The Outer Sect Tournament-Part 1

The Outer Sect Tournament, the sole opportunity for Cloud Sky Sect's disciples to ascend to the Inner Sect, had the entire Outer Sect eagerly anticipating it. Participants weren't just fighting for the generous rewards but also for the chance to enter the Inner Sect and embark on a higher path of cultivation.

The tournament was held in the expansive Outer Sect Plaza, a large arena surrounded by protective arrays to absorb the spiritual energy fluctuations from the contestants' battles and prevent harm to the spectators. The arena was packed with crowds of disciples, all eager to showcase their skills and rise in the ranks.

Wang Quan stood in the competition area, his expression calm, yet his gaze was as sharp as a sword. Surrounding him were powerful contestants, particularly a few older cultivators who had reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement, marking them as some of the strongest in the Outer Sect. Wang Quan knew this tournament would be no easy feat, but instead of fear, he felt a surge of determination.

Aside from these seasoned experts, there were also a few younger prodigies in the Outer Sect who caught Wang Quan's attention, particularly three formidable disciples whom he would need to watch out for.

The First Contender: He Guang, a rare body cultivator in the Outer Sect, stood out with his towering frame and muscles that bulged like iron. While He Guang wasn't proficient in spells, his immense physical strength allowed him to outshine many of his peers, and his body was as resilient as a beast's.

"He Guang's body refinement techniques... it will be tough for anyone to break through his defenses," Wang Quan thought. Body cultivators might lack in spellcasting, but their powerful physiques made them formidable opponents, able to withstand many attacks head-on.

The Second Contender: Xiao Yan, a practitioner of fire-based spells, had already reached the eighth level of Qi Refinement. Clad in a crimson robe, his sharp features radiated a fiery intensity, with a hint of scorching flames in his aura. Known for his mastery over fire techniques, Xiao Yan's most famous move, the "Flame Dragon Art," had once cornered an opponent to near defeat, showcasing his overwhelming power.

"Xiao Yan's fire techniques… many will likely fall to him in this tournament," Wang Quan noted, aware of the sheer dominance that Xiao Yan's fire spells carried.

The Third Contender was a mysterious disciple dressed in black, concealing their face. Although they kept a low profile, Wang Quan keenly sensed the potent spiritual energy hidden within. Despite their anonymity, something about this disciple felt unsettling to Wang Quan.

"This person... isn't simple," Wang Quan frowned slightly. Though the individual remained reserved, it was clear to him that many hidden experts existed in the Outer Sect.

With the signal from the referee, the tournament officially began.

First Match: Wang Quan vs. a Qi Refinement Sixth-Level Cultivator

The opponent specialized in wood-based spells, controlling vines that sought to entangle Wang Quan. However, Wang Quan had already reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement and mastered the Five Elements Secret Technique. With a single movement, his sword gleamed with the power of fire, unleashing a scorching flame that incinerated the vines instantly.

His opponent, startled and attempting to cast another spell, was met with Wang Quan's swift advance. His sword flashed with a cold light as earth elemental energy surged into it, sending it directly toward the opponent's chest.

"You've lost," Wang Quan declared, his opponent immediately surrendering in shock.

Second Match: He Guang vs. a Qi Refinement Seventh-Level Disciple

The opposing cultivator used wind-based techniques, hoping to overwhelm He Guang with speed. However, He Guang simply snorted, standing unmoved as the wind blades struck his body. His skin turned an iron-blue color, and the wind blades merely produced the sound of metal clashing, unable to pierce his defenses.

"This level of attack… is nothing."

He Guang stepped forward, and with a single powerful punch, the ground shook beneath him. The opponent, unable to dodge in time, was sent flying by the sheer force, coughing up blood before crashing to the ground.

Third Match: Xiao Yan vs. a Qi Refinement Eighth-Level Cultivator

This was one of the most intense battles in the tournament thus far, as both fighters were at the eighth level of Qi Refinement. However, Xiao Yan's fire techniques were far more overwhelming. With a series of hand seals, he summoned a fiery dragon that roared through the air, spiraling toward his opponent with immense heat.

The opponent, pale with fear, hastily summoned water spells to counter the flames, but Xiao Yan's fire was so fierce that it evaporated the water almost instantly. The flame dragon crashed through the protective aura, and with a single devastating blow, the opponent was thrown from the stage.

Fourth Match: The Mysterious Black-Clad Disciple vs. a Qi Refinement Ninth-Level Cultivator

This battle was the most enigmatic. The black-clad disciple remained elusive throughout, their movements swift as the wind, effortlessly dodging every spell cast by the opponent. Each strike they made was precise, but eerily silent, as if cloaked in an invisible force.

Despite the ninth-level opponent's superior cultivation, they were unable to predict the black-clad disciple's movements and were soon overwhelmed by a series of swift and decisive blows.

As the matches progressed, the true powerhouses of the tournament began to emerge.

Wang Quan, with his unique mastery of the Five Elements Secret Technique, advanced smoothly, defeating several opponents to secure a spot in the top sixteen. He Guang, Xiao Yan, and the mysterious black-clad disciple also advanced effortlessly, solidifying their places in the top ranks.

As the round of sixteen approached, Wang Quan stood beside the arena, silently adjusting his breath and surveying his remaining opponents.

"The real challenges start now."

With his sword gripped firmly and spiritual energy coursing through his body, he prepared himself for the even fiercer battles to come.