C25 Fight with Tian Feng.

The four referee elders stepped forward to announce the groupings.

"Group one includes Zhou Yun, Lei Xiuyun, Lyu Jingguo, among others."

"Group two features Liu Feng, Shen Jingsheng, Peng Hanchan, and others."

"Group three will have Wu Caiyue, Cang Fengyu, Li Hao, and Zhang Xuemeng, among others."

Zhao Yu's attention snapped to attention when he heard Zhang Xuemeng's name. He was taken aback, wondering if he had misheard.

The other disciples exchanged bewildered glances.

Zhang Xuemeng, the Sect Master Zhang Daoming's daughter, was known for her modest martial arts skills and had not yet met the inner sect disciple criteria. How could she qualify for the examination?

After the third group's referee elder finished reading the names, he noticed the disciples' puzzled looks and offered an explanation with a smile, "You may find it odd, but Zhang Xuemeng has broken through to Qi Refining Layer Three, meeting the inner sect disciple standards. Her participation in the examination is not an exception."

The crowd was suddenly enlightened upon learning that Zhang Xuemeng had reached Qi Refining Layer Three.

From the audience, Sun Mingyu offered his congratulations, "Junior Sister Xuemeng, I had no idea you'd advanced to Qi Refining Layer Three without a word. Congratulations."

Following Sun Mingyu's lead, several disciples extended their congratulations to Zhang Xuemeng.

Even though Zhang Xuemeng's breakthrough meant an additional rival, the disciples didn't see her as a significant threat since she had only just reached Qi Refining Layer Three, and thus, no one was concerned.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Sun, and thanks to all my fellow sect brothers and sisters," Zhang Xuemeng responded with a light smile and a respectful bow. "This is my first time in the inner sect disciple examination, and honestly, I'm just here to hone my skills. I hope you'll all be kind enough to take it easy on me in the arena bouts."

Meanwhile, Zhao Yu pondered internally, "Light, can you determine Zhang Xuemeng's true level of cultivation?"

In his mind, Light responded, "Zhang Xuemeng hasn't utilized her genuine energy, so I can't accurately assess her level at the moment. However, judging by the energy dissipation, she's likely beyond Qi Refining Layer Three."

Everyone possesses life energy, which is constantly dissipating—more so for the strong, less for the weak.

Zhao Yu was on high alert.

Zhang Xuemeng's martial arts talent paled in comparison to Zhao Yu's. Just a year ago, she was merely at the peak of Qi Refining Layer Two.

Yet, within a mere year, she had advanced to Layer Three, and there was even a possibility she had reached Layer Four. Zhang Xuemeng's progress was remarkable; she must have come across some powerful treasures that boosted her abilities.

Zhao Yu, for his part, was never one to underestimate his adversaries.

Zhang Xuemeng's decision to take part in the inner sect disciple examination was likely more than just a trial run.

"Group four, Sun Mingyu, Kong Wenwen, Tian Feng, Zhao Yu, and others," announced the referee elder in charge of the fourth group.

Zhao Yu maintained a serene facade, yet inwardly, he scoffed at their transparent attempt to single him out.

With the groups set, the inner sect disciple examination commenced.

Zhao Yu approached the arena for group four.

"First match of group four, Zhao Yu versus Tian Feng," declared the referee elder with clarity.

Zhao Yu was taken aback.

He hadn't anticipated being in the opening match, especially against Tian Feng. It seemed their paths were destined to cross.

"Haha, Zhao Yu, I've been waiting for this moment. The shame you once brought upon me will be avenged today," Tian Feng exclaimed, a momentary surprise giving way to maniacal laughter. His eyes bore into Zhao Yu with deep-seated loathing.

Tian Feng's defeats at the hands of Zhao Yu had severely tarnished his reputation within the sect, and his grudge ran deep.

"It's odd to see Tian Feng so thrilled, isn't it? Didn't he lose to Zhao Yu just a month ago?"

"You're out of the loop. Since his last defeat, Tian Feng has been training relentlessly, forsaking even food and sleep. He's now at the peak of Qi Refining Layer Three and has been vocal about his vendetta against Zhao Yu. It looks like he's finally getting his chance."

"No wonder he's as pumped as if he'd taken a stimulant. This first match is shaping up to be a spectacular fight."

The disciples were abuzz with conversation as the crowd around the fourth arena swelled, quickly outnumbering the spectators at the other three arenas combined.

Zhao Yu shook his head and spoke calmly, "Tian Feng, you brought those two defeats upon yourself. Moreover, I've already called off my engagement with Zhang Xuemeng, achieving what you wanted. Why do you still bear a grudge against me?"

"Enough talk. Get up here and face your doom!" Tian Feng leapt onto the arena, bellowing down at Zhao Yu.

Mentioning Zhang Xuemeng only added fuel to Tian Feng's rage.

Zhang Daoming had covertly ordered him to coerce Zhao Yu into breaking off the engagement without revealing that Zhang Xuemeng already had a partner.

Tian Feng had naively believed that by forcing Zhao Yu to retract his vows, Zhang Xuemeng would be his.

It was only upon encountering Hsiao Fengyun that Tian Feng realized he'd been a pawn in Zhang Daoming's game, anger boiling within him to the point of near madness.

But how could he retaliate against Zhang Daoming, their Sect Master? His fury had no choice but to find its outlet in Zhao Yu.

And even without the matter of Zhang Xuemeng, he was not about to forgive Zhao Yu lightly. After all, Zhao Yu had publicly bested him twice, tarnishing his reputation.

"Fine. I'm damned if I break off the engagement, and damned if I don't. It's tough being the good guy in this world," Zhao Yu sighed, then vaulted onto the arena.

"Let the match begin." With both competitors ready, the referee elder declared with authority.

"Die!"

With a thunderous roar, Tian Feng's muscles and bones crackled with power. He charged at Zhao Yu like a tiger barreling down a mountain, his presence overwhelmingly fierce.

The disciples around the arena watched with bated breath, their eyes wide with anticipation.

"Tian Feng has clearly made significant strides in the past month," Zhou Yun mused internally.

"If Zhao Yu hasn't improved or made substantial progress, he might be in for a tough fight," Wu Caiyue added, nodding in agreement.

Liu Guang's face beamed with excitement as he watched the unfolding scene. He was practically itching to see Zhao Yu take a beating that would leave him injured and spitting blood.

On the stage, Tian Feng had closed the distance to Zhao Yu in a flash. With a sudden leap, his right leg carved a half-moon arc through the air, the whoosh of the wind heralding a vicious kick aimed at Zhao Yu's head.

The Mountain-splitting Leg!

Just a month prior, Tian Feng had been bested by Zhao Yu's very same technique. Now, presented with an opportunity for redemption, he was eager to turn the tables using that move.

"He's made some progress, but it's minimal," Zhao Yu observed, his demeanor as serene as ever. Mirroring Tian Feng, he too leapt up, his right leg tracing a similar arc, his kick slicing through the air towards Tian Feng.

Zhao Yu was set on a direct confrontation, countering the Mountain-splitting Leg with his own, ready for a clash of titans.

The disciples watching below gasped in disbelief.

Zhao Yu's approach seemed overly confident and reckless, especially considering that Tian Feng's charging momentum far surpassed the force of Zhao Yu's stationary jump.

Regardless of the spectators' opinions, the fight raged on.

The sound of their collision boomed through the arena.

Against all expectations, Zhao Yu did not falter. Instead, Tian Feng was the one to scream, sent flying back like a torn rag doll, crashing heavily to the ground.

A hush fell over the crowd.

Disbelief etched on their faces, they struggled to comprehend what they'd just witnessed. Tian Feng, in a direct confrontation, had been sent soaring by a kick from Zhao Yu, who had simply jumped in place?

But as incredulous as they were, the reality was undeniable.

Zhao Yu touched down gracefully, as if the entire exchange had been effortless.

"You!"

Tian Feng's right foot was grotesquely twisted. Propping himself up with his hands, he managed to lift half his body before a grimace contorted his features. He spat out a single word, followed by a mouthful of blood, then succumbed to unconsciousness.

After a month of fervent training, he had been convinced of his ability to easily topple Zhao Yu. Yet, he had been vanquished with a single blow.

Defeated by Zhao Yu for the third time, he felt as if all the color had drained from his life.

This was why he passed out from anger after sustaining serious injuries.

Yet, perhaps it was only through fainting that he could momentarily escape the sting of humiliation.

"The first match of the fourth group is over. Zhao Yu wins, earning one point," declared the referee elder.

Immediately, several Outer Sect disciples hurried over with a stretcher, lifting the unconscious Tian Feng to take him for medical attention.

Zhou Yun shook his head, chuckling, "I was needlessly concerned for Junior Brother Zhao. Seeing him jump up earlier, I was quite irritated by his foolishness."

Wu Caiyue burst into laughter, "Wasn't I just the same?"

In that instant, the scorn on Liu Feng's face vanished, replaced by a hint of solemnity, but he quickly scoffed, "He's got some skill, I'll give him that. I admit I've underestimated him, but he's still no match for me."

Sun Mingyu, aside from a brief look of astonishment at Tian Feng's defeat, soon regained his composure, appearing utterly indifferent to the inner sect disciples' contest as if it was beneath his notice.