“What a sword.”

Outside the stone platform, Qin Lingxue’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, a glimmer of genuine appreciation flickering in their depths.

Although Qi Yuan’s technical swordplay appeared somewhat unpolished to her expert eye, that single strike had condensed the user’s entire essence, energy, and spirit. It vaguely contained a True Sword Intent—one of indomitable courage and remorseless advancement. It was enough to make the Abyssal Frost Sword Master take him seriously.

Where the blade pointed, gods and ghosts retreated. With a single slash, he had suppressed an opponent a full major realm above him!

This Supreme Mystery Holy Scion… he truly lives up to the title of a peerless genius suppressing the era.

Meanwhile, the area surrounding the duel arena had plunged into a deathly silence. The spectating cultivators stared, dumbfounded, at the figure standing in the center of the platform, sword in hand. For a long time, no one could utter a single word.

Everything had happened too fast. It was like a flash of lightning—gone before the thunder could even roll. By the time their brains registered the movement, the battle was already over.

To be fair, many had predicted a crushing defeat due to the disparity in strength. And looking at the result, it was indeed a crushing defeat. The only problem was… the person getting crushed was the wrong one.

Ji Tianpeng, the dignified Holy Scion of the Purple Sun Sanctuary, a powerhouse at the early Soul Formation stage whose raw power far outstripped his peers, had been laid out flat by a Nascent Soul cultivator without blocking a single move.

It wasn’t just a loss; it was a complete and utter wipeout.

It was, as the vulgar saying went, “a heifer visiting her relatives”—utterly cow-tastic (badass).

Not far away, Zhuang Qingyun, the Holy Scion of the Boundless Sacred Ground, gradually recovered from his shock. He let out a long sigh. “I never expected the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary’s new Holy Scion to possess such formidable aptitude. Truly, the waves behind drive on those before. The younger generation is terrifying.”

“After this battle,” he continued, “the name of the Supreme Mystery Holy Scion will resound throughout the world. He has firmly placed himself among the apex predators of this realm.”

Beside him, Tu Ruoxu of the Eternal Sacred Ground nodded slightly, his tone calm and analytical. “Ji Tianpeng has excellent innate talent, but his character is impetuous. He underestimated the enemy and paid the price. His defeat is not unjust.”

Tu Ruoxu paused, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Qi Yuan. “However, when the Supreme Mystery Holy Scion executed that strike, he clearly employed a forbidden method to burn his Qi and blood. As the saying goes, ‘extreme rigidity cannot last.’ Such an intense burst is unsustainable.”

“If I were Ji Tianpeng,” Tu Ruoxu added with the confidence of a backseat driver, “I would have avoided the initial sharp edge, bided my time, and waited for his momentum to decline before counterattacking. He might still have lost, but at least he wouldn’t be lying there like a dead dog.”

Hearing this expert analysis, the surrounding cultivators nodded in agreement, looking enlightened. Ah, yes, of course. A burst technique. That explains everything.

“Holy Scion!”

It was only then that the cultivators from the Purple Sun Sanctuary seemed to wake from their collective nightmare. They swarmed onto the stone platform to check on Ji Tianpeng.

Upon closer inspection, they realized that although their Holy Scion looked like a bloody mess—a truly shocking sight—the wounds were mostly superficial.

In other words, Ji Tianpeng hadn’t actually suffered life-threatening damage. The reason he was still unconscious was likely because he had fainted from sheer rage.

Or perhaps… he was faking it.

Only the Purple Sun Holy Scion himself knew the truth. But considering his defensive robes had been completely shredded by Qi Yuan’s sword Qi, remaining face-down on the ground was a strategic necessity. If he stood up now, he would be flashing the entire assembly.

Most of the audience consisted of female disciples from the Exquisite Sanctuary. If he were to expose himself to them, the social death would be a hundred times worse than the physical defeat. Ji Tianpeng would probably have to migrate to a different dimension to live down the shame.

Realizing their Holy Scion wasn’t dying, the Purple Sun group breathed a sigh of relief. They hurriedly stuffed a healing pill into his mouth and draped a fresh robe over his exposed form.

“Thank you, Supreme Mystery Holy Scion, for showing mercy! Our Purple Sun Sanctuary is immensely grateful!”

The leading Purple Sun Elder stepped forward, cupping his hands toward Qi Yuan with sincere gratitude. He genuinely believed Qi Yuan had held back at the last second to avoid killing Ji Tianpeng.

Qi Yuan slowly sheathed the Mystic Heaven Sword. He smiled, returning the gesture with impeccable grace. “Fellow Daoist Ji is indeed thick-skinned and sturdy. He lives up to his reputation.”

He certainly has a thick face, playing dead like that, Qi Yuan thought.

“This battle was truly quite… satisfying for me,” Qi Yuan continued aloud, his voice warm. “I hope he can regroup. Next time there is a chance, I would love to continue ‘sparring’ and ‘discussing the Dao’ with him.”

Hearing this, the corner of the Purple Sun Elder’s mouth twitched violently. He almost cursed out loud.

Thick-skinned? Satisfying?

What kind of twisted ‘sparring’ is this? You just treated our Holy Scion like a human sandbag to vent your frustrations!

Qi Yuan couldn’t be bothered with them anymore. He turned his gaze toward Xiao Yueni, who had landed nearby.

“Fairy Xiao,” he said with a relaxed smile, “matters here are settled. Let us return to the banquet. The food will get cold.”

Xiao Yueni looked at him deeply, a strange light flashing in her beautiful eyes. “Since Holy Scion Qi’s refined interest remains undiminished, Yueni shall naturally accompany you. Please.”

…

A short while later.

Aside from the comatose Ji Tianpeng, the geniuses from the various Sanctuaries returned to the Jade Cicada Palace to resume the banquet.

Without the “mood spoiler” causing trouble, the atmosphere gradually relaxed. Cups were raised, wine flowed, and laughter returned.

However, the dynamic had shifted. The gazes directed at Qi Yuan now held a heavy dose of caution and respect, mixed with a hint of wariness.

This world, in essence, respected strength above all else. Ability commanded value wherever one went. The sword strike Qi Yuan had just displayed was undeniable proof of his world-shocking power.

By the time the banquet wound down, dusk was approaching.

“Fairy Xiao,” Qi Yuan suddenly sent a sound transmission to Xiao Yueni as she saw him off. “Please come to the Resting Mist Courtyard for a chat later. This Qi has a matter to request of you.”

Xiao Yueni started slightly, surprised by the private invitation. She hesitated for a split second before giving an almost imperceptible nod.

“Alright,” she replied via transmission. “After I finish seeing off these Fellow Daoists, I will come to the Resting Mist Courtyard to find you immediately.”

Qi Yuan smiled faintly. “In that case, I shall respectfully await your esteemed arrival.”

Having set the trap—or rather, the meeting—Qi Yuan didn’t linger. He bid farewell to his “sister” Qi Yao and drifted away with his entourage.

…

Not long after.

Resting Mist Courtyard.

The moment Qi Yuan stepped through the gates, the disciples of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary erupted.

“Holy Scion!”

“That was incredible!”

They swarmed him, faces flushed with excitement, chattering over one another like a flock of ecstatic birds.

“Holy Scion, that sword strike just now was simply too handsome! Luckily, this Junior Brother prepared a recording talisman in advance. When we return to the Sect, I must let all the Senior and Junior Sisters witness your heroic bearing!”

“The Holy Scion truly lives up to being the peerless genius chosen by the Sect Master! That Purple Sun Holy Scion was like a clay chicken or a pottery dog before you—utterly fragile!”

“That’s right! We have to let those traitors from the Purple Sun Sanctuary see what the true Supreme Mystery Orthodoxy looks like!”

“Mighty and peerless! Absolute dominance! You are definitely the number one genius of the younger generation!”

Even Song Cheng, the usually steady and low-key Master of the External Affairs Hall, was vibrating with excitement. He laughed heartily, slapping his thigh.

“Hahaha! Holy Scion, you did well this time! Remarkably well! This act has greatly boosted the prestige of our Supreme Mystery Sanctuary!”

“This subordinate has already reported this joyous news to the Sect Master via long-distance talisman. The Sect Master is extremely pleased. When we return, there will undoubtedly be generous rewards bestowed!”

The faces of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary group were glowing. For their leader to crush the rival Purple Sun Holy Scion on such a public stage was a massive victory. No amount of celebration felt excessive.

Qi Yuan, the eye of this storm, remained perfectly calm. He waited for them to get the shouting out of their systems before raising a hand.

“It was merely a spar between Fellow Daoists, hardly worth mentioning,” he said with practiced humility. “However, the Exquisite Saintess will be coming over shortly to keep an appointment. If you all want to laugh, do it now. Later, do not lose your composure.”

The Exquisite Saintess?

The crowd froze.

Then, a collective realization dawned on them. Several male disciples exchanged looks of profound admiration, their eyes sparkling with a new kind of worship.

Wait. A private appointment? At night? In his courtyard?

The subtext was loud and clear in their minds.

So what if she’s the number one beauty of the Righteous Path? She still got bagged by our Holy Scion!

He beat the rival, asserted dominance, and now he’s taking the girl. Absolute legend.

Not long after, a maid’s respectful voice drifted in from outside the courtyard gate.

“Fellow Daoist Qi, my Holy Maiden has come to pay a visit.”

As the words fell, the Exquisite Saintess, Xiao Yueni, stepped gracefully into the courtyard.

Bathed in the soft evening light, she looked jade-like and ethereal, her steps treading on clear light as if she were a fairy walking out of a painting. Her arrival instantly caused the Supreme Mystery disciples to straighten their backs and sneak awestruck glances, their minds racing with rumors that hadn’t even happened yet.