The path to immortality through martial arts begins with being forced into marriage!

"Have you had enough of arguing?"

"Just watch and see, I know exactly what you're all up to!"

"The Ancestor has already finalized the matter of the core disciples. As for the candidates, they will be personally selected by the Ancestor, and no one may recommend them in any way!"

After Hunji finished speaking, he closed his eyelids again.

The battle within the illusion continued. Cui Yi was completely unaware of what was happening outside; he was simply doing everything in his power to kill every demonic beast within his sight.

Even the smallest mosquito is still meat.

For Cui Yi, monsters below the Foundation Establishment stage were nothing more than a punch away.

Moreover, the Mountain and Sea Collapse Cloud Fist can also convert some of the true energy within the bodies of demonic beasts for one's own use.

The Mountain and Sea Collapse Cloud Fist of the First Strength consumes very little of one's own true energy, and the true energy recovered from killing Qi Refining Realm demonic beasts is more than the amount consumed!

Rounding down, it's like Cui Yi got points for free while also recovering his true energy!

Time continued to pass, the stone tablet shimmered with light, and the rankings continued to fluctuate wildly.

However, the small area at the very top has gradually stabilized.

After slaying yet another early-stage Foundation Establishment demonic beast, Cui Yi paused to rest for a moment, his gaze quickly locking onto his name on the stone tablet—

"Cui Yi, with 87 points, ranks 3rd."

And above his name was Li Han!

"Li Han, with 89 points, is ranked 2nd."

The top spot is held by an unfamiliar name, Situ Bo, whose points have already surpassed one hundred.

Even though he was in second place, Cui Yi's eyes remained cold, and he felt little joy.

The points gap isn't that big, and with his current hunting efficiency, surpassing Li Han or even challenging for the top spot on the leaderboard isn't impossible.

But what he truly cares about is not the temporary ranking.

Instead...

Li Han himself!

"Instead of waiting for him to come to me and then secretly sabotaging me, I'd better strike first."

A cold glint suddenly flashed in Cui Yi's eyes, and a bold idea emerged in his mind.

He wanted to seize this opportunity to cut off Li Han's greatest chance in this trial!

Once you kick them out of the illusion, you can clear their ranking on the stone tablet!

The Blood Pool tempering, which takes place once every ten years, is a transformative experience for Foundation Establishment disciples.

If Li Han were to return empty-handed this time, it would not only be a heavy blow to his confidence, but would also significantly slow down his cultivation progress.

By giving way to the other's gains, one can gain more time and space.

Once the mind is clear, the killing intent will no longer be hindered.

When they saw the blurry figure representing Cui Yi no longer focused on hunting monsters to earn points, but instead heading straight towards Li Han's location with a clear purpose, many peak masters showed surprise on their faces.

"Huh? This kid... instead of hurrying to kill more monsters to solidify his ranking, why did he turn around and head towards Li Han's side?" A peak master stroked his beard, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Judging from his posture, it doesn't seem like he's going to say hello."

Another peak master sneered, "They're radiating murderous intent, it's like they're going to clear the area."

"Clear the area? He, a mere early Foundation Establishment cultivator, would willingly seek out Li Han, a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, to clear the area? He's insane!"

"He was indeed brave and fierce in hunting demonic beasts, but fighting among fellow disciples, especially actively challenging opponents with higher cultivation levels, is by no means a wise move."

"Li Han has received the true teachings of the Bone Demon, making him far superior to those brute-force monsters."

"Young people are just too hot-blooded."

The peak masters discussed the matter animatedly, with most shaking their heads at Cui Yi's unwise move.

In their view, the right way is to steadily accumulate points and strive for a top-ten finish.

Actively challenging a clearly stronger opponent with whom you have a long-standing feud is reckless and impulsive, and a sure path to defeat.

However, the eyes of the Crimson Demon, who was sitting in the main seat of Blood Fiend Peak, which were hidden behind the scarlet light and shadow, suddenly lit up the moment Cui Yi turned around!

"Good! Good lad!"

The Red Demon silently cheered in his heart, his admiration almost overflowing.

He had lived for hundreds of years and had seen too many exceptionally talented geniuses who were indecisive and ultimately either faded into obscurity or met a tragic end.

In the world of cultivation, especially in demonic sects like the Blood Robe Sect, how can one tolerate gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality, and humility?

Resources are limited, opportunities are rare, and every step forward is trodden upon countless corpses.

To be merciful to the enemy is to be cruel to oneself.

Today, during the high platform duel, the Bone Demon was extremely aggressive, and this feud has already been formed with no possibility of reconciliation.

If Cui Yi only focuses on accumulating points, even if he manages to squeeze into the top ten by sheer luck, in Chi Gui's eyes, he's just an ordinary disciple who's fairly capable.

But at this moment, with a lead in points, Cui Yi chose the most direct and dangerous path!

That's ruthless!

This decision!

This is the successor that Red Demon has been looking for!

This is the pinnacle of character that allows one to truly stand firm in the Blood Robe Sect and in this cruel world of cultivation!

Even if Cui Yi fails today, in Chi Gui's view, this spirit and ruthlessness of taking the initiative to draw his sword is far more important than the opportunity of tempering his body in the blood pool!

The Blood Pool will still exist ten years later, but this kind of temperament is something that can only be encountered by chance!

This time, he took a real sip, his Adam's apple bobbing, as if he were drinking not tea, but some kind of nectar that made him feel completely refreshed!

Cui Yi charged forward, and with the help of his telekinetic powers, he quickly located Li Han's whereabouts!

"Found you!"

Just as Li Han pierced the eye socket of the last demon beast with his sword, turning it into points of light, he seemed to sense something, abruptly turned his head, and met Cui Yi's cold and expressionless eyes.

Eyes facing each other.

Li Han was taken aback at first, then a cold smile appeared on his lips.

He first flicked away non-existent blood droplets from his sword, then looked up at Cui Yi, as if he had already anticipated that the other party would come looking for him.

"Your initiative in coming to find me saves me the trouble of looking for you."

Cui Yi calmly surveyed his surroundings while subtly spreading his divine sense to perceive the presence of people near and far.

After confirming that there were no other fellow disciples or demonic beasts present besides Li Han, the cold smile on his lips became even more pronounced.

"It seems that the Bone Demon Peak Master's thousand spirit stones have given you a lot of motivation."

"Spirit stones are good."

Li Han took a step forward, and his pressure as a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator was no longer concealed, surging towards Cui Yi like a tide!

"But it would feel even better to personally crush a genius!"

"It seems that Uncle Red Demon's high hopes will be dashed."

Peak of Foundation Establishment Realm!

Cui Yi suddenly realized why Li Han was so confident!

It turns out that this bastard was hiding his cultivation level; his true cultivation was two minor realms higher than mine!

"Scared? Too late!"

Before he finished speaking, Li Han's back arched slightly, and his figure shot out like an arrow released from a bow!

The grayish-white true energy coiled around his fingertips, condensing into a sharp sword beam about a foot long, which pierced straight at Cui Yi's throat!

True Qi transforming into matter—this is a sign of reaching the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm!

The speed of this strike was exceptionally fast, so fast that it only left a faint afterimage in place!

Li Han's sudden burst of speed and power far exceeded previous estimates!

Simply dodging is no longer enough.

A thought flashed through Cui Yi's mind. He didn't retreat, nor did he have time to draw his sword.

At the critical moment, his true energy surged at an unprecedented speed, pushing the unique mental technique of the Mountain and Sea Collapse Cloud Fist to its limit!

Mountain and Sea Collapse Cloud Fist!

Triple Force!