The air was thick with anticipation as the team selection began. The excitement buzzed through the arena like electricity, every spectator eager to see who would make the cut. With the annual competition just wrapping up, the atmosphere was charged with passion and determination.

  Yinan, the Captain of the Golden Core team, walked confidently to the center of the field. His commanding presence demanded attention, and his face showed the weight of the responsibility he bore. Each step was deliberate, as he prepared to announce the names of those he had carefully chosen for the team since taking on his role.

  “Listen up, everyone,” Yinan’s voice rang out, strong and unwavering, echoing across the arena. “Here are the members of our team.”

  One by one, he called out the names of the selected disciples. Most were champions from the recent competition, their skills already proven. As each one stepped forward, they carried themselves with pride, their strides sure and their gazes unshakable.

  Naturally, not everyone was happy with the choices. Challengers quickly emerged, eager to contest the coveted Fighter positions. The tension in the arena hit a new high as challengers stepped forward, ready to fight for their spot.

  What followed was a series of fierce duels that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Shouts of excitement filled the air as spiritual energy surged, lighting up the field with brilliant displays of skill and power. In the end, only one Fighter spot changed hands, the rest remaining firmly with the original selections.

  The roles of Alchemy Master, Forging Master, and Array Master were announced next. This part of the selection went smoothly, as the chosen disciples were already well-known for their exceptional skills, leaving few to challenge them. The battles that followed were brief but intense, leaving no room for doubt about who deserved the positions.

  Six hours later, the final lineup for the Golden Core team was complete. The crowd, exhausted but exhilarated, eagerly awaited the next round of selections.

  Now it was time for the Core Formation team.

  Arinyu, the captain of the Core Formation team, floated gracefully to the center of the arena. Her striking features and commanding presence immediately captured the crowd’s attention. As an Inner Disciple, her reputation spoke for itself, and the respect she commanded was clear in the silence that fell over the spectators.

  Devor, seated in the VIP section alongside Yulin and Liara, leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with fascination.

  "I could watch this all day," Devor said, his voice full of excitement. "The matches are so dynamic. It’s like a dance between strategy and power."

  Yulin sighed deeply, her voice tinged with regret. "I wish I could compete," she murmured, folding her arms across her chest.

  Devor glanced over at her, sensing the frustration behind her words. At Stage-1 Core Formation, Yulin was outclassed in this division, and because of that, she couldn’t even participate in the Foundation Building category.

  Liara sat next to Yulin, her eyes flicking toward him with curiosity. "Don’t students in the Qi Refining Realm still have a shot at making the Foundation Building team? You’ve got a chance, Devor," she said, her voice laced with quiet hope.

  Devor chuckled softly, shaking his head. "If there were a separate division for Qi Refining cultivators, I might feel more confident. But going up against Foundation Building cultivators? That’s a whole different ballgame. Their spiritual energy is denser, and their Spiritual Farmer techniques are on another level entirely."

  His tone wasn’t bitter—just a straightforward acknowledgment of the gap in power.

  "You’re selling yourself short," Yulin interrupted, her voice firm. "The way you nurture spiritual plants is unlike anything I’ve seen. You create balanced ecosystems where everything supports each other—that’s not something every Spiritual Farmer, even at higher levels, can pull off."

  Devor gave a small, appreciative smile, a warmth spreading in his chest at her words. "Thanks, Sister Yulin. Maybe one day, I’ll be able to stand among them."

  As the hours wore on, the matches for the Core Formation team ended with the same intensity as the ones before. By the time the final lineup was set, the first light of dawn was creeping over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the arena.

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  The crowd's murmurs quieted as the Sect Master returned to the stage. His mere presence commanded attention, and as soon as he stepped up, all eyes were on him.

  "Captain of the Foundation Building Team, step forward," the Sect Master called, his voice calm yet authoritative.

  A figure rose from the crowd, moving with a regal, confident grace. His deep blue robe, edged with intricate golden trim, flowed around him as he descended to the stage, landing lightly on the ground. He bowed respectfully to the Sect Master before turning to face the audience.

  “My name is Versti,” he began, his deep voice carrying effortlessly across the arena. “I am a Core Disciple of the Azure Sky Sect, at Stage-7 Core Formation.”

  The crowd murmured in awe. Stage-7 Core Formation placed him among the most powerful in this division.

  “It is a great honor to be entrusted with this responsibility by the Sect Master, the Hall Masters, and the Elders,” Versti continued, his tone firm and unwavering. His gaze swept over the crowd, sharp but welcoming, as if he was both assessing and inviting them.

  Devor watched him closely, his mind racing. The Sect Master’s choice to appoint captains of such high caliber made one thing clear: the Heavenly Troop Tournament was a serious affair. Only the best would represent the Azure Sky Sect in the upcoming inter-sect competition.

  As Versti began naming his selected team members, Devor’s stomach tightened. A mixture of awe and nervousness stirred within him. This was shaping up to be far more intense than he’d imagined.

  Standing amidst the crowd, Devor's heart raced with anticipation and doubt. He had come to terms with his slim chances—just as Yulin had pointed out—but still, a small hope lingered. Maybe, just maybe, his unique skill in cultivating Spiritual Gardens would catch someone’s eye.

  Beside Devor, Yulin and Liara shared the same nervous energy, though for different reasons. Liara, a Foundation Building cultivator, knew her skills as a Spiritual Farmer didn’t measure up to others in her realm. Yulin, however, watched with quiet pride, secretly hoping that Devor’s name would be called.

  Versti continued with the selections, his calm demeanor and commanding presence quickly silencing the arena. As he called the names of the three champions from the recent competition, the air seemed to thicken with tension. Inner Disciples, eager to prove themselves, stepped forward to challenge the chosen few.

  The duels were fierce and relentless. The crowd erupted with every clash of spiritual energy, every dazzling display of skill. Within two hours, two of the champion spots were claimed by challengers. Only the top-ranked champion remained undefeated, his strength unshaken.

  Devor’s gaze drifted through the crowd, landing on a familiar face—Sugu, an Inner Disciple who had joined the sect two years ago. Known for having the highest Spiritual Energy among the recent batch of Inner Disciples, Sugu’s presence was magnetic.

  As the selections continued, one by one, the roles were filled—Fighters, Alchemists, Forging Masters. When Versti called out "Nyuru" for the position of Alchemy Master, Yulin let out a quiet sigh of relief.

  “Nyuru,” Yulin murmured, a note of admiration in her voice. “No one will challenge her. She’s unrivaled in her field.”

  Devor glanced at her in curiosity. “You know her?”

  Yulin nodded, a proud smile curling on her lips. "Of course. I’ve worked with her before. She’s an incredible Alchemist. Her talent is on another level."

  Devor could only nod in response, feeling his lack of connections more sharply than ever before.

  Finally, Versti addressed the crowd, his voice steady and commanding. "For the final member of the team... the Spiritual Farmer... I choose Devor Li."

  A stunned silence swept over the arena, followed by a wave of murmurs. Whispers rippled through the crowd as students tried to make sense of the name.

  Liara’s jaw dropped. "Devor?!" she exclaimed, her wide eyes snapping toward him.

  Yulin, equally stunned, looked as if her soul had briefly left her body.

  "Is there another Devor Li in this sect?" Devor asked, bewildered, scanning the crowd for some clue.

  Before he could say more, Yulin yanked him by the ear, making him yelp. "You idiot! That’s you! There’s no other Devor Li here!"

  The realization struck Devor like a bolt of lightning. His body froze, and his mind raced. Had Versti really chosen him? It felt like a dream—one that didn’t quite belong to him.

  Around him, the other selected students soared confidently toward the arena on their flying swords. Devor, however, stood still, suddenly aware of one glaring issue—he had never figured out how to ride a flying sword.

  "Don’t you dare embarrass me!" Yulin hissed, her frustration boiling over.

  "Should I... walk there?" Devor asked weakly, glancing between Yulin and the arena.

  Yulin groaned, slapping her forehead in frustration. Without another word, she pulled out a flying sword from her Spatial Ring, shoved him onto it, and activated it with a swift wave of her hand.

  "Go!" she ordered, sending him flying toward the center of the field.

  Devor clung to the sword for dear life, the wind rushing against his face, his heart pounding in his chest. Every eye in the arena was on him, making his anxiety feel even more suffocating.

  When the sword finally stopped in the middle of the field, just before Versti, Devor wobbled as he dismounted, his legs shaking beneath him.

  Versti greeted him with a warm, reassuring smile. "Congratulations, Devor Li. You've been chosen to join the team."

  Devor’s heart raced. His hands trembled as he bowed stiffly, his movements awkward and far from the smooth grace of his peers. "Thank you, Senior... for this opportunity."

  The difference between Devor and the other team members was obvious. They radiated poise and confidence, while Devor’s nervousness and disbelief were written all over him. Still, beneath his awkward exterior, there was a quiet spark of determination—an unspoken promise to prove that Versti’s choice wasn’t a mistake.