An unusual bet was made under the witnesses of many branch presidents, but most people looked at Lu Liancheng with a hint of sneer, secretly wondering if this guy had lost his mind to make such a decision?

People like Ge Buqi also thought that Lu Liancheng was just putting on a brave face, which could likely cost him his position as the branch president of the Meridian Refining Masters in Lushan City.

At least in each of these branch president's cities, trying to get into the top ten is absolutely not easy. In many instances, the top ten spots in the selection of Refining Cloud Mountain disciples were monopolized by geniuses from super forces and first-class forces.

Powerful forces like the Spirit Fighting Commerce or Sky Thunder Valley have Meridian Refining geniuses who do not need to be selected through the Meridian Refining Master's branch association. The sect family just needs to report to Refining Cloud Mountain headquarters.

With this happening, how could those allocated spots from ordinary assessments compare with geniuses nurtured by first-class forces? Each time the branch selection spots in various cities were only left with the scraps.

Among them, Shiyun City was the most remarkable. There was even a time when a Meridian Refining Master sent by Shiyun City defeated a genius from the Shenxiao Sect and gained a spot in the top five, which made Ge Buqi smile until the wrinkles on his face unfolded.

That's why if this time Ge Buqi claimed the Meridian Refining Masters from Shiyun City could make it into the top ten, people wouldn't be too surprised. But for Lushan City, which constantly ranks at the bottom, they think it's not likely.

However, some seasoned and prudent branch presidents, upon seeing no trace of worry on Lu Liancheng's face, but rather a faint smile, couldn't help but be thoughtful.

They all believed that Lu Liancheng was wagering his future, and with Ge Buqi's temperament, if Lu Liancheng truly ended up as an elder in the Shiyun City branch, they could imagine the kind of humiliation he might face.

"Ge Buqi, you old fellow, this time just wait to lose?"

Indeed, Lu Liancheng was not too worried, sneered in his heart, his gaze turned to the square not far away, and among countless contestants, he found the rough figure carrying a wooden sword.

"Yun Xiao, oh Yun Xiao, this time my fortune and future are all on you, don't disappoint me!"

A murmuring voice came from Lu Liancheng's mouth. No one knew what he was saying. In any case, besides watching the competitions of the Meridian Refining Masters from various cities, they now had another form of anticipation.

In fact, when Yun Xiao initially participated in the quota test in Lushan City, he used the name "Yun Xing." However, later, having secretly observed some events, Lu Liancheng naturally knew that the real name was Yun Xiao, who had accomplished many significant feats.

A name doesn't represent much. Refining Cloud Mountain values the Meridian Refining Masters' refining techniques. Whether you are called Yun Xing or Yun Xiao, as long as you can stand out in the final Meridian Refining competition, you can be valued by them. Otherwise, no matter how great your reputation is, it amounts to empty talk.

......

The immense square of Refining Cloud Mountain is located not far from the headquarters entrance. At this moment, on a high platform on the east side of the square, stood some young figures, the young Medical Pulse geniuses from the Heavenly Hospital of Refining Cloud Mountain.

"Hehe, Junior Sister Mo Qing from the Hidden Dragon Continent, surely hasn't seen such a grand event before?"

Beside the graceful silhouette in a black dress stood a white-clad elegant man, who glanced subtly at the beauty beside him, his words infused with a bit of commanding pride.

This black-dressed silhouette naturally was Mo Qing, who had been with the Heavenly Hospital for a year. However, hearing the words of the person beside her reminded her of events back on the Hidden Dragon Continent.

In fact, purely in terms of numbers, the Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection had nearly ten thousand people, while the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference once gathered almost one hundred thousand people, far bigger in scale than this event.

However, those participating in the Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection are all Meridian Refining Masters. Whether in terms of Meridian Qi cultivation or power of soul, they are likely far stronger than the nearly one hundred thousand participants of the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference, so it's hard to say which is truly superior.

Mo Qing was no longer unfamiliar with this person beside her, knowing he was the first genius in the Medical Pulse lineage of the Heavenly Hospital, named Bai Wushuang. With her keen mind, she naturally knew Bai Wushuang might have some ideas about her.

Unfortunately, Mo Qing's heart was already set elsewhere. Regarding any man in the world, even an excellent Meridian Refining genius like Bai Wushuang, she had little interest. So she just lightly replied with a sound, without much explanation.

"This time, in our Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection, many Meridian Refining geniuses with amazing talent have come, for example, in Lushan City, there seems to be a genius Meridian Refining Master named Yun Xiao!"

Bai Wushuang was already accustomed to Mo Qing's indifferent attitude. He suddenly uttered these words, and his eyes fixed intently on the black-clad girl in front, unsure of what reaction he was hoping to see?

However, in the next moment, Bai Wushuang saw the reaction he had long anticipated. When the words "Yun Xiao" left his mouth, the usually cool and proud black-clothed girl turned her head sharply, her face no longer bearing its usual icy demeanor, and even her breath became somewhat rapid.

"This woman truly knows Yun Xiao! And their relationship is certainly not shallow!"

Seeing Mo Qing's reaction, a shadow passed through the depths of Bai Wushuang's eyes. When his tall, thin junior brother told him this matter, he was somewhat skeptical. But now Mo Qing's reaction almost confirmed it for him.

"With Senior Brother Wushuang's status, would he really concern himself with a genius Meridian Refining Master from Lushan City?"

Over the years, Mo Qing's mentality had become several degrees hardier. After a slight lapse, she settled her thoughts and a hint of concern arose in her mind.

Mo Qing was aware that her performance at the annual internal competition was certain to attract a lot of attention. Since then, Bai Wushuang had intentionally and unintentionally sought to converse with her, undoubtedly with some motive.

Now this guy suddenly mentioned Yun Xiao, possibly having discovered her relationship with Yun Xiao. If that's the case, she might unknowingly bring a formidable enemy upon Yun Xiao.

No matter how confident Mo Qing was in the coarse-clothed young man, this was not the Hidden Dragon Continent. The more she interacted with Bai Wushuang, the more terrified she became of this top talent from the Heavenly Hospital.

Not only had this guy's Meridian Refining Technique reached the Earth Rank Middle Level, but his Meridian Qi Cultivation had also broken through to the Peak of the Seeking Origin Realm. Even compared to some branch chairpersons of the Meridian Refining Master Association or some lower-ranked elders of first-class forces, he was not far behind.

It had been over a year since she last heard news of Yun Xiao, and Mo Qing had no idea to what level the former had advanced. However, due to his age, she knew the current Yun Xiao likely couldn't match up to a genius like Bai Wushuang.

"Heh, just seeing this name by chance, seems to make Junior Sister Mo Qing a bit nervous!"

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Bai Wushuang felt gloomy inside, but a smile appeared on his face, as if nothing had happened. This only deepened Mo Qing's worry.

At the same time, inside the Lianyun Mountain Sky Poison Institute, another graceful girl was craning her neck, hoping to spot that familiar figure among the nearly ten thousand people in the square.

Unfortunately, picking out a slender figure among so many was not easy. So both Mo Qing and Liu Hanyi could only patiently wait, hoping for that youth named Yun Xiao to emerge from the numerous contestants, allowing for a chance to reunite.

...

While the branch chairpersons of various cities were conversing, Yun Xiao was accompanying Yu Shu as they entered the enormous square. It is worth mentioning that Xue Ningxiang, the young lady of Xuanyin Hall, was not with them at this moment.

After all, Xue Ningxiang was not a Meridian Refining Master. Her visit to the Refining Cloud Mountain Headquarters was only by invitation. Although she had other goals, she ultimately could not stay with those Meridian Refining Masters participating in the final selections. So, after a brief greeting, she directly went to a seat in the north.

Among those seats, many were already occupied by people unfamiliar to Yun Xiao. He did not see the two familiar figures he was searching for, likely because there were too many people, making it difficult to find Mo Qing and Liu Hanyi.

"Tsk tsk, the disciples' selection at Refining Cloud Mountain is much livelier than the disciple selection of our Jade Pot Sect back then!"

Sensing the crowd around him and the invisible energy emitted by those cultivators, Yun Xiao suddenly recalled a moment on the Hidden Dragon Continent. Upon saying this, Yu Shu's face could not help but appear somewhat embarrassed.

Since Yun Xiao showed his talents, Yu Shu had naturally investigated how Yun Xiao joined the Jade Pot Sect, but the results were unexpected to him.

Later, from Yun Xiao's own mouth, Yu Shu learned that the youth joined Jade Pot Sect entirely by chance. Had it not been for the forced kidnapping by the Talisman Poison Master and disciple, the Jade Pot Sect might have missed out on this extraordinary talent.

Now, Yun Xiao compared the entry examination of the Jade Pot Sect with the disciple selection of Refining Cloud Mountain, which might not even be comparable to the idiom "Little Witch meets Great Witch."

After all, the Jade Pot Sect targeted only one nation, the Xuanyue Empire, on the Hidden Dragon Continent, whereas Refining Cloud Mountain's disciple selection encompassed the entire Tenglong Continent. The two are not at all comparable.

This also illustrates how difficult it is to become a Meridian Refining Master. Despite the numerous cities on the Tenglong Continent, only nearly ten thousand could come for this Refining Cloud Mountain Headquarters selection, and calling it "one-in-a-million" would not sufficiently describe this extremely low probability.