Chapter 1632: Turning Hostile

"Ah!" Mistress Huoling exclaimed, instantly rising to her feet. But Guan Chouhai stepped forward, blocking her path. "Mistress, let's not interfere in the disputes between the younger generation."

Mistress Huoling's expression was grim, but her opponent's words were reasonable, leaving her no room to retort.

If they were to truly fight, no immediate outcome would be reached, and it was likely that Manman was already injured.

At that moment, Zu'an also sprang to his feet, intending to intervene and help. However, he suddenly remembered something and sat back down.

Yan Xuehen, who had been secretly observing Zu'an, withdrew her gaze, thinking that Miss Pei was quite important to him.

Many disciples watching the scene winced and covered their eyes, knowing the power of the Shadowless Orb. If the elders hadn't used formations to neutralize it, an entire arena could have been demolished. Now, with it hitting someone directly in the chest, how could anyone withstand it?

The crucial question was, even if she could be saved from this blow, would her chest remain intact?

What a brutal attack!

Many male cultivators cursed silently at Zhiyong. "That guy usually seems so refined," they thought, "why target her chest instead of somewhere else? If you destroy it, can you even compensate her?"

In contrast, some female cultivators watched with excitement. Pei Mianman's presence had been too intimidating earlier, and they secretly hoped Brother Zhiyong would teach that enchanting woman a good lesson.

However, just as the Shadowless Orb was about to hit Pei Mianman, the phantom of a large bronze cauldron suddenly enveloped her.

With a loud bang, the bronze phantom trembled slightly, and the Shadowless Orb bounced back.

Zhiyong reached out and caught the rebounding Shadowless Orb, his expression filled with shock. "What just happened?"

Not just him, even the sect leaders were moved, craning their necks to gaze towards the arena.

They saw that the phantom was not a large cauldron after all, but a strangely magnificent bird with splendid patterns. Its overall shape resembled a cauldron, with its two feet and tail forming the points of support for its body.

The strange bird somewhat resembled an owl commonly seen, but it was far more powerful and eerie.

Especially its eyes, which seemed alive and filled with unknown mystery.

"What kind of weapon is this, to actually block an immortal-grade weapon's attack?"

This was the question on everyone's mind, and they all looked towards Wan Tongtian and Mistress Huoling.

Wan Tongtian was also bewildered. This item clearly didn't belong to the Azure Palace, so he looked inquiringly at Mistress Huoling.

Mistress Huoling was equally perplexed, but at a time like this, if a master admitted ignorance, wouldn't it become a laughing stock?

So, she puffed out her chest, looking so proud that her tail might as well have been wagging.

The others, seeing this, became even more impressed. They thought, "Mistress Huoling truly keeps her secrets well. We must consult her thoroughly afterwards."

Qiu Honglei asked Yun Jianyue, who was beside her, "Master, what exactly is that thing? It looks incredibly powerful."

"I don't know," Yun Jianyue shook her head. "But that boy definitely knows. You can ask him yourself later."

Qiu Honglei followed her gaze and saw Zu'an smiling, as if he had known this all along.

Zu'an, of course, knew. It was the Lady Hao Owl Zun that Big Manman had obtained in the Shang Dynasty secret realm. He hadn't expected her to develop a protective function from it.

Just then, the Lady Hao Owl Zun suddenly transformed into a giant owl. With its appearance, the entire arena was enveloped in an ink-like darkness, making it impossible for the disciples outside to see what was happening within.

Wang Wuxie and the others were startled. "What is this?"

They all tried to probe with their Qi, but found that their normally pervasive Qi became incredibly sluggish after approaching the darkness, barely able to penetrate even a little bit after a long time.

With their cultivation levels, they could naturally discern the situation inside if they stood by the edge of the arena. However, given their current status and position, they couldn't possibly lower themselves to do so.

At the same time, they were secretly shocked. This darkness was somewhat akin to a Grandmaster's domain. What kind of divine weapon did she possess?

Among those present, only Guan Chouhai was the most anxious. He instinctively thought about going to the edge of the arena.

Just then, Mistress Huoling, with a smile, blocked his path. "Sect Master Guan, it wouldn't be appropriate for us elders to interfere in the affairs of the younger generation, would it?"

Guan Chouhai's breath hitched. He never expected the tables to turn so quickly.

At that moment, roars and rapid thudding sounds came from the arena. It was clear that Zhiyong was continuously throwing Shadowless Orbs, attacking in all directions.

The reinforced array on the arena flickered wildly, clearly on the verge of collapse from the relentless impact of the Shadowless Orbs.

The disciples from various sects watched in utter shock. The power of Zhiyong's Shadowless Orbs was simply too immense; a mere graze or touch would likely result in severe injury.

Only a few, like Wu Xiaofan and Wan Guiyi, wore solemn expressions. "Zhiyong is probably going to lose," they murmured.

Although Zhiyong's Shadowless Orbs were elusive and powerful, they were not entirely without trace. However, they had no clue about the night domain Pei Mianman had manifested. Honestly, if they were in his shoes, they might not have performed as well as Zhiyong.

Zhiyong could still defend his entire body by using the Shadowless Orbs as offense. But what about them?

At that moment, on the arena, Zhiyong was in a panic. He suddenly found that he couldn't see anything. While cultivators at a certain level could perceive their surroundings through their six senses without relying on sight,

at this moment, he could feel nothing, only an incredibly dense darkness.

Helpless, he could only wield the Shadowless Orbs in a dizzying display, attacking in all directions, hoping to accidentally hit his opponent.

The silence around him was too profound, so quiet it sent shivers down his spine. He even had to shout to bolster his fighting spirit.

Meanwhile, Pei Mianman was hiding somewhere about a zhang away from him. Earlier, it had been difficult to evade his Shadowless Orbs because Zhiyong could see her.

Now, evading his aimless attacks was not difficult; in this darkness, she was the ruler.

She waited silently, biding her time for an opportunity.

Clearly, it was difficult for someone not to expose a weakness in an environment where they could neither see nor perceive. Soon, she found her chance.

Azure Mist and Haze!

A terrifying burst of hot flames scattered outwards, like clouds and smoke, like an evening glow—beautiful yet dangerous.

Outside the arena, Mistress Huoling's eyes lit up. She sensed the aura of her unique skill, and usually, when this move was deployed, it signaled the decisive moment of victory or defeat.

As expected, with a loud bang, a figure flew out of the arena, scorched black all over, with disheveled hair and tattered clothes, looking like a beggar on the street.

"Zhiyong?"

There were only two people on the arena, and this one was clearly not the voluptuous Pei Mianman, so it could only be the other. Although it was impossible to connect this miserable, pathetic figure with the tall, handsome noble young man from before, the facts were undeniable, and everyone had to believe it.

"Zhiyong actually lost?"

"And lost so badly?"

"I told you that pretty boy had no real ability. All he knows is showing off. Now he's the fifth chief disciple in history to fail in the group stage."

Whispers and gossip came from all around. Zhiyong, already severely injured, could not endure it. He spat out a mouthful of blood and instantly fainted.

"My disciple!" Guan Chouhai quickly flew over and supported him. A quick check revealed that many of his bones were broken, and violent fire element energy surged wildly through his meridians. He couldn't help but roar in fury at the arena, "You actually struck with such heavy force!"

At this point, the darkness in the arena had gradually dispersed, and Pei Mianman swayed into view before everyone. Hearing his words, she opened her mouth as if to explain something, but for some unknown reason, she closed it again.

Guan Chouhai was now a mix of shock and fury. He had never expected Zhiyong to lose. As the chief disciple of Li Hentian, Zhiyong represented the sect's honor and his own prestige. This incident was a complete disgrace for Li Hentian.

Not only would Zhiyong be nailed to the pillar of shame in history, but he, as his master, would naturally follow suit.

For Li Hentian, he would be a perpetual sinner.

The thought of Li Hentian disciples centuries later pointing and whispering about his name every time this incident was mentioned sent a chill down his spine.

Seeing Pei Mianman not respond, his rage intensified. "Demonic woman, what evil object did you use to ambush Zhiyong?"

He had already made up his mind not to acknowledge the outcome of this match.

Moreover, in his eyes, Pei Mianman's true strength was indeed inferior to Zhiyong's; she had clearly cheated and won by sheer luck with that strange bronze zun.

Mistress Huoling exploded in a fit of rage. "Guan Chouhai, what nonsense are you spewing?! When my disciple wins, it's an ambush, but when yours wins, it's taken for granted?"

Her temper was fiery, and provoked like this, she no longer cared about being crude.

As the head of a sect, Guan Chouhai had never been cursed at like this. His face darkened upon hearing her words. "What was that ink-like darkness just now? Don't tell me that's a skill from your Azure Palace."

"What business is it of yours whether we have that skill or not?" Mistress Huoling was actually curious about that move herself, but of course, she wouldn't back down at this moment.

Guan Chouhai coldly retorted, "That skill just now had no semblance of a righteous, upright technique! It was clearly a demonic sect's deceptive trick! If you don't explain yourselves, who knows if someone with ulterior motives has infiltrated our Daoist sects, intending to commit evil deeds!"

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