Jin Kaitai stood on the platform, looking down at the crowd like a black bear.

Seated behind him were four figures: Mei Ruolan, Li Mufeng, an elder, and a handsome middle-aged man. Xiaoyuan stood behind Mei Ruolan, plump and sweet-faced.

Li Muzhen already knew the elder was Cai Xiuping, the Chief Steward of the Outer Prefecture, and the handsome man was Zhao Fanning, an Executive of the Outer Prefecture, ranking a level above Li Mufeng.

Li Muzhen also knew that Elder Brother Li Mufeng conducted himself with uprightness and impartiality, earning the deep trust of Mei Ruolan. Despite being an Executive, Zhao Fanning treated Elder Brother with considerable respect.

Jin Kaitai gazed down at the assembled crowd, his eyes flashing with sharp light. He spoke in a deep voice, "The minor competition continues; this afternoon starts with the Tianshu Court! ... Zhao Yuzhen, does anyone challenge him?"

"Yes!" A crisp yet husky voice rang out.

As the sound faded, Gong Qingyun drifted gracefully onto the stage, declaring coldly, "I challenge him!"

Yu Chi Ming hastily urged, "Senior Disciple Brother, teach this little lass a good lesson!"

Zhao Yuzhen glanced at the white-robed, ethereal Gong Qingyun, shaking his head with a wry smile, "Don't stir things up. We don't yet know who will be teaching whom!"

"Senior Disciple Brother, you can do it!" Yu Chi Ming chuckled slyly.

Cheng Xiaofeng also stared at Gong Qingyun on stage, shaking his head and frowning, "Senior Disciple Brother, Gong Qingyun's martial arts have increased greatly; be careful!"

He Nanshan sighed and shook his head, clearly not optimistic about Senior Disciple Brother.

Li Muzhen squinted, observing, but said nothing.

The morning's rule was a draw where participants fought head-to-head; each person cycled through three matches. Those with two wins could advance to the afternoon session, which operated under a challenge system.

If one person emerged and no one dared challenge them, they earned one point. If someone stepped up to challenge, the victor earned a point, and the loser lost one. After one match, there was a rest period before the next person rotated in.

This challenge continued for three rounds, and the ten highest scorers would then compete for final rankings.

Zhao Yuzhen leaped up, his figure tracing a 'Z' shape in the air. He landed with the grace of a dragon, combining profound stillness with effortless flow—a truly masterful display.

Li Muzhen watched, full of admiration. Senior Disciple Brother's Qinggong had reached immense depth; he himself could not compare.

Zhao Yuzhen cupped his fists and said solemnly, "Junior Disciple Sister Gong, please—!"

Gong Qingyun returned the bow, slowly drawing her Yao Guang Sword, and stated gravely, "Senior Disciple Brother Zhao, I ask for your guidance!"

With that, a pure beam of light ignited, pouring down like a waterfall.

Zhao Yuzhen drew his sword and struck, unleashing a curtain of defense that met the light, resulting in a continuous, dense barrage of metallic clashes: "Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!..."

Zhao Yuzhen’s movements were dense and heavy; his sword felt like a thousand pounds, yet appeared deceptively slow.

Gong Qingyun’s swordplay was light, swift, and agile. A sheet of pure light scattered down, bright and pervasive like flowing water, slipping into every gap.

Yet, Zhao Yuzhen managed to block the encroachment of the pure light, resulting in a stalemate for the moment.

"Senior Disciple Brother can't hold much longer!" Cheng Xiaofeng shook his head, his expression grave.

Yu Chi Ming punched his palm in frustration, muttering fiercely, "This little lass is infuriating!"

He Nanshan stared intently at the stage, his eyes bright with subtle, hidden sharpness—clearly, his internal energy practice had reached a high level.

Li Muzhen also watched closely, focusing especially on Gong Qingyun. His previous victory had been achieved through preemptive strikes; he hadn't had time to fully deploy the Yao Guang Sword style.

During the morning's random draw matches, Gong Qingyun had not exerted her full strength, making her depth hard to gauge. This time, Senior Disciple Brother had forced her true skill to emerge—truly, her sword light was like water, omnipresent and impossible to defend against completely.

Li Muzhen's brow furrowed slightly, his expression serious. To contend with Gong Qingyun without injuring the meridians in his arms required sufficient speed; victory or defeat was truly unpredictable!

One attacked while the other defended. Zhao Yuzhen’s heavy sword guarded airtightly, while Gong Qingyun’s sword light flowed like water, ceaselessly probing for an opening.

Li Muzhen shook his head; prolonged defense always led to failure. Senior Disciple Brother must know this truth, but Gong Qingyun’s sword momentum was relentless, leaving him unable to counter effectively despite his will.

After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Zhao Yuzhen's sword light suddenly hesitated, accompanied by a muffled grunt. He retreated rapidly.

Having backed two zhang, he leaned on his sword, breathing heavily. His jade-like face was flushed crimson, and white vapor steamed from the crown of his head.

He relied on clumsy force to break finesse. Every strike required immense internal energy to wield. Over time, his internal energy was depleted, and flaws began to appear in his swordsmanship.

Li Muzhen reacted with lightning speed, stepping onto the stage before Jin Kaitai and the others. He supported Zhao Yuzhen, pouring a stream of internal energy into him, and then immediately examined his shoulder.

He rapidly pressed a few points on Zhao Yuzhen's left shoulder, asking, "Senior Disciple Brother, are you alright?"

Zhao Yuzhen's chest heaved violently, his breathing heavy and making speech difficult. He only shook his head, offering a faint, bitter smile.

Jin Kaitai walked over, glanced briefly, and asked in a deep voice, "Yuzhen, how serious is the injury?"

Zhao Yuzhen shook his head, turned toward Gong Qingyun, and nodded slowly, "Thank you, Junior Disciple Sister Gong, for showing mercy."

His voice was rough and labored, hoarse as if seared by fire.

Gong Qingyun gave a faint nod, her eyes bright and sharp as swords, stabbing directly at Li Muzhen.

Li Muzhen’s gaze was calm and gentle as he met hers. Their eyes clashed like two swords in mid-air, and the crowd below immediately quieted.

He Nanshan and the other two watched the stage anxiously but did not move. Causing a big commotion would cost Senior Disciple Brother face; it was enough that the Fifth Disciple was already stepping up.

Li Muzhen helped him down, and the group immediately gathered around to examine his injury.

Zhao Yuzhen felt a warm, gushing current flow from his wrist throughout his body, comforting him like being immersed in a hot spring. In a short while, his strength returned. He was secretly astonished; Fifth Disciple's internal energy was truly this pure!

He waved his hand, signaling the others not to panic, "Junior Disciple Sister left her hand mercifully; otherwise, this arm would be useless!"

Yu Chi Ming glanced at the white-robed Gong Qingyun on stage and chuckled, "This lass has a foul temper, but her heart isn't bad."

Cheng Xiaofeng produced a small porcelain vial and sprinkled some powder onto Zhao Yuzhen's wound, frowning as he asked, "Senior Disciple Brother, can Fifth Disciple defeat her?"

As the powder settled, Zhao Yuzhen twitched slightly but otherwise looked unconcerned. He glanced at Li Muzhen.

He lowered his head, pondering for a moment, then slowly said, "...Fifty-fifty odds, perhaps."

Li Muzhen's internal energy flowed like a trickling spring, continuously nourishing Zhao Yuzhen's body. He smiled nonchalantly, "I will simply do my best; what is winning or losing to discuss!"

He Nanshan clapped his hands and laughed, "Fifth Disciple truly has spirit! ... Good, your training time is short; victory or defeat is not the crucial thing. Just put on a good show!"

Li Muzhen smiled but said nothing more. In his heart, however, he knew this victory determined whether he could cultivate the Adamantine Indestructible Divine Art; it was critically important.

But worrying would be useless and might even disturb his state of mind. Having strong self-control, he commanded his thoughts with ease. Sensing that dwelling on the outcome was detrimental, he directly discarded the desire for victory, focusing his entire being on the martial arts.

Zhao Yuzhen pushed his hand away, "Fifth Disciple, I am fine now. You should quickly circulate your energy."

Li Muzhen nodded, immediately settled into a cross-legged posture, closed his eyes to steady his breathing, and formed mudras to begin regulating his qi, aiming to meet Gong Qingyun's challenge in peak condition.

After Zhao Yuzhen, He Nanshan, then Cheng Xiaofeng, and finally Yu Chi Ming all took the stage and won their respective matches.

"Zhan Ran!" Jin Kaitai roared.

Li Muzhen opened his eyes; the sharp light vanished instantly. He pushed off the ground with his left hand, sweeping across more than ten zhang to land steadily on the platform, offering a respectful salute to Jin Kaitai and the five figures including Mei Ruolan.

"Does anyone challenge?" Jin Kaitai demanded in a deep voice.

"Yes!" A crisp yet husky voice sounded. Everyone instantly recognized it as Gong Qingyun.

Gong Qingyun transformed into a white cloud, rising gracefully until she settled about two zhang in front of Li Muzhen, declaring proudly, "I challenge Junior Disciple Brother Zhan Ran!"

The two stood facing each other, separated by two zhang. One was ethereal in white silk, the other in a gray monk's robe billowing slightly. All eyes were drawn to them.

"Good! Good!" Jin Kaitai laughed heartily and waved his hand forcefully, "Then let us begin!"

The spectators below took a deep breath, their eyes wide, shining with excitement.

Mei Ruolan and the others straightened up, spirits lifted. Everyone in the Mei Manor knew of the contest between Gong Qingyun and Zhan Ran. Li Mufeng, in particular, clenched his fists tightly, his expression strained with tension.

Li Muzhen cupped his hands in a salute and smiled gently, "Senior Disciple Sister Gong, this time I must truly experience the Yao Guang Sword style!"

Judging by his demeanor, there was no sense of impending battle; rather, it was like old friends reuniting.

"I shall grant your wish!" Gong Qingyun pursed her lips tightly and gave a cold laugh.

Dressed in a white gown, spotless from head to toe, her exquisite features were heartbreakingly beautiful, but her face was ice-cold, her eyes sharp and piercing, radiating stubbornness and arrogance—qualities that only made her seem more worthy of pity.

Li Muzhen rested his hand on his sword hilt and smiled, "Senior Disciple Sister Gong, please—!"

With a sharp zheng, a sheet of pure light cascaded down upon him, resembling water poured to nourish a flower.

Li Muzhen tapped his toes and drew his sword simultaneously. His body shot out like an arrow from a bow, leaving a dozen sword shadows flickering in the air, connected head-to-tail like a dragon, the tip of his sword already aimed at Gong Qingyun's chest.

"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!..." In a series of crisp clashes, the Yao Guang Sword dissolved into rain, continuously striking the body of the Qing Feng Sword—ten times in an instant.

Riding the counterforce rebounding from the sword, she took the opportunity to sweep sideways, evading the Qing Feng Sword. Simultaneously, the Yao Guang Sword scattered another sheet of pure light toward Li Muzhen.

Li Muzhen ignored it, tapped his toe again, and his long sword transformed into a rainbow, shooting toward her chest.

"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!..." Another sequence of clear ringing sounds. The Yao Guang Sword rained down like drops, allowing Gong Qingyun to shift aside again. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and her face was covered in frost.

One pursued, the other evaded. Their movements shifted and changed with divine agility, one creating a pervasive, ceaseless torrent of sword light, the other, a spear-like, relentless piercing light.

The onlookers were dumbfounded, captivated, and unable to tear their gaze away.

The two grew faster and faster. Eventually, the figures vanished, replaced only by a swirling white shadow and a gray shadow dancing across the stage, the shadows slowly filling the platform like two entwined tornadoes.

At this point, the audience’s eyes were glazed; they could not discern the individuals, only capture a mass of indistinct shadows.

Li Mufeng grew restless. After watching for a while, he could no longer bear the anxiety. He coughed lightly into his hand and asked, "Eldest Miss, who can win this match?"

Mei Ruolan’s delicate eyebrows were slightly furrowed, her bright eyes growing more distant as she gazed at the center of the stage and shook her head, "It is too early to speak of victory or defeat. Their martial arts are separated by the finest of margins; it depends on who can seize the opportunity."

Li Mufeng sighed, sat back down, and clenched his fists tighter, unaware that his nails were digging into his flesh.

The few people beside him did not blink, holding their breath and concentrating their energy. Most in the audience could not see the movements of the two combatants, but they could.

"Hmph..." A muffled grunt sounded, and the myriad shadows abruptly dispersed, revealing the two figures standing motionless.

The transition from extreme motion to absolute stillness was abrupt and eerie, leaving the crowd momentarily stunned.

The two stood facing each other. The Yao Guang Sword had pierced Li Muzhen's chest. Gong Qingyun held the sword, completely still, staring blankly at him with a strange expression.

Li Muzhen looked back at her calmly. His long sword rested against her full, soft chest, stopping an inch short.

"San'er!" Li Mufeng shouted, the color instantly draining from his face, leaving it paper-white.

P: I fought tooth and nail to finish the second update. It was exhausting. Seeing the unsatisfactory results put a lot of pressure on me, leading to hesitation and doubt. But in the end, I decided to just write desperately—why worry about anything else? There is a vote in the Sanjiang column that seems very important. If everyone has time, please help vote. If you are too busy, never mind; I am already deeply grateful for the collections and recommendations.