After a while, the old man with the white beard was the first to recover. He vanished and reappeared on the arena, standing beside Chu Yuhong. After a careful examination, he found that although the young man was completely unharmed and showed no signs of poisoning, it seemed as if he had been struck by a powerful celestial treasure, causing his internal organs to tremble violently.
Frowning, the elder rose and looked at Zhang Xiaofan, who could not help but earn his respect. His gaze also briefly fell on the black fire stick tightly held in Zhang Xiaofan’s hand.
“You have won,” the white-bearded elder said, suppressing his doubts, his voice calm.
Below the stage, the disciples from Zhaoyang Peak erupted into an uproar. Yet, the truth was undeniable; there was nothing they could say. However, Chu Yuhong’s defeat was so inexplicable and baffling. He had the victory within his grasp, only to lose suddenly with a roar, which was truly hard to accept.
At this moment, Zeng Shushu was also dumbfounded. But when he heard the elder’s words, he dashed over to Zhang Xiaofan, gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder, and laughed, “Good lad, you were hiding your true strength all along!”
Zhang Xiaofan turned around abruptly, his face as cold as frost, staring icily at him.
Those black, icy eyes!
A sudden chill ran down Zeng Shushu’s spine. Surprised, he asked, “Xiaofan, what’s wrong?”
Startled by the question, Zhang Xiaofan’s body jolted. It seemed as if he remembered something, and his gaze softened. The strange, icy feeling in his eyes disappeared, returning to his usual expression, though still somewhat confused. “Nothing, I’m fine. What’s the matter?”
Zeng Shushu stared wide-eyed, “You’re asking me what’s the matter? Why didn’t you tell me? Didn’t you know you won?”
Zhang Xiaofan, startled, exclaimed, “What? I won? I actually won?”
Zeng Shushu was even more alarmed, his face paling. He hurriedly reached out to feel Zhang Xiaofan’s forehead, saying, “Heavens! You haven’t been burned silly by that light, have you?”
Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head, then noticed the disciples from Zhaoyang Peak carrying the unconscious Chu Yuhong off the platform. Some of them glared at him with hatred.
As he watched them walk away, Zhang Xiaofan’s mind replayed the scenes from the battle. He lowered his head subconsciously, looking at the black fire stick in his hand.
This ugly, short staff lay motionless in his hand. But in Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes, the familiar fire stick had never felt so foreign. It was as if he had returned to that dark valley years ago, reliving that terrifying nightmare.
“Snap!” Zeng Shushu, noticing Zhang Xiaofan lost in thought, rapped his head with a fan. “What are you thinking about?”
Zhang Xiaofan shook his head, sighed, and put the fire stick away. “Nothing. Let’s go. By the way, why did you come to watch my match?”
Zeng Shushu glanced at the fire stick tucked away, “The match hadn’t started yet, so I came to watch you. I didn’t expect such a good show. Eh, where’s that three-eyed monkey of yours? What’s its name again…?”
“Xiaohui,” Zhang Xiaofan replied.
Zeng Shushu nodded, “Right, Xiaohui. Where is it today?”
Zhang Xiaofan shook his head, “I haven’t seen it since morning. It probably went off to play with Dahuang somewhere.”
Zeng Shushu let out a sigh, his face filled with regret. Zhang Xiaofan couldn’t help but wonder if this guy had come to watch the match just to see Xiaohui.
“Wow!”
Suddenly, a loud commotion came from a distance. They heard it clearly, even from far away. Looking up, they saw a group of Azure Ethereal Conclave disciples surrounding the “Dry” platform, their exclamations rising and falling.
Before Zhang Xiaofan could react, Zeng Shushu shouted, “Oh no, oh no! I forgot the most important thing while watching you!” He grabbed Zhang Xiaofan and started running.
Zhang Xiaofan, puzzled, asked, “What’s the matter?”
Zeng Shushu, full of regret, said, “It’s Lu Xueqi’s match!”
Zhang Xiaofan couldn’t help but smile, feeling a touch of warmth in his heart. He looked at this friend he’d known for only two days. In the cold arena, with no other sect members or senior brothers, only this person stood by his side.
A warm feeling slowly spread through his heart.
“Brother Zeng… Shushu, thank you for coming to watch me.”
Zeng Shushu, running, paused, slowed down, and looked back at Zhang Xiaofan, smiling, “Hehe, it’s nothing. If you’re too grateful, how about giving Xiaohui…”
“Let’s go!”
Zeng Shushu swerved and sped up, following Zhang Xiaofan like the wind, muttering to himself.
When they reached the crowd, they saw the Azure Ethereal Conclave disciples dispersed. Most of them were very excited, debating fiercely. They looked up to see the platform empty, but the wooden stage was scarred, indicating the match had already ended.
Zeng Shushu’s eyes flickered, and he pulled Zhang Xiaofan through the crowd. Soon, they found their target—the Wind Return Peak disciples.
Zeng Shushu hurried over, and the disciples, recognizing him, greeted him warmly. A tall man, whom Zhang Xiaofan vaguely remembered, smiled, “Junior Brother, didn’t you say you had to watch Lu Xueqi’s match? Why did you vanish?”
Zeng Shushu coughed, “I, uh, had something to do. So, what was the result?”
A man with thick eyebrows said, “No need to say, with Tianya in her hands, even Senior Brother Duan Lei from the Chief Peak wouldn’t stand a chance!”
Zeng Shushu was surprised, “Even Senior Brother Duan lost to her?”
Zhang Xiaofan asked, “Is Senior Brother Duan really that strong?”
Zeng Shushu nodded, “Yes, Duan Lei is one of the top talents in the Chief Peak. There were high hopes for him in this Seven Peaks Martial Meet.”
The tall man shook his head, “What’s the use? Tianya’s power is too great. A few flashes of blue light and some sounds, and Duan Lei was defeated. And, in the end, Lu Xueqi didn’t even draw Tianya from its sheath.”
Zeng Shushu was stunned, “Then what’s the point? Who could be her match?”
The tall man continued, “It’s not entirely so. Tianya’s power is almost the same, whether drawn or not. But Lu Xueqi’s cultivation is truly remarkable.”
Zeng Shushu looked at him, “How do you know, Senior Brother Gao?”
Zhang Xiaofan glanced at the tall man, thinking his name was fitting. Senior Brother Gao said, “I heard it from our master.”
Zeng Shushu was surprised, “Father?”
Senior Brother Gao confirmed, “Yes, before you arrived, our master was here. He said this woman might have reached the Jade Purity Realm of Taiji Xuanqing Dao, possibly even the ninth level.”
Zeng Shushu’s face changed, and he stood in shock, unable to speak. Zhang Xiaofan found it strange, for Zeng Shushu had always claimed he didn’t care about the match results, yet he seemed very concerned.
In the distance, the sound of gongs rang out. The Wind Return Peak disciples, led by Senior Brother Gao, moved towards the sound. Seeing Zeng Shushu still in a daze, Zhang Xiaofan pulled him along.
Zeng Shushu snapped out of it, laughing, “We’re done for. We have no hope now.”
Zhang Xiaofan, genuinely indifferent, said, “Done for, so be it. By the way, haven’t you fought yet?”
Zeng Shushu glanced in the distance, “Not yet, but it’s time. What about you? Where are you going?”
Zhang Xiaofan thought for a moment, “I need to report to my master and mistress, though I won by luck.”
Zeng Shushu nodded, “Drop by when you’re free!”
Zhang Xiaofan nodded, and they parted ways.
Turning, Zhang Xiaofan walked through the crowd, listening to the discussions about Lu Xueqi’s match against Duan Lei.
After a long search, Zhang Xiaofan found the Great Bamboo Peak disciples in the west. From a distance, he saw Master Tian with a furious look, his face pale. Fearing Master Tian, Zhang Xiaofan approached quietly. Master Tian glanced at him, then turned away, not asking about the result.
Master Su, Tiance, and the other Great Bamboo Peak disciples were present, except for Eldest Senior Brother Song Daren. Zhang Xiaofan glanced at them, seeing Tiance well, but the other senior brothers looked dejected. He whispered to Du Bishu, “Sixth Senior Brother, what’s going on?”
Du Bishu, seeing Master Tian not paying attention, whispered, “Apart from Eldest Senior Brother, we all had matches. Only Little Sister won, and Master is angry.”
Zhang Xiaofan was stunned, not knowing what to say.
Master Su, seeing the nervous disciples and Master Tian’s pale face, sighed and gently asked, “Xiaofan, you’re back. How did it go?”
Zhang Xiaofan hesitated, then whispered, “Mistress, I, I won by luck.”
Master Su, surprised, “Oh, it’s okay, if you lost, it’s just a learning experience… What did you say?”
Everyone, including Master Tian, turned to look at Zhang Xiaofan. He blushed but felt a hint of pride under their gazes, especially Tiance’s. Raising his voice slightly, he said, “Master, Mistress, I, I won by luck.”
The crowd erupted in surprise.
The Great Bamboo Peak disciples gathered below the “Kun” platform, watching Eldest Senior Brother Song Daren’s match. On the stage, Song Daren and his opponent were in a fierce battle. The “Ten Tigers” celestial sword conjured countless ferocious tigers, shaking the earth with every slash, overwhelming his opponent.
But the disciples, though happy, still struggled to accept Zhang Xiaofan’s story.
“Little Junior Brother, you’re saying in the match, you were about to lose, but the guy named Chu Yuhong suddenly fell ill and fainted, bleeding from his face?”
“Yes, Fourth Senior Brother, you and the others have asked me twenty-two times. Why are you still asking? Sixth Senior Brother, tell them to stop. I’m telling the truth.”
Du Bishu, “Little Junior Brother, you’re saying in the match, you were about to lose, but the guy named Chu Yuhong suddenly fell ill and fainted, bleeding from his face?”
Zhang Xiaofan groaned, “Yes, twenty-third time.”
Tiance, scolding, “Why are you so hard on him? Xiaofan doesn’t lie.” She shook her head, “But Xiaofan, is your luck too good? No wonder they don’t believe you.”
Zhang Xiaofan was speechless.
Listening to the endless chatter, Master Tian and Master Su kept their eyes on the stage. After a while, Master Su whispered, “What do you think?”
Master Tian frowned, “Do you believe he won by skill?”
Master Su smiled, “Our apprentice’s luck is extraordinary!”
Master Tian snorted.
With a thunderous boom, Song Daren roared, and the Ten Tigers sword’s yellow glow lit the sky, forcing people to shield their eyes. The sword slashed with an invincible force, overpowering the opponent, who spat blood and was thrown back.
The Great Bamboo Peak disciples cheered. Finally, Master Tian cracked a smile.
Song Daren returned to the crowd, first greeting Master Tian and Master Su, then receiving enthusiastic congratulations.
“Hehe, lucky, lucky! Sixth Junior Brother, don’t be so sappy! Oh, Little Junior Brother, you’re back. How did it go? Are you hurt? Sigh, you look fine. Listen, Little Junior Brother, your cultivation is shallow. Don’t take a single defeat to heart… Why are you all looking at me like that?”
Master Tian turned and walked away. Master Su smiled at her eldest disciple and followed. Song Daren, puzzled, asked, “What’s wrong?”
Tiance explained, and Song Daren, incredulous, turned to Zhang Xiaofan. Zhang Xiaofan, fearful, said, “Eldest Senior Brother, I know my luck is unusual, but that’s how it happened. I can’t change it…”
Song Daren, wide-eyed, “Little Junior Brother, you’re saying in the match, you were about to lose, but the guy named Chu Yuhong suddenly fell ill and fainted, bleeding from his face?”
Zhang Xiaofan fell in despair.
By the end of the day, only sixteen remained in the Seven Peaks Martial Meet, to everyone’s surprise, three from the once-fading Great Bamboo Peak. Despite internal tension, Master Tian was outwardly proud, and the disciples whispered among themselves.
Du Bishu, “Look at Master, he’s beaming with pride.”
Wu Dayi, “Who wouldn’t be? Eldest Senior Brother and Little Sister brought him great honor.”
He Dazhi, “Shamefully, Little Sister, though young, has done better than me, her future is bright.”
Zheng Dali, “Don’t forget Little Junior Brother. He’s in the third round too.”
Du Bishu, “Wanna bet on Little Junior Brother’s next round? Will you wager?”
Wu Dayi, He Dazhi, Zheng Dali, and Lü Daixin, “I bet he loses! Double!”
Du Bishu, “Cough, hey, where did Eldest Senior Brother go? Ah! Little Junior Brother? Little Sister? Where are they?”
He Dazhi, “I don’t know about Little Junior Brother and Little Sister, but I have a guess for Eldest Senior Brother…”
All in unison, “Sister Wenmin from Lesser Bamboo Peak!”
Eldest Senior Brother Song Daren, a large man, shivered inexplicably. Wenmin, curious, asked, “What’s wrong?”
Song Daren, frowning, “I don’t know, I suddenly felt cold.”
Wenmin, giving him a glance, teased, “Feeling guilty, perhaps?”
Song Daren, vigorously shaking his head, “No, no, not at all!”
Wenmin, her face softening, but still huffing, “Then why are you sneaking into the room of Lesser Bamboo Peak’s female disciples?”
Laughter ensued, and Song Daren, embarrassed, looked around. Many of the Lesser Bamboo Peak female disciples had returned, smiling and looking amused. Blushing, Song Daren changed the subject, “Oh, where’s my Little Sister?”
Wenmin, smiling, “Your lovely and lively Little Sister was invited out.”
Song Daren, surprised, “Invited by who?”
Wenmin, shaking her head, “If you see her, advise her to be careful tomorrow.”
Song Daren, talking about Tiance, was less awkward, saying, “I know Little Sister will fight your Lesser Bamboo Peak’s Lu Xueqi. Our two sects get along, so there should be no issues. Besides, the Seven Peaks Martial Meet is just a friendly competition.”
Wenmin, looking at him, said, “Though your Mistress and my Master are close, my Master dislikes your Master, blaming him for taking our Mistress away.”
Song Daren, taken aback, saw Wenmin glance at the quiet Lesser Bamboo Peak female disciples.
Wenmin, hesitating, “Eldest Senior Brother, Lu Xueqi is different. She’s peculiar but beloved by our Master. Once on the platform, anything can happen.”
Song Daren, his face changing, “What do you mean?”
Wenmin, silent, didn’t continue.
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