```
The battle continued.
The fifteenth fight, the sixteenth...
As the wind blew and the sword swung, Meng Yu won match after match!
And his reputation began to spread.
Although Meng Yu's killing had caused a sensation throughout the city and made his own residence a hot topic, within a broader scope, that was it—over time, many had forgotten. But today, they truly recognized this young man.
Sword Intent—this young man, dressed in prison garb, a bald youth, had actually mastered Sword Intent!
Indeed, Taibai University acknowledged why they had signed Meng Yu and lent him those weapons!
This young man had achieved Sword Intent, he held a bright and illustrious future, with Foundation Establishment within easy reach. However, he had drawn his sword in a burst of anger!
...
Twenty days later.
After removing his helmet once more, Meng Yu returned to reality.
He had won twenty-four consecutive matches in the individual competition and successfully advanced to the contest of ten thousand.
Maybe the external discussions were earth-shattering, or perhaps they were just a small ripple, but at last, he stood at the forefront of this world.
At the entrance to the Quiet Room, the Supervisor nodded in satisfaction, while outside, a bunch of old brothers from the prison clapped and cheered.
During his time in Hongye Prison, Meng Yu had won the favor of many; his victory made everyone happy.
"Rest for fifteen days, then a Flying Boat will come to pick you up for the finals."
The contest of ten thousand did not take place in the virtual world, but all the contestants were brought together, and then they competed in the virtual world.
Only in this way could the Immortal Sect generate exceedingly high profits.
Only fairness could yield the highest profits.
...
The celebration banquet.
A table of food had already been set up outside, and Meng Yu savored the delicacies with a few acquaintances from the prison.
"Master."
Meng Yu was very respectful, letting Old Liefire sit at the head of the table. The old man was delighted, showering Meng Yu with praises and claiming he had invested much effort for his good disciple.
"Old Liefire, Meng Yu has now entered the contest of ten thousand. As his master, you should also make a gesture. He has reached the third level of Perfection, so why don't you chip in a bit, offer some resources to help out Meng Yu? I recall you have Meridian Shattering Pills and Three Nether Springs water."
"I've always taken good care of him, lent a helping hand in every way. I've already used the Three Nether Springs water, so I don't have any left."
"Then what about the Alchemical Elixir you promised Meng Yu? It's time to bring it out."
"Mind your own business, I've given him other things."
Old Liefire's face turned red with anger, muttering that he had given Meng Yu many things during alchemy, taking great care of him. But everyone knew those elixirs were given away by Meng Yu to others.
No other reason, those elixirs, heavy with Pill Poison, were akin to poison for those with a bright future.
"No need, Master has always treated me well, truly."
Meng Yu sincerely said, putting a stop to the crowd's teasing.
"Actually, Three Nether Springs water isn't impossible to refine again. But you would have to help me diligently produce elixirs for five days."
Old Liefire chuckled.
"There's no need, Master. I can break through just by cultivating on my own."
Meng Yu said with a smile, and then the host and the guests relished their time, including covering the cost of this feast—though everyone pooled together, Meng Yu later repaid each person with a bottle of fine liquor.
```
"Uncle Li."
Standing in front of the Prison Warden, Meng Yu politely addressed him in this manner.
"Hmm, not bad. You won very cleanly in the middle of the competition. Many people are optimistic about you. What do you want?"
"I want twelve Qi-Nourishing Heart-Relaxing Pills and three portions of Three Nether Springs water."
"Don't use the Qi-Nourishing Heart-Relaxing Pills, they're too low-level. The prison will reward you with three Minor Rejuvenation Pills and two portions of Cold Jade Ice Spring—don't be shy, it's what you deserve."
The Prison Warden handed the items to Meng Yu without any deduction.
This was not out of his own pocket, but rather from funds donated collectively by the upper echelons of the prison. This month, sales of the Red Maple Wooden Sword had increased fivefold. Meng Yu's miraculous experience and dashing prowess had successfully driven sales, earning him widespread praise.
"For the finals... what weapon will you prepare with?"
The Prison Warden's fingertip tapped, and all sorts of the prison's flagship products appeared on top of it.
"No, I will stick with the entry-level Red Leaf Wooden Sword. Sometimes winning isn't necessarily a good thing, is it?"
Meng Yu said with a smile, he was no fool, remember—he was still dancing with shackles on!
"Not bad, not bad."
The Prison Warden nodded in satisfaction.
He was just worried that Meng Yu would get carried away.
...
After parting with the Prison Warden, Meng Yu arrived at the Quiet Room. This Quiet Room was the most advanced in the prison; Meng Yu could feel the dense spiritual energy.
He used the Minor Rejuvenation Pills and Cold Jade Ice Spring first to solidify his own cultivation. After that, it was time to use the second one which was tenfold more effective.
During the knockout phase, Meng Yu constantly used the Sword Intent of the Wind. Even with this alone, he could show his prowess in official competitions, but it would be difficult to make it to the very end.
Meng Yu had the Golden Finger, but did other competitors not have their own advantages? Foundation Establishment Families, children of Golden Core cultivators, Nascent Soul descendants, born prodigies, various types of cultivation—these people did not lack spiritual artifacts or Divine Skill Secret Manuals. If he wanted to achieve a good ranking, he would have to once again strengthen himself!
He wasn't greedy for the rewards of the top hundred, but he needed to stand before everyone!
He picked up a stone sword, its crimson body adorned with dazzling golden patterns. It was a Crimson Jade Glazed Sword, easily shattered when used in combat, but very effective in daily martial practice. It was mailed to him by an anonymous person, and now, Meng Yu began to practice the Fire Crow Sword Technique!
A martial skill evolved from ancient sacrificial dances, the Fire Crow Sword Technique!
Although professors at Taibai University suggested he should continue on the path of the Wind System, practicing the White Crane Secret Sword, and the corresponding divine sword, he couldn't access this knowledge after being imprisoned.
And besides, Meng Yu had his own thoughts.
Those sophisticated sword techniques were indeed excellent, but could he fully master them to perfection within half a year?
If the Wind System's White Crane Swordsmanship couldn't be strengthened, then what about other Wind System sword techniques?
What excited him the most when he strengthened the White Crane Swordsmanship before was not the Great Perfection of the swordsmanship but the Sword Intent the system helped him cultivate.
Ask ten thousand swordsmanship masters, ask everyone, between a sophisticated sword technique and a wisp of Sword Intent, which to choose. Ten thousand swordsmanship masters would choose Sword Intent!
Only when one's swordsmanship reaches the extreme, is there a chance to resonate with the Great Dao and to produce Sword Intent.
The more sophisticated the sword technique, the longer the cultivation time required, not to mention the strict conditions. And when it comes to sword techniques, are those highly refined, basic sword techniques truly inferior to the higher-level ones?
Having mastered the Sword Intent of the Wind, Meng Yu didn't think poorly of the White Crane Swordsmanship!
In terms of techniques, he considered himself sufficiently skilled.
Therefore, after thorough consideration, Meng Yu chose the Fire Crow Sword Technique from the Golden Crow Observatory.
It was a sword technique he learned while observing the fire during his months of helping with alchemy.
He needed the Cold Jade Ice Spring precisely to erase the last bit of immaturity from the Fire Crow Sword Technique's fiery nature.