"Why?"
Shi Lan put away her halberd and dispelled the illusion behind her. She asked in confusion, finding it hard to understand why Shen Tianlan had conceded.
"My cultivation is already higher than yours, and in this contest I also had the advantage of time, place, and people. It was unfair to you from the start. I shamelessly made my move earlier only because I couldn't disobey my master's orders. Now that I've entered the Earth Baleful realm, attacking you again would go against my own heart and hinder my martial cultivation."
Shen Tianlan shook his head slightly and said frankly, "Besides, if my cultivation were equal to yours, and the arena weren't here atop Heavenly Thunder Peak, I'm afraid I wouldn't last ten moves against you. I, Shen Tianlan, admit defeat."
Shen Tianlan's words surprised Shi Lan. It was rare to see someone so honestly admit that they were inferior to another, and it was admirable, especially given Shen Tianlan's status.
At the edge of the arena, Lei Chen fell silent for a moment, then waved to Elder Xin.
Elder Xin nodded. Holding an eight-inch jade bottle in his hands, he walked toward Shi Lan.
"This is the Seven Treasures Spirit-Opening Jade Liquid, the prize for the champion of this martial gathering."
As he offered the jade bottle to Shi Lan, Elder Xin's expression grew somewhat awkward. Shi Lan had descended from the heavens, and it was through his hands that she'd been allowed to take part in this martial gathering. He couldn't help finding it a little strange.
He, too, deserved some credit for the Seven Treasures Spirit-Opening Jade Liquid ending up in Shi Lan's hands.
Gu Rentong clenched his fist and smacked it into his palm, overjoyed. He paced back and forth beside the arena. Throughout the