All beasts submit, and the peerless imperial princess is about to defy the heavens!

A look of surprise flashed across Xue Feng's face. "I didn't expect you to be so strong. I just heard that Fourth Uncle's disciple was also going to participate, but unfortunately I arrived too late to recognize him. Now I've finally met him."

"I've long heard that my third senior uncle has a disciple who's a cultivation fanatic. He's either in seclusion or fighting. I've heard so much about him."

"Junior Sister is still the most powerful."

"It can't compare to my senior brother's superb swordsmanship."

"Junior sister is amazing."

"Senior brother is excellent."

Seeing that the two were going to continue to cherish each other, Ning Yao simply couldn't bear to watch anymore.

"The competition is over. The 100 selected individuals will go to Xuanwu City tomorrow."

Feng Ning was a little confused, "Didn't you just say it was only the first round? There won't be a second round?"

Yao Feibai looked at them with a complicated expression, "You two have dragged this out for too long. Everyone who could leave has already left, and there are only so many people left. There's no need to have a second round."

Feng Ning touched her nose somewhat awkwardly, "This...isn't this saving time?"

After saying that, he prepared to sneak back to Xiaoyao Peak.

Once the competition was over, the others dispersed.

But as soon as Xue Feng saw that she was about to leave, he immediately became anxious and grabbed Feng Ning's arm. "Junior sister, don't go! Let's find a place to fight again!"

Feng Ning waved her hand, "Let's fight next time, I have things to do when I get back."

"No way! We're leaving tomorrow. You won't be able to cultivate much if you go back today. It would be better to have a fight."

Just as Feng Ning was about to come up with another excuse to trick the person away, she heard Teng Rou say coldly, "Xue Feng."

Xue Feng shuddered instantly and stiffly turned his head, "Teng... Senior Sister Teng Rou..."

Teng Rou glanced at him, "What's wrong with your stuttering?"

Xue Feng was so frightened that he immediately stood up straight. "Senior sister, I was wrong!"

Teng Rou nodded. "Good that you understand. You should know your limits when fighting in the future. Don't cause trouble. Go to your own courtyard to reflect on your mistakes. You are not allowed to come out before we leave tomorrow."

Xue Feng nodded immediately and stood obediently in place.

"Still not going?"

Xue Feng immediately turned around and ran away as if a wolf was chasing him.

Feng Ning looked on incredulously, "Senior Sister, why does he listen to you so much?"

Teng Rou smiled and looked at him, "Because he can't beat me, I've been beating him since he was little."

Feng Ning was slightly surprised, "But Senior Brother Xue Feng is at the sixth level of the Golden Core stage."

If she remembered correctly, Senior Sister Teng Rou should be at the fifth level of the Golden Core stage.

Teng Rou blinked. "Aren't you only at the first level of the Golden Core stage?"

The implication is that if you can fight to a draw with someone at the sixth level of the Golden Core stage, it's not unreasonable for me to fight someone at a higher level, right?

Feng Ning immediately understood, "Senior Sister is truly amazing."

Teng Rou rubbed her head and said, "Go back and rest. We'll leave early tomorrow morning, so don't oversleep."

Feng Ning always felt that her head-rubbing gesture was strange.

But thinking it was probably just a little quirk of hers, I didn't pay much attention to it.

She had also heard that some people particularly enjoy braiding girls' hair, so it's not surprising.

Afterwards, everyone returned to their respective residences.

Along the way, Feng Ning also chatted with Yao Feibai.

Judging from his appearance, Yao Feibai is not as ordinary as he seems.

Otherwise, how did he manage to secure a spot among a group of people in the mid-stage and late-stage of the Golden Core realm?

Of the hundred people selected this time, only two of them were at the early stage of Golden Core, and both were at the first level of Golden Core.

It's simply unbelievable.

Feng Ning was so engrossed in her fight with Xue Feng that she didn't notice the surrounding battlefield. By the time she realized it, everyone else had already finished fighting, leaving only one spot available.

But Yao Feibai truly fought his way to secure a spot.

However, she didn't care to ask too many questions about his secrets, as long as it didn't harm him.

After returning to Xiaoyao Peak, Feng Ning finally met Nian Zhao.

Nian Zhao said with a smile, "How did it feel to play against Xue Feng today?"

“He is very strong.” Feng Ning gave a fair answer. “He seems to be a natural swordsman.”

Nian Zhao shook his head. "He is indeed talented, but the word 'innate' is nothing more than day-to-day cultivation."

"Master, what does this mean?"

"Your feeling is correct. Xue Feng's swordsmanship has been fully inherited from his senior brother. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be able to comprehend the essence of swordsmanship within two years."

"Knife intention?"

"Yes, just like my carefree sword intent, the sword also has its realm. Senior brother's sword intent is the great way of simplicity."

Feng Ning nodded. "Then how should one cultivate sword intent?"

She carefully recalled the scene when Nian Zhao used the Free and Unfettered Sword Intent, but her mind remained calm.

“Sword intent is not easy to cultivate. At the very least, you have to practice your swordsmanship to the highest level, and then add your own insights, before you can cultivate sword intent.”

Feng Ning nodded. "Then let's start from the beginning."

“I neglected your cultivation before. The things you are currently learning are too complicated and not conducive to your cultivation. After you return from the Xuanwu Secret Realm, I will pass on the Free and Unfettered Sword Technique to you. As for how far you can learn it, that is up to you.”

Feng Ning nodded. "Yes."

"Before that, don't fall behind. Practice your sword every morning, just follow the basic sword techniques and practice three hundred times."

Feng Ning's eyes widened. "Master, are you serious?"

Nian Zhao said seriously, "How could this be fake?"

"Basic sword techniques take three minutes to practice each time, and I do it 300 times a day. That means I have to spend half of my time practicing swordsmanship every day!"

"Is there a problem?" Nian Zhao asked in a chilling tone.

Feng Ning immediately stood up straight, "I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

Nian Zhao nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it. Now you should get some rest, and don't forget the departure time tomorrow."

After speaking, he left.

Feng Ning immediately shrugged and flopped onto the bed, saying, "Forget it, let's just lie down."

After climbing for less than two minutes, he couldn't lie down anymore.

Let's get up and practice swordsmanship, at least we should master the basic sword techniques first.

Otherwise, if I practice stumble and fall tomorrow, it will probably take even more time.

She could only get up in the middle of the night to practice her sword, dancing with great skill and flair in the courtyard.

Nian Zhao was naturally aware of what she was doing next door, but he didn't disturb her. Instead, he was quite satisfied.

Not bad, not bad, she's quite hardworking.

She practiced swordsmanship for two hours before going back to sleep.

I slept for another two hours, and it was almost dawn.

When she woke up again, she felt it was still early before departure, so she practiced in the yard for a while before heading to the square.

A large crowd had already gathered there, some to watch the spectacle, some to set off for the secret realm, and others to escort those departing.

She found a spot to stand.