The surrounding disciples exchanged glances, all thinking the same thing—Feng San had kicked an iron wall this time.
Song Wanníng's background was terrifyingly strong.
In the end, Feng San decided to back down. If he kept pushing, he'd end up making an enemy out of Martial Uncle Feng, and his master might just split him in two when he found out.
Feng San's face turned crimson as he shouted toward the battle platform, "Junior Brother, get down here!
We were just trying to give Junior Sister Song a few pointers. Everyone's misunderstanding... haha."
Even as he tried to save face, his cheeks burned like fire.
In his mind, he could already see his Senior Brother's mocking grin. This time, he'd really shot himself in the foot.
Ouyang Lin's face turned an ugly shade, full of embarrassment. He'd gone up there all full of swagger, only for Feng San to back out now. It was like someone had thrown his pride on the ground and stomped on it.
His face went through a whole rainbow of colors, making him look almost comical.
The others weren't surprised, though. Everyone knew Luo Xingyao was someone who'd actually throw hands. He feared neither Heaven nor Earth.
Clearly, the duel wasn't happening anymore.
Lan Yue let out a quiet sigh of relief. Their little Junior Sister had just ascended, she couldn't afford to get hurt already.
Ouyang Lin prepared to jump down from the stage, but just then, Song Wanníng spoke up for the first time.
"Wait!"
Her clear voice cut through the air, freezing everyone in place.
All eyes turned toward her. Even Luo Xingyao looked her way.
Song Wanníng smiled slightly, her tone calm but sincere. "Thank you all, Senior Brothers and Sisters, for your concern. I'll remember this kindness. But this duel can't end here."
Her smile didn't fade as she looked straight at Ouyang Lin, making his heart skip for no reason.
"You…"
He stared at her in disbelief. Wasn't this where she should gracefully bow out?
The others shook their heads, thinking she was overconfident. This was the Immortal Realm, not the lower world. Apparently, she still didn't understand her place.
"I'm someone who holds grudges," Song Wanníng said bluntly. "First, Mu Zixu came to provoke me, then you all showed up just to vent your anger. I'm not that easy to push around."
With that, she tore away all pretense.
She and Mu Zixu had never gotten along. Even the superficial civility between them was nothing she cared to maintain.
The same went for these disciples. There was no reason for her to play nice.
"So since you've already come, let's finish this with a fight.
Win or lose, I'll bear the consequences myself."
Song Wanníng wasn't someone who swallowed humiliation. After her brief clash with that Tianxian earlier, she had a decent idea of her own strength.
With her mastery over spatial runes, it wouldn't be easy for anyone to seriously injure her.
And right now, Ouyang Lin represented Mu Zixu's face. She wanted to smash that face publicly—to officially declare war.
Battle intent burned around her, and the fire in her eyes made her seem radiant, like her very spirit was glowing.
"Good!"
Luo Xingyao suddenly clapped, his voice ringing with laughter.
"That's the spirit! As expected of someone from Zhetian Peak!"
His eyes sparkled as he looked at her, full of approval. This little Junior Sister's attitude was exactly his type—arrogant and bold, just like him. At first, he'd been interested because of her identity. Now, he genuinely liked her.
Lan Yue frowned slightly but didn't interfere.
Song Wanníng had made herself clear. All Lan Yue could do was silently hope she'd win.
Feng San's face darkened even further. His eyes locked on Song Wanníng, full of fury. He wanted nothing more than to leap onto the platform and smack her himself.
This woman really didn't know when to quit. He'd already backed off, yet she dared to keep pushing? Did she think they were nothing?
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he forced a smile and said through clenched teeth, "Is that so? Junior Sister Song sure takes things seriously…
But since you insist, we can't refuse. Just don't blame us later for using our strength to crush you."
His tone dripped with sarcasm.
Song Wanníng's lips curved upward, the fire in her eyes blazing brighter.
She raised her sword and pointed it at Ouyang Lin. "You better not accuse me of bullying you afterward!"
Her blunt words made Ouyang Lin's face turn dark.
Fine. If she was asking for a beating, he'd oblige.
"In that case, Junior Sister Song, allow me to give you a lesson!"
After all the tension, the duel finally began.
Both of them moved at the same time.
The crowd below might've been confused, but who didn't love a good show?
Even if the result was predictable, the process was half the fun.
"Hah, what a fool. Marching straight to her own beating—how stupid can she be?"
Situ Yue sneered, already picturing Song Wanníng's swollen face.
"People from the lower realms really are hopeless. I don't get why Master still keeps thinking about her."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried just enough for those around to hear.
Her Senior Brothers didn't respond. No matter how much they doted on their Junior Sister, they wouldn't speak ill of their master.
Lan Yue, however, couldn't stomach it.
"Shut your mouth!" she snapped.
Situ Yue froze, eyes welling up instantly as she looked pitifully aggrieved.
That made a few of the Senior Brothers wince with sympathy.
Lan Yue turned away, too annoyed to look at her. Just seeing that fake expression made her blood boil.
Meanwhile, the battle had begun.
Song Wanníng's robes fluttered as a faintly glowing time rune appeared at her fingertips.
"Freeze."
Time stopped.
Dust hung motionless in the air, even the light itself seemed to bend.
Ouyang Lin's spear froze mid-thrust, giving Song Wanníng a precious instant.
Her figure blurred, vanishing and reappearing behind the golden-armored immortal. It wasn't teleportation, but spatial folding—a technique that twisted space itself.
A moment ago, Ouyang Lin had been far from her. Now, only a fist's distance separated them.
Her sword hummed as she thrust straight for his heart.
Clang!
The blade struck his armor, sparking bright light. The force rebounded violently, forcing her back several steps, but pain flared across Ouyang Lin's chest.
How had she managed to hurt him?
He tensed, suddenly taking her much more seriously. With a shout, golden light burst from his body, flooding the platform. His spear swept through the air, slicing through the void itself as he lunged at her.
Song Wanníng swung her sword to meet it.
The clash sent a violent shockwave through the arena, warping the air itself. The power was staggering, enough to make the spectators' hearts pound and their insides tremble.
Song Wanníng's eyes sharpened, her fingers flashing as another rune lit up. It was time to end this.