Yet at that moment, my gaze shifted slightly, because after winning, Xiao Jinhan did not step down from the arena to rest as everyone expected. He stood there silently for a moment before slowly raising his head toward the high platform. That sharp gaze pierced through the sea of people and landed precisely on me.
Immediately after, under the shocked stares of the entire arena, Xiao Jinhan cupped his hands and loudly declared, "This disciple, Xiao Jinhan, has long heard of Senior Brother Shen's profound cultivation, virtuous and talented, guiding all fellow disciples. Today, I was fortunate enough to defend my position. I boldly ask Senior Brother Shen for a bit of guidance."
In an instant, the entire arena fell deathly silent. Countless gazes simultaneously focused on my figure atop the high platform.
I secretly sighed inwardly. I knew it. There was no way the title of perfect senior brother could peacefully remain behind the scenes handling logistics forever. What was bound to come would eventually come.
Though perhaps this was also good. At the very least, it could let those still secretly doubtful understand one thing clearly: aside from handling administrative affairs and acting as the sect's full-time caretaker, whether I truly deserved to sit in the position of senior brother.
My face still maintained the same calm and gentle smile. I lightly responded toward the arena. "Since Junior Brother Xiao has spoken, I naturally accept the challenge."
After speaking, I cupped my hands toward the elders on the high platform before stepping forward. My figure lightly descended onto the main arena stage.
The moment I stood opposite Xiao Jinhan, the other arena stages almost instantly became meaningless. The surrounding disciples frantically crowded closer, afraid of missing even the slightest detail. Discussions immediately rose like a tidal wave.
"Senior Brother is really accepting the challenge? That's Senior Brother Xiao, number one on the elite rankings, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator. But Senior Brother is only early-stage Golden Core. Isn't he—"
"Shh, keep your voice down. If he dares to accept the challenge, he must definitely be prepared."
Meanwhile, on the opposite side, the more Xiao Jinhan looked at me, the more the pride in his heart swelled. Since childhood, his cultivation path had gone smoothly. He had personally been taught by the cold-faced peak master. He lacked no resources and had long held the number one position on the elite rankings. For a genius like him, possessing some arrogance was unavoidable. Toward this famous senior brother, known for handling administrative affairs, he had always maintained respect on the surface, but inwardly he might not truly have accepted it.
At this moment, he slowly spoke. "Senior Brother Shen, this disciple has already reached the late-stage Golden Core realm. For fairness, I can seal my cultivation down to the early-stage Golden Core realm like yours."
I merely waved my hand indifferently. "No need. Leave it as it is."
Xiao Jinhan froze slightly. A trace of dissatisfaction immediately flashed through his eyes. Feeling as though he had been underestimated, he coldly said, "Since Senior Brother is this confident, then don't blame me for showing no mercy."
At that moment, he finally noticed something else. I was completely empty-handed. I did not even carry a magical artifact.
Below the arena, one kind-hearted disciple became so agitated that he almost threw his spirit sword up for me to use, but I smiled and waved it away in refusal.
The atmosphere atop the main arena instantly became tense to the extreme. Xiao Jinhan inwardly gave a cold snort. Facing him without even drawing a sword — in other people's eyes that attitude might be called calm composure, but in his eyes it was almost sheer arrogance. He truly wanted to see just how much real worth this disciple personally brought back by the sect master actually possessed.
Without another word, Xiao Jinhan raised his sword and pointed it directly at me. His sharp gaze resembled a blade freshly unsheathed. "Senior Brother Shen, excuse my offense."
Before his words had even fully fallen, his figure had already blurred like drifting wind. In the blink of an eye, he appeared at my left side. The long sword transformed into a streak of silver lightning, tearing through the air straight toward my shoulder. The speed was so fast that many disciples below the stage only managed to see a flash before their eyes. Many of them could not even see where the sword had come from.
Yet at the exact moment the sword tip was about to touch me, I made a move that caused the entire martial arena to fall silent.
I closed my eyes.
Not the kind of dramatic eye closing used by experts in storybooks, but genuinely closing them in an entirely natural manner, as though I were standing in an afternoon courtyard enjoying the sunlight rather than fighting the number one of the elite rankings.
Immediately after, my body tilted slightly, at an angle that was almost unimaginable. The sharp sword tip brushed past my shoulder. It was less than half an inch away from touching my skin. Yet in the end, it still missed.
Xiao Jinhan's pupils contracted sharply. The failed strike made him instantly change moves. His figure continuously transformed into afterimages. Sword light swept everywhere like a torrential rain of silver. Two sword-wielding figures rapidly crossed paths around me. Each strand of sword chi tore apart the arena floor, leaving behind countless deep sword marks.
Yet no matter how he attacked, I merely kept my eyes closed and moved. My footsteps were leisurely, as though I were strolling through the backyard of Falling River Peak. Every sword shadow swept past me by the narrowest margin. Yet none could even touch the corner of my robe.