Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and the others exchanged helpless smiles upon hearing Han Yue's explanation.
Truly, every force has its counterforce.
Who would have thought that the second-ranked powerhouse of the Inner Academy would fear the first-ranked like a mouse fearing a cat?
"Contestant number twenty-one, please enter the arena."
The Great Elder's voice rang out, severing their thoughts.
Wu Hao cupped his fists toward Xiao Jietian and the others, then shot toward the arena like an arrow loosed from a bow. He landed steadily on the platform, facing his opponent from a distance.
Relying on his wealth of combat experience, Wu Hao probed and pressed, searching for an opening. After dozens of exchanges, he found it—and struck without mercy.
His opponent fell.
Victory.
The matches continued, but no true clash of titans occurred that day.
Han Yue took the stage shortly after. The gap between her cultivation and her opponent's was like the distance between heaven and earth. A single palm strike. Clean. Decisive.
No suspense.
"Lot number three… please enter!!!"
Su Qian's aged voice carried across the plaza.
Instantly, every eye in the arena lit up.
The biggest dark horse. The one who might even challenge for first place.
Xiao Jietian moved to step forward—
"Great Elder! I concede!"
A voice, trembling with barely concealed terror, rang out.
All heads turned toward the source.
It was Xiao Jietian's opponent for this round.
The young man stood rigid, his face pale, but his gaze was steady. He had seen Xiao Jietian fight before. He knew what awaited him if he stepped onto that stage.
Better to concede than to be carried off.
As for "giving it a try"? Hah. People could die out there. What if Xiao Jietian didn't hold back?
"Since the contestant has conceded," Su Qian announced, "I declare Xiao Jietian the victor!"
A wave of disappointment rippled through the audience. They had hoped to catch a glimpse of Xiao Jietian's true strength.
But some things were not meant to be seen.
"Brother Xiao Jietian," Xun'er said softly, taking his hand with a gentle smile, "congratulations on your effortless victory."
"Indeed." Han Yue's gaze carried a subtle, meaningful light. "The Strong Ranking Tournament has never seen such a scene before—an opponent conceding without a single exchange. It seems Junior Xiao's reputation alone is enough to inspire fear."
Her lips curved into a beautiful, enigmatic smile.
Then came Xiao Yan's match.
Against Bai Cheng.
This time, Xiao Yan's strength had grown immensely compared to his original trajectory. His movements were fluid, his strikes precise.
Bai Cheng was defeated—thoroughly, decisively.
As he lay on the ground, staring blankly at the sky above the arena, a single question echoed in his mind:
…Am I really no match for a freshman now?
As evening descended, the first day of the tournament drew to a close.
Some left with smiles.
Others left shaking their heads, sighing.
The next morning, the sun had barely risen before the Inner Academy was already seething with noise.
Today's matches would feature the top twenty-five. The battles would be fiercer. The stakes, higher.
When Xiao Yan led Xun'er and the others to yesterday's high platform, they found Han Yue and Zi Yan already standing there.
Xiao Jietian greeted Han Yue with a slight nod and a smile, then reached out to ruffle Zi Yan's hair.
She glared at him.
He ruffled harder.
Only when her glare intensified did he finally withdraw his hand, thoroughly satisfied.
Xun'er and Han Yue, as always, fell into easy conversation, their laughter light and warm.
The Great Elder and several other elders descended upon the high platform.
The second day of the Strong Ranking Tournament was officially about to begin.
"Only twenty-five contestants remain today," Su Qian announced, his voice carrying across the silent plaza. "Given the odd number, Zi Yan will advance directly. The rest of you will redraw lots to determine your opponents."
He paused, his aged gaze sweeping across the assembled competitors.
"Does anyone object?"
A collective, almost imperceptible sigh of relief rippled through the contestants.
No one objected.
No one dared to object.
Yesterday's display—that devastating strike, that chilling scream, that bloody mess between the legs—was still fresh in their minds.
None of them wished to encounter this brute-force queen. None of them wished to suffer a fate worse than death.
From "he" to "she" was not a transition anyone was willing to make.
"How boring," Zi Yan pouted, her voice carrying a note of genuine displeasure. "Now I don't get to hit anyone."
Xiao Yan and the others broke out in a cold sweat.
This tiny body… how does it contain so much violence?
Xun'er chuckled softly beside her. "You were too fierce yesterday. Of course, they're all afraid of you now."
"I just couldn't stand his attitude." Zi Yan turned away, mumbling under her breath. "I'm actually very gentle…"
Then, quieter still:
"Hmph. If they won't let me fight… next time I'll just take more medicinal herbs from Xiao Jietian. Hmph, hmph!"
The group was thoroughly amused by her adorable display of pettiness.
Soon, Xiao Jietian and the others descended to draw their lots.
Xiao Jietian's opponent was ranked thirteenth on the Strong Ranking.
Han Yue drew a six-star Dou Ling.
Wu Hao, unfortunately, drew the eighth-ranked contestant.
"Xiao Yan Zi." Xiao Jietian's voice was calm, almost casual. "What number did you draw?"
Xiao Yan glanced at the bamboo slip in his hand. "Number seven."
"A good lot." A faint, knowing smile tugged at the corner of Xiao Jietian's lips. "But your opponent this time… is quite interesting."
Xiao Yan frowned. He had already sensed the subtle movements below the stage—the quiet exchanges, the shifting of slips.
Even now, with his current strength, someone had still managed to manipulate the draw.
Interesting indeed.
Before he could ponder further, a hand clapped onto his shoulder from behind.
Xiao Yan's reflexes nearly kicked in. His palm instinctively rose, energy gathering—Eight Extremities Disintegration—
Then he recognized the face.
Lin Yan.
He withdrew his hand.
"Were you about to hit me?" Lin Yan's expression was wounded, accusatory.
"…No." Xiao Yan rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Just an automatic reflex. I stopped, didn't I?"
"You've hurt me." Lin Yan clutched his chest dramatically. "My heart aches. And here I was, so concerned about you…"
Xiao Yan noticed the strange looks creeping onto everyone else's faces.
His heart sank.
Then Xiao Jietian's hand landed on his shoulder—heavy, deliberate.
"Xiao Yan Zi," his elder brother said solemnly, "though your hobby is… somewhat unconventional, do not worry. I will do my utmost to keep it a secret from Father."
He paused.
Then he smiled.
Everyone else took a step back.
"No—that's not—it's not what you think!" Xiao Yan's face contorted in desperation. "It's not like that at all!"
"Love is free," Xiao Jietian said magnanimously. "We understand."
"YOU UNDERSTAND NOTHING!"
Xiao Yan's head throbbed. He turned sharply to Lin Yan, who was still blinking in confusion.
"Aren't you supposed to be preparing for your match?! What are you doing here?!"
"Is your lot number seven?"
Xiao Yan froze. He glanced at Xiao Jietian, then back at Lin Yan.
"Your opponent's lot was switched," Lin Yan said grimly. "Originally, you were supposed to face someone average. Now… it's Yao Sheng."
He thrust his own bamboo slip forward.
"Let's swap. My opponent is only ranked nineteenth—you'd crush him easily."
Xiao Yan understood now.
Yao Sheng had manipulated the draw specifically to face him.
And Lin Yan had come here specifically to protect him.
A warmth kindled in Xiao Yan's chest. Gently, he pushed Lin Yan's hand—and the slip within it—back toward him.
"No need." His voice was steady. Certain. "This is perfect, actually."
He met Lin Yan's gaze.
"I'll use this opportunity to settle everything. Once and for all."
Lin Yan studied him for a long moment. Then, slowly, he nodded.
"…Alright."
"Xun'er, Senior Sister."
A voice—casual, gossiping, utterly devoid of shame—drifted over from beside them.
"Look at them."
Xiao Jietian's tone was light, almost admiring.
"Their eyes are practically threading silk. And they still claim there's nothing between them?"
Xiao Yan and Lin Yan froze.
Their hands, still in the midst of pushing the bamboo slip back and forth, halted mid-motion.
Slowly, they turned to look at each other.
Then, simultaneously, they recoiled—three full steps apart, hands withdrawn as though burned.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Xiao Jietian shook his head slowly, a faint, enigmatic smile curving his lips.
"What perfect chemistry."