When Jing Taixu appeared, the rest of the Astral Sage students immediately understood what had happened.

They were being ganged up on.

By two powerhouses, one of which was last iteration's champion, no less.

Li Luo turned a cold smile to Jing Taixu. "Looks like Friend Jing Taixu is still upset by the one-step difference on the Stairway to Heaven."

"Not exactly," Jing Taixu answered seriously. "More accurately, your performance on the Stairway to Heaven made me realize that you were a real threat. That was why I gave you respect and set a trap. I felt that if I didn't do so, the Hall-level competition might well end up with an upset."

"Well, what an honor," Li Luo said. "And...