Inside the main hall of Lingxu Sect, a place that is usually solemn and dignified, the atmosphere was unusually lively today due to the approaching competition between the academies.
A series of beams of light flashed in, breaking the tranquility of the hall.
Qin Luo and his group were no exception. As soon as they stepped into the hall, their eyes were drawn to the many familiar figures inside.
Looking into the distance, Qin Luo immediately spotted Wu Changkong and the others.
This is their first reunion since their parting at the God's Ruins.
Wu Changkong stood tall and straight as ever, like a proud pine tree. Although his face was ordinary, he exuded a unique aura, and his calm eyes revealed the perseverance that came with years of hardship. Behind him, Xiao Ming followed closely, the two standing side by side like a perfectly coordinated pair.
Upon closer inspection, Qin Luo discovered that both of them had already broken through to the Spirit Tribulation Realm and were still firmly ranked in the top two on the Wind and Cloud Ranking, leaving everyone else far behind.
Shifting the gaze further back, one could see Feng Zhiyu and Xu Zhe standing side by side, their spiritual energy subtly emanating from them, clearly indicating that they had also reached the Body Tribulation Realm, and their strength was not to be underestimated.
"It seems this is the team that Senior Wu has assembled."
Qin Luo muttered to himself, then turned his head slightly, casting his gaze in another direction, where Wan Shuhua was.
This was the first time Qin Luo had met them since the freshman competition ended.
Duan Yu and Hong Hao remained by Wan Shuhua's side as always.
However, to Qin Luo's surprise, the fourth member of Wan Shuhua's team was Lin Yan.
Qin Luo's memory of her was still the day she sparred with Su Yaoyue during their ranking competition.
At this moment, Lin Yan stood gracefully, her eyes revealing a unique sharpness, standing with Wan Shuhua and the others.
As soon as Qin Luo entered the hall, everyone focused their attention on him.
Wu Changkong was the first to react, a hearty smile spreading across his face as he loudly proclaimed:
"Junior Brother Qin Luo, it's been two years since we last met. I didn't expect your strength to have increased so rapidly."
He looked Qin Luo up and down, his eyes filled with amazement, and continued, "I see that your spiritual tribulation is already on the verge of completion, and I'm afraid it won't be long before you can undergo the soul tribulation!"
Qin Luo also had a good impression of Wu Changkong, and quickly returned the gesture with a cupped hand:
"Senior Wu, you flatter me. I only managed to make a breakthrough after many fortunate opportunities over the past two years. As for you, Senior, your strength has become increasingly unfathomable, and you have always been a role model for me to learn from."
Wu Changkong laughed and shook his head:
"Junior Brother Qin Luo, being overly modest makes you seem distant!"
He suppressed his smile, his expression turned serious, and a hint of solemnity flashed deep in his eyes. "To be honest, I feel immense pressure standing in front of you now."
At this point, Wu Changkong continued with a touch of emotion, "It took Xiao Ming and me several years to barely reach the Spirit Tribulation in the three tribulations of becoming a saint, but you caught up with us in just two years, and even surpassed us. It seems that I have been sitting on the number one spot on the Wind and Cloud Ranking for quite a while."
Upon hearing Wu Changkong's words, the people present looked at Qin Luo with even greater surprise.
Originally, everyone only knew that Qin Luo's strength had increased rapidly, but they never expected that he had put pressure on Wu Changkong, who had been at the top of the popularity rankings for many years. With such strength, it's no wonder that he had the confidence to build his own team.
However, when everyone saw the team that Qin Luo had built himself, they couldn't help but have doubts.
Among the group, it was understandable that Murong Liyue and Su Yaoyue had both reached the Body Tribulation Realm. However, the last person in the group, Huang Lu, was only at the late stage of the Soul Separation Realm.
This level of cultivation would be considered elite in a typical academy, but it's still far from enough compared to the other participants from the other eight Heavenly Gates.
Moreover, Qin Luo's group... three women and one man, a truly eye-catching combination. Those in the know understand they're going to participate in the academy competition, but those unaware might mistake them for wealthy young men and women traveling together.
Just then, figures slowly appeared from inside the main hall; they were Dean Yuanxuan and the other elders of Lingyuan Sect.
Among them were Elder Fan, whom Qin Luo had met when he first entered the Lingyuan Sect, and Elder Zhu, who guarded the Lingyuan Treasure Vault.
For the past month, Dean Yuanxuan has been on tenterhooks. Ever since that mysterious expert quietly appeared in Lingyuan Sect, he has been worried that Lingyuan Sect might encounter misfortune. Fortunately, everything has been peaceful for the past month, and the worst-case scenario has not occurred.
As Nian Zhi looked down, Dean Yuan Xuan swept his gaze across the crowd below, and looking at the twelve energetic young people before him, a great deal of his frustration vanished.
"Another ten years have passed, and the once-a-decade competition between academies has arrived once again. This competition is a great opportunity for Lingyuan Sect to exchange ideas and learn from other academies. In the last round, Lingyuan Sect was not particularly outstanding overall; we were only ranked in the middle."
At this point, Dean Yuanxuan's thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the past.
In the previous academy competition, although Lingyuan Sect also sent its top disciples from the Fengyun Ranking, their performance was less than satisfactory compared to the geniuses of the other eight Heavenly Gates. The fierce competition and the dejected expressions of defeat are still vivid in my mind.
"However, the tide of time is rolling in, and past achievements are now history. This competition between universities is the stage for you to shine."
He paused slightly, his gaze lingering on Qin Luo, Wu Changkong, and the others in turn:
"My Lingyuan Sect doesn't necessarily need to win the top prize and rebuild its glory. In the end, my Lingyuan Sect is still an academy. As long as you gain something and have some insights in this competition, no matter what the final result is, you are the pride of my Lingyuan Sect and the victors in my eyes."
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