Xiao Fei's One Against Five, Su Bailian's First Battle

On the arena, Xiao Fei initially seemed passive, but soon, his gaze sharpened.

He formed a hand seal, and the black coffin behind him suddenly swung open, releasing a wave of chilling energy that swept across the battlefield.

This was… the forbidden technique of the Tai Xuan Demon Sect!

Whoosh!

As the technique activated, Xiao Fei vanished from his original position, reappearing behind his opponent in the next instant. With a single palm strike—

The disciple from Qingxia Sect had no time to react. He was sent flying, crashing heavily outside the arena.

"Instant knockout!"

Yan Qiuyue gasped in shock.

But that wasn’t all.

In the following matches, Xiao Fei displayed overwhelming dominance.

Whether it was sword cultivators, body refiners, or spellcasters, none could last more than three moves against him.

Qin Luo smirked slightly.

Well, that’s fitting for a protagonist’s arc. After all, aren’t protagonists the type to shout—"Come at me all at once"?

Boom!

Below the arena.

As Xiao Fei’s black coffin shattered the fifth opponent’s protective aura, Qin Luo suddenly turned his head. "What do you think of this match, Young Miss?"

"Full of flaws."

Su Muwan curled her lips. "If I were him, I’d have locked the opponent’s Ren Meridian with the coffin’s Yin energy by the third move."

As if hearing her commentary, Xiao Fei abruptly shifted tactics. The sinister energy surging from the black coffin coiled precisely around his opponent’s ankle.

"See?"

Su Muwan lifted her chin. "Should’ve done that earlier."

Qin Luo blinked.

[Young Miss, could you not blatantly reveal your knowledge of the Tai Xuan Demon Sect’s techniques?]

[Even if all the sect leaders here are allies, at least pretend a little.]

Su Muwan heard Qin Luo’s inner voice and froze momentarily.

Then she cleared her throat lightly.

[I forgot… Watching them fight is so tedious, I’m practically bored…]

[Don’t worry, there’ll be chances for you to step in later.]

[? Wasn’t I just here as a mascot? Now I have to fight too?]

[Absolutely.]

As expected.

Xiao Fei ultimately achieved a one-versus-five victory, securing the first win for the Tai Xuan Demon Sect.

"Xiao Fei’s performance was outstanding. It seems the Tai Xuan Demon Sect’s strength shouldn’t be underestimated," Qin Luo summarized.

"Indeed. His combat style is crisp and highly entertaining," Yan Qiuyue added with a smile.

"Passable."

Su Muwan remained haughty as ever. "But if it were me, the fight would’ve been over twice as fast."

"Young Miss Su is as confident as ever," Qin Luo teased.

"Skill speaks for itself," Su Muwan replied coolly.

The live chat exploded again:

[I love Su Muwan’s attitude!]

[She’s just… I can’t even…!!!]

[So arrogant! But that’s exactly why I adore her!]

[The chemistry between Qin Luo and Su Muwan is off the charts! Any insiders know if they’re together?]

[Are you serious? Of course not! Young Miss Su is clearly a career-driven woman. Men? Just distractions from her cultivation!]

Career-driven woman?

Me?

Su Muwan couldn’t help straightening her posture proudly.

She’d worried her icy demeanor might be off-putting, but now… it seemed the audience loved it.

Finally!

Fortune favors the bold!

Su Muwan actually had fans now!!

[In that case, I’ll drop the act—I adore Master Qin! I’d kill for his autograph… Maybe even hold his delicate hand…]

Nonsense! Those hands are mine!

Su Muwan rolled her eyes. While her reputation had soared, it also meant more rivals eyeing Qin Luo.

But no matter.

Maintaining her composed facade, Su Muwan inwardly gloated:

Hehe…

What you all dream of… is something I get to toy with every night. How unfortunate for you~~

Just then, the live chat erupted again:

[Quick! Check Arena 77!! Little Lian is up!!]

Su Bailian? With her level of cultivation, how is she fighting?

Curious, Su Muwan pulled up the feed for Arena 77.

Arena 77 hosted a match between the Taichu Holy Land and the Xuanyang Sect.

On the icy battlefield, scorch marks from the previous fight still lingered. The Taichu Holy Land’s first combatant knelt, clutching his chest—

He’d just had three ribs shattered by the Xuanyang Sect’s fire prodigy, his sword tassel reduced to ashes.

"I-I’m sorry…"

The young disciple coughed blood, glancing toward the preparation area. "I’ve disgraced our sect…"

"It’s alright."

Su Bailian rose, cradling her spirit beast, Pochi. Her gauzy skirt brushed against the disciple’s bloodstained robes as she spoke, her voice soft as spring water. "You’ve done your best, Senior Brother. Leave the rest… to Lianlian."

The chat went wild:

[Little Lian, don’t go! The Xuanyang Sect’s Blazing Sun Art is brutal!]

[She’s even carrying her spirit beast—how is she supposed to fight?!]

[Is Taichu Holy Land insane? Sending a mere Initiate Realm mascot to her death?]

The next moment, when that delicate figure floated onto the arena, even Zhou Yan, the Xuanyang Sect’s top disciple, was stunned speechless.

The blazing heavy sword "Chixiao" in his hand nearly slipped from his grasp: "Is the Supreme Beginning Holy Land so desperate they sent a porcelain doll to fight?"

Su Bailian seemed startled by his words, her shoulders trembling slightly.

She lowered her head, stroking Boqi's soft fur, her eyelashes glistening with unshed tears: "Senior Brother Zhou is right... Lianlian is indeed weak in cultivation... But with our sect in peril, how could Lianlian back down?"

As she looked up, the cameras perfectly captured a teardrop hanging precariously on her lashes: "Please... go easy on me, Senior Brother Zhou."

Buzz—!!

Zhou Yan's sword froze mid-swing.

He'd faced sneaky tricks and desperate fighters, but never someone who brought a pet onto the arena and started crying.

Just as he hesitated whether to cast the weakest fireball spell—

"Aiyo!" A delicate cry rang out—Su Bailian had tripped over the icy patterns on the stage.

Her gauzy skirt fluttered like water as she fell, and Boqi seized the chance to leap from her arms straight at Zhou Yan.

Instinctively, Zhou Yan swung his sword to block. The embers stirred by his blade licked Boqi's tail, causing the snowy fluffball to yowl: "Awoo!"

"Boqi!!"

Su Bailian crawled forward on her knees, cradling her spirit beast's singed tail with trembling hands. Tears pattered onto the ice like raindrops.

"It's all Lianlian's fault... I couldn't protect you..."

Hiss!!

"I... I didn't mean to..."

Zhou Yan's grip on his sword began to shake.

He hadn't even released a shred of sword energy, yet now he looked like some alleyway pet-abusing thug.

Worse still, hundreds of drones suddenly swarmed toward him, their lenses capturing Su Bailian's tear-streaked face and the convulsing creature in her arms.

The live audience erupted in jeers:

"Monster! How dare you hurt Boqi?!"

"Zhou Yan, get out of the cultivation world!"

"What's Zhou Yan's Douyin handle?!"

"Don't cry, Xiao Lianlian! Mama's gonna crowdfund you a protective artifact!"

The Xuanyang Sect's lead senior brother sneered. "The strong rule in the cultivation world. Since the Supreme Beginning Holy Land insists on sending out this decorative piece, don't blame us for being ruthless!"

"Junior Brother, ignore the noise. Finish her off—"

Before he could finish—

"I forfeit!!!"

Zhou Yan suddenly slammed Chixiao into the ice, the impact splitting his own palm.

Then he turned to the weeping Su Bailian, unable to stop himself from comforting her: "Junior Sister Lianlian... take your spirit beast to heal."

With that, he leapt off the stage, leaving the Xuanyang Sect disciples utterly bewildered.

Wait—

You're surrendering just like that?!

Su Bailian wiped her tears and rose gracefully, offering Zhou Yan's retreating figure a deep bow: "Thank you for your mercy, Senior Brother Zhou... You're truly kind. Lianlian will never forget this!"

Back turned, Zhou Yan felt an inexplicable warmth bloom in his chest at her words.

He rubbed his nose sheepishly. "I... I'm kind..."

"Pretty sure Lianlian has a Douyin account... Gotta follow her..."

The Xuanyang Sect members stared at him in unison: ?

......

Meanwhile—

Crack!!!

The teacup beside Su Muwan shattered from sheer vibration.

She gaped.

Seriously?!

What kind of demonic bullshit was this?!