"He... actually did it?!"

Lu Liancheng and the elders of the branches nearby, usually known for their composure, found it hard to maintain their calm when witnessing the extraordinary feat of challenging the Refining Tower from the first to the seventh layer within a single day.

In retrospect, Yun Xing's seven-day pause on the first layer seemed deliberate, intended to astonish everyone at this moment.

Although it had been eight days since Yun Xing entered the Refining Tower, everyone knew he took just one day to go from the first layer to the seventh.

Perhaps since the Refining Tower was erected, such an event had never occurred. Lu Liancheng and the others might have suspected a malfunction in the tower if other Meridian Refining Masters weren't still undergoing challenges inside.

"Have I... passed?"

Yun Xiao didn't entertain many thoughts, with all confusion gone, leaving his mind clear as he surveyed the space devoid of anyone but the branch elders, and directly posed the question.

"Is this guy here to cause trouble?"

To Lu Liancheng and others, the facts were evident. To ask such a question in this situation was to feign ignorance despite gaining an advantage, perhaps to revel in his triumph.

Especially as they sensed that although Yun Xiao's complexion was slightly pale, his aura was exceptionally calm, leading Lu Liancheng to reflect inwardly, noting that the soul pressure of the sixth layer seemed not to have truly challenged this guy.

The first five layers of the Refining Tower all have random challenges, but the soul pressure of the sixth layer is fixed. After all, for any Meridian Refining Master who wants to advance further, a powerful soul is essential—a fundamental test.

As for the seventh layer, it naturally has special challenges too, but this time, the disciple selection test didn't include the seventh layer's challenge, possibly due to Lu Liancheng's own considerations.

"Congratulations, Yun Xing, you've acquired the first place in this Lushan City branch disciple selection test!"

Lu Liancheng, being the chief, set aside whether Yun Xing's question implied conceit, and after a moment, he solemnly offered words of congratulation.

"First place?"

Hearing this title, Yun Xiao, though slightly surprised, remained composed, reflecting that his eight-day delay due to the Little Dragon on the first layer didn't cause any unnecessary changes. Ultimately, he secured the opportunity to go to the Refining Cloud Mountain Headquarters to participate in the disciple selection.

Whoosh whoosh!

Just as Lu Liancheng's words fell and Yun Xiao nodded, two beams of white light erupted from the top of the Refining Cloud Tower, followed by the appearance of two figures—those two Meridian Refining Masters who reached Earth Rank Low Level.

However, these two figures appeared far more disheveled than Yun Xiao. One even collapsed directly to the ground with weak legs, face pale as a sheet.

It seemed the soul pressure of the sixth layer was incredibly intense. After undergoing a day and night of soul trials, they had reached the crucial moment. If it lasted longer, they might not have made it out of the Refining Tower.

Fortunately, since they were Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Masters, the Refining Tower couldn't completely extinguish their hope, so they ultimately persisted through the last moment.

"Congratulations, you two achieved a tie for second place!"

Lu Liancheng paid no mind to their disheveled appearances, calmly expressing congratulations, much more straightforward than before. After witnessing Yun Xing's heaven-defying speed, these two Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Masters, once considered remarkable in their techniques, now seemed rather ordinary.

"Great Elder, the three places are decided; let everyone come out!"

As his words fell, Lu Liancheng didn't focus on the joyful expressions of the two, but quietly spoke to the Great Elder beside him, who lightly tapped the Jade Token in his hand.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh...

Twenty or so beams of white light flashed, and in the subsequent moment, the open area outside the Refining Tower was filled with numerous figures, all pausing slightly before understanding something.

"The ones who acquired the positions are them?!"

Immediately, everyone's gaze shifted to three specific figures, for their positions were subtly different from the others, suggesting an invisible distinction.

"This time, for the Lushan City spot test, Yun Xing is first, Jiang Cun and Deng Dingzhong are tied for second. You three will represent the Lushan City Meridian Refining Master Guild to go to Lianyun Mountain and partake in the final disciple selection six months from now. We hope you achieve outstanding results and bring honor to Lushan City!"

Lu Liancheng completely ignored the gazes of the failed Meridian Refining Masters, and spoke out loudly, confirming the speculation in everyone's hearts, which made them show a touch of envy and jealousy.

Having already chosen three candidates, Lu Liancheng put away his previous unusual thoughts, and with Yun Xing's extraordinary performance, it seems he will definitely shine in the final Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection in half a year.

No matter where this demon-like Yun Xing emerged from, as long as he represents Lushan City in the Refining Cloud Mountain event in half a year and achieves good results, joining the Refining Cloud Mountain Headquarters is assured, and his future achievements will be limitless.

By then, the Meridian Refining Master Guild of Lushan City might reap some benefits, and Lu Liancheng, as the division chairman who discovered this talent, might even be transferred to the Refining Cloud Mountain Headquarters.

After all, although Lushan City is a large city in the Southern Domain of Tenglong Continent, and its Meridian Refining Master Guild is renowned, it has always been ranked low compared to the entire Tenglong Continent's Meridian Refining Master Guilds.

Not to mention, in this triennial Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection, the Meridian Refining Masters sent by Lushan City have been eliminated in the first round, which indeed brings disgrace to Lu Liancheng as the division chairman.

Each year, these Meridian Refining Master Guild chairmen have to report to the Refining Cloud Mountain Headquarters, presenting their achievements for the year, and if their chosen candidates did not achieve good results, they naturally lack confidence in speaking.

Over the years, Lu Liancheng has been repeatedly ridiculed by other division chairmen, and he had no reasons to retort, which made him extremely frustrated, wishing to avoid attending the so-called annual report meeting.

But today, after witnessing the many extraordinary methods shown by Yun Xing, Lu Liancheng felt a surge of inexplicable confidence, as if this time, the Lushan City division would make a big impression in the Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection.

"These are the tokens for you three to participate in the final disciple selection at Refining Cloud Mountain. Make sure not to lose them, otherwise, it will be considered voluntary withdrawal!"

With these thoughts in his mind, Lu Liancheng waved his sleeve, and the three tokens he had prepared flew accurately towards Yun Xiao and the others.

Receiving the token, Yun Xiao looked down and saw the words "Lushan" engraved on the front of the token and a "1" on the back, which should represent his status as the first-place examinee of Lushan City.

"The final selection at Refining Cloud Mountain will be held in half a year. With this token, you can participate. I hope none of you miss it!"

Lu Liancheng finally said these words, then led the division elders away. Those Meridian Refining Masters who didn't win a place, although regretful, could only leave in disappointment.

"Hehe, Senior Sister Mo Qing, Senior Sister Han Yi, it's been a long time. Do you still remember me, Yun Xiao?"

A thought arose in Yun Xiao's mind, as he knew that Mo Qing and Liu Hanyi had probably already entered the Refining Cloud Mountain Headquarters long ago. He wondered how they had been doing there all this time.

Having won Lushan City's place, Yun Xiao now qualified to go to Refining Cloud Mountain. There, he would surely meet Mo and Liu again. Thinking of these two female friends from the Hidden Dragon Continent, he couldn't help but feel an inexplicable excitement.

Since he had already obtained the spot, Yun Xiao didn't plan to linger in Lushan City any longer. Having killed the princely heir and elder of the Liu family in Lushan City and two Poison Vein Master elders of the Meridian Refining Master Guild, although he had covered his tracks, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't face any trouble.

Even though Yun Xiao, with his current strength and many cards up his sleeve, didn't overly worry about Liu's retaliation, avoiding problems was better than facing them, so he decided to leave Lushan City early.

Whoosh!

As Yun Xiao just stepped out of Lushan City's North Gate, a fiery red shadow leapt out, landing on his right shoulder, and it was none other than the Fire Cloud Rat, Chi Yan.

Chi Yan hadn't been with him in the days Yun Xiao was participating in the Lushan City Meridian Refining Master Guild assessment. Upon seeing it again, Yun Xiao suddenly realized that this little creature's Demon Meridian Qi Cultivation had risen once more, almost reaching the peak of the Seventh Rank Advanced level.

Previously, after refining the Xuanyang Earth Pearl, Chi Yan had broken through to the Seventh Rank Advanced, and now, in just over a month, it was about to break through to the Eighth Rank Low Level. This was indeed an unexpected delight for Yun Xiao.

"You little guy, you must have found some good stuff again?"

Yun Xiao reached out and stroked Chi Yan's back, feeling the scorching heat, instantly understanding something. It must have refined some more Fire Attribute's Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures; otherwise, even as an ancient species, it couldn't have improved so much in such a short time.

"Squeak squeak!"

Chi Yan, understanding human speech, flipped several somersaults on Yun Xiao's shoulder, its squeaking voice carrying a trace of pride, as if seeking credit.

Yun Xiao found it hard to guess Chi Yan's true thoughts, but he didn't dwell on it. The man and demon walked side by side toward the north, perhaps soon causing another stir somewhere.

Meanwhile, in two places within Lushan City, the atmosphere became subtle due to certain matters.