Several powerful sword auras rapidly slashed toward her. Yun Man did not dare to be careless and instantly activated her protective Dharma treasure.
She possessed more than just the Dharma treasure in her hand; she also wore a middle-grade body-protecting Dharma treasure.
A pale golden shield immediately appeared around Yun Man, completely enveloping her. Although the golden light was not glaring, the abundant spiritual Qi within it was far more powerful than the sword auras Yao Kaidong had unleashed.
Several sword shadows instantly struck Yun Man. Yun Man remained motionless, allowing them to slash against her body, having full confidence in her life-preserving Dharma treasure.
"Junior Sister Yun Man, what is she doing? Why isn't she dodging? A single sword aura could repel her, but several together-surely she can't block them."
"Hmph, I bet she's scared stiff and can't even move. Who does our peak's Holy Son think he is? How could she possibly block him?"
"Tsk, I think Junior Sister Yun Man doesn't take your peak's senior brother seriously at all, which is why she didn't bother dodging."
Although Yun Man's admirers spoke with bravado, their hearts were far from steady. After all, those sword auras were terrifyingly strong.
"Hmm? A body-protecting Dharma treasure?"
Zuo Hongcai had already prepared to intervene at any moment. Yun Man was a rare talent within the sect, and he could not allow her to be injured or perish. However, upon seeing the protective barrier around her, he paused.
He could tell that Yun Man's face showed no trace of panic, and he wanted to see what gave her such absolute confidence to stand her ground.
"If you won't dodge, then go die."
Yao Kaidong felt no fear. Even if he killed her, the sect would at most issue a reprimand. With his father and his grandfather-a supreme elder-backing him, the sect would never mete out a severe punishment.
Yun Man naturally had no intention of standing idle and taking a beating; she continuously gathered spiritual power and funneled it into the sword in her hand.
A moment later, the multiple sword auras struck her squarely, only to shatter against her shield and vanish into nothingness.
Just as Yao Kaidong wore an expression of sheer disbelief, Yun Man launched her counterattack. A sword aura far more powerful than any before surged from her hand, flashing rapidly toward Yao Kaidong.
Even Eighth Elder Zuo Hongcai failed to react in time.
After all, no one could have anticipated that Yun Man would find an opening to strike back under such circumstances.
The speed of the sword aura exceeded everyone's expectations. Even the grand elder in the seating area failed to react before it struck the still-dazed Yao Kaidong.
With a slash of sword Qi, Yao Kaidong-despite his own defensive treasures-was knocked flying off the stone platform, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
Before he could utter his final threat, Yao Kaidong had already collapsed unconscious.
"Dong'er! Dong'er!"
The grand elder rushed forward to check his injuries.
"Yun Man, I will remember this. And you, Qin Xiao, and your Seven Stars Peak!"
Realizing that his son's foundation remained uninjured, Yao Tiansheng finally let out a breath of relief. He flung a harsh threat toward Yun Man and Qin Xiao, scooped up Yao Kaidong, and flew toward Immortal Sword Peak.
Everything had happened so swiftly that many disciples had yet to process what occurred.
"What just happened? Holy Son Yao lost?"
Disciples of Immortal Sword Peak stared in utter disbelief. Yao Kaidong was the foremost disciple of the sect second only to Holy Maiden Lin Shimeng. How could he have lost?
"Junior Sister Yun Man is mighty! Junior Sister Yun Man is invincible!"
"Junior Sister Yun Man is mighty! Junior Sister Yun Man is invincible!"
"Junior Sister Yun Man is mighty! Junior Sister Yun Man is invincible!"
Yun Man's admirers shouted in unison, drawing more and more disciples into the chant.
This outpouring was the result of years of grievances caused by Immortal Sword Peak acting superior and bullying disciples from other peaks. If Immortal Sword Peak had taken second place this year, everyone would have accepted it, but now that Yao Kaidong had fallen, their long-accumulated anger finally found an outlet.
"What is going on here? How did my disciple suddenly become so popular?"
Qin Xiao stared in bewilderment at the cheering crowd. Usually, these people paid no attention to Seven Stars Peak; why were they suddenly rallying behind them?
"Immortal Sword Peak challenges Seven Stars Peak. Seven Stars Peak wins."
After a brief moment of shock, Eighth Elder Zuo Hongcai hastily announced the outcome of the match.
"Master, how was that? Your disciple didn't let you down, did she?"
Yun Man approached Qin Xiao with an expectant look, waiting for his affirmation.
"Not bad, not bad at all. You truly made your master look at you in a new light today. Excellent. Once we return to the peak, I will reward you with another fifty drops of spirit liquid."
Satisfied with the result, Qin Xiao readily offered a reward.
"This disciple thanks Master! I will certainly live up to Master's expectations."
Hearing that she would receive another fifty drops of spirit liquid, Yun Man beamed with joy. Revealing a few hidden trump cards had certainly paid off.
"The final match: Seven Stars Peak challenges the main peak."
Seeing that Yun Man remained full of energy and required no rest, Zuo Hongcai announced the final confrontation.
Following the announcement, Holy Maiden Lin Shimeng opened her eyes from her meditation. She looked upon Yun Man with considerable curiosity.
"If Yao Kaidong had challenged me, I would have had little interest. But this Yun Man might be worth my attention. She should make a fine opponent."
Lin Shimeng leaped lightly onto the stone platform, remaining silent as she awaited Yun Man's arrival.
"Master, just wait. I'll go win first place for you."
Seeing Lin Shimeng step onto the stage, Yun Man prepared to follow.
Buoyed by her overwhelming confidence and the promised reward from Qin Xiao, she felt unstoppable.
"Wait. In this match, we concede."
Qin Xiao quickly reached out and pulled Yun Man back.
"Master, what do you mean? Strong as Lin Shimeng may be, I am no weakling either. How can we concede without even fighting to see who is stronger?"
Yun Man asked in puzzlement.
"My good disciple, you are young and do not understand the ways of the world. We have already offended the grand elder; if we challenge the main peak as well, won't we have offended everyone in the sect? I believe in your strength, but we must keep a low profile. Do you understand what keeping a low profile means?"
Qin Xiao patiently explained.
"Master, things have already reached this point, and you're talking about keeping a low profile? Isn't that a bit late?"
Yun Man replied speechlessly. We just beat Yao Kaidong of Immortal Sword Peak, and now you want to lie low?
"Ahem, that does make some sense. But this is different. We were already at odds with the grand elder, so offending him mattered little. The sect leader is another matter entirely. If we challenge the main peak and actually win, what happens if the sect leader starts making things difficult for Seven Stars Peak in the future? This is what we call the ways of the world. You are still young and do not understand-just listen to your master."
Qin Xiao continued his persuasion.
"Fine. Since Master says so, there must be a reason. This disciple will listen to you."
Seeing Qin Xiao's firmness, Yun Man pressed the matter no further.
"Elder Zuo, Seven Stars Peak forfeits this challenge."
With Yun Man persuaded, Qin Xiao stepped forward to declare the forfeit.
"Since Seven Stars Peak forfeits, the Sect Competition officially concludes. Each peak shall receive its designated rewards from the sect, which will be delivered shortly."
Zuo Hongcai promptly announced the final results upon hearing the forfeiture.
"Oh, and Qin Xiao-in past years, your Seven Stars Peak had no one capable of cultivation, so the Abyss Secret Realm, which opens once every three years, did not include your peak. Since Seven Stars Peak has produced such a prodigy this year, you shall be included as well. The realm will open in one month, and the sect will send notification then. Make sure to use this month to cultivate diligently."
As Qin Xiao turned to leave, Zuo Hongcai added this final remark.
This was not out of sudden kindness, but because he had just received a voice transmission from Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng, given that Seven Stars Peak now housed such a monstrous talent.
"Many thanks for the reminder, Elder."
Qin Xiao had indeed heard of the Abyss Secret Realm. Having arrived only three years prior, he had missed the previous opening and knew little of it. Yet, as a secret realm, it undoubtedly held numerous treasures.