Didn't We Win

Yanyun moved with ruthless efficiency, her desperate stance appearing almost practiced. Azure spiritual energy condensed into a single point as she slashed fiercely at the phoenix's wings.

The clash of violent spiritual forces erupted, and the disciples of Xiaoyun Hall understood—this was Yanyun's all-out, life-risking strike. They also knew that after Yanyun, Chu Xingchen's attack, brimming with confidence, would follow.

Otherwise, why would the two turn against each other? It wasn’t as if Yanyun had rushed forward to throw her life away just for fun.

Though they understood, the Xiaoyun Hall disciples had no choice left.

Chu Xingchen's assault was undoubtedly fierce, but that didn’t mean Yanyun’s desperate strike was any weaker.

Scattering now might not be the best option.

Without a word of discussion or a moment’s hesitation, the Xiaoyun Hall disciples summoned a phoenix, its vast flames roaring toward Yanyun.

If they took down Yanyun, even if they lost, they wouldn’t be utterly humiliated. But if they retreated now without even eliminating her, losing ten against two and being completely wiped out—that would be the ultimate disgrace.

The terrifying collision of spiritual energy erupted. Yanyun’s azure power held the upper hand for only a brief moment before the phoenix overwhelmed her completely.

Betraying an ally had to be done effectively.

Chu Xingchen’s Nascent Soul avatar raised the sword Wanban, its currents of spiritual energy coiling around the blade with terrifying might. The avatar lunged forward, pressing the attack.

The phoenix let out a piercing cry as half its flaming wings were severed, but it still crushed Yanyun mercilessly. Moments later, the protective artifacts on Yanyun’s body flashed—signaling her elimination.

She was promptly teleported out of the arena.

But by then, Chu Xingchen’s Nascent Soul avatar was already upon the phoenix, Wanban raised high.

The sword’s overwhelming pressure scattered the phoenix’s remaining flames.

A single slash descended!

Spiritual energy surged like a raging torrent, piercing through the phoenix like a blade.

The boiling inferno instantly died down.

The force of the strike tore through the earth, crushing everything in its path, its terrifying aftershocks rippling outward.

Outside the arena, hundreds of formation arrays flared to life, sealing away the devastating energy.

At the Tianyan Sect’s seating area.

Yanyun took a deep breath and calmly returned to her seat, her aura steady. As a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, this phoenix might have unsettled her in the past, but now, at the Nascent Soul stage, it was nothing more than a fiery little bird.

Losing the clash didn’t mean she was injured.

Her gaze remained fixed on the water mirror screen.

Chu Xingchen’s Nascent Soul avatar, holding Wanban, had delivered the decisive strike with effortless grace.

In the past, Yanyun had always been fiercely competitive when it came to victory and defeat.

She never wanted to lose in anything where winning was possible.

Because Yanyun despised the taste of defeat—or rather, she hated the bitterness of regret, the feeling of falling behind.

For victory, she held the utmost respect and longing.

Yet this time, despite winning, it somehow felt worse than losing.

In fact, losing might have left her feeling more at ease.

How could someone turn winning into something so utterly unbearable?!

Lv Xuan glanced at his disciple, noting Yanyun’s expressionless face as she watched the water mirror. He knew her temperament well—her relentless drive to win.

Perhaps she was frustrated at being eliminated.

But the fact that she had willingly sacrificed herself for her teammate, enduring this frustration—wasn’t that a form of growth?

A pleased smile crossed his face as he comforted her, "You did well. Not everyone has the virtue of self-sacrifice. The fact that you could do it makes me proud. That matters far more than victory."

Yanyun turned her gaze to her master, meeting his approving eyes…

Faced with his praise, she nearly blurted out Chu Xingchen’s words—"Yanyun, go die quickly."

But in the end, she held back. Swallowing her anger was still a kind of victory.

She took another deep breath and nodded solemnly in response.

Bai Xuanling watched the scene with a faint smile. She knew Chu Xingchen’s temperament well.

He had a silver tongue—speaking sweetly to humans and cunningly to ghosts.

If he had wanted to, he could have easily coaxed Yanyun into sacrificing herself willingly. There was no need for her to come out looking so aggrieved.

Clearly, he had tossed her to her death while throwing in a few extra jabs.

Most likely, Chu Xingchen was secretly settling a score for Lingyu.

That boy probably didn’t even remember the details of what happened back then—just that he had to stand up for his own.

Good. That part of him aligned well with Bai Xuanling’s own nature.

Her gaze drifted lazily to Yanyun. "Your master speaks wisely. The Tianyan Sect’s leader commands respect precisely because he’s selfless, always willing to sacrifice."

"Yanyun, you still have a long way to go before you match him."

Lv Xuan blinked, casting a suspicious glance at Bai Xuanling.

What was going on today? Both of them seemed to have changed personalities.

Had Bai Xuanling finally learned to show him some face in public?

Yanyun remained silent, only nodding in silence.

A moment later, spatial fluctuations rippled through the air.

All eyes turned as Chu Xingchen landed gracefully, sweeping his gaze over the crowd.

A warm smile played on his lips as he spoke. "This victory may seem like my doing, but in truth, it was Yanyun’s fearless sacrifice that created the opening for me. The lion’s share of this triumph belongs to her."

Bai Xuanling’s smile deepened.

Yanyun stayed silent, nodding mechanically.

Lv Xuan nodded approvingly but quickly reached out to grasp Chu Xingchen’s arm, whispering urgently,

"Your performance was excellent, but remember—our objective here is clear. Your words should reflect that."

As he spoke, his eyes flicked meaningfully toward the Xiaoyun Hall delegation.

The Xiaoyun Hall disciples were staring at Chu Xingchen with a mix of emotions—none of them friendly.

Chu Xingchen feigned innocence. "I didn’t say anything insulting, did I?"

Lv Xuan nodded in agreement. "I know. But unless it’s that particular sect, it’s best to keep quiet."

"Tch." Chu Xingchen frowned slightly before sighing. "If that’s the Sect Leader’s order… fine, I’ll be mindful."

Lv Xuan exhaled in relief, then turned to the Xiaoyun Hall with an apologetic smile.

This was a minor issue. He could smooth things over later by humbling himself.

Youthful arrogance was to be expected—a few words during a spar shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

Chu Xingchen casually took a seat beside Yanyun. "That was a great collaboration. Let’s do it again next time."

Yanyun turned to look at him, her expression unreadable.

Chu Xingchen tilted his head. "What’s wrong? Disappointed with my performance just now?"

Yanyun sighed internally, about to respond—

When Chu Xingchen suddenly said something that shattered her composure.

His brow arched slightly, as if genuinely puzzled.

"Didn’t we win?"