Hearing what the red-haired youth said, Luo Xiu looked at the ground beneath him, then glanced at Luo Qingxian beside him and suddenly understood something. It seemed Luo Qingxian had also discovered this spot was the most suitable for withstanding the Sword Intent, which is why she chose it. After being ejected by the Sword Array's backlash, she had returned to her original spot. At that exact moment, I just happened to be in that position, which is why she committed a 'charging foul' and knocked me over.

Of course, that wasn't the point. The main point was that this incident revealed the depth of Luo Qingxian's mastery of the Sword Dao. After all, this spot was an area where the Sword Intent from outside the array converged, and even a powerhouse like Yan Daoling, a Dao Jade Two, hadn't detected the secret of this place. But Luo Qingxian had.

"Hey, Lower Realm Mortal, I'm talking to you! Are you deaf?"

At these words, Luo Xiu collected his thoughts and looked up at the red-haired youth with annoyance. "Who do you think you are? Are you worthy of speaking to me?"

SMACK!

Unexpectedly, just as Luo Xiu finished speaking, the red-haired youth was slapped across the face. The one who had struck him was none other than Yan Daoling!

"What kind of pathetic mutt are you? A mere Red-Haired Beast dares to bully my disciple?" Yan Daoling sneered. "Even if your master were here, he'd have to treat me with respect!"

The red-haired youth clutched his face, glaring at Yan Daoling with eyes that could split from rage. "Yan Daoling, don't you push it!"

Yan Daoling scoffed, "Are you even human?"

The red-haired youth took a slow, deep breath to suppress his fury, then turned and walked away. He truly hadn't expected Yan Daoling to offend his Blood Red Mountain for a mere Lower Realm Mortal. Now, he could only wait for his master to arrive and seek revenge. For the moment, he had no choice but to swallow his pride.

Watching the youth's retreating figure, Yan Daoling had a look of utter disdain. He turned to Luo Xiu and declared, "Don't worry, disciple. With your master here, no one will ever dare bully you, no matter where we are!"

Luo Xiu forced a wry smile. "I'm not your disciple."

***

Luo Qingxian didn't contest the "feng shui treasure spot" with Luo Xiu. She simply turned and walked to the side, intending to find a new position. The group of young men immediately followed her like moths to a flame.

Suddenly, Luo Qingxian glanced back at them, her gaze as cold and indifferent as bone-chilling ice.

The young men gave sheepish smiles and quickly scattered, not daring to get any closer to her.

Just then, Xiao Luanzi came over to Luo Xiu and laughed, "Boss, look at them. What a bunch of bootlickers."

Pig Dragon's gaze was fixed on Luo Qingxian's thighs, which were visible as her skirt swayed. "The slit in her skirt is cut so high. It shows this 'Fairy' isn't afraid to be bold!"

Tian Bang was also admiring her legs. "Those legs are longer than my lifespan!"

Big Mouth stammered, "Such beautiful legs… it's a shame she's not wearing long johns!"

Pig Dragon raised his massive, crocodile-like paw and slapped Big Mouth on the head. "Long johns?" he roared. "Those are black stockings, you moron! Do you have no sense of sophistication at all?"

Luo Xiu shook his head gently and sighed poetically, "Those aren't legs. They are the spring waters by the banks of the Seine River."

Hearing this, the three bandits gave him a simultaneous thumbs-up.

"The boss is truly on another level! As expected of the boss!"

Luo Xiu's expression suddenly turned serious. "Alright, that's enough. All of you, go cool off somewhere and don't bother me."

"Okay, Boss. We won't disturb your leg-watching."

"Get lost! Is the boss looking at legs? He's appreciating the spring waters!"

"..."

***

About two hours later, Dou Dou and Yang Zhilu emerged from the Sword Array together. Both women looked exhausted and bore minor sword wounds, clear evidence of the obstacles they had faced inside. After greeting Luo Xiu, they each found a spot to sit cross-legged and began to regulate their breathing to recover, preparing to challenge the Sword Array again.

Suddenly, Yan Daoling found Luo Xiu. "Disciple, things can't go on like this," he said. "How about this: I'll take Brother Xiong to the ninth layer first to complete the Azure Dragon Sword Array, then I'll break through the tenth layer myself. I'm worried Luo Qingxian might have some hidden tricks up her sleeve. She could forcibly destroy the Sword Array and steal our opportunity."

He added, "When you're out in the world, you must never have the heart to harm others, but you can never be without the heart to guard against them! This is the first lesson your master is teaching you."

Just then, Kuang Pi lumbered over, nodding his massive bear head in agreement. "Xiao Luo, since that woman was able to break the Fire Phoenix Sword Array and obtain a supreme opportunity, she must have some hidden techniques."

Luo Xiu nodded. "Then do as you see fit."

With that, Yan Daoling and Kuang Pi entered the Sword Array, heading straight for its depths. Since they had already broken through the first nine layers long ago, their reentry was completely unimpeded, allowing them to proceed directly to the ninth layer's area.

As time passed, those waiting outside the Sword Array suddenly felt a powerful Sword Intent overflowing from within. An indistinct dragon's roar echoed from the void, shaking one's very soul! The strange fog that permeated the entire plain crackled with even more electricity, carrying an aura that made one's heart palpitate.

Luo Qingxian, who was meditating, furrowed her delicate brows. She abruptly stood up and walked into the Sword Array. However, she reemerged only a few moments later.

A woman in blue robes hurried over to her. "Princess Luo, what happened?"

Luo Qingxian replied coolly, "The Sword Array has been completed, strengthening the Sword Intent. Now, even breaking through the first layer is difficult."

Hearing this, everyone present looked shocked. Luo Qingxian took a deep breath, channeled her qi to adjust her physical and mental state, and stepped into the Sword Array again. Not long after she entered, Dou Dou and Yang Zhilu also rose and walked into the Sword Array.

Time flowed like water.

「One day later.」

Luo Qingxian broke into the second layer.

Seeing this, the sycophants outside the Sword Array erupted in praise.

"She's truly worthy of being called Princess Luo, one of the top five talents of the Upper Realm's current generation!"

"Heh, of course! In my eyes, Princess Luo is the undisputed number one talent!"

"Look at those two wenches from the Lower Realm. A whole day has passed, and they've only taken a couple of steps. They're not even a tenth as capable as Princess Luo."

"Hah! For Lower Realm trash like them, breaking through the first layer will probably take several months."

"..."

After stepping into the second layer, Luo Qingxian didn't press on. Instead, she exited the Sword Array to recuperate.

「Another two days passed.」

Luo Qingxian still hadn't moved, remaining seated in quiet meditation. Meanwhile, Dou Dou and Yang Zhilu were still on the first layer of the Sword Array, showing no signs of advancing or retreating. As for Yan Daoling and Kuang Pi, they had been gone for three days since entering the ninth layer of the Sword Array, seemingly vanishing without a trace.

I guess it's my turn to make a move. I wonder how Brother Xiong and that old fellow are doing. Luo Xiu slowly stood up and walked towards the Sword Array.

Perhaps because he had inadvertently taken advantage of Luo Qingxian and drawn a great deal of hostility, the Upper Realm geniuses all turned their gazes on him the moment he moved.

"Look, that Lower Realm Mortal is going to challenge the Sword Array!"

"Him? Look at the state of him."

"Oh, would you look at that? He went in and came right back out after a few seconds."

"Hahahaha! Looks like he's not up to the task!"

"..."

Outside the Sword Array, Luo Xiu had a vexed expression. Just now, he had stepped into the Sword Array, but his body still couldn't handle it, forcing him to retreat.

Master Ping's voice echoed in his mind, "Don't worry. The auras of Kuang Pi and that old man are still present; nothing has happened to them. The Sword Array was strengthened after being completed, so the Yin Thunder Qi has naturally intensified as well. You need to adapt outside the array for a few more days."

I suppose this is the only way, Luo Xiu thought, feeling resigned. He had no choice but to return to his spot and sit down.

But just then, the red-haired youth returned, striding over with a group of people to surround Luo Xiu.

"Lower Realm Mortal, did you really think I wouldn't dare touch you just because you took Yan Daoling as your master?" the red-haired youth sneered, pointing at Luo Xiu. "Your precious master is trapped in the Sword Array now. Let's see who's going to protect you! Anyone who dares to oppose our Blood Red Mountain has only one fate: death!"

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