Chapter 37: The Top Ten and Shen Wei Makes His Move

The first to enter was a tall woman with her hair braided tightly down her back. She walked slowly, her expression calm and distant. The crowd parted naturally as she walked through. Disciples stepped aside without being asked.

"That’s Lan Mei," Ding Yun whispered beside Yu Liang. "Seventh strongest. Specializes in ice techniques. Cold personality to match."

She made her way to the front row and took her seat without acknowledging anyone.

Two disciples then appeared together. One a thin young man with a sword at his back, while the other was a shorter one who seemed quick and rather nervous. These two were speaking amongst themselves until their entrance made people stare.

"Sixth and fifth," Ding Yun continued. "Zhao Jun with the sword, and the jittery one is Feng Hao. They’re always together, it’s like some kind of training partnership."

They nodded to Lan Mei as they passed, receiving a slight incline of her head in return, then took their seats beside her.

The fourth to arrive was a broad shouldered disciple with a scar running across his jaw. His steps were heavy and deliberate. His presence carried a weight that made the air feel thicker.

"Fourth rank Ma Teng. A Body cultivator. Once angered, he fights like a spirit beast." Ding Yun’s tone carried genuine respect. "One of the few who actually talks to regular disciples. Decent guy, all things considered."

Ma Teng raised a hand in casual greeting to the crowd, then dropped onto his seat with a satisfied grunt.

Behind him came three more disciples in quick succession. A woman with elaborate robes covered in talisman paper, a gaunt young man whose eyes seemed perpetually half closed, and a muscular disciple whose arms were covered in faint scars.

"Those three round out my seven connections," Ding Yun said quietly. "Eighth, ninth, and tenth on the list. All of them in Mid Qi Condensation realm and every one of them is approachable if you’re smart about it."

The seven disciples settled into their seats. For a moment the hall stayed quiet. Then one of them, Zhao Jun, the swordsman turned and spoke loud enough for the others to hear.

"Surprised to see everyone here today. Elder Wan’s lectures are good, but they’re not usually worth all of us showing up."

Lan Mei glanced at him, expression unchanged. "I had time."

Feng Hao nodded quickly. "Y-Yeah. Same. Nothing pressing today."

Ma Teng chuckled. "Just wanted to stretch my legs. Sitting in my cave all day gets—"

He stopped mid sentence.

At the same time Yu Liang felt it before he saw anything. A pressure that rolled through the hall like a cold wind.

Every disciple in the pavilion once again turned toward the entrance.

A figure stepped inside.

He was neither tall nor imposing in stature, but the moment he entered, the space around him seemed to contract. His robes were plain, hair tied back simply, face carrying no particular expression. Yet the weight of his presence pressed down on everyone.

The seven seated disciples rose immediately.

"Senior Brother Mu," they said in unison, bowing slightly.

Mu Yan didn’t acknowledge them right away. His gaze swept across the hall, taking in the crowd with detached interest, then finally settled on the seven who had stood.

"Sit," he said simply.

They obeyed without hesitation.

Mu Yan moved to his seat. Only when he was settled did the pressure ease slightly. The disciples in the hall let out quiet breaths, tension draining from their shoulders as he’s third strongest.

But the relief was short lived.

Another presence entered, sharper than before, carrying an edge that made atmosphere tense.

This time, even Mu Yan stood.

The second strongest had arrived.

Qin Lei stepped into the pavilion with a casual stride, hands tucked into his sleeves. He was tall and lean, with sharp features and eyes that glinted with something close to amusement. His robe was immaculate, embroidered with silver thread that caught the light as he moved.

"Senior Brother Qin," the seated disciples said, bowing deeper this time.

Qin Lei waved a hand dismissively, though the smile on his lips suggested he enjoyed the treatment. His gaze slid over the seated disciples, pausing briefly on Mu Yan.

"Mu Yan," he said with a tone light. "Didn’t expected to see you here. I thought basic cultivation lectures were beneath someone of your... Calibre."

Mu Yan remained expressionless. "I came here to observe."

"Of course you did." Qin Lei’s smile widened slightly. "Always so diligent. It’s admirable, really."

The words might have been complimentary, but the attitude was different; there was ridicule hidden behind them.

Mu Yan said nothing. He simply returned to his seat.

Qin Lei chuckled softly and turned toward the front row. But before he could take his seat, the air shifted again.

This time the pressure was overwhelming.

It wasn’t like a wave that smashed into them. It just... was there, everywhere in the room, pressing on every disciple at the same time. Yu Liang’s breathing stopped in his throat.

The moment that person entered, every instinct in his body screamed one word.

Danger.

’If Wang Shen were to fight this guy...

He’d probably be dead before he even realized the fight had started.’ He thought.

The one who had just entered was none other than the first ranked outer sect disciple. The strongest among them all, Shen Wei.

He entered quietly. He was not tall, nor impressive in any way. The robes he wore were plain; his hairs looked little disheveled, expression calm to the point of boredom.

Every disciple in the hall stood.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Shen!" they said, voices overlapping.

Even Qin Lei and Mu Yan bowed, though neither rose from their seats.

Shen Wei nodded once, acknowledging them, then walked toward the front row. His steps were unhurried.

He stopped in front of the first seat and was about to sit when Qin Lei’s voice rang out.

"Wait."

Shen Wei paused, glancing back.

Qin Lei got up slowly. He was still smiling, but there was a harshness present in his eyes.

"I’m afraid that seat isn’t yours anymore, Shen Wei."

Shen Wei turned fully to face him, expression still calm. "Explain."

Qin Lei spread his hands. "Simple. I’ve just broken through to the peak of Qi Condensation. Now we’re on par with each other. That means the rankings are up for challenge."

A ripple of shock passed through the crowd. The disciples were leaning forward with their mouths agape.

Ding Yun muttered under his breath. "He’s insane. Even at the same realm, Shen Wei is—"

"Quiet," Yu Liang said softly, his attention locked on to the two figures at the front.

Shen Wei studied Qin Lei for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "You want the first seat."

"I do."

"Then take it."

The words hung in the air for a heartbeat.

Then Qin Lei vanished.

He was fast, blindingly fast. One moment he was standing in place, the next he was directly in front of Shen Wei, palm already striking toward his chest. Qi flared condensing into a visible coating arround his hand.

Shen Wei sidestepped. The motion was minimal, like he barely shifted, but Qin Lei’s strike cut through empty air.

Qin Lei spun immediately, other hand sweeping in a wide arc. This time a blade of condensed Qi formed along his arm, cutting through the space towards Shen Wei.

But Shen Wei was no longer there.

He moved like water, each step perfectly timed. Qin Lei’s attacks came faster and faster, his strikes blurring together as Qi burst from them. The air around them trembled, and cracks spread across the stone floor beneath their feet under the pressure.

Yet none of it touched Shen Wei.

The face of Qin Lei turned sour with frustration. He gathered Qi into both hands, the energy swirling violently, then released it in a concentrated blast aimed directly at Shen Wei’s center.

For the first time, Shen Wei made his move.

He raised one hand, palm open. The blast of Qi struck it dead center. For a moment nothing happened. Then the energy dispersed, scattering harmlessly into the air.

Qin Lei’s eyes widened.

Shen Wei stepped forward once, and placed his hand on Qin Lei’s shoulder. It looked almost gentle. The movement was so fast it barely seemed like he had moved at all.

Then Qin Lei’s knees buckled.

He collapsed to one knee, gasping. The weight of Shen Wei’s Qi pressed down on him like a mountain.

Shen Wei’s voice was quiet, almost lazy. "You’ve reached the peak? Hm. Congratulations, I guess. But you’re still not ready."

He released his grip. Qin Lei staggered back, breathing hard.

Shen Wei turned, walked to the first seat, and sat down.

The hall remained silent for a long moment. Qin Lei straightened, expression unreadable, and took the second seat without another word.

Then slowly the tension began to ease.