On the Martial Arts Stage halfway up Qingxiao Mountain, Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning faced each other, five zhang apart.
The area below was packed with people, and the crowd was still growing. Some hurried up from the foot of the mountain, others came down from higher up, and disciples even flew over from Ziyang Peak on their swords. They landed panting and rushed forward, afraid they would miss the spectacle.
The question of whether Jiang Zhaoxia or Xu Ning was stronger had long been a hot topic in the sect. Many thought it was Jiang Zhaoxia, since he was older. But Xu Ning's talent was so extraordinary—and she was even more mysterious than Jiang Zhaoxia—that plenty of people thought she was stronger.
Jiang Zhaoxia looked at Xu Ning. "I've been waiting a long time for this battle."
Xu Ning's gaze was calm. "You've only just entered the Nourishing Yuan Realm Eighth Layer. I don't think it would be fair to fight you."
"You're quite the arrogant one." Jiang Zhaoxia smiled.
Standing on the stage with Xu Ning, he found that the resentment and defiance in his heart had eased. In their place was a sense of relief.
Xu Ning replied, "I'm not being arrogant. It's an objective fact. And the unfairness is only in your cultivation level; I'm not absolutely certain I can beat you."
Jiang Zhaoxia found her words quite comforting. After all, he had his own pride.
"Uncle-Master Jiang, you saved my life back then. I've always remembered that debt. But from now on, I think we should avoid taking missions together whenever possible," Xu Ning said seriously.
Jiang Zhaoxia's face twitched, but he didn't argue. He nodded slightly in agreement.
The disciples below heard this and grew curious.
What was going on?
Had the two fallen