Shrugging, Li Xiaoyao smiled faintly. He couldn't blame himself for being self-absorbed; Zhao Xinyi's behavior was indeed unusual.

Standing nearby, Zhao Xinyi saw Li Xiaoyao's casual demeanor, her chest heaving with suppressed anger. She bit her lip and forced herself to calm down.

"I want to discuss something with you," she said after a moment of silence, her face flushing red.

"What is it?" Li Xiaoyao asked curiously.

"Do you know which force is the strongest in our Snow-moon Kingdom?" Zhao Xinyi asked.

"Of course, it's the one in Snow-moon imperial city," Li Xiaoyao replied nonchalantly. He knew a bit about Snow-moon Kingdom. The family ruling as the emperor must have unparalleled strength; it was self-evident. Just like in ancient times, the strongest contenders would vie for the throne. In this world, power was everything. Li Xiaoyao didn't believe that a family capable of ruling would lack the strength to intimidate all of Snow-Moon.

Zhao Xinyi was surprised. She hadn't expected Li Xiaoyao to have such insight, hitting the mark with his answer.

"You're right. In Snow-moon Kingdom, the royal family holds the greatest power. Even though there are other formidable forces and families, like our Canghai Sect, none can rival the royal family," Zhao Xinyi explained. "However, right now, the ruler of Snow-moon is gathering talented individuals from across the nation to establish the Ice-Moon Sacred Palace. By then, outstanding disciples from major sects like Canghai Sect and Moonlight Sect will all come together, receiving the best resources and guidance to grow into true powerhouses."

She paused, her gaze resting on Li Xiaoyao.

Looking at Zhao Xinyi, Li Xiaoyao smiled lazily and said, "What does this have to do with me?"

Zhao Xinyi rolled her eyes, silently cursing him. This guy was too clever—there was no way he didn't understand the meaning behind her words.

"Don't you want to be part of the Ice-Moon Sacred Palace? Once you're in, you'll have access to endless resources, spiritual pills, weapons, and techniques to choose from," Zhao Xinyi said enticingly.

By now, Li Xiaoyao fully understood what Zhao Xinyi was implying. However, he began speculating about Zhao Xinyi's true identity. For her to recruit talent for the royal family, her background must be extraordinary.

Recalling the Blood-Flame Cavalry he had encountered at the mountain's base, Li Xiaoyao became even more convinced that Zhao Xinyi's identity was far from ordinary.

Seeing the flicker in Li Xiaoyao's eyes, Zhao Xinyi smiled and asked, "What do you think? Tempted yet?"

Li Xiaoyao stroked his chin, looking at Zhao Xinyi with a half-smile. "Will there be beauties like you included in the deal?"

"..."

Zhao Xinyi's face alternated between red and green as she struggled to contain her emotions. Li Xiaoyao laughed heartily and continued walking forward.

"While the royal family is strong, other sects in Snow-Moon Kingdom are equally ambitious. Do you think it's so easy for them to hand over their most talented disciples to the royal family for the Sacred Palace?"

His words made Zhao Xinyi freeze in surprise. This guy was even sharper than she had imagined. No wonder his talent was so extraordinary. Yet, moments ago, this scoundrel was teasing her...

The thought made Zhao Xinyi feel annoyed all over again. If given a chance, she would definitely teach this rascal a lesson for daring to mock her. But for now, she sighed and caught up with Li Xiaoyao.

Nine-Ice Peak, the residence of the inner disciples.

On Nine-Ice Peak stood a massive cavern that inner disciples frequented most. At the center of the cavern was a grand stone wall.

The stone wall bore the names of disciples, arranged in nine rows with nine names each—81 in total—representing the strongest inner disciples.

What amazed everyone was that the entire stone wall resembled a chessboard, with the 81 names like chess pieces, capable of being moved and rearranged. Every inner disciple hoped to have their name move forward, as it signified an improvement in their ranking.

At this moment, the name "Butcher" had been removed from the foremost spot, but everyone knew it would soon appear on the ranking wall for core disciples.

Replacing Butcher at the top of the stone wall were Two dazzling characters: Mo Water.

This meteoric name had risen to prominence in just one year, standing at the pinnacle of the inner disciples. No one doubted that if Mo water wished, he could join the ranks of the core disciples immediately. However, everyone also knew that Mo Roushui was too proud. He wouldn't settle for a lower-tier ranking among core disciples.

Mo Water had officially joined Canghai Sect at the age of sixteen, skipping the outer disciples entirely to enter the inner ranks. Over the past year, he had relentlessly climbed the ranks of the stone wall, and now, his name shone at the most prestigious position.

Many believed that Mo Water's achievements would even surpass those of Chen Tiexing and Butcher.

At this moment, outside the cavern of the stone wall, a group of figures approached. Inner disciples in the area quickly stepped aside, their eyes filled with reverence.

"Mo Water, he's here."

At the center of the group was a young man in a white robe, strikingly handsome. His pupils were a dazzling shade of blue, giving him an otherworldly aura. This man was none other than Mo Water.

"Water, congratulations," said a young man walking beside him with a smile.

"First place among the inner disciples, that's all," Mo Water replied indifferently, casting a glance at the ranking stone wall. "Ren Yu, with your current strength, your name will soon be on this wall as well."

"Yes, I'll make it happen," Ren Yu nodded. After losing to Li Xin in public, he had trained diligently. Recently, he achieved a breakthrough, reaching the second level of the Spirit Martial Realm. His exceptional talent had earned him some fame among the inner disciples and even Mo Water's recognition.

"Heh," Mo Water chuckled lightly. His gaze swept over the surrounding crowd, and his blue eyes glimmered with a bewitching light.

"From today onward, I declare that Zhao Xinyi is my woman. Anyone who dares to pursue her will be my enemy."

Mo Water's declaration stunned the crowd. Rumors had long suggested his interest in Zhao Xinyi, and now he had publicly claimed her in an overbearing manner.

Even some core disciples were known to admire Zhao Xinyi, yet Mo Water, after claiming the top spot among the inner disciples, boldly ignored their potential opposition.

The crowd fell silent until an unexpected voice broke through the tension.

"Whether Zhao Xinyi is your woman isn't for you to decide—it's up to her," said Han Kui. He knew Zhao Xinyi was currently with Li Xiaoyao, and Mo Water's arrogance annoyed him deeply.

"Hmm?" The crowd's gaze sharpened.

"Who's so bold as to challenge Mo Water? Are they courting death?"

The thought echoed in everyone's mind. With Mo Waters exceptional talent and the sect's favor, even core disciples dared not confront him.

"Interesting," Mo Water remarked, shifting his gaze. Taking a step forward, his blue eyes shimmered with a strange light as his pale hand struck like a venomous snake.

Boom!

Han Kui's body slammed against the cavern wall, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. Yet, his eyes burned with defiance.

"Say another word, and I'll kill you."

Mo Water's tone was calm, yet domineering.

"Dammit," Han Kui spat blood and glared coldly at Mo Water. "Don't think becoming number one in the inner sect in just a year is such a big deal. Give my brother a year, and he'll crush you."

"Oh? Who's your brother? Let's hear it," Mo Water said mockingly.

"Li Xiaoyao, Zhao Xinyi's man," Han Kui retorted deliberately. Han Kui believed that after Li Xiaoyao's performance on the Life-and-Death Platform today, the sect wouldn't let Mo Water touch him. Given time, Li Xiaoyao would surely surpass Mo Water—Han Kui had more faith in Li Xiaoyao than in himself.

"Li Xiaoyao? Who's that?"

Mo Water asked indifferently. He hadn't attended the Life-and-Death Platform today. With his strength, no one dared challenge him.

"Just a brat who's barely entered the Spirit Martial Realm, dabbling in sword techniques. He's leagues beneath you—I could crush him easily," Ren Yu sneered.

"Is that so?"

At that moment, a casual, unrestrained voice drifted in from outside the cavern.