When Ye Qiubai returned to Grass Cottage, Lu Changsheng was busy fertilizing the willow tree and feeding spirit fruits to the Little Bird.
"Sigh, a tree that requires me to apply spirit soil, and a mere bird that insists on eating spirit fruits—what a spendthrift."
The Little Bird flapped its fiery-red wings to express its indignation.
Seeing Ye Qiubai walk over, Lu Changsheng tossed the spirit soil to him and said, "Finish the rest, then come see me."
Ye Qiubai nodded.
Once he had finished everything, he went to find Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng was lying on a long chair. "I heard you went to the practice stage today. How were the results?"
Ye Qiubai cupped his hands in a respectful salute. "I did not disgrace the name of Grass Cottage. I won all my matches. Master, there is one more thing I would like to ask you."
With that, he pulled out the incomplete scroll of the Heavenly Demon Nine Swords. "I retrieved this from the martial arts section earlier. I was hoping Master could give me some guidance."
Lu Changsheng glanced at it and took it. "An incomplete scroll?"
[Heavenly Demon Nine Swords (Incomplete). Can be restored and improved.]
The system had a function like this?
"Restore."
As soon as he finished speaking, the remaining six swords of the Heavenly Demon Nine Swords appeared in Lu Changsheng’s mind.
"Come here."
Ye Qiubai stepped forward. Lu Changsheng tapped his finger on the center of Ye Qiubai’s forehead, and a vast amount of information poured into his consciousness.
The complete Heavenly Demon Nine Swords!
Then, Lu Changsheng picked up a tree branch and, following the techniques of the Heavenly Demon Nine Swords, broke them down and demonstrated them one by one.
Ye Qiubai watched from the side, shocked.
Because the Heavenly Demon Nine Swords that Lu Changsheng displayed were not only a perfect recreation of the content in the scroll, but compared to the original, they held an extra trace of profound mystery and possessed even greater power!
After all nine swords had been demonstrated, Lu Changsheng put the branch away.
"The power is decent enough to last you for a while. Also, the academy tournament is in two days. Prepare yourself, then go cook; your master is hungry."
With that, Lu Changsheng walked into the thatched hut.
Over the next two days, Ye Qiubai practiced the Heavenly Demon Nine Swords incessantly.
By the day of the academy tournament, Ye Qiubai was already able to execute the fifth sword of the Heavenly Demon Nine Swords.
"It’s a pity that with my current cultivation level, I can barely manage to use the fifth sword."
Recalling how effortless Lu Changsheng looked when executing the techniques, he sighed to himself, realizing he still had a long way to go.
The academy tournament was held on the main plaza of Cangdao Academy.
The plaza was currently teeming with noise, with countless people surrounding six high platforms. These six platforms represented the six spots available for victory in this tournament.
The six winners would represent the Southern Domain’s Cangdao Academy in inter-academy exchanges with the Eastern, Western, and Northern Domains.
Though called an "exchange," it was essentially a fight to seize resources.
Qin Tiannan appeared in mid-air and announced in a booming voice, "There are six platforms here. Whoever remains standing on them by sunset will be the victor. There are no restrictions on the rules, but there shall be no deaths."
After that, Qin Tiannan announced the rewards for the winners.
The crowd erupted in excitement; the rewards this time were much higher than in previous years.
The tournament began, yet no one moved.
After all, the results wouldn't be finalized until sunset. If one were to go up now, they would only be besieged, and even if they could win, they would be exhausted by the others.
On a nearby seating area, Qin Tiannan sat with the elders of the various halls. Lu Changsheng had been dragged over by Qin Tiannan, wearing a face full of reluctance.
"Enough, I don't usually nag you, but your disciple is participating today. As his master, shouldn't you come and take a look?"
Qin Tiannan noticed Lu Changsheng’s resentment and couldn't help but laugh. "I also want to see how far the disciple you took in can go in this tournament."
Not long after, a red-clad figure emerged with a sword and landed steadily on the central platform.
"Xin Hongyi of the Sword Hall. Where is the person from Grass Cottage? Come up and fight!"
Lu Changsheng, not far away, was stunned. "Did Qiubai offend this girl? Why is she calling him out by name?"
The Sword Hall Elder nearby turned dark and retorted, "To be precise, you were the one who offended her."
"Huh?" Lu Changsheng pointed at himself, puzzled. "I don't think so. I haven't even touched a woman's hand in my life; how could I have offended her?"
The Martial Hall Elder covered his face and said irritably, "Back when you were taking in disciples, this Xin Hongyi specifically requested to join your Grass Cottage. You just brushed her off by saying you weren't taking any disciples."
"The point is, you did take in a disciple at the time, so she surely wants to prove that she is better than Ye Qiubai."
Lu Changsheng’s expression turned odd.
Others naturally recognized Xin Hongyi as well.
"Wasn't that the one who was turned away by Grass Cottage back then?"
"So that's why she wants to challenge Ye Qiubai, who is a disciple of Grass Cottage?"
"But this Xin Hongyi is also very strong. Her record on the practice stage was even better than Ye Qiubai’s."
Hearing the chatter around him, Ye Qiubai understood the situation. He picked up a wooden sword and leaped onto the platform.
Xin Hongyi raised an eyebrow, looking at the wooden sword in Ye Qiubai’s hand with displeasure. "What? Using a wooden sword—are you looking down on me?"
Ye Qiubai said calmly, "Master once said, if there is a sword in one's heart, then a leaf, a twig, or anything at all can be a sword."
The Sword Hall Elder looked at Lu Changsheng with a complex expression. "It seems your level in the Dao of the Sword is quite profound."
"Huh?" Lu Changsheng scratched his head and thought carefully. *Did I ever say that?*
On the platform, Xin Hongyi murmured, "If there is a sword in one's heart, then all things can be a sword..."
She put away her Profound-grade treasure sword and pulled out an ordinary iron sword that lacked any aura. "Fine then, I won't take advantage of you. Draw your sword."
Both were at the same cultivation level: Peak Golden Core.
However, Xin Hongyi was very arrogant; she wanted to defeat Ye Qiubai with overwhelming force, without relying on any external aids, so that she could prove to Lu Changsheng what a wrong choice he had made by not picking her.
Thinking of this, Xin Hongyi gave Lu Changsheng a provocative look.
Ye Qiubai shrugged, his feet tapped lightly, and the ground beneath him cracked as he surged forward!
Xin Hongyi’s eyes narrowed, and she thrust her iron sword diagonally. The iron sword erupted with flames!
The scorching fire distorted the space around it as she struck toward Ye Qiubai!
Ye Qiubai remained calm, holding the wooden sword with both hands, and slashed toward the fire whip!
A wisp of black energy emanated from the wooden sword! It was filled with a demonic nature, as if it intended to force the heavens to submit!
"Oh? The Heavenly Demon Nine Swords?" A bearded man below stroked his chin and chuckled. "Interesting, he actually practiced that incomplete scroll."
Another man carrying a feather fan walked over. "Quite bold. The Heavenly Demon Nine Swords get harder as one progresses, let alone an incomplete version."
Those nearby who saw these two couldn't help but gasp.
"Huo Qingming of the Martial Hall! Lin Ce of the Formation Hall!"
"These two are the top figures of their respective halls!"
"Both are at the Mid Purple Palace Realm, yet possess the strength to kill those at the Peak Purple Palace Realm!"
After Golden Core came the Purple Palace.
At this moment, a man walked up to Huo Qingming and whispered, "Brother Huo, that is the Ye Qiubai I mentioned to you."
"Oh?" Huo Qingming stroked his chin, glanced at the man, and laughed with a strange expression. "Ye Yan, are you sure you want me to cripple him? Regardless, he is a member of your Ye Family, your cousin, no less."
Ye Yan's eyes turned vicious. "He must be destroyed!"
"Fine." Huo Qingming sighed inwardly. "I owed your Ye Family a favor back then; today, I shall repay it."
Ye Yan stared at Ye Qiubai on the platform and sneered, "Although I would love to handle you myself, for safety's sake, it's better to let Huo Qingming be your opponent. You should feel honored."
On the platform, Ye Qiubai’s wooden sword had already struck the fire whip!
The flaming sword aura did not incinerate the wooden sword; instead, it began to vibrate violently, as if it were being dispersed!
"The Heavenly Demon Nine Swords?" Xin Hongyi was startled. The iron sword in her hand began to tremble wildly, and even her own state of mind began to shake!
The reason was the demonic aura now radiating from Ye Qiubai, which seemed intent on suppressing all things!
This was the terrifying aspect of the Heavenly Demon Nine Swords. It could not only cut through all things but also force the opponent to submit through sheer pressure!
Xin Hongyi immediately steadied her mind, gritted her teeth, and swung her iron sword again.
The flaming sword aura suddenly flared, and the entire platform seemed to be burning!
The Sword Hall Elder commented from the sidelines, "Xin Hongyi’s flaming sword energy is unique to her family’s techniques and can burn everything; it is extremely domineering. I just don't know to what extent Ye Qiubai has mastered the Heavenly Demon Nine Swords, or how many swords he can use."
After speaking, he looked at Lu Changsheng, clearly asking a question.
Lu Changsheng, lying on his chair with his eyes closed, answered casually, "He only started practicing two days ago."
"Then I fear... he is no match for Xin Hongyi’s flaming sword energy."
One had to know, even the Sword Hall Elder had studied the Heavenly Demon Nine Swords. It had taken him a full month to grasp the first sword, and several years to even touch the threshold of the third.
Ye Qiubai saw the flaming sword aura flaring up and his eyes narrowed.
"Second sword..."
Suddenly, a pressure that compelled submission erupted from Ye Qiubai’s body!
The demonic energy surged!
Xin Hongyi’s expression changed drastically. It was as if she were not facing Ye Qiubai, but a supreme Great Demon, scorning the heavens and the earth!
"Second sword!"
The Sword Hall Elder stood up abruptly!
It had only been two days!
Xin Hongyi gritted her teeth; she knew she was no match for this sword of Ye Qiubai’s. She couldn't resist.
Thinking of this, Xin Hongyi bit her finger, letting drops of vital essence blood ooze out. Simultaneously, she put away the iron sword and took out her Profound-grade treasure sword, then furiously smeared the blood onto the blade!
"Sacrificing blood to the sword!"
Xin Hongyi’s face turned deathly pale, but the increasingly solidified flaming sword energy bathed her pale face in a blood-red light!
She slashed out!
It collided with Ye Qiubai’s wooden sword, which was radiating dark demonic energy!
*Pfft!*
The moment they made contact, Xin Hongyi spat out a mouthful of blood!
Her flaming sword energy simply dissolved in the face of this dark demonic energy. It was a complete rout!
Xin Hongyi was sent flying backward, falling to the ground with blood covering her hands. Even the hand she held her sword with was trembling; she clearly had no combat strength left.
Ye Qiubai sheathed his sword, his expression indifferent, not at all surprised.
"I concede the win to you."
* * *
Xin Hongyi was a well-known genius in the academy.
She came from the Fire Xin Clan, one of the three great secret tribes of the Southern Domain. Secret tribes were highly mysterious, and no one in the entire Southern Domain knew their true background. However, no one dared to provoke them, because anyone who had held a grudge against a secret tribe in the past had been wiped out completely...
And now, Xin Hongyi had been defeated at the hands of Ye Qiubai.
Looking at Ye Qiubai, he held his wooden sword, his white robes fluttering in the wind. He appeared extremely calm and indifferent, as if he hadn't suffered the slightest damage.
A crushing defeat!
Xin Hongyi’s face was pale. When she used her Profound-grade treasure sword and the secret technique of blood sacrifice, she was still suppressed by that one sword strike from Ye Qiubai. This meant the gap in their strength was vast—like a chasm!
Xin Hongyi let out a bitter laugh. She finally understood the gap between herself and Ye Qiubai. It was no wonder Lu Changsheng chose him instead of her.
"I lost." She shakily stood up and saluted. "However, I will surpass you. I will continue to challenge you in the future."
Watching the stubborn look in Xin Hongyi’s eyes, Ye Qiubai smiled and nodded. "I am at your disposal anytime."
The Sword Hall Elder sat back down, his eyes complex. "This child’s future is limitless..."
Qin Tiannan looked at Lu Changsheng and smiled. "Well? Won't you be happy for a moment?"
Lu Changsheng replied, "Why should I be happy?"
He rested his head on his hands, a blade of grass hanging from his mouth, looking perfectly content.
"Haha, you brat, you just like to put on an act. Deep down, you’re quite pleased to see your disciple perform so well, aren't you?"
*Huh? What act am I putting on?*
Lu Changsheng was full of helplessness. He actually wished Ye Qiubai wouldn't be so showy. If Grass Cottage became a popular destination for everyone wanting to become his disciple, how would he teach them? He hadn't even figured out his own path to immortality yet. If he accidentally taught them something wrong, wouldn't he be the one taking the blame?
*No. I have to tell that boy Qiubai to keep a low profile from now on...*
The academy disciples below were all filled with shock. To win so easily against a genius from a secret tribe like Xin Hongyi—just how strong was his real power?
Grass Cottage.
The name had already begun to spread throughout the academy.
Ye Yan watched this scene, his face ashen, his fists clenched tight. That sword strike just now—even if he were the one blocking it, he certainly wouldn't have escaped unscathed! He even felt a sense of extreme danger within it! And one had to remember, Ye Yan was already in the Purple Palace Realm!
After the Golden Core Realm came the Purple Palace Realm.
To feel such a threat across a major cultivation gap! Moreover, it was clear that Ye Qiubai hadn't even used his full strength. If he did, could he really withstand that sword?
The answer was already revealed on Ye Yan’s terrified face.
Ye Qiubai... he really had returned!
And his brilliance was only growing!
Huo Qingming, standing to the side, watched this and smiled. "It won't be so boring after all."
"What, are you going to go up and challenge Ye Qiubai?" the man with the feather fan, Lin Ce, smiled. "That would be bullying the young; it’s not very honorable, is it?"
Huo Qingming glanced at Ye Yan beside him and sighed helplessly. "I have no choice; I owe the First Elder of the Ye Family a favor."
Huo Qingming changed the subject, looking at Lin Ce, and grinned. "Lin Ce, this time I am definitely going to break through that formation of yours, which is as hard as a turtle shell!"
Lin Ce smiled and shook his feather fan. "I look forward to it."
Clearly, neither of them took Ye Qiubai to heart; after all, the gap in cultivation was right there. It was only natural that Ye Qiubai, a mere Peak Golden Core, wouldn't be in their eyes.
Ye Yan asked anxiously, "Brother Huo, why not strike now?"
Huo Qingming glanced at him with disdain and said impatiently, "I will naturally strike when the time comes."
On the platform, Ye Qiubai stood with his sword, and for a time, no one dared to come up to challenge him.
Meanwhile, on the other five platforms, others were leaping up, beginning to fight for the spots!
Lu Changsheng watched this and said with satisfaction, "Mhm, yes, this is how it should be. It’s best if no one goes up to challenge him; that way, he can keep a lower profile."
Qin Tiannan: "..."
The elders: "..."
But Ye Qiubai didn't see it that way.
*Why has no one come up? Have they all been intimidated? This won't do! I need to make Grass Cottage even more famous so I can get a few more junior brothers and sisters, otherwise, Master will just make me cook again...*
Thinking of this, Ye Qiubai smiled slightly and said loudly, "What, is there no one left? Are the disciples of the other halls really only capable of this?"
Lu Changsheng was dumbfounded.
Qin Tiannan and the elders couldn't help but chuckle.
The disciples below were furious upon hearing these words!
"Are all the people from Grass Cottage so arrogant?"
"I’ll go test him!"
With that, a man holding a large axe leaped onto the stage.
"That’s a Half-Step Purple Palace cultivator! He’s from the Martial Hall!"
The man with the axe sneered, "I am at the Half-Step Purple Palace realm, which already gives me an advantage. I’ll let you strike first."
Ye Qiubai raised an eyebrow but said nothing. His body instantly disappeared from where he stood, turning into a streak of sword light that shot out!
The man’s expression changed wildly. Ignoring what he had just said, he swung his large axe from overhead, crashing it down! It looked as if he intended to split a mountain in half!
Ye Qiubai’s expression remained unchanged as he slashed out with his wooden sword, clashing against the massive axe—a stark contrast in size!
*Boom!*
A loud explosion echoed across the platform!
Falling with the boom was that large axe! Under the man’s terrified gaze, Ye Qiubai moved in with the wooden sword, placing the blade against his throat. Just an inch further, and he could have killed him!
"I... I lost."
Ye Qiubai sheathed his sword.
"He can still crush opponents across levels..."
"Are the disciples of Grass Cottage really this terrifying?"
"I’m afraid it will really take a disciple at the Purple Palace Realm to knock Ye Qiubai off the platform..."
However, when the next early-stage Purple Palace disciple got on stage, they realized just how terrifying Ye Qiubai’s strength truly was. Although he didn't defeat his opponent in a single move as easily as before, once he unleashed the first sword of the Heavenly Demon Nine Swords, the Purple Palace disciple couldn't defend against it!
Ye Yan watched this, his palms clenched, veins bulging. He was currently in the early stage of the Purple Palace Realm, but seeing someone of the same strength defeated so easily by Ye Qiubai, he couldn't help but panic.
*Ye Qiubai! I must kill you here today!*
"Brother Huo, can you strike now?" Ye Yan turned to look at Huo Qingming, who stood with his arms crossed.
Huo Qingming looked displeased, but he nodded. "The people of Grass Cottage are indeed getting a bit too arrogant."
Finishing his sentence, he stomped hard on the ground, and the muscles in his legs exploded with astonishing power, landing heavily in front of Ye Qiubai!
"That is..."
"Huo Qingming of the Martial Hall, Mid Purple Palace Realm!"
"It seems Ye Qiubai’s winning streak ends here..."
"Why did Brother Huo go up?"
"Brother Huo is at the Mid Purple Palace Realm, but he is someone capable of killing experts at the Peak Purple Palace Realm."