This round of the team battle had been carefully planned.
An Tong had dug out several suitable secret arts, but after much consideration, Yun Jin chose the defensive Mystic Art.
The Hunyuan Mystic Art was quite remarkable. The more people using it together, the stronger its power became. In the past, every disciple of Wushuang Sect was required to learn it.
During the final stand against the outer-realm demon clans, all Wushuang Sect disciples unleashed this very Mystic Art. That desperate resistance bought just enough time for Wandao Saint to open a dimensional pocket and save countless lives.
Its strength spoke for itself.
After obtaining the art, Yun Jin had even let the system enhance it.
Now, in the Foundation Establishment realm, this upgraded Hunyuan Mystic Art was far from just a defensive measure. But of course, there was no need to explain that.
Receiving the subtle hint from Lin Xiao, the disciples of Ziyun Sect threw themselves into their assault with even greater force. So what if there was a barrier?
If it could not be broken in one quarter hour, then they would hammer at it for two. If two was not enough, then three. It was only a matter of time.
At first, both Ziyun Sect disciples and Chen Li looked supremely confident.
But then.
A quarter hour passed. Their frenzied strikes left the shield untouched.
Two quarters passed. Still unbroken.
Meanwhile, Ziyun Sect's disciples had already drained half their spiritual power, panting heavily. If this were any other setting, they could have replenished their energy with pills. But the rules of the arena forbade that. Recovery was left to their own bodies, which was painfully slow.
At this rate, would they not be the ones exhausted first?
On the Ziyun Sect side, sweat drenched every forehead.
On the Wushuang Sect side, disciples were yawning.
Then they sat down. One hand casually maintained the barrier, while the other pulled out a deck of cards. This was a game Brother Yue had invented. Quite fun, actually. If they had to sit there idle, they might as well play.
They split into groups.
One voice rang out: "Landlord, I'll take it!"
Another shouted: "I'll take it too!"
Someone threw cards down with a grin. "Four twos, let's see who can top that!"
"Ha! Royal Bomb!"
The arena, intended for a deadly clash, suddenly echoed with laughter and banter.
The spectators: "???"
What in the heavens were they watching?
Why did it actually look kind of entertaining?
Right on cue, Yue Zhao set up a little stall, selling decks of cards. "Brand-new! Learn the secrets within, and perhaps you too can crack Wushuang Sect's defense. Don't miss out!"
The crowd hesitated. Could it be that this barrier was somehow tied to their ridiculous game?
Yue Zhao's business flourished on the spot.
Yun Jin only chuckled. "Sect Master Chen, just look at this mess. Could it be your disciples skipped a few meals? Without enough strength, no wonder their attacks are so weak. How can they hope to break my disciples' shield like that?"
Chen Li's face grew darker and darker.
Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly.
Something was off.
The Hunyuan Mystic Art in their hands seemed stronger than the version he remembered. Had it been improved further after Wandao Saint's time?
Even if so, the stronger a secret art, the harder it usually was to master. Yet those ten Wushuang Sect disciples, none of them prodigies, had all grasped it. And judging by their ease, they were shockingly proficient.
How was that possible?
Could they all coincidentally be prodigies in defensive arts?
The thought made even Lin Xiao waver. Had Yun Jin truly stumbled into this by sheer luck, recruiting ten disciples tailor-made for this art?
While Wushuang Sect played cards in high spirits, Ziyun Sect continued their desperate assault.
Half an hour passed.
Every other match had long since ended, and only then did Ziyun Sect's disciples collapse to the ground, drained of all strength.
They had nothing left.
The barrier faded, and the Wushuang Sect disciples strolled forward, delivering a single finishing strike.
Ziyun Sect could not even lift a hand to resist.
The referee, a bit dazed, finally declared, "Wushuang Sect… wins."
Wushuang Sect… actually won?
The arena fell into stunned silence. The match had been bizarre from start to finish. Ziyun Sect's disciples had stormed forward with flashy techniques and fierce determination. Yet not once had they managed to crack that shield.
And just like that, they lost.
Yun Jin laughed and clasped her hands toward Chen Li. "Sect Master Chen, you were too kind. My disciples were clumsy, dragging this out for half an hour before scraping a win. Quite embarrassing, really. Next time I'll be sure to discipline them properly."
Chen Li's expression turned black as ink. "Sect Master Yun! Do your disciples know only defense? Do you mean for them to turtle forever?"
Such a defeat was far too humiliating.
Yun Jin arched a brow. "It's not that we enjoy being turtles. It's just… your disciples' attacks were far too weak. They had no chance to force us to use other methods. Before they could, the match was already won. Next time, please remind them to eat well first."
Chen Li's face twisted. With a cold flick of his sleeve, he stormed out.
Yun Jin immediately seized the chance to stir trouble. "Pavilion Master Lin, look at that! He dares give you such disrespectful looks. I, Yun Jin, cannot stand anyone treating you like this. Just give me the word, and I'll challenge him to a duel at once!"
Lin Xiao's voice was flat. "Sect Master Yun should be more concerned with tomorrow. Now that everyone has seen your strategy, what happens if both sides refuse to attack?"
The gathered sect masters exchanged thoughtful looks.
True.
Wushuang Sect was clearly relying on their turtle tactics to drain others dry.
But if their opponents simply refused to attack… then there would be no drain at all.
Yun Jin only grinned. "That's fine. The rules say that after five hours without a result, it's automatically a draw. Then let it be a draw."
Her shamelessness left Lin Xiao speechless. He stared at her, at a rare loss for words. How could someone be so utterly without shame?
Without further comment, he announced the next round's matchups.
This time, Wushuang Sect was to face a high-ranked sect.
Yun Jin instinctively turned to seek out that sect's master.
But before she could even find them, they all quietly slipped away.
Yun Jin sighed.
These people had lived for centuries, yet they lacked even the most basic courtesy.
Forget it. She would forgive them once. After all, they were old.
She waved her hand flamboyantly. "That's enough for today. We'll return tomorrow!"
Her disciples crowded around with grins.
"Sect Master, how was our performance?"
"The poker idea came from Senior Brother Fang. Pretty irritating, right?"
Yun Jin beamed with satisfaction. "Excellent work. You exceeded my expectations. Keep it up next time."
They left the arena laughing.
The other sect disciples: "..."
So this was what they called top-down influence?
It wasn't just Yun Jin's style that was bizarre anymore. The entire Wushuang Sect had grown strange.