A cultivator's understanding of the laws of heaven and earth deepened, leading to a breakthrough in their cultivation.
Lu Zaiye was currently only at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, but that did not mean he could only exert the strength of the early Nascent Soul stage.
Bei Xinghan's "Milky Way" had already touched upon a bit of the laws of heaven and earth.
However, this application, in Lu Zaiye's eyes, still appeared very immature.
The moment he pushed his palm forward, he had already foreseen the outcome.
The Frost Sword was slowly but firmly pushed back by the palm wind. The Milky Way behind it also shattered bit by bit, turning into countless ice crystals that danced in the air.
Bei Xinghan's face contorted in a grimace, his eyes turning crimson. With a "poof," he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Impossible!
*Bang!*
The hilt of the Frost Sword directly struck his chest.
Bei Xinghan felt a sharp pain in his chest. He reached out and tightly gripped the sword hilt, a bleak smile suddenly appearing on his lips.
At this moment, the memories he had suppressed in the past suddenly reappeared in his sea of consciousness.
"Your birth was an accident. I handed you over to Qing Lian for care, thus severing our father-son bond."
"I, Bei Canghai, pursue the path of the sword with all my heart. Do not come looking for me again."
"You want to become the foremost sword cultivator on the Nine Provinces Continent? What a joke!"
"You are unworthy to wield a sword! Get out of here!"
"..."
The tall, handsome man was like an emotionless deity, cold and noble. Every word he uttered was like an ice blade piercing his body.
Bei Xinghan let out a wry laugh, his consciousness gradually sinking into boundless darkness.
As Bei Xinghan fainted, the scene instantly erupted.
Bei Xinghan had actually lost!
Many cultivators' faces were flushed red, and they were in a furious rage.
They had placed their bets on Bei Xinghan, only to see him lose to an unknown youngster.
A genius sword cultivator of the Nine Provinces Continent?
Bah!
The disciples of the Xuanqing Sect were also bewildered and lost.
They had considered the possibility of Bei Xinghan losing to Xu Yi, but they had never imagined he would lose to someone else.
Hearing the disdainful curses from around them, they clenched their fists, their faces showing indignation.
When had their Xuanqing Sect ever suffered such humiliation?
At this moment, a hint of dissatisfaction with Bei Xinghan also faintly arose in their hearts.
"Father, let's go and check on Bei Xinghan."
Long Haotian's lips tightened, and he said in a deep voice.
"I will accompany you."
Qing Lian Zhenren had already calmed his mood.
Bei Xinghan's loss was not necessarily a bad thing. He had originally intended for Xu Yi to accomplish this task, but it was even better for Lu Zaiye to do so now.
After all, Bei Xinghan knew Xu Yi better and likely had some preparations in place. However, Lu Zaiye was completely unexpected, thus causing a greater impact.
The other disciples, seeing their Sect Master go to check on Bei Xinghan's condition and not minding Bei Xinghan's defeat at all, suddenly realized their previous thoughts were ignoble and lowered their heads in shame, yet their backs remained straight.
They had merely lost.
They did not need to feel ashamed of themselves because of it.
The elder of the Myriad Buddha Sect saw Qing Lian Zhenren and shook his head at him, saying, "He's quite heavily injured and cannot participate in the remaining matches."
"It's fine."
Qing Lian Zhenren was unconcerned.
He had already gained something valuable this time.
After a brief examination, they took Bei Xinghan away to receive treatment.
As Lu Zaiye stepped off the competition stage, his eyes met a pair of sparkling eyes.
"Lu Zaiye, I never realized you were so powerful."
Xu Yi's face was filled with astonishment.
During their trial in the Myriad Demon Ridge, she had always tried her best to shield Lu Zaiye behind her, subconsciously overlooking his strength. Seeing him unleash his might and defeat Bei Xinghan, she still found it hard to believe.
Lu Zaiye said softly, "It was just luck."
Xu Yi smiled, "Don't be so modest. In the next match, I must properly experience your true abilities."
She was supposed to fight Bei Xinghan next. However, Bei Xinghan's condition meant he would withdraw from the subsequent matches. Therefore, after her vacant match, her next opponent would be Lu Zaiye.
Lu Zaiye's gaze gradually deepened, and he nodded gently.
In the eighth qualifying match, Xu Yi finally had the chance to be an spectator.
This match was against Xiong Zhuangzhuang.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang had previously lost to Bei Xinghan. Now, facing Lu Zaiye, who had defeated Bei Xinghan, he dared not be careless. As soon as he stepped onto the stage, he immediately transformed into his beast form, his fists smashing pit after pit on the competition stage.
Yu Xiaoyu was facing Feng Qingyang.
Feng Qingyang was known for his speed and agile attacks. He believed he had a very good chance of winning against Yu Xiaoyu.
However, it was only when he began fighting Yu Xiaoyu that he realized her terrifying nature.
Although Yu Xiaoyu's movements were not as agile as his, her strength was simply terrifying. Coupled with her meticulousness in making her defense impenetrable, she instead used the Meteor Hammer to shock Feng Qingyang, causing his qi and blood to churn and making him groan in agony.
Xu Yi watched all the duels, and she already had a general idea of the rankings for this grand competition.
The only variable was the first place in the grand competition.
And this first place would be decided between her and Lu Zaiye.
Xu Yi let out a soft sigh, a hint of eagerness appearing on her face.
She had never sparred with Lu Zaiye before, and she was greatly looking forward to the upcoming match.
An hour later, the four duels concluded one after another.
Yu Xiaoyu and Lu Zaiye won their respective matches.
Xu Yi's gaze was fixed on Lu Zaiye, her fighting spirit surging.
Lu Zaiye frowned with some distress as he felt her intense gaze.
"The ninth qualifying match begins."
Lu Zaiye and Xu Yi stood at opposite ends of the competition stage, gazing at each other across the distance.
All the cultivators in the arena held their breath. This match was the last qualifying match and the one that would determine the top ranker of the grand competition.
This time, the Xuanji Sect had truly made a name for itself. Regardless of who won or lost, it would be the ultimate victor.
Elder Qingfeng's eyes glinted with a mischievous smile.
He suddenly felt fortunate that he had led the team to participate in this grand competition; otherwise, how could he have witnessed such a spectacular scene?
Xu Yi facing Lu Zaiye?
Interesting, so interesting.
Pu Tao's heart was beating rapidly.
Only she and her grand-disciple knew about the bet placed last night.
If her grand-disciple won, it would mean she had also won her bet and could receive tenfold the wager.
If she lost, it would be a complete loss of capital.
Grand-disciple, you must win!
From the Xuanqing Sect's direction.
Long Haotian and the other two rushed back immediately after settling Bei Xinghan.
The subsequent matches were crucial for determining the top ranker of the grand competition, and they did not want to miss it.
"Lu Zaiye, I have a crucial reason to win this grand competition. Bring it on."
Xu Yi chuckled softly, her expression revealing immense confidence.
Lu Zaiye met Xu Yi's clear and bright eyes, and his previous less-than-illustrious thoughts were all dispelled.
He suddenly understood why he had agreed to participate in the grand competition at Elder Qingfeng's instigation.
He wanted to use himself to test Xu Yi.
Xu Yi's identity had always been a source of doubt for him.
He trusted her, yet he also suspected her.
His existence was equivalent to a towering mountain for cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage.
And to advance further, one needed to overcome this mountain.
He wanted to know how far Xu Yi could go, whether she would bow her head before the mountain or bravely face the challenge.