Qi Feiyu looked at the arena and asked, "Grand Elder, do you think Lu Yi can win?"
Dugu Fang smiled faintly, "If Lu Yi showcases the White Cloud Stance at the Returning True stage, he should win. However, Mo Lingxi is not weak; it won't be an easy victory."
Hearing this, the elders nodded slightly.
"Mo Lingxi has mastered the Spirit Serpent Sword Technique and Spirit Serpent Stance, both reaching the Transformation stage. Coupled with his cultivation base at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, he is indeed formidable."
"If Lu Yi can defeat Mo Lingxi, entering the top ten would be secure. Entering the Inner Sect at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer... It's rare in the history of our White Cloud Sect, isn't it?"
"Not counting those geniuses brought back from outside, it's been centuries since such a talent appeared."
"The last one was Master Wu Yong of the Inner Sect Law Enforcement Hall, right? He is now at the Nascent Soul stage."
Everyone looked at Lu Yi with increasing satisfaction.
Not far away, Lu Gaoyang, Wang Siqi, and a group of stewards were also watching Lu Yi's arena closely.
Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were a bit nervous. If Lu Yi won, he would be in the Outer Sect's top ten and could enter the Inner Sect. The impact on Lu Yi's future was significant; as parents, how could they not be nervous?
Li Mang and others beside them were curious and expectant.
"Brother Lu, this is the most critical match. Do you think he can win?"
Lu Gaoyang shook his head and said, "I don't know. Of course, I hope Yi'er can win."
"Mo Lingxi's strength is not weak... Lu Yi's cultivation base is still a bit low. If he reached the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, he would surely win."
"Yes, even if he can't win this time, it's not a big deal. Waiting for a year, when his cultivation base reaches the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, he will definitely be in the Inner Sect's top ten. It just takes another year."
..."
As the crowd talked, the battle in the arena had already begun.
Mo Lingxi's face was icy. The spiritual energy of the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer erupted, and he went all out from the start.
The Spirit Serpent Stance and Spirit Serpent Sword were both based on the elusive and mysterious nature of a spirit serpent. Mo Lingxi's footwork was unpredictable, and his speed was astonishing. In an instant, he appeared at Lu Yi's side, his longsword darting towards Lu Yi's chest like a serpent's tongue.
Spiritual energy entwined around the longsword, piercing through the air with a sharp, shrill sound.
Lu Yi's expression did not change. He moved his feet slightly, his figure drifting like a white cloud. He retreated along with the sword's wind, appearing carefree.
Seeing Lu Yi retreat, Mo Lingxi pressed forward. His longsword, with an eerie momentum, launched continuous attacks at Lu Yi. The sword winds howled, and even the disciples below the arena could feel the sharp momentum, uncontrollably shivering. If it were them, they would not be able to withstand such a relentless assault.
But Lu Yi maneuvered with ease amid this raging storm of attacks, dodging gracefully each time.
While evading, Lu Yi couldn't help but marvel. Senior Brother Mo Lingxi was indeed the gatekeeper of the top ten; his strength was more than a notch above that of Senior Brother Wang Wulian and Senior Sister Gu Mingxi.
However, this level of strength was exceedingly powerful for the average Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer. For Lu Yi, it was just so-so.
After all, when facing Senior Brother Wang Wulian and the others before, Lu Yi had not fully exhibited his Returning True stage White Cloud Sword Technique.
Now, Lu Yi felt he could exert a bit more effort.
Wisps of cloud qi flowed from Lu Yi's longsword, denser and heavier than before, extending over a meter.
Lu Yi stopped dodging and swung his sword. The next moment, the seemingly light Sword Cloud slashed towards Mo Lingxi at incredible speed.
Mo Lingxi's pupils constricted, sensing immense danger: "What?"
Mo Lingxi immediately abandoned his offensive, using the Spirit Serpent Stance to retreat repeatedly, evading the Sword Cloud.
The Sword Cloud grazed past Mo Lingxi and landed on the arena, imprinting neat cloud patterns on the stone slabs.
The steward beside the arena's pupils contracted, unable to suppress his astonishment. The power of the White Cloud Sword Technique was this strong?
The stones of the arena were made of reinforced bluesteel stone, specially treated to resist damage. Lu Yi's sword had etched patterns onto it.
This kid was something else.
The disciples below the arena started exclaiming.
"The power of this sword... I can't block it!"
"This sword, probably only the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer seniors can block it, right?"
"Junior Brother Lu Yi's White Cloud Sword Technique reached such power? And he hadn't even gone all out when sparring with other seniors and sisters?"
Wang Wulian, who wasn't competing, stared at Lu Yi on the stage, stunned: "Is this the true power of the Returning True Sword Skill?"
Seniors and sisters like Gu Mingxi and other two Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer disciples, who had previously sparred with Lu Yi, were wide-eyed and incredulous.
One senior brother shook his head with a bitter smile: "I had thought the gap between Junior Brother Lu Yi and me wasn't too great. Now it seems... it's a world of difference."
The other senior brother beside him also wore a bitter expression. Gu Mingxi's eyes shone even brighter as she looked at Lu Yi.
Facing Lu Yi, Mo Lingxi felt the immense pressure from Lu Yi's longsword. Cold sweat formed on his forehead, and he gaped at Lu Yi: "You were holding back before?"
Lu Yi smiled a bit sheepishly, "After all, it's not easy for the seniors and sisters to cultivate. If I were too harsh, it might hurt their Dao heart. If it weren't for Senior Brother Mo Lingxi's strong strength, I wouldn't use such power."
He couldn't say he held back to ensure there would still be people willing to spar with him in the future, right? If he kept defeating everyone instantly, who would want to challenge him? Without challenges, how could he complete tasks and obtain Perfect-Grade Qi Condensation Elixirs?
Hearing this, Wang Wulian and the others were shaken and looked at Lu Yi with disbelief.
Wang Wulian felt touched: "Junior Brother Lu Yi... is so considerate of me! Junior Brother is truly a good person!"
Gu Mingxi's eyes sparkled: "Junior Brother is so gentle and thoughtful!"
"Junior Brother Lu Yi... thanks for caring for us."
Even other disciples looked at Lu Yi with admiration.
"Brother Lu Yi is so righteous!"
"Brother Lu Yi is truly our role model. Fellow disciples should look out for each other."
Even Jiang Fan nodded slightly, giving Lu Yi a look of recognition: "Junior Brother Lu Yi indeed has a kind heart, worthy of befriending."
Hearing Lu Yi's words, Mo Lingxi fell silent.
He then took a deep breath, looking earnestly at Lu Yi: "Junior Brother Lu Yi, your righteousness is admirable. On any other day, I would drink with you. But this competition concerns the Inner Sect slots; I can only apologize."
Lu Yi smiled, "Senior Brother need not feel pressured. The immortal path is long, and we are all striving forwards. Just give it your all, without regrets."
Lu Yi's longsword hummed, surrounded by cloud qi, as he smiled gently.