A crowd had gathered at the door, most of them from the Luocheng Ancient Country, along with plenty of other curious onlookers.

When Nie Shuang, Cheng Yu, and Yann Xiangyang heard this, their hearts jolted.

Bai Shishuang, one of the peerless geniuses of the Luocheng Ancient Country, was ranked tenth among the Registered Disciples. His cultivation had even reached the Sixth Level of the Yin-Yang Realm. He had an illustrious reputation and was a long-standing fixture in the top ten of the rankings.

They had witnessed his overbearing nature when they first arrived at the Celestial Profound Sect. He was once a figure they could only look up to in awe.

But why was he challenging Wen Qingye?

’Could it be because of that incident at Hidden Peak?’

Yann Xiangyang and Cheng Yu exchanged a glance, a shared worry growing between them.

Bai Shishuang looked at Wen Qingye and sneered loudly, "Wen Qingye, over the past few days, you’ve repeatedly challenged people from my Luocheng Ancient Country. You defeated Qii Qiaoyuan, Ren Hong, Wui Ge, and Zhang Shigui. I originally thought you were just a posturing clown, but you’ve been far too brazen lately. Today is the day someone from my Luocheng Ancient Country gets their due!"

As Bai Shishuang listed off the names—Qii Qiaoyuan, Ren Hong, Wui Ge, Zhang Shigui—the eyes of Nie Shuang, Cheng Yu, and Yann Xiangyang, who stood near Wen Qingye, widened, their minds going completely blank.

’Aren’t those the names of the top Registered Disciples from the Luocheng Ancient Country in the Celestial Profound Sect? And from Bai Shishuang’s tone... it sounds like they were all defeated by Wen Qingye?’

’Is that really true?’

’When did Wen Qingye get so strong?’

Wen Qingye smiled faintly. He stood up and looked directly at Bai Shishuang. "Fine, I accept. But a simple match sounds boring. Let’s add some stakes."

"Stakes? What kind of stakes? Your life?" Bai Shishuang’s brow furrowed in a savage grin.

"Six thousand Sect Contribution Points," Wen Qingye said with a light smile.

"Six thousand!?"

The moment Wen Qingye finished speaking, the surrounding crowd gasped.

That was six thousand Sect Contribution Points! Enough to trade for Emperor-Grade Martial Arts! Who could possibly produce six thousand Sect Contribution Points on the spot?

Cheng Yu and Yann Xiangyang exchanged another look, a glimmer of understanding in their eyes.

Nie Shuang frowned, stepped forward, and forced a laugh. "Brother Wen, do you even have six thousand Sect Contribution Points?"

"Since I’m making the wager, it means I have them," Wen Qingye replied with a smile.

"Take the bet, Senior Brother Bai! We believe in you!"

"If you’re short, we can pitch in!"

"Fight him! I refuse to believe Wen Qingye is strong enough to defeat Senior Brother Bai, who’s at the Sixth Level of the Yin-Yang Realm!"

The disciples from the Luocheng Ancient Country were all filled with righteous indignation, voicing their support for Bai Shishuang.

Bai Shishuang smiled, a cold, murderous glint in his eyes. "Fine. I’ll take that bet. And if you lose and can’t produce the Sect Contribution Points, I have no problem taking your life as compensation—though your life isn’t worth six thousand Sect Contribution Points."

"Behind Lingbo Tower is the Yanwu Platform. It’s an open space. While it’s typically a place for women to perform graceful dances, it will do for a duel. This way, please." Bai Shishuang gestured with an outstretched hand.

...

「Lingbo Tower, on the Yanwu Platform.」

Several exquisitely beautiful maidens were dancing, their figures moving with gentle grace. Their sleeves fluttered as they seemed to glide through the air, every smile and glance utterly captivating the onlookers.

Red fans swayed like blossoming trees, green robes fluttered in a graceful dance.

Their exquisite figures and beautiful faces were nothing short of breathtaking.

The surrounding disciples stared, their eyes glazed over and their minds blank. They seemed to have forgotten how to breathe.

"This... Wei Shuang’er’s dancing is truly heavenly."

"I never realized Wei Shuang’er from the Jinfeng Ancient Country was ranked seventh among the Registered Disciples. Her skill is incredible, and her dancing is just as peerless."

"So beautiful, so beautiful!"

Just as the crowd was completely enthralled, reveling in the performance, a clamor suddenly arose in the distance.

On the Yanwu Platform, Wei Shuang’er paused her steps, her beautiful eyes turning toward the front.

Bai Shishuang emerged from the crowd and smiled. "The people of my Luocheng Ancient Country will be borrowing this Yanwu Platform for a bit. You don’t mind, do you, Senior Sister Wei?"

The Yanwu Platform was often used for duels, so how could Wei Shuang’er not understand his implication? However, Bai Shishuang’s sudden appearance sent a shockwave through the crowd.

"It’s Bai Shishuang, the supreme expert ranked tenth!"

"Wei Shuang’er only came to perform because she was invited by Lingbo Tower. I can’t believe Bai Shishuang showed up here too. How strange."

"The top ten experts are usually as elusive as dragons, only showing glimpses of themselves. For one to appear at Lingbo Tower’s Yanwu Platform today... is he going to duel someone?"

"Duel who? Is it another expert from the top ten?"

The crowd broke into fervent discussion, buzzing with excitement.

"If Junior Brother Bai wishes to use it, then of course you may!" Wei Shuang’er smiled sweetly, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. In the next moment, the purple sash on her arm fluttered as she gracefully descended from the Yanwu Platform.

With a single leap, Bai Shishuang flew onto the Yanwu Platform. He looked down with contempt at Wen Qingye below, his aura crashing down like that of a primordial beast.

Wen Qingye walked up to the Yanwu Platform step by step, his gaze calm as he looked at Bai Shishuang.

A Registered Disciple from the Jinfeng Ancient Country, ranked nearly one hundredth, saw Wen Qingye and his expression changed. "That’s Wen Qingye! I was defeated by him!"

’So that’s Wen Qingye?’

Many people turned to study Wen Qingye, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Bai Shishuang’s body trembled. In an instant, a ghastly aura, filled with the wails of ghosts and the howls of demons, spread out from him. Those closest to the Yanwu Platform felt as if they had been plunged into hell. Despair began to well up inside them, and their faces contorted in a struggle.

’What terrifying power!’

Standing a short distance away, Wei Shuang’er’s face immediately paled, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead. "This Wen Qingye is sure to lose!"

An expert who had once lost to Wen Qingye said in astonishment, "How is this possible? Wen Qingye’s strength is no match for Bai Shishuang’s. His cultivation is far too low."

Another expert, ranked in the fifties, watched the two and said, "Bai Shishuang is the tenth-ranked expert. Anyone who makes it into the top ten is an extraordinary existence. It’s highly unlikely that Wen Qingye can win."

’Just how many moves can this Wen Qingye withstand?’

...

Hearing the crowd’s discussions, the disciples from the Luocheng Ancient Country held their heads high, their hearts filled with ecstatic joy.

Tangg Jin shook his head. "This Bai Shishuang is truly impressive. He’s actually entered the realm of Tunnel Swordsmanship. Plus, his cultivation is several levels higher than Wen Qingye’s. I don’t think Wen Qingye is his opponent at all."

Hearing Tangg Jin’s words, Yann Xiangyang’s brow twitched as he retorted, "Wen Qingye has also entered the realm of Tunnel Swordsmanship. The outcome isn’t set in stone."

Cheng Yu also nodded in agreement.

Tangg Jin sneered. "Hmph, we’ll just have to wait and see."

Ren Hong, whose body was still weak, stood in the distance, watching Wen Qingye with trepidation. He was clearly terrified of him, but for some reason, his gut feeling was the opposite of everyone else’s.

’Wen Qingye, oh, Wen Qingye... just how high does your true strength go?’ Ren Hong sighed softly.

"Wen Qingye, among the many minor countries, you might be considered a genius. You’ve also defeated many experts from my Luocheng Ancient Country. This time, I will defeat you in my capacity as a disciple of the Luocheng Ancient Country. I hope your strength doesn’t disappoint me."

With that, Bai Shishuang drew his sword. The Sword Body quivered, flashing with a brilliant light.