Zhang Xian felt a surge of warmth at Li Fuxi’s genuine concern. It was a stark contrast to the transactional nature of the cultivation world.

Lin Yinyin, who had been nursing a slight grudge over his abrupt departure earlier, suddenly paused. She sensed the shift in his presence—an unusually harmonious, complete aura that hadn’t been there before. Her eyes lit up.

“Brother, your aura… it’s changed.”

Zhang Xian beamed, radiating confidence. “The False Core issue is history. I am a genuine Golden Core cultivator now, fourth stage. Not only do I possess a High-Grade Wood Spirit Root, but I’ve awakened the other four elements as well.”

“Only a High-Grade Wood root?” Lin Yinyin’s heart swelled with joy for him, but she couldn’t resist a playful jab. She tilted her chin up. “I have a Heavenly Spirit Root, you know!”

Li Fuxi shook her head, admonishing her gently. “Yinyin, do not be complacent. Zhang Xian rose from a mortal body. Through sheer perseverance, he has reached this height. The hardships he endured are beyond your imagination. That tenacity is a treasure far rarer than talent.”

Lin Yinyin sighed inwardly. Oh no, Master has completely fallen for him. Now she sees nothing but virtues in her sweetheart.

Zhang Xian laughed heartily. He stepped forward, taking Li Fuxi’s cool hand in his left and grasping Lin Yinyin’s hand with his right.

“Watch your husband dominate the arena today. I’ll show you what true power looks like.”

Blushing crimson, Li Fuxi jerked her hand back as if she’d been burned, retreating a step. “I… I haven’t agreed to that yet… I think it’s better if we remain master and disciple…”

Her shy, flustered stammer made Zhang Xian’s heart flutter, but Lin Yinyin was less impressed. She eyed him suspiciously.

“What kind of prowess are you planning to show? I’m warning you, you already have Master and Sect Master Yun. Don’t go flirting with other girls. That Fairy Long Zhi is stunningly beautiful; you better not get any crooked ideas!”

Zhang Xian rubbed his temples in exasperation. “Yinyin, how can you view me with such suspicion? Am I that kind of person?”

“Yes!”

Ignoring their banter, Li Fuxi cut in, her expression serious. “Long Zhi is upright and pure. She possesses a clear and bright Sword Heart. When I lost to her years ago, it was simply because my skills were inferior. The other day, when she intervened to stop Yang Poxiao, it was an act of reason. Do not hold a grudge against her because of a wretch like Yang.”

Zhang Xian nodded, his expression sobering. “Don’t worry, Master. I understand. Today’s battle is solely for the championship.”

The trio arrived at the bustling training grounds. The noise of the crowd was deafening, but on the final match arena, silence reigned.

Long Zhi stood waiting.

Dressed in robes whiter than snow, her peerless beauty made her look like a celestial being exiled to the mortal dust. An aloof, untouchable chill emanated from her, an invisible barrier that kept the world at arm’s length.

Zhang Xian stepped onto the platform and discreetly triggered the System.

[Long Zhi: Daughter of Destiny (93 Points). Current Favorability: 0.]

Her score was even higher than their last encounter. A Destiny Value of 93 was the highest he had ever seen.

Her aura was restrained to the extreme, seemingly fused with the heaven and earth around her. It faintly reminded him of Sect Master Xingji. She was truly standing on the threshold of the Nascent Soul realm.

The final match officially began.

Zhang Xian didn’t waste a second. With a thought, four puppets of different attributes materialized instantly. Golden, blue, red, and yellow spiritual lights swirled around them. Combined with the verdant Wood energy radiating from his own body, the five elemental auras flowed and interwove, locking into an endlessly regenerative formation.

Long Zhi’s expression remained placid. She lightly raised a slender hand, and an ice-blue longsword slid from its sheath with a clear shing!

The sword’s hum was crisp and melodious, echoing with the faint roar of a dragon. A flash of purple lightning crackled in her eyes, and a crushing pressure descended upon the stage.

She didn’t speak. She just struck.

There was no earth-shattering explosion, no wasted movement. There was only a single ribbon of purple sword radiance, condensed to the extreme, shearing through the air as it shot straight for Zhang Xian’s face.

Zhang Xian’s pupils contracted. Fast!

He retreated swiftly, his own sword transforming into a wall of emerald-green energy to guard his vitals. Simultaneously, the four puppets charged forward without hesitation.

This time, he intended to face her head-on—openly and honorably.

Exclamations erupted from the VIP platform.

“He’s gotten stronger again!”

“Fourth level Golden Core? He was only at the third level days ago. Strange… this doesn’t feel like the unstable aura of a False Core technique.”

“All five elements? He’s only revealing a Mixed Spirit Root now? But that Wood aura is too potent. Is that a mutant variation? Or just a mongrel anomaly?”

“Who knows? This kid has too many secrets. Could he really be the reincarnation of some ancient immortal?”

Long Zhi moved with the fluid grace of a startled swan, weaving amidst the assault of the four puppets. Her swordsmanship was simple, efficient, and devoid of any superfluous flourish, yet every strike contained terrifying, explosive thunder power. Facing one against five, she didn’t yield an inch.

On the high seats, two elders from the Spirit Ruins Sword Sect watched with gratification. Long Zhi truly lived up to her title as the sect’s most outstanding genius in a millennium. Her Sword Heart was flawless, undisturbed by the chaos of the world. Even Yang Poxiao’s betrayal hadn’t left a scratch on her mental state.

But Zhang Xian’s performance was equally shocking.

“How has his swordsmanship improved so drastically?” a Yunmiao Sect elder exclaimed, leaning forward.

The Yunmiao Sword Scripture executed by Zhang Xian possessed an unprecedented solidity. Within the agile, graceful movements lay a heavy, rolling momentum. His Wood-type Sword Intent was endless, carrying the faint, unmistakable bearing of a grandmaster.

Even more astonishing was the Fire Puppet. Its broadsword swings were wide and tyrannical, blazing flames soaring to the sky, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Yang Poxiao’s heavy sword style.

The five figures cooperated seamlessly. The five elements flowed and interchanged, generating and restraining each other, holding their ground against Long Zhi’s overwhelming sharpness.

“Brother is amazing!” Lin Yinyin watched, mesmerized, her small hands clenched in excitement.

Li Fuxi’s eyes shone with admiration. She whispered, “His foundation is solid now, reborn and transformed. His control over spiritual power and understanding of the sword have naturally risen with his potential.”

Seeing the familiar, unique essence of her own personal style within Zhang Xian’s movements, a trace of sweetness welled up in her heart. It seems I, as a master, haven’t taught him too badly.

She had no idea that Zhang Xian was mentally thanking the [Master Teacher Halo].

In just a few days, he had gained deeper insights into the Yunmiao Sword Scripture—Li Fuxi’s specialty—simply by being near her. Even rarer, the Water and Metal Spirit Roots within him were passively evolving toward mid-grade thanks to the halo’s mirroring effect.

As he swung his sword, his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the stands, locking onto Li Fuxi’s gentle, focused eyes. Li Fuxi’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly looked away.

“Master, look! Brother is sneaking glances at you!” Lin Yinyin teased, nudging her.

“He… he’s getting distracted during a match. He deserves a scolding!” Li Fuxi’s voice trembled. She tried to sound stern, but the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her completely.

On the arena, the battle intensified.

Zhang Xian grew more comfortable with every exchange. With a thought, Gold and Wood spiritual power merged within his meridians. A light, agile wind naturally generated beneath his feet, making his movements elusive and boosting his speed significantly.

He felt a secret thrill. Now that I possess all five elements, I can fuse them to simulate variant roots like Wind or Lightning. I just need time to explore it.

But as the fight raged on, a faint sense of peculiarity lingered in Zhang Xian’s mind.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that Long Zhi wasn’t going all out. Her sword pressure was sharp enough to suppress him, certainly, yet she always seemed to leave a fraction of space, as if she were deliberately holding something back.