Chapter 064

Chapter 64: First Battle, First Defeat

After Wei Yun Ting thought clearly about the situation, she whispered a few words to Wei Zong Hao, quietly setting the overall tone for the matter.

Two steps away, Wei Yun Qing’s expression shifted repeatedly. Although she couldn’t hear their conversation, she could clearly see the dissatisfaction written on the faces of her fellow Wei siblings.

At that moment, a spirited female cultivator jumped onto the stage, pointed at Wei Yun Qing, and said, “Now that your Wei family is here, stop wasting everyone’s time—you come first!”

The Wei disciples all turned their eyes to Wei Yun Qing, saying nothing, just staring at her quietly.

Wei Yun Qing bit her lip, feeling deeply wronged. She was clearly the highest-level cultivator among all the Wei disciples—what right did they have to ignore her like this?

If Yun Xi had known what she was thinking, she surely would’ve retorted: [You caused this trouble yourself. You issued the challenge. Why didn’t you think of the Wei family’s situation back then? Now that it’s time to fight, do you expect others to take the hit for you?]

In the end, Wei Yun Qing lightly tapped her foot, leaped onto the platform, drew her middle-grade spirit sword, and cupped her fists respectfully, saying, “Senior Sister Mu, please guide me!”

Senior Sister Mu replied casually, “Sure, let’s just call it a friendly spar,” and immediately launched an instant spell. Green vines quickly entangled Wei Yun Qing’s feet. Senior Sister Mu ducked swiftly beneath Wei Yun Qing’s clumsy sword swing and sent out another spell—five fireballs aimed directly at Wei Yun Qing’s face.

Relying on her protective magical artifact, Wei Yun Qing ignored the incoming fireballs. She hastily slashed the vines around her feet, freeing herself, and charged once again toward her opponent.

The five fireballs bounced harmlessly off Wei Yun Qing’s defense artifact, but Senior Sister Mu merely blinked and did not relinquish control. Instead, she directed the fireballs again with her spiritual sense, relentlessly attacking Wei Yun Qing while the vines grew wildly, continuing to trip her.

Standing at the side with her arms crossed, Yun Xi watched the fight unfold with an indescribable expression. Wei Yun Qing had qi refining eighth-layer cultivation, yet she fought without basic proficiency in any attacking spells, relying purely on her defense artifact. Even her swordplay lacked discipline. It was truly a humiliation to the Wei family.

The other Wei disciples also noticed the disparity. Wei Yun Ying mercilessly remarked, “Tsk, tsk, is this really the skill of someone at qi refining eighth-layer? Her cultivation must be fake. She definitely doesn’t represent our Wei family’s real strength.”

Wei Zong Yu, usually silent, opened his mouth for once, “She will lose for sure!”

Though Wei Zong Jin didn’t want to admit it, he knew Zong Yu spoke the truth and only sighed heavily.

Wei Yun Ting and Wei Zong Han’s faces were darker than ink. If Wei Yun Qing continued to act out like this, the Wei family would surely become the enemies of all Outer Sect disciples.

Sure enough, just as Zong Yu predicted, Senior Sister Mu eventually shattered Wei Yun Qing’s defense with continuous fireball attacks and finally kicked her off the stage.

“Tsk, didn’t expect Senior Sister Mu to practice body refining,” Yun Xi muttered while stroking her slightly slimmer chin.

Wei Zong Yu spoke again, rare for him, “Senior Sister Mu actually excels in swordsmanship, which naturally requires body refining. But she didn’t even draw her sword for this fight.”

As soon as those words left his mouth, their implication sank in. Yun Ting’s expression grew even darker. The opponent didn’t even use her strongest weapon yet effortlessly defeated Wei Yun Qing, the Wei disciple with the highest cultivation and best innate talent. Truly, the humiliation was absolute.

When Wei Yun Qing landed beneath the stage, she still looked dazed. She couldn’t believe she’d lost so quickly, and none of her three Wei sisters stepped forward to help her. Embarrassment and resentment rose in her heart.

Wei Yun Ting drew a deep breath to calm herself before speaking sternly, “Wei Yun Qing, you’ve lost this round—do you admit it?”

Sensing Yun Ting’s anger, Wei Yun Qing lowered her head and said softly, “I lost.” She then climbed up herself and stood quietly beside the Wei family group.

Senior Sister Mu raised an eyebrow, observing the scene silently, before gracefully leaping down and sending another disciple with qi refining seventh-layer cultivation onto the stage.

This was a slender, calm-looking male disciple who appeared difficult to deal with. Before stepping up, Wei Zong Hao threw a glare at Wei Yun Qing, who didn’t even notice, staring blankly downward. Annoyed further, Wei Zong Hao took the stage.

“I’m Zhang Yan, please guide me.”

“I’m Wei Zong Hao, Senior Brother, please show mercy,” he responded smilingly, cupping his fists.

Both drew their weapons—Wei Zong Hao his spirit sword, Zhang Yan a long black staff—and attacked simultaneously with remarkable harmony. Wei Zong Hao, with his solid practical experience and stout frame, avoided Zhang Yan’s swift strikes deftly and defended with calm precision.

Watching this lively exchange, the surrounding disciples were thrilled. This was a true contest, unlike the first embarrassing round.

Wei Yun Qing lifted her head now, watching Wei Zong Hao’s skillful swordplay, realizing clearly the gap between them. Even with her higher cultivation, she would likely lose if she faced Zong Hao. Her pride took another heavy blow, embarrassment flooding her.

Zong Hao, strengthened by recent battle experience, became quicker and steadier, finally overwhelming Zhang Yan and forcing him off the stage, winning honorably.

Not arrogant in victory, Wei Zong Hao cupped his fists respectfully, “Senior Brother Zhang, thank you for your guidance.”

Zhang Yan graciously returned the gesture, “Well fought.” He admitted defeat willingly; he knew he’d lost fairly. Wei Zong Hao never inflicted serious injury, maintaining perfect decorum.

As Wei Zong Hao stepped down, quiet praises from his Wei siblings welcomed him warmly, a stark contrast to their earlier disdain toward Wei Yun Qing. This shift clarified the situation for the observing disciples—including Senior Sister Mu. The Wei family was here to defend their family’s reputation, not merely to support Wei Yun Qing.

The third challenger was a young girl with qi refining sixth-layer cultivation, about Yun Xi’s age, wearing a cool, aloof expression—a clear young lady of the ice-queen type.

Yun Xi rubbed her chin thoughtfully, stepped forward, and volunteered, “Yun Ting, let me take this one.”

“You?” Yun Ting hesitated slightly.

“Yes. She’s younger. If you fought her yourself, winning would seem dishonorable. Our Wei family doesn’t do such things,” Yun Xi said pointedly, deliberately glancing at Wei Yun Qing to underscore her meaning.

As expected, Wei Yun Qing clenched her fists again but remained wisely silent this time.

Wei Yun Ting sighed, recognizing the truth in Yun Xi’s words. She nodded and said, “You’ve just broken through recently, so do your best and stay safe.”