Chapter 97

"That's absolutely impossible! Five years ago, I went on a mission to Linan City with Senior Brother Han Yu, and we almost got killed by that White Bone Senior."

"It was Twelfth Junior Brother who appeared at the critical moment and saved us. Back then, he was already at the Seventh Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm!"

"Given how much time has passed, his strength can only have grown stronger."

Xiao Yue said with conviction, then turned to glance at Han Yu.

Han Yu was looking up at the sky, choosing to ignore Xiao Yue's gaze and the appearance of Su Shier.

With his extraordinary spiritual roots, he couldn't help but feel that he should have been advancing steadily and striving for the peak of the Dao.

However, being saved by Su Shier five years ago had become a thorn in his side. Seeing Su Shier walk over now, he felt a bit uncomfortable.

"Qi Condensation Realm... Seventh Stage?! Him?! Five years ago?? How is that possible!"

Lu Mingshi's mouth dropped open in shock, his expression a mix of disbelief and amazement.

To him, it was already outrageous that Su Shier could reach the Fifth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm at his age.

Now, his granddaughter was saying that this kid was already at the Seventh Stage five years ago.

How long had it been since this kid started cultivating? Even with top-tier spiritual roots, it shouldn't be possible!

"Whether it's possible or not, why don't you just ask him directly? I'm more curious about his current strength."

Xiao Yue shrugged and said with a smile.

As she spoke, Su Shier had already stepped forward.

Approaching the three of them, Su Shier appeared somewhat nervous, adopting a very humble posture as he greeted them.

"Disciple Su Shier, greetings to the Peak Master!"

"Greetings to Senior Sister Xiao Yue, Senior Brother Han Yu!"

"Hmm..." Lu Mingshi's face was stern as he let out a long "hmm."

Then, his eyes shot out two sharp beams, staring directly at Su Shier.

"What is your current cultivation level?"

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"Disciple dares not hide it from the Peak Master. I am currently at the Seventh Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm!"

Under this intense gaze, Su Shier felt as if he were being stripped naked.

He was anxious inside, but his face showed feigned fear.

As he spoke, the Small Circulation Breath Concealment Technique within his body began to change, and his cultivation level quickly rose to the Seventh Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm.

"Xiao Yue said you were at the Seventh Stage five years ago, and you're still at the Seventh Stage now?" Lu Mingshi asked coldly, his eyes glowing with an unusual light.

Unfortunately, the breath concealment technique Su Shier practiced was an ancient method.

No matter how hard he looked, he couldn't detect anything.

"Disciple is ashamed. In recent years, I've been busy and wasted a lot of time, so my cultivation hasn't improved much!"

Su Shier quickly said, his face showing panic, but he was secretly relieved. He was almost certain that Lu Mingshi hadn't seen through his true cultivation level.

"How did you advance to this level?" Lu Mingshi continued to ask.

"During the newcomer trial, I accidentally found a golden fruit. After consuming it, my cultivation level reached the peak of the Sixth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Soon after the trial, it advanced to the Seventh Stage!"

Su Shier answered quickly, repeating the story he had told Xiao Yue years ago.

"Grandfather, I suspect the fruit he consumed might be the legendary Golden Sage Fruit, which can increase cultivation!" Xiao Yue added.

"Golden Sage Fruit?" A hint of envy flashed in Lu Mingshi's eyes, but his expression quickly returned to normal. "Then what about your breath concealment technique?"

"The breath concealment technique, the Golden Sage Fruit, and the pass to enter the Spirit Plant Garden were all discovered together by the disciple." Su Shier quickly explained.

"Hmph, you sure have had some good luck." Lu Mingshi grunted, stopping his questions.

He lowered his head, deep in thought.

Although he still had many doubts, Su Shier's explanation was mostly consistent.

Moreover, since they were all in the ancient restricted area at the time, there was no way to verify what had happened.

This kid truly had deep blessings, breaking into the Spirit Plant Garden of Tianhua Peak and obtaining a heavenly treasure like the Golden Sage Fruit.

Could it be that the Grand Elder, who was determined to take this kid as a disciple back then, had already seen through his true cultivation level?

At his age, to be at the Seventh Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, if he continues to cultivate diligently, reaching the Ninth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm might not be impossible, even if advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm is a challenge.

Such a disciple could be a valuable asset to Luofu Peak.

His thoughts raced, and then he said, "Alright, you're in for the match with Luoyan Peak!"

"Let's go. Keeping the people of Luoyan Peak waiting isn't a good thing!"

With that, Lu Mingshi muttered, raised his hand, and a purple lightning-colored flying sword flew out.

The flying sword grew rapidly in the wind, becoming several dozen feet long in an instant.

Lu Mingshi leaped onto the tip of the flying sword.

Su Shier followed closely behind.

The flying sword suddenly shook, carrying them all as it soared through the air, heading straight for Luoyan Peak.

Luoyan Peak rose high into the clouds, almost entirely enveloped by a sea of mist, creating a scene that resembled a fairyland.

It was a place where the sun seemed close and the clouds low.

At the top of the peak, on a cliff face, there were numerous inscriptions and talismans carved into the rock, a breathtaking sight.

Lu Mingshi, riding the flying sword, landed with the others at the top of the highest cliff.

In the center of the cliff top, four figures stood—two men and two women.

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The leading woman was an old crone with a withered face, white hair, and a dark complexion.

She was hunched over, holding a black cane, looking frail and as if a gentle breeze could blow her away.

However, a powerful and thick aura surrounded her, not at all inferior to Lu Mingshi's.

Behind her were three disciples—two men and one woman. All three were strong, with two at the Eighth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm and one at the peak of the Ninth Stage.

The disciple at the peak of the Ninth Stage was a man in a light white robe, wearing a scholar's cap, exuding a refined and scholarly aura.

The other two were a burly man with a beard and a woman in a light yellow dress, standing in the mist, her clothes fluttering, adding to her ethereal charm.

As the flying sword landed, both sides began to size each other up.

"It's him?!"

Seeing Su Shier, the woman in the light yellow dress raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharpening, and her expression turning unfriendly.

"It's her?!"

Su Shier also recognized her immediately.

She was the stall owner who had tricked him at the trading square and was later tricked by him twice during the trial—Chu Hongyue.

The two had a history, and their gazes met, instantly sparking tension.

At that moment, Su Shier suddenly felt a shiver, sensing a gaze sweeping over him.

"Hmm? The Peak Master of Luoyan Peak?!"

"Why would she notice me? Could it be... she saw through my true cultivation level?"

Su Shier quickly composed himself, glancing at the Peak Master of Luoyan Peak without showing any emotion.

She was hunched over, her face expressionless, her lips slightly curled in a faint, almost mocking smile.

Only her eyes, clear as water, made Su Shier's heart tremble.