Three days later, in Li Xiaoyao's room, the essence of heaven and earth was exceptionally dense, faintly emitting a misty glow. Surrounding his body, the illusory Dark Martial Soul intertwined with the tangible energy of heaven and earth. If Li Xiaoyao could see his own Martial Soul, he would notice that the shadow of his Dark Martial Soul seemed clearer, faintly taking on a humanoid form.

At that moment, the energy of heaven and earth radiated a burst of bright light before it all surged into Li Xiaoyao's body. His eyes suddenly snapped open, gleaming with sharpness. The aura he emitted had grown significantly stronger.

"With three Qi Yuan Pills, I finally advanced to the eighth level of the Qi Martial Realm." A smile flickered in Li Xiaoyao's eyes. Initially, he was only at the mid-level of the seventh stage of the Qi Martial Realm, far from the eighth stage. The three Qi Yuan Pills had allowed him to break through—definitely worth it.

"Now, if I were to fight against a Qi Martial Realm ninth-level practitioner, I should have several tricks up my sleeve." Back when he was at the seventh level, his Ninefold Wave could only muster 8,500 pounds of force. His Thunder Sword technique barely approached 9,000 pounds. But others also trained in martial techniques, and their higher level always suppressed him. Now, though, he had confidence in his chances.

Taking a deep breath, Li Xiaoyao stepped out of his room. It was mid-morning, and the autumn sunlight felt warm and comforting on his skin.

"Yo, worthless trash, you finally decided to come out."

A voice rang out, instantly ruining Li Xiaoyao's mood.

"Li Ming." His gaze shifted, and he saw Li Ming standing about thirty meters away, arms crossed, looking lazy.

The Canghai Sect had strict rules: disciples were not allowed to barge into others' rooms or cause disturbances. Many liked to train in their rooms, and any interruptions could have severe consequences. That's why Li Ming didn't dare break the rules. He had waited outside for Li Xiaoyao for two days.

Turning around, Li Ming's eyes gleamed with murderous intent. Three days ago, he'd received a letter from home. His father wrote that the worthless Li Xiaoyao had injured his younger brother, Li Yi, and even insulted their family. His father urged Li Ming to deal with Li Xiaoyao.

"I heard that after surviving last time, you've improved quite a bit. Dare to face me in a duel in Wind Valley?" Li Ming said coldly.

Li Xiaoyao smirked inwardly. Last time, Li Ming had tricked him into going to Wind Valley, where he beat him half to death. He didn't finish him off because the sect prohibited disciples from killing each other outside the Life and Death Platform.

Although beating him nearly to death was already a violation of sect rules, no one cared. Li Xiaoyao was merely a weakling at the fifth level of the Qi Martial Realm, while Li Ming was at the eighth level. Strength ruled this world, and rules were only as rigid as the people enforcing them.

"It's time to settle this." A strange smile appeared on Li Xiaoyao's face. The old Li Xiaoyao had died at Li Ming's hands, leading to his current self taking over. Today, he would settle the score.

With determined steps, he began walking away.

"What, are you scared, trash?" Li Ming sneered when Li Xiaoyao ignored him.

"Aren't you talking about Wind Valley?" Li Xiaoyao's indifferent voice drifted back, causing Li Ming to freeze for a second before a cruel smile crept onto his face. Trash will always be trash. Last time, he was nearly killed. This time, he's still foolish enough to follow. He had no intention of letting Li Xiaoyao leave Wind Valley alive today. Even if he didn't kill him there, he'd finish the job once Li Xiaoyao left the sect in a weakened state.

Wind Valley could be accessed via many corridors or by using the iron chains connecting the cliffs. Those with advanced movement techniques could leap directly into the valley.

With his current strength, Li Xiaoyao could easily leap down, but he didn't want to startle Li Ming, so he slid down using the chains instead.

"Trash is always trash, needing external aids to enter the valley," Li Ming snickered, targeting where Li Xiaoyao would land. He leapt down like a giant roc, soaring gracefully through the air and landing steadily on the valley floor with a light spin, his toes sinking an inch into the ground.

"What an impressive movement technique! Who is that?" Someone on the cliff above exclaimed in admiration.

"I know him. That's Li Ming—an expert at the eighth level of the Qi Martial Realm. He's quite formidable." Another person responded.

Martial practitioners had excellent eyesight and hearing. Even from hundreds of meters above, they could see the faint figures in the valley below.

At this moment, Li Xiaoyao and Li Ming had landed on a sand dune in the valley. The area around them was desolate, but a few sect disciples stopped to watch the confrontation.

"Hehe, I never thought you, this piece of trash, would actually dare come down. You barely survived last time. Today, I'll make sure you die for real." Li Ming laughed arrogantly. Once Li Xiaoyao stepped into Wind Valley, his life was in Li Ming's hands. He was stronger than Li Xiaoyao—he would decide his fate.

"Try me." Li Xiaoyao said dismissively. Li Ming had tried to kill him twice. Today, it was time to settle the score.

"A piece of trash dares to act tough? Just because you beat my brother, Li Yi, doesn't mean you're anything. Today, I'll show you what the eighth level of the Qi Martial Realm is capable of. You, Li Xiaoyao, are still trash."

As he spoke, Li Ming moved, throwing a simple punch aimed straight at Li Xiaoyao's face. To him, this punch was enough to deal with the trash in front of him.

Li Xiaoyao raised his hand and caught the punch.

Seeing this, Li Ming sneered. This trash thought he could block his punch? Ridiculous!

"Crush!" White energy burst from Li Ming's fist, releasing immense power. He aimed to shatter Li Xiaoyao's palm.

"You think too much," Li Xiaoyao said calmly, as domineering force exploded from his palm. Li Ming felt as if he were facing a raging storm in the open sea. Not only did his strength dissipate, but the wave-like force spread up his arm, causing his right hand to swell painfully. The combination of softness and strength overwhelmed him.

"How is this possible?" Li Ming was shocked, feeling a terrifying pressure from Li Xiaoyao's grip. The force grew stronger with each passing second, pushing him backward.

"Trying to retreat now? Too late!" Li Xiaoyao's cold smile deepened as he kept his grip on Li Ming's fist, pursuing him relentlessly.

A sharp cracking sound went unheard. Li Ming's arm throbbed painfully, as though his bones were about to explode. He wanted to withdraw his fist but couldn't. He tried to escape with his movement technique but failed. Li Xiaoyao was just as fast—faster, even.

Seeing Li Xiaoyao's face so close, with an icy smile, a wave of fear washed over Li Ming. Was Li Xiaoyao playing with him?

When had this trash surpassed him? Li Ming's confidence crumbled.

"It's over," Li Xiaoyao said coldly, unleashing his Ninefold Wave. A force of nearly 9,000 pounds slammed into Li Ming's body, sending him crashing down. Blood spewed from his mouth, his arm throbbing in agony as bones snapped.

"You're my cousin, the son of my third uncle, but your family has schemed with Li Batian, coveting the family head's position and disregarding kinship. You've insulted me time and again, even tried to kill me twice. Don't blame me for being ruthless."

Looking down at the fallen Li Ming, Li Xiaoyao's voice was cold. For those who sought his life, he would repay in kind.

"No, Xiaoyao! I'm your cousin, spare me!" Li Ming, sensing the cold killing intent from Li Xiaoyao, begged in fear.

"Where was that sentiment when you tried to kill me?" Without further words, Li Xiaoyao unleashed another Ninefold Wave, sending Li Ming into a new round of agony, his face pale as a sheet.

"Now your cultivation is crippled. You're the real trash."

Li Xiaoyao turned and left, while nearby Qi Martial Realm eighth-level practitioners, watching from afar, wisely moved out of his way. Crippling someone's cultivation was worse than killing them for a martial artist.

"You crippled my cultivation! You will die a terrible death, Li Xiaoyao!" Li Ming's voice was filled with malice and despair. He was now a true cripple. He hated Li Xiaoyao's father and regretted not waiting longer. His cousin Li Xin, now a Lingwu Realm practitioner, had awakened her Martial Soul. She was highly regarded in the Moonlight Sect. Hearing that Li Kai had injured her father, Li Batian, Li Xin had planned to come to Canghai Sect to personally kill Li Xiaoyao.

But he had thought he could kill Li Xiaoyao on his own, leading to his current predicament. Li Ming hated himself for his impatience.