Just then, Zhou Fangyu, a fellow member of the Nether Evil Office, came over.
He leaned sideways, his lips almost brushing Yi Yang's ear as he whispered:
"She's very likely bluffing."
Yi Yang turned to look at him.
Zhou Fangyu lowered his voice and explained:
"I've been in the Nether Spring Office for so long, and the Evil Punishment Office has changed candidate chief inspectors several times, but I've never heard that Xiao Yunhe was in the true astral realm.
"Someone fought her in the Martial Practice Hall last month. They judged her to have reached third inner qi completion, but said she was still a hair's breadth from the true astral realm. Clearly, she hadn't crossed that threshold."
He stared at the woman on the platform and said gravely:
"With this act of hers, she's probably hoping to cow everyone with her nerve and reputation and pick up a command token for free."
Zhou Fangyu clenched his fists, then turned toward Yi Yang, his eyes blazing.
"I'll go see what she's really made of."
Sensing something was off about him, Yi Yang opened his mouth to say something.
But Zhou Fangyu had already stepped out.
His strides were long. He reached the fighting platform from the ranks in just a few steps.
He leaped straight onto it and landed firmly.
"Zhou Fangyu, candidate chief inspector of the Nether Spring Office."
Zhou Fangyu cupped his fist toward Xiao Yunhe and smiled.
"Since you've invited a challenge, Miss Xiao, I'd do better to oblige than stand on ceremony."
Xiao Yunhe looked at him, the corner of her mouth twitching. Whatever had crossed her mind, she wasted no words.
"Come."
Pei Zongyue glanced over from the raised dais. He did not intervene, merely nodding to the person beside him.
The first bout