Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Preliminary Contest

“Among the disciples in the early stages of Qi Refining, the newcomers Meng Li and Ruan Xiuqi are both promising talents.” Seated on the high platform, Li Yuyun smiled as he discussed the ongoing matches with the elder beside him.

“Indeed...” Elder Nie Fang nodded with a gentle smile. “Meng Li has only been initiated for just over a year and is already able to defeat disciples who joined years before her. It shows she possesses both combat talent and cultivation aptitude.”

“And that Ruan Xiuqi isn’t bad either. To be able to end a match so quickly against an opponent of equal rank—it’s clear he hasn’t just been immersing himself in meditation. He must have secretly practiced quite a bit of martial arts as well,” Elder Han Aoyu remarked thoughtfully.

Looking at the many spirited disciples below, Li Yuyun felt gratified and, his eyes shining, said, “These past few years have indeed seen our Xuanyang Sect on the rise. The number of younger disciples keeps growing—not only did the recent Ascension Gathering bring in three new disciples, but previous years have also seen an unexpected influx.”

Nie Fang agreed, sighing with emotion, “Yes, and in a few more years, I suppose our inner sect won’t be as sparsely populated as it is today...”

Upon reaching the seventh layer of Qi Refining and with the elders’ approval, one could become an inner sect disciple. Yet today, among those competing, only two were inner sect disciples—a number strikingly low compared to other sects.

The reason for the current scarcity of senior disciples traced back to the events more than twenty years ago, when many elite disciples left the sect dissatisfied with the former sect master’s succession, causing a break in the ranks.

However, after more than two decades of dedicated cultivation and development, Xuanyang Sect was finally showing signs of resurgence.

Li Yuyun spoke earnestly, “What we must do is protect their growth so they may one day shoulder the future of our sect.”

At this, Han Aoyu retorted, “Senior brother, rather than pin all hope on the younger generation, you should set your sights on the grand path yourself. True strength lies in one’s own cultivation. As long as you are strong, the sect will be strong!”

Li Yuyun replied with a soft laugh, “Aoyu, I naturally understand that truth, but matters of the sect cannot be set aside. Besides, don’t we still have you? You should focus on your cultivation.”

“How can my talent compare to yours, senior brother…” Han Aoyu replied seriously.

“The second match of the mid-stage Qi Refining!” came Chen Li’s voice from below.

As their conversation continued, two disciples stepped onto the stage. Li Yuyun glanced over and couldn’t help but smile softly. “Well, Xiaohan is facing Ji Heng. There’s no suspense in this match…”

On the platform, the two peers stood facing one another.

Qin Yihan eyed the smiling Ji Heng across from her, pulled out a large handful of yellow talisman papers from her robe, and threatened fiercely, “Ji Heng, I have a lot of talismans, so you’d better watch out!”

Ever since learning her opponent was Ji Heng, her earlier nervousness had vanished.

At that moment, Ji Heng held a silver spear as tall as a man. Seeing Xiaohan brandishing her stack of talismans, he shook his head, half amused, and said, “Xiaohan, you don’t need to resist. There’s a two-layer gap between our cultivation, and you don’t have a main weapon yet. You have no chance of winning.”

Currently at the fourth layer of Qi Refining, Xiaohan faced Ji Heng, who had advanced to the sixth layer. Most spectators doubted her chances.

“Hmph, how would I know if I don’t try!” Qin Yihan retorted, undaunted.

“Begin!” Chen Li announced.

The match commenced. Qin Yihan reacted swiftly, immediately slapping a Water Shield Talisman onto herself. A pale blue water shield instantly enveloped her.

Without pause, she pulled out a Fire Talisman, activated it with her spiritual power, and hurled it at Ji Heng.

Ji Heng, observing her actions, gave a slight, unconcerned smile. He simply swung his long spear, easily scattering the flames, and strode calmly toward Qin Yihan.

Such feeble throws, both in force and angle, posed no threat to him.

“Xiaohan, just surrender. Stop wasting your talismans…” Ji Heng laughed, utterly at ease.

Seeing Ji Heng so relaxed, Qin Yihan grew anxious and drew another Fire Talisman, activating it into a ball of flame, which she hurled at him with all her might.

But Ji Heng’s figure flickered—he vanished from his spot. The Fire Talisman struck only empty ground.

In an instant, Ji Heng appeared at her side, less than three meters away.

Qin Yihan, flustered, fumbled for another talisman, but Ji Heng’s spear thrust forward, its tip shimmering with spiritual energy. It pierced the Water Shield without resistance, stopping right before her.

Qin Yihan was subdued in a single move.

“Second match of the mid-stage Qi Refining: Ji Heng wins!” Chen Li’s voice rang out as Qin Yihan, dejected, lowered her talismans.

Ji Heng retracted his spear with a grin. “Xiaohan, I really didn’t want you to waste your talismans—they’re worth a lot of money! I had no choice, so please forgive me!” he laughed.

Qin Yihan gathered her talismans, pouting at the laughing Ji Heng. “Hmph! Ji Heng! I lost, but… you’re not really my senior brother!”

“Hehe, don’t be mad. However many talismans you used, I’ll pay you back—how’s that?” Ji Heng walked over, still grinning.

“I…”

Chen Li, observing them, interrupted sternly, “If you’re done, step off. Don’t hold up the next match.”

Chen Li was known for his strictness, and hearing his tone, the two immediately fell silent and left the stage without delay.

As they exited, Chen Li’s formal voice sounded again.

“Third match of the mid-stage Qi Refining: Number Three, take the stage!”

Seeing Qin Yihan’s defeat, Bai Qingzhou knew it was his turn. Watching the playful return of Qin Yihan and Ji Heng, he offered them a slight smile, then stepped forward and leapt onto the platform.

“Brother Bai, good luck!” Ruan Xiuqi’s voice called out from the waiting area.

Bai Qingzhou’s heart warmed at this. He looked back and nodded to Ruan Xiuqi. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Meng Li watching him as well, and smiled at her.

Drawing his gaze back, Bai Qingzhou gripped his Supreme Purity Sword, steadied his mind, and faced the youth who already stood on the other side of the stage.

The rules for mid-stage Qi Refining duels differed slightly from those for the early stage, as the variety of techniques learned by this point made the matches far more exciting, and a broader range of items—including weapons and talismans—could be used.

Bai Qingzhou recognized the young man, who appeared to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight. His name was Xi Tong, a fellow fourth-layer Qi Refiner.

Right now, Xi Tong held a ring-hilted saber with an easy air, clearly confident in himself.

As they squared off, Xi Tong laughed and asked, “Junior brother, how many years have you been in the sect? Have you ever fought a real duel?”

Bai Qingzhou saluted respectfully. “I’ve seldom fought others; only once have I engaged in a real battle.”

He spoke the truth. Even during his time in Shankou Town and Ningshui Prefecture, he had put down several spirits, but those battles had been overwhelmingly one-sided, never threatening him. His sparring sessions with Ruan Xiuqi were always measured, never fatal, and hardly counted as true combat.

Only the encounter with Meng Yangyu of the Green Mountain Sect during the invitation delivery could be considered a genuine duel—a brief, life-and-death struggle.

Xi Tong chuckled, twirling his saber. “Only once? Well, blades and swords know no mercy, so you’d best be careful!”

Bai Qingzhou replied sincerely, “Then I must ask senior brother to show some restraint.”

“I’ll do my best!”

Seeing both were ready, Chen Li’s voice rang out: “Third match of the mid-stage Qi Refining: Xi Tong versus Bai Qingzhou—begin!”

With the announcement, the duel began.

Seeing Xi Tong make no move to attack first, Bai Qingzhou thought for a moment, then raised his Supreme Purity Sword and flicked his wrist, sending a flurry of chaotic sword flowers toward Xi Tong.

“Senior brother, on your guard!”

After nearly two years of daily practice, Bai Qingzhou was thoroughly familiar with his sword, the techniques etched deep in his memory. His swordplay, executed now, carried the air of a true master.

Caught off guard by Bai Qingzhou’s sudden display and the power of his sword techniques, Xi Tong dared not take him lightly. He set aside his earlier disdain, raised his ring-hilted saber, and focused all his attention on his practiced blade skills.

Clang!

Sparks flew as blade met sword again and again, the sounds ringing out as the pair quickly closed in, battling at close quarters.

Feeling the subtle tremors running up the sword, Bai Qingzhou shifted downward, diverting the saber’s force, then brought his sword tip up toward Xi Tong’s face.

Xi Tong parried quickly, and the two traded blows fiercely, their figures darting around the stage.

As the fight intensified, Bai Qingzhou found himself feeling increasingly at ease. The pressure Xi Tong exerted was no greater than Ruan Xiuqi’s—threatening, but manageable.

With this realization, he stopped going all out, gradually conserving his strength.

After more than a dozen exchanges, he felt confident. He could end the match quickly, but he didn’t want to defeat his senior brother too swiftly and risk embarrassing him.

For Xi Tong, however, the battle grew more alarming with each round. Though both were at the fourth layer of Qi Refining, his junior brother’s skill and elusive swordplay belied his claim of only having fought once before—it was as though he’d honed his craft for years.

Xi Tong’s defense grew more desperate, his clothes soon bearing several sword slashes and tears.

“Wow! I can’t see any of it clearly!”

“So this is what real mid-stage Qi Refining combat looks like?”

“Looks like Immortal Bai has the upper hand…”

Exclamations and discussions erupted from the outer disciples. Without spiritual power, their senses remained those of ordinary people, so few could discern the immortals’ movements, but it didn’t stop them from speculating on the outcome.

“Ha!” Sensing his defeat was near, Xi Tong shouted, muscles tensing as he seized an opening, raising his saber high to strike at Bai Qingzhou’s head.

The blade, tinged with spiritual energy, descended with great speed and force.

Bai Qingzhou, however, remained calm. The reflexes honed through countless practice bouts enabled him to retreat swiftly, dodging the heavy blow.

Before Xi Tong could muster his strength again, Bai Qingzhou’s sword blossomed with light, instantly enveloping Xi Tong in layers of sword radiance. Surrounded by flashing blades, Xi Tong could only defend in increasing disarray.

The dazzling display of sword and saber drew cheers and shouts from the spectating disciples. Even Meng Li, Ruan Xiuqi, and the others in the waiting area watched with shining eyes.

Clang!

With a crisp ring, Xi Tong’s saber was flicked into the air, landing several meters away.

Bai Qingzhou’s Supreme Purity Sword was at Xi Tong’s throat.

Seeing this, Xi Tong, pale and bitter, admitted, “Junior brother, your swordsmanship is superb. I concede…”

“Thank you for the match, senior brother!”