You wouldn't say I won unfairly, would you

Time ticked away second by second, and the rhythm of the duel progressed quickly. After all, it was just a match at the Qi Gathering Realm - there would be no epic battles lasting three days and three nights here.

At the judge's platform, the Dark-rank Demon Eliminator couldn't help but yawn, finding it rather boring.

"Next match: Gu Qingfeng at Qi Gathering Third Level versus Lin Xiao at Qi Gathering Ninth Level."

As soon as the official's words fell, a burst of discussion erupted from the crowd.

"Hahaha, Qi Gathering Third Level? Can someone tell me where this lunatic Gu Qingfeng came from?"

"Lucky break for Lin Xiao - he can advance without breaking a sweat."

"Did I hear wrong, or did the official make a mistake? Someone at Qi Gathering Third Level competing for the position of Yellow-rank Demon Eliminator? This must be a joke!"

"You heard right, and the official didn't make a mistake. That Gu Qingfeng is indeed at Qi Gathering Third Level. I was there when he registered. That kid listened to Ye Xuan's nonsense about how if matches were all about cultivation levels, why bother fighting at all? Why not just compare levels and be done with it? Then this kid went ahead and registered."

"Hahaha... To think our Demon Suppression Bureau has such a reckless rookie! Qi Gathering Third Level against Qi Gathering Ninth Level? This isn't just a case of having his head stuck in a door - this is clearly having no brain at all!"

Soon, under everyone's watchful gaze, Lin Xiao gracefully flipped onto the stage.

On stage, Lin Xiao's face was cold, but inside he was overjoyed.

His strength wasn't particularly outstanding among those at Qi Gathering Ninth Level, and he knew his chances at becoming a Yellow-rank Demon Eliminator were slim. But people are like that - they'd always regret not trying.

However, he never imagined his first opponent would be at Qi Gathering Third Level!

This was heaven-sent help - how was this any different from being handed a free win?

Defeating someone at Qi Gathering Third Level would leave him completely unscathed, allowing him to face tomorrow's matches in peak condition. His opponents tomorrow would all be exhausted from today's intense battles. With this advantage, he might actually win!

Thinking of it this way, who knew? The position of Yellow-rank Demon Eliminator might end up being his!

This foolish Gu Qingfeng was truly his lucky star.

Lin Xiao waited for a while, but his lucky star didn't appear on stage.

He thought, perhaps he's forfeiting? That would make things even easier.

Discussion broke out below the stage.

"Could it be that this Gu Qingfeng is too scared to come up?"

"Probably. A Qi Gathering Third Level cultivator probably watched a few matches earlier, realized the gap, and chickened out."

"Ah, how disappointing. I was looking forward to some entertainment."

The official frowned and called out coldly: "Gu Qingfeng! Get on stage!"

But there was no response.

After waiting quite a while longer, Lin Xiao grew impatient and said to the official: "Official, just announce the result. Whether he shows up or not, it's a loss either way. No point wasting time."

The official agreed and began to announce the match result.

"As contestant Gu Qingfeng failed to appear for the match in time, this counts as a forfeit. I hereby declare Lin-"

"Wait!"

Suddenly, a voice interrupted the official's declaration.

"I'm here! I'm here! Don't rush! The roads were congested with horses, that's why I'm late."

This voice immediately drew everyone's attention. Looking toward its source, they saw a young man jogging over.

His face wore an apologetic smile.

It was Gu Qingfeng.

The crowd erupted in commotion.

"Wow, this kid actually dared to show up!"

"Truly a newborn calf unafraid of tigers."

"The kid's quite handsome, but turns out he's an idiot."

"Want to bet how many moves he'll last on stage?"

"Excuse me everyone, please make way. I have a match to fight, please let me through." Gu Qingfeng squeezed through the crowd to reach the front of the stage.

The official gave Gu Qingfeng a cold look, clearly impatient: "Gu Qingfeng, get on stage quickly."

Gu Qingfeng nodded in agreement, then jumped onto the arena. Looking at Lin Xiao standing proudly in the center, he scratched his head and said, "Sorry for keeping you waiting."

Lin Xiao gave a cold smile: "What's the point of coming up? The result will be a loss either way."

Gu Qingfeng remained unfazed: "Brother, you're wrong about that. Without fighting, how can we know the outcome?"

"Hmph, nonsense." Lin Xiao shook his head: "I won't be accused of bullying the weak. I'll give you a chance - draw your weapon."

After speaking, Lin Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, not touching the long sword at his waist. Clearly, he had no intention of using his weapon.

Lin Xiao had his reasons - he thought using a weapon against someone at Qi Gathering Third Level would make him a laughingstock, so he decided not to use one. He'd win either way.

"You're not using a weapon?" Gu Qingfeng asked.

"Against you, I won't need my sword," Lin Xiao said coldly.

Gu Qingfeng protested: "That won't do. I'm a principled person - I never take advantage of the unarmed. If I win using a weapon, you'll surely say it wasn't a fair victory."

Lin Xiao laughed in disbelief. He never imagined someone could be so presumptuous. Qi Gathering Third Level? Beat me? Even someone drunk on peanut wine wouldn't say something so outrageous.

"Don't worry, use whatever weapon you want. Forget about winning - if you can make me move even one step, I'll count it as my loss, and I absolutely won't say it wasn't a fair fight."

"You said it yourself." Gu Qingfeng smiled, having achieved his goal. This was exactly what he'd been waiting for.

Then, Gu Qingfeng solemnly drew out the Wood King Sword from his back.

As soon as the sword appeared!

The crowd was truly stirred, their expressions changing!

Everyone burst into an uproar!

"Holy crap! Am I seeing things? That kid's weapon is just a wooden sword?"

"Wooden sword? How can that even be called a sword? It's clearly just a chunk of wood!"

"Mystery solved! No wonder this kid at Qi Gathering Third Level dared to join the competition - he's actually insane!"

On the judge's platform, both the Dark-rank and Yellow-rank Demon Eliminators were suddenly wide awake. In all their years, they'd never seen someone use a wooden sword in combat.

As his opponent, Lin Xiao wore an expression that seemed to say 'are you kidding me?' as he looked at Gu Qingfeng and his wooden sword.

Amidst the noise and skepticism, Gu Qingfeng spoke up, his expression completely serious: "This sword is three feet and three inches long, one inch and eight tenths wide, weighs four and a half taels, made entirely of wood. It was forged over eighteen years using the heart of a thousand-year-old imperial willow from the extreme north. This sword is named the Wood King Sword, a Dark rank Inferior Spirit Weapon. Please, brother, take a good look!"

After Gu Qingfeng's introduction, the scene fell into an eerie silence.

Then suddenly, the crowd burst into explosive laughter!

"Hahaha... This is hilarious!"

"This kid's really something! Holding a wooden sword and claiming it's a Dark rank Spirit Weapon?!"

"By that logic, wouldn't my iron sword be a Heaven-grade Spirit Weapon?"

"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! I'd say this is the most entertaining match of the day!"

By now, Lin Xiao was speechless. Standing on stage, he felt a sense of embarrassment. Although he wasn't the one being mocked, for some reason, his feet couldn't help but fidget.

At this point, Gu Qingfeng spoke again: "Brother, I'm using a Dark rank Spirit Weapon - you won't say it's an unfair advantage, right?"

Lin Xiao's mouth twitched: "No... I won't. Do as you please."

"Good, brother, you're truly magnanimous. Then I'll make my move - here I come!"

Gu Qingfeng raised the Wood King Sword and charged straight at Lin Xiao with a thrust.

Watching the wooden sword approaching step by step, Lin Xiao thought to himself, should I defend or not?

Never mind, no need to defend - the wooden sword will break on its own.

Just as Lin Xiao was thinking this, in the next moment, the wooden sword struck his chest!

And then, an unexpected change occurred!