On the viewing platform of the Cloud Tower.
"Senior Brother, wasn't Ji Wuyou once a disciple on the mountain as well?" Zhao Linglong looked at Qingxiao beside her with a worried expression.
"Yes, Ji Wuyou was once a disciple of the Fourth Peak. He was expelled from the Fourth Peak and had most of his cultivation revoked after he killed a fellow disciple over a competition for a spirit herb."
Qingxiao nodded solemnly.
In fact, there was one thing he hadn't finished saying: Ji Wuyou was actually one of the most closely watched disciples in this Seven Peaks Selection.
However, to avoid making Zhao Linglong too worried, he didn't say it.
"Didn't they say that in the Seven Peaks Selection, no techniques above the Mystic level can be used? Why is no one stopping Ji Wuyou from using sword control?"
Zhao Linglong asked again.
"That's not sword control. It's a martial skill called 'Qi-driven Sword,' which is vastly different from 'Spirit-driven Sword.' It just looks like he's controlling the sword because Ji Wuyou has outstanding talent."
Zi Yan, who was sitting beside Zhao Linglong, answered.
"Senior Brother, isn't Ji Wuyou the disciple our First Peak is trying to recruit this time?"
At this moment, Ye Xuan, who was sitting in front, suddenly spoke.
Hearing this, Jin Hezhi also nodded with a smile and turned to look at Zhao Linglong, saying:
"Sister Linglong, this little guy you know isn't very lucky."
"You said the same thing about the last match."
Zhao Linglong shot a glare at Jin Hezhi.
Jin Hezhi's lips twitched a few times, then he coldly snorted and said, "If you don't believe me, just watch. Xu Taiping will suffer a lot in the next match."
At this moment, the voice of the examiner on the arena, amplified by a sound-transmitting talisman, echoed over the Sword Ground. The auras of Ji Wuyou and Qi Baili suddenly exploded outward.
A sword cry suddenly rang out, and the flying sword that had been circling around Ji Wuyou shot out, piercing straight toward Qi Baili.
Qi Baili's weapon was a pair of large copper hammers. Seeing the flying sword coming, he immediately swung one of the large copper hammers, aiming to smash it.
Perhaps because it was Qi-driven, the flying sword's speed wasn't particularly fast, so Qi Baili's hammer was likely to hit it.
But just as the hammer was about to hit the flying sword, Ji Wuyou's other hand suddenly formed a quick seal, and he shouted:
As soon as the words left his mouth, a strong wind suddenly blew past Qi Baili, making his body sway and his hammer miss its target.
At the moment Qi Baili's body swayed,
The flying sword controlled by Ji Wuyou, with a whistling sound, cut off Qi Baili's arm holding the hammer.
Qi Baili let out a painful scream.
Ji Wuyou, with a smirk, said excitedly:
"I warned you to concede. Since you're so unreasonable, I'll take another arm!"
As he spoke, he pressed down his fingers, which were holding the flying sword.
Another sword cry rang out.
The flying sword, which was circling above Qi Baili's head, fell like a streak of light, cutting off his other arm with a "swish."
Qi Baili screamed again, then fell to his knees in fear, pleading for mercy:
"I concede, I concede..."
His plea was cut short by a whistling sound.
The flying sword controlled by Ji Wuyou pierced through Qi Baili's throat.
Qi Baili's body fell to the arena.
In an instant, the entire arena was in an uproar.
Some were discussing Ji Wuyou's sword skills and spellcasting, while others were criticizing his cruel methods.
After all, with both of his opponent's arms disabled and the match already won, there was no need to deliver a killing blow.
Ji Wuyou, however, paid no heed to the criticism. He walked to the edge of the arena and looked down at Xu Taiping, saying:
"Not only is he proficient in Qi-driven Sword, but he also has a strong talent for spellcasting and is ruthless. This person is born for cultivation."
On the Cloud Tower, Jin Hezhi slowly said while waving his fan.
Zhao Linglong bit her lip and said nothing.
Qingxiao and Zi Yan fell into deep thought.
"You should go and advise that young man to know when to stop. It's better to preserve his strength and come back after three more years of cultivation."
Jin Hezhi turned to look at Zhao Linglong and the others, saying.
To be honest, Zhao Linglong and Qingxiao had indeed considered this.
Especially Qingxiao, who knew more about Ji Wuyou's past cultivation and strength. Even if his cultivation was revoked and he had to start over, his skills were not something an ordinary outer sect disciple could handle.
Qingxiao looked at Zhao Linglong, as if seeking her opinion.
"Senior Brother, there's only one more match. With one more match, Xiao Taiping can secure a spot as a formal disciple."
Zhao Linglong felt very aggrieved for Xu Taiping.
"Xu Taiping won't agree."
Lin Buyu, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke.
As soon as he spoke, everyone's eyes turned to him.
Even Ye Xuan, who had been looking proud, turned his head.
Lin Buyu, as if he hadn't noticed the gazes, closed his book, looked up at the arena, and said to himself:
"If he was so afraid of death, he wouldn't even be standing here."
Qingxiao was taken aback for a moment, then nodded:
Worry can cloud one's judgment.
If Lin Buyu hadn't reminded him, he would have almost forgotten that Xu Taiping was already a cultivator, and facing life and death was the first step on the path of cultivation.
"Yes, Buyu is right. Since Taiping has already embarked on the path of cultivation, every step from now on should be his own choice."
Zhao Linglong suddenly slapped her cheeks and suppressed her worries, then looked back at the arena.
"Words are easy to say, but a person only has one life. Without life, there is nothing."
Jin Hezhi sneered, then turned away and leisurely waved his fan.
Ye Xuan, on the other hand, looked deeply at Lin Buyu, then turned his gaze to Xu Taiping on the arena and muttered: "Xu Taiping, what an ugly name."
"This match, Xu Taiping versus Ji Wuyou. The winner will secure the first spot in this Seven Peaks Selection, earning the qualification to be chosen as a formal disciple by the Seven Peaks."
As the examiner announced, Xu Taiping and Ji Wuyou walked onto the arena from opposite sides.
Since this match would determine the first spot, the disciples of the Seven Peaks on the Cloud Tower were no longer joking and all focused their attention on the arena.
On the largest nine-story Cloud Tower to the south of the Sword Ground, powerful auras were spreading out.
Clearly, the masters of the Seven Peaks, the head of the Qingxuan Sect, and several elders had already taken their seats.
"Carrying so many knives, are you planning to cook on the arena?"
Ji Wuyou looked at Xu Taiping, who had three long knives on each side of his waist, and asked with a smile.
"You'll see soon enough."
Xu Taiping tightened the ropes that held the knives on his waist.