Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

After a moment, the eight tokens from the black and green tube had all been drawn by the geniuses of Refining Cloud Mountain, meaning they each had a first-round opponent.

It’s worth mentioning that Yun Xiao, this oddity, does not belong to either of the two sects, which makes him quite conspicuous. Such a person, who isn’t affiliated with any sect, is extremely rare at the headquarters of Refining Cloud Mountain.

Originally, both the Heavenly Hospital and the Sky Poison Institute had sent eight disciples to participate in the annual contest. However, as Liu Qingchen lost an arm, there was one less person on Heaven Hospital’s side, and whether the addition of Yun Xiao was a coincidence is unknown.

”First match, Bai Wushuang versus Chang Hui!”

With a loud announcement from Qian Sanyuan, Bai Wushuang, the top genius of Heavenly Hospital, leisurely walked onto the central main stage. This year’s contest wasn’t held simultaneously; after all, the first round had only eight matches at most.

”Wushuang Senior Brother, go for it!”

Bai Wushuang was the long-standing top genius of Heavenly Hospital, his popularity in the Medical Pulse sect was undoubtedly high. Watching him slowly walk onto the main stage, the surrounding disciples erupted in cheers.

Of course, the source of these cheers was mostly those affiliated with Heavenly Hospital. After all, Bai Wushuang’s opponent this time was Chang Hui from the Sky Poison Institute. Though the Medical and Poison sects appear not to interfere with each other, their private competition is actually quite intense.

The Meridian Refining Masters of Heavenly Hospital and Sky Poison Institute sometimes clash due to differing philosophies, but aside from the stages, private fights are forbidden elsewhere in Refining Cloud Mountain. Those who violate this face severe punishment.

Chang Hui of the Sky Poison Institute is a super genius who has reached the Origin Seeking Realm Late Stage, even stronger than some branch chairmen.

However, Chang Hui, currently walking onto the main stage, appeared somewhat unnaturally, silently lamenting his poor luck at facing the top genius of Heavenly Hospital in the very first round.

”Chang Hui, if you concede voluntarily, perhaps I can spare your life!”

Gazing at the pale-faced genius from the Sky Poison Institute, Bai Wushuang suddenly felt an uncalled-for irritation, coldly uttering words filled with unmistakable threat.

This annual contest, although not forbidding death, rarely results in fatalities. It’s an internal competition within Refining Cloud Mountain, and even the geniuses of the Medical and Poison sects harbor no undying grudges.

Yet Bai Wushuang today displayed a strong murderous aura, causing many Meridian Refining Masters who heard him to frown involuntarily.

The Heavenly Hospital had numerous Medical Pulse Masters, whose medical vein path emphasizes saving lives. People like Qian Sanyuan and Guan Rufeng are all kind-hearted, and Bai Wushuang’s vicious demeanor goes against the principles of the Medical Pulse Masters.

But this is the arena battle of the annual contest, and although displeased, these people cannot say much. Others, however, were curious; would Chang Hui from the Sky Poison Institute back down from Bai Wushuang’s threat?

”Wushuang Senior Brother, please instruct me!”

As everyone watched Chang Hui, this Sky Poison Institute genius straightened his expression, speaking with firm resolve, abandoning his previous timid demeanor and revealing unwavering fighting spirit instead.

”Chang Hui is quite good; without the courage to face opponents, one’s future achievements would surely be limited!”

From the northern seats, Qingmu Wu nodded, issuing words of praise. While Chang Hui wasn’t his disciple, being a Poison Vein genius, retreating without battle would surely disappoint him.

”Courage is commendable, but on the stage, strength must prevail in the end!”

Beside him, Guan Rufeng glanced at Qingmu Wu, stating another fact. Courage doesn’t equal strength, and sometimes reckless bravery leads inevitably to tragic outcomes.

Upon saying those words, Bai Wushuang’s face instantly shadowed; was every cat and dog now daring to disregard him?

In truth, Chang Hui didn’t dare overlook Bai Wushuang; retreating now in the presence of many would invite ridicule, leaving him no choice but to brace himself for the challenge.

Despite knowing he was outmatched, Chang Hui was determined to exert all his strength. This fight would be crucial for his future development in cultivation.

However, though Chang Hui had commendable courage, his skill was far inferior to Bai Wushuang’s. Only three moves were needed for the Heavenly Hospital’s top genius to exploit a flaw, delivering a heavy kick to his chest, causing him to spasmodically spew blood and fly off the stage.

”Wushuang Senior Brother’s strength seems to have improved!”

Bai Wushuang effortlessly defeated Chang Hui in just three moves, leaving the young disciples of Refining Cloud Mountain wide-eyed in astonishment.

Though the two were separated by one level of a small realm, defeating a genius of the Sky Poison Institute in just three moves was something even Ye Ku wasn’t absolutely confident in achieving.

So, after retracting his gaze from Chang Hui, a hint of seriousness flashed through Ye Ku’s eyes, suddenly realizing he couldn’t see through the Heavenly Hospital’s top genius.

On the stage, Bai Wushuang was clearly dissatisfied that his kick didn’t take Chang Hui’s life. His ominous gaze shifted and finally settled on a young man in coarse clothing below the stage.

”Soon, it will be your turn, Yun Xiao!”

This mumbling voice came from Bai Wushuang, and not many heard it. However, as soon as the voice was heard, he stretched out his thumb, running it across his own neck in a gesture full of provocation.

”Huh? Does Senior Brother Wushuang have a vendetta against that Yun Xiao?”

Many young disciples of Refining Cloud Mountain, unaware of the details, noticed Bai Wushuang’s gaze toward the young man in coarse clothing. Their faces were full of confusion.

Their understanding of Yun Xiao was limited to the disciple selection and the events in the Refining Treasure Hall, which involved Mo Qing’s reputation and wasn’t widely circulated.

Added to that, Bai Wushuang was confined, and Liu Qingchen lost an arm. Such disgraceful matters were naturally not spoken of freely. So when Bai Wushuang openly provoked a new disciple, everyone felt perplexed.

Logically speaking, Bai Wushuang, the foremost talent in the Heavenly Hospital, should be focused on Ye Ku from the Sky Poison Institute. Why was he now ignoring Ye Ku and instead focusing on a newcomer? Could the rumors be true?

Of course, Bai Wushuang’s provocation of Yun Xiao didn’t lead anyone to believe that Yun Xiao could truly pose a threat to Bai Wushuang. Didn’t they just see Chang Hui, who was in the Origin Seeking Realm Late Stage, get severely injured after three moves?

Chang Hui, an old genius of the Sky Poison Institute, was formidable with his cultivation paired with the Poison Meridian Skill, rivaled by few even within the institute. Outside, he was stronger than some branch chairmen in cities.

And who was Yun Xiao? He was just a newcomer who had recently joined Refining Cloud Mountain, having luckily reached the Origin Seeking Realm Late Stage. But how could such strength compare to Chang Hui?

Thus, everyone thought Yun Xiao had inadvertently offended Bai Wushuang, inciting his resentment, but did not truly possess the capacity to make Bai Wushuang regard him seriously. It was just a minor episode.

Retracting his gaze from Yun Xiao, Bai Wushuang walked off the stage with an air of arrogance, and the second match of the first round finally began.

One of the competitors was no stranger to Yun Xiao; it was his friend Liu Hanyi from the Hidden Dragon Continent.

It’s worth mentioning that Liu Hanyi had good luck this time. Her opponent only had cultivation at the Origin Seeking Realm Middle Stage, which was on par with her.

”Look, it’s Junior Sister Hanyi!”

Although Liu Hanyi had joined the Sky Poison Institute for just over a year, she was popular because of her beauty, remarkable Poison Vein Talent, and being the direct disciple of Qingmu Wu, the dean. Her popularity in the institute was high.

Her opponent, however, was a renowned Medical Pulse talent from the Heavenly Hospital. Due to differing philosophies, the talents from the Sky Poison Institute naturally supported Liu Hanyi.

Indeed, Liu Hanyi, who broke through to the Origin Seeking Realm Early Stage and leveraged her Immortal Poison Body constitution, occupied a considerable advantage facing a cultivator of the same level.

Pfft!

After a dozen moves, Liu Hanyi moved like a phantom, suddenly shifting behind the Heavenly Hospital genius and gently placed a handprint on the latter’s back, seemingly without any force.

While appearing powerless in the eyes of the audience, it visibly turned the Heavenly Hospital genius pale, sweat beading down his face as if enduring something painful.

”Senior Brother from the Heavenly Hospital, if you don’t admit defeat soon, even if I rescue you promptly, you’ll still suffer some aftereffects!”

Seeing the Heavenly Hospital genius enduring the pain yet refusing to concede, Liu Hanyi smiled, uttering words that snapped the last string in the latter’s heart.

”I... admit defeat!”

Despite his intense unwillingness, feeling unable to neutralize the poison within, the Heavenly Hospital genius dared not persist and reluctantly admitted defeat.

”That’s more like it!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanyi smiled charmingly, taking a few steps forward, lightly tapping the genius’s shoulder, as if casually performing a trivial deed.

”Th-thank you!”

With that tap, the Medical Pulse genius’s face regained a hint of color, and his expression of gratitude made the Meridian Refining Masters observing below the stage ponder thoughtfully.