C23 A Verbalist Contestant

If shamelessness had a limit, it would likely be embodied by the guy currently heckling from beneath the arena.

If there were a spokesperson for shamelessness, he'd be the perfect candidate!

Everyone at the Trial Field shared this thought in a moment of long-awaited realization.

Yang Qingcheng maintained her icy demeanor, not engaging in conversation, yet her gaze towards the man grew increasingly hostile. Ximen Yu, despite his poised appearance, was internally fuming, "Damn it! Why should I suffer the consequences of your beatings? Ximen Haoyu, you good-for-nothing troublemaker, why did you have to drag me into this mess?"

Meanwhile, the man at the center of it all, Yang Rui, showed no sign of embarrassment. Instead, he brazenly declared, "Big sister, you must avenge me today. The Ximen family is utterly corrupt! You have no idea, every time I go out for a drink, Ximen Haoyu is always there, competing for the ladies. And after he takes them, he beats me up! It's downright dishonorable!"

Everyone secretly agreed it served him right. Why couldn't they just finish him off?

"Enough!" Yang Qingcheng snapped, finding her brother increasingly irritating.

She then coolly addressed Ximen Yu, "Come on, show me how much you've improved."

Ximen Yu sheepishly responded, "Maybe we don't need to do that?"

He remembered all too well the beatings he'd received from Yang Qingcheng as a child, and even now, the thought of facing her was daunting.

"Enough with the excuses! Defend yourself!" Yang Qingcheng had no patience for his hesitations. She effortlessly drew her long sword, and with a swift gleam of the blade, she launched her attack.

Ximen Yu shook his head in resignation, sighing, "Her temper hasn't changed one bit!"

Without further ado, he drew his long sword. The spectators could only glimpse a fleeting glint of cold light before a stream of silver sword light cascaded toward Yang Qingcheng!

"Silver Light Descends Three Thousand Feet!"

A voice from the crowd gasped in recognition of the renowned Vast Heaven Sword Technique. Ximen Yu, a disciple of a sect, had joined the sect but did not recall their participation in the Spirit Selection. He saw it as an opportunity to hone his mental state and cultivation skills.

The move 'Silver Light Descends Three Thousand Feet' was a staple of the Vast Heaven Sword Technique, versatile in both offense and defense, allowing for fluid movement in any direction.

Ximen Yu's immediate use of this technique revealed his deep caution towards Yang Qingcheng, suggesting he considered her a formidable opponent. He employed this move to probe her abilities, ready to adjust his strategy accordingly.

Yet, to Yang Qingcheng, this technique seemed no different from any ordinary move. With a deft twist of her wrist, her sword traced a circle, astonishing Ximen Yu as she effortlessly carved an opening in his sword light waterfall!

"What!" Ximen Yu quickly pivoted, sword retracting to parry! The burst of Elemental Energy was immediate; he could no longer afford to hold back. Yang Qingcheng hadn't even revealed a hint of Elemental Energy fluctuation—her exceptional swordsmanship alone had neutralized his attack!

"Reverse the River!"

He struck again, his sword unleashing what sounded like thunderous waves to the onlookers. A wave, composed of several subtle sword energies, surged toward Yang Qingcheng.

With a mere command, "Stop the water!" Yang Qingcheng's presence was commanding. A fleeting pulse of Elemental Energy shimmered, and her sword radiated a soft green glow before she brought it down through the air toward Ximen Yu!

The roaring water seemed to vanish into a desert, its sound abruptly silenced! The watery blade constructed from sword energies was cleaved in two by Yang Qingcheng's sword, and Ximen Yu closed his eyes in defeat.

"Ah!"

The sword tip was securely positioned at Ximen Yu's throat, yet he could still feel the unrelenting force of the sword's energy.

"Cut the flashy moves; they're all show and no substance!" Yang Qingcheng scoffed with evident disdain.

Ximen Yu's face soured. It was easy for her to say, given her superior strength—if the tables were turned, he'd have her completely disoriented!

"Are we just going to let him off the hook?" An untimely voice rang out, igniting a sudden urge in Ximen Yu to silence the nuisance with his sword.

Yang Rui, well aware that Yang Qingcheng wouldn't harm Ximen Yu, ignored the comment and flashed a grin at her. "Big Sis! After such an effortless victory, let's go check on Second Sister."

Yang Qingcheng shot Ximen Yu a stern look—his eyes were burning with too much resentment. She then turned to Yang Rui, "There's no need; she's already here."

"Really? That was quick." Yang Rui turned to see his second sister, Yang Yiyi, approaching them.

Impressive, they all seemed to have advanced without breaking a sweat. The next challenge would be the selection for the top 64, likely a series of one-on-one battles. Yang Rui wasn't too worried about his own chances; he was more interested in studying the tactics of the stronger competitors, knowing that understanding both your allies and adversaries is crucial to never facing defeat.

"Look at that, our Third Young Master has won so swiftly?" Yang Yiyi approached Yang Rui with a beaming smile. "Your reputation precedes you now."

At her words, Yang Rui turned with a snort. "Hmph, those ignorant kids have no idea about my true capabilities."

Yang Qingcheng descended from the stage and promptly twisted Yang Rui's ear. "Where did you pick up such a nasty habit? Out with it!"

With a pained expression, Yang Rui protested, "Big Sis, I am your brother, after all. Isn't it a bit harsh to treat me like this? Besides, there's no harm in a little deception to throw them off. If they're so easily rattled, how formidable can they really be? They're nothing but a ragtag bunch."

"Hmph! Still trying to justify yourself with clever words!" Yang Qingcheng retorted, but she wasn't about to truly reprimand Yang Rui. She had doted on him since childhood, and even two years away from home wouldn't change her affectionate indulgence.

Yang Zhantian was finally able to take a good look at Yang Qingcheng after bringing Yang Rui and Yang Yiyi back to his side. "Qingcheng has really grown up..." he remarked, his voice heavy with emotion. It was as though he was seeing the young Qingcheng who never cried after a fall, the once timid Yang Yiyi, and the unrestrained Yang Rui. Time had flown by, and now Qingcheng stood tall and elegant, her charm as captivating as ever.

Meanwhile, Sikong Jiao was by Yang Qingcheng's side, holding her hand and chatting incessantly with Yang Yiyi.

Yang Rui faced Yang Zhantian with a steady gaze, untroubled by any fears of exposure. If there were anything to reveal, it would have come to light long before now.

"Very good!" Yang Zhantian offered no further comment, as he was at a loss for how to advise Yang Rui. It seemed that, for the time being, Yang Rui required no guidance. More than anything, Yang Zhantian felt a deep sense of pride. Yang Rui had transformed from a frivolous young man into a true warrior, marking his most significant change.