"Let me take a look at this Martial Skill, will you?" A voice suddenly sounded from Li Xiaoyao's left.

Li Xiaoyao turned to see a young man with a sinister expression speaking coldly to another person, his tone full of command.

The person being addressed was someone Li Xiaoyao recognized: Shen Chen, an outer disciple like himself but much more well-known.

"I've already chosen this," Shen Chen said coldly, glaring at the young man beside him. Inner disciples bullying outer disciples wasn't uncommon, but Shen Chen wasn't one to back down.

"Insolent! An outer disciple like you dares to refuse me?" the young man snapped, releasing an overpowering aura.

"Hmph, Li Lin, don't think I don't know you. One of the weakest inner disciples, only brave enough to act tough in front of outer disciples. This time at the sect tournament, I'll take you down, make you roll right out of the inner circle," Shen Chen retorted, unfazed.

"Shen Chen—that's Shen Chen! This should be interesting," murmured the crowd on the second floor of the Sun-Moon Pavilion. Shen Chen was right; Li Lin was among the weakest inner disciples and often showed off in front of outer disciples to mask his insecurity. But he'd run into a tough opponent this time.

Shen Chen, the number one outer disciple, possessed the Flame Martial Spirit, and his Fiery Sword Technique was unrivaled in the outer circle. It was practically certain he would advance to the inner circle in the upcoming sect tournament.

As expected, hearing Shen Chen's name made Li Lin's face stiffen. He'd heard of Shen Chen's impressive strength and realized his luck was terrible this time, picking on someone he couldn't intimidate.

"Misunderstanding—I don't need to look at that Martial Skill anymore." Li Lin quickly changed his expression and walked away.

A wave of laughter spread through the crowd. People silently noted that Li Lin really had no backbone; just an outer disciple was enough to scare him off, disgracing the name of the inner disciples.

"What the fuck are you laughing at, ass hole? Don't think I won't cripple you," Li Lin spat, feeling both embarrassed and enraged. It seemed to him that everyone was mocking him, including Li Xiaoyao.

Li Lin knew he couldn't provoke Shen Chen, but this outer disciple? He thought he could handle him.

Just as Li Xiaoyao was about to leave, he paused. Had he laughed? From beginning to end, he'd shown no expression, only shaking his head internally. Did Li Lin think he could take out his frustration on him?

"Truly the type to bully the weak and fear the strong," a flash of disdain crossed Li Xiaoyao's eyes. This guy couldn't stand up to Shen Chen, so he thought he could target him?

Still, Li Xiaoyao didn't care to engage. Having selected the techniques he needed, he saw no reason to stick around.

He turned to leave, but—

"Stop right there! You dare ignore me, you worthless outer disciple?" Li Lin's face twisted, and he stepped forward to block Li Xiaoyao's path.

Li Xiaoyao smirked internally. So this guy was dead set on regaining his pride by using him as a punching bag? Thought he was an easy target?

"Oh...I am the waste of outer disciple ? Seems you were the one who just lost face in front of an outer disciple, hahahhaahaha!!" Li Xiaoyao mocked, amused at Li Lin's shamelessness.

The jab hit its mark, and Li Lin's expression darkened, his gaze turning venomous as he fixed it on Li Xiaoyao. "You're asking to dieeee!!! mother fucker!!"

"You're exactly correct!!!" Li Xiaoyao replied coldly. "Li Lin, right? I'll remember you. During the sect's Grand Competition, let's meet in the Valley of Winds, on the Life and Death Stage."

The moment he said this, the crowd's faces turned intrigued. Li Xiaoyao was challenging Li Lin—making it a life-or-death duel.

"Hah ! Interesting," they murmured, while Li Lin's expression stiffened. His eyes flickered with hesitation. Could Li Xiaoyao actually be stronger than he seemed, to dare challenge him to a duel?

"Alright. I'll be looking forword!" Li Lin knew he couldn't back down. Backing away from Shen Chen was one thing, but if he shrank from Li Xiaoyao, an outer disciple, he'd lose all credibility in the Canghai Sect.

Li Lin turned and left, while Li Xiaoyao watched him go with a smirk, unfazed. If he couldn't even defeat one of the weakest inner disciples now, how could he ever progress in his martial path?

"Hey man, what's your name?" Shen Chen spoke up. "Since you're up on this floor, you must've reached the Spirit Martial level. Funny, I don't recall seeing you before." As the top outer disciple, Shen Chen was familiar with all high-ranking outer disciples, especially those who'd reached the Spirit Martial level and aimed to break into the inner ranks in the upcoming Grand Competition.

But Shen Chen had never seen Li Xiaoyao before.

"Li Xiaoyao—a small potato. It's natural you haven't heard of me," Li Xiaoyao replied with a faint smile.

"The trash Li Xiaoyao?" Shen Chen paused, realizing he'd heard the name before, though he hadn't met him.

"Well! Seems the rumors can't all be trusted. What kind of trash would be at the Spirit Martial level?" Shen Chen shook his head with a chuckle. Then, turning serious, he continued, "Even as outer disciples, there are clear levels between us. Take you and me, for example. The gap is immense, beyond comparison between you and me. Soon enough, I'll be among the inner disciples."

Li Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow, understanding that Shen Chen was referring to his earlier comment about Li Lin "losing face before an outer disciple." In Shen Chen's eyes, Li Xiaoyao had no right to draw any comparison between them—they were worlds apart.

"You're absolutely confident," Li Xiaoyao replied with an amused smile.

"In the outer ranks, I'm second to none," Shen Chen declared. "No one would dare claim otherwise."

"Alright then. I heard that outer disciples are only allowed one incense stick's time on this second floor of the Sun-Moon Pavilion. Given your strength, do you dare to stay longer?" Li Xiaoyao asked with a grin.

"There's no need to try and goad me," Shen Chen sneered. "All outer disciples are bound to the same rules here—one incense stick's time, no exceptions. And frankly, none but me deserve that privilege."

"Oh, really?" A hint of amusement flickered in Li Xiaoyao's eyes. "I've already spent some time here, but I plan to stay for another incense stick's worth. You're the top-ranked outer disciple—if I dare, then surely you can too."

"Are you kidding? You really think you can stay here for another stick?" Shen Chen sneered, his tone dripping with contempt.

"Just watch," Li Xiaoyao replied, a subtle smile playing on his lips as he ignored Shen Chen and continued browsing the martial arts manuals. Although he didn't intend to practice them, gaining some knowledge couldn't hurt.

"Is he crazy?" Some inner disciples on the second floor of the Sun-Moon Pavilion looked on with interest, curious to see how long this guy would last.

"Hmph." Shen Chen scoffed. Since Li Xiaoyao had arrived before him, he wasn't in a hurry. He was eager to see just how long Li Xiaoyao's bravado would last.

Half an incense stick's time passed quickly. Shen Chen put down his manual, a frown creasing his forehead as his time was running short. Yet, Li Xiaoyao remained relaxed, leaning lazily against the shelf, seemingly oblivious to the passing time.

"Let's see how long you can keep up this act," Shen Chen muttered, abandoning his own search to watch Li Xiaoyao, anticipating his embarrassment.

But Shen Chen was disappointed. As more time passed, Li Xiaoyao showed no reaction, as if he was completely unaware of the limits.

"Aren't you going to leave? Or you just want to die!?" Shen Chen, struggling to keep his composure, realized his own time was nearly up. Breaking the sect rules would come with severe consequences.

"If I don't care, why are you? You're the top outer disciple—a true genius!" Li Xiaoyao's tone was calm, but the sarcasm was unmistakable.

Shen Chen's expression darkened. "Fine, since you're courting death, I won't keep you company. Let's see how you explain this afterward."

With a cold glance, Shen Chen turned and left the Sun-Moon Pavilion.

"The top-ranked outer disciple? What a coward!!" Li Xiaoyao scoffed, his remark making Shen Chen's footsteps falter slightly, his eyes flashing with a hint of killing intent.











***Martial Skill: is a book that allows cultivators to study its contents in order to learn the techniques described within.