Confrontation

Lu Xueqi's beautiful eyes scrutinized him coldly.

She could sense that the spiritual energy circulating within Li Xiaoyu was indeed the pure Taiji Profound Clarity Path, devoid of even a shred of demonic evil.

However, she trusted the intuition of the Tianya divine sword in her hand more.

Just moments ago, when that gourd appeared, Tianya had transmitted to her the kind of reaction that only occurs when encountering a high-level spiritual object.

How could an ordinary gourd possibly trigger Tianya?

"What is that in your hand?"

Lu Xueqi asked directly, the tip of her Tianya sword rising slightly to point at Li Xiaoyu.

A chilling sword intent instantly locked onto Li Xiaoyu.

Li Xiaoyu felt his skin prickle, as if countless fine needles were stabbing at him.

He smiled bitterly to himself, knowing that today's situation would likely not end well.

Yet, he remained composed on the surface.

"Senior Sister Lu is joking; I have no magic treasure."

Li Xiaoyu spread his hands. "It is merely an ordinary gourd used for holding wine."

He could never admit the existence of the Immortal-Slaying Gourd.

"Is that so?"

Lu Xueqi's gaze grew even colder. "Then would you mind taking out your wine gourd and letting this junior sister have a look?"

The atmosphere turned frigid in that instant.

Li Xiaoyu knew he had nowhere left to hide.

If he handed over the gourd, his secret would be exposed.

If he refused, he would likely have to fight this fairy from Small Bamboo Peak right here and now.

He slowly reached toward his waist.

But at that moment, Li Xiaoyu performed an unexpected action.

Instead of taking out the gourd, he bowed deeply to Lu Xueqi once more.

"Senior Sister Lu, this item was bestowed upon me by my master, who instructed me not to show it to others lightly. I ask for your forgiveness."

Li Xiaoyu brought up Shang Zhengliang as a shield.

"Today's incident was my recklessness, and I apologize for disturbing you. I shall never return to this place again."

"Farewell."

With that, he turned around and began to walk toward the valley exit, his pace steady and unhurried.

His silhouette, bathed in the moonlight, appeared calm and composed, showing neither fear nor retreat.

Lu Xueqi was stunned.

She had not expected this junior brother, who was only at the fourth level of the Jade Purity Realm, to remain so calm and collected under her questioning and the threat of her divine sword, even daring to turn and walk away.

Such courage and temperament were far beyond that of an ordinary disciple.

Watching Li Xiaoyu's retreating figure, her hand gripping the Tianya sword hesitated slightly.

Lu Xueqi could sense that the other party held no hostility.

Furthermore, he had already invoked his master.

If she were to force the issue now and word got out, it would make it seem as though Small Bamboo Peak was bullying others and using its status to oppress the weak.

In that brief moment of hesitation, Li Xiaoyu's figure vanished around the corner of the valley.

Lu Xueqi stood where she was, the moonlight spilling over her exquisite face, casting a cold, ethereal glow.

She looked down at the Tianya divine sword, which was still humming faintly in her hand, then glanced toward the direction where Li Xiaoyu had disappeared, her brows furrowed.

"Li Xiaoyu."

She whispered the name, a strange light flashing in her eyes.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the one-month deadline arrived.

This day was the day Morning Sun Peak distributed monthly cultivation resources.

Hundreds of disciples gathered at the Martial Arts Arena, their gazes all directed toward the two people in the center.

Li Xiaoyu and Shen Tiandou.

A month ago, Li Xiaoyu had publicly accepted Shen Tiandou's challenge, agreeing to resolve their resource dispute today through an internal sparring match.

The matter had already spread throughout Morning Sun Peak, and many curious onlookers from other branches had even arrived to witness the true strength of this "returning genius."

On the high platform, Shang Zhengliang wore a serious expression, though a hint of anticipation was hidden in the depths of his eyes.

Over the past month, he had kept a close watch on Li Xiaoyu's performance.

Aside from his necessary daily cultivation, Li Xiaoyu rarely stepped out of his quarters, his composure so steady that even his master nodded in secret approval.

Shang Zhengliang was also eager to see what level his disciple had reached.

Shen Tiandou stood in the center of the arena, his face full of arrogance and disdain.

He remained at the fifth level of the Jade Purity Realm, while a month ago, Li Xiaoyu had only just stepped into the fourth.

In his view, a single month was not enough to bridge such a massive gap in cultivation.

He was certain to win today's battle!

He would not only win, but he would do so with thunderous force, crushing Li Xiaoyu beneath his feet to show everyone who the true senior brother of Morning Sun Peak really was.

"Junior Brother Li, it's been a month. I wonder how 'stable' your cultivation has become?"

Shen Tiandou said with a mocking, sarcastic tone.

Li Xiaoyu's expression remained indifferent, ignoring the mockery in his words.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. Everything is well."

The deacon disciple responsible for distributing resources walked forward, feeling awkward amidst the tense, combative atmosphere.

Following custom, he first distributed the month's resources to everyone.

When it was Li Xiaoyu's turn, Shen Tiandou let out a cold snort and reached out to block him again.

"Wait!"

He looked at the deacon disciple and said with a stiff, insincere smile, "Junior Brother Wang, leave Junior Brother Li's share with me for now."

"Once the small tournament ends, it will be clear whether it belongs to him or to me."

He left no room for maneuver, intending to strip Li Xiaoyu of both his dignity and his resources in front of everyone.

The deacon disciple looked troubled and glanced toward Shang Zhengliang on the high platform.

Shang Zhengliang remained expressionless, giving a slight nod of silent approval.

Shang Zhengliang wanted to pressure Li Xiaoyu to see what kind of potential he could unleash.

"Since that is the case, let us begin."

Li Xiaoyu had no objections and walked calmly to the center of the Martial Arts Arena.

Today, he would use absolute strength to make everyone shut their mouths.

"Hmph, overestimating your own abilities!"

Shen Tiandou sneered and walked into the arena, standing opposite Li Xiaoyu.

Shen Tiandou drew his magical flying sword.

It was a grayish-brown, three-foot-long immortal sword; the blade was thick and heavy, radiating a dense, earthy spiritual power.

"Junior Brother Li, my Bedrock Sword weighs three hundred and sixty catties. Once I strike, the force will be immense—you had better be careful!"

Shen Tiandou boasted triumphantly about his flying sword.

Li Xiaoyu's gaze fell upon the Bedrock Sword.

In his eyes, the material and spiritual power of the blade were clearly visible.

The Immortal-Slaying Gourd at his waist emitted a faint sense of craving.

A decent snack, Li Xiaoyu thought to himself.

He slowly drew the Autumn Water Sword gifted to him by his master, Shang Zhengliang.

"Clang!"

A clear, resonant sword chime rang out.

The blade of the Autumn Water Sword was like a pool of clear water, radiating a light, sharp sword intent.

Many disciples present who knew their craft let out low gasps of surprise.

"It's the Autumn Water Sword! Isn't that one of the Peak Master's own magical swords?"

"The Peak Master actually gifted the Autumn Water Sword to Li Xiaoyu? It seems he really does hold high hopes for him!"

When Shen Tiandou saw the Autumn Water Sword, the jealousy in his eyes grew even more intense.

"Hmph! So what if you have a good sword? Magical treasures are merely external objects; one's own cultivation is the foundation!"

He let out a loud shout, stopped wasting words, and launched the first attack.

"Take this! Mountain Crushing Style!"