Because the contestants' strength varied widely, the first round proceeded at remarkable speed.
Out of nine hundred and forty matches in total, the entire round was completed in less than half a day.
Su Yutong won her bout with ease. Her opponent was also at the ninth level of Qi Refining, but unlike Wang Yunyao, Su Yutong did not even bother to summon a magical artifact. Relying solely on the sheer might of her spells, she swept her adversary aside effortlessly.
After a brief rest, the remaining nine hundred and forty contestants drew lots again, and the second round began.
This time, Wang Yunyao faced another ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator. Their exchange was short-lived—she swiftly claimed victory.
By dusk, the second round had ended, leaving four hundred and seventy contestants. Another round of drawing lots followed, leading into the third round, and so the cycle repeated.
By the time the sixth round commenced, dawn of the second day had already broken.
In this round, Wang Yunyao encountered a tenth-level Qi Refining opponent, one who wielded a mid-grade artifact and commanded formidable spells.
Her Cloudwater Coldglow Sword alone was not enough to gain the upper hand. In the end, she had to activate her Violet Jade Shoes, doubling her speed, and by sheer advantage of swiftness, narrowly secured victory.
That hard-won triumph not only advanced her to the next round, but also drew considerable attention.
Unlike pills, artifacts did not exist in a "perfect" grade. A flawless mid-grade artifact could rival the power of a high-grade one, and in the eyes of most, it was no different from the latter.
Among outer sect disciples, a low-grade artifact was standard equipment. To own a mid-grade artifact was already considered remarkable wealth. As for high-grade artifacts, only the very elite few of the outer sect could hope to obtain them.
Yet Wang Yunyao not only possessed one—she had two.
Jealousy rippled through the crowd.
Below the stage, Su Yutong's expression darkened as she gazed at Wang Yunyao.
If her memory served, when she had first encountered Wang Yunyao at Wang Jianqiang's place, the girl had been only at the ninth level of Qi Refining. And yet now, she had already broken through to perfection of the Qi Refining realm.
Su Yutong herself had only managed her breakthrough thanks to purchasing a Perfect Cloudmist Pill from the External Affairs Hall. To afford it, she had even sold off her one and only high-grade artifact.
But Wang Yunyao?
After losing face to her, Su Yutong had investigated the girl. She was nothing more than an ordinary outer sect disciple. Barely half a year ago, she had been stuck at the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Her sudden leap to the ninth level had only been thanks to sheer luck—catching wind of Wang Jianqiang's dealings with the External Affairs Hall and snatching up a Perfect-grade pill early.
By all logic, her modest resources should have been exhausted by now. She should not have had the spirit stones to keep buying pills.
Thus, her reaching the perfection stage could mean only one thing—Wang Jianqiang had provided her with Perfect Cloudmist Pills at low cost, perhaps even free of charge.
And her high-grade artifacts? They too must have been gifts from Wang Jianqiang.
That useless man might be worthless in cultivation, but heaven had granted him disgusting luck. He had somehow devised Perfect Pills. With them, he could amass spirit stones at terrifying speed. To him, handing out high-grade artifacts was no different than tossing scraps.
The contrast between his treatment of herself and of Wang Yunyao twisted Su Yutong's heart with poisonous imbalance.
Why?
Why was his attitude toward her so cold, yet toward a lowly outer disciple like Wang Yunyao so indulgent?
The hatred festering in her heart toward Wang Jianqiang only grew deeper.
As the matches wore on, it was soon Su Yutong's turn again.
She lived up to her title as a rising prodigy. Her opponent was also at the tenth level of Qi Refining, wielding a mid-grade artifact of no small power. Yet Su Yutong needed only a single low-grade flying sword to defeat him with ease.
Her strength was undeniable, her beauty breathtaking, her presence ethereal—like an immortal descending. Cheers resounded all around.
Among the crowd, Wang Jianqiang's gaze lingered on her for but a moment before settling once more on Wang Yunyao.
The sixth round featured a hundred contestants. With her victory, Wang Yunyao secured a place among the top fifty.
But Wang Jianqiang's ambitions for her were far higher than that—he wanted her in the top ten.
In this Outer Sect Grand Tournament, reaching the top fifty earned one a Foundation Establishment Pill and a chance to enter the Coldpool Secret Realm.
But those who made the top ten would receive not only richer rewards but also an extra follower's quota to enter the Coldpool Secret Realm.
The main quota could not be transferred, but the follower's quota could be freely given away.
That was precisely what Wang Jianqiang was after. If Wang Yunyao could secure a spot in the top ten, he would enter the Coldpool Secret Realm as her follower.
Another hour passed before the sixth round concluded.
High above, Yun Zhongque's gaze swept the contestants below.
"The top fifty have been decided. Next comes the final round—the Guard-the-Platform Battle.
"Those confident in their strength may step onto the arena to claim a platform as defenders. Ten arenas, ten defenders.
"The remaining forty may freely choose which defender to challenge. Each has two attempts. Fail twice, and your qualification ends.
"A defender who loses may still challenge others, but one defeat ends their defense.
"Those who endure until the end, or who defend ten consecutive matches, will be deemed successful defenders.
"The ten who succeed will advance to the top ten.
"The arena numbers shall determine the final ranking.
"Now—the battles continue!"
The instant his words fell, a figure shot forth, landing upon Arena One.
A domineering voice echoed through the grounds.
"An interesting rule. This Arena One belongs to me. Any who disagree, come challenge me!"
The crowd fell silent for a moment before several more figures leapt out in succession, claiming the other arenas.
"Arena Two is mine."
"Arena Three, I'll take."
…
In the blink of an eye, all ten platforms were claimed.
Wang Jianqiang's gaze swept to Arena Nine, his brows lifting slightly.
Su Yutong.
"So confident, aren't you?" He sneered coldly before turning to Wang Yunyao among the crowd.
She had not scrambled to seize a platform, and Wang Jianqiang was not surprised.
Being the first defender meant little. What mattered was standing victorious at the very end.
A handful of others also remained unmoving, clearly sharing the same thought.
Wang Jianqiang studied them carefully, his eyes narrowing.
"Not simple…"
He glanced once more at the ten defenders already on the platforms, then let out a faint chuckle.
"Confident, certainly. But how many of them will last until the end?"