Unfortunately, what was unexpected by everyone happened.
When Yun Ge broke free from the cage and reappeared on the combat platform, his eyes shone brightly as he looked at Mu Jinyu, but he had no intention of making a move.
Instead...
He actually bowed respectfully to Mu Jinyu, his voice full of gratitude as he said, "Thank you, Junior Brother Mu, for your help today..."
"Wow!"
The crowd was instantly abuzz with Yun Ge's actions.
They really couldn't understand why Yun Ge did this.
After being trapped by Mu Jinyu for so long, he actually thanked him after getting out?
Mu Jinyu waved his hand and said with a smile, "No need to be so polite. The fact that Brother Yun could understand everything shows that you were just one step away. I was just giving you a nudge."
Yun Ge smiled bitterly and said, "Even though it was just a nudge, if I had to figure it out on my own, it would probably take me one to two years to understand!"
As the crowd listened to their conversation, they became more and more confused, utterly unable to comprehend what they were talking about.
Only the Examiner Elder slightly furrowed his brows, then quickly relaxed and revealed an excited expression.
From their conversation, the Examiner Elder guessed that Yun Ge must have realized something, and since there was no sign of advancing to the Fanxu Realm, it meant he had understood Intent Domain, just like Wei Ziping!
If that was the case, then since the top three of the Heavenly Sword Faction's List of Outstanding Talents had all understood Intent Domain, wouldn't the chances of winning first place at the upcoming Four Sects Martial Meeting be even more assured?
Someone couldn't help but shout, "Hey, enough with the chatter. Brother Yun, are you going to fight Senior Brother Mu or not?"
Hearing this, Yun Ge shook his head slightly and said, "There's no need to. I am not Junior Brother Mu's opponent, I admit defeat."
He spoke with utmost composure and calm, showing no shame or embarrassment.
The crowd was once again taken aback by Yun Ge's words.
No one had expected Yun Ge to say such a thing.
He, as the most senior disciple of the Inner Gate, did not fight Mu Jinyu to the end and admitted defeat halfway through?
Is this really appropriate, ending it so abruptly?
As Yun Ge admitted defeat, the identity token hanging from Mu Jinyu's waist began to glow and then gradually dimmed.
At this moment, if someone stood at the summit of Tianlan Peak, they would see that the first name on the List of Outstanding Talents had changed from Yun Ge to Mu Jinyu!
Mu Jinyu had fully transitioned from second place on the List of Outstanding Talents to first.
He could now also be called the number one of the young generation in the Heavenly Sword Faction!
At this time, Nie Chu, ranked fifth on the List of Outstanding Talents, glanced oddly between Yun Ge and Mu Jinyu, his eyes rolling thoughtfully.
He recalled Yun Ge's performance when he was trapped in the wooden cage earlier, where sounds thudded incessantly inside. It seemed more like Yun Ge was still caught in a fierce struggle rather than breaking out.
Perhaps he was severely injured inside, which is why he had no choice but to admit defeat as soon as he came out.
If he had continued to fight Mu Jinyu while seriously injured, he would have been put in a worse position, further diminishing his invincible image in the hearts of the Inner Gate disciples.
Was this a retreat in order to advance?
Nie Chu thought his guess was very likely.
If so, wouldn't this be an opportunity for him?
So, after some hesitation, Nie Chu also stepped forward and shouted, "Since Brother Yun has conceded, I too have an itch to test Brother Yun's skills!"
"Hmm?!"
The crowd turned their puzzled and doubtful eyes to him.
They wondered how Nie Chu dared to challenge Yun Ge.
This guy didn't even dare to challenge Wei Qingfeng, who was ranked just above him.
And some people had thoughts similar to Nie Chu's, suspecting Yun Ge might be seriously injured. Upon hearing Nie Chu's words, they knew he was trying to take advantage of the situation, looking at him with disdain and disgust.
Wei Qingfeng's eyelid twitched, anger surging as he coldly said, "Nie Chu, you might be overestimating your step size. If you want a challenge, how about taking me on!"
Nie Chu glanced dismissively at Wei Qingfeng and said, "You're just one rank above me on the List of Outstanding Talents, I can't be bothered to fight you. If I'm going to challenge someone, it ought to be more difficult. Senior Brother Mu is too formidable; even Brother Yun isn't his match, so Brother Yun would be a suitable opponent."
"By that, you mean to say that Brother Yun is easy to bully?!"
Wei Qingfeng asked coldly.
"No, I don't dare think that," Nie Chu shook his head.
"You?!"
Wei Qingfeng wanted to say more.
Yun Ge, however, calmly said, "Junior Brother Wei, there's no need."
Upon hearing Yun Ge's words, Wei Qingfeng calmed down, though his face still bore traces of gloom.
Yun Ge continued, "Junior Brother Nie, you want to challenge me, so I accept. Come forward."
"Good, Brother Yun, you are indeed straightforward!"
Nie Chu's face lit with a proud smile upon hearing Yun Ge's response.
He then swiftly ascended the combat platform.
"Junior Brother Nie, please."
Yun Ge saw Nie Chu get on the stage but didn't plan to make the first move.
"Then Brother Yun, be careful!"
Nie Chu didn't hold back with Yun Ge nor dare to be careless, not knowing how much strength Yun Ge had preserved despite possible serious injuries.
If Nie Chu let Yun Ge make the first move, Yun Ge might use some ultimate sacrificial technique that could still be hard to handle!
"Ha!"
With a light shout, Nie Chu drew his sword, and a scarlet light flashed!
In the void, a phantom of a Golden Crow seemed to appear!
This move from Nie Chu was indeed one of Yun Ge's strongest Sword Intents, the Golden Crow Sword Intent!
"Hiss!"
Yun Ge remained calm, with no ripple in his demeanor but his eyes showed a gradually revealing pride. He also drew his sword.
"Swoosh!"
The terrifying phantom of the Golden Crow was instantly slashed apart by Yun Ge's seemingly plain and gentle sword qi!
"Puff!"
The Sword Intent was shattered, causing a backlash that made Nie Chu spit a mouthful of blood and fly off the combat platform.
Some people could have caught him, but due to his shameless behavior, everyone stepped aside.
Nie Chu hit the ground hard and was disoriented!
"Brother Yun, you..."
Nie Chu looked up, eyes filled with disbelief as he stared at Yun Ge, then spat another mouthful of blood, his eyes rolled back, and he passed out.
The Examiner Elder hurried over to check on him. After confirming that he was all right, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, with the Four Sects Martial Meeting approaching, losing any top-ranking talent would be a significant loss.
Yun Ge had been very measured, breaking only Nie Chu's Sword Intent without further injuring him. Nie Chu just needed some time to recuperate!
The Examiner Elder then ignored Nie Chu, looking up with surprise at Yun Ge and said, "Yun Ge, did you really comprehend Intent Domain?!"
From Yun Ge's recent move, the Examiner Elder vaguely sensed the flavor of Intent Domain but was not entirely certain.
Moreover, he believed that given Yun Ge's strength, defeating Nie Chu shouldn't have been that easy; the only explanation was Intent Domain.
Yun Ge smiled upon hearing the Examiner Elder's question, glanced at Mu Jinyu, and said, "I have to thank Junior Brother Mu for this. Without him, I wouldn't have taken this step so quickly!"