Standing at the center of the arena, Gao Xuan held his sword with his eyes closed, his expression calm and his posture upright, with not a speck of dust on his deep blue sword robe.

The transcendent and otherworldly swordsman aura left an exceptionally deep impression on all spectators.

Especially the closed eyes, which held an inexplicable mystery, made everyone feel that Gao Xuan was unfathomable, difficult to gauge.

After striking a pose, Gao Xuan turned to leave the arena.

"Wait a moment."

Xiao Changsheng suddenly shouted loudly, stopping Gao Xuan, who was about to walk away gracefully.

Gao Xuan turned back and smiled, "Mr. Xiao, do you have any advice?"

Xiao Changsheng walked up to Gao Xuan, staring deeply at him for a few seconds, but failed to detect any unease on Gao Xuan's face. All he saw was an enigmatic smile.

Xiao Changsheng said to Elder Yun, who was hosting the competition, "This person used an external marvel to kill Uncle Shan; he must die."

Elder Yun, with his dim old eyes, looked at Gao Xuan, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Gao Xuan chuckled, "This is my own cultivation of Celestial Spirit Sword Qi, what is there to explain?"

"You, just a Tenth-level Swordsman, where did you get such strong Sword Qi? You're fooling a ghost!"

Xiao Changsheng coldly gripped the hilt of his sword, preparing to kill.

"Xiao Changsheng, aren't you just being a sore loser?"

Xiao Wan naturally couldn't watch Gao Xuan be bullied. She stood beside Gao Xuan with her sword, loudly saying, "If you want a duel, I'll accompany you."

"Xiao Wan, you can't rely on your status to act unreasonably."

Xiao Changsheng sternly questioned, "Gao Xuan is just Level 10, how strong can his Sword Qi be to kill Uncle Shan with one strike? Do you believe he didn't use a marvel?"

"I believe."

Xiao Wan said even more firmly, "Gao Xuan is an extraordinary talent. He's just that strong!"

Xiao Changsheng looked at Uncle Yun, "I ask Uncle Yun to uphold justice."

Uncle Yun said to Gao Xuan, "Kid, what do you say?"

"Where's the marvel? This gentleman shouldn't slander someone without reason."

As Gao Xuan spoke, he raised his hand and struck toward Xiao Changsheng, the vast and grand Celestial Spirit Sword Qi surged forth, the silver Sword Qi rushing towards Xiao Changsheng like a tumultuous silver tide.

Xiao Changsheng stood still, simply stimulating his Sword Qi, his sharp Sword Qi cut apart the silver tide wave of Sword Qi.

His long hair and lapel were blown backward by the silver Sword Qi, the vast Sword Qi surging ceaselessly, seemingly without end.

Xiao Changsheng's gaze solidified, although his sword did not leave its sheath, his Sword Intent soared into the sky.

The fiercely surging Celestial Spirit Sword Qi rapidly layered and instantly reached its peak, everyone sensed that the Celestial Spirit Sword Qi was about to unleash an earth-shattering strike.

Everyone's eyes widened, afraid to miss the slightest detail.

Even Xiao Changsheng adjusted his Sword Intent, prepared to withstand this blow.

He also didn't know how Gao Xuan did it, just a Swordsman level, yet wielding Sword Qi thicker and fiercer than a Sword Hero. Especially the vast and grand Celestial Spirit Sword Qi, which truly had an overwhelming force.

With his ability, he still needed to face it carefully.

At the moment the layered power of the Celestial Spirit Sword Qi was about to explode, it disappeared silently and without a trace.

It was as if a tsunami hundreds of meters high had vanished like a bubble when it was about to crash down. The devastating force just earlier now seemed like a joke.

From extreme vastness and fierceness, to extreme calmness and gentleness. There was no transition in between.

The accumulated force left Xiao Changsheng at a loss for a moment.

If it affected Xiao Changsheng, it affected the other spectators even more so. The anticipated explosion never came, leaving everyone feeling deceived.

"What does this prove?"

Xiao Changsheng questioned in a deep voice, "This proves nothing."

Gao Xuan said indifferently, "Who doubts, proves. You say I used a marvel, then prove it."

He casually added, "I acted to show you, you are no more than this."

Xiao Changsheng, although deep, was infuriated by Gao Xuan's contemptuous attitude.

Especially in front of the elite of the Xiao Family, he couldn't stand such humiliation.

The problem was, he had no good method against Gao Xuan. The unpleasant words indeed stated a harsh truth, even going down himself didn't ensure victory.

Gao Xuan's Celestial Spirit Sword Qi was vast and mighty, seemingly endless.

Xiao Changsheng ultimately didn't want to take risks, he pondered and looked toward Elder Yun. At this time, he could only hope Elder Yun would uphold justice.

Elder Yun said to Xiao Changsheng, "This kid's attitude is arrogant, but what he says is not wrong. You suspect, you prove."

He paused, emphasizing, "I haven't seen him use a marvel."

Xiao Changsheng paused, then slightly bowed to Elder Yun, "I was abrupt." This chapter is part of the collection on *.

Indeed, he couldn't find any evidence. If he caught Gao Xuan, he might search him. Perhaps he could find evidence.

Now, he could only concede. Continuing to entangle, he couldn't do anything to Gao Xuan, he'd only lose more face.

Xiao Changsheng looked at the bloodstains on the wall with a sorrowful expression, sighing softly, "Uncle Shan died unjustly."

This sentence was full of helplessness and bitterness. It resonated with many members of the Xiao Family's side branches.

A group of people glared angrily at Gao Xuan.

Xiao Wan sneered. She found Xiao Changsheng's pretentious act most annoying. Although he was clearly a cold and ruthless person, he always pretended to be noble and righteous. It was nauseating.

"Let's go."

Xiao Wan took Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang out of the hall, and after Gao Xuan changed his clothes, she drove them home herself.

Once they arrived at Gao Xuan's home, Xiao Wan said: "You've completed the assessment and are now a member of the association. Members of the association are strictly forbidden from private fights. Xiao Changsheng won't dare to do anything to you. But be careful, he's insidious and has many tricks."

Xiao Wan continued, "Xiao Jun is a foolish woman, don't worry about her. But her sister, Xiao Ting, is a very formidable woman. Be cautious of her as well. Xiao Ting and Xiao Changsheng are both my competitors. Even if they have no personal vendetta against you, they will find ways to deal with you..."

Gao Xuan nodded, understanding that these things were within reason.

Any organization of scale will inevitably have internal factions. This is human nature and unavoidable. There's no solution to it.

Choosing to side with one faction inevitably makes you an enemy of the others.

Gao Xuan was not very interested in the Xiao Family's internal struggle; his goal was to obtain the Undying Golden Cicada.

Judging by a few people's behavior, Xiao Wan was clearly at a disadvantage.

Xiao Changsheng had a knack for handling things and leading, far surpassing Xiao Wan. As for Xiao Ting, although nothing could be discerned from her appearance, just with her quiet and gentle student demeanor, it was apparent that she was deeply shrewd, not someone Xiao Wan could compare with.

However, given Xiao Wan's straightforward nature, she wasn't one to play with intrigue, making working with her less exhausting.

Gao Xuan said, "Sister Wan, are there any tasks in the association? I'm eager to serve the association."

"I think you just want to earn points."

Though Xiao Wan was straightforward, she wasn't foolish. She immediately saw through Gao Xuan's true intentions.

"Sister Wan has keen insight, I admire you." Gao Xuan didn't attempt to conceal his intentions and wasn't shy about it.

Xiao Wan said, "Once I return and settle the membership paperwork, the association's task list will be sent to you. You can select a few suitable tasks to complete. But don't be hasty..."

The Sword Dao Association issues many tasks to stimulate its members' motivation.

However, most of these tasks are very difficult.

From Gao Xuan's demeanor, it seemed he was eager to upgrade to Level 5 Member, which would require a lot of points. High-point tasks are bound to be exceedingly difficult and dangerous.

Xiao Wan didn't want Gao Xuan to take reckless risks. She had expended a significant amount of points to bring Gao Xuan into the association and had even fallen out with Xiao Changsheng over it.

When Gao Xuan killed Xiao Hanshan with a single palm strike, it might have thrilled him. However, it completely offended the side branch represented by Xiao Changsheng.

Xiao Changsheng wouldn't dare to act against her, but he wouldn't be courteous to Gao Xuan. As long as he had any chance, he would take action to eliminate Gao Xuan.

In the Sword Dao Association, those with different surnames naturally stood at the bottom rung.

Fearing that Gao Xuan might not be fully aware, Xiao Wan detailed the internal faction dynamics of the association again.

Of course, Gao Xuan's outstanding performance today also brought her prestige, which was very beneficial to her.

Undoubtedly, many saw Gao Xuan's potential. For instance, someone like the scheming Xiao Ting might try to win over Gao Xuan. She deliberately scared Gao Xuan to prevent him from aligning with Xiao Ting.

This shameless woman, Xiao Ting, would go so far as to sleep with Gao Xuan to achieve her goals. Xiao Wan had to keep an eye on him.

Hence, Xiao Wan paid special attention to Gao Xuan.

Xiao Wan even broke protocol and stayed for dinner at Gao Xuan's place before leaving.

When Xiao Wan returned home, she found her father, Xiao Cheng, waiting for her.

Xiao Wan was a bit surprised, "Dad, do you need something from me?"

"Nothing much. The assessment this afternoon has spread through the upper echelons. It was quite sensational."

Xiao Cheng said, "I've watched the video repeatedly. This young man is indeed quite formidable."

Xiao Cheng rarely praised anyone. For him to say Gao Xuan was impressive was already very high praise.

Xiao Wan was also surprised, "Dad, you're overpraising him."

"Was Gao Xuan using marvels?" Xiao Cheng was also a bit curious.

He'd watched the video many times and from every angle he could, there was no trace of marvels being used.

Xiao Wan shook her head, "He claimed he didn't use any marvels."

She further added, "Although Gao Xuan is only eighteen, he's very smart, confident, flamboyant, and fierce. At the same time, he's also a bit cunning. This young man's character is very complex, so we shouldn't fully trust his words."

"I like smart people. Gao Xuan is a very promising talent; you need to rope him in."

Thinking for a moment, Xiao Cheng suggested, "I find him exceptionally talented and with remarkable bearing. Why don't you marry him and become family? That would make everything easier to manage..."

Xiao Wan blushed; what did her dad mean by this? Did he want her to resort to using her charms to win people over? How shameful!

"What's there not to want? Gao Xuan surpasses you in every way!"

Xiao Cheng generously said, "If he marries you, I'll put up ten thousand points as a dowry."

Xiao Wan's face turned even redder, and she privately rejoiced. If Gao Xuan heard this condition, he might immediately decide to marry her...

However, apart from being too handsome, Gao Xuan didn't seem to have any shortcomings. Among all the talented individuals she had encountered, none could compare to Gao Xuan.

Thinking of this, she even felt a little moved...