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As he spoke, he lightly flicked his right hand, sending the silver hairpin smoothly back into Ji Xiaofu’s hair, where it landed perfectly, with the force precisely controlled.

Startled by his sudden action, Ji Xiaofu blushed slightly and replied nervously, “N-no, it’s not that. I’m here under my master’s orders, hoping that Leader Ling might teach me a few moves in swordsmanship.”

Ling Yihan frowned and said, “Miss Ji, you should know that with your current skills, you wouldn’t withstand a single move from me. Why seek such unnecessary humiliation?”

Ji Xiaofu hesitated at his words but then smiled gracefully. “Thank you, Leader Ling, for your concern. But as a disciple of Emei, even if I am not as skilled as others, I would not surrender without a fight.”

Ling Yihan put away the Youlong Sword and said calmly, “Very well, then. No need for me to act personally. I’ll have another Ming Sect disciple fight you.”

With that, he prepared to let Dai Qisi take the stage.

Hearing this, Ji Xiaofu quickly called out, “Wait… Leader Ling, I’d like to make a bet with you!”

Ling Yihan turned back, intrigued. “A bet? Let’s hear it.”

Seeing she had his attention, Ji Xiaofu felt a spark of joy and continued, “It’s like this: I know that my skills are worlds apart from yours, and even if I trained for another ten or twenty years, I would likely still be no match for you. My master has already stated that regardless of the outcome of this duel, Emei is willing to recognize you as Alliance Leader. However…”

Ling Yihan raised an eyebrow. “However, what?”

Ji Xiaofu pointed to the Heavenly Sword in Yin Susu’s hand and said, “If I can withstand ten moves from you, will you return the Heavenly Sword to Emei?”

Ling Yihan chuckled. “Today, your Emei Sect is destined to be defeated by me. Why should I take this bet? Give me a reason.”

Her heart sank as she thought, He’s already assured of his victory. He has no reason to take this bet…

Just then, Ling Yihan looked at her with a mischievous smile. “How about we change the terms? If you win, I’ll return the Heavenly Sword to Emei. But if you lose, you must become my attendant. How about that?”

Ji Xiaofu’s face flushed bright red as she scolded, “You… you shameless scoundrel!”

Miejue Shitai, overhearing, scoffed. “As expected of the demonic leader—always filled with despicable, shameless schemes!”

Ling Yihan merely smiled. “Don’t be too quick to refuse. We’ll also adjust the terms of the duel to make it harder on me. I’ll only use my left hand, and if you force me to use my right hand within ten moves, you win. Otherwise, I win. What do you say?”

Ji Xiaofu glanced at Miejue Shitai, who nodded, and after some hesitation, she replied, “Fine, we’ll duel as you proposed.”

Ling Yihan placed his right hand behind his back and said with a relaxed smile, “Miss Ji, please.”

“With apologies!”

Ji Xiaofu drew her sword, using the Emei Sect’s sword technique, and thrust it toward Ling Yihan.

Ling Yihan made no attempt to dodge. He calmly extended his left hand, formed his fingers into a sword shape, and struck her blade, deflecting her attack.

He’s using just his fingers to effortlessly block my sword. His finger strength is as astounding as it was two days ago! Ji Xiaofu thought as she executed her moves, secretly in awe.

Ling Yihan could have defeated her in one move, but he chose to entertain her, merely deflecting her blade without disarming or immobilizing her.

Soon, the ninth move had passed. With a smile, Ling Yihan gently pinched her sword between two fingers and asked, “Miss Ji, won’t you admit defeat?”

Realizing he had used the same finger technique as before, Ji Xiaofu sighed. “Leader Ling’s skills are unmatched. I admit my defeat. But I will not degrade myself to serve as an attendant and dishonor my sect, so I must…”

She pulled a dagger from her clothing with her left hand and moved to stab herself.

Ling Yihan, surprised by her resolve, instinctively reached out with his right hand and pressed on her wrist’s acupoint.

Ji Xiaofu’s wrist went numb, and the dagger fell from her hand.

Ling Yihan’s expression darkened as he said calmly, “It hasn’t been ten moves, yet I’ve used my right hand. Miss Ji, you win. I’ll return the Heavenly Sword to Emei, as I promised.”

The crowd gasped in shock. Ming Sect disciples were frustrated, while Miejue Shitai felt a mix of joy and unease.

Ji Xiaofu, stunned and overjoyed, said, “Thank you, Leader Ling—I mean, Alliance Leader—for your great mercy. Emei is deeply grateful.”

Ling Yihan looked at her smiling face and replied, “There’s no need to thank me. You earned the sword yourself.”

He gestured for Yin Susu to hand the Heavenly Sword to Ji Xiaofu. “The Heavenly Sword has been returned. I hope your sect will guard it carefully so it doesn’t fall into the hands of the Yuan soldiers again.”

Ji Xiaofu accepted the sword with a nod and said, “Thank you for the reminder, Alliance Leader. I will pass your words on to my master.”

I need to find a way to bring this girl under my control and eventually make her the head of the Emei Sect, Ling Yihan mused. With her as leader, the Heavenly Sword might as well be in my hands. That detestable old nun, Miejue… I’ll have to think of a plan to get rid of her without arousing Ji Xiaofu’s suspicions.

Turning to the assembled sect members, he called out, “Now that the duel is over, and all sects have acknowledged me as the Alliance Leader, are there any further objections?”

The various sect leaders nodded and replied in unison, “We have no objections. We recognize the Alliance Leader and will follow his commands!”

At that moment, the Ming Sect disciples beamed with joy, feeling vindicated after years of oppression by the Central Plains sects.

Seeing this, Ling Yihan nodded in satisfaction.