Seeing the twelve *Taihao Sheng Lü* flying swords of Bei Wufeng being pressed down by layers of mountains, True Lord Anzhen understood that the battle’s outcome was decided.

At the same time, he constantly compared the differences between Zhang Yu and Bei Wufeng.

“If we talk about overall strength, Bei Wufeng is definitely stronger.”

“But Zhang Yu, by using earth and wood skills to assist flying sword communication, can better play a supportive role and gain an advantage for the entire team.”

“Especially if there is enough time and space to set up large formations and build fortifications, it will be even more beneficial for the entire team.”

True Lord Anzhen thought to himself, “In this year’s Top Ten League, the most crucial ranking is only one: the first place in the league, the position of the Top Ten Strongest.”

Thinking that the first-place winner could choose a *Xianmen*-level cultivation method from the *Daozang* catalog, even this associate dean of the Daoist Arts Department couldn’t help but feel a little excited, a boundless yearning rising in his heart.

“A self-selected *Xianmen*-level cultivation method is enough to change the future of a university and even influence the changes in the Top Ten situation.”

“And among the school team members, the only ones with the strength to compete for first place are Dao Qiankun, Jiu Tianliu, and Yan Qianji.”

Among them, Dao Qiankun, in True Lord Anzhen’s opinion, was the most likely candidate to contend for first place.

“The greatest use of the other members of the school team should be to assist Dao Qiankun and the others in winning first place.”

Thinking of his strategy for guiding the school team, True Lord Anzhen’s gaze towards Zhang Yu couldn’t help but carry a hint of affirmation.

“From this perspective, Zhang Yu can bring more team advantages, preserve strength for Dao Qiankun and the others during the team stage, establish an advantage, and increase Dao Qiankun’s success rate in taking first place…”

Various thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, but it did not affect True Lord Anzhen’s rapid reaction in the real world.

“Both students, you may stop.”

As his voice transmitted through the *Lingjie* to Zhang Yu and Bei Wufeng’s ears, both parties, who had just been fiercely dueling with swords, withdrew their magical power.

With a thunderous roar, the twelve flying swords, freed from their restraint, broke through layers of rock and shot straight into the sky.

True Lord Anzhen continued, “The outcome of this match has been decided. Do either of you have any objections?”

Zhang Yu naturally had no objections.

On the other side, Bei Wufeng opened his mouth but ultimately let out a long sigh, looking at Zhang Yu and saying, “Junior, congratulations.”

Seeing the twelve *Taihao Sheng Lü* flying swords leap before him, Bei Wufeng extended his sword finger and gently brushed the blade, sighing, “Talented people emerge from generation to generation… I never thought I would lose a sword duel to you, junior.”

“It’s good. Twelve plus twelve, a total of twenty-four *Taihao Sheng Lü* flying swords forming a sword array, their power will naturally reach a higher level.”

“I only hope that my twelve *Taihao Sheng Lü* flying swords can assist you in the Top Ten League and help the school achieve better results.”

Zhang Yu politely said, “Senior, why don’t I still pay a rental fee then…”

A sword cry interrupted Zhang Yu’s words, and Bei Wufeng exclaimed, “Junior, what do you take me for?”

“Although I didn’t use my full strength in this battle, a loss is a loss, and a contract is a contract. Once signed, it must be honored.”

“How could I, Bei Wufeng, be someone who disregards contracts?”

Bei Wufeng said proudly, “Besides, it’s all for the school’s performance. As long as you can contribute more in the Top Ten League and help my *Wanfa* win first place in this competition, what does it matter if I lend you my flying swords?”

With that, Bei Wufeng lightly tapped with his sword finger, and a ray of sword light shot through the *Lingjie*.

“This is the method for controlling my twelve *Taihao Sheng Lü* flying swords. You should carefully remember it so you won’t be at a loss when using them.”

Receiving the operation document sent by Bei Wufeng, Zhang Yu nodded, saying solemnly, “Thank you, senior. I will read it carefully.”

As their conversation ended, True Lord Anzhen beside them nodded slightly, thinking that with Bei Wufeng’s broad-mindedness, he would be spared further effort.

True Lord Anzhen then said, “Good, in that case, Zhang Yu, you will take Bei Wufeng’s place in this year’s Top Ten League.”

With that, a friend request was sent to Zhang Yu.

“Next, I will arrange for you to join the school team.”

“Also, in the remaining two months, the school will arrange specialized training for you. I will discuss the specific plan with you in a couple of days.”

“For these two days, you can think about what you need most.”

Hearing True Lord Anzhen’s words, Zhang Yu felt a great weight lift from his heart.

“I’ve finally reached this point.”

“Over these four years, I’ve climbed step by step to this day… finally joining the school team.”

“Looking back, who would have believed that I could transfer to the Artifact Forging Department and still join the school team in my senior year, preparing to participate in the Top Ten League?”

The myriad emotions and memories in his heart instantly turned into firm resolve again. Zhang Yu looked at True Lord Anzhen and said, “I will certainly do my best to achieve excellent results in this Top Ten League.”

True Lord Anzhen nodded slightly, saying little about Zhang Yu’s main task being support and assistance. He merely offered encouragement and then left to attend to other matters.

As both the associate dean of the Daoist Arts Department and the school team’s advisor, he had too many things to do. Even while witnessing this sword duel, his consciousness had wandered through the *Lingjie*, with multiple avatars busy with different tasks on the 2nd to 6th floors of *Kunxu*.

As True Lord Anzhen left, waves of *Lingjie* fluctuations emanated from the atmosphere, and Zhang Yu could feel the presences that had been watching the sword duel through the *Lingjie* disappear one by one.

But in the next moment, just as Zhang Yu moved, he saw Bei Wufeng standing before him, he knew not when.

Looking at the expressionless senior before him, feeling the gloomy aura emanating from him, Zhang Yu’s heart stirred, and he thought, “Could it be… that my senior wasn’t as calm and collected as he just appeared? Was he merely saying a lot of polite words because the leaders were watching?”

Thinking this, Zhang Yu immediately became vigilant, his mind on high alert.

But in the next moment, Bei Wufeng suddenly knelt before Zhang Yu and said, “Junior, there were too many teachers and leaders watching just now. Now that there are no outsiders here, I, your elder brother, kneel before you.”

Zhang Yu immediately dodged the kneeling and repeatedly said, “Senior, you promised to lend me your flying swords.”

Bei Wufeng said, “Junior, don’t worry, I’m not going back on my word about lending the swords. I want to discuss another matter with you.”

The moment he lost the sword duel to Zhang Yu, Bei Wufeng began to consider the various consequences of this matter.

“Most outsiders won’t delve into the details of this battle.”

Bei Wufeng continued to think, “They won’t care if I had unused techniques, nor if I gave it my all. To outsiders… I simply lost to Zhang Yu, who has less experience than me and transferred from the Civil Engineering Department.”

“Once this news spreads widely, even though my artifact forging skills haven’t declined at all, my reputation in artifact forging will continuously plummet.”

Bei Wufeng seemed to already see his artifact forging business plummeting, laboratory assistants jumping ship, advertising revenue falling, loans being blocked, his artifact products being questioned, and it might even affect the stock prices of some companies he had signed with…

“I cannot let this scandal spread freely.”

But Bei Wufeng knew that it was meaningless to continue to entangle with Zhang Yu. Not to mention that they had already signed a contract, with so many leaders and teachers watching, he simply couldn’t be a rogue.

“Then there’s only one way.”

Bei Wufeng looked at Zhang Yu and said, “Junior, I cannot let outsiders know that I lost the sword duel to you.”

“So, I will publicly announce that you actively paid a high price to buy my spot on the school team.”

Bei Wufeng understood that if he simply lost a sword duel to a civil engineering kid, people would call him useless, doubt his artifact forging skills, and he would become a stepping stone for countless people to gain cheap satisfaction.

In the worst-case scenario… even junior college students would dare to sharply criticize him, saying things like, “Bei Wufeng? His artifact forging isn’t good, and he’s not proficient in flying swords. Remember that sword duel? Didn’t he lose to a student who transferred from the Civil Engineering Department?”

But if it were framed differently, that he, Bei Wufeng, sold his school team position and made a lot of money, it would be considered a normal transaction. He might even be praised for not being burdened by reputation or swayed by school honors, but instead wholeheartedly focused on *Lingbi*.

At this moment, Zhang Yu listened to what the other party was saying and frowned slightly, “You want me to cooperate with you?”

Bei Wufeng shook his head, “I don’t need your cooperation, junior. Just don’t speak up to expose me.”

“This is just a publicity strategy, and there won’t be any specific figures. I will control the narrative and it won’t cause any substantial impact on you.”

“The tax authorities have your account data; they won’t just add extra taxes to you based on rumors.”

“As for the teachers and leaders, you don’t need to worry. They have no need to clarify, and besides, they can’t be sure if I actually received your money.”

“Moreover, throughout the process, neither you nor I will be saying these things; it will just be rumors circulating.”

“If you agree, junior, then my twelve Sword Servants, and various extra services related to the *Taihao Sheng Lü* Sword Array, can also be lent to you.”

Hearing Bei Wufeng’s words, Zhang Yu had to admit that he was tempted.

In the sword duel just now, Zhang Yu had been very envious of Bei Wufeng’s various sword-controlling techniques.

Especially things like the twelve Sword Servants, and the various blessings of the *Lingjie*洞府 (*dongfu*, cave manor), could greatly enhance the performance of the *Taihao Sheng Lü* Sword Array, allowing the array to handle more situations.

But these were not included with the *Taihao Sheng Lü* flying swords; they relied on Bei Wufeng’s accumulation in the *Lingjie*, falling within the scope of what he could choose to lend or not.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “If I have my earth and wood techniques, plus the *Lingjie* technical support from Bei Wufeng, then in the Top Ten League, with twenty-four *Taihao Sheng Lü* flying swords forming a grand array, its power could be several times stronger than it is now.”

Seeming to notice Zhang Yu’s inclination, Bei Wufeng continued to persuade, “Besides, compared to losing a sword duel to me, wouldn’t using *Lingbi* to secure a school team position better showcase your immortal potential and peerless talent, junior? It would only benefit your reputation, not harm it.”

“For us, it can be said to be mutually beneficial, a win-win solution.”

Zhang Yu nodded, acknowledging the other party’s statement.

“Senior, then let’s sign another contract.”