The surrounding elders were even more astonished, their disbelief palpable throughout the entire ordeal.
Until a calm voice, tinged with subtle sarcasm, cut through the tension.
"Has Immortal Venerable finished searching? Might you kindly lift the restriction?"
Everyone snapped back to reality, Xiao Baishan's face turning ashen. No one had expected Lou Yun Immortal Venerable to treat their sect's genius, Jin Bao'er, in such a manner. Had he known this would be the outcome, he would rather have canceled today's meeting.
If her pride were shattered, Jin Bao'er might be plagued by inner demons, and a prodigy of her caliber could be ruined.
Being questioned like this for the first time ignited Lou Yun Immortal Venerable's wrath. Especially when he looked at Jin Bao'er's calm, indifferent eyes, for reasons unknown, he became even more infuriated.
The next moment, the restriction was lifted, and a spatial ring was tossed over. Jin Bao'er caught it casually… and then crushed it!
This blatant act of defiance immediately caused Lou Yun's face to change drastically! The others were even more horrified.
"Why are you all looking at me like that? Can't I destroy my own things? This space is too small. I really do prefer larger ones."
The young woman's lips curved into a faint, calm smile, as if she were smiling, yet as if her expression hadn't changed at all. No one could fathom her thoughts, yet an inexplicable sense of pity arose.
"It's getting late, I'll go down and rest!"
With that, she turned and left, heedless of the gazes fixed upon her.
Lou Yun Immortal Venerable stared at her retreating back with a grim expression, his fists clenched, but he did not stop her.
Outside, Jin Bao'er quickly returned to Flower Ming Peak and immediately shut her door. In the next second, a murderous aura surged forth! Even the Golden Core within her body trembled slightly.
Blood slowly trickled from the corner of her mouth, her entire face deathly pale.
"Lou Yun... if I don't kill you in this life! I will never ascend!"
At this moment, her inner demon was completely formed! No matter how powerful she became in the future, as long as Lou Yun lived, her inner demon would be like a leech, causing her pain a hundredfold with every advancement!
Within the Immortal Mansion!
Long Li Xing felt that surge of frenzied hatred, and a rare hint of worry appeared in his eyes.
For the next two days, Jin Bao'er did not appear for the matches of other sects, which greatly worried Xiao Baishan! Others, too, wished to catch another glimpse of the beauty, but could only leave disappointed.
Lou Yun Immortal Venerable also ceased to appear. Rumor had it he was searching for a fourth-grade alchemist renowned throughout Purple Cloud City, a young man named Jin Bao Cai.
Meanwhile, Li Qing Jiu finally arrived at Misty Sect during this time. Upon learning of the grand spectacle of the previous day's competition, he wailed with regret, only to be reprimanded by Li Bai Luo before settling down.
It wasn't until the third day, when the three winners from all sects were to compete against the sect that had placed first in the previous grand competition, that Jin Bao'er finally emerged.
"After three days of competition, the four qualifying genius disciples have finally appeared!"
"Misty Sect, Jin Bao'er! Seven Words Sect, Chu Fan! Di Yun Sect, Mo Tian Lin! Hundred Beasts Sect, Qiao Qian Shan!"
Di Yun Sect?
Hearing these three words, Jin Bao'er slightly turned her head to look, and her gaze met Mo Tian Lin's, which was filled with murderous intent.
As the saying goes, enemies meet, and their eyes burn with hatred! Even if Jin Bao'er didn't recognize him, she wouldn't forget Mo Gan Yan, the Nascent Soul stage cultivator who had nearly killed her!
In her previous life, she hadn't had the chance to participate in the competition, so she hadn't really noticed Di Yun Sect among the Seven Sects. However... what did it matter?
"The final round will be decided by drawing lots to determine the opponents! Whatever you draw, that's who you face!"
With that, the Law Elder threw four orbs into the sky. The four individuals followed suit, each catching one.
Coincidentally, Jin Bao'er's first opponent was the disciple from Di Yun Sect. The latter was also staring at her with killing intent, coldly remarking.
"It seems your good luck ends here!"
However, Jin Bao'er merely looked at the Law Elder.
"Excuse me, what is the order?"
Her completely indifferent demeanor once again enraged Mo Tian Lin!
"Jin Bao'er! Do you dare to fight me?"
In an instant, all eyes turned towards them. The cultivation world's clear regulations stated that a competition was a competition; one could not kill or cripple another's cultivation. However, if both parties mutually agreed to a challenge, it was different! It became a personal vendetta, and one could kill another without being blamed.
Discussions erupted, a chaotic din. Jin Bao'er turned her head to look, only to retort.
"Why should I accept?"
Neither agreeing nor refusing, everyone shifted their gaze back to Mo Tian Lin, who looked at her with rage and gritted teeth.
"Have you forgotten, in Qian Bo Lin... you killed my sister!"
Hearing this, she straightened her expression and said solemnly.
"Daoist Mo, it's best you don't speak carelessly! First, I did not kill your sister. I have already explained this to Elder Mo Gan Yan! Second, I have no enmity with you, so there's no reason for me to accept your challenge!"
Seeing her appear as if she had a clear conscience, Mo Tian Lin was furious, nearly making a move.
"You're spouting nonsense! My sister died because of you! Whether you accept this challenge or not, you have to!"
Seeing his unreasonable behavior, Jin Bao'er frowned.
"Is it my fault that she was devoured by a demonic beast because she brought it upon herself? Does it mean, as Elder Mo said, that because my cultivation is low and I didn't save her, I must be buried with her? Then your Di Yun Sect is truly arrogant! Who knows who else would dare to associate with you in the future. What if one day they don't help, and they have to pay with their lives!"
Her words immediately caused a stir among the onlookers. Enraged, Mo Tian Lin roared and lunged forward, intending to kill her, but was stopped by the Law Elder! Sternly, he said.
"Neither party shall make a move before the competition begins!"
There was a subtle hint of protection towards Jin Bao'er, as she was, after all, their disciple.
However, Jin Bao'er smiled.
"However... I accept!"
Completely unexpectedly! She ignored the Law Elder's disapproving gaze and strode directly onto the arena.
"If that's the case, let the two of us have the first match!"
Mo Tian Lin could no longer restrain himself and rushed forward! His killing intent surged wildly.
"Die!"
As soon as he attacked, it was a killing blow. Both at the mid-stage of Golden Core, they quickly engaged, neither giving way!
Spiritual energy fluctuations erupted one after another, igniting sparks on the arena... Neither of their speeds was slow, and their attacks were filled with killing intent. Jin Bao'er blocked every blow, realizing her opponent was not weak, seeming to be a body cultivator with fierce strength!
She then hesitated no longer and drew out her Mu Ming Sword, meeting strength with strength!
Everyone's eyes were glued, afraid to miss a single moment of this intense duel.
The match soon came to an end. Mo Tian Lin swung his fist in a full-power blow, shattering the Mu Ming Sword and sending his heavy fist towards Jin Bao'er's face.
Victory was almost within reach, but in the next second!
"Boom!"
Jin Bao'er's left hand instantly became encased in ice. A powerful attack of pure ice rapidly condensed. She slightly dodged the punch, and her left hand fiercely slammed into his chest!
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.