Henghai Provincial City.

In a high-end hotel.

Zhou Jingong, seething with rage, removed his disguise at top speed, tearing off the layer of realistic prosthetic skin to reveal his original appearance.

Standing beside him, Duan Feibai looked at his bruised and swollen face, feeling both frustrated and amused. He was frustrated because they hadn't managed to kill Luo Xiu. He was amused because Zhou Jingong's current appearance was truly comical. He was an old man, yet he'd been beaten to a pulp.

"So… Master Zhou, what do we do now?"

Zhou Jingong snorted coldly. "I never had much hope for this plan of yours!"

Duan Feibai was speechless. So if we'd succeeded, it would've been all your doing, but since we failed, you're pinning the blame on me? What a thick-skinned bastard.

Zhou Jingong said, "On the Combat Stage, in front of so many people, I couldn't go all out. I didn't dare use a single one of the Wind Blade Sect's Unique Arts!"

Duan Feibai thought about it carefully and felt that it made sense. "That's true. I've heard the Sect Master of the Wind Blade Sect has also come to the provincial city. If you, Elder Zhou, had used the sect's Unique Arts on stage, the Sect Master would have recognized them instantly, and we'd be in real trouble."

Zhou Jingong took a deep breath. "So let's keep it simple. I'll just go and kill Luo Xiu myself!"

"According to my investigation, he's staying at Yue Tianyang's Feiyun Villa and is also very close to the Ye Family," Duan Feibai said.

Zhou Jingong's expression turned fierce. "So what?"

***

「At this moment.」

Elder Ye had instructed the driver to take the car to the outskirts of the provincial city. After getting out, he led Luo Xiu toward a vacation villa up ahead.

The old man advised, "This Liu Dexuan has a very explosive temper. You'll have to be careful when you meet him."

Luo Xiu gave him a strange look. "Then why don't we just go back?"

Elder Ye was speechless.

Ye Ningxue covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Grandfather couldn't handle that Liu Dexuan, so he called you, Master. Also, Master, let me tell you, my grandfather and Sect Master Liu were love rivals."

"Love rivals?" Luo Xiu's face suddenly lit up with gossip. "I never would have guessed. There's quite a story there!"

"Yeah, my grandma told me that Grandfather practically stole her away from him."

Elder Ye's old face flushed red, and he shot a glare at Ye Ningxue. "You impudent girl, shut your mouth! What 'stole her away'? You're too young to understand! It was because of love!"

A short while later, the three of them stopped in front of the villa's gate. Elder Ye was about to ring the doorbell when a rough voice boomed from inside.

"Not receiving guests today. Scram!"

Elder Ye smiled. "Old Liu, long time no see."

"Long time no see? Didn't you just fucking come by yesterday?"

Elder Ye chuckled dryly. "Today, I wanted to introduce someone to you."

"Not interested, scram! I'm telling you, Ye Gou, the Point Blade Array is my sect's ultimate treasure. No damn person is touching it!"

Elder Ye's face fell as he looked over at Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu shrugged, knowing that Elder Ye had dragged him into this mess. But since he had come all this way, he couldn't leave empty-handed. After a moment's thought, he spoke up, "Senior Liu, what would it take for you to lend the Point Blade Array? Name your price."

"I said no, and I mean no! Stop wasting my time! All of you, scram!"

Elder Ye's expression hardened. "Listen here, Liu Dexuan, are you trying to test my patience?"

"What's wrong, Ye Gou? You want a fight?"

Luo Xiu shook his head in resignation. "Senior Liu, why don't we have a fight?" he said. "If I win, you'll lend me the Point Blade Array. If I lose, I will be at your disposal."

He knew that with people like this, strength speaks louder than words!

"A fight? Hahaha… And just who the hell are you, kid, to challenge me?"

Without another word, Luo Xiu pushed open the large gate and strode inside. In the small courtyard, an elder in a black robe was sitting cross-legged in meditation, a great saber resting across his knees.

As soon as Luo Xiu entered, a volatile saber qi washed over him, making the sweltering summer air feel even more stifling.

"You think a brat like you is worthy of fighting me?" Liu Dexuan lifted his eyes to gaze at Luo Xiu, his look as sharp as the saber on his knees.

As his voice fell, a scorching wave of saber qi tore through the air, slashing straight toward Luo Xiu!

Luo Xiu, however, remained unfazed. This saber qi was merely Liu Dexuan's test; it held no killing intent.

BANG!

The next moment, a deafening explosion echoed through the air. Before the saber qi could even reach Luo Xiu, it was shattered in the void by the force of a punch. The powerful backlash sent Liu Dexuan's body jerking backward violently, and he nearly tumbled to the ground.

Staring at Luo Xiu, his gaze growing heavy, Liu Dexuan slowly rose to his feet.

"This is… Luo Tian's Control over Xuanzhong?" he murmured. "Kid, who in the world are you? Why do you know Luo Tian's Control over Xuanzhong?!"

Luo Xiu looked at him expressionlessly and said calmly, "Luo Xiu of Ghost Valley. I await your instruction, Senior."

A few moments later, it was as if Liu Dexuan had a split personality. He transformed into a completely different person, approaching Luo Xiu with a wide grin plastered on his face.

"Hehe, Mister Luo, my sincerest apologies. It was my old, blind eyes that failed to recognize your eminence. To be graced by a visit from a master of Ghost Valley, this old man is truly overwhelmed with honor."

Luo Xiu waved his hand. "Senior Liu, let's dispense with the formalities. Just name your price. What will it take for you to lend me the Point Blade Array?"

"Well…" Liu Dexuan seemed troubled, asking cautiously, "May I ask what Mister Luo intends to do with the Point Blade Array?"

Luo Xiu pondered for a moment before answering, "To catch a ghost."

Liu Dexuan sighed softly. "It's not that I'm unwilling to lend it. It's just that activating the Point Blade Array requires an immense amount of Spiritual Power. Furthermore, once used, it can summon some… unclean things… to the vicinity. It can even shorten one's lifespan. When my master passed this Magical Treasure down to me, he warned me repeatedly never to use it lightly."

"I only need it to find something," Luo Xiu said. "There shouldn't be any issues."

"Alright then." Liu Dexuan had no choice but to compromise. He had to give face to Ghost Valley, whether he wanted to or not. "In that case, Mister Luo, if you give me an address, this old man will bring the Point Blade Array to you tonight."

"That works."

"Hehe, Mister Luo, won't you step inside for some tea?"

"Thank you."

About half an hour later, Luo Xiu left Liu Dexuan's vacation villa after finishing his tea.

On the road back to the city, inside the car, Elder Ye stroked his beard and chuckled. "This Liu Dexuan was even willing to give you a Storage Magical Treasure and ask you to be an Honorary Elder of the Wind Blade Sect… It seems the sect hasn't been doing well these past few years."

Luo Xiu gave him a deep look. "It seems you still have some affection for your old love rival, Elder."

Hearing this, Elder Ye's old face turned red, and he quickly looked away. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Luo Xiu just smiled faintly, understanding but choosing not to expose him.

In truth, Luo Xiu had realized during their chat over tea that Elder Ye had intentionally brought him here to introduce him to Liu Dexuan. It was likely because Elder Ye knew the Wind Blade Sect had fallen on hard times and wanted to find them an external backer. Even though Elder Ye and Liu Dexuan argued the moment they met, two old men on the brink of death trading insults, Luo Xiu could sense it was because their bond was incredibly deep. After all, there are no sappy words between brothers. For them, trading barbs and insults was just a way of expressing affection.

***

「In the blink of an eye, evening fell and the city lights began to glow.」

After tidying himself up, Zhou Jingong left with his saber in hand. Following the address provided by Duan Feibai, he headed directly for Feiyun Villa.

Luo Xiu… tonight you die!

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