In stark contrast to the elders of the Liuhai Sect, the elders of the Misty Sect wore triumphant smiles.
They too found it incredible that Zhang Ergou could influence the chaotic battle.
Now, they felt even more fortunate that Zhang Ergou was a disciple of their sect; otherwise, they would be the ones with a headache.
"Zhang Ergou, mighty! Zhang Ergou, mighty! Zhang Ergou, mighty!"
The disciples of the Misty Sect who had not entered the qualifying matches spontaneously began to cheer for Zhang Ergou.
Their voices grew louder and louder, making the faces of the Liuhai Sect elders turn even grim.
The changes on the arena became more pronounced. The Liuhai Sect disciples, who had been struggling to hold on, found themselves facing more enemies as their teammates fell one after another.
Soon, all the Liuhai Sect disciples on the arena, except for Ling Feng'er who was still locked in a fierce battle with Chen Gong, had collapsed and lost their combat ability.
After dealing with these Liuhai Sect disciples, Zhang Ergou and his group did not disturb Chen Gong and Ling Feng'er.
Instead, they approached the disciples from other smaller sects who had been standing in the corner of the arena as spectators.
They politely invited them to leave the arena. Upon seeing Zhang Ergou and his group approach, the disciples from those smaller sects immediately changed color.
Without needing any instruction from Zhang Ergou, they all voluntarily jumped off the arena.
On the arena, only the disciples of the Misty Sect and the Saintess of the Liuhai Sect, Ling Feng'er, remained.
The number of people was exactly ten: nine from the Misty Sect and one from the Liuhai Sect.
Thus, the top ten in the qualifying matches were determined.
Except for Ling Feng'er, all the spots were taken by the Misty Sect. The face of Liu Xun, the Sect Master of the Liuhai Sect, was terrifyingly dark.
But now was not the time to get angry; they could only blame themselves for not having anyone in their sect who could stop Zhang Ergou, that troublemaker.
With this one-sided outcome, the Liuhai Sect had lost face completely.
Even if Ling Feng'er eventually took first place in the qualifying matches, it would not be enough to salvage the face lost by the Liuhai Sect in this chaotic battle.
As furious as the Sect Master and elders of the Liuhai Sect were, the elders of the Misty Sect were overjoyed.
Each of them was grinning from ear to ear; such results far exceeded their expectations.
Although the ranking in the qualifying matches was not very important, being able to humiliate the Liuhai Sect was something these elders, as old rivals, were naturally happy to see.
"Senior Brother Chen, do you need any help?"
After Zhang Ergou and his group had politely escorted the disciples from other smaller sects off the arena, they returned to the center of the arena.
Then, they stood far apart, arms crossed, and watched Chen Gong, who was still locked in a desperate fight with Ling Feng'er, and asked.
"No need. Chen Gong most dislikes others interfering when he's fighting someone. He says it harms his dignity."
A disciple of the Misty Sect explained, standing beside Zhang Ergou.
"Oh." Zhang Ergou nodded and said nothing.
But he remained silent, Wang Teng couldn't help himself: "Isn't that foolish? Stubborn as an ox."
Swish!
As soon as Wang Teng spoke, the gazes of the two other disciples of the Misty Sect, apart from Zhang Ergou's group, fell upon him. Su Dan Novel Network.
"You, why are you looking at me like that?"
Wang Teng's throat felt dry. Being stared at by two Core Formation mid-stage cultivators made him feel utterly uneasy.
"Haha, what this junior brother said makes sense. Chen Gong is indeed too concerned about his reputation, very stubborn."
Li Yao suddenly burst into laughter, and Wang Teng instantly felt the pressure on him lessen.
He reached out and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "I thought you were going to make a move."
Wang Teng's soft murmur, however, was clearly heard by Li Yao and Zhang Ergou's group.
Everyone present had cultivation levels beyond the Core Formation stage, and though their voices were soft, their hearing was far more acute than that of mortals.
"We would never help that arrogant fellow, Chen Gong," Li Yao said with a carefree laugh.
He had a good impression of his junior brothers and sisters, Zhang Ergou and the others, and they would be entering the secret realm together later. It was better to interact with them more now to avoid awkwardness later.
After all, they had no prior interaction with Zhang Ergou's group.
"However, Chen Gong is very petty. He has dealt with anyone who badmouthed him behind his back, let alone if you say it to his face."
Li Yao looked at Wang Teng with a playful expression.
Hearing this, Wang Teng's face changed again. The relief he had just felt vanished, and cold sweat reappeared on his forehead.
It was all his loose tongue that caused trouble. He should have kept his mouth shut.
But there was no turning back. If what Li Yao said was true, wouldn't he be targeted by the "petty" Chen Gong?
"Junior brother, don't listen to Li Yao spouting nonsense. When has I, Chen Gong, ever been so stingy?"
Chen Gong said while still fighting Ling Feng'er.
Upon hearing this, Wang Teng immediately breathed a sigh of relief and his gaze towards Li Yao changed.
So, this guy was just trying to scare him.
However, he didn't have time to relax for long before Chen Gong's voice reached him again: "I usually have friendly sparring and exchanges with my fellow disciples. How could it be as bad as Li Yao describes?"
Damn it!
Wang Teng was on the verge of collapse. Was this how they played with people?
He turned and cast a pleading look at Zhang Ergou. Among everyone present, only Zhang Ergou could help him.
"Go, solve the mess you got yourself into. After that fierce battle, I feel like I've suffered some internal injuries."
Zhang Ergou shook his head like a rattle drum, showing no mercy to Wang Teng.
"Ten thousand low-grade spirit stones."
Having spent so much time with Zhang Ergou, he knew exactly what the young man was scheming.
Zhang Ergou said nothing, his eyes fixed on the fight in the arena.
"Twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones."
Wang Teng continued.
"Oh, healing requires a lot of medicinal pills, and medicinal pills are expensive," Zhang Ergou continued to fib, while Lin Yichen and the others rolled their eyes simultaneously. If even you think pills are expensive, how are others supposed to live?
"Fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones." Wang Teng gritted his teeth.
"Senior Brother Chen Gong is at the peak of the Core Formation mid-stage," Zhang Ergou said with a troubled expression, as if he were somewhat tempted by Wang Teng's offer but reluctant to act.
"Eighty thousand, that's the most I can offer." Wang Teng made up his mind.
"Alright, deal. Pay the deposit of forty thousand first."
Li Yao was dumbfounded. What was going on with these two? He couldn't quite understand.
What was this talk of ten thousand, twenty thousand, fifty thousand, eighty thousand? The junior brother who mentioned Chen Gong looked relieved.
Was he not worried about Chen Gong coming after him?
Or did he have some backing?
While Zhang Ergou and Wang Teng were haggling, the battle between Chen Gong and Ling Feng'er was also drawing to a close.
Neither could defeat the other without revealing their trump cards, and with only ten people left on the arena, there was no point in continuing the fight.
So, the two began to fight and retreat, separating...