Could it be that I am the cruel villain?

Enough is enough.

The couple, instead of being at odds at this moment, were united in their efforts; one gritted their teeth while the other had a face ashen with anger. Honestly, if they weren't outmatched, this young couple would have probably already charged in with their swords.

No one expected the current chief disciple of the third generation at Purple Cloud Palace to have such a personality.

Though it couldn't be said that Gu Miyun's appearance and personality were inversely proportionate, because just by looking at him, one wouldn't think he was a particularly rigid person. Although he acted with the steadiness and maturity befitting a chief disciple, a young person is, after all, full of vigor.

What was even more unexpected was that Gu Miyun showed no embarrassment on his face but instead let out a hearty laugh.

"Out of the kindness of my heart, I reminded you, and yet it turned into my fault. Who told you to hold back against Junior Sister Bai Yu, not using any real skills while sparring?"

"I've heard Junior Sister Bai Yu went through many hardships to be accepted under Swordmaster Peak. Her goal was not only to repay the life-saving kindness of Master Liu in the past but also to learn skills, with her frank and unyielding nature, solely dedicated to pursuing the Dao."

"And here you are, using such tricks to fool around—Gu here couldn't stand to watch."

The gritted expression froze.

It seemed as if noticing Bai Yu's sharp gaze.

The corner of his mouth twitched, initially wanting to say something, but the woman standing opposite only turned her left hand behind, holding a sword in one hand, standing in a T-shape stance, understanding her intention just from this posture.

Bring it on, I can take it.

"Junior Sister Bai Yu, now that you're also a disciple of Swordmaster Peak, I must have a good talk with you."

"Don't be fooled by Brother Yan's realm being similar to yours, his strength far exceeds what you have seen. If not for encountering a fellow senior brother at the Peak of Core Formation in the last round of the Nine Peaks Martial Competition, it's uncertain if Jiang Feng would be the one confronting him in the end."

"Three thousand years ago, Yan Ying was a giant amongst cultivators in the Cultivation World, even known as the Southern King. Historical records state he was the only one recorded in the mortal world to reach the Mahayana Realm through self-cultivation, and Brother Yan is his descendant."

"It is said that the Southern King's ultimate skill was the Finger Technique. No one before managed to delve into Daoist skills to such an extent. Though an unconventional path, the quartet of disabling, penetration, creation, and destruction packs a deadly force."

"Such Daoist skills naturally get passed on, with descendants continually promoting them. About three hundred years ago, the former Sword Immortal Liu Jian, our Ancestor Master Uncle, went to the Northern Border with a group of experts, slaying countless demon cultivators."

"What's astonishing is that Lao Yan King's demon-slaying count was almost on par with the Ancestor Master Uncle's."

"Later, according to Ancestor Master Uncle's recollection, what impressed him most was the Finger Technique, which was extraordinarily praiseworthy. Many wanted to learn it, but such wonderful skills had extremely stringent study conditions and were hard to cultivate."

"Just a few days ago, I personally witnessed Brother Yan's martial competition, and if I'm not mistaken, Brother Yan has probably reached at least the level of Creation Realm. The so-called residual sky, creation, penetration to heaven, obliteration—had it not been for the unwillingness to reveal his ultimate skill, Brother Yan could have actually moved up in the standings even further."

"..."

Yan Fengchun remained silent.

Looking up at the sky.

To be honest, he didn't blame Gu Miyun much for revealing all his skills.

Because the Yan family's ultimate skills had spread across the Cultivation World; basically, those in the Divinity Transformation stage and above knew about their family's skills, and many had faced their might. But the issue for Bai Yu was that this opened the door to a whole new world.

He had known Bai Yu for quite some time, and they formally confirmed their relationship in the past six months, moving into a rapidly heating phase. They even agreed to visit his home together to see his family elders after this Nine Peaks Martial Competition.

In every aspect, Bai Yu was seen as an excellent woman in his eyes—skilled in martial arts, young and capable, literate and reasonable, and well-versed in etiquette, never causing trouble.

But her only flaw—

Is being combative, similar to Liu Tangxi. Whenever she saw someone with impressive skills, she would go ask humbly, even if not utilizing her cultivation realm, and challenge them. On ordinary days when nothing else was happening, he'd indulge his little girlfriend's whims. In this regard, he always held back just to avoid sparking her interest too much.

But now it seems, he could no longer conceal it. Feeling Bai Yu's ever brighter, intense gaze, Yan Fengchun couldn't help but take a step back, but at this critical moment—

A familiar voice drew the attention of all three to behind them.

"Senior Brother Gu, you are mistaken in this."

It was Jiang Feng!

Seeing his brother in distress, Mr. Jiang stepped forward boldly, a smile on his face, giving his good brother Yan Fengchun a reassuring glance.

"Oh?"

The expression was quite intrigued, revealing an interest in Jiang Feng. One could see the other side approaching in no hurry, showing no signs of tension in his demeanor, even appearing somewhat relaxed, suggesting he got out of bed not long ago.

His complexion looked decent, recovery rapid, with excellent constitution. Previously, he had some doubts about his grandfather's words, but now it seems the other side truly obtained a part of Xuan Xiaozi's remnants, having a fortunate turn from a misfortune, which explains why Master Liu frequently visited Heavenly Power Peak recently.

Spot on.

Jiang Feng never suspects others without reason. It's more that this battle was bound to raise doubts, just that one thing differed from what Mr. Jiang imagined.

That was, he wasn't here to hold anyone accountable. Or rather, he underestimated Gu Yuanshan's and the entire Purple Cloud Palace's magnanimity.