Foremost expert below the Supreme Purity Realm? I wonder if you can take my next sword!

On the arena platform.

The refined man in white wore a smile on his face.

But no matter how you looked at him, he seemed like a smiling tiger, his expression full of ill intent—it was just that others couldn't see it.

At this moment.

Wang Quan Yan stood not far away.

One hand resting on the Sovereign Sword at his waist, he calmly watched Qi Hao ahead, making no move to act immediately.

He knew the other party likely had something to say.

Since that was the case.

Let him speak.

Just as well.

Wang Quan Yan also wanted to use this opportunity to sever the last thread of connection with Tian Ling'er once and for all.

For a time, the atmosphere on the arena grew heavy with silence.

Even the many Qingyun Disciples nearby could feel it; they stared blankly at the two men facing off on the platform, sensing an invisible storm brewing within...

Shua!

The aloof maiden lifted her gaze slightly.

She gripped the Heavenly Azure Divine Sword in her hand with some force, an inexplicable worry rising in her heart...

Can he win?

Lu Xueqi gently bit her lip.

She didn't know why such a thought had occurred to her. Perhaps...

Compared to Qi Hao?

She hoped Wang Quan Yan would emerge victorious!

Then, Did that count as her liking Wang Quan Yan?

Or.

Did she have feelings for Wang Quan Yan?

Lu Xueqi didn't know.

At this moment, she was staring intently at the young man in blue robes on the arena, a faint sheen of sweat on her fair palms, as if it were she herself standing on that platform to compete...

What was this all about?

A meeting of minds?

Or being there in spirit?

How strange.

On the arena.

The silence grew heavier.

Neither Wang Quan Yan nor Qi Hao spoke.

They simply watched each other—one with a calm expression and placid eyes; the other refined and gentle, his smile serene.

Before long.

Qi Hao spoke first.

"Junior Brother Wang Quan, there's something I'd like to discuss with you..."

At these words.

The surrounding Qingyun Disciples' eyes lit up.

They all knew what Qi Hao was about to say, and also understood this was the calm before the storm.

"Senior Brother Qi Hao, speak freely."

Wang Quan Yan gave a slight nod.

He looked calmly at the man in white before him, his tone even as he replied.

"Regarding Junior Sister Ling'er..."

Qi Hao paused briefly, then continued, "I am truly sorry."

"???"

Wang Quan Yan raised an eyebrow slightly.

He found that he truly couldn't stand Qi Hao's hypocrisy any longer—if you really felt so sorry, then why had you been openly and covertly targeting him all this time?!

If you truly liked her.

Then just say it outright!

If Qi Hao had simply spoken up boldly and said—I like Tian Ling'er, I want to compete with you for her!

Then he, Wang Quan Yan, would have thought the better of him!

But instead.

Qi Hao put on a front with an "I'm very sorry," while behind the scenes he kept stirring up trouble and pulling all sorts of petty tricks—this kind of hypocritical persona made Wang Quan Yan sick to the point of wanting to vomit...

As a Sword Cultivator.

Wang Quan Yan truly detested this sort of thing. Compared to a hypocrite like Qi Hao? He much preferred dealing with a dull person like Zhang Xiaofan, or befriending someone sincere like Zeng Shushu!

Qi Hao?

Ha—

Get as far away as possible!

Actually, Cangsong had a point.

Wang Quan Yan really was somewhat similar to Wan Jianyi.

Whether in life experiences?

Or in certain aspects of his personality!

At this very moment.

Qi Hao was still spouting his hypocritical speech, his face full of sincerity as he said, "Junior Brother Wang Quan, Junior Sister Tian Ling'er and I truly do like each other. I can do anything for her. If she has wronged you in any way, then by all means take it out on me..."

See?

How righteous and aboveboard!

The many Qingyun Disciples around them listened.

And felt that Senior Brother Qi Hao was truly magnanimous—able to do anything for Tian Ling'er?

Heavens!

Then he must really love Tian Ling'er!

"Heh heh—"

Wang Quan Yan laughed.

A sneer curled across his handsome face as he mocked, "Senior Brother Qi Hao, don't you think you're being incredibly hypocritical?"

"What do you mean?"

Qi Hao was momentarily taken aback.

He seemed not to grasp the meaning behind Wang Quan Yan's words.

The young man in blue robes lifted his head slightly, gazing up at Qi Hao before him, and said calmly, "If you truly like Tian Ling'er, then just say it outright. Why bother with all those disgusting little acts..."

"And besides."

"If you really like her."

"Why have I never seen you defend her reputation? Do you know what the people of Qingyun Sect think of her now? Of course..."

"I'm not saying this because I care about Tian Ling'er."

"It's only because she's from Grand Bamboo Peak."

Wang Quan Yan paused briefly, then continued:

"If you truly liked Tian Ling'er, why would you let her reputation end up like this?"

Does Tian Ling'er even have a reputation now?

No!

Even if she does.

It's a complete mess!

Who is the culprit behind all this?

Qi Hao!

There's no refuting that!

No matter what foolish thing Tian Ling'er did—Qi Hao's shadow was always there, in plain sight or behind the scenes!

Anyone could see that!

But everyone had just subconsciously overlooked Qi Hao!

At this moment.

With Wang Quan Yan's pointed revelation.

Everyone suddenly understood.

Their gazes fell on Qi Hao, a hint of unreadable meaning flickering in their eyes. The female disciples of Small Bamboo Peak, in particular, looked at him with pure disgust, having already grasped the full truth in their hearts...

How much fault did Tian Ling'er bear?

Let that matter be set aside for now!

Qi Hao seducing a married woman? That was the greatest transgression of all!

Of course, Tian Ling'er was also at fault.

But she had already received her due punishment.

For now, only Qi Hao remained free and unpunished.

At these words, Qi Hao's expression tightened slightly.

He hadn't expected Wang Quan Yan to be just like Lu Xueqi—to expose everything without a care!

These two...

Their temperaments were truly alike.

Wang Quan Yan continued, "Also, there's something Senior Brother Qi Hao should already know: my engagement with Tian Ling'er has been dissolved. From now on, whoever she fancies has nothing to do with me!"

At this, Qi Hao fell silent once more.

He realized that before Wang Quan Yan, he had no advantage whatsoever!?

If that was the case, Could he only rely on his cultivation to prove himself?

"Sigh."

Qi Hao let out a soft sigh in his heart.

Junior Brother Wang, I didn't want to use my cultivation to suppress you...

But,

why must you be so oblivious?

With that thought, Qi Hao's eyes flickered slightly.

He looked at Wang Quan Yan before him with some restraint, a hint of ferocity gleaming in his gaze.

"Heh--"

Wang Quan Yan let out a light laugh.

He had noticed the shift in Qi Hao's eyes, yet felt no stir in his heart.

To put it plainly, He had never regarded Qi Hao as a threat from start to finish.

All of this, In his eyes, was nothing more than a farce.

"Senior Brother Qi Hao."

Wang Quan Yan slowly drew the Sovereign Sword from his waist, his voice utterly calm, betraying not a single ripple, as if stating a simple fact:

"I hear you are the Foremost expert below the Supreme Purity Realm?"

"I wonder if you can withstand my One Sword?"

PS: Please keep reading!!!