"Nie Kongsheng!," the professor's shout pierced the entire Rising Emperor Hall from outside the battle circle.

Even those who had been slightly dismissive of Nie Kong's heavy-handedness earlier—or rather, envious of the "ambiguous" relationship between Nie Kong and Bai Yuqing—could not help but feel a profound surge of emotion witnessing Nie Kong's rigidly upright figure amidst the fighting.

Last year, during the "Six Halls Grand Competition" and the supplementary trials, Nie Kong had left the inner city disciples entering the Illusory Space utterly humiliated and distressed, securing his place as an inner city disciple with a score far exceeding everyone else. At the time, the crowd had heard the news, felt only a slight surprise, and then promptly banished the matter from their minds. After all, those like Luo Sheng and Xiao Yao were only champions among disciples in the Spirit Fusion Realm. While outstanding compared to their peers, they were incomparable to the Spirit Transformation disciples who had already spent two or three years in the inner city. Moreover, those extra hundred points were nothing more than fleeting clouds. For these Spirit Transformation Masters, it was far better to spend their energy cultivating than to waste attention on a newly arrived inner city disciple.

It wasn't until later, when Nie Kong hosted two small, high-level auctions in the Rising Emperor Hall, that the sheer shock of those spirit herbs with ultra-high fusion rates truly struck them.

Unfortunately, the spirit medicines Nie Kong had refined back then were only Grade Three. For inner city disciples who had already reached the Spirit Transformation Realm, they offered little practical help.

Though restlessness stirred in their hearts, and they were ready to seek his help refining medicine once Nie Kong could forge Grade Four spirit herbs, Nie Kong had then chosen to enter secluded cultivation quite suddenly. Although the pharmacy he opened with Miao Ge and others was still operating, his absence for over half a year meant the crowd had almost forgotten about him.

Only when they heard Nie Kong had reappeared did they realize this fellow disciple was still in the inner city. Unexpectedly, in today's inner city competition, the Nie Kong they had overlooked had repeatedly astonished them: first, revealing his Ninth-Grade Spirit Transformation cultivation after winning five consecutive matches; then, successively defeating Mu Tang, the inner city's sole Dark Spirit Master, and Shan Xiong, last year's runner-up; and now, emerging victorious from the free-for-all.

Before the competition, everyone assumed the final duel for this year's Inner City Seat of Honor would still be between Shan Xiong and Lan Chang. Who could have guessed that Nie Kong would suddenly burst onto the scene, preventing Shan Xiong from even cracking the top ten, and instead becoming Lan Chang's final opponent? Perhaps even Lan Chang hadn't anticipated this outcome!

As the crowd watched Nie Kong with complicated gazes, Gu Qi, Miao Ge, Tai Ji, and others from the periphery squeezed over to Bai Yuqing's side.

"Sister Yuqing, how is it? How is it? Does it hurt?" The little loli looked at Bai Yuqing with concerned eyes, gently patting her own round, full chest with one small hand, complaining slightly, "Brother Nie Kong is really something, actually using such heavy hands! Truly detestable!"

"..." Seeing this scene, the surrounding inner city disciples couldn't help but shift their attention.

Their hearts filled with intense envy, wishing that Gu Qi’s little hand belonged to their own shoulder. In the next instant, a scene that left them utterly dumbfounded unfolded.

"It's fine, it doesn't hurt," Bai Yuqing said coolly, but her hands fiercely grasped the two rounded, full mounds, shaking them vigorously twice. When she lowered her hands, the fiercely prominent peaks immediately swayed with a dizzying, mesmerizing wave. Murmurs stirred in the crowd's hearts—how wonderful it would be to pinch those mounds! However, seeing the broadsword leaning against Bai Yuqing's chest, they dared only let such thoughts drift quietly through their minds.

Observing the interaction and movements between Gu Qi and Bai Yuqing, Miao Ge and Tai Ji couldn't help but chuckle, a hint of knowing amusement coloring their glances toward Nie Kong.

Listening to the little loli's complaint, Nie Kong was somewhat speechless. During a fight, who had the presence of mind to worry about whether Bai Yuqing's chest would hit the ground? He shook his head slightly, and Nie Kong felt something stir in his heart.

Subconsciously looking to the side, he instantly met Lan Chang’s handsome face.

Four gazes connected across the void. A powerful self-confidence welled up in Nie Kong's heart. True confidence had to be built through continuous combat. At this moment, let alone Lan Chang merely being Ninth-Grade Spirit Transformation, even if he had broken through to the Spirit Taming Realm, Nie Kong was confident he could fight him.

A faint smile flickered in Nie Kong's eyes, and he suddenly called out loudly, "Senior Brother Lan Chang, the sky is darkening. Shall we start this match now? How about it?..." Hearing Nie Kong’s words, not only were the hundreds of inner city disciples who had gathered stunned, but even the smiling Vice Hall Master Kan Tian and the professors were somewhat surprised. After the free-for-all ended, Nie Kong hadn't even recovered his spiritual power, yet he immediately challenged Lan Chang?

Although Nie Kong had advanced to the final contention for the Head Seat, the crowd didn't believe he could defeat Lan Chang. After narrowly losing to Lan Chang last year, Shan Xiong often acted as if he could "absolutely beat Lan Chang now." But in the eyes of the disciples, Lan Chang was still the undisputed number one.

Was Nie Kong’s confidence inflated to an absurd degree due to his continuous victories, or did he also feel he wasn't Lan Chang's match, thus proposing the final round begin without even restoring his spiritual energy? Judging by Nie Kong's earlier performance, the former seemed more likely.

Unconsciously, everyone's eyes turned toward Lan Chang.

For them, they naturally hoped Lan Chang would agree. In their minds, Lan Chang was guaranteed to win this fight, and that result was what they desired. If they allowed a disciple who hadn't been in the inner city for even a full year to surpass hundreds of people and become this year's Head Seat, how could they ever face others? If this news spread to the outer city, they wouldn't be able to hold their heads up in front of the outer city disciples afterward.

"Very well," Lan Chang replied, his gaze as gentle as ever. With a slight nod, he walked toward the battle circle. With his eyesight, he could naturally tell that Nie Kong hadn't expended much spiritual energy in the previous free-for-all, and similarly, his own spiritual power hadn't been heavily taxed. Starting sooner or later made little difference.

"Since you both think so, this final round will be moved up."

Kan Tian smiled broadly, nodded, and then waved to the professor standing by the hourglass, "Begin!" As the voice fell, the hourglass was flipped, and the sound of trickling sand immediately drifted out.

"Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Lan Chang's expression was mild, but his movements were anything but. As soon as the sound of the hourglass reached everyone's ears, sharp sonic booms followed in quick succession. Lan Chang flickered eerily, and three separate figures split away from his body. Then, the four figures shot toward Nie Kong like arrows leaving a bowstring, their speed like a shooting star. Wherever they passed, the void seemed to whip up four cyan tornadoes, their imposing aura spreading outward.

"Good!"

Witnessing this scene, the Rising Emperor Hall, which had just fallen silent for a moment, erupted in deafening cheers. The excitement of the crowd surged further: "The Head Seat first! Senior Brother Lan Chang truly deserves to be the Inner City Number One!"

"To use 'Phantom of the Azure Wind' right at the start, a top-tier mid-grade wind element spirit skill—it seems Senior Brother Lan Chang intended to teach Nie Kong a good lesson all along. This is what he gets for his trouble! It was bad enough feigning weakness during the morning matches, but touching chests and slapping backs during the fight with Lan Xin, tsk tsk..."

"Wait, wait, I heard Senior Brother Lan Chang has a sister complex, is that true?"

"Go, go, don't talk nonsense if you don't know! Be careful Senior Brother Lan Chang beats you up! I heard that Lan Chang and Lan Xin's parents died young, and they weren't highly regarded in their family, so they grew up relying on each other; naturally, their bond is stronger than that of ordinary siblings!"

"..." While the crowd muttered and cheered for Lan Chang, Nie Kong had already activated the "Purple Luo Spirit Incense" in his mind. Branches and leaves sprang out abundantly, interweaving in an instant to form a thick, wide wall of vines directly in front of him, almost bisecting the entire battle circle.

"Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh!"

Four sounds like tearing silk ripped through the air. The four cyan projections conjured by Lan Chang simultaneously reached out toward the vine wall, pulling it apart from two sides. The vine wall immediately split into four long, ragged gaps that continued to expand. By the time Lan Chang's four figures flashed through, the gaps had completely swallowed the wall.

However, at that moment, a new vine wall materialized before Lan Chang, which was again torn apart by Lan Chang's devastating momentum. In just a few short seconds, Lan Chang had shattered six vine walls consecutively. When Nie Kong materialized the seventh vine wall to block Lan Chang's path, the latter was already at the edge of the boundary line. Just one more half step forward, and he would exit the battle circle, ending this contest for the Head Seat.

"This Nie Kong, thinking such petty tricks can stop Senior Brother Lan Chang's 'Phantom of the Azure Wind'... truly... hmm... too naive!"

"Heh heh, Lan Chang is not comparable to Shan Xiong or Liu Hemin. Nie Kong has been cornered by him so quickly, left with no retreat."

"As expected! Lan Chang is still this year's Inner City Head Seat!"

"..."

The crowd pointed and commented with ease. Meanwhile, Miao Ge, Tai Ji, and Gu Qi beside them couldn't help but feel a little anxious. Lan Chang’s reputation in the inner city was too formidable. Although they had anticipated this situation might arise during the competition, as close friends of Nie Kong, they naturally hoped for an unexpected victory. Even if they didn't win, they hoped he wouldn't lose too embarrassingly.

Compared to them, Bai Yuqing’s expression was much calmer. But then again, she almost always maintained this composure, making it difficult to discern her true inner thoughts. In reality, her heart was also tranquil. For her, this was just an ordinary match. Whether Nie Kong won or lost was unimportant; the title of Inner City Head Seat was just an empty name. The most crucial thing was gaining experience from competing against Lan Chang.

"Shh! Shh!...," Lan Chang's four figures pressed toward the final vine wall, the sound of tearing silk echoing once more. But just as Nie Kong was about to be exposed through those four ruptures, the scene inside the battle circle suddenly underwent a jaw-dropping transformation...