My Life as a Cultivator in a Game

Chapter 25: What Grudges and Resentments?

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In the central area of the martial arena platform, there was a somewhat subdued atmosphere. Below, the outer sect disciples who had been striving for the top ten positions while considering their bad luck were now gazing at the top ten participants on the stage.

To be more precise, they were sizing up the three Level 9 Qi Refiner disciples and Lu Yi.

The three Level 9 Qi Refiner disciples standing on the platform had cold expressions, their gazes sweeping over the restive fellow disciples below. They emitted an imposing aura, intending to make those eager challengers below think twice before choosing them.

On the other hand, Lu Yi appeared completely lacking in any imposing aura, resembling a harmless little white rabbit.

Just then, Mo Lingxi stepped forward and said, “Yu Ming, I challenge you!”

Yu Ming was a disciple at the Level 9 Qi Refiner stage with thick eyebrows and an ordinary appearance. He furrowed his brows and looked at Mo Lingxi. Yu Ming said, “Mo Lingxi, are you sure you want to challenge me? Do you think I’m the weakest one?”

Mo Lingxi grinned and replied, “I have no choice. I think I’m slightly inferior to Tian Lu and Lin Yu. As for Lu Yi… Heh, I just lost to him a moment ago. I believe Lu Yi is stronger than Tian Lu and Lin Yu. So, you’re the only one left, and I believe I have a chance against you.”

Upon hearing those words, the expressions of many people changed slightly as they turned their gazes in Lu Yi’s direction.

“What?! Mo Lingxi just lost to Lu Yi?!”

“Is that true? Lu Yi’s strength is actually so impressive?”

“Didn’t you know? The ninth platform, where they were competing for the top ten spots, was between Lu Yi and Mo Lingxi. Lu Yi is really strong; that White Cloud Sword was eye-opening.”

“I didn’t know. We were on the fourth platform, just one away from the central platform, so we weren’t paying attention.”

“You missed out. I think Lu Yi’s strength is even stronger than Tian Lu and Lin Yu.”

Everyone gasped in surprise, and those few who had been eager to challenge before now looked at Lu Yi with more caution, quickly averting their gazes.

Since that was the case, it seemed they would have to choose someone else to challenge.

Feeling the eyes on him, Lu Yi was dumbfounded. He glanced at Mo Lingxi and the other disciples speaking below, feeling a sense of despair and thought, ‘What grudges and resentments were these? I had been hoping for some Perfect-Grade Qi Condensation Elixirs as rewards from this round, but what had actually happened? Why were they exaggerating my abilities so much? I’m actually not that strong!’

Lu Yi saw the Level 9 Qi Refiner disciples avert their gazes and felt even more helpless.

Yu Ming’s expression also changed upon hearing Mo Lingxi’s words. He glanced at Lu Yi and gritted his teeth, coldly responding to Mo Lingxi, “Fine, let’s give it a try then! I, Yu Ming, am not one to be trifled with!”

Seeing that, Dugu Fang smiled and said, “Since that’s the case, let the challenge begin.”

The challenge for the top ten would take place on the central platform. Lu Yi and the others stepped down from the platform, while Dugu Fang floated in the air as the referee. Mo Lingxi and Yu Ming ascended the platform.

As the two contenders stood on the platform, Lu Yi felt numb and disheartened. He was nearly becoming a big scapegoat. He thought, ‘If only I had dealt with Mo Lingxi more decisively earlier. That guy had blown my capabilities out of proportion. If no one came to challenge me, it would be Mo Lingxi’s fault!’

Lu Yi suddenly realized that if he had been more aggressive, others would probably be even less likely to challenge him. Feeling even more dejected, Lu Yi watched the events unfold.

Lin Wan’er on the side looked at Lu Yi with a playful smile and said, “Lu Yi, I didn’t expect you to be so formidable.”

Lu Yi snapped out of his daze and saw that several Level 10 Qi Refiner disciples were observing him. He gave a shy smile and replied, “Wan’er, Mo Lingxi exaggerated a bit. I’m just average.”

Jiang Fan next to them chuckled lightly. “Why be so modest, Lu Yi? Your strength is clear to me. I imagine your White Cloud Sword is close to its limits, isn’t it?”

Upon hearing that, the expressions of others changed slightly. They looked at Lu Yi with a hint of surprise.

“Pushed a foundational technique to its limits?” A young man with twin blades on his back looked at Lu Yi, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit. “Interesting. I’m looking forward to sparring with you in tomorrow’s top ten rankings battle.”

The expressions of the other Level 10 Qi Refiner disciples also grew more cautious as they looked at Lu Yi.

Seeing their expressions, Lu Yi felt slightly more at ease and thought, ‘While I might have missed a few rounds of sparring with the Level 9 Qi Refiner disciples, I’m certain we would clash in the top ten rankings battle the next day. At that time, I would surely receive some rewards.’

With that thought, Lu Yi’s mood brightened again. He smiled and said, “Everyone, I appreciate your praise. During tomorrow’s ranking battle, I hope you can take it easy on me.”

As they chatted, the battle on the platform had already begun.

Lu Yi was aware of Mo Lingxi’s strength. Among the Level 9 Qi Refiner disciples, Mo Lingxi was considered one of the top, but Yu Ming’s strength was equally impressive.

Watching the battle, Lu Yi noticed that Yu Ming had also pushed his techniques to the Transformation stage, similar to Mo Lingxi. What set Yu Ming apart was that he wielded a low-grade magic long blade, something Mo Lingxi lacked.

The battle between the two was intense, and in the end, Yu Ming emerged victorious due to the advantage of his magic tool.

Mo Lingxi felt somewhat unwilling, but he had no choice but to accept his defeat.

After Mo Lingxi and Yu Ming’s battle concluded, others challenged each other as well. However, due to Mo Lingxi’s words, those challengers avoided Lu Yi.

Perhaps due to Yu Ming’s comparatively weaker strength among the Level 9 Qi Refiner disciples, he had been the primary target for challengers. Eventually, a disciple wielding twin swords defeated Yu Ming and secured a spot in the top ten.

Lu Yi knew the name of this disciple who used twin swords—Wan Hua. His strength was remarkable, already being one of the outstanding talents in the outer sect.

Yu Ming was slightly inferior in comparison, managing to enter the top ten due to both his strength and a bit of luck. Unfortunately, he was defeated by Wan Hua in the end, serving as a stepping stone for others.

Following Wan Hua’s victory, no one else challenged, and the top ten rankings were finalized.

At this point, the sky was already turning dusk, marking the end of the day’s competition. Tomorrow would be the final day of the Grand Competition and the most crucial one—when the top ten rankings would be determined.

Although the final challenge had been somewhat unexpected, Lu Yi had still managed to obtain five Perfect-Grade Qi Condensation Elixirs. This could be considered a decent harvest, leaving him in a relatively cheerful mood.

As was customary, Dugu Fang announced the end of the day’s Grand Competition. The crowd dispersed, and Lu Yi, like before, didn’t return with Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. Instead, he headed home alone.

…

The next morning, almost all the outer sect disciples, along with attendants and elders, had risen early and gathered at the martial arena platform.

Lu Yi was no exception. Arriving at the platform, he noticed that more figures were floating in the sky compared to the previous day. He noticed that some of those figures were inner sect elders who had come to observe.

After all, the top ten disciples would be exempt from assessment and could directly join the inner sect. Therefore, they could already be considered inner sect disciples. Some inner sect elders might come to observe their performances. If satisfied, they might even take on these disciples as their apprentices.

Of course, those observing elders were usually just ordinary ones within the inner sect. The truly powerful elders and peak masters wouldn’t casually come to watch.

While the outer sect disciples might be geniuses, there were very few among them who could truly stand out in the inner sect. After all, most inner sect disciples had originally come from the outer sect. That made everyone a genius in the outer sect.

Some were even brought back and nurtured by powerful figures from the outside world, making their talent even more extraordinary.

The Top Ten Grand Competition in the outer sect was just that, a stepping stone. What really mattered was how they performed in the inner sect. Only then would they gain the attention of these important figures.