Old Man Xu arrived at the arena early, choosing the best seat to watch. He was munching on fruit, eagerly awaiting Feng Ninghe's appearance.
This match was also of great importance to Old Man Xu.
Ning Peilan returned to her seat with her head held high after winning her match. "Just one more win, and I'll secure a spot in the top ten."
Her gaze, however, fell upon another figure in the stands.
Sensing where Ning Peilan's attention was directed, Ning Ting spoke softly, "I didn't expect Feng Ninghe to make it this far. It seems she'll have a place in the top ten as well."
For the past few days, Ning Peilan had not missed any of Feng Ninghe's matches, and had been secretly observing her opponent's fighting style.
One could only say Feng Ninghe was lucky. The cultivators she faced were not very strong, and each time it was her turn to fight, she could send her opponent flying with a single palm strike.
"Brother Ning Ting, who do you think would win if I fought Feng Ninghe?"
Ning Peilan's eyes flickered slightly as she fixed her gaze on Feng Ninghe, who had just stepped off the stage.
Ning Ting felt an inexplicable unease at her words. He instinctively looked up at Ning Peilan. "Feng Ninghe has never revealed her true strength in any of her matches. It's hard to say who would win."
Ning Peilan was displeased. "Brother Ning Ting, Feng Ninghe's smooth progress is because she hasn't faced me. It's just her luck. Apart from Feng Tongtong, she hasn't encountered any opponent with a higher cultivation level."
Sensing the implication in her words, Ning Ting reminded her in a low voice, "Peilan, don't act rashly. Even if it's her luck, it's still a form of strength."
Without strength, she wouldn't have defeated Feng Tongtong.
Let alone participate in the subsequent matches.
"Brother Ning Ting, just wait and see how I defeat Feng Ninghe!"
With those words, Ning Peilan leaped up and quickly walked towards the arena from her seat.
*Dong—*
She channeled her spiritual energy and struck the bell and drum, the muffled sounds echoing repeatedly in everyone's ears.
The crowd hurried to look towards the arena, where they saw a figure in fiery red standing on the stage.
Ning Peilan narrowed her eyes, her gaze falling precisely on Feng Ninghe, who had just taken her seat.
"I am Ning Peilan of the Ning family. One more win, and I will break into the top ten of the Hundred Arena Competition. Feng Ninghe of the Feng family, like me, only needs one more win to enter the top ten."
"Feng Ninghe, why don't we fight and decide who secures a spot in the top ten?"
Her voice echoed across the arena, stirring excitement in everyone's hearts.
According to the rules of the Hundred Arena Competition, one could issue a direct challenge, as long as both parties agreed.
Ning Peilan was a renowned genius. If Feng Ninghe faced her, it would certainly be worth watching.
Even if Feng Ninghe had overturned the title of a cultivation waste, she might not be able to contend with Ning Peilan.
Without Ning Peilan, Feng Ninghe would undoubtedly have comfortably entered the top ten.
In that case, the spirit stones wagered by the cultivators would be lost.
"Miss Feng, you are heroic and valiant, and surely not afraid of a fight. Why not have a match with this Miss Ning?"
"If it's just a regular fight, it's too boring. Miss Feng, why not give us a show to enjoy?"
The spectators on the scene chimed in one after another.
They were eager for trouble and, more importantly, wanted to see Feng Ninghe suffer a crushing defeat.
Feng Ninghe might have defeated Feng Tongtong, but she might not be able to defeat Ning Peilan. If she lost, she would be disqualified from entering the top ten, and they could then recoup their wagers with interest.
Feng Ninghe leaned back in her seat, her cool expression devoid of any strong emotion, making it impossible to fathom her thoughts.
Old Man Xu, having already seen through the spectators' intentions, snorted dismissively. "To put it plainly, they're all waiting for you to lose so they can win spirit stones."
The buzzing arena filled Ning Peilan with confidence.
She casually crossed her arms. "Feng Ninghe, are you a coward, afraid?"
Ning Peilan's deliberate provocation also made the elders of the Feng family feel a sense of crisis.
"Ninghe, you only need one more win to enter the top ten and secure a place in the Immortal Sect. You will face Ning Peilan sooner or later after entering the top ten, so there's no need to confront her now."
The Second Elder reminded her gently.
For the Feng family, the most important thing was for Feng Ninghe to enter the top ten.
If she won the match, it would be a joyous occasion. But if she lost, she would be disqualified from entering the Immortal Sect.
Below the arena, Ning Ting advised her with a solemn expression, "Peilan, don't be reckless. Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will win a hundred battles. But right now, we know nothing about Feng Ninghe, so don't act rashly."
They had seen Feng Ninghe fight, but each time she had sent her opponent flying with a single palm strike, revealing nothing of her techniques.
They needed to at least understand Feng Ninghe's background before making a move.
Ning Peilan paid no heed to his words, her expression arrogant. "Feng Ninghe is nothing but a waste. Even if a pheasant has turned into a phoenix and defeated Feng Tongtong, it doesn't change the fact that a pheasant is still a pheasant. She's no match for me, and I'm not acting rashly."
Several elders took turns trying to reason with Feng Ninghe, urging her to remain calm and not act impulsively.
The figure in fiery red on the stage seemed somewhat impatient.
Ning Peilan lost her patience, her beautiful brows furrowed tightly. Her voice was sharp and sarcastic, "Feng Ninghe, you are the daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, who was wise and never fearful. Yet you are hesitant and timid, truly a disgrace to the Duke of Zhenguo who lies beneath the Yellow Springs!"
To provoke a fight with Feng Ninghe, she disregarded everything else, saying whatever came to her mind.
She was willing to do anything, even if it meant enraging Feng Ninghe.
The Second Elder snorted. "This sharp-tongued junior is so arrogant! Ninghe, we elders are magnanimous and do not stoop to the level of juniors. Do not fall for her trap, absolutely do not engage with her!"
Feng Ninghe smiled and gestured to the elders, then stood up from her seat and stared at the fiery figure on the arena. "Since you are so eager to fight, then let us fight."
Her powerful words rang out with utmost clarity.
Ning Peilan's face bloomed into a smile. Her red attire accentuated her shapely figure, and her fair cheeks were adorned with exquisite makeup. An innate arrogance and wildness emanated from her.
Beneath her red sleeves, she clenched her delicate fists, having already decided in her mind how to deal with Feng Ninghe.
"Ninghe!"
The Second Elder was anxious. "You are the hope of the Feng family right now. You must not be rash. Other noble families have already secured spots in the top ten. We, the Feng family, cannot be outdone."
The First Elder looked at her seriously. "Ninghe, don't feel embarrassed. At worst, I will step in and deal with this junior, ensuring she retreats obediently."
The elders were all extremely worried, fearing that Feng Ninghe would lose her chance at the top ten.
Looking at Feng Ninghe, however, her expression was serene, her eyes sparkling with starlight, carrying a hint of coldness. Her tall, upright posture was like a sturdy pine that could not be swayed by the wind, standing gracefully.
The Fourth Elder stood up anxiously. "Ninghe, I am also willing to step forward and speak with the Ning family elders."