Qian Fusu’s eyes gleamed with excitement, waiting for Yun Hai to put Ning Shiyue in her place.
That way, everyone would forget about the embarrassing scene he’d just caused.
But to everyone’s utter astonishment, Yun Hai showed not the slightest intention of punishing Ning Shiyue. Instead, he asked in a deep voice, “Do you have something to say?”
“Sir Yun Hai, I’d like to say a few words to Su Yubai of Qingyun Province. May I?” Ning Shiyue was polite but distant.
A faint glint passed through Yun Hai’s cold eyes, and he said with authority, “You have fifteen minutes. You must leave after that.”
Ning Shiyue nodded in thanks and flew down on her sword, landing beside Su Yubai.
But the crowd on the platform was in an uproar!
“What?! How could Sir Yun Hai be so easygoing? I must be dreaming!”
Smack! —
The speaker even dramatically slapped himself. “Ow! That hurts! Holy crap! Senior Brother, Sir Yun Hai really let that female cultivator off!”
The person next to him rolled his eyes. “Luo Bingwen, are you an idiot? Even if he let her off, did you really have to hit yourself?”
Realizing how foolish his action had been, Luo Bingwen tried to justify himself. “I was just too shocked, okay? Sir Yun Hai is famous for being cold and ruthless. When have you ever seen him be nice to anyone?”
Lu Anling glanced down at the chillingly imposing Yun Hai below, then looked back at Luo Bingwen. “Luo Bingwen, if your eyesight’s bad, there are treatments for that…”
“I really did see Sir Yun Hai smile just now!” Luo Bingwen tried to defend himself, but not a single person from Diling Province believed him.
Compared to Luo Bingwen’s dramatic antics, the people from Haoling Province had grim expressions.
Yun Hai’s attitude toward Qingyun Province was basically a slap in the face to the people of Haoling Province.
Qin Haoyan, the leader of Haoling Province, had cold eyes as he glanced sideways at the Qingyun Province team. Had they given Sir Yun Hai some kind of bribe?
Rong Zhuofan of Qingyun Province felt Qin Haoyan’s gaze and looked back. The moment their eyes met, the coldness in Qin Haoyan’s eyes grew even sharper.
Rong Zhuofan looked away indifferently and said to Xiao Qingfeng, “Xiao Qingfeng, that guy from Haoling Province seems to have a problem with you.”
“What?” Xiao Qingfeng immediately glared at Qin Haoyan.
Under Xiao Qingfeng’s fierce stare, Qin Haoyan lost the mood to keep up the staring contest.
Meanwhile, Baili Wenyue had been wearing a long face ever since Ning Shiyue went down, looking deep in thought.
Feng Qingran’s apricot eyes curved into crescent moons, a smile spreading across her jade-like face. “Sixth Senior Brother, would you say Yun Hai has taken a liking to Fifth Senior Sister?”
“He’s an old geezer—how dare he set his sights on Fifth Senior Sister!” Baili Wenyue retorted.
“But his cultivation is at the Void God stage now. He can live for ten thousand years.” Feng Qingran’s lips curled slightly, a hint of mischief flickering in her eyes. Sixth Senior Brother hadn’t even realized he was jealous yet, had he?
Baili Wenyue’s face darkened. Little Junior Sister was not cute at all today.
“I’ll reach the Void God stage too someday. And I’m younger than Fifth Senior Sister, so I’ll definitely outlive him!” Baili Wenyue’s brow was filled with pride.
Feng Qingran’s beautiful eyes shimmered with light. “Sixth Senior Brother, why are you so nervous if someone likes Fifth Senior Sister?”
Baili Wenyue felt a twinge of guilt. “I—I’m just looking out for her! Men will only hold her back from getting stronger!”
“Oh, I see.” Feng Qingran smiled knowingly and stopped teasing him.
Some things were more fun when left unsaid.
While they were talking, Ning Shiyue returned to the spectator stand.
“Little Junior Sister, don’t worry. With the talismans and my poisons, I guarantee Su Yubai will win this match.” Ning Shiyue’s eyes sparkled as she spoke cheerfully.
——————
Su Yubai put away the things Ning Shiyue had given him and stepped onto the arena.
Yun Hai raised his hand and set up a barrier around the arena, then said coldly, “The match begins. It will only end when one side concedes.”
Qian Fusu launched the first attack at Su Yubai.
Su Yubai simply sidestepped the attack and didn’t strike back.
The arrogance in Qian Fusu’s expression faded, replaced by wariness. “Looks like I underestimated you. But from now on, I won’t hold back.”
Su Yubai remained on high alert, gripping his sword and only defending, never attacking.
After fighting for a while, Qian Fusu realized he was the only one attacking—Su Yubai hadn’t fought back at all from start to finish.
“Why aren’t you striking back? Are you looking down on me?” Qian Fusu demanded.
Su Yubai stayed silent. He knew Qian Fusu was only trying to provoke him, to make him lose focus.
Swords and blades had no eyes. The slightest mistake could cost him his life.
His cultivation was already lower than Qian Fusu’s, so he absolutely couldn’t afford to be distracted by answering him.
Seeing that Su Yubai wouldn’t fall for it, Qian Fusu’s expression soured, and his attacks grew fiercer.
Su Yubai was forced back step by step, nearly reaching the edge of the arena.
With a flip and a leap, Su Yubai soared back to the center of the stage.
Qian Fusu turned, his eyes dark and brooding. He ran his fingers along his sword, and the blade grew even sharper.
Clang! —
The two swords clashed, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of Su Yubai’s mouth.
On the high platform,
the people from Haoling Province shouted excitedly, “Well done! Qian Fusu, hurry up and knock him off the stage! Win the match…”
“He’s just trash! How dare he compete with Senior Brother Fusu! In a moment, he’ll be begging for mercy!”
“Senior Brother Fusu, don’t let him off so easily! The rules say life or death, no exceptions—just kill him!”
“Yeah! Kill him…”
The Haoling Province crowd grew more and more frenzied. Human life meant nothing in their eyes.
Luo Xiyao watched the surging emotions of the crowd and looked toward Qin Haoyan.
“Master, best of three is so boring. I have a great idea. I remember Qingyun Province had a Heavenly Origin Fruit before, and I heard it was given to a disciple as a prize. Why don’t we…”
