Calculating Ye Lingyun

At the critical moment, Wang Yuyao could no longer care about her injuries.

She swiftly summoned the Perfect Minor Mountain Seal and channeled the power of the Perfect Mystic Water Ring to reinforce herself.

The next instant, Ye Lingyun's attack descended.

Boom!

A terrifying shockwave erupted violently.

Wang Yuyao let out a muffled groan and was sent flying like a straw doll, hurtling toward the spectator stands.

Just as she was about to crash onto the ground, a figure darted forward at lightning speed and caught her in his arms.

"Senior Brother Wang."

Wang Yuyao, her face pale, brightened slightly upon seeing him.

Wang Jianqiang nodded and landed gently.

"Focus on healing first."

He released his arm from around her waist.

Ye Lingyun's assault was indeed ruthless and overwhelming.

However, despite appearing severely injured, Wang Yuyao's wounds weren't as dire as they seemed, thanks to the protection of her Perfect Moonwater Robe.

Wang Yuyao nodded without hesitation and immediately sat cross-legged on the ground to meditate.

Seeing her enter a meditative state, Wang Jianqiang raised his gaze toward Arena No. 9.

At that moment, Ye Lingyun stood at the edge of the arena, his icy eyes filled with disdain and mockery as he stared back.

A mere waste, yet this fool dared to oppose him time and again.

How laughable.

If not for the sect's rules, he would have made sure this trash regretted it for the rest of his life.

Wang Jianqiang's gaze lingered on Ye Lingyun for only a moment before shifting upward.

"Elder, Wang Yuyao had already leaped off the arena, clearly signaling her surrender. Yet Ye Lingyun pursued and attacked her relentlessly. Does this not violate the tournament rules?"

Yun Zhongque remained expressionless. After a brief silence, he replied indifferently, "She had not yet touched the ground, so she had not officially left the arena. When Ye Lingyun delivered his final strike, she was still airborne. Therefore... no rules were broken."

According to the tournament regulations, once a participant showed intent to forfeit, the opponent was forbidden from continuing their assault.

Yun Zhongque was clearly twisting the rules.

Yet Wang Jianqiang showed no trace of anger. Instead, he smiled faintly and cupped his hands toward the elder.

"This disciple understands. Thank you for your clarification, Elder."

Seeing Wang Jianqiang's composed demeanor, Yun Zhongque frowned, an inexplicable discomfort rising in his chest.

His expression darkened as he coldly warned, "The tournament strictly prohibits any interference from non-participants. Your actions just now violated the rules. If this happens again, disciplinary measures will be taken."

Wang Jianqiang sneered inwardly.

He hadn't even left the spectator stands—merely catching Wang Yuyao counted as interference?

What a flimsy accusation.

Still, facing a Core Formation expert, he knew better than to argue.

This wasn't about cowardice.

It was about not being a fool.

On Arena No. 9, Ye Lingyun smirked with even greater derision as he watched Wang Jianqiang being reprimanded.

Not only was Wang Jianqiang a waste, but he also seemed to lack common sense.

Ye Lingyun was the top outer disciple of the sect.

Su Yutong was a peerless genius, achieving astonishing strength in just three years since joining.

In Elder Yun Zhongque's eyes, Wang Jianqiang and Wang Yuyao weren't even fit to stand in the same league as them.

Yet this fool still couldn't grasp such a simple truth, repeatedly begging the elder for "fairness"?

Utterly pathetic.

His gaze then shifted to Wang Yuyao.

"With me here, don’t even think about making it into the top ten in this tournament."

His domineering words rang out clearly, unhindered.

Wang Yuyao opened her eyes, fury flashing across her face.

"Ignore him. Focus on recovery," Wang Jianqiang calmly advised.

She nodded and closed her eyes again, resuming her meditation.

Ye Lingyun scoffed at the sight, then swept his gaze over the challengers below the arena.

"Arena No. 9 belongs to Su Yutong. Anyone who dares to claim it will face my wrath."

With that, he transformed into a streak of golden light and shot back to Arena No. 1.

After his departure, Arena No. 9 stood empty.

The remaining challengers below the platform exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with hesitation.

But out of fear of Ye Lingyun, none dared to step forward.

Time passed.

As the tournament neared its conclusion, Wang Yuyao finally ended her recovery.

"How are your injuries?" Wang Jianqiang asked.

"They’re stabilized, and my spiritual energy has recovered to seventy percent," she replied.

Wang Jianqiang nodded. "Go. Take Arena No. 9."

Wang Yuyao paused briefly but didn’t question him. Without hesitation, she leaped onto the vacant platform.

She had heard Ye Lingyun’s arrogant declaration.

But so what?

If Senior Brother Wang told her to go, she would go.

The crowd buzzed with excitement as they watched Wang Yuyao boldly reclaim the arena.

This woman had nerves of steel—daring to defy Ye Lingyun again.

Did she have a death wish?

Meanwhile, Ye Lingyun, seated at the center of Arena No. 1, darkened with fury.

"You’re courting death!"

With a cold snort, he transformed into a golden streak, shooting toward Arena No. 9 at terrifying speed.

Seeing him approach, Wang Yuyao tensed.

The Perfect Minor Mountain Seal materialized before her, spinning rapidly.

Just as she prepared to strike first, a voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

She froze, then instinctively glanced toward Wang Jianqiang in the stands.

He didn’t speak further, merely nodding once.

Taking a deep breath, Wang Yuyao refocused on Ye Lingyun.

By now, he had already landed on Arena No. 9.

Without pause, he lunged at her like an arrow, his aura overwhelmingly oppressive.

Just as the spectators braced for a fierce clash, Wang Yuyao did something no one expected.

She turned and jumped off the platform.

"She… she ran away?"

The crowd was stunned.

"That’s just cowardly!"

"If she was going to flee, why even bother stepping up? What a disgrace!"

"Wait—she hasn’t used up her challenge attempts yet. She’s trying to drain Ye Lingyun’s chances!"

The realization sparked an uproar.

That’s right!

Each participant only had two challenge opportunities.

Ye Lingyun had already used one earlier—this was his second.

Meaning, he was now stuck on Arena No. 9.

Meanwhile, Wang Yuyao still had one attempt left. She could turn the tables and seize Arena No. 1 instead.

What a brilliant scheme!

Hearing the murmurs, Ye Lingyun’s face twisted in fury.

Blinded by his desire to avenge Su Yutong, he hadn’t considered this possibility.

Only now did he realize he’d been outplayed.

"You scheming wretch!" he spat through gritted teeth.

He stormed to the edge of the platform, scanning below—only to freeze.

Where was Wang Yuyao?

Whoosh—

Before his confusion could settle, a flying sword and a seal came hurtling toward him.

"That’s her artifacts!"

"It’s a trap!"

"She wasn’t trying to waste my challenge—she wants to eliminate me completely!"

Ye Lingyun’s expression twisted with rage. "You think you can defeat me? Dream on!"

"Detonate!"

At the same time, a sharp cry rang out.

The Perfect Cloudwater Frostblade and the Perfect Minor Mountain Seal exploded simultaneously!