“I never knew there were so many ways to cheat.” Qing Luo, holding a book titled Selection of Cheating in Combat, clicked her tongue in amazement.
“No wonder the battle arena is uneven and can repair itself.”
“Because a senior sister once used an alchemy furnace as a magic tool, setting the entire arena ablaze.” Jiang Yuebai also pulled out a different book.
“So they changed it to the current design. It cultivates practical combat skills and prevents battles from ending too quickly.”
“But for me, this is excellent news.” Lu Li, now possessing Divine Sense, was flipping through books much faster.
“With these references, I can find a method.”
“I originally thought you were the type to charge ahead headfirst.”
Qing Luo, carrying her book, went to the librarian to check it out, while Jiang Yuebai also helped borrow an Introduction to Pills.
“Although my cultivation improved quickly, I’m definitely not as skilled in martial arts as Senior Sister Shen. Her decades of practice surely differ from my few days of training.” Lu Li himself picked up a book on combat techniques.
“Alright, let’s go back and continue practicing.”
The three walked away into the distance.
The girl in charge of the books watched their receding figures, took out a jade token, brought it to her lips, and spoke a few soft words.
About the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Shen Zhaoxue also arrived at the Library Pavilion and stood at the librarian’s desk.
“Senior Sister Shen, here are the books they borrowed.” The librarian girl took out a ledger.
“That disciple named Lu Li is indeed talented. When we invited him to the hot spring before, we discovered he’s already at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.”
“After all, he was designated by a Foundation Establishment cultivator as the next Saintess and must participate in the Three-Sect Tournament. If his cultivation were too slow, that would be strange.” Shen Zhaoxue glanced at the ledger.
“But martial arts require practice. No matter how fast his cultivation progresses, he can’t openly surpass me. It’s inevitable that he seeks some techniques.”
“Then, Senior Sister, why don’t we also…” the librarian girl suggested.
“No. Lu Li and I have no deep enmity. I only differ with him on views regarding cultivation and etiquette.” Shen Zhaoxue instead shot a cold glance.
“Rather, why are you urging me to do such a thing?”
“You’re right, Senior Sister… I’ve been reading too many storybooks where they always talk about wiping out the enemy completely.” The librarian girl immediately lowered her head to admit fault.
“That’s only in the case of enemies. We’re all cultivators of the same sect. If a beast tide truly occurs, wouldn’t we have to fight side by side?” Shen Zhaoxue waved her hand.
“Moreover, these past days I had other junior sisters test him. His temperament is relatively gentle; he’s not a person of slaughter.”
“Senior Sister, you mean… take this opportunity to get close to Lu Li?” The librarian girl suddenly understood.
“Yes. If he can’t defeat me after a month and still proposes such a challenge, then he’s foolish. But if he can defeat me, that proves he’s a genius worthy of alliance and cooperation.” Shen Zhaoxue nodded.
“But Senior Sister Shen, why not treat him with courtesy from the beginning?” The librarian girl pondered for a moment and then asked.
“If our cultivations were close, then I could indeed treat him with courtesy.” Shen Zhaoxue shook her head.
“For instance, if you associated with mortals as equals, what would they do?”
“…They would presume upon the favor.”
“Exactly. Only when cultivations are similar, or after a real spar reveals neither can harm the other, and when there are mutual benefits, can a balanced posture be maintained.” Shen Zhaoxue glanced at the sky.
“Wan Yue, how many years have you been stuck at the Qi Refining Stage?”
“Me?” The librarian girl’s face showed bitterness at this topic.
“I entered the sect five years ago, but I’m only at the second layer of Qi Refining, so I was assigned as a miscellaneous service disciple.”
“Indeed. I’ve been in the Yin Yang Sect for twelve years, and I’m only at the twelfth layer.” Shen Zhaoxue sighed.
“How many twelve years can a clan endure?”
At these words, the entrance of the Library Pavilion fell into silence.
Meanwhile, let’s turn to the other side.
After returning to the small courtyard, Lu Li and his companions began to extensively collect discarded pills from the Alchemy Room.
People passing by the small courtyard often heard faint sounds of explosions coming from within.
To this, everyone just chuckled and moved on.
Because Alchemy Room disciples couldn’t produce perfect pills every batch; there would always be some waste pills.
These waste pills were naturally bought up by others, used as flower fertilizer, or to attempt to extract the spiritual energy from them.
Those that were unsuccessful would naturally explode.
As time passed amidst the sounds of explosions, only three days remained until the grand tournament, and the entire Yin Yang Sect’s atmosphere became heated.
The agreement between Shen Zhaoxue, at the Qi Refining Twelfth Layer after twelve years, and Lu Li, who had entered the sect just days ago and was nearing the Ninth Layer, to fight on the battle arena—this was enough to get everyone excited.
According to rumors, Lu Li’s cultivation speed was monstrous. After this month, he might indeed reach the so-called Qi Refining Thirteenth Layer, completely overwhelming Shen Zhaoxue.
“But Senior Sister Shen has been immersed in martial arts for twelve years. Even if Lu Li trained in martial arts in the mortal world, how could he match a cultivator?”
“What if Lu Li advances to the Thirteenth Layer?”
“Impossible. Each threshold in immortal cultivation is harder than reaching heaven. One layer per year is already genius-level.”
“But what if Lu Li has a high-grade spirit root?”
“What?!”
Such rumors and discussions spread throughout the Yin Yang Sect.
Moreover, many disciples were curious about how strong this peculiar “Saintess” really was.
All sorts of speculations arrived on the day of the grand tournament.
“Senior Brother Lu, are you really going to the grand tournament as a man?” Qing Luo was wearing a more formal green robe today.
“Our master is fine with it, but the other Foundation Establishment stewards might not like it.”
“My spirit root already attracts attention. Why should I accommodate others? They’d still give me a cold face anyway.” Lu Li smiled, looking at Jiang Yuebai, who was also dressed neatly.
“The only thing that puzzles me is that the number of our disciples is larger than I imagined.”
“We were after all once the head of the three sects, just hit hard by the beast tide back then.”
As Jiang Yuebai spoke, disciples from other courtyards either walked or rode light gauze, flying toward the center of the sect.
If viewed from above, the battle arena was a circular disc.
But when seated at the side, one could see the terrain was uneven, with rockeries, rivers, forests, and plants—nothing was lacking.
Overall, it was a very realistic battle arena.
“Every disciple who arrives at the arena will be given a number.” As Qing Luo reached the arena, a token flew out and floated before her.
“Ah, I’m number one thirty-seven.”
“I’m number fifty-four.” Jiang Yuebai grabbed the token in front of her.
“Lu Li, what about you?”
“Me… an unsurprising number.” Lu Li waved his hand, revealing the sign that read “one”.
“I think this is also a trial given to me by my Venerable Master.”
“You’re being watched by everyone.” As they gradually stepped into the arena, Shen Zhaoxue sat down beside Lu Li.
The token on her chest clearly bore the number “two”.
“I have to thank Senior Sister Shen.” Lu Li cupped his hands slightly.
“I look forward to your guidance today.”
“No need for formality. If I win today, as previously agreed, if you can hold your own and not be defeated, I will invite you to join our Shen family as a guest elder. If you lose too miserably… then your position as Saintess will be mine.”
“And if I win?” Lu Li smiled instead.
“I will apologize to Jiang Yuebai and you in front of all disciples, and I will serve as your cauldron, at your disposal for half a month.” Shen Zhaoxue said flatly.
“Furthermore, within this month, you can also use some of our family’s resources.”
“There’s no need to involve your family.” Lu Li waved his hand.
“I’ll just look forward to Senior Sister Shen’s apology.”