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

Su Qingying gazed at the battle platform, dressed in plain clothes and adorned with a green hairpin. Her pale profile, reflecting the spiritual light on the platform, exuded an even more aloof and serene aura than the portrait of the female cultivator on the jade tablet beside her.

Su Qingying said, "The next match is coming up."

Two lines of names appeared on the jade tablet used for drawing lots.

One of them is an inner disciple of Chixia Peak.

The other one is Lu Qingheng from Xuanyu Peak.

Lin Wanqing flipped through the files quickly. "Lu Qingheng, born in the outer sect of Xuanyu Peak, entered the inner sect three years ago. His parents were both servants in the sect's medicinal fields. He cultivates an incomplete sword technique."

Xie Buci asked, "Xuanyu Peak?"

Qin Wanzhuang said, "Xuanyu Peak has not been prominent in recent years."

Lin Wanqing nodded. "The file says he didn't have an elder as his master. He usually took on missions to exchange for spirit stones, and he pieced together his sword techniques from old jade slips."

Wenren Ji raised his eyes. "A fragment of the technique?"

Mo Chengyue turned to the corresponding page, read a few lines, and said, "It's not just damaged, it's broken very badly."

Lin Wanqing asked, "How ugly?"

Mo Chengyue said, "Like Senior Brother Xie's emotional debts."

Xie Buci said with dissatisfaction, "Third brother, my accounts are very clear."

Qin Wanzhuang said, "I know so well that someone comes to Qingquan Peak to look for you every time."

Xie Buci coughed. "That's called popularity."

Yu Jianhuan laughed and said, "That would truly be a disaster of romantic entanglements."

While the audience below was making a ruckus, the two on the battle platform had already exchanged greetings.

The disciples of Crimson Cloud Peak wore short robes with fire patterns, their arms wrapped in crimson knots, exuding an imposing aura, and holding a ball of bright fire in their palms.

Lu Qingheng stood opposite him, his robes were old and worn, and the scabbard at his waist was not luxurious. He did not have the pomp and circumstance that a rising star should have.

People in the stands were whispering among themselves.

"Someone from Xuan Yu Peak actually made it to this round?"

"Who is Lu Qingheng? I've never heard of him before."

"To dare to bring an incomplete sword technique to the dueling arena, you certainly have some nerve."

"Don't laugh, you must have some skills to have gotten this far."

"But the opponent is Senior Brother Zheng from Crimson Cloud Peak. His Fire Palm technique is very strong. I'm afraid we, as outer disciples, won't be able to withstand it."

Lin Wanqing felt uncomfortable listening to this. "Why do these people always like to judge people by their background first?"

Mo Chengyue said, "Because it's the easiest way to determine someone's background."

Lin Wanqing said, "Is it right to save trouble?"

Mo Chengyue said, "That's not right, but when there are many people, many people just want to take the easy way out."

Su Qingying said, "That's why we need a battle platform."

Qin Wanzhuang said, "If you can win, then shut up."

Wenren Ji said, "That's right."

Xie Buci waved his fan and said, "Junior Brother has been quite talkative today."

Wenren Ji looked at the stage. "His hand holding the knife is very steady."

Mo Chengyue glanced at Wenren Ji. "You think he's a good candidate?"

Wenren Ji said, "Take a look at this strike."

In the center of the battle platform, a disciple surnamed Zheng from Crimson Cloud Peak spoke first.

Senior Brother Zheng said, "Junior Brother Lu, the sword technique is incomplete. If you can't hold on, you should admit defeat early to avoid damaging your foundation."

Lu Qingheng clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Zheng."

Senior Brother Zheng said, "I'm not mocking you, it's just that there's still a road ahead after the competition."

Lu Qingheng said, "I know."

Senior Brother Zheng said, "Then please."

Lu Qingheng said, "Please."

As soon as he finished speaking, the disciple of Crimson Cloud Peak raised his palm and thrust it out. The flames spread out along the platform, forming three swirling lines of fire that pressed down on Lu Qingheng from the left, center, and right.

Lu Qingheng did not back down.

He took a half-step to the left, his sword still sheathed, held horizontally in front of him, first blocking the central fire force, then using the spiritual energy rebounded from the array patterns on the platform to slide to the right.

The flames grazed the hem of his clothes, leaving scorch marks on the edge of his old robe.

Someone in the stands shouted, "Why isn't he using a knife?"

Another person said, "Afraid that your sword technique will be exposed?"

"What other secrets can be revealed in this incomplete manual?"

"If you're so good, then you do it."

Seeing that their attack had failed, the disciples of Crimson Cloud Peak crossed their palms, and flames gathered into a phantom of a crimson tiger. The tiger's claws pressed down from above, and the heat wave caused bright ripples to appear on the light screen at the edge of the battle platform.

Lu Qingheng drew his sword this time.

The blade is short, and the edge is chipped.

But as the sword was drawn, Mo Chengyue's finger stopped at the edge of the file.

Wenren Ji also sat up a little straighter.

Lin Wanqing asked anxiously, "What's wrong?"

Mo Chengyue said, "His sword technique does not strive for perfection."

Xie Buci asked, "What do you mean?"

Mo Chengyue said, "Others would try to complete the incomplete manuals, but he doesn't."

Qin Wanzhuang said, "He only uses what he can use."

Mo Chengyue nodded. "Yes."

On the battle platform, Lu Qingheng slashed his blade into the belly of the illusory red tiger, without touching its claws or blocking its head, but instead passing through the weakest point where the fire energy connected.

The blade was narrow, yet it precisely severed the section where the crimson spiritual energy was being transferred.

The phantom of the red tiger dispersed, and the waves of fire surged back. Senior Brother Zheng's sleeves were scorched black, and he took two feet back.

The noise from the audience suddenly increased.

"He broke the Fire Tiger Palm?"

"It's not a direct break, it's a severing of the spiritual energy path."

"How can a flawed sword technique be used to achieve this level of skill?"

"Xuan Yufeng has struck gold this time."

Senior Brother Zheng's expression turned serious.

Senior Brother Zheng said, "Junior Brother Lu, what a fine knife."

Lu Qingheng said, "Senior Brother Zheng's fire energy is also strong."

Senior Brother Zheng said, "I was overconfident just now, but I won't hold back from now on."

Lu Qingheng said, "Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."

Senior Brother Zheng brought his palms together, and fire patterns climbed from his wrists to his forearms. Then, his palm technique changed, and the originally outward-radiating flames were reduced to fine red light.

Lin Wanqing asked anxiously, "What is this?"

Xie Buci said, "The Burning Meridian Palm technique of Crimson Cloud Peak is rarely used in sparring."

Qin Wanzhuang frowned. "It will damage your meridians."

Su Qingying said, "The light barrier can block fatal blows, but it can't stop internal injuries."

Yu Jianhuan spoke in a dismissive tone. "This Senior Brother Zheng spoke very nicely just now, but when he's really pushed to the limit, he doesn't exactly live up to his reputation."

Jin Qiaoqiao said, "It's common among humans to want to win back what they've lost face."

Mo Chengyue said, "Don't rush to scold me."

Lin Wanqing said, "Senior Brother Mo, you're still speaking up for him?"

Mo Chengyue said, "I'm not speaking up for him, but rather seeing how Lu Qingheng responds."

Wenren Ji said, "He will answer."

A crimson light pressed down on the stage, and Senior Brother Zheng's palm shadows formed a continuous pattern. Each palm avoided vital points, but instead targeted the turning points of the shoulder and arm meridians.

Lu Qingheng's knife moved slower and slower.

His slow pace made many disciples anxious for him.

"He can't keep up."

"An incomplete formula is still an incomplete formula."

"If you keep hitting like that, your arm will be ruined."

"Just admit defeat, you've already done pretty well."

Lin Wanqing clutched the booklet tightly. "Why didn't he return it?"

Mo Chengyue said, "If you withdraw, you'll have no chance."

Lin Wanqing asked, "Then what is he waiting for?"

Mo Chengyue said, "Wait until the other side thinks they've won."

Xie Buci's fan stopped in his palm. "Third brother, do you think he can still turn things around?"

Mo Chengyue said, "Whether he can turn the tables depends on whether he's willing to take these few slaps."

Qin Wanzhuang said, "It's too risky."

Wenren Ji said, "It's worth it."

Qin Wanzhuang looked at Wenren Ji.

Wenren Ji said, "He wants a knife."

On the battle platform, Lu Qingheng was struck on the left shoulder, his entire arm slumped down, and the tip of his knife almost touched the ground.

Senior Brother Zheng couldn't hide his joy.

Senior Brother Zheng said, "Junior Brother Lu, let's stop here."

Lu Qingheng said, "We haven't arrived yet."

Senior Brother Zheng said, "If this continues, I might not be able to stop it."

Lu Qingheng said, "Senior brother can't stop now."

Senior Brother Zheng's expression changed. "Arrogant."

He pressed forward again, concentrating the crimson light in his right palm, and struck at Lu Qingheng's wrist holding the knife.

If that palm strike lands, even if Lu Qingheng isn't seriously injured today, he'll need a long time to recover.

Many female disciples let out soft gasps.

Lin Wanqing almost stood up.

Su Qingying placed her hand on the hilt of the sword.

Qin Wanzhuang's expression darkened.

Mo Chengyue said in a low voice, "They're here."

Lu Qingheng's slid-down knife tip traced a semi-circle along the table surface.

That wasn't an attack.

It is to use the counter-vibration of the array platform to lift the sword.

The blade flipped upwards from below, grazing the edge of Senior Brother Zheng's palm strike, and slashed diagonally to three inches below his elbow.

There was no bloodshed.

Only the protective spirit screen lit up briefly.

Senior Brother Zheng lost the ability to generate power in his entire right arm, and the fire energy dispersed to the side, exposing an opening in his chest.

Lu Qingheng stepped forward, the back of his blade resting on Senior Brother Zheng's chest.

very short.

It's very quiet.

The outcome is decided.

Senior Brother Zheng looked at the old knife on his chest, his face turning red and then white.

Lu Qingheng sheathed his sword and stepped back, clasping his hands in a fist salute, saying, "You flatter me."

Senior Brother Zheng stood for a moment, then lowered his head and said, "I lose."

There was a moment of silence in the room.

Cheers then rang out from the Xuan Yu Peak seats and quickly spread to the area where the outer disciples were located.

"Senior Brother Lu won!"

"Even with incomplete strategies, you can still win!"

"Even those from the outer sect can stand on it!"

"Xuanyu Peak is not without people!"

"That was a beautiful performance!"

Lin Wanqing clapped her hands loudly, "Great!"

Xie Buci laughed and said, "Junior Sister Lin, you're even more excited than Xuan Yu Peak."