novelraw Chapter 33 – I am waiting for you at the Free Spirit Sect
Chapter 33 – I am waiting for you at the Free Spirit Sect
"Pa!" "Bang!"...
On the dueling platform, every time Nie Xiaodie clashed with Luo Xiu, she was forced back, already pushed to the edge of the platform.
"Proud Daughter of Heaven, still not admitting defeat?" Luo Xiu sneered.
"You... you bastard!" Nie Xiaodie was furious, and anyone could hear the mockery in Luo Xiu's voice.
"Pa!"
Luo Xiu struck with his palm, and the powerful True Qi transmitted through the spear to Nie Xiaodie's body. Her delicate figure trembled, her footing unstable, and she fell off the platform.
"Haha, good!"
From the pavilion above, the Master of Qingyun Hall laughed heartily, "Master of New Stone Hall, thank you for the Innate Pill!"
The elders of the Martial Hall behind him also smiled. Luo Xiu's victory had preserved the reputation of Qingyun Martial Hall.
"Hmph, congratulations to your Qingyun Martial Hall for producing a peerless genius. If he is accepted by the mountain gate, the Master of Qingyun Hall will surely receive a handsome reward."
The Master of New Stone Hall pursed his lips with some jealousy, flipped his hand to take out a jade bottle, and placed it on the table. "A bet is a bet, here's the Innate Pill, farewell!"
Standing up, the Master of New Stone Hall strode away, his anger rising at the sight of the smiling face of the Master of Qingyun Hall.
"Luo Xiu, I will remember you. Just wait! One day, I will defeat you!" Nie Xiaodie said coldly, following the Master of New Stone Hall.
Luo Xiu was indifferent to Nie Xiaodie's words. He hadn't even used a tenth of his strength, and Nie Xiaodie was no match for him. The gap between them would only grow wider in the future.
The Heaven's Life and Death Cycle spun in his dantian, and the mysteries of the Path of Life and Death Laws flowed through his mind, as if revealing a broad path to the pinnacle of Martial Dao.
"Amazing, in just over a month, Luo Xiu has already become a Qi Sea Martial Artist, and he's only fourteen!"
"Nie Xiaodie only reached the Qi Sea Realm at fifteen and was so arrogant. Compared to Luo Xiu, what is she?"
The Master of New Stone Hall and Nie Xiaodie had left, but the students of Qingyun Martial Hall were still discussing the event.
...
In the main hall of Qingyun Martial Hall.
"Haha, Luo Xiu, you broke through to the Qi Sea Realm at just fourteen. Even in the Free Spirit Sect, few can achieve this!"
"This time you defeated Nie Xiaodie from New Stone Martial Hall, preserving the reputation of our Qingyun Martial Hall. This Blue Crystal Bracelet is yours!"
The Master of Qingyun Hall raised his hand and tossed a bracelet, carved like blue crystal, towards Luo Xiu.
Luo Xiu reached out to catch it, finding it quite beautiful, but wondered what use such a pretty bracelet was to a man like him.
"Hehe, Luo Xiu, don't underestimate this bracelet. It's a treasure crafted by a third-tier Formation Master. Once activated with True Qi, it forms a defensive barrier that even Martial Masters below the seventh Innate level cannot break," the Master of Qingyun Hall said with a smile.
"Is it that powerful?" Luo Xiu showed a look of surprise.
For the Master of Qingyun Hall, who was half a step into Spirit Refinement, the Blue Crystal Bracelet was of little use, but for a newly advanced Qi Sea Martial Artist like Luo Xiu, it was an invaluable protective treasure.
"Luo Xiu, since you've broken through to the Qi Sea Realm, there are some things you should know."
The Master of Qingyun Hall said seriously, "In Yunlong Prefecture, any Martial Hall where those under eighteen reach the Qi Sea Realm can participate in the entry assessment. At that time, Martial Artists from the Eighteen Cities who meet the criteria will participate, but only three can pass and become Outer Sect Disciples."
"I originally planned for you to participate in the entry assessment next year, giving you more time to improve your cultivation and a better chance of passing. But since you've already broken through, whether to participate is up to you."
"When is the entry assessment held?" Luo Xiu couldn't help but ask.
"The eighth day of the third month!" the Master of Qingyun Hall replied. "As far as I know, some participants this year have reached the second and even third layers of the Qi Sea Realm. The time is short, and it will be hard for you to compete with them."
"If I don't pass this year, can I try again next year?" Luo Xiu asked.
"Of course, as long as you're under eighteen, you have four chances," the Master of Qingyun Hall said with a smile.
"In that case, I'll give it a try this year. Maybe I'll succeed on the first attempt," Luo Xiu said.
"Haha, good! I hope you succeed on the first try!" the Master of Qingyun Hall laughed. "Train well, and I'll have someone inform you when the time comes."
For the Masters of the Martial Halls in various cities, the Free Spirit Sect has a reward system. The more outstanding the talents from the Martial Halls perform, the higher their achievements, the better the rewards for the Martial Hall Masters.
That's why the Master of Qingyun Hall had high hopes for Luo Xiu.
Since breaking through to the Qi Sea Realm, Luo Xiu could absorb more flame power from Lu Mengyao's Severed Fire Yang Meridian.
After two sessions, Lu Mengyao's Severed Fire Yang Meridian was completely healed, and she would never again suffer the pain of a fiery heart every seven days.
"Luo Xiu, thank you."
After facing each other bare, they both dressed, and Lu Mengyao felt her heart suddenly become chaotic.
"No need to thank me..." Luo Xiu smiled.
In truth, treating Lu Mengyao's Severed Fire Yang Meridian benefited him greatly, not only enhancing his cultivation but also granting him mastery over the flame elemental power.
Now that the Severed Fire Yang Meridian was healed, Luo Xiu couldn't help but recall the scenes of them facing each other bare, sighing softly in his heart.
For a moment, they were silent, and Lu Mengyao dared not meet Luo Xiu's eyes. The experiences of the past few months were unforgettable in a lifetime.
"Luo Xiu, I..." Lu Mengyao suddenly broke the silence, "I have to leave."
"Leave? Where to?" Luo Xiu frowned.
"The Free Spirit Sect."
Hearing this, Luo Xiu wasn't too surprised. He had long suspected that Lu Mengyao's identity was not simple, given the respectful attitude of the Martial Hall Master and elders towards her.
"In two months, I'll participate in the entry assessment. I'll also go to the Free Spirit Sect, and we'll meet again," Luo Xiu said with a smile.
He didn't ask about Lu Mengyao's exact identity, and she didn't say.
Flipping his hand, Luo Xiu placed the Blue Crystal Bracelet on the table between them. "Consider this bracelet a parting gift. We should meet again in the future."
Three days later, a letter was delivered to Luo Xiu's home.
The letter contained only a simple sentence, "Luo Xiu, I'll wait for you at the Free Spirit Sect..."
Luo Xiu took a deep breath, folded the letter, and placed it in his pocket. "I will come for you."
On this day, Luo Xiu left Qingyun City, heading to Yaqi Mountain. Before the entry assessment, he planned to enhance his strength as much as possible.
However, as soon as he left Qingyun City, three figures quietly followed him. Many hunter teams were heading to Yaqi Mountain, so Luo Xiu didn't pay much attention.
"This is Luo Xiu. I heard he recently broke through to the Qi Sea Realm."
"Just a mere first layer of the Qi Sea Realm, killing him is like slaughtering a dog. Our master sending the three of us to kill him is making a fuss over nothing."
"Don't be careless. This must be done cleanly, leaving no evidence for the Master of Qingyun Hall."
"Don't worry, senior brother, we understand!"
...
In the dense forest, Luo Xiu's figure moved like a fleeting illusion, his Mysterious Evasion Technique having reached major achievement.
Though he hadn't encountered martial arts above the fifth grade, for Luo Xiu, fourth-grade martial arts now held no mysteries, and he could easily grasp their essence.
Besides mastering the Mysterious Evasion Technique, Luo Xiu had honed the Thunderclap Nine Swords to perfection!
Light as a swallow, Luo Xiu could sometimes sky-step and laterally shift, lingering briefly in the air—a level of movement technique even some Innate Martial Masters might not achieve.
"The Hall Master can fly; I wonder when I can reach that level," Luo Xiu thought with anticipation.
With his current strength, first-level demonic beasts posed no threat, easily slain. Thus, upon entering Yaqi Mountain, he headed straight for the heartland, intending to find second-level demonic beasts to hone himself.
Few hunter teams ventured into the heartland, even those led by Qi Sea Martial Artists mostly lingered in the border region between the periphery and the heartland.
Luo Xiu expanded his life perception, suddenly frowning, as he sensed three human martial artist auras approaching his location.
Moments later, a slender young man appeared in Luo Xiu's sight, looking about twenty years old. Judging by the life force emanating from his vital meridians, Luo Xiu estimated his cultivation to be above the fifth layer of the Qi Sea Realm, with True Qi condensed into liquid form in his dantian.
Soon after, two more figures appeared, also young men around twenty.
"Hmm?" Seeing Luo Xiu standing on a tree branch ahead, the three young men were slightly startled.
"Why have you been following me?" Luo Xiu asked in a deep voice, sensing danger from the three.
The leading youth, clad in a white robe, had the most formidable aura, likely at least at the seventh layer of the Qi Sea Realm. The other two were slightly weaker, but also had cultivation around the fifth layer.
Such Qi Sea Martial Artists could dominate a region in Qingyun City.
"Didn't expect you to notice us, but as a dead man, you don't need to know too much."
The white-robed youth's hand revealed a sword gleaming with cold light, while the other two drew their weapons, one with a sword, the other with a knife.
Luo Xiu's eyes narrowed. Clearly, these three were here to kill him. Last time, Chen Hu led men to hunt him, orchestrated by the Zhang Clan. Who was behind these three?
"Kill!"
The two Qi Sea fifth-layer youths launched their movement techniques, rushing towards Luo Xiu.
The white-robed youth didn't move, a cold smile on his lips, as if a mere Qi Sea first-layer kid wasn't worth his effort.
In an instant, the two were upon Luo Xiu, their blades flashing with cold light, murderous intent palpable.
"Clang!"
The Shadow Sword behind Luo Xiu unsheathed, unleashing a sharp sword light.
"Die!"
The two youths sneered, thinking killing a Qi Sea first-layer was as easy as drinking water.
"Clang! Clang!..."
A series of clashes rang out, True Qi flaring in a dazzling display. The two Qi Sea fifth-layer youths felt a powerful force strike them.
"Such strong True Qi! Is he really Qi Sea first-layer?" they exclaimed in shock.
"Thunderclap Nine Swords!"
Luo Xiu flicked the Shadow Sword, enveloping the two in brilliant sword light.
"Slash!"
A blood arc appeared, and one of the youths, eyes wide, had his throat slit by the sword's edge, blood gushing, dying on the spot!
"What! A perfected sword technique?"
The other youth's face changed drastically. He knew the Thunderclap Nine Swords was a fourth-grade sword technique, but from Luo Xiu's hand, it instantly killed a Qi Sea fifth-layer, clearly perfected!
A perfected fourth-grade martial art could rival a major achievement fifth-grade!
Luo Xiu showed no mercy, as the white-robed youth exuded a dangerous aura.
The black sword emitted Life and Death Extremes Qi, spreading a chilling death aura from Luo Xiu.
"Slash!"
Another sword light flashed like black lightning, the other Qi Sea fifth-layer youth flew back, a wound on his chest, blood spurting.
Luo Xiu hadn't moved, dispatching two Qi Sea fifth-layer experts with ease.
"Impressive, didn't expect a Qi Sea first-layer to have such power! But you must die today."
The white-robed youth hadn't expected his two junior brothers to be slain in one strike, too late to save them.
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
He moved towards Luo Xiu, True Qi glowing like substance.
Luo Xiu's pupils shrank. Condensing True Qi to near substance required at least Qi Sea seventh-layer mastery.
He didn't know who would send such experts to kill him.
"Die!"
The white-robed youth shouted, his sword emitting substantial sword radiance, attacking Luo Xiu.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!..."
In an instant, they exchanged several blows. Luo Xiu found the opponent's movement technique exquisite, almost rivaling his Mysterious Evasion Technique.
Moreover, the youth's Qi Sea seventh-layer cultivation made his True Qi powerful and refined, each clash shaking Luo Xiu's blood and Qi.
"His martial arts must be at least fifth-grade, nearing perfection."
During the fight, Luo Xiu assessed the opponent's strength through his martial techniques and True Qi.
A fifth-grade martial art nearing perfection, such strength was top-tier even among Qi Sea seventh-layer experts.
In moments, Luo Xiu was in peril, completely overwhelmed by the white-robed youth.