Winning the championship

The Qinglan Sect's Inner Sect Grand Competition was held at the “Heavenly Wind Platform” beneath the Main Peak. This circular platform, forged from millennium-old profound iron, was a hundred zhang in diameter. Its edges were densely carved with Wind-element runes, which could amplify a cultivator's sword qi by thirty percent while firmly locking the energy inside. This was the kind of trial ground only a sixth-rank sect would possess.

The day before the competition, the Heavenly Wind Platform was already crowded with disciples.

Inner Sect disciples occupied the eastern Viewing Stands, while Outer Sect disciples sat on the stone steps on the west side. Even several Elders who had been in seclusion for years rarely appeared, sitting in the northern VIP Section. Among them, Qiu Xuan, dressed in purple robes, occasionally glanced toward the entrance, carrying a hint of imperceptible anticipation.

“I heard that this competition has gathered many experts; there are seven late-stage Golden Core cultivators alone.”

“Is that even a question? Senior Brother Li Muran has been in seclusion for three months and is said to have touched the threshold of the Nascent Soul Stage. He is definitely going to take the top spot this time!”

“I, on the other hand, think Senior Brother Zhao from the Law Enforcement Hall has a chance. His ‘Heavenly Wind Sword Scripture’ has been cultivated to the eighth level. Last time, he split a ten-thousand-jin boulder with one sword strike in the Training Ground!”

Amidst the discussion, the Law Enforcement Elder responsible for presiding over the competition walked onto the stage. He slashed the azure token in his hand through the air, and the runes on the edge of the platform suddenly lit up. “The Inner Sect Grand Competition will proceed by dividing contestants into three groups, taking the top three from each group, with the final nine competing for the top spot. There is only one rule: no killing blows. Violators will have their cultivation crippled and be expelled from the sect!”

The token landed, transforming into thirty-six streams of azure light that shot into the crowd—these were the drawing lots for group assignments.

White Night stood on the edge of the crowd, watching the azure light land in his palm, condensing into the character “Yǐ” (B).

“Junior Brother White is in Group B?” A gentle voice came from behind him. It was Senior Brother Zhao, also from the Law Enforcement Hall. He patted White Night's shoulder. “I'm in Group A. If fate allows, we'll meet in the finals.”

Senior Brother Zhao was already at the Peak Late-stage Golden Core. He was humble and one of the rare seniors among the Inner Sect disciples who didn't use his power to oppress others.

White Night nodded slightly. “Senior Brother Zhao, take care.”

The grouping results were quickly announced, and the sign-up sheet for Group B was surrounded by people.

When they saw that White Night and Li Muran were not in the same group, many disciples breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. If they met early, one of them would definitely be eliminated. That would be a huge shame.”

Only Qiu Xuan looked at the sign-up sheet, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest. Group B seemed ordinary, but it hid two dark horses: one was the defense expert, Shi Man, whose physical body strength was comparable to a Sixth-rank Magical Artifact; the other was Su Mei, who cultivated the “Shadow Wind Steps,” possessing strange movement techniques, and who had previously toyed with a Late-stage Golden Core disciple during sparring.

“Interesting.” Qiu Xuan's mouth curved slightly. “Let's see how this boy handles it.”

The first day's Group Stage Matches were uneventful.

White Night's first opponent was a female disciple in the Middle-stage Golden Core. She specialized in Wood-element Spells, summoning vines that filled the sky with a wave of her hand. However, White Night's Iron Sword lightly slashed, and the vines snapped instantly. His sword qi contained a subtle Wind Blade, specifically designed to break such flexible techniques.

“I lost.” The female disciple put away her Magical Artifact. Instead of resentment, she clasped her hands toward White Night in salute. “Senior Brother Bai's swordsmanship is exquisite.”

White Night nodded in acknowledgment, turned, and walked off the stage, not speaking a word throughout.

The second match, against Shi Man, was the real test.

He was a robust young man, shirtless, with bluish-black skin. It was said that he constantly cultivated in the “Body Tempering Pool,” and ordinary Late-stage Golden Core sword qi could barely scratch him.

“Brat, take this punch!” Shi Man roared as he charged forward, his fist bringing a whistling sound of wind as it smashed toward White Night's face.

The disciples in the Viewing Stands held their breath. If that punch landed squarely, his skull would likely shatter.

White Night advanced instead of retreating, his body tilting slightly like a willow leaf in the wind, narrowly avoiding the punch's edge. At the same time, he flipped his wrist, and the spine of his Iron Sword heavily struck Shi Man's elbow joint.

With a soft “crack,” Shi Man's movement abruptly stopped, and a look of pain appeared on his face. White Night's strike had precisely hit a key point in his Qi and blood circulation. Although it didn't break bone, it temporarily paralyzed his entire arm.

“Thank you for the concession.” White Night stood with his sword sheathed.

Shi Man was stunned for a moment, looked down at his numb arm, and suddenly grinned. “You won.”

Although he was a rough man, he understood the principle of accepting defeat.

Having won two consecutive matches, White Night was securely in the top three of the group. The final match against Su Mei, though irrelevant to advancement, became the focus of everyone's attention.

Su Mei wore a tight red dress, her figure graceful, and two short daggers were tied around her waist. Her appearance immediately drew a chorus of whistles.

She looked at White Night, her eyes shifting alluringly. “Senior Brother Bai, please be gentle.”

Before her voice faded, her figure suddenly turned into a red shadow. The short daggers, carrying a cold gleam laced with anesthetic, stabbed straight toward White Night's throat.

This movement technique was as fast as a ghost, giving ordinary Golden Core cultivators no time to react.

But White Night's Heavenly Heart Imprint had already captured the trajectory of her aura.

The moment Su Mei moved, he had already shifted his body sideways, and the Iron Sword, like a long snake emerging from its hole, precisely struck the point where the two short daggers intersected.

“Clang!”

The moment the short daggers were deflected, Su Mei retreated several zhang using the rebound force. The flirtatious look on her face faded, replaced by seriousness. “What quick reflexes.”

She attacked again, her figure splitting into seven clones on the stage. Each clone held a short dagger and attacked from a different direction.

This was the essence of the Shadow Wind Steps; it was difficult to distinguish between true and false.

White Night, however, closed his eyes, relying only on his ears to catch the subtle differences in the sound of the wind.

When one of the clones approached, he suddenly opened his eyes, and his Iron Sword slashed horizontally, passing precisely through the clone's neck. That clone instantly turned into azure smoke, revealing Su Mei's true body behind it.

“How did you know?” Su Mei gasped, asking. Even Nascent Soul Stage Elders found it hard to distinguish her clones.

White Night did not answer, merely sheathing his sword. “You lost.”

Su Mei looked at his calm profile and suddenly smiled. “I concede.”

As she turned and walked off the stage, a hint of complexity flashed in her eyes. This White Night seemed low-key, but he was actually unfathomable.

The three rounds of group matches concluded, and the top three of Group B were announced: White Night, Su Mei, and Shi Man. When the Law Enforcement Elder announced the results, many people still found it hard to believe. “That White Night actually managed three consecutive wins? Could he already be Late-stage Golden Core?”

Qiu Xuan listened to the surrounding discussions, his hand holding the teacup pausing slightly. He could sense that White Night's cultivation was still at the Third Layer of Golden Core, yet he could easily defeat Late-stage Golden Core cultivators. This level of control over power was terrifying.

The next day's Promotion Matches were even more intense.

Li Muran of Group A won two consecutive matches with overwhelming dominance. His sword struck to draw blood; although he didn't deliver killing blows, he seriously injured his opponents, forcing them to withdraw. His momentum was unmatched.

White Night's opponent in the promotion match was “Wu Hao,” the second place from Group A. This person specialized in Lightning-element Spells, had a fiery temper, and immediately summoned his Thunder God Hammer upon stepping onto the stage. With a rumble, lightning snakes danced across the sky, enveloping the entire Heavenly Wind Platform.

“Brat, taste my ‘Rushing Thunder Technique’!” Wu Hao waved his hand with a sinister grin. The lightning snakes seemed to come alive, rushing toward White Night.

Qiu Xuan in the Viewing Stands frowned slightly. Lightning-element Spells specifically countered Wind-element spells, and Wu Hao's lightning technique had reached Great Accomplishment.

However, White Night lightly tapped his toes, his figure weaving through the lightning snakes, his Iron Sword weaving an impenetrable Sword Curtain.

The seemingly ferocious lightning snakes vanished silently the moment they approached the Sword Curtain, like clay oxen entering the sea. He was actually using Wind-element Sword Qi to guide the lightning snakes' energy toward the ground, where it was absorbed by the runes on the edge of the platform.

“Impossible!” Wu Hao widened his eyes. He had never seen anyone neutralize lightning techniques so easily.

White Night seized the moment of his distraction. The Iron Sword suddenly accelerated, its tip pointing directly at Wu Hao's Thunder God Hammer.

“Clang!”

When the hammer and sword met, Wu Hao felt a gentle yet irresistible force transmit through them. The Thunder God Hammer actually flew out of his hand, embedding itself in the distant ground.

“I lost.” Wu Hao's face was ashen. He knew that the opponent's strength far surpassed his own, and even his understanding of energy was on a completely different level.

With four consecutive wins, White Night and Li Muran both advanced to the Finals. This Peak Showdown, even before it began, had captured everyone's attention.

On the day of the Finals, the area around the Heavenly Wind Platform was packed with people. Even the Sect Master, who was in seclusion, made an exception to attend the ceremony, sitting in the center of the VIP Section, his gaze fixed on White Night with a hint of scrutiny. “Is this the one with the Wind Heavenly Spiritual Root?”

Qiu Xuan nodded. “This child has extremely high comprehension, but his personality is too reserved.”

The Sect Master chuckled lightly. “Reserved is good. Too ostentatious, and one won't go far.”

Following the Law Enforcement Elder's command, the Finals officially began.

Li Muran wore white robes and held an Azure Longsword. A faint spiritual light flowed along the blade—it was clearly a Fifth-rank Spiritual Artifact.

He looked at the ordinary Iron Sword in White Night's hand, his brow furrowing slightly. “Junior Brother, why aren't you using a weapon that suits you?”

White Night: “It's enough.”

“Arrogant!” A flash of anger crossed Li Muran's eyes. He had originally been mindful of their fellow disciple relationship and intended to stop before causing serious harm, but now he was serious.

“Heavenly Wind Break!”

He roared softly, and his longsword tore through the sky. A ten-foot-tall Azure Sword Qi, solid as substance and carrying the power to tear space, slashed straight toward White Night's face.

This sword strike condensed all his cultivation, and it was thirty percent more powerful than the lightning technique he used against Wu Hao earlier.

The disciples in the Viewing Stands cried out in alarm. Many even closed their eyes, afraid to watch the ensuing scene.

Qiu Xuan's fingers tightened slightly, and the Sect Master also sat up straight.

Just as the sword qi was about to reach him, White Night moved.

His figure suddenly became blurry, as if merging into the wind, narrowly avoiding the sharp edge of the sword qi.

At the same time, the Iron Sword, like a venomous snake leaving its hole, stabbed toward Li Muran's wrist at an incredible angle.

This sword strike seemed ordinary, yet it sealed off all of Li Muran's possible evasion routes.

“Clang!”

Li Muran hastily brought his sword back to parry, feeling a clever force transmit through it. His longsword was actually bent slightly, and his hand felt numb. He was greatly shocked, realizing only then that he had underestimated his opponent.

“Again!” Li Muran roared. His longsword danced, producing Sword Shadows that filled the sky. Every sword shadow contained fierce Wind Law, surrounding White Night layer by layer.

White Night remained unhurried. The Iron Sword seemed to come alive in his hand, sometimes light and nimble like willow catkins, sometimes fierce and powerful like thunder.

His swordsmanship seemed disorganized, yet he always managed to evade fatal attacks at the crucial moment, while also occasionally stabbing out a sword strike that forced Li Muran into a frantic state.

Everyone held their breath watching this confrontation.

Li Muran's swordsmanship was grand and imposing, with every strike resonating with the Heavenly Wind Platform's runes. In contrast, White Night's swordsmanship was like a trickling stream, seemingly weak, yet always finding a flaw at the most critical moment, nourishing things silently.

“One hundred moves!” A disciple couldn't help but exclaim. “Senior Brother Li Muran actually couldn't take him down!”

Qiu Xuan stroked his beard and smiled. He saw clearly that White Night had suppressed his cultivation from beginning to end, using only the power of the Third Layer of Golden Core, yet managed to fight Li Muran, who was at the Peak Late-stage Golden Core, to a draw. This understanding of swordsmanship far surpassed his peers.

At the one hundred and fiftieth move, Li Muran's aura began to become chaotic.

He had continuously launched strong attacks, consuming too much Spiritual Energy, while White Night's aura remained steady, as if he were merely performing a routine practice.

“It's over.” White Night suddenly spoke. His voice was not loud, but it clearly spread throughout the entire Heavenly Wind Platform.

Before his voice fell, his figure suddenly accelerated. The Iron Sword was like a flash of lightning, sliding along the spine of Li Muran's sword, its tip aimed directly at the Jade Pendant on his chest.

Li Muran was greatly alarmed and quickly brought his sword back to defend, but he was still a step too slow.

With a soft “snap,” the Cloud-patterned Jade Pendant on his waist was struck by the sword tip and shattered immediately.

The moment the jade pendant shattered, Li Muran felt a gentle force surge toward him, deflecting his longsword.

He staggered backward, watching White Night sheath his sword, only then realizing he had lost. If the opponent had intended to injure him, that sword strike could have pierced his heart.

The entire venue fell into dead silence.

A moment later, earth-shattering cheers erupted: “White Night won! He defeated Senior Brother Li!”

The Sect Master stood up, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. “What excellent use of using softness to overcome hardness. Qiu Xuan, you have taken a good disciple.”

Qiu Xuan laughed heartily. “Sect Master, you flatter me. The boy is simply capable on his own.”

White Night stood on the stage, listening to the surrounding cheers, his expression still calm. Just then, a system notification sounded in his mind:

[Side Quest “Winning the Inner Sect Grand Competition Championship” Completed]

[Reward: One hundred jin of High-grade Spiritual Marrow, already stored in System Space]

He nodded slightly, turned, and walked off the Heavenly Wind Platform, leaving all the gazes and discussions behind.

For him, this competition was merely an interlude on his path of cultivation. His next goal was the Deity Transformation Realm, and beyond that, even higher realms!

At this moment, on the Heavenly Wind Platform, the Law Enforcement Elder loudly announced: “The champion of this Inner Sect Grand Competition—White Night! You may enter the Fourth Floor of the Scripture Depository Pavilion for one day and select any Cultivation Technique to borrow!”

This news caused another sensation. One must know that the Fourth Floor of the Scripture Depository Pavilion housed the Qinglan Sect's Sect-protecting Treasures, which even Nascent Soul Stage Elders could not casually borrow.

White Night's footsteps paused slightly, and a hint of imperceptible light flashed in his eyes...