Li Zhaoye was visibly displeased. "What are you staring at? Let's go!" He raised his hand, pressed it against the dazed Luo Luo's head, and nudged her away, preventing her from locking eyes with Chen Xuanyi.
Luo Luo: "...Oh."
The two figures strode off under the setting sun, their long shadows stretching across the skywalk.
Chen Xuanyi's eyes flickered with a faint glint.
To shake off the incessant chatter of Gu Meng trailing behind him, he deliberately waved and called out to Xu Junlan passing by.
"Junior Sister Xu, congratulations on advancing!"
With long strides, he walked gracefully alongside Xu Junlan and Xu Junzhu.
Gu Meng had never gotten along with the Xu sisters, and naturally, she wasn't willing to argue with him in front of them. She stood rooted to the spot, biting her lower lip hard, her gaze dark with resentment.
Luo Luo noticed betting pools set up in several squares, where people were wagering on who would take first place.
The shorty Feng Baiyan was placing a bet on Chen Xuanyi.
Luo Luo fumed, "You'd be better off betting on yourself than on him!"
"Of course I'm betting on him—he's at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, a sure winner," Feng Baiyan replied without looking up. "I'm not cut out for this; I'm just here for fun."
After placing his bet, he turned with a mischievous grin. "Here's a secret—I've reached the Divine Transformation stage. If anyone finds out, I'll be kicked out."
The Grand Cloud Assembly naturally had cultivation restrictions—participants couldn't exceed the Nascent Soul stage.
Luo Luo: "Huh?"
Feng Baiyan rolled his eyes. "What's with the 'huh'? Isn't your pretty boy over the limit too?"
Luo Luo instantly grew sheepish. "Well, he's not exactly at Divine Transformation..."
Li Zhaoye hooked a finger around the back of her neck and dragged her away.
The next day, the second elimination round proceeded without much suspense.
Most matches were outright dominations.
After the top twenty-five were decided, the eighteen lowest-ranked Grand Cloud disciples were selected for another round of draws, pairing off in duels to eliminate nine.
The remaining sixteen advanced.
From here, the Grand Cloud Assembly officially entered its core competition.
Bronze mechanisms whirred into motion as the smaller dueling platforms across the arena flattened and sank away.
At the center, a massive stage slowly rose, encircled by shimmering barrier formations to prevent collateral damage to spectators.
The round of sixteen to eight—every match now pitted rising elites against one another.
Luo Luo faced Xu Junzhu.
The golden bell chimed.
Luo Luo was thrilled. "I've been wanting to spar with Senior Sister for ages."
Xu Junzhu remained composed. "After you."
Their swords clashed simultaneously, spiritual energy colliding. Xu Junzhu's eyes narrowed slightly.
In just a few days, Luo Luo had jumped from mid-stage Golden Core to perfection.
Rapid advancement often led to unstable foundations, but Luo Luo was an exception. Her spiritual energy was remarkably solid, her techniques polished and precise—clearly honed through rigorous training.
Xu Junzhu couldn't help but praise, "Impressive!"
She unleashed her signature techniques, her blade sheathed in frost, steadily countering Luo Luo's blazing, relentless strikes.
One like ice, the other like fire.
The gales stirred by their swordplay clashed distinctly—on the stage, frigid winds and scorching gusts roared against each other, sending vast plumes of mist billowing outward.
"Brilliant!" "Incredible!"
Then, in an instant—the storm cleared.
Luo Luo's sword shot forth like a rainbow, its tip aimed straight at Xu Junzhu's forehead.
Xu Junzhu swung to parry—a fraction too late.
"I concede," Xu Junzhu mused. "Thirteen moves ago, my blade angled three degrees off. That misstep sealed my defeat—no recovering from it."
Luo Luo nodded. "Exactly."
Xu Junzhu smiled. "Congratulations, Junior Sister, on making the top eight!"
Having spent so much time with Li Zhaoye, Luo Luo had lost the knack for modesty. But she couldn't match his brazenness either, so she just grinned foolishly.
Xu Junzhu: "..."
She really wanted to ruffle her head.
Gu Meng encountered Xu Junlan.
The two had long despised each other, and at the sight of one another, they both sneered coldly.
With the chime of a golden bell, one brandished a sword and lunged forward, while the other unfurled a five-colored silk ribbon.
Having suffered a major defeat last time, Xu Junlan had privately discussed and practiced numerous countermeasures with Xu Junzhu.
The sisters were clear-headed—they knew Gu Meng had no real strength of her own and relied entirely on this magical artifact to harm others. The key to defeating her was to close the distance.
Xu Junlan twisted and turned, relying on her agile flexibility to evade the five-colored silk ribbon, narrowly avoiding it several times.
She aimed to get close enough to strike Gu Meng.
"Swish!"
The end of the silk ribbon whirled back to protect its master.
A mischievous glint flashed in Xu Junlan's eyes as she deliberately left an opening, allowing the ribbon to strike her left flank with a sharp snap.
With the attack landed, the ribbon's momentum was spent.
Seizing the opportunity, Xu Junlan swallowed the metallic taste rising in her throat and used the force to propel herself forward, her sword aimed straight at Gu Meng!
Gu Meng panicked instantly.
She hadn’t taken Xu Junlan seriously at all—last time on the flying boat, she had effortlessly defeated both Xu sisters single-handedly.
Throughout the Qingyun Tournament, she had easily knocked her opponents off the stage every time, breezing into the top sixteen without breaking a sweat. She had grown complacent, convinced of her own invincibility.
Yet after just a few exchanges, Xu Junlan had already closed in on her.
Gu Meng stumbled backward in a fluster.
Seeing her so disheveled, Xu Junlan frowned and hesitated to thrust her sword forward—afraid she might actually kill her.
Pulling back slightly, she stopped the blade just short of Gu Meng’s chest.
"Admit defeat!"
Xu Junlan raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself, 'I definitely look cooler than Luo Luo did earlier!'
Gu Meng’s eyes flickered wildly. "I... I..."
Surrendering to Xu Junlan? Never!
With a thought, the silk ribbon hovering behind Xu Junlan suddenly lashed out!
"Bang!"
Struck in the side, Xu Junlan spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying horizontally, nearly thrown off the stage.
"Thud."
She barely managed to grab the edge of the platform with one hand and hauled herself back up.
"Shameless... a sneak attack?!"
Xu Junlan was livid.
She could have easily stabbed Gu Meng just now but held back out of respect for their shared sect. And now this brazen woman had the audacity to ambush her!
Gu Meng manipulated the silk ribbon, attacking again.
Xu Junlan cursed under her breath and raised her sword to meet it.
Infused with spiritual energy, the ribbon became as hard as a spear, striking with precision at Xu Junlan’s weak points.
Already injured in two places, Xu Junlan struggled to defend herself.
Every clash of her sword against the ribbon sent shockwaves of cold, dense spiritual energy through her, churning her blood and qi.
"Impossible..." Her pupils trembled. "Where are you getting so much spiritual power?!"
It was almost at the level of a Nascent Soul cultivator!
Gu Meng sneered. "If you can cultivate, why can’t I?"
With a flick of her wrist, she channeled even more energy, slamming it into Xu Junlan with a deafening crash.
Xu Junlan was sent flying, tumbling several times before barely steadying herself with her sword.
Before she could catch her breath, the silk ribbon pursued relentlessly, striking her face with a sharp crack.
Xu Junlan staggered back, shaking her head—only for the ribbon to whip around and slap her again from the other side.
Dizzy and disoriented, Xu Junlan heard Gu Meng’s smug voice: "Do you admit defeat?"
Xu Junlan seethed with rage: "I’ll admit defeat when hell freezes over!"
She spat out a mouthful of blood and forcefully raised her sword, its tip scraping against the ground and sending a trail of sparks flying.
"Clang—clang—shiiing!"
A multicolored silk ribbon lashed out, striking her wrist.
Her sword clattered to the ground.
"Slap!" Another heavy blow landed on her face.
Xu Junlan staggered and fell. The moment she tried to rise, she was knocked down again.
Her cheek swelled grotesquely. Lowering her head, she opened her mouth, and blood mixed with shattered teeth spilled out.
"Xu Junlan!" Xu Junzhu shouted frantically from below the stage. "Stop fighting!"
Xu Junlan shook her head violently. "Admit… defeat… never!"
She raised her fingers to summon her bonded sword, only for Gu Meng to strike her down once more.
"Stop hitting her!" someone finally shouted at Gu Meng, unable to bear the sight. "She’s already lost!"
Gu Meng feigned innocence. "But she won’t surrender. What else can I do?"
She lifted the multicolored ribbon and continued whipping Xu Junlan.
This is for looking down on me!
This is for humiliating me!
This is for walking with Li Zhaoye! This is for walking with Li Zhaoye!
The ribbon danced through the air, sending Xu Junlan rolling across the stage in agony.
Gu Meng deliberately avoided knocking her off the platform.
Xu Junlan, stubborn to the core, spat blood and rasped, "Go ahead… kill me! I’d rather die… than admit defeat!"
Gu Meng chased after her, striking relentlessly. "Still won’t yield? Still won’t yield?"
Luo Luo held her breath, her nails digging deep into her palms.
"I’m furious," she said, each word sharp as a blade. "Li Zhaoye, I’m furious!"
She flicked her fingers like a sword, sending her blade, Autumn Water, hurtling toward the stage.
"Clang!"
The sword was deflected by the arena’s protective barrier. No outside interference was permitted.
The incense stick marking the duel’s time limit was nearly burnt out.
If it burned completely, both would be disqualified.
Gu Meng tried to force Xu Junlan off the stage, but Xu Junlan refused, her fingers clinging desperately to the edge.
Gu Meng darted forward and stomped on her hands.
"Let go! Let go!"
Xu Junlan gritted her teeth, refusing to release her grip.
The incense dwindled, its ashes on the verge of collapsing.
"Don’t blame me, then." A vicious glint flashed in Gu Meng’s eyes as she hardened the silk ribbon into a blade, aiming to slice off Xu Junlan’s fingers.
Xu Junlan, defiant even now, clenched her jaw and held on.
If she had to lose, she’d drag Gu Meng down with her!
Luo Luo rushed to the edge of the stage.
"Xu Junlan!" she shouted, taunting her. "If you’ve got the guts, come down and fight me! Or are you too scared?"
Xu Junlan’s eyelids twitched. "…Scared of you?"
She let go—and plummeted off the stage.
Luo Luo caught her just as she passed out.
Staring at her rival’s battered face, Luo Luo pressed her lips into a thin, bloodless line.
Xu Junzhu took his sister from Luo Luo’s arms.
"Thanks."
Luo Luo shook her head fiercely.
She felt like a pufferfish stuffed with gunpowder, every breath scorching through her nostrils.
The top eight were decided.
Luo Luo, Li Zhaoye, Chen Xuanyi, Gu Meng, Feng Baiyan, and three elite disciples from the host sect, Heavenly Path Gate.
The quarterfinals would be determined by draw.
Luo Luo stared at the glowing screen.
Beside her name, another slowly revealed itself.
She muttered under her breath: "Gu Meng, Gu Meng, Gu Meng, Gu Meng."
"Whoosh—"
[Gu Meng]
Perfect. It was her!
Luo Luo nodded, turned around, and pulled Li Zhaoye away. "I need to learn a move from you."
Meanwhile, Gu Meng's eyes flickered as she glanced at Chen Xuanyi.
"Brother Li, I expended too much spiritual energy fighting Xu Junlan today. Surely you don’t want me to lose to Luo Luo tomorrow, do you?"
The night passed without incident.
Quarterfinals. The crowd roared with excitement.
Not just the training grounds below the arena—every sky corridor in the vicinity, every rooftop, was packed with spectators.
Luo Luo, having stayed up all night, climbed onto the platform with dark circles under her eyes.
She fixed her gaze on Gu Meng.
Gu Meng’s cheeks were flushed with an unnatural hue, her body surging with overwhelming spiritual energy.
"I’ve waited far too long for this day," Gu Meng said coldly. "Every ounce of humiliation you forced upon me, I will return in full!"
The golden bell had yet to chime, the incense yet to burn.
Luo Luo replied, "Oh."
After a pause, she drawled, "If you’re talking about the Red Lotus Sea Eastern Pearl, the Heavenly Silkworm Treasure Armor, or the Violet Qi Spirit Jade, you can have them back if you want."
Gu Meng nearly gritted her teeth to dust. "Throwing a few scraps at me to force me away from Brother Li—you’re so fake it makes me sick!"
"What?!" someone in the crowd snapped. "You call treasures like that scraps? If you don’t want them, I’ll take them!"
Xu Junzhu said icily, "Luo Luo saved your life, and you call that humiliation? My apologies."
The disciples of the Tai Xuan Sect exchanged glances—impressive that even their most rigid senior sister had resorted to sarcasm because of Gu Meng.
"Ding—"
The golden bell rang.
Gu Meng struck first. With a flick of her Qiankun Bag, the multicolored silk ribbon shot out like a serpent.
Without hesitation, Luo Luo summoned Qiushui and slashed straight down!
"Boom!"
A violent recoil surged back.
Instantly, Luo Luo understood how Xu Junlan had felt the day before—the spiritual energy imbued in the ribbon was vast, turbulent, and chilling to the bone.
But Luo Luo didn’t meet it head-on.
She let the momentum carry her backward, twisting midair to redirect the force behind her.
A series of sonic booms erupted at her back.
Shifting stance, Luo Luo raised Qiushui overhead with both hands and, using her descent, executed a Thousand Jin Drop—slashing downward!
"Boom!"
Spiritual energy gathered on the blade, igniting flames from sheer friction with the air.
Gasps rose from the crowd.
A Golden Core cultivator, yet executing a technique near Nascent Soul level—no, this wasn’t just technique. This was sheer, unyielding mastery.
Gu Meng paled, whipping the ribbon up to block.
"Screech—BOOM!"
A grating metallic shriek tore through the air before an explosion of steam erupted where blade met silk.
White mist billowed, obscuring vision—but within the haze, Luo Luo’s fiery slashes carved vivid, precise arcs through the fog.
No matter how cunningly the ribbon twisted, it was no match for the elusive sealing threads Luo Luo had trained against.
Weaving through the chaos, she struck with flawless positioning, each blow forcing the ribbon into retreat.
"Bravo! Magnificent!"
"Beautiful, just beautiful!"
In moments, Gu Meng was cornered.
When no one was looking, Luo Luo discreetly wiped the blood from her lips onto her sleeve.
That sinister, overwhelming energy had rattled her with every clash, churning her qi and blood.
Yet her heart burned with relentless fury, suppressing hidden wounds as she fought with increasing ferocity.
"Just a fake Nascent Soul!"
With a crisp ring of steel, the flames on her sword vanished, revealing a gleaming blade like autumn water—piercing straight through the rainbow silk!
"Tch."
Luo Luo surged forward like splitting bamboo.
Closing the distance, she raised her sword to block the incoming silk, then freed her left hand—swift as wind and thunder—clamping it over Gu Meng's mouth with a wet thud.
She had practiced all night; this "manual silencing technique" had truly mastered Li Zhaoye's essence.
Gu Meng let out a muffled groan, her lips mangled into a bloody mess.
Luo Luo flipped behind her and kicked her back to the center of the arena.
Gu Meng wanted to scream but couldn't open her mouth.
She tried to rise, but Luo Luo was faster—dropping an elbow strike onto her spine.
"Ghk—!"
Gu Meng crashed down again, her rainbow silk slipping from her grip. As it tried to coil back, Luo Luo's sword shot like an arrow, thunk, pinning the silk to the arena floor.
It writhed helplessly, like an eel nailed to a butcher's block.
Luo Luo wasn't unscathed either. The moment she struck Gu Meng, a surge of icy, overwhelming force recoiled through her meridians, nearly making her spit blood.
She swallowed it down and barked, "Do you yield?!"
Gu Meng whimpered through the pain: "Mmph—!"
Luo Luo hauled her up and slammed her down—boom!
"Still won't yield?!"
She lifted her again, driving her into the arena—thud! Thud!
"Yield or not?!"
"Stubborn, huh?!"
Gu Meng's choked cries couldn't form a single coherent word.
Luo Luo sensed the eerie, frigid energy trembling inside Gu Meng.
An idea struck. She clenched her fist, swinging it like a hammer—punch after punch aimed at Gu Meng's dantian.
"Not yielding?! Not yielding?! Still not yielding?!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!"
Gu Meng writhed in agony, clawing at the air, unable to scream surrender or beg for mercy.
Her sealed mouth trapped the blood, forcing it up her nostrils in gory spurts.
Seeing her wretched state, Luo Luo's rage finally cooled a fraction.
She flexed her fist.
"Still holding out? You’ve got as much spine as Xu Junlan!"
She delivered the compliment with genuine admiration—then swung her fist down again.
CRACK—THUD!
Below the stage, Chen Xuanyi frowned as Gu Meng's eyes bulged, dark energy nearly beaten out of her. "Enough. Gu Meng lost long ago. Why keep humiliating her?"
Hearing this, Xu Junzhu raised her voice, projecting across the crowd:
"If she won't yield, what’s Luo Luo supposed to do?!"
The audience roared with laughter and agreement.
