Inside the Trial Tower.


    Lu Yi arrived at the 13th floor, feeling somewhat pleased.


    Previously, when he checked the Qi Refining Trial Rankings, only his Second Senior Sister had reached the 13th floor. Now, he had as well.


    Thinking of this, Lu Yi suddenly realized something—he hadn''t yet issued a trial ranking task.


    Lu Yi quickly spoke in his heart, ''I want to be first on the Qi Refining Trial Rankings.''


    [Task]


    Climb to the first place on the Qi Refining Trial Rankings.


    Task Rewards: Top-grade magical artifact - Spirit Jade Mirror, 1 drop of Wind Spirit Liquid, random technique level +1.


    Accept: Yes/No?


    Such generous rewards?


    Lu Yi was astonished as he looked at the task. A top-grade magical artifact and rare heavenly treasures like the spirit liquid were exceptional rewards.


    Not to mention the random technique level +1.


    Currently, Lu Yi''s White Cloud Steps, White Cloud Sword Art, and White Cloud Qi Condensation Technique were all at level 9. Despite days of practice, they had yet to reach level 10. This highlighted the difficulty of advancing.


    Lu Yi suspected it might take months of training to improve further.


    If this technique level boost applied to one of these three techniques, it would save him months of arduous cultivation!


    Lu Yi felt fortunate to have thought of this task. Otherwise, he might have missed out.


    He quickly accepted the task.


    In front of Lu Yi, the opponent for the 13th floor appeared.


    It was another young man in green robes.


    As soon as the green-robed youth appeared, he formed hand seals. In an instant, fierce winds howled throughout the space, and sharp, semi-transparent wind blades materialized, slashing toward Lu Yi.


    A wind-element technique cultivator.


    Seeing hundreds of densely packed wind blades, Lu Yi felt a chill on his scalp.


    His figure flickered, transforming into several afterimages to dodge the attacks. The wind blades tore through the illusions, shattering them, but Lu Yi remained unscathed.


    Lu Yi sighed inwardly. No wonder this opponent is a Foundation Establishment Stage Level 3 cultivator—he''s indeed formidable.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    This indiscriminate wind blade attack posed a real threat, even to him.


    Using the strength he had displayed on the 12th floor would be insufficient to counter such attacks. He would likely be defeated quickly.


    Lu Yi took a deep breath. His sword intent surged, far surpassing his previous state. Terrifying sword clouds billowed out, covering an area over twenty meters wide, forming a domain of sword energy.


    After exhausting the sword intent he absorbed from Bai Yulong, Lu Yi''s sword intent had grown far beyond its state during the tournament.


    Unleashing this powerful sword intent enhanced the White Cloud Sword Art, even though it was only at level 9.


    The wind blades clashed against the sword cloud domain with metallic echoes. The sword cloud rippled but gradually dissipated the wind blades.


    Lu Yi exhaled slowly. The next moment, he slashed with the Azure Spirit Sword. The sword cloud swept across the room, surging toward the green-robed youth.


    Suddenly, gusts of wind enveloped the green-robed youth, boosting his speed dramatically. He vanished from his original position.


    Even Lu Yi felt that this speed surpassed his level 7 White Cloud Steps.


    Raising an eyebrow, Lu Yi circulated his spiritual energy. Without moving, he unleashed waves of sword clouds, slashing in all directions.


    The sword clouds carved intricate patterns into the walls and floor.


    Under such intense attacks, the green-robed youth could only dodge continuously without counterattacking.


    Despite his incredible speed, the green-robed youth was eventually forced into a corner. The sword clouds engulfed him entirely.


    Lu Yi watched as the opponent dissolved into white light and gradually disappeared. Sensing that half of his spiritual energy remained, he sighed inwardly. Foundation Establishment Stage Level 3 cultivators are truly powerful. Without the environmental restrictions of this trial, I wouldn''t have been able to defeat him.


    His speed was so overwhelming that if he had tried to escape, Lu Yi wouldn''t have been able to catch him.


    Of course, this was assuming Lu Yi didn''t use his level 7 White Cloud Steps. With higher-level techniques, he believed he could easily eliminate such opponents.


    As the white light faded, stairs leading to the 14th floor appeared. Lu Yi smiled and stepped forward.


    …………


    Outside the Trial Tower, in the plaza, everyone fell silent, staring at the Qi Refining Trial Rankings.


    More specifically, they focused on the top two names on the rankings.


    First place: Donggong Mingyue. Second place: Lu Yi.


    Donggong Mingyue had held first place on the Qi Refining Rankings for over three years, undefeated.


    But today was different. Lu Yi, attempting the Trial Tower for the first time, had charged up to second place in a domineering manner.


    Both Donggong Mingyue and Lu Yi were on the 13th floor.


    Everyone was curious—who was stronger?


    Time passed in silence.


    Suddenly, the rankings shifted. Lu Yi''s name replaced Donggong Mingyue in first place.


    Lu Yi—14th floor.


    Everyone widened their eyes in shock.


    "He made it! He really made it!"


    "The 14th floor! Lu Yi defeated a Foundation Establishment Stage Level 3 cultivator and advanced!"


    "Unbelievable! Can a Qi Refining Stage Level 8 cultivator be this strong?!"


    "This must be what they call a genius."


    Exclamations filled the plaza. Those unfamiliar with Lu Yi were amazed, but his acquaintances—Jiang Fan and others—were utterly stunned.


    Bai Yulong stared blankly at the rankings; his folding fan frozen in mid-air.


    Tie Man, Lin Wan''er, and others were equally silent.


    Even Jiang Fan was shocked, muttering, "Lu Yi is truly incredible. After this trial, he''ll likely become the new leader of White Cloud Sect''s younger generation, following Liu Ningshuang."


    He sighed and added, "But did he push himself too hard? Being this high-profile—is it really wise?"


    Jiang Fan believed that the path of cultivation was full of dangers, requiring hidden cards for self-preservation.


    Even for a prodigy like Lu Yi, such behavior seemed risky.


    Concerned, Jiang Fan resolved to discuss this with Lu Yi. While Lu Yi had remarkable talent, his experience in handling such matters was lacking.


    Amidst the commotion, the Trial Tower''s doors opened. Lu Yi, slightly pale, emerged. Flipping mid-air, he landed gently on the ground.