Could it be that I am the cruel villain?

The man merely covered his mouth as he walked onto the platform.

It was clear that Jiang Feng hadn't rested well last night. After all, Yu Ying approached him with sincere intentions. Although she hadn't officially passed on the supreme technique to him, he had to at least get a rough idea of it.

He spent most of the night probing Yu Ying and later personally took care of Liang Yu for a few hours. Only then did he arrive at the gathering arena at the crack of dawn, yawning.

On the stone steps, the simply-dressed Liu Xianzi stood as straight as a sharp sword inserted into the ground, unmoving. Her other disciples gathered together, including Liang Yu, who hadn't fully recovered, came to the scene to cheer for their senior brother.

Standing alone in the corner, her gaze locked onto Jiang Feng, she spoke directly to the air beside her.

"Did you explain everything to him yesterday?"

"Yes, I explained it clearly."

Yu Ying's voice appeared, and the woman, who always had a flamboyant style with a pipa in her arms, now showed no sign of her previous fake smile. Even her expression and tone were more serious.

"Brother Jiang truly lives up to being the person you favor; he guessed most of it before I could even say much. Anyway, since Heavenly Power Peak has fallen to such a state now, we might as well take a gamble on him."

She nodded slightly.

The mountain-shaking cheers from the Martial Arts Arena did not stop the two from conversing. Liu Tangxi calmly said, "He's always been like this. Since you and Brother Shan have agreed, accomplish small success within two years before Phoenix Heavenly Cave, and if successful, he will begin to take over the authority in my hands after the cave."

Feeling a shock in her heart.

To take over the authority from Liu Tangxi? What kind of concept is this?

She was about to speak but thought better of it, reckoning that Jiang Feng, once he emerged from the Grotto Heaven, might take a conservative estimate of three years. Given that he is at Core Formation now, who knows what realm he will be in several years? Maybe even Nascent Soul is possible.

For an Inner Sect Disciple, especially a Direct Disciple, reaching Nascent Soul generally means they can start taking over some authority. Liu Tangxi's plan makes sense.

"You are rather carefree."

"It runs in my nature."

Liu Xianzi rarely showed a smile.

To outsiders, the conversation was baffling, but these two were smart. The moment Yu Ying heard it, she understood this master uncle was vigorously nurturing Jiang Feng, likely to become a hands-off superior, leaving the other sect members to handle matters while she herself enjoys life freely.

For someone with her personality, wielding a sword to eliminate demons and uphold justice is her pursuit, not handling sect affairs every day.

On the Martial Arts Arena, the man stepped forward slowly, closing the distance and clasping his hands in respect.

"Senior Sister Yun, please teach me."

A plain and simple salute.

Turning back.

A pair of peach blossom eyes sparkled with a gentle smile, the corners slightly upturned, wisps of hair gently swaying. The simple cyan cloud-patterned dress outlined a graceful figure, even Jiang, who's seen many beauties, paused involuntarily.

"Junior Brother Jiang, you are too kind, please enlighten me."

The warm voice felt like a breath of spring. This kind of woman was something he had never seen before; she had the aura of a noble family, the dignity of an Imperial Family, the friendliness of a girl next door, and the unattainable air of a high-born flower.

Contradictory, yet perfectly blended.

Honestly, although Jiang Feng frequently roamed within the sect, certain places were off-limits; Yuzhu Peak was one of them for him. After all, being all female cultivators, a big man like him couldn't just waltz in.

Therefore, he was utterly unfamiliar with Yuzhu Peak. Besides, their disciples seldom showed themselves. Before today, he had only heard the name but never met this Senior Sister.

Brow furrowing, upon seeing her face, he realized his mind was uncontrollably drawn in. She was indeed an unparalleled beauty. Every inch of her features was just right, and her aura was endlessly fascinating.

"Cultivation Technique?"

Suddenly, he realized.

He immediately understood that this might be due to cultivation technique issues because the feel Senior Sister Yun gave him…

Had some resemblance to Yu Ying.

"Look, look at that kid!"

"Damn, flirting before the fight even starts? No way, this kid must be up to no good. Senior Sister Yun! Don't be swayed by him! Quickly, knock this lecher off the platform!"

Uh.

This was Jiang's established impression within the sect.

"The sect is unfortunate, the sect is unfortunate indeed. Isn't it enough to stir up trouble outside? Now he's using his status to collect women within the sect? Heard he has a different girl every day?"

"You hit the mark there! I can attest this kid has taken at least five different women for a stroll. I'm the witness! Not only his peers, but I hear some from outside the sect too."

"Yes, I can vouch for this too. Last time in Country Liang, I was involved. That woman from Joyful Sect of the Silver and Gold ranks personally visited with Swordmaster Peak's token. Guess how she got that?"

"Anyway, I don't believe they are clean, oh right, heard someone from Joyful Sect even sent him a letter, Lao Yan, what do you say?"

"Me?"

Hearing this, Yan Fengchun's interest was piqued too. When it came to attacks on character or morality, he would unhesitatingly defend his brother, like when someone claimed unfairness earlier.

But as for making up false rumors, he would still step up!

"Cough, cough, what this Brother said is correct. I will add: this kid seems quite close with the Southern Border Saintess, the only daughter of the Cen Family Village, must have heard of it, right? Look, look at his expression."

"Lost in thought, dark circles under his eyes, based on my years of experience, this is a sign of excessive indulgence, probably partying every night, taking girls out for adventures at night."

Utter conviction.

"Uh... I'm from Divine Wood Peak, his vigor is abundant and faintly has a Primordial Yang scent, doesn't quite look overindulgent, more like…"

Swish!

A bunch of people turned back to stare at him.

The overwhelming pressure made the Divine Wood Peak disciple immediately change his words.

"Yes, definitely overindulgent! As a Divine Wood Peak disciple often dealing with patients, I say his vitality is depleted, Yin overwhelms Yang, both energy and strength are lacking, clearly a result of indulgence, he's sure to lose today."

"That sounds about right."

"Terrifying as it sounds!"

"This guy cannot be allowed to stay! If he continues in the sect, I fear all the female cultivators will fall victim to him."

"What's the worry, anyway it looks like Yun Xiyin wins, right? There's a tremendous gap between High Grade and Peak Core Formation."

"Completely agree. Speaking of which, Senior Sister Yun reached Peak Core Formation three years ago, ready to breakthrough to Nascent Soul anytime. She's not like Xuan Yinzi, second-generation heirs; with her abilities, unless she encounters those three, she might contend for top four…"

"Who knows, let's watch this match first."

Quite naturally the focus shifted back to the two on stage. Essentially, no one had faith in Jiang Feng, which was hardly unexpected since there's such a huge gap between Low Grade and Peak Core Formation, especially facing the sect's Chief Disciple, it was unlikely he could win.

The two on stage were unaffected by external voices, especially the seemingly young and inexperienced boy who maintained his stance of clasped fists the whole time.

A large hand moved.

Clang!

Drawing the weapon, it remained that worn, crooked, weather-beaten iron wire.

"Senior Sister Yun, forgive my offense."

"Mm."

Smilingly watching the much younger boy in front, she did not immediately draw her weapon, keen to see this prominent new Swordmaster Peak Direct Disciple's abilities.

After all, there was a substantial reason many of the disciples at Nascent Soul level, even those who returned from the outside to participate in the great martial arts gathering, wanted to join primarily for the person before her.

"After all, I wasn't able to defeat him last time. How on Earth did Brother Jiang…"

But before she could finish, Yun Xiyin had an epiphany suddenly.

He quickly realized this was likely an issue related to the cultivation technique, because the way this Junior Brother Jiang made her feel…

Was somewhat similar to Yu Ying.

"""