Whale Swallows the Great Marsh-and the Flock of Birds! (4k words; please vote with your monthly tickets)

In an elegant courtyard in the Central District.

"Big Brother Mo!" Little Loudspeaker looked at her father. "Do something about this brat!"

Big Brother Mo sighed. "Little Loudspeaker, when you hire people, ability matters most. You can't go by sentiment alone. They'll grow too powerful to manage and drag the Lineage down.

"Honestly, the Head Instructors you recruited have too little potential, and you're paying them far too well. Is our Lineage a charity?

"Don't be angry. If any of those eliminated are still young and show some potential, I'll keep them under observation for a few months. Their pay will have to drop, though."

Time passed. Longlegs Seven stood on the platform like the Undefeated God of War.

Despite fighting Second Gate experts one after another, he wasn't even flushed or short of breath.

All five at the Second Gate passed.

Everyone at the Membrane Gate was eliminated.

Only when Li Xiuwen was the last one left did he stroll onto the platform. After saluting the Second Floor, he turned to Longlegs Seven.

In the Grand Void Illusory Realm, he could already beat the Longlegs Seven of several months ago without fail.

His opponent had improved considerably since then, but Li Xiuwen only needed to withstand three moves. That should be no problem.

"Just like you. Nothing but schemes. You waited until the others wore me down before stepping up." Longlegs Seven sneered.

Li Xiuwen cupped his fists and said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "Young master, you saw right through my little scheme. Please... go easy on me."

He had never cared when people called him scheming. So what?

At worst, he'd send Longlegs Seven to the Chore Courtyard!

Longlegs Seven crooked a finger. "You make the first move."

"Then don't mind if I do!"