Could it be that I am the cruel villain?

Spiritual Energy is rapidly depleting, judging from her expression, it's clear that Yun Xiyin is unable to hold on any longer. She never imagined that she would be the first to give in, and surprisingly, Jiang Feng's expression is equally strained.

Or rather, his brows are tightly furrowed.

"Whew—"

He let out a breath of turbid air.

The light flashing from the Mountain and Rivers Fan gradually faded, its glow dimming, even the slanted Demon Burning Furnace was leveled out, the high temperature dissipating back to normal, a sight that finally spurred the disciples into spirited discussion.

"Is his Spiritual Energy exhausted?"

"Probably, after all he's only at lower-grade Core Formation. Normally, using a magic treasure of Earth Rank would deplete it quickly, so being able to wield it for so long is already remarkable."

"Yes, that kid also has the Demon Burning Furnace, which is equally high quality. If a peak Core Formation used it, even they would struggle. How could he possibly have the strength to continue?"

"Have you forgotten he's only twenty? Just joined three years ago, and among those in his batch, who can compare? Even the best of them are only mid-grade Core Formation, try matching any mid-grade Core Formation against him."

"Hiss~ This kid is astonishingly formidable, no wonder he's a disciple chosen by the Sword Immortal. Seems he has real skills besides seducing women..."

The chatter sounded incessantly, the oppressive atmosphere during the early stages of combat with its various twists had them holding their breath, until now they finally released their pent-up emotions.

Some cheered, others lamented, looking at this battle and the commotion between the two, one could say it did not fall short of yesterday's match by Liang Yu… no, it was even superior, for standing against Jiang Feng was the heir of Yuzhu Peak.

Truly the Pride of Heaven.

"This kid finally settled down."

Even the Peak Masters and elders on the stage breathed a sigh of relief, unable to resist wiping nonexistent sweat from their foreheads, if this continued they would start doubting their sanity.

Clank!

The Mountain and Rivers Fan was put away, its fan surfaces folded.

The conjured rocks and gale were called back, strictly speaking, although named Mountain and Rivers, the fan actually contains the four elements: wind, water, earth, and metal. Yet facing Yun Xiyin, metal played a minor role, while water could be easily exploited by her.

Crumbled rocks beneath were repaired, the ground returned to normal, although full of craters and scorch marks, before the elders adept in earth Daoist Skills, a wave of their hand could restore the arena as it was.

Directly jumped down.

The Demon Burning Furnace and Mountain and Rivers Fan were already stowed into his Qiankun Bag, while the water bubble in the center burst open, revealing the unharmed girl.

Gasping heavily, her demeanor starkly different from her previously gentle and refined appearance, she leaned on the ground with an ornate pen as tall as a person to barely stabilize, this demonstrated the difference in physical endurance between them, for indeed a mage is no match for a warrior.

Both were intensely exhausted, yet Jiang Feng had the strength to manage the battlefield, whereas she clearly struggled, sweat dripped down her fair neck, soaking her clothes, a hint of unconcealed delight appeared on her face, her first thought being Jiang Feng finally couldn't outlast her.

She had won.

But…

Step!

Steady footsteps sounded.

Although greatly depleted, the man's posture remained unchanged, under the girl's startled and perplexed gaze, he unexpectedly walked toward the arena's center.

Clang!

He didn't attack.

Instead, he pulled out the iron wire stuck in the center, then naturally strolled along the arena's edge, retrieving the eight flying swords embedded in the ground.

This scene left everyone present stunned, unsure what this kid was doing, only Liang Yu's eyes lit up, chuckling softly, "Senior brother is indeed senior brother, his cleverness surpasses everyone in our mountain gate combined."

"..."

Lin Jiangxian widened her eyes, momentarily unsure whether this was praise or criticism.

Returning all eight flying swords, the man actively walked to the edge, smiling as he cupped his hands toward the elders maintaining order on stage, then bowed toward the Sect Master.

"Sect Master, I concede this battle, I am now too depleted to fight, my skills are inferior, I humbly admit defeat."

"Huh?"

Many observing disciples uttered doubts.

Even several Peak Masters were speechless; what's with Swordmaster Peak's people nowadays? Weren't they known to fight to the bitter end, risking life and death for victory, yet now they're pulling off this surrender tactic?

Surrender yesterday, and again today?

However, the Sect Master didn't find it strange. From the moment Jiang Feng began collecting the items on the battlefield, he roughly guessed his intentions.

Exchanging eye contact, the Sect Master discerned a hint of resignation and acceptance in Jiang Feng's gaze, thus smiling and shaking his head.

"You are truly different from your master, Swordmaster Peak has never had a disciple like you, but in the future if you have doubts along the Daoist path, you may visit Dragon Head Peak anytime to see me."

The audience erupted!

Avoiding mention of the match's outcome, Master Gu naturally steered the topic toward inviting Jiang Feng to Dragon Head Mountain, which essentially implied a willingness to make him a semi-disciple!

Though still Liu Tangxi's person, Sect Master is willing to share his teachings, this opportunity would delight anyone, even Master Gu's grandson Gu Miyun couldn't help but be surprised, if guessing correctly, it's been over three hundred years since his grandfather personally accepted a disciple.

"Thank you, Sect Master, for your favor."

Neither arrogant nor humble, for others this is a tremendous opportunity, yet Jiang Feng appeared indifferent. To him, it was merely a polite gesture, viewing his calm demeanor, one might briefly sense familiarity, as if the youth before them were someone well-known.

But soon that illusion faded away.

"You two, first go rest, An Yuan, continue with the next competition."

He instructed those beside him.

Yet in this circumstance everyone's attention was entirely on the topic "whether Sect Master intends to compete for Swordmaster Peak's talent" rather than who won, since Jiang Feng already conceded.

Watching Jiang Feng's departing back beneath the stage, Master Gu merely sighed gently, they were Swordmaster Peak's former people, at this instant he pondered, if Liu Jian's personality were as smooth as this youth's, as adept in social nuances as Jiang Feng, would Swordmaster Peak's situation be radically different from its current plight?

Would Liu Jian's fate be entirely different now?

"Truly smart, clever and tactful, giving Yun Xiyin face, as well as Yun Yue and our face."

"Both drained of Spiritual Energy, yet this kid had better endurance, the Demon Burning Furnace and Mountain and Rivers Fan were withdrawn at his initiative, thereby indicating he, though exhausted, still had the strength to fight."

"On the contrary, the third sister's granddisciple was evidently lacking at the end, unable to stand firmly, not out of an intent to exploit, it's likely she can't muster words, enduring forcefully inside the Demon Burning Furnace for nearly half an hour."

"The young girl is stubborn, much like her master ancestor, even in such dire straits refusing to concede, persisting with grit, yet knowing when to surrender earlier would have been wise, particularly when trapped by the Demon Burning Furnace."

"Jiang Feng is smart, prolonging this would likely result in Yun Xiyin being slightly injured, using these two magic treasures to compel her to give up, intent on avoiding discord between fellow disciples despite the evident outcome."

"Retreat to advance, entrusting the matter for us to decide, preserving Yuzhu Peak's dignity, while ensuring everyone sees him as the victor."