Yan Yun's movements were fierce and decisive, her desperate posture seemingly quite practiced as condensed azure spiritual energy gathered at a point, fiercely slashing toward the phoenix's wing.
With a violent clash of spiritual energy, the people of Xiaoyun Hall naturally understood that Yan Yun was making a life-or-death attack, and also realized that after Yan Yun, Chu Xingchen's attack, which he believed would surely secure victory, was about to come.
Otherwise, could they really be fighting each other? Did Yan Yun rush over to commit suicide just for fun?
Although they understood, the people of Xiaoyun Hall had no choice.
Chu Xingchen's attack was naturally fierce, but that didn't mean Yan Yun's life-or-death attack was inferior.
Dispersing now might not be the best choice.
The people of Xiaoyun Hall didn't discuss it verbally, nor did they hesitate in any way. The phoenix swept up vast, raging flames and burned toward Yan Yun.
Choosing Yan Yun, even if they lost, wouldn't be a complete loss of face. If they retreated and failed to even deal with Yan Yun, being defeated ten to two and having their heads shaved clean would be the ultimate humiliation.
A terrifying clash of spiritual energy erupted. Yan Yun's azure spiritual energy held a brief advantage before being completely suppressed by the phoenix.
Sacrificing a teammate naturally had to be effective.
Chu Xingchen's Nascent Soul Dharma Aspect raised Wanban, terrifying flowing spiritual energy coiled around it as the Dharma Image flashed forward to suppress.
The phoenix cried out in a long cry, its flowing fire wings were cut in half, but it also fiercely suppressed Yan Yun. Moments later, the protective treasures Yan Yun carried lit up, signaling her elimination.
Immediately after, she was teleported out.
But Chu Xingchen's Nascent Soul Dharma Image was already pressing forward with Wanban.
The Wanban flowing long sword erupted with terrifying pressure, blowing away the phoenix's flowing fire wings.
One sword strike!
Spiritual energy rushed like a torrent, yet also pierced through the phoenix like a sharp blade.
The boiling, raging flames instantly subsided.
Spiritual energy surged through the earth, crushing everything as terrifying aftershocks scattered outward.
Outside the arena, hundreds of tracks suddenly burst with light, firmly containing this terrifying pressure.
————————
At Tianyan Sect.
Yan Yun took a deep breath and slowly sat back in her position, her breath showing no significant fluctuation. She was at the peak of Spirit Severing, and such a phoenix might have made her somewhat flustered at the Nascent Soul stage, but after reaching Spirit Severing, this was nothing more than a small bird that could breathe fire.
Although she lost the exchange, it didn't mean she was injured.
Her gaze looked toward the water screen.
Chu Xingchen's Nascent Soul Dharma Image raised Wanban, and with an extremely graceful posture, he struck the decisive sword.
Previously, Yan Yun had a strong competitive streak regarding victory and defeat.
She didn't want to lose in anything that could be contested.
Because Yan Yun disliked the taste of losing, or rather, she disliked feeling unsatisfied and falling behind others.
Regarding victory, Yan Yun held the utmost respect and desire.
But for some reason, this time she won, yet it felt worse than losing.
Rather, if she had lost, it might have made Yan Yun feel more at ease.
How could anyone make winning seem like such a thing?!
Lu Xuan glanced sideways at his disciple, seeing Yan Yun watching the water screen with an expressionless face. He naturally understood his disciple's nature and knew she liked to win.
Perhaps she felt somewhat unwilling about being eliminated.
However, Yan Yun was still willing to sacrifice for her teammate without hesitation. Wasn't bearing this unwillingness a form of growth?
He revealed a gratified smile and comforted her: "You did very well. Willingness to sacrifice is not a virtue everyone possesses. That you can do so makes your master happy. This is far more pleasing to me than winning."
Hearing this, Yan Yun's gaze turned to her master, looking at Lu Xuan's gratified eyes...
Facing her master's gratified gaze, she really wanted to tell her master Chu Xingchen's words—"Yan Yun, go die quickly."
But never mind, swallowing her anger could also be considered a win.
Yan Yun took a deep breath and nodded gravely in response to her master.
Bai Xuanling slightly smiled as she watched this scene, understanding something of Chu Xingchen's nature.
His ability to say the right thing to the right person was her specialty.
If he had been willing, he might have been able to coax Yan Yun into sacrificing voluntarily, so why would he still have this expression now?
This was clearly throwing Yan Yun out to her death while making a few sarcastic remarks.
Nine times out of ten, Chu Xingchen was secretly taking revenge for Ling Yu.
This kid probably didn't even know what happened back then, only remembering to defend his own people.
Very good, this trait at least matched Bai Xuanling's personality.
Bai Xuanling's gaze drifted leisurely toward Yan Yun as she said: "Your master's words make sense. In Tianyan Sect, who doesn't give our sect some face? It's all because they rely on your master's willingness to sacrifice and selflessness."
"Yan ah, if I may say, you're still far from your master."
Lu Xuan was startled and looked at Bai Xuanling with some suspicion.
What was going on today? It was as if both of them had changed their personalities.
Could it be that Bai Xuanling finally knew that she should give her own sect master a bit more face when outside?
Yan Yun said nothing, only nodding silently.
The next moment, spatial fluctuations came.
Everyone's gaze turned, and they saw Chu Xingchen land with a graceful posture, his gaze sweeping over everyone's expressions.
He said with a gentle smile: "This victory might seem like I turned the tide, but it was actually all thanks to Yan Yun's selfless sacrifice, creating an opportunity for me. Most of the credit for this victory should actually go to Yan Yun."
Bai Xuanling's smile deepened.
Yan Yun remained silent, only nodding repeatedly.
Lu Xuan nodded gratified, but quickly reached out to grab Chu Xingchen's arm and hurriedly said:
"You performed well, but there's one thing you should pay attention to. Our goal this time is still very clear, and we should still distinguish our words."
As he spoke, Lu Xuan's gaze indicated for Chu Xingchen to look toward the Xiaoyun Hall direction.
The people of Xiaoyun Hall looked at Chu Xingchen with various expressions, but none of those gazes could be considered friendly.
Seeing this, Chu Xingchen looked innocent as he said: "I didn't say anything, did I? No insulting words, right?"
Lu Xuan nodded in agreement: "I know, but except for a certain sect, let's not speak if we don't have to."
"Tsk..." Chu Xingchen frowned slightly at this, then sighed and said,
"Since it's Sect Leader Lu's order... then fine, I'll be careful."
Hearing this, Lu Xuan silently breathed a sigh of relief, then looked toward the Xiaoyun Hall direction, giving an apologetic look with a smile.
After all, this was still a small matter. Later, he could go sell his old face.
After all, the young are hot-blooded, and a bit of sparring and talk shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Chu Xingchen casually sat down beside Yan Yun and asked: "Our cooperation was very pleasant this time, let's continue next time."
Hearing this, Yan Yun glanced sideways at Chu Xingchen, her expression somewhat inscrutable.
Chu Xingchen asked with a puzzled tone:
"What's wrong? Did my performance just disappoint you?"
Yan Yun sighed inwardly, just about to agree when.
Chu Xingchen suddenly said something that broke through her defenses.
He raised his eyebrows slightly, as if somewhat confused, and asked:
"Didn't we win?"
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