Eight Halls Gauntlet

"Truly, the younger generation was to be feared! You looked about the same age as my daughter, yet you had already reached the mid-stage of the Mystic Realm."

Si Bingwen could not help but sigh.

"Do you mean Lady Miaoyin?"

Li Xuanxiao asked.

Si Bingwen was slightly surprised at first. "You know my daughter, Si Miaoyin?"

Then he understood. "Oh, I nearly forgot. Miaoyin was in Pei Province some time ago, training under her uncle."

Li Xuanxiao nodded. "I was able to achieve what I have today thanks to Lady Miaoyin as well."

"When we were in Pei Province, Lady Miaoyin took very good care of me."

Si Bingwen was surprised. He had not expected there to be such a connection. It seemed he would have to ask his daughter about it properly when he returned home today!

A young genius like this had a future beyond measure!

And his own daughter had offered considerable help while such a talented martial artist was still growing.

This was an investment of extraordinary significance!

Kindness shown when one was young and weak moved the heart far more deeply than goodwill offered after success and fame had been attained.

Sending charcoal in the snow would always surpass adding flowers to brocade!

After chatting for a while, the two returned to the main subject.

"The method of winning support from the other halls through strength is called the Eight Halls Gauntlet..."

As he listened, Li Xuanxiao's expression gradually changed.

According to Si Bingwen, after winning the Eight Halls Gauntlet, not only could he immediately begin rebuilding Pei Province, he would also gain a chance to enter the Royal City Armory!

As the foundation of the Great Yu Dynasty, the Royal City Armory contained countless top-tier resources!

It could meet the needs of martial artists at every realm!

Including, but not limited to, cultivation methods, martial arts, divine weapons, and more...

He had already been lacking further resources for the Mystic Realm. Now, he finally had a way to obtain them!

Winning the Eight Halls Gauntlet would not only save Pei Province, but also bring him tremendous benefits!

He had to participate. He absolutely had to participate!

Li Xuanxiao did not hesitate in the slightest.

Si Bingwen nodded. "In that case, I will begin making arrangements for you to initiate this gauntlet as a martial artist of my Demon Slaying Hall."

"You must make thorough preparations and ensure that you remain at your peak."

"Do not underestimate the strength of the other seven halls! With your mid-stage Mystic Realm cultivation, there theoretically should not be any martial artist capable of contending with you."

"But there are exceptions to everything. You must do everything possible to ensure you enter battle in your strongest state!"

"This matter now concerns not only your efforts to secure aid for Pei Province, but also the honor of my Demon Slaying Hall!"

"With that in mind, the best choice is for you to return with me to the Si Family Residence. I will arrange for someone to attend to your food and daily needs over the next few days."

Li Xuanxiao raised his brows in surprise. There was such a good deal?

Though the staff had previously arranged lodging for him within the Demon Slayer Division,

the Demon Slayer Division was, after all, a place of work. Its accommodations could hardly compare to the comfort of the Si family's residence.

Seeing that Li Xuanxiao seemed somewhat hesitant, Si Bingwen added, "There is no need to worry. Do you not know Miaoyin?"

"Have her show you around the Si residence so you can familiarize yourself with the surroundings."

"Just treat it as if you are still at the Pei Province Demon Slayer Division. Keep to your usual routine and cultivate."

Li Xuanxiao nodded and did not refuse.

Just as Si Bingwen had said, he had to preserve his condition and face the challenge in his best state!

The martial artists of the royal city were undoubtedly a cut above those from the various provinces below.

He could not afford to be careless!

Royal City, Si Family Residence.

The night was enchanting, and the Si Family Residence looked even more magnificent and imposing beneath the evening sky.

The two stone lions before the gates appeared solemn and majestic in the moonlight.

The outline of the residence stood clear against the darkness, its lofty gate tower and upturned eaves tracing a grand silhouette.

Lanterns hung high overhead, their fiery red glow reflecting one another with the stars in the night sky, adding a touch of warmth to the residence amid the darkness.

Two carriages came to a stop in succession before the gates of the Si residence.

The servants at the entrance hurried out and waited before Si Bingwen's carriage.

Si Bingwen stepped down from the carriage, and had only just reached the gate when he heard a rapid patter of footsteps.

Very soon, a lovely figure came into view, jogging toward him.

Si Miaoyin's face was full of delight as she ran up and stopped before Si Bingwen.

She dipped slightly in salute. "Father, you are back!"

Si Bingwen affectionately patted Si Miaoyin's head. "You are such a grown girl now. Why are you still so reckless and hurried?"

But Si Miaoyin did not care in the least. "What does it matter, Father? I am in my own home. I can run however I like~"

"No one is going to see me!"

The instant her words fell, the corner of her eye caught sight of Li Xuanxiao a few steps behind her.

With an amused smile, Li Xuanxiao saluted her. "Greetings, Lady Miaoyin."

"Lady Miaoyin looks rather different today."

Aaaaaah—

Si Miaoyin roared inwardly. Her delicate pink face visibly reddened, and she almost immediately turned around and ran off with a rapid patter of footsteps.

Si Bingwen was somewhat baffled. Since the two knew each other, he had assumed their meeting would be quite easy and natural.

Yet he had not expected Si Miaoyin to turn and flee at once.

What was wrong with this girl today? She did not even have the manners to greet a guest. Honestly!

Li Xuanxiao scratched his head. What was that woman doing? She acted like she had seen a ghost when she saw me. It was making me feel so awkward.

Si Bingwen turned to glance at Li Xuanxiao, his eyes carrying an apologetic look. "My apologies. Miaoyin was not usually like this."

"Though she is somewhat lively and unruly, and does not always follow etiquette, she would not normally fail to offer even a greeting when meeting someone."

Li Xuanxiao waved a hand. "It is fine. I came by so abruptly that I probably startled her."

Si Bingwen nodded lightly, finding that reasonable. He did not dwell on the matter further and led Li Xuanxiao into the Si Family Residence.

He instructed the servants to arrange his lodgings. "You will stay here for the next few days."

"Yaqin, come over and meet this lord."

A girl of around fifteen or sixteen entered from outside. Her features were delicate, carrying a contradictory air of both youthfulness and maturity.

She wore a pale blue long dress, its hem embroidered with flowers, while the silk ribbon at her waist drifted lightly in the breeze. Her hair was simply arranged and held by a wooden pin, loose strands falling beside her face as pearl earrings gleamed by her ears.

"Greetings, Master. Greetings, my lord."

Yaqin approached with graceful steps and dipped in salute.

"Yaqin has worked in this residence since she was ten. If you need anything, simply tell Yaqin."

"I still have some matters to handle, so I will not entertain you further."

Li Xuanxiao immediately rose and bowed. "I will trouble the Hall Master over these next few days."

Si Bingwen waved a hand. "By saving Pei Province, you have already helped me. I do not want my younger brother coming before me again, weeping and sniveling."

A burly, fierce man like the commander-in-chief crying his eyes out?

The image was too beautiful. Li Xuanxiao did not dare imagine it.

The two exchanged smiles.

After watching Si Bingwen leave, Li Xuanxiao turned his head and glanced aside.

The delicate-featured Yaqin stood silently and respectfully at the side.

"My lord, please feel free to give Yaqin any instructions."