As the powerful slashes of sword qi sped toward her, Yun Man took no chances. She immediately activated her Protective Dharma Treasure.
Her sword was not her only Dharma treasure. She carried a Middle Grade Protective Dharma Treasure as well.
A pale golden Shield enveloped her. Its light was faint, but the spiritual qi within it was stronger than Yao Kaidong’s attacks.
Yun Man stood motionless as the sword shadows struck, confident in the treasure that protected her life.
“What is Junior Sister Yun Man doing? Why isn’t she dodging? One slash drove her back. How can she block several at once?”
“Hmph, she must be too scared to move. Our peak’s Holy Son is no ordinary man. How could she ever withstand him?”
“Tsk, Junior Sister Yun Man doesn’t even take your peak’s eldest senior brother seriously. Why would she need to dodge?”
Her admirers said it bravely, but they weren’t sure themselves. Those slashes were far too powerful.
“Hmm? A body-protecting Dharma treasure?”
Zuo Hongcai had already prepared to intervene at any moment. Yun Man was a rare talent within the sect, and he could not allow her to be injured or perish. However, upon seeing the protective barrier around her, he paused.
There was no panic on her face. He wanted to see what gave her the confidence not to dodge.
“If you won’t dodge, then go die.”
Yao Kaidong had no qualms. Even if he killed her, he expected no more than a reprimand. With his father and his grandfather, a Supreme Elder, backing him, the sect would hardly punish him severely.
Yun Man wasn’t simply going to stand there and take a beating. She kept gathering spiritual power and feeding it into her sword.
The slashes hit her squarely, then shattered against the Shield and disappeared.
As Yao Kaidong stared in disbelief, Yun Man struck back. A slash of sword qi stronger than her previous one shot toward him.
Even Eighth Elder Zuo Hongcai failed to react in time.
After all, no one could have anticipated that Yun Man would find an opening to strike back under such circumstances.
The sword qi was faster than anyone expected. Even the Great Elder in the preparation area couldn’t react before it hit the dazed Yao Kaidong.
His own defensive treasures did not save Yao Kaidong from being knocked off the platform. He spat out a mouthful of blood.
Before he could get the word “die” out, Yao Kaidong had collapsed unconscious.
“Dong’er! Dong’er!”
The Great Elder rushed over to check his injuries.
“Yun Man, I will remember this. And you, Qin Xiao, and your Seven Stars Peak!”
His son’s foundation was unharmed. Reassured, Yao Tiansheng left Yun Man and Qin Xiao with a threat, then lifted Yao Kaidong and flew back to Immortal Sword Peak.
“What just happened? Holy Son Yao lost?”
Immortal Sword Peak’s disciples could scarcely believe it. Apart from Holy Maiden Lin Shimeng, Yao Kaidong was the sect’s strongest disciple. He had lost?
“Junior Sister Yun Man is mighty! Junior Sister Yun Man is invincible!”
“Junior Sister Yun Man is mighty! Junior Sister Yun Man is invincible!”
“Junior Sister Yun Man is mighty! Junior Sister Yun Man is invincible!”
Yun Man’s admirers shouted in unison, drawing more and more disciples into the chant.
For years, Immortal Sword Peak had lorded it over the other peaks and bullied their disciples. Had it taken second again, they would have accepted it. But Yao Kaidong’s defeat had given their long-suppressed anger an outlet.
“What is going on here? How did my disciple suddenly become so popular?”
Qin Xiao stared in bewilderment at the cheering crowd. Usually, these people paid no attention to Seven Stars Peak; why were they suddenly rallying behind them?
“Immortal Sword Peak challenges Seven Stars Peak. Seven Stars Peak wins.”
After a brief moment of shock, Eighth Elder Zuo Hongcai hastily announced the outcome of the match.
“Master, how was that? Your disciple didn’t let you down, did she?”
Yun Man came over looking pleased with herself, eager for Qin Xiao’s approval.
“Good, good. You’ve really made me see you in a new light today. Well done. When we get back, I’ll reward you with another fifty drops of Spirit Liquid.”
Satisfied with the result, Qin Xiao readily offered a reward.
“Thank you, Master! I won’t let you down.”
Yun Man was delighted at the promise of another fifty drops of Spirit Liquid. Revealing a little of her hidden strength hadn’t been a bad bargain.
“The final match: Seven Stars Peak challenges the main peak.”
Yun Man was still bouncing about, apparently needing no rest. Zuo Hongcai announced the final challenge.
Holy Maiden Lin Shimeng opened her eyes after resting them. She was curious about Yun Man.
“If Yao Kaidong had challenged me, I would have had little interest. But this Yun Man might be worth my attention. She should make a fine opponent.”
Lin Shimeng leaped onto the stone platform and silently waited for Yun Man.
Seeing Lin Shimeng step onto the stage, Yun Man prepared to follow.
Yun Man was full of confidence. With Qin Xiao’s promised reward as well, she felt brimming with strength.
“Wait. In this match, we concede.”
Qin Xiao quickly reached out and pulled Yun Man back.
“Master, what do you mean? Strong as Lin Shimeng may be, I am no weakling either. How can we concede without even fighting to see who is stronger?”
Yun Man asked in puzzlement.
“My dear disciple, you’re too young to know how these things work. We’ve already offended the Great Elder. Challenge the main peak as well, and we’ll have offended everyone. I believe in your strength, but we need to keep a low profile. A low profile, understand?”
Qin Xiao patiently explained.
“Master, things have already reached this point, and you’re talking about keeping a low profile? Isn’t that a bit late?”
Yun Man didn’t know what to say. We just beat Immortal Sword Peak’s Yao Kaidong, and now he wants to keep a low profile?
“Uh… You have a point. But this is different. We were already at odds with the Great Elder. Offending him doesn’t matter. The Sect Leader is another story. If we win against the main peak, what if he makes life difficult for Seven Stars Peak afterward? This is how the world works. You’re too young to understand. Listen to your master.”
Qin Xiao continued his persuasion.
“All right. If you say so, Master, you must have your reasons. I’ll listen.”
Seeing Qin Xiao’s firmness, Yun Man pressed the matter no further.
“Elder Zuo, Seven Stars Peak declines its challenge.”
Having persuaded Yun Man, Qin Xiao stepped forward to withdraw the challenge.
“Since Seven Stars Peak has declined its challenge, the Sect Competition is officially over. Each peak will receive rewards according to its ranking. They’ll be delivered to your peaks shortly.”
Zuo Hongcai promptly announced the final results upon hearing the forfeiture.
“Oh, and Qin Xiao-in past years, your Seven Stars Peak had no one capable of cultivation, so the Abyss Secret Realm, which opens once every three years, did not include your peak. Since Seven Stars Peak has produced such a prodigy this year, you shall be included as well. The realm will open in one month, and the sect will send notification then. Make sure to use this month to cultivate diligently.”
As Qin Xiao turned to leave, Zuo Hongcai added this final remark.
Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng had instructed him by voice transmission. Seven Stars Peak now had an extraordinary disciple; Zuo Hongcai wasn’t simply being kind.
“Many thanks for the reminder, Elder.”
Qin Xiao had heard of the Abyss Secret Realm, but he knew little about it. He had only been here three years and hadn’t yet arrived when it last opened. Still, a secret realm was sure to hold plenty of good things.