From behind Yao Kaidong, a teenager walked out and slowly stepped forward.
Qin Xiao had some impression of this child; he seemed to also have a Mystic Spiritual Root and was directly assigned to Immortal Sword Peak.
"Master, you must not be careless with this child; he is at the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement Stage."
Yun Man, fearing Qin Xiao didn't know the details, quickly stepped forward and said.
"No matter."
Qin Xiao also took a step forward, looking rather nonchalant.
"It seems Yao Kaidong intends to strike hard, sending someone at the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement Stage against a Mortal like me."
Knowing that the opponent was at the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement Stage, Qin Xiao had a general idea.
"Junior Martial Uncle Qin, Disciple Li Lu requests your guidance."
Li Lu had already received his Senior Brother's command: as long as he didn't kill the opponent, he could do whatever he pleased. If he wanted to gain the Saint's attention, he certainly couldn't hold back.
"Junior Brother, please make your move; I also want to see the strength of the Qi Refinement Stage."
Although Qin Xiao seemed careless, he was inwardly prepared. The reason he didn't strike first was, firstly, he wanted to test the defensive power of the First Level of Body Refining, and secondly, as an elder, it would be improper to strike a child first. Now, he was someone who cared about his reputation.
"Then, Junior Brother, I won't be polite."
After Li Lu finished speaking, he instantly appeared before Qin Xiao.
If it had been before, Qin Xiao probably wouldn't have even seen how the opponent moved, but now that he was at the First Level of Body Refining, Qin Xiao naturally saw Li Lu's movements clearly. However, he still didn't react. As long as the opponent didn't strike sensitive areas, Qin Xiao intended to take the first punch.
"This kid must be scared silly, not moving at all."
"He probably wants to move, but how could a Mortal have such reaction speed?"
"Trash is indeed trash."
Qin Xiao stood motionless, and the Disciples of Immortal Sword Peak, seeing this, all mocked him.
"What is Master doing? Is Master really a Mortal? Not some expert?"
Yun Man was also a bit confused.
Li Lu's punch didn't aim for a treacherous spot but directly at Qin Xiao's stomach. It wasn't that he was particularly upright; rather, he wanted to thoroughly humiliate Qin Xiao to perform well in front of Yao Kaidong. Knocking him down with one blow would be less fun.
"Bang."
This punch landed squarely on Qin Xiao's stomach.
However, Qin Xiao did not scream as everyone expected. Instead, it was Li Lu whose fist trembled slightly, his hand burning with pain, as if he had just punched an iron block.
"What's going on?"
Seeing that the scene he had envisioned did not materialize, Yao Kaidong immediately became displeased.
"Senior Brother, don't worry. My Junior Brother is still young and kind-hearted, so it's understandable that he held back."
"Li Lu, what are you doing? Don't worry about it; just strike with confidence. With me and the Saint here, it won't be blamed on you."
Li Cheng quickly explained when he saw the situation, then shouted loudly at Li Lu.
"Senior Brother, I understand."
Li Lu was also utterly bewildered at this moment. If not for the pain in his hand, he would have doubted whether he had even hit his target just now.
"What Cultivation Technique is Master using? He didn't do anything, yet the opponent retreated after throwing a punch?"
Yun Man was also a bit confused at this moment, because she didn't see any Spiritual Qi fluctuations, meaning Master did nothing and just stood there, letting the opponent punch him.
This was a punch from a Seventh Level Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator. An ordinary person would have already been rolling on the ground, but Master seemed perfectly fine.
"This is the strength of the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement Stage? It seems quite ordinary."
Qin Xiao patted the clothes on his stomach, gaining a general understanding of the Qi Refinement Stage. His First Level of Body Refining was completely unafraid of the Qi Refinement Stage.
"Junior Brother, as an elder, I've already given you one move. Next, Junior Martial Uncle will get serious."
After Qin Xiao finished speaking, he also rushed towards Li Lu at an extremely fast speed, a speed no less than Li Lu's just now.
Seeing Qin Xiao actively attack, Li Lu quickly drew his sword. Although it wasn't a Spiritual Artifact, it was a good Sharp Weapon.
The opponent drew a sword, and Qin Xiao naturally didn't dare to be overconfident. After all, only the Second Level of Body Refining could be fearless of Mortal damage. However, since he was already here, he felt it would be a loss not to throw a punch.
Qin Xiao grazed Li Lu's sword and forcefully punched Li Lu in the stomach, returning the favor. You hit me once, if I don't hit you back, I'd be at a loss.
Li Lu was not a novice. Seeing Qin Xiao graze his sword, he immediately changed his move, from thrusting to sweeping, and the sword directly brushed across Qin Xiao's chest.
After one strike, both retreated.
Li Lu retreated several steps before stopping, feeling a burning pain in his stomach, his insides churning, and even his Dantian felt somewhat unstable.
On the other hand, Qin Xiao's chest clothing had been cut open, but no blood flowed out. However, Qin Xiao also felt a burning pain.
After inspecting himself, Qin Xiao found a long scratch on his chest. Fortunately, it hadn't broken the skin, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.
"Indeed, this First Level of Body Refining is still a bit weak. The opponent is only at the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement Stage. If it were the peak of the Qi Refinement Stage, it probably wouldn't be just a scratch."
Looking at the scratch, Qin Xiao also felt a bit of lingering fear. He had indeed been a bit reckless just now.
"Did I see that right? A sword cut across his chest, and it only tore his clothes? Not even a drop of blood?"
"This Junior Brother Li was actually knocked back several steps by a punch? How is that possible? The opponent is just a Mortal!"
"Could it be that Junior Brother Li is holding back? But he wouldn't hold back like this! This is practically letting the floodgates open."
The scene at this moment made everyone incredulous. A Seventh Level Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator fighting a Mortal could not only not break their defense but also got knocked back themselves. Who would believe that if told?
Yao Kaidong said nothing but looked at Li Cheng.
Li Cheng understood and walked directly in front of Li Lu, giving him a slap.
"Li Lu, what the hell are you doing? You've disgraced me completely."
Li Cheng was also furious. He had originally wanted his Junior Brother to show off and perform well, but he never expected such a huge loss of face.
"Senior Brother, the opponent is strange; I really wasn't holding back!"
Li Lu wanted to cry at this moment. He had tried his best, but the opponent was strange! What could he do?
"I don't want to hear excuses; I only want to see results. The Saint is watching, and how far you can go in the future depends on your performance this time. Strike mercilessly; just don't kill him."
Li Cheng had no mind to listen to Li Lu's explanations. He only wanted to see results. Only if the results were right would his standing in Yao Kaidong's heart become more important.
"Junior Martial Uncle Qin, those were just probes. Next, Junior Brother will be serious, please don't be offended."
Seeing that his explanation was useless, Li Lu could only brace himself and go for it. And this time, he also planned to strike hard. If he didn't take down the opponent now, he really wouldn't be able to stay in Immortal Sword Peak.
"Are you the only one with a weapon?"
After saying that, Qin Xiao took out his sword from his spatial storage. This was a High Grade Spiritual Artifact given to him by his cheap Master. Although he had no Spiritual Qi and couldn't activate it, fortunately, it was sharp enough. Before, Qin Xiao had used it for chopping wood and cutting vegetables.
"High Grade Spiritual Artifact?"
When Li Lu saw Qin Xiao take out a High Grade Spiritual Artifact, his heart instantly sank by more than half. He didn't have much confidence against the opponent empty-handed, so how could he fight now that the opponent held a High Grade Spiritual Artifact?
"Trash! He's a Mortal, without Spiritual Qi. What if he holds a High Grade Spiritual Artifact? It's just a slightly sharper sword."
Seeing his Junior Brother hesitate, Li Cheng quickly shouted.
"Yes, he has no Spiritual Qi; I don't need to be afraid."
After Li Cheng's scolding, Li Lu finally reacted and immediately felt much more at ease.
After saying that, Li Lu directly rushed towards Qin Xiao. This sword, he aimed directly at Qin Xiao's leg.
