I long to return home!

Not only Lin Mubai, but also the other peak elders and even the sect leader Huang Jun heard the news. They couldn't help but wonder if they had misheard. Of course, they knew what this meant. Reaching the sixth level of Qi Refining in five months was a rare feat in the entire Wuji Empire. They immediately abandoned their seclusion and rushed to watch the competition.

Meanwhile, on the main peak where the Luoyun Sect's leader resided, a young man stood majestically on the edge of the cliff, like a towering mountain, gazing towards the direction of the selection. Behind him, a Yin Peak cultivator knelt tremblingly, like a frightened rabbit.

The young man, dressed in red, had his blood-red hair tied up high, flowing in the wind like a burning flame. He carried a blood-red longsword, which moved nimbly like a dragon, traversing the heavens and earth before finally resting steadily before him. Through the reflection of the sword, his blood-red pupils gleamed with an eerie light, as if capable of devouring the world.

He is Shangguan Tou, the number one prodigy of Luoyun Sect in a hundred years. Born with dual spiritual roots of fire and earth, he has reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage at the young age of 25, and his strength crushes all his peers in Yunzhou.

"Did he really participate in the inner disciple selection?" Shangguan Tou's voice was as calm as an ancient well, yet every word exuded a terrifying aura, like an invisible pressure that made the latter unable to breathe.

"Yes, the news is absolutely true." The moment the Yin Peak disciple answered, cold sweat poured down his back, and he lowered his head deeply, not daring to meet Shangguan Tou's gaze.

"Go, find someone to cripple him." Shangguan Tou swayed, stepping on a blood-red flying sword, and flew towards the square like a burning meteor.

Although he flew away, his words lingered in the ears of the Yin Peak disciple like a curse. He staggered to his feet, his heart unable to calm down for a long time. Knowing how terrifying Shangguan Tou was, he dared not be negligent in the slightest and hurriedly went to find help.

Shangguan Tou flew in the air, took out a golden feather from his sleeve, and stared at it with a fascinated look.

The feathers were indeed those of the Golden-Feathered Phoenix. From the age of 15, when he became Huang Jun's disciple, he fell deeply in love with the Golden-Feathered Phoenix the moment he saw it in human form; it was as if it were a ray of dawn illuminating his heart. Over the years, he diligently cultivated his skills, becoming ruthless in his actions and dealings, all to become the best among his peers and gain the latter's favor. However, all his efforts failed to earn even a single glance from the Golden-Feathered Phoenix...

Now that Jin Yu Luan Feng has been imprisoned in Chishui Cave by Xue Wu, how can he let it go? He must make the latter pay a heavy price.

The news spread far and wide, and almost all the disciples in the sect came to see this legendary genius. With the arrival of Huang Junqi, one of the five peak elders, the already noisy square became even more crowded and bustling with people.

The moment they saw Lin Mubai arrive, all the female disciples from the various peaks cast longing glances at him, and shouts echoed throughout the entire Luoyun Sect. There was even a dedicated girl group that raised their arms and cheered.

"Mu Bai, Mu Bai, we like you!"

"The aloof and handsome Lin Mubai, the best in the world..."

"..."

The shouts drowned out all other sounds, and the elders of each peak felt they had lost face, their faces darkening. One of the men, who was of decent appearance, tilted his head and looked at Lin Mubai with displeasure, saying, "Old Lin, I think you should just watch from a distance next time. We've all lost face with you here."

The middle-aged man was Elder Su Yifeng of Xiafeng. He was the closest friend of Lin Mubai in the sect and would often visit Yunfeng for tea.

Lin Mubai smiled noncommittally, his gaze falling on Xue Wu in the crowd. Su Yifeng followed his gaze and saw Xue Wu, whose eyes looked dull and lifeless. He asked in confusion, "Is this your new disciple? He doesn't look very well."

"You pervert, you wouldn't force someone to train so hard without rest, would you? You're a real scumbag..."

Lin Mubai also looked at Xue Wu with a solemn expression. Xue Wu was indeed very different from before, as if he had become a different person. He had a bad feeling. Xu Tao listened to the elders' conversation but did not interrupt. He knew that he was not qualified to comment and could only wish his junior brother well in his heart.

"Enough! Stop arguing." Huang Jun spoke authoritatively, glaring angrily at Xue Wu, a wicked thought rising in his mind.

This child must not be allowed to live. He possesses dual spiritual roots of thunder and fire, and the fire element is pure fire. He will inevitably threaten Tou'er in the future, and must be eliminated as soon as possible.

A sword's cry pierced the sky as Shangguan Tou arrived on his flying sword. After bowing to his master and the elders of each peak, he stood casually beside Huang Jun. Xu Tao's gaze swept over him, and he felt a chill run down his spine, daring not to look a second time.

The queue quickly reached Xue Wu's turn. He looked at Yang Fan in front of him and said weakly in a low voice, "Xue Wu, Qi Refining Level 6." After saying that, he went straight to the waiting area and sat down.

Although Yang Fan was at the Golden Core stage, he was still distracted by Xue Wu's gaze. By the time he came to his senses, Xue Wu had already disappeared from his sight. After hesitating for a long time, he finally wrote down the message.

After everyone had registered, Yang Fan turned to Huang Jun behind him and said, "Sect Leader, this time, the invigilation..." He was originally in charge of the invigilation, since there was nothing interesting to see. But now it was different. With Xue Wu's participation, almost everyone in the sect who could breathe had come. The outer sect elders, the elders of each peak, and the sect leader were all here. He couldn't make up his mind for a moment.

"This time, I and the elders of each peak will supervise the examination. You may leave now," Huang Jun said calmly. Although his tone was soft, every disciple heard him clearly.

Yang Fan then went to the side, clearing out a space that was 100 meters long and wide.

Seeing that the time was right, Huang Jun took a few steps forward, flicked his sleeve, and a circular arena slowly rose in the open space, with layers of stone steps arranged on both sides of the arena.

Yang Fan then scrambled the registered information, looked at the neatly arranged information in his hand, and said with a solemn expression, "A duel between Jiang Shen, a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator..."

"Xue Wu, Qi Refining Level 6!"

As soon as Yang Fan finished speaking, the entire audience fell silent, each person wondering if they had heard correctly. After a moment of silence, loud cheers erupted, as no one could believe that Xue Wu was the first to appear.

"Here they come! Here they come! Old Lin, your disciple is the first to go on stage..." Su Yifeng was momentarily flustered, forgetting that he was there to watch the competition as an elder of Xiafeng Peak. After all, he was very curious about what kind of talent could allow someone to reach the sixth level of Qi Refining in just five months. It was simply a legend.

"Be serious. You're over 600 years old, yet you act like a child." Lin Mubai felt that knowing Su Yifeng was the biggest mistake of his life, and gently patted his back with one hand, channeling his spiritual energy.

Shangguan Tou glared fiercely at Xue Wu, who was about to go on stage, wishing he could go up and beat him up right now to vent his anger.

At this moment, Xue Wu and Jiang Shen stepped onto the arena on either side of the stone steps. Xue Wu looked at the burly man in front of him with a gloomy expression. He did not speak or make any move, which made Jiang Shen's hair stand on end and feel a little scared.

After the two stepped onto the stage, Yang Fan shouted, "The competition begins!"