"What bold words!"

Liu Xuanji saw that Ye Guichen dared to provoke him and shouted. His longsword was already thrusting out.

"Like a startling swan!"

One swift thrust, like a startling swan, shot towards Ye Guichen.

The others watched and were all astonished.

It seemed as if they could see the sword light flickering faintly.

"Truly magnificent swordsmanship!"

Gongsun Fengying watched Liu Xuanji's sword move, her heart tightened with inexplicable unease.

Liu Xuanji's reputation as a sword fanatic was well-earned; if he accidentally killed Ye Guichen, it would be her, Gongsun Fengying's, fault.

But it was too late to stop it now.

In almost the blink of an eye, Liu Xuanji's sword was upon Ye Guichen, seemingly sealing all paths of escape around him.

It even seemed that Ye Guichen couldn't move at all.

To outsiders, Ye Guichen appeared to be petrified with fear.

As the sword tip was about to pierce Ye Guichen's shoulder, Ye Guichen smiled faintly and raised his hand, "One move!"

The golden serpent dagger in his hand sliced lightly.

Swish!

The sword tip was directly cut off.

Before Liu Xuanji could comprehend what had happened, he felt a chill beneath his neck.

Looking down, Liu Xuanji broke out in a cold sweat.

"You, you..."

Liu Xuanji's pupils contracted; Ye Guichen's dagger was pointed at his neck, a mere inch more, and it would have easily pierced through.

They say an additional inch offers additional strength.

The golden serpent dagger was only a palm's length, but Liu Xuanji's sword, three feet long, was utterly useless.

Moreover, from Ye Guichen's demeanor, it seemed he hadn't exerted his full power.

The entire crowd erupted in astonishment.

"Huasheng, bring the wine!" Ye Guichen sheathed his sword and turned to leave elegantly.

The people from All Taoist Sects exclaimed in surprise.

"Amazing!"

"Truly worthy of the elder's title!"

"Incredible, even the sword fanatic couldn't match him in a single move!"

Amidst the uproar, Luo Huasheng brought out ten bottles of baijiu and tossed them in front of Liu Xuanji, "Drink up, finish it, and you can leave."

Liu Xuanji's face turned crimson.

Looking at his broken sword, a feeling of being pricked on his back overwhelmed him, and he dared not look back at Gongsun Fengying.

Zhang Chongchen, seeing the awkward atmosphere, quickly dismissed the others.

"Fifth Brother, why not just let it go?" Zhang Chongchen suggested, glancing at the ground littered with wine.

"A promise must be kept. If I lose, I lose. How would people view our Heavenly Master Tao if we refuse to honor our bets?" Zhang Chonglou approached with a kindly expression.

Thud!

Liu Xuanji knelt in shame, "Master, I've brought shame upon you."

Zhang Chonglou wasn't angry in the slightest; instead, he laughed heartily, helping Liu Xuanji up, "Xuanji, it's no disgrace to lose to him. If you could beat him, perhaps the position of Sect Leader should be yours."

"Ah?" Liu Xuanji looked up, shocked at Zhang Chonglou, "Master, what do you mean?"

"Hehe, it means nothing. Just maintain a good relationship with Ye Guichen. The two of you aren't enemies, so there's no need for a life-and-death struggle. Especially when it comes to matters of the heart—who can interfere? If Fengying likes you, she'll stand by you no matter what. But if she doesn't, even if you're a Banished Immortal, can you win her heart? So, take it slow. If you truly like her, pursue her, don't just act recklessly."

He patted Liu Xuanji's shoulder, "Enough, I've said all I can. How you choose is up to you."

With that, he turned and left.

Gongsun Zhi glanced at Liu Xuanji but said nothing more, quickly following Zhang Chonglou, "Old fellow, how did that kid win just now?"

Zhang Chonglou turned back, looking at Gongsun Zhi with interest, "Why, are you no longer against Ye Guichen? Thinking of making him your grandson-in-law?"

Gongsun Zhi's old face reddened, "What nonsense are you talking? I just didn't expect that kid to be so powerful."

"Hehe, he probably only used thirty percent of his strength." Zhang Chonglou smiled faintly.

Gongsun Zhi's eyes widened, "Th-thirty percent strength, and he could defeat Liu Xuanji in one move? How strong is this kid?"

Zhang Chonglou said meaningfully, "Immeasurable."

When everyone left, the news that Ye Guichen was a master from a hidden aristocratic family spread unwittingly.

Especially those from other Taoist sects who didn't know Ye Guichen well became even more convinced of their suspicions.

No wonder Zhang Chonglou was so calm; he had invited a master from a hidden aristocratic family.

With such people, the Eternal Life Hall should be nothing to fear, right?

However, nobody noticed that during Liu Xuanji's trouble with Ye Guichen, a figure lingered in the dark corners.

That figure was Gong Cheng from the Medicine King Valley, who hadn't left.

"Kid, I didn't expect you to be so formidable! Hehe, but daring to stand against our Medicine King Valley and even stealing spiritual spring water, do you think you can sleep soundly?"

Gong Cheng's eyes fixed on Liu Xuanji, darting around like a predator watching its prey.

Feeling depressed, Liu Xuanji looked towards the door where Ye Guichen stood, hesitated for a moment, then picked up the baijiu and started drinking it down.

Though Liu Xuanji typically abstains from alcohol, his skills afford him some tolerance.

However, even with a high tolerance, after three bottles of baijiu, Liu Xuanji felt his body growing dizzy.

"Ye Guichen, you won today; I acknowledge it wholeheartedly! Yet, I, Liu Xuanji, will not rest until this matter is settled. Tomorrow, I will challenge you again!"

Gathering the remaining baijiu, "I'll drink the rest later. Don't worry. I always keep my word and won't cheat!"

He staggered away.

Zhang Chonglou's seven direct disciples didn't live there but resided at the highest peak of Qingcheng Mountain.

They carved out caves in the mountains like reclusive masters, considering them their training grounds.

Liu Xuanji had his cave as well.

Grabbing the remaining seven bottles of baijiu, Liu Xuanji began heading toward the mountaintop.

The path was uneven, and the drunken Liu Xuanji stumbled, nearly falling several times.

However, for the sake of his wager with Ye Guichen, every so often Liu Xuanji would sit down to drink, muttering non-stop, "I won't lose, I won't lose."

After walking for over ten minutes, he had left the buildings of Heavenly Master Tao behind him. The cold wind brought a chill from the ground.

The alcohol cleared a bit.

Feeling a sudden urge, Liu Xuanji put down the bottles and went behind a large tree to relieve himself.

Suddenly, Liu Xuanji sensed a murderous intent from behind.

Though drunk, as one of the seven disciples of Heavenly Master Tao, his innate alertness had him shift quickly to the side.

Swish!

A whistle of a sharp object followed, and an arrow pierced straight through the tree in front of Liu Xuanji.

Liu Xuanji shivered; the drink sobered him a lot.

He turned sharply, looking towards the direction the arrow was shot from, "Who's daring to ambush on the territory of the Heavenly Master Tao?"