The group continued their discussion for a long while, only dispersing when the moon reached its zenith.
"The Golden Core stage matches start tomorrow," Feng Qingping said, stretching her arms. "The few of us should get ready."
Zhu Yinxi twirled the jade flute in his hand. "There aren't many participants in the Golden Core stage. The winner will be decided within seven days."
"As for the direct disciples from Sword Heart Sect, only Pei Ji and Qu Chen are in the Golden Core stage. One is at the late stage, the other at the mid-stage."
Li Nanzhu counted on her fingers. "Then on our side, we have Second Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother, and Fifth Senior Sister. We still have the advantage in numbers."
"The three of us have to go draw lots tomorrow," Feng Qingping said, ruffling Li Nanzhu's hair. "Little Junior Sister and Seventh Junior Brother should get some good rest."
Duan Xianxing patted his chest. "Don't worry, Fifth Senior Sister, I'll take good care of Little Junior Sister and Sixth Senior Brother!"
Feng Qingping rolled her eyes at him. "I’m telling you to stay out of trouble!"
Amidst the laughter, everyone returned to their rooms.
Just as Li Nanzhu reached her door, Suisui suddenly emerged from her sleeve and tugged at the corner of her robe with its bone claws.
"What is it?" Li Nanzhu asked softly.
Suisui's soul fire pulsed rapidly as it pointed toward the window. Li Nanzhu followed the direction and saw a dark shadow flash across a distant treetop.
"Someone is watching?" Li Nanzhu narrowed her eyes but didn't make a scene. She simply patted Suisui's skull. "Well done. Keep an eye out."
She entered the room as if nothing was wrong, but immediately slapped a soundproofing talisman on the door after closing it.
"It seems Sword Heart Sect doesn't trust us..." Li Nanzhu murmured to herself.
...
The next morning, the Golden Core stage matches officially began.
The spectator stands were packed with people, even more crowded than during the Qi Condensation matches. After all, Golden Core cultivators were considered the backbone of the cultivation world, and their duels were often far more spectacular.
The three from the Five Elements Dao Sect stood before the drawing stand.
"Look, those are the people from the Five Elements Dao Sect!"
"I heard they swept the top two spots in the Foundation Establishment matches..."
"The Golden Core stage won't be that easy for them, though..."
The surrounding whispers were constant, but the three remained composed.
The draw official announced loudly, "Representatives from each sect, please step forward to draw your lots!"
Feng Qingping was the first to step up. She reached into the lot cylinder, and when the jade slip she drew glowed with golden light, the crowd erupted into an uproar.
"Five Elements Dao Sect, Feng Qingping, seeded player for Group A!"
Zhu Yinxi followed closely, also drawing a golden slip. "Five Elements Dao Sect, Zhu Yinxi, seeded player for Group B!"
By the time it was Jiang Yifan's turn, the official's expression was somewhat stiff. "Five Elements Dao Sect, Jiang Yifan, seeded player for Group C!"
Three golden slips!
All three Golden Core cultivators from the Five Elements Dao Sect were actually designated as seeded players!
The spectators were in a frenzy. One had to know that in previous assemblies, it was rare for a normal sect to have even one seeded player.
Feng Qingping sneered, "It looks like Sword Heart Sect and the others are determined to put us in the spotlight."
"It doesn't matter," Jiang Yifan said calmly. "Let them see exactly what kind of 'surprise' the seeded players they chose will give them."
Li Nanzhu and Duan Xianxing squeezed to the front row, looking up at the massive bracket board. The golden names shimmered in the sunlight, with the Five Elements Dao Sect occupying three slots!
"Seventh Senior Brother, look over there." Li Nanzhu pointed in another direction where the seeded players from other sects were displayed.
As they expected, the two direct disciples from Sword Heart Sect were also among them.
"It seems they just added us to the list," Feng Qingping said as she stepped down and returned to their side.
"Huh? Why is it empty?" Duan Xianxing suddenly pointed to the space directly below Feng Qingping's name, where the words "First Round Bye" were particularly striking.
"Fifth Senior Sister, you have great luck!" Li Nanzhu cheered.
Feng Qingping shook her head. "This isn't luck." She gestured for everyone to look at the other groups. "All seeded players have a bye in the first round. This is the custom for the assembly from the Golden Core stage onward."
Zhu Yinxi nodded slightly. "It allows us to preserve our strength, and also makes it easier for them to observe us."
Jiang Yifan coldly scanned the scouts from various sects who were peeking around the stands. "A futile effort."
"So we wait until tomorrow?" Li Nanzhu asked.
"Let's head back. We already have the basic information on the others; there's no need to specially watch the matches."
"Why not have a good sleep instead?" Duan Xianxing stretched.
"Go back and practice your swordplay!"
"Ow!"
...
The following day.
"First match of Group B: Zhu Yinxi of the Five Elements Dao Sect versus Zhao Ming of the Huo Ming Sect!" the referee announced loudly.
Zhu Yinxi smiled faintly, twirling the jade flute beautifully between his fingers. "I'll be right back."
On the arena, Zhao Ming of the Huo Ming Sect was already on guard. He was a body cultivator at the early Golden Core stage, with knotted muscles and a fierce aura.
"Begin!"
With a loud roar, Zhao Ming lunged straight at Zhu Yinxi. The audience let out a collective gasp; the offensive was simply too ferocious!
Although the opponent seemed to have a high cultivation level, the visual impact of the physical difference still made people worry for this seemingly delicate male cultivator.
In particular, many female cultivators in the stands had been focused on Zhu Yinxi's every move because of his appearance. Now that he faced such a fierce assault, some of the more timid ones covered their eyes, not daring to watch.
Zhu Yinxi, however, remained unhurried. He formed a seal with his left hand. "Water Curtain of the Heavens!"
A water-blue barrier appeared out of thin air. Zhao Ming's fists struck it, only causing a ripple.
Zhu Yinxi lightly tapped his jade flute with his right hand. "Frost Congeal!"
The water curtain froze instantly, locking Zhao Ming's hands firmly in place. Zhao Ming struggled violently, only to see Zhu Yinxi change his technique.
Several ribbons of flowing water instantly entangled Zhao Ming's feet. He stumbled, and before he could regain his footing, Zhu Yinxi's jade flute was already pressed against his throat.
"Thank you for the match," Zhu Yinxi said with a gentle smile.
The entire arena fell silent.
"That... that's it?"
"Heavens, this was a complete stomp!"
Even the referee froze for a moment before announcing, "Zhu Yinxi of the Five Elements Dao Sect wins!"
Zhu Yinxi stepped down gracefully, not a single crease in his robes by the time he returned to his seat.
"Second Senior Brother, you're amazing!" Li Nanzhu's eyes were full of excitement. "That Zhao Ming couldn't even touch the edge of your clothes!"
Zhu Yinxi chuckled. "I still took advantage of my cultivation. He was only at the early Golden Core stage. If I had to put in more effort than that, I wouldn't be worthy of being your Second Senior Brother."
Beside them, Mu Wenyan also nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with Zhu Yinxi's words.
Only Duan Xianxing silently removed the cotton balls stuffed in his ears. After all, the arena's protection wouldn't block sound, and if Second Senior Brother's flute melody came out...
He shuddered involuntarily.
For the first time, he desperately hoped that Second Senior Brother's subsequent opponents wouldn't be too strong; otherwise, he might have to simply seal off his sense of hearing entirely.
Before they could say anything more, Jiang Yifan rose from his seat. His match was scheduled as the second match of Group C, and a winner had already been decided in that group.
"Good luck, Fourth Senior Brother!"
Hearing the encouragement from his juniors, Jiang Yifan waved his hand, his lips unconsciously curling into a smile.
"Jiang Yifan of the Five Elements Dao Sect versus Lin Yue'er of the Water Moon Sect!"
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