"An immortal whom even Master Jian respects?" Shen Xiaoyu was utterly astonished. Even Xing'er was extremely curious. Of course, I was wondering too—just which immortal named Qiao could it be?
"Could it be that Nephew Shen thinks this old man is lying? Hahaha..." Mu Li laughed, then led Shen Xiaoyu and Xing'er toward the main hall of the Great Sword Arena. As for the competition, there would surely be other arrangements.
"Martial Uncle Mu, does this Sword Master Qiao really know Master?" Shen Xiaoyu entered the hall but still refused to let the matter drop.
"Hehe, of course. Back when Daoist Tianyi pacified the chaos in the southern lands, Sword Master Qiao could be considered half a Daoist Venerable's mentor in swordsmanship." Mu Li spoke with a beaming smile.
Before he could finish, a woman's voice suddenly rang out from within the main hall. "Mu Li, don't speak nonsense. The Daoist Venerable's swordsmanship stands unmatched beneath the heavens—how could someone like me presume to teach him? I merely made things more convenient for the Daoist Venerable when he was handling matters in the southern lands. There's no need to mention such things again."
"Yes, Sword Master Qiao." Mu Li still smiled as he led Shen Xiaoyu and Xing'er before the hall, where they respectfully saluted. Through Xing'er's gaze, I saw a familiar face, and a trace of warmth rose in my heart. It really is my half-mentor, Qiao Qingyu, the former abbess of Qingyu Abbey. I never expected her to be assigned here to teach swordsmanship. Still, Qiao Qingyu's swordsmanship was among the best in the Heavenly Realm Sect. It was only natural for her to become the chief sword master of the Great Sword Arena.
"I heard that you're the Daoist Venerable's personally taught disciple. Is that true?" Qiao