Chapter 27: Vacancy, Advancing to the Top 32

Jiang Hai realized that Qin Yu, as a person, clearly had designs on the inner sect disciple slots for this cohort.

Moreover, Qin Yu's feat of killing Qing Shan in a second would not even be guaranteed for Chu Jiang.

This is indeed somewhat beyond ordinary logic.

Qing Shan, though not strong, is only at the second tier of Foundation Establishment and has not reached the peak.

Yet even they would need a considerable amount of time to defeat and suppress Qing Shan.

Qin Yu's method, however, was far too easy—just a single punch ended the fight.

The key is, Qin Yu is still only in the Refining Body Realm!

While they are already in the Foundation Establishment Realm!

How does this feel like the cultivation levels are reversed?

At this moment, Qing Shan was gradually recovering, being helped by the steward down from the arena back into the crowd.

Qing Shan's complexion turned pale, his voice low: "He has mastered Thunder Intent; do not confront him head‑on, even Chu Jiang may not win."

"Do not judge Qin Yu by conventional realms..."

Jiang Hai and the others were somewhat stunned.

They had originally thought Qin Yu was using some thunder‑type martial technique.

But it turned out Qin Yu had mastered Thunder Intent.

Yet isn't this ability only attainable by cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment?

When breaking into the Spiritual Realm, one must master at least one Dao Intent, otherwise the breakthrough fails.

"He's only at the ninth tier of Refining Body; how does he already have Thunder Intent?"

Several of Jiang Hai's second‑tier Foundation Establishment disciples were now staring dumbfounded.

Their hearts instantly went half‑cold.

Some even felt panic, because before reaching the Top 32, encountering Chu Jiang was almost certainly a loss.

Now there is an additional Qin Yu.

How can they still play this game?

Moreover, if these two are not resolved, only one slot will remain.

On their side, besides Qing Shan, there are five other second‑tier Foundation Establishment disciples.

Does this mean they must now turn on each other to fight for that sole slot?

If they had joined forces, they originally had a chance to defeat Chu Jiang in the Beast Trial.

At that time, half of them could have been promoted to Inner Sect Disciple.

But now, there is only one slot…

The few people in the arena now wore indecisive expressions, their gazes wandering, and other thoughts sprouted in their minds.

If they choose to side with Qin Yu or Chu Jiang.

There would still be a chance for promotion…

Jiang Hai, seeing this, tightened his heart, stepped forward to the center of the crowd, cast a grave gaze around, and said in a low voice:

"Now, no other ideas; whether we side with Qin Yu or Chu Jiang, they will not welcome us."

"It would only be adding flowers to an already fine brocade."

"Their own strength is already sufficient for promotion; they only need to vie for the top spot."

"Our joining is inconsequential to them."

"Therefore, unity is the only way."

"In this way we can still fight for our own interests."

After speaking, the fluctuating thoughts of the crowd gradually settled, and morale steadied.

Jiang Hai exhaled lightly and continued: "Send someone right away to investigate where this Qin Yu actually comes from and why we never heard of him in the Outer Sect before."

"A Refining Body cultivator already showing promise should not be a nameless person."

"Moreover, we have already fallen out with Chu Jiang and cannot become enemies with Qin Yu; I suggest we befriend him by offering a Yellow‑tier Spirit Pill, indicating we can join forces against Chu Jiang."

"Then we could create an extra slot; right now it's simply about finding a way to eliminate one of the two."

"Thus, it would be no different from the previous situation."

"We all still have a chance!"

"Choosing one of them, I favor Qin Yu!"

Jiang Hai's gaze swept the crowd again, hoping for an answer.

The others pondered for a moment and then all nodded.

Because their relationship with Chu Jiang is now extremely poor.

A sudden defection may not be accepted by the other side.

So… Qin Yu became their choice.

Only Qing Shan, now with a gloomy expression, knows that the upcoming Outer Sect Grand Competition is irrelevant to him regardless.

He can only lie dormant for another year.

But before turning twenty, one must either break through the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Or rely on the Outer Sect Grand Competition.

Otherwise becoming an Inner Sect Disciple is impossible.

For them, only the second path remains.

Moreover, the Outer Sect Grand Competition requires participants to be under thirty.

Otherwise one can only break through to the Spiritual Realm.

"Good! We agree!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Then Jiang Hai personally walked toward Qin Yu.

Zhang Wu and the others' expressions changed slightly.

Jiang Hai… can rank among the top three forces of the outer sect.

If it weren't for Chu Jiang's fortuitous breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Tier 3, he would basically sit securely at the top.

"Brother Qin, be careful… Jiang Hai is coming," Zhang Wu whispered beside him.

Qin Yu looked up, calmly gazing at Jiang Hai.

The two exchanged a glance.

Then Jiang Hai slightly clasped his hands in a bow: "Greetings, junior brother Qin Yu, youthful and accomplished, a refined‑body disciple of Ninth Tier who can reverse Foundation Establishment Tier 2."

"Such methods are admirable."

"We have no further expectations; as long as the junior brother keeps the prior agreement, we will give our all against Chu Jiang and his group, and the deserved spirit stones will be presented as well."

"Additionally, here is a medium‑grade Yellow‑step Transforming Spirit Herb worth eight thousand spirit stones; its effect surpasses that of a Foundation Establishment pill and is harmless to the root."

"Consider this our token of goodwill."

"We do not wish to become enemies with the junior brother."

Jiang Hai's words were clear and obvious.

It was tantamount to choosing a side.

Many outer‑sect disciples stared here in astonishment.

Jiang Hai… his reputation has echoed through the outer sect for years, yet now he willingly bows so humbly before a refined‑body disciple.

It truly opened one's eyes.

Qin Yu squinted slightly; indeed… no one is a fool.

After the Qing Shan elder reported the earlier duel, Jiang Hai and his group immediately declared their choice.

He had originally prepared for a two‑front war.

"Very well, then, thank you, senior brother." Qin Yu, unceremoniously, slipped the Qiankun Bag into his pouch.

At that time, during the beast trial, he could indeed hold back.

A spirit medicine worth eight thousand spirit stones is, for him… an astronomical figure, unnecessary to refuse.

Jiang Hai, seeing this, a smile rose to his eyebrows, exchanged a brief greeting, then departed.

Chu Jiang lifted his eyelids slightly, a faint cold light flickering.

"Jiang Hai and his group truly lack backbone."

"Heh… what fools, whether they become inner‑sect disciples now is irrelevant."

"The three core figures of the sects are here, and he stoops to present gifts, seeking an alliance; in the eyes of those three, the impression will surely be terrible."

"Even if Qin Yu truly threatens me, as long as I remain steadfast, I will surely earn the favor of those three."

Chu Jiang schemed in his heart.

Now he mainly wishes to earn the respect of Wu Lao and the others.

After all, they came into the outer sect; they can't just watch idly, can they?

Of course, Chu Jiang remains confident he can suppress Qin Yu.

The current Qin Yu shines ever more brightly.

If I can suppress him from now on,

then all the aura will be upon me!

Chu Jiang has already seen through it; Qin Yu is strong, but he lacks a spirit treasure.

But I already possess a full set of Yellow‑step spirit treasures.

Even a direct clash with Foundation Establishment Tier 4 would be no problem.

"These were originally prepared to counter Jiang Hai and his group's alliance."

"I didn't expect to use them on a refined‑body disciple of Ninth Tier like you."

"Consider it your honor, then."

Chu Jiang murmured.

At this moment, only sixty‑three people remained in the arena.

They continued the lottery.

Qin Yu drew number thirty‑two; this round was a direct empty draw, promoting him to the top thirty‑two.