As Li Xiaoyao emerged from the narrow pass known as "One Line Sky," he spotted figures darting into the distance, all frantically rushing in the same direction.

"Hey my friend, what's going on?" someone who was just as confused as Li Xiaoyao stepped forward, grabbing one of the runners to ask.

"You guys don't know? There's a beast horde happening in the Black Ze Forest! Countless monsters seem to have gone mad, and now all the disciples of the Canghai Sect are heading there."

"A beast horde?" A glint of excitement flashed in the person's eyes, and he quickly joined the others racing toward Black Ze Forest.

The Canghai Sect had existed for a thousand years, but the history of Black Ze Forest was even older and stretched across a vast expanse. Beast hordes were not uncommon there, though most of them were relatively minor.

However, centuries ago, Black Ze Forest had witnessed a great beast horde that nearly annihilated the Canghai Sect. Back then, it wasn't just ordinary beasts; spirit beasts were common, and many powerful mystic beasts appeared, trampling the land and causing countless casualties.

Rumor had it that the leader of that beast horde was a shapeshifting demon beast, a Heaven-tier beast.

Because so much time had passed, common folk knew little about that great beast horde. All that remained was the understanding that each beast horde, though dangerous, was also an opportunity—a chance to temper one's strength and obtain beast cores.

Battling with beasts was a true fight of life and death.

"Who would have thought a beast horde would happen just right before the Sect Tournament?" Li Xiaoyao muttered to himself, then lifted his foot and headed straight toward Black Ze Forest.

Not long after Li Xiaoyao left, Zhao Xinyi also emerged from "One Line Sky." Upon hearing the news, she immediately set off for Black Ze Forest.

At the peak of Canghai Sect's main mountain, a broad area where many people sat cross-legged watching the clouds roll by, the person leading the gathering was none other than the top core disciple, Chen Tiexing.

"Such strong demonic energy. It looks like this beast horde is no small matter," Chen Tiexing remarked as he gazed into the distance. He took a step forward, and in an instant, he appeared dozens of meters away.

"Chen Tiexing's strength has truly broken through. It seems he's aiming for a spot among the Eight Young Lords." The crowd murmured as they watched his departing figure, feeling a chill in their hearts. They all knew that the last time Young Lord Peng visited the Canghai Sect, his arrogant demeanor had deeply affected Chen Tiexing.

Not long after, he had also entered seclusion for intense training and had only recently emerged.

In the Black Ze Forest, demonic energy filled the air, and members of the Canghai Sect—from elders to disciples—were converging on the location.



At the forest's edge, powerful figures stood watch, while fierce demon beasts roared madly near the boundary. Canghai Sect disciples charged forward to battle the beasts, filling the air with the scent of blood and the sounds of brutal combat.



On top of a massive boulder, Elder Xie Yun stood with his robes billowing in the wind.



"Elder Xie, the disciples of this generation are quite strong. Even the outer sect disciples can hold their own," another outer sect elder beside Xie Yun flattered him.



"Heh, it's only a mere beast tide. Nothing to worry about—it'll serve as a bit of entertainment ahead of our Canghai's Sect tournament," Xie Yun laughed arrogantly, showing no concern for the beast tide whatsoever.



"Elder Xie... Elder Xie Yun..."



More and more people gathered around, bowing slightly to Xie Yun in respectful greeting.Just then, a figure darted past Xie Yun and charged toward the demon beasts. With a flash of cold light and a thunderous explosion, an eighth-level beast was killed in an instant.



"Thunderous Sword Chant." Li Xiaoyao spun his sword with a hum, and a mad rhino beast charging at him had its skull shattered, collapsing dead on the ground.



Li Xiaoyao flicked his sword and extracted the beast core from the beast, slipping it into his bag. These beast cores were precious and could be exchanged for many useful items.



On the boulder, Xie Yun's expression darkened as he noticed Li Xiaoyao. This was the very person who had questioned him in front of everyone, even going so far as to reprimand him sharply, leaving Xie Yun humiliated. He hadn't expected Li Xiaoyao's swordsmanship to have improved so much in the time since.



"Your growth speed is quit impressive, but as an outer sect disciple, how dare you insult me?—you must have a death wish." thought Xie Yun coldly. He still remembering that day. If it weren't for the sudden appearance of a mysterious figure with a Shadow Martial Soul, he would have dealt with Li Xiaoyao then and there.



"Stop!" Xie Yun's thunderous voice snapped at Li Xiaoyao, causing him to flinch slightly. He halted his actions and turned to look back at Xie Yun.



"What's wrong Elder?" Li Xiaoyao asked.

"You damn thing! You don't go to kill beasts; you only know how to steal other people's beast cores. Selfish and self-centered—do you even care about Canghai Sect?" Xie Yun barked angrily, pinning a serious accusation on Li Xiaoyao. As an inner sect elder, dealing with Li Xiaoyao was an easy feat for him.

"Elder, please enlighten me—which beast's core did I exactually steal?" Li Xiaoyao sneered inwardly. The last time, Xie Yun had nearly had him killed, handing him over to Li Xin and Young Master Peng. Now, Xie Yun was still bearing a grudge—narrow-minded to the extreme. Li Xiaoyao had never wronged him; it was always Xie Yun forcing his hand.

"Watch your mouth when you speak to an elder, you wretch!" scolded an outer sect elder beside Xie Yun, his voice icy. This elder's name was Chong Dong. Recently promoted thanks to Xie Yun's support, he wasn't about to pass up an opportunity to prove himself.

"I said you stole beast cores, so you were stole them. Do I need to say it more clear for you hah?" Xie Yun sneered. Li Xiaoyao's timing was perfect—the beast tide was surging, and amidst the chaos, he could easily have Li Xiaoyao killed on the spot, then fabricate a crime for him. Simple as that.

Once Li Xiaoyao was dead, who would dare to stand up for an outer sect disciple and offend an inner sect elder? The gap between them was simply too vast.

"Damn kid, remember this in your next life—an inner sect elder is not someone you can afford to offend."

Xie Yun sneered inwardly, having already made up his mind.

"What a shameless elder," Li Xiaoyao cursed under his breath. He says you stole beast cores, so you stole them—he's adding false charges without a shred of evidence. Xie Yun was responsible for enforcing sect rules, but he abused his authority to a disgusting degree. Those with low status had no way to resist him. For instance, Li Xiaoyao—an outer sect disciple—how could he possibly contend with an inner sect elder?

He didn't even have the right to defend himself. If they said he was guilty, then he was guilty.

"Xie Yun, I know you want to kill me. You don't have to make up an excuse. But you'd better can kill me!"

Li Xiaoyao looked at Xie Yun with a cold sneer, his eyes filled with overwhelming confidence and arrogance.

"Hm?" Xie Yun frowned, surprised by Li Xiaoyao's brazen attitude.

"Xie Yun, I'm just an outer sect disciple, and you're an inner sect elder. What are you afraid of? Just go ahead and kill me. I'm standing right here."

Seeing Xie Yun's frown, Li Xiaoyao continued, utterly defiant, showing not a shred of respect for the inner sect elder.

"Could it be...?" Xie Yun's expression froze, as he recalled the shadowy figure who had appeared that day. His heart trembled slightly.

Indeed, that mysterious expert was someone he couldn't ignore. Since that person had saved Li Xiaoyao once, it was possible he was nearby again, which might explain this kid's audacious confidence.

Remembering that terrifying presence, Xie Yun couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. It was truly frightening.

He fixed his gaze on Li Xiaoyao, only to see the young man standing there with a look of utter disdain, showing not a hint of fear.

"Rush, go get him for me," Xie Yun ordered the outer sect elder beside him. He didn't say "kill" Li Xiaoyao, only "get" leaving himself a way out.

"Yes, sir," Rush replied, preparing to move forward.

"what an idiot pig." Li Xiaoyao shot a disdainful glance at Rush and cursed him directly.

"What did you say?" Rush's face flushed with anger. A mere outer sect disciple had dared to insult him as an idiot in front of everyone. Unbelievable!

"Xie Yun doesn't dare to touch me, and then you jump to follow his orders without considering the consequences?"

Li Xiaoyao smirked at Rush and said, "it's not just you —I even dare to call out Xie Yun for abusing his authority as an elder, a crime worthy of death. Look at him; Does he dare lay a hand on me?"

"He's too afraid to make a move himself, but he sends you to be his scapegoat, and you're thrilled to do it. Calling you an idiot pig—is it not accurate?"

Li Xiaoyao's voice was calm to the extreme, causing a flicker of hesitation in Rush's eyes.

He glanced at Xie Yun, seeing that the elder was seething with anger but still refrained from taking action against Li Xiaoyao. This made Rush waver.

"Could it be that this kid has powerful backing, and Xie Yun just wants me to take the fall?" Rush thought to himself. Analyzing the conversation between Li Xiaoyao and Xie Yun, the more he pondered, the more likely it seemed. Xie Yun had his father behind him; if something went wrong, someone would cover for him. But Rush was on his own. If he made a mistake, he would be ruined beyond redemption.

At this moment, several disciples of the Canghai Sect gathered around, watching the scene unfold with astonishment. An outer sect disciple had, with just a few words, managed to intimidate two sect elders.