As soon as Liu Jiayu stepped onto the stage, a messenger from the Sword Bearer's division reached the top of the tower.

The messenger bowed down in reverence. He then gradually raised himself on both elbows and stammered. "Grandmaster! Your succeeding disciple, Mo Cheng, he…"

"What about my disciple?" inquired the Sword Bearer's Grandmaster. A long line stretched from each corner of his tightened lips, all the way to the sides of his nose.

"M-mo Cheng, he…"

"Why are you stuttering? Speak plainly!"

"Your succeeding disciple is raising a ruckus! Please do something, Grandmaster!" The messenger concealed his face in fear, speaking as fast as he possibly could.

"Preposterous! Where is he? Show me the way!" The Sword Bearer's Grandmaster immediately rose from his seat.

The messenger departed the tower, along with the distraught Grandmaster.

Meanwhile, the battle below was about to commence.

The crowd's roars echoed across the island as the famous Liu Jiayu gracefully entered the arena. Every subtle move of hers was made with refined precision, and caught the undivided attention of all the onlookers.

Liu Jiayu's rosy lips faintly curved upwards as she glanced over her shoulder to gaze at the audience, causing several awe-struck men to sigh at the sight of her.

The beautiful armament master then courteously cupped her palms together as she regarded Li Meirong from the opposite end of the stage.

"It is good to finally meet you, Sister Meirong. Your reputation certainly precedes you! I have heard that within a few short years, you have managed to turn from a servant rank into a secondary disciple of Grandmaster Zhu Zhang. What an amazing accomplishment, indeed."

Li Meirong merely smiled at her, cupping her fists together. "Do go easy on me."

"Of course I will! After all, we are both sisters in this sect, and must care for one another. I hope you will not be offended by the Elders' decision to have us battle against each other. Do not worry, my dear Junior. As your Senior, I will be more than lenient with you."

Although Liu Jiayu spoke sweetly, her words were edged with hidden thorns. She evidently staked her claim of superiority before even starting the battle.

Furthermore, the direct jab at Li Meirong's reputation had already caused some of the onlookers to gossip about Li Meirong's legitimacy in becoming a direct disciple of her division.

Li Meirong's shoulder slightly shook. It looked as though she very much wanted to laugh, but thought better of it. She stared at Liu Jiayu with that same subtle smile that could mean anything. Her eyes were a pair of black shining pools, deep and filled with unknown danger.

"In that case, I will kindly return the favour," replied Li Meirong at length.

"How gracious of you," answered Liu Jiayu with feigned calm as she squinted her eyes. 'Does this junior really think she can go easy on me? What position does she even hold to announce such a bold claim?!' she inwardly seethed.

Liu Jiayu was an armament master whom many have held in high regard. In the eyes of other apprentices, she was an impeccable lady, both inside and out. She strived to conduct herself with the appropriate poise and decorum of a cultivator in her reputable position.

After earning the status of succeeding disciple in the most famous orthodox sect for so many years, a lady such as herself had naturally acquired a renowned reputation. Yet the same could not be said for Liu Jiayu's opponent. How could this trashy apprentice cultivator ever think she could compete with her?

For Liu Jiayu, to battle Li Meirong, who was a disfigured low level cultivator with an inferior reputation, was nothing short of degrading!

Furthermore, she got paired up with an inner sect disciple who had been a servant up until a few days ago! This whole battle was a huge humiliation for Liu Jiayu. In fact, it was a travesty to waste her skills and time on such a lowly personage!