Descending the Mountain Again

Li Xiaoyu understood instantly.

Descending the mountain for experience!

This was exactly what he needed most at this moment.

Closing oneself off to build a carriage was, in the end, a minor path.

Only in real combat could one truly test their own strength.

However, unlike Li Xiaoyu, the moment this list was released, the expressions of the several branch masters in the hall became remarkably varied.

Shang Zhengliang was naturally full of pride.

Master Shuiyue's brows twitched slightly, appearing somewhat worried.

As for Daoist Cangsong and Tian Buyi, their faces instantly turned rather unsightly.

The composition of this team was truly too delicate.

"Senior Brother Sect Leader!"

Daoist Cangsong finally couldn't help but speak up, "Qi Hao's injuries have yet to heal and his spirit is damaged; I fear he is ill-suited to carry out such a perilous mission."

"Furthermore, to have a disciple with such low cultivation as Zhang Xiaofan accompany them—wouldn't that just be a burden to everyone else?"

His words appeared to be for the sake of Qi Hao and Zhang Xiaofan, but in reality, he did not want his own disciple to face Li Xiaoyu again and suffer further humiliation.

Tian Buyi chimed in as well, "Indeed, Senior Brother Sect Leader. Xiaofan's cultivation is shallow; I fear he is incapable of such a heavy responsibility."

Upon hearing this, Daoist Daoxuan shook his head.

"If jade is not polished, it cannot become a vessel. True powerhouses are all forged in the tempering of blood and fire."

"Qi Hao is arrogant and conceited; this setback is not necessarily a bad thing for him. He can take this opportunity to descend the mountain and temper his temperament."

"As for Zhang Xiaofan," Daoist Daoxuan's gaze held profound meaning as he glanced at Tian Buyi, "though his cultivation is not high, his character is resilient and his fortune is deep. He may not necessarily become a burden."

Cangsong and Tian Buyi could only shut their mouths in frustration.

Daoist Daoxuan looked at Li Xiaoyu below and spoke again, and his next words made Cangsong's face turn as black as the bottom of a pot.

"The journey to Kongsang Mountain is fraught with unknown dangers. Among the four, there must be one leader to command the overall situation."

"It is my intention that the champion of this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament, Li Xiaoyu, shall serve as the team leader for this operation."

"For the duration of the four's journey, all matters shall be decided by him. His decisions shall represent the will of my Green Cloud Sect!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Jade Purity Hall fell silent.

Letting Li Xiaoyu serve as the leader?

"Senior Brother Sect Leader, this must not be!"

Daoist Cangsong stood up excitedly once more, "Although Li Xiaoyu won the tournament, he is young after all, and his cultivation is only at the sixth level of the Jade Purity Realm."

"Qi Hao is already at the peak of the eighth level. In terms of seniority and cultivation, he is far above him. How can he be expected to take orders from Li Xiaoyu?"

Daoist Daoxuan, however, gave him a cold look.

"Junior Brother Cangsong, are you questioning my decision?"

A pressure belonging to a powerhouse of the Taiqing Realm flashed briefly from Daoist Daoxuan's body.

Daoist Cangsong felt his spirit tremble and hurriedly bowed, "This disciple would not dare."

The depth in his eyes made it impossible for anyone to know his true thoughts.

Daoist Daoxuan ignored him and let his gaze fall back upon Li Xiaoyu.

"Li Xiaoyu, are you willing to accept this heavy responsibility?"

Li Xiaoyu stepped forward and bowed deeply to Daoist Daoxuan.

His voice was steady and powerful.

"This disciple accepts the order!"

There was not a hint of hesitation, not a hint of evasion.

That composure and self-confidence made all the branch masters present nod in secret.

Perhaps, handing the team over to him was truly the correct decision.

Daoist Daoxuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Good. Then you shall descend the mountain immediately and head to Heyang City to rendezvous with the other three. Do not delay."

"Yes!"

Li Xiaoyu bowed once more, then retreated from the Jade Purity Hall under the gratified gaze of Shang Zhengliang.

The path down the mountain was completely different from the path up.

Li Xiaoyu flew on his sword, leaving the towering sea of clouds of Green Cloud Mountain behind him.

He did not fly fast, deliberately lowering his altitude to overlook the land below.

Mountains, rivers, fields, and villages flashed past his eyes.

This was his second time stepping into the mortal world.

The first time was to exterminate the monsters of Nameless City.

Back then, he had been in a great hurry, his heart filled only with his mission, and he had paid no heed to the scenery along the way.

This time, as the team leader shouldering a heavier responsibility, his state of mind was, conversely, much more open.

The other three in the team each harbored their own thoughts.

Lu Xueqi remained cold and aloof, riding the Tianya divine sword as she followed by Li Xiaoyu's side like a streak of white light.

When she glanced at Li Xiaoyu, a hint of tenderness would ripple through her eyes.

The embrace amidst the lightning and the ointment applied under the moonlight had already left their mark upon her heart.

Qi Hao flew on the other side of the formation, maintaining a distance from Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi.

His expression was gloomy, his eyes filled with unwillingness.

Although he had to accept Li Xiaoyu's status as team leader due to the sect master's strict orders, he remained unconvinced in his heart.

As the dignified senior brother of Dragon Head Peak and an expert at the eighth level of the Jade Purity Realm, he was expected to take orders from a guy two realms lower than him?

To him, this was a humiliating disgrace.

The Six Harmonies Mirror in his hand radiated a precious glow, silently expressing his grievances.

This should have been the glory of a champion, but now it had become a symbol of his failure.

Qi Hao secretly swore that he would find an opportunity during this trial to make Li Xiaoyu look foolish and reclaim his own glory and status.

Zhang Xiaofan was the most nervous and uneasy of them all.

He rode that Fire Poker, flying in a crooked, wobbly fashion, nearly falling off several times.

Zhang Xiaofan had never dreamed that he would become one of the top four in the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament and earn the chance to descend the mountain for a trial.

Everything felt like a dream.

He glanced at Li Xiaoyu flying in front and felt a heart full of gratitude.

When he was at his most helpless and mocked by everyone, it was this senior brother from Morning Sun Peak who had given him warmth and affirmation.

In Zhang Xiaofan's heart, Li Xiaoyu was the person he admired most.

The four of them, each with their own thoughts, traveled eastward and arrived at the first stop of their journey, Heyang City, several days later.

Stepping into this city once again, Li Xiaoyu felt a wave of emotion.

The last time he came, he was still a fledgling youth.

This time, he was a team leader burdened with heavy responsibilities.

At the city gates, the crowd flowed like a river, and the traffic was like a dragon.

The bustling, worldly atmosphere rushed toward them, washing away the fatigue of their flight.

"Let's find a place to stay first, rest up, and then gather information about Kongsang Mountain."

Li Xiaoyu's voice was steady, carrying a power that commanded obedience.

Qi Hao let out a cold snort, which served as his tacit agreement.

Lu Xueqi nodded gently.

Zhang Xiaofan, naturally, had no objections.

Li Xiaoyu led the three of them, familiar with the path, to the largest inn in the city, the Mountain Sea Pavilion.

"Welcome, honored guests!"

The waiter saw that the four possessed an extraordinary air, especially Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi, who looked like a celestial couple, and hurried over to greet them.

"Give us four superior rooms, somewhere quiet," Li Xiaoyu said.

"Coming right up!"

The waiter led the four through the main hall toward the detached courtyard in the back.

Just as they were about to step onto the stairs, a gentle voice came from the side.

"Amitabha. Are you immortals from the Green Cloud Sect, benefactors?"

Li Xiaoyu paused his steps and turned his head to look.

A young monk stood beside a tea table.

He wore a moon-white monk's robe and had a peaceful countenance that naturally inspired goodwill.

Behind him stood two tall, stern-looking monks.

"I am Li Xiaoyu of the Green Cloud Sect. May I ask how to address you, Master?"