Feng Ninghe watched her quietly, her expression as calm as ever, showing no joy from winning the match.
Ning Peilan gritted her teeth, holding back tears with all her might, and glared resentfully, "Feng Ninghe, I admit defeat today, but I believe my talent is extraordinary. Given time, I will surely cultivate beyond you."
Defeated by a supposed nobody, she felt a deep sense of grievance.
Yet, she had to acknowledge the fact that her skills were inferior.
*Dong!*
The muffled sound of bells and drums signaled the end.
Ning Peilan's surrender concluded the battle.
Feng Ninghe dropped her long sword.
The sword hit the ground with a crisp sound.
"Ning Peilan, this sword is indeed a good item. It will accompany you on a long journey. Cherish it well. I await the day you surpass me."
With those words, she turned and left.
She was unaware of the psychological shadow this battle cast upon Ning Peilan, nor did she know that this very battle laid the foundation for Ning Peilan's future growth.
"Peilan!"
After the barrier on the arena disappeared, Ning Ting and the elders of the Ning family rushed in with impatience.
"Are you alright?"
Ning Ting quickly helped Ning Peilan up.
Ning Peilan quickly stood, recalled her injured Flood Dragon, wiped away her tears, and shook her head resolutely, "I'm fine."
"Miss, you are injured. Please tend to your wounds quickly."
An elder of the Ning family promptly produced a bottle of excellent medicine and offered it, "This medicine will be beneficial for your injuries."
After accepting the medicine bottle, Ning Peilan instinctively looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of Feng Ninghe's departing figure.
However, she saw no one.
The silent arena instantly erupted in a din of voices.
"I knew why Immortal Xu would take a good-for-nothing as a disciple. It turns out she was hiding her true strength, defeating Ning Peipei, who was hailed as a genius."
"This match was truly spectacular. Even though I lost my spirit stones betting incorrectly, I feel it was worth it!"
"Feng Ninghe is indeed the daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo. She has not disappointed her parents!"
The cultivators chattered amongst themselves, all marveling at Feng Ninghe.
The elders of the Feng family were once again stunned into silence.
The Great Elder stammered, "Has this junior from the Ning family reached the Golden Core stage?"
The Second Elder swallowed and responded numbly, "Ning Peilan's state of mind is unstable. Although her outward appearance suggests the Golden Core stage, she is actually only at the peak of the Opening Light realm."
"Heavenly days! Our Feng family has finally achieved prominence!"
The Third Elder exclaimed with excitement, "With Feng Ninghe, we are finally on par with the other four great families, no longer at the bottom. I daresay Feng Ninghe's talent might even rival Feng Qingcheng's."
The younger generation of the Feng family had never imagined witnessing such a scene.
Feng Ninghe had not only defeated Feng Tongtong but had also vanquished Ning Peilan.
She had become famous overnight.
And she had advanced to the finals.
From the spectator seats.
Si Xin Xin's eyes welled up with tears, her cherry lips pouted, and her eyes sparkled, "The beautiful sister is truly amazing! I knew she would win!"
"Alright, she has entered the top ten. As for her final ranking, it has nothing to do with us. As long as she made it to the top ten, her future will be bright. We should also leave the Li Kingdom."
Si Jian Ye spoke, his cold voice reminding Si Xin Xin that it was time to depart.
The thought of leaving made Si Xin Xin reluctant. She clutched her sleeves tightly, her gaze lingering on that elegant and solitary figure.
She was so reluctant to leave her beautiful sister...
Old Man Xu eagerly pulled Feng Ninghe towards the gambling house, "Quick, let's go! It's time to collect our winnings!"
Old Man Xu couldn't help but admire the girl's business acumen. First, she lured people into placing bets, and then she reaped a substantial profit.
He had shamelessly followed Feng Ninghe back then, but now, looking at her, this young girl was truly remarkable.
Even if she wanted to control the Duke of Zhenguo's power in the future, it probably wouldn't be too difficult.
Upon leaving the gambling house, Old Man Xu had several space bags filled with spirit stones hanging from his waist.
His face was beaming with smiles, "Ning He, next time you have such a sure bet, bring me along. I don't mind contributing more spirit stones."
Not only were Old Man Xu's space bags overflowing with spirit stones, but Feng Ninghe's space jade bracelet was also packed to the brim.
She specifically glanced at her spirit stone-filled space jade bracelet, "My space jade bracelet is full. I need to go to the black market to exchange the spirit stones for spirit crystals."
One hundred spirit stones equaled one spirit crystal.
Spirit crystals contained more potent spiritual energy, incomparable to spirit stones.
Old Man Xu reached out and patted the space bags hanging from his waist, saying with a serious expression, "Having so many space bags on me is quite conspicuous. I also need to go to the black market to exchange for spirit crystals."
The two had won a fortune.
Even the spirit crystals of an entire black market wouldn't be enough for them to exchange.
But with a small exchange, her space jade bracelet would have noticeably more room.
Little Zhao stood on Feng Ninghe's shoulder, its plump body puffed out, revealing its tiny fangs as it chuckled, "Master, it seems we can feast today!"
As Little Zhao was immersed in joy, it seemed to sense something. It blinked its clear blue eyes and pointed forward.
"Master, there's a familiar aura over there, but I can't quite recall who it is."
Feng Ninghe followed the direction Little Zhao pointed.
Not far away, a small figure was curled up, dejectedly waiting in an inconspicuous corner, with two cute little pigtails tied in its hair.
"Ying ying!"
It's Xin Xin!
Little Zhao recognized Si Xin Xin. Its clear blue eyes lit up, and it quickly leaped from Feng Ninghe's shoulder, running towards Si Xin Xin.
Meanwhile.
Si Xin Xin remained oblivious, her vacant eyes cast downwards, staring at the ground, lost in thought.
Sensing something furry eagerly nuzzling her small arm, Si Xin Xin looked up.
"Little Zhao!"
Seeing Little Zhao, who had grown considerably larger, Si Xin Xin hastily scooped it into her arms, her hands eagerly stroking its incredibly soft fur, "Little Zhao, you've gotten fatter since we last met. It's so good to see you, hehe!"
Little Zhao puffed out its round body, patted its belly with its little paws, and its clear blue eyes rolled as it mumbled, "Xin Xin, I haven't gotten fat. My cultivation has improved, and my physique has grown a little bit."
Little Zhao's arrival dispelled Si Xin Xin's sadness, instantly brightening her mood. Her curved eyebrows framed eyes that sparkled like the stars in the sky.
"Why are you here alone, little beast? Where is beautiful sister?"
Her voice was crisp and childish.
It also warmed the heart.
"I'm here."
Feng Ninghe leaned down and crouched in front of Si Xin Xin, gently stroking her head, "Xin Xin, why are you here alone? Did you get lost?"
Seeing her, Si Xin Xin's tender cherry lips pouted unconsciously, large tears rolling down her cheeks. The small figure burrowed into Feng Ninghe's warm embrace.
"Beautiful sister,呜呜呜, I ran away from home. I don't know anyone in Li Kingdom. No one loves me, I'm just a little cabbage in the field!"
Si Xin Xin cried profusely, as if she had lost her beloved toy. The two little pigtails on her hair swayed with her sobs, making her look incredibly cute.
Looking at the small figure crying in her arms, Feng Ninghe's heart melted.
She quickly soothed her and took out a silk handkerchief to wipe the tears from Si Xin Xin's cheeks.