First Group Stages

When the girls returned, Yun Wuji asked, "What number did you pick?"

"I got 2024!" Wu Xuexin beamed as she showed the tablet she had taken. The number displayed on it was: 2024.

"I got 1007!" Shui Wushuang also showed her tablet.

"I got 911!" Mu Lingxue did the same.

"Aside from Mu Lingxue, the person with the highest cultivation is that Ling whatever guy from the Heavenly Sword Villa, his cultivation is at the tenth level of the Spirit Profound Realm," Yun Wuji said, glancing at their tablets before addressing Wu Xuexin and Shui Wushuang. "However, under the Earth Profound Realm, it's possible to fight those a few levels higher as long as it's not more than three. Your bodies are tempered with countless resources, and you're using the improved Frozen Cloud Arts, which is multiple times stronger than the original. Defeating him will be a piece of cake!"

In cultivation, while it's very rare, a few talented individuals can fight opponents several levels higher when they are below the Earth Profound Realm. However, once one reaches the Earth Profound Realm, it becomes much harder to achieve that feat. As cultivation advances, the gap between realms grows wider, making it increasingly difficult to bridge.

In the Divine Master Realm, even a single level can create a vast difference in power.

A realm master at the 9th level of the Divine Master Realm is an upper realm's realm king, while a 10th level Divine Master Realm cultivator rules a king realm and they are called 'God Emperor'.

Despite being separated by just one level, the status and strength of these two are worlds apart.

Jasmin's brother, renowned as a great genius with incredible battle strength at the 9th level of the Divine Master Realm, still found himself powerless against his father, Star God Emperor.

"As for you, Mu Lingxue, I have nothing to say," Yun Wuji said as he turned to her. "This tournament is just a platform for you to shine and show off your talent and Frozen Cloud's strength."

Though her talent was created by him, in the original novel, she was at the peak of the Spirit Profound Realm yet still lost to Ling Yun, who was a level lower than her.

"Senior Yun Wuji, if I defeat that guy, can I get a reward?" Wu Xuexin suddenly asked with a mischievous grin.

'I didn't expect little sister Wu Xuexin to be so cunning!' The other two looked at her with regret; they felt regretful for not having thought of this themselves.

"Oh?" Yun Wuji glanced at her with a meaningful smile. "What kind of reward do you want?"

"This... I... I still haven't thought of it," Wu Xuexin stammered, her blush deepening as she looked at his smile, feeling as if he could see right through her thoughts. She fidgeted, trying to find her words.

Chu Yuechan facepalmed, while Chu Yueli snickered. Anyone with a functioning brain could tell what she was planning.

"Guardian Wuji, if... if I defeat him, can I also get a reward?" At that moment, Shui Wushuang mustered her courage and asked.

"Sure, if either of you two defeat that Ling whatever guy or Ling Yun, you'll be rewarded," Yun Wuji said, spreading his hands helplessly.

"..." Mu Lingxue sighed in frustration, for the first time in her life she felt that having a higher cultivation wasn't good. She didn't have the face to ask for a reward.

"Alright, the first round has started. You need to get ready," Chu Yuechan interrupted them. She couldn't sit still watching them flirt; it wasn't that she minded Yun Wuji being with other women, but right now they were the center of attention, and she didn't want others to keep watching them flirt.

This could damage the reputation of the sect.

"Yes! Senior Sister!" The three girls suddenly felt a chill and immediately replied.

The first round of group fights will last three days, with thirty groups of about fifty disciples each. Every competitor must participate in twelve fights, and the top ten from each group will advance, totaling three hundred disciples for the second round. The twelve hundred who don't advance will move on to ranking fights, which will largely go unnoticed by anyone outside the affiliated sects.

The second round will have three hundred disciples competing over three days, each completing fifteen fights. Rankings will be based on wins, listing the top one hundred and the thirty-two strongest. Those outside the top hundred will move to the secondary arena for further ranking from the thirty-third to the hundredth. Disciples can challenge those ranked above them; if they win, they take their opponent's ranking. Meanwhile, elimination matches for the top thirty-two will begin in the main arena.

*Info dump for those who forgot or haven't read the novel.*

Ling Wugou took a long time to read the tournament's procedures and guidelines. Finally, the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament officially began.

"...A competitor loses if they fall for over ten breaths or concede! Any competitor taking more than thirty breaths to enter the stage will be considered defeated. Now, this old man declares the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament officially started!"

The 30 small arenas were surrounded by transparent profound energy protective screens. These profound energy barriers could isolate the two competitors so that their profound energy would not affect the surroundings during combat.

At the same time, 30 Sky Profound Realm experts served as judges, each overseeing a small arena.

Soon, the numbers of sixty disciples lit up simultaneously. The competitors quickly stepped onto their respective Sword Discourse stages, and the first match officially began.

The matches lasted for a very short time, and quickly the winners were decided.

"Oh, it's my turn! Senior sisters, Guardian Wuji, I'll be going!" Shui Wushuang saw her number and quickly headed to her arena.

"Look, it's a disciple from Frozen Cloud!"

The moment Shui Wushuang stepped onto the stage, all eyes were on her. Whenever a disciple from any of the Four Major Sects appeared, they naturally became the center of attention.

That's especially true for disciples from the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace.

Opposite Shui Wushuang, a twenty-year-old youth walked up. However, his expression was terrible. Within his heart, he was inwardly complaining about his bitter lot. His profound strength was at the Sixth level of the Spirit Profound Realm, and within this group, he was considered good.

He never expected to get a disciple of the Frozen Cloud as his first opponent.

Logically, the most sensible choice was to admit defeat immediately, but his fragile ego wouldn't allow him to back down without a fight, especially against a seventeen-year-old girl.

"I am idealist from the Bald Bearded Uncle Faction," he introduced himself and his sect.

"..." However, he was met with silence.

Although Shui Wushuang and the others are warm and very 'friendly' with Yun Wuji that is because he is one of them and they admire him greatly. Usually, they are always cold and distant when facing others, whether men or women. They always give off "Stay away, I am not interested" Aura. 

"Take my heaven-splitting, earth-shattering, world-destroying slash!" The man felt ashamed when she ignored him, pulling out his sword and shouting.

As his voice faded, he stepped forward and thrust his sword outward. A surge of sword aura rushed toward her.

Shui Wushuang didn't bat an eye, facing his sword aura, her right hand moved slowly, 

A cold wind swept past and cut at his face like blades. In seconds, his sword aura was frozen and shattered, as if he'd been plunged into a frozen prison. His limbs froze in place, locked in the pose of wielding his sword and rushing forward. He couldn't even move his fingers.

In the blink of an eye, a layer of hoar frost spread from the tip of his sword, enveloping his entire body.

"I... admit... defeat..." idealist's mouth trembled as he squeezed out those three words. He idealistically thought that even in defeat, he could still put up a fight and maintain his dignity. But he didn't expect to last even one move!

"Bald Bearded Uncle Faction's idealist admits defeat, Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace Shui Wushuang wins!" The judge declared.

Shui Wushuang stepped out of the arena, awaiting her next fight.

After her battle, Mu Lingxue and Wu Xuexin fought in their respective arenas. However, following Shui Wushuang's impressive display, most of their opponents chose to admit defeat without even a fight.

"Sigh, I didn't meet anyone from the other great sects, much less anyone from Heavenly Sword Villa," Wu Xuexin complained as the first day passed quickly. After returning to their residence with the others, she sat down, unable to hold back her frustration.

"It doesn't matter, we might still meet them in the next stages," Shui Wushuang replied, not as disappointed.

"Hmm, true," Wu Xuexin nodded in agreement.

"..." Mu Lingxue listened to the duo, shook her head in silence, and quietly returned to her room.

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*I felt old when I found out that Emperor's Domination had ended. I've been reading it for 8 years.*