


    On stage, Lu Yi looked at Bai Yulong and thought, “I’m going to defeat Senior Brother Bai Yulong.”


    The next moment, text appeared before Lu Yi’s eyes.


    He glanced at it and froze, then felt overwhelming joy. He hadn’t expected such a reward?!