Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

Hai Lan's cultivation was completely destroyed, and he collapsed on the ground, barely breathing. The remaining evil energy was completely cleansed by the water light emanating from Guan Hai Mo Yan, and there was no longer any shadow on the arena.

Yunxi flicked off the black-clad leader's mask with her sword, revealing Shi Kui's sinister and ferocious face. Shen Yue's spear was aimed directly at his throat, Chen Dagang's fists suppressed those who tried to counterattack from both sides, Yi Azhu used her spiritual magic to bind Su Chen, and Ye Qing set up a wooden cage to imprison all the remaining black-clad men. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all the remaining men were captured alive, and not a single one escaped.

Master Xuan Yang waved his hand, and two beams of spiritual light descended, sealing the meridians of Hai Lan and the traitors respectively. He said in a deep voice, "Imprison them in the Demon Locking Tower. After the ceremony, they will be severely punished according to the sect rules."

The disciples in charge of enforcing the rules stepped forward and escorted all of them away. A hush fell over the arena, which was then broken by a long and enthusiastic cheer. All the disciples looked at Lin Yan with awe and admiration.

Master Danxuan walked out slowly, his gaze sweeping across the entire venue, and said in a loud voice: "This grand ceremony was suddenly disrupted. Fortunately, disciples such as Lin Yan stepped forward, eliminated the wicked, and protected the reputation of Laoshan. Their performance in this incident can also be regarded as a comprehensive test of their character and practical skills. Only those who can uphold their Daoist heart and bravely defend against the enemy are worthy of the name of Laoshan disciples."

As soon as he finished speaking, Elder Wudao lightly flicked his whisk, and a golden light flew out from his sleeve, unfolding in mid-air to transform into a list over ten feet long, inscribed with large characters in vermilion ink—the list of the top twenty in this sect selection:

Lin Yan, Yun Xi, Shen Yue, Su Lingyue, etc...

With the list finalized, no one raised any objections. Lin Yan firmly held the top spot on the merit list thanks to his achievement in slaying the evil cultivator elder, while Yun Xi and others also saw their rankings rise due to their valiant efforts in eliminating the remaining evil forces.

Master Xuan Yang stood up, his voice resounding throughout the surrounding area: "This ranking only determines eligibility for entry into the inner sect, granting access to spiritual veins and guidance from elders. As for true strength ranking and unparalleled opportunities, those will be determined in the arena! Step onto the stage now for a top-twenty competition. Losers will be eliminated, and winners will advance, until the top ten, and ultimately, the champion, are determined!"

These words caused an uproar. The three levels of the Scripture Pavilion contained ancient techniques, and the sect leader's personal instruction was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. The top twenty disciples were all filled with fighting spirit.

Then, Elder Wudao walked onto the arena with a bamboo tube in his hand and announced loudly: "The top twenty will compete, the order will be determined by drawing lots, each pair will be matched, the loser will be eliminated, and the winner will advance, competing in each round until a champion is decided!"

Then, Elder Wudao, holding an ancient-looking bamboo tube, slowly stepped onto the arena, his white beard flowing, exuding an air of otherworldly grace. He swept his gaze across the arena, and his voice, booming like a bell, proclaimed: "The top twenty will compete, the order determined by drawing lots. Players will be paired up, losers eliminated, winners advancing, competing layer by layer until a champion is crowned!"

He paused, then raised his voice again: "The competition for the top ten begins immediately! Draw lots!"

Before the words were finished, he flicked his whisk in the air, and twenty luminous white jade slips flew out of the tube, slowly swirling in mid-air, shimmering with spiritual light, waiting for the disciples to come forward and draw them.

In the blink of an eye, the twenty jade tokens were already in the hands of twenty new inner disciples.

"Round 1, Match 1: Yunxi vs. Ouyang Dongfang!"

A commotion immediately arose in the audience. This person was not a disciple selected from Laoshan, but rather a cultivator from out of town who had been noticed by the crowd of spectators long ago.

A figure leaped onto the arena. He was only nineteen years old, with a straight posture like a spear and a steady gait. He landed without even raising a speck of dust.

He wore a dark, patterned, close-fitting outfit, with a silver-trimmed leather belt around his waist. The cuffs and hem were embroidered with delicate cloud patterns, giving him a neat and efficient look without the slightest hint of sloppiness. His long hair was tied up high with a black jade hairpin, with neatly trimmed bangs revealing his smooth forehead. His face was handsome and sharp, with sword-like eyebrows, eyes like cold stars, a straight nose, and thin lips. His expression was cold and arrogant, exuding a sharp and formidable aura.

He held a jet-black, high-grade spear horizontally in his hand. The spearhead was as black as ink, gleaming with a cold metallic luster, and the tip was shimmering with dark gold, faintly resonating with spiritual energy. It was clear at a glance that this was no ordinary weapon. Although he was not among the candidates for Laoshan, he possessed a pure spiritual root, and his spiritual energy was as deep and restrained as an abyss. He had obviously come because of his reputation, hoping to use the arena to fight and gain entry into Laoshan.

Upon seeing this, Elder Wudao nodded slightly and said loudly, "Ouyang Dongfang is a renowned cultivator from outside, with pure spiritual roots..."

After Elder Wudao finished his loud chant, he gracefully retreated to the edge of the arena, raised his hand and set up a light golden protective shield to cover the entire arena, so as to prevent the aftershocks from injuring the people below.

Yunxi lightly touched the sword with her toes, standing in mid-air. Her white clothes fluttered, and the cold sword in her hand hummed. The spiritual energy of the seventh level of Qi Refining spread out, and the cold sword intent poured out like moonlight, covering half of the arena.

Opposite him, Ouyang Dongfang stood holding a spear. His dark-colored outfit accentuated his tall and straight figure, and a black jade hairpin bound his black hair. His face was handsome and sharp, with eyebrows like cold swords and eyes like cold stars. His spiritual energy was calm and refined, in no way inferior to Yun Xi's. The black gold spear in his hand pointed diagonally at the ground, with dark patterns flowing on the shaft, faintly revealing the heavy and sharp aura of a martial-grade magic weapon.

"Junior Sister is indeed extraordinary." Ouyang Dongfang's voice was cold and arrogant. "I just wonder if her strength is as dazzling as her appearance."

Yunxi raised her eyebrows slightly and held her long sword horizontally: "You'll know once you make a move."

Before he could finish speaking, Ouyang Dongfang launched the first attack. His footsteps shattered the ground, and his figure shot out like an arrow. His black gold spear swept out horizontally, the wind from the spear whistling, and spiritual energy condensed into a jet-black spear light, slashing straight at Yunxi's middle path with great force, fully demonstrating the fierceness of the spear.

Yunxi remained calm and composed, her figure light and agile as she leaped into the air, her sword flashing like a bolt of lightning as she parried the attack.

"clang--"

The clang of metal against metal was deafening, and the shockwave exploded outwards, causing ripples to spread across the protective barrier. Taking advantage of the momentum, Yunxi gracefully retreated, her toes touching the blade of her sword. Instantly, she transformed into a white blur, her sword light flashing continuously like a rain of pear blossoms as she pierced towards Ouyang Dongfang. Her swordplay was agile and graceful, making it difficult to discern between reality and illusion.

Ouyang Dongfang wielded his spear like a black dragon coiled around its body, creating an impenetrable defense. Each thrust of the spear tip was as fast as lightning, making it difficult for Yun Xi to get close. His spear technique was expansive and powerful, using brute force to overcome skill. Each strike carried the force to shatter mountains and split rocks. The stone slabs of the arena were instantly cracked with fine lines as the spear wind swept across them.

For a moment, swords and spears flashed on the stage, and black and white spiritual energy clashed incessantly, making the disciples below hold their breath and exclaim in amazement.

After several dozen rounds, Yunxi had figured out her opponent's tactics. Her opponent's spear technique was powerful but lacked agility; his relentless attacks were rapidly depleting his spiritual energy.

A glint flashed in her eyes, and she deliberately feigned an opening, pausing slightly.

As expected, Ouyang Dongfang seized the opportunity, roared, and channeled all his spiritual energy into his spear, condensing a ten-foot-long black blade at the tip, which he thrust straight at Yun Xi's heart: "Hit!"

Just as the spear tip was about to reach him, Yun Xi suddenly shifted sideways like a willow catkin, flipped her longsword, and used an extremely tricky angle to stick to the spear shaft. She slid up the shaft at high speed, her spiritual energy pushed to its limit, and the cold sword light surged like moonlight, heading straight for Ouyang Dongfang's wrist.

"not good!"

Ouyang Dongfang's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly returned fire to defend himself, but it was already too late.

Yunxi's swordplay continued unabated. With a slight flick of her wrist, three sharp sword energies shot out, sealing off all his escape routes. Then, she darted in front of him, gently striking him on the shoulder with the spine of her sword.

"Bang!"

Ouyang Dongfang's blood surged, his body staggered back several steps, his spear almost slipped from his hand, his spiritual energy stagnated, and he had no strength left to fight.

Yunxi sheathed her sword and stood there, her white robes spotless, her breath slightly labored yet still upright.

Seeing this, Elder Wudao stroked his beard and loudly declared, "In this battle, Yunxi wins!"