Could it be that I am the cruel villain?

"Get lost!"

That's basically the topic.

Most of the people present in Yuqing Hall were of similar seniority, especially those old fellows who looked aged; they were raised by the Sect Master. It was only in front of this big brother that they seemed so relaxed, and the more relaxed they were, the closer the relationship.

"There are quite a few Inner Sect Disciples who performed excellently, ranked by realm from the bottom up. The most outstanding ones in the Foundation Establishment Realm are probably two young disciples from Swordmaster Peak."

"Liang Yu, Jiang Xian."

The attention of those present, just recently withdrawn, was once again focused on Liu Xianzi!

Her brow twitched slightly; those who knew her would understand she was stifling laughter. Unfortunately, it seemed most people present weren't too familiar with her, as Liu Tangxi was rarely seen, spending much time outside.

Sitting bolt upright, she now resembled...

Like a parent attending a meeting with their child's perfect exam scores, giving cold looks to other failing students, eager to hear the teacher's praise.

"The first, a mere sixteen years old, joined under Peak Master Liu last month, now achieving Foundation Establishment Peak level, with five battles and five wins, including defeating two High Grade Foundation Establishment and three Low Grade Core Formation opponents."

"The latter, eighteen, also at Foundation Establishment Peak, five battles and five wins, defeating three High Grade Foundation Establishment and two Low Grade Core Formation opponents, all easily."

"It's said Liang Yu may have held back, never having fought at full strength, possibly able to battle a High Grade Core Formation opponent for quite some time."

"Starting today, these two will likely battle disciples of Medium Grade Core Formation."

Having a disciple who brings glory to their master is undeniably delightful.

Even that esteemed protector spoke politely, nodding respectfully to Liu Tangxi. Though the other Peak Masters and elders had their suspicions, they were still astonished upon hearing the protector's words.

They all knew Liu Tangxi's disciples were extraordinary, but they never imagined they could be this formidable, especially at only sixteen years old.

"Only sixteen! Such level achieved by a mere child?"

"Such talent could even be compared to Liu Tangxi back then, what kind of demons and monsters does Swordmaster Peak produce?"

"What are you talking about? Though that little girl is remarkable, she's still no match for Nephew Liu, don't you remember when you were in the Immortal Pavilion organizing the disciples' spiritual energy?"

"I remember, I remember..."

A bitter smile on their faces revealed envy and helplessness; sometimes comparing oneself to others is truly maddening.

Despite it being over a hundred years ago, many elders still recalled how young Liu Tangxi, a mere two years into the sect, traveled ten thousand miles to deliver letters for Liu Jian.

Upon return, she not only brought back Southern Border talismans, Gu worms, Qiankun Bag, but carried the heads of two Nascent Soul stage experts with her, casually asking in the Immortal Pavilion how many Spirit Stones these were worth.

He was stunned, never having seen such boldness carrying two Nascent Soul stage heads home in one's lifetime.

Later, it was revealed that upon entering the Southern Border realm, she was targeted by opposing villages. Then...

Liu Tangxi, timid and scared, yet determined to deliver the letters without incident, bravely slaughtered them all clean.

One Nascent Soul stage escaped; to ensure no further problems, the timid young girl chased for two hundred miles, twisted the head off herself, and made sure no one survived.

Then continued to deliver the letters.

According to her own words, other experts appeared after she annihilated the group.

After a brief skirmish, she considered herself unable to twist the opponent's head, so she simply patted her bottom and continued delivering messages.

Though the name was unknown, the young Liu Xianzi described the opponent's appearance clearly; unsurprisingly, it turned out to be a Hall Master from that village.

At the Divinity Transformation stage.

The word 'talent' can be used to describe any disciple, except Liu Tangxi, for whom the term was inadequate, as in their words.

This isn't about good talent.

It's about not having forgotten anything from the previous life.

"In the fifth round of martial arts, the excellent disciples among Low Grade Core Formation were Jiang Feng, Yue Chuan, Wang Ruixue, and Zhang Feifeng, with Jiang Feng being the best."

"Five battles, all won, on the first day faced High Grade Core Formation disciple Wang Quan, battled for an hour before defeating him, then easily defeated two Low Grade and two Medium Grade Core Formation disciples in the following days."

"The battle duration was around fifteen minutes, seemingly well-matched, but likely Jiang Feng was intentionally controlling the time. I saw one match before; indeed, the young man fought restrained."

"Once exceeding fifteen minutes, he slowly increased strength for easy victory, leaving enough dignity for other disciples."

"Today's martial art match for him was scheduled in the morning, likely happening now, facing a High Grade Core Formation disciple from Dragon Head Peak, if memory serves."

Feeling a bit ecstatic.

"Hmm, thank you, Uncle Shan De."

Even Liu Tangxi was human, with seven emotions and six desires; hearing praise brought some exuberance, especially as her junior brother brought so much credit to her, making it natural for her to feel arrogant.

Even the act of lifting the tea cup seemed slower.

"Other excellent performing disciples..."

In Yuqing Hall, Shan De protector's voice still echoed.

For each well-performing disciple, they'd arrange personnel to observe, with ten rounds for Inner Sect Disciples including those in rotating positions, now reaching the sixth round, they had filtered over eighty percent.

The current situation was very clear; among Foundation Establishment Peak only three progressed to the sixth round, with Swordmaster Peak holding two, while six Low Grade Core Formation disciples made it through, led by Jiang Feng.

In Medium Grade Core Formation, Yan Fengchun was fortunate to pass yesterday's fifth round, today's sixth round was lucky too, facing disciples of the same realm. Meanwhile, Qiao Yuan, brought into Purple Cloud Palace by Jiang Feng, was less fortunate.

Or perhaps had slightly lacking strength, narrowly losing yesterday's match.

As for the Outer Sect, Su Yi was going on a rampage with a new Magic Treasure given by her master, suppressing others with her cultivation at High Grade Core Formation like wolves among sheep, making it almost no different.

Bai Yu was also going on a rampage, arguably making the fastest progress in Swordmaster Peak apart from Jiang Feng, now comfortably at Medium Grade Core Formation while still competing as an Outer Sect disciple.

She had surpassed rampage, with annihilation being a more fitting description.

While proceedings in Yuqing Hall were ongoing, discussing disciples' futures, the Martial Arts Arena some miles away resounded with bell chimes.

And.

A man's lively, bright, yet slightly lucky voice was heard.

"Turns out it's Mr. Xiao, haven't seen you in a while, didn't expect to meet today indeed."

Smiling, he actively cupped fists respectfully.

Encountering an acquaintance in the arena is rare, especially now with nearly five hundred competitors shrinking to dozens, mostly at High Grade Core Formation, making Jiang Feng aware he couldn't evade a head-on match.

However!

Whom to encounter, was a matter of luck.

Unlike the latter, the disciple named Xiao Xuan seemed slightly helpless, evidently regarding the group arrangement, because Jiang Feng was currently in the spotlight, no one wanted to come across him.

Returning the gesture.

"Turns out it's Brother Jiang Feng, didn't expect today's opponent to be you."

"Indeed it's me, Mr. Xiao, please show mercy."

"What are you saying? It should be me asking you to go easy..."

A volley of politeness ensued

To outsiders, Xiao Xuan, with shaky foundation at High Grade Core Formation, was naturally not Jiang Feng's match, encountering him deemed unlucky, apparent from his beaming expression.

"Let the martial arts begin, disciples, salute."

The Inspector Steward stated expressionlessly.

No one noticed that as he announced the match, he specifically glanced around ensuring no masters were present.

In their eyes, this was a match with little suspense.

"No one's here."

"If that's the case... blame your birthplace under Swordmaster Peak..."