But now...
Watching Chu Bai conjure a shield with a mere thought, his movements so fluid and effortless, even a seasoned and worldly expert like Jii Yu had to admit it—
This was clearly...
"A Perfection Level Magic Technique..."
Jii Yu’s lips parted slightly as she let out a soft, complicated sigh, her heart pounding in shock.
What did a Magic Technique of this level mean?
It meant the technique had been cultivated to its absolute peak, touching the very edge of the underlying principles. It was the highest limit a Magic Technique could reach in the Qi Cultivation Stage!
Although Chu Bai’s own Cultivation was still at the Qi Cultivation Third Layer, preventing him from unleashing the full potential of this Perfect Technique, it was still terrifyingly powerful.
After all, across the entire Daoist School, not even the Senior Instructors who had immersed themselves in a single element’s Magic Techniques for decades would dare claim to have mastered multiple Perfection Level Magic Techniques.
Even the astonishingly brilliant Ji Li, who had just broken through to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, had likely not yet pushed any of his Magic Techniques to this sublime Perfection Level, where the Dao and the skill become one!
For the students of the Daoist School, just relying on a few Mastery Level Magic Techniques, combined with a solid Cultivation, was enough to dominate the third-year class and rank among the top.
Let alone the legendary Perfection Level!
"Another mid-battle breakthrough!"
The deans exchanged glances, their eyes filled with unconcealable shock.
First, there was Ji Li, who leveraged the power of the White Talisman to forcibly break through his Realm. Now, there was Chu Bai, who had an epiphany with his Magic Technique under mountainous pressure.
Today’s Immortal Official Examination was like a carnival for geniuses, with one climax after another leaving everyone breathless.
"Judge Li was right."
Lu Hex took a deep breath to calm his turbulent emotions. He turned to the red-robed Judge beside him, whose expression was profound and inscrutable, and sighed with heartfelt admiration, "Only under pressure can one grow. True character is forged in the crucible of desperation."
He was both shocked and delighted.
Chu Bai had given him far too many surprises today.
Faced with the near-hopeless situation of Ji Li breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer mid-battle, the young man hadn’t been crushed. Instead, he had used that pressure to transform himself, advancing his Magic Technique at this critical moment and clawing his way to a sliver of hope!
What kind of outrageous talent was this? What indomitable spirit?
’This boy...’
Lu Hex gazed at Chu Bai, his expression softening as if he were looking at a priceless gem. ’His future is limitless.’
A melodious bell chimed once more, echoing across the Daoist School. It announced that the decisive final hour had ended and that the curtain was rising on the final battle.
In the grand square, all ten examinees rose to their feet. Whether they had been resting with their eyes closed or making a final desperate effort, their auras were now all adjusted to their peak condition.
Even the lucky contestant who had been panicking earlier was now gritting his teeth, his eyes glinting with the light of a do-or-die struggle.
Now that they had made it this far, no one wanted to be the coward who fled without a fight.
"The third round, the arena battles, begin!"
At Judge Li’s command, the ground of the massive square rumbled violently. With the roar of mechanisms, five bluestone arenas, each glowing with a faint Spiritual Light, slowly ascended.
The lottery results were announced quickly. The pairings for the first round flowed into view on the Water Mirror in mid-air, perfectly clear for all to see.
Chu Bai looked up, a glint in his eyes.
[Match One: Chu Bai versus Wang Qingli]
[Match Two: Ji Li versus Jiangg Yingqiao]
"What a coincidence."
Chu Bai watched the valiant senior student walk onto the arena, a Cyan Wood Giant Shield in hand. A helpless smile touched his lips.
Wang Qingli gave a wry smile and slammed the base of her Cyan Wood Shield on the ground with a dull THUD. Although she knew her chances of winning were slim, the fighting spirit in her eyes didn’t diminish in the slightest. Instead, it burned with a stubborn refusal to yield.
"Junior Brother, I may have been your training partner for a long time, but I won’t go easy on you. If you underestimate me, be careful you don’t suffer an unexpected defeat."
"Senior, please." Chu Bai’s expression turned serious as he cupped his hands in a formal salute.
The battle began in an instant.
Over the past few months, the two of them had sparred countless times in the training rooms. They were far too familiar with each other.
Chu Bai had long since memorized Wang Qingli’s steady, defensive counter-attack style. Every blind spot in her defense, every pause in the circulation of her Spiritual Power, was as clear to him as the lines on his own palm.
Half a year ago, or even just a month ago, Chu Bai would have had to work hard and exchange dozens of moves to break through Wang Qingli’s iron-clad defense.
But now...
With the boost from his Evil Qi, the overwhelming power of his Dharma Artifact, and his Perfection Level mastery of a Magic Technique...
It took only ten moves!
With a roar from the Essence-Bearing Tripod, a terrifying suppressive force instantly enveloped the entire arena.
Under the immense pressure, the Spiritual Light on Wang Qingli’s prized Cyan Wood Shield dimmed, and her movements faltered.
In that split second, Chu Bai closed the distance like a phantom. A Formless Cloud Hand, both gentle and firm, lightly pressed against her shoulder. A burst of skillful force erupted, sending her smoothly off the arena.
"I lost."
Wang Qingli landed steadily. Though she was a little breathless, her expression was carefree.
She put away her Dharma Artifact, winked at Chu Bai, and said cheerfully, "Looks like I’ll have a good view for the finals. Good luck, Junior Brother."
Meanwhile, on another arena, the battle ended just as cleanly—and one could even say, cruelly.
Although Jiangg Yingqiao had his bizarre Illusion Techniques and an Ancient Mirror Dharma Artifact that could reflect Magic Techniques, he stood before Ji Li, who had broken through to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer. Such an absolute suppression of power rendered all flashy tricks pale and useless.
Ji Li didn’t even need to use his Flying Sword. Relying solely on the crushing Power of Primordial Magnetism, he was like a walking mountain, ending the fight in a matter of breaths.
Both battles were one-sided stomps, with no suspense whatsoever.
After a short while, the other three matches also concluded.
The losers entered the losers’ bracket. Although they had lost the right to compete for the top spot, they still had to fight for their final rankings.
The winners, after a short period of Breath Regulation, prepared for the even more brutal next round.
The flames of battle were rekindled in the second round of matches. This time, Chu Bai was up against Wu Jianfei, who was known for his explosive style, while Ji Li faced his old rival, Lü Qing.
Wu Jianfei’s strength was on par with Wang Qingli’s. In fact, due to the nature of his Fire Element Technique, his attacks were even more swift and ferocious. He could often suppress his opponents right from the start, leaving them gasping for breath.
But against Chu Bai, this strength in offense and weakness in defense became a fatal flaw.
Chu Bai, empowered by the Fire Element Ring, was faster than him. His Guardian Shield, shimmering with golden light, was tougher than his opponent’s defenses.
Wu Jianfei had just raised his Blazing Fire Heavy Hammer when Chu Bai, striking second but landing first, countered speed with speed. He swept through Wu Jianfei like a gale scattering autumn leaves, defeating him even more thoroughly than he had Wang Qingli.
On the other side, the clash of titans that everyone had been anticipating never came to pass.
Although Lü Qing was powerful and had previously been able to trade blows with Ji Li, only losing by a slight margin, that was only when they were in the same Realm.
Now, not only did Ji Li have the advantage of the massive amount of Evil Qi he had accumulated in the first two rounds, but he had also broken through mid-battle into the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer!
Faced with a Realm suppression as unshakable as a mountain, Lü Qing’s sweeping, head-on fighting style became a Life-ending Talisman that only hastened his defeat.
Just five moves.
Ji Li sent Lü Qing’s burly frame flying back with a single palm strike. A clear Palm Seal was left on his prized Profound Gold Armor. Though his heart was filled with unwillingness, he had no choice but to concede defeat.
Then came the third round...
As time went on, the figures on the arenas dwindled, and the atmosphere grew heavier.
Yet two figures remained standing, sweeping aside all opponents in their path and sending them to the losers’ bracket as if they were clearing the stage for the finale.
Finally, as the last semifinal match concluded, a brief, eerie silence fell over the square.
There were no surprises. No dark horses had emerged.
The ones who had reached the stage for the final showdown were still the same two names—the two who had been competing against each other since the very first round.
Chu Bai.
Ji Li.
They stood on two separate, opposing arenas, their gazes meeting across the distance.
One was wreathed in ink-black Evil Qi, dark mist churning around him, a golden shield protecting his body.
The other, dressed in robes whiter than snow, radiated vast Primordial Magnetism, his aura deep and powerful.
The judge needed to say nothing more. Everyone knew.
What came next was the true—final battle!

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