Kill them even if they pose no threat

"With such elegance as Senior Sister Xu, only a figure like Senior Brother Zhao is a worthy match!"

Yu Xiu looked over and found that Xu Rou was indeed beautiful, her figure even more remarkable; especially in her simple attire, she appeared refined and pure.

Better than those "goddesses" on the short-video apps from my past life who rely on heavy makeup and filters, Yu Xiu evaluated with no small amount of approval.

Once the two of them had passed through the crowd and headed toward the front, Yu Xiu stopped waiting in line at the back.

Since they were all disciples of the three stages of the Qi Circulation Realm, if they didn't have to wait, neither would he.

"Make way," Yu Xiu said politely, his voice not particularly loud.

Whether it was because the ripples of Zhao Hong and Xu Rou passing through the crowd were still lingering, or because everyone else had lowered their voices, Yu Xiu's words carried with startling clarity.

"That's... Yu Xiu." Those who recognized him looked surprised and stepped aside.

"So that's Yu Xiu? Just looking at his appearance, he's much more handsome than Senior Brother Zhao Hong!" Some female disciples' eyes lit up.

"Superficial. We disciples of the sect are judged by strength and cultivation realm, not by who looks better," some male disciples scoffed, though their tone was laced with jealousy.

"We make way for Senior Brother Liu Qingchuan and the others because their strength is high enough. What is this Yu Xiu trying to pull?" Other disciples remained unmoved, not even bothering to glance his way.

The commotion here was significant enough that Liu Qingchuan, Shan Yu, and Zhao Hong were drawn to it. They turned their heads in surprise, and upon seeing Yu Xiu, they seemed to have a sudden realization.

They nodded at Yu Xiu, offered a smile, and then looked away.

"Yu Xiu, the one remembered by Senior Brother Fang Jiming of the Inner Court. Has he broken through to the Flawless Realm yet? If he hasn't, he'll have to go out for experiential training soon!" Someone remarked with a hint of schadenfreude.

There were quite a few disciples who enjoyed such spectacles, and several of them stepped forward with inscrutable smiles, blocking Yu Xiu's path.

"Senior Brother Shan Yu and the others can be given way, but you—what right do you have to demand it?" a man with an ordinary appearance spoke slowly, his tone somewhat sinister.

"People naturally make way for those with strength. You, having neither strength nor wealth, want to imitate Senior Brother Zhao Hong and the others to receive the attention of the masses? You're only asking for humiliation!" another youth who looked somewhat mature sneered.

"I heard Senior Brother Fang of the Inner Court remembers you; you must be quite the character. Why not have a sword duel with this Fang, and let's see what kind of swordsmanship you possess!" the last fair-faced youth said with a mocking smile.

His surname was Fang, but he had no relation to Fang Jiming; he just happened to share the surname.

Why then did he refer to Fang Jiming as "Senior Brother"?

Because he was a sycophant.

Yu Xiu couldn't even be bothered to learn this person's name, simply stating, "You aren't worthy of making me draw my sword."

The fair-faced youth surnamed Fang faltered, then said angrily, "I entered the Qi Circulation Realm a full year ago, while you have been in it for less than a month. How dare you speak such big words?"

This was clearly meant as a taunt, but who would have expected Yu Xiu to not only reject the mockery but also step on his pride.

Under the gaze of the crowd, no matter how thick-skinned he was, he couldn't remain calm. Feeling as though everyone was watching him make a fool of himself, he grew even more enraged.

He drew his sword in a fury: "Yu Xiu, draw your sword!"

Yu Xiu walked forward two steps, unhurried, and patted the fair-faced youth's cheek, saying softly, "To make me draw my sword, first ask yourself if you have the strength for it."

"You..." The fair-faced youth turned red with rage: "You go too far!"

He initially tried to dodge, but for some reason, he found nowhere to hide. He swung his hand to swat away the hand patting his face, but he swiped at empty air, forced to endure the patting like a complete fool who didn't dare to strike back.

In his impotent rage, he suddenly thrust his sword.

The sword whistled as it moved, a flash of cold light, fast as white lightning.

In the Qi Circulation Realm, a minor-success sword technique could instantly pierce through or mince a fierce tiger or lion.

The surrounding disciples were all shocked, feeling the biting chill of the blade and not daring to look directly at the edge.

But while the fair-faced youth's sword was fast, another hand was faster. It moved like a swimming dragon, and in an instant, the longsword in the youth's hand was gone.

By the time he realized what happened, he broke out in a cold sweat.

Because his own sword was now resting against his own throat, held by none other than Yu Xiu.

"Scram." Yu Xiu turned the longsword, the strike appearing light and airy.

Yet when it landed, it was like a thunderclap. The fair-faced youth's face turned deathly pale, he spat out a mouthful of blood, and his body flew backward, rolling across the ground like a gourd.

The disciples who had been watching the spectacle suddenly fell silent.

"Is that really Yu Xiu?"

"Hiss, didn't they say he only just entered the Qi Circulation Realm?"

"This Senior Brother Yu Xiu has been hiding his depth well!"

Those who had previously been indifferent and unwilling to yield immediately shut their mouths, lowered their heads, and retreated behind the crowd, terrified of being remembered by Yu Xiu.

The disciples who had stood out with the fair-faced youth were especially at a loss, not daring to retreat and even less daring to fight, standing there like wooden statues.

Yu Xiu shifted his gaze, his eyes falling upon these disciples, and he said, "Back off."

The disciples, who had been filled with fear and confusion, felt as if they had been granted amnesty. They thanked him repeatedly, "Many thanks for your magnanimity, Senior Brother Yu."

They scrambled into the crowd, not daring to make another sound.

This time, the crowd parted with a sudden rush, leaving a path even wider than the one that had appeared for Zhao Hong and Liu Qingchuan.

Yu Xiu remained calm and composed as he walked through the crowd to the very front, standing alongside Shan Yu, Liu Qingchuan, and the others.

"It was said that Brother Yu wasted three years before barely entering the Qi Circulation Realm, but looking at it now, it seems Brother Yu possesses profound methods," Zhao Hong was the first to speak, his tone filled with goodwill.

"I suppose Brother Yu wishes to evade the eyes and ears of Fang Jiming in the Inner Court," Xu Rou said with a smile. "Once you enter the Inner Court, that Fang Jiming will pose no further threat to you, Brother Yu."

No threat? I'll beat him to death regardless, Yu Xiu replied in his heart.

Moreover, entering the Inner Court meant being closer to Fang Jiming; in reality, the threat would only be greater.

On the surface, the Inner Court was crowded with disciples, and with the presence of senior enforcement brothers, deacons, and elders, Fang Jiming would not dare to make a move.

Yet, in practice, every single action would be even easier for Fang Jiming to monitor, and the moment an opportunity arose, Fang Jiming could strike at him.

There is a saying: one can guard against a thief for a thousand days, but there is no such thing as a thief guarding for a thousand days.

Therefore, it is better to just beat him to death!

"Brother Fang's method of concealing his cultivation is impressive." Liu Qingchuan was a man of few words; he offered only this brief praise before falling silent again.

Everyone assumed that Yu Xiu had long since broken through the Flawless state, completed his Qi Circulation, and entered the three barriers of the Qi Sea.

They did not know that Yu Xiu had broken through consecutive realms in the span of a mere month.

He did not offer a rebuttal, merely smiling faintly without a word.

As for the tall and sturdy Shan Yu, he had done nothing but nod in acknowledgement from start to finish, never once speaking.

"We are about to enter the Inner Court for cultivation. Since we will be unfamiliar with the surroundings, we ought to stay close," Zhao Hong said. "The path of cultivation ahead is long, and the resources required will only increase. If we wish to accept sect missions to exchange for contribution points, joining forces would provide us with some assistance."

"That is only right," Liu Qingchuan said, concise and to the point.

Shan Yu nodded.

Xu Rou merely watched Zhao Hong with a smile, clearly of one mind with her.

"I am in no rush to head out before I reach the fourth barrier," Yu Xiu said, politely declining.

As soon as these words were spoken, the others chuckled and did not press the matter.