The two demonic beasts were shaken by the sound of the flute, collapsing directly onto the ground, clearly suffering from a significant impact.
Ye Gucheng’s face was deathly pale, and a trace of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth—the forced interruption of the dual-beast fusion had caused him internal injuries from the backlash.
"Do you wish to continue?" Zhu Yinxi gently twirled her jade flute and asked in a warm voice.
Ye Gucheng gritted his teeth and performed a hand seal, attempting to recall his spirit beasts. However, the silver wolf and the green python only whimpered weakly, no longer able to fight.
His expression turned utterly grim. Although the flute music was cacophonous, Ye Gucheng had prepared himself long ago.
He had previously believed that Zhu Yinxi’s victory over Yun Xuanji was merely due to catching him off guard, but only now did he remember the most crucial point.
Zhu Yinxi was a music cultivator. No matter how awful the flute sounded, he was still a music cultivator!
The divine sense attacks contained within the music would never change based on whether the melody was pleasant or not.
More importantly... he had actually sensed a faint trace of the Dao within those attacks—it was clearly something that could only be comprehended when one was halfway into the Nascent Soul stage!
"I... I surrender," Ye Gucheng said with difficulty.
"Zhu Yinxi of the Five Elements Dao Sect wins!" the referee announced loudly.
Below the stage, Li Nanzhu and the others had eyes curved with smiles, while the various elders of the Beast Taming Sect looked at the pale Ye Gucheng and ultimately sighed.
Forget it. If he lost, he lost. This single match wouldn't change everything.
"He was actually still hiding his strength..." Qu Chen whispered, his eyes dimming slightly. He already understood that losing to Jiang Yifan was likely the best possible outcome. If his opponent had been Zhu Yinxi, he would have likely lost in an even more humiliating fashion.
"It doesn't matter." A fighting spirit flashed in Pei Ji's eyes. "I will win."
As for Jiang Yifan’s next opponent, Li Nanzhu and the others had already found out yesterday.
When they actually saw that familiar figure standing motionless, they exchanged helpless looks.
Rong Yuying rose elegantly and bowed slightly to the referee. "For this match, the Hehuan Sect surrenders."
The entire audience erupted in an uproar.
"They’re surrendering just like that?"
"They won’t even fight?"
At the Five Elements Dao Sect’s seats, everyone looked at each other in confusion.
"This..." Duan Xianxing scratched his head. "They’re throwing this one too?"
Feng Qingping looked in Rong Yuying’s direction. "It seems that the favor we just returned has been incurred again."
Mu Wenyan said thoughtfully, "The Hehuan Sect’s attitude... is very firm."
Jiang Yifan stood on the stage and cupped his hands toward Rong Yuying. "My thanks."
Rong Yuying covered her mouth and chuckled. "Fellow Daoist Jiang is too polite. I look forward to cooperating with you all in the team battle."
Her words didn't even bother to hide her objective anymore.
This scene, in the eyes of the other sects, further solidified the previous speculations about the two sects joining forces.
At the Sword Heart Sect’s seats, Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao narrowed his eyes. "The Hehuan Sect... Hmph, do they think they can turn the tables this way?"
At this moment, the one with the ugliest expression was undoubtedly Mu Zeting. The whispers of the others drifted clearly into his ears.
"Rong Yuying didn't surrender because she’s set her sights on Jiang Yifan, did she?"
"That would make sense. After all, Jiang Yifan is from the Northern Territory Jiang family... If she connects with him, wouldn't that be better than Mu Zeting?"
"True, and Jiang Yifan really is good-looking..."
The communication jade slip held tightly in Mu Zeting’s hand was nearly crushed by his grip. He shot a cold glare at those people, and only when they noticed his gaze did they sheepishly shut their mouths.
Mu Zeting knew that they would continue to gossip once he left. After all, there were too many people talking, and they were rogue cultivators—what could he even do to them?
Rong Yuying... Rong Yuying!
"I will make you pay the price sooner or later!"
"Senior Brother Zeting?" A gentle female voice suddenly came from behind him. He turned around with a face full of irritability, but the moment he saw her face, his tone immediately softened.
"Junior Sister Dongqing, why are you here?"
The newcomer was Cang Dongqing, who had been watching the matches on the stage just a moment ago. She was currently looking at Mu Zeting with a smile, appearing puzzled by his reaction as she asked.
"Senior Brother Zeting? You seem to be in a bad mood."
Mu Zeting pursed his lips. Looking at the young girl before him, he suddenly felt an impulse to pour out his heart, and so he did.
"They say Rong Yuying has set her sights on Jiang Yifan..."
"Senior Brother Zeting, don’t listen to those people’s nonsense." Cang Dongqing frowned slightly, her eyes full of sincerity. "How could Senior Sister Rong set her sights on Jiang Yifan? She’s definitely doing this for the interests of the Hehuan Sect."
Mu Zeting’s expression softened slightly. "But she surrendered in front of everyone..."
"Oh, my," Cang Dongqing covered her mouth and giggled. "Doesn't that just prove that Senior Sister Rong is farsighted?" She stepped closer and lowered her voice. "Think about it, Senior Brother. The Five Elements Dao Sect is currently in high spirits. Senior Sister Rong is merely giving them lip service for the time being."
A flash of hesitation appeared in Mu Zeting’s eyes. "Really?"
"Of course it's true!" Cang Dongqing blinked her watery eyes. "Once the Wuji Sect and the Sword Heart Sect join forces to win the Sect Competition, Senior Sister Rong will naturally know who is truly worth collaborating with."
Mu Zeting’s face finally relaxed. "Junior Sister Dongqing is right. I was confused for a moment."
Cang Dongqing smiled tenderly. "Senior Brother just cares too much about Senior Sister Rong." She sighed softly. "In truth, Senior Sister Rong is also doing it for her sect, just like you, Senior Brother..."
Hearing this, a flash of emotion appeared in Mu Zeting’s eyes. "Junior Sister Dongqing, you’re the one who understands me best after all."
"Senior Brother, you flatter me." Cang Dongqing lowered her head as if embarrassed, then acting as if she had remembered something, she took a stack of talismans from her sleeve. "Right, I should return these talismans to you. The ones I borrowed last time haven't been used up yet..."
Mu Zeting hurriedly waved his hand. "Keep them, Junior Sister. I have no use for them right now."
"How can I do that..." Cang Dongqing pretended to decline. "These were all painstakingly crafted by you, Senior Brother..."
"Just take them." Mu Zeting forcefully stuffed the talismans back into her hand. After thinking for a moment, he took out a fresh stack of talismans from his storage bag and pressed them into Cang Dongqing’s hands as well. "If I gave these to Rong Yuying, they might just end up benefiting those people from the Five Elements Dao Sect."
A smirk of triumph flashed through Cang Dongqing’s eyes, but she still looked hesitant. "But..."
"Just consider it a small token of cooperation between our two sects," Mu Zeting said firmly. "Since the Wuji Sect and the Sword Heart Sect are joined, what do these few items matter?"
Cang Dongqing finally accepted them reluctantly. "Then I shall thank Senior Brother Zeting." She paused, then asked as if casually, "By the way, does Senior Brother know what Senior Sister Rong plans to do next?"
Mu Zeting frowned in thought. "She seemed to have mentioned that she would join forces with the Five Elements Dao Sect in the team battle..."
"I see..." Cang Dongqing said thoughtfully. "Then Senior Brother should keep a closer eye on things. After all, Senior Sister Rong is getting quite close to the Five Elements Dao Sect now..."
Mu Zeting nodded. "I understand."
"It’s getting late; I’ll be heading back first." Cang Dongqing gave a graceful bow. "You should also rest early, Senior Brother."
After watching Cang Dongqing leave, Mu Zeting stood where he was, the frustration in his heart finally dissipating significantly.
He clenched his fist. "Rong Yuying, once the Sect Competition is over, I will definitely let you know who the truly powerful one is!"
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