Mingguang and Divine Radiance Sect—one is a newly risen powerhouse, the other an established national religion, with deep foundations far beyond what a small sect like Qingshan Sect can compare to.
Just looking at the talent of their younger disciples makes it clear.
This time, both sides didn’t bother with empty words or mind games, so everyone was invigorated, focusing intently in anticipation of the new round of competition.
Li Su nudged Ji Shiyu, excited.
“Hey, your friend’s already fighting, and you’re still eating!”
“My goodness, it’s obvious they’re setting her up, and she’s just walking into it. How easy is she to fool?”
Ji Shiyu sucked on her greasy fingers, frowning.
She knew Xun Ran’s hot temper couldn’t be hidden—one slight provocation from Jing Rui and it was set off, with the Ji Sauce Technique having a one hundred percent success rate.
Ji Shiyu bit into a goose leg and glared fiercely at the red-clad girl in the center of the arena.
What did they say before coming here?
Xiao Xinran shrugged guiltily.
With a vixen riding on her head, she couldn’t just play the cowardly turtle.
The young master only said not to approach the royal palace tonight—other times were free for action.
He didn’t say she couldn’t go mess with Jing Rui!
Xiao Xinran comforted herself this way, gripping the Sunset Sword Classic with five fingers, steadying her mind, and locking eyes with the Mingguang Spell Cultivator across from her.
“Miss Xiao, please instruct me.”
Zhuang Heng forced himself onto the stage, standing at the edge of the arena, gently plucking his bowstring.
Though this arena was disadvantageous to him, the distance was enough to deal with Xiao Xinran—within three arrows, victory could be decided.
Last time, the two had crossed swords on Guangming Ye.
Miss Xiao’s talent was extraordinary.
Given a few more years, she might quickly catch up to him, but for now, she was still too green.
As the two nodded in greeting, the duel officially began.
The offering of the Sundial Immortal Mansion activated a Defensive Spell Array to cover the stage, preventing stray spiritual energy from harming the spectators.
Xiao Xinran and Zhuang Heng’s Qi Seas burned like candles in the eyes of the attentive—their flames clear, the gap in their spiritual energy obvious.
There was no suspense in this battle; it was the perfect chance to dampen the arrogance of the Xiao family’s brat.
Elder Pu’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
He had full confidence in his disciple, shifting the pressure directly to Bai Yu.
“It’s up to you next, Bai Master. I heard that Ji Shiyu is even more troublesome than Xiao Xinran, with a natural spirit bone—ethereal, formless, and with the bearing of a sword immortal.”
If Divine Radiance Sect lost this match, they wouldn’t let it go.
The next round would surely see the blonde-haired girl take the field, seeking to regain honor.
Yet no one knew where Qin Yao, the most dangerous guide senior sister, had gone—her whereabouts remained unknown.
Bai Yu gave a wry smile.
“Let me off, Elder Pu. Ji Shiyu only just entered Sword Sect, while I’ve been cultivating in Guangming Ye for ten years. Senior Sister Zhou or Brother Lu would both be excellent choices.”
“Hmph.”
Old Pu made no comment.
Sending a peak Foundation Establishment Spell Cultivator was indeed overkill, but he wasn’t about to save face for his old rival.
“Despicable Old Pu, always bullying the young. This time, Xun Ran’s kicked a rock.”
Ji Shiyu and Li Su were equally pessimistic, seeing little hope.
Even if she was muddled into representing the sect, once in battle, there was no room for loss!
Ji Shiyu’s mind spun, then she chuckled foolishly, instantly coming up with a plan.
Qin Yao and Yun Liu weren’t here, but they still had a trump card—Lin Huakui could fight with both her strength and cultivation.
If a lower-tier horse loses to a higher-tier horse, so be it—let the next go two-on-one, best of three!
On the stage, Xiao Xinran had no idea she’d been classified by the blonde as a sacrificial pawn.
She drew her sword.
Sword and gun style pierced the air with a spark, fiery spirit drawing her rapidly closer.
Zhuang Heng also smiled, bow curved, spiritual energy gathering as light bloomed at his fingertips.
He wasn’t new to fighting sword cultivators.
Just by seeing how the opponent divided the battlefield, he could gauge their strength—sword cultivators who recklessly closed in like Xiao Xinran were clearly unrefined.
Whoosh!
A Bright Spirit Arrow arced down, exploding into countless light arrows scattered across the arena.
Xiao Xinran dodged easily, her footwork nimble as she stepped on clouds.
Yet Zhuang Heng’s aim was to limit her movement.
Every time Xiao Xinran neared an embedded light arrow, a Spirit Trap exploded, forcing her to zigzag defensively.
At the same time, Zhuang Heng drew his bow fully, aiming at the red-clad girl.
The Mingguang Spell Cultivator’s Qi Sea gathered force, infusing a powerful spell into the arrow.
“Miss, be careful!”
Lin Shu, sensing the danger, called out anxiously.
With a crack, the arrow left the string, erupting in platinum spiritual light so dazzling it was blinding.
Boom!
A direct hit.
The entire Sundial Immortal Mansion trembled—this was the power of spell cultivators; the vastness of their Qi Sea determined their terrifying might.
“Mm, not bad.”
Old Pu raised his palm in a gesture to stabilize the Defensive Spell Array, nodding with satisfaction.
Zhuang Heng’s Burning Soul Will was well-honed, having reached the third level—capable even against high Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Smoke and dust filled the center of the arena.
Xiao Xinran’s spiritual breath was faint, the outcome seemingly decided.
Zhuang Heng retracted his bow, a hint of concern in his eyes.
Having once suffered a crushing defeat under Yun Liu, he hadn’t held back this time.
“A great teacher breeds outstanding disciples. Compared to the Sunset Peak First Seat, Elder Pu’s skills are superior.”
Jing Rui squinted with a faint smile, about to announce the result when the temperature in the hall suddenly soared.
Far away in Yunhai, Tu Gou was inexplicably struck.
Old Pu’s grin froze as a burning red cloud surged overhead.
An instant later, scarlet sword energy burst forth, grazing past Zhuang Heng with a flurry of exclamations—some disappointed.
The sword strike, though seeming to miss its target, was in fact aimed at the high seat behind, at Jing Rui.
The fierce flames even melted the array’s light screen!
“What!?”
Jing Rui’s eyes widened in shock.
She nearly cursed aloud, stumbling backward and collapsing into her seat.
Clang!
Fortunately, a sword sheath materialized out of thin air, spiritual energy forming a shield that blocked the crimson sword aura.
It was Senior Sister Jing Tan’er, seated beside her.
Her Highness the Princess Royal wore a blank expression, rubbing her tingling arm in astonishment.
The sword energy’s power far exceeded the Foundation Establishment beginner’s level.
How long had it been since they last met, and Xiao Xinran’s mastery of the Sunset Sword Classic had reached such heights?
Jing Rui wiped cold sweat from her brow, climbing up in embarrassment, both ashamed and furious.
Her face darkened.
She’d nearly been forced to reveal her demonic powers before everyone.
That damned girl didn’t care about Mingguang Sect at all, intentionally aiming to humiliate her.
When the dust cleared, the floor tiles in the center were cracked, and in the pit, the red-clad girl stood unharmed, hugging her sword and grinning smugly at Madam Black Crow.
“Did I miss again? I’m really terrible. Sorry, sorry—swords and blades have no eyes. I hope I didn’t injure Madam?”
“You!”
Jing Rui nearly ground her teeth to dust but had to swallow her anger—it wasn’t time yet!
Mister Canghai looked grave, and even the White Whale Island Master noticed the blackened, scorched earth beneath Xiao Xinran’s feet, heat still lingering.
No one knew how Xiao Xinran had withstood Zhuang Heng’s arrow, but Yun’s Former Wife was clearly not as simple as a mere Foundation Establishment beginner—her spiritual breath had briefly surged to the peak.
How was it done?
Though the sword didn’t reverse the outcome, it amazed everyone present.
Looking at the proud, beautiful girl standing tall, cultivators from all sides gazed in shock.
Miss Xiao’s swordsmanship seemed to rival even her fiery temper.