Chapter 48

Lin Xuan's strong performance took everyone by surprise. Although the few disciples were inwardly indignant, they did not dare to make a move here. They coldly snorted and turned away.

Lin Xuan had not been there long when the time for the first round was up. The ninety-nine-step stone platform was shrouded in mist, becoming hazy. In the sky, the middle-aged man in purple robes reappeared. He waved his sleeve, and over a hundred black rays fell, rushing toward the crowd.

Lin Xuan moved as swiftly as lightning, catching the flying object. It turned out to be a black token, with the number 135 written on it. He looked at Yin Qingyi's token and saw that hers read 134.

He estimated that he was the 135th to pass the first round.

"Who would have thought that out of tens of thousands of disciples, only a little over a hundred would pass the first round. This selection is truly strict!" Lin Xuan sighed.

"Congratulations on successfully passing the first round. Next, you will undergo the second round of testing," the middle-aged man in purple robes said from the clouds. "Go down the mountain, and someone will tell you what to do."

Everyone descended the mountain. When everyone reached the flat ground, a loud boom echoed from behind, and Thundercloud Mountain slowly disappeared. The others did not feel much about it, but Lin Xuan looked back with reluctance: "Sigh, there were still so many golden arcs I hadn't absorbed yet!"

Shaking his head, Lin Xuan put the matter aside and looked ahead.

All disciples to the central arena! A clear voice rang in everyone's ears, and the disciples who had successfully passed the first round headed for the central arena.

"It seems the second round will be a tournament," Lin Xuan thought to himself.

"Hey, you bastard, why were you so slow in the first round?" Tang Yu deliberately slowed down, and when she reached Lin Xuan, she asked angrily.

"Sorry, it was my fault for holding back Senior Brother Lin," Yin Qingyi said softly beside Lin Xuan.

"No, no, it's not your fault," Lin Xuan quickly reassured Yin Qingyi and explained to Tang Yu, "I was too excited yesterday and didn't sleep well."

Walking with two beautiful women, Lin Xuan once again drew everyone's attention. Many male disciples glared at him fiercely; if looks could kill, Lin Xuan would have died a thousand times over.

The central arena was very spacious. When Lin Xuan and the others arrived, they found that many people had already gathered there.

To the north was a golden viewing platform, where several elders of the sect were seated. On either side of the golden platform were many ordinary stands, arranged in a fan shape and filled with people.

Looking around, the place was bustling with people.

The 140 outer disciples stood in front of the arena, waiting quietly. However, the lively atmosphere had already ignited their fighting spirit.

Who wouldn't want to defeat all their enemies and show off their prowess in such a grand setting? Moreover, this was the inner sect selection. If they performed well, they might catch the eye of an inner sect elder. Thinking of this, the young men were filled with excitement.

Soon, several streaks of light appeared, and a powerful aura surged. A few figures landed on the arena.

They were bathed in a dazzling light, like flames dancing, and their long robes fluttered without wind. Each one looked like a celestial being descended from heaven.

The entire arena fell silent.

Lin Xuan felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him, making his spiritual energy boil. He struggled to resist the pressure. All the outer disciples, including Lin Xuan, turned pale and looked at the figures on the arena with fear.

Seeing this scene, the middle-aged man with a square face on the arena said, "Yes, the second round is a tournament."

"The numbers on your tokens represent your ranking in the first round. Each ranking has corresponding scores and rewards, and the same applies to the second round."

"Now, let me tell you about the rewards for the second round. The first place will receive a Pure Spirit Pill, an intermediate-level Profound Rank martial art, and a Human Rank treasure weapon."

"The second place will receive a low-level Profound Rank martial art and a Lesser Yellow Pill."

...

Sigh!

All the disciples drew in a sharp breath. Profound Rank martial arts and Human Rank treasure weapons! These were absolute temptations for martial artists. And a Pure Spirit Pill! All the disciples would go crazy for it!

"What is a Pure Spirit Pill?" Lin Xuan asked, puzzled.

"Country bumpkin!" Tang Yu sneered. "A Pure Spirit Pill is a third-grade pill. It contains very pure spiritual energy. An ordinary Pulse Condensation Realm martial artist can instantly break through to the next level after taking it. If taken at the ninth level of Pulse Condensation, it can greatly increase the chances of entering the Spirit Sea Realm. This is a treasure that all Pulse Condensation Realm martial artists desire!"

"Advance one level and increase the chances of entering the Spirit Sea Realm!" Lin Xuan took a deep breath. "I must get this!"

Not just Lin Xuan, but the other disciples also turned red-faced, eager to start the competition. The square-faced middle-aged man, seeing the atmosphere rise, smiled and said, "Your current ranking represents your number for this round. Those whose numbers are drawn by the judges will compete on the arena."

"Also, the top ten from the first round do not need to participate in the first round of matches!"

"Now, the second round begins!"

Five middle-aged men with high cultivation levels stood on five arenas, starting the draw.

Everyone enviously watched the top ten from the first round and prayed for a weak opponent in the first round.

Soon, the five judges announced the competitors.

"Arena One: Number 38 vs. Number 53"

"Arena Two: Number 77 vs. Number 63"

...

The ten disciples whose numbers were called stepped onto the arenas, ready to compete. Although their rankings in the first round were different, this did not mean that Number 38 would definitely defeat Number 53. After all, the first round was a test of perseverance and potential, not a direct reflection of a martial artist's combat ability.

Sure enough, the first match was a surprise. Number 53 defeated Number 38 and advanced to the next round.

Lin Xuan and the others stepped aside to watch. Shangguan Liuyun sat cross-legged, meditating, probably thinking that none of these people were his match.

Soon, the matches on the arenas were over, and the judges called out the next round. This time, Lin Xuan was among those called.

"Number 135 vs. Number 88."

On the fifth arena, Lin Xuan walked up the steps calmly, while his opponent was already standing on the arena.

"Awesome! My luck is off the charts! I'm up against Number 135. This should be an easy win!" The ordinary-looking young man looked at Lin Xuan with a smug expression.

Lin Xuan remained calm, showing no emotion.

Jiang Yulong, seeing Lin Xuan, sneered and turned away. He did not think Lin Xuan was worth paying attention to. The top-ranked disciples rarely paid attention to the fifth arena; instead, they focused on the second arena, where Number 15 was facing Number 21. These rankings belonged to the elite disciples, worthy of their attention.