I understand now, they're in cahoots.

Linglong Holy Land.

A vast, artificially carved stone platform came into view. This stone platform had been reinforced by layers of Formations, with dense Formation patterns surrounding it and a flowing fluorescent glow; it was an excellent arena for magic combat.

As the many prodigies arrived, numerous well-informed Linglong Holy Land Disciples also flocked from all directions, wanting to witness the duel between the two Holy Land Dao Children with their own eyes.

Additionally, many guests from other Sects and factions also caught wind of the news and gathered here to watch the battle.

For a moment, the area around the arena was bustling with people and filled with noise.

"Who do you think will win between the Dao Child of Tai Xuan and Dao Child of Ziyang?"

"Does that even need to be said? Just look at the betting odds over there. Those betting on the Dao Child of Tai Xuan to win get six to one—bet a hundred Spirit Stones and you'll get six hundred. Why don't you take a gamble and try?"

Hearing this, the person who asked the question shuddered. "Forget it. How could this obscure Dao Child of Tai Xuan possibly defeat Ji Tianpeng?"

"Wait a minute, I'm going right now to bet five thousand Spirit Stones on the Dao Child of Ziyang's victory. I'll still make five hundred afterward. Even a mosquito's leg is meat, no matter how small."

"Makes sense. Don't forget to bet five thousand for me too..."

"Fellow Daoists, does anyone need snacks, fruit, or mountain spring water?"

...In the crowd, Qi Yao looked at Qi Yuan standing in the center of the stone platform with concern and asked Qin Lingxue beside her:

"Sister Qin, do you think Brother Qi can win?"

Facing Qi Yao's inquiry, the habitually cold Qin Lingxue showed a rare touch of tenderness and said softly:

"Yao'er, your brother is dead. Although this person has the same name and surname as your brother, he is not your brother after all. You should understand this."

"I know." Qi Yao's eyes turned slightly red, her tone carrying a hint of sadness. "In my most desperate moment, it was Brother Qi who descended from the sky and saved me."

"Coincidentally, Brother Qi's name is also Qi Yuan. At that time, I couldn't help but think: was it my brother's spirit in heaven that couldn't bear to leave me, so he changed to another identity to continue staying by my side?"

"I also know this thought is far too absurd. He is a prestigious and peerless Prodigy, while my brother was just an ordinary person with a naturally Waste Spiritual Root. The difference between the two is like clouds and mud, but I just can't help but dream like this."

"Perhaps, only in this way can I fantasize that my brother is still alive..."

Seeing the loneliness and desolation on Qi Yao's face that was hard to hide, Qin Lingxue couldn't help but sigh and comforted her:

"Yao'er... I've failed you and your brother. Now that your brother is dead, you are my own sister. I will also keep the Dao Child of Tai Xuan's life-saving grace in my heart."

As she spoke, she looked up at the arena ahead, a flash of determination in her clear and cold eyes.

Elsewhere.

Seeing more and more onlookers gathering, Xiao Yueni, as the host, quickly said to the two in the arena:

"Once the Formation is activated, the magic power of the one with the higher cultivation will be suppressed to the same level as the other. Furthermore, the duel is only to determine the winner, not a life-and-death struggle. Please, both of you, stop when appropriate and do not endanger each other's lives!"

Qi Yuan rubbed his nose nonchalantly. "Got it. Let's start quickly; I'm in a rush. The food will get cold later."

"You still dare to speak so arrogantly here." Standing opposite him, Ji Tianpeng gave a sinister smile and said coldly, "I hope your bones are as hard as your mouth in a moment."

Under countless gazes, the Formation patterns on the stone platform suddenly burst with brilliant light, and the vast Formation Qi spread out, instantly enveloping the entire arena.

At the same time, Ji Tianpeng felt the magic power in his body being suppressed by the Formation, beginning to drop frantically.

Early Soul Transformation Stage, Nascent Soul Peak, Late Nascent Soul Stage... Ji Tianpeng didn't care about this at all. He stared at Qi Yuan in front of him like a predator, saying with a grim expression:

"It's not too late for you to kneel and beg for mercy... What's going on?!"

Before he could finish, his expression changed drastically, and he froze in place as if he had seen a ghost.

Because he discovered that his magic power did not stop dropping after reaching the Nascent Soul Mid-stage, but continued to plummet like he had taken a laxative, unable to stop at all.

Early Nascent Soul Stage.

Late Golden Core Stage.

Late Foundation Establishment Stage... in just a few breaths, it had regressed to the Qi Refining Realm.

"How is this possible?!"

Ji Tianpeng's eyes widened, feeling like he was in a dream.

The next moment, Qi Yuan smiled slightly:

"Since Fellow Daoist Ji is ready, let's begin."

Hearing this, Ji Tianpeng panicked immediately and hurriedly shouted:

"Wait..."

Before he could finish his words, Qi Yuan on the opposite side released his Aura. Ji Tianpeng, who had lost his magic power, felt a massive pressure descend from the sky.

Bang!

Caught off guard, before Ji Tianpeng could react from his shock, he was staggered by the Aura of the Nascent Soul Cultivator and knelt straight onto the ground... Seeing this, Qi Yuan seemed very surprised. "Oh my, Fellow Daoist Ji, I haven't even used any force yet; why did you kneel?"

This scene was truly too bizarre. Before the onlookers could even start cheering, their expressions froze on their faces as they stared blankly at the motionless Dao Child of Ziyang kneeling on the ground.

Their brains were like they had crashed, turning completely blank.

Quiet!

An eerie silence!

At this moment, the area around the massive stone platform was silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

From everyone's perspective:

The Dao Child of Tai Xuan and Dao Child of Ziyang first exchanged a round of trash talk. After the Formation was activated, Daozi of the Profound Heaven Sect, Qi Yuan, said, "Then let's begin," and then... Dao Child of Ziyang, Ji Tianpeng, knelt!

The entire process was smooth and seamless, as if it had been rehearsed in advance... "This... what on earth happened?"

After a moment of being dumbfounded, someone suddenly came to their senses and shouted loudly:

"Oh no! I understand! The two of them are in cahoots! This duel is just an act, and the goal is to scam everyone's Spirit Stones!"

As soon as these words were spoken, it immediately incited indignation in many people, who tightly surrounded the bookmaker who had opened the betting.

"A fix! This duel is fixed!"

"The crooked bookie and these two teamed up to cheat, intentionally setting a trap for us to jump into."

"So it's a fake fight? I'm not playing anymore. Quickly return my Spirit Stones!"

"I also lost ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones! What a huge loss!"

...Amidst the chaos, Ji Tianpeng suddenly regained consciousness. Upon discovering his current posture, his eyes nearly split with rage as he roared:

"You surnamed Qi, you are despicable and shameless! You actually took advantage of a problem with the Formation to launch a sneak attack!"

For some reason, at this moment, the magic power in his body that had been suppressed to almost nothing experienced an explosive growth again. His Aura climbed steadily and soon reached the level of Nascent Soul Mid-stage.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan gave a soft laugh. "You say there's a problem with the Formation; where's the evidence?"

Ji Tianpeng stood up, gritting his teeth, and said hatefully:

"Fine! Then let's fight again!"

As he spoke, the Aura around him changed abruptly, and a surging Battle Intent gushed out. A glow flowed in his hand, and a pitch-black spear instantly appeared.

This spear had no flashy design; it was simple and ancient, perfectly natural, yet it faintly emitted a destructive Aura from the primordial era—fierce, brutal, and heart-palpitating.

"Kill!"

Amidst a humming sound, the spear in Ji Tianpeng's hand pierced through the void, striking out a terrifying bolt of dark light that shot rapidly toward Qi Yuan!

Facing this terrifying offensive, Qi Yuan still stood in place with a relaxed expression, without even a hint of wanting to dodge.

"As expected of the Dao Child of Ziyang; even if his cultivation is suppressed to the Nascent Soul Mid-stage, this strike is definitely not something an ordinary Nascent Soul Cultivator can resist!"

"Is he scared stupid? Shouldn't he dodge in this situation?"

"Dodge, quickly!"

Amidst the crowd's cries of alarm, the magic power in Ji Tianpeng's body once again dropped uncontrollably. In the blink of an eye, it actually fell back to the Qi Refinement Stage... Bang!

Due to the lack of magic power, the attack he had just launched collapsed on its own.

Then, Ji Tianpeng discovered that his cultivation suddenly began to fluctuate wildly up and down, high and low, like he was on a roller coaster with the accelerator welded down and no seatbelt... "Pfft!"

Ji Tianpeng could no longer withstand his own constantly surging cultivation and spat out a large amount of blood, looking at Qi Yuan in disbelief:

"You... what Demonic Technique are you actually using to be able to control my cultivation?!"

Qi Yuan looked innocent. "I say, why are you so dramatic? Are we going to fight or not?"

With the [Pretending to be a Pig to Eat the Tiger] talent, as long as the Formation did not reach a level above the Hedao Realm, whatever cultivation Qi Yuan wanted the Formation to think he had, the Formation would automatically believe it.

And according to the core rule of the Formation ensuring that both sides' cultivation was consistent, Ji Tianpeng's cultivation would also change accordingly... This guy was already considered exceptionally gifted for not having suffered a Qi Deviation under these circumstances.