35: Chapter 35 Preliminary Round Ends

Cao Yang and his two companions intended to go watch Third Senior Sister's match. In reality, the Nascent Soul competition area was not far from the Golden Core competition area, and given their cultivation levels, they could see it just by using their Divine Sense.

However, Divine Sense could not compare to watching with one's own eyes; only by watching in person could one get a better visual experience.

Unfortunately, by the time Cao Yang and the others arrived at the Nascent Soul competition area, Hua Xinyu had already finished her match.

After chatting for a while, Cao Yang and the three Senior Sisters returned to the Soul Transformation competition area.

Soon, it was time for the Eldest Senior Sister to take the stage. Mu Wanying's opponent was a female Disciple from Falling Flower Valley at the Middle Stage of Soul Transformation. Mu Wanying defeated her opponent easily without even needing to use a Magic Treasure.

Afterward, Cao Yang took the stage several more times, defeating his opponents instantly with a single sword strike every time; he essentially had no real competition.

Su Xuan and Xiao Lingxue also defeated their opponents easily every time.

This left Eldest Senior Sister Mu Wanying deeply shocked. She hadn't expected that after closing off for a period of cultivation, thinking she had become a powerful Soul Transformation Cultivator, her two Junior Sisters would suddenly become even stronger than her.

Finally, the top ten of the Soul Transformation Realm were decided, but during the post-match challenges, two people were replaced, one of whom was defeated by Hu Jiutian.

After the challenge period ended, the top ten of the Soul Transformation competition area were: Moyang Sword Sect: Cao Yang, Mu Wanying, Su Xuan, Xiao Lingxue; Xingyun Sect: Hu Jiutian; Seven Kill Sect: Huang Shiying; Xianlin Pavilion: Chen Yu; Falling Flower Valley: Liu Yiran; Lords of Desolate City: Huang Xiongba, Huang Gufeng.

After their matches and hearing the rankings announced, Su Xuan and Xiao Lingxue went to find Fu Xiaoya and Hua Xinyu.

After hearing the rankings announced, Cao Yang and Mu Wanying intended to find the other Senior Sisters to see how their matches were progressing.

But before they could leave, their path was blocked by Hu Jiutian.

"Brother Hu, I wonder what business you have with me?" Cao Yang looked at Hu Jiutian, having long guessed his intention, and asked while deliberately pretending to be unaware.

He knew that while Hu Jiutian appeared to be inviting him for a drink, in reality, he was likely coveting the Gale Sword in his hand.

After the last match ended, when Hu Jiutian was leaving the stage, he had cast a slight glance at the sword in Cao Yang's hand. This subtle action naturally could not escape Cao Yang's keen Divine Sense.

"It is like this, Brother Cao. Do you remember when I mentioned inviting you for a drink? Baihua Tower in Nebula City recently introduced a famous wine known throughout the entire Tianxuan Realm—Hundred Flower Brew. I wonder when Brother Cao might be free; we could go and taste it together."

Hu Jiutian still maintained his dashing image, as if he were a refined gentleman.

"Hundred Flower Brew is a famous wine from a century ago! It is said that the brewing method for this wine had long been lost. Could it be that Baihua Tower has found the secret recipe that had been missing for many years?" Mu Wanying asked from the side.

"That is correct, Miss. You are right. Baihua Tower announced that they have repurchased the lost secret recipe at a high price," Hu Jiutian replied.

Hu Jiutian paused for a moment, then continued, "Furthermore, some people who love to drink have already tasted it, and they all say it is a rare and exquisite wine."

"Very well. If there is such a fine wine, I certainly would not want to slight Brother Hu's good intentions. How about we wait until the exchange tournament matches are over before going together?" Cao Yang replied. Since the other party was putting on a facade of goodwill, it would not be appropriate for him to refuse.

Hu Jiutian said happily, "Brother Cao is straightforward. That is settled then; I will come to find you when the time comes."

"Very well."

Cao Yang watched Hu Jiutian's retreating back and fell into deep thought.

Mu Wanying turned to look at Cao Yang. A hint of worry appeared on her beautiful face as she said softly, "Junior Brother, although I have heard that Hu Jiutian is a decent person, you defeated him and caused him to lose the title of the number one Genius of this generation in the Tianxuan Realm. Yet, he is acting so enthusiastically toward you, to the point where it feels excessive. Is it possible there is some conspiracy in this situation?"

The corners of Cao Yang's mouth lifted slightly, and his eyes flashed with a confident light. He comforted her, "Eldest Senior Sister need not worry. If he truly has some conspiracy, then he will only have to suffer the consequences himself. But if he genuinely wants to befriend me, then that would naturally be for the best."

Mu Wanying nodded gently, indicating she understood, but she still could not help but remind him, "Junior Brother, even though he appears to have no ill intent, the Sect behind him is powerful and far superior to our Sect. Therefore, you must still be very careful."

Cao Yang smiled and patted Mu Wanying's shoulder, saying with a firm tone, "Eldest Senior Sister, rest assured. Their Sect might be an insurmountable mountain to others, but to me, I could easily destroy it with a wave of my hand. Therefore, you do not need to worry too much." After saying this, he gave Mu Wanying a reassuring look.

Looking into Cao Yang's eyes, the worry in Mu Wanying's heart gradually dissipated. She nodded gently and replied, "Mm, that is good."

Mu Wanying wondered to herself if the trump cards Junior Brother left behind from his past life were still this powerful. Could Junior Brother have been a hundred-thousand-year-old monster in his past life? One must know that Mahayana powerhouses only have a lifespan of ninety thousand years. A hundred-thousand-year-old monster would definitely be an Immortal; just thinking about it was terrifying.

The two arrived at the Golden Core competition area together. Many people had already left, and it looked like the matches had concluded.

The two found Fu Xiaoya and Xiao Lingxue. Fu Xiaoya had entered the top ten without any difficulty.

Cao Yang and the three women headed toward the Nascent Soul competition area together. Before the three of them could arrive, they encountered Hua Xinyu and Su Xuan.

"Third Junior Sister, we were just about to look for you. Has your match finished too? Did you make it into the top ten?" Mu Wanying asked.

Su Xuan said impatiently, "You wouldn't believe it, Third Junior Sister won so easily! Those people couldn't even take three moves from Third Junior Sister before admitting defeat one after another."

Cao Yang also nodded in understanding and said, "Mm, this is normal. Given Third Senior Sister's Physique, within the same major Realm, unless someone cultivates an Advanced Cultivation Technique specifically designed to counter charm, there should be very few who are Third Senior Sister's opponents."

The other women deeply agreed. Hua Xinyu's Physique was too Heaven-Defying, especially for Cultivators of lower Realms; it was as terrifying as a Heart Demon.

"By the way, where is Master? It seems Master was presiding over the Nascent Soul competition area, right?" Fu Xiaoya also spoke up.

"Master left with a female Elder from the Xingyun Sect, saying she had some matters to attend to and told us to return to the courtyard first," Hua Xinyu said.

Cao Yang and the women returned chatting and laughing. Second Senior Sister Su Xuan even kept holding Cao Yang's hand, only letting go when they reached the courtyard arranged by the Xingyun Sect.