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

For many days in the past, I have stood here alone without being invited.

She accepted many challenges.

Compete against many people.

Even with just that one sword strike, she ultimately secured her position.

"Zhu Wuyao! Hold onto your position!"

"Uphold your reputation!"

In the bustling crowd, someone shouted loudly.

It was so abrupt and bold that he was still willing to unequivocally support Zhu Wuyao even when she was embroiled in controversy.

Zhu Wuyao didn't really understand why anyone would sincerely admire her.

But the worshippers themselves know.

Like Yi Tian, ​​Zhu Wuyao represents a possibility; she is a hero who, despite lacking talent, has taken a wrong turn in life.

At the very top of the Star-Picking Tower, someone cast a glance.

"These days, some people are using the 'gyrfalcon' as a metaphor, for its strong wings and agile movements allow it to fly swiftly and soar straight into the sky."

"But that's not the real meaning."

"Yes, this bird of prey is controversial. It is rumored that it has instigated large-scale battles, resulting in countless deaths and injuries."

"Some praise it as the king of all eagles, while others despise it as a monstrous bird in a chaotic world."

"But what does the world's controversy have to do with it?"

After a long while, a reply came that sounded like a sigh, but wasn't quite a sigh:

"Only when it cannot fly high will it become a demon bird; if it flies high enough, striking the sky and thinning the clouds, it can see the world and not care about human speech."

Can she deliver that sword strike?

No one with any sense would dare to make such a statement.

Elder Chi and Elder Wu, who have good judgment, will only hesitate more.

They were neither like the disciples of the Star-Picking Tower, who asserted that there was something strange about the sword, nor like Headmaster Fang, who was certain that she could completely control that sword.

Will it soar straight into the sky, or plummet into the mud?

It all depends on whether she can prove her abilities.

If one truly deserves the title, then boundless glory will follow; if one is merely a figurehead, then accumulated slander will destroy one's very being.

This really shows that heroes are judged by their temporary success or failure.

As the word of encouragement from the admirer fell, it was like a pebble thrown into a lake, splashing up a few scattered and hasty words of support.

Anyone with a modicum of intelligence would not express their opinion at this time.

Therefore, these few words "hold on" seem particularly abrupt.

All eyes turned to them.

Zhu Wuyao paused slightly as she stepped onto the battle stage before taking her place.

Just like many days before.

"Who has the courage to be the first?"

But unlike before—

Those who still held the challenge invitations had already lined up in order, giving Zhu Wuyao no chance to choose.

"I come!"

The newcomer leaped onto the dueling platform and laughed:

"You really are calm in the face of danger. Even in this situation, you still don't abandon your sword and run away. At least you can save some face."

"Let's put it this way: I don't want the spirit stones that I've staked with Jin Yuanbao and Xu San'er!"

"Whether you only strike once on the dueling platform is no longer up to you. If you can truly disregard your pride and utter 'I concede' today, then I will truly admire you."

Zhu Wuyao looked him up and down.

Those who wait until now to make a move are definitely not kind people.

But the first one to appear is definitely not a master.

She nodded, indicating that she had heard his boastful words.

Then, a thick fog rose, obscuring everyone's view as always.

Those watching from below the stage couldn't see the situation clearly and could only wait for the outcome. People had different expectations; some hoped she would become famous, while others hoped she would fall from grace.

Until the fog dissipated.

The first person to appear, with a slightly ashen face, stepped down from the battle platform.

"how?!"

In his hand appeared a pipe broken in two.

"She...she actually destroyed my magical artifact with a single sword strike!"

Elder Wu, who was in charge of the area, glanced in his direction and sneered.

What an arrogant brat!

These past few days, he's been watching how Zhu Wuyao fought his way up on the battle stage!

Elder Wu had long realized that after these days of battles, while everyone was using Zhu Wuyao to test their own abilities, they had also become Zhu Wuyao's whetstone.

The power of that sword strike is now vastly different from what it used to be.

The reason I hadn't destroyed other people's magical artifacts before was simply because I hadn't offended her enough.

The moment this kid stepped onto the fighting stage, he started spouting nonsense, even declaring that he would make Zhu Wuyao "admit defeat" or he would not give up. Didn't he just walk right into a trap?

But even so——

He still couldn't understand why Zhu Wuyao was able to unleash that "passive sword strike" when his killing intent wasn't strong enough to trigger his sword intent.

Elder Wu even began to doubt his own eyesight.

What's more...

He was already aware of the controversy surrounding Zhu Wuyao these past few days.

Even if she doesn't know why and has never missed, she can't change the fact that this is a "passive sword strike"!

If, as a Nascent Soul stage elder, he still couldn't understand the intricacies of this sword move after watching it sixty...sixty-one slashes, then he would truly be letting down all his years of experience.

To put it simply, it's about keeping a wisp of sword intent hidden in your heart, waiting to unleash it.

When the surrounding attacks land around him, the life-or-death crisis truly appears, and the sword intent that is about to be unleashed will urge the swordsman to make a judgment.

Find the "flaw" in the killing trap.

Ultimately, by finding the point where a single move affects the whole situation, and when the sword arrives, accurately pluck that "string," using force against force, and using the opponent's spear against their shield, the incoming attacks collide and annihilate each other.

Most importantly, it is in the critical moment when the intention is moved and the sword arrives.

Therefore, this sword strike is extremely powerful and can even break through enemy lines.

In other words, it can only be used to counter attacks.

There's simply no way to take the initiative.

But what everyone wanted to find out was this very place, to know whether she was a hard-shelled turtle or a dog that would bite.

I fear that in the end... it will all fail.

It was difficult for her to maintain her reputation for so many days.

This gyrfalcon, soaring straight into the sky, was ultimately weak in wings and lacked the strength to move freely; it was destined to be dragged into the mud and utterly destroyed.

Elder Wu shook his head with a hint of regret.

I only hope that she will feel ashamed and then be brave, or find another way to save face, so that she won't be discouraged by what others say.

Seeing her swing her sword dozens of times, and now that her swordplay was about to be broken, Elder Wu felt somewhat sorry for her.

Zhu Wuyao's true opponent has finally stepped onto the battle stage.

She had been waiting for him for a long time.

By the time rumors pile up and become too deeply entrenched to reverse, the situation will become difficult to change.

When everyone finally realizes that she stands atop a precipice, her empire crumbling, her reputation shattered, and a single misstep could lead to her utter destruction, or perhaps—

Soaring into the sky.

Shen Xun stood in front of her.

"Senior Sister Zhu, I'm already standing here. Are you... still going to continue hiding?"

The show is finally about to begin.

For the first time, the two people involved in the alleged theft were truly on opposite sides.

"What's with all this fog! We all want to know whether you're a fake expert or a true hero!"

"That's right! Zhu Wuyao, do you dare to let us watch the battle?"