Chapter 7: Who Believes the Truth Nowadays?
As the elder announced the result, there was no applause, only faces filled with shock.
Li He from the Martial Hall, a prominent figure who had been courted by numerous aristocratic families and dynasties, had been defeated by an unknown Ye Qiubai.
Clearly, Ye Qiubai had breezed through the fight effortlessly, as if he hadn't exerted himself at all.
Above, Chancellor Qin Tianan chuckled. "It seems that Young Master Zhang's judgment is quite accurate."
The Confucian Hall elder nodded. "Indeed, this young man's talent is quite remarkable."
Meanwhile, the Sword Hall elder's gaze was peculiar as he stared at Ye Qiubai, his thoughts inscrutable.
At this moment, the elder stood beside Ye Qiubai, wearing an odd expression. "Ye Qiubai, you currently have 200 contribution points. Do you wish to continue challenging? However, if you lose, all your contribution points will go to the winner."
Without hesitation, Ye Qiubai replied. He had come here for real combat, to break through his limits.
"Continue," he said.
The elder nodded and announced the name of the next challenger.
"Formation Hall, Qiu Ming."
Qiu Ming looked at Ye Qiubai and said solemnly, "Your strength is formidable, but I wonder if you can break my formation."
With a snap of his fingers, numerous formation flags shot out, enveloping the entire arena in a seven-colored mist.
Some spectators exclaimed in shock.
"This is Qiu Ming's Seven Illusions Formation. Those trapped in it will experience seven different illusions. If they can't break free, they'll be trapped forever!"
"Isn't Ye Qiubai in trouble now?"
"Don't all people have their own weaknesses?"
The Formation Hall elder chuckled at the scene. "Qiu Ming is my disciple, and I personally taught him this Seven Illusions Formation. Ye Qiubai is in for a tough time now."
However, the Sword Hall elder shook his head. "Those who practice the sword won't be so easily trapped by illusion formations."
"Then let's wait and see."
Meanwhile, inside the illusion, Ye Qiubai faced the first illusion—his family's test of talent.
"The next one, Ye Qiubai!"
As he faced the realistic mocking faces around him, Ye Qiubai calmly walked forward.
The mocking faces hurled the most venomous insults, assaulting Ye Qiubai's heart.
However, such words couldn't disturb Ye Qiubai's mind at this point.
With a hand on the Skyward Stone, a burst of light erupted, and sword qi filled the entire illusion!
Crack!
In an instant, the first illusion was shattered!
Then came the second, third, all the way to the sixth, all shattered in an instant by Ye Qiubai!
As he faced the seventh illusion, a young girl stood before Ye Qiubai.
The girl followed behind a young boy, calling out, "Big Brother Qiubai!"
The two played and practiced together since childhood.
The boy was hailed as the number one genius in Tianyuan City.
The two, a boy of talent and a girl of beauty, had been betrothed since childhood.
Ye Qiubai watched this scene quietly, feeling a sense of nostalgia.
The scene shifted.
The girl had grown into a beautiful woman, while the boy had lost his talent over time.
With a torn marriage contract, the woman came to the boy's family, breaking the engagement and leaving.
Soon after, she sent men to kill him.
The scene ended there.
Ye Qiubai sighed. "The past is the past. We must repay kindness and seek vengeance for enmity."
"Now, how can I be trapped here?"
"Swordsmanship should always be pursued with unwavering determination!"
Ye Qiubai's eyes were crystal clear, and he seemed to have a realization. With a sword strike, he shattered the seventh illusion.
Outside the illusion...
People were still discussing whether Ye Qiubai could break the formation. But at that moment, Qiu Ming's expression changed drastically.
The seven-colored mist of the Seven Illusions Formation began to dissipate layer by layer!
"How is this possible!"
Qiu Ming tried to reinforce the formation, but the formation flags began to disintegrate!
He coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground.
A backfire from the formation!
The spectators were shocked.
In their eyes, Ye Qiubai wasn't just breaking the formation; he did it in a mere ten breaths!
Breaking Qiu Ming's Seven Illusions Formation in just ten breaths—what kind of concept was this?
The elder from the Sword Hall exclaimed, "Insightful Sword Heart!"
Qin Tianan and the others looked grave.
The elder from the Formation Hall wore an incredulous expression.
"At such a young age, he has already grasped the Insightful Sword Heart. This young man's future is limitless!"
With that, the elder from the Sword Hall teleported to the arena and looked at Ye Qiubai urgently. "Are you willing to join my Sword Hall and become my disciple?"
Qin Tianan and the others exchanged glances, feeling both amused and exasperated.
The surrounding crowd also erupted into murmurs.
"The elder from the Sword Hall is personally recruiting him!"
"It seems that Ye Qiubai is truly remarkable."
"Even the elder is personally making an offer!"
Ye Qiubai was taken aback but declined with a polite refusal. "I am already a disciple of the Grass Hall, I apologize, Elder."
The elder from the Sword Hall insisted urgently, "As a practitioner of the sword, our Sword Hall possesses countless swordsmanship legacies. If you join us, you may even comprehend sword intent within a century... whereas in the Grass Hall..."
Sword intent...
Ye Qiubai's expression turned strange, but he shook his head. "I already have a mentor."
Seeing this, the elder from the Sword Hall sighed and said, "Very well, but remember, the Sword Hall welcomes your joining at any time."
Then, he tossed a jade token to Ye Qiubai.
"This is the jade token of our Sword Hall. If you have any questions about swordsmanship in the future, feel free to ask me."
"Thank you, Elder."
Ye Qiubai thanked him respectfully.
With that, the elder from the Sword Hall disappeared on the spot.
Afterwards, Ye Qiubai continued his winning streak, defeating challengers from various halls.
The name of the Grass Hall began to resound once again in the Hidden Dao Academy.
Decades ago, the name of the Grass Hall was renowned throughout the academy.
And now, the Grass Hall had finally accepted disciples once again, asserting its dominance in a supremely domineering manner.
Meanwhile, Qin Tianan arrived at the Grass Hall and reported everything to Lu Changsheng.
Seeing Lu Changsheng's expression, he said, "This kid really loves to make a scene. What if everyone wants to join the Grass Hall in the future? Then I won't be able to slack off anymore."
Qin Tianan's face darkened. "Since you have this ability, why don't you take in more disciples?"
"What ability do I have?" Lu Changsheng shrugged. "I can't even understand my own cultivation, how can I teach others? As for Ye Qiubai, he's simply talented."
Qin Tianan sighed and patted Lu Changsheng on the shoulder. "I know you have this ability. You're just lazy."
With that, Qin Tianan left.
Lu Changsheng looked innocent.
It seems these days, even telling the truth doesn't make anyone believe it.