“Below Golden Core, one sword is sufficient.”

Gu Xiu’s tone was flat, as if he were discussing the weather. But to Wan Xiaobei, the words were like thunderclaps.

What? Did I hear that right? One sword for anyone under Golden Core? You’re only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, right?!

It wasn’t that the young mistress of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion lacked vision. It was simply that Feng Bugui’s claim was too absurd.

A prodigy was defined by their ability to fight above their level. An early-stage genius defeating a mid-stage opponent? Impressive. Defeating a late-stage opponent? Top-tier. But defeating a Great Perfection cultivator? That was the realm of peerless monsters.

But to claim he could kill a Great Perfection expert with one sword?

That wasn’t a prodigy. That was a myth.

Wan Xiaobei counted on her fingers. Even among the secluded monsters of the ancient Sacred Lands and Divine Dynasties, she couldn’t name five people capable of such a feat. Even her idol, the legendary Immortal Venerable Gu Xiu, wasn’t this ridiculous back in his early days!

“How many spots does the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion want?” Gu Xiu asked, breaking her stupor.

“Uh… the more the better,” she stammered. “If we could get all 250 spots, that would be amazing!”

“Hmm. Good,” Gu Xiu nodded. “Then call more people. Otherwise, the spots will be wasted.”

Huh? Wait… we might not even keep our ten spots, and you want me to call more people?

Wan Xiaobei stared at him, bewildered.

“When the time comes,” Gu Xiu added calmly, “I’ll go up first.”

Wan Xiaobei blinked. Is he… serious? Is he too confident? Even I’m not this confident!

Seeing Gu Xiu close his eyes to resume cultivation, she swallowed her doubts. The other sects were determined to make the Wanbao Tower lose. It didn’t matter who went first. If her Ninth-Grade Enshrinee wanted to try, she would let him.

The most important thing was for her to win at least one match to secure their original ten spots.

The night was restless. The four sects and three clans buzzed with discussion about the Azure Mystic Sacred Land’s sudden rule change. Some sharpened their knives in anticipation; others drowned in worry.

But no one dared to object. The Azure Mystic Sacred Land had soared too high. Even though they had only sent ordinary Golden Core deacons this time, their authority was absolute.

However, some people felt bold enough to bully the Wanbao Tower.

“Tomorrow, the Azure Mystic Sacred Land will issue the first challenge. Whoever you send up first should surrender immediately. Don’t waste everyone’s time.”

The speaker was not an Azure Mystic disciple, but Qi Keping, the prodigy of the Qi Clan.

Wan Xiaobei bristled. “Since the rules are set, how the Wanbao Tower arranges its fighters is none of your business. Is the Qi Clan’s hand reaching too far?”

“Rules?” Qi Keping sneered. “Know your place. Don’t bring ruin upon yourselves. You are courting death.”

“Courting death? With just your Qi Clan?” Wan Xiaobei laughed. “You want to destroy the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion?”

“The Pavilion has some power, yes. But if we kill your team here, do you really think your headquarters will dare to retaliate?” Qi Keping’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Let me remind you: the Qi Clan will soon form a marriage alliance with the Azure Mystic Sacred Land. By then, what will the Wanbao Tower be?”

“Marriage alliance?” Wan Xiaobei curled her lip, looking him up and down. “Is it really a marriage alliance? I heard you’re marrying into the Artifact Resonance Peak to become a live-in son-in-law. A… matrilocal husband?”

Qi Keping’s face froze. Murderous intent flooded his eyes.

It was true. To secure Azure Mystic’s protection, his clan had arranged for him to marry a personal disciple of Peak Master Yuchi Chunlei. But the condition was that he marry into her family. For a prodigy, it was a humiliation. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare mention it, but this girl had torn open his wound without hesitation.

Before he could lash out, a rough, booming voice interrupted them.

“Useless coward! In the middle of the night, you’re not observing your husbandly duties? Sneaking around with this vixen? Do you want me to divorce you?”

Qi Keping’s killing intent vanished instantly. He spun around to see a woman built like a boulder, gnawing on a greasy beast leg.

It was his fiancée. Niu Xifang, personal disciple of the Artifact Resonance Peak.

Seeing the grease dripping down her chin onto her robes, a flicker of sorrow passed through Qi Keping’s eyes. But in a split second, it was replaced by a fawning smile.

“Fangfang! Why are you here? You’ve misunderstood. My heart is filled only with you. How could I ever betray you?”

“Then why are you here?” Niu Xifang asked suspiciously, chewing loudly.

“I came because I was worried the Wanbao Tower people might be blind tomorrow and waste your precious Spiritual Qi,” Qi Keping said with heartfelt sincerity. “If that happened, my heart would break!”

Niu Xifang blushed, the grease on her cheeks glistening in the moonlight. “You rascal! Always so smooth with your words!”

“Smooth talk?” Qi Keping forced himself to look at the grease stains she was smearing onto his chest. “Every word is true! Fangfang, in my heart, you are the most perfect woman. Gentle, beautiful, peerless! Even the immortals in the heavens aren’t fit to carry your shoes!”

“Really?”

“Of course! My heart can be witnessed by the mountains and rivers, by heaven and earth!”

Niu Xifang was moved to tears. She threw herself into his arms, nearly knocking the wind out of him. “Qi Lang, you’re so good to me~”

“No, I’m not good enough yet. I will be better!” Qi Keping declared, his face a mask of loving devotion, even as he suppressed the urge to gag.

Wan Xiaobei shivered. Her mockery vanished, replaced by sheer admiration. This man… is a professional.

“I won’t disturb you two,” she said quickly, turning to flee. Niu Xifang’s greasy presence was overwhelming.

But as she turned, a fierce wind struck her from behind.

Bang!

Caught off guard, Wan Xiaobei stumbled forward, barely stabilizing herself. She spun around to see Niu Xifang glaring at her, fist still raised.

“That punch is a lesson for trying to seduce my Qi Lang,” Niu Xifang spat. “Get lost!”

Wan Xiaobei’s expression turned icy. She stared deeply at the couple for a moment, then turned and left without a word.

Once she was out of earshot, a figure materialized beside her.

“Young Mistress, this subordinate deserves death for failing to protect you. Are you alright?”

“It was my order not to intervene unless it was life or death. It’s not your fault, Elder Chen,” Wan Xiaobei shook her head. “I lacked vigilance. The Jianghu is indeed treacherous.”

“Speaking of which… have you noticed?” Elder Chen asked. “Every time Falling Rain Valley opens, Azure Mystic sends a Venerable’s personal disciple to oversee it. Why are there only ordinary elders this year?”

“I heard the Venerable’s ninth disciple is forging a Dao Sword,” Wan Xiaobei replied. “All the personal disciples are gathered at the sect. They probably won’t come until the sword is finished.”

“This ninth disciple, Jiang Xun, seems highly favored,” Elder Chen mused. “His reputation is immense. He will likely begin traveling the world soon. Perhaps his first stop will be here?”

“Highly possible,” Wan Xiaobei nodded. “Prepare some gifts. Send them to the Azure Mystic Sacred Land to congratulate this ‘Ninth Martial Uncle’ on his sword.”

As they spoke, a powerful fluctuation of Spiritual Qi erupted from a nearby cabin.

Wan Xiaobei and Elder Chen turned, their eyes widening in shock.

“Guest Elder Feng… he’s condensing his second Dao Platform already?” Elder Chen gasped. “How is that possible?”

He paused, sensing the quality of the energy.

“And… it’s a Perfect Dao Platform!”