Shi Dazhuang lowered his head and looked at the clearly visible crack that had appeared in the defensive layer over his chest. He took a deep breath before cupping his hands together. "I concede."
"On arena stage number three," the judge's majestic voice rang out amidst the boiling atmosphere, "Chu Qinglin is victorious, and replaces the position on the elite rankings, rank two hundred and seventy-three."
In that instant, the entire area around the arena exploded with cheers and countless shocked discussions. From a mid-stage Foundation Establishment disciple directly entering the elite rankings, and even defeating Shi Dazhuang, someone famous for the overwhelming defense of his Earth Core technique, despite the gap in cultivation — this battle alone was enough for Chu Qinglin's name to spread throughout the inner sect within a single day.
Yet the main character of the match paid no attention whatsoever to the commotion around her. Chu Qinglin respectfully cupped her hands toward both the judge and Shi Dazhuang, one after another. Then she silently stepped down from the arena. Her expression remained as indifferent as ever, as though she had merely completed something entirely ordinary. Only before leaving, her gaze unconsciously drifted upward toward the high platform.
I gave a slight nod in response. At that moment, even the frost aura surrounding her seemed to soften slightly.
Looking at my junior sister's retreating figure, I could not help but sigh inwardly. At merely the mid-stage Foundation Establishment realm, she had already barely grasped the initial form of sword thread condensation, though it was still incomplete and consumed an enormous amount of spiritual energy. Such swordsmanship talent combined with an innate sword bone truly made her a once-in-a-century genius.
The cold-faced peak master of Ten Thousand Blades Peak sighed as he watched the scene. "Just what kind of fortune did that old man Mo Yuan stumble upon?"
Elder Su stroked his beard and smiled faintly. "This girl possesses an exceptionally resilient temperament. Although her killing intent is heavy, it still remains within controllable limits. She truly is an unparalleled unpolished jade." He paused for a moment before looking toward me. "It seems that Falling River Peak's lineage truly will shine because of these two disciples in the future."
Hearing the elders discussing among themselves, a strange feeling also rose within my heart. Three years ago, Chu Qinglin had merely been a little girl covered in blood, her breathing as fragile as a flickering lamp before the wind. Yet today, she could already stand in the sect's minor tournament and use the sword in her hand to draw the attention of the entire arena.
After that, I had to handle a minor incident involving the dining area. Some disciple had become so excited while watching the tournament that he accidentally blew up an entire pot of spirit chicken soup, nearly turning the dining hall into a murder scene. Only then did I return to the high platform.
The moment I stepped up, Elder Su burst into laughter. "Senior Brother Shen has returned. With you taking care of these matters, this old man can finally sit back and watch the juniors compete in peace. This time, Mo Yuan truly did something wise."
I smiled and returned the courtesy. "Martial Uncle Su flatters me too much. Allowing all the martial uncles to relax a little is also this disciple's intention."
On the surface, I still maintained the standard gentle expression as always. But inwardly, I only wanted to ask the system whether there was any reward called one legal vacation day. The elders leisurely drank tea while watching the matches, whereas I ran around everywhere like an event manager combined with a mobile firefighting squad.
Right at that moment, another elder suddenly asked, "Does Senior Brother Shen know who currently holds first place on the elite rankings?"
I honestly shook my head. "There's been too much administrative work recently. I truly haven't paid close attention to the changes on the rankings."
Hearing this, the cold-faced peak master gave a light snort. His voice carried undisguised pride. "Who else could it be? Of course it's my third direct disciple, Xiao Jinhan."
As if to match his words, the judge's loud shout suddenly rang out from the main arena in the distance. "Elite rankings, rank eight, Yuan Tian, challenges the number one of the elite rankings, Xiao Jinhan."
In an instant, nearly every gaze in the arena turned toward the main stage. I looked over as well.
On the arena, a young man with an elegant and transcendent aura stood facing Xiao Jinhan. That person was Yuan Tian. His cultivation had already reached great perfection of the Golden Core realm. Clearly, he intended to use this battle to take another step forward on the path of cultivation.
Opposite him, Xiao Jinhan merely stood there quietly. His figure was as straight as a sword. His hands were clasped behind his back. His expression was calm, while a sharp aura faintly spread around him. As the third direct disciple of the cold-faced peak master, and the holder of the number one position on the elite rankings for many consecutive months, he naturally had the right to be proud.
"Senior Brother Xiao, please instruct me."
The moment the words fell, Yuan Tian immediately made his move. Violent winds suddenly surged the moment his specialty wind element spell technique was unleashed. Countless green wind blades shot toward Xiao Jinhan like a raging storm. Quite a few disciples around the arena immediately sucked in cold breaths.
Yet Xiao Jinhan did not even change expression. In an instant, his figure suddenly split into two. Sword qi spread out along with it.
Yuan Tian's expression changed drastically. He immediately retreated backward while rapidly forming hand seals. Layer after layer of defenses rose up before him. But almost immediately after, a strand of sword intent directly pierced through all of them.
Boom.
Yuan Tian only felt as though a tremendous force had slammed into his chest. His entire body was instantly blasted backward.
When everyone finally recovered their senses, Xiao Jinhan was already the only one left standing calmly on the arena. He lightly sheathed his sword before cupping his hands. "Many thanks."
Yuan Tian forcibly swallowed the blood surging up his throat, then smiled bitterly and said, "Senior Brother Xiao's swordsmanship is divine. I am completely convinced."
"Xiao Jinhan successfully defends his number one position on the elite rankings."
The moment the judge's announcement rang out, the entire plaza erupted into thunderous applause and cheers. Even the elders on the high platform continuously nodded in praise. Although the cold-faced peak master tried to maintain a stern expression, the pride at the corner of his eyes could not be concealed. He glanced toward Elder Su and me before giving a faint snort.
"Only passable at best. He's merely reached the realm where sword shadows follow form. He's still far from true unity between man and sword." He paused briefly before calmly adding, "But dealing with a brat like Yuan Tian is more than enough."
Everyone burst into laughter in agreement. I smiled as well.