High above, on the viewing platform, Master Shuiyue observed Ji Changfeng guiding Su Yi to her breakthrough.
A faint smile graced her lips, her gaze softening as she looked at Ji Changfeng, lost in thought…
"Junior Sister, thank Changfeng for me," Master Shuiyue said quietly to Su Ru beside her.
Su Ru nodded with a warm smile.
The other peak elders also noticed the scene on the arena, their faces showing surprise and, deep down, a twinge of envy.
"Well done," Master Daoxuan said, stroking his beard with a chuckle. "Martial Nephew Changfeng is both virtuous and talented, aiding his fellow disciples with mutual support. Excellent! Truly excellent!"
Taoist Cangsong let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha, Martial Nephew Changfeng is truly the qilin prodigy of our Qingyun Sect!"
Hearing Master Daoxuan's praise, Tian Buyi's face initially lit up with a smile, but upon hearing Taoist Cangsong's words…
His smile faded, replaced by a puzzled expression.
What's gotten into Cangsong?
Why does it feel like Old Seventh is his Longshou Peak disciple…
On the arena, the presiding elder promptly declared Ji Changfeng's victory.
With that, Ji Changfeng officially entered the top four.
At the same time, on another arena, two young women faced off, drawing the attention of many Qingyun disciples.
After all…
They were simply too dazzling.
"Lu Xueqi of Xiaozhu Peak, please enlighten me, Junior Sister Ling'er," Lu Xueqi said calmly, holding Tianya and bowing to Tian Ling'er.
Tian Ling'er, undaunted, replied, "Tian Ling'er of Dazhu Peak, please enlighten me, Senior Sister Lu!"
The words barely left their lips when the two locked eyes and struck.
Swish—
A brilliant cerulean sword light flashed.
The Tianya Sword was unsheathed for the first time!
Tian Ling'er was Su Ru's daughter, practically family to Xiaozhu Peak, so Lu Xueqi showed her full respect.
Whoosh—
Tian Ling'er's Amber Silk unfurled like the legendary Huntian Silk, radiating powerful binding force, swiftly enveloping Lu Xueqi…
Lu Xueqi was all too familiar with this treasure.
After all, she'd been in close contact with it nearly every night lately—how could she not be?
Clang—
Lu Xueqi wielded the Tianya Sword, unleashing a crisp sword hum. A flash of cerulean light streaked by.
In an instant, the surrounding Amber Silk was shredded into countless fragments.
Against a divine weapon like Tianya, Tian Ling'er's probing attack held no threat.
Tian Ling'er's face tightened with frustration.
Forming hand seals, she manipulated the Amber Silk once more.
"Go!"
This time, Tian Ling'er used the Amber Silk to seal off all of Lu Xueqi's escape routes.
If Lu Xueqi had no way to break through, her fate was sealed.
She'd be bound by the Amber Silk's supple, unyielding strength, stripped of all ability to move…
Below the arena, Ji Changfeng stood at the edge.
He'd rushed over the moment his match ended.
But watching Tian Ling'er and Lu Xueqi's duel, he couldn't help but shake his head lightly.
How to put it?
Tian Ling'er appeared to have the upper hand, but in reality…
She was destined to lose.
For several reasons:
First, her cultivation was significantly lower than Lu Xueqi's.
Second, her treasure was countered by Lu Xueqi's.
Third, she'd made a fatal mistake.
The Amber Silk was already at a disadvantage against the Tianya Sword. In this situation, Tian Ling'er shouldn't have opted for long-range combat.
She should have leveraged the Amber Silk's flexibility, engaging Lu Xueqi in close quarters to entangle the Tianya Sword.
Only then would Tian Ling'er have a sliver of a chance…
Ji Changfeng kept his eyes on the battle.
Tian Ling'er formed seals with both hands, the Amber Silk weaving tightly around Lu Xueqi, soon binding her within…
Tian Ling'er's face lit up with joy.
Thinking victory was near, she shouted, "Bind the Divine!"
Swish—
The Amber Silk contracted sharply, aiming to seal Lu Xueqi's final escape.
But at that moment…
A blinding sword light flashed.
Swish!
In an instant, the Amber Silk's Bind the Divine was shattered.
Lu Xueqi's figure flickered, appearing before Tian Ling'er, her Tianya Sword gently poised at her opponent's throat.
"Junior Sister Ling'er, I concede your grace," Lu Xueqi said calmly.
Tian Ling'er's face fell, but she could only nod reluctantly.
"Lu Xueqi of Xiaozhu Peak, victorious!" the presiding elder announced.
The surrounding Qingyun disciples erupted in cheers. The match had been thrilling.
Two stunningly talented beauties dueling—who could resist watching?
Below, Ji Changfeng smiled faintly as Tian Ling'er approached, her face sour.
"Ji Changfeng! What's so funny?" Tian Ling'er's eyes were red, her lips pouting in a pitiful, aggrieved expression.
It was as if she were saying, Comfort me, or I'll cry right here.
"Alright, alright," Ji Changfeng said, chuckling as he ruffled her hair. "How about I avenge you tomorrow?"
Her eyes sparkled instantly.
Avenge her?
"Really?" Tian Ling'er blinked.
"Of course," Ji Changfeng nodded with a smile.
Coaxing a kid required a bit of playful deception.
But no sooner had he spoken than he sensed a chilling gaze from nearby.
Ji Changfeng glanced over subtly.
It was Lu Xueqi.
Great.
Another one to soothe.
"Come on, let's check on Xiaofan's match," Ji Changfeng said, his expression unchanged as he withdrew his gaze.
"Okay!" Tian Ling'er's mood lifted.
They headed toward Zhang Xiaofan's arena together.
Behind them, Lu Xueqi silently watched Ji Changfeng's retreating figure, a cold glint flickering in her eyes…
Avenge her, huh?
Hmph.
Bring it on.
Ji Changfeng and Tian Ling'er arrived at Zhang Xiaofan's arena, only to find the match had long ended.
No, it hadn't even started.
Zhang Xiaofan's opponent, Chang Jian of Tongtian Peak, had been injured in his previous round against Dazhu Peak's Song Daren…
He couldn't attend, so Zhang Xiaofan advanced to the top four without stepping onto the arena.
Thus, the top four were set: Lu Xueqi, Ji Changfeng, Zhang Xiaofan, and Qi Hao.
Two of the four hailed from Dazhu Peak, which nearly sent Tian Buyi into fits of laughter.
He'd thought only Ji Changfeng would make it.
Who'd have guessed Zhang Xiaofan would reach the top four too?!
Not bad at all!
"Old Seventh, Old Eighth, rest well. You've got another match tomorrow," Tian Buyi instructed.
Of course, he was mostly addressing Ji Changfeng.
After all…
Tian Buyi didn't believe Zhang Xiaofan could defeat Qi Hao, a Jade Purity ninth-layer cultivator.
"Yes, Master!" Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan replied respectfully.
Time passed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, the night was gone.
Last night, Lu Xueqi hadn't come out to happen to meet Ji Changfeng.
To this, Ji Changfeng guessed she was probably upset.
Because I told Ling'er I'd avenge her, and Xueqi overheard?
That was likely the reason.
But no matter.
Getting upset was normal.
Anyone could get upset.
After today's match, Xueqi's heart would probably have room for only him.
Ahem.
Four years of careful planning.
Ji Changfeng just wanted to mold Xueqi into his ideal shape.
What bad intentions could he possibly have?
"This match: Ji Changfeng of Dazhu Peak versus Lu Xueqi of Xiaozhu Peak!"
At the presiding elder's command, Ji Changfeng leisurely stepped onto the arena.
At the same time, Lu Xueqi, her face impassive, ascended with the Tianya Sword in her arms.
Swish!
Their gazes locked instantly.
Without hesitation, Lu Xueqi drew the Tianya Sword, her eyes cold. "Lu Xueqi of Xiaozhu Peak, please enlighten me!"
Clang—
A brilliant cerulean sword light flashed.
Tianya pointed directly at Ji Changfeng.
"Ji Changfeng of Dazhu Peak, please enlighten me!" Ji Changfeng bowed with a faint smile.
But he made no move to draw a sword.
Because…
He hadn't brought one.
For someone who had mastered Sword Control, whether the sword was on him was irrelevant.
If he wished, a single thought could summon his blade from afar!
Lu Xueqi frowned slightly.
Her gaze swept over Ji Changfeng, finding no trace of a treasure.
"Where's your sword?" she asked coldly.
Ji Changfeng smiled faintly.
Instead of answering, he slowly extended his right hand and called out clearly, "Sword—Come!"
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