“That Lin girl’s got something special—really impressive,” Mo Bin praised.

Lin Xiao beamed at Mo Bin’s repeated compliments. The elder might already have his eye on Lin Dongxue’s talent. “You’re too generous, Elder Mo. She’s just swinging wild,” he said modestly.

Mo Bin shook his head, dismissing the humility. “This isn’t wild swinging. Though Lin Dongxue’s a rank below Sun Long, every move she makes zeroes in on his weak spots with precision.

“Her speed’s remarkable too. Not quite on Tang Yan’s level, but compared to most fighters, her combat experience is rare and valuable.

“Both of your city’s rising stars share a similar fighting style—surely the result of Lord Lin’s hands-on teaching.

“Raising talents like these shows your dedication, Lord Lin!”

Fang Wentian and the others tensed as Mo Bin brought up Tang Yan again. *Could Elder Mo already have Cloud City’s duo locked in?*

Lin Xiao squirmed inwardly. He knew the truth better than anyone.

He’d toiled over Lin Dongxue’s training for over a decade, and she’d only risen slightly above average family disciples—still far from exceptional.

Without Tang Yan, her odds of winning in this second round would’ve been razor-thin.

In just over ten days with Tang Yan, her potential had erupted like a struck goldmine, unearthed by his relentless guidance.

Next to Tang Yan, Lin Xiao’s own efforts felt laughable.

He forced a dry chuckle, too embarrassed to explain, and kept up the humble front.

*Boom!* As Lin Xiao traded pleasantries with Mo Bin, a dull thud rang out, followed by a wave of gasps.

Lin Dongxue had seized an opening, landing a punch that sent Sun Long flying!

“No way!” People rubbed their eyes, struggling to believe the sight.

Those backing Lin Dongxue broke into grins.

“I win,” Lin Dongxue quipped with a smirk. “Good thing I didn’t go for tea.”

Sun Long’s face flushed. Her punch had struck his dantian, sealing his true energy. He’d lost, plain and simple.

A fourth-rank Mysterious Stage master, beaten by a third-rank woman. Recalling his cocky taunts from the start, his cheeks burned.

“Cloud City’s Lin Dongxue wins!” the red-robed elder snapped out of his daze and declared loudly.

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Her victory caught everyone off guard, sparking a flurry of chatter.

“Nice work—seriously impressive,” Tang Yan praised as she stepped down.

“Of course! When this miss steps up, failure’s not an option,” Lin Dongxue bragged, then sobered. “Your next opponent’s one of the Four Young Masters—be careful.”

“I’ve got my eye on someone’s bet. How could I lose?” Tang Yan teased, his tone loaded.

Lin Dongxue’s cheeks pinked at his cheeky jab. She knew exactly what he meant. “Thick-skinned jerk—I can’t stand you!” she huffed.

“You’re not backing out, are you?” Tang Yan feigned shock. “Miss Lin, as the city lord’s daughter, your word carries the mansion’s weight.”

“Hmph! Win the championship, and I’ll keep my promise. But if you lose, don’t forget you owe me a month of sparring,” she shot back, fuming.

“Deal.”

Next up: Wan Fei versus Song Ze, one of the Four Young Masters!

Song Ze, a fourth-rank Mysterious Stage veteran, radiated formidable strength.

Unlike many top fighters, he carried no arrogance. With a gentle gesture, he said, “Miss Wan Fei, please.”

“Match—begin!” the red-robed elder called once they were set.

As Song Ze’s fourth-rank aura flared, his supporters cheered. His honed energy showed a mastery of that rank.

Tang Yan narrowed his eyes, studying Wan Fei with a twinge of curiosity.

No notable backing in Fang City—how had she secured cultivation resources? How had she reached third-rank Mysterious Stage?

Suddenly, he wondered: Was she *really* just third-rank?

The answer came fast.

A fierce aura exploded from Wan Fei.

*Fourth-rank Mysterious Stage!*

Tang Yan’s surprise deepened. *This woman’s no pushover!*

“Watch out!” Wan Fei warned. A savage force surged from her, erupting like a volcano with terrifying power.

“Mysterious Stage technique!”

Sensing her pressure, Song Ze didn’t dare slack. True energy surged, forming a blue mountain shadow before him. “Mountain Collapse Force!”

Opening with a technique clash ignited the crowd’s excitement.

After the first exchange, Wan Fei charged Song Ze.

Her reputation as Fang City’s famed mercenary shone through—her combat experience was vast. Though Song Ze was a veteran name, he held no edge in moves.

A few strikes later, Wan Fei rallied, unleashing another technique.

“Blood Slaughter!” With a sharp cry, a crimson glow coiled around her arm, flowing like a red serpent.

Song Ze’s face hardened at her rapid follow-up.

*This madwoman’s throwing Mysterious Stage techniques back-to-back? How many more before this fight’s over?*

*And how’s she casting them so fast?*

Caught off guard, Song Ze countered with a Yellow Stage technique. The gap in tiers left him reeling.

“Wan Fei’s compressing her technique casting time!” Mo Bin’s eyes glinted with surprise. *A speck like the Eastern Domain birthing talent like this?*

The fight bore out Song Ze’s fears.

A few moves later, Wan Fei struck again with another swift, Mysterious Stage technique.

Song Ze teetered on collapse. *I thought this was a sure win—how’d I run into such a freak? One more hit like that, and if she keeps this up, I’m throwing in the towel!*

After this latest clash, Song Ze—already on the ropes—slipped deeper into peril.

His supporters’ cheers choked off like a strangled rooster.

*There’s a jinx: the more you dread something, the likelier it happens!*

As Song Ze braced to turn the tide, a monstrous aura hit him, shattering his resolve.

“Cloud-Breaking Palm!” Wan Fei’s shout unleashed a torrent of palm shadows, rolling toward Song Ze like storm clouds.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

“Hack!”

Already faltering, Song Ze couldn’t withstand the high-tier technique. Three palms struck home, and he spat blood.

“Young Master Song, my win!” Wan Fei saluted with a confident grin, her mature, decisive queenly aura leaving some men dazed.

“Second match—Fang City’s Wan Fei wins!” the red-robed elder proclaimed.

Wan Fei swept her gaze below, landing on Cloud City’s seats.

Spotting Tang Yan, her smile held for barely two seconds before vanishing without a trace.