Fairy, don't be afraid, I, Wang Daqi, am truly an honest man.

Along the way, Xu Yan's expression turned serious as she whispered to Wang Daqi about the top experts of the inner sect: "Daqi, the inner sect's Qi Refining group is a very deep place. Each of those monsters has the strength to challenge opponents of higher levels."

"Oh? Which ruthless characters are they?"

Wang Daqi asked curiously.

"Senior Brother Zhao Xiang of Wuji Peak, at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, specializes in the Vajra Wuji Technique. His spiritual power is incredibly abundant and pure; it is said that he once withstood an attack from a Foundation Establishment cultivator head-on!!"

"Senior Sister Xu Yin from Dan Ding Peak is also at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Her most terrifying aspect lies in her control over fire-based spells. She has refined a wisp of 'Azure Heart Cold Flame,' whose power far surpasses that of ordinary spiritual flames. Moreover, with Dan Ding Peak behind her, she has virtually no shortage of resources such as spirit stones!"

"Fortunately, during the sect's assessment, we cannot use external objects such as magic tools and talismans; otherwise, we would be no match for her at all."

"Oh, right, there's also Sun Chenglong from Lingyun Peak. He usually keeps a low profile, but a month ago he suddenly broke through to the ninth level of Qi Refining. It's said that he has comprehended an extremely powerful sword intent. Senior Sister Shen once said that he is the strongest contender for the top ten this year."

"Sun Chenglong? He shares the same surname as Vice Peak Master Sun Xiaolong?" Wang Daqi asked.

"Yes, he's supposedly one of Sun Xiaolong's nephews."

Listening to Xu Yan's introduction, Wang Daqi nodded slightly: "It seems that Senior Sister Shen does have quite a few rivals."

"Yes, but Senior Sister Shen's Azure Water Golden Eyes have reached the second level, which is her biggest trump card. As long as she isn't instantly killed, she can see through her opponent's weaknesses."

As they spoke, the two arrived at the training grounds of the inner sect's Qi cultivation group.

There are more than a dozen huge white jade arenas here, surrounded by complex defensive formations that can withstand attacks from Golden Core cultivators.

At this moment, spiritual light danced on several arenas, and the booming sounds of clashing spells were deafening, ten times more intense than those on the outer sect.

On the distant, towering viewing platform, several peak masters sat upright and solemnly.

Today, Lingyun Peak Master Nangong Ling changed into a magnificent purple-gold palace dress, appearing elegant and graceful, with unparalleled beauty.

Sitting next to Nangong Ling was none other than the sect leader of the Misty Sect, Fairy Qingwei.

This female cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage was renowned even throughout the entire cultivation world.

Her face was as delicate as a young girl's, yet it exuded a profound and dignified air that came with the passage of time.

A flowing, moon-white gauze dress billowed in the wind, with a faint mist swirling around her, truly making her appear ethereal and otherworldly.

"Eh, Peak Master Nangong, your cultivation level..."

Qingwei Fairy's eyes, which seemed to pierce through the void, swept over Nangong Ling, her red lips slightly parted, revealing a hint of surprise.

With her profound cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage, she instantly sensed that Nangong Ling's originally withered and volatile fire-type spiritual root was now full of vitality, like a long-awaited rain after a drought, and even more refined and pure than before he was injured.

As Nangong Ling felt the warm yet powerful spiritual energy within her body, the image of Wang Daqi flashed through her mind, but she remained expressionless and smiled slightly.

She deliberately made no attempt to conceal herself today, wanting the entire sect, especially those secretly spying on her position, to see clearly that she, Nangong Ling, is still a pillar of Lingyun Peak!

"Sect Master has excellent eyesight." Nangong Ling said calmly, "I went out for training a while ago and accidentally obtained a rare spiritual herb in a secluded valley. After taking it, my Dao injury miraculously healed, and my cultivation also made a breakthrough."

"I see. It seems that Peak Master Nangong has truly survived a great calamity and is destined for good fortune." Fairy Qingwei nodded with a smile, but sighed inwardly.

She was well aware that undercurrents were swirling within the Lingyun Sect.

Ever since Nangong Ling was injured, the faction of Deputy Peak Master Sun Xiaolong has been making a lot of noise, contacting many elders to propose replacing the peak master.

Now that Nangong Ling has made a strong comeback, Sun Xiaolong's plans are likely to fall through.

Sure enough, Sun Xiaolong, who was sitting not far below, had a livid face and his hand holding the teacup was trembling slightly.

"Let's see how the disciples perform."

Nangong Ling glanced at Sun Xiaolong indifferently, then turned to look at the number three arena below.

At this moment, Shen Ruyan had already taken the stage.

Her opponent was a burly inner disciple with the ninth level of Qi Refining cultivation, named Ma Kui.

Although Ma Kui was not considered a top genius in the inner sect, he had a solid foundation and had mastered the "Breaking Army Fist" technique to perfection.

"Junior Sister Shen, although we are from the same sect, the spots in the top ten are precious, and I won't hold back!!"

Ma Kui shouted, his spiritual energy surging, his fist whistling like thunder, rushing straight at Shen Ruyan.

Shen Ruyan stood still, her long turquoise dress fluttering in the wind. She closed her eyes slightly, and when the fist was within three feet of her, she suddenly opened them!

In that instant, a deep emerald light appeared in the depths of her pupils, with a golden light at the center as sharp as a needle!

Shen Ruyan slightly turned her body, and Ma Kui's powerful punch grazed the hem of her clothes and missed.

Under her pupil technique, Ma Kui's seemingly perfect punches appeared full of flaws and weaknesses in Shen Ruyan's eyes.

immediately.

Shen Ruyan lightly raised her jade hand, and a point of green light condensed at her fingertips, precisely pointing at the spot where Ma Kui's fist force had exhausted its old strength and had not yet generated new strength.

With a muffled "bang!", Ma Kui felt a numbness on half of his body, and his powerful spiritual energy instantly became disordered.

Shen Ruyan struck again with her palm, the water rippling faintly in her hand.

This palm strike, seemingly weak and powerless, directly pierced through Ma Kui's protective spiritual shield and landed heavily on his chest.

"puff!!!!"

Before Ma Kui could even react to what was happening, he was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, gliding for over ten meters before crashing heavily outside the arena!

In just three moves, Shen Ruyan, at the eighth level of Qi Refining, defeated a senior inner disciple at the ninth level of Qi Refining!

"Whoa!!!"

The entire arena erupted in uproar. The previously noisy training ground fell into a brief silence, followed by a deafening roar.

"How is this possible! He defeated Senior Brother Ma in just three moves?"

"Is that Senior Sister Shen? Why does she feel... her aura has completely changed!"

On the high platform, Fairy Qingwei couldn't help but sit up straight, her gaze grave: "Peak Master Nangong, your disciple is quite extraordinary. Was she just using a pupil technique? Those pupil techniques... they could actually predict the opponent's every move. Could it be the Shen family's Azure Water Golden Eyes?"

Nangong Ling smiled, but he couldn't hide his shock.

She knew Wang Daqi had helped Shen Ruyan, but she never expected the improvement to be so terrifying.

"This girl has indeed recently had a breakthrough in cultivation, and she hasn't disappointed me. She's also awakened her family's physique..."

"So that's how it is. It seems that Shen Ruyan will be extraordinary in the future!" Fairy Qingwei exclaimed.

"That's for sure. Shen Ruyan will definitely be a pillar of our sect in the future!" Nangong Ling nodded slightly.

…………

…………

…………

With Shen Ruyan's clean and decisive victory, the atmosphere in the entire martial arts arena reached a climax.

"Defeated nine levels in three moves, this Shen Ruyan... is likely to become the biggest dark horse of this competition!!"

"She's more than just a dark horse; her pupil technique is incredibly powerful. I don't think even Senior Brother Zhao Xiang would necessarily come out on top against her."

In an instant, countless gazes filled with apprehension, scrutiny, and even fighting spirit converged on the emerald-clad figure on the arena.

Zhao Xiang of Wuji Peak slightly opened his eyes, his body surrounded by golden light, like a heavy iron tower.

He looked at Shen Ruyan, his rugged eyebrows twitching slightly: "Only at the eighth level of Qi Refining... To have such strength at the eighth level of Qi Refining is stronger than I was back then. This woman is a formidable opponent!"

Xu Yin of Dan Ding Peak stroked the red silk in her hand with amusement, a hint of seriousness flashing in her eyes: "The Shen family's Azure Water Golden Eye physique, wasn't it lost for a thousand years? I never expected it to reappear in Shen Ruyan!!"

at this time.

As Shen Ruyan stepped off the stage, the light in her emerald eyes gradually faded, but her extraordinary and refined temperament became even more profound.

She walked directly in the direction where Wang Daqi and Xu Yan were.

"Sister Ruyan, you're amazing!!"

Xu Yan excitedly grabbed her hand, her eyes filled with admiration.

Shen Ruyan smiled slightly, but her eyes unconsciously turned to Wang Daqi.

She knew that without Wang Daqi's almost exhaustive instruction over the past few days, her pupil technique would never have been able to be used so skillfully in actual combat.

"Senior Sister Shen is amazing."

Wang Daqi chuckled softly, but his gaze suddenly darkened as he swept over a distant corner.

In the corner, a young man with a cold expression and a long sword in his arms was hidden in the shadows.

This person was none other than Sun Chenglong.

His sword intent subtly surged around him, and not a single disciple dared to approach within three feet of him.

Just then, Sun Chenglong's ear twitched slightly, and a voice entered his ears.

"Jackie Chan, Shen Ruyan's pupil technique has become quite formidable; we absolutely cannot allow her to continue developing. That bitch Nangong Ling has recovered from her injuries and will definitely support her wholeheartedly. In the future, Shen Ruyan will be your formidable rival!!!"

On the viewing platform.

Sun Xiaolong was holding a teacup, seemingly enjoying his tea, but his eyes were actually sinister. He transmitted his thoughts to Sun Chenglong: "In the next round, your opponent will most likely be her. Remember, injuries and deaths are inevitable in the Grand Competition. Find an opportunity... to cripple her eyes and destroy her foundation! Once she's crippled, Nangong Ling will be missing an arm, and you'll have a chance to become a true disciple of Lingyun Peak in the future."

After becoming an inner disciple, you will have the opportunity to become a true disciple!

Each true disciple holds a position comparable to an elder, and receives extremely generous treatment.

However, the number of places for true disciples is limited.

If Shen Ruyan grows up, Sun Chenglong may lose the opportunity to become a true disciple.

Sun Chenglong did not look up at the stands, but the knuckles of his hand holding the sword turned slightly white.

He knew that Shen Ruyan was Nangong Ling's personal disciple and had the support of the Shen family, a family of cultivators!

Moreover, the strength Shen Ruyan had just displayed had indeed put him under tremendous pressure.

"Yes, Uncle."

Sun Chenglong silently recited a phrase in his mind as a response.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze fixed on Shen Ruyan, a ruthless glint flashing deep in his eyes.

His mastery of the Annihilation Sword Intent, honed over a month, was characterized by its sheer speed!

Very soon!

He planned to blind her by surprise...