"Xiao Jun, stop talking nonsense."

Xiao Wan harshly confronted the beautiful woman, her eyes fierce and her expression dour.

The beauty known as Xiao Jun resembled Xiao Wan in facial features, but her eyes were lively, her features gentler and more delicate, and her red lips shone brightly.

Both wore deep blue uniforms, but Xiao Jun looked much more attractive than Xiao Wan.

Despite being scolded by Xiao Wan to her face, Xiao Jun was unfazed. She smiled and said, "Sister Wan, even with a man, why are you still so fiery? Is this man just for show?"

She lowered her voice for the last sentence and glanced thoughtfully at Gao Xuan.

Xiao Wan, being serious, had no idea how to respond to such provocative words.

Of course, in her view, such words were trivial and didn't deserve a response.

Gao Xuan wasn't one to endure in silence. He smiled and said, "Miss Xiao Jun seems quite experienced, I must say. Looking at how radiant you are, one wonders how many men you've burned out?"

Xiao Jun didn't expect Gao Xuan to talk to her, let alone say something so offensive. Her expression changed slightly as she discontentedly told Xiao Wan, "Sister Wan, is your puppy so unruly?"

"You asked for it yourself," Xiao Wan coldly replied.

Xiao Jun let out a cold laugh and said to Gao Xuan, "In the association, there's a rule that lower-level members must be polite and respectful to higher-level members. You're being too rude, puppy."

"I really can't stand your type. You provoke with your words yet get aggressive when you lose. Your character is quite lacking."

Gao Xuan shook his head. "Pretty face, but no character, no poise, and no ability. Can't even handle losing."

"How dare you!"

Xiao Jun initially came to tease Xiao Wan and provoke Gao Xuan a bit.

Knowing Gao Xuan was a talented swordsman with a promising future, she didn't want Xiao Wan to have such a genius under her command. By intentionally provoking Gao Xuan with words, she aimed to unsettle him. This chapter was originally posted on *.

For a swordsman, mentality is extremely important. As the saying goes, 'train the sword, first train the heart.'

Without a good mindset, a swordsman is troubled by various emotions, unable to perform at their best.

Xiao Jun didn't expect Gao Xuan to be so sharp-tongued. Within two exchanges, she was already enraged.

She had always been the one ridiculing others, her words sharp as a knife. It was the first time she was angered to such an extent by someone else's words.

The association had a strict hierarchy, so Xiao Jun immediately assumed a senior member's demeanor, reprimanding Gao Xuan unceremoniously.

Gao Xuan wasn't angered at all; he smiled and said, "No need to shout so loudly, I haven't even tried yet."

Xiao Jun realized arguing with Gao Xuan was futile; she couldn't win.

She unhesitatingly raised her hand to slap Gao Xuan, yet just as she reached out, Gao Xuan had already placed a palm on her chest.

The bulging uniform instantly deflated. Under the fierce palm force, Xiao Jun's energy was dispersed, causing her to stagger back a few steps, her face turning from red to white and then red again.

Gao Xuan's overpowering force raged within her, pressuring her body to the brink of explosion.

Seeing the situation, the two people beside Xiao Jun prepared to draw their swords, ready to move.

Gao Xuan also had his Hongyi Sword in hand, his lethal Sword Qi pressing against the two experts' faces.

Both of them were Level 9 and Level 8, far below Gao Xuan. Under his Sword Qi's pressure, they were terrified, not daring to draw their swords.

Xiao Jun desperately circulated her Source Power to dissipate the palm force within her. After several changes in her complexion, she finally managed to catch her breath.

Catching her composure, Xiao Jun incredulously looked at Gao Xuan, "You actually dared to attack me?"

The association's internal hierarchy is strict; a lower-level member attacking a higher-level member could be executed on the spot.

Xiao Jun, surprisingly, calmed down, "Attacking a superior, you're courting death."

Gao Xuan smiled, "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not yet a member of the Xiao Family Association."

Xiao Jun finally realized and nodded, "I underestimated you; you're bold. I welcome you to join the association. I'll be waiting."

"When Gao Xuan joins the association, he'll be under my command. It's none of your business."

Xiao Wan spoke then. Seeing Xiao Jun suffer grievances made her expressionless but inwardly pleased.

That sharp-tongued and pretentious woman finally got a lesson!

Having suffered consecutive losses, Xiao Jun was extremely annoyed but had no immediate way to regain her dignity. She turned and left in a huff.

The two attendants hurried to follow Xiao Jun, both wearing looks of shame. Earlier, Gao Xuan had suppressed them so thoroughly that they didn't dare make a sound, which was undeniably embarrassing.

Xiao Jun ignored them and returned to Xiao Ting's side.

"Sister, that pretty boy Xiao Wan found is so hateful."

Xiao Jun complained, holding Xiao Ting's arm. Xiao Ting was her biological sister, and having followed Xiao Ting since childhood, she admired and trusted her greatly.

She went to trouble Xiao Wan because Xiao Wan was Xiao Ting's rival.

Xiao Ting and Xiao Jun resembled each other even more. Dressed in a crisp military uniform, Xiao Ting exuded a quiet, refined aura, almost appearing delicate.

Like a university student who hadn't yet graduated.

In reality, Xiao Ting was also an eleventh-level swordsman, two years older than Xiao Wan.

Xiao Ting glanced at Xiao Jun and gently wiped the sweat off her forehead, "You're almost thirty, try to be a bit more composed."

"Sister, that guy is too arrogant. He not only insulted me but also dared to lay hands on me."

As she spoke, Xiao Jun looked at her chest, relieved it had returned to normal. She was really afraid Gao Xuan's palm would flatten it.

Xiao Ting softly said, "Gao Xuan is intelligent and tough. He's not someone easy to mess with. Don't provoke him. It's pointless."

Despite the brief confrontation earlier, Xiao Ting had observed everything clearly.

In terms of speech, decisiveness, and ability, Gao Xuan was top-notch. Xiao Wan was also considered an exceptionally efficient talent in this generation of the Xiao Family, but compared to Gao Xuan, she seemed overly wooden, lacking adaptability.

To be honest, Xiao Ting really admired Gao Xuan.

He was only eighteen years old and already a Level 10 Swordsman. Not to mention the wisdom and decisiveness he showed in the face of sudden problems, which surpassed most of the Xiao Family's current generation.

Including Xiao Jun, who was also smart. Yet, he constantly ran into walls when dealing with Gao Xuan. Considering the age and experience gap between them, it further highlighted Gao Xuan's prowess.

As for Gao Xuan's appearance, it was indeed exceptionally outstanding. Everyone who saw him instinctively felt a sense of aesthetic pleasure, thus developing a favorable impression of him.

This kind of charismatic appeal was also a very powerful ability.

It's like Xiao Jun grumbling and being angry, yet he didn't really resent Gao Xuan or consider him an enemy. It was actually due to being influenced by Gao Xuan's charm.

Of course, such charm wasn't enough to make anyone lose their rationality.

Xiao Ting made these analyses very rationally, yet she still couldn't control her favorable impression of Gao Xuan.

This favorable impression had nothing to do with romantic feelings, it was just that she found Gao Xuan to be a very good person, worth making a friend.

Xiao Ting sighed inwardly, thinking that if Gao Xuan were to grow up, Xiao Wan would be hard to restrain.

Now she just hoped that Xiao Hanshan could be a little more supportive.

Xiao Jun, on the other hand, wasn't thinking so much; she was still murmuring to Xiao Ting: "I'll deal with him once Gao Xuan becomes a member!"

Xiao Ting patted Xiao Jun's little hand: "Gao Xuan might not make it past Xiao Hanshan."

"No way, Xiao Hanshan is a Silver Sword Hero, is he really going to step in?"

Xiao Jun didn't quite believe it, "If Xiao Changsheng does this, it would completely tear apart with Xiao Wan."

"Xiao Wan becoming a Silver Sword Hero has already squeezed Xiao Changsheng's resources; he won't back down."

Just as Xiao Ting was speaking, she saw Xiao Changsheng enter the hall with a large group of people.

Xiao Changsheng was the leading figure in this generation's side branch. Not only was he highly cultivated, but he also excelled in dealing with people and issues, wielding enormous influence in the side branch.

The side branch collectively viewed Xiao Changsheng as a rising star, which is why there was always a large group of people around him.

In terms of momentum, Xiao Changsheng far exceeded her and Xiao Wan. Even in terms of doing things, he was a bit more capable than the two of them.

Unfortunately, the heritage of the side branch was a fatal weakness.

If Xiao Changsheng wanted to stand out, he had to exert ten to a hundred times more effort than them. Moreover, his ceiling was there for all to see. No matter what, he could never become a Level 10 member.

Unless, unless he could become a Golden Sword Saint!

All the rules of a Noble Family always made exceptions for Golden Level powerhouses.

The charming and graceful Xiao Changsheng received greetings and cordial conversations from many as soon as he entered.

The hall, which had been somewhat dull, became lively with Xiao Changsheng's arrival.

"This person seems quite popular?" Gao Xuan commented.

"Xiao Changsheng is indeed impressive. But his background is lacking. No matter what he does, it won't be enough."

Xiao Wan pointed to the cold-faced, lean man next to Xiao Changsheng and said: "That's Xiao Hanshan."

Seemingly sensing Xiao Wan's gesture, Xiao Hanshan glanced at Gao Xuan from afar.

Even from dozens of meters away, Xiao Hanshan's cold and severe gaze sent a chill through Gao Xuan.

But Xiao Hanshan quickly withdrew his gaze, while two people beside him continued to scrutinize Gao Xuan curiously.

"This is the Han Shan Sword Intent that Xiao Hanshan created."

Xiao Wan advised: "His sword intent is cold and weighty, hence the name Han Shan. However, such sword intent isn't easy to unleash. Your quick sword is unparalleled, strike first, and don't give him a chance to refine his sword intent."

At this moment, Xiao Changsheng approached with a group of people.

Amid a throng of attendants, Xiao Changsheng naturally carried an immense momentum.

Xiao Wan kept her mouth tightly shut; she wasn't afraid of Xiao Changsheng, but his imposing aura made her uncomfortable.

The side branch had the advantage of numbers, especially in such unrestricted venues.

In contrast, the direct lineage seemed weak in numbers and strength.

Xiao Changsheng approached and politely nodded a greeting to Xiao Wan: "Little Wan, you're here so early."

Xiao Wan nodded and didn't say much.

Xiao Changsheng then turned to Gao Xuan: "Truly a dashing and debonair young man, noble and pure like an immortal."

He sincerely said: "Gao Xuan, let me be blunt, it's hard to make a mark from the side branch in the Xiao Family. Even tougher with an alien surname. Come with me, I'm not saying I'll make you stand out, but I guarantee you'll pass the membership test!"

Gao Xuan shook his head without hesitation: "I refuse."

"Refusing so decisively, you're a brave man."

Xiao Changsheng sighed: "What a pity, we're destined not to be friends."

He said to Xiao Hanshan: "Uncle Shan, this kid is also a remarkable talent. Let him die with dignity."

Xiao Hanshan nodded indifferently: "Alright."

Everyone nodded in agreement, "Changsheng is truly righteous and magnanimous."

"It's a pity, this kid doesn't know what's good for him..."

"Truly a pity..."

A group of people discussed animatedly, as if they already considered Gao Xuan a dead man.