169: Chapter 169 The Outer Sect Competition Finally Comes to an End

Ye Tian had won; even with his Heart-Nature, he could not help but tremble with excitement at this moment.

This was the toughest battle he had faced since embarking on the path of martial arts.

Before joining the Liuli Xuan Sect, he had thought his talent was extraordinary. While not exactly arrogant, he was confident in being invincible among his peers!

However, today's battle made him realize what it meant for there to be always someone better and a higher heaven beyond the sky.

In terms of Realm, he was at the Middle Stage of the tenth level of Ningyuan, while Lei Zhen was Half-step True Martial—a difference of less than one level.

In terms of Cultivation Techniques, he possessed a Heaven Rank Mind-Cultivation Technique, and his movement techniques and Martial Skills were also Profound Rank; he was not lacking.

But once the actual fighting began, he discovered the true gap between himself and his opponent.

He asked himself: before he had mastered the Five Elements Sword Body, would he have been Lei Zhen's match? No!

Unless he used the chaos bead, but that was impossible. Even if he were to lose, he would never expose his greatest secret.

At this moment, countless gazes were fixed on the blood-soaked youth in green robes at the center of the arena!

Those gazes were filled with fanaticism and awe!

Before this, no one—not even Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng, who had the most faith in Ye Tian—would have dared to imagine this outcome!

In the hearts of the Outer Sect Disciples, the name Lei Zhen was an insurmountable monument, a symbol of invincibility!

His strength was deeply ingrained in everyone's minds!

And Ye Tian, no matter how stunning his performance, was ultimately a newly joined Disciple in everyone's subconscious. There was an unbridgeable chasm between him and a long-established overlord like Lei Zhen!

However, Ye Tian had used an epic comeback to forcefully shatter everyone's perceptions!

He defeated the strong as the weak, broke dominance with perseverance, comprehended Sword Intent in a desperate situation, and settled the outcome with a single strike, creating an unprecedented miracle in the history of the Liuli Xuan Sect's Outer Sect!

"Junior Brother Ye!"

Liu Ruyan was the first to react, her tears bursting forth like a broken dam, but they were tears of joy and excitement!

She no longer cared about propriety. Lifting her skirt, she was the first to rush onto the arena and reach Ye Tian's side. She wanted to support him but was afraid of touching his wounds; she stood there flustered, only sobbing repeatedly, "That's great! That's great! You won! You won!"

Leng Feng followed closely behind. Even his habitually icy face could not hide his excitement now as he heavily patted Ye Tian's shoulder: "Beautifully done!"

A thousand words were condensed into those four simplest yet most powerful words.

Ren Qianyang and Chen Jianfeng also came to Ye Tian's side, with Ren Qianyang shouting and hollering in excitement.

"Old Ye! You're too amazing! From today on, you're my, Ren Qianyang's, one and only idol!"

"Junior Brother Ye! This battle will surely go down in history."

Even some Outer Sect Disciples who were not originally acquainted with Ye Tian could not help but cheer loudly for him!

Ye Tian's performance had conquered everyone!

Looking at the Prodigies on the Heaven Ranking, they all had varying expressions.

Lie Yang's mouth hung wide open, and only after a long while did he close it, slapping his thigh hard: "Damn it! He actually did it! This kid Ye Tian is a monster! I'm convinced!"

Mo Ling's wicked smile was somewhat stiff, and a trace of wariness flashed deep in her eyes as she whispered: "Five Elements Sword Intent... a Breakthrough during battle... his potential is too terrifying. It seems the Inner Sect won't be peaceful in the future either."

Luo Qiushui's cold eyes rested on Ye Tian for a long time for the first time, her voice barely audible: "Five Elements Sword Body... interesting."

Shi Gandang scratched his head: "Boss Lei... actually lost? But Ye Tian is a real man! Losing to someone like him is no disgrace!"

Liu Jingtao's expression shifted repeatedly, finally turning into a long sigh mixed with bitterness and a hint of relief.

Losing to such an opponent seemed not so hard to accept anymore.

The resentment in his gaze toward Ye Tian diminished by several degrees.

On the other side of the arena, Lei Zhen had already circulated his energy to soothe the numbness in his wrists.

Looking at Ye Tian surrounded by the crowd, his face showed no disappointment or resentment; instead, he wore the carefree smile of someone who had met a worthy adversary.

He strode over to Ye Tian.

Seeing this, the crowd instinctively made way.

Lei Zhen faced Ye Tian, who was being supported by Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng, and gave a solemn cupped-fist salute, saying loudly: "Junior Brother Ye, congratulations! I have benefited greatly from this battle. You truly deserve to be number one in the Outer Sect!"

His magnanimity and poise once again earned a round of admiring applause from the entire audience.

Though weak, Ye Tian still struggled to stand straight and returned the salute: "Senior Brother Lei was modest. If Senior Brother had gone all out from the start, I'm afraid I wouldn't have lasted a single move! Senior Brother's character is truly admirable."

The two smiled at each other, sharing a sense of mutual respect.

This scene caused the eyes of countless female Disciples below the stage to sparkle with admiration.

On the high platform, the Elders were not stingy with their praise.

Elder Zhao Wuji stroked his beard and laughed, his voice shaking the entire field: "Good! What a Ye Tian! Iron-like will, extraordinary talent, and more importantly, this wisdom to remain calm in danger and the ability to seize combat opportunities! This boy is a genius the Liuli Xuan Sect hasn't seen in a hundred years!"

Elder Shuiyue smiled elegantly: "To have such power when the Five Elements Sword Intent has just been formed, his future is limitless. This battle can be called a model for the Outer Sect Grand Competition!"

Elder Lei Gang's pride was even more evident: "Hahaha! I said long ago that this boy was no ordinary fish in a pond! Well? I didn't misjudge him, did I? Ye Tian, good job! You've brought great honor to our Outer Sect!"

The other Elders also nodded in praise, their gazes toward Ye Tian filled with expectation.

After this battle, Ye Tian's status in the Sect would be completely different!

After a brief period of celebration and healing, the competition continued.

Next was the battle for third place between Shi Gandang and Luo Qiushui.

Though this fight was not as soul-stirring as the final between Ye Tian and Lei Zhen, it was still a duel between top Prodigies!

Shi Gandang's "Immovable Wisdom King Body" had invincible defense and fierce power.

Luo Qiushui's "Shadow Sword Technique" was eerie and unpredictable, with sword speed like lightning.

The two fought fiercely for nearly a hundred rounds, and the spectacle was also brilliant, drawing bursts of cheers from the audience.

Ultimately, Luo Qiushui, relying on her superior movement speed, found a momentary gap in Shi Gandang's defense. She tapped her sword against a vital point in his Qi Sea; though she didn't wound him severely, it caused his True Yuan to flow sluggishly, earning her the victory.

Shi Gandang was thoroughly defeated and conceded gracefully.

With this, the final rankings of this Outer Sect Grand Competition were settled: Champion: Ye Tian!

Runner-up: Lei Zhen!

Third Place: Luo Qiushui!

Following this, a grand awards ceremony was held.

Elder Zhao Wuji personally presented the rewards to the top ten Disciples.

Every single reward drew bursts of envious gasps from below the stage.

The top ten all received generous contribution points and significant Spirit Stone rewards, as well as the eligibility to exchange for Medicinal Pills and Cultivation Techniques corresponding to their rank.

When the rewards for the top three were presented, the atmosphere reached its climax.

The third-place winner, Luo Qiushui, received a bottle of fourth-grade Medicinal Pills, the Ice Heart Soul-Condensing Pill, which had the miraculous effect of refining the Divine Soul and resisting Heart Demons.

A complete Legacy of the Profound Rank Intermediate Cultivation Technique, "Phantom Sword Steps."

And a Profound Rank Low Grade Spiritual Artifact as thin as an ice flake, the Autumn Cicada!

The second-place winner, Lei Zhen, received a bottle of fourth-grade Medicinal Pills, the Tyrant Body Blood-Burning Pill, which could stimulate the Physical Body's potential for a short time without any side effects!

The subsequent essentials of the Profound Rank Advanced Cultivation Technique, "Shocking Thunder Heaven-Splitting Blade."

And a Profound Rank Low Grade Spiritual Artifact, the Thunder-Patterned Heart-Protecting Mirror, which had extremely strong defensive power.

And when the champion's rewards were presented, the roar of the crowd shook the heavens once again!

Ye Tian's rewards were the most generous: a bottle of fourth-grade Medicinal Pills, the Five Elements Spirit-Nurturing Pill!

This pill contained the essence of the Five Elements. Not only could it significantly boost one's cultivation, but it could also nourish a Five Elements attribute Physique, which would be of great benefit to Ye Tian's Five Elements Sword Body!

A complete Profound Rank Advanced sword technique, the Taiyi Light-Splitting Sword Art!

When cultivated to a high level, this sword technique could divide sword light, blending the illusory and the real with infinite power, perfectly suited for his newly formed Five Elements Sword Intent!

But the most eye-catching of all was a sword!

A Profound Rank High Grade Spiritual Artifact with a slender blade, a glazed luster, and a five-colored gemstone embedded in the hilt—the liuguang sword!

Even before being unsheathed, a sharp Sword Qi emanated from it, resonating with the Five Elements Sword Intent inside Ye Tian's body!

"A Profound Rank High Grade Spiritual Artifact! And it's a sword!"

"The Taiyi Light-Splitting Sword Art! A famous top-tier sword technique!"

"The Five Elements Spirit-Nurturing Pill! That's a treasure you can't even buy with money!"

Exclamations of envy were endless below the stage.

Any one of these rewards would be enough to drive an ordinary Disciple mad!

However, what Ye Tian looked forward to most was not these physical rewards.

He looked up, his eyes burning as he gazed toward the high platform.

Elder Zhao Wuji smiled slightly and announced loudly: "In addition, the top three of the competition will gain the eligibility to enter the Sect's Holy Land, the Liuxin Pool, to Cultivate!"

Third place, Luo Qiushui, may Cultivate for one day!

Second place, Lei Zhen, may Cultivate for two days!

And the champion, Ye Tian..."

He paused, his voice rising to reach the whole field: "May enter the Liuxin Pool to Cultivate for three days!"

"Whoa!"

The whole audience erupted again!

The Liuxin Pool!

That was a cultivation Holy Land that even Inner Sect Disciples dreamed of!

The spiritual liquid in the pool was transformed from the essence of the earth's veins, containing extremely pure Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and a trace of the rare 'Glazed Pure Heart Flame.' Cultivating in it for one day was comparable to months of hard work outside!

The value of three days' time was immeasurable!

Ye Tian clenched his fists, a brilliant light bursting from his eyes!

The Liuxin Pool!

This was the ultimate goal he had fought with all his might to achieve!

With these three days, he would not only be able to completely consolidate his Middle Stage cultivation of the tenth level of Ningyuan, but he could also use the spiritual liquid in the pool and that trace of Pure Heart Flame to wash his Physical Body, temper his True Yuan, and even... attempt to charge into the true True Martial Realm!