"Lost, Senior Brother Mo Li actually lost."
"A five-star Dou Master actually lost to a two-star Dou Master, spanning three small levels. Even Senior Sister Nalan couldn't have done that back in the day."
As Mo Li conceded defeat, the entire square fell into silence. If Chen Mo blocking the Three Thousand Thunder Rain had surprised everyone earlier, this direct confrontation had left them all utterly stunned.
Formidable defense, immense Dou Qi, and an indestructible black spear.
Chen Mo not only possessed extraordinary talent but also an incredibly solid foundation that supported him in battle.
"Mo Li didn't lose unjustly. This kid Chen Mo is simply a monster," a white-robed elder from the council of elders murmured softly. The other elders, including Yun Leng, nodded slightly, with the latter sighing, "The sect leader has indeed recruited another Qilin Talent."
Chen Mo's victory also meant that his status as the sect leader's personal disciple was confirmed.
The council of elders had already discussed it with Yun Yun, and they planned to announce it as soon as the competition ended.
As soon as Chen Mo stepped off the stage, Yun Hai, Yun Ling, and Yun Fei all rushed to congratulate him. Even Nalan Yanran, who was seated far away from Chen Mo, smiled and congratulated him, "From today onwards, you're my junior brother."
"Senior Sister," Chen Mo replied with a smile.
Mo Li, who had just been defeated, watched this scene with a dark expression, his hands clenched tightly inside his wide sleeves.
"Bitch."
Every day, I follow you around, constantly trying to please you, and you never even crack a smile. Yet, now, with a man you've known for less than a day, you act like this.
His sharp nails dug deeply into his palms as Mo Li suddenly recalled the message his family had sent him some time ago.
If all else fails, you can resort to other methods. As long as you can make Nalan Yanran a woman of our Mo family, we don't oppose using underhanded tactics.
"It seems it's time to use this move. You forced me into this," Mo Li thought to himself.
Nalan Yanran, unaware of Mo Li's scheming, returned to her usual aloof expression after greeting Chen Mo.
Meanwhile, Yun Hai and the others bombarded Chen Mo with questions about what other hidden cards he had up his sleeve.
"If I told you now, would it still be a hidden card?" Chen Mo replied.
"So, you really have more?"
"Yes, something to use against Senior Sister Nalan," Chen Mo admitted without hesitation.
Upon hearing this, Yun Hai and the others stared at Chen Mo in shock. Yun Hai even reached out to feel Chen Mo's forehead, "You're not feverish, are you? Why are you talking nonsense?"
"Of course, I'm not feverish," Chen Mo swatted Yun Hai's hand away, looking puzzled. "What, can't I fight Senior Sister Nalan?"
"It's not about whether you can fight her, but..."
"Boom!" A loud noise interrupted Yun Hai, followed by the referee's announcement, "Zheng Tian, wins."
"It's Zheng Tian! Zheng Tian actually won, and he even broke through to three-star Dou Master!"
"Yun Ya is so weak. He couldn't even beat Zheng Tian."
"Not just weak, but fast too. How long did it take from the start to the end? Not even half a quarter of an hour."
"I heard Zheng Tian comes from a remote village in Daomu City. He couldn't even afford basic cultivation fluid and had to rely on completing sect missions to get resources."
...
"What's his background?" Chen Mo asked, looking down at Zheng Tian, whose appearance and attire were utterly unremarkable.
"He doesn't have much of a background, but this guy likes to play the fool and then break through at the last moment."
"In the last assessment for promotion from the outer sect to the Inner Sanctum, his apparent strength was at the ninth star of the Dou Practitioner level, but as soon as he stepped onto the stage, he was already a one-star Dou Master."
"And in the practical assessment a few months ago, he was a two-star Dou Master fighting against a three-star Dou Master disciple. He was being suppressed at first, but as the fight went on, he actually broke through, and the situation instantly reversed."
After Yun Hai detailed some of these incidents, he brought the topic back to Chen Mo.
"Although you defeated Mo Li, you mustn't think that means you can beat Senior Sister Nalan. Senior Sister Nalan and Mo Li are not on the same level."
"If you face Senior Sister Nalan, the outcome will be the same as Yun Ya's." Yun Hai pointed to Yun Ya, who had been knocked unconscious below, and said, "Perhaps, it might even be worse for you."
"Is that so?" After hearing this, Chen Mo's fighting spirit only grew stronger, leaving Yun Hai somewhat speechless.
"Next match, Yun Hai versus Nalan Yanran."
As the referee's voice rang out, Yun Hai said, "Alright, I'm going up now. You'd better give up on that unrealistic idea. We might face each other in the upcoming challenge matches."
Yun Hai stepped onto the stage.
The cheers of the disciples around the square erupted, chanting slogans for Senior Sister Nalan.
In contrast, only Yun Ling and Yun Fei were there to cheer for Yun Hai.
The two arrived at the center of the square, and with the referee's command, the match officially began.
And then it was an instant defeat.
Yes, Yun Hai, a peak five-star Dou Master, was instantly defeated.
Just as Yun Hai activated his Ice Spirit Constitution, Nalan Yanran seized the moment and struck swiftly, using the Pinnacle of Wind - Cyclone Dance of Rending Wind to end the match in one move.
"Junior brother, I know the terror of your Ice Spirit Constitution, so I won't waste any time. Forgive me for being impolite, senior sister."
"Cough, cough." Yun Hai climbed out of the pit, tidied up his disheveled clothes, and then smiled bitterly, "Senior sister, you're too kind. Even with my Ice Spirit Constitution activated, I wouldn't be your match. It's better to end it early like this."
Nalan Yanran nodded, said no more, and left the stage.
The referee's voice finally rang out.
"Nalan Yanran, victory."
Soon, the top sixteen were narrowed down to the top eight.
They were: Nalan Yanran.
Chen Mo.
Zheng Tian.
And five unnamed extras.
The final top ten were determined by matches among the eight eliminated from the top sixteen.
In the end, Yun Hai and Mo Li stood out.
However, although the top ten were determined, it wasn't the final ranking.
Because only by entering the top ten do you have the qualification to pursue your own ranking and compete for the first place.
Next up was the challenge matches.
The rules for the top ten challenge matches hadn't been mentioned before because they always followed the old rules, which were deeply ingrained in the hearts of the Yunlan Sect disciples, so there was no need to emphasize them.
"I claim the fifth spot. If anyone disagrees, come and fight me," one of the extras stepped forward and boldly declared.
"I claim the fourth spot. If anyone disagrees, come and fight me," Mo Li assessed his own strength. Apart from Chen Mo, who had previously defeated him, only Nalan Yanran and Yun Hai were ranked above him.
He had calculated the fourth spot for himself.
"I disagree, I want to challenge."
"I also disagree."
"Same here."
After a series of challenges, the rankings from first to ninth were determined based on their strength.
Chen Mo looked
at the nine individuals and rubbed his nose, "Finally, it's over. Now, it's my turn!"
Under the urging gaze of the referee, Chen Mo declared loudly, "I want to challenge Senior Sister Nalan."
(End of Chapter)