The Martial Arena, located to the left of the Wanjian Sect's Scripture Pavilion, was often used for disciples to spar and hone their skills.

However, today was the Inner and Outer Sect Martial Trials, a day when only participating disciples were allowed entry.

As per tradition, Yunyang, the Left Protector, presided over the first round of trials.

Standing at the center of a carved platform in his azure robes, Yunyang announced in a clear voice, “The Wanjian Sect’s Third-Generation Disciples’ Martial Trials officially begin. All disciples, proceed with the trials in the order listed on the Water Mirror.”

With a sweep of his horsetail whisk, a shimmering Water Mirror appeared in the arena, displaying the trial matchups.

The disciples seated in the audience held their breath, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the list.

Ji Rong, however, remained seated, calmly stroking the fur of the little fox in her arms, her eyelids barely lifting.

Knowing the entire plot made life rather dull.

According to the eternal laws of storytelling, the opening antagonist never directly confronts the heroine.

And in the entire Third Generation of disciples, who but Gu Baiyi could possibly defeat her original self?

After glancing at the list, Liu Ningxue froze, her face clouded with despair. “I’m first again.”

Everyone knew that being in the first match drew the full attention of the crowd. For those with sufficient skill, it was a chance to shine.

For those without, like Liu Ningxue, a pill cultivator with limited combat ability, it was a significant disadvantage.

Given Ji Rong’s understanding of Sword God, the protagonist would undoubtedly be placed in the first match, effortlessly defeating their opponent to captivate everyone’s attention.

Which didn’t bode well for the pretty pill cultivator.

Sure enough, the Water Mirror displayed the match:

“Inner Sect Liu Ningxue versus Inner Sect Gu Baiyi.”

Liu Ningxue rose with her sword, her heart sinking. “I was hoping to face an Outer Sect disciple, but to go against Junior Sister Gu in the first round... There go my trial points.”

“Don’t worry, Junior Sister,” Wei Zongqiu said, fanning himself lazily as he noted his name listed last. “If you can’t win, just surrender. No shame in that.”

As Liu Ningxue ascended the stage, Gu Baiyi was nowhere to be seen.

The murmurs among the crowd grew louder.

“Where’s her opponent? Could it be that an Inner Sect sword cultivator can’t even face a pill cultivator?”

“Pfft, I know who Gu Baiyi is, the one who harmed fellow disciples, right? The Sect Master didn’t convict her, but anyone with eyes knows there’s something fishy about it.”

“Hah, maybe she’s too scared to show up. Doesn’t seem like someone bold enough to poison anyone.”

Ji Rong turned to glance at the gossiping disciples, her expression brimming with pity for the cannon-fodder NPCs.

“We’re all NPCs here,” she thought. “Don’t court death unnecessarily. Watch your mouths.”

To the outer disciples, the sudden appearance of a cold, beautiful face in the audience was unsettling.

Though stunning, the woman’s icy gaze sent shivers down their spines. They felt a peculiar chill, as if her eyes regarded them as corpses.

[Beep! Prestige +10, Aura +10.]

Ji Rong: “?”

What did she even do?

Amidst the chatter and speculation, a woman slowly entered through the Martial Arena gates.

Raven-haired and clad in black, her lips held a serene smile, yet the cold aura around her was bone-chilling.

It was none other than the protagonist herself, Gu Baiyi.

Ji Rong watched her approach, sensing something unusual about her today.

Perhaps it was because Gu Baiyi wore black instead of her usual violet, or maybe it was her unusually pale complexion, drained of all color.

Gu Baiyi walked slowly, but the arena’s noise gradually faded.

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Her expression was so gentle, so calm, that it unsettled the crowd. It was the kind of gentleness that made one imagine a venomous blade concealed beneath her skin.

Reaching the stage, Gu Baiyi bowed slightly to Yunyang and Liu Ningxue. “Apologies for my tardiness. I ask for forgiveness from my teacher and Senior Sister.”

Yunyang nodded and flicked his whisk, signaling the match to begin.

The two women stepped to the center of the stage, exchanging polite bows.

Liu Ningxue smiled. “Please, Junior Sister, guide me well.”

Gu Baiyi returned the gesture. “I dare not. I ask Senior Sister to show mercy.”

Of course, everyone knew who would need mercy.

In the audience, Mo Yan observed the stage with a faint smile. “There’s a rumor that Gu Baiyi has been tirelessly practicing in Drunken Moon Pavilion. Word is she’s reached mid-to-late Spiritual Communication Realm.”

Hearing this, Wei Zongqiu grinned. “What are you trying to say, Mo Yan? Speak plainly.”

Mo Yan chuckled. “Since you’re so straightforward, I’ll be too. Let’s bet, how many moves will it take for Senior Sister Liu to fall?”

Wei Zongqiu pondered. “Five moves at most.”

Mo Yan smirked slyly. “A hundred spirit jades says three moves.”

Such was the life of the ever-wealthy Wei Zongqiu. A hundred jades were mere pocket change to him.

"A bet it is then," Wei Zongqiu said with a confident smirk. "Even if Junior Sister Liu’s usual habits leave much to be desired, I still believe she can last more than three moves. What do you think, Senior Sister Ji?"

Ji Rong glanced at Wei Zongqiu and replied indifferently, "I bet no more than one move."

It was too fast.

In the blink of an eye, it felt as though a soft breeze had passed.

Before anyone could discern how Gu Baiyi drew her sword, the blade was already pressed against Liu Ningxue's neck.

"The first match, Inner Sect Gu Baiyi wins," Yunyang announced.

The crowd erupted in shock.

"Impossible! Gu Baiyi must have used a teleportation talisman..."

"But aren’t talismans forbidden in the Martial Arena? There's a detection mechanism, isn't there?"

"Then how did she do it so fast? No one could even see her move!"

From Liu Ningxue's perspective, one moment Gu Baiyi's hand rested calmly on her sword hilt, and the next...

She saw the moon's reflection shimmering in a tranquil pond.

Mist swirled gently, and the hibiscus blossoms bloomed vividly.

Amid her admiration for the breathtaking scene, she felt the cool edge of a blade at her neck.

And just like that, she lost.

Knowing she was outclassed, Liu Ningxue admitted graciously, "I concede. Junior Sister Gu is truly remarkable."

Gu Baiyi sheathed her sword with a humble nod. "Senior Sister overpraises me. It’s nothing worth mentioning."

Liu Ningxue’s praise, however, stirred dissent among the crowd.

"This is cheating! We didn’t even see how she won!"

"Exactly! Teacher, please explain this!"

Yunyang, unbothered by the commotion, waved his horsetail whisk and cast a silencing spell, instantly quieting the most vocal complainers.

Standing on the high platform, he looked at Gu Baiyi with an approving smile. "Thank you, Gu Baiyi. It has been decades since this old man last witnessed the Phantom Flowers, Hidden Moon technique from the Huahua Palace. To see it again today, still so graceful and ethereal, is truly a delight."

Gu Baiyi bowed respectfully. "Your praise humbles me, Sir. I’ve only scratched the surface of the technique and fear I disgrace its legacy."

Phantom Flowers, Hidden Moon!

The arena buzzed with astonishment.

Unlike many of Huahua Palace’s secret techniques, this one was widely known in theory. However, mastering it was an entirely different matter.

The reason was simple: the technique required extraordinary mental strength. To perfect it, the practitioner needed absolute focus, merging their spirit seamlessly with the world around them.

For those at the Spiritual Communication Realm, even attempting the technique would drain more than half of their spiritual energy, whether successful or not.

Thus, despite its elegance, very few possessed the temperament and talent to master Phantom Flowers, Hidden Moon to the point of making it invisible and untraceable.

But Gu Baiyi had.

Stroking his beard, Yunyang gazed at the shadowy figure on the stage with admiration. The younger generation truly had its geniuses.

According to the rules of the trials, the first day required one person to defend the stage while others took turns challenging them. Winning as the defender earned ten points, and defeating the defender earned fifteen.

On the second day, the trials were split between the Inner and Outer Sect, with the same stage-defending format.

The third day combined both Inner and Outer Sect disciples, featuring paired battles where two defended the stage and two challenged it. Stage defenders earned an additional thirty points upon victory.

For the Outer Sect disciples, the first day was generally uneventful. But none of them had expected to lose all hope of earning even a single point.

Ji Rong watched as the NPC disciples eagerly took to the stage, only to retreat moments later, dejected and defeated.

Calmly, she pocketed her winnings of two hundred spirit jades.

Everything was going as planned.

Mo Yan, losing money for the first time to someone else, was notably downcast and remained mostly silent.

Wei Zongqiu, observing the shattered morale of the Outer Sect disciples, chuckled. "With Junior Sister Gu reigning as the Grim Reaper today, it seems our junior brothers and sisters can kiss their points goodbye."

The Water Mirror displayed the current rankings. Unsurprisingly, Gu Baiyi sat firmly in first place with an impressive score: 240 points.

As expected of the protagonist.

In just half an hour, she had cut through twenty-four opponents like a scythe through wheat.

While Ji Rong silently admired the protagonist's aura, Yunyang’s voice rang out, catching her off guard:

"The twenty-fifth match: Inner Sect Gu Baiyi versus Inner Sect Ji Rong."