Transcript [EN]: My senior brother is exceedingly formidable

master brother is diligent and unyielding while second brother seeks respit in solitude Master brother is hailed as a genius whereas second brother bears the shame of the set until one day junior sister discovers that second brother is quite formidable as well A chapter 1 the special second brother lingo sack Can you peek a middle-aged man accompanied by a girl of approximately 15 or 16 years old appeared here The girl with skin as white as snow and a stunningly beautiful face adorned with long eyelashes possessed a pair of large expressive eyes that sparkled with life Curiously she asked the stern middle-aged man "Uncle can I not become your disciple?" The middle-aged man turned around and replied "I already have three direct disciples and five inner disciples under my wing I fear I cannot spare the time to teach you." Coincidentally Junior Brother Sha only has two disciples If you wish to be his disciple you could become his direct disciple now While junior brother Sha and his eldest disciple are absent let us seek out his second disciple The girl's eyes blinked in confusion Why must we first seek his second disciple before finding the master shouldn't we find the master first the middle-aged man displayed a hesitant expression ultimately saying it is more convenient for you to establish a good relationship with his second disciple first This will facilitate your apprenticeship The girl looked at the middle-aged man Uncle your words lack sincerity Are you deceiving me the middle-aged man was about to say something when he suddenly spotted something in the distance exclaiming "We have arrived." The girl followed the direction pointed by the middle-aged man Not far away there was an open area with a large tree perched on its branches was a small bird roughly the size of a fist adorned with vibrant red feathers looking quite adorable Under the tree a hammock swayed gently with a young man lounging upon it As they approached the girl noticed the young man appeared to be around 18 or 19 years old with sharp brows and bright eyes undeniably handsome He was engrossed in observing a celestial card with great interest Upon the middle-aged man's arrival he greeted the young man with a smile saying "Shouting." The tone suggested a hint of flattery seemingly aimed at the young man The young man shifted his gaze from the celestial card glancing at the middle-aged man and the girl replying "Ah it is Master Uncle Sha Have you come to find Master master is not here Oh and neither is the eldest brother After speaking he shifted comfortably causing the hammock to sway once more The girl felt astonished Taken back by the young man's attitude towards her uncle Her uncle Shaang was the master of Chia Pik one of the five pigs of Ling Shaet and possessed strength at the nent soul stage Not only a formidable figure with him the set but also a well-known expert in Shijou Yet he exhibited a tone of deference towards the young man before him Moreover he remained reclining showing no intention of rising Who then was truly the master and who was merely the disciple her uncle Shiaoang then addressed the girl Shiaoli This is the second disciple of Tenup Lu Xiaoing you may simply call him second brother Although Shiaoi did not comprehend what was so remarkable about the young man before her she obediently complied With a sweet voice she chirped "Greetings second brother." Her voice was as melodious as a lark prompting Lu Xiaoing to glance at her with increased interest Her long lustrous black hair was tied up her appearance sweet and innocent with a delicate nose But what captivated attention the most were her large expressive eyes A true beauty in the making Shiao Chong smiled at Lu Xiaoing asking "What do you think of this girl?" Lu Shaqing quickly responded "Master Uncle Sha if you have matters to discuss with Master or the eldest brother you should return tomorrow They will not be back until then I am quite busy and have no time With that he jumped off the hammock preparing to flee What on earth was Master Uncle bringing such a beauty here for it was clear that something was a mis better to sleep away quietly Shiaoang quicked seized Lu Xiaoing exclaiming "Don't run away Master Uncle I have matters to attempt to." Lu Shaqing urged "Master Uncle Sha I bear no imity towards you Please do not involve me." Using a beauty plot I know nothing I cannot assist you This was undoubtedly a significant issue a considerable trouble Shiaoi watched in exasperation from the sidelines Shiaoan remarked "I merely wish for Shiaoi to become a disciple under Tenu I seek your assistance." Upon hearing this Lu Xiaoing immediately regained his composure Brushing off Shiaos hand Ah you should have said so earlier You nearly gave me a heart attack Shiaoan both amused and exasperated replied "You lazy fellow Can't you learn from your eldest brother?" Lu Xiaoing retorted Having one eldest brother is already a headache for master adding another would surely drive him to despair I do this for master's sake Shiaoan felt a headache coming on this young man was always evasive He returned to the matter at hand Master uncle I believe the masculine energy at Tenu Pik is too overwhelming It requires some balance What do you think of this girl could she serve as your junior sister lu Shiaoing regarded her with a scrutinizing gaze Examining Shiaoi After a long pause he inquired "Girl what is your relationship with Master Uncle Shiao?" Shiaoi obediently responded "He is my uncle." Lu Shaing pressed "By blood?" Shiaoang incensed retorted "What kind of question is that if he is not my blood relative then what is he?" Lu Xiaoing addressed Shauang If he is indeed a blood relative why would you send her to Cany what are you thinking does the girl's father harbor a grudge against you has he failed to repair that shiao Chuang grating his teeth in frustration raised his hand angrily declaring "Do you believe I will strike you down?" Shiaoi felt a twinge of anxiety Lu Shaqins words sounded rather alarming She turned to her uncle "Uncle is what he said really so dreadful." Shiao Chuang now more agitated found the young man's words had made his niece anxious It was genuinely troublesome He patiently reassured her Do not believe him Becoming a disciple at Tenu Peak is undoubtedly a good opportunity for you Shiaoi gazed at Lu Shaoling her large eyes blinking Lu Shaqing with a sincere expression advised Shiaoi "Girl go home and inquire whether your father has done something to offend your uncle." Shas palm glimmerred with a bright light ready for action glaring at Lu Shaqing If you continue to speak nonsense believe that I shall strike you down Hurry and tell us how she can join Tenu Peek Lu Shaqing yawned appearing indifferent to become a disciple you should seek my master What do you want with me shaong countered Isn't it necessary to pass through your eldest brother's scrutiny come up with a solution quickly If it weren't for the need to pass through your eldest brother's scrutiny I wouldn't even be here seeking your assistance Just one visit to you is enough to raise my blood pressure Lu Shaoling shrugged adopting an air of helplessness There is no way to pass your eldest brother's scrutiny I cannot assist you either As expected Shao wasted no time and held up two fingers 200 spirit stones Lu Shoqins eyes brightened momentarily only to reveal a troubled expression as he rubbed his hands together But this is my eldest brother We are discussing overcoming his scrutiny is no small feat Shaong raised another finger 300 Lu Xiaoing promptly stated 500 Give it to me now and I will tell you instantly Shiaoang well aware of his nephews nature initially provided Lu Xiaoing with 100 spirit stones saying "This is your advanced payment The remainder will be given Once you reveal the solution Master Uncle Sha can't you be a little more generous still claiming to be the pig master a nent so expert Being so stingy does not suit your status Shaong snorted "What kind of person do you think you are if I were not cautious would you truly believe I am an easy target as to peak master the world's misconceptions about me run too deep Lu Sha side." Master Uncle Sha you misunderstand me far too much very well for your eldest brother's scrutiny You simply need to Master brother is diligent and unyielding while second brother seeks solace in idleness Master brother is hailed as a genius whereas second brother is deemed the disgrace of the sect until one fateful day the younger sister discovers that second brother possesses remarkable prowess Chapter one the special second brother Ling Sha can you peek A middle-aged man accompanied by a young girl approximately 15 or 16 years of age arrives at this location The girl with skin as fair as snow and a stunning visage possesses long eyelashes framing her beautiful expressive eyes Curiously she inquires of the stern middle-aged man Uncle may I not become your disciple the middle-aged man turns to her and replies I already have three personal disciples and five inner disciples under my tutelage I fear I cannot spare the time to instruct you Coincidentally Shitty Shell at Canyup only has two disciples If you were to seek his guidance you could become his personal disciple now While Shidishaw and his eldest disciple are absent I will take you to meet his second disciple The girl's eyes blink in confusion Why must we first seek his second disciple to become a disciple shouldn't we approach the master directly the middle-aged man's expression reveals his hesitation ultimately stating "It is more convenient to establish a good rapport with his second disciple first." The girl gazes at him "Uncle your words lack sincerity Are you attempting to deceive me?" Just as the middle-aged man was about to respond he suddenly spots something in the distance We have arrived Following his gaze the girl sees an open space adorned with a large tree perched on its branches is a small bird no larger than a fist with vibrant red feathers looking quite adorable Beneath the trees weighs a hammock where a young man recines comfortably As they draw closer the girl discerns that the young man appears to be around 18 or 19 years old with sharp eyebrows and captivating eyes exuding charm He is engrossed in a celestial card seemingly enthralled by it Upon the middle-aged man's approach he greets the young man with a smile shouting The tone carries a hint of flattery as if to curry favor with the young man The young man shifts his gaze from the car to glance at the middle-aged man and the girl responding "Oh it is Master Uncle Sha Have you come to seek master?" "Master is not here and oh neither is the eldest brother." With that he shifts comfortably causing the hammock to sway once more The girl is taken back astonished by the young man's demeanor towards her uncle Her uncle Shiaoan is the master of Chiao Pik one of the five pigs of Ling Shaet Possessing strength at the nent soul stage renowned not only within the set but also across Chijhou Yet here he is displaying a founding attitude towards this young man who remains reclining without any intention of rising who truly holds the authority the pig master or the disciple Then her uncle Shao introduces her Shiaoi This is the second disciple of Tenup Lu Shaqing you may address him as second brother Although Shiaoi does not comprehend what makes this young man so exceptional she obediently complies sweetly calling out "Hello second brother." Her voice is as melodious as a lark prompting Lu Xiaoing to glance at her more intently With her elegant black hair tied up she possesses a sweet and innocent appearance with delicate features particularly her strikingly large eyes A true beauty in the making Shiao Chong smiles at Lu Xiaoing What do you think of this girl lu Xiaoing hastily responds Master Uncle if you have business with Master or the eldest brother you should return tomorrow They will not be back until then I am quite busy and have no time With that he leaps from the hammock preparing to make his exit What is the purpose of bringing such a beauty here there must be some hidden agenda better to slip away Shiaoang quick to react sees this Lu Xiaoing do not run away Master Uncle I have no grievances with you Please do not involve me You employing a bow ties charm I am utterly clueless and cannot assist you This is undoubtedly a significant matter a considerable predicament Shiaoli observes in silence finding the exchange rather absurd Shiaoan explains "I merely wish for Shia to join Tenu Pik and seek your assistance." Upon hearing this Lu Xiaoing regains his composure and pushes Shiaos hand away Had you said so earlier you nearly startled me to death Shiaoan beused retorts You lazy wrestle can you not learn from your eldest brother lu Shaoling replies Having one eldest brother is already a headache for master Adding another would drive him to despair I do this for master's sake Shaong grumbles in frustration This bread is as obstinate as ever He shifts back to the main topic Master uncle I believe the masculine energy at Tenuik is too overwhelming It requires a balance What do you think of this burrow would she make a suitable sister disciple lu Shaoling examines her closely His expression shifting as he sizes up Shiaoi After a while he queries "Girl what is your relation to Master Uncle Sha?" Shiaoi sweetly replies "He is my uncle." Lu Shaoling asks "By blood?" Shiaoang irritated retorts "What kind of question is that if not by blood then what?" Lu Shaqing responds to Shiaoang "If she is indeed related by blood why would you send her to Canop what are your intentions is it that the girl's father holds a grudge against you or owes you money shiaoan exasperated struggles to contain his irritation raising his hand in a threat Do you believe I could slap you to death shiaoi feels a twinge of anxiety Lucings words sound oddly unsettling She glances at her uncle Uncle is there truly something so dreadful about what he says shiao Chong grows more agitated This brat's words have instilled worry in his niece He patiently reassures her Do not listen to him Joining TenuP will undoubtedly be a boom for you Shiaoi gazes at Lu Shaoling her large eyes blinking Lu Shaoling with a sincere expression advises "Girl you should inquire with your father if he has crossed your uncle in any way." Shiaos palm glows with white light poised to strike glaring at Lu Xiaoing If you continue to speak nonsense I shall indeed strike you Quickly tell her how she may join Tenik Lu Xiaoing Yongs adopting a non demeanor If you wish to become a disciple you should seek my master Why come to me shiaoan insists Isn't it necessary to pass through your eldest brother's scrutiny think of a solution quickly Were it not for that hurdle posed by your eldest brother I would not be here seeking your counsel Merely visiting you has already vexed me to the point of diminishing my lifespan Lu Shaqing shrugs figning helplessness You have no way past your eldest brother nor do I As expected Shiaoan refrains from further pleasantries raising two fingers 200 spirit stones Lu shaking eyes brightener momentarily before he reveals a troubled expression rubbing his hands This is my eldest brother We're discussing passing his scrutiny will be challenging Shiaoan raises a third finger 300 Lu Xiaoing promptly counters 500 right now and I will tell you immediately Shiao Chuang well aware of his nephews nature hands Lu Shaqing a 100 spirit stones saying Harris is a deposit the remainder will be given once you explain the method master uncle can you not be more generous you still claim to be the pig master a nent so expert being so miserly does not be your status what kind of person do you think you are if I did not guard against you do you think I became pig master by chance the world has misunderstood me deeply loa size master uncle The misunderstandings regarding me are profound Very well To pass your eldest brother's scrutiny you merely need to Chapter 2 The return of the senior brother Shiao Chuang departed from Tianu Peak with Xiaoi both wearing expressions of satisfaction Shiaoi however was puzzled by Shiaos actions She wrinkled her nose and said "Uncle unless you explain clearly I have no desire to join Tanu Peak Without clarity I cannot dare to go there." Shauang sighed and replied "All right as I mentioned earlier not only can you become a direct disciple at Tanu Peak but you will also have the opportunity to follow an exceptional senior brother Do you know who the strongest disciple of Ling Sha is?" Shiaoi being quite intelligent Quickly deduced "Uncle you must be referring to the senior brother of Tianu Peak right?" Shiaoang nodded affirming "Indeed the strongest disciple of Ling Xiao sect is the senior brother of Tianu Peak Jiian His strength is at the late stage of the core formation realm capable of slaying those in the nent soul stage Even though this event had transpired long ago Shiaoang felt a lingering shock in his heart Xiao Yis beautiful eyes widened her mouth agape in disbelief Uncle you can't be joking can you poor formation slaying nent soul What kind of nonsense is this nent soul is so pathetic Seeing his niece's reaction Shiao Chuang did not find it amusing for he had reacted similarly in the past Why would I lie to you ji Yin is the most talented genius in our Ling Shiao sect with a swordsmanship talent surpassing even that of our ancestors 10 years ago Junior Brother Shiao was at the late stage of core formation And after taking Ji Yin under his wing he broke through to the naent soul stage in less than a year thanks to Jiians guidance Shiai upon hearing this found it even harder to believe A disciple urging their master Indeed Shiao Tuang confirmed "When one is beside Jiian there is no reason to slack off as he continually progresses You will naturally follow in his footsteps ceaselessly advancing This is the true reason I want you to go to Tanu Peak With such a senior brother your strength will sore." As Xiaoang described Ji Yin an image of a resolute ever advancing figure gradually formed in Shias mind However in the next moment for reasons unknown the figure of Lu Xiaoing suddenly appeared in her thoughts Shiaoi instinctively asked "What about senior brother Lu is he as formidable?" Upon her question Shiaos expression turned sour resembling someone suffering from constipation He retorted him "Once you arrive at Tianu Peak keep your distance from him You don't want to be influenced by him Curiosity peaked Shiaoi inquired "Uncle what sort of person is senior brother Lu why do you say that?" Shiao Chuang replied "Lazy exceedingly lazy Greedy extremely greedy." Shiaoi was taken aback never expecting her uncle to hold such a low opinion of Lu Xiaoing However reflecting on Lu Xiaoings earlier behavior she felt her uncle's assessment was somewhat justified He only required 500 spirit stones to assist What about his strength you mentioned that being beside senior brother Ji would motivate me Surely senior brother Lu must be quite powerful Shiao Chuang grew more frustrated stating his strength Sigh you will understand in due time Just heed your uncles advice once you join Tianu Peak Steer clear of him inwardly Shiao Chuang thought it better not to discuss that lad's strength lest Xiaoi develop a misguided impression Given Tianu Peaks impressive reputation Shiaoi had another question Uncle are you so certain I can join Tianup didn't senior brother Lu mention it was quite challenging to pass Jiians test shiao Chuang brimming with confidence replied assuredly Though that fellow is lazy and greedy he possesses a semblance of principles He will fulfill his obligations once compensated Moreover he knows Jiian better than anyone His methods will be effective Once Junior Brother Sha returns I will take you to seek his mentorship and following his approach will undoubtedly lead to success Tianu peak That evening Lu Shaqing satisfied with the 500 spirit stones he had acquired chuckled softly before vanishing entirely He reappeared in a grand hall adorned in white At the center stood a table crafted from jade upon which lay a blank spirit tablet accompanied by an incense burner made of the same jade Aside from these there was nothing else to be seen Lu Xiaoing approached the table and tossed a thousand spirit stones into the incense burner A flash of white light erupted and the spiritual energy from the stones was instantly absorbed reducing them to powder The spirit tablet also glimmered with white light faintly revealing characters that seemed to flicker across its surface Finally two characters appeared on the jade table One year seeing this Lu Xiaoing sighed Exchanging a thousand spirit stones for a year's time is exorbitantly costly Earning money is arduous It took me ages to accumulate a thousand spirit stones and now I'm back to square one He shook his head lamenting "Alas what can be done my senior brother is an anomaly without spirit stones to exchange for time I can hardly keep pace with him Luckily after crossing over I stumbled upon this ring Otherwise it would be impossible to survive in this world." Having said that he sat down to meditate Lu Xiaoing had traversed into this world 18 years prior serendipitously becoming a disciple of Tianu Peak He had also discovered a ring akin to the time chamber from the Dragon Ball universe Utilizing this ring allowed him to keep up with his prodigious senior brother Jiian Lu Xiaoing and Jiian had joined Tianu Peak at the same time being accepted as disciples by Master Shiao Chong Ji Yin was a true genius possessing unparalleled talent particularly in swordsmanship often regarded as superior even to the sex founder Those endowed with talent are not to be feared What is truly formidable is when that talent is coupled with diligence Gi epitomized this archetype beginning as a mere mortal He ascended to the late stage of core formation within a mere decade within the confines of his spatial ring Over the course of a year during his cultivation time seemed to slip away in the blink of an eye Upon awakening Lu Xiaoing assessed the results of his efforts Sigh A year of arduous cultivation equates to about half a year of my senior brother's training doesn't it achieving a breakthrough in a year feels like a poultry gain How I envy the gifted Lu Xiaoing shook his head and vanished reappearing on his bed In reality less than a quarter of an hour had passed outside Unfortunately the cool down period for the ring's function was a month Nonetheless it afforded him a chance to rest and balance his efforts with leisure Lu Xiaoing collapsed falling into slumber like an ordinary person The next day he awoke to find it was already noon Rising from his bed he noticed that neither his master nor his senior brother had returned Stretching lazily he decided to order takeout Producing a paper crane he infused it with spiritual energy Watching as its eyes brightened and it came to life Same as usual he instructed the paper crane which flapped its wings and soared into the sky to fetch his meal At his level of cultivation the need for food was no longer significant However Lu Xiaoing believed that abstaining from food would deprive him of considerable enjoyment He made his way to the hammock outside reclined and took out a Tingi tablet to browse the news The Tangi tablet akin to a smartphone on Earth was palmsized and a crowning achievement of Tangi Pavilion Much like news outlets on Earth Tingi Pavilion disseminated news and information through it Consequently many disciples were scattered throughout the world referred to as Tangi practitioners Humorously dubbed Tingi pups akin to journalists on Earth After arriving in this world Lu Xiaoing acquired the Nameless Ring following an extended period of cultivation He would always take a break as the solitude could be unbearable Of course earning money was also a daunting task making it difficult to cultivate for an entire year as he had done the previous night Last night's year of cultivation was his first experience of its kind The news broadcast on the Tangi board presents the best choice for Lu Xiaoing to pass the time in this world The hammock gently sways as a small red bird chirps softly from the tree A mild breeze wafts through bringing immense comfort to Lu Xiaoing After half an hour a figure approaches Senior brother Louu the items you ordered have arrived A young man around 25 carries a steaming food box Lu Xiaoqing reclining on the hammock glances at the young man with curiosity Wong Shitty why are you so late today the young man Wong Yao an outer disciple of Ling Xiao sect possesses mediocre talent and is still in theQi refinement stage He replies somewhat apologetically "I just finished delivering two orders It's not just because of you Everyone in Linga sect has taken to ordering takeout because of you You know how my boss is unreasonably stingy and refuses to hire more help It's a tough situation for us workers Lu Xiaoing responds But you're earning quite a bit aren't you his tone reveals envy Had it not been against the sex rules for inner disciples to work he would have joined in delivering food for extra income Wong Yu shakes his head Not really After all the hard work I only earn a meager amount of spirit stones each month Here are the boiled spirit beans jade soup and roasted spirit pigeon you wanted Lu Xiaoing tosses a bean into his mouth chews thoughtfully then frowns This flavor is a bit different Did the chef change wong Yao admires senior brother Louu Your pallet is truly remarkable indeed He continues "Business is booming and with more work my stingy boss refuses to raise wages causing Uncle who to quit in anger." Lu Xiaoing smacks his lips and inquires "Where did he go tell me." Wong Yao understands Lu Xiaoings intent Senior brother are you planning to switch restaurants finding a skilled spirit chef that suits your taste is not easy Lu Xiaoing responds "Is that even a question who can compare to Uncle whose skill?" Wong Yu bids farewell and descends the mountain muttering to himself "It seems I too must resign." With senior brother Lou's discerning taste that inscrupulous boss is doomed Wong Yao chuckles to himself Suddenly a streak of light crosses the sky Wyo looks up curious Isn't that the master of Chiwe Peak what brings him to Tanu Peak he shrugs it off thinking "Oh well that's a matter for the big shots I should focus on earning money breaking through to the foundation establishment stage and becoming an inner disciple." The streak of light descends and Shiao Chuang appears with Shia Tanu Peak Lu Shiaoing waves to greet them Uncle Shiao Junior Sister Shiao He resumes munching spirit beans while listening to the news broadcast from the Tangi board Occasionally he tosses a few spirit beans up which the red bird catches and swallows The tingi board not only displays news but also functions like a radio The competition among the young disciples of the three major sects of Chihua along with the discussion on the dos spiritual vein has concluded perfectly Ling Xiao sects youth representative Jiian delivers the closing remarks Hearing the name Ji Yen Shiai cannot help but exclaim "Master Ji Yian." Having learned from Shiao Chuang about Jiians remarkable stature admiration blooms within her The mere mention of Ji Yin lifts her spirits Shiaoang chuckles Master Jiian has truly brought great honor to our Ling Shao sect Lu Shaqing with a hint of disdain remarks Sending the senior brother is merely bullying the disciples of Shuang Yua Valley and Guuan Pavilion Even the sect leader has no shame Clad in a white robe exuding an air of authority Shiaoang is keenly aware that this matter concerns the allocation rights of the newly discovered spiritual vein in Dol Chong for the next decade Thus he must exert every effort He casts a sideways glance at the indolent Lu Xiaoing Unlike you lounging here in the sun with no contributions whatsoever Lu Xiaoing retorts Do you believe that once the senior brother returns I won't send him to spar with your disciple shiao Chuang jumps hastily laughing What do you mean Shiaoing my disciple is only at the foundation establishment stage If he were to train with Master Ji Yin it might disrupt his cultivation I was just joking Don't take offense This roasted spirit pigeon smells delightful Come have a taste uncle Lu Xiaoing swats his hand away unapologetically dismissing him Xiaoang sulks to the side Shiao finds the scene amusing watching her uncle being bested by senior brother Lu Uncle as one of the five peak masters Are you really afraid of senior brother Lu shiao Chuang retorts what do you know girl i'm not afraid of him If I wanted I could easily teach him a lesson I'm just giving face to his senior brother Shia laughs more heartily observing Lu Xiaoings easy mastery over her uncle She finds it thoroughly entertaining and gazes at him with newfound interest Senior brother Lu is quite intriguing Shiao Chuang sensing her attention warns her "Listen well girl I've warned you before Stay away from him If you learn his bad habits how will I explain it to your father?" Shiaoi counters If I truly become Master Shia as disciple senior brother Lu would be my second brother We all live here together How could I stay away shiao Chuangs expression falters and he earnestly advises "Regardless just keep your distance from him You must never become like him." After about an hour Lu Xiaoing in the hem stirs slightly He glances towards the northwest but maintains his composure continuing to observe the Tangi board Shiao Chuangs expression brightens They've returned Soon a streak of light descends revealing a middle-aged man and a young man The middle-aged man has a kind face and a welcoming smile that instantly enders him to others The young man bearing an ancient long sword possesses a stern countenance filled with determination and sharp eyes Upon seeing him Shiaoi feels as if she has encountered a drawn sword Its brilliance overwhelming Shiao Chuang approaches "Brother Shiao Master Ji Yin congratulations on your victorious return Master Ji Yin has greatly enhanced our Ling Sha Sex reputation in the competition." Ji Yen responds coolly They were merely weak opponents It wasn't he strenuous His tone exudes sincerity devoid of arrogance or disdain Shiao Chong courteous bows in return Brother Shiao is being overly generous This was all for the sect Nothing more Lu Shaqin still lounging in the hammock inquires "Master did you bring me any gifts you lazy lad still lying there." Shaqen retorts "No now be off with you." Chapter 3 The canine strategist Ji Yin casually tossed an object to El Shiaoing who caught it and discovered it to be a jade pendant Ji Yin remarked nonchalantly that it was a prize won from a wager El Shaqing turned to his master Shaqing and said "Master look even my senior brother excels in social grace." Shiaoing scoffed asserting that anything dismissed by El Shaings senior brother could hardly possess significant value Xi Yian interjected claiming it could withstand a blow from a Yuan Ining stage practitioner Looks like you miscalculated master El Shaqing beamed with delight his eyes narrowing in joy recognizing the pendits worth However Shiaoings expression grew grim What difference does it make you remain holed up in this cave daily It will serve you no purpose You do not understand master If I sell it as a relic of my senior brother I could fetch several thousand even tens of thousands of spirit stones Shaoings demeanor soured as he realized he had overlooked this fact His eldest disciple was indeed quite popular not just within their sect but throughout the entirety of Chihua Thus he definitely shifted the topic glaring at El Shaqing "When I left you were lying here and upon my return you are still in the same position Can you not learn from your senior brother?" Shiaoing lamented "If only you put in a little more effort you would not be inferior to him." El Shaqing diverted his gaze from the Tangi tablet to glance at Xiaoing Are you certain you want me to emulate my senior brother you know his temperament all too well Shaqing hesitated not wishing for all his disciples to be mere cultivation fanatics and turned away Only then did he notice Xiaoang standing nearby Shiao Xiang what brings you here shiaoang suppressed a chuckle thinking "Finally remember me Have you shaai are you not still in need of a direct disciple?" He said pulling Shia forward with pride "This is my niece exceptionally talented What do you think?" Shiaoing regarded the sweet and demir Shiai with uncertainty Is she here to seek my guidance el Shaqing uninterested remarked Sha Sherbo is only here for the senior brother Do not flatter yourself master Silence Shiaoing retorted with irritation Is there a disciple who undermines their own master like you yet his gaze turned to his eldest disciple Most matters concerning Tion Yuing required Jiians approval including the acceptance of new disciples If Ji disapproved Shiaoin would not dare accept her Alas being a master is no easy task Jiians gaze fell upon Xiaoi whose face flushed immediately her hands nervously fidgeting afraid of being judged unfavorably After appraising her Jiian addressed Shiaoang Shiao Sherba "My master lacks the requisite talent and requires more time for cultivation It would be difficult for him to continue teaching a disciple." Shiaoang replied "But you are here are you not it will be fine." It seemed that Jiians presence overshadowed Xiaoings importance Shiaoing would merely be a nominal master Jiian shook his head unwilling to acquies for him Both he and his master needed time for cultivation with no spare moments to instruct a new disciple Truly troublesome But fortunately I have prepared Shiaoang employing the strategy El Shaing had advised him said "Could it be that Ji Yin Shuri lacks confidence in guiding this girl?" Jiian scoffed at the suggestion his tone defiant Who said that shiao Chuangs heart leapt with joy Isn't that the case i have informed the sect leader who also hopes for another prodigy like you to emerge from Ling Xiaos sect El Shiaoing once again undermining retorted dream on Another genius like me That might be plausible enough Shiaoing barked You speak too much No one will mistake you for you He clutched his chest Fearing the day Tion Yuang might produce another disciple like El Shiaoing would be the end of his dignity as the peak master Disregarding L Shiaoings comments Xiaoang continued Gi and Sheri you must know that many have seen me bring this girl to Ton Yuing If your master does not accept her word will spread that you as the senior brother fear overshadowing by a younger sister Gi frowned Who would dare he cast a glance at El Shaqing who remained unfaced his attention fixed on the Tangi tablet This rascal if you were not scheming behind the scenes I would be the first not to believe it Shouting recognizing the situation's resolution declared "In that case accept her I shall teach her well in the future Understanding his disciples nature he knew El Shaqing had already provided the necessary insights." El Shaing interjected "Master you struggle with your own teachings Do not mislead the girl." Shiaoins blood pressure surged Be quiet Keep talking and I may just strike you After a moment of contemplation Ji Yin ultimately relented kneel to become my disciple Shiao Chuang was elated and promptly encouraged Shiao E to pay her respects Disciple Xiao Ei greetings to my master Greetings to my senior brother and second senior brother Now that you have paid your respects where are the gifts from my two senior brothers el Shaqing asked Shiaoing shouted at El Shaqing Get away from me and be silent There is no need to heed his nonsense Keep it simple He felt satisfied about accepting Xiaoi As Tan Yuing had too few disciples compared to the other four peaks their numbers were pitifully low Shaqing knowing he owed an apology to his ancestors had prepared several excuses for when he would meet the predecessors of Tion Yufing However without his eldest disciples approval he felt embarrassed to accept a new student Since inheriting Tion Yuing it had gradually declined If he had not taken Ji Yin as his disciple Tan Yuing would have long been removed from the sect Seeing Xiaoi finally succeed in becoming a disciple of Tian Yuing brought Shiao Chuang immense joy Shiao Dai Ji and Shuri I entrust Shiaoi to your guidance henceforth Do not worry Sherbua She is my disciple and I will do my utmost to teach her After Shiao Chuang took his leave Shiaoing addressed Shiai Disciple you are now the third disciple of Tan Yuang Cultivate diligently Do not tarnish our sex reputation Shiaoi nodded obediently Yes master I understand As Shiaoing introduced Ji Yin and El Shiaoing he added "This is your senior brother Jien Do not hesitate to ask him anything you do not understand This is your second senior brother Elsha Avoid following his example." El Shaing quipped "If he dares to voice an opinion let the senior brother deal with him." "Oh right master Now that we have a new disciple should we not celebrate tonight i just heard from Wong Yao that old who has opened a new tavern called Juinlu offering discounts for its grand opening Shiaoing turned to Ji Yian Shall we give it a try chapter 4 The terrifying essence of the sword Ji Yin furred his brow and spoke with unyielding cander during your recent excursion Did you encounter your peers without the slightest sense of danger what is your current level of mastery and what about theirs his tone remained steady yet it conveyed an unmistakable severity Shiaoing sheepishly scratched his head feeling quite embarrassed Lu Xiaoing however was unfazed by the exchange leisurely reclining in a hammock This was the first time Shia had witnessed such a scene her eyes wide with astonishment Who was truly the master here and who the apprentice it was only now that Shia began to comprehend why her uncle had remarked that Jien was different and that Tanu Peak was indeed exceptional The very fact that a disciple could admonish their master spoke volumes about the uniqueness of Tanu Peak Noticing Shiao Yis astonishment Lu Xiaoing remarked casually There's no need to be surprised You'll gradually acclimate to it After Ji Yin had chastised Shiao Chong he turned his gaze towards Xiaoi softening his tone slightly as he inquired "What is your level of prowess?" Shiaoi felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety Initially Jiian had presented himself as a diligent and relentless figure in her mind Now he had gained an additional facet one of strictness She cautiously replied "Senior brother I have just reached the seventh level ofqi refinement Is it truly solo?" Given frowned a hint of disappointment flickering across his features Shia felt disheartened At her age reaching the seventh level ofqi refinement by 16 was not merely commendable It denoted exceptional talent a genius in her own right Her father had sent her to Ling Xiao Seek precisely because of her aptitude hoping for her greater development Yet to Ji Yin her achievement seemed lacking And what of your comprehension of sword essence xi Yian pressed further harboring little hope The thought of being able to grasp such a concept at her age made Shiao Yan cry if she could truly comprehend sword essence Her father would have long sent her to the central plains to join a more illustrious sect Grasping sword essence was not as simple as eating or drinking Shiao Chung sensing her distress interjected gently Jiian the little junior sister has only just begun Do not hold her to such high expectations Let her take her time Take her time Jiian cast a resolute glance at Shiai His gaze is unwavering as his tone Can one afford to take their time with such matters cultivation is akin to rowing against the current One must forge ahead relentlessly for stagnation is akin to regression How stringent Xiao Yis heart raced anxiously She glanced at Lu Xiaoing pondering why he could lounge so comfortably Why did Jiian not impose similar expectations upon him after a moment of contemplation Jiian devised a plan Prepare yourself today Tomorrow I will take you to the sword cave The sword cave shel inquired puzzled Her uncle was one of the five peak masters and had imparted much knowledge about Ling Shas sect Yet she had never heard of such a place Shiao Chengs concern deepened as he cautioned Jiian The sword cave is still not fully functional I fear there may be issues Xiians voice brimmed with confidence as he replied Rest assured I have inspected it thoroughly It is ready for use Having designed it himself Jiian was certain of its efficacy Shias curiosity intensified It sounded rather extraordinary Unable to contain herself she asked "Master senior brother what exactly is the sword cave?" Shiao Chong explained "It is a place where one can comprehend sword essence." Shias eyes widened in astonishment Such a miraculous location existed The ability to grasp sword essence would surely attract throngs of seekers and perhaps even insight turmoil Yet why had she never heard of this in relation to Ling Xiao sect seeing his little disciples bewilderment Shiao Chong smiled and clarified "This is a creation of your senior brother." Instantly Shias expression shifted to one of admiration Senior brother you are truly remarkable You have even designed something that enables others to comprehend sword essence Xi Yian cast a glance at Lu Xiaoqing unperturbed by Shia Yis admiration It's merely a trivial matter Fear not there will be no issues Lu Shaqing ever the realist interjected Even the best programs can have bucks So shall we before you enter you might want to prepare a will or something If you have any assets to settle you can entrust them to me I will assist you Xi and scolded Get lost If anything goes ary half of your sect benefits will be docked Lu Xiaoing feigned agony Is this how a senior brother should behave jiian ignored Lu Xiaoing accustomed to his antics Select a place to reside Tianu Peak is vast with numerous rooms many of which are even abandoned Shiaoing added "Let me help you find a place to stay." Sighing he thought to himself that this was all he could do as a master unable to intervene further Shiaoi politely bid farewell to Jiian and Lu Xiaoing After they departed Lu Xiaoing smiled What a polite little sister He then turned to Ji Yin offering a gentle reminder Be a bit kinder and more approachable No one wishes to see that grim visage of yours Lu Xiaoing understood his senior brother's temperament well No one could match his strictness Xi Yian with his flowing hair and formidable presence resembled a sword unshathed exuding an intimidating aura Without strictness how could he foster her growth as if to punctuate his thoughts the sword at his back unshathed with a sharp sound its cold gleam directed at Lu Xiaoing Lu Xiaoings expression shifted realizing Ji Yians intent and he angrily retorted "Have you lost your mind you are at the ninth level of Dan formation on the cusp of a breakthrough while I'm still at the seventh level What do you expect to achieve?" Xi Yin bore an expression of beusement "Indeed you have broken through Observe the sword." In an instant the light of the sword flared its essence swirling fiercely After Shiai and Shiao Cheng had distanced themselves she became aware of the commotion behind her Turning back she felt an overwhelming and piercing sword essence approach akin to a frigid winter's chill that rendered her body trembling uncontrollably as if her very soul had been frozen And master Shiao Chong waved his sleeve emanating a wave of spiritual energy that lifted the oppressive weight from Shiaus shoulders Her heart raced her complexion pale as she gazed back in trepidation Master what was that shiao Chung could not help but curse Those two rascals you should be more mindful There is still a junior sister present Their previous reckless sparring methods needed to be tempered He then reassured his little disciple It was merely your two senior brothers engaged in a friendly match Shia stood in stunned silence Senior brother and second senior brother shiaoing nodded Who else could it be shia's astonishment deepened Yet her uncle had said that the second senior brother was quite lazy and possessed poor strength Could such a second senior brother truly contend with the might of the senior brother the sword essence was unmistakably that of the senior brother fierce and unparalleled no wonder he could slay those at the nent soul stage Could the second senior brother truly hold his own shiao Cheng chuckled knowingly You will come to understand in time He refrained from elaborating further The tales of his two disciples were not easily conveyed in a brief discussion Shiaoi S eyes brimmed with astonishment It seemed her uncle had withheld much information from her Her second senior brother was indeed a figure of hidden depth The terrifying sword essence she had just witnessed left her in a state of lingering fear How formidable The second senior brother could spar with someone possessing such overwhelming sword essence as the senior brother It was truly impressive Yet soon Shiai felt the weight of a heavy pressure settle upon her With both senior brothers possessing such remarkable strength it seems that this junior sister's lack of diligence may render her too embarrassed to show her face in public in the future Chapter 5 The manifestation of sword intent the following day As dawn broke Shia rose from her slumber only to find Jiian at her doorstep Jiian was forthright dispensing with any unnecessary pleasantries and urged her "Prepare yourself I shall take you to the sword cave." Xiaoi followed Ji Yin to a location at the southeastern corner of Tan Yu Peak It was a natural cavern with a mouth wide enough to reveal its depths at a glance The cave soared two to three dozen m high and extended over a 100 meters deep within which lay a vast plaza Curiosity peaked Shia surveyed the cavern but found nothing extraordinary Unable to contain her inquisitiveness she inquired "Senior brother what lies within?" Sword intent came Ji Yan succinct reply instantly conjuring the memory of the overwhelming sword intent from the previous night that had sent shivers through her very soul Goosebumps erupted across her skin Do I need to go inside her voice quivered with trepidation The sword intent was far too potent She felt wolffully inadequate as a challenger Jien not rushing her replied calmly There's no hurry Wait a moment Xiaoi however could not muster the patience to ask what they were waiting for Tears threatened to spill from her eyes Minutes turned into hours and before long midday arrived Thankfully they were cultivators Otherwise their patience would have long been exhausted Yet Jian appeared to be losing his own patience Without warning the long sword at his back unshathed itself and soared into the sky Shiai watched in envy captivated by his prowess Before long the sword returned piercing back into its sheath with a resounding clang The oppressive glimmer dissipating Shortly thereafter her second brother El Shaqing arrived his face contorted with frustration He scolded Jiian without reservation Are you mad is it a crime to enjoy a little extra sleep jiians demeanor shifted with a chilling intensity as he retorted "What do you wish to accomplish today?" Upon noticing Shiao E L El Shaings expression lightened and he chuckled unashamed Huh i had forgotten Can you blame me wasn't it your idea last night if it weren't for you would I be so fatigued xiao Yis eyes widened in disbelief Were her senior brothers harboring romantic feelings though she knew it was unlikely El Shaqings words certainly sparked such thoughts Jiian disinterested in further banner commanded "Enough chatter Keep watch here." El Shaaching sighed shaking his head in resignation If you lack confidence do not drag others down with you Can't you let her gradually comprehend jiian having grasped the sword intent long ago believed that early understanding offered greater advantages Knowing he could not change Jiians mind El Shiaing turned to Shiai Junior sister do you have any last words oh last words are trivial What matters is the inheritance Anything to bequeath shiao Yis face pad in fear Was it truly that perilous she looked to Ji Yin Panic reflected in her eyes Senior brother is there danger inside with an unyielding expression Jiian cautioned her Do not heed his words too closely Believe only a fraction of what he says and disregard the rest as nonsense El Shaqing protested indignant Is this how you speak to your junior if you trust your own sword cave why summon me for support you simply wish to maintain your facade Jiian dismissed El Shas complaints urging Shiaoi "Enter." Gazing at the sword cave Shiai felt as though she stood before the gaping maw of a ferocious beast Awaiting her as a tender morsel she cast a pitiful glance at her senior brothers Senior brother second senior brother I seemingly reading her thoughts Gian interrupted No excuses You must go inside today Only by comprehending the sword intent can you emerge El Shaqing continued to undermine her confidence Rest assured if you perish within I shall be there to collect your remains By the way you truly have no inheritance to leave behind With a swift motion Xiians sword revealed itself halfway from its sheath El Shaqing quickly amended his words smoothly adding "Go ahead It won't be dangerous Even if it is it will be over swiftly without pain." Shiaoi felt tears threatened to spill over Father Uncle Tan Yu Peak is too perilous I wish to go home Yet with no alternative she stealed herself to enter the sword cave El Shiaoing from behind seemed to impart advice saying "Feel with your heart If you approach gently it shall respond in kind Do not force it." A flicker of gratitude swelled within Shia Her second brother was indeed reliable Just as she was about to express her thoughts El Shaings voice rang out again "If you force it and perish I will be left with no inheritance to claim for my efforts Thank you for that It was not guidance but rather a blow to her confidence Shiao shot a fierce glare at El Shaqing before resolutely stepping into the sword cave Upon entering the entrance behind her vanished from sight Shiai surveyed her surroundings and found herself in a small wooden hut devoid of anything not even a door Peering outside she observed a vast plaza before her in the center of which stood a towering stone pillar upon which something seemed to rest As she stepped outside she discerned what adorned the pillar A dragon coiled at top the stone was a small white dragon Its menacing visage exuding an air of unfathomable authority Upon sensing her presence the dragon's eyes snapped open locking onto Shia with an unyielding gaze A powerful aura enveloped her sending tingles down her spine and causing her to tremble The energy radiating from the small white dragon was familiar She had felt it the previous night This was the terrifying sword intent she had encountered before The small dragon was the very embodiment of that sword intent Ferociously potent in every aspect Sword intent manifested It was indeed the second level of sword intent How extraordinarily formidable was her senior brother Shiai felt tears welling in her eyes What a cruel fate to endure such trials on her second day as a novice Summoning her courage she summoned her inner energy and assumed a defensive stance This movement acted as a signal prompting the small white dragon to leave the pillar and soar towards her Before the dragon even approached its overwhelming presence crashed upon her like a sledgehammer striking her squarely in the chest Gasping she coughed up blood Panic flooded her senses This was more formidable than she had anticipated I cannot contend with this The small white dragon undeterred pressed its assault With a deafening roar Shiai felt as if countless flying swords were piercing her body She sped out more blood Acutely aware that with her current power she was no match for the dragon After enduring two waves of attack she realized that if this continued she would surely perish Frantically she scanned her surroundings finding nothing but emptiness As the small white dragon prepared for another strike Shiai scrambled back into the wooden hut where the dragon ceased its attack circling the structure with a predatory gaze Once she regained her composure and observed the dragon's relentless determination she felt a sense of relief This must be a sanctuary Recalling the torment she had just endured she glared at the small white dragon and gestured dismissively You little pest However these words seemed to enrage the little white dragon Roaring the small cottage shattered in response Chapter 6 The explosion at the sword cave outside the sword cave Lu Xiaoing found a spot to recline and leisurely gazed at the Tangi tablet This behavior was nothing new to Ji Yan who merely advised him to stay vigilant Lu Xiaoing grumbled about his senior brother dissatisfied with being summoned early to act as a laborer You designed the Grand Formation yourself Are you not confident in it why must I be the one to keep watch in response Gen candidly stated "Your mastery of formation surpasses mine With you on guard I feel reassured Besides it was your suggestion to explore the sword cave Lu Xiaoing immediately retorted clearly displeased What do you mean it was my suggestion i merely mentioned it casually Anyone struck by the essence of the sword a myriad of times could comprehend it I was joking and yet you took it seriously However Gianne's expression remained somber devoid of any gest I believe you Otherwise you wouldn't have grasped the sword's essence in just a day People say my swordsmanship is superior to our master s But in truth you are no less adept Lu Xiaoing touched his nose feeling slightly embarrassed He feigned indifference saying "Forcing this genius to stand guard is a sheer waste of time I spent months contemplating in the time ring Do you think it's easy being around a talent like you is exhausting." Ji Yin did not counter Lu Xiaoings words acknowledging that his junior brother was indeed a genius He shifted the topic back asserting "I designed the sword cave and I trust there will be no issues However it's better to have you on watch I shall go meditate." Lu Xiaoing found himself at a loss After all he had promised the night before He waved his hand dismissively "Fine go on." Jiian said nothing further and vanished from sight Luaching glanced in the direction Xiin had departed muttering "What a madman Can he take a break meditate Meditate." Every day with the meditation it won't te kill you will it i hope nothing unexpected happens With that Lu Xiaoing sideighed relaxing his body to assume a more comfortable position Suddenly his expression shifted and he vanished in an instant He dashed into the sword cave and within mere breaths emerged carrying Shiai The next moment an explosion erupted from the cave A small white dragon soared from the sword cave A proud creature emerging from the depths With a thunderous roar a surge of boundless sword essence erupted sweeping through the surroundings That bastard's senior brother Lu Xiaoing cursed throwing the Tangi tablet into the air A wave of sword essence emanated from the tablet radiating with an intensity akin to the sun heat The air seemed to ignite enveloped in crimson flames The searing blaze surged upward like a fiery net consuming the small white dragon The creature let out a reluctant roar before vanishing amidst the inferno Simultaneously the tangi tablet shattered in midair Damn it Lu Xiaoing wiped the cold sweat from his forehead lamenting the significant loss What a despicable fellow He glanced at Xiao in his arms checking for injuries relieved to find she was merely unconscious from fright just a minor injury While lamenting his losses Lu Xiaoing quickly retrieved a pill and placed it in Shiao Yis mouth before gently laying her down At that moment two lights flickered in the distance as Shiao Chong and Ji Yin appeared almost simultaneously What happened shiao Chong inquired Lu Xiaoing shrugged What else could have happened an explosion of course a shoddy project Jiians expression darkened as he swiftly entered the sword cave He emerged after a while murmuring strange There shouldn't have been any issues Why did this occur after speaking he sat cross-legged at the cave entrance frowning in contemplation Lu Xiaoing and Shiao Chong were accustomed to Ji Yians behavior After checking that Shia was unharmed Shiaoing breathed a sigh of relief he felt fortunate that it was not serious otherwise Explaining it to brother Shia would be difficult Having just taken on a disciple and an incident occurs the very next day if this gets out how would it reflect on Tanu Peak how could I face brother Shiao lu Xiaoing feeling distressed prodded Shiao Chong Master Doc and your brother s benefits for a year to compensate for the psychological trauma inflicted on me and my junior sister Shiao Chung shot him a glare Stop with your nonsense You share part of the blame for this incident Lu Xiaoing stared in disbelief Master are you saying I am not your disciple that senior brother is The sword cave is none of my business I merely made a passing comment He asked the one who meddled with it If you have the ability and choose not to assist who can I blame shiao Chong scolded Your skills with formations are superior to his Are you too lazy to lend a hand would it have killed you lu Xiaoing rolled his eyes Do you think senior brother would be willing if I stepped in and you still claimed to be a master shiao Chong was at a loss for words He then adeptly shifted the topic saying "Take your junior sister back and let her rest for a few days." Lu Xiaoing stood up brushing off his hands I will not engage in improfitable endeavors You are the master You handle it Shiao Chong was insensed you lazy bomb Returning to the hammock beneath the tree Lu Xiaoing intended to take out the Tangji tablet only to discover it had been destroyed he smacked his forehead in frustration lamenting the loss What a significant setback I need to buy another one Over a thousand spirit stones Where can I acquire that i'm broke Laching sighed in despair his savings now depleted leaving him impoverished Chirp chirp Above him a fiery red bird chirped merrily seemingly mocking Lu Xiaoing He glared at it menacingly Laugh again and I'll pluck your feathers and roast you for dinner The little bird appeared to comprehend his threat not intimidated in the slightest and raised its rear defiantly In a flash a sword appeared in Lu Shaings hand as he glared at the little red bird his threat palpable "If you dare I will ruin your backside today." The little bird hastily covered its rear with its wings and soared to a higher branch Lu Xiaoing reclined once more leisurely rocking in the hammock With his hands behind his head he pondered "I'm really broke I need to devise a plan to earn some money As a direct disciple I can only receive 100 spirit stones from the sect each month What a stingy sect A poverty-stricken sect They d rather fund a public trip than offer any additional benefits 100 spirit stones barely last 3 days I need a thousand a month It's like a money pit." He contemplated Perhaps I could become a masked bandit in the sect robbing fellow disciples while undertaking sect missions After a moment's thought he shook his head dismissing the idea Too dangerous The sect master has long viewed me unfavorably He might just swap me away like a fly Better to play it safe Chapter 7 I gave my senior brother a good beating Shia soon awoke Startled from a nightmare in which he was swallowed by the little white dragon Sweating profusely and shaken she emerged from her room to find Shiao Chang waiting for her Master you're awake shiao Chong inquired with genuine concern Is everything all right shiaoi felt a warm surge of gratitude despite her senior brother s stern demeanor Her master remained kind-hearted She shook her head replying "I'm fine Thank you for your concern Master." Shiaoing nodded visibly relieved and reassured her "That is good to hear Don't be upset Your senior brother is just that way master If I were to cultivate slowly I would also face his reprimands." Though frightened by the little white dragon Shiai held no resentment toward Ji Yin understanding that he acted out of care for her "And your senior brother?" Shiao Chong replied "He is in the sword cave so there is no need to seek him out." He is currently devising a solution for the issues concerning the cave As thoughts of the little white dragon and its pure sword intent flooded her mind Shiai felt a shiver run down her spine It was as fearsome as her senior brother She hesitated to seek Xi Yian Shiao Cheng observed his young disciple with a compassionate gaze and said "You should rest for a few days It will take some time for your senior brother to resolve the sword cave troubles." "Yes I understand master." With a curious glint in her eyes Shiaoi then asked "What about second senior brother?" Mentioning Lu Xiaoing made Shiao s mood darken that rascal is lying under a tree He replied curtly According to him he is playing dead Master I've truly made a mistake taking on two disciples One is diligent and relentless while the other is lazily inclined and unambitious If only they could balance each other out Finding her master s complaints about her brothers amusing Shiai smiled noticing her joy Shiao Chung quickly cautioned Just learn from your senior brother Do not emulate your second senior brother If you do my heart won't te be able to bear it Just one Lu Xiaoing is already enough to make me feel ashamed to face our ancestors If another one were to join him I might as well take my own life," he added with a dramatic flare Shia found this even more entertaining Sticking out her tongue she expressed her growing curiosity about second senior brother saying "Master I'll go see what second senior brother is up to I'll encourage him to cultivate." Shiao Changang sighed internally "You don'tt yet understand your second senior brother-sating it If you don't end up influenced by him I'll be grateful Go on Go on." Shiai approached the great tree and saw the hammock swaying lazily Second senior brother she called out cheerfully Lu Xiaoing looked her up and down All good Shia approached him beaming All good Lu Xiaoing scrutinized her You're grinning like that What are you up to let me tell you your second senior brother is pure and innocent so don't get any ideas Shiao rolled her eyes Second senior brother with that attitude You're going to get beaten up easily Lu Xiaoing eyes lit up seemingly intrigued Who wants to hit me shia was taken aback Do you have a masochistic streak or are you just excessively combative second senior brother do you wish to spar with someone fight Lu Xiaoing instantly lost interest pouting that is foolish Who wants to fight can fighting fill your stomach shia took the opportunity to inquire about the previous night Second senior brother were you sparring with senior brother last night lu Xiaoing replied "Spar nonsense Your senior brother was just acting crazy Why didn't he indulge him shiai felt a twinge of disappointment realizing she wouldn't te get the answer she sought After all her master had indicated that her second senior brother was not weak How else could he have sparred with senior brother senior brother s sword intent was terrifying And yet Lu Xiaoing could hold his own against him Even if he were outmatched he wouldn't he be far off Shawi playfully rocked Lu Xiaoing as hammock pouting "Second senior brother just tell the truth." Not feeling the distance between her and her brothers she snuggled up to Lu Xiaoing showering him with affection We're already siblings We're family now Don't keep secrets from me Come on Was it you sparring with senior brother last night lu Xiaoing maintained his stance It wasn't he sparring I gave your senior brother a good thrashing Shy pouted I'm not gullible enough to believe that Senior brother is so formidable There is no way you could be his match Just go play by yourself I'm going to rest for a bit Do you think I'm a child to be coddled shiaoi aspened Second senior brother you're bullying me Lu Xiaoing was taken aback You little girl who said I was bullying you Be careful with your words or I'll give you a beating Second senior brother you are indeed bullying me Shia threatened I'll tell Master Lu Xiaoing casually shifted to a more comfortable position unfazed by her threat Go ahead I'm not afraid of master Besides is there any witness a little red bird chirped above them At this Lu Xiaoing grew insensed pointing at the little bird Silly bird what witness are you if you keep chirping I'll pluck your feathers Seeing the scene Shia burst into laughter Second senior brother look the little red bird can be a witness It can testify for me Little Red Lu Shaqing paused then burst into hearty laughter Indeed it is called Little Red The Little Red Bird stiffened and fell straight from the tree Thud The Little Red Bird landed on the ground utterly rigid Seeing this Shia felt a pang of sympathy Little Red is it all right chirp chirped The Little Red Bird Little Red suddenly sprang back to life flapping its wings and soaring to the hammock pointing its right wing at Shia and chirping indignantly As if protesting Shia s irresponsible naming it questioned "Can you really name a bird just because it's red if my feathers were black would you call me Little Black can't you think of a more appealing name?" Surprised by Little Red's spirited personality Shia eyes sparkled with interest Second senior brother is Little Red your pet What is it saying lu Xiaoing chuckled as he translated the bird as chirps for Shiai It says it quite likes the name and thanks you for naming it Shia s eyes narrowed into gleeful slits No need to be polite Afterward she reached out to pet Little Red only to be pecked in return Ouch Without hesitation Lu Xiaoiing swatted the little bird away This is my junior sister Be more courteous to her If you don't behave I'll stop feeding you Seeing little red s pitiful expression only deepened Shiao es affection She quickly said "It's all right It's all right." Second senior brother does Little Red like to eat spirit beans i can take it to have some Upon hearing about food Little Red immediately fluttered to Shiao E shoulder Chapter 8 The pavilion of gathering immortals Upon witnessing the scene Lu Xiaoing erupted in a fit of anger chastising the gluttonous behavior The mere mention of food had stripped away any semblance of dignity Shiai cradled the little red bird in her hands Gently stroking its feathers with admiration So smooth she exclaimed even softer than my hair How enviable The little red bird tilted its head its small eyes darting playfully Despite being a mere bird it exuded an air of pride Second senior brother may I take it to eat some spirit beans shia asked her excitement palpable Lu Xiaoing interjected It only eats boiled once Is that so xiao Yis fondness for the quirky little red bird deepened I'll go buy some to cook for it Must you go through such trouble lu Shaqing embodying his usual laziness remarked You could simply order takeout Shall we adept at navigating social interactions immediately proposed "Let's go second senior brother Allow me to treat you to a meal." Lu Xiaoings eyes brightened at the suggestion Yet he soon inquired with caution "Do you have any spirit stones i don't want to end up footing the bill myself I'm rather short on them he gested If you can't pay you'll have to stay behind and wash the dishes as repayment Shiao e indignant retorted Do I seem like someone without spirit stones with confidence she puffed out her chest and declared "Second senior brother You underestimate me I do have some spirit stones albeit not much but I can certainly afford to treat you to a meal Are you quite sure you can eat a lot can't you?" Lu Xiaoing questioned amused "Rest assured Eat to your heart's content Shia replied with bravado How much can you really eat lu Shaqing pleased with his junior sister's initiative consented Very well I shall not stand on ceremony Let us go The prospect of a meal was sufficient incentive for Lu Xiaoqing to descend the mountain Should we invite Master and senior brother he pondered thinking I could easily deplete your resources alone without needing to include Master and the others being considerate of his junior sister to prevent her from being financially drained Lu Xiaoing said "No need master is busy with his cultivation and senior brother Wii attend to anything else for a good 10 days at least He is preoccupied with matters concerning the sword cave." Lu Xiaoing led Shiao down the mountain Ling Xiao sect was perched at top the mountain while at its base lay a bustling city inhabited by both mortals and cultivators This city named Ling Shao city flourished under the protection of the Ling Shao sect which was one of the three major sects of Chijha making it a prime destination for aspiring disciples Moreover many outer disciples of the sect frequented this city to work and earn a living Even cultivators had their appetites resulting in numerous restaurants and taverns lining the streets Where shall we dine second senior brother Shiai exclaimed overwhelmed by the multitude of eeries Lu Xiaoing well acquainted with the area led the way Follow me They arrived at a newly opened tavern as evidenced by the untouched red flowers at the entrance This must be the place Wong Shitty mentioned Lu Xiaoing said to Shiai "Let us go inside and give it a try." Upon entering Lu Xiaoing encountered a familiar face "Ah Wong Shitty what brings you here?" Wong Yo turned visibly delighted Lu Xiaoing explained his purpose Didn't you mention that old who transferred here i brought my junior sister to sample the fair My junior sister Wong Yaos gaze shifted to Shiai Hello Wii Xiang Shiai greeted politely Lu Shaqing like a friendly older brother introduced Shiai This is my master s newly accepted direct disciple Shia Wong Yao was takenback In Ling Xiao sacked disciples were categorized into outer disciples inner disciples core disciples and direct disciples While anyone could become an inner or core disciple with sufficient contribution and strength direct disciples were a mark of distinction reserved for those personally accepted by the sect master or the five peak leaders Furthermore sect rules stipulated that no leader could have more than three direct disciples Wong Yu realized that Shia was the third direct disciple of the Tanu Peak Recalling his encounter with the Peak Master of Chiwi Peak just days prior he understood the implications of such a connection This was indeed an internal arrangement a shadowy operation Greetings Shaji Wong Yu quickly bowed Aware of the high status attached to direct disciples Despite being several centuries older he had to address Xiao E as his senior Please prepare a private room for us Lu Xiaoing requested Wong Yao familiar with Lu Xiaoings character assured him don't worry I know what to do He personally guided Lu Xiaoing to a private room This is our tavern's finest private room Is it satisfactory lu Xiaoing paid little heed to the rooms decor seeking privacy more than anything else Very well What new dishes do you have besides old who surely there are other spirit chefs Of course we have After a brief interval Wong Yo exited the room and encountered the steward The steward not a member of the Ling Shao sect but rather associated with the tavern owner's family was known to be a cunning individual possessing considerable strength It was advised to avoid crossing him Please escort them to room number one Who are they the steward Jeang Jin inquired with a smile figning concern Wong Yo promptly replied "They are Luchiang and Xiao Ji direct disciples of Tianu Peak." "Oh direct disciples." A glimmer of surprise flickered in Jang Jyns eyes Having been there for some time he had yet to encounter even a core disciple from the Ling Shao sect Intrigued he thought "I must personally serve them." In this place direct disciples hold a position of utmost honor Establishing a good rapport with them can only yield benefits Wong Yao swiftly cautioned steward that may not be wise Lu Xiang prefers not to be disturbed having known Lu Xiaoing for several years He was well aware of his senior sververs to unnecessary interruptions Jeang Jin displeased retorted sharply "What do you know if what you say is true they are esteemed guests and should not be neglected." With that he dismissed Wong Yao considering the words of an outer disciple beneath his notice However it was not long before Jeang Jene emerged from the room His expression darkened He had barely introduced himself before being shown the door Wyu stifled a laugh thinking "You didn't he listen and now you've brought this upon yourself You deserve it." Jeang shot Wong Yao a disgruntled glare before storming off As the tavern's overseer he had been entrusted with all matters of the establishment by the owner Coupled with his family ties to the Fong clan he was accustomed to receiving respect To be dismissed by a brash young man was infuriating Did he truly think that his looks granted him the right to disregard others yet contemplating the status of direct disciples from the Ling Sha sect he could not help but mutter to himself "I cannot afford to provoke them Should they be inner disciples i would not fear them I must find a way to ascertain their identity." At that moment he noticed several individuals approaching from outside and his eyes lit up as he hastened to greet them Chapter 9 He is the disgrace of the Ling Shao sect Young Master Sia "Welcome welcome," exclaimed Jeang Jene who referred to young Master Sia as a disciple of the Ling Sha sect This was the first encounter for Lu Xiaoing and Shiaoi Jang Jin Yet he was already well acquainted with the preceding figure Sia Chong an inner disciple of the Ling Sha sect from the Bun Peak was exceptionally gifted and had already reached the third level of the foundation establishment stage He entered with the hotty demeanor characteristic of a prominent sect disciple merely nodding at Jang Jeene who had come to greet them "Please arrange a private room for us," Sia Chong said nonchalantly exuding an air of arrogance "Today this young master is hosting my two senior brothers from the Guuan Pavilion." Oh esteemed disciples of the Guuan Pavilion I am the steward here Welcome welcome Jeang Jins eyes brightened and without further ado he led the three into a private room However upon entering Sia Chong glanced around and his expression soured Steuart Jeang what is the meaning of this is this the best private room your establishment has to offer or do you believe that I and my two senior brothers are unworthy of dining in your finest room his tone was sharp his gaze piercing like a sword aimed at Jeang Jeene Sweat beated on Zang Jins forehead He recognized that he was dealing with disciples from the Ling Shao sect and the Guan Pavilion not mere commoners He hastily explained "Young Master Siak it's not that I don't wish to accommodate you but the best room is already occupied." "Oh by whom?" Sia Chong replied dismissively his tone still laced with the arrogance typical of a sect disciple Ask him to vacate it "I can offer some compensation." Jang Jeene couldn't help but chuckle inwardly thinking to himself that he was in need of a pretext He feigned a troubled expression and said "I hear it is occupied by esteemed disciples from your sect." The Tianu Peak namely young master Lu and Miss Shiao Lu Xiaoing Sia Chong was taken aback upon hearing the name The two young talents from the Guan Pavilion also displayed surprise Is he from the Tanu Peak where senior brother Jiian is ji had recently made quite an impression at the Grand Assembly of the three major sects leaving a deep impression on these cultivators It was widely acknowledged that Jiian was the foremost among the younger generation of the three sects a sentiment that even the doineering Guan Pavilion did not contest This young master Lu must be quite formidable as well remarked one of the Guan Pavilion disciples Jeang Jang his expression complex Jiians performance was impeccable Even those from the Guan Pavilion harbored no thoughts of rivalry against him Is he one of the twin prodigies of the peak the other young man Wu Tanzong also wore a similarly intricate expression However Sia Chong interjected with a face full of disdain There are no twin prodigies Senior brother Ji Yan is our pride while Lu Xiaoing is our disgrace To be honest when outsiders are present we prefer not to mention him Jeang Xens eyes gleamed with interest Pretel why is that jeang Jene perked up his ears curious Although he had been in this vicinity for quite some time he had heard little about Lu Xiaoing He had remained rather low profile overshadowed by Ji Yians brilliance Even Master Xiaoing appeared dim in comparison To encapsulate this individual in two words lazy and useless His laziness stems from his scant cultivation It is uncertain whether he has reached the foundation establishment stage As for being useless he is indeed a waste Were he born into a noble family he would be a dandy The sect leader has criticized his conduct on numerous occasions Yet he disregards it relying on the protection of his master Oh I see Jeang Ji mused feeling a sense of disdain No wonder he was so arrogant dismissing me so easily Wu Tanzong found this puzzling and asked "If he is such a person why would the peak master take him as a disciple this was no ordinary disciple This was a direct disciple a rank even higher than core disciples two levels above the likes of Sia Chong Sia Chong scoffed jealousy evident in his tone We are unsure but it is rumored that senior brother Ji Yian treats him well Perhaps that is the reason he was accepted into Tan Yu Peak After all anyone who can gain Jiians favor is undoubtedly worthy of attention Jang Jing and Wuenzo nodded in agreement If Jiian were willing to join the Guuan Pavilion even if he brought along a hundred or a thousand useless individuals we would gladly accept them all After hearing this Jeang Jin no longer cared for Lu Xiaoing He turned to Sia Chong and inquired "Young Master Sia do you wish to ask him to vacate the room?" Sia Chong pondered briefly and replied "Forget it It's unnecessary." Although he looked down upon Lu Xiaoing he recognized that Lu was a direct disciple far superior in status to him as an inner disciple He feared provoking Lu and by extension Jiian Ji Yin enjoyed immense popularity within the Ling Shao sect and to offend him would be to sever ties with the sect Jang Jang and Wu Tinzong exchanged glances both comprehending the unspoken understanding in each other's eyes Zang Jang smiled and proposed "Brother Sia we would like to meet this young master Lu Would that be permissible?" Sia Chong hesitated To be honest he was not well acquainted with Lu Xiaoing and had only seen him a handful of times Many disciples within the Ling Shao sect had never encountered Lu Xiaoing as he had missed multiple sect gatherings Sia Chong had only glimpsed him from a distance at one such event Noticing Sia Chongs hesitation Wu Tanzong naturally employed a provoking tactic Brother Sia you aren't afraid of him are you this struck at the pride of a man Sia Chong immediately stiffened his face reening What nonsense how could Sia Chongo ever fear him jang Jang chuckled inwardly hoping he wouldn't he fall for it Take us to meet him After all forging connections with a direct disciple of the Ling Shao sect is a rare opportunity Moreover he is a junior of senior brother Ji Yin If we can connect through him it would benefit us both Besides even if he disrespects you he would surely show some regard for my brother Upon hearing this Cia Chong recalled Xangs status and ceized his refusals nodding in agreement Very well let us pay a visit to Young Master Liu Jang Jin elated recognized the ulterior motives of Jeang Jing and Wu Tinzong but chose not to expose them Instead he eagerly led the way Along the journey Wu Tanzong reaffirmed Is his strength truly average brother sia Chong was unequivocal in his assurance Everyone says so even the sect leader has labeled him a sloth Chapter 10 Dare to disturb me when not a disciple of the Ling Sha sect Lu Xiaoing and Xiao Yi awaited their meal when suddenly a knock echoed from outside Before Lu Xiaoing could utter a word the door swung open and Sia Chong entered first Brother Lu I am Lu Xiaoing frowned and bruskly ordered him to leave What is going on is it too much to ask for a peaceful meal sia Chongs forced smile faltered A surge of anger bubbling within him Do you think you are Gi if you were Ji I would leave without a word But you a mere waste dare to treat me this way you are nothing without the protection of your master and seniors Behind him Zang Jang and Wu Tienzong entered grinning triumphantly Wu Tanzhong deliberately instigated It seems Brother Lu is quite arrogant not considering Brother C at all Zang Jing added fuel to the fire Could it be that relying on Brother Ji Yin you think you can disregard everyone else lu Xiaoings frown deepened his displeasure evident Can we not enjoy a meal in peace he brazenly admitted So what if I have my senior brother backing me are you dissatisfied which peak are you from i can have my senior brother pay you a visit How shameless They thought appalled by his lack of modesty and openly acknowledging Jiian as his support Even Shiaoi was left speechless Second brother it seems he is somewhat unashamed Jang Jang dismissed Lu Xiaoings threats stating his allegiance I am not a disciple of the Ling Shao sect I am from the Guan Pavilion Lu Xiaoings irritation mounted You dare disturb me when you are not even a disciple of the Ling Sha sect what do you intend to achieve by coming here do you think our Lingsha sect is easily bullied do you believe I cannot summon all the disciples of the Ling Sha sect to deal with you you think you're a Jiian even Ji Yin would lack such power while our sect leader is another matter entirely Jang Jing and Wu Tanzong fell silent This fellow was indeed shameless invoking Ji Yin to intimidate those from other sects while brazenly mentioning the Ling Shao sect Are you even a man jang Jeene scoffed internally recognizing Lu Xiao Jing as someone incapable merely relying on others for support In the world of cultivation strength is paramount Without personal prowess no matter how formidable one's backing others will inevitably look down upon them Wu Tenzongs contempt for Lu Xiaoing grew Brother Lu your words go too far We came here with sincere intentions to befriend you This is not how one treats guests Is this the manner in which the Ling Sha sect conducts itself wu Tienzong sought to invoke the honor of the Ling Sha sect questioning Lu Xiaoings lack of regard for its reputation Surely the Ling Sha sect must value its face to some extent Unexpectedly Lu Xiaoing nonchalantly nodded Seemingly unbothered by the sect's honor Indeed this is how the Ling Sha sect treats its guests Unhappy it makes no difference The audience fell silent incredulous Wu Tinzone was on the verge of losing his composure He cannot possibly be a disciple of the Ling Sha sect Such a disciple cannot exist He fails to uphold the sects dignity and instead tarnishes its name Does your master know does your sect leader know wouldn't he strike you down for this jeang Jang observed Lu Xiaoings nonchulence understanding that he was indifferent to matters of face Thus he straightforwardly revealed the purpose of their visit Brother Lu as a junior of Brother Jien I assume your strength is not inferior to his Do you dare to spar with us lu Xiaoings expression remained unchanged as he scrutinized the two What are your names jang Jang Wu Tinzong Jang you say how is Jeang Tsung related to you jeang Tsung Wong the chief disciple of Guianwan Pavilion is exceptionally strong and reportedly on the verge of a breakthrough to the late stage of the core formation Xi Yin represents the younger generation of the Ling Shao sect while Jeang Tsung Long is the pride of the Guan Pavilion with pride in his voice Zang Jen replied "He is my elder brother." Wianzong echoed beaming "Brother Jang is our pride at Guuan Pavilion." Lu Xiaoing retorted without hesitation Isn't he just a defeated foe of my senior brother these words incited Jang Jang and Wu Tanzhong to the brink of vomiting blood Jean Tong Long was indeed formidable But he was no match for Jien In the recent martial arts competition he had lost to Jien finishing second His previous records were similar He had never bested Jiian not even once Lu Xiaoing surmised that Zong Jing sought to challenge him to restore his brother's honor Angered by Lu Xiaoings dismissal Jeang Jing snapped "Cut the nonsense Do you dare to compete with me if you lose I will leave your fate in your hands." Lu Xiaoing turned away expressing his refusal Not interested "Why should I are you afraid?" Jeang Jing mocked Lu Xiaoing unexpectedly replied "Indeed I am afraid." The onlookers were takenback Such words could be uttered You must be a unic You are no man Lu Xiaoings gaze toward Jang Jang was laced with disdain his tone dripping with condescension I fear I might inadvertently kill you Arrogant and overbearing Zang Jang fumed You may not possess great skills yet you are certainly audacious Come try it Lu Xiaoing reiterated Not interested You meanwhile Jang Jian having observed the unfolding drama decided the moment was ripe He stepped forward feigning a peacemakaker's role Young Master Lu Young Master Jeang let us prioritize harmony Fighting will only damage relationships and losing will be embarrassing for both Isn't that right everyone a crowd behind him began to stir Egging them on What are you afraid of just fight Yes let's not waste time Are we going to fight or not a considerable audience had gathered outside curious about the spectacle The mention of Tion Yuing Junior brother Jiian and disciples from Guuan Pavilion was enough to incite gossip Jang Jian had intentionally left the door jar allowing the outside world to peer in Lu Xiaoing cast a fleeting glance at Jong Jing Fatful though his words appeared to be in the spirit of mediation They served to stoke the flames of conflict Outside a young woman of approximately 20 with a fair complexion and delicate willow-like brows watched intently Her striking eyes were fixed on the individuals within the room while a simple ponytail added an air of determination to her demeanor Her gaze toward Jong Jene was decidedly unkind Inside Lu Xiaoings attention turned to Sia Chong Which peak do you belong to did you bring them here to humiliate my Tong Yuing chapter 11 The young miss of the Fong family and Chiha Sia Chongs heart was initially ignited by anger due to Lu Xiaoings provocations However when Jang Jang and Wu Tanzong express their desire to spar with Lu Xiaoing you sense something a miss Jeang Jang and Wu Tienzong initially claimed they wished to befriend Lu Xiaoing Yet upon their encounter the atmosphere was charged with hostility far from the demeanor of potential allies Puzzled by this contradiction Sia Chong recalled Lu Xiaoings earlier remarks He was no fool He understood that if a conflict were to erupt between Lu Xiaoing and Jeang Jing or Wuian Xong a victory for Lu would be favorable But a defeat would tarnish the reputation of Tianu Peak and the Ling Shao sect alike Realizing this Sia Chong expressed his discontent addressing Jeang Jing and Wu Chinzong "Gentlemen this is rather inappropriate is it not?" Wu Chinzone famed ignorance as he replied "Sia brother how could this possibly be inappropriate senior brother Jiene is extraordinarily formidable and as is Junior it's only natural that senior brother Lu possesses considerable strength We are merely eager to seek his guidance Lu Xiaoing indifferent to their words turned to Sia Chong and stated coldly "Se them out or I shall refrain from reporting your actions to Bun Peak." Sia Chong felt a surge of frustration Did he habitually resort to threats lu Xiaoing then addressed Jeang Jene You are the steward of this establishment are you not jang Jin suppressing a smirk quickly adopted a humble demeanor Indeed I am How may I serve you young master Lu Lu Xiaoing internally cursing the pretense spoke isoly You have 10 counts to remove them Otherwise do you believe I cannot render your establishment unfit for operation Zang Jins expression shifted to one of shock While the young woman outside pald at the implication Lu Xiaoing a direct disciple of the Ling Sha Sex Tanu Peak commanded significant authority solely by virtue of his identity His master was the peaks leader and his senior brother was the highly esteemed Giene of the Ling Shao sect The weight of Lu Xiaoings words was profound within the sect Ling Shao City nestled at the foot of the Ling Sha mountain saw many of its residents relying on the sect for their livelihoods A ban from the Ling Sha sect would render any business in Lingo City untenable Jang Jian was taken aback by Lu Xiaoings formidable threat Panic began to overtake him as he stammered Young Master Lu this Lu Xiaoing turned to Shia Count for me One two Shias clear voice rang out counting steadily Though her pace was leisurely beads of sweat began to form on Jang Jins brow He realized he had unwittingly dug his own grave Casting a glance at Jang Jing and Wu Tienzong he noted their disdainful smirks clearly unperturbed by the escalating situation Meanwhile Shiai had counted to six Young Master Lu Jang Jins anxiety grew palpable At that moment he found himself at a loss for words Typically astute and adaptable he now felt as if he had transformed into a different person The magnitude of Lu Xiaoings threat rendered him utterly blank Just as Shia reached the count of nine a voice resonated from outside Wait The tone was melodious and crisp Following this under the gazes of the assembled crowd a young woman with a ponytail entered she promptly shut the door severing the onlooker's view Miss Jang Gene side in relief upon her arrival bowing respectfully The young woman ignoring Jang Jeene addressed Lu Xiaoing with a courteous bow I am Fong Sha from the Fong family of Chiha It is a pleasure to meet you young master Lu and Miss Shiao She subsequently greeted Sia Chong Jeang Jang and Wu Tienzong displaying impeccable politeness and an unblenmished demeanor The Fong family was renowned in Chihua wielding significant influence Ranking among the second tier of power alongside the three leading sects Ling Xiao sect Guan Pavilion and Shuangua Valley As a member of the Fong family Fong Xhaos father was the family head placing her on par with the direct disciples of the three major sections Even the disciples of these sects would think twice before provoking the Fong family Fong Shao addressed Xia Chong Jong Jang and Wu Tinzong Jan Let us consider today's events settled After all we are here to dine in this establishment lacks facilities for sparring Might I request your understanding to let this matter rest I shall cover all your expenses here today if that would suffice Ciao Chong having grasped the situation did not oppose Fong Xiaos proposition Zang Jang and Wuenzong seeing Lu Xiaoings unwillingness to engage in combat reluctantly nodded in agreement conceding to Fong Xiaos intervention Ultimately Sia Chong Jang Jang and Wu Tinzong departed Fong Xiao turned to Lu Xiaoin and apologized I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused Young Master Li Lu Shaqing aware of Fong Xiaos role as the proprietor replied Cooly Miss Fong is this how your family conducts business sending subordinates to disturb guests is the Fong family so accustomed to arrogance that you disregard ordinary disciples of the sect fong Shao couldn't help but roll her eyes internally Ordinary disciples perhaps you should claim to be an ordinary mortal she mused Nevertheless she bowed to Lu Xiaoing hoping to appease him I acknowledge my lack of oversight in this matter and apologize for the offense caused to you To demonstrate my sincerity I will wave all of your expenses today How does that sound lu Xiaoing drummed his fingers lightly on the table contemplating before responding This gesture lacks sufficient sincerity We haven't ordered much Fong Sha felt the weight of his words Was this truly how a direct disciple spoke not understanding Lu Xiaoings intent she pressed on Lu Xiaoing unabashed articulated his demands Your newly opened establishment with such lavish decor is destined to become the premier establishment in Ling Sha City Therefore I request a card that entitles me to a 40 discount on my future visits I will bring my senior brother here to dine as well What say you fong Xiaos eyes brightened at the mention of Jeen the most formidable figure among the younger generation of the three major sects already wellknown in Chaou He was an idol to many and a prince charming in the dreams of countless young women If Jiene were to dine here the resulting fame would undoubtedly benefit Fong Xiaos establishment immensely Fong Xhaos resolve softened Without further thought she produced a special token and handed it to Lu Xiaoing This is a token from our Fong family Presenting this token will grant a 30 discount at any of our establishments in this particular venue You will receive a 50 discount Lu Xiaoings eyes lit up with satisfaction Excellent Chapter 12 Packing up after the meal as Fong Sha emerged She exhaled a sigh of relief Considering the matter settled she cast a fierce glare at the submissive Jeang Jeene beside her unfortunate fool Your well-meaning actions nearly rendered me a laughingtock within the family Jang Jan aware of his blunder quickly lowered his head and muttered "Yes it was my mistake." Fong Shao snorted coldly "I shall dock your salary for 3 months Go and reflect on your actions." Jeang was taken aback gazing up at Fong Sha 3 months worth of salary How many spirit stones would that amount to he felt a pain of distress for his entire family relied on his earnings Fong Sha fixed her gaze on him her tone laced with dissatisfaction What are you contesting my decision miss I leave Even if you disagree Keep it to yourself Jeang Jeene feeling helpless could only depart in frustration harboring deep resentment towards El Shaqing As he passed by the private room of Xia Chong and his companions a thought struck him and he gently knocked on the door Three young masters After dismissing Jeang Jeene Fong Xiao rubbed her temples muttering to herself "What a troublesome individual This tavern is the foundation of my resurgence Should you ruin it I would derive no satisfaction even from your demise." Just then she noticed Wong Yao emerging from the kitchen and beckoned him over Wong Yao as a disciple of Ling Xiao sacked "Do you know El Shiaoing your senior brother?" Wong Yao with a respectful demeanor replied "Boss I have delivered Teao to senior brother L several times so we have crossed paths However I cannot claim to know him well He is quite low-key and rarely appears within the sect Many have not even heard of him or seen him." Fong Sha was taken aback Upon reflection she realized she had heard of other core disciples of Ling Shas sect yet El Shaing was a name she had not come across It seemed he indeed preferred to remain under the radar Nevertheless Wong Yao provided her with an intriguing piece of information El Shaqing was quite fond of Uncle Hus culinary skills Uncle who is he the spiritual chef who Bing that I recruited wong Yao nodded affirming "Indeed he came here today for Uncle whose cuisine." Upon hearing this a smile spread across Fongas face It appeared she had made the right choice in her recruitment Wong Yu continued "Previously the former owner was unscrupulous refusing to raise Uncle whose salary which afforded you this opportunity Senior brother L suggested the idea of takeout and though he profited greatly he was unwilling to increase Uncle whose wages If the business fails in the future it will be deserved." Fong Sha was astonished Does he often order takeout indeed senior brother El mentioned he prefers not to descend the mountain for meals However I am unsure why he chose to come down today and ordered such a large feast Fong Xiaos heart skipped a beat a foroding feeling creeping in "A large feast?" she quickly instructed Wong Yao "Show me the menu in the private room." Xiaoi stared in awe at the continuous array of dishes being served her mouth agape With a tearful expression she looked at El Shaqing "Where is Junior Sister's eye second senior brother why did you order so much?" Earlier she had only requested two dishes while El Shiaoing had ordered the rest Having already begun his meal El Shaqing replied between bites "I told you I have quite the appetite." Shia regretted not inquiring further beforehand "But senior brother I do not have enough spirit stones." "Not enough spirit stones and yet you dare to treat?" El Shaing scoffed at Shia before reminding "Did you not hear the boss this meal is free." Realization dawned upon Shiai her face lighting up with joy Indeed Second seeing your brother is impressive With you I can indulge without worry Quickly eat fill yourself up then return to cultivate diligently Shia nodded earnestly Do not worry second senior brother I will not be lazy With the senior brother around it would be feudal to try My point is you should strengthen yourself quickly so when trouble comes knocking you can handle it Shia was taken aback Realizing this was the true reason behind El Shaings encouragement for her cultivation Curiosity peaked she asked while eating Second senior brother why did you not engage in combat they were the ones who provoked us El Shiaoing shrugged dismissively Are you foolish what benefit is there in fighting them it is far more enjoyable to conserve energy for a good meal Let the senior brother handle the fighting Shiaoied El Shaing suspiciously Could it be that you are afraid to fight can you tell me how strong you truly are el Shaqing with a carefree demeanor declared The senior brother cannot best me I could defeat you with one hand The weight of that statement hung heavily in the air However Shiaoi was not pleased with the latter part of his declaration I do not believe it Second senior brother just tell me She attempted to act cute El Shaqing in response shoved a chicken leg into her mouth Eat your food Stop your nonsense After a hearty meal El Shaqing patted his belly Releasing a long sigh of satisfaction Shiai mirrored his gesture feeling content I cannot eat another bite Little Hong could no longer fly lying flat on the table her round belly reflecting her satisfaction El Shaqing called out to the outside "Wong Shitty bring me the menu." Shia was astonished "We have finished eating." And you still want to order more Second senior brother can you eat anymore if you can you might as well be a pig Without lifting his head El Shaqing replied while perusing the menu for takeout "Does master and the senior brother not need to eat after all it is free." Fong Xiao watched as El Shiaing leisurely departed the tavern with Xiao Y her teeth nearly grinding to dust What a rascal Wasn't what he ordered excessive tears brimmed in Fong Xiaos eyes She had underestimated El Shaings audacity Are you a pig you just consumed over 5,000 spirit stones in one meal An entire day's worth of my earnings What not at Fong Sha even more was not just the exorbitant meal but also the additional takeout Today she had incurred a loss of around 10,000 spirit stones Clutching her chest she lamented "It hurts so much All this turmoil stemmed from that blind fool Zang Jeene Anger surged within Fong Shao If it were not for Jeang Jinns meddling and his offense against El Shiaoqing would she have suffered this loss where is Zong Jin bring him to me." Fong Sha gritted her teeth Miss Jong Jin arrived to face Fong Shao Upon seeing him her frustration boiled over I shall dock you another month's salary Zang Jian was taken aback a sense of grievance washing over him Miss why fong Xiaos anger flared further You dare to express grievances here why for the trouble you caused me today at that moment Fong Xiao noticed Jong Jen leaving Juian Tower alone from the second floor Chapter 13 The masked man Fong Xiaos heart stirred as she recalled that Jong Jene had just emerged from the private room where Sia Chong and his companions were Her expression turned icy as she fixed her gaze on Jong Jene Tell me did you incite them to create trouble for young master Lu jeang Jene instinctively lowered his head wanting to deny it but his body language betrayed him Seeing his demeanor Fong Sha felt a surge of anger You fool Jang Jene somewhat indignant retorted "Miss even if he is a direct disciple of the Ling Sha sect what of it his abilities are mediocre There is no need to bow to him Your status is no lesser than his." Besides the two young masters of Guiwan Pavilion have stated that this is their personal grudge and will not implicate our tavern What a blind fool Fong Sha was infuriated How could she have such a dim-witted subordinate stay here I'll deal with you later With that she hurriedly left the tavern Pursuing the direction in which Lu Xiaoing had departed Although her acquaintance with Lu Xiaoing was brief she was adept at discerning character from her early experiences Lu Xiaoing was not someone to be trifled with Fong Xiaoa deemed him shameless and utterly devoid of shame yet clever Today it appeared that Jeang Jang and Wu Tienzong from Guan Pavilion were causing him trouble But in truth it was Jong Jene who was stirring the pot from behind the scenes Lu Xiaoing could see through this and with a single remark he turned Jeang Jins actions into a farce forcing her the mastermind to step forward personally She paid a hefty price to quell the situation Transforming a crisis into an opportunity establishing a connection with Jien If matters had ended there everything could have been deemed perfect say for a lingering frustration for Fong Shao However Jang Jan remained obstinate continuing to create trouble for her As she chased after him Fong Shao cursed Jeang Jene inwardly But what could she do jeang Jin was a person her father had assigned to her and she regarded him as a trusted aid The troubles he caused were hers to resolve Fong Xiao was no weakling She stood at the seventh level of Foundation establishment nearing the pinnacle of her realm She pursued relentlessly exiting the Guushian Tower and heading straight for the Ling Sha sect Beneath the night sky Fong Sha resembled a celestial being racing under the moonlight The scenery behind her rapidly receding Before long she spotted figures flickering in the distance hurrying along It was Jean Jen He too was rushing and judging by his trajectory she was certain he was pursuing Lu Xiao Jing Just as Fong Xiao was about to call out to stop Jeang Jang a shadow suddenly surged forth from the nearby woods heading straight for him Jeang Jin shouted "Who goes there?" And soon a fierce battle ensued Fong Xhaos heart raced Could it be that Lu Xiaoing had discovered Jeang Jang and they were now clashing she concealed herself cautiously edging closer She soon discerned that the asalent was a masked figure Alarmed Fong Xiao quickly flipped her wrist pressing a jade talisman against herself Instantly her presence faded and she carefully hid to observe After a moment she realized the masked man's strength was formidable exuding an aura that unmistakably indicated a core formation level Jang Jen being only at the initial stage of Foundation establishment would find it difficult to withstand such an opponent Seeing the masked man unleash a relentless assault intent on claiming Jeang Jangs life and noticing her own defensive artifacts being destroyed one after another Jeang Jang panicked Who are you what grudge do we have i am a disciple of Guuan Pavilion the brother of Jeang Chong Long Despite Jeang Jang revealing his identity and invoking Guuan Pavilion and Jeang Chong Long the masked man remained silent only intensifying his attack Finally he growled "Die!" With a thunderous shout the masked man formed seals with his hands unleashing a torrent of terrifying spiritual energy towards Jeang Jang The last of Xang Jens defensive artifacts shattered under the terrifying assault Hang Jang spat blood as he crashed heavily against a tree losing consciousness The masked man approached Zong Xiangs fallen form sneering with satisfaction Killing you and framing Lu Xiaoing will certainly stir up trouble for Jiian Just as he prepared to strike a languid voice interrupted I would like to see who dares to frame me Who both the masked man and the concealed Fong Sha were taken aback as Lu Xiaoqing emerged from the shadows The masked man startled stammered Lulu Lu Xiaoing Lu Xiaoing regarded the masked man with curiosity Do you know me who are you regaining his composure the masked man chuckled coldly You a useless fool Seek your own demise Very well I shall accompany you on your journey With that he launched an attack forming seals with his hands and releasing a torrent of overwhelming spiritual energy The surrounding area erupted like a tempest trees swaying violently A multitude of razor-sharp wind blades materialized indirectly at Lu Xiaoing Go the masked man shouted unleashing countless wind blades that tore through the air towards Lu Xiaoing Trees that stood in their path were reduced to mere dust In the face of the onslaught Lu Xiaoing summoned a long sword to his hand The masked man scoffed You dare to obstruct me you worthless wretch Do you think you're Jien lu Xiaoing lightly flicked his sword And a fiery little bird appeared at the tip of the blade Proudly it perched there pining its fiery feathers while glaring at the masked man Suddenly it let out a shrill cry and soared towards the masked figure An overwhelming sword intent surged forth piercing the darkness and shattering the wind blades The little bird flew directly into the path of the wind blades which disintegrated before it Sword sword intent The masked man exclaimed in shock his voice laced with fear Meanwhile Fong Shao hidden in the shadows stared wideeyed equally astonished The masked man now flustered retreated hastily Artifacts of defense appeared one after another before him H how is this possible gns sword intent has taken shape And you you're supposed to be a useless nobody Despite being at the core formation level the masked man felt no inclination to resist against the manifested sword intent The little bird approached him screeching once more The sword intent surged violently obliterating everything in its path The masked man's defenses crumbled like paper under the bird's assault Boom the bird embodying the sword intent enveloped the masked man Ah chapter 14 The terrifying Lu Xiaoing as the masked figure was shredded The proud little red bird flapped its wings and ultimately vanished into thin air Calmness returned to the surroundings Lu Xiaoing sheeted his long sword surveying the scene of devastation before him With evident dissatisfaction he muttered "How weak Had I known it would be so feeble I would have conserved my strength What a waste." After saying this Lu Xiaoing leisurely approached Jeang Jang who lay unconscious and gravely injured Without a moment's hesitation Lu Xiaoing began to ransack Jean Jen How can you call yourself Jang Tsung Longs brother and be so destitute no treasures just a mere hundred spirit stones What a miser Standing up Lu Xiaoing cast a scornful glance around A popper dares to provoke me With that he prepared to leave Fong Xiao observing Lu Xiaoings intent to depart couldn't help but exhale in relief Suddenly a long sword sliced through the air narrowly grazing Fong Xiaos head and reducing a large tree behind her to dust It felt as if a sun had streaked past her The overwhelming sword intent nearly compelled Fong Xiao to cry out Was that merely an illusion lu Xiaoing turned back casting a fleeting glance in Fong Xiaos direction before shaking his head and departing That scoundrel the senior brother has caused such trouble I warned him to be decisive not to play the saint Had he acted without hesitation we wouldn't be in this predicament Fong Shao remained motionless rooted in place paralyzed by fear Lu Xiaoings perceptiveness was so acute that she nearly got discovered She never anticipated witnessing Lu Xiaoings true prowess in this setting His strength at the core formation stage likely approached the later realms Such power was rare among the younger generation of Chijou The chief disciples of the three major sects had all attained the core formation stage Yet none among the younger generation of the cultivation families in Chijou could match such prowess Furthermore it was widely believed that aside from the chief disciples no other young disciples had reached the core formation stage Of course exceptions existed among the middle-aged generation Today Fong Xiao had witnessed it firsthand Yet what astonished her even more was that Lu Xiaoing had grasped sword intent achieving the second level of its manifestation sword intent form Sword intent comprises three tiers heart transformation form manifestation and sword heart communion Few among the younger generation in Chiha had comprehended sword intent let alone the second level It was precisely due to mastering this second level that he could easily challenge opponents beyond his rank having slain an adversary who had just entered the nent soul stage With his sword intent he dominated all the youthful practitioners of Chihua establishing himself as the foremost among them Even Xiaou of Shuang Yua Valley and Jeang Tong Long of Guanuan Pavilion had not comprehended sword intent Many were aware of Ji Yians formidable strength and thus relinquished their ambitions for the title of the foremost opting instead to v for second place After witnessing Lu Xiaoings might Fong Shao felt that the title of the second strongest in Xiha was hardly worth contention others might as well compete for third place Now she understood that Lu Xiaoings earlier remark about potentially killing Jeang Jang and Wu Tianzong was not mere jest He truly possessed that capability As Fong Shao prepared to remove her disguise and depart her body suddenly froze Lu Shaqing emerged once more from the shadows his gaze sharp as lightning directed toward her location Was it truly an illusion lu Xiaoing murmured softly before gradually fading away Under the moonlight a night breeze swept through sending shivers down Fong Xiaos spine her heart brimming with fear This man was even more formidable than she had imagined his methods extraordinary his decisiveness lethal and his mind astutely calculating His slightest suspicion prompted him to feain departure and then return All to ascertain whether anyone lingered nearby Fong Xiao dared not move nor did she wish to leave Given Lu Xiaoings demeanor should he discover her presence she feared for her life Despite his immense strength he remained an enigma Even many within the Ling Sha sect were unaware of his existence underscoring his discretion and secrecy Would her unintentional glimpse into Lu Xiaoings power lead him to perceive her as an enemy resulting in a misunderstanding fong Shao could not afford to take that risk If Lu Xiao Ching were to uncover her her own strength would be utterly insufficient to contend with him Thus she remained rooted in place motionless until dawn broke The sounds of various creatures echoing through the forest allowing her to finally breathe a sigh of relief She had stood there for an entire night refraining from any movement Gazing towards the direction of the Ling Sha sect she silently mused What a terror this is Is it the Ling Sha sect that is fearsome or is it Lu Xiaoing i cannot discern At that moment figures approached from a distance swiftly coming into view Jeang Jin Sia Chong and Wu Chin Xung arrived Upon witnessing the extensive signs of battle akin to a tempest having swept through they were taken aback soon discovering Fong Xiao Jeang Jyns face lit up with joy Miss are you unharmed how wonderful We were worried sick when you didn't te return all night Wu Tinzong then inquired "Miss Fong have you seen Brother Jeang?" Fong Xiao gestured in a direction prompting Wu Tanzhong to rush over where he found Jean Jing Like a man whose life was slipping away Jeang Jing screamed "Brother what happened wake up please." Fong Shao approached and upon witnessing the scene she couldn't help but blush quickly turning her head away Jeang Jang lay stripped of his garments clad only in his underpants his belongings entirely looted Yet out of the corner of her eye she had noticed the signs of rifling even on his undergarments That scoundrel Fong Sha found herself at a loss for words to describe Lu Xiaoing immensely powerful yet capable of such shamelessness What manner of person was he curiosity welled up within her Stealing a glance at Jang Jeene she sighed inwardly and said "Uncle Jeang you should return to the Fong family today There's no need to stay here I will take care of matters regarding the tavern." Chapter 15 The shameless second senior brother second senior brother second senior brother Lu Xiaoing cast a glance at Xiao Ei questioning "What is it now aren't you supposed to be cultivating do you not fear that the eldest senior brother will scold you to death?" He Shia chuckled attempting to ingratiate herself Second senior brother I actually have something important to discuss with you Since that evening when they had shared a meal together Shiao and Lu Xiaoing had grown increasingly familiar with one another Over the course of their interactions she had come to understand him better rather than fearing Lu Xiaoing She found his company to be refreshingly comfortable Lu Xiaoing however showed no interest in the affairs of Xiaos residence With a dismissive wave of his hand he replied "If you have matters to discuss go seek master Don't come looking for me." Shiao Ei with a playful grin retorted "But Master is busy cultivating I dare not disturb him I need to sleep so do not disturb me." Shiao E feeling displeased clutched the hammock and exclaimed "Second senior brother spare me the routine This is about eldest senior brother He has been sitting in the sword cave for several days Is there something wrong is that so?" Lu Xiaoing Yan nonchalantly Do not worry he won't die Just get used to it This is simply his nature He will not stop until he perfects what he sets out to do Shiaoi taken aback exclaimed "Is he really that persistent if I were you I would hasten my cultivation especially regarding the sword intent you should grasp it quickly Lest you find yourself crying under the pressure from eldest senior brother At the mention of this Shiao Yis expression pad Second senior brother do you mean that Eldest senior brother still expects me to enter the sword cave the thought of that terrifying sword intent filled her with dread Well it is not absolutely necessary to enter Lu Xiaoing replied turning his back to her Xiao Yis eyes brightened with hope What do you mean by that what is the method lu Xiaoing smirked Why should I tell you xiaoi shook the hammock pouting Second senior brother just tell me I beg you I promise to treat you to another meal next time Lu Xiaoing reminded her You still owe me one meal Then I will owe you two Shiai retorted Having spent some time here she had gained a deeper understanding of Lu Xiaoing and knew he was rather lazy She realized that tempting him with food could be effective This seemed to peique Lu Xiaoings interest You said it yourself he said Shiai nodded thumping her chest as she assured him Of course Now please tell me the method With a mischievous grin Lu Xiaoing revealed It is quite simple If you comprehend the sword intent you need not enter the sword cave at all Xiao Yis face fell Is it truly that easy to comprehend the sword intent if it were so simple would I be afraid of entering the sword cave what kind of method is that she huffed Second senior brother are you joking with me you two have not comprehended it have you you know nothing Lu Xiaoing chuckled I am not the same as you Disappointment welled within Shia There was no real method Angrily she exclaimed Second senior brother that suggestion doesn't count You are deceiving me Lu Xiaoing showed no shame Replying I do not care You already agreed and you owe me two meals I do not agree That is fine I will simply ask your uncle or your father for it later Do you believe I want tea shall we fell silent based on her understanding of Lu Xiaoing he indeed would follow through Anger surged within her second senior brother You are shameless Unbothered Lu Xiaoing shrugged off her accusation Many have called me shameless I do not wish to engage with you any further That suits me just fine Do not disturb my sleep he added reveling in the situation Shiai frustrated felt utterly at a loss in dealing with him as he had her completely cornered Chirp chirp A small red bird landed on Xiao Yis shoulder chirping merrily seemingly mocking her "Are you laughing at me too?" she scolded the bird which promptly flew back to the tree to escape her grasp noticing that Lu Xiaoing had indeed closed his eyes to sleep She persisted "Second senior brother Why not assist eldest senior brother he has been sitting there motionless for days I fear there might be an issue." "What issues could arise?" "None at all?" Lu Xiaoing replied rolling over to face away from her Just reduce the rocking a bit That is perfect Shiaoi grew even more irritated It seemed impossible to communicate with her second senior brother In her frustration she prepared to leave when Shiao Chong arrived Upon seeing Lu Xiaoing lying there asleep he drew his sword and severed the rope that held the hammock Lu Xiaoing landed upright astonished as he turned to face his master Master have you forgotten your old disciple for a new one i am still your second disciple You do not need to resort to such extreme measures simply because you have a new junior sister Shiao Ching scolded What nonsense are you spouting your eldest senior brother has been sitting there for 5 days Why aren't you lending a hand lend a hand what for you know eldest senior brother's temperament He would not allow me to interfere even if I tried Besides isn't it good that he is too busy to bother with you or are you masochistic enjoying being scolded by eldest senior brother Shiao weary rubbed her forehead Truly the dying peak was filled with oddities The eldest disciple reprimanded the master The second disciple was equally unrestrained If it had been anyone else Lu Xiaoings earlier words would have warranted his expulsion from the sect Yet with Shiaoqing no repercussions followed Shiao Chong s expression turned serious Cultivation is akin to rowing upstream One must either advance or fall behind Your eldest senior brother's strictness benefits everyone Xiaoi felt a swell of admiration in her heart Indeed that is my master W said "It should be this way Not like second senior brother who sleeps in everyday." Lu Xiaoing Xiaoa suspiciously circling him twice Shiao Cheng feeling uneasy asked "What are you doing?" Lu Xiaoing frowned in confusion "Master why have you suddenly become so serious have you been possessed?" "Rubbish." Shiao Chong as face slightly flushed but quickly returned to normal "I have always been serious Have you only just noticed without earnest cultivation how could I possibly manage you you rascal Lu Xiaoing glanced at Shia beside him And suddenly everything clicked into place Haha So that Esset you were concerned about our junior sister joining You fear she might surpass us in excellence You worry you will no longer be able to keep her in check hence your urgency to grow stronger Haha You want eldest senior brother to be less occupied so he can monitor you Shia was struck dumb Is that really the reason shiao Chengs face reened adamantly denying it Stop spreading such nonsense I am merely concerned for your eldest senior brother Lu Xiaoing nodded Understood Understood I get it Chapter 16 Surely you do not find this exceedingly difficult You know nothing Enraged Shiaoing drew his sword glaring at LV Shaqing I see you for a fight Do you dare believe me I shall strike you This is quite dull LV Shaoing mumbled utterly helpless Besides intimidating people what else can you do the little red bird chirped from the tree Aren't you the same for a scoundrel like you this is the only way Shiaoing bellowed Hurry up Fine fine Who asked you to be the leader i shall go Is that satisfactory after LV Shiaoing departed Shia admired Shiaoing saying "Master you are truly formidable able to command the second senior brother's obedience The second senior brother so shameless yet you were still impressive." A hint of pride crossed Xiaoings face This scoundrel is indeed difficult for ordinary people to handle Shiai wholeheartedly agreed with Shiaoings words Even her attempts to be cute and charming could not sway LV Shiaoing However recalling LV Shaings words Shia could not help but smile She patted her chest earnestly assuring Shiaoing "Master rest assured I shall not behave like the second senior brother." Shiaoing felt a sense of relief New disciples are indeed obedient and considerate He cautioned Shiai Be sure not to emulate him Having one is already enough to give me a headache If you dare become the second one I as he spoke Shiaoing was at a loss for words It was quite vexing Sensing his distress Shiaoi offered comforting words Master I will not imitate the second senior brother Yet Shiaoing hesitated saying Just don't learn his laziness Other aspects feel free to learn shall we master are you encouraging me to follow in the second senior brother's footsteps shiaois curiosity about LV Shiaoing deepened What kind of person is the second senior brother truly meanwhile LV Shiaoing sauntered leisurely to the sword cave Jiian had been sitting there for 5 days brow furrowed deeply engrossed in thought Elvie Shiaoing approached Jiian visibly impatient and said "Stop posing like a statue." Jiian did not look up his tone thick with confusion asking "Why did the sword cave explode?" LV Shaoing scoffed dismissing the question "Don't you have any self-awareness regarding your own formation skills with your level of skill can you really trap yourself?" Gi understood his tone calming as he acknowledged "Ultimately my formation skills are insufficient Good to know Now hurry up and leave Stop being a nuisance." Realizing this Gi did not hesitate and turned to depart I don't care how you do it I just need a sword cave that allows my junior sister to comprehend the sword intent in the shortest time possible Go on Go on Elvie Shaqing waved his hand dismissively I know what to do Gazing at the sword cave he crossed his arms and stroked his chin suddenly breaking into a smile It seems profitable to use this With a flick of his wrist a pile of materials appeared A pained expression crossed LV Shiaoings face If I cannot make a profit I shall resort to stealing the town treasure of Tianu Peak to sell Shiaoi sat cross-legged her expression one of distress She was in a gathering spirit formation diligently cultivating This was the most optimal and spiritually rich location on Tanu Peak The Ling Sha sect was situated in the area of Chihua with the most abundant spiritual energy And the place Shiao was currently cultivating was so rich in spiritual energy it felt almost tangible She had been practicing here for a month under the strict supervision of her senior brother Jiian leaving her no room for idleness Before she began her training she had no idea her senior brother s formations were so powerful With just a wave of his hand he had set up a vast gathering spirit formation for her cultivation After half a month of arduous practice she had risen from the seventh level ofqi refinement to the eighth Once she reached the ninth level she could break through to the foundation establishment stage However having just entered the eighth level the ninth level seemed distant Despite her relentless efforts the prospect of a breakthrough remained elusive leaving her feeling exhausted mentally drained and quite miserable Jiian was nearby supervising her adding immense pressure It felt akin to her father chasing her with a whip during her childhood Xiin sat cross-legged beside her eyes closed in meditation Occasionally he would open his eyes to see the fleeting expressions of pain on Xiao Yis face While his expression remained unchanged concern and regret flickered in his eyes It seemed that another breakthrough would not come easily Gied inwardly preparing to tell Shia to take a break when a languid voice interrupted Enough Are you not afraid of losing yourself in this relentless training it was LV Shiaoing s voice Hearing him Shias concentration broke and she opened her eyes second senior brother Jiian looked at the entering LV Shiaoing and asked "Is it done i took action It was a trivial matter." Elvie Xiaoing wore a smug expression "Of course but it nearly exhausted me You owe me a reward for my hard work." Gi chose to overlook the latter part of the statement replying "Very well let her." Elvie Xiaoing rudely interrupted "Where is she going can't a person take a breather even if one were to hang themselves they must catch their breath." Ji turned to Shiai who displayed signs of exhaustion Indeed too fatigued This was not merely physical exhaustion but mental and spiritual fatigue Ji decided to pass Shiao E to LV Shiaoing saying "Since it is so I leave her in your hands Let her comprehend the sword intent before breaking through to the foundation establishment stage." Without a moment's thought Elvie Shaqing declined "If you want to teach her do it yourself I lack the time for this I must be out of my mind to take this troublesome girl along Do you know how vexing she is jiian raised a finger and set the price at 100 spirit stones Elvie Xiaoing scoffed What do you take me for do you think a mere 100 spirit stones can buy me knowing his junior brother's character Ji Yin swiftly raised the bid 500 I regard spirit stones as worthless 1,000 Elbia remained unfazed his voice steady I adore spirit stones Alas in a poor sect earning spirit stones is no easy feat Gi Yen proposed additional conditions stating she must comprehend the sword intent before breaking through to the foundation establishment stage The time frame 2 months Enough with the rambling When did you become so chatty hand over the spirit stones Elvie Shaqing extended his hand The awakened Shiai startled by the conversation between the two senior brothers was taken aback She had just reached the eighth level ofqi refinement with the ninth level still a distant dream and the prospect of breaking through to the foundation establishment stage was uncertain Furthermore they expected her to comprehend the sword intent Was this not setting her up for failure with a woeful expression Shia implored Jiian and LV Shiaoing senior brothers Is there some misunderstanding between you and me what misunderstanding lv Shiaoing questioned While Jiian simply looked at her under their scrutinizing gazes Xiao s anxiety heightened fearing they held some misconceptions about her saying "Senior brothers you do not think I'm a genius do you?" "Yes before coming here I believed I was indeed a genius." However upon my arrival I realized my definition of genius was misguided A true genius is like senior brother Jiian I am but a mere fool LV Shiaoing was left speechless I have never seen someone with such audacity calling oneself a genius without a hint of shame Gi shook his head bluntly criticizing You are a genius A pig is an unparalleled genius in its own right Shall I felt tears welling up then what were you speaking of earlier if you both know I am not a genius why insist that I comprehend the sword intent within 2 months to enter the foundation establishment stage lving raised an eyebrow Surely you do not find this exceedingly difficult Jiian added "Is it truly difficult?" Jiuan and Lu Xiaoing exchanged a glance both perceiving the perplexity reflected in each other's eyes Xiaoi was at her wits end Do you find this to be an easy matter lu Xiaoing responded with a mysterious smile suggesting "Let us depart." "Depart for what purpose?" She inquired Lu Xiaoing replied "To dine of course You still owe me two meals." Chapter 17 The master pleads for me to be his disciple Lu Xiaoing accompanied by Xiao once again arrived at the gathering immortals tower As Lu Xiaoing entered the keeneyed Wong Yao approached him "Brother Lu," noticing the other patrons demeanor towards Wong Yao Lu Xiaoing scrutinized him from head to toe "Have you been promoted?" Wong Yu scratched his head a hint of embarrassment in his voice laced with confusion "I'm not entirely sure," the owner sent the previous manager "Jang back to the Fong family and promoted me to manage the tavern." Lu Xiaoing patted his shoulder saying "Not bad at all by the way What kind of discount can you provide me with as the manager mr Lu s consumption at the gathering of mortals tower is of course complimentary Fong Sha arrived She greeted Lu Xiaoing and Shiai respectfully "Greetings Mr Lu Miss Shiao." Lu Shaqing inquired "What did you just say owner?" Fong Shao smiled and replied "Mister Lus expenditures here are entirely on me." A flicker of trepidation lay hidden in Fong Xiaos gaze for the events of that fateful night haunted her memory Lucachin immediately became vigilant Owner what are you planning i do not offer my body in exchange for favors Flattery without reason often harbors ill intent We are not related And even if you offered me a 50% discount I would still curse you internally Now you suggest it be free Surely this is no good deed Fong Sha nearly choked on her words Who on earth desires your body she surveyed Lu Shaqing noting his striking features sharp eyebrows and deep set eyes radiating a vibrant aura If he were to seek a bride he would undoubtedly attract many admirers With a beused smile Fong Sha remarked "Mr Lu you are a direct disciple of the Ling Sha sect and a junior to Master Jiian whose master Shiaoing is a formidable nent soul expert Such a status is sufficient for many to curry favor with you I merely wish to foster a good rapport with you Secretly she mused about his potential Recalling that fateful night a tremor of fear coursed through her The invincible sword intent and meticulous strategies displayed by Lu Xiaoing revealed that he was far from the simple man he appeared to be had it not been for her father's gift that night She would have been discovered by Lu Xiaoing Her father was a nent soul and the item he crafted nearly fell into the hands of Lu Xiaoing who was merely at the core formation stage This exemplified Lu Xiaoings formidable nature Such a talent must be courted Every ounce of goodwill could translate into future benefits Upon hearing her words Lu Xiaoing regarded Fong Sha with a thoughtful gaze She had likely known of his identity from the first time he visited Why had she not offered him complimentary service then nevertheless Lu Xiaoing had no intention of accepting It would be absurd While he may be impoverished he was not desperate enough to accept every favor One must not bite the hand that feeds them he thought He refused Fong Xhaos goodwill stating "No need for that owner You've already mentioned that I would receive a 50% discount here and that suffices." Fong Xiao was taken aback her opinion of Lu Xiaoing rising yet again His vigilance was indeed impressive Fong Shao smiled attempting to showcase her charm "Mr Lu please don't be so formal Let us simply be friends Do you perhaps look down upon me a frail woman?" "Not at all I would never want to take advantage of you considering the challenges you faced running this tavern as a young woman Fong Xiao cast another deep glance at Lu Xiaoing Increasingly convinced of his complexity Although this favor seemed trivial Lu Xiaoing was reluctant to accept it This woman harbors ulterior motives he thought Lu Xiaoing swiftly dismissed her saying "Oner you go about your business There is no need to waste time with me Brother Wong will suffice." Wong Yao exchanged a glance with Fong Shao who nodded Brother Lu Sister Shiao this way please Fong Sha stood in place lost in thought Lu Xiaoing ordered an array of dishes Shiai lay listlessly on the table her appetite non-existent Logically a month of rigorous training should be manageable for a cultivator Even a year's worth would not evoke such fatigue Yet with Ji personally overseeing her the pressure on Shia was immense leaving her mentally and physically drained Second brother I'm so exhausted Xiaoi sighed resting her head on the table as Xiao Hong voraciously consumed the food before her You'll get used to it It l become a habit Lu Xiaoing reassured her Fully aware of her plight Our master nearly broke down during his training You will adapt in time Hearing this Shiai looked up at Lu Xiaoing curiosity igniting within her Really her eyes sparkled with intrigue Lu Xiaoing continued to satisfy her curiosity while eating Indeed Or do you think our master could ascend to the naent soul stage within a decade without the support of the eldest senior brother terrifying Shiai gasped And you did the eldest senior brother treat you this way lu Xiaoing brimming with pride declared No Your second brother is a prodigy The eldest senior brother pales in comparison before me Would he dare to oversee my training shiao E skeptical retorted I find that hard to believe Everyone says the eldest senior brother possesses the greatest talent How could you possibly surpass him you must have been exceedingly lazy for the eldest senior brother to have no impact on you You're certainly boasting Lu Xiaoing merely smiled choosing not to respond However Shia sat up straight her curiosity intensifying Second brother could you share how the master took you and the eldest senior brother as disciples logically Xi Yin and Lu Xiaoqing who possessed nearly opposite temperaments should not have become brothers in the same sect Yet Shiaoing had managed to take both Ji Yin and Lu Xiaoing as his disciples Shiai was deeply curious about how her two senior brothers had come to study under Chan Yu Peak Lu Xiaoing sis glimmered with nostalgia as he pondered before responding When the eldest senior brother came to the Ling Sha sect to seek a master he boasted that whoever took him as a disciple would be blessed claiming he would lead his master to his sin together Shiao Yis eyes widened in disbelief Is that really how our eldest senior brother was indeed he nearly got himself killed And what of our master although he is the peak master his abilities seemed quite ordinary compared to the other elders No one wished to take him as their master He saved the eldest senior brother and took the opportunity to claim him as his disciple which is how they became kindred spirits Shiai scoffed "What a description and what of you how did you come to be the master disciple?" Lu Xiaoing dawned a self-satisfied expression continuing to extol his own virtues When the master met he was aruck and pleaded for me to be his disciple As you know I am compassionate and cannot turn others away After much insistence from the master I reluctantly agreed Chapter 18 I lack sufficient funds Let the junior sister work to repay the debt upon hearing this Shiai spat again utterly unconvinced Second senior brother you must beesting The exaggeration was such that no sane person would believe it Lu Xiaoing with a look of disdain remarked "This is the truth Why do you refuse to believe me i would never deceive you my junior sister I don't believe it." Shiaoi made a face at Lu Xiaoing After gossiping for a while Xiao Yis spirits lifted considerably and her appetite returned She noticed the exquisite dishes on the table were hardly inferior to those of their last meal "Curiously," she inquired "Second senior brother how much does this feast cost?" "It must be 3 to 4,000 spirit stones," he replied "Don't worry." The owner said I would get a 50% discount "So it's only about 1 or 2,000 Surely you can afford that." Shiaoi felt disheartened and lost her appetite second senior brother I don't have that many spirit stones Are you joking although I hail from the Shiao family my resources are limited Lu Shaqing however remained indifferent No matter Let us just eat As she gazed at the sumptuous spread before her she posed another question But second senior brother the owner said "You could have it for free Why wouldn't Tu accept this is unlike you You even said that not taking advantage of a good deal is foolish." Lu Xiaoing scoffed I have no ties to her If she suddenly offers me such a generous deal it must be for ulterior motives I do not wish to attract trouble This was indeed consistent with second senior brothers character averse to complications Yet Shiai still worried about how they would settle the bill But what if we don't have enough spirit stones i only possess a little over 500 Lu Xiaoing didn't teft his gaze Showing no concern for the matter Rest assured I have my methods All right since you say so I shall trust you After all you wouldn't te me off Would you shiaoi relaxed and resumed enjoying the delicacies After they finished eating Lu Xiaoing instructed Wong Yao to settle the bill After the discount the total came to 1,930 spirit stones Lu Xiaoing was astonished Is this not excessive are you running a black market wong Yo on the verge of tears replied "Even a black market wouldn't te dare to swindle you senior brother Lo This is the best price we can offer The owner said you could have it for free but you refuse Are you trying to be the big spinder while accusing us of being dishonest lu Xiaoing glared at him Do I look like someone who enjoys taking advantage of others where is the owner bring her to me Fong Shao approached Owner: Are you running a black market this is exorbitant Shiai covered her face too embarrassed to show herself to feast lavishly and then accuse others of dishonesty This senior brother was truly shameful Upon realizing Lu Xiaoing lacked sufficient funds Fong Xiao waved her hand Young Master Lu no need to pay This meal is on me Such an opportunity was rare for her However Lu Xiaoing shook his head firmly rejecting Fong Shia as kindness No absolutely not How could I allow the owner to bear this expense junior sister how many spirit stones do you have hand them over Shiaoi produced 500 spirit stones and handed them to Wong Yao Second senior brother I have no more spirit stones Lu Xiaoing spread his hands and feigned helplessness Addressing Fong Xiao owner you see I have no spirit stones either How about this let my junior sister work for you to repay the debt Second senior brother Shiai felt tears welling up Are you truly going to sell me fong Sha was taken aback What is this young master are you really suggesting that a direct disciple of the Ling Sha sect work for her the thought made her uneasy Lu Xiaoing perplexed asked "What is wrong is that not acceptable although the sect leader forbids direct disciples from working a little secret of labor here should go unnoticed." Fong Shao smiled Riley "Young Master Lu there is no need for such trouble I've already said this meal is on me." Lu Xiaoing with righteous fervor declared "How could I take advantage of you a disciple of Tanu Peak must stand tall and face the consequences If we lack funds then let us work." The three present fell into silence How could he say such a thing shiai tugged at Lu Xiaoings sleeve protesting "Why don't you work to repay the debt you were the one who ate the most." And ordered the dishes Lu Xiaoing showed no mercy brushing her hand away I am your senior brother If I work here it would bring shame to Tanu Peak Shiaoi Fong Xiao and Wong Yao fell silent once more It seemed he had already lost his dignity long ago Shia thought "You ought to let master see you now He would surely expel you from the sect Fong Shao unsure of how to respond noted Lu Xiaoings stubbornness in refusing her offer insisting that Shiao E work instead What was his intention had she not experienced that night she might have thought Lu Xiaoing simply valued his pride more than her comfort unwilling to accept her goodwill Perhaps she would even suspect he harbored an attraction for her seeking to capture her attention After all that was not an uncommon tactic However having gone through that ordeal she understood Lu Xiaoing was far more complex than he seemed Shia interjected Second senior brother if you make me work here I one t be able to cultivate How will I explain myself to the senior brother at this juncture Shiai could only invoke the senior brother's name hoping it would persuade her second senior brother Lu Xiaoing reminded her "Have you forgotten the senior brother entrusted you to me?" Shiao recalled "The senior brother even gave you 1,000 spirit stones." Lu Xiaoing shamelessly retorted That was for teaching purposes specifically allocated Shiaoi frowned growing increasingly dissatisfied For two months Yuan Ti let me cultivate How will I comprehend the sword intent and break through the chi refinement stage if I fail how will you explain it to the senior brother fong Sha was moved She asked Lu Xiaoing "Young Master Lu are you truly insisting that Miss Shia work for me?" Lu Xiaoing nodded sighing as if you were acting in her best interest Indeed she needs to learn a lesson lest she be easily swayed by some smooth talker in the future Shiai was at a loss for words How can you say that with such conviction fong Xiao no longer refusing agreed Very well As long as Miss Shiao is willing she can work here Who would want that shiao immediately protested I refuse After all she was a distinguished member of the Shiao family To work here to repay a debt would surely invite ridicule Lu Xiaoing coldly disregarded her objections This is no longer up to you You will heed my words I'll go find master and the senior brother Lu Xiaoing cruy forced Xiao to confront reality Seeking master is feudal Are you certain you can endure the senior brother s training methods now shiaoi fell silent Lu Xiaoing patted her head speaking gently Just work here for a while Consider it a chance to unwind While working here he had one stipulation She could only do so as an ordinary person unless faced with life-threatening situations She must not reveal her identity or strength If someone bullies you jot it down After you finish working settle it then If you can't handle it call the senior brother Chapter 19 Remember to give me my sister's wages Lu Xiaoing urged Wong Yo Junior Brother Wong Do not regard her as a senior sister Treat her equally and feel free to exploit her After all why not take advantage of it wong Yu felt quite troubled Senior brother Lu this I am merely an outer sect disciple and there is a significant gap between us and the inner disciples Offending an inner disciple would jeopardize my standing in Ling Xiao sect I am afraid Lu Xiaoing ignored Wong Yaos predicament and adopting a bully's demeanor threatened Do not worry If you fail to heed my words do you believe I can prevent you from becoming an inner disciple this threat weighed heavily on Wong Yao who grimaced and reluctantly acquiesced I I understand Lu Xiaoing patted his shoulder offering a sweet promise Rest assured if you perform well I will give you a surprise when the time comes You will be able to join us at Tanu Peak Really excitement lit up Wong Yaos face Tanu Peak was a revered place long yearned for by many outer disciples However it was notoriously sparse in numbers Previously it had only housed three individuals with no outer disciples even allowed to serve them Many aspiring inner disciples had been turned away when they sought to join Tanu Peak Wong Yu felt exhilarated Joining Tianu Peak would bring him immense benefits With Lu Xiaoings enticing offer he thumped his chest in assurance Senior brother Lu you can count on me I know what to do Lu Xiaoing turned to Xiaoi saying "Go ahead start working here today and strive to repay your debts as soon as possible." Shiai pouted reluctantly following Wong Yao down Despite her reluctance she had no choice but to heed her second senior brother's orders Fong Xiao glanced at Lu Xiaoing with a knowing smile and remarked "Young Master Lu you have Miss Shiao working here not solely for debt repayment I presume." Lu Xiaoing shook his head "Of course not." "Indeed." Fong Xiao thought to herself recognizing that he was not so superficial Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she inquired "Then what is the reason?" Lu Xiaoing took a step closer his masculine aura enveloping her Fong Xiaos complexion flushed instantly in a hushed voice As if fearing others might overhehere Lu Xiaoing said "Boss Fong my junior sister will be working here and there will be wages right i have spoken to Wong Yao A regular employee here earns 2,500 spirit stones a month My junior sister still owes you 1,230 spirit stones After a month of work aside from repaying her debts there should still be 1,270 spirit stones remaining Correct Fong Sha." corrected him Wong Yao manages the affairs here so his wages are slightly higher Others earn around a thousand Your junior sister will be just a regular worker Her wages won't be that much Lu Xiaoing was displeased and firmly advocated for better treatment for his junior sister My junior sister is after all a direct disciple While I do not ask for special treatment her wages should at least be on par with Wong Yaos right otherwise what becomes of her dignity as a direct disciple fong Xiao internally gasped contemplating her response sighing She suppressed her thoughts and conceded All right we shall adhere to Young Master Lus wishes Lu Xiaoing was satisfied affirming "That's more like it." After a pause he added "By the way remember to give her wages to me." Fun Xiao stared wideeyed Why your junior sister is not a child Why should her wages go to you lu Xiaoing dawned a tragic expression his toneheavy I am poor so I can only have my junior sister work to earn some money for her elder brother Fong Sha was at a loss for words Her internal frustrations began to surface again Are you serious you are intentionally making her work to support you young master you just don't you fong Shao struggled to reconcile the Lu Xiaoing before her with the decisive and cunning individual from that fateful night Surely she had not mistaken him Lu Xiaoing pointed to his eyes urging her to see the sincerity Do you see the truth in my eyes do I seem to be joking fong Sha felt compelled Having never encountered such a request before this It doesn't seem right After all it's Xiaoi who is working The wages should go to her Feeling a pain of regret for agreeing to let Shiaoi work she suggested she only needs to work half a month to settle her debts There is no need for a full month Lu Xiaoqing however was adamant I want her to work for a month but the wages belong to Miss Shiao Fong Xiao felt a wave of helplessness wash over her Lu Shaqing seemed to grasp the situation staring at her incredulously Boss you wouldn't be trying to take a cut from this would you i mean with such a large establishment are you really going to squabble with me over such a trivial sum fong Xiao suddenly felt that continuing this conversation with Lu Xiaoing was beneath her dignity She quickly relented All right fine I will defer to Young Master Lu Young Master Lu I have matters to attend to so I won't te keep you any longer With that Fong Xiao hurly departed appearing somewhat flustered Time to flee Too difficult to deal with This was Fong Xiaos latest assessment of Lu Xiaoing Lu Xiaoing left leaving Shia to work at the tavern Shia felt like crying The esteemed young lady of the Shiao family was now a mere waitress If news of this reached home her father would surely be furious Yet this was the command of her second senior brother sanctioned by the eldest With no option but to comply she could not escape the grasp of her second brother Though she chafed at her new role feeling indignant she faced several complaints from customers throughout the morning The patrons varied widely and their crude remarks and lewd comments made Shiao E furious When had she ever endured such indignities by the end of the day Shia had shed more tears than she had in the past decade Upon returning she slammed the door to her room in anger ignoring Lu Xiaoing completely Unperturbed Lu Xiaoing leisurely perused news articles using the Tanji card he had acquired from his master Meanwhile in her room Shiai felt utterly wronged tears streaming down her face The day's experience as a waitress had inflicted more humiliation than she had ever known That wretched second senior brother I will make him pay Shiao pounded her pillow furiously envisioning Lu Xiaoings face on it determined to pummel it into submission At that moment a knock echoed from outside Young lady are you asleep it was Master Shiaoing Master not yet Shiaoi quickly wiped her tears and opened the door Master is there something you need shiaoing stood at the threshold a warm smile gracing his face You've been crying Haven to you shiai instinctively shook her head Crying at her age seemed rather embarrassing Shiaoing observed her reened eyes and replied "Why deny it your eyes are all swollen." Upon seeing her master s compassionate smile Shiaus suppressed grievances surged forth again and tears cascaded down her cheeks Master second senior brother is bullying me Enough Do not weep Shiaoing gently patted her head That scoundrel come with me to a certain place Chapter 20 The second senior brothers request for apprenticeship Shiai puzzled followed Shiao Chong as they departed to a secluded location This place was the pinnacle of Tan Yu Peak Standing here one could survey the entirety of Tionu Peak from a commanding height Shiaoi spotted a tree in the large open area before the gate From several miles away as a cultivator she could clearly see her leisurely second senior brother Lu Xiaoing lounging on a hammock Xiao Hong lay motionless at top Lu Xiaoings head seemingly asleep Witnessing Lu Xiaoings relaxed demeanor infuriated X Shia that scoundrel second senior brother always bullying me Simultaneously she struggled to comprehend Shiao Changengs intent Master what brings us here shiao Chong pointed below and smiled Take a look Below lay the entirety of Tion Yu Peaks architecture with many areas left vacant After observing for a while Shiai discerned nothing of interest It looks dark and unremarkable she said still baffled by Shiao Chengs meaning She had visited this place before and had seen the scenery below Noticing Shiao Yis lingering confusion Shiao Chong directed her attention to another spot clarifying "Look over there." At last following Shiao Changs finger Shiai beheld a scene that would forever remain etched in her memory A dragon a magnificent white dragon danced gracefully in the air partially concealed within the clouds It resembled a true celestial dragon descending upon the earth all inspiring "Is that master brother?" Shiai gasped in astonishment So master had brought her here to observe her senior brother's cultivation She recognized the dragon During her initial venture into the sword cave she had been bullied by a small white dragon The small dragon that had tormented her bore an uncanny resemblance to the magnificent creature now soaring above Differing only in size the sword intent had materialized into form Shiais wide eyes sparkled with admiration How extraordinary The sword intent although transformed into a white dragon emanated no discernable aura Had it not been for Shiao Chengs guidance she might have overlooked it entirely After gazing for a while Shiai exclaimed "Master brother is truly remarkable To control sword intent in such a manner speaks volumes of his profound understanding of the sword path." Shiao Chong smiled faintly and pointed to Lu Xiaoings location "Now take another look at your second senior brother." The mere mention of Lu Xiaoing soured Xiao Yis expression immediately That detestable second senior brother How dare he make me work to repay debts After observing for a moment she remarked "Master there's nothing noteworthy about second senior brother He appears to be slacking off Compared to her master brother he was utterly inferior One diligently cultivating while the other idled away In extreme contrast Shiai seemed to grasp Xiao Chengs intent gazing at him." Master your purpose in bringing me here was to dissuade me from emulating second senior brother Was it not does this mean I need not heed his words any longer not listening to him sounds wonderful I could avoid working in the tavern and escaping the eye of those people At worst I could have my family send some spirit stones and later repay boss Fong Shiaoing shook his head posing another question to Shia Do you know how they became my disciples hesitantly she recounted what she had heard that day Second senior brother mentioned that master at that time lacked strength and no one was willing to take you as a disciple Upon hearing this Shiaoengs expression turned irate Did he truly say that what else did he mention that rascal noticing her master seemed upset Shiao shrank her neck and continued He also said that master brother was merely a mortal back then incredibly arrogant and after being beaten you saved him leading to his apprenticeship Shiaoing fumed To fabricate such tales before my junior sister Truly a scoundrel Shiai blinked her face a wash with confusion Isn't it true shiaoing adamantly denied Absolutely not Shiais face puffed up her expression one of indignation That despicable second senior brother deceived me When your master brother came to seek apprenticeship no one was willing to accept him He was already 11 years old and still immortal At such an age his cultivation would be slower and more arduous than most and his future prospects seemed dim Observing his calm and resolute demeanor I decided to give him a chance and accepted him as my eldest disciple Shiao Chengs tone turned reflective Who would have thought that by accepting him I would gain the finest disciple Tianup has ever seen exceptionally gifted diligent earnest and courageous never retreating He is a true genius the best disciple I have ever taken in Upon hearing this Shia felt a pang of sorrow I was indeed too naive Master what about second senior brother how did you take him as a disciple shiao Chan countered Did he tell you how he became my disciple shiai admitted He claimed that master You knelt and begged to take him as a disciple That rascal Shiaoqing erupted in fury nearly impulsively unchething his sword to confront Lu Xiaoing Shiai cautiously inquired Master that can't possibly be true right of course not Shiao Chong replied exasperated At that time your master brother was looked down upon and beaten Only Lu Xiaoing stood up to help him Later when I proposed to accept your master brother as a disciple he insisted that I also take his second senior brother or he would refuse to become my disciple Hence I reluctantly accepted him Otherwise who would want such a troublesome little rascal as he spoke Shiao Chan clutched his chest appearing somewhat distressed You have no idea the trouble that little rascal caused me after joining When your grandmaster was still around Tianup Peak was celebrated at the SEC conference a paragon of excellence However since your second senior brother's arrival we have mostly faced reprimands at the conference My reputation has been thoroughly tarnished The entire Ling Sha knows that Tionu Peak harbors a lazy good for nothing Were it not for your master brother upholding our dignity I would have long lost the face to remain in Ling Xiaoct Seeing Xiaos pained expression Shiai felt unexpectedly relieved Compared to her her master was the true victim of second senior brother's antics In contrast to her own plight she realized the burden her master bore was far greater Shiaoi seemed to understand Shiaoengs purpose Master your intention in bringing me here was to convey that I shouldn't be too angry wasn't it is second senior brother truly that kind of person Cough Well that's not entirely the reason Chapter 21 Master the item you bestowed upon me has vanished Shiaoi expressed her confusion Isn't your purpose in bringing me here to lament about second senior brother to make me realize I am not the sole victim what is the reason for our visit shiaoqings expression grew slightly awkward as he replied Actually I brought you here to see your second senior brother Alas there is no avoiding it That scoundrel is infuriating I can't help but complain whenever he comes to mind It's a habitual reaction Upon hearing this Shia directed her gaze towards Lu Xiaoing Apart from observing his languid demeanor she could discern little else Master why must I see second senior brother i have no desire to meet him He is nothing but a great scoundrel Her cheeks puffed in indignation still brooding over how Lu Xiaoing had sent her to work Shiao Chong however disagreed with Shiao es assessment You are mistaken about your second senior brother Though he appears lazy and irresponsible he never engages in meaningless endeavors The tasks he assigns you undoubtedly hold deeper significance That rascal Why does he always behave this way would it kill him to say a few more words truly a lazy creature Shai was taken aback surprised by Shiaoings commendation of Lu Xiaoing Having previously observed Shiaoings disapproval of Lu Xiaoings conduct she found it hard to believe that second senior brother could indeed be so formidable If you were truly capable you wouldn't be so eager to discipline him Master surely you are not merely trying to console me Shiao Chong shook his head his expression turning serious Others may misunderstand your second senior brother but as my disciple and his junior you must not misjudge him With that Shiao Chong formed a sword gesture with his fingers directing it towards Lu Xiaoings position A pure terrifying aura of sword energy surged towards Lu Xiaoing The overwhelming force rendered Shiai pale Is this the power of the naent soul realm is such a single gesture capable of annihilating the world my master is indeed this formidable She believed that had she been struck by that sword energy she would have been obliterated without a trace Perhaps to allow Shiao eat to comprehend the sword energy approached Lu Xiaoing at a measured pace After a few moments it reached him Lu Xiaoing seemed oblivious He merely elevated the heavenly mechanism token in his hand and continued observing Shiao Ei was astonished Did second senior brother not notice or did he simply disregard her master's intent at that moment she heard Shiao Chen cursing beside her that little rascal then with a swift motion of his sleeve The lethal sword energy vanished without a trace as if it had never existed The methods of the nent soul realm were indeed inscrable Lu Xiaoing remained motionless and the little red creature at top his head continued to sleep peacefully Master Xiaoi gazed at Shiao Chong perplexed by his intentions Shiao Chong paused then exclaimed "When did my heavenly mechanism token get stolen it enrages me." Shiao Ei still processing the events stared blankly at him "Master what is happening?" Shiao Chong visibly agitated and somewhat exasperated replied "That scoundrel has taken my heavenly mechanism token I had intended for him to stretch his legs but instead he uses it as a shield My dear disciple do not emulate such shameless behavior in the future Shiaoi was taken aback Her face a portrait of disbelief as she looked at Shiao Chong then at the seemingly hless second senior brother below Master are you saying that second senior brother was aware of your intentions to act against him and raised the heavenly mechanism token to threaten you into submission shiao Chung spoke sharply Indeed he clutched his chest feeling unwell How did I end up with such a troublesome disciple this is humiliating for me Yet I cannot bear to part with my heavenly mechanism token Shia found it hard to believe that the shameless Lu Xiao Xiing could wield such influence Could he truly possess the power to compel her master to relent with just a simple maneuver master you are not deceiving me to comfort me are you shiao Chang replied curtly "What reason would I have to lie to you?" At that moment commotion erupted from the direction of Jiian The spiritual energy surged violently boiling with intensity A long hell pierced the air as Ji Yun ascended into the sky suspended in midair The white dragon above appeared to awaken revealing its massive form from the clouds Its fearsome head surveying the world below An overwhelming sword intent instantly enveloped the atmosphere sending many small creatures scurrying in terror Shiaoi felt the immense sword intent wash over her as though she were pierced by its energy her skin prickling Before she could fully grasp the situation Jiian struck downwards towards Lu Xiaoing with a mighty sword swing In an instant a blinding sword light cleaved through the heavens As if the very fabric of the world were being torn apart Shias pupils lost focus as Ji Yin seemed to vanish from her sight leaving only the worlds splitting sword light before her It filled her entire existence and her body trembled once more this time at the very core of her soul Such power Before this sword light she felt like an insignificant insect in the grand scheme of the universe A chilling dread coursed through her spine rendering her scalp numb Could she ever hope to match such extraordinary strength at that moment her resolve began to waver her spirit fracturing under the weight of doubt Shiao Chong noticing her distress swiftly waved his sleeve to shield her from the oppressive aura and shouted "Awaken!" Shiaoi jolted her scattered thoughts gradually reassembling She stood momentarily stunned Realizing the peril she had just faced pale she reflected on the overwhelming sword intent that had nearly shattered her resolve threatening her ability to cultivate for a lifetime Is this truly the strength of senior brother what is he planning is he here to cleanse the sect of second senior brother to eliminate that scoundrel shiao Chong remained silent his focus fixed intently on Jiian his eyes betraying a hint of excitement his hands trembling slightly Jiian sword light transformed into a white dragon which let out a thunderous roar Its fierce presence shattering the void causing the air to quiver The dragon with a fierce roar lunged at Lu Xiaoing Lu Xiaoings voice rang out What is wrong with you have I provoked you in any way why are you acting so irrationally shiaoi squinted witnessing second senior brother jumping in agitation beneath the tree He tossed the heavenly mechanism token into the air and the white dragon swallowed it whole instantly shredding it to pieces with its sword energy Shiaoen cried out in anguish "My heavenly mechanism token that rascal I shall make him pay." Lu Xiaoing continued to shout "Master your treasured token has been destroyed by senior brother Will you not take action against him?" Rascal you will regret this Shiaoing shouted pointing angrily at Lu Xiaoing Just wait I will make you pay dearly for this Master please act quickly Lu Xiaoing persisted but Shiaoing ignored him unresponsive to his please El Shaqing with a sense of helplessness flicked his wrist and a long sword materialized in his hand Gritting his teeth he proclaimed "Do you truly believe I am a sickly cat if I do not unleash my fury?" In a fit of rage he swung the sword fiercely unleashing a torrent of violent and searing sword intent that soared into the heavens akin to the arrival of the sun Shiaoi was left utterly astonished Chapter 22 The terrifying two senior brothers Shiaoi was utterly astonished Her face a canvas of shock She could scarcely believe that her second senior brother was also a master of the sword intent This this her mind was a blank leaving her at a loss for words Is sword intent as commonplace as cabbage you two simply declare your comprehension as if it were an effortless feat Are you truly human no wonder you insisted I grasped the sword intent within 2 months Apparently you regard me as your equal Shia felt tears welling up inside Dear senior brothers you hold me in far too high esteem Below Lu Xiaoing bore a serious expression his posture resolute and upright illuminated by the sword intent In that moment Shia perceived a radiant grandeur in her second senior brother's image Such a figure made her momentarily question her previous judgment of him The usually shameless rogue of a second senior brother appeared to be an entirely different person Now it was no wonder that on that fateful night master mentioned their sparring Initially Shiaoi had been skeptical but after spending more time with Lu Xiaoin she began to doubt her master's words Could her shameless second senior brother truly possess such formidable prowess it was only now that she realized she had underestimated him Master Shiao Chan waved his hand his countenance grave as he directed his gaze downward commanding "Watch do not speak Go die." Lu Shaqing bellowed Your cultivation is your affair Have I disturbed you while resting today I shall teach you a lesson The fierce sword intent surged upwards transforming into a colossal crimson firebird The firebird screeched and soared charging towards the white dragon They collided violently Boom a thunderous roar echoed shaking the very heavens The white dragon and firebird met their mutual destruction resulting in a cataclysmic explosion that obliterated the sky A tremendous shock wave radiated outward shattering the immense invincible sword intents that scattered like petals in the wind Countless structures below were annihilated in an instant The ground was pockmarked as if nawed by a dog left in utter disarray Little Hong flitted about chaotically finally seeking refuge beside Shiai clutching Little Hong she sensed the little creature trembling evidently frightened Shiaoi found no amusement in this She was hardly in a better state Were it not for Shiao Changengs protection her resolve would have crumbled long ago she never anticipated that the usually unreliable and utterly shameless second senior brother possessed such astonishing sword intent with strength of such magnitude Clearly she had not fully grasped the depth of her second senior brother's abilities Lu Xiaoing gritted his teeth glaring at Ji Yin in the sky Ji Yians eyes were tightly shut his body resembling an insatiable abyss Endless spiritual energy surged towards him as if he were a parched soul frantically absorbing the surrounding essence Though his eyes remained closed it seemed Jiian could perceive Lu Xiaoing He struck out once more with a sword Lu Xiaoing cursed vehemently Do you truly intend to use me as a sharpening stone you must be insane You are actually attempting a breakthrough Are you even human a breakthrough is one thing but do you really need me as your sparring partner enraged Lu Xiaoing shouted I shall beat you today until you can no longer stand You coward Don't you dare dodge He swung his sword again The sword intent coalesed once more transforming into a firebird that charged toward Jien The two sword intents clashed again remaining evenly matched leading to another mutual destruction in the sky Both sword intents were formidable Neither could gain the upper hand Shiaoi watched trembling uncontrollably Both senior brothers had comprehended sword intent having reached the second level of manifestation Their abilities were truly all inspiring Lu Xiaoing regarded Jiian scoffing as he unleashed another strike However this time his expression was far more solemn Previously they had merely collided their sword intense Lie sword technique Lu Xiaoings inner energy surged forth infusing his sword A flicker of dark red flame ignited in the air like a mischievous sprite dancing in the wind It appeared endearing Yet the rising temperature in the atmosphere revealed it as a divine force poised to incinerate the world Upon its emergence it began to absorb the surrounding spiritual energy swelling in size Soon countless flames filled the sky forming an expansive web of fire "Go!" Lu Shaqin shouted The dark red flames converging into a fiery net that surged toward Jiian The scorching heat obliterated moisture and withered vegetation in its path Countless flames like feral beasts ascended Determined to reduce Ji Yin to ashes Yet Ji Yin continued to absorb spiritual energy Facing the oncoming conflration he thrust his sword forward with a seemingly gentle stroke His strike appeared feeble yet it was overwhelmingly powerful The encroaching flames were effortlessly cleaved apart extinguished Observing from above Shiao Chengs face lit up with surprise Shia Yao sword technique Xiao exclaimed "Master is this the sword technique passed down from the Ling Xiao Sex founder?" "Indeed the celestial grade technique one of Ling Xiao sects treasures the Shiau sword technique," Shiaoing affirmed Shia marveled "It is truly formidable." Then she inquired "What about the second senior brother has he also mastered the Shiao Yao sword technique he appears incredibly powerful Otherwise he couldn't possibly match the first senior brother." Shiao Chong shook his head No he employs the Li Hoya sword technique which is not a se technique Not a se technique shiao Yis eyes widened Does the second senior brother have some fortuitous encounter where did he acquire it a hint of curiosity crossed Shiao Chengs face as he pondered before replying I do not know I have not inquired That is his matter However from my observations the Liha sword technique is not inferior to the Shiao Yao sword technique Shia could not help but admire them Her heart swelling with respect for both senior brothers In that moment she completely revered her two senior brothers Their innate talent for sword intent was unparalleled Either one could easily overshadow their peers Observing the fierce battle below the aura they emanated was far beyond that of ordinary cultivators At the core formation stage Jiian unleashed the Shiao sword technique effortlessly countering Lu Xiaoings assault Lu Xiaoing smirked coldly Come again He struck once more This time an even greater torrent of flames surged forth Countless firebirds transformed from the flames blotted out the sun as they swarmed toward Jiian Jien continuing to devour spiritual energy faced the myriad firebirds rushing towards him The surrounding energy seemed to ignite in response Shiai gazed up feeling as if the sky itself were ablaze Her heart trembled at the thought Could her formidable second senior brother withstand this without evasion Jiian pointed his sword at Lu Xiaoing and struck down fiercely A colossal wave of spiritual energy surged forth akin to the cataclysmic collision that split the heavens The inferno was cleaved in two plunging the sky into darkness as the flames were extinguished in an instant The heavens returned to obscurity leaving only the residual pulse of energy to affirm that what had transpired was no mere illusion With a voice resonant as a bell Kami Icy Jiian commanded again The energy radiating from him intensified as he launched another assault against Lu Xiaoing A tremendous pressure bore down as if the very sky were collapsing An immense torrent of energy coalesed into a colossal sword descending toward Lu Xiaoings head with devastating force The great sword crashed down shaking the earth and causing destruction all around Clouds of dust swirling in the air second senior brother Shiai exclaimed nervously Gi strike was formidable She believed that even someone at the nent soul stage would fare poorly if struck How could Lu Shiaoing merely at the golden core stage withstand it yet Shiao Chong appeared utterly unfazed confidently asserting that there was no need for concern regarding the match between his two disciples Just as his words fell Lu Xiaoings voice erupted You bastard Are you serious prepare to die his figure materialized from another direction alarmingly close to Jiian With a thunderous shout he invoked the meteor summoning technique This time he issued the sword technique in favor of a spell The heavens royled with spiritual energy as a colossal fireball materialized traversing space and time The blazing orb illuminated the sky as if it were midday streaking across the night sky toward Jien You strike me I shall strike you back Accept your fate There was a hint of pride in Lu Xiaoings tone Shiao Yis mouth fell agape in disbelief at the sight of such a massive fireball Master what spell is this meteor summoning technique I have never heard of it Shiao Chong silently cursed his flamboyant disciple responding with a smile He is merely spouting nonsense It is in fact the fireball technique Pausing briefly he noted Shias intent to inquire further and quickly interjected do not ask me I too am surprised by the magnitude of his fireball technique Shiaoi swallowed her forthcoming question deciding to ask her second senior brother Later the scale of Lu Xiaoings fireball technique the earlier colossal sword strike from Jiian Jiians expression grew serious yet he did not evade As the fireball descended he swung his sword decisively The strike was powerful and steady causing the enormous fireball to cleave and twain He swiftly followed with a series of strikes reducing the fireball to countless fragments that ultimately vanished into the ether Lu Xiaoings voice grew increasingly frantic as he bellowed "You bastard to break my technique with mere cultivation "What kind of hero are you come again." However Jiian did not afford him the opportunity with one sword strike after another The force escalated Lu Xiaoing was compelled to adopt a defensive stance Ji Yians momentum surged the surrounding air seemingly growing denser The oppressive aura he emitted intensified and dark clouds began to gather above Within the clouds lightning flickered and darted resembling countless thunder dragons roaring through the sky The atmosphere thickened inducing a sense of unease Jiians relentless assaults left Lu Xiaoing struggling to respond unable to find an opening for counterattack Ultimately Jiian executed a final mighty strike sending Lu Xiaoing hurtling backward crashing into a mountain several dozen miles away Second senior brother shiai gas alarm her face etched with concern as she glanced at Shiao Chong Master is second senior brother all right shiao Chong smiled reassuringly Do not worry he is fine That rascal is merely figning injury to avoid the fight Once he sensed that Lu Xiaoings condition was stable Shiao Chong turned his gaze to Jiian his tone softening Your elder brother is on the verge of a breakthrough With such ferocity it places considerable pressure on me as his master Shiaoi was at a loss for words overwhelmed by admiration She recalled that a decade ago her elder brother had been an ordinary mortal In just 10 years he had ascended to the nent soul stage What an extraordinary talent Truly a prodigy Is my elder brother truly so formidable that I could ever hope to catch up shiao Chan glanced at her with a smile Do not be disheartened With diligent training you two can keep pace with your brother I brought you here today to witness your second senior brother's prowess To help you understand that he is far more than he appears This was the true purpose of Shiao Chengs visit ensuring Xiao recognized Lu Xiaoings true capabilities thereby dispelling any misconceptions or grievances she might harbor Ah being a master is no easy task Shiao Chong sighed reflecting on the unity of his disciples I did not anticipate that you would witness your elder brother's breakthrough today Pay close attention It will undoubtedly benefit you in the future With that Shiao Changang soared into the air instructing her to watch as he went to protect her elder brother Chapter 23 The birth of the nent soul on the mountaintop Lu Xiaoing stood before a vast pit his gaze fixed on the distant figure of Ji Yin who had just been struck by lightning A hint of melancholy clouded his expression as Ji Yin effortlessly traversed the final tribulation His aura surged and gradually stabilized An immense spiritual pressure emanated from him spreading like a tidal wave for miles causing the surrounding creatures to cower in fear Xiin had broken through to the nent soul stage attaining the prowess of a master at this level Such brilliance is the hallmark of genius With a deep sigh Lu Xiaoing reflected on the weight of his own inadequacies He had only reached the seventh layer of the golden core stage and it would take him at least 2 years to achieve a breakthrough Even with the aid of the time chamber a minimum of 2 months was required along with the expenditure of 20,000 spirit stones A sense of financial strain weighed heavily upon him He tapped his forehead realizing that 10,000 spirit stones would allow him a year's worth of cultivation within the confines of the time chamber The urgency of his financial situation became apparent He needed to devise a means to generate income Perhaps the sword cave would yield some profit as he meandered back to Tianu Peak He found Shia waiting for him Second senior brother she exclaimed bounding towards him like an eager pup tail wagging What is the matter are you no longer upset lu Xiaoing cast a sidelong glance at her He could sense her lingering resentment It appeared that Shiaoi was aware of his feelings Of course I'm not angry she replied with a forced grin Having witnessed Lu Xiaoings prowess she had become an ardent admirer her admiration for him swelling I understand that you have your reasons for asking me to work she said earnestly Master must be correct Your actions are a form of training for me Imbued with your intent Just so Lu Xiaoing replied If it weren't for the thousand spirit stones I would have preferred to ignore you Second senior brother could you explain why you want me to work how can I comprehend sword intent within 2 months and then break through to the foundation establishment stage Xiaawis curiosity was peaked eager to learn how Lu Xiaoing would guide her Having witnessed both Jiian and Lu Xiaoings formidable skills she yearned to emulate their greatness Without sufficient strength she felt unworthy to call herself their junior sister With hands clasped behind his back Lu Xiaoing did not satiate her curiosity merely stating "Follow my instructions and you shall understand in due time." Very well Shiai conceded refraining from pressing further Reminded of the earlier battle her admiration resurfaced Second senior brother you are truly impressive for being able to hold your own against senior brother Lu Xiaoing held his head high pride evident in his demeanor Naturally were it not for his imminent breakthrough I would have decisively subdued him Shiaoi regarded him skeptically knowing that her second senior brother often boasted With a plethora of questions swirling in her mind she ventured that meteor summoning technique of yours is astonishing Is it truly just a fireball technique bending slightly Lu Xiaoing leaned in closer a conspiratorial gleam in his eye Of course not It is the celestial fireball technique Impressive is it celestial fireball technique Shiai was momentarily takenback While she found it hard to believe the devastating power of the technique left no room for doubt But master said it was merely an ordinary fireball technique Lu Xiaoing scoffed dismissively What does master know a mere mortal cannot grasp the intellect of a genius like me Pa I do not believe you Shia retorted With your attitude you would be expelled from any other sect Do you truly wish to learn her tone shifted instantly her head bobbing eagerly Yes Uh I shall consider it when I'm in a good mood he replied waving her off What about master the sect leader has arrived and master has instructed me to wait for you You mustn't te hesitated her words trailing off Lu Xiaoing anticipating her implication chuckled You mean I shouldn't te approach nonsense Even if invited I would not attend Second senior brother is indeed clever Shia nodded Master wishes me to inform you that the sect leader is also present Should I be foolish enough to attend lu Xiaoing scoffed To face the sect leader s reprimand would be the height of folly He playfully tapped Shia on the head Enough Go rest now and prepare for tomorrow s work Shia's face fell as she gazed longingly into the distance But I I want to see see what Lu Xiaoing reprimanded Tapping her again A gathering of nent soul masters is no place for a mereqi refinement novice like you Return to rest at once For tomorrow we continue your work Gi and s ascent to the nent soul stage was not a secret The linga sect sees the opportunity to hold a grand celebration A master at the naent soul stage was akin to a ruler of the domain Each addition to their ranks significantly bolstered the sect strength Naturally the Ling Shao sect extended invitations to various factions across Chihua to partake in the festivities relishing the opportunity to flaunt their might The news of Giann breakthrough spread rapidly throughout Chio even reaching neighboring states The announcement left many in utter disbelief Is this a hoax a mere 21-year-old has become a master at the naent soul stage Unthinkable It is true He is indeed the foremost genius of Chiha How extraordinary What could have led to such an accomplishment The Ling Shao sect is remarkable to have such a disciple Their prestige ever growing Ji Yin is truly my idol So extraordinary I shall never marry anyone but him I wish to bear his children Look in the mirror Do you truly believe Ji Yen would notice someone of your caliber if anyone is to marry him it shall be me Jien splendid You are indeed my rival Just wait I shall surpass you and prove to the world that Jeang Tsung Long is the true champion of Chihua At the Guan Pavilion the chief disciple Jean Seong Long felt a surge of determination upon learning of Ji Yin s ascension to the nent soul stage and promptly entered seclusion Brother will you not attend the Ling Sha sect celebration there are still three months to prepare That is ample time at Schwang Yui Valley A stunning maiden with skin-like snow and enchanting features fell silent upon hearing the news After a moment she spoke her voice as melodic as flowing water Indeed Brother Ji Yian is a true genius I cannot compare Her companion a fellow disciple quickly interjected Elder sister do not be so modest You are not far behind brother Jien You are already at the eighth layer of golden core and will soon reach the ninth layer leading to your own breakthrough into the naent soul stage The one referred to as elder sister was the chief disciple of Shuangua Valley Xiaou Her companion Bianuru shared a bond with her akin to that of sisters Xiaou shook her head at her sister as encouragement It is difficult Not only is brother Jiian formidable but even Jang Tsung Long from Guiwan Pavilion surpasses me He stands on the brink of a breakthrough to the naent soul stage Bien Ruru scoffed He is vastly inferior He is not brother Jiian nor are you elder sister He might very well remain stagnant for all eternity Xiaoui smiled gently aware that the methods employed by Guan Pavilion were not favored by certain individuals She couldn't he help but admire her senior brother Jiian who had comprehended the essence of swordsmanship even during the Chi refinement stage Such talent was unparalleled throughout Chihao And indeed across the entire continent even in Jangha individuals of Ji Yin s caliber were a rarity Yin Ro remarked "Senior sister you are impressive as well truly with unwavering confidence in Xiaou." She raised her fist declaring "I believe you will surpass Jean Seong." Xiaou however possessed little competitive fervor Her demeanor was serene as she replied "What is the point of competing i have no such intentions I prefer to let things unfold naturally Are you interested in attending the upcoming celebration of Linga Sack absolutely Bienro Rouro's eyes sparkled with excitement Xiaou gazed into the distance her expression tranquil and continued in her calm tone Then let us prepare We shall depart tomorrow Is it so soon didn't T they say it would be in 3 months This time a hint of anticipation colored SIU s voice as she said I plan to gather some people to explore a secret realm Chapter 24 Boss you wouldn't dare to withhold my junior sister's wages would you lu Xiaoing once again arrived at Juian Building Wong Yao greeted him with delight Lu Xio are you here to visit Sister Shiao lu Xiaoing glanced around noting the number of patrons present He replied to Wong Yao Please find me a spot No need for a private room Just somewhere outside will do Sigh I can hardly stand the commotion at Tanu Peak lately It's incessant So what if someone has made a minor breakthrough and reached the naent soul stage is it really worth all this fuss hearing Lu Xiaoings complaints wong Yians face flushed crimson as he struggled to contain his irritation he yed to retort "What do you mean a minor breakthrough what do you mean it's nothing to be astonished at some individuals spend their entire lives stuck at this juncture never ascending to the nent soul stage Here I am still in theqi refining stage." Wong Yao hurly excused himself fearing that if he stayed any longer he might truly unleash his frustrations upon Lu Xiaoing Settling in the hall Lu Xiaoing soon spotted his junior sister Shiaoi She had been working here for nearly a month now compared to her initial days Shiai had transformed significantly With a smile gracing her face she warmly welcomed guests She definitely handled the flirtations from some patrons effortlessly deflecting their advances That s about right Lu Xiaoing mused inwardly When Shiai first arrived at Tanu Peak her expression bore the innocence of youth Although she lacked the arrogance typical of a young lady she was still somewhat pampered Working here had exposed her to the realities of the world facilitating a shift in her mindset precisely the transformation Lu Xiaoing desired Born as the cherished daughter of the Shiao family Shiaoi had grown up like a flower in a greenhouse shielded from the harshness of society Without enduring its trials her mental fortitude remained underdeveloped In Lu Xiaoings view cultivation begins with the heart A proper mindset is essential Only then can one cultivate effectively and reap substantial rewards Shiaoi was not a prodigy Yet neither was she mediocre Her innate talent was commendable allowing her to experience life before diving into cultivation would only benefit her During his time in the time house within his ring Lu Xiaoing initially found it unbearable after a day or two However over time 10 days a month several months and eventually a year he experienced profound loneliness and weariness after each session of cultivation Thus he felt compelled to lie down and relax postpractice Otherwise he would surely lose his sanity After all his senior brother was an eccentric individual To aspire to be his junior one must possess a steady mindset For instability could lead to a breakdown Even their master nearly succumbed to such pressure Lu Xiaoing murmured to himself "Jiian is exceptionally talented and diligent Being in the same sect as such an individual is quite daunting often leading to discouragement Without a firm and resilient Dao heart one is bound to shatter eventually When Xiaoi first arrived she nearly faltered during her first month Recognizing this Lu Xiaoqing had advised her to refrain from cultivating for the time being and instead focus on her work to fortify her character Now after a month her mindset had largely stabilized Thus after finishing a meal Lu Xiaoing sought out Fong Xiao Upon seeing him Fong Xiao promptly reminded "Young Master Li you mentioned bringing young master Ji here for a meal Yet I have yet to see him Could it be that you have forgotten this matter?" Jiian had now topped the trending searches in Chihua with everyone marveling at this young genius who had achieved the nent soul stage before the age of 30 His future was boundless Having someone like Ji Yin dine at her Juian building would undoubtedly elevate it to the premier restaurant in Ling Xiao City Is it just a meal lu Xiaoing replied nonchalantly There is no rush My senior brother is currently occupied We shall wait until he is free Well I hope you are not deceiving me Young Master Lu Fong Xiao understood that Ji Yin was indeed unavailable but she aimed to strengthen her rapport with Lu Xiaoing Establishing a connection with such a formidable figure as Ji Yin through Lu Xiaoing would undoubtedly be advantageous Moreover curiosity flickered in Fong Shas eyes The individual before her was equally impressive in his own right Yet he remained remarkably low profile Unlike Jien who basted in the limelight Lu Xiaoing was shrouded in an aura of mystery Typically one associated with a renowned figure like Ji would have their background thoroughly scrutinized Yet Lu Xiaoing eluded such scrutiny appearing almost invisible beside Jiian had it not been for a fortuitous encounter revealing Lu Xiaoing s capabilities Fong Xiao would have overlooked him entirely Even so knowing this she dared not expose him she wished to live a few more years Continuing with her curiosity Fong Xiao inquired "Young Master Lu have you come to see me for a specific reason?" Lu Xiaoing articulated his intent stating "I need to take my junior sister home Would you kindly assist in settling her wages it was essential to ensure that her earnings were not neglected upon her departure Is it that time already hasn't he had been less than a month lu Shaqing displaying a carefree demeanor responded "A day or two s differences negligible But why not to work for a full month right a few days discrepancy complicates the wage calculation." In contrast to his previous sentiments Fong Shao found herself hoping that Shiai would continue working here Having Shia employed at Guushian building provided her with a better opportunity to cultivate a closer relationship with Lu Xiaoing With Shias presence Lu Xiaoing would occasionally visit Fostering familiarity over time Having connections with a figure of Lu Xiaoings caliber could only be beneficial Therefore Fong Sha was reluctant to let Shia go However upon hearing Fong Sha's words Lu Xiaoings gaze sharpened with suspicion Boss you wouldn't he be considering withholding my junior sister's wages would you how could you she asked just a young girl working hard to earn her keep And you contemplate cutting her pay Such a heartless act is unbecoming Fong Shao Chapter 25 Seen your brother I have noted down all those who have bullied me Fong Sha gazed at the astonished expression on Lu Xiaoings face Feeling an overwhelming urge to commit violence Do I truly feel this way is this how I would react am I truly the person you perceive me to be is it necessary for me to withhold wages dealing with such individuals requires a heart fortified with remarkable resilience After Fong Yaos defeat she could only summon Shiai Upon learning that she would no longer be required to work here Shiai did not express joy Rather a look of disappointment crossed her face Was it over so soon lu Xiaoing was taken aback You little girl have you lost your senses from working who was it that initially claimed they had no desire to work and now you seem to be addicted to it Isn't this quite an intriguing place shiaoi chuckled Second senior brother I've discovered that working here is rather enjoyable It's something I've never done before If possible Lu Xiaoing wouldn't mind allowing his junior sister to work here But time is of the essence Well there is just one month left It is time to return to my cultivation Shiaoi curiously inquired once more second senior brother Do you truly possess a method that will enable me to comprehend the essence of the sword and advance to the foundation establishment stage within a month fong Xiao gazed at LV Shiaoqing with anticipation Her ears perked up eager to hear how he would respond In recent days through her deliberate efforts to cultivate friendships Xiaoi had already become a close companion Shiaoi had shared a wealth of information with her including the revelation that LV Shiaoing had promised Ji Yin that within 2 months he would guide Shia to comprehend the essence of the sword and enter the foundational stage Yet could this truly be achieved or rather is this something that humanity can achieve how many individuals spend a year or even several years unable to transcend a minor realm at present Shiai has merely reached the eighth layer of theqi refinement stage and she has only recently made her breakthrough Now after working for a month at her tavern it implies that Lu Xiaoing has granted Xiao one more month to achieve a breakthrough Furthermore she must accomplish this while ascending two layers consecutively Is this a feat attainable by mere mortals fong Shao feels an urge to express her discontent Is this truly the manner in which one boasts is the essence of swordsmanship merely a matter of comprehension if the comprehension of sword intent were truly so effortless it would have long since become commonplace Even the chief disciples of Guan Pavilion and Schwangua Valley have yet to grasp the essence of sword intent The fact that two individuals from Tianu Peak have achieved this feat is already a remarkable accomplishment Yet you still entertain the notion of having your junior sister comprehend sword intent Why not aim for the heavens instead if you allow your junior sister to comprehend the essence of the sword once more are you not concerned about the potential explosion of the ancestral grave at Tanu Peak lu Xiaoing observed Fong Shao who was attentively listening with perked ears What a naive little junior sister she is Can such matters truly be casually discussed in the presence of others he pursed his lips and said to Shia "I have faith in you Do you share that confidence shiaoi was on the verge of tears Second senior brother I lack confidence The first senior brother is a prodigy and you are also exceptionally gifted yet I am nothing Why do you have such immense faith in me lu Xiaoing disdainfully remarked "Indeed you are aware of your own ineptitude aren't you?" However Shia hesitated "Though I may be foolish you are not." She gazed at Lu Xiaoing You personally promised the senior brother Lu Xiaoing let out a couple of disdainful chuckles and replied "What of it having made a promise to him that was merely a temporary measure a deception on my part Otherwise how could I rescue you from his clutches and procure a thousand spirit stones from him is that not so?" Uncertain of the reason Shia felt a pang of disappointment in her heart She had hoped that Lu Xiaoing possessed the means to help her comprehend the essence of the sword and ascend to the foundation establishment stage within a mere month Otherwise did he truly believe she was an immortal after listening Fong Sha felt a twinge of disappointment yet predominantly a sense of relief Had it been true she might have lost her sanity Fortunately everyone appeared to be of sound mind A little eccentricity is tolerable but excessive abnormality can render life unbearable Lu Xiaoing addressed Shiaoi suggesting "Step outside for a moment I need to discuss something with the boss." However Fong Xiao intentionally refused to let Lu Xiaoing dismiss Shiao E saying "Wait a moment Little E Here is your salary for this month a total of 1,270 spirit stones Please keep it safe." Shai replied "Sister Shia Shao there's no need I don't require it Now that I have a good relationship with you I feel embarrassed to accept payment Let it be a gesture of sisterly assistance." Without hesitation Lu Xiaoing snatched the money away and shot a glare at Fong Sha He then admonished Shiao E You must accept it We cannot allow capitalists to benefit unfairly If you refuse I shall keep it for you Second senior brother this Fong Xiao had indeed underestimated Lu Xiaoings audacity Shiai expressed her discontent saying "Second senior brother these spirit stones rightfully belong to Sister Xiao Xiao How can you shamelessly claim them?" El Shaqing chuckled asking "Is it only a few days and you are already calling her sister by the way what is her spiritual stone?" This is the fruit of your diligent labor It should not be relinquished to the capitalists Fong Shao curious and somewhat in awe inquired "What is a capitalist greedy and unkind They drain the marrow from the bones Evade taxes engage in speculation and seize wealth through cunning means such as the nature of capitalists." Fong Sha rolled her eyes in exasperation and directly exposed the truth Little E your senior brother has instructed me to give your wages to him not to you Xiaoi turned her gaze towards Lu Xiao Ching her expression betraying no semblance of surprise This was precisely the sort of thing her second brother was capable of Lu Xiaoing disregarded Xiais sorrowful look asserting "You are still young I fear you may be deceived." He declared that he would first hold on to her spiritual stones for safekeeping until she matured Shiao Ei weary of the conversation thought to herself "I am already 16 Am I still considered a child?" Furthermore now that the spiritual stone is in your possession can it ever return to me shiai harbored no hopes for her spiritual stones Fong Sha was at a loss for words This person truly had no shame Her face remained unblushing Fong Shao addressed Shiaoi Little E Do you truly not wish to claim your wages fong Sha was eager for Shiaoi to reclaim the spirit stones from El Shiaoing Although El Shiaoqing was formidable his unscrupulous actions were intolerable to her However Shiai chose to relinquish her claim saying "Let it go It's better to give it to my second senior brother Coming from a prominent family she regarded such a trivial amount of spirit stones with disdain Moreover it was her second senior brother If he needed them so be it." She felt there was no point in pursuing them further Fong Xiao filled with frustration lamented "How could you be so careless my dear girl what rightfully belongs to you must undoubtedly be reclaimed?" El Shaqing feeling discontented remarked "Boss you capitalist do not attempt to sow discord among us your disciples." He turned to his junior sister admonishing "Do not be corrupted by the ways of this capitalist." This incited Fong Sha to stamp her feet in frustration Shiao and Fong Sha wave their farewells giggling as they followed suit Then from her pocket she produced a small notebook saying "Second senior brother You mentioned that if anyone bullies me I should keep a record I have noted it all down Chapter 26 Is the second senior brother's home dangerous how is that possible fong Xiao who overheard the conversation was taken aback You really have a little notebook The two had not gone far and Fong Shao could still hear their discussion Lu Xiaoing was equally astonished Really are you that petty shia exclaimed in exasperation Those guys are absolutely insufferable I want to smash them to bits I work in a tavern not a brothel Those filthy men are truly despicable Lu Xiaoin shook his head and clicked his tongue This is where you are mistaken They come here to dine The customer is king What is wrong with a few casual remarks what does customer is king mean shia asked Well you could interpret it as immortal emperor Shia scoffed An immortal emperor wouldn't t be so vulgar Why should he be allowed to tease me just because he has dining here can such scoundrels even compare to an immortal emperor second senior brother How about you teach them a lesson for me i've noted down their residences in Ling Xiao City Lu Xiaoing continued to click his tongue in astonishment The most venomous heart belongs to a woman Second senior brother you told me to remember that Shiao Yis voice was a mix of anger and urgency Lu Xiaoing urged her forget it Don't take it too seriously Besides what about boss Fong s business if you seek revenge it wouldn't he be good if it affected his livelihood you even call her sister Shia Sha Have a little conscience Will you be magnanimous think bigger Fong Xiao is somewhat taken aback upon hearing this This fellow can be quite kind-hearted It seems he is not so bad after all Capable of considering others outside Lu Xiaoin collected Xiaoi s little notebook For now this will stay with me From this moment on your task is to comprehend the sword intent within a month and break through to the foundation establishment stage Shia was stunned second senior brother You didn't T say that just now Lu Xiaoing rolled his eyes and said "What are you making a fuss about there were outsiders present just now." One Shun Ti boast too much If you can't achieve it you'll be embarrassed For some reason Shiaoi felt a surge of happiness and anticipation Second senior brother what should I do having witnessed the prowess of her two senior brothers she was eager to become as formidable as they were What to do luiaing already had a plan in mind Go home and rest for the night Tomorrow well head to the sword cave The sword cave shia's face pad The impression the sword cave left on her was too profound Second senior brother Is that is that too dangerous can we not go lu Xiaoing gazed at her and Xiaoi gradually lowered her head The eldest senior brother found an unreliable fellow Lu Xiaoing said confidently Don't worry I'm not like that unreliable eldest senior brother The sword cave I guide you through will pose no issues That sounded rather odd You seem more unreliable than the eldest senior brother don't you moreover it seems the eldest senior brother has made similar assurances before Early the next morning Shiai came to find Lu Xiaoing However he had yet to rise having developed a close relationship with him Shiai did not wait foolishly but knocked on the door Second senior brother are you awake there was no response but Xiao Hong flew out Xiao Hong where senior brother xiao Hong nudged her cheek with its head and chirped twice His second senior brother still asleep Shiai stomped her foot in frustration What an unreliable second senior brother He told me to get up early to find him Yet here he is sleeping in How infuriating Fuming Xiaoi pushed the door open intending to barge in but Xiaoong stopped her It flew to her front chattering insistently Xiaoong are you saying there is a trap xiaoong flew to Shiao Es hand and nodded its little head Then it spread its wings and chirped twice And it's a very dangerous one Shia was taken aback and glanced inside Everything appeared calm and there was no sign of danger It was just an ordinary hall Beyond it lay the room where second senior brother resided The architectural layout was no different from the place she stayed Doubtful Shawi thought How could there be any danger here it looked perfectly serene Xiao Hong chirped again urging her not to rush in Shia patted Xiaos head smiling It's fine I'm not going to barge in I just want to wake second senior brother She found it hard to believe there could be any traps in this room Ignoring Xiao Hong s warnings she pushed the door open and stepped inside However as soon as her foot crossed the threshold of the hall the scenery around her transformed rapidly By the time Shia realized what was happening she found herself standing on the edge of a cliff The ground beneath her feet was charred and barren Behind her was an endless expanse of blackened soil instilling dread Below the cliff lay a massive raging volcanic crater Molten lava churned violently sporadically erupting in fiery bursts The red flames shot upwards radiating a terrifying heat Waves of scorching air surged toward her causing Shiao Yis face to flush red She felt as if she were about to be roasted alive This This must be a trick Shia panicked She had clearly stepped into second senior brother's room Why had she suddenly ended up here was it a teleportation array or an illusion formation regardless she dared not move Even if it were an illusion it could still lead to death Tears streamed down her face Why would second senior brother have such a thing in his hall what was he trying to do shall hesitated to move only able to shout "Second senior brother Second senior brother it's me your junior sister." Her voice echoed far and wide but there was no response from Lu Xiaoing The volcanic crater below seemed to stir The previously gently rolling lava suddenly began to boil violently The volcano was about to erupt It felt as if countless fire dragons once dormant were now awakening The bubbling lava surged like fire dragons rising to the sky roaring as they began to wreak havoc Countless streams of lava rained down upon Shia Chapter 27 A genius at Tanu Peak Is it truly my end as Shia gazed at the encroaching lava despair enveloped her heart Suddenly the scenery shifted and she found herself back in the hall of Lu Xiaoing The surroundings felt surreal as if she were caught in a dream "Second senior brother," she exclaimed spotting Lu Xiaoing before her He yawned inquiring "What brings you here?" "Chir," Little Hong squalked to top his head before fluttering to rest on Xiais shoulder Lu Xiain shook his head inside "Youngster why the impatience can you not wait a little longer must you rush in like this?" Still shaken from her recent ordeal Shiaoi stammered "Second senior brother what just happened?" Without elaborating Lu Xiaoing warned "In the future do not intrude upon others homes indiscriminately This is no gest Fortuitously you came to me Had you barged into elder brothers domain you would likely have met a dire fate Previously Shia might have dismissed his words But the gravity of her recent experience made her heed Lu Xiaoings council nodding obediently She recognized her mistake Had Lu Xiaoing not intervened in time her situation could have turned perilous It was undoubtedly a formation or a restriction set by second senior brother to prevent intrusions Seeing her disoriented demeanor Lu Xiaoing patted her head reassuringly All is well There is no need to fear He then scolded Little Hong Foolish bird Fetch a candy Shia pouted in protest Who wants candy second senior brother I am not a child I see you nearly cried You didn't wet your pants did you lu Xiaoing teased causing Xiaus cheeks to flush Second senior brother you rogue With a dismissive glance Lu Xiaoing remarked Rogue even if I were who would pay you any mind little princess xiao Yis face reddened further Realizing she had inadvertently offended him she quickly shifted the topic Second senior brother you mentioned you would let me enter the sword cave today Thinking it was a trivial matter Lu Xiaoing yawned again You can enter on your own Are you not grown feeling shy shias face turned crimson as she admitted I I am afraid The experience in the sword cave had left a profound impression on her and she still felt unease at the thought Lu Xiaoing scoffed You claim not to be a child yet you are frightened by this Second senior brother you must take me there You are responsible for me now Do not utter such misleading words he retorted I have yet to find a partner Should your words land me in trouble i would have no choice but to reprimand you Shia huffed But you are quite close with elder brother are you not why not simply live together lu Xiaoings expression turned serious Do not speak nonsense I and your elder brother are at odds and can hardly coexist Speak again and I shall reprimand you now Shiao E fully aware of the dynamics among the trio Shiao Chung Jiuan and Lu Xiaoing knew their interactions were often fraught with conflict Yet she recognized this was a testament to their deep bond a dynamic she relished Here there were no rigid rules one could act freely enjoying a sense of liberation Amused by Lu Xiaoings reluctance to admit their camaraderie she urged second senior brother hurry and take me to the sword cave she was determined to grow stronger to earn her place at Tianu Peak and not bring shame to her master or brothers to truly become a part of Tianu Peak Let us proceed But do not rush Take your time Lu Xiaoing advised continuing to guide her Do not emulate your elder brother We need only one genius at Canyu Peak It suffices Be diligent in your practice but do not be hasty he continued Shiaoi filled with determination countered but second senior brother if you can achieve it Why can't I lu Xiaoing proudly replied Do not compare yourself to me Each person is unique She scrunched her nose at his self-satisfied demeanor If you can do it then I can too Indeed I am a genius he declared unabashed To Lu Xiaoqing it was mere bravado Yet for Shiai it rang true She acknowledged that he was indeed gifted In her eyes the ability of Jiuan to best Lu Xiaoing was a reflection of their differing realms of cultivation Should they be of equal standing the outcome of their duel could not be predicted Filled with resolve Shia declared "You two may be geniuses But since I am not I must strive even harder." Indeed because you are not a genius you must not be hasty Lu Shaqing replied his tone measured Even with effort you may not catch up It is better to proceed gradually Shiaoi was speechless Second senior brother is that encouragement or a setback merely the truth Is this truly Tanu Peak the master of Chiwi Peak Shiao Tuang addressed those behind him Indeed this is Tianu Peak Do not wonder or cause trouble Uncle Shiaoang do you know where Sister Shia is a girl of similar age to Shiai asked Shiao Tuang shot her a cold glance is toned stern Shiaun do not presume that being the granddaughter of the grand elder grants you license to act recklessly Shiao he is not merely a member of the Shiao family She is a direct disciple of Tanu Peak and belongs to the Ling Sha sect I am aware of your grievances but I caution you do not instigate any trouble here Should anything occur I shall not protect you Feeling reprimanded Shiaun sulked lowering her head in response Yes Uncle Shiaoang your words are noted Shiao Chuang huffed choosing not to pursue the matter further He surveyed the group once more You are here to represent the Shiao family in congratulating disciple Jiuan Do not forget your manners Turning to a young man he instructed Wuin come with me The rest must remain here and refrain from wandering With that he led the envoy Wuin away Xiaokun visibly displeased watched as Xiaoang departed I too wish to meet young master Jiuan Why was I not included perhaps the deputy head is doing this on purpose Someone beside her remarked After all he is Shiao Yis uncle Chapter 28 Cousin Shiao Eiaun was deeply dissatisfied her eyes filled with resentment Just because Shia is his niece she was granted special favor allowing her to enter Tanu Peak and become the beloved junior sister of Master Ji Yen That spot was originally mine Today I came here but was denied the chance to meet brother Ji Yin How infuriating Shiaun watched Xiaoang leave Feeling a sense of unfairness Yet she was powerless Shiao Chuang was a formidable figure at the nent soul stage and the master of Chiwa Peak in the Ling Shao sect Holding a revered position in the Shiao family Even her grandfather the Grand Elder could do nothing against him Hey Sister Shiaun isn't that Shia someone beside her suddenly pointed out Shiaun turned to see Shiao Yi walking alongside a young man Observing the joyful smile on Xiao Yis face as she flitted around the young man like a little bird only intensified Shiauns displeasure She believed that as the true disciple of Tanu Peak it should have been her who held the honor of being brother Ji Yians Junior sister not Shiaoi Shia had taken what rightfully belonged to her With this thought Shiaun coldly called out Shia Upon hearing her name Shia turned her smile instantly vanishing How unfortunate," she muttered softly Lu Shaqing noticing the cold smile on Xiauns face as she approached asked "Who are they?" Shiaoi clearly irked replied "My cousin who has always been at odds with me a nuisance?" As Shiaun drew closer she scrutinized Lu Xiaoing with disdain "Oh and who might you be you found a man so quickly after arriving here He wouldn't he happen to be your support would he?" Shiao now angry retorted Shiaun stop talking nonsense This is my second senior brother Second senior brother xiaokun glanced at Lu Shaqing even more dismissive He seemed ordinary lacking any semblance of a powerful figure She only knew of Jiian from Tanu Peak Anyone else was beneath her notice After all she was the granddaughter of the grand elder of the Shiao family Her status not inferior to that of a so-called true disciple What second senior brother is there such a person it was no wonder Shiaun looked down upon him Many in the Ling Shao sect were unaware of Lu Xiaoings existence let alone someone like Shiaun an outsider Lu Xiaoing questioned Shia "Did she grow up eating Dong?" Her mouth is so foul Shiaoi burst into laughter "Indeed that as my second senior brother for you his words can truly infuriate." Instantly heart was ablaze with fury gritting her teeth she glared at Lu Xiaoing "Do you seek death how dare you disrespect me i'm just curious After all your breath is so foul It's hard to believe you didn't te grow up eating dong Lu Xiaoing replied figning surprise You look human But perhaps you are a dog in disguise Haha Shiao Ei laughed heartily her previous grievances dissipating My second senior brother is truly remarkable I must learn from him Xiaun trembled with rage her eyes blazing as though she wished to incinerate Lu Xiaoing Even those around her were flushed feeling the strain of such a vicious exchange Who exactly are you xiaokun shrieked in fury her voice grating like a squawking hen How dare you insult me i will not let this go Lu Xiaoing still figning surprise replied I merely spoke the truth Who has insulted you don't throw around accusations You young lady lack reason I am the most polite person and never utter harsh words Just ask Shi Shi nodded vigorously tears of laughter streaming down her face Indeed my second senior brother is a good person Lu Xiaoing quickly added "Don't go handing out good person cards too freely." Xiaokun was on the verge of exploding This fellow had an insufferable mouth and his earnest expression made her question her own reactions if not for her remaining shred of rationality She would have drawn her sword by now This detestable person deserved to be cut down without mercy However unable to outweet Lu Xiaoing in words she redirected her fury towards Shiai Glaring at her she accused So you've allied with an outsider against me are you betraying the Shiao family shall we huffed he is my second senior brother not an outsider Unlike you my second senior brother treats me well What nonsense second senior brother i only know of a senior brother at Tanu Peak Is there anyone more arrogant than me lu Xiaoing asked fixing his gaze on Shiaun Who are you to speak so grandly shiaun coldly replied H I am the granddaughter of the grand elder of the Shiao family Xiaoi interjected Second senior brother the Grand Elder is a master at the nent soul stage Upon hearing this Lu Xiaoings demeanor shifted immediately his shock evident So you are the granddaughter of Elder Shiao Why didn't he say so my apologies for the offense I hope Miss Shiao will not hold it against me It was all a misunderstanding H this change in attitude struck Shiao is odd Shiaun was also puzzled Had his attitude shifted shiaun felt a surge of pride Her grandfather's name truly held power After all who would dare offend a master at the nent soul stage even the Ling Sha sect would think twice Shiaun smirked looking down on Lu Xiaoing even more What is wrong are you afraid lu Xiaoing holding his head high attempted to maintain his poise but faltered It's not fear I just believe we are all family and Shuni creates such conflicts Seizing the opportunity Shiaun insulted Lu Xiaoing Who are we family with take a look in the mirror Do you think you're worthy i am the brother of my junior sister and you are her cousin I is ent that family lu Xiaoing replied bowing slightly I hope Miss Shiao does not take offense Shiaun scoffed her disdain evident Is this your second senior brother a spineless coward Shiai now agitated tugged at Lu Xiaoings sleeve saying second senior brother you needn't fear her So what if she has a grandfather at the nent soul stage you are a true disciple of Tanu Peak Lu Xiaoing bruskly brushed off Shiao Yis hand admonishing Don't act foolishly This is the granddaughter of your family s grand elder We cannot offend her Nent soul stage What a powerful master Shall we thought stunned is my second senior brother someone who fears the strong shiaun could no longer contain herself and burst into laughter Haha At least you know your place Compared to brother Ji Yin you don't even deserve to be on the stage No wonder I've never heard of you before Clearly you fear my grandfather H The second senior brother of Tianu Peak is nothing special Shiaun declared Lu Xiaoings eyes brightened Miss Shiao do you admire the senior brother shiauns face flushed slightly but she did not deny it What of it brother jiian is quite impressive What is wrong with admiration would you like to meet him i can take you Lu Xiaoing offered This suggestion instantly dispelled Xiauns anger Really no one could refuse such an offer Ji Yin was a dream for many young ladies and Shiaokun was no exception She had often dreamt of him but had never seen him up close The prospect of meeting him now thrilled her beyond measure Can you take me to meet young Master Jiian el Shaqing nodded affirmatively "Of course." However Shiaun was no fool She scrutinized El Shiaoing with suspicion "What are you plotting?" Her doubts lingered as she eyed him wearily "What do you intend to do i warn you do not think of deceiving me I will not be fooled." El Shaqin displayed a smile which to Shiaun appeared to be one of flattery Deceive you why would I do that come I shall escort you to my senior brother's residence He is right there Chapter 29 The second senior brother bowed to reality Shiao Ei tugged at Lu Xiaoings sleeve once more her voice laced with concern Second senior brother this may not be wise Please do not disturb the senior brother It might upset him Deep down Shiaoi sought any excuse to prevent Shiaun from meeting Jiian Convinced that Shiaun was unworthy of her esteemed senior brother Shiaun feeling agrieved questioned "What do you mean by that Shia is it unacceptable for me to pay a visit to young Master Gi who do you think you are to stop me?" With a hint of pride Shia retorted "I am his junior sister his true junior sister from the same sect." She stood tall reveling in her connection However upon hearing this irritation flared Isn't this merely a matter of you seizing an opportunity that rightfully belonged to me had it not been for your biased uncle would you have been able to join Tanu Peak fury coursed through her as she turned away from Shiao Ei commanding Lu Xiaoing Take me to Young Master Ji I assure you your efforts will not go unrewarded My grandfather is a powerful nent soul expert Should you assist me consider it a favor oat Lu Xiaoings eyes sparkled with intrigue his face al light with a grin as he rubbed his hands together Miss Shiao you are indeed too polite Speaking of favors makes it sound distant We are family and family should help one another Shiao e infuriated stamped her foot in frustration Second senior brother why must you act this way disappointment nodded at her Could it be that he feared the elder after all he was merely at the mid-stage of the nent soul What of it she thought What if the elder is at the mid-stage of the nent soul lu Xiaoing frowned and scolded What do you know about the mid-stage of the nent soul you little girl do you understand its significance even our master pales in comparison Stay aside Adults are discussing matters that do not concern children Shiao Yis disappointment deepened Her frustration manifesting in her stomping feet creating a dent in the ground Come Miss Shiao let us ignore her She is but a child who knows not what she speaks Shiaun basking in her newfound triumph looked at Xiao E with a smug expression her face radiating provocation So how does it feel to see your second senior brother bowing to reality haha Shiao Yis eyes reened a mixture of anger and helplessness washing over her She had not anticipated that her second senior brother would turn submissive upon learning of Xiaun's connection to the elder What if the elder is at the mid-stage of the nent soul so what she thought bitterly second senior brother you must not go." Her teeth clenched in frustration Lu Shaqing waved dismissively unconcerned If you do not wish to go then stay here He then smiled at Shiaun Miss Shiao let us proceed I shall escort you Shiaun with her head held high cast a triumphant glance at Xiaoi Let us go Shiaoi seething at Shiauns arrogance stomped her foot once more gritting her teeth as she followed Along the way the young members of the Shiao family accompanying Xiaokun Maklu Xiaoing He looks decent but turns out to be a coward Such a disappointment We thought the people from Tianu Peak were valiant Yet it seems only Ji Yin is worthy Pathetic Another added "How embarrassing for Shia E to be his junior sister Thank goodness our elder sister did not join Otherwise we would be the ones to suffer the shame." Shia's eye ignited further at their remarks "What nonsense are you all spouting you imbeciles?" Her retort only incited laughter among them Are you getting anxious look at your second senior brother's behavior If he isn't a coward what is he uh-huh Despite her desire to defend Lu Xiaoing Shiai found her words powerless against the stark reality A wave of despair washed over her What kind of person was her second senior brother why did he act this way was he truly afraid of the elder at the mid-stage of the nent soul observing Lu Xiaoings retreating figure filled her with disappointment Meanwhile Shiaun turned to Lu Xiaoing chuckling Your junior sister seems rather fond of you Still defending you at this point Lu Xiaoing shrugged seemingly unfazed She is but a child What does she understand do not stoop to her level Shiaun basking in her triumph remarked I am her senior sister How could I possibly lower myself to her standards indeed dealing with such an immature child can be exhausting Lu Xiaoing agreed Shiai felt tears welling up in her eyes at Lu Xiaoings dismissive words How infuriating Second senior brother Lu Xiaoing led Shiaun to a wooden cabin gesturing towards it Miss Shiao that is where the senior brother resides Shiaun looked doubtful Does young Master J truly live there they stood 100 meters from the cabin which was surrounded by barren land devoid of any vegetation With the ground pocked as if meteors had struck creating countless craters It appeared far too rudimentary for someone of Jiians stature Skeptically Shiaun scrutinized Lu Xiaoing You aren't concocting some scheme are you lu Xiaoing feigned innocence Miss Shiao such a statement wounds my heart Ask my junior sister if this is not the senior brothers abode Shiaun turned to Shia who turned her face away coldly It is not You should leave quickly Seeing Shiao Yis attitude reassured Shiaun It appears this is indeed young Master J's residence It is no wonder he embodied such profound insights Living in such simplicity Lu Xiaoing gestured for her to proceed Miss Shiao you may go I shall not accompany you further for fear of incurring the senior brothers wrath Shiaun nodded ready to advance Yet her companions cautioned her Elder sister be wary of tricks Cast a disdainful glance at Lu Xiaoing What trickery could there be i doubt he would dare deceive me With that she stepped onto the barren ground Chapter 30 Should I seize the opportunity to eliminate her shiaun proudly stepped onto the barren land Making her way towards Ji Yians wooden cabin However after taking a few steps her complexion changed dramatically She felt as if needles were pricking her saws as if countless entities were attempting to burrow into her body through her feet Shiaun's face turned pale As a cultivator she was acutely aware of what this was Sword intent The ground beneath her was infused with boundless sword intent incessantly stabbing at her feet like needles Shiaun realized she had been deceived All the flattery the subservience the fear of the Yuaning master it was all a ruse Everything was orchestrated by Lu Xiaoing Lu Xiaoing had tricked her into coming here to make her suffer and to witness her disgrace The sword intent beneath her feet lurked like a ferocious beast glaring at her waiting for the perfect moment to deliver a fatal blow It slithered like a venomous snake assessing Shiaun as its prey flicking its tongue The chilling aura of impending death left Shiaun paralyzed with fear She could neither advance nor retreat She stood frozen trembling uncontrollably She sensed that if she moved it would mean her certain demise How terrifying was Jiian sword intent Even those of the same realm could hardly withstand it let alone a mere foundation building cultivator like herself Shiaun felt a wave of panic wash over her Big sister what's wrong are you all right the others outside noticed her distress and hurriedly inquired Lu Xiaoing feigned surprise and speculated Could it be that she has too agitated hey you all hurry and go inside to support her If she falls due to excitement and embarrasses herself in front of a senior brother you will certainly be blamed Go lend a hand Lucaing advised with a fa of kindness Shiaun's companions considering their elder sister's notorious temperament rushed in As they entered Shiaun desperately shouted "No don't." But it was already too late They burst in and felt the ground beneath them pricking like needles Locked in by the menacing sword intent Sensing danger they instinctively channeled their spiritual energy to resist This was akin to stirring a hornet's nest countless sword intents surged forth As if enraged launching an assault on them The sword intent was fierce and ruthless threatening to tear them to shreds "Ah!" and the others screamed forced to fight back with all their might Countless magical artifacts and runes were unleashed without restraint What appeared to be sturdy artifacts and powerful runes merely delayed the onslaught momentarily before being shredded to pieces Outside Lu Xiaoing watched in anguish Damn it don't use the artifacts Those are mine Don't misuse them Of course they're getting ruined Stop using my things A group of reckless individuals Stop using my possessions Shiaoi standing nearby was dumbfounded Observing Lu Xiaoings pained expression she seemed to understand something Xiao Yis heart swelled with joy Her second brother was not as she had imagined Wonderful second brother Did you intentionally lead them here to make them suffer is this what they call using a knife to kill lu Xiaoing countered Otherwise do you truly believe I am afraid of her shi's face flushed slightly She indeed had that suspicion Lu Xiaoing couldn't help but scold her How could you doubt your second brother like that you deserve a reprimand Shia covered her head playfully sticking out her tongue Second brother I was wrong Next time just watch how I deal with you Shall we hurriedly flattered with a smile i won't te doubt you again Second brother you are truly brilliant to have brought them here to face hardship You're even more formidable than me Can't you teach them a proper lesson lu Xiaoing snorted saying "They ve become too arrogant They must be made to suffer a bit Should we take this opportunity to eliminate them lu Xiaoing asked Shiaoi his tone laced with a profound murderous intent If you wish you may act now Shiaun and the others were currently besieged by the sword intent Preoccupied with their own survival A mere flick of the wrist could lead to their demise Shiai was taken aback hastily shaking her head She harbored a dislike for Shiaun Yet their conflicts did not warrant her taking lethal action against her cousin Second brother please don't She had not yet hardened her heart to that extent Lu Xiaoing scornfully remarked She has grievances against you The best solution is to eliminate her once and for all Dispose of her and find some excuse to brush it aside What is there to fear shia was takenback by her second brother's ruthlessness Second brother there is no need for that I I merely have a small dispute with her It's not worth killing A small dispute is still a dispute After today she will harbor deep-seated hatred for you It's better to eliminate her Xiaoi helplessly gazed at Lu Xiaoing second brother After all this was instigated by you You brought her here Lu Xiaoing grew displeased What are you blaming me he clased his chest figning heartbreak I'm deeply disappointed I was clearly helping you and you're accusing me Tell me are you a saint if you are I'll strike you down first Although Shiai did not understand the term saint it certainly did not sound favorable You're the saint she retorted After all she is my cousin I cannot bring myself to kill her Lu Xiaoing shook his head and sighed Such maternal kindness She will certainly seek to eliminate you when the opportunity arises Should your family encounter a grave crisis she will be the first to turn against you It's merely a trivial dispute It's not that serious Xiaoi was unconvinced as she observed Shiauns distress feeling compassion Second brother please let her go Lu Xiaoing spread his hands indicating his inability to intervene I cannot This is your senior brother sort intent It has nothing to do with me Besides why should I save them shia grasped Lu Xiaoings hands Second brother please let them go I know you can do it I beg you Her kind heart did not wish for her cousin or kin to face misfortune here nor did she want to attract trouble for her own sect Moreover if anything were to happen to them it would inevitably cause trouble for her master and senior brother Lu Xiaoing feeling helpless replied "Fine what a hassle." After saying this he brought his fingers together to form a sword shape sending forth a blade of sword energy However upon entering Lu Xiaoings sword energy did not calm Ji Yians sword intent Instead it was akin to a drop of water in a boiling pot of oil causing an explosion Jiian sword intent surged violently intensifying its assault on Xiaun and the others In mere breaths Shiaokun and her companions bore wounds their situation perilous Lu Xiaoing fain a gasp Oh no I accidentally made a mistake Shia stared at Lu Xiaoing second brother You didn't he accidentally make a mistake You did it on purpose didn't he you Lu Xiaoing earnestly replied "It's true I genuinely made an error What shall we do now?" Seeing Shiaun and the others nearing their limit Shiai felt a surge of anxiety Lu Xiaoing shrugged saying "There is nothing to be done Let them await their demise If they die I'll offer them incense." Second brother you can't be serious about wanting to kill them here right shiaoi scrutinized Lu Xiaoing with suspicion as this behavior was quite in line with the character of the second senior brother Lu Xiaoing shot her a glare questioning if she still doubted him It would be wise to refrain from such thoughts or else I might just throw you in there to save the person yourself He remarked "No sooner had Lu Xiaoing spoken than the door of the wooden cabin swung open and Ji Yin emerged from within." Chapter 31 If you wish to kill then do so Ji Yin emerged from the wooden cabin his expression as cold as ice Upon witnessing the situation outside he furrowed his brows momentarily In the next instant he vanished and reappeared beside Lu Xiaoing and Shiai Seeing Jiian Shiao Yis face lit up with joy exclaiming "Senior brother please save my cousin and her friends." Jien with an impassive gaze turned towards Lu Xiaoing Lu Xiaoing shrugged and gestured towards Shiaun and her companions stating "These are your admirers who insisted on seeing you I told them you were occupied and not to disturb you but they refused to listen and insisted on barging in thereby courting disaster Such words were utterly untrustworthy Jiian maintained his stoic demeanor as he fixed his gaze on Lu Xiaoing inquiring "What are you plotting this time?" with a simple wave of his sleeve The overwhelming sword intent that surrounded Shiaun and her companions instantly retreated underground vanishing without a trace The faces of Xiaun and her friends turned pale Still in shock as they leaned on one another for support Shiaun pointed an accusing finger at Lu Xiaoing Her eyes filled with resentment You just wait this is nnt over Even she though not the brightest recognized that she had fallen into Lu Xiaoings trap Lu Xiaoing had deceived her and toyed with her emotions Just you wait I will make sure my grandfather deals with you The others joined in hurling insults at Lu Xiaoing They completely overlooked Jiian Or perhaps he had intentionally allowed them to do so Jiian frowned at the noise With another wave of his sleeve Xiao and her companions fell unconscious Lu Xiaoing equally expressionless regarded Ji Yin and remarked "Ha!" learning to mimic master gestures "How impressive why don't you just slap them to death you claim to be a nent soul expert yet when trouble comes to your domain you allow them to live How will you face others if this gets out?" Jiian dismissed Lu Xiaoings taunts replying calmly "How old are we such childishness." Lu Xiaoing then lifted Shia designating her as a photo Shiai suggesting "She will undoubtedly cause trouble for our junior sister in the future Wouldn't he be better to eliminate her now and prevent future issues?" Ji Yin turned his gaze toward Shia who hastily interjected "Senior brother I have some conflicts with her but it does not warrant killing her She is my cousin and her grandfather is our elder Killing her would only bring trouble to us Shiaoi did not wish for her minor dispute with Shiaun to cause trouble for her two senior brothers or their sect Jiian replied nonchalantly I am not afraid of trouble If you wish to kill her then do so His tone remained calm and indifferent to the fate of Shiaun and her group Showing no concern for Shiaun's grandfather a powerful nent soul figure Tan Yu Peak feared no one and would not tolerate any disrespect Hearing this Shiai felt the wave of sweetness and security Her two senior brothers provided her with immense comfort Nevertheless she still hesitated to bring trouble upon her sect and she had not yet hardened her heart to harm her own kin She insisted "A mere lesson would suffice." Jiian looked at Lu Xiaoing who returned his gaze with impatience saying "What are you staring at how many times must I tell you not to be a bleeding heart if it needs to be done then do it Stop doawling." Gi encountered Why you kill them lu Xiaoing replied coolly killing them brings no benefit Our junior sister is so poor she can't even treat me to a meal My appearance fee is quite high Then pausing for effect He pointed at Ji Yin and scolded By the way I forgot to mention something when you go out causing trouble Can you clean up your mess i helped you tidy things up last time How do we settle that he extended his hand rubbing his fingers together demanding a reward Clang The sword at Gi Yians back revealed itself glinting ominously Ji Yin stated flatly "Would you care for a spar allow me to demonstrate the might of the nent soul." For some reason despite Jiians calm tone Shiaoi sensed an underlying sense of pride as if he were showcasing his strength to Lu Xiaoing "Get lost Is it amusing to suppress me with your realm?" Lu Xiaoing retorted irritated Shia stifled a laugh relishing the rare moment of her second senior brother being humbled Even the master could not handle him Yet here he was bested by Ji Yin Indeed Ji Yin was worthy of being the senior brother Only he could put Lu Xiaoing in his place observing the verbal sparring between her two senior brothers Shiai yearned for a small stool to sit beside them and enjoy the spectacle Jiian noticed her amusement and reminded Lu Xiaoing "There is only a month left Don't forget," Lu Xiaoing was unfaced declaring that it didn't matter if he failed He had already secured the spirit stones So what if our junior sister can't manage will you kill her shiai's complexion turned pale feeling anxious as the focus shifted back to her The pressure was intense Ji reiterated the punishment for failing to meet the deadline stating "If you cannot accomplish it you can forget about the SEC benefits for a year." Lu Xiaoing retorted exasperated "You truly have a problem a serious one Just wait When I surpass you one day I will definitely give you a good beating." A sudden smile graced Ji Yians stern face an inexplicable charm radiating from him Xiaoi was momentarily entranced I await that day But only if you ever get the chance he replied After Jiian returned to the wooden cabin Lu Xiaoing slapped Shia on the head What are you staring at are you drooling shia instinctively wiped her mouth Realizing she had been caught off guard blushing furiously she exclaimed "Second senior brother You tricked me." Lu Xiaoing commanded Go and bring me their belongings What belongings shiaoi was momentarily confused Their storage rings and any other valuables Bring them all to me Xiaoi understood Incredulous Second senior brother Are you planning to rob them aren't you poor why resort to robbery is there a problem with that lu Xiaoing countered defiantly Seeing his nonchalon attitude Shia felt powerless to retort This would be quite embarrassing if it got out Lu Xiaoing scoffed What is embarrassing about it not taking it would be embarrassing Hurry up If you don't I'll just toss them back in After threatening her he continued coaxing They are your enemies Why are you concerned about them just think when they wake up and find their belongings gone One t they be furious Although Xiao found such behavior shameless Lu Xiaoing s reasoning began to resonate with her Hesitantly she asked "Really do we have to go hurry up we still need to visit the sword cave today Second senior brother why don't you go yourself they are all women If they were men would I even need you hurry Search thoroughly and don't miss anything Chapter 32 I am far more reliable than the senior brother As Shiaun and her companions awakened they quickly realized their predicament and let out screams Ah their clothing was disheveled and their bodies bore numerous bruises After a frantic inspection they breathed a sigh of relief for they had not been violated Thank heavens lest they incur a grave loss recalled the events that had transpired earlier her teeth clenching audibly in frustration That despicable scoundrel "Just you wait I shall not let you off the hook." Today marked an unprecedented humiliation for Shiaun Having been deceived by Lu Xiaoing into this predicament suffering greatly in the process nearly losing her life "Eldest sister I shall kill him," someone declared with venomous hatred At that moment another voice cried out "Where is my storage ring mine is missing too." As direct descendants of a prominent family they possessed storage rings Albeit modest in capacity reached for her own only to find it absent from her finger She nearly fainted her entire wealth was contained within Where's my ring where has it gone she shrieked her voice piercing as she searched frantically yet to no avail Damn it it must have been him It must have been Shia and that scoundrel who took it Eldest sister what shall we do the others asked anxiously Losing their entire fortunes was no trivial matter Shiaun was more distressed than the rest As the granddaughter of the elder of the Shiao family the value of her possessions far surpassed that of all others combined This is intolerable We must seek out the master of Tanu Peak and demand an explanation We will reclaim our belongings Do you truly desire it lu Xiaoing inquired of Shia Shia regarded him with exasperation You can ask but why are you clutching your pocket so tightly looking so wary if you do not wish to part with it just say so Besides I never intended to take it Rolling her eyes she added "Second brother rest assured I have no intention of keeping it." Lu Xiaoings face brightened Is that true this is your own word so do not regret it later I want tea I want tea Shia tugged at Lu Xiaoings clothing urging him to leave Second brother let us hurry to the sword cave Engaging in robbery and division is far too embarrassing Lu Xiaoing beamed with delight The feeling of hoarding was truly enjoyable Soon they arrived at the sword cave As Shia gazed at it fear washed over her The remnants of the previous explosion still lingered The last incident had left her with psychological scars Nearly costing her her life at the tinder age of 16 To claim she was unafraid would be a lie Second brother must we really go in shoi asked gripping Lu Xiaoings sleeve Lu Xiaoing brushed her hand away dismissively How old are you why are you pulling at my clothes what is there to fear let us enter Xiaoi remained apprehensive Are you certain it's safe the trauma is too great to disregard Lu Xiaoing filled with confidence reassured her Do not worry I have improved it Unlike the half-baked efforts of the senior brother I shall not create a shoddy project Shia silently scoffed thinking him even less reliable than the senior brother Second brother do you have any last instructions is there truly no danger within she queried stepping closer to scrutinize him Look me in the eyes second brother and tell me is there truly no danger lu Xiaoing hesitated replying Well there should be none If anything happens you won't die You might just be bedridden for 10 days or half a month Shia nearly burst into tears Should be 10 days or half a month Do not toy with me Lu Xiaoing laughed heartily Just teasing you It's really safe You may enter with peace of mind However the more he insisted The less assured Shia felt for she could not discern which of his words were genuine Her anxiety grew Shia wished to cry before Lu Xiaoing Second brother can you not speak a word of truth lu Xiaoings demeanor shifted to seriousness The truth is there is no danger You may proceed Really lu Xiaoings serious expression faltered within moments replaced by irritation What is with that doubtful gaze are you questioning my integrity shiai found herself at a loss for words Your integrity is hard to believe Hurry inside and swiftly comprehend the sword intent I estimate that once you grasp the sword intent you should be able to break through to the ninth level ofqi refinement or even enter the foundation establishment stage If only comprehending sword intent were as simple as that With no other recourse Shiai gritted her teeth and resolved to enter the sword cave Lu Xiaoing called after her "Remember feel with your heart." He then chuckled softly and settled into a spacious area With a flick of his wrist several storage rings appeared before him These belonged to Shiaun and her companions "Let us see what treasures await." Each ring bore the seals left by their owners However among them only Xiao had reached the foundation establishment stage While the others remained in theQi refinement stage before Lu Xiaoing who had attained the late stage of core formation these seals were easily dispelled After rumaging through the rings Lu Xiaoing wore a look of disdain Good heavens are they all this impoverished yet they claimed to be direct descendants of the Shiao family This poultry amount of spirit stones Hardly any treasures to speak of Truly women are peculiar Even when cultivating they still desire cosmetics With Xiaoi being so poor it seemed the Shiao family was indeed the most destitute clan in Xiho Lu Xiaoing rummaged through four storage rings collecting fewer than 300 spirit stones The miscellaneous items combined were hardly worth anything Finally he opened storage ring Upon seeing its contents Lu Xiaoings eyes sparked with interest Ah this is promising he exclaimed Over a thousand spirit stones quite decent and two second grade gathering spirit pills valued at about 500 spirit stones Splendid What is this luaching held up an ancient weathered piece of animal hide The markings upon it suggested it might be a treasure map Oh well I shall keep it If I cannot use it perhaps it can fetch a good price After assessing the contents of storage ring Lu Xiaoing wore a broad smile As expected of the elder s granddaughter she possesses quite a bounty Chapter 33 Have you been wronged upon reflection Lu Xiaoing had nearly amassed 2,000 spirit stones this time Indeed the swiftness of robbery was undeniable Should he descend the mountain for another venture he retrieved Shiao Yis small notebook where she had meticulously documented the details of those who had harassed her at the gathering of Immortals Pavilion As Lu Xiaoing flipped through the pages he shook his head in disbelief This girl was far too petty Was it not just idol chatter yet she had recorded it all He counted over 20 names including several fellow disciples It seemed an opportune moment to teach them a lesson Among them five resided in Ling Xiao City making them suitable targets With a mischievous grin Lu Xiaoing sprang into action Grasping the little red bird perched on his shoulder he instructed "Silly bird keep watch here If anything arises summon master or senior brother I have matters to attend to." Though inherently lazy he recognized his need for funds It would be disingenuous to claim he was indifferent to his cultivation He was determined not to fall too far behind Jiian His ring's cool down was complete yet he still lacked sufficient spirit stones Thus he resolved to seek out some easy gains In the ruthless world of cultivation one must grow stronger Otherwise even the luxury of idleness would become a distant dream Meanwhile Shiaun stormed into Shiao Chuangs presence visibly agitated Shiao Chuang was currently escorting a representative from his brother's faction to meet Shiao Chong As a member of the Ling Shao sect and the Shiao family he was acting as a mediator to congratulate Jiian However the sight of Shiaun and her disheveled companions abruptly entering left both Shiaoang and Shiao Chung bewildered Who has wronged you shiao Chuang demanded his voice booming causing Shiaun and her companions to feel light-headed This is Tianu Peak not your family s domain Leave at once Not only was this Tianu Peak where Shiao Chong reigned as master but Shiauns unceremonious entrance also displayed a blatant disregard for the two powerful nent soul experts present Stunned Shiaun stammered "Who do you think you are?" "Uncle Shiaoang," as she began pouting as she prepared to voice her grievances However Shiaoang infuriated by her lack of decorum bellowed "get!" The force of his command sent Shiaun and her companions sprawling outside With a grim expression Shiao Chuang turned to Shiao Changeng Junior brother My family is undisiplined I apologize for the embarrassment Shiaun being a member of the Shiao family and Shiao Chuangs Jr had certainly disgraced him Shiao Chong ever the affable one responded with a smile No worries They appear to be caught up in something significant One need not be overly strict with the younger generation unable to restrain his sarcasm Shiaoang replied you are too indulgent with your disciples When the topic of his own disciple arose Shiao Chong beamed with pride Do you think they are lacking shiao Chuang fell silent Ji and had already reached the nent soul stage nearly on par with him It was hard to criticize After all his niece was also a direct disciple of Shiao Chong The only one he could just about was that little rascal Lu Shaqing Shifting his focus to Lu Xiaoing Shiao Chuang remarked "Look at your second disciple What a mess he has become." Shiao Chong felt a pang of disappointment regarding his second disciple as well Although his potential was not lacking his everyday behavior was truly disheartening Noticing Shiao Chong s distressed expression Shiao Chuang continued "A sloth like him deserves a stern lesson While he need not be as diligent as Jiian he should not be allowed to slack off entirely Junior brother I must caution you Do not let that little girl Sha be learned from him." Shiao Chong not wishing to dwell on his second disciple skillfully redirected the conversation Perhaps you should inquire if your juniors have pressing matters Shiao Chuang turned to Shiao Yuan beside him Wuan go ask them what is going on If there is nothing important return home We cannot afford to lose face here Given the ongoing tension between the head of the Shiao family and the Grand Elder Shiao Chuang being the younger brother of the family head naturally found himself at odds with the elder Thus he was displeased that the grand elder had sent Shiaun along Before long Shiao Buuin returned with news Deputy family head Miss Shiaun claims they were robbed Robbed shiaoan was taken aback then grew furious What nonsense is this who would dare rob them here yet noticing a change in Shiaoengs demeanor he quickly realized the gravity of the situation Indeed while no one would dare rob at Tanu Peak one person might What transpired who robbed you he demanded calling Shiaun and her companions forward annoyed I told you to refrain from causing trouble Shiaun feeling utterly wronged protested It's not our fault Uncle Shiao Chuang It was that person who instigated it Who shiaun faltered She did not even know Lu Xiaoings name The realization only deepened her frustration Clenching her teeth she exclaimed angrily He said he was the second senior brother of Tianu Peak and Shia was with him What shiaoi is with him xiaoangs demeanor shifted to one of concern Junior brother what is happening here i did not bring my niece here to follow Lu Xiaoing I wanted her to learn from Ji Yin or at the very least from you Allowing her to follow Lu Xiaoin would surely lead her astray Shiaoin cleared his throat realizing once more that this little rascal was causing trouble With a gentle smile he reassured Shiaun Dear niece do not be upset Please share with me what has transpired recounted the events portraying it as if Lu Xiaoqing and Xiaoi had deliberately provoked and toyed with them ultimately robbing them of their belongings After she finished she implored Shiao Cheng "You must give us an explanation Otherwise I will report this to my grandfather and demand justice." Chapter 34 The master shields his disciple Shiao Chuang felt a surge of indignation Was this a threat indeed it seemed like one Who gave you the audacity to threaten a being of the nent soul stage your grandfather even if he were a mid-level nent soul what difference would it make and what of junior brother Shiao Chong who is merely at the early nent soul stage did you truly believe that anyone would fear your grandfather foolish foolish Shiao Chuang inwardly berated Shiaun extending his disdain to her grandfather as well Only a fool could produce such foolish offspring Shiao Chong was known for his amiable temperament a wellrespected figure within the Ling Shao sect Such a disposition was essential when dealing with a disciple of this nature However a good temper does not equate to a lack of it Shiaun being merely a foundational stage cultivator could be extinguished with a mere finger from Shiao Chung Given Shiaun's current demeanor no one would dare question Shiao Chong should he choose to eliminate her Even if her grandfather were present he could not claim injustice A lowly cultivator offending a higher one deserves any fate that befalls them With a cold snort Shiao Chang expressed his displeasure Are you threatening me the chilling sound struck Shiaun like a physical blow Her complexion drained of color as she gasped retreating until she fell to the ground In that moment realization dawned upon her She stood before a formidable naent soulmaster not just anyone from her household Shaang unable to contain his outrage exclaimed "Fool open your eyes and see This is Elder Shiao Chong the leader of Tianu Peak His strength rivals that of your grandfather How dare you show him disrespect to kill you would be a trivial matter Do you not wish to apologize to Master Shiao humbled and chastised Shiaokun scrambled to her knees Master Shiao I I was wrong Shiao Changengs earlier smile vanished replaced by a frosty demeanor Reflect on your actions before you return I cannot be bothered to engage with you further Leave Tanu Peak Shiauns face pald further Master my belongings What belongings you dare to confront me and yet think to slander my disciple depart now I am only sparing you due to brotherhias reputation Leave at once or I shall not hesitate to show you no mercy Shiao Chengs gaze was as frigid as ice reflecting the terror of a nent soul's wrath Shiaun felt as though she were suffocating or every cell trembling in dread fearing she might burst apart at any moment The immense pressure bore down on her as if a mountain of unimaginable weight was upon her rendering her immobile Xiao Changengs piercing stare felt like countless blades piercing her flesh shattering her very essence Overwhelmed by fear Shiaun only wished to flee No longer daring to remain in the presence of such power she felt like a helpless chick awaiting slaughter Certain that Shiao Chong could snap her neck without a second thought Trembling she retreated her terror evident and it was clear she would take time to recover from this ordeal Once Shiaun departed Shiao Chengs expression softened returning to his usual affable demeanor He smiled at Xiaoang I hope you on T hold it against me for scaring your junior Shiao Chuang waved dismissively It's of no concern It serves her right for her ignorance and disrespect towards a fellow disciple A lesson learned is a lesson earned He held no affection for Shiaun who bolstered by her connection to the elder had adopted a spoiled attitude A little hardship here was preferable to the trials she would face in the outside world However Shiao Chuang regarded Shiaoing with newfound interests and all the time I've known you I've never seen you act this way Shiao Chong was typically known for his good-natured disposition and it was rare for him to display such sternness towards a junior Shiao Chuang recalled the antics of Lu Xiaoing and raised an eyebrow Wait a moment Shiao Chong Surely you didn't he do this on purpose shiao Chengs face flushed slightly What do you mean on purpose brother what are you suggesting shiao Chuang with an air of knowing shook his head Shiao Cheng do not think you can fool me That girl claimed to have been robbed here and it must be true We can both guess who the culprit is You feigned anger to expel her from Tianu Peak thus shielding that rascal Shiao Chan cleared his throat My apologies brother Xiao but please do not jump to conclusions There is no such thing Shiao Chuang was not angered nor did he intend to pursue the matter further Rest assured I do not blame you Yet the actions of that rascal are indeed excessive Are you truly willing to shield him shiao Chong however believed in his disciple asserting "Brother Shiao you know Shiaoing can be outrageous at times but he never acts without reason There is always a motive behind his actions." "And what motive could that be i'm not a mindreer," Shiao Chuang retorted "But I trust that he has his reasons." Furthermore Shiao Chong interjected Your niece mentioned encountering both Shiao Ching and Shiai earlier Pausing he asked "Does Xiaoi have a grievance with that girl?" Xiao Chuang perceptive as ever quickly grasped the implication Shiao Chong was not merely protecting Lu Xiaoing but also Shia He could not help but chuckle As a master "You certainly have your own agenda." Shiaoings actions were indeed biased towards his disciple particularly since one of them was his own niece Shiaoan chose not to dwell on this matter further as he had a pressing question of his own Shiao Chung why is Shiaoi associating with that rascal are you not concerned about her influence he had repeatedly cautioned his niece to keep her distance from Lu Xiaoing The thought that she might become like him filled him with dread How could he explain such a situation to his elder brother shiao replied with a smile This was arranged by Ji Yian and as her master I cannot interfere Upon hearing that it was Jiians arrangement Shiao Chuangs irritation eased Trusting Jiians judgment brought him some comfort Curiously he inquired what was the reasoning behind this arrangement Shiao Chong did not hold back explaining Ji Yin believes that Shiaoi should first grasp the essence of sword intent before progressing to the foundational stage Coughing slightly Shiao Chuang found himself taken aback by Shiao Chengs revelation Chapter 35 Is comprehending sword intent as simple as drinking water xiao Chuang a formidable figure in the naent soul stage found himself choking his face flushed After a fit of coughing he managed to compose himself Was his nephew Jien truly serious shiao Chuang gazed incredulously at Shiao Chong Brother Shiao are you certain you misheard this is not a jest is it shiao Chong replied earnestly Do I appear to be joking with you shiaos expression was a mixture of disbelief and uncertainty as he stammered This this Jin He was at a loss for words torn between joy and apprehension He understood that his niece's talent could only be considered average Certainly not the mark of a true genius He had hoped to have her join the Tanu Peak to learn from Jiians diligence and dedication As for her realm and power he was not overly concerned to shock Ji Yin had such high expectations for Shiao E to comprehend sword intent and then advance to the foundation establishment stage Such demands were extraordinarily ambitious While breaking through to the foundation establishment stage might be achieved with the help of elixirs understanding sword intent was an entirely different matter It depended on opportunity and innate talent Sometimes comprehension simply occurs irrespective of one's realm If one cannot grasp it no amount of hard work will suffice Shiao Chong reassured him Do not worry Ji Yin has his own plans Shiao Chuang nodded but soon realized the implications If that is the case why allow Shiao Ei to accompany that young man is this also Jiians arrangement he feared that his niece might be led astray by Lu Xiaoing Shiao Ching affirmed Indeed it is Jiians plan He instructed Shiaoing to help Shia comprehend sword intent within 2 months and then enter the foundation establishment stage Shiaoang fell silent again Was this truly the difference between genius and the ordinary did geniuses perceive the comprehension of sword intent as effortlessly as one would drink water is Gi perhaps mistaken about comprehending sword intent does he think allowing my knees to be tested by Lu Xiaoing will lead to such understanding shaqing chuckled If those two believe it is possible then it is indeed possible His tone brimmed with confidence in his disciples Shiao turned to Shiaoing How long did it take you to comprehend sword intent shiao Chong replied "Not long at all." Shiao Chuang remarked "That is because we have reached the nent soul stage allowing us to gain deeper insights into the Dao Do you think we could have comprehended sword intent while still in the core formation stage shiao Chong coughed slightly Brother Shiao let us not belittle ourselves Shiaoan countered This is not self-deprecation It is simply a recognition of our own limitations I am certain that even the sect leader would struggle to comprehend sword intent without having reached the nent soul stage Talents like Ji Yin emerge only once in a millennium Not everyone is like him Shiaoing nodded You make a valid point brother Shiao but let them experiment They can try their methods There was a hint of melancholy in his voice Compared to his disciples he felt inadequate as a master This was Shiao Changengs hands-off approach He had not desired this outcome but found himself powerless to change it Initially Jiian had been ambitious and eager to personally teach his two disciples hoping to mold them into exceptional individuals However he soon realized that neither his senior nor junior disciples required his guidance They progressed rapidly in their cultivation transforming day by day To make matters worse both had comprehended sword intent ahead of him leaving their master feeling overwhelmed Faced with such adept students all he could do was immerse himself in arduous training to enhance his own abilities lest he be outshon by his own disciples His initial resistance and desire to reclaim some esteem before his students had morphed into apathy and acceptance Shiaoing had relinquished any hope of maintaining his dignity as a master it was destined to be trampled underfoot Now he allowed his disciples to pursue their paths freely As long as they did not engage in any actions that would undermine their lineage Shiaoang was at a loss for words Tanu Peak was indeed an anomaly within the Ling Shao sect The master did not resemble a master nor did the disciples resemble disciples Yet their prowess was worthy of being counted among the five main peaks Shiao Chuang inquired "Brother Shiao how do they plan to help Shia comprehend sword intent?" Shiaoing explained "According to their ideas they intend to have Shia enter the sword cave where she can grasp sword intent." "The sword cave what is that?" This was the first time Shiao Chuang had heard of such a place After absorbing Shiao Changengs words his expression twisted in disbelief as he looked at him "Brother Shiao do you truly believe this is feasible to be struck by swords thousands of times could lead to comprehension If it were that simple few would struggle to grasp sword intent The disciples of Zhua Valley and Guuan Pavilion possess impressive talents Yet none of them have comprehended sword intent thus far Do you trust the words of that young man shiao Chong replied I do not believe it but Jiian does It cannot hurt to try Shiaoan conceded Very well I shall wait 2 months to see if Jiians assertions hold true Shiao Chong corrected him There is only one month remaining 1 month Shiaos eyes widened You expect that girl Shiai to comprehend sword intent in just a month what a gest This is utterly impossible His tone was resolute Even if Jien were to teach her personally it would be impossible for Shiai to grasp sword intent in a month Let alone with that young man s assistance Shiaoing however had confidence in his disciples Perhaps they will surprise you Shiaoang replied "I remain skeptical of any surprises Brother Shiao keep a close watch Do not frighten me If anything happens to Shiai I cannot explain it to my brother She is his only daughter Do not allow any mishaps to occur Chapter 36 The curious item a month hits I shall return to see if Xiao comprehends the essence of the sword Before departing Shiaoang left a remark doubting such remarkable prowess could exist Shiaoing slightly shook his head To be frank he too held reservations Yet with his two disciples pursuing this endeavor his role as their master was to offer support Shaqing do not act recklessly he murmured to himself as he approached the sword cave However he found no trace of Lu Shaqing Only to see Shia Hong languidly napping at top a tree Where is Shiaoing gone shiao Chung inquired of Shiao Hong aware that this was a pet nurtured by his disciple Now imbued with some censience Shiao Hong called out indicating ignorance What a farce His junior sister was present yet her companion had wandered off Unperturbed by the potential for further complications Shiao Chong felt helpless regarding such a disciple With no other choice he settled into a meditative posture to guard for Shiai After all the sword cave had experienced an explosion once before He could not afford to be negligent if an incident were to occur again like the last The new talent from Tianup could be lost Meanwhile Lu Xiaoing ambled down the mountain to Ling Xiao City pondering whom to approach first Flipping through her notebook she noted Tangg Yanei a junior from the Tang family has harassed me five times The first instance he provoked me with words The second and third he shared LWD jokes The fourth he contemplated physical aggression In the fifth he insulted me He is the overseer of the Tang family's trading house located at number 17 Southeast Street Ling Shiao City He often frequents brothel After reviewing the entries Lu Xiaoing nodded in determination Indeed he was the one five attempts and still wishing to resort to violence It would not be excessive to sever his hand Lu Xiaoing leisurely approached the Tang family's trading house which held a notable reputation in Chiha As a cultivation family possessing its own commercial enterprises and caravans they gathered resources through trade to sustain the training of their exceptionally talented younger generation Upon arrival she observed the bustling activity indicating that business was thriving for the Tank family Ah how should I proceed lu Xiaoing pondered finding herself in a predicament This was the city making any aggressive action inconvenient After a moment's contemplation she decided to explore the trading house The first floor primarily offered elixirs herbs and magical artifacts catering to both cultivators and mortals alike After a brief tour she ascended to the second floor which was notably quieter and predominantly occupied by cultivators Here transparent counters displayed an array of items chiefly second tier elixirs and magical artifacts As she surveyed the offerings Lu Xiaoing calculated that if she were to plunder the entire stock it might yield around a 100,000 spirit stones Unfortunately this notion could only remain a fantasy Ling Shiao City was under the jurisdiction of the Ling Shao sect which collected substantial spirit stones from the city annually The taxes imposed on Ling Sha City constituted a significant source of income for the sect Regular patrols ensured order Anyone daring to cause trouble in Ling Sha City would be at odds with the Ling Sha sect As a disciple of the sect Lu Xiaoing would be met with dire consequences for any such actions Dear guest do you wish to purchase something a young attendant approached courteously Lu Shaqin waved her hand dismissively These items were mere trifles unworthy of her interest However as she turned into a corner her gaze fell upon a rustic rectangular object that caused her heart to leap for the ring she wore suddenly radiated warmth This was an unprecedented occurrence "Could you bring that item to me?" Lu Xiaoing requested pointing to the object A flicker of intrigue passed through the attendant's eyes as he retrieved it Lu Xiaoing accepted the item measuring about a foot in length In her grasp it felt neither entirely iron nor gold nor jade yet possessed qualities reminiscent of all three Simultaneously the temperature of her ring fluctuated affirming that this object was extraordinary and solidifying her resolve to acquire it With her determination set Lu Xiaoing inquired about the price "How many spirit stones is it?" The attendant taken aback replied "Dear guest you wish to buy it this item has been in our possession for years Its origin remains unverified hence it has not sold Is there an issue lu Shaqing countered The attendant quickly shook his head and stated the price No it is 3,000 spirit stones What lu Shaqing exclaimed This trinket demands 3,000 spirit stones Are you attempting to rob me is this a black market operation while she recognized the items worth and extraordinary nature she had only accumulated a little over 5,000 spirit stones in the past 2 months still far from the required sum of 10,000 To suddenly produce 3,000 spirit stones was beyond her willingness Did they think spirit stones were easily earned that's exorbitant "Lower the price," Lu Shaing insisted The attendant hesitated considering that having someone interested was a positive sign and thus inquired "How much less do you desire?" Lu Xiaoing raised a single finger "1,000 spirit stones." The response was a shake of her head "100." Her expression conveyed the pain of parting with even that amount as if it were an exorbitant price The attendant was at a loss for words retoring "Dear guest please leave Is it a joke?" 3,000 reduced to 100 If anyone is robbing here it is you Do you think we run a charitable establishment although the true nature of the object was unknown it was certainly not worth a mere 100 spirit stones The attendant no longer wished to engage with Lu Xiaoing Holding the object with the ring fluctuating in temperature Lu Xiaoing fain a subservient demeanor Then tell me what is the lowest price the attendant raised three fingers stating firmly The lowest price is 3,000 spirit stones No negotiation I initially entertained your offer due to your interest but now I wish to discontinue this discussion Lu Xiaoing promptly scolded the attendant Do you not know how to conduct business opening a shop and refusing to negotiate What sort of business is that only I would be willing to purchase this item if you refuse to sell Are you a spy sent from a rival faction intending to sabotage us the attendant insensed retorted "What nonsense are you spouting i believe you here to cause trouble." Lu Xiaoin huffed "What is it not permissible to speak the truth did I strike a nerve?" The attendant waved his hands repeatedly wishing to dismiss Lu Xiaoing "Leave leave I will not conduct business with you Return the item to me You are not welcome here." The attendant was furious Dealing with such a person was not worth the trouble At that moment a voice suddenly emerged Young master may I see the item in your possession chapter 37 The little wealthy lady as El Shaqing turned his head He noticed a young girl fixating on the object in his hand Who are you he asked irritation creeping into his voice Can't you see I'm negotiating here lacking any sense of awareness are we the girl politely introduced herself I am Bian from Schwangi Valley May I have a look at that item if it suits me I would be willing to purchase it Upon hearing her affiliation the young attended spirit sword Disciples of Shwang Yua Valley were known for their wealth Surely more affluent than the miser before him He adopted a respectful demeanor addressing Bianuru with utmost courtesy Please hold on esteemed guest He then turned to El Shaqing his expression turning stern Sir might I trouble you to loosen your grip el Shiaing was the type of customer no proprietor would favor The attendant reached for the item in El Shaings grasp only to find it firmly held with a note of displeasure in his voice He warned "Sir this is Tang family merkantile If you do not wish to buy kindly do not obstruct others." El Shaqings hand shifted and the item vanished concealed within his storage ring The attendant was taken aback his face paling in shock "Robbery!" in broad daylight "Robbery," he exclaimed "Robbery my foot," El Shaing retorted slamming a spirit stone onto the counter I shall buy it The attendant stared in disbelief at the spirit stone before him You You truly intend to buy it was hard for him to wrap his mind around it Just moments ago this miser had transformed into a willing spender Yen Ruru also gazed at El Shaqing astonished El Shaing shot her a fierce glare finding her incessant meddling intolerable He had initially intended to haggle for a better price Arurus presence compelled him to pay the full amount of 3,000 spirit stones The item held extraordinary providence Otherwise the ring would not have reacted this way El Shaqing was determined not to let it fall into another's hands Irritated he glared at Rura once more before departing It was a disheartening affair 3,000 spirit stones had slipped away just like that What an insufferable woman he muttered under his breath Seeing El Shaings retreat Bianu was furious stomping her feet in frustration as she chased after him You despicable man stop What do you mean by that el Shaqing turned back equally vexed What do you mean do you possess any sense of awareness bienu fuming retorted Are you incapable of speaking who lacks awareness here el Shaing replied curtly I was in the midst of haggling Why did you come over to metal ruru equally unyielding pressed him with a trio of questions Did you buy it did you buy it did you buy it you didn't tea buy it What is wrong with me coming to take a look if you want tea cell show it to me I shall purchase it Rura found the item intriguing and if it suited her she would not hesitate to acquire it "Daymon," El Shutting scoffed It was already his possession how could he possibly reveal it the risk of someone discovering its origins was too great "You Bianu was insensed." Finding him utterly detestable suppressing her anger she softened her tone "I am Bianuru from Shuangua Valley I hope you might consider parting with it I would be immensely grateful." El Shaqing chuckled disdainfully What are you trying to intimidate me with your association do you think Guu Yuan Pavilion is easy to bully surprised bien Ruru quickly responded So you are a senior disciple of Guu Yuan Pavilion i humbly request you to part with it I am willing to offer double the price El Shaqings gaze shifted now assessing her with newfound interest Is she a little wealthy lady he appraised Bianuru her discomfort palpable under his scrutinizing gaze as if a swarm of ants were crawling over her skin Overwhelmed by El Shaings invasive stare Ruru felt her distaste for him deepen Meanwhile El Shaqing contemplated the possibility of robbing her Surely a little wealthy lady would possess ample riches After all Shuanga Valley was reputed to be built upon a vast vein of or overflowing with wealth Yet after careful consideration he dismissed the thought recognizing the impracticality and risk of exposure With great difficulty he rejected her offer You are not particularly attractive yet your expectations are quite lofty He hastily departed Fearing that Bianuru might propose an irresistible price Scoundrel scoundrel bienuru seated her heart stung by his words wishing she could strike him dead You wait May I never cross paths with you again After El Shaqing left he found himself in a state of utter frustration Bienrarus interference had compelled him to part with 3,000 spirit stones depleting a significant portion of his savings I hope this item proves valuable Otherwise "I will suffer a great loss," he mused a burning curiosity about the item gnawing at him However it was not the right time to dwell on it He needed to deal with Tang Yanei Having gathered information on Tang Yanes whereabouts from the Tang family mercantile El Shaqing learned he was frequenting a brothel Figning sophistication by claiming to enjoy the art of music El Shaqing held a deep disdain for such pretensions Yet he mused a leous man would be easily lured out Using his junior sister as bait would surely draw him in Thus El Shaing set his plan into motion Meanwhile Tang Yanei indulging in fine wine at the brothel received a letter Upon reading it his expression brightened a smug smile spreading across his face "So this is where you reside." Well you little minks let us see how you escape my grasp now The thought of Xiais sweet countenance ignited a fervor within him stirring desires he could scarcely contain Tang Yanei hurriedly exited the tavern making his way to the address inscribed in the letter Soon he arrived at a certain location in the western part of the city Ling Xiao City like many places harbored its own slums rife with chaos The majority of residents in the western district were common folk living in poverty and laboring daily for survival Despite the presence of both cultivators and commoners the social straighta were distinct sharply delineating their lives within the same city Shiaoi had always presented herself as an ordinary person leading Tang Yanei to believe she was one as well Now armed with her address he approached boldly dismissing any concerns just a commoner What is there to fear upon arrival he found the location eerily deserted "Where is everyone?" "Come out!" he called out his voice echoing in the stillness Suddenly an overwhelming aura descended upon him Before he could react he was rendered unconscious by the sheer force of it "Laouching appeared a satisfied smile gracing his face This is even easier than I imagined." Chapter 38 Master please refrain from spanking me if you will Tangg Yanewis prowess was merely at the mid-stage chi refinement It was precisely due to his lack of talent and strength that he had been dispatched to engage in commerce gathering resources for his family Encountering Lu Xiaoing was simply unfortunate for him as he was vastly inferior in comparison Lu Xiaoing effortlessly took control of the situation Let me see what treasures you possess He declared cheerfully beginning to rumage through Tangg Yanewis belongings The first item of interest was undoubtedly the storage ring after erasing the markings upon it As soon as the spiritual stones were inserted into the ring Lu Xiaoings entire being shuddered with overwhelming joy He struck gold The ring contained a substantial collection of spiritual stones and a brief scan revealed a staggering total of 17,61 low-grade spiritual stones I've hit the jackpot Lu Xiaoings eyes sparkled in the darkness The storage ring held nothing else of value only this mount of spiritual stones Although he found it peculiar Lu Shaqing dismissed it claiming the stones as his own After thoroughly searching and finding only the spiritual stones he departed with an air of nonulence leaving Tangg Yanei Clad only in his undergarments sprawled on the ground This endeavor had proven worthwhile He had avenged his junior sister and amassed a fortune in the process It was indeed a profitable venture and Lu Xiaoing felt immensely satisfied He held no guilt over robbing Tangg Yanewei not to mention Tangg Yanewis inappropriate advances towards Xiaoi He merely sent someone to inform Tangg Yane of her whereabouts Knowing she was an ordinary person yet he still rushed over in haste This was enough to demonstrate that Tangg Yane was not a good person Lu Xiaoing felt justified in dealing with such a character The more than 10,000 spiritual stones he acquired compensated for the loss of the 3,000 stones he had previously suffered With a beaming smile Lu Xiaoing pulled out his notebook ready to seek his next target By the following day Lu Xiaoing returned to Tianu Peak Thoroughly pleased with his night of fortune Where have you been you scoundrel upon his return he was immediately summoned by Shiaoing for a scolding I instructed you to keep an eye on your junior sister in the sword cave What if something went arry if I didn't tend to my own affairs would I dare to venture out lu Xiaoing dismissed Shiaoings anger nonchalantly What are you so worried about master do you think I am like the eldest senior brother his shoddy outcomes cannot compare to mine Shiaoing visibly frustrated reprimanded his disciple exclaiming "No matter how confident you are exercise caution." "How many times have I told you to be careful and not to be arrogant." Lu Xiaoing maintained his indifferent demeanor even digging at his ears as he retorted "You should direct that advice to the eldest senior brother I see his arrogance has reached new heights." Shiaoing continued to glare at Lu Xiaoing resembling an irate father Your eldest senior brother doesn't require my concern It's you who I worry about All right All right Lu Xiaoing replied in high spirits and refusing to take Shiaoings admonitions to heart The eldest senior brother is nearly catching up to you and you still have time to lecture me Seeing Lu Xiaoings demeanor Shaun began to suspect something was a miss Something is off with you kid What mischief did you engage in last night lu Xiaoin fainted injury clutching his chest Master how could you think such a thing of your beloved disciple can't you consider the positive what could you possibly be up to shaoling scoffed I know you all too well You are usually lazier than a sloth and yet you ventured down the mountain yesterday for some reason Shiaoing was well aware of his disciples tendencies Lu Xiaoing typically deflected his lectures with witty retorts Yet today he remained silent raising suspicion about his activities Lu Xiaoing chuckled Feeling quite smug about his recent gains Regardless of what I do you never seem to care master Why the sudden interest shiaoing retorted tursily I couldn't te care less about your affairs Just don't land yourself in serious trouble Lu Xiaoing laughed heartily master You claim to know me well Surely I am not one to invite trouble Have no worries Shiaoing considered this realizing that his disciple was indeed averse to complications Whenever he undertook any endeavor he would ensure to eliminate any potential troubles That is best Shaoing nodded choosing not to pry further into what his disciple had done He would not interfere even if it involved serious misdeeds His disciple always had his reasons for his actions never acting without purpose I'm going to cultivate You keep an eye out here and ensure your junior sister stays safe Lu Xiaoing waved him off All right All right There won't be any issues As Shiaoing turned to leave Lu Xiaoing instinctively asked "By the way master do you have another Tangi card?" His original card had been destroyed and he had yet to procure a new one Once this topic arose Shaoling s anger flared a new I'll take care of you you little rascal With a swift motion Lu Xiaoing found himself unable to move Recognizing the fury on Shiaoings face he realized his oversight This was a gift from his master s beloved and he had carelessly destroyed it Master what are you planning he cried Let us discuss this It was just a TNG card Shachin coldly smirked fuming with rage How long has it been since I dealt with you i had nearly forgotten how to keep you in line You've grown increasingly audacious today I shall teach you a lesson Master please don't overreact Lu Xiaoin shouted attempting to deflect blame It was Timmyi who broke the Tangi card It was the eldest senior brother You saw it with your own eyes He was the one who ruined it Recalling the events of that night Shaoing s anger intensified I only saw you use it as a shield Lu Xiaoing continued to defend himself striving to absolve his guilt You stood there watching yet did nothing You can't blame me Is that so shiaoing seized him pulling Lu Xiaoing closer As he brandished a stick before him Lu Xiaoing screamed Please spare me the spankings I'm an adult now Does it serve any purpose master I will make amends Just hear me out he pleaded If you don't give me a proper thrashing today I won't te be able to quell this anger in my heart Chapter 39 The merchant reflect on your actions After imparting a lesson to Lu Xiaoing Shiaoing left with a floating remark as he departed A sense of exhilaration enveloped him An indescribable comfort flowed through his entire being akin to the relief one feels after enduring days of constipation only to suddenly experience an overwhelming release Shiaoin reveled in his triumph thinking "If I do not take this opportunity to deal with you you little rascal It will be challenging to rectify things once your strength catches up." Lu Xiaoing clutching his rear felt utterly despondent Had anyone witnessed his current state they would surely believe that Shiaoing had subjected him to some grievous indignity What a disgrace Lu Xiaoing sighed gazing skyward in despair At this age to have been struck on the backside what a humiliation Shiaoings prowess far surpassed his own rendering him powerless against someone at the nent soul stage Fortunately no one else had witnessed the incident Otherwise he would have been utterly mortified At that moment a bird's call echoed from a nearby tree Chirp Lu Xiaoing turned to see Xiao Hong with one wing covering its belly and the other pointing at him in gleeful laughter Lu Xiaoing glared at Xiao Hong his expression darkening Did you see that xiao Hong laughed even harder playfully wiggling its rear in Lu Xiaoings direction Enraged Lu Xiaoing lunged at Xiao Hong declaring "Today I can only eliminate witnesses be it a person or a bird." Upon hearing this Xiao Hong took flight swiftly escaping Yet Lu Xiao Ching still nursing his sore backside and fueled by fury was relentless in his pursuit Capturing Xiao Hong he delivered a thorough reprimand before casting it aside Feeling utterly defeated After dealing with the foolish bird Lu Xiaoing felt much more at ease Stay put and keep your mouth shut about today as events or I shall pluck your feathers Lu Xiaoing warned Xiao Hong menacingly before returning to his quarters He meticulously inspected the wards and formations outside At Tianu Peak neither Shiaoing nor Jean could easily intrude However with the addition of a new junior sister he needed to exercise caution Yesterday Shia had carelessly barged in nearly causing a catastrophe Moreover the comingings and goings at Tanu Peak had been incessant making it plausible for someone to wander into his domain Safety after all was paramount Once reassured that everything was secure Lu Xiaoing entered the time chamber within his ring He had named it the time chamber a modest space containing a spirit tablet which brought him a sense of tranquility This was his secret his ace in the hole that allowed him to keep pace with Gene While his aptitude was decent it could not compare to Gan Only by exchanging spirit stones for time could he avoid falling behind Lu Xiaing retrieved a rectangular object obtained from the Tang family business He examined it once more finding no discernable value placing it on the jade table It soon began to emit smoke a hissing sound reminiscent of melting Alarmed Lu Xiaoing thought I spent 3,000 spirit stones on this Don't let it just make noise Otherwise I might just vomit blood As he approached for a closer look he realized it was merely the outer layer melting away and he exhaled in relief After a quarter of an hour the outer layer evaporated revealing the true essence within To his astonishment he found a token a jade piece approximately 1 ft long wider at the bottom than at the top resembling a command token The material unmistakably jade matched that of the table Upon lifting the jade piece he noticed intricate carvings of a golden dragon and a divine phoenix on either side with two characters engraved in the center that he could not decipher The reverse side displayed a grand depiction of mountains rivers the sun the moon and the stars It appeared quite magnificent After much deliberation and various attempts burning it soaking it even attempting to recognize it through blood there was no reaction from the jade stone Gazing at the spirit tablet on the table he questioned "What are you spirit what purpose do you serve?" Silence ensued The jade table offered no further information Frustrated Lu Xiaoing decided to leave it on the table for now murmuring "Let it be Perhaps fate will reveal its significance in time." He surmised that this item like the jade table and spirit tablet must possess some worth With a wave of his hand he summoned 10,000 low-grade spirit stones depositing them into the incense burner He resolved to cultivate for another year Hoping to break through to the eighth level of the golden core stage However the jade table unexpectedly displayed the word 6 months Lu Xiaoing was taken aback then filled with fury furiously pointing at the token What trickery is this do you think acquiring spirit stones is easy 10,000 low-grade spirit stones for a year is already exorbitant and now it's been cut in half Come out and refund my stones I refuse to cultivate any longer If you don't refund me I swear I'll smash your spirit tablet His anger surged Earning those spirit stones was no small feat Did it seem like they were merely lying about on the streets waiting to be picked up he felt wronged Believing it unfair that he should be treated as a fool With a resounding slap on the jade table he bellowed at the spirit tablet Refund me If you don't there will be consequences Should you wish to raise the price you must inform me first We can negotiate amicably You cannot unilaterally increase the price without my consent as if I were gullible I toil for every single spirit stone Do not act as a deceitful merchant here If you refuse to refund me I shall shatter you regardless of who you are even if you are a celestial emperor After declaring his intent Lu Xiaoing prepared to grasp the spirit tablet when a flash of white light erupted from the table revealing a marshall technique the shocking spirit technique Chapter 40 The benefits of the spirit soothing technique El Shaing gazed at the spirit tablet his expression still grim Did they think they could plate me with this at the very least they should provide me with another technique and then I might let it slide The jade table shimmerred intermittently its radiance fluctuating This was a reaction to El Shaings brazen demeanor Yet he paid it no heat How could he let such an opportunity slip by without demanding more benefits previously he had acquired a technique from this place the meteor summoning art which was truly known as the celestial fireball technique He had not deceived Shiai Ah and there was also the fire of departure sword technique The items offered by the spirit tablet were undoubtedly valuable The spirit soothing technique was clearly of high merit as well However to better leverage his position El Shaqing famed disdain He pounded the jade table and bellowed at the spirit tablet demanding another technique and then he would let the matter rest In response the jade table emitted another flash of light revealing yet another technique the Tai body refinement technique Upon seeing this El Shaings heart soared with delight Indeed there was more to be had However he maintained an air of indifference Is this all you have to offer is this how you intend to dismiss me the white light of the jade table flickered once more revealing four bold characters If you don't want it then leave It then dimmed immediately Observing this El Shaing adopted a reluctant tone conceding "Fine I'll give you face I'll accept it begrudgingly." He used the jade slip to transcribe the two techniques before settling down to meditate and comprehend them The spirit soothing technique the tie-in body refinement technique After reviewing them El Shaqing grasped their general effects The spirit soothing technique upon cultivation not only enhances one as spiritual awareness but also allows the practitioner to utilize it to attack foes a form of mental assault prior to reaching the nent soul stage Utilizing spiritual awareness for attacks yields limited results It is predominantly used as a means of perception Only upon transforming spiritual awareness into divine consciousness after reaching the nent soul stage can one effectively engage adversaries from its name The Tyen body refinement technique is clearly a method for body refinement Satisfied after reading through it El Shaqing nodded repeatedly pleased to have finally obtained a body refinement technique Initially he had planned to seek out such a technique only after reaching the nent soul stage as he could also obtain body refinement techniques from the sect during the core formation stage albeit requiring contributions Yet El Shashin feeling rather lethargic had no desire to undertake any sect missions Thus he resolved to wait until the naent soul stage to visit the sex library where upon attaining that status one would automatically be promoted to elder allowing access to resources without the need for contributions except for specific techniques and elixirs Without hesitation El Shaqing changed his mind and decided to first cultivate these two techniques 3 months per technique should suffice for him to grasp the fundamentals he mused He then closed his eyes grasped the jade slip and began his meditation and training Three months swiftly passed and El Shaing halted his cultivation Slowly opening his eyes A glint of brilliance flashed within them Lowering his gaze to the jade slip in his hand he smiled with satisfaction The spirit soothing technique lived up to its name spirit soothing Indeed was it the spirit that was startled or was it the psyche who could say el Shiaoing was no longer a novice having been immersed in the esteemed Ling Shao sect His insights far surpassed those of ordinary sex or families After practicing the spirit soothing technique he discerned that it was at least a celestial grade technique incomparable to earthly or mysterious grades Its lethality was immense not something an average individual could withstand Even a practitioner specializing in spiritual awareness when faced with El Shaqing s mastery of the spirit soothing technique would find themselves easily subdued just you wait senior brother I've already made my breakthrough what of your nent soul status I shall surprise you then El Shaqing thought to himself filled with pride even though Ji Yin had reached the nent soul stage El Shiaoing believed the spirit soothing technique could still pose a challenge for him what a treasure truly a remarkable technique he marveled after a brief respit he resumed his training now focusing on the tie and body refinement technique In contrast to the spirit soothing technique the tie and body refinement technique proved to be significantly more arduous El Shaqing furrowed his brow His face contorted in agony Throughout the 3 months his internal spiritual energy coursed and refined itself Every cell in his body felt as though it were being shattered and reassembled only to undergo the same torment repeatedly The pain he encountered was not merely physical His very soul seemed to endure immense suffering as well Ultimately his bones and flesh were subjected to similar trials as if a colossal hammer were pulverizing him only for a hand to intervene and rearrange everything before restoring it to its original state The agony of this cycle was beyond imagination In the final month El Shaing felt as though he were on the brink of death His body seemed disconnected from him He could not move and could only silently endure the overwhelming pain He remained unaware of how long it had been until the torment subsided and he sensed the reconnection with his body With a sigh of relief he ceased his training Looking down at himself he noticed his skin had become notably fairer than usual Goodness am I becoming a pretty boy elshiing had always been rather inactive spending most of his time either indoors or lounging beneath trees receiving less sunlight in a year than an average person would in a month Consequently his skin had already appeared quite pale Now however it seemed even fairer to a degree that might lead others to mistake him for a delicate youth Standing up he scrutinized his physique once more ultimately relieved to find he still appeared sufficiently masculine Though his skin was fair his physique was well proportioned and muscular exuding a distinctly masculine charm El Shiaoing took out a mirror and admired his reflection pleased to declare "I look even more handsome Quite impressive." The three months spent on the body refinement technique had only allowed him to scratch the surface He still had a long way to go before mastering it Nonetheless El Shaqing felt a significant difference between his current self and who he had been previously Observing his elongated hands inspiration struck him A long sword materialized in his grasp Gripping it firmly he found that even a firstgrade magical weapon could not harm him in the slightest Its razor-sharp edge failed to pierce his skin This further heightened L shouting satisfaction a mischievous smile gracing his face Excellent Once I reach mastery even Senior Brothers sword will be unable to breach my defenses I shall surprise him again Before departing El Shaqing cast a disdainful glance at the spirit tablet lamenting with such fine treasures You should have presented them sooner instead of hoarding them I scorn you Perhaps in your past life your stinginess led to your demise The spirit tablet offered no response seemingly oblivious to El Shaouchings words After his departure the spirit tablet on the jade table began to tremble and the surface shimmerred with radiant light Chapter 41 The despicable second senior brother Shiao E treaded cautiously through the forest her demeanor vigilant her spiritual awareness radiating like a radar ready to detect any movement in her surroundings However her usual spiritual perception which spanned nearly a 100 yards now barely reached 10 leaving her feeling constrained and uncomfortable Her expression reflected her indignation that detestable second senior brother with his spirit suppressing arrays trapladen formations and bewildering enchantments How is one meant to survive this i isnt the purpose to comprehend the sword intent Instead I feel like a fugitive with no time to pause and reflect As she lamented about El Shaqing her gaze frequently darted back as if some terrifying entity were pursuing her from behind Suddenly a shrill bird call pierced the air Shiais countenance shifted as she exclaimed "You again stinky little Hong." A small bird appeared reminiscent of the one her second senior brother had dubbed the foolish bird Yet she understood that this was merely the manifestation of his sword intent The bird bore a striking resemblance to Little Hong both in form and size but exuded an unmistakable sharpness Upon spotting Shia it let out a piercing cry and swooped down seemingly intent on battling her It soared above her opened its beak and unleashed a torrent of sword light akin to a torrential downpour "Little Hong you wretched creature!" Shiai shouted hastily evading the onslaught She had attempted to withstand the attack before Indeed she could endure it However on one occasion in a bid to fend off the manifestation of sword intent she had utilized her only two magical artifacts narrowly averting disaster as they were damaged in the process From that moment she realized that even if her second senior brother suppressed his strength the sword intent manifestation was beyond her capability to resist Thus began her frantic flight which had persisted for several days During this time she had been chased like a dog with little Hong punctually appearing to disrupt her every brief respit Shia hastily dodged managing to evade most of the sword lightss while the remaining few were easily deflected Little Hong can we rest for a moment she pleaded with the creature in the sky I promise to treat you to spirit beans if you do Yet the manifestation of sword intent despite its appearance did not heed her please With another shriek it launched another assault its wings unfurled beating towards her with renewed ferocity unleashing an even more overwhelming barrage of sword lights Seeing this Shiai turned without a second thought and fled The ground erupted behind her in a cacophony of explosions Glancing back she quickened her pace As it seemed an avalanche of explosive talismans had been unleashed creating a scene of chaos with charred earth and shattered trees dirt swirling in the air Little Hong you fiend Just wait Once again she fled Too frightened to confront the manifestation of sword intent directly She continued to run pursued relentlessly by the chaotic onslaught behind her Despite her efforts to evade most of the attacks some still struck her forcing her to defend herself leaving her in a state of utter disarray After approximately 3 hours of relentless pursuit the manifestation of sword intent ceased its chase granting Shia a moment of respit She understood this was merely a brief interlude bestowed by her second senior brother Yet it would not last long perhaps only an hour Exhausted she popped down on the ground reclining unceremoniously cursing El Shiaoing vehemently That insufferable second senior brother how utterly vile The sword formations he had laid out were far more intricate than those crafted by Ji Yin who favored directness and simplicity El Shaqing however reveled in complexity torturing her with his elaborate designs Xiao Ei felt utterly defeated reflecting on how she should have anticipated the discomfort of his sword formations This place is as despicable as he is Contemplating the depths of her second senior brother's treachery she felt a wave of hopelessness wash over her Will I truly be able to comprehend the sword intent after all this torment a sudden wave of despondency gripped her Perhaps my innate talent is insufficient for such understanding I must endure here for a month and then he should release me But this gloom was swiftly dispelled as she sat up determination igniting within her No I cannot succumb to despair My senior brother is formidable and so is the second senior brother As their junior I cannot lag behind I must strive to improve However she soon reclined again feeling defeated At least my senior brother's formations offered a wooden cabin to take refuge and albeit not entirely safe That wretched second senior brother does not even provide a secure place to rest Just then her gaze caught something in a tree Oh Climbing up she was struck into silence upon discovering a small wooden house nestled among the branches inscribed with the word safe house This so-called safe haven was perched high among the trees concealed by dense foliage Had she not fortuitously glimpsed it while lying on the ground she would never have suspected its existence above How utterly despicable Shia was rendered speechless finally uttering those three words Only the second senior brother could stoop so low She scolded herself for not foreseeing such treachery Given his personality how could he possibly provide her with a safe resting place on the ground how insidious At that moment the shrill call of the sword intent manifestation echoed once more and a fiery red figure appeared Without a second thought Shiaoi in a fit of triumph darted into the safe house Little Hong you can stay out there I'm going to rest Yet once inside her face drained of color and her smile froze Chapter 42 The trap The wooden cabin was modest in size barely accommodating a single person and even lying down felt cramped Yet within this humble abode upon her abrupt entrance Shiai found herself confronted by a shimmering blade of light hovering ominously in the air mere inches from her forehead The ferocious intent of the sword instilled in her a haunting illusion that her head was already pierced through Internally Shia lamented her predicament Realizing she had fallen into a treacherous scheme her second senior brother was indeed despicably cunning This so-called safe house was nothing but a trap camouflaged high in the trees Meticulously concealed to arouse no suspicion Thus she had entered without hesitation Outside even with the pursuing sword intent she would not have faced such peril Now retreat was not an option She was ins snared by the blades glare She had no doubt that any reckless movement would result in her demise Shiai stood rigid locked in a standoff with the menacing blade Its violent aura paralyzed her leaving her unable to act At that moment she sensed a tremendous pressure closing in from behind The shape-shifting sword intent had arrived outside akin to a predatory bird al lighting on a branch and it let out a piercing shriek at the cabin A chill ran down Shia's spine her hair standing on end but she dared not turn around Her gaze remained fixated on the blade her composure unwavering To her dismay the distance between the blade and her forehead diminished slightly Initially doubting her senses she soon confirmed that with each cry from the sword intent outside the blade inched closer Calculating the intervals she realized that if this continued she had a mere seven or 8 hours before it reached her During this time she must devise a means to neutralize the threat or face a grim fate She cursed her second senior brother in her mind acknowledging his treachery Yet now regardless of the circumstances she had to find a solution to dispel the blade's menace After much contemplation she concluded she was out of options Her magical treasures had been destroyed and confronting the blade with her own meager strength would only hasten her demise The blade was an extension of her formidable second senior brother El Shaqing whose prowess in the late stage of foundation establishment far surpassed her own cultivation at the eighth level ofQi refining Engaging him directly was a folly She dared not entertain What could she possibly do the thoughts raced through her mind The astute Shia understood that El Sha would not have left the blade here without purpose After exhausting her mental faculties she focused intently on the blade 3 hours had elapsed and the shape-shifting sword intent had cried six times the blade now hovering less than 3 in from her forehead alarmingly close Resolutely she shut her eyes and extended her spiritual sense towards the blade Upon contact she gasped in horror It felt as though her essence had plunged into molten magma rapidly dissolving and she feared she too would be consumed She hastily withdrew her spiritual sense drenched in sweat realizing it had sustained damage leaving her with a splitting headache This was utterly outrageous However amidst her despair she discerned a glimmer of hope The blade seemed somewhat diminished Though the change was slight it was perceptible Could this be the key to its dispelling elated Shia recognized that while the ordeal was excruciating it no longer posed an immediate threat to her life Resolute she gazed at the blade preparing to probe once more with her spiritual sense Time was of the essence she could not afford to linger This time she unleashed her entire spiritual essence enveloping the blade like a shroud She resolved to eradicate it in one decisive effort Sensing the imminent danger the blade trembled violently radiating an even greater heat akin to a raging sun The overwhelming temperature compelled her to retract her spiritual essence but she understood this was merely an illusion Retreat was not an option I refused to believe I cannot wear you down she vowed fiercely Enduring the discomfort Shiai persisted wrapping her essence around the blade grinding it down as though through constant friction Gradually the blade's intensity waned under her relentless assault and a profound enigmatic sensation surged within her After several more hours as the final remnants of the blade dissipated entirely Shiai collapsed onto the wooden floor drenched in sweat and pale as a ghost She gasped for breath Her internal energy nearly exhausted while her spiritual sense had already incurred significant damage leaving her head throbbing painfully tears welled in her eyes A mix of exhaustion and pain overwhelming her The dual assault on her body and spirit made her long for her mother's comforting embrace Yet despite the tears her eyes shimmerred with joy During the process of extinguishing the blade her comprehension of sword intent had deepened significantly Though she could not articulate the sensation she recognized that she had indeed grasped more about the essence of the sword Shia believed that with a few more attempts she might truly come to understand sword intent After resting for the better part of a day she shakily rose and retrieved a few pills from her storage space to replenish her energy She then pulled out a small notebook flipping to the page inscribed with L Shaings name With trembling hands she marked today as date Already having recorded several previous dates a scowl crossed her face as she muttered "Just you wait second brother I shall repay you in due time." Once she felt sufficiently rested Shiaoi exited the safe house with a defiant gesture directed at the shape-shifting sword intent outside She taunted "Come on Shiao Hong witness how I shall deal with you." The sword intent incensed by her audacity screeched its powers surging dramatically once more Shiai found herself in a frantic escape Chapter 43 I wish to be struck by lightning May heaven be gentle El Shiaing reclined languidly in a hammock leisurely observing the celestial board Nearly a month had elapsed since Shiao had entered the sword cave El Shiaoing had visited a few times and noted that Shia was fairing well Thus he had grown indifferent to keeping a watchful eye He resumed his previous way of life continuing in a state of ease After practicing the mind devouring technique and the tie and body refinement technique in the time house previously he returned the night before to practice once more It required another 10,000 low-grade spirit stones and 6 months of time Mastering the mind devouring and tie-in techniques proved to be far from simple He had devoted a year merely to achieving a minor success and he was still a considerable distance from proficiency and mastery El Shaqing was unperturbed He preferred a gradual approach Years of nurturing his heart and spirit had rendered his mindset increasingly mature and composed allowing him to remain unfased by such matters rushing was feudal so he chose to take his time Stretching languidly he sighed and remarked "However there are just over 10,000 spirit stones remaining which will only suffice for another 6 months I wonder if I can elevate my realm in that time Alas what a tedious existence that scoundrel senior brother I suppose I shall devise a means to acquire more spirit stones in due course." As El Shiaoing contemplated his plans for obtaining spirit stones Fong Sha arrived bearing takeout The sight of the beautiful Fong Shao carrying a food box struck El Shaqing as in congruous Boss Fong what brings you here he inquired Fong Xiao with a cheerful smile replied "I have brought takeout for you young Master L." El Shaqing shook his head with a sigh A stunning beauty like you arriving here with a food box It feels as though you're on a romantic rendevu And where is Junior brother Juan is there no one else at your restaurant it is hardly unreasonable to have the boss run errands deducting from their wages he added teasingly Fong Xhaos cheeks flushed slightly Was this considered teasing she thought inwardly maintaining her sweet smile she said "Isn't it true that you have not visited the restaurant in quite some time i worried that the dishes might not suit your pallet." So as the proprietor I felt it necessary to come personally and gather your opinions Her words were a blend of earnestness and pretense primarily intended to foster a closer relationship with El Shaqing As she had observed he had not graced the restaurant with his presence for over a month Aware of his prowess she had long desired to cultivate a friendship Today upon discovering that he had ordered food from her establishment she took it upon herself to deliver it Familiarity breeds closeness The more they encountered each other the more their relationship would flourish compared to remaining strangers El Shaqing found no fault with the cuisine at Fong Xiaos restaurant stating "It is quite good Old whose culinary skills are commendable." Upon hearing this Fong Xiao quietly resolved to reward Hu Bing with additional compensation Then a silence enveloped them El Shiaoing appeared oblivious to Fong Xiaos presence leisurely indulging in his meal while gazing at the celestial board Fong Xiao soon felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her How can you be so indifferent i consider myself a beauty and yet you choose to ignore me She mused struggling to reconcile El Shaings behavior with her self-image Although she did not regard herself as an unparalleled beauty she believed she was not lacking in appeal Many so-called young masters buzzed around her like flies employing various tactics to capture her attention El Shaaching however stood in stark contrast to those men For the first time Fong Sha found herself questioning her beauty in his presence Surely a normal person would not treat her with such disregard even if it were mere pretense He would not leave her in such a state of neglect would he she refused to believe that he could genuinely ignore her Determined she resolved to remain by his side and observe his reactions However half an hour passed and Elsha continued to treat her as if she were invisible Fong Sha felt defeated helpless and frustrated This man truly overlooked her presence Was he even a man at all clenching her teeth she glanced around and asked "Young Master L do you happen to know where Sister Shia is?" "Oh I would like to see what scheme you are concocting," El Shaing thought suppressing a smile "Boss you haven't left yet?" After a moment's reflection he cautioned Fong Sha I did provide you with spirit stones "Do not feain forgetfulness." Fong Sha felt an urge to strike him "Am I that kind of person what an absurd notion." She retorted biting back the impulse "I remember I have not forgotten I merely wish to inquire about Sister Shias whereabouts as I have not seen her in quite some time El Shaqings gaze returned to the celestial board Oh she has gone to cultivate As a practitioner one must prioritize cultivation Who has time for idol amusement fong Shao regarded El Shiaing with a silent incredul yet I have heard that you do not cultivate daily How can you speak such words silence fell once again compelling Fong Shao to seek further conversation I am looking for sister Xiao E to inform her that the individuals who bullied her at the restaurant were recently dealt with I wonder if young master L has heard of this matter Fong Xiaos gazeore significance as she regarded El Shaqing El Shaqings eyes shifted back to Fong Xiao Oh is that so i had not heard Fong Xiao pointed to the celestial board in El Shaqings hand It was published by the celestial observer Did you not see the individuals who bullied Sister Shia were stripped of their clothing and had their possessions looted overnight Fong Shao smiled sweetly The most unfortunate was boss Tang of the Tang family trading company The profits of the entire month were seized Upon witnessing the news she recalled Jang Jang from that fateful night From Wong Yao she learned that these individuals had dined at her restaurant and had to varying degrees provoked Xiaoi Thus she suspected El Shaings involvement What a remarkable coincidence El Shaqings expression remained unchanged as he remarked "It seems that wickedness begets retribution." "Indeed heaven is just." Fong Xiao was taken aback curious about El Shaings thoughts "Practitioners often defy heaven Does young Master L as a cultivator truly believe in the divine?" El Shaqing responded earnestly "Of course I hope that when I encounter lightning in the future heaven will be gentle." Chapter 44 Fong Sha was somewhat on the verge of a breakdown Faced with such words from Lu Xiaoing she was at a loss for how to respond However she had no intention of delving deeper into this topic As her inquiry was merely a test she was well aware of Lu Xiaoings meticulous nature and speaking further could easily arouse suspicion which would not bode well for her Sensing that the conversation had reached its natural conclusion Fong Shao said "Since that's the case I shall not disturb Young Master Lu any longer I will take my leave." Lu Xiaoing waved his hand nonchalantly saying "Take care No need to see you off." After bidding farewell Fong Xiao turned to leave Yet as she stepped outside a sudden and intense wave of energy surged from afar "Haha second senior brother Just wait I have emerged." Fong Xhaos pupils dilated "Was that sort intent?" She stood frozen in shock gazing at the direction from which the wave emanated Although the disturbance quickly dissipated she was confident in her perception That was indeed sword intent After a long moment she murmured softly while staring at that direction That voice belongs to Sister Shiai Could it be that she has truly comprehended sword intent but how could that be possible in just a month she had grasped sword intent Fong Shao felt a wave of despair wash over her It seemed as though her worldview was crumbling A month ago Shiai was still working in her tavern During the time they had grown closer referring to each other as sisters She had also learned about Shias capabilities latest stage chi refinement Having recently achieved the eighth level ofqi refinement and she had not yet comprehended sword intent Fong Shao was already aware of this Moreover she had heard from Shiao E that her two senior brothers intended for her to grasp sword intent within 2 months and then break through to the foundation establishment stage At that time Fong Sha had been taken aback Was such ambition truly possible she had initially thought it was a joke Only later when Lu Xiaoing mentioned it in passing while taking Shia away did she breathe a sigh of relief grateful it was merely a gest However now it seemed far from a justest Fong Shao could hardly articulate the collapse of her inner world It had truly been accomplished not in two months But in one month Shiai had comprehended sword intent Fong Shao pondered whether the world had become too extraordinary or if she was merely falling behind the times Was it possible that she could no longer keep pace with this world sword intent had become so commonplace that anyone could comprehend it Gazing back at the gate of Tanu Peak she felt an overwhelming urge to rush inside to seek clarity and understanding Did they possess some secret at Tanu Peak that enabled individuals to effortlessly grasp sword intent fong Shao could hardly recall how she made her way back to her tavern The astonishing events that had transpired moments ago still left her in a state of shock The notion that one could simply comprehend sword intent was unfathomable Could Xiaoi truly be a prodigy of unparalleled talent when considered in this light all three direct disciples of Tanu Peak had comprehended sword intent such qualifications were nothing short of extraordinary Just then a voice from outside interrupted her thoughts Miss someone is looking for you Who fongia inquired Then waved her hand dismissively Just tell them I am not in the mood today Let them return The events of the day had proven too difficult for her to digest leaving her disincclined to see anyone However a voice from outside called out Could it be that even my cousin is unwilling to see me a tall figure then appeared at the doorway Upon hearing that voice and looking up Fong Xiaos face lit up with joy Sister Yu what brings you here the visitor was none other than Xiaawu the eldest disciple of Shuang Yua Valley Coming quickly fong Sha urged welcoming Xiaawu and Bianu inside before shutting the door Cousin what brings you here xiaus mother was from a collateral branch of the Fong family After Xiaou became the chief disciple of Shuang Yuiwei the Fong family naturally sought to forge a close relationship with her Xiaou was of a similar age to Fong Shao and they had grown familiar with each other by chance their bond deepening over time It was precisely due to her connection with Xiaou that Fong Sha was able to open a tavern in Ling Shiao City providing her with potential leverage for future family endeavors We have been here for quite some time but we have been busy with various matters Which is why I have not come to visit you sooner Xiaou said softly her voice melodious and soothing like a gentle spring breeze Speaking with her brought a sense of peace to anyone regardless of gender Fong Sha felt immense joy at seeing Xiaawu and said "If you require any assistance while here please do not hesitate to ask If you do not speak up it would suggest that you consider me an outsider." Xiaawu smiled gently her presence radiating warmth in the room Not at all I have come to seek your help Fong Xhas curiosity was peaked Sitting across from Xiaou she asked "What matter could possibly trouble you?" The chief disciple of Shuang Yua Valley Xiaou along with her peers Ji Yin and Jeang Tong Long represented the younger generation of Shuangua Valley Behind her stood one of the three major sects renowned for its all-female disciples and considerable wealth Countless cultivators aspired to marry a disciple from Schwangua Valley For doing so would be akin to marrying a small treasury if even Xiaawu was seeking assistance It could only indicate that she was facing a particularly challenging situation Bienu provided the explanation It is like this Nearby our senior sister is aware of a secret realm Initially she and the two of us went to explore it Unfortunately the place is vast and fraught with danger It would be difficult for just the two of us to fully explore it By the time our sex senior sisters and junior sisters arrive it may already be too late Therefore we are compelled to seek help here in Shiaoa City Secret realms differ from caves or small worlds that can exist indefinitely If not activated a secret realm may persist for a long time However once opened the spiritual energy within will gradually diminish Once the energy is depleted the secret realm will vanish akin to a spirit egg that once cracked will eventually turn into a rotten egg Bienuru continued "The secret realm has already been activated According to our senior sister's estimation there is less than a month before the spiritual energy completely dissipates There are many treasures inside and we do not wish to waste them Hence we must find others to assist us." A look of concern clouded Bienurus face This secret realm was of great importance to her senior sister and she hoped nothing would go ary Xiaawus eyes glimmered as she looked at Fong Shao and asked "Sister Shiao do you have any suitable recommendations you must know people here in Ling Xiao City right?" Even though Fong Sha was a woman she found herself captivated by Xiaawus gaze Momentarily lost in thought she quickly regained her composure and asked "Sister you do you have any specific requirements for candidates?" Bin Ruru interjected We need three or four individuals Xiaawu added Ideally they should be at least at the foundation establishment stage Those who are too weak would not suffice Xiaou herself was at the eighth level of the core formation stage She did not expect to find experts at that level but securing one or two helpers at the foundation establishment stage would be sufficient The secret realm harbored various dangers and those with insufficient strength would only be a liability Upon hearing this Fong Xiaos face brightened In that case I would qualify Fong Xhaos strength was at the seventh level of the foundation establishment stage not weak by any means Xiaawu smiled radiantly affirming I came here precisely to seek your assistance Sister Shiao Of course I would not overlook you If you could recommend one or two more individuals that would be ideal Fong Sha nodded then began to ponder where she might find suitable candidates to meet Xiaawus criteria Uncertain of the reason she instinctively recalled the figure of Lu Xiaoqing After a moment's hesitation she finally voiced her thoughts suggesting a potential candidate though she was unsure of their suitability Chapter 45 A difficult candidate in Fong Xiaos estimation Lu Xiaoing was undoubtedly the best candidate However the thought of having to interact with that fellow made her feel overwhelmed He was a shameless individual utterly devoid of any sense of decency and just recalling their previous encounters was enough to give her a headache More critically he was quite formidable in strength Even the notion of confronting him physically seemed feudal Fong Shao gazed at her cousin before her Although she was the foremost disciple of Schwang Valley and commanded respect in theQi Prefecture's cultivation community her beauty also earned her the title of the fairest maiden inQi Prefecture Wherever she went she was the center of attention akin to a moon surrounded by stars Jien was the dream lover of the blossoming maidens ofQi Prefecture while Xiau was the beloved fantasy of all male cultivators in the region attracting admirers even from other prefectures Nonetheless Fong Shao doubted that someone like Xiaawu would have any advantage in the presence of Lu Xiaoing Given Lu Xiaoings character he would likely regard Xiaawus status with indifference and her beauty would probably go unnoticed After all Fong Xiao herself was not without beauty Yet she too had been overlooked by Lu Xiaoing Noticing Fong Xiaos troubled expression Xiaawu inquired with curiosity "Sister Shiao is something a miss?" Recalling Lu Xiaoings disposition Fong Shao hesitated uncertain of her judgment and replied "He possesses considerable strength though I cannot ascertain his willingness." Unwilling Yenro expressed disbelief Is there truly such a person what kind of person is the senior sister who would dare to disregard her As the esteemed disciple of Shuang Yua Valley and the most beautiful maiden in Chi Prefecture everyone should grant her some measure of respect Fong Xiao managed a rice smile I cannot say for certain but this individual she struggled to find the right words to describe him Shameless thick-skinned while she held such sentiments She found it difficult to gossip about others behind their backs Ultimately she could only conclude in short he is a difficult person to deal with Is he a man bienro queried Fong Sha nodded Bienro immediately dismissed her worries With you senior sister around no man would dare to disregard us Men are not to be trusted Upon seeing a senior sister they quickly turn into creatures ruled by their baser instincts Fong Sha let out a bittersweet chuckle Lu Xiaoing was the most extraordinary individual she had ever encountered leading her to believe that even Xiaawus allure would be ineffective against him Xiaoyu however was not concerned with superficialities She valued strength above all else If one lacked the requisite power assistance would be meaningless Sister Shiao what is your assessment of this person xiaawu inquired Fong Xiao nodded articulating her thoughts on Lu Xiao Jing He is exceptionally strong in my view not inferior to you Sister Yu This was a remarkable compliment and Xiaawus expression grew serious Xiaawu is not a mere ornament She represented the younger generation of Shwang Yui Valley alongside Ji Yin and Jang Seolong They were hailed as the three strongest individuals in Chi Prefecture Xi Yin was undisputedly first while Jeang Long was widely considered second with Xiaou as a formidable contender for that position The notion that someone could rival her in strength was astonishing to both Xiaou and Bienro Bienro still skeptical asked "Could it be that you were referring to Jeang so long?" Fong Sha shook her head stating "Of course not If it were Jeang Long I would certainly not recommend him." Bien Rorow Row probed further Could it possibly be young Master Ji however individuals at the nent soul stage were unable to enter the secret realm their presence would cause the realm spatial integrity to collapse Had Ji not reached the naent soul stage Seiau would have sought his assistance at Tanu Peak Xiaawu firmly asserted "It is not young master Jiian If it were him Sister Sha would not claim his strength to be on par with mine Even before Ji reached the naent soul realm he was already stronger than Xiaawu Fong Shao couldn't help but admire Xiau in her heart Not only was she beautiful but she was also astute She nodded clarifying he is not young master Jiian but he is closely related to him He is Jiians junior disciple a direct disciple of the Ling Shao sect at Tianu Peak Lu Xiaoing Lu Xiaoing Both Xiaawyu and Bien Roro exchanged glances Bien Rorow Row perplexed remarked "Does young Master Ji Yin have a junior disciple?" Lu Xiaoing was so low-key that few outside were aware of him However it must be acknowledged that Jiians brilliance overshadowed those around him Fong Xiao confirmed "Indeed it was only after I arrived here that I stumbled upon the knowledge that young master Jiian has a junior disciple and a junior sister." Bian Rou expressed her astonishment further "A junior sister as well i had never heard of this before Fong Shiao elaborated The junior sister is named Shiai Our relationship is decent She is a newly accepted disciple of young master Ji Yians master At this point Yenro was left with a large question mark hovering above her head How come I have never heard of her is it possible that his junior disciple is not particularly strong thus remaining obscure despite being a core disciple of Shua Valley she was somewhat knowledgeable about the affairs of the Ling Sha sect it had never heard of Jiians junior disciple Fun Sha shook her head her tone resolute Young Master Lus strength is indeed formidable Truly formidable The memory of that terrifying sword intent and the blade that had narrowly grazed her head sent shivers down her spine She added "He has also comprehended sword intent What both Xiaou and Bienro were taken aback once more Among the younger generation only Ji Yin was known to have grasped sword intent No other young cultivators had been reported to have done so Even Xiaawu herself had yet to comprehend this profound skill Xiaawus beautiful eyes sparkled with interest as she spoke gently Sister Shia is what you say truly the case fong Shao sighed What benefit would I gain from deceiving you she then recounted the events of that fateful evening Initially she had intended for this to remain her secret but facing her cousin Xiaou she felt that sharing it was acceptable Moreover she had longed to confide in someone and felt stifled by the weight of her silence After hearing Fong Xiaos account Xiaou and Broo were profoundly shaken To slay a cultivator at the core formation stage with a single strike was a staggering feat After a moment of silence Xiaawu expressed her astonishment exclaiming "I had no idea that the Ling Sha sect harbored such a talent No wonder he is regarded as young master Jiian Jr He is not inferior to him The distinction between comprehending sword intent before and after reaching the nent soul stage was significant Grasping it prior to the nent soul stage was indicative of extraordinary talent While postnent soul comprehension was merely a natural progression akin to the simplicity of drinking water devoid of any need for boasting Xiaous expression turned contemplative And after a while she slowly spoke I once sparred with young master Ji Yin and was defeated I told him that he was the foremost young talent in Chi Prefecture However he merely shook his head and said "If you include that fellow then it is not so that fellow." Both Ben Ro and Fong Sha were taken aback There is such a story Xiaawu affirmed It seems that the individual young master Jiian referred to must indeed be his junior disciple Bian Rou remained skeptical If he is so remarkable why remain hidden if he truly possesses such prowess he should be renowned not obscure Fong Shao shook her head equally curious about the reason Xiaou however commented "Some individuals pursue the Dao with single-minded devotion issuing fame and fortune Why is that so surprising?" Xiaou fured her brow tilting her head as if pondering something deeply After a moment she turned to Fong Xiao and said "It appears we must pay a visit." Xiaawus heart was intrigued by the mention of Lu Xiaoing from Fong Xhaos lips She wondered just how formidable Lu Xiaoing truly was As described by Fong Sha at the Tanu Summit chapter 46 The rebellion of Shia Shawi stood before El Shaqing her ears pinched in a pitiful manner Shiao Hong perched on El Shaings shoulder pointing at Shia and laughing heartily How foolish Do you really think you can rebel just because you emerged from the sword cave even I wouldn't dare provoke this formidable demon What audacity you possess Upon hearing Shiao Hans mockery Shiai glared fiercely at her You Shiao Hong shall wait for your reckoning After nearly a month of relentless pursuit within the sword cave she finally grasped the essence of the sword The hardships endured their far exceeded those of her previous 16 years combined Having endured such trials she emerged ready to seek vengeance against her second senior brother determined to teach him a lesson and relieve her pin of frustration The outcome was predictable Her rebellious spirit was effortlessly subdued by El Shaqing With her ears still pinched Shiaoi pleaded for mercy Second senior brother I realize my mistakes Please spare me El Shaqing did not even glance her way retoring is this the extent of your power and you dare to become arrogant do you believe I am made of clay even the eldest brother cannot contend with me How dare you little girl he continued If I do not teach you a proper lesson today how can I continue to be your senior brother tears welled in Xiais eyes Is it not because of your cruelty do you have any idea what I endured in there my dark circles are nearly visible Just then Jiians voice rang out as he appeared eldest brother The second brother is bullying me Shiaoi immediately complained to Jiian El Shiaoing glared at Shiao Ei commanding "Who permitted you to lower your hands quickly pinched them again The arrival of the eldest brother was of no help to her." Jiian surveyed Shiao Ei from head to toe Her face bore signs of exhaustion her clothes tattered reflecting the torment she had experienced within the sword cave Recognizing El Shaings character Jiians eyes softened with sympathy It was indeed commendable that Xiaoi had not lost her sanity after a month of suffering Jiian addressed El Shaqing Have you begun to bully her again just after her emergence El Shaqing scoffed pointing at Shia Ask her who is bullying whom The moment she comes out she is eager to settle scores with me without considering her own abilities This impulsive nature must be curbed otherwise she will face significant consequences in the future Ji Yin nodded in agreement affirming "Indeed she must learn a lesson and remember it." Xiao Yis tears brimmed It was evident that her two senior brothers were in cahoots Her hopes of being saved by the eldest brother were dashed as he too supported the second brother's actions A hero does not suffer immediate losses Shiai continued to lower her head in contrition Eldest brother second brother I understand my mistakes I promise not to act this way again El Shaqing turned to Jiian suggesting "Is it unreasonable to have her stand for an hour as punishment?" Xiian replied calmly "That is not excessive 2 hours would be even better for her to remember." "Fine as you say eldest brother," El Shaing conceded Shiaoi wept Indeed my two senior brothers have colluded against me I am merely an outsider being bullied Master come save me What's happening here how can you treat your junior sister this way seemingly responding to Xiao Yis plea Shiao Chong arrived Upon seeing him hope flickered in Shiao Yis eyes Master help Shiao Chong observing Shiao E pinching her ears before Jiian and L Shiaoing spoke with indignation As senior brothers how can you bully your junior sister what will others think of Tianu Peak ji Yin remained expressionless stating "She overstepped her bounds and provoked the second brother If she cannot prevail she must accept punishment." El Shaing added "She is reckless failing to assess the situation acting impulsively If she continues this way outside she may not even realize when danger approaches She must learn to think carefully before acting in the future." Shiao Chong found himself at a loss for words against his two disciples His tone softened as he advocated for Xiao Ei But one cannot bully her like this She has just emerged from the sword cave It has been nearly a month hasn't it while I am unaware of other matters I can assure you that the sword cave you constructed El Shiaoing is certainly not a pleasant place Shiai must have endured immense hardship Seeing you she likely wishes to unleash her frustrations Xiao Yis heart swelled with excitement Her master truly understood her plight He instinctively knew the extent of her suffering within and why she sought to confront her second brother After all was it not the second brother's cruelty that had driven her to such lengths the sword cave was indeed a place no human should endure "My little notebook is nearly full," she thought "Oh and I must remember to note the eldest brother as well How despicable to conspire with the second brother against me." El Shaing shrugged shifting the blame onto Jiian "I had no intention of being harsh I merely thought to lightly reprimand her It was the eldest brother who insisted on punishing her for 2 hours That is not my concern Shiaoi stared wideeyed Are you so easily absolving yourself of responsibility immediately she turned to Ji Yin eldest brother Can you truly tolerate this jiian glanced at El Shaqing and replied "There will be opportunities Are you afraid?" El Shiaing retorted defiantly Do not think that just because you have entered the nent soul stage you are invincible I could still make you cry out if I wished Gi drew his sword revealing a glimmering sharp blade Care to test that i am in the nent soul stage he declared Shall we inwardly groaned here we go again The familiar tone of arrogance El Shaaching scoffed Is being in the nent soul stage such a big deal master you should take this opportunity to teach your eldest disciple a lesson Soon you may not have the chance Faced with his two disciples Shiao Chong felt overwhelmed Enough Let us call it a day Shiao E Put your hands down You have emerged from the sword cave and comprehended the essence of the sword have you not show us A wave of gentle and warm sword intent emanated forth Chapter 47 Such a second senior brother is hard to move Shiaoi showcased her comprehension of sword intent to the gathering Shiaoing Juan and Lu Xiaoing regarded her with admiration Shaing nodded in satisfaction remarking indeed to grasp sword intent in theqi refinement stage The future looks promising Yet he felt an immense pressure His little disciples were all so exceptional merely taking on a disciple and they exhibited such remarkable talent I wonder how the graves of the ancestors are fairing With three such extraordinary disciples I hope the tombs of the ancestors on Tanu Peak remain unharmed It's not merely a trivial concern anymore I must find time to check on them Jiuan offered a few comments saying "The water attribute sword intent is passable." In his eyes such sword intent appeared quite ordinary He then encouraged Shiao Ei "Persevere in your training and one day you shall surpass your second senior brother Lu Xiaoing whose sword intent was of the fire attribute," scoffed disdainfully exclaiming "You think you can defeat me dream on You cannot even contend with me How could this little girl possibly challenge me future prospects Indeed she should consider who helped her comprehend sword intent Shiaoing observed closely and after inquiring about how Shiai understood sword intent his expression grew serious The sword cave cannot remain he declared gravely Turning to Lu Xiaoing he commanded We must destroy the sword cave Lu Xiaoing protested What for i was planning to profit from the sword cave Otherwise I wouldn't have invested so much time into it This is my grand scheme for making spirit stones That rascal is still thinking about spirit stones at a time like this Shaoing thought his temper flaring He pointed at Lu Xiaoing and scolded You have your head buried in spirit stones Why not spend your life with them lu Shaqing undeterred replied nonchalantly Indeed I have that intention I don't believe you can part with spirit stones master Rascal shaing retorted more incensed Do you believe I won't teach you a lesson again find another way to earn spirit stones The sword cave is no longer usable It must be destroyed Shiaoings expression remained stern Shiai was puzzled Why although I faced many hardships within it proved incredibly useful At least with my aptitude I was able to comprehend sword intent there Others could easily grasp sword intent as well Jiuan said flatly Do you think your comprehension of sword intent is solely due to your talent shiai shook her head casting a grateful glance at Lu Xiaoing I know second senior brother invested considerable effort The numerous traps formations and sword intent arranged within were all his contributions consuming much of his energy and effort I remember all of it Juan continued The reason you were able to grasp sword intent is that this fellow allowed his sword intent to accompany your practice enabling you to ponder and comprehend it Though he did not enter I can surmise how you understood sword intent within Xiaoing added Shiaoing fully revealed the essence of his sword intent to you which is why you comprehended the water attribute sword intent Otherwise it would have been impossible for you to grasp sword intent in such a brief time You understand that exposing the essence of your sword intent to others is akin to revealing your weaknesses If a crafty individual learns of this Shiaoing could find himself in danger Shia understood Entering the sword cave meant she could grasp Lu Xiaoings sword intent If an enemy were to infiltrate Lu Xiaoings sword intent would be compromised She felt a swell of emotion realizing how kind Lu Xiaoing had been to her Second senior brother you have been so good to me Tears welled in Shias eyes She resolved to treat him better in the future Even marking off some notes in her little book Shiaoin shook his head You need not feel obligated Lu Xiaoing indifferent replied it's merely the essence of sword and tinth Shia felt even more touched second senior brother Although you can be infuriating you are truly trustworthy Lu Shaqin remarked I'm only doing this for the sake of a thousand spirit stones Otherwise I wouldn't he bother Shia's feelings of gratitude were abruptly halted by this remark Such words truly dampened her emotions Shiaoing now furious exploded merely "Do you believe I want to deal with you again?" Lu Xiaoing wary looked at Shiao Chong and said "Master don't go overboard If you do I might just sell off the treasured artifact of Tianu Peak You dare shiaoings anger intensified as he ordered Go destroy the sword cave right now Lu Xiaoing hesitated shaking his head in refusal but I've invested so much effort I haven t recouped my costs He genuinely intended to use it to earn some spirit stones Recoup costs nonsense Meanwhile Juan drew his long sword from its sheath The blade emitting a soft hum as it soared into the sky Shortly after a loud explosion echoed from the direction of the sword cave Jius sword returned swiftly to its sheath and he wore a cool expression declaring "All taken care of." Lu Xiaoing stared at Jiuan with a blank expression demanding compensation "You've obliterated the fruits of my labor worth tens of thousands of spirit stones You owe me No way At most when we spar in the future I'll let you have a few moves." Lu Xiaoing retorted angrily "Get lost Every time we fight you just end up using your realm to suppress me In any case if you don't compensate me today I won't let this go Guered how will you not let this go do you want to fight i'm at the nent soul stage Lu Shaqing refusing to back down replied the weather today is NT suitable for a fight I don't want you to embarrass yourself Shiaoi quickly interjected second senior brother Would you allow me to compensate you upon hearing this Lu Xiaoing displayed disdain scoffing You do you possess any spirit stones even if you are the head of the Shiao family It's useless Your family is the poorest in Xiho What spirit stones do you have to offer shia was taken aback When did my family become the poorest in Chihua i was unaware Could it be that the Shiao family has gone bankrupt shutting interjected to divert the conversation realizing that continuing the argument was feudal and would hinder their unity All right Today marks the day your junior sister emerges from her training Let us refrain from squabbbling to celebrate your junior sister as comprehension of sword intent The four of us should simply toast in her honor Lu Shaqing immediately raised an eyebrow suspiciously asking "Master what do you intend for the toast are we to go down the mountain for a meal?" Jiuan did not refuse stating "That could work." However Shaing disagreed What is the point of dining your elder brother would only attract attention Instead let me demonstrate my skills today Spinning spirit stones on a meal is a waste It's better if I do it myself Lu Xiaoing and Jiuan chined in unison No way Jiuan added urgently I can disguise myself for the meal Lu Xiaoing bluntly remarked showing no regard for Shiaoing Master you know your culinary skills well enough You should give up on that idea You are faded to be forever distanced from the kitchen Juan echoed You should know that elder uncle and enjoys fine cuisine Your cooking will only drive him further away Shia perked up intrigued Is there gossip senior brother who is elder unclean lu Xiaoing explained to the naive Shiaoi He is our master s dream lover Someone he has long coveted Shiao Chong feeling irked by the remarks retorted angrily Rascals how can you speak of your master in such a manner today I must personally cook and show you two little rascals how my culinary skills have vastly improved Chapter 48 Whom does the master favor shiao Chong was resolute in his intention to showcase his skills to his three disciples Despite the fervent objections of El Shiaoing and Ji Yan his determination remained unyielding El Shaqing concocted an excuse claiming "Master I just remember that someone has invited me to dinner." Jiian echoed the sentiment stating "I also have an appointment." Shiao Chang regarded his two disciples attempting to evade responsibility with a cold smirk You two pretend to have appointments Do you take me for a fool he glared menacingly at El Shaqing and Ji Yin asserting "If either of you dares to leave today I shall administer a sound spanking." El Shaqing turned to Jiian urgency in his tone "You are the eldest disciple You must persuade master." He continued "You often scold him rather fiercely don't you?" Jiian maintaining his calm demeanor replied "You are the second disciple With your cunning you should devise a way to stop this." He added "What happened to your usual ability to infuriate the master into silence?" Shiao Chengs irritation grew You two even if you utter flowery words cannot alter my decision Now go and assist me Ji and El Shaqing exchanged a glance and in an instant they sprang into action each darting in opposite directions However as they attempted to escape Shiao Chong waved his hand immobilizing them effortlessly As a practitioner at the initial stage of the nent soul realm his capabilities far surpassed theirs Even Jiian who had recently entered the nent soul stage found himself unable to break free Shiaoing chuckled derisively his expression one of predictability You too with your raised posteriors I can easily discern whether you intend to defecate or urinate Thinking of fleeing not a chance If I cannot see through you I truly am an inept master He then fixed an unkind gaze upon them Do you wish for me to spank you before your junior sister el Shaaching sighed dramatically resigned to his fate Fine fine I shall partake in the meal If the eldest brother eats I shall eat too Is that acceptable ji Ying remaced echoing the sentiment If he eats I shall eat as well El Shaqing scoffed at Jiians behavior Shouldn't you as the eldest brother take responsibility for your junior brothers jiian retorted in kind As the junior brother shouldn't you take the initiative to eat on behalf of your elder brother elshing laughed heartily showing no signs of shame My junior brother does not understand the importance of respecting his elders I too do not comprehend the need to love the young Observing the two brothers bickering It seemed that the meal prepared by their master was akin to a lethal poison utterly irredeemable Shai expressed her bewilderment Master cooking for us is a privilege Why would anyone refuse to eat surely more is better Upon hearing her words Shiao Chung felt a surge of pride His little disciple was indeed commendable He laughed heartily Indeed this is the attitude a disciple should possess You two elder brothers cannot even compare to your junior sister How embarrassing Shall we beamed with joy at the praise realizing that she excelled where her elder brothers faltered with a cheerful demeanor she urged "Master please make more I and my elder brothers will surely finish it all Be quiet." Ji Yin and El Shiaoing shouted in unison Shiai recoiled slightly puzzled as to why her elder brothers were so resistant Shiao Chong led the three of them to the kitchen where he busied himself with meal preparations The three disciples assisted in washing vegetables and other tasks However despite the pretense of helping it was primarily Shiao E who contributed Ji Yin and El Shiaoing stood nearby wearing expressions of dismay sighing heavily El Shaqing in particular often gazed skyward with a heavy sigh their countenance resembling that of condemned prisoners awaiting execution Shiao curious could no longer contain her questions Eldest brother second brother who is in Sherwa she inquired while washing the vegetables her eyes gleaming with curiosity El Shaqing found a bench to recline on while Ji Yin answered her question And Sherba is the elder of Schwangua Valley and Shiny Xiao Yis eyes widened in recognition Is she the third elder of Schwangua Valley i have heard she has a pinchion for gourmet food and remarkable culinary skills though few have tasted her dishes Jiian nodded affirmatively Indeed that is why Master has become enamored with cooking He wishes to create delicacies for insure boy to savor Shys eyes sparkled with delight How romantic Romantic Xi Yian shook his head He understands only cultivation and is utterly oblivious to such matters I failed to comprehend what you women find romantic It all seems like a frivolous waste of time One could be cultivating instead Shiaoi silently scoffed Eldest brother you lack appreciation for the finer emotions She then asked "Have master and insurer become an item?" El Shaqing interjected What item and Sherba has no such intentions Master is merely being overly sentimental Is that so shiais disappointment was palpable but she quickly recovered Second brother did you not say master is infatuated you were referring to in sherba right was that heavenly mystery plate given to master by Inserva el Shaaching did not deny it lounging on the bench Indeed master treasures it like a gem Ultimately it was your eldest brother who lost it Ji Yin refused to take the blame pushing it back onto El Shiaoing You stole it from master The destruction was your doing El Shaqing retorted If you had not gone mad that night it would not have been broken Besides I gave master a chance to salvage it but he was utterly unhelpful Master bears some responsibility too El Shiaoing washed his hands of the matter entirely Jiian concluded Ultimately the blame lies with El Shiaoing The entire incident began with you Who asked you to pick a fight with me you couldn't break through So you sought me as a sparring partner How shameless As it appeared the two were on the brink of another quarrel Shiai hastily intervened eldest brothers Master s culinary skill should be quite good right why were you both acting like that earlier is it truly inedible jiian replied bluntly It's terrible El Shaching added with a grimace It's worse than poison Surely not Shy frowned unable to believe it How could food possibly be worse than poison second brother You must be joking In her eyes even the worst culinary skills could not produce toxic dishes It wasn't tea As if poison was being added You don't believe it shiaoi remained skeptical of such exaggerated claims considering that one could hardly trust even a third of what the second brother said Of course I don't believe it How could that be possible el Shiaoing and Ji Yin exchanged glances and simultaneously warned "Just wait until you eat a bit more." Chapter 49 The master sulinary skills are truly unmatched After laboring for more than 2 hours Cha finally presented his meticulously prepared dishes Seven or eight exquisite plates adorned the modest table "Come everyone do taste," Shiaoing declared with an air of confidence "These are recipes I have devoted considerable time to perfecting." Shiaoi enchanted by the array of dishes that emanated a tantalizing aroma exclaimed "Master I had no idea you possess such remarkable culinary skills." She was genuinely surprised by her master's exceptional talent The vibrant colors and enticing scents indicated that these were indeed rare delicacies Why do senior brother and second brother seem so apprehensive el Shaaching and Jiian exchanged weary glances their expressions betraying a deep-seated trepidation El pointed at one dish and inquired "What is this?" Its appearance was reminiscent of a celestial maiden pursuing the moon Shiao Jung beaming with pride replied "This is called fairy chasing the moon crafted primarily from the exquisite ling mushroom complimented by other ingredients Ah a new dish." El Shaqings suspicion deepened accompanied by a hint of disdain Do you truly possess the talent to invent new recipes shaoqing with hands clasped behind his back and an air of superiority could not conceal his smugness as he retorted Of course it took me quite a while to research Jiians demeanor darkened He perceived that while his peers were stagnating in their cultivation they were wasting precious time on such trivial pursuits Shaqing s air of superiority quickly faded and he forced a chuckle I assure you this was merely a leisure endeavor I have not neglected my training Noticing her two senior brothers refusing to show any respect to their master Shiai promptly stepped in to defend him Senior brother you needn't be so harsh It's commendable for master to have a little hobby Shiao Chong eager to alleviate the tension urged "Let us not dwell on that Do try my dishes I am confident they will surprise you." His conviction in his culinary abilities was palpable Yet Ji Yin and El Shaqing remained unmoved their vigilance unyielding L gestured towards Jiian saying "Senior brother please go ahead." The senior brother should lead the charge fearless in the face of danger Jien however declined the invitation with a shake of his head insisting "You're the junior You should take the lead." Neither was willing to be the first to partake Both hoping the other would take the plunge Shiao E bewildered by their antics questioned "What are you both afraid of we cannot waste the dectible creations that master has painstakingly prepared for us It smells delightful What could possibly be wrong you both claim to be formidable cultivators How can you be so timid as your junior sister I find this quite contemptable El Shaqing and Ji Yin exchanged glances then simultaneously urged "You go first." The blatant disregard for his efforts irked Xiaoing If you won't eat I have a little disciple He turned to Shiao E little E Don't mind those two rascals You must try it With a cheerful demeanor Shia declared "I shall not hold back." She reached for the enticing dish eager to taste the new creation Fairy chasing the moon and exclaimed "It smells divine." However as soon as the ling mushroom touched her tongue her expression shifted dramatically Initially her taste buds were assaulted by bitterness overwhelming her senses as if she had swallowed a 100 bitter herbs The once dectable mushroom now resembled parched wood devoid of any flavor leaving only a dry coarse texture Furrowing her brows she wondered "What is this is it even edible surely Master hasn't he mistaken ancient wood for ling mushroom?" Instinctively she felt the urge to expel the contents of her mouth Seeing her distress Shiaoing hastily implored "No chew it a bit longer I assure you there is an unexpected delight within." Reluctantly Shia complied And to her astonishment the formerly desiccated mushroom began to release a liquid Could it be that a transformation was underway her heart brimmed with anticipation Yet in the next moment a wave of repulsion surged forth assaulting her senses with an intensity that felt as if her very soul were being provoked The taste was so vile that she felt as though she had consumed a dead rodent Overwhelmed her body trembled and her vision blurred as she succumbed to the nausea rushing aside to vomit Having spent nearly a month in the sword cave relying solely on spirit pills for sustenance she had little to expel Yet the revolting taste threatened to bring forth every ounce of bitterness within her After a prolonged bout of wretching her complexion grew pale and her legs quakd beneath her She felt utterly drained and the persistent nausea clung to her like a shadow refusing to dissipate mercilessly tormenting her Tears streamed down her face as she cried "How could I have been so foolish truly Master S skills are unparalleled El Shiaoing and Ji Yin regarded her with pity El sighed then began to revel in her misfortune You brought this upon yourself Perhaps you will learn a lesson for the future Ji Yin nodded in agreement His gaze filled with compassion If you do not learn from this you are indeed a fool El Shiao Jing turned to Jiian and asked "You wouldn't he dare try it now would you?" Jiian met his gaze would you they exchanged glances at Shia both breaking into smiles No need indeed With our little junior sister as the vanguard it is evident these dishes are inedible Master has no reason to compel us Shaqing stood in disbelief Struggling to comprehend the reaction of his disciple Was his culinary skill truly so abysmal trembling he picked up a piece of the dish tasting it himself While he did not vomit he fell into a deep state of self-doubt El Shiaoing positioned himself beside Shiao E inquiring with genuine concern Would you like to try something else shall I serve you shall we wept her tears flowing freely i realized my folly Please second brother do not mock me Regret washed over her Why until she heeded her senior brothers warnings their reactions had clearly conveyed numerous warnings and yet she had acted like a fool I'm not mocking you El Shiaoing replied earnestly Why not try another dish they smelled delightful How could there be a problem shia sobbed even more her tears cascading down Second brother you you are just mocking me El Shaqing grinned Now you understand the consequences of not heeding the advice of your seniors correct shiaoi nodded repeatedly I understand now I understand Then I suppose I must finish all the dishes on the table Her cries intensified tears flowing like a river Jien irritated nudged El Shaqing aside and turned to Shiao Ei All right enough of the tears You likely do not feel like vomiting anymore right shiaoi paused considering his words Although the nausea lingers the urge to vomit has subsided She glanced at El Shaqing who still wore a cheerful grin Are you not going to cry anymore perhaps El Shaing intentionally encouraged my tears to ease my suffering Conflicted emotion swirled within her her second brother was both exasperating and endearing Jien crossed his arms his sword resting on his back exuding an air of cool detachment Yet his tone remained gentle The after effects of Master S cooking may linger for a day or two You must endure Hearing this Shia felt the urge to cry rising once more This nauseating sensation is to persist for a couple of days Why did I not heed the warnings with no tears left to shed she longed to travel back in time and deliver a resounding slap to her former self At that moment a voice suddenly echoed from outside Xiaou of the Schwangu Valley request an audience Chapter 50 Did you get someone pregnant second senior brother in Shuermoon Valley A sense of astonishment enveloped the four of them Shiaoi momentarily forgot her feelings of disgust and exclaimed "It's the senior sister of Shuermoon Valley." After saying that her gaze fell upon Jiian Surely her senior sister came here seeking Ji Yin and not anyone else Moreover she is the first beauty of Chihua El Shiaoing leaned towards Jiian with a curious expression Did you get her pregnant i wouldn't have guessed You seem so refined Has spring arrived when did you two get involved or are you trying to avoid responsibility and she came looking for you jiian shot a displeased glance at El Shaqing If you utter another word do you believe I will deal with you today el Shaqing quickly changed his tone adopting a serious demeanor Right Senior sister Xia you must have important matters to discuss Shouldn't you go greet her a distinguished guest has arrived and as the senior brother you should welcome her Ji glanced at him dismissively Not interested I am going to cultivate Such matters do not require my involvement El Shaaching took a couple of steps closer His eyes fixed on Jiian Ji Yin maintained an impassive expression After a moment Jiian coldly asked "What do you want you seem anxious." El Shaqing replied Meeting Jiians gaze I can see it in your eyes Are you sure you haven't bullied anyone clang A long sword was drawn Shiaoi hurriedly interjected Senior brother you should go take a look You can'tt let master go can you senior sister Xiaou is the eldest disciple of Shuun Valley Her status is above Shaings It wouldn't be appropriate for him to greet younger disciples Besides master is not in a suitable state right now The only one fit for this task is you The senior disciple of Ling Xiao sect Jiian ordered El Shaing "You go." El Shaqing promptly slapped Jiians head from behind reclining back on the bench Am I sick why should I go i didn't get her pregnant Clang The long sword revealed another section of its blade to prevent an altercation Shiai spoke again Senior brother you can't expect me to go can you ji Yin surveyed the scene Master was still embroiled in deep self-doubt and would take time to recover As for El Shaqing he was lying on the bench like a fish out of water Realizing that he was the only suitable option Jiian had no choice but to step outside Shiaoi followed him out like a curious child However it wasn't long before Xiaoi bounced back in Her face a mixture of shock and excitement Second senior brother senior sister Xiaou is here to see you Me el Shiaoing was taken aback sitting up with a puzzled expression What does she want with me i don't know her Having only heard of Xiaawu as the first beauty of Chihua El Shiaoing had never met her He believed there was no connection between them So why would she come looking for him xiao Yis curiosity ignited her eyes sparkling Second senior brother Could it be that you have some history with senior sister Xiaou are you planning to deny her elshhating unceremoniously tapped her on the head What nonsense is your second senior brother that kind of person shiai held her head silently protesting If you're not that kind of person who is while they conversed Jiian brought Xiaou and her companions inside Upon seeing El Shaqing Bianuru was stunned then gritted her teeth You this detestable guy To encounter such an irritating man again was infuriating El Shaaching curiously retorted "And who might you be?" Yianruru fuming recalled her previous confrontation with El Shaqing He asked the despicable one who pretended to be a disciple of Guiwan Pavilion Xiaawu shook her head gently "Do not be rude Have you not yet seen Master Shiao?" The three of them bowed respectfully to Xiao Chong who had momentarily emerged from his self-doubt With a reluctant smile he asked Xiaawu "Did you come here to see Jiian?" Xiaawyu shook her head glancing at El Shaqing and politely replied I came to see young master L Shia brimming with excitement nudged El Shiaoing See second senior brother she is here for you El Shiaoing brushed her hand away Weve never met What could she possibly want from me senior sister Xiaawu are you sure you're looking for me el Shaing pointed at Ji Yin asking "Are you certain it's not this guy rest assured if he has done anything to wrong you I will have master take care of it." As he looked at Xiaou El Shaaching couldn't t help but admire her beauty embodying the elegance of the first beauty of Chihua akin to the moon goddess Ethereal and unattainable inspiring no impure thoughts Xiaou 2 was observing El Shaing Unlike Ji Yin who exuded a cold demeanor and an air of intimidation El Shiaoing had a charming appearance with sharp brows and bright eyes his long hair casually tied with a simple blue ribbon giving off an air of carefree nonchulence Even in the presence of the first beauty of Chihua he maintained a relaxed demeanor showing no signs of restraint Occasionally Xiau caught a glimpse of a mischievous spark in El Shaings eyes indicating that he was not as simple as he appeared with a gentle smile that brightened the room like a spring breeze Xiaawu said Then I shall be bold and address you as junior brother I have heard from senior brother Jiun that your strength is on par with his I have come to seek your assistance Beside her Fong Shao grew anxious Discreetly clutching her clothes This was her request She had informed Xiaou about that night as events but hoped El Shiaoing remained oblivious She did not want him to misunderstand her El Shaqing glared at Ji Yin fuming You're chasing girls while selling me out Are you insane he had hoped to lay low and avoid unnecessary trouble Even few in Ling Sha knew of his abilities Xiaawu was astonished Is this how you speak to your senior brother xi Yian replied coolly It's to save face for you El Shiaing was furious pointing at Jiian and cursing Who wants such empty flattery a spirit stone is far more useful Watching the two bicker Shiao Chong felt a headache coming on and shouted "Don't embarrass yourselves in front of outsiders." After silencing his two disciples he turned to Xiaou and asked "What assistance do you require you can seek Jiian as help." He knew his own disciple well Siau coming to ask El Shaqing for help was likely a wasted trip When Xiaou revealed her purpose mentioning a secret realm and a shortage of manpower everyone understood Those at the nent soul level were unable to enter the secret realm Elvia gazed at Ji Yin with a sense of Shoden Frauda remarking "Serves you right You advanced so swiftly and now it seems you find yourself at a loss in matters of romance Chapter 51 I regard the first beauty as a burden Lu Xiaoing unhesitatingly declined Xiaous request With a sincere expression he earnestly told her "Senior sister Xia you overestimate me My abilities are limited My presence would only complicate matters for you Please seek someone more capable." Xiaawu was taken aback not anticipating such a straightforward refusal from Lu Xiaoing It had been a long time since she had experienced the sting of rejection given her status and beauty Few who had interacted with her regardless of gender would dare to deny her request so bluntly Lu Xiaoin was the first No wonder Sister Shiao said he was difficult to engage with Biano who had never thought highly of Lu Xiaoing scoffed upon hearing him refuse her senior sister Are you afraid she taunted Lu Xiaoing did not deny it Instead he nodded in acknowledgement Indeed I am afraid The secret realm is perilous and I dare not venture there Bienro was momentarily speechless surprised by his candid admission of fear Men even ordinary ones are often preoccupied with their pride They would rather face death than admit to being frightened Witnessing Lu Xiaoings nonchilence infuriated Bienro Are you even a man she challenged Lu Xiaoing appraised her with a mischievous glint in his eyes responding I am a man Do you wish to test that scoundrel his flippant remark sent B and Rorow row into a fit of rage her feet stopping in frustration contemplating violence The other girls present felt their cheeks flush Shiao lowered her head distancing herself from Lu Xiaoing feeling embarrassed to be associated with such a rogue Shiaoing wanted to bury his face in his hands exclaiming "Stop spouting nonsense Senior Sister Xia came to ask for your help just a sister Yet Lu Xiaoing remained steadfast in his refusal Master if you wish to help her then do so yourself I shall not go It is too troublesome While Xiaou is known as the most beautiful woman in Xiho to lose Xiaoing the title equated to nothing more than trouble especially the kind that brings endless complications Merely being near Xiaou would invite jealousy and hostility from other men Why not embrace a peaceful existence instead of courting trouble in a soft gentle tone Siau explained "Master Shiao is a powerful yuaning stage expert The secret realm cannot withstand the pressure he exerts Thus only you Junior Brother Lu can assist me Why should I be of any worth to you why must I help lu Xiaoing shook his head resolutely Senior Sister Seia do not elevate me Should you seek aid you need only raise your hand and countless individuals would rush to your side willing to brave fire and water for you Spare me the trouble I am most averse to complications Lu Xiaoing mused internally Were it not for your beauty I would not bother engaging in such trivial conversation He then shot a warning glare at Ji Yin You caused this trouble You deal with her Ji Yin rolled his eyes in response coolly stating she came seeking you It is not my concern Lu Xiaoing was incensed Isn't this your doing step closer and stop pretending to be innocent If you do not handle her do not blame me for being unkind Ji coldly laughed his eyes gleaming with mischief Do you wish to fight i am in the yuaning stage Lu Xiaoing gritted his teeth in frustration If you dare lower yourself to my level and witness how I handle you Indeed Xiaoyu Fong Xiao and Bian Row felt their assessment of Lu Xiaoings strength elevate once more upon hearing his words To not fear Ji Yian at the same level of power spoke volumes of his formidable nature Xiaawu increasingly believed Fong Xiaos words and hoped fervently for Lu Xiaoings assistance With sincerity she made her request once more Junior Brother Lu please help me I cannot trust anyone else Lu Xiaoing was astonished glancing at Ji Yian What have you said to senior sister Xia to garner such trust surely you did not inform her of my unscrupulous nature and cowardly tendencies Everyone fell silent They had seen individuals boast of their invincibility and righteousness but had never encountered someone who openly admitted to being despicable and greedy Shia covered her face in disbelief Second brother while you may be that person how is it that you can declare it so boldly xiaawu took a moment to respond finally voicing her realization It appears Junior Brother Lu is unwilling to assist me Lu Xiaoing did not deny it responding honestly Indeed I am unwilling Fong Xiao joined in the persuasion Young Master Lu should you extend your hand to help sister you will not forget your kindness Spirit stones Lu Xiaoings expression shifted as interest sparked in his eyes Seeing this Sia presented her terms Spirit stones are negotiable I can provide as many as you desire Moreover within the secret realm lie rare treasures Anything you find will belong to you I will not compete for them As the top disciple of Shua Valley I have no shortage of spirit stones Lu Xiaoing hesitated Alas he was impoverished In the face of spirit stones he felt inclined to reconsider However gazing upon Xiaus stunning beauty he ultimately resolved to decline The first beauty was a source of imin trouble It was wiser to remain a low-key presence Spirit stones could be earned gradually In the end Lu Xiaoin shook his head expressing his dilemma No even with more spirit stones it is not worth it Fong Sha was astonished not expecting Lu Xiaoing to refuse again She scrutinized him closely This fellow was indeed extraordinary Despite his desires he could maintain self-control in the face of such temptation Xiaawu was equally surprised that at this point Lu Xiaoing still remained resistant His repeated refusals stirred a sense of defiance within her She resolved not to leave without persuading him today Shifting her gaze to Jiian she implored "Senior brother Ji you are my senior Could you assist in convincing Junior brother Lu?" Ji and glanced at Lu Xiaoing and remarked "If you wish him to help it is quite simple." "Simple?" Xiaawi thought having spent much of the day trying to persuade him without success Truly the senior brother had his methods Xiaawyus beautiful eyes turned toward Jiian eager to hear his strategy Jiians approach was straightforward and rather brutal With your strength give him a good beating I assure you he will comply Xiaawu and the others were taken aback Lu Xiaoing exploded in anger Whose side are you on is this how you treat your junior brother are you out of your mind chapter 52 You are my doubt partner yet I am reluctant Xiaou caught between laughter and tears found herself astonished by Jiians peculiar approach Was this truly the manner in which the people of Tanu Peak interacted nevertheless she had yet to witness Lu Xiaoings true capabilities and was uncertain of his actual strength Upon noticing Xiaawus scrutinizing gaze Lu Xiaoing felt a surge of annoyance and glared at her fiercely What do you wish to challenge me xiaou smiled gently and shook her head Junior brother Lu you just She was indeed eager to witness Lu Xiaoings prowess However acting upon Jiians suggestion to confront him would only serve to provoke Lu Xiaoqing without yielding any beneficial outcome On the other hand Biano was eager for her senior sister to take action against Lu Xiaoqing She wholeheartedly supported Jiians method Sister why not heed brother Jiians advice and spar with him if he proves inadequate we need not concern ourselves with him any further Xiaoyu at the eighth level of the foundation establishment stage had few rivals among the younger generation Lu Shutting appearing to be around 18 or 19 could hardly be her match With a light reprimand Xiaawu said "This is nonsense." Even when chiding her junior sister her voice remained melodious Lu Xiaoing scoffed "Come on do you think I'm afraid of you at worst I'll give you the most beautiful maiden a good beating." Xiaawu chuckled lightly attempting to soothe Lu Xiaoing There is no need for anger Junior Brotherl I genuinely hope you can assist me The secret realm was an incredibly rare opportunity vital to her Were it not for the pressing circumstances she would not have come here seeking help Compared to soliciting aid from strangers Lu Xiaoing seemed the most fitting candidate With his comprehension of sword intent and his cultivation at the foundation establishment stage he was sufficiently powerful Moreover he was a disciple of a prominent sect Shoqings apprentice and had connections with the elders of Shwang Yui Valley Lu Xiaoing was certainly trustworthy However the obstinacy of Lu Xiaoing posed a significant challenge Since Jiians method proved ineffective Xiaou turned her gaze towards Shoing who appeared to be in a days Uncle Shoing ever since the conclusion of the last competition Uncle has been eagerly awaiting your visit to Schwanua Valley Upon hearing this Shoqing instantly perked up his previously vacant expression sharpening into focus Sister Chin Yin truly said that his excitement was palpable Lu Xiaoing interjected cruy Of course not Do you really believe that shoing insensed rebuked his unruly disciple You quiet down and step aside Xiau stifled the laugh Knowing full well that Unclean had indeed advised her to visit Shoing and convey her regards Shoqing beamed with delight his face adorned with an uncontainable grin Sister Chin Yin is so thoughtful Lu Xiaoing continued his merciless taunting Master don't be deceived She's merely flattering you Do you not recognize your own nature unclean would never miss you The smile vanished from Shoqings face as he glared at Lu Xiaoing scolding Do you think everyone is like you stop causing trouble He then turned back to Xiaou maintaining his smile Nephew Xiaou this rascal lacks understanding Do not take offense Xiaawu shook her head Junior brother Louu is simply straightforward and genuine How could I be angry it is precisely because of his character that I hope he can assist me Uncle Shoing could you please persuade him xiaous expression was calm yet her tone carried a subtle plea that was difficult to refuse Of course Shochin would not decline Xiaawu was a disciple of Shuang Yua Valley which had a favorable relationship with Ling Xiao sect Moreover given his affection for Inian Yen he felt compelled to help Your second disciple is far too lazy Send him out to stretch his legs Shoqing commanded Lu Xiaoing Did you hear that hurry and assist your senior sister Lu Xiaoing was left speechless by his master s words A few words and you betray me He sighed in resignation Desire is the easiest way to unsettle the mind Master your cultivation of heart is insufficient You ought to reflect upon it Whenever Uncle is mentioned you seem enchanted And yet you claim to be a nent soul powerhouse Is this not embarrassing rascal Shoqing retorted angrily Stop preaching to me and quickly help your senior sister Lu Xiaoing pouted Why should I help just because you asked i refuse I am not like you Easily swayed by feminine allure Xiaus alluring lips parted slightly Her expression one of disbelief What kind of person was this junior brother Louu he scolded his senior brother yet showed no respect for his master Was he truly Shoings disciple or merely a rebellious student xiaawi was takenback by the unique dynamics among the people of Tianu Peak It was a novel experience for her As for Fong Xiao and Biano they were left at a loss for words especially Bienro Having previously interacted with Lu Shaqing she had been infuriated by his attitude Now it appeared that he treated not only her but also his master with the same disdain Yen Ror wrote bitter her lip her contempt for Lu Xiaoing growing ever deeper He was undeniably a detestable character Seeing his disciples disobedience Shaqings face flushed with anger He resorted to his trump card Do you believe I won't take you to task right now lu Xiaoing showed no fear embodying a bully's demeanor as he threatened Do you think I won't report you to uncle and for slandering me in an instant the group's perception of Shoqings authority diminished Rascal your senior sister traveled a great distance to seek your help What harm would it do for you to assist her shoqing refrained from mentioning any punishment for Lu Xiaoing Fully aware that this unruly disciple was capable of anything Shoqing felt a wave of frustration wash over him Why was he unable to reign in this troublesome disciple lu Xiaoing grinned mischievously So what if she traveled a long way i will not help Sia found herself gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges in dealing with him Indeed it was exceedingly difficult to negotiate No amount of flattery or threat seemed to sway him Shiaoi couldn help but chime in Second brother please assist senior sister Xiaawyu It would be merely a simple task for you Lu Xiaoing nonchalantly flicked her forehead If you wish to go then go I have no intention of joining you Wouldn't it be better to enjoy a leisurely nap instead shiai cast an apologetic glance at Xiaou realizing she was unable to be of much assistance Lu Xiaoing turned to Xiaawu Senior Sister Xiaou you should return Seek help from others I am afraid I cannot assist By the way we have plenty of experts in Ling Shiao sect If you don't know them let this fellow introduce you I assure you he will quickly gather a team for you Xiaawu fell silent for a moment before asking "Junior Brother Lu do you truly not wish to lend a hand?" Lu Xiaoing replied firmly "Indeed I do not wish to No matter what you say I am unwilling This is far too troublesome Even if you are my Dao partner I remain reluctant." Yenro scolded shameless Suddenly a mischievous grin crossed her face as she addressed Xiau Sister since he refuses to help let us stay here until he agrees Chapter 53 If you consume this feast I shall grant your wish Xiaawu was momentarily taken aback Then a smile danced upon her lips as she gazed at Lu Xiaoing her eyes shimmering like a clear spring Innocent yet sweet yet undeniably lethal What lu Xiaoing was momentarily stunned Bianuru however flashed a glimmer of triumph in her eyes and remarked to Lu Shiaqing once senior sister settles here The seers will swiftly be informed At that point the news will spread and the tranquility of Tianu Peak may well be shattered Lu Xiaoing dismissed her threat with indifference If you wish to stay then stay If you desire interviews then let it be Can I simply avoid trouble he then turned to Shiao Ei instructing "Help them tidy the room later." Xiaiu shook her head slightly realizing she could not sway Lucidi Yien Ruru huffed with confidence stating "When someone inquires why senior sister is here I shall inform them that she came for Lucid." Her expressions of pride intensified as she added "Are you not afraid of complications if you do not assist Senior Sister I will willingly attract trouble for you Let us see if you fear it." The others present understood Bienus implications and Lu Xiaoing felt a chill run down his spine Damn it This woman is ruthless Xiaou being the most beautiful woman in Chiha had countless admirers and pursuers According to Bianu it's suffice to say she was here for Lu Xiaoing and he would undoubtedly become the target of jealousy among the men of Chiha Peace would forever elude him Lu Xiaoing hesitated to assist Xiaawu precisely because being by her side would attract unwanted attention and trouble He gazed at Xiaou whose smile was as radiant as a blooming flower Yet he had no time to savor her sweetness He unleashed a tirade at Ben Ruru You are a venomous woman How dare you what kind of hero uses threats to justest with senior sister's reputation is utterly disgraceful Senior sister Xiaou expel her from the sect She is too malicious to taint Valley Yin Ru unfased smiled back I'm a woman I can't be considered a hero Lu Xiaoing then turned to Shiao Chong Master I intend to leave the mountain and never return Bienuru sensing victory pressed on Wherever you go I shall follow with senior sister Lu Xiaoing retorted without hesitation Are you insane i've realized you disciples from prominent sects are indeed deranged and quite severely at that Jiian chuckled clearly amused If one isn't ill how could they remedy you seeing Lu Xiaoing caught off guard brought in great joy Xiaoi tugged at Jiians sleeve asking elder brother is this all right is it somewhat unfair to pressure second elder brother like this x Jiian shook his head It's of no concern He hasn't he moved in ages It's good for him to stretch a bit Shia understood The main issue was that second elder brother had grown too lazy Both master and elder brother were in sync hoping to motivate him The appearance of senior sister Xiaawu provided the perfect opportunity Lu Shaqing ignored Ji Yin and looked at Bien Ruru pulling out the TNG token and gritting his teeth Malicious woman have you already contacted the seer do you need my assistance in reaching out to one mentioning the renowned seer residing in Ling Xiaos city he asked "Should I help you contact her?" Shiaoi stepped forward tugging at Lu Xiaoing as attire second elder brother Are you not afraid of trouble lu Xiaoing scoffed What do I have to fear who dares to trouble me i shall annihilate them But what if you can't win shia Yiis eyes sparkled How imposing Second elder brother if I cannot win I shall take refuge with the sect leader Let us see who dares to trouble the sect leader Shall we immediately gazed your bravado lasts less than 3 seconds Bianu was also at a loss This rascal proved resistant to reason and quite difficult to deal with Xiaawu shared her sentiments regarding Lu Xiaoing with newfound respect Indeed he was not easy to manage However this mystical realm was of utmost importance to her She could not allow it to be squandered Hence she turned her gaze toward Jiian silently pleading for his assistance Noticing her look Jiian suddenly moved his lips discreetly offering her advice With Ji Yian s guidance Xiaawu regained her confidence Her demeanor grew serious as she performed a deep bow to Lu Xiaoing Lu Shitti this mystical realm is exceedingly important to me I sincerely hope you can lend me your support Should you have any requests I will fulfill them if within my means I humbly request your assistance Senior Sister U Bienu was astonished by Xiau s unprecedented earnestness Her dissatisfaction with Lu Xiaoing intensifying She glared at him with fury This despicable man is truly unbearable Lu Xiaoing fell silent The gravity of Xiaawus sincerity left him at a loss He was unafraid of threats Yet this earnest plea was unlike anything he had faced before Lu Xiaoing turned to Jiian beside him irritated You're the one orchestrating this aren't you xiaawyua's team made such a sincere request until now He would not believe that no one was advising her from behind Jiian had the most familiarity with Tanu Peak even more so than their master Jien arms crossed responded coolly Do you have any evidence lu Xiaoing filled with rage retorted even without evidence I want to give you a beating I'm in the nent soul stage Lu Xiaoing was livid cursing Damn All you can ever say is that you're in the nent soul stage What is so impressive about that just you wait I'll grind you into the ground one day Xiaawu spoke up on Jiians behalf sincerely stating "Lucidi this matter has nothing to do with senior brother Ji I genuinely wish to seek your help I implore you." Lu Xiaoing felt a headache coming on This earnest demeanor left him defenseless making it hard to refuse He bowed to Xiaou earnestly stating "Senior sister Xiaou please spare me I truly am not suitable." Xiaou shook her head her beautiful eyes filled with conviction I trust my judgment You are the most suitable person Left with no recourse Lu Xiaoing s gaze fell upon the table laden with dishes prepared by their master He pointed at the feast and said to Xiaou "If you wish for my assistance it is not impossible If you can consume this entire spread I shall grant your request." Upon hearing this Shiao Cheng grew anxious Wishing to obliterate the food on the table He cursed "You brat don't go too far." Then hastily addressing Xiaawu he added "Senior sister Xiaou disregard his words The three women present were perplexed This demand seemed exceedingly simple The aroma wafting from the dishes was tantalizing They had caught a whiff of it upon entering Just the fragrance alone hinted at the deliciousness within Yet why was Xiaoing reacting so vehemently?" Chapter 54 "This dish is delicious What kind of condition is this?" Xiaawu inquired with curiosity "Is it really that simple?" Junior Brother L Xiaoing suppressed a smile and nodded calmly "Indeed as long as you partake in these dishes I shall grant your request Xiao Yis complexion turned pale and the nauseating sensation she had tried to forget resurfaced." She covered her mouth feeling quite unwell The culinary skills of her master were truly unforgettable "Surely senior sister Xiau would find it unbearable too." The second senior brother was quite cunning cleverly sideststepping Xiaawus request Xiaawu pondered in her heart Although she had not known El Shaing for long merely half an hour she had gleaned some understanding of him This situation was certainly not as straightforward as it appeared "Junior brother L are you serious?" she asked again El Shaching raised three fingers swearing earnestly "I assure you I am serious I can swear to it." This only deepened Xiaawus confusion Meanwhile Bianur scoffed "Sister could it be poisoned?" Bienuru harbored no fondness for El Shiaoing and often speculated about him with the utmost malice His behavior was undoubtedly abnormal Perhaps he intended to poison Xiaou couldn't help but cast a disapproving glance at her junior sister How could you think that it's impossible Bienu continued to conjecture Sister it seems he knows he cannot refuse you So he simply found a way out Although there was a possibility of that Xiaou still felt something was a miss Shutting interjected Xiaawu you need not pay him any mind You need not eat this dish He was adamantly against Xiaawu tasting the meal he had prepared Xiao Yis reaction had already spoken volumes If Xiaou consumed it and later informed in Shiny Yan he would be utterly humiliated Xiaawu smiled "It's all right Uncle Shiao I don't mind trying After all it did smell quite fragrant Could it be El Shaings culinary skills?" To Xiaou this condition seemed the easiest to fulfill She could not refuse To say she was afraid to eat out of fear of being ridiculed would be an understatement El Shaqing laughed heartily casting a glance at Shiaoing and enthusiastically encouraged This is my master's culinary art Come give it a try Shiaoing blushed and attempted to intervene Perhaps it's best not to El Shaqing pulled him aside Master do not meddle Though it felt slightly awkward Xiaawu chuckled lightly No worries I shall try it Yenura tugged at Fong Xiao and said to El Shaqing "Do you mind if we join on the contrary I was hoping you'd partake as well." El Shaqing provocatively replied "If you aren't afraid of dying you may try." Shiaoi wished to speak up in caution but a single glare from El Shaqing silenced her Xi Yian remained quiet standing by and observing Xiaou and the others He seemed to be anticipating something The enticing aroma wafting through the air puzzle Bianu It smells delightful Why would Uncle Shia not want us to eat fong Sha exclaimed "I never imagined the master of Shiao would possess such culinary skills I shall try it first." Bianuru being impulsive took the initiative and tasted the dish As the owner of the restaurant Fong Xiao also wanted to compare Shiaoings cooking with that of her chef The two almost simultaneously bid into their portions Their expressions changed drastically and soon just like Shiaoi they turned pale and felt extremely nauseous Ultimately they could no longer hold back and hurried to a corner to vomit Seeing Bianuru and Fong Sha wretching Shiai could not contain herself either The sensation overwhelmed her once more and she rushed to the side gagging In an instant three out of the four women present had succumbed to nausea Shiaoings face flushed crimson wishing he could find a hole to hide in He felt utterly humiliated and could only hope that Sisterin would not mind "I must strive to improve my culinary skills," he thought His gaze fell on Xiaou and he was taken aback Unlike Bianuru and the others Xiaawu did not appear sick In fact she continued to eat with great delight savoring the meal as if it were a true delicacy El Shaqing and Ji Yian were both stunned The three of them stared at Xiaou astonished Witnessing her reaction restored Xiaoings confidence He tentatively asked "Syia are you are you all right?" Xiau nodded showing no signs of distress Instead she expressed admiration It's wonderful Uncle Shiao Did you truly make this shut nodded His face tinged with embarrassment My skills are still lacking I hope you won't laugh at me Xiaou earnestly replied This is truly delicious Very tasty Your cooking is indeed comparable to that of Uncle and Shiaoings spirits lifted his eyes glimmering with excitement Really of course I would not deceive you Uncle Shiao El Shiaoing and Ji Yin exchanged glances Incredible Xi Yian stated candidly To be able to consume a dish made by his master without succumbing to nausea was a feat that left him at a loss for words Xi Yians eyes reflected admiration He respected strength El Shaqing marveled This woman is indeed formidable Do not pretend He chided Xiaou Sister Xiaou need not endure if it is too much If you cannot handle it you may join them It is not disgraceful for the most beautiful woman to vomit My master s dishes can be likened to potent poison If you cannot withstand it no one would mock you Xiaawu blinked confused by El Shas words Junior Brother L I do not comprehend your meaning This dish is indeed delicious akin to Uncle N's culinary skills Could it be true el Shaqing was astonished They have all vomited yet you remain unfaced If you can withstand it your endurance is nothing short of terrifying Even his eldest senior brother Ji Yen could not hold up against their master s cooking For a woman to endure it was it not fearsome sia shook her head Ruru and the others are overreacting I felt the same way when I ate uncle ants cooking Bienu cried out beside her Sister this is truly awful Ugg just like uncle ants Why are you unaffected uggh Bienu was on the verge of tears realizing that Shiaoing s cooking was just as unforgettable as that of her master and Shiny Yen Xiao Chong filled with delight asked "You also find Sister and's cooking delicious?" Xiau nodded continuing to praise quite good far superior to the average spirit chefs Fong Xiao eyes brimming with tears from wretching looked at El Shaqing and finally understood why he preferred takeout She grasped why he had particular standards when it came to food With a master like that one could hardly blame him El Shaing was left speechless as he observed Xiaawi tasting every dish on the table with great enjoyment Soon Sia turned to El Shaqing with a smile Resembling a celestial being Junior Brother L do you require me to continue eating i am already quite full I fear it may be a bit difficult to continue What could El Shaoling say in response to such a Xiaou he was utterly impressed to be able to eat his master s cooking without a flicker of discomfort He could not help but admire her Well then when shall we set off chapter 55 Am I not a burden will you not drive me away after departing from Tanu Peak Yenro inquired of Xiaou "Can we trust his words?" Just moments earlier Lu Xiaoing had consented to accompany Xiaou on an expedition to explore the secret realm However Bienro harbored no fondness for Lu Xiaoing filled instead with a hundred doubts concerning him A man of his ilk was certainly capable of breaking his word and she suspected he might be deliberately deceiving her senior sister to find an opportunity to vanish Xiaou in good spirits and with a gentle smile upon her face replied "I believe he will not deceive me He is not the sort of person who is untrustworthy Even a person as composed as Xiaawu felt a sense of accomplishment in persuading Lu Xiaoing." Yenro however scoffed "That may not be the case He is so despicable that nothing he does would surprise me It is truly vile to trick us into consuming such dreadful food The mere mention of the meals prepared by Shiao Chong made her stomach churn." Beside them Fong Xiao wore a similarly displeased expression Her brows knitted as she still felt nauseated by the earlier meal "Now I understand why young Master Lu is fond of the culinary skills of the chefs at my tavern," she remarked Xiaou with a puzzled look in her beautiful eyes asked "Why do you all find it so unpalatable i think it tastes quite decent far superior to ordinary culinary skills." Fong Shao astonished replied "Sister you are you serious i assumed you were merely enduring it to persuade young master Lu Bian Ro waved her hand in resignation Sister Shiao my senior sister's favorite dishes at Shuangua Valley are those prepared by Uncle N The culinary skills of Uncle Shiao are comparable to those of Uncle N So my sister genuinely finds them delicious Recalling the meal that was akin to poison Fong Sha gazed at Xiaawu with profound admiration No wonder you are the eldest disciple of Schwang Yui Valley You are truly exceptional Xiaawyu smiled faintly choosing not to dwell on the matter She herself was unsure why she felt differently from others finding no aversion to the cooking of in Chian Yin or Shiao Ching With sister Shiao and junior brother Louu joining me I feel confident about exploring the secret realm Bian Rou remained somewhat concerned sister do we not need to find others who knows if that fellow is reliable what if he turns out to be untrustworthy fong Shao expressed confidence in Lu Xiaoing saying "Sister Roro you need not worry Young Master Lu is immensely powerful I can assure you of that Bienro Row remained unconvinced retoring that may be so But what if he is a complete fool this could jeopardize my sister's important matters Xiaawu shook her head declaring I trust in Junior Brothers abilities Although I have yet to witness his strength firsthand the attitude of Ji Yin towards him is telling enough Xi Yin is the foremost among the younger generation of Chihua Someone whose approval is not easily won from his demeanor toward Lu Shaqing one can infer the latter's capabilities Yenro pursed her lips refraining from further argument out of respect for her senior sister though she remained unconvinced muttering "Hump once we reached the secret realm I shall show you." Two days passed In the appointed time arrived Lu Xiaoing made his timely appearance at Juian Tower Noticing Shia beside him Xiaawu asked "Young Master Lu what about sister Shiao?" Xiaoi cheerfully interjected Sister Xiaou may I accompany you lu Xiaoing feigned exasperation saying to Xiaou she insisted on coming along and I had no choice You could refuse and send us back Xiaoi protested Second brother loves to tell Fibs she pouted Did you not say you wanted me to come along how did it turn into me insisting on joining lu Xiaoing admonished What do you understand if sister Xiaawu disagrees it would be just right for us to be sin away together Why would you openly state that in front of me ciu was left speechless for her What mattered was Lu Xiaoings assistance Whether Shiai accompanied them was of little consequence She replied "If Junior brother Lu wishes to bring Sister Shiao then there is no issue." Lu Xiaoing was taken aback With her level of ability she hasn't even reached the foundation establishment stage Do you truly believe she won't be a burden you should send her away to avoid hindering your endeavors Xiaawyu gazed at Lu Xiaoing with a serene smile that was quite captivating saying "If I were to dismiss Sister Shiao you would then have an excuse to leave as well would you not?" Lu Xiaoing quickly denied "How could that be i am not that sort of person." Though he spoke Xiaawu could discern his true intentions Xiaawyu smiled sweetly Sister Shiao has mentioned that Junior Brother Lu is quite difficult to deal with I have come to experience this myself However since you wish to bring Sister Shiao along I trust you have your reasons So how could I refuse yenro huffed clearly displeased I see you wish to use her as a shield Lu Xiaoing pretended to be shocked You do not speak nonsense His faint guilt elicited a silent chuckle from the others Your demeanor makes it easy for people to misunderstand Even Shiai couldn't help but glance at her second brother wondering if there might be some truth to it However recalling Lu Xiaoings various actions she quickly dismissed the thought How could her second brother be that kind of person at that moment someone entered and whispered to Fong Xiao She turned to Xiaou Sister Yu the flying boat is ready Xiaawu nodded and addressed Lu Xiaoing Junior brother Lu are we ready to depart it is quite a distance from here to the secret realm Lu Xiaoin shrugged nonchalantly Let's set off then The flying boat resembled a small leaflike vessel used by mortals for fishing It had a canopy in the middle and as soon as Lu Xiaoing boarded he wasted no time in lying down within Vienno infuriated exclaimed "I've never seen such an insufferable person Move aside You are a grown man and yet you lie about here." Lu Xiaoing remained resolute as if he had taken root lying stiffly and responding "What is it not permissible for a man to lie here?" Bian Row was incensed This scoundrel was truly unbearable and she longed to give him a good thrashing Are you suggesting we stay outside lu Xiaing remained obstinate If you wish to by all means go ahead I'll be staying right here If you have an issue with that you can send me back Right Sister Xiaou xiaou reassured Ben Ro There is ample space here Let us sit After which she sat cross-legged Benro's face flushed with anger as she mumbled I have never encountered such shamelessness She chose to sit directly opposite Lu Xiaoing Her large eyes fixed intently upon him The flying boat soared into the sky racing toward the southwest direction of Ling Sha City Chapter 56 the contagion of ignorance Bianura wished to slay Lu Xiaoing with her gaze her furious eyes fixed upon him Yet after a long while Lu Xiaoing remained unmoved while Bianura found herself increasingly uncomfortable Her eyes grew dry and more importantly a sense of unease settled within her Xiaou who observed this scene was taken aback Under normal circumstances even a cultivator would feel uneasy when subjected to such an intense stare However Lu Xiaoing remained unfaced treating the beautiful Bianuru as if she were heir showing no signs of discomfort Fong Xiao quietly chuckled having long since experienced Lu Xiaoings demeanor His skin was exceptionally thick and his mental fortitude was remarkable In comparison Bianura seemed rather Na'vi Realizing that she could not intimidate Lu Xiaoing Bianu shifted her gaze to Xiaoi Little E she said drawing closer and taking her hand With a second senior brother like him you must be cautious Unable to confront him directly she sought to influence her junior sister Shiais curiosity was peaked her large eyes sparkling with confusion as she asked "Sister Ruru why do you say that second senior brother treats me very well." This was indeed true Lu Xiaoing had been kind to her though he occasionally incited her frustration He had genuinely cared for her even allowing her to comprehend the essence of his sword intent something her father could not achieve Seeing Shiao Yis innocent expression Bien Ruru felt a pang of sympathy The girl was like a Nave little rabbit ins snared by a cunning wolf How unfortunate for such a lovely young lady to encounter a scoundrel It was imperative to rescue her and make her aware of the wolf's wickedness With sincere concern Bianu continued Little E do not be deceived by him A person like him is utterly shameless You must be vigilant lest he sells you out Shiaoi turned to Lu Xiaoing grinning as she asked Second senior brother would you sell me without hesitation Lu Xiaoing replied "If someone wants you I wouldn't mind selling you." Sister Xiaou would you like a bed warmer for 998 spirit stones you can take her home She can work during the day and warm your bed at night Perfect Not a thousand just 998 Xiaoi was furious shaking her small fists in indignation Second senior brother how can you say such things am I worth that little spirit stone seizing the opportunity Bianuru pointed at Lu Xiaoing disdainful of his behavior Look at him someone who only values spirit stones You must be careful He might actually sell you Xiaoi shook her head expressing unwavering trust in her second senior brother No way Second senior brother is not that kind of person Having spent months at Tan Yu Peak Shiai had come to regard it as her second home To her Lu Xiaoing was akin to an older brother and she could not believe he would betray her Bienuru witnessing Shiao Yis blind trust felt her teeth grind in frustration "How can you be so naive you must be on guard against him Do not trust him It is clear he is no good." Shiai displeased retorted You can criticize second senior brother but not incessantly Sister Ruru you cannot speak ill of him He is a good person If you keep saying such things I will be angry Bianuru was left speechless her heart a flame with frustration How could this little rabbit be so innocent lu Xiaoing scoffed mocking Bianurus misguided confidence Do you truly believe you can disrupt the bond between his siblings with mere words the little red creature perched on his head chirped in agreement seemingly supporting Lu Xiaoings sentiment Yen Ruru fuming declared "I am merely speaking the truth You are clearly not a good person I am warning little not to fall victim to someone like you Lu Xiaoing intrigued turned to Xiaawu and asked Sister Xiaou Is your junior sister truly sane bianuru and sensed shot back What do you mean by that xiaou curious inquired why do you say so lu Xiaoing cast a pitying glance at Benuru suggesting she doesn't seem to have a sound mind does she he made a circular motion above his head joking Surely she isn't mentally impaired Scoundrel Yenura nearly drew her sword in fury You are the one who is mentally impaired If you are not then why do you speak such foolishness luachiing fain confusion I appear to be a good person How can you claim I am bad if anyone had a discerning eye they would see I am the kindest person in existence Oh wait I forgot You lack such insight Which is why you lost 3,000 spirit stones to me Yen Rus hair stood on end with rage I swear I will kill you Fong Xiao observing the exchange struggled to contain her amusement Realizing why Lu Xiaoqin continued to provoke Bien Ruru it all stemmed from those 3,000 spirit stones Fong Shao regarded Bien Ruru with pity knowing she would have to face the consequences of her situation Ruru do not act recklessly Xiaou admonished sensing the tension in the small vessel Bien Rurus foundation building strength was sufficient to shatter it She desperately wished to pierce Lu Xiaoqing with her sword Xiao E grasping Bien Rurus hand Gently advised Sister Ruru you are no match for second senior brother Do not seek your own humiliation Even our master cannot contend with him You are even less his equal Only the senior brother can hold sway over him Lu Xiaoing warned Shiai Child keep your distance from her Ignorance is contagious I do not wish for a foolish junior sister If you catch her ignorance I will have to ask the master to expel you from the sect Unlike sister Xiaou I cannot afford to have a foolish junior sister without concern for ridicule My pride is thin I fear mockery Bien Ruru infuriated felt her anger boil over As her spiritual power surged she shouted "I will kill you." However just as her power erupted Siau restrained her with a firm hand Commanding Ruru Yen Ruru halted by Xiaou regained her composure with red eyes she expressed her grievances Sister he is bullying me Xiaawu sighed inwardly Knowing it was Bian Ruru who had instigated the conflict Had she not provoked Lu Xiaoing first he would not have retaliated in such a manner Bienuru pouted feeling both anger and injustice It was indeed her initial provocation that led to Lu Xiaoings retort shattering her composure with just a few words That wretched scoundrel Just you wait Bienu gritted her teeth casting a venomous glare at Lu Xiaoing her resentment only deepening To prevent further discord Xiaawu addressed Lu Xiaoin saying "Lucidi while we have the time let us discuss the details regarding the secret realm." Chapter 57 The essence of respecting elders and cherishing the young at Tanu Peak El Shaings gaze remained fixated on the TNG plate disregarding Xiaou entirely he remarked nonchalantly "It's nothing There's no need to say anything It holds no significance for me." Despite Xiaous calm demeanor she felt a flicker of irritation at his words Surely you do not intend to contribute without effort She mused internally This secret realm was of great importance to her which was why she had sought help After a moment's contemplation Xiaawu settled into the position previously occupied by Bienro directly facing El Shaqing and mirrored her intensity While El Shaqing could easily ignore Bienro's gaze he found it impossible to do the same with Xiaou the renowned beauty of Chihua Feeling her scrutiny El Shaqing finally lost his composure Senior Sister Xiao I am aware of my own charm Please do not fall for me You are not my type How shameless Bienro could not help but scoff deeming El Shaings behavior akin to that of a toad Xiaawu felt her cheeks flushed slightly throughout her career No one had ever teased her as El Shaqing did Yet she maintained her fixed gaze on him El Shiddi are you certain you do not wish to hear about the circumstances of the secret realm faced with Xiaous unwavering stare El Shaqing conceded putting away the Tangi plate Very well speak I shall listen A smile brightened Xiaus face She had triumphed in this exchange She proceeded to explain the secret realm According to her it was a five element realm divided into five distinct areas: metal wood water fire and earth One must locate and defeat the core of each element within its respective region to pacify it Only by stabilizing all five areas could one fully explore the secret realm and uncover the heart of the realm Xiaous expression returned to calmness as she continued in a measured tone "My junior sister and I spent half a month pacifying the wood attribute area However I have noticed that the spiritual energy within the realm dissipates rapidly At most we have one or two months left I am concerned we may not have enough time which is why I sought the assistance of Elshiddi and Sister Shiao The treasures found within are to be divided among you Elshiddi and Sister Shiao I only desire the heart of the realm Upon hearing this El Shaqin could not help but glance at Xiaou Was she planning to use the heart of the realm to enhance her strength and break through to the core formation stage the heart of the realm was a priceless treasure unattainable even with vast amounts of spirit stones If it were anyone else El Shiaoing would surely negotiate Senior Sister Xiao are you certain that you are the only one privy to this secret realm he inquired Xiaawu nodded affirmatively I obtained this information at great cost However El Shaqing disagreed You may have paid a high price but others could have done the same Xiaawus tone turned serious as she began to grasp El Shas implication El Shidditty are you suggesting the spiritual energy of the secret realm dissipates so quickly What do you think xiaus previously calm demeanor shifted to one of concern The energy was dissipating because someone had opened the secret realm If multiple entrances were opened the energy would deplete even faster Given the current pace of dissipation El Shaqing implied that others had also entered the realm possibly from other locations Realizing this Xiaawus heart raised with anxiety The heart of the realm was crucial for her Botman can you hasten our journey she called out Elshaing interjected What is the rush even if we speed up we cannot change the essence of time If the realm has been breached it is of little concern We can simply seize it His tone remained calm as if he dismissed the matter entirely even yawning lazily as he spoke For reasons she could not fathom Xiaou found her composure restored upon witnessing El Shias demeanor She cast a meaningful glance at him and replied with a smile "You are right El Shitty There is no need to rush." Xiaawu understood that El Shaqing was even more formidable than she had initially perceived In terms of mental fortitude he surpassed her amusingly She had always prided herself on her emotional resilience remaining unaffected by external circumstances Yet today her composure wavered She could not help but marvel at El Shaqing recognizing him as a worthy disciple of Jeene Far from ordinary a pair of exceptional talents What was even more astonishing was that El Shaqing had joined Shaoing sect alongside Gene Gene was renowned for his brilliance defeating countless opponents and establishing himself as the foremost among the youth of Chihua In the face of the formidable Gene other young talents lamented their inability to compete retreating in defeat While they were aware of Gene from Tianu Peak they were oblivious to the existence of his junior brother who had remained hidden from the public eye for so long maintaining an astonishingly low profile As these thoughts unfolded curiosity about El Shaqing blossomed within Xiaawu She could not resist asking "Lhitti how does your strength compare to that of brother Jean?" El Shaqing boldly proclaimed "I could easily pin him down but out of respect for my senior brother I usually let him win." He delivered this statement with such naturalness that his expression remained unflinching Xiai was taken aback "So formidable," Shiai chimed in unable to resist "Second senior brother stop boasting When have you ever bested the senior brother in a match?" El Shaqin shot a glare at his sister I said "I let him win Do you not believe me?" The essence of Tianu Peak is to respect the elders and cherish the young Cough cough Upon hearing El Shaings words both Xiaawu and Fong Xiao nearly choked Bian Ros disdain was unrestrained Respect the elders and cherish the young I see nothing of the sort All I witness is your disrespect towards your master and your brother El Shiaoing dismissed her remarks with indifference Shia defended her brother sister Rorow Row You do not understand Initially I too was perplexed but I eventually grasped it Whether it is the master or brother they are all individuals of genuine character acting according to their whims They do not cling to superficial etiquette They do as they please Although they may just about violence I firmly believe that in critical moments my master and brother would never falter They would willingly lay down their lives for one another Xiaawu found herself unable to extract the answers she sought Undeterred she posed a second question El shitty If you possess such strength why do you remain so inconspicuous bienro scoffed Is he really that impressive i do not see it at all Shiao e grinning responded to Xiaou Senior sister Xiao I know the answer It is simply because the second senior brother is lazy Chapter 58 Entering the secret realm The answer seemed unexpected yet not surprising Xiaou and Fong Shao displayed no change in their expressions as though they had anticipated this response Bienro sees the opportunity to scorn declaring him a lazy worm This little lady clearly lacks eloquence Lu Xiaoin corrected Bienro No it's a dragon B how shameless Have you looked in the mirror to see what you are handsome I avoid mirrors I fear vanity Bienro nearly spat blood Having witnessed shamelessness before but never to this extent Xiaawu questioned unable to believe that Lu Xiaoing could be so indolent Lu Shitty are you truly that lazy lu Xiaoing reclined once more even propping up his feet Do not listen to her nonsense This is not laziness It is the art of enjoying life Is there any joy in merely cultivating or engaging in fights like senior brother with so much free time why not save her life what is the point of fighting to the death his assertive reasoning left everyone speechless Shiao E with a playful smile added fuel to the fire Addressing Xiaou and the others "Sister Xiaou Sister X Shiao Sister Roro do not believe second senior brothers words master said he is a genius He can afford such a lifestyle." Lu Shaqi waved his hand dismissively showing no embarrassment "Enough flattery I might actually feel shy." Shiai decided to ignore her thick-skinned senior brother turning to Xiaou Sister Xiaou let us not concern ourselves with him Xiau nodded and the four women began to weave a lively conversation about perfumes cosmetics attire and gossip To Lu Xiaoings surprise Xiaou the esteemed senior sister of the Shwangua Valley who usually spoke little was now animatedly engaged in this discourse He shook his head beused at the shared nature of women The flying boat sped swiftly yet it took three days to reach their destination The five stood at the entrance of the secret realm Xiaawus gaze was serious as she addressed Lu Xiaoing Lucidi once we enter you shall be responsible for a designated area We are aware there may be others within the realm so I harbor some concern Let us expedite our exploration and find the heart of the secret realm Lu Xiaoing nodded All right I will explore the fire attribute area with Sister Xiau turned to Fong Xiao and Bian Row Row Sister Shiao Roro let us three join forces and explore swiftly Having made arrangements Xiai took a deep breath and declared "Let us proceed." A flash of white light enveloped them and the space slightly warped as Lu Xiaoing entered the secret realm Upon entry he sensed the abundant spiritual energy in the air Compared to the outside world this place was indeed rich in spiritual essence However upon closer inspection he noted a gradual decline in the concentration of spiritual energy indicating its dissipation within the realm Xiaou eyes closed in concentration remarked "Time is of the essence We have roughly a month Let us hasten our pace She then offered a respectful bow to Lu Xiaoing Lucidi I entrust this to you After discerning a direction she departed Second brother where do we go shiaoi inquired cradling her pet Hong Lu Xiaoing pointed toward a direction That way the area was rich in fire attributes Its warmth palpable even from a distance Let us go Shia exclaimed dashing forward Lu Xiaoin shook his head and leisurely followed Excited by her first exploration of the secret realm Shiai giggled frolicking with Hong along the way Lu Xiaoing cautioned from behind Be careful This is not the outside world Danger lurks everywhere Shia turned back wrinkling her nose in disbelief It looks so beautiful here What danger could there be the secret realm is formed through disruptions and spatial currents akin to a river encountering an obstruction and forming whirlpools The secret realm represents these whirlpools of spatial turbulence Existing in the real world the spiritual essence contained within is denser than that of the outside producing various rare treasures Yet it also harbors numerous dangers If one could stabilize the structure of the realm it might become a small paradise or when handled by powerful beings a wondrous abode However rather than converting a secret realm into a celestial paradise those powerful beings prefer to create their own As a personally crafted abode is safer and more satisfying Cultivators at the naent soul stage and above cannot enter the secret realm due to its weakness against their overwhelming power Yet entities within the realm may surpass even the nent soul level A novice like Shia venturing alone into the secret realm would likely find herself in perilous straits Initially the spiritual energy in the realm is rich making everything here more favorable than the outside world Beautiful scenery included Enraptured by the exquisite sights Shia exclaimed in delight Junior sister look that flower ahead is stunning You should pluck it Luaching pointed to a vibrant purple flower blooming splendidly in the breeze about Ting Jang away Upon seeing it Shias eyes sparkled with excitement Indeed it's so beautiful She dashed toward the purple blossom Meanwhile Hong fluttered back to perch on Lu Xiaoings shoulder calling out to him With a mischievous grin Lu Xiaoing mused "Let her learn a lesson Otherwise she might think this place is a paradise." As Shiai reached out to pluck the flower it suddenly transformed The slender purple petals morphed into a terrifying visage "Roar uh!" Shiai screamed like a startled quail A fierce creature resembling a purple tiger leaped forth its length exceeding a Jeang exuding an imposing presence "Hong Kong purple beast." Lu Xiaoing chuckled Delighted You've learned your lesson Haven to you This is a beast that only appears in secret realms Adept at disguise with strength comparable to latestageqi refinement Second brother help Shiaoi cried sprinting toward Lu Xiaoing However the Hong Kong purple beast moved faster than she anticipated leaping in front of her bearing its large gaping ma as it lunged to bite H Shia hastily dodged entirely forgetting to fight back shouting "Second brother save me." Lu Xiaoing however had no intention of intervening his tone growing serious "No one will save you If you wish to continue following me you must defeat it." Tears welled in Shiao s eyes as the Anong purple beast enraged by her evasive maneuvers unleashed a furious roar its spiritual energy surging around it Its fury was palpable and it lunged toward Shia with even greater speed like lightning In terror she cried out brandishing her sword the energy of her blade swirling Chapter 59 A girl I adore With a piercing shriek the Hong Kong purple beast let out a whale blood splattering in all directions Under the fierce sword intent of Xiaoi it was torn aunderder and met its demise Although it appeared formidable its power was far inferior to that of Shiai Meanwhile Shia remained with her eyes shut shouting loudly her long sword swirling incessantly As she swung countless sword beams erupted wreaking havoc upon the surrounding flora In the wake of the sword's brilliance everything lay shattered "Enough!" Lu Xiaoings voice rang out "How long will you cower in fear?" Upon hearing his words Shiai finally dared to open her eyes gazing at the pile of mangled flesh that had once been the Hong Kong purple beast Her face remained pale yet disbelief flickered within her "Did I did I truly kill it?" Lu Xiaoing patted her head "How about that do you believe me now this is a secret realm not the outside world Are you beginning to comprehend the danger realization washed over Shiai and tears welled in her eyes Second senior brother you are too cruel You could have just told me You nearly scared me to death Lu Xiaoing scoffed Look at you Even if I told you to just swallow your fears it would have been feudal And you thought the scenery was beautiful Now you see how beautiful it truly is For Lu Xiaoing no amount of explanation could compare to the value of firstirhand experience Shia was utterly disheartened Lu Xiaoing patted her head again and said "Let us move on." As he ambled along Shia recalled her master's words "Second senior brother never engages in meaningless endeavors The recent experience had given her a profound understanding." Despite appearing unreliable there was an undeniable sense of security in his presence Suddenly Shia chuckled "Second senior brother Wait for me." As she followed him with a silly grin Lu Xiaoing raised an eyebrow Are you sure you weren't frightened senseless of course not She retorted Then why do you look so dazed he chided Hide that expression If others see it they might think master has taken in a dim-witted disciple How embarrassing Fuming Shiaoi waved her fists Second senior brother your words are truly vexacious Who is dazed or dim-witted honestly second senior brother with your attitude no girl would ever fancy you Luiaing scoffed Love what importance does it hold compared to spirit stones who needs a girl's affection what a hassle Xiao Yis eyes widened in surprise Her curiosity ignited once more Second senior brother does that mean you don't fancy girls or perhaps you prefer men no wonder you and Big senior brother have such a lovehate relationship Without a moment's hesitation Lu Xiaoing slapped her warning "Stop with these nonsensical ideas." Shiai clutched her head Her curiosity peaked "Second senior brother Do you have a girl you like perhaps sister Xiaawu I think he would make a fine pair Though you and Big senior brother also seem well matched Lu Xiaoing slapped her again His tone serious Do not spread such rumors If word gets out and I get into trouble I will deal with you first Not interested then what about sister Inchi from Ling Sha sect lu Xiaoing replied curtly She has feelings for big senior brother Be careful with your words If she hears you you might find yourself in a predicament Besides she is a tyrant Whoever fancies her is doomed Shiao e disappointed by the lack of gossip Pressed second senior brother Do you truly not have a girl you like should I introduce someone to you at her question Lu Xiaoing nodded If we are speaking of someone I like there is indeed one Really shiao Yis spirits lifted her body trembling with excitement This was monumental gossip Her reclusive second senior brother had someone he admired Who is it who is this remarkable girl who has captured your attention shiaoi was eager unable to contain her curiosity about the girl who had caught second senior brother's eye It must be someone truly extraordinary Lu Xiaoing stroked his chin a mischievous smile on his face She is indeed quite special and you are familiar with her Who who shia was increasingly intrigued Second senior brothers face radiated happiness Which girl was fortunate enough to win his admiration yet as Shiai pondered she could not fathom any girl she knew who was worthy of second senior brother's affection Gaining his approval was no small feat Shiai tugged at Lu Xiaoings sleeve urging "Second senior brother please don't keep me in suspense You must tell me." Her heart raced feeling as though it were caught in a storm Not knowing the answer made her breathless Lu Xiaoing chuckled "All right I shall reveal it to you It is your cousin Shiaun." Shiaun Shia was taken aback left speechless for a moment Why why her she found it hard to believe that her cousin known for her arrogance and unruliness could be the object of second senior brother's affections If it weren't for their grandfather being a powerful entity she would have faced dire consequences long ago How could such a cousin whom Shia held in disdain be worthy of second senior brother's admiration what was it about him that made him so easily swayed shia looked at Lu Xiaoing Are you serious lu Xiaoing nodded earnestly Indeed I have a fondness for her storage ring Shiai felt as if she had sustained an internal injury Is that what you mean by like lu Xiaoing shot her a puzzled look Of course Why else would I admire her she traveled great distances to gift me that storage ring A girl like her I wish to encounter more Xiaoi felt an overwhelming urge to wretch You can't be serious After all this time your affection is merely for her possessions She gazed at Lu Xiaoing incredulously You can'tt still be thinking about her can you lu Xiaoing did not deny it nodding seriously Yes she is the granddaughter of a nent soul expert Soon she will replenish her losses At that point I might ask for a favor Shia felt even more exasperated shaking her fists in frustration I refuse to help you Lu Xiaoin was astonished You are being rather stingy aren't you it's not a big deal Next time I can share a little with you Just think about it Her grandfather is a nent soul expert Surely he possesses valuable items If we could procure one or two we would be set for life Shia felt a surge of panic You really have such intentions Second senior brother she hasn't even come to settle accounts with you yet What has to fear if she comes it's perfect I'll continue to reap benefits from her Chapter 60 The fire toad As the two conversed they continued their journey forward The scenery along the path gradually transformed Initially the landscape was vibrant with the essence of spring trees flourishing and flowers blooming abundantly However as they ventured deeper the ground's temperature began to rise leaves turned a withered yellow and some even charred black A thick white mist enveloped the surroundings obscuring their spiritual sense and making exploration increasingly difficult The air was laden with the scent of sulfur Shia surveyed her environment and could not help but inquire "Elder brother have we arrived?" Lu Xiaoing gazed into the distance where the sky was a deep crimson and heavy smoke billowed upward The temperature around them intensified and the air became dry Before their eyes lay a scene painted in shades of red with remnants of charred trees scattered across the ground exuding an aura of desolation Beyond that a vast expanse stretched out obscured from view Lu Xiaoing nodded affirming "Indeed this is the fire attribute region within the five element secret realm." Shai's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she carefully asked "What should we do have you explored this area before?" Lu Xiaoin shook his head He had mostly stayed at home before having only ventured into the secret realm a few times This was his first foray into the five elements secret realm However he felt no trepidation After all had he never seen a pig run after eating one he replied "Did not senior sister Xiau mention we need to locate the fire lord here and defeat it Let's search slowly In the five elements regions there were five lords They functioned like the focal points within a formation Once found and eliminated the area would be considered conquered Shia muttered "Which one is the lord what does it look like?" Senior sister Xiau did not elaborate Lu Xiaoing took it upon himself to enlighten his novice sister explaining that the lords did not possess a fixed form They could manifest as a stone a tree or even a ferocious beast This is common knowledge Have you not read any books xiaawi shook her head responding No I prefer shopping over reading Seeing Lu Xiaoings disdainful gaze upon her she stuck out her tongue and quickly smiled But with you here I don't have to worry so much Lu Xiaoing let out a cold laugh stating "If that is the case then you shall take the lead this time Since you do not read you shall gain experience through practice." Shia's face fell Elder brother I'm scared Scared of what you are now at the ninth level ofqi refinement The monsters here generally do not exceed the foundation establishment stage The lords are at most at the golden core stage With me here what is there to fear engage in more battles and strive to break through during combat This exploration of the secret realm is your chance to reach the foundation establishment stage Shiao Yis eyes widened in shock Elder brother is that the reason you brought me here lu Xiaoing chuckled softly but said nothing Xiao filled with admiration for Lu Xiaoing thought to herself I assumed "What did you assume?" Lu Xiaoing interrupted her thoughts articulating her unvoiced sentiment "You thought I brought you here to find an excuse to avoid this place?" Shiaoi bit her lip and nodded admitting "Indeed that was my thought." Although she had comprehended the sword intent and successfully reached the ninth level ofqi refinement upon exiting the sword cave she still lacked the final push to enter the foundation establishment stage After all achieving completeness required more time for cultivation Even with the aid of medicinal pills it would take at least a month or two To her surprise Lu Xiaoing had not given up He was still adhering to his promise with Ji Yin to comprehend the sword intent and reach the foundation establishment stage within 2 months nearly the foundation establishment stage As long as your comprehension is sufficient a breakthrough can occur at any time Shia felt deeply moved her eyes misting over Elder brother you are truly kind to me Lu Xiaoing huffed I will not return the spirit stones that the senior brother gifted me Shiais sentiment evaporated instantly as she turned her head away in annoyance Such an elder brother made it difficult for her to remain touched Lu Xiaoing proceeded forward without looking back stating "Let us go Stay vigilant Danger lurks at every turn." Still miffed Shia wielded her sword declaring "If anything dares to approach I shall cleave it in two." After speaking she spotted a stone on the ground and kicked it fiercely The charred stone flew into the air accompanied by a croak A toad with blackened skin on its back a bright red belly and swollen cheeks appeared Shia was startled exclaiming "What is that?" Lu Xiaoing calmly explained "That is a fire toad with strength roughly at the mid-level ofQi refinement It is poisonous." Upon hearing this Shiai felt a wave of disdain thinking it weaker than herself She scoffed "A mere fire toad How pathetic." After this she raised her finger in contempt towards the creature The fire toad with its cheeks puffed stared intently at Shia seemingly provoked by her challenge It croked loudly and unleashed a stream of venom directly at her face Shiai easily dodged watching as the toxic liquid splattered on the ground sizzling and producing white smoke "How toxic!" she gasped staring at the deep pit left behind her teeth gritting in anger "You dare to bully me what a joke!" Furious Shia charged forward delivering a powerful kick to the fire toad's belly The creature rolled over its eyes turning white and it was sent flying like a ball leaving behind a series of croakkes Shiai clapped her hands in triumph A mere fire toad dares to be arrogant before me However when she turned around she found Lu Xiaoing keeping his distance Elder brother what are you doing lu Xiaoings voice carried an air of anticipation as he replied I forgot to mention one thing Fire toads are social creatures and hold grudges As his words fell a chorus of furious croakkes erupted around them The surrounding blackened stones began to stir revealing a multitude of fire toads A glance showed them to be densely packed countless in number Xiao Yis scalp tingled as she realized she had been surrounded "Elder brother help!" she cried out desperately Lu Xiaoing remained unmoved calling from afar "You can handle them Did you not say they are mere fire toads so pathetic you should be able to deal with them." Shiai looked at him only to find Lu Xiaoing had settled into a spot leisurely sitting down from his storage ring He produced a plate of boiled spirit beans and began to enjoy them with Xiao Hong Shia felt as if she could spit blood So you intend to watch the show growing frantic she shouted "Eldder brother stop toying with me How can I possibly fight so many fire toads?" Lu Xiaoing popped a spirit bean into his mouth replying "I am not joking You must handle this yourself Do not expect me to save you Damn it foolish bird If you want to eat peel it yourself." With no hope of assistance Shiai was on the verge of tears Just then another croak resonated and the surrounding fire toads began their assault Chapter 61 Inferior creatures perish They puffed up their cheeks and unleashed venom towards Shiaoi The stench was overwhelming descending upon her like raindrops Shiao Yis face turned pale with fear for she had witnessed the potency of the fire toads venom Should it touch her there would be nothing left In a hurried attempt to evade Shiai darted between the gaps of the Fire toads narrowly escaping their onslaught How infuriating Biting her teeth in frustration she realized her second senior brother was not nearby leaving her with no choice but to rely solely on herself With a flourish she brandished her long sword and shouted "Behold the chimping sword technique Lu Shaing focused intently The sword in Xiais hand radiated a soft blue light." With an intricate maneuver she dispatched the fire toads beneath her The fire toads mere mid-stage cultivators emitted a croak before falling silent under her assault Theqingping sword technique a water attribute sword art was procured for her by Shiaoing from the Ling Sha Sex Library after she comprehended the essence of the sword Although she had only practiced it for a few days her execution was already commendable Surrounded by numerous fire toads they crumbled under her relentless attack Gloating in her triumph Shiai exclaimed "Indeed they are inferior creatures Is this all they can muster perish Excitedly she unleashed her pentup frustration from earlier at Lu Xiaoing onto the fire toads From a distance Lu Xiaoing leisurely cautioned Do not become complacent There are many more fire toads However Shia interrupted confidently Second senior brother you need not worry These inferior fire toads are no match for me She continued tauntingly Come forth you insignificant creatures Do you understand what inferior means as my second senior brother would say it refers to refuse things despised by others Lu Xiaoing shrugged popping a spirit bean into his mouth and remarked to Xiao Hong "Should I inform her that with so many fire toads there must be a leader among them?" Xiao Hong chirped in response After considering Lu Xiaoing decided against intervening further saying "Let her learn from this experience." Just as he finished speaking a far more thunderous croak resonated unleashing an invisible wave of pressure A colossal fire toad double the size of ordinary ones emerged Its eyes fixed firmly upon Shia She felt an overwhelming sense of dread What is this creature she gasped Lu Xiaoings voice reached her again providing timely clarification That is the leader of the Fire toads also known as the Fire toad King This is the consequence of neglecting 1s studies Not knowing such a fundamental fact makes you illiterate Xiao Yis heart raced in panic Second senior brother why didn't Tu inform me lu Xiaoqing unfased replied leisurely I intended to but you insisted there was no need for concern Right silly bird xiao Hong nodded in agreement Despair washed over Xiao E as she was scrutinized by the Firetoed King Feeling the immense pressure it exuded It was evident that this foe would be formidable Gripping her long sword tightly she contemplated fleeing Yet with the emergence of the fire toad king the remaining toads encircled her once more thickly layered and completely surrounding her Panic surged within her as she brandished her sword Second senior brother what now lu Xiaoing remained nonchalant What can be done just enjoy the show At that moment the fire toad king let out a bellow The surrounding fire toads echoed its call and opened their mouths releasing another torrent of venom towards Shiai this time under the Fire Toad King's command Their attacks were systematic and coordinated blocking all avenues of escape Shia found herself with no retreat Forced to evade as best she could amidst the reign of Venom she danced and dodged Yet some attacks were unavoidable compelling her to parry with her sword Her long sword a second tier artifact could temporarily withstand the corrosive properties of the typical venom As the volume of venom dwindled so too did her burden Relieved Shia seized the opportunity to retaliate The sheer number of Firetoads however overwhelmed her Under the Fire Totoad King's guidance they leaped at her their bodies glistening with toxic fluid There was no doubt that contact would spell disaster Although Shiao Yis prowess surpassed that of the Fire Toads their sheer numbers were relentless She felt her spiritual energy surging forth like a flood the blue light on her sword dimming a sign of her waning strength If this continued her energy would be entirely depleted leaving her utterly defenseless Second senior brother what should I do she cried out to Lu Xiaoing who was watching from a distance Help me unmoved he teased Where is that arrogant bravado you had a moment ago keep going Shiao Ei on the verge of tears admitted her folly Second senior brother I was wrong Please save me Lu Xiaoing seemingly intent on teaching her a lesson remained unmoved You called them inferior Hurry and dispose of these inferior creatures Second senior brother I can hardly keep up There are too many She lamented If you cannot handle them then it's curtains for you Do you have any last words as a courtesy to our sect I will deliver your last wishes to your family No charge Shiai felt on the brink of despair wanting to weep in front of Lu Xiaoing Second senior brother please stop playing with me There are just too many fire toads for me to handle alone Lu Xiaoing turned to Shiao Hong exclaiming "Why is my junior sister so foolish do you notice her lack of common sense when you were together?" Shiao Hong tilted her head and then shook it covering her eyes with her wings indicating she could not bear to watch Lu Xiaoing sighed "Alas those who do not read are indeed dimwitted Haven't you heard the phrase to capture the leader before capturing the followers at this moment realization dawned on Shiaoi Her gaze fixed upon the fire toad king which had been watching her intently Lu Xiaoing had many admirable traits but his reluctance to speak plainly was not one of them He always seemed to prefer putting her through trials Fury ignited within her and she charged towards the fire toad king exclaiming "Inferior creature perish Croak." Chapter 62 by allowing the demonic beasts to escape You have acrewed a debt to me A desperate and anguished cry pierced the air The fire toad king was cleaved in two by Shiai Its blood and venom spilling across the ground With the demise of the fire toad king the surrounding fire toad scattered in panic Relieved that the crisis had passed Shiai collapsed onto the ground gasping for breath Her spiritual energy nearly depleted The battle with the fire toad king had been perilous Its strength was nearing the foundation establishment stage surpassing Shia Yi's own The creature's formidable defense and potent venom combined with the assault from its minions had placed Shiao in grave danger Ultimately she had fought with her life on the line to sever the fire toad king in half However as she glanced at the battered long sword in her hand she noticed it was now pockmarked and worn Even a second grade sword could not withstand the creature's potent toxins What to do shiai turned to see Xiao Hong fluttering before her This was the only sword she had left a gift from her master Yet Xiao Hong ignored her and flew to the corpse of the fire toad king snatching a gleaming orb from its remains With a proud tilt of its head and a gaping mouth the fiery orb disappeared into its belly Shia was takenback This was the inner core of the fire toad king Just then Lu Xiaoing arrived at lightning speed seizing Xiao Hong by the neck and scolding "Foolish bird spit it out do you have any idea how much that is worth in spirit stones?" Only cultivated demonic beasts possess intercourse and they are exceedingly rare on the market Cultivated demonic beasts exist in a realm apart from the one Lucha and his companions inhabit making trade with them difficult It is not easy for cultivators to acquire these inner cores and their rarity drives their prices sky-high Although the fire toad king was merely aqi refinement stage beast its inner core was worth no less than a thousand low-grade spirit stones Xiao Hong rolled its eyes but still swallowed the inner core It then glared at Lu Xiaoing before perching a top Xiao Yis head You foolish Spinthrift Do you know that inner core could sustain you for a lifetime instead Xiao Hong settled down to sleep on Xiais head disregarding him entirely Shiai defending her companion said senior brother let Xiao Hong have it It's just a bit of spirit stones after all Lu Shaqing retorted Don't let the first family of poppers speak Shiai felt exasperated How had her family come to be labeled the first family of poppers while the Shiao family might not be the wealthiest in Chisho they were certainly a renowned clan Not deserving of such a title Aware that she could not change Lu Xiaoings mind regarding spirit stones she emulated her master and hastily changed the subject Holding up her tattered long sword she inquired "Second senior brother what should I do about my broken sword i won't have a weapon to fight with soon." With a grand wave of his hand Lu Xiaoing conjured five or six second grade long swords generously tossing them to Shia Take these but once we acquire the inner core keep a close watch on it Don't let that foolish bird eat it Shia was stunned by the sight of so many second grade swords Second senior brother where did you acquire these lu Xiaoing casually replied "They were given to me by others." As she picked one up she noticed a name etched into the hilt An understanding dawned on her "Second senior brother did you rob these from someone?" Lu Shaing playfully smacked her "Rob such a harsh term." They willingly gave these to me after I explained how wrong it was to bully you They were moved to tears and offered these as a sign of their remorse Though Shia recognized that Lu Xiaoings words were likely exaggerated she felt a warm glow in her heart without a brother of her own She found in Lu Xiaoing a brotherly affection Joyfully she clutched at Lu Xiaoings arm tugging at his clothes Second senior brother you were truly too good to me Lu Xiaoing brushed her off His expression one of disdain Stop being so sentimental With you as my disciple I am the unluckiest of all That good for nothing first senior brother made me babysit you Hurry up and cultivate here Once we return you'll follow him and leave me be Though his words seemed dismissive they only deepened Xiaoys happiness This camaraderie was truly comforting indeed Tianu Peak was the best place of all With a giggle she stowed away several long swords into her storage ring and assured Lu Xiaoing second senior brother Rest assured I will not bring you shame Lu Xiaoing gave her a sidelong glance and replied "You think highly of yourself don't you hurry and recover We still have a journey ahead." "Yes." Shia consumed several pills and sat down to restore her spiritual energy Once revitalized the pair continued on their way They were merely on the outskirts of the fire attribute zone with a considerable distance still to traverse before reaching the core As they delve deeper the dangers they encountered multiplied primarily comprising ferocious beasts with demonic beasts appearing only occasionally However the latter were clever swiftly retreating upon sensing defeat Even with Shiai strength she could only watch helplessly as they fled Lu Xiaoing made no move to intervene allowing the demonic beasts to escape Shiaoi found his actions perplexing Second senior brother don't these demonic beasts possess intercourse why do you not take action lu Xiaoing expression was one of palpable frustration as he scolded Whose fault is it that you lack the strength to prevent their escape they are your opponents not my prey Shiao realized his intention second senior brother You want me to face them to hone my skills don't you lu Shaqing retorted I had not anticipated your lack of capability I have calculated that you owe me several thousand spirit stones now Shai was taken aback sorrow flooding her heart Why when did I owe you you're allowing those demonic beasts to escape equates to letting my spirit stones slip away If that isn't a debt you owe me then what is what sort of twisted reasoning is that if you had intervened could they have escaped just as Shia was about to engage Lu Xiaoqing in a spirited debate two figures emerged from the forest ahead both parties froze in mutual surprise staring at one another Chapter 63 Do not emulate the behavior of the senior brother before El Shaqing and Shiaoi stood two young men Upon seeing them the two were momentarily takenback Who are you they demanded their expressions brimming with weariness El Shaing furrowed his brow sensing the presence of adversaries and countered And you who might you be we are disciples of the Starpoint sect What brings you here one of them replied El Shiaoing maintained an impassive facade inquiring The Starpoint sect from Yenjo Yanjou and Xiho are neighboring regions and the Starpoint sect akin to the Ling Shao sect is a well-known faction in Yenjo Identify yourselves Why are you here the two disciples of the Starpoint sect clenched their spiritual talismans regarding El Shaqing and Shia with hostility Shiaoi feeling irked exclaimed How dare outsiders be so brazen in Xihao we are she began to declare her identity but El Shaing interjected We are disciples of the Guan Pavilion You members of the Starpoint sect have crossed the line A look of astonishment crossed Xiaois face What is the second senior brother up to go Yuan Pavilion Jang Chong Long The two disciples of the Starpoint sect were taken aback realizing they had encountered one of the three major sects of Chijha Given the proximity of Yanja and Xihao they were somewhat aware of each other's affairs As the elder brother of the Guuan Pavilion Zang Chong Long was formidable and had garnered considerable renown in Yanja With his arms crossed El Shaing spoke with an air of pride Indeed I am his younger brother Jeang Jing Are you intimidated the reputation of Jeang Chong Wong had instilled a sense of trepidation in the two Star Point disciples They exchanged glances and one of them bowed slightly to El Shaqing saying "So it is Young Master Jeang May I inquire about your esteemed name?" Figning indifference El Shaqing replied "Jong Jing Ah Young Master Jeang my apologies for the oversight." The two disciples responded with another bow I am Baha and this is Gong Ding It is a fortunate encounter We shall not impose further on you Farewell With that they retreated cautiously quickly disappearing from El Shas line of sight As they departed a look of frustration crossed El Shaings face Noticing this Shiaoi inquired Second senior brother is something to miss el Shaing frowned expressing his annoyance Troublesome We are bound to face complications soon Even here we cannot escape trouble Truly vexing Shall we puzzled asked "Why?" El Shaachi caster of amused glance Did you not sense their murderous intent those two star disciples had already drawn their talismans Their hostility was well concealed but I could feel it El Shiaoing had contemplated taking preemptive action to eliminate the threat Yet the caution displayed by the Starpoint disciples thwarted his intentions Even in their retreat they remained vigilant denying El Shaqing a suitable opportunity to strike He could have acted forcefully but uncertainty about the number of their allies held him back The appearance of the Starpoint sectarier confirmed El Shaings earlier suspicions The rapid leakage of spiritual energy from the secret realm indicated that others had entered through different entrances They were not allies and the benefits within the secret realm would not be shared This foretold a potential blood bath for El Shaqing Such scenarios were fraught with peril Hearing of the murderous intent from the two star point disciples left Shiao ye astonished Why we have not offended them El Shiaing shook his head It is indeed a miracle that you have survived this long You truly embody the essence of a sheltered young lady You cannot grasp such complexities can you go read more Your mind is quite dull Shiao chastised lowered her head Yet it was not entirely her fault as her father's only child She had been pampered since childhood leaving her with little societal experience to navigate such intricacies You must remember El Shaqing admonished even among familiar faces one must remain cautious Shia seized upon a flaw in his words Are you suggesting that I should be wary of you too second senior brother Without hesitation El Shaqing nodded Indeed Why not if danger arises I would be the first to push you forward Do you believe otherwise in response Shia made a face at him I do not believe that Although Shia had only been with the Tanu Peak for a short time she had grown to trust El Shaqing viewing him as someone akin to her father she would remain vigilant towards her cousin Shiaun and others in her family But she could not fathom El Shiaoing ever intending her harm Simultaneously she understood why El Shiaoing had chosen to impersonate Jean Chong Longs brother So second senior brother you claimed we were disciples of the Guan Pavilion to intimidate them El Shaqing affirmed Indeed partly to avoid trouble But how does that prevent trouble shi queried perplexed If we were to kill them we would not fear revenge Realization dawned on her and she fell silent So avoiding trouble is your true aim El Shaqing with a hint of disdain cautioned "Do not emulate the foolish behavior of the senior brother Every time he engages in a brawl he shouts Ling Xiao sexi as if others are unaware of his identity Such actions are detrimental to us." "Why?" Shiaoi asked confused "Is there anything wrong with that?" The senior brother is dignified and impressive Seeing her lack of understanding El Shaing exclaimed Dignity does not fill one's belly Can it substitute for spirit stones when enemies suffer losses at his hands and cannot defeat him what do you think they will do they will target those around him and ultimately it is his companions who suffer Xiao Yis eyes widened as comprehension settled in So second senior brother your low profile is due to this El Shaqing lamented "Of course consider the past." He even went after nent souls You know how formidable they are Thankfully that time he managed to kill one had it escaped and returned for vengeance Do you think my fragile form could withstand it if I had not kept a low profile would I be here today shiaoi found herself at a loss for words seemingly uncovering a new facet of El Shaings character a fear of death However she recalled the events at the Juian Tower perplexed But why were you so brazen then you even invoked the senior brother to intimidate Jeang Jang and the others El Shiaoing scoffed at her intellect Where is your brain your common sense ling Xiao City is our domain and Sia Chong is familiar with me What good would denial do understood she replied Since El Shaqing had chosen to impersonate another she resolved not to lag behind With excitement she declared "From now on I shall also be Jeang Chong Longs sister." Pretending to be someone else seemed thrilling El Shaqing was pleased recognizing the potential in her "Indeed I am Jeang Jing and you shall be." His gaze fell upon Xiao Hong Jeang Shaolu perhaps Chapter 64 I will not allow arrogance to persist with an exclamation Shiaoi nearly spat blood waving her tiny hands in protest Second senior brother what kind of name is that is there anyone who names like you your naming skills are abysmal Little Red perched at top her head immediately pointed at Xiao E and exclaimed "You have the audacity to criticize others when you name me something equally ridiculous." Lu Xiaoing perplexed inquired "Is it not pleasant to hear?" Xiaoi rolled her eyes dramatically itching to pounce on Lu Xiaoing Second senior brother take a look at this name Does it sound appealing it does not suit me at all yet Lu Xiaoing nodded earnestly replying it is quite lovely Jang Shallow Perfectly fitting You and Little Red make an adorable cross species pair Is NT that right silly bird do you think this name sounds good sure Little Red nodded vigorously expressing her approval of the name wholeheartedly Shia was thoroughly displeased I refuse I want to change it Lu Xiaoing chuckled with glee clearly enjoying her frustration Your current name is Jeang Shaolu and that is final I refuse Shawi huffed Her teeth grinding in irritation It was evident that impersonating someone else was far from amusing Lu Xiaoing remained unfazed You have no choice Jeang Xallu shimi Maintain your focus on the task ahead After Baja and Gong Ding departed they exchanged glances confirming Sister Shian's assertion that indeed others had infiltrated the secret realm What shall we do senior brother Xiing instructed us to eliminate any intruders without exception This individual was the younger brother of Zang Chong Long and it was uncertain whether Jean Chong Long had also entered this secret realm Proceeding with caution was imperative Provoking Jean Chong Long would yield dire consequences Let us return and report to sister Shian suggested Baja However Sister Shien and senior brother Xing are not within this area We should seek out senior brother XYin Soon Baja and Gong Ding returned Xenin a core disciple of the Starpoint sect was the younger brother of Xeni the third disciple of the sect Xenin was currently leading a group in the hunt for a fire python The ferocious beast colossal in size and exuding flames found itself feudally struggling before the disciples of the starpoint sect With a swift motion Exenin unleashed a talisman summoning thunder to strike the python s head obliterating it into a pulp The massive corpse collapsed heavily onto the ground Exon and brushed off his robes and glanced at the deceased creature disdainfully remarking "Uterly foolish." He then commanded the surrounding disciples "Skin it This hide is excellent material for forging spiritual armor Don't forget the snake gall and check for inner Dan Exdemeanor was hotty his tone condescending treating his fellow disciples like household servants issuing orders from a position of superiority Though his companions felt resentment they obediently complied with Xin ands commands After all who could afford to disregard someone with an influential brother and a formidable grandfather upon their return Bahau and Gong Ding saluted Xyn and senior brother Xyn "Have you made any discoveries have you found the leader?" Bahau and Gong Ding lowered their heads replying "No no." Xin N's dissatisfaction was palpable "What are you doing back here you couldn't he even accomplished such a simple task worthless." Xen's reprimand ignited anger within Baja and Gong Ding Yet they dared not voice their objections Gong Ding hastily interjected Seen your brother Xenon we have encountered another group Another group indeed Sister Shien was correct There is a second party that has entered this secret realm We have tracked their movements Exen furrowed his brow coldly inquiring Who are they did you eliminate them his tone was devoid of emotion Baha and Gong Ding shook their heads in unison Gong Ding quickwitted added senior brother Xinan We encountered two individuals who claimed to be the younger brother and sister of Jeang Chong Wong from the Guanuan Pavilion Guuan Pavilion Jeang Chong Long Exin and s expression turned solemn a hint of apprehension flickering in his eyes Guan Pavilion was one of the top three sects in Chiha boasting countless disciples and formidable power Jang Chong Long was a standout among the younger generation renowned as the second most notable figure in Chiha his reputation extending even to Yanha Upon learning of Jeang Cholongs siblings Xin and recognized the need for caution After a moment of contemplation he asked "Did you encounter Jean Chong Long?" "Ah wait If you had encountered Jean Chong Long you might not have returned alive," he mused Jeang Chong Long was known for his arrogance He was not one to engage in pleasant discourse in this secret realm Encountering those outside his circle would render them foes Given Jean Chong Ls temperament he would not easily spare them Baja nodded affirming Xen ands assessment We did not see him We only met two individuals who identified themselves as his younger siblings Upon hearing that Jeang Chong Long was not present Xen and S countenance shifted back to disdain In his eyes only Jeang Chong Long warranted his attention The siblings were unworthy of consideration After pondering for a moment Exxon and muttered "Let us consult with my brother and sister Shien." He then produced two talismans infusing them with spiritual energy they vanished in an instant Half an hour later the talismans returned appearing before Exinin He accepted them absorbing the information within and let out a cold chuckle "So that is the case." Senior brother Xin what did you learn exenin glanced at his fellow disciples and replied coolly Sister Shien stated that Jeang Chong Long is still in seclusion at Guuan Pavilion He cannot possibly be here Sister Shien has instructed us to expel them Expel them while Ha and Gong Ding exchanged apprehensive looks Senior brother that individual is not to be trifled with He exhibits a thoroughly arrogant demeanor The two internally grumbled Comparing him to Xen and himself with a chilling smile Exenns voice dripped with menace My brother commanded us to eliminate them Eliminate them Baja and Gong Ding were astonished Aren't we concerned about offending Jeang Chong Long what is X Chong Long to us my brother is far superior Lead the way I shall personally handle their demise I will not allow anyone to disrupt my brother's endeavors or hinder Sister Shins mission Arrogance shall not be tolerated here At that moment someone called out "Seen your brother Xen and we have discovered the whereabouts of the Fire Lord Xen and Spirit Sword." And he promptly assigned the task to Baja and Gong Ding Go You are to eliminate Jean Chong Longs siblings They must not be allowed to interfere Chapter 65 My sister Jeang Shallu Exine and observe the two junior brothers Baja and Gong Ding who bore expressions of discomfort upon their faces Their countenances were dark and discontented What is the matter are you reluctant to go baja voiced his concerns stating "Senior brother Xinan." Jean Seungs brother gives off a dangerous aura and he seems quite formidable Both Baha and Gong Ding shared a sense of forboding The man who identified himself as Jeang Jang exuded an air of peril akin to a lurking beast or even a monstrous creature Fain-hearted fools Exen and remarked "Increasingly displeased with their timidity When did you two become so cowardly?" "Sister Shian stated that Jang Tsung brother is merely at the initial stage of foundation establishment You both are at the same stage What is there to fear are you worried about Jeang Seong Long and hesitant to confront his brother if you fear Jung so long do you not fear my elder brother exen Annes expression darkened as he expressed his growing dissatisfaction invoking the name of his brother Exini to intimidate them Baja and Gong Ding exchanged glances their thoughts shifting Baja inquired Senior brother Xenon is his strength truly at the initial stage of foundation establishment exon snorted tossing a messaging talisman into Bajas hand See for yourself This is what Sister Shin said Do you doubt me or even Sister Shin upon reading the information inscribed on the talisman Bajas expression brightened considerably Please don't misunderstand senior brother Xinan We merely wish to confirm In their eyes Sister Shian held a prestigious position known for her exceptional intelligence and insight and her judgments had never proven erroneous Seeing her words on the talisman Baja and Gong Ding felt reassured and agreed to accept the task Very well let us deal with him they declared Xin and was finally satisfied He waved his hand and commanded "Excellent Do not worry about Jeang Long Did Sister Shian not say that once we explore the secret realm we will depart?" Jeang Long will remain oblivious to what transpires here and will be powerless against us Let us go How dare Amir Foundation establishment novice act so arrogantly here he is courting death Meanwhile on El Shaings side Shia followed him as they advanced further The journey was relatively peaceful devoid of any dangers Shall we enjoying a rare moment of relaxation gathered plenty of medicinal herbs Second brother look at this Wang grass It's nearly a hundred years old And this the Chiwa fruit is the primary ingredient for crafting the third grade Shiua pill El Shaqing refrained from intervening allowing his junior sister to handle the collection He cautioned "Be careful while gathering Do not bump into anything or it will lose its value." Just then Baja and Gong Ding returned Their intentions for this visit had become clear Are you truly Jean Seongs brother el Shaqing immediately adopted a proud demeanor exclaiming "Indeed I am his brother Jang Jang and this is his sister Jeang Xiaolu." Shiao Y standing nearby lowered her head her face flushed with embarrassment The name was simply too awkward to bear She wished she could bury her head in the ground Despite her protests against the name on numerous occasions they had all been in vain Baha and Gong Ding were momentarily taken aback before casting suspicious glances at Shia The name hardly seemed fitting for the sister of Jeang Seong Long Would Jean Seong Lone sister really choose such a name they mused conceding that it might be acceptable for an ordinary person El Shaqing sensing their disdain erupted in mock anger What is with your looks are you mocking my sister name for being old-fashioned you too with your condescending gazes If you keep staring I'll gouge out your eyes Now apologize to my sister at once and each of you must compensate her with a 100,000 spirit stones Only then will I spare you Such arrogance The murderous intent surged within Baja and Gong Ding Initially they had been somewhat reluctant to carry out Xin ands order to eliminate El Shaqing However their hesitation evaporated entirely Their resolve to kill solidified Xen and shouts at us because he has backing But you just a brother of Jeang Long dare to address us in such a manner you're asking for death Gong Ding with a fiery temper bellowed "Today I shall teach you a lesson on behalf of your brother." With that he produced two talismans infusing them with spiritual energy The talisman's radiated light Go The two talismans shot forth like lightning one to the left and the other to the right targeting El Shaqing The pointing star sects specialized in employing talismans for attacks These talismans were their weapons The left talisman was entirely crimson emanating a searing heat igniting the very air around it Conversely the right talisman was a chilling white radiating a frigid aura that left a layer of frost in its wake The piercing cold seemed capable of freezing one's very soul Standing beside El Shaqing Shiai felt the imminent threat to her life The asalants were at the initial stage of foundation establishment launching attacks far beyond what aqi refinement stage cultivator like her could withstand Second brother Shiai felt her body heat up as if it might melt only to be pierced by a chilling wind rendering her speechless The attacking disciple from the pointing star sect could not help but sneer as El Shaing and Shia remained stationary This is my signature move The ice and fire duality Let us see how you withstand it Baja chuckled It seems I needn't intervene My brother can dispatch him effortlessly They appeared relaxed convinced that this task could be accomplished with ease Gong Ding lamented "What a pity about the girl beside him She is rather pretty Shiai with her charming and adorable demeanor was indeed to Gong Dings liking." Baja concurred but added with a hint of disdain "But that name well it's something indeed Let us just finish this quickly he concluded twisting his wrist and channeling his spiritual energy preparing to eliminate El Shaqing and Shiai swiftly However at that moment El Shaqing sprang into action Unbeknownst to them a long sword had appeared in his hand His expression was icy A stark contrast to his usual carefree demeanor With a swift motion he swung the sword a flash of cold light piercing Bahau's and Gong Dings eyes Alarm bells rang in their minds as they exclaimed in unison "Not good." Before they could react the talismans that had approached El Shaing detonated unleashing a torrent of spiritual energy that surged outward The ground shook with tremendous explosions enveloping the area in a cloud of dust and chaos The backlash from the talisman struck Gong Ding causing him to cry out in pain as he spewed forth a mouthful of blood At that moment a glimmer of cold light burst forth from the smoke striking his fellow disciple Baja Baja stunned as if struck by lightning remained motionless his eyes wide with shock Chapter 66 Go ahead Jeang Xiaolu A thick cloud of explosive smoke spread across the area After spitting out a couple of mouthfuls of blood Gong Ding noticed something a miss with his junior disciple Baja Baja had fallen utterly silent A sense of forboding gripped Gong Dings heart and he couldn't help but shout "Junior disciple are you all right?" No response came Unable to restrain himself Gong Ding reached out and as soon as he touched Baja the seemingly unscathed figure collapsed rigidly Blood flowed from every orifice of his body His mouth nostrils and even his eyes streamed crimson The sight was utterly horrifying It appeared as though he had been instantly slain his internal organs shattered his very soul extinguished in a heartbeat Gong Dings pupils dilated in terror as he cried out "Junior disciple why shout your junior disciple is dead and you are just now realizing it." The voice of El Shaqing cut through the smoke laced with smug satisfaction No one can survive under my Xen attack As the smoke gradually cleared El Shaqing appeared before Gong Ding accompanied by Xiaoi Gong Dings eyes turned bloodshot with rage as he shouted "What have you done to my junior disciple?" El Shaqing casually flicked his sword and replied "He is dead Can't you see do you really think my Jeang Jing is easy to bully my brother is Jeang Chong Wong Do you think being his sibling means lacking in skill?" Gong Ding was filled with a mixture of shock fury and overwhelming fear He gazed at his fallen junior disciple still unable to comprehend how Baja had met his demise This uncertainty was the true source of his terror The opponent before him possessed strength far beyond his imagination certainly not that of a mere foundational level practitioner had it been a foundational level cultivator They could not have so easily countered his assault and killed his disciple Instead of attacking Gong Ding El Shaqing commanded Shiao Ei "Go kill him." Shia was taken back her scalp prickling Brother you can't be serious Although he is injured he is still a foundational level cultivator Far stronger than I am at theQi refinement stage Sending me to face him is tantamount to seeking death El Shaqing scoffed What are you afraid of he asked gravely wounded and can only muster a fraction of his strength If you can't handle him how can you call yourself Jean Chongs sister as his sister you should fear no danger disregard difficulties and charge forward without hesitation You must not retreat in the face of danger and bring shame upon your brother Go Xang Shaolu El Shaqing s words were so righteous that Shiaoi felt tears welling up I am not that guy's sister Upon hearing El Shiaoings declaration Gong Dings heart sank further into despair What do you want el Shaqing replied "It's simple Duel with my sister If you defeat her I will let you go If not I will kill you." Shiai panicked This was serious Gong Ding who had nearly lost all hope felt a flicker of optimism at El Shaqing words "Is that true?" His gaze shifted to Shiao Ei instantly filled with murderous intent Initially he had seen her merely as a pretty girl with a common name even feeling a twinge of regret during the earlier attack Now however Shia had become his last lifeline He glanced at El Shaqing wondering if he might inadvertently kill her El Shaqing shrugged and replied nonchalantly "If you kill her that is fine by me I find this burdensome girl quite distasteful If she perishes it's only because she was outmatched A waste does not deserve to be Jean Chong Longs sister." Shiai felt tears threatened to spill Was this a cruel joke at her expense she looked at her second senior brother hoping he was merely gesting for he seldom spoke seriously Yet the stern expression on his face suggested otherwise El Shaqing with an authoritative tone commanded "Go summon all your skills and defeat him." Second brother are you truly serious shiaoi timidly inquired El Shaings expression hardened "Do I look like I'm joking?" After saying this El Shaing gracefully withdrew leaving the space for the two to face off He perched at top a withered tree looking down upon them and declared "Let the battle commence." Gong Dings expression twisted into a snarl "If that is the case don't blame me for being ruthless." Though he had suffered backlash from his spiritual talisman and was gravely injured his internal spiritual energy flowed intermittently and his strength had dwindled to less than half its usual capacity He believed he could still handle a chi refinement stage practitioner like Shiai As the saying goes a dying camel is still bigger than a horse A surge of murderous intent swelled within Gong Ding He would demonstrate through action that even injured He was not someone aqi refinement stage cultivator like Shiao he could contend with Kill Gong Ding bellowed producing a spiritual talisman After forcing a meager amount of spiritual energy into it the talisman radiated brilliance Shiai stood on high alert But she soon realized that the talisman in Gong Ding s hand was not aimed at her but instead formed a barrier before him You fool Why are you just standing there attack El Shaqings voice echoed Xiao Ess flushed with embarrassment as she h heardly advanced to attack Her sword gathering spiritual energy as she thrust it toward Gong Ding The sword sharp and relentless struck the barrier before Gong Ding with a crisp sound akin to striking iron armor failing to penetrate even a fraction Gong Ding sneered feeling ever more assured "How naive do you think you can injure me with that?" He swiftly unleashed another talisman sending a massive fireball hurtling towards Shiaoi The fireball searched forward accompanied by a torrent of heat that instantly withered the scarce greenery around them Shawi hastily retreated raising her sword to cleave at the fireball The immense force of the collision drained the color from her face blood surging in her throat Despite her injuries Gong Ding s prowess was still a level above Shia S She found it increasingly difficult to withstand his assault The fireball was deflected aside crashing to the ground with a thunderous explosion creating a large crater The terrifying heat melted the surrounding stones and soil into molten rock Shiaoi gasped for breath having expended most of her spiritual energy and fending off Gong Ding s attack If there were another she might not be able to endure it At that moment she caught a whiff of smoke and reaching up to touch her hair She screamed "Ah my hair You will pay for this." Her eyes reened with fury as she unleashed her sword illuminating the surroundings The chimping sword technique emerged accompanied by waves of heartstoppping energy Though gentle it exuded a suffocating aura Gong Dings smile froze and he too cried out "Sord intent." Under the oppressive sword energy Gong Ding s once proud barrier crumbled like tofu With a splatter of blood he turned and fled without a second thought Chapter 67 The fire attribute Lord Gong Ding fled in a state of panic Utterly intimidated by Shiaos performance A mere girl at theQi refining stage had managed to comprehend sword intent What extraordinary talent what sheer terror While he indeed possessed the strength of the foundation establishment stage had Shia not grasped sword intent she would have been incapable of breaking through the barrier he had set he would have stood invincible However with her sword intent Shiaoi now posed a genuine threat to him Observing her effortlessly shatter the protective barrier Gong Ding lost all will to fight He no longer believed he could defeat Shia especially with the inscrutable Lu Shaqing by her side If he did not flee now he would follow in the footsteps of his fallen junior Lu Xiaoing did not intervene He merely stood at top a tree Watching his Gong Ding clung to his spirit talisman and fled in disarray casting a glance at Xiao Hong Follow him Xiao Hong nodded flapping her wings and trailing behind Lu Xiaoing approached Shiaoi who was tenderly touching her hair her heart aching She held a mirror examining her reflection from various angles tears brimming in her eyes How despicable," she seated through clenched teeth "What a vile creature to burn my hair like this." In truth only a single strand had been singed The damage was minimal and could easily be concealed Conversely her hands bore the marks of burns and she felt a sense of internal discomfort having sustained some internal injuries Yet she paid little heed to her own wounds For a woman hair is one of the most precious aspects of her appearance Lu Shaqing disregarding Shiaois distress admonished her You've merely scorched a bit of your hair Next time should you be careless again you might end up losing your head altogether Shiaoi pouted in dissatisfaction Second senior brother you could have killed him Why must I take action do you think I have nothing better to do it's not for your sake that I'm bothered with all this Lu Xiai retorted This is a form of training Do you think I'm idly wasting my time how many mistakes did you make in that battle if you can't handle an injured enemy how will you fare against an unscathed one xiaoi felt agrieved He asked the foundation establishment stage while I'm merely at the chi refining stage How can I fight him this battle is inherently unfair Lu Xiaoing shook his head If your opponent is stronger will you simply refrain from fighting when you encounter an enemy will you tell them oh you're stronger than I I want te fight Go and tell that to your senior brother Shia sul mumbling I'm just not prepared yet Lu Xiaoing chuckled coldly You're not convinced are you just wait until we return You'll follow your senior brother and see how he handles you Xiaawi s complexion pald She hurriedly tugged at Lu Xiaoing s clothing attempting to plate him Second senior brother please don't be like this Don't be angry I was just joking with you It's much better to be with you You're the most considerate Her senior brother would not indulge her He would only be strict and serious Being with him might leave her with no time to breathe It was far preferable to accompany her second senior brother who despite his occasional mischief at least afforded her some breathing room Lu Xiaoing saw through Shiai s little scheme Do you think flattery will suffice i haven't t had a proper sleep since I took you along Shiaoi looked pitiful her eyes glistening with tears Second senior brother don't abandon me Indeed I'd like to kick you back to Tanu Peak Let you follow whomever you wish Shia continued to act adorably tugging at Lu Xiaoing s clothing her big eyes sparkling Second senior brother I was wrong Truly wrong I snt at just that guy I promise I will kill him Her murderous intent flared How dare he burn her hair it was unforgivable Lu Xiaoing s expression softened a bit his tone easing That is what you say shiaoi nodded earnestly Of course I will personally deal with him Lu Xiaoing asked Do you know where he went xiaoi was momentarily speechless glancing in the direction Gong Ding had vanished In such a short time he had already fled far beyond her reach Finding him would not be an easy task Just as Xiaoi felt troubled Lu Xiaoing stepped forward Let us go Shiaoi hurriedly followed asking "Second senior brother do you know where he went?" Lu Xiaoings pace appeared unhurried Yet Shiai struggled to keep up He did not turn back What a foolish question If you cannot manage even this how can you be my junior sister shai was no fool Quite the contrary she was quite clever Noticing Lu Xiaoing as steadfast pace and recalling that Xiao Hong had vanished She realized second senior brother you sent Shiaong after him Didn't he lu Xiaoing expressed his disdain Only now do you realize your observational skills are truly lacking As they continued on their way Shia anxiously inquired second senior brother There shouldn't te be just those two from the starpoint sect here Following them we might encounter their main force Lu Xiaoiing shook his head decisively It's not a possibility it's a certainty huh shiao E worry deepened her face betraying her anxiety Will we be in danger by following them indeed Are you afraid shia shook her head With you here second senior brother I'm not afraid That was the truth Although she felt anxious she was not fearful With Lu Xiaoing by her side she felt utterly secure Lu Xiaoing smiled faintly choosing not to elaborate further Their pace was not swift and Gong Ding injured was likewise moving slowly It wasn't he long before they caught up to him Shiaoi yearned to rush out and eliminate Gong Ding but was halted by Lu Xiaoing Confused she asked "Second senior brother letting him find his companions is detrimental to us." Lu Xiaoing waved his hand dismissively speaking in a hush tone Just follow We'll observe for now Shiaoi was even more puzzled Based on her understanding of Lu Xiaoqing he would usually rush in to deal with Gong Ding as he often claimed it would minimize trouble allowing Gong Ding to locate his main force would only invite greater complications Yet Lu Xiaoing refrained from such actions leaving Shia bewildered unable to fathom his intentions She could only follow behind him at a distance Gong Ding fled in haste utilizing his spirit talisman to accelerate Fearful that Lu Xiaoqing would pursue him After nearly two days of frantic escape he finally found Xen and his group Lu Xiaoing and Shiaoi arrived shortly thereafter taking refuge at a distance They watched as the Starpoint sect members surrounded a beast The beast was a leopard its entire body a striking crimson covered in scales resembling armor impervious to blades It was as large as a calf imposing and powerful with sharp teeth that gleamed menacingly Its limbs were agile and strong moving with the swiftness of the wind its claws capable of rending stone and gold Second senior brother what is that lu Xiaoing s expression turned peculiar If I'm not mistaken it should be the lord of the fire attribute region Chapter 68 The crimson flame scale leopard Shiai gazed at the menacing beast Its demonic or a palpable even from a distance instilling an overwhelming sense of dread Trembling she inquired of her senior brother Lu Shaqing What manner of beast is this lu Xiaoing squinted scrutinizing the creature for a moment before responding This is the crimson flame scale leopard Have you noticed its layer of scales its defensive capabilities are astonishing impervious to blades and arrows It also serves as an excellent material for crafting spirit armor worth a considerable sum Shia nodded having indeed observed the scales Disciples of the starpoint sect surrounded the crimson flame scale leopard launching relentless assaults Spirit talismans were cast in rapid succession unleashing a barrage of fireballs wind blades and ice spikes that rained down upon the beast However instead of being subdued the relentless onslaught only provoked the beast as ferocity It roared in fury weaving through the throng of attackers The disciples faltered retreating in disarray with three lifeless bodies already strewn across the ground The leopards formidable defenses rendered their collective efforts feudal Exhaustion from overusing their talismans rendered the disciples attacks increasingly feeble While the beast's own assaults grew ever more potent Shortly after Lu Xiaoing and Shiaoi arrived another disciple fell victim to the leopard's claws A cry erupted blood splattering as the unfortunate soul met his end Remarkable," Shiaoi exclaimed a gas to witness the disciples of the starpoint sect so thoroughly overmatched Lu Xiaoing scoffed disdainful of the disciples a bunch of foolish birds The crimson flame scale leopard is already at the mid-stage of foundation establishment One more breakthrough and it will reach the late stage Its combat prowess rivals that of a human cultivator at the late foundation establishment stage These simpleans mere early foundation establishment practitioners dare to provoke it It's akin to inviting disaster Curious Shia asked Senior brother what do you mean impatient for life are you you illiterate you don't even know this Lu Xiaoing retorted Shiaoi raised her hand in protest I am not illiterate I simply do not enjoy reading That is the very essence of illiteracy he replied As Lu Xiaoing and Xiao exchanged banter yet another disciple of the Starpoint sect succumb to the beast The leopard seized the disciple by the waist eliciting a desperate scream Senior brother exile save me But the leopard showed no mercy tightening its grip with a sickening crack A large chunk of the disciples waist was bitten off flesh and bone mingling as the beast savored its meal Ah help The disciples cries ceased leaving the remaining members in sheer terror They halted their attacks and recoiled from the leopard creating distance Gong Ding witnessing the carnage quietly retreated Severely injured and barely able to stand he knew he would not escape if he became a target Five bodies lay on the ground leaving only seven disciples of the Starpoint sect Exon glared at the ferocious beast gritting his teeth in anger Damn beast He had discovered the lord of the fiery domain leading a confident charge to subdue it Yet he had not anticipated the crimson flamecale leopard's overwhelming strength for surpassing his expectations Though at the mid-stage of foundation establishment its power equaled that of a late stage practitioner Their group of over 10 could not even harm it and instead suffered significant casualties The leopard possessing intelligence recognized its adversaries weakness Not rushing to attack it licked the blood from its jaws relishing the taste of human flesh for the first time Its crimson eyes fixated on the remaining disciples Damn it this beast sees us as prey Kill it Exxon and roared issuing another command Unleash your strongest talismans and fight with all you have If we cannot slay it we are doomed Upon hearing Exon's orders the remaining disciples launched another assault Talismans ignited surging toward the crimson flame scale leopard I will restrain it shouted one disciple throwing a yellow talisman that summoned two massive hands from the ground to grip the leopard Aim for its eyes That is its weakness another cried sending forth wind blades targeting the beast's vulnerable points The disciples unleashed their most proficient attacks and for a moment it seemed the leopard might falter under the onslaught Retreating slightly Exine Annes expression brightened a cold smile gracing his lips "You may be formidable beast but you cannot withstand us all." Then Xian and noticed Gong Ding "Why are you back and you're injured where's Baha?" Gong Dings face fell dismal memories flooding back Senior brother Xin Jang Seol Longs brother is not merely at the early foundation establishment stage He may well be at the foundation establishment stage He is comparable in strength to Baja who was swiftly defeated by Lu Xiaoing leaving him severely injured and rendered a mere practice partner This revelation hinted at Lu Xiaoings true power which he had concealed His spirit energy fluctuations were subtle leaving Gong Ding uncertain of the full extent of Lu Xiaoing strength Thus he exaggerated the tale of their defeat One strike left them both wounded and dead Such prowess could only belong to a late foundation establishment cultivator Foundation establishment exin and faltered skepticism etched across his features Impossible How could that be sister Shin also mentioned that if he were truly Jeang Tsung's brother his strength could only be at the early stage of foundation establishment how could he be at the foundation establishment stage if he were the Guan Pavilion would have made a grand announcement Jeang Long was renowned as the second among the younger generation of Chihua His reputation widely known Information about his family peers and friends was no secret Gong Ding offered a sorrowful smile terror evident in his eyes Senior Brother Exine how could I dare deceive you he truly is at the foundation establishment stage I was gravely injured upon my first strike and Baja did not have time to read Ali before he was slain Had I not escaped by a stroke of luck I would not have returned Moreover the thought of Shiai that young girl who had comprehended sword intent filled him with even greater fear A mere chi refinement stage girl grasping what many spend a lifetime striving to achieve in sword intent What a terrifying talent What xin and scoffed You're afraid of aqi refinement stage girl What has become of you a disciple of the starpoint sect You used to boast of your courage Gong ding swallowed hard struggling to articulate Seen your brother Xin accompanying Jeang Seung Longs brother is a young girl a chi refinement practitioner Xen's disdain deepened You fear a chi refinement practitioner Is that what has you so shaken what about all that bravado you displayed earlier no she has comprehended sword intent What exon and froze astonishment flashing across his face He quickly regarded Gong Ding with suspicion Are you serious a chi refinement stage girl has comprehended sword intent Surely you just attempting to flee in cowardice Gong Ding raised his hand his expression resolute Senior brother Xen and I swear by my heart of Dao that I am not lying This is the truth The second great protective shield I set up was shattered by her single strike Xen's face fluctuated between emotions His gaze gradually turning fierce Where are they gong Ding shook his head focused solely on escaping They should be behind not pursuing us Senior brother Xin will you take action xen and nodded His killing intent palpable Having offended our starpoint sect they must die A twinge of jealousy unexpectedly arose within Xen solidifying his resolve to eliminate such a potential threat at its inception However he recalled that Jeang Chong Longs brother was at the core formation stage The thought of El Shaings terrifying power kept Gong Ding in a state of fear Exen and sneered coldly What of the core formation stage i can still kill them Gong Ding felt a surge of confidence He knew who stood behind Xen and excellent with senior brother Xen taking action They are doomed Xen and did not deny it His gaze shifting to the battlefield still rife with conflict First we must deal with this beast Knowing Xen and was about to strike Gong Ding felt a sense of calm wash over him gradually regaining his composure he remarked With so many attacking it certain to perish Yet no sooner had Gong Ding spoken than the situation took a turn The besieged crimson flame scale leopard let out a roar Its body trembled effortlessly breaking free from the restraints that held it unperturbed by the wind blades and ice spikes that assailed it It seemed it did not even need to evade All the attacks merely tickled its skin leaving it unhorned Damn it it was just depleting our strength Fall back Roaring again The crimson flame scale leopard launched its counterattack darting through the barrage of strikes and closing in on a disciple of the starpoint sect Its crimson eyes gleamed with a cruel light as it raised its sharp claws and struck down fiercely like the hand of a mighty god The disciples defenses shattered with a resounding crash splintering like glass before his terrified gaze Ah Another disciple of the starpoint se fell Boom Vile beast Exon embelled throwing out several spirit talisments Lightning struck the crimson flame scale leopard's head While it did not inflict any real harm it caused the creature discomfort Subsequently the leopard's gaze fixed upon Exenin The recent lightning had made it aware that Xyenan was the strongest among the group and posed the greatest threat Possessing intelligence it instinctively marked Xin and as its primary target Seeing the crimson flame scale leopard focus on him Xin and felt a surge of terror At that moment he could no longer afford to conceal his abilities With a flash of white light a spirit talisman appeared in his hand This was a purple talisman emanating a mist of violet Upon closer inspection one could see purple lightning swirling and flickering upon its surface The emergence of this talisman filled the air with an overwhelming pressure Even El Shiaoqing and Xiaoi several miles away sensed a weighty force pressing down upon them as if the heavens themselves were descending Shiaoi felt a suffocating sensation and asked as senior brother too "What is this?" El Shiaoing gritted his teeth a spirit talisman at least a fourth grade one crafted by a Yuaning master Its power is equivalent to a blow from the Yuaning stage Chapter 69 Dare you use my spirit talisman lu Shaqing gazed his mouthwatering at the site A fourth grade spirit talisman if sold could fetch tens of thousands of spirit stones Goodness you wouldn't dare to actually use it would you please don't act recklessly You're merely a fledgling at the foundational stage You cannot unleash its full potential Do not squander it If you perish that's one thing but do not misuse my belongings." Shiai stood by speechless She understood her senior brother's intentions He aimed to rob the disciples of the starpoint sect Exenanin however seemed oblivious to Lu Xiaoings warnings The crimson flame scale leopard had already set its sights on him roaring ferociously as it lunged forward His life was in peril and exin and could no longer afford to lament over his spirit talisman With a roar of fury he declared "You want to die then perish!" He infused his spirit energy into the talisman A flash of purple light erupted from it and as if imbued with life it soared into the air The heavens darkened and purple clouds swiftly gathered accompanied by ominous thunder A terrifying presence enveloped the area The crimson flame scale leopard sensed an overwhelming threat halting its advance to gaze upward at the talisman now obscured by the clouds Within the mist a faint glimmer of white light intensified the sense of danger it felt Without hesitation it opened its jaws and unleashed a fireball towards the purple clouds above A display of remarkable ferocity the fireball soared upward But after expelling such energy the crimson flame scale leopard appeared weakened drained of its vitality Suddenly a thunderous roar echoed through the sky Boom a bolt of lightning descended from the purple clouds radiating a blinding white light that illuminated the entire firmament The lightning descended like a roaring dragon wielding the might of thunder aimed directly at the crimson flame scale leopard The fireball it had released was rendered utterly ineffective against the oncoming force disintegrating silently within the tempest of electricity As the colossal lightning struck a more powerful pressure radiated outward Every living being within the vicinity trembled as if a deity had descended compelling all of nature to bow in reverence The disciples of the starpoint sect including Exxon fell prostrate on the ground their faces al light with fervor Elder purple lightning they exclaimed recognizing the elder of their sect Exxon Annes excitement surged and he laughed maniacally trembling with exhilaration Witnessing the crimson flame scale leopard pinned to the ground He felt a surge of vengeance Beast your end is nigh As the lightning loomed closer the crimson flame scale leopard struggled desperately It opened its mouth and a fist-sized round crimson pearl emerged The pearl arked through the air colliding with the descending lightning Boom a deafening explosion ensued sending shock waves that hurled Exenan and his companions into the air causing them to spew blood The anguished cries of the crimson flame scale leopard echoed before silence enveloped the scene With the tempest subsiding Shia felt the weight upon her lift She raised her head to survey the destruction around her broken trees and scattered stones as if a hurricane had swept through A sense of dread filled her heart Was this the might of the nent soul she was still several miles away Yet the devastation reached her Glancing at Lu Xiaoing beside her she realized he had vanished As senior brother panic surged within her Could he have been swept away in the distance Exion and rose gazing at the barely breathing crimson flame scale leopard a triumphant smile spreading across his face Huh Beast did you ever imagine did you expect my grandfather to bestow upon me such a talisman you think you can kill me dream on Come at me I stand unyielding The crimson flame scale leopard in a state of exhaustion summoned its inner core The inner core of a beast akin to a human cultivator's core or nent soul represented a second life If destroyed its existence would be forfeit Exonin having only suffered minor injuries from the shockwave reveled in the sight of the defeated beast Prepare to meet your demise he declared activating another talisman Directing a bolt of lightning upon the crimson flamecale leopard With a final heart-wrenching howl the beast succumbed to Xin Annes assault Elated Xin and approached the fallen creature brandishing a long sword Mercilessly he severed its head and then opened its belly retrieving the inner core Once the size of a fist it had now diminished to that of a finger dull and lifeless exon and felt a pang of regret He would not recoup his losses Cursing the beast you die Yet still you waste my inner core This is my core How dare you use it beast As his words fell a voice echoed nearby You are no different You use my talisman The voice seeded with fury Alarm bells rang in Xenon's mind But before he could react he felt a chill at his neck Why do I feel as if I'm soaring was his final thought A violent sword intent surged forth shattering his soul plunging him into eternal darkness Xiaoi covered her mouth watching as her senior brother appeared like a spectre behind Exonin beheading him with a single stroke Seizing the moment Lu Xiaoing swiftly wielded his sword unleashing a flurry of deadly strikes against the remaining disciples of the Starpoint sect They barely had time to react before his sword energy pierced through them The malevolent intent erupting within their bodies shattering their organs and extinguishing their souls In mere moments several disciples of the Starpoint sect were silenced their screams stifled before they could escape Only Gong Ding who had fled far to avoid the talisman's might remained Awakening to the scene terror gripped him and he turned to flee in the direction of Shiai Kill him If you cannot I shall shave your head Lu Xiao Xing bellowed towards Shiai With a sudden burst of determination she leapt forward charging at Gong Ding prepared to fight for her hair Chapter 70 Is this all the capability of the foundation establishment stage prepare to meet your demise Shia bellowed Upon seeing Gong Ding memories of her hair's unfortunate fate ignited a murderous intent within her "How dare you burn my hair you shall pay with your life." Gong Ding had not anticipated that someone would obstruct his path here Frustration and fury coursed through him Get out of my way Dragging his battered body He flung a spirit talisman The temperature plummeted abruptly and the moisture in the air crystallized into countless ice shards A chill enveloped the area causing the ground to freeze and immobilizing Shiao Yis feet hindering her speed as if she were mired in a quagmire moving with excruciating slowness After ens snaring Shia with a cold ice talisman Gong Ding swiftly circumvented her and continued his escape Lu Xiaoings displayed prowess was overwhelming Even Exenanin who was stronger than him had been felled by Lu Xiaoing in an instant The other disciples had vanished without a sound their souls scattered now wounded and in a severely weakened state He faced the grim reality that if he did not flee he would meet his demise With no other retreat available he was forced to head in Shiao Yis direction As Lu Xiaoing had sealed off his other avenues of escape he had no intention of engaging with Shiaoi Though she had grasped the essence of sword intent her cultivation realm did not match his Absent Lu Xiaoing even in his weakened state he felt confident he could best Shiaoi After all the disparity between theqi refinement and foundation establishment stages was immense However with Lu Shutting nearby he would not dare to linger Thus from the outset he had no resolve to engage Shiaoi further Having temporarily ens snared Xiao Ei with the ice talisman He made his escape Shiao Ei feeling like a snail watched Gong Ding attempt to bypass her her teeth gritting in frustration Stop right there With a flick of her wrist her long sword burst forth radiating spirit energy enveloped in a gentle aura The ice beneath her feet shattered violently She unleashed a sword ray toward Gong Ding its momentum fierce and unyielding Gong Dings heart sank in alarm This was precisely what he feared The difference between wielding sword intent and lacking it was vast Sword intent was akin to a buff that magnified power 10-fold He could not afford to dismiss it If he failed to defend against the oncoming sword ray his fate would be sealed today Reluctantly Gong Ding launched another spirit talisman Cough As he cast the talisman he could no longer restrain the internal injuries he had sustained A mouthful of fresh blood erupted from his lips staining his garments The talisman collided with the sword ray resulting in a violent explosion The surging spirit energy dispersed wildly reverberating with a series of explosive sounds Seeing the formidable power of her sword ray Shiais last vestigages of panic evaporated replaced by unwavering confidence Is this truly all the capability of the foundation establishment stage prepare to perish she proclaimed Gong Dings fury ignited How dare a Mirchi refinement cultivator speak such words to a foundation establishment practitioner Enraged he realized that unless he dealt with Shia He could not escape You think you're so formidable don't you he roared With a flick of his wrist a disc materialized in his hand Today let me show you the might of the foundation establishment stage He bit his tongue spitting out blood Go The disc spun rapidly and hurdled toward Shiaoi Startled Shiaoi executed the chimping sword technique launching several sword rays at the disc Clang clang However her razor sharp sword rays proved ineffective merely deflected by the disc unable to breach its defenses Shai was taken aback This shouldn't be happening Gong Ding noticing her astonishment chuckled triumphantly This is a third grade magical artifact The chienuin symbol disc Do you really think a lowly chi refinement lackey like you can break through its defenses dream on I didn't want to use it but you forced my hand Prepare to die He manipulated the Chiian Coin symbol disc causing it to spin even faster A sense of impending danger surged within Shiai Anxiously she intensified her assault but it was feudal Even Gong Ding himself was shielded by a luminous membrane cast by the disc rendering her attacks ineffective As the feeling of danger intensified Shiaoi grew increasingly anxious Observing her helplessness only fueled Gong Dings arrogance Haha perish As his words fell a beam of light shot forth from the Chien Kuan symbol disc descending upon Shiai like a vengeful spectre The sensation of peril peaked within Shia With no escape she could only muster all her strength raising her long sword and channeling her inner energy to resist the impending strike Boom a tremendous force crashed into her A savage spirit energy surged within her body like a rampaging beast wreaking havoc and destroying everything in its path Shiao Ei desperately mobilized her internal energy to counter it Unable to contain herself she coughed up blood This time she had sustained significant injuries After a strenuous effort she managed to suppress and dissipate the foreign spirit energy within her Yet the very next moment another wave of violent light descended Gong Ding sensing victory laughed maniacally His face twisted with malice Let us see how you withstand this But just as he spoke a sword ray materialized shattering the spinning chienuan symbol disc with a resounding crash Ah once again suffering backlash Gong Ding spewed forth another mouthful of blood His weakened body could no longer withstand the strain and he half kneelled on the ground staring at the blood he had spilled and the scattered fragments of the chiuin symbol disc Gong Dings eyes were filled with disbelief This was a third grade magical artifact How could it shatter so easily xiaoi was equally astonished as she glanced at her second senior brother Lu Xiaoing stood with his hands behind his back chastising Gong Ding If you're going to fight then fight How dare you use my third grade magical artifact you seek death He then turned to Shiai his gaze fierce Finish him off or I will make you regret it Gong Ding coughed up another mouthful of blood this time from sheer rage at Lu Xiaoing Even in his current state he was not allowed to use it Was there no limit to the bullying gong Ding wished he could swallow Lu Xiaoing Hole However having suffered another backlash his injuries worsened and now he found escape impossible As Shiai lunged forward with her sword Gong Ding could no longer hold on spraying a copious amount of blood into the air before collapsing to the ground See can you spare me in the face of death Gong Ding quailed beginning to plead for mercy Shia hesitated her gaze shifting toward Lu Xiaoing Chapter 71 Sorrowlike smoke The second senior brother This Gong Dings disheveled appearance evokes a sense of pity in Shiaoi Lu Xiaoing with an impassive demeanor commands decisively "Take action." His tone leaves no room for dissent A bitter expression crosses Gong Dings face as he feels an overwhelming sense of regret Had he known he would have refrained from provoking the calamity before him He never dreamed that this self-proclaimed Jeang Jen could be so terrifying The strength of Sanan and his fellow disciples at the late stage of Foundation establishment were mercilessly slaughtered by Lu Xiaoing as if they were mere chickens Although he had the advantage of surprise it still attested to his formidable prowess Meanwhile Gong Ding harbors intense hatred towards Sanan Had it not been for San he would never have drawn Lu Xiaoing Xire Faced with Lu Xiaoings unyielding stance Xiaoi reluctantly raises her long sword Yet her inner conflict is palpable as her hand trembles Initially she wished to slay Gong Ding But now witnessing his defeat and pitiable state she finds herself unable to strike Lu Xiaoing does not urge her further but instead questions Gong Ding If we were to fall into your hands how would you treat us gong Ding falls silent yet a glimmer of malice flashes in his eyes It is easy to imagine that if Lu Xiaoing and the others were captured by Gong Ding their fate would be dire Lu Xiaoing notices the hatred in Gong Dings gaze and remarks coolly Allow me to venture a guess This girl possesses decent looks and considerable talent Perhaps you would use her as a furnace to absorb her in essence enhancing your power ultimately leaving her a mere husk Upon hearing this Shia shuddters at the thought Her gaze toward Gong Ding now infused with a hint of murderous intent diminishing her earlier sympathy Gong Ding remains silent Lu Xiaoing continues As for me you harbor deep-seated animosity You would flame my skin extract my tendons and relish in my torment would you not upon hearing this Gong Dings expression contorts into one of rage His eyes blaze with fury as he fixates on Lu Xiaoing his voice dripping with malice I shall extract your soul to fashion an oil lamp burning for a millennium letting you wail in agony for eternity Gong Ding realizes that Lu Xiaoing will not spare him At this juncture he no longer seeks mercy Hebells vinning his pint of hatred if you fall into my grasp I will ensure you are forever trapped in suffering Die Shia's fierce shout interrupts Gong Ding Such a venomous heart Intending to treat the second senior brother in such a manner invites death Her murderous intent surges within her with a swing of her long sword She cleaves Gong Ding in two His expression freezes before he slowly collapses Lu Xiaoing swiftly reaches for Gong Dings corpse capturing a white soul The ethereal form resembles Gong Ding panic etched on his face as he mouths please for mercy Lu Xiaoing s expression remains icy betraying no emotion in response to the supplication With a firm grip Gong Ding soul emits a heart-wrenching scream before dissipating into the ether Shia gazes at Lu Shaqing her countenance a tapestry of indescribable emotions This is the first time she has witnessed such a side of her second senior brother Cold and ruthless sparing not even the departed soul This revelation starkly contrast with her prior perceptions of him filling her with profound awe Second senior brother Shia calls timidly Hearing her Lu Xiaoing sold demeanor softens and he languidly replies "What is it?" Relieved by his familiar tone Shiai feels a weight lift from her heart "You scare me to death just now," she admits Lu Xiaoing scoffs "You're a real novice Is this your first time taking a life?" Shiai nods for she was once the young lady of the Shiao family having never even harmed a chicken Lu Xiaoing gestures toward Gong Dings remains Look this is your doing Disturbing is entit As Gong Ding lies in a grotesque state blood and flesh in disarray Shiai is suddenly awakened to the horror of her actions her stomach churning violently Uggh she wretches Lu Xiaoing remains silent observing her quietly much like he had previously compelled her to work Now pushing her to confront the gravity of her actions In the world of cultivators it is a realm of the strong preying on the weak Compassion cannot afford to reign Survival demands a hardened heart After wretching for what feels like an eternity Shiai finally begins to feel somewhat better This is her first experience with taking a life and after purging her stomach she feels a measure of relief "Are you done?" Lu Xiaoing inquires calmly Shia wipes her mouth and nods Without further explanation Lu Xiaoing begins to manage the aftermath of their encounter He had accompanied Gong Ding here with intentions of murder and silencing any witnesses not wishing to leave any loose ends that could lead to complications The bodies of the dead disciples from the pointing star sect and the crimson flame scale leopard are dealt with efficiently by Lu Xiaoing Subsequently he locates the inner core of the crimson flame scale leopard Observing its dimminionive size akin to a finger Lu Xiaoing feels an ache within his heart Cursed creature you used my talisman to reduce my inner core to this His frustration is palpable My heart aches terribly with the inner core in hand He gazes skyward at a sharp angle My sorrow like smoke envelopes the entire sky However upon reflection he finds solace in the fact that this meager inner core The essence of the crimson flame scale leopard may still hold some value Suddenly he feels a lightness in his hand Looking down he realizes the inner core has vanished Turning his head he sees Shiao Hong clutching it in her beak Upon meeting Lu Xiaoings gaze her feathers instinctively recoil in fear Yet despite the peril she refuses to relinquish the inner core hastily swallowing it whole Flapping her wings she darts to perch at top X Shias head burying her beak in her hair Foolish bird Lu Xiaoing bellows Return my inner core His anger blazes like fire igniting the very sky Chapter 72 The core of the secret realm Shiao Hong hung limply in Xiaawis hands her tail feathers nearly all gone leaving her bare The tuft on her head was on the verge of being lost as well Having snatched the inner core from El Shiaoqing the consequences were dire Shiao Ei cradled Xiao Hong maintaining a prudent distance from El Shiaoing the lord of the fire attribute region the crimson flame Lin Leopard had been slain causing the surrounding white mist to dissipate they could now see farther without fear of losing their way As El Shaing hurried along he meticulously sorted through the storage rings he had obtained from the disciples of the starpoint sect such as Exinan the ordinary disciples rings contained little of value Their spiritual talisments had been nearly depleted during the battle After a thorough inventory he found merely 20 or so first and second grade talismans While these talismans could fetch a modest sum if sold El Shaqing grumbled about the inconvenience of dealing with stolen goods which would need to be handled through the black market The prices there would likely be low Sigh El Shiaoing was not adept at using talismans so he could only sell them Upon opening Xin's storage ring he was disappointed once more It contained 30 or so talismans but they were either first or second grade of little worth As for artifacts there were several yet most were first grade with only one being second grade What a disappointment Could it be that the Starpoint sect is the poorest among all the sects in Yenjo el Shaqing was quite disdainful The combined collection of the Starpoint disciples amounted to 50 talismans and several artifacts Yet all were only first or second grade not a single third grade among them He disdainfully gathered them up For safety as sake he decided to sell these talismans and artifacts rather than use them himself Using them might raise suspicions and lead to trouble Alas the storage rings could no longer be used Otherwise they might have yielded some spirit stones If the mark on a storage ring is forcibly broken it may become damaged and unusable Even if it could still function its effectiveness would be diminished It is akin to a door If the lock is violently dismantled and reinstalled it cannot return to its original condition Moreover these storage rings belong to the Starpoint sect offering little space Keeping them would be of no benefit Selling them would yield little value and no one would dare to use them openly With a sigh El Shaqing released his spiritual energy and ground several empty storage rings into dust He silently calculated that his hall amounted to approximately 10,000 spirit stones His expression improved slightly He consoled himself After all these were merely foundational stage cultivators Valuable items were scarce Having this some was already commendable Noticing El Shaings mood lifting Shia nervously asked "Senior brother where do we go now?" El Shaqing pointed towards a distant beam of light "We head there." In the distance five beams of light illuminated the sky Golden azure blue red and yellow The beams served as conspicuous markers in the darkness guiding their path Curious Shia inquired Does that mean all five regions have been breached el Shaqing nodded affirming "Indeed where the light beams are lies the core of the secret realm." Shiao marveled Sister Xiaou is truly impressive We've only breached one region yet they have conquered three Realizing El Shiaoing was looking at her as if she were foolish she stuck out her tongue and stammered "Did I say something wrong?" El Shaaching retorted Think for yourself Have you forgotten the people we just encountered shiai suddenly understood The disciples of the starpoint sect had entered and they likely outnumbered them It was possible that the remaining regions had already been subdued by them She wondered if Sister Xiaou and the others were in danger El Sha shook his head dismissing her concern Xiaou is exceptionally strong Why worry you should be more concerned about yourself Xiaou is at the core formation stage the eighth layer at that and the senior disciple of the crescent moon valley In a realm inaccessible to yuaning cultivators her power is nearly unrivaled Who could possibly threaten her with so many from the starpoint sect entering El Shaqing suspected there were others He advised Shia remember to keep the previous matters confidential Shia nodded earnestly I understand I won't tell anyone El Shiaoing acted decisively eliminating potential threats to avoid complications As a junior sister Shia naturally wouldn't he undermine him After a moment she asked "Do we still need to pretend to be disciples of the Guuan Pavilion?" "Of course who else would we be?" Shias expression fell again "Do we still have to use the name Jang Xiaolu?" Although five light beams had appeared at the center of the secret realm making their objective evident the adage "The mountain seems closer than it actually is," is rang true Despite the beams appearing prominent the actual distance was greater than anticipated It took El Shiaoing and Shiao Ei7 or 8 days to reach this point However upon arrival they found themselves halted by two disciples clad in staroint sect attire With unfriendly gazes one of them commanded "Halt who are you?" El Shaing frowned and retorted "And you what brings you here this is Starpoint sect business Outsiders should keep their distance." One of them arrogantly stated "Though we don't know how you enter this secret realm it no longer concerns you Leave quickly or you'll be asking for trouble Shia tugged at L Shaings sleeve Senior brother what should we do the two Starpoint disciples noticed Shiao E and their eyes brightened Hey look at this You've got a beauty with you What a waste Come with us The Starpoint sect is the greatest sect in Yanja You'll have a life of luxury with us Indeed with us you can have whatever you desire El Shaings eyes sparkled with intrigue So you have quite a few good items Then suddenly El Shaings demeanor shifted then hand them over to me Chapter 73 Xiau is my sister-in-law The two disciples of the point star sect guarding this place were merely at the initial stage of foundation establishment With his latest stage core formation strength Lu Xiaoing did not need to take action personally His powerful spiritual sense alone overwhelmed them Before the two disciples could utter a sound their heads were struck down as if by a mighty hammer rendering them unconscious How dare these insignificant minions act arrogantly before me they are courting death Lu Shaqing muttered skillfully removing the storage rings from their fingers With a kick he sent them flying into the distant woods After erasing the marks on the storage rings he took a glance inside and immediately scoffed in disdain Poppers daring to act brazenly before me living in luxury indeed The point star sect proves to be the most impoverished sect in Yenjo Shiaoi blinked seemingly understanding how the Shiao family had earned the title of the most destitute clan in Chihua According to Lu Xiaoing senior brother should we kill them shiais voice was filled with murderous intent showing no sympathy for the point star sect which shared a similar plight with her own family nor for Lu Xiaoings label of them as the first person sect Throughout their journey she had witnessed bloodshed and had taken lives The battles along the way had stripped her of her innocence and naivity Now a faint aura of ferocity lingered about her Her once simple gaze had transformed into a sharp piercing glare and the flow of spiritual energy within her was more robust and harmonious It could be said that she had grown significantly here Having killed members of the point star sect alongside Lu Xiaoing they had now forged a deadly enmity Coupled with the earlier provocation from the two disciples she had little patience for recording their offenses This grudge demanded immediate retribution Lu Xiaoing shook his head No need I wouldn't te want to sully your hands Even if they were to survive they would be fools How dare they tease my junior sister in front of me have they a death wish with a sweep of his spiritual sense he shattered their sea of consciousness Even if they were to live they would only be left as ordinary people The prospect of cultivating again would have to wait for the next life Besides Lucha had no intention of allowing them to live as mere mortals Their fates had been sealed from the outset Let us go see," he said leading Shiai deeper into the forest The towering trees loomed high into the sky and as they ventured closer the oppressive aura within grew more palpable Upon reaching the center of the forest Lu Xiaoing discovered that Xiaou and her companions were already there Xiaoyu Fong Xiao and Bianu faced off against a group of individuals clad in matching attire adorned with twinkling stars the uniform of the point star sect disciples There were about a dozen of them with a man and a woman standing at the forefront Lu Xiaoing paid little attention to the man His gaze fixated on the woman Tall and striking she wore a fiery red outfit that exuded allure Her enchanting eyes radiated an irresistible charm capable of captivating countless men Her crimson lips burned like flames making many men yearn to taste her sweetness This was a woman who could drive countless men to madness The second disciple of the point star sect Shien Yunin Lu Xiaoing had heard of her Opinions about her among cultivators were polarized Some considered her a seductress promiscuous and unrestrained while others viewed her as a pure and untainted celestial beauty untouched by the mer of the world Of course most of her detractors were women while her admirers were predominantly men Regardless of their feelings towards her one undeniable fact remained Shin Yunshin was astute and wise It was said that her judgments were infallible marking her as an exceptionally clever woman Standing beside her was naturally Xing the elder brother of Xin As Xiaawu and Xiin Yunins factions confronted each other Lu Xiaoing and Shias arrival immediately drew the attention of everyone present All eyes were upon them Shiai felt an invisible pressure her heart racing Yet upon seeing Lu Xiaoing beside her her tension eased With her senior brother by her side she felt an overwhelming sense of security Lua lazily waved his hand and said "Apologies just passing through Please continue." His casual remark dissipated the tense atmosphere surrounding them Shia couldn't help but chuckle Indeed it was still her senior brother Xi and Xis expression darkened his gaze I see concealing a chilling intent Who are you to him anyone who appeared in this secret realm and was not of his faction deserved death Lu Xiaoing continued to wave his hand dismissively I told you I'm just passing through Continue as if I'm not here Xings murderous intent intensified and his gaze turned frigid Are you mocking me you seek death With that a spirit talisman appeared in his hand ready to strike at Lu Xiaoing Xiaawu interjected calmly Young Master Exine is it not overly doineering of you do you truly intend to kill someone over a mere disagreement xian Yunshin curiously studied Lu Xiaoing before breaking into a playful laugh Her alluring eyes radiating endless charm mesmerizing the surrounding disciples of the point star sect she cast a flirtatious glance at Xiaou and said "Sister Xiaou you seem quite anxious Could it be that he is your little lover?" Lu Xiaoing hurriedly exclaimed "Stop stop such talk should not be uttered lightly I have no relationship with Sister Xiaou Do not speak nonsense Goodness I would not want to be entangled with Sister Xiaou That would be too troublesome This woman is truly vexing I hope I do not find an opportunity to deal with you Shien Yunshin laughed even more joyfully blooming like a vibrant flower captivating all who beheld her You seem so nervous Your relationship must be quite special huh who would have thought that the most beautiful woman in Chihua has already fallen in love Xiau remained unfazed her internal state undisturbed by Shien Yunins words They held no sway over her "Miss Shin you think too much," she replied coolly Lu Xiaoing interrupted Xiaawu his dissatisfaction apparent as he addressed Shiin Yinshin "What do you want woman how dare you disrespect my sister-in-law?" "Sister-in-law?" Everyone was taken aback gazing incredulously at Xiaou the most beautiful woman in Chijha is married Even Xiaou felt a slight breach in her composure at Lu Xiaoings declaration her cheeks flushing Xian Yunshin paused for a moment before laughing even more heartily Ah so that is how it is Sister Xiau is already married If this gets out it will surely break many hearts A flicker of murderous intent flashed in Xings eyes as he fixed his gaze on Lu Xiaoing Who are you me lu Xiaoing raised his chin arrogantly and replied "I am Jeang Jen You must have heard of my brother Jang so long Everyone knows he has an affection for my sister-in-law She will sooner or later be my sister-in-law I warn you members of the impoverished sect treat my sister-in-law with respect or I shall not be merciful Chapter 74 Is Jiin really impressive are you Jang Jang xings tone was unkind as he fixed his gaze on El Shiaoing Indeed I am L Shiaoing replied proudly lifting his chin exuding an air of arrogance This is my sister Jeang Xiaolu Benro Row and Fong Xiao nearly spat out their drinks Who named her that does Jean Seong even have a sister with such a name xiais face flushed once more as she lowered her head Even Xiaawu couldn't help but twitch her lips What kind of name is that xing disregarded their banter and coldly inquired "Where is my brother?" "Who?" El Shaings heart skipped a beat but he maintained a calm facade "You can ask your mother when you get home I am not your father and wouldn't know." Seeking death Xings fury surged a tremendous pressure bearing down on El Shaqing Quickly El Shaing adeptly cidled up to Xiaou pleading "Sister-in-law save me." With a gentle wave of her sleeve the oppressive force dissipated A look of helplessness crossed Xiaawus face as she addressed El Shiaoing "Young Master Jeang I hope you can conduct yourself with dignity." El Shaqing discreetly transmitted his and Shias assumed identities to Xiaou and the others urging their cooperation with a chuckle El Shaqing remarked "Aside from that fellow Jiian who else in Chiha is worthy of you aside from my brother?" Bian Ros teeth clenched in anger The audacity of him taking advantage of a senior sister was infuriating Xian Yusen intrigued asked El Shaqing "Are you truly Jean Jen brother of Jeang Seong Wong?" Puffing out his chest with pride El Shaqing affirmed "Indeed your appearance is somewhat passable Why not come back with me and be my sister-in-law?" Xian Yusin ignored the gest and probed Where is Jean Seong surely he hasn't entered the secret realm as well El Shiaoing continued in his obnoxious manner nodding Of course if you know what s good for you you should leave quickly Otherwise when my brother arrives you will be doomed Haha Shen Yusen laughed Her laughter enchanting and captivating drawing the attention of the disciples from the pointing star sect Even El Shiaoing couldn't help but steal another glance This woman was truly stunning After a moment Shiin Yusin composed herself Her tone turning icy Jeang Tsung Long is in seclusion Surely you don't think I am unaware From your earlier words I can ascertain you are certainly not Jeholongs brother nor is she a sister Am I right little sister shin Yusen fixed her gaze on Shiai Her tone was assured as if she had seen through everything In that instant her eyes brimmed with wisdom as if penetrating the very essence of the truth A deep alarm resounded in El Shiaoings heart This woman was far more formidable than the rumor suggested Shiaoi felt a wave of anxiety as Shiin Yusins gaze pierced her like a sword exposing her innermost thoughts with alarming clarity She couldn't help but glance at El Shaing Though El Shaing was takenback by Shin Yusins perceptiveness he remained unperturbed "Have I been seen through?" he said nonchalantly "Well I shall no longer pretend Allow me to reveal my true identity I am Wu Tin Xong a junior disciple of Jiian Fong Xiao covered her mouth fearing she might burst out laughing She realized she had uncovered yet another facet of El Shaqin his pinchant for holding grudges Jang Jing Wu Tianzong had previously offended El Shiaoing at her end At that time it was assumed El Shiaoing would let it go after robbing Jang Jang Little did they know El Shaing had held on to that grudge until now waiting for an opportunity to retaliate Shiao shared similar sentiments sighing inwardly She felt a distinct gap between herself and her second senior brother Those who had wronged her were meticulously noted in her memory awaiting their comeuppants El Shaqing however kept no record but retained every offense in his heart seizing every chance for revenge He had achieved the art of remembering without a notebook filling his mind with grievances She resolved to learn from him Jiians junior disciple The expressions of Shin Yusen and the other disciples from the pointing star sect turned grave as they wearily regarded El Shiaoing Ji the foremost in Chiha possessed unfathomable strength able to slay Yuan at the stage of foundation establishment an unparalleled feat not accomplished by anyone in centuries His name resonated throughout the neighboring Yen state a source of both fear and admiration Is that true shang Yusen regarded El Shaqing with skepticism El Shaaching was too low-key even among the disciples of Ling Sha sect Many were unaware of his existence The outsiders were even less informed Skeptical Xi and Xi sneered You are Jiians junior disciple What a joke You think you are worthy many nodded in agreement including Xiaou and her companions Compared to Ji Yin El Shaqing was a complete contrast How could such a person possibly be Jiians disciple yet the truth remained El Shaqing scoffed What is Jiian really that impressive to me he is merely a lunatic Being his disciple has truly brought me misfortune Indeed Xi and Xis sneer deepened Do you think you can deceive us speak Who are you really shin Yusen fell silent It is impossible for you to be Ji Yans disciple If you truly were you would show your senior brother respect not speak of him as if he were mad wearing a face of disdain Just this alone led everyone from the pointing star sect to dismiss El Shiaoqing as Ji Yians disciple Xiaoyu and the others silently protested He truly was Ji Yians disciple Initially puzzled by her second senior brother's decision to reveal his identity Xiaoi now comprehended his intentions El Shaqing deliberately disclosed his true identity knowing Xiin would not dare to believe him misleading her Shiin Yusen could not fathom that El Shiaoing was indeed speaking the truth Yet from a rational perspective it was difficult to accept that someone like El Shiaoing could be Ji Yians disciple She regarded El Shiaoing with increasing disdain First he posed as Jeang Tsung brother then as Jiians disciple This man was nothing more than a petty trickster Coupled with his unimposing aura she deemed him unworthy of concern Her attention shifted back to Xiaou For compared to El Shiaoing Xiaou was her primary rival in this endeavor Both were at the eighth level of foundation establishment When the battle commenced the victor would claim the heart of the secret realm Shi and Yusen addressed Xiaou Sister Xiaou do you truly intend to remain once the fighting begins while you may be fine your companions will find themselves in peril The pointing star sect holds the numerical advantage And with all of us at the foundation establishment stage Bian Row and Fon Sha stand no chance Xiaawyu smiled serenely her gaze casually sweeping past El Shia who had wandered off to the distance seemingly idle I should be the one saying that to you Chapter 75 Dragon Rider Is that so shiny Yun Shin cast a glance at the individuals standing beside Xiaou Aside from the lone man Lu Xiaoing the other three were young girls Although their abilities remained uncertain for the time being Shiin Yunshin doubted that Bien Roong Xiao and Shiai possessed any strength approaching the core formation stage As for Lu Xiaoing she deemed him too petty to be particularly formidable His aura was so commonplace that it perfectly matched his shameless conduct Such individuals rarely harbored great power In contrast Shenyun Shin strength was on par with Xiaou and she also had Xing who was at the fourth level of the core formation mid-stage alongside more than 10 fellow disciples She truly could not fathom how they could possibly lose They were after all Dragon Riders Senior Sister Exeni suggested his killing intent palpable as he made a downward slicing gesture advocating for a preemptive strike However Shien Yunin shook her head There's no rush We are in Xiho Nanar Yan state Xiaou is the eldest disciple of Shwang Yui Valley and those around her are likely disciples of the same Slaying them would bring us no advantage If we provoke them we could suffer heavy losses ourselves We shall wait until the heart of the secret realm appears to act merely stalling them Once we secure it we will retreat Shiny Shining was unwilling to initiate a massacre This was their territory and killing disciples from one of the three major sects valley would undoubtedly invite retaliation they could not withstand Xiing feeling somewhat agrieved fixated on Lu Xiaoing in the distance his gaze filled with intense malice For reasons unknown he harbored a deep-seated disdain for Lu Xiaoing driven by an impulsive desire to eliminate him Furthermore with no word from his brother he confided in Shien Yunshin senior sister I suspect something has happened to my brother Shin Yun Xins expression remained unchanged as she confirmed "There is no doubt they have encountered misfortune." The moment Lu Xiaoing appeared Shen Yunin had already condemned Xenin and the others to their demise Xais countenance shifted dramatically How could this be possible yet he understood well the prowess of his senior sister Her predictions were seldom incorrect The thought of his brother's fate was difficult for him to accept XIN and brought along 12 brothers Though they were all at the foundation establishment stage their abilities should not be underestimated How could they have met with misfortune could it be connected to him is he meddling xing's gaze remained fixed on Lu Xiaoing who had inexplicably seized the spotlight after their emergence accompanying the beautiful Xiaou and receiving her protection was irksome enough but the disrespect Lu Xiaoing had shown towards his goddess Shien Yunshin was unforgivable All these grievances combined fueled Xings desire to eliminate Lu Xiaoing immediately Shiny Yun Xin with unwavering confidence remarked "If I am not mistaken he must have launched a sneak attack." "While my junior brother Xen was engaged in battle with the fire lord he likely took the opportunity to disrupt them The strength we faced from the gold and earth lords was at the core formation stage One can only assume the fire lord's power is not far behind And given the volatile nature of fire he may even be stronger It is entirely plausible that Xen and his strongest companions at the late foundation establishment level could easily fall to the fire lord with even a minor disturbance Her tone remained calm and she felt no emotional upheaval regarding the misfortunes of the Star Point sex disciples Upon hearing her Exinehis eyes turned crimson a fierce killing intense surging within him He glared at Lu Xiaoing vowing "I will surely kill him." Shien Yunshin regarded Lu Xiaoing who was meandering aimlessly in the distance Exuding an heir of a commoner without a care in the world Her contempt for him deepened a sneak attacker a petty individual unworthy of recognition However she advised Xingi "It is best to bite our time Once we leave this place and he parts ways with Xiaou we can act then We should avoid provoking Xiaou but there is no need to worry about him During the skirmish we can assign someone to keep an eye on him Despite her belief that Lu Xiaoing was not a threat Xiin Yunin did not consider it wise to ignore him entirely With gritted teeth Xiang nodded acquiescing to his senior sister's strategy Hymph he thought fixating on the Shaqing For now I will allow you to linger a while longer Shen Yunin instructed Xiing Xi When the heart of the secret realm appears I shall deal with Xiaou and you handle the others There is no need to kill them Merely create a sense of danger to distract Xiaou Xing nodded then added dismissively even without needing to distract Xiaou Senior sister would undoubtedly triumph over her His flattery was transparent seeking to curry favor with Xian Yunshin Flirting requires constant effort to win favor After all Shien Yunin regarded Xiaou with great seriousness They were on equal footing and she could not afford to be careless We must seize every opportunity that arises once again Exeni discreetly flattered her with senior sister orchestrating the plan Xiaou will have no chance Shi and Yinshin had no desire to engage in conflict with Xiaou On the other hand Xiaou was wary of the numbers opposing them Avoiding a battle was preferable The two parties stood at a distance each waiting for the opportune moment Once the five elemental regions were pacified the heart of the secret realm would be revealed but it would require some time Thus for now both sides remained at a stalemate anticipating the moment of confrontation Benro appeared exceedingly anxious in the face of their adversaries numerical superiority A battle would undoubtedly spell disaster for them Among their ranks only Xiau could be considered a formidable opponent As for Lu Xiaoing Broo had never regarded him as a viable asset In her eyes he was less reliable than Xiaoi Even though Fong Shao assured her that Xiaawyu believed in Lu Xiaoings strength Bian Ro remained unconvinced Observing the opposing group of over 10 individuals The sheer number alone instilled a sense of immense pressure within her Nervously she turned to Xiaou asking "Senior sister shall we simply continue waiting like this?" Xiaawu maintained her calm demeanor unperturbed by the situation exuding tranquility and beauty as she replied "There is no rush The heart of the secret realm has yet to manifest and haste will yield no results." Bian Ro frowned "Senior sister with so many of them a confrontation would be highly disadvantageous for us." Xiaawu glanced fleetingly at Lu Shaqing who had been leisurely strolling about the open space since earlier appearing rather relaxed softly She addressed Lu Shaqing Junior Brother Lu I will be relying on you when the time comes Lu Shaqin waved his hand dismissively not bothering to look up Senior sister Xia please do not say that The pressure is quite overwhelming That woman is at the eighth level of core formation besides you Who else can contend with her seiau had no intention of sending Lu Xiaoing against Shin Yun Shin She alone could confront her I will handle her As for the others it will be up to you Junior brother Lu She placed her hopes on him Lu Xiaoing raised his head pointing at Bienro Senior sister Xia you might as well place your hopes on her Bienro Row displeased turned away I knew you were unreliable Senior sister do not worry I will give it my all I do not need to rely on him Bienro was thoroughly dissatisfied with Lu Xiaoing at such a critical moment How could he still be so carefree who did he think he was as time passed suddenly five beams of light trembled and a powerful shockwave radiated outward Like a tempest it bent the trees low Following this the five beams began to whirl Chapter 76 The beginning all eyes were drawn to the five pillars of light These columns began to spin and gradually shrink creating a vortex at their center that voraciously devoured the immense spiritual energy This energy transformed into a tempest howling as it surged forth The ground trembled initially with a gentle quiver that escalated into a violent shake reminiscent of an earthquake Finally the five pillars diminished to nothingness vanishing into the air In their place five radiant beams reemerged from the shaking earth Golden azure ceruan crimson and yellow hues intertwined forming a magnificent display that shot toward the heavens Almost immediately an object of five colors erupted from the soil a fist-sized orb radiating five distinct glows The energies of the five elements swirled around it guarding it fiercely The heart of the secret realm Everyone's gaze fixated on it with many revealing glimmers of greed in their eyes Even Exx felt an impulsive urge to seize it The heart of the secret realm born from the five element secret realm was invaluable While it held little significance for those in the nent soul stage it offered immense benefits to cultivators below the core formation stage Even Xiaawu typically serene and composed felt a flicker of desire at the sight of the heart Xi Yunu obtained it to close the gap with Ji Yin and Jeang Chong Wong thereby maintaining her position among the top three in Chiha Though she professed indifference to her junior sister her responsibilities as the foremost disciple of the Schwang Yua Valley compelled her to act She could not afford to fall too far behind Shi and Yunshin also fixated on the heart of the secret realm her eyes reflecting a similar longing She needed it as well For if that person entered the nent soul stage her fate would slip from her grasp The only way to alter her destiny was to reach the nent soul stage herself Almost simultaneously Xiaou and Shin Yunshin made their move Appearing before the heart of the secret realm both reaching for it Upon noticing each other they unleashed a palm strike The collision of their immense spiritual powers erupted with a thunderous roar Both were at the late stage of core formation level 8 and a single strike could shatter a mountain As their palms met the clash of energies created a massive explosion sending shock waves that left the surrounding onlookers pale and reeling Shiaoi the weakest among them at the chi refinement stage felt a rush of blood surge to her throat She clenched her teeth forcing the blood back down Having already lost too much on this journey another bout would leave her in dire straits With the force of their strike Xiaou and Shien Yunin each retreated temporarily relinquishing their pursuit of the heart They glared at one another both understanding that victory over the other was essential to claiming the heart Shien Yunshin licked her red lips her smile and chanting Xiaawu why not be generous and let me have the heart I promise to remember your kindness and repay you in kind perhaps by finding you a suitable husband Xiaou remained unperturbed her demeanor calm as she replied Miss Shien why not be magnanimous and grant me the heart instead state your desires and I will do my utmost to fulfill them Shien Yun Shin shook her head A sai escaping her lips Alas what I desire is precisely the heart of the secret realm Why must you contest with me xiaawu countered And why must you contest with me a resigned air enveloped Xiin Yinshin as she shook her head It appears that a confrontation is inevitable Just as she lamented she suddenly sprang into action A spiritual talisman appeared in her hand swiftly materializing before Xiaawu Boom their battle commenced seeing Xiaawu and Shi Yunin engage Bian Roro grew anxious We should help Where's second senior brother shiao exclaimed only then realizing Lu Xiaoing was nowhere to be found Forget him We must assist Bian Ro dismissed the thought of Lu Xiaoings absence Eager to join the fry Let us go However as the three prepared to act Xi and Xi and his companions arrived Xien Xi regarded Xiao Yi Bian Ro and Fong Shao with a glint of intrigue Though their beauty pad in comparison to Xiaawu and Shiny Yunshin they were still striking in their own right Flashing a self-satisfied smile he addressed them "Ladies where are you in such haste?" Bian Ro retorted sharply "Step aside you repugnant man Your mere presence is distasteful." Xing replied "I'm afraid you cannot interfere in senior Sister Shians battle How about we share a drink and Converse instead?" "Converse i find these insufferable men utterly detestable." Yenro shot back "What do you think you are?" Shi added "Indeed you are nowhere near the caliber of my two senior brothers." Xing expression darkened "It seems you wish to refuse my hospitality." "Very well I'll grant you what you desire." "Attack!" The talisman erupted creating a massive explosion that left a deep crater where Xiau had stood As Shien Yunshin flung out a talisman she vanished from her position leaving behind a chilling ice spike that spread frost across the ground Seeing her spell fail to threaten Shian Yunshin Xiaou conjured a sword channeling her spiritual energy as she soared towards her opponent With her sword in hand she unleashed a profound sword technique The blade quivered and a series of whirlpools materialized in the air shrouded in a deadly aura that ens snared Shien Yunshin Shien Yunshin s expression turned grave The whirlpools seemingly chaotic were strategically placed to seal off all her escape routes They spiraled ever closer resembling the teeth of a ferocious beast each imbued with lethal intent Shin Yunin refusing to underestimate her foe produced two spiritual talismans Go," she commanded launching the red talismans into the whirlpools As they entered a buzzing sound echoed as if the whirlpools sought to consume the talismans Boom the talismans detonated unleashing a torrent of wild spiritual energy The whirlpools overwhelmed by the force of the explosion succumbed in a series of blasts leaving a final surge of energy directed at Xiaou Yet this was but a remnant and with a deaf flick of her sword Xiaawu effortlessly dissipated the chaotic energy Shien Yunin laughed heartily her expression a mix of seriousness and amusement Sister Xiaou splendid swordsmanship Alas you have yet to comprehend the essence of sword intent Xiaou replied coolly "Had I grasped the sword intent you would not stand a chance against me." Shin Yunshin fell silent for a moment acknowledging the truth in her words Mastery of sword intent would render her invincible within their realm If Xiau were to attain it she would have no choice but to flee However Shiin Yinshin continued with a smile It's a pity you lack the talent of Jiian Among the younger generation from Chihua he alone has comprehended sword intent leaving you far behind Shin Yunins words were intended to undermine Xiaou for she believed that victory necessitated exploiting every opportunity to weaken her opponent Yet they had little impact on Xiaou Upon hearing Shiny Yinshin claimed that only Ji Yin had grasped sword intent she could not help but glance in Lu Xiaoings direction Here another individual comprehended the essence of the sword However when she cast her gaze towards Lu Xiaoing she was momentarily taken aback Chapter 77 The battle felt a flicker of doubt questioning her own vision Yet upon closer inspection she indeed found no trace of Lu Xiaoing Where had he vanished only Fong Xiao Bien Roro and Shiai remained valiantly resisting the onslaught of the disciples from the dots of stars faction Xien Xi a formidable cultivator at the core formation stage loomed nearby his intent gaze suggesting he could strike at any moment Xiaawus mind raced with confusion Where was Lu Xiaoing was he fleeing in the heat of battle a sense of unease began to swell within her Given Lu Xiaoings temperament such a possibility was not beyond reason Xian Yanjin observing Xiaous distracted gaze smiled with delight savoring the opportunity to undermine her further Sister Xiaou it seems your companions are struggling Would you not lend them a hand though a part of Xiaou shared this concern she recognized that Fong Shao and Ben Ro were merely at the foundation establishment stage while Xiaoi was even weaker being at theQi refinement stage Together they could hardly withstand the assault of over a dozen dots of Stars disciples Nevertheless their adversaries seemed content to delay rather than to deliver a fatal blow which in itself proved taxing for her companions After observing the situation for a while Xiaawu discerned that they could endure a little longer With a steely gaze fixed on Shin Yanjin she resolved that defeating her was the only path forward "Prepare yourself," she declared coolly drawing her sword which gleamed momentarily before seeming to vanish from sight To Shian Yanjin the air shimmerred with ripples giving the illusion that she stood within a lake The oppressive waters pressing in around her making her breath falter Terrifying Shien Yanjin regarded Sia with a profound sense of weariness Although Xiau had yet to comprehend sword intent fully her current demeanor suggested she was perilously close Just a thin veil separated her from grasping it completely It was no wonder she had garnered a reputation as one of the most formidable youths in Chihua Without hesitation Shi and Yanjin unleashed a golden talisman The sound of slicing air echoed followed by a metallic clash An invisible wave spread forth chilling Xiaous skin and raising goosebumps Xiaus eyes widened in surprise at the talisman's fierce potency which felt akin to facing a weapon capable of cleaving through steel As her internal energy surged the sword in her grasp glimmered and the ripples in the air intensified as if stirred by a sudden gust over the lake surface "Go!" Shian Yanjin cried Her face flushed with excitement as the talisman hurdled towards Xiaou with the sound of rushing wind Break They both shouted in unison as their attacks collided with tremendous force The air erupted in a series of explosive sounds sending shock waves through the atmosphere causing the surrounding spiritual energy to spiral into chaos Like a tempest it whipped up dust and debris forcing both combatants to retreat momentarily to dissipate the others momentum Their expressions hardened They had engaged in only a few exchanges but recognized the challenge that lay ahead Defeating each other in a short span seemed impossible They resumed their fierce onslaught Xiaawus sword play evolving while Shian Yanjin wielded her talismans with devastating impact Clad and white appeared ethereal while Shinyanjin adorned in red captivated with her charm Their battle circled around the heart of the secret realm Each striving for dominance Shin Yanjins talismans unleashed tremendous power Each explosion shaking the ground and creating countless deep craters compelling Xiaawu to tread carefully wielding her sword with intricate techniques and spells Xiaou inflicted considerable setbacks upon Shin Yanjin They exchanged blows with fervor the intensity escalating as they clashed dozens of times Their strengths were roughly equal Neither able to gain the upper hand Shin Yanjin noting Xiaous composed demeanor chose to further provoke her for advantageous conditions Sister Xiaou are you not concerned for your companions she taunted subtly signaling to Xing with her alluring lips However Xiaou was too preoccupied to indulge in such distractions For below the disciples of the dots of stars under Xings command intensified their assault on Shiai Bienro and Fong Shao The trio already belleaguered found themselves on the defensive unable to mount a counteroffensive The relentless barrage of fireballs ice spikes and wind blades pressed upon them forcing them to retreat further Xiaawus expression darkened with fury This was despicable Shien Yanjin far from angered reveled in her cunning tactics remarking that it was simply a means to victory You should blame your own inadequacy for bringing so few allies she mused As Shien Yanjin launched another wave of attacks Xiaawu found herself at a disadvantage Distracted by the plight of her comrades below Meanwhile Bian Ro and the others faced overwhelming pressure the dots of Stars disciples pressed on inflicting injuries as their blood surged and their spiritual energy waned Each bore wounds bloodied and battered cursed that wretched foe Ben Ro seed Her eye directed not only at the immediate adversary but also at the elusive Lu Xiaoing She felt a deep resentment toward him for vanishing when they needed him most Sister how could you place your faith in him she scoffed Fong Xiao equally bewildered pondered how such a powerful Lu Xiaoqing could abandon them if he had acted None would stand against us not even Xi and Xi she exclaimed Yet why had he disappeared had she misjudged him entirely shiao Ei on the other hand chose to trust her senior brother Do not despair Roro He would never abandon us she reassured Bian Ros anger flared further incredulous that Xiao would still defend him at such a juncture Littley do you truly believe that he must have fled just then A windb blade sliced through the air targeting Shiao irirectly Unable to evade she braced for impact But Fong Sha instinctively pushed her aside only to be struck by the wind blade leaving a grievous wound on her shoulder "Sister Shiao!" they cried quickly rallying to protect her as they retreated The dots of Stars disciples closed and relentlessly trapping the trio in an increasingly perilous situation Suddenly a voice reached Xiaawis ears igniting a spark of hope on her face "Let us move to the left," she urged Trying to escape Xi and Xi interjected noticing their intent to withdraw With a swift motion he intercepted them As a core formation expert his speed surpassed that of his fellow disciples He hurled a talisman and with a thunderous crack Lightning descended from the heavens aimed directly at them "Be careful!" Bienne Ro shouted producing a circular talisman to shield them A luminous barrier enveloped the three just as the lightning struck with ferocious intensity The barrier flickered momentarily before shattering under the onslaught Bienro's circular magical artifact shattered and fell apart The relentless storm of lightning continued to descend upon the three Benro spat a mouthful of blood and bellowed once more Go Another defensive artifact was summoned colliding again with the descending lightning Bang The Enro's artifact was destroyed once more An attack from the golden core stage could not be easily countered by those of the foundation establishment stage However after two successful blocks the might of the descending lightning had diminished Now merely a flickering ember of its former power Yet danger still loomed Fun Xiao struggling against his injuries gathered the last vestigages of spiritual energy within him He unleashed a final strike into the air The wind bolt surged forth under Fong Xiaos command The spell born from his concentrated energy met the oncoming lightning Bang at last it diffused Xai's assault However Fong Xhaos injuries worsened rendering him completely unable to fight Such was the might of the Golden Core stage A simple attack had effortlessly incapacitated two Foundation establishment cultivators Observing this Xiing let out a cold sardonic laugh revealing a cat and mouse grin He commanded his junior disciples to cease their attack against the trio before him deeming it beneath his dignity to employ them further He gazed down upon Xiaoi Bienro and Fong Shao with hotty disdain suggesting that surrender would suffice Yell out your defeat and I shall spare you Biano scoffed regarding the foolish man before her Dream on you wretched man In the same realm I can take on 10 of you Broo remained resolute No man could ever intimidate her X Iing Upon hearing this burst into laughter his tone dripping with arrogance Huh even if I were to lower my cultivation level you would still be no match for me Care to try yen Roro though physically weakened maintained her fierce demeanor Xing shook his head about to speak when Xiaoi stepped forward Gripping her sword she addressed Xing with an expression of tragic determination Dare you lower your level and fight me you Xing was momentarily taken aback before erupting into laughter his gaze turning sinister You a mere refinement stage cultivator dare utter such words have you grown tired of living who gave you the audacity to challenge me as a practitioner of the golden core stage even if he were to suppress his power his comprehension of the laws of the Dao far surpassed that of Shiaoi who was merely at theQi refinement stage In a true confrontation Xiing believed he could effortlessly dispatch her with a flick of his hand Bienro and Fong Xiao were astonished by Xiao Yis audacity and hastily attempted to intervene Little E don't You are not his opponent Do not act rashly Shiao Ei turned her head to glance at them revealing tears brimming in her eyes Sisters it's all right Bienro and Fong Sha were perplexed What is happening are you frightened yet if she were truly afraid she should not have stepped forward to challenge Xing Shia turned away gritting her teeth and retorted Are you afraid too cowardly Perhaps afraid xings voice grew cold his killing intent intensifying I Xing have never known the meaning of fear Then let us cease the idol chatter and engage in combat If you are a man do not hesitate Come forth Do not make me look down upon you By Ro and Fong Shao exchanged glances Fong Xiao hesitantly remarked "This tone feels somewhat familiar." Bian Ro nodded gritting her teeth "That scoundrel has led her astray." Exenhi coldly scrutinized Shiai Though she appeared pure and lovely he felt no pity Since you seek death let it be as you wish Xiaoi brandished her sword her tone brimming with arrogance as she declared to Xeng "I am at the late stage ofQi refinement If you dare lower your cultivation I can easily obliterate you." Xing erupted into laughter once more then coldly smirked "Well well I have never met anyone as arrogant as you Prepare yourself." Chapter 78 The third master of the point star sect confronted with the challenge from Shia Xenshi responded with a cold smile and made his move Rather than employing the talismans that the point star sect was known for he extended his palm and formed a hand seal directing a formidable force towards Shia In an instant she sensed a surge of powerful energy approaching her The air before her solidified into a wall pressing down upon her with relentless force making it difficult for her to breathe Xings voice laced with arrogance echoed stating that any casual strike would suffice to subdue her Although he was deliberately suppressing his own realm his attack posed an immense threat to Shia Feeling unprecedented pressure Shiaoi gritted her teeth and brandished her long sword As she swung it the surrounding spiritual energy appeared to be stirred by an invisible hand The water's surface remained tranquil concealing countless undercurrens beneath As these undercurrents surged they began to consume and dissipate Xings advancing attack one by one Not without skill Xing remarked noticing that his assault had been neutralized by Xiaoi He smiled contemptuously dismissing it as merely an initial encounter questioning whether she could endure until the end With determination etched on her face Shiai retorted fiercely "Enough with the banter Prepared to receive my strike." With a twist of her wrist the momentum of her sword shifted A cold star appeared gradually enlarging in Exang Xis sight akin to a seed falling into water Its surroundings providing the nourishment for rapid growth eventually blossoming into a floating weed It concealed the depths of the water while threatening to envelop Xing Nearby Bien Ruru and Fong Xiao who were supporting each other while spectating took note of Shiao Yis sword technique Bien Ruru couldn't help but exclaim "Impressive swordsmanship." As a disciple of a prominent sect her insights surpassed those of Fong Sha Judging from its might it appeared to be a groundle sword technique The prowess displayed by Shiai exceeded that of an ordinary ground level sword technique Fong Shao feeling no surprise spoke with an undertone of envy Shia is surrounded by sword masters Naturally her exposure is far superior to that of the average person Not to mention her master Shiao Chong a being of the nent soul level Fong Shao was aware of Shia's elder brother Ji Yin and her second brother Lu Shaqing both of whom were exceptional talents who had comprehended sword intent at an early stage far surpassing the understanding of sword techniques possessed by the average practitioner With such illustrious seniors it would be abnormal for her swordsmanship not to flourish Simultaneously Fong Sha withheld one thought that Shia had also grasped sword intent Observing Shiai a hint of envy flickered in Fong Xiaos eyes Different fates for the same kind she mused Shawi had the fortune to join the Tianu Peak and encounter formidable seniors an extraordinary stroke of luck In contrast Fong Sha reflected on her own destiny her gaze dimming However regardless of how exceptional the sword technique it would not secure victory Bien Ru side stating that despite the admirable skill triumph was utterly unattainable Fong Shao lifted her gaze and indeed observed that while Shiaoi exerted herself to the utmost her attacks were still thwarted by Xeng Yet noticing the grave expression on Xings face she discerned that Xiaoi was applying considerable pressure Even though her assaults were ineffective Xings displeasure was evident bolstering Xiao Yis confidence With renewed vigor and a louder voice she declared "Another strike." Once again she thrust her sword forward this time with astonishing speed arriving before Xi and Xi in an instant Xiao Ei was not foolish She recognized the vast disparity between them She could not compete in terms of spiritual power or realm so she opted for a more tangible approach and unyielding physical assault The second grade long sword gleaming with a sharp edge aimed directly for Xais vital points Caught off guard Exen Xi found himself forced to retreat repeatedly though he was a practitioner of the golden core realm he was not invulnerable to the onslaught of a second grade long sword He was human not made of iron Aha seeing Xiani in such a fluster Shia couldn't te help but burst into laughter Is this all your strength hardly impressive is it can't achie refinement practitioner surpass you and here you are boasting about being the third master of the point star sect without a shred of shame Her words ignited a fury within Xiing akin to a spark igniting a pile of kindling Damn it Damn it Xing seethed with rage his hair standing on end His handsome visage contorted in anger You are courting death As the third disciple of the point star sect despite his rank his standing was hardly inferior to that of the first and second This was due to his grandfather's influence Even the elders of the sect treated him with utmost respect Among the disciples who would dare to disrespectfully address him countless junior sisters had dreamed of sharing his bed Throughout his life no one had ever dared to mock or belittle him Do you dare to belittle me seeking your own demise In his fury Xing conjured a talisman Fong Shao witnessing the scene urgently shouted "We agreed to fight on equal terms Don't make a fool of yourself." Glaring at Fong Sha Xing clenched his teeth and exchanged for another talisman A radiant glow enveloped him like a translucent shield When faced with Shiao Es long sword he no longer intended to evade Clang the sound of metal clashing resonated as Shia Yis sword met the protective barrier Exini had erected Unfazed Xiaoi summoned her strength unleashing a flurry of thrusts The results remained unchanged She could not breach the defense he had set Seeing Shia's relentless attempts Xing GS anger subsided considerably His fierce expression returned to normal a cold smile forming laced with contempt Stop dreaming With your meager abilities do you think you can penetrate my defenses dream on He then produced another talisman readying a fierce counterattack against Shia However at that moment a sense of danger enveloped him like a serpent in the night Silently approaching from behind its fangs beared Fixing his gaze he noticed Shiao es long sword glowing with a pale blue light A harmonious blend of gentleness and sharpness that sent shivers down his spine Before he could react Shiao Yi sword struck his protective barrier once more Crack the barrier shattered and without any obstruction the sword surged towards Xiing's head The aura emanating from the blade made his very soul tremble A sword sword intent Xings expression turned ghostly pale as he screamed Faced with imminent peril he dared not hold back any longer nor suppress his realm He roared unleashing a torrent of spiritual power that erupted from him like a bomb cascading outward Ah Shiai was thrown back by the sudden explosion Blood spewing forth as her long sword fractured in her grip Ultimately she was sent flying clutching the swords as hilt Chapter 79 The formation sister Shiao Yenro and Fong Shao disregarding their own injuries hurriedly rushed over to assist Shia in rising Cough cough Shias complexion was palid Her face etched with pain Yet her eyes were filled with an indescribable excitement Engaging with such an opponent had imparted her with invaluable insights Without pausing for words she pointed in a direction and urged "Quick we must go there." Yenro perplexed asked "What is the purpose of going there?" Funa sighed It makes no difference where we go now Our combat capabilities have vanished We cannot escape Move swiftly While he is still taken aback Shiai insisted anxiously Trust me Although B and Roro felt a sense of futility both she and Fong Shao had no other choice They were unwilling to remain idle and await their demise The two supported Shiao E as they made their arduous way to the location she indicated Bian Ro summoned a magical artifact that enveloped the trio and their speed increased dramatically Don't run The disciples of the dot star sect were hot on their heels Fortunately Xi and Xi had not immediately pursued them granting the three a moment to catch their breath Soon they arrived at the place Shia had mentioned It was a spot where Lu Xiaoing had idled not long ago Shiaoi collapsed onto the ground her stamina nearly depleted from the exertion Yenro and Fon Sha were in similar straits Vienno surveyed the surroundings but found nothing remarkable Sister Shiai what can we achieve by coming here she gazed towards the fierce battle between Xiaou and Xien Yunshin A twinge of guilt surfacing as she lamented her inability to assist her senior sister As they watched Exai Xi and the dot star sect disciples catch up Shiai weakly murmured "I I did my best It's all right You performed admirably." Bian Rou reassured her patting her hand Far more reliable than your second senior brother Reflecting on the earlier battle Bien Ro astonishment lingered She had never anticipated that Shiao E could comprehend the essence of the sword Despite Fong Xiaos prior warnings witnessing it firsthand was overwhelmingly shocking The sword's essence was indeed formidable Given Shiao Yi strength she had managed to breach X and X protective barrier Even with her cultivation level suppressed the feat was astonishing Shiai shook her head wishing to say something in defense of Lu Xiaoing However her internal spiritual energy was in turmoil akin to a herd of frightened cattle rampaging within her causing her great discomfort This is unbearable Forget it I shant speak well of my second senior brother In truth he likely did not care Fong Sha then inquired "Sister Shiao E where is your second senior brother?" At such a critical moment why hasn't he he intervened Yenro clenched her teeth "do not mention that coward He must be fleeing at the last moment." Shia somewhat bewildered replied I don't know The second senior brother only instructed us to wait here Wait who does he think he is do we truly believe we are safe here ben Ro was seething with resentment wishing Lu Xiaoing were before her She would not hesitate to unleash her fury upon him Coward a despicable scoundrel not a man at all indeed You think you can escape to safety here xi and Xi and the Dot Star Se disciples encircled them His gaze filled with chilling malice as it fixated on Shiai A crimson gash marred his left cheek blood streaming down Although he had managed to repel Shiai she had not left him unscathed The sword energy imbued with her essence had left a scar on his face Feeling the pain X heart brimmed with unbridled hatred and murderous intent You were the first to wound me I shall repay you in kind His tone come yet chilling sent shivers down the spine The humiliation of being injured by someone of a lower cultivation rank a mere chi refining stage practitioner was unbearable To salvage his pride he knew he must eliminate Shiai The earlier admonition from Shi Yunshin about avoiding killing was long forgotten Since you choose not to flee prepare to meet your end Xi and Xi produced a spiritual talisman its ominous glow flickering Just as he was about to launch his attack an unexpected phenomenon occurred A gust of wind swept through as if summoning countless strands of spiritual energy An unseen hand stirred the air directing the surrounding energy in a singular motion The immense spiritual energy swirled like a school of fish creating an oppressive atmosphere that left everyone feeling uneasy It was as if something was rising from the earth Revail was descending from above enveloping them all Before anyone realized it a thick white mist began to envelop the area at an alarming speed This is bad My spiritual sense cannot detect anything Junior brother where are you senior brother I am right in front of you My spiritual sense it's ineffective Senior brother Xing where are you the disciples of the dot star sect began to panic Xing's expression shifted dramatically Initially he could hear the calls of his juniors but as the white mist expanded he lost not only their voices but even their forms He found himself utterly alone Damn it a disorientation formation Realization dawned on Xing and his face darkened He recalled Lu Xiaoings previous presence in this location The disbelief and shock were palpable Was it him who set this formation so quietly however Xai and Xi soon sneered A disorientation formation is merely a second tier formation Do you truly believe it can trap me generally formations could be dismantled in two ways By understanding the formation to find and destroy its core or by brute force overpowering the formation's defenses To Xing Xi a second tier disorientation formation posed little challenge He believed Lu Xiaoings abilities to be lacking and thus the formation was not a concern A talisman appeared in his hand "Go!" he shouted However the talisman vanished into the mist without a trace "Damn it I want to accept this." Xing bellowed again casting two talismans this time A slight disturbance rippled through the mist It hesitated momentarily Although it was a mere flicker XING perceived it with a cold smile He thought "Is that all you have today I shall dismantle your pitiful formation." With a determined step forward the scenery around him shifted dramatically Xing remained composed as he summoned several talismans launching an assault on the formation Chapter 80 Xiin Yunyun Xin felt a twinge of panic The surrounding mist rose enveloping everything in its grasp X I and the disciples of the DNX sect vanished without a trace The sudden turn of events left Shiao E and her companions momentarily stunned It was the disciple of a prominent sect Bian Ro who first regained her composure Her expression one of astonishment A formation is it the Misty Maze formation shiao Ei and Fong Sha were taken aback by the revelation Soon Shiaoi too grasped the situation and her excitement burggeoned It was her second senior brother at work In that moment her admiration for him soared How remarkable he was Earlier while wandering here she had pondered what her second brother was up to never anticipating that he had quietly set up such a formidable formation Shiaoi had witnessed her second brother's mastery of formations "Even the eldest senior brother could not compare feeling a wave of relief wash over her," she exclaimed "It's all right now This formation was set up by my second brother We are safe." Fong Xhaos face reflected sheer astonishment Truly taken aback This young master L is truly impressive No one had expected such prowess from El Shiaoing Though Bian Row felt a sense of shock she stubbornly maintained her facade retorting Little E are you certain this formation was laid by him perhaps it was orchestrated by someone else Can that scoundrel truly be so formidable shiaoi countered Sister Row who else could accomplish such a feat My second brother's expertise in formations is even acknowledged to surpass that of the eldest senior brother Fong Xiao upon hearing this became even more astounded Could it be that young master L is a master of formations otherwise how could he have quietly set this up while El Shiaoing had gone unnoticed during his stroll no one had perceived anything a miss Such subtlety could only be achieved by a true master of formations Ben Ro found it increasingly hard to believe that the detestable man was a master How old is he calling him a master is already praiseworthy If he were truly a master of formations with his personality he would have long been flaunting it She remained skeptical that El Shiaing had arranged the formation Shia elated pressed Ben Ro further Sister Roro do you know why I insisted on coming here it was my second brother guiding us to retreat here Who else could it be her tone brimmed with pride and unwavering trust in El Shaqing My second brother is indeed a remarkable and humble person Bian Row Row fell silent torn between disbelief and the compulsion to accept the truth This internal conflict nodded at her Fong Xiao interjected urging them "All right let's take this time to rest We might face a fierce battle ahead." Shiaoi her eyes crinkling with joy reassured "Sister Shiao fear not Since my second brother has intervened this battle will surely unfold without incident." She held unwavering confidence in El Shaqing as capabilities Once he took action he would leave no chance for the adversary Though Biano felt disgruntled she conceded to Fong Xiaos advice agreeing they should recover quickly The formation might have been set but hastily arranged formations could only endure for so long Xiing Xi was a formidable cultivator at the core formation stage accompanied by many disciples from the DNxing sect each armed with powerful talismans This formation would not hold for long Shiao E undeterred waved her hand dismissively Rest easy My second brother will be just fine However Fong Xiao furrowed her brow sensing something a miss Little E can you assess the state of the formation upon hearing this Shawi focused her energy As she felt the surrounding spiritual energy stagnate her heart sank Could there truly be a problem yan Rouro sneered Seizing the opportunity to deride El Shaqing I told you your second brother is unreliable We must rely on ourselves I wonder how our senior sister is fairing Shiaoi gripped her sword hilt blood spurting from her mouth as she was sent flying a scene witnessed by Xiaou observing Bien Rou's dejection and Fong Xiao's weakened state Xing advanced slowly towards them forcing the trio into a desperate retreat The calm demeanor they had maintained began to fracture under pressure Below her cousin and junior sister were present to assist her Should anything happen to them she would carry the weight of guilt for a lifetime Shen Yinshi noted the tension etched on Xiaawyus face She smiled her voice imbued with unwavering confidence Sister Xiaou will you continue stand down and relinquish the heart of the secret realm to me and nothing will happen to you Xiaouly replied "Defeating you will yield the same result." She launched another assault Yet this time Shiny Yunshin discerned a shift in Xiau s sword intent from before Sensing this alteration Shien Yinshin opted to evade Now Xiaous composure had begun to unravel It would serve her better to continue dodging allowing Xiaawus mental state to further deteriorate making victory all the easier Such was she and Yunshin practical and cunning seizing every opportunity for triumph What is the matter afraid to face me she pressed relishing the opportunity to further unsettle Xiaou Sister Xiaou concede If you surrender your companions will remain unharmed Persisting in this manner will surely endanger them Xiaawu retorted coldly her confidence unwavering Do not celebrate too soon If you wish to win you are still far from it They will not disappoint me Indeed Shien Yunshin pointed below a triumphant smile gracing her features Given the current situation do you truly have any hidden cards your companions are already injured Are you pinning your hopes on that man alas he is nowhere to be seen However before she could finish cries erupted from the disciples of a dian xing sect What is happening i can't see anything Where are we help Shien yunshin's expression shifted dramatically as she instinctively turned towards the source of the commotion She beheld a thick veil of mist engulfing both factions in battle Even Exai had vanished without a trace This the astute Xi and Yunshin quickly deduced the situation A formation shock washed over her features Could it be him she recalled the location of the formation precisely where El Shiaqing had been wandering earlier Was he laying a formation at that moment she had initially perceived him as merely meandering akin to a commoner unremarkable Yet it was clear now that she had gravely misjudged him In silence he had woven a formation that neutralized her numerical superiority in an instant Her calculations against Xiau had crumbled She had intended to leverage Shiai and her companions to apply pressure on Xiaawu allowing her to defeat her and claim victory Now all her plans lay in ruins Who is he truly she and Yunin locked eyes with Xiaou a wave of anxiety swelling within her She had underestimated El Shaing Xiaawu smiled her inner calm restored With a sly grin she remarked "Did he not introduce himself have you forgotten brother Jeang Long or was it Junior Brother Jien?" Xien Yunin though intelligent found her thoughts spiraling further into complexity El Shiaoing had claimed to be Jeang Tsungs brother and later asserted he was Jiians Jr However Shiin Yunshin through her observations concluded that Lu Xiaoing was neither the brother of Jeang Tsung nor a disciple of Jiian She perceived Lu Xiaoing as someone who was merely bluffing a person of little merit and therefore unworthy of attention Yet the emergence of the maze array made Shien Yunin realize that she had misjudged him underestimating Lu Xiaoing In other words her previous perceptions of him had been erroneous suggesting that Lu Xiaoings self-proclaimed identity might indeed hold some truth Was he truly the brother of Jeang Seong Long or a disciple of Ji Yin A frown creased Xian Yin brow Suddenly a glint of cold light surged forth Xiaawu regained her composure her tone calm yet her strikes fierce It seems you do not regard me highly she remarked Shin Yunshin hurly dodged her gaze fixed on Xiaawus subtly menacing expression gritting her teeth She realized a fierce battle was imminent It appeared that she had no choice but to utterly defeat her today Shien Yunshin produced a spirit talisman The azure parchment swirling with nearly imperceptible currents of energy Instantly Xiau felt an immense pressure bearing down upon her Shien Yunin addressed her This is a fourth grade spirit talisman Once unleashed its power is tremendous comparable to a strike from the naent soul stage Even those at the later stages of the core formation might not withstand it In that moment the surrounding area of 10 mi will face catastrophic devastation Are you certain you wish to continue this confrontation your companions may be shielded by the array but I have little faith that it can withstand my fourth grade spirit talisman." Shien Yun Shins expression turned grave She spoke the truth albeit reluctantly as she cherished this talisman possessing only one of its caliber Her intention was to intimidate Xiaou into retreating Yet the unexpected turn of events left her heart in turmoil She had overlooked the variable that was Lu Xiaoing and now his absence filled her with unease prompting her to refrain from acting impulsively hoping to persuade Xiaou to withdraw Xiaou too bore a serious expression Yet she was no pushover Though the fourth grade talisman was terrifyingly lethal it did not imply that she could not defend against it She had her own trump cards Xiaawu would not be easily intimidated by Shien Yunins words Calmly she replied "You may certainly try to see if you can defeat me." Noticing Xiaawus unwavering resolve Shien Yunshin coldly retorted "Is it possible that you truly do not fear for your companions lives even if you win what of it our side still holds the advantage Even if that individual has set up an array so what my junior marshall brother is at the core formation stage once he joins the fry your ultimate outcome will remain unchanged Sia repeated her stance You may certainly try Very well Shiny Yunshin recognizing that words could not sway Xiaou Felt a flicker of determination flash in her eyes She had no choice but to take action Just as she was about to channel her spirit energy into the talisman an overwhelming surge of spiritual consciousness suddenly assaulted her Chapter 81 You have disappeared Shiin Yinshin's expression shifted dramatically It was the first time she encountered such formidable and aggressive spiritual awareness Was this spiritual awareness or divine consciousness the encroaching spiritual awareness descended upon her like a formidable hammer imbued with an ancient and weighty aura striking her with ferocious intensity The onslaught was ruthless instilling within Zuan Yangsen a sense of suffocation The overwhelming force of the invading spiritual awareness inflicted a grievous blow upon her own It felt as though her spiritual essence were a playful child eager to venture out only to receive a stinging slap from a passer by prompting it to weep and hastily retreat home With a muffled groan she swiftly retracted her spiritual awareness shielding her sea of consciousness The asaling spiritual force was far too potent She could not withstand it Yet the oncoming spiritual awareness showed no signs of relenting advancing relentlessly towards her sea of consciousness Akin to a passer by unsatisfied with merely slapping the child intent on barging in to further discipline the unruly youth Zuan Yungs countenance shifted once more in her perception The invading spiritual awareness morphed from a hammer into a glimmering sword its sharpness poised to pierce her sea of consciousness Despite her desperate attempt to resist she found herself unable to fend it off akin to a child striving to shut the door against an overpowering force Her spiritual essence was utterly incapable of withstanding the assault ultimately succumbing effortlessly to the invading awareness How could this be possible shien Yunshin let out a silent scream The approaching consciousness surged forth like an army marching boldly sweeping through with relentless force leaving devastation in its wake Subsequently Shien Yunshin felt as though her sea of consciousness had been inundated with countless fireballs These fireballs ultimately erupted within her mind with a thunderous explosion Boom the explosive shockwave rampaged fiercely stirring up endless waves and mercilessly ravaging her sea of consciousness leaving it shattered and fragmented Poof at this moment Shi and Yunshin suffered a grievous blow Her sea of consciousness wounded rendering her with the combat prowess of but half of her potential Dizziness enveloped her and she felt as though she were on the brink of collapse The talisman she clutched slipping from her grasp were it not for her formidable willpower She would have succumbed to unconsciousness Realizing her precarious state Shien Yunin bit down on her tongue The sharp pain and the metallic taste of blood forced her to regain a semblance of clarity Just as her senses sharpened a shadowy figure lunged towards her appearing as if conjured from the depths of a nightmare Alarmed she instinctively unleashed several talisments A cacophony ensued with a series of explosive blasts surrounding her shrouding the area in a thick cloud of smoke As the earth trembled beneath her countless streams of spiritual energy surged forth transforming the surroundings into a desolate battleground What madness is this a voice filled with sorrow and indignation echoed through the thick smoke laden with a deep sense of grievance Is it truly necessary i had no intention of causing you any harm Sister Xiaou will you not take action i feel as though I am on the brink of death Shin Yans heart froze Could it be that voice belonging to that individual in the fleeting moment of her days Siau emerged from the billowing smoke like a celestial being descending from the heavens clad in white She exuded an ethereal grace as she advanced with determination When Shiin Yunshin beheld Xiaou her expression shifted dramatically and she hastily sought to retaliate Yet it was too late Xiaawus assault arrived with thunderous force Caught unprepared Shien Yunshin spewed forth blood once more her body battered and hurled several miles away crashing heavily into the forest In her backward flight Shien Yun Shing caught a glimpse of El Shaings figure also materializing from the thick smoke holding the fourth grade divine talisman in his hand Was his aim truly the fourth grade divine talisman a sudden thought flashed through Xiin Yunins mind as she plunged heavily into the distant forest Xiaawu let out a sigh of relief Subsequently she cast a complex expression towards Lu Xiaoing who was joyfully cradling Xin Yunuchin's fourth grade talisman exuding the demeanor of a newly affluent landlord Witnessing such a transformation in Lu Xiaoing Xiaou found it exceedingly difficult to reconcile the overwhelming formidable spiritual awareness that had earlier emanated from him Yet the reality remained Had Lu Xiaoing not intervened so abruptly the outcome of her battle with Shiin Yunshin would have been uncertain The two were evenly matched each wielding comparable skills Lu Xiaoings sudden involvement had significantly diminished Shi Yunins combat prowess thereby securing Xiaous effortless victory Lu shitty indeed impressive Xiaawyu could only utter in admiration Although her triumph over Shien Yinshin was aided by Lu Xiaoing support it felt somewhat unjust However had he not intervened she lacked confidence in overcoming Xiin Yinshin Thus her emotions were a tangle Lu Xiaoing brimming with unrestrained joy did not spare Xiaou a glance casually waving his hand and saying "It was merely a trifling matter Had you continued fighting my talisman would have been depleted." your talisman Xiaawu initially froze then noticed the talisman in Lu Xiaoings grasp leaving her momentarily speechless Please do not tell me that your intervention was solely for this reason Such behavior would diminish your worth With a somewhat awkward expression Xiaawu added "In truth I was confident I could defeat her A one-on-one with Xian Yunin would have sufficed Your interference makes it a twoon-one which feels like bullying her." Lu Xiaoing taken aback and astonished responded "Senior sister Xiaou surely you just When did you ever mention a one-on-one arrangement is there an agreement for a one-on-one what were the members of the star party doing while you were engaging with her?" The members of the Star Point faction engage in underhanded tactics They employ such methods to disrupt Sister Xiaou so why should I refrain from assisting in dealing with her the cascade of words left Xiaous expression considerably more pleasant Indeed Shini Yunshin had orchestrated an ambush against Shiao Ei with the disciples of the pointing star sect enlisting Bianuru and Fong Xiao to exert pressure on her thereby distracting her From the very outset the situation was decidedly inequitable The notion of a one-on-one confrontation was utterly irrelevant However with indignation etched on his face Lu Xiaoing added "Moreover she dares to make use of my talisman If I do not deal with her whom shall I confront how dare she misuse my belongings if one resorts to fighting and misuses the belongings of others what merit can be attributed to such a person the audacity of his attitude rendered Xiaawu speechless once more Lu Xiaoing cast a glance in the direction where Shiao Yi and the others were situated Xi and Xi and the others remained ins snared within the great formation unable to emerge He turned to Xiaou and said "Senior sister Xiaou while you tend to your heart of the secret realm here I shall go and check on Mishen As a disciple of the pointing star sect she is also a member of a prominent sect It is imperative that we do not remain indifferent in the face of her peril and extend a hand of friendship and assistance I must rescue her." Lu Xiaoing spoke these words with a serious expression causing Xiaou to involuntarily sway slightly Her lips parted in astonishment her exquisite visage bespeaking her disbelief and she impulsively questioned Lu Xiao Jing "How can you utter such shameless words with such fluidity and ease there is not a trace of shame Do you not have any awareness of the primary reasons for Schwan Yuns transformation?" As he watched Lu Xiaoing depart Xiaawua took a moment to compose herself then set off towards the heart of the secret realm preparing to claim it Lu Xiaoing cautiously approached the spot where Shiin Yusen had fallen Upon seeing Shin Yusin lying motionless on the ground seemingly unconscious he noted the damage to her garments from the battle having fallen into the forest They were further torn by branches exposing swaves of her alabaster skin Her position on the ground exuded a deadly allure stirring primal instincts within Were anyone else they would undoubtedly rush forward in haste Yet Lu Xiaoing remained still his gaze fixed upon the prostrate figure of Shin Yusen his expression gradually hardening A long sword materialized in his hand its blade beginning to absorb spiritual energy Suddenly a flicker of emotion stirred within El Shaqing as his icy demeanor faded and his sword vanished He transformed once more into a shadowy figure fixating on Zuan Yangen in the distance channeling his spiritual energy several fireballs materialized cascading towards Zu Yangsen Boom the fireball landed beside Shien Yunshin Yet she remained utterly still even as it fell directly before her Lu Xiaoing waved his hand sending several beams of sword light straight toward Shi Yun This time the attack was unambiguously aimed at her If she did not evade injury was inevitable Thud The sword light struck leaving several wounds on Shi Yunins body blood flowing freely Despite this she remained motionless Perhaps she had fainted No better to be cautious Lu Xiaoing murmured to himself then activated his mental technique the spirit shock technique His consciousness surged forth like a tidal wave Gradually coalesing into a sharp long sword aimed at Shiny Yuning Lu Xiaoing intended to strike at her sea of consciousness once more Shien Yunshin was formidable and perilous He could not afford to be careless Finally Shiny Yunshin could no longer restrain herself Her eyes flew open and she cursed "You Scoundrel." She was infuriated Though injured upon her fall she had managed to remain conscious and still had some capacity to retaliate She had conceived a plan to feain unconsciousness and catch him off guard However Lu Xiaoing appeared undeterred testing her from a distance After two failed attempts he was preparing to launch yet another fierce assault She and Yunshin trembled with rage She had never encountered such a despicable man before It was the first time she realized that a man could be so shameless ignoring temptation devoid of compassion and exceedingly cautious yet utterly vile Lu Xiaoing chuckled clearly pleased that his suspicions had been confirmed He then unleashed a powerful assault Shiin Yun as sea of consciousness faced yet another attack Ah unable to withstand it she clutched her head and cried out in pain Her sea of consciousness had already suffered a severe blow and now it was further devastated Compounding her agony Shin Yunshin felt as though her head might explode Her internal spiritual energy spiraling out of control Thud she coughed up a mouthful of blood This time she truly could not move With her sea of consciousness gravely injured recovery would take years without miraculous elixirs And even then she risked lasting repercussions Finally reassured Lu Xiaoing floated down from the tree Upon seeing him Shin Yunins eyes blazed with fury I will fight you once more She bit her tongue spitting out blood Lu Xiaoing noticed her face growing pale devoid of color her breath weakening and he sensed her internal energy turning chaotic a sense of danger washing over him Oh no could she be attempting to unleash her inner core like a feral beast seeking mutual destruction why not behave like a person instead of imitating a monster a core formation cultivator possesses an inner core and if it is destroyed the consequences could range from a drop in cultivation level to death The power of the inner core is immense When unleashed it surpasses even the full strength of a core formation practitioner In haste Lu Shaqin exclaimed "Your pants are showing." At his words Xian Yunshin was taken aback her breath catching as she hurriedly looked down To her relief everything appeared intact Seizing the opportunity Lu Xiaoing cast several restrictions The inner core which had begun to rage as if drenched in cold water immediately calmed Shin Yunshin sensed her inner core disconnecting from her unable to feel its presence While her internal energy felt as though it had been frozen unable to circulate In the blink of an eye she was no different from an ordinary person Chapter 82 Robbery of Wealth Not Beauty Shien Yinshin finally realized that she had been deceived Anger surged within her causing her face to flush crimson and she harbored a fierce desire to perish alongside Lu Xiaoing Yet she found herself utterly incapable of such a confrontation Under normal circumstances she could easily break free from such restraints But now her strength was severely diminished reduced to a mere fraction of its former self rendering her an effortless captive of Lu Xiaoing Unwilling to accept her fate Xiin Yunshin began to struggle Lu Xiaoqing resembling a well-meaning individual kindly advised her not to move asserting that her injuries necessitated stillness for her own well-being A flicker of surprise crossed Shin Yuns mind Did this man truly possess a semblance of compassion however her hopes were soon dashed as Lu Xiaoing produced a length of rope binding her securely with a knot that would not yield He further separated her hands denying her even the slightest opportunity for escape Enraged Xian Yunshin unleashed a torren of curses questioning Lu Xiaoing s masculinity In her current state gravely wounded and diminished she was hardly more than a mere mortal Yet he resorted to ropes for her confinement What cowardice was this lu Xiaoing flashed a cheeky grin and replied nonchalantly "I am a man but I do not wish for you to test that." He then earnestly cautioned her against uttering such provocations in the future as some men could be dangerously susceptible to them Furious Shien Yunin retorted "How dare you say such things you scoundrel release me." She noticed Lu Xiaoing eyeing her intently which sent a jolt of alarm through her Confident in her allure she believed that few men could resist her charms even those from the esteemed clan of the star points Now bound and restrained she felt akin to a fish on a chopping board at the mercy of others Taking a deep breath to quell her inner fury and regain composure she allowed a smile to bloom upon her lips akin to a vivid red flower in full bloom Radiating temptation Shien Yunshin gently swayed her body her tattered garments accentuating her alluring skin sending a powerful surge of attraction directly toward Lu Xiaoing He felt an inexplicable urge stir within him Yet he quickly quelled it He had to admit as the rumors suggested Shien Yunshin indeed had the power to drive many men to madness Just her recent smile and posture devoid of words were already overflowing with seduction Any other man would have succumbed and rushed toward her However Lu Xiaoing understood that Xian Yunin was no ordinary woman Beneath her apparent allure lay a perilous threat Shien Yunin licked her lips a fiery invitation and in a soft melodious tone she inquired "My dear sir what is it that you truly desire if you seek to possess me your methods seem rather hasty." Her voice flowed like a gentle stream soft and enticing In an instant Shien Yunshin transformed into a figure of exquisite vulnerability and irresistible charm This state of being rendered her an almost terrifying force of seduction exuding an aura of temptation at every moment She held unwavering confidence in her ability to enchant men She believed that even the esteemed individual from the star points would falter before her She refused to believe that Lu Xiaoing could be more formidable than him As long as he wavered she would have her chance On the surface Shiin Yunin maintained a cheerful demeanor brimming with allure while internally she harbored a murderous intent Perhaps we should change our venue she suggested her tone silky her gaze laden with innuendo revealing her most captivating and enticing side to Lu Xiaoing Lu Xiaoing remained motionless his gaze fixed upon her as if he were thoroughly entranced by her allure observing his dazed expression Shien Yunin felt a surge of triumph She feared not his masculinity but rather the man who was indifferent to feminine charms As long as he appreciated beauty all would be well Once more Shin Yun Shining gently moved Her body resembling a delicate lily gliding across a serene lake stirring ripples of desire in the depths of his heart Suddenly Lu Xiaoing snapped back to reality and with a swift motion delivered a playful slap to her rear The sound was crisp and resonant "Ah quite bouncy," he remarked calmly devoid of urgency or peculiarity "Stop fooling around." In an instant Shiin Yunshin froze as if shocked by electricity An unfamiliar sensation surged within her For the first time in over 20 years someone had dared to touch her like that The tingling sensation left her flustered and bewildered Her gaze fixed on Lu Xiaoing His calm and composed eyes dark and profound held her captive Shien Yunin found herself at a loss for words Unable to fathom how Lu Xiaoing remained unfaced She realized that her cunning plan had misfired and she understood that this man was far more formidable than she had anticipated The f a of a mere commoner and a shameless rogue was merely a ruse His eyes revealed a depth of cunning far beyond her expectations Lu Xiaoing rubbed his fingers together with a smile and said "If you cooperate with me I assure you no harm will come to you If you continue to resist I might have to spank you again Do you believe me?" After a brief silence Shin Yunin clenched her jaw and asked "What do you intend to do?" Faced with such a man she resigned herself to fate fully aware that no matter how well she plotted she could not outsmart him An undercurrent of worry began to creep into her heart Surely he would not resort to lude intentions Lu Shaing seemed to see through her thoughts and replied "Do not worry I have no interest in your beauty Though you are quite attractive you do not fall within my preferences." As he spoke he deafly removed her storage ring from her finger Shien Yun Shing gasped in shock "What are you doing?" she exclaimed Lu Xiaoing regarded her with a smirk shaking the storage ring in his hand Can you open this for me understanding dawned on Shin Yun He sought the treasures within her storage ring Lu Xiaoing did not deny it This was indeed his true objective Those sparkling spirit stones are far more appealing than you he remarked You shall not have them Shien Yunshin vehemently refused Insensed He was not after her beauty but her wealth How outrageous Moreover her entire fortune lay within There was no way she would relinquish it easily Lu Xiaoing continued to reason with her You must think this through If I force it open your storage ring will be rendered useless and its contents will be damaged Are you certain you want that shien Yun Xin strength surpassed his And though Lu Shiaoing could erase her mark such actions would risk damaging the ring and its valuable contents Four low-level disciples losing their storage rings would not be a significant loss But for someone like Shien Yunyin a core disciple of the star points the loss would be substantial and Lu Xiaoing would certainly feel regret Shien Yunin reiterated her refusal Lu Xiaoing side in resignation shaking his head Very well Then he said before proceeding to forcefully dismantle it Chapter 83 Who are you really shien Yunshin was left in a state of shock Realizing that her storage ring had lost connection with her she gasped in alarm Yuyu She had not anticipated that Lu Xiaoing would act so decisively Without a hint of hesitation he proceeded to take action Angrily she glared at him Could you not persuade me a little longer i merely declined twice And you resort to force What kind of person are you shien Yunshin felt a sense of despair This man before her was utterly detestable and she found herself at a complete loss Ultimately all her words coalesed into a single exclamation You scoundrel Lu Xiaoing paid her no mind violently erasing Xiin Yunshin's mark The surface of her storage ring dimmed signifying that the space within had been devoured and significantly damaged With a pained expression Lu Xiaoing began to rummage through its contents "Oh spirit stones Is this all there is just over 3,000 low-grade spirit stones How impoverished?" He scoffed disdainfully resembling a miser Truly the first sect of Yenha was nothing but a den of beggars claiming to have a second disciple with such meager resources While he continued to sneer he collected Shien Yun Xians spirit stones shaking his head in contempt A sect of poppers is destined for insignificance The sight of him made Shien Yunin see with rage How could he take advantage of her and then act so superior you have no idea that I used all my spirit stones to prepare for this exploration Do you lu Xiaoin continued to extract items from the storage space Spirit talisments not bad I'll sell these He looked at Shien Yunshin cringing as he asked Do you only have one fourth grade divine talisman or was it destroyed just now shien Yunshin turned her head away expressionless unwilling to respond If you're not going to speak fine how stingy he remarked before continuing to search Ah a third grade lawn sword I could give this to my junior sister No this unreliable junior sister is too weak She doesn't te deserve it Oh and a piece of spiritual armor Surprisingly also third grade but red Never mind I'll take it back and see If that incompetent junior sister wanted it she might as well pay me some spirit stones for it Seeing her own long sword and armor fall into Lu Xiaoings hands Shin Yunin was furious Give those back Lu Xiaoing disregarded her calmly storing them in his own ring and shot her a disdainful glance Oh how noble you are pretending to be a big shot Clearly you possess spiritual armor yet choose not to use it Keeping it in your storage ring No wonder you lost to senior sister Xiaou and Yunin felt a surge of blood rise in her throat She hated him fiercely biting her teeth If it weren't for your despicable sneak attack how could she possibly have lost to me the bitterness within her heart was overwhelming In a fair fight with Xiaou without interference from others using her fourth grade divine talisman Xiaou would at best be gravely injured Yet Lu Xiaoing had suddenly emerged catching her off guard and dealing her a heavy blow leading to her current predicament Had she known such a scenario would unfold she would have done everything in her power to eliminate Lu Xiaoqing at the first opportunity This man was utterly vile Once again Shin Yunin spat in anger You despicable shameless villain Lu Xiaoing was unfaced In fact he relished the title accepting it with a smile Thank you for the compliment Observing his indifferent demeanor Xian Yunshin gritted her teeth and demanded "Who exactly are you?" She was curious about what kind of sect could produce such a rogue Lu Xiaoing replied straightforwardly I told you I'm a disciple of Jiian Have you heard of the illustrious Ling Sha sect i am quite familiar with the sect leader If you wish to join Ling Xiao I can provide you with a recommendation The sect leader would certainly extend me some favor Shien Yunin hesitated to accept Lu Xiaoings stated identity Initially she was certain that his claims were false How could he possibly be a disciple of Jeang Chong Wong or Ji Yin however her own companions had silently fallen into the trap laid by Lu Shaqing who had seized the opportunity to ambush her causing her to waver in her judgment and consider the possibility that Lu Xiaoings identity might be genuine Otherwise he could not be this formidable Yet now her doubts resurfaced She was unable to ascertain the true origins of the man before her Was he truly Jian Jr a disciple of the Ling Sha sect or was he Jean Chongs brother a disciple of the Guan Pavilion both the Ling Shao sect and the Guan Pavilion were among the three major sects of Chijha equally powerful as the Dinching sect How could such a rogue exist among their disciples despicable vile and utterly shameless The leaders of these sects would have to be blind to accept such a disciple What would become of their sects reputation shin Yunin known for her intelligence within the Dianing sect seldom made erroneous judgments Her assessments were trusted by the sect leader elders and disciples alike However now her mind was in turmoil and the pain in her sea of consciousness rendered her incapable of calm reflection She could not be certain of Lu Xiaoings identity Lu Xiaoing however was unconcerned He continued to inspect his spoils with a wave of his hand A multitude of jars and bottles appeared Lu Xiaoing frowned at the site Among them were jade bottles and ordinary containers some of which contain medicinal pills However upon opening the ordinary bottles and boxes a fragrant aroma wafted out causing Lu Xiaoing to grimace in distaste Perfume and cosmetics Why do you women have such an affinity for these items can you eat them honestly as cultivators their focus should be on cultivation Striving forward without becoming overly enamored with frivolous things Did they not understand such a simple principle with disdain Lu Xiaoing set aside the perfume and cosmetics addressing Shiny Yunshin I won't take advantage of you I'll return these items later His words were delivered with such audacity that they seemed to suggest he was being magnanimous This enraged Shien Yunshin causing her blood to boil and her chest to tighten as if she might vomit blood This wretched man she thought clenching her teeth Though she was unable to move she longed to leap at him and bite him to death for his shamelessness These were her belongings And he spoke as if he were doing her a great favor by promising to return them What a scoundrel Fuming Xian Yunshin shouted "If you have the guts release me and fight me." Lu Xiaoing rummaged through his belongings and retrieved a piece of candy He unwrapped it with care and placed it in Shien Yunyins mouth Soothingly saying "Be good Don't fuss It will be over soon Tui." Shi Yunhin spouted out her eyes blazing with fury "What did he take her for?" Before she could utter another insult she noticed Lu Xiaoing swiping his hand across the storage ring producing a pink silk pouch Upon seeing this pouch Shiny Yun Shining grew anxious Chapter 84 Is this your zodiac year no do not open it Shen Yun exclaimed anxiously her voice reminiscent of a nervous oral tense yet melodious Her face bore no hint of allure only an expression of unease as if the contents of the package were of utmost significance Quickly put it back Do not touch it Who do you think Lu Xiaoing is if I say I will not be deterred then I shall not be Lu Xiaoing responded His spirits unexpectedly lifted by Shien Yans reaction Could it be that this was something of great value oh come now How ungracious of you to wish to hoard something precious why be so stingy with that Lu Xiaoing began to untie the package It was neatly wrapped adorned with pink silk indistinguishable from an ordinary parcel It was small and flat and upon weighing it in his hand he found it quite light As he began to undo the knots securing the silk Xiin Yun grew more frantic inching closer to thwart his efforts while continuing to shout "You must not open it Do not open it Do not make a fuss There are no sweets left." Lu Xiaoing retorted stepping back with an air of indignation Even if the king of heaven were to come I would still take it It is already mine I shall see what it contains Soon the knots binding the silk were undone revealing the contents within Lu Xiaoing froze realizing that it was not a treasure at all Shiny Yans face turned as vibrant as a blooming red flower radiant yet dripping with embarrassment Bowing her head she wished to bury herself in the ground Her emotions a tumultuous blend of shyness and anger Lu Xiaoing gazed at the brightly colored undergarments before him an awkward expression creeping onto his face The atmosphere fell eerily silent laden with a delicate tension After a moment Shien Yun lifted her head and upon noticing the hint of awkwardness on Lu Xiaoings face she erupted into a tirade scoundrel lascivious fiend unprincipled wretch As a young woman it was only proper to keep intimate garments close at hand Even as a cultivator untouched by worldly dust one could feel discomfort from not frequently changing such attire Shien Yans garments were typically stored in a parcel for easy access when needed Little did she expect them to be treated as treasures by Lu Xiaoing I will kill you she screamed in fury having been spanked and taken advantage of earlier Lu Xiaoings actions now felt like an invasion of her privacy Once he allowed her to finish her outburst Lu Xiaoing unfazed inquired curiously "How old are you is this your zodiac year?" Seeing the genuine curiosity on his face Shiin Yun concluded that the embarrassment earlier was merely a figment of her imagination Unable to contain herself she erupted in a fit of rage spitting blood in frustration You scoundrel great scoundrel Lu Xiaoing indignant retorted "If you do not wish to speak then do not insult This incident was merely a trivial interlude for him one that he dismissed with ease." He proceeded to gather Shi Yuns intimate garments alongside her cosmetics During this process Shiin Yu noticed that when Lu Xiaoing handled her garments he only grasped the outer pink silk avoiding any direct contact with her personal items that rascal Continuing his search through her storage ring Lu Xiaoing collected everything he deemed useful elixir techniques herbs ores books and more leaving her with nothing of value anything he considered worthless He returned to her Ultimately Lu Xiaoing was exceedingly pleased grinning as he handed the storage ring back to Shiny Yun Take it Be careful not to let others take it from you When you venture out be cautious You were fortunate to encounter me Only someone as kind-hearted as I would have spared you Had it been another you would have lost even your trousers Watching Lu Xiaoing revel in his good fortune Shien Yuns anger flared a new You've seen all my undergarments What a tremendous loss She felt as though she had returned to the days before her cultivation began Utterly humiliated If you have the guts kill me Xian Yun glared at Lu Xiaoing teeth clenched vowing retribution This was her first experience of such treatment Akin to losing her virginity to a man she despised Despite her seemingly carefree demeanor she held a purity within never having regarded men as worthy of her attention Today however she had been spanked by Lu Xiaoing and had her intimate garments exposed To her he was no different from the rest She wished for nothing more than to perish alongside him Contemplating self-destruction she realized that she could only provoke him further She had another option Lu Shaqing suddenly fixed his gaze upon Shen Yin The smile vanished from his face replaced by an unsettling calmness his eyes indifferent In that moment he transformed in her eyes where he had once seemed a greedy and shameless man He now appeared as a cultivator who regarded the world and its inhabitants as mere trifles indifferent to all This indifference instilled a sense of fear within Shiny Yun It was a sincerity she had only sensed from ancient beings who had lived for centuries She could not fathom how someone younger than her could possess such a gaze He was a terrifying man one who would act without hesitation Faced with this new side of Lu Xiaoing Shien Yun found many words lodged in her throat Unable to escape her lips she did not wish to acknowledge it but the fear within her was undeniable In that moment she was truly afraid Lu Xiaoing maintained his unwavering gaze on Shien Yun The tension in the air growing palpable The surrounding forest once alive with the songs of birds and the chirping of insects fell silent A chilling stillness enveloping the scene After a long pause Shiin Yun gritted her teeth her expression resolute Come on then strike If you do not act you are no man Suddenly Lu Xiaoing smiled again reverting to his usual demeanor The tense atmosphere dissipated with his smile and to Shiny Yans surprise she too breathed a sigh of relief She found this version of Lu Xiaoing far more endearing than the previous one You she began But Lu Xiaoing waved his hand dismissively What is the point of violence i am a lover of peace Although Lu Xiaoing had considered eliminating Shiny Yun his nature inclined him to eradicate potential threats entirely However Shin Yun was not alone Others from the point star sect remained outside He lacked the confidence to eliminate them without leaving a trace Moreover Xiaou Bianuru and Fong Shao were merely companions not allies Even if he were to eliminate the point star sect members he could not guarantee that the information would remain concealed especially with someone like Bianu who might be the first to betray her Shiny Yun was a core disciple of the Pointstar sect Killing her would incite formidable retaliation from her sect Such an outcome was not Lu Xiaoings intention Eliminating Xiin Yuan would not resolve his troubles Rather it would invite far greater complications Given these considerations why would he resort to such drastic measures furthermore Lu Xiaoing spoke softly Do you still have a trump card from the moment he arrived here he had harbored intentions of murder against Shiny Yunqing Yet as soon as those thoughts emerged he sensed a faint but palpable threat Lu Xiaoing trusted his instincts Should he choose to strike peril would surely follow Thus he reconsidered his course of action Xiian Yunins expression shifted dramatically her heart surging with tumultuous waves of shock She had never anticipated that Lu Xiaoings perception would be so astute A gentle smile graced Lu Xiaoings lips suggesting that Xi and Xi might share a similar intuition He then turned to leave Behind him Shiin Yunshin shouted "You scoundrel let me go." Lu Xiaoings voice echoed back "Calm and unhurried No need to rush The restraints will soon wear off and then you shall regain your freedom." Farewell Chapter 85 Could he have done something to senior sister Shien xiau had already stored away the heart of the secret realm and stood outside the grand formation Her spiritual sense extended outward but failed to penetrate the interior returning only a blank expanse aware that her junior sisters were inside Sia hesitated to enter for she lacked proficiency inmations Although this grand array had been hastily established no one knew when or how Lu Xiaoing had laid it down To venture in recklessly would only ensnare her within Observing the grand formation Xiaou could not help but sigh inwardly At Tianu Peak talent flourishes Jien the foremost figure in Chiha had entered the naent soul stage before reaching 30 Endowed with extraordinary gifts Shiaoi Jiians junior sister had comprehended sword intent during theQi refining stage Her aptitude nearly rivaling that of Ji Yin Today she stood resolute confronting opponents in the core formation stage with her chi refining prowess demonstrating a courage that far surpassed her peers Then there was Luca Ching a remarkably low-key individual His true strength remained concealed and even Xiaawu dared not ascertain the extent of his power Yet when he struck he left Shian Yunshin at a severe disadvantage He had also managed to silently set up a formation to protect Shiao E and her companions alleviating Xiaawus concerns Even before the battle commenced he had taken precautions seemingly anticipating such a scenario His meticulous and far-sighted mindset rendered Xiaou apprehensive of Lu Xiaoing Thus she refrained from entering the Grand Array However Sia sensed the formation's operation becoming sluggish indicating that Xing and the disciples of the Starpoint sect were employing brute force against it The Grand Array would not withstand for much longer Lu Xiaoing had yet to return Xiai leapt onto a tree and sat cross-legged recovering her energy while awaiting the formation's collapse or Lu Xiaoings return As for seeking out Lu Xiaoing she had no intention of doing so Encountering an awkward situation would be undesirable Inside the Grand Formation Xiing Xi and the disciples of the Starpoint sect relentlessly attacked Eventually Lu Xiaoings grand array could no longer hold With a surge of immense spiritual energy radiating outward the white mist dispersed and the formation was finally breached Haha Xing's triumphant laughter echoed around You thought a mere broken formation could stop me you three wretched girls prepare to meet your end Xing reappeared Fixated on Shiao E and her companions As the disciples of the starpoint sect slowly encircled them their eyes gleaming with malice The backlash from the formation was not easily dispelled and they had suffered greatly within it Their frustration boiling over many disciples brandished spiritual talisments Poised to strike at Shiao E and her friends who stood on high alert Xi and Xi sneered You can hide all you want but this time there will be no escape Shiaoi undaunted retorted You a defeated foe dare to pratton her provocation sent Xenshi into a fury Damn it you vile girl You're as good as dead I assure you no one can save you today I will tear you apart Is that so came Xiaus voice from behind Xing Young Master Xin Such grandiose statements Xing froze turning slowly to see Xiau gracefully descending from a tree her white attire billowing like a celestial being Faced with the ethereal Sia Xiing felt akin to a rat cornered by a predator his body tensing in fear The gap in their realms was vast The confrontation would see Xiau easily overpower him His gaze flicked past Xiaawyus exquisite visage to the spot where she had battled Shien Yunshin His senior sister was nowhere to be found heightening his anxiety If Xian Yunshin at the eighth level of core formation could not contend with Xiaou what chance did he have meanwhile Bienro Row and the others caught sight of Xiaou and rejoiced Senior sister you won Xiaou smiled and nodded That's wonderful Yian Rouro and her companions embraced joyfully but then came the questions Where is second senior brother where is senior sister Shien both Shiao Yi and Xien Xi voiced their concerns The absence of Lu Xiaoing and Xian Yunin was palpable Xiaawi remained silent her gaze fixed in a particular direction The others followed her line of sight and soon beheld Lu Xiao Xing strolling leisurely from the forest a satisfied expression on his face His gate reminiscent of a carefree young master departing a lavish establishment Ah everyone is here Lu Xiaoing exclaimed cheerfully waving to the group "Second senior brother." Upon seeing him Xiaoi felt her anxiety dissipate She wished to rush forward but her injuries constrained her Lu Xiaoing noticed her hesitation furrowing his brow as his gaze landed on exhi who had been fixated on him Their eyes met sparking a silent tension Where is senior sister Shien lu Shaqing casually replied why not ask her parents i'm not her father His response mirrored the one he had given regarding Xen ands whereabouts Xenshis face darkened with murderous intent You seek death Lu Shaqing approached Xiaou wearing an expression that seemed to taunt Do you wish to kill me have you consulted senior sister Xiaou first he shamelessly dragged Xiaou into the fray showing no hint of embarrassment Shameless Biano muttered unable to contain her disdain Xiing seethed with rage his aura surging dangerously Do you dare to face me in battle a fight to the death Oh are you not concerned for your senior sister lu Xiaoings words halted Exine Xis breath as if a balloon had been punctured his anger quickly deflating Where is senior sister Shien tell me over there Lu Xiaoing pointed in the direction of Xian Yinshin But you needn't worry She has fine All is well I've alleviated some of her burdens No need for thanks Nonsense Both Exen Xi and the disciples of the Starpoint sect silently protested Feeling that Lu Xiaoings demeanor hardly suggested he had aided Shi Yinshing Seeing Lu Xiaoings nonchalant attitude Xiings anxiety deepened Damn it Could that rascal had done something to my sister without a second thought Xi and Xi dashed toward the location of Shin Yunshin Chapter 86 Was it truly that second senior brother are you all right shiao E her complexion pale approached LV Shiaoing He regarded her with a steady gaze seemingly unfazed Injured shia nodded a smile creeping onto her face revealing her happiness despite the circumstances But it's nothing A few days of rest will suffice With second senior brother by her side she felt secure LV Shaoing nodded quietly saying nothing further However Bianuru unable to contain her frustration immediately rebuked him Little E has sustained serious injuries And you have not shown any concern Elvie Xiaoing retorted What would you have me express should I weep or rejoice she is still alive Is she not he then took the opportunity to disdainfully address Bienu When did Schwan Yua Valley become so feeble return and have your master recruit a few male disciples to bolster your vigor You scoundrel Bianu stamped her foot in anger This rascal was indeed no good Siau on the other hand expressed her gratitude to LV Shaing saying "Junior brother LV I owe you a debt of gratitude today Without your assistance I would have found it exceedingly difficult to obtain the heart of the secret realm This was the truth." She had anticipated a simple exploration but encountered an opponent of equal caliber nearly missing her opportunity Elvie Shaoi waved his hand dismissively It was nothing just a small effort No need for gratitude Siau insisted "This time consider it a favor owed to you Should you require anything in the future do not hesitate to ask For Xiaou the secret realm was of little consequence Had it not been for the heart of the secret realm she would have been disincined to attend With the heart now in her possession she felt more confident about catching up and not falling behind Indeed LV Shiaoing sistence had been invaluable Otherwise she would have never acquired the heart Of course if not for the presence of the point star sect she could have completed the exploration alone without relying on others Yen Ruru feeling indignant remarked that he had hidden away and contributed nothing Sia frowned her tone unexpectedly stern causing Bienuru to flinch and refrain from further comment With a sigh Xiaou realized that Bienuru was blinded by prejudice against LV Shiaoing failing to see the magnitude of his contribution Elvie Shaoing disinterested in Bienurus outburst turned to Xiaou As for favors let us forgo that Just give me 80 to 100,000 spirit stones Xiau chose to overlook the statement While she was somewhat affluent she did not possess such an amount It was better to consider it a dead owed to him Glancing around she noticed the other disciples of the point star sect regarding them with trepidation none daring to speak "Let us depart," she declared weary of attention X Iing rushed into the woods frantically searching for Shien Yunshin Sister Shien where are you sister Shien Soon he sensed her presence Sister Shien don't come any closer Shiny Yunins voice rang out weak and pleading Anxious for her safety Exeni disregarded her warning and dashed forward What he beheld ignited a fervor within him Xiin Yunshin had just freed herself from her bindings her tattered clothing barely concealing her snow white skin And in her disheveled state she appeared irresistibly captivating to him Shien Sister Shien Xening Xis gaze became fixed struggling to swallow his breath "Don't come any closer." Shien Yunshin shouted Her face flushed with anger and embarrassment Yet Xing could not help himself stepping closer to her "Sister you're hurt I I'm here to help you." Realizing that her appearance had mesmerized him Shi Yunin felt no sense of accomplishment If only she could ensnare that scoundrel instead Then she might feel a sense of achievement I don't need your help she rejected But Xi and Xi was relentless grabbing her arm and lifting her while pushing her against a tree Gazing into her face his reason began to erode Sister you are truly beautiful As Xien Xis hand began to wander Xian Yunin felt a wave of revulsion wash over her In that moment she recognized that compared to LV Shiaoing her junior brother Exaienh Xi was far more repugnant and nauseating Though LV Shiaoing had evoked her eye he had not crossed any inappropriate boundaries save for that one slap to her backside Xian Yunshin cried out but her please only fueled Xings fervor Sister Shien he murmured his gaze clouded Just as it seemed Xing would completely lose his reason Xian Yunin hastily interjected Junior brother Xin Have you forgotten about senior brother the mention of senior brother seemed to possess a mystical power snapping Xeni back to clarity The haze in his eyes dissipated replaced by lucidity He looked at Shin Yunin close enough to sense her intoxicating fragrance Though reluctant he slowly released her Fear flickered across his face as he stammered Shin Sister Shin I I Shiin Yunshin maintained a facade of distress her heart unperturbed Junior brother Xen can we keep today as events to ourselves that that scoundrel He He xen Xis face pald in shock Sister what did he do to you just know that I cannot face anyone again If this gets out my life will be ruined Her words stirred a storm of rage within Xing He felt a mixture of envy and fury How could someone take what belonged to the goddess he had adored for over a decade he had been a loyal servant yet he had never even touched her hand If he did not avenge this wrong what was the point of cultivating with his eyes ablaze he prepared to confront LV Shiaoing Sister Shen she hastily cautioned Do not You are not his match Her words implied you are inferior to him In a flash Xiani sword into the air his rage towering Sister Shin wait for me I will kill him Unbeknownst to him behind him Xian Yunins eyes gleamed with a hint of triumph and malice Xing pursued the departing LV Shaoing shouting "You scoundrel come and face me!" He descended with a strike Caught off guard LV Shiaoing hastily countered "But ouch!" LV Shaqing spat blood and was sent flying Chapter 87 One should not burn bridges after crossing them dog "I will kill you!" Xen Xi shouted furiously his hands unleashing talismans in rapid succession towards the direction of Lu Xiaoing Thunder gale and flames intertwined resulting in a series of explosions A massive shock wave radiated outward shaking the earth and darkening the skies Before Xiaoyu and the others could comprehend the situation Xings relentless assault had already created a vast pit where Lu Xiaoing once stood Second brother Xiaoi screamed As the smoke cleared only a deep crater remained Everything else had vanished without a trace Huh xi and Xi laughed maniacally that detestable scoundrel Not even a scrap left dare to lay hands on my goddess Utterly oblivious to his impending doom Xiaawu and the others were stunned In the blink of an eye had Lu Xiaoing truly been obliterated Shiais eyes turned red with anger She drew her sword ready to charge for revenge However Fong Xiao pulled her back pointing into the distance Do not act impulsively Shiaoi followed his gaze and saw Lu Xiaoing emerging from a nearby thicket rushing towards Xiaou in a flash He dusted off his clothes and angrily shouted at Xing "Are you out of your mind?" Then he turned to Xiaou complaining "Sister Xiaou why weren't you watching out for me?" He came charging at me "Look I'm injured." He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and everyone noticed his weakened aura Then he suspiciously stared at Xiaou "Sister Xiaou you aren't thinking of burning bridges after using me are you you plan to discard me after I've served my purpose one must possess a conscience." Xiau was at a loss for words She realized that no matter how calm she tried to be in front of Lu Xiaoing his presence could easily unsettle her composure Yenro shouted "What nonsense are you spouting you were a 100 miles away from us How dare you blame Sister Xiaoyu you were the one scheming behind our backs And now you're facing retribution." Lu Xiaoing unfazed retorted "I was covering your rear Look that scoundrel came charging at you If it were your frail body you would have been obliterated How absurd Bienro angrily exclaimed Sister don't mind him He asked just a rogue Lu Xiaoing then addressed Xiaou Sister Xiaou even if we must part ways later you cannot simply abandon me here Xiaou did not refute him and acknowledged her oversight You are right Junior Brother Lu I was careless Xi and Xi was filled with murderous intent as he closed in from behind but Xiaawu had sensed it early and prepared herself Her primary focus was on Xiao Ei Bian Row Row and Fong Shao She would intervene immediately if Xiing targeted them However she underestimated Xing speed and did not anticipate that Lu Xiaoing would be unable to withstand his attack getting sent flying Lu Xiaoings face turned pale blood staining the corner of his mouth indicating he had sustained serious injuries Xiaous gaze fell on Xing Young Master Xen you have gone too far Xing brimming with anger glared at Lu Xiaoing You shall pay for this Since you insist on attacking do not blame me for being ruthless Xiaawus tone was calm yet menacing If you dare strike again I will end your life Though she despised violence it did not mean she would shy away from it Exing hesitated his grip on the talisman tightening as he contemplated his next move At that moment Lu Xiaoing interjected Sister Xiaou let's not concern ourselves with him He acted out of a moment of madness Let us not stoop to his level The crowd gasped at Lu Xiaoings words exchanging bewildered glances Had he been possessed or had the earlier explosion affected his mind such words coming from him were astonishing especially to Shia who was left dumbfounded Was this truly the second brother she knew the one who was vengeful and petty in her mind Shy imagined a myriad of ways for Xing Xi to meet his demise convinced that he was doomed after such a significant loss She never expected Lu Xiaoing to suggest sparing him Unable to contain herself she exclaimed "Second brother are you all right what do you mean am I all right can't you see I'm injured come help me." Lu Shaqing replied "Benro scoffed." Little E is far more injured than you "Are you still a man?" Shiao confused asked Second brother "You really want to let him go why?" Lu Xiaoing admonished her Repay kindness with kindness How many times must I tell you he may have ambushed me but he must have been provoked in some way Sister CIU has acquired the heart of the secret realm Needless conflict is unnecessary Why be so petty if we all take a step back wouldn't he the world be at peace return and write repreay kindness with kindness a hundred times One missing punctuation mark and you'll be punished Lu Shaqing declared exuding an aura of moral righteousness Xiaawu and the others blinked increasingly convinced that he had been taken over by another exhi was also taken aback Had Lu Xiaoing truly become meek Yet even if he had he wouldn't he escape punishment Shien Yunin arrived at that moment dressed in a fresh red outfit Despite her injuries she remained captivating "Young Master Exine do not act rashly," she said her face pale with concern "There's no need to stir up more trouble," Xiaawu agreed "Miss Xian there is no point in continuing this fight." Lu Shaqing noticed Shian Yunes gaze upon him and smiled waving his hand "Your new attire looks splendid." Xian Yunshin felt an instinctive urge to unleash her full power While Xing expression darkened further his murderous intent intensifying Xiau turned to Shien Yunshin Miss Shien I bid you farewell until we meet again Sensing the tension Xiaou dared not linger knowing that a confrontation would be feudal given their numerical disadvantage Before departing Lu Xiaoing warned Xing "Be wise in return Do not seek your own demise Chi Prefecture is my domain I can summon a legion to end you Then addressing Shien Yunyin he said "Miss Shien I shall remember the events in the forest You are a good person We are not meant for each other." "Damn it," Xian Yunyun fumed internally seething with rage If only she were not injured she would have acted As for Exine Xi he clenched his talisman tightly veins bulging on his forehead teetering on the brink of fury With a sigh Shin Yunshin lamented her voice tinged with sorrow I cannot seek vengeance now This humiliation will haunt me for a lifetime Young master Xen let us return and report to the senior brother He will avenge me Ah and let us not forget senior brother Xen and must also have perished at his hands We must have our senior brother avenge us Xing coldly interrupted Sister Shin you need not persuade me further I will avenge your brother and my brother I will rent him limb from limb and extract his soul ensuring he never finds peace in this life or the next Xian Yunshin anxiously replied "No I do not want you to take such risks Your strength pales in comparison to his X and Xi however vehemently disagreed retoring," Sister Shin rest assured I recently sparred with him and his prowess is merely adequate He is only slightly faster He is no match for me and besides he is already injured which further diminishes his chances against me Yet Xiaawu is also present Shin Yunin hesitated then suddenly recalled "Oh right they are not from the same sect Once they exit they will undoubtedly part ways." Xiini affirmed "Indeed I have heard him mention it Therefore his demise is imminent." with a confident expression and a fierce glint in his eyes Xng continued "Even with Xiaou around I am unafraid With the talismans bestowed upon me by my grandfather I fear no one not even those at the ninth level of foundation establishment Even if I cannot defeat him I can surely retreat and scathe." Shen Yinys expression turned grave as she urged "Junior Brother Xen please heed my words I implore you do not go." Xings resolve was unwavering especially upon seeing Xian Yunin's distressed demeanor which only strengthened his determination to eliminate Lu Xiaoing Sister Shin you and the other juniors wait for me at the exit I shall return with his head Chapter 88 Outside the secret realm upon exiting the secret realm a collective sigh of relief escaped the group Typically the presence of a golden core cultivator ensures a relatively uneventful exploration Most threats within the realm pose little challenge to such formidable experts However this time they encountered the starpoint sect Compared to the dangers lurking within the secret realm humanity proved to be far more perilous Xiaawus gaze instinctively drifted back to Lu Xiaoing only to find him casually waving his hand towards the sky A flying sword vanished into the ether creating ripples in the air akin to a fish gliding through water Delicate and quiet accomplished without a sound Its smoothness was subtle nearly imperceptible Given Xiaawus strength had she not caught a glimpse of Lu Xiaoings action she would have remained oblivious to his undertaking After discarding the flying sword Lu Xiaoing prepared to stand with his hands behind his back figning nonulence Noticing Xiaous scrutiny he met her gaze with a grin and playfully winked causing her heart to flutter as she instinctively averted her eyes Although uncertain of Lu Xiaoings intentions Xiaawyu was not one to meddle She addressed the group suggesting they return to Ling Xiao City to regroup Yet Lu Xiaoing interrupted saying "Sister Xiaou you three should head back My junior sister and I have a few matters to attend to." Shiao blinked with confusion "Second senior brother what other matters could there be i'm injured and need to return to replenish my strength." Lu Xiaoing chose not to respond to her query instead reflecting on his earlier actions Xiaou appeared to have deduced something and with a faint smile she asked "Do you require assistance?" Lu Xiaoin shook his head "It's merely a trivial matter I wouldn't want to trouble Sister Xiaou." He mused inwardly that if it were possible he would have acted while still in the secret realm avoiding such complications Xiaou regarded him thoughtfully "In that case I shan impose on your time Junior Brother Lu Until we meet again in Ling Xiao City Farewell Lu Xiaoing replied Sister Xiaou whether you have matters or not please refrain from seeking me out My heart cannot bear the burden The allure of the first beauty brought him trepidation He preferred to maintain a distance from her to avoid misunderstandings Xiau admirers in Xiha were numerous and Lu Xiaoing dared not draw too close fearing misinterpretation Xiau paused smiling softly as I said until we meet again in Linga City With that she remained silent boarding the flying vessel alongside Bianuru and Fong Shao Returning to Ling Shao City while aboard Fong Xiao suddenly remarked "What young Master Lu intends to do is no trivial matter." Yian Ruru rolled her eyes unable to suppress her sarcasm regarding Lu Xiaoing That guy is full of schemes Surely he is up to no good This time sister is fortunate otherwise The heart of the secret realm would have been seized long ago Xiaou countered Ruru my acquisition of the heart of the secret realm is largely thanks to Junior Brother Lu Had it not been for his formation shielding you I would have been distracted and defeated It was undeniable that her fortune lay in having Lu Xiaoing as assistance Yen Rur a bitter lip Her discontent evident as she continued to critique Lu Xiaoing from another angle He inconsiderate If he had set up the formation why not inform us sooner we had to suffer injuries before retreating to safety Little was hurt because of him Is this how a senior brother behaves fong Xiao interjected I believe he had his reasons And what reasons might those be to allow Little E to get hurt while we all suffered is this some form of revenge xiaou shook her head recognizing her junior sister s bias against Lu Xiaoing Regardless junior brother Lu helped me defeat Shien Yunshin This journey through the secret realm was fraught with peril but ultimately safe Yen Ruru persisted Sister please don't downplay your contributions It was clearly your achievement not his He merely set up a formation The victory over Shiin Yun was primarily your doing When Lu Xiaoing ambushed Shenyunu and the others were already within the formation unaware of the outside events Sighing Xiaawu turned to the boatman Excuse me could you please stop the vessel as the flying vessel slowed Bian Ruru and Fong Sha exchanged bewildered glances Sister what is wrong xiaawus expression turned serious as she addressed Bianu Ruru you've always thought Junior Brother Lu lacks talent and strength This time I shall take you to witness his true capabilities Bianuru was taken aback Fong Xiao seemed to grasp the situation Are you saying young Master Lui return with us because he intends to confront someone xiau nodded her gaze fixed on Bien Ruru If I am correct he is likely waiting for members of the Starpoint sect The Starpoint sect bianu exclaimed in surprise Fong Xiao however was less astonished From her perspective Lu Xiaoing was not an easy person to deal with His interactions in the secret realm made it clear he would not easily overlook those who offended him Yen Ruru questioned "Do the Starpoint sect dare to pursue us are they not afraid of sister?" Xiaou shook her head and did not respond "Let us go." Shia curiously asked "Second senior brother are the starpoint sect members really following us do they know we parted ways with Sister Xiaou?" Lu Xiaoing reclined against a tree trunk while Shiaoi sat opposite him her little feet swinging as she curiously observed him When she learned Lu Xiaoing was waiting for the starpoint sect her surprise was evident Lu Xiaoing replied "Of course they will follow I'm injured." And they heard "I've parted ways with Sister Xiaou How could they not follow?" Shiao Es eyes widened in astonishment Second senior brother you feigned your injury Lu Xiaoing glanced at her Do you truly believe I am injured xiaoi nodded Indeed that X Iing's attack was so fierce it nearly shattered the mountain It's only natural you would sustain injuries from his ambush Huh he is not worthy Anyone attempting to ambush me would need to be far more formidable Shiai caught on and couldn't te help but Tease second senior brother you're quite devious Chapter 89 Someone is bullying your junior disciple Shiai finally comprehended the situation Lu Xiaoing had intentionally raised his voice declaring his intention to part ways with Xiaou while figning injury His aim was to draw the attention of the members of the Dianing sect particularly Xing Brother do you intend to kill the members of the Dianing sect lu Xiaoing nodded affirmatively Indeed especially Xing he must be eliminated Is this for my sake shia asked her excitement palpable You want me to confront him i've already done my best He behaves without honor A sense of delight filled her heart Yet Lu Xiaoing dowsed her enthusiasm with cold water He possesses a fourth grade identity card As his elder brother I must have won too Shiao Es expression fell her lips pouting in disappointment It was merely a matter of coveting what belonged to another Annoyed Shiai huffed Perhaps he is too afraid to come Lu Xiaoing however was brimming with confidence Rest assured he will come Why shiai queried perplexed Didn't Teu just mention our separation from senior sister Xiaou he asked not foolish One Ti suspect this is a faint strategy Lu Xiaoing chuckled Oh I thought you were illiterate Who knew you understood strategies shiaoi protested I am not illiterate I simply dislike reading So your education is quite high then Shia proudly raised her head her small feet swinging in delight Lu Xiaoing replied "Perfect When we return remember to write an 800 no 8,000word essay for me Shi was taken aback her feet ceasing their motion her face transforming into one of disbelief gradually morphing into terror Brother what did you just say laching explained The essay should encompass your experiences battles mistakes made and how to improve in the future At least 8,000 words Miss a single word and I shall shave your head sending you to become a nun in pursuit of enlightenment Shiao ES vision darkened Her body swayed and she collapsed Grasping a branch in a panic she screamed resembling a frightened monkey dangling from a tree limb Brother you cannot be jesting Brother such jokes are hardly amusing Lu Xiaoing replied Who is joking with you this is a task Shia scrambled back to the tree Leaping onto the branch where Lu Shaqing sat her smile ingratiating Brother please spare me You might as well kill me then demand 8,000 words It's absurd I doubt I've written that much in my entire life Now tasked with writing 8,000 words of reflections she genuinely feared for her life Shiaoi blinked attempting to charm him with a cute gesture Alas Lu Xiaoing remained unmoved inciting her frustration to the point of wanting to push him off the branch Realizing she could not sway his decision Xiaoi angrily jumped back to the opposite branch Just wait I will seek Master and the senior brother for assistance Lu Xiaoing shrugged indifferently Go ahead If they agree you need not write Feeling somewhat disheartened at the thought of master and the senior brother Shiai felt her hopes diminish 8,000 words This is more challenging than advancing in cultivation However Shia did not give up and silently vowed to seek an opportunity for Lu Xiaoing to relent Brother even if Xiing comes what about the others you are in afraid they will follow Lu Xiaoing replied I am anticipating their arrival It will be perfect for capturing them all Oh so you do have plans for silencing them Yet Shiaui was still puzzled Brother why not act within the secret realm with senior sister Xiaou as assistance it would be easy to eliminate them all Lu Xiaoing sideighed Do you think I do not wish to senior Sister Xiaou is not one to engage in indiscriminate killing Having obtained what she desires she would not attack the dancing sect members Lu Shaqing had recognized this long ago Xiaawua's cultivation technique emphasized a tranquil mind refraining from conflict and she would never initiate slaughter When she defeated Shin Yuning Lu Xiaoing had already noticed her restraint She could have ended the fight in one blow Yet she held back Moreover with Ben Ro in the mix Lu Xiaoing had no intention of involving Xiaawu further Are you confident given their numbers you will see shortly Xiaoi wanted to inquire further but Lu Xiaoing grew impatient Instead of wasting time here you might as well meditate to recover your strength Pouting Shia complied Swallowing several pills and quietly entering a meditative state Lu Xiaoing lay on the branch eyes closed breathing evenly resembling someone in slumber Little Hong nestled at top Shia's head eyes shut appearing likewise asleep A gentle breeze whispered through creating an atmosphere of tranquility After a considerable time Lu Xiaoing opened his eyes sitting up and gazing into the distance precisely where the entrance to the secret realm lay Shiaoi sensed his movement opening her eyes to ask "Brother have they arrived?" Lu Xiaoing nodded "Indeed." Then sensing the surroundings he grew furious "Only one has come how audacious do they truly underestimate me what a troublesome individual?" Xiao confused asked "Brother what do you mean?" Lu Xiaoing scoffed It's just x iing The others are nowhere to be seen What should we do brother lu Xiaoing sighed I do not know I expected them all to arrive This was an oversight on my part That woman is not simple Before departing Lu Xiaoing had provocatively taunted Shiny Yunshin believing she would follow even if she did not engage Witnessing him being pursued should have provoked her anger Yet she did not appear Soon Xing silhouette emerged in the distance and he too sensed Lu Xiaoing as presence Slowing his pace he approached steadily Each deliberate step resonated with determination and even from afar Shia could feel the chilling intent emanating from Xing His overwhelming murderous aura was palpable a declaration of his resolve to kill both Lu Xiaoing and Shia Witnessing Xing imposing presence and murderous intent Shia could not help but glance at Lu Xiaoing Brother you are not expecting me to confront him are you lu Xiaoing appeared unfazed Would you like to it could be good practice for you Shiaoi immediately shook her head vigorously expressing her thoughts No At his level I would be dead in an instant Had they been of the same realm she would have charged in without hesitation Previously she had exploited Xing carelessness Paired with her sword intent to gain an advantage Now Xing would not grant her such an opportunity again While shaking her head she took a step back positioning herself behind Lu Xiaoing signaling her refusal to engage Brother you go defeat him Lu Xiaoing stood with his hands behind his back waiting for Xiang Xi to approach As Xi and Xi closed the distance their eyes met and the animosity between them was palpable his eyes burning with rage every fiber of his being radiating a murderous intent towards Lu Xiaoing Good good you did not flee This is splendid X I Nswords dripped with venomous hatred Throughout the journey he trailed behind with his animosity swelling with each passing day now reaching a fever pitch Shiai recoiled slightly behind Lu Xiaoing For this individual now exuded an aura of terror His formidable presence coupled with a palpable intent to kill sent shivers down her spine Could her second senior brother possibly contend with him shiai cast a glance at Lu Xiaoqing who maintained his languid demeanor but inquired with a hint of irritation Where is your senior sister Shien why does she cower in fear and refused to show herself how dare you mention senior sister Shien Xian she exclaimed summoning a talisman that surged with spiritual energy declaring "Today I shall end you." Lu Xiaoing merely smirked in disdain then called out towards a particular direction behind him "Are you coming out?" They're about to bully your junior brother Both Shia and Xien Xi were taken aback Suddenly a young man clad in white Bearing a long sword and possessing a gaze as sharp as his blade emerged With his arrival a palpable aura of sword intent radiated across the surrounding miles instilling awe and trepidation Senior brother chapter 90 Unfazed master brother Shia exclaimed in delight Gi Xing gasped his tone not one of joy but of terror As the foremost individual among the younger generation of Chihua GiN s name resonated like thunder throughout the neighboring Yenjo His reputation formidable Unlike the understated Lu Xiaoing Jiians remarkable talents rendered any attempts at modesty feudal A frequent headliner in the Tang Gong report his visage was well known to the public Upon seeing Jiian Xings heart was gripped by fear He glanced at Lu Xiaoing incredulous Was this truly Ji Yin s younger brother the mere presence of Ji Yin sent shivers down X and Gs spine He lamented inwardly regretting his decision to seek vengeance Had he known he would have heeded the advice to refrain from such folly The Gi he had seen in the Tangong report was but a cold image lacking essence a mere projection Even those at theqi refining stage dared to boast in front of such projections claiming they could suppress Ji Yin Xeni was no exception He too had once spoken boldly against the projection of Jiian However when faced with the real Ji Yin all his past bravado and disdain evaporated Jiian merely cast a glance at him and exing felt as though a long sword had sealed all his acupoints rendering him immobile Jiian regarded his junior brother and sister with an unchanging expression but the sharpness in his eyes had softened considerably Lu Xiaoing sneered How far have we come from Tanu Peak you arrive now and boast about being in the nent soul stage Yet your speed rivals that of a snail I arrived long ago I merely wish to discern what manner of person required my intervention Gi replied Lu Shaqing continued to scoff Ha What pretense hiding away like that Similarly Giann tone dripped with scorn as he derided Lu Xiaoing for summoning him through a flying sword message Can't you handle this yourself beside them Shiai adorned with a little red headband gazed at her two senior brothers with wide curious eyes unable to contain her inquisitiveness Second brother when did you call master brother here lu Xiaoing huffed If you wanted to go why didn't T you pay closer attention seizing the moment Jiian advised Xiaoi Always remain vigilant Yes be wary of your master brother Should he suddenly vanish leaving you surrounded by countless foes I wonder how you would fare shiaoi sensed the palpable resentment radiating from Lu Xiaoing Her curiosity peaked She asked "Master brother second brother what are you two discussing?" Ji Yin replied nonchalantly In the past during an exploration of a secret realm he tasked me with clearing the path only for me to fall into a trap His tone was devoid of any emotional fluctuation as if recounting the tale of another Shia was astonished Master brother has also faced setbacks Lu Xiaoing retorted angrily "Let us not dwell on that You are the master brother Who else would clear the path you fled when I was besieged by feral beasts Why don't you mention that i was seeking the leader of the beasts Ultimately it was I who managed to slay it ji Yin stated assuredly Shias heart fluttered with joy at the thought of her two senior brothers having teamed up to explore a secret realm When did this happen lu Xiaoing replied irritably When we first entered the sect I can't recall the exact time Why ask so much let us not bring this up again Jian interjected It was indeed during our first year in the sect I was at the fifth level ofqi refining and you were at the fourth It was the first and only time our master took us to explore a small secret realm before reaching the nent soul stage Shiaoi upon hearing this felt as though she might kneel in reverence She remembered her master mentioning that both senior brothers had entered the sect as mere mortals In just a year they had advanced to the midchi refining stage Reflecting on her own progress at 16 only reaching the ninth level she felt a profound sense of shame Curious Xiaoi wondered why their master had never spoken of this incident Lu Xiaoing shot her a fierce glare warning her You must not mention this in front of our master or I will deal with you Why not shall we pressed her curiosity ignited This was a significant first for you and master It should hold great sentimental value to Shia The idea of the master and disciples embarking on their inaugural adventure was a momentous occasion full of romance and beauty Why must it remain unspoken gian explained At that time I inadvertently caused trouble for our master He paused raising two fingers for emphasis twice Afterward I received a beating and every time it came to mind I would get hit again Our master certainly remembers it well Shiai burst into laughter utterly takenback by this revelation Lu Xiaoing glared at Jiian Do you wish to perish how dare you bring this up jiian smirked But you mentioned it first Our sister is curious Why must we remain silent shiaoi nodded adorably Indeed Aishun TB kept in the dark as the lovely little junior sister Lu Xiaoing s gaze turned sharp as it fell upon Xiaoi causing her to hastily lower her head With a menacing tone Lu Xiaoing warned "You must not bring this up in front of our master or I will have my way with you." Seizing the opportunity Shia proposed "Second brother I can guarantee not to mention it in front of our master but I refuse to write that 8,000word reflection." Lu Xiaoing chuckled his voice sending shivers down Shiaoyas spine "So you've learned to negotiate?" "Quite ambitious I simply do not wish to write 8,000 words." "It's far too much I promise to keep silent," Shiaoi insisted ignoring her Lu Xiaoing turned to Ji Yin commanding "Make her write 10,000 words No 20,000 words." On her insights from the secret realm with an impassive expression Jiian nodded "Fine youll oversee it after all It will be your responsibility to teach her By the time she finishes I should be ready to break through as well Agreed Shiaoi blinked A wave of despair washing over her threatening to bring her to tears Had she truly shot herself in the foot what had she done as she fought back tears Shiao Hong perched at top her head shielding her eyes with her wings You've gone too far Do you not realize this formidable adversary cannot be coerced enough A sudden booming voice interrupted the trio of senior siblings Chapter 91 I do not bully my juniors The three turned their gazes toward the sound Witnessing the trembling body of Xing who had been left aside Initially Xing was overwhelmed with terror Unable to fathom that Lu Xiaoing was indeed a disciple of Jiian he had approached with a heart full of murderous intent But upon Jiians appearance he had already faltered contemplating how to escape this predicament with dignity However Jiians indifference as he left him to the side while his senior peers spoke unabashedly as if he were invisible was unbearable for Exine His teeth nearly ground to dust and fury He had encountered humiliation before but never of this magnitude This treatment ignited a rage within him that made his entire body tremble In his entire life he had never experienced such indignity In his fury he forgot the terror of Ji Yin and roared "You humiliate me so Are you seeking death lu Xiaoing pointed at Xiing and Xi and commanded Xien "Go strike him down You must eliminate him." Jiian declined stating "I do not bully others He was at the nent soul stage." While Xiing Xi was merely at the midstage of the core formation Xien could not comprehend why with such strength he would not engage "You called me here from afar Do you think I am idol?" Lu Xiaoing replied He must possess a fourth grade talisman Jiian scoffed Is it merely a fourth grade talisman you can withstand it Lu Xiaoing retorted impatiently Isn't it stop pretending to be oblivious Hurry dispatch him then pursue the others Shall we grasp the situation asking second senior brother did you summon the first senior brother to eradicate the roots lu Xiaoing did not deny it He turned to Jiian saying I encountered a woman quite beautiful Would you like her as a wife xi Yin regarded him with an expressionless face inquiring "What have you done to her are you this afraid?" Lu Xiaoing mirrored his expression replying "Do you not want her then you shall spend your life with your shabby sword." He added "If you do not wish for her assist me in eliminating her." Jiian could not help but roll his eyes at his shameless junior brother Is it really necessary you took advantage of her and now wish to eradicate her as well Lu Xiaoing countered "Do you think I am like you i do not handle matters poorly and leave loose ends That only invites trouble Gi and Coulie responded "What trouble if they dare come I shall slay them with one sword." Shia suddenly realized after the formation was breached that she had only just seen the second senior brother emerge from the forest It was said that the Zuyangsen from the Dianing sect had also fallen in that direction Her eyes ignited with curiosity Second senior brother you go away child Lu Xiaoing admonished the inquisitive one then turned to Jiian Stop pretending to be cool and act quickly Jiian refused saying "No I do not bully my juniors." "Juniors he is older than you How old are you?" "Not even fully grown." Lu Xiaoing remarked before addressing Xing "Isn't that right old man poof!" A mouthful of blood searched forth as Xiing roared in rage "Damn it you bastard You shall die." Xi and Xi had not anticipated that Ji Yin and Lu Xiaoin would ignore him yet again now mocking him deliberately I am merely in my 20s not yet 30 How am I old unable to restrain himself any longer Xing produced a purple spiritual talisman A terrifying aura emerged identical to that of Xin Who dares to die xiing Xis eyes turned crimson as he fixed his glare on Ji Yin and Lu Xiaoing Or shall you both come at me together shall we seeing such a talisman for the second time felt her hair stand on end The power it wielded in Xen's hands was not fully unleashed Yet it still sent shivers down her spine She could not help but glance at her two senior brothers Xien frowned "Is this all?" Shiai detected the disdain in Jiians tone Looking at Lu Xiaoing "While it is somewhat formidable it should not be able to withstand you." Shiaoi felt a pang of envy at the overwhelming trust she sensed Lu Xiaoing interjected Stop posturing I want that talisman It belongs to me Moreover he may have other items within him Understanding dawned on Xiaoi so you coveret his possessions Both Lu Xiaoing and Xing were at the core formation stage Though a few levels higher Lu Xiaoing lacked confidence in slaying Xing without him utilizing the talisman Lu Xiaoing urged Jiian kill him I want that talisman Ji still refused No Lu Xiaoing insisted He bullied your junior sister Ji and glanced at Xiao E before pointing at Xing Blood spewed from Xings mouth as his imposing aura was shattered sending him flying several miles away Xi Yians indifferent voice reached Xiing Xis ears If you can defeat my junior brother I shall spare you Laching upon hearing this cursed loudly "What do you think you're doing i commanded you to kill him not to let me fight him Do not create trouble for me." Xien replied "Now you may kill him." Meanwhile Xing was utterly enraged Jiians words offered him a chance Without hesitation he activated his most powerful talisman The purple talisman in his hand was infused with spiritual energy causing purple clouds to gather in the sky lightning flashing as an immense spiritual pressure descended Lu Xiaoing roared in fury Bastard you will pay for my talisman Ji floated backward a smile gracing his face This is your affair now bastard Bastard Lu Xiaoing seethed with rage but he had no choice but to confront Xing The thunder above had already locked onto him He had to act drawing his sword Lu Xiaoing bellowed You dare use my talisman watch me slay you Without further ado he shouted Meteor summoning technique Shiai retreated alongside Jiian Watching anxiously as she asked senior brother can second senior brother handle this Unlike Exxyan who struggled to unleash the full power of the fourth grade talisman due to his strength Xai being in the core formation stage could unleash its full might in an instant countless bolts of lightning descended seemingly intent on annihilating the earth To Shia even those at the foundation establishment stage would be reduced to ashes Her heart trembled as a mere chi refining stage cultivator she would be obliterated at the edges Watching Lu Xiaoing confront the lightning headon she was deeply concerned Jiian remarked casually "Do not worry he is not as weak as you imagine." Had she underestimated her second senior brother's strength shiaoi observed in astonishment as Lu Xiaoing withtood the lightning without harm The bolts capable of obliterating Foundation establishment cultivators merely hindered him momentarily without inflicting any damage Shelley was taken aback realizing her second senior brother's physical prowess was extraordinary Jiin too was surprised thinking when did he secretly train his physique shiai even more astonished asked "Senior brother you did not know." Jiian shook his head "This is the first time I have seen it I had not encountered it before." His eyes then ignited with determination "Still as cunning as ever If you wish to catch up to me I shall not grant you the opportunity." After observing for a while Shiai noted that the purple clouds were exerting immense pressure on Lu Xiaoing She was puzzled asking "Senior brother you could have eliminated him with your previous strike Why let second senior brother handle it?" Jiian gazed at Lu Xiaoing in the distance his expression contemplative Shiai speculated there might be some underlying reason her mind racing with conjectures Unexpectedly Ji suddenly stated "Previously in the secret realm he deceived me Now that I think of it it still irks me This is a perfect opportunity." His tone carried a hint of concealed pride Shiao Ei gazed in astonishment at her elder brother unable to fathom the truth of his words Is this truly the underlying reason however she persisted Elder brother The second brother mentioned that if a cultivator at the core formation stage employs a fourth grade spirit talisman its potency would rival that of a strike from a nent soul practitioner Can the second brother withstand such force ji retorted Do you think I delivered that blow for no reason otherwise would your second brother dare to approach shia was taken aback Were her two elder brothers so in sync feeling a pang of disappointment she mused I thought you were merely avenging me Meanwhile as Shia grappled with her emotions the colossal fireball in the sky descended towards the expanse of violet clouds Chapter 92 You are so powerful yet you still call for help A colossal fireball descended from the heavens like a meteor crashing heavily into the purple cloud mass Boom instantly a tremendous wave of energy surged through the sky sending shock waves radiating outward The white clouds that had blanketed the sky for thousands of miles were swept away on the ground The overwhelming shock wave raged like a category 10 hurricane wreaking havoc in its wake Flames and lightning intertwined resembling a tumultuous ocean of fire much like a tempest of thunder roaring forth The shock wave surged toward Jiian and Shiai Long before it arrived Shiai found it increasingly difficult to breathe A primal urge to flee overwhelming her She quickly moved closer to Ji Yin and her breathing soon became easier The ground trembled dust billowing into the air as trees snapped under the force of the approaching shockwave Yet within 3 ft of Ji Yin it was as if an immense sword had cleaved the chaos in two everything around him was in disarray while he stood untouched Serene Shawi stuck out her tongue Marveling that Ji Yin had not moved a muscle The senior brother was indeed extraordinary However her second senior brother was no slouch either She observed the fierce battle of Lu Xiao Jing who summoned a fireball that struck the purple clouds After the explosion although the purple cloud remained its hue had noticeably faded and its terrifying aura was significantly diminished The descending bolts of lightning were no longer dense but scattered posing no threat to Lu Xiaoing Shinji blood trickling from the corner of his mouth stared in shock Lu Xiaoing as power had exceeded his expectations surpassing even his own One strike had nearly shattered him Shinji then realized just how gravely mistaken he had been This rascal had been playing Pawsum all along his strength far greater than he had imagined Moreover he felt an overwhelming fury How could someone so strong still call for assistance he had encountered shamelessness before but nothing like this It was one thing to be powerful but to summon Jiian was this the way to bully someone this despicable scoundrel deserved his comeuppance Lu Xiaoing retorted with righteous indignation "That is my senior brother Why shouldn't I call for him have you heard of the Brotherhood in battle?" Shinji nearly ground his teeth to dust this wretched scoundrel Realizing it was now or never he knew he had to fight with all his might for failure would mean death With a mighty roar he declared this isnt over Several pills appeared in his hand and before long he swallowed them A mouthful of blood erupted as immense spiritual powers surged through him revitalizing the purple clouds might even more potent than before "Die," he bellowed and from the swirling purple cloud a massive lightning bolt was born It descended like a wrathful dragon exuding the aura of annihilation aimed directly at Lu Xiaoing A gleam of triumph lit Shinji s eyes as he laughed This is the lightning that destroys all A strike comparable to that of the nent soul stage What can you do even if you are in the core formation stage nent soul Lu Xiaoing chuckled coldly You think you can withstand a blow from my senior brother shinji froze unable to respond as Lu Xiaoing thundered Prepare to die His sword pierced forth unleashing a tempestuous sword intent that radiated like the sun poised to incinerate all Countless strands of spiritual energy ignited in the air akin to oil meeting fire sparking innumerable star-like flames each capable of reducing the world to ashes These flames coalesed into a gigantic firebird that soared skyward crashing forcefully into the descending lightning dragon The sword intent materialized Shinji's terror was palpable akin to a duck caught by the neck as he screamed "You you can't be serious The madness threatened to consume him Does your family specialize in sword intent ji Yin has comprehended it And now that insufferable brat has too even manifesting it his worldview shattered spiraling into chaos dark forces You must have some collusion with the heavens How else could all three siblings have grasped sword intent?" and below the nent soul stage No less Is such abnormality even possible at that moment a deafening roar echoed from the sky Shinji looked up confidence slowly returning to his gaze I have not yet been defeated with the talisman my grandfather bestowed upon me I shall not falter However in the next instant Shinji s expression froze fear returning to his eyes Before him the previously invincible lightning dragon was consumed by Lu Xiaoing as firebird Indeed it was devoured Flames surged enveloping the dragon gradually consuming it Finally a triumphant cry erupted as the dragon was entirely engulfed and the firebird ascended shattering the purple cloud completely The firebirds circled the sky before diving down charging directly at Shinji Without a second thought he turned and fled hurling talismans behind him as if they were worthless Yet before the Firebird they held no efficacy The firebird descended incinerating everything in its path swallowing Shinjihole Sister do you think you will be pursued by the disciples of the starpoint sect is that even possible xiaou Bianuru and Fong Shao returned Bianura remained skeptical about Xiaou insistence on witnessing Lu Xiaoing s prowess In her eyes Lu Xiaoin was a rogue cunning and unscrupulous not a commendable figure Even with Fong Xiao s unwavering assurances and Lu Xiaoing silent yet formidable formation Bien Ru s perception of him remained unchanged After all Lu Xiaoing had left a profoundly negative first impression on her Xiau remarked calmly "If I am not mistaken Junior brother Lu is deliberately remaining behind." Waiting for the Staroint sect disciples to catch up Reflecting on Lu Xiao Xings actions in the secret realm particularly his provocation of Shinji Xiaawyu had a sudden realization Lu Xiaoing had done this on purpose though she was unsure of his reasoning for taunting Shinji Nevertheless she was certain that Shinji and the Staroint sect disciples would undoubtedly pursue him Bianuru replied "I fear he may not be able to hold his own and might be extinguished." Fong Xiao reassured her "Do not worry Young Master Lues strength is formidable Ruru trust me Bian Ruru countered Sister Shiao you may be mistaken Xiaawyu explained There is a technique on Tianu Peak that effectively conceals 1 s aura Senior brother Jiian possesses it as does junior brother Li Unless one forces him to reveal his full power it is difficult to discern his true strength Still Yen Ruru was unconvinced He doesn't he appear to be a master No sooner had she spoken than an immense pressure descended The trio expressions changed as Xiau gazed ahead where miles away a radiant purple cloud loomed What is that she pondered gravely Let us go and investigate The three swiftly advanced but halfway there a colossal fireball fell from the sky The powerful shockwave made their faces grow serious Who is battling bienuru exclaimed Soon a sharp violent sword intent surged forth akin to the sun descending and incinerating all in its path This sword intent enveloped Xiaoyu and her companions in an overwhelming sense of suffocation akin to standing before a blazing sun Fong Shao gasped "Young Master Lu." It's Young Master Lu s sword intent "What?" Bianu was taken aback her jaw nearly dropping to the ground Is it him how is that possible this sword intent sent chills down Benu s spine shaking her very soul That rascal could he truly be this powerful impossible This defies reason How could that scoundrel possibly exhibit any semblance of mastery xiaou gazed into the distance where at this range and with her level of cultivation she could faintly perceive the battle unfolding afar Xiaou couldn't help but marvel at Junior Brother Lu who indeed did not pale in comparison to senior brother Jiian She reflected "Had Lu Xiaoing not chosen to remain lowprofile but instead paraded his prowess like Ji Yin she might not even secure the position of the third in Chihua." Bienro merely scoffed At that moment an earthshattering cataclysmic aura descended sending tremors through countless beings Even Sia could not suppress her gasp Could it be a nent soul1: