Wang Kuang hadnt expected that the slender girl in front of him would actually say something like this, and especially not with such a provoking tone.

Oh? He grinned with malice. Why should I let you stay? He scratched his jaw as he looked at her.

Yun Ruoyan held her head up high, not hiding her frightening appearance. What she counted on was strength, not beauty.

Because this! Yun Ruoyan stretched out her right hand and slowly clenched it into a fist.

Ah? Wang Kuang looked at the slender girl in front of him, who was clearly still in her teenage years. She clenched her fist in front of him and had said, perfectly seriously, Because of this.

He couldnt help but start laughing.

Be-Because of that?! He pointed at Yun Ruoyans small fist as he looked left and right.

Hahaha Liu Sheng clutched his stomach as he laughed, pounding on the ground. He extended his own fist and mimicked in a high-pitched voice, Ill use my small little fistie to pound your chest! And then he exploded into laughter once more.

The others all began to smile upon seeing Liu Shengs tone and antics, and Yun Ruoyaos party looked on with scorn.

Only Pei Ziao seemed to be taking Yun Ruoyan seriously. He had seen her agility, after all; her cultivation notwithstanding, just the phantasmal footwork she had shown while dealing with the saber-toothed tiger had left an indelible impression on his mind.

And how had Yun Ruoyans group escaped from near-certain death twice, against the saber-toothed tiger and against the snakes? Was it mere luck? His gaze swept over the tiger canine by Zhuo Yifengs waist. No, he didnt think it was so simple.

Sister Ruoyan, youre only a third-rank blademaster, and your cultivations even lower than mine! You dont have to try to be so brave! Yi Qianying spoke earnestly. Why dont you guys leave with the beast cores you currently have? You

Shut up! Lin Qingxue broke her off. Yi Qianying, youre doing this purposefully, arent you?

Although cultivators could more or less discern their opponents cultivation based on their breathing, this wasnt particularly accurate: some highly skilled cultivators would be able to disguise their true power against those weaker than they were.

Even though Wang Kuang and the others laughed at Yun Ruoyan, this was the reason why they were somewhat apprehensive about battling her. The girl looked weak, but her calm aura seemed very much at odds with her supposed cultivation.

There could only be two reasons for this discrepancy: one, that the girl was truly an incredibly skilled cultivator, or two, the girl had an exaggerated sense of her own capabilities.

Although the rumors theyd heard in the capital all said that she was useless and lacked talent, perhaps there was some secret technique that could rapidly increase her cultivation, or perhaps the rumors were all unfounded.

Im not speaking nonsense! Im just trying to make sure youre not hurt, Sister, Yi Qianying continued in a small voice, as if she had been wronged. Three years ago, your cultivation stopped improving and began to drop, and even the family gave up on you. Its alright even if youre not strong, Sister, so stop trying to push yourself so hard!

Yun Ruoyan gave Yi Qianying a cold glance. Once again, shed managed to reinforce her image of being an innocent, caring girl while revealing sensitive information to her enemies.

When Yi Qianying felt her gaze, she couldnt help but hide behind Pei Ziao.

So the rumors were true! At the start, Wang Kuang was still somewhat hesitant to attack, but after Yi Qianying had spoken, he lost all his misgivings. It seemed as though he had truly encountered a little girl who didnt know anything about the real world.

Whats the matter? Yun Ruoyan smiled as she gazed at Wang Kuang. Are you scared?

Me, scared? Wang Kuang felt as though this was the most laughable thing hed heard all his life. Not only did this ugly girl not understand her own mediocrity, she even seemed a little dazed in the head. I just dont want to fight with a fool! You go!

He motioned toward Liu Sheng by his side.

Alright. Liu Sheng rubbed his knuckles as he strode forward, a grin plastered on his face. Brothers here to hit your chest with a wee fistie!

Sister Ruoyan, let me fight in your place! Lin Qingxue was about to step forward when Lin Qingchen dragged her back.

Based on his breathing, hes a peak fourth-rank blademaster, and youre only an early fourth-rank. Let me go.

How about me? Zhuo Yifeng volunteered. One punch is enough against a lackey like him.

No. Yun Ruoyans tone was cool, but her intention obvious. Im going!

But, Ruoyan The others all interjected as one.

Dont you believe in me? Yun Ruoyans tone was still level, but her aura was the same as when shed fought the tiger and led the group out of the cave.

Sister Ruoyan, of course we believe in you! Lin Qingxue exclaimed.

Yes, definitely. Lin Qingchen nodded. After all, Yun Ruoyan, who was supposedly the weakest among them in terms of cultivation, had almost single-handedly solved all their problems during this expedition. What reason did they have not to trust her?

Yun Ruoyans severe mien cracked as she smiled, enjoying the feeling of being trusted by others.

She took two steps forward, facing Liu Sheng. Lets have a good fight.

By this time, Zhuo Yifeng had put Zhuo Liner down from his back and walked to the edge of the arena, ready to rush forward as soon as Yun Ruoyan looked to be in danger.

Alright. Even though youre so ugly it makes me somewhat discomfited, Ill certainly give you some pointers. Liu Sheng smiled indifferently, his gaze somewhat rudely looking Yun Ruoyan up and down. I wont take advantage of you, either. In truth, Im already a peak fourth-rank blademaster, so you shouldnt try to bash a rock with an egg.

What drivel! Yun Ruoyan unsheathed her sword as she rushed toward Liu Sheng. In the blink of an eye, the tip of the sword was inches from his head.

Before Liu Sheng could even draw his sword, Yun Ruoyans blade was already in front of him.

Argh! He screamed, dropped down, and barely dodged the blade, but some of his hair hadnt escaped unscathed.

Take this! Without giving Liu Sheng any time to rest, Yun Ruoyan stepped forward once more, her footwork inscrutable, her sword moving like the wind.

Three strikes in a row, each fast and fierce, forced Liu Sheng to dodge in a wretched and undignified manner.

Sister Ruoyan, youre amazing! Liu Qingxue called out in excitement. Cut off his head, his mouth, his nose

Ruoyao, Yun Ruoyu looked at Yun Ruoyao, her face white in shock. Hows Yun Ruoyan so strong? Shes only using the simplest moves from the Yun family register, so how can she make Liu Sheng back off like that?

Yun Ruoyao shook her head imperceptibly, but the shock in her heart was no less than that in Yun Ruoyus. Although they had both lost to Yun Ruoyan, as had their genius-like brother, theyd always thought that it was because of their carelessness.

However, the fight in front of them proved that not to be the case.

No, it has to be because Liu Sheng underestimated Yun Ruoyan by too much. Yun Ruoyao finally found an explanation that could alleviate some of her and Yun Ruoyus shock.

Look, although shes clearly fluent with her bladework, none of her strikes are all that powerful. If she really were strong, then the swordqiby the blades tip would have severely injured Liu Sheng, and he wouldnt have been able to dodge her blow.

Only then did Yun Ruoyu calm down, feeling that Yun Ruoyaos analysis was spot-on.

Yun Ruoyans sword was just a standard training sword provided by the Yun family, and her bladework the introductory moves taught by the family. However, her past life had given her much more combat experience, and her fluency with the blade was naturally more complete than others.

This was why, even when she was facing someone like Liu Sheng, whose cultivation surpassed her own, as long as she didnt give her opponent a chance to use his spiritual energy, she would be able to force him to a standstill with her stances alone.

You you shameless Battered and forced to dodge, Liu Sheng was unable to even draw his blade. Whenever he tried to do so, Yun Ruoyans sword would unerringly head for his wrist, so he had to fight without a weapon, let alone use his spiritual energy.

Ha! Yun Ruoyan laughed coldly. Theres no such thing as shamelessness in a fight, only a winner and a loser.

You if you have the guts, let me draw my sword! I bet I can restrain you with one blow!

Oh? Yun Ruoyan laughed coldly once more. But I wont give you that opportunity.

Saying that, she upped her tempo, and her blade became so fast that even Liu Sheng couldnt track it with his naked eye.

His body began to bleed as Yun Ruoyans blade found purchase, as did his face. Yun Ruoyan gave him a deep, vicious nick on one cheek. How dare he call her ugly! She didnt much mind her lack of beauty, but that didnt mean she would allow people to degrade her!

Ah! My face! Liu Sheng called out as he fell onto the ground.

Yun Ruoyan stepped forward, the tip of her blade pointing at Liu Shengs nose.

Do you admit defeat? Her gaze was cold. If not, I dont mind cutting off your nose, so youre even more unpleasant-looking than I am.

Yes, yes! Liu Sheng clutched his bleeding cheek as he raised an arm in surrender.

Scram! Yun Ruoyan sheathed her sword.

Liu Sheng scrambled back to Wang Kuangs side.

A normal bystander would have come away from the fight thinking that Liu Sheng was useless: after all, the opponent had forced him to a standstill with her bladework alone, and the spiritual energy of his supposed peak fourth-rank cultivation hadnt come in handy at all.

But Liu Sheng felt completely wronged: he didnt know why, but he had lost even though he was certainly stronger!

If you think youre so good, you go face her! He called out to Jin Feier. My goodness, this vicious wretch! Im really going to be disfigured now!

The blood on his face kept dripping, no matter how much pressure he applied. Who knew how many blood vessels Yun Ruoyans sword had severed?

Oh, I will! Jin Feier called out, reaching for her sword as she smiled at Liu Sheng. Ill take revenge for you.