"How is that possible!"

"How is that possible!"

Ji Yangping ignored the blood at the corner of his mouth, murmuring to himself in shock.

How could a minor protector from the Floating Cloud Sect possess the strength of the Late Stage of Heaven Severing? Ever since Ancestor Meng bestowed the heavenly way, cultivation has become easier for everyone in the mountainous realm, and cultivation levels have soared. But how old is Su Xuan? How could he have already reached the Late Stage of Heaven Severing? And we're both at the Late Stage of Heaven Severing... so how could he have taken me down with a single palm strike?

"Protect Villa Master Ji!"

The men who had come with Ji Yangping were also horrified. They immediately drew their swords, forming a protective circle around him. They hadn't brought many people this time. After all, Ji Yangping's Late Stage of Heaven Severing cultivation was supposed to be enough to intimidate both the Floating Cloud and Spirit-Taming Sects on its own. How could he have been beaten until he coughed up blood before even getting to show his might?

Meanwhile, the Elders and Hall Masters of the Floating Cloud Sect were stupefied. They had been prepared for a fight but never imagined that Su Xuan would handle Ji Yangping all by himself! Moreover, Su Xuan possessed the astonishing strength of the Late Stage of Heaven Severing. He had overshadowed them in an instant, making them feel utterly insignificant.

CLANG!

Suddenly, Ji Yangping drew a heavy broadsword from his back. He pointed it at Su Xuan and asked grimly, "You're not from the Floating Cloud Sect. You must be an outside expert hired by Qi Qingshan. State your name!"

"You're not worthy of knowing my name," Su Xuan coolly threw the words back at him.

"Haha, he truly is my protector," Qi Qingshan said, breathing a sigh of relief as a smile returned to his face.

"Villa Master Ji, not only is he a protector of the Floating Cloud Sect, but he is also one of my Spirit-Taming Sect's elders," Yan Peng suddenly interjected.

"What?" Qi Qingshan's eyes widened. He lowered his voice and hissed, "Yan Peng, you can't just poach people like that! Last night, you didn't even want to share the Moon Profound Stone with him, but now that you've seen his formidable power, you want to make him your elder?"

"What's wrong with my niece Li'er's future husband being an elder?" Yan Peng lifted his chin. "At least I'm not as stingy as you, only offering him a mere protector's position!"

Qi Li's face instantly flushed crimson.

"I hereby promote Su Xuan to Great Elder!" Qi Qingshan suddenly announced loudly. "The position of Great Elder of our Floating Cloud Sect has been vacant for some time. With Su Xuan's Late Stage of Heaven Severing cultivation, he is the perfect fit. Does anyone object?"

No one from the Floating Cloud Sect objected. Who would dare object at a time like this? What if anyone who objected was forced to fight Ji Yangping?

"Outrageous! How outrageous!" Ji Yangping's anger flared at the sight. He raised his broadsword and charged at Su Xuan! He was truly skilled with the blade; his strike was immensely powerful, and the fierce aura emanating from it had already enveloped the entire area.

"Floating Cloud Blade, Sever!"

Su Xuan ignored the incoming strike. He calmly took a step forward, slightly raised his right hand, and a black longsword materialized in his grasp. He slashed forward!

The pupils of both Qi Qingshan and Yan Peng contracted sharply! Su Xuan had just used techniques from both the Floating Cloud and Spirit-Taming Sects simultaneously! One was the Floating Cloud Blade. The other was the Zhanling Sword.

SWISH!

As an arc of sword light flashed past, a bloody mist erupted from Ji Yangping's body, and he was sent flying backward. The broadsword in his hand snapped into two pieces!

"Villa Master Ji, how are you?"

"Villa Master Ji, are you alright?"

Ji Yangping's underlings rushed to his side. Some pinched a pressure point on his face while others stuffed pills into his mouth, bustling around him anxiously.

Su Xuan, however, simply dispelled the Zhanling Sword from his hand and shrugged at Qi Qingshan and Yan Peng.

Qi Qingshan and Yan Peng stood with their mouths agape, completely speechless. The very same Ji Yangping who had caused them such a massive headache had just been dealt with so effortlessly by Su Xuan?

Good grief! If only Su Xuan had joined our sect earlier!

"Where... where am I?" Ji Yangping slowly came to, feigning ignorance. "What are you all doing?" He seemed to have no memory of why he had come to the Floating Cloud Sect. A deep sword wound gaped on his chest, the flesh peeled back.

"Villa Master Ji, you said the weather was nice today, so you came out for a walk and just happened to wander over here," one of his subordinates said, quickly joining the act. "Then you accidentally tripped and hurt yourself a little. We should be getting back now!"

"Alright, alright." Ji Yangping nodded and was then carried away by his subordinates, making an embarrassing retreat back to his villa. As they departed, they could hear thunderous cheers erupting behind them.

Phew!

Seeing the troublemaker Ji Yangping finally leave, Qi Qingshan and Yan Peng both sighed in relief, feeling an intense sense of satisfaction. They turned simultaneously, their fervent gazes fixed on Su Xuan's face.

Su Xuan glanced back, seeing not only the eager eyes of Qi Qingshan and Yan Peng but also a great many other people... A large crowd of Floating Cloud Sect disciples had gathered behind the sect gate, all looking at him with adoration.

Among them was the menial disciple, Wang Shanhu.

"See that? That's my boss!" he boasted to those around him. "I share a room with him! If you have anything you want to say to my boss, just tell me. I'll pass the message along!" Wang Shanhu's expression was even prouder than Qi Qingshan's, his eyes shining brightly. He even waved at Su Xuan excitedly.

After this battle, Su Xuan has become the undisputed number one figure in the Floating Cloud Sect! he thought. And with my connection to him, even if my own status doesn't rise, at least no one will dare look down on me or bully me anymore!

"Su Xuan, go get some rest." Qi Li walked to Su Xuan's side. She lowered her head, bit her lip, and took his hand, leading him away through the crowd of disciples.

"Pre... prepare a feast!" Qi Qingshan suddenly bellowed. "Today, the Floating Cloud Sect will hold a grand feast to celebrate!"

"A feast!"

"A feast!"

The disciples of the Floating Cloud Sect erupted in a roar of cheers.

By noon, the aromas of roasting meat and wine drifted from the Floating Cloud Sect. Yan Peng also invited some of his Elders and Hall Masters from the Spirit-Taming Sect, instructing them to be sure to toast Su Xuan several times and foster a good relationship with him.

That afternoon, not only did Su Xuan drink a great deal, but even Wang Shanhu became completely intoxicated.

Wang Shanhu had gotten a chance to toast Su Xuan. He was so excited and nervous that his lips trembled, rendering him speechless. His hand shook so badly that he spilled wine from his cup. Su Xuan simply refilled the cup for him and took the initiative to clink their cups together.

Wang Shanhu was certain he would never forget this day.

「At nightfall」

Qi Li brought some items to Su Xuan's room. Su Xuan wasn't resting; he was sitting cross-legged on the bed, meditating.

"Su Xuan, are you really leaving tomorrow?" she asked.

"I can't delay my family matters for too long," he replied. "I'll leave tomorrow."

"Then remember to take this outfit with you." Qi Li placed a set of luxurious clothes in front of Su Xuan. She had summoned the people from the sect's tailoring pavilion last night to make it for him overnight.

"And these." She then placed a dozen old books before him. "These are the sect's most powerful cultivation techniques. You should learn them so that no one can bully you."

Just as Su Xuan opened his mouth to speak, Qi Li suddenly threw herself into his arms. Elated from the day's events, she had also had quite a bit to drink.

She murmured an inexplicable apology. "I'm sorry..."

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