"If Xu Yi doesn't appear on stage soon, this match will be considered a forfeit."
The elder of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect surveyed the surroundings, his gaze finally settling on the direction of the Xuanji Sect.
A commotion had already broken out on the competition stage.
This was the first time someone had voluntarily forfeited before a match even began, and it was even more astonishing that this person was a disciple of the Xuanji Sect.
It had undoubtedly become a topic of discussion among the many cultivators.
After looking around, Qiu Tianying let out a cold snort, his expression full of amusement.
Ha, the Xuanji Sect!
"Number sixty-six, Xu Yi..."
Before the remaining words could be spoken, a clear female voice suddenly rang out.
"Number sixty-six, Xu Yi is here."
In the blink of an eye, a female cultivator dressed in a light cyan Daoist robe stood on Arena Thirty-three.
The female cultivator was tall, and a apologetic expression was on her face.
The elder of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect glanced at her. His furrowed brow gradually relaxed upon sensing the unique Buddhist aura she exuded, and he even nodded at her in a friendly manner.
Xu Yi bowed in return, feeling flattered, and secretly rejoiced that she had made it just in the nick of time.
Standing on another arena, Xiong Zhuangzhuang's eyes widened with surprise upon seeing Xu Yi, and his muscles twitched powerfully.
A while ago, it was thanks to Xu Yi that he had managed to emerge unscathed from the Ten Thousand Monster Ridge.
He was extremely grateful to Xu Yi, but that did not diminish his resolve to fight her.
Xu Yi was strong, and therefore, he eagerly anticipated clashing with her.
They were friends, and they could also be rivals.
At the same time, Bei Xinghan, who shared the same thought, also felt a flicker of joy in his eyes.
Only Xu Yi could ignite his fighting spirit.
Lu Zaiye's sharp eyes softened slightly upon seeing Xu Yi, but he felt quite puzzled.
How had his junior grand-disciple's cultivation improved so rapidly?
While the Xuanji Sect and the Xuanqing Sect were both surprised and delighted by Xu Yi's appearance below the competition stage, only one person's face turned pale, his lips trembling uncontrollably.
No, this is impossible!
How could Xu Yi be Su Mei'er!
No, there must be something wrong.
Qiu Tianying looked dazed and muttered, "I must have seen wrong. Su Mei'er and Xu Yi look very similar, but they are definitely not the same person."
His whisper was heard by Qiu Yuanfeng, causing Qiu Yuanfeng's imposing face to grow even more solemn.
"The match begins."
Xu Yi's spirit lifted, she calmed her mind, and focused her attention on the person opposite her.
Upon looking, she immediately raised her eyebrows in surprise, "It's you."
Lu Zi'ang's face was grim. "I also didn't expect my first opponent to be Senior Sister Xu of the Xuanji Sect."
Lu Zi'ang emphasized the words "Xuanji Sect" in his tone.
"Haha," Xu Yi let out an awkward laugh. "Yes, what a coincidence, what a coincidence."
The two did not rush to compete but instead started chatting, appearing particularly out of place among the other matches, with many cultivators beginning to point and whisper at their arena.
"Junior Brother Lu, same old rules, you go first."
Xu Yi was very polite and humble.
Lu Zi'ang gripped the long spear in his hand tightly, then slightly loosened it, took a deep breath, and said quickly, "Senior Sister Xu, for the sake of our acquaintance, how about letting me have three moves?"
Lu Zi'ang knew very well that he was no match for Xu Yi.
If the Xu Yi of the past had made Lu Zi'ang believe he had a chance to win, the current Xu Yi, even before making a move, made him feel a chilling threat.
This was his first time participating in the Grand Competition for Nascent Soul stage disciples, and he did not want to lose too badly.
Therefore, he endured the shame and asked Xu Yi to go easy on him.
Xu Yi was taken aback for a moment, then readily nodded, "Alright."
Lu Zi'ang's request did not pose any difficulty for her. It even lessened her guilt for hiding her identity, and she was happy to help.
Lu Zi'ang bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Senior Sister Xu."
With that, he moved his wrist, and the long spear stabbed towards Xu Yi like lightning, its sharp tip tearing through the air with a piercing whine.
Xu Yi instinctively stepped back to dodge Lu Zi'ang's spear, but then she forcefully stopped herself, drawing her disciplinary ruler to block.
Bang!
Both figures retreated several steps simultaneously, appearing to be evenly matched.
Lu Zi'ang looked up in shock, his gaze meeting Xu Yi's smiling eyes. In an instant, he understood her intentions.
His eyes lit up, and he unhesitatingly charged forward again, raising his spear.
Spear shadows flickered, faintly accompanied by the roaring and coiling of a green dragon, dazzling the onlookers.
True Master Qinglian had kept his eyes on Xu Yi since her appearance. Seeing that she and Lu Zi'ang were fighting back and forth, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, followed by understanding.
The anger he had felt because of Xu Yi subsided significantly. He chuckled and cursed, "This Xu Yi is truly sly!"
It was not in vain that he had spent so many treasures on her.
The disciples of the Xuanqing Sect, observing the astonished and excited gazes of others, gradually noticed the situation and secretly envied Lu Zi'ang.
Senior Brother Lu was truly stealing the show this time; he would be honored even in defeat.
Indeed, only after all other arenas were cleared did Xu Yi strike down the weakened Lu Zi'ang.
"Arena Thirty-three, Xu Yi wins."
After receiving her new token from the elder of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, Xu Yi immediately leaped off the stage and headed towards the Xuanji Sect.
"Master..."
"Cough, cough, Elder Qingfeng, it's been a long time."
Xu Yi greeted him before Elder Qingfeng could speak.
"All good, all good," Elder Qingfeng responded with a smile, not missing a beat.
Xu Yi then greeted the stern-faced man beside Elder Qingfeng, "True Master Jiugong is also here."
True Master Jiugong's expression was serious, and as he was about to speak, Elder Qingfeng interrupted him.
"As soon as he heard that you had discovered a promising talent in the Way of Formations, he immediately decided to come along and asked me about it countless times along the way."
True Master Jiugong glared displeasuredly at the talkative Elder Qingfeng before nodding at Xu Yi.
Xu Yi slapped her head and turned to call out towards the Xuanqing Sect, "Yang Mei, come here quickly."
"Coming!"
Yang Mei, who had long been unable to contain her excitement, heard Xu Yi's summons and immediately trotted out from the Xuanqing Sect's ranks, standing beside Xu Yi. She looked nervously and apprehensively at True Master Jiugong opposite them.
Elder Qingfeng glanced at Yang Mei in surprise, then at the Xuanqing Sect disciples who were peeking over, and suddenly smiled.
Interesting.
True Master Jiugong did not overthink, keeping a stern face, his expression serious, giving no clue to his thoughts.
Yang Mei's excited emotions quickly subsided under True Master Jiugong's gaze, her rosy cheeks gradually turning pale.
What should I do? The master my senior found for me doesn't seem to like me.
Seeing the atmosphere become tense, Xu Yi said to Yang Mei, "Yang Mei, show True Master Jiugong the formation disk you refined. He is the most powerful formation cultivator in our Xuanji Sect."
"Oh, oh, okay."
Yang Mei was stunned for a moment before fumbling to take out her newly refined formation disk and respectfully offering it to True Master Jiugong with both hands.
True Master Jiugong took the formation disk and examined it carefully, but his expression did not soften.
Yang Mei's heart sank to the bottom.