Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

Seeing this situation, Xu San'er also felt uneasy.

Ying Mang, the Soul-Chasing Arrow, was away from home most of the year, and there was very little information he could get from the Star-Picking Tower. He could only speculate based on scattered rumors.

Sigh, my luck is really bad...

Both opponents in the last two matches were formidable figures. Take Zhang Huai, who was in repentance, for example—he wouldn't have been able to handle him on his own if it weren't for the help of two friends.

Having finally shattered the Heavenly Net, they encountered the Soul-Chasing Arrow.

He became more cautious and, as prepared beforehand, put on a protective shield around himself.

His body faintly glowed with golden light, as if he were covered in a layer of amber; he resembled a large, fat bee encased in amber.

Just as I was getting ready, my sharp eyes spotted a streak of light shooting towards me.

He nimbly somersaulted and saw that the sharp arrow had actually pierced through his protective magic artifact and torn off a piece of his clothing.

Xu San'er's hair stood on end.

That Soul-Chasing Arrow is way too difficult to deal with.

Even though the bell shield primarily defends vital areas, other parts can still be somewhat protected. This is... a single arrow pierced through the defense!

Ying Mang felt a pang of regret and drew another arrow from behind his back, nocking it into his bow.

Off-screen, Hua Yingting was both worried for his friend and somewhat admired this "Soul Chaser".

Look how badly Xu San'er has been chased! He's practically rolling around on the ground!

"Ah Yao, this person is formidable!"

Zhu Wuyao watched as Xu San'er tried to get close and entangle them several times, but Ying Mang, who clearly knew his strengths and weaknesses, managed not to let Xu San'er get close even once.

She understood the situation and replied to Hua Yingting's words:

"Xu San'er is probably weighing his options. He lost too many magical artifacts in the last match. This time, facing the Soul-Chasing Arrow, he will have little chance of winning unless he empties his pockets."

Since they were all friends, Hua Yingting naturally understood the meaning behind those words and immediately smiled and said:

"Is he afraid that if he uses his trump card now, he might encounter danger when he really fights for his life in the Immortal Cultivation Tournament?"

Zhu Wuyao nodded and saw the two on the dueling platform exchanging blows and countering each other's moves. Finally, Ying Mang shot an arrow that hit Xu San'er's left shoulder.

Even with that bell-shaped shield for protection, the arrow tip still penetrated an inch.

Xu San'er grimaced, not only because his shoulder hurt, but also because he felt sorry for the bell. Although he had many treasures, as a fifth-level Qi Refining cultivator, how many more could he possibly have?

This bell-shaped shield offers extremely strong protection, but it is not a defense without any blind spots.

Ying Mang, the Soul-Chasing Arrow, those eyes were indeed extraordinary, they could actually see through the weakness of the bell!

If he were to be struck by another arrow, not only would he suffer severe injuries, but nearly half of the bell would also be damaged.

Moreover... this victory was not the best choice.

On the last day, the person on a winning streak will be challenged by the person who has won one more game, and must choose from among the challengers to accept the challenge.

I'm only at the fifth level of Qi Refining, so I'd better not be the one being challenged...

"Senior Sister Yingmang, I admit defeat!"

Upon hearing this, Ying Mang released the bowstring, took out the arrow, and asked with some surprise, "You're admitting defeat already? You haven't even smashed the treasure yet!"

"Sigh, let's not talk about it anymore. I've already lost everything trying to pull them out of this inescapable net..."

Zhu Wuyao and Hua Yingting exchanged glances. Neither of them believed it. Not to mention the other treasures, Xu San'er hadn't even taken out his personal jade abacus. So why did he say he was penniless?

Xu San'er had just left the arena and returned to his spectator seat when he heard Hua Yingting jokingly say:

"Have we lost all our gold ingots?"

Xu San'er smiled innocently and didn't answer, looking exceptionally honest.

After watching the other players' matches for a while, I saw that Senior Sister Hammer had lost a round, Xiao Qingyu had won as expected, and Shi Tao and Feng Chen had also won.

Xiao Liuzi came to the sect tournament seemingly only to advance from the second level of Qi Refining to the third level, and then simply withdrew from the competition.

Hua Ying stepped onto the dueling platform under the worried gazes of the two men.

Overnight, the injuries were healed by eight or nine tenths; it truly lived up to its reputation as a healing method of wood-type spiritual roots.

The two on the dueling platform were disciples who entered the Star-Picking Tower in the same batch. In the past, they would see each other all the time in the teaching hall. Not only did they have no grudges, but they were even closer than other fellow disciples.

Hua Yingting smiled at her, and Tang Xin seemed a little embarrassed. Before Hua Yingting could say anything, she took the initiative to speak:

“Senior Sister Hua, you were injured yesterday while trying to expose Tianluo’s conspiracy. I am also a participant, and the fairness you uphold also benefits me.”

"How about the two of us just spar today, without actually fighting?"

As he said this, Tang Xin returned Hua Ying's smile and said:

"Although I fully approve of your actions and know that you are stronger than me, I don't want to admit defeat outright!"

After his battle with Xiao Qingyu, Tang Xin gained a newfound edge.

Having tried her best and forged ahead, she was unwilling to be defeated without a fight.

These words were like a spring rain washing away the gloom. Hua Yingting seemed to have stumbled into a spring breeze, and a smile bloomed on her face. She turned to look at Zhu Wuyao and winked.

Ah Yao, you see, there's no need for those underhanded tactics. Just walk onto the fighting stage with dignity, and perhaps goodwill is waiting right there.

Zhu Wuyao blinked as well; she hadn't heard what the two were saying and was somewhat bewildered.

But when the two started fighting, she understood.

In the middle of the venue, a piece of carved wooden hibiscus flower was thrown.

Then, the silver shuttle weaves through the flower vines with difficulty, cutting and slashing as it goes. While the flower vines try to entangle the silver shuttle, they also reach out towards the carved wooden hibiscus flower. The two sides are competing to see who can snatch the object.

The two stood on opposite sides of the arena, engaging in combat solely through their respective magical techniques.

The flowering vines spread across the area, and Zhu Wuyao noticed something different.

It harbored no murderous intent, but rather exuded vibrant greenery and vitality, fluttering and blocking the silver shuttles that were rushing around. The duel between the two was like swallows leaping on branches in spring, competing in entanglement and agility, a battle for gentlemen.

In this round, Huaying won.

She took the wooden hibiscus flower from the vine in front of her, heard Tang Xin say "I lost", walked forward and gently took Tang Xin's hand.

He handed her the small wooden carving and said:

"These are items made of the same kind of energy that the three of us used to deal with the Heavenly Net. I am giving them to you today."

Let's just say we've unilaterally accepted you as our friend.

Tang Xin accepted the wooden hibiscus flower carving and was pleasantly surprised to learn that it had been used to deal with the Heavenly Net.

It's as if accepting this thing makes you feel like you've also participated in thwarting Tianluo's conspiracy!

She happily jumped off the fighting platform, showed the little gadget to her friends, and loved it.

Hua Yingting watched her retreating figure, smiled, walked to Zhu Wuyao's side, and said:

"I knew it! There was no need for any underhanded tactics."

Zhu Wuyao rested her chin on her hand, looked at Tang Xin, nodded, then shook her head, and said:

"We were just lucky; the one waiting on the dueling platform was none other than someone else."

Tang Xin was waiting there.

And so goodwill arose.