Within the blazing flames, only a faint silhouette could be seen darting across the platform.
In the next instant, the inferno vanished without a trace.
Song Wanníng raised her hand and slashed her sword once more.
With a dull thud, Liu Yao dropped to his knees.
Silence.
Then came the collective uproar.
Everyone stared, dumbfounded. Liu Yao himself was frozen in place, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Because her sword intent was hidden, no one saw the true strike. All they saw was Liu Yao inexplicably falling to his knees in front of Song Wanníng.
"What the hell was that?!"
"Did Liu Yao just admit defeat?"
"Come on, this is so fake! I support Master Song and all, but even I can't believe this acting! It's too stiff!"
The disciples exchanged bewildered looks, turning their eyes to the sky in exasperation.
The Nascent Soul elders watching from the high platform were even more furious.
"So this is what he calls going all out?"
"His acting could not be more pathetic!"
"Does he really think we're that gullible?"
"Truly impressive, this 'guarantee of character' your sect leader promised us!"
A wave of sharp sarcasm erupted, slamming into the Sect Master of Wangshan Sect like cold iron. His face burned with shame. If there had been a rock nearby, he might have bashed his own head against it.
He had never imagined Liu Yao would embarrass himself this badly.
He opened his mouth to offer some kind of explanation, but no words came. There was nothing that could excuse this.
"Brother, what are you doing?! Get up!!"
At the edge of the platform, Liu Yiyi screamed in frustration.
Did her brother even understand what he was doing?
Even if he was head over heels for Song Wanníng, this was not the time to lose his mind!
She shouted from below, completely unaware that Liu Yao was drenched in sweat.
Because he realized, to his horror, that he could not stand.
Not only that, but an immense pressure had descended on him, like divine will pressing from the heavens. It crushed the breath from his lungs.
What was happening?
He looked up in confusion and saw Song Wanníng watching him calmly, as if this was all perfectly natural.
"What trick are you using?!"
Liu Yao was stunned. Song Wanníng had always been known for her alchemy, not her combat ability. But now, even though they were at the same level, he felt an inexplicable urge to submit.
Insanity. This was insane!
He quickly centered himself and began to clear his thoughts.
"Liu Daoyou, what are you doing? Hurry and get up."
Song Wanníng rested the tip of her sword on the stage, looking relaxed and almost theatrical. She had only intended to suppress him briefly with her sword intent, but Liu Yao's weak will had left him utterly crushed. It was an unexpected bonus.
Beneath the weight of the Heavenly Dao, only divine soul and firm resolve could endure.
Liu Yao's fractured will, combined with Song Wanníng's reborn spirit and overwhelming soul strength, led to this absurd outcome.
Her exaggerated performance only made things worse. It looked, to everyone else, like the two had rehearsed this scene.
Sword intent at this level had never appeared in the lower realms, so no one could detect what had truly happened. They naturally assumed Liu Yao was putting on a show.
The Nascent Soul cultivators watching looked like they had eaten something sour.
"Then help me up!!"
Liu Yao growled, eyes bloodshot as he glared at Song Wanníng. He tried again and again to stand.
It felt like a mountain was crushing him.
Each time he managed to rise slightly, he was immediately forced down again.
The effort left him soaked in sweat, but no closer to escaping.
To the crowd, however, Liu Yao looked perfectly fine. No aura, no energy suppression, nothing.
They watched him kneel, then try to stand, then fall again.
It was like he was possessed.
And he was trying so hard...
A snort of laughter broke the silence.
Then another.
Soon, waves of laughter swept across the plaza.
"Hahaha! He's a clown! What is this performance?!"
"Even if you're faking it, can you at least make it look real?"
"Master Song must really be something. Look at how far Liu Yao is willing to go for her!"
"Hahahahaha!"
The more they thought about it, the funnier it became. Some were laughing so hard they couldn't stand upright.
The Wangshan Sect disciples turned red with embarrassment, trembling with fury.
What was Liu Yao doing?
He had just stomped the face of their sect into the dirt.
Even the Sect Master of Wentian Sect had a strange expression. He was angry, but also couldn't help finding it ridiculous. His mouth twitched before he turned away, trying to hide his own laughter.
That triggered even the other Nascent Soul cultivators.
The scene was too absurd to ignore.
For the sake of a woman, Liu Yao had abandoned all pride.
"Liu Daoyou's feelings are truly deeper than the sea."
"Indeed. I heard he's been in love with Song Wanníng for years. Looks like the rumors were true!"
Their sarcastic jabs struck Liu Yao like daggers.
"No! I'm not acting! This isn't a joke!"
"I swear I'm not!!"
He did like Song Wanníng, but not like this!
He still had his pride!
He was a peak Nascent Soul cultivator!
Liu Yao's face was so red it looked ready to bleed. He kept struggling, veins bulging across his forehead. The more he fought, the louder the crowd laughed.
By now, no one cared about the outcome of the duel. They only wanted to watch the spectacle.
Liu Yiyi was so furious she coughed up another mouthful of blood.
Liu Yao, that idiot! What was he doing?
How could he humiliate himself like this?!
Song Wanníng was nothing. How dare he...
The square echoed with wave after wave of laughter.
Song Wanníng exhaled deeply, her entire body relaxing with satisfaction.
If there had been a Divine Transformation cultivator in the crowd, they would have seen the truth. But there was none.
Staring at Liu Yao's distorted expression, she looked serene.
In her past life, she too had tried to explain herself, but no one had listened.
Everyone called her shameless. A disgrace.
Now that the same thing was happening to Liu Yao, why couldn't he bear it?
He was the one so eager to show his 'love' to the world. She was just helping him out. Consider it a good deed.
Her smile deepened.
"Liu Daoyou, I'm truly moved by your devotion…
But you really didn't need to go this far. What will others think of you?
You're being silly. Come now, get up."
She extended a hand in mock sympathy, which only made Liu Yao's vision go black.
She was mocking him!
Song Wanníng was toying with him!
Finally, rage exploded in his chest.
His spiritual energy surged uncontrollably, and in a sudden burst of fury, he forced himself to stand.
Killing intent swirled around him as he lunged forward.
"You dared make a fool of me?!"