Genius in the whole system: The useless young lady dominates the world

As the referee's voice echoed throughout the arena, the scene instantly fell silent.

"Today is the inner disciple selection competition. The top five will have the opportunity to enter the inner sect for cultivation. Once they step into the arena, their lives will be in the hands of fate!"

"The competition will be divided into five groups by drawing lots, with three people in each group. Each group will have one match, and the winners will advance while the losers will be eliminated. The five winners will then compete in a round-robin tournament, with the five taking turns to fight each other. The person who defeats the other four will be the first place winner, and so on, to determine the second, third, fourth, and fifth place winners."

"I hereby declare the competition officially open!"

On the dueling platform, fifteen disciples took turns stepping onto the stage, each holding a slip of paper with the name of their opponent written on it.

Lu Lingxi gently unfolded the note in her hand, her gaze sweeping over the two prominent names—Huo Yanxi and Feng Rouman.

Huo Yanxi, the young master of the Blazing Flame Heavenly Sect, is said to possess fire-based martial arts skills that are as fiery as a phoenix soaring through the sky, incredibly intense; while Feng Rouman, the young princess of the Wind and Cloud Sword Pavilion, has a light and agile swordsmanship, as gentle as a spring breeze caressing a willow, with a hidden killing intent beneath her gentleness.

Huo Yanxi frowned slightly, seemingly unsurprised by the draw. In contrast, Feng Rouman's expression was much more complicated, her face clouded with worry. She looked at Lu Lingxiyao, muttering to herself, "How unlucky! I'm grouped with this 'God of Slaughter'! Looks like my chance to enter the inner sect is going to be ruined."

"Young Master Huo, Miss Feng, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Lu Lingxi's smile was playful, and her voice was clear and melodious, yet it made Feng Rouman's heart tighten.

Feng Rouman forced out two dry laughs. She knew that her chances of winning against Lu Lingxi were slim. Recalling the tragic scene of Ling Xiao, Feng Rouman couldn't help but shudder. Her desire to enter the inner sect was instantly replaced by fear.

"I abstain! I abstain!"

Feng Rouman shouted loudly. This sudden decision not only caught the referee on the stage off guard, but also stunned the audience. They discussed among themselves, looking at each other with doubt and confusion: They gave up before the fight even started?

Upon hearing this, a look of surprise flashed across Lu Lingxi's face, but she quickly regained her composure. She had been looking forward to sparring with the disciples of Fengyun Sword Pavilion, but now it seemed that her expectations were going to be dashed. However, she couldn't help but feel a little doubtful: Does this Miss Feng have so little confidence in her own strength? Does she not even have the courage to try?

From the crowd of spectators, a disciple suddenly shouted, his voice filled with barely concealed indignation, "This is outrageous! It hasn't even started yet, how can you give up already? Don't the disciples of Fengyun Sword Pavilion even have the courage to take on a challenge?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Rouman's fiery temper flared up. She retorted, "Who do you think you are? How dare you slander my Fengyun Sword Pavilion? How dare you interfere in my affairs?"

Upon hearing this, the disciple could only silently endure his dissatisfaction, for even his family dared not provoke the renowned Wind and Cloud Sword Pavilion. Moreover, Feng Rouman's withdrawal from the competition did not mean she was weak.

Seeing that many people had reservations about her decision to forfeit, Feng Rouman's eyes sharpened, and her words became even more incisive: "When did the rules of the competition stipulate that one cannot forfeit? I choose to forfeit because I know it is impossible to do it. That is the behavior of a reckless person, it is stupid, it is brainless! I, Feng Rouman, disdain to do it."

Just then, a hearty laugh suddenly rang out, instantly covering the entire arena. Huo Yanxi laughed heartily, "Haha, well said! To avoid becoming that so-called reckless fool, idiot, and brainless person, I've also decided to forfeit!"

Huo Yanxi's words caused an uproar. Everyone looked on in astonishment. Feng Rouman turned around, her eyes full of confusion. "You agree too?"

Huo Yanxi stopped laughing, his voice clear and firm, "Since I know I can't win, why should I waste my energy?" With that, he turned around gracefully and stepped off the stage.

Feng Rouman watched Huo Yanxi's departing figure and muttered, "Are you crazy? Why did you have to join in the fun?"

Upon hearing this, Huo Yanxi laughed loudly: "This isn't just for fun. We're in the same group, and we both know what's going on. If I don't forfeit, how can I possibly win? Since the result is a loss anyway, why not conserve my strength for another day?"

Feng Rouman understood his thoughts. Although she thought Huo Yanxi could give it a try, he chose to give up anyway. What could she say? She snorted and stepped off the stage.

Seeing the two who had forfeited walk off the stage, the referee cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly and then announced loudly, "Since both of you have chosen to forfeit, according to the rules, I hereby declare that Lu Lingxiyao will directly advance to the semi-finals."

After the other teams finished their matches, only five disciples remained on the field. Lu Lingxi Yao had caused such a commotion as soon as she entered the temple, naturally becoming the focus of everyone's attention.

The other four, as if they had agreed beforehand, tacitly chose to challenge Lu Lingxi Yao first. However, the first three all failed, leaving only this one. It is said that he is Xing Chenyuan, the young sect master of Xingluo Sect, a first-class family on Xingluo Continent. He is only eighteen years old and his cultivation has reached the fifth level of Ningyuan Realm. He is a rare young genius.

The two stood facing each other on the ring until the referee shouted, "The match begins!"

A burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the crowd, with some of Lu Lingxi Yao's supporters shouting, "Lu Lingxi Yao, I support you! Defeat him!"

Others supported Xing Chenyuan, saying, "Young Master Xing, don't lose to a girl! Keep it up!"

Lu Lingxi and Xing Chenyuan stood face to face, their eyes gleaming with determination. Despite the surrounding noise that nearly drowned out the arena, neither of them rushed to launch an attack. Instead, they waited for an opportunity in this silent standoff.

"Huo Yanxi, with your strength, you were clearly capable of fighting him, so why did you choose to forfeit?"

After Feng Rouman and Huo Yanxi stepped off the stage, they did not leave but stood aside to continue watching the match. Feng Rouman's tone was somewhat disdainful, but Huo Yanxi smiled without getting angry.

Upon hearing this, Huo Yanxi smiled faintly. "You overestimate me. Based on my observation that day, Lu Lingxi Yao is definitely not simple. I think she is hiding some of her strength, and her cultivation may already be above the Spirit Gathering Realm. To blindly challenge such an opponent is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock."

Upon hearing this, Feng Rouman frowned slightly, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes. "But you've given up before you've even tried. Aren't you afraid that you'll be filled with regret and remorse when you look back on it later?"

She was well aware of Huo Yanxi's strength, knowing that he was above her, and understood that this duel should have been an excellent opportunity for him to prove himself.

Huo Yanxi gently shook her head. "Regret? No, if I had any doubts, I wouldn't have made the decision to forfeit. Alright, let's watch the game!"

After speaking, Huo Yanxi looked at the two people facing off on the stage. His composure and confidence seemed to transcend the outcome itself, which moved Feng Rouman. Perhaps, only by knowing how to assess the situation can one make the most suitable choice for oneself.

"Please enlighten me!"

Xingchen Yuan spoke first. After speaking, he flipped his palm, and a long sword gleaming with cold light appeared out of thin air. The tip of the sword lightly touched the ground, and instantly, a chilling aura burst forth from his body, surging like a tidal wave, reaching straight to the sky.

Lu Lingxi Yao's eyes flickered, keenly sensing the extraordinary fluctuations of Yuan Qi within Xing Chen Yuan's body. Although her cultivation had reached the fifth level of the Spirit Transformation Realm, she was currently concealing her strength and had suppressed her cultivation to the fifth level of the Spirit Gathering Realm.

The aura that Xingchenyuan is displaying at this moment is far from what it appears to be. Her true strength has probably already stepped into the threshold of the Transformation Realm, or even deeper. But she can't easily expose herself now. She needs to keep more trump cards in hand to have enough security.

Xingchen Yuan's aura stopped after reaching the first level of the Transformation Realm, which should be his true strength. A confident smile appeared on his lips, and he suddenly swung his long sword. A sword shadow cut through the air and struck Lu Lingxi Yao with unstoppable momentum.

Lu Lingxi Yao moved nimbly, skillfully sidestepping the blow that was powerful enough to shatter rocks and split the ground. With a loud "boom", the surface of the arena cracked open.

Immortal Venerable Yunyin sat high on his throne, his expression complex. The meaningful smile at the corner of his mouth seemed to hide a deeper meaning. He appeared unusually calm about Lu Lingxi Yao's situation, without the slightest worry.

Lu Lingxi Yao's gaze turned solemn as she stared at the shocking crack. Alarm bells rang in her mind. Before she could think any further, Xingchen Yuan's second strike arrived. The fierce sword wind almost tore the air apart. A resolute glint flashed in her dark eyes, and she moved like lightning, narrowly dodging the fatal blow once again.

Immediately afterwards, Xingchenyuan launched a tidal wave of attacks. As his longsword danced, countless sword shadows attacked Lu Lingxiyao relentlessly, completely sealing off the space around her.

Lu Lingxi's figure appeared and disappeared amidst the sword shadows, like a small boat adrift in a raging storm. Every roll and every dodge was fraught with danger, as if she would be completely swallowed up by the dense net of swords at any moment.

Just when people thought Lu Lingxi was doomed, a faint smile suddenly appeared on her lips. She parted her lips slightly, and wind spiritual power surged. Her figure instantly transformed into a streak of light, moving freely through the dense forest of sword shadows like a ghost, leaving behind a series of dazzling afterimages.

I initially thought these sword shadows were just phantoms created by energy, but they turned out to be real and tangible, possessing a physical feel.

"Could this be the legendary materialization of primordial energy?"

Without hesitation, Lu Lingxi Yao unleashed her Flying Snow Sword, her aura surging to near the peak of the fifth level of the Opening Yuan Realm. Facing her opponent's materialized Yuan Qi attack, relying solely on physical strength would be futile. Therefore, she decided to win through strategy, uttering a low murmur: "Fire Shield!"

As she finished speaking, fire elemental energy instantly formed a shield around her, enveloping her completely. Protected by this fire shield, she moved nimbly through the gaps in the sword shadows.

However, Xingchenyuan's attacks did not slow down; instead, they became even more ferocious. The sword shadows were dense, like a net covering the sky, each carrying a terrifying power that could tear space apart, causing Lu Lingxi Yao's fire shield to gradually show signs of fatigue.

"Fuck-"

With a soft sound, the fire shield finally succumbed to the pressure and vanished without a trace. Just when everyone thought the battle was over, Lu Lingxi Yao, at this critical moment, relied on her amazing speed and keen intuition to break free from the encirclement of sword shadows.

In the blink of an eye, Xing Chenyuan leaped into the air, his long sword flashing like a meteor streaking across the sky, aiming straight for Lu Lingxi Yao's back with earth-shattering force.

The disciples watching the battle held their breath and stared intently, some even standing up due to the tension. Even the elders on the high platform craned their necks, their eyes fixed on this life-or-death contest.

Immortal Venerable Yunyin's face was as pale as paper. His eyes were fixed on Lu Lingxi Yao. He sighed inwardly, wondering how she could escape such a desperate situation.

At this critical moment, a sharp and urgent shout suddenly erupted from the viewing platform: "Look!"

All eyes were focused on the arena, where Xingchen Yuan's gleaming sword had only managed to strike a fleeting afterimage of Lu Lingxi Yao. This scene left everyone present speechless, causing them to leap from their seats in astonishment.

"How... how did they do that?" someone murmured in disbelief, their voice filled with shock.

"My God, this is too incredible!" another person exclaimed, their voice filled with amazement at Lu Lingxi Yao's strength.

Xingchen Yuan's face instantly turned ashen. His originally confident attack had so easily vanished.

Faced with such an opponent, Xing Chenyuan felt an unprecedented sense of crisis. Without thinking twice, he roared and unleashed his ultimate technique, "One Sword Pierces the Sky".

His longsword pointed straight at the sky, its blade gleaming with dazzling light. Accompanied by a deafening sword cry, a giant sword, its size increased several times by Yuan Power, hovered above his head. A surge of immense energy erupted from the sword's tip, as if to tear the entire space apart.

The disciples watching all looked up in awe at the enormous longsword, which seemed to come from outer space.

"If this sword falls, I'm afraid no one can stop it!" someone whispered, their voice tinged with fear.

Faced with this overwhelming offensive, a resolute glint flashed in Lu Lingxi's dark eyes. At this moment, only by going all out could she have a glimmer of hope.

With a slight wave of her hands, fire and wood elements danced and intertwined in her palms. Then, a bolt of lightning suddenly leaped into them. Under her control, the three elements began to slowly merge, forming a spiritual energy ball that emitted a strange light and hummed, as if it contained the power to destroy the world.

This scene shocked everyone once again. Astonishment and bewilderment intertwined in everyone's hearts. They had never seen such an astonishing sight. "She...she actually has three elements? Not only that, she's going to fuse those three elements?!"

As Yunyin Immortal Venerable watched Lu Lingxi's series of actions, a look of astonishment flashed in his eyes. The three elements slowly fused under her control, as if the most subtle rhythms of nature were being rewoven in her hands. It should be known that this technique of elemental fusion is extremely dangerous. Even cultivators with a deep understanding of elemental power would not dare to attempt it lightly unless their cultivation had reached the Spirit Sea Realm. After all, if elemental power is not precisely controlled, the slightest carelessness could trigger a self-destruction.

Just as Immortal Venerable Yunyin was secretly marveling, Xingchen Yuan launched his attack. He swung his long sword, and the giant sword floating above his head whistled as it slashed down at Lu Lingxi Yao.

Faced with this powerful and heavy attack, Lu Lingxi Yao appeared calm and composed. She slightly raised her palm, and a ball of spiritual energy, which was fused with three elements, roared towards the giant sword like a meteor.

The two met in mid-air. At that moment, space seemed to be torn apart and distorted by a tremendous force. Then, a deafening "bang" shook the entire arena.

Everything that was not protected by the elders' barrier was instantly reduced to nothingness by this attack, even the air trembled, and everyone's breath involuntarily stopped for a moment.

The collision between the greatsword and the spirit orb was like a clash between two ancient behemoths. The elemental power within the spirit orb erupted violently, hissing and crackling, before finally exploding in mid-air, releasing devastating force. This power was so immense that the entire earth trembled, and wherever the energy's aftershocks reached, rocks and trees were mercilessly destroyed, leaving behind only ruins.

As the dust settled and the aftershocks of energy gradually dissipated, everyone's attention was focused on the arena. The once bustling arena was now a scene of utter devastation, with rubble and wood scattered everywhere in a chaotic mess. However, two figures were nowhere to be seen amidst these ruins, causing a stir among the crowd.

Just as everyone was filled with doubt, a rustling sound came from under a pile of rubble. Then, rubble flew everywhere, and a figure staggered up from the ruins. It was Xing Chenyuan. His clothes were tattered, his body was covered with shocking wounds, and his face was as pale as paper. He was obviously exhausted and had no strength left to continue the battle.

On the other side, a pile of stones was suddenly pushed aside by a pair of arms, and with the soft sound of rubble rolling down, a figure gradually appeared. It was Lu Lingxi Yao. Although her body was slightly tired and there were a few barely noticeable small scratches on the hem of her clothes, the light in her eyes was brighter than ever before. Clearly, in this fierce battle, Lu Lingxi Yao had the upper hand.

Xingchen Yuan slowly stepped forward, clasped his hands in a humble and solemn gesture. His eyes showed both acceptance of defeat and sincere respect for the strong. "Your strength is very strong. I concede defeat!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Lingxi Yao smiled faintly and replied, "You're not bad either!"

With the dust settled on this duel, Xingchenyuan, though failing to reach the top, still managed to secure second place in the inner sect competition thanks to his outstanding performance.

As the competition concluded, the top five, under the watchful eyes of the crowd and led by their guides, arrived at a secluded courtyard in the inner sect area, awaiting the apprenticeship ceremony three days later.