Chapter 82: Encountering Robbers on the Road

A few days later, Li Taixing left his family home to return to the Xuantian Sect. The time spent with his family had been warm and relaxing. He had enjoyed guiding his younger brother, Li Taicheng, in his cultivation and helping with their family business. However, during one of their conversations, Li Taicheng mentioned a troubling issue that had been weighing on him. A group of bandits had taken over the nearby roads, forcing merchants and travelers to pay a hefty price to pass through.

Li Taicheng had hesitated at first to share the problem, worried that it might drag his brother into unnecessary trouble. But after seeing Li Taixing's strength, he confided in him.

'I can't let this go on. I'll deal with it,' Li Taixing thought, deciding to confront the bandits directly. He delayed his return to the Sect and took the route where the robbers were said to operate.

Not long after, Li Taixing's journey was interrupted by a group of rough-looking men stepping out from the woods, blocking his path.

"Oi, where do you think you're going?" The leader, a tall man with a nasty scar across his cheek, sneered as he brandished a crude blade.

Li Taixing, unbothered, continued walking forward without sparing them a glance. "It has nothing to do with you."

The leader's expression hardened at the casual dismissal. "You've got guts, talking like that. Do you know who we are?"

The other bandits began to laugh, mocking what they saw as Li Taixing's cluelessness.

The scar-faced leader grinned maliciously. "You're on our road now. No one passes through here without paying a toll. But maybe you won't have to worry about that—'cause you're not leaving here alive."

He raised his knife, fully intending to strike down Li Taixing. His men jeered and cheered him on, confident they'd soon be looting the fool's belongings.

But just as the leader brought his weapon down, Li Taixing's figure blurred, moving faster than any of them could follow. In an instant, he was behind the leader, his hand gripping the back of the man's neck like a vice.

The knife stopped in mid-air, and the leader's eyes widened in terror as he felt an overwhelming pressure on him. "W-what are you…?"

Li Taixing spoke calmly, though his grip tightened ever so slightly. "I don't have time to waste on you lot. Stop robbing travelers. If I hear about you bothering anyone again, your next encounter with me will be your last."

The bandits froze, stunned into silence. The leader's knees buckled as fear consumed him. He tried to speak, but no words came out.

Li Taixing released his grip, and the leader fell to the ground, gasping for air.

The other bandits, seeing their leader humbled so effortlessly, were struck dumb with fear. They quickly dropped their weapons and scattered into the woods, running as fast as they could, leaving their leader behind to grovel at Li Taixing's feet.

"Spare me… please," the scar-faced man begged, trembling. "We won't bother anyone again, I swear it."

Li Taixing's gaze was cold. "See that you don't," he said before turning and continuing on his journey, leaving the broken man behind.

---

Meanwhile, back at the Xuantian Sect, Sect Master Zhao Wentian had convened a meeting with all the inner and outer sect elders in preparation for the upcoming inner sect disciple assessment. The trial would be held at a restricted area of the Sect, a place known to be filled with dangerous tests and opportunities for growth.

Zhao Wentian sat at the head of the table, his eyes scanning the elders who had gathered in the hall. "As you all know, the inner disciple assessment this time will take place at the trial grounds," he announced. "Only those disciples who meet the requirements will be permitted to participate."

The elders nodded in acknowledgment. The trial grounds were not to be taken lightly. Even experienced disciples could fail or lose their lives if they weren't careful.

Lin Feiyi, the Great Elder, stood and cupped his fists in respect. "Sect Master, I will ensure that the disciples are informed and adequately prepared."

"Good," Zhao Wentian replied, his gaze shifting to the rest of the room. "We cannot afford any carelessness. The trial place holds many dangers."

As the meeting proceeded, most of the elders contributed their thoughts on how best to prepare the disciples. However, one elder remained conspicuously detached from the discussion—Wang Xuanwu. She was slouched in her seat, already half-asleep and seemingly uninterested in the matter at hand.

The other elders glanced at her with a mix of disdain and amusement. It was well known that Wang Xuanwu had a habit of dozing off during important meetings, but no one dared to provoke her. Despite her unorthodox behavior, she was a formidable presence, and crossing her often led to regret.

By the time the meeting concluded, Wang Xuanwu had completely drifted off, snoring softly as she slouched even lower in her chair. Drool dripped from the corner of her mouth.

Zhao Wentian sighed and approached her. "Wang Xuanwu, wake up," he called, nudging her shoulder gently.

"Hmm? Roast duck? Where?" she mumbled, still half-asleep, waving her hand dismissively as if to swat away an annoying insect.

Zhao Wentian's lips twitched in irritation, but he softened his tone. "It's time to eat. Roast duck and rice wine. As much as you want."

At the mention of food, Wang Xuanwu's eyes shot open, and she sat up instantly. "Where? Where's the food?" she asked excitedly, her face lighting up as she looked around.

Zhao Wentian chuckled despite himself. "You're hopeless."

Wang Xuanwu stretched and yawned, completely unconcerned about her earlier behavior. "You shouldn't tease me like that, Senior Brother. You owe me a real meal now!"

"Focus on your disciple instead of your stomach," Zhao Wentian scolded lightly. "The trial place is dangerous. If he fails, both you and your disciple will be sent to guard the tombs."

Wang Xuanwu stuck out her tongue playfully but didn't seem too bothered. "Oh, my disciple will be fine. He's going to take first place!"

Zhao Wentian raised an eyebrow. "First place? You're delusional. Your disciple has a first-grade spiritual root without any attributes. If he reaches the Qi Gathering Realm before he's an old man, that'd already be a miracle."

Wang Xuanwu only grinned wider. "How about a bet, Senior Brother?"

"No chance," Zhao Wentian replied firmly, already walking away. "I'd rather bet with a dog than with you. You never pay up when you lose."

Wang Xuanwu's laughter echoed in the hall as she watched him leave. "We'll see about that! You'll regret it when my disciple takes first place!"

---

As Li Taixing neared the Sect, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building. He knew the assessment was coming soon, and though he was aware of the dangers ahead, he was more than ready. The trials would be a challenge, but challenges were exactly what he thrived on.

After all, he wasn't just any ordinary disciple—he was determined to prove himself worthy of everything he had gained since entering the world of cultivation. Whatever lay ahead, Li Taixing was prepared to face it head-on.