The first time Lu Xingzhou saw the figure, he felt a sense of familiarity.

But Yuan Muyu’s disguise was too thorough; her entire body was wrapped in a wide cloak like a zongzi, concealing her figure completely. Most of her face was also covered, and from a distance, only her chin was visible, not even her lips. One could only infer she was a woman from her fair and tender chin.

Even true fans would need to see a person’s mouth to recognize them. No matter how much of a “white moonlight” she was, it was impossible to recognize her just from a chin.

Yet, an inexplicable sense of familiarity instinctively arose within him. Lu Xingzhou thought long and hard and recalled that Pei Chuyun’s first appearance was also in a wide cloak of the Yīnshī Zōng. Could the familiarity stem from that?

“Don’t tell me that little demoness ran here to cause trouble…” Lu Xingzhou scratched his head, thinking it impossible.

If there were to be an acquaintance here, it would most likely be Yuan Muyu… Would Yuan Muyu lower her head and avoid eye contact just because he looked at her? Would that still be the “fish” he knew?

“Never mind who she is, we’ll know after fighting Nùjiāo Dǎo.”

Meanwhile, Ye Tinglan’s lips curled slightly, having noticed something.

According to the best-of-three rule, the first match between Duò Xiānzōng and Jīnfēng Dǎo was already decided. There was no need for a third round. Ye Tinglan slowly announced, “In the battle between Duò Xiānzōng and Jīnfēng Dǎo, Jīnfēng Dǎo is victorious. Next up, Qiānshān Dǎo against Xiéyuè Zōng. Both parties may take the stage.”

At this moment, the island erupted in murmurs and private conversations.

Duò Xiānzōng was a renowned major sect within the seas. The karma associated with such a sect name alone was not something ordinary people could bear. It was rumored that a transcendent master was hidden within the sect. If anyone could cause trouble for Tiānyáo Shèngdì, Duò Xiānzōng was a strong contender.

People were stunned that such a “seeded player” was eliminated in the first battle and couldn’t react for a while.

The elimination process wasn’t even an intense battle; both rounds ended in a single move.

Jīnfēng Dǎo, on the other hand, was a relatively obscure participant, somewhat reluctantly making it into this grand competition of major sea sects, similar to their position near the bottom in the previous competition. How did they suddenly become so strong this time?

However, if one were to question them for bringing in outside help, the suspicion wouldn’t fall on them. They didn’t appear suddenly like Lu Xingzhou and Lu Nuonuo. Fang Qihao and Duan Ning had been active at sea for several years, garnering some minor fame.

It was just unexpected that when they finally met, their minor fame proved to be so formidable.

In the arena, a new match was underway between Qiānshān Dǎo and Xiéyuè Zōng, which was quite spectacular, truly showcasing the style of a sea immortal sect. Lu Xingzhou felt that they generally seemed a cut above the sects of the Central Plains.

Unfortunately, with what Fang Qihao and Duan Ning had done, these normal matches no longer piqued people’s interest. Everyone was now anticipating the outcome when Tiānyáo Shèngdì would enter the arena.

Would it also end in a single blow, like Jīnfēng Dǎo?

“Xiéyuè Zōng wins two to one against Qiānshān Dǎo,” Ye Tinglan’s voice echoed through the arena. “Next up… Tiānyáo Xiānzōng versus Nùjiāo Dǎo.”

Yuan Muyu sighed helplessly.

What a terrible draw.

She had initially hoped to first observe Xingzhou’s current skill level, or at least Dugu Qingli’s, before instructing the Nùjiāo Dǎo disciples on how to fight.

But they were directly matched.

“Oh well, if we’re matched, we’re matched. As long as it’s not an instant defeat, giving real-time advice through voice transmission isn’t impossible.”

“Perhaps my sister will find out? So what? She can also give advice through voice transmission. We can just consider it a remote sisterly duel.”

As she thought this, Dugu Qingli appeared in the arena, her icy sword pointing into the distance. “Which esteemed member of Nùjiāo Dǎo will come up for instruction?”

Yuan Muyu constantly felt as if the sword was pointing at her, almost wanting to go up and beat someone herself.

But after holding back for a long time, she finally gestured to a burly man in black next to her. “You go.”

The burly man strode onto the stage. “I heard this little white-haired girl is the only direct disciple of the Tiānyáo Saint Lord. I’ll test her strength.”

He was already standing before Dugu Qingli. The man drew his heavy sword and casually swung it. “Little white-haired girl, remember, your old man is called…”

“Clang!”

A cold glint flashed.

Yuan Muyu didn’t even have time to transmit a message before blood splattered.

This time, Dugu Qingli did not use her usual iconic Holy Ice Aura, nor any icy chill to slow her opponent. It was only the purest sword intent, the purest killing intent.

The man’s heavy sword had seemingly intended to launch a preemptive strike, forcing Dugu Qingli’s sword to weaken and defend—a standard tactic for heavy weapons to suppress light weaponry.

Unfortunately, he was too slow.

As his heavy sword moved, his shoulder was already pierced.

The man’s pale face, unable to utter his name, stared in disbelief at the little white-haired girl before him, unable to comprehend why the sword was so fast.

Dugu Qingli retreated a step, reversed her sword hilt, and cupped her hands in a salute.

She couldn’t even be bothered to say “I yield,” much less listen to “what your old man is called.”

Her blue eyes, as placid as ice, gazed in Yuan Muyu’s direction.

The man before her had not brought her any pressure. Instead, the strange person hidden entirely in a cloak had eyes like lightning, carrying a faint killing intent. Her gaze landed precisely on the most vulnerable parts of Dugu Qingli.

That was the opponent who could pose a fatal threat.

In the hushed silence of the arena, Dugu Qingli spoke faintly, “Is that person also a participant?”

Everyone turned, their gazes uniformly directed at Yuan Muyu.

Yuan Muyu secretly wished she could pin the little white-haired girl to the ground and beat her a hundred times. She pulled her cloak tighter, her voice hoarse as she said, “I am merely a substitute. Why does Dugu-guniang ask?”

“Oh.” Dugu Qingli turned and stepped off the stage. “I merely feel that if your party does not send you, there’s no need for the second round.”

Yuan Muyu subconsciously looked in Lu Xingzhou’s direction. Lu Xingzhou was also looking at her.

This time, Yuan Muyu did not deliberately lower her head.

The two were in different locations, separated by the vast crowd, making their first formal eye contact.

Lu Xingzhou slowly descended from the high platform behind Ye Tinglan and stepped onto the arena, saying, “The combatant is chosen by your own party, and it’s not a problem if you wish to participate as a substitute. I also wish to spar with you, Your Excellency.”

Yuan Muyu’s voice was hoarse as she asked, “Why?”

“I don’t know why… I just feel that you give me a very familiar and very… intimate feeling,” Lu Xingzhou said. “I always feel a strong desire to meet you face-to-face.”

Ye Tinglan’s smile vanished.

Yuan Muyu’s lips were harder to keep straight than his boats.

The old man beside her whispered, “Yán Jūn, what do you think?”

Yuan Muyu continued to look at Lu Xingzhou, speaking casually, “I’ll go then. Your younger generation is indeed no match for these few, especially this one.” She then giggled.

“No, why are you giggling?” The old man was puzzled but still managed to say, “This… although we prepared for you to fight, it’s very easy to expose ourselves. Zhenren Tinglan is not easily fooled… Once exposed…”

“What if we’re exposed? Are there any consequences?”

“That…” The old man paused.

The consequence of exposure would merely be that their Nùjiāo Dǎo would be expelled from this “circle,” and would not be allowed to participate in such events in the future. In fact, it didn’t seem too important. After all, this circle had little impact on daily life. No one would treat you with deference just because you were part of the same competition circle. Both righteous and demonic factions were present; it wasn’t an alliance.

However, if major events occurred, they might subtly fall under the mediation of Tiānyáo Shèngdì. At the very least, if you had a life-or-death matter to request, Tiānyáo Shèngdì would always show some respect and provide some assistance, preventing any major conflicts. Once outside the circle, it would be hard to say.