This Place is Really Slippery

The expressions of the elders from the three sects changed dramatically.

They had realized the gravity of the situation.

Since Li Changshou had sworn such a Dao Heart Oath, it proved the matter to be true!

The Moon Grasping Sect had indeed only recruited one new disciple this year, and that was Xiao Ling'er. However, this new disciple was too extraordinary!

A cultivation at the fifth level of the Condensation Realm—was this something attainable within a month of joining the sect?

Even among first-rate sects, such prodigies were rare. For third-rate sects like theirs, achieving the fifth level of the Condensation Realm within a year would already be considered a miracle.

Even a miracle wouldn't suffice.

It would require the ancestral graves to be struck by lightning and set on fire, only to find out that the fire couldn't be extinguished!

Before they could come up with a countermeasure, Li Changshou continued, "Well, I have sworn the Dao Heart Oath. Do any of you still have doubts?"

"…"

Silence.

Who would dare to doubt now?

A Dao Heart Oath was not taken lightly—unless Li Changshou wished to die.

But now, what should they do?

They found themselves once again in a difficult situation.

The elders of the three sects were completely at a loss.

Damn it, why does this insignificant Moon Grasping Sect have so many 'tigers' today, constantly causing trouble for us and making it hard for us to find a way out?

Before they could speak, they heard Wu Xingyun laughing, "Haha, Old Third, you are mistaken. The Peach Blossom Sect, the Eight Swords Sect, and the Golden Eagle Sect are all prominent sects in this region. Their words are as good as gold, how could there be any doubt?"

Duan Qingyao added, "Then why haven't they sent anyone to make a move? Could it be they are afraid?"

Wu Xingyun admonished, "Stop talking nonsense. How could the esteemed disciples of the three sects be afraid?" She then turned to the elders of the three sects, smiling knowingly. "Elders, isn't that right?"

This is outrageous!

The faces of the three sect elders turned dark.

They could see that Wu Xingyun and the others were playing a double act, but...

"What should we do?!"

They communicated through their divine senses, all feeling the difficulty of the situation.

"If we retreat now, not only will we fail our mission, but we will also lose face for ourselves and our sects. This could destabilize the Dao hearts of our disciples..."

"But if we fight, I don't see any chance of winning, and we will still lose face. Worse, we might even lose some disciples here."

"This?!"

They were truly stuck.

Wu Xingyun and the others continued their performance, with some taunting and others flattering, causing the elders' faces to change colors rapidly, more spectacular than a face-changing performance.

"Outrageous!"

"How dare they humiliate us like this?"

"Fight!"

"Don't forget, according to the agreement, each sect sends three people, making nine in total. With a rotation battle, we might still have a chance."

"Exactly, especially since the Eight Swords Sect has someone who joined with prior skills and has already broken through to the Condensation Realm. He's also a sword cultivator. Let the others wear down Xiao Ling'er's true essence first, then let the Eight Swords Sect take over!"

"In a rotation battle, we should be able to defeat her."

"That's the only option. Even though a rotation battle is not honorable, it's better than enduring their mockery."

"Alright!"

They quickly devised a strategy.

Elder Wang snorted coldly, "Do you think we are afraid?"

"Wu Xingyun, stop your sarcastic remarks. If it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you'll get!"

"We were giving you a chance, considering the agreement. Our sect has nine participants, while your Moon Grasping Sect has only one. We didn't want to bully you, so we were going to cancel this duel."

"But since you are so insolent, don't blame us for not showing mercy."

"Oh?" Lin Fan, however, showed no mercy, directly exposing their intentions, "Stop beating around the bush. You're wasting time. Whether it's a rotation battle or all at once, just set the terms."

"…"

All at once?

The elders of the three sects found the idea appealing, but considering their dignity and the many disciples watching, they had to abandon the thought.

"Stop flattering yourself."

"Do you think a mere disciple of the Moon Grasping Sect is worthy of having all three sects' disciples attack at once?"

"So, it's a rotation battle, then?" Lin Fan chuckled, "Ling'er."

"Yes, Master." Xiao Ling'er stepped forward again, "Please!"

Though a woman, she showed no fear, not even of a rotation battle. Her heart remained calm, and her eyes were cold.

Those who insult my sect...

Shall face retribution!

At this moment, the disciples of the three sects began to understand the situation.

Anyone could guess that Xiao Ling'er was extraordinary; otherwise, their elders wouldn't have behaved so brazenly.

If any one of their disciples could defeat her in a solo duel, the elders wouldn't have suggested a rotation battle.

"What is her cultivation level?"

A new disciple at the third level of the Meridian Opening Realm whispered, "I don't know."

In the Peach Blossom Sect camp, all the new disciples shook their heads.

They couldn't see through her at all!

One of the senior brothers from previous years looked grim, "Condensation Realm, conservatively estimated to be above the fourth level."

"What? Even you can't see through her?"

The senior brother remained silent.

Damn it, don't rub salt in the wound.

I've been cultivating for five years and only reached the third level of the Condensation Realm! And that's considered top-tier in our Peach Blossom Sect.

Who knows why the new disciples are so freakishly strong these days?

Why could she, a mere disciple of the Moon Grasping Sect, be so exceptional? 

Such a prodigious talent should be joining top-tier sects or even sacred lands. How did she end up in a small sect like the Moon Grasping Sect?

Doubts churned in his mind, and he cursed his bad luck.

He had a foreboding feeling.

This time, the three sects were likely in for a major setback.

"Xiao Ling'er of the Moon Grasping Sect," Xiao Ling'er greeted with a slight bow. "Who will be the first to teach me?"

The crowd remained silent.

"No one?" Xiao Ling'er looked toward the disciple from the Golden Eagle Sect who had been shouting earlier, "Weren't you the one who said you wanted to go first?"

The disciple's face twitched.

However, as a young man, his pride was at stake. Even though he knew it was unwise, he stepped forward with a grim face, "Do you think I'm afraid?"

At that moment, his elder transmitted a message to him through divine sense, "Be careful. This girl is not simple! Avoid direct confrontation. Focus on wearing her down. If you can't win, surrender immediately. Don't risk your life!"

The disciple's face darkened further.

In other words, he had no chance of winning and was just cannon fodder?

He gritted his teeth, "Kill!"

Boom!

He unleashed his power, revealing his sixfold Meridian Opening Realm cultivation. Among new disciples in a third-rate sect, this was impressive. However, to Xiao Ling'er, he was no different from an ordinary person.

With a simple burst of speed, without any magical augmentation, she threw a single punch.

"Ah!!!"

The disparity in strength made their speeds incomparable.

With just a straightforward punch, the Golden Eagle Sect disciple had no time to react. He was struck and sent flying, vomiting blood and screaming, sliding back dozens of meters before finally coming to a halt.

"Junior Brother!"

"Senior Brother, are you alright?"

The disciples of the Golden Eagle Sect were alarmed.

The elder quickly fed him a pill, ultimately saving his life.

The disciple was mortified but refused to admit defeat, "I... I'm fine. It's just that the ground here is really slippery. Be careful, everyone."