You're inferior to me in movement techniques, and you're still inferior to me in awakening your martial soul

Tang Ya stared fixedly at Ning An, the confusion in her eyes completely gone, leaving only utter confidence.

Even if the Nine Treasure Arts were the original version, so what?

She had trained in Ghost Shadow Track since childhood, never slacking off through heat or cold. She had some talent for it too—no one could possibly be better at Ghost Shadow Track than her.

Seeing this, Bei Bei's tense expression eased slightly, and a trace of certainty flashed through his eyes.

He knew Tang Ya's dedication better than anyone.

The Tang Sect had declined, and from childhood to adulthood, Tang Ya had devoted nearly all her time to the handful of secret arts they had left.

She had brought Ghost Shadow Track to an incredible level. As long as the gap in soul power was not too great, Tang Ya should have this in the bag.

In his eyes, Tang Ya had a ninety-percent chance of winning this match.

No matter how monstrously talented Ning An was, he was only eleven years old. Neither his soul power nor the time he had spent training Ghost Shadow Track could compare to Tang Ya's years of dedicated practice.

Bei Bei suppressed the lightning soul power around him and watched quietly, his tone calm. "Little friend, since this is a spar, we should stop at the right point."

"If you lose, all you need to do is honestly admit your mistake, and this matter will be wiped clean."

His words already assumed that Ning An would lose.

Hearing this, Ning An merely smiled faintly. Bei Bei, you really don't understand that you should never celebrate before halftime!

Tang Ya took a deep breath, suppressing the tangled emotions churning in her heart. She raised a hand and pointed at a pale purple wildflower blooming alone amid the dense forest a hundred meters away.

"The rules are simple!"

"We set off at the same time. Whoever reaches that Ghost Orchid a hundred meters away and touches it first wins!"

The wildflower stood alone amid rubble and weeds, just over a hundred meters away. The distance was neither too long nor too short, with plenty of obstacles in between—perfect for testing movement technique and speed, absolutely fair.

"Sure."

Ning An gave a slight nod, standing tall where he was with perfect composure, not showing the slightest tension.

It was as though this duel, which would determine the sect's true orthodoxy, was nothing more than child's play to him.

In Tang Ya's eyes, this calmness was merely the arrogance of an ignorant youth. The last trace of hesitation in her heart vanished completely, leaving only her conviction of victory.

"Get ready!"

Tang Ya spread her feet slightly and lowered her body. Soul power began circulating silently around her, and her entire aura instantly became elusive and unpredictable. Her body coiled like a drawn bow as she assumed the perfect opening stance of Ghost Shadow Track.

The foundation built through years of bitter training was fully displayed at this moment. Every movement was flawlessly standard, beyond criticism.

At the side, Huo Yuhao, Ning Tian, and the Third Elder watched intently, their eyes locked firmly on the two of them.

"Begin!"

The instant the words fell, Tang Ya's figure suddenly blurred!

Whoosh!

An afterimage remained where she had stood, while her true body had already swept several meters ahead!

Her movements were strange and nimble, advancing and retreating unpredictably, her steps alternating between real and illusory. It was the Tang Sect's Ghost Shadow Track!

She was incredibly fast, and her movement technique was exquisite. Ordinary eyes could barely catch her path!

Tang Ya secretly felt pleased. This was her fastest speed—the boy would never be able to keep up.

She had this round in the bag!

But the next second, the smugness on her face froze, and her whole body felt as though it had been struck by lightning!

A figure in white had already drifted lightly past her side!

Fast!

Too fast!

Ning An seemed to teleport in an instant, crossing several meters at once and pulling far ahead of her!

Tang Ya's pupils constricted sharply. Stormy waves surged through her heart, and her face was full of disbelief!

How was that possible?!

It was the same Ghost Shadow Track. His movement technique had not a trace of unnecessary flair, yet it was faster, steadier, and more elusive than hers!

The movement technique she had trained so hard in seemed like a clumsy child learning to walk before him!

In her panic, Tang Ya could no longer afford to hold back. Her soul rings lit up in an instant!

Two yellow soul rings rose one after another, brilliant light swirling around her body!

Her Blue Silver Grass martial soul fully possessed her body, winding around nearby obstacles to increase her speed.

Her body flickered repeatedly as she continuously closed the distance between them. The gale howled past her ears as she chased the white-clad figure ahead with all her strength.

Closer and closer!

Only a few meters remained before she could catch up!

Hope reignited in Tang Ya's eyes. She clenched her teeth and burst forward with all her strength!

But just as she was about to catch him, a faint glow suddenly bloomed in Ning An's palm!

Bzz—!

Clear, dazzling glazed golden light flowed from the void. A phantom of a nine-tiered glazed treasure pagoda hovered silently above his palm.

The pagoda's tiers rose one upon another, its patterns sacred and intricate, surrounded by flowing rays of radiant light.

Ning An parted his thin lips.

"Nine Treasures have names. First—Speed!"

Boom!

The pattern on the ninth tier of the glazed pagoda lit up, bestowing an ultimate boost to his speed!

In an instant, Ning An's speed surged once more!

His originally graceful figure abruptly transformed into a streak of white light, riding the wind without leaving a trace.

Tang Ya could not even see that instantaneous burst of speed clearly.

Tang Ya's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief.

She had pushed her movement technique to its limit and had even used her martial soul, yet at this moment, it all seemed laughable and powerless!

In the blink of an eye.

Ning An landed lightly and stopped steadily before the pale purple Ghost Orchid Flower. The moment his fingertip gently touched a petal, the victor had already been decided.

Ning An slowly turned around, standing against the light. His glazed brocade robe remained spotless, his temperament gentle yet carrying an air of dominance.

His gaze fell upon Tang Ya, whose face had gone deathly pale as she stood frozen in place. His voice was calm.

"In a pure contest of movement techniques, you are inferior to me."

"Even if you activate your martial soul, you are still inferior to me."

Those two simple sentences utterly shattered all of Tang Ya's pride and obsession.

Tang Ya stood stiffly in place, her entire body trembling faintly. Her palms were ice-cold, and the soul power throughout her body had nearly stagnated.

She stared blankly at the youth in the distance. The stubbornness and confidence in her eyes gradually collapsed, turning into boundless desolation and confusion.

The glory of the Tang Sect that she had defended since childhood.

Under a contest he had treated like a game, it shattered with a crash.

So... it really had been plagiarism.

So everything she had upheld really had been born from stealing from others?

So the Tang Sect Secret Arts, passed down through generations and cherished with pride, had never been orthodox from the beginning—they were the work of vile plagiarists?

The immense disparity and despair slammed viciously into her heart, leaving her almost unable to breathe. Her eyes reddened, burning with unbearable bitterness.

Bei Bei's expression beside her turned completely grave. Not a trace of contempt remained; his heart was filled with shock and disbelief.

What else was there to say?

The other party's movement technique was clearly far superior. There was no way it could have been stolen and learned!

The Nine Treasure Arts of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were the true orthodox lineage!

The Third Elder looked deeply gratified, his eyes filled with pride. This was the young sect master of their Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

This was the hope of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

Ning Tian's eyes sparkled as he looked at his brother with worship, his little face full of pride.

Big Brother was the best. He would always be the best!

Huo Yuhao's heart trembled, and his resolve to follow Ning An grew even firmer.

Following a young sect master like this, his future finally held endless light.

Tang Ya bit her lip hard, unwilling to accept defeat like this. It felt even worse than killing her, because it was practically asking her to deny everything about her sect.

She refused to believe it. The other party must simply have possessed exceptional talent and cultivated the technique more deeply. It did not mean that their Tang Sect Secret Arts were counterfeit.

That had to be it.

Just as Tang Ya thought this, Ning An's figure flickered, and he appeared before her. Opening his palm, he revealed an exquisite object.

The moment Tang Ya saw it, her mind went blank!

"H-How is this possible?"