Meng Quyi, Head Scholar

"Indeed, this is rather rude! If you can offer even a fraction of a reason, I will drink this cup of wine immediately. If it is merely alarmist talk and intimidation, then don't blame me for using my blade to test your strength first." Mo Duanfeng's eyes were like torches.

Pu Yanshou up his sleeves and looked at the lake, holding up three fingers. "There are three reasons! First, Brother Mo's Duanfeng Seven Slashes rely heavily on momentum. Without the momentum of a fight to the death, the power will be three points weaker. At this moment, I did not feel that momentum of killing gods and Buddhas in you."

"A single effort will be met with a decline, and a third with exhaustion. Meng Quyi has not engaged in battle for five days; your fighting spirit has been lost."

Mo Duanfeng narrowed his eyes, taking a new look at the scholar before him.

"Secondly, Meng Quyi represents Saints Learning Sea tonight, and as the initiator of the Hundred Schools Gathering, he absolutely cannot be defeated. He will be extremely tenacious and will spare no effort. Brother Mo, are you prepared to pay the same price?"

"Thirdly, there's the environmental factor! Meng Quyi has been in Meng Qingyuan for half a month, communicating with the terrain using his Heaven and Earth Freedom Realm, establishing subtle connections with every building and every plant, gaining a significant advantage. Brother Mo, on the other hand, your swordsmanship is too expansive and unrestrained, making it unsuitable for combat in this garden where you're constantly constrained."

"Heaven, earth, humanity, and the heart are all not in your hands; how can you not be defeated?"

Li Weiyi hadn't expected Pu Yanshou to be so eloquent, and secretly thought, "This is bad."

At this moment, Mo Duanfeng might be dismissive and undeterred. But once he engages in battle with Meng Quyi and fails to gain the upper hand after a prolonged siege, he will inevitably recall Pu Yanshou's words, and how could he remain unaffected?

According to the assessment of the Fate Gambling House, Mo Duanfeng and Meng Quyi are evenly matched, and the outcome will be decided by the slightest margin.

Is he going to force Mo Duanfeng to retreat with just words?

Should I drink that glass of wine or not?

If he drinks it, it means Mo Duanfeng agrees with Pu Yanshou's words, which would only worsen his already troubled state. If he doesn't drink it, then Mo Duanfeng's blade must be carried out as promised and slash at Pu Yanshou.

The hall was completely silent.

A commotion arose on the shore of Mirror Lake.

"Head Scholar arrived!"

"Upper Seven Families, thirty-three schools, and forty Head Scholar boarded a boat and headed to the Waterwood Pavilion."

"The Miss Qing has arrived, accompanied by the True Disciple of the Dao Palace."

Li Weiyi looked out the window at the bustling lakeside.

Surrounded by a group of Longevity Realm Martial Cultivator and Saint Mind Master of the Saints Learning Sea, Meng Quyi, as the young leader of the Learning Sea, walked on the lake surface as if on flat ground, like a star surrounded by the moon, heading towards the center of the lake.

Those who accompanied him were all either the pride of heaven or noble ladies of exceptional beauty.

Listening carefully, Li Weiyi spotted Ye Tianchen and Uncle Chu Fang among the people's names.

Mo Duanfeng suddenly stood up, picked up the wine cup on the table, and poured it into his mouth. "Well said! But, as a mid -Fourth Realm cultivator at the limit, I defied Meng Quyi, a peak Fourth Realm cultivator, to defeat him. That is my indomitable spirit. My willingness to drink this cup of wine is also a testament to my fearless spirit. Thank you for this cup of wine; my blade will be even sharper."

He finished speaking and put down his wine glass.

Mo Duanfeng's scholar's robe was torn to shreds, and his energy surged wildly as he roared, "Meng Quyi, I've been looking for you for five days! Do you dare to fight me?"

With a whoosh, Mo Duanfeng rushed out of the window and landed on the lake in an instant, causing Mirror Lake to explode.

Inside the hall, Pu Yanshou sighed softly, "What a Wind-Breaking Blade from the Imperial Capital! Such boldness, how could he be affected by the outside world? But a mere hair's breadth of difference in cultivation level means a difference of at least ten percent in strength. Does he really have a chance of winning?"

"Mo Duanfeng!"

Meng Quyi, who was about to reach the small island in the middle of the lake, stopped and, together with dozens of Head Scholar from the Saints Learning Sea, looked towards the burly figure on the lake.

The dozens of men all had sharp eyes and exuded the aura of a thousand troops.

Ye Tianchen was Fourth Realm expert who fought alongside Shen Jian outside the Immortal Forest that night. He was also the Head Scholar of the Ye Family, Upper Seven Families. He said in a deep voice, "Mo Duanfeng, tonight is a grand gathering of all the families in our Saints Learning Sea. If you dare to cause trouble, the disciples of all the families will make sure you enter upright and leave horizontally."

The Metal Saber Box was now slung over Mo Duanfeng's shoulder. He strode forward, declaring, "Even if everyone in your Saints Learning Sea attacks me, I will take it on."

Ye Tianchen's eyes darkened, and he was about to speak again.

Qing Xiang stopped him, her beautiful eyes meeting Mo Duanfeng's, her tone calm. "I heard that after Mr. Mo unleashed his Duanfeng Seven Slashes, all his magical energy was drained. After you've slashed seven times, even if Brother Meng forgives your offense, will you still have the strength to leave Meng Qingyuan? Meng Qingyuan does not accept Mr. Mo lodging anywhere."

Although Mo Duanfeng's Duanfeng Seven Slashes will drain all his magical energy, and the final slash cannot be thrown lightly, he will not collapse immediately after the slash, as his physical strength and blood energy will still remain.

Qing Xiang deliberately mocked him in this way, naturally to damage his prestige and provoke his anger.

As soon as she finished speaking, the entire Meng Qingyuan, both inside and outside the lake, erupted in laughter, with all sorts of teasing voices rising up.

Li Weiyi's aura, infused with laughter, transformed into a thunderous roar that pierced everyone's ears, instantly drowning out all other sounds. "With me, Li, accompanying the top scholar, there's no need for you to worry. We can come and go as we please."

Countless eyes, both inside and outside the lake, turned to look at the third floor of the dormitory building, and at the young figure sitting by the window.

They could sense the power of the newcomer from the echoing sound, and secretly wondered which expert surnamed Li had arrived.

"Haha! Brother Weiyi, in my opinion, Meng Quyi is all show and no substance; Liu Dao is more than enough to deal with him," Mo Duanfeng said.

An uproar erupted in Meng Qingyuan.

Meng Quyi, Mo Duanfeng, and Li Weiyi are all among the most popular figures in this year's "Longevity Earth Ranking". With the three of them gathered together, a fierce battle is inevitable.

"Li Weiyi, how dare you come to Meng Qingyuan? My Ye Family will never forgive you!" Ye Tianchen roared angrily.

A large number of Longevity Realm Martial Cultivator from the Ye Family, Fu Family, Meng, and Qing Family surrounded the Zhai Lou. Some took out magical artifacts and weapons, while others released their Psychic Power Spiritual Light.

The members of the Saints Learning Sea were simply annoyed with Mo Duanfeng, feeling that he was there to cause trouble.

However, Li Weiyi was the target of deep hatred in the eyes of the Ye Family and Fu Family. Madam Ye was killed by the Zen Sea Observing Mist, so their revenge against Li Weiyi wasn't exactly a mistake.

Li Weiyi listened to the dense footsteps on the stairs, remaining calm and composed. "The Ye Family members, from the oldest to the youngest, have traveled all the way to Lingxiao Shengjing and the East Sea to seek their deaths. What can I do? You, Ye Tianchen, ambushed me in the Immortal Forest of Night Demon City. I've come here today specifically to settle this score with you."

Ye Tianchen was shocked, guessing that he must have been betrayed by Shen Jian, and immediately cursed inwardly.

Meng Quyi's gaze turned cold.

Qing Xiang knew what he was thinking, so she spoke in a melodious tone, "Southern Dragon, you have quite the courage, worthy of being the successor of the Great Palace Master's Dao Law Successor. As an upright person like you, could you please tell me whether Meng Hualong and Fu Wenyan died at your hands?"

Li Weiyi said, "Brother Meng is truly enviable. Miss Qing is not only a beautiful strategist, but also willing to play a supporting role to highlight your sacred purity and unblemished character."

Not far from Meng Quyi and Qing Xiang, Zhuang Yue whispered to Jiang Ning, "Miss, he's clearly making veiled attacks on us. Humph!"

Jiang Ning didn't think so. Qing Xiang was Meng Quyi's Fiancée, while Li Weiyi's Fiancée...

Qing Xiang sighed softly, "Southern Dragon didn't deny it, but he changed the subject; the answer is already obvious."

Mo Duanfeng had already stepped within a hundred feet of the Waterwood Pavilion and shouted, "Meng Quyi, stop hiding behind women! Let's settle this tonight, so you won't be resentful when you rank low on the <Longevity Earth Ranking> in the future."

"I know that your cultivation has not reached its peak, and to win against you would be an dishonorable victory. Since you insist on seeking defeat, I will grant it to you."

Meng Quyi, his body blurred, used a movement technique he had comprehended from a page of the <Book of Earth>, appearing in front of all the Head Scholar as if by teleportation, directly facing Mo Duanfeng.

The group of Head Scholar behind him quickly retreated from Mirror Lake.

Some of them, led by Ye Tianchen and Uncle Chu Fang, flew towards the study building where Li Weiyi was located by the lake.

Mo Duanfeng stared intently, discovering that the "Heaven and Earth Freedom Realm" was indeed well-deserved of its name. Meng Quyi simply stood there, yet he became the center of the entire world, as if all the laws of heaven and earth revolved around him. There were no flaws, no points of attack.

Mo Duanfeng a loud howl, his long hair and robes fluttering even without wind. He raised his Metal Saber Box high and strode out, causing the surface of Mirror Lake to explode repeatedly with each step.

"Clang!"

A sharp clang of a blade echoed through the night sky.

Before most of the Longevity Realm Martial Cultivator in Meng Qingyuan could even see clearly, the Gangang Saber was already in Mo Duanfeng's hand. The blade case flew towards Meng Quyi like a cannonball, intending to disrupt the "Heaven and Earth Freedom Realm" field.

Meng Quyi's gaze remained fixed on Mo Duanfeng.

To be precise, keep your eyes fixed on the Gangang Saber.

"Bang!"

The Metal Saber Box flew to a point three zhang away from Meng Quyi, where it was bounced away by an invisible force.

Mo Duanfeng displayed profound cultivation, as if it had taken no time at all. All nine thousand scriptures on the Gangang Saber in his hand appeared instantly, and the power of the magical weapon reached its peak. This was the area where Li Weiyi and Tang Wanzhou, whose cultivation was relatively weak, were most lacking.

Of course, the shortcomings here refer to areas where they are slightly inferior when facing the most outstanding opponents.

His very first strike was the first of the Duanfeng Seven Slashes!

The first sea of qi in the lungs was originally the smallest Qi Sea, but Mo Duanfeng expanded it to a size comparable to the fifth sea using the secret techniques of the Duanfeng Seven Slashes, making it many times larger than other martial artists of the same realm.

"Whoosh!"

With a single slash, all the magical energy from the First Sea surged into his arm and the Gangang Saber.

The Trace Meridians connecting to the arm expanded more than tenfold instantly.

Meng Quyi truly did not want to fight Mo Duanfeng, who was in the mid-stage of the Fourth Realm.

But when the first strike of the Duanfeng Seven Slashes came, he instantly abandoned his contempt and realized that this strike was unavoidable and he was completely locked onto by his opponent.

Two wisps of blue clouds surged from his sleeves. He raised his hand to the sky and pressed it down to the ground, then met the Heaven and Earth Split Open.

"Boom!"

Two wisps of azure clouds blocked the Gangang Saber. Meng Quyi stood motionless in place, and the Heaven and Earth Freedom Realm transformed the entire Mirror Lake into a giant azure jade mirror.

The blade's aura pierced through the clouds.

With a snap, the lake behind Meng Quyi shattered, splitting in two.

This was the first time Li Weiyi had witnessed Mo Duanfeng's full-force strike after reaching the Fourth Realm. With such power, it was no wonder that Xiao Yu, Sacred Hall Life Realm, was proud of being able to force him to use the first strike of the Duanfeng Seven Slashes.

Li Weiyi knew that Mo Duanfeng used the Duanfeng Seven Slashes to attack because he didn't want the prolonged attack to affect his mental state.

They intended to decide the outcome with seven strikes.

Pu Yanshou sighed softly, ultimately unable to dissuade Mo Duanfeng and Li Weiyi. He had no choice but to shoulder the Hidden Scroll and squeeze out from among the group of Longevity Realm Martial Cultivator in the Saints Learning Sea.

Li Weiyi ignored the menacing crowd behind him. "I'm here for Ye Tianchen and Uncle Chu Fang. The rest of you may leave! That's all I'm advising you on!"