They all wanted to sneer.
But.
The disciples of Wushuang Sect had actually won, all the way to the end.
How?
These people hadn't even reached the true peak of Foundation Establishment, yet with one shameless secret art, they pushed through round after round to the finals.
Still, no one could bring themselves to say they had no ability at all. After all, the stronger a secret art, the more difficult its entry and cultivation.
But these disciples?
They had only two months. Not only had they learned such a technique, they wielded it with alarming proficiency. That alone proved their talent in cultivating this secret art was terrifying.
The crowd couldn't figure it out.
Before joining Wushuang Sect, these people had all been cast-offs, the useless ones other sects didn't want. Yet in just two months within Wushuang Sect, they had all undergone a complete rebirth?
Even if Wushuang Sect's recruitment standards differed from other sects, they had so few disciples overall. And within such a small pool, ten geniuses who could all master the Hunyuan Secret Art appeared at once? How likely was that?
If this hadn't happened right before their eyes, no one would have believed it. But the truth was, Wushuang Sect disciples had really won to the very end.
The round-robin wasn't officially over yet, but the top spot was no longer in doubt.
Now.
No one cared about the rest of the Foundation Establishment team matches anymore. What they were looking forward to was—
The Foundation Establishment individual battles.
Surely in individual battles, Wushuang Sect couldn't rely on that shameless formation again, right?
To ensure victory, many disciples of the super sects had deliberately held back from breaking through. Their soul cultivation was already at the Golden Core stage, yet they had stayed at Foundation Establishment for years, just to earn points for their sect.
These disciples had polished their foundations at the very peak, reaching the absolute limit of what could be achieved. This individual competition—
Wushuang Sect couldn't possibly win again.
That was what everyone told themselves. Yet their hearts carried an uneasy flicker.
Really… could Wushuang Sect not win?
They had thought the same during the team battles, certain Wushuang Sect would be slapped in the face. And yet, Wushuang Sect had laughed all the way to victory. Could the upcoming individual battles be a repeat of the group stage?
No. Impossible.
Wushuang Sect was just a minor sect, how could they truly be invincible among peers?
Maybe their entire focus was on the team battles. The individual matches would surely be a disaster.
Yes. It had to be like that.
After the first team match, the remaining rounds were meaningless.
In the end, as expected, Wushuang Sect won three in a row, taking first place. Those Foundation Establishment disciples had already given Wushuang Sect their first major points.
When the team battles ended, everyone was resigned, waiting for this group of disciples to show off and strut around. Yet, to their surprise, the ten disciples simply chose to leave Sky City and return to Wushuang Sect.
The crowd was left confused.
Huh?
Weren't these disciples just like their Sect Master, fond of flaunting themselves and getting under everyone's skin? Why retreat so suddenly? This wasn't logical.
Before they left, someone couldn't resist asking,
"The most exciting matches are just about to begin. You're not staying to watch?"
The moment the words slipped out, he regretted it.
Sure enough, one of the Wushuang Sect disciples smirked and replied, "Just a crushing match. Nothing worth watching."
Everyone: "???"
Crushing? Who's crushing who? Say it clearly!
Yet no one dared press the matter. They feared that if they asked, the answer would only be more infuriating.
"Still, there's no need to hurry back so fast," another said.
It wasn't that they truly wanted them to stay. But if they strutted out now, once Wushuang Sect lost later, they wouldn't be around to see their humiliated faces.
One disciple from Wushuang Sect, however, spoke righteously: "It's just noise. Since we aren't competing, what use is it to linger? Sect Master said, for those who walk the path of cultivation, training must come first. Compared to idling here, returning to cultivate brings far greater gains."
The rest of Wushuang Sect's disciples all nodded in agreement.
The crowd stared in disbelief.
So that was it?
Were Wushuang Sect's disciples actually this diligent? Was that why they could create such miracles in only two months?
By comparison, maybe they themselves had grown too complacent?
No, that couldn't be.
Sky City held immense opportunities. They weren't here just to spectate, but to wait for these fortunes to appear.
This was Wushuang Sect's first time here, they probably didn't understand the deeper mysteries.
No one reminded them.
Let Wushuang Sect miss out on this grand chance.
But the disciples of Wushuang Sect weren't about to explain. No matter how great the opportunities here, could they compare to their Sect Master's personal guidance? Could they compare to the Trial Tower? Could they compare to the transformations they received daily within Wushuang Sect itself?
If luck had ranks, then what other sects might never gain in a lifetime would only be C or B grade. At best, an A-grade treasure after exhausting their fates.
While the disciples of Wushuang Sect lived immersed in S-grade luck, every single day. It wasn't that they wanted to flaunt. It was simply that their strength wouldn't allow them to stay low-key.
And this was after only two months.
Give it a few years…
A few decades, centuries even.
The peak experts of this world would all be gathered in Wushuang Sect.
They believed this firmly.
The ten disciples returned to immerse themselves in cultivation. What followed would be the stage for Gao Jingxuan and the other two. Because of what had already happened, everyone now carried a natural wariness toward Wushuang Sect. They all suspected the sect must still have tricks hidden away.
Before the matches.
The contestants encouraged one another.
"Don't worry! For Wushuang Sect to pull out ten disciples who mastered that defensive formation, that's already their limit. There's no way all three in the individual battles are also geniuses."
"One has three spiritual roots, one has four, and one has five. What a joke!"
"This time, we must crush Wushuang Sect's arrogance. Du Bing, Lin Cheng, Gao Jingxuan? I declare it now—those three won't win a single match!"
"Senior Brother Chen domineering! Senior Brother Chen mighty!"
In the waiting area, disciples of the other fourteen sects had practically formed an alliance, clustering together, deliberately isolating Gao Jingxuan's group in a corner.
The three only grinned, looking completely unbothered.
Du Bing looked at Lin Cheng. "This time, I'll be taking first place."
Lin Cheng raised a brow. "You can wait until the next Conclave for that. This time, second place is already your ceiling."
Gao Jingxuan couldn't help cutting in. "Don't underestimate me, Senior Brothers. I also have some confidence this round."
The three chatted as if no one else existed.
The other disciples were left speechless.
Were these three insane?
They were clearly the weakest contenders, yet they were already dividing up first and second place among themselves. Irritation spread through the crowd. They secretly vowed to put Wushuang Sect's people in their place.
Soon, the individual battles began. Gao Jingxuan and the other two stepped onto their arenas.
"These three wouldn't also have some kind of turtle-shell defense, would they?" Feng Yuan couldn't resist sneering.
"Sect Master Feng, you again? Last time you spat blood, I was so worried. Have you recovered now?" Yun Jin asked with false concern.
Feng Yuan's lips twitched. He snorted coldly. "Thanks for your concern, Sect Master Yun. I'll admit, your Wushuang Sect's turtle-shell secret art was impressive indeed."
He sneered again.
Yun Jin chuckled. "It really is impressive. But unfortunately, in the individual battles it won't be as effective. Don't worry, Sect Master Feng. This time, this Sect Master promises—our disciples will attack first."