Chapter 69

On the Sword Discourse Arena, the second match had already begun.

The two competitors were Random Guy No. 1 from the Random Guys Sect and Someone from the Who Knows Who Sect.

The fight was intense, with both fighters using flashy moves that lit up the arena. Every strike and movement had the crowd brimming with excitement. After a heated back-and-forth, Random Guy No. 1 won.

Next, the third fight started it was Shui Wushuang vs Xiao Nan.

"It's finally my turn," Shui Wushuang mumbled, feeling quite pleased with her lot. She was the only one from her sect in this group, and that Ling-whatever-his-name-was happened to be in the same group. As long as she defeated him, Guardian Yun Wuji would give her the reward he had promised them.

Because there were three participants from the same sect and only two groups, it was inevitable that at least two from the same sect would end up in the same group. And Shui Wushuang was lucky to be the only one from her sect in her group.

On the other hand, Wu Xuexin had to worry about Mu Lingxue snatching her opponent, Ling Yun, from her since they were in the same group.

Shui Wushuang lightly tapped the ground and leaped tens of meters, landing gracefully on the arena. She stood there, her gaze in the direction of the Xiao Sect, waiting for her opponent.

However, after waiting for a while, there was no movement. She raised her eyebrows, puzzled and suspicious. What was the Xiao Sect doing?

The audience shared the same thoughts, all wondering what was going on with the Xiao Sect. Why hadn't Xiao Nan entered the arena to fight?

At the same time, Ling Wugou was equally confused. He warned, "Xiao Nan! if you don't enter the arena within 20 breaths of time, you will be counted as having surrendered."

After a few breaths, Xiao Nan finally stood up, his head lowered. "I admit defeat," he said quietly.

"What?!"

"Did I hear that right?!"

"He...he actually surrendered without even fighting?! When did the Xiao Sect become this cowardly?!"

"Even if he was sure to lose, he should at least put up a fight!"

Xiao Nan's actions sparked a huge commotion, and everyone began to discuss it fervently.

The Four Great Sects had always been in constant competition, with the Heavenly Sword Villa standing far stronger than the other three combined.

For a disciple from the Xiao Sect to admit defeat before even fighting was a significant blow to their prestige and reputation.

Even though everyone knew that the current Frozen Cloud was far stronger than the Xiao Sect and that Shui Wushuang cultivation was also superior to Xiao Nan, he still had to fight to preserve the pride and dignity of his sect.

Ling Wugou was also slightly shocked. He cleared his throat and announced, "Cough! Xiao Nan admits defeat, and Shui Wushuang wins!"

"...WTF?" Shui Wushuang nearly stumbled in surprise. She had been ready to freeze her opponent into popsicles, but to think he hadn't even taken a step into the arena! Sister Chu was right, men could only bring disappointment! Except for Senior Yun Wuji, of course.

Taking a moment to compose herself, Shui Wushuang quickly corrected her expression and left the arena.

The Xiao Sect let out a sigh of relief as Shui Wushuang left the arena, their earlier tension dissipating.

It wasn't that they were afraid of Shui Wushuang's 10th level of Spirit Profound Realm; rather, it was the looming presence of Yun Wuji behind her that unsettled them.

The psychological impact he had left on the entire sect still lingered, instilling a deep-seated fear of everything associated with him.

When the battle was announced, the Xiao Sect master was scared shitless, unable to utter a single word to order Xiao Nan to concede. It wasn't until Ling Wugou's reminder snapped him back to reality that he finally regained his senses.

"The Xiao Sect's people are quite strange this time," Chu Yueli remarked, casting a glance toward their direction.

"It's likely due to a certain someone," Chu Yuechan commented knowingly. She was well aware of the reason. She had been with Yun Wuji when he almost destroyed the Xiao Sect's branch in New Moon City. As she spoke, she shot him a glance.

"..." Yun Wuji shrugged his shoulders. Who told them to provoke him? He felt he was being quite merciful, only demanding some protection fees.

"Ah! Right, he's one of the guys who knelt at the gate of the palace a few months ago," Xiao Lingxi exclaimed, her eyes widening as she finally recognized the identity of the Xiao sect's sect master.

"He is your uncle in a sense," Yun Wuji chuckled and patted her head.

"Even so, they are bad guys, hmph! They always looked down on our clan and also wanted to bully Master," Xiao Lingxi snorted; she had no good feelings toward them.

"Your father would probably be angry if he heard you," Yun Wuji shook his head at her antics and glanced at Xiao Che, who was staring at his little aunt in embarrassment.

He still hadn't told him about his biological grandfather or his true family.

After the small episode, the Round of 32 continued to proceed. The following fights were as the audience expected.

Mu Lingxue fought against a woman from the Yang Clan and won easily in one move.

Wu Xuexin also fought against Mu Xiongyan from the Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress and defeated him easily.

The Four Great Sects have always dominated this tournament, it is almost impossible for them to lose against other sects.

It was evening when the Round of 32 came to a complete close. The sixteen participants for the following day's elimination round had all been decided. 

The next day was the Round of 16.

Shui Wushuang defeated Random Guy No. 1.

Wu Xuexin triumphed over her opponent, Hei Lou Lan.

Mu Lingxue also crushed her opponent, Fang Zheng.

Ling Yun and Ling Fan also defeated their opponents and advanced to the next round.

*Ling Whatever = Ling Fan.*

Thus, the Round of 16 concluded, and the top eight in this Ranking Tournament were determined. The arrangements for tomorrow's quarterfinal matches were also revealed at the center of the profound stone.

First match: Mu Lingxue vs. Yue Yang.

Second match: Wu Xuexin vs. Ling Yun.

Third match: Shui Wushuang vs. Ling Feiyu.

Fourth match: Ling Fan vs. Xiao Kuanglei.

When Wu Xuexin saw her opponent, she raised her fist and jumped in excitement. "Yes! I am so lucky! Hahaha!" Ever since she discovered that she was in the same group as Mu Lingxue, she had feared that Ling Yun would be defeated by Mu Lingxue.

That would jeopardize her own opportunity.

Now that she saw her opponent was Ling Yun, all her nervousness transformed into excitement. Tomorrow, she would pummel him and give him a good beating.

Ever since Yun Wuji joined the Frozen Cloud Sect, it was no longer as cold and monotonous. Many disciples began to express more emotions. Part of the reason was because he changed the Frozen Cloud Art, which negated the effects of the Frozen Heart Arts.

"You are quite lucky, Sister Wu," Shui Wushuang said to her. Unlike Wu Xuexin, she felt no nervousness; after all, Ling Fan was at the 10th Spirit Profound Realm like her. He would surely win his matches and face her in the semifinals.

"Guardian Yun Wuji, don't forget your promise!" Wu Xuexin, still excited, spoke to Yun Wuji.

"..." Mu Lingxue rolled her eyes at her, feeling quite envious of both Wu Xuexin and Shui Wushuang. Her strength was far above others; her skin wasn't thick enough to ask Yun Wuji for a reward.

"Haha, yeah, don't worry, I'll keep my word," Yun Wuji chuckled in response.

After night had passed, a new day had begun. New matches were also imminent. It was early morning, but the entire Sword Discourse Arena was already packed with people waiting for the Round of Quarterfinals to begin.

Ling Wugou announced the start of the first match, "Mu Lingxue vs. Yue Yang, match start!"

With a light tap on the ground, Mu Lingxue elegantly landed in the arena. She stood waiting for her opponent.

Her opponent, Yue Yang, was quite lucky because Heaven Burning Villa withdrew, and two disciples from the Xiao Sect lost early, allowing him to reach the Quarterfinals.

However, this was his limit; against any of the other contestants, he held no chance, much less against the strongest, Mu Lingxue.

Yue Yang also knew this truth. Taking a deep breath, he jumped into the arena, bowed toward Ling Wugou, and then toward Mu Lingxue, saying, "I know my incompetence, so I won't waste everyone's time. I admit defeat."

Ling Wugou didn't find this surprising; he calmly nodded and announced, "Yue Yang admits defeat, Mu Lingxue wins!"

Mu Lingxue was slightly surprised, but since the fight had already ended, she turned around and left the arena.

Next was the match anticipated by everyone today.

"Second match: Frozen Cloud's Wu Xuexin vs. Heavenly Sword Villa's Ling Yun!" Ling Wugou announced loudly for the second match. Like everyone else, he was also anticipating this match; it was the fight between his eldest young master and a genius from Frozen Cloud.

"...Yun'er, you must win!" Ling Yun's mother, Xuanyuan Yufeng, who most of the readers forget about, was also worried for her son; she didn't want him to lose against that sect of sluts! At the same time, she looked at Yun Wuji, who was sitting in the middle, surrounded by beauties.

She gritted her teeth. These sluts used their vulgar bodies to seduce men. To think that they managed to seduce such a powerful expert!

"I'll go crush him quickly and come back! Guardian Yun Wuji, don't forget my reward~" Wu Xuexin said as she jumped into the arena.

"Take this fight seriously; don't be conceited," Chu Yuechan warned her.

"Yes, senior sister!"

"Mother, don't worry; I'll win this fight," Ling Yun confidently assured his mother before also jumping into the arena.

"Big brother, you're the best! You will surely win!" Ling Jie cheered for his brother as well.

When both of them landed in the arena, Ling Wugou looked at the two and announced, "Wu Xuexin vs. Ling Yun, match begins!"