A draw? (Young master, please keep reading)

Chapter 44: A Draw? (Young Master, Please Continue Reading~)

Dust and mist swirled, and City Lord Liu and Qi Daodong both rose to gaze intently.

Their reactions were a beat slower than Gu Yao's. By the time they wanted to rush into the arena to save people, it was already too late. They could only hope that Gu Yao could stop You Su's sword. Everyone, including the two of them, believed that Wu Cheng would be severely injured in this battle, making one wonder if this had strayed from the original purpose of the competition.

As the dust and fog dispersed, the three figures in the arena revealed themselves. Gu Yao, one on each side, was supporting two youths.

Wu Cheng actually didn't need support. Aside from the external injuries around his waist and some torn clothing, his face was even considered clean. It was You Su, on the other hand, who not only needed support but was also propping himself up with his sword pointed at the ground. His face was contorted in a look of pain, and the knees of his trousers were torn to shreds, revealing several blackened wounds beneath.

The crowd was somewhat surprised, wondering why You Su's astonishing sword strike hadn't injured Wu Cheng at all, but instead seemed to have struck You Su himself. However, many saw the underlying mystery, and among them, Qi Daodong's expression was the most complex.

He exchanged a glance with City Lord Liu. City Lord Liu understood immediately, his wrinkles bunching up as he gave Qi Daodong a reassuring smile.

In the arena, Gu Yao quietly channeled gentle Mystic Qi from his palms into the bodies of the two youths while announcing loudly:

"The victor has been decided. Mandarin Sword Sect, You Su wins!"

Some people at the side were incredulous, some were silent, some were resentful, but more were enthusiastically applauding the spectacular, roller-coaster battle, grateful for the shock it had brought them.

Gu Yao then produced two more spirit pills, glowing with medicinal light, and handed them to the two youths. In a voice only they could hear, he said:

"High-grade Spirit Creation Pills. They not only stop bleeding but also help wounds heal quickly. Take them quickly and don't endure the pain."

"Thank you, Immortal Master Gu," Wu Cheng replied politely as always.

You Su reached out and took them. He didn't have the strength for any extra words of thanks, only nodding slightly. Gu Yao didn't mind, looking at You Su with satisfaction.

Just then, City Lord Liu also began to applaud enthusiastically, "Clap, clap, clap!" He smiled and said:

"Excellent! Truly worthy of the youths of our Chuyun City! They have indeed surpassed their predecessors and surpassed their masters! Far exceeding my own youth. At this age, possessing such strength is enough to be called 'heavenly talent' even within the Divine Mountain! The future is promising, the future is promising!"

Inspired by his words, the crowd's cheers grew even louder. Both cultivators and commoners felt a sense of pride and admiration and respect for the two youths in the arena.

"Senior Brother Gu, as the City Lord of Chuyun City, I was truly moved by their battle today. For this reason, I have a humble request! I hope Senior Brother will grant it!" City Lord Liu said with righteous indignation.

Gu Yao felt something was amiss. His expression darkened slightly, not understanding what City Lord Liu was planning at this moment, even going so far as to invoke his identity as the City Lord of Chuyun City.

"City Lord Liu, please speak freely."

Upon hearing this, City Lord Liu clasped his hands behind his back and declared impassionedly, "Our Chuyun City is merely a remote small city over four thousand miles from the Divine Mountain. If placed within the Divine Mountain, perhaps many wouldn't even have heard of it. However, the appearance of Wu Cheng and You Su today has shown me hope for changing Chuyun City's current situation! It has also shown us the bright future of Chuyun City! Because they have proven to us that those who are naturally born around the Divine Mountain, bathed in its glory from childhood, are no nobler than us! Our Chuyun City can also produce heavenly talents that they can't even catch up to!"

His rousing speech stirred the crowd into a frenzy. Yes, why should those people occupy the area around the Divine Mountain for thousands of years? While they were only called country bumpkins by those people? And why should people like them from remote cities who wanted to move to cities closer to the Divine Mountain have to meet so many of their stringent conditions? Their Chuyun City could also have dragons among its people!

"City Lord Liu is right!" Some burly men, unable to contain their surging emotions, shouted in response.

City Lord Liu smiled, gesturing for quiet, and continued, "Wu Cheng and You Su are both youths I watched grow up. They have different teachers and different family backgrounds, but their unwavering hearts for the Dao are the same! Their competition today was spectacular, fought brilliantly! It showcased the spirit, wit, and courage of the youths of Chuyun City! In my opinion, this match has no winner; they are both winners!"

"Therefore, I implore Senior Brother Gu to declare this match a draw! In today's battle, neither of them should be called a loser!"

"Well said!" Qi Daodong was the first to voice his support, followed by the other sect leaders seated there.

Gu Yao's brow furrowed. He finally understood what City Lord Liu was trying to do, inwardly sighing at how this astute junior brother had masterfully escalated the situation and then used moral pressure in a smooth combo.

His purpose in doing this was none other than to protect the honor of Qi Daodong and Wu Cheng, and even the prominent cultivators of Chuyun City as a whole. You Su was clearly at a disadvantage in this city, a blind youth with no status or position. Yet, he had defeated the highly favored Wu Cheng. This was surely unacceptable to them, so they were using the crowd's momentum to force him to change the result to a draw.

You Su naturally heard what City Lord Liu said. He tightly gripped the hilt of his sword, feeling both wronged and indignant.

City Lord Liu's eloquent words couldn't deceive him. This seemingly reasonable, humble request, if granted, would lead to their mutual satisfaction, but it would sacrifice You Su's hard-won victory.

The hypocritical cultivators applauding in his eyes were like a group of greasy merchants, trying to snatch away half of his victory and slap their own labels on it.

As City Lord Liu implied, Chuyun City could only be a remote small city's "enemy." The enemy was never a single person near the Divine Mountain, but the behemoth formed by all those who relied on the Divine Mountain to exclude outsiders. His enemy today was not just Wu Cheng, but all the esteemed figures in Chuyun City that Wu Cheng represented.

Moreover, Gu Yao had stated at the beginning of the competition that victory or defeat was not the sole criterion for determining the qualification for listening to lectures, so one shouldn't be fixated on the outcome. With City Lord Liu's appeal added now, a draw was the best choice for Gu Yao. It would not only fulfill his original intention for the Ascension Assembly but also show that he understood the "greater good" City Lord Liu spoke of, earning him even more respect from the city's populace.

You Su felt powerless and helpless, letting go of his sword grip with a sense of despair. He only hoped it wouldn't affect his chances of getting the listening lecture spot. As for this victory, if they wanted it, let them have it...

"City Lord Liu, your words are mistaken!"

Gu Yao patted You Su's shoulder and spoke out loudly, causing everyone to fall silent. They hadn't expected him to reject this proposal that seemed to satisfy everyone.