Apart from Ye Yunfei and Feng Yun'ao, there were other new students whose performances were quite astonishing.
One among them was a young man with a proud, solitary expression, wearing linen clothes and straw sandals, holding a long saber that was missing almost a third of its blade.
This youth was named Dugu Huan. In every one of his fights, he defeated his opponent in a single move. He never used a second!
His blade technique was exceedingly simple, possessing only one characteristic: speed!
Faster than lightning!
The naked eye simply could not follow it. A flash of saber light, and his opponent was already struck.
"In all martial arts, nothing rivals speed. This Dugu Huan's blade path is too extreme. It emphasizes a decisive, first-strike victory, with no room for retreat. If the first move cannot secure victory, using a second would dissipate that indomitable spirit and will to win, making it difficult to prevail again."
Ye Yunfei understood the underlying principles at a single glance.
There was also a young girl named Wen Zi who caused quite a few gasps of surprise.
Wen Zi was, at most, fourteen or fifteen years old, with delicate, porcelain-like features that made her extremely cute and charming.
On the arena, she would fight with a playful smile, easily lulling her opponents into complacency and lowering their guard.
However, once the fight began, she would transform into a humanoid storm of violence. She would charge straight in, pummeling her opponent with raw ferocity. Even Late Stage True Manifestation Realm martial artists were utterly helpless before her!
During combat, a cloud of golden mist would erupt from Wen Zi's body.
This golden mist possessed extremely strong defensive capabilities. Any attack from her opponent that contacted it would see its power instantly and drastically diminish.
At the same time, the offensive power of this golden mist was also terrifying. Added to her punches and kicks, its might was practically boundless.
"That's Taiyi Tiangang Essence!"
Staring at the cloud of golden mist erupting from Wen Zi, Ye Yunfei was so shocked he stood there dumbfounded.
So, Wen Zi's body had actually fused with a mass of Taiyi Tiangang Essence!
Taiyi Tiangang Essence was a treasure rarely found in this world. Even Ye Yunfei felt a pang of envy.
"Her body perfectly fused with a mass of Taiyi Tiangang Essence. That makes her far more formidable than most unique physiques in the world. Even Xiao Hui's True Phoenix Physique might not necessarily compare. However, she doesn't seem to know how to utilize the Taiyi Tiangang Essence properly yet. Otherwise, her combat power could increase at least tenfold!"
Ye Yunfei sighed inwardly as he watched the golden mist around Wen Zi.
Additionally, to Ye Yunfei's surprise, Qin An was also displaying remarkably strong combat prowess!
On the arena, most of his matches ended with him defeating his opponent in a single move!
Even when facing Late Stage True Manifestation Realm new students, Qin An could achieve victory within one or two moves.
"So, he's already broken through to the Yuan Foundation Realm Early Stage. No wonder he has such fighting strength. Breaking through ranks with the Heavenly Spirit Body is indeed much faster than an ordinary martial artist. A passably decent physique, I suppose."
Although Qin An tried his best to conceal his true spiritual energy level, Ye Yunfei saw through it instantly.
On the arena, Qin An sent a Late Stage True Manifestation Realm opponent flying with a single palm strike. Then, he suddenly turned, his gaze locking fiercely onto Ye Yunfei, full of provocation.
"Ye Yunfei, I'm waiting for you!"
Qin An's eyes were filled with murderous intent as he enunciated each word.
"Oh? Broken through to Yuan Foundation Realm Early Stage and no longer planning to bide your time?"
A cold smile played on Ye Yunfei's lips.
Naturally, Ye Yunfei knew that Qin An had been enduring, waiting for an opportunity to rise again and then strike at him to avenge his family.
After all, the Qin Family of Yuanyue City had been completely destroyed because of Ye Yunfei. Such a bloody, deep-seated hatred was something Qin An could never forget.
"A mere Yuan Foundation Realm Early Stage dares to step out and seek revenge already? A bit too hasty, aren't you?"
Ye Yunfei regarded Qin An's provocation with utter disdain.
With his current combat power, someone at the early stage of the Yuan Foundation Realm could be crushed with a mere wave of his hand.
The competition continued.
By the fifth round, both Yuan Dayong and Wu Heishan were eliminated. However, considering their strength, this outcome was normal.
Only Xiao Hui grew more formidable with each fight, drawing sidelong glances from everyone present.
"Haha! A good disciple! Truly my good disciple!"
Elder Dongfang was extremely excited, cheering repeatedly.
Finally, after round after round of eliminations, the final top ten competition commenced!
Ye Yunfei, Feng Yun'ao, Qin An, Dugu Huan, Wen Zi, Xiao Hui, along with four other Late Stage True Manifestation Realm new students, entered the top ten competition to vie for the ranking positions.
"Everyone, the final top ten competition will still operate on an elimination system. It will proceed in two rounds, with matchups determined by lottery."
"In the first round, each person will have three chances to compete. Losing twice results in elimination. In this first round, five people will be eliminated."
"The second round will be the final top five competition."
"Now, we begin the first round! Those whose names are called, please proceed to the corresponding arena."
The deacon responsible for the lottery announced clearly.
Then,
"Arena One: Feng Yun'ao versus Qin Xing."
"Arena Two: Ye Yunfei versus Dugu Huan."
...
The deacon kept calling out names.
Fighting commenced simultaneously on five arenas!
On Arena Two.
"Ye Yunfei, I've observed your fights. You are strong, inscrutably so."
Dugu Huan stared at Ye Yunfei with a vigilant gaze.
"Facing you, I will give it my all!"
A look of firm resolve surfaced in Dugu Huan's eyes.
His cultivation was at True Manifestation Realm Middle Stage. His true forte was his blade technique.
"You are not my opponent. Fighting would be pointless."
Ye Yunfei stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes sweeping over Dugu Huan, his tone utterly placid.
"Your blade path is too extreme. It concentrates all your will, spirit, and energy into a single stroke, going all out with no retreat. If the first stroke fails, you are undoubtedly defeated. In fact, the severe expenditure from that concentrated effort in the first move could make you vulnerable to a one-shot kill by a true expert in the second. Therefore, when facing a genuinely formidable opponent, employing this kind of blade technique is equivalent to suicide."
Ye Yunfei spoke matter-of-factly.
"That is correct. You have seen through the essence of my blade technique with great clarity. My technique may seem powerful, but its flaws are even greater."
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Dugu Huan couldn't help but tremble slightly. He then fell silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.
This attitude surprised Ye Yunfei a little.
Although Dugu Huan appeared proud and aloof on the surface, even cold, he possessed such an honest, straightforward side. This increased Ye Yunfei's favorable impression of him somewhat.
"In truth, you possess great talent in blade techniques. However, the blade path you cultivate now is excessively extreme, which is not beneficial for long-term development."
Ye Yunfei said.
"Eh? What's happening on Arena Two? They've started chatting. And by the looks of it, they're quite absorbed in the conversation."
At this moment, many spectators watching the competition voiced their confusion.
"I know that. But ever since I was young, my master taught me only this one blade technique. I've practiced it for over a decade to achieve its current might. If I switch to a different blade path, I'm afraid I would find it very difficult to adapt."
Dugu Huan replied.
"I happen to know of a blade technique called the Thousand Absolute Blade."
"Its concept is similar to the technique you practice. It also focuses on concentrating the whole body's essence, spirit, and will into the blade, but it is not extreme."
"The Thousand Absolute Blade starts accumulating momentum from the very first stroke, building up progressively. Each subsequent cut is stronger than the last."
"If one can unleash the final, thousandth cut, nothing under heaven can withstand it."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before speaking.
"Thousand Absolute Blade! Does such a blade technique truly exist in this world?!"
Dugu Huan's eyes contracted sharply, his gaze fixed on Ye Yunfei with immense shock as he voiced his question.