Chapter 2002: Zhang Xuan Emerges from Seclusion

"This..."Bai Feng was speechless when he heard the Old Master confirm it.

When he thought about it that way, it perfectly fit the description!Miss had clearly gone to cause trouble, but instead, she willingly cooperated with Zhang Xuan in putting on a show. After returning, she learned the "I'm Very Low-Key" sword art and became unrivaled among the core disciples.This "Zhang Xuan" had even produced medicine capable of curing the Old Master...It had been less than a day since he entered the Lingyun Sword Pavilion, and within that day, someone comprehended a Divine Sword Intent, and someone else challenged the entire inner sect...Upon careful consideration, all signs pointed to him; there was no denying it!

"Don't rush to spread the word. Whether it's him or not, we still need to test him out..."Elder Bai Ye's telepathic message paused, "I'll go personally!""Yes, Old Master!" Bai Feng nodded.

Their recent conversation had been entirely telepathic, so the elder opposite them was unaware."You two don't want to get involved?"Seeing them continuously communicating telepathically and ignoring him, the elder grew even more furious, almost exploding.

"Of course we'll get involved. Let's go take a look first..."Elder Bai Ye motioned to Bai Feng, who retrieved two spirit-connecting jade tokens for core disciples. With a mental command, they simultaneously entered the Spirit-Connecting Hall.Core elders, when entering the core disciples' Spirit-Connecting Hall, also used disguises, just like Elder Mu and the others before them, so outsiders couldn't tell who they were.

By then, the venue for the combat had changed to the arena for public matches.Core disciples had also received the news and were gathering in increasing numbers; there were already dozens of them below the stage, plus elders who had quietly come to observe, all with different names, so no one knew exactly who was who.At this moment, Bai Ruanqing was battling Mo Xiangyun, who ranked fifth.

Mo Xiangyun, like her, was also a female disciple, but her appearance was slightly less refined, and she was unkempt. Her build was tall and powerful, even more imposing than most men.Without hearing her name, one might easily mistake her for a man.Not only her appearance, but her techniques also resembled those of men; her swordplay was broad and forceful, exuding an axe-like deterrent power.

"Let's begin!"As both stood ready, Mo Xiangyun wasted no time. Her body advanced like a tank, crushing forward, while her long sword simultaneously descended with a furious chop!Her sword was unlike ordinary ones, seven feet long and of unknown weight. When it struck down, the air produced a sonic boom, as if it could tear apart at any moment.

Bai Ruanqing dared not meet it head-on. She horizontally held her long sword to block the first attack, then, with a flip of her palm, a technique shot through the air, heading straight for her opponent.These two moves were currently her strongest. Other techniques, when facing someone of the top-five caliber, could be easily countered and might even put her at a disadvantage. Therefore, she used them directly, holding nothing back.

"Heh, that move won't work on me!"Mo Xiangyun sharply raised her long sword.*Clang!*The projectile was blocked, and Bai Ruanqing quickly retreated, gasping for breath.As expected of a top-five expert, each possessed their own unique ultimate moves, which she couldn't defeat with just a superficial understanding.Moreover, her opponent had seen her previous battles and was prepared.

"Dare you wait for me here for a moment... I'll fight you again in a bit?" Knowing these two moves weren't enough to defeat her, Bai Ruanqing paused and said."Alright..."Mo Xiangyun nodded.Her opponent had done this before; it was only a few minutes, so she could wait.Cupping her fist and bowing, Bai Ruanqing transformed into a speck of light, vanishing from the arena. The next moment, she reappeared in her courtyard.

"Junior Brother Xiaotian, quickly teach me a couple of moves..."She shouted as soon as she exited her room, then saw a figure and her face flushed with embarrassment, "Martial Uncle!"The person who appeared before her was none other than Zhang Xuan!His cultivation had just successfully advanced to the peak of the False Immortal realm... He had emerged from seclusion!

"What's going on?"Zhang Xuan frowned.Why was this woman in his courtyard? And asking Shan Xiaotian to teach her sword art?

"I was using the sword techniques Martial Uncle taught me... to spar with someone in the core Spirit-Connecting Hall..." Her face reddened, Bai Ruanqing explained the situation in detail.After she finished, Zhang Xuan looked at her, "Did you make a bet?""No..."With a bewildered expression, Bai Ruanqing shook her head.*I'm talking about sparring with your sword techniques, and you're asking me about betting... What the heck?*

"If there's no bet, what's the point of sparring?" Zhang Xuan lamented, as if disappointed.He had originally planned to find an opportunity to enter the core area and make another killing... But this person was doing great; she didn't even place a bet!How could they have any fun?

Seeing his expression, Bai Ruanqing's face twitched.All this time, she had thought that "I'm Very Low-Key" was genuinely low-key, a true master who regarded fame and fortune as fleeting clouds... After all this time, he was such a money-grubber!*My match was just to test out my sword techniques. How did it turn into me trying to steal money in your eyes?**Does the granddaughter of a distinguished elder need to steal money?*

"Do you have any more core spirit-connecting jade tokens? Give me one; I'll go challenge someone... Oh, right, are all core disciples very rich?"Ignoring her dismay, Zhang Xuan asked.It was better to confirm beforehand.

"Yes..." Bai Ruanqing covered her forehead.As core members of the Lingyun Sword Pavilion, even the weakest among them had reached the False Immortal realm. Their wealth was certainly incomparable to that of inner sect disciples.

"That's good. Where's the spirit-connecting jade token?"Zhang Xuan extended his hand."The minimum requirement to enter the core disciples' Spirit-Connecting Hall is the early stage of the False Immortal realm, meaning... if you're not at that level, you can't enter..."Seeing him ask for the token, Bai Ruanqing hesitated.His cultivation, during the match a little over two hours ago, was only at the peak of the Spirit Severing realm. To enter the core disciples' Spirit-Connecting Hall, one needed to be at the early stage of the False Immortal realm, which was clearly not enough!

"It's fine, I've already broken through..."Zhang Xuan subtly shifted his body, and the aura within him surged forth."False Immortal realm... peak?"Bai Ruanqing nearly fainted.*When Old Man Feng besieged him at the foot of the mountain, wasn't he at the peak of the Spirit Severing realm? In just a little over an hour, he reached the peak of the False Immortal realm, advancing an entire major level... How did he do it?**Even with pills, it shouldn't be this fast!*

"Young Master is mighty!"Cao Chengli's eyes gleamed from the side, and Shan Xiaotian's fists clenched.They had always known that Young Master (or Teacher) was powerful, but they never expected him to be this strong."Young Master, with such rapid progress and brilliant sword arts, you'll definitely defeat that blockhead 'I'm Very Low-Key'!"After a moment of excitement, Cao Chengli said.He had always heard how incredible "I'm Very Low-Key" was, but no matter how incredible, could he surpass the Young Master?In less than a day, he had advanced from the peak of the Spirit Severing realm to the peak of the False Immortal realm...There was no such powerful existence even in the Lingyun Sword Pavilion!

No sooner had he finished his lament than he felt a sharp pain on his face again, spinning two full turns from a punch. He hurriedly looked up and saw the Young Master, his face as black as the bottom of a pot: "Just now, I saw you use your right foot when entering the door, violating my rules, so you deserve a beating!""The left foot breaks the rules, and the right foot breaks them too?"Cao Chengli's vision went black, and he nearly cried.*The left foot can't enter, and the right foot can't enter either. How am I supposed to enter the door then...?*

"Let's go!"Too lazy to bother with this bandit whose head was full of women and no serious matters, Zhang Xuan and Bai Ruanqing returned to the room. With a touch of a finger, blood entered the jade token, and their consciousnesses vanished from the spot, reappearing moments later in the core disciples' Spirit-Connecting Hall.

"Last time, the name 'I'm Very Low-Key' caused a huge commotion. The Lingyun Sword Pavilion must have investigated, so this name can't be used again..." Zhang Xuan paused, standing still, deep in thought."I'm Very Low-Key" had challenged the entire inner sect and turned everything upside down, so that name definitely couldn't reappear. Therefore, he had to think of a new nickname.

"Nicknames are hard to choose, and 'low-key' can't be used. It seems I can only leverage my own advantages..."After much deliberation, unsure of what name to choose, he finally made a decision moments later: "I'll call myself 'I'm Very Handsome'... While it's not as low-key, it's the truth and not a lie!"He nodded with satisfaction.The name "I'm Very Low-Key" had been his most preferred, perfectly expressing his mindset and desires, but "I'm Very Handsome" also fit his temperament and was acceptable.

Bai Ruanqing, standing to the side, saw him choose this nickname and once again covered her forehead...*Brother... Can we pick something nicer, something more modest?**Can you stop being so shameless...?*

With an embarrassed expression, she entered the Spirit-Connecting Hall and arrived at the sparring venue."I'm currently sparring with Mo Xiangyun, what should I do?"As she walked, Bai Ruanqing transmitted her thoughts.She hadn't learned anything new and had returned; she definitely wasn't her opponent's match.

"It's simple. Make a bet with your opponent. The loser has to give you all their Sword Pavilion Coins... Then, I'll guide you on how to perform your sword techniques to win!"Zhang Xuan transmitted his thoughts."Guide? Guide me during the match?"Bai Ruanqing's mouth twitched.*Battles change in an instant; by then, guiding me would be too late, wouldn't it?**Even a super expert of my grandfather's caliber wouldn't dare do that. Are you sure if we do this... I won't be killed?**Normally, being killed isn't a big deal, as I've killed plenty myself... But if I lose the bet, I'll be completely broke!*

"Exactly!" Zhang Xuan nodded, "Go on, you won't lose...""...Alright!"Unsure if listening to him was right or wrong, Bai Ruanqing could only grit her teeth, lifted her foot, and walked back to the arena.

"Since you're back, let's continue..."Mo Xiangyun nodded, and her long sword once again let out a soft hum."Hold on a moment..."Seeing her Martial Uncle's determined gaze from below the stage, Bai Ruanqing bit her lip tightly: "Since we're sparring, I'd like to make a bet!"

"A bet?"Mo Xiangyun frowned."That's right... If I win, you give me all the Sword Pavilion Coins you have! If I lose... I'll give you all the Sword Pavilion Coins I have!"Bai Ruanqing's face flushed.Although she didn't dare disobey her Martial Uncle's words, actually saying them out loud felt really embarrassing!

"Bet all your money?" Mo Xiangyun's eyes widened, "Are you trying to rob me?""Um..." Bai Ruanqing nodded, "Something like that!""Your granddaughter... has she gone crazy from lack of money?"The elder who had accompanied Elder Bai Ye turned to look at the other elder, who ranked among the top three in the entire sect."Uh..."Elder Bai Ye was also stunned.Betting money during a match, and in front of... so many people... Was this really his obedient, filial granddaughter?