Profound Heaven Street (8)

As Zhou Wan was taken away for treatment, the matches on the Sword Trial Platform continued unabated. The second match of the Golden Core Division began with an amusing twist: the draw had pitted two Undying Flame disciples against each other.

The twenty-first junior brother, Lu Qingzhuo, faced the twenty-eighth junior sister, Xue Lingya, who had kindly covered his ears for him just moments before.

They took their places on opposite sides of the arena. When their eyes met, each saw the same helpless awkwardness in the other. Lu Qingzhuo rubbed his nose, while Xue Lingya could not help smiling.

Undying Flame still had three disciples in the running, including Qu Lin. By the fourth round, it was hardly surprising for them to face one another.

Far from feeling disappointed, the spectators grew even more eager. Everyone had seen the strength of Undying Flame's disciples, and clashes between powerful fighters always drew particular attention. Zhou Wan and Feng Li's earlier battle had been a spectacular treat.

The instant the referee signaled the start, the two merely nodded in greeting before acting without hesitation. As fellow disciples, they already knew one another's techniques, strength, and even habits when exerting power. There was no need for the usual opening exchanges to size each other up. They held nothing back from the outset.

Meanwhile, on Profound Heaven Street.

Blocked by formations and mountains, the clamor from the Sword Trial Platform reached this place as little more than a faint background hum. Crowds streamed along the street, where colorful spiritual glows mingled with vendors' cries in a bustling scene.

Among the crowd, Qi Muluo held a spirit fruit coated in glittering sugar that had been thrust into his hand, nibbling at it halfheartedly. Beside him walked a youth who looked quite young, with delicate