The Minor Five-Element Sword Array

Name: Mu Lingxi

Gender: Female

Cultivation Level: Qi Refinement Perfection

Age: 15

Spiritual Root: Heavenly Thunder Spirit Root

Karma Value: 0

Fifteen years old and already at Qi Refinement Perfection!

A Heavenly Thunder Spirit Root!!!

Upon seeing the girl’s information, Wang Jianqiang couldn’t help but widen his eyes in shock.

At first, he had assumed she was an adult who had cultivated some special technique to maintain a youthful appearance.

But she was genuinely just a young girl!

A fifteen-year-old at Qi Refinement Perfection—if word got out, it would leave countless jaws on the floor.

Even more astonishing was the fact that she possessed an extremely rare Thunder-based constitution, and on top of that, a Heavenly Spirit Root!

"The outer sect truly hides dragons and crouches tigers," Wang Jianqiang muttered in awe after regaining his composure.

After Mu Lingxi’s challenge, the tournament wasn’t over yet.

Both opponents she and Bai Xiruo had defeated still had one last chance to fight back.

Only after their attempts did the competition finally conclude.

In the end:

Bai Xiruo claimed first place.

Mu Lingxi took second.

Wang Yuyao ranked ninth.

After announcing the top fifty names of the grand tournament, Yun Zhongque couldn’t help but glance at Wang Jianqiang.

This tournament had left him with many impressions, but none stood out more than Wang Jianqiang—not Ye Lingyun, not even the Heavenly Spirit Root prodigy Su Yutong, nor any other participant.

From the murmurs in the audience, Yun Zhongque had pieced together some details about Wang Jianqiang.

A waste. A man nearing his lifespan’s end.

Seventy years of cultivation, yet only reaching the third layer of Qi Refinement.

Yet, the rumors didn’t quite match reality.

Wang Jianqiang’s cultivation was clearly at the tenth layer of Qi Refinement.

Though the faint aura of death around him did confirm he was indeed approaching his end.

Withdrawing his gaze, Yun Zhongque shook his head imperceptibly.

Just a dying man.

If not for his cunning schemes, which had repeatedly put Yun Zhongque in difficult positions, an ordinary outer disciple like him wouldn’t have even caught his attention.

Soon after, he declared the tournament concluded and left alongside the other two inner sect elders.

With their departure, the outer sect grand tournament officially came to an end.

News of the tournament’s events spread through the sect like wildfire.

The elimination of the strongest newcomer prodigy, Su Yutong…

The shocking fall of the top favorite, Ye Lingyun, who failed to even make the top ten…

And the emergence of the tournament’s dark horse, Wang Yuyao—the mastermind behind it all.

Every twist was more unexpected than the last.

Even Bai Xiruo’s explosive performance, the reigning beauty of the sect, and the sudden appearance of the enigmatic Mu Lingxi left everyone stunned.

On top of that, the misadventures of Bu Yueban and Xiong Zhuang were also exposed, becoming the butt of many jokes among disciples during their leisure time.

Compared to past tournaments, this one might not have been the most fiercely contested, but it was undoubtedly the most thrilling and dramatic.

……

Three days later.

While Wang Jianqiang was deep in cultivation, Wang Yuyao suddenly paid him a visit.

After the tournament, she had immediately retreated to her residence to recover from her injuries.

This was the first time he had seen her since the competition ended.

The tournament had been like a whetstone, sharpening Wang Yuyao’s entire demeanor.

If she had once been a timid, self-doubting ugly duckling, she now carried herself like a proud white swan.

"Senior Brother, the tournament rewards have been distributed. We’ve secured our spots for the Frost Pond Secret Realm," she said.

"And I’ve prepared two gifts for you."

With a wave of her hand, two items materialized before him:

A jade vial and a jade slip.

"The vial contains a Foundation Establishment Pill."

"This jade slip contains an offensive technique I specifically picked for you."

Hearing Wang Yuyao's gentle explanation, Wang Jianqiang felt a warmth in his heart.

After the grand competition, he had casually mentioned to her that he intended to purchase an offensive technique.

He never expected that an offhand remark would stay in her thoughts.

From what he knew, the rewards for fourth to tenth place in the grand competition were the same—

A Foundation Establishment Pill, three hundred thousand spirit stones, and one opportunity to freely select a treasure from the Outer Sect Treasury.

In terms of value, the Foundation Establishment Pill was the most precious.

Next was the chance to pick a treasure from the Outer Sect Treasury.

This "Minor Five Elements Sword Array" must have been selected from there.

The Foundation Establishment Pill and the Outer Sect Treasury opportunity were her two greatest rewards from the outer sect competition—yet she had given them to him without hesitation!

Especially the Foundation Establishment Pill!

It was practically the most coveted treasure for any Qi Refinement cultivator!

Wang Jianqiang gazed softly at Wang Yuyao and accepted the jade slip containing the Minor Five Elements Sword Array.

Although the External Affairs Hall also sold offensive techniques, their quality was generally inferior, far below the treasures stored in the Outer Sect Treasury.

Moreover, combat techniques were something he urgently needed, so there was no reason to refuse.

As for the jade vial containing the Foundation Establishment Pill, he pushed it back toward her.

"I'll take the Minor Five Elements Sword Array, but the Foundation Establishment Pill is useless to me. You keep it."

"But—"

"No 'buts.' Just take it." Wang Jianqiang shook his head.

"Oh."

Seeing that he seemed slightly annoyed, Wang Yuyao quickly nodded and put it away.

Wang Jianqiang chuckled at her obedient expression.

"Now that the trivial matters are settled, let's discuss something more serious."

With that, he swept Wang Yuyao into his arms, eliciting a startled yelp from her—but just as he was about to turn—

"Ouch!"

His body stiffened abruptly, and cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.

"What's wrong?"

Wang Yuyao froze, then paled with worry at the sight of his pained expression.

"My back—I threw it out!"

Gritting his teeth, Wang Jianqiang carefully set her down.

Wang Yuyao relaxed slightly and scolded him, "Who told you to act so shamelessly at your age? Still up for it now?"

"Of course I am."

"But your back—?"

"Doesn’t matter. You can do the moving instead."

......

Ten minutes later.

Wang Yuyao, her face flushed, helped Wang Jianqiang out of the inner room.

Just as she was about to leave, Wang Jianqiang suddenly spoke up.

"Don’t take the Foundation Establishment Pill yet."

"The Frozen Abyss Secret Realm only permits Qi Refinement cultivators to enter. If you break through to Foundation Establishment, you’ll lose your eligibility. But once inside the secret realm, there are no restrictions."

"You can take it after entering."

"Understood." Wang Yuyao nodded.

After she left, Wang Jianqiang fell into thought.

Since he had already decided to enter the Frozen Abyss Secret Realm, how could he go unprepared?

The Frozen Abyss Secret Realm opened once every thirty years—coinciding with the interval between outer sect grand competitions. This time, it was set to open in a month.

The secret realm wasn’t solely owned by the Joy Union Sect. It was jointly managed by the four major cultivation factions of the Northern Region.

Upon opening, disciples from all four factions would enter, not just those from the Joy Union Sect.

Inside, disciples of the four factions would compete for resources.

The intensity of such battles far surpassed any conflict between fellow disciples.

Casualties were nothing out of the ordinary.

The Joy Union Sect alone boasted formidable experts like Bai Xiruo, Mu Lingxi, and Ye Lingyun. Since the other three major sects stood on equal footing with the Joy Union Sect, how could their disciples be anything less than extraordinary?

Merely relying on the Minor Five Elements Sword Formation for this expedition to the Cold Abyss Secret Realm wouldn’t guarantee absolute safety—additional preparations were necessary.

With this in mind, he rose and strode toward the door.