Lin Xiao sighed inwardly, but he did not stop her. He knew very well that a gap in strength still existed between Dongxue and Tang Yan. Conceding directly to preserve Tang Yan's stamina and hidden moves was indeed the best choice.

Tang Yan, my daughter has made such a great concession for you. In this Grand Competition, you must bring us glory!

Lin Dongxue's sudden surrender caused many hearts to tighten.

In the Fang City seating area, Fang Xuan looked at Tang Yan with deep wariness. Lin Dongxue's strength was not weak, yet she had conceded without hesitation. That could only mean Tang Yan's true strength was far more terrifying.

Already standing on the arena, Du Shu shifted his gaze toward Tang Yan, a flicker of dread flashing through his eyes.

"Stop looking. You won't have a chance to duel him!" Wan Fei revealed a faint smile. Bathed in the sunlight, her mature elegance exuded an infinite charm.

Du Shu shot her a playful glance. "So confident? I wonder, Miss Wan Fei, how certain are you of seizing the top spot?"

"Claiming first place isn't very realistic, but entering the top three poses no difficulty at all."

Hearing Wan Fei's words, a solemn light gathered in Du Shu's eyes. To enter the top three, she would have to step over him. Who gave her such confidence?

"The duel begins!" the red-robed elder announced loudly.

Heeding Fang Xuan's assessment from the day before, Du Shu knew that to fight Wan Fei, he had to strike fast!

As the backbone of the Four Young Masters of the East Domain, Fang Xuan's strength and martial insights far exceeded the norm. The others placed great trust in his judgment.

The moment the red-robed elder shouted, Du Shu moved.

His figure blurred into a streak of lightning as he rushed Wan Fei, a heavy fist smashing ruthlessly toward her.

As the second-ranked expert among the Four Young Masters of the East Domain, Du Shu's strength was undeniably extraordinary. The moment he unleashed that fierce, overbearing momentum, cheers erupted from the crowd.

But Wan Fei's speed was no slower. The instant Du Shu moved, she reacted.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The two exchanged blows with blinding speed, dazzling the onlookers.

Off the stage, Tang Yan bowed slightly toward Lin Dongxue. "Thank you for yielding, Miss Lin."

"I couldn't defeat you anyway. Why force you to expose more of your strength?" Lin Dongxue replied, her tone completely at ease.

"Spoken like a true young lady of the City Lord's Manor. Such vision!" Tang Yan gave her a thumbs-up.

"There's no need to dwell on it. Miss Wan Fei and Du Shu are both extraordinary fighters. I wonder which of them you will end up facing," Lin Dongxue said, smoothly changing the subject.

The duel on stage was indeed brilliant, drawing continuous roars of applause from the spectators.

In less than three minutes, the two had exchanged dozens of moves. Yet they remained evenly matched, neither able to secure a clear advantage.

Tang Yan narrowed his eyes, watching the fierce battle unfold. Exhaling a long breath, he said, "I should end up facing Wan Fei."

Lin Dongxue stared at him in surprise. Neither fighter had shown any sign of weakness yet.

Furthermore, while the two were currently locked in a stalemate, a man typically possessed a natural advantage in physical strength and endurance.

Judging by the current exchange, Wan Fei did not hold the upper hand. How could he tell?

"Why?" Lin Dongxue asked.

"Their overall strength is roughly equal, but Wan Fei's advantage lies in her profound understanding of martial skills. At the very beginning, they only traded basic moves. But just a moment ago, Wan Fei executed a martial skill. Even though it was only a low-grade Origin Rank skill, the power of a martial technique will always surpass a normal strike.

"More importantly, she executed it incredibly fast. Even if Du Shu wanted to counter with a martial skill of his own, he didn't have the time.

"With that single strike, Wan Fei created a tiny advantage for herself. If she uses Origin Rank skills a few more times, many small amounts accumulate into much. She will definitely buy herself enough time to unleash a Yellow Rank martial skill. Once she does, the gap between them will finally be forced open."

Tang Yan's firm, confident analysis left Lin Dongxue slightly dazed. Was this guy's insight really that terrifyingly sharp?

It did not take long for Tang Yan's words to be proven true.

As the clash continued, the grade of the martial skills Wan Fei employed steadily rose.

Bang!

Seizing a brief opening, Wan Fei suddenly blasted a Yellow Rank martial skill at Du Shu. Unable to withstand the brunt of the force, Du Shu was finally forced a step back.

The eyes of the crowd narrowed as they stared at Wan Fei in shock. This woman was no simple character!

"This girl isn't bad. Her understanding of martial techniques is profound enough that she can instinctively simplify their execution. A very good seedling," Mo Bin nodded in praise from the judges' viewing stand.

Hearing this, the five City Lords felt their hearts stir. Wan Fei's entry into the Azure Dragon Academy was virtually set in stone.

Capitalizing on her momentum, Wan Fei pressed the attack. The entire battle shifted completely in her favor.

When Wan Fei unleashed a Black Rank martial skill, Du Shu only had time to hastily summon a Yellow Rank skill to block it.

Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!

This time, Du Shu was forced back three consecutive steps.

Over the next few minutes, Wan Fei unleashed a frantic, relentless storm of martial skills.

Du Shu finally understood the sheer frustration Song Ze had experienced earlier.

Before long, Du Shu's momentum completely collapsed, and he was decisively beaten down.

"Fang City, Wan Fei, wins!" the red-robed elder announced.

Watching Du Shu be blasted off the arena, the spectators felt a surge of shock, followed by a rush of exhilaration. Wan Fei's endless barrage of martial skills, completely suffocating her opponent, was a sight that made their blood boil.

Although a hint of disappointment flashed through the Qing City City Lord's eyes, he could only accept fate. Du Shu's defeat wasn't because he was weak; it was simply because Wan Fei defied common logic.

With this level of strength, Wan Fei had proven herself fully qualified to challenge Fang Xuan.

"This is an Origin Qi Spirit Pill. Swallow it to recover your strength. Your next duel will take place in one hour," Fang Wentian said, placing a porcelain bottle on the table and gesturing for Wan Fei to take it.

"The next match is between Tang Yan and me, correct?" Wan Fei asked the red-robed elder from the stage.

"Correct!" the elder nodded.

"I concede," Wan Fei said calmly. Then, she turned around and walked straight off the arena.

The entire crowd was dumbfounded. They stared in disbelief, wondering if they had misheard.

"What the hell? Wan Fei actually conceded just like that?"

"With her strength, she could definitely fight Fang Xuan! What is she thinking?"

"I heard those two know each other. Could they be old lovers?"

"Even if she can't beat Fang Xuan, she shouldn't just hand a free win to Yun City, right?"

The spectators were utterly baffled.

"Wan Fei, what kind of nonsense is this!" Fang Wentian could no longer hold back his anger and shouted.

"A few days ago, I found myself in grave peril, lingering on the verge of death. Fortunately, Young Master Tang saved my life."

Wan Fei said no more. The crowd instantly understood-she was repaying a life debt.

Hearing her explanation, Fang Wentian could not force the issue.

Forget it. This just means Fang Xuan will win the Grand Competition that much faster.

Clearing his throat, Fang Wentian announced, "Although it is regrettable, since Miss Wan Fei has yielded, the Grand Competition will proceed. It just so happens that Tang Yan and Fang Xuan have not yet fought today. Therefore, the final battle of the Eastern Region Grand Competition begins now! I invite our two outstanding talents to the arena!"