Chapter 33 First in the Grand Competition

"What?! Is this... sword intent??"

As the sharp sword intent appeared, Dugu Fang and the other elders widened their eyes and stared intently at Lu Yi on the platform.

Sword clouds surged, rushing toward the palm imprint. The formidable sword intent amplified the White Cloud Sword Qi, greatly enhancing its power.

The sword clouds and the palm imprint collided.

Boom!!

A tremendously loud explosion resounded. Blue and white lights intertwined, energy and sword light scattered, enveloping the platform.

The aftermath turned into a violent wind, spreading in all directions. Bai Yulong and others below the platform sensed the terrifying shockwave, their faces filled with astonishment.

"Back off!!"

They retreated repeatedly, not daring to get too close.

The Outer Sect disciples watching from the rear also felt a heaviness in their chests, their faces turning slightly pale from the powerful aura.

Everyone gasped in surprise, their eyes wide as they looked toward the platform.

"What terrifying power!"

"Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer can be this strong??"

"No, what's going on with Senior Brother Lu Yi?! How has he gotten even stronger? Wasn't it said he's near his limit?"

"Heh… naive. You believe what Junior Brother Lu Yi says? That guy is full of nonsense! What limit, it's all lies!"

In the sky, Lu Gaoyang, Wang Siqi, and others watched the swirling palm wind and sword clouds on the platform, completely bewildered.

"This is... sword intent?!"

"My heavens! Nephew Lu Yi has actually mastered sword intent???"

"He's only Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, and he's already grasped the concept?!"

"Brother Lu, did you know Nephew Lu Yi was this amazing?!"

Lu Gaoyang was baffled, slowly shaking his head.

He didn't know anything! To be honest, if it weren't for the tournament, he wouldn't even dare to imagine that Lu Yi could make it into the top ten.

Sword intent? He wouldn't even dare to dream about it.

Wang Siqi, standing nearby, was equally perplexed, her expression mirroring Lu Gaoyang's.

Dugu Fang and the other elders were visibly shaken, unable to remain calm.

"Incredible, truly incredible! This kid's talent is just extraordinary."

"Indeed! Sensing the concept while still in the Qi Cultivation Realm, his future potential is limitless!"

"Not to mention the Cave Void Realm, even the Divinity Transformation stage—there should be considerable hope for him… the Divinity Transformation stage! He could become one of the pillars of the White Cloud Sect."

One elder after another expressed their amazement.

This was the concept! A technique generally mastered by stalwarts in the Cave Void Realm! Those who grasped the concept before reaching the Cave Void Realm were always prodigies of exceptional talent, and Lu Yi was only at the Qi Cultivation Realm! He could indeed be called a peerless genius.

"After today, the big shots in the Inner Sect might be unable to sit still," Dugu Fang chuckled.

Other elders also nodded. Such talent would undoubtedly make the Nascent Soul Elders go crazy trying to recruit him, and even the Peak Masters and Supreme Elders of the Divinity Transformation stage would be tempted.

As they conversed, the collision on the platform gradually subsided, revealing the scene on the Central Platform.

At this moment, not a single stone slab on the vast platform remained intact.

Lu Yi and Jiang Fan stood at opposite ends of the platform, facing each other in silence, the atmosphere tense.

Lu Yi's expression was calm, his aura steady, still in good condition.

In contrast, Jiang Fan's state was not as good—his face was pale, his aura weak, and sweat poured down his forehead.

Jiang Fan looked at Lu Yi, his expression filled with shock, carrying a hint of disbelief.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Fan chuckled helplessly and said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you have actually mastered sword intent... It's really..."

Jiang Fan shook his head. "Senior Brother, I admit defeat."

The Surging Wave Palm was, after all, a Foundation Establishment Skill. Using it now, the spiritual power consumption was exceedingly high. After one strike, Jiang Fan's spiritual energy reserves were nearly depleted. Using it a second time would be a desperate effort.

Seeing that Lu Yi still had considerable strength left, Jiang Fan felt that using it a second time wouldn't change the outcome.

Seeing Jiang Fan concede, Lu Yi smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for letting me win, Senior Brother Jiang Fan. I was just lucky. I had some insights during my earlier fight with Senior Brother Bai Yulong, which allowed me to comprehend the sword intent."

Hearing this, Jiang Fan was stunned, giving Lu Yi a peculiar look, then glanced at Bai Yulong, standing some distance away from the platform, with a look of disdain in his eyes: Junior Brother Lu Yi can comprehend sword intent; what did Bai Yulong understand?

Of course, Bai Yulong also heard these words and was utterly bewildered.

No way… we both fought the same match. So why could Lu Yi comprehend sword intent?!

Had something gone wrong somewhere?! This was too strange, right?!

Bai Yulong tried to recall the fight with Lu Yi, attempting to understand how Lu Yi had grasped sword intent. After a long time, Bai Yulong still couldn't figure it out and felt utterly dumbfounded.

Bai Yulong turned his head, seeing Lin Wan'er and others looking at him with complicated expressions. The corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily, and he yelled in embarrassment, "What are you looking at?! Can you blame me for this?! It's not like I wanted Lu Yi to understand sword intent!!"

Lin Wan'er said quietly, "...so what did you realize?"

Tie Man scratched his head. "Is there such a huge gap between people?"

Li Yun sneered coldly but said nothing, just glanced sidelong at Bai Yulong.

Bai Yulong: "..."

He felt a bit depressed.

At this moment, Dugu Fang landed on the platform. He looked at Lu Yi, very satisfied, and nodded with a smile, "Not bad, not bad at all. To comprehend sword intent at such a young age, your future is boundless."

Lu Yi smiled and said, "Grand Elder, you flatter me."

Dugu Fang smiled and nodded at Jiang Fan as well. "Jiang Fan is also impressive. Being able to comprehend a Foundation Establishment Skill shows extraordinary comprehension; your future is promising as well."

Jiang Fan smiled and said, "Grand Elder flatters me."

Dugu Fang laughed heartily, "This year's Outer Sect tournament produced two geniuses. Very good… Now the top two have been decided. You may step down."

Lu Yi and Jiang Fan nodded and left the platform.

With the tournament now at the final stages, the top three had been determined, and the next matches would decide the remaining ranks.

The fourth and fifth places would naturally be contested between Bai Yulong and Li Yun. During the match, perhaps due to carrying the grudge from being defeated by Lu Yi, Bai Yulong exploded with hidden potential and defeated Li Yun, securing the fourth place.

The rankings of the remaining five were also decided during the matches. The sixth place went to Tie Man, the seventh to Senior Sister Liu Tian in the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer, followed by three Senior Brothers and Sisters in the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.

The top ten match continued until sundown, with Lu Yi finishing early and then happily watching the rest of the matches.

These Senior Brothers and Sisters in the Qi Cultivation Ninth and Tenth Layers were quite strong, making the matches quite entertaining, at least much better than the preliminary rounds.

When all the matches were over, Dugu Fang once again stepped onto the platform. He glanced around and said, "The Outer Sect tournament has concluded. The top ten disciples should come to the Outer Sect Hall to find me in a week, and I will take you to the Inner Sect. Additionally, the rewards for the Outer Sect tournament will be issued by the Affairs Hall. The first place will receive a Low Grade magic tool and a High Grade Foundation Establishment Pills. The second and third places will each receive a High Grade Foundation Establishment Pills. The fourth and fifth places will each receive a Mid Grade Foundation Establishment Pills. The sixth to tenth places will each receive a Low Grade Foundation Establishment Pills. Disciples who passed the preliminary rounds will receive a bottle of Mid Grade Qi Condensation Elixir, and those who passed the initial selection will receive a bottle of Low Grade Qi Condensation Elixir."