A boy in his teens stepped out from behind Yao Kaidong and walked slowly forward.
Qin Xiao had some impression of this boy. It seemed he also possessed a Profound Spirit Root and had chosen to join Immortal Sword Peak directly.
“Master, you must not take this boy lightly. He is at the seventh layer of Qi Refining.”
Afraid that Qin Xiao did not know the boy’s background, Yun Man hurriedly stepped forward to warn him.
“No matter.”
Qin Xiao also stepped forward, his demeanor lazy and relaxed.
So Yao Kaidong meant to play rough, sending someone at the seventh layer of Qi Refining against a mortal like him.
After confirming the opponent was at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, Qin Xiao gained a general understanding of the situation.
“Martial Uncle Qin, I am Li Lu. Please instruct me.”
Li Lu had already received his cousin’s orders: as long as he did not kill the man, he could do whatever he pleased. If he wanted to draw the Holy Son’s attention, he certainly could not hold back.
“Martial Nephew, please make your move. I also wish to see the strength of the Qi Refining realm.”
Though Qin Xiao looked unconcerned, he was ready for anything. He let the boy strike first for two reasons: to test Body Refinement First Layer’s defenses, and because attacking a child first would hardly be proper for a senior. He had his dignity to consider now.
“Then I won’t hold back.”
With those words, Li Lu instantly appeared in front of Qin Xiao.
In the past, Qin Xiao likely would not have even seen how his opponent moved. But now that he had reached the Body Refinement First Layer, he naturally tracked Li Lu’s movements with ease. Still, he did not react. As long as the boy did not aim for any sensitive spots, Qin Xiao planned to take the punch head-on.
“He is probably scared stiff, not moving at all.”
“He might want to move, but how could a mortal have that kind of reaction speed?”
“Trash is indeed trash.”
Seeing Qin Xiao remain completely motionless, the disciples of Immortal Sword Peak mocked him one after another.
What was Master doing? Was he really a mortal, not a hidden expert?
Yun Man found herself entirely unable to figure it out.
Li Lu aimed straight at Qin Xiao’s stomach, avoiding more sensitive places. Not because he was honorable—he wanted to humiliate Qin Xiao and impress Yao Kaidong. Knocking him down at once would spoil the fun.
Thud!
The punch landed solidly on Qin Xiao’s stomach.
However, Qin Xiao did not scream as everyone had expected. Instead, it was Li Lu whose fist trembled slightly. His hand burned with pain, as if he had just punched a solid block of iron. Visit novelping.com for the full chapter.
“What is going on?”
Yao Kaidong was displeased. This was not what he had expected.
“Don’t worry, Senior Brother. My cousin’s still young and kindhearted. It’s understandable that he’d hold back.”
“Li Lu, what are you doing? Stop worrying and hit him! With the Holy Son and me here, you won’t get blamed.”
Li Cheng hurriedly explained upon seeing Yao Kaidong’s displeasure, then shouted loudly at Li Lu.
“Cousin, I understand.”
Li Lu wore a bewildered expression. If not for the sharp pain throbbing in his hand, he would have suspected that his punch had entirely missed.
What technique was Master using? He had clearly done nothing, yet his opponent backed away after a single punch.
Yun Man was also thoroughly confused. She had not sensed any Spiritual Qi fluctuations, which meant her master had done absolutely nothing; he had simply stood there and let the opponent strike him.
This was a punch from a cultivator at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. An ordinary mortal would already be rolling on the ground in agony, but her master seemed completely unharmed.
“This is the strength of the seventh layer of Qi Refining? It seems quite ordinary.”
Qin Xiao patted the robes covering his stomach, forming a rough idea of how strong Qi Refining cultivators were. With his Body Refinement First Layer, he had absolutely nothing to fear from the Qi Refining realm.
“As your senior, Martial Nephew, I’ve let you have the first strike. Now I’m going to get serious.”
After speaking, Qin Xiao rushed toward Li Lu at an extreme speed, no slower than Li Lu’s earlier movement.
Seeing Qin Xiao take the initiative to attack, Li Lu quickly drew his sword. Although it was not a Spirit Weapon, it was still a high-quality mortal blade.
Since the opponent had drawn a sword, Qin Xiao naturally did not dare to be careless. After all, only at the Body Refinement Second Layer could one become immune to damage from mortal weapons. However, since he was already committed to the attack, he felt it would be a loss not to throw a punch of his own.
Qin Xiao brushed closely past Li Lu’s sword blade, forcefully driving a punch into Li Lu’s stomach—returning the favor in kind. You punched me once; if I do not return the favor, wouldn’t I be at a loss?
Li Lu was no novice either. Seeing Qin Xiao brush past the blade, he immediately shifted his technique, turning his thrust into a horizontal sweep that cut directly across Qin Xiao’s chest.
After that exchange, both stepped back.
Li Lu staggered back several steps before coming to a halt. He felt a burning pain in his stomach; his insides churned violently, and even his Dantian felt somewhat unstable.
As for Qin Xiao, the robes over his chest had been sliced open, but no blood flowed. Nevertheless, Qin Xiao also felt a burning pain.
After quickly inspecting himself, Qin Xiao discovered a long scratch across his chest. Fortunately, it had not broken the skin. He breathed a sigh of relief.
The Body Refinement First Layer was still too weak. His opponent was only at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. Against someone at its peak, he might have suffered more than a scratch.
“Am I seeing this right? A sword slashed across his chest, yet it only tore his clothes? He’s not even bleeding?”
“Junior Brother Li was actually forced back several steps by a single punch? How is this possible? The opponent is just a mortal!”
“Is Junior Brother Li going easy on him? This is beyond going easy—he’s practically handing him the whole fight!”
The current scene left everyone in disbelief. A cultivator at the seventh layer of Qi Refining fighting a mortal had not only failed to break through the mortal’s defenses, but had actually been forced back by a punch. Who would believe such a thing if it were spoken aloud?
Yao Kaidong did not say a word, merely turning his gaze toward Li Cheng beside him.
Li Cheng understood. He walked straight up to Li Lu and slapped him across the face.
“Li Lu, what the hell are you playing at? You have caused me to lose all face!”
Li Cheng was furious. He had originally wanted his cousin to show off and perform well, never expecting him to lose so much face instead.
“Cousin, there is something strange about him. I truly wasn’t holding back!”
Li Lu looked as though he were about to cry. He had already given it his all, but the opponent was simply bizarre. What else could he do?
“No excuses. I want results! The Holy Son is watching. How far you get in future depends on this. Hit him hard—as long as you don’t kill him.”
Li Cheng had no patience for explanations. He wanted results. Only a victory would improve his own standing with Yao Kaidong.
“Martial Uncle Qin, I was only testing you before. Now I’m going to get serious. Please don’t take offense.”
Seeing that his explanations fell on deaf ears, Li Lu could only bite the bullet and step forward. Moreover, this time, he fully intended to strike ruthlessly. If he failed to take down the opponent now, he would truly have no future left on Immortal Sword Peak.
“Are you the only one with a weapon?”
Qin Xiao drew his own sword from his storage space: the High Grade Spirit Weapon given to him by the master he had unexpectedly acquired. Without Spiritual Qi, he could not activate its power, but it was sharp enough. Until now, he had used it to chop firewood and cut vegetables.
“A High Grade Spirit Weapon?”
Seeing Qin Xiao bring out a High Grade Spirit Weapon, Li Lu felt his confidence drain away. He already lacked confidence when his opponent was empty-handed. Now that the man wielded a High Grade Spirit Weapon, how was he supposed to fight?
“Trash! He is a mere mortal without any Spiritual Qi. What does it matter if he holds a High Grade Spirit Weapon? In his hands, it is nothing more than a slightly sharper blade!”
Seeing his cousin shrinking back, Li Cheng immediately bellowed at him.
“That is right. He possesses no spiritual power. I have no reason to be afraid.”
Roused by Li Cheng’s scolding, Li Lu finally snapped out of his daze, immediately feeling much more at ease.
Li Lu charged straight toward Qin Xiao, this time aiming his sword at Qin Xiao’s leg.