Mo Lingxi took a deep breath and once again charged towards Lu Yi.
Lu Yi's White Cloud Sword Technique erupted as he met him head-on. The two clashed once more on the platform.
Mo Lingxi's movement technique was bizarre, while Lu Yi's was ethereal. Their figures flickered on the platform, and with each collision, Sword Qi raged, and Spiritual Energy transformed into translucent ring-shaped shockwaves, scattering everywhere.
Overall, however, Lu Yi still effortlessly suppressed Mo Lingxi, as he had nearly pushed the White Cloud Sword Technique to the limit of the Returning True Realm.
Time passed, and before long, Lu Yi seized an opening in Mo Lingxi's Sword Technique. With a swirl of cloud energy, a sword thrust sent Mo Lingxi flying off the platform.
Mo Lingxi stumbled to the ground, his expression momentarily dazed. He then smiled bitterly, sheathed his sword, and cupped his fists towards Lu Yi on the platform: "Junior Brother Lu Yi, your strength is astonishing. Senior Brother is ashamed."
In fact, after Lu Yi had demonstrated the powerful might of his Sword Technique earlier, Mo Lingxi had already felt that his chances were slim.
Lu Yi smiled and nodded: "Senior Brother Mo, your strength is formidable. I just happen to have a slight edge."
Upon hearing this, Wang Wulian and the others felt a sense of familiarity. Looking at Lu Yi's expression, they found it somewhat odd; after all, this was exactly what he had said to them when he defeated them before!
Now that Lu Yi was saying this, they didn't believe it at all.
The steward on the platform came to his senses and looked deeply at Lu Yi. His originally indifferent expression now bore a hint of warmth. Lu Yi's earlier words had clearly touched him deeply. He nodded towards Lu Yi and announced, "Lu Yi wins and advances to the top ten."
In the sky, Dugu Fang looked at Lu Yi with a smile of satisfaction, "This young fellow is really good, talented, and loyal. Such disciples are truly a blessing for our White Cloud Sect."
Beside him, Qi Feiyu also nodded, "Indeed. Compared to those genius talents who are heartless and ruthless, this young Lu Yi is much more to my liking."
Other elders also nodded in agreement.
After all, no one wants to painstakingly train a genius disciple only to have them sever ties with the sect when trouble arises, or worse, turn against the sect.
A loyal disciple at least wouldn't betray them.
Not to mention, this loyal disciple was incredibly talented.
Dugu Fang sighed and said, "If this young fellow weren't so extraordinarily talented, I would even consider taking him as my last disciple."
Hearing this, the other elders were taken aback, looking at Dugu Fang with some surprise.
"Grand Elder, you must be joking. You're already nearing the Nascent Soul Realm; can't you still teach Lu Yi?"
"That's right, Grand Elder. If you wish to take a disciple, it would be Lu Yi's good fortune."
All the elders chimed in.
Dugu Fang shook his head, "This young fellow's strength is greater than I imagined. His White Cloud Sword Technique has likely reached its limit, perhaps even to an extent where there is no room for further advancement. Such talent, once he enters the Inner Sect, will surely stir up winds and waves."
"Hiss..."
The elders all widened their eyes, astonished that Dugu Fang held Lu Yi in such high regard.
Refining a technique to the point of no further advancement, how extraordinary must one's comprehension and talent be?
For a moment, these elders were somewhat in a daze.
Meanwhile, not far away, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi both breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that Lu Yi had defeated Mo Lingxi.
"Good! That's my son!" Lu Gaoyang laughed heartily.
Beside him, Wang Siqi was also all smiles.
Li Mang and the others looked at Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi with envy in their eyes, feeling a bit sour inside but repeatedly congratulating them.
"Congratulations, Brother Lu. Achieving the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer and entering the Inner Sect; this hasn't happened in our White Cloud Sect for centuries."
"Indeed, Nephew Lu Yi's talent is unparalleled. Brother Lu, you must treat us!"
"What touched me most was Nephew Lu Yi's words. This young fellow is truly loyal and righteous."
These words made several stewards nod in agreement.
"Brother Lu and Sister-In-Law have taught him well!"
"Our White Cloud Sect needs geniuses like Nephew Lu Yi."
Lu Gaoyang chuckled gleefully, "Indeed, my wife and I have been setting examples everyday."
Seeing Lu Gaoyang so pleased, Wang Siqi couldn't help but feel exasperated. This guy was really enjoying himself; she'd deal with him later when they got home.
She smiled, "Our family Yi'er has been sensible since childhood and hasn't caused us much worry."
As everyone chatted, Lu Yi stepped off the platform.
As soon as he got off the platform, Wang Wulian walked over, looking moved: "Junior Brother Lu Yi, I understand your intentions! If there's anything you need in the future, Senior Brother won't hesitate!"
A handsome youth approached. He was Lin Qifeng, the senior brother at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer whom Lu Yi had defeated before.
Lin Qifeng also nodded, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, if you have free time, feel free to visit White Dew Peak anytime."
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lu Yi, on entering the top ten and the Inner Sect."
"Once you enter the Inner Sect, Junior Brother Lu Yi, the sky will be the limit. Congratulations, congratulations."
One by one, senior brothers and sisters came to congratulate Lu Yi warmly.
Lu Yi responded with smiles. At that moment, Jiang Fan walked over and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, your loyalty is commendable. Let's keep in touch more often."
Hearing this, Lu Yi's eyes lit up.
Senior Brother Jiang Fan's practice tasks rewarded Centennial Spiritual Dew! How could he not want to keep in touch more?
Lu Yi beamed, "I will certainly be bothering Senior Brother Jiang Fan frequently then."
As they chatted and joked, the matches on the platforms concluded one after another.
Before long, the top ten were announced.
As the ranking matches concluded, Dugu Fang once again landed on the Central Platform and said calmly, "The ranking matches are over. The top ten of the Outer Sect have been decided. Please step onto the Central Platform."
Hearing this, Lu Yi and Jiang Fan exchanged glances, then used their movement techniques to leap into the air and landed on the platform.
Besides the two of them, eight others also stepped onto the platform.
A large, burly youth with an imposing aura like a fierce beast, yet with a simple expression; a handsome youth in splendid clothes; a somber youth in black with dual swords; a delicate-looking maiden in white carrying a longsword; a pretty, spirited girl in green; and Jiang Fan—these six were all at the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer.
The other three were at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer—two were senior brothers, and one was a senior sister. Then there was Lu Yi at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer.
In total, ten people.
Lu Yi's gaze swept over them, and as he saw the pretty girl, he was taken aback. This was the senior sister from White Sun Peak who had praised his good looks before—Mu Wan'er, wasn't it?
Mu Wan'er also noticed Lu Yi, her eyes brightened, and she smiled at him. But with Dugu Fang present, she didn't dare speak.
Standing beside Dugu Fang, the group waited as he glanced at them and then looked down at the platform with a mild smile: "The top ten disciples are here. As usual, if anyone has objections, they may challenge. Victory means they take the place."
Upon hearing this, a buzz rose below, a few eager to try. These were all disciples at Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.
They didn't dare challenge the senior brothers and sisters at Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer, but the other four, including Lu Yi at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, represented their last chance.
Lu Yi also watched expectantly, eager.
Pick me! You have to pick me!