The destructive power of the Thunder Pearl was just demonstrated in the fortified arena. Even though Zhang Yiyi is only at the eighth level of Qi Refining, it wouldn't have been unjust if a Foundation Establishment cultivator had been blown to pieces by it. Even a Golden Core cultivator might not have come out unscathed.

Because of this, the sect's grand competition strictly prohibits the use of such high-damage explosives like the Thunder Pearl. After all, it would be too cruel and ruthless to endanger fellow disciples' lives over the outcome of a competition.

The fact that Zhang Yiyi survived with just injuries and didn't lose her life is already quite remarkable, showcasing her considerable strength.

"Grandmaster, I will definitely be more careful next time."

Zhang Yiyi took a high-quality healing pill, and the chaotic flow of her energy immediately stabilized. Her complexion gradually regained some color.

She truly felt wronged. How could she have known that Xie Lin would be so despicable, using a forbidden Thunder Pearl and even throwing it while pretending to surrender?

The Thunder Pearl, being a deadly object, couldn't be sensed by her innate divine body, which could only detect killing intent and danger. Believing her opponent had surrendered, she had let her guard down.

"Next time? Dead people don't get second chances!"

Qiao Chu shot a chilly glare at the carefree little girl. She had almost died, and not scolding her properly would have been a waste of that high-quality healing pill.

Though his words were stern, they were filled with concern, revealing a special bond between them. Qiao Chu's treatment of Zhang Yiyi made everyone realize there was something extraordinary about her.

To be regarded so highly by a Nascent Soul cultivator, it was no wonder Zhang Yiyi could fight on par with someone at the peak of Qi Refining. Without such strength and uniqueness, she could never have caught the eye of a Nascent Soul master.

Everyone was envious but also quickly accepted Zhang Yiyi as a remarkable presence, different from the rest.

On the other hand, Xie Lin, who had resorted to deceit by using a Thunder Pearl, disregarding his fellow disciple's life, became the object of everyone's disdain and condemnation.

When questioned by the presiding Elder, Xie Lin's face turned ashen, but he still gritted his teeth, claiming he had mistaken the Thunder Pearl for the Maze Array Pearl in his panic.

Few believed his excuse, but since Xie Lin insisted it wasn't intentional, the Elder could only deal with him according to the rules for using a forbidden weapon.

"I hereby declare Zhang Yiyi the winner of this match! Xie Lin is disqualified from the competition, sentenced to three years of compulsory labor for the sect, and demoted to a servant disciple."

The Elder announced the punishment, making it clear that Xie Lin's fate served as a warning to others. Anyone who dared to challenge sect rules would face serious consequences.

In this way, Xie Lin received his just desserts, completely severing any chance of entering the inner sect. According to the Yunxian Sect's rules, a disciple demoted to servant status could only remain in the outer sect, even if they later succeeded in reaching the Foundation Establishment. Only by advancing to Golden Core could such a disciple reenter the inner sect.

But clearly, Zhang Yiyi was not someone to be easily bullied.

No matter the reason, anyone who tried to kill her with a Thunder Pearl would never have the chance to advance to Golden Core!

Xie Lin was escorted away by the disciplinary team, while Zhang Yiyi followed Qiao Chu off the platform.

Quietly, she asked Senior Sister Pan, who had come to meet her, to cast a cleaning spell. After all, her disheveled and blood-stained appearance was quite undignified.

"Are you badly hurt, Junior Sister?"

Seeing that Zhang Yiyi couldn't even cast a cleaning spell on her own, Senior Sister Pan quickly realized that her little junior might not be able to continue competing.

"Grandmaster's healing pill is amazing. My body is fine, but I can't use my spiritual power for the next few days."

Normally carefree, Zhang Yiyi couldn't help but feel a bit down this time.

Unable to use spiritual power meant she couldn't continue in the competition. The first-place prize, which had been within her grasp, had been snatched away by Xie Lin.

Without winning first place, would Grandmaster Qiao still accept her as his disciple?

Pan Yuexin had never seen Zhang Yiyi look so sad and pitiful before. Her hand trembled, and she nearly messed up the cleaning spell.

"So you have to withdraw from the competition, Junior Sister?"

Pan Yuexin found it a pity. Her junior, who could even defeat someone at the peak of Qi Refining, would surely have made it into the top ten if not for Xie Lin's trickery.

But now, Zhang Yiyi couldn't continue, which meant she would lose out on all the rewards—Foundation Establishment pills, inner sect status, and more!

Even someone as calm and collected as Zhang Yiyi couldn't hide her disappointment. Pan Yuexin's heart ached, and she wished she could personally punish Xie Lin.

Zhang Yiyi, however, didn't care about the Foundation Establishment pills or inner sect qualifications. She rarely took pills, and even when she reached the Foundation Establishment, she had no intention of using a pill. As for becoming an inner sect disciple, that would naturally happen once she advanced to the Foundation Establishment.

What she truly cared about was losing the chance to win first place. Without that, she didn't know if Grandmaster Qiao would still consider accepting her as his disciple.

Thinking of this, she looked at Qiao Chu hopefully and asked, "Grandmaster, since I can't continue in the competition and won't win first place, will you still give me another chance to become your disciple?"

Her question left those listening in stunned. No wonder Grandmaster Qiao had been so attentive to Zhang Yiyi—it seemed he had long intended to take her as his disciple.

Jealousy, envy, and hatred surged through the crowd.

While they marveled at Zhang Yiyi's good fortune, they also couldn't help but feel a bit of schadenfreude at her sudden setback. Would all her twists and turns ultimately be a blessing or a curse?

Qiao Chu looked at the pitiful young girl before him and, unexpectedly, felt his heart soften.

He wasn't a stubborn person. Since he had already set his sights on Zhang Yiyi as his first disciple, he wouldn't let a mere accident during the competition change his mind.

However, his disciple was still too young and too naive, which was why she had fallen for Xie Lin's trickery. He needed to take this opportunity to teach her a lesson.

"The path of cultivation is one where a single misstep leads to endless mistakes! No matter what caused you to withdraw from the competition, it ultimately stems from your own shortcomings. If you had absolute strength or had been more cautious, no scheme could have touched you!"

Qiao Chu adopted a stern tone, giving his not-yet-official disciple a much-needed lesson. It was his first time acting as a teacher, and he was touched by his own dedication.

However, his words were misunderstood by others, who took them as a rejection.

"You're absolutely right, Grandmaster..."

Zhang Yiyi looked conflicted, unsure whether to continue pleading her case or to resign herself to the situation.

Just then, a harmonious voice rang out, interrupting her thoughts: "Little girl, don't look so glum. It doesn't matter if he doesn't take you as his disciple—I will."