On the Azure Sea Peak of the Flowing Cloud Sect, there is an incredibly luxurious martial arts arena. It is built with top-grade spirit stones as the foundation, paved with spirit-grade magic jade, and even inlaid with one heaven-grade magic treasure and two earth-grade magic treasures.

For ordinary internal competitions, such as the inner sect tournaments, they are usually held at Azure Sea Peak.

Naturally, the sparring match between Gu Qingqing and Xiao Lin... was definitely not held there.

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Instead, it was at Green Lotus Peak.

To be honest, even Xiao Lin himself did not expect this.

Because just a day ago, Green Lotus Peak didn't have any martial arts arena, yet within just a day, an arena made primarily of Spirit Marrow Jade appeared on Green Lotus Peak.

"The artisans from the Artisan Hall are truly impressive..."

Standing on one side of the arena, Xiao Lin looked down at the exquisitely crafted arena, which even had intricate patterns, and sincerely praised.

The cultivators from the Artisan Hall arrived yesterday afternoon, claiming to be there on the sect master's orders to build the arena. Xiao Lin didn't interfere, but who would have thought that in just half a day and a night, they could create such a masterpiece?

However, although the venue is luxurious, it somehow feels like this sparring match was arranged in a rather hasty manner...

Xiao Lin turned his head to look around.

The lush green mountains and forests surrounded them, with only Leng Youxue and Gu Ziying standing at the edge of the arena, and Lu Xingqiu, Ning Yunmiao, and Yu Qiaoxi standing a bit further away. There were no other spectators... Of course, Xiao Lin knew there was a sixth spectator hiding somewhere—

[Gu Qingqing, you've lost to me too many times, Gu Qingqing, you've lost to me too many times.]

No need to keep repeating that...

Listening to the voice in his mind, Xiao Lin couldn't help but inwardly complain.

As for why Luo Qingyan was hiding, it was naturally because, on the surface, she was in seclusion... Although everyone knew it was fake, the act still needed to be maintained.

Back to the point, as mentioned earlier, even with Luo Qingyan included, there were only six spectators in total, which was rather meager for a sparring match between the top disciples of a premier sect—if the six major sects were hosting, preparations would have started at least ten days in advance, with guest invitations, publicity, rehearsals, and a grand display to showcase the strength and heritage of a top sect.

Such simplicity and directness as seen in the Flowing Cloud Sect is rare.

However, Gu Qingqing, who had traveled from afar, was not overly concerned with these matters, aside from being surprised by the speed of the Artisan Hall. Firstly, she was only focused on the sparring itself, and having Gu Ziying as an audience was enough. Secondly, she was well aware of the Flowing Cloud Sect's style—over the years, the Flowing Cloud Sect has been known as the "seventh sect of the six major sects" rather than turning the "six major sects" into "seven major sects" because the Flowing Cloud Sect seemingly doesn't prioritize sect development, favoring a more carefree approach.

Not to mention, the inner sect with only seven peaks is only equivalent to the scale of a second-rate sect, incomparable to the dozens of peaks occupied by the six major sects. However, is the Flowing Cloud Sect not expanding due to lack of strength or resources? Not at all. According to Leng Youxue, it's because managing too many peaks is troublesome and visually unappealing, so there's no intention to expand.

...In fact, Leng Youxue once even considered moving two more peaks away, leaving just five peaks... But later, Li Yuhuan and Baili Wanyun, along with a group of elders, pleaded outside Green Lotus Peak daily, and eventually, Leng Youxue, finding their wailing more annoying, retracted the decision.

As for why Li Yuhuan and Baili Wanyun led the plea, it was because the two peaks selected for removal were Moon-Grasping Peak and Artifact Forging Peak.

In short, this is the Flowing Cloud Sect's way of doing things, and the fact that they built a special arena for this sparring match even moved Gu Qingqing a little.

None of this matters; the only thing I need to do now is defeat him!

Gu Qingqing looked at Xiao Lin standing in the distance, gripping her long spear with a serious expression.

She had been preparing in seclusion for days, adjusting to her optimal state.

She must win!

"Tsk, using Spirit Marrow Jade for the entire arena, you shorty, why not share some of your wealth with me?"

At the edge of the arena, Gu Ziying turned to Leng Youxue with a smile.

"Do you deserve it?" Leng Youxue replied bluntly, munching on an apple.

"Why not? Is it because my heart isn't broad enough?"

"..."

Catching a glimpse of Gu Ziying puffing out her chest again, Leng Youxue bit into her apple with more force.

While the two sect leaders discussed magnanimity, not far from them, Lu Xingqiu and the others were focused on the arena.

[Senior Brother, go for it! Avenge me for the Beggar's Chicken!]

[Why hasn't it started yet? Hurry up and finish; my research on that Forbidden Technique is at a critical point...]

[Will this sparring match become an opportunity for Senior Brother and Fellow Daoist Gu to rekindle their past relationship? I heard that in a previous life, Fellow Daoist Gu sought but couldn't obtain Senior Brother, so she sought the Voodoo Tribe for a destined relationship in the next life... I wonder if it's true.]

[Senior Brother looks particularly handsome today. Gu Qingqing, how can you bear to fight such a handsome Senior Brother? If it were me, I'd definitely stand still and let Senior Brother stab me twice! Senior Brother, I miss you, I love you.]

Hmm, let's not talk about those three for now. Third Brother, what do you mean by that? Gu Qingqing had a past life relationship with me? And what's with that Voodoo Tribe, it doesn't sound like a decent thing! Gu Qingqing, you didn't really do that, did you?

Xiao Lin felt a bit panicked.

Why does it feel like Fellow Daoist Xiao's gaze towards me has changed?

Standing on the other side of the arena, Gu Qingqing blinked.

But soon, she set aside these distracting thoughts, raised her long spear, and said, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, please enlighten me."

Xiao Lin also held his Liuhan, smiling, "Fellow Daoist Gu, please enlighten me."

Since there were hardly any spectators, there was naturally no host or anything of the sort, so as soon as their conversation ended, the sparring match officially began.

Gu Qingqing was the first to strike.

With a clear shout, Gu Qingqing moved with her spear, crossing several meters in the blink of an eye to arrive in front of Xiao Lin.

The pale blue spear carried a hint of frost, and without any hesitation, Gu Qingqing swung it down at Xiao Lin, who seemed unresponsive.

It wasn't until the spear was about to reach his head that Xiao Lin finally moved.

He took two steps to the right.

It was indeed just "walking."

Because, in the eyes of both Gu Qingqing and Lu Xingqiu, Xiao Lin's movements were very slow, even slower than walking.

Yet, with this leisurely step, he managed to dodge Gu Qingqing's lightning-fast strike.