Could it be that I am the cruel villain?

The two yellow-haired girls from the inner sect have both managed to reach an undefeated position by swapping lots and securing an empty slot. This is already the sixth round, and for two Foundation Establishment Peak disciples to get this far is nothing short of a miracle.

"Hoo~"

He exhales a breath of impure air.

He has reasons to win, whether it's to validate the results of his years of hard cultivation, to uphold the reputation of Swordmaster Peak, or for his own dignity.

From Jiang Feng's perspective, even if this senior brother named Xiao Xuan from Dragon Head Peak is deliberately holding back and has some hidden card that Jiang Feng is unaware of, at most he would just defeat him. The worst outcome would be mutual injury.

Whoosh!

Eight flying swords were unsheathed instantly!

"Open."

A low shout.

Purple Thunder weaves into a web, with Sword Qi crisscrossing the Martial Arts Arena, emitting a chilling sword light. The sharpness was oppressive, even from a dozen meters away, one could feel its terrifying edge constantly encroaching.

"Senior Brother Xiao, please be careful."

He uttered these words, and from this somewhat unusual behavior, it wasn't hard to see that Jiang Feng was very nervous at the moment, using this method to dispel the uneasiness in his heart. Meanwhile, the disciple named Xiao Xuan showed a somewhat surprised expression.

Spiritual Energy surged, making the stones and longsword in his hands as hard as rock. In facing the Thunder Technique, the seemingly ordinary disciple from Dragon Head Peak retreated a few steps, appearing somewhat strained.

"Alright, in that case, I will go all out and duel with Brother Jiang. Thousand-Blade Stance, Shining Six Harmonies!"

He also shouted lowly. Clearly, both sides were openly announcing their moves, giving each other time to react, with no sneak attacks or tricks. Yet it was this open and straightforward duel that increasingly made Jiang Feng uneasy.

He never doubted his instincts, but the last time he had this uneasy and restless feeling... was when he entered the Golden Light Longevity Monastery.

Earlier memories involved watching the snow on the mountain's backside with Cen Yueyue before being followed by Wu Mingsheng.

Continuing to trace back, it might involve the revengeful rainy night when he intercepted someone, wielding a piece of iron wire, halfway.

Even when he faced Xuan Yinzi, his body didn't have such an exaggerated reaction. What stood out was the familiar style of swordplay by this senior brother named Xiao Xuan.

He was a hundred percent sure this was his first time seeing Xiao Xuan in action, but the opponent's way of wielding the Yan-ling knife gave him a sense of déjà vu. He must have seen it somewhere, but Jiang Feng couldn't recall who it was.

Logically, he hadn't fought this person before, or else he would have left a deep impression.

"Break!"

A magnificent burst of golden light.

The entire Martial Arts Arena shook relentlessly; colors changed dramatically. It felt like a thousand-pound stone was dragging at his feet, making movement extremely difficult. Although the Six Harmonies Formation appeared to be just a Daoist Skill meant to restrict the opponent's movement, it really made the young man want to just jump off the field and surrender.

"Why?"

He couldn't understand it no matter how he thought about it.

This showcased the young man's immaturity and vanity, or perhaps he was overly concerned about too many things.

If it were Liu Tangxi here, feeling a sense of danger, she would have run off without the slightest hesitation, whether or not it seemed rational. She trusted her intuition over science.

Others might deceive you, but you won't deceive yourself.

Especially as Jiang Feng had experienced life and death a few times. The more experiences one accumulates, the keener one's sense of danger becomes.

Crack!

The golden stone shattered.

A terrifying shudder erupted underfoot. Thousands of needles sprung up like mushrooms after rain. While visually impactful, its lethality was somewhat inadequate.

Even many disciples around were discussing this animatedly, showing that not many people knew much about this Dragon Head Peak disciple named Xiao Xuan. They only knew he was apprenticed to an elder and belonged to the disciples under Dragon Head Peak, usually responsible for managing the Spiritual Spring and handling some sect chores.

His talent was decent but not exceptional, characterized as rather low-key.

No one understood the kind of Daoist Skills he had mastered. When he made a move, others would merely discuss in hushed voices.

"What is this technique?"

"Gold? The technique of Shining Gold is rare. Most are Body Cultivators, right?"

"Yes, can this technique counter Jiang Feng's Thunder Technique? That kid's Thunder Technique is ferocious; even Senior Brother Gu said he hadn't seen anything like it..."

Voices were chaotic.

Faced with the not overwhelmingly aggressive Shining Gold Daoist Skill, the young man wasn't relaxed. He first broke the mountain stone with one sword, a dazzling white light bursting forth, surprising everyone as Spiritual Energy triggered a thousand waves upon collision.

Spiritual Energy rippled outward, the purple Thunder Dragon rushing directly at him, eight flying swords ascending simultaneously as he propelled himself up, directly stepping on a flying sword. Being above was always Jiang Feng's habit in battle because only this way could he fully control every move.

Eyes opened wide, purple Thunder Light flickered within, glaring and threatening. Sword Intent gathered in his palm as the eight flying swords shot out in unison from eight directions.

"Hah!"

Barely holding it together.

Given Xiao Xuan's rather unstable Core Formation High Grade cultivation, taking on this Nine Heavens Thunderclap strike was already a challenge. He swayed, losing his balance, and as it seemed Jiang Feng's protective golden aura would shatter, the young man couldn't hold back any longer.

He took a step forward, lunging, with his sword aimed directly at the brow!

"Heh heh..."

Xiao Xuan, teetering, retreated a few steps, resting against the rubble.

Firmly gripping his Yan-ling knife grounded into the earth to steady himself, the Martial Arts Arena was littered with Thunder Light and shattered rocks. This eerie grin was visible only to Jiang Feng.

He raised his head slowly.

The previously unassuming eyes were now filled with pitch-black and blood-red hues, skin pale, fingers long and slender. Even the Cultivation Technique running inside had undergone earth-shattering changes.

Seeing these eyes, Jiang Feng suddenly thought of someone.

"Xuan Hezi..."

Yes, Xuan Hezi.

Just a few months prior, in a battle Jiang Feng wasn't qualified to participate in, he had personally witnessed Xuan Hezi, and even saw the confrontation between his Senior Sister and Xuan Hezi.

He remembered; these changes occurred in Xuanyin Sect Disciples when using the Nine Nether Profound Darkness Art, including that somewhat familiar swordplay style.

Swish—

His foot abruptly braked, carving a long groove a zhang long, raising his hand abruptly.

"Master Steward! I forfeit..."

"Kyahaha, too late, too late."

A classic laugh.

Jiang Feng never expected to hear this voice, occurring right beside his ear, not from normal breath, but an incessant pause, an ear-piercing sound produced by inhaling sharply.

It was neither entirely a laugh nor completely a cry. If a master were present, perhaps it wouldn't have been so easily exposed, but alas.

Xiao Xuan chose a perfect time, and also picked a perfect location.

This Martial Arts Arena is miles away from the main peak.

He finally knew where his unease stemmed from: Xiao Xuan, Xiao Xuan...

"Xuan, Xiao, Zi."

He had heard this name.

In terms of raw power, Xuan Xiaozi wasn't particularly strong, his prowess lay in his mystery, for he had no physical body at all!

His practices and deeds are all in line with growing his power through strange means, for he never possessed a physical body!

According to the sect's records, this Evil Cultivator named Xuan Xiaozi had already emerged thousands of years ago. At the time, it was believed he had long since died, but one could never have expected.

This man would appear in the Purple Cloud Palace, standing right in front of Jiang Feng.

And he recalled seeing Sister Cen Yueyue and Xuan Hezi fight personally.

He heard the name before.

He couldn't stop himself and made a leap forward, holding his sword steady at the fallen Xiao Xuan's protective gold aura that was about to shatter. The youth finally couldn't hold back.

Adopting a step forward, his sword aimed directly at the center, he was prepared to leap at it.

"Master Steward! I surren—"

"Kehehehe, too late, too late," came the chilling sound, not of laughter exhaled naturally, but rather an eerie whistling sound during the intake of breath.

Unexpectedly, it wasn't just Xiao Xuan who was looking for the perfect moment, but the environment and location were also brilliantly chosen.

Xiao Xuan chose a perfect time and a perfect setting.

This Martial Arts Arena was located far from the main peak.

He finally understood where his anxiety was coming from: Xiao Xuan, or rather...

"Xuan, Xiao, Zi."

He had heard that name before.