Commander Lin unsheathed his long sword with a swift motion, the oppressive energy of the blade filling the air and creating a suffocating pressure.
"General Ling, I suggest you rest in this pavilion today. Otherwise, don't blame my blade for being ruthless!"
Ling Feng smirked disdainfully. "Let's see how ruthless you can be. Do you really think trash like you can stop me?"
"You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!"
Commander Lin's eyes turned icy as his blade descended violently, splitting the ground with a vicious crack.
"Despicable Donkey, they're yours!"
With no time to waste, Ling Feng summoned the Eradicator of Realms. Grabbing Tuoba Yan's arm, he pulled her onto his flying sword and activated the Flying-Immortal Sword-Controlling Art, soaring away.
"Don't let them escape! After them!" Yan Shuying shrieked.
"Yes!" Commander Lin frowned and prepared to pursue when a black shadow descended from above—a muscular black donkey...
No, strictly speaking, this was no ordinary donkey, but a dragon-donkey!
Despicable Donkey plopped down onto Commander Lin's back with its rear. A sickening crack echoed as several bones undoubtedly shattered.
"You... it's that damned donkey again?"
Yan Shuying stared in shock at the Despicable Donkey. Despite his drastically changed appearance since their last meeting, that unmistakable air of "scoundrel" was undeniable.
It was him—the most insufferable donkey!
"Tsk tsk... Isn't this the human cushion of this divine beast?"
The Despicable Donkey's tail lashed like a steel whip against the ground, sending a terrifying shockwave that flung the dozen Spiritual Element Realm martial artists flying.
Before a genuine Demon Emperor, Spiritual Element Realm cultivators were nothing but ants to be crushed with a finger.
"Y-you... what do you want?"
Yan Shuying trembled, drenched in cold sweat. This donkey's power was utterly terrifying!
Despicable Donkey bounced twice on Commander Lin's back, eliciting pig-slaughtering screams before the man passed out from pain. "This lousy cushion is still too bony!" it grumbled, then turned its sinister gaze toward Yan Shuying with a grin, advancing step by step.
Yan Shuying's eyes rolled back as she fainted outright.
"Seriously? Out cold already? How boring!"
Despicable Donkey kicked her a few times. When she didn't stir, it grinned and retrieved a brush from its personal space, painting an outrageously ugly boar on her face before leaving satisfied.
The Flying-Immortal Sword-Controlling Art propelled Ling Feng and Tuoba Yan at breakneck speed toward the imperial city's training grounds. Ling Feng silently prayed—he had to make it in time for the final round.
Messages from the arena to Yan Shuying's pavilion had been delayed. With only an incense stick's worth of time between rounds, there was no room to waste teaching her a lesson.
"Please let me make it in time!"
Sweat beaded on Ling Feng's brow. If he failed, their last resort would be revealing Mu Qianxue's trump card—but she was their secret weapon against the Royal Sword Team. Best kept hidden if possible.
Finally, after frantic repairs, the sword-fighting arena was restored within half an hour.
"Captains, please finalize your lineups. You have half a cup of tea's time," the host announced.
Mo Wufeng immediately led Zhenlong Academy's strongest members onto the platform, a smug smile curling his lips. "Hah! Last round, you relied on the Treasure of Heaven and Earth. Let's see how you win now!" He clenched his fists—this round was theirs for the taking.
Meanwhile, Gu Tengfeng kept glancing anxiously toward the edge of the arena. "Ling Feng... where are you?"
According to their plan, Ling Feng should have returned by now.
"Captain, I should step in," Mu Qianxue volunteered once more. Even if it meant exposing their hand, they couldn't afford to lose.
"Wait a little longer." Gu Tengfeng took a deep breath. "Half a cup of tea's time—there's still hope. I believe he'll make it."
"Do you think he will?" Li Bufan's gaze flickered with concern. Having exhausted his Treasure of Heaven and Earth, his combat power had significantly dropped. Even with Jiang Xiaofan, victory wasn't guaranteed.
"I trust him." Gu Tengfeng's voice was steady, his faith unwavering.
In the stands, the spectators grew increasingly restless as Tianwei Academy's team delayed.
"What's taking them so long? Are they waiting for Ling Feng?"
"It's the third round already! If he was coming, he'd be here by now! Looks like Ling Feng has abandoned his team!"
"Half a cup of tea's time has passed—no miracles here!"
Ouyang Jing, Wang Yishan, and the others clenched their fists, silently willing Ling Feng to appear.
Lin Xian'er's heart pounded in her chest. The deciding round... Ling Feng, where are you?
The Central Court Sword Team stared intently at the arena entrance, hoping against hope for a miracle.
Old General Deng and his daughter, Deng Yongshi, were just as anxious, their eyes fixed on the platform.
"That brat! He'd better hurry back!"
Hidden beneath a cloak in the crowd, Yan Cangtian cursed under his breath, equally tense.
Half a cup of tea passed in the blink of an eye.
"Hahaha! Ling Feng isn't coming! Gu Tengfeng, accept your fate!"
Mo Wufeng's triumphant laughter echoed across the platform.
So what if they lost one round?
This final match was theirs!
"Oh? Who said I wasn't coming?"
A clear voice rang out from a distance. A streak of white light flashed through the air—a flying sword carrying two figures, a man and a woman dressed in flowing white robes, descending gracefully like immortals.
It was none other than Ling Feng!
Tuoba Yan leaped off the flying sword, vanishing into the crowd, while Ling Feng landed lightly on the platform. With his hands clasped behind his back, his cool gaze locked onto Mo Wufeng. He spoke mildly,
"Shall we settle the score?"