A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - 8

Volume Twelve: Close Friends Help Unravel the Mystery, Chapter Ten: Identifying the Murderer

. Dugu Yu pondered for a moment, then said loudly, "Feifan, Hong'er, Zhou Kai, Wei Hua, Dong Ming, Lu Yan, Wang Chao, Li Zhe, were you all in your rooms that night?" Since a thorough investigation was necessary, everyone should be treated equally. Although Lin Feifan and Dugu Hong were definitely not the murderers, they still needed to provide alibis.
"Grandpa, Xiu Xiu and my parents talked all night in their room. They wouldn't have killed Uncle Li," Lin Yuxiu said softly.
"And you?" Dugu Yu faced everyone and said in a deep voice.
After the questioning, only Jiao Weihua, Lu Yan, and Wang Chao had no proof of their whereabouts, and immediately all eyes were on the three of them.
"Speak, who is the murderer!" Lin Feifan shouted.
"Grandmaster, Sect Leader, Master has treated us with boundless kindness. How could we do such a despicable thing?" Lu Yan and Wang Chao knelt down, crying and pleading.
"Why doesn't Senior Brother Jiao speak?" Dugu Hong asked slowly, facing the silent Jiao Weihua.
"Liangbin and I have been close friends since childhood. For thirty years, we have shared joys and sorrows, and we have been through thick and thin together. I don't need to explain, nor do I care to explain," Jiao Weihua said righteously.
"Good, well said," Ren Xiaoyao sneered.
"You...you dare to slander my master!" Li Bi roared.
"Have you all forgotten the blood letter that Senior Li wrote on the back of the bedsheet before he died?" Ren Xiaoyao suddenly raised his voice three notches and shouted.
"It's just half of the character 'Ren,' what does that prove?" Li Bi asked in astonishment.
"Is there a second way to write the beginning of the character 'Jiao'?" Ren Xiaoyao asked back.
"Jiao? Yes," Liu Dongming exclaimed.
"Ren Xiaoyao, you're slandering me!" Li Bi shouted, eager to defend his master.
"Senior Jiao, now that things have come to this, do you still expect your disciple to defend you?" Ren Xiaoyao strode to Jiao Weihua's side and said coldly.
"Hmph, without solid evidence, you think you can frame me with just half a bloody mark? Dream on!" Jiao Weihua remained unperturbed, displaying profound composure, and said with a flick of his sleeve.
Lin Feifan and Dugu Hong exchanged astonished glances; indeed, they couldn't believe the murderer was Jiao Weihua.
Ren Xiaoyao seemed to have anticipated everything, calmly smiling, "Senior Jiao, do you know why I dared to assert so definitively that you are the murderer?"
Jiao Weihua coldly snorted, "That's your business, what does it have to do with me?"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly, unperturbed, and calmly said, "Six days ago, it was you who secretly dispatched Mu Chenzhong to assassinate Brother Wei, wasn't it?"
Jiao Weihua remained expressionless, completely ignoring him.
Ren Xiaoyao continued, "That day, I deliberately spoke loudly with Brother Wei in the room, asking him to investigate the case for me. I intentionally made the crucial details unclear, so that the murderer would think we had a lot of clues, luring you to kill him, and then catching him like a turtle in a jar. Who would have thought you would be so cautious, not daring to act yourself but sending Mu Chenzhong to his death, and worried that something might go wrong with him, so you secretly followed behind."
Ren Xiaoyao glanced at Wei Sihan and added, "Brother Wei is even more capable than I imagined. Not only did he capture Mu Chenzhong alive, but he also almost forced the mastermind's identity out of him.
" Wei Sihan sighed with regret, "What a pity, just before Brother Mu revealed the truth, he was ambushed and died on the spot."
"No pity, no pity." Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily, his spirits soaring. Then, his laughter abruptly ceased, and he spoke slowly, word by word, "Brother Wei, you still don't know,
do you? I saw everything clearly from the shadows—from the moment that person observed, to the moment he attacked, and finally his escape." "Senior Luo, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, would I dare to point you out in public?" Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with unwavering determination, his tone calm to the point of being cold.
"Hmph, I'm afraid words alone are insufficient. Who would believe your one-sided account?" Jiao Weihua said disdainfully.
Ren Xiaoyao thought to himself: What a cunning old fox. It seems you won't give in until you unleash your trump card. So he strolled over to Dugu Yu and respectfully asked, "Senior Dugu, are you feeling better today?"
Dugu Yu immediately understood, stroked his beard, and smiled, "Young Hero Ren, there's no need to worry. This old man, relying on over eighty years of internal energy cultivation, can still hold on."
The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. Judging from their conversation, Dugu Yu seemed to be suffering from internal injuries; how come they hadn't noticed it a few days ago?
Ren Xiaoyao, displaying genuine admiration, bowed and said, "Senior Dugu used his unparalleled internal strength to reconnect your disciple's heart meridian. Such divine skill truly broadens this junior's horizons." "
Reconnect...reconnect the heart meridian?" Lu Yan asked, puzzled.
"Hehe, Brother Lu, you don't know yet, do you? Although your master was stabbed in a vital point in his chest and abdomen by a villain, his heart meridian was still intact. It's just that our eyes were clouded and we didn't see it," Ren Xiaoyao said with a smile. "Senior Dugu ordered someone to send your master's body to the Green Bamboo House, using all his strength to finally pull him back from the brink of death..."
"Then...where is Master?" "Wang Chao and Li Zhe asked impatiently.
Ren Xiaoyao replied happily, "Senior Li's injuries are too severe, and his life may be in danger at any time. Therefore, Senior Dugu specially ordered me to take him to Hua'e Valley to ask the 'Divine Physician' for treatment, to make sure he wakes up as soon as possible and personally identifies the mastermind behind it all!"
"So you and Master disappeared together and only returned today." Lu Yan listened intently and said solemnly.
"The 'Divine Physician' that Young Hero Ren mentioned, is it Senior Wu Hanyu, who is known as 'there is no poison that cannot be cured and no disease that cannot be cured'?" Dugu Hong asked softly.
"That's right." Ren Xiaoyao nodded in agreement.
The older disciples of Hengshan Sect were overjoyed. Wu Hanyu's name was known to everyone twenty years ago, but since Li Liangbin was still alive when he arrived at Hua'e Valley, he would surely recover completely.
"Young Hero Ren, where is Master... where is Master? Please quickly bring him out." "Wang Chao and Li Zhe said anxiously.
"No rush, let's give Senior Luo a chance to repent and reform." Ren Xiaoyao smiled at Jiao Weihua and said calmly, "Jiao Weihua, even now you still refuse to confess?" He addressed him by his name instead of "senior," clearly convinced that Jiao Weihua was the murderer.
Jiao Weihua said coldly, "Ren Xiaoyao, say whatever you want, I will never admit to something I didn't do."
"It seems you won't shed tears until you see the coffin." Ren Xiaoyao's eyes widened slightly, a sharp glint flashing within them, and he said loudly, "Senior Li, you should expose this villain's true face." "

Volume Twelve: Close Friend Helps Break Through the Fog, Chapter Eleven: The Truth Revealed

" Heavy breathing echoed from outside the hall. Li Liangbin, pale-lipped and bloodless, clearly recovering from a serious illness, staggered in. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
Lu Yan, Wang Chao, Li Zhe, and over a hundred others from the Hengshan Sect didn't offer to help him, for they were all stunned. They couldn't believe that Li Liangbin, who had been a corpse, was now alive and well before their eyes. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Master, your unfilial disciple has troubled you." Li Liangbin moved slowly, as if expending great effort, to reach Dugu Yu and bowed deeply. His voice was low and hoarse, indicating he still suffered severe internal injuries. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Hahaha, Jiao Weihua, speechless now, aren't you?" Ren Xiaoyao smiled mischievously, arrogantly saying, "You're still lacking in the ability to fight me, Ren Xiaoyao." (From Fantasy Sword Alliance)
Jiao Weihua's body trembled violently, cold sweat pouring down his back. He knew that the exposure of his identity was inevitable. (From Fantasy Sword Alliance)
"Master, was it really Uncle-Master Jiao who injured you?" Lu Yan asked impatiently. (From Fantasy Sword Alliance)
Li Liangbin stomped his foot, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Jiao Weihua and sneered, "Junior Brother Jiao, look what you've done!" (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
Jiao Weihua was taken aback at first, then sneered, "Ren Xiaoyao, you've got some nerve! You dare to find just anyone to impersonate Senior Brother Li and frame me, throwing mud at me." (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
Ren Xiaoyao was shocked, but his face remained impassive. He said calmly, "Lu Yan, Wang Chao, Li Zhe, you wouldn't mistake your own master, would you?" (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
This question didn't need an answer. Just by looking at the reactions of Li Liangbin's disciples, it was clear that the person who had come was indeed Li Liangbin. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
Jiao Weihua's face was gloomy as he sternly rebuked, "The dashing thief has countless incarnations, and his skill in disguise is unparalleled. If you deliberately hired someone to impersonate Senior Brother Li, how could you not have seen through the flaws without considerable effort?" (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
Ren Xiaoyao retorted, "In that case, what makes you so certain..." (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Do I need an answer?" Jiao Weihua said indignantly, "I clearly did nothing that night, yet he insists that I was the murderer. What else could it be but an imposter?" (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"What a joke! Even if I had the greatest courage, I wouldn't dare to play such tricks in front of Senior Dugu and Sect Leader Lin," Ren Xiaoyao retorted. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Hmph, Ren Xiaoyao has always been arrogant and self-righteous. What wouldn't he do for the sake of face?" Jiao Weihua said displeasedly. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Jiao Weihua, you don't need to change the subject." Ren Xiaoyao remained calm and composed, smiling gently. "Whether Senior Li's testimony is valid or not is for the hundreds of people in the Hengshan Sect to judge." (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
Jiao Weihua was about to angrily accuse Ren Xiaoyao of slander, but was interrupted loudly: "I know you're cowardly, and I know you're afraid of dying after the matter is exposed, but since you dared to do it, you should have thought that you would eventually be condemned to a full degree of evil." (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Nonsense!" Jiao Weihua, feeling guilty, denied it outright. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"I'm not talking nonsense. Who is Senior Li? He's your best friend of thirty years, like a brother to you. Yet, to show loyalty to Hentian, you actually turned your knife on..." (From Huanjian Book Alliance) "
Ren Xiaoyao, this is slander." Jiao Weihua, filled with anger, began to lose his temper. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"No, every word I've said is an undeniable fact," Ren Xiaoyao shouted. "Jiao Weihua, betraying the Hengshan Sect is disloyalty; deceiving your master is unfilial piety; inciting your fellow disciples is inhumanity; murdering your close friend is injustice. How can such a disloyal, unfilial, inhuman, and injustice-ridden person have the face to live in this world?" (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"You..." Jiao Weihua was speechless for a moment, his sore spot hit. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"I've traveled the martial world for a long time and seen many despicable and shameless people, but I've never encountered a scoundrel like you who stubbornly refuses to admit anything even when faced with witnesses. It's an eye-opener! A real eye-opener!" Ren Xiaoyao became more and more agitated as he spoke, pointing at Jiao Weihua's nose and loudly mocking him. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
Jiao Weihua's old face turned a deep purplish-red, yet he stubbornly argued, "What witness? It's simply..." (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
Ren Xiaoyao interrupted again, sneering, "If you knew this would happen, why did you do it in the first place? It's too late to regret it now. Senior Li, please repeat the murderer's new name in front of everyone present." (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
The hall fell silent instantly, everyone's eyes fixed on Li Liangbin in the center of the hall. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Jiao—Wei—Hua!" Although the answer had already been revealed, many disciples still cried out in shock upon hearing his resentful reiteration. Some lamented with regret, some wept in sorrow, and some cursed angrily. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Everyone, the Li Liangbin before you is an imposter. Don't believe his lies." Jiao Weihua, condemned by everyone, completely lost his rationality. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"No one will believe you, hahaha." Ren Xiaoyao looked at Jiao Weihua with disdain and laughed loudly. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Master, you...you have to do justice for your disciple!" Under Ren Xiaoyao's powerful psychological offensive, Jiao Weihua, on the verge of collapse, uttered a sentence that would surely make him regret for the rest of his life, "Senior Brother Li was pierced through the heart by my sword, how could he possibly live..." (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
As soon as the words left his mouth, the whole audience booed.
(From Huanjian Book Alliance) Jiao Weihua realized that he had let something slip, but it was too late, and he could only stand there dumbfounded. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Weihua, are you really a master of deadly strikes?" Dugu Yu asked in a trembling voice. Although the whole plan was only implemented after Ren Xiaoyao obtained his approval, Dugu Yu still held a glimmer of hope that Ren Xiaoyao's judgment would be wrong, but the cruel reality shattered his last hope. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Master, I had no choice but to submit to Hentian." Jiao Weihua knelt down, tears streaming down his face. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"What reason?" Dugu Yu asked coldly, his face ashen. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"I...I have something on Jueyue. They're threatening that if I don't work for Juesha, they'll...they'll expose everything and ruin my reputation." Jiao Weihua kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Ruin your reputation? Ruin is much better than betraying your master and harming your fellow disciples." Dugu Yu said, heartbroken. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"Tell me, how many Juesha remnants are left in our sect?" Lin Feifan pressed. (From Huanjian Book Alliance)
"There...there's also..." Jiao Weihua was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly leaped up, dashing forward like a rocket towards "Li Liangbin." He knew that no matter how he explained, he couldn't escape death. Only by capturing the hostage could he secure a chance to live.

Volume Twelve: Close Friends Help Break Through the Fog Chapter Twelve: It Was Him

"Be careful!" Lin Feifan and Dugu Hong exclaimed in unison, about to rush to his aid, when they suddenly saw Ren Xiaoyao slowly shaking his head. They immediately knew that with "Li Liangbin's" martial arts skills, he was certainly not afraid of Jiao Weihua.
"Li Liangbin" moved like lightning, suddenly retreating about ten feet, and in the process, he drew longswords from Wang Chao and Li Zhe's waists, thrusting them out with a backhand. With two loud "clangs," Jiao Weihua's two lightning-fast attacks were simultaneously blocked by him.
Jiao Weihua's attacks never ceased; the tip of his sword still wisps of smoke. He slashed to the right, cut to the left, flicked upwards, and swept downwards, the four swords converging into a rectangle, precisely blocking "Li Liangbin's" center
. If the strike landed, his limbs would be severed, leaving only a bare torso—a truly ruthless move. "Li Liangbin's" eyes blazed. Seeing that while his opponent's attacks were fierce and aggressive, his vital points were completely undefended, revealing weaknesses, he immediately spun his swords, thrusting straight at Jiao Weihua's chest and abdomen.
"Not good! The 'Returning Wild Goose' technique!" Zhou Kai cried out, his face drained of color.
Jiao Weihua was using the ultimate move of the Returning Wild Goose Sword technique, its true power not in the first half's "mouth" shape blocking attack, but in the second half's "returning" shape strangulation. "Li Liangbin" clearly didn't understand its intricacies and was already falling into the trap.
"You've lost an arm!" Jiao Weihua grinned maliciously, his wrist flicking rapidly. The weapon snapped back without the slightest hesitation, unleashing two bursts of energy that reversed the previous four sword strikes, forming a "returning sword"—ruthless and vicious, dense and fast, its variations ever-changing, a testament to divine skill.
Faced with this unbelievable turn of events, "Li Liangbin" instantly responded. His sword hissed slightly, its edge flashing with a chilling light, drawing more than ten circles, gradually decreasing in size and number, layer upon layer, like a thousand waves crashing down, instantly engulfing Jiao Weihua's swordplay.
Jiao Weihua let out a soft "Eh," seemingly surprised, and had to slightly restrain his sharpness to dodge. He saw that "Li Liangbin" seemed to be wielding streaks of silver light that swirled and danced in his hand, radiating a cold gleam. His weapon advanced steadily and firmly, simple yet precise, displaying an invincible power with its unassuming stance.
Everyone speculated about who "Li Liangbin" was, but couldn't figure it out. If he were a senior master from the four sects of Mount Tai, Mount Song, Mount Hua, or Mount Huang, it would be impossible for him to deceive Dugu Yu and Lin Feifan. If he were a steward from Tingyu Pavilion, he didn't seem like it. Could it be a hall master from the Tianji Sect?
Jiao Weihua, worthy of being Dugu Yu's disciple, moved with measured steps, his sword light constantly shifting, his weapon seemingly transforming into a large cloud of blue-white mist, instantly enveloping "Li Liangbin" within a four-foot radius.
"Within ten moves, he will surely use our sect's sword technique," Dugu Yu said with a slight smile.
Seeing the situation gradually shifting in his favor, "Li Liangbin" suddenly roared, his twin swords splitting and clashing, unleashing several circles of sword light in an instant. Seemingly unremarkable, the sword tips were imbued with his profound internal energy honed over ten years, like a wall, dense and endless, without a single flaw.
"What a brilliant 'Sunrise in the East' technique! It truly captures the essence of the Taishan Sect's Sunrise Sword Technique," Dugu Yu exclaimed, his eyes blazing.
"It seems Yu Ling and Yu Kong have returned to help Young Hero Ren expose Jiao Weihua's true colors," Lin Feifan realized.
"The two elders' martial arts have indeed improved considerably; we couldn't tell at first," Dugu Hong whispered.
"Li Liangbin" moved with the steps of the Dipper, following the changes of the sixty-four hexagrams of Fuxi, advancing and retreating, shifting back and forth, his twin swords flashing with blue light, cutting through the air with a sound, launching a series of attacks with lightning speed.
Jiao Weihua suddenly felt a gust of wind rush towards him. Before it even reached his face, a sharp pain shot through his chest, like a blade cutting into his body, almost suffocating him. Startled, he quickly raised his weapon
and parried with all his might. "Bang! Bang! Bang!" The sounds of thunder and lightning continued, creating waves of air. Jiao Weihua thought he had parried well, barely managing to withstand "Li Liangbin's" rapid attacks, but unexpectedly, a tremendous force struck the tip of his sword, causing his blood to surge and his head to spin.
"Ah!" Jiao Weihua's tiger's mouth burst open, and he could no longer hold onto his longsword.
"Li Liangbin" seized the opportunity, unleashing a torrent of internal energy, like a surging river. He used the force to pull the longsword out of his hand, sending it flying far away.
Jiao Weihua's face turned ashen. He stumbled and fell several steps backward, about to fall.
"Take him alive!" Lin Feifan shouted.
Upon hearing this, "Li Liangbin" loosened his grip on his sword, about to use a grappling technique to seize his opponent's pulse, when suddenly Jiao Weihua roared like thunder, his right palm, fingers together, thrusting straight at "Li Liangbin" with lightning speed.
"Li Liangbin" reacted with astonishing speed, meeting the attack with his sword without hesitation.
"Careful, Heavenly Gang Finger Acupoint Hand!" Lin Feifan hurriedly warned, but it was too late.
"Clang!" Palm and sword clashed like thunder, and "Li Liangbin's" left-hand sword was shattered in two.
Jiao Weihua pressed his advantage, unleashing a series of fierce and vicious moves from the Heavenly Gang Finger Acupoint Hand, his hands overlapping and transforming into countless sharp weapons, raining down upon "Li Liangbin."
"Li Liangbin's" moves were becoming increasingly chaotic. Even Dugu Yu was deeply worried about the situation and couldn't help but show a look of regret. Only Ren Xiaoyao remained calm and composed, showing no sign of tension.
"Li Liangbin" extended his right hand in a circle, blocking Jiao Weihua's extremely vicious attack. Although he only had half a broken sword left in his hand, his stance remained as steady as a mountain. He slowly drew a circle that combined both strength and gentleness.
To everyone's surprise, Jiao Weihua's fiery, flickering, and unpredictable palm wind vanished instantly, like a stone sinking into the sea, turning into scattered energy that was merely a formality and lacked any real threat.
A look of utter horror appeared on Jiao Weihua's face. He knew that he was about to completely lose this only and last chance to save his life.
"Li Liangbin" slightly swayed his toes, leaping into the air, his twin swords slashing in mid-air. The power of his move wasn't diminished by the broken blades; on the contrary, its momentum increased several times over. He had truly reached the realm of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, a masterful feat of seemingly clumsy skill.
"Hahaha, so it was him! I never thought I'd misjudged him this time." Dugu Yu chuckled, his voice a mixture of surprise, joy, and praise, filled with emotion.

Volume Twelve: Close Friends Help Break Through the Fog, Chapter Thirteen:

"Father, he used the Heavenly Annihilation Technique, the Unity of Heaven and Earth... Could it be..." Dugu Hong suddenly realized, blurting out.
"Yes, this person is none other than Iron Sword Autumn Frost Xiao Xingchen." Lin Feifan finished speaking, and Jiao Weihua fell backward, a sword in his chest.
"Brother Xiao, hold him down!" Ren Xiaoyao seemed to remember something, shouting loudly.
Xiao Xingchen was startled, and indeed saw Jiao Weihua's head tilt to one side, black blood gushing from all seven orifices, and he instantly lost his breath.
"Master, wake up!" Li Bi scrambled forward, wailing.
"The assassins of the Absolute Kill have deadly poison hidden in their teeth; if the operation fails, they commit suicide immediately." Ren Xiaoyao sighed in despair. If Jiao Weihua hadn't died, they could have extracted a great deal of information about the Absolute Kill from him.
"Grand Master, please...please save my master!" Li Bi pleaded.
Dugu Yu slowly shook his head, his expression solemn. "I thought Hua's skill could have held out for a while, but after the fierce battle, his blood flow accelerated, and the poison invaded his heart meridian. Even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would be helpless."
"Jiao Weihua brought this upon himself; he deserved it. It's just that Junior Brother Li's death was...somewhat inexplicable," Dugu Hong said sadly.
Liu Dongming raised his voice, "Besides Jiao Weihua and Mu Chenzhong, there must be other remnants of the Juesha sect. I request permission from the Supreme Elder and the Sect Leader to continue the investigation and punish them severely."
Dugu Hong stepped forward from the crowd and said solemnly, "One should be lenient when possible. I believe we should give them a chance to repent."
Dugu Yu pondered for a moment, then suddenly turned to Xiao Xingchen and asked with a smile, "Young Hero Xiao, if your master were to face this matter, how would he handle it?"
Xiao Xingchen answered without hesitation, "My master will not investigate further and will treat it as if nothing happened. However, if he determines that someone is still involved with Juesha, he will surely be executed with the sect's highest punishment of 'three cuts and six holes'."
"Alright, let's learn from the Taishan Sect." Dugu Yu said slowly, "Let's leave Liangbin's murder behind, and all those involved behind the scenes will be forgiven. Of course, if anyone is found to be secretly working for Juesha in the future, they will be executed without mercy!" He spoke very carefully, clearly intending to show leniency, but deliberately bringing up Liu Yuxu, claiming to follow his example, while actually praising the Taishan Sect to thank Xiao Xingchen.
"Senior Dugu, I have a question." Ren Xiaoyao was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked solemnly.
"You want to ask why Jiao Weihua concluded that this Li Liangbin was not the real Li Liangbin, but someone else impersonating him, right?" Dugu Yu smiled amiably.
"Senior Dugu is wise and insightful." Ren Xiaoyao said respectfully.
"Your plan was flawless, but you overlooked a crucial point." Dugu Yu's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he said in a deep voice, "Actually, it's also my fault. I forgot to remind you before you left that Jiao Weihua and Liang Bin were childhood friends and always called each other by their childhood nicknames. It was obvious that Young Hero Xiao called him Junior Brother Li."
"Although it was exposed, Big Brother still managed to force Master Jiao... no, Jiao Weihua to confess his guilt with his extraordinary wisdom. Xiuxiu really admires him." Lin Yuxiu hugged Ren Xiaoyao's left arm without any hesitation and said with a coquettish smile.
"Young Hero Ren, Master's..." Lu Yan asked anxiously.
"Brother Lu, rest assured, Senior Li's body is still in the Green Bamboo House. I did not touch it. It was only to cooperate with the whole plan that Senior Dugu deliberately said that I took it away." Ren Xiaoyao explained with a smile.
"Brother Ren, your kindness is boundless, we are deeply grateful." Lu Yan, Wang Chao, Li Zhe, and other disciples of Li Liangbin knelt down in unison, expressing their profound gratitude. Without Ren Xiaoyao's brilliant strategies, Li Liangbin's death would likely remain an unsolved mystery forever.
"Brother Lu, you are too kind. The truth has been revealed entirely thanks to the protection of Senior Li's spirit. I only contributed a little, it is nothing to mention." Ren Xiaoyao hurriedly helped Lu Yan up, and said solemnly, "If I have offended you in the past, please forgive me."
At this moment, Lu Yan was finally convinced of Ren Xiaoyao's abilities. He knew that he was far inferior to him in terms of intelligence, martial arts, insight, and character, and he no longer had any intention of competing with him for Lin Yuxiu. All that remained was respect and admiration.
Everything continued as planned. Although Li Liangbin survived the massacre, his outstanding contributions to maintaining peace in the martial arts world over the years made him a hero forever remembered by the Hengshan Sect and the entire Central Plains martial arts community. Jiao Weihua, on the other hand, met a tragic end, forever infamous for his betrayal of his master and his role as an accomplice to evil.
That night, Ren Xiaoyao arrived outside Lin Yuxiu's room and found the doorbell extinguished. After hesitating for a moment, he gently knocked on her door.
"Who is it?" Lin Yuxiu's voice sounded softly, clearly feigning ignorance. Who else could be looking for her so late besides Ren Xiaoyao?
Ren Xiaoyao remained silent, waiting for Lin Yuxiu's reaction.
"Xiuxiu… Xiuxiu is a little tired, let's do it another day," Lin Yuxiu said weakly.
I smiled slightly, neither answering nor leaving. I was certain Lin Yuxiu's voice was completely feigned; this little girl probably had a lot on her mind.
A moment later, Lin Yuxiu opened the door, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ren Xiaoyao, tears streaming down her face.
"Xiuxiu..." Ren Xiaoyao was startled.
"Big brother," Lin Yuxiu cried out, throwing herself into Ren Xiaoyao's arms, her arms tightly wrapped around his body, murmuring, "You've been gone for five or six days, I...I missed you so much!"
I picked her up and carried her into the room, softly saying, "Silly girl, I'm here now, aren't I?"
Lin Yuxiu's pretty face flushed with shyness, her phoenix eyes brimming with spring-like desire,
and she offered her fragrant lips. Ren Xiaoyao held Lin Yuxiu's delicate tongue in his mouth, sucking on her soft lips, his right hand slipping under her skirt, caressing her slender, long legs, while simultaneously pressing his strength against her hot body, rubbing her alluring breasts against his strong chest.
Lin Yuxiu gasped softly, giving him a reproachful look before slowly closing her beautiful eyes, appearing completely submissive. Her alluring charm immediately spurred Ren Xiaoyao to accelerate his movements towards her body. (

Chapter 13: A Passionate Entanglement)

"Big brother, no… ah… ah…" Lin Yuxiu finally couldn't bear it any longer and groaned.
The sound was like heavenly music, driving one mad. Without a word, Ren Xiaoyao forcefully pulled off her long dress, revealing Lin Yuxiu's curvaceous body. Her skin was as white and delicate as alabaster, tinged with a faint blush, arousing intense desire.
Ren Xiaoyao could no longer restrain himself, pressing Lin Yuxiu's body down beneath him, gently parting her legs as she tried to close them. Lin Yuxiu slightly thrust her full hips, welcoming Ren Xiaoyao's intrusion. The seamless contact between their bodies instantly intensified the heat between them.
Waves of pleasure ignited their passion, their bodies seemingly merging into one, passionately entwined, filling the room with a riot of color and the sounds of their lovemaking.
After the storm had passed, Lin Yuxiu's face was flushed, her arms and legs still tightly entwined around Ren Xiaoyao, her beautiful eyes closed, her sweet and pure face displaying unparalleled satisfaction.
Ren Xiaoyao gently pressed his face against Lin Yuxiu's and asked, "Do you like it?"
Lin Yuxiu hugged him tightly, opening her phoenix eyes, which held a sense of satisfaction and tranquility after a storm. She softly uttered
, "Mmm, it's so good to be with big brother." Ren Xiaoyao, having tasted the sweetness, said, "How about... we do it again?"
Lin Yuxiu's face immediately flushed red, and she said sweetly, "Forget it, it's better to go to sleep early. We have to set off for Shaolin tomorrow morning."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled and deliberately said, "But I still want..."
Lin Yuxiu extended her slender, jade-like fingers and sealed his lips with hers, saying softly, "Oh dear, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Look how impatient you are."
"Who told my Xiuxiu to be so charming?" Ren Xiaoyao said, his hands starting to wander again.
Lin Yuxiu quickly grabbed his mischievous hand and changed the subject, saying, "What are your plans for this martial arts tournament? For example... like Grandpa and Dad did back then, to compete for a place among the eight masters?"
Ren Xiaoyao leisurely recited, "Fame and fortune are but fleeting clouds, righteousness and chivalry reign supreme. The world speaks of the bitterness of mortal life, but I alone roam the world freely."
Lin Yuxiu immediately understood and said playfully, "Big brother, don't you really have any ideas at all?"
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes shone with anticipation, but his tone remained calm as he sighed softly, "If I have the chance, I'd like to compete with Chief Xiong."
Lin Yuxiu exclaimed in surprise, "Chief Xiong of the Beggars' Sect ..." "Master Xiong Xiaotian?"
Ren Xiaoyao nodded and said, "Yes, among the Four Heroes of the Martial World, Xiao Xingchen and Ye Zhi Qiu's skills are comparable to mine, but his strength remains a mystery. Moreover, being able to personally experience the unparalleled power of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms and the Dog-Beating Staff Technique is something every martial artist dreams of."
Lin Yuxiu thought about it and agreed. Then she gently stroked Ren Xiaoyao's handsome face and whispered, "Big brother, I'm tired."
Ren Xiaoyao said with great affection, "Then rest quickly."
Lin Yuxiu kissed Ren Xiaoyao's cheek with her warm, fragrant lips, said nothing more, rested her head on his chest, closed her phoenix eyes wearily, and fell into a deep sleep.
Ren Xiaoyao held Lin Yuxiu in his arms, but his thoughts involuntarily turned to Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi. Since he had impulsively spent a night with the two sisters in Hua'e Valley, he hadn't returned to Tingyu Pavilion for more than half a month. He wondered if they were thinking of him too.
Speaking of which, the Nangong sisters not only loved him deeply but also gave him their most precious chastity, yet he left without even saying goodbye. Although he was in a hurry to chase after Shui Furong and never expected to end up in Hengshan, where he met Lin Yuxiu by chance and gained Dugu Yu's appreciation, and then the incident of Li Liangbin's murder kept him from returning, not even being able to send a message... Alas, perhaps everyone in Tingyuxuan, except for Sect Leader Nangong and Mr. Zhuge, would blame him for being unfaithful and heartless.
Of course, the Nangong sisters are definitely not among them. Although Fengyi may not be able to understand him on a deeper level, her beauty, intelligence, gentleness, and thoughtfulness would surely allow her to understand his predicament. Fengzi is still young and may not be able to comprehend the pain of separation from her lover. Besides, being an optimistic person, she doesn't seem to have the word "sorrow" in her heart, so she probably wouldn't blame him too much.
Then there's Furong, whose situation seems even worse than the Nangong sisters'. Firstly, without her by her side, loneliness is inevitable; secondly, the martial world is treacherous, and many things are beyond the capabilities of a young woman like her; thirdly, Juesha is secretly lurking nearby, and might very well harm her (since Juesha has offended the Hengshan Sect, he probably won't give Yi Tianhan any face anymore). Therefore, the most urgent task isn't to comfort the Nangong sisters, but to find Shui Furong as soon as possible and ensure her safety.
Searching for a young girl in a vast sea of people is like finding a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, the martial arts tournament is being held at Shaolin Temple, and heroes from all walks of life will surely flock there. Shui Furong loves excitement and, like her master, enjoys sparring; she'll definitely be there. Putting herself in the Nangong sisters' shoes, they probably also hope to reunite with her at the tournament, and are pestering Nangong Bubai to take them along.
Alas, if all four women were to encounter each other at the same time, who knows what kind of situation would arise?
Ren Xiaoyao dared not think about it, nor did he want to. He only knew that the hardest thing to bear was the kindness of a beautiful woman, and these romantic debts would likely haunt him for a lifetime.
The next day, he got up early and quietly slipped from Lin Yuxiu's boudoir back to his own bedroom. After all, even though everyone in the Hengshan Sect knew about his relationship with her, they couldn't openly sleep together until they were married.
However, as soon as he reached the door, Xiao Xingchen and Wei Sihan were already blocking the way. They seemed to have anticipated Ren Xiaoyao's plan, leaving him unsure whether to move forward or backward, frozen in place.
"Oh, Brother Ren," Wei Sihan spotted him immediately, strolled over, and smiled meaningfully, "Up early, huh? Back from your walk already?"
"Hehe, it's a habit I've had since childhood, I can't change it." Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flickered as he gave Wei Sihan a grateful look, then turned to Xiao Xingchen, cupped his hands, and asked, "Brother Xiao, you've come to see me so early in the morning, is there something important?"

Xiao

Xingchen, unfamiliar with matters of the heart, naturally believed Wei Sihan's words and frankly said, "That's right, my master has arrived in the Xiangnan area, and I must rush to meet him immediately. I came specifically to say goodbye to you."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled and said, "What about Senior Dugu..."
Wei Sihan interrupted: “Brother Xiao already took his leave last night, but he couldn’t find Brother Ren, which is why it’s been delayed until this morning.”
Ren Xiaoyao felt ashamed and cupped his hands, saying, “Brother Xiao, I can’t thank you enough. I look forward to meeting you again at the martial arts tournament.”
Xiao Xingchen’s eyes brightened, and he said in a deep voice, “I heard that Brother Ren had a brief encounter with Ye Zhi Qiu before he first came to Hengshan. I wonder what kind of person he is and what his martial arts skills are?”
Ren Xiaoyao smiled knowingly, thinking to himself: Heroes value heroes, heroes cherish heroes. Brother Xiao’s eagerness to know about Ye Zhi Qiu’s situation is probably the same as my concern for Xiong Xiaotian. He probably hopes to compete with him.
Seeing Ren Xiaoyao remain silent, Xiao Xingchen hurriedly added, "To be honest, Brother Ren, I've always had a wish to spar with the other three young heroes among the Four Heroes of the Martial World and see who is better. I've already witnessed the martial arts of Brother Ren and Brother Xiong, but I haven't had the chance to meet Ye Zhi Qiu yet."
Ren Xiaoyao replied truthfully, "Brother Ye is resolute and decisive, and hates evil like poison. His swordsmanship is mainly light and quick, yet it is also cunning and ruthless. In addition, with the divine weapon Mo Lianfeng in hand, I know I may not be able to defeat him."
Xiao Xingchen revealed a confident smile, "In that case, I hope even more to have a spectacular battle with Ye Zhi Qiu in front of all the heroes of the Central Plains." Yesterday, he defeated Jiao Weihua, the fifth-ranked figure of the Hengshan Sect, in less than thirty moves, greatly boosting his confidence, which was no longer comparable to when he first left Mount Tai.
Wei Sihan said wistfully, "The martial arts tournament is not only a stage for Brother Ren and Brother Xiao to freely roam, but also the best opportunity for me to show my talent and make a name for myself. I believe that Shaolin will be abuzz with activity on the eighth day of next month."
After breakfast, Dugu Yu began to assign the planned tasks. Liu Dongming and Zhu Tao led two hundred disciples to stay behind at Hengshan, while Dugu Yu, along with Lin Feifan, Dugu Hong, Zhou Kai, Lin Yuxiu, and the rest of the elite,
set off for Shaolin in a grand procession. To avoid revealing his identity too early, Ren Xiaoyao disguised himself as a kind-looking, yellow-faced man and mingled in the crowd. Naturally, he and Lin Yuxiu engaged in several passionate encounters along the way. Lin Feifan and Dugu Hong knew of his philandering nature and did not interfere much. As long as Ren Xiaoyao treated their daughter sincerely, the couple were content.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
The Asura Cult wreaked havoc on the northwestern border and ravaged the Central Plains martial arts world with its deadly attacks. Everyone in the martial
arts world lived in fear, worried that the horrific bloodshed of twenty years ago would be repeated. However, when news of Dugu Yu's resolute return from seclusion spread, the dark clouds hanging over everyone's hearts vanished instantly. Shaolin, the Beggars' Sect, the Tianji Sect, the Four Great Families, the Five Great Sword Sects, the Green Forest Alliance of thirteen provinces, and the Tang Clan of Sichuan all rallied in spirit. Rumors even circulated that Yi Tianhan, Fu Longyuan, and Meng Fei were rushing back from overseas overnight, joining Dugu Yu, Xiao Chen, Lin Feifan, Long Yinxiao, and Nangong Bubai to form the new Eight Great Masters, united to resist the invasion of the Asura Cult and the Deadly Attacks.
In the blink of an eye, the eighth day arrived, and the heroes gathered at Shaoshi Mountain to discuss strategies against the enemy.
The front and rear halls, left and right wings of Shaolin Temple were packed with heroes from all walks of life. The four generations of disciples—Xiaoming, Hui, Jue, and Kong—were all too busy to attend to them. Fortunately, Zheng Guanshou, the head of the Songshan Sect (Shaoshi Mountain is one of the Central Peaks, separated from the Songshan Sect by only one peak), promptly dispatched his disciples to assist, ensuring that the distinguished guests were not neglected.
When the Hengshan Sect arrived, the four great monks, Xiaoming and Xiaochen, along with the eighteen Arhats, came out of the temple for twenty miles to greet them. The leaders of various gangs, sects, and aristocratic families also accompanied them, creating a truly magnificent scene.
Hearing the shouts of "Leader Dugu's divine sword soars, the Asuras will be annihilated!" echoing across the mountains, not only were the members of the Hengshan Sect invigorated, but even Ren Xiaoyao was filled with fervor and his thoughts surged. He thought to himself: If one day I could become the spiritual anchor of the heroes of the Central Plains like Senior Dugu, receiving their heartfelt respect and love, and even single-handedly shoulder the responsibility of maintaining peace in the martial world, my long-deceased parents would surely rest in peace.
Heroes from the seven southern provinces and sixty-three northern provinces all arrived as scheduled, but the five halls of the Tianji Sect—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and Qilin—were nowhere to be seen. Everyone speculated that the imperial court was about to wage war again, which was why Long Yinxiao was unable to lead his troops. Unable to get confirmation, they had no choice but to send several groups of disciples to inquire.
Xiaochen knew that today's matter could not be resolved in a short time, so he decided to hold a grand meeting immediately to avoid further delay.
As the heroes of the Central Plains headed towards the Arhat Hall, Ren Xiaoyao, intending to take the opportunity to find the Nangong sisters, was held back by Lin Yuxiu and couldn't get away. He hurriedly looked around but couldn't find Shui Furong.
Outside the Bodhidharma Hall, a magnificent platform, ten zhang square, was erected in the open space, with a large pillar in the center and a banner embroidered with the four characters "Martial Arts Conference" hanging high above it—a truly spectacular sight.
Around the platform were neatly arranged over a hundred nanmu chairs, seats for the leaders of various gangs and sects. Behind them were more than ten times that number of benches, reserved for disciples of slightly lower rank. Eventually, all the benches were used up, and Xiaoming had to send people to place round stones between them. Even so, nearly forty percent of the martial arts heroes still had to stand, demonstrating the sheer number of heroes who had come to Shaolin Temple for the conference.
Sitting beside Dugu Yu, Lin Yuxiu, seeing the surging crowd and extraordinary scene around them, felt an inexplicable curiosity and giggled, "Big brother, look how lively it is!"
Ren Xiaoyao remained silent for a long time. Lin Yuxiu called him several times before he came to his senses and hurriedly said, "Yes...yes, it's really lively."
It turned out that the seats of the four great families were right across from them. With a focused gaze, Ren Xiaoyao easily spotted the youthful and beautiful figures of the Nangong sisters in the crowd. He had spent a lot of time with the two girls and knew that Nangong Fengzi was playful and willful. Naturally, she had pestered her father to bring her to this martial arts event, which only happened once every twenty years. However, Nangong Fengyi preferred quiet and had no reason to leave Tingyu Pavilion.
Recalling his guess that night, a thought struck him: Could it be that Fengyi really came all this way just to find me…? He was halfway through his thought when he caught a glimpse of her melancholy, wistful, and longing gaze, yet also one of disdain for the surrounding scene. He instantly realized: Fengyi truly only has me in her heart; I have wronged her far too deeply.

(Chapter 3: The Martial Arts Tournament, Volume 13)

At this moment, the four great monks leaped onto the high platform, clasped their hands together, and bowed to the crowd below. The heroes all stood up to show their respect.
Xiaoming solemnly declared, “This temple is convening this martial arts conference because, in the more than ten years since the retirement of Alliance Leader Dugu, the Central Plains martial arts world has been leaderless, with various sects constantly vying for power, leading to the gradual decline of the righteous forces. Recently, the Asura Sect has once again invaded the borders, its annihilation attempt rekindled, all plotting to bring disaster to the Song Dynasty and destroy the Central Plains martial arts world. This temple intends to use this martial arts conference to elect a highly respected person to serve as the leader of the Central Plains martial arts alliance, leading all heroes to resist the invasion of foreign enemies. What do you all think?”
Upon hearing this, everyone cheered, and applause erupted.
Xiaoming continued, "Twenty years ago, the Central Plains martial arts world suffered a devastating bloodbath. We, the heroes of the Beggars' Sect, gathered at Junshan, the headquarters of the Beggars' Sect, and jointly elected eight masters. Under their leadership, we successfully weathered that catastrophe."
Most of the older people in the audience had witnessed the event. Recalling the past,
they were all filled with longing and a surge of heroic spirit. Xiaoming continued, "Among the eight masters, the one with the greatest merit is none other than Senior Dugu Yu, the former leader of the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance and the previous head of the Hengshan Sect. If it weren't for his astonishing swordsmanship that defeated the Ghostly Netherworld Lord, how could the martial arts world have enjoyed eighteen years of peace? Today, Senior Dugu, at the age of ninety, still attends the gathering. The entire Shaolin Temple is deeply grateful. This old monk humbly requests Senior Dugu to come up on stage and co-host today's meeting with us four monks."
Knowing this, Dugu Yu could not refuse, so he stood up and leaped onto the high platform.
Many had previously worried about his advanced age and potential decline, but now they saw him full of vigor, his eyes gleaming. His leap was light, agile, and skillful, demonstrating his exceptional ability. The crowd erupted in cheers, louder than before, like a thunderclap. The heroes praised him, each thinking to themselves: "The Alliance Leader Dugu truly deserves to be called the number one master in the world; even at nearly a hundred years old, he still possesses such divine power."
Dugu Yu walked to the four great monks, cupped his hands, and said, "Since the abbot thinks so highly of me, I shall respectfully accept."
The four great monks returned the gesture, and Xiaoming smiled and clasped his hands together, saying, "The rise and fall of the martial world rests on Senior Dugu's shoulders. We humbly listen to your inquiries and dare not disobey."
Dugu Yu looked around the crowd and said loudly, "I only have one thing to say—unity makes strength, division makes weakness. As long as we, the people of the same path, work together to resist external threats, what are the Asura Sect and the Absolute Killing Sect to fear!"
The shouts of "Alliance Leader Dugu, your divine sword shines! Asura Sect, Annihilation is overthrown!" rang out again, and everyone's emotions were high, their fighting spirit soaring.
Xiaoming solemnly asked, "What are your opinions on electing a leader of the martial world?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Yunhe, the leader of the Tang Clan, Zheng Guanshou, the leader of the Songshan Sect, and Liu Zhenxin, the leader of the Huashan Sect, all stood up simultaneously.
Tang Yunhe spoke first: "Senior Dugu served as the leader of the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance twenty years ago. His high moral character and prestige are beyond question. Presumably, his martial arts skills are even better than before. Therefore, the Tang Clan of Sichuan and the heroes of Sichuan unanimously recommend Senior Dugu to take over the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance again."
Zheng Guanshou added: "That's right. Senior Dugu is the person that Ghost Netherworld God and Hatred Heaven fear the most. If he were to become the leader of the martial arts alliance, he would surely be able to subdue the demons and make the Asura Sect and Absolute Killing Realm tremble with fear."
Liu Zhenxin said loudly: "The Huashan Sect also has this intention."
In an instant, no less than twenty gangs and sects echoed his sentiment.
Nangong Bubai abruptly stood up and said, "Tingyuxuan, Fengmingge, Yaoyuelou, and Shenhuotang respectfully invite Senior Dugu to ascend the throne as their sect leader."
In an instant, the entire hall fell silent. Everyone said, "Even the four most powerful families in the martial world have stood up to express their stance. It seems Senior Dugu can no longer refuse.
" Dugu Yu shook his head and said solemnly, "I am unworthy of your favor. I truly dare not accept the position of martial arts alliance leader."
"What makes you say that, Senior Dugu?" Xiaochen said solemnly, "Looking at the world today, in terms of martial arts and reputation, you are unparalleled. Moreover, all the heroes unanimously agree that you are worthy of the position. In my opinion..." "
Master Xiaochen, it is not that I am unwilling to assume the position of Central Plains martial arts alliance leader," Dugu Yu suddenly interrupted, "It is just that I am over ninety years old. It is truly beyond my capabilities to lead tens of thousands of heroes. I hope you will choose another capable person."
He paused, then added, "However, if the Central Plains martial arts world ever needs my help, I, Dugu Yu, will go through fire and water even if it costs me my life." His meaning was clear: he absolutely refused to become the leader of the martial arts alliance, but he would also not allow the Asura Sect or the Absolute Kill Sect to grow too powerful. "
Senior Dugu's indifference to fame and fortune is deeply admired by this old monk, so naturally I cannot force him," Xiaoming raised his voice and slowly said, "However, since all the heroes have gathered here today, we must elect a leader who can be accepted by the masses. Please feel free to speak your suggestions. "
Everyone nodded in agreement and expressed their opinions.
Some said, "Sect Leader Nangong of Tingyuxuan has divine swordsmanship and unparalleled benevolence and righteousness; he is the best candidate for the leader of the martial arts alliance."
Some suggested, "Master Xiaochen is one of the eight great masters; he is suitable to lead the heroes.
" Others said, "Sect Leader Lin of Hengshan Sect has inherited Senior Dugu's true teachings; he is the perfect candidate to become the leader." "
Someone else said, 'Master Tang Jue once led his disciples to wipe out twenty-four branches of the Jue Sha Sect. The Jue Sha members turn pale at the mere mention of the 'King of Hidden Weapons.' Who else but him deserves the position of Alliance Leader?'"
"Please hear me out," Liu Yuxu finally spoke after a long silence, immediately silencing the crowd. "As Abbot Xiaoming said, apart from Senior Dugu, no one in the Central Plains martial arts world can command respect. Instead of our endless debate, why not emulate the approach taken at the Junshan Gathering and invite all heroes to the stage to demonstrate their skills? Whoever possesses the highest martial arts will be the Alliance Leader of the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance."
"A good suggestion." "Exactly." "As soon as Yu Xu finished speaking, everyone echoed his agreement.
The four great monks exchanged glances and nodded in approval. They knew that the choice of the martial arts alliance leader was crucial to the stability of the martial arts world and the rise and fall of the nation. It would be difficult to lead hundreds of thousands of heroes from the Central Plains without both virtue and talent, and proficiency in both literature and martial arts. It was rare for heroes from all over the world to gather at Shaolin today. Surely someone with wisdom and superb martial arts skills would stand out from among them, and it would be the popular choice for him to ascend to the position.

Chapter 4 of Volume 13, The New Waves of the Yangtze River, Doubtful

Xiao Ming discussed with the other three monks for a moment, then strode to the front of the stage and said loudly, "Sect Leader Liu's suggestion is very pertinent. Shaolin Temple fully agrees. Does anyone have any objections?"
He asked several times, but no one answered. So he said loudly, "Very well, then let's do as Sect Leader Liu says and have a martial arts contest to decide who will become the alliance leader." The assembled heroes
were all intrigued and eager to try, but everyone knew that this kind of competition was essentially a series of matches, and the earlier one attacked, the more disadvantaged they would be. Therefore, after a long while, no one stepped onto the stage.
Murong Tianfeng suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Abbot Xiaoming, please forgive my bluntness, but if we don't establish some rules for this competition, it will be unfair."
Liu Yuxu's eyes flashed, and he said in a deep voice, "Sect Leader Murong, what do you mean by that?"
Murong Tianfeng said solemnly, "If we adopt a series of matches, even if Senior Dugu were to fight, it would be difficult for him to win from beginning to end. I propose that whoever wins three consecutive matches must step down and rest until their strength has recovered before fighting again."
Shangguan Qingyun continued, "Furthermore, each gang, sect, and family can only send two people to participate in the competition at most. Otherwise, with thousands of heroes present today, if everyone were to show their skills, it would probably take more than ten days to finish. Not only would Shaolin Temple be bankrupted, but if the Shura Sect and Juesha Sect were to take advantage of the situation, it would be a great loss." Everyone
felt that their suggestions were reasonable and agreed with them.
Xiaoming walked to the banner of the "Martial Arts Tournament" and announced, "The competition officially begins. I wonder which hero will be the first to step forward."
Before he finished speaking, a middle-aged man in a blue cloth robe rushed forward. Ren Xiaoyao recognized him as Yan Chenghua, the "Flying Fish Swordsman" he had seen in the East Sea. Yan Chenghua clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying loudly, "I am Yan Chenghua, the leader of the Flying Fish Gang. I know that my martial arts skills are low and I dare not have any improper thoughts. I only hope to offer my humble opinion and learn from everyone's high skills. I wonder which hero would be willing to teach me?" “
I’ll go.” A man suddenly stepped forward from the east end. He was about forty years old, tall and slender with a thin face, but his eyes shone brightly with a sharp light, clearly indicating that he was quite skilled.
Yan Chenghua’s heart stirred, and he smiled and said, “So it’s Brother Qiu. I’ve heard that your Flying Flower Sword Technique is famous in Yuzhang. I’d like to see it for myself today.” This man was none other than Qiu Feng, the leader of the powerful Sanjiang Sect in southern Jiangxi. He was secretly surprised that the other man recognized him at a glance.
Everyone watched the stage intently, afraid of missing any exciting fight scenes.
"Take this!" Qiu Feng roared, thrusting his sword straight at Yan Chenghua's chest.
Yan Chenghua reacted swiftly, his left hand circling out to block Qiu Feng's sword, then twisting it with his inner force, instantly neutralizing the attack.
Knowing his internal strength was inferior to Yan Chenghua's, Qiu Feng took a half-step back to recover his breath. Yan Chenghua seized the opportunity, unleashing the full power of his 49-form Flying Fish Sword Technique, instantly enveloping Qiu Feng.
Qiu Feng's Flying Flower Sword Technique was fluid and controlled, his movements graceful as he weaved through the layers of sword light. In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged dozens of blows.
The elders and renowned figures from various sects watching pointed and commented, using this as a way to teach their own disciples a lesson.
Dugu Yu addressed his disciples, saying, "Judging solely from swordsmanship, Yan Chenghua's style is expansive and powerful, while Qiu Feng's is agile and unpredictable. It would be difficult to determine a winner in less than three or four hundred moves."
Wei Sihan interjected, "Grandmaster, according to my observation, Chief Yan's Flying Fish Sword is extremely sharp, seemingly slightly superior to his opponent's weapon. Qiu Feng, fearing damage to his sword, dares not engage him directly, thus being constantly restrained and unable to fully utilize the advantages of his Flying Flower Sword Technique. I fear he will be defeated in less than ten moves."
Dugu Yu was delighted to hear that his assessment was accurate and nodded, saying, "Your observation is quite good, child. It's no wonder I've taught you." Receiving Dugu Yu's personal praise was a great honor, admired not only by everyone in the Hengshan Sect but also by members of the four neighboring sects.
As expected, by the eighth move, Qiu Feng's longsword was knocked away by Yan Chenghua. He lived up to his reputation as a hero, quickly retreating upon defeat, clasping his hands and saying, "Brother Yan's martial arts are superb; I admit my inferiority. I
will definitely visit you to learn from you when I find a fine sword." The implication was that although he had conceded defeat, he hadn't lost in terms of martial arts. Lin Yuxiu tugged at Ren Xiaoyao's clothes and whispered, "Big brother, this person's martial arts are quite good. I'll go and exchange a few blows with him later."
"Xiuxiu, don't be silly," Lin Feifan gently scolded. "He's a famous master from the East Sea. How can a junior like you challenge him?" His hearing was incredibly sharp; he could hear Lin Yuxiu's soft voice clearly.
Lin Yuxiu was scolded by her father, and her nose tingled with tears. Ren Xiaoyao quickly comforted her, saying softly, "Xiuxiu, don't worry. When it's your turn, Senior Dugu will naturally nod in approval.
" Lin Yuxiu glared at Ren Xiaoyao, seemingly blaming him for not speaking up for her and for pretending to support her.
Ren Xiaoyao's heart fluttered, and he reached out to put his arm around Lin Yuxiu's slender waist, echoing, "Baby, do you dare to make a bet with your big brother?"
Lin Yuxiu pouted and said, "Hmph, what bet?"
Ren Xiaoyao pretended to be serious and said, "I bet that Yan Chenghua will definitely lose within two rounds. If I lose, I will ask Senior Dugu to fight for you. If I win..." He deliberately left the conversation abruptly.
Lin Yuxiu said anxiously, "Tell me quickly, what do you want?"
Ren Xiaoyao used his secret telepathic skill to whisper, "If I win, you'll fight me in a big battle."
"Okay!" Lin Yuxiu blurted out, then realized her lover's words had a hidden meaning. Her pretty face immediately turned red, and she said with a slight reproach, "Big brother, what do you mean, Xiuxiu..."
"Ah—" A scream interrupted her words. The second challenger, "Invincible Blade" Du Peng, was also knocked off the stage by Yan Chenghua.
"Brother Ren, I think Chief Yan's martial arts are very strong. Unless he faces several senior masters, he won't be defeated in a short time," Lu Yan said in a deep voice.
Wei Sihan, acting on behalf of Ren Xiaoyao, replied, "Senior Brother Lu, please observe. Although Chief Yan's Flying Fish Sword is made of East Sea Cold Iron, it is merely an ordinary blade, ultimately inferior to contemporary divine weapons like the Giant Falcon, Purple Lightning, and Azure Frost. Furthermore, the Flying Fish Sword Technique is too rigid and lacks variation. However, if it encounters a master of external martial arts skilled in long weapons, he will undoubtedly be defeated."
Lu Yan, Li Bi, and the other disciples were all skeptical. (

Chapter 5 of Volume 13, "The Yangtze River's New Waves Dance First

") In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Yan Chenghua indeed lost to Lu Ying, the deputy chief of the Salt Gang, nicknamed "Little Flower Spear."
Lin Yuxiu was full of admiration. Her delicate, cherry-red lips lingered on Ren Xiaoyao's, saying, "Big brother, you have such a keen eye! When will you teach me?"
Ren Xiaoyao leaned forward and smiled, "No technique in the world is without flaws. With your current cultivation level, as long as you calm down and observe carefully, it won't be difficult to discern the weaknesses of the Flying Fish Sword Technique. Combined with your experience in daily combat, you should be able to devise a way to counter it."
Lin Yuxiu seemed to understand, but not quite, and asked with a slightly surprised tone, "According to big brother, does Grandpa's sword technique also have flaws?"
Ren Xiaoyao said softly, "Although Senior Dugu is the number one master in the world, he is not immune to these flaws." "But his skill is so profound that often his opponents haven't even noticed a flaw before he's already covered for it."
Lin Yuxiu gazed at him intently, pressing for an answer: "Is there truly no move in the world without any flaws?"
Ren Xiaoyao slowly shook his head, then suddenly a thought struck him, and he said in a deep voice: "There is, however, an invincible sword technique."
Lin Yuxiu recalled the ultimate move that Dugu Yu had displayed outside the Green Bamboo House that day, and suddenly realized: "Big brother, are you referring to 'A Thousand Years of Eternity... A Thousand Years of Elegance in Laughter'?"
Ren Xiaoyao said solemnly: "That's right. The beauty of 'A Thousand Years of Elegance in Laughter' lies in its ability to expose every flaw in the opponent's body. If the opponent's skill is inferior and they rashly make a move, they will lose the initiative and be doomed to defeat." "Doubtful; if it were a top-tier master, they would surely stand still and patiently wait, hoping to find an opening to counterattack when the user is exhausted. Little do they know that after a short while, their own mind will be scattered, and they will no longer have the strength to resist the subsequent sword moves."
Dugu Yu interjected, "Xiaoyao is quite right. For thousands of years, people in the martial arts world have racked their brains, hoping to create flawless moves to dominate the martial arts world. However, moves and flaws are like a person and their shadow, an inseparable entity. No matter how refined your cultivation is, you cannot break through this constraint. The 'Three Forms of Heavenly Annihilation,' the 'Dog-Beating Stick Technique,' the 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms,' and even our own sect's 'Seven Absolute Swords of Hengshan,' these are all examples of..." The supreme techniques that our predecessors painstakingly developed over countless years, though incredibly powerful, were always bound to have weaknesses. Despite numerous precedents, many martial artists still squandered their lives on this elusive and unattainable dream. For hundreds of years, only Brother Ren has truly grasped the essence of it all, finding a different path and comprehending the martial arts principle that 'flaws everywhere are flawless,' thus creating unparalleled and effortless techniques that have resonated through the ages. The eight characters 'The ultimate swordsmanship seeks only defeat' truly deserve his reputation.”
Ren Xiaoyao listened with deep emotion, his admiration for Ren Qiaocui deepening even further.
“Big brother, look!” Lin Yuxiu exclaimed sweetly.
Ren Xiaoyao looked in the direction of the voice and saw a handsome young man in a silk robe standing on the stage, smiling, clearly having just won.
“It's been more than half a year since I last saw him; it seems his martial arts have improved as well,” Ren Xiaoyao thought to himself.
This man was none other than Situ Shangming, the only son of Situ Changkong, the young master of the Divine Fire Hall, known as the "White Dragon Flying Sword." His misconduct in Hongzhou that day offended Ren Xiaoyao, directly leading to the theft of treasures from Yaoyue Tower, Divine Fire Hall, and Fengming Pavilion. Situ Changkong had severely punished him several times for this, and it was said that he had recently become much more restrained.
"This junior is unworthy; my meager skills have only made you all laugh," Situ Shangming said, bowing. He defeated Luo Fushun, the head of the Laoshan Sect, with a move from his family's sword technique, "Stream Flowing into the Sea," earning cheers from the entire audience.
"I'd like to ask for a few pointers," said one of the disciples from the five major sword sects, who had already appeared before Situ Shangming in a flash. Dressed in a coarse Taoist robe, his handsome eyes shone brightly; he was none other than Xiao Xingchen.
"Young Master Xiao, please. " "Dugu Shangming planted his left foot firmly and lightly touched the ground with his right, his longsword tracing a perfect circle. Xiao Xingchen was as famous as Ren Xiaoyao, and defeating him would restore face to his family.
Xiao Xingchen used the Seven Star Steps, his figure elusive and unpredictable, his sword tip flashing as it rained down on Situ Shangming. He didn't want to take advantage of the weapon, using only an ordinary iron sword, yet his heroic spirit was undiminished, his vigor and power undiminished."
Situ Shangming twisted his waist and unleashed a powerful strike, "Parting the Clouds to See the Sun," aimed straight at Xiao Xingchen with a gust of wind.
With a clang, their figures merged and separated abruptly, both retreating without gaining the upper hand.
"Young Master Xiao, why didn't you use Purple Lightning or Azure Frost? Do you underestimate me?" With a long shout, Situ Shangming's wrist flicked, unleashing three swift thrusts.
Xiao Xingchen's eyes sharpened; he leaped into the air, his body flying backward. The cold light narrowly missed him, grazing him just inches away.
Situ Shangming pressed his advantage, closing in relentlessly. Suddenly
, a flash of azure light appeared before Xiao Xingchen's eyes, startling him. He had no choice but to use his unique "Eclipse of the Sun" lightness skill, retreating several steps further.
Lin Yuxiu frowned, puzzled, "Young Master Xiao could even defeat Luo... Luo Weihua, so how did he manage to gain the upper hand over Situ Shangming?"
Wei Sihan said calmly, "Brother Xiao deliberately feigned weakness to hide his true strength. I think the outcome will be clear when Situ Shangming becomes arrogant and greedy for credit."
Ren Xiaoyao nodded in agreement and added, "The Taishan School's martial arts emphasize a balance of strength and gentleness, offense and defense, while the Shenhuo Hall's swordsmanship focuses on speed and power. Coupled with Situ Shangming's arrogant nature and eagerness to win, he is definitely no match for Brother Xiao."
"The sun rises in the east!" Xiao Xingchen suddenly shouted, his longsword thrusting in all directions, aiming directly at the opponent's blade. Every move was incredibly accurate, intercepting Situ Shangming's all-out attack.
Situ Shangming was unwilling to give up easily. Just as he was about to unleash his inner strength to reorganize his sword stance, he suddenly saw Xiao Xingchen's sword path relentlessly approaching, attacking his vital chest. He was greatly alarmed and hastily parried with his sword, barely managing to block the attack.
Unexpectedly, the moment he collided with the opponent's blade, the green edge suddenly turned, flashing straight at his left ribs. Situ Shangming saw this clearly and knew he could not withstand it. He could only perform a somersault and leap back three feet.
Xiao Xingchen's mind flashed, and he unleashed the Eighteen Bends of Mount Tai Sword Technique, launching a full-scale counterattack.
This sword technique was created by Daoist Chenxin in the treacherous and aloof terrain of the Eighteen Bends of Mount Tai. It is known for its strangeness, danger, beauty, seclusion, mystery, and vastness. On the surface, it may seem clumsy, but in reality, it combines strength and flexibility, as if carved by a knife and axe, with immense power.
Soon, Situ Shangming was forced to retreat to a dead corner in the northeast, and it seemed that he would be defeated in just a few moves.

Volume Thirteen: The Rising Stars Dance the Waves, Chapter Six: The Chosen Daughter of Heaven.

If it were Ren Xiaoyao, he would have increased his power, forcing Situ Shangming to concede. If it were Ye Zhi Qiu, he would have pressed forward relentlessly, directly knocking Situ Shangming out of the arena. But Xiao Xingchen remained unhurried, calmly and methodically displaying her swordsmanship, seemingly unconcerned about the outcome of the duel.
Xiao Chen observed for a moment, then remarked with emotion, "At such a young age, she has already reached the Daoist realm of tranquility and non-action; truly remarkable."
To others, this was naturally praise for Xiao Xingchen, but Situ Shangming, narrow-minded as he was being mocked for being unworthy of being Xiao Xingchen's opponent, felt a surge of anger rising within him. He suddenly leaped forward, his longsword conjuring countless rays of light, the blade aimed directly at Xiao Xingchen's left arm, then the tip slashed outwards, diagonally cutting down Xiao Xingchen's ribs.
Xiao Xingchen remained calm and composed, smoothly slashing at Situ Shangming's right wrist. This sword strike was simple yet powerful, devoid of any fancy techniques, a genuine move of the Sun-Gazing Swordplay—steady, precise, and with solid force.
"A brilliant 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao'!" Ren Xiaoyao exclaimed. Xiao Xingchen disregarded his own safety, attacking Situ Shangming with all his might, knowing that the opponent's attacks were all driven by his right hand.
He believed that a single, decisive strike would force Situ Shangming to retreat and defend. However, Situ Shangming's change of move was incredibly swift. In a flash, he switched the sword to his left hand, then immediately withdrew his right, barely avoiding the blade.
Not only did Xiao Xingchen fail to neutralize the opponent's attack, but he himself was also exposed, with over a dozen vital points in his chest and abdomen revealed to Situ Shangming's blade.
The sudden change drew gasps from the crowd, except for top masters like Dugu Yu, Xiao Chen, and Lin Feifan, who remained unmoved.
With a loud "bang," someone plummeted from the platform. It wasn't Xiao Xingchen, who had lost the initiative, but Situ Shangming, who was on the verge of victory.
"What a brilliant move, 'All Rivers Flow into the Sea,'" Xiaoming clapped and laughed.
It turned out that even before making his move, Xiao Xingchen had anticipated the situation might turn against him. He secretly withdrew a third of his true strength, and after Situ Shangming dodged his attack, he immediately withdrew his sword and retreated. Although he couldn't return to defend in time, he still managed to block Situ Shangming's sword spine before it struck a vital spot. Then, he used the recoil to leap into the air.
Situ Shangming was shocked and pulled back his arm to dodge. Just as he was about to strike again, he saw Xiao Xingchen's longsword descending upon him like a shadow. He had no choice but to retreat another half step, gradually approaching the edge of the platform.
Xiao Xingchen seized the opportunity, wielding his sword like the wind, slashing diagonally with seemingly effortless grace. The two movements were executed in quick succession, as if in one move, without the slightest hesitation.
Left with no other choice, Situ Shangming braced himself and drew his sword to meet the attack. Xiao Xingchen, unwilling to entangle with him, used the momentum of his fall to meet Situ Shangming's weapon. With a pull and a deflection, he hurled Situ Shangming out of the arena. The technique used was the ultimate move of the Sunrise Swordplay , "Hundred Rivers Return to the Sea.
" Situ Shangming struggled to his feet, his face contorted with embarrassment, and retreated to his seat. He had spent months perfecting the art of sword exchange, intending to use it against Ren Xiaoyao and avenge his previous defeat. However, his first attempt was thwarted by Xiao Xingchen, leaving him disheartened.
The four great families were closely allied. With the young master of the Divine Fire Hall defeated, the Inviting Moon Pavilion and the Phoenix Cry Pavilion could not stand idly by. Murong Wu and Shangguan Zhi entered the fray, but they too lost to Xiao Xingchen. However, these three came from families with strong martial arts traditions, and Xiao Xingchen's victory was hard-won. He not only exhausted most of his internal energy but also sustained several sword wounds.
Ren Xiaoyao said regretfully, "Brother Xiao single-handedly defeated three of the most renowned young masters from the four great families, bringing great honor to the Taishan Sect. However, after such a long battle, his condition is far from what it used to be. If he were to encounter Ye Zhi Qiu, he would undoubtedly be defeated."
Dugu Hong said softly, "Sect Leader Liu possesses profound internal strength. With just a little help from his internal energy, Young Hero Xiao should recover easily. As for the mere flesh and blood injury, it won't affect his martial arts performance."
Lin Feifan said calmly, "Liu Yuxu is focused on vying for the Alliance Leader position. How could he possibly sacrifice his cultivation to heal Young Hero Xiao?"
Dugu Hong asked in astonishment, "How do you know?"
Lin Feifan smiled and said, "The first person from the Taishan Sect to appear was Xiao Xingchen. Could it be that Qin Wei..." Would Liang, Feng Jianxiong, and Ge Hongzhou go up and invite trouble after their senior brother's defeat? Since the disciple cannot fight, the remaining spot naturally has to be reserved for the sect leader.
Wei Sihan frowned and said, "Then Young Hero Xiao, isn't he..."
Lin Feifan said in a deep voice, "Don't forget about the Four Elders of Mount Tai. With their combined strength of over 160 years, how can Xiao Xingchen not participate in the next competition in his best condition?"
The competition on the high platform was still in full swing. The two opponents were both famous figures in the martial arts world. One was Zhao Long, known for his powerful palm strikes, and the other was Deng Tong, famous for his whip skills, known as the "Spirit Snake Whip."
The two exchanged more than a hundred moves. Zhao Long deliberately created an opening to lure Deng Tong into attacking, and then used a "Stone Tablet-Splitting Hand" to knock him out of the arena.
After his victory, Zhao Long was quite proud and shouted, "Is there any other hero willing to come up and try?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a fragrant breeze wafted by, and a beautiful young girl stood quietly in front of him.
Mr. and Mrs. Lin were taken aback. This young woman was none other than their beloved daughter, Lin Yuxiu.
Lin Yuxiu had been eager to participate after watching several matches, but her parents kept a close watch on her, preventing her from leaving. Seeing Zhao Long's arrogant and complacent demeanor, she became even more anxious. Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Lin were busy discussing Xiao Xingchen and had no time to spare, so she seized the opportunity to rush onto the platform.
Lin Yuxiu's beauty was undeniable, and coupled with her agile movements and flowing robes, she truly resembled a celestial maiden descended to earth. Most of the young men below were captivated by her charm, each one utterly mesmerized.
Seeing that a delicate young girl dared to challenge him, Zhao Long scoffed and said, "Miss, swords have no eyes. I think you should think it over before you act." His words were full of contempt.
Although Lin Yuxiu was only sixteen years old, her swordsmanship had been personally taught by Dugu Yu. Coupled with her outstanding talent and intelligence, she had mastered the true essence of Hengshan swordsmanship in just a few years. Among her fellow disciples, perhaps only Wei Sihan could surpass her in martial arts. Lin Yuxiu was proud and arrogant from a young age, and she couldn't tolerate being looked down upon. Without saying a word, she
drew her long sword and thrust it diagonally at Zhao Long with a move called "Mountain Soars to the Sky." Zhao

Long

's figure was as fast as lightning. His right palm, with its five fingers together, slashed straight down, while his left fist punched out at her chest. The wind howled, and his momentum was fierce, like a raging sea that instantly engulfed Lin Yuxiu.
Lin Yuxiu tried to withdraw her sword, but her strength was insufficient. Zhao Long launched three consecutive attacks, each forcing her to parry with her sword, leaving her unable to control her movements.
"Boom!" When their palms clashed, Lin Yuxiu's blood surged, and her defense was forcefully pushed back. However, Zhao Long's force was also deflected, slightly grazing her shoulder without causing significant damage.
Knowing that her internal strength was far inferior to her opponent's, Lin Yuxiu realized she couldn't fight head-on with the Meteor Thirteen Styles, so she switched to the Returning Wind and Falling Goose Sword, using skillful footwork to engage Zhao Long in a grappling battle. Zhao Long
suddenly noticed that her swordsmanship had become graceful and intricate, exquisite and unpredictable. He was taken aback, but then he saw Lin Yuxiu's clothes fluttering lightly, her pretty face showing shallow dimples, her beautiful eyes sparkling, her lotus-like steps moving back and forth, dancing gracefully around him. The blue light of her sword had become even more exquisite, and her moves were delivered in rapid succession, as smooth as flowing water, dazzling and exhilarating to watch, making it almost impossible for him to defend himself.
Zhao Long's heart skipped a beat. Just as he was about to withdraw his palm strike, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his ribs—he had been struck by a sword. Startled, he quickly mustered his inner strength and unleashed the full power of his "Stone
-Splitting Palm Technique," fiercely guarding his defenses. At the same time, he focused intently on observing his opponent's moves, thinking, "I almost lost my life. What kind of swordsmanship is this, so beautiful? Could it be… Ouch!" Zhao Long was momentarily distracted, and the longsword slashed across him. Luckily, he reacted quickly and retreated in time; otherwise, a slight delay would have resulted in a severe chest injury.
"This… this is the Hengshan Sect's 'Returning Wind and Falling Goose Sword.' How do you address Master Lin?" Zhao Long asked in surprise.
"She is my father," Lin Yuxiu replied sweetly, her offensive undiminished. She thrust more than she slashed, and even when she did slash, the sword tip remained within half a foot of her opponent's body, demonstrating her extraordinary skill.
Upon hearing of her lineage, Zhao Long felt a surge of fear. He secretly thought that Dugu Yu was the greatest martial artist in the world, and his granddaughter, whom he had trained, was naturally formidable. If Lin Yuxiu learned even a fraction of her grandfather's skills, she would be far beyond his ability to defeat. Therefore, he focused all his energy on a tight defense, hoping to outlast her until her inner energy was exhausted before launching a counterattack.
Lin Yuxiu lacked practical combat experience, and now that a skilled opponent was sparring with her, she was more than happy to do so. Her longsword moved like a willow swaying in the wind, its movements extremely gentle, devoid of any sharpness, yet all-pervasive and ever-changing, like a celestial being dancing, captivating all who beheld it.
Zhao Long's strategy might have worked against other women, but Lin Yuxiu's meridians and acupoints were already mostly opened, giving her an inner strength far exceeding that of her peers. Coupled with the Cloud Rainbow Heart Technique, renowned for its unrestrained and expansive power, sustaining her for most of the hour was certainly not a problem.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lin Yuxiu's swordplay became increasingly skillful and unhurried. The sounds of clashing swords and palms clashing echoed continuously. Eventually, it seemed Zhao Long was solely focused on attacking the sword, yet he couldn't gain any advantage over Lin Yuxiu.
After a round of fighting, Zhao Long felt a soreness in his wrists, clearly his blood and qi were slightly disordered by his opponent's attack. He thought to himself, "Well, Lin Feifan's daughter is Lin Feifan's daughter. Her internal strength isn't much worse than mine. There's no hope of winning if this drags on. I might as well fight her head-on for a good time." With this thought, he changed his previous self-preservation strategy of avoiding mistakes and gradually increased the force of his palm strikes, unleashing the full power of his Thunderclap Hand technique, sweeping it towards Lin Yuxiu with a fierce and powerful wind.
In contrast, Lin Yuxiu's swordplay was ethereal and unpredictable, seemingly like a dance, beautiful to behold, but in reality, every move concealed a hidden attack, combining softness with strength, and its unpredictable nature created unexpected surprises.
The two fighters, one fast and one slow, one forceful and one gentle, were evenly matched.
Ren Xiaoyao and Wei Sihan smiled simultaneously. They knew very well that if Zhao Long relied on his powerful and forceful palm strikes to counter skill with clumsiness and complexity with simplicity, he could at least hold out for a hundred or so moves. Now, however, he was attacking his opponent's strength with his own weakness. Even if the scene looked impressive for a moment, it would be difficult to reverse the defeat.
Suddenly, Lin Yuxiu shouted, and her sword flashed through the encirclement. Zhao Long couldn't dodge in time and was struck in the left arm, slinking out of the arena.
Lin Yuxiu, riding the wave of her great victory, defeated two people in succession and returned to Dugu Yu's side in high spirits. She giggled and said, "Grandpa, Xiuxiu did a good job, didn't she?"
Dugu Yu doted on her the most and said happily, "Well done, you didn't disgrace our Hengshan Sect."
Lin Feifan and Dugu Hong were also very pleased and kept praising their daughter.
"Big brother, why aren't you saying anything?" Lin Yuxiu's eyes sparkled as she glanced at Ren Xiaoyao with a meaningful look, her voice soft and tender.
Ren Xiaoyao feigned seriousness, pretending to be still shaken, and said, "Big brother is afraid that Xiuxiu's swordsmanship has improved, and like last time in Hengshan Town, he'll use me as a sparring partner without any explanation."
Lin Yuxiu leaned on Ren Xiaoyao's shoulder, her voice sweet and coquettish, "No way, Xiuxiu wouldn't dare."
The assembled heroes, seeing her acting so coquettishly towards an ordinary-looking, yellow-faced man, couldn't help but feel sorry for her, thinking: What a lovely girl, to fall for someone like this. Alas, a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung.
The martial arts competition continued, and as Lin Feifan had predicted, Xiao Xingchen was as vigorous and powerful as ever when he reappeared, easily winning three matches. Meanwhile, Yang Song, the renowned "Soul-Chasing Sword" of Lianghuai, had also won his first match and was loudly challenging them to a duel.
Yang Song was originally a lone bandit from the Sichuan region, known for his treacherous and despicable nature. Ten years ago, he robbed the Yangwu Escort Agency in western Sichuan of a shipment of 200,000 taels of silver, killing all thirty-seven people, including the chief escort Yin Kuang. When news reached the Tang Clan, Tang Yunhe, enraged, dispatched Tang Tianying to lead a group to capture him. Upon hearing the news, Yang Song immediately fled to the borderlands. After the Yangwu Escort Agency disbanded, he returned to the Central Plains several years later, retrieved the stolen silver, and built a manor in Lianghuai, becoming a powerful figure in the region. By then, the Yangwu Escort Agency had long since disbanded, and all the witnesses had passed away. Even if Tang Tianying wanted to settle accounts with him, he had no evidence and could only lament his helplessness.
"Father, let your son go," Tang Dingnan volunteered.
Tang Tianying smiled slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, while Tang Yunhe nodded and said, "Alright, let's let our fellow martial artists see the skills of the young members of the Tang Clan in Sichuan." Tang
Dingnan was about to step forward when Lin Yuxiu beat him to it, leaping onto the platform first. "You're that despicable, shameless, and utterly wicked Soul-Chasing Sword?" Lin Yuxiu made a sword gesture and pointed her halberd, shouting. She had heard her parents mention Yang Song's misdeeds, and seeing his weasel-faced, wretched appearance, she was even more indignant. "Little Pump..." Yang Song wanted to say, "Little Pump's mother, mind your own business." Suddenly remembering she was Lin Feifan's daughter, he immediately changed his words, "I dare not accept such praise, it is indeed I." This made it seem like he was admitting his despicable and shameless nature, immediately eliciting laughter from the audience. "Take this!" Lin Yuxiu, too lazy to waste words with him, raised her eyebrows and thrust her sword straight forward. Yang Song dared not be careless and hurriedly unleashed his signature Soul-Chasing, Life-Taking Sword technique, attempting to strike first. This sword technique, also known as the "Star Transformation Sword Technique," subtly incorporates the principles of the Twenty-Eight Mansions and the Five Elements. In an instant, he unleashed seven sword strikes, each aimed at a vital acupoint on Lin Yuxiu's body. Although Lin Yuxiu's swordplay was unpredictable and elusive, her experience was still limited. Faced with such a fierce, ruthless, and swift attack, she was momentarily stunned, unsure how to defend herself. In her panic, she could only manage a desperate defense.

Seeing her hesitant and unwilling to fight freely, Yang Song was delighted. His longsword suddenly gleamed, transforming into rings of light that swept towards Lin Yuxiu with overwhelming force.
One was poised for battle, the other in disarray; the advantage was obvious.
Lin Yuxiu moved nimbly and gracefully, dodging and searching for openings to strike, but each time their swords clashed, she felt a jolt in her hand, her anxiety growing: "If this continues, my sword will be knocked away sooner or later. What should I do if I can't gain the upper hand?"
"Senior Sister, the Thirteen Forms of Meteor!" The Hengshan Sect disciples below the stage, seeing Lin Yuxiu's footwork gradually becoming chaotic, were filled with anxiety and began to shout.
Yang Song thought to himself: With the invincible power of the Meteor Thirteen Styles, it was indeed enough to break his Soul-Chasing Deadly Sword. However, Lin Yuxiu was completely enveloped in the vortex of energy, constantly needing to guard against attacks that could come from any angle. She had no time to gather her inner energy, and naturally, no time to use the Meteor Thirteen Styles to counter her. "Use slowness to overcome speed, stillness to control movement, and constancy to respond to all changes." Dugu Yu's clear and vigorous voice rang out at the opportune moment.
Yang Song was about to criticize the Hengshan Sect for violating their code of conduct, but upon closer inspection, he felt that it wasn't a martial arts manual or formula, and it was just something they said casually, so he swallowed his words.
Lin Yuxiu, however, benefited greatly from the advice. Hengshan Sect's martial arts emphasized lightness and agility, stressing using one's own sword moves to lead the opponent, finding weaknesses, and striking successfully in one blow. "Use slowness to overcome speed, stillness to control movement, and constancy to respond to all changes" was precisely its essence. Lin Yuxiu, initially caught off guard by Yang Song's advance, was only focused on defending against his attacks, completely forgetting how to counterattack. Dugu Yu's words struck her like a thunderbolt, instantly making her realize the key to victory.
Lin Yuxiu composed herself, her slender waist swaying lightly, seemingly ignoring Yang Song's advances, and launched her attack. At first glance, it appeared unremarkable, but combined with his footwork and swordsmanship, it possessed an inescapable power, truly embodying the principle of seemingly clumsy skill.
Seeing her counterattack instead of defending, Yang Song secretly rejoiced: "I now have the upper hand. If you defend with all your might, you might last thirty or forty moves, but if you engage me in direct combat, you'll be defeated instantly." Thinking this, he swung his longsword horizontally, slashing diagonally at Lin Yuxiu's left arm with a "whoosh," like lightning flashing through the air, full of power. Just as he
was about to strike his opponent, a flash of light suddenly appeared before Yang Song's eyes, and something like a white mist abruptly attacked.
That wasn't some small, hidden weapon, but rather the nimble and mysterious blade of Lin Yuxiu's sword.
If Yang Song hadn't immediately withdrawn, his "Zhongting" acupoint above his navel would have been pierced. Fortunately, his martial arts skills were truly formidable; in the critical moment, he inhaled sharply, his lower abdomen instantly retracting two inches, and he somersaulted backward, narrowly avoiding Lin Yuxiu's unpredictable attack. Having gained
the upper hand, Lin Yuxiu immediately unleashed her signature move, unleashing three sword strikes simultaneously, mercilessly attacking Yang Song's three vital acupoints: the shoulder bone, the Tanzhong acupoint in his chest, and the Tianding acupoint in his neck. The moves were executed flawlessly, each strike seamless and swift, like a gazelle's horns disappearing without a trace. Each sword strike surged forth like a tidal wave, its power constantly
increasing , becoming incredibly astonishing.
Having just set foot on solid ground, Yang Song had no strength left to meet the attack head-on; he could only hold his sword horizontally against his chest and retreat half a step.
Lin Yuxiu's pent-up resentment finally erupted. Her delicate body transformed into a wisp of smoke, moving with ghostly speed to Yang Song's left, where his sword was out of reach. With a slender hand, she circled and smoothly thrust her
longsword forward in a series of attacks. Yang Song dodged, his sword flashing out, barely managing to parry. Lin Yuxiu followed up with two more moves, the first sword barely touching the ground before the next appeared, each strike faster than the last. Forced into a corner, Yang Song could only retreat slightly.
But the more he dodged, the more Lin Yuxiu's moves became, like a gentle breeze rippling through lotus leaves, a fleeting shadow, her sleeves fluttering as her sword blade flashed, making it impossible to defend against.
Initially, Yang Song had some offensive power, but later he could only parry her moves, completely unable to retaliate.
Lin Yuxiu, seizing the opportunity, unleashed the Thirteen Forms of Meteor, striking Yang Song with lightning speed. The wind howled sharply, shaking the very soul; her swordplay was ruthless and incredibly fast, like ten thousand meteors swirling around him. Yang Song saw only flashes of light, dazzling his senses, unsure how to react, only able to desperately defend, gritting his teeth and enduring the blows.
The crowd below began to murmur amongst themselves, saying, "The Hengshan Sect truly deserves its reputation as the head of the five great sword sects. First, there was the world's number one master, Dugu Yu; then the Meteor Swordsman, Lin Feifan; and now, this delicate and beautiful young girl with remarkable martial arts skills. Truly, three generations of heroes, shining brightly in this era!"
These words filled Yang Song with shame. He thought to himself: "Someone like me, Yang Song, who has been famous for decades, a force to be reckoned with in the Huai River region, has actually lost to a girl who is only a teenager! It's enough to make people laugh their heads off!"
In the martial world, reputation is paramount . Yang Song, already having a history of misdeeds, didn't want to suffer further scorn. His sword flashed, transforming into a blue light with a hissing sound, hurtling towards Lin Yuxiu. The chilling aura emanating from the blade was like a raging torrent, a display of heroic resolve to perish alongside the enemy.

(Volume Thirteen, Chapter Nine: A Simmering Intent to Kill)

Seeing this, the heroes shouted curses. Yang Song was wielding the most powerful move of the Soul-Chasing, Life-Taking Sword technique, "Ten Thousand Swords Corroding the Heart," ruthless and vicious... To say that he attacked her private parts like her breasts and genitals would be one thing if he were using them to fight a man, but to do so to a young girl like Lin Yuxiu was utterly despicable, vile, and shameless.
Lin Yuxiu's pretty face flushed slightly, but she wasn't afraid. Her sword flashed, chaotic and vast, as she met the attack with a steady, mountain-like stance.
Their figures clashed instantly, then separated abruptly with several loud bangs. Lin Yuxiu stood calmly in place, composed and unfazed. Unharmed, Yang Song had several wounds on his chest and shoulders, but
he refused to give up. His eyes flashed with ferocity, and his longsword spun once before thrusting straight out.
His strength and energy were greatly diminished, and Lin Yuxiu easily seized the opportunity, her weapon pressed against Yang Song's right wrist, then flipped it.
Yang Song felt a sharp pain in his wrist and quickly released his grip, releasing the sword and using a grappling technique to pin Lin Yuxiu's pulse point. Had he reacted even slightly slower, his hand would have been severed.
"I won!" "Lin Yuxiu sheathed his weapon and cheered excitedly.
A deafening roar of applause erupted from below the stage. Yang Song silently moved behind Lin Yuxiu, flicked his sleeve, and suddenly several gleaming black stars shot out.
The change was sudden; no one would have expected that Yang Song, a powerful figure from the Huai River region, would dare to use such a sneak attack with hidden weapons in such a solemn and respectful occasion as the martial arts tournament!
Lin Yuxiu had been too excited and had almost completely lost his guard. By the time he hurriedly turned around, the hidden weapons were less than a foot away from his chest.
In that instant, Lin Yuxiu's mind went blank. Grandfather…" Father and Mother seemed to float before her eyes, and then in the darkness, she saw Ren Xiaoyao, his forever trustworthy, forever warm smile.
Would this be an unbearable farewell for these lovers?
Of course not!
In the nick of time, Dugu Yu leaped from his seat, raising both palms to strike Lin Yuxiu's chest.
What couldn't be stopped by the all-out effort of the world's number one martial arts master?
However, Dugu Yu suddenly stopped midway.
Could it be that even he wasn't confident he could intercept the hidden weapon before it struck Lin Yuxiu?
"Xiuxiu—" Dugu Hong's cry was tinged with tears.
Actually, Dugu Yu stopped because someone was faster than him.
Who?
The dashing thief Ren Xiaoyao!
In a flash, Ren Xiaoyao's body moved like lightning, pulling Lin Yuxiu aside with his left hand, taking the longsword with his right, and sweeping it out without hesitation.
With several sharp clangs, Yang Song's dozen or so incredibly swift and ruthless hidden weapons all fell to the ground.
"Drawing a sword to cut water only makes it flow more!" Xiao Chen exclaimed in shock,
her usual calm and composure gone. Ren Xiaoyao was using the fourteenth move of the Lingxiao Sword Technique—"Drawing a sword to cut water only makes it flow more." On the surface, it seemed unremarkable, but in reality, its power was overwhelming and agile, containing extremely subtle variations that were completely unpredictable. Even if there were ten or a hundred times more hidden weapons, let alone only a dozen, they would all be deflected.
Ren Xiaoyao had practiced diligently under Dugu Yu's guidance for many days, but he had no clue how to execute this move. However, Lin Yuxiu was in grave danger, leaving no room for hesitation. Desperate to save her, Ren Xiaoyao's pent-up emotions erupted instantly, allowing him to execute "Drawing a sword to cut water only makes it flow more" with ease.
Yang Song was momentarily shocked to see his expensively purchased bone-piercing nail being used against him by an unremarkable, sallow-faced man. However, being a seasoned veteran, he quickly regained his composure and sneered, "Brother, my duel with Miss Lin is not yet over, yet you rashly interrupt. Does the Hengshan Sect intend to use its numbers to bully me, a lone individual?"
Ren Xiaoyao ignored him, focusing intently on Lin Yuxiu in his arms. Seeing that she was unharmed, the weight in his heart finally lifted. He hurriedly handed the pale-faced woman to Dugu Hong, turned around, and glared fiercely at Yang Song, replying slowly, "You used a hidden weapon to injure someone, which violates the code of the martial world. Naturally, I have to intervene."
Yang Song, angered by his arrogant tone, retorted, "Has anyone ever said that hidden weapons are forbidden in a martial arts duel?"
"Of course you can use it, but..." Ren Xiaoyao showed an extremely contemptuous expression, pointing disdainfully at the bone-piercing nail on the ground, "But it's best to use things coated with potent poison sparingly, lest you harm yourself instead of others."
"Hmph!" Yang Song was speechless for a moment, hit where it hurt.
Ren Xiaoyao said calmly, "Your Excellency is known as the Soul-Chasing, Life-Taking Sword, so your swordsmanship must be extremely skillful."
"I dare not accept such praise." Yang Song didn't know what he meant and replied irritably.
"Oh dear, this is truly perplexing." Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly, feigning surprise, "I think your few moves are rather ordinary and weak. I'm afraid you won't even be able to steal your opponent's soul, and you'll lose your own life first."
The crowd, annoyed by his ruthless attack, echoed his sentiments.
"That's right, what 'Soul-Chasing, Life-Snatching Sword'? It's utterly pathetic."
"Yeah, let's just change the name to 'Life-Delivering Sword'!"
"Hahaha, 'Backstab Sword' would be fine too."
Everyone laughed, unable to stand up straight.
Yang Song roared angrily, "You bastard, what are you saying? Say it again if you dare!"
"I... I'm speaking human language, of course. What, you don't understand?" Ren Xiaoyao feigned surprise and said casually, "Alright, alright, I'll repeat it, make sure you hear me clearly." He shook his head and said seriously, "Oh dear..."
"No need." Yang Song waved his hand sharply, interrupting, "Are you tired of living, daring to mock me? I'll teach you a lesson." As he spoke, he slowly raised his long sword.
"You think you can take it?" Ren Xiaoyao laughed loudly, "Hahaha, go back and train for a few more years before you talk."
Yang Song secretly harbored murderous intent, clasped his hands and addressed the crowd below the stage, saying loudly, "Everyone saw clearly, it was he who spoke rudely and sought his own death, it has nothing to do with me."

Chapter 10 of Volume 13, "The Younger Generation Dances the Waves ,

" Ren Xiaoyao smiled indifferently, turned to the Hengshan Sect seats, and cupped his hands, saying, "Sect Leader Lin, Madam Lin, please take good care of Xiuxiu, I'll deal with this scoundrel Yang Song."
Instantly, the entire audience fell silent, all eyes focused on the stage, staring intently at the two of them.
"Enough nonsense, draw your sword!" Yang Song slightly bent his waist, his long sword pointing diagonally, in the starting stance of the Soul-Chasing and Life-Taking Sword, "Soul Flies Beyond the Heavens."
"Wait." Ren Xiaoyao said in a deep voice.
"What, are you scared?" Yang Song said arrogantly.
“I’m never afraid of despicable and shameless people.” Ren Xiaoyao focused his eyes and sneered, “But you’ve already exhausted most of your inner strength from fighting with Xiuxiu. You should rest for half an hour before fighting me, otherwise it would be too boring to finish you off in a few moves.”
“What, you…you’re looking down on me.” Yang Song said angrily.
“Not looking down on you, but despising you!” Ren Xiaoyao drawled, enunciating each word, “What are you dealing with…what are you chasing…”
“The Soul-Chasing Life-Taking Sword.” Wei Sihan knew he was trying to provoke Yang Song into losing his temper, so she quickly cooperated.
“Yes, the Soul-Chasing…Life-Taking Sword.” Ren Xiaoyao pretended to stutter, seemingly not taking Yang Song’s reputation that shook the Huai River region to heart at all.
Yang Song was already pale with rage, his anger barely contained. However, having already ambushed Lin Yuxiu, he knew that another preemptive strike would incur the wrath of the crowd. He could only let Ren Xiaoyao finish speaking, secretly plotting how to use the upcoming duel to teach him a lesson.
"Hey, hurry up and make your move," Ren Xiaoyao urged impatiently.
"Sir..." Yang Song was about to say, "Don't you even know the rule of the challenger making the first move in a duel?" Ren Xiaoyao interrupted, "Oh, I see. Are you afraid of losing badly? Fine, how about this: we each make three moves. If I can't win within three moves, you win."
These words caused an uproar. Even Lin Feifan and Dugu Hong couldn't believe that Ren Xiaoyao could defeat Yang Song bare-handed in just three moves.
"Let's begin." Ren Xiaoyao casually waved his hands, smiling leisurely. "I've already made two moves; it's your turn."
Yang Song was furious. Ren Xiaoyao had set a three-move limit, and he had assumed Ren Xiaoyao had some sophisticated techniques, but it turned out to be like this—he was being treated like dirt.
"Die!" In his rage, Yang Song swung his sword down at Ren Xiaoyao's head with tremendous force and lightning speed. Ren Xiaoyao's Baihui (GV20), Yingxiang (LI5), and Yutang (TE14) acupoints were all within the sword's reach.
Ren Xiaoyao's lightness skill was superb; he easily dodged with a slight sway of his toes.
"Flying Immortal!" Xiaochen exclaimed.
Ren Xiaoyao knew he couldn't hide it from this highly skilled monk, so he didn't pay much attention, but he ignored the two sweet cries of "Fool!" and "Xiaoyao!" that followed.
Yang Song, a renowned swordsman, had anticipated Ren Xiaoyao's dodge. His longsword, striking mid-strike, suddenly spun around, swiftly sweeping Ren Xiaoyao's left rib.
Ren Xiaoyao let out a long howl and soared into the sky, instantly reaching the east side of the platform. Yang Song's carefully planned second move failed once again.
Yang Song muttered to himself, "This guy is truly cunning. He clearly stated that each of us would use three moves, while he relied on his superb lightness skill
to dodge everywhere. After I finished my swordplay, he still had one move left. Isn't that a victory without a fight? Hmph, even if you calculated everything, you couldn't have guessed that the next sword strike is impossible to dodge." The killing intent, initially only visible to Yang Song, intensified as he gathered his inner strength and slowly approached Ren Xiaoyao. Everyone felt an immense, soul-crushing pressure.
Desolate, lonely, and cold, Ren Xiaoyao's mind seemed to have been completely shattered by Yang Song's killing intent. He trembled involuntarily, retreating a step for every step his opponent took—a situation of extreme peril.
Suddenly, Ren Xiaoyao's legs trembled violently, and he abruptly stopped in his tracks. He was nearing the edge of the platform, with nowhere left to retreat.
Yang Song, not wanting to let this golden opportunity slip by, seized the moment Ren Xiaoyao was distracted, his body swaying slightly as he leaped high into the air. His longsword, sharp as lightning, slashed towards Ren Xiaoyao's head with unparalleled speed.
Ren Xiaoyao was blocked on both sides, with no way to retreat behind him. His only hope of self-defense was to parry with his palms, but how could mere bare hands withstand Yang Song's fierce and ruthless attack?
Ren Xiaoyao held his palms out flat, seemingly intentionally drawing a semi-circle in the air before slowly pushing them towards Yang Song.
Top masters like Dugu Yu, Lin Feifan, Xiao Chen, Xiao Ming, and Liu Yuxu stood up simultaneously, knowing full well that the key to victory lay in this moment.
Five feet… four feet… three feet… the cold blade drew ever closer to his forehead, yet Ren Xiaoyao remained focused, calmly and deliberately “constructing” the barely perceptible arc in front of his chest.
Almost simultaneously, four gasps rang out from below the stage, and four figures practically leaped onto the platform, attacking Yang Song with sword thrusts and palm strikes.
Unfortunately, they were too far from Yang Song; even with their swift movements, they couldn't reach him in time to escape before he was struck. In
that life-or-death moment, Ren Xiaoyao's hands suddenly flashed with light, the arc transforming into a Tai Chi symbol, directly circling the tip of Yang Song's sword.
Yang Song's swordplay was incredibly fast and ruthless, while Ren Xiaoyao's palm strikes were extremely gentle and soft. In this clash of sword and palm, who would win?
Three inches! The sword tip was only three inches from Ren Xiaoyao's palm, seemingly about to pierce it. However, a sudden, gentle force arose within Ren Xiaoyao's palm strike, its power and direction perfectly controlled. Yang Song's sword was pulled away, and he immediately lost control, his body and the sword tumbling involuntarily towards the edge of the platform.
Realizing he had been tricked, Yang Song hastily withdrew his sword and tried to stop, but it was too late. He fell to the ground with a thud.
Xiaoming exclaimed, "Excellent! As expected of Meng Fei, the successor of 'Silver Wing Iron Palm,' you defeated Yang Song with just half a move of Hunyuan Wuji."
Xiaochen continued, "Meng Fei was Ren Xiaoyao's sworn brother, so it's not surprising that my disciple knows the Lingxiao Sword Technique."
Xiaoxuan added, "This person not only inherited Meng Fei's true skills in lightness and palm techniques, but his intelligence and courage also far surpass ordinary people. It's truly remarkable."
The four great monks all possessed exceptional insight, so it was not surprising that they could discern his lineage from the Flying Immortal Transformation and Xiaoyao Wuji Palm techniques.

Volume Thirteen, Chapter Eleven: Jealousy and Passion.

Xiao Kong said in a deep voice, "With his current martial arts skills, he shouldn't have been able to defeat his opponent within three moves. However, he first provoked Yang Song with words, causing him to lose his temper; then he used a trap to lure Yang Song into a full-force attack; he even pretended to be startled and confused, making him lower his guard; finally, with absolute certainty, he succeeded with a single, powerful strike."
Xiao Chen said with deep emotion, "Martial arts skills are only enough to defeat one person, but his military strategy is enough to defeat ten thousand. No wonder Senior Dugu has such high regard for him."
Xiao Xuan frowned and said, "Such a person should be famous in the martial arts world. Why have we never heard of him?"
Xiao Ming chuckled and said, "Because he has disguised himself, so we can't see his true face."
Xiao Xuan asked in astonishment, "Does the Abbot know who he is?"
Xiao Ming nodded slowly, smiling without saying a word.
Yang Song was thrown to the ground by Ren Xiaoyao, and it took him a while to get up. Seeing his disheveled and humiliated appearance, everyone burst into laughter.
Although Yang Song's martial arts were not weak, he knew nothing about palm techniques, let alone the subtleties of the Hunyuan Wuji. He assumed his opponent had used some kind of sorcery to make him lose so inexplicably despite having the upper hand. He was furious and shouted, "You brat! I was careless and lost to your underhanded tricks. Leave your name if you dare, and I'll come to learn from you someday!"
Ren Xiaoyao laughed loudly, slowly removing his human skin mask, and recited: "A chivalrous hero, always first; with countless beauties in his arms; a young hero, naive and inexperienced; a thousand years of romance, discussed in laughter."
"You…you are the romantic thief Ren Xiaoyao!" Yang Song was utterly shocked; his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Hmph, besides Brother Xiaoyao, who else possesses such exquisite palm techniques, such superb lightness skills, such a handsome figure, and such elegant literary talent?"
Hearing Nangong Fengzi's all-too-familiar voice, Ren Xiaoyao suddenly remembered that several people had rushed onto the stage to try and rescue him, but he had been so focused on dealing with Yang Song that he hadn't noticed who they were. So he turned around.
What he saw startled the dashing rogue to the point of freezing in place.
Standing in front of him were none other than Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu.
"Silly boy, where have you been these past few days? I've missed you so much!" Shui Furong threw herself into Ren Xiaoyao's arms without any hesitation, hugging her beloved tightly and saying in a coquettish voice.
Before Ren Xiaoyao could speak, Lin Yuxiu giggled, "Big brother, you've been staying in Hengshan with Xiuxiu, haven't you?"
"Brother Xiaoyao, who is she?" Nangong Fengzi pointed at Lin Yuxiu, asking irritably.
"She...she..." Even with Ren Xiaoyao's exceptional intelligence, he was momentarily at a loss for words.
"I'm big brother's sweetheart," Lin Yuxiu said with a grin, making a face.
"Hmph, we are!" Nangong Fengzi and Shui Furong chimed in.
"Nonsense!" Lin Yuxiu wrinkled her cute little nose, puffing out her cheeks in anger.
"Silly boy, you promised Master you'd take care of me for life!" Shui Furong shrugged, a charmingly innocent expression on her pretty face that could bewitch any man, murmuring.
"Let go! Who told you to pester big brother like that?" Lin Yuxiu cried out anxiously.
"That's right, shameless!" Nangong Fengzi frowned, chiming in.
"Hehe, if you're so capable, why don't you hug him too?" Shui Furong suddenly giggled, her breath coming in short gasps, exuding a seductive charm.
"You...you vixen, you're not allowed..." Nangong Fengzi scolded playfully.
"I insist, I insist!" Shui Furong stood gracefully, boasting.
Jealousy is a woman's nature, especially since Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu were all enamored with Ren Xiaoyao. Once they started arguing, it never seemed to end. Only the gentle and unassuming Nangong Fengyi kept trying to mediate.
The four beautiful young women, each with their own unique charm, transformed the solemn and dignified hall into a place of playful bickering and squabbles among young women.
The assembled heroes all thought to themselves: "We've long heard of Ren Xiaoyao's dashing and romantic nature, leaving a trail of broken hearts wherever he goes. Seeing him today, it's certainly true! These ladies are all stunningly beautiful, each one a beauty that could topple kingdoms. To win the favor of any one of them would be a blessing from past lives. Ren Xiaoyao is truly blessed with boundless good fortune!
" Xiaoming, as the host of the event, couldn't bear to watch any longer. He leaped onto the platform and announced loudly, "Four benefactors, this is a martial arts tournament. If you're not participating in the competition, please leave the arena first. Any matters can be resolved later."
"Yes, let's hurry back. Father is worried sick!" Nangong Fengyi hurriedly pulled her younger sister,
Lin Yuxiu, about to speak, when Dugu Hong called out, "Xiuxiu, come back. Mother has something to tell you." Reluctantly, she walked back to the Hengshan Sect's seats, turning back every few steps.
Only Shui Furong remained nestled in Ren Xiaoyao's arms, refusing to move. Instead, she pointed at Xiaoming and shouted, "You old bald thief, mind your own business!" It wasn't that she lacked manners; it was just that Yi Tianhan harbored a deep resentment over his defeat at Xiaochen's hands years ago. Whenever Shaolin Temple was mentioned, he would incessantly mutter "old bald thief, old bald thief." Shui Furong, having heard this from afar, naturally followed suit, without any arrogance or disrespect.
Xiaoming was a highly respected monk of the time, and he wouldn't stoop to the level of a young woman. However, Huijue, the most hot-tempered of the eighteen Arhats, upon hearing her insult the abbot, leaped over and grabbed at Shui Furong's back.
Shui Furong was reveling in the joy of her long-awaited reunion with her lover. How could she allow anyone to interrupt her? She raised her hand and unleashed a "Thunderous Strike from the Nine Heavens" attack. Huijue only wanted to pull her off the high platform and used only a third of his true strength. How could he withstand Shui Furong's fierce and unparalleled attack? As their palms collided, he suddenly felt a tremendous force penetrate his body through his palms, carrying an unusually strong downward momentum. His body was blasted five or six zhang away and fell to the ground like a kite with a broken string.
The crowd, unaware of the situation, erupted in uproar. Who could have imagined that the delicate young girl beside Ren Xiaoyao could casually defeat a highly skilled Shaolin monk? It was truly unbelievable.
Xiao Chen walked to Shui Furong's side, clasped his hands together, and sighed softly, "Alas, I never thought that the disciple taught by Yi Tianhan would have the same temper as him."
Shui Furong was taken aback and asked in astonishment, "You... how do you know my master's name?"
Xiao Chen smiled and said, "Back then, at the summit of Mount Hua, this old monk fought with Yi Tianhan for over a thousand rounds. How could I not recognize his unique skill, the Heaven-Defying Divine Palm?"
Shui Furong exclaimed in surprise, "You... you are the old bald thief Xiao Chen?" "
I dare not accept such praise, it is indeed this old monk," Xiao Chen said calmly. "Please, young lady, do me the honor and let's settle this once and for all."

Volume Thirteen: The Rising Waves of the Yangtze River, Chapter Twelve: First, a Battle of Palm Techniques.

Shui Furong dared to provoke anyone, but she was afraid of Xiao Chen. She could only pout and reluctantly leave Ren Xiaoyao's embrace.
Xiao Chen faced the assembled heroes and solemnly announced, "Gentlemen, the competition will continue. Does anyone wish to challenge Young Hero Ren?"
Silence fell over the crowd. Many heroes who had intended to challenge him, upon learning that their opponent was none other than the renowned and dashing thief Ren Xiaoyao, thought to themselves, "It's a good thing I didn't go up; otherwise, wouldn't I have been inviting humiliation? He can move freely among the four great families, where masters abound. Even if I trained for another ten years, I might not be able to defeat him."
In truth, there were quite a few heroes among the crowd who could rival Ren Xiaoyao, but Murong Tianfeng, Situ Changkong, and Shangguan Qingyun, having received their family heirlooms from Ren Xiaoyao, felt it inappropriate to fight him. Nangong Bubai, knowing Ren Xiaoyao was his future son-in-law, naturally wouldn't fight either. Xiao Xingchen, confident that his martial arts were comparable to Ren Xiaoyao's, knew a fight would be endless and therefore refused to act rashly. As for the elder masters like Xiaoming, Xiao Chen, Liu Yuxu, and Tang Yunhe, they were unwilling to lower themselves to challenge a younger generation. Thus, after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, no one had yet stepped onto the stage. Just then, a swift and unparalleled figure flashed before Ren Xiaoyao's eyes. Upon closer inspection, he saw a man of forthright and bold character, dressed in tattered clothes, with bright and deep eyes, and a spirited demeanor. While not conventionally handsome, he possessed a powerful masculine charm. Combined with his well-proportioned and graceful physique and imposing stature, he exuded an intangible yet substantial aura of strength.
Ren Xiaoyao was immediately impressed and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "May I ask how you are addressed..." Before he could finish the word "address," he caught sight of the ten burlap sacks hanging from the man's waist and the gleaming green bamboo staff on his back. He immediately stopped speaking and said with delight, "I have long admired the name 'The Beggar of the Nine Provinces.' It is truly an honor to meet you today."
This young man was none other than Xiong Xiaotian, the leader of the Beggar Clan. He was exceptionally talented and intelligent, having mastered the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms by the age of twenty, a progress that was truly astonishing. In September of the same year, his father, Xiong Lei, passed away mysteriously, leaving behind a will that his beloved son would succeed him as the leader of the Beggars' Clan, and imparting to him the incantation of the Dog-Beating Staff Technique. This Dog-Beating Staff Technique was the Beggars' Clan's most renowned martial art, complex and subtle, originally an extremely difficult skill to master. However, Xiong Xiaotian mastered it in less than a hundred days, and its essence was widely circulated throughout the Beggars' Clan and even the entire Central Plains martial
arts world. Coupled with his generous and righteous character, he was admired and respected by hundreds of thousands of members. Xiong Xiaotian, still young at heart, saw Ren Xiaoyao's awe-inspiring presence and felt an urge to challenge him. Without consulting the elders, he leaped from his seat. Seeing Ren Xiaoyao's humble demeanor, he quickly bowed and returned the greeting, saying, "I dare not, I dare not. Young Hero Ren's illustrious name is renowned far and wide."
Ren Xiaoyao asked in a deep voice, "Leader Xiong, how shall we begin the contest?" Xiong
Xiaotian shoved his dog-beating stick to his side, his eyes flashing with a sharp light as he met Ren Xiaoyao's gaze. He spoke slowly, word by word, "Let's first test our palm techniques, then we'll learn about weapons, shall we?"
"Alright," Ren Xiaoyao nodded with a smile, his stance neither too wide nor too wide, displaying a majestic and imposing presence. Seeing Ren Xiaoyao slightly raise his palms, his inner energy already circulating to protect his entire body, Xiong Xiaotian knew he had encountered a formidable opponent. He secretly gathered his inner strength, simultaneously circling Ren Xiaoyao in an arc, trying to pinpoint a weak point in his defenses. Ren Xiaoyao kept his eyes tightly closed, his mind entering a state of perfect stillness. Even if Xiong Xiaotian attacked from behind, his keen senses would immediately detect it.
"The Dragon Appears in the Field!" "Xiong Xiaotian suddenly roared, striking out with both palms towards his chest with the force of a thunderbolt.
Ren Xiaoyao felt a powerful force coming towards him and quickly dodged, easily avoiding the thunderous palm attack. With a spin, he countered with a palm strike to Xiong Xiaotian's armpit.
As the Xiaoyao Wuji Palm struck, Xiong Xiaotian immediately felt his powerful force sink into the mire, his sharpness greatly diminished. He was secretly startled and unleashed three palm strikes simultaneously: "Flying Dragon in the Sky," "Dragon Leaping in the Abyss," and "Hidden Dragon, Do Not Use," his arms filled with profound power." Xiong Xiaotian unleashed a barrage of powerful strikes at Ren Xiaoyao.
Ren Xiaoyao focused his inner energy, concentrating to counter, subtly guiding Xiong Xiaotian's palm strikes aside. Even with the ferocity of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, he couldn't escape the powerful force emanating from Ren Xiaoyao. Every move lost its accuracy, his power failing to concentrate, striking empty air as if hitting rotten cotton, its force largely dissipated.
Xiong Xiaotian thought to himself, "Ren Xiaoyao's technique of neutralizing force is truly masterful. No matter how strong my palm strikes are, I can't possibly harm him in the slightest. I must find a way to break this." "However, Ren Xiaoyao's palms flew back and forth like the endless waves of the Yangtze River. He wanted to retreat, but lacked the strength. Every move Ren Xiaoyao made forced him to unleash his own power, making it difficult to control himself.
Ren Xiaoyao was also secretly suffering. The Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms was the most powerful and fierce palm technique in the world. When used by Xiong Xiaotian, it was like the roar of dragons and tigers, a stampede of ten thousand horses, with inexhaustible thunderous force. Only by exhausting his life's work, bringing the profound secrets of the 'Free and Unfettered Palm' to their fullest extent, could he barely withstand the attack.
The two exchanged blows, each unleashing their ultimate moves. Fists and palms flew back and forth, their four arms intertwined, and for a time, neither gained the upper hand.
'Eat my Six Dragons in a Strike!'" "As soon as Xiong Xiaotian finished speaking, his inner strength suddenly erupted, powerful yet flexible, sharp and unparalleled, irresistible. This move originated from the Qian hexagram, which says, 'Riding the six dragons to rule the heavens.' Ancient legends say that the Five Sacred Mountains are the source of China's spiritual energy, each guarded by a divine dragon. Adding the Yinglong of the Yellow Emperor (also known as Xuanyuan Huangdi), there are six dragons. When the six dragons emerge together, the kingly way is overwhelming, its power covering the earth and sky, making it the most righteous and kingly move in the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.
Ren Xiaoyao's body trembled violently, knowing that the opponent's palm force was extremely profound and he could not forcefully meet it head-on, so he took a step back." He quickly deflected the immense power of the Six Dragons with both palms to the left and right, managing to disperse and dissipate it.
Xiong Xiaotian strode forward, the sound of wind and thunder emanating from his palms, his eighth move, "Divine Dragon Sweeping its Tail," relentlessly pressing forward.
Ren Xiaoyao, being young, possessed slightly less internal strength than Xiong Xiaotian. Realizing he couldn't withstand the onslaught, he retreated swiftly, gracefully dodging the palm strike with a mid-air spin.
Xiong Xiaotian seemed to have anticipated his move, and upon striking, abruptly changed his attack, unleashing a powerful strike, "Crossing the Great River." He calculated that his palm strike would land precisely when Ren Xiaoyao touched the ground, ensuring that no matter how skilled Ren Xiaoyao was, he wouldn't be able to dodge it. (

Chapter 13 of Volume 13: The Yangtze River's New Waves Dance First)

The exquisite beauty of flying weapons and transforming into feathers was unbelievable to anyone who hadn't witnessed it firsthand. Before Ren Xiaoyao even landed, he let out a soft shout, his feet stomping together, instantly elevating him three feet. The crowd watched in disbelief as the palm wind swept past his feet, failing to even stir a single hem of his clothing, and cheered.
Xiong Xiaotian's first palm strike missed, then came again, then missed again, and then came a third—"The Ram Butts the Barbarian"... "Wild Goose Approaching the Land," "Dense Clouds Without Rain," and "Shocking the Hundred Miles" were unleashed in response.
Ren Xiaoyao unleashed his full power with the Flying Immortal Transformation Technique, leaping and bounding, elusive and shifting, moving freely and gracefully under Xiong Xiaotian's surging palm force. He occasionally countered with his own palm strikes, each aimed at the weaknesses in Lan Tao's Divine Palm
. Although his internal energy was not extremely strong, his techniques were exquisitely subtle. Xiong Xiaotian suddenly gathered his true energy, unleashing both palms simultaneously, each drawing a semi-circle to the left and right, attacking Ren Xiaoyao's temples. His attack was split in two, seemingly unremarkable, but his power and agility more than doubled.
"A fine move, Double Dragons Taking Water." Ren Xiaoyao nodded in praise, his body moving freely, raising his palm to counterattack like a flag fluttering in the wind, natural and effortless. His movements seemed light yet stable, with hidden moves everywhere. All of Xiong Xiaotian's palm force was absorbed by him, leaving him unable to attack or defend.
Xiong Xiaotian knew that Ren Xiaoyao's hands were feigning to receive the force, but in reality, he was completely dissipating it and easily resisting the remaining force with his own internal energy. At the same time, he was also quite aware that this kind of fighting style, which borrows the opponent's force to avoid their sharpness, was also a great drain on the user. So he immediately rallied his true energy
and launched a fierce attack. If his opponent were not Xiong Xiaotian, who had profound skills and long-lasting energy, Ren Xiaoyao could have used his superb agility and the Xiaoyao Wuji Palm to respond to the opponent's strength with feints and gradually gain the upper hand. However, his opponent not only had amazing palm power and a tenacious will, but also extremely sharp eyes. He could always force Ren Xiaoyao to meet the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms head-on after seven leaps and bounds.
After several rounds, Ren Xiaoyao gradually began to tire. Xiong Xiaotian seized the opportunity, slashing his left foot backward, slightly bending his right leg, and suddenly extending both arms forward half a foot, plunging into Ren Xiaoyao's dense palm wind. His hands instantly overlapped, his loosely clenched fists suddenly releasing force, his ten fingers abruptly opening, unleashing a powerful burst of accumulated internal energy, generating a terrifying roar that seemed to shake the heavens and earth.
Ren Xiaoyao took a small half-step back, his right palm drawing a half-arc in the air, and when it reached seven inches in front of his chest, his left palm suddenly met his right, using the force of the right palm's slash to push it out horizontally. His movements were elegant and graceful; even in a moment when victory or defeat, honor or disgrace, hung in the balance, he remained calm and composed, displaying an air of refined elegance.
Xiao Chen's eyes gleamed with a sharp light as he said in a deep voice, "The Regretful Dragon and the Boundless Universe—I never imagined that twenty years later I would witness the clash of these two ultimate techniques."
Dugu Yu stroked his beard with anticipation, saying, "Back then, Meng Fei's internal strength was slightly inferior, and he unfortunately lost to Xiong Lei. I wonder what the outcome will be today."
"Boom! Boom!" The sounds of clashing energy were incessant. Xiong Xiaotian's palm strike first forced Ren Xiaoyao back three steps. Then, with each ring of energy, Ren Xiaoyao's body trembled violently. When he blocked the ninth ring, Ren Xiaoyao felt a sweet taste in his throat and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, staggering backward.
Lin Feifan's expression changed drastically. The Regretful Dragon seemed unremarkable at first, but once it encountered an obstacle, it could instantly add thirteen more layers of energy, overlapping and continuous. Ren Xiaoyao had only managed to deflect nine of them with the Boundless Universe; he feared he had no strength left to resist.
At the critical moment, Ren Xiaoyao suddenly shouted, his palms transforming from a spinning motion into a straight strike, unleashing a powerful blow imbued with internal force.
"Heavenly... Heavenly Thunder Without Regret!" Xiaochen exclaimed in surprise. Ren Xiaoyao and Xiong Xiaotian abruptly separated, each taking several steps back.
A fleeting look of shock crossed Xiong Xiaotian's face, and he solemnly said, "Thank you for your mercy, Brother Ren. I concede defeat."
Ren Xiaoyao said frankly, "I won by trickery, which makes Chief Xiong laugh." He had failed to withstand Xiong Xiaotian's palm strike with his Hunyuan Wuji technique and should have immediately conceded defeat. Fortunately, he remembered the Heaven-Defying Divine Palm that Yi Tianhan had once demonstrated, so he imitated it. The Heaven-Defying Divine Palm is as renowned as the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, their power being roughly equal. Although Ren Xiaoyao hadn't mastered its essence, it was more than enough to withstand the remaining 30% of the power of the Regretful Dragon Palm, and even enough to severely injure Xiong Xiaotian. However, Ren Xiaoyao merely touched Xiong Xiaotian's chest with
his finger before withdrawing it, revealing his kind and magnanimous heart. "Young Master Ren, please." Xiong Xiaotian gripped his Dog-Beating Stick tightly, leaned forward slightly, and held his right palm to his chest, smiling calmly, as if he had completely forgotten his previous defeat in the
palm strike. Seeing his composure and the overwhelming aura emanating from him, Ren Xiaoyao felt a chill run down his spine. With a "whoosh," he drew his Ice Soul Frost Sword, his movements elegant and free, without any hint of tension.
Anyone with even a slightly higher level of skill could see that what they were witnessing was merely an illusion; the two had actually concealed their true power, ready to strike at any moment.
Ren Xiaoyao and Xiong Xiaotian stared intently at each other, simultaneously channeling their inner energy and searching for any opening in their opponent's defenses. It seemed that even the blink of an eye could reveal a weakness.
Ren Xiaoyao flicked his fingertip against the blade of his sword, producing a sound like a dragon's roar from the abyss. Then, he straightened his back, as if he had suddenly grown taller, becoming even more dashing and handsome, exuding an air of domineering arrogance.
Xiong Xiaotian's clothes suddenly fluttered wildly, and his Dog-Beating Stick swayed slowly, instantly generating an even stronger aura to counter the chilling energy emanating from Ren Xiaoyao's sword.
Before they had even officially fought, their contest of auras had already left the assembled heroes in awe.
Ren Xiaoyao raised his Ice Soul Frost Sword and said loudly, "Chief Xiong, forgive me." As soon as he finished speaking, the sword light suddenly lengthened, and he launched a preemptive attack with the "Stream Clouds Rise, Sunset Pavilion" technique.
Xiong Xiaotian slightly bent his right leg, then suddenly straightened it, using the momentum to leap forward. His seven-foot-long Dog-Beating Staff Technique instantly transformed into an extremely tough vine, which wrapped around Ren Xiaoyao's sword blade with lightning speed. It was so fast that it was unbelievable, and it was the "Entangling" technique from the Dog-Beating Staff Technique.
The Dog-Beating Stick Technique is divided into eight techniques: tripping, chopping, entangling, thrusting, picking, leading, sealing, and turning. It is subtle, profound, and unpredictable, and has been renowned throughout the martial arts world for centuries. It is only passed down to the leader of the Beggars' Sect. The essence of the "entanglement" technique lies in using speed to counter speed, and surprise to counter surprise, forcibly interrupting the opponent's moves. It has the effect of crushing the enemy's mind and seizing the initiative.

Volume Fourteen, "A Beauty Like Jade, A Heart Fluttering," Chapter One: The Battle of

Two Heroes. The Lingxiao Sword Technique is so exquisite that it cannot be easily entangled by Xiong Xiaotian. Furthermore, Ren Xiaoyao is skilled in using force against force, transforming force into force. His sword energy surges layer upon layer, like a thousand waves crashing down, gradually engulfing Xiong Xiaotian's figure.
Xiong Xiaotian then uses the "chop" technique, the Dog-Beating Stick striking straight at the Tanzhong acupoint. Without any fancy moves, it only possesses the power of heaven and earth, and its speed is astonishingly fast. Almost as soon as it strikes, the Dog-Beating Stick reaches Ren Xiaoyao's chest. Though no sound of energy piercing the air was heard, a powerful aura broke through the sword's force, striking Ren Xiaoyao head-on.
Watching the two engage in a thrilling duel, everyone stared wide-eyed, breathless with tension. Only Xiaochen seemed oblivious, as if drawn into memories of the past, murmuring, "Eighteen...eighteen years...I never imagined the Ice Soul Frost Sword would finally reappear in the martial world after eighteen years."
"But..." he pondered for a moment, then muttered to himself, "Ren Qiaocui is obsessed with swords. Even if Ren Xiaoyao is Meng Fei's beloved disciple, he wouldn't easily give away such a divine weapon. Wait...he's surnamed Ren, knows the Lingxiao Sword Technique, and possesses the Ice Soul Frost Sword. Could he be Ren Qiaocui's son...Yes, that makes sense. Meng Fei passing on the Xiaoyao Wuji Palm and Flying Immortal Transformation to his nephew."
"Ren Qiaocui was assassinated by the Asura Sect and has already perished at the bottom of Yunwu Valley. Ren Xiaoyao is his only remaining blood relative, raised by Meng Fei, but he is unaware of his own origins," Dugu Yu reminded him in his ear using a secret telepathic transmission method. "The details are too complex to explain in a short time. I will explain to the master after the conference." As
the battle reached its climax, Xiong Xiaotian suddenly revealed an opening in his ribs. Ren Xiaoyao lunged forward, his Ice Soul Frost Sword emitting a hissing sound, its sharp edge gleaming with a chilling light. He first used his swordplay to restrain Xiong Xiaotian's staff technique, then used the hidden sound of "Whose Jade Flute" to advance directly into the center, ruthless in its direction, sharp in its internal force, displaying a murderous intent.
Little did he know that this was a feint. As Ren Xiaoyao closed in, Xiong Xiaotian swiftly dodged, his Dog-Beating Staff flashing, creating a flurry of green shadows that struck down towards Ren Xiaoyao's waist.
Ren Xiaoyao sensed danger and quickly leaped into the air. However, the Dog-Beating Stick sank downwards first, then shot out towards him with lightning speed, arriving in an instant.
The stick struck Ren Xiaoyao's calf, but he immediately used the "Soaring Clouds Step" technique, rising gracefully as if in mid-air, unaffected by external forces. He leaped seven times, dissipating most of the opponent's immense force, before landing lightly, avoiding serious injury in a single blow.
Xiong Xiaotian reacted swiftly, first using the "Seal" technique to block Ren Xiaoyao's path, then launching a full-force attack with the "Poke" technique, aiming the stick directly at his opponent's waist.
With Ren Xiaoyao's unparalleled lightness skill, a direct attack would normally be ineffective, but unexpectedly, a sharp pain shot through his shinbone. Having only leaped three feet, his body was already falling, about to be struck squarely.
Xiong Xiaotian was overjoyed. When Ren Xiaoyao was first hit by the staff, Xiong Xiaotian had invaded his meridians with the "Kuilong Force". Although he did not notice it at first, it would take effect after a short while, which was enough to affect the performance of Flying Immortal Transformation and create a good opportunity for him to defeat the enemy.
Ren Xiaoyao was unwilling to admit defeat. His swordsmanship suddenly changed, unleashing three consecutive thrusts, attacking Xiong Xiaotian's head, chest, and abdomen. Each strike created a dazzling sword flower, unpredictable and elusive, all desperate attacks. Xiong Xiaotian thought to himself: "My 'Pick' technique is known for its lightness and speed. If you try to counter me, no matter how fast your swordsmanship is, it will be futile."
Little did he know that Ren Xiaoyao was no longer using the Lingxiao Sword Technique, but the Tingyu Pavilion's unique skill, the Fiery Sky-Supporting Sword. In an instant, a vast expanse of blue light shone forth, and waves of scorching, breathtaking sword energy burst forth from the incomparably sharp divine weapon, making Xiong Xiaotian feel as if he were in a lifeless desert, his eyes filled with endless sword shadows and heat waves. Combined with the extremely yin sword energy inherent in the Ice Soul Frost Sword, it created a unique suction force, making it difficult for the Dog-Beating Stick to advance even an inch.
As their weapons clashed, Xiong Xiaotian felt two streams of energy, one hot and one cold, enter his body through the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian and the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, as if two masters were attacking him simultaneously. At this moment, he no longer cared about injuring his opponent. While gathering his internal energy to resist, he abruptly withdrew, simultaneously activating the "Guiding" technique. With a hissing sound, he deflected all three swords.
Ren Xiaoyao was impressed; the yin-yang fusion energy, when it entered Xiong Xiaotian's body, encountered strong resistance and was instantly neutralized, almost causing him to retreat without achieving his goal.
Both retreated simultaneously; one circulated his internal energy to heal his injured calf, while the other secretly gathered his qi to relieve the numbness in his arm. The vast arena immediately fell silent, everyone anticipating the even more exciting and intense competition to come.
Ren Xiaoyao feinted an attack, flashing to Xiong Xiaotian's side. His movements were unpredictable and elusive, like a bird circling, agile and graceful, leaving no trace. He had already grasped the benefits of using multiple techniques simultaneously, no longer confined to the simple Lingxiao Sword Art. Instead, he moved freely and naturally, alternating between the Blazing Sky-Supporting Sword and the Snow Reflecting Red Dust Sword, occasionally interspersed with a few Returning Wind Falling Goose Sword and Meteor Thirteen Styles. Although he hadn't seriously studied these techniques, the Lingxiao Sword Art was the pinnacle of martial arts in the world, encompassing everything and containing all sorts of wonders. Coupled with his unparalleled talent and photographic memory, he wielded it with the precision and skill of someone who had been immersed in it for decades.
Xiong Xiaotian's staff technique suddenly changed, transforming into a shimmering green shadow, as if it were a living spirit, and he struck Ren Xiaoyao's chest with a powerful blow, truly reaching a level of divine mastery.
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly felt a jolt in his wrist. His Ice Soul Frost Sword seemed to have struck an invisible wall of energy, clanging loudly. He knew that if he hadn't been holding a peerless weapon capable of cutting through iron like mud, it would have shattered into pieces.
In his panic, a powerful, overwhelming force, like a wall blocking his path, surged towards him.
Ren Xiaoyao anticipated that if struck by this force, he and his sword would stagger backward, and the Dog-Beating Staff Technique would unleash its full power, leaving him no chance to turn the tide.
At this crucial moment, Ren Xiaoyao naturally wouldn't confront it head-on. He flipped and leaped into the air, avoiding its sharp edge.
Xiong Xiaotian didn't pursue. His true energy surged from his dantian, flowing directly into his palms. The Dog-Beating Staff then spun rapidly upwards, striking and parrying at Ren Xiaoyao's feet with the force of a thunderbolt, its power unstoppable.

Volume Fourteen, Chapter Two: A Hair's Breadth Away. Ren Xiaoyao

laughed heartily, his toes stomping sharply on the Dog-Beating Stick, using the momentum to leap three zhang into the air. Looking up, everyone saw his robes fluttering in the wind, his body rising higher and higher, as if he had transformed into a soaring eagle.
Suddenly, Ren Xiaoyao's form changed drastically, swooping down like a divine dragon, swirling and dancing, or like a meteor falling to earth, swift and unparalleled. The Ice Soul Frost Sword stirred up seven sky-filling sword beams, sometimes thrusting straight, sometimes sideways, sometimes diagonally, forcing a chill to rise from the surroundings, possessing immense power that could shake heaven and earth.
Xiong Xiaotian didn't hesitate, gathering all his strength and channeling it through his eight extraordinary meridians. In an instant, a brilliant blue light shone, and a green shadow burst forth—the final move of the Dog-Beating Stick Technique—"No Dogs Under Heaven." As this move was unleashed, bamboo sticks appeared from all directions, their force continuous and all-encompassing, like a thunderbolt from the horizon, causing all things to tremble in fear, overwhelming and unstoppable. A
series of violent explosions resounded. Ren Xiaoyao's skill was ultimately inferior to Xiong Xiaotian's; after a dozen or so exchanges of sword and stick, he felt his blood surging and his internal energy becoming stagnant.
Xiong Xiaotian knew that Ren Xiaoyao's sharpness was exhausted and his new strength had not yet been generated, so he immediately unleashed his true energy, delivering another blow. Although Ren Xiaoyao managed to block it, he was still reeling from the shockwave, feeling as if struck by lightning, even more terrifying than being burned or cut by knives. He felt utterly exhausted and could only retreat on his sword, his feet barely touching the ground. A smile of sincere admiration appeared on his handsome face as he laughed loudly, "Chief Xiong's stick technique is exquisite; I, Ren, humbly admit defeat!"
The Beggar Clan disciples cheered for their leader's victory, and the assembled heroes also applauded, having witnessed such a spectacular display.
Ren Xiaoyao, exhausted from his injuries, was drenched in cold sweat and nearly lost his footing. He only managed to descend the platform thanks to the support of his Ice Soul Frost Sword. Xiong Xiaotian was in no better shape; the Beggar Clan's two elders, the Enforcement Elder and the Transmission Elder, rushed onto the stage to help him up and escorted him back to his seat.
Neither of them could continue fighting, so it was Xiao Xingchen's turn, having won three consecutive matches. The assembled heroes were all intimidated by the astonishing skills of Ren Xiaoyao and Xiong Xiaotian, and knowing that Xiao
Xingchen was on par with them, no one dared to step forward to challenge him. "Three of the Four Heroes have already emerged; it's time for 'Proud Snow Cold Sword' Ye Zhi Qiu," someone said, and the crowd turned to look at the Thirteen Provinces Green Forest Alliance.
Ye Zhi Qiu raised his eyebrows and stood up with a smile. He had long wanted to compete with Xiao Xing Chen, but Chen Ba Shan, Zhang Dong Hua, and Yang Wei Cai were arguing over the second spot. As the chief, he had to wait for his subordinates to be defeated before he could fight. Now that everyone's attention was focused on him, if he insisted on following the rules, he would be seen as cowardly.
Ren Xiaoyao, his face beaming with anticipation, exclaimed, "'Iron Sword Autumn Frost' versus 'Proud Snow Cold Sword'? Interesting, very interesting!"
Wei Sihan asked in a low voice, "Will it be even more exciting than Brother Ren's match against Chief Xiong?"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled noncommittally, "Ye Zhi Qiu's swordsmanship is like the changing winds and clouds, earth-shattering and awe-inspiring. Its offensive power surpasses even the Thirteen Popular Styles by a third. Xiao Xingchen's martial arts are vast and boundless, full of illusions, emphasizing using one's own strength to attack the opponent's weakness, never engaging in direct combat. Therefore, to ordinary people, this will be a dull match, but to experts, it will be a magnificent battle."
Ye Zhi Qiu's previous carefree demeanor vanished, his eyes flashing with divine light. Mo Lianfeng transformed into a bolt of lightning, swiftly slashing towards Xiao Xingchen's shoulder. The incomparably sharp energy struck first, creating an immense, ever-present pressure.
Xiao Xingchen shifted sideways, simultaneously drawing his swords, Zidian and Qingshuang, to block Ye Zhiqiu's attack. Unexpectedly, as the three swords clashed, Mo Lianfeng suddenly softened, slipping through the woven net of swords like a fish, aiming directly for his abdomen.
Xiao Xingchen reacted with lightning speed, hastily pressing down with his sword.
Ye Zhiqiu channeled his energy into his longsword, causing the bent Mo Lianfeng to suddenly straighten, forcefully deflecting Zidian and Qingshuang, and continuing its thrust towards Xiao Xingchen.
Fortunately, Xiao Xingchen used a softer force; although his weapon was deflected, it still exerted a pulling force on Mo Lianfeng, causing an unexpected delay in Ye Zhiqiu's attack. He then seized the opportunity to leap back, neutralizing the five layers of true energy piercing through his opponent's sword.
With a series of "thumps," the two exchanged blows, exchanging more than ten moves in an instant. Ye Zhi Qiu used his best skills to launch a fierce attack on his opponent, while Xiao Xing Chen mainly defended, and defended to the extreme, but occasionally he would throw out a couple of ingenious combos, which were amazing.
If we were to compare the Four Masters' martial arts to calligraphy, Xiong Xiaotian would be like Yan Zhenqing's meticulous regular script, with its silver hooks and iron strokes, full of vigor and strength, exuding a majestic aura; Ren Xiaoyao would be like Wang Xizhi writing the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion, a chaotic and ever-changing style, yet the single character "之" has twenty-one different ways of being written; Xiao Xingchen would be like Ouyang Xun's calligraphy, majestic and ancient, with strict rules, occasionally revealing danger within its balance, and a subtle elegance within its discipline; in contrast, Ye Zhi Qiu's swordsmanship is unrestrained and magnanimous, like Zhang Xu's wild cursive script, possessing the arrogance of "the brushstrokes falling on paper like clouds and smoke."
"Clang—" Xiao Xingchen launched a fierce attack, using his Purple Lightning Sword to deflect Ye Zhi Qiu's attack aimed at his chest. The Azure Frost Sword flashed with light, sweeping out in an instant, leaving Ye Zhi Qiu with no follow-up moves, forcing him to take a step back.
Almost simultaneously, Xiao Xingchen leaped into the air, his twin swords transforming into countless vortexes of energy, forcing a fierce wind to rage around him.
Ye Zhiqiu rearranged his sword stance and charged forward again, his moves dazzling and magnificent, endlessly intricate, his direction and force perfectly controlled, his movements and footwork incredibly fast.
Learning from the experiences of Ren Xiaoyao and Ye Zhiqiu, Xiao Xingchen was unwilling to engage Ye Zhiqiu in a direct confrontation again. His Purple Lightning and Azure Frost swords shimmered with silver light, swirling like clouds, protecting his entire body. Although amidst the clash of swords, his eyesight was remarkably accurate, and with a continuous clang of swords, he had already parried all of Ye Zhiqiu's attacks.
Lin Feifan suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no, Xiao Xingchen is doomed!" Lin Yuxiu
asked in astonishment, "Father, why is that?"
Lin Feifan said in a deep voice, "Purely in terms of martial arts, they are indeed evenly matched, and Xiao Xingchen's strategy and tactics are flawless. However, Ye Zhi Qiu, being from humble origins, is arrogant and reckless. His attacks are like lightning, relentless until he is completely exhausted. Xiao Xingchen is desperately defending, passively taking hits. As time goes on, his momentum will inevitably weaken, and his previous composure and steady mindset will also vanish."
Dugu Yu slowly nodded in agreement, gently guiding, "When masters clash, martial arts skills are certainly important, but what truly determines victory or defeat is the slightest difference in mental fortitude."

Wei

Sihan asked with great interest, "Grandmaster also thinks that Young Hero Xiao will lose?"
"If his father wasn't Xiao Yusun, I could still be certain, but..." Dugu Yu said, a look of reminiscence on his face, recalling, "Back then, atop Mount Hua, Xiao Yusun played it safe, enduring a thousand rounds of relentless attacks from the Dog-Beating Staff Technique and the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, until Xiong Lei's spirit was broken and he voluntarily surrendered. Will the same scene repeat itself today?"
Ye Zhi Qiu, unable to gain the upper hand, suddenly changed his swordsmanship. A flash of blue light filled the sky, like clouds obscuring the Five Sacred Mountains, displaying a misty, vast atmosphere. Every strike targeted the slightest flaw in Xiao Xingchen's swordsmanship, forcing him to desperately dodge and defend, unable to find an opening to counterattack.
Xiao Xingchen grew increasingly alarmed. His opponent had completely grasped his swordplay, even anticipating the openings after his strikes, preemptively striking with powerful energy, as if he were deliberately feeding his opponent practice.
"Such profound martial arts exist in this world!" Xiao Xingchen's heart skipped a beat, and his swordsmanship gradually became chaotic. Since he had completed his apprenticeship, he had never been in such a situation before. In his panic, he was immediately put on the defensive, and he was quite distressed as to how to continue.
Ye Zhi Qiu's lips curled into a carefree, elegant, and aloof sneer. Mo Lian Feng pressed forward relentlessly, giving his opponent no chance to breathe. After more than ten moves, Xiao Xingchen's blood and qi were churning, and his meridians and true qi were in complete disarray. He was only able to hold on by his belief in maintaining the reputation of the Taishan Sect.
"Young Hero Xiao is in danger!" As soon as Lin Feifan finished speaking, Ye Zhi Qiu suddenly shouted and unleashed a burst of internal energy, forcefully sending Xiao Xingchen flying more than ten feet away. His two swords hummed, but fortunately, he was holding Zi Dian and Qing Shuang, otherwise they would have been shattered into pieces.
Watching Ye Zhi Qiu leap into the air and swoop down from directly above, Xiao Xingchen finally made up his mind to fight back. With the full power of his Rising Sun Divine Skill, a completely natural heat surged from the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of his foot, spreading throughout his body with lightning speed. This not only relieved the soreness and stiffness in his arms but also rekindled his fighting spirit.
Ye Zhi Qiu's expression changed slightly. His body shifted into a wing-like movement, his descent abruptly turning into a glide, gliding behind Xiao Xingchen. Mo Lianfeng's sword slashed down heavily, its power profound and its speed astonishing.
Xiao Xingchen sprang to his feet, his purple lightning flashing like a dazzling rainbow, instantly neutralizing Ye Zhi Qiu's attack. His Qing Shuang sword, like an arrow released from a bow, swept towards Ye Zhi Qiu's ribs at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.
"Clang!" Ye Zhi Qiu parried with his sword, perfectly blocking his opponent's "Heaven and Earth United" attack.
Xiao Xingchen felt that Mo Lianfeng's attack was both real and illusory, carrying an indescribable suction force. Not only was he unable to increase his internal energy, but he was also affected by Ye Zhiqiu's downward momentum, causing his blood to surge and him to be pushed backward.
Xiao Xingchen resolved to finish the battle quickly. His swords, Zidian and Qingshuang, each drew a semi-circle in the air before merging into one,
unleashing a powerful attack on Ye Zhiqiu with the force of a bursting dam or a raging torrent —it was
none other than "Heavenly Sword United." Ye Zhiqiu's right leg slightly bent, then suddenly straightened, using the momentum to leap forward, actually throwing himself into Xiao Xingchen's sword path, shouting, "Try my 'Shifting Stars and Changing Heaven and Earth'!" Mo Lianfeng's sword swirled, deflecting the immense power of Zidian and Qingshuang one after another.
Xiao Xingchen roared to the sky, throwing Zidian and Qingshuang into the air, simultaneously landing on one foot and spinning continuously. As the two swords fell, he suddenly stood still, his iron palm thrusting out to strike the hilts.
With a sharp, hissing sound, Purple Lightning and Azure Frost attacked Ye Zhi Qiu along a perfect arc, perfectly aligned with the laws of nature. He immediately followed, leaping into the air, his palms overlapping in a strike, man and sword becoming one, their movements exquisitely beautiful. Ye Zhi Qiu
rose from the spot, and Mo Lianfeng suddenly accelerated, the sound of his sword echoing throughout the arena.
Unexpectedly, Purple Lightning and Azure Frost clashed in mid-air, abruptly changing direction with a "thud," one thrusting at Ye Zhi Qiu's calf, the other at his forehead, perfectly avoiding Mo Lianfeng's dazzling, heaven-shaking, ghost-weeping brilliance.
Ye Zhi Qiu remained calm in the face of danger, lunging forward, risking a blade piercing his chest, managing to break free from the net of swords formed by Purple Lightning and Azure Frost.
Just then, Xiao Xingchen arrived, taking advantage of Ye Zhi Qiu's exposed back, his arm swiftly extending, sending him flying off the platform.
Ye Zhi Qiu knew he was doomed to defeat, but he refused to admit defeat. Before his body hit the ground, he used his remaining strength to throw Mo Lianfeng at Xiao Xingchen, intending to use Mo's own methods against him and force him to jump out of the arena.
Initially, Xiao Xingchen adopted a conservative tactic, and his internal energy was not greatly depleted. However, the continuous use of the Three Heavenly Annihilation Techniques left him on the verge of exhaustion. In particular, the final move, "Unity of Heaven and Man," required the position, angle, and force of the two swords to be perfectly precise, which was extremely exhausting. Moreover, this was Xiao Xingchen's first time using it in actual combat. At this moment, he was not only unable to defend against the rapidly approaching Mo Lianfeng, but even dodging to the side was difficult.
As soon as Ye Zhi Qiu's body hit the ground, Xiao Xingchen also fell, staggering and collapsing. He tried to get up, but his will was not enough. A surge of qi rose in his dantian, and he spat out several mouthfuls of blood.
Ye Zhi Qiu was indeed the first to leave the arena, but Xiao Xing Chen's injuries were more severe. Fortunately, neither of them could continue fighting; otherwise, the Thirteen Provinces Green Forest Alliance and the Mount Tai Sect would have been arguing endlessly about who had won.
The competition continued, and Lin Feifan gave Wei Si Han a wink, signaling him to fight. He knew that even after eighteen years of arduous training, his martial arts were still inferior to Xiao Chen's, so he simply gave the opportunity to the younger generation.
Wei Si Han remained silent, not showing the expected look of great joy.
Lin Yuxiu said softly, "Senior Brother Wei, haven't you always hoped to show off your skills in front of all the heroes?"
Wei Sihan was filled with emotion and said with distress, "The Four Heroes of the Martial World have already given everyone a feast for the eyes with their unique skills. Senior Brother's martial arts are inferior to theirs, so why go on stage and humiliate yourself?"
Lin Feifan's eyes flashed with lightning as he
slowly said, "You're not worried about humiliating yourself, but rather about losing face for the Hengshan Sect, aren't you?" Wei Sihan was hit where it hurt and lowered his head, saying, "Sect Leader, this disciple..."
Dugu Yu waved his hand to interrupt their conversation, as if he had something important to entrust to him, and his expression became extremely solemn.
The disciples of the Hengshan Sect stepped forward one after another, respectfully listening to the Supreme Sect Leader's instructions.

Volume Fourteen, Chapter Four: A Beauty Like Jade, A Heart Fluttering with Fragrance.

Dugu Yu surveyed the crowd and said in a deep voice, "Have you noticed that so far in this tournament, none of the senior masters from Shaolin, the Beggars' Sect, the Four Great Families, the Five Great Sword Sects, or the Tang Clan of Sichuan have appeared? Most of those participating are young heroes."
Dugu Hong suddenly realized, "Father is right. Could it be that all the heroes have reached a consensus to let…"
Dugu Yu interrupted again, saying, "New talents emerge in every generation, and the martial arts tournament is the best opportunity for newcomers and younger generations to show their talents and make a name for themselves. Twenty years ago, the fight against the Asura Sect and the matter of the final battle were urgent, and we had no time for anything else. That's why we directly nominated eight masters, among whom Meng Fei and Fei Fan were only in their early twenties, truly young heroes. Today, while it is important to nominate a leader, more time should be given to the young people. Perhaps the next 'Silver Wing Iron Palm' or 'Meteor Swordsman' is among them."
Dugu Yu paused, then turned to Wei Sihan and said, "As you said, among the younger generation of the martial arts world today, Xiong Xiaotian, Xiao Xingchen, and others are indeed the most prestigious and have the best martial arts skills. However, can these four talents alone support the entire Central Plains martial arts world in the future?"
Wei Sihan seemed to understand and slowly shook her head.
Dugu Yu continued, "Feifan sent you to fight not only on your own behalf, nor solely on behalf of the Hengshan Sect, but on behalf of all the ambitious and spirited men under heaven. They will not be timid because of hardship, nor will they retreat because of inferior skills. On the contrary, they strive, work hard, anticipate, and hope that their brilliant performance in the tournament will bring glory to their sect and prove to the world that they are the future hope of the Central Plains martial arts world!"
His words were like a thunderbolt, instantly igniting Wei Sihan's fighting spirit, and he ascended the platform without hesitation.
In his first battle, he faced Xu Liang, the young chief镖头 (bodyguard) of the Taiyuan Changlong镖局 (escort agency), and easily won after seven rounds. In his second battle,
he faced Li Xing, the son of Li Guotai, the leader of the Mangshan Sect, and after thirty moves, his opponent abandoned his sword and admitted defeat. In his
third battle, he faced Tang Dingnan, using "Stars Filling the Sky" to break the Nine Palaces Flying Stars technique, astonishing the assembled heroes.
In the fourth...
fifth...
before sunset, Wei Sihan won twelve consecutive matches, once again pushing the atmosphere of the tournament to its peak.
Although his martial arts skills were not as swift and fierce as Xiong Xiaotian's, as elegant and graceful as Ren Xiaoyao's, as composed and steady as Xiao Xingchen's, and as open-minded and unrestrained as Ye Zhiqiu's, he possessed a relentless and unwavering determination. Coupled with his intelligence, quick wit, and broad-mindedness, Wei Sihan quickly rose to become the most watched new star in the martial arts world, second only to the Four Heroes.
As Xiaoming announced a temporary recess, to be held until tomorrow, the heroes began to leave one after another. Ren Xiaoyao, knowing that a "storm" was about to break, took advantage of the crowd and tried to slip away. However, he had only taken a few steps when Shui Furong blocked his way.
Ren Xiaoyao inwardly cursed, but forced a smile and said, "Furong, I was just about to look for you."
Shui Furong looked doubtful and said calmly, "Really?"
Ren Xiaoyao nodded "seriously" and said, "Of course, I wouldn't dare lie to you even if I had the guts of a lion."
Shui Furong's beautiful eyes flickered, her tender gaze fixed on Ren Xiaoyao, and she said coquettishly, "Hmph, you know what's good for you."
Ren Xiaoyao asked softly, "Where have you been these past few days? You've made me worry all the time."
Shui Furong was about to answer when Nangong Fengzi, charming and lovely... Her figure darted out from the crowd, leaping into Ren Xiaoyao's arms as if flying, murmuring, "Brother Xiaoyao, do you know how much I missed you?"
Ren Xiaoyao cast a concerned glance at Shui Furong, softly replying, "Fengzi, it's my fault. I won't dare do it again next time."
Nangong Fengzi unexpectedly chuckled sweetly, saying in a coquettish voice, "I knew it! Brother Xiaoyao wouldn't let me and my sister down." She tilted her head back, her cherry lips slightly parted; any man with a little experience would know what she meant.
Ren Xiaoyao, accustomed to his flirtatious ways, kissed her without hesitation. Just as their lips were about to meet, he suddenly remembered Shui Furong was still beside him, and had to suppress his longing for Nangong Fengzi, reluctantly letting her go.
Shui Furong rolled her eyes at Ren Xiaoyao, as if scolding his unrestrained flirting.
Seeing the crowd of heroes, who had already dispersed, gather again, their numbers increasing as if watching a spectacle, Ren Xiaoyao quickly approached Shui Furong, his face beaming with a smile. "Furong, shall we find a quiet place to talk?"
Shui Furong turned her head away, trying her best to maintain a cold demeanor, but finally, unable to resist her lover's pleading, she shrugged slightly and nodded in agreement.
Ren Xiaoyao grabbed one of them by the hand and strode away from the venue. Suddenly, Lin Yuxiu's weak groan echoed behind them.
Ren Xiaoyao immediately abandoned the two women, swiftly weaving through the crowd to her side, asking softly, "Xiuxiu, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Lin Yuxiu clutched her lower abdomen, choking back tears, "Big brother, I've lost my inner energy. It feels like a thousand tiny knives are stabbing me in the stomach, it hurts so much!" Tears streamed down her face, making Ren Xiaoyao's heart ache.
"Xiuxiu, don't worry, your big brother is here, nothing will happen." Ren Xiaoyao told her not to panic, but he himself was somewhat flustered. He frantically pressed on her Xinlingtai acupoint on her back, continuously channeling his internal energy to help her regain her balance. He was completely unaware that Lin Yuxiu was faking it.
It turned out that she was very annoyed to see Ren Xiaoyao entangled with Nangong Fengzi and Shui Furong, but she was powerless to stop him. In desperation, she used her childhood trick of feigning illness to pull Ren Xiaoyao back to her side.
Shui Furong and Nangong Fengzi were oblivious to what was going on, standing by and watching in a daze. Although they were annoyed that she had ruined their plans, they were still young girls, and despite their jealousy, they were still concerned.
Before long, Nangong Fengyi arrived. She was meticulous and intelligent, and she saw through Lin Yuxiu's trick at a glance. However, being gentle and virtuous by nature, she did not expose her, but quietly observed the development of the situation.
Ren Xiaoyao's expression was solemn, his eyes filled with concern. The four stunningly beautiful women, each with their own unique posture and captivating charm, together formed a unique and eye-catching scene.
How could the word "handsome" alone describe them, how could the word "beautiful" alone express their beauty?

Volume Fourteen, Chapter Five: A Beauty Like Jade

, A Heart Fluttering, Inherent Nature. Gradually, Nangong Fengzi and Shui Furong began to wonder. Lin Yuxiu had only exchanged a hundred or so blows with Yang Song, her stamina not greatly depleted. Even if her inner energy had momentarily malfunctioned, with her own skill and Ren Xiaoyao's assistance, she should have recovered quickly. Why, then, was she still in excruciating pain after half an hour?
Shui Furong's heart stirred, and a plan formed in her mind. She murmured, "Master said that the internal energy cultivation method of the Hengshan Sect is the orthodox school of Xuanmen, mysterious and profound, no less than the Shaolin Yi Jin Jing. However... however, one cannot receive assistance from other cultivation methods while suffering internal injuries, otherwise one will suffer a qi deviation, severing all meridians, with unimaginable consequences." She spoke as if to herself, yet deliberately raised her voice just enough for Lin Yuxiu to hear.
"Fortunately, Miss Lin's internal energy has only been misdirected, so it should be fine," Shui Furong said casually. "I'm just afraid that the fool won't seize the opportunity and will still transfer his internal energy to her after Miss Lin has recovered. That would be disastrous."
Lin Yuxiu's delicate body trembled slightly, clearly frightened by her words.
Shui Furong chuckled inwardly and continued, "Fortunately, Senior Dugu possesses over eighty years of profound internal energy. Miss Lin will at most have her appearance ruined; her life will still be spared. It's just that the fool won't like an ugly monster anymore."
"Waaah...waaah..." As soon as Shui Furong finished speaking, Lin Yuxiu suddenly slumped into Ren Xiaoyao's arms, bursting into tears.
"Xiuxiu, what's wrong?" Ren Xiaoyao was completely focused on helping Lin Yuxiu regulate her internal energy, not noticing Shui Furong's words at all. He only thought that Lin Yuxiu's meridians were damaged and he was in unbearable pain, so he quickly hugged him tightly and asked with great concern.
"Big brother, Xiuxiu doesn't want to become an ugly monster. Xiuxiu wants to stay with you for the rest of her life." Lin Yuxiu sobbed, shaking her head like a rattle-drum.
"Hehe, scared now, aren't you?" Shui Furong made a face at Lin Yuxiu and giggled.
"Big sister, please save me!" Lin Yuxiu cried even harder when she thought of the "disfigurement" part.
Shui Furong laughed so hard she almost fell over, her body trembling. Nangong Fengyi, however, kindly helped Lin Yuxiu up, saying gently, "Miss Lin, Miss Shui is just joking with you. Please don't take it seriously."
Lin Yuxiu raised her tear-stained face and said, "Big sister, I'm scared...I'm scared..."
Seeing her adorable clumsiness, Shui Furong couldn't resist continuing the lie. She shrugged slightly and said charmingly, "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. All that talk about going into qi deviation and ruining your appearance was just made up. Don't cry anymore."
Lin Yuxiu pouted her cute little lips and said, "Really...really?"
Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, and Shui Furong exchanged knowing smiles, the awkward atmosphere of their previous jealousy completely dissipating.
Ren Xiaoyao was secretly delighted, thinking: It seems that Xiuxiu's crying not only worked on me and her fellow disciples, but even on those two willful and capricious girls, Fengzi and Furong…
"Slap—" The thought had barely formed in his mind when Lin Yuxiu slapped him across the face.
"Xiuxiu…" Ren Xiaoyao was startled.
"Who…who told you to lie to me with them?" Lin Yuxiu said angrily, her pretty face contorted with rage.
"I'm innocent, Xiuxiu…" Ren Xiaoyao tried to defend himself but couldn't, so he looked to Nangong Fengyi for help.
"Even at a time like this, you…you're still staring at other girls," Lin Yuxiu said angrily, her tears, which had already stopped, flowing again.
Nangong Fengyi spread his hands, feigning helplessness. Unexpectedly, Lin Yuxiu misunderstood again, shouting, "Oh, you're flirting! Big brother, do you still have Xiuxiu in your heart?"
"Yes! Yes! I only have Xiu... I only have Xiuxiu in my heart!" Ren Xiaoyao nodded hastily.
"Is it only or is it still there?" Lin Yuxiu asked anxiously.
"This... of course..." Ren Xiaoyao wanted to say "only," but the jealous and resentful gazes of Nangong Fengzi and Shui Furong simultaneously shot over, so he had to swallow his words.
"Big brother, what is it? Tell me!" Lin Yuxiu closed her beautiful eyes, two lines of clear tears streaming down her jade-like cheeks as she sobbed.
"Xiuxiu... I..." Ren Xiaoyao truly didn't know how to answer, and could only freeze on the spot.
More and more heroes gathered, all hoping that Ren Xiaoyao would lose control and make a huge fool of himself.
"Hmph, Xiuxiu went to find Grandpa, Xiuxiu isn't talking to you anymore." Lin Yuxiu, ultimately too proud to admit defeat, wiped away her tears and ran off without looking back.
"Furong, let me explain..." Ren Xiaoyao was about to speak when Shui Furong's beautiful eyes flashed with a cold light. She stared at him fiercely and stamped her foot, saying, "Fool, think it through before you come back to me."
"Fengzi, you wouldn't also..." Ren Xiaoyao cautiously probed.
"Hehe, I don't care about you at all." Nangong Fengzi smiled sweetly and turned to leave.
Ren Xiaoyao slumped down, his mind a complete mess.
The crowd began to whisper among themselves, discussing the matter.
"See? Even a dashing and charismatic thief has moments of helplessness and despair."
"Sigh, chasing girls is like rowing a boat on water; the more you try to catch them, the harder you fall."
"What's that called again? Right, right, a peach blossom calamity."
Ren Xiaoyao had no interest in their nonsense. He stood up dejectedly, leaning against a large tree, gazing up at the vast, undefined starry sky.
He swore to the heavens that he truly loved the four women from the bottom of his heart. Although he thought of each one more when he was with them, deep down he was always thinking of them. Whenever the night was quiet, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep; whenever he was alone, he was always filled with longing and yearning. Whenever he used the Lingxiao Sword Technique, the four women's stunningly beautiful faces would involuntarily appear before his eyes. He would even recall the days and nights he spent with them, every little detail, as if these unforgettable romances had become one with the sword techniques, something he could never forget in this lifetime. However, what puzzled him was why the four women had ended up in this situation after meeting. Was it his fault for falling in love with one after another, for being a womanizer and not being faithful? Was it his fault for attracting one and appeasing another, neglecting one for the other, and making a mistake? Or was it simply the nature of women to be coquettish, jealous, and competitive?
Ren Xiaoyao's gaze dimmed, and his mind fell into an unprecedented state of confusion.

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