Chapter 194: Impossible

Lu Lu Xueqi is also twenty this year.

But he broke through to Qi Refining seventh layer at nineteen, only to be eliminated last year.

He competes again this year.

Seeing his first opponent was Lan Xue, Lu Lu Xueqi's face relaxed.

He knew this fellow sect member had only just advanced to Qi Refining seventh layer, likely still unstable in her realm, while he himself had spent a full year refining at that level—and over that year, he had trained diligently, consumed abundant spirit rice, and taken spirit pills, all to secure a place in the Inner Sect this very match.

Lu Lu Xueqi said nothing extra; he first bowed to the referee, then bowed remotely to Lan Xue, and immediately summoned true qi and magic power—raising a hand seal with one hand while pointing at Lan Xue with the other.

A green flying sword shot forth, radiating emerald light, hurtling toward Lan Xue.

"A mid-tier magic treasure—Lu junior still has some backing," Zhong Meng's lips curled in malicious amusement.

Ma Ma Tianliang remained calm and composed.

Meng Meng Manyun's expression darkened, her eyes losing their luster.

The flying sword slowed increasingly.

Suddenly, the Ice Dragon Sword transformed into a crystalline dragon claw, slamming down hard upon the green sword.

"Don't be reckless—first secure your own safety!" Meng Meng Manyun's face showed clear anxiety.

Generally, defensive magic treasures cost more than offensive ones.

"Damn it! How does she have such a powerful treasure!" Zhong Meng's face turned ashen.

Lan Xue did not recall the Ice Dragon Sword to defend herself—instead, she pressed harder against the shield.

The two swords clashed in midair.

This flying sword surged upward—not turning back to block the Ice Dragon Sword or protect its master—but directly streaking toward Lan Xue's body.

He once owned a low-tier defensive magic treasure, but lost it during an external expedition.

Under the Ice Dragon Sword's assault, the green sword struggled to respond, its surface quickly coated in white frost.

This breakthrough to Qi Refining seventh layer must have cost many spirit stones; being able to afford even one low-tier offensive treasure is already impressive.

The crystalline dragon claw struck hard—the shield trembled violently, its glow dimmed, and frost instantly formed across its surface.

"Boom! Boom!"

The flying sword emitted chilling energy; as soon as it flew out, the surrounding temperature plummeted.

Meng Meng Manyun's face grew grim.

"Good!" Ma Ma Tianliang muttered.

The flying sword flared again, surging skyward.

The crystalline dragon claw seized the moment, lunging through the air toward Lu Lu Xueqi.

In her view, Lan Xue's offensive treasure was immensely powerful, her spiritual power astonishingly pure and abundant, and her control over magic treasures superior—so long as she pressed steadily, without rushing, she would inevitably win.

It was the Ice Dragon Sword—a premium mid-tier treasure, just shy of becoming a high-tier one.

The green sword's glow instantly dimmed, swayed precariously, and fell to the ground.

Clearly, the crystalline dragon claw was too powerful; this shield wouldn't hold long.

"Too little battlefield experience!" Zhong Meng gloated.

On the arena, Lu Lu Xueqi saw the crystalline dragon claw hurtling toward him—he had no time to command his now-controlless, ground-bound sword or dispel the freezing energy invading his body—he flipped his palm and produced a small shield.

The shield glowed green, flew from his hand, and instantly expanded into a massive vine-and-wood shield blocking his front.

The Ice Dragon Sword soon met Lu Lu Xueqi's green sword in midair.

Ma Ma Tianliang's expression darkened too.

"Clang!"

Lan Xue calmly formed hand seals, and a crystal-clear flying sword shot forth.

Lu Lu Xueqi gritted his teeth, poured out spiritual power wildly, and pointed at the fallen sword.

The Ice Dragon Sword twisted like a dragon, unpredictable and fluid.

"How could this happen?" Zhong Meng and Ma Ma Tianliang's faces grew even darker, utterly baffled.

But as if fate had anticipated it.

Though this shield was a low-tier magic treasure, its price rivaled that of an ordinary mid-tier one.

"Sister Lan doesn't just have a powerful treasure—her spiritual power is vast and pure, and her control over magic treasures is exceptional," Meng Meng Manyun said, ignoring Zhong Meng's grim face, her expression delighted.

But the three expressions changed again immediately.

The flying sword pierced the air, leaving behind a spectral image of an Ice Dragon.

This was a low-tier defensive magic treasure.

It was purchased by Lu Lu Xueqi specifically for this selection tournament.

She knew Lan Xue's family background well.

Spiritual power activated.

But now, in her haste, she sought to shatter the opponent's defense too quickly, ignoring the incoming flying sword.

Of course, Lan Xue would cast spells or activate talismans to block it.

But Meng Meng Manyun trusted the defensive power of magic treasures more.

Even if Lan Xue's offense was fierce, the greater likelihood was that her own defense would be breached first by the flying sword, handing victory to the opponent despite a sure win.

Seeing Lan Xue did not recall the Ice Dragon Sword to defend herself, Lu Lu Xueqi's face lit up with surprise.

He poured out even more spiritual power, maneuvering the shield to resist the Ice Dragon Sword's fierce assault while driving his sword forward with unstoppable momentum toward Lan Xue.

In an instant, the sword reached her.

At that moment, a green bead floated before Lan Xue's heart—this was the Bì Tāo Pearl.

The Bì Tāo Pearl emitted green light.

Before Lan Xue appeared a surge of emerald waves.

The waves crashed violently, one after another, striking the charging sword.

The sword could not advance—it was thrown backward by the surging tide.

"Mid-tier defensive magic treasure! It's a mid-tier defensive magic treasure!" Even Ma Ma Tianliang, who had seemed composed until now, could not hide his shock—he gasped aloud, his eyes filled with envy.

Mid-tier defensive magic treasures cost nearly as much as high-tier ones; even with his status, he'd only just saved enough two years ago to buy one.

Yet Lan Xue not only possessed a premium mid-tier offensive treasure, but also a mid-tier defensive treasure—both perfectly suited to her water affinity.

Zhong Meng's facial muscles twisted—jealousy, like a venomous snake, gnawed at her heart, making her suffer unbearably.

"I yield!" Lu Lu Xueqi called out quickly.

At this moment, frost clung to his eyebrows and hair.

"Thank you, I'm honored," Lan Xue retracted the Ice Dragon Sword, bowed respectfully, then stepped down from the arena to await her next match.

"You, Lan Xue—you've got such powerful treasures and never told your senior sister! You made me worry for nothing!" Meng Meng Manyun feigned anger at Lan Xue.

"It's my fault, it's my fault—I just wanted to surprise Senior Sister Meng," Lan Xue replied with an apologetic smile.

"Don't get too confident, Lan Xue. From what I know, at least ten competitors are Qi Refining eighth layer, and many have powerful backgrounds with both mid-tier offensive and defensive treasures—even some possess high-tier offensive treasures."

Only thirty out of two hundred will qualify. Even if you barely make it through this group, you'll still be eliminated later." Zhong Meng sneered.

"Zhong Meng, we're all disciples of the Spirit Field Hall, all live in the Seek Immortal Bazaar, and Lan Xue has helped you countless times with rain and cloud spells for your fields—how can you wish for her to be eliminated!" Meng Meng Manyun finally spoke up, unable to bear it any longer.

She was already old; her life's cultivation would likely never rise beyond Qi Refining peak—now in the Outer Sect, she was little more than waiting to die, with no desires left.

She'd even considered returning to her family to spend her remaining years in peace—she no longer feared Zhong Meng's retaliation.

Nearby, many watching disciples—some newly gathered by Zhong Meng—heard this and turned to look at her, their expressions subtle, thoughtful.

Zhong Meng's face darkened, about to lash out, when Ma Ma Tianliang chuckled: "Sister Meng, you're being too formal. How could Sister Zhong possibly wish for Lan Xue to be eliminated? She's merely worried Lan Xue, after winning her first match, will grow arrogant and careless—she's just dousing her with cold water to remind her to take later opponents seriously."

Zhong Meng's face shifted several times; finally, she forced a smile: "That's right, that's right!"

Meng Meng Manyun and Lan Xue said nothing in response.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

The group round-robin continued.

At sunset, the group matches ended.

In the group of ten, Lan Xue lost two matches.

One to the sole Qi Refining eighth-layer disciple in the group, and one to a disciple who had spent nearly two years refining at Qi Refining seventh layer and wielded two treasures comparable to hers.

Of course, Lan Xue did not reveal her high-tier defensive treasure, the Yi Shui Han Bing Mirror.

Lan Xue was kind-hearted, simple-minded, and lacked guile—but she was by no means foolish.

This Inner Sect selection was of great importance; Xia Daoming had specifically warned her beforehand, so she understood the need to conceal her strength—there was no need to reveal all her cards in non-critical matches.

In the group stage, just securing advancement was enough.

Even so, Lan Xue finishing third in her group shocked many who knew her.

Even Mo Zhanglao was slightly moved upon hearing the news, his expression thoughtful.

The next day, the selection continued.

This round was fiercer.

Ten Qi Refining eighth-layer cultivators.

Over sixty were Qi Refining seventh-layer cultivators who had been eliminated in prior years and had since refined and hardened through experience.

Among them were many with substantial backing, each possessing both an offensive and defensive treasure.

Only a mere twenty or so were like Lan Xue—newly advanced to Qi Refining seventh layer this year.

And those who made it to the second round, like Lan Xue, all possessed powerful treasures.

These one hundred were divided into ten groups.

Each group continues with a round-robin of ten, with the top six advancing.

Lan Xue fought fiercely, gaining deeper insight with each battle, and without using the Yi Shui Cold Ice Mirror, she advanced as fourth in her group.

The third day.

Today is the day to determine the thirty slots for inner disciples.

Platform Three.

The judge is Mo Zhanglao Mo Yongzhi.

Below the platform, Meng Meng Manyun, Zhong Meng, and Ma Ma Tianliang were all present.

Zhong Meng's expression was tense; her palms were clenched tightly, as if she herself were competing in the selection.

Originally, she had wanted to watch Lan Xue's humiliation, planning to mock and ridicule her face-to-face after her elimination.

But fate had other plans.

Lan Xue had overcome one obstacle after another, defeating opponents in two rounds of group matches and advancing to the final round to determine the slots, leaving Zhong Meng deeply anxious, fearing Lan Xue would truly rise into the inner sect.

Then she would become a joke.

Not only a joke, but also someone who had offended an inner disciple—something certainly not beneficial to her.

"Lan Xue versus You Yu."

A voice rang out from the platform.

You Yu, Qi Refining eighth layer, cultivated a fire-based scripture, wielded a Fire Bird Fan, whose attacks were ferocious; combined with fire's naturally volatile nature, he had already injured multiple disciples in the matches.

"It's You Yu from the Alchemy Hall? You're dead now!"

On Zhong Meng's tense face, a cruel smile broke through unhidden; then, as if remembering something, she turned to look at Ma Ma Tianliang beside her.

Indeed, on Ma Ma Tianliang's sturdy face, a faint smile curled at his lips, his fingers lightly stroking his chin, radiating the same sinister aura Zhong Meng recognized.

"Senior Xia Shidi Ma, you…" Zhong Meng sent a mental message.

Before she could finish, Ma Ma Tianliang nodded to her, then deliberately raised one finger and shook it, signaling her to say no more.

Zhong Meng's face instantly lit up with a delighted smile, her heart overflowing with vindictive satisfaction.

Blades and swords have no eyes—nor do magic treasures!

Accidentally injuring an opponent during combat is perfectly normal.

Moreover, this is the inner disciple selection; many disciples would rather die than surrender, clinging to the last sliver of hope, which leads to frequent injuries.

Some injuries are minor and tolerable.

But if the injury is severe, the disciple may be unable to compete again—or if they do, their strength will be drastically diminished.

Thus, in the first two rounds, strong disciples generally avoided fighting to the death against powerful opponents, merely ensuring they advanced; it was the weaker disciples who fought desperately, clinging to that one slim chance.

But today is not only the final match to determine the slots—it's also the match to determine the rankings.

Every year, the top three outer disciples receive generous rewards.

First place: one high-grade offensive magic treasure, plus five Ningyun Pills with breakthrough effects.

Second place: one mid-grade defensive magic treasure, three Ningyun Pills.

Third place: one mid-grade offensive magic treasure, one Ningyun Pill.

One high-grade offensive magic treasure is worth thousands of spirit stones; five Ningyun Pills are worth at least a thousand.

Such a sum of spirit stones is not only a fortune for Qi Refining cultivators—even for Foundation Establishment cultivators at the early stage, it's a massive fortune, requiring years of hard work to accumulate.

For example, Xia Daoming's previous ambush and plunder of a Foundation Establishment cultivator yielded only twenty to thirty thousand.

Thus, some Qi Refining cultivators, though already having broken through to Qi Refining seventh layer, deliberately delay entering the inner disciple selection because they haven't reached the age limit, waiting to accumulate enough strength to soar into the top three and claim the lavish rewards.

Precisely because of this, the final day's matches are always fierce, with many disciples injured.

Losing one match means losing any chance at first place.

No disciple will surrender lightly!

You Yu harbored ambitions of entering the top three.

He was an Alchemy Hall disciple; with elixirs aiding him, he broke through to Qi Refining seventh layer at age seventeen.

After two years of cultivation and refinement, he was now nineteen and a Qi Refining eighth layer disciple.

Moreover, over these years, using his Alchemy Hall status, he had amassed considerable wealth, purchasing a powerful mid-grade magic treasure—the Fire Bird Fan—and a decent mid-grade defensive magic treasure.

"Lan Xue, magic treasures have no eyes. You still have time to surrender now," You Yu said on the platform, idly playing with his Fire Bird Fan, his tone arrogant.

"To surrender without fighting is unworthy of being a Qingyuan Sect disciple!" Lan Xue replied firmly.

"Hah! Good!" You Yu roared with laughter, his Fire Bird Fan erupting in flames that took the form of a firebird, lunging at Lan Xue.

The firebird flapped its wings, hurling fireballs like hailstones at Lan Xue.

Simultaneously, its talons, wreathed in flame, clawed toward her.

Seeing this, Lan Xue released her Ice Chi Sword.

The Ice Chi Sword transformed into a glacial dragon that twisted through the air, drawing the fireballs into swirling ice-and-snow tornadoes to shred them apart.

At the same time, the dragon's claws met the firebird's, attempting to halt it mid-flight.

But You Yu merely sneered, and the firebird soared upward, circling around the Ice Chi Dragon, then resumed its assault on Lan Xue.

Clearly, he trusted his defensive treasure to fully block her attacks, while his own were fierce and sharp enough to quickly breach her defenses.

"It seems Xia Shidi You Yu wants a quick victory!" Ma Ma Tianliang's lips curled into a smile.

"That's troublesome. Rapid assaults are inevitably aggressive; once the defense breaks, if he can't pull back in time, someone will get hurt."

"And You Yu specializes in fire magic—most violent and uncontrollable. Lan Xue should surrender quickly, or she'll truly be injured," Zhong Meng said, a hint of concern on her face—but anyone could hear the malicious glee in her tone.

Meng Meng Manyun glanced at Zhong Meng, his face dark and silent.

As others spoke, on the platform, Lan Xue saw the firebird lunging directly at her body; she immediately urged the Ice Chi Dragon forward to intercept, while her own body darted away, creating distance.

But You Yu was determined to end it quickly; the firebird refused to tangle with the Ice Chi Dragon. Each time the dragon charged to block, You Yu unleashed a violent burst, repelling it, then surged again toward Lan Xue's body.

Lan Xue clearly knew the danger if the firebird reached her, so she repeatedly used the Ice Chi Dragon to stall, while dodging with her body, maintaining distance.

Back and forth they went.

You Yu, eager for victory, unleashed full power each time, consuming far more energy.

Yet Lan Xue's control of the Ice Chi Sword flowed like clouds and water; her body moved swiftly and fluidly, astonishing many spectators.

Still, no one believed Lan Xue would win.

With equal-tier magic treasures and a one-layer realm gap, even if Lan Xue employed tactics well and executed her spells and movements flawlessly, she could only delay her inevitable defeat.

"In just two days of intense combat, Sister Lan has improved rapidly—she seems almost reborn. Too bad her opponent today is You Yu, too powerful. I hope she isn't injured—it would be such a pity," Meng Meng Manyun thought, his eyes unconsciously turning to Zhong Meng and Ma Ma Tianliang.

But that glance stirred an inexplicable unease in Meng Meng Manyun's heart.

"Lan Xue, since you refuse to yield, don't blame me for going all out!" On the platform, You Yu, finally enraged by Lan Xue's evasion, glared with murderous intent, his fingers rapidly forming seals as his magic power surged.

Suddenly, the firebird swelled violently, its wings flapping as countless fiery feathers shot out like a storm, engulfing nearly half the platform and swallowing Lan Xue whole.

"Little Burning Heaven Technique!" Mo Mo Yongzhi frowned, fingers forming seals, her magic power primed to rescue Lan Xue from the inferno.

This technique was taught only to Qingyuan Sect inner disciples, instantly unleashing the true qi stored in two extraordinary meridians to unleash a massive area-of-effect fire attack.

It was typically a last-resort move among Qingyuan's fire-cultivating inner disciples; if it failed to repel or kill the enemy, the user would fall into weakness, their combat power drastically reduced, and recovery would take a long time.

You Yu, an outer disciple, had learned it prematurely—and now used it against a fellow disciple—surprising and displeasing Mo Mo Yongzhi.

"Ah, the Little Burning Heaven Technique? Lan Xue is bound to lose and get hurt!" Ma Ma Tianliang sighed with feigned regret.

Before Ma Ma Tianliang's sigh had even faded…

The center of the inferno suddenly darkened.

Flames, like flowers frozen to death, began falling, then cracked open and vanished into nothingness.

Lan Xue stepped forward from the fire, holding the Yi Shui Cold Ice Mirror.

Rolling cold energy poured from the mirror, forming a mist of ice that surrounded and enveloped her.

Flames that landed upon it froze instantly, then shattered and disappeared.

Emerging with her was a crystalline, ice-chilled Ice Chi Dragon.

This time, the Ice Chi Dragon did not block the firebird—it lunged straight at You Yu.

"High-grade defensive magic treasure!"

The crowd below the platform gasped; even Mo Mo Yongzhi rose to her feet, staring at the Yi Shui Cold Ice Mirror in Lan Xue's hand with surprise and envy.

As a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator with sharp eyesight, she instantly recognized: the mirror wasn't merely a high-grade water-based defensive magic treasure—it was a top-tier specimen, worth no less than a top-grade offensive treasure, likely starting at twenty thousand spirit stones.

Twenty thousand spirit stones—even Mo Mo Yongzhi couldn't afford it outright; she'd have to sell off family assets to raise such a sum.

And now, a Qi Refining seventh-layer disciple held such a treasure—how could Mo Mo Yongzhi not be astonished, even envious?

"Impossible! How could this be! That's a high-grade defensive magic treasure! Where did she get the spirit stones to buy it?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Below the platform, Zhong Meng and Ma Ma Tianliang felt like they were going mad.

They simply could not imagine that Lan Xue, whom they had always treated as a fool to exploit, now wielded a high-grade defensive magic treasure.

Such a treasure—Zhong Meng couldn't afford it, and even Ma Ma Tianliang, if he sold himself, couldn't buy it.

You Yu was stunned.

What the hell—was this really a Qi Refining seventh-layer cultivator?

Isn't this the kind of item only Foundation Establishment cultivators could afford?

But now was not the time for You Yu to be stunned.

The Ice Chi Dragon was already upon him—he had to defend.

You Yu hastily pulled out a crimson small shield, transforming it into a wall of fire before him.

The Ice Chi Dragon struck the fire wall.

The wall of fire trembled slightly.

The mid-rank defensive magic artifact had formidable defensive power; the Ice-Chi Dragon could not break through.

But You Yu's expression grew grim.

Because Lan Xue was pressing forward step by step, drawing closer, and as the control distance shortened, the Ice-Chi Dragon's attack power grew stronger.

The wall of fire began to shake violently; clusters of fireballs exploded into sparks scattering in all directions, thinning the wall.

You Yu manipulated the Fire Bird Fan to retreat in defense.

But this time, it was the Ice-Chi Dragon that avoided direct confrontation, circling past the fan to strike the wall of fire directly.

This close-range exchange was precisely the tactic he had once desired.

But now, You Yu felt like crying without tears.

His magic power was heavily depleted, and he had cast the "Little Burn Heaven Art"; his combat strength was greatly diminished, while his opponent was protected by a high-rank defensive artifact. His Fire Bird Fan's attacks against Lan Xue's physical body were as ineffective as scratching an itch.

And as the battle distance continued to shrink, Lan Xue's every strike was ferocious—each one struck him like a heavy blow, forcing his already scarce true qi and magic power to drain rapidly.

If this continued even slightly longer, defeat was certain.

Soon, You Yu reluctantly conceded defeat.

There was no choice: if he had taken Lan Xue seriously from the start, prepared to maneuver and fight a prolonged battle, he might still have had a chance to win—after all, controlling a high-rank defensive artifact consumed vast amounts of true qi and magic power at all times.

Unfortunately, he had underestimated Lan Xue, overextended himself at the outset, and once she unleashed the Yi Shui Cold Ice Mirror, she had already secured an invincible position.

Seeing You Yu concede, Zhong Meng turned ashen, while Ma Ma Tianliang could no longer maintain his genial facade—his face darkened completely.

If You Yu, with his Qi Refining eighth-layer cultivation and two mid-rank magic artifacts, had fallen, Lan Xue's selection as an inner sect disciple was now certain; the only question remaining was whether she could claim one of the top three spots.

Meanwhile, Mo Zhanglao gazed at Lan Xue, his thoughts turning, and he vaguely suspected this matter was somehow connected to Xia Daoming.

(End of Chapter)