Chapter 116: Reencounter with Xu Yining

"Jiang Fan won?""And in just one move!""That's ridiculous!"The disciples were astonished.

How could the elders and several peak masters present remain calm?

Gong Caiyi was stunned for a moment. "No, are you sure he has no spirit root? How is his strength so formidable?"

Liu Qingxian couldn't help but feel a little smug. When she was bathing in the Spirit Pool, Jiang Fan's move had pushed even her back. How could a mere Zheng Jiu be Jiang Fan's opponent?

Liu Wenchen looked surprised. "He actually won?" He had assumed Jiang Fan would undoubtedly lose. He let out a slight sigh of relief. "Good, he finally won a match, and against a direct disciple of the Mad Blade Peak at that. Even if he loses later, it won't be disgraceful."

Kong Wushuang's eyes showed a hint of a smile. "I knew this guy wasn't simple. The palm technique he just used seems to have some renown."

Unlike most people who focused on Zheng Jiu, he had been observing Jiang Fan. That's why he noticed the extraordinary nature of his palm strike.

Cao Zhen snorted through his nostrils. "He just happened to win against Zheng Jiu."

Kong Wushuang chuckled. "By chance? I think even if you faced that palm strike just now, your outcome wouldn't be much better."

Cao Zhen laughed angrily. "Him? Still wants to defeat me in one move?"

The elders were also restless. The Mad Blade Peak Master was dumbfounded and couldn't help but look at Li Qingfeng, questioning, "Elder Li! Didn't you say he was a disciple with no spirit root? How is he stronger than Zheng Jiu, whom I personally brought back? If I had known this, I should have taken him as my disciple back then."

Li Qingfeng was immediately in an awkward position. But he quickly found an excuse, saying, "It was just a coincidence, nothing more. Zheng Jiu was too careless. If they fought again, Jiang Fan wouldn't have a chance to win."

The first round of sparring ended without much excitement.

Liu Wenchen soon had the ten victorious disciples draw lots for the second round.

"Jiang Fan of Sovereign Peak versus Tao Zhengjun of Sovereign Peak." As soon as the draw results appeared, everyone started whispering again. Most felt regret. They clearly thought Jiang Fan was too unlucky to encounter a senior disciple from his own peak.

Liu Wenchen also sighed helplessly. "His luck is really bad, isn't it? However, the remaining people are all strong. No matter who Jiang Fan draws, he's going to lose anyway." Thinking this, he became indifferent and continued to announce the order of the next sparring matches.

When the arrangements were complete, Jiang Fan and Tao Zhengjun successively came to the plaza.

Cao Zhen gloated, "Kong Wushuang, you don't still think Jiang Fan can win, do you?"

Kong Wushuang chuckled. "Why not?"

Cao Zhen felt puzzled. That was Tao Zhengjun, a formidable dual cultivator whom even he wasn't sure he could defeat. How could Jiang Fan win?

Gong Caiyi also had the same curiosity. "Miss Liu, are you still convinced Jiang Fan can win?"

Liu Qingxian calmly filed her nails with a small dagger, stating indifferently, "No suspense."

Really? Gong Caiyi's heart began to pound. Could she have underestimated Jiang Fan's martial arts strength? She had bet heavily on him losing!

Li Qingfeng stroked his beard, saying, "This boy will undoubtedly lose! Just you watch. This old man is never wrong about people."

However, as Liu Wenchen announced the start, Tao Zhengjun bowed and stepped back, saying, "I concede."

What? Liu Wenchen shot up from his seat in surprise. "Tao Zhengjun! What are you doing? Conceding? Conceding to Jiang Fan?" Tao Zhengjun was his hope. He had been counting on Tao Zhengjun to defeat all new disciples with his dual cultivation of body and spirit, thus upholding the dignity of Sovereign Peak. Yet, he conceded? And to Jiang Fan, a disciple he utterly looked down upon?

The other elders also dropped their jaws. Tao Zhengjun, one of the two most promising contenders for the championship, actually conceded!

Cao Zhen was caught off guard and said, astonished, "This is allowed? Does Jiang Fan have some leverage over Tao Zhengjun?"

Li Qingfeng's body swayed slightly. The sudden turn of events made him lose face. He said, "How could Tao Zhengjun be inferior to Jiang Fan? They must have made some private agreement before the match."

Although many disciples found it hard to accept this result, upon careful thought, they also felt that Li Qingfeng's explanation made sense. There was no other easy explanation for Tao Zhengjun's concession.

Gong Caiyi, however, frowned. "What's going on with Jiang Fan?" She had thought she understood Jiang Fan after half a month of interaction. But why did she feel increasingly unable to see through him now?

And so, the second round of sparring ended amidst a wave of murmurs.

Soon, the remaining five people drew lots again.

Liu Wenchen announced: "Cao Zhen of Reincarnation Peak versus Cheng Hao of Startling Cloud Peak! Xu Yining of Heavenly Sword Peak versus Pan Qiaoqiao of Medicine Peak. Jiang Fan... gets a bye."

This match outcome once again sparked a round of discussions. "No way! This Jiang Fan, his opponent conceded in the last round, and now he gets a bye directly!" "He's just gotten this far on luck!" "I'd like to call him the King of Luck at Qingyun Sect!"

Xu Yining, who had painstakingly fought her way into the top five based on her own skill, rolled her eyes at Jiang Fan. "Your luck isn't just good, it's extraordinary!"

Jiang Fan shrugged. "I'd actually prefer a quick fight."

Xu Yining scoffed softly. "You got a good deal, yet you're complaining! Then just watch my match with someone else."

It had been half a month since she entered the sect. Xu Yining had been in secluded cultivation since the moment she became a disciple. This was all to display her prowess today.

And hard work pays off. Under the cultivation of Qingyun Sect's powerful resources, her six-grade spirit root had greatly developed. In just half a month, she had broken through from Foundation Establishment Stage 1 to Foundation Establishment Stage 2. Her movement techniques were also more proficient than before, and coupled with her mastery of the Heavenly Sword Peak's exquisite swordsmanship, her strength was incomparable to when she was in Lone Boat City.

Pan Qiaoqiao, who had made it into the top five, was naturally no ordinary person. But in just ten rounds, she was defeated by Xu Yining's sword. The entire audience couldn't help but cheer!

Gong Caiyi's eyes held a trace of surprise. "She actually knows some movement techniques. And it seems to have some connection with Jiang Fan's."

Liu Wenchen's eyes showed admiration. "Li Qingfeng has indeed taken in a formidable disciple."

Cao Zhen looked at the remarkably beautiful and powerful young woman with some admiration, then enthusiastically stepped forward to congratulate her: "Junior Sister Xu, your strength is outstanding; you are truly the top among the newly inducted female disciples. After the matches, let's spar more if we have time."

Xu Yining was slightly surprised. This Cao Zhen was the Grand Elder's favored disciple, and his spirit root was one grade higher than hers. Moreover, he came from a martial arts family, far beyond what a small family like the Xu family could compare to. For someone like him to actively seek to befriend her, her vanity was greatly satisfied. She politely replied, "Of course, Senior Brother Cao."

Her peripheral vision stealthily glanced at Jiang Fan. It seemed to be telling Jiang Fan, "This is my, Xu Yining's, charm. I attract the top prodigies of this era."

Unfortunately, Jiang Fan didn't even spare her a second glance. This made Xu Yining grit her teeth slightly. "Jiang Fan, don't think you can look down on people just because your cultivation realm is higher than mine! At Qingyun Sect, your spirit root determines your upper limit! You've reached Foundation Establishment Stage 4 by overdrawing your potential; it will be very difficult for you to ascend further in the future. But I will slowly surpass you!"