The Kaiyang Peak Master couldn't understand either: "Sect Master, is this what you meant by 'performance'?"
This single sentence nearly caused the Sect Master to lose his composure and explode.
The fact that Little Yu had conceded defeat had already infuriated the Sect Master to the point where his lungs felt like they were about to burst—especially since Su Luo had managed to make Little Yu concede with just a few words.
Now, the Kaiyang Peak Master was rubbing salt in the wound. The more the Sect Master had bragged about his disciple earlier, the more humiliating it felt now.
The Sect Master could feel his face turning red.
Half of it was from the embarrassment, and the other half was from sheer anger.
It had been a long time since he had been this furious.
Su Luo held such a high position in Little Yu's heart—what was going on with this kid?
He couldn't figure it out. What was so special about Su Luo that Little Yu would listen to him so obediently?
The Sect Master could only seethe internally, while on the surface, he had to maintain his dignity.
"Perhaps Little Yu has her own reasons," he said.
"Is that so? The thoughts of the younger generation are beyond me," the Kaiyang Peak Master replied bluntly.
But blunt truths hurt the most, and the Sect Master no longer felt like speaking.
Nangong Xiyun, who had been watching from the sidelines, almost laughed out loud. To see the Sect Master so frustrated—Su Luo really had a way with people.
If Su Luo knew, he would only say, "I'm innocent! I just said something offhand, and Little Yu took it seriously."
On the competition stage, Su Luo ignored the people around him shouting about foul play and walked off calmly, unaffected.
Little Yu followed him, but she was ignored. Everyone directed their anger at Su Luo, calling him despicable and accusing him of using underhanded tactics.
No one dared to say anything bad about Little Yu.
Even though it seemed like Little Yu was the one at fault, no one had the guts to criticize her.
After all, the Sect Master was watching from above. Would you dare to blame Little Yu?
You'd better check if you even have a brain first.
Seeing everyone around her cursing Su Luo, Little Yu had already drawn her sword, ready to attack, but Su Luo quickly stopped her.
"Su Luo, did I do something wrong?"
"It's fine. Next time, just remember to be a bit more tactful in achieving your goals."
"What does 'tactful' mean?"
"It means you should have exchanged a few moves with me before conceding."
"What's the difference?" Little Yu still didn't understand. The result would have been the same, right?
"There is a difference. Appearances matter. Otherwise, we end up in this situation. But I don't mind. I'm just worried about you."
Su Luo knew that his reputation would only get worse when facing Lin Xuan, so he wasn't concerned.
"Me? I'm fine."
"Good. Just remember to be more tactful next time."
"Okay." Little Yu nodded, though she still preferred being direct.
...
The rookie competition continued, but the newcomers were already looking forward to the second round.
They prayed that they would be matched against Su Luo, so they could vent their anger on behalf of the Sect Master's disciple and crush the despicable Su Luo.
When that happened, everyone would surely cheer, "Well done!"
They would gain fame and advance further in the competition—what could be better?
Soon, the second round began, and the number of newcomers had been halved.
The random matchups started again.
"Second round, first match: Number 45..."
Oh~ Su Luo was up first. Who would be the lucky one to face him?
"Versus Number 91."
Silence.
The entire arena fell silent.
Because Number 91 was Li Siyi, who had completely annihilated her opponent in the previous round with a single move.
How could the gap between rookies be so vast? Everyone had memorized her number, hoping they wouldn't be matched against her.
But now, it was time for another round of "good luck, pop the champagne!"
And this time, they were going all out.
Su Luo's reputation had sunk even lower, and apart from Little Yu, no one supported him.
"Hahaha, Su Luo, you're getting what you deserve! Serves you right for rigging the matches!"
"Try getting Li Siyi to concede this time. You must be scared now, huh?"
"Don't say that. We should thank him. Since he's facing Li Siyi, the rest of us are safe."
The newcomers were overjoyed.
In the special viewing seats, Nangong Xiyun narrowed her eyes and looked at the Sect Master. "Did you have a hand in this?"
"Don't accuse me. I had nothing to do with it," the Sect Master denied on the surface, but in his heart, he was absolutely certain.
Yes, it was me. I arranged this match. I'm the Sect Master—what's wrong with a little behind-the-scenes manipulation?
Li Siyi, from what I've heard, is the strongest among the rookies. Her previous performance was outstanding, and her strength far surpasses the others. Plus, she's Nangong Xiyun's disciple.
Su Luo, let's see how you win this time.
Hmph, making my disciple concede? You won't get off easy. Let Li Siyi teach you a lesson.
The Sect Master couldn't help but smile.
Nangong Xiyun sighed. For someone so old, he could be so childish.
But Sect Master, you might be in for a disappointment. You don't know the relationship between Li Siyi and Su Luo in private, do you?
You think Li Siyi will teach Su Luo a lesson? Not a chance. Li Siyi won't even fight him seriously.
Su Luo, meanwhile, was speechless.
Are you kidding me? I just got past Little Yu, and now this? How am I supposed to win against Li Siyi?
I guess I'll have to bring out the Lin Snake Whip early. I just hope it doesn't get damaged.
Su Luo stepped onto the stage, ignoring the crowd still shouting about foul play.
What a joke. I've done nothing wrong. This has nothing to do with me.
Li Siyi was already on the stage, but she showed no signs of preparing for battle. She casually asked, "How do you want to fight?"
"How about you concede?" Su Luo was already reaching for the Lin Snake Whip.
"Okay, I concede."
Su Luo: ?
Sect Master: ?
Audience: ?
This scene felt eerily familiar.
"Did I hear that wrong? I must be so nervous that I'm hallucinating."
"I think I'm still stuck in the previous round. My eyes must be playing tricks on me. Tell me, is that really the Sect Master's disciple up there?"
"This has to be a joke. There's no way Li Siyi would concede."
When the announcer declared Su Luo the winner, the newcomers completely lost it.
"What the hell? You're telling me this isn't rigged? What kind of hidden big shot is Su Luo?"
"Once is understandable, but twice? Su Luo must have something up his sleeve!"
"I don't care. It's rigged. Su Luo must have some dirt on Li Siyi."
The newcomers were furious. Why? Why would Li Siyi concede to Su Luo?
Is it because he's handsome?
That's ridiculous. In the world of cultivation, strength is what matters!
I don't get it.
The newcomers didn't understand, and neither did Su Luo. Li Siyi, why did you concede?
And even if you were going to concede, couldn't you at least put on a show like Little Yu did?
This way, even if I'm not rigging the matches, it sure looks like I am.
"You conceded so easily," Su Luo didn't know what to say.
Li Siyi just proudly puffed out her chest. "If Little Yu can do it, so can I."
Wait, what are you two competing for? What's there to be proud of?
Even though Su Luo seemed to benefit from this, he wasn't happy about it.
The Sect Master, seeing this, had completely lost his composure. "Aren't you going to discipline your disciple?"
He questioned Nangong Xiyun. He had hoped Li Siyi would teach Su Luo a lesson, but instead, she had handed him an easy victory.
It was like lifting a rock only to drop it on his own feet—both of them.
The Sect Master felt like he had just eaten something vile.
"It's fine. I let my disciples do as they please. Besides, I don't see anything wrong with this."
"Nothing wrong? Am I just old?"
The Sect Master couldn't comprehend it. Don't young people care about rankings? How could Li Siyi concede so easily?
"You are old. Stop messing around," Nangong Xiyun warned.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I'm backing Su Luo. Don't mess with him."
Huh? The Sect Master was utterly confused.
Have I been living under a rock?
It hasn't even been a month, and Nangong Xiyun, the recluse, is already involved with Su Luo?
Has the sun risen from the west?
Since when has Nangong Xiyun shown interest in a man? And now she's protecting him?
Can someone explain what's going on?