The Long Journey to Immortality

It was this thin layer of light that saved Yuchi Zhou from being stabbed by a sword and from being defeated and forced to leave the field.

"I guessed right."

Han Lu gave a soft snort and stopped using the flying sword, instead using a different method.

The failed ice mirror formation was put to good use, and Han Lu's self-created "ice coffin" spell reappeared on the arena.

The four ice mirrors formed the four sides of the ice coffin, adding another layer of encirclement to Yuchi Zhou, who was trapped in the water prison.

Immediately afterwards, water was poured into the ice coffin, and Han Lu used the same trick again, trying to make Yu Chi Zhou "suffocate" in the water.

Looking at the water level, which had reached his calves, Yu Chizhou suddenly remembered that he had read in the booklet that Han Lu had used this move a few times.

He cursed himself inwardly, "Why didn't I learn a technique that would allow me to fall asleep and breathe properly?"

Underwater breathing is a rather useless technique for cultivators.

It's used in harsh environments and isn't very useful.

After advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage, the cultivator's dantian and qi sea will allow the cultivator to move freely underwater without the need for spells or other aids, and without worrying about suffocation due to lack of oxygen.

Yu Chizhou, soaking in the water, was filled with remorse, but he was still somewhat clear-headed and tried to make a final struggle.

Yuchi Zhou tried to unleash a fire-attribute spell on the water, which was already up to his calves.

However, because he mainly practiced metal-based techniques and was not good at magic, the fireballs and fireballs he threw did not have a good effect.

The only thing they did was to warm up the water he was soaking in, so that he wouldn't shiver in the icy water.

If one move doesn't work, try a second.

The spirit sword, now restored to its spiritual nature, was once again under his control.

The ice walls surrounding him became his targets.

But to everyone's surprise, the spirit sword had just taken off and had not yet launched an attack when Han Lu noticed it.

After a brief pause, the two spirit swords resumed their fierce battle.

At this moment, Han Lu deliberately played a trick and did not use the Thunderous Offensive to defeat Yu Chi Zhou's spirit sword again.

She merely used the "entanglement" technique to buy time, giving Yuchi Zhou a glimmer of hope and making him believe that the spirit sword could help him reverse the situation, thus preventing him from trying other ways to break the deadlock.

By the time Yuchi Zhou discovered Han Lu's plot, it was too late.

The water had reached his chest, and he had to stand on tiptoe.

Knowing that victory was hopeless, before the water had even reached his nose, Yuchi Zhou hurriedly shouted from inside the water dungeon.

"I surrender, I surrender!"

Although the robe and magical artifacts on Yuchi Zhou's body allowed him to hold on in the water for a few more moments, it was ultimately just a futile struggle.

A wise man knows when to yield, and Yu Chizhou didn't want to embarrass himself in front of everyone.

It's better to surrender and admit defeat than to be carried off the ring on a stretcher.

The victory was long overdue.

After hearing Yu Chizhou's surrender announcement, the referee waited a while before declaring, "Dongshan Academy, Han Lu wins."

Upon hearing this, Han Lu withdrew her magic power, removed all the spells she had cast, and retrieved all the magical implements.

The four ice mirrors dissipated and turned into water vapor, spilling the water that was originally contained in the "ice coffin" onto the ground.

The water prison disappeared, and the spirit sword that Yuchi Zhou had knocked away returned to his hand.

Yu Chizhou tugged at his wet robe, trying his best to maintain a polite and elegant demeanor. He bowed respectfully to Han Lu and said, "I admire you. Junior Sister Han, you have excellent skills. I am completely humbled."

Yu Chizhou's tactful manner made Han Lu feel much better.

In a good mood, Han Lu politely returned the greeting, "Yu Chi Zhou, your skill in controlling artifacts is indeed among the best of the second level of Qi Refining cultivators. I won by sheer luck."

These words sounded comforting, and because Yu Chizhou didn't know exactly how much spiritual power Han Lu possessed, he believed them.

In his view, a cultivator at the second level of Qi Refining must have almost no spiritual energy left in Han Lu's body, as she was releasing so many spells that consumed a lot of spiritual energy while also controlling artifacts and manipulating magical tools.

It was just a lucky win.

After exchanging a few insincere pleasantries, the two stepped down from the arena.

Han Lu felt that this impressive victory had helped her regain some goodwill among her fellow students.

Although she is not the kind of person who is ambitious or likes to show off, she still cares a lot about her reputation.

I don't want his good name or reputation to spread throughout the sect, but at least I don't want him to be infamous and be regarded as a heretical cultivator who is hated by everyone as soon as he goes out.

Although no one except Su Wen, a fool who still has some chivalrous spirit, has ever called Han Lu "witch" or "demoness," she doesn't want that to happen someday in the future.

Thus, Han Lu only spent less than half a cup of tea's time to make Yu Chi Zhou surrender and concede defeat, winning the semi-finals.

Han Lu easily won and advanced to the finals, earning the right to compete against one of the other two cultivators for the top spot.

Having already won, Han Lu watched the game from the sidelines with considerable satisfaction.

Whether it was to get closer to Han Lu or for some other reason, Yu Chizhou did not leave the arena area after losing, and even took the initiative to chat with Han Lu for a few words.

Han Lu was still concerned about maintaining her "personal image" and did not shut people out.

The two watched the fight together from the sidelines, commenting on Han Lu's two potential opponents on the stage, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

In the end, after a fierce battle, a disciple from Nanshan Academy emerged victorious and became Han Lu's opponent in the final.

Chapter 111 Final Opponents, Competition Rewards

If Han Lu, who received a bye through a draw, is the luckiest disciple in this competition, then her opponent in the finals can definitely be considered the second luckiest participant.

Compared to Han Lu, who faced many strong opponents after advancing to the top 64, Mu Yangxia from Nanshan College, Han Lu's opponent, advanced to the finals by bullying the weak and picking on the easy targets.

Among the many "spectator guides," Mu Yangxia only received a weak fourth-to-strong rating, which roughly means that Mu Yangxia's strength is roughly ranked fourth or fifth in the Qi Refining Level 2 group.

Throughout the second round of the competition, opportunity kept chasing Mu Yangxia. He drew many contestants whose reputation was higher than their strength or whose strength was simply insufficient, and they became his stepping stones, escorting him all the way to the finals.

Mu Yangxia was quite self-aware in this regard. After advancing to the finals, he was not too complacent. When others congratulated him, he always repeated the word "lucky".

As the saying goes, an outsider's perspective is often clearer. Mu Yangxia, who watched Han Lu's duel with Yu Chizhou from the audience and had previously had private contact with Yu Chizhou, was even more convinced that Han Lu's strength far surpassed his.

Through a series of coincidences, Mu Yangxia, Han Lu's opponent in the finals, became one of the few opponents who had a correct understanding of Han Lu's fighting strength before stepping into the ring.

Although he was certain that his chances of winning in the final were slim, Mu Yangxia did not show any intention of surrendering prematurely.

On the contrary, because of his good luck on the way to the next round, he developed a delusion.

They mistakenly believe that Han Lu, the final boss, might be the protagonist of this competition, and that he might be defeated by the weak in an unbelievable and illogical way, just like the mortal enemies of the protagonists in those cultivation novels.

Mu Yangxia, who usually enjoys reading cultivation novels, watched Han Lu's back and boldly let her mind wander, thinking, "Maybe because of this unexpected failure, we'll get entangled in a red thread."

Han Lu was unaware that Mu Yangxia, standing behind her, was lost in thought, practically already deciding on the names of her eldest son and second daughter.

If she finds out, she might actually break Mu Yangxia's leg on the stage, just like the rumors say, so that he can no longer live a life where "she's doing well and I'm doing well," as a warning to others.

After a 15-minute break, the remaining twenty participants were gathered in front of arena number five.

In the final stage, all ten final matches were arranged to be held on a single ring.

This is both to facilitate the viewing of the matches by the disciples and elders who come to the Five Elements Mountain Academy, and also as a reward for the disciples who have advanced to the finals.

To put on a show of skill under so many eyes, even if you lose, is still a kind of honor.

In order to ensure that the excitement of the ten matches is balanced, the starting order of the ten matches is not arranged in the order of one to ten.

The first match was a contest between those at the first level of Qi Refining.

The second match featured Wen Er Ya and his opponent.

The third match was again between Han Lu and Mu Yangxia.

Appetizers and main courses alternate, while the most exciting and highest-level competition is saved for last.

Before the final match began, Daoist Yunmin made another appearance.

Before the Qi Refining level competition came to an end, he gave a brief summary of the competition and specifically praised several disciples who he considered to have great potential as encouragement.

Among the names mentioned, Wen Erya was mentioned, but Han Lu was not.

Han Lu's expression changed slightly as she stood in front of the ring. Although it was expected, Han Lu was still somewhat disappointed.

"It's probably because my current cultivation level is still too low. Because of the Ancient Cultivation Secret Realm, most of the Golden Core cultivators have focused their attention and spiritual senses on arenas number six, seven, eight, nine, and ten throughout the entire competition." Han Lu found a reasonable excuse for Daoist Yun Min in her mind.

Finally, Master Yunmin announced the rewards and punishments for the competition in advance, so that the disciples who were eliminated early and faced punishment could be mentally prepared, and also made the disciples who advanced to the finals at all levels even more eager for the title of first place.

The rewards for champions at each level are slightly different; naturally, the top player at the Qi Refining Level 10 level will receive more rewards from the sect.

Even if Han Lu wins first place at the second level of Qi Refining, she will only receive 30 spirit stones, 150 Meridian Opening Pills, and the option to choose two magical items as a reward.

The runner-up at the tenth level not only received significantly more spirit stones and pills than Han Lu, but was also allowed to choose a magic artifact from the inner treasury that could only be used by cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage or above as a reward.

If these things were converted into spirit stones, it would be a considerable sum.

Hearing that so many good things would be stored in their storage bags after the competition, the cultivators waiting for the match to begin in front of the arena became excited, including Wen Erya, the "Taoist of Many Treasures".

Meanwhile, some monks in the stands who had lost many matches in the first round were inwardly groaning.

Many people secretly vowed to cultivate diligently over the next five years, aiming not only to advance to the top 64, but also to increase their win rate to over 50% and gain some benefits from the competition.

However, only the person who made the promises knows how long they can uphold through diligent practice.

The atmosphere was lively, and Daoist Yunmin stopped wasting words.

After the two finalists, both at the first level of Qi Refining, stepped onto the arena, he, as the referee, solemnly announced, "The competition begins."

The Golden Core Sect Master served as referee for two reasons: first, to show the importance attached to the competition, and second, to allow the two disciples on the stage to perform to their full potential without any worries.

Unless his head is severed or his heart is pierced, with Daoist Yunmin by his side, as long as he has a breath left, he can always be saved, and the future star of the Zhengyi Sect will not perish in this arena competition.

With the sect leader, Daoist Yunmin, acting as referee, the two Qi Refining Level 1 disciples who were "filling in" gave it their all, displaying 120% of their fighting strength.

The two cultivators at the first level of Qi Refining were fighting fiercely on the arena, and the spectators watching from below were quite entertained.

However, the source of this joy was not because the game was particularly exciting.

It's because the two cultivators fighting on the arena are only at the first level of Qi Refining, which is lower than the vast majority of the audience in the stands. Everyone has the right and ability to make a few comments, make some hypothetical statements, and share their thoughts.

This feeling of being on high and down, engaging in grand pronouncements, is what brings joy to the audience.

In the end, a disciple from Sun Yat-sen University won by a narrow margin, becoming the first champion of this competition.