Cease Hostilities, Fight to the Death

The calm voice rang out in the council hall, immediately making the eyes of the disciples around light up.

Many people immediately began whispering among themselves, like flies buzzing.

Fang Shu's expression was calm and composed, showing no sign of fear.

Qin Min narrowed her eyes slightly, then a cold smile appeared on her face, as if she was about to agree immediately.

But just then, the Lone Pavilion Master, standing in the main hall, suddenly shouted, "Alright, everyone take a break!"

The shout was like a thunderclap, echoing throughout the hall and even causing the eaves to tremble slightly. Some disciples with low cultivation levels felt their Qi and Blood and qi tremble, their faces turning slightly pale.

Fang Shu and Qin Min were unaffected; they simply turned their gazes toward the Lone Pavilion Master.

The other person stood with their hands behind their back, their face calm, and then slowly began to explain:

"I'm asking you two to demonstrate your cultivation, verify the truth, and inspire your fellow disciples, not for you to be fierce and fight each other to see who's better."

With the Spring Examination approaching, internal competitions offer little opportunity for growth and carry a risk of injury. Furthermore, regardless of victory or defeat, the winner will expose their weaknesses, and the loser will suffer a blow to their morale—both unwise moves for the sect.

After a pause, the Lone Pavilion Master stared intently at the two of them:

"If you two are still angry, save it for the Spring Examination. Even if you two meet then, I will not say a word more than necessary; let each of you accept your fate."

Upon hearing Fang Shu slowly calmed the anger that had been simmering within him.

Heeding the advice, he cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Master."

Qin Min, standing beside him, had a cold and stern expression. Her eyes flashed with displeasure, and she even gave Fang Shu a blatant sidelong glance, her face practically screaming "disdain."

Seeing Qin Min's expression of joy and anger, Fang Shu almost smiled.

Fortunately, under the gaze of the Lone Pavilion Master, the woman finally uttered, "Understood."

Seeing that both disciples had stopped arguing, the Lone Pavilion Master's expression softened.

After thinking for a moment, the old woman simply waved her hand, giving up on letting Qin Min and Fang Shu display their cultivation levels. She only asked the two of them to share their insights from breaking through the third tribulation with the other disciples.

Although the disciples in the hall were disappointed that they didn't get to see the two fight, they listened with great interest and excitement as the two preached and shared their experiences in breaking through barriers.

After a while, the two had finished speaking, and the Lone Pavilion Master dismissed the other disciples, leaving only Fang Shu and the other two in the hall.

After giving Qin Min a thorough admonition, she turned to Fang Shu and asked:

"While family background isn't crucial for the Spring Examination, it can sometimes be the straw that breaks the camel's back. I heard you and Master Yu Le have already established a business in town. Have you settled the household registration matters?"

Fang Shu was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. He had somewhat overlooked this matter and wasn't sure if it had been handled properly. He wasn't making things up and honestly replied:

"I don't know yet, I'll go and ask later."

The Lone Pavilion Master nodded. "Alright. There are still three days until the Spring Examination registration. If it's not ready yet, have Master Yu Le come to me. If it's ready, just bring your household registration."

"Thank you, Master." Fang Shu bowed.

After another round of casual conversation, he bowed once more and then left the council hall.

As he walked outside the hall, a slight look of dejection appeared on Fang Shu's face.

He thought he could use this "selection of generals" opportunity to have a good showdown with Qin Min.

Given Qin Min's personality, this woman would definitely agree, as it would help him hone his Qi and Blood and make some progress.

Unexpectedly, the Lone Pavilion Master stopped him.

However, what the Lone Pavilion Master said was indeed a wise and experienced opinion. Fang Shu thought about it briefly and then put the matter aside.

Soon, he found his second uncle Yu Le, in the office and inquired about the household registration matter.

Upon hearing this, Second Uncle Yu Le did not utter a single word.

With a smile, the other party pulled out the household registration documents and property deeds of the uncle and nephew from his bosom, clearly having been prepared in advance and just waiting for Fang Shu to come out of the pass to collect them.

Fang Shu Fang Shu an eyebrow, immediately clasped his hands in a salute to his second uncle Yu Le, then, carrying the household registration and other documents, turned back to find the Lone Pavilion Master, had him sign and affix his seal as required, and completely settled the matter of registering for the Spring Examination.

Everything is ready.

Next, it will take at least three days, and at the latest seven days.

Once disciples of the Immortal Sect descend from the mountain, the people of Guling Town can rush to the Spring Examination and strive for a path to immortality by ascending the mountain and joining the sect!

In the past few days, it wasn't just the Lone Pavilion Master who was holding a scramble for his troops in his own dojo.

The twenty or thirty Daoist temples of various sizes in the market, as well as some family-based Immortal cultivator, were all teaching their disciples and passing on their experience in their respective temples and homes.

The scale of the fire at the Scorched-Tail Hall was even greater than that at the Solitary Gu Hall.

The academy master made a rare appearance before everyone, gathering all the disciples from both the inner and outer courtyards, as well as stewards and servants.

The reason for this was to create momentum for the Ling Baiquan.

The man, Ling Baiquan, was naked, his muscles bulging as if Copper-Poured, Iron-Cast. He stood motionless in the center of the field, surrounded by ten inner court disciples who were beating him.

However, the punches and kicks of the ten inner disciples landed on Ling Baiquan as if striking a bronze bell, making only a thud, but failing to harm Ling Baiquan's skin.

"Too soft, too slow!"

A smug smile appeared on the Ling Baiquan's face. He suddenly shook his body, and a burst of energy immediately shot out, sending all ten inner courtyard disciples flying.

This powerful energy left the surrounding disciples of the Scorched-Tail Hall visibly shocked, and they began to discuss amongst themselves.

"Impressive skill! Your senior brother is sure to win first place in this year's Spring Examination."

"As expected of your senior brother!"

The headmaster looked at his disciple with a calm expression, but a hint of satisfaction was in his eyes.

The Ling Baiquan looked around the arena, cracking its neck as it twisted.

"Hahaha!" He grinned maliciously, looking around and shouting:

"Again! This time, however, I'll have to resort to some tricks. Immortal cultivator at the first tribulation level must stop here, or they will bear the consequences."

His words caused many disciples to take a half step back, their faces showing fear.

After a while, a second-stage Immortal cultivator finally stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Junior brother, please enlighten me."

Bang!

Within moments, the man was sent flying by a punch, spitting out a mouthful of blood, clearly injured.

This situation made the people around him even more hesitant, and for a moment no one dared to step forward to ask for advice.

Ling Baiquan's aura grew even stronger, and his Qi and Blood and qi slowly condensed into the shape of a wolf's head above his head, exuding greed and arrogance.

But just then, someone else suddenly stepped forward, attracting everyone's attention and causing many to look on with surprise:

"What's that old fellow doing here!"

"Is he here to die? He couldn't even defeat a first-stage Immortal cultivator back then."

The Ling Baiquan narrowed its eyes slightly upon seeing the newcomer.

The person who came was not a disciple of the Scorched-Tail Hall, but a manager, none other than Manager Xiao Hu.

Xiao Hu's face was numb. He stood in the center of the field, his body thin and frail. He didn't say a word, but simply reached out his hand, making a gesture of Ling Baiquan to teach him a lesson.

This scene caused a stir among the dojo members, and even made the dojo master frown slightly.

For reasons unknown, some people immediately started shouting and even tried to physically pull or shove the object.

"The Spring Examination are the disciples' business, Xiao Hu, what are you doing here? Come back at once."

Ling Baiquan seemed to have thought of something. He grinned at Xiao Hu, reached out to stop those who wanted to drag him down, and turned to look at Master Ling.

"Master, since Steward Xiao also wants to test my abilities, why not grant his wish?"

Upon hearing this, the museum owner nodded thoughtfully, only instructing, "Be mindful of your words."

"Thank you, Master."

Both Ling Baiquan and Xiao Hu bowed to Ling Guanzhu.

After exchanging greetings, the two stood in the center of the room. One was young and vigorous, full of energy and fiery in temperament, while the other was old and frail, barely breathing and as withered as a dead tree.

"Old man! I don't need your daughter as a furnace at all; I can break through the three tribulations on my own."

The Ling Baiquan deliberately shouted loudly, "Why do you insist on ruining my reputation time and time again?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he charged straight at Xiao Hu, his body radiating a fierce aura, seemingly capable of sending Xiao Hu flying.

Faced with such a powerful display, Xiao Hu showed no panic, only a blank expression.

Bang!

The strong and the old collided violently, but the scene that everyone expected did not occur.

Xiao Hu actually planted his feet directly into the floor tiles, his bones cracking as he withstood the attack from Ling Baiquan, and his hands tightly gripped Ling Baiquan's hands.

This scene astonished everyone in the museum, who all thought to themselves, "What a ruthless person."

Upon Ling Baiquan looked surprised, then a sinister smile appeared on its face as it tried to grab and kill the steward, Xiao Hu.

The next moment, something even more astonishing happened.

Before the Ling Baiquan could muster its Qi and Blood and kill Xiao Hu, a loud shout suddenly rang out from inside the hall:

"How dare you!"

It was the owner of the restaurant, who was sitting in the high seat. He suddenly opened his eyes and with a flick of his hand, a covered bowl flew out like an arrow, striking one of the people.

But the old man's target was not the Ling Baiquan, but the gaunt steward Xiao Hu.

Roar!

A tiger's roar erupted from Xiao Hu's mouth almost simultaneously, its sound shrill and no less than the shout of the sect leader.

Before the master of the academy could use his methods, Xiao Hu's face was fierce and resentful.

With his shout, he shook the Ling Baiquan, then opened his mouth and, disregarding the danger beside him, his two saber teeth bit down hard on the Ling Baiquan's neck.

With this bite, Xiao Hu actually shattered the Ling Baiquan's protective aura, his saber teeth piercing into its flesh, approaching its throat and meridians.

Then, bang!

The covered bowl that the restaurant owner had shaken out then flew over and struck Xiao Hu squarely in the chest, causing his chest to cave in.

Even after suffering such injuries, Xiao Hu didn't utter a sound, only relentlessly biting and killing the Ling Baiquan.

His eyes were wide open like copper bells, bloodshot, as if he had taken some kind of potent drug and was determined to die.

This unexpected turn of events left the Ling Baiquan momentarily flustered.

When he came to his senses, both shocked and furious, he immediately acted ruthlessly, grabbing Xiao Hu by the neck and breaking his neck bone, then trying to tear him off his body.

"You old dog! Get out of my way!"

Even though Xiao Hu's breath had ceased, his eyes were dim, and his body was like a rag doll, being torn apart by the Ling Baiquan.

His old teeth were still firmly clenched on the other man's neck, refusing to let go.

Faced with this situation, even the furious Master Ling's expression became complicated, and he did not make another move.

When Ling Baiquan finally managed to pry Xiao Hu's teeth open and remove him from his neck, Xiao Hu's body was covered in blood, a complete mess, and it was impossible to tell whose blood it was.

After removing Xiao Hu, the Ling Baiquan hurriedly stroked its own neck to check its injuries, its face filled with resentment yet also showing a look of relief.

Little did he know that the wolf head Qi and Blood that had taken shape above his head had already dissipated completely in the chaos just now.

Seeing Xiao Hu's horrific actions, almost every disciple of the Scorched-Tail Hall showed a look of pity on their face.

Many people looked at the Ling Baiquan in the arena with strange expressions, their eyes filled with ambiguity, as if they were thinking of something.