Soon, the results of the quarterfinals drawing lots came out.
Pure Yang Sect's opponent was Tianyi City, the Immortal Dao Merchant Association's opponent was Mysterious Yin City, the Mysterious Yin Sect had good luck and faced the eighth-ranked veteran family, while Tianyuan Sect's opponent was Pure Yang City.
"Damn it, right off the bat we're facing Pure Yang City. The top four is hopeless now; we can only conserve our strength and compete for fifth place."
After seeing the draw results, Lin Tiancheng's heart felt half-chilled. Facing Pure Yang City, which had a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, right at the start was too harsh. If things looked truly hopeless, they would just concede to preserve their strength for the fifth-place playoff.
"Qin Xiao, let's just concede this match to avoid any injuries. We'll preserve our strength, and perhaps we can still fight for fifth place."
Lin Tiancheng sought out Qin Xiao to discuss countermeasures.
"Sect Leader, that's completely unnecessary. Aside from that honorary deputy city lord, Pure Yang City's other two members are only in the early stage of Nascent Soul. Our chances aren't small at all. Why should we concede?"
Qin Xiao knew the opponents had a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, but even if they couldn't win the whole match, couldn't they at least wear down a couple of opponents?
Qin Xiao had no desire to scrap for fifth place among the lower four ranks. Entering the top four directly secured their quota. Even if they took fourth and subsequently lost a challenge, fifth place remained guaranteed-that was the safest and most reliable method.
Challenges could only be made in sequence, and only the fifth-ranked competitor could challenge the fourth. Even a loss would leave them at fifth.
Qin Xiao's conservative calculation stemmed mainly from never having fought a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator before, making it hard to guarantee an absolute victory. Otherwise, his real goal was first place. After his Body Refinement reached the fourth layer and he spent two more months in Secluded Cultivation, he was already invincible against anyone in the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm.
"Then what are your thoughts?"
Seeing Qin Xiao reject his strategy, Lin Tiancheng turned to Yun Man and Lin Shimeng.
"I'll follow Master's lead."
Yun Man naturally stood by Qin Xiao.
"Father, I also think we should give it a try. If we truly cannot match them, we can always concede later."
Having witnessed the true strength of her master and senior sister, Lin Shimeng was unwilling to simply surrender without a fight.
"Fine. You are the ones competing, so I respect your opinions. But you must be careful-if you cannot win, surrender immediately and avoid injury at all costs."
Lin Tiancheng's heart remained uneasy, but since the three insisted on fighting, he could only offer a final warning.
Before their departure, Lin Tiancheng had delegated decision-making authority to Qin Xiao, and Qin Xiao had given his word, leaving the Sect Leader unable to interfere by force. If they failed to secure a quota, the blame would fall entirely on him.
On the other side, City Lord Yu Chengfeng was in high spirits upon seeing the draw results. Drawing Tianyuan Sect meant securing his spot without a hitch.
In his mind, Tianyuan Sect had already lost all hope of reaching the top five. He had worried about bad luck leading to a clash with Tianyi City or Pure Yang City, which would demand a bitter struggle without any guaranteed win. Now, entering the top four was practically assured.
The first match soon commenced between Pure Yang City and Tianyi City.
The outcome held no surprises. Tianyi City fielded two practitioners at the peak of the Golden Core realm and one late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Cang Chen dispatched the first two alone before falling quickly to Fang Xiuxian.
To preserve his strength, Cang Chen chose not to drag out the fight and withdrew as soon as victory proved impossible. Cang Xing then took the stage to wear down Fang Xiuxian.
As the older brother with many more years of cultivation, his practical combat experience was abundant. Though he could not win, he inflicted heavy exhaustion upon the opponent.
In the end, Gong Yuankui stepped up at peak condition and defeated Fang Xiuxian with minimal effort.
"Forget it. I'll conserve my strength for Qin Xiao. If an opening appears, killing him would be best."
Aware that his current state was no match for Gong Yuankui, Fang Xiuxian conceded after a brief exchange.
The Immortal Dao Merchant Association and the Mysterious Yin Sect enjoyed favorable draws, facing opponents whose highest cultivation reached only the early Nascent Soul stage. A single fighter from each side swept three opponents in a row to end the battles swiftly.
Next came the centerpiece of the tournament: Pure Yang City versus Tianyuan Sect.
Both were veteran factions, traditionally holding the fourth and fifth positions. In past years, Tianyuan Sect's mid-stage Nascent Soul Holy Maiden would have secured a comfortable victory, but Pure Yang City now boasted a late-stage Nascent Soul expert, leaving Tianyuan Sect with virtually no chance.
More critically, Tianyi City-which also possessed a late-stage Nascent Soul fighter-had already lost. This meant Tianyuan City risked losing even fifth place entirely, shutting them out of Spirit Medicine Valley.
"Qin Xiao, you still wanted to cross swords with us? It seems you won't get the chance now. We'll just have to settle things in a private match after the tournament."
Convinced that Tianyuan Sect could never overcome Pure Yang City, Luo Yunshuang relegated their wager to a private affair.
Yet others retained faith in Qin Xiao, chief among them being Ling Ruoxue. Someone capable of producing a Saint Origin Spirit Fruit on a whim could not be judged by mere appearances; Qin Xiao undoubtedly harbored deep reserves of hidden cards.
"Shimeng, you're up first as usual. Clear out the two small fry quickly, and try to wear down Yu Heguang if you can. If not, fall back and let Yun Man take over."
Qin Xiao assigned the opening slot to Lin Shimeng once again.
"Understood."
Lin Shimeng had little choice. Given that her cultivation was the lowest, she could hardly claim the role of a hidden trump card right away.
"Father, let me take the first match."
Seeing Lin Shimeng take the stage, Yu Shaoqing stepped forward to volunteer.
Though he lacked a Heavenly Spirit Root, his family possessed immense wealth. Piled-up Spirit Stone resources had propelled him into the Nascent Soul realm, and his collection of precious artifacts gave him confidence against mid-stage Nascent Soul opponents.
"Go ahead and treat it as a learning experience. Do not assume you hold a monopoly on treasures; she is a sect Holy Maiden, and her artifacts are no less formidable than yours. Withdraw if you cannot win."
Yu Chengfeng had initially planned to send his twenty-seventh brother straight into a three-man sweep, but since his son was eager to perform, he granted permission.
"Junior Sister Lin, please offer your guidance."
Yu Shaoqing maintained a polite demeanor.
"Cut the chatter. Get ready and start."
Having fought all day, Lin Shimeng was in no mood for pleasantries.
"Since Junior Sister Lin prefers brevity, make your move."
Meeting a cold reception, Yu Shaoqing drew a Middle Grade Dharma Treasure sword and assumed an attacking posture.
Lin Shimeng put away her ordinary blade and produced the precious sword gifted by her father-also a Middle Grade Dharma Treasure.
Without further words, the two charged at one another simultaneously.
Lacking an advantage in their Dharma Treasures and outmatched by a full cultivation realm, Yu Shaoqing was knocked back over ten meters by the initial clash.
"Is this the gulf between cultivation realms?"
Yu Shaoqing's fingers tingled from the impact, making the disparity glaringly clear.
Yet he refused to be discouraged. His figure shifted rapidly, conjuring countless afterimages as he abandoned frontal assaults in favor of agile footwork.
His father had spent a heavy price to acquire this movement technique, which generated illusions capable of shifting between real and false to disorient opponents.
"Fancy tricks."
Lin Shimeng held her sword horizontally across her chest as Spiritual Qi surged through her frame. Her weapon trembled slightly as she began brewing a major technique.
"Not good! I cannot let her strike first."
Alarmed, Yu Shaoqing closed in on her without hesitation.
Countless phantom figures charged from every direction, each radiating powerful pressure that concealed the true body's location.
"Mountain Severance."
Ignoring the illusions entirely, Lin Shimeng uttered the two words and spun rapidly in place, releasing a sweeping ring of sword energy in all directions.
The overlapping phantoms shattered instantly under the blade wave. A single figure was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground while spitting a mouthful of blood.
"That was close. Thank goodness my Protective Dharma Treasure saved my life."
The fallen figure was none other than Yu Shaoqing. Despite his speed, he had failed to outpace Lin Shimeng's sword energy.
"Shaoqing, you have lost. Step down."
Seeing his son defeated, Yu Chengfeng spoke up immediately.
Knowing his son's pride, Yu Chengfeng understood that without intervention, the young man would risk severe injury trying to salvage his face. He had already perceived that Lin Shimeng was far more formidable than his son could handle.
"Yes, Father."
Though Yu Shaoqing still intended to rely on his remaining hidden cards, he obeyed his father's command and withdrew.