Li Xiaoyu immediately understood.
A trip down the mountain for experience!
It was exactly what he needed most at that moment.
Shutting oneself away to cultivate was ultimately a narrow path.
Only in real combat could he test his strength.
But unlike Li Xiaoyu, the moment the list was announced, the expressions of several Chief Seats in the hall turned quite a sight.
Shang Zhengliang was naturally beaming with pride.
Master Shuiyue's brows twitched slightly, and she seemed somewhat worried.
Daoist Cangsong and Tian Buyi, meanwhile, instantly looked rather displeased.
The composition of this team was simply too delicate.
"Senior Brother Sect Leader!"
Daoist Cangsong finally couldn't hold back. "Qi Hao's injuries haven't healed, and his spirit has been wounded. I'm afraid he isn't fit to undertake such a dangerous mission."
"Besides, wouldn't having a disciple with such low cultivation as Zhang Xiaofan come along only drag everyone down?"
On the surface, he spoke as though he had Qi Hao and Zhang Xiaofan's best interests at heart. In truth, he didn't want his own disciple to face Li Xiaoyu again and suffer another humiliation.
Tian Buyi chimed in as well. "Indeed, Senior Brother Sect Leader. Xiao Fan's cultivation is shallow. I'm afraid he can't shoulder such a heavy responsibility."
Daoist Daoxuan merely shook his head.
"Jade must be carved to become a vessel. True strongmen grow through trials of blood and fire."
"Qi Hao is proud and arrogant. This setback may not be a bad thing for him. It's a perfect opportunity to send him down the mountain and temper his temperament."
"As for Zhang Xiaofan..." Daoist Daoxuan cast a meaningful glance at Tian Buyi. "His cultivation may be low, but he is resilient of character and blessed with deep fortune. He may not become a burden."
Cangsong and Tian Buyi could only shut their mouths in frustration.
Daoist Daoxuan looked down at Li Xiaoyu and spoke again. His next words turned Cangsong's face black as the bottom of a pot.
"The journey to Kongsang Mountain is fraught with unknown dangers. One of the four must lead and command the whole team."
"I intend to appoint Li Xiaoyu, the champion of this year's Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament, as the leader of this mission."
"On the journey, he will decide all matters. His decisions will represent the will of our Green Cloud Sect!"
At those words, the entire Jade Purity Hall fell silent.
Appoint Li Xiaoyu as the leader?
"Senior Brother Sect Leader, you absolutely mustn't!"
Daoist Cangsong stood up again in agitation. "Although Li Xiaoyu won the tournament, he is still young, and his cultivation is only at the sixth layer of the Jade Purity Realm."
"Qi Hao, on the other hand, is already at the peak of the eighth layer. Both in seniority and cultivation, he is far above Li Xiaoyu. How can you expect him to take orders from Li Xiaoyu?"
Daoist Daoxuan merely gave him a cold look.
"Junior Brother Cangsong, are you questioning my decision?"
A pressure befitting a Taiqing Realm expert flashed across Daoist Daoxuan's body and vanished.
Daoist Cangsong felt his heart tremble and quickly bowed. "This disciple wouldn't dare."
The look in his eyes was deep and inscrutable, giving no clue to his true thoughts.
Daoist Daoxuan paid him no further attention and turned his gaze back to Li Xiaoyu.
"Li Xiaoyu, are you willing to accept this important duty?"
Li Xiaoyu stepped forward and bowed deeply to Daoist Daoxuan.
His voice was steady and firm.
"This disciple accepts the order!"
There was no hesitation, no attempt to shirk his duty.
His composure and confidence earned quiet nods from all the Chief Seats present.
Perhaps entrusting the team to him really was the right decision.
Daoist Daoxuan nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Then leave for Heyang City at once and meet up with the other three. Do not delay."
"Yes!"
Li Xiaoyu bowed once more, then withdrew from the Jade Purity Hall under Shang Zhengliang's approving gaze.
The descent from the mountain was nothing like the ascent.
Li Xiaoyu flew on his sword, leaving Green Cloud Mountain's towering Sea of Clouds behind him.
He flew slowly, deliberately lowering his altitude to look down upon the land below.
Mountains and rivers, fields and villages swept past his eyes.
This was his second time entering the mortal world.
The first had been to eliminate the demons in Nameless City.
Back then, he had hurried along with nothing on his mind but the mission, paying no attention to the scenery along the way.
This time, he was the team leader and shouldered a heavier responsibility, yet his heart was all the more open.
The other three members of the team each had their own thoughts.
Lu Xueqi remained cool and aloof. Riding the Tianya Divine Sword, she followed beside Li Xiaoyu like a streak of white light.
Whenever she glanced at Li Xiaoyu, a tenderness would surface in her eyes.
The embrace amid the lightning and the medicinal ointment beneath the moonlight had left their mark on her heart.
Qi Hao flew on the other side of the group, keeping his distance from Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi.
His face was gloomy, his eyes filled with resentment.
Although the Sect Leader's strict order had left him no choice but to accept Li Xiaoyu's role as leader, he was still unconvinced.
He was the senior disciple of Dragon Head Peak, an expert at the eighth layer of the Jade Purity Realm. How could he have to take orders from someone two realms below him?
To him, this was a great humiliation.
The Six Harmonies Mirror in his hand glimmered with treasure-light, as if voicing his grievance.
The mirror should have been the glory of a champion. Now it had become a symbol of his defeat.
Qi Hao secretly swore that during this trip, he would find a chance to make Li Xiaoyu look foolish and reclaim his glory and status.
Zhang Xiaofan was the most nervous of them all.
Riding his Fire Poker, he flew in a crooked, lurching path, nearly falling several times.
Zhang Xiaofan had never dreamed he would make it into the top four of the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament and earn the chance to travel down the mountain for experience.
It all felt like a dream.
He glanced at Li Xiaoyu flying ahead, his heart full of gratitude.
When he had been at his most helpless, mocked by everyone, it was this senior disciple of Morning Sun Peak who had given him warmth and encouragement.
In Zhang Xiaofan's heart, Li Xiaoyu was the person he admired most.
Each of the four had their own thoughts as they traveled east. Several days later, they reached the first stop of their journey: Heyang City.
Setting foot in the city again filled Li Xiaoyu with emotion.
The last time he had come, he had been a young man just starting out.
This time, he was a leader bearing a heavy responsibility.
The city gate bustled with people, and carriages streamed along the road.
The lively bustle of ordinary life swept over them, dispelling the weariness of their flight.
"Let's find somewhere to stay first, rest up, and then inquire about Kongsang Mountain."
Li Xiaoyu's voice was steady, carrying a quiet authority that inspired trust.
Qi Hao gave a cold snort, which counted as agreement.
Lu Xueqi nodded gently.
Zhang Xiaofan had no objections either.
Li Xiaoyu led the three of them through the city with practiced ease to its largest inn, the Mountain Sea Pavilion.
"Welcome, honored guests! Please, come in!"
Seeing the four guests' extraordinary bearing—especially Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi, who looked like a pair of immortals—the waiter hurried over to greet them.
"Give us four first-class rooms, somewhere quiet," Li Xiaoyu said.
"Right away!"
The waiter led them through the main hall toward the separate courtyard behind the inn.
Just as they were about to climb the stairs, a gentle voice came from beside them.
"Amitabha. Might you benefactors be immortals of the Green Cloud Sect?"
Li Xiaoyu halted and turned to look.
A young monk stood beside the tea tables.
He wore a moon-white monk's robe and had a kindly, peaceful face that inspired goodwill.
Two tall, solemn monks stood behind him.
"I am Li Xiaoyu of the Green Cloud Sect. May I ask how I should address you, Master?"
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