Chapter Seventy: The Grand Competition Concludes

Bai Ruyu nodded and said, “Junior sister, not only has your strength improved greatly, but your outlook has also changed, and your ambitions have grown. Both of us know that the so-called Foundation Establishment stage is merely the groundwork for forming a Core. Establishing the foundation is building the Violet Mansion; the larger and sturdier it is, the higher the quality of the Core, and then there’s a chance to advance to the Infant Transformation stage. Our master built a solid foundation and was immediately taken by the sect leader to cultivate at Heavenly Star Peak, personally nurtured—her cultivation is sure to soar, and her future is limitless. Since we both share this goal, it seems we must settle it by competition. Junior sister, shall we begin?”

Yingxue replied with solemn respect, “Senior sister, all these years, you’ve always let me win whenever we sparred. I am grateful you never discouraged my fighting spirit, allowing me to break free from my restraints. No matter which of us wins the ‘Spirit Fruit King,’ it will be a glory for Fire Wave Peak. Let us truly compete this time, using our strongest techniques—one move decides victory or defeat.”

Bai Ruyu said with satisfaction, “Very well, junior sister. Show me your greatest skill.”

A grave expression appeared on Yingxue’s face. She took a deep breath and tossed out the ‘Flame Spear,’ which transformed to a length of ten feet, flames surging and rolling atop it with fierce might.

She formed a seal and tapped the ‘Flame Spear,’ saying, “Senior sister, take this move—‘Fire Cloud Drill’!”

The flames on the ‘Flame Spear’ suddenly surged to fifty feet, layer upon layer like red clouds, the heat seemingly igniting the air itself. They spun rapidly, forming a sharp drill, which struck toward Bai Ruyu like a bolt of lightning.

Bai Ruyu immediately felt her spiritual power constrict, a sense of mortal danger flooding her heart. Her face showed disbelief—she hadn’t expected her junior sister to progress so swiftly. Not daring to be careless, she released her own imposing aura, stirring her spiritual energy.

She threw out a chilling sword—a supreme magical weapon—formed a seal and said, “Junior sister, impressive! You’ve forced me to use the ‘Ice Phoenix Sword’s Phoenix Cry Slash.’ It shows our strength is nearly equal.”

The ‘Ice Phoenix Sword’ radiated freezing energy, condensing into a milky white giant sword, fifty feet long, accompanied by a piercing phoenix cry as it slashed forth.

At the sound of the phoenix cry, the audience below erupted in excitement; the disciples were full of envy, and even the elders in the stands were moved. Rumor had it the Bai family possessed the bloodline of the Weapon Phoenix, but no one had ever awakened it. This phoenix cry meant Bai Ruyu had clearly awakened a trace of the bloodline—her future was boundless.

The Master of Bamboo Peak, a dark-skinned burly man, turned to Fire Wave Peak’s leader, Daiyue, and said, “Fire Wave Peak truly has many talents among its younger generation. Bai Ruyu has awakened the Ice Phoenix bloodline, and her master built a foundation and is being personally nurtured by the sect leader. It seems Bai Ruyu has the greatest potential. Our Heavenly Star Sect’s prosperity is just around the corner!”

Daiyue smiled slightly and replied calmly, “The sect’s prosperity is not just the responsibility of Fire Wave Peak alone; everyone must take part.”

On the stage, the milky giant sword collided with the ‘Fire Cloud Drill,’ neither yielding, locked together mid-air. The giant sword’s cold surged forth, while the fiery drill bore directly into it.

This technique cost Yingxue dearly; her face was pale from the immense drain on her spiritual power. Bai Ruyu, however, fared better—the ancient Ice Phoenix was a mighty true spirit, its breath freezing ten thousand miles.

Thus, Bai Ruyu felt far less pressure but dared not hold back. Yingxue poured the last of her spiritual power from her core into the ‘Fire Cloud Drill.’

The drill’s rotation sped up, its power increasing, and the Ice Phoenix Sword began to tremble, its cold dispersing, revealing the sword’s true form.

Bai Ruyu nodded inwardly, realizing she would not win without using all her power. Without delay, her core vortex spun rapidly, and she infused her spiritual power into the ‘Ice Phoenix Sword.’

The sword’s cold soared, slashing forward, its chill quickly invading the ‘Fire Cloud Drill.’

With several resounding booms, the ‘Fire Cloud Drill’ shattered, flames scattering, while the ‘Flame Spear’ was enveloped in ice, suspended in mid-air.

Yingxue felt her connection to the ‘Flame Spear’ still intact, but her spiritual power ran sluggishly. Worst of all, her core was empty; she had no energy left.

Yet, the ‘Flame Spear,’ once a supreme spiritual artifact fallen from grace, possessed its own spirit, having been trained by its previous master and stained with their essence.

The freezing of the ‘Ice Phoenix Sword’ invaded, thoroughly awakening the original master’s essence within. Suddenly, a layer of pale blue flame coursed along the spear’s shaft, melting all the ice wherever it touched, eliminating it completely.

Finally, the ‘Flame Spear’ shook, absorbing all the flames into itself, and, as if alive, returned to Yingxue’s side.

Delighted, Yingxue grabbed the ‘Flame Spear,’ stored it in her pouch, and took a Restoration Pill, regaining some spiritual power.

Bai Ruyu was once again astonished, reaching out to reclaim the ‘Ice Phoenix Sword.’

Elder Cui’s clouded eyes flashed with a trace of brilliance, thinking to himself, “Southern Luminous Fire, Vermilion Bird’s flame… what is this? Could it be a damaged treasure?”

Yingxue, her eyes pure as water, said, “Senior sister, I have lost. Your spiritual power is superior, and you possess the Ice Phoenix bloodline—I cannot compare. But I will strive to improve myself.”

“Junior sister, I am glad you think so. Your heart’s knot has been undone.” Bai Ruyu’s face showed joy.

Yingxue declared loudly, “Today, I am defeated by senior sister, and accept it wholeheartedly. I have gained much insight from this competition, and will now return to seclusion, breaking through to Foundation Establishment in one go.”

Daiyue rose into the air, radiating delight. With her cultivation, she could naturally see Yingxue’s transformation and the Southern Luminous Fire.

She spoke with dignified authority, “This competition has been a great success. All disciples who ranked in the top ten will receive two Foundation Establishment Pills. The top three, who performed exceptionally, will receive generous rewards: Wang Yudong in third place receives the lower-grade spiritual artifact ‘Jade Fire Fan’; Yingxue in second place receives one ‘Jade Fire Stone’; Bai Ruyu in first place receives the supreme spiritual artifact ‘Ice Cold Pearl.’ Now, I declare this competition successfully concluded!”

Thunderous applause erupted below.

After a moment, Daiyue continued, “Yingxue has reached the threshold of Foundation Establishment. You may begin your advancement in the cave atop Fire Wave Peak.”

Yingxue immediately bowed and said, “Thank you, Peak Master, for your guidance.”

Daiyue smiled and nodded, then added, “Those who did not reach the top ten, do not lose heart. In a year, the Minor Dao Arena will open, offering a great opportunity to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills. I hope you all participate enthusiastically. This meeting is now adjourned.”

Afterward, the peak masters departed, followed by the elders, and then the disciples each went their own way.

Yingxue summoned her flying sword, stepped upon it, and glanced meaningfully at Ge Qian before soaring away.

Ge Qian smiled and nodded in return, knowing well that Yingxue had forced Bai Ruyu to use her killing move, ‘Phoenix Cry Slash,’ a reminder to be cautious—knowing oneself and the enemy leads to victory. Yet Ge Qian knew Bai Ruyu surely had more tricks.

Bai Ruyu looked toward the direction Yingxue had departed, where a rather ordinary-looking disciple stood, causing her to frown, lost in thought.