After the results of the first investigation were released, the statistics for the second item, “Sect Reputation Contribution Points,” were also being compiled urgently.
Soon, a piece of information was delivered to Tang Xin.
“Invalid?”
The senior sister of Xuanling Sect reprimanded.
“How can you just discard the rules you set yourself?
Have you considered Senior Sister Yirou’s feelings?”
The reputation contribution competition was directly canceled, and the one who agreed to this decision was the sect leader, Yu Lingzi!
What the heck, according to the plan, since I was engaged in “underground and behind-the-scenes” work, my contributions were significant, but they hardly boosted Xuanling Sect’s reputation in the cultivation world.
In contrast, Senior Sister Yirou led a team to support the distressed Saintess in time and participated in the final battle.
These deeds were documented in reports, and her reputation contributions were certainly substantial.
“According to the sect leader,” explained Fang Ling, the inner disciple responsible for delivering the results, cautiously, “the competition hasn’t even started yet.
Since the competition time was cut in half, let’s cut this project as well.”
According to the initial design, Tang Xin and Yirou were supposed to select projects from the “Reputation Task” list, use their strengths to earn points, and ultimately compete against each other.
But now, neither of them completed a single task…
because too many unexpected events occurred in between.
“Unexpected events are one thing, but this is unfair to her!”
Senior Sister Tang complained.
“With Senior Sister Yirou’s abilities, completing reputation tasks would be a breeze, right?
And why can’t the completed tasks be counted in the results?
Clearly targeting Senior Sister Yirou, aren’t you?”
“Uh,” Fang Ling kindly reminded, “Senior Sister Tang, did you forget that hosting the Saintess and gaining her favor also contributes to reputation points?
We’ve roughly calculated, and even under the current circumstances, it’s still you…”
“No need to say more, I support the cancellation!”
Why?
Why is it so hard to lose just once?
Those unlovable Xuanling Sect disciples don’t want me to lose, and the sect’s higher-ups are also messing around.
Two competitions, one with a significant lead, and the other with statistics canceled.
Even if Tang Xin loses to Yirou in the final arena competition, the best outcome would be a tie.
But…
“Master said,” Shui Qiu came over to explain, “with Tang Xin’s strength, unless she deliberately loses, Yirou has no chance of defeating her.”
“What if I deliberately lose?”
“The chief competition is not child’s play.
If that’s the attitude, the sect can only announce that someone is taking it lightly and cancel the arena competition results.”
Are you kidding me?
Clearly, they don’t want me to step down from the chief position.
What was the point of this competition in the first place?
Oh, it was to prevent me from getting too arrogant and to give me a wake-up call…
And the result?
Support rate further increased.
Although I haven’t become a famous figure in Qingzhou on the surface, some people with notable status, like the Saintess, know who the real hero behind saving dozens of genius cultivators is.
My cultivation level has also advanced to the Golden Core stage.
What effect did this wake-up call have?
“Bad news is here,” said the Saintess, who had already treated Xuanling Sect as her own backyard, bringing back the latest intelligence from outside, “Yirou has also broken through to the Golden Core stage.”
Whoa, is there such good news?
No wonder having a Transmission Elder as a master speeds up cultivation.
If it weren’t for all these mishaps, she should have become a Golden Core cultivator even earlier than Tang Xin.
In the eyes of Yu Lingzi, Xuanmiao, and others, Tang Xin, who is in the Golden Core stage, losing to Yirou, who is in the Foundation Building stage, seems like a passive competition.
But when the gap between them is closed, a sparring match on the arena is bound to have some surprises, right?
…
The day after Yirou emerged from seclusion.
Most of the Xuanling Sect cultivators gathered at the training ground.
Even Su Ling, who had just recovered from “psychological trauma,” came to the temporary stands with the Seventh Elder.
“Master,” Linghua said to Yu Lingzi, who was just tall enough to reach her chest, “I have to say, you definitely miscalculated this time.
You wanted to use Yirou to pressure Tang Xin, but it seems the latter isn’t affected by it.”
“Not entirely miscalculated,” Yu Lingzi glanced at her, “I was thinking, with the disciples working so efficiently, while some elders are idle and complacent, doesn’t she feel any pressure at all…”
“Ahem,” the Seventh Elder immediately changed the subject, “Xuanmiao, what do you think the odds are for both sides in this match?”
The Grand Elder pointed to the two girls on the distant arena and said, “You can tell at a glance, it has nothing to do with their cultivation level.
She has already lost her qualification as the chief…”
On the arena, Senior Sister Yirou’s appearance seemed unchanged from usual.
Breaking through to the Golden Core stage was a natural progression, with her excellent talent, resource allocation, and her master’s guidance, every step she took was solid.
She is the kind of perfect disciple who can score a hundred in both cultivation and beyond.
But today, Senior Sister Yirou’s face no longer bore the usual familiar smile.
“Tang Xin.”
She didn’t even bother with polite honorifics.
“I heard you’re very strong,” she said expressionlessly, “You’ve already become unbeatable in the chief competition, so I hope you won’t hold back.”
“Have a real all-out battle with me!”
The match had already begun, and Yirou didn’t wait for Tang Xin to respond, attacking first.
“Shadow Step!”
Her body merged with her shadow, moving at an incredible speed to Tang Xin’s side, launching an attack from a tricky angle.
Swish!
The true energy dagger shot from the shadows was silent, easily overlooked even by a cultivator’s spiritual sense.
However, Tang Xin simply took a step back, easily dodging the dagger.
Yirou didn’t relent, pressing on with a dazzling footwork, moving all over the arena, her attacks never ceasing.
Tang Xin was on the defensive, occasionally using her footwork to dodge, not letting a single shadow dagger touch her.
One attacking, one defending, it seemed simple, but their control over their techniques was meticulous, far beyond the level of the Xuanling Sect disciples watching below.
“Amazing…”
Regardless of who they supported, the strength they displayed was more than enough to become a model for any Xuanling Sect inner or outer disciple to learn from and strive towards.
Yirou’s attacks grew increasingly fierce, her integration with the shadows deepening, and her moves were so numerous they dazzled the eyes.
However, Tang Xin continued to dodge passively, as if showcasing her agility and speed.
“Attack!”
Yirou suddenly shouted.
“Attack me!
Why aren’t you striking?”
She emerged from Tang Xin’s shadow, holding a dagger made of solid black qi, her face twisted as she lunged at her opponent, shouting.
“Why…”
“Do you always act so high and mighty?!!!”
