Networking for points, boos all around, it's rigged

This match had drawn the attention of all.

The reason was simple—it marked the first public appearance of that sect master's true disciple.

Ying Bing stood alone with her sword, aloof and detached, like a divine snow lotus from the celestial mountains. She naturally became the focal point of all gazes.

Many in the audience couldn’t tear their eyes away, watching intently.

Opinions varied on just how talented she was, but there was no dispute about one thing—her beauty was beyond compare.

She had even amassed a dedicated following within the sect...

"Go, Ying Bing!"

A disciple’s voice rang out.

One voice led to another, and soon, the cries multiplied like wildfire.

The disciples of the Qingyuan Sect erupted in a deafening roar.

On the high platform.

"Go, Ying Bing!"

Shang Wu waved her fists, standing up without a care for decorum as she cheered loudly.

Elder Han He’s lips twitched. What was this?

As an elder overseeing a peak, she had no sense of dignity at all—how utterly improper!

"Go, Ying Bing!"

Elder Su of Sunset Peak shouted even louder.

Han He: "......"

Ying Bing is fighting your disciple, for heaven’s sake!

The high platform descended into lively chaos.

The other sects, big and small, were no exception. They watched with bated breath—after all, many had come precisely because of the legendary celestial phenomenon.

That divine radiance might very well be tied to Ying Bing.

The scene grew slightly unruly.

Opposite her.

A drop of cold sweat slid down Xie Lan'ai’s forehead—not because the crowd supported Ying Bing, but because of Ying Bing herself.

Gritting her teeth, she spoke up:

"Junior Sister, I’d like to add a wager."

"If I win, I ask you to yield the Frostblade to me."

"If I lose..."

"Agreed."

Before Xie Lan'ai could finish stating her terms, a voice as clear as jade striking jade answered.

Ying Bing hadn’t even waited to hear what Xie Lan'ai would stake in return.

This disregard stoked Xie Lan'ai’s irritation.

"Very well. Junior Sister, make your move."

"You first."

For the first time, Ying Bing lifted her gaze to study her.

Xie Lan'ai understood this wasn’t courtesy.

It meant that if Ying Bing struck first, she wouldn’t get a chance to act at all.

How arrogant.

Li Mo’s scalp tingled as he took a deep breath.

Yes, this was it.

This was exactly the vibe.

"Junior Sister, be careful!"

Xie Lan'ai wasted no more words. She unleashed the Serpent Sword Art at its peak, sending unpredictable, razor-sharp slashes forward, aiming to overwhelm with the sheer force of her Jade Marrow Realm cultivation.

She was angry, but that didn’t mean she underestimated her opponent.

If the Frostblade had acknowledged Ying Bing, her swordsmanship was undoubtedly superior.

But Xie Lan'ai still held advantages—higher cultivation and far more combat experience.

In that instant, she thought of many things.

How to cut off Ying Bing’s retreat if she dodged, how to press her own rhythm if Ying Bing countered.

But in reality... all her thoughts were unnecessary.

The intricate web of sword light closed in, sharp enough to grievously wound even someone of the same realm.

Yet a pale hand passed through the deadly dance as if it were nothing.

Amid the ever-shifting swordplay, it moved as effortlessly as plucking a leaf in one’s own garden.

The Serpent Sword Art halted.

Because the flexible blade was now pinched between two slender, jade-white fingers.

Clang—

A flick of the finger.

The sword recoiled, grazing its owner’s robes.

A fraction closer, and it would have pierced her chest.

Xie Lan'ai stood frozen, pupils contracted, breath suspended.

She instinctively looked at the girl just a sword’s length away, but those mirror-like eyes remained serene and unreadable.

She had held back.

Otherwise, that fraction wouldn’t have existed.

Silence engulfed the arena.

......

The high platform, too, fell into stunned quiet.

They had expected Ying Bing to win.

But not like this—not with such ease.

Against an opponent a full realm above her, she hadn’t even drawn her sword. Just a wisp of internal energy wrapped around her fingertips.

"That sword of hers... it’s called Frostblade, right?"

The white-robed youth from the Blazing Jade Forest had lost all trace of arrogance.

The scholarly middle-aged man didn’t answer, merely sighing,

"Every time the Qingyuan Sect seems to decline, heaven sends them a prodigy..."

As for the elders’ reactions, there was no need to elaborate.

Li Mo was providing a live commentary.

"This woman... is terrifying!"

"Tsk..."

"What are you doing?"

Ying Bing frowned at Li Mo, who alternated between dramatic whispers and exaggerated gasps, fully immersed in his role.

Li Mo: "Being a properly shocked bystander."

Ying Bing: "?"

......

After some more tea-drinking, just as Li Mo was about to excuse himself for a bathroom break, Elder Qian Bufan’s voice rang out:

"Next match."

"Lin Jiang of Ruyi Peak versus..."

"Li Mo of Jade Cluster Peak!"

Good news—it was finally his turn.

Bad news—he really needed to go.

Coincidentally, his first match was against an acquaintance.

Sure enough.

The moment Elder Qian announced the names, the crowd’s eyes swiveled toward them, many filled with scrutiny.

Discussions about Li Mo had always been divisive in the sect.

Some praised him as a righteous and warm-hearted gentleman.

Others claimed his strength fell short, unworthy of being called one of the Qingyuan Sect’s twin prodigies alongside Ying Bing.

Haters called him a pretty boy, Shang Wu’s kept man...

Of course, that last one was pure slander. Any senior disciple knew Shang Wu was too broke to afford a pet goldfish, let alone a boytoy.

Regardless, opinions varied.

But one thing was certain—everyone wanted to see what this true disciple was made of.

Under the weight of countless stares, Li Mo couldn’t very well announce he needed a bathroom break.

So he stepped onto the stage and said softly,

"Brother Lin, let’s make this quick."

"Sure thing."

Thus.

Lin Jiang, who had just climbed onto the platform, walked straight to the edge.

The moment Elder Qian shouted "Begin!"—

He jumped off.

"I forfeit."

Lin Jiang declared without hesitation, as if afraid that delaying even a second would give Li Mo a chance to strike.

Disciples: "Huh?"

Elders: "??"

Other Sect Observers: "???"

This had to be rigged!

Both of you are at the Blood Qi Realm, and you didn’t even throw a punch? You think we’re idiots?!

Lin Jiang, how could you betray us like this?

Screw you, refund!

...Wait, we didn’t pay to watch.

Never mind.

But something was definitely fishy here. Big-time fishy.

The rules didn’t forbid forfeiting, and stepping out of bounds did count as a loss. But this was the first time something so bizarre had happened.

With prestigious sects from the Purple Sun Region watching, Elder Qian felt this was downright embarrassing. He hurried back to consult the other elders.

"How do we rule this?"

"Should we make them fight again?"

"Look at Lin Jiang. Is there even a point? It’s meaningless."

The elders couldn’t reach a consensus.

Elder Qian suddenly had a thought and asked suspiciously,

"Niece Shang Wu... you didn’t secretly threaten Lin Jiang into forfeiting, did you?"

The elders all turned to her. This was exactly the kind of thing she’d do.

"Watch your words!"

"Would I bother threatening a mere junior disciple? Too much trouble."

"Wouldn’t it be easier to just pressure Elder Qian into rigging the match?"

Shang Wu was furious.

People could question her morals, but doubting her intelligence was downright infuriating.

The elders: "......"

What exactly are you so righteous about?

And so,

Elder Qian had no choice but to announce reluctantly:

"Li Mo wins!"

"Boo......"

A chorus of jeers rose from the audience.

Li Mo fell silent for a moment before letting out a bitter laugh. "Brother Lin, quick to concede, I see... but was this really necessary?"

"I’m not stupid."

Lin Jiang shook his head like a rattle-drum.

He remembered it clearly—during the sect trials, a single punch from Li Mo had turned Wang Hu, who once suffocated him with sheer pressure, into a cripple.

Even the shell of a Thornback Tortoise had been shattered... The man was practically a walking calamity.

Fighting Li Mo? That was just asking for a beating.

By forfeiting now, he could at least conserve his strength for the next match.

If he didn’t, ranking in the Nine Peaks Tournament would be the least of his worries.

If Li Mo happened to lose control... well, he might as well start planning his own funeral feast.