Sean Shen laughed. "Just because you haven't fallen now doesn't mean you won't fall in a moment." He knew the Gentleman Sword's barrier would keep shrinking, and Evan Yang had escaped last time only because he had earth attribute powers. He doubted Eric "Jade Moon" Jing had the same.
Those who truly understood the Gentleman Sword knew exactly what Sean Shen meant, while those who didn't were left clueless.
The atmosphere was ablaze with excitement. People chatted animatedly, some speculating that Eric "Jade Moon" Jing might lose just like that, while others insisted he had a hidden trump. Master Owen Qian furrowed his brows and remarked, "Is that really all it takes to trap him? No other tricks?"
Others in the crowd also doubted that Sean Shen's barrier was just a simple restriction.
Sean Shen's smile grew wider. Everyone watched as the barrier shrank, and Eric "Jade Moon" Jing realized what was happening. He muttered inwardly, "The Gentleman Sword truly lives up to its reputation. Looks like I'll have to use that move if I want to get out."
As the barrier continued to shrink and Sean Shen was convinced Evan Yang would lose, Eric "Jade Moon" Jing suddenly took out a flute. The instrument was entirely green, about half a meter long. Holding it in his hand, Eric grinned and taunted, "If this is your final trick, then you've already lost."
Sean Shen frowned at this. "You mean you have another way out?"
"Just watch," Eric "Jade Moon" Jing replied, flute in hand, and brought it to his lips to play.
A faint melody drifted out. At first, nothing seemed unusual—everyone just found it pleasant to the ear. But Evan Yang noticed a subtle movement: Master Owen Qian's people had already begun to close their eyes tightly.
"Closing their eyes?" Evan Yang murmured. The tune became more enchanting, and gradually, hallucinations began to appear before his eyes.
Evan Yang was shocked. "So the flute's melody can cause hallucinations? Damn, I'd better close my eyes."
Following Master Owen Qian's example, Evan Yang shut his eyes. Instantly, everything fell silent. He continued to observe the situation outside with his divine sense.
Sean Shen seemed oblivious to the flute's power at first, becoming increasingly intoxicated by the melody. His control over the Gentleman Sword gradually weakened.
Slowly, the Gentleman Sword slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground. Many weaker cultivators nearby also sank into illusions, while those with higher cultivation quickly realized something was wrong and guarded their minds against the enchantment.
Eric "Jade Moon" Jing kept playing the flute, reached out to grab the Gentleman Sword, and walked right up to Sean Shen. Then, lowering his flute, he placed the sword's edge against Sean's neck.
"You!" Sean Shen snapped awake, only to find his own Gentleman Sword pressed to his throat.
"Admit defeat," Eric "Jade Moon" Jing said with a faint smile.
The crowd snapped out of their daze, astonished. Some of the disciples set to compete next couldn't help but imagine—if they faced Eric "Jade Moon" Jing, would they fall just as easily?
The Northspirit referee stepped forward. "The Blue Robe Sect has lost. Please vacate the contested residence and move to the other side."
Elder Simon Spring hadn't expected things to turn out this way, but now that it was done, he glanced at Evan Yang and muttered, "If only I'd sent you up instead."
Evan Yang was close to Elder Simon Spring, so he heard every word clearly.
Master Owen Qian stepped forward with a smile. "Sorry about that, Elder Spring. Looks like we’ll be neighbors for a while." He laughed heartily and walked away.
Eric "Jade Moon" Jing gathered his disciples and left, while Sean Shen stood there, struggling to believe what had just happened. In his heart, he grumbled, "If only I’d had the Imprisoning Bell, things wouldn’t have ended like this. Damn that Evan Yang."
Evan Yang had no idea Sean Shen was blaming him for the defeat.
"Let’s go," Elder Simon Spring said, his face dark with shame. He walked over to Sean Shen, who could only pick up the Gentleman Sword from the ground, his mind still replaying the scene.
With the dust settling between the two sects, the other factions began to gauge the strength of their top representatives. Yet none realized that Evan Yang, quietly standing behind, was actually far stronger than Sean Shen.
Evan Yang followed Elder Simon Spring into a small house with only five rooms, each tiny. It didn’t bother Evan, but the others were clearly displeased.
The group picked the largest rooms, while Evan Yang casually chose one of the last two—his was on the top floor, the only room up there and especially small. The house had three floors: one room on the first, three on the second, and one on the top.
The middle floor had the biggest rooms, which is why Elder Simon Spring and his group chose them.
Once everyone had settled in, Elder Simon Spring said to the three, "Come on, let’s go to the banquet."