Although the young man in the green robe was severely injured, as a trial projection, he was essentially lifeless. His expression remained unchanged.


    Once again, he formed a hand seal, causing his longsword to hum and split into two, attacking Lu Yi from different directions.


    The sharp and intense sword aura surged forward, causing Lu Yi’s hair to stand on end instinctively. His body vanished from his original position, narrowly dodging the longsword’s attacks.


    However, the swords pursued him relentlessly, shadowing his every move.


    Lu Yi turned around and slashed out two waves of sword clouds, colliding with the longswords. Amidst the clash of metal, the swords were sent flying.


    Seizing the opportunity, Lu Yi charged at the young man, releasing waves of sword clouds as he advanced.


    The young man in the green robe circulated spiritual energy around his body and summoned a longsword in his hand. Sharp golden sword light radiated as he confronted the sword clouds.


    Despite being heavily injured, he was still a Foundation Establishment Stage Level 2 cultivator, capable of putting up a decent fight.


    Lu Yi and the green-robed youth clashed repeatedly, their movements swift. The booming sounds of battle echoed in the empty chamber, leaving deep marks throughout the room due to the residual force.


    After over ten exchanges, the young man was finally engulfed by the sword clouds and vanished into white light.


    Landing steadily, Lu Yi exhaled deeply, marveling at the strength of a Level 2 Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    ''The previous Level 1 Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn’t even withstand a single strike.''


    ''But this opponent managed to last more than ten rounds with me. Quite formidable indeed.''


    Lu Yi had also exerted significant effort in this battle.


    He had pushed his White Cloud Sword Techniques and White Cloud Spells at the Perfection Realm (lv6) to their limits, even utilizing sword intent.


    Judging by his current state, Lu Yi estimated that without using White Cloud techniques and spells above lv7, he could probably face a Level 3 Foundation Establishment cultivator—but whether he could defeat one remained uncertain.


    Though the trial tower offered generous rewards, Lu Yi had no intention of using techniques above lv7 for now.


    After all, while he was currently safe in the White Cloud Sect, he couldn’t stay in one place forever.


    Lu Yi wasn’t fond of danger, but he also didn’t want to remain sheltered and miss the opportunity to explore the world.


    Moreover, the White Cloud Sect required its disciples to undertake missions outside the sect each year.


    Keeping a few trump cards up his sleeve would allow him to handle unforeseen dangers in the future.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Rewards from tasks were not limited to the present, so there was no need to rush.


    Lu Yi established a rule for himself: he would only use Perfected Realm (lv6) techniques, combined with sword intent and his cultivation base, unless faced with true danger. Techniques above lv7 were to be reserved as last resorts.


    With his thoughts settled, Lu Yi issued a new command in his mind: ''I want to reach the 13th floor.''


    [Task]


    Reach the 13th floor of the Trial Tower.


    Reward: Three drops of Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk.


    Accept: Yes/No


    How could Lu Yi refuse?


    Smiling, he accepted the task.


    The rewards from the trial tower were truly generous—Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk! Far superior to Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk.


    Lu Yi had been using Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk to cultivate and could clearly feel his aptitude improving bit by bit. Even when using the lv9 White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique, his current cultivation speed was far higher than before.


    If he could use Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk, his aptitude would likely improve even faster, making him stronger.


    However, he still had too little Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk. The 12th floor had rewarded him with two drops, and now this task promised three more—just five drops total.


    Even adding the drops he had previously saved, he only had about ten.


    Lu Yi’s goal was to eventually use Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk for daily cultivation.


    Having accepted the task, Lu Yi stepped onto the 13th floor.


    <hr>


    At the moment Lu Yi entered the 13th floor, the Qi Refining Trial Leaderboard outside changed once again.


    Lu Yi’s ranking shot up to second place, just behind Donggong Mingyue.


    The disciples who had been discussing Lu Yi’s ranking earlier fell silent once more.


    Whether they were core disciples, inner sect disciples, or even elite disciples, all eyes were fixed on Lu Yi’s name on the leaderboard.


    Despite being at the eighth level of Qi Refining, far below Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul cultivators, Lu Yi had defeated a Level 2 Foundation Establishment cultivator in such a short time—a feat that was simply astonishing.


    Elder Xuan squinted his eyes and chuckled lightly. “Looks like our White Cloud Sect has found its next dragon.”


    The disciples resumed their chatter.


    “He reached the 13th floor?! What the heck!?”


    “Lu Yi’s strength is insane! He’s only at the eighth level of Qi Refining!”


    “No wonder the Lingluo Peak Master took him as a registered disciple. With talent and strength like that, I feel inferior.”


    Among the Lingfeng Peak disciples, Bai Lingfeng smiled bitterly and shook his head.


    Nearby, Nangong Moyu glanced at the silent Wang Tianzun and grinned. “What do you think? Isn’t my junior brother impressive?”


    Wang Tianzun’s mouth twitched. He glanced at Nangong Moyu and said, “Lu Yi’s strength may be impressive, but he’s your junior brother, not you. What does that have to do with you?”


    Nangong Moyu laughed smugly. “Lu Yi and I are both Lingluo Peak disciples. We’re connected, and we’ll have more chances to interact in the future. You other peaks won’t have that advantage.”


    Wang Tianzun snorted but said nothing.


    Cultivators naturally sought to befriend talented individuals like Lu Yi.


    Looking at the leaderboard, Wang Tianzun muttered, “Lu Yi’s climb reminds me of Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang’s rise back then.”


    Nangong Moyu fell silent before sighing. “Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang was indeed a prodigy. If nothing unexpected happens, Junior Brother Lu Yi will surely become renowned across the Eastern Region.”


    Both displayed envious expressions. After all, every young cultivator dreamed of becoming a legend.


    Meanwhile, Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan remained silent.


    Lin Wan’er exhaled, smiling helplessly as she gazed at the leaderboard. “Lu Yi is truly amazing. After today, there won’t be a single disciple in the White Cloud Sect who doesn’t know him.”


    Even Jiang Fan, who was usually calm, looked shocked. “Lu Yi’s performance far exceeds my expectations.”


    Bai Yulong stared at the leaderboard and asked, “Do you think Lu Yi can surpass Senior Sister Donggong Mingyue and claim first place?”


    Among the inner disciples, several had reached the 11th floor, but only a few had made it to the 12th. As for the 13th floor, only Donggong Mingyue had reached it—until now.


    With both at the 13th floor, it was hard to tell who was stronger.


    Bai Yulong’s question echoed the thoughts of many others present. All eyes remained fixed on the leaderboard, curious to see whether Lu Yi or Donggong Mingyue would emerge as the top contender in this month’s trial rankings.