As for Yan Bing's choice.
Not only Xu Taiping and the others, but even the disciples of the various peaks watching from the Cloud Towers were hardly surprised.
"Picking only the softest persimmons to squeeze. Isn't the First Peak afraid people will laugh at them for winning without honor?"
"What do you know? The Grand Competition happens once every six years. Of course they have to pick the opponent they're most certain of beating. As long as they win in the end, who cares how they do it?"
"Now the Seventh Peak will be stopped in the second round again."
"How could the Seventh Peak possibly be a match for the First Peak? There's nothing worth watching in this match."
"The Seventh Peak really is unlucky. If they hadn't targeted the First Peak so much normally, they might even have managed second place."
Apart from a handful who felt the First Peak's victory would be somewhat dishonorable, most were gloating over the Seventh Peak's misfortune.
The disciples of the peaks that had already lost, in particular, felt deeply uncomfortable seeing the Seventh Peak disciples they usually mocked advance to the second round. Naturally, they could hardly wait for the Seventh Peak to lose.
And the more crushing the defeat, the better.
Though they were some distance apart, cultivators had excellent sight and hearing, so these mocking, jeering voices ultimately reached the ears of the Seventh Peak's four disciples.
"These people just can't stand to see anyone else do well, can they?"
Zhao Linglong muttered unhappily.
"Don't get angry with them. There's only one thing you should be thinking about now: how to win this match."
Jiang Zhi gently patted Zhao Linglong's shoulder and spoke to her in a soft, warm voice.
"Yes, Eldest Senior Sister, you're right."
Zhao Linglong took