Not only did the people on the stage recognize Geng Tianbao, but also Shen Huan, who was watching from the sidelines. At their first meeting, he had inquisitord him to be a skilled fighter, but upon closer inspection, he had found him to be all show and no substance. However, today, there was no doubt that his previous assessment had been completely wrong.

　　After losing to Dong Tianzhen, he had thought the crucial moment had passed, but he had not expected the newly arrived Geng Tianbao to side with the He family. As a result, It's a great result.

　　The spectators nearby, who had heard about the surrogate challenge, found it interesting. The news spread quickly, and soon even the people in the back knew about it.

　　At this point, many people realized that He Muxian's forced challenge was an internal conflict within the Eight Families of Holy Monarch. Those who had hoped to make a profit by participating in the challenge quickly dwindled in number.

　　Those who were still willing to stay were curious about the final outcome, while those who were not interested in staying continued with their own business.

　　When Ji Yanshi announced that Geng Tianbao had won four challenges in a row, no one objected.

　　"You've learned quickly," Qing Hu said with a forced smile. "I'm glad I have a hidden trick up my sleeve."

　　"Thanks to my third senior brother's guidance," Geng Tianbao replied.

　　"Enough with the flattery," Qing Hu said. "Seventh junior brother, you're full of cunning."

　　"Second senior, are you really not going to fight?" Geng Tianbao asked.

　　"I dare not," Dong Tianzhen replied.

　　"Then get off the stage, and you all get off too. Junior sister, you go back to the tower. Later, I'll explain everything to everyone, and we'll disband and go our separate ways. After that, I'll have the third senior and Yu Pingnian apologize to you," Geng Tianbao said.

　　He Muxian's heart was filled with relief, and she said, "I rely on you, senior brother."

　　After dealing with the trivial matters on the challenge platform, everyone returned to their original positions.

　　Geng Tianbao planted his spear on the ground and shouted loudly, "Fellow villagers of Beici, and people of all ages from other prefectures, allow me to introduce myself. I am Geng Tianbao, a native of Beiying Town. You may not know much about me, but you may know of my martial arts sect. We are all disciples of the great master Dong Qifeng of the Holy Monarch of the West Peak. Among my peers, I am the eldest, which means I am the top disciple of our generation. I have investigated the matter on the challenge platform thoroughly, and it is absurd..."

　　Before he could finish, a man leaped onto the challenge platform. When he landed, there was no sound or movement.

　　"So you're from the Geng family," the man said.

　　Geng Tianbao sized up the man, who appeared to be around thirty years old. He wore a robe embroidered with seven stars and had a long sword hanging from his waist. His eyebrows were particularly distinctive, as they had been trimmed to be and angular, a style that most people would not adopt.

　　"Are you a disciple of the Eighth Holy Family?" Geng Tianbao asked.

　　"That's right. I am a direct disciple of the Flying Star Sect Master of the Feixing Peak, Xing Tong. According to the sect's hierarchy, you should address me as your senior uncle," the man replied.

　　"Then you are Senior Uncle Xing Tong. What brings you to the challenge platform?" Geng Tianbao asked.

　　"I came to ask you if you intend to end the challenge and dismiss everyone," Xing Tong said.

　　"Since it is an absurd challenge, that is what should be done," Geng Tianbao replied.

　　"Hmph... The challenge has already been issued. How can it be called off? If we do so, will the He family of Beici County not become a laughingstock?" Xing Tong asked.

　　"Do you intend to participate in the challenge?" Geng Tianbao asked.

　　"Indeed! You have won four challenges in a row since stepping onto the platform, which may seem like an easy victory. However, for the fifth bout, it's my turn. Watch carefully," Xing Tong said as he drew his sword and assumed a combat stance.

　　Geng Tianbao had intended to explain the situation and disband the challenge, but he had not anticipated this unexpected complication. He wondered where his Senior Uncle Xing Tong had come from and why he was causing trouble.

　　In reality, two months earlier, Ming Yi had sent one of his disciples, Wang Zu, also known as the Fire Disaster Cult Axe Lord, with a letter to visit Bai Liang at the Feixing Peak of Snow Mist Mountain. Bai Liang had a dedicated disciple who was responsible for receiving materials, and that disciple was Xing Tong. Xing Tong had always harbored greedy desires for the life-enhancing elixir. He had accepted the materials and quietly taken note of them.

　　One day, when Bai Liang had been summoned by his master, the West Peak Holy Monarch, Xing Tong saw an opportunity and sneaked into the dan-making room when the other apprentices were eating. He was pondering how to refine the materials when, coincidentally, Wang Zu arrived.

　　At first, he was startled, but after careful questioning, the two of them opened their hearts and found that they shared the same goal. As a result, they formed an alliance.

　　When Bai Liang returned and discovered that the order of the materials had been changed, he immediately launched an investigation. Under the pressure of his master's authority, Xing Tong confessed everything and implicated Wang Zu as well.

　　Bai Liang was furious and had them beaten out of the mountain, along with Wang Zu. He also confiscated Xing Tong's Flying Star Robe and wrote a letter of reprimand to his son-in-law, urging him to discipline his outer-sect disciples.

　　With no place to go, Xing Tong and Wang Zu, the Fire Disaster Cult Axe Lord, wandered aimlessly until they heard about He Muxian's marriage challenge in Beici County. Thus, they came to Beici.

　　Upon their arrival, Qing Hu treated them as honored guests, despite knowing that they were exiled disciples like Li He and Yu Pingnian.

　　He immediately sought out Master Hao to discuss what to do, and Hao Yun suggested using Xing Tong as a hidden trump card to deal with any unexpected challengers.

　　Xing Tong, who had been treated with high regard, regained some confidence and decided to take action, believing that helping Qing Hu was equivalent to helping his master and that he might be taken back into the fold one day.

　　When Dong Tianzhen took the stage and sided with Qing Hu, Xing Tong remained silent among the crowd. However, when Geng Tianbao took the stage and sided with the He family, he could no longer remain silent.

　　He glanced at Qing Hu among the crowd, and Qing Hu nodded silently, giving him the go-ahead.

　　Geng Tianbao was unaware of these developments and believed that the direct disciple of the Eighth Holy Family should not have participated in the challenge, especially since he was a senior uncle. As a result, he was deeply displeased.

　　Nevertheless, Xing Tong had already taken the stage, and he had no choice but to ready his spear and engage in battle.

　　His spear was a treasured weapon called the Chaori Yinglong Spear, which was inhabited by a yinglong demonic spirit. With the assistance of the yinglong demonic spirit and the spear's heavy weight, Geng Tianbao's attacks were like the wings of a soaring dragon, roaring and soaring through the air.

　　Meanwhile, Xing Tong faced the spear without fear. To be honest, he did not know any sword techniques, but he relied solely on his swordsmanship and was able to match Geng Tianbao's attacks without falling behind.

　　The spectators who had remained were captivated by the battle, and even those who had left returned to watch.

　　Qing Hu watched from the sidelines and exclaimed, "He's incredible! He's truly a direct disciple of the Eighth Holy Family and a personal disciple of the Eighth Holy Master. This is amazing!"

　　Dong Tianzhen shared the same thought. Their senior brother was facing a formidable opponent.

　　Shen Huan watched with trembling heartstrings. Ji Yanshi had told him that Dong Tianzhen was no match for Geng Tianbao, and yet this man was able to engage in a fierce battle with Geng Tianbao using only swordsmanship. It was clear that he was also incredibly skilled.

　　After approximately 160 rounds, Ji Yanshi suddenly said, "This is not good. Senior Brother is going to lose."

　　Looking at the challenge platform, it was clear that Geng Tianbao was gradually losing ground and would soon be unable to continue the fight. After a few more rounds, the tip of Xing Tong's sword pointed at his throat.

　　"Geng family member, yield!" Xing Tong declared.

　　"He..." Geng Tianbao could only utter a single word in response.

　　At this point, there was nothing more to say. With a heavy heart, Geng Tianbao picked up his spear reluctantly walked onto the arena.

　　After an exhilarating battle, a tidal wave of applause erupted from below.

　　Following the plan, Xing Tong continuously called out numbers. Soon after, Qing Hu arranged for Xia Yue to prepare the poisoned blood needle and once again ascended the arena.

　　Pretending to be unaware, the two announced their names and engaged in a mock battle.

　　After a dozen rounds, Qing Hu emerged victorious.

　　At this moment, everyone understood that Xing Tong was Qing Hu's decoy.

　　On the second floor of the Zhou family tavern, He Muyu was frantic. "Sister, what do we do? That shameless has ascended the arena three times."

　　"The eldest and second senior brothers haven't said anything."

　　"Then I'll go find Ji." She started to run downstairs.

　　"Wait, no matter what, he's the son of the Right National Master. We can't get involved."

　　"But... sister, look."

　　Below the arena, Wang Zu, the Fire Calamity Axe Lord, finished his part in the second act.

　　Qing Hu was triumphant. "Junior sister, aren't you getting off the arena?"

　　He Muxian drew out her Qingzhuang sword, ready at all times.

　　Seeing this, Shen Huan grew anxious. He wanted to ascend the arena again, but his body wouldn't obey.

　　He Muyu hurriedly ran out of the tavern, during which time Dang Liaoze finished his part in the third act.

　　Tears streamed down her face like pear blossoms in the rain. "Shen, how are you?"

　　"Miss He, I haven't recovered yet."

　　"Ji,Seventh Senior Brother, please defeat him. I'm begging you."

　　Ji Yanshi was extremely perplexed. "Geng and Dong are watching. Wen hasn't even taken the field..."

　　"You... you... why can't I ever count on you? Zhou Ge, think of something. Can you think of something?"

　　Before anyone could respond, The leader was the Green Knife Ghost Jia Yong, began his part in the fourth act.

　　Zhou Ge glanced at the miss on the second floor, then at Qian Geng and the others. Considering their situation thus far, he decided to lend a hand. But then he hesitated. "I have a betrothal..."

　　He Muyu couldn't care less. "Who's going to know if you don't say anything?"

　　"You really want me to go?"

　　"Hurry up..."

　　"Alright."

　　He agreed and, before the fifth contestant could take the field, walked towards the arena with his saber.

　　Shen Huan's heart settled. "Miss He, this round is secure."