attribute cheat system: adding all my points to defense, even the golden immortals cannot hurt me

Soaking in lava, sleeping in  an Ancient Killing Formation;  Traversing alternative worlds  in a heavy armored vehicle;  Riding a Gundam Sentinel and  slaying immortals with Godzilla…  I got myself a stat system, and from  then on, I only beefed up my defense!  I just can’t help it, I’m afraid of pain!  The Daluo Golden Immortals of other worlds   are all really fierce, and all of them  know super ultimate move with infinite   power. They have little meetings every day  to discuss how to break through my defense.  I really don’t know why they’re so obsessed… Chapter 1 Immortal Feather Sect. Mountains surrounded the area,  with immortal mist swirling about. In a cave dwelling, Li Xiaobai lay on the bed with  a frown, staring at the panel in front of him. [Host: Li Xiaobai] [Attack: 0 (+)] [Speed: 0 (+)] [Defense: 0 (+)] [Attribute Points: 10] [Skill: None] [Item: None] [Shop: Not Opened] Damn it, this is the epitome of a product with   nothing to offer—transmigrators  shouldn't be treated like this.

Three days earlier, Li Xiaobai had  suddenly transmigrated to this world,   becoming an Inner Sect Disciple  of the Immortal Feather Sect. He also received an attribute point  system, and after three whole days,   he finally figured out how to use it. The system didn't have the function to increase  cultivation level, only to add attribute points. As long as he took damage, he  would gain attribute points. Overall, it was a system that clearly had  a masochistic streak. Yesterday, just as   a little test, his master slapped him across the  face, and the left side of it was still swollen.

However, the gain was significant, as that one  slap immediately added ten attribute points. Where should I add them? If I want to be able to take  a few hits in the future,   I'd better stack them all on defensive  power for now to keep myself safe. [Defensive Power: Mortal  Flesh (10/100) Upgradeable.] He touched his face; although the swelling hadn't  gone down, the skin felt noticeably tougher. He could continue to wander outside. With his increased defensive power, Li  Xiaobai's mood improved significantly,   and he hummed a tune as he made his way to another  cave dwelling, belonging to Senior Sister Su. Senior Sister Su was a cultivation fanatic,  spending her days with her nose to the grindstone,   and it was said that her strength was nearing  that of many elders despite her young age. Plus, she had a fiery temper—like a keg of  gunpowder that could ignite at any moment. Knock knock knock! "Senior Sister, your little  brother is here to see you!" The door opened, revealing  the annoyed face of a woman,   clearly displeased just short of having  the word written across her forehead.

"Speak quickly if you have something to say!" Li Xiaobai swallowed, "Ahem, Senior  Sister, you look really beautiful today!" "Heh, you've got good taste, come on in first!" Women love compliments, and hearing her junior   brother's praise made Su Yunbing  feel a little bit of happiness. Once inside, Li Xiaobai glanced around  the environment. Senior Sister's boudoir   was stark and empty, nothing like a  man's. He couldn't help blurting out, "Senior Sister, why is your cave dwelling  so empty? It's like a man's place;   Senior Sister Ye's dwelling  is much nicer than yours." Comparing between women, especially with  a beauty like Ye Wushuang, was taboo,   and the atmosphere in the room grew tense at  those words. Li Xiaobai felt the pressure,   worrying that if Senior Sister lost control  and slapped him, he might be done for. Fortunately, Su Yunbing managed  to keep her emotions in check. "Junior Brother, although you are now an Inner  Sect Disciple, you were only specially recruited,   and your strength is far from that of the  others.

You still need to work harder." Su Yunbing squeezed out a smile and  passed a cup of tea to Li Xiaobai. "Thank you for the advice, Senior Sister, you  should also pay more attention to self-care. If   a woman cultivates day and night without rest, her  skin will age quickly," Li Xiaobai said seriously. Crack. The teacup in Su Yunbing's  hand was crushed into powder. Li   Xiaobai's heart skipped a  beat—had he gone too far? "Junior Brother, did you come today  because you have something to say?" Su Yunbing struggled to control her  emotions, feeling off since the moment   this junior brother stepped in; she almost  lost control of her temper several times,   as if she was indeed having an  adverse reaction to the new arrival.

"Senior Sister, actually  I've made a little mistake,   and I'm not sure if I should speak about it,"  Li Xiaobai said cautiously, eyeing Su Yunbing. "Go ahead and speak, with my matchless  strength and broad-mindedness,   I won't hold it against you," she said. Relieved to see the conversation getting back  on track, Su Yunbing let out a sigh. The junior   brother was not good with words, but she, as  his senior sister, should be more tolerant.

"Actually, I just accidentally knocked  over the rouge powder Senior Sister Ye   prepared for you…" Li Xiaobai cautiously said. The temperature in the room suddenly dropped,  and Li Xiaobai's heart skipped a beat as   he sensed the murderous aura. Indeed,  this was no job for the faint-hearted. Although his eldest senior sister had a tough  temperament, she was still very conscious of   her appearance.

Ye Wushuang was skilled in  medicine, and the rouge she made was not only   attractive but also had the effect of beautifying  and keeping the skin young. She had wheedled and   cajoled for a long time before finally getting  the other party to agree to help make a batch. "Senior Sister… can you not hit the face?" One minute later, Su Yunbing walked out slowly, holding Li Xiaobai  up by one hand and nonchalantly threw him out. "Junior Brother, it's just a box of rouge,  it's nothing. Senior sister forgives you." … Li Xiaobai got up from the ground  with an expressionless face and   touched his right cheek, which was swollen. Well, good, now both sides  of his face were symmetrical. He checked his attribute panel. [Attribute Points: 100.] The senior sister's hits were too fierce,   netting him a whopping one hundred  attribute points in one go. He still   preferred the way his master did it, slapping  only once each time. Steady and sustained. No question about it, all points  to defensive power. If he didn't,   he felt like he would  eventually be beaten to death. [Defensive Level: Mortal  Flesh (10/1000) Upgradeable.] At the same time, a notification  sound rang in his mind.

[Skill Comprehension: Hatred Hundred Percent.] Hatred Hundred Percent: Showing off is a skill, an  art even. When you show off, targets will view you   with unlimited hostility and attack you fiercely.  The better the show, the harsher the beating. Note: Beating comes with risks, use with caution. Sheesh! Seeing this skill, Li Xiaobai  gasped. What a powerful skill! On the surface, it looked like a useless skill,   but upon deeper contemplation, it was  an incredibly powerful control skill. Just think, by showing off, you can pull  all of your opponent's hatred and have   them attack you like crazy. Isn't that  basically one hundred percent control? It's just that his handsome  face would have to suffer. With a new skill in hand, Li Xiaobai  decided to go try it out on his master.   His old man had a good temper, and  he'd only slap once, not too hard.

Inner Sect Disciples each have their  own master. Generally, there would be   one master for every ten disciples.  Li Xiaobai's master was Feng Lingzi,   who had a total of seven disciples, all of whom,  except for Li Xiaobai, were cultivation fanatics. The Sect had high hopes for this team and  specially created a mountain peak for Feng Lingzi   and his disciples to concentrate on teaching  and sorting through cultivation materials. This kind of treatment could be compared to that  of True Disciples, which was an extra benefit.

Entering the two-story building, Feng  Lingzi liked to nap in the small attic.   The guy was a bit lazy. Having  been in this world for three days,   Li Xiaobai had yet to see him  practice for even one day. It seemed life had been a little too comfortable. Hehe, let's give him some excitement! "Master, I'm here!" "If you're here, then you're here. No  need to shout so loud. Did you come to   actually cultivate properly this time?"  Feng Lingzi's voice came from next to   the bookshelf where he was organizing  books, looking thoroughly aggrieved. The Sect competition was approaching, and he had  to sort out some materials for his disciples to   consult. He normally didn't touch these things  much, resulting in a significant workload now. He casually tossed a booklet to Li Xiaobai. "I recommend that you cultivate this  Primodial Scripture.

It's basic but stable,   and less likely to cause problems. Take it  back and start practicing. Don't embarrass me." "Master, aren't we cultivators  supposed to contend with the   heavens? Shouldn't we cultivate more  powerful techniques?" Li Xiaobai was   taken aback. Although he didn't  practice cultivation techniques,   he couldn't help but ask. It seemed his master's  opinions were different from the others'. "Contend with the heavens? Do you think heaven  cares about you?" Feng Lingzi rolled his eyes,   clearly disdainful of the  idea of contending with fate.

Although something felt off, it didn't  matter. He wasn't here to really cultivate. He had the System; leveling up was  simple, no need for actual cultivation. Thinking this, Li Xiaobai cleared his  throat, preparing to activate his skill. "Master, your disciple is no mere mortal and  cannot be judged by common standards. Since   the day of my birth, I have been destined to vie  against the great powers of heaven and earth." "I see myself as a once-in-a-millennium genius,  with all the luck converging upon me. Now that   you, my esteemed master, with your discerning  eyes, have accepted me into the Immortal Sect,   this genius seeks to learn  the strongest techniques in   the world and walk an invincible path!" Chapter 2 As soon as his words ended, a  strong gust of wind attacked. Feng Lingzi appeared in front of Li Xiaobai in  an instant, and with a solid slap to the head,   Li Xiaobai tumbled 720 degrees in  place, and then landed face down.

Li Xiaobai was astonished. What  just happened? He had no mental   preparation at all, and the effect  of this skill was just too powerful. Had he not retracted the skill in time, he  felt his head would have been slapped off. "You call yourself a genius?" "Not a trace of spiritual energy in your  body, you must be living in a dream!" Feng Lingzi spat in disdain, puffing  his beard and glaring. This disciple   had joined the sect only a few days ago  and was already causing too much worry. Li Xiaobai dusted off his buttocks,  his face dirty with dust, and left. The recent incident taught him a lesson,  skills are good, but they shouldn't be misused. Using them on ordinary disciples might  yield good results, but against a master,   one might get slapped to death on the spot. It seems he needed to be more selective  about his targets in the future; he decided   not to use this skill on those with higher  cultivation for now—it was too terrifying. At this moment, he had fifty more attribute  points in the System, as the slap from his   master was harder than yesterday's, and his  head had completely swollen up like a pig's.

He poured all the attribute  points into defensive power. [Defense: Mortal Flesh  (60/1000) Advancement possible.] After taking some elixirs for healing, Li  Xiaobai decided to have a walk around the sect. One reason was to familiarize  himself with the environment,   and the other was to find some  suitable people to punch his face in. A few senior brothers and sisters  were too strong, and when they fought,   they did so without holding back; he  found them a bit too much to handle. Feng Lingzi and the seven disciples occupied  a mountain peak, a privilege given by the   Sect Leader. The mountain where he  was located was called Misty Peak. Together, there were only seven of them, master  and disciples, no servants, no menial workers.

To interact with others, he  had to go down the mountain. "Eh, isn't that Junior Brother Li?" "Have you been beaten by master again?" A female cultivator wearing a green  silk dress approached from down the   mountain and said with a light smile  upon seeing Li Xiaobai's appearance. Li Xiaobai's eyes widened; this was Misty  Peak's second senior sister, Ye Wushuang,   skilled in healing arts, always gentle and tender,  a stark contrast to Senior Sister Su Yunbing.

Ye Wushuang was a renowned beauty of the  Immortal Feather Sect. Now that they had   met here, it would be a shame not to make  a move and take advantage of his System. "This was done by Senior Sister, of course,   master also had a hand in it,  but let's not talk about that." Mentioning the sad experience, Li  Xiaobai felt somewhat depressed. "You've been diligently practicing  every day. How could senior sister   and master punish you? Come here, let  this senior sister take a look at you." Ye Wushuang took out her silver needles  and medicinal wine, ready to treat him. Watching Ye Wushuang's actions,  Li Xiaobai blurted out.

"Senior Sister, your fingers are  so rough, surely it's because you   often do acupuncture and don't take care of them!" Ye Wushuang didn't react much, still  holding a sweet smile on her lips,   but for some reason, Li Xiaobai felt a bit uneasy. He wouldn't be able to gain much from  Senior Sister Ye. With her good temper,   she likely wouldn't hit him.

However, though he thought so, the words  that came to his lips changed their flavor. "Senior Sister, there's an odd  smell about you. Other senior   sisters smell like fragrant pollen, so  why is there a stinky scent on you?" "Senior Sister, mastering  your skills is important,   but personal hygiene is important too.  You should bath when it's time to bath!" Li Xiaobai nodded seriously, feeling  that he was making a lot of sense. Yet, he noted that the force of the  acupuncture on his head seemed to   pause for a moment.

Could it be that  Senior Sister Ye was getting angry? "Giggle, it's just the smell of herbs. I just  gathered them and haven't removed the scent yet!" Ye Wushuang laughed cheerily, causing  Li Xiaobai's heart to flutter. With Senior Sister Ye being such  a gentle and beautiful woman,   it would be best not to offend her. He  could foster good relations with her later. Having made up his mind, Li  Xiaobai closed his mouth. But things weren't as simple as he imagined. After a few more jabs above his head,  Ye Wushuang put away the needles,   picked up her small medicine box,  and without turning back, she left. "Junior Brother Li, take good care of yourself." "Hmm, thank you, Senior Sister." Li Xiaobai always felt that Senior Sister  was not just comforting him—something   felt strange. Nevertheless, the swelling  on his face did indeed subside quite a bit. Senior Sister's remedial techniques were spot on,   only, she did not seem fond of  bathing, which was not a good habit.

Humming a cheerful tune, Li Xiaobai continued his   descent down the mountain. Before he had  taken two steps, a system prompt arrived. [Attribute Point +20.] [Attribute Point +20.] […] The prompts kept coming continuously. What's going on? He hadn't been attacked, so where were  these attribute points coming from? He looked around; there was  no one else in the vicinity,   and Senior Sister Ye had already walked far away. A tinge of panic stirred within him as  he carefully recalled the recent events. That's right, Ye Wushuang! Li Xiaobai suddenly remembered the  chills he had felt in his heart earlier. It was said that those proficient in  medicine could also employ poison—could   it be that Ye Wushuang had meddled with something? Recalling that delicate face, Li  Xiaobai shivered without reason.

The system's continuous tally of  attribute points prompted him to   frantically search himself, finally  discovering an anomaly on his ankle. A black spot of unremarkable size had  appeared on the edge of his ankle. It truly was Ye Wushuang's doing; to  place a needle on the head and manage   to transmit the toxin directly to the  foot—her technique was too cunning. Luckily, Senior Sister had only  administered a minor punishment   and had not left him paralyzed; the  system prompts ceased after a while.

Indeed, one must never offend a beautiful woman. He checked the attribute panel. [Attribute Point: 100.] He channeled all the attributes  into defense once more. Currently,   he was still unaware of the correlation  between defensive power and the strength   of cultivators in this world—erring  on the side of caution was better. Who was to blame when those  around him were too powerful? Causing him to have no standards  for comparison whatsoever. Meanwhile, the system panel  underwent another change. [Skill acquired: Paralytic Toxin.] [Continuous damage detected, Paralytic  Toxin upgraded: Muscle Flaccidity.] Muscle Flaccidity: Everyone within  a one-meter radius of oneself is   in a state of muscle flaccidity; the longer  the duration, the more severe the symptoms.

He must thank Ye Wushuang for this skill  which granted him an area-effect ability. Li Xiaobai was quite pleased; this  was his first decent offensive skill. Muscle Flaccidity paired with  Hatred Hundred Percent was a   perfect combination. If he could  withstand attacks in future fights,   his adversaries would grow progressively  weaker, putting him in an invincible position. … At the foot of the mountain, As Li Xiaobai exited the gate of the mountain,   the surrounding disciples couldn't help but halt  their steps, observing him with timid gazes. Whispers circulated. "Did you see? That person  came down from Misty Peak!" "I saw it, we rarely see him on a normal day,  no question—he's another formidable one!" "Senior Brothers, may I ask what  does it mean for someone to be   a strong person from Misty Peak? I'm  new here and not very knowledgeable!" "Oh come on, you don't know? Let me tell  you, Misty Peak is a mountain developed   under the special care of the Sect  Leader, housing only seven Inner Sect   Disciples.

But it's said each disciple  of Misty Peak is a cultivation maniac,   their strength not inferior  to that of True Disciples!" "I know that about half a year ago,  Misty Peak's fourth disciple, Yang Chen,   got into a conflict with the third Elder's True  Disciple. He initiated a duel on the fighting   platform and inflicted severe injuries on the  opponent, rumored to have been a one-hit KO!" "That strong?" "So I'm telling you, if you see a disciple coming  down from Misty Peak whom you have never seen   before, be cautious. They could be a cultivation  prodigy emerging from extended seclusion!" "Moreover, with the grand ceremony approaching,  people from Misty Peak coming down at this time   are likely probing the True Disciples'  strength. There might be another fierce   battle on our hands. At times like this, we  better not join the crowd, lest we get caught   in the crossfire." Chapter 3 Seeing Li Xiaobai coming down, the  surrounding disciples immediately   scattered like birds and beasts, clearly not  wishing to interact any more than necessary.

Li Xiaobai touched his nose with  a slightly embarrassed expression. It seemed these fellow sect brothers were  particularly supportive of Misty Peak,   a pity he was just a newcomer, a mere rookie,  far from the secluded expert they spoke of. "Yo, isn't this a disciple  from Misty Peak? A fresh face,   eh? What's the matter, can't sit still  with the sect competition approaching?" A young man holding a feather fan  parted the crowd and walked out. "It's Lin Feng, an Inner Sect Disciple!" "It's said his brother Lin Mang is Elder Sun's  True Disciple, which is quite impressive!" Seeing that a disciple recognized  him, Lin Feng grew even more arrogant,   gently waving his feather fan with  a smile on his face, full of style. Li Xiaobai looked confused; sect competition? Feng Lingzi never mentioned anything about it! He had a bad feeling in his heart. "Listen well, everyone, all Misty Peak  disciples are a bunch of nepotists,   relying on their good relationship with the  Sect Leader to blatantly monopolize resources." "This time in the competition my big  brother will surely reach the top ten,   claiming the qualification to train at the  Holy Demon Sect and then step by step walk   over those from Misty Peak, showing  the Sect Leader their true colors." Lin Feng stood tall and proud, speaking  indifferently as an imposing aura filled   the area, leaving Li Xiaobai utterly confused.

"If your brother is so mighty that he can make   it into the top ten… but what  does that have to do with you?" Scratching his head, Li Xiaobai  wore a face of bewilderment. The watching crowd was also stunned. Yeah, your  big brother's strength has what to do with you? "I…" Lin Feng choked, at a loss for words. "Haha, well said junior brother,  some petty people enjoy nothing   more than running their mouths.  You're called Lin Feng, right?   Stop your nonsensical babbling. If you really  have the skill, let's have a go at it!" The crowd parted once more, and another young man  came forward, also in white garments and lightly   waving a feather fan, yet his fan movements were  thousands of times more graceful than Lin Feng's. Compared to this handsome man,  Lin Feng looked like a bumpkin. Li Xiaobai recognized this person; it  was his senior brother from Misty Peak,   named Yang Chen, whom he had met  when he first joined the sect.

"We'll just wait and see!" "See what? What's there to look at? Why are you  all crowding here? Don't you need to cultivate?" The crowd sneered, and Lin  Feng slunk away in defeat. "Junior brother, how come  you've come down the mountain?" Yang Chen approached with a chuckle, not taking  Lin Feng's words to heart in the slightest. "Senior brother, I just came down the mountain  for a stroll, to relax a bit," Li Xiaobai said. "Relax?" Upon hearing this, Yang Chen's brows shot up in  an instant, his face stern: "After death, there   is plenty of time to relax.

What we have to do is  cultivate, from morning to night, continuously." "The sect competition is almost upon us;  you can't bring shame upon Misty Peak!" Great, another cultivation fanatic. Li Xiaobai was speechless, just about to  say something, but then he noticed the   scenery around him blur, and before he knew  it, he was thrown into the cave dwelling.

[Attribute Points +10.] "Junior brother, these Spirit Stones are  for you. The competition is tomorrow,   diligently cultivate, and do  not disgrace our Misty Peak," Yang Chen's voice drifted from far away. Senior brother Yang was really… warm-hearted.  He had barely descended the mountain once,   and before even leaving the sect, he found  himself sent back. What kind of nonsense was this? Sorting through his thoughts,   Li Xiaobai discovered several  important pieces of information. Tomorrow was the Sect competition, and  the sect would select ten outstanding   disciples through this competition  to train in the Holy Demon Sect. The Holy Demon Sect was a prestigious  Great Sect, and it was said that its   Sect Leader was a powerful individual who  had survived a Heavenly Tribulation. If   one could train in a Great Sect, the  benefits would certainly be plentiful. However, he was just a weakling, having  allocated all his Attribute Points to defense;   if it really came to a fight,  he would only be beaten up.

Picking up a small bag of  Spirit Stones from the ground,   he touched the most commonly used and most  basic cultivation resource. The moment his   fingers touched the Spirit Stones, the  System notification sounded once more. [Host has obtained Spirit  Stones, System Mall is now open.] [Currency: Ten Lower Grade Spirit Stones.] Li Xiaobai's face lit up with  joy; the mall had actually opened,   and the currency for the  System Mall was Spirit Stones.

He clicked on the panel to check the  items in the mall, which were dazzlingly   assorted into four categories: Equipment  Items, Mounts, Talismans, and Elixirs. Unbeknownst to him until he checked, among the  mounts were actually Maseratis, Lamborghinis,   and even armored vehicles, and to his greater  astonishment, even robot Gundam models. But after a glance at the prices, Li  Xiaobai fell into despair. The prices   for the mounts were insanely high,  easily in the tens of thousands,   and they were priced in Upper Grade  or even Peerless Spirit Stones. The cheapest Flying Broom also required a  whopping thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones. It seemed they were out of  his reach for the time being. [Minor Swift Travel Talisman, Explosive Talisman,  Vajra Talisman]: Ten Lower Grade Spirit Stones. [Refined Waste Poison]: One  Lower Grade Spirit Stone.

[Revitalizing Pill, Power Pill]:  Ten Lower Grade Spirit Stones. After scanning the selection, Li Xiaobai realized   the only things he could truly afford  were a few basic pieces of equipment. [Somewhat Careful Helmet]:   Wearing it slightly enhances defensive  power. (Ten Lower Grade Spirit Stones.) [Bronze Sword]: Using it slightly increases  attack power. (Ten Lower Grade Spirit Stones.) [Bronze Boots]: Wearing them slightly increases  speed. (Ten Lower Grade Spirit Stones.) Without a second thought, he chose the helmet,  which perfectly complemented his skill of being   100% likely to get smacked in the face.

With it  on, he wasn't afraid of getting slapped anymore. Choose to purchase! In front of him, starlight twinkled and coalesced   into a filthy helmet. It looked rather  shabby and rough, indeed quite hasty. He tapped it, and it was quite hard. Putting it  on his head, Li Xiaobai felt his constitution   grow much stronger, just as described; the  helmet had an amplifying effect on him. Great, for tomorrow's competition, there was no  need to worry about getting slapped in the face. … At the same time, at the Immortal Feather  Sect, in the grand hall of the sect Several Elders were arguing fervently. "Sect Leader, this is absolutely unacceptable.  The spots for advanced training in the Holy Demon   Sect are extremely precious; how can you allocate  four of them directly to Misty Peak? I disagree!" "I disagree too. By doing this, Sect Leader,  where does that leave the True Disciples?" "Even if you want to favor them, you  should follow the rules. In my opinion,   at most you give Misty Peak one spot, no more!" "Right, Feng Lingzi, either your Misty  Peak directly appoints a Disciple,   or you join the competition fair and  square, and let strength speak for itself!" The many Elders were quite dissatisfied,   as all of them had disciples.

The Sect Leader  actually favored Misty Peak so much that he   intended to let four of its disciples  directly train in the Holy Demon Sect. "Well… I have no objections. Actually,   the Sect Leader also has good  intentions… you should understand." Feng Lingzi sighed, these Elders really were  obfuscating the issue. The Sect Leader's move   was actually a disguised reduction of  the spots for Misty Peak's disciples   to take advanced training. If it really  came down to strength, he feared that,   except for the newly accepted lad, the  rest could make it into the top ten. "Alright, if that's the case, then everything will  be decided by the disciples' strength. But let me   make it clear, whatever the outcome, you must  accept it, and there must be no troublemaking." The Sect Leader was also helpless;  good intentions misconstrued as ill   intentions. But he couldn't  really blame these Elders;   not many knew of Misty Peak disciples' true  strength since they seldom left their peak. He just hoped that the Elders wouldn't  have regrets when the time came…

  Chapter 4 On the clear morning of the next day, Li Xiaobai sat anxiously on his bed,  scrutinizing the system panel before his eyes. [Host: Li Xiaobai.] [Strength: 0 (+).] [Speed: 0 (+).] [Defense: Mortal Flesh (170/1000)  eligible for the next stage advancement.] [Attribute Points: 0] [Skills: Hatred Hundred  Percent, Muscle Flaccidity.] [Item: Somewhat Careful Helmet] [Shop: Opened.] Today was the day of the grand competition;   he wasn't sure if his Mortal  Flesh realm could withstand it. He hoped he wouldn't be eliminated  in the first round. After all,   he was a disciple of Misty Peak; he  couldn't afford to lose too much face. "Knock, knock, knock!" The door was knocked upon; it was Senior  Sister Su Yunbing's voice outside. "Junior Brother Li, the competition  is about to start. Get ready! Today,   we of Misty Peak are going to sweep the top ten!" Li Xiaobai's face turned  bitter as he put on the helmet. Opening the door, he saw six people  standing neatly outside, four men   and two women, seemingly well-prepared early on.

"Greetings to my senior brothers  and sisters." He bowed respectfully. "What in the world are you wearing on your head?  It's so ugly," Su Yunbing said, full of disdain. "Ah…" Li Xiaobai was embarrassed; the helmet  indeed didn't look very appealing. "Master is nowhere to be seen today, so as  your senior, I'll lead the team. Let's set   off immediately to seize the first place in  the competition and head to the Holy Demon   Sect together. Should anyone cause us to fall  behind, don't blame me for turning heartless!" Today, Su Yunbing was dressed in a fiery  red outfit, radiating a murderous vibe. "Ride on my flying sword. When we're  out, we must show off our stature!" Yang Chen laughed heartily, flicked his wrist, and  shot out a small sword. It grew rapidly with the   wind, turning into a large sword over ten meters  long, floating in the air and darkening the skies. Li Xiaobai looked on with envy; the  mount in the shop seemed similar,   but unfortunately, he couldn't afford it yet.

Climbing onto the Immortal Sword, the  scenery changed rapidly around him.   Looking down at the dense crowd below,  Li Xiaobai felt infinitely wistful. It   was truly a method of the immortals; someday,  he would have to get such a mount for himself. Compared to his senior brother, traveling  on foot seemed quite embarrassing. … As they approached the arena, Yang Chen  deliberately slowed down the speed of   the Immortal Sword, aiming to dampen  the disciples' spirit a bit initially.

This manner of making an entrance was  even more imposing than that of an Elder. Seeing the displeased expressions on the  Elders' faces, Li Xiaobai's heart skipped beats;   his senior brother's actions were  practically drawing infinite hatred! Wouldn't he become a target  for vengeance later on? However, reality proved that his imagination  was limited by his own strength. Su Yunbing   didn't wait for the Immortal Sword to  land and leaped from high in the sky. "The top seven spots in today's competition  are reserved for us of Misty Peak!" Her voice spread to every corner of the arena,  and the disciples heard her loud and clear;   their expressions were complex with envy,  despondency, and a mix of grudge and anger. "Heh, the disciples of Misty Peak are   quite confident. Young people  are indeed full of vitality!" "The vitality is indeed not bad, but it's a pity  that a full bottle of water doesn't make much   noise, while it's only the half-filled  bottles that sway noisily, heh heh." "Elder Chen, I heard that your protege Feng  Wuxie has recently made another breakthrough?" "Nothing but a Half-Step Golden Core,  not worth mentioning.

What about you,   Elder Sun, I heard one of your disciples has  perfected the Subdue Demon Cudgel Technique?" "Not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning!" Witnessing the scene below, the  Elders conversed among themselves,   unperturbed by Su Yunbing's bold claim. But their indifference didn't mean the  disciples were not affected; Yang Chen   and Su Yunbing's grand gestures almost maxed  out the hatred from all the disciples present. Some disciples who were originally at a  disadvantage seemed to instantly find a target,   their gazes towards the disciples of Misty Peak  becoming filled with a newfound fighting spirit. Li Xiaobai's heart cried out in distress. Damn it,   weren't they practically boosting  the opponent's combat effectiveness? All disciples had gathered; the Sect Leader  floated over and slowly descended onto the   central arena, his aura otherworldly, exuding  the demeanor of a true master without a word.

"Damn, the Sect Leader is showing off more than  I am," Yang Chen muttered under his breath. "Dear ones, you are the pillars of our  Sect. Today's competition is aimed at   selecting talent and encouraging everyone to  diligently pursue the path of cultivation.   The top ten winners will be granted the  opportunity to study at the Holy Demon Sect,   and the Sect will tilt resources in their  favor. Now, let me explain the rules." "We have a total of one hundred and eight  arenas, divided into eleven groups. Shortly,   everyone will draw lots according  to the sequence. Those who draw   the same number will face each  other as opponents.

Understood?" "Understood!" "Very well, spar and exchange  moves, but stop upon contact,   and do not injure each other's lives—begin!" A gigantic raffle box appeared out of nowhere,   starting to distribute numbered  plaques to the disciples. Li Xiaobai nervously looked at the  number in his hand—group three,   arena seventeen, the first match. This match is kind of early, doesn't  that mean it's almost my turn? "Junior brother, don't be  nervous. After you participate,   you'll find that the grand competition  is actually very simple. You can easily   rank in the top ten without  feeling too much pressure." These words were spoken by  Fifth Senior Brother Ling Feng,   who was usually so cool, and  unexpectedly, such a showoff. "Senior Sister has tampered  with those numbered plaques,   so none of us brothers are in the  same group.

You can rest assured." Sixth Senior Brother Liu Jinshui  also said cheerfully. He was a fatty,   and they say a fatty has a broad heart and a large  frame—this saying truly wasn't wrong at all. Is that what we're worried about? We're worried we won't even  pass the first round… Li Xiaobai didn't want to chat with  these guys who were not on the same   channel as himself anymore; he always felt  that they were showing off stealthily. … Carrying his numbered plaque, he  found arena seventeen. At the moment,   disciples were already positioned on the stage,  and the referee began to read the safety notices. Both parties bowed with clasped hands. "I am Chen Tao, an Inner Sect Disciple,   ranked two hundred and seventy-one  on the leaderboard. Please advise!" "I am Li Xiaobai, an Inner Sect Disciple  without a ranking. Please advise!" "Look, the helmet that guy on  the stage is wearing is so ugly!" "I just saw him; he's from Misty Peak!" "Senior Brother Chen, he's from Misty  Peak.

Beat the hell out of him!" "…" Before anything substantial happened on the  stage, the disciples below had already erupted;   the remarks made earlier by Su  Yunbing had left them losing face. Misty Peak actually intended  to monopolize the top seven,   completely disregarding them as disciples, and  it was indeed a grievance they couldn't swallow. "Junior Brother Li, you must be  the recently accepted disciple of   Misty Peak. While the flattering words were nice,   it's unfortunate that you encountered me.  Don't worry, I won't make you lose too badly." Chen Tao laughed lightly, not  taking Li Xiaobai seriously at all. He didn't feel any spiritual energy fluctuations  from his opponent, which indicated that the   other had not begun cultivating and was  probably just here to experience life.

But Li Xiaobai's words choked him. "Ranked two hundred and twenty-seven?" "Is such a backward ranking  even worthy to contend with me?" "I would advise Senior Brother not  to bite off more than he can chew." Li Xiaobai maintained a  showoff state at all times,   only if the opponent got close would  he have a chance to take him down. "Arrogant!" Enraged, Chen Tao drew the sword strapped  to his waist, dancing it through the air. Sword lights flashed crisscrossing on the  stage in an instant. Chen Tao used a Lower   Grade Spiritual Artifact, specially prepared  for him by his master for the grand competition.

Combined with his sword technique,  it could unleash formidable power. "It's the Xingye Sword Technique,  Chen Tao has actually mastered   this technique! This was left by  the Sword Saint back in the day,   rumored to be able to split mountains  and part seas when fully mastered!" The surrounding disciples exclaimed,  recognizing Chen Tao's sword technique. Li Xiaobai watched, completely bewildered.  He didn't understand any sword techniques,   but a streak of Sword Qi from the stage had  just swept over him because he was too close. [Attribute Points +2.] +2 Attribute Points? What the hell  is this? Is his Sword Qi that weak? "Hehe, mastering this technique cost me  countless efforts, you, can step down now!" "Xingye Sword Technique, Star Morphing!" Chen Tao's figure blurred in the  center of the ring, disappearing   from the stage.

Gusts of wind howled as  sword marks unfurled across the stage. "Chen Tao has actually reached this  step, the pinnacle movement technique   paired with the Xingye Sword, achieving  true formlessness and invisibility!" "And look at the sword marks  and footwork on the stage,   they match perfectly. Senior Brother Chen can  already control the sword technique at will;   this level of skill is not far  behind Sword and Man as One at all!" More disciples commented from the sidelines. Li Xiaobai was still at a loss, what  in the world—Sword and Man as One,   formlessness and invisibility? Chen Tao's Sword Qi brushed  against him again just now. [Attribute Points +5.] There's no pain or itch on my body;  is this Sword Qi really that powerful? Or does this Sword Qi conceal a lethal  threat that I have not sensed yet? Chapter 5 Chapter 5 "` No more hesitations, just start mocking! Hatred Hundred Percent! "You rodents, always skulking about, I am a  disciple of Misty Peak, a cultivation prodigy   that comes once in a thousand years, your  sword techniques are trivial matters to me!" Li Xiaobai said indifferently.

Chen Tao moved too fast, his eyes could  not keep up with the opponent's motions,   let alone dodge them, so he could only continue  mocking to lure the opponent into close combat. Hopefully the helmet can hold up a bit longer. "What nonsense, this Li Xiaobai  is truly a disciple of Misty Peak,   his arrogance is just like they  were all cast from the same mold!" "Too arrogant!" "Senior Brother Chen, finish him off quickly  and let this kid have a taste of reality!" The audience below was also furious, Li  Xiaobai didn't even have a ranking yet he   dares to be so presumptuous,  it really made people angry.

"Junior brother, you're quite good at  talking big, let your senior brother beat   you into a [ __ ] first, then we'll see  if Misty Peak can still be as insolent!" Chen Tao's whisper reached his ears, it was clear  he was very angry, his mockery was effective. "Muscle Flaccidity!" Li Xiaobai's face showed joy, this chance  that came knocking at the door must be seized,   Chen Tao was right beside him, as long as he  could stall for time, victory would be his. The Sword Qi crisscrossed, sending  sparks flying above his head. His clothing was slashed with sword  marks, and strands of blood flitted out,   but fortunately his defensive power was  sufficient, it was just a superficial wound. [Attribute Points +5…] [Attribute Points +5…] No question about it, just keep adding to defense,   the longer he could hold out, the  greater his chances of winning became. "Senior brother, you're weak." Li Xiaobai simply closed his eyes, since  he couldn't see the opponent anyway,   it might be better not to look, and this act of  closing his eyes was even more mocking than words.

Chen Tao's temples bulged with veins  as Sword Qi swept across the arena,   densely enveloping Li Xiaobai. But soon, he realized something was amiss; his  body's strength was rapidly draining away. His   Dantian was still filled with Spiritual Energy,  but he felt like he was about to collapse. Suppressing the anger in his heart, he quickly  distanced himself, retreating explosively to   the other side of the arena, his eyes wide  and vigilant as if facing a great enemy. The audience below was confused; just moments  ago the situation was greatly in his favor,   so why did Chen Tao suddenly  withdraw from the fight? "What's going on? Why did Chen Tao retreat,  did anyone understand what happened?" "That commentator just now, come out and explain!" "Hehe, didn't you understand? In this  fight, Senior Brother Chen has already   won.

The disciple from Misty Peak is all show  with no substance, utterly defenseless against   Senior Brother Chen's sword technique. Senior  Brother Chen is kind-hearted, he wants to teach   him that there are always people better than  oneself, and one should not be too arrogant." "After cultivating for so many years, can't  you even see the gap in their strength?" "So that's it, you see how relaxed  Senior Brother Chen looks, indeed it so!" "Senior Brother Chen is mighty!" After a brief silence, the disciples  below once again cheered in unison.   They never thought Chen Tao, who was modest in  appearance, would have such a good character;   truly an outstanding disciple  among the younger generation. But Chen Tao had no interest in  the thoughts of the crowd below;   at this moment, he was sweating profusely, his  calves were cramping, and his limbs were weak.

If he had not retreated from the fight in  time, he probably would have fallen by now. Damn, what kind of sinister Cultivation  Technique is this that even brief contact   can weaken him so drastically, and also  inexplicably enrage him; could it be poison? The Sect didn't shy away from using poison,   but because they typically prided themselves  on being righteous, they looked down on   the use of poison. This disciple from  Misty Peak was actually so treacherous. "Kid, nice moves, if I hadn't  noticed your tricks in time,   I might have really fallen into your hands." Chen Tao's face was somewhat fierce. Li Xiaobai's expression remained calm,  though he was somewhat nervous inside.

The other party had actually moved away on his own  and hadn't completely lost his ability to resist. He had to find a way to cause continuous damage   with Muscle Flaccidity, it was  still necessary to keep mocking. "Senior Brother Chen, your strength is  mediocre, you're no match for me, step down." "` "The disciples of Misty Peak are invincible.  I didn't want you to lose too badly,   which is why I haven't made a move. Can Senior  Brother not see the gap in our strength?" Li Xiaobai stood with his hands  behind his back, looking up at   the sky at a forty-five-degree  angle, speaking indifferently. As soon as these words came out, the  arena fell silent for a moment before   the disciples below erupted  into a cacophony of curses. "Damn it, that's just shameless. You  can't even touch the hem of his garment,   yet you dare to spout such nonsense!" "Naive child, Senior Brother Chen, quickly take  him down! Such a person isn't worth your mercy!" "Misty Peak is full of arrogant fools!" "Knock him off the stage!" Chen Tao's face darkened,  his heart ablaze with anger.

In his view, Li Xiaobai's Muscle Flaccidity was a  kind of poison. Through these despicable tricks,   he had taken some small advantages  and had become delusional. He had a bottle of Detoxification Pill,  obtained during his early travels,   refined by an Elixir Master. He had  no opportunity to use it until now. He tilted his head back and swallowed two  Detoxification Pills. This elixir could   cure all strange poisons; a mundane poison pill  that merely caused weakness was nothing at all. "Arrogant fool, you are ignorant  of the immensity of heaven and   earth. Xingye Sword Technique, Star Morphing!" Chen Tao's stance firmed as he  forcibly circulated the spiritual   energy within his body; his figure  suddenly vanished from the stage. In the blink of an eye, the sword qi turned into  a giant net that slowly enshrouded Li Xiaobai. Feeling the tightening sword net closing in,   Li Xiaobai's heart filled with joy.

Once  again, he activated Muscle Flaccidity,   and the attribute values on his system  interface oscillated continuously. Although Chen Tao's attacks only  added five attribute points each time,   the advantage lay in the speed of his attacks  and the numerous quantities of sword qi. In just a short time, the attribute  points easily broke a hundred. He added them all to his defense,   making Chen Tao's sword qi incapable  of harming him in the slightest. [Ding! Skill Comprehended: Sword Qi.] [Ding! Continuous damage detected, Sword  Qi upgraded: Rainbow Penetrating Sword.] Rainbow Penetrating Sword: Unsheath the sword, and  strike down your opponent with invisible sword Qi. At the same time, the fluctuation of the attribute  points on the system interface grew smaller,   clearly showing that Muscle Flaccidity was  taking effect, and Chen Tao was exhausted. [Attribute Points +1…] Chen Tao's figure reappeared, his  body in a state of extreme weakness. With a clang, the longsword dropped from his hand,  and he collapsed to the ground, sprawled out. From beginning to end, he couldn't understand how  Li Xiaobai had defeated him.

He was clueless about   the poison technique his opponent had used and  when it was deployed—it was too mysterious. "Senior Brother Chen, I told you that you were  no match for me, yet you wouldn't believe it." Li Xiaobai, nonchalant as ever, picked  up Chen Tao and threw him off the ring. "This round, Li Xiaobai wins!" Below the stage, there was dead  silence; no cheers or applause,   everyone was petrified, their  mouths agape in disbelief.

What had happened on the stage exceeded their  comprehension. If it weren't for the referees   watching over the match on the stage, they  would have suspected they were watching a play. The defeat had come too suddenly,  without the slightest warning. At that moment, Chen Tao's eyes were devoid  of spirit, carried away by people, his body   limp to the point of severity, and without a  few days of recuperation, he wouldn't recover. "Hehe, thank you all for coming. I am Li  Xiaobai of Misty Peak, and I speak for myself." Li Xiaobai, cheerful as could  be, walked through the crowd.   Having won the first round of the  competition, he felt prestigious,   at least having made it through one  round without disgracing Misty Peak. System interface: [Defense: Mortal Flesh (325/1000) Upgradeable.] [Skill: Sword Qi Mastery.] Having comprehended another skill,  Li Xiaobai's mood was buoyant,   ready to meet up with the senior sisters. Suddenly, someone patted him  on the shoulder.

Turning back,   he saw it was Lin Feng, the Inner Sect  Disciple who had caused trouble before. "Junior Brother, quite cocky, aren't we?" "Senior Brother, what guidance  do you have to offer?" Chapter 6 Chapter 6 "Chen Tao is my junior brother," Lin Feng said lightly, fluttering his feather fan. Li Xiaobai was confused;   he didn't understand the insinuation and  scratched his head, asking, "So what?" "Your next opponent is Lin himself, don't  tell me you didn't know?" Lin Feng frowned. "Uh… I'm not very clear on that." Li Xiaobai told the truth.

He had  just finished his first match and   had no idea who his next opponent would be;  besides, he had spent all his time figuring   out how to take a beating—who would  care about who the next opponent was? Lin Feng's face looked as if he had  swallowed a fly. The other person   didn't even care about his next  match. He felt greatly insulted,   and his rage burned within him, erasing all  traces of his previously scholarly demeanor. "Very well, very well, truly worthy  of being a Misty Peak Disciple,   so arrogant. My brother Lin Mang and I will  sweep through all of you disjointed rabble!" "The next time we meet, I will  surely make you kneel before me!" Lin Feng was extremely proud and did  not take Li Xiaobai seriously at all. Li Xiaobai touched his head, feeling  that the other party was a bit silly. Forget about him, he had  serious business to attend to. Touching the Space Ring on his hand,   Li Xiaobai smiled cunningly. He had casually  snatched Chen Tao's sword after defeating him.

According to the onlookers below the stage,   this thing was a Lower Grade Spiritual  Artifact, which was quite valuable. He relied solely on leveling up to become  stronger, had no cultivation level,   and thus Spiritual Artifacts were useless to  him, but they could be sold for a good price. The Immortal Feather Sect was not a major Sect,   with few resources. Even a Lower Grade Spirit  Sword would send people scrambling for it. Where to sell it? Li Xiaobai looked around, needing  to find a densely populated yet   relatively safe place to conduct the transaction. After some thought, there seemed to be no safer   place than beside his fellow  senior brothers and sisters. Due to Su Yunbing's underhanded manipulations  earlier, nearly all the Misty Peak Disciples   had their first match and naturally, they  had wiped out their opponents in seconds. The only one still in the arena now was  the sixth senior brother, Liu Jinshui. It's decided then, you're the one! Liu Jinshui's match had just started and  the surrounding area was already packed.   The reputation of the Misty Peak Disciples  was quite formidable. Ordinary Disciples,   who had only heard the name  but never seen them in action,   were now eager to witness the  skills of the Misty Peak Disciples.

Li Xiaobai's eyes gleamed, and without  a word, he squeezed his way in. This side had Disciples packed around the  arena tightly, making it an excellent spot   for selling goods, and it was also safe with  the presence of senior brothers and referees. Quickly setting up a stall in an open  space, he took out Chen Tao's Spirit Sword.

"Make way, make way!" "Are you still troubled by  your insufficient strength,   still struggling to improve your ranking?" "Don't miss out as you pass by,  today the Divine Sword emerges,   those with fate shall possess it.  The Sect competition is upon us,   and those who wish to increase their Sect's  standing should seize this opportunity!" "He who obtains the Divine  Sword commands the world!" "An unparalleled sword, for only twenty Lower  Grade Spirit Stones, it's worth your possession!" Li Xiaobai took out the Spirit  Sword, and with a loud voice,   he began to shout, drawing the  attention of many Disciples nearby.

Selling items during the Sect competition  was something they had never seen before,   and this stall had just a single  sword, which was quite peculiar. However, upon closer inspection,  the sword gleamed with a luster,   exuding a sense of divinity,  clearly not an ordinary item. "This is a Lower Grade Spiritual Artifact!" "I've seen one with my senior brother.  When he went out traveling, he managed   to obtain one. This luster and divinity,  it's undoubtedly a Spiritual Artifact!" Disciples knowledgeable about  such items exclaimed in surprise. More Disciples gathered to watch the  spectacle. Most of them were Outer   Sect Disciples, who usually had  no master and very few resources. Hearing that a Lower Grade Spirit Sword was for  sale, they all came to join in the excitement. The Lower Grade Spiritual Artifacts  in the Sect were not for sale;   Disciples had to earn Contribution  Points through missions to purchase them,   and naturally, these resources were  dominated by the Inner Sect Disciples.

"Hehehe, this is a peerless sword, absolutely  genuine, fair to both young and old. Junior   Brother, I see a heroic spirit between your  brows; this sword suits you perfectly!" Li Xiaobai introduced to the crowd with a chuckle. Everyone was green with envy,   but no one made a purchase. It wasn't  that they didn't desire the sword;   rather, the price of twenty lower-grade Spirit  Stones was somewhat hard for them to swallow. "Senior Brother, could you  make it a little cheaper?" A female cultivator acted coy, looking pitiful:   "I could become your personal  maidservant, Senior Brother." The male disciples swallowed hard in envy;  Senior Brother truly lived up to his title,   even making the usually proud female  cultivators soften their stance. "Pah, shameless. Junior Brother, how  about ten lower-grade Spirit Stones?" The other female cultivators looked down on  such flesh-trading tactics with great contempt.

"Twenty lower-grade Spirit Stones, and  the price is firm. You all could chip   in together. This is definitely  a Divine Sword, and owning it   is no dream of sweeping through the younger  generation, so seize the opportunity well." Li Xiaobai was confident with so  many potential customers present;   how could he fear not being able to sell? Several female cultivators were  torn; they adored the Spirit Sword,   with its dreamy pale-blue Spiritual Energy  fluctuations, but its price was seriously steep. However, if they continued to hesitate, the  Spirit Sword might be bought by someone else.   Biting the bullet, one of the female  cultivators took out the Spirit Stones. "I'll buy it!" "Hold on, I want this Spirit Sword." The familiar voice rang out again,   and Li Xiaobai looked over to find  it was Lin Feng once more.

It seemed   fate conspired to bring them together across  several stages, allowing them to meet again. Lin Feng was also frustrated. Originally, he  had been attracted to the crowd and wanted   to join in on the excitement, only to  find Li Xiaobai stirring things up. And, annoyingly, what the other party was selling  was the Spirit Sword of his Junior Brother,   Chen Tao. If it got sold to someone else, his  lineage within the Sect would lose all face. "Senior Brother,   didn't you say you wanted me to kneel at your feet  next time we met?" Li Xiaobai said with a grin. Lin Feng's face showed discomfort: "Senior  Brother was just joking. I'll take this sword,   and I offer thirty lower-grade Spirit Stones!" Li Xiaobai's eyes lit up as he looked  meaningfully at the previous female cultivator,   clearly asking if she wanted to raise the  price, or if he should sell it to Lin Feng.

The female cultivator was furious. Stomping her  foot, she stormed off. With thirty lower-grade   Spirit Stones out of her reach, she was  doomed to miss out on the Spirit Sword. "Hehe, this is the best among the  lower-grade Spiritual Artifacts. Surely,   thirty lower-grade Spirit Stones  is too little. I offer forty!" Someone else spoke up from the crowd, a  big fat man. Li Xiaobai was surprised;   the speaker turned out to be his Sixth Senior  Brother, Liu Jinshui, who had seemingly   dealt with his opponent and silently  joined the crowd for the excitement. Liu Jinshui winked, and Li  Xiaobai instantly understood;   his Senior Brother was driving up the price. "Would you mind explaining what makes this  lower-grade Spiritual Artifact so special?" "Hehe, just look at this Treasured  Sword, so naturally formed,   with traces of Dao rhythm within—signs  that it's close to being a mid-grade   Spiritual Artifact. It's no match for  the common lower-grade flying swords." Liu Jinshui elaborated.

The two's back-and-forth had the onlookers  dumbfounded, and Lin Feng was bewildered.   When did he not know that his Junior  Brother's sword was of such premium quality? But if it was indeed premium,  he couldn't let it slip away. "I offer fifty lower-grade Spirit Stones." "I bid fifty-one stones—that's my limit. I  can't afford any more," Liu Jinshui said calmly. "Fifty-five stones!" Lin Feng gritted his teeth; this  amount was roughly his limit as well.

"Sold!" Li Xiaobai could barely contain his  laughter. With his Senior Brother's bid,   the price had doubled directly. Liu  Jinshui might appear honest and simple   on regular days, but he harbored his  own schemes—Li Xiaobai liked that. Money and goods exchanged hands instantly, and  fifty-five lower-grade Spirit Stones were secured. Turning around, he bought a Vajra Talisman in the  marketplace worth ten lower-grade Spirit Stones. Under Lin Feng's astonished gaze, Li  Xiaobai slowly placed it on the table. "Don't miss out as you pass by; on the  day of the Sect's grand competition,   the Divine Talisman emerges. It  will belong to those with destiny!" Liu Jinshui chuckled and stepped forward again:  "This talisman looks good; I'll take it!" Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Lin Feng's face was ashen,  he felt he had been duped.

Just after handing over fifty-five  Lower Grade Spirit Stones,   Li Xiaobai had already brought out another  item for auction in the blink of an eye. And why did these words sound so familiar? "Oh, junior brother, this talisman  of yours is truly remarkable,   with Daoist rhymes flowing through  it, strokes like dragons and snakes,   executed in one breath,  truly the work of a master!" Liu Jinshui was still using the old tactics,  beginning to hype up the Vajra Talisman's value.

"Senior brother has sharp eyes;  this is indeed a divine talisman,   with infinite power. Whoever obtains it  can claim first place in the competition!" Li Xiaobai was quick with his words too. "Stop spouting nonsense, your  pitch is exactly the same as   it was for the Spirit Sword. This fatso  is clearly a plant you've brought in!" Lin Feng's face contorted, his  hand fan crumpled in his grasp.

"I'm no plant. Whether this talisman is good   or bad can be seen at a glance. Look at  the strokes, the momentum of the script,   and the faint golden light shimmering through.  It's definitely a Lower Grade talisman." "A few simple strokes yet bearing the elegance of  a master—clearly the hand of a famous artist!" Seeing Lin Feng so "supportive," Liu  Jinshui laughed even more merrily. The onlooking disciples, prompted by his  words, stared intently at the talisman   on the stall. On closer inspection,  it did appear quite extraordinary. "That's right, this is a genuine Vajra  Talisman. Its effect is to greatly enhance   the body's defensive power. Before its  power dissipates, one can withstand hits   from Lower Grade Spiritual Artifacts without  trouble—such a highly practical skill." "The senior brother Lin Feng clearly wanted  to monopolize this treasure for himself,   which is why he disparaged it so." Li Xiaobai said slowly, unexpectedly  raising the Vajra Talisman's value again.

"No need to say more, junior brother; the  talisman is truly excellent, I'll buy it." With that, Liu Jinshui threw twenty Lower  Grade Spirit Stones, picked up the talisman   from the stall, and turned to leave, as if  afraid someone would snatch it from him. This series of actions left Li Xiaobai  somewhat puzzled—wasn't the point to   drive up the price? Why had he bought it outright? However, he soon understood. Several  dashing, well-dressed young masters   immediately followed Liu Jinshui. At a glance,  one could tell they were not lacking in money;   they chatted and laughed with Liu  Jinshui, and quickly became chummy. Li Xiaobai's expression darkened—Liu  Jinshui was clearly looking to make a   profit through brokerage. With the  scene that had just played out,   he could probably resell it for  four or five times the price. Madness, senior brother's heart is so dark! There's too much knowledge in tricking people; I  should just stick to doing honest small trades. With a flick of his wrist, he took out a few more  Vajra Talismans and asked with a beaming smile,   "Senior brothers and sisters, I have  a few more Vajra Talismans here,   only twenty Lower Grade Spirit  Stones each, what do you think…?" Half an hour later, Li Xiaobai happily closed his stall.

This  wave of street economy had directly added   three hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones to his  income. Had he not been afraid of attracting   the notice of the vigilant, he would've  liked to cash in big time all at once. "Junior brother, you must have  made a good sum this time, right?" Liu Jinshui appeared from  nowhere, smiling gleefully. "Not at all, senior brother; I'm  just running an honest business,   barely breaking even without making a profit." Li Xiaobai said seriously. Liu Jinshui didn't believe  a word: "Stop pretending,   can you really do honest business?  When you're tricking people,   you laugh happier than anyone. Isn't it time to  settle the commission for your senior brother?" "I don't ask for much, junior brother.  Just give me a few more of those talismans   you sold earlier, and in exchange, I  can share a secret with you for free." After thinking for a moment, Li Xiaobai took   out five Vajra Talismans and  handed them to Liu Jinshui.

"Hehehe, that Lin Feng is your next opponent,   right? He has a secret ailment in his  Danzhong Acupoint. In the upcoming match,   just press it lightly, and he'll be in such  pain he won't be able to take care of himself." "That's all the help I can  offer you, make the most of it!" Liu Jinshui walked away, giddy with satisfaction. Li Xiaobai was overjoyed, feeling as if a weight  had been lifted from his heart. His next opponent   actually had such clear weaknesses—didn't that  mean he could easily defeat the other party? The second match was about to start. The  competition was arranged round by round,   and they needed to wait until all the winners  emerged before proceeding to the next round. Li Xiaobai slowly walked up to Arena 17,  recalling that he had just acquired a   Sword Qi skill. Just in case, he casually  took a longsword from the weapon rack.   This was free for competitors to  use, just a common iron sword.

The surrounding disciples had complex  expressions. His victory in the last   round was unclear and confusing; the onlookers  didn't really understand what had happened. At this moment, Lin Feng was sitting  cross-legged right in the center of   the arena, exuding great style. He  had arrived at the arena early on. Ever since he had encountered Li Xiaobai, he  had felt that things were not going his way,   having been mutedly frustrated several times  and tricked out of many Spirit Stones. Today,   he must reclaim his face on this arena  and beat the opponent to vent his anger! "Junior brother, you've made your  senior brother wait a long time!" Lin Feng sneered time and again. In his  eyes, Li Xiaobai was already as good as dead. He had discussed with Chen Tao, and they  agreed that Li Xiaobai knew nothing about   cultivation. He had no cultivation  level, and his victories were all   thanks to a mysterious poison that  could make someone feel weak all over. Therefore, before coming, he specifically asked  his master for a Water Spirit Pearl, which   could avoid all kinds of strange poisons—even  poisons of a certain grade could not penetrate it.

With this pearl in hand, there was no  need to fear the opponent's poison. "Senior brother is so eager to be defeated by me?" "As fellow disciples, I really don't want to  make senior brother lose too disgracefully." Li Xiaobai instantly entered the  zone. Once the fight started,   he needed to boast and max out the animosity  to proceed with the following operations. The onlookers below erupted again. This scene was all too familiar.  This guy started taunting as soon   as he stepped onto the stage—he was so hateable! "Go Lin Feng!" "Lin Feng, beat this arrogant brat!" "Teach him a lesson, the disciples  of Misty Peak are too arrogant!" "Lin Feng…" The onlookers were fervently agitated;   they hated that they couldn't go  up and beat Li Xiaobai themselves.

Li Xiaobai was also feeling a bit jittery  inside; he really feared that the audience   might rush up and beat him, even  he thought he was quite shameless. But there was no other way,  everything was for victory. Presently, he once again stood  with his hands behind his back,   gazing up at the sky at a 45-degree angle. "You mere mortals do not  understand the aspirations   of a great swan. My goal is the Universe." "Such petty competition for the  top ten is within easy reach!" A wave of animosity instantly maxed  out, and Lin Feng's eyes turned blood   red on the spot. Drawing the sword at  his waist, he lunged at Li Xiaobai. "Silver Serpent Luanyu!" All at once, Sword Qi crisscrossed the arena. Lin Feng also wielded a sword. Unlike  Chen Tao, his swordplay was tricky,   with flashes of silver light aiming  straight for Li Xiaobai's forehead.

It turned out that the quality of the  helmet was extraordinarily good—the   System's product was certainly of high quality. No matter how sly and sneaky Lin  Feng's angles of attack were,   if it couldn't break the defense, it was in vain. [Attribute Point +5…] [Attribute Point +5…] Watching the numbers jump on the attribute panel,   Li Xiaobai felt confident. It seemed Lin Feng's  strength wasn't much different from Chen Tao's.

Hehe, in that case, it would be easy to handle! Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Lin Feng's moves were flashy  and full of special effects,   but they were all bark and no bite,  unable to break through his own defenses. It was a rare opportunity to  increase attribute values,   and Li Xiaobai wouldn't waste it. He decided not  to rush into using Muscle Flaccidity just yet,   opting instead to first fortify his defense.

"Senior brother, I am from Misty Peak,  I have a hundred ways to defeat you,   and yet, you are helpless against me," he said. Li Xiaobai remained calm, allowing the  sword light to hack away at his body. No matter how furious Lin Feng became,   he eventually realized something was amiss.  His opponent was unfazed by his attacks,   actually resisting the assault of  the Spirit Sword with his bare body. Yet, he still couldn't sense the slightest  fluctuation of spiritual power from Li Xiaobai. "A Magic Treasure, it must be a Magic  Treasure. Your master really went all out   to ensure your victory in the competition.  Judging by the strength of the defense,   it must be at least a mid-grade  defensive Spiritual Artifact!" "However, senior brother is going to teach  you a lesson today, no matter how powerful   a Magic Treasure you have, it's useless  when there's a huge gap in strength!" Having said that, Lin Feng flicked  his longsword, and in an instant,   dozens of sword lights appeared around  him, thrusting straight at Li Xiaobai.

"This is the Sword Control  Technique. Elder Brother   Lin has actually mastered this sword technique!" "Thirteen sword lights in total,   Elder Brother Lin's swordsmanship  has truly reached a higher level!" The disciples below cheered loudly,   all attracted by the gorgeous  special effects of the sword light. Not only the disciples, but even the elders nodded  slightly in approval of Lin Feng's swordsmanship. "The young man is doing well, having trained the  Sword Control Technique to the third level. Just   one more step, and he will be able to control  the sword through the air," one commented. "Indeed, he's demonstrating the style of  our Immortal Feather Sect," echoed another. "That disciple over there is from Misty Peak,  right? I wonder which Magic Treasure he is using   for protection. However, against the Sword Control  Technique, I'm afraid he's going to falter." "Hehe, young people nowadays don't  think of improving their own strength,   always relying on external objects.  It's better for him to suffer a setback   today than to be killed and have his  treasures stolen by others later on." "Quite right…" The elders' heated discussion  went unheard by Li Xiaobai,   who was currently focusing intently on  the attribute value panel before him.

[Defense: Mortal Flesh  (600/1000) able to advance.] [Continuous Sword Qi damage detected,  Rainbow Penetrating Sword upgrade:   Sword Shattering the Sky.] Sword Shattering the Sky: When the sword is drawn,  Sword Qi sweeps all around, killing invisibly. Li Xiaobai felt delighted, not expecting that  not only had his defensive power increased,   but his skill had also been upgraded.  This Sword Qi skill had been upgraded   two levels in a row and was now the  highest-level skill he possessed. However, it was not the time to use it yet.

As the  saying goes, why use a cleaver to kill a chicken? Good steel must be saved for the blade's edge,   which would significantly increase  the chances of victory in the future.. Stretching out a hand to withstand the  sword's edge, he fiercely jabbed at Lin   Feng's Danzhong Acupoint. Li Xiaobai  remembered his senior brother's words;   the opponent had a hidden ailment in the Danzhong  Acupoint, a single jab there could end the match. As expected, the poke wasn't very forceful,  but Lin Feng's attack came to an abrupt halt,   and his longsword dropped with a clatter. He lay twisted on the platform, writhing in agony. "You, how did you know I was injured there!" "You're despicable, referee, I don't accept this!" Lin Feng's hidden ailment was  severe, and at that moment,   he couldn't even stand up, losing  all ability to continue fighting.

Without any hesitation, the referee  immediately announced the result,   "If this were a battlefield, you would  already be dead. Your opponent noticing   your weakness is a result of your insufficient  cultivation. This match, Li Xiaobai wins!" The entire venue fell silent, this  time everyone had a clear view. Unlike the last time, this Li Xiaobai  didn't seem to use any poison,   yet to defeat his opponent with just a  single finger was incredibly alarming.   Could it be that they had misunderstood,  and Li Xiaobai was actually a master? The Elders were also somewhat astonished. "Could Li Xiaobai actually see through  the hidden illness of his opponent?" "Do you think it's possible, this Li Xiaobai from  head to toe has not a trace of cultivation level,   he has never cultivated before, it's  probably that old rascal Feng Lingzi   who gave him a protective magic treasure,  and gave him some pointers beforehand." "That cunning old thing, could  it be he wants a disciple with   no cultivation to join the Holy  Demon Sect for further study?" "If he really goes there, then our Immortal  Feather Sect's face would be lost!" "Just watch, relying on external items,   how could he possibly make it to the  top ten of the big competition…" In the arena, Li Xiaobai swiftly  collected Lin Feng's longsword;   this sword looked even stronger than  Chen Tao's, sure to fetch a good price.

The disciples below watched with  wooden expressions as Li Xiaobai   stuffed all of Lin Feng's equipment into  his space ring and then left nonchalantly. "Stop right there!" Someone in the crowd shouted angrily,  a muscular man, with veins like cords,   his face full of murderous  intent, incredibly ferocious,   standing beside him was a young man  with a gentle and refined appearance. "You've got some nerve, injuring my brother,  do you not know how to write the word 'death'?" Upon hearing this, Li Xiaobai understood in his  heart, this person was Lin Feng's older brother,   Lin Mang, coming after him  for defeating his brother. "I merely poked him lightly, how was  I to know he wouldn't get up again?" Li Xiaobai appeared very innocent. Lin Mang instantly flew into a  rage, raising his hand to strike,   smashing a fist onto Li Xiaobai's shoulder. [Attribute Points +10.] Lin Mang's strength was indeed not bad.

"Stop it, the Immortal Feather Sect prohibits  private fights; if you violate this again,   your competition qualifications will be revoked!" An Elder intervened, and although he didn't like  Li Xiaobai, the rules were not to be broken. "You'd better pray you lose in the next match,   otherwise if I meet you on the  stage, I will certainly [ __ ] you!" Lin Mang stormed off,  flinging his sleeves in anger. The handsome young man by his side  smiled warmly, "You must be Li Xiaobai,   indeed a young prodigy. Lin Mang was just  impulsive, don't take it to heart. Here's   a bottle of Healing Pills for you to take,  a small gesture, I hope you won't refuse." "My name is Feng Wuxie, a True  Disciple of the Great Elder,   and I look forward to meeting you on the stage." It's hard to strike a smiling face,  especially such a gentle Senior Brother;   any slight displeasure in Li  Xiaobai's heart instantly vanished.

"Senior Brother, you're too kind,  thank you for your goodwill,   I also look forward to standing  on the same stage with you!" Li Xiaobai happily accepted the Healing Pills,   which he had no use for, but he knew there  would definitely be many willing to buy them. "Hehe, then I shan't disturb you any longer,   you prepare well for the upcoming matches,"  said Feng Wuxie with a smile and then left. Li Xiaobai's heart felt great, what a good Senior  Brother, gentle and generous, even giving gifts   upon meeting, truly not bad. He must make friends  with him if the opportunity arises in the future. Only, he didn't see the cold smile that curled  on the lips of Feng Wuxie as he turned away. Chapter 9 Chapter 9 As for Li Xiaobai's performance, Feng  Wuxie had firmly memorized it in his heart. He was certain that the other party had no  cultivation level whatsoever, but it was   this very person with no cultivation level who  kept winning again and again and wasn't afraid   of his opponent's attacks.

There was only one  explanation, this guy must have a treasure on him! An artifact capable of defending against  a cultivator's attacks, it should be known   that Li Xiaobai's opponents in the last two  matches had both used lower-grade Spirit Swords. But after getting close, he found  that Li Xiaobai didn't have so much   as a scratch on him, indicating  that the treasure on his person   had to be at least of a mid-grade Spiritual  Artifact level, if not upper-grade. Such a treasure was enough to stir  up thoughts of murder and robbery. However, before that, he needed to find someone  to check out Li Xiaobai's background; if he really   was a disciple without any significant backing,  it might be possible to take direct action.

Outside the arena, Li Xiaobai was blissfully hugging the  elixirs he'd gotten from Feng Wuxie,   looking for the sixth senior brother. He discovered that the sixth senior  brother was truly a marketing genius;   as long as he was around, the  price for the Spirit Swords and   elixirs he sold could absolutely  be doubled several times over. At the moment, Liu Jinshui was  still at the side of the arena;   the round of competition he was scheduled for  was later, so it wasn't his turn to fight yet. "Sixth senior brother, making a fortune?" Li Xiaobai sauntered over and said mysteriously.

"What fortune?" At the mention of making a fortune, Liu  Jinshui's eyes shone with gold. He knew   an opportunity for a middleman  to earn a margin had come again. "Junior brother just got a Divine  Sword and a bottle of Divine   Medicine, absolutely top-notch quality." Li Xiaobai uncorked the bottle and  sneakily gave Liu Jinshui a peek. "Hmm, top-grade Revitalizing Pill, Healing  Saint Medicine, indeed they are good stuff;   it's just that disciples here don't have much  in hand, selling these might be difficult…" Liu Jinshui had a clear idea in his  mind, but he was visibly grinding   his teeth in hesitation, a look  of mild difficulty on his face.

Li Xiaobai's face darkened; he understood  what the sixth senior brother was thinking,   "Senior brother, small-time business,  how about a thirty-seventy split?" "Forty-sixty split." "Deal!" … Li Xiaobai casually left Liu Jinshui's side and  set up a stall on the open ground by the arena. Because the first round had eliminated many  disciples, there were now fewer participants,   but those who remained were the elite, most with  the financial capacity to be potential customers.

With good marketing, their money  could end up in his own pocket. "Today marks the grand competition of our sect,   and the auspicious emergence of a Divine  Sword—an occasion of double joy!" "Don't miss out as you pass by;  Divine Swords, Divine Medicine,   we've got it all. You can buy Divine  Medicine by the bottle or separately,   starting from thirty lower-grade Spirit Stones.  You can't lose out, you won't be fooled." "Absolutely genuine treasures!" Clearing his throat, Li Xiaobai  began to shout out, the same process,   the same spot, the same slogans,  facing the same crowd of people. Many disciples in the crowd recognized Li  Xiaobai; they had witnessed his stall selling   the last time and immediately knew there was  more excitement in store, crowding closer to see.

"How much for this sword?" Someone in the crowd asked. "Starting from thirty lower-grade  Spirit Stones; highest bid wins!" Li Xiaobai was unperturbed;  with lower-grade Spirit Swords,   he had no fear of not making a sale. "This sword looks familiar, seems very  much like the one the Lin Brothers had!" "I think it resembles theirs a lot too;   the design and patterns on the  blade are practically identical!" Some recognized the original owner  of the sword and were astonished;   Lin Feng and Lin Mang were  both Inner Sect Disciples. Although Lin Feng's strength was  only mediocre, Lin Mang was a tough   and formidable character. On ordinary days,  these brothers were arrogant and domineering,   and even the Inner Sect Disciples were angry but  dared not speak up. Now, someone actually dared   to sell their swords; it seemed like there  was going to be an interesting show today. Many disciples who wanted to ingratiate themselves   with the Lin Brothers quietly left  the crowd to go and inform Lin Mang. "Junior brother, how much are you  selling this Divine Medicine for?" Liu Jinshui came over with  a big smile on his face.

He knew someone had gone to send a message to Lin   Mang and was not in a hurry to  sell off the Spirit Sword first. "Senior brother, you know your elixirs;  this is truly a bottle of Divine Medicine!" Li Xiaobai was smiling happily. "One pill for two Lower Grade  Spirit Stones, thirty in total." "Give me one first." Liu Jinshui casually threw out  two Lower Grade Spirit Stones. He swallowed the pill in one gulp. In an instant, the fluctuation of Spiritual Energy  shook the surroundings, and brilliant light shone   from within his Dantian. His strong cultivation  level pressured the surrounding disciples,   making it hard for them to breathe. Liu  Jinshui, his face glowing red, laughed heartily.

"Indeed, the pill is excellent; it made me  break through just like that. Junior brother,   I'll pay double the price for all of them!" Li Xiaobai's face beamed with a smile,   and he inwardly admired his senior  brother's seamless acting skills. At this moment, the other disciples also  came back to their senses and immediately   started to boil over with excitement—it  was evident that the pill was a treasure. After seeing how the stout senior  brother, with his formidable cultivation,   broke through just by consuming one pill, they  now believed they could achieve a breakthrough   to Foundation Establishment Stage and even reach  the Golden Core stage by taking a few themselves! "Senior brother, that's not very generous of you;   you've already had one.

Let your  junior brothers take over the rest." "Junior brother, let me have one,  I'm willing to pay double the price." "Don't listen to him, I'll  pay triple for two pills!" Li Xiaobai smiled from ear to ear, but still  reminded them, "The highest bidder gets it,   and also, it's best to take this pill home and  slowly refine it to achieve the best effect." … Meanwhile, from afar, on the high platform, the Elders were  covered with dark lines on their foreheads. "Feng Lingzi, look at the  'good' disciple you've taught,   neglecting proper cultivation and instead  swindling and bluffing around the sect!" "Exactly, this is the second time  now.

The boy has a gift of the gab;   he managed to pass off a Lower Grade Spirit Sword  as a Divine Sword, not to mention an ordinary   Revitalizing Pill being touted as a Healing Saint  Medicine. Such talent is wasted as a disciple." "That chubby fellow over there, I  remember, is also one of your people,   right? What a splendid job playing  the shill, impressive indeed!" "Hehe…" The Elders mocked and jeered, and Feng Lingzi's  face began to lose its composure. These guys   always caused trouble every time they went down  the mountain—they were indeed a real headache. "Cough cough, well, this old man has  suddenly been struck by an insight   and must return to Misty Peak to ponder the Dao." With the atmosphere turning too  awkward, Feng Lingzi chose to flee. Li Xiaobai had no idea of the  Elders' conversation.

At the moment,   he was collecting money until his hands went soft. After Liu Jinshui's performance,  the pills had completely taken off;   they were hyped to an astonishing ten  Lower Grade Spirit Stones each in no time. They sold out in almost an instant. This round of sales alone brought  in three hundred Spirit Stones.   The ordinary Healing Pills were actually  sold at the price of second-grade elixirs;   indeed, his senior brother was his lucky star. Tapping on the Lower Grade Spirit Sword  in front of him, Li Xiaobai indicated   for Liu Jinshui to continue. The  latter made a 'calm down' gesture.   Li Xiaobai was somewhat puzzled, sensing that  his senior brother was waiting for something. It was at that very moment that  a familiar roar came again. "How dare you! Who gave you the audacity  to auction off my brother's Lower Grade   Spirit Sword without my permission, Lin Mang?!" Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Lin Mang was furious.

He had not expected  Li Xiaobai to be so bold as to publically   sell Lin Feng's Lower Grade Spirit  Sword, showing utter disregard for him. Cultivators value face above all  else, and although this Spirit   Sword was no Divine Weapon, it still  should not be sold off to outsiders. "Return my brother's sword immediately,  or I'll smash your stall to pieces!" Upon seeing who had come, both Liu Jinshui  and Li Xiaobai's eyes lit up. The person   in question had arrived, and it seemed like  today's business was going to be surefire. "Elder Brother Lin, you're mistaken.  This is a peerless Divine Sword,   not your brother's. Moreover, just now,  this fellow disciple has just bought it   with a high offer. If Elder Brother Lin  wishes to have it, you can enter a bid." Li Xiaobai conducted his  business with seasoned expertise,   swiftly passing the buck to Liu Jinshui. Lin Mang wanted to fight for it,  but from the corner of his eye,   he caught sight of Elder Sun quietly  watching the scene from a distance.   Causing trouble was not allowed  during the competition period,   so he did not dare to go too far, choosing  instead to spend money to avoid trouble.

"Fifty Lower Grade Spirit Stones,   the going rate for a Lower Grade  Spirit Sword. Don't be too greedy." "No can do, Elder Brother. This fellow disciple   here has just offered fifty  Lower Grade Spirit Stones." Li Xiaobai spoke earnestly. These  were Spirit Stones handed right   to him—why not take advantage of the situation? "Indeed, while this is only a Lower Grade Spirit  Sword, if we talk about workmanship and quality,   it is on par with a Middle Grade Spirit  Sword.

Maybe today, Elder Brother,   you'll have to compete with me for it.  Fifty-five Lower Grade Spirit Stones." Liu Jinshui seemed very excited. "I'll bid sixty." Lin Mang ground his teeth audibly.  In his heart, he vowed that if he   encountered these two on the fighting stage  next time, he would certainly [ __ ] them. "Deal!" Li Xiaobai, seeing an opportunity  to conclude the transaction,   quickly took Lin Mang's money pouch  and threw the Spirit Sword back to him. "Heh, you better pray that you don't  meet me on the fighting stage. Otherwise,   I will make your life a living hell!" Lin Mang left a threatening message,   kicked over the stalls of several nearby  disciples to vent his anger, and left. Li Xiaobai did not take such threats to heart. He had heard them before. Lin Mang's  attacks could only add ten defensive   points to the System, clearly  not enough to be a threat to him. Gathering Spirit Stones was  currently the most important thing. With a flick of his wrist, he took  out a bunch of elixirs and talismans,   and arranged them neatly on the stall.

"Hehe, fellow disciples, there's  a discount promotion going on…" One hour later, at the entrance of Misty Peak. Li Xiaobai and Liu Jinshui were huddled together  sneakily, splitting the spoils of their auction. "Elder Brother, here is your share.  Thank you for your help today." Li Xiaobai took out a pouch of  money and handed it to Liu Jinshui. "No problem, it's all part of  being a good brother. But you,   you're not being very straightforward  are you? You sold so many elixirs and   talismans, yet you're giving me so  little. Isn't that a bit unfair?" Liu Jinshui spoke with a cheerful smile. "Elder Brother, we agreed on a sixty-forty split  of what you helped me sell.

The Spirit Sword and   the elixirs were sold by you, but the talismans  and elixirs that followed were sold by me alone,   and have nothing to do with you. You can't  be shameless about this, Elder Brother." Li Xiaobai said dryly. "Besides, it's almost time for your match,  Elder Brother. You should head out." Liu Jinshui looked at the money bag in his hand,   his face full of regret; his little  junior brother had tricked him. Li Xiaobai scurried back to his cave dwelling  as fast as smoke; his sixth senior brother   was extremely cunning and should not be  given any chance to entangle him further.

In the cave dwelling, Li Xiaobai blocked  the door to prevent his sixth senior   brother from causing trouble. Today he  could truly say that he struck it rich. After excluding the part that he gave  to Liu Jinshui, the total amounted to   more than a thousand Lower Grade  Spirit Stones; in just two hours,   he had gone from a poor Xiaobai to  a wealthy tycoon. It felt very good. At the same time, a system notification sounded. [Ding! Achievement unlocked: Earner of Heaps  and Bundles, Reward: Tangneng First-class.] [Tangneng First-class: Divine Level Spa  Therapy, small attribute point increase   after soaking. (Note: Only pools personally  constructed by the host can have this effect)] This was a good thing; soaking in a bath could  actually increase attribute points—indeed,   products from the System were always top quality. Checking the items for sale in the  System Mall, mounts were out of the   question for the time being since they were  too expensive and not a necessity right now.

Among the items in the System Mall, there was a   piece of Golden Silk Soft Armor priced at  five hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones. This was a mid-grade Spiritual  Artifact for defense,   shaped like a small vest that  one wore inside. It was very   light and thin and didn't interfere with  movements, quite suitable for himself. After some consideration, Li Xiaobai  chose this set of golden soft armor,   along with a dozen or so  bottles of discarded elixirs. The discarded elixirs were failures containing  toxins, which could increase defensive power   when consumed—these gradeless poisons  were perfect for System cultivation. After getting dressed, Li Xiaobai wanted to  test the effect of Tangneng First-class. If   soaking in a bath could make him stronger, then  there was no need to get beaten up anymore;   he could just soak every day and become stronger.

On Misty Peak, there was an arena that had been  abandoned for a long time. It was originally   intended for Misty Peak disciples to spar and  compete, but it seemed that his fellow senior   brothers and sisters were not interested  in sparring; they preferred to stay in   their cave dwellings to cultivate, so over  time, the arena became a mere decoration. This open space would be perfect for a bathhouse,   and the System Mall had all the  materials needed for building a pool. One Spirit Stone could buy a huge  amount of construction materials;   with his current financial resources,  building a bathhouse would not be a problem. The structure of the bathhouse was simple;  just using stones to encircle the perimeter   of the arena and then filling it with water  would do, though heating the water for a hot   bath could be a bit troublesome since  it required hot water to be poured in.

Li Xiaobai worked quickly, using bricks  he exchanged to build around the arena   to a height of about one meter, which was  just about right for an experiment. If it   proved to be effective, he could slowly  construct a more luxurious one later on. He poured all the water from his storage ring   into the makeshift bathhouse,  and then jumped in eagerly. The moment his body touched the water, the  values on the system panel began to jump. [Attribute Point +1…] [Attribute Point +1…] It really worked, and he didn't even need to soak;   just touching the water was enough to increase  attribute points. Li Xiaobai was excited;   he had found a way to become stronger. These  attribute points were ticking every second,   and if he soaked for a day, he could increase  his attribute points by over a thousand. After soaking for a while longer and  adding several hundred attribute points,   he put them all into defense.

[Defensive Power: Tough Skin  (700/1000) Upgrade Available] He found a plank of wood and carved  the words "Tangneng First-class,   Li Xiaobai" on it, then stuck it  near the "bathhouse." From now on,   whenever he had nothing to do, he  would come for a soak—absolute bliss. Back in the cave dwelling, Li Xiaobai tidied up the information for  the next two contests; his opponents were   average in level, not famous within the  Sect, so he didn't feel much pressure. After enhancing his defensive power,   ordinary disciples could no longer harm  him. Li Xiaobai started to entertain some   small aspirations for the top ten advanced  training spots. If possible, naturally,   it would be best to go out and see the great  rivers and mountains of the cultivation world. "Knock, knock, knock!" The knocking on the door made  Li Xiaobai's heart tense;   it couldn't be his sixth senior  brother coming for him, could it? Chapter 11 Chapter 11 The person outside seemed quite certain there was  someone inside the house and spoke up directly.

"Brother Li, I'm an outer sect disciple, Yang  Huan, and I want to talk to you about something." The speaker was a woman. Li Xiaobai perked  up—was a girl actually seeking him out   at Misty Peak? Could it be that she was  attracted to his otherworldly demeanor? "Junior Sister, please come  in. What brings you to me?" Welcoming the female disciple into the house, Li  Xiaobai said with a smile—she was quite pretty,   with a nice figure, and a beauty mark on her  forehead that added to her dignified elegance. "Brother, I'm here to discuss a deal with you." The female disciple looked at  Li Xiaobai somewhat warily,   as the intel suggested he was not a lecher. "Please, go on." "I know that with your skills, the next  two matches will be no challenge for you,   but for the fifth match, I would like  you to lose on purpose. If you agree,   I'm willing to offer a price  that will satisfy you." The female disciple spoke of a task given to  her by a True Disciple.

If she completed it   successfully, she would be rewarded with  a Foundation Establishment Pill, allowing   her a chance to become a cultivator at the  Foundation Establishment Stage in one fell swoop. Li Xiaobai pondered. The fifth match was one  to enter the top ten of the finals; it seemed   someone was afraid he would take one of the top  ten spots and wanted to buy his cooperation. But these Spirit Stones being offered  on a platter were not to be ignored. "A price that will satisfy me?" "It's up to how sincere you are, Brother.  How much are you willing to offer?" Li Xiaobai's eyes lit up as he probed. "Fifty Lower Grade Spirit  Stones," the female disciple said. "You think you can buy my loss with  just fifty? You're thinking too small;   it's not enough," Li Xiaobai stated  flatly, for he already had over a   thousand Spirit Stones in his pocket  and was not tempted by such a small sum.

"Brother, I know that you  have no cultivation level,   and that you have won your matches so far  relying solely on your poison pills and a   defensive magic treasure. Although the Elders  turn a blind eye, if I were to make a big fuss   about this, you wouldn't even have the  qualification to step onto the stage." "What's more, fifty Spirit Stones  is half a year's salary for an   ordinary disciple—not a small amount  at all," the female disciple continued,   still smiling confidently with the leverage she  had, not worried that Li Xiaobai would refuse.

"What's your relation to my opponent in  the third match? Was it him who sent you?" Li Xiaobai frowned; he found this deal unpleasant. "That's irrelevant to you, Brother. You just  need to do as told," the female disciple replied. "The longsword at your waist is quite nice;  looks like a Divine Sword," Li Xiaobai remarked. "If Brother likes it, I will  give it to you," she said. "And that thing you're wearing around  your neck, it's a Jade Pendant, isn't it?" "If Brother likes it, I will  give them both to you," she said.

"Those earrings of yours are quite unique…" "They're for Brother…" "Those aren't ordinary shoes  you're wearing, are they?" "They're all for Brother…" Minutes later, the female disciple left  barefoot with a crestfallen face. Some little trinkets and fifty Lower Grade  Spirit Stones were now in his possession.   Ants may be small, but all are meat, and Li  Xiaobai understood very well the principle   that small gains accumulate. Precious  items in the store were still waiting   for him to unlock, and he couldn't miss  any opportunity to earn Spirit Stones. Having sent the female disciple away, Li  Xiaobai's expression grew serious—he   had to teach her a harsh lesson  for attempting to blackmail him. The Spirit Stones could be taken,  but the task could not be done! He swallowed the rest of the discarded elixirs in  one gulp, and the System panel kept flickering.

[Attribute Point +1…] [Defensive Power: Copper Skin, Iron Bone (0/5000)] A faint coppery pattern spread over his  skin, and Li Xiaobai felt a warm and   indescribable sense of comfort engulf his body. "With my defensive power advancing again,  that bunch won't be able to touch me anymore!" … The following two matches posed no difficulty,  as both opponents were mere lucky ones who had   managed to survive the first two matches  without facing any formidable adversaries. Under a barrage of taunts and the effect of  Muscle Flaccidity, Li Xiaobai won easily,   adding another hundred to his Attribute Points. With the defensive power of my Copper Skin,   Iron Bone, these disciples hitting me now  is practically like tickling. I'm afraid   even if a few senior brothers and sisters  came, they wouldn't be able to move me. The third round of the competition  started quickly. The number of   remaining disciples grew sparser, and the  pace of the matches sped up considerably,   with three to four rounds  a day being quite normal. My third opponent was a true disciple, Hao Jian. Unthinkably, even true disciples had  to participate in rigged matches.   Li Xiaobai, seething with murderous intent,   stepped onto the stage, ready to crush  his opponent to vent his frustrations.

"True Disciple Hao Jian, I am eager to  experience your superior skills," he said. Hao Jian's expression remained calm and  unfazed, exemplifying the demeanor of a master. Before stepping onto the stage, that female  disciple had already told him that the deal was   done and that Li Xiaobai would intentionally lose  the match, securing his position in the top ten. "Weaklings are not worthy of  knowing the name of this genius." Li Xiaobai got into character in  a second, his hostility maxed out. "Misty Peak's Li Xiaobai, no personal  attacks," the referee interjected,   unable to stand by and  announced Li Xiaobai's name. "So it's a disciple of Misty Peak…  no wonder…" Hao Jian frowned,   instinctively feeling that something was not  quite right, but the trash talk had to continue.

"But I've never heard of this Li Xiaobai before." Li Xiaobai understood that the opponent,  confident in his own strength and status,   was trying to unsettle him with  words before the fight began. However, this played right into his hands;   after all, how could he draw hostility  without a good dose of trash talking? "Defeated Chen Tao in a single glance." "Defeated Lin Feng with a single finger." "Made Lin Mang obediently hand over Spirit  Stones with just a word. That is who I am,   the genius cultivator Li Xiaobai." Li Xiaobai, with hands behind his back,  remained calm and unfazed as well,   as if he was merely discussing a trivial matter. "Brother Hao, do not listen to his nonsense.  This guy only wins by resorting to dirty tricks!" "That's right, he relies on his Magic Treasure  for protection.

Brother Hao, teach him a lesson!" "It's infuriating; he must be punished severely!" "…" The disciples below the stage were incensed,  their clamor rising and falling. Having   witnessed Li Xiaobai's devious tactics, they  did not believe he possessed genuine skill. Feng Wuxie was also hidden among the disciples.  After observing the previous matches, he was   utterly convinced that Li Xiaobai definitely had  a protective Magic Treasure of no low grade. If   he could get his hands on this treasure,  his position as the eldest disciple would   be solidified, and the path to becoming the  Sect Leader in the future seemed possible. "Defeating the likes of Chen Tao  and Lin Feng is nothing remarkable." "Without standing at my level, how  could you understand the view I see?" Li Xiaobai shook his head with a  sigh, full of pretended grievance. "What excellent rhetoric, junior  brother. Since I can't out-talk you,   let's see the truth in our actions," Hao  Jian said, his complexion turning a bit dark,   as he seemed to sense something was  amiss.

He drew the longsword at his   waist and thrust vigorously towards  Li Xiaobai in an attempt to probe him. He wielded a Mid-Grade Spirit Sword,   which was bound to penetrate even if the  opponent had a protective Magic Treasure. The Sword Qi was restrained;  before the sword tip arrived,   the force of the thrust had  already torn Li Xiaobai's sleeve. [Attribute Points +20…] My skin felt a bit itchy. Not bad in terms of strength, stronger  than Lin Mang, but still no match for me,   Li Xiaobai instantly assessed,  activating Muscle Flaccidity.

Hao Jian's body trembled,  and he retreated explosively,   collapsing over a dozen  meters away, soaked in sweat. Just now, he had felt an inexplicable  weakness in his body; had he not   retreated swiftly, he likely would  have lost the match on the spot. Damn, this guy took the money but  didn't hold up his end of the bargain! No wonder the disciples below said he was sneaky;   despite taking his Spirit Stones, he had  gone back on his word, truly despicable! Moreover, this poison had made  him go limp in an instant,   leaving him without the strength even to  lift his hand; it was exceedingly strange.

"You've used poison!" Struggling to speak these few words, Hao  Jian swallowed several Detoxification Pills. He was both shocked and angry to find himself in  such a state after a mere exchange of blows with   this unknown opponent. The poison was incredibly  unusual, so potent that his cultivation at the   tenth layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage  couldn't resist it; it was utterly humiliating! After consuming a few Revitalizing Pills, Hao Jian  felt much recovered and his eyes hardened with   malice. Since the opponent wasn't playing by the  rules, he wouldn't be blamed for what came next. He immediately bowed to the Elders in  the distance, "Li Xiaobai has resorted   to underhanded tactics during the match,  seriously tarnishing the reputation of our   Immortal Feather Sect. I implore the  elders to see through his deception!" Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Hao Jian knew he couldn't resist Li Xiaobai's  poison, so he had no choice but to resort to   this measure, as long as the Elders forbid Li  Xiaobai from using such despicable tactics,   he would be able to turn defeat into victory.

No matter what, he was determined to obtain the  qualification to study at the Holy Demon Sect! At this time, the disciples below  the stage were also impassioned,   believing that a martial arts  competition should test true   strength and cultivation level,  not allow repeated use of poison. "That's right, we must stop Li Xiaobai  from using such shameful means again!" "We want a fair fight!" "Please, Elders, see the truth!" On the high platform, the Elders looked  at each other with smiles in their eyes;   they were waiting for just such an opportunity  to suppress the disciples of Misty Peak.

The Great Elder stood up, "Sect Leader,   you can't protect them this time.  These youngsters have gone too far." Having said that, he flew down to the arena. "The competition is about examining the disciples'  cultivation level and discovering weaknesses,   not about forcing you to win at all costs, Li  Xiaobai, you are no longer allowed to use that   kind of poison that causes muscle weakness.  Winning with such means proves nothing!" The Great Elder spoke righteously, garnering  unanimous support from the disciples.

"Understood." Li Xiaobai looked helpless, banned from using  Muscle Flaccidity, but it couldn't be helped,   he had already aroused the public  indignation of the disciples. He slowly drew his sword from his waist, a  gift from the female disciple previously,   nothing more than an ordinary longsword. "I originally wanted to interact with you all as  an ordinary person, but instead of acceptance,   I received skepticism; no more pretending, I am a  Sword Cultivator, laying my cards on the table." "A clattering buffoon, utterly nonsensical!" Hao Jian had a full chest  of rage that needed venting,   thinking that without his  poison, Li Xiaobai was nothing.

"Qingfeng Sword!" The Sword Qi turned into a fresh breeze  slashing towards Li Xiaobai. The Qingfeng   Sword was formless and invisible, difficult  for the naked eye to discern, and a deadly move   was used as soon as the fight began, causing  the disciples watching to hold their breath. Even the Great Elder's brow was furrowed,  ready to save someone at a critical moment. "Sword Shattering the Sky!" Li Xiaobai casually drew his sword, and in an  instant, light and shadow filled the arena,   the air carried the eardrum-piercing friction  sound, the stage cracked inch by inch,   and the Qingfeng Sword was engulfed by Sword  Qi in a flash, targeting Hao Jian directly.

Hao Jian was terrified, such Sword  Qi, ten of him could not block,   his brain turned blank, his mid-grade Spirit  Sword was shattered to dust in an instant,   and numerous sword marks tore through his body. The Great Elder's face turned pale, even he  had to take this level of power seriously. He leaped forward, blocking  the overwhelming Sword Qi,   and struck from mid-air, knocking down a  somewhat dazed Hao Jian off the platform. "If I had not intervened, Hao Jian would've  been torn apart. This round, Li Xiaobai wins!" The Great Elder hid his bloodstained hands in  his sleeves, his heart turned a turbulent sea. He couldn't make out Li Xiaobai's cultivation  level, but that Sword Qi he just unleashed   was undeniable; even a novice disciple is  not capable of such a level of swordplay,   could it be that Li Xiaobai  is indeed a supreme genius? The disciples below were likewise stunned—who  said Li Xiaobai had no cultivation? Who said Li Xiaobai could only  win by relying on Magic Treasures? The truth was now in front of them,  everything else could be faked, but not   the Sword Qi just now, Li Xiaobai's ordinary  longsword wasn't even a Spiritual Artifact,   indicating that his overwhelming Sword Qi was  entirely a product of his own cultivation level.

Such strength was incomprehensibly profound. The disciples silently labeled Li Xiaobai as a  dark horse who feigned weakness to deceive others. Why didn't you show your strength earlier? You   have genuine cultivation but choose to use  dirty tricks, what's the meaning of this? Indeed, Misty Peak has no normal people. In the crowd, Feng Wuxie's eyes  flickered with sharp light,   Li Xiaobai's treasures had once  again refreshed his perception,   the world indeed had such marvelous and unique  treasures, he must get his hands on them! Li Xiaobai was very calm, for the skill  that had been upgraded twice in a row   was indeed powerful, defeating a  True Disciple was not surprising. "Heh, senior brother, thanks for letting me win." With a bow to a still dazed Hao  Jian, Li Xiaobai left with style.

After this battle, probably the entire  Sect's disciples would know of him,   Li Xiaobai of Misty Peak. From now on, my title has one more accomplishment,   defeating True Disciple Hao  Jian with a single sword stroke. This victory secured my place in the top  ten of the Sect competition and qualified   me to further my studies at the Holy Demon Sect. Humming a little tune, Li Xiaobai felt  somewhat elated. In just a matter of days,   he had gone from an ordinary person  to a super expert. Such speed of   progression would be considered genius anywhere. "Boy, stop right there, where did  you get this cultivation level from?" Feng Lingzi's voice came from behind, followed  by several senior brother and sister disciples,   who had all witnessed Li Xiaobai's performance.

Feng Lingzi knew Li Xiaobai too well, didn't  he? How could others know if he didn't? Ever since he entered Misty Peak,  his little disciple hadn't practiced   for a single day. He had given him a  cultivation technique two days ago,   but there was no sign of practice; how  did he suddenly become a Sword Dao expert? Even the power of the sword Qi Liu  Xiaobai had just unleashed made him wary,   could it be that he wouldn't be able to  defeat even this newly accepted disciple? "Sudden enlightenment, Master, do  you know about sudden enlightenment?" "Ancients became Buddhas in a single thought,   today we have Li Xiaobai  becoming a grandmaster in one." Li Xiaobai was feeling a bit  nervous inside, after all,   he hadn't cultivated, so he was  somewhat lacking in confidence. "Grandmaster my ass!" Feng Lingzi was about to curse. Behind him Yang Chen interrupted,  "Who cares? Everyone has their own   opportunity. Why are you, an old sod, jealous?" "Exactly, today little junior brother  has successfully entered the top ten   of the competition.

It's a cause for  celebration. No question about it,   let's have a small barbecue  tonight!" Liu Jinshui said. "Master, you should be happy that  your disciple has done well." Su Yunbing said with a smile, pulling  Li Xiaobai towards the mountaintop. "On Misty Peak, it's normal for a master  to be unable to defeat a disciple. Today,   little junior brother has shown his divine might,  without tarnishing the reputation of Misty Peak." "Tonight's celebration feast, let's all get high!" … The celebration feast was at the mountaintop,   where Liu Jinshui loved  barbecuing wild game the most. Seeing that the arena had been  transformed into a bathhouse,   everyone's expressions were somewhat peculiar. "Who would've thought little junior  brother had this particular taste?" "An outdoor one, quite something!" "It's got character, I like it." Hearing the others' remarks, Li Xiaobai also  felt a little embarrassed.

These senior brothers   were too irrepressible, even a bathhouse  could set their imaginations running wild. "Ahem, senior brothers, this bathhouse is  for cultivation. As long as one soaks in it,   one's cultivation level can slightly  increase," Li Xiaobai explained. Upon hearing this, everyone was surprised.  Could there really be such a pool in the world? "Little junior brother, don't joke  around. Senior sister is proficient   in pharmacology and has sensed  nothing unusual about this pool." Ye Wushuang stepped forward and tested  the water temperature.

In an instant,   she felt a refreshing sensation sweep through  her body, her Spiritual Platform becoming clear.   The cultivation problems she had accumulated  over the days solved themselves effortlessly,   and she couldn't help but immerse herself in it. Su Yunbing felt it was strange as well and  reached out to touch the water's surface,   her expression instantly turning marvelous. "What's going on with you?" "This pool is really effective?" The others, also curious,  touched the water in the pool. "Damn, little junior brother, you're not being  honest, hiding such good skills from us." "Let's not say anything more. Tonight,   we're sleeping in this pool. Even if the  Heavenly King comes, we won't leave!" Liu Jinshui did not care about his image and,   without stripping, plunged into the  pool. The others quickly followed suit.

Su Yunbing and Ye Wushuang also  dove headfirst into the pool,   lying down comfortably, leaving Li  Xiaobai staring in astonishment. "The water's a bit cold. Number  four, heat up the water." "Got it…" Chapter 13 Chapter 13 At the same time, within  the Immortal Feather Sect, angry roars could be heard from various caves. "Damn it, this elixir is totally useless!" "Curse that Li Xiaobai, clearly it's  just an ordinary Revitalizing Pill,   yet he cheated me out of ten  Lower Grade Spirit Stones!" "Those ten Lower Grade  Spirit Stones were all I had,   I was counting on this breakthrough,  Li Xiaobai is really despicable!" "Enough said, from today onwards, I  share no common sky with Li Xiaobai!" "Li Xiaobai must die!" "…" The disciples were extremely angry, they had  followed Li Xiaobai's advice to return to their   caves and slowly assimilate the elixirs to achieve  the best effect, only to realize that it was just   a common Revitalizing Pill, which was used to heal  physical injuries and recover Spiritual Energy.

It was the most common street stall item, which on  normal days would cost as much as cabbage, not at   all requiring Spirit Stones to buy, a few broken  pieces of silver would suffice, yet now they had   been swindled out of a full ten Lower Grade Spirit  Stones, and spent on such a useless pill at that. This was absolutely unbearable, they must find  the person responsible and demand an explanation! … At the top of Misty Peak, seven brothers  were comfortably soaking in the bath,   oblivious to the commotion  at the foot of the mountain.

Li Xiaobai had no idea that he had already  made it onto the black list of many disciples,   as he was earnestly gnawing on the  chicken leg in his hand right now. The cooking was done by the sixth senior  brother, unquestionably, it was very good. "Junior brother, this pool is still a bit  small, after we move to the Holy Demon Sect,   senior sister will build a bigger one for  you, you just need to handle making this   kind of bathwater," said Su Yunbing. She  had soaked for only a while and felt a bit   of strengthening in her internal Spiritual  Energy, the benefits were indescribable.

The others felt the same. "Indeed, it's just that the temperature of  this water isn't quite right. Look how much   more comfortable it is after fourth  senior brother heats it up, right?" Liu Jinshui said with a smile,  Yang Chen's cultivation technique   was extremely masculine and yang,  most suitable for warming water. At this moment, Yang Chen was a bit depressed,  feeling like he was being used as cheap labor. "Little junior brother, what did  you make this bathwater from,   why didn't I detect any scent of herbs?" asked  Ye Wushuang. This water was too miraculous,   without the slightest sign of anything unusual. "Well, that, I can't say, I can't  say…" Li Xiaobai chuckled,   a product of the System naturally didn't  need to follow conventional methods.

"Actually, bathing is about the  method and approach. It's too   simplistic to just say it's about getting clean." Third Senior Brother Lin Yin said. "Senior brother is studied in the art of bathing?"  Ling Feng asked in surprise. On normal days,   third senior brother was quite secretive,  often traveling outside, rarely seen. "Bathing isn't just about removing dirt,   it's about shedding the complexities  of human emotions and worldliness." "If you want to make this bath profound, you  first need to grasp the right atmosphere." "Talk less, moan more. Talking  less cultivates the atmosphere;   moaning more expresses what's in the heart." "In summary, the harsher the bath, the  more stable the character you project." Upon hearing this, everyone was astounded.

Li  Xiaobai looked anew at this mysterious third   senior brother, who could even derive life  insights from a mere bath, his indifferent   expression coupled with his eloquently flirtatious  attitude, grasping the atmosphere tightly. "Third junior brother, you must  have gone on a journey recently,   has anything significant happened outside?" Ye Wushuang did not want to talk about  this topic; she felt very embarrassed. "The Divine Beast Forest is not peaceful.  The demonic beasts are restless,   and it seems that the Monster Tide  will come soon," Lin Yin said. "What is a Monster Tide?" Li Xiaobai, with his keen senses, caught the key  term. He had not yet left the sect, and perhaps   the outside environment would be more suitable  for accumulating Attribute Points for the System. "It's when the demonic beasts go on a collective  rampage. A Monster Tide can affect the surrounding   towns and sects. This time, the reason behind  the beasts' uprising is not yet clear." "If the Monster Tide really breaks out,  we might be immediately dispatched to   the vicinity of the Divine Beast Mountain  Range," Lin Yin explained a bit further.

"If that's the case, it would be great.  I've been itching for a real fight lately;   there are no worthy opponents in the sect." When it came to a rampage of demonic  beasts, Su Yunbing was very excited. She   was a violence enthusiast and never  passed up an opportunity to fight. "It doesn't concern us much.  If something really happens,   the Holy Demon Sect will bear the brunt,  and we will at most provide some support." Liu Jinshui did not care much.

A  rampage of demonic beasts was a big   event and as a great sect, the Holy  Demon Sect would definitely send out   experts to clear them. Smaller sects  would just pick off the stragglers. Li Xiaobai quietly listened to  the conversations of his senior   brothers and sisters, silently  noting down the key information. The strength of demonic beasts varied. Those on  the periphery of the Divine Beast Mountain Range   were generally equivalent to cultivators  in the Foundation Establishment Stage,   while the powerful demonic beasts  resided deep in the mountains,   in the Golden Core Stage, or  even the Nascent Soul Stage. Golden Core Stage beasts probably  couldn't break his Copper Skin,   Iron Bone. Li Xiaobai thought he  might have a chance to check it out. The attacks of demonic beasts  were fiercer than those of humans,   which could increase more Attribute Points.

The more he heard, the more surprised Li  Xiaobai felt. He was living in a world   called the Immortal Spirit Continent,  and the land under his feet was known   as the Northern Region, a remote  part of the mainland to the north. It was a desolate place, and within this  region, only the Holy Demon Sect and Tianwu   Sect were considered Great Sects; all the  other large and small sects were affiliates. Though these two sects appeared to be on good  terms, they were constantly fighting overtly   and covertly in private, each wanting to swallow  the other and become the sole dominant power. As for the internal situation of the Holy  Demon Sect, he would have to wait until he   obtained the qualification for further  study and went to the sect to cultivate   before he could find out, but no matter  what, a Great Sect was a better platform.   Only by entering it would one have a  chance to touch an even vaster world.

After chatting for a while, everyone stopped  talking and entered serious cultivation mode,   maximizing the benefits of the bath. Li Xiaobai felt helpless; his senior brothers and   sisters were too diligent.  He felt a bit embarrassed. The time spent bathing always passed quickly;  before he knew it, the sky had begun to brighten. Li Xiaobai checked the System panel. [Attribute Points: 1100.] No question about it. All invested in defense! [Defensive Power: Copper Skin, Iron  Bone (1100/5000) Advancement possible.] Just one night of soaking and he had  gained a thousand Attribute Points.

Indeed,   the System was quite good, very user-friendly! Meanwhile, the others were  also gradually waking up. "This bathhouse is not bad, it's comparable  to the Spiritual Springs outside." "Yes, the cultivation speed is more than  twice as fast as before; it's really good." "I'm going to cultivate here from now on!" "Junior Brother, change the bathwater tonight;  your Senior Sister wants to bathe again." With the competition about to begin,  everyone dried their clothes through   their cultivation level and began heading  down the mountain one after another. As they got closer, the noise from the foot of  the mountain finally reached them, and hearing   the clamor from the outer disciples, both Li  Xiaobai and Liu Jinshui's faces turned pale.

The issue with the elixirs had been exposed! The victims had come knocking! Chapter 14 Chapter 14 "` The rest also heard the commotion  coming from the foot of the mountain,   their expressions turning interesting. "Junior brother, why don't you  go down first?" Liu Jinshui said. "Senior brother, you are older  than me and also my senior,   you should go down first," Li Xiaobai said. "Stop dawdling, it's just a couple of  Spirit Stones, what's the big deal?" Yang Chen strutted out with an arrogant attitude,   leading the way out of the sect gates and began  driving away the disciples causing trouble nearby.

"Look, that damn Li Xiaobai is  actually brothers with that fatso!" "Damn it, the fatso is from Misty Peak too!" "So he was a plant, we've been seriously scammed!" "We must get an explanation for this, let's go  to the arena and demand one from the elders!" "Don't let him get away!" Seeing the main culprit show his face,  the disciples were fuming with anger,   all following behind Li Xiaobai,  wanting to seek justice.

Feeling panicked, Li Xiaobai saw  that everyone was coming for him,   afraid that this would not end well today. The Spirit Stones were definitely  gone, but his life was still his own. On the arena, The Sect Leader and more than a  dozen elders had already arrived,   ready to address the disciples. At  this critical point in the competition,   the slots for disciples to advance to the  Holy Demon Sect had already been determined. The following matches were merely for friendship's  sake, without contention for anything. "What's going on over there?" "Aside from those from Misty Peak,   what else could it be, they're bringing  their complaints all the way to me!" "I've also heard from Feng Wuxie,  this Li Xiaobai actually scammed   his fellow disciples, truly despicable!" "Enough talk, the sect has given  several hundred Lower Grade Spirit   Stones to make up for Li Xiaobai's  mess, it's an important day today;   you elders should not squabble  over every little detail!" The Sect Leader said with a stern face.

The elders were grumbling inwardly, it sounded  nice, but wasn't the sect's contribution simply   deducted from their salary? Why should  they clean up after the trouble Misty   Peak caused? Feng Lingzi, that old guy,  they had no idea where he had run off to. Looking at Li Xiaobai,  their eyes grew even colder,   wishing they could give the boy a good beating. Seeing that all the disciples had gathered,   the Sect Leader raised his hand  to signal everyone to calm down. "I am already aware of the dispute between  you and Li Xiaobai. All the disciples who   were scammed can later go to the Salary  Hall to receive compensation ― each of you   will be compensated with twenty Lower  Grade Spirit Stones," he announced. Hearing the Sect Leader say this, the  disciples also quieted down. The most   any of them had lost was around fifteen Spirit  Stones, and now the Sect Leader was offering   twenty Lower Grade Spirit Stones to each; by their  calculations, they still came out ahead.

However,   they couldn't vent the frustration  that was festering in their stomachs. They were unhappy deep down. Li Xiaobai also let out a sigh of relief;   with the Sect Leader handling the  aftermath, he could be at ease. "Outstanding disciples can  use this competition to spot   their shortcomings and strengthen  themselves," the Sect Leader said. "I hope you all can…" the Sect Leader and  the elders continued with some motivational   words before handing over the stage to the  ten participants of the upcoming matches. Su Yunbing announced boldly,   "Misty Peak claims the top ten in the  great competition. Any objections?" "It's a wrap, a wrap!" Yang  Chen chimed in as well. "We object!" "I have a big problem with Li Xiaobai!" "You can lose the big competition,  but Li Xiaobai must die!" "Hand over Li Xiaobai, we want to duel him!" …

The surrounding disciples weren't buying  it, even if the Sect Leader was willing   to compensate them, they weren't easily  going to let Li Xiaobai off the hook. Only a small portion of them had witnessed  Li Xiaobai's true strength; for the majority,   he remained a figure known  for deception and trickery. "Li Xiaobai, what do you say?" "` The Elders held a hint of mirth in their eyes,   finally getting to witness Li  Xiaobai make a fool of himself.

The Great Elder seemed like he wanted to  say something but ultimately held back,   believing that some lessons are best  learned through personal experience. Li Xiaobai was the epitome of  "playing the pig to eat the tiger." Even he couldn't fully defend against such sword   qi; those disciples were merely  delivering themselves to defeat. Seeing the fervent disciples,  Li Xiaobai felt helpless,   it seemed that word of his victory over the  True Disciple Hao Jian had not yet spread. "I have no problem with it, if they want to  challenge me, then let them come at me together." Li Xiaobai got into the zone and  leisurely stepped up to the arena.

The disciples were boiling  with rage again. How arrogant,   to think he would fight them all by  himself, it was an outrageous insult! "Li Xiaobai, you are far too arrogant. The  first match is between you and me. I told you,   when we meet again, I'll make  your life worse than death!" Lin Mang leaped onto the arena, his voice cold and  stern, his goal today was to [ __ ] Li Xiaobai. "In my eyes, there is no difference between   a True Disciple and an Outer Sect  Disciple. Come at me, all of you." "It's not that I'm targeting anyone in particular,  I just want to say that everyone here is trash." Li Xiaobai stood with his hands behind  his back, his expression indifferent. The emotions of the disciples below  the stage exploded instantaneously,   their fury burning fiercely as dozens  of them jumped onto the arena at once. "Elder Brother Lin, no offense, but  this guy is too infuriating. Today,   we have to let him bleed a bit!" "That's right, Elder Brother  Lin, this isn't just your fight." "Today, Li Xiaobai must die!" Lin Mang's face wore a mocking expression:   "Junior Brother Li, it mustn't have  been easy to become what you are." "You flatter me, Elder Brother.

Make your move!" Li Xiaobai raised his eyebrows, his face full of a   provoking expression that just begged  for a beating, and with full loathing,   the disciples struck out angrily,  all attacking Li Xiaobai at once. Brightly colored flashes erupted  on the stage in an instant. "Ice-Fire Dual Extremes!" "Great Fireball Technique!" "Lingyun Sword Technique!" "Evil Banishing Sword Technique!" The robust spiritual power created waves  that swept across the entire field,   and Li Xiaobai, thrilled in his  heart at the overwhelming onslaught,   knew a wave of Attribute Points was on its way. [Attribute Point +1…] [Attribute Point +5…] [Attribute Point +10…] [Attribute Point +30…] The disciples' attacks were  powerful, almost instantly   netting him a hundred Attribute Points,  but where did those thirty come from? Li Xiaobai was puzzled. He knew  the ten points were from Lin Feng,   and none of the other disciples could  surpass Lin Feng's strength. Could it   be that someone else struck him  from a place he couldn't see? But even the thirty points  couldn't break his defenses. He added all the Attribute  Points he received into his   defense in one breath and continued  to face the brutal attacks head-on.

Below the stage, several elder brothers  and sisters were all wearing expressions   of astonishment, not expecting that their  Junior Brother Li would be so fierce,   facing the attacks of so many  without the slightest problem. "It seems this Junior Brother does indeed have  some fortuitous encounters," Liu Jinshui sighed. From a distance, Among the crowd, Feng Wuxie's face  showed even greater surprise. He   had quietly shot out a poisoned needle  while people weren't paying attention,   hoping to seriously injure  Li Xiaobai amidst the chaos. But to his utter disbelief, the poisoned needle   couldn't even pierce the opponent's  skin and was directly shattered.

It must be a Magic Treasure; the opponent was  using a Magic Treasure to protect his body! Feng Wuxie's eyes burned with  an even more fervent gaze,   wishing he could kill Li Xiaobai and  seize his treasure right then and there. "Heh, no matter, you are ultimately  heading to the Holy Demon Sect. Dying   in the wilderness wouldn't be surprising at all!" Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Everyone in the arena had different thoughts,   but the most surprised were  certainly the disciples on the stage. They had been fighting for a long  time, hands sore from the effort,   yet Li Xiaobai seemed totally  unfazed, still all smiles. [Defensive Power: Copper Skin, Iron  Bone (2300/5000) Can be advanced.] Not bad at all, these  disciples are quite energetic,   boosting my defensive power  by a whole thousand points. The frequency of the System Panel's  numbers changing was dwindling,   and the disciples on stage were  getting sore hands from fatigue. Lin Mang, however, looked ferocious,  with bloodshot eyes that relentlessly   attacked from all angles, trying to  break through the opponent's defense. With a chuckle, he grasped Lin Mang's sword blade,   halting the Sword Qi abruptly, and  with a slight squeeze of his fingers,   crushed the blade to dust, leaving Lin  Mang's eyes nearly popping out in shock.

Flesh harder than a lower grade Spirit  Sword, what kind of maneuver is this? He had thought his opponent was just a  minor character he could easily crush,   but unexpectedly, he had hit a steel plate  and seemed likely to be humiliated this time. "Sword Shattering the Sky!" Li Xiaobai drew his sword from his waist,  the arena filled with crisscrossing Sword Qi,   causing the stage to crack, turning  dozens of longswords to dust. Many disciples were swept off  the stage, including Lin Mang. "This can't be possible!" "How can you possibly have this kind of strength!" "Referee, I refuse to accept this,  Li Xiaobai must have cheated!" Lin Mang's face was flushed with shock and anger. How could the opponent possess such  strength, wasn't he just a sneaky character? "Silence!" "So many of you ganging up on one person and still  getting decimated, what face do you have to face   your mentors? Go back and start from the basics,  reforge yourselves starting with the foundation!" The Sect Leader was furious; the performance of  the sect's disciples was truly disappointing. Most crucially, Li Xiaobai's move had  just destroyed dozens of longswords,   among which were Spiritual Artifacts, which  would amount to a significant expense to replace! The Elders whispered among themselves; nobody  expected the always boisterous Li Xiaobai to   possess such overwhelming strength, defeating  dozens of disciples with a single sword stroke,   including the True Disciple Lin Feng,  which was truly a slap in the face.

"Defeating all the disciples present with one  sword, this is the genius cultivator Li Xiaobai." Li Xiaobai was not yet out of his state,  the arena filled with a compelling presence. "Well said!" The disciples of Misty Peak clapped  and cheered enthusiastically;   this battle had indeed brought  great honor to Misty Peak. Li Xiaobai snapped back to reality and scurried  down from the stage in a flash.

The atmosphere   was different off the stage; there were rules  on stage, and he could act however he pleased,   but it wasn't the same off stage. If he overplayed  his hand down here, he could get chopped to death. "The competition continues.  Next match, let me reiterate,   friendship comes first. You are all excellent  disciples of the Immortal Feather Sect,   winning or losing is not important. What is  important is what you can learn from it." The Sect Leader signaled for  the competition to continue. The previous incidents were  just minor interruptions;   now, it was time for proper and  orderly exchanges between disciples.

"Second match, Misty Peak's Su Yunbing  versus Misty Peak's Ye Wushuang!" The referee announced the start of the match. It was normal for seven out of the  top ten to be Misty Peak disciples,   and for fellow sect brothers  to be grouped together. The disciples below watched  intently as the two on the stage,   with Su Yunbing's fiery red attire making  her look spirited and Ye Wushuang in her   usual light green dress, embodied  a certain detached tranquillity.

The Misty Peak disciples typically  defeated their opponents in seconds,   hardly revealing the depth of their strength. Now, it was Misty Peak against Misty Peak,   inevitably a fierce battle  between dragons and tigers. Neither of the two women on  the stage made a move first. "Junior Sister, was our  last spar three years ago?" Su Yunbing stared with her eyebrows  knit tightly, exuding murderous intent. "Yes, in the blink of an  eye, three years have passed,   and Senior Sister has added  a few more crow's feet!" Ye Wushuang covered her face with  her hand and laughed lightly,   causing the male disciples  below the stage to drool. Su Yunbing blew up immediately,  she truly lacked feminine charm,   a far cry from the gentle  and affectionate Ye Wushuang. Although she believed her strength  to be superior to her opponent's,   she always felt like she lost somewhere,  which was an unpleasant feeling.

"Sister, your sharp tongue is impressive, but  today I will teach you what proper conduct means!" Amidst the arena, a red flash sparkled, and Su  Yunbing instantly appeared behind Ye Wushuang,   her palms slamming down fiercely. Before  her palms had even reached, the pressure   of the attack arrived, causing the platform to  crack and break, with stones flying everywhere. Ye Wushuang took graceful steps,   dodging with ease as a series of faint  green mists enveloped the entire stage.

This was her cultivation  technique, the "Jade Lotus Sutra",   which combined healing with poison  and killed invisibly with every move. The Elders quickly drove the disciples  away from below the stage, as the poison   up there was not ordinary, even a touch could  leave an ordinary disciple dead or injured. The crowd dispersed hastily, avoiding the  green smoke as though it were the plague,   fearing being caught in its wake. Soon, only  seven people from Misty Peak and Feng Wuxie,   the top elder brother from the Immortal  Feather Sect, remained near the stage. A wisp of green smoke brushed against Li Xiaobai. [Attribute Points+100…] Hiss! Just a touch from the smoke and his attribute  points increased by a hundred. This Second   Senior Sister, who always seemed so amiable,  was actually so ruthless when she fought. However, Li Xiaobai didn't feel the slightest  discomfort, even wishing he could inhale more. It seemed that even when his Senior  Sister was serious about fighting,   he could still hold his own. Once  his defensive power advanced again,   he suspected his Senior Brothers and Sisters  would no longer be able to land a blow on him.

He quietly took a deep breath, trying  to inhale more of the green smoke. Feng Wuxie caught this scene from the corner  of his eye, and his lips unconsciously curved   upward. The more he knew about Li Xiaobai,  the more secrets seemed to spill out from him. From these small details, one could tell  that the treasures on him were extraordinary,   able to defend against poison  mist. What exactly were they? No, Li Xiaobai was actively inhaling the  poison mist. Could it be that inhaling   the poison was somehow beneficial to the body? Feng Wuxie also took a careful breath and  immediately felt a burning sensation in his   organs. He quickly circulated spiritual  energy to recover from the injury,   his anticipation for the treasure in Li  Xiaobai's possession growing stronger. Meanwhile, Li Xiaobai had already  cleared the surrounding poison mist.

[Defensive Power: Copper Skin, Iron  Bone (3000/5000), can be advanced.] Just two thousand more to  advance. Li Xiaobai was thrilled;   his Senior Sister's strike was too  powerful, with one inhale increasing   one hundred attribute points. He truly  wanted to keep on inhaling forever. On the stage, The battle between the two women  had reached a critical intensity,   the powerful presence sweeping across the entire  arena. Ye Wushuang's movements were fluid,   managing to escape at critical moments, while  Su Yunbing went for overpowering brute force,   foregoing any fanciness,  swinging down her fists hard.

The stage was devastated beyond recognition,  both women leaving deep craters with every step,   and after a few exchanges, the  stage was nearly flattened. Watching the two on stage exchanging blows,   Li Xiaobai was a bit puzzled and  poked Liu Jinshui who was beside him. "Senior Brother, the Senior  Sisters are fighting well,   but why aren't they using their powerful moves?" "Hehe, the Senior Sisters are actually engaging  in genuine sparring.

Their Dao rhymes are subdued,   they have abandoned their cultivation  techniques and secret techniques,   and are confronting each other with  their purest cultivation levels.   They're identifying their weaknesses  and looking for areas to improve!" "Junior Brother, take a good lesson from this…" Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Li Xiaobai did not understand cultivation.  Besides the cracks on the ground, he could   not discern any strangeness in the two's moves  and could only stare in dumbfounded silence. The poison fog on the arena  had completely dissipated,   and in their moves, not even the basic effects  of their cultivation techniques were present,   leaving the other disciples utterly confused.

Their level was too low to comprehend the  deeper meaning behind such maneuvers, but   the more powerful disciples' eyes were all wide  open, afraid of missing even the smallest detail. The Elders, too, had solemn expressions, watching  the battle in the arena intently. Such strength   was comparable to their own, and even if  their cultivation levels were a bit lower,   their combat awareness and understanding of  cultivation techniques were nothing to scoff at. Indeed, Misty Peak was a place of geniuses! The two people on the stage  were free of all distractions,   oblivious to the exclamations from  below, seeing only their opponent.

Su Yunbing was also startled. She had not  expected that her second junior sister's   cultivation had reached such a level without  her noticing. Relying on ordinary means,   she truly couldn't defeat her in a short time. However, it was about time  for the competition to end. Su Yunbing's eyes hardened, and  a cold light burst forth from   them. With a flip of her wrist, a  huge hammer appeared in her hand. The hammer was ridiculously large, with the head  alone being at least three meters wide. The handle   was unreasonably long, covered in wild totemic  engravings that stimulated the onlookers' brains. It was hard to imagine that such a delicate and  petite body could wield such a massive hammer. "Junior sister, you've held out against  your senior for quite some time,   which is quite commendable. You  can step down now," she said. As soon as she finished speaking,  she exerted force in her hand,   luminance swirling, and the hammer  transformed into a series of afterimages   smashing toward Ye Wushuang. The head  of the hammer flashed with a dark light,   revealing a rare and strange beast, and a faint  sound of sonic boom echoed through the air.

Ye Wushuang's complexion changed, the  oppressive might carried by the hammer   causing her hair to stand on end. Dark green  smoke converged around her as the internal   cultivation technique within her body ran  wildly, attempting to block the hammer. "Puff!" The hammer broke through the cultivation  technique without any resistance and   struck Ye Wushuang's chest. Her  internal energy became chaotic,   and blood spurted wildly from her  mouth as her body was flung backward. Su Yunbing slammed the hammer down on the ground  and exhaled a deep breath. Defeating Ye Wushuang   made her feel much more comfortable,  and it balanced her mood significantly. Feeling the buzzing and trembling of  the ground, Li Xiaobai couldn't help   but swallow nervously.

His senior sister was  terrifying, able to swing such a huge hammer. Seeing the exaggeratedly large hammer on the  stage, Feng Wuxie's face changed dramatically,   and he blurted out, "That's a  Life-bound Spirit Treasure!" "What's a Life-bound Spirit  Treasure?" Li Xiaobai asked. "It's a magic treasure nurtured with one's  own blood essence. Anyone who has a Life-bound   Spirit Treasure is peerless in their own rank.  Su Yunbing must have advanced to this extent,   her cultivation level must be at  least the sixth level of Golden Core!" Feng Wuxie was truly frightened. He himself was  only at the third level of Golden Core, and it was   laughable that he had always thought of himself  as a leading figure in the Immortal Feather Sect. In front of Su Yunbing, he was nothing.

"It's been a long time since we've sparred.  Senior sister has reached this level;   it looks like she has far outstripped  us!" Liu Jinshui murmured to himself. "Third senior brother, if you were  to face the eldest senior sister,   what chance would you have of winning?" Yang Chen asked with a frown, as the bravery  shown by Su Yunbing was too overpowering. "Stop talking nonsense. We all know  the abilities of the eldest senior   sister too well. If she were to use her  cultivation techniques and martial skills,   we wouldn't stand a chance in a single exchange!" Lin Yin said with an indifferent expression,  as such an outcome did not surprise him.

Yang Chen seemed to recall some  unpleasant memories and also fell silent. "Junior sister isn't hurt, is she?" Li Xiaobai asked, the stains of blood on the  stage still fresh and startling to look at. "Don't worry. For Senior Sister  Ye, this is but a minor injury.   A bit of cultivation technique circulation  should heal her quickly," Liu Jinshui said. "For the second match, Su Yunbing wins!" The referee was also stunned, having  felt the threat of death from the   residual power of the hammer, and it took  him a long time to regain his composure.

All the disciples below the stage were  shocked. The totem engravings on that hammer,   and the strong oppressive feeling it  emitted, deeply stirred everyone's hearts. The disciples of Misty Peak  are terrifyingly powerful! Su Yunbing laughed heartily, shouldering the   hammer and walking down from the stage  with an air of complacency on her face. "Junior sister, your skills are still  lacking. Go back and practice some more!" "Hehe, senior sister's lesson is well taken!" Ye Wushuang's complexion had regained much  of its color but was still somewhat pale,   not betraying the signs of  serious injury she had sustained.

Li Xiaobai grew even more amazed, originally  thinking the eldest senior sister was already   freakish in her abilities, not expecting that  the second senior sister would be even more so,   healing such severe wounds in the blink of an eye. It was truly unfathomable. "The third match, Misty Peak's Lin  Yin versus Misty Peak's Ling Feng!" The competition had to continue, the referee  announced with a shaky voice, before hastily   leaving the stage, not daring to stand too  close when disciples of Misty Peak sparred. "Come on up, fifth junior brother." Lin Yin seemed relaxed, his figure  shimmering as he stepped onto the stage.

Ling Feng appeared somewhat nervous,  even more silent than usual. "Fifth junior brother, it's okay,  there's no shame in losing to the   third senior brother," Liu Jinshui patted  Ling Feng on the shoulder, comforting him. "Yeah, the third senior brother is seasoned in  battle, his whole being is intent on killing,   there's no disgrace in losing," Yang  Chen said in his usual careless manner. Ling Feng nodded, his figure flickered,  and he instantly appeared on the stage. Li Xiaobai's eyes widened as  he watched the two on stage,   why did it seem that Ling  Feng was so afraid of Lin Yin? Could something have happened in the past? On the stage, Ling Feng clasped his hands and  said, "Please show mercy, senior brother!" "Certainly." Lin Yin, with his hands behind  his back, spoke indifferently.

"Then this junior brother will offend!" The palms of Ling Feng pushed forward evenly,   igniting a fiery red glow that soared to the  sky, a scorching burst of heat hitting the face. The stage was instantaneously scorched black,  seemingly starting to melt here and there. "Raging Sun Palm!" Unlike the battle with his senior sister,  Ling Feng started with a major move,   as the stage was enveloped in overwhelming  flames, obscuring the view inside. Li Xiaobai, still employing the same tactic,   carefully drained the nearby flames, adding  several hundred attribute points once again. Quite good! It was evident that the fierce battle  within the arena was intensifying,   the air temperature kept rising, and many  disciples were already drenched in sweat.

The flames on the stage turned from fiery  red to purple-black, the temperature rising   by more than tenfold, directly burning  a hole through the center of the stage. It was difficult to imagine how Lin Yin could  still strike back in such an environment. A moment later, The ground suddenly trembled, the flames  in the center gradually dissipated,   revealing the figures of the two men.

Lin Yin casually held Ling Feng by the collar with   one hand and nonchalantly  tossed him off the stage. Ling Feng coughed up blood, his body covered  with a layer of frost, convulsing uncontrollably,   as Ye Wushuang quickly stepped  forward to administer treatment. "Misty Peak, Lin Yin wins!" The referee struggled to spit out the words. Everyone was petrified, no one knew  what had happened on the stage,   the sky-full of flames had  already caused enough alarm,   but it turned out Ling Feng had been defeated  in an instant, what kind of move was that? "Senior sister, did you see clearly?" Liu Jinshui asked Su Yunbing. "One move, defeated Ling Feng, Junior  Brother Lin Yin's cultivation level is   not much different from mine, only lacking  the condensation of the Life-bound Spirit   Treasure," Su Yunbing took a  deep breath and spoke slowly. "Hiss!" "The third senior brother  has reached this step too?" Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Life-bound Spirit Treasures are considered  standard equipment for high-level cultivators.

One could start refining them upon  reaching the Golden Core Stage,   but as ordinary cultivators just entering this  stage have relatively weak spiritual power,   nurturing one could be somewhat troublesome. Thus, most people choose to start nurturing  their Life-bound Spirit Treasure at the sixth   level of the Golden Core Stage, but from Su  Yunbing's performance, it was clear that she   didn't wait until then; she probably started  right after entering the Golden Core Stage. Such daring was indeed formidable. Down below, Ling Feng appeared somewhat  disheartened, defeated in one move;   the gap between him and the  third senior brother was so vast. "Junior brother, take it easy. Victory  and defeat are common in warfare. Just   keep practicing diligently,  and you can win it back!" Su Yunbing said in a carefree manner. "Yes, junior brother, you joined after Lin Yin, so  a momentary win or loss doesn't count for much." Ye Wushuang also offered words of comfort. Lin Yin stepped down from the stage  slowly, silent and lifeless as ever:   "You've gotten a bit stronger than  before, a large ant I suppose." Hearing this, Ling Feng's eyes lit up,   as if he had been recognized, and  his spirits instantly revived.

Li Xiaobai thought Ling Feng was a bit  unusual. The encouraging words from the   senior sisters didn't cheer him up,  yet the shame from the third senior   brother revitalized him; could  it be that he was a masochist? "Thank you for the instruction,  senior brother. I understand now!" Ling Feng returned to his cool demeanor. Feng Wuxie had been focusing on  the residual frost on his hand,   with an extremely unsightly expression.  Although he couldn't clearly see what was   happening inside the ring, he could  sense the events occurring within. The cultivation technique Lin Yin used must  involve cold and chilling energy, chilling   to the extreme.

Whether Lin Yin or Ling Feng,  both had cultivation levels higher than his own. Was Misty Peak really so magical? "For the fourth match, Misty Peak's  Yang Chen will face True Disciple   Chen Ping!" the referee announced  the continuation of the match. "It's my turn." Yang Chen was quite excited  and leaped onto the stage. "Brother Yang!" Chen Ping's gaze shifted evasively; three  years ago, he had been brutally defeated by   Yang Chen on this very platform.

Now he was  even less able to ascertain his opponent's   cultivation level, feeling somewhat  intimidated and reluctant to engage. "Junior brother Chen, don't  be polite. Take action,   let your senior brother see if you've made  some progress over these three years!" Yang Chen's attitude was outrageously arrogant,  not taking Chen Ping seriously at all. Chen Ping's   face flushed with embarrassment, he unsheathed  his longsword and thrust it towards Yang Chen.

"Spirit Snake Swordsmanship!" His body turned into a streak  of bright silver light,   constantly weaving throughout the arena,  looking for Yang Chen's vulnerabilities. Yang Chen didn't bother with any  defensive gestures and stood wide   open in front of Chen Ping, seemingly  provoking his opponent to attack. "Dance of the Myriad Demons!" Chen Ping's figure flickered rapidly,  the platform flashed with silver light,   and dozens of afterimages appeared,   each dragging a longsword and stabbing  towards Yang Chen from all directions. The disciples below held their  breath. Among the many clones,   only one was real. If they misidentified  it, it would be a devastating blow. They believed that if it were them on the  platform, they would definitely not be able   to defend against this technique  and would be defeated instantly.

"Long time no see, and you're still up to the same   old tricks. Though there are more  clones, what good does that do?" Yang Chen burst into laughter. His arm twisted at an inconceivable  angle and effortlessly caught the   sword tip stabbing towards the back of his neck. With a slight exertion of strength between  his fingers, the longsword crumbled to dust. Turning around, he landed a  palm on Chen Ping's chest,   causing him to spit blood and  collapse unconscious on the ground. Defeating a True Disciple in two moves,  crushing a Spirit Sword with his bare hands,   Yang Chen performed these feats as if they were  effortless, shockingly dominating the scene.

The many disciples realized they  had been mistaken about something.   They had always thought Misty  Peak simply handed out favors,   which was why their disciples were more  powerful than ordinary Inner Sect Disciples. "` But today's encounter proved entirely different.  It wasn't that he became strong through backdoor   means; instead, it was because his strength  was so formidable that the Sect Leader   specially allowed him to take a backdoor  approach and establish his own faction. "Misty Peak, Yang Chen wins!" The referee carried Chen Ping away. The fourth match was Liu  Jinshui versus Feng Wuxie. Feng Wuxie smiled politely,  stepping forward to greet everyone. "Xiaobai junior brother, congratulations  on also entering the top ten and securing   the qualification for further study.  Don't slack off in your cultivation." "Liu junior brother, please, I'm really looking   forward to exchanging blows  with a Misty Peak disciple." Liu Jinshui's eyes whirled,  and he sighed, waving his hand. "Referee, I admit defeat. We have  all already made it into the top ten,   what's the point of continuing? Let's  finish early and call it a day!" Liu Jinshui's shocking words  stunned Feng Wuxie, and the   rest of the disciples were taken aback as well.

Was there no need to continue competing once one  had secured the qualification for further study? What kind of logic was that? Where was your ambition? From afar, the Elders were  unable to contain their anger. "What does this rascal think  the grand competition is for?" "Is the competition something he  can abandon whenever he pleases?" "Forget about it, the guy has  already surrendered. There's   no rule in the grand competition that says  disciples aren't allowed to admit defeat!" "This is infuriating…" The Sect Leader was helpless too. Misty  Peak always liked to stir up some trouble,   but he could also see that this chubby  fellow truly lacked any fighting spirit. He feared that participating in the grand  competition was merely to snatch a spot for   further study; once he had secured a spot, not  even the Heavenly King could compel him to fight. A perfect example of not making  an effort without profit! The referee hesitated upon  hearing this: "Are you sure?" "Certain!" "Alright then, Misty Peak disciple  Liu Jinshui voluntarily admits defeat,   True Disciple Feng Wuxie wins!" "Today's grand competition ends here; tomorrow  we will decide the top three in the competition!" "I urge the disciples to reflect on  their shortcomings when they return,   to promptly spot and rectify their mistakes,  and not let down this rare opportunity." After uttering these words, the Sect  Leader, accompanied by the Elders, left.

The disciples were caught  up in a heated discussion,   overwhelmed by what they had witnessed today. All being disciples of the Immortal  Feather Sect, why were some so outstanding? Only today did they realize that there were  such powerful disciples among their ranks,   which was genuinely surprising. Feng Wuxie sidled up to Li Xiaobai and chuckled,   "Congratulations to the Misty Peak brothers and  sisters. Once we all head to the Holy Demon Sect,   please provide support. Mutual help  and cooperation is the way forward!" "Of course, of course, once we are in the  Holy Demon Sect, we should become closer!" Li Xiaobai greeted him with a smile, different  from his fellow senior brothers and sisters. He was a weakling who didn't need to  cultivate and hence needed to make friends,   and he felt that Feng Wuxie gave off  a good vibe, like a guy-next-door. Moreover, he owed his success in selling  so many elixirs to this person's help. "Yes, indeed. We must visit  each other more often." Feng Wuxie had an implicit message, which Li  Xiaobai didn't catch, remaining all smiles.

"Yes, yes, by the way, senior  brother, do you like bathing?" Chapter 18 Chapter 18 The scene was quite bizarre. Feng Wuxie  was trying to devise ways to take out   Li Xiaobai and seize his treasures, while  all Li Xiaobai could think of was how to   improve his relationship with his senior  brother and enhance their emotional bond. For a moment, Feng Wuxie was  somewhat caught off guard. "Ahem, ahem, let's do it another day,  junior brother. I need to focus on my   cultivation and prepare for tomorrow's  contest, so I shall take my leave!" "Senior brother, take care!" Watching Feng Wuxie's retreating figure, Li  Xiaobai smiled.

What a nice senior brother,   mild in temperament and kind to others, without  showing any airs despite being a true disciple. When compared to the likes of Lin Mang and  Hao Jian, these were also true disciples,   but why was there such a  big gap in their behavior? "Hehe, it's just as well that he didn't come;  I thought the pool was too small anyway!" Liu Jinshui had complaints about  Feng Wuxie's behavior.

To him,   such a person was clearly a smiling tiger, but  why couldn't his little junior brother see that? "Let's go, let's continue our bath.  That bathhouse is ours from now on!" … Atop the mountain, the group of seven  senior and junior brothers neatly   soaked in the pool, shivering with comfort. "Junior brother, what exactly is  this water made of? You've managed   to create another pool in such a short time." Ye Wushuang couldn't stop thinking about  the substance contained in the water.

She studied medicine and found such  magical water naturally attractive. "Unspeakable, unspeakable…" Li Xiaobai shook his head, feeling that the  more he soaked, the more comfortable it became. "Who cares what material it is.  In the future, if we want a bath,   we just find our junior brother. He can't  run away," Yang Chen said in a daze. This was just a pool of very ordinary water,   but it somehow filled them with pleasant  bliss, and they were almost sleepy. Suddenly, an angry roar came. "You little rascals, Elder has been looking  for you at the mountain foot for half a day,   and here you are, hiding in  this place indulging in luxury!" "Who made this bathhouse? Is this  what cultivators should be doing?" At some point, Feng Lingzi came up  along the slope of the mountain,   guessing that his disciples must be hiding here.

"Master, lower your voice.  We are practicing here!" "Don't believe it? Master, why  don't you come in and soak too?" Su Yunbing was very dissatisfied  with Feng Lingzi's shouting;   she was almost asleep and was  abruptly awakened by his loud voice. With Feng Lingzi's interruption,   the rest of them were completely devoid  of sleepiness, with wretched expressions. "All of you out and stand  properly. It's utterly disgraceful,   each of you.

Going to the Holy Demon  Sect, do you also plan to be so lazy?" "You represent the face of Immortal Feather  Sect. You must not become complacent!" Feng Lingzi puffed his chest and  glared, his face full of fury. Reluctantly, the few in the pool stood up,   dried their clothes with their  cultivation, and lined up. "Li Xiaobai, why are your clothes still  dripping wet?" Feng Lingzi asked with a frown.

"Master, I don't know how to  dry them," Li Xiaobai said. "Just like your senior brothers and  sisters, dry your clothes with your   cultivation. Aren't you a genius? Do I need  to teach you such a minor thing myself?" "Master, I've only realized the  way to get stronger quickly;   I haven't grasped the method  to dry clothes quickly." Li Xiaobai lied through his teeth, which  infuriated Feng Lingzi again; with a sweep   of his hand and a gust of wind, the dripping  clothes were instantaneously clean and dry. [Attribute Points +10…] Delicious! "I didn't come over today just because I had  nothing better to do after a full meal. Recently,   a major incident has occurred  outside, are you aware of it?" Feng Lingzi composed himself and spoke  slowly; he did indeed have important business. "Is it a demonic beast uprising?"  Third Senior Brother Lin Yin asked.

"Yes, that's right, a demonic beast  uprising. For the past two months,   there have been signs of unrest among the  beasts in the Divine Beast Mountain Range,   and today, they finally erupted. An envoy from  Zhenyuan Country has notified our sect of this   matter, and the Sect Leader is currently  deliberating strategies with a few elders." Feng Lingzi nodded, relieved that there  was at least one disciple who was reliable. "Then Master, if you're not joining  in on the strategy discussions,   what are you doing here with  us?" Yang Chen asked, puzzled. Feng Lingzi's forehead throbbed with visible  veins as he repeatedly reminded himself that   these were his precious disciples,  whom he could neither hit nor scold,   and he was not necessarily  able to beat them, either. "I have come naturally because I have a matter  to entrust. The incident is of great importance;   I will head to other towns first.  Tomorrow, the Sect Leader will notify   you all to go to Zhenyuan Country  to clear out the demonic beasts." "As for the cause of the outbreak, I suspect  that it is very likely due to the emergence of   treasures, otherwise these demonic beasts  would not be so excited and agitated." "During your trip to the Divine Beast Mountain  Range, in addition to slaying demonic beasts,   you must also search for treasures.

There  are many Heaven and Earth Treasures in the   mountain range, and whether you can  get them will depend on your luck." "You must be careful. When you are abroad, be sure  to beware of being killed for your treasures and   do not meddle in other's business. Xiaobai is the  junior brother; you should all look out for him." "I'll leave it at that. Prepare well and  don't be careless. I shall take my leave." Feng Lingzi turned around  and disappeared on the spot. … Li Xiaobai pondered how to deal  with the demonic beast uprising,   only to see his senior brothers and sisters  confusedly soaking in the bathhouse again,   which left him rather speechless  at their carefree attitudes. Once more, the group sat in a row  and soaked in the pool together. "Senior brothers and sisters,  is the demonic beast uprising   that Master mentioned dangerous?"  Li Xiaobai couldn't help but ask. "It's not dangerous. In the nooks and  crannies of the Divine Beast Mountain Range,   the strongest demonic beasts are at the Golden  Core Great Perfection stage, and it's not even   certain whether there are any at the Nascent  Soul Stage.

We go in and it's a bloodbath!" Lin Yin said indifferently. He had  spent many years traveling abroad   and was very knowledgeable about  these matters. Perhaps to others,   the Divine Beast Mountain Range was a dangerous  place, but to him, it was nothing special. "Listen to your Third Senior Brother; he's  experienced and knowledgeable. If he says there's   no problem, then there's basically no problem," Su  Yunbing said nonchalantly, not concerned about the   trip to the Divine Beast Mountain Range, confident  in her unparalleled prowess at her level. "That's right, when the time comes,  we brothers will sweep through the   Divine Beast Mountain Range and take  all the treasures for ourselves!" Liu Jinshui became excited  at the mention of treasures. He was the most enthusiastic about treasures;   one that could trigger a demonic beast  uprising must be something significant.

"What kind of place is Zhenyuan Country, then?" "Zhenyuan Country? It's a nation with a rather  high opinion of itself. The people there seem to   have a natural sense of superiority. Every time I  go there, I come back infuriated," Yang Chen said. "Indeed, I'd rather not get  involved with them at all.   Those people have no self-awareness,"  Liu Jinshui agreed wholeheartedly. "They're just a bunch of bookworms.  Too much studying has made them silly,   so they see everyone else as fools,"  Ling Feng said with detachment. "We are going to the Divine Beast Mountain Range;  we'll just be passing through Zhenyuan Country,   so we won't have much to do  with them," Ye Wushuang frowned. "No matter how high they hold their tails,   they'll have to bow down before me!" Su  Yunbing said with rising killing intent.

Li Xiaobai always felt that his senior brothers  and sisters could make enemies wherever they went.   The hate was already at its peak even before they  arrived; following them was just too difficult. … At the same time Inside the Sect's grand hall, the elders  were once again engaged in a heated argument. "Absolutely not, when Zhenyuan Country comes to us  proactively, it could hardly be for anything good.   It's most likely they just need the smaller  sects to serve as cannon fodder for them!" Chapter 19 Chapter 19 "But with the demonic beast upheaval,   there must be some treasure that has  emerged. Shall we just sit here idly!" "No matter what, I just can't stand it.  We both know full well Zhenyuan Country's   behavior.

I'm afraid they've already  formed an alliance with the Great Sect,   and our role will just be cannon fodder!" The Elders argued non-stop, with most of them   unwilling to aid Zhenyuan Country  amidst the demonic beast turmoil. Ultimately, it was because the people  of Zhenyuan Country were too unpopular.   Not only were they arrogant,  but they were also selfish,   always centering themselves in everything, which  resulted in no one wanting to side with them. "Although Zhenyuan Country has its character  flaws, its strength is not to be underestimated.   They may not have Nascent Soul Stage powerhouses,  but they do have up to a hundred Golden Core Stage   experts.

This time, they've sent a State  Preceptor in person, which likely means   they have discovered something and they want a  batch of cannon fodder to scout ahead for them." "We shouldn't pass up this opportunity." The Great Elder spoke, well-informed about these   matters. Zhenyuan Country's history of  exploiting smaller sects wasn't new,   but this also indicated there indeed was  a treasure to be found, an opportunity. Hearing this, the Elders quieted down,  considering the interests at stake. "I have made a decision on this  matter.

Elder Sun will lead the   team. Aside from the disciples who ranked  in the top ten of the grand competition,   a few Inner Sect Disciples should also go out  to gain experience and broaden their horizons!" "The Great Elder is right; this mission isn't  simply a rescue. There has to be an origin for   the demonic beasts' rage. If we find it, and if  there's a chance, we could also get a share." The Sect Leader declared definitively. He also disapproved of Zhenyuan Country's  behavior, but the issue at hand was   critical. Given that Zhenyuan Country was the  closest to the Divine Beast Mountain Range,   various other forces would likely  send people to station there. If the Immortal Feather Sect didn't make a  move, they would inevitably face criticism. Moreover, this time, he truly wanted to see if  he could gain some advantages from the incident.

"So be it, then. That's decided." "Hehe, with those lads from Misty Peak around,   do we need to worry about our people  being bullied by Zhenyuan Country?" "That's right, we might even have a shot  at grabbing the treasure for ourselves!" "Now that it's settled, let's go meet this envoy   from Zhenyuan Country. Let's not  keep them waiting too long…" "…" The following morning, Li Xiaobai opened his eyes to find he was  still soaking in the pool, surrounded by   a few fellow brothers and sisters. It seemed that  everyone had gotten used to sleeping in the pool. He checked the System panel before him. [Defensive Power: Copper Skin,  Iron Bone (4000/5000) can advance.] After soaking all night, Attribute  Points had increased by another thousand,   all of which had been added to defensive power.

The feeling was exhilarating; this was  the kind of operation where one could   get stronger by simply bathing. This  was the privilege of a transmigrator. This System was indeed well-suited for him. According to what Feng Lingzi said, the  Sect Leader would announce the expedition to   Zhenyuan Country today. Li Xiaobai was very much  looking forward to subduing the demonic beasts. Being away from home, with fewer eyes watching,  he could be bolder in acquiring Attribute Points. He exchanged for several bottles of discarded  elixirs and swallowed them all at once,   as his Attribute Points continued to rise.

Li Xiaobai stood up, "Senior brothers  and sisters, it's time to set off." The joy of bathing was always fleeting;  today's task was the competition, coupled   with listening to the Sect Leader's speech.  The group climbed out leisurely, realizing   the day was already bright, and without further  ado, they dragged Li Xiaobai down the mountain. Today, the Sect Leader would talk  about the Divine Beast Mountain Range;   this was a major event, and  they dared not treat it lightly. By the arena, the Sect Leader and  all the Elders were already waiting,   and the disciples of Misty Peak, arriving  belatedly, merged into the crowd.

Seeing that all the disciples had gathered,  the Sect Leader's expression was very   serious as he began to speak about the  Divine Beast Mountain Range matters. "Ladies and gentlemen, a major event has  recently taken place in our Northern Region,   and I believe the well-informed disciples  have already received the news. There has   been a Demonic Beast rampage in  the Divine Beast Mountain Range." "Many nearby nations and villages have  suffered serious Demonic Beast attacks,   and our neighboring Zhenyuan Country sent an  envoy yesterday to explain the situation." "In order to strengthen the friendly relations  between our two states, the Immortal Feather   Sect has decided that Elder Sun will lead a team,  taking the top ten from the grand competition and   the top twenty Inner Sect Disciples to the Divine  Beast Mountain Range to slay the Demonic Beasts!" "This person beside me is the State  Preceptor of Zhenyuan Country, Li Shejin!" The Sect Leader introduced him with great  importance, giving plenty of face to this   Li Shejin. However, the other party did  not give the Sect Leader any face at all. He snorted lightly, brandished  the whisk in his hand,   and strode forward two steps  with an air of importance.

Sitting below, Li Xiaobai wore a  strange expression on his face. Li   Shejin? Was there actually someone with this name? Indeed, it was a vast and strange  world where anything could happen.   Today was an eye-opener for him. Li  Shejin was a skinny middle-aged man. His face was gaunt, his eye sockets  deep, and his vigor severely lacking,   clearly the type who indulged in alcohol and  was given to excesses, a complete wastrel. Just this arrogant attitude alone was enough  to make numerous disciples feel disgust. The senior brothers and sisters were right;  these people from Zhenyuan Country really   had a high opinion of themselves  and a strong sense of superiority. They came to ask for help from  the Immortal Feather Sect and   yet behaved so condescendingly; it  was truly the height of arrogance.

"I am the State Preceptor of Zhenyuan  Country, Li Shejin. You can refer to   me as Lord Li. My cultivation level is at  the third layer of the Golden Core Stage!" "Speaking of which, you disciples who have never  traveled far should thank me. Originally, I was   just going to give you a heads up, but your Sect  Leader insisted so politely that this time, I will   take you to experience the real Cultivation World  and let you sheltered flowers see some blood!" Li Shejin held his head high  and chest out, full of pride. Only, his sharp, thin voice was quite grating on  the ears, making it uncomfortable to listen to. The faces of the crowd darkened. This behavior  of the State Preceptor of Zhenyuan Country   clearly showed disdain for the Immortal Feather  Sect, and anger burned fiercely in their hearts.

Su Yunbing, who was beside them, couldn't  hold back anymore and was about to open   her mouth to curse, but Ye Wushuang  quickly covered her mouth with his hand. "Senior Sister, we are within our Sect right  now. It's not appropriate for us to create too   much friction. Once we go outside, we'll let  him know who really is the sheltered flower!" Ye Wushuang's eyes flashed coldly,  clearly extremely displeased as well. "Heh heh, not bad, this guy probably  thinks he's the boss and hasn't figured   out the situation yet. Once we're out  there, we'll just let him bleed a bit!" Liu Jinshui also chuckled. Li Xiaobai watched Li Shejin on stage,  who continued to talk without pause,   and inwardly paid a silent tribute  to the man for three minutes. This guy probably didn't know that his next few  hours had already been clearly arranged by others. Li Shejin, oblivious to the disciples'  reactions, continued to be engrossed   in his self-aggrandizing mode,  talking on and on incessantly.

When it came to theories, he was very impressive,   which irritated the Sect Leader and the Elders  so much that they were about to turn green. No matter what, they were still a Sect.  They had never been humiliated like this;   even in front of great Sects, they  hadn't lost face to such an extent. This mere State Preceptor of  Zhenyuan Country was now acting   superior and pointing fingers at their disciples! "Hehe, State Preceptor, with the Demonic Beasts  rampaging, we must suppress them quickly!" "This time, we will trouble you to  lead these unaccomplished disciples   of mine to Zhenyuan Country to see the world…" Chapter 20 Chapter 20 "Hehe, I have my own plans in mind, all of your  Immortal Feather Sect disciples look like they've   never seen the world before, I'm just giving them  a precautionary admonition in advance," he said. Hindered in his speech, the State  Preceptor was obviously displeased. "Rest assured, State Preceptor, we have already  warned them, life and death are predestined,   these are experiences they must go  through," the Sect Leader stated.

"This time, we're indeed troubling the  State Preceptor," the Sect Leader said   with a fist-bump salute, smiling as he spoke. "Hmm, don't worry, which disciples will  be accompanying me to Zhenyuan Country?   There's no need for those with too weak  abilities to go," said Li Shejin leisurely,   his eyes darting around until they  landed on a few from Misty Peak. Su Yunbing and Ye Wushuang were both beauties,  with an ethereal quality to their presence.

Li Shejin's small eyes glinted with excitement  as he pointed toward the people from Misty Peak:   "Those disciples over there  are good, I'll take them!" As soon as these words were uttered, the  whole place mourned for him in silence. The State Preceptor's lustful nature  was undisguised, he didn't even try to   hide it. He actually set his sights on  two female disciples from Misty Peak,   guaranteeing there would be no peace on this trip.

The Sect Leader by his side was also breaking out  in a cold sweat; he feared that as soon as those   from Misty Peak left the sect, they would  slaughter the State Preceptor on the spot. Instinct told him that the people from Misty Peak  were absolutely capable of doing such a thing. "Hehe, honored by the State Preceptor's favor,  then this humble girl will obediently comply.   The seven of us, brother and sisters, will  accompany you," Su Yunbing said out of character,   with a bloom of smiles that made  Li Shejin salivate aggressively. In his mind, he was already fantasizing  about rollicking with these sisters in   Zhenyuan Country. In his view,  these disciples were all naïve;   he thought he could easily manipulate them  into submission with just a bit of scheming. What Zhenyuan Country wanted,  it never failed to obtain. But what he failed to notice was the strange,  cold glint in the eyes of those from Misty Peak.

Li Xiaobai felt a sense of trepidation; his fellow  disciples were lawless, if they were let loose,   this State Preceptor might not stay  alive for more than five seconds. The Sect Leader and the Elders had  the same thought. While everyone   really wanted to teach the State  Preceptor a lesson, after all,   he was a cultivator from a great nation,  and killing him would cause great trouble.

"Cough cough, I guess that's about everything that  needs to be said. You all go back and prepare,   gather at the sect gates in two hours. This  mission will be led by the Great Elder of   the Holy Demon Sect. The top ten disciples  of the competition will directly follow him   back to the Holy Demon Sect, without needing to  continue the contest," the Sect Leader instructed. "This time, we must uphold a friendly attitude in  our exchanges and do our utmost to help Zhenyuan   Country eradicate the Demonic Beasts," the  Sect Leader couldn't help but admonish again. "Understood!" The demeanor of the people from Misty  Peak was surprisingly agreeable,   which was out of character for them.  Whatever the Sect Leader said went.

But the more compliant they were, the more  the Sect Leader worried. Nevertheless,   it wasn't appropriate to say more at the moment,   and he could only hope for Li Shejin to be lucky.  If you want to play with fire, I can't stop you. The disciples below dispersed in an uproar, going  back to start preparing for their departure.   They truly didn't want to linger for even one  more second; Li Shejin was just too repulsive. With his greasy appearance and lecherous  gaze, he really made one feel uncomfortable. Li Xiaobai always wondered why Li Shejin  seemed not very strong, yet he had such   a domineering attitude. Could it be because  of Zhenyuan Country's formidable strength? He quietly approached Liu Jinshui, who seemed  to have a clear understanding of many things. "Brother Liu, do you know why the  State Preceptor is so arrogant? It   feels like his strength isn't very  impressive," Li Xiaobai inquired. "Hehe, well, that's a long story.

This  involves many historical issues, and the   story of Zhenyuan Country actually begins with  one person," Liu Jinshui responded with a smirk. "Over a thousand years ago, a person from our  Immortal Spirit Continent broke through the   Feathering Stage and ascended to the Upper  Realm. His name was Great Immortal Zhenyuan,   born in a nation known as Dayuan  Country. After his ascension,   that country was renamed Zhenyuan Country," "Since Great Immortal Zhenyuan had  walked the path of Confucianism,   proving his way with vast and upright  Qi, he exuded an abundant scholarly aura.   The cultivators of Zhenyuan Country aren't  very strong, but they've managed to mimic   that scholarly air quite well, looking down  on everyone with an air of superiority." "Moreover, it's said that they have  connections with some of the powers   in Central Province.

Although they keep  tight-lipped about it, it's quite evident,   especially since they have hundreds of Golden Core  Cultivators. We all understand that very clearly." "It's precisely because of this  that everyone gives them face," Liu Jinshui went on to explain. Li Xiaobai understood in his heart that  this was a nation that had once produced an   Immortal and had ties with the forces in Central  Province, which was why they were so arrogant. Indeed, this world still values strength above  all else, but to think that Zhenyuan Country,   with its hundreds of Golden Core cultivators,   was deemed worthless by Senior Brother,  seems even more arrogant than Li Shejin. "But this Li Shejin has angered Senior Sister.  He's as good as dead. Senior Sister's temperament   won't care who's backing him. She'll  swing her hammer without hesitation!" Li Xiaobai deeply agreed. Senior  Sister's behavior was quite odd;   it was clear that she was  looking to stir up trouble.

Just as he had expected, they probably  hadn't even reached Zhenyuan Country yet,   but were already on the brink  of maxing out their hatred. Back in his cave dwelling, Li Xiaobai quickly checked his system panel. He  was about to head out and confront demonic beasts,   so he was making a last-minute check to  see if there was anything he might use. [Host: Li Xiaobai.] […] [Defense: Copper Skin, Iron Bone (4200/5000).] [Skills: Hatred Hundred Percent, Muscle  Flaccidity, Sword Shattering the Sky.] [Items: Somewhat Careful  Helmet, Golden Silk Soft Armor.] [Attribute Points: 0] [Store: Opened.] After browsing through the store, Li  Xiaobai was well aware of his role;   he had no offensive power of his own. To defeat  his opponents, he had to rely on skills and items.

Acquiring skills depended on chance. What he could  control were the items available in the store. After looking around the store, although  he had over a thousand Lower Grade Spirit   Stones in hand, compared  to the prices in the store,   it was a drop in the bucket, and  he couldn't purchase just anything. After some selection, Li Xiaobai  identified a few nice items. [Thousand Mile Transmission Talisman]:  Upon using this talisman, instantly move a   thousand miles away to a random location.  (Price: 1000 Lower Grade Spirit Stones) [Flying Broom]: A flying mount. Ride the Flying  Broom to soar across the heavens and earth,   powered by Spirit Stones.

One Lower Grade  Spirit Stone can be used for one hour. (Price:   1000 Lower Grade Spirit Stones) [Golden Body Talisman]: Upon use, it can block   one hit from a Nascent Soul Cultivator.  (Price: 1000 Lower Grade Spirit Stones) Each of these items was a  lifesaver, and coincidentally,   their prices matched his entire wealth. For the time being, he would take note of  these items and purchase them when needed. It was at this moment that the  voices of a few Senior Brothers   and Sisters arguing came from outside the house. "We must take the bathhouse with us!" Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Li Xiaobai's expression turned dark,   realizing that his senior brother and sister  were at a standoff over the bathhouse issue. Indeed, this bunch of people  was always so out of tune. "Senior sister, there's really no need  for that.

The little junior brother is   still here, if you want to take  a bath, just ask him directly." Liu Jinshui forced a smile. His senior  sister was excellent in every way,   except that she was a bit stubborn-minded. "No, when we are out on a mission, accidents  abound. We could be thrown into battle the   moment we arrive at our destination. Where  would the little junior brother find the   time to build a bathhouse for us? We must  take it with us just in case," she insisted. Su Yunbing was very determined,  intending to use her Great Divine   Power to simply collect the entire  simplified version of the bathhouse.

The ground rumbled, covered  with cracks like spider webs,   and the occasional burst of energy  sheer through all the surrounding trees,   scaring Li Xiaobai into waving his  hands again and again in protest. "Senior sister, there really is no need for this.   I have already stored enough water  for bathing. When we get there,   we just need to build a small reservoir,  it doesn't need to be this complicated." The bathhouse was a product of the  System. It didn't require preparing   anything specific—just a plot of land  to set up a simple water reservoir. Hearing this, Su Yunbing's expression  also softened considerably. "Okay, then let's go with what  the little junior brother says." … At the gate of the mountain,  many disciples had already   made their preparations.

Li Xiaobai  and the others were late to arrive,   but the look on the State Preceptor's face  bore not the slightest hint of displeasure. On the contrary, upon seeing  Su Yunbing and Ye Wushuang,   his face broke into a smile, and  he was exceedingly enthusiastic. Elder Sun from the Punishment Hall was leading  the team, standing at the very front of the group,   muttering to himself, making  some complaints to Li Shejin. He felt immense pressure about this trip because  he was one hundred percent convinced that those   from Misty Peak would definitely  not let Li Shejin off the hook. It   wasn't just Misty Peak—there was also  something suspicious about the look in   the eyes of the Immortal Feather  Sect's top disciple, Feng Wuxie. Things seemed to be moving in  the direction he feared the most. This group of disciples was not the  kind to suffer losses quietly. If Li   Shejin courted death, there  would be no stopping them. All he could do was leave it to fate. Behind Li Shejin was docked a massive warship,  its wooden structure was ancient and dignified,   with dragons carved on the prow and swirling  divine patterns faintly visible on the hull.

The big characters for Zhenyuan were inscribed  at the bow, giving off an extraordinary aura. Li Xiaobai had never seen such a design  before. Could one really sail a ship on land? "Senior brother, what's this  ship for? Can it sail on land?" Li Xiaobai nudged Liu Jinshui  who was standing beside him. "Little junior brother, this thing is  called a warship, a toy of the rich.   It's a type of flying vehicle that  allows you to soar through the sky,   but it runs on spirit stones as fuel, which  is quite costly," Liu Jinshui explained. Li Xiaobai suddenly understood.  Minister Li's swagger was quite high,   to be riding such a lavish vehicle. "You disciples have probably never seen such an  advanced magic treasure in your lives. Let me   tell you, this is called a warship, a treasure of  Zhenyuan Country. You are truly fortunate today to   have the opportunity to ride such a high-level  vehicle magic treasure," Li Shejin announced.

"This warship can fly through the  sky and burrow into the earth,   travel a thousand miles in a day; it is  the pride of Zhenyuan Country. You'll see   more similar things once you reach your  destination, but for now, come aboard!" Li Shejin's greedy gaze swept over Su  Yunbing and Ye Wushuang a few times,   evidently scheming something. One by one, the people boarded the ship.  The ship was large, with rooms inside,   complete with all the necessary  furniture, very luxurious indeed. "Heh, the two female disciples from Misty Peak  may go rest in the rooms, while the rest of you   just stay on the ship for now," Li Shejin  graciously gestured, playing the gentleman. Ye Wushuang covered her face and giggled slightly,  walking slowly into the room with Su Yunbing. "Minister Li, what is this…" At this point, Elder Sun could clearly  see what Li Shejin intended to do. "Elder Sun, just do your part well. I'm  simply concerned that the two young female   disciples from Misty Peak are delicate and frail,  fearing they might overexert themselves. Thus,   I wish to take care of them a bit, please ensure  that your Immortal Feather Sect disciples watch   their words.

When we arrive at Zhenyuan  Country, don't let them speak carelessly!" Li Shejin spoke indifferently, sneered coldly,  and turned to enter the interior of the ship. After he left, the group from Misty Peak  could no longer hold back their laughter   and burst into hearty chuckles. Feng  Wuxie's expression also relaxed; now,   anyone could tell that the  State Preceptor was doomed. Li Shejin started the ship's engine,  and the hull buzzed, the air trembled,   and a resounding roar filled the air.

The air currents were tumultuous, the  hull slowly floated upwards, and gradually   accelerated forward. In the air, without any  obstacles, it traveled in a straight line. Li Xiaobai lay on the ship's railing,  admiring the outside scenery with envy.   The life of the wealthy was indeed grand,  even flying was done with such style. He wondered if the shop had  any similar flying devices;   if he had Spirit Stones in the future,  he would get a set for himself. Most disciples of the Immortal Feather Sect  were on a ship for the first time and appeared   very curious, patting and examining the deck,  eager to explore the structure of the ship. Lin Mang and Hao Jian whispered together  in a corner, their expressions dark and   their gaze drifting towards  Li Xiaobai from time to time.

Clearly, these two had premeditated plans. "Are you two discussing strategies  to deal with Li Xiaobai?" Feng   Wuxie asked with a smile as he sat down. "Brother, this is a personal grudge between Li  Xiaobai and me that must be settled. Please,   brother, do not intervene," Lin Mang urged  solemnly, determined to vent his anger. "Heh, don't worry. If you want to  deal with Li Xiaobai, I can help you." Lin Mang and Hao Jian were both startled. On  the surface, it seemed that Feng Wuxie had   no significant interaction with Li Xiaobai,  so why would he consider dealing with him? "Brother, why would you do this?" "You don't need to know the reason. You just need  to understand that Li Xiaobai's power has already   surpassed yours. If you want to lay hands on  him, you need to take advantage of a situation." "How do we take advantage?" Lin Mang  was puzzled; his brain was quite simple. "Entering the Divine Beast Mountain Range is our  best opportunity to make a move. The range is full   of Demonic Beasts, and it's quite normal for one  or two disciples to die.

Making a move there is   foolproof. As long as you follow my instructions,  I can ensure that you'll have your revenge." "As for now, you'd better keep a low  profile and not blow your cover!" Feng Wuxie looked indifferent, knowing that with  two fools beside him, there was no need for him to   act personally. They could even take a hit for him  if necessary, killing two birds with one stone. After exchanging glances,  Lin Mang and Hao Jian nodded;   they all had a common enemy and could collaborate. At that moment, Li Shejin came out again, finding  Elder Sun to give a few more instructions,   and then with a beaming smile, he  headed towards Su Yunbing's room.

Elder Sun's face showed  discomfort, constantly explaining   something to Li Shejin, who wouldn't  listen to a word he said. In the end,   Li Shejin's expression became stern and fierce,  leaving Elder Sun with no choice but to give up. It seemed he was worried that  someone would disturb his good time,   little did he know that what was  truly awaiting him was a nightmare. Li Shejin was in a very good mood at this  moment, his feet almost floating as he walked. In truth, he had originally looked down on the  disciples of the Immortal Feather Sect. To him,   it was but a small sect, and even the Sect  Leader was merely at the Great Perfection   of the Golden Core Stage, far  inferior to the major sects.

Yet, to his surprise, he had found  a Phoenix in this barren den,   coming across such ravishing beauties. Fate hadn't treated him unfairly; the thought  of the two women soon writhing beneath him,   with tender cries, stirred his heart incessantly. He pushed open the door in front of him. "Hehehe, my little beauties, I'm here!" Chapter 22 Chapter 22 After fiddling with the ship for a  while, Li Xiaobai lost interest in it. This thing looks quite impressive,   but it's such an easy target—if an  enemy attacks, there's no escaping. "Junior brother, how many seconds do you think the   State Preceptor can last inside?" Yang  Chen mocked as he stared at the cabin. "Hopefully, he can be a five-second  real man," Liu Jinshui chuckled. The State Preceptor was really  something, so arrogant and full   of himself that getting skinned alive  and strung up would be well deserved. In the midst of their conversation,   Li Shejin pushed open the door and walked  inside, casually locking it behind him. "That's like holding a lantern in the  latrine—looking for [ __ ]." Li Xiaobai shook   his head and sighed; there was nothing he could  do if someone was courting death so eagerly.

Elder Sun was also leaning over  the bow to enjoy the scenery,   allowing things to run their course, his face  livid with anger from the previous conversation. What scions of eminent families—in the absence  of the ties between Zhenyuan Country and Central   Province, they would have long since helped  the other party ascend to the Western Paradise. Inside the room, Su Yunbing and Ye Wushuang had chilly expressions;   they had not expected Li  Shejin to really dare to enter. As he watched the two graceful beauties seated on   the edge of the bed, Li Shejin could feel  a flame rising up from his lower abdomen. "Heh heh, ladies, do you  find the room satisfactory?" Li Shejin tried to suppress his excitement,  hoping to appear a bit more dignified. "Very much so," Ye Wushuang  responded with a light laugh. "That's great to hear. We'll soon be entering  Zhenyuan Country, and if you have any needs,   just tell me. If anyone bullies  you, I'll sort it out for you!" "Heh heh, you know, I am a strong  practitioner with a third-level   Golden Core.

Your Elder Sun has only  just barely reached this realm. In the   entire Immortal Feather Sect, only the Sect  Leader can contend with me to some extent." "Heh heh, we thank the State  Preceptor for that," they replied. "Of course, honestly, I do have a  soft spot for you 'sisters.' If…" Li Shejin, taking the opportunity,  also sat on the edge of the bed,   prattling on as his hand, uncontrollably,  wrapped around Ye Wushuang's waist. Noticing that she didn't resist, Li Shejin's  smile grew wider, and his actions became bolder. Intending to roam about a bit. Yet, he quickly realized that something was  wrong. The frail, boneless comfort of her   waist was gradually fading, replaced  by a stiffness, as rigid as stone. Looking down, he noticed his hand wrapped   around Ye Wushuang's waist had  turned completely emerald green. "Ah!" The sound of a pig being slaughtered  echoed throughout the cabin. "What… what is this?" "You wench, you dare to harm me!" "Do you know who I am? No one has ever  dared to treat a citizen of Zhenyuan   Country like this! Hand over the antidote  immediately, I might let you off this time!" Li Shejin's face contorted, his  eyes filled with panic and unease.

The emerald green toxin was spreading  swiftly from his palm to his arm;   in a short moment, the  entire arm had turned green. As his body gradually lost feeling, Li Shejin grew  more terrified and tried to call for Elder Sun. "Damn it, such a coward, so afraid of death,   and still rambling so much, how  did you ever get by in this world!" Su Yunbing had long since run out of patience.  She slapped him hard, sending Li Shejin flying   across the room, crashing to the floor with  his teeth knocked out, coughing up blood.

"How is this possible, mere disciples of the  Immortal Spirit Sect possessing such cultivation!" It was at that moment he realized  that these women were far from   ordinary disciples—their cultivation  levels were much higher than his. "` Looking at the situation, it seemed they  had no intention of letting him leave alive. "A mere Zhenyuan Country, trying  to pull something over on me?" Su Yunbing looked disdainful as she grabbed Li  Shejin's jaw. With a snap, his jaw was dislocated,   rendering his mouth immovable. Li Shejin could  no longer speak and could only make continuous,   panicked yelps that displayed his terror. "Li Shejin, is it? The State Preceptor,  is it? Don't worry, my sisters and I will   provide you with a full range of services,"  Ye Wushuang said, still smiling widely. "The poison on you isn't lethal;   it will only make you lose sensation.

But  your consciousness will remain very clear." "Why waste words on him? Junior  Sister, if you have any poison,   just pour it into his mouth. If he survives,  it's his luck; if he dies, just drag him away." Su Yunbing blocked the door to  prevent Li Shejin from escaping. Li Shejin's trouser leg dampened  in embarrassment; a fishy smell   began to drift through the air. The guy had  actually been frightened into wetting himself. "State Preceptor, didn't you say you had  a soft spot for us sisters? Drink this,   then we'll be good friends…" Ye Wushuang pulled out a  small bottle and forcefully   poured its contents into Li Shejin's mouth. "Xingtian Sect will not let you go…" Li Shejin's pupils constricted, and  his eyes gradually became dull…

… On the deck, the disciples were attentively  sensing the movement inside the cabin. Just five seconds after Li Shejin entered, his  screams had pierced the sky, but now the room had   suddenly fallen eerily silent, as if something  even more terrifying was about to happen. Elder Sun was also feeling  some regret at this time,   regretting his act of pique. If  he had stopped Li Shejin earlier,   although he would have been cursed out,  he could at least have saved his life. Now it was too late for regrets. "That State Preceptor, he must be dead,  right?" a disciple asked, unable to refrain. "Does that even need to be said? Dead as a  doornail, probably being dismembered as we speak." Yang Chen laughed heartily, taking great  pleasure in punishing the State Preceptor.

"The door's opening!" "He's coming out, he's coming out!" Moments later, the door to the cabin  opened. Contrary to everyone's expectations,   Li Shejin walked out unharmed,  followed by Su Yunbing and Ye Wushuang. What was going on? The disciples were puzzled; the  screams from earlier were no ruse,   so how could these three walk  out together so amicably? Li Xiaobai was also very confused, but more so,  he felt that there was something off about the   State Preceptor now, though he couldn't  put his finger on what exactly was wrong.

Seeing Li Shejin emerge unscathed, Elder  Sun exhaled a long breath of relief;   no matter what, it was good  that the man was still alive. But then his brow furrowed, as he sharply  sensed something amiss about Li Shejin now. "Cough cough, State Preceptor, my  disciple didn't cause you any trouble,   did she?" Elder Sun asked tentatively. "Heh, how could she? Your disciple is  quite excellent. I really want to have   a long talk with them, to let our ideals soar!" Hearing Elder Sun's question, Li  Shejin seemed to regain some vigor,   but there was a hint of dullness in his eyes.

Seeing him like this, Elder  Sun felt a chill in his heart. He was all too familiar with this situation;   it was the Puppetry Technique. Someone  had used a special method to forcefully   erase the person's consciousness, turning  them into a completely obedient puppet. Although they might act  normally on a day-to-day basis,   when it comes to matters involving their  master, they become extremely zealous. If someone were to discover this, it could  potentially escalate into a diplomatic issue   between the Immortal Feather Sect and Zhenyuan  Country. In a serious case, it could even be   said that the Immortal Feather Sect intended  to steal the secrets of Zhenyuan Country. Damn it, this would be even  worse than killing him! Chapter 23 Chapter 23 There was no doubt about it, this was definitely  Ye Wushuang's handiwork. Once a bowl of Meng Po   Soup was ingested, you could be certain the State  Preceptor would forget everything completely. Li Xiaobai also knew about the State  Preceptor's condition. The world was   full of wonders, and it was clear  that the State Preceptor was a man   of dubious character. That he had met this  fate could even be considered a good deed.

Just from his lascivious look,  one could guess that he probably   had a collection of beauties hidden away at home. Apart from a few individuals,  most hadn't noticed anything   unusual about the State Preceptor. They  all thought he was as normal as ever,   though they found it strange that he  could walk out of the room unscathed. Peace gradually returned to the ship. In the distance, the occasional  rumbling could be heard. It was the forces from different  directions sailing their warships,   all with Zhenyuan Country as their destination. Each warship bore its own sect's unique  emblem, which Li Xiaobai didn't recognize;   he could only watch eagerly as they flew  by. These warships not only could fly,   but they also had several cannon ports  on their edges, meant for attacking. Compared to the other warships, the  one he was on seemed rather low-end.

A middle-aged man on a nearby warship noticed Li  Xiaobai's gaze. He nodded slightly and said with   a smile, "Are you also heading to the Divine Beast  Mountain Range to clear out the Demonic Beasts?" "Yes, we cultivators see injustice on  the road and draw our swords to help;   it's all part of our duty," replied Li Xiaobai. "Truly a heroic youth, full of  ambition. I am Lei Wu from the   Cloud Sky Sect. May I ask how  the young brother is called?" The middle-aged man had a commanding presence  and clearly looked like an upright person,   the kind who wouldn't stand for  any nonsense in their sight.

"I am Li Xiaobai from Misty  Peak," Li Xiaobai said candidly. Elder Sun grabbed him and hurriedly explained,  "We are disciples from the Immortal Feather Sect.   This time, we have come to broaden the disciples'  horizons and to contribute our modest efforts." The Cloud Sky Sect was a middle-tier  sect, with a level far above that of   the Immortal Feather Sect, and Lei Wu  was one of its renowned iron-blooded   elders. Elder Sun couldn't afford  to let Li Xiaobai speak out of turn.

"If that's the case, then we'll see each  other in Zhenyuan Country," Lei Wu said,   clasping his hands in farewell before the  warship accelerated and vanished from sight. "Elder, how come their ship can go so  fast? Can't we speed up?" asked Li Xiaobai. "We should be thankful to have a warship at all;   don't ask for too much. In a little while,  we'll arrive at Zhenyuan Country. Don't   make trouble. In front of the larger  sects, we need to keep a low profile." "Heh heh, got it!" Li Xiaobai nodded and looked around,   only to find that his fellow male and  female disciples had all disappeared.

Upon entering the cabin, he was immediately  taken aback. The room had been transformed   into a pool at some unknown time, and several  of his male disciples were soaking in it. "Little junior brother, come and join  us. The water was brought down by our   sister from the mountain; it has the  same effects," one of them called out. Su Yunbing had ultimately  brought out the bathhouse. "No thanks, brothers and sisters, enjoy your  soak," Li Xiaobai said with a strange expression,   promptly closing the door and stepping back  out. It seemed that unwittingly, he had turned   his fellow disciples from fervent cultivators into  lazy creatures who only knew how to bathe all day.

But it seemed like he hadn't really done anything,  it was all the male disciples' own initiative. Yup, definitely not his fault. Zhenyuan Country and the Immortal  Feather Sect were neighbors,   not far apart. The warship soon  arrived at the destination. Li Shejin operated the warship, which  descended slowly. Li Xiaobai saw that   the area below was already densely packed  with warships, a dazzling sight to behold. It seemed that there were far  more people and forces heading   to Zhenyuan Country than he had imagined.

There were officials on the ground specifically  responsible for reception. After the ship docked,   Li Shejin was the first to disembark. It was   evident that the State Preceptor held  a high position in Zhenyuan Country. After a brief conversation, officials  came over to handle relations, leading   the disciples from the Immortal Feather  Sect into Zhenyuan Country to settle down. The issue of subduing the Demonic  Beasts required the representatives   from each sect to attend a conference and  decide upon the matter after discussion.

Compared to before, Li Shejin had already  become indistinguishable from a common person,   and that hint of stiffness was nowhere to be seen. Upon Ye Wushuang's instruction, the State  Preceptor followed several attendants and left. "Please, follow me." The attendants were very calm,   showing no signs of panic caused by  the upheaval of the Demonic Beasts. "Hasn't the rampage of the Demonic Beasts affected  Zhenyuan Country yet?" Li Xiaobai asked, walking   along, he felt that the place was very calm,  not resembling an area that had been ravaged.

"Of course not, our Zhenyuan Country is protected  by the Divine Power of Great Immortal Zhenyuan,   how could it be disturbed by mere  Demonic Beasts? Only some villages on   the outermost perimeter are often attacked  by Demonic Beasts," the attendants said. The arrogant attitude of these  attendants was identical to that   of the great national preacher, truly  befitting those from the same country. Li Xiaobai wanted to pry further, but clearly,  they were no longer interested in talking to him. After bringing everyone to a  large hall, the attendants left.

This hall was surprisingly large, almost  rivaling a soccer field, with disciples   from major powers gathered here, all discussing  the affairs of the Divine Beast Mountain Range. Elder Sun entrusted a few words and then left,   as he needed to participate in the conference  to understand some details of the operation. "Gentlemen, let's find a spot for  ourselves. Try to avoid friction   with the disciples around us; it's  more important for us to enter the   Divine Beast Mountain Range early  to seek opportunities," he said.

Feng Wuxie led the team and found an  empty space for the disciples of the   Immortal Feather Sect to rest. "This godforsaken place, what luck could there  possibly be," Lin Yin grumbled a few times. Li Xiaobai felt helpless; his senior brother  was too powerful. To the many disciples,   the Divine Beast Mountain Range was a  land of absolute peril, yet his brother   didn't take it the slightest bit seriously.  The gulf between them was simply too wide. However, he agreed very much with Feng  Wuxie's words. Li Xiaobai thought that   compared to his brother and sister, Feng Wuxie  was a proper senior brother—good-natured,   strong, and always considering  the disciples' standpoint. Immortal Feather Sect settled  down and made camp in the hall. "Servant, bring some tea, I'm dying of  thirst," Liu Jinshui said nonchalantly. Soon, the attendant responsible for  hospitality came over to take a record. "Which sect's disciples are you?" "Immortal Feather Sect." Feng Wuxie reported the name  of the Immortal Feather Sect. The attendant shook his head, put away  his pen and paper, and prepared to leave.

"What do you mean by this?" Feng Wuxie frowned. Even though the  Immortal Feather Sect wasn't a major sect,   it didn't deserve to be so coldly disregarded. "Small sects don't need to register;   tea service is not provided,"  the attendant said indifferently. "We are here following your State  Preceptor to eradicate the Demonic Beasts,   is this the hospitality of Zhenyuan Country?" Feng Wuxie was very annoyed, feeling  humiliated as the senior brother   of the Immortal Feather Sect, it  was a loss of face for his sect.

Moreover, he truly didn't understand why Zhenyuan  Country was acting so arrogantly and imperiously.   They had come in such a hurry, he had not  even had a proper talk with his master yet. If small sects were not regarded, then why  bother to send a messenger for notification? Could there be some hidden reason? "State Preceptor?" "As long as one's strength reaches the  Golden Core Stage, one can be titled a   State Preceptor. Our Zhenyuan Country  has an uncountable number of them;   which one are you referring to?" the  attendant inquired somewhat playfully. Chapter 24 Chapter 24 "Liu Jinshui, Minister Li." Feng Wuxie's face turned completely grim,   as numerous disciples from various sects began  to gather around to watch the excitement. "Those over there, stop your yapping. We've  all been invited here by the State Preceptors   of Zhenyuan Country. Here, the title  of State Preceptor isn't worth much." Some disciples burst into laughter, seemingly  finding the situation rather amusing. "Heh, looks like we have a bunch of country  bumpkins who've never seen the world." "It'll be good to give them a lesson!" Feng Wuxie was so choked  up that he couldn't speak,   and his attendant snickered  coldly before turning to leave.

"Isn't that who I think it is? I crippled one of  your hands last time; have you reattached it yet?" "Since when do trash like you get to be so loud  during Immortal Feather Sect's discussions?" Yang Chen couldn't stand it any longer and pointed   at a disciple who was jumping  around with great enthusiasm. Though the Immortal Feather Sect was small, many  of its disciples traveled abroad. Misty Peak,   while stirring trouble outside, had not  used the name of Immortal Feather Sect,   so those hiding among the  disciples were not recognized. As soon as Yang Chen spoke, the  surrounding disciples took notice,   and many recognized several familiar faces. "It's you! So you belong to that sect!" The disciple pointed out was both  shocked and infuriated. Two years ago,   when he was bullying men and dominating women  outside, it was Yang Chen who had broken his arm. "Look over there, those guys! The  treasure we fought over last time,   it was they who set up the trap  and killed their opponents!" "That's them, I'd recognize that  fatass even if he turned to ash!" "Damn it, so these people were  disciples of a small sect.

I   thought I had encountered someone  from a prestigious one back then!" "Fate really does make enemies  meet. With no powerful backing,   I want to see what you'll  use to fight me this time!" The atmosphere at the scene  immediately became tense,   with many sect disciples standing up, eager  to find fault with the people from Misty Peak. They had forgotten, though, that although everyone  had seniors accompanying them, the seniors had all   gone to attend the meeting, leaving behind  only the younger generation of disciples. "You want to fight me?" Su Yunbing raised her eyebrows slightly, with  waves of Spiritual Energy surging around her;   she looked at everyone with a  smile that wasn't quite a smile. Feeling the terrifying Spiritual  Energy emanating from Su Yunbing,   the faces of the surrounding disciples turned  pale. The highest cultivation level among them   was barely at the Golden Core Stage, which  was far inferior to the freaks of Misty Peak.

Such presence was comparable to that of  elders from some medium-sized forces. Many disciples from the larger forces took another  look at the disciples from the small sect—with   such robust foundations and profound  cultivation levels, they were truly remarkable. "Fellow disciples, we've come  to help Zhenyuan Country through   its difficulties. We should save our  strength to fight the Demonic Beasts." "Grant me, Zhang Rui, this favor,   and everyone take a step back to  let bygones be bygones, shall we?" From the crowd, a man in a  white robe stood up and spoke,   his Spiritual Energy bursting with vigor,  forcibly pushing back Su Yunbing's aura.

He was a True Disciple of the Tianwu Sect, with  a Half-Step Nascent Soul cultivation level,   quite outstanding among the younger generation. Now that someone from the Tianwu Sect had spoken,   the surrounding disciples fell  silent; they had to give that face. "Since we are putting past grievances behind us,   has the attendant not yet hurried to add  the name of the Immortal Feather Sect?" "You won't give face even to Zhang Rui,  a True Disciple of the Tianwu Sect?" Another man in a black robe spoke with a hint of  sarcasm. He was a True Disciple of the Holy Demon   Sect, and he was the only one in the room bold  enough to pick up Tianwu Sect's provocations. The Holy Demon Sect and Tianwu Sect were  constantly engaged in clandestine skirmishes,   and whenever there was a chance to make Tianwu  Sect suffer, the Holy Demon Sect spared no effort. "Come here." Yang Chen called out the attendant by name,   who had just left, demanding his return  with an extremely arrogant demeanor.

"If it were like this earlier, how good that  would have been. In this world, strength is   everything. Your Zhenyuan Country doesn't even  have a Transcendence Tribulation powerhouse,   and I don't know what there is to be so arrogant  about!" Liu Jinshui also cursed and swore. In his view, although there were many Golden  Core Stage cultivators in Zhenyuan Country,   their actual strength was rather mediocre,  most of them at the early stages of Golden   Core. There were probably only  a few high-level cultivators,   good enough to bluff others, but against those  who knew their business, they were just so-so. As for the Nascent Soul Stage, well, those  were treasures who would not come out lightly. With these words, the complexion of  Zhenyuan Country's attendant changed.

Even Zhang Rui was somewhat surprised;  he hadn't expected the Immortal Feather   Sect to be so disrespectful, utterly  lacking the awareness of a minor sect. The man in the black robe, on the other hand,   laughed heartily, clearly appreciating  the attitude of the Misty Peak people. "Well said. I've long been discontent  with Zhenyuan Country's attitude,   and only certain hypocrites  would associate with them." Li Xiaobai was terrified; it seemed everyone  present came from major sects and mid-level   powers, and his fellow disciples had managed  to offend them all.

And by the sounds of it,   they had made some serious enemies.  He worried that upon entering the   Divine Beast Mountain Range, he might be ambushed. It seemed he couldn't act with his senior  brethren anymore. If he was discovered,   it would be easy to become a target. The attendant returned, reluctantly pouring water  and serving tea. Feng Wuxie appeared indifferent;   no matter what, it was a victory in terms of face. However, he had really not expected  that Misty Peak would offend so many   sect disciples. It seemed that the  Immortal Feather Sect would have to   clearly distance itself from them to  avoid being encircled and attacked. Meanwhile, the elders and seniors from  the various sects had also returned. Elder Sun seemed a bit anxious, clearly  aware of some secret information. Gathering all the disciples in a corner,  he instructed with a serious expression:   "Listen well, this incident is  of great importance. There may be   significant events unfolding within  the Divine Beast Mountain Range." "As an elder of a sect, I have been summoned  to offer support on another front and must   separate from you.

Once you enter the  mountain range, stick to the periphery   and hunt demonic beasts only. Do not venture  deeper, as that is not a place for you to meddle." "Don't go off alone; try to move in groups.  Also, be cautious of Tianwu Sect's people;   do not heed their commands. That's  all I have to say; do not overreach." Elder Sun advised, particularly looking at  the disciples of Misty Peak as he spoke.   The communication between the bigwigs  during the meeting had frightened him;   he had not expected that the cause of the  beast rampage was such a coveted treasure. This was a struggle among Nascent  Soul powerhouses, where their smaller   powers were nothing but cannon fodder. To  intervene was tantamout to a death sentence. "May I ask, Elder, what exactly is  in the Divine Beast Mountain Range?" Feng Wuxie inquired; this was the  question of utmost concern to everyone. "Don't ask what you shouldn't. Sometimes,  knowing too much isn't good for you. Just hunt   the demonic beasts around the periphery honestly  and collect some demonic beast materials. That's   enough," Elder Sun responded cryptically, no  longer addressing the disciples' questions.

Li Xiaobai pondered to himself that whatever  treasure lay within the mountain range must   be extremely valuable, or else the  bigwigs wouldn't be vying for it. For now, he only possessed the  defensive power of Copper Skin,   Iron Bone, but perhaps once he advanced  to the next stage, he could venture   into the interior to see exactly which  treasure was causing the beast frenzy. Besides, there were a few life-saving  Divine Artifacts in the store,   so safety shouldn't be a problem. The elders and seniors of each family were  talking with their disciples about the situation;   evidently, the elders all had their  own plans and intended to act alone.

Soon, a crane-haired, youthful-faced elder  stepped forward: "Ladies and gentlemen,   I shall lead this mission. Let us set off for  the Divine Beast Mountain Range immediately!" Chapter 25 Chapter 25 The white-haired elder was a master from Tianwu  Sect, his energy as sharp as an unsheathed blade,   causing ordinary disciples to feel pain in  their eyes just by making eye contact with him. His strength was unfathomably deep. Indeed, he was the one leading this  mission, and except for the grey-robed   Elder of Holy Demon Sect who seemed somewhat  displeased, no one else had any objections. "This is the rescue token, each sect  gets one, if you encounter danger,   call for help immediately, and  nearby teams will rush over." The rescue token of Immortal Feather  Sect was entrusted to Feng Wuxie.

Aside from that, Elder Sun also  distributed the disciple tokens   of Holy Demon Sect to the top  ten disciples of the competition. It was given by the Elder of Holy  Demon Sect during the meeting,   and with this token, one could go  directly to the Holy Demon Sect. The token was completely black, with the big  characters for "Holy Demon Sect" on the front   and the words "probationary disciple" on  the back, clearly indicating that this   token was specially made and not for  true members of the Holy Demon Sect. "It's getting late, let's set off at  once. Divine Beast Mountain Range is   extremely dangerous, with Golden Core  Stage demonic beasts roaming everywhere,   and even Nascent Soul Stage ones are not  nonexistent. Everyone must be extra careful." The white-robed elder led his  disciples and was the first to leave. "A bunch of hypocrites, so feigned on the surface,   but isn't it all just to let the smaller  sects scout and become cannon fodder?" "I know there are quite a few people here who  want to cling to the big tree that is Tianwu Sect,   but don't blame me for not warning  you, cooperating with Tianwu Sect is   like seeking skin from a tiger, beware  you end up with no corpse to bury." The grey-robed elder snorted coldly  and led his team away as well.

The remaining sect forces exchanged  glances and quickly followed;   although the words of the Holy  Demon Sect elder were frightening,   there were still many who wanted to use this  opportunity to get closer to Tianwu Sect. Although Holy Demon Sect and Tianwu Sect were of  equal reputation, the requirements for recruiting   disciples were too stringent, resulting in  few members; out of a thousand disciples   participating in the entry examination, having  dozens of them pass was already considered good. In contrast, Tianwu Sect's requirements  for recruiting disciples were much more   lenient. Those who didn't make it  into the Inner Sect could try for   the Outer Sect, and failing that,  they could become menial workers. In short, as long as you could  mix into a prestigious sect,   even as a menial worker you were  considered better than others,   and who knew, someone might catch the eye of  a high-level master and rise to great heights. This rare opportunity to get close to  the Tianwu Sect masters was naturally   something all the major forces wanted to seize. "Little junior brother, do you want  to go with your senior sister to play   in the mountain range later?" Su Yunbing said.

"No, no, Elder Sun told me to stay put  on the periphery, so I won't join the   commotion," Li Xiaobai said, shrinking his  neck and waving his hands. He was joking;   these people had just pulled their animosity to  the max, and following them would probably mean   risking his life within a few steps. He would  rather focus on accumulating Attribute Points. "That's a pity. Li Shejin just sent a  message that there's a treasure deep in   the mountain range. Whoever gets it will  benefit immensely," Ye Wushuang said. "I'd rather not stir up excitement with my  slight proficiency," the junior brother replied. … Divine Beast Mountain Range, This was one of the large mountain  ranges in the Northern Region,   filled with demonic beasts.  It was said that there were   Nascent Soul Stage great demonic beasts  inside, but no one had ever seen one. Disciples from the various sect forces  liked to use this place as a proving ground,   to slay demonic beasts, hone themselves,  and the materials obtained from the demonic   beasts could be exchanged for Spirit  Stones, a gain on multiple fronts.

Following the team, Li Xiaobai entered the  mountain range. The number of demonic beasts   on the periphery were not many, and their strength  was quite average. With more monks than porridge,   the disciples naturally split into groups of  three or five and began to hunt separately. Seeing the cultivators teaming up around him,  Li Xiaobai was slightly confused. He hadn't   seen these people being particularly close  before, so how did they form teams so quickly? When he looked back, Piao Miaofeng and  the other senior brothers and sisters   had already disappeared without a  trace, probably sneaking off into   the inner areas to snatch treasures as  soon as they entered the mountain range.

Beside him, Feng Wuxie and the other two looked at   Li Xiaobai's lone figure with  a cold glint in their eyes. Having waited so long, the opportunity  had finally come. In this territory,   killing for treasure was common, and even if Li  Xiaobai's corpse were found afterward, at most   there would be a few moments of remembrance;  no one would waste time on a dead person. "Let's go, follow him!" In the jungle, Li Xiaobai searched around for signs of living  demonic beasts.

After walking for half the day,   he found many corpses of demonic  beasts, but no living ones. The disciples from the various  sects were too quick to act. After searching the bodies for a while,  all the valuable parts had been taken. He continued to walk forward for a while. [Attribute Points +1…] [Attribute Points +1…] Here it comes! Li Xiaobai's eyes lit up, as he was finally  attacked. However, the increase in attribute   points was too meager. Surrounding him, there  were still no demonic beasts to be seen,   just a layer of hazy poison fog enshrouding him  as he sustained continuous damage to his body. He hadn't walked much farther when the ground  started to tremble with a rumbling sound. Up ahead, dust billowed as a large  group of demonic beasts suddenly   charged in Li Xiaobai's  direction, led by two figures. "Junior Brother, hurry, save us!" Li Xiaobai squinted and realized it was Lin Mang  and Hao Jian. These two had entered the forest   for less than a few minutes and had already  encountered so many demonic beasts.

What luck. He quickly stepped forward to meet them. "Senior Brother, don't panic. Your  Junior Brother is here to help you!" "Heh heh, thanks, Junior Brother!" Lin Mang's eyes flashed with a cold  glint. With a sudden sinking of his body,   he executed a sweeping leg kick that  threw Li Xiaobai off balance. Meanwhile,   Hao Jian swiftly waved his palms, and a  surge of robust spiritual power erupted,   pushing Li Xiaobai towards the  onrushing army of demonic beasts. "I…" Li Xiaobai cursed in his heart.  He'd been in the mountain range   for only a few minutes and had already been  betrayed—and by his own people at that.

"Junior Brother, when you're out and about, you  need to be more careful. Today, Senior Brother   will teach you a lesson. It's just a pity that  you won't have a chance to verify it, hahaha!" Hao Jian felt relieved, watching  as the army of demonic beasts   halted their assault to swallow Li Xiaobai whole. These were all demonic beasts at  the Foundation Establishment Stage,   with two having just reached the Golden Core.  Trapped among them, not even gods could save him. Finally, he felt a weight lifted off his chest. The demonic beasts had indeed been  lured by them. It was their strategy.   Feng Wuxie had promised each of them  a Breakthrough Pill which could help   them quickly advance to the Golden Core  Stage, on the condition that the two of   them take action and lead a large number  of demonic beasts towards Li Xiaobai. The demonic beasts were packed together,   wriggling incessantly, evidently  feasting on Li Xiaobai's body. "Hehe, you've done well. This is for you." Feng Wuxie emerged from the  shadows with a smile on his face.

He handed the two men a small box. He hadn't   expected that getting rid of  Li Xiaobai would be so easy. He had prepared a series of follow-up plans,  but now it seemed they were unnecessary. "Heh heh, thanks a lot. Killing  Li Xiaobai was made easy thanks   to Big Senior Brother's strategy." "Right now, heaven knows, earth knows,  you know, I know, and no one else knows." Lin Mang took the box with a grin. Just  as he opened it, he was shocked to find   his hair standing on end as dozens of poison  needles burst out, targeting both of them. His pupils dilated rapidly as Lin Mang  managed to dodge the poison needles. Hao Jian was too slow to react, and dozens  of poison needles shot into his body.

"Splitting Sky Palm!" Feng Wuxie channeled his cultivation technique,   striking from mid-air, causing Lin Mang's  chest to cave in as he coughed up blood. Grabbing the wrists of the two  men, he exerted force in his   hands and threw them directly into  the midst of the demonic beast army. "No!" "Feng Wuxie…" "You won't die well…" Chapter 26 Chapter 26 "` "Heh heh, think you can get benefits  from me? Do you think that's possible?" "This matter is best kept to myself alone,  you guys can keep this secret for me forever." Feng Wuxie chuckled lightly,  unfazed by Lin Mang's curses.

Lin Mang wanted to say something else,   but unfortunately, after his lips moved a few  times, he was torn in half by a brown bear. Feng Wuxie once again concealed his presence,   planning to wait for the demonic beasts to  leave before going forward to loot the bodies. At the same time, Li Xiaobai was feeling relaxed,  buried under a pile of demonic beasts. The strength of these demonic beasts was generally  below the Golden Core Stage, and couldn't hurt   him, but he had not expected that Lin Mang and  Hao Jian would be such despicable scoundrels. He had kindly offered to help, and yet  those two actually turned against him,   pushing him into the midst of the demonic beasts.

"Don't let me run into you again, or  I'll definitely tie you up and feed   you to the demonic beasts!"  Li Xiaobai felt depressed. A brown bear was gnawing at his head, his  arms were being torn at by two tigers,   and several wild boars kept charging at his legs. Countless smaller demonic beasts were  constantly biting at every part of his body. The System panel's Attribute  Points were rapidly increasing. [Attribute Points +10…] [Attribute Points +30…] [Attribute Points +50…] […] Put all points in defense! [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden  Body First Revolution (0/10000) Can Advance] "Man, the Indestructible Golden  Body, this name is sky-high,   it feels a whole level more imposing than  before. Looks like I'm about to take off!" Li Xiaobai was very excited.

With  the advancement in defensive power,   mysterious ancient totems emerged on  his skin, covered with a pale golden   hue that resembled some kind of Divine  Beast, though he didn't recognize it. His eyes too were covered  with a faint golden glow.   The light was still weak, barely  noticeable unless looked at closely. As for his current appearance, Li Xiaobai  was quite pleased, appearing very manly. At the same time, two screams rang out,  and a round head rolled to Li Xiaobai's   feet. Upon closer inspection,  it was actually Lin Mang's head. It seemed that even though he had acted as bait,   those two fellows still couldn't escape the  attack of the demonic beasts and were eaten.

That can be considered poetic justice. Stretching lazily, the demonic beasts  on him could no longer bite through.   There used to be a slight pain before, but  after the advancement in defensive power,   it was like he couldn't feel a thing. [Ding! Detecting Host continuously attacked  by a brown bear, comprehending skill: Bear   Paw Shock. (Bear Paw Shock: Strike with a palm,  powerful like collapsing mountains and seas.)] [Ding! Detecting Host continuously attacked  by wild boars, comprehending skill:   Reflect. (Reflect: Passive skill,  reflects a certain amount of damage.)] [Ding! Detecting Host continuously attacked  by Spotted Ripple Tigers, comprehending skill:   Rend. (Rend: Increases the power of biting,  able to chew through very hard objects.)] [Ding! Detecting Host continuously  attacked by a mammoth, comprehending skill:   Super Abdominal Muscles. (Super  Abdominal Muscles: Passive skill,   doubles defensive power when  actively flexing muscles.)] […] Li Xiaobai was overjoyed in his heart.  Sustaining continuous attacks allowed   him to learn skills; the Divine Beast  Forest was indeed a paradise for him.

He needed to find more different  demonic beasts to bite him. Not only could he accumulate Attribute  Points, but he could also acquire more   skills. This was absolutely thrilling. Indeed,  going out on an adventure was the right choice. Now that his defensive power had  ascended to the Undying Golden Body,   it was time to delve deeper into the Divine  Beast Mountain Range and stir things up. Dragging the demonic beasts that were  still perseveringly gnawing at him,   Li Xiaobai walked slowly towards  the depths of the forest. "` What he didn't know was that, shrouded in  darkness, someone had been intently watching him,   observing the entire process of  the demonic beasts gnawing at him.

"Indeed, Li Xiaobai is not so easily  killed; I was being too simple-minded,   shouldn't have killed those two idiots so soon." Feng Wuxie muttered to himself, he hadn't  expected Li Xiaobai's treasure to be so   powerful that an entire horde of demonic  beasts couldn't even bite through it. The more it seemed so, the more he  wanted to obtain it for himself,   and given that the other party didn't seem  to care about the damage the demonic beasts   might inflict on the treasure, it  further indicated its importance. Mere Golden Core stage demonic beasts are not  enough to harm Li Xiaobai's Magic Treasure,   which means the treasure in his hands must at  least be of Nascent Soul stage powerhouse level. At first, he had guessed that it  was a mid-grade Spiritual Artifact,   but now it seemed that poverty  had limited his imagination.

With a light tap of his foot,  Feng Wuxie followed silently,   seeking another opportunity to kill Li Xiaobai. … Among the jungle, Li Xiaobai was humming a tune,   starting a new round of his  quest for demonic beasts. This was his first time entering such a  dangerous place, having no idea where the   beasts might be more plentiful, he could only  search randomly, scurrying in all directions. Feng Wuxie, trailing behind him, was  frustrated. So many times they were   close to a demonic beast's territory, but Li  Xiaobai just wouldn't take the usual paths,   always narrowly missing  encounters with the beasts. As a result, they ventured deeper and  deeper but remained unscathed from danger. Feng Wuxie started to feel  uncertain; if they delved deeper,   and if a demonic beast sprang out,  he might not be able to handle it. He was only a third-layer Golden Core  Stage cultivator, and even with full power,   he might outperform his rank, but in this  jungle, the beasts always appeared in groups. He still needed to find an opportunity  to finish off Li Xiaobai soon. It was then that the murmur  of voices reached them. "Hehe, little sister, hand over the Linglong  Grass, and sister here will let you off the hook." "Yeah, don't resist a toast only  to be forced to drink a forfeit." "No way, this Spiritual Medicine was discovered  by our Holy Demon Sect; you cannot take it away!" Huh? People talking? Li Xiaobai also heard the arguing voices,   his eyes lit up and he hurried  towards the direction of the sound.

Being a newbie here, he couldn't  even find a demonic beast;   if he could find people to team up  with, he might avoid a lot of detours. But as he ran, his movements made quite a ruckus,   and a horde of beasts that had been drawn in from  the outskirts chased relentlessly behind him;   the ground thundered, beasts roared,  and in a blink, dust filled the air. Among the jungle, Five young men and women were encircling a  little girl, who looked to be about twelve   or thirteen years old, very tender, holding  tightly onto a clump of Spiritual Medicine. Feeling the trembling underfoot, the expressions  of the young men and women changed drastically. "This is bad, these are hordes of demonic  beasts; why are they charging at us?" "I don't know, we haven't done anything!" "Run fast, we can't handle this horde of beasts!" "But this Linglong Grass…" "Take her with us, if the Holy Demon Sect  learns that we left their Disciple behind,   we won't be able to escape the consequences!" The expressions of the young men  and women were one of panic as they   took out their Magic Treasures  ready to flee for their lives.

But at that moment, from within the thick  billowing dust, an angry shout could be heard. "Damn it, you idiots scared them off, how am I  supposed to find people to team up like this!" "All of you scram!" Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Li Xiaobai was now very angry, with a large  number of Demonic Beasts chasing after him,   nearly scaring off the  cultivators in front of him. He turned around and threw punches and  kicks at the group of Demonic Beasts,   but unfortunately, without using  skills he could not affect the beasts,   and using skills would cut off  his source of Attribute Points. He was counting on these Demonic  Beasts to help him level up! The several young men and women were sweating  profusely. What kind of cultivation level   was this, allowing Demonic Beasts  to bite him like it was nothing? With such strength and such odd preferences,   he must undoubtedly be an expert,  possibly even a senior powerhouse? Seeing this, a little girl nearby wasn't afraid.  Taking advantage of the others not paying   attention, she ran towards Li Xiaobai's direction,  clinging to his leg and wouldn't let go.

"Big brother, save me, they want  to steal my Spiritual Medicine!" "I'm from the Holy Demon Sect, and Sect  Leader Ou Yezi is my master. Big brother,   if you take them out for me, my master  and grandmaster will reward you!" This little girl was clever and witty. Li Xiaobai scrutinized the Spiritual  Medicine in her hand for a while,   shook his head in disappointment—he  didn't need to cultivate,   and these kinds of cultivation-boosting  Spiritual Medicines were useless to him. Noticing Li Xiaobai's expression, the little  girl relaxed. It seemed she had bet correctly;   the big brother wasn't interested in her  Linglong Grass and wouldn't compete for it. His gaze turning to the few  disciples in front of him,   Li Xiaobai hesitated. The little  girl seemed unreliable at best,   and perhaps he would need to rely on these older  disciples to find Demonic Beasts more swiftly.

The young men and women were frozen in place,  looking at the fierce beasts continuously   tearing and gnawing at Li Xiaobai, their  calves cramping and cold sweat pouring out. "Senior, we know we were wrong. We  shouldn't bully the weak or snatch   this young lady's Spiritual Medicine. We  will leave now," the leading young man said   as he pressed his hands together  in salute, braving the pressure. "Wait, no one is allowed to leave!" Seeing the group attempting to leave, Li  Xiaobai got a bit anxious—it was not easy   to have finally encountered a bunch of people,  and he wasn't about to let them go so easily.

"What advice does Senior have for  us?" The young man's anxiety peaked,   already calculating how to escape. In his Space Ring, there were a few Explosive  Talismans, unsure if they would have any effect. The rest of them also stood solemnly,  as if facing a formidable enemy. "No advice, really. It's just lonely on the road;   could you keep me company?" Li Xiaobai asked with  a sudden change of expression, smiling cheerfully. "This…" The group was taken aback; they had not expected  this "senior expert" to make such a request. "Certainly, Senior. If you  do not despise our company,   we would be honored to explore the  Divine Beast Mountain Range together." "I am Ouyang Feng, may I have the  honor of knowing Senior's illustrious   name?" The young man was very respectful. "My name is Li Xiaobai." Li Xiaobai found this very amusing—how had he,  Xiaobai, suddenly become a revered senior expert? "Big brother, you can't go with  them, wah! They just tried to steal   the Spiritual Medicine I worked so hard to  dig up!" The little girl cried out loudly,   utterly unwilling to team up with the group.

Ouyang Feng's face turned awkward. No one  had anticipated that in less than a minute,   their relationship would shift  from enemies to companions. "You don't want to walk with  them?" Li Xiaobai asked. "Right, right, they are not good people!"  The little girl saw a glimmer of hope. "Then you can walk by yourself. I came  from that way, and I didn't see any   Demonic Beasts when I arrived,"  Li Xiaobai said considerately,   moving the little girl aside and then  pointed out the direction he had come from. The little girl was stunned; she hadn't dreamt  she would receive this kind of response. What's going on, why isn't the  big brother playing by the rules? Could it be that this big shot  didn't come especially to save her? She's so cute, how could the big shot  be so heartless to let her walk alone? Could it be that the big shot  doesn't like little lolitas? Yeah, that must be it! After a brief struggle, the little lolita  immediately stepped forward and hugged Li   Xiaobai's thigh again.

In her view, only by  following the big shot could she be safe,   and maybe she could even make a small fortune! "Big shot, after thinking about it, these people  aren't all that bad. They just wanted to snatch   the Spiritual Medicine and didn't have any  murderous intentions. They're pretty decent!" Everyone was somewhat speechless,  the little lolita changed her face   faster than flipping a book, and for a  moment, they didn't know what to say. "What's your name, is the Sect Leader  of the Holy Demon Sect your master?" Li Xiaobai asked, curious  about the Holy Demon Sect. "I'm Chu Xiaoxiao, I am indeed the personal  disciple of the Sect Leader of the Holy Demon   Sect. Out of all the disciples, the Sect Leader  treats me the best!" Chu Xiaoxiao said with pride.

"Then why are you so weak?" Li Xiaobai was puzzled. How could  a True Disciple of the Holy Demon   Sect be bullied by these guys who didn't  even seem to be at the Golden Core Stage? As soon as these words came out, it was  awkward for everybody all over again. There was no helping it, whatever  the big shot said was right. Being   looked down upon just had to be  accepted, it wasn't shameful. "I wanted to prioritize peace.  If I had taken action, it would   be either death or serious injury…"  Chu Xiaoxiao said with less confidence. Li Xiaobai shrugged, noncommittal. Ouyang Feng chimed in just in time,  "Senior, which way should we go now?" Upon hearing Ouyang Feng's question, Li Xiaobai  remembered that he came to hunt Demonic Beasts.

"Whichever way has more Demonic  Beasts, that's where we'll go!" "Then what about these on your body…" Ouyang Feng pointed at the fierce tiger  gnawing on Li Xiaobai's shoulder as he spoke. The fierce tiger seemed to sense what  Ouyang Feng meant and bared its teeth   at him, causing Ouyang Feng to  retreat repeatedly in fright. "No problem, just let it hang there." Patting the tiger's head, Li  Xiaobai said with a chuckle. The team set off in a strange fashion, with  the young men and women walking up front,   and Li Xiaobai following leisurely behind.  The people in front moved unsteadily,   constantly looking back, fearful that the Demonic  Beasts on Li Xiaobai's body might charge at them.

"Crack!" A crisp sound was heard as the  tiger's teeth crumbled to pieces,   its head mangled and bloody,  falling to the ground. At the same time, the porcupine that  had been continuously ramming into him   also fell down. This was Li Xiaobai's  passive skill 'Reflect' taking effect. Although these Demonic Beasts had been  tearing at him, they had been suffering   damage themselves. Now the damage  had reached a critical point,   and they couldn't hold on anymore,  dying from their own reflected damage.

"Big shot, let me help you!" With quick reflexes, the little lolita  Chu Xiaoxiao pulled out a Dagger from   somewhere and started cutting into  the Demonic Beasts on the ground,   extracting a pile of Demonic Beast materials. The others also wanted to come forward and  get a share, but with the big shot present,   they didn't dare to act rashly,  only watching with greedy eyes. Having the backing of a power like the Holy Demon  Sect made all the difference, even daring to take   the Demonic Beast materials from a senior. Indeed,  it was still a world where strength was respected. "Hehe, big shot, these are  all Foundation Establishment   Stage and Golden Core Stage Demonic Beast  materials, and with your boundless mana,   you surely wouldn't care for such trivial  things. Why not just give them to me?" Saying so, Chu Xiaoxiao started stuffing the  Demonic Beast materials into her clothing pockets. "Wait!" Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Li Xiaobai acted swiftly, collecting  all the materials into his Space Ring.

After all, these were precious materials  that could be exchanged for Spirit Stones,   and he couldn't just give  them away to the little loli. "Big brother, you probably don't  need these materials, right…" Chu Xiaoxiao said, looking pitiful. "I have a great use for them." Li Xiaobai stated indifferently, casually  swallowing a Demonic Beast inner core. As the inner core entered his body,  a wave of heat surged in his Dantian,   and the fierce beast's aura swept across  in all directions, causing a thunderous   explosion to emanate from his stomach,  which made everyone tremble in fear. Li Xiaobai's face turned red, showing  an expression of pure satisfaction. He let out a deep breath of turbid air. "Refreshing!" [Attribute Points+200…] The effect was impressive. He had heard that  the energy within a Demonic Beast inner core   was wildly violent and that an ordinary  person would surely die if they consumed   one.

Now seeing it for himself, he could confirm  that the energy was indeed explosively wild. While he felt comfortable,  the others were dumbfounded. A Demonic Beast capable of condensing an  inner core was at the Golden Core Stage,   and they would run the other way if they  encountered one on a normal day. To see someone   bravely swallowing a Demonic Beast inner core was  an indication of extreme confidence and strength! Unbeknownst to Li Xiaobai, in the  eyes of the young men and women,   he had become a monstrous creature on  par with the ancient fierce beasts,   an ancient monster with thousands  of years under his belt.

Li Ruojun was so frightened that she turned  pale and nearly lost control of her bladder.   As the only girl in the five-person team,  her mental endurance was the weakest,   and the sight of such a ferocious scene  nearly caused her to lose her way. Li Xiaobai burped contentedly,  still feeling unsatisfied,   so he took out all the remaining Demonic  Beast inner cores and swallowed them. "Gurgle, gurgle!" Explosions continued in his Dantian,  the thunderous sounds rolled on,   and the overpowering demonic beast aura raged,  startling the little loli into crying out. "Big brother, you're so fierce,  daring to eat Demonic Beast   inner cores raw. You're much stronger  than those fresh juniors in our Sect.   You're the most ferocious person  I've ever met, without a doubt!" Chu Xiaoxiao's eyes shone with  admiration for Li Xiaobai. "Senior is truly extraordinary. Such a cultivation  level is unattainable for us cultivators!" Ouyang Feng's face was filled with bitterness.

The   gap was so wide that it was enough  for him to chase for a lifetime. "Heh, it's just routine for  me, not worth mentioning." Li Xiaobai waved his hand, gesturing  for everyone to continue forward. Since the fierce beasts had been scared  off, it was necessary to quickly find   fresh blood to make up for the gap  in the source of Attribute Points. By now, the group had already reached the inner  areas of the Divine Beast Mountain Range. Here,   even the weakest Demonic Beast was  at the Foundation Establishment   Realm Great Perfection, and Golden Core  Stage Demonic Beasts were everywhere. Ouyang Feng led everyone to a swamp. "Senior, this is Cloud Mist Marsh. It's home to a   Golden Core Stage Sky Swallowing Python  that should suit your tastes perfectly." His choice of this area was also driven by his  own desires.

This swamp was rich with Spiritual   Medicines nurtured by the Demonic Beasts'  aura over the years, and they were all mature. Unfortunately, due to their low strength,  trying to take these medicines was like   snatching food from a tiger's mouth.  But if they could kill the python,   they could gather the medicines. Even if they only  took ten percent, it would be a substantial gain. "Golden Core Stage, not bad." Li Xiaobai's eyes gleamed. Golden Core Stage  meant there were inner cores to be had,   and he could gain another  surge of Attribute Points. "Go, big brother, you can do it!" The little loli cheered from behind,  and Li Xiaobai's face darkened. While   her voice was strong, her body kept  an honest distance, obviously wanting   to avoid getting caught in any backlash. Being  so timid, how did she manage out in the world? After stretching his muscles, without much  ado, he stepped directly into the swamp. As soon as he touched the swamp,   his Attribute Point panel started to  fluctuate; the swamp was poisonous. [Attribute Points+1…] [Attribute Points +1…] [Ding! Detection of sustained poison damage to  the host, skill upgrade: Muscle Flaccidity.] Muscle Flaccidity: When used, induces  a state of muscle flaccidity within a   two-meter radius centered on oneself; the longer  the duration, the more severe the symptoms become.

Hmm? That dose of poison actually  caused Muscle Flaccidity to   upgrade. Although the name didn't  change, the range of use increased   to a two-meter radius. It won't be  as restrictive to use from now on. The swamp was eerily quiet,   and there were no earth-shattering roars  to be heard, only a strange silence. Li Xiaobai knew that this was the calm  before the storm. Snakes are always very   cunning and might be looking for the right  opportunity to strike with a fatal blow. Sure enough, a sudden chill underfoot  felt as though something had licked him. [Attribute Points +30…] Hiss! What kind of tongue is this, to  lick and add so many Attribute   Points? This is much stronger than those  Demonic Beasts I encountered before. Without hesitation, Li Xiaobai bent over  and frantically groped through the swamp,   attempting to haul up the Sky Swallowing Python.

Ouyang Feng and the others retreated again and  again in terror. Such provocative behavior was   universally considered suicidal. If the  Sky Swallowing Python became enraged,   they wouldn't be able to withstand it; it  was wiser to retreat further away first. "Roar!" Stirred by Li Xiaobai's action,  the Sky Swallowing Python hidden   in the depths of the swamp erupted  in fury, feeling severely provoked. The roar was deafening, echoing between heaven and   earth. A terrifyingly powerful pressure  swept over the area in an instant.   It wasn't incorrect to say that snakes  carried a hint of dragon blood in their veins. The swamp exploded, and the Sky  Swallowing Python soared into the sky,   opening its massive jaws and  biting down towards Li Xiaobai. The python in front of him was surprisingly large,   with a body length of dozens of meters. Its  scales shimmered with a cold light, like armor. But no matter how intimidating it looked,   it only had the cultivation level of the Golden  Core Stage and couldn't possibly harm him. [Attribute Points +100…] As it bit down, Li Xiaobai was unharmed,  but the python's teeth shattered,   and it was doused in its own venom.  His Attribute Points soared once again.

With a swift move, the python quickly  coiled around Li Xiaobai's waist—an   innate skill of its kind, constriction. The snake tightened its grip and bulging  veins popped out on Li Xiaobai's body. [Attribute Points +100…] [Attribute Points +100…] […] The Attribute Points were increasing wildly.  The constriction was continuous damage.   It was evident that the python  was exerting its full strength. Li Xiaobai felt pain yet was elated;  the python was providing a bounty of   Attribute Points. He wished it would  keep constricting him forever. It was   just unfortunate that Reflect was a  passive skill, constantly activating.

Nobody loves Reflect when it's on. The tighter the python squeezed,  the greater the damage it received. Soon, its scales began to crack and break apart,  and streaks of blood floated into the air. "Roar!" The python roared in agony. It wasn't very  intelligent; once it wrapped around its prey,   it wouldn't let go, which led  to it sustaining immense damage. After the roaring persisted for  a while, it abruptly stopped. The intense feeling of restriction  suddenly vanished, and Li Xiaobai felt   his body relax. The Sky Swallowing Python  lay motionless in the swamp, devoid of life. It had been shaken to death  by its own sheer force.

"Ah, it's a pity… I rarely come  across one that's so handy to use." Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Those hiding in the distance  finally understood why this   "senior" was seeking out the demonic  beast. If their guess was correct,   the senior must have had some special hobbies,  otherwise, he would not have acted this way. During the Sky Swallowing Python's strangulation,   they clearly saw the "senior" actually  showing an expression of enjoyment.

This was the secret of the senior's great power,  and they definitely had to keep it confidential;   otherwise, it could very likely bring  about deadly disaster. The group quickly   reached a consensus and chose to selectively  forget what they had just seen and heard. With the death of the Sky Swallowing  Python, the swamp once again quieted down. Li Xiaobai looked at the system panel before him,   the corners of his mouth lifted,  unable to keep back a smile. [Host: Li Xiaobai.] […] [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden Body First  Layer (2000/10000) available for progression.] [Attribute Points: 7000.] Put all points into defense. [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden Body First  Layer (9000/10000) available for progression.] The death of the Sky Swallowing Python directly  provided more than seven thousand attribute points   for himself, truly powerful as expected  of a Golden Core Stage demonic beast.

The little loli behind him very sensibly rushed  forward, raised her dagger, and started cutting   furiously, stripping all the valuable parts  from the Sky Swallowing Python's body. With hands presented upward,  she wore a look of flattery. "Senior, there are still many  precious spiritual medicines   in this swamp. Shall we also pick them together?" Ouyang Feng, fearing that the little  loli would beat him to it again,   hurriedly stepped forward and said. "Then dig them all out." Li Xiaobai said. The group began efficiently  harvesting in the swamp;   the herbs here were almost all  fully matured spiritual medicines.

Picking even one could cause  their spiritual energy to soar,   but it was a pity that the big boss was watching,  so they did not dare to pocket any for themselves. Soon, dozens of precious medicinal herbs  were placed in front of Li Xiaobai. Looking at the glowing spiritual medicines before   him, Li Xiaobai frowned. Although he  did not understand herbs or alchemy,   it was clear these were beneficial to the human  body and would not provide any attribute points. They were the type that looked good  but were not particularly useful;   however, they could later be  exchanged for spirit stones. With a wave of his hand, and without  giving a second glance at the hopeful   looks of the others, he collected  all the herbs into his space ring. "Senior, this…" Ouyang Feng had a look of despair. He  had followed the senior, thinking he   would get a share of the spoils, but  now it seemed completely different.   The senior was somewhat stingy, plucking  even the feathers from a passing goose. "Hmm?" "Wealth is an external possession that you can't   bring with you at birth or  take with you in death." "Moreover, this is for your own good.  Keeping these spiritual medicines   with you would only lead to disputes and  needless sacrifice.

As the saying goes,   'If I don't enter Hell, who will?' I am willing  to bear the roots of this suffering alone!" Li Xiaobai stood with his hands behind his  back, speaking indifferently. Unconsciously,   his old habit of showing off had flared up again. Ouyang Feng saw the truth. It seemed  that the senior was only powerful in   cultivation and had none of the awareness  one would expect from a superior senior,   not letting go of any loot worth taking. It looked like they had no chance  of getting a piece of the pie. "Boss, you're too strong,  I'll follow you from now on!" Chu Xiaoxiao had stars in her eyes,  seeing Li Xiaobai as a moving treasury.

"Let's keep going!" Li Xiaobai laughed heartily,  leading the group onward. They had reaped great rewards this journey,  with their defensive power soaring. Even if they   encountered a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator,  they might still stand a chance in battle. As they ventured deeper, fewer  Demonic Beasts were encountered,   but the bodies of Human Cultivators became  increasingly common. The farther they went,   the more bodies they found—it was clear  that a fierce conflict had taken place here. Amidst the corpses, Li Xiaobai  recognized many familiar faces,   all Inner Sect Disciples from  the Immortal Feather Sect. Most had been cloven in half at the waist,  seemingly torn apart by some kind of beast. The jungle was eerily quiet and this time,  Ouyang Feng seemed to be enjoying a streak of   good luck. No matter which path he chose, they  miraculously never encountered any Demonic Beasts.

Ouyang Feng was puzzled; he was certain they  were traversing the Demon Race Territory.   Demonic Beasts were usually fiercely protective of  their domains. Logically, they should've attacked   without hesitation upon human trespass—a  silent reception was decidedly abnormal! "Chu Xiaoxiao!" A sudden cry of surprise came from the  dark beside them, startling Li Xiaobai. The speaker was a female cultivator in a  white battle dress, wielding a longsword,   her gallant presence undeniable.  A number of people followed her. A small-eyed crew-cut young man  looked particularly vigilant,   keeping his eyes fixed on Li  Xiaobai and his companions. "Su Su sister!" The little loli's face lit up with joy upon seeing  the newcomer, and she immediately rushed over. "Su Su sister, the outside world is so  scary. Xiaoxiao hardly found a Linglong   Grass and someone almost stole it.  Luckily, we ran into a big shot;   otherwise, Sister wouldn't  be seeing Xiaoxiao now!" Chu Xiaoxiao's eyes brimmed with  tears as she put on a pitiful look.

Hearing this, the brows of the woman  named Su Su knitted in an instant. "Who dared to rob my sister?  I'll help you take him down!" "It's alright now, Su Su sister.  With the big shot's protection,   nobody dares to steal my Spiritual  Medicine," Chu Xiaoxiao explained. Yin Susu examined Li Xiaobai, another  True Disciple of the Holy Demon Sect.   She hadn't planned to bring Chu Xiaoxiao on  this mission, but the young girl insisted on   tagging along. After a wave of Demonic Beast  assaults, the group had gotten separated. Now, seeing Chu Xiaoxiao safe and sound,   Yin Susu was naturally delighted and  her gaze toward Li Xiaobai softened. "Thank you for your assistance!" "I am Yin Susu from the Holy  Demon Sect. If you ever find   yourself in trouble, feel free to seek me out!" "Su Su sister, the big shot doesn't  need your help—he's very powerful!" Chu Xiaoxiao cheekily said, curious to find  out who was stronger between her sister,   unmatched among her peers,  and the formidable stranger. Yin Susu was polite, but her eyes betrayed  confusion; no matter how she looked at him,   Li Xiaobai appeared to be an ordinary person   without cultivation.

Why then did  Chu Xiaoxiao call him a big shot? Could it be that his strength was far superior  to her own, rendering her unable to sense it? Impossible, absolutely impossible. She  herself was on the cusp of reaching   the Nascent Soul Stage, a step  away from entering that realm;   among the younger generation, how could  someone's cultivation far surpass her own? "Uh, my name is Li Xiaobai, a  Loose Cultivator. May I ask what   happened here, as my journey has been  lined with the bodies of cultivators?" Li Xiaobai inquired, intending to  stir up trouble in the mountain range,   he obviously needed to conceal his identity.

"That's a long story; we can talk as we walk," Yin Susu responded warmly. She could tell her  sister had grown quite attached to Li Xiaobai   and invited him to join them in exploring the  Divine Beast Mountain Range without hesitation. "Su Su, isn't it inappropriate to  discuss this matter with outsiders?   Just give him some compensation. What  if he interferes with our plans if he   travels with us?" a discordant voice chimed in. Chapter 30 Chapter 30 The speaker was a crew-cut young  man with eyes like a serpent,   and just his appearance  made one feel uncomfortable. "Exactly, Senior Sister, let's not forget our  mission. Not just any petty thief can join us." The other young cultivators also spoke,  clearly showing disdain for Li Xiaobai.

"What are you talking about?  The boss is my lifesaver!" "The boss has boundless mana; all of you  combined couldn't beat even his pinky!" The little girl, Chu Xiaoxiao, was  immediately displeased upon hearing this. "For Brother Li to escort Xiaoxiao is already  a favor. Our journey's plan is arduous;   having a master join us would be  all to our benefit and no harm." Yin Susu frowned, feeling that her junior fellow  disciples were somewhat lacking in manners.

"But…" The crew-cut young man  wanted to say something more,   but Yin Susu gestured with her hand, stopping him. "I have made my decision on this matter;  there is no need for further discussion." Li Xiaobai felt the atmosphere was a bit strange;   the crew-cut young man seemed to have  an inexplicable hostility towards him. Could it be that he had  unintentionally offended him somewhere? "So we…" Ouyang Feng and the others, knowing how to  read the room, were thinking of leaving. "Let's go together." Li Xiaobai said casually,  after all, having met them,   it seemed inappropriate to part ways so abruptly.

Upon these words, everyone  present was taken aback,   as they hadn't expected Li Xiaobai  to be so oblivious to the mood. Yin Susu was also astonished; she  felt that Li Xiaobai was very unique,   and his way of doing things was not  at all like that of a cultivator. It wasn't that she feared more participants  would compete with them for the treasures;   rather, the inner reaches of the  mountain range were incredibly perilous,   and it would be unfortunate if these fellow  cultivators were to meet with unforeseen dangers. These people were only at the  Foundation Establishment Stage;   how could they be allowed to join in? However, Chu Xiaoxiao didn't care  about these considerations. To her,   whatever the boss said was right.  She immediately nodded vigorously,   taking charge and gesturing for  Ouyang Feng and the others to follow. Yin Susu and the others, having no  other choice, reluctantly agreed.

"Young Master Li, the demonic  beasts here have already been   slain almost to extinction by  the people from Tianwu Sect." "As for the corpses, well, that's  the work of Tianwu Sect too. They   used forces from smaller sects to scout ahead,   forcibly clearing a path into the core  area of the Divine Beast Mountain Range." "We are here to look for any Heaven and Earth  Treasures remaining in the inner areas." Yin Susu recounted the deeds of Tianwu  Sect, and Li Xiaobai was shocked. Tianwu Sect was so ruthlessly heartless, pushing  the factions that wanted to ally with them into   a pit of fire; the cruelty of their methods  was enough to make one's hair stand on end. "What's inside the mountain range?" "A mature Dragon Serpent Fruit Tree.

The  Dragon Serpent Fruit is one of the Heaven   and Earth Treasures, eating one not only  allows one to rebuild their foundation,   but the power and toughness of one's physical  body can greatly increase," Yin Susu explained. "What does the Dragon Serpent Fruit look like?" "It is entirely red, like flames, and easy   to recognize; usually, there  are nine fruits on a tree." "So now we are heading deep into the mountain  range in search of the Dragon Serpent Fruit?" Li Xiaobai's eyes were whirring around in  excitement, his heart ablaze.

If he could   obtain the Dragon Serpent Fruit, his defensive  power might increase by a great margin. A fruit that could enhance the  physical body was perfect for him. "Heh, what are you thinking?  The Dragon Serpent Fruit is a   treasure that the big shots fight over.  We're not qualified to get involved." "However, this time, with the Great Elder  of our Holy Demon Sect making a move,   the Dragon Snake Fruit will definitely fall  into the hands of our Holy Demon Sect!" The crew-cut youth scoffed, not believing  at all that Li Xiaobai was some big shot;   at most, he had sweet-talked  Chu Xiaoxiao with honeyed words. "Hey, Xiao Lizi, how can you talk to  a big shot like that? A big shot could   crush you with a flick of his finger. What  makes you think you can't compete for it!" "Big shot, let's go find the  Dragon Snake Fruit. I support you!" The little lolita wanted to curry favor with the  big shot and get on his good side. She didn't   mince her words, which angered the crew-cut  man to the point of turning an iron blue.

The crew-cut youth's face grew even darker. "Xiaoxiao, stop messing around.  The inner area is full of dangers,   and many Demonic Beasts at the Golden  Core Stage might even be a match for   me. We must be extra careful in  our every move," said Yin Susu. She also didn't think that Li Xiaobai was a  master. Chu Xiaoxiao was always mischievous,   and it was normal for her words  to contain some exaggeration. Plus, she tended to lose interest  quickly. Perhaps she was clingy now,   but once she got tired of it, she  would stop bothering Li Xiaobai. "Right, right, the Divine Beast Mountain Range  is quite perilous. We must proceed with caution." Li Xiaobai strongly agreed. He was all about  finding suitable Demonic Beasts step by step,   gradually improving his defensive power.   Everything had to be done  with utmost safety in mind.

Ouyang Feng and the others had  strange expressions on their faces. Are you sure this Divine Beast  Mountain Range is dangerous? When you were gobbling up  Demonic Beast inner cores,   you didn't even blink. How come it feels like  you're even scarier than the Demonic Beasts? When the big shot spoke up,  Chu Xiaoxiao also quieted down. Surprise flashed across Yin Susu's face.  The little girl had actually become docile   just because of what someone else  said. Something didn't seem right. "Brother Li, we have discovered a treasure  site on the outer periphery. The Spiritual   Energy in that area is densely gathered,  clearly indicating that Heaven and Earth   Treasures will soon emerge.

Our goal  is to secure the site. As for the core   area of the mountain range, that is  beyond our reach," said Yin Susu. "I see. Do you know the whereabouts of  that treasure site?" Li Xiaobai asked. "It's in the northeast direction. We'll have  to cross several Demonic Beast territories,   so we need to be on high alert," replied Yin Susu. "Of course…" …

What everyone failed to notice was  that from the jungle behind them,   someone was hanging back, watching silently. Feng Wuxie's eyes sparkled with a sharp  glint. He had heard a few incredible secrets. "So it's the Dragon Snake Fruit. The treasure  hidden within this mountain range is actually   one of the extraordinary fruits of the world,  the Dragon Snake Fruit. Fortune favors me! If   I can obtain one fruit, my foundation could be  a hundred times more solid than it is now. When   that time comes, why should I worry about not  becoming a master at the Nascent Soul Stage?" "But this Li Xiaobai is indeed lucky,  getting entangled with the little   demoness of the Demon Sect and winning  the favor of Yin Susu.

Now it would be   difficult to make a move against him," he thought. "However, I have already received  the news and can go ahead to the   mountain range to look for the  whereabouts of other treasures." "Although masters from all the major Sects are  gathered here, I might still have a chance." With a twist of his body, Feng  Wuxie disappeared from his spot. … The journey was silent, with  the team quiet as a whole.

Li Xiaobai felt that the disciples of  the Holy Demon Sect were not friendly,   apart from Yin Susu and the little lolita. Why did  the other disciples seem so hostile towards him? I haven't really done anything, have I? Ouyang Feng and the others were  even more uncomfortable. They had   only come to watch the show, but out of nowhere,   they were whisked away by the big shot,  their hearts pounding with anxiety. "Everyone, ahead is the activity area of  the Demonic Beasts. Although Tianwu Sect   has cleared out the beasts in this region,  there's no guarantee that some didn't slip   through the net.

We must proceed with  the utmost caution," warned Yin Susu. Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Li Xiaobai couldn't make out  anything unusual in the surroundings. It was still a jungle, still  desolate, and still very quiet. But the members of the Holy Demon  Sect seemed to be on high alert,   leaving him puzzled about the  operations of these high-level players. Indeed, it was all because he lacked cultivation. Li Xiaobai sighed inwardly,   but there was nothing he could do about  it since he didn't need to cultivate. "Boss, do you think there are  demonic beasts in this forest?" Chu Xiaoxiao asked, following beside Li  Xiaobai. She didn't seem nervous at all. "It's so quiet here, there probably aren't any,"  he replied, though he wasn't very sure himself. "Quiet down, if you don't know, then don't talk!" The young man with a crew cut was  really annoyed, and he hissed angrily,   fearing that disturbing a demonic  beast would lead to a tough battle.

Li Xiaobai immediately shut his mouth.  After all, these people were experienced;   not only had they deduced the presence  of demonic beasts in the jungle,   but they also stopped actions that could  disturb them. They were truly professional. The group fumbled through the jungle for a while  before Yin Susu's expression suddenly eased. "There are no demonic beasts here;   they must have been killed by the  people from Tianwu Sect," she said. "See, the boss already said that  there were no demonic beasts,   and you didn't believe him!" the  little lolita said, visibly upset. "That's because he was lucky. Xiaoxiao,   don't be fooled by this guy!"  the man with the crew cut said. "How dare you speak to your senior like  that, Xiao Lizi? When you speak to an elder,   you should use honorifics. I am a True Disciple of  the Sect Leader, several generations your senior,   yet you dare to address me by my  name without respect for propriety!" Chu Xiaoxiao said, hands on  her hips, fuming with anger. "Let's rest here for a moment," Yin Susu  interjected, cutting off everyone else.   Walking too quickly wasn't good, and they were  still some distance away from the treasure site.

First, they needed to get their condition  in check before setting out with energy. "Sister Yin, have some water," said  the other Holy Demon Sect disciples,   immediately coming forward to attend to  Yin Susu, offering her water and tea. "No need," she replied, ignoring the disciples'  eagerness and instead walking toward Li Xiaobai. "Young Master Li, may I ask  where you have studied?" "Self-taught," he answered, immediately  understanding she was probing into his background. "May I inquire as to your cultivation level? Why   do I not sense any spiritual  energy fluctuations from you?" "To become a Grandmaster with a single thought  is rare among geniuses, but I am one of them,"   Li Xiaobai declared, sitting upright, his gaze  steady, showing not a trace of embarrassment.

"Then, has Young Master Li come  to the Divine Beast Mountain   Range at the invitation of Zhenyuan Country?" "It wasn't an invitation. Zhenyuan  Country is in distress, very anxious,   and dispatched a whole nation's army  to request my assistance. My heart   goes out to the common people, which  is why I came here," he explained. Yin Susu was speechless, staring straight at   Li Xiaobai, her intuition telling her  that he was not a simple character. Li Xiaobai, too, met her gaze expressionlessly,  though feeling somewhat uneasy inside,   wondering if these people might think of  him as a burden and want to shake him off. After a stand-off, Yin Susu finally backed down.  She still could not detect any spiritual energy   fluctuations in him, which made him quite  intriguing. Could he really be a master? From a distance, the man with the  crew cut watched Li Xiaobai and   Yin Susu converse amiably and felt a  surge of anger welling up inside him.

The rest of the Holy Demon Sect disciples also  grew increasingly dissatisfied with Li Xiaobai. Sister Yin was like an immortal in the  heavens, detached from the worldly affairs.   How could she demean herself by mingling  with an uncultured cultivator like him? "Sister Su Su, there's a sprig  of spiritual medicine here!" The voice of the little loli, Chu  Xiaoxiao, suddenly came through;   this little girl had run  off at some unknown point. Yin Susu felt a jolt of shock in her  heart; the Divine Beast Mountain Range   was not the same as home—running  around here could lead to disaster. "Xiaoxiao, come back quickly, it's dangerous!" "The boss already said there are no Demonic  Beasts here, what danger could there be?" The little loli was unperturbed, her  greedy nature erupting as she began   to dig up the spiritual plant  on the surface of the ground.

But it was at that moment, several beams of sword  light surged from the ground towards the sky,   aiming straight for the little loli who was  focused on digging up the spiritual plant. "Xiaoxiao, be careful!" Yin Susu's face was stricken with terror, and  she immediately rushed over. There were people   lying in ambush here, and she had not  noticed it until now—a grave mistake. But it was too late, evidently, those few people  had been lying in wait here for quite some time. "Hahaha, look what I caught today?" "The Holy Demon Sect's precious  disciple is truly heavensent to me!" The leader, a man in a white robe, laughed  heartily and picked up Chu Xiaoxiao.

This was the pearl in the palm  of the Holy Demon Sect Leader,   and now she had been captured alive by him. Recently, Tianwu Sect and the Holy Demon Sect were  competing for a quota to go to Central province,   and with Chu Xiaoxiao in hand, the  competition just got much easier. "It's you!" Yin Susu's almond-shaped eyes were wide with fury. Li Xiaobai also recognized the other party; he  had seen him once in the grand hall of Zhenyuan   Country. The opponent was a True Disciple  of Tianwu Sect, and seemed to be Zhang Rui. Back then, the True Disciple of the Holy  Demon Sect had even rebutted him a few times,   leaving a deep impression on Li Xiaobai. However, he did not expect that a  disciple from such a prestigious   sect would stoop to such disgusting behavior.

"If you're smart, Tianwu Sect, let me go.  Hear me, I'm under the boss' protection,   release me at once, or I'll spare you not!"  The little loli struggled ceaselessly. Yin Susu was very annoyed inside; the  Tianwu Sect's behavior was demeaning,   and such treacherous acts were truly despicable. "Li, it's your fault Xiaoxiao got captured.  If it weren't for you deceiving Xiaoxiao,   she wouldn't have fallen for the enemy's ambush!" A sly glint passed through the eyes of  the crew-cut young man as he seized every   opportunity to mock Li Xiaobai. He didn't  care about Chu Xiaoxiao's well-being;   his only wish was to change Yin  Susu's opinion of Li Xiaobai.

"Indeed, you're to blame for Sister Chu's  capture, what should your punishment be!" The other disciples also echoed this sentiment. "Enough with your noise. Zhang Rui, you're  a True Disciple of Tianwu Sect. Aren't you   afraid of the Holy Demon Sect settling scores  with you in the fall?" Yin Susu frowned. "If you all die here, who will be  left to tattle?" Zhang Rui's eyes   narrowed slightly, showing a hint of amusement. Yin Susu was startled; the enemy was  fearless. Did he have some sort of support,   or had Zhang Rui already broken through,  with a cultivation level surpassing her own? That was impossible, the Primordial Spirit is not   something you can condense  just because you want to. "I'll hold off Zhang Rui later,   you take the chance to rescue Xiaoxiao  and then run immediately, understand?" "Understood!" The crew-cut young man was solemn; he also knew  they had encountered a tough opponent this time.   Tianwu Sect was crazed to kill them all; he  must report this back to his master afterwards. Li Xiaobai also wanted to  participate in the rescue,   but the people of the Holy Demon Sect ignored  him.

After a brief assignment of tasks,   beams of sword light took flight,  abruptly shooting towards Zhang Rui. Ouyang Feng and the others had strange  expressions on their faces. They were   puzzled why, with such formidable strength, the  Holy Demon Sect could not see their predecessors. A few young men in white waved their longswords,   creating a web of crisscrossing sword beams as  they faced off against Yin Susu and the others. The air was turbulent in the field, and  not a single disciple involved in the   battle was below the cultivation  level of the Golden Core Stage.

Li Xiaobai was struck by many flying sandstones. [Attribute Points +100…] [Attribute Points +100…] Chapter 32 Chapter 32 [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden Body  First Revolution (9200/10000) Can be advanced.] He was only eight hundred Attribute Points  away from advancing to the next stage. Li Xiaobai felt a small surge of excitement.  Indeed, venturing into the world to gain   experience was the fastest way to become  stronger. He had only been out for two days,   and his defensive power was  skyrocketing like a rocket. He moved forward slightly. The battle  situation in the arena was tense,   with waves of energy rolling and Spiritual  Energy fluctuations shaking the area. The values on the Attribute  Points panel kept jumping. [Attribute Points +100…] [Attribute Points +100…] [Ding! Continuous sword qi attack detected,   skill upgrade: Nine Revolutions  Undying Sword Intent First Revolution.] Nine Revolutions Undying Sword Intent First  Revolution: The lifelong pursuit of a Sword   Cultivator, infusing one's will into  the sword.

When drawing the sword,   one can use Sword Intent to defeat the opponent. In the arena, the battle between the two sides  had reached an intense peak. Yin Susu felt that something was amiss.  The opponent was not as formidable as   she had imagined. Although they  were a bit stronger than her,   it clearly was not to the  extent that they could kill her. Where then did the opponent's  confidence come from? Could there be a trump card waiting to be played? "Haha, the disciple of the Holy Demon Sect indeed   has some skills. It's just too bad that  all of you are going to die here today," Zhang Rui struck out with a palm from mid-air,   withdrawing from the fight. He flipped his  wrist and pulled out a blood-red pearl.

"The Blood Spirit Bead!" Yin Susu cried out in shock, and the others'  expressions changed dramatically as well. The Blood Spirit Bead was  a demonic magic treasure,   refined through the blood sacrifice of hundreds,  if not thousands, in a cruel manner. When used,   it unleashed tremendous power, equivalent  to a strike from a Nascent Soul Cultivator. Given the size of the Blood Spirit Bead,   it appeared that thousands of lives  had been sacrificed for its making. "Zhang Rui, you claim to be of a Righteous  Sect, yet you resort to such despicable means!" "If fellow members of the Daoist Sects find out,  even Tianwu Sect won't be able to protect you!" The young man with a crew cut was horrified. With   the Blood Spirit Bead in play,  they might indeed all die here.

"I have already said that once  all of you are dead, naturally,   there will be no one left to tell the tale," Zhang Rui was very calm, holding the  Blood Spirit Bead with full confidence. "Surround them, don't let  anyone escape. Kill them!" With a wave of his hand, several Tianwu Sect  disciples charged toward the direction of   Li Xiaobai and the others. They planned to  start with the weakest to conserve time. "Thousand Leaves Hand!" "Falling Flowers Sword Technique!" "Starlight Finger!" A variety of techniques and  cultivation methods swept over,   but Li Xiaobai was unfazed, and his  Attribute Points surged once more. [Attribute Points +100…] [Attribute Points +100…] [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden Body  Second Revolution (0/20000) Can be advanced.] At last, he had leveled up. Li Xiaobai's face was   filled with joy. It seemed  that with each revolution,   the required Attribute Points increased by  ten thousand. He still had a long way to go! The disciples of Tianwu Sect now looked  alarmed.

They had attacked with full force,   yet their opponent did not suffer a single  wound. Such strength was terrifying. "Not good, there's an expert here!" "Retreat quickly!" The group rapidly retreated, regrouping  back to where Zhang Rui stood. "Senior brother, there's an expert on the  other side. The situation has changed!" Zhang Rui's eyes narrowed slightly.  He had also noticed Li Xiaobai's   exceptional ability. To withstand a  full-force strike from a Golden Core   Stage cultivator with his physical body and  remain unscathed was indeed extraordinary. Yin Susu and the others also retreated back to  Li Xiaobai's side, their faces filled with shock.

The little loli was telling the truth,  after all, this guy was indeed a big shot! "Senior, we have offended you before, please  don't hold a grudge and lend us your aid!" Yin Susu made a formal bow and her gaze towards  Li Xiaobai became even more complicated. The flat-headed youth shrank back  a bit, not daring to step forward,   having been the one most vigorous  in berating Li Xiaobai before. "Small issue, is that bead  in his hand really powerful?" Li Xiaobai immediately got into the  zone, drawing hostility first when   encountering an enemy, as it had already  become an instinctive reaction for him. "That is the Blood Spirit Bead, forged through  the blood sacrifice of thousands of people;   it is a sinister magic treasure of immense power." "How strong is it?" "Equivalent to one strike from a  Nascent Soul Stage powerhouse." "So-so, I guess." Li Xiaobai, looking unfazed,  walked slowly towards Zhang Rui,   pondering how many Attribute Points he could  gain if he swallowed the Blood Spirit Bead.

Now that his defensive power had advanced  again, blocking an attack from a Nascent   Soul Cultivator shouldn't be a problem; he  hoped this bead would prove to be powerful. "If Zhang is not mistaken, you must be a body  cultivator, right? Aspiring to follow the   ancient deities to achieve sanctity with the  physical body," Zhang Rui said indifferently. "Since you recognize it,  then kneel down and scram." Li Xiaobai stood with his hands  behind his back, his aura dominating. "How arrogant. But you body cultivators  only focus on the flesh, and this Blood   Spirit Bead of mine targets the spirit  sea of consciousness.

If you don't want   to become an imbecile, you'd better leave now." "I am an unparalleled genius,  blessed with boundless fortune;   mere demonic deviants from the  outside paths pose no threat to me." Li Xiaobai spared no effort in  boasting and drawing hatred. "Sharp-tongued kid, I had intended to let you off  considering the difficulty of your cultivation,   but since you're so oblivious, then you  might as well be buried along with them." Zhang Rui's eyes were fierce as he suddenly  activated the cultivation technique,   urging the Blood Spirit Bead and throwing  it towards Li Xiaobai and the others. Most body cultivators have a lineage,   and even Zhang Rui didn't want to  offend those law veins lightly,   but since the other party insisted on meddling,  he didn't mind sending them on their way.

The Blood Spirit Bead floated in midair, with  blood-colored light emerging and a dense,   crimson aura enveloping  everyone, reeking of blood. Zhang Rui and several other cultivators  urged the Blood Spirit Bead together,   causing the sky to surge with wind and clouds,  swirling with murderous aura and chilling gusts. Li Xiaobai frowned, finding the smell  of the bead too unpleasant; however,   the Attribute Points continued to jump,  clearly indicating the blood qi was toxic. Yin Susu and the others behind  him felt overwhelmed the moment   they encountered the blood-colored aura;   they were only at the Golden Core Stage and  couldn't withstand the might of the bead. [Attribute Points +100…] [Attribute Points +100…] After assessing his physical condition,   he found no significant issue; an attack from  a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator was just that. Without further hesitation, he walked  straight towards the Blood Spirit Bead. In Zhang Rui's eyes, filled with shock and  disbelief, Li Xiaobai slowly extended a hand,   plucked the Blood Spirit Bead, then  opened his mouth wide and swallowed it.

As the Blood Spirit Bead went down his throat,  red light chaotically streaked across his body,   the violent spiritual energy rampaging inside  him, his blood churning, and Li Xiaobai grunted. Fortunately, multiple passive  skills had strengthened his body,   so the bead didn't cause too much tumult. After letting the rampant blood  qi collide inside him for a while,   the Blood Spirit Bead was completely  transformed into Attribute Points. [Attribute Points +1100…] [Attribute Points +1000…] [Attribute Points: 12000.] All points on defense. [Defensive Power: Second  Turn of the Indestructible   Golden Body (12000/20000) can advance.] "Hehehe, thanks for the treat." Chapter 33 Chapter 33 Li Xiaobai patted his stomach and  belched, petrifying everyone present.

"You… you actually ate it?" Swallowing the Blood Spirit Bead  whole, what kind of move was that! Zhang Rui was scared out of his wits;  the Blood Spirit Bead was a gift from   an evil sect master and had been  refined right in front of him,   requiring the lives of over  a thousand people to create. As for its power, he knew it all too  well. Even a medium-grade Spiritual   Treasure couldn't compare to the might  of this single Blood Spirit Bead. Once its Blood Qi was released,  even cultivators at the Nascent   Soul Stage would hesitate to  face its sharpness head-on,   yet Li Xiaobai had just swallowed the bead  whole, and nothing had happened to him. How could this be possible! "Hmm, it's a bit fishy, not a great  taste, but it's quite filling," Li Xiaobai savored the experience  and offered his serious critique.

A single Blood Spirit Bead could provide  over ten thousand Contribution Points,   and if he had a few more,  wouldn't he ascend to the heavens? "Do you have any more of these beads?" The crowd petrified once again. Yin Susu looked on dumbfounded at  everything unfolding before her;   this man was too powerful, and she regretted  not discovering his true nature sooner. Having such a high-level expert as an ally could  only benefit her Sect and have no drawbacks. Fortunately, there was still the little  girl Chu Xiaoxiao on her side. As long as   she kept clinging to Li Xiaobai, there would  always be a way to bring the two sides closer. The eyes of the young man  with the buzz cut twinkled   with an eerie light, his thoughts unknown. Ouyang Feng and the others  let out a sigh of relief;   the senior had made his  move, this round was secured.

"Boss, six six six!" "Boss, quickly take these guys down!" Little loli Chu Xiaoxiao continuously cheered on,  feeling exhilarated by Li Xiaobai's performance. It was as if she herself had  consumed the Blood Spirit Bead. "This young girl is in my hands;  please stand still and don't move.   I am a True Disciple of the Tianwu Sect.  If you are willing to let us go today,   there will be a generous reward in the future!" Zhang Rui's face was pale; Chu Xiaoxiao  was his only bargaining chip left.

"Hehe, no problem, I won't move. You go ahead," Li Xiaobai said indifferently. At the same time, his fingers quietly  rested on the hilt of his sword. Zhang Rui's pupils contracted;  the other party was going to kill! He violently threw the little loli  toward Li Xiaobai and then rapidly   vanished from the spot with a few swift steps. "You can't escape." He caught the little loli with one hand  and drew his longsword with the other. "Nine Revolutions Undying Sword Intent!" Willpower merged with the sword, a  metallic clang resonated through the air,   and a golden pressure swept over the  entire area, undying and unyielding.

A massive golden sword  projection appeared in the void,   pointing toward the figures desperately fleeing. Li Xiaobai felt his consciousness  stretch out for a thousand miles,   directly piercing into the brows of  the retreating Tianwu Sect disciples. Gentle breezes passed, and several Tianwu Sect  disciples instantly became vacant in their gazes.   Zhang Rui's entire left arm was cleanly  severed as he silently continued to flee. So this is what Sword Intent feels like,  Li Xiaobai realized, as the Sword Intent,   shapeless and formless, could  sever both spirit and flesh.

No wonder so many chose the path of the  sword; this thing was indeed powerful! "Boss, six six six, I knew you would save me!" "Boss, you're so strong, I  want to be your follower!" The little loli gazed at the slowly  dissipating Sword Intent in the sky,   her eyes filled with little stars. Li Xiaobai's show of strength  had shattered her understanding;   that move just now felt even  stronger than her own master. Yin Susu and the others were  completely dumbfounded. Not   only was his physical body  unparalleled in strength,   but his Sword Intent was also exquisitely  mastered. Who was this senior expert? Among the masters they knew, there seemed  to be no one who fit the profile of this   senior expert.

Could it be some reclusive  old monster playing in the mortal world? "Hehe, just standard procedure," Li Xiaobai hadn't expected his Sword Intent to be  so powerful, but then again, it made sense, since   it was a skill that had been upgraded several  levels—its potency could well be imagined. It was a pity that Zhang Rui had escaped. Although he had cut off one  of the opponent's hands,   such an injury could be completely healed with  some Secret Techniques and Spiritual Medicine. Approaching the Tianwu Sect  disciples, he waved his hand,   and they all had numb expressions with dull eyes. The Sword Intent from earlier had struck right  between their eyebrows, utterly destroying their   sea of consciousness.

These disciples had  become fools, devoid of any intelligence. "How do you all feel?" Returning to Yin Susu and  the others, Li Xiaobai asked. "I knew the big shot would save me!"  Chu Xiaoxiao exclaimed excitedly. "Thank you for your assistance, senior. I  failed to recognize a true master before,   please forgive my earlier blindness," Yin Susu was limp and struggled to  get up to offer a deep bow of thanks. The others too were exceedingly grateful. If  they hadn't had a powerful individual among them,   they might truly have met with disaster this time. "There's no need for that. Slaying   demonic beasts and eliminating demons  is within the duty of us cultivators," Li Xiaobai said gleefully, enjoying the  feeling of being the center of attention.

Just as Yin Susu was about to say something more,   a Token at her waist suddenly  emitted a dazzling light. This was a Rescue Token given by a Tianwu Sect  master before departure. Using this Token,   nearby cultivators could receive a distress  signal and rush to assist in a timely manner. "Someone is in trouble, the  location is to the northeast,   it seems to be the treasure site I  mentioned earlier," Yin Susu said. "Looks like the treasure  site is fraught with danger," Li Xiaobai frowned at first but then  appeared relieved. Danger was a good   thing; it indicated the presence of  Attribute Points, worth checking out! "You all rest here, I will go to  the treasure site for the rescue," "Big shot, let me go with you!" The little girl immediately came forward.

"Xiaoxiao, stop fooling around. The senior is on   an important mission and can't take  you along!" Yin Susu said harshly. Chu Xiaoxiao clung tightly to Li Xiaobai's leg,  refusing to let go. She was convinced that as   long as she followed the big shot, she would  be able to eat her fill and drink heartily. "That's right, the mountain range is incredibly  dangerous, I can't keep taking you with me," "Besides, your fellow disciples  are currently incapacitated and   need someone to look after them  here.

If you were to leave them,   what would happen if they encountered danger?" Li  Xiaobai said with a furrowed brow. Along the way,   the little girl hadn't been of much help apart  from digging out Demonic Beast inner cores. Protecting her in a crisis was less efficient  than him exploring the mountain range alone. With his current defensive power, he was more than   capable of traversing the  mountain range with ease. Seeing his point, Chu Xiaoxiao had no choice but   to hold back.

She couldn't possibly  leave her fellow disciples in danger. "I understand, big shot, I will  protect my fellow disciples!" "Then wait here for rescue," With that, Li Xiaobai headed toward the  direction of the rescue signal and left. The Holy Demon Sect members were  only temporarily weakened. After   taking Elixirs and resting for a while,  they would be able to fully recover,   so Li Xiaobai wasn't worried that Yin Susu  and the others would face danger again. … At the same time, In the jungle, a golden glow suddenly  erupted from a small river stream,   accompanied by a thunderous  roar that pierced the sky. The nearby disciples were all invigorated,  their faces filled with greed. Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Figures flitted among the jungle,   swiftly converging towards the  location of the golden radiance. Watching the fleeting shadows around  him, Li Xiaobai felt a wave of envy.   This ability to fly and burrow on  a whim was incredibly practical.

How unlike himself, who still had  to run on two legs, and even then,   not as fast as the average person. Fortunately, the treasure  site was not far from him,   and the demonic beasts along the way  had been cleared out by others early on. Lumbering to the edge of the jungle,  he faced a stream. The golden light   was bursting forth from the bottom of the  murky water, which obscured visibility below. Countless cultivators were already there waiting. On the bank of the river, a plump figure  was sitting on the ground wailing loudly,   with a few corpses laid out in  front of him, looking quite pitiful. Seeing this, the crowd hesitated to  vie for the treasures in the river.

Li Xiaobai recognized the weeping fat man at   a glance—it was his sixth  senior brother, Liu Jinshui. The plump man was acting again, having  procured the corpses of some cultivators to   set the scene for his wailing, his tears flowing  copiously, making the act seem quite genuine. "Fellow Daoist, please restrain your grief. May I   ask what transpired here with  you?" inquired a cultivator. "There was a treasure emerging from the  river. We ventured in to explore it but   encountered a demonic beast. In a flurry of  urgency, my older brothers got me to shore,   but they themselves could never wake up again!" Liu Jinshui seemed genuinely earnest, and as  he spoke, he began to shed tears once more. The female cultivators around  cast sympathetic glances,   their hearts softened. Living in a sect where  deceit and manipulation were commonplace,   such brotherly affection was something  they had not encountered in a long time.

"Fellow Daoist, please accept our condolences.  We are willing to retrieve the treasure for you,   but please enlighten us about the  details of that demonic beast." The cultivator who struck up  the conversation was crafty,   clearly wanting to snatch the  treasure but feigning nobility. This indeed was a concern  shared by many cultivators. The realm of the demonic beast residing  underwater—if it was at the Golden   Core stage, it might be worth a try to  engage it in a direct confrontation. "Below us lies a thousand-year-old  Dragon Turtle. Its strength isn't great,   being only at the Golden Core stage and moves  sluggishly. Still, it can spit out toxic liquid.   It was because my brothers were caught off guard  that they were poisoned," Liu Jinshui explained.

"I see. Don't worry, junior brother. With so  many of us here, we will definitely retrieve   the treasure and slay the demonic  beast to avenge the fallen heroes!" The cultivator who responded took charge  assertively, seemingly full of vigor. The other cultivators now had a sense of what  to expect: a Golden Core stage Dragon Turtle,   possessing strong defensive  power, sluggish movements,   and the ability to release toxic liquid. Even though it had a certain level of  offensiveness, it was not overly challenging.   They believed that as long as they were cautious  underwater, they could still obtain the treasure. "Hmm, thank you, fellow Daoists. Please  be sure to bring up the treasure for me;   it was exchanged for my elder brother's life,  after all!" Liu Jinshui said, sobbing mournfully. "Understood." A flicker of impatience crossed the eyes  of the cultivator who had spoken.

Having   gotten the precise information  they needed about the underwater   situation, Liu Jinshui was  of no use to him anymore. The others, looking at Liu Jinshui's foolishly  naïve demeanor, flashed looks of scorn. This   chubby fellow actually still naively believed  that everyone was genuinely helping him. It seemed he was still rather inexperienced! Li Xiaobai, hiding in the distance, quietly  observed everything before him. He had figured   out that the distress signal had been sent  by his sixth senior brother, Liu Jinshui. He had intentionally gathered the  crowd here and played the part of   a grief-stricken man, clearly scheming something. Hehe, if senior brother is stirring things up,   junior brother must certainly  get a share of the action. The surrounding cultivators grouped  together in threes and fives,   discussing strategies to contend for the treasure. These cultivators, with many  at the Golden Core stage,   all had their small cliques. To them, the  most dangerous aspect of contending for   the treasure was not the underwater demonic  beast but the other cultivators around them.

Murder and looting were common  occurrences in the Cultivation World. Obtaining the treasure was one thing;  bringing it out safely was another.   To prevent being caught in a situation  akin to 'the mantis stalks the cicada,   unaware of the oriole behind,'  they needed a foolproof plan. For the time being, the  cultivators watched each other,   with none daring to be the first to  enter the river to fetch the treasures.

Liu Jinshui had quietly left the  riverbank and hidden in the jungle. Li Xiaobai quickly followed, hanging far  behind Liu Jinshui, observing his every move. Intuition told him that this fat man  was definitely up to something big. On the riverbank, the cultivators were at a stalemate. "Everyone, guarding against each other here  is no solution. Why don't we all dive into   the water together? Whoever gets the treasure  can rely on their own skills, how about it?" The cultivator who had previously  spoken to Liu Jinshui said. "I agree, let's see what the treasure is first." "I have no objections…" "…" "Good, since nobody has any objections,   I will count to three and we'll all dive in  together," the talkative cultivator continued. "One" "Two" "Three" Not a sound was made, and none of the people  present moved.

Everyone smiled knowingly. "Hahaha, it seems that we cultivators have a  great understanding of each other. However,   just waiting like this isn't a solution. So,   to ease everyone's concerns, I will  set an example by diving in first." The talkative cultivator laughed  heartily and leaped into the water. The other cultivators, as if realizing  something, their expressions changed. "Not good, this guy is purposely leading us,   keeping us steady on the shore to gain an  advantage in the underwater treasure hunt!" "Quick, follow him.

The river stretches  long and thin. If he gets the treasure   and escapes from the riverbed, the duck  that's already in our hands will fly away!" "Dammit, I thought I was cunning enough,   but I didn't expect this Yu fellow  to be even more deceitful than I am!" "This is deep scheming!" "Really knows how to play…" Right then, the remaining cultivators no longer   hesitated and plunged into  the river one after another. Underwater, there was only a Dragon  Turtle. As long as one was careful,   it was not a problem at all. But nobody noticed that the instigator of this  incident had silently disappeared without a trace,   nor did anyone consider that the fat man  might not have been telling the truth. Money had blinded the cultivators' eyes,   and in this tense situation, everyone was  too preoccupied to consider much else. There was only one thought in their minds:  find the treasure, grab it, take it away! On the shore.

A fat man walked out of the  jungle with a beaming smile,   watching the waves churn on the  water's surface, and laughed heartily. "Hehe, what a bunch of idiots, give them  a trap and they'll bury themselves in it,   really saves me the trouble." "Your Spiritual Artifacts and  elixirs, I'll kindly accept them!" "The belongings of over a dozen Golden Core Stage  masters, just thinking about it excites me!" A windfall was within reach, and Liu  Jinshui's face flushed with excitement. However, his expression suddenly stiffened,  as a familiar voice came from behind. "Senior brother, you really know how to play!" "What deep tricks…" Chapter 35 Chapter 35 "Junior brother… what  wind has brought you here?" Seeing Li Xiaobai behind him, Liu  Jinshui felt very embarrassed;   he had finally managed to trick someone, but it  seemed he had even tricked his junior brother.

"Hehe, naturally it was the  distress signal from senior   brother that summoned junior brother  here," Li Xiaobai said with a chuckle. "When did junior brother arrive,   and why didn't you give senior brother  a heads up?" Liu Jinshui asked. "Senior brother is a busy man; junior brother  didn't want to disturb his important affairs,   and deliberately watched from  beginning to end. I must say,   senior brother's talent is rare in this world." Li Xiaobai expressed his admiration; his  sixth senior brother was truly talented,   able to come up with such tricks.

"Junior brother flatters me too much; this  world is full of wonders and marvels, which   are mostly located in forbidden areas and perilous  lands, visible but unreachable. Senior brother is   simply helping them fulfill a dream of treasure  hunting," Liu Jinshui spoke with conviction. "Senior brother's broad-mindedness is admirable;   junior brother also wishes to contribute  a modest effort to the dreams of mankind." Li Xiaobai gazed eagerly at Liu Jinshui. "How much 'modest effort' does  junior brother wish to contribute?" "Fifty-fifty?" "Twenty-eight?" "Thirty-seven?" "Deal!" Li Xiaobai's expression darkened.  Dammit, he had said too little. Indeed, senior brother was one step ahead;  there was still so much more for him to learn. Following Liu Jinshui to the river's edge, the  water surface at this moment was covered with   thousands of layers of waves, clearly indicating  that a fierce battle was unfolding beneath. "Senior brother, is there  really a treasure underwater?" "Hehe, the only thing placed by senior  brother down there is a Soul-Bewitching Array;   those so-called flashes of golden light are  nothing but illusions," he said with a sly laugh.

"Brilliant!" … At the same time, in the underwater world. It had already turned into complete  chaos here, and after entering the water,   everyone failed to spot the  alleged Demonic Beast Dragon   Turtle but instead saw a golden array  at the bottom of the water immediately. This array, with its brilliant halo  and intense golden radiance, was the   source of the extraordinary phenomenon  piercing through the water surface. At the center of the array was a Treasure  Box, and evidently, this was the treasure. The cultivator who had talked  with the fat man earlier had   a flush face and was panting heavily;  he was the first to reach the bottom,   and the treasure was right before  his eyes, within arm's reach.

Like being bewitched by some magic,  his gaze was fixed on the Treasure Box,   and his hand involuntarily reached out for it. The moment his fingers touched the  Treasure Box, a 'Plop' sound was heard. The world spun before his eyes,   and he saw a headless corpse slowly  collapsing to the floor, his own body… Underwater, the multitude of  cultivators confirmed two things:   first, the Demonic Beast Dragon Turtle was  not at the bottom of the water; second,   the array surrounding the Treasure  Box was not dangerous and would not   attack anyone entering it, meaning anyone  could reach for the Treasure Box inside. They temporarily set aside the  matter of the Dragon Turtle.

What the people now needed to do was not compete   for the Treasure Box but prevent  others from getting to it first. And so, the underwater battle began. With the treasure within reach, everyone was  seeing red, eager to survive till the end and   retrieve the Treasure Box; but as such desires  intensified, the number of deaths increased. The Golden Core Stage cultivators  went on a rampage, killing frenziedly,   not distinguishing friend from foe, hurling  various Cultivation Techniques and moves   forward with reckless abandon. Soon,  the bottom was littered with corpses,   and the blood dyed the entire  water area a bright red color.

Several minutes later, Only a dozen or so high-level Golden Core  Stage experts remained alive underwater,   all severely injured; this kind  of desperate combat was a case of   destroying a thousand enemies while  losing eight hundred of their own. But at that moment, an anomaly suddenly  emerged; the golden array at the bottom of   the water started to tremble violently, emitting  layers of pale yellow light that spread outward. A faint golden illusion hovered over the water. "What is this?" The surviving experts felt  something strange with the ripples;   they did not sense any threat coming  from the undulations of this array. "` "It must be just an illusion created by the  formation, it doesn't have any offensive power." "No, why do I feel a bit dizzy?" "You have that feeling too?" "Damn it, I've been feeling dizzy since early  this morning, thought I was the only one sick!" "No, it's this formation that's screwing with us,   it's a kind of hypnotic formation,  damn it, we've been tricked!" "It must have been that damn fatso  from earlier, definitely him!" "No need to ask, this treasure is  fake too, hurry to the surface!" "…" Everyone grew alert and tried to swim  upwards, but alas, the more they swam,   the heavier their bodies felt,  as if they were filled with lead.

The harder they tried, the faster they sank. Before long, the remaining dozen or so Golden Core   Stage experts had their eyes glassy,  lying disoriented under the water. Through their blurred vision, they saw two figures  slowly approaching, one fat and one skinny. "Senior brother, your trick is just  brilliant, I admire you so much,   but isn't this method a bit against the harmony  of heaven? So many people have died underwater,   won't people hold us accountable afterwards?" Li Xiaobai looked at the scene  underwater, heart pounding with fear. He had always heard that people who  die underwater don't sink, but float   upside-down with their heads down and their  feet up, and now he saw that it was indeed so. It looked eerily unsettling. "What's the worry? These people were  killed by their own greed. If they   weren't so obsessed with the treasure, how  could they fall for such a simple trap?" "Don't worry, junior brother,   senior brother is quite experienced in this  business, there won't be any problems." Liu Jinshui said cheerfully, beginning  to loot the bodies underwater.

The treasure box was entirely empty to start with,   and if anyone had bothered to  check, this trap would have failed,   but these cultivators had to be clever and kill  each other first, truly the epitome of stupidity. Li Xiaobai hurried to follow suit, looting  the bodies one by one. It had to be said,   the sect disciples who could enter the inner  circle had quite a bit of loot on them. Just in Spirit Stones alone, they looted  no less than a few thousand pieces. Among them were even some  medium-grade Spirit Stones.

Spiritual Artifacts and Elixirs  were too numerous to count. It was just a pity they didn't find  any higher-grade Spiritual Treasures.   If they could have gotten one like the  one in the hands of the senior sister,   that would have been really awesome. The Golden Core Stage cultivators,  who had fallen into a deep coma,   were like fat meat with all their belongings  inside their Space Rings. Liu Jinshui swiftly   took away their rings without any  intent to kill and silence them. As he put it, he only  swindled treasures, not lives. Back on shore. The two put out all they had gathered  underwater, ready to divide the spoils. "Junior brother, you're not being honest, I  clearly saw you loot bodies of eleven people,   how come there's only so little stuff?" "Senior brother, you're not  really speaking the truth either,   you almost snatched all the rings from  the Golden Core Stage cultivators,   how come the loot you've laid out is  even less than your junior brother's?" "Heh heh, the senior brother was a bit muddled  for a moment, junior brother, please forgive me." "Junior brother also accidentally missed a few  rings, please review them, senior brother." After a short tally, both Li Xiaobai and  Liu Jinshui's eyes sparkled with surprise,   the haul was much larger  than they had anticipated.

One hundred and ten stalks of Spiritual Medicine. Over three hundred bottles of Elixirs. More than seventy inner cores of Demonic Beasts. Twenty-one bundles of lower-grade Spirit  Stones, five medium-grade Spiritual Artifacts. "Junior brother, are we rich now?" "Senior brother, we are indeed rich!" Chapter 36 Chapter 36 Splitting the profits, seventy-thirty. Li Xiaobai instantly turned into a little tycoon. Spiritual Medicines, Spiritual Artifacts,   Elixirs piled up like a mountain inside the  Space Ring—these things could easily break   ten thousand once exchanged for  Spirit Stones after getting out. By then, he could even enjoy the  luxury items in his own mall. Feeling utterly content as he  gathered all the resources,   Li Xiaobai patted his bottom ready to depart. "Junior brother, do you want to make a fortune?" "Senior brother, please enlighten me!" Li Xiaobai's eyes gleamed; following his  senior brother meant meat on the table. "There are still quite a few Sect Disciples in the  inner area. We can pull one more job—this time,   let's cooperate and aim to  take them all in one swoop!" "No problem!" After preparing himself, Li  Xiaobai quickly followed Liu   Jinshui's steps upstream along the river.

"Junior brother, how do you usually  cultivate? Why is your speed so slow?" Liu Jinshui looked at Li Xiaobai, who was  sweating profusely behind him, and felt puzzled. "Senior brother, my physical body is  quite strong, but in other respects,   I'm no different from an ordinary person." Li Xiaobai felt helpless; the  problem with the System was that   it added all attributes to defense,  without much improvement in speed. "I see, no worries, senior  brother will take you flying!" Liu Jinshui patted Li Xiaobai's shoulder,  and the two of them vanished on the spot. At the top of a mountain, this used to  be the dwelling of a Golden-Winged Roc,   but for some unknown reason, the  roc was not in its territory. This location was very conspicuous, perfect  for setting up a trap for cultivators. "Junior brother, we must manifest a miracle here,   to fulfill the treasure-seeking dreams  of many cultivators," Liu Jinshui sighed.

"Senior brother is wholeheartedly  helping cultivators fulfill their   dreams. I believe they will one day appreciate  your profound intentions," Li Xiaobai replied. "If everyone had the same comprehension as junior  brother, the world could see much less strife." "Senior brother concerns  himself with the lives of all,   truly a role model for our fellow cultivators." Liu Jinshui took out a small Array Plate  and placed it on the mountain top.

His   hands were continuously forming seals and  chanting spells. The Array Plate lit up,   and luminescent patterns grew intensely bright,  forming a huge purple totem that resembled a tree. As Liu Jinshui kept infusing Spiritual Power  into the Array Plate, purple light shot into   the heavens, and a towering purple Dried Tree  Totem materialized, making quite an impact. The totem's light was so intense that anyone   seeing it would know there  had to be treasures here. "Done, our great work is complete!" Placing a Treasure Box at  the center of the formation,   Liu Jinshui let out a long sigh of relief.

"Junior brother, senior brother has offended  quite a few people. This time, more than half   of the cultivators in the inner area will be  attracted here. If senior brother shows up,   I might be recognized, so you'll have  to act this out," Liu Jinshui said. "Sixty-forty?" "Fifty-fifty?" "Deal!" Li Xiaobai felt thrilled inside, splitting   resources half and half—definitely on  his way to becoming a major financier! Liu Jinshui's face was bitter; his junior  brother was too good at exploiting opportunities. After passing a Rescue Token to Li Xiaobai,  Liu Jinshui disappeared into the jungle. Observing his surroundings, Li Xiaobai  felt that the act his senior brother   had previously performed by the  river wouldn't be suitable anymore.

The treasure box was right at the mountain peak,   and you could see it as soon as  you climbed up, which diminished   its air of mystery quite a bit. The same old  trick might not fool the many cultivators. After some thought, from his Space Ring,   he took out about a dozen Demonic Beast inner  cores and tossed them into the Formation. He used a Rescue Token to send a distress signal. Then, Li Xiaobai found a flat piece of land on the   edge of the Formation and lay  down, slowly closing his eyes. In the shadows, hidden among the  bushes, Liu Jinshui saw this set   of maneuvers and couldn't help but  give a thumbs-up in his heart. Damn,   the little junior brother surpassed his  teacher; this move was more clever than his! The mountain breeze blew softly,  and the peak was serene, with only   the giant purple shadow proclaiming  the extraordinariness of this place.

About half an hour later, several figures cautiously appeared at  the summit, clearly being very careful. Unwilling to rush rashly to the peak,  they scouted around for a while,   and after confirming that there were no dangers on  the mountain top, they slowly made their way up. If Li Xiaobai were to open  his eyes at this moment,   he would realize that all the faces  in front of him were familiar.

The two leading figures were none other than  Zhang Rui, the True Disciple of Tianwu Sect   whose arm had been cut off, and the black-robed  youth from the Holy Demon Sect he had met before. Following them were quite a few  cultivators, Sect Disciples in tow. Zhang Rui had originally planned to   leave the mountains and not get  involved in this messy affair. But he hadn't taken two steps  before a nearby mountain peak   suddenly exhibited a mystical phenomenon;   the huge Purple Dried Tree Totem was clearly the  manifestation of a great treasure being born. This reignited his ambitions, feeling  the heavens still favored him. The black-robed youth had noticed the anomaly  here after receiving a distress signal. "A great treasure has emerged, and the worthy may  claim it.

I am a True Disciple of Tianwu Sect,   and I ask everyone to show some  courtesy. My Tianwu Sect will   generously repay this favor in the  future," Zhang Rui said blandly. "Tianwu Sect and my Holy Demon Sect have  been on good terms for generations. I,   your sworn enemy, am willing to grant  you this courtesy. Nobody else move!" The black-robed man said cheerfully, gesturing  for Zhang Rui to go ahead with a hand wave. Zhang Rui looked puzzled. Since when  was his sworn enemy so easy to talk to? But when he saw the dozen or so Demonic  Beast inner cores inside the Formation,   and Li Xiaobai lying in front of the  Formation, his pupils suddenly constricted. There was something fishy about this Formation! In his haste, he had not thoroughly  observed the surroundings,   not expecting to find Li Xiaobai at  this place, and even less expecting   that even a cultivator as powerful as  Li Xiaobai had fallen victim to it. [ __ ], he was almost tricked! Those sneaky bastards from the Holy Demon  Sect had put him in an awkward position.

"Hehe, actually, I came to rescue. Getting the  treasure is secondary; what's important is saving   a life," Zhang Rui said with a chuckle  as he approached Li Xiaobai's "corpse." He crouched slightly and began  inspecting Li Xiaobai's injuries. "It's a pity that even a senior with such mighty  cultivation has succumbed to this Formation." "Hehe, don't worry, senior.

Your legacy will be  well continued by me. You severed one of my arms,   and I'll just take your Space  Ring. That's fair, right?" "Senior's belongings will be  put to great use in my hands!" Zhang Rui muttered to himself, discreetly  removing the Space Ring from Li Xiaobai's hand. The moment he saw Li Xiaobai's "corpse",  he abandoned the idea of going for the   treasures within the Formation. Li Xiaobai's  formidable power was deeply etched in his memory. Confronted with a Formation that even  such cultivation couldn't withstand,   he obviously stood no chance. What he didn't notice, though, was that the finger   from which Li Xiaobai's ring was  taken twitched imperceptibly… Chapter 37 Chapter 37 Li Xiaobai felt very annoyed at heart,   having not expected to run into an  old acquaintance in such a place. What's more, he had not anticipated that  Zhang Rui would remain as shameless as ever,   actually sneaking away with his own Space Ring.

He definitely had to give the other  party a good thrashing later on. To give him a taste of society's sinister nature! After taking away Li Xiaobai's Space Ring,  Zhang Rui retreated back into the crowd,   no longer intending to search for treasures. The man in the black robe  looked at him with contempt. "Heh, to think that a True Disciple of the Tianwu   Sect would do something so disgraceful. I  wonder how your elders teach you at home." Zhang Rui's face alternated  between pale and flushed,   but he said nothing more. He wanted to see  what was so mysterious about this formation. "Why do I not detect even a hint  of danger from this formation?" "I have the same feeling, this formation  seems to be all bark and no bite." "But if you look closely,   among the formation there are more than  a dozen inner cores of Demonic Beasts,   and that cultivator who sent a distress signal  before dying; this is clearly a perilous spot!" "You've got a point, this formation probably  killed many Golden Core Stage Demonic Beasts,   it's beyond our capability to decipher." "Fortune favours the bold.  Maybe we'll be lucky too!" The numerous disciples began  to chat and discuss spiritedly.

With the emergence of a magical treasure, it  was impossible to assume there'd be no danger;   years of cultivating experience told them  that no treasure could be easily obtained. Forget treasures, even picking a Spirit Grass by   the mountainside could lead  to unimaginable dangers. Thus, the more peaceful the mountaintop  appeared, the more unsettled everyone felt. There was definitely something wrong with the  formation, but the entire group was unable   to perceive exactly what the problem was,  leaving them somewhat at a loss for a while. "Is there any fellow Daoist  proficient in formations?   Let's study this formation together.  If we can decipher it successfully,   whatever treasure is found, we'll give  them thirty percent!" Xiang Tiandi said. "I'll do it!" From the crowd, a female  cultivator in white emerged. "It's Yun Mengqing of the Xiao Cheng Sect!" "I heard that she was brought back  from the Western Desert as a child,   inherently inheriting Buddhist teachings!" "Indeed, it is said that this  woman is devoted to cultivation,   having already severed all mundane thoughts.  Seeing her today, it truly seems the case!" "With her taking action, it  should be possible to succeed!" Astonishment flashed in Xiang Tiandi's eyes.

He   had not expected an Immortal from the  Xiao Cheng Sect to join this mission. Having the heritage of Xiao Cheng Buddhism and   having studied a myriad of texts from a  young age, Yun Mengqing was well-versed   in various types of knowledge. Maybe she  could uncover the key to this formation. "We are at your service, Yun Immortal." "It's nothing," Yun Mengqing replied  indifferently, stepping towards the formation. She first examined Li Xiaobai's injury  and couldn't help but frown. She observed   not the slightest sign of injury on Li  Xiaobai; he appeared as if merely asleep. Could it be a spiritual injury? Yun Mengqing knew that the most malevolent  attacks in the world were not aimed at the body,   but struck directly at the Primordial Spirit. With the sea of consciousness obliterated,  all profound Mana was rendered vain. It seemed she needed to be cautious. Sitting in meditation, her hands continuously  evolved formation patterns in the void,   seeking to deduce the essence  of the formation before her. Trails of faint Daoist marks manifested  in the void, intertwining incessantly,   and under the flow of their Daoist rhyme,  everyone present was deeply astounded.

Yun Mengqing, merely at the pinnacle of  the Golden Core Stage, had reached such   an extent in her comprehension of the  natural order of the universe. It was   indeed extraordinary, showing  early signs of invincibility. The formation pattern in the void  resonated with Yun Mengqing's Dantian,   and the grand chanting of the Dao rolled  forth, like the whispering of gods and Buddhas. "This formation does have some tricks,"  she murmured with a light chuckle. In her Dantian, a halo of light emerged,  and in the void, a golden Buddha Dharma   Form materialized, holding scriptures, with  profound eyes that seemed to be whispering. Being in this world, many cultivators  felt their Spiritual Platforms clear up,   their understanding of their own  cultivation techniques increased,   and the hurdles in their realms that had bound  them for a long time showed signs of loosening.

They were even more astonished in their  hearts. It was only an unusual phenomenon   evolving from a Dantian, yet it was able to  induce those nearby to break through together. Was a cultivator with a  lineage truly that terrifying? Li Xiaobai was also somewhat nervous,   as the Attribute Points in front  of him jumped continuously. [Attribute Point +10…] [Attribute Point +10…] This woman called Yun Mengqing  sure made a grand scene;   her operation of the cultivation  technique was also highly effective.   She wouldn't really be able to discern  the essence of this formation, would she? If that were the case, he would become  the public enemy of everyone here. However, at this point, he could only  brace himself and continue the act,   hoping the formation set up by his  senior wasn't just pedestrian work. The situation was much better than expected. Even after evolving in the void for a long time,   Yun Mengqing still furrowed her  brows, appearing rather troubled. She had run through the calculations dozens of  times, but the result was different each time,   as if the formation in front of her was  a living thing, changing every moment.

No wonder so many cultivators believed  the formation to be powerless,   no wonder it had killed so many  Golden Core Stage Demonic Beasts,   no wonder this nameless cultivator  died in such a bizarre manner. Such a formation, she had never seen  in her life, it was too astonishing. She stood up, casually picked up a stone, and  threw it into the formation, but nothing happened. Then she took out a Spirit Stone and  threw it in, still, nothing happened. "How is it?" she asked Tian Di. "This formation has something to  it, but I have seen through it. The   formation changes every moment. It is  random whether it becomes a Slaughter   Formation or an utterly harmless one. As of  now, this formation has no offensive power,   and one can enter and exit  at will," said Yun Mengqing.

Li Xiaobai's face twitched slightly. What  this woman said sounded pretty convincing.   He really didn't know whether to call her  an ignorant teammate or a divine assist. "Since that is the case, then what are  we waiting for? Hurry and take out the   Treasure Box. We can discuss the distribution  later!" said Tian Di, eager to dash out. Just then, a white figure flashed by,  rushing directly towards the Treasure   Box within the formation—it was Zhang  Rui, who had been waiting for a long time. A touch of mockery flashed in Tian Di's eyes.  He had just made a pretense of wanting to   draw others to test the formation; he had not  expected Zhang Rui to actually take the bait. So what if you get the Treasure Box? This place was atop a mountain, with a  cliff behind, and there was only one way   down. In the end, wouldn't he still  have to hand over the Treasure Box? However, not many cultivators could see the  situation clearly. Seeing Zhang Rui take the   lead in getting his hands on the Treasure  Box without being attacked by the formation,   their eyes immediately turned red with envy.

Many cultivators activated their techniques,   rushing towards his location,  wanting to snatch the Treasure Box. More and more cultivators surged forward,   and in the chaos, Tian Di and a few other  elites had no choice but to join the fray. There was only one path down the mountain,  and unless someone was there to block it,   whoever could seize the Treasure Box could own it. The air on the mountain top  churned, rocks shattered. Cultivation techniques of various colors collided. Yet no one noticed that the corpse  lying at the edge of the formation had,   at some point, disappeared without a trace… Chapter 38 Chapter 38 In the woods, Liu Jinshui was already  laughing so hard he was in convulsions. He truly hadn't expected these people's  imaginative capabilities to be so formidable. Especially Yun Mengqing of the Xiao Cheng  Sect, who sat cross-legged on the ground,   extrapolating formation in the void  with special effects that completely   bamboozled everyone, leading to  such an unfortunate conclusion.

It was simply an ordinary special-effect  formation, with a Soul-Bewitching Array   hidden within, attached to the mountains  and vegetation. As mountain winds blew,   the rocks and plants were constantly shifting, and  naturally, the formation would change with them. Yun Mengqing, faced with such a straightforward  problem, stubbornly used advanced methods to   deduce it from every angle, and Liu Jinshui  was on the verge of going insane from laughter. Disciples with a legacy are truly terrifying! Li Xiaobai took advantage of  everyone's lack of attention   to stealthily hide in the jungle,  his expression just as bizarre. "Senior brother, I almost thought we  were going to give ourselves away!" "Junior brother, it was Yun Mengze of the Xiao   Cheng Sect who gave us a hand.  We must remember her kindness!" "Hehe, Miss Yun is really a good Samaritan!" Li Xiaobai couldn't help but chuckle, still  vividly recalling Yun Mengqing's incantations. In the arena, the cultivators once  again erupted into fierce battle,   with familiar scenes playing out. Almost all those gathered were elites from  various major sects. After a brief clash,   many were injured, but no one was eliminated. They were much stronger than the  previous group of sect disciples.

"Xiang Tian Di, are you sure you  want to fight with me over this?" Zhang Rui's expression was dark.  With only one hand, his strength   had been somewhat diminished,  and he was somewhat outmatched. "Hehe, treasures, after all, belong to those who   are capable. Didn't you say that  yourself?" Xiang Tian Di sneered. Yun Mengqing of the Xiao Cheng Sect  seemed inclined to join forces with   him. Everyone's intention was clear:  to eliminate Zhang Rui of the Tianwu   Sect first and then continue  to fight over the treasure box.

"Fine, fine, fine, my Tianwu Sect will  remember this grudge. And Miss Yun,   I didn't expect the Xiao Cheng Sect  to be so close with the Holy Demon   Sect. It seems we'll have to  reconsider our partnership." Zhang Rui was furiously throbbing  at the temples with rage. "My Xiao Cheng Sect doesn't rely on anyone  and acts entirely according to its own   conscience," Yun Mengqing said calmly. "Fine, the treasure box is  yours. Fight over it yourselves,   I, Zhang, will no longer entertain this!" With a flick of his hand, Zhang  Rui threw the treasure box back   into the center of the formation, and the  cultivators once again went on a rampage,   throwing themselves at the treasure box. But Xiang Tian Di and Yun Mengqing still  showed no intention of letting him go,   their figures flickered as they  forcefully halted Zhang Rui's advance,   and unleashed a fierce attack  with a wave of their hands.

Waves of spiritual energy  pulsed with each move they made,   sending Zhang Rui's blood surging and  forcing him to retreat repeatedly. "What do you mean by this? I've  given you the treasure box,   why are you relentlessly pursuing me?"  Zhang Rui exclaimed in shock and anger. "Hehe, what's a treasure box compared to your  worth? Killing you to weaken the power of Tianwu   Sect, that's far more satisfying than fighting for  a treasure box," Xiang Tian Di laughed heartily. "Indeed, to maintain the friendship between  the Xiao Cheng Sect and the Tianwu Sect,   please die here, senior  brother," Yun Mengqing said. Golden light surged from Yun Mengqing's dantian,   and a Buddha's phantom appeared behind  her. Her hands transformed into numerous   scriptures, striking Zhang Rui  and sending him flying backward. A throat clear, Zhang Rui crawled on the  ground, coughing up blood in mouthfuls.

"Tianwu Sect will not let you off!" Zhang Rui's eyes were filled with venomous  resentment. He had a life-saving magic treasure,   but using it might cost him his life as well. It was at this moment that  everyone inexplicably felt dizzy,   and the spiritual power that ran  wildly inside them began to calm down. The physical strength continued to  wane, and their minds became groggy. Sometime unknowingly, rings of pale yellow light   spread out from the formation where the  treasure box was, enveloping everyone.

"No good, it's the Soul-Bewitching Array!" Yun Mengqing's face changed,  and she flew to escape,   while the other cultivators did the same,  forcing their internal cultivation techniques   to turn around in an attempt to break  free from the range of the formation. "Get back here!" A thunderous roar echoed, and an overwhelming   pressure descended from above,  causing the ground to crack. "` Liu Jinshui's eyes were wide open as he raised his  fist and smashed it down.

The violent fluctuation   of spiritual energy burst out from his body,  exposing his sixth-layer Golden Core Stage   cultivation level without any reservation, forcing  everyone back to the center of the formation. Although his cultivation level wasn't  as high as that of a few prodigies,   under the influence of the Soul-Bewitching Array,   everyone was already somewhat exhausted and  couldn't withstand Liu Jinshui's onslaught. "How… how is this possible?" "How can such an expert exist…" "Which sect's disciple is he…" "How can someone at the Golden  Core Stage have such power…" "…" In the center of the formation, the desperate  rivals struggled to open their eyes wide,   trying to discern the newcomer's appearance,   but their brains became increasingly  muddled, and their vision blurred. Only vaguely did they hear the terms  'senior brother' and 'junior brother'. What kind of genius was this, and how  could he be so powerful? This time,   they had met their downfall. Li Xiaobai looked at the many cultivators on  the ground, his heart surging with emotion.

"Senior brother is mighty. I never expected  you to have such a domineering side." "Hehe, junior brother, as they say, strike while  the iron is hot. Hesitation leads to defeat,   decisiveness is the key," Liu Jinshui said,   stroking his smooth chin  with a face full of smugness. Clearly, staving off disaster single-handedly at   the last moment had given him a  slight sense of floating on air. However, it was also a wake-up call for him;  there's always a risk when walking by the river,   as proven by this incident. If it were just  for the effect of the Soul-Bewitching Array,   he might not have been able to  deal with these cultivators. It seems that he would have to be more  careful and cautious in the future. "Senior brother's mana is boundless;  junior brother admires you!" Li Xiaobai swiftly began to collect the  space rings from the numerous cultivators. His primary target was Zhang Rui,  who had actually taken his space   ring. Li Xiaobai swore to strip everything of  value from him, not leaving him a single hair.

Having thoroughly looted Zhang Rui,   he took everything that was removable,  not sparing even a pair of underpants. "Junior brother, what grievance, what grudge?" "He just took my space ring." "Plunder the bastard!" Liu Jinshui also didn't stop his hands, adeptly  and skillfully looting rings from everyone. Not just rings—some disciples' shoes  and clothes were magic treasures as well,   all of which were packed up and taken away. When he came across the space rings of Yun Mengze  and the rival, his breathing suddenly halted. Liu Jinshui's hands trembled with excitement,  and his face flushed with exhilaration. "Damn, I've struck it rich this time!" He hurriedly looked back at Li Xiaobai,  stealthily tucking a few treasures into   his own space ring, careful not  to let his junior brother notice.

At the same time, Li Xiaobai was examining Zhang  Rui's space ring. Just one glance,   and his heart trembled fiercely, his  eyes widened, and his breathing hastened. Inside the ring were piles  of spirit stones, elixirs,   and an uncountable number of spiritual medicines. Most importantly, it contained  a few Blood Spirit Beads,   each slightly larger than the  one Zhang Rui had used before. "Damn, I'm rolling in it this time.  These are a whole bunch of attribute   points, and once I consume them, my  defensive power can advance again!" He surreptitiously pocketed the  valuable treasures from Zhang   Rui's ring.

He couldn't let his  senior brother take these gems. Casting a casual glance back at Liu Jinshui, Their eyes met, both filled  with annoyance and sighs. "Senior brother, all junk here." "Junior brother, nothing but trash here." "` Chapter 39 Chapter 39 "Ah, disciples of a great and reputable  sect, yet all they carry are Xibe goods!" Liu Jinshui's face was full of disdain  as he shook his head and sighed. "It really is a sign of declining times!" Li Xiaobai also put on an act  of lamenting for the world. "Junior brother, have you finished packing?" "All packed up." "Shall we split the loot?" "Let's do it!" Liu Jinshui clapped Li Xiaobai on the  shoulder, and the two vanished from the   spot, feeling somewhat guilty about  splitting loot at the crime scene.

For such an important task, of course one  had to find a secluded place to do it. In the inner area, a certain jungle. Li Xiaobai and Liu Jinshui  laid out all their gains. The ground glittered with a stunning  array of precious medicinal herbs and   dazzling treasures, with Spirit  Stones piled up like a mountain. "Senior brother, is this all of it?" "Junior brother, they're just Xibe goods." Li Xiaobai's face darkened, knowing he  had been duped by his senior brother. To believe that the chubby fellow would  honestly hand over all the treasures   was something Li Xiaobai would never  believe even if he were beaten to death. The fact that Liu Jinshui could lay out so many   rare items without batting an eye meant he  was hiding even more valuable treasures. Unfortunately, while rummaging through the rings,   he had blurted out his agreement with Liu  Jinshui's description of the items as Xibe goods. Now, hoping to get his hands on anything  more valuable was out of the question. "Then, let's split." Li Xiaobai sighed, and they divided the  items evenly. Although there were not   many high-tier items, it was still enough  to be considered a large sum of money.

Calculating his savings, Li Xiaobai was astonished   to find that he had over ten thousand  Lower Grade Spirit Stones on hand. Once he sold off the Spiritual  Artifacts, medicinal herbs,   and all the other miscellaneous items,  he would surely become a rich man! With such wealth, wouldn't he be able to pick  and choose luxury items from the mall at will? The thought of those flashy mounts brought  an uncontrollable smile to Li Xiaobai's lips. Lamborghini, Gundam Sentinel—these  were every man's dream. "Senior brother, won't we get caught doing this?" Li Xiaobai asked, as it was a matter grave enough   to cost them their heads. Although it  felt good to rake in the money now,   when it came time to settle the score later, not  even ten heads would be enough to appease them.

"What's there to fear? We only  went in after the Soul-Bewitching   Array took effect. Nobody saw our faces, relax!" "Plus, these cultivators are all about  face. If someone takes their Space Rings,   it's their own fault for not being skilled enough.   They can't blame others and certainly  won't publicly call for our heads." Liu Jinshui was completely unconcerned,   having done this sort of thing more than a  dozen times and becoming quite adept at it. Li Xiaobai's face darkened. So, they  wouldn't call for their heads publicly,   but that meant they would  be hunted down in private.

As expected, his senior brother was unreliable. "Junior brother, do you specialize in  cultivating your body?" Liu Jinshui   suddenly asked, pinching Li Xiaobai's muscles. "Yes, I train for defensive  strength," Li Xiaobai replied,   slightly puzzled and honestly answering without  fully grasping his senior brother's intention. "How strong an attack can it withstand?" "Nascent Soul Stage is not a problem." "Keep blowing your own trumpet!"  Liu Jinshui was utterly skeptical. Li Xiaobai immediately took out a  Demonic Beast inner core from his Space   Ring and swallowed it whole. Thunder  rolled and smoke rose from his body. After a moment, Li Xiaobai let out a satisfied  burp and exhaled a breath of impure air. Liu Jinshui watched, dumbfounded. "Damn it, junior brother, how did you  cultivate to become so strong? It's been   less than a month since you started,  and you've become this powerful!" Liu Jinshui was shocked.

Everyone knew  how fragile the inside of a body could be,   yet his little junior brother was able to  swallow a Demonic Beast inner core whole,   allowing the wild Spiritual Energy to wreak havoc  in his Dantian. With such a level of physical   strength, he might indeed be able to withstand  an attack from someone at the Nascent Soul Stage. "Junior brother, your physical prowess  is wasted on petty thievery. Don't you   want to pull off a big heist?" Liu  Jinshui whispered mysteriously. "Please teach me, Senior Brother!" Li Xiaobai knew that an opportunity  to make money had come again. "Do you know why all the major  sects are gathered here?" "The Dragon Serpent Fruit deep within the mountain   range?" Li Xiaobai thought of  what Yin Susu had said before. "Junior Brother is well-informed, indeed  knowing about the Dragon Serpent Fruit. Correct,   the cause of the uprising of the demonic beasts  is due to a mature Dragon Snake Fruit Tree." "All the major powers have come, ostensibly to  purge the demonic beasts and suppress the unrest,   but in reality, they want to share in the  spoils deep within the mountain range." Liu Jinshui said with some surprise,   finding it unexpected that Li Xiaobai  also knew about the Dragon Serpent Fruit.

"Could it be that Senior Brother  also wants a share of the spoils?" "Indeed, our Second Senior Sister had controlled  the State Preceptor to learn about the approximate   location of the Dragon Serpent Fruit before  entering the mountain range. At this moment,   many top practitioners from various  sects are purging the demonic beasts;   their speed of entering the core area of the  mountain range isn't fast. We could certainly   take a step ahead and snatch the Dragon  Serpent Fruit before the other sects do." "Has Senior Brother found it?" "Indeed, currently only I know where it is." "The area near the Dragon Serpent  Fruit must be extremely dangerous,   right?" Li Xiaobai said dryly.

"Isn't that why I have you, Junior  Brother?" Liu Jinshui chuckled slyly. "Seventy-thirty?" "Sixty-forty it is, to leave a share for  the other Senior Brothers and Sisters." "Deal!" "Let's go!" … At the same time, deep within the Divine  Beast Mountain Range by the riverside. The many cultivators trapped within the  Soul-Bewitching Array gradually came to. After floundering in the water  for a bit, they all came ashore. "Damn it, that damn fatso tricked  us; he must have taken the treasure!" "But if he had the power to obtain the treasure,  why would he need to trick us into the water?" "Isn't it obvious? He wanted us  to trigger the formation first,   so he could pick up an easy bargain!" "No, wait, have you guys noticed  you're missing something?" "My Space Ring is gone!" "Mine too!" "Could it have fallen into the water?" "Impossible.

The ring is very secure;   unless someone took it off,  it can't fall off on its own!" "It was that damned fatso, he tricked us  into the water just to steal our rings!" "…" Atop a certain mountain peak, the same scene unfolded again. After the Soul-Bewitching Array vanished,  everyone came to, and the first thing they   did was check for injuries. Finding none  too serious, they breathed a sigh of relief. However, they soon realized something was amiss. Their hands were empty; the Space  Rings had vanished without a trace. "Damn it, someone took my Space Ring!" "Mine is gone, too!" "My Primordial Armor has been swiped,  and it's a Mid-grade Spiritual Artifact!" "That's my life's savings!" The cultivators howled in  distress.

One cultivator felt   his finger, and his expression changed  instantly—his ring was also missing. Not only his, even Yun Mengqing from Xiao  Cheng Sect had an astonished expression;   she found not only her ring was stolen,  but even the soft armor she wore close   to her body had been removed, causing  her face to flush with embarrassment. But the most unfortunate had to be Zhang Rui. He had been stripped clean from head  to toe, not to mention Space Rings;   even his underpants had been taken. He  was quite literally embracing nature. "Who the hell did this, I, Zhang Rui,  will never be on good terms with you!" Chapter 40 Chapter 40 The jeers from the outside world could no  longer be heard by the one who instigated them. At this moment, Li Xiaobai was pacing along  the edge of a jungle with Liu Jinshui. Before them lay a wasteland, or more precisely, a  peculiar tree stood alone on a bare patch of land. The tree had an odd shape, with branches forming   z-shaped patterns and a fiery red  hue, which made it quite bizarre.

The tree bore no leaves but had nine silver  fruits hanging straight from its branches. There was no danger from the tree itself, but  a Slaughter Formation was laid out beneath it,   pulsing with crimson light that  carried a tinge of blood in the air,   detectable even from a great distance. Metal inside the formation clanged sharply,   causing a piercing noise that  made people's eardrums tremble. It was certain that not a few  had died in this formation. Li Xiaobai's skin crawled, "Is this the Dragon Serpent Fruit?" "Exactly, there are a total of nine fruits on  that tree. Just eating one can strengthen one's   foundation, making the path of cultivation  smoother, as well as rapidly enhance the   physical body. It is a perfect match for  your cultivation practice, Junior Brother." Liu Jinshui said cheerfully. "Then how do we enter the  formation to get the fruits?" "Elder Brother never said we came  here to get the fruits, did he?" "So, Elder Brother means to say…" "Junior brother, you specialize  in cultivating the body, so you   should be able to move freely  through the formation, right?" "Could it be that Elder Brother intends to…" "Heh heh, Junior Brother, you know me  best.

The Dragon Serpent Fruit and such   are trivial — if we're going to do  something, let's do something big!" Liu Jinshui chuckled mischievously. "Brilliant…" … At the same time, in the core area of the  Divine Beast Mountain Range, several elders had used their Great Divine Powers  to clear all the Demonic Beasts in the vicinity. "Elder Feng, the experts from Tianwu   Sect have already taken the lead and left  for the core area of the mountain range." An expert from the Holy Demon Sect  reported to the elder in gray.

"Hmph, those guys must have colluded with  the people from Zhenyuan Country long ago;   they probably already know  the exact location of the   Dragon Serpent Fruit. Let's not search  blindly; follow them straight away!" The elder's face darkened. Everyone had  agreed to clear the Demonic Beasts first,   then enter the core of the  mountain range together. Now, Tianwu Sect had broken the  rules, which was truly loathsome. They flickered and quickly vanished  into the depths of the dense jungle. The same scenario was unfolding in  various parts of the dense jungle. The experts and elders from various Sects were  almost simultaneously rushing to the core area   of the mountain range. The Dragon Serpent  Fruit was a treasure of heaven and earth,   and whoever saw it had a share; they couldn't  let Tianwu Sect and Zhenyuan Country hog it all.

But just then, the Tokens they held  all started to flash with light. "Is this a distress signal?" "The location is in the core area!" "Damn, someone's beaten us there, but it  looks like they're in quite some trouble." "Hehe, I bet the location of  this distress signal is right   near the Dragon Serpent Fruit Tree.  Let's follow the signal directly!" The figures of everyone burst forth,  swiftly weaving through the jungle. Half an hour later, in the midst of a desolate land, the elders and experts from various Sects had all  gathered, looking at each other in consternation.

The experts from Tianwu Sect and Zhenyuan  Country had faces filled with confusion   and anger; they hadn't anticipated  that despite having a head start,   the main force had still caught up with them. What was even more unexpected to them was  that someone had already reached the Dragon   Snake Fruit Tree and emitted a distress signal,  attracting numerous cultivators to come over. Damn it, who the hell is stirring up trouble? "Chen Kun, while everyone was  busy clearing out Demonic Beasts,   you sneakily went with Zhenyuan Country's  people into the core area.

Don't you think   you owe everyone an explanation?"  Elder Feng said indifferently. "Hehe, you've misunderstood. Our two  groups just happened to come together.   We've been chasing Demonic Beasts all the way  here. If you don't believe it, just take a look!" The white-robed elder from Tianwu Sect pointed   to several Demonic Beast corpses on  the ground and spoke indifferently. These Demonic Beasts seemed to be  a few of the nearby beast kings,   one of which had a cultivation level that  astonishingly reached the Nascent Soul Stage,   clearly drawn here by the Dragon Snake Fruit Tree. "Indeed. We only wanted to kill Demonic  Beasts, but unexpectedly stumbled upon   the Dragon Snake Fruit Tree. Life is  sometimes just that magical, isn't it?" The expert from Zhenyuan Country explained. Regarding the two's statements, everyone  naturally had a hard time believing them,   but the most important thing right now was to get  the Dragon Serpent Fruits as soon as possible. This was the ultimate goal of the group's journey. "I'll be taking the Nascent Soul Demonic  Beast's inner core. No objections,   right?" Elder Feng spoke lightly.

"Elder Feng is free to do as he  pleases," Chen Kun said nonchalantly. "Now, shall we discuss the distribution of the  Dragon Serpent Fruits?" asked the other experts. "That's something for later. The key  right now is how to break the Formation." "Hehe, my Xiao Cheng Sect has some insights into  Formations. You see, within this Formation…" "What the [ __ ], there's someone inside?" "Could it be that my eyes are deceiving me?" The elderly woman from Xiao Cheng Sect  rubbed her eyes, her face full of shock.

"Damn, there really is a figure.  We didn't even notice it earlier!" "Grandma's, this is way too creepy…" It wasn't until now that the  others reacted. In the midst   of the iron-blood Formation stood a figure,  motionless, which was quite spine-chilling. "That must be the cultivator who  sent the distress signal earlier.   Rushing blindly into the formation,  he's probably dead as a doornail." Chen Kun furrowed his brows tightly;  he kept feeling that something was off.

"Forget about him for now,   let's continue studying the Formation.  This is a Metal Slaughter Formation,   primarily focused on killing. The sound of metal  friction is produced by the Metal Slaughter's Qi." "On the surface, it seems just  like strands of faint golden mist,   but each strand holds the force of ten thousand  jun, full of tremendous power. Moreover,   the blood qi is turbulent within the  Formation, it's clear that many living   beings have died here. A living sacrifice  will probably double the Formation's power…" The Xiao Cheng Sect crone spoke  authoritatively about the Formation.

What everyone did not know was that  inside the Formation at this moment,   a young man was watching them with  a look of enjoyment on his face. Li Xiaobai was feeling so ecstatic he  wanted to sing out loud immediately. The power of the Formation was just  perfect, the fierce Metal Slaughter's   Qi constantly cutting into his body while  his Attribute Points were skyrocketing. [Attribute Points +100…] [Attribute Points +100…] [Ding! Host continuously affected by  Metal Slaughter's Qi, skill upgrade:   Nine Revolutions Undying Sword  Intent second revolution.] [Ding! Detected… skill upgrade: Nine Revolutions  Undying Sword Intent third revolution.] [Ding! Detected… skill upgrade:  Super Abdominal Muscles.] Super Abdominal Muscles: When  I earnestly tighten my abs,   even a Daluo Golden Immortal cannot shake me.

[Attribute Points: 20000.] All points to defense! [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden  Body third revolution. (2000/30000)] "Hehe, this Formation is  truly a natural blessed land!" Chapter 41 Chapter 41 "Thanks to Sixth Senior Brother's  suggestion, the continuous damage   from this formation is more powerful  than any attack by demonic beasts." Attribute points are increasing every moment,   and Li Xiaobai feels the impulse to live here  from now on, but these are just thoughts. At this point, Liu Jinshui had quietly blended  into the crowd, ready to show off his moves! Xiao Cheng Sect is said to be associated  with a power in the Western Desert,   which is a gathering place for the Buddhist Sect.  The Buddhist Law is profound and extraordinary. This Xiao Cheng Sect originated from  one of the sects in the Western Desert,   and although it only received  a small part of the heritage,   it has enough footing to stand  firm in the Northern Region. Even though it isn't a major sect, its insights  and heritage are not to be underestimated.

Everyone was listening intently to the old  woman as she analyzed the formation before them. The old woman spoke with authority, and the  crowd agreed. It was clear that the formation   was malicious, with fierce Yang energy circulating  within, revealing an undeniable aura of slaughter. With only the cultivation levels of Divinity  Transformation Stage and Nascent Soul Stage   among those present, forcing their  way through would be challenging;   they had to sit down and use their brains. "Esteemed seniors, our goal is to harvest the  Dragon Snake Fruits. I have a method that can   let the Dragon Snake Fruits come out on their own  without breaking the formation," said a voice. Just as everyone was deep in thought, a  naive and honest voice broke the silence. This was a chubby man with a trustworthy  appearance, looking simple and honest. "Oh? Do tell, what is your strategy?"  asked Elder Feng from Holy Demon Sect.

"I wonder if the seniors have noticed,   the human shadow within the formation  has not died and is completely bare. I   speculate that this is not a cultivator,"  the simple and honest chubby man said. "Hiss!" "The shadow is indeed moving!" "Indeed, it was an oversight on  my part. The shadow stands still,   but it isn't completely  motionless. It's a living thing!" "Able to freely move through the  formation without any intention   to take the Dragon Snake Fruits, could it be…" "Could it be possible that…" All present were top experts  from various major sects,   and combining the fatty's words, a  possibility immediately came to mind. "This is a precious treasure!" "Legends say that when a  heavenly treasure is born,   it may turn into a human shape. Whoever  possesses it will benefit enormously!" "That's right, it's rumored that three years ago,  the Sect Leader of the Spirit Sword Sect obtained   an elixir capable of transformation in a secret  realm, which led him to the peak of his life!" "This Dragon Snake Fruit Tree actually has  one fruit that has transformed into human   form.

This is indeed a heavenly treasure  and should not be treated as ordinary!" "Exactly…" From the back of the crowd came more  exclamations, shedding further light   on the speculation that was in everyone's minds. These were several other Senior  Brothers and Sisters from Misty   Peak who also rushed over after  receiving a distress signal. They immediately spotted the  pretentious Liu Jinshui and   his junior brother in the middle of the formation. Although they hadn't communicated much before,  they knew Liu Jinshui too well and naturally   guessed that the two of them probably  wanted to trick these big shots together.

Seeing a few familiar figures among the crowd,  Li Xiaobai felt much calmer. Having a few of his   own people hidden among the many big shots  still brought him a good deal of comfort. "Hehe, looks like everyone agrees  with me. The number of Dragon Snake   Fruits isn't nine, but ten!" Elder Feng chuckled. "This Dragon Snake Fruit in  itself is an extraordinary   fruit of heaven and earth. Now that  one of them has taken a human shape,   its grade might just have improved by  a notch," Elder Feng said cheerfully.

"How does that matter if we can't break the  formation? All these are merely illusions,   visible but untouchable," Chen Kun from  Tianwu Sect scoffed. He could already   anticipate how intense the competition  would be afterward. A fruit that could   transform was something that would benefit  immensely anyone who consumed it, not just   those at the Divinity Transformation Stage, but  even those at the Tribulation Crossing Stage. I suppose I have to fight for my life today. "Hehe, elders, no need to rush. As I just said,   we can entice the Dragon Serpent Fruit to  come out on its own," Liu Jinshui spoke again. "Then, young friend, what's this  brilliant method you speak of?" Elder Feng found himself increasingly fond of the   chubby fellow— simple and honest yet  also remarkably attentive to detail. "This fruit has taken human form, meaning it  has awoken its spiritual intelligence. However,   currently, the Dragon Serpent  Fruit's intelligence should be   rather low. We can fully use trade as  a way to have the transformed Dragon   Serpent Fruit take the initiative  to pluck and hand over the fruit." A sly glint flickered in Liu Jinshui's eyes   as he maintained his seemingly  innocent and honest demeanor.

"Trade?" "You mean, we should trade resources  for the Dragon Serpent Fruit?" A thought dawned on Elder Feng;  this was indeed a viable solution. A Dragon Serpent Fruit capable of transforming  is truly a rare treasure from heaven and earth.   No amount of resources spent in exchange  would be too much, and if they really   could resolve the matter through a trade,  it would actually be to their own benefit. "Indeed, I dare to take the liberty of  attempting this on behalf of the elders!" Liu Jinshui's expression was resolute,   his words ringing with conviction as  everyone present nodded in agreement.

A smile crept across Elder Feng's lips;  this youngster was good—bold, meticulous,   willing to offer advice, and always  considering the elders' perspectives,   proving to be very thorough in his thoughts. The other sect's high-ranking experts also looked  upon Liu Jinshui with friendly and approving eyes. "Not bad at all, I haven't  yet asked for your name,   young friend. Which sect are you  from?" asked Elder Feng with a smile. "I'm just a loose cultivator, nothing worth  mentioning," Liu Jinshui replied modestly. "Thank you for your efforts this time,  young friend. This is the Token of the   Holy Demon Sect. Should you need it  someday, you're welcome to visit us   at the Holy Demon Sect," said Elder  Feng as he tossed a token to him. "Hehe, this is my Tianwu Sect's Token. I, too,  would be very pleased to have you, young friend,   come and visit my humble abode," said Chen Kun,  unwilling to be outdone as he threw out a token. "Here is the Xiao Cheng Sect's Token.  With this, you may spend half a day   in our Scripture Pavilion.

While we  may not compare to the great sects,   our sect has deep roots and countless volumes  in our collection. Consider it a token of   gratitude for your help," said the old woman,  equally competitive as she threw out a token. "Thank you for your kind regard, elders.  I am truly overwhelmed," said Liu Jinshui,   his heart almost bursting with joy. Damn, he  couldn't help but look forward to what these   eminent experts' expressions would be like once  they discovered the true situation.

However,   his face was still the picture of honesty  as he pretended to be overwhelmed. The crowd was very pleased with his attitude. Behind them, the people of Misty Peak  wore strange expressions. It seemed to   them that these esteemed figures  might be here for comedic relief,   even helping to count the money  for the one who had tricked them. Trying to hold back laughter  was truly uncomfortable,   their cheeks flushed with the effort. … Within the Formation, Li Xiaobai had been  closely observing Liu Jinshui's every move,   taking note of everyone's words and actions. When he saw Liu Jinshui step forward, he  knew it was time for his own performance. By this time, Liu Jinshui had cautiously  approached the edge of the Formation. He took out a mid-grade Spirit  Stone and waved at Li Xiaobai. "Fruit brother, I'm offering  you a mid-grade Spirit Stone!" "A mere mid-grade Spirit Stone, you  dare to present it as if it's worthy?" "What about a high-grade Spirit Stone?" "Hand it over to me." Chapter 42 Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Time to eat you! Translator: 549690339 Liu Jinshui made a highly exaggerated motion,   tossing the Spirit Stone in  his hand into the formation.

"Hmm, not bad, a high-grade  Spirit Stone," Li Xiaobai said,   delighted as he pocketed the Spirit Stone. "Fruit brother, are you selling those  Dragon Serpent Fruits behind you?" "Not selling." "Ten high-grade Spirit Stones?" "What are you thinking!" "A hundred?" "Are you dreaming?" "How about one thousand  high-grade Spirit Stones then?" "Deal!" Liu Jinshui pretentiously took out a  Space Ring and handed it to Li Xiaobai.

"Junior brother, watch the heat. These people,   though fools with money, can cause a  backlash if you scam them too harshly." "Hehe, don't worry, elder  brother, I know my limits." Li Xiaobai returned to the Dragon Snake Fruit  Tree and plucked all the fruits in one go,   but when he turned around, he accidentally  tripped over something at his feet. Looking down, it was a fragment, crystal clear  and glowing with a crimson light from within,   growing under the Dragon Snake Fruit  Tree—it couldn't possibly be ordinary. He bent down to pick it up. The fragment turned into a streak of light  and disappeared into Li Xiaobai's forehead. Simultaneously, the Attribute  Panel made a slight adjustment. [Attribute Points +10000.] Hiss! What was this? It actually added ten  thousand Attribute Points all at once! Li Xiaobai's face was filled with shock.

Just  a small fragment could contain such a level of   power, and it had even merged into his body on its  own—hopefully, it wouldn't cause any problems. He frantically checked himself  over but found nothing unusual. Li Xiaobai, not knowledgeable in cultivation,  couldn't internally inspect his own body,   but from what he could tell, the fragment  seemed to be something beneficial. If he ever saw other fragments in the future,  he definitely couldn't let them slip by. "Woof woof!" Just as Li Xiaobai was about to turn around  and leave, a few barks came from behind him. Right where he had tripped  before, under the fragment,   there was a small pit with a palm-sized  white scruffy dog lying in it. The little scruffy dog was all white and fluffy,   struggling to open its two black eyes,  appearing as though it had just been born. After the fragment disappeared, it seemed  to become somewhat restless and anxious,   throwing punches and kicks in the small pit  and sniffing around at the smells nearby.

Seemingly attracted by Li Xiaobai's scent,   it trotted over with its short legs and  persistently tried to burrow into his clothes. "Who are you?" Li Xiaobai pulled the scruffy dog  out of his pant leg and asked. "Woof woof woof!" The scruffy dog continued to energetically  burrow into Li Xiaobai's pant leg,   as if there was something there that attracted it. "Why are you here?" "Woof woof woof!" "What was that fragment just now?" "Woof woof woof!" "Can't you talk, you mutt?" "Woof woof woof!" Li Xiaobai was at a loss for words.  Weren't all spirit-touched demonic   beasts supposed to be able to speak?  Why was this one a bit different? "But this little scruffy dog has been  living with that mysterious fragment;   clearly, it's a treasure too,  so let's take it with us!" With thoughts whirling in his mind,   he stuffed the scrappy dog into his clothes at  his chest and wrapped it up well.

Li Xiaobai,   holding the Dragon Serpent Fruit he had  just picked, walked towards Liu Jinshui. The Dragon Serpent Fruit looked small, but  it was quite heavy, like a little lead ball. He raised a Dragon Serpent Fruit high and  openly handed it to Liu Jinshui in front of the   many powerful figures, while secretly and quietly  passing the remaining five fruits to him as well. These are for the brothers and sisters  of Misty Peak, one for each person. "Thank you for the fruit, brother!" "Hehe, no problem at all!" The two of them conducted their trade openly,  the competing predecessors watching clearly.   They did not expect the Dragon Serpent  Fruit to have birthed such intelligence,   even knowing how to negotiate. The fruit's  value was probably beyond their imagination. However, this also proved that it was indeed  feasible to trade for the Dragon Serpent Fruits.

"Senior fellows, I have successfully  obtained one fruit at the price of a   thousand high-grade Spirit Stones. The remaining   fruits are left for the seniors to distribute  among yourselves. I will take my leave now!" Holding the fruit in his hand, Liu Jinshui cupped  his fists towards the many Sect Elders and bowed. Afterward, with a light tap of his feet,   his figure shot away and he  quickly fled into the distance. "Looks like this kid is not really a fool." "Hehe, how could someone who made it  to the Golden Core Stage be a fool?" "But for someone so young to reach the sixth level  of the Golden Core Stage is indeed extraordinary!" "What a pity for my Token." After Liu Jinshui left, several people from the  sects immediately followed him in secret.

Clearly,   they wanted to catch up with Liu  Jinshui and kill him for his treasure. This kind of situation was not  uncommon in the Cultivation World:   the innocent are blameless;  possessing a treasure is the crime. The powerhouses knew that this simple and honest  fat man was probably not going to survive. Among those who followed were people from  Misty Peak. Although the other sects also   had elite experts, they likely couldn't  handle Misty Peak's brothers and sisters. Li Xiaobai took a deep breath; now it was his  stage alone. He unconsciously touched his chest,   and the scrappy dog was behaving,  neither whining nor fussing. "Cough cough, young friend,  may I speak with you a moment?" Unable to resist any longer, Chen  Kun of the Tianwu Sect stepped   forward and asked. He was extremely  eager for the Dragon Serpent Fruit. With one fruit, it was very likely that he could  break through to the next realm. He had to get it. "Who are you? If you want to  talk, come in by yourself!" Li Xiaobai raised an eyebrow  and spoke indifferently.

He   had no good feelings towards the Tianwu Sect. Chen Kun was furious but still  needed the other party's help,   so he had to temporarily  suppress the anger in his heart. "Old man here would like to make a trade  with the young friend, what do you say?" "Speak." "I am willing to offer a thousand  high-grade Spirit Stones for the   Dragon Serpent Fruit that the young friend has." "Old geezer, you want to buy my brother?" Upon hearing these words, Li Xiaobai  flew into a rage, cursing at Chen Kun. Behind him, Elder Feng and others laughed  heartily. Seeing the Tianwu Sect get put   in their place was something they eagerly  wished for. For the moment, they were in no   hurry to come forward and speak, preferring  to watch Chen Kun make a fool of himself. Chen Kun was confused; something was off  with how things started. His approach was   similar to what the fat man had just done, so  why was the attitude so different towards him? Shouldn't the other party have welcomed  him with a smile and readily agreed? Why   was it completely different when it came to him? Could it be that the price wasn't right? Yeah, that must be it; this  transformed fruit is greedier.

"A thousand high-grade Spirit Stones, plus fifty  Lower Grade Spiritual Medicines, how about that?" Chen Kun smiled, a cold glint flickering in  his eyes. No one in this world dared to make   money off him, nor could they. Whatever  this transformed fruit had taken in now,   in the end, it would have to  spit it all out with interest. But the next second, his smile vanished. "Are you trying to drive a wedge  between me and my brother?" "With just that much money, you  want to play 'Infernal Affairs'?" "Eat [ __ ]!" Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Li Xiaobai entered full-on bragging mode. He was now the man in charge — and such a man  should exhibit the grandeur fitting of his status. If he acted too cautiously and timidly, it  would only arouse suspicion in these sly folks. Indeed, the less scheming and  calculating Li Xiaobai appeared,   the less doubts people had in their minds. Having maneuvered in the cultivation  world for several hundred years,   deceiving a newly sentient child  was as easy as pie, wasn't it? "Hehe, Fruit Brother, don't be angry,   this old fool doesn't know any better and  lacks tact, don't stoop to his level." Elder Feng stepped forward, grinning as he spoke.

Chen Kun's face turned from green to red in quick  succession, dark and almost dripping with gloom. However, considering the crucial timing,   he didn't want to create any trouble  and could only endure silently. "Old man, you're quite impressive, very eloquent.  Do you also want to buy a Dragon Serpent Fruit?" Li Xiaobai asked with a smile, a stark  contrast to his earlier demeanor. "Indeed, how much would it take to make a  purchase?" Elder Feng inquired tentatively. "How much do you have?" "One thousand top-grade spirit stones,  plus fifty stalks of mid-grade spiritual   medicine," Elder Feng quoted, upping  the bid slightly better than Chen Kun's.

"All of these are for my brothers!"  Li Xiaobai declared indignantly. "And then?" "You need to add more money!" Li Xiaobai's eyes narrowed,  staring intensely at Elder Feng. "So, it's just a matter of the price not being  right? Easy, these are all trivial issues." Elder Feng let out a sigh of relief,  simultaneously cursing in his heart,   damn, turns out this guy is just greedy for money;   he almost thought they were really about to  witness a melodrama of deep brotherly love. "Two thousand top-grade spirit stones, one  hundred stalks of mid-grade spiritual medicine." "Deal!" Li Xiaobai reached out and  took Elder Feng's space ring,   sliding it onto his finger, yet didn't  immediately hand over the fruit. "I still have seven brothers; as the eldest,  I hope my siblings can all find a good home." "This old man has already  reserved one of my brothers;   who else wants to take home one of my brothers?" Ignoring Elder Feng's shocked gaze, Li  Xiaobai began to call out for more offers.

Elder Feng's expression changed;   he instinctively felt something was amiss.  He had given away his resources but hadn't   received the fruit in return—surely  there couldn't be any deceit going on? Chen Kun's expression also seemed to  be enjoying the situation; thankfully,   he hadn't given up his resources ahead  of time. Given the circumstances,   even if he had paid, whether he'd actually  get the goods was another matter entirely! "Fruit Brother, I would also like  to reserve one," came a voice. "But I don't have that many spiritual medicines or  spirit stones; can we trade with goods instead?" The elder from Xiao Cheng Sect  also moved closer to the action.

"What good goods do you have?" "I have a copper mirror that can  reflect the heavens, the earth,   and people's hearts. This mirror, crafted by a  disciple of Elder Tianji from Central Province,   allows no one to hide once  they are reflected within it.   It is quite extraordinary," the elder said  confidently, clearly having faith in the mirror. Too bad she overestimated her proposition;  Li Xiaobai needed items that could enhance   defensive power, and this trinket  was of no use to him whatsoever. Casually, he tossed the copper mirror back to her. "This is dross, this is trash,  and can't take my brothers away!" The old woman's breath caught; she didn't expect  Li Xiaobai to be so discourteous. It seemed that   this unfortunate item only recognized  spirit stones and spiritual medicine.

To think that such a precious mirror was  bluntly called trash—it was obviously   her own lowliness, and yet she had the  nerve to blame someone else's mirror. She had no idea that Li Xiaobai's  store had everything one could want,   except for Spirit Stones. "This old body offers two  thousand high-grade Spirit Stones,   plus a hundred mid-grade Spiritual Medicines." "You're thinking too small, with such a petty  amount of money, you might as well be begging!" Li Xiaobai looked disdainful, infuriating the  old crone to the point of almost exploding in   rage.

She had given a bid identical to  Elder Feng's and was now being scorned. However, this commotion made everyone realize  that each time Li Xiaobai announced his price,   it was much higher than the previous one. Damn it, it's just a Dragon Serpent Fruit,   yet he's so greedy. Who knows  who he learned that from! "Two thousand high-grade Spirit Stones, plus one  hundred mid-grade commodity Spiritual Medicines!" "Deal!" "Wait a moment!" Just as the old crone was about  to hand over the resources to   Li Xiaobai, Elder Feng stopped her movements. "I have already offered a  vast amount of resources,   but have not yet received the fruit. There  might be something fishy going on here." "Elder Feng, I wonder if you could produce the   fruit you just bought from me,"  asked Elder Feng with a smile.

"What's the hurry? Let me confirm the buyer first  and then I will give you the fruit all at once. Do   you think I, the great Dragon Serpent Fruit, would  default on a debt?" Li Xiaobai said, displeased. "Elder Feng did not mean that. It's just  that you, Brother Fruit, keep delaying in   handing over the Dragon Serpent Fruit, which  keeps us anxious," Elder Feng explained. "What's there to be anxious about?  That ignorant old man just now,   and this old crone, they both made  their bids without so much as a furrow   in their brows. It's you who's been  fussing and nagging all this time." "Perhaps you're pretending to be uneasy,   but in truth, you want to swallow up all  my resources for yourself, don't you?" At these words, Elder Feng's  expression also changed.

This was a topic that involved everyone's  interests, and it was not easy to respond. "Don't think I don't know what you're  planning. You just want to ruin my   reputation so that my business fails,  leaving you as the only buyer!" Li Xiaobai fully entered his  role, pressing aggressively. At these words, not only Elder Feng,   but the expressions of the other big  shots also began to look strange. Although the Holy Demon Sect was quite agreeable  on normal days and had a not-so-stiff relationship   with several other factions, none who had climbed  to this level were soft-hearted or merciful.

They all knew that the sort of scheme Li  Xiaobai was talking about was definitely   within the capabilities of  the Holy Demon Sect's people. Without further hesitation,   the old crone immediately handed  over the Space Ring to Li Xiaobai. "Brother Fruit, I, from Yun Mengze, would like  to reserve a spot. Please remember me," she said. "Mm, rest assured, just stand to the side for now,   and I'll contact you later," Li Xiaobai said  indifferently with his hands behind his back. The remaining experts immediately stepped  forward, one after another handing over   their Space Rings to Li Xiaobai, fearing  they were too slow to make their bid. "Three thousand high-grade Spirit Stones…" "Two hundred high-grade Spiritual Medicines…" "Five jin of Profound Iron…" "What about three Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotuses?" "I also have a batch of  Celestial Horned Horses…" The original trade slowly  started to turn into an auction. Chen Kun of Tianwu Sect also  joined the bidding again. The thoughts of the crowd  were actually very consistent,   that was, it was unlikely they would  truly trade with Li Xiaobai; the   resources were merely temporarily  stockpiled with the other party.

Once they got the fruit in hand, they planned to  think of a way to swindle it out. At that time,   the crowd could simply divide the  humanoid fruit among themselves,   and the resources given out would  ultimately return to their own hands. What Li Xiaobai didn't know was  that, in the back of the crowd,   a young man in white was coldly  watching everything unfold. … Chapter 44 Chapter 44 Feng Wuxie had also followed the distress signal,  hoping to have a chance to get a share of the   loot, but as soon as he saw Li Xiaobai,  he immediately realized what was going on.

It was a trap; Li Xiaobai was using his  treasure to move freely within the formation,   conducting transactions with  the numerous powerful figures. And he had succeeded. Thinking of Li Xiaobai's bulging Space Ring,  Feng Wuxie's heart was ablaze with desire. "I must find a way to kill him,   then not only that supreme treasure  but all of his resources will be mine!" However, there was no opportunity  at the moment, once outside,   on the way to the Holy Demon Sect, there  would be plenty of time to kill him.

This trip to the mountains had  been immensely rewarding for him;   advancing to the peak of the Golden  Core Stage was not a problem at all,   and if lucky, even reaching the threshold  of the Nascent Soul Stage was possible. With a cold glint flickering in his eyes,   Feng Wuxie's figure twisted  and vanished into the jungle. … Before the formation, Li  Xiaobai, with a radiant face,   was accepting Space Rings  handed over by the crowd. These big shots were very cooperative,  not only giving a substantial increase   but also without any delay, promptly  handing over their Space Rings. Li Xiaobai thought to himself that if  he were to give up so many resources,   it would be better to be killed instead.

Big shots indeed, their courage and composure  was something he could not compare to. Having secured all eight Space  Rings and checked them thoroughly,   Li Xiaobai's heart was about  to leap from excitement. Over ten thousand Upper Grade Spirit Stones,  over ten thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones,   innumerable Lower Grade Spirit Stones,  thousands of strains of Spiritual Medicine,   and all sorts of dazzling pearls and  treasures, all shiny real gold and silver! This was a windfall! He had never imagined that swindling  could be so profitable; the Spirit   Stones had come so quickly that Li Xiaobai  felt an unreal sensation, and in a daze,   he saw the mount Godzilla from  the shop beckoning to him.

He joyfully stored the Space Rings in his pouch. Then turned around to sit down at the  base of the Dragon Serpent Fruit Tree   in the center of the formation, no  longer paying attention to the crowd. "Brother Fruit, what do you mean by this?" "We've already presented our resources,  is it not time to make the deal now?" Elder Feng asked, feeling something was amiss  ever since he handed over his Spirit Stones.

"Hmm? Deal? What deal?" Li Xiaobai scratched the back of his  head, with a face full of puzzlement. At his words, the expression  on everyone's faces changed. The thing they were most worried  about had finally happened;   the guy had eaten their offerings  and was now going back on his word! "We've already given you the heavenly treasures;   surely Brother Fruit isn't thinking of  reneging?" Chen Kun said in a deep voice. "Indeed, Brother Fruit, stop joking  around, let's conduct our trade properly." "Right…" The crowd had confidently handed  over their rings because they knew   Li Xiaobai could only stay within the formation. As long as they broke the formation,  they could retrieve both the fruits   and the rings in their totality,  so they were not worried at all. "Heh, don't think I'm unaware of your  plans; you clearly want to use these   resources to lure me and my brother out  and then capture us all at once, right?" "My Dragon Serpent Fruit is the  essence of heaven and earth;   I see right through your  petty schemes in a glance!" Li Xiaobai's expression turned  stern, not mincing his words.

Now that his wallet was fat and his Spirit  Stones were in abundance, the life-saving   Divine Artifacts from the shop were within reach,  and he had no fear of these so-called big shots. A casual Thousand Mile Transmission Talisman   would allow him to disappear  without a trace in an instant. "Heh heh, Brother Fruit, you can't talk like that,   we all have the spirit of a contract. Just trade  with us earnestly, and once you get the fruit,   we'll immediately leave without  lingering, how about that?" Elder Feng continued speaking. "Why talk so much with this guy? He  clearly just wants to swindle us,   a typical case of taking the  money and not doing the work!" "Let's just break through this formation directly  and see what he's got to be arrogant about!" Chen Kun had no such patience  and summoned everyone,   intending to forcefully break open the formation. "Then go ahead and break the formation. Stop  blabbering. If you really have the ability,   let's clash in the Slaughter Formation!" Li Xiaobai raised his middle finger in contempt. Furious, Chen Kun blew his beard  and stared.

He was the sect leader,   and he had never been humiliated like this before. "All of you stand back, let me deal  with this Dragon Serpent Fruit!" Suddenly, Chen Kun shot into the sky, the dazzle  of twilight within his Dantian shining brightly,   his momentum like a rainbow. The strength  of the Divinity Transformation Stage was   fully revealed as he wanted to face off  against the formation, to test its depth. "Soft Bone-Dissolving Palm!" Both hands instantly transformed  into two skeletal withered claws,   with eerily Ghost Qi on them, clawing  at the formation around Li Xiaobai. The sky dimmed for a moment, and Li Xiaobai  vaguely heard the piercing screams and mourns   in his ears, feeling somewhat uneasy.  This old man's cultivation technique   and moves were full of special  effects and quite intimidating;   he couldn't actually break  through the formation, could he? Feeling uncertain, he stealthily exchanged for   a Thousand Mile Transmission  Talisman in the marketplace. Thousand Mile Transmission Talisman: Ancient rune,  instantaneously transports you a thousand miles,   destination random. (Price, one  thousand mid-grade Spirit Stones) The price was a bit steep, but for Li Xiaobai  at the moment, it was just a drop in the bucket.

"Zzzzt!" The clear sound of Metal  Slaughter's Qi piercing the sky,   a pair of huge skeletal hands firmly  pressed on top of the formation,   strands of Qi leaking out, faintly  showing the tendency to break through. It seemed that the formation sensed  the challenge and gathered a large   amount of Metal Slaughter's Qi in  retaliation, striking back swiftly. The golden luminescence was dazzling. Metal  Slaughter's Qi soared through the formation,   grinding the two skeletal giant hands to dust. Chen Kun grunted, his face turning slightly  red, and he was forced to retreat explosively.   Metal Slaughter's Qi was stronger than he had  imagined, worthy of being the Qi of slaughter. "Didn't you say you wanted to meet the Brother   Fruit? Why did you retreat  after just one encounter?" Elder Feng looked at Chen Kun with a smile that  was not a smile, his words full of mockery.

"If you can, you go ahead!" Chen Kun rolled his eyes and silently cultivated  his Qi to recuperate. This formation was tough to   deal with; just being grazed by the Metal  Slaughter's Qi caused his blood to churn. Even with the power of the sixth layer  of the Divinity Transformation Stage,   he couldn't completely block  the offensive of the formation, Elder Feng shook his head, this formation  couldn't be broken with brute force,   at least not at the Divinity  Transformation Stage.

To break   the formation, one had to rely on  the abilities of Xiao Cheng Sect. Within the formation, Li Xiaobai was gleaming with excitement; this  Slaughter Formation truly was powerful, even a   high-level giant of Divinity Transformation  Stage couldn't break it, truly worthy of   being a defensive formation that could add a  significant number of attribute points for him. Since the opponent couldn't break the formation,   he was in no hurry to leave. This formation  could increase a large number of attribute   points; the longer he stayed, the  more points he would accumulate. [Attribute Points: 30,000.] All put into defense! [Defensive Power: Fourth stage of Indestructible  Golden Body. (0/40,000) Can be advanced.] [Detected that the host is continuously  attacked by Metal Slaughter's Qi,   skill upgrade: Fourth stage of Nine  Revolutions Undying Sword Intent.] […] Chapter 45 Chapter 45 His defensive power and skills simultaneously  advanced, and once again, the mysterious   pale-golden totem manifested itself. In the void, a gigantic golden totem  contracted and formed a huge face   that slowly branded onto Li Xiaobai's  physique, filled with divine radiance. HIs body shone with a golden light, and  Li Xiaobai felt every pore on his body   greedily inhaling and exhaling the air around him.

He felt his body become extremely resilient. With such strength of physique,   even someone at the Nascent Soul Stage  should already be unable to harm him. He pinched his skin, not bad, very hard. Indeed, a real man has to be tough! Outside the formation, the  experts from various Sects   were greatly shocked upon seeing  Li Xiaobai's current appearance. They had never seen such a totem;  it seemed to be a human face,   but it was too faint, not very clear to see.

Moreover, a fruit that had already morphed into  human form suddenly burst into light and was   bathed in divine radiance, signifying  something that even an individual who   had never cultivated could discern, the  Dragon Serpent Fruit had broken through! Such a breakthrough for a heaven-sent treasure was   an opportunity that was rare  to come by in a hundred years. Its original grade probably needed to be  elevated yet again, and at this moment,   even the most composed Elder  Feng could not remain calm. A look of greed flashed in his eyes,  helpless to the fact that such a fruit   was too rare and must be controlled by the  Holy Demon Sect; if they couldn't obtain it,   then others wouldn't have the chance either. In just an instant, Elder Feng had made up  his mind—if he could not obtain the Morphing   Dragon-Serpent Fruit, he was prepared to destroy  his Magic Treasures to annihilate Li Xiaobai! Fruits of such caliber were beyond  the reach of those at Nascent Soul   or Divinity Transformation  Stages, and even someone at   the Transcendance Tribulation Stage  might be driven to a killing frenzy.

None of the Sects present could allow others  to snatch the Morphing Dragon-Serpent Fruit;   that was a unanimous thought  among all the heavyweights there. In just a moment, the winds shifted. Li Xiaobai suddenly realized that  these big shots in front of him   had inexplicably united, and  he felt he was being targeted. "Young friend, you really refuse to  hand over the Dragon Serpent Fruit?" Elder Feng still asked with a smile, yet a  trace of cold light flickered in his eyes. "This is my brother. What we value in our  world is loyalty. Without it, people die." Li Xiaobai spoke indifferently. Chen Kun was so angry his nose was almost crooked. Loyalty, damn it, what does loyalty have to do  with you? Can you even write the word "loyalty"? Where was your sense of loyalty when  you were deceiving and cheating people? The rest of the crowd's expressions also turned  sour, fully aware that the Morphing Dragon-Serpent   Fruit was plainly setting them up.

Now that faces  had been torn, there was no need for pretense. "I have an Array-Breaking Talisman  that can break any formation in the   world. Although Metal Slaughter's Qi is powerful,   it is still not a problem to briefly  open a breach for a few breaths." The elder from Xiao Cheng Sect slowly said. "Then what are we waiting for? Break the formation  quickly, I want to kill this scoundrel myself!" Dangerous light flickered in Chen Kun's eyes. Li Xiaobai felt somewhat nervous, even  though he had strong defensive power,   Chen Kun's current appearance  was truly frightening. But he couldn't lose his bravado. "Hehe, you're scaring me to death. Go on,  break the formation, come in and kill me!" "The Dragon Serpent Fruit here says  this—if you don't kill me today,   don't expect to leave this valley!" "It's not personal; I just want to say  that everyone present here is trash!" "I want two Dragon Serpent Fruits; the rest you  can distribute among yourselves.

If you agree,   I will break this formation immediately!" The elderly woman declared angrily,  directly stating her price. The audacious fruit needed a proper lesson. "Deal!" "No problem!" "Hurry up and break the formation!" "Alright, step aside, I'll do  it, though it may not be pretty!" The old woman stepped forward at a leisurely  pace, taking out an Array Plate from her bosom. This Array Plate was pitch-black and seemed  to have several beads rotating inside it. "This Array Plate was also made by  the grand-disciple of Elder Tianji,   involving a pair of mother and child plates.  The child plate was already put into that Space   Ring during the trade.

Just by activating  the main plate, they will work in concert   from the inside out, capable of piercing a  passage through this Slaughter Formation." The old woman sneered sinisterly; did she  really think she was without any precautions! Ever since Elder Feng stopped her, she  had kept an extra vigilant eye out,   and now it had indeed come in handy. Upon hearing this, Li Xiaobai  was also startled within—he   had actually been infiltrated by the enemy. He fumbled over several rings with his hand,   trying to throw out the child Array Plate,  but unfortunately, it was already too late.

A pitch-black Array Plate suddenly  emerged from one of the Space Rings,   hovering in the air and slowly beginning to glow. "Heaven and Earth Formation, activate!" "Yin Yang Escape!" The old woman formed hand seals and  chanted incantations, and the two   Array Plates suddenly connected closely. An  ancient and chaotic aura erupted, like the   force of a thousand juns, forcefully blocking  the continuously slicing Metal Slaughter's Qi. Li Xiaobai felt a suffocating sensation  in his chest, as the aura from the Array   Plate destabilized the Qi and blood in his body. The Magic Treasure activated by a  Divinity Transformation Stage expert   was naturally not ordinary. The Array  Plate blasted out devastating starlight,   and within the dark plate, it seemed  as if stars were orbiting inside. This Array Plate appeared to be a microcosm  of the Universe, quite extraordinary indeed. Li Xiaobai marveled inwardly; the  old woman's tactics were very clever. It seemed that his own strategies  were still not deep enough,   his counter-strategy awareness not strong enough. In the future, when he had the time, he would  have to learn more from his sixth senior brother.

"Minor Celestial Dust Prohibition Method!" "Grand Circulation's Star Shifting!" "Open for me!" The old woman roared, and as the two  Array Plates reflected each other's light,   the starlight grew intense. They forcibly halted   the surrounding Metal Slaughter's Qi  in its tracks, carving out a pathway. "Three breaths' time, hurry up and make a move!" "Don't fight within the Formation, get him out!" "Circle around to the back, watch out for  the Metal Slaughter's Qi, move positions!" "Heavenly Net of Earth!" "Soft Bone-Dissolving Palm!" "Pure Yang Sword Formation!" "…" Li Xiaobai hadn't expected the Formation  to actually be broken through by everyone,   but the attacks from the Nascent Soul Stage   and Divinity Transformation Stage  didn't seem too hard to withstand.

Maybe it was because many experts were  coveting his Dragon Serpent Fruit body,   so they intentionally pulled their punches. His body took a direct hit from Chen  Kun's Soft Bone-Dissolving Palm;   the affected area quickly started  to rot and the muscles shriveled,   but soon after, mysterious glyphs on his  body glowed and the wound healed as before. This was the effect of the Undying Golden Body;   as long as he wasn't killed in one hit,  physical injuries could always recover. [Attribute Points +1000.] Sss! The power of a Divinity Transformation  Stage expert was truly dreadful, but his   defensive power had also greatly improved,  and he could now withstand such an attack.

The System was very impressive! "Good lad, for a mere Dragon Serpent  Fruit, you do have some skills!" "As a Dragon Serpent Fruit,  you're quite remarkable!" "Enough talk, get him out, we  only have three breaths of time!" Elder Feng frowned, decisively  interrupting Chen Kun's idle   chatter. That guy always liked to show off  passively, unaware of the situation at hand. His figure flickered and he  instantly appeared behind Li Xiaobai. "You…" Li Xiaobai saw the scenery blur before  his eyes and before he could react,   he was suddenly hundreds of meters away. Looking back, the elders blocked the way, all with  vicious grins, their faces filled with ill intent.

"Little brat, you were quite  arrogant just now, weren't you?" "Come on, show that arrogance  to this old man again." Chapter 46 Chapter 46 Chen Kun's smile was sinister,  his face brimming with ill intent. "Hehe, weaklings!" Li Xiaobai gave the middle finger  again, showing his disdain. Through the contact just now, he had  realized, the Nine Transformation Golden   Body must correspond to the nine  layers of the Nascent Soul Stage. Although there were a number of Divinity  Transformation Stage experts mixed in with   these big shots, he felt confident that his all-in  defensive power should allow him to contend. His Nine Transformation Golden Body was at the  fourth stage, equivalent to the fourth layer of   the Nascent Soul Stage, but since he had allocated  all points to defense, his defensive power should   be significantly higher than that of a cultivator  at the fourth layer of the Nascent Soul Stage.

Moreover, given his identity as  the Morphing Dragon-Serpent Fruit,   these people would not want to kill  him unless it was absolutely necessary. He could afford to be bold and act recklessly! "Come hit me then," Li Xiaobai taunted, hooking  his finger at the crowd with a light tone. "Don't stop me, this guy is challenging me.   I want to duel him, and no one  else is allowed to interfere!" Chen Kun's face twisted fiercely; he flicked both  palms and suddenly charged towards Li Xiaobai. "Hehe, the old fogey is still as  good at acting as ever!" Elder   Feng executed several palm strikes in  the void, knocking Chen Kun back down. "What do you mean by this?" Chen Kun's face darkened, his  expression filled with rage.

"Stop pretending; do we not know who you are? You  didn't even get angry when your son was killed." "Your acting is quite good; you want to use  a duel as an excuse to monopolize all the   Dragon Serpent Fruits, don't you? Dream on!"  Elder Feng said dismissively, curling his lip. At these words, Chen Kun's expression suddenly  became calm, even revealing a faint smile. "I have never had the intention of hogging  it all. I just want to detain the Morphing   Fruit first. As for the rest, let's  plan it out patiently," he said. "The Dragon Snake Fruits will be distributed  as previously agreed. No one is to take more!" "Correct, anyone who takes more  will have their claws chopped off!" "I'm entitled to two Dragon Serpent  Fruits; that was agreed upon beforehand!" "…" Li Xiaobai was inwardly impressed by the ability   of these powerful cultivators to  change their tune in a second.

They were truly deserving of being cultivation  experts, with on-point acting skills. Had Elder   Feng not called it out, he wouldn't have been  able to tell that Chen Kun's anger was feigned. Their cunning was profound, all  those who had risen to the Nascent   Soul Stage and Divinity Transformation  Stage were not to be underestimated. Li Xiaobai decided to draw more hatred  and increase his Attribute Points before   making a getaway. With so many people on the  opposite side and his Nine Transformation Golden   Body only at the fourth stage, taking  them head-on could lead to problems. But at that moment, the sky  churned with wind and clouds,   and a dense murderous aura, visible  to the naked eye, rolled in from afar.

A figure appeared. Wearing a conical hat and clad in a straw  cloak, he suddenly stood before everyone. The strong wind buffeted, causing  pain to Li Xiaobai's face. [Attribute Points +100…] Hisss! Who was this new expert? He seemed even more formidable than a  Divinity Transformation Stage master,   capable of hurting people with just a  gust of wind. What kind of power was this? Li Xiaobai felt apprehensive; Divinity  Transformation Stage experts were already   difficult enough to deal with. The straw-cloaked,   conical-hat wearing stranger was  clearly on another level compared   to the Divinity Transformation Stage.  It seemed like it was time to run.

"Who has tampered with my Formation?" The straw-cloaked man's voice was hoarse as if he   were talking to himself, yet he  seemed to be asking a question. Upon hearing this, everyone felt a shock in  their hearts. The Formation was deliberately   set by the straw-cloaked man—it was  quite intriguing. It meant that the   Dragon Snake Fruits in the mountains  were actually someone's property. The situation couldn't be clearer  now. The original owner had noticed   the breach in the Formation  and had come to investigate. "Elder," Li Xiaobai quickly accused, "it was that  old lady who forcefully broke your Formation. She   even wants to take away the Dragon Snake  Fruit Tree inside! You must stop her." Li Xiaobai took over the conversation, pointing  at the old crone from Xiao Cheng Sect up ahead.

The old crone's face changed dramatically,  since the strength of the newcomer was so high,   far above her own, that she  couldn't fathom his depth. It was a big taboo to offend  a senior expert unprovoked. "Senior, don't listen to the  nonsense of this Morphing Fruit,   it has taken all the Dragon Serpent Fruits  and also tricked us out of our Spirit Stones   and Spiritual Medicine. I just want to  get justice back!" the old crone pleaded. "Morphing Fruit?" the  straw-cloaked man seemed puzzled. "It's this youngster, he is a  Morphing Dragon-Serpent Fruit,   doesn't the senior know?" the  old crone cautiously asked.

"Hehe, despite your Divinity Transformation  Stage cultivation level and your advanced age,   it seems you've lived long enough to  act like a fool. He's clearly a person,   where do you see Morphing Fruit?" "Moreover," continued the man,   "the Dragon Snake Fruit Tree was planted  by me. Don't I know what it looks like?" "But just now…" whispered the old crone, her  face filled with disbelief, wanting to say more. "A bunch of incompetents, coveting the Dragon  Serpent Fruit of this seat is ridiculous. If   you were born under my tutelage, I would have  sent you to the Western Paradise long ago." The straw-cloaked man scoffed and went  straight to the Formation to inspect it. Upon hearing these words, the  rest of the experts were even   more furious and astonished. They had been  deceived, duped by a mere human youth! The straw-cloaked man couldn't possibly deceive   them; there was no Morphing Fruit at  all—it was all staged by this kid. He had used some unknown method to  move freely within the Formation,   masquerading as a Morphing Dragon-Serpent  Fruit and swindling their resources.

Once the crowd understood  the key to the deception,   their faces flushed with a  mixture of anger and shame. Half from rage, half from embarrassment. They thought Li Xiaobai was not  sharp-witted and aimed to deceive him,   only to discover in the end that it  was they themselves who had been duped. Their gazes were nailed onto Li Xiaobai, wishing  they could flay him a thousand times over. "Good lad, indeed skilled enough  to deceive us, but don't you think   you can go back alive," Chen Kun  said with a somber expression. "Exactly, boy, you are doomed!" "When I said your entire  family would die, I meant it!" "What's the point in talking  so much? He even dared to   dupe us of our Spirit Stones, let's do him in!" The big shots clamored, enraged.

Had it not  been for the straw-cloaked man's presence,   they would have already taken action. Li Xiaobai swallowed nervously,  realizing things had gone south;   the Dragon Snake Fruit Tree actually had an  owner, which he had never heard of before! Damn it, he had been tricked by  his sixth senior brother again! While mentally cursing Liu Jinshui, his  hands covertly reached for a Thousand   Mile Transmission Talisman; ready to  flee immediately if things went south.

This straw-cloaked man was mysterious and his  cultivation level unfathomably deep; if he became   angered, it was feared that even with the System  it might be impossible to defend against him. Not to mention the group of Nascent Soul Stage and   Divinity Transformation Stage  big shots eyeing him hungrily. At this moment, the straw-cloaked  man was continually probing within   the Formation, seemingly searching for something. After a careful moment of sensing,  his expression greatly changed. "This is the Yin-Yang Escapism Technique!" "Who touched my fragments?" "Who practiced Tai Chi Fist?" The straw-cloaked man roared, his  overwhelming aura released wildly,   the murderous energy in the  field once again churning. The Metal Slaughter's Qi shrouding the Dragon  Snake Fruit Tree shattered, and the Formation   completely crumbled in an instant, startling  everyone so much so that their hair stood on end. Li Xiaobai felt a surge of realization,  understanding that both the fruit and the   fragments had been placed  by the straw-cloaked man. Yet, the latter hadn't mentioned the  existence of the small broken dog,   could it be that the dog had entered on its own? "Senior, just now, only this youngster  was moving freely within the Formation.   This junior will help you capture him right away!" "Good lad, you dared to touch a  treasure belonging to a senior — today,   I will definitely see you brought to justice!" "As cultivators, we despise those  who resort to thievery.

Senior,   do not be angered, I will help  you retrieve your treasure!" "Boy, prepare to meet your end!" Chapter 47 Chapter 47 Feeling the overwhelming momentum in front of  him, Li Xiaobai's face changed drastically. These were full-force attacks from many Nascent  Soul Stage and Divinity Transformation Stage   cultivators, and with his current defensive  power, things were looking a bit dicey. The big shots were charging like they  were injected with chicken blood,   recklessly coming at him. Li Xiaobai held his head with both  hands and crouched on the spot. "Super Abdominal Muscles!" Every muscle in his body tensed, activating  his skill, doubling his defensive power. The behavior of these big shots was very  off, just a second ago they were bowing   and scraping to the straw-cloaked man, and  now they suddenly launched a fierce attack. This was just as abnormal as  Chen Kun's behavior before. However, with the situation being critical,  Li Xiaobai didn't have the luxury to think   more about it, as the attacks of  the big shots had already arrived.

"Nine Dragons in the Sky!" "Pure Yang Sword Technique!" "Sword Shattering the Star River!" "Yin Yang Escape!" The Spirit Realm Cultivators  showed their explosive strength,   and the oppressive force descended.  In the void, Sword Qi crisscrossed,   and even tens of Primordial Spirit Phantoms  that shaded the sky and the sun appeared,   seemingly determined to fight a decisive  battle to the death with Li Xiaobai. Li Xiaobai only felt his breathing stop for  a moment, as airwaves tumbled in the air.

He had already made up his mind that  after receiving this wave of attacks   and accumulating a wave of Attribute Points,  he would immediately escape using the Thousand   Mile Transmission Talisman; at this rate,  he might actually get beaten to death. The attacks arrived in the blink of an eye, the  Cultivation Technique effects were spectacular. Sword light, ghostly claws, blade qi, starlight,  all enshrouded Li Xiaobai in an instant. The numerous big shots, with fangs bared and  claws outstretched, rushed to Li Xiaobai's side. Li Xiaobai was intently watching  the System panel in front of him,   ready to use the talisman and leave as  soon as the Attribute Points accumulated. But the anticipated torrential  onslaught didn't come.   The big shots brushed past Li Xiaobai and  then flew away even faster into the distance. The so-called offensive was almost touch-and-go;  in the arena, the silhouettes of a dozen or so   became streaks of light that passed by in a  flash and disappeared into the far distance.

Li Xiaobai, with a dumbfounded face, was  still squatting on the ground in a daze. The System panel flickered. [Attribute Points +10…] [Attribute Points +10…] Hisss! What's going on? Why are there so few Attribute Points,  was that lavish special effect fake? Still in shock, he turned to look  at the far distant silhouettes,   already vanished without a trace, Li  Xiaobai wanted to cry but had no tears. Damn, he suffered from being uneducated once  again, and got tricked by those crafty old foxes.

Only now did Li Xiaobai realize  that the angry faces of those big   shots were just the acting Elder  Feng had talked about before. The straw-cloaked man was too much pressure  for everyone; he was so unfathomably powerful   that the big shots pretended to aid him in  capturing Li Xiaobai, using him as a shield   to mislead others while they actually  intended to take the chance to flee. They were even abandoning the  treasures and resources they   were given, truly resolute those big shots were. Such perfect tacit understanding! But now that the big shots were gone,  only Li Xiaobai remained in the field. "Hehe, senior, they took  away your fruits and shards,   you should quickly go after them,"  Li Xiaobai said with an honest smile.

"They will be dealt with by others, and  not a single one will escape. As for you,   you have the scent of the Dragon Serpent  Fruit on you and the aura of the shards,   hand them over!" the straw-cloaked  man said with a sinister tone. "Senior truly has a keen insight. Junior indeed  obtained the fruit and shards, but I traded them   with those big shots at that time. The fruits  are with them," Li Xiaobai said seriously. "Then just wait, my people will  capture them and bring them back,   and we'll confront them face to face." "I don't care who took my things, because  everyone involved today must die!" the   straw-cloaked man said, carrying his  hands behind his back, indifferently. Li Xiaobai's heart skipped a beat; this  straw-cloaked man seemed to have some   substance to him, even Divinity  Transformation cultivators had   fled without saying a word.

He wasn't a match  for such power; it was still better to flee. "To think I, Zhang Rui, have always been candid,  upright in conduct, sitting with propriety;   I would never engage in stealing or skulking.  If these things were taken by me, Zhang Rui,   I would deserve to be struck by heavenly thunder!" "Even if those big shots come back, I  would dare to confront them face to face!" "Even in death, I, Zhang Rui, shall leave an  untarnished name in the land of the living!" His words rang out with conviction,  powerfully and with a sense of righteousness. After all, the straw-cloaked man had no idea who  he was, so what did it matter whose name he used? Using Zhang Rui's name to swear  an oath was more than suitable.   He would just use a Thousand Mile  Transmission Talisman and slip away,   leaving the straw-cloaked man only to  investigate Zhang Rui, not himself. In the pugilistic world, it's crucial  to save your skin with an alias.

It seemed that following his sixth senior  brother around had sharpened his wits. "Heh, pretty good at talking,  aren't you, Zhang Rui?   I hope you can still be this tough in a moment," the straw-cloaked man sneered repeatedly,   his face hidden by the weeds, leaving Li  Xiaobai unable to discern his features. Just as Li Xiaobai discreetly took out the  Thousand Mile Transmission Talisman, preparing   to teleport away, the straw-cloaked man suddenly  stood up, with a burst of sharp light in his eyes. He swept his vigilant gaze around the area. "Who's there?" "Come out!" Li Xiaobai was startled. Were  there other people nearby? "One, two, three… six…" "Six people in total, four men  and two women. Come out now." "Don't force me to take action." The straw-cloaked man said indifferently,  not taking the cultivation levels of his   opponents seriously, his arrogance was palpable. In an instant, Li Xiaobai realized who  these six people lurking in the shadows   were. Just by the number, he knew it had  to be several of his brothers and sisters.

It seemed that after Liu Jinshui and the  others had left, they had circled back quietly. They were still worried about his safety.  Indeed, adversity reveals true friendship;   his Misty Peak brothers and  sisters did care about him. "Damn it, we've been discovered!" "Little junior brother, things  look grim, call out for help!" There came a furious roar from the  jungle as Liu Jinshui charged out,   heading straight for Li Xiaobai's position. At this moment, he was adorned  in silver armor from head to toe,   wielding a large cleaver, which, combined with  his portly figure, made the sight rather comical.

"Positioning, positioning!" "Spread out and pay attention to your positions!" Liu Jinshui muttered constantly, trying  to distract the straw-cloaked man with   his words while his movements didn't  stop. His large cleaver flew up and down,   sending one silver blade qi after another  tearing towards the straw-cloaked man. However, it was clear that he had  underestimated the straw-cloaked man's strength. Facing the overwhelming onslaught of  blade qi, the straw-cloaked man didn't   even deign to give it a second look, casually  extending a few fingers to catch several of   the blade qis and crush them into a sprinkle  of starlight with a mere twist of his hand.

"Little junior brother, run for it!" Seeing this, Liu Jinshui's complexion changed.  The weapon he wielded was a Spiritual Treasure,   and its blade qi was something that even top  experts usually wouldn't want to face head-on. The opponent was unexpectedly strong,   far beyond imagination. No wonder those  Spirit Realm Cultivators had all fled before. This strength was undoubtedly that of a  Tribulation Crossing Stage cultivator. "Senior brother, you go first,  I have a way to escape!" Li Xiaobai's expression grew anxious. He  had the Thousand Mile Transmission Talisman,   but his senior brothers and  sisters did not. If he left now,   it would be akin to consigning them to their doom. He needed to figure out a  way to distribute several   more Thousand Mile Transmission Talismans to them. "You think you can leave in my presence?" The straw-cloaked man stood  with his hands behind his back,   slowly turning around, his  eyes radiating a divine light. Just being glanced at, Liu Jinshui felt  as if the qi within his body exploded,   and the Cultivation Technique he  was channeling was forcibly stopped. His face turned pale with fright, having come  across a master of this caliber here.

Today,   they might either die or  leave with severe injuries. "What are you, a ball?" With a surge in the void, an outrageously  large golden hammer appeared out of nowhere,   slamming down towards the straw-cloaked  man. The hammer's formidable pressure   swept over everything, forcibly dragging  the straw-cloaked man into the fray. That was Senior Sister Su Yunbing's hammer! Li Xiaobai's face brightened  up, and seizing the opportunity,   he secretly handed a stack of Thousand  Mile Transmission Talismans to Liu Jinshui. "Senior brother, with these Thousand  Mile Transmission Talismans,   you'll appear a thousand miles  away in an instant. Hurry and go!" Chapter 48 Chapter 48 "Junior Brother, you actually had such a  great item, if you had mentioned it earlier,   we wouldn't have even needed to go  through all this trouble to rescue you." Liu Jinshui's eyes lit up,  even at this critical juncture,   his avaricious nature was completely exposed. "Senior Brother, quickly find a chance  to distribute the talismans to the other   Senior Brothers and Sisters, I'll go and  hold off the straw-cloaked man's attack!" "Mhm, be careful, Junior Brother!" Upon seeing the Thousand  Mile Transmission Talisman,   Liu Jinshui's expression changed in  a heartbeat, his face once resolved   again broke into a sleazy smile, as he  swiftly darted into the dense forest.

In the arena, Su Yunbing and Ye Wushuang were jointly unleashing  a fierce attack on the straw-cloaked man, who was   amongst the most powerful of all their Senior  Brothers and Sisters, with an inscrutable depth   of strength, yet still they were unable to inflict  the slightest injury on the straw-cloaked man. In the void, the hammer danced so tightly that not  even the wind could penetrate, and the mysterious   behemoth totem branded on it manifested once more,  furiously smashing down at the straw-cloaked man. Ye Wushuang went all out with her cultivation  technique, and a green Primordial Spirit Phantom   rose from behind, unleashing an endless  array of poison techniques. In an instant,   the ground beneath the straw-cloaked  man's feet became a barren wasteland.

"Hehe, two little kids, quite impressive  martial skills you've got, to have touched   the realm of Nascent Soul Stage at such  a young age, truly prodigious talents." "Which Sect do you belong to,  under whom are you disciples?" the straw-cloaked man inquired. "None of your damn business!" Su Yunbing swung her hammer to strike, not  wanting to waste words with the opponent. Meanwhile, streams of smoke fiercely  burrowed inside through the straw-cloaked   man's continually opening and closing  mouth. Seeing the opportunity, Ye Wushuang   tried to force as much poison as  she could into the man's body. The straw-cloaked man was fuming; never had he  been treated this way before, as he had always   been approached with utmost respect and fear—no  one even dared to breathe loudly in his presence.   Yet today, he found himself relentlessly  pursued and attacked by a group of juniors.

If it weren't for the powers  backing these juniors,   he would have sent them all to  the Western Paradise long ago. "Chaos Dissolve!" Dark light surged, and the straw-cloaked man was  surrounded by a layer of gray Spiritual Energy,   which suddenly swept the two women aside. "This is an Evil Cultivator, practicing  the power of the Blood Evil!" "This person should be a cultivator  from the Evil Sect of Central Province!" Lin Yin, hiding in the  shadows, suddenly exclaimed,   recognizing the cultivation  technique surrounding the man.

"Hmm? You do have some skill to be able  to discern my technique. Not bad at all!" The straw-cloaked man's eyebrows  rose slightly, a bit surprised,   not expecting to encounter such a  group of talents in this remote area. He had only been resting  briefly in these mountains,   incidentally nurturing the Dragon Snake  Fruit Tree. He didn't expect that,   in just a short while after he had left,  someone had already plucked the fruits. That was secondary, however. What was truly  crucial was that the shard had also vanished. This was what enraged him the most. The  shard was of enormous significance. If   his master learnt of this, he would have no  chance of survival. He had to recover it! With a palm towards the void,  an invisible ripple spread,   and Su Yunbing's movements suddenly stalled,  trapped in the void, unable to move.

The straw-cloaked man was about to make his move! "Don't panic, Senior Sister, your  Junior Brother is here to help!" Fourth Senior Brother Yang Chen burst forth  from the ground, his Double Sided Halberd   transforming into a Golden Dragon, thrusting  straight at the straw-cloaked man's brow. "Hehe, I've been waiting for you for a long time!" The straw-cloaked man's eyes narrowed  slightly as he extended two fingers,   lightly trapping the Double Sided Halberd.  The Golden Dragon Phantom shattered,   and no matter how hard Yang Chen  tried, it was completely immobile.

"Third Senior Brother, now!" Ling Feng also burst from the ground, wielding a  Dagger and thrusting directly at the straw-cloaked   man's back, taking advantage of the moment  when the man was restraining Su Yunbing with   one hand and thwarting Yang Chen with the  other—perfectly timed for a sneak attack. Simultaneously, at a distance, Lin  Yin transformed into a cloud of grey   smoke and violently rushed towards  the straw-cloaked man's location. "To stand firm against my pressure and still be   able to launch an attack with such  composure is truly remarkable," "Seeing this demeanor, I believe it's  unlikely they were trained in the Northern   Region.

Recognizing my Cultivation Technique and  Sect, have you come from the Central Province?" The straw-cloaked man grew more  alarmed as the fight went on,   not because their strength posed a threat to him,   but because the fearless spirit they displayed  was not something a common Sect could cultivate. Although the six people in  front of him varied in strength,   they all subtly exuded an invincible aura. Such a demeanor could only be developed  by those who battle continuously in all   directions, claiming victory and harboring an  ironclad belief in their own invincibility. This feeling, even in Central Province,  belonged only to a rare few geniuses. "I have good relations with the  Nalan Family in Central Province,   and I'm on good terms with other families too.  Would you mind revealing your affiliations?   It wouldn't be pleasant if the  Dragon King Temple gets flooded   out by mistake," the straw-cloaked man  tried to pry some information from them.

Unfortunately, the people from Misty  Peak didn't listen to him at all,   launching relentless attacks instead. "Mind your positions and spread out!" "He's let go, Senior Sister,  move away from that area!" "Burrow underground, burrow,  and find another weakness!" "Second Senior Sister, follow up with your  poison techniques to slow down his movement!" "…" Seeing such a turn of events, the straw-cloaked  man's expression darkened completely. "Merely Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivation  levels, and you dare to be so presumptuous before   me.

Since you're unwilling to divulge your  origins, then I shall simply eliminate all   of you. I doubt your Sects will be able  to trace it back to me anytime soon!" The straw-cloaked man completely  lost his patience, and once again,   his surroundings surged with a  pitch-black fog darker than ink. The sky turned overcast in an  instant, the dark clouds rolled,   and a vast expanse of gloom enveloped  the ground. The surface of the earth   heaved with waves of black deadly  Qi, filled with a ghastly atmosphere. Daylight transformed into  night in the blink of an eye,   and wails of ghosts and howls of  wolves echoed piercingly in their ears. Within the void, the air crackled  explosively. In just a moment,   everyone present felt the hair on  their bodies stand on end. Even   before the straw-cloaked man made a  move, his presence was suffocating.

"This is a Demonic Path Technique.  Once tainted by even a thread,   the demonic poison will infiltrate the  body and destroy one's foundation!" Lin Yin once again voiced a warning, indicating  his deep understanding of Evil Cultivators. "Good knowledge. Judging by your technique,   you seem to be half an Evil Cultivator yourself.  Unfortunately, you've chosen the wrong opponent!" The straw-cloaked man cackled wickedly,  no longer holding back his intent to kill.   He had many other matters to attend to and  wanted to finish off everyone here in one go. His first target was Senior Sister Su Yunbing. This woman's hammer was troublesome, and there  was a faint sense of restraint against him,   weak though it might be,  but it was still unpleasant. Pointing a finger into the void, a strand  of black smoke streaked across the sky,   aiming straight for Su Yunbing's forehead. Su Yunbing's complexion changed, and  her body seemed to be fixed in place,   unable to move an inch. She couldn't  withstand the might of this move. "Senior Sister!" Li Xiaobai wanted to rush forward to block  this wave of attack, but at that moment,   the small broken dog in his arms  suddenly became wildly agitated.

Its body flashed with brilliant golden light as  it leapt into the air towards Su Yunbing's hammer,   and at the same time, the totem of the wild  beast on the hammer awakened once again. "Roar!" A beast's roar reverberated  through heaven and earth,   and in the void, a blurry wild beast slowly paced. Its crimson eyes stared intently  at the black fog in front,   casually swatting at it, causing the  black smoke to instantly disperse. "[ __ ], Ergouzi, that's awesome!" Chapter 49 Chapter 49 Li Xiaobai was overjoyed. At this crucial moment,   the little scrappy dog actually helped  block the attack from the straw-cloaked man. Although he didn't understand the principle behind  it, it seemed that there was some connection   between the little scrappy dog and the totem on  his senior sister's hammer; it even managed to   meld into the hammer to block an attack from  a Transcendence Tribulation Stage cultivator.

It was truly extraordinary. The huge beast in the void roared  at the straw-cloaked man for a   while before dissipating into specks of light. With a slight ripple in the void,   the little scrappy dog quietly  returned to the chest of Li Xiaobai. He patted the fluffy tuft on his chest. "Incredible, incredible, a scrappy dog I picked  up casually possesses such strength. I can't call   you a little scrappy dog anymore; I'll find  an auspicious day to give you a mighty name!" Li Xiaobai's eyes gleamed  as he murmured to himself. This expedition to the  mountains was really a windfall. "This is an ancient Divine  Beast, a Kylin species!" "Are you disciples of the Fire Qilin Cave?" The straw-cloaked man's tone was one of surprise.  To manifest an ancient totem with only a Nascent   Soul Stage cultivation level, such talent  was outstanding even in Central Province. Moreover, if he had not seen wrongly just now,  that was definitely a Qilin. He could think   of no other power besides the Huo Yun Cave  that could call forth a Qilin Divine Beast.

The straw-cloaked man felt it was a bit tricky,   as he did not wish to offend  the forces of Central Province. He was on a mission and could not afford  to get too entangled in other matters. However, the people from Misty Peak apparently had   no intention of stopping there. After  a brief pause, they quickly recovered. The six people once again launched a coordinated  and ferocious attack on the straw-cloaked man. Yang Chen shook his Double Sided Halberd,  and a dragon soared out of the void,   entwining around the straw-cloaked man's body,  while Su Yunbing's giant hammer radiated golden   light, exerting a formidable pressure that  caused the ground to shatter inch by inch. Ye Wushuang continuously formed seals  with her hands, turning the ground   into patches of dark green Poison Realm to  restrain the straw-cloaked man's movements. "Enough. What does it matter if they  are disciples of the Huo Yun Cave? As   long as I eradicate them completely,  who would know that it was my doing?" "I have already given you many chances.

Since  you are so persistent in your folly, then die!" Watching the offensive from  the few in front of him,   the straw-cloaked man's heart hardened,  and his gaze suddenly turned sharp. With a twist of his wrist, a flag array  appeared in his hand. The small flag was   deep red, and as soon as it emerged,  everyone felt an increase in pressure,   their movements becoming somewhat hindered. "This is the Yin Soul Banner, which  has accompanied me for many years.   It has been blood-sacrificed with countless souls.   To die under my Life-bound Spirit  Treasure is your good fortune!" Having said that, the straw-cloaked  man shook the small flag, frantically   stimulating his Cultivation Technique. The  Spiritual Energy around his body trembled. The blood-colored flag swelled in the wind,   turning into a massive blood-red wave that  furiously rolled towards everyone present. "Brothers and sisters, do not panic.  Let me help you block this attack!" Li Xiaobai watched the huge waves  strike and, stepping forward swiftly,   rushed to defend against the  blood-colored flag's assault. However, the others did not intend to stop.  They kept holding their Magic Treasures,   crazily operating their Cultivation  Techniques against the towering blood wave;   killing intent intertwined in the area with sword  light and escape light responding to each other,   various special effect Cultivation  Techniques dazzled the eyes.

Li Xiaobai almost lost sight  of the wave's direction. "Are all my brothers and sisters ready?" Su Yunbing swung her giant  hammer and shouted angrily. "We are ready!" "The big move is ready to go!" "We can activate our ultimate  technique at any time!" "…" "Good. Evil Cultivator on the other  side, listen well. We brothers and   sisters still have one last move.  Just you watch if it can kill us!" "Junior brother, get ready. In today's battle,  we must teach this guy a painful lesson!" Su Yunbing shouted crisply,  a splendid light radiating   from her body, displaying her overwhelming power. "Heh, mere clowns. How absurd. Do you  really think you can escape from me?" The straw-cloaked man let out a cold laugh,  clearly not taking Su Yunbing's words seriously. "Brothers and sisters, you  shouldn't be like this…" Li Xiaobai felt very puzzled; his brothers and  sisters seemed to be really off their game today.

Why were they charging forward as if  they were injected with adrenaline,   seeking their own deaths? And what about the stack of Thousand Mile  Transmission Talismans I just gave to Liu Jinshui? Weren't they supposed to be for the  other senior brothers and sisters? Why is even sixth senior brother  rushing upward with bloodshot eyes? Could it be that the straw-cloaked  man has used some method,   so many senior brothers and  sisters are being controlled? Hmm, it's very likely so. The more Li Xiaobai thought about it, the more  he felt this was the case, and with a shift in   his tone, his shape flickered as he charged once  more into the towering blood-colored tidal wave. "Senior brothers and sisters, I'm hardly  capable, but let me lend you a hand!" As the thick scent of blood rushed towards him,   Li Xiaobai realized only when he got closer that  the pressure facing the enemy was this immense. "Brothers and sisters, let this ignorant evil  cultivator witness our true power, take action!" "Thousand Mile Transmission Talisman!" "Bye-bye now!" "Little junior brother, we'll  make a move first as a courtesy!" "In wealth and honor, let's  not forget each other!" "…" The six from Misty Peak simultaneously  pinched the talismans in their hands,   which burned up, and their bodies  instantly disappeared in the tidal wave.

Leaving only a confused Li Xiaobai,  standing dumbstruck on the spot. This scene feels so familiar… Watching the blood-colored tidal wave thundering  down with an unstoppable force in front of him,   Li Xiaobai felt somewhat on the verge of tears. I've been tricked again. At this point, how could Li Xiaobai not  understand what had happened? Just like   the group of bigwigs from before, their  threats were louder than the actions;   they had all run off in an instant,  only leaving him standing there alone. And to fall into one trap right after  another, it felt so embarrassing. My cultivation level is still not there,   being unable to see through the  performances of others twice in a row. But now was not the time for self-reflection. The blood-colored wave instantly engulfed  Li Xiaobai, soaking him in the blood sea,   and he felt an immense torture  on both his body and soul. His flesh was continuously eroded by the blood,   with wisps of blue smoke rising up, and  Li Xiaobai felt a strong burning pain. At the same time, he heard mournful wails echoing  in his ears; these were the spiritual attacks,   the cries of the millions of souls  who had died within this blood-flag.

[Attribute Points +100…] [Attribute Points +100…] Heart-wrenching, bone-corroding  pain swept throughout his body;   in just a few breaths' time, Li  Xiaobai's body had visibly thinned. A layer of flesh had been eroded away. Bare bones, exposed on the outside,  radiated a faint golden glow. Add defense! Add all to defense! Li Xiaobai cried out in his heart, feeling  pain and pleasure at the same time;   this Blood Pool brought him  double Attribute Points,   an attack on both the flesh and spirit,  and it was thrilling beyond words. But after all, the Transcendance Tribulation Stage  senior had overwhelming power; the Blood Pool was   not something he could withstand now. He'd have  to hold on for a little longer before retreating. "Where is everyone!" "Where have all of you gone!" "Why is there only you left!" "What were those talismans just now  that allowed for instant movement!" "You youngsters are truly brash as  newborn calves, utterly defying my power." "Even if I have to dig three feet into the ground,   I, Liu Mang, will find you  and chop you into pieces!" "Blood Evil Soul-searching Technique!" (Let's talk about your favorite characters!) Chapter 50 Chapter 50 The straw-cloaked man became  extremely angry, thinking that   the little cultivator he had assumed would be  easy to slay had disappeared in an instant.

The duck that should have been within easy grasp  slipped away, challenging his authority, he felt. Worse yet, if the powers behind  these geniuses learned of his deeds,   they likely wouldn't let things slide easily! He must eliminate the roots and all! The straw-cloaked man's eyes  swirled with murderous intent,   a thick stench of blood rushing to the  sky as waves of bloody light spread,   enveloping the Divine Beast  Mountain Range within them. "Hehe, this is the Thousand-Mile  Soul-Searching Technique, within a   thousand miles, no matter where the person is,  I can instantly find their position," he said.

"I refuse to believe that a few youngsters could  disappear thousands of miles away in an instant!" The straw-cloaked man cackled coldly and earnestly  sensed the situation within the mountain range. Li Xiaobai had a strange expression,  unsure whether this straw-cloaked   man was overly confident or foolish,  to divulge his trump card so freely. However, after his explanation,  Li Xiaobai felt more at ease. The Thousand Mile Transmission Talisman  did indeed transport one instantly   by a thousand miles, and he had  given out a pack of talismans,   enough for several people to  teleport thousands of miles away. At this moment, his senior brothers  and sisters were already out of the   straw-cloaked man's detection range. As expected, after a careful sensing, the  straw-cloaked man was filled with shock and rage. Within the Divine Beast Mountain Range,   he could not sense the presence of  the six individuals from before. "How is this possible, appearing  outside the Divine Beast Mountain   Range in an instant? What kind  of secret technique is this!" "Boy, what exactly was that talisman just now?" The straw-cloaked man's face twisted  savagely as he roared in anger.

"Hehe, the Thousand Mile Transmission  Talisman, one instant for a thousand miles,   just so happens to be one step better  than that soul-searching technique   of yours," Li Xiaobai said lightly,  stalling for time with his mocking. Benefiting from a contest with such a formidable  opponent was too great, in such a short amount of   time, the Blood Pool had once again provided  him with a vast number of attribute points. "Very well, I will take the fragments and the  fruit from your corpse. Now, you can die!" The straw-cloaked man had lost  all patience, shaking his hand. A small blood-colored flag turned into a  mountain of corpses and a sea of blood,   engulfing Li Xiaobai, with overwhelming Blood  Qi spreading as blood-colored skeleton soldiers   rose from the formation flags, holding blades and  halberds, clawing and rushing towards Li Xiaobai. Li Xiaobai's gaze sharpened,  estimating that he could not   withstand this wave of skeleton  soldiers; it was time to flee.

With a flick of his wrist, a Thousand Mile  Transmission Talisman appeared in his hand. "Hehe, Thousand Mile Transmission Talisman,   one instant for a thousand  miles, you deserve to own it!" "Bye-bye now!" "Let's go!" "Blood Demon Transcendental Venerable, hold him!" The talisman in his hand blazed fiercely, turning   to a pile of ashes, and the anticipated  instantaneous movement didn't occur. At the same time, a gigantic blood-colored  Divine Demon appeared in the void. The Divine Demon looked fearsome, with eyes  as large as copper bells and roiling Blood Qi   on its body. Behind it, a dozen writhing  tentacles were crazed and bloodthirsty. Li Xiaobai was startled as the talisman became  ineffective. The other had immobilized space   with a supreme divine power, rendering the  Thousand Mile Transmission Talisman useless! "Hehe, mere talisman tricks, young one.

Did you  really think I would make the same mistake twice?" "This Blood Demon Transcendental  Venerable is the transformation   of my Primordial Spirit. It's not  just this small patch of space,   I can immobilize the entire Divine  Beast Mountain Range for a time!" The straw-cloaked man laughed  heartily, feeling immensely satisfied. The blood-colored figure behind him  shook, and a dark red blood-colored   tentacle shot out ferociously, piercing  Li Xiaobai's chest almost instantly. "I…" Li Xiaobai looked at the bloody  hole in his chest in astonishment. The system panel flickered. [Attribute Point +5000…] [Ding! Host detected to be sustaining continuous  damage from the Blood Demon Primordial Spirit.   Condition is rapidly deteriorating,  please escape from danger immediately!] [Condition: Blood Demon Corrosion (Severe).] Hiss! The strike from a cultivator at the Transcendance  Tribulation Stage was terrifyingly powerful,   easily breaking through the defenses  of the Indestructible Golden Body.

Li Xiaobai was utterly shocked, this being  the first time he sensed such a threat   to his life, as his flesh and blood were  continuously corroded by the Blood Demon,   with his vitality rapidly  dissolving and weakening. He frantically searched the System's  mall for life-saving Divine Artifacts. To see if there was anything that could help him! The mall was replete with various  items, and in his frantic search,   Li Xiaobai decisively found a treasure. Damn it, this is the one! Ancient Heaven-Penetrating Talisman: Activating  this talisman breaks through the void,   teleporting thousands of miles instantly, allowing  control over the timing of the teleportation,   ignoring all immobilizing spells. (Ten  thousand top-grade Spirit Stones.) Note: The longer the teleportation time,  the farther the distance teleported,   with entirely random destination. Although  instantaneous movement is great, don't be greedy! With determination, he gritted his teeth and  bought the Ancient Heaven-Penetrating Talisman. "Today's grudge, I, Zhang Rui, will remember!" "You won't be arrogant for long, I, Zhang Rui,  am a genius once in a millennium.

Given time,   I will surpass you, and that  will be the end of you!" He flipped his wrist, and the Ancient  Heaven-Penetrating Talisman showed its   power. Bright golden light  dazzled, fragmented space,   and forcefully broke through the binding of  the Blood Demon Transcendental Venerable. The talisman turned into specks of  light and merged into Li Xiaobai's body,   and he turned into a streak of light,  vanishing on the spot without a trace. "How is this possible!" "Blood Demon Transcendental Venerable, Blood  Demon Primal Brilliance True Resolution!" "Freeze this moment in time for me!" "Freeze it…" An angry roar filled the air, and the Blood Demon  Primordial Spirit swelled against the wind, with   dozens of blood-red tentacles violently striking  at the position where Li Xiaobai had disappeared. Blood Qi surged, the ground shattered, dust  flew, and the terrifying presence of the   Transcendance Tribulation Stage swept wildly  over the entire Divine Beast Mountain Range.

For a moment, whether it was  Demonic Beasts or Human Cultivators,   nearly all fell unconscious on  the ground at the same time. Venting his frustration at the site, the  straw-cloaked man's expression calmed down,   thinking the opponent's talisman clearly  belonged to a disciple of a major sect,   a descendant of a noble lineage, or at  the very least, someone with serendipity. Fortunately, this time there were some clues. "Zhang Rui, is it? I've taken  note of you. No matter which   sect's disciple you are, I will skin you alive!" Madness flickered in the straw-cloaked man's eyes. Meanwhile, several streaks of  light descended from the sky. "Master, we have captured three  Nascent Soul Stage cultivators;   the others escaped, showing some skill." "Please punish us, Master!" The voices of several black-robed  figures carried no hint of emotion.

The straw-cloaked man looked  down at the three Nascent Soul   Stage cultivators captured, who  had attempted to flee earlier. "Master, if you have any questions, this junior  will tell you all I know, please spare me!" The three Nascent Soul Stage  cultivators felt a chill run   through them under the straw-cloaked  man's gaze and kowtowed desperately. They were not highly skilled, and  a Divinity Transformation Stage old   monster who fled along with them had  perfectly betrayed them along the way,   resulting in the tragic capture of  the three by the black-robed figures. "Hehe, there's no need for that. I do not wish to   ask anything. I prefer to investigate  the things I want to know on my own." The straw-cloaked man's palm gently rested on  the head of one Nascent Soul Stage cultivator. "Blood Demon Soul-Searching!" Chapter 51 Chapter 51 Blood Qi surged once again, and  the Nascent Soul Cultivator who   was grasped by the head suddenly  had a vacant look in his eyes.

Thread-like streaks of Blood Qi invaded his brain,   as the straw-cloaked man slightly narrowed  his eyes, intently sensing something. A moment later, the Blood Qi dissipated,  and the straw-cloaked man withdrew his hand,   leaving the Nascent Soul Cultivator's  expression turning foolish. "Not bad, there's indeed a lot of  interesting information there. It   seems that the fruit and the fragments were  indeed taken by that kid, but unfortunately,   I still haven't found what I most want to know." "Now, the next one!" "Mercy, my lord, mercy, I can tell you  anything, I just ask that you spare my life!" The remaining two Nascent Soul  Cultivators shook like sieves;   they had recognized the kind  of evil technique being used.

This was the soul-searching technique, a  forbidden art in the Cultivation World. The   reason was simple: once used, it could seize  the memories of its target, but the victim's   spirit consciousness would be eradicated in  an instant, leaving behind a witless husk. They pleaded continuously, and  even their trouser legs dampened,   both of them were so scared  they had wet themselves. "Heh, interesting. So, do you  recognize a young man named Zhang Rui?" "I know, my lord, I know!" One of them eagerly raised his hand,  his face filled with excitement.

"Good, then you're up!" The straw-cloaked man appeared in front of him  in an instant, pressing his palm fiercely against   the Nascent Soul Cultivator's crown. Soon,  his expression also began to turn foolish. "Not bad at all, Zhang Rui, turns out to  be just a disciple of a minor sect in the   Northern Region. In that case, the other  six disciples also live in this backwater." "Tianwu Sect, is it? Seems there's  some connection with Zhenyuan Country,   maybe even with Central Province. For  now, let's give them a bit of face." "You lot, immediately locate Tianwu Sect and  find that young man named Zhang Rui. Find   an opportunity to bring him out; I must  retrieve what rightfully belongs to me!" "Understood!" Several figures robed in  black responded in unison,   leaping into the air, vanishing  without a trace in an instant. Only the last Nascent Soul Cultivator was left. "Mercy, my lord, I beg you, I'm an Elder  of the Holy Demon Sect, responsible for   overseeing all matters of the Inner Sect.  I am willing to do any task you ask of me!" This Nascent Soul Cultivator wept bitterly.

"Oh? What's your name?" "Replying to my lord, I am Yuan Fang." "I've lost something in the Northern Region;   it seems to have been taken by someone from  Tianwu Sect. Yuan Fang, what do you think?" "I will undoubtedly exhaust all efforts  to retrieve the treasure for my lord!" "Very well, I only need you to do one thing…" "…" … At the same time, thousands of miles away. Within an unknown valley, Li Xiaobai lay on the  ground, gasping for breath, at death's door. The system panel in front  of him continued to flicker. [Status: (Critical).] [Attribute Points +100…] [Attribute Points +100…] [Ding! Host has acquired a skill:  Blood Demon Primordial Spirit.] [Ding! Host's continuous suffering from the  Blood Demon Primordial Spirit's corrosion   has upgraded the skill: Blood  Demon Transcendental Venerable!] Blood Demon Transcendental Venerable:  Can summon the Primordial Spirit for   an attack.

The Blood Demon Primordial  Spirit possesses a strong corrosive   nature and can draw the enemy's strength  into one's body through its tendrils. Note: Smoking is harmful to your health. This wave of skill acquisitions brought  a surge of incredibly powerful skills,   not only adding a massive number of   Attribute Points but also capturing the  straw-cloaked man's Primordial Spirit. However, Li Xiaobai was far from  feeling any joy at the moment as   the life force within him continued to drain away. The ancient Heaven-Piercing Talisman had nearly  used up all his high-quality Spirit Stones,   and he was now unable to afford the Divine  Medicines like Nine-turn Golden Pills or   Immortality Extension Pills from the store.

[Attribute Points: 40000.] Allocate all to defense. [Host: Li Xiaobai.] … [Attribute Points: 0] [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden Body —  Fifth Stage. (0/50000) Eligible for advancement.] [Skills: Nine Revolutions Undying Sword  Intent — Fourth Stage, Muscle Flaccidity…] [Store: Now available.] [Status: Blood Demon Corrosion. (Severe).] By allocating all the attribute points to defense,   the status category finally  changed from critical to severe. The sensation of life force ebbing  away within me felt less intense. The exposed bones on my skin's surface were slowly  covered by a faint layer of blood film, as the   Indestructible Golden Body activated, and muscle  tissue began to slowly regenerate on its own.

Moving my body slightly, a  piercing pain shot through me,   and the wounds on my body tore open again. Li Xiaobai became compliant, lying quietly on the  ground, silently waiting for his body to recover. "Damn it, this time it was a mess, but good thing  I was clever, leaving behind Zhang Rui's name." "Even if that straw-cloaked man  wants to cause trouble for me,   he'll first seek out Tianwu Sect's Zhang  Rui, which is bad luck for him.

Hopefully,   the two of them get into a fight,  so they won't have time for me." "I still overestimated myself. In the end, even  after using an ancient sky-reaching talisman,   I was grazed by the straw-cloaked  man's Blood Demon Primordial Spirit,   otherwise, I wouldn't be in  such a miserable state now." "Ergouzi, find a couple of people to act as bait,  lure demonic beasts, and help me recover…" As my consciousness slowly blurred,   Li Xiaobai cooperated by closing  his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. He knew that this was his body needing  to mobilize energy to heal his injuries. When he awoke next, he should be  restored to his original state,   hoping that Ergouzi would understand his meaning. "Woof woof woof!" There was a stir in his chest, and a  furry little white dog burrowed out,   frantically sniffing around Li Xiaobai,  its eyes flashing with a hint of confusion. In the end, it seemed to remember  something and dashed away quickly. … Several miles away, on the official road, a  horse-drawn carriage was traveling slowly.

"Miss, how was the harvest this  trip?" The old coachman chuckled. "Thanks for asking, Uncle Wang. Yan  Yu found a stalk of True Yang Grass,   which should allow me to break  through to the ninth level of Qi   Cultivation Stage!" said a female voice  from inside the carriage, smiling gently. "Ah, I really envy you youngsters  who can cultivate. If Uncle Wang had   started cultivating ten years earlier, who  knows, I might have become a master too!" Uncle Wang sighed; he was truly old  now and couldn't cultivate anymore. Driving these young cultivators  around was now his greatest joy.   The young woman in the carriage, Situ  Yanyu, was his favorite among them. Beautiful in appearance and well-mannered,   she was polite and completely different  from many of the arrogant young cultivators. "Woof woof woof!" From the brush beside the official road,   a small white dog suddenly sprang out  and barked incessantly at the carriage.

"Where did this dog come from? Get to the side,   don't block the road!" Uncle Wang  waved his whip to scare it away. However, the little mongrel was  unfazed, still barking wildly. "Uncle Wang, what's happening?" "Miss, there's a small dog blocking the way  on the official road, I'll go chase it away." "Please wait, Uncle Wang, let  Yan Yu take a look first." From inside the carriage, the young woman  dressed in plain white clothes emerged.   The scrappy little dog, without a second thought,   ran up to her and started tearing and  biting at her clothes in a frenzy.

"This…This is a Spirit Beast!" Chapter 52 Chapter 52 "Miss, what is a 'Spirit Beast'?"  Uncle Wang asked, puzzled. "Uncle Wang, you see, this little  dog is clearly looking for us. It   already has spiritual intelligence;  it understands what we're saying," Situ Yanyu said with a smile, her heart  growing fond of the scruffy little dog. Such a cute and telepathic little dog  could be described as a girl's kryptonite.

"So, what does it want from us?" Uncle  Wang prodded the scruffy little dog. "Woof woof woof!" "Do you want us to follow you?"  Situ Yanyu asked with a light laugh. "Woof woof woof!" The scruffy little dog was very excited,  the other party understood its intent,   and it tugged at Situ Yanyu even more vigorously. "Uncle Wang, why don't we delay our journey for a  bit and follow it to see?" Situ Yanyu suggested. "Alright, I've never encountered a  telepathic little dog in my life.   To think it can understand human speech  is truly incredible," Uncle Wang said. "Woof woof woof!" The scruffy little dog stood up on its hind legs,   with its front paws behind its  back, a gesture of disdain. It looked on as the elder and the  young girl were flabbergasted. "Quick, follow it!" Situ Yanyu felt like she had  stumbled upon a treasure today,   such human-like Demonic Beasts were rare to see. The other families in the  city also kept Spirit Beasts,   but they could only understand the most  basic commands and were not very obedient,   nothing compared to the scruffy  little dog in front of them.

If only she could persuade this little  dog to become her personal Spirit Beast. Uncle Wang drove the carriage off the official   road and followed the scruffy little  dog, tearing through the dense forest. "Miss, it's dangerous in these woods,   they say Demonic Beasts often  appear here," Uncle Wang warned. "Uncle Wang, you go back. I'll  just follow the little dog.   I'm a cultivator, I'll be fine," Situ  Yanyu assured him, her lips tightly pursed,   fixated on the scruffy little dog, unwilling  to pass up such a rare opportunity. "Hehe, what nonsense are you talking  about, young lady? Is Uncle Wang the   type to abandon you in the Demonic Beast  Forest and leave you to fend for yourself?" "Uncle Wang is just worried about your  safety, that's all…" he admitted.

The carriage sped along, going  deeper and deeper into the woods. In the jungle, the roars of Demonic  Beasts could be heard from time to time,   interspersed with gusts of  wind carrying a tinge of blood,   an indicator of the oppressive aura  unleashed by the howling beasts. "Woof woof woof!" The scruffy little dog suddenly stopped in the  distance and barked furiously at the carriage.

Situ Yanyu's face lit up with joy. They  had arrived at their destination. She   stepped out of the carriage and scrutinized  the surroundings. They were in a valley,   with mountain breezes blowing through  now and then, the air refreshingly crisp. She had never ventured so  deep into a mountain forest. Normally, she would collect herbs no more  than a few miles off the official road,   but this time, they must be at  least a hundred miles away from it. It wouldn't be unusual for any type  of Demonic Beast to reside here;   she just hoped to pass through safely. "Miss, this place isn't safe. Let's  finish our business quickly and leave!" "This place feels too comfortable to stay.  Wherever it's comfortable is bound to be   suitable for living; it must be inhabited by  Demonic Beasts," Uncle Wang nervously suggested.

He had gotten carried away and  followed her into this place. Now, he regretted it a bit. It  was one thing if he died here,   but if Situ Yanyu also perished, he  would regret it for the rest of his life. If he had known, he would have come alone. However, the scruffy little dog didn't  care about their concerns. With a leap,   it jumped into the valley, barking at them again. The two of them hurried to  keep up. Having come this far,   they had to see what the  scruffy little dog needed. As they got closer, they saw a figure lying  quietly in the middle of the valley—a young man. "Miss, this is…" Uncle Wang began. "Uncle Wang, this appears to be a cultivator,   and this little dog is probably here to  find someone to rescue this cultivator." Situ Yanyu's expression was somewhat conflicted,   and her heart sank with disappointment as she  realized the scruffy dog already had an owner. "Miss, perhaps it's not our  place to meddle in affairs   between cultivators," Uncle Wang cautioned.

"Uncle Wang, saving a life is  more meritorious than building   a seven-level pagoda. Let's go down and see." "Alas, all right…" The two of them made their way down the slope to   the bottom of the valley and  headed towards Li Xiaobai. In an instant, they were both so  shocked that their hair stood on end. At that moment, Li Xiaobai's skin had not  completely regrown, his body's muscle tissues   still throbbed palpably, and the bloody hole in  his chest was especially appalling to behold. "This… This man must be dead, his chest has been  pierced through!" Uncle Wang exclaimed in shock. Situ Yanyu felt a wave of nausea, and the sight in  front of her made her feel incredibly ill at ease. Suppressing the urge to vomit, Situ Yanyu  turned to the scruffy dog and asked, "Do you want us to take him away?" "Woof, woof, woof!" The scruffy dog began dragging Li Xiaobai towards  the carriage, its intent clearer than ever.

"Miss, please think this through.  Bringing this person with us may   bring disaster upon us," Uncle Wang said,  feeling fearful at the sight of Li Xiaobai. Situ Yanyu also felt torn since the man before  her was clearly being pursued by enemies,   and saving him could bring trouble upon herself. However, in the span of those thoughts,  multiple furious roars filled the air,   and several gigantic demonic  beasts appeared atop the valley,   letting out a terrifying bellow at  the two humans and one dog below. An intangible scent of blood filled the valley. Situ Yanyu turned pale.  The inevitable had arrived. "Little doggy, do you have a way to drive  away the demonic beasts?" Situ Yanyu asked. "Woof, woof, woof!" The scruffy dog darted back to Li Xiaobai's chest.

The hearts of both humans sank, realizing that,   even though the dog was spiritually  aware, it clearly lacked strength. Given the intimidating presence of the demonic  beasts above, who seemed to possess the power   of Foundation Establishment and Golden Core  Stage, they feared their deaths were certain. "Uncle Wang, I'll distract them while you take  the opportunity to drive the carriage away!" Situ Yanyu's face was filled with resolve. "Uncle Wang is already over fifty;  you still have your prime years   ahead of you. Practice well in the  future, and avenge me," Wang said. Uncle Wang's face calmed down as he  faced the crisis. He realized that by   sacrificing his old life to protect fresh  blood, his tale would not be a sad one. "Uncle Wang, Yan Yu has some  cultivation power and can   hold them off for a while. Please  just listen to me this once…" "Woof, woof, woof!" As the two were at an impasse, the  dog's urgent barking sounded again,   as if trying to communicate a message to them.

"Do you want us to get closer?" Situ Yanyu understood the scruffy dog's intent. "Woof, woof, woof!" The two approached Li Xiaobai's "corpse" and  crouched down, enduring their discomfort. Surrounded by several large demonic beasts,  they knew their chances of survival were   virtually nil; they had no choice but  to trust the scruffy dog this once. Finally, unable to hold back any longer,   the demonic beasts from above  made their powerful charge. Their roars echoed through the valley and their  formidable presence swept across the field;   the two humans curled up together, eyes tightly  shut, having abandoned all hope. Against such   powerful demonic beasts, even a cultivator at  the Foundation Establishment Stage would falter. It was at this moment they suddenly  heard a low, hoarse voice by their ears. "Blood Demon Transcendental Venerable!" Chapter 53 Chapter 53 In the void, a blood-colored  aura surged violently,   and a Divine Blood Demon stood  towering between heaven and earth. Behind him, three heads and six arms,  dozens of blood-colored tentacles burst   forth simultaneously, piercing into several  Demonic Beasts diving down from above.

The corpses of the Demonic Beasts were hoisted  in midair, visibly withering and shriveling up   at a rapid pace, until finally they turned  into skeletons that scattered in the wind. Meanwhile, Li Xiaobai's physical body recovered  rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye, the   large hole in his chest healed in the blink of an  eye, and he was once again brimming with vitality. "What a pity, just a few Demonic Beasts  at the Foundation Establishment Stage,   not a single inner core among them." Li Xiaobai slowly got up from the ground, his  voice hoarse as the Blood Demon Primordial Spirit   absorbed the energy from the bodies of the Demonic  Beasts, speeding up the recovery of his flesh. The System panel in front of him flicked. [Attribute Points: 1000.] [Status: Blood Demon Corrosion (Severe).] "It seems that only advancing can alleviate  the status," Li Xiaobai muttered to himself. "Well done, actually understanding my intention,   bringing two baits to attract the  Demonic Beasts, quite impressive indeed." He rubbed the fluffy bundle on his  chest, it wasn't in vain that he brought   the little broken dog out; in critical  moments, it could still come in handy.

[Ding! Achievement unlocked: Champion of  Creative Dying. Reward: One heavy-duty truck.] Heavy-duty truck: Can transport thirty  tons of cargo, covered in copper skin   and iron armor, extremely sturdy, consumes  one medium-grade Spirit Stone per kilometer. Note: Even seasoned drivers face  risks on the road; drive civilly,   eliminate road rage, starting with me! Hisss! A thought struck Li Xiaobai's mind, this was  the second time he had unlocked an achievement,   and this time he was directly  rewarded with a heavy-duty truck. To know that this heavy-duty truck in the mount  shop costs a full three thousand high-grade Spirit   Stones, and now the System was giving  it to him for free, this was a score! "Young Master…" Situ Yanyu trembled all over, facing  Li Xiaobai, or rather the blood-colored   Divine Demon behind him, she felt a primal chill. This feeling was thousands of times stronger  than when she encountered the Demonic Beasts,   she believed that the senior before  her was the true great calamity. Moreover, through his words, she understood that  all this was a ruse of the young man before her,   the little broken dog luring her over, then she  attracting numerous Demonic Beasts, and finally,   the young cultivator using demonic techniques  to drain the beasts to recover his injuries.

This play was a little too slick for her taste. "Thank you both for your assistance, if it  hadn't been for your arrival, those Demonic   Beasts wouldn't have dared to come close,  and my physical body could not have recovered   so quickly," said Li Xiaobai as he clasped his  fists in gratitude. Yet, he suddenly felt fatigue   sweeping over him again, engulfing his whole body,  and the status in that column remained unchanged. The influence of the Blood Demon Corrosion  continued to consume the vitality within him   every moment; his body was drained of strength,  and needed more time before things could improve. Li Xiaobai's legs gave out, and  he lay back down on the spot,   closing his eyes and falling into a deep sleep.

The shadow of the blood-colored Divine  Demon vanished, the pressure dissipated,   and Situ Yanyu felt a relief in her  heart, regaining control of her body. "Woof woof woof!" The little broken dog came forward  and tugged at Situ Yanyu once more,   the intent could not be clearer, to take  Li Xiaobai with them and leave together. "Uncle Wang…" "Take him with us, if it hadn't been for the  senior here, we would have all died here,   perhaps, this is your chance," said Uncle Wang  bluntly, picking up Li Xiaobai around the waist,   and with the help of Situ Yanyu,  they put him into the carriage. The little broken dog also jumped in after him. Uncle Wang snapped the reins,  and the carriage sped away. Inside the carriage, Situ Yanyu curiously held the  little broken dog in her arms,   finally able to briefly have him to  herself, fulfilling a small wish. "Where did you guys come from?" "Woof woof woof!" "` "This young master is really young.

Judging  by his appearance, he seems about my age,   yet he possesses such strength. I really  wish he could give me some guidance," "With such a formidable level of  cultivation, whoever could injure   him like this must be someone I can hardly  even dare to think about in this lifetime," Desire surfaced in Situ Yanyu's eyes. Looking out the window, she noticed  that demonic beasts wildly scattered   as the carriage passed by, showing  extreme wariness towards the carriage. Without even thinking, she knew it must be because  of the young master who had just been saved. Even in a coma, lying quietly in the  carriage, he still exerted a deterring   effect on the demonic beasts—just  how strong must his cultivation be! Hearing Situ Yanyu's soliloquy, the scruffy  dog's eyes revealed a touch of disdain. The reason Li Xiaobai could deter the  demonic beasts wasn't due to his own   strong cultivation but because  there was still Blood Demon   Corrosion Force lingering within him from  a Transcendance Tribulation Stage expert.

This aura leaked out, and naturally,   the surrounding demonic beasts  fled at the sight of it. "You're quite the interesting little  dog. Could it be that in your eyes,   that severely injured young  master is nothing special?" Situ Yanyu chuckled, wanting  to tease the scruffy dog. The scruffy dog stood on its hind legs, with  an even stronger look of disdain in its eyes.   It stretched out a paw and made a gesture that  seemed to say, "I alone am honored under heaven!" "Then why did you dive into the young master's   arms when you encountered  a demonic beast just now?" "Woof woof woof!" The scruffy dog's attempt to act cool  failed, feeling momentarily frustrated,   it turned away and stopped  paying attention to Situ Yanyu.

… The journey was uneventful, With Li Xiaobai deterring them, demonic  beasts didn't dare approach close,   and Uncle Wang was able to bring  the carriage safely into the city. At the city gate, there was a huge stone door,   with the words Ancient Moon  City inscribed at the very top. There were checkpoints on both sides,  but Uncle Wang was obviously familiar   with the place. He gave a slight nod and  a greeting, and they were allowed to pass. The city was bustling and lively. Uncle Wang had a good reputation, and wherever  he went, people knew him and greeted him warmly. "Yo, Old Wang, picking up Miss Yan Yu again?" "Hehe, Old Wang is such a good man. He's  almost like a second father to Yan Yu!" "Yes, yes…" "Hehe, don't tease Old Wang…" The carriage turned a corner  and entered a narrow alley;   this city was clearly divided by social class. Big families and the wealthy lived  in the bustling central districts,   while commoners and ordinary citizens lived  in the out-of-the-way corners of the town. Situ Yanyu evidently belonged to the latter group,   living in a particularly remote area, with  a faint smell of decay lingering in the air.

"Grandpa, I'm back!" Situ Yanyu called out and, together with Uncle  Wang, carried Li Xiaobai into the courtyard. "What happened? Who is this person,  and why is he so severely injured?" "Yanyu, haven't you gotten  into some trouble outside?" An elderly man with white  hair, hobbling with a cane,   hastened over and immediately noticed the  weakened Li Xiaobai, his heart tightening. "Grandpa, it's not like that.  I'll explain in a moment." "Yes, old man, let me tell you, this young man  is quite remarkable. If it weren't for him,   Yan Yu and I might've been buried in the belly  of a demonic beast," Uncle Wang explained,   indicating that they should move  the person into the house first. Relieved that his granddaughter hadn't caused any  serious trouble outside, the elder's expression   visibly relaxed. As long as that was the case, it  was good. The outside world was too dangerous, and   if anything were to go wrong, it wasn't something  that he and his granddaughter could handle.

"Alright, alright, let's move this young  man into the old man's room first…" Chapter 54 Chapter 54 Li Xiaobai lay on the bed. He had been on the old man's  bed for two days already. During these two days, he had  basically gotten a good sense   of the information about this city as well  as the basic circumstances of this family. There was no helping it, he had been  swindled too miserably in the Divine   Beast Mountain Range. In all fairness,  he should have been the one profiting,   yet he was met with divine twists at  every turn. One must be extra cautious   when traveling outside; otherwise, it  really wouldn't be possible to get by. The female cultivator who saved him was  named Situ Yanyu, with a cultivation level   that he estimated did not exceed the  Foundation Establishment Stage—she   belonged to the rather weaker cultivators. This household only consisted of  a grandfather and granddaughter,   living a quite leisurely life. The elder,  named Situ Kong, was also a cultivator   in his early years and was now at the third  layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage,   spending each day offering guidance  to the practicing Situ Yanyu.

It's just that his cultivation was similarly weak. He didn't know about the cultivation levels  of other cultivators in the city though. If   it was a Novice Village, then there was  no need to pay too much attention to it. "Hehe, young master, the old man is here to wipe  your face again. I don't know how you cultivated,   but at such a young age you already possess  such cultivation levels. If you could wake up,   I would really like you to  give Yanyu some guidance." "I have already asked for a doctor from the city  to come look at the young master's injuries. The   doctor will arrive shortly, and we all hope  that the young master can wake up soon." Situ Kong gently wiped Li Xiaobai's face with  a wet towel, then left with the bowl of water.

… In fact, Li Xiaobai had already come  to consciousness, but his body still   hadn't regained sensation and couldn't move. Luckily, a kind-hearted sister had  saved him and brought him to a city.   Right now, the straw-cloaked man must be  frantically searching the surroundings. Being out in the wilderness  always felt unsettling. Still, it was more comfortable  sleeping inside a house—humans   just needed a building surrounded  by walls on all sides to feel safe. Checking the attribute value panel before him. [Host: Li Xiaobai] […] [Defensive Power: Fifth revolution of the   Nine Revolutions Undying Golden  Body.

(6000/50000) Upgradeable.] [Attribute Points: 0.] [Skills: Hatred Hundred  Percent, Muscle Flaccidity,   Four revolutions of the Nine Revolutions Undying   Sword Intent, Blood Demon Transcendental  Venerable, Super Abdominal Muscles…] [Store: Open.] [Status: Blood Demon Corrosion (Severe).] … The status hasn't shown any improvement;  the Blood Demon Corrosion was severe,   with the life force within  continuously slipping away. Fortunately, the speed at which  the life force was fading balanced   out with the recovery ability of the  Nine Revolutions Undying Golden Body. The state of his body was  barely maintaining itself. After a bit more recovery, he  should be able to move freely. He checked his inventory. This time, unlocking achievements  had netted quite a few good items. [Items: Somewhat Careful Helmet, Thousand Mile  Transmission Talisman… Heavy-duty truck.] Heavy-duty truck: Capable of transporting thirty  tons of cargo, armored with copper and iron,   extremely sturdy; consumes one Middle  Grade Spirit Stone per kilometer. Note: Even experienced drivers face  risks on the road, drive civilly,   eradicate road killers, start with me. This was a mount—or rather, an off-road vehicle   by the looks of it.

Whether for travel  or defense, it seemed quite remarkable. When the opportunity arises, he could  test out the power of his new mount! He continued his rampage through the store. He had almost run out of High Grade Spirit Stones,   leaving only Low and Middle Grade Spirit Stones,  which limited his options for high-end products. However, he didn't need any high-end products   right now; what he needed most was a way  to change his appearance at any moment.

That straw-cloaked man in the outside world  was undoubtedly searching for him relentlessly;   perhaps a portrait had even been circulated,   and he needed an item that could  change his appearance for a disguise. After a long search in the corner of the  store, Li Xiaobai found an item he liked. [Human Skin Mask: Once worn,   can change one's appearance and aura.  (1000 Middle Grade Spirit Stones).] "` Note: The Human Skin Mask can be reused, but  facial appearance and temperament can only   be reset once a day.

Slight alterations to one's  character may occur, so please use with caution. Great, you're the one! Upon clicking 'buy,' a face that wasn't his  own suddenly appeared on Li Xiaobai's face. He   could control the facial expressions at will  since the mask was in tune with his wishes. Isn't this just like creating  a character in a game! Hehe, since I'm going to shape a face, I  must of course shape it into a handsome guy! The original Li Xiaobai was good-looking,   though only to an extent—it wasn't to  the level of being strikingly handsome. Now that he had the chance, he  naturally had to make the most of it. Eyes need to be fierce, nose must be straight—in  short, just make it as handsome as possible. As for the temperament, let's follow  the path of the third senior brother;   I hear that handsome guys with that  half-dead-alive melancholic air not   only slay all the ladies but also incite  unlimited hatred from their male peers.

Kill two birds with one stone. … It was at this moment that the  door opened with a "creak." Situ Kong and Situ Yanyu led the doctor inside. Upon getting a clear view of Li Xiaobai at  that moment, both grandfather and grandson   were startled. The young master had  changed his face in just a moment. No doubt about it, he must have already  awoken and wished to conceal his identity. "Doctor Mo, this young man is  the patient I spoke of. Please   examine him carefully," Situ Kong said politely. "Hmph, make sure the Silver Coins  are prepared. My visit fees are   quite expensive!" Doctor Mo snorted coldly, his  tone sounding strangely unpleasant to the ear. "Hehe, old man, I've already prepared everything," Situ Yanyu looked displeased and wanted to  say something, but was stopped by Situ Kong. In the higher echelons, an  Elixir Grandmaster is the boss;   and to those lower down, a doctor like  this one is the boss. The reason is simple:   they can heal your ailments, and you need to  provide for them and take good care of them. "Hmm, let me have a look," said Doctor Mo, sitting  beside Li Xiaobai and scrutinizing his complexion.

"Oh, pale complexion, forehead full of sweat  beads, these are symptoms of physical weakness.   But considering this young man is a cultivator,  he must be poisoned," Doctor Mo observed. "Let's see what kind of poison  this is," the doctor said,   extending a finger to lightly  touch Li Xiaobai's wrist. "Hm, this poison is…" "Demonic Yin poison has entered the body, he  must have been harmed by a powerful senior who   has cultivated a Primordial Spirit; that  this person is still alive is a marvel!" In just an instant, Doctor Mo's face  drastically changed. The lowest level   needed to cultivate a Primordial  Spirit was the Nascent Soul Stage. Anyone capable of contesting with  a Nascent Soul Stage senior was   certainly not an ordinary individual. This  young man probably was not truly young,   but an old monster of a thousand years.  There was too much at stake here,   not a matter for an insignificant  doctor like himself to be involved in.

He hastily packed his things and, holding  his medical box, darted out the door. "Aiyo, this old fellow can't deal with it!" "You two rest assured, my mouth is  absolutely sealed. I understand the rules;   I won't let a word slip. If I break  this promise, may lightning strike me!" With that, Doctor Mo ran off without looking back. Situ Kong was stunned, while Situ  Yanyu held her belly, laughing. This somewhat domineering Doctor Mo had actually   been scared off by the young  master's internal injuries. "Has the young master awoken?" Situ Yanyu asked. "Yes, I have awoken," Li Xiaobai replied. "Then is there anything the young master desires?" "I want to be left alone." "…" Chapter 55 Chapter 55 Situ Yanyu and Situ Kong left the room. Li Xiaobai sat up from the bed,   touched the human skin mask on his face,  and found it to be quite realistic.

He was able to move his body  slightly now but was still very weak. However, there was no helping it. As long  as the Blood Demon Corrosion State within   him wasn't completely resolved,  he would continue to look sickly. He needed to find a way to quickly  increase his Attribute Points. Being beaten up was the fastest method, but with  his current condition, finding weaker cultivators   would yield trivial Attribute Points, and sparing  with stronger ones would simply be suicide. With   the Blood Demon Corrosion not fully resolved, Li  Xiaobai did not want to invite further trouble. After much consideration,   only Tangneng First-class bathhouse  could address his urgent needs. He needed to get himself a bathhouse to soak in! He rubbed the furry lump on his chest,  "Dog brother, do you have a name?" "Woof woof woof!" The shabby dog wriggled out from inside the cloth  on Li Xiaobai's chest, looking somewhat puzzled.

"Shall I give you one?" "Woof woof woof!" "Then from now on, you'll be called Nicholas  Ergouzi. How's that, cool and gutsy, right?" "Woof woof woof!" The shabby dog stood on its hind  legs and gestured a unique hand sign,   completely disregarding the  name Li Xiaobai had given it. However, Li Xiaobai clearly  didn't grasp the dog's gesture. "Good, since you also think so, that'll  be your name from now on, Ergouzi!" Li Xiaobai patted the shabby dog's back,  feeling that the little dog was quite sensible.

Ignoring the shabby dog's displeased expression,  Li Xiaobai got up, preparing to go out for a walk;   he needed to find a suitable place  to build a bathhouse for soaking. But at that moment, loud quarreling  noises came from outside the room. "Wang Ergou, you can give up  that thought. I, Situ Yanyu,   would rather die here today and be buried  alive than marry into the Xia Family!" "Indeed, my granddaughter is intelligent  and cultivates swiftly. Given time,   she's destined to stand out among others.  How can we tolerate your harassment?!" "Heh, old man, do you really think your precious   granddaughter's cultivation  level came from nowhere?" Outside, a frivolous voice of an unfamiliar  man reached inside.

Li Xiaobai paused,   wanting to assess the situation first. But the shabby dog couldn't  wait, and without a thought,   it squeezed through the crack  of the door and went out. The Situ Family was being bullied,  and the culprit shared the name Ergou;   that was something it couldn't stand for. Although it didn't like the name, Li  Xiaobai had forcibly given it to the dog. If it couldn't resist, then it had to accept it. In this world, there could only be one Ergouzi! Outside, in the courtyard. A few young men had cornered Situ  Yanyu and Situ Kong in a corner,   their expressions somewhat ferocious.

The conversation they had  just now was very unpleasant. "What do you mean by those words just  now? My granddaughter's cultivation   level is the result of her hard work!"  Situ Kong seemed somewhat furious. "You're overestimating yourselves.  If it weren't for the operations of   our young master, how could a little  girl from the poor district obtain a   cultivation technique that would allow  her to reach the Golden Core Stage?" "Don't say that Wang Ergou didn't warn you. Our  young master taking fancy to Miss Yan Yu is a   privilege you should appreciate, don't reject  a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!" The leading young man spoke sinisterly, not  putting the Situ Family in his eyes at all. His followers also looked on with  mocking eyes at everything happening   in the courtyard. In this city, having  power and influence was everything. Without a doubt, they were the  ones with power and influence. "This is a threat, shameless!" Situ Yanyu's face was filled with  aggrieved anger, highly indignant.

"Yes, it is a threat. What can you do about it?  My young master has already given you time to   think. Today, you must come back with me to  the Xia Family. You should know that there   are at least a hundred, if not a thousand,  ladies in Ancient Moon City who dream of   marrying into the Xia Family to reach the  sky in one step. Don't be ungrateful." Wang Ergou's face bore a  smug look, quite arrogant. "Woof woof woof!" The barking of a dog rang out as the scrappy  little mutt could no longer stand by idly;   it leaped forward and furiously bit at Wang Ergou. Not only did this person share its name, but  he also dared to be so arrogant. The scrappy   little mutt's mind was made up. Today,  either it or this Wang Ergou must die! "Where did this stray dog come from? Scram!" Taken aback by the pain,   Wang Ergou became furious and kicked the  scrappy little dog, sending it flying. "Woof woof woof!" The scrappy little dog was enraged. Suppressing  its urge to rush forward and tear its assailant   apart, it instead barked insistently towards  the room, seeking Li Xiaobai's help for revenge.

"Hmm? Is there someone else inside?" A jolt of alarm passed through Wang Ergou's  heart, and the others became wary as well. The Situ Household had always consisted  of just the grandfather and granddaughter,   without any outsiders. Today,   there was unexpectedly someone else hidden  in the house, and they hadn't even noticed. "No one's here, no one!" Situ Yanyu blurted in a bit of a  panic, stepping in front of Wang Ergou. But at that moment, the  door opened with a "creak." "In broad daylight, under the bright heavens,  to see you molesting a respectable young lady,   I, as a paragon of virtue,  simply cannot stand by." Li Xiaobai stood with his hands clasped  behind his back, speaking dispassionately.

"A man, your household is actually hiding a man!" "No wonder you refused my young master's  demand. You already had a pretty boy   stashed away. Well then, today I, Wang Ergou,  will shatter your hopes once and for all!" Wang Ergou shrieked in shock, drawing  the longsword at his waist, his eyes   filled with a ferocious gleam, "What are you  waiting for? Get him, kill this pretty boy!" "Kid, you've got guts, daring to compete  with my young master for a woman!" A few of them sneered menacingly  as they rushed toward Li Xiaobai. "Young master, be careful!" Situ Yanyu involuntarily called out, but then  remembered something and clamped her mouth shut,   realizing these servants, mere  Foundation Establishment stage   lackeys from the Xia Family, stood  no chance against the young master.

"Heh heh, such nutritive offerings right at  my doorstep. I'm really not fond of killing,   so how about I absorb half from each?  Blood Demon Transcendental Venerable!" Li Xiaobai chuckled lightly, and  behind him, a blood-red shadow   emerged suddenly, with tentacle-like  appendages piercing into the bodies   of the lackeys and beginning to  frenziedly absorb their energy. This energy was not just Spiritual Energy but also  the strength of their physical body, Blood Qi,   and extracting it could provide  a good boost to Attribute Points. [Attribute Point +50…] [Attribute Point +50…] All points to defense! [Defensive Power: Indestructible  Golden Body Fifth Stage (7000/50000).] However, due to the low cultivation level  of these lackeys, not too many Attribute   Points could be added.

After draining them to a  point near death, the blood shadow dissipated,   and the lackeys fell to the ground,  slipping into a deep unconsciousness. Li Xiaobai waved his hand: "Bear Paw Shock." This was a skill he had acquired  in the Divine Beast Mountain Range,   its effectiveness was mediocre, but it  was enough to deal with a few henchmen. An invisible wave of impact surged,  the ground fractured inch by inch,   and the troublesome lackeys were blown away.

"Young master, won't this cause a problem?" Chapter 56 Chapter 56 Li Xiaobai's performance was too dominant, and  Situ Kong was very afraid of retaliation. They   were just ordinary people and could  not fight against the big families. "Grandfather, the young master is helping us," Situ Yanyu frowned, feeling that her  grandfather was being too cautious. "Indeed, we cultivators stand for justice  and righteousness. When we see injustice,   we roar and take action. Rest assured,  I will help you resolve your troubles," Li Xiaobai said indifferently.  From the moment he put on the mask,   he had been following the path of his third  senior brother, which was somewhat lifeless. Wang Ergou was thrown out, and  Ergouzi seemed very excited,   bouncing into Li Xiaobai's  arms, burrowing into his chest.

Situ Yanyu's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks  flushed slightly. She felt that Li Xiaobai, with   a mask, looked even handsomer than before,  and he exuded an irresistible charm to women. That proud nose, the eyes sharp as a hawk's,   coupled with his handsome looks and this  lifeless yet melancholic temperament… Strong, attractive, and  charismatic—such a man was perfection… "Cough cough!" Situ Kong coughed twice on the side. Situ Yanyu's thoughts were interrupted.  She immediately collected her thoughts,   realizing she had lost her composure. "May I know your esteemed name,  young master?" Situ Yanyu asked. "I am Ye Liangchen, and I am grateful  for the lady's righteous rescue." Li Xiaobai said with a hearty laugh. When  one drifts through the martial world,   it's wise to use an alias to protect oneself.

Especially in theses unfamiliar lands,   it would be better to change his  appearance completely and start anew. "So you are Young Master Liangchen. I am Situ  Yanyu, and this is my grandfather, Situ Kong." Situ Yanyu's smile was as blooming as flowers,   and the more she looked at Li Xiaobai,  the more pleasing she found him. "Cough cough, the old man pays his respects. Thank  you, Young Master Liangchen, for lending a hand," Situ Kong said with a fist cupped salute.  Li Xiaobai's cultivation was unfathomable,   and he too did not dare to offend him. "Hehe, it was nothing. By the way, do you  have any abandoned buildings in the yard?" Li Xiaobai glanced around the environment. This  place where the grandfather and granddaughter   lived was not small; there were a lot of empty  houses, which were very suitable for a bathhouse. "There's a firewood shed. Yan Yu, go and  clean it out for Young Master Liangchen." Situ Kong led Situ Yanyu to a room full of dust.

The room clearly hadn't been maintained in years,  probably two or three years since anyone last   entered, with cobwebs everywhere. Pushing the  door open, dust, and debris fell in flurries. Situ Yanyu found a broom in the  corner and intended to sweep up a bit. Li Xiaobai quickly stepped forward to stop them:   "There's no need for the two of you  to do this. I can take care of it." "How could we impose such a thing on you?" "Hehe, it's just a small matter." Joking, with so much dust, manual cleaning  would only make things dirtier. He had shop   items to assist him, there was no need  for such primitive cleaning methods. [Vacuum: It can suck in anything.  The more Spirit Stones injected,   the higher the grade, the more powerful the  vacuum. (1000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones).] Note: The vacuum should be cleaned regularly. Purchase! This device was much faster than manual cleaning,   but the only downside was that  it used Spirit Stones as fuel.

It was quite expensive to operate. After asking them to step back,   Li Xiaobai inserted a Lower Grade  Spirit Stone to test its effectiveness. Upon turning on the vacuum, the dust and  objects in the room surged toward the   device. Everything that came near  it shrank and was sucked into it. The storage of the vacuum was essentially  a vast Space Ring containing a vast space,   where all the sucked-in items were stored.

The room was almost instantly  tidied. Li Xiaobai laughed heartily   and inserted two more Lower Grade Spirit Stones. The suction power increased  immensely, and in almost an instant,   all the furnishings in the room were  pulled straight into the vacuum. After a few breaths had passed, the room was spotless, not only was the dust  gone, but not even a small teacup remained. Looking at the empty house, Situ Kong  felt a desire to cry but had no tears;   damn, the cleaning was too thorough,  at least you should have left the bed! Situ Yanyu was also dumbstruck, "Is  this the method of a great power?   Every gesture and motion is filled with  Great Divine Skills, it's so impressive." "Hehe, not worth mentioning,  not worth mentioning." Li Xiaobai waved his hand, walked into the empty  room, and began preparing to build the bathhouse.

He spent a Lower Grade Spirit Stone to exchange  for a heap of building materials in the market. Due to space limitations, he was  still constructing a simple version   of a bathhouse; enclosing the area would suffice. Situ Yanyu and Situ Kong  stared at the scene inside   the room with surprised faces, quite puzzled. "Young Master is building a pool?" "Why is that?" "This is the Tangneng First-class, a soaking  technique. Submerging oneself in the pool not   only nourishes the skin and enhances beauty but  also slightly increases one's cultivation level." "Cultivating in this bathhouse  is greatly beneficial,   would Miss Yanyu like to give it a try as well?" Li Xiaobai said with a smile,   as soaking in the bath with a beauty was  of course the most comfortable thing.

"No…no need." Upon hearing this, Situ Yanyu's pretty face turned  red, and she turned and ran out as if flying. Situ Kong, hearing that the bathhouse  could actually improve cultivation level,   had his eyes filled with curiosity  and looked a bit lascivious. "Hehehe, if Young Master Liangchen doesn't mind,   this old man would be willing to soak  together with Young Master Liangchen." …

Half an hour later. "Hiss!" "This pool is truly miraculous; soaking in it,   my cultivation level that has been stagnant for  years has actually grown, it's unbelievable!" Situ Kong's face was flushed  with excitement and ecstasy. Any cultivator who had given up hope  on advancing would be uncontrollably   excited if suddenly presented  with an opportunity to progress. However, the one who should have been  uncontrollably excited was supposed   to be the beautiful and moving  Situ Yanyu, not an old geezer. Looking at the jubilant Situ Kong, Li  Xiaobai felt a kind of lifeless feeling;   he hadn't expected the old man to actually  have the gall to soak inside and once in,   the old man stayed for nearly half an hour,  showing signs of wanting to sleep there tonight. The feeling of soaking in a bath with  a septuagenarian was really weird. This was not the kind of romantic  encounter he had in mind. [Attribute Points +10…] [Attribute Points: 2000.] Add it all to defensive power. [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden Body  Fifth Stage (9000/50000) ready for advancement.] [Status: Blood Demon Corrosion (Severe).] The simple version of the  bathhouse was still too low-end,   as it increased Attribute Points far too slowly.   To gather enough Attribute Points to advance his  defensive power, it might take quite a long time.

He needed to eliminate the negative  status in the shortest time possible. He needed to find a proper site  to build a proper bathhouse. "Old man, you keep soaking,  I'll take a walk. Meanwhile,   I'll set up a bathhouse for  your granddaughter too." "Hmm, the empty room on the west  side is quite suitable, be gentle,   Yan Yu's constitution isn't very strong." Chapter 57 Chapter 57 "` "That old fool really, spends  all day dreaming up nonsense." "Do I, a promising young man, look  like someone with such a vulgar taste?" "All I wanted was to help Miss Yan  Yu improve her cultivation level,   but alas, the world always misunderstands  me.

Truly, being too handsome is a sin." In the courtyard, Li Xiaobai touched his  human skin mask, feeling helpless inside. The room on the western side of  the yard was a grocery store,   filled with all sorts of miscellaneous items. He still invested two lower grade spirit stones   to transform the entire room into a  simplified version of a bathhouse. "Miss Yan Yu, this bathhouse has amazing effects.   Cultivating inside can yield twice  the result with half the effort." Li Xiaobai said with a smile.

"Hmm, thank you, young master." The voice of Situ Yanyu was  as tiny as a mosquito's,   as taking a bath was quite an embarrassing  matter in this not so enlightened world. "Hmm, you go ahead and cultivate at your  own pace, I'll take a walk outside." Li Xiaobai smiled and walked out of  the room, heading towards the street. It had been several days since he arrived,   and he hadn't had the chance to properly  explore the city and get to know it. Moreover, he really did need a more  high-end bathhouse. The characteristic   of Tangneng First-class bathhouse was  that the more luxurious the location,   the more potent the benefits of bathing there. The makeshift bathhouse set up at the  Situ Household was the least effective. Li Xiaobai wanted to buy a store;  he was not short of spirit stones. On the road, people hurried by, most of them  dressed plainly, ordinary folks.

Occasionally,   a family scion would pass by riding a tall  horse, causing everyone to keep their distance. "All of you, brace up! We will pull  that kid out of the Situ Family. He   dared to compete with this young master for a  woman. I'll make his life worse than death!" A commotion stirred in the  crowd, hooves thundered,   and Li Xiaobai spotted Wang Ergou,  whom he had sent flying earlier. Ergouzi, in his arms, was clearly agitated  as well, having vivid memories of Wang Ergou. "You bunch of good-for-nothings,  knocked out without even seeing   what moves the opponent used, you  bring shame to the Xia Family!" "If you make such amateur  mistakes again in the future,   all of you can pack your things and get lost!" In the crowd, a young master astride a white steed   seethed with anger. A few sycophants  around him were yelling and howling. This young master had a pair of snake-like  eyes, deep-set eye sockets, and severely   lacked vitality; one could tell he frequented  places of ill repute — not a good sort at all.

Situ Yanyu had actually caught the eye of  such a person, which was more bane than boon. One of the eagle-eyed lackeys spotted  Li Xiaobai and cried out in alarm. The young master immediately turned his gaze,   flicked his reins, and his  horse charged up to Li Xiaobai. The hooves thundered incessantly, and the white  steed, eyes like that of a hawk, snorted out   two long, hot plumes of white smoke, causing  the surrounding crowd to immediately scatter.

Looking up at the young  master looking down on him,   Li Xiaobai felt an unwarranted annoyance;  this was an effect of the human skin mask. The human skin mask could  slightly alter one's personality. The current Li Xiaobai was the image of a  half-dead, melancholic prince, not to be provoked. "Young master, it was him who injured us!" "Young master, you must seek justice for us!" "Young master, this brat dared to compete with  you for a woman, let me [ __ ] him for you!" The bunch of lackeys shouted and bawled, but  no one dared to step forward and take action.

"Shut up, all of you!" The son of the Xia Family couldn't bear  it any longer and yelled at his lackeys. These lackeys were as useless as pigs  holding up his majestic entrance;   they had completely ruined  it, making him lose face. The crowd went silent. "So you are the pretty boy Yan Yu  has recently met. What's your name?" "Ye Liangchen is my name." "Was it you who injured my men?" "` The young master of the Xia  Family asked, not knowing why,   but from the moment he saw Li Xiaobai, he  had an inexplicable urge to beat him up. It must be because the other party  had injured his subordinates. Oh, it's definitely not out of jealousy. "Eh, that's right, I did it," Li Xiaobai slowly nodded. "Do you know who I am?" "I don't know." "I am the Third Young Master  of the Xia Family, Xia Liu!" "So what?" Li Xiaobai's expression was somewhat odd;  these days, one could encounter all sorts   of characters, even someone who calls  themselves 'Xia Liu', truly baffling.

"So, there's no need for explanations,  just obediently endure my wrath." "Bring him to me!" At Xia Liu's command, the cohort  of thugs behind him surged forward,   and together they dragged Li  Xiaobai into a side alley. "Young Master Xia, what is this about?" The city patrol felt helpless; they couldn't  meddle in the affairs of the big families,   but since they had stumbled upon it, they  nonetheless had to seek justification,   otherwise, they would be neglecting their duties. This point, of course, was clear to the  young master of the Xia Family as well. "Brother Liu, rest assured, we just want  to have a heart-to-heart with this brother,   nothing else.

Continue on with your patrol." Having said that, Xia Liu produced a bag of Spirit   Stones and stealthily handed it  to the Captain of the patrol. There were rules within the city that forbade  private fights, so on the surface, they   still had to give face to the patrol, at least  offering an explanation for them to report back. The Captain weighed the Spirit Stones  and immediately smiled from ear to ear. "Since that's the case, we'll continue  our rounds.

You guys have a good talk,   but make sure not to cause any trouble." "Heh heh, understood." The sycophantic thugs pushed and  shoved Li Xiaobai into the side alley. The bystanders around them shook their heads  in resignation; this was the way of the world,   the powerful rule, the big families  really could do whatever they wanted. "Chop off his hands and feet for me." A trace of mockery flashed in Xia Liu's eyes;   he wanted to see how long Li  Xiaobai could keep up his act. "Yes!" Several thugs with sharpened knives  expertly pinned down Li Xiaobai's arms;   it was clear this wasn't their first time. "How about it, if you beg for  mercy on your knees right now,   perhaps this young master will  be in a good mood and spare you!" Xia Liu laughed heartily.

"I'm from out of town, believe it or  not, I have a hundred ways to make   you kneel and beg for mercy, and  you, you can do nothing about it." Li Xiaobai said indifferently. "Chop!" Xia Liu's chest swelled with nameless  rage, and he personally wielded the knife,   viciously chopping down at Li Xiaobai's  wrist, a cruel smile on his lips. The other men also moved simultaneously,   their curved knives raised high,  stabbing towards Li Xiaobai's limbs. But then, they were all stunned. "Crack!" A clear sound rang out, sparks flew,   and the knives in their hands  instantly broke into several pieces. Xia Liu's eyes were filled with horror;   his knife had not even left a  scratch on the opponent's flesh. [Attribute Points +3…] [Attribute Points +10…] "If you could really chop off Liangchen's  hands and legs, Liangchen would actually be   most grateful, but sadly, in this world, the only  one who can wound Liangchen is Liangchen himself." Chapter 58 Chapter 58 Li Xiaobai looked indifferent. [Attribute Points +1…] [Attribute Points +1…] [Attribute Points +10…] The damage is kinda low.

The guys in front of him were just a bunch of  rookies. This young master of the Xia Family,   Xia Liu, seemed to only be at the Foundation  Establishment Stage of cultivation,   while the rest of his thugs hadn't even reached  that level and couldn't even scratch his own fur. It looked like the cultivation levels of these  family descendants weren't up to much either. Feels like I've entered Novice Village. "Who… who exactly are you?" Xia Liu's complexion greatly changed; he  originally thought the other was just a fish   on the chopping board, but now it seemed likely  that their positions would have to be swapped. "I am Ye Liangchen. Situ Yanyu is not someone  you can afford to provoke, understand?" Li Xiaobai raised his eyebrows  slightly and spoke indifferently. After putting on the Human Skin Mask, his  temperament had changed dramatically, and even   his personality had undergone a slight shift—all  these were the abilities of the Human Skin Mask.

Luckily, he had set his temperament  based on his third senior brother;   such a posture was not easy to  lose out with in the outside world. "Are you threatening me? Don't think that  just because you have some cultivation,   you can do as you please. My Xia  Family has been a great clan in   Ancient Moon City for hundreds of years; we  are not someone you can afford to offend." Xia Liu was frightened and furious; the  woman who should have been his had run   off with another man, and this  man was more handsome than him,   had more presence, and was even stronger  than him—he was completely defeated. "Liangchen does not like to talk nonsense." "If you think you have the  strength to play with me,   Liangchen doesn't mind  accompanying you to the end." Li Xiaobai stood with his hands behind  his back, his face full of disdain. "You just wait!" Xia Liu, along with his lackeys, ran  off with their tails between their legs,   not even having the time to  take the white horse with them. Li Xiaobai couldn't help but chuckle  inwardly; this mask was really useful.   Wearing the Human Skin Mask, even  his thoughts seemed much clearer.

Details he would not have noticed before  were all clear in his mind now—it was   like a cheating Divine Artifact. He would not  have to worry about being duped by others ever   again. The only drawback was that the  Human Skin Mask was a bit too arrogant. The way "Ye Liangchen" spoke, it seemed like he  was always picking fights; he never expected that   modeling it after his third senior brother's  personality would turn out so flamboyant. But still, it felt pretty good, hehehe. Mounting the horse, it would be a shame  to just leave such a fine steed here. "Hey, horsey, your owner doesn't want you  anymore, let me take you out for a stroll." On the streets, the townsfolk saw Xia Liu and his group  exiting with ashen faces and were all amazed. When they saw Li Xiaobai  riding out on the white steed,   looking happy, they were even more astounded. "Damn, I've truly seen a ghost  today, did you see that?" "I saw it.

I didn't expect that even the  arrogant Xia Family would have such a day;   this young master must be someone you  wouldn't want to mess with either!" "Hehe, that's none of my business, but  seeing the Xia Family young masters   getting put in their place sure does cheer me up!" "It's truly delightful!" "Who's to say it isn't…" Li Xiaobai rode his horse and  wandered around the street;   it seemed that the city's folks didn't  hold much affinity for the great clans.

There were many street vendors, rice wine  houses, tea houses, and shops selling Spiritual   Artifacts—the street had everything. However,  Li Xiaobai had yet to see a single bathhouse. It seemed this world had no  concept of a bathing culture. The sign on a small tea shop next to a  tavern read, "Store for Sale or Transfer". Li Xiaobai's eyes lit up; found it! The tea shop was located next to the tavern,   a pretty decent spot with a  guaranteed flow of people.

"Shopkeeper, are you selling this shop?" Li Xiaobai led his horse into the  courtyard in front of the tea shop. "Indeed, I am indeed preparing to sell the  tea shop. Do you wish to buy, young master?" The gaunt middle-aged man hurriedly ran out;   there was a problem with the location  of his shop—since the tavern provided   all sorts of teas and drinks, no one  would come to his tea shop for tea. Over time, he had not made a single penny,  but instead had put a lot into it.

Naturally,   he couldn't continue such a loss-making business. "This tea house is well-located,  name your price." Li Xiaobai said. "Five hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones!" The middle-aged man's eyes rolled around  chaotically—he could tell that anyone who   recognized this spot as a good location was  undoubtedly a novice and could be swindled. "That's too expensive, how about fifty  stones?" Li Xiaobai said indifferently. "Young master is surely joking. This tea shop  is located next to the Moon Watching Tower,   and the Tower is among the top restaurants  in the city, with a daily customer flow of   thousands. Opening a tea shop next to  it is a surefire profitable business." "It's just that there are some matters at home,  and I have no choice but to give up the tea shop." The shopkeeper's face showed  difficulty, his eyes full of sincerity. "Opening a tea shop next to the tavern, how would  it get any guests, shopkeeper—are you joking?" "You clearly have all your business taken by the  tavern and can't keep going, which is why you're   selling. Don't try to deceive me; sixty Lower  Grade Spirit Stones, not a single one more." Li Xiaobai had a mask,   which allowed him to instantly analyze  that the boss was trying to cheat him.

The shopkeeper was also startled, having  come across someone who knew the trade. "Sixty is indeed too little, I won't lie  to the young master anymore. A fixed price,   two hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones!" "Seventy." "One hundred fifty—the lowest I can go!" "Eighty." "One hundred stones, and if the young master  agrees, I will immediately present the deed!" "Deal!" The shopkeeper was on the verge of tears. When  he acquired the shop, it cost him a hundred Lower   Grade Spirit Stones, and he hadn't expected  to leave without having made a single profit. He seemed to not have the aptitude for business  and better consider a career change soon. The shop was moderate in size, not too big, but  still spacious enough to build a large bathhouse.

He took out the vacuum and sucked away all  the furniture and fixtures in the room,   leaving behind an empty space. Li Xiaobai began to modify the layout of the room.   This was his first time  constructing a real bathhouse. Using building materials, he divided the bathhouse  in the middle into two sections for men and women,   leaving just one door in between, so the  first thing one saw upon entering was the   men's bathhouse, and then by pushing open the  door, they would enter the women's bathhouse. It shouldn't be a big deal if male  cultivators got seen while naked. Yep, that should work. It might even promote the marital happiness  index of male and female cultivators in the city! In both sides of the bathhouse, a  reception desk was set up to sell some tea,   snacks, and the like.

Just like that, a  fully-equipped bathhouse was constructed. He immersed his body in the water. In front of him, the attribute  value panel flickered. [Attribute Point +30…] [Attribute Point +30…] The effect was decent. Although the  bathhouse was still a bit rudimentary,   it was much better than the ones belonging  to the Situ Household. In the future,   Situ Yanyu would be in charge of managing  the hospitality of the women's bathhouse. With Situ Yanyu's good looks, she should be  able to attract quite a few male cultivators. Yep, it's a joyfully settled decision! Chapter 59 Chapter 59 The bathhouse was renovated. Then, a sign was exchanged at the mall,  engraved with the words "Tangneng First-class". It was hung in front of the tea shop. Attached was also a notice. "The store is about to open and is launching a   promotion—for the first customer  who patronizes the store ten times,   a Precious Horse Divine Steed will be given  for free. Don't miss out as you pass by." "Manager: Ye Liangchen." "Employee: Super beauty, Situ Yanyu." "We welcome your visit!" That should be good enough—with benefits,  a gimmick, and definitely, profits.

After cleaning up, it was time to  head back to the Situ Household   and let the news of Tangneng First-class  circulate around the streets for a while. At the same time, the Xia Family. In a hall. Xia Liu was sobbing and telling  a young man about something. "Big brother, you must stand up for  me, that Ye is simply too arrogant!" "He not only injured my men but also stole my  woman, humiliated me publicly, it's unbearable!" "What's his full name, and where does  he live?" the young man asked faintly. "His name is Ye Liangchen, and  now he's living with that woman,   Situ Yanyu. Big brother,  you must stand up for me!" Xia Liu said miserably. "Look at how pitiful you are, an outsider has  bullied you like this, you're really useless!" "We have guests at home these days; I'll go and  talk to them, let that Ye Liangchen disappear.   The woman that the sons of Xia Family set  their eyes on, no one else can take away." The young man said casually.

"Guests? Could it be those few from outside  the city…" Xia Liu's face showed excitement. "You're not supposed to know about this matter; be  careful or father will punish you. Rest assured,   no matter what background that Ye  Liangchen has, he's already a dead man." "Heh, thank you, big brother!" … At the Situ Household, Li Xiaobai felt a surge of  hot steam hitting his face as soon as he entered. It had been an hour or two, and this  grandfather and grandson duo were still   soaking. It seems this bath culture  really has a strong appeal to people. However, bathing at home is still too one-sided.   They should go to the large  bathhouse for a wash later.

"Miss Yan Yu, old master, I'm back." "Yo, Young Master Liangchen, it's  been two hours since we last saw   you. I have missed you greatly. The  temperature of the bathhouse water   is not as comfortable as before.  Do you have a way to heat it up?" Li Xiaobai did not expect that the first one to  rush over was this septuagenarian grandfather. Looking at Situ Kong's eager and expectant  little eyes, and then at his flushed old face,   as well as the water droplets  falling from his skin after the bath. Li Xiaobai felt his will to live  drain away; wasn't it supposed to   be Miss Yan Yu who rushed over first?  How did it turn into this dry old man? Moreover, there was a hint of  ambiguity in the old man's eyes   that sent an inescapable chill down one's spine. "Young Master Liangchen." Situ Yanyu also, dressed neatly, walked  out of the room, her cheeks slightly red,   dispelling the awkward atmosphere.

Li Xiaobai felt  hope again. This was the proper start to things. "Hmm, is the bath still comfortable?" "Young Master Liangchen, this art of bathing  is miraculous. My cultivation level that had   been stagnant for over a decade seems to have  faint signs of a breakthrough. If possible,   this old man would like to  keep bathing with you, hehehe." Situ Kong laughed in a very strange way. Li  Xiaobai felt that the old man had changed,   becoming a bit more self-indulgent. Could it be that this old man harbors  some kind of special preference? "Indeed, my cultivation level  also feels like it's on the   verge of breaking through. May I ask if the  bathwater is made with Spiritual Medicine?" Miss Yan Yu also had eyes  full of delightful surprise,   for she felt an imminent breakthrough to  the ninth level of the Qi Cultivation Stage   without even having to use the spiritual  medicines they had unearthed this time. "That seems about right, but your  cultivation level appears too weak,   so weak that Young Master Liangchen can't  fully sense your progress.

This cultivation   technique should be able to help you, you  may as well practice it for the time being." Li Xiaobai flipped his wrist and pulled out  a copy of "The Chaos Scripture," which had   been given to him by Feng  Lingzi back on Misty Peak,   but unfortunately, he had  never even flipped through it. After all, with the System, cultivation  was simply out of the question. "This… this is a treasure!" Situ Kong came closer, his  excitement beyond measure,   for the cultivation technique recorded in  "The Chaos Scripture" was countless times   more profound than the one he and  his granddaughter were practicing.

"Young Master, this is too  valuable, Yan Yu cannot accept it." Miss Yan Yu steeled herself and  handed the cultivation technique back. "No need to be like that, this is just an ordinary  cultivation technique after all. Your power limits   your imagination, just make do with it for now,  and later on, we'll switch to a better one." Li Xiaobai said indifferently. Feeling like he had a bit of a loose tongue, no  one seemed to love him once he put on the mask,   and ever since wearing the mask, he  often blurted out astonishing remarks. "Additionally, I have built a new,   large bathhouse next to the Moon Watching  Tower. If possible, I hope the two of you   can help me manage it. You're also welcome  to cultivate there on your regular days." "Hehe, the old man thoroughly approves…" "Yan Yu thanks you, Young Master…" …

In the city, in front of the Moon Watching Tower. An old beggar was tossed out by someone. "You think you can freeload food and  drinks without money? We're in business,   not charity. If you dare to  come to our restaurant again,   I'll immediately have someone roll  you into a ball and throw you out!" The doorman showed utter disdain,  as the old beggar always liked to   sneak into the restaurant to freeload meals,  dragging down their establishment's class. "If you don't give food, then  don't give food, why be so fierce?" The old beggar rubbed his buttocks  and was attracted by a shop next door.

He remembered that place being  a tea house in the morning;   how had it changed its appearance so suddenly. Drawing closer. "Tangneng First-class?" "A bathhouse?" "With separate sections for men and women!" "And even the great beauty Miss Yan Yu  and the Precious Horse Divine Steed?" "That must be the Precious Horse Divine  Steed, tsk tsk tsk, truly imposing." The old beggar circled the white horse tied  up nearby, clicking his tongue in admiration. "Well done, quite comprehensive.  This is the place for me,   I'll come here later to freeload and see  what level of beauty they have hehehe!" "Perhaps I'll even witness  a Beauty Bathing Painting!" The old beggar let out a sneaky chuckle, turned  around, and swept away, sleeves flapping.

… When Li Xiaobai brought Situ Yanyu  and another into Tangneng First-class,   they were genuinely shocked;  the place was too luxurious. A large swimming pool, an expansive  counter, steam billowing—they had every   facility imaginable, even tea and  snacks were readily available. Indeed, the efficiency of  a powerful being was high;   he just went out for a stroll, and  there were already a horse and houses. After soaking in the pool for a while, they were   surprised to find that their cultivation  efficiency was even faster than at home. "Alright, Miss Yan Yu will be in charge of the  women's bathhouse, Old Master Situ will handle   the men's bathhouse, and I will take care of  the money. That's the happy decision made." "Let's start working!" "Young Master, can the old man stay with you at  night? I can lie still and do nothing, hehehe!" Chapter 60 Chapter 60 "Tangneng First-class" opened its doors to great  fortune, but so far the business is dismal.

All the guests were pulled away  by the neighboring restaurant,   and no one has entered the  shop for an experience yet. Situ Yanyu diligently stood in front  of the women's bathhouse counter,   ready for business, whereas Situ Kong,   the old man, lacked any sense of duty and  once again soaked himself without a care. He even started humming a little  tune while soaking in comfort. "You go take a dip too." Li Xiaobai ignored the small ragged dog's  resistance and threw it into the pool. "Woof woof woof!" After a bout of frantic splashing, the small  ragged dog's eyes focused, and it quieted down,   feeling the power within its body growing bit by  bit.

The pool's effect was terrifyingly effective. After a moment of stunned silence,   the small ragged dog looked refreshed  and wore a face full of enjoyment. "Eh, when did this place turn into  this? Wasn't it a tea house before?" "What does 'Tangneng First-class' mean?" "A bathhouse can be a store?" A few young people peeked inside curiously. "Welcome to our humble shop. We will  provide you with the most sincere service," Li Xiaobai approached with  a big smile on his face.

"What kind of place is this? Taking  baths, such a private matter,   and you're actually running it as  a store? This is simply indecent!" One of the more refined-looking youths frowned,  as it was obvious this was a public bathhouse.   Could it be they actually expect everyone  to soak together? What a breach of decency! "You're mistaken, taking a bath  is a culture. To soak comfortably,   you need to master the temperature,  which is quite sophisticated." "Bathing relates to a person's pursuit.  If you only want to clean your body,   there's no need to come to our bathhouse.  If you really want to soak comfortably,   you should learn the intricacies involved." "Oh, there's more to this?" the  youths were somewhat curious. "Of course, soaking at home is too one-sided. In  our bathhouse, you soak in social graces. Here,   you can meet all sorts of people, encounter  all sorts of things. Everyone soaking   together in one pool, meeting candidly,  that closeness—it advances quickly." "When the feelings are right, you've got  everything under control, don't you agree?" "Moreover, our bathhouse has the  effect of assisting in cultivation.   Cultivating here for an hour can be more  effective than using a Spirit Stone!" Li Xiaobai said with a smile.

"And the price?" After hearing about the cultivation  aid, they were somewhat eager,   having never seen a similar shop before,  wondering about its effects and prices. "Please look at the wall." Li Xiaobai pointed to the  large characters on the wall. "Men's Bathhouse: Ten Lower  Grade Spirit Stones/half an hour,   Overnight stay: One hundred  Lower Grade Spirit Stones." "Women's Bathhouse: Eight Lower  Grade snacks/half an hour,   Overnight stay: Eighty Lower Grade Spirit Stones." "What kind of prices are these, so expensive!" "Brother, not even Moon Watching Tower next door  dares to charge like this, are you robbing us!" "We're not bathing, we're not bathing, let's go!" A few young people pretended to leave. "Ahem, Yan Yu, come out and attend to the guests." Li Xiaobai was unfazed, understanding  the minds of young people all too well.

The door to the women's bathhouse  opened, and Situ Yanyu walked out. In white clothes and a white skirt, her eyes  were clear and skin was as smooth as white jade. Upon seeing Situ Yanyu, all the youths  were stunned; the woman was too beautiful,   like a banished celestial, and even in coarse  linen clothes, her charm was unstoppable. "Gentlemen, how many hours  would you like to wash?" "Half an… oh no, two hours!" "Alright, please come inside." Situ Yanyu smiled slightly at the corner  of her mouth, causing the young men's   faces to redden and drool to uncontrollably  dribble from the corners of their mouths. "Hehe, alright, alright, thank you, miss," A few people walked into the pool absentmindedly,   not even bothering to undress. Li  Xiaobai couldn't be bothered to care,   knowing that once they discovered the benefits of  the pool, they would be eager to come for a bath. After a few breaths, several exclamations erupted from the pool. "My God, I've actually made a breakthrough!" "I've reached the seventh level  of the Qi Cultivation Stage!" "Me too, my bottleneck has loosened,   I'm going to break through the sixth level  of the Qi Cultivation Stage right now!" "What kind of bathhouse is this, it's  too miraculous, just by soaking in it,   our cultivation level can actually increase!" "This time I can save the Breakthrough  Pill that the elder gave me." Ultimately, the allure of increasing one's  cultivation level trumps even beauty,   and upon realizing the surge of  Spiritual Energy within their bodies,   the youthful cultivators all became exhilarated.

The owner really hadn't lied to them;   this bathhouse truly had the effect  of enhancing one's cultivation level. Spending twenty Lower Grade Spirit Stones for  an increase in cultivation realm is worth it! Watching the blissful faces of the few  in the pool, Li Xiaobai smiled faintly,   as the youngsters had been  captivated by his little shop. Becoming the richest man  starts from this moment on! The street was bustling with carriages and horses,   and there was quite a crowd. Before long, a few  more cultivators arrived, both men and women. After seeing the slogan in front of the door,  they entered the bathhouse out of curiosity. Then they immediately spotted  the people soaking in the pool. "Boss, your bathhouse is quite special." "Let's go, Sister Thirteen,  there's nothing interesting here." "Let's look a little longer, Brother  Ya, I think this place is pretty good," The female cultivator's voice was gentle and  tender.

Li Ya felt a little uncomfortable;   Sister Thirteen was usually so  hot-tempered, what's gotten into her today? At this moment, Sister Thirteen  couldn't move any further,   her eyes fixed on Li Xiaobai  sitting in front of the counter. His handsome features, melancholic charm,  and half-dead smile nearly melted her heart. How could there be such a man in the  world, and why had she only met him now! "Let's go in for a soak," Sister Thirteen couldn't take her eyes off  Li Xiaobai for even a moment.

The others,   having no choice, followed her inside. "Boss, set us up for a bath," Sister Thirteen was soft as water, yet  Li Xiaobai didn't even lift his head,   which disappointed her somewhat. "Yan Yu, come out and attend to them, there's a  female cultivator," Li Xiaobai said indifferently. "Okay." Situ Yanyu once again stepped through the door,  and the male cultivators instantly stared,   gazing dazedly like fools, their eyes  greedy, lingering on her enticing curves.

"How many hours are you soaking for?" "We're staying overnight!" The people spoke in unison. "Hehe, Sister Thirteen, observe carefully,   your Brother thinks you're right, this place  is indeed very good, worth the experience!" All of them were not short of money  and paid for the Spirit Stones readily,   plunging into the bathhouse to soak. However, it was clear that these people  were quite traditional in their thinking;   they only took off their shoes without  removing their clothes and soaked in the pool. Shortly afterwards, the air was filled  with more cries of astonishment,   including the piercing cries of women's sopranos. "Foundation Establishment Realm Great Perfection,   I've broken through to the Foundation  Establishment Realm Great Perfection!" "This bathhouse can break  through one's cultivation level,   hurry up and get big brother  and the others over here!" "Who exactly is the owner…" Chapter 61 Chapter 61 Several young cultivators appeared astonished  and excited, almost losing their composure.

Who could have imagined that simply by  indulging on a whim to enter the bathhouse,   one could actually breakthrough to  the Foundation Establishment Stage? Li Ya's eyes became somewhat moist. He was the only heir of his family, and the Li  Family was one of the major families in the city,   but unfortunately, he did not possess  the innate talent for cultivation. A month ago, the family spent a fortune  to buy him a large quantity of Foundation   Establishment Pills, along with Breakthrough  Pills, yet all was in vain without any progress. The family nearly lost hope in him, when  unexpectedly, there was light at the end of   the tunnel—a humble bathhouse helped him break  through his realm and become a cultivator of the   Foundation Establishment Realm Great Perfection,  just one step away from the Golden Core! Not only that, but he even felt that cultivation  had become smoother thereafter, his meridians   within his body had expanded significantly, and  he could draw in even more Spiritual Energy.

It was truly magical! Li Ya stood up from the pool and gave a  deep bow to Li Xiaobai with a clasped fist. "Thank you, shopkeeper, for your kindness of  a single bath, which Li Ya will never forget.   If there's anything you need in the future,  I will go through fire and water for you!" "No need to mention it, just take care of  my small shop's business in the future." Li Xiaobai waved his hand, unconcerned. He had seen too many similar situations already. The entrance of the shop kept  attracting a steady stream of   visitors, who were handled  in the same way as before. The men were taken care of by Situ Yanyu, and the  women by Li Xiaobai, both of whom had outstanding   beauty and unlimited attractiveness  to both male and female cultivators.

Soon, many cultivators, with their minds agitated,  parted with their Spirit Stones and then,   with silly grins on their faces,  were ushered into the bathhouse. The result was self-evident. Upon discovering that  bathing could enhance their cultivation level,   the whole bathhouse became a sensation,  every face filled with excitement. Some even danced with joy, extremely  satisfied with "Tangneng First-class." "Shopkeeper, what kind of materials did you  use for this water to make it so miraculous?" "Yes, shopkeeper, I want to buy  your water, name your price!" "I am a steward of the Wang Family, and I can   negotiate this business directly  on behalf of my family with you!" "Shopkeeper, we…" The cultivators keenly sensed that it  was the bathwater that had enabled them   to breakthrough and upgrade, and they  each started to get ideas about it. Someone took advantage of the others' distraction   and secretly collected a jar of water,  concealing it within their Space Ring.

However, Li Xiaobai's next  words left them dumbfounded. "It's not because of the bathwater.  Bathing is a technique, as well as an   art. What you soak in is not just water,  but a high-quality culture inherited for   thousands of years. It's only natural  to breakthrough in such conditions." "As for the bathwater, whether you want to drink  it or take it back for research, feel free." "We can really take it back?" "Yes, feel free. The water was infused with  care by me, which is why it has such miraculous   effects. It does not contain any precious  natural treasures; it is just ordinary water." Li Xiaobai made this up on the fly since no one  other than himself knew the truth about the water. Produced by the System, I don't understand it  either; as long as it works, that's what matters. Everything else is trivial. Hearing Li Xiaobai say this, most  of the cultivators' first reaction   was to quickly collect a scoop of  water to study at their leisure.

What Li Xiaobai said was too profound, they  still preferred to trust their own judgment. The bathhouse regained its tranquility,   each person seized this rare opportunity to  cultivate as fast as they could. Those who   had initially planned to inform their friends  and relatives decided to put off the idea. The reason being nothing else but the  Spirit Stones they had already spent;   they couldn't let it go to waste.

Moreover, the bathhouse was indeed  too small, converted from a teahouse,   it could accommodate no more  than a few dozen people at most. If they left now and other cultivators  who came later took their spots,   it would be a loss not worth the gain. Not just now, but they would also need  to arrive early tomorrow to claim their   spots. There was no doubt about it; they had to  book for both the night and the following day.   This was the unanimous thought  among all the cultivators present. Not only could they speed up their  cultivation, but there were also   beautiful women and handsome men for the eyes  to feast on; this place was genuinely nice.

In his spare time, Li Xiaobai also constructed  two small pools for himself and Situ Yanyu,   each only large enough for one  person, placed behind the bar. When there were no customers,  they could take a soak,   practice cultivation, and  earn money without delay. [Attribute Points +30…] [Attribute Points +30…] This speed was not fast, but  it was still good enough. [Defensive power: Indestructible  Golden Body Fifth Turn (9000/50000).] At this rate, soaking for a few more days  should allow a breakthrough to the next stage,   by which time the Blood Demon Erosion State  should also be effectively alleviated. It was at this moment that another  person entered from outside. This was an old beggar covered in filth,  his white hair dyed black from dirt,   his body grimy, holding a large hemp bag, and  barefoot with feet caked in mud and grime. As soon as he entered, a piercing  stench permeated the entire room. "Oh come on, how did this old beggar get in here!" "Boss, hurry up and kick him out!" "This severely affects our cultivation.  What is this smell? It's disgusting!" "Exactly, I can't even focus  my breath into my Dantian!" "Kick him out!" Most of the bathhouse patrons were scions of  noble families or wealthy clans, along with a   few loose cultivators, and they all frowned  upon seeing such an old beggar bumbling in.

They needed a calm mind for  their cultivation practice,   but the rotten stench made it  impossible for them to concentrate. They were all extremely annoyed. "A customer is a customer, as long as you can pay,   regardless of whether you're rich or poor,  highborn or low, I welcome you all the same." Li Xiaobai spoke indifferently, not minding  the beggar's appearance in the slightest. "Old man, how many hours would you like to soak?" "Hehehe, let's start with two hours, it's  been a long time since I've had a bath,   and getting clean might take some time." The old beggar dug into his  ear, and a lump of mud fell out.

"What, boss, you're actually letting  this old thing bathe with us!" "No way, how can someone like him  soak in the same bathhouse as us!" "Boss, I'll pay double the  price, just kick him out!" "Exactly, we of the Wang Family  will never bathe with a beggar!" Hearing that Li Xiaobai was actually considering  letting the old beggar patronize their business,   everyone was somewhat angry. They were  respectable people with status and identification;   sharing the bath with a beggar was an insult  to them, something utterly intolerable. "All of you, shut up. Liangchen  doesn't like to waste words;   as long as you can pay, everyone  is a respected customer!" "Hehehe, not bad, young man, you have insight,   a clear sense of right and wrong, and you've  done a great job with that mask of yours." On hearing this, Li Xiaobai was startled;   this old man was not simple, he had  seen through his Human Skin Mask! Chapter 62 Chapter 62 "` "Two hours, twenty lower-grade  Spirit Stones, no credit." Li Xiaobai spoke indifferently.

Even if his trick had been seen through, it  would change nothing. The money had to be paid,   it was the rule. Even the Heavenly  King himself would have to pay up. The old beggar seemed a bit  stunned. He had not expected   the other party to show no surprise  at all, which piqued his interest. "This, the old beggar does not have  that much money on him at the moment,   can I use something else instead?" "That depends on what kind of item you can offer." Li Xiaobai said. This old man wasn't simple, he  might be a boss in disguise,   pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger.  Xiaobai and his sixth senior brother   had played this sort of game many  times; he was very familiar with it.

With such people, it was better to be  cautious until their intentions were clear. "I have a jar of fine wine here;  I can let you have a taste,   but you have to let the old beggar stay  here for a whole day. How about that?" "Nonsense, you really think a single sip of wine   would let you stay for a whole  day? What a foolish daydream!" "Indeed, do you have any idea how many Spirit  Stones it costs to stay here for a day!" "Boss, this is obviously someone here to cause  trouble, throw him out, assessment complete!" Upon hearing the old beggar's words, the  cultivators in the pool immediately blew up,   attacking the old beggar with their comments. "Let's have a look at your wine first. If it's  too poor, it won't even get through the door." Li Xiaobai said. "Hehe, no problem, you'll be satisfied!" The old beggar wiped his nose and  took out a filthy gourd from the   pocket at his waist. The gourd was pitch-black,   stained with big patches of mud and large blotches  of an unknown liquid, looking quite disgusting.

When he pulled out the gourd's stopper,  tendrils of fragrance drifted out. The aroma of the wine was so strong that it  diluted some of the sour smell in the room. [Attribute Points +20…] [Attribute Points +20…] [Detection: Host is continuously  affected by the aroma of the wine,   acquiring the skill: Drunken Aura.] Drunken Aura: Can release a scent of wine.  Those who smell the wine will experience   muscle flaccidity. The longer they stay in  the aroma, the more severe the drunkenness. Hiss! What kind of wine is this? Just the  scent is adding Attribute Points,   what would happen if one were to take a sip. Such a strong wine! This old beggar was definitely  a formidable expert. Li Xiaobai made a judgment in an instant. "So, are you satisfied with  the old beggar's wine, boss?" The old beggar looked at Li Xiaobai expectantly. "Deal!" Li Xiaobai immediately agreed, and  took the dirty wine gourd in hand,   slowly pouring it into his mouth.

As soon as the wine entered his stomach, his  Dantian burst into activity. Li Xiaobai felt his   blood churn, qi and blood rushing to the back of  his head, becoming dizzy, and his vision darkened. He nearly collapsed to the ground. [Attribute Points +2000…] [Attribute Points +2000…] [Attribute Points: 50000.] [Ding! The host continues to be  subjected to the aroma of the wine,   skill upgrade: Drunken Immortal.] Drunken Immortal: With every gesture,  enemies are made to collapse inebriated.   The longer the duration, the  more severe the drunkenness. Hiss! "` This alcohol is actually so empowering! Just one sip added a whopping fifty thousand  Attribute Points, it's like a heavenly treasure! Li Xiaobai only felt a warm surge throughout  his body, his spirit greatly invigorated.

All points to defense! [Defensive power: Indestructible Golden Body Sixth   Transformation (9000/60000)  eligible for advancement.] [Attribute Points: 0.] [Status: Blood Demon Corrosion (Moderate).] The status bar had changed, and Li Xiaobai  was delighted, feeling much lighter. Indeed,   as the defensive power advanced, the Blood Demon  Corrosion status would diminish layer by layer. Seeing Li Xiaobai down a gulp of alcohol  unscathed, the eyes of the old beggar flashed   with surprise. Although the alcohol was good,  it was not something just anyone could handle. This boss is no ordinary man either.

While the old beggar was not paying attention,  Li Xiaobai wanted to take a few more gulps. If he could drink his fill in one go,   perhaps he would max out the upgrades for  the Indestructible Golden Body in one step. "Stop there, this is the old man's  treasure. You're only allowed one sip." The old beggar was quick to act,  swiftly grabbing the gourd back.   He had originally thought that Li Xiaobai  would only be able to drink a few drops,   but to his amazement, an entire sip  was taken.

He felt a pang of heartache. "Go in now, you can only stay for  one day. If you come out midway,   it's assumed your bath has concluded." Li Xiaobai smacked his lips  and said indifferently. "This way, elder." Situ Yanyu came over, smiling as she  invited the old beggar into the bathhouse. "The girl is quite a looker." The old beggar was equally lecherous,   his eyes wandering over Situ Yanyu's  body, which was quite inappropriate. "No way, is this old guy  really going to bathe with us?" "Once he gets in, the bathhouse will  probably turn into a stinking ditch!" "I'm taking the water home for cultivation,  the boss doesn't forbid it anyway." "Me too, this old beggar is too disgusting." The cultivators in the pool dispersed like  birds and beasts upon the old beggar's approach,   collecting lots of water to  take home for slow cultivation. After a few short breaths, the  bathhouse was essentially empty,   leaving only Li Family's young master Li  Ya, Elder Situ Kong, and the old beggar.

Li Xiaobai didn't stop the cultivators  who wanted to leave. After all,   the Spirit Stones were in place; whether  they stayed or left was up to them. Li Ya and Situ Kong were not ones to disdain  the poor and curry favor with the rich;   they did not object to the old beggar's arrival. "Comfortable!" The old beggar was indifferent  to everyone's reactions,   simply soaking himself in the pool with water  up to his neck, his face radiating pleasure. Li Xiaobai observed the old beggar's response.  After soaking in the pool, the old beggar showed a   face full of comfort, seemingly indifferent to the  benefit the pool water had on cultivation levels. This was definitely a master pretending  to be ignorant to deceive others! "Elder, if you let me have  another sip of that wine,   I can upgrade you to our first monthly  VIP member.

If you let me have two sips,   I'll process a Super VIP package for  you, free of charge. How about it?" Li Xiaobai said with a smile, his eyes  stealthily glancing at the old beggar's gourd. "No more, no more, one bath is enough.  Just getting cleaned up is fine." The old beggar said while  starting to scrub himself,   giving Li Xiaobai a shudder. Why do  all masters have such odd tastes? "Elder, bathing is all about the state of mind.  It's about comfort. Just getting clean is too   simplistic.

You ought to discover more  of the delights within the bathhouse." "For example?" "For instance, the world beyond  that door. As a Super VIP member,   you could enjoy the Beauty Bathing  Painting in this pool every day." "Sss! Is that true?" "Old beggar, I'm not that  well-read, so don't you trick me!" Chapter 63 Chapter 63 The old beggar's eyes were wide open,  shining with a fierce brilliance that   made him look as if he was ready to devour  someone, which was quite unsettling to see. He had just seen Situ Yanyu's satisfaction,  and he wouldn't mind contributing a jug or   two of wine for the chance to see the  Beauty Bathing Painting every day. Li Xiaobai cursed inwardly, calling  the man a lecher, an indecent old man.

His eyes lit up at the  mention of a beautiful woman,   was this the carefree nature of a senior expert? "Of course it's true," Li Xiaobai said  earnestly. "Liangchen never speaks   nonsense. If I say there's a Beauty Bathing  Painting, then there absolutely is one." "I have no objections to seeing other things,  but no one is allowed to look at my Yanyu!" Elder Situ Kong instantly became nervous upon  realizing that several lecherous old men had   suddenly appeared in the bathhouse,  putting his granddaughter in danger! "Deal, but you have to give the old beggar a super  VIP experience first.

If it's as you say, then I   will present the wine with both hands," the old  beggar said with a sly grin, squinting his eyes. "No problem, from this moment on,  you are our very first monthly VIP,   on a trial period of one month!" Li Xiaobai  said casually, intent on keeping him there;   as long as the old beggar stayed at the  store, getting wine wouldn't be a problem. The old beggar continued to scrub his  feet in the water, turning the entire   pool a murky green color; it was unclear  what kind of filth he was washing off. Li Ya watched with surprise and suspicion. With  the old beggar's face previously covered in dirt,   he was unrecognizable, but now, cleaned by  the water, why did he seem so familiar to her? She felt as if she had seen him somewhere  before, but couldn't quite remember. Li Xiaobai frowned; this was not  the way to attract customers. He immediately bought a bag of  air purifier in the marketplace. [Air Purifier: Use to purify  the air, clear the mind,   and briefly increase the Enlightenment  Rate.

(10 Lower Grade Spirit Stones)] Note: Purify the mind, purify filth,  purify the air, purify oneself. This was just one of the small  items in the marketplace,   but it seemed to work wonders in this world. After scattering a small bag of  Air Purifier inside the room,   the rotten and sour smell instantly vanished,  and the water in the pool cleared up immediately. A faint scent of tea even lingered in the air. "Boss, what is this…" Li Ya's face was filled with astonishment; the  small particles in the air had actually made his   understanding of the Cultivation Techniques  clearer, which was downright unbelievable. This boss must be a great master! The old beggar too looked puzzled, muttering  to himself, "This thing is almost as good   as the Enlightenment Tea Leaves, though  taking a bath is still more comfortable." "This thing is actually so useful," Li Xiaobai  said, surprised.

Products from the System, even   as simple as a bag of powder, could enhance one's  aptitude for enlightenment—truly extraordinary. "Yanyu, go sprinkle a bag  in the ladies' bathhouse." After purchasing another bag of air purifier,  he handed it to Situ Yanyu. With this item,   the attraction rate for customers  would significantly increase. As expected, within minutes, a  large number of customers poured in. They were attracted by the scent of the air  purifier, finding that the closer they were   to the bathhouse, the clearer their thoughts  became, solving many confusing issues with ease. "What kind of place is this, so miraculous!" "Hehehe, welcome to Tangneng  First-class, come on in…" … Meanwhile, in the various major  families of Ancient Moon City. In the Wang Family, after Wang Ning,  the young master of the Wang Family,   left Tangneng First-class, he immediately rushed  to his family's location without stopping. The water of the bathhouse was too  magical. If they could unravel its   formula, how could the Wang Family not prosper? He promptly sought out Wang  Ba, the Wang Family Patriarch.

"Father, your son has  discovered a treasure trove…" Wang Ning took out the water and explained  the situation with Tangneng First-class   and the bathhouse in great detail to his  father. Seeing the glint in Wang Ba's eyes,   it was clear that something  had piqued his interest. Just a soak in the bath could enhance  one's cultivation level—If his Wang   family could have such a place, why  worry about the family's prosperity? "Who else knows about this now?" "The bathhouse is right next  to the Moon Watching Tower;   the major families should all be aware by now." "Let me have a look at that water!" Wang Ba took the water and inspected  it carefully, but after a long time,   he couldn't discern anything special. He tasted it—bitter, fishy, sour, and putrid. This damn thing is foot-washing water! "You beast, you dare make me drink  your foot-washing water? Die!" … The same scenario was enacted in all  the major families of Ancient Moon City.

Disciples from each family presented   the water they procured from the  bathhouse to their senior members. Hearing about the miraculous effects of the  Tangneng First-class bathhouse, the seniors   were exhilarated and began investigating the  water's secrets with their divine skills. However, the reality was that they found nothing;   no matter how they analyzed  it, it was just ordinary water. "Wait a minute, sense the water carefully.  Is there a trace of a special scent in it?" "Correct, this scent is a bit pungent,  probably the smell of some herb." Quite a few of the seniors  tasted the water intently. They frowned slightly; at first, the taste  was mediocre, but upon closer examination,   there was a hint of bitter sweat  and an indescribable odor of decay. There's something about this water! Based on the smell and taste, this  should be… foot-washing water? "Damn it, are you messing with me on purpose,  happy to have me drink your foot-water?" "This water is useless; it  even has the stench of feet!" "Damn, what sins did I commit in my  last life to bear such a misfortune," "Ten years of cultivation,  and you've gone to the dogs,   treating foot-water as a sacred elixir  for cultivation.

What were you thinking?" "From now on, don't say I  am your master. Get out!" "…" In Ancient Moon City, all the  major families were in uproar,   with Family Heads and Elders sporting faces  as liver-colored as if they had eaten flies. They had tasted their disciples'  foot-washing water and analyzed   it in earnest. Should this get out, they'd  be unable to show their faces in the city.

Utterly embarrassing! The disciples were also bewildered; why did the   water work fine in the bathhouse  but lose its power once outside? Could it be that what the proprietor said  was true, that the bathwater was indeed   just ordinary water, and what truly merited  attention was not the water, but something else? No, they had to visit Tangneng First-class  once more to clear up the trickery behind it! Many family disciples, as  if by unspoken agreement,   headed en masse toward Tangneng  First-class's location.

Nonetheless, they were soon  astonished to find that the   bathhouse was now surrounded  by an impenetrable crowd. "Don't push, don't push, I was here first!" "No cutting in line, brother, I'm still  waiting to get into the bathhouse!" "Brother, you misunderstand,  I don't have Spirit Stones,   I'm not going in, I'll just hang around outside!" "Same here, let's just hang around;  I'm not competing with you guys." Chapter 64 Chapter 64 The scent of the air purifier had  drawn all the nearby people over. Cultivation level is the crux of a person's  life, the foundation of their existence.   Discovering that cultivating near the  bathhouse could yield twice the result   with half the effort, people naturally  wanted to come and see for themselves. However, most of the crowd were commoners,  unable to afford the enormous sum of ten   Lower Grade Spirit Stones, lacking the nerve  to go in for a bath, given the exorbitant cost. Thus, they were content just experiencing the  effects of the air purifier in the courtyard. This practice was euphemistically  called "rubbing off a little good luck." "Brother, don't cut in line, wait  your turn honestly at the back." Someone in the queue spoke lightly.

"I am Wang Ning from the Wang Family,  do I really need to wait in line?"   a few young masters said discontentedly. "Well, you can try and see if you can get in?" The atmosphere among the crowd  turned tense in an instant. "I've come here seeking a chance encounter,  and if anyone dares to cut off my opportunity,   I'll die on their doorstep to show them!" "That's right, I'm only half a step  away from the Golden Core Stage. If   anyone obstructs my breakthrough,  they'll become my mortal enemy!" "To enter Tangneng First-class today,  everyone must follow the rules.

Otherwise,   we might just go die on your  families' doorsteps together!" The queue was fervently emotional, showing  no deference to these family heirs. This bathhouse was a once-in-a-century  opportunity. Not even risking life and   limb outside the city in various perilous  places could compare to soaking here just once. This chance was something they were  determined to seize; no one could interfere! It was only now that the sons  of prominent families realized   many in the queue were heirs of  great clans from within the city,   all waiting earnestly outside, deeply  inhaling the spiritual substance in the air. They no longer caused any trouble. … Inside Tangneng First-class,   with every cultivator's face in  the pools, beamed a blissful smile.

Soaking to improve cultivation, and air  purifiers to enhance insight—cultivating   in such an environment, even a  pig would become enlightened. The bathhouse was filled with exclamations of  amazement, with everyone looking overly excited. Making the most of every chance to practice,   it was just a pity that most people  initially only bought two hours' worth   of soak time tentatively. Once time was up,  they had to leave to make way for others. "Boss, can I renew right away, I'll pay double!" "Boss, me too!" "Boss, as long as you let me renew, the little  girl is willing to accompany you for a soak too!" "Boss…" The cultivators were loath to leave the bathhouse;   once they left, who knew  when they could enter again. "No way, everyone must follow the  rules, there are still so many waiting." Li Xiaobai said flatly and, summoning  Situ Yanyu, began to urge people out.

With that, the men's bathhouse quieted  down immediately. Situ Yanyu quickly   emerged from the adjacent women's pool,  leading the female cultivators out,   and everyone else realized that there indeed had  been many young ladies soaking in the next room. Each female cultivator's face flushed,  a combination of the bathhouse's heat   and the excitement from the accelerated  cultivation, which made them loiter reluctantly. Their rosy cheeks, their skin so tender  it seemed it might break from a touch,   the longing looks in their eyes,  and the droplets of water slipping   down their delicate necks made all the male  cultivators' hearts race and mouths go dry. Good heavens, this was a benefit segment! Not  only could they enhance their cultivation,   but they also had the chance to glimpse  beauties emerging from the bath. Such a   fine place was hard to come by, even  if you were looking with a lantern. The cultivators outside noticed this too,  and they were all abuzz with excitement. "Did you see that? That was the young  miss of the Ouyang Family just now,   she actually came here for a bath!" "Yes, that's my goddess! Seeing  my goddess emerge from the bath,   in this life, I could die without regrets!" "You two brethren have a small vision.

If  we could take a bath with these goddesses,   cultivate together—hehehe, now that  would be a delightful story to tell!" "…" The female cultivators noticed that the  numerous like-minded companions around   them were all bowing their heads, their  faces flushed as they hurriedly left. They were returning to their  clans to report this incident,   and then they would ask for more Spirit  Stones to book the entire bathhouse. "Come on, next batch!" Li Xiaobai watched the numerous customers with  a beaming smile. Today, Tangneng First-class   had a tremendously successful opening  day, something he could hardly believe.

However, the bathhouse was indeed too small, with  so many people outside unable to enter. Although   business was booming, the amount of Spirit  Stones they could earn was extremely limited. In the future, he still needed to think of a  solution, ideally opening a chain of bathhouses. To dominate the entire Ancient Moon City  with Tangneng First-class bathhouses. … "Move aside, don't block the way!" "Boy, I was wondering why I couldn't  find you at the Situ Household,   turns out you were hiding here!" "Today my big brother is here, even if  the Daluo deity were protecting you,   you wouldn't escape your doom!" A familiar voice came from outside,  and Li Xiaobai frowned upon hearing it,   the young master of the Xia  Family had come knocking again. This time, Xia Liu had brought his older  brother Xia Chuan to help him seek revenge   on Li Xiaobai and wash away previous humiliations,  not expecting the Situ Household to be deserted.   Halfway back, they were attracted by the  shop and entered to find a surprise gain.

The crowd around them clearly recognized the  Xia brothers as well, and they stepped aside,   for this was the local bully, who  often acted recklessly in the city   relying on his family's power,  and they dared not provoke him. The Xia Family and other forces in the  city were closely connected, and even   some of the established major families  were reluctant to offend them lightly. "Liangchen doesn't like you, you can leave now." Li Xiaobai frowned and said, this  Xia Liu had come to cause trouble,   affecting his own wealth accumulation.  This was a stumbling block on his path   to fortune that he absolutely couldn't tolerate. In front of him, there was not only  Xia Liu but also an elder young master,   majestic and dignified in appearance, but  the things he did were not so impressive,   to actually help Xia Liu come and pick a fight. "Are you Ye Liangchen?" Xia Chuan brandished his folding fan with flair. "Indeed, I am Ye Liangchen." "Do you know who I am?" "I do not." "Xia Chuan!" The young master seemed  quite pleased with himself,   basking in the awe of the surrounding crowd.

"And then?" Li Xiaobai was baffled, perhaps the other party  thought just mentioning his name would scare him? "You don't know me?" Xia Chuan appeared somewhat surprised. "Liangchen doesn't need to know anyone,   you just need to know I'm called  Ye Liangchen, that's enough." Li Xiaobai stood with his hands behind  his back, speaking indifferently. "You've got guts. In Ancient Moon City,  even the other major families show   my Xia Family a little respect. You're  the first to speak to me like this." Xia Chuan's face darkened, as someone in  the city was even more arrogant than he was;   in his eyes, Li Xiaobai was as good as dead. "Ye, if you voluntarily break one of your  arms and kneel before my brother now,   perhaps he'll let you off as if you were a fart." Xia Liu was quite smug, with  his elder brother taking action;   he could already envision Li  Xiaobai kneeling before him. "Hehe, Liangchen loves to deal with those  who think they are exceptionally powerful." "If you think you have the  strength to tangle with me,   Liangchen is more than willing  to accompany you to the end." Chapter 65 Chapter 65 As these words were uttered,  everyone present gasped in   astonishment—this was simply too domineering.

Who would have expected a  bathhouse owner to be so imposing,   angrily confronting the young master of the  Xia Family without showing any weakness. Xia Chuan's nose was practically crooked with  rage; never in Ancient Moon City had anyone dared   to have a war of words with him, especially  when he couldn't talk his way out of it. Damnit, who exactly is the overbearing CEO here? "You're quite the talker, but soon I will cut out   your tongue and see if you can  remain so calm," Xia Chuan said. His eyes ablaze with fury, spiritual  energy surged around him, revealing   his Golden Core Stage cultivation  without a hint of reservation.

With a quick movement of his  palms, he instantly appeared   before Li Xiaobai, enshrouded in black mist, and  a dark palm imprint struck Li Xiaobai's chest. "Murder Seal!" "Young Master Liangchen!" Situ Yanyu was incredibly nervous; to her, Xia  Chuan was a genuine Golden Core Stage expert,   a realm she aspired to reach  in her lifetime. She wasn't   sure if an injured Li Xiaobai could  safely withstand this palm strike. However, it turned out that her  imagination was limited by her strength. In an instant, the garments  on his chest were incinerated,   yet his flesh beneath remained unscathed. Xia Chuan's expression changed. His attack had been ineffective. He  drew the sword from his waist with a   reflexive motion—the blade glinting coldly,  sword qi swirling impressively around it.

"Evil Banishing Sword Technique!" The pitch-black sword qi stabbed directly  at Li Xiaobai's brow from point-blank range. Sword qi met flesh. [Attribute Points +300…] Still weak. "Crack!" The passive Reflect skill activated, and  Xia Chuan's sword trembled violently,   instantly shattering into powder, along with  his hand being ripped into a bloody mess. "How… how is this possible!" Xia Chuan's  face was a mix of shock and disbelief,   his own Golden Core Stage cultivation  had not inflicted the slightest harm. The most critical point was that  his mid-grade Spiritual Artifact   had been shattered by Li Xiaobai's  flesh—what kind of strength was this! "Liangchen has already said, in this world,   the only one who can injure  Liangchen is Liangchen himself." Li Xiaobai said nonchalantly. [Attribute Points: 400.] After raising his defensive power to the sixth  rotation of the Indestructible Golden Body,   he no longer cared about  these minor attribute points. The further he progressed, the more terrifying  the number of attribute points needed became.   Naturally, the means of increasing attribute  points had to diversify. Relying solely on   taking damage from cultivators' attacks to  gain attribute points was overly simplistic.

"Who exactly are you?" "Are you sent by the other  families to oppose my Xia Family?" The formidable strength of his  opponent left Xia Chuan astounded. In an instant, his thoughts turned to the business  that the Xia Family was currently discussing,   suspecting that the other families  might be intending to sabotage it. "Liangchen dislikes idle chatter; all you need   to remember is my name—Ye  Liangchen," Li Xiaobai said. "Good, the Xia Family will remember you.  We will avenge today's humiliation when   the time is ripe!" Xia Chuan said  with a somewhat fierce expression;   in just a matter of minutes, Li Xiaobai  had made him look like a complete fool. "Indeed, Ye, my Xia Family is  not one you can afford to offend;   you will be killed within three days!"  Xia Liu also shouted threateningly. "No matter, feel free to summon anyone  you know. Liangchen wouldn't mind playing   along with you all. If I win, I would  ask that you get out of my store." "Of course, if you cease this nonsense,  Liangchen will surely reward you handsomely   in the future," Li Xiaobai said calmly, judging by  the cultivation levels of these family disciples,   the clans' strength in Ancient  Moon City must not be formidable;   the highest would likely be in the Nascent Soul  Stage.

As long as he didn't face someone of the   straw-cloaked man's caliber, there  generally wouldn't be much trouble. It was time to cause a stir. "Indeed, hurry up and scram; you've  lost all face for the Xia Family." Li Ya stepped out from inside the house  and said indifferently. The Li Family   was also a major clan, and although  they did not have as wide a network   as the Xia Family, they were no less influential. "You… I will remember this day's events," the Xia brothers said, their  faces turning green with anger,   but being no match for their opponents,  they could only scamper away in disgrace. "Alright, the shop is back in business.  Those who wish to take a bath,   please pay the fee and proceed to the bathhouse." Li Xiaobai remained unperturbed, his  demeanor neither haughty nor humble,   instantly capturing the hearts of  the female cultivators present. Handsome, powerful, a money-maker  with an unyielding spirit,   such a man was truly hard  to find even with a lantern. The line neatly re-entered "Tangneng First-class."  The hour that Young Master Li of the Li Family,   Li Ya, had purchased was up, he was reluctant  to leave and wanted to "sneak in" a bit longer.

"Brother Ye, I fear great trouble  will find you from now on…" "The Xia Family is one of the most  prominent in Ancient Moon City;   it is said they have intimate dealings with  several other cities. No one in Ancient Moon   City dares to offend them, not even the spots  to train with the Holy Demon Sect each year;   this year, the Xia Family  took three of those places." Li Ya shook his head and sighed. "Train with the Holy Demon  Sect?" Li Xiaobai's eyes lit up.

"Brother Ye must know of the Holy Demon Sect's  existence; it is one of the top sects in the   Northern Region, with many sects and cities around  selecting talents to train at higher levels." "Each family in the city selects a young  Disciple to go to the Holy Demon Sect,   but this year, the Xia Family abruptly chose  three Disciples, forcefully seizing the Song   Family and Qiu Family's spots. Everyone  else could only boil with silent rage." "The Xia Family is not easy to provoke," said Li Ya. Li Xiaobai remembered there seemed to be such talk  on the streets. He had heard people mention it,   but at that time, he was too busy building  his bathhouse and recovering from injuries,   so he had tossed it to the back of his mind. Looking at it this way, it seemed he already  had his ticket back to the Holy Demon Sect;   when the time came, he could  just follow the large group. At this moment, his senior brothers and  sisters must have already reached the   Holy Demon Sect. With their speed of cultivation,   perhaps by the time they met again, they might  all be powerful figures in their own right.

"Brother Ye, what do you think of this  person?" said Li Ya suddenly, beaming. "Brother Li is quite good, not  coddled like a hothouse flower,   worth befriending," answered Li Xiaobai. "Then I wonder if Brother Ye could do me a  favor and let me go in for another soak?" "Brother Li, even close brothers  keep financial accounts clear;   you've spent all your Spirit Stones,  best you leave early and line up again." "I've just shared some  important intelligence though." "Sorry, but my mind was a bit muddled  just now; I didn't hear a thing." "…" Tangneng First-class maintained an atmosphere of   tranquility as cultivators  constantly came and went.

However, many cultivators took away  some of the bathwater before leaving. Despite Li Xiaobai's explanation that  the water was just ordinary water,   most people didn't believe it and sought  to understand the principle behind it. Aside from the water, many also  took a small piece of brick,   since apart from the water, stones  and bricks made the bathhouse. As long as they could unravel the secrets, their  power would be able to soar to the heavens.

Li Xiaobai wasn't the least bit worried  about this. Whether it was the building   materials or the water, none of it was some  exotic treasure; the primary condition for   Tangneng First-class to operate was that  the bathhouse must be built by himself. This one condition eliminated the  possibility of others copying it. But what he did not know was, at this very moment,   a conspiracy targeting Tangneng  First-class was quietly unfolding. The Xia Family. "Who is that bathhouse owner who  dares to defy my Xia Family?" "Moreover, why is a mere bathhouse so popular?" The Family Head of the Xia Family wore  a thoughtful expression and asked. "Father, that owner is called Ye Liangchen,   utterly arrogant. He even said he wanted  the children to find everyone they knew   to join him for fun. As for the bathhouse,  I have already sent people to investigate," Chapter 66 Chapter 66 In the Xia Family's grand hall, father  and sons were discussing matters. Xia Chuan's people sent to gather information  had returned, bearing some water and bricks.

Family Head Xia Jiuquan carefully  examined the water quality and bricks,   even inviting the clan elders to appraise them. The conclusion was that these  were merely ordinary materials,   with no trace of heavenly treasures mixed in. "Why is that? Could an ordinary  bathhouse really attract so many people?" Xia Jiuquan was puzzled, as the scions of the  city's families didn't seem like the sort to   lose their ambition to indulgences.  Why were so many engrossed in it? "Perhaps it's simply because the  bathhouse is a novelty, and once   the younger generation loses interest, it'll be  time to close its doors," the elders suggested. "To think that a place for a soak  could attract so many people.

However,   his bathhouse is still too small. We  could ride this wave of popularity by   building a large bathhouse and collect a bunch  of Spirit Stones—wouldn't it be delightful?" "Indeed, this is an excellent opportunity to make   a fortune. We should definitely  ride the wave," they agreed. The elders concurred, as nobody would  ever feel they had too many Spirit Stones.

"As for that owner, leave him  to me. I'll have our guests in   the clan take care of him," Xia Jiuquan declared. "Moreover, your second brother will  soon return from Zhenyuan Country,   having completed his studies. Be cautious  these days and try to avoid trouble. Remember,   maintaining a training spot in the Holy Demon  Sect is not easy," Xia Jiuquan said indifferently. "Your son understands. Thank you, Father!" "Mhm, you may leave now…" … The next morning, Li Xiaobai lazily opened his eyes, finding  the bathhouse still bustling with people.   The queue outside not only hadn't  shortened but had grown even longer.

It seemed to be extending across the street. [Attribute Points: 10000.] One day and one night had  yielded quite positive results. All points in defense. [Defensive Power: Indestructible  Golden Body Sixth Turn (19000/60000).] [Status: Blood Demon Corrosion (Moderate).] He only had to wait a few more days,  and his defensive power would advance,   at which point the effects of the Blood  Demon Corrosion would completely vanish. Currently, the cultivators in the pool  were mostly those who had purchased the   overnight service packages. To  attract more repeat customers,   Li Xiaobai had not yet released  daily or monthly packages. After all, they were in the stage  of drawing in customers. The more   regulars they had, the more people  would patronize the future branches.

"Boss, don't you have a  place for storing clothes?" "Yeah, it's really inconvenient  to hold onto them!" A cultivator asked. Many of the  confident men in the pool had   fully embraced bathing and  placed their clothes aside,   flaunting their chiseled muscles to attract  the girls from the adjacent women's bathhouse. The time was approaching, and their overnight  packages were about to end. In a little while,   the female cultivators next door would  be coming out, and this was their chance. Most of the other male cultivators, however,  were too shy to show their bodies. The key   issue was that they neglected to refine  their physical bodies on regular days,   lacking burly muscles and sexy abs. They felt too  inferior to show off in front of the goddesses. Observing the fervor of the cultivators  in the pool, Li Xiaobai shook his head   and chuckled. A bathhouse had actually sparked  the bloom of romance among these cultivators. "Hehe, not yet, but there will be facilities  for that in the future," Li Xiaobai said. "There's much to learn from a  bath, indeed.

By stripping down,   you show each other your true selves. It  shows you have potential. Visit more often,   and you'll comprehend much  more," Li Xiaobai enticed. "Please enlighten us, is this bathhouse   not just for cultivation?" the  cultivators asked, befuddled. "Of course not, a bathhouse is  just for bathing. It would be too   one-dimensional to use it solely for cultivation." "Although the water in the pool is clear, you  all are indeed very guarded toward each other.   Putting on clothes is like putting on masks  and disguises, while taking them off means   shedding the burdens on your shoulders and your  wariness. In this way, people can meet each other   honestly and interact in their most relaxed  state, naturally deepening their relations." "A real man, by soaking in the water,   can let others feel what kind of person he is.  Bathing is indeed the best way to communicate." "If someone is tough enough, he will sit  in the water no matter the temperature,   just dropping down in one go.  But if someone is indecisive,   he will test the waters like a dragonfly skimming  the surface before slowly submerging himself." "So, you see, first take a soak to understand  a person.

In this world, there's nothing   that a good soak in the bath can't solve.  If there is, then take another one." Li Xiaobai said. "Hiss, listening to you is better  than reading ten years of books.   I didn't expect the boss to have such  insight. I've learned something new!" "With the boss's strength being so formidable,   it must be because of his long  soaks in the bath, right?" "That's right, the boss can withstand  an attack from someone at the Golden   Core Stage without a scratch, which is  certainly the work of an exceptional   master.

Maybe he is contemplating  the natural world while soaking!" The cultivators felt embarrassed,   having not realized that there was  such depth to the waters of the pool. They had indeed been too narrow-minded to think of   bathing solely as a way to get  clean and speed up cultivation. "Alright, the lodging package is over,  time to switch to the next group!" Li Xiaobai looked at the time  and started ushering people out. The male cultivators dawdled,  slowly climbing out of the pool,   as if by dragging out the time they were  waiting for something.

Li Xiaobai knew   exactly what was on their minds, so  he waited patiently with a smile. The more wonderful things these cultivators  discovered in the bathhouse, the stronger their   sense of belonging to it. They would not be able  to stay away from the bathhouse in the future. With a "squeak," the door to  the women's bathhouse opened. Situ Yanyu led a group of female cultivators out,  looking as lovely and fresh as lotuses that had   just emerged from the water, causing the male  cultivators to blush and their hearts to race. The dozen or so cultivators ready to show off  their bodies immediately stepped forward, striking   poses with their muscles bulging heroically,  revealing the undeniable charm of masculinity. The female cultivators kept their heads down,  their eyes unintentionally drifting over to   where the men were, a mysterious smile  on their lips and a ripple in their gaze. Seeing this, the male cultivators  became even more enthusiastic. "Senior Brother, those biceps you've  been working on are impressive!" "Heh heh, Junior Brother, your  quadriceps are quite developed, not bad,   your 'Wind God Leg Technique'  hasn't been wasted at all!" "However, Junior Brother, I  still admire those abs of yours,   Senior Brother, hard as a steel plate.  Might you have any secrets to share?" "Hardly, hardly, it's your back muscles that  are the real deal.

They truly set you apart,   and it's shocking to see. I should be  asking you for advice, Senior Brother!" "You flatter me, Senior Brother…" "…" Li Xiaobai watched this display wide-eyed and  dumbfounded. These cultivators were shameless,   engaging in such boastful  banter. But it seemed that   the female cultivators were quite taken with it. They were still too naive! Such a simple trick had caught them.

Through the door, excited chatter from the  female cultivators floated to Li Xiaobai's ears. "Yun Jie, did you see that? Those  men just now were so handsome!" "In my opinion, the most handsome is the   cultivator in the middle.  Those abs are to die for!" "Pfft, the third one from the left is  the most perfect in terms of physique!" "I'm coming back tonight…" "Ladies, keep it down, remember  to maintain our image…" "…" Chapter 67 Chapter 67 The many cultivators at the door were  brimming with excitement in their eyes.

Regardless of gender, at this   moment, they all seemed to have found  their very own pursuit of bathing. It turns out that showing off one's physique while   bathing could actually win over the  heart of one's goddess so easily. In just an instant, the male  cultivators all became excited,   their faces flushing with  determination in their hearts,   deciding that once they returned, they must  definitely practice a body refinement skill. These days, you're embarrassed to call yourself   a real man if you don't have  a few muscles on your belly. The female cultivators shared the same sentiment,  knowing they'd be seen by male cultivators when   leaving the bathhouse, who wouldn't want  to present themselves in a perfect image? Many of the female cultivators subtly  looked at their own slightly robust calves,   thinking this wouldn't do, deciding to  work hard upon returning to slim them down.

Unbeknownst to them, a body refinement craze  was about to take Ancient Moon City by storm. But Li Xiaobai couldn't care  less about their little schemes. Inside Tangneng First-class, Li Xiaobai was  counting Spirit Stones with a beaming smile,   the bathhouse was too profitable,   they had made over a thousand Lower  Grade Spirit Stones in just a day or two. He handed out two hundred to Situ Yanyu. "Stick with me, and I won't treat you badly. Keep  up the good work, I have high hopes for you!" "Thank you, Young Master Liangchen!" Situ Yanyu was overjoyed, she knew the shop's  daily revenue was hundreds to thousands of   Spirit Stones, but she never imagined she'd  get a share, and felt a little touched. "Cough cough, my lord, about my salary,  don't you think it's time to…" Elder Situ Kong came over, constantly rubbing  his fingers together with eager insinuation.

"My dear elder, you've soaked here for two days,   don't you think it's time to settle  that cost…" Li Xiaobai said, grinning. "Cough cough, I haven't taken my bath yet, let  me soak a little longer, just a little more." Situ Kong begrudgingly crawled back into the pool,   settling beside the dirty old beggar  again, chatting in a desultory fashion. "Boss, two hours of soaking." Three figures in black robes entered, with  their faces covered, their appearances obscured. Li Xiaobai frowned slightly; as the trio  approached, he felt an instinctual repulsion,   an unreasoned aversion to these  strangers he had never met before. What was this all about? He had never had a problem with money before. All who came were lords;  they must be treated well. "Gentlemen, right this way, please!" Li Xiaobai put away the Spirit Stones and  welcomed the few individuals with a smile. The three black-robed figures didn't speak,   making their way directly to a corner  of the pool and plopping themselves in.

Splashes erupted, scaring the nearby  bathing cultivators, who concluded   based on the boss's introduction that these  three were definitely fierce characters. Li Xiaobai narrowed his eyes; soaking  silently from the moment they sat down,   not uttering a word, these people seemed to be  more than merely fierce; they were smoky threats. The three black-robed figures felt something  extraordinary after a brief immersion;   the pool seemed to enhance their cultivation  level. Just by soaking for a while, they felt   their inner Spiritual Energy grow stronger  by a thread—an inconceivable experience. However, the black-robed figures  quickly suppressed their excitement   as they had come with a mission,  prioritizing it above all else. "Boss, got any good wine and  dishes? The brothers are hungry,   and we're not short on Spirit Stones,"  said the leading black-robed figure. "Right away, just a moment." Li Xiaobai quickly prepared  the wine and dishes on a tray,   serving them before the few black-robed figures.

"Hey, boss, come and join us for a bite,"  the black-robed figure naturally invited,   nonchalantly throwing over a few  Lower Grade Spirit Stones—they   indeed seemed to be customers  who weren't short on money. Li Xiaobai also picked up a set of chopsticks  and joined the men for a feast and drinks. "I'm from Zaun." "Where's Zaun?" the men inquired,  indicating they hadn't heard of it before.

"It's just a little place called Zaun District.  The people there are quite passionate,   somewhat impoverished, nothing worth mentioning." "The boss has a decent cultivation level; it  seems you frequent dangerous places often." "Just average." "Why does this pool have the effect of enhancing   cultivation level? Could the  boss enlighten us a little?" "We are willing to pay for the recipe  and will ensure it remains a secret." The man in the black robe spoke gravely. "You're not the first to say that.  There's nothing special about this water;   it's just ordinary water. The reason it can  help cultivators increase their cultivation   level is that I infused it with love,  and that's why it has this effect." "Our shop doesn't prohibit customers from  taking the water out.

If you doubt it,   you can take some water  and study it slowly later." Li Xiaobai said cheerfully,   knowing full well that his bathhouse  was unique and couldn't be replicated. "I see." The few men nodded slightly, eating  their food in a leisurely manner. Li Xiaobai wanted to say something else  when suddenly, his heart skipped a beat,   and the numbers on the system panel  in front of him began to fluctuate. [Attribute Points +100…] [Attribute Points +100…] Hiss! The food is poisoned! Li Xiaobai instantly understood, no  wonder he had always felt something   off about these three men; they  had come specifically for him.

Taking advantage when he wasn't paying attention,   they had secretly poisoned the food, intending  to kill him. Indeed, sinister and ruthless. Without asking, it must be a hit ordered  by the young masters of the Xia Family. But this poison is still somewhat lacking. [Attribute Points: 1000.] Add to defense. [Defensive Power: Indestructible  Golden Body Sixth Turn (20000/60000)] "Why aren't you eating your vegetables? Come on,   don't be shy; these are all dishes you  ordered, and you can't waste them." Li Xiaobai smiled as he put a few dishes from his  side into the bowls of the men in the black robe. In an instant, the faces of the  men in the black robe turned green,   but since they hadn't accomplished their  mission, they had to keep up the act and,   begrudgingly, finished the vegetables cleanly. "Boss, do you drink?" The man in the black robe asked.

"Yes." The man in the black robe poured the  wine while Li Xiaobai stared intently   at his actions, unable to spot anything amiss. A few bowls of wine went down. The wine wasn't  strong, not even counting as a strong liquor. [Attribute Points +200…] [Attribute Points +200…] Here it comes again! Li Xiaobai understood in his heart that the  other party was definitely sent to kill and   that he hadn't noticed how the other party had  poisoned the food; they were quite skillful. [Ding! Host continues to be attacked  by Blood Demon Corrosion Force,   acquiring skill: Blood Demon True Resolution.] Blood Demon True Resolution: Can unleash the  Blood Qi of the Blood Demon Primordial Spirit,   significantly boosting power for a short period,  capable of influencing space-time and bewildering   minds. After use, the Blood Demon Primordial  Spirit enters a weakened state for a brief period. Hiss! Blood Demon Corrosion Force,  Li Xiaobai was alarmed. The poisoning technique of the man in the black  robe was exactly like the straw-cloaked man's,   only far weaker in power, undoubtedly one  of the straw-cloaked man's subordinates.

Was this a retaliation from the Xia Family,   or had he already been discovered  by the straw-cloaked man? Li Xiaobai's mind was in a  haze; he had to test them. "You guys have a good tolerance for alcohol.  Among those I have met in Liangchen,   besides Zhang Rui from Tianwu  Sect, you're the best drinkers!" Chapter 68 Chapter 68 Zhang Rui was the name he had left  for the straw-cloaked man that day. The other party must be trying to track down  this person with all their effort by now,   and if these black-robed men were  subordinates of the straw-cloaked man,   they would certainly know this name. As expected, the black-robed men paused noticeably  in their actions upon hearing this name. "Does the boss know Zhang Rui?" The leading black-robed man's  tone was slightly agitated. "Indeed, I've met him a few  times. Zhang Rui is quite capable,   but it's a pity his character  is too poor to make friends." Li Xiaobai shook his head and sighed,   and the black-robed men exchanged  glances with excitement in their eyes. "Please have some tea, boss." The leading black-robed man  passed over another bowl of tea,   which Li Xiaobai drank down in one gulp.

The  attribute points for Blood Demon Corrosion on   the System panel stopped fluctuating,  indicating it was a bowl of antidote. Li Xiaobai chuckled inwardly, finding these  Evil Cultivators foolishly endearing as   they kept offering poison and then antidotes,  seemingly not the sharpest tools in the shed. "Could the boss tell us about Zhang Rui? He  owes us a significant amount of resources,   and we have been looking  for him to settle the debt." The black-robed men passed over  another bowl of tea, still an antidote. Finding Zhang Rui was a major mission; whoever  could find him was sure to be promoted and   ennobled, and the achievement of becoming a major  power was not beyond the realm of possibility. These black-robed men were only at the  Golden Core Stage in strength; originally,   they were just trying to fish in troubled  waters without expecting to actually find   Zhang Rui. But now, it was different; they  had stumbled upon someone who knew Zhang Rui. The three of them instantly realized this  was their chance; seizing it could mean   they wouldn't have to worry about food and  clothing for most of the rest of their lives.

They didn't dare to neglect the opportunity,  offering bowl after bowl of detoxifying tea.   They were genuinely afraid of accidentally  poisoning Li Xiaobai to death. Compared to the   Xia Family's trivial personal grudges, finding  Zhang Rui was a matter of utmost importance. "This Zhang Rui, ah, is a True Disciple of  the Tianwu Sect. His strength is not to be   underestimated. I heard that there's recently been  a commotion in the Divine Beast Mountain Range,   and he went to join in the excitement and  got his hands on quite a few valuable items." "Only, this man's character is too flawed; he  always likes to trick and kill his opponents,   seizing their Space Rings, which isn't a good  habit.

I've advised him many times to no avail;   obsessed with wealth, he refuses to heed any  advice. Do any of you hold a grudge against him?" What Li Xiaobai said was logical and convincing,   and the black-robed men were  overjoyed in an instant. A capable individual, recently seen in the  Divine Beast Mountain Range, and also named   Zhang Rui — there was no doubt that he was the  very person their superior was searching for.

"Ah, it's not a big grudge.  He took away our Space Rings,   which contain the heirlooms left by our  deceased father. We must get them back." The men became even more enthusiastic, pulling  Li Xiaobai into a wide-ranging conversation. Through the conversation, Li Xiaobai  determined that these three definitely   belonged to the straw-cloaked man, who was  making every effort to search for Zhang Rui. The three black-robed men were likely  Evil Cultivators from outside the city,   associated with the Xia Family,  and were regarded as honored   guests by the family. The leader of  the black-robed men was named Zuo Da,   and the other two black-robed men were named  Zuo Er and Zuo San; they were brothers. Originally, they had come to kill him,   but they hadn't expected that a casual  mention of a name would not only eliminate   their murderous intent but also cause  them to become good friends with him. Surely, the path of cultivation is deep and  complex; even the allies of an enemy can   become one's own brothers  with the right manipulation. "Ah, the more friends, the more paths. Well then,  meeting is fate.

I will help you find Zhang Rui." "He's too fond of hopping around. It's  good for you guys to teach him a lesson." Li Xiaobai's gaze was profound,   filled with infinite reflection as  if reminiscing about an old friend. Sorry, Zhang Rui, but besides you, I have no one  else to blame, so please take on all the blame! "Educating him isn't quite the  word — we just want to reclaim   what belongs to us," Zuo Da said with a chuckle. For a moment, the atmosphere in the  bathhouse was filled with harmony. The other cultivators also relaxed when  they saw this. The owner was right:   there's nothing a good soak  in the bath can't solve.

After soaking for a while and chatting,  the black-robed figures transformed from   menacing to amiable. The magic  of a bath was truly wondrous. The old beggar listened the  entire time with rapt attention,   the light in his eyes concealed. He heard  some things that greatly piqued his interest. "Who would have thought that after so many years,   the Tianwu Sect still has such talent,  reminiscent of my younger days." The old beggar muttered to  himself and comfortably dozed off. The evil cultivators chatted for a while  longer, then started to seriously cultivate. This time they had a great haul. Not only  did they discover an amazing bathhouse,   but they also gathered some  intelligence regarding Zhang Rui. Li Xiaobai returned to the counter, gazing  at the system panel in front of him.

[Ding! Host has unlocked an achievement:  Cultivators of the World are One Family,   Reward: One Justice Elixir, One Pill of Mischief.] [Justice Elixir: After consumption,  one's heart is filled with kindness,   justice points skyrocket, and the  mind is entirely focused on doing   good deeds. One feels uncomfortable  if not performing a good deed a day.] [Pill of Mischief: After consumption,  one's heart sets to creating trouble,   evil points skyrocket, and the mind  is filled with thoughts of causing   mischief. One feels uncomfortable if  not stirring up trouble for a day.] [Note: Elixirs have no consumption restrictions  and can be taken by all living creatures.] These elixirs are interesting: one for justice,  one for mischief.

Definitely not for self-use,   I'll have to find the right person for them later. His eyes inadvertently swept towards Ergouzi,   who was frolicking in the nearby pool, and  the corner of his mouth lifted unconsciously. This little wreck of a dog was shrouded in  mystery. Despite its silly demeanor on most days,   it demonstrated extraordinary strength at  the Divine Beast Mountain Range. Giving it   a Justice Elixir could assure its  unwavering loyalty from here on. Ergouzi seemed to sense  something, shuddered all over,   and stared at Li Xiaobai with  guarded eyes, looking very wary. It had a bad feeling about this. "Ergouzi, come here, I've got something tasty for   you," said Li Xiaobai, waving a pill  in his hand and speaking cheerfully. "Woof woof woof!" The little wreck of a dog's fur exploded.

It had only stayed around Li Xiaobai for  a few days because it was attracted by the   scent of fragments. But it seemed Li Xiaobai  treated it like a pet, casually naming it,   and now was trying to trick it into eating some  mysterious pills—definitely not a good sign! Nicholas Ergouzi was not to be easily bullied. The casually produced elixirs  looked like shoddy goods to it;   it had better treasures of its own and was  preparing to share them with Li Xiaobai. "Woof woof woof!" Jumping down, Ergouzi shook off the water droplets   and regarded Li Xiaobai with  disdain, barking a few times.

Meaning that the pills weren't  much and it had something better,   as it indicated for Li Xiaobai to follow. "You want me to go out with you?" "Woof woof woof!" "I'm here to make money, don't be a nuisance." "Woof woof woof!" "You've got treasure?" Chapter 69 Chapter 69 For some reason, Li Xiaobai felt that he   could understand the message  conveyed by the dog's barks.

Could it be that, without realizing it,   he had opened his governor and conception  vessels and learned how to speak dog? "Woof woof woof!" "Alright, Liangchen will  join you on this adventure!" This little ratty dog wasn't an ordinary dog;  it even turned its nose up at Justice Elixirs. The treasure it spoke of must  surely be no ordinary item. Li Xiaobai instructed Situ Yanyu on a few things,  leaving her in charge of the shop for the time   being, and then followed the little ratty dog,  who vanished into the street in a cloud of dust. Inside the shop, in the bathhouse, a group  of cultivators were stunned into admiration,   overwhelmed by Li Xiaobai's actions. Could two different species really converse so  smoothly? Was this the culture of taking baths? That dog had also been soaking in  the bathing pool just before, and   it surely must be because of this that it could  communicate with the boss without any barriers. Considering this, the cultivators began  to focus even more on their bathing,   convinced by the boss's honesty—bathing truly  was the best method of communication in the world.

On the street, the little ratty dog kept sniffing around in  front, as if it were searching for something. "Is there really a treasure?" "Woof woof woof!" "A treasure even more  precious than these elixirs?" "Woof woof woof!" "Where on this street could there be a treasure?" "Woof woof woof!" A sly glint shone in the little ratty dog's eyes;   it was because of its ability that Li  Xiaobai could understand dog speech. Though it could not speak human  language for the time being,   getting a human to understand  its message was a trivial matter. Li Xiaobai was somewhat dubious  but followed the little ratty dog   through seven twists and turns into an alleyway. The alley was empty, not a soul in sight.  The little ratty dog reached the end,   jumped excitedly, and motioned for  Li Xiaobai to dig into the ground. Li Xiaobai approached and felt an  acrid smell coming from the ground. Not knowing much about cultivation or recognizing  herbs, he noted that if the scent of something   buried underground could penetrate through  to the surface, it clearly wasn't ordinary.

"Is it here?" "Woof woof woof!" "Step aside. I'll dig it up!" Li Xiaobai said, completely unaware of the  mocking look in the little ratty dog's eyes. He exchanged for a Fully Automatic  Luoyang Shovel in the System Mall. [Fully Automatic Luoyang Shovel:  Capable of digging automatically,   it consumes one Lower Grade  Spirit Stone per minute,   and higher power output requires higher-grade  Spirit Stones. (30 Medium Grade Spirit Stones).] Note: The longer the handle,  the stronger the force.

He took out the Luoyang Shovel, inserted a Lower  Grade Spirit Stone, and the blade began to spin   rapidly. In an instant, the earth was flying  everywhere, with dust clouds rising all around. So this was how to use a  shovel, indeed very convenient. A dark hole appeared, and it was difficult to   see what was inside. It was just  big enough to fit an arm through. The little ratty dog pounced  suddenly as if to snatch the   treasure. Li Xiaobai slapped it to the side. "The treasure is mine; don't fight over  it. I'll give you a Divine Elixir later." Seeing the little ratty dog's  somewhat anxious behavior,   Li Xiaobai grew even more certain  that there was a treasure inside. He reached his hand into the  hole to retrieve the treasure. "Heh heh, you're quite something,   not disappointing for having brought you  out of the Divine Beast Mountain Range." Li Xiaobai chuckled weirdly as his finger touched  something. His expression brightened—found it! He reached out and touched it; the thing was soft  and a bit wet, crumbling inwards with a pinch.

What is this? It doesn't look  like a Spiritual Artifact,   nor does it resemble Spiritual Medicine.  I can't make heads or tails of it. Withdrawning his hand, he examined  the sticky substance on his fingers;   it was a pale yellow color, sticky and damp. He brought it close to his nose to smell  it and a strong, pungent stench hit him,   making Li Xiaobai's eyes roll back in disgust.

Is this… poop? "Woof woof woof!" The darn dog grinned foolishly, turned, and  bolted outside, making a speedy getaway. "Blood Demon True Resolution, freeze!" Li Xiaobai was livid; he had been played  by a dog! After all the trouble he had gone   through and spending thirty Lower Grade  Spirit Stones, all he got was this crap. No doubt about it, dog meat for dinner tonight! A crimson aura swept through the alley instantly,  and the wretched dog's movements froze,   falling stiffly to the ground. In its eyes  flickered a look of terror—it saw mountains   of corpses and seas of blood amidst the  bloody mist, and countless skeletons.

"Come back," Li Xiaobai said with a stern face. "Woof woof woof!" The wretched dog became submissive, intimidated  by the power of the Blood Demon Primordial Spirit. "Now tell me, how are we going to resolve this?" "Eat it. If you can stomach it, then we're  still friends," said Li Xiaobai indifferently. "Woof woof!" The wretched dog, excited, didn't  hesitate and quickly bounded to   the hole, swiftly devouring the unknown substance. Seeing it contentedly licking its tongue, a  shiver ran down Li Xiaobai's spine; damn it,   a dog can't stop its tendency  to eat… well, never mind that. Let's focus on the important stuff. "Open your mouth!" The wretched dog obeyed, and Li Xiaobai  tossed an elixir into its mouth.

This was the Justice Elixir;  consuming it would make one very just. Watching the dog intently for any changes,  the wretched dog spun around twice,   seemingly feeling nothing out of the  ordinary. But when it opened its mouth,   both the man and the dog were equally shocked. "By god, this idiotic boy actually  forced Lord Ergouzi to eat crap—oh no,   a divine delicacy. Lord Ergouzi remembers  this grudge; vengeance will come one day!" With those words, the alley fell silent. "I… I can talk?" "Was that Lord Ergouzi speaking just now?"  The wretched dog seemed very shocked. "Heh heh, what do you think?" Li Xiaobai was in high spirits  seeing Ergouzi's transformation,   the elixir was truly extraordinary, it even  enabled Ergouzi to speak human language. "Heh heh, kid, don't always sweat the small stuff.   Your Lord Ergouzi was destined for  greatness, being able to taste Lord   Ergouzi's divine delicacies in advance  is your good fortune," said Ergouzi. "Let's let bygones be bygones  for now. Don't worry, Lord   Ergouzi doesn't hold grudges," Ergouzi continued.

"Mhm, whatever you say is right, it truly  is my good fortune," agreed Li Xiaobai. After cleaning his clothes,  Li Xiaobai was still cheerful;   the damn dog didn't realize that it had  been clearly set up without even knowing. Having consumed the Justice Elixir, it would  have to commit to doing good deeds from now on;   scheming against others was no longer an option. Li Xiaobai's demeanor was unusual, and  the wretched dog became suspicious,   wanting to say something more, but the  words changed as they reached its lips. "Woof, who lacks such public decency to dig a  hole in the ground? Let Lord Ergouzi fill it up!" The effects of the elixir kicked in quickly,   and Ergouzi lay down at the edge of the hole  and began frantically to fill it back up. Filled with shock on its face. "Kid, what the hell did you feed me? Why does Lord   Ergouzi feel this inexplicable  urge to do good deeds?" it said. Chapter 70 Chapter 70 Ergouzi realized that something was off,   feeling a strangely overwhelming sense  of justice—this wasn't its style! "The Justice Elixir, it will make  you continuously do good deeds." "Woof, how dare you trick Lord Ergouzi!" "Ergouzi, the outside world is fascinating but  also dangerous, there are many people in need   of help, and you are the only dog that can assist  them because you are the embodiment of justice." "That's right, Lord Ergouzi  is the embodiment of justice!" "Lord Ergouzi wants to do good deeds!" Ergouzi felt a rush of enthusiasm, panting  eagerly, and dashed out without delay.

Meanwhile, the boisterous cries from  the street reached Li Xiaobai's ears. "Xia Family First-Rate Bathhouse, now open  for business, half price on the first day,   absolute comfort, don't miss out walking by…" Xia Family First-Rate? Why does that name sound so familiar? Li Xiaobai looked in the direction  of the sounds and saw that a huge   storefront on the street had opened,  almost the size of an inn and even a   two-story building—many times larger  than his own Tangneng First-class.

The Xia Family First-Rate Bathhouse, just on  its opening day, was bursting with popularity,   with countless cultivators flooding  in to pay and experience it. Through the experience of Tangneng First-class,   virtually everyone in the city now  knew the magical effects of bathing. Although the several major families had  yet to unlock the secret of the bathhouses,   the fact that they could increase one's  cultivation level was there for all to see. "The Xia Family has opened a bathhouse too;   could it be that they've gotten  hold of the boss's recipe?" "Maybe they've taken a different  approach, using some other methods!" "But looking at the scale, the boss  simply can't compete with the Xia Family,   this building alone can accommodate  a thousand people at a time." "No doubt about it, I'm  booking a stay here tonight!" "Heh heh heh, me too, maybe the  effects of the Xia Family's baths   are even stronger than Tangneng First-class!" "Let's go, let's go…" The cultivators were excited, rushing  into the Xia Family First-Rate shop,   among them Li Xiaobai spotted many familiar faces.

Even Li Family's young master, Li  Ya, had gone for the experience. Li Xiaobai sneered inwardly,  imitators had appeared;   the Xia Family really had no shame, trying to  ride on his coattails and make a quick buck. But this wasn't going to be so easy. He didn't believe the Xia Family  could create a pool that would   increase the cultivation levels of  cultivators, and even if they could,   it would require an incredible  amount of precious natural resources. The skill provided by the  System needed no cost at all;   any bathhouse he built with his  own hands would have that effect. Which was superior would be clear after tonight. Back at Tangneng First-class,  the place seemed a bit desolate. Ergouzi had run off to do good deeds; who  knew when he would return, and judging by that   scoundrel's nature, the chances of being beaten  to death while doing good deeds were pretty high. All the customers in the shop had left,  having received news of the Xia Family   First-Rate's opening day discount promotion.  The Xia Family was, after all, a major clan,   with financial and strength resources beyond  comparison to Tangneng First-class's opening.

Luxurious decoration and stylish bathhouses  immediately attracted hordes of fans. The cultivators conscientiously went  to enjoy high-end life services. At this moment in the shop, aside  from Situ Yanyu and her grandson,   there were only an old beggar and  a few female cultivators left. "Young Master Liangchen,  the customers have all…" Situ Yanyu seemed very anxious; the  cultivators who were comfortably bathing   had vanished in a moment, and the revenue  for the day probably would be cut in half. "I've already found out, a Xia Family  First-Rate Bathhouse has opened next door,   and all the cultivators  have been lured over there." "So what should we do? Should we  go out and look for customers?" "There's no need for that much trouble,  after tonight, customers will come back   on their own.

You go and practice in the  pool; come back to mind the shop tomorrow." "Also, take stock of how many  customers are still in the shop,   and directly give them a monthly  VIP membership. For the next month,   our shop will reserve a spot for them; they  can come and soak anytime, free of charge." "Understood, I'll get that ready,"  Situ Yanyu went off to prepare. Li Xiaobai didn't mind the customers' departure;   he chuckled and walked to the  edge of the pool, ready to relax.

Once the cultivators realize that soaking in the  Xia Family's bathhouse doesn't bring any benefits,   they'll still obediently return  to his Tangneng First-class shop. Only by then, it won't be so easy to get in. He casually changed the prices listed on the wall. Men's bathhouse: One mid-grade Spirit Stone for   every half-hour. Overnight stay:  Eight mid-grade Spirit Stones. Women's bathhouse: One mid-grade Spirit  Stone for every hour. Overnight stay:   Six mid-grade Spirit Stones. One mid-grade Spirit Stone is equivalent  to a hundred lower-grade Spirit Stones,   the price has been turned up by dozens of times,   today's deserting cultivators are  probably going to regret it to their guts. "Boss, that's a slick move, raising  the prices by dozens of times. Those   cultivators will probably be even crazier  about coming in to soak. You couldn't   have been deliberately waiting for this  moment to hike up the prices, could you?" The old beggar spoke lazily, his whole  self clean inside and out at this point.   If he wasn't wearing those ragged clothes, he  might have actually looked somewhat ethereal.

"Heh, just the usual business strategy,   nothing worth mentioning. How come you didn't  go to the new Xia Family First-Rate, old man?" Li Xiaobai asked with a chuckle. "Isn't that obvious? What kind  of relationship do the old beggar   and the boss have? How could I just  abandon you for a new shop in town?" "Heh, it's because you don't have any  Spirit Stones in your pocket, right?" "Hey, hey, don't point out what we both  already know. The old beggar here is   very supportive of you. That Xia Family  First-Rate, jumping on the bandwagon and   seeking hype, won't last long. Tangneng  First-class is the one with a future." "Good eye, old man. My Tangneng First-class is   going to become a chain store across  the whole Mainland in the future." Li Xiaobai felt grand aspirations,   already picturing the day when Tangneng  First-class became the strongest chain store. In every corner of the Immortal Spirit Continent,   one could find the presence  of Tangneng First-class,   and every day cultivators would take pleasure  in bathing, paying countless Spirit Stones. Truly counting Spirit Stones  until one's hands go soft.

"In wealth and prosperity,  let's not forget each other." Old Situ Kong chuckled weirdly on  the side; in just a short two days,   he had already become chummy with the old beggar. Elderly people often have more in common,   such as not caring about the beauty's  face when a beauty emerges from a bath. Soaking in the pool, relieving every tension. [Attribute Point: 2000.] All points into defense! [Defensive Power: Indestructible  Golden Body Sixth Turn. (22000/60000).] [Status: Blood Demon Corrosion (Moderate).] Meanwhile, at the Xia Family First-Rate. Many cultivators entered the pools with  great anticipation. The pools were clearly   constructed with a hefty sum, edged with gold  and lined with silk—luxurious and comfortable. But there seemed to be an issue  with the water in the pool,   why couldn't they feel an increase in  Spiritual Energy after soaking in it? Could it be that they haven't soaked  long enough for the pool to take effect? Chapter 71 Chapter 71 Xia Family First-Rate Bathhouse was personally   crafted by the Family Head of  the Xia family, Xia Jiuquan.

After discovering the bath market,  he immediately joined several Elders   from the clan to start preparing to  make money from this opportunity. Using the influence of the Xia family,  they managed to renovate a bathhouse,   Xia Family First-Rate, in  the shortest time possible. Adorned with silk brocade on the outside and  furnished with gold and jade on the inside,   it could be described as the  epitome of luxurious splendor. Further, it offered a grand opening promotion  with half-price discounts today only,   charging a mere twenty-five Lower Grade  Spirit Stones for each half-hour session,   instantly attracting a  massive number of cultivators.

The interior of the bathhouse was  divided into male and female sections,   with a design highly similar to that of Tangneng  First-class, but the space was much larger. The cultivators felt a sense of  familiarity, the same old atmosphere,   but when they submerged themselves in the  pools, their expressions turned to surprise. They had expected to feel the automatic  circulation of Spiritual Energy within   their bodies, but that did not  occur. Everything was normal;   they were just soaking in the water,  which was warm and comfortable. But what use was that? They hadn't come for a mere bath; a bathhouse  sans Spiritual Energy enhancement was soulless! "Brother, why do I feel that this water is no  different from ordinary water? Can you cultivate?" "No, this water is not the same as Tangneng  First-class; it's not helpful for cultivation." "I also feel nothing.

Could we have been scammed?   A regular bathhouse charging  me twenty-five Spirit Stones?" "We've definitely been tricked, damn it! The  Xia family is utterly deranged. Do they really   think that they can charge exorbitant fees  just because they decked out the place?" "No way, I'm not soaking anymore.  Return my Spirit Stones to me!" "Right…" As the cultivators realized  something was amiss with the pools,   they immediately became hostile, seeking a refund. The steward of the Xia family turned anxious  when he learned about the situation; they had   rushed into opening without understanding  the full details—this was problematic. "Everyone, please wait a moment. Our  negligence caused this error. Your   bath time will be extended by an additional  half-hour, and the formula for Spiritual Energy   enhancement will be added right  away; your patience is appreciated." After calming everyone down, the steward  hurriedly went to report the issue to Xia Jiuquan. It was a grave mistake in intelligence;  the water from Tangneng First-class could   actually enhance cultivation levels.  But during their previous inspection,   the water seemed indistinguishable  from any ordinary water.

"Hurry and summon the Elders, and  bring those two disobedient ones over!" Xia Jiuquan was furious, but now wasn't  the time for accountability. Thousands   of cultivators were waiting inside  the bathhouse; an effective solution   had to be found immediately to  get through today's predicament. One minute later. Several people gathered in the room. "You two disobedient ones, you didn't  investigate properly. The reason Tangneng   First-class bathhouse is so popular is that their  baths have the effect of aiding cultivation!" "Everyone hurry and think of a solution. We  must stabilize the first wave of customers;   losing money is one thing, but  losing reputation is far worse." In a major clan, reputation is everything.  If people lose respect for the clan,   its authority will inevitably wane.

"How about we add some cultivation  materials to the water? It will be costly,   but at least it can stabilize the  cultivators," suggested one Elder,   believing that securing the first wave  of customers could keep chances alive. "Unacceptable. Our bathhouse is too large. If  we add materials to all the water, it will be   an enormous consumption of resources,  and we'll only lose more in the end." "That method is only a last resort; we want to   avoid losing money to get recognition if  we can. Let's think of other solutions." "You two disobedient ones,  come up with a solution,   now!" Xia Jiuquan shouted, his  tiger's eyes wide with anger. A deadly silence filled the room as Xia Liu and  Xia Chuan broke out in a cold sweat, terrified. They were also confused; they had never heard that  Ye Liangchen's bathhouse could aid in cultivation. "Father, we truly were unaware of this. We  did obtain the water from that Ye fellow,   but who would have thought  it had cultivation effects." "As far as the child knows, Ye Liangchen  does not care about cultivators taking   away his water source; perhaps we can draw  the water from Tangneng First-class and use   it ourselves.

Maybe it can temporarily solve  the problem of being unable to cultivate." Xia Chuan said. "Let the steward handle this  matter. Arrange for people to   ensure that all the water from Tangneng  First-class family is brought here!" "Understood, I will make sure it is done," "The rest of you, come with me immediately to  placate our guests, we must keep them stable." … Inside Tangneng First-class. Li Xiaobai was lazily soaking in the  bath, chatting away with an old beggar,   who was quite extraordinary.

He could talk  about almost anything and had broad knowledge. However, whenever Li Xiaobai tried  to probe his identity or strength,   the old man would brag ostentatiously,  almost to the point of exaggeration. A few people entered through the door,  led by an older man with grizzled hair,   who had a pleasant appearance and a  distinguished demeanor, clearly coming   from a well-experienced and prestigious family. He got straight to the point. "Boss, can you sell the formula  for this pool of water? Name your   price in Spirit Stones; money is no object," the grizzled-haired elder smiled. "At Tangneng First-class, we only  offer baths, no other trades." "Besides, who would sell the  means to their own fortune?" Li Xiaobai glanced sideways at  the elder and spoke indifferently. "Then, can we buy this pool of water?"  the elder still had a smile on his face.

"To soak here for half an hour is one Medium  Grade Spirit Stone, you can't afford it," Li Xiaobai pointed to the price list on the wall. "This… is a bit expensive, isn't  it? The Xia Family First-Rate next   door charges only twenty-five  Lower Grade Spirit Stones," the elder was taken aback.  In his haste to come in,   he hadn't noticed the price list on the  wall—half an hour for one Medium Grade   Spirit Stone; this place was even more  of a ripoff than Xia Family First-Rate! "Then go to the Xia Family next  door, I don't welcome paupers here," Li Xiaobai said lazily,  leaving the elder speechless.

"How can you speak to Elder Chen like  this, do you know who Elder Chen is?" "Believe it or not, I'll tear your mouth apart!" The henchmen were unhappy and wanted to  teach Li Xiaobai a lesson, as, in their view,   there was nothing the Xia Family wanted  that they couldn't have. They thought   this shop owner should respectfully  present the formula with both hands. "It is indeed a pleasure to have  you visit Tangneng First-class,   but I really dislike what you've said today," "If you're looking for trouble, I don't  mind giving you some company to play with," Li Xiaobai's expression darkened as he  guessed where these people came from. "Hold your tongues and step aside, don't speak!" The henchmen wanted to say more,  but Elder Chen stopped them. This shop owner was not like most people;  he couldn't be dealt with by normal means. Resolving Xia Family First-Rate's  urgent problem was of utmost importance,   not the time to quibble over minor issues. "Boss Ye, my servants don't know any  better, I apologize on their behalf," "One hundred Medium Grade Spirit Stones, I'll  buy the water in this pool, how about that?" "Done!" Chapter 72 Chapter 72 A hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones  for a pool of foot-bathing water,   Li Xiaobai felt like he was going  to die of happiness in his heart.

This old man is really a piece of  work, who knows what he was thinking. Without a doubt, this must be someone sent  by the Xia Family, probably because the   cultivators had discovered the problem with  their bathhouse being unable to cultivate. So that's why these people were in such a rush  to buy the bath water from Tangneng First-class. Uncle Chen took out a Storage Bag,  collected all the water from the pool,   gave a slight bow, and then  left with a few attendants. Li Xiaobai chuckled, flipped his wrist,   and the water from his Space Ring  poured out, filling the pool once again. This was water from the moat outside the  city, available in as much quantity as needed. "Woof, kid, your Lord Ergouzi has returned!" "Your Lord Ergouzi is dead tired,  doing good deeds is really not easy." The scrappy dog from outside staggered  in and somersaulted into the pool. "This dog can talk?" Situ Kong looked surprised,  having known the scrappy dog   for a while but never realizing it could talk.

The old beggar was also watching  the dog with a playful gaze. "Woof, you're the dog, your  whole family are dogs!" "Your Lord Nicholas Ergouzi is a supreme being!" Hearing Situ Kong's words, Ergouzi immediately  got riled up, leaving everyone rather speechless. "What good deed did you do?" Li Xiaobai asked, his confidence in  the dog's intelligence somewhat shaky. "Next door at the Xia Family First-Rate, lots  of people were throwing away unwanted clothes,   such a waste, so Lord Ergouzi gave  all those clothes to the poor." Ergouzi was proud as could be, believing it had  done a tremendously good deed, helping hundreds   of poor people with dozens of trips back  and forth, exhausting itself in the process. But the continuous voices of gratitude  deeply satisfied its just heart. "This… is indeed a great deed." Li Xiaobai's expression was odd, considering  the Xia Family First-Rate was a bathhouse,   it's likely that Ergouzi had taken  away the garments of the customers. That's good, once the cultivators realize they're   about to lead a life bare of sufficient  clothing, there's bound to be an uproar,   and this will definitely cause the  Xia Family quite a bit of trouble.

This Justice Elixir is effective, very powerful! "Robbing the rich to help the poor, very strong!" "A dog of justice!" The two old men also gave a  thumbs-up, praising continuously,   which Ergouzi enjoyed immensely,  its vanity greatly satisfied. "Ergouzi, within this city, the class division  is clear, and families only consider their own   interests, never looking at the bigger picture,  leading to the poor becoming poorer and the   rich richer, and conflicts are intensifying.  Don't you think we ought to take some action?" Li Xiaobai started to lay on the sweet talk.

The righteous Ergouzi couldn't resist,  "That's right, as messengers of justice,   we must do something, kid, you  call it, how do we do this!" "We're going to use Tangneng First-class  bathhouse to create a city of harmony and   equality. I'll take responsibility for making  Tangneng First-class strong and prosperous,   and you're in charge of causing  trouble, suppressing the competition." "Ergouzi, this city needs you!" "Don't worry, got it, Lord Ergouzi  will ensure the common folk live well!" The heart of justice wouldn't allow it  to waste any more time in the bathhouse,   so after a short rest,  Ergouzi dashed out once more. Meanwhile, a few figures walked in from outside. "Boss, are you selling the bathhouse formula?" Li Xiaobai hadn't seen these people before,   but as soon as they opened their  mouths, the familiar tune was there.

"No." "Then can you sell this pool of water?" "My price for half an hour's worth of water is  a bargain, just 120 middle-grade Spirit Stones." "Deal!" The visitor made up their mind without any  hesitation and promptly paid the Spirit Stones,   took away the water from the bathhouse, and left. Li Xiaobai's wrist flicked, and  the pool was filled up again. He was about to go mad with joy. Ordinary water from two pools actually sold for  the price of 200 middle-grade Spirit Stones;   the Xia Family was indeed foolish enough. "Boss, are we rich?" "Old man, we're rich!" Li Xiaobai stopped taking his bath and just waited  for the Xia Family to come again to buy water.

He had already figured out their pattern; the  magnitude of the Xia Family First-Rate's operation   was too great, a single pool of water couldn't  meet their demand, and they would definitely send   different people to buy more, until they  had filled up the Xia Family First-Rate. As expected, a few minutes later, several more  people entered the shop wanting to buy water.

Li Xiaobai welcomed them wholeheartedly, and  after some bargaining, the transaction was   settled at the price of 150  middle-grade Spirit Stones. Throughout the entire afternoon and evening,  Tangneng First-class saw dozens of groups of   visitors, all coming to buy water, for a total  income of over 3,000 middle-grade Spirit Stones. Situ Yanyu collected Spirit  Stones until her fingers trembled;   such a large sum of money was  beyond her wildest dreams. This was more profitable than running a bathhouse! "Basic operations, not worth showing  off, how about a remuneration of 100   middle-grade Spirit Stones each  for you and your granddaughter." … Meanwhile, Within Xia Family First-Rate, Xia Jiuquan was  leisurely sitting on a Taishi Chair sipping tea. His good-for-nothing son had finally done  something reliable, securing water from   Tangneng First-class for his own usage, enough  to appease the present wave of customers. This   water could hold them over for a few days, giving  the Xia Family enough time to crack its secrets. In a couple of days, once the half-price  promotion ended and they doubled the price,   Xia Family First-Rate would definitely become  a Money Tree with riches pouring in every day. Xia Jiuquan was indulging in his  pleasant dreams when suddenly,   a knocking sound came from outside the door.

"It's terrible, Family Head, the water that  Tangneng First-class sold to us is just ordinary   river water, it can't help with cultivation at  all, and the guests are making a huge uproar!" "What are you saying!" At that moment, The bathhouse was already filled with curses. The steward had sworn up and down  that this water was exactly the   same as Tangneng First-class's and  that it could help with cultivation. But after a long wait, there was absolutely  no effect, and to make matters worse,   the middle-grade cultivators could sniff  out a sour stench of feet from the water.

This was unacceptable. "Damn it, the Xia Family is too shameless,  trying to fob us off with foot-washing water!" "This water is clearly the bathwater you've  used, it's an insult to us cultivators!" "Even if you refund the Spirit  Stones today, we won't let it go   without an explanation, we  must have an explanation!" "Indeed, we need an explanation;   does the Xia Family think they can bully  people just because they are a big clan?" "Brothers, it's settled then, this is definitely  a shady establishment, let's smash it up!" "I am the son of the Li Family, Li Ya, I'll take  responsibility for any trouble, smash it for me!" "I am the young miss of the Sun Family, Sun  Xiya, smash this shady establishment for me!" "I am the Young Master Wang…" Inside Xia Family First-Rate  there was chaos everywhere,   with the offspring from several prominent  families leading the charge in causing   trouble and inciting other cultivators to  tear apart this deceitful establishment.

They all came from prominent families,  and had never been humiliated like this,   even if it was the Xia Family, they  wouldn't let it go peacefully today! Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Xia Jiuquan's head was spinning, and the faces  of the other clan elders were similarly grim. They had been duped, played by  the owner of Tangneng First-class. Who could have imagined that what the other  party sold was nothing but ordinary water,   utterly useless for cultivation? "Uncle Chen, quickly take people back to the  family and bring the initial stage Spirit Grass,   no matter what, we cannot allow  the family's reputation to be   tarnished.

Let's just get through tonight first!" "Yes!" In the bathhouse, a group of family elders rushed  to the hall to pacify the crowd once again. "Ladies and gentlemen, this situation was  unexpected by us as well. To make amends, we have   switched to overnight stays for everyone's bath  time. Our steward has already gone to transport   the Spiritual Medicine from the family. In a  quarter-hour, it will be added to the bathhouse." "We ask for your trust in  the Xia Family once more!" Xia Jiuquan's sincerity was substantial, as the  noise inside the bathhouse gradually subsided.   Twenty-five Lower Grade Spirit Stones  had been exchanged for a large number   of Xia Family's cultivation resources  — on balance, they were in profit. The Cultivation World is, after all, a circle  that prioritizes strength and benefits.

Since the Xia Family was willing to pay a hefty  compensation, they were willing to wait a little   longer. After all, overnight stays were now  available, so what harm was there in waiting? "The Xia Family is a prestigious clan,  but these tactics are not commendable.   Does the Family Head think that by taking the  clothing of my daughter, you can keep her here?" A cold voice drifted out  from the women's bathhouse. "That voice… Miss Wang of  the Wang Family, Wang Ruoxian?" "Wasn't Immortal Wang studying at Xiao  Cheng Sect? How did she come back?" "Unexpectedly, Immortal Wang  is also here in this bathhouse.   Indeed, bathing is the best way of  communication; the owner did not deceive me!" Xia Jiuquan was startled at  the voice; he recognized it,   and did not expect Miss Wang to be here as  well.

With the backing of the Xiao Cheng Sect,   she was definitely not someone  they could afford to offend. "What do you mean by this, Immortal Wang?  Our establishment does not have the habit   of taking the personal belongings of our guests." "Yet, more than half of the clothes  belonging to the cultivators present   have mysteriously disappeared.  How would you explain that?" The cold voice came again. At the same time, the entire women's  bathhouse erupted into screams of shock. "Who took my clothes!" "My personal garments are gone;  I can't show my face anymore!" "Xia Family, you are so despicable.

Once I return,   my Liu Family will certainly  draw a clear line with you!" It was only now that the cultivators realized  that indeed, their clothes were gone. The ground was bare, not even a sock remained. Xia Jiuquan was also dumbfounded; a thief  had actually entered the bathhouse and stolen   the clothes of more than half of the cultivators. Dammit, who did this! "Patriarch Xia, I have no interest in any  Spiritual Medicine; I only want my clothing back." "Don't worry, Immortal Wang, I will send  someone to find them, oh no, to buy them!" … Inside Tangneng First-class,  Ergouzi sneaked back once again. "Woof, kid, there's a big fish!" "What big fish?" "The Xia Family is transporting Spiritual  Medicine to Xia Family First-Rate,   ten whole carts of it. Such resources should be  shared, so the common folk can also benefit!" "Such good fortune!" Li Xiaobai's eyes lit up; this was an excellent  opportunity to make a fortune.

With ten carts of   resources, they could probably exchange  them for a hefty sum of Spirit Stones. The Xia Family was genuinely generous.  No need to say, this required action. "Yan Yu, watch the door. I'll be right back." The scrappy dog was very familiar with the  surrounding terrain, taking the shortest routes. Half an hour later. Carriage after carriage appeared in his line of   sight; these carriages were larger than  ordinary ones, each pulled by two horses.

"` The two squads of people  proceeded with their guard duty. "How about it, can we rob them?" Ergouzi asked. "Standard operation, Drunken Immortal!" With the skill at hand, there was no need for  them to show themselves, as the rich aroma of   wine wafted through the air, filling the streets  with the scent of strong liquor in an instant. The smell of alcohol drifted through the area,  intoxicating all living creatures, whether humans,   horses, or other beings, all of them collapsing  to the ground weak and with a blank mind. "Not bad, kid, hurry and  collect the Spiritual Medicine." Ergouzi was excited, his head heated up,  and he charged out, eager to fleece them. Unfortunately, he didn't make it two steps  before he too collapsed, out of dog's business.

"Heh heh, it's all mine now!" With a wave of his hand, Li Xiaobai gathered all  ten carts of Spirit Grass into his Space Ring,   which upon inspection, appeared to  be Lower Grade Spiritual Medicine. Selling them later would also be quite a fortune. Drawing his sword, the Sword  Qi crisscrossed the street,   leaving behind several large characters on the  ground: Nicholas Ergouzi, teaching you a lesson! After robbing them blind and leaving without  any witnesses, it was a perfect crime. Li Xiaobai might be pleased, but  Tangneng First-class was in complete   turmoil.

The herbs from Xia Jiuquan were  the ultimate means to secure customers,   but to their surprise, someone  had intercepted them midway. Many cultivators had waited a long time  and still saw no sign of the herbs,   and the stewards had also disappeared. They finally understood they had been duped. "No use talking about it, go and bring some  clothes for the Immortals. When we get back,   immediately report today's incident to the  Family Head. I've taken note of this grudge." "Indeed, we were scammed for no reason,  and I can't swallow this bitter pill." Within the Xia Family First-Rate,  in the Family Head's room. The higher-ups were all gathered. "No need to keep supplying materials. Xia  Family First-Rate will temporarily suspend   operations starting tomorrow. I'll explain  things to the other families personally." "Find out who Nicholas Ergouzi is, daring to rob   the Xia Family of its Spiritual  Medicine.

He must pay the price!" Xia Jiuquan was enraged. The consecutive setbacks   since the opening of Xia Family First-Rate had  caused considerable losses to the Xia Family. Whether it was the expenses of purchasing  water from Tangneng First-class,   losing resources in the robbery, or the  renovation costs for Xia Family First-Rate,   the loss amounted to over ten thousand  mid-grade Spirit Stones when tallied up. Even for the well-established Xia  Family, it was no small expenditure. The most crucial point was that  someone in the city had quietly   stolen the Xia Family's goods. This was not  something an ordinary cultivator could do;   it suggested the shadows of several  major families behind the scenes. Could it be a show of force against him? "So, about this Xia Family First-Rate…" Xia Chuan ventured to ask. "Unfilial son, it's all because  of your misinformation that the   Xia Family's reputation has been  dragged through the mud. If you   weren't my own flesh and blood, you  would have been beheaded already!" Xia Jiuquan was furious, and the furniture  in the room was instantly reduced to dust.

The young masters of the Xia Family  didn't dare to take a single loud breath. "Xia Family First-Rate will cease  operations. Tomorrow I will personally   visit Tangneng First-class and meet with  that owner to see exactly who they are!" "Also, your younger brother is coming back.  You all should make sure to receive him well!" … The next morning, A large group of cultivators gathered in front  of Tangneng First-class. After the debacle at   Xia Family First-Rate, everyone in the city had  learned of the bathhouse's miraculous nature. Simply bathing there could  enhance one's cultivation level,   a feat even the Xia Family couldn't  mimic. This shop was incredible. However, when the cultivators saw the new prices  posted on the wall, they were all stunned. Half an hour for one mid-grade  Spirit Stone, has the owner gone mad? "Owner, you're not running  a scam as well, are you?" Chapter 74 Chapter 74 — Chapter 74 Family Heads Gather "Small business, prices absolutely fair." "It's just a pity that all of you left yesterday.  I was actually ready to offer a free one-month VIP   membership to our loyal customers, but in the  end, only a few people enjoyed this privilege." "Such a shame." Li Xiaobai shook his head and sighed,  feeling a sense of triumph in his heart.

Yesterday you disregarded me,  today I am out of your reach. Only I knew how to enhance cultivation  levels through soaking in the baths;   I had monopolized this business. Riding on the heat of the Xia  Family First-Rate incident,   the reputation of Tangneng  First-class had been established,   and creating branches in the future would  surely bring in a hefty sum every day. Popularity is really unpredictable.  One second you're on the receiving end,   and in the blink of an eye, you become  the sought-after — truly mysterious.

"Monthly VIP membership!" "There are really people  soaking in the baths inside!" "What good luck, to have gotten a monthly  VIP. If they continue to soak for a month,   their cultivation could  jump several levels, right?" The crowd became restless, watching the few  people inside the bathhouse enjoying themselves.   The cultivators regretted their earlier decisions;   why couldn't they resist the  temptation and abandon the boss? The boss must be angry, expressing  his dissatisfaction in this manner! The price of a single medium-grade Spirit Stone  was indeed expensive for a Loose Cultivator,   but for a family's disciples,  it was still affordable. A medium-grade Spirit Stone is an important  resource for cultivation. Using it to   exchange for access to the bathhouse  was a much higher cost-performance. Without much hesitation, the family disciples  paid up cheerfully and began to soak. Still the same familiar faces,  still the same familiar aromas. Seeing this, the other cultivators also  gritted their teeth, paid the Spiritual Stones,   and went in.

There were only so many spots,  and if you were late, they'd all be taken. Besides, whether it's Spiritual  Stones or soaking in the baths,   both are for cultivation.  Nothing to feel heartache over. "The Xia Family Patriarch has arrived!" The crowd parted automatically as a middle-aged  man in a white garment entered the store. His face was stern, with sharp features;  his brows emanated an air of dominance,   carrying an aura of authority  that did not even require anger. This was the first time Li Xiaobai  had seen the Xia Family Patriarch.   Although they had not met before,  the disputes had been incessant. "The Wang Family Patriarch has arrived!" "The Li Family Patriarch has arrived!" "The Zhang Family Patriarch has arrived!" A few more calls rang out, and the  crowd conscientiously moved aside.   Today was a good day, with all the  major family heads gathered here,   evidently wanting to uncover the  secrets of Tangneng First-class.

There could be a good show to watch. "I am Xia Jiuquan, the Patriarch of  the Xia Family. Greetings to all." "Half an hour, one lower-grade Spirit  Stone. Small business, no credit." Li Xiaobai looked amused; Xia  Jiuquan? There's no shortage   of unusual names these days, as  if he's not dying fast enough. "You want to charge me too?" Xia Jiuquan looked surprised. Which  shop in town wouldn't want to curry   favor with him? Yet this boss actually  wanted to charge him Spirit Stones. "Want to soak without Spirit Stones?" "Don't delay my business; there's a queue  behind you!" Li Xiaobai said dismissively,   having no sympathy for the Xia Family. "Exactly, the old man has no shame at this  age, trying to have a royal bath for free?" "Without Spirit Stones, don't wander  around here. I heard the Xia Family   also started a bathhouse to make a quick buck, but  unfortunately, they even lost their underpants." "It's truly humiliating.

If I were you, I would  have found a deserted place to end it all by now." Behind him, a group of Family Heads  mocked and sneered without any mercy. These were deeply entrenched families within the  city, endlessly engaged in both open and secret   rivalry. Although the Xia Family had extensive  connections, they wouldn't be too humble either. These Family Heads had known about Tangneng  First-class a few days prior but, after testing,   they believed the bathhouse water to be  nothing extraordinary, so they paid it no heed. But unexpectedly, the Xia Family  actually came up with Xia Family   First-Rate, aiming to emulate others  in opening a bathhouse to make money. It was only at that moment that many  of the Family Heads realized that   Tangneng First-class indeed had an effect on  increasing cultivator's cultivation levels. They all wanted to see what skills this owner,   who had made the Xia Family  suffer a setback, truly possessed.

"Merely a Lower Grade Spirit Stone is but  a fence for a latrine in my Xia Family." Xia Jiuquan kept a cold face as he threw  out a few Lower Grade Spirit Stones,   enough to rent the whole place for a day. "Such a braggart, why don't  you ascend to the heavens?" Li Xiaobai muttered a few words  and collected the Spirit Stones. The other Family Heads also rented the place for   an entire day, seizing the opportunity  to thoroughly research this bathwater. This was still their first encounter  with bathing. As Family Heads at the   full circle of the Golden Core Stage,  they felt their Golden Cores within   their Dantians trembling as soon as  they immersed themselves in the water. The bottlenecks that had always troubled them  seemed to have a faint sign of breaking through. Spiritual Energy surged wildly within  their bodies, growing incessantly,   surprising the Family Heads with eyes  wide open and faces filled with disbelief. "It turns out what the juniors reported was all   true. This pool truly has the effect  of enhancing one's cultivation level!" "Moreover, the effect is significant,  even we can feel such a strong boost." "Such a great fortune!" Greedily inhaling the steaming vapor of the pool,   the Family Heads fully entered  the state of cultivation.

"Newbies will be newbies, looking totally  unaccustomed to the ways of the world." The old beggar curled his lips, these cultivators  were treating the bathhouse like a cultivation   ground without understanding the pleasure  of bathing, wasting such a fine resource. "Bark!" "Kid, you actually sabotaged Lord Ergouzi,  surely you're looking to monopolize…" Ergouzi woke up ranting and raving. Li Xiaobai quickly covered its mouth; now that  all the Family Heads of the city were gathered,   if his little actions were exposed, he probably  wouldn't be able to escape the consequences.

"This is called strategic investment.  Only when Tangneng First-class grows big   and strong can it have a say and help more  common people to solve employment issues." "Ergouzi, you did really well earlier,  keep it up, the city is counting on you!" "Bark! Lord Ergouzi is the embodiment of justice,  those nobles are Ergouzi's to deal with!" After a round of coaxing, Ergouzi's  sense of justice was invoked once again,   and with a swish, it darted out of the house. Li Xiaobai sighed; the Elixirs were truly  powerful. Ergouzi now truly felt uncomfortable   if it didn't do good deeds every day. With just  a bit of guidance, it could be easily bamboozled. Within the pool, the Family Heads were roused from   their meditative state by Ergouzi's  noise, faces filled with disbelief. Something that could aid those at  the full circle of the Golden Core   Stage must certainly be an exotic treasure. Yet,   why couldn't they detect even the slightest bit  of Spiritual Energy fluctuation in the water? No matter how one looked at it, it seemed  to be just ordinary foot-bathing water. After taking a spoonful and tasting it carefully,  a familiar flavor spread throughout their mouths,   and the Family Heads' expressions turned  bitter, halting their futile attempts.

"Why did you think of opening  a bathhouse in the city,   Boss? Wouldn't it be better to directly  open a store selling cultivation materials?" "If this water were to be sold,  wouldn't it make a killing?" A Family Head cautiously inquired. "Well, bathing is just bathing. To consider it  merely as a means for cultivation is far too   one-dimensional. The culture behind it is profound  and intricate; you will gradually understand." Chapter 75 Chapter 75: — Chapter 75 Opening Chain Stores "The boss seems quite open-minded, having such  a beautiful waitress is a fortune indeed," the Wang Family Patriarch  tried to insinuate familiarity. "To tell the truth, Liangchen is face-blind  and can't really tell who's beautiful and   who's not. Liangchen chose Yan Yu as a  waitress not because she's beautiful,   for I truly don't know whether she is or not," Li Xiaobai said indifferently,  with his hands behind his back. Inside the bathhouse, the  air was charged with tension,   and the various family heads were somewhat  confused.

What kind of response was this? The owner doesn't play by the rules! "Has the boss ever considered expanding  the operational scale? The current Tangneng   First-Class is too small to satisfy  the demands of the city's cultivators!" the Li Family Patriarch continued  to inquire. Their ultimate goal   this time was to get their hands on  the formula for Tangneng First-Class. Having accurately described the  miraculous effects of the bathhouse,   and having experienced it firsthand,  if they could control this resource,   amassing wealth and cultivating the  pillars of their families would be a cinch. "Of course, are the esteemed family heads   interested in investing?" Li  Xiaobai said with a chuckle. "I believe Boss Ye has heard about the  popularity of Xia Family First-Rate. Why   not merge your bathhouse into Xia Family  First-Rate? In the future, the profits of   Xia Family First-Rate will be divided between  Boss Ye and us, sixty-forty. How about it?" Xia Jiuquan said bluntly. "Xia Family First-Rate has already gone bankrupt,   and you still want to ride on the  coattails of my Tangneng First-Class?" Li Xiaobai said with a strange look,  infuriating Xia Jiuquan with his words.

"Tangneng First-Class has no formula. The  enhancement of cultivation level is all   thanks to my wholehearted dedication to serving  the people. The water in this bathhouse is just   ordinary water. If there's something you  fancy, feel free to take it with you." "If you really want to work together sincerely,  then just invest directly in the shop," Li Xiaobai said, speaking the absolute  truth. If discussing a formula,   it could only be made personally by him. "Boss Ye must be joking. This Tangneng  First-Class is a blessing for the cultivators,   a place that can benefit all  the cultivators in the city.   For the sake of the people, it  should rightly be contributed," Xia Jiuquan said. "Correct, it's about benefiting  the entire city's populace,   not just a matter for Boss Ye alone. It would  be more secure to let us manage it together," "Yes, yes, if we run it together,   a sixty-forty profit split is still  a huge profit for you, Boss Ye." "…" The family heads clamored,  each trying to persuade him.

Li Xiaobai was speechless. These people  clearly wanted to snatch away the secret   recipe of Tangneng First-Class, yet they  also wanted to take the moral high ground,   using the welfare of the people as an excuse  to make him hand over the formula willingly. They were exceedingly crafty. "Didn't you hear Boss Ye say no?  Just soak honestly in your baths,   and scram when you're done, before  you bring trouble upon yourselves," a few black-robed figures spoke  faintly from a corner of the pool. They were three Evil Cultivators who  had been with Li Xiaobai all along.   Ever since they found out Li Xiaobai knew  Zhang Rui, they had changed their ways,   serving him obediently with good words, and  barely even dealing with the Xia Family anymore. "Mr. Zuo, you guys…" Xia Jiuquan was surprised, not expecting  to encounter these old acquaintances. "Boss Ye is our brother. Bullying him  is bullying us.

The rest is up to you!" "Exactly! Get lost, quickly. Without any  sincerity and spouting nothing but crap,   even the beggars can't stand it," the straw-cloaked man also cursed and said. "You are…" Xia Jiuquan felt uneasy and dared not take  another look at the straw-cloaked man,   intimidated by his presence. The straw-cloaked  man's appearance reminded him of someone. Someone who should not exist in this world. "I am who I am, a different kind of firework.  Don't you dare use your power to oppress others." "Of course, Xia here has no intention  of bullying others with power," Xia Jiuquan stealthily tugged at the  sleeves of the other family heads,   signaling them not to act rashly.

Although the other families were puzzled, they  also understood that Xia Jiuquan was not one   to act without reason and silently agreed  to let him take the lead in the discussion. "What are your thoughts,  gentlemen?" Li Xiaobai asked. "We are willing to invest and help  Boss Ye acquire the shops. As for   the profits from the business, how  about splitting them fifty-fifty?" "One-nine, you are only providing the location." "That's too little.

We also need to spend  resources to acquire the shops. Four-six!" "Two-eight, I am the one managing the  shops, and you haven't done anything." "Three-seven, we can't go any lower." "Deal!" Right then, the various family heads started  issuing orders, quickly gathering people   and buying up a large number of shops in the  city, ready to transform them into bathhouses. Li Xiaobai was pleasantly surprised;  with the opening of the branches,   wealth would start rolling in. The time to  become rich and prosperous was approaching. After the family heads had departed, taking a  bath with one's juniors still felt somewhat odd. Following the family heads, Li  Xiaobai quickly surveyed the city,   buying up all the shops suitable  for transformation into bathhouses. The System exchanged resources  and arranged the venues quickly,   and luxurious bathhouses were built in no  time. The family heads watched, dumbfounded;   it was their first time seeing someone stuff  so much water and bricks into a Space Ring. However, they still hadn't uncovered  any secrets about the water source. In one day, dozens of new Tangneng First-class  shops appeared in the city, with various   promotional slogans popping up everywhere,  drawing in many cultivators and commoners.

Under Li Xiaobai's direction, the  bathhouses included a special area for   the poor. Ordinary families could enjoy  a free bath for half an hour each day,   and if they wanted more time, they could  earn it by helping out in the bathhouses. This was considered a benefit  for the ordinary people,   and the popularity of the new shops could  be easily imagined once they opened. That evening, Ergouzi returned,  looking somewhat panicked. "Boy, quickly check if Lord  Ergouzi has been injured!" "What have you been doing outside?" Li Xiaobai purchased a pill that healed  injuries and tossed it to Ergouzi. "Lord Ergouzi encountered a bandit den and battled  them for hundreds of rounds, barely losing!" Ergouzi stood up straight and said  indifferently with his hands behind his back.

Li Xiaobai was covered in  metaphorical black lines;   you didn't look like this just a moment ago. "What did those people look like?" "They all wore black robes; I couldn't see  clearly. But when they made their move,   Lord Ergouzi saw a bloody aura. They must  be Evil Cultivators without a doubt." "Where did you encounter them?" "Outside the city, in a small forest.  They had a portrait in their hands,   seemingly searching for someone. At a  glance, they didn't seem like any good sort." Li Xiaobai pondered. These Evil Cultivators   were likely searching for him. Given  the straw-cloaked man's influence and   to avoid extraneous complications, it  would be best to lay low in the city. In a few days, the family disciples would travel  together to the Holy Demon Sect for training.

At   that time, he could go with them, and bring  along those three idiotic Evil Cultivators as   well. This way, it would be less likely for the  Evil Cultivators outside the city to target him. He checked the System panel. [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden  Body, Sixth Turn (23000/60000) upgradable.] There were still four Dragon Serpent Fruits  inside the Space Ring; he swallowed them all. [Attribute Points +5000…] [Attribute Points: 20000.] All points to defense! [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden  Body, Sixth Turn (43000/60000) upgradable.] Only one step away from upgrading, he would  soon be rid of the Blood Demon Corrosion.

Li Ya came over with a cheerful expression,  "Boss Ye, the young talents of the city are   holding a gathering tomorrow. Would you like  to join? Miss Yan Yu has already agreed to go." Chapter 76 Chapter 76 — Chapter 76: The Mysterious Beggar At the same time, inside  the Xia Family's main hall. Several family heads were gathered, each with  a belly full of questions they wanted to ask. "Patriarch Xia, what was the meaning of  stopping us just now? A mere few evil   cultivators aren't worth such fuss, are  they?" frowned the Wang Family Patriarch. "Indeed, even if those evil cultivators outside  the city are protecting Tangneng First-class,   Ancient Moon City is ultimately our turf. Could  they really take it away?" the others chimed in. "I think you all have really cultivated  yourselves to confusion. Didn't you   find the elder in the bathhouse a bit familiar?" Xia Jiuquan pointed at the huge  portrait on the wall behind him.   "Take a closer look.

Don't  you find him very familiar?" "This…" "Is Patriarch Xia suggesting…" "Elder Tianwu?" "How is that possible? Elder Tianwu disappeared  without a trace thirty years ago, and besides,   why would such a powerful figure come to  a small place like Ancient Moon City?" Seeing the portrait on the wall and  combining it with Xia Jiuquan's words,   the others broke into a cold sweat in an instant. They all recognized the huge portrait on the wall;   in fact, each of their families also had  this portrait hanging up. The figure in   the painting had ascended to the level of  the Northern Region's spiritual belief:   it was customary for any prestigious family  to hang a portrait of Elder Tianwu for peace.

How could such an esteemed master possibly  appear in the insignificant Ancient Moon City? "This can't be. Elder Tianwu is a being capable   of ascension. How could he  come to a corner like ours?" "Patriarch Xia, you must be over-suspicious. There  are too many people in the world that look alike." The family heads couldn't believe such a thing. Xia Jiuquan frowned. He had seen  it very clearly just a moment ago;   the old man soaking in the bathhouse was  the spitting image of the person in the   portrait. He worshiped Elder Tianwu every day;  there was no way he could have been mistaken. "I am not necessarily saying he is Elder  Tianwu himself from back then. Perhaps he   is a descendant, or maybe there's  a blood relationship. In any case,   aside from the hair and beard, he greatly  resembles the Elder Tianwu in the portrait." "Regardless, I will promptly report this to   the ancestral elders of my clan.  True or not, we must alert them." …

"Of course, I must go." "Who are the talents attending this gathering?" Li Xiaobai didn't hesitate to agree.  A gathering of the city's talents,   this was a typical grand stage  of showing off and face-slapping. How could Li Xiaobai miss such an occasion? He was only two thousand Attribute Points  away from increasing his defensive power;   he had to seize every opportunity  to enhance his defense. "Speaking of talents, apart from some  of the clan disciples within the city,   it has to be Xia Jian, the second  young master of the Xia Family,   and Wang Ruoxian, the young lady  of the Wang Family," said someone.

"This Xia Jian is the Xia family's most  talented; he was sent to Zhenyuan Country   for cultivation since he was a child.  I've recently heard he'll be returning   to join us on our journey to the Holy  Demon Sect for further cultivation." "And then there's Wang Ruoxian. It's  said she has been cultivating at the   Xiao Cheng Sect all this time, far  outstripping her peers in cultivation   level. She too is preparing to advance  her cultivation at the Holy Demon Sect." Li Ya explained this with a tone of awe and envy. These two individuals were the most outstanding  in Ancient Moon City, with solid high-stage Golden   Core cultivation levels; they might even be on  the cusp of reaching the Nascent Soul Stage. Xia Jian, despicable? Why do all the Xia Family  members have such strange names? Li Xiaobai found the names quite  amusing, but he was somewhat looking   forward to the gathering. Whether it was  Zhenyuan Country or the Xiao Cheng Sect,   he had encountered both, but he had no  idea if anyone from Zhenyuan Country had   been among those he'd tricked in  the Divine Beast Mountain Range.

"Also, there's one more thing." Li Ya snuck a glance at the old beggar, leading  Li Xiaobai outside with a hesitant expression. "Do you recognize that old beggar, Boss Ye?" "Of course, doesn't he come here  every day?" Li Xiaobai replied. "That's not what I mean. Considering  your remarkable abilities, Boss Ye, you   must have traveled far and wide. Don't you  think that old beggar looks like someone?" "Looks like who?" Li Xiaobai's interest was piqued; he had  long suspected the old beggar was a master.

"Elder Tianwu from over a hundred years ago!" "I've always felt his face was familiar. I  didn't notice anything when he was unkempt   but after he washed up, the more I look, the  more he resembles him. In the Northern Region,   almost every big family has a portrait  of Elder Tianwu hanging up. Boss Ye,   you might have invited a revered deity over." A century ago, a legendary figure once emerged  from Tianwu Sect in the Northern Region,   known as the Martial Lunatic.

He fought from  the Northern Region to the Western Desert,   from the Western Desert to the Eastern  Sea, and then conquered Central Province   with an overwhelming force. On the Immortal  Spirit Continent, this man dominated an era;   for over a decade, no young  cultivators could match him. He was known as a peerless genius  but disappeared for a long time   thereafter. Some said he went into  seclusion to seek a breakthrough,   others claimed he was eliminated by a powerful  entity; rumors were many and conflicting. Then, thirty years ago, a precious  item surfaced in Central Province,   attracting numerous experts to an  intense battle. The Martial Lunatic,   who had been in obscurity for nearly seventy  years, suddenly reappeared, defeating all   rivals and seizing the treasure. After that,  he disappeared completely from the public eye. No one knew of his whereabouts ever again. Li Xiaobai's face showed shock. The  old beggar had such a background? Elder   Tianwu? The one who had overwhelmed an entire  generation of young masters on the continent? He looked up, and there was the old  beggar, digging at his nostrils with   one hand while scratching his feet  with the other, grinning foolishly.

How could this seem reliable at all? Could this guy really be a top-tier  powerhouse of the continent? "I don't think so. I admit the old beggar  may be somewhat capable, but to say he's   the master who swept across the continent is  a bit too far-fetched. This unlucky fellow has   the face of a simpleton; how does that resemble  someone capable of moving mountains and seas?" "Appearances can be deceiving. He really does look  very similar. Just keep an eye on him from now on.   If it turns out to be true, getting a few tips  from him could skyrocket our cultivation levels." Li Ya was excited, eager to gain  favor from the supposed master.

Li Xiaobai just shrugged indifferently. He didn't  need guidance, nor did he need to cultivate. If there was one thing he truly needed advice  on, it would be how to pretend to be more   natural and smooth, how to attract the attention  of various masters while enduring their beatdowns. Beyond that, everything else was insignificant. "Woof, in fact, there's another hidden  supreme master inside this bathhouse!" Ergouzi popped up from  nowhere and said mysteriously. "Oh? May I have the honor of knowing  this master's esteemed name?" Li Ya asked, aware of Ergouzi's uniqueness.  Being able to speak human language,   Ergouzi was definitely a Demonic  Beast with an extraordinary bloodline,   and his future achievements  were bound to be limitless.

"Woof, it is none other than your noble self, Lord  Ergouzi, Nicholas Er Gouzi. Lord Ergouzi punches   tigers in the west mountains, kicks dragons in  the four seas, the Supreme Sovereign unmatched   in the universe. Stick with Lord Ergouzi,  and your rise to glory is guaranteed!" Li Xiaobai was at a loss for words  with a forehead full of black lines:   "Before you say that, wipe the drool  from the corner of your mouth first." Chapter 77 Chapter 77 — Chapter 77 Tangneng  First-Class Officially Launches Ergouzi was as out of tune as ever. Even after taking the Justice Elixir,  its inherent nature hadn't changed. "Kid, please don't look down on  others; Lord Ergouzi has recently   had a huge increase in cultivation level  and doesn't want to stoop to your level," Ergouzi seemed very proud.

"You haven't been cultivating recently, so how  have you become stronger?" Li Xiaobai asked. "Lord Ergouzi's bloodline has awakened.  Lately, every time I do a good deed,   the power inside my body grows a little  stronger, and today has finally come." Ergouzi was excited; it was now a dog  with an impressive cultivation level. Li Xiaobai understood in his heart that  this was because of the Justice Elixir.   The fact that doing good deeds  could actually increase one's   cultivation level was indeed magical,  a true hallmark of System products.

"So what breed are you exactly?" "Woof, Lord Ergouzi is a supreme being!" "And what is your current cultivation level?" "The supreme level!" Well, asking was a waste of time—Li  Xiaobai knew that Ergouzi probably   didn't even understand itself; although  it had shown signs of greatness before,   most of the time, it still  had an unreliable demeanor. Li Ya felt that everyone around Li Xiaobai was  shrouded in mystery, including Li Xiaobai himself. No one knew where he came from, nor did anyone  know the secret of Tangneng First-class. But that didn't stop him from making friends with  Li Xiaobai. Not to mention anything, being able to   create a bathhouse like Tangneng First-class,  he definitely wasn't an ordinary person. … In the city, all branches of Tangneng  First-class opened for business simultaneously. The cultivators of the entire city surged forth,   flocking in droves. The reputation of  the bathhouse had long been established,   and nearly everyone knew that soaking in the  baths could enhance their cultivation level.

The management and operation of the bathhouses  were overseen by the various Family Heads. Male and female cultivators gathered, all of  them well-prepared, having diligently practiced   body refining techniques in recent days. They had  developed the curves and muscles they should have. This large-scale bathing event was not only for  cultivation but also to attract the opposite sex. The Family Heads looked on with surprise;   they had come to bathe as well, choosing  cultivation over face between the two, but they never expected that  the disciples of their families,   usually so pampered, would actually take  the initiative to start body refining.

And by the looks of their figures and muscles,  it seemed they hadn't skimped on hard work. "Who would've thought, Boss Ye's Tangneng  First-class not only attracts customers but   also has educational merit. I've been racking my  brains to get these disciples to do body training   with no success, and now they're actually  willing to put in the effort to practice." "Isn't that the truth! The body is the foundation,  after all. I've had such a headache trying to get   them to focus on their base, and here this  bathhouse has helped solve a major worry   for me. But speaking of which, these disciples  have indeed done an impressive job training." "Hehe, that little fatty from  the Wang Family has actually   developed a six-pack; what startling progress!" "Miss Zhang from the Zhang Family  isn't doing too badly either. From   a sickly girl, she now emits a wild allure." …

The Clan Leaders were reassured by the  performance of their disciples—regardless   of their motives, these young people  had finally gotten the hang of it. Inside the bathhouse, the atmosphere  was harmonious, with male and female   cultivators inadvertently showing off  their physiques to attract each other,   much to the satisfaction of the family elders,  presenting a scene of peace and harmony. Moreover, everyone was candid in the pools,   which almost instantaneously  brought their relationships closer. "Wow, look, the Family Heads'  physiques are actually so amazing!" "Yeah, my elders are always  in those wide robes every day,   and you can't tell anything; who knew  they actually had such strong muscles." "I originally thought our Family  Head was a bit on the plump side,   but it seems I was worried over nothing.  Indeed, body refining is the right choice!" "Even the Family Heads insist on body refining,   so it must be beneficial. Following the Family  Head's lead is bound to be the correct choice!" Seeing the clan elders immerse themselves in the  pool, the disciples excitedly started to discuss.

The murmurs reached the ears of the  Family Heads, who stood a little taller,   their muscles tensing slightly, looking  even more sculptured and defined. "Patriarch Xia, you have some  impressive abs there. Surely,   that's the result of at least  ten years of hard work?" "Haha, Patriarch Wang flatters me too  much. Your latissimus dorsi must have   taken you twenty years to build. Truly enviable!" "When it comes to muscles, Patriarch Zhang's  physique is truly enviable. With that armor-like   musculature, even Lower Grade Spiritual  Artifacts couldn't penetrate, could they?" "It's nothing to brag about…" Inside Tangneng First-class,  it was relatively quiet. There were too many shops in the city, and  they were all quite luxurious. In comparison,   this original small store wasn't  as bustling as it used to be. The ones who came were mostly old  friends or cultivators who were   curious about Li Xiaobai and wanted to  catch a glimpse of the owner himself. Wang Ruoxian and Xia Jian also came. These two were popular figures in the city,   and the young talents were all  speculating about their true strength.

"Yan Yu, take Immortal for a bath." "No need, I'm fine right here." A cool voice responded, and Wang  Ruoxian gracefully walked in,   immersing herself in the bathhouse. The hearts of the male disciples present  stirred. Immortal Wang was undeniably the   number one beauty in the city, and when it came  to her aloof demeanor, no one could compare. To think that such a great beauty would bathe in   the same pool as them was like  a blessing falling from the sky! "So you're Ye Liangchen, the one who  injured my older and younger brothers?" Xia Jian casually waved his fan as his  robe flowed across the water's surface.   He looked particularly cultured  while soaking in the pool. "I am Ye Liangchen. Liangchen  just happened to get beaten up;   I didn't initiate an attack on anyone.

It's  just that the gap in strength was too great,   and as a result, it was your family  members who got hurt," Li Xiaobai said. "Why say so much, the Xia Family just  deserves a beating," Ergouzi said,   sticking out his tongue, his face full of disgust. "Tomorrow there's a gathering  of the city's young talents,   and Xia would hope that Boss Ye could join,"  Xia Jian's eyes held a shadow of gloom. "Of course, any event that has Liangchen present  is bound to be a highlight. Without Liangchen,   it couldn't be called a gathering of young  talents," Li Xiaobai replied with a cheery grin. "Boss Ye has a way with words. Miss  is quite curious about your strength,"   Wang Ruoxian said, slightly parting  her red lips and speaking faintly. "Unmatched through the ages!" Li  Xiaobai replied indifferently. It had   only been two or three months since he started  cultivating, and he had gone from a weakling   to surviving a strike from a Transcendance  Tribulation Stage cultivator without dying.

In the Northern Region, no one could match him. It seemed the cultivation level of the two  people before him wasn't mediocre. They might   become a source of Attribute Points for him in the  future, so it was time to sow some hatred first. "Lord Ergouzi too is an unparalleled existence!"  Ergouzi also stood up with conviction. Wang Ruoxian's gaze was indifferent,  otherworldly, "Boss Ye jests. Those who   have been unparalleled throughout the ages are  all mighty beings capable of breaking the spatial   barriers and ascending to the Upper Realm.  Although Boss Ye's strength is commendable,   one must understand that there  are heavens beyond our own." "In Zhenyuan Country, there is a  Spiritual Spring.

Soaking in it,   the Spiritual Energy surges and can help  one break through several small realms   in a day. Today, I have experienced Boss  Ye's bathhouse and will take my leave." "Boss Ye, see you at the gathering." Chapter 78 Chapter 78 — Chapter 78  The Promising Young Talent The next morning dawned. In Ancient Moon City, cheers rose and fell like  waves, as nearly all cultivators who had stayed   overnight for a soak in the bathhouse  had made some sort of breakthrough. Among them, quite a few had  broken through major realms. Even several Family Heads felt that they had  stepped closer to the Nascent Soul Stage;   after all, the more luxurious the bathhouse,   the better the effect of the bath. It was hard  not to level up in such an opulent environment. Inside Tangneng First-class, Li  Xiaobai gained several thousand   Attribute Points once again, all  of which he added to his defense. Defensive power: [Sixth Turn of the Indestructible  Golden Body (46000/60000) Upgradeable.] Situ Yanyu also successfully advanced  to the Foundation Establishment Stage,   her aura far more formidable  than when they had first met.

"Boss Ye, the gathering is  about to start. Let's head out?" "Let's go!" "Woof, Lord Ergouzi is also setting out!" Blessed Land of Cave Heaven, this place was a  treasure trove discovered by the Xia Family,   usually used for the planting and  breeding of Spiritual Medicines,   rich in Spiritual Energy, and  pleasing to the eye in scenery. Many family descendants and young  elites were already gathered here. Such gatherings were almost an annual  event, but this year was extraordinary,   with the two outstanding figures of  Ancient Moon City together—Xia Jian   and Wang Ruoxian presiding, which raised  the level of the meeting substantially.

Everyone was eager to hear about  the experiences these two had in   the outside world, and to broaden their horizons. For a small city like Ancient Moon City,   the opportunity to interact with disciples  of a Great Sect is naturally very rare. By the time Li Xiaobai and his companions  arrived, the place was already packed. "With both Immortal Wang and the second  son of the Xia Family returning this time,   tell me, who do you think is more formidable?" "Naturally, it's the son of the Xia Family.  Young Master Xia has been in Zhenyuan Country   all year round. That place is teeming with  Golden Core Stage cultivators and Nascent   Soul Stages as common as dogs. Training  there, one has no choice but to be strong." "That may not be true. I've heard that  Immortal Wang received the true teachings   of the Xiao Cheng Sect and might even have  some connections with the Western Desert!" "But if you ask me, it's Boss  Ye from Tangneng First-class   who's the most powerful.

Even the  family heads have conceded to her,   and this bathhouse has truly been  a blessing to the community." "Yeah, I only soaked for one day,   and I actually advanced an entire  minor realm. It's truly miraculous." Along the way, the conversations  of the cultivators were all about   several focal characters recently in the  city, with their words full of longing. Li Xiaobai shrugged his shoulders and  casually found a place to sit down,   and Ergouzi also swiftly took a seat beside him. With that sitting, the whispering voices of the  cultivators abruptly ceased, and they looked   at Li Xiaobai with strange expressions, as the  atmosphere suddenly fell silent in an eerie way. Li Xiaobai was puzzled. Did he  really have such a big face? "Boss Ye, is this spot actually ours?"  Li Ya whispered a reminder from the side. "Is there a rule about this place?" Li Xiaobai furrowed his brow. The seat  he had chosen was just in a corner and he   wasn't trying to steal the limelight from  the host, so why couldn't he sit there? "This is the challenge seat.

There's a  sparring session during the gathering,   and whoever sits here can be  freely challenged and must accept." Li Ya seemed a bit anxious.  Are you going to get up or not? That seat was notorious; the  last person who dared to sit   there has three-chi tall grass on his grave now. "I see, no matter, Liangchen likes  the feeling of being challenged." Li Xiaobai's eyes sparkled. This seat was  tailor-made for him. Just by sitting here,   even without showing off, he would still be  besieged; Attribute Points were within his grasp. "Exactly, Lord Ergouzi has a  cultivation that reaches the skies;   a mere challenge seat is nothing." "Everyone listen up, this is Lord  Ergouzi's capable right-hand man;   only if you defeat him will you be qualified  to challenge Lord Ergouzi himself!" Lord Ergouzi stood upright, with his paws behind  his back, looking disdainfully at the world.

The corners of his mouth could not stop  splitting open, drooling all over the floor. "This is… a dog!" "Damn, the dog can speak human language!" "It must be a Spirit Beast,  but it's just too arrogant   and also quite ugly. Its eyes and  eyebrows look like a Husky's!" "And it's drooling, so disgusting to watch." The cultivators automatically  ignored Lord Ergouzi's words,   instead judging its appearance in great detail.

"Woof, your Lord Ergouzi is a supreme  being!" Ergouzi's fur bristled. "Boss Ye, are you sure you want to sit  here?" Wang Ruoxian asked indifferently. "Yeah, tired from walking, just taking a seat." "It seems Boss Ye hasn't taken this  little girl's words to heart. One   really needs to contemplate more on the  truth that there are skies beyond our skies." "Boss Ye, you better just come down  obediently. You can't sit here;   you'll get killed by someone," Xia Liu sneered.

"Don't talk too much. The last time  someone sat here was years ago. We   haven't seen such a grand occasion  in a long time. Boss Ye wants to   challenge the young talents in the  city, and we definitely welcome it." Xia Jian said slowly, instructing the  maid to start serving tea and snacks. Pale-faced maids in white clothes  and light makeup came to serve,   pouring tea and wine, gradually  easing the atmosphere. Li Ya pulled Yan Yu quietly to the back of  the crowd, staying clear of the challenger's   seat. At any moment someone could lash out and  strike, so it was better to keep a distance. A servant brought over brush,  ink, paper, and inkstone,   lighting the incense burner. Wisps of blue  smoke drifted, creating a very aesthetic scene.

The incense burning within was Calming Incense,   which upon inhalation, steadied  one's breath and cleared the mind. "Young Master Xia has returned from Zhenyuan  Country, so he must be well-versed in the   Confucian righteous qi. Why not paint a picture  to enhance the mood?" Wang Ruoxian said. "I had the same thought, but painting  alone can be a bit monotonous. Why   don't we all take today's gathering  as the subject and paint together?" "Excellent." "Express one's feelings with brush and ink,   infuse the painting with righteous  qi. I have long heard that Zhenyuan   Country seeks the Tao through Confucianism.  Today we are fortunate to witness this." The cultivators nodded in agreement.

It was their   honor to paint alongside  such accomplished painters. "Prepare a painting for Boss Ye as well." "Woof, your Lord Ergouzi also wants a painting!" Li Xiaobai was speechless. Where could  he paint? It was clear that they wanted   to use this painting challenge to humiliate him. And there was Lord Ergouzi,   always causing trouble. Can you even  hold a brush with your dog paws? "Then let's begin. We'll have half an hour  as the time limit, and after half an hour,   we will all appreciate the works  together," Xia Jian said in a cheery tone. He pondered for a brief moment, Picked up the brush, ground the ink,  moistened it with water, drew lines,   his brush strokes majestic as a dragon or  snake, his movements as smooth as clouds   and flowing water, seamlessly executed. The  cultivators around him watched in astonishment;   while they were still contemplating the  composition, he had already started painting.

Although the specific content wasn't clear,   just this mastery of brushwork alone already  showed the demeanor of a great artist. "Damn it, this guy is painting so smoothly,   without any apparent thought. Could it be he  already knew what he wanted to paint before?" Ergouzi cursed, having received a  piece of paper but after much struggle,   not even a single hair stroke emerged. Xia Liu was indignant: "This  is divine skill in each stroke;   my family practices diligently every day,  and you, you mangy dog, what do you know." Chapter 79 Chapter 79: — Chapter 79:  A Chaotic Spring And Autumn "` "Woof, kid, is that how  you speak to Lord Ergouzi?" "Who let their dog out without a  leash, ranting nonsense without   considering the occasion?" Xia  Chuan said, his tone indifferent.

"During painting, do not disturb with noise." Wang Ruoxian's brows furrowed slightly,   as creation required inspiration and a fully  focused spirit, which should not be disturbed. The crowd calmed their anger and  began to concentrate on painting. Watching the surrounding cultivators  furrowing their brows, holding their breath,   and drawing with vigorous strokes, Li Xiaobai  and Ergouzi stared at each other with wide eyes,   looking at the brush and paper in their hands,  dumbfounded and unsure of what to paint. "Ergouzi, does your bloodline inheritance   include painting skills?" Li  Xiaobai asked in a lowered voice. "A supreme being like Lord Ergouzi has  devoted his life to benefiting humanity,   how could he squander time on such playthings,"  Ergouzi rolled his eyes, expressing disdain.

Li Xiaobai was speechless, thinking, "Then  what the heck were you pretending for just now,   even insisting on getting some fine stationery?" He was about to embarrass himself. Suddenly, an amazing vision  rose from Xia Jian's seat,   circles of white light twinkling as a  large painting scroll unfolded in the void. In the emptiness above, a  thatched hut, a candlestick,   and a candle emitted an ancient and profound aura. A young man dressed in white held a  scroll, his eyebrows tightly knitted,   as if reciting something, and after a long  time, he put down the scroll and sighed. "A vision, it is said that only when  one's state of mind reaches a certain   realm can it be triggered, and this  is the first time it has happened." "This is… the Liturgy Defiance Chart!" "This vision is a snippet of Great  Immortal Zhenyuan's life from the past,   known to have doubted the scriptures and  challenged the sayings of the Saints,   walking a path contrary to the Confucian  way. The Young Master of the Xia Family   being able to comprehend such a  mood, truly a prodigious talent!" "It's a pity that it's only a corner of  the Liturgy Defiance Chart.

If he could   comprehend the complete Liturgy Defiance, it would  likely be a blessing for our Northern Region!" Xia Jian's hand movements didn't  stop as he sketched stroke by stroke,   the vision above his head gradually  becoming blurry, transforming into   an ancient aura that fused into his body,  pushing his spirit to its peak in an instant. Stroke by stroke, the ink marks turned into  traces of the great Dao engraved in the void,   and even without using cultivation, many  cultivators present felt breathless. It was no wonder he was a cultivator who  had inherited from the Zhenyuan Country,   with such a prowess at a young  age, his future beyond measure. Before the crowd could regain their senses,  another dazzling light appeared in the void,   and a woman in plain white clothes lay over her  desk, in front of her a chessboard arranged like   a star-roaming pattern, but this chessboard had  no pieces, just various forms of living creatures. "This is the vision of Xiao Cheng Sect!" "Star-Roaming Chessboard, taking all of  nature as a chess game, what ambition!" "To think Wang Ruoxian likewise perceived a  vision, with such talent, truly a monster!" The cultivators were somewhat  crazed; once a vision emerged,   it was no longer about painting, but a  contest of each individual's mental and   ideological state.

When visions were  displayed, one could intuitively feel   the other's heart and cultivation level,  offering a silent sermon to onlookers. If one could comprehend something  from it, the benefits were limitless. Li Xiaobai's mind was in a fog, unable to  understand the operations of these people at all. Just paint if you're going to paint,  why all this pomp and circumstance,   will conjuring a vision help  with your painting or what? Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye, Li  Xiaobai put down his brush and looked towards   the little wreck of a dog beside him, with its  full-on dog's mess of a landscape painting,   several lines drawn wonky and twisted,  the scene a sight for sore eyes. "Xia here is unskilled, and  presents this clumsy work!" "` Xia Jian flicked open the scroll in his hand,   and a pilgrimage map presented  itself before everyone's eyes.

In the center of the painting, a  man dressed in white held a scroll,   surrounded by thousands who came to  pay homage. Despite being a scholar,   he possessed an air of authority  that could look down upon all beings. A powerful will penetrated the paper,  directly targeting the audience. Choosing a gathering as the theme whilst  depicting a pilgrimage, Xia Jian seemed to   imply he was a Saint, somewhat arrogant,  but he also had the capital. After all,   everyone had witnessed the earlier phenomenon  and saw nothing inappropriate about it. "Young Master Xia's artistic conception is  lofty. We are fixated on the surface form,   whereas Young Master Xia directly elucidates  the core of this assembly. We gather here   in pursuit of knowledge and  horizons. Young Master Xia,   using a scholar as the spiritual guide,  is truly fitting. I am impressed." "Indeed, the intent of this painting  has transcended the medium. If someone   with insufficient mental fortitude and  cultivation level were to look at it,   they might even injure their psyche.

This  painting shares a mysterious connection with   the great strokes of Great Immortal  Zhenyuan's Liturgy Defiance Chart!" The supporters of the Xia  Family were the first to review,   encouragingly placing Xia Jian on a pedestal. It is said that with a single stroke, Great  Immortal Zhenyuan could alter history, and a drop   of his ink could fill the seas, with an unwavering  will and a glance deadly enough to kill. Li Xiaobai was dumbfounded as he listened. It  was clear to him that some were only posturing,   yet the critic had ingeniously discovered profound  life philosophies from the domineering image. Looking at the other cultivators,  they were all deep in thought,   with some nodding frequently, apparently  quite approving of these remarks.

"Young Master Xia's painting is captivating and  the technique is exceptionally skilled — I   admire it greatly. I'd be bold to request  Young Master Xia to evaluate my own." Wang Ruoxian also shook the scroll in her hand,  and fine mists filled the air. From the scroll,   one could faintly hear the sounds of birds and the  scent of flowers — it was a realistic painting. It perfectly replicated every one of the  hundred-plus participants at the gathering,   not missing a single detail, whether in clothing,   expressions, or postures,  even Ergouzi was included.

Such keen observational skills could be called  terrifying, and what's most impressive was   the ability to capture the spirit of  everyone present in just half an hour. This is befitting of a disciple  of the Xiao Cheng Sect. "Immortal Wang, such frightening insight!" "Such observational prowess is worthy of the woman  who could comprehend the Star-Roaming Chessboard!" "Although it seems to be mere painting,   it actually serves to showcase her  cultivation level to all of us!" The crowd erupted into exclamations  again, and Wang Ruoxian covered her   face with a light laugh, "You flatter me  too much; it's nothing worth mentioning." "I wonder if Boss Ye's masterpiece is ready yet?" Xia Liu asked with a mocking tone from the  sidelines; after all, he had seen clearly that   Li Xiaobai was scratching his ears in anxiety,  obviously clueless about the art of painting.

"Woof! You weaklings, hurry up and come admire  the peerless masterpiece of your Lord Ergouzi!" Ergouzi unfurled the paper, revealing  a simplified version of a chaotic scene   with distorted lines that looked rather childlike. "Who would have thought that Boss Ye's dog   had such personality? A Spirit  Beast painting is indeed rare." "The Xiao Cheng Sect has a Sky Swallowing  Python, at the Nascent Soul Stage,   with great spiritual intelligence and  capable of speaking human language. However,   it's always been rebellious, harboring disdain  for humans. Compared with Boss Ye's dog,   it's clearly lacking in terms of obedience." "Woof! You're the dog, your whole family are  dogs.

Your Lord Ergouzi is a supreme being!" Ergouzi looked quite unfriendly, although  it couldn't quite explain what breed it was,   it absolutely refused to admit it was  a dog — it was a matter of dignity. Li Xiaobai covered its mouth; this  wretched dog was an embarrassment,   its words inconvenient to bear. "All right, Liangchen today felt inspired,   took an unconventional approach, and indeed  produced a fine painting. I just wonder if   among us there are truly talented youths  who understand how to appreciate it." Chapter 80 Chapter 80 — Chapter 80:  Earth-Shattering Masterpiece Li Xiaobai flicked open the scroll in his hand,  presenting it nonchalantly before everyone's eyes. "This is…" The cultivators around him were speechless;   the scroll was entirely covered in black ink  except for a single dot left in the very center. This thing could also be called a painting?  Where did such confidence come from? "Could it be that Boss Ye is mocking us?  This scribbling could hardly be considered   a painting," Xia Jian said lightly,  with a hint of ridicule in his eyes.

"It seems Boss Ye is not proficient in  painting after all; we have indeed been   too presumptuous," Wang Ruoxian said after  glancing at the painting, losing interest. "I thought you two, as young talents with  aspirations, would have a different perspective. I   didn't expect you to have the same insight as the  rest of the world," Li Xiaobai said indifferently. "This painting symbolizes the image of all  beings; our gathering here is akin to seeking   a glimmer of dawn in darkness, searching for a  light within the fog. In the Northern Region,   the Holy Demon Sect and Tianwu Sect are revered,   yet the only one truly worthy of being that  beacon is none other than the Holy Demon Sect." "The dot amidst the darkness is like the most  radiant star in the universe, fitting the   Holy Demon Sect's image perfectly—as a solitary  star shining brightly in these tumultuous times." Li Xiaobai expounded fluently, leaving  the crowd dumbfounded.

They could not   have anticipated that a painting,  hardly on par with a child's ability,   could be endowed with such  deep philosophical meaning. They couldn't help but burst into applause. Li Xiaobai's expression was calm. From the earlier   sycophantic praise directed at Xia Jian  by those lackeys, he had understood that   the essence of painting was not how well you  painted, but how well you could embellish. As long as one could articulate  the profound essence, they could   present themselves as unmatched in the world. Painting, this form of art, is not just  aesthetics; it is also a study of psychology. "Woof, why didn't you discuss it with Lord  Ergouzi in advance and made him embarrass   himself like this!" Ergouzi grumbled  on the side, his expression unfriendly.

"Do you ever manage not to embarrass yourself?" "Woof…" "Boss Ye does have a deep understanding of the  Holy Demon Sect," Xia Jian commented lightly,   feeling somewhat stung by Li Xiaobai's sophistry. "It's nothing but sophistry. If you can't paint,   you just can't paint. Why bother  with such mysterious nonsense!" Xia Liu said resentfully, having  missed a great opportunity to attack. "Let's take a look at the other  paintings," Wang Ruoxian suggested,   his disdain for Li Xiaobai growing. "This Fushan Spring Residence Painting is nice,   with the birds chirping and flowers fragrance,  possessing some artistic conception." "The Scholar Seeking Instruction Drawing is also   good, the story within the school has  a touch of the Confucian elegance." "This Mother Child Piety Picture  is commendable as well…" "Indeed, take a look…" The rest of the cultivators unfurled their own  scrolls, commenting on one another's work.

Soon,   they pushed Li Xiaobai to the back of their  minds. Although Tangneng First-class had been   greatly beneficial to them, the owner's artwork  was not as impressive as they had imagined. Once the critique of the central figure's painting  concluded, the rest were given cursory attention,   receiving faint praise before  the conversation took a turn. "Lately, quite a few things have happened  in the city. The most sensational has to   be Boss Ye's Tangneng First-class.  It's said that many cultivators have   broken through their cultivation level  overnight, to extraordinary effect." "I heard that several Family Heads couldn't  even obtain the bathhouse formula." "Does Boss Ye have a Sect  legacy for this art of bathing?" "Liangchen has no Sect legacy; it's all  thanks to a dedicated heart committed to   researching and benefiting all living  beings," Li Xiaobai said lightly. "Boss Ye has the world in his heart,  I admire that.

With this bathhouse,   even if we are not destined for the Holy  Demon Sect, our future paths will surely   broaden!" The mention of Tangneng First-class  brought joy to the hearts of the cultivators. Wang Ruoxian's brows raised  slightly as she spoke indifferently,   "Tangneng First-class is indeed miraculous,  but it pales in comparison to the Spiritual   Spring. I tried it yesterday, and  the effect was less than ideal." That's because you went to the wrong shop.

If  you had gone to the luxury version of Tangneng   First-class, I guarantee you would have  been relaxed to the point of taking off. Li Xiaobai muttered in his heart, this woman  has too much of a sense of superiority;   she looks down on everyone from above. "This trip to the Holy Demon Sect isn't just for  simple cultivation," Xia Jian said indifferently. "I'd like to hear more." "Have you heard of Secret  Realms? Throughout the ages,   many brilliant and powerful individuals have  left behind numerous Secret Realms. Our trip   to the Holy Demon Sect serves two purposes:  first, to enhance our cultivation levels,   and second, to participate in the opening of  a Secret Realm in the Northern Region. All the   great sects will select their talents  to venture into this Secret Realm." "Within the Northern Region, only a handful  of sects are qualified to choose candidates   to travel to the Central Province;  the Holy Demon Sect is one of them." A glint of pride flashed in Xia Jian's eyes.  He was determined to secure a spot for himself.

"Hiss, over the years, I've often heard about  the legacy of the Wine Sword Immortal emerging.   Could this Secret Realm be related to the  legacy of the senior Wine Sword Immortal?" The Wine Sword Immortal was a renowned figure;  it was a powerful individual who ascended to the   Upper Realm hundreds of years ago. Legend  has it that the Wine Sword Immortal would   take only one strike at the enemy and had to  drink before attacking. The more he drank,   the more powerful the sword strike would become. Renowned for hundreds of years, no one  had ever withstood that single strike;   the Wine Sword Immortal was a faith in  the hearts of many Sword Cultivators. He is also the one who left behind the most  Secret Realms in the Immortal Spirit Continent. "As the sage of Zhenyuan Country once mentioned,   this Secret Realm was left by Beichen Feng,  a disciple under Great Immortal Zhenyuan.   Beichen Feng was a true successor of  the Confucian Path, a man of immense   righteousness. The Secret Realm he left behind  is a blessed land for us Confucian scholars." Beichen Feng was unassuming, and only those who  followed the Confucian Path would know of him.

It is rumored that Beichen Feng once ventured  into the Western Desert alone to debate   Buddhist philosophy with the old Buddha  of the desert. For three days and nights,   he didn't use a strand of his cultivation,  yet he turned the entire Western Desert into   barren land, thus becoming the saint of the  Confucian Path in the hearts of scholars. "With the support of Zhenyuan Country and the  opportunity to study at the Holy Demon Sect,   Young Master Xia is sure to have a  place in the Secret Realm. I would   like to extend my congratulations  in advance," said Wang Ruoxian,   her voice muffled by a giggling behind  her hand. Xia Jian was quite pleased. "Liangchen once saw a Nascent Soul State Preceptor  from Zhenyuan Country; what is his status there?" Li Xiaobai inquired, as this was a matter of some  concern to him. After all, he had made the State   Preceptor of Zhenyuan Country into a puppet.

If  discovered, it might be difficult to explain. "In Zhenyuan Country, anyone above  the Golden Core Stage can become a   State Preceptor and enjoy official  salary. In our Zhenyuan Country,   Golden Core Cultivators are a dime a dozen  and are not considered anything special." "And what about Nascent Soul Cultivators?" "A dozen or so." "What about those at the  Tribulation Crossing Stage?" "Boss Ye seems a bit too concerned  about the strength of Zhenyuan   Country.

Zhenyuan Country has  inherited the Confucian legacy;   its foundation is profound and beyond  our imagination," Xia Jian said lightly. Li Xiaobai breathed a sigh of relief within. If  Golden Core cultivators had little standing in   Zhenyuan Country, then the chances of  being discovered should be very slim. "My apologies for the  presumption," said Liangchen. "Are you sure you don't want to leave  this spot?" Xia Jian suddenly asked. "Hmm, it's quite comfortable sitting here." "Good, since Boss Ye is sitting  in the challenger's seat today,   Xia has been curious about Boss Ye and  would be grateful for some guidance!" Chapter 81 Chapter 81 Xia Jian didn't bother with pleasantries  and directly initiated a challenge.

His   original intent had been to dupe  Li Xiaobai into taking that seat,   all so he could avenge his clan members. He hadn't expected Li  Xiaobai to be so cooperative. He was not like these ordinary family descendants;  having cultivated in Zhenyuan Country for years,   he had already touched the threshold of  the Great Perfection realm of the Golden   Core Stage. In this realm, even the  Family Head would hardly be his equal.

Moreover, having faced life and death  struggles outside for many years,   he had few equals at this level. "Very well, make your move," Li Xiaobai said,  instinctively provoking and drawing hatred,   while sitting steadily in his  chair, not moving an inch. "What do you mean by this,  Boss Ye?" Xia Jian frowned. "Young Master Xia, please make your  move. If Liangchen leaves this seat,   you can consider it my loss,"  Li Xiaobai said with a chuckle. "Woof, this is Lord Ergouzi's henchman. If you  defeat him, you will be qualified to challenge   Lord Ergouzi himself!" Ergouzi stood up, carrying  his paws on his back and spoke indifferently. "Damn it, this is too arrogant. Second  brother, [ __ ] his cultivation!" Xia Liu was the first to explode; both  the man and the dog were infuriating.

"Seeking attention, nothing more. Boss Ye,  I hope you come to your senses after today   and realize there's always someone  stronger," Wang Ruoxian said calmly,   convinced of Xia Jian's inevitable victory. "Then Xia will respectfully  comply," Xia Jian replied,   his expression turning icy as he twisted his  wrist and a giant brush appeared in his hand. "Ink Art, a gentleman's open  heart creates unity in the world." Lines of calligraphy crisscrossed in the void,  ancient runes flowed, and the Eight Characters   Truth materialized, bearing the weight of all  living beings and plummeting towards Li Xiaobai. This was a Confucian technique; scholars  wielded their ink treasures as magic treasures,   used their inner literary  energy as a means of attack,   and suppressed everything with  overwhelming righteousness. "This is a Confucian technique, an Ink Art  attack — it suppresses everything based   on one's understanding of Confucian classics!" "Young Master Xia must be at the  Golden Core Stage cultivation level,   barely inferior to the Family Head.  Who would have expected him to unleash   such power? Zhenyuan Country is  truly worthy of its heritage." "I'm afraid Boss Ye is in trouble.

It's hard  to counter the suppression of a scholar." "Yes, this might have been overconfident…" [Attribute Points +200…] [Attribute Points +200…] The power is decent, not beyond the scope of  the Golden Core Stage. Li Xiaobai focused on   the system panel before him, allocating  all Attribute Points to defence. Xia Jian's hands moved ceaselessly,   writing something in the void. Li Xiaobai only  felt a tightening around him as several large   characters bore down from the void  with the weight of ten thousand jun. Underfoot, the rocks cracked, and  the ground was webbed with fissures;   the oppressive force was formidable. However, it was of no use against  the Indestructible Golden Body;   the Eight Characters Truth only  made him feel a bit heavier.

"Young Master Xia doesn't seem too  open-hearted…" Li Xiaobai taunted with a smile. "Did you hear that, kid? Your heart isn't open!" "'A gentleman is open and unconstrained; a  petty man is full of worries' — that's you!" Ergouzi became animated at  the sight, spouting nonsense;   with Li Xiaobai able to withstand the  onslaught, he could boldly put on an act. Xia Jian's expression changed, Li Xiaobai  was unfazed by his Eight Characters Truth,   and even the dog beside him was full of mockery. Altering his brush strokes, Xia Jian  no longer wrote the Truth but instead   sketched a Mountains and Rivers Map in mid-air. A long river appeared out of nowhere,  with rushing waters surging and flowing. "This is a fragment of the Mountains and  Rivers Map, which is a national treasure   of Zhenyuan Country, left behind by  the Great Immortal Zhenyuan in his   early years. Young Master Xia has actually  seen it and even comprehended a part of it!" "It is said that the Central Province forces  that interact with Zhenyuan Country have always   maintained a friendly relationship precisely  because of this Mountains and Rivers Map." "Once the Mountains and Rivers Map is  displayed, it can suppress everything." "Young Master Xia is truly a genius.  Our Ancient Moon City is on the rise!" Billowing river waters fell from the  sky, with surging waves carrying the   roar of thunder as they crashed down toward  Li Xiaobai with the force of thunderbolts.

The special effects were quite impressive,   unlike those Golden Core Stage cultivators  he had seen before. As the river water fell,   Li Xiaobai felt his body being fixed in  place as if it were filled with lead. [Attribute Points +300…] [Attribute Points +300…] Although the effect was powerful, the  actual force was still mediocre. Even   with an inheritance, the Golden Core  Stage was just the Golden Core Stage. "Young Master Xia's move is quite ordinary,  and Liangchen's heart is completely unmoved,   he even wanted to laugh," Li Xiaobai chuckled. "This is impossible!" Xia Jian's face changed dramatically; he  had just used the power of his inheritance   to display a vision of a corner of  the Mountains and Rivers Map. Any   ordinary cultivator facing the overwhelming  river would have been utterly obliterated,   yet Li Xiaobai was completely unharmed.

But then his face flushed  red, his chest felt stuffy,   and his insides churned as if  the river had been overturned;   he was actually injured. How could this be?  Xia Jian's eyes filled with shock and anger. "Boss Ye, you are clearly seriously wounded,  don't force yourself anymore. Lie down quietly,   and Xia will immediately arrange  for someone to treat Boss Ye!" "Don't overexert yourself,  otherwise the injury may worsen,   affecting the foundation of your Great Path." As these words were spoken, the surrounding  cultivators were enlightened. So he was   forcing himself all along; they almost  got scared to death.

They advised him,   "Yes, Boss Ye, don't force yourself. When  compared to life, face is worth nothing." "And besides, with Young Master Xia's exceptional  talent, there's no shame in losing to him." "Yes…" Li Xiaobai scratched his head,   somewhat astonished. This Xia Jian's  self-perception was a little too good. "Liangchen just wanted to let Young Master  Xia make a couple of moves first…" "Could it be that the move just now  was Young Master Xia's full strength?" "Hehe, did Young Master Xia get slapped in the  face? Your attack was completely useless. Lord   Ergouzi didn't get hurt at all, he even  wanted to laugh!" Ergouzi was thrilled. Wang Ruoxian looked shocked. Li  Xiaobai's appearance didn't seem faked;   he was indeed unharmed. Xia Jian's  offensive power was certainly all   out. If it had been her, she would not  have been able to remain unhurt either. This bathhouse owner, despite his young age,   actually possessed such cultivation level. Wang  Ruoxian felt she needed to reassess this man.

Xia Jian's eyes were somewhat dazed.  The other party wasn't pretending;   his Eight Characters Truth hadn't even  left a scratch on Li Xiaobai. Instead,   he himself had suffered a significant injury. "This is impossible. How can anyone  in my generation surpass me? I am   almost at the Great Perfection Realm of the Golden   Core Stage. Even disciples of major  sects are only comparable to me." "Who exactly are you!" "I am Ye Liangchen. Liangchen loves to act against   those who consider themselves  extraordinarily capable." "Perfection is perfection, anything less  is not.

What is this 'almost perfection'?" "Young Master Xia, don't look for a way out  for yourself. You are really quite weak." "In this world, the only one who can  harm Liangchen is Liangchen himself." Li Xiaobai stood with his hands behind his  back, speaking indifferently. Xia Jian's   attack was quite good; after a full round, he had  earned the System two thousand Attribute Points. [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden Body  Sixth Turn (48000/60000) can be advanced.] As these words came out, everyone  was petrified. Before this moment,   no one would have expected today's  martial contest to turn out this way. Xia Jian had used all his methods but couldn't  even scratch him.

What kind of strength was this? Chapter 82 Chapter 82 The owner of Tangneng First-class,  turns out to be so terrifying! "Boss Ye has kept a low profile,   indeed. It seems my eyes were not  sharp enough," said the young lady. "Let's call an end to this competition here," Wang  Ruoxian said slowly, with a touch of indifference. "Doesn't the Wang Family's Immortal wish  to challenge Liangchen?" Li Xiaobai asked. "Although Boss Ye is quite strong, he's not a  match for me; body-cultivating cultivators are   rare, but not nonexistent. In the end, it still  comes down to cultivation level," she continued.

"Many disciples from the Great Sect have  already entered the Nascent Soul Stage;   temporary victory or defeat  means little," she said. "After entering the Holy Demon Sect, our strength  will surge forward. Boss Ye needs to improve a   lot more. Taking temporary advantage in  arguments is meaningless," she added. Wang Ruoxian maintained an aloof demeanor,  not taking Li Xiaobai seriously at all. She sensed that Li Xiaobai had no Spiritual Power,   which meant he focused solely on  his physical body. Such people   could indeed progress quickly in the short  term but would find it difficult later on. With the backing of the Xiao Cheng  Sect and the Holy Demon Sect,   she'd rapidly improve her cultivation level;  there was no need to prove herself against him. "Indeed, Boss Ye, you possess not a trace  of cultivation, and are merely somewhat   physically stronger. Once my second brother  steps into the Nascent Soul Stage, he could   kill you with a flick of his wrist!" Xia Liu said  fiercely; his Xia Family had lost all face today.

They had not expected even the genius Xia Jian  to lose, and to be defeated so miserably at that. "You want to kill Liangchen?" "Believe it or not, Liangchen has a hundred ways  to let you die without recourse," Li Xiaobai said,   feeling he had miscalculated. He was  supposed to be attacked by everyone,   but an early wrap-up seemed a bit hasty. "Let's leave it here for today. Tomorrow  is the day we set out. It's best if we   support each other. Young Master Xia,  you should go back and rest first,"   Wang Ruoxian intervened, seeing no point  in the gathering progressing any further,   and she wouldn't allow the focus  to shift from her to Li Xiaobai. "If that's the case, then I, Liangchen, will  take my leave first," said Li Xiaobai, bowing   his hands before turning, as a black  Token with an ancient aura fell out. This black Token bore the imposing engraving  of the Holy Demon Sect. The cultivators   caught their breath and widened their eyes in  disbelief at the small Token on the ground. "This is…

A Holy Demon Sect Token!" "Boss Ye is a disciple of the Holy Demon Sect!" The many cultivators felt embarrassed,  especially the three Xia brothers,   who thought they were proud of acquiring  the chance to train at the Holy Demon Sect,   only to realize that someone had already  had it, likely laughing at them all along. Laughable that they had thought him a fool,  only now to realize they were the actual fools. "Oh dear, I accidentally revealed a precious item;   sorry for startling you all," Li Xiaobai said,  bowing as he picked up the Holy Demon Sect Token. "Woof, kiddo, you're too careless; this  might really hit them where it hurts!"   Ergouzi grinned, clearly relishing  this face-slapping turn of events.

"Boss Ye is… a disciple of the Holy Demon  Sect?" Wang Ruoxian was somewhat taken aback. "I received the disciple Token quite  some time ago, just never went there,   that's all," Li Xiaobai explained  nonchalantly, gesturing with his hand. "Why not go?" "The Holy Demon Sect is merely a stepping  stone for Liangchen; my goal is the Universe." "Woof, Lord Ergouzi's strength is unmatched in  past and present, a mere sect cannot contain me!" Wang Ruoxian was at a loss for words—she had  always been preaching to others that there are   heavens beyond this one, citing the sect as an  example to suppress Li Xiaobai, yet it turned out   he was from a renowned sect, and had been watching  them make fools of themselves all this time! "It turns out Boss Ye is also a disciple who went  for further training.

In that case, we are all   fellow disciples. I have some friends in the Holy  Demon Sect and hold a little sway. When the time   comes, I'll greet them, and the Holy Demon Sect  won't make things difficult for us," she said. Wang Ruoxian regained her composure,   as there was indeed a significant difference  between a junior disciple and a Sect Disciple. Feeling much more balanced emotionally, she  had some connections in the Holy Demon Sect,   which enabled her to quickly find her footing,  an advantage Li Xiaobai couldn't compare with. "Good." "Very well, then." "Alright, I will go and make  preparations," Young Master Liangchen said. "Is it really necessary for someone  to be so full of themselves?" Ergouzi snorted with laughter and followed  Li Xiaobai, leaving with great strides. Wang Ruoxian remained expressionless and, with  a turn of her body, disappeared from the spot. The cultivators looked at each  other, not expecting that the   owner of Tangneng First-class could be  so mysteriously talented.

Witnessing   a body refining cultivator was  truly an eye-opening experience. The journey was silent. Inside Tangneng First-class, everyone  soaked in the pools of the bathhouse. Li Ya was extremely excited, "Boss Ye, I   can't believe how incredible  you are, a real dark horse!" "Just routine operations, not worth mentioning." "Young Master Liangchen is very strong,"  Situ Yanyu said, her eyes sparkling with   admiration. Unfortunately, Li Xiaobai  would head to the Holy Demon Sect tomorrow,   while she would have to stay in Ancient Moon  City.

The gap between them would only widen. "Woof, Lord Ergouzi is also very strong!"  Ergouzi expressed his discontent. "Yes, yes, yes, Ergouzi is also very strong!" Situ Yanyu said, being  Ergouzi's only little follower. "Tomorrow, Liangchen will head to  the Holy Demon Sect. I entrust the   management of all the bathhouses  in Ancient Moon City to Yan Yu.   I'll make sure to inform all the  Family Heads," Li Xiaobai said. "How could I? Yan Yu is just a server,  and with my low cultivation level,   I can't bear such a heavy responsibility!" Situ Yanyu was somewhat panicked; she lacked both   the abilities and the presence to  maintain control over the situation. "Cultivation level is not a problem.  As long as the bathhouse exists,   you will eventually catch up. I entrust  Tangneng First-class to you for now,   and I will return later. Don't slack off  during this time," instructed Li Xiaobai. "Yan Yu understands," she said, her heart  pounding. She felt Li Xiaobai's trust in her. "What about the old man?" Li Xiaobai glanced at the old beggar  who was dozing off, wishing he could   take the old fellow with him.

Then, he  truly could walk freely in the future. "Just soaking." "And the wine…" "I haven't fully enjoyed  my VIP monthly package yet,   what's the rush?" said the old beggar  nonchalantly, picking at his toes. Alright, it seemed he would not  get that type of wine for a while,   and he would have to figure out his own  ways to use the remaining Attribute Points. The three robed figures in the corner of the  bathhouse grew restless; if Li Xiaobai left,   they would lose any leads on Zhang Rui, and  with it, their chances for promotion and wealth.

They got up, one after another. "Brother Liangchen, the path is rife with  demons and devils. We are willing to offer you   protection all the way," Zuo Da offered. "Of course, that would be appreciated, but  those Family Heads can be tricky. There's no   guarantee they won't have some ulterior motives  when Liangchen leaves," declared Li Xiaobai. "That's easy to solve. Our brothers  carry weight; they wouldn't dare   disrespect us. I'll talk to them. Tangneng  First-class will always belong to Boss Ye!" "Heh heh, thanks, everyone." Chapter 83 Chapter 83 Everything in Ancient Moon City was well arranged. This place could also be considered one  of his strongholds. Ancient Moon City   was under the jurisdiction of Zhenyuan Country,   and if he were to enter Zhenyuan Country  later, he could look for connections here. As for the major families, Li  Xiaobai was not worried. The   disciples from the families had all  gone to the Holy Demon Sect with him,   which in other words, meant that these  people were his hostages.

If the family   heads dared to target Tangneng First-class,  he would just tie up these family disciples. He believed that Zuo Da and  the others would settle it. He checked the system panel. [Host: Li Xiaobai.] […] [Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden Body  Sixth Turn (48000/60000) can be advanced.] [Attribute Points: 0.] [Skills: Muscle Flaccidity, Hatred  Hundred Percent, Super Abdominal Muscles,   Drunken Immortal, Blood Demon  Transcendental Venerable…] [Mall: Opened.] [Status: Blood Demon Corrosion (Moderate).] He would find an opportunity to increase  his Attribute Points on the road,   striving to completely restore his body to  normal before arriving at the Holy Demon Sect. Speaking of which, he and his Sixth Senior Brother   had also snatched away the legacy of a  True Disciple of the Holy Demon Sect,   but the True Disciple's Space Ring was  in his Sixth Senior Brother's hands,   and since he was wearing a Human Skin Mask,  it probably wouldn't be traced back to him.

With three unlucky ones like Zuo Da around,   the evil cultivators outside the  city didn't pose much of a threat. This journey seemed like  it would go very smoothly. "Old man, do you know about Elder Tianwu?"   Li Xiaobai asked curiously as  he approached the old beggar. "Of course, I do. Elder Tianwu is indeed a rare  genius who appears only once in a hundred years,   an existence unbeatable throughout  the world," the old beggar said. "Is this person still alive today?" "Who knows? Such a great master who stands above  the rest cannot be speculated by you or me." "Woof! Lord Ergouzi is also a  matchless master of all times.   Wherever Elder Tianwu is, Ergouzi  wants to have a battle with him!" Ergouzi lacked tact, interrupting like  that, and made it impossible to continue   the conversation.

Li Xiaobai felt that the  old beggar was certainly extraordinary and   perhaps Li Ya's speculation was right, that  he really had stumbled upon a treasure… The next morning.
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