In both the Golden Wind and Dangerous Moon Towers, Yue Wuji and Fang Rong could not be considered top-tier disciples. Their battle was merely an opening probe. Everyone was well aware of this principle.
Afterwards, they saw a heroic and dashing, beautiful woman with a soft sword wrapped around her waist appear from the Golden Wind Tower's side. Her strength was clearly more than just a notch above Fang Rong's. In just three moves, she forced Fang Rong to leave the stage with a grim face. Duels between sword cultivators rarely dragged on.
A swift resolution was often considered superior. Moreover, even within the same major realm of the Sword Dao, the depth of one's foundation could be worlds apart.
Take Fang Rong and that beautiful woman for example; although both were in the Sword Qi Realm, the latter's sword qi was far more solid than Fang Rong's. When they clashed, it was like an egg hitting a stone. Fang Rong's water-attribute sword qi was instantly dispersed.
Her defeat in three moves was the result of her trying her utmost to hold on. However, this kind of disparity was difficult to perceive or articulate unless one had entered the Sword Qi Realm or higher.