It wasn’t until the dust finally settled that the disciples responsible for medical rescue snapped out of their stupor. Panic-stricken, they rushed onto the stage, carefully scraping up the unconscious, blood-soaked Nangong Yao before hurrying away to treat her.

In the stands, a deathly silence hung in the air, thick and suffocating. It was eventually broken by the sound of countless throats gulping in unison.

The disciples exchanged glances, feeling a chill seep into their bones.

“That… that was too damn brutal.”

“Elder Nangong is completely ruined. How could Old Demon Zhang bring himself to do that to a woman?”

“Junior Brother Lu… is this really the ‘Art of Charming Women’? Isn’t it a bit too extreme?”

Even the renowned author, Lu Renbing, felt a shiver run down his spine. He swallowed hard, trying to maintain his professional facade.

“Perhaps… perhaps Old Demon Zhang simply has a unique palate. Some people have a preference for abuse. Yes, this is likely just another way to express love. It has to be.”

The disciple beside him shuddered. “We only knew he was lecherous before, but now we know he’s both powerful and a pervert. We’ll have to watch our tongues around him from now on.”

“Look at Junior Sister Yinyin… her face has turned pale with fright.”

“Ah, don’t say anymore. Who knows what kind of torment Junior Sister Yinyin suffers behind closed doors? Damn it, when will we be able to help them escape this misery?”

A buzzing chorus of hushed, chaotic discussions filled the air.

The gazes directed at Zhang Xian had completely shifted. Awe, fear, curiosity, and disdain were now interwoven, cementing his identity as a dangerous anomaly.

Lin Yinyin watched Zhang Xian slowly descend from the stage, her eyes filled with undisguised worry.

Li Fuxi’s gaze was equally complex, a swirl of emotions that were difficult to decipher.

Looking at the two beautiful women, Zhang Xian smiled calmly, dusting off his sleeve. “Don’t worry. It’s just a slightly dirty corner of my robe.”

Soon, Inspector Zhiyin repaired part of the damaged protective array around the stage. Standing on the battered platform, she announced the next phase.

“Next is the championship match of this year’s Seventy-Two Peaks Martial Arts Tournament: Li Fuxi versus Wang Yue.”

Since the stage had been wrecked by Zhang Xian and the original referee was incapacitated, Zhiyin had no choice but to step in as the temporary judge.

The championship final held no suspense.

Although both Li Fuxi and Wang Yue were at the sixth stage of the Golden Core, Li Fuxi far surpassed him in both Spirit Root aptitude and the quality of her spiritual treasures.

The battle was completely one-sided. She claimed the championship with elegant ease.

With the formal conclusion of the Seventy-Two Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, the representatives of the Yunmiao Sect for the Southern Region’s Demon Sweeping Assembly were finally decided: Li Fuxi, Wang Yue, and Zhang Xian.

The award ceremony felt somewhat anticlimactic.

The champion’s prize was 200,000 sect contribution points. In Zhang Xian’s view, this was worth less than two thousand top-grade spirit stones—pocket change. As for his third-place prize, it was even less; he didn’t even bother to memorize the amount.

Of course, the formalities still had to be observed.

Elder Wang Ya wore a formulaic smile and delivered a speech under the watchful eyes of the crowd. His words were flowery yet hollow, and before long, the disciples below were fighting off drowsiness.

When it came time to distribute the awards, the atmosphere suddenly fractured.

“Third place, Zhang Xian.”

Upon hearing the name, the previously noisy square instantly fell into an eerie silence. The fear from the earlier brutalization still lingered.

Only Lin Yinyin, disregarding the countless strange looks around her, mustered all her courage. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted with all her might.

“Brother is the best!”

“Second place, Wang Yue!”

Warm, relieved applause and cheers erupted instantly. The disciples enthusiastically cheered for this normal, relatable, and sane genius.

Finally.

“Champion, Li Fuxi!”

The entire Yunmiao Peak square erupted! The roar of the crowd soared to the heavens, shaking the clouds!

“Real Person Fuxi is invincible!”

“When will Inspector Fuxi hold another lecture? We’ve been waiting for years!”

“I really want Inspector Fuxi to sign my novel’s cover!”

Countless disciples stood up in excitement. Wolf whistles pierced the air, and colorful celebratory talismans were detonated, filling the sky with festive sparks.

Her popularity was unparalleled.

As the ceremony concluded and the crowd began to disperse, Elder Wang Ya approached the three winners. His expression remained unchanged, but his eyes were serious.

“Fuxi, Zhang Xian, and Lin Yinyin. Come with me. The Sect Master wishes to see you in the main hall.”

His tone was calm, but he coughed twice and added in a voice barely audible above the wind, “The Sect Master is rarely at the sect. Be careful with your words.”

Zhang Xian’s heart tightened.

The real test had arrived.

In the solemn main hall, the Sect Master sat high upon the central throne, her expression unreadable. Flanking her were the familiar sect elders.

Elder Wang Ya took the first seat on the left.

Beside him, in the second seat, Su Ling sat quietly, her face a mask of calm. Next to her was Zhiyin, a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips.

Seeing Su Ling and Zhiyin, Zhang Xian felt a measure of relief. Both of his powerful backers were present. The board was set.

The Sect Master looked at the three who had entered, her gaze locking directly onto Zhang Xian. She wasted no time on pleasantries.

“Zhang Xian. You possess several Spirit Treasures; your foundation is exceptionally profound.”

“However, Lin Yinyin bears extraordinary bones and is very likely a rare Heavenly Spirit Root. She requires the purest environment to cultivate our Yunmiao Sect’s supreme inheritance, the Nine Turns Jade Condensation Sutra, if she is to have any hope of reaching the pinnacle.”

Her eyes narrowed, turning sharp. “Your entanglement in worldly ties with her is a stumbling block on her path.”

“I hope the two of you will sever your romantic connection from this day forth. Each of you should cultivate your own Great Dao.”

The Sect Master’s icy words fell like a heavy hammer, striking Lin Yinyin’s heart. She subconsciously gripped Zhang Xian’s hand, her knuckles white.

Zhang Xian gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. He cupped his free hand toward the Sect Master and spoke calmly.

“Thank you for your kind intentions, Sect Master. But this disciple and Yinyin are deeply attached. Such private matters need not trouble the Sect Master.”

“Private matters?” The Sect Master’s voice rose slightly. “You are far too selfish! She is the Yunmiao Sect’s hope for the future. Your so-called romantic feelings are nothing but shackles preventing her from achieving the Great Dao!”

She shifted her tone, her voice taking on a transactional edge.

“This seat has heard that you have quite a fondness for female beauty.”

“That is a rumor,” Zhang Xian responded, his face a mask of righteousness.

The Sect Master ignored him. “Within the sect, there is no shortage of female disciples with graceful appearances and wisdom, their Primordial Yin intact. If you require, this seat can select a few with gentle temperaments and excellent looks to bestow upon you as compensation.”

Zhang Xian replied lightly, “That won’t be necessary.”

“What about Nangong Yao then?” The Sect Master pressed, her voice chillingly casual. “She has already been half-crippled by you, living a life worse than death. As long as you nod, I will order her sent to your cave dwelling immediately. You may use her as a cultivation vessel, torture her, or kill her—it is entirely up to you.”

“What does the Sect Master mean by this?” Zhang Xian feigned innocence. “This disciple and Elder Nangong merely engaged in a sect sparring match—a slight misunderstanding. What grudge could there be?”

His repeated refusals finally caused a flicker of impatience to cross the Sect Master’s placid, ancient face. She opened her mouth to speak, but Zhang Xian interrupted her.

“Dare I ask the Sect Master: are the words you speak today an edict issued on behalf of the sect? Or are you simply discussing this with me, Zhang Xian?”

This question laid the core of the conflict bare on the table.

The Sect Master’s gaze froze. “Naturally, it is a discussion.”

“That’s perfect. This matter is not open for discussion.”

Crack!

A sharp snapping sound echoed through the hall as the armrest of the Sect Master’s throne splintered under her grip.

She snorted coldly and turned her gaze to Lin Yinyin.

“Lin Yinyin, you are an intelligent person. Do not let fleeting romantic love cloud your judgment.”

She leaned forward, her voice carrying the crushing weight of ultimate authority.

“If you are willing to sever this ill-fated bond and devote yourself wholeheartedly to the Dao, I will accept you as a direct junior sister-disciple! You will be personally instructed by our sect’s Supreme Elder. With your aptitude, the Nascent Soul realm will be within easy reach!”

“Your future status will far surpass everyone present here, including myself. This is the path to the heavens you deserve!”

A tremendous temptation was thrown onto the table.

The hearts of the surrounding elders shook violently. Their gazes turned complex as they looked at the frail young girl.

The offer was staggering. The Yunmiao Sect’s Supreme Elder—one of the sect’s only two Nascent Souls, and the most mysterious titan in the entire Southern Region.