6: Chapter 6 Rising to Fame

Early the next morning, the first light of dawn appeared.

The Qingyun Sect Outer Sect plaza was even more bustling than yesterday. After the first day's chaotic battles and eliminations, the forty-seven qualifiers were already the cream of the crop among the Outer Sect Disciples, and every match would be even more spectacular. Many Inner Sect Disciples and deacons who had not appeared yesterday were now present on the viewing stands, clearly more focused on the subsequent battles.

Lin Wan was still dressed in his cyan robes, standing calmly amidst the crowd. After a night of regulating his breathing, he had restored his state to its Peak. As his eyes opened and closed, sword light seemed to flow within them, and his aura was as heavy and steady as a mountain.

The gazes around him were more numerous and complex than yesterday. Awe, curiosity, wariness, jealousy... the list went on. Having defeated Zhou Zihao with a single sword strike and easily advancing through two rounds, he had completely shed the name of "trash" and become one of the most dazzling new stars of this grand competition.

"Look, Lin Wan is here!"

"I heard he defeated Senior Brother Zhang, who uses wind-attribute techniques, in just three moves yesterday. That Senior Brother Zhang is extremely fast, yet he had no way to fight back in front of him."

"This boy has hidden himself too deeply. If not for the grand competition, who would have known that the Outer Sect had such a person?"

"I wonder who he will meet in the third round today. If he happens to face Zhan Hu or Cold Moon, it will be a good show."

Amidst the discussions, Elder Xuan Zhenzi appeared on the main arena again to announce the start of the third round of the elimination tournament.

The giant jade stele glowed as it reshuffled the pairings.

Lin Wan looked for his name.

"Lin Wan, against, Zhao Wuji."

Zhao Wuji was one of the six who advanced from the seventh arena, at the ninth level of Qi Refining. He specialized in lightning-attribute Cultivation Technique and had violent attacks, earning him the title of "Little Thunder God" in the Outer Sect. In the two rounds of elimination yesterday, he had defeated his opponents with overwhelming force, showing impressive strength.

"Lightning techniques..." Lin Wan's gaze narrowed slightly. A lightning-attribute Cultivator had the highest attack power among those at the same stage, and their speed was extremely fast, carrying a paralyzing effect, which was quite troublesome. Moreover, lightning techniques had a certain restraint against metal and water attributes.

However, this was a perfect opportunity to test some of the new methods he had been pondering.

Third arena.

Zhao Wuji had already arrived on the stage. He was of medium build with an ordinary face, but his eyes shone with sharp light. Faint arcs of electricity crackled around him, emitting a dangerous aura. Seeing Lin Wan ascend the stage, a flash of gravity crossed his eyes, but it was mostly filled with soaring Battle Intent.

"Junior Brother Lin, I witnessed the power of your sword yesterday, and I have longed to see it. It is my honor to spar with you today!" Zhao Wuji cupped his hands, his voice loud and clear, carrying the heartiness unique to a lightning-attribute Cultivator.

"Senior Brother Zhao, please enlighten me." Lin Wan returned the salute. He had a good impression of this Zhao Wuji; at least he was not as sinister as Zhou Zihao.

"The match begins!"

As soon as the referee Elder finished speaking, Zhao Wuji took the initiative! He clapped his hands together, and lightning exploded between his palms!

"Palm Lightning!"

A silver-white bolt of lightning, as thick as a thumb, tore through the air like a spirit snake emerging from its cave, emitting a harsh crackling sound. In an instant, it reached Lin Wan's face! Its speed far exceeded that of ordinary Spell!

Lightning techniques truly lived up to their reputation!

Yet Lin Wan did not dodge or evade. He raised his right hand, and a wisp of light blue water-attribute Sword Qi condensed at his fingertips, transforming into a small, diamond-shaped water shield that blocked in front of him.

"Sshh!"

The lightning struck the water shield, erupting into blinding electric light. Water conducts electricity, but Lin Wan's water-attribute Sword Qi was infused with his understanding of water's flexibility and flow. The moment the lightning struck, ripples appeared on the surface of the water shield, dispersing the force like flowing water, actually conducting most of the lightning power into the ground. The remaining remnants of the lightning were easily dissolved by Lin Wan's protective Spiritual Qi.

"What?!" Zhao Wuji's expression changed slightly. Although his Palm Lightning was not an ultimate move, its power was not weak. To think it was received so nonchalantly by the other party? And he used water-attribute Sword Qi? Doesn't water conduct electricity? How could it...

Before he could think further, Lin Wan moved.

He took a step forward, his figure turning into trails of afterimages—it was the Floating Light Sweeping Shadow! At the same time, he formed a seal with his left hand and shouted in a low voice: "Vines, rise!"

Several thick vines burst from the stone, but they did not entangle Zhao Wuji. Instead, they intertwined, instantly creating a simple vine forest on the arena to restrict Zhao Wuji's range of movement.

"Small tricks! Thunderstorm!" Zhao Wuji snorted coldly. Lightning flared around him, turning into countless dense electric snakes that shot out in all directions! Wherever the electric snakes passed, the vines scorched and snapped, clearing a large area.

However, at the moment when the lightning was at its Peak, Lin Wan's figure appeared like a ghost three feet to Zhao Wuji's left! The timing was perfectly grasped—it was the exact moment when Zhao Wuji's old force was spent, his new force had not yet arisen, and his vision was slightly obstructed by the lightning he had released!

"So fast!" Zhao Wuji's heart skipped a beat, and in his haste, he slapped out with his left palm, lightning flashing again!

But this time, Lin Wan did not meet it head-on. He slid like a swimming fish, evading the lightning palm by a hair's breadth. At the same time, he brought his right index and middle fingers together and pointed at Zhao Wuji's ribs! At his fingertips, pale golden metal-attribute Sword Qi flickered, incomparably sharp!

"Bad!" Zhao Wuji felt a sharp pain in his ribs—a warning that the Sword Qi had arrived even before the edge touched him! He twisted his body forcefully while activating his protective spiritual light.

"Pfft!"

The protective spiritual light was pierced like paper. The Sword Qi struck his ribs, and although the power was mostly dissipated by Zhao Wuji's timely twist, it still caused him intense pain in his ribs, his blood and Qi churning, and he stumbled backward.

"I concede." Lin Wan withdrew his hand without pursuing. If he had used his full strength with that strike just now, it would have been enough to severely injure Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji steadied himself, his face turning red and then white, eventually melting into a bitter smile. He cupped his hands and said, "Junior Brother Lin has excellent methods; I am convinced of my defeat. With that strike just now, you were holding back."

"Senior Brother Zhao's lightning technique is exquisite; I just took advantage of the situation." Lin Wan said.

"A win is a win, and a loss is a loss." Zhao Wuji shook his head, though he was quite magnanimous. "I look forward to your subsequent performance, Junior Brother, and hope you win glory for our Outer Sect!"

After saying this, he voluntarily jumped off the arena.

"Lin Wan, wins!" the referee Elder announced.

Applause erupted from under the stage. Although this battle was not as shocking as the one where he beheaded Zhou Zihao yesterday, the exquisite footwork Lin Wan displayed, his grasp of combat opportunities, and his flexible use of the Five Elements Sword Qi were equally admirable. Especially the move where he used water-attribute Sword Qi to neutralize the lightning technique was truly stunning.

"Water conducts electricity, yet he was able to discharge and guide the force. This level of understanding and control over the water attribute has reached the Transcendent level."

"Not only that, his grasp of timing was too precise; he closed in exactly at the moment Zhao Wuji released the Thunderstorm and his vision was obstructed."

"And he held back at the end; otherwise, Zhao Wuji would have been at least severely injured. This boy is not only strong in strength but also steady in his Heart-Nature, knowing when to leave a way out."

On the viewing stands, several Inner Sect Elders also nodded slightly.

"This boy is not bad, he knows how to hide his clumsiness. If he had used that three-colored sword wheel just now, Zhao Wuji would not have been able to take a single move." An Elder with white eyebrows said.

"He is using his opponents to hone his own sword techniques and tactics." Xuan Zhenzi's eyes were sharp. "It seems his goal is not just the top ten."

"If he can really enter the top five, or even the top three... my Tianjian Peak happens to be short of a good seedling." An Elder carrying an ancient sword on his back with a sharp aura spoke up. He was the Peak Master of Tianjian Peak, a Mid-stage Golden Core Sword Cultivator, and held a respected position within the Sect.

The other Elders were surprised to hear this. The Tianjian Peak Master actually took the initiative to ask for a person? It seemed he was truly interested in this Lin Wan.

Lin Wan naturally did not know the high-level evaluation of him. He calmly stepped off the stage and continued to watch the battles.

The third round of the elimination tournament began to see clashes between the strong.

"Mad Blade" Zhan Hu faced "Golden Bell" Golden Bell. This was a battle between spear and shield. Zhan Hu's Mad Demon Blade Technique was extremely violent, with every strike heavy as a thousand jun, hacking at Golden Bell's Golden Bell Shield until the spiritual light trembled, but he could never break the defense. In the end, Zhan Hu exhausted his spiritual energy and had to concede. Golden Bell's defense truly lived up to its reputation.

"Ice Fairy" Cold Moon faced a ninth-level Qi Refining earth-attribute Cultivator. Earth restrains water, and theoretically, it also has a certain restraint against the ice attribute. But Cold Moon's ice technique was too domineering. With one move, "Ice-Sealed Tomb," she directly froze her opponent, along with the earth walls and stone puppets he summoned, into a giant ice sculpture, winning easily.

"Ghost Shadow" Mo Qi's opponent was a female Cultivator skilled in sound wave techniques, who originally thought she could restrain Mo Qi's eerie footwork. Who knew that Mo Qi used some secret method, completely immunizing himself against the sound wave attacks, approaching like a ghost, and cutting her neck with a hand blade, knocking her unconscious.

"Shi Yong" Shi Yong met "Green Vine" Mu Wanqing. Mu Wanqing's vine control did not have much effect on Shi Yong, but she was also extremely smart, constantly moving around, using vines to harass and consume Shi Yong's spiritual energy. In the end, although Shi Yong won, his consumption was not small, and he was scratched by many small wounds from the thorns on the vines.

"Illusion Butterfly" Hua Xiangrong's opponent was tricked again, giggling foolishly on the stage, talking to himself, and was finally pushed off the stage by Hua Xiangrong with a gentle nudge.

The third round ended, leaving twenty-four people.

Then came the fourth round of drawing lots. This round would determine the top twelve.

The jade stele glowed again.

Lin Wan looked at his name, his eyebrows raised slightly.

"Lin Wan, against, Mu Wanqing."

"Green Vine" Mu Wanqing, whom he had met once at the seventh arena. This female Cultivator, known for her wood-attribute control, had strength that could not be underestimated, and she was meticulous and flexible in tactics.

"Senior Sister Mu, please enlighten me." On the arena, Lin Wan cupped his hands.

Mu Wanqing was in a green dress, with a slender figure, holding a verdant vine whip, smiling charmingly: "Junior Brother Lin's strength is unfathomable. This Senior Sister will have to go all out, so Junior Brother, please be merciful."

Before the words fell, the vine whip in her hand had already lashed out like a spirit snake, with heavy whip shadows, carrying a sharp whistling sound, striking directly at all the vital points of Lin Wan's body! At the same time, her left hand quietly formed a seal, and countless emerald thorns instantly grew on the arena, with sharp poisonous thorns flashing with a ghostly light, sealing Lin Wan's retreat.

A killing move right from the start! Whip technique for main attack, thorns for crowd control, perfectly coordinated.

Lin Wan did not dare to be careless. He used Floating Light Sweeping Shadow, weaving through the gaps between the whip shadows and the thorns like a butterfly passing through flowers. At the same time, he pointed his fingers continuously, and several light green wood-attribute Sword Qi shot out, accurately slashing at the roots of the thorns.

The wood-attribute Sword Qi contained vibrant vitality, which had a natural affinity and restraint against plants. Wherever the Sword Qi passed, those thorns withered instantly as if they had met their king, the poisonous thorns fell off, and they posed no more threat.

"Wood-attribute Sword Qi? And so pure!" Mu Wanqing's beautiful eyes brightened, not surprised but happy. "Junior Brother is indeed proficient in the wood attribute! Take this move of mine—Ten Thousand Leaves Flying Flowers!"

She shouted, and the vine whip in her hand danced. Countless emerald leaves fell off from the whip body, turning into blades filling the sky, shooting toward Lin Wan like a rainstorm! Every leaf had sharp edges and contained fierce wood-attribute spiritual energy, covering the entire arena, with nowhere to dodge!

Range attack! And it was a continuous range attack!

Lin Wan's eyes narrowed, and he no longer dodged. He stood firm, his hands held in a void, and gold, blue, and green lights flowed and fused in his palms, instantly turning into a three-colored sword wheel with a diameter of three feet, spinning rapidly in front of him!

Little Five Elements Sword Technique—Three Talents Sword Wheel, defensive form!

"Ding ding ding ding...!"

Countless flying leaves hit the sword wheel, making a sound as dense as rain hitting banana leaves, but they could not break through at all, and were all shredded and bounced away. The three-colored sword wheel spun endlessly, protecting Lin Wan tightly.

"Such strong defense!" Mu Wanqing gritted her teeth, her spiritual energy surging wildly, the flying leaves becoming denser, and some leaves even exploded in the air, turning into green poisonous mist that filled the air.

However, the three-colored sword wheel contained the sharpness of metal, the softness of water, and the vitality of wood, integrating offense and defense; the poisonous mist could not invade either.

After a stalemate of a dozen breaths, Mu Wanqing's spiritual energy was consumed quite heavily, and the flying leaf offensive slowed down.

Just at this moment, Lin Wan moved.

He took a step forward, and the three-colored sword wheel suddenly contracted, turning into a condensed three-colored sword glow attached to his right index finger. At the same time, his figure was like lightning, passing through the sparse flying leaves, instantly closing in on Mu Wanqing!

"What?!" Mu Wanqing was shocked, wanting to wave her whip to block, but Lin Wan's speed was too fast! The three-colored sword glow had already pointed at her right wrist holding the whip.

Mu Wanqing's wrist went numb, and the vine whip slipped from her hand. Lin Wan's left hand had already reached out like a ghost, gently pressing on her shoulder, and a gentle spiritual energy penetrated into it, sealing several of her key Meridians.

"Senior Sister, I concede." Lin Wan's voice rang in her ear.

Mu Wanqing's body stiffened, then relaxed, and she smiled bitterly: "Junior Brother has won. Your wood-attribute Sword Qi is much purer than mine. That three-colored sword wheel is even more mysterious. This Senior Sister is convinced of her defeat."

She did not entangle, admitted defeat, and stepped off the stage.

"Lin Wan, wins!"

Another victory, and it was won cleanly and neatly. Especially the defensive form of the three-colored sword wheel at the end allowed everyone to see Lin Wan's comprehensive strength of integrating offense and defense.

"This Lin Wan is becoming more and more unfathomable. That three-colored Sword Qi, integrating offense and defense, with endless variations, what kind of sword technique is it?"

"Mu Wanqing's wood-attribute Spell are unique in the Outer Sect, yet they were completely restrained by him. This boy's understanding of the Five Elements interaction far exceeds those of the same stage."

"It seems that the top ten is already in his pocket, and even the top five is promising."

On the viewing stands, the Tianjian Peak Master's eyes were filled with even more appreciation: "Attacking like thunder, defending like a deep abyss, with precise grasp of combat opportunities and subtle control of spiritual energy. This child is a natural material for practicing swords. Senior Brother Xuan Zhen, after the grand competition, can you let him come to my Tianjian Peak?"

Xuan Zhenzi stroked his beard and laughed: "Junior Brother Yue, do not be anxious. The grand competition is not over yet, and it is not yet known how far this child can go in the end. Besides, that kid Li Changfeng seems to value him quite a bit too."

"Li Changfeng?" Tianjian Peak Master Yue Lingyun frowned, "He is just a Foundation Establishment deacon, how can he delay such a good talent? This child, my Tianjian Peak is determined to have him!"

The other Elders looked at each other and smiled, not interfering. It was an interesting thing to see Yue Lingyun, this sword fanatic, value an Outer Sect Disciple so much.

The fourth round ended, and the top twelve were born.

Lin Wan, Golden Bell, Cold Moon, Mo Qi, Shi Yong, Illusion Butterfly, Zhan Hu (resurrected from the loser's bracket, the rules allowed one person from the top sixteen to be resurrected from the loser's bracket, and Zhan Hu won it by his strength), and other twelve people stood in the center of the arena, receiving the attention of everyone.

Next, it would be a more cruel ranking battle. The twelve people were divided into four groups by drawing lots, with three people in each group for a round-robin battle. The top two in each group would advance to the top eight, and then conduct an elimination tournament until the final ranking was decided.

The drawing lots began.

Lin Wan looked at the jade stele. He was assigned to Group A, and his opponents in the same group were "Golden Bell" Golden Bell, and another ninth-level Qi Refining Peak Disciple who fought his way up from the loser's bracket, named "Blood Hand" Du Sha. It was said that he practiced some kind of Demonic Technique, and his attacks were ruthless, having already severely injured three opponents in the previous matches.

"Golden Bell, Du Sha..." Lin Wan's eyes flickered slightly. Golden Bell had unparalleled defense, and Du Sha had strange attacks. This group was not easy to fight.

The other three groups were also released quickly.

Group B: Cold Moon, Mo Qi, Zhan Hu.

Group C: Shi Yong, Illusion Butterfly, and a Disciple skilled in Formation.

Group D: Another Disciple who came up from the loser's bracket, and two ninth-level Qi Refining Disciples with slightly weaker strength.

"Group A is the group of death! Golden Bell has invincible defense, Du Sha is ruthless, and Lin Wan's strength is unfathomable. When these three meet, it will be a fight."

"Although Lin Wan's Sword Qi is sharp, can it break Golden Bell's Golden Bell Shield?"

"Du Sha's Demonic Technique is very evil and unpredictable; Lin Wan needs to be careful."

Amidst the discussions, Xuan Zhenzi announced that the group round-robin would start tomorrow. The competition for today ended here, and the Disciples were told to go back and rest well.

Lin Wan returned home, and Liu Ruyan and Xiao Yun were naturally concerned again. He briefly talked about today's battle, then entered the cultivation room to start reviewing.

"Golden Bell's Golden Bell Shield must be some kind of metal-attribute Body Refining Cultivation Technique that also provides Spell defense. Metal-attribute Sword Qi might be able to restrain it, but with his cultivation base at the Peak of the 9th Stage of Qi Refining, combined with the unique nature of his technique, pure Metal-attribute Sword Qi might not be enough to break the defense. I need to break the surface with a single point, or... use fire?"

He thought of that Blazing Sun Blade. Although the Magical Artifact was temporarily sealed and could not be used, the fire-attribute aura attached to it might be something he could comprehend to attempt to condense Fire-attribute Sword Qi. Even if it were just a prototype, it would still have a restraining effect on the metal attribute.

"Du Sha's Demonic Technique lacks sufficient intelligence, but judging from the injuries of his opponents, it seems to be some kind of sinister, poisonous technique that erodes Qi and blood and damages the Meridians. I need to be careful and avoid being hit. Water-attribute Sword Qi excels in healing and Purification, so it might be useful."

"Additionally, my 'Floating Light Sweeping Shadow' and sword technique combination is already quite proficient. However, against an opponent like Golden Bell who acts like a turtle shell, speed doesn't provide much of an advantage. Facing the strange techniques of someone like Du Sha, close-quarters combat carries risks..."

With these thoughts flashing through his mind, Lin Wan began to attempt it.

He took out the Blazing Sun Blade. Although its spiritual essence was sealed, its material and the residual fire-attribute Spiritual Qi inside were still rich. He placed the blade horizontally across his knees, pressed his hands lightly in the air, and circulated the method from the 'Little Five Elements Sword Technique' for condensing Fire-attribute Sword Qi, while simultaneously using his own Spiritual Qi to communicate with the remaining Fire Spiritual power within the blade.

At first, there was no reaction. He lacked a Fire Spiritual Root, so his sensitivity to fire-attribute Spiritual Qi was extremely weak. However, the 'Little Five Elements Sword Technique' was truly an ancient sword technique with profound methods. It emphasized the principle of the Five Elements generating one another, guiding one's own Spiritual Qi to simulate and transform. Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood, Wood generates Fire... Although he lacked a Fire Spiritual Root and could not directly absorb Fire Spiritual Qi from the outside world, he could derive a trace of fire nature from his own Wood-attribute Spiritual Qi.

Inside Lin Wan's Dantian, the Wood-attribute Sword Qi circulated slowly, running along a specific route, attempting to strip away and ignite that trace of "Fire within Wood."

This was an extremely slow and difficult process. For an ordinary Cultivator, if they lacked a Fire Spiritual Root, success would be almost impossible. But Lin Wan had the assistance of the System, and more importantly, he practiced the 'Yin-Yang Harmony Guidance Technique'. The Yin and Yang Qi within his body were harmonious, his Spiritual Qi was balanced and neutral, and it had strong compatibility, giving him a natural advantage in Five Elements transformation.

Time passed bit by bit.

Fine beads of sweat seeped from Lin Wan's forehead, and the Wood-attribute Sword Qi within his body was being consumed rapidly. Just when he thought he was going to fail, suddenly, at the core of the Wood-attribute Sword Qi, a tiny, almost imperceptible crimson spark of fire suddenly ignited!

Although it was as weak as a flickering candle in the wind, it was undeniably a wisp of fire nature!

"It's done!" Lin Wan's spirits lifted. He immediately guided this wisp of fire, circulating and strengthening it according to the sword technique's method. At the same time, the Blazing Sun Blade on his knees vibrated slightly, and a wisp of pure fire-attribute Spiritual Qi was drawn out and merged into the spark.

The spark rapidly grew, transforming into a wisp of crimson flame that danced and flickered at Lin Wan's fingertips, emitting a scorching aura.

Fire-attribute Sword Qi prototype, condensed!

Although it was still very weak and far less refined than the Metal, Water, and Wood-attribute Sword Qi, it was undeniably Fire-attribute Sword Qi! Moreover, because it had fused with a trace of the original Fire Spirit from the Blazing Sun Blade, its quality was quite high, carrying an aura of scorching and explosive Concept.

"With this wisp of Fire-attribute Sword Qi, I have a much better chance of dealing with Golden Bell's Golden Bell Shield." Lin Wan put away the Sword Qi with satisfaction and began to think about strategies for dealing with Du Sha.

The night passed without incident. The next day, the group round-robin tournament officially began.

The first match of Group A was Lin Wan against "Blood Hand" Du Sha.

Du Sha was a thin, pale young man. His eyes glowed with an unnatural scarlet hue, his nails were pitch black, and a faint scent of blood lingered around him. He stared at Lin Wan like a viper eyeing its prey, sticking out his tongue to lick his lips: "Lin Wan? I heard you are very strong. I love strangling geniuses the most."

Lin Wan's expression was calm: "Please."

"The match begins!" As soon as the referee Elder's voice fell, Du Sha's figure flickered, transforming into three blood-colored afterimages that lunged at Lin Wan from different directions! The speed was extremely fast, and each afterimage emitted the same bloody aura, making it difficult to distinguish the real from the fake!

"Blood Shadow Clone?" Lin Wan frowned slightly. He swept his Divine Sense across them, but he couldn't immediately distinguish the truth. These three afterimages seemed to be both physical and illusory.

He dared not be arrogant and immediately unleashed 'Floating Light Sweeping Shadow', retreating gracefully. At the same time, his hands flicked repeatedly, shooting out several light blue Water-attribute Sword Qi beams that darted toward the three blood shadows like agile fish.

Water-attribute Sword Qi was not only sharp but also contained the ability of "Purification" and "Penetration," which restrained sinister and evil Qi.

"Ssss! Ssss! Ssss!"

The Water-attribute Sword Qi struck the blood shadows, emitting a corrosive sound. Two of the blood shadows instantly dissipated, turning into two pools of foul, reeking blood. The last blood shadow was the real body; it was grazed on the arm by a beam of Water-attribute Sword Qi, immediately causing green smoke to rise as he let out a muffled grunt.

"Water-attribute Sword Qi? You do have some tricks." Du Sha's figure appeared. He glanced at the charred wound on his arm, and the scarlet in his eyes intensified. "But it's not enough! Blood Sea Overwhelming the Heavens!"

He clapped his hands together, and the blood light around him surged, transforming into a mist of blood several meters in radius, enveloping both himself and Lin Wan! The mist churned like a sea of blood, from which came the wailing sounds of countless wronged souls, capable of disrupting the mind, eroding Spiritual Qi, and blocking perception!

Being in the blood mist, Lin Wan felt his Spiritual Qi circulation become sluggish, his Divine Sense suppressed, and illusions appeared before his eyes, as if countless blood hands were reaching out from the mist to drag him into an bottomless abyss.

"A combination of Illusion technique and Poison technique?" Lin Wan circulated the 'Yin-Yang Harmony Guidance Technique'. The Yin and Yang Qi flowed, protecting his mind, while the Water-attribute Sword Qi formed a layer of light blue water curtain around him, blocking the erosion of the blood mist.

"Found you!" Du Sha's cold, sinister voice came from somewhere within the blood mist, and a pitch-black finger strike pierced silently toward Lin Wan's back! The finger strike was foul-smelling, contained potent poison, and had extremely strong penetrating power!

Lin Wan had been prepared. The moment the water curtain was touched, his body spun like a top, narrowly dodging the finger strike, while he simultaneously pointed his sword backward! This time, Metal-attribute Sword Qi was the main force, with Water-attribute Sword Qi as support. Metal and Water generated each other, and the Sword Qi was like a rainbow, piercing straight toward the source of the voice!

"Pfft!" The sound of Sword Qi entering flesh came, accompanied by a pained grunt from Du Sha. The blood mist churned violently, revealing Du Sha's staggering figure. There was a bloody hole in his chest, and blood was gushing out, but the blood flowing out was pitch black and emitted a foul stench.

"You... you can actually see through my blood mist?!" Du Sha was both shocked and angry.

"Evil paths cannot last long," Lin Wan said coldly, not giving him any chance to catch his breath. He took a step forward, and the three-colored Sword Wheel appeared again, but this time, there was a faint, almost imperceptible hint of crimson—it was the prototype of the Fire-attribute Sword Qi he had just condensed. Although it wasn't fully integrated, it could already enhance the Sword Wheel's ability to break evil and burn.

The three-colored Sword Wheel rotated, and wherever it passed, the blood mist melted like snow, purified completely. Lin Wan locked onto Du Sha, and the Sword Wheel rolled toward him like a millstone!

"Blood Escape!" Du Sha's expression changed drastically. He spat out a mouthful of essence blood, and his body transformed into a streak of blood light, about to escape.

"Stay!" Lin Wan shouted lowly. The speed of the Sword Wheel skyrocketed, catching up from behind and slashing onto the blood light!

"Ah—!" A shrill scream rang out, the blood light dissipated, and Du Sha fell to the ground, charred all over, breathing his last. It was clear he had been severely injured and had lost his combat ability.

"Lin Wan wins!" The referee Elder immediately announced, and at the same time, deacon Disciples came onto the stage to carry Du Sha away for treatment.

"So ruthless! Du Sha's Demonic Technique was strange, yet it was completely restrained by Lin Wan!"

"That three-colored Sword Wheel seems stronger than yesterday; it has an extra hint of scorching aura and can actually purify the blood mist!"

"This kid has endless tricks. Every time I think I've seen his limit, he reveals a new ability."

There was much discussion off the stage, and the evaluation of Lin Wan was raised once again. Lin Wan walked off the stage with a calm expression, but inwardly he was secretly vigilant. Du Sha's Demonic Technique was indeed strange; if he hadn't condensed the Fire-attribute Sword Qi prototype in advance, and if the Water-attribute Sword Qi didn't have the effect of Purification, he would have likely had to expend a lot of effort. Moreover, the Blood Escape that Du Sha used at the end was clearly a life-saving secret technique; if his Sword Wheel hadn't been fast enough, he would have almost let him escape.

"The Outer Sect is truly full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. I cannot be the slightest bit careless." Lin Wan warned himself.

Next, in the second match of Group A, Golden Bell faced Du Sha. Du Sha had not recovered from his serious injuries and barely managed to hold on for a few moves before admitting defeat.

The third match was Lin Wan against Golden Bell, the battle that would decide the group leader.

On the arena, Golden Bell stood like an Shi Yong, his skin gleaming with a faint metallic luster, the whole person looking like a statue cast in bronze and iron. He looked at Lin Wan and said in a muffled voice: "Junior Brother Lin, your Sword Qi is very strong, but wanting to break my Golden Bell Shield is not that easy."

"Please enlighten me, Senior Brother Golden Bell." Lin Wan cupped his hands.

"The match begins!"

Golden Bell let out a low growl, and the golden light around him surged. A layer of golden light shield, solid as reality, instantly formed, completely enveloping him. The shield was three feet thick, and on its surface, ancient bell-shaped patterns flowed, emitting an indestructible aura. This was his famous unique technique—the Golden Bell Shield!

He stood within the light shield like a fortress, clearly having made up his mind to use his strongest defense to exhaust Lin Wan's Spiritual Qi and look for an opportunity to counterattack.

Lin Wan did not rush to attack. He walked slowly around Golden Bell, his Divine Sense carefully probing every part of the Golden Bell Shield. At the same time, the four-colored light of Metal, Water, Wood, and Fire flickered alternately at his fingertips, sensing the Golden Bell Shield's reaction to Spiritual Qi of different attributes.

The Golden Bell Shield had extremely strong resistance to Metal and Wood-attribute Spiritual Qi and also had decent defense against Water-attribute, but against Fire-attribute, it seemed... slightly lacking?

Lin Wan had a plan in mind. He stopped walking, raised his right hand, and the four-colored light condensed and merged in his palm. This time, it was no longer a three-colored Sword Wheel, but the four-colored light of Metal, Water, Wood, and Fire interweaving. Although the Fire-attribute Sword Qi was the weakest, it was indeed complete with all four elements!

'Little Five Elements Sword Technique'—Four Symbols Sword Cone! With Fire attribute as the point, Metal attribute as the bone, Water attribute as the softness, and Wood attribute as the toughness, the four elements generate each other, specifically designed to break strong defenses!

"Go!" Lin Wan shouted lowly. The four-colored Sword Cone left his hand; at first it was only the size of a palm, but it grew in the wind, transforming into a three-foot-long cone-shaped sword light, carrying the intent of sharpness, penetration, scorching heat, and endless life. Like a meteor falling to the ground, it fiercely pierced toward a certain point on the Golden Bell Shield—it was exactly the spot where the fire-attribute resistance was relatively weak, as probed by Lin Wan's Divine Sense!

"What?! Four-colored Sword Qi?!" Golden Bell's pupils shrank sharply. He felt an unprecedented threat from that Sword Cone! He let out a wild roar, pushing the Golden Bell Shield to the limit, the golden light almost condensing into substance!

"Boom—!!!" The Four Symbols Sword Cone and the Golden Bell Shield collided with a bang! Blinding light erupted, and the deafening roar made the entire arena tremble! Violent air waves swept out, forcing the protective Formation at the edge of the arena to flicker uncertainly!

They stalemated for a few breaths. "Crack..." A subtle but clear sound of shattering came from the point of impact.

Golden Bell's expression changed drastically. He saw that on the surface of the Golden Bell Shield, centered at the point of impact, countless fine cracks were spreading like a spider web!

"Break!" Lin Wan urged with his sword finger, and the Four Symbols Sword Cone's radiance became even brighter, with the Fire-attribute Sword Qi erupting suddenly!

"Boom!" The Golden Bell Shield completely shattered, turning into golden light that dissipated across the sky! Golden Bell was hit as if by a heavy blow, grunted, and staggered back more than ten steps. A trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, and his aura withered. The metallic luster on his body also dimmed; clearly, he had suffered internal injuries.

The Four Symbols Sword Cone hovered three inches in front of Golden Bell's glabella, slowly dissipating.

"You let me win, Senior Brother Golden Bell." Lin Wan retracted his hand.

Golden Bell stood dazed for a moment, then smiled bitterly and cupped his hands: "Junior Brother Lin has divine skills. I... am convinced. Four-attribute Sword Qi, endlessly generating, specifically designed to break strong defenses; I do not feel wronged to lose."

He admitted defeat and left the stage, acting quite straightforwardly.

"Lin Wan wins!" The leader of Group A was born!

The whole audience was in an uproar! Golden Bell's Golden Bell Shield was known as the number one defense of the Outer Sect, and it had left so many experts helpless. Today, it was actually broken head-on by Lin Wan with four-colored Sword Qi! And looking at that Sword Qi, it was actually complete with all four elements: Metal, Water, Wood, and Fire!

"Four-attribute Sword Qi! He is actually a Four Spiritual Root holder?! And he has cultivated Sword Qi for all of them?!"

"No, he lacks a Fire Spiritual Root, so that Fire-attribute Sword Qi seems a bit weaker, but it is undeniably Fire-attribute!"

"A Four Spiritual Root waste? If this is a waste, then what are we? Trash?"

"This kid is probably the biggest dark horse of this tournament. No, he is no longer a dark horse; he is a true top-tier powerhouse!"

On the viewing platform, Peak Master Yue Lingyun of Tianjian Peak stood up abruptly, his eyes shooting out intense light: "Four-attribute Sword Qi?! Although it lacks the Earth attribute and has not formed a complete cycle, he has already touched the threshold of the Five Elements Sword Dao! I have set my sights on this kid! Whoever dares to snatch him from me, I will fight them!"

Xuan Zhenzi and the others looked at each other and smiled bitterly. It seemed that this Lin Wan had completely caught the eye of Peak Master Yue Lingyun. However, the kid's performance was indeed astonishing. A Four Spiritual Root holder with an incredibly fast cultivation speed, who had also comprehended Four-attribute Sword Qi—his future was limitless.

Lin Wan did not know about the shock among the higher-ups. He returned to the rest area and sat cross-legged to adjust his breath. That Four Symbols Sword Cone just now had consumed nearly 40% of his Spiritual Qi and placed a considerable load on his Divine Sense. But the effect was significant; breaking the Golden Bell Shield head-on was enough to deter all opponents.

Next, he only needed to win one more match to ensure a place in the top eight. And his goal was the top three, or even first place!

The group stage continued. In Group B, Cold Moon defeated Ghost Shadow and Zhan Hu consecutively, advancing as the group leader. Ghost Shadow narrowly defeated Zhan Hu, taking second place. In Group C, Shi Yong overpowered Illusion Butterfly and that Formation Master, advancing as the group leader. Illusion Butterfly took second. In Group D, that Disciple who came up from the loser's bracket performed strongly, winning both matches and advancing as the group leader. Another person took second place.

Thus, the top eight were born: Lin Wan, Golden Bell (group second place), Cold Moon, Ghost Shadow, Shi Yong, Illusion Butterfly, as well as the leader of Group D "Mountain Breaker" Yue Shan and the second place "Floating Cloud" Yun Feiyang.

The top eight matches would be decided by drawing lots. Lin Wan looked at the jade stele; his opponent was—Ghost Shadow.

"Ghost Shadow" Mo Qi, whose movement technique was strange and who excelled in sneak attacks and assassinations. Against such an opponent, one needed to be extra careful. Another focal battle was Cold Moon against Shi Yong, a collision of ice and iron. The top eight matches would be held tomorrow. Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night for many.

Lin Wan returned home and entered the cultivation room again. Today, two consecutive fierce battles, especially condensing the Fire-attribute Sword Qi and unleashing the Four Symbols Sword Cone, gave him a deeper understanding of the 'Little Five Elements Sword Technique'. The Dao of the Five Elements was about mutual generation and restraint, with infinite changes. Now that he had initially formed the four elements, although incomplete, he could already initially apply the principle of mutual generation and restraint.

"Ghost Shadow's movement technique is fast and his attacks are strange, but his defense should be a weakness. I need to use area-of-effect attacks to restrict his movements, or use faster speed and stronger attacks to force him into a hard collision."

"My 'Floating Light Sweeping Shadow' is not inferior to his, or even a cut above. The Four-attribute Sword Qi has enough attack power, and for area-of-effect attacks, I have the combination of Water and Wood-attribute Sword Qi, or I can unleash large-scale sword techniques..."

One tactic after another was deduced in his mind, and Lin Wan's aura became increasingly steady. Outside the window, the moonlight was like water. Tomorrow, in the top eight matches, he would unsheathe his sword again, taking a solid step toward a higher goal. Because of him alone, the Qingyun Sect Outer Sect Tournament was thrown into turmoil once again.