CHAPTER 88
The True Teachings of the Master
============================================================
Cheng Liang watched Li Shiyao leave the arena, inwardly lamenting the loss. Such a promising beauty, and she'd fallen into Su Cheng's hands.
Cheng Liang had only just learned of Li Shiyao's decision to become a disciple of Lingxian Hall.
"Master, are you feeling regretful?" Pei Ling stepped forward from the side, leaning against the railing as she watched the arena.
"Not long ago, Holy Mountain sent word through intermediaries, promising the Holy Maiden would join the Heavenly Dao Pavilion after the secret realm trials, bearing a Heavenly-tier artifact. Yet now they betray such trust."
Cheng Liang paid little heed to the beauty. Though Li Shiyao possessed heavenly grace, Shangguan Rou was no less captivating.
What truly mattered was the Holy Mountain and the promised Heavenly-tier artifact.
Pei Ling understood this well. If Cheng Liang were truly a man obsessed with women, she wouldn't have looked his way.
"Li Shiyu is merely at the Golden Core cultivation level, possessing only the intellect of a child. Joining the Lingxian Hall would only mean being treated as a maid by Ye Qinghan."
Cheng Liang now agreed with Pei Ling's assessment. Given Ye Qinghan's temperament, he didn't even hold the sect elders in high regard—how could he possibly care about a Holy Maiden?
"I agree. The Holy Mountain is full of fools. They'd give up a promising future to send their Holy Maiden to Lingxian Hall to be someone's maid."
Pei Ling cast a slightly amused glance toward the audience seats. That Su Cheng did look quite presentable, but it was a pity he was an enemy.
If possible, she'd welcome another toy to play with.
"But Lingxian Hall won't be around much longer. The Sect Leader needn't worry."
With the elder's command as referee, the duel commenced.
Li Shiyao mimicked her senior sister's gesture, bowing slightly toward her master before fixing her gaze on her opponent.
It seemed her master wouldn't let her use magical artifacts. Even though she had cultivated her master's [Mysterious Technique], she would likely have to fight seriously!
After all, the gap between her and her senior sister was no small matter. Hoping to instantly kill her opponent with a single kick like her senior sister had done would likely prove difficult.
She immediately channeled her true qi, concentrating it into her long sword!
[No! Is it too late to stop her now?! Damn it, that sword strike will absolutely wipe out that poor kid!]
Over recent days, Su Cheng had pondered this carefully. While he no longer planned to take any more direct disciples, recruiting some outer sect disciples to exchange for cultivation resources might not be a bad idea?
After accepting Li Shiyao, Su Cheng had already reached the thirteenth layer of Qi Cultivation.
He mused that if he had enough outer sect disciples, perhaps that could become a form of cultivation?
With two troublemakers constantly causing headaches, both internal and external crises never ceased. Expanding his influence could be another way to strengthen himself.
While he had no intention of openly challenging the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, Cheng Liang would likely never let him or his two disciples off the hook now.
【I was just thinking about founding my own sect and recruiting outer disciples! Constantly killing people leaves a bad impression—how could that work?】
Ye Qinghan reacted swiftly: "Shiyao! Master said swords are forbidden too!"
The spectators were all enjoying the Holy Maiden's slightly madcap demeanor, making Ye Qinghan's voice sound especially clear…
Only after shouting did Ye Qinghan turn to look at her master. Their gazes locked.
Was the Master preparing to expand their influence? To confront the Heavenly Dao Pavilion head-on and stand shoulder to shoulder with Cheng Liang?
As the direct First Disciple, Qinghan had no choice but to follow!
Li Shiyu clearly hadn't processed the situation yet. Her skill was nearly fully charged! And now swords weren't even permitted!
"Master, are you picking on Shiyu?!"
Li Shiyao muttered under her breath, stomping her feet in frustration on the martial arts arena. What kind of nonsense is this!
When Senior Sister competed, Master never made such a fuss!
Now it's my turn, and I can't even hurt anyone, let alone use magical artifacts!
This was just bullying the honest ones!
But seeing Li Shiyao's angry puffed-up expression as she gritted her teeth and stomped her feet, the children in the audience found it utterly adorable!
Angry as she was, Li Shiyao complied. Perhaps the master was testing her, but surely her senior sister wouldn't harm her?
But then again… maybe not…
Senior Sister did enjoy teasing her…
The young man from the Western Regions had heard tales of the Holy Maiden before him. Legend held that the Holy Maidens of the Sacred Mountain throughout the ages were kind-hearted, and the holy blood within their veins possessed extraordinary powers! It could slay demons and exorcise evil, invincible in battle!
But he had already investigated thoroughly: for humans, this holy blood was merely rare and had no other significant use.
Against the Demon Clan, Li Shiyao might hold a bloodline advantage, but against him personally, it held little significance.
Therefore, he felt quite confident about this duel. Even if he couldn't defeat the Holy Maiden, as long as he could fight to his heart's content, it wouldn't be a wasted trip!
Yet Li Shiyu's haughty demeanor, giving him no quarter, grated on him. She clearly held him in utter contempt!
In an instant, he summoned his flying sword and unleashed a fierce assault directly at Li Shiyao!
Though angered, Li Shiyao dodged with ease. How to put it?
Li Shiyao could only think this flying sword was… far too slow…
Compared to her senior sister's sword, this flying sword lacked both force and speed. As long as she could move, it simply couldn't hit her!
Yet though he couldn't harm her, he also lacked any effective strategy to subdue her.
How easy was it to defeat a sword cultivator with bare hands?
Li Shiyao could only wait for an opening… but surprisingly, that opening presented itself sooner than expected. Whether it was psychological or something else…
Watching Sister Qinghan battle the dummy day after day these past few days, she couldn't help but feel this opponent was riddled with flaws from head to toe…
Perhaps Sister Qinghan's presence was simply too overwhelming?
From the spectator seats, Ye Qinghan wore a look of delighted surprise. "Master, it seems Shiyu has grasped your meaning."
Su Cheng gave an awkward chuckle: "Let's see. I'm not so sure…"
"A flying sword of that caliber wouldn't have caused any harm even if she hadn't dodged. Yet Shiyu deliberately acted as if they were evenly matched. Isn't that exactly what you predicted, Master?"
Ye Qinghan couldn't help but think there was a reason Li Shiyu had been accepted into the sect. After all, birds of a feather flock together.
Li Shiyu was truly a master at feigning ignorance!
She'd mastered the art of feigning weakness to catch the strong—a skill her master had taught her to perfection! In this regard, Qinghan still fell slightly short!
"In my opinion, Shiyu likely doesn't realize how resilient she is. She probably fears pain…"
Truthfully, Su Cheng hadn't known either at first. But after seeing Ye Qinghan merely flush red after taking a sword strike, he understood completely.
Compared to Ye Qinghan, Li Shiyu's defenses were maxed out! Though Su Cheng forbade her from using the Chaos Bell, she still carried it with her!
Not to mention, as a Saintess imbued with Sacred Blood, her innate self-healing abilities were extraordinary. Such flying swords striking her were likely no more than a pebble skipping off her skin—utterly harmless.
Just as the spectators were still speculating about Li Shiyao's intentions, she struck!
Dressed in her ethereal, shimmering gown, Li Shiyao's legs sprang like coiled springs as she shot forward like a bullet!
In an instant, the stone tiles beneath her shattered as she leapt forward, grabbing the terrified young man…
Like a starving tiger pouncing on its prey, she dragged him straight down from midair and slammed him hard onto the ground!
A thunderous crash echoed—the referees and elders hadn't even registered what happened!
"Shiyao isn't someone to be messed with!"
With that, her slender arm swung a tiny fist like a hammer!
============================================================