CHAPTER 394: CHAPTER 393: IS THE DIRECTORATE DOWN? (2ND UPDATE)

When Yun Ran went on stage, the others exchanged glances and also got up on the stage.

Among the remaining 20 people, aside from Yun Ran and Xin Fu, there were fifteen who came from the Mystical Sect aristocratic families.

The other three individuals of ordinary origin looked at Yun Ran and silently stood on the side of the noble family’s descendants from the Mystical Sect.

This attitude clearly indicated their plan to ally with them to eliminate Yun Ran first before competing for ranks.

Xin Fu hurriedly grabbed his sword and stood behind Yun Ran.

Although compared to the other side, there were only two of them, appearing weak and isolated, their demeanor did not falter at all.

Many in the audience, seeing such a clear division of sides, couldn’t help but start discussing again.

"Although I don’t really like Yun Ran, the current situation seems a bit like bullying."

"That can’t be said, who asked her to show off too much before? They say the nail that sticks out gets hammered down, she brought this on herself."

"Exactly, if she had kept a low profile before, why would she have been so guarded against? There’s a saying, ’Silence brings wealth,’ high-profile behavior never ends well!"

...

Daoist Qingmu and others clearly heard these discussions, especially since most people thought that it was Yun Ran being too high-profile that led to everyone targeting her.

Master Jiechen couldn’t help shaking his head: "Now I understand why Director Xie was so adamant about recruiting young people of ordinary background."

Daoist Xia immediately chimed in: "Exactly, these people, being out of touch with reality all year round, always speak with a sense of entitlement, like pointing at rivers and mountains, with no idea of what modesty means."

"Don’t even mention those dozen or so people confronting Yun Ran, even if we old folks teamed up, we wouldn’t be a match for Yun Ran."

These well-known figures from the Special Administration Bureau didn’t dare to treat Yun Ran as a junior, they fully treated her as an equal, unable to comprehend the confidence of the others.

As the starting bell rang, the opposing sides did not rush into combat but maintained their standoff.

The leader of the Mystical Sect’s noble descendants squinted at Yun Ran, his tone carrying a hint of beguilement: "Lady Yun, you are strong, I acknowledge that.

But, what makes you think that we, who have been learning the countless generations of heritage from our ancestors since childhood, would lose to someone with no family background like you?

You’ve done incredibly well to get this far, but if you were truly wise, you should know, some things are not meant for people of your background to compete for."

They had received news that Director Xie was in trouble, and someone had already proposed pushing forward a new spokesperson at the headquarters.

With their backing gone, there was nothing about her they needed to fear.

Of course, if Yun Ran knew when to stop and admitted defeat now,

they might consider her prowess and offer her a decent future.

Yun Ran slightly furrowed her eyebrows; this was supposed to be a competition stage, why did it feel like a debate now?

"What does your ancestors’ heritage have to do with you? Do you know what cannot be faked in this world? That’s one’s own strength!"

Saying so, Yun Ran pulled out her Peach Wood Sword and elegantly executed a sword flower.

Her gaze sharp, she looked towards her opponents: "Rather than spouting so much nonsense, let me see just how formidable those of you who inherited countless legacies are!"

Xin Fu’s eyes were also filled with a fighting spirit, the words from the opponent just now had stung his heart.

What does it mean that certain things are not meant for people of poor backgrounds to fight for?

He didn’t reach today’s position just by his talent alone, but also through countless sweat and effort.

Being openly defeated in the ring, he had nothing to say.

But being pointed at and deemed unworthy due to his status, he would never rest in peace even in death.

Yun Ran swung her sword, and the person opposite’s expression changed, but he didn’t panic and directly took out a shield to block the attack.

With a "bang", the Sword Qi swung by Yun Ran was easily neutralized by the shield.

Xin Fu had witnessed Yun Ran’s Sword Qi before; even thick steel plates could be easily sliced through.

But this shield in front of him not only easily blocked it but also, didn’t leave any trace.

"The Mystical Sect truly lives up to its reputation, possessing such fine items."

Yun Ran’s eyes were full of envy; even the Qingfeng Temple didn’t have Defensive Magic Artifacts of such caliber.

"Lady Yun, do you know what this shield is?"

"It’s at least a Quasi Magical Treasure Level Magic Artifact, not to be underestimated; with this shield here, our attacks are basically ineffective."

Yun Ran could feel that the shield faintly emitted an ancient aura; it definitely was a Lifebound Magical Artifact of a top-level Dark Master once.

Xin Fu thought for a moment, assumed a horse stance, gathered his strength, and finally unleashed his strongest sword strike.

This strike, when it collided with the shield, didn’t even make as much noise as when Yun Ran first struck.

Xin Fu’s complexion slightly changed; he wouldn’t claim to be a top-notch master, but among the younger generation, he was definitely a standout.

But now, his strongest sword strike seemed not even enough to tickle.

At that moment, he clearly sensed where the gap between him and the descendants of the Mystical Sect lay.

Such a defensive shield, he had never even heard about it before.

The person opposite, seeing both Yun Ran and Xin Fu’s moves but with his shield unshaken, immediately burst out laughing.

"I’ve said it before, some things are determined at birth, what you don’t have at birth, forget about having it later."

People who were previously somewhat apprehensive towards Yun Ran now seeing her struggle, immediately began to jump around, openly ridiculing her.

"Exactly, if I were you, I’d jump down from the stage right now, at least to save some face."

"You’ve been lucky enough to come here and get an insight into the world, don’t be ungrateful, otherwise, even more powerful Magic Artifacts are waiting for you!"

...

The most jubilant shouting was coming from those who had previously attained advancement through coercion and bribery.

Although many were eliminated in the previous round, now the few remaining were particularly annoying to see.

Yun Ran looked past with a faint gaze, the three who had previously won relying on her, immediately lowered their heads.

Only those who had interacted with Yun Ran could understand the oppressive feeling she conveyed.

Since stepping onto the stage, the three of them had been dutifully playing the role of occupying waste, not even opening their mouths.

What did Yun Ran mean by looking at them now? Could it be she was misplacing her anger onto them?

The injustice, it was greater than Dou’e’s!