If I stay in the Hehuan Sect, I'll live off the pampered daughters of the Heavenly Pride Sect.

On the battle platform, Shen Zhaoxuan had already stepped down.

He neither basked in the cheers nor sought credit on the high platform. Instead, he returned to his seat on Tianqing Peak and bowed to an elder sitting in the shadows.

Mo Chengyue's gaze fell on the elder.

The other person had neat hair and beard, wide sleeves that reached his knees, and an expression that showed neither joy nor anger.

Shen Zhaoxuan stood behind him, his posture respectful.

Qin Wanzhuang asked in a low voice, "What are you looking at?"

Mo Chengyue said, "Let's see who teaches him."

Xie Buci said, "You noticed?"

Mo Chengyue said, "This time, Tianqing Peak is not allowing its disciples to fight recklessly."

"They are repairing the relationship."

Su Qingying asked, "Repair?"

Mo Chengyue said, "When Ye Wushang was around, he used his resources to suppress others and offended many powerful sects."

"If new talents take the same path now, it will only bring up old grievances."

"Shen Zhaoxuan's performance was to tell all the peaks that Tianqing Peak can still compete, but is willing to abide by the rules."

Yu Jianhuan asked, "So do you think the summits will accept this?"

Mo Chengyue said, "I will watch the second one."

Jin Qiaoqiao said, "If he still showed restraint in the second game, it means it wasn't a coincidence."

Mo Chengyue nodded.

"If the second round goes too far, it means the first round was just for show."

Xie Buci asked, "Then which side are you betting on?"

Mo Chengyue said, "I won't gamble."

Xie Buci asked, "Why?"

Mo Chengyue said, "Gamblers never have a good ending."

Lin Wanqing almost doubled over with laughter.

Several disciples nearby also heard it and were shaking with suppressed laughter.

On the high platform, Yan Chenyu gazed at this place from afar, slowly finishing half a piece of spirit cake.

Jiang Wei glanced sideways and said, "Your disciples are behaving themselves today."

Yan Chenyu said, "It's best to behave yourself."

Jiang Wei asked, "You really don't want them to fight over it?"

Yan Chenyu said, "This is so troublesome."

Jiang Wei said, "The positions of Holy Son and Holy Daughter are related to the sect's prestige."

Yan Chenyu rested her chin on her hand.

"They don't want it, I can't just tie people up to it."

Jiang Wei glanced at her.

"Many people are eyeing the things that Qingquan Peak brought back from the ruins."

Yan Chenyu said, "Then let them keep an eye on it."

Jiang Wei asked, "Aren't you worried?"

Yan Chenyu said, "I'm hungry."

Jiang Wei remained silent for a moment.

"With your temper, you'll drive someone crazy sooner or later."

Yan Chenyu said, "Fortunately, your cultivation level is high, so you won't die so easily."

Jiang Wei was speechless, utterly bewildered.

The second round of the draw for the battle begins.

Shen Zhaoxuan's name has not yet appeared.

Disciples from each peak took turns appearing, their swords flashing and their magic radiating across the obsidian tabletop.

Some win decisively, while others lose miserably.

A young female cultivator overwhelmed her opponent with the sound of her zither. As she plucked the strings, a fragrant breeze wafted from her sleeves, causing many male disciples in the audience to be momentarily stunned.

Some body-refining disciples went on stage bare-armed, their fists heavy and powerful, each step making the array patterns glow.

Lin Wanqing watched with great interest.

"That music master is so pretty."

Mo Chengyue said, "Beautiful."

Qin Wanzhuang looked at him.

Mo Chengyue added, "But she's not as good at fighting as my second senior sister."

Qin Wanzhuang looked away.

Xie Buci laughed and said, "Your survival skills have improved again."

Su Qingying said, "Are you usually this eloquent?"

Mo Chengyue said, "I am usually very quiet."

Yu Jianhuan said, "I've never seen you remain silent in front of us."

Mo Chengyue said, "This shows that all the senior sisters are approachable."

Jin Qiaoqiao scoffed.

"You've probably said everything that could save your life."

Mo Chengyue said, "The art of survival is also part of cultivation."

Wenren Ji suddenly spoke.

"Next up, Shen Zhaoxuan."

Everyone looked toward the battle platform.

On the jade tablet used for drawing lots, Shen Zhaoxuan's name lit up again.

His opponent was a sword cultivator from Biyun Peak.

Su Qingying frowned slightly.

"Junior Sister Zhao's swordsmanship is too fast. If Shen Zhaoxuan drags her into close combat, she will be at a disadvantage."

Mo Chengyue said, "Shen Zhaoxuan won't drag this out for too long."

Su Qingying looked at him.

Why?

Mo Chengyue said, "We've already established a solid foundation in the first round; we need to strengthen it in the second."

"He needs to show people that Tian Qingfeng not only has a sense of propriety, but also the ability to command respect."

Xie Buci said, "If the opponent is someone from your Biyun Peak, attacking too hard will offend people."

Mo Chengyue said, "So he will make Junior Sister Zhao admit defeat herself."

Yu Jianhuan asked, "How can I give in?"

Mo Chengyue said, "Dismantle the sword path."

Su Qingying's expression shifted slightly.

"You even studied the sword techniques of Biyun Peak?"

Mo Chengyue said, "The Scripture Pavilion has publicly available sword manuals."

Su Qingying said, "You can deduce this just by looking at the sword manual?"

Mo Chengyue said earnestly, "I read books very carefully."

Xie Buci said, "You're really becoming less and less like a regular guard."

Mo Chengyue said, "Senior Brother, don't praise me, I'm scared."

On the battle platform, the female cultivator surnamed Zhao drew her longsword, its light clear and bright. Her movements were elusive, and she launched three consecutive sword strikes at Shen Zhaoxuan's upper, middle, and lower body.

Shen Zhaoxuan did not retreat far.

He blocked the first sword with his horizontal blade, flipped his wrist to suppress the second sword, and touched the spot half a step before the third sword would land.

The female cultivator surnamed Zhao was forced to change her practice.

Shen Zhaoxuan pressed forward with his sword.

He did not kill anyone.

He cut through the path of the sword.

Each strike landed before the female cultivator surnamed Zhao could react, intercepting her sword moves before she could even unleash half of them.

After more than ten moves, the female cultivator surnamed Zhao was sweating profusely.

The disciples of Biyun Peak below the stage began to whisper among themselves.

"Why is Senior Sister Zhao having such a hard time?"

"Her swift sword was sealed."

"It wasn't a lockdown, it was cut off beforehand."

"How did Shen Zhaoxuan know where her next sword strike would go?"

Su Qingying's brows furrowed with growing coldness.

"He studied the Biyun Peak Sword Manual."

Mo Chengyue said, "Not only that."

Su Qingying asked, "Anything else?"

Mo Chengyue said, "He has studied Junior Sister Zhao herself."

Qin Wanzhuang asked, "Preparations started right before the competition?"

Mo Chengyue said, "This is the way each peak should fight."

"The outcome had already been decided before we even went on stage."

Xie Buci put away his folding fan.

"Tianqing Peak has indeed changed its manager this time."

On the battle platform, the female cultivator surnamed Zhao unleashed another sword strike.

Shen Zhaoxuan turned to the side, lightly tapping the spine of the sword with the back of his blade. Spiritual energy flowed along the blade, causing the tip of her sword to deflect.

The next moment, the tip of his knife stopped three inches in front of the female cultivator surnamed Zhao's throat.

No one was hurt.

But this left her with no room to draw her sword.

The female cultivator surnamed Zhao gritted her teeth.

I lost.

Shen Zhaoxuan sheathed his sword.

"Thank you for your concession."

This time, the discussion among the audience was even greater than before.

On the seats of Tianqing Peak, some people showed a triumphant expression.

The seats at Crimson Cloud Peak and Azure Cloud Peak were much quieter.

On the high platform, several elders exchanged glances.

Mo Chengyue leaned back in his chair, mentally raising the level of danger at Tianqing Peak by one notch.

Xie Buci asked in a low voice, "Junior Brother, what do you think?"

Mo Chengyue said, "Shen Zhaoxuan is not scary."

Xie Buci asked, "Who's scary?"

Mo Chengyue looked at the elder sitting in the shadows on Tianqing Peak.

"He taught someone to fight like that."

Qin Wanzhuang asked, "Why?"

Mo Chengyue said, "This disciple wants to win, while the elder wants to win."

"Shen Zhaoxuan is merely a knife."

"Only the one wielding the knife knows where to cut, and where to simply scare them."

Yu Jianhuan's eyes flickered.

"If Tianqing Peak heard what Junior Brother Mo said, they would be even more eager to invite you to the stage."

Mo Chengyue said, "That's why I spoke very softly."

Lin Wanqing said quietly, "But it's already spread around here."

Mo Chengyue turned his head.

Many disciples around him were secretly watching him.

Someone lowered their voice and said, "He said Shen Zhaoxuan is a knife."

"Who is holding the knife?"

"That new elder in charge of Tianqing Peak?"