Suspicion and Probing

In the afternoon, Zhao Yu brought a tailor to Bai Xiwen's residence halfway up the mountain again. After taking Duàn Yì's body measurements, he said to Bai Xiwen, "Since young brother Duàn has just arrived on the mountain and hasn't visited the Golden Cauldron Sect yet, how about you, nephew, take him for a tour?"

Bai Xiwen pondered for a moment. Recently, Duàn Yì had been hunting in the mountains to replenish his physical essence and energy when it was depleted, and spent the rest of his time cultivating martial arts with him in the residence. This couldn't go on forever, so it was better for him to make some friends. Thus, he agreed...

Walking on the mountain path carved by hand, Zhao Yu, tall and with a sunny smile, seemed quite friendly towards Duàn Yì, introducing him to many of the geographical features of Shalu Mountain and information about the Golden Cauldron Sect.

Eventually, they unknowingly arrived at a flat, open area where a huge white stone arena came into view.

It had nine tiers of stone steps on three sides, and red carpeted wooden chairs were placed against the mountainside, presumably for elders or those officiating the matches. At the four corners of the arena stood four bronze tripods, carved with intricate patterns and as large as farm water vats, clearly extremely heavy.

Around the arena, many Golden Cauldron Sect disciples in yellow robes were gathered, in groups of three or five, or pairs. They were either talking animatedly or sparring, creating a very lively atmosphere.

This gave Duàn Yì a feeling of returning to his high school classroom in his previous life. As the college entrance examination approached, everyone would gather to discuss and solve problems. Although tedious and boring, it was fulfilling and a precious memory that couldn't be easily replicated in life.

"This arena is where our Golden Cauldron Sect holds its monthly minor competitions and year-end grand competitions. At that time, the inner disciples on the mountain will compete with each other so that the elders can understand their progress in martial arts and provide guidance and improvement.

Outer disciples who are confident can also challenge any disciple within the sect. If they perform exceptionally well and gain the favor of the elders, it is not impossible for them to transition from outer disciple to a direct disciple of a certain elder.

Oh, I almost forgot, has junior brother Duàn joined the sect under Uncle Bai? If so, perhaps we can witness your prowess in the next minor competition."

Zhao Yu pointed at the distant arena and introduced it to Duàn Yì. Since they were far apart, the group of Golden Cauldron Sect disciples gathered around the arena did not notice them.

Duàn Yì had heard Zhao Yu mention the Golden Cauldron Sect's monthly and year-end competitions on the mountain path before. It was a rule set by the third-generation sect leader of the Golden Cauldron Sect.

It not only allowed for an accurate assessment of the disciples' martial arts progress but also provided a path for disciples to showcase their talent and advance, similar to monthly and final exams in modern schools.

Martial arts are quite mysterious, involving many aspects. Observation is inaccurate, and relying on one's own words is even less reliable. Only through actual performance, that is, through fighting, can one be judged.

Those who excel will naturally receive rewards, while those who fall short will inevitably be supervised and taught by the elders of the Golden Cauldron Sect to avoid becoming a burden.

Over the years, the Golden Cauldron Sect has produced many masters, which is closely related to this system of regular competitions.

"Senior brother Zhao is joking. How could I have the fortune to join the Golden Cauldron Sect? Big Brother Bai only taught me a few rudimentary martial arts and has no intention of having me join the Golden Cauldron Sect.

Oh, right, these martial arts were obtained by Big Brother Bai from outside, not Golden Cauldron Sect martial arts. Senior Brother Zhao, please don't misunderstand."

Duàn Yì was quite interested in these regular competitions. Firstly, they could increase practical combat experience, preventing him from becoming isolated and ignorant. Secondly, the rewards were substantial, making him envious.

However, he was not a disciple of the Golden Cauldron Sect, so neither the competition nor the rewards had anything to do with him. Therefore, he could only look at the disciples with envy while replying.

Although his previous sentence was normal, his last sentence made Zhao Yu's heart skip a beat, like a gong being struck, dong dong. He unconsciously glanced at Duàn Yì from the corner of his eye. What kind of martial arts could be from outside the sect?

As everyone knows, Bai Xiwen's renowned supreme skill was the Invincible Treasure Codex, obtained through his own fortuitous encounters. It was incredibly powerful and dominated the region. Could it be that this kid had actually learned the Invincible Treasure Codex?

"Oh? Is that so? Uncle Bai is too strict. I see that junior brother Duàn has extraordinary talent, and it would be a pity if he didn't join our Golden Cauldron Sect.

By the way, may I ask what kind of martial arts Uncle Bai taught you?"

Zhao Yu, his mind unsettled by Duàn Yì's previous words, didn't care about revealing his intention to probe. With a look of regret, he asked casually.

He immediately realized his mistake and cursed himself internally for losing his composure. It would be bad if Duàn Yì became suspicious. He continued, "If these martial arts are truly superficial, I can petition my master to take junior brother Duàn into the sect so that he can cultivate more profound martial arts, which would not be a waste of his talent."

It should be known that martial arts are a person's foundation. If their origin, moves, and characteristics are known, it is very easy to expose flaws and consequently be defeated and killed.

Therefore, for people in the martial arts world, inquiring about others' martial arts is a major taboo. This is why Zhao Yu made the subsequent remedial statement.

If Duàn Yì had indeed learned the Invincible Treasure Codex, taking him as a disciple and then finding an opportunity to extract the martial arts would save a lot of effort compared to dealing with a strong opponent like Bai Xiwen.

Even if Duàn Yì hadn't learned the Invincible Treasure Codex, taking a disciple would have no impact on the Golden Cauldron Sect.

Duàn Yì hadn't felt anything at first, but when Zhao Yu inquired about the martial arts he had learned, he suddenly jolted awake. His expression remained unchanged, but he had an idea in his mind.

So that's why this kid has been so enthusiastic all the way here, and his conversation has been intentionally or unintentionally steered towards martial arts. He's here to gather information.

Is he targeting me or Bai Xiwen? Could it be for the Invincible Treasure Codex?

Although Duàn Yì had been chatting happily with Zhao Yu all the way, he had never let down his guard. After all, if the people here knew his true identity, they would definitely not let him live.

Furthermore, from the incident of delivering wedding invitations this morning, it could be seen that Bai Xiwen and Qu Dōng Liú, the brothers, seemed to have a strained relationship, which made him even more cautious.

One was the sect leader with great power, and the other was a highly respected master, known as the foremost expert of the Golden Cauldron Sect. If their relationship was good, it would be a beautiful story like that of a prime minister and a general working in harmony. But if their relationship was bad, the conflict would be much more intense.

In other words, Bai Xiwen might not have any intentions, but Qu Dōng Liú would definitely regard Bai Xiwen as a thorn in his side, like a nail in his eye. It was similar to the principle of "merit that overshadows the sovereign."

Based on Duàn Yì's current understanding, Bai Xiwen's prestige was too high, so high that Qu Dōng Liú might already be wary of him.

The reason he could think so deeply was not only due to his meticulous mind but also related to Duàn Yì having read many wuxia novels in his previous life, where some stories nakedly revealed the ugliness of human nature.

"Big Brother Bai taught me a Songshan Swordplay and an Ice True Qi. Unfortunately, my aptitude is dull, and I haven't made much progress. Do you know of these martial arts, Senior Brother Zhao?"

With suspicion in his heart, Duàn Yì further expanded his thoughts and decided to reveal some information to avoid misunderstandings and future trouble.

After all, compared to the Invincible Treasure Codex, these two martial arts seemed less extraordinary.

As expected, upon hearing Duàn Yì's words, Zhao Yu's face involuntarily showed disappointment, but he quickly recovered his smile and patted Duàn Yì's shoulder.

"I've heard of the Songshan Swordplay. It's a sword technique that Senior Brother Bai is famous for, and it's extremely powerful, no less than the direct lineage swordplay of our Golden Cauldron Sect. For junior brother Duàn, it's enough to study for a lifetime.

As for the Ice True Qi, please forgive my ignorance, but I haven't heard of it. I assume it's a very powerful internal energy cultivation method.

I must congratulate junior brother Duàn here. With such powerful martial arts, your future will surely be limitless."

Zhao Yu naturally wouldn't dismiss his suspicions based on Duàn Yì's few words, but he still had to maintain appearances.

Just then, five people descended from another mountain path leading directly to the peak. They encountered Duàn Yì and Zhao Yu, who were standing and talking, and both parties were startled.

Then, a crisp voice filled with surprise rang out, "It's you? What are you doing in the Golden Cauldron Sect? Have you taken a master?"

Her features were exquisite and perfect, her skin as white as milk, and her Flying Immortal Hairpin was both cute and dignified. A string of pearls around her neck sparkled.

At such a young age, she already possessed a beauty that could captivate a city. Who else could it be but Yuè'er, whom Duàn Yì had met by chance?