"I... I surrender..." Huang Yao wanted to leave, but his legs refused to obey.
"Why do you surrender?" Elder Rende asked the question everyone wanted to know.
Yes. Why?
Huang Yao didn't want to answer this question.
"Have you considered this clearly? If you surrender, you'll be replaced by him as Chief Disciple."
"You haven't even fought. Why surrender?" True Person Feixue was also greatly puzzled.
There was no need to fight. He didn't dare to fight.
He knew that if they fought, he wouldn't just lose the Chief Disciple position; he'd also lose face. He'd rather surrender, give up the Chief Disciple seat, than be kicked half to death by Gu Qingfeng in front of so many people!
Huang Yao walked down from the Trial Platform, having surrendered and abandoned his position as Chief Disciple.
This was an outcome no one had anticipated. And they simply couldn't understand it.
Had Huang Yao fought Gu Qingfeng before? And lost? But even so, this was the Chief Disciple contest! Shouldn't he at least try? How could he not even have the courage to make a move? Was Gu Qingfeng really that formidable?
No one knew. No one understood.
Including Fei Kui. He tilted his head, watching Huang Yao depart, then looked at Gu Qingfeng in the arena. Without overthinking it, he stepped onto the platform and addressed the elders. "Elder Rende, since Huang Yao has surrendered, according to the rules, Gu Qingfeng should directly be promoted to Chief Disciple of the Twelve Courtyards."
Yes. According to the contest rules, if a Chief Disciple surrenders, the challenger naturally takes their place.
However, rules were rules. On the high platform, many people disliked Gu Qingfeng and naturally didn't want him to become a Chief Disciple of the Twelve Courtyards.
True Person Guang Yuan also stepped forward to oppose. "Huang Yao surrendering voluntarily is far too abnormal. It doesn't make sense."
Li Ziheng chimed in, "This matter is too bizarre. We absolutely cannot let him be promoted before we understand what's happening."
True Person Feixue also stepped forward, stating coldly, "Huang Yao's surrender might be due to a sudden mutation in his spiritual power, making him temporarily unfit for combat."
"A surrender is a surrender. Why so many excuses?" Fei Kui retorted. "If a Chief Disciple surrendering voluntarily always needs a reason, then who would participate in future contests? If you meet a disciple you can't beat, just say your spiritual power has a problem, and you can avoid losing the Chief Disciple position. I ask the esteemed elders, if that's the case, what rules would we have left?"
"Huang Yao's own strength is outstanding. Without a special reason, why would he surrender?"
On the high platform, True Person Guang Yuan, Li Ziheng, and True Person Feixue strongly opposed Gu Qingfeng's promotion to Chief Disciple of the Twelve Courtyards. Despite Fei Kui's rebuttals, it was useless, because the opposition wasn't just from Feixue and the other two; other elders also seemed somewhat opposed.
"This matter is indeed somewhat abnormal," Elder Mude said doubtfully. "If we let him be promoted directly, I fear it won't convince the masses."
"This..." Elder Rende also fell into hesitation.
Fei Kui was about to say more, but Gu Qingfeng stopped him. Looking at True Person Feixue, True Person Guang Yuan, Li Ziheng, and the others on the high platform, a trace of disdainful amusement curved his lips. "What 'abnormal,' 'doesn't make sense,' 'spiritual power mutation'? It's nothing more than you finding me displeasing to the eye, deliberately picking faults. Why bother with all this nonsense?"
"How dare you!" True Person Guang Yuan stood up and shouted sternly.
"A mere junior disciple, how dare you show disrespect to us!" True Person Feixue also spoke out harshly.
"Gu Qingfeng, our Yunxia Sect has always been fair and just. It's just that this matter..." Elder Rende began to say something, but Gu Qingfeng had no interest in listening. "Enough. Stop with this useless talk. I'll just ask one thing: if the opponent surrenders, can I be promoted or not?"
"This old one..."
"I'm asking you: can I, or can I not?"
"This old one..." Elder Rende opened his mouth again, only to be interrupted once more by Gu Qingfeng. "Answer directly. Can I, or can I not?"
"Outrageous! What kind of attitude is this!" Seeing Gu Qingfeng speak so forcefully to Elder Rende, others all voiced their angry rebukes.
"My attitude is already considered polite," Gu Qingfeng sneered. If it weren't for Huode's repeated, earnest instructions before he left to follow the rules, he couldn't be bothered with all this bickering.
Elder Rende's expression wasn't too good either. He responded, "The reason for Huang Yao's surrender, this old one cannot ascertain for now. If we let you advance, I fear it won't convince the masses. We'll make a decision after this matter is investigated clearly."
Gu Qingfeng said in a deep voice, "No investigation is needed. I'll tell you. The reason Huang Yao surrendered is because I fought him before. Knowing he's no match for me, he naturally surrendered."
"You say Huang Yao is no match for you? What a joke!" True Person Feixue questioned. "Huang Yao is at Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer..."
As True Person Feixue was speaking, Gu Qingfeng cut him off. Turning to look below the platform, he shouted sharply, "Huang Yao! Is what I said the truth?"
Below the platform, Huang Yao's heart jolted, his expression growing even more panicked.
Gu Qingfeng wasn't someone with a good temper. Participating in this damn Chief Disciple contest was annoying enough; he hadn't expected to run into a few even more annoying people. Now, his patience was gradually wearing thin.
Seeing Huang Yao below remain silent, Gu Qingfeng suddenly roared, "Speak!"
The force of that single word immediately frightened Huang Yao into collapsing on the ground. Trembling, he replied, "Yes... yes... What he said is true. I... I am no match for him... I surrender..."
Witnessing this scene, Elder Rende, Elder Mude, True Person Guang Yuan, True Person Feixue, Li Ziheng, and the others on the platform were all extremely astonished.
"Well? Did you all hear that clearly?"
The Gu Qingfeng of this moment seemed vastly different from when he first appeared. When he first arrived, his expression was calm, even with a spring-breeze-like smile at the corner of his mouth. Now, his expression was still very calm, but the spring-breeze smile was long gone, replaced only by impatience.
"Li Ziheng, is his surrender bizarre?"
"True Person Guang Yuan, is his surrender abnormal?"
"True Person Feixue, is his surrender due to some spiritual power mutation?"
"Elder Rende, have you heard the reason clearly?"
Gu Qingfeng swept his gaze across them, questioning them one by one, leaving everyone speechless, unsure how to respond.
True Person Feixue snorted coldly, disdainfully saying, "Huang Yao losing to you before was just that—before. How can that count?"
"Fine! If 'before' doesn't count, then today I'll let you see something that does count."
Gu Qingfeng's gaze swept over, pointing at Li Qiandong and Mu Zibai. In a heavy voice, he shouted, "If I remember correctly, you two are also Chief Disciples, aren't you? Get up here! I'll give you another chance!"
The faces of Mu Zibai and Li Qiandong instantly changed dramatically, their expressions filled with extreme panic.
Li Qiandong no longer had his previous cold sternness. Mu Zibai no longer had his previous graceful demeanor. All that remained was panic. All that remained was fear.
This scene was somewhat bizarre. Extremely bizarre.
Huang Yao being afraid was one thing, but why did Li Qiandong also look afraid? And Mu Zibai too? He was the foremost Chief Disciple of the Twelve Courtyards! Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer, Colorful Foundation, having cultivated six sword techniques to the Peak of Seven-Nine Realm. How could he be afraid!
"Get up here!" Gu Qingfeng's angry roar boomed. With a thud, Li Qiandong and Mu Zibai both collapsed to the ground in fright.
"I... I surrender..."
"I... I surrender too..."
A commotion erupted! On the high platform, Elder Rende, Elder Mude, True Person Feixue, True Person Guang Yuan, and all the other elders stood up, staring at this scene in disbelief.