The Nine Peaks Duel Begins: Old Xiao's First Battle

The heavens smiled upon them—today was a radiant, sunlit day.

At the foot of the Qingyuan Main Peak, caravans from various factions stretched in grand processions, like rivers converging into the sea, with stewards maintaining order everywhere.

A grand spectacle.

Everywhere, the majesty of the Purple Sun Prefecture’s leading sect was on full display.

"So lively?" Li Mo lifted the carriage curtain, surveying the scene outside.

He had only ventured down the mountain once for a mission and had yet to truly step into the jianghu.

Old Ba, who was driving the carriage, chuckled:

"The Qingyuan Sect’s Nine Peaks Tournament is a stage for our younger generation to showcase their strength. Naturally, the surrounding minor sects, as well as the other two major sects, will send representatives to observe."

"I see."

Li Mo nodded, now understanding why the Nine Peaks Tournament drew such a crowd.

Newcomers replaced the old—the younger generation would eventually become the sect’s backbone, representing its future strength.

Strength dictated status, determining how other sects would position themselves in the years to come.

Moreover, not long ago, the Qingyuan Sect had witnessed a celestial phenomenon—a sky ablaze with radiant light.

Many had come with the intent to probe the truth behind it.

As he spoke, Old Ba pointed ahead:

"That’s the delegation from the Blazing Jade Forest, led by one of their six chief elders."

Li Mo followed his gaze.

The Blazing Jade Forest’s group was small—barely a dozen people—but their presence was anything but modest. The disciples were dressed in exquisite attire, their weapons all renowned artifacts, setting them apart from the minor sect disciples around them.

At the forefront stood a white-robed disciple with his hands clasped behind his back, an air of faint arrogance in his expression.

"The Blazing Jade Forest lies to the west of the Purple Sun Prefecture, bordering the Central Divine Land. Some of their disciples come from distinguished backgrounds," Old Ba explained.

"What about over there?" Li Mo asked again.

Old Ba glanced over and grinned:

"That’s the Crimson Whale Gang."

"They’re the largest gang in the Purple Sun Prefecture, and even rank among the top in the Eastern Wasteland Domain. On the surface, they’re the weakest of the three major factions, but their waters run deep—full of hidden currents."

The Crimson Whale Gang’s side was far livelier.

They had ties, big or small, with the minor sects, leading to clusters of greetings and small talk.

Li Mo nodded slightly, narrowing his eyes.

Their leader was a Crimson Whale Gang helmsman, but what caught Li Mo’s attention wasn’t him—it was the blood-robed youth by his side.

There was something unsettling about the young man.

But before Li Mo could activate his Heavenly Fate Divine Eye, a familiar figure blocked his view.

The Purple Sun Prefecture Lord.

The lord, whom Li Mo had met once before, was now conversing with the helmsman.

The carriage moved again.

Soon, they reached the halfway point up the Qingyuan Main Peak.

"Good luck, my precious disciple."

Shang Wu stretched lazily before leaping gracefully onto the high platform.

There, the peak elders were already seated, with additional spots reserved for the visiting observers from other sects.

Shangguan Wencang sat at the center, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

When his eyes landed on Ying Bing, they gleamed with deep expectation.

It wasn’t just the sect master watching.

Many pairs of eyes turned their way at that moment.

Ying Bing—Shangguan Wencang’s sole disciple, the acknowledged successor to the Qingyuan Sect, a peerless talent among her generation.

With such dazzling accolades, coupled with her aloof, snow-lotus demeanor, it was impossible for her to go unnoticed.

"?"

Li Mo frowned.

His senses were sharp—he could feel the hostility in many gazes, as if he were a thorn in their sides.

After all, he was the only one standing beside Ying Bing.

And he had even been granted the Scarlet Dawn, a sword meant to pair with her Frost Sky.

Facing those stares, Li Mo smirked:

"Ying Bing, I brought some tea. Care for a cup?"

"Very well."

Ying Bing adored tea, regardless of its quality.

Her slender hands took the tea set, and she began brewing with practiced ease—swift yet graceful, like a painting come to life, mesmerizing more than a few onlookers.

"Tsk."

Li Mo picked up a small cup of Longjing tea.

The glares grew even sharper—if looks could kill, he’d have been riddled with holes by now.

He took a satisfied sip and praised:

"Still, yours tastes the best."

Just then, the voice of the Qingyuan Sect Master rang out:

"Today, for the Nine Peaks Tournament, I’ll keep my words brief."

"Esteemed colleagues, heroes and warriors, this gathering of our Qingyuan Sect has several key points..."

......

An hour later.

The aged voice on the platform finally slowed, as if reluctant to stop.

Turns out, the sect master’s usual silence was just him saving all his words for this moment.

"Very well, that’s enough."

Shangguan Wencang gave a slight nod, signaling the next segment.

Mainly because, if he kept talking, most of the audience would be dozing off.

Next was the drawing of lots.

Qian Bufan had the stewards collect all participating disciples’ waist tokens and toss them into a bronze ox statue. With a strike to its back, he channeled his energy.

A metallic clatter echoed as the ox spat out two tokens.

He glanced at them and announced:

"Xiao Qin versus Xie Lan’ai."

The first match was Senior Brother Xiao?

Li Mo turned his gaze to the stage.

Xiao Qin’s aura was stronger than when they’d last met—clearly, his martial arts had advanced. With a broken sword strapped to his back and an unyielding demeanor, he exuded a rugged determination.

His opponent was no pushover either.

The woman had delicate features, but her high cheekbones lent her already frosty expression an added sharpness.

Li Mo activated his Heavenly Fate Divine Eye to observe.

[Name: Xie Lan’ai]

[Age: 23]

[Root Bone: Plum-Snapping Hand]

[Realm: Jade Liquid Stage (Internal Breath)]

[Fate: Green tinged with gray]

[Evaluation: True disciple of the Falling Mist Peak, a future candidate to inherit the peak. Prone to love’s extremes, her nature makes her susceptible to venomous obsession.]

[Recent Events: Learned that Yin Huacheng, the senior she admires, desires the Scarlet Dawn Sword—now plotting to seize Frost Sky.]

Bad luck for Xiao Qin.

"Yin Huacheng wants my Scarlet Dawn?"

Li Mo raised an eyebrow.

He recalled that the elder of the Rare Beasts Peak bore the surname Yin Hua.

A single "Begin!" marked the start of the duel.

Xiao Qin knew that against an opponent a full realm above him, prolonged combat was unwise.

Whoosh—

His massive sword flashed into his grip. As he swung, the broken edges seemed to mend, the blade’s aura swelling severalfold.

A thunderous opening move.

The crushing sword light descended.

Xie Lan’ai’s eyes flickered with surprise, yet she neither dodged nor countered.

Instead, the soft sword at her waist coiled around her arm like a silver serpent.

She didn’t retreat or strike—she closed the distance.

Xiao Qin’s pupils constricted.

He couldn’t fathom her actions.

Even with a higher cultivation, was she really arrogant enough to face his blade with her bare body?

But the next instant.

Xie Lan’ai’s form turned supple, drifting like scattered leaves in the wind—utterly elusive.

Xiao Qin’s greatsword met no resistance, as if striking cotton.

Then—cold light flashed before his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, the serpentine blade had twisted along an uncanny trajectory, darting toward his face!

In her hands, the soft sword seemed alive.

The crowd gasped.

This was none other than the renowned "Serpent Sword Art" of the Falling Mist Peak—a superior martial technique.

And Xie Lan’ai had mastered it to perfection.