Chapter 33

**Slap! Bang!** ...

On the sparring platform, Nie Xiaodie was forced back every time she clashed with Luo Xiu, and she was already pushed to the edge of the platform.

"Daughter of Heaven, are you not going to admit defeat?" Luo Xiu sneered.

"You... You bastard!" Nie Xiaodie's face was filled with anger, and anyone could tell that Luo Xiu was mocking her.

**Slap!**

Luo Xiu struck out with a palm, and the powerful true qi transmitted through the spear to Nie Xiaodie's body. She trembled, her feet unsteady, and her figure fell off the sparring platform.

"Ha ha, well done!"

In the pavilion above, the Qingyun Hall Master laughed, "New Stone Hall Master, thank you for the先天丹 (Xiantian Pill)!"

The several elders of the Wu Hall behind him also smiled. Luo Xiu's victory had, after all, maintained the dignity of the Qingyun Wu Hall.

"Hmph, I really congratulate your Qingyun Wu Hall. To have produced such a supreme genius, if he can be admitted to the sect, the Qingyun Hall Master will surely receive a good reward." The New Stone Hall Master pouted with jealousy, flipped his hand to take out a jade bottle, and placed it on the table, "Willing to lose, this is the Xiantian Pill, farewell!"

Standing up, the New Stone Hall Master left in large strides. Seeing the Qingyun Hall Master's smiling face, he felt a surge of anger.

"Luo Xiu, I remember you. Just wait! I will defeat you one day!" Nie Xiaodie said coldly and followed the New Stone Hall Master out.

Luo Xiu didn't take Nie Xiaodie's words seriously. He hadn't even used a tenth of his strength, and Nie Xiaodie was no match for him. The gap between them would only grow wider in the future.

The All-Heaven Life and Death Wheel rotated in his dantian, and the profound principles of the Life and Death Dao flowed through his mind at all times, making him feel as if he saw a broad path leading to the peak of martial arts.

"So powerful, in just over a month, Luo Xiu has already become a Qi Sea martial artist, and he is only fourteen years old!"

"That Nie Xiaodie is only fifteen and has cultivated the Qi Sea, yet she acts so arrogantly. Compared to Luo Xiu, what is she?"

The New Stone Hall Master and Nie Xiaodie had already left, but the many students of the Qingyun Wu Hall were still discussing the matter.

...

In the Qingyun Wu Hall Master's hall.

"Ha ha, Luo Xiu, you broke through to the Qi Sea realm at just fourteen years old. Even in the Xiaoyao Sect, there are very few who can achieve this!"

"This time, you defeated Nie Xiaodie of the New Stone Wu Hall, maintaining the dignity and reputation of our Qingyun Wu Hall. This blue crystal bracelet is yours!"

The Qingyun Hall Master raised his hand and threw a bracelet that looked like it was carved from blue crystal towards Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu reached out to catch it, feeling that the bracelet was very beautiful, but what use did he, a man, have for such a pretty bracelet?

"Hehe, Luo Xiu, don't underestimate this bracelet. It is a treasure crafted by a third-rank array master. As long as you activate it with true qi, it can form a defensive shield that even a seventh-rank Xiantian martial artist cannot break." The Qingyun Hall Master said with a smile.

"Really that powerful?" Luo Xiu's face showed surprise.

For the Qingyun Hall Master, who was at the half-step Spirit Refinement stage, a treasure like the blue crystal bracelet was basically useless. However, for Luo Xiu, who had just entered the Qi Sea realm, it was an invaluable protective treasure.

"Luo Xiu, since you have already broken through to the Qi Sea realm, there are some things I should tell you," the Qingyun Hall Master said seriously. "In the Yunlong County, all major Wu Halls have the qualification to participate in the entrance examination for those who reach the Qi Sea realm before the age of eighteen. At that time, all the Wu Halls in the eighteen cities will participate, but only three people can pass the examination and become outer disciples."

"I originally planned to let you participate in the entrance examination next year, so you would have more time to improve your cultivation and have a better chance of passing. However, since you have already broken through to the Qi Sea realm ahead of time, whether to participate in the examination is up to you."

"When is the entrance examination?" Luo Xiu couldn't help but ask.

"Three months from now, on the eighth day!" the Qingyun Hall Master said, "According to my information, some of the participants this year have reached the second or even third rank of the Qi Sea realm. The time left for you is too short, and it will be very difficult for you to compete with them."

"If I don't pass the examination this year, can I participate again next year?" Luo Xiu asked again.

"Of course, as long as you are under eighteen years old, you have four chances." The Qingyun Hall Master said with a smile.

"In that case, I will try this year. Perhaps I will succeed on the first attempt." Luo Xiu said.

"Ha ha, good! I also hope you will succeed on the first attempt!" the Qingyun Hall Master said with a smile, "Cultivate well, and I will send someone to notify you when the time comes."

The Xiaoyao Sect also has a reward system for the Wu Hall Masters of various cities. The more outstanding the geniuses from the Wu Halls who join the Xiaoyao Sect, the higher their achievements, the better the rewards for the Wu Hall Masters from which they originated.

That's why the Qingyun Hall Master looked at Luo Xiu with special favor and high hopes.

Since breaking through to the Qi Sea realm, Luo Xiu could absorb more fire energy from Lu Mengyao's Fire Yang Meridian.

After two treatments, Lu Mengyao's Fire Yang Meridian was completely cured, and she would never again suffer from the burning pain in her heart every seven days.

"Thank you, Luo Xiu."

After they both put on their clothes, Lu Mengyao felt her heart suddenly become very chaotic.

"No need to thank me..." Luo Xiu smiled.

Actually, treating Lu Mengyao's Fire Yang Meridian also greatly benefited him. Not only did it improve his cultivation, but he also mastered fire elemental power.

Now that the Fire Yang Meridian was cured, scenes of their repeated intimate moments floated in Luo Xiu's mind, and he couldn't help but sigh lightly.

For a moment, the two were silent. Lu Mengyao didn't dare to look into Luo Xiu's eyes. The experiences of the past few months were unforgettable for her life.

"Luo Xiu, I..." Lu Mengyao suddenly spoke, breaking the silence, "I'm leaving."

"Leaving? Where to?" Luo Xiu frowned.

"To the Xiaoyao Sect."

Upon hearing this, Luo Xiu wasn't particularly surprised. He had already guessed that Lu Mengyao's identity was not simple, as the Wu Hall Masters and elders treated her very politely.

"I will participate in the entrance examination in two months. When the time comes, I will also go to the Xiaoyao Sect, and we will meet again." Luo Xiu said with a smile.

As for Lu Mengyao's exact identity, since she didn't say, Luo Xiu didn't ask.

Flipping his hand, Luo Xiu placed the blue crystal bracelet on the table in front of them, "This bracelet will be a parting gift. We will meet again in the future."

Three days later, someone delivered a letter to Luo Xiu's home.

The letter contained only a simple sentence, "Luo Xiu, I will be waiting for you in the Xiaoyao Sect..."

Luo Xiu took a deep breath, folded the letter, and put it in his pocket, "I will find you."

On that day, Luo Xiu left Qingyun City and headed for the Bashi Mountains. Before the entrance examination, he planned to improve his strength as much as possible.

However, as he just left Qingyun City, three figures quietly followed him. Many hunting teams were heading to the Bashi Mountains, so Luo Xiu didn't pay much attention.

"This is Luo Xiu. I heard he just broke through to the Qi Sea realm not long ago."

"Just a first-rank Qi Sea. Killing him is like slaughtering a dog. It's a bit of an overkill for our master to send us three brothers to do it."

"Don't be careless. This matter must be done cleanly and thoroughly, without leaving any evidence for the Qingyun Hall Master to seize."

"Don't worry, Brother, we understand!"

...

In the dense forest, Luo Xiu's figure darted through the trees, swift as a shadow. The Mysterious Door Escape Technique was already perfected.

Although he had not seen martial arts above the fifth rank, for Luo Xiu, fourth-rank martial arts were no longer mysterious. He could easily grasp their essence.

In addition to perfecting the Mysterious Door Escape Technique, the Nine Thunder Swords were also mastered by Luo Xiu to a flawless level, reaching the pinnacle of perfection!

Light as a swallow, Luo Xiu could sometimes step and move in mid-air, briefly lingering in the air. This level of movement was something even some Xiantian martial artists might not be able to achieve.

"When the Wu Hall Master can fly, I wonder when I will reach that realm." Luo Xiu was quite eager in his heart.

With his current strength, first-rank beasts no longer posed any threat and could be killed with ease. Therefore, after entering the Bashi Mountains, he directly entered the deep interior, planning to find second-rank beasts to train himself.

The deep interior was rarely entered by hunting teams, even those led by Qi Sea martial artists, who mostly stayed at the boundary between the outer and inner regions.

Luo Xiu expanded his life perception, and his brows furrowed. In his perception, three human martial artists' auras were approaching his position.

A moment later, a slender young man appeared in Luo Xiu's line of sight, around twenty years old. From the aura released by his life meridians, Luo Xiu roughly determined that this person's cultivation should be at least fifth-rank Qi Sea, with true qi condensed into a liquid state in his dantian.

Shortly after, two more figures appeared, also young men around twenty years old.

"Hmm?" Seeing Luo Xiu standing on a tree branch ahead, the three young men were slightly taken aback.

"Why have you been following me?" Luo Xiu asked in a deep voice, sensing a dangerous aura from these three people.

The leading young man wore a white robe, with the strongest aura, at least seventh-rank Qi Sea. The other two were slightly weaker but also had fifth-rank Qi Sea cultivation.

Such three Qi Sea martial artists were considered top-notch experts in Qingyun City.

"I didn't expect you to notice our tracking, but as a dead man, you don't need to know too much."

A cold light flashed in the white-robed youth's eyes, and a long sword with a cold glow appeared in his hand. The other two also drew their weapons, one with a sword and one with a knife.

Luo Xiu's eyes narrowed, clearly these three were here to kill him. The last time he was pursued by Chen Hu and his group was orchestrated by the Zhang family. So, who had these three been sent by?

"Kill!"

The two fifth-rank Qi Sea youths unfolded their movements and quickly rushed towards Luo Xiu.

The white-robed youth did not move, a cold smile on his lips. To him, a first-rank Qi Sea was not worth his personal effort.

In an instant, the two youths were already close to Luo Xiu, their weapons gleaming with cold light, exuding a deadly aura.

"Clang!"

Luo Xiu's Shadow Sword was suddenly drawn, a sharp sword light flashing.

"Die!"

The two youths' faces showed a mocking expression. To them, killing a first-rank Qi Sea was as easy as drinking water.

"Clang! Clang! ..."

The sound of weapons clashing echoed, true qi flaring, and the two fifth-rank Qi Sea youths felt a powerful force surge towards them.

"Such strong true qi! Is this kid really a first-rank Qi Sea?" Their faces showed surprise.

"Nine Thunder Swords!"

Luo Xiu's Shadow Sword trembled, and a dazzling sword light enveloped the two youths in front of him.

"Thud!"

A flash of blood appeared. One of the two youths who had attacked Luo Xiu had his throat cut, eyes wide open, blood gushing out, and died on the spot!

"What! A sword technique at the pinnacle of perfection?"

The other youth's face changed drastically. He knew that the Nine Thunder Swords was a fourth-rank sword technique. But in Luo Xiu's hands, it had instantly killed a fifth-rank Qi Sea, clearly indicating that Luo Xiu had perfected the Nine Thunder Swords to the pinnacle of perfection!

A fourth-rank martial art at the pinnacle of perfection was as powerful as a fifth-rank martial art at the pinnacle of perfection!

Luo Xiu did not hold back at all, as the white-robed youth who had not moved yet gave him a sense of danger.

The black sword emitted a black glow, and a cold, terrifying aura of death spread from Luo Xiu's body.

"Swish!"

Another sword light flashed, like a black lightning bolt slicing through the air. The other fifth-rank Qi Sea youth was sent flying, a wound on his chest, blood gushing out.

Luo Xiu stood still the entire time, effortlessly killing the two fifth-rank Qi Sea experts with a single move.

"Good kid, I didn't expect you to have such strength at the first-rank Qi Sea! But you must die today."

The white-robed youth was also surprised that his two junior brothers were killed in a single move. He didn't even have time to save them.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

He moved, rushing towards Luo Xiu, his true qi glowing like a solid substance.

Luo Xiu's pupils contracted. To condense true qi to a near-solid state required at least a seventh-rank Qi Sea expert.

He didn't know who had sent such a high-level expert to kill him.

"Die!"

The white-robed youth roared, his long sword emitting a solid sword beam, attacking Luo Xiu.

"Clang! Clang! Clang! ..."

In an instant, the two exchanged several blows. Luo Xiu found that the other's movement technique was very refined, not much different from his Mysterious Door Escape Technique.

Moreover, this person's cultivation was at the seventh-rank Qi Sea, with powerful and condensed true qi. Each clash left Luo Xiu's blood surging.

"The martial arts he cultivates are at least fifth-rank, and he has perfected them to near-perfection."

During the exchange, Luo Xiu assessed the other's strength based on his martial techniques, movement, and true qi.

A fifth-rank martial art perfected to near-perfection was a top-tier expert even among seventh-rank Qi Sea martial artists.

In a short moment, Luo Xiu was in a dangerous situation, completely overpowered by the white-robed youth.