Chapter 12: No More Pretense, I’m Laying My Cards on the Table

Hao Jian knew he couldn't resist Li Xiaobai's poison, so he had no choice but to resort to this measure, as long as the Elders forbid Li Xiaobai from using such despicable tactics, he would be able to turn defeat into victory.

No matter what, he was determined to obtain the qualification to study at the Holy Demon Sect!

At this time, the disciples below the stage were also impassioned, believing that a martial arts competition should test true strength and cultivation level, not allow repeated use of poison.

"That's right, we must stop Li Xiaobai from using such shameful means again!"

"We want a fair fight!"

"Please, Elders, see the truth!"

On the high platform, the Elders looked at each other with smiles in their eyes; they were waiting for just such an opportunity to suppress the disciples of Misty Peak.

The Great Elder stood up, "Sect Leader, you can't protect them this time. These youngsters have gone too far."

Having said that, he flew down to the arena.

"The competition is about examining the disciples' cultivation level and discovering weaknesses, not about forcing you to win at all costs, Li Xiaobai, you are no longer allowed to use that kind of poison that causes muscle weakness. Winning with such means proves nothing!"

The Great Elder spoke righteously, garnering unanimous support from the disciples.

"Understood."

Li Xiaobai looked helpless, banned from using Muscle Flaccidity, but it couldn't be helped, he had already aroused the public indignation of the disciples.

He slowly drew his sword from his waist, a gift from the female disciple previously, nothing more than an ordinary longsword.

"I originally wanted to interact with you all as an ordinary person, but instead of acceptance, I received skepticism; no more pretending, I am a Sword Cultivator, laying my cards on the table."

"A clattering buffoon, utterly nonsensical!"

Hao Jian had a full chest of rage that needed venting, thinking that without his poison, Li Xiaobai was nothing.

"Qingfeng Sword!"

The Sword Qi turned into a fresh breeze slashing towards Li Xiaobai. The Qingfeng Sword was formless and invisible, difficult for the naked eye to discern, and a deadly move was used as soon as the fight began, causing the disciples watching to hold their breath.

Even the Great Elder's brow was furrowed, ready to save someone at a critical moment.

"Sword Shattering the Sky!"

Li Xiaobai casually drew his sword, and in an instant, light and shadow filled the arena, the air carried the eardrum-piercing friction sound, the stage cracked inch by inch, and the Qingfeng Sword was engulfed by Sword Qi in a flash, targeting Hao Jian directly.

Hao Jian was terrified, such Sword Qi, ten of him could not block, his brain turned blank, his mid-grade Spirit Sword was shattered to dust in an instant, and numerous sword marks tore through his body.

The Great Elder's face turned pale, even he had to take this level of power seriously.

He leaped forward, blocking the overwhelming Sword Qi, and struck from mid-air, knocking down a somewhat dazed Hao Jian off the platform.

"If I had not intervened, Hao Jian would've been torn apart. This round, Li Xiaobai wins!"

The Great Elder hid his bloodstained hands in his sleeves, his heart turned a turbulent sea.

He couldn't make out Li Xiaobai's cultivation level, but that Sword Qi he just unleashed was undeniable; even a novice disciple is not capable of such a level of swordplay, could it be that Li Xiaobai is indeed a supreme genius?

The disciples below were likewise stunned—who said Li Xiaobai had no cultivation?

Who said Li Xiaobai could only win by relying on Magic Treasures?

The truth was now in front of them, everything else could be faked, but not the Sword Qi just now, Li Xiaobai's ordinary longsword wasn't even a Spiritual Artifact, indicating that his overwhelming Sword Qi was entirely a product of his own cultivation level.

Such strength was incomprehensibly profound.

The disciples silently labeled Li Xiaobai as a dark horse who feigned weakness to deceive others.

Why didn't you show your strength earlier? You have genuine cultivation but choose to use dirty tricks, what's the meaning of this?

Indeed, Misty Peak has no normal people.

In the crowd, Feng Wuxie's eyes flickered with sharp light, Li Xiaobai's treasures had once again refreshed his perception, the world indeed had such marvelous and unique treasures, he must get his hands on them!

Li Xiaobai was very calm, for the skill that had been upgraded twice in a row was indeed powerful, defeating a True Disciple was not surprising.

"Heh, senior brother, thanks for letting me win."

With a bow to a still dazed Hao Jian, Li Xiaobai left with style.

After this battle, probably the entire Sect's disciples would know of him, Li Xiaobai of Misty Peak.

From now on, my title has one more accomplishment, defeating True Disciple Hao Jian with a single sword stroke.

This victory secured my place in the top ten of the Sect competition and qualified me to further my studies at the Holy Demon Sect.

Humming a little tune, Li Xiaobai felt somewhat elated. In just a matter of days, he had gone from an ordinary person to a super expert. Such speed of progression would be considered genius anywhere.

"Boy, stop right there, where did you get this cultivation level from?"

Feng Lingzi's voice came from behind, followed by several senior brother and sister disciples, who had all witnessed Li Xiaobai's performance.

Feng Lingzi knew Li Xiaobai too well, didn't he? How could others know if he didn't?

Ever since he entered Misty Peak, his little disciple hadn't practiced for a single day. He had given him a cultivation technique two days ago, but there was no sign of practice; how did he suddenly become a Sword Dao expert?

Even the power of the sword Qi Liu Xiaobai had just unleashed made him wary, could it be that he wouldn't be able to defeat even this newly accepted disciple?

"Sudden enlightenment, Master, do you know about sudden enlightenment?"

"Ancients became Buddhas in a single thought, today we have Li Xiaobai becoming a grandmaster in one."

Li Xiaobai was feeling a bit nervous inside, after all, he hadn't cultivated, so he was somewhat lacking in confidence.

"Grandmaster my ass!"

Feng Lingzi was about to curse.

Behind him Yang Chen interrupted, "Who cares? Everyone has their own opportunity. Why are you, an old sod, jealous?"

"Exactly, today little junior brother has successfully entered the top ten of the competition. It's a cause for celebration. No question about it, let's have a small barbecue tonight!" Liu Jinshui said.

"Master, you should be happy that your disciple has done well."

Su Yunbing said with a smile, pulling Li Xiaobai towards the mountaintop.

"On Misty Peak, it's normal for a master to be unable to defeat a disciple. Today, little junior brother has shown his divine might, without tarnishing the reputation of Misty Peak."

"Tonight's celebration feast, let's all get high!"

...

The celebration feast was at the mountaintop, where Liu Jinshui loved barbecuing wild game the most.

Seeing that the arena had been transformed into a bathhouse, everyone's expressions were somewhat peculiar.

"Who would've thought little junior brother had this particular taste?"

"An outdoor one, quite something!"

"It's got character, I like it."

Hearing the others' remarks, Li Xiaobai also felt a little embarrassed. These senior brothers were too irrepressible, even a bathhouse could set their imaginations running wild.

"Ahem, senior brothers, this bathhouse is for cultivation. As long as one soaks in it, one's cultivation level can slightly increase," Li Xiaobai explained.

Upon hearing this, everyone was surprised. Could there really be such a pool in the world?

"Little junior brother, don't joke around. Senior sister is proficient in pharmacology and has sensed nothing unusual about this pool."

Ye Wushuang stepped forward and tested the water temperature. In an instant, she felt a refreshing sensation sweep through her body, her Spiritual Platform becoming clear. The cultivation problems she had accumulated over the days solved themselves effortlessly, and she couldn't help but immerse herself in it.

Su Yunbing felt it was strange as well and reached out to touch the water's surface, her expression instantly turning marvelous.

"What's going on with you?"

"This pool is really effective?"

The others, also curious, touched the water in the pool.

"Damn, little junior brother, you're not being honest, hiding such good skills from us."

"Let's not say anything more. Tonight, we're sleeping in this pool. Even if the Heavenly King comes, we won't leave!"

Liu Jinshui did not care about his image and, without stripping, plunged into the pool. The others quickly followed suit.

Su Yunbing and Ye Wushuang also dove headfirst into the pool, lying down comfortably, leaving Li Xiaobai staring in astonishment.

"The water's a bit cold. Number four, heat up the water."

"Got it..."