C20 He Was Ranked First!

"Uncle-Master—"

Elder Xu cried out in alarm once more. As he moved to intervene, he caught a glimpse of a peculiar glint in Elder Xuanfeng's eyes and hesitated, his response delayed by a crucial moment.

Smack!

Smack!

Elder Xuanfeng's hands landed simultaneously on the heads of Feng Yi and Tian Ji. The two had braced themselves for the worst, closing their eyes in anticipation of death. Instead, a soothing Spiritual Force coursed through their bodies, bringing an unexpected comfort.

Moreover, Elder Xu, who had paused momentarily, now also laid his hands upon them, channeling a gentle Spiritual Force to heal their injuries.

"Hmph, it's merely a contest, and yet you fought as if it were a matter of life and death. Where does that leave the rules of the Profound Heaven Sect? However, considering that you both are esteemed talents of our Sect, I'll spare you the death penalty. But make no mistake, after the competition, you will atone by serving me."

Elder Xuanfeng's voice was stern, yet there was an unmistakable note of appreciation for their potential. His so-called punishment seemed almost an afterthought.

"Tian Ji, you certainly didn't hold back, going so far as to cripple the young man's legs."

Elder Xuanfeng commented as he withdrew his hands and began to examine Feng Yi's legs.

Tian Ji's brow furrowed, and he suddenly remembered Elder Xuanfeng, quickly offering an explanation: "Elder Xuanfeng, I never anticipated that Feng Yi would be so reckless, willing to sacrifice his own legs just to defeat me."

A look of dejection crossed Tian Ji's face; he was yet unaware that Elder Xu had declared their match a draw, allowing both to advance.

"Oh?"

Elder Xuanfeng uttered a soft sound of intrigue, his expression one of mild astonishment as he regarded Feng Yi.

"To think you possess such resolve."

With those words, Elder Xuanfeng produced a Pill, clapped his hands forcefully, crushing the Pill, and applied it to Feng Yi's legs.

A tingling sensation spread from Feng Yi's legs throughout his body, feeling as though countless ants were scurrying within his flesh, causing his body to convulse involuntarily.

"Alright, get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, you'll be back in the arena, full of energy," Elder Xuanfeng declared. With a wave of his hand, a gentle surge of Spiritual Force whisked Feng Yi and Tian Ji out of his cave.

"Don't forget, after the tournament, you owe me some hard labor," he added.

Shortly after, Elder Xu appeared at the cave entrance, his gaze stern. "If you two resort to such brutality in tomorrow's tournament, don't blame me for stripping you of your powers and banishing you from the Profound Heaven Sect."

Feng Yi and Tian Ji, momentarily taken aback, quickly regained their composure and called out to the departing Elder Xu, "Elder, does this mean we've both advanced?"

"Hmph, just make sure you behave yourselves!" Elder Xu didn't answer their question, instead leaving them with a warning before vanishing from sight.

"Feng Yi, we'll have our rematch tomorrow!" Tian Ji, unable to hide his excitement at advancing, fixed Feng Yi with a steely gaze, his voice tinged with anticipation.

"Anytime you're ready!" Feng Yi retorted, refusing to back down. He then dashed off toward his cave.

Thanks to Elder Xuanfeng's Pill, Feng Yi's legs were still healing but he could manage to walk. In no time, he was back in his cave, tending to his wounds.

In the dead of night, a soft patter of footsteps approached Feng Yi's cave. He quickly stepped outside, only to furrow his brow in disappointment. It wasn't Ms Fairy, as he had hoped, but Wen Tianjiao, a fellow disciple.

"You—"

Before he could get another word out, Wen Tianjiao cut him off. "Save it. I'm not here for myself; I'm here on behalf of Senior Sister Qingcheng. I can't fathom why she'd bother helping someone like you—a mere toad aspiring to dine on swan meat. You're delusional."

Her words dripped with scorn and haughtiness. Without another word, she flicked her wrist, sending a porcelain bottle spiraling toward Feng Yi.

Feng Yi's jet-black hair quivered ever so slightly, a clear sign that he was holding back a surge of anger. At that moment, Feng Yi felt an overwhelming urge to give Wen Tianjiao a couple of resounding slaps.

Yet, as the porcelain bottle sailed through the air towards him, he instinctively reached out and caught it. Upon opening it and taking a whiff, he recognized the contents as a Healing Pill.

"This is..."

"Yes, this is from Senior Sister Qingcheng. She also had a message for you."

"What message?"

Feng Yi's demeanor shifted as he inquired.

"To pursue the path of cultivation, you must first ensure your survival. Otherwise, how can you aspire to become an immortal and soar through the heavens?"

Wen Tianjiao's words hung in the air as she lightly stepped into the void and disappeared, leaving Feng Yi to ponder alone.

Soar through the heavens!

"Do you wish to become an immortal?"

"Yes, I aim to become an immortal and soar through the heavens!"

Feng Yi was awash with emotion, hardly believing that Ms. Fairy still remembered those words from long ago.

"I must live, I must become an immortal, I must soar through the heavens!"

There was a resolute undertone in Feng Yi's words, and his expression was one of unwavering resolve.

Feng Yi grasped the essence of Ms. Fairy's advice. While victory was significant, his life was paramount. Only by staying alive could he achieve immortality; death would render all else moot.

With renewed determination, Feng Yi swiftly returned to his cave dwelling and consumed the Healing Pill given by Ms. Fairy, commencing his recovery.

Atop a distant mountain peak, two graceful silhouettes stood side by side, one of whom was Wen Tianjiao, who had hurried back.

"Senior Sister Qingcheng, a disciple with a Five-element False Spirit Root is likely to only reach the Foundation Stage at best. Why do you go out of your way for him, especially when he seems so ungrateful?"

Wen Tianjiao spoke to her companion, her tone laced with a touch of discontent.

The companion was none other than Feng Yi's Ms. Fairy, Ye Qingcheng, who, for reasons unknown, chose not to approach Feng Yi this time and instead observed from a distance.

"Tianjiao, if that person were your brother, what would you do?"

"I would help him without a second thought!"

"Feng Yi is like a brother to me. If I don't help him, who will?"

"This—"

A flicker of confusion crossed Wen Tianjiao's face.

"In truth, Feng Yi isn't your brother; you two share no blood relation."

Wen Tianjiao's words plunged Ye Qingcheng into contemplation. After a moment, Ye Qingcheng sighed, "Well, let's leave it to fate."

With that, they returned to their cave abode, and before they knew it, morning had dawned on the next day.

The plaza was bustling with people, and the high platform still hosted the five Chief Masters. Feng Yi and Tian Ji stood prominently at the forefront, alongside the victors from the previous day.

"Today marks the final day of the Grand Competition. Let's not have a repeat of yesterday's incident."

Elder Xu's voice boomed, his eyes flashing a warning chill as he scanned the crowd, finally resting on Feng Yi and Tian Ji as if cautioning them specifically.

"Today we will determine the top three. Those who believe they can fight to the very end, step up to the arena!"

No sooner had Elder Xu spoken than two figures sprang onto the stage—one leaping to the first platform and the other to the last.

The two exchanged glances from afar, their eyes sparking with a cold intensity as a formidable Battle Will radiated from them. It was Feng Yi and Tian Ji, who seemed to have an unspoken agreement to avoid direct confrontation.

With Feng Yi and Tian Ji taking the stage first, the remaining forty-nine competitors were quick to follow suit, each claiming a spot on the eight remaining platforms. In moments, all opponents were chosen.

The situation turned awkward, unbearably so.

On the platforms of Feng Yi and Tian Ji, no challengers appeared. The two stood there, a hint of embarrassment in their eyes. Without challengers, how would the outcome be determined?

As the other eight platforms erupted with the sounds of combat, Feng Yi and Tian Ji found themselves idle, their attention shifting to those who had yet to take the stage.

However, the remaining victors all avoided the gazes of the two men, their attention fixed on the eight stages as if deliberately shunning any eye contact. The air was filled with their cheers.

Tian Ji was the top contender of the outer sect—no one dared to challenge him!

Yet, Feng Yi had fought Tian Ji to a standstill just the day before. He had even bested two Inner Sect Disciples, rising to a level of prowess akin to Tian Ji's. Who would dare challenge him now?

It seemed that the forty-nine victors from the previous day harbored no ambitions for first or second place, setting their sights instead on third.

As expected, once the top eight were determined in the arenas, not a soul stepped forward to challenge Feng Yi or Tian Ji.

However, the remaining ten still had to face off. To Feng Yi and Tian Ji's surprise, their opponents wore expressions of resignation as soon as they stepped onto the stage, muttering about their misfortune and promptly conceding.

Thus, Feng Yi and Tian Ji effortlessly advanced to the top five. Even when the top three were being decided, both their opponents conceded!

When it came time to vie for first place, one opponent went so far as to propose to Elder Xu that he was content with third place. Just as Feng Yi and Tian Ji prepared for another epic showdown, Elder Xu unexpectedly declared them joint champions.

"Elder Xu!"

A fierce glint flashed in the eyes of both Feng Yi and Tian Ji, their Battle Will surging as they yearned for another clash.

But Elder Xu issued a stern warning: "This is the decision of the five Chief Masters. Should you two dare to defy this or engage in a private duel, do not fault me for stripping you of your cultivation and banishing you from the sect!"

With Elder Xu's formidable presence bearing down on them, they had no choice but to relent. Ultimately, Elder Xu presented each of them with a medicinal bottle.

Feng Yi and his companions were visibly thrilled, for they knew the contents of those bottles.

Foundation Building Pills!

A treasure coveted by every cultivator at the peak of the Qi Condensation Stage, these pills were exceedingly rare and valuable!

Yet, as Feng Yi and Tian Ji joyfully accepted their Foundation Building Pills and prepared to observe the Inner Sect Disciples' contest, a stern voice echoed in the ears of all present.

Feng Yi and Tian Ji's faces registered sheer astonishment; they recognized the voice all too well—it was none other than Elder Xuanfeng!

"You two rascals, have you forgotten the agreement we made just yesterday?"