I told you, you can't escape.

A few days later, when Xiao Mo's stipend was distributed, Jiang Qingyi clung to it tightly, refusing to return it to her master no matter what.

Although she was happy that her master supported her, winning the championship was just too difficult. She couldn't let her master waste money anymore.

As for the spirit stones her master had bet, Jiang Qingyi had already made up her mind. In this New Blood Martial Arts Competition, as long as she had a single breath left, she would push forward with all her might, doing everything in her power to recover the spirit stones her master had invested!

Soon enough, the day of the New Blood Martial Arts Competition arrived.

Early that morning, Xiao Mo led Jiang Qingyi down the mountain to the competition venue. The New Blood Martial Arts Competition was held on a small plain, divided into sections by various formations. Each formation served as a martial stage.

Jiang Qingyi drew lots and was assigned to Group A. Her first opponent was an inner disciple from Nine Swords Peak, at Qi Cultivation Level 6. For Jiang Qingyi, who was at Qi Cultivation Level 7, dealing with him was relatively easy. And indeed, in the first round, Jiang Qingyi won effortlessly.

Xiao Mo wasn't surprised that Jiang Qingyi passed the first round. Although any newly initiated disciple could participate in the New Blood Martial Arts Competition, most were merely "participating." The first round was designed to filter out cultivators below Qi Cultivation Level 5. So, in the first round, it was generally the higher-realm cultivators fighting the lower-realm ones, and most won easily.

The second round was where the real contest began. This year, a total of three hundred disciples entered the second round of the New Blood Martial Arts Competition. In the second round, Jiang Qingyi faced an inner disciple from the Sword Formation Hall, who was also at Qi Cultivation Level 7, the same as her. As the name suggested, disciples of the Sword Formation Hall specialized in using sword formations. A single longsword couldn't form a formation, so they usually carried large sword cases containing several swords. This match wasn't easy for Jiang Qingyi. In the end, she narrowly defeated her opponent but sustained some injuries. Medical Hall cultivators were stationed nearby and treated Jiang Qingyi's wounds immediately.

The New Blood Martial Arts Competition lasted four days. On the second day, the competition adopted a three-person group format. All three were opponents; two were eliminated, and one advanced. By the end of the second day, Jiang Qingyi had entered the top one hundred of the New Blood Martial Arts Competition. However, watching Qingyi struggle during today's matches, Xiao Mo felt she could probably win at most one more round. Tomorrow would feature draws for one-on-one duels, as well as arena battles, three-person fights, and more. The schedule was very tight, aiming to select the Top 16. The disciples who made it to the third day were no pushovers. Xiao Mo was already thinking about how to comfort Qingyi.

"Don't worry, Qingyi. You've already done an amazing job. Making it to the top one hundred in the New Blood Martial Arts Competition is excellent," Xiao Mo said to Jiang Qingyi, offering comfort during dinner.

"No, Master!" Jiang Qingyi crossed her small hands in front of her. "Master, you bet so many spirit stones. Qingyi has to work hard, or else the spirit stones you wagered will go to waste."

"... " Xiao Mo wanted to say something more, but seeing the resolute look in his disciple's eyes, he simply smiled faintly and ruffled Jiang Qingyi's little head. "It's not a waste. This is my way of supporting you."

"Master... you really are something," Jiang Qingyi sighed. Although the young girl outwardly lamented her master's extravagance, her heart felt warm.

In the first match of the third day, Jiang Qingyi faced an inner disciple at Qi Cultivation Level 8. In everyone's eyes, Jiang Qingyi was bound to lose. At the start, Jiang Qingyi was indeed suppressed by that disciple, with virtually no hope of victory in sight.

Xiao Mo, standing outside the arena, was already ready to raise the white flag and surrender on Jiang Qingyi's behalf.

But unexpectedly, at the very last moment, Jiang Qingyi broke through on the spot to Qi Cultivation Level 8.

In that instant of her opponent's stunned hesitation, Jiang Qingyi seized an opportunity and executed the Burning Grass Style of the Grass Character Sword Art!

The young girl's long sword swept forward with a wave of fire, turning defeat into victory.

But Jiang Qingyi had no time to celebrate.

She had to participate in the next round immediately.

To Xiao Mo's surprise, after all of the third day's matches concluded, Jiang Qingyi had made it into the Top 16!

"Master, I made it into the Top 16!" Jiang Qingyi ran to her master's side and said happily.

The young girl tapped her toes, lifted her fair chin, and eagerly awaited her master's praise.

"Impressive. Worthy of being my disciple." Xiao Mo reached out and gently wiped the blood from the corner of the young girl's mouth. "But Qingyi, let's withdraw."

"Huh?" Jiang Qingyi stared blankly at her master.

"You barely won every match today. Your injuries are too severe." Xiao Mo patted the young girl's head. "You've already proven yourself. That's enough for your master."

In Xiao Mo's view, Qingyi had basically reached her limit.

Although others in the Top 16 were also injured, Qingyi's injuries were heavier than theirs.

And tomorrow's intensity would rise to another level.

If something happened to Qingyi, that would be bad.

Jiang Qingyi lowered her head, her small hands tightly gripping the hem of her skirt, looking deeply conflicted.

But in the end, the young girl raised her head, her eyes firm as she looked at Xiao Mo: "Master! Your disciple is not afraid! Your disciple wants to keep competing!"

Myriad Laws Under Heaven, Myriad Sword Sect.

The maidservant Qiu Ye walked into the courtyard of the Myriad Sword Sect's Sect Master: "Sect Master, this is the list for the Second Round of the New Blood Martial Arts Competition. Please take a look."

The Myriad Sword Sect Master glanced indifferently at Qiu Ye: "No need. You handle matters—This Seat is at ease."

"Yes, Sect Master." Qiu Ye put away the list. "Sect Master, a disciple from Heavenly Secrets City just delivered a letter. That disciple asked me to relay to you: 'The City Lord has done all he could; this is as far as the divination could reach.'"

The moment Qiu Ye finished speaking, the Myriad Sword Sect Master abruptly turned her head and stared straight at Qiu Ye.

Under the Sect Master's gaze, Qiu Ye's throat bobbed, sweat beaded on her forehead, and it felt as if a mountain was pressing down on her body.

"The letter." The Myriad Sword Sect Master uttered a single word.

"I-it's here." Qiu Ye quickly pulled a letter from her bosom.

Qiu Ye had never seen the Sect Master in such a state.

The Myriad Sword Sect Master's fingertip hooked, and the letter flew into her hand.

"Zhou Kingdom, Imperial Capital."

Half an incense stick later, the Myriad Sword Sect Master's eyes trembled. She let out a deep breath and lightly tossed the letter paper upward. The white sheet instantly turned into countless shreds, scattering in the wind.

"Finally, I am going to find you."

The Myriad Sword Sect Master gazed at the star-filled sky, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly. It was the first time in three thousand years that this woman had smiled.

"I told you, you cannot escape."

"Master."