The match was a spectacle that drew everyone’s attention.
Why, you ask? Well, it was the debut of that master disciple!
Ying Bing stood alone, sword in hand, radiating an icy coolness, much like a divine Tianshan Snow Lotus. Naturally, all eyes were glued to her.
Below, many couldn’t tear their gazes away, utterly absorbed.
Just how talented was she? Opinions varied, but one thing was certain—she was a beauty beyond description!
There was even a fan club forming within the sect…
“Ice Ice, go for it!”
Out of nowhere, a disciple shouted.
Then it spread like wildfire! One voice turned into two, two into three, and suddenly it was a roaring chorus.
And so, the disciples of the Qingyuan Sect erupted into cheers.
On the platform above.
“Ice Ice, go for it!”
Shang Wu was pumping his fists, entirely losing his composure.
Elder Han He twitched at the corners of his mouth. What in the world is happening here?
As an elder, he presided over a peak with no dignity left—what a disaster!
“Ice Ice, go for it!”
Old Su from the Falling Sunset Peak shouted even louder.
Han He: “…….”
Hey, aren’t you fighting her disciple?!
The platform was bustling with excitement.
Disciples from other smaller sects were even more enthusiastic, focusing intently on the scene. After all, many had clambered up the mountain because of that breathtaking spectacle of light.
That magical light? It just might shine on Ying Bing.
The scene fell into a state of delightful chaos.
Meanwhile, across the way…
Xie Lana wiped the cold sweat from her brow. It wasn’t just because everyone was backing Ying Bing; it was Ying Bing herself that she was worried about.
But after a deep breath, she still said, “Junior sister, I’d like to place a bet.”
“If I win, you’ll have to hand over the Tian Shuang sword.”
“And if I lose…”
“Deal.”
Before Xie Lana could finish her betting, she heard a voice as smooth as a jade stone chime agreeing.
She hadn’t even finished her wager, and it left her feeling somewhat irked.
“Then, junior sister, you may go first.”
“Or would you like to?”
Ying Bing lifted her gaze for the first time, sizing her up.
Xie Lana thought, this isn’t just humility.
What she meant was, if she struck first, she wouldn’t get another chance.
How arrogant.
Li Mo felt the itch at the back of his neck and took a deep breath.
Yes, exactly!
That’s the spirit!
“Be careful, junior sister!”
Xie Lana wasted no more words, initiating the Spirit Serpent Sword Technique to the utmost, unleashing dazzling blades of light and trying to overwhelm Ying Bing with her superior inner force.
Her anger didn’t mean she underestimated her opponent.
If one could command a mysterious weapon, their swordsmanship was definitely superior.
But she still had the upper hand.
A higher level.
More combat experience…
In that fleeting moment, she thought of many strategies.
She even speculated on how to seal Ying Bing’s escape if she retreated. If Ying Bing counterattacked, she planned to maintain her rhythm and overwhelm her step by step.
But in truth, all that thinking was for naught.
The weaving sword light approached, and the sharp inner force sliced through the air. Even someone of the same level would suffer a wound.
Yet, a single delicate hand effortlessly passed through the sword barrier.
Her moves were as effortless as plucking a leaf from her own back garden.
The Spirit Serpent Sword Technique came to an abrupt halt.
Because the soft sword had been pinched between two slender, delicate fingers.
Ding—
With a flick of her finger, the sword’s edge reversed and barely brushed against its owner’s robes.
Just a hair’s breadth away from burying itself in her chest.
Xie Lana stood frozen, her pupils constricting, and her breath halted.
She instinctively looked toward the girl a sword’s distance away, only to see those ice-like eyes still reflecting a serene calm.
The other party had shown mercy.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a narrow escape.
The audience fell into silence.
…..
On the platform above, there was a similar hush.
Everyone thought Ying Bing would win.
But no one expected it to happen so effortlessly.
Facing an opponent of a higher level, she hadn’t even drawn her sword; she merely manipulated her inner strength to envelop her fingertips.
“That sword of hers—could it be the Tian Shuang?”
The young man in the white robe from Fen Yu Lin saw his arrogance evaporating.
The scholar-like middle-aged man beside him did not answer, only lamented, “Every time the Qingyuan Sect is in a weak state, there always emerges a gifted talent…”
A friendly reminder: the upper right corner has options for “Simplified/Traditional toggle,” “font size adjustment,” and “background color” features.
As for the elders’ reactions, let’s not go overboard.
Little Li had the live broadcast.
“That girl is terrifying!”
“Ssss…”
“What are you doing?”
Looking at Li Mo, who was alternating between low grunts and surprised gasps, Ying Bing furrowed her brows slightly.
Li Mo replied, “Just trying to be a qualified shocked bystander!”
Ying Bing: “?”
…..
After sipping tea for a bit longer.
Just as Li Mo was preparing to hop off and take a leak, Elder Qian Bufan’s voice rang out:
“Next match.”
“Ruyi Peak’s Lin Jiang, against…”
“Qunyu Peak’s Li Mo!”
Good news, it was finally his turn.
Bad news? He felt a bit anxious.
How ironic! He ran into an acquaintance in the very first match.
Of course, the moment Elder Qian Bufan announced the two names, every gaze in the audience turned towards them, filled with scrutiny.
There were many discussions within the sect about Li Mo.
Some said he was a hot-headed hero, a warm-hearted gentleman.
Others claimed he lacked adequate strength and couldn’t be compared to Ying Bing, labeling them the two prodigies of the Qingyuan Sect.
And then there were the haters calling him a pretty boy, a kept man of Elder Shang Wu…
Of course, those rumors were purely envy-driven slander. Long-time disciples of the Qingyuan Sect knew Elder Shang Wu herself was broke—there was no way she could afford a kept man!
In short, opinions were everywhere.
But one thing was for sure: everyone wanted to see just how effective Master Li really was.
With so many eyes on him, Li Mo couldn’t very well announce he had to take a dump first.
So he stepped onto the platform and whispered, “Brother Lin, let’s make this quick.”
“Sure thing!”
Thus…
As soon as Lin Jiang stepped onto the platform, he made his way to the edge.
One second after Elder Qian Bufan shouted, “Start!”
He jumped off the stage.
“I concede!”
Lin Jiang shouted without hesitation, fearing he’d be too slow and provoke Li Mo into action.
Disciples below: “Huh?”
Elders: “??”
Other onlookers in the audience: “???”
What the heck is going on here?!
You two are both at the bl**d spirit level, and without even fighting, you just concede? Do you think we’re all fools?!
Lin Jiang, how could you do this to us?
Refund!
Oh wait, we didn’t pay up front.
Guess it’s all good then.
But something’s definitely off here! Something’s seriously wrong!
The rules didn’t say one couldn’t concede, and if you fall off the stage, it indeed counts as a loss. But this was the first time such a strange event had occurred.
Fame-hungry sects like Ziyang Mansion were present, and even Qian Bufan felt this was a bit embarrassing, so he rushed back to consult with the other elders.
“How do we judge this?”
“Should we have them fight again?”
“Look at Lin Jiang, does he even have the spirit to fight again? It’s pointless.”
The elders were at a loss.
Suddenly, Qian Bufan remembered something and suspiciously asked, “Shang Wu, did you secretly threaten Lin Jiang to concede?”
The elders stared at her. They knew she had it in her to pull off something like that.
“Watch your words!”
“Do I need to threaten a little disciple? How troublesome.”
“Why not just pressure him into conceding? Isn’t that easier?”
Shang Wu was furious.
You can question her character, but questioning her intelligence? That just made her mad!
Elders: “…..”
What are you even getting riled up about?
In the end, Qian Bufan could only helplessly declare:
“Li Mo wins!”
“Hiss…….”
A wave of boos erupted from the audience.
Li Mo paused for a moment and said with a wry smile, “Brother Lin, that was quick, but… what gives?”
“I’m not stupid.”
Lin Jiang shook his head vigorously, as if he was ringing a bell.
He remembered all too well.
During the sect trials, Li Mo had knocked out Wang Hu with one punch, leaving him a disabled mess.
He had shattered the shell of a Tortuga—quite literally a walking disaster beast.
Fighting Li Mo was basically handing over your life on a silver platter!
By conceding now, he could save his strength for the next match.
Not conceding? That would only mean he wouldn’t have to think about his rank in the Nine Peaks Tournament anymore.
What if Li Mo didn’t hold back? Well, he could consider himself on the menu for the next banquet…
