The Rookie Competition Concludes

Seeing Su Luo finally defeated, the newcomers erupted in celebration.

Even the Sect Master couldn't help but smile.

"Perfect, perfect. This is the ending I wanted. Now I can subtly mock Su Luo in front of Little Yu," he thought.

The frustration that had built up over the past day was finally relieved.

The Sect Master now felt refreshed and invigorated.

Nangong Xiyun, however, saw right through the Sect Master's thoughts.

"I advise you not to invite trouble. You're just an old man—you can't compare to Su Luo," she said.

"I don't believe that," the Sect Master retorted.

Nangong Xiyun didn't argue further. She could already predict the outcome.

The newcomer competition continued, and the battles that followed were even more thrilling.

Lin Xuan, despite temporarily losing the use of one arm, still performed exceptionally.

In the semifinals, he continued to dominate his opponents, his combat prowess barely diminished by his injury.

In the finals, he fought with even greater ferocity, achieving the feat of turning the tide with a sliver of health left.

Many newcomers became Lin Xuan's fans on the spot, and those who didn't still saw him as their goal.

Standing on the stage, Lin Xuan raised a fist in victory, declaring his triumph.

This was the era of Lin Xuan.

Even those who were initially skeptical had no choice but to concede.

......

It wasn't until the competition ended that Su Luo finally woke up.

Earlier, he had secretly assured Little Yu that he was fine and told her not to worry, asking her to go back first.

He had some matters to attend to, and with Little Yu watching him so closely, it would be difficult to act.

Su Luo sprang up and made his way straight to Elder Yan Xi's quarters.

As soon as he entered, he broke down in tears.

"Elder, please, give me something stronger. Just one more powerful treasure. I need to take revenge!"

Elder Yan Xi put down what he was working on and shook his head. "Why must you do this?"

"I must kill Lin Xuan," Su Luo declared.

"Within the sect, it's unwise to speak of killing fellow disciples. It sets a bad example," Elder Yan Xi cautioned.

In the Seven Stars Sword Sect, heated words during sparring were one thing, but actually killing a fellow disciple was a grave offense, punishable by a fate worse than death. The sect strictly forbade such actions, except under extraordinary circumstances.

"Yes, Elder, but I..."

"Enough. Tell me, have you ever truly wanted to kill Lin Xuan?"

As Elder Yan Xi spoke, the pressure in the room intensified, leaving Su Luo trembling and speechless.

After a long pause, Su Luo gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, I want to kill him right now."

Elder Yan Xi shook his head again. "I don't sense that resolve in you. You're just unwilling to accept defeat."

"I have it, I do," Su Luo insisted.

"I have countless treasures to give, but I want you to understand that true strength comes from within," Elder Yan Xi said.

"Yes, I understand. So, Elder Yan Xi, are you going to give me a treasure this time?"

"It seems you still don't get it. Come back when you truly have the resolve to kill Lin Xuan," Elder Yan Xi said, turning away to continue his work.

"I really do have the resolve to kill him," Su Luo repeated.

But Elder Yan Xi ignored him.

"You don't even have the aura of killing intent. Don't misunderstand me—I need to see your determination. It's not about actually killing Lin Xuan, but that resolve will make you stronger. Come back when you truly have it, and I'll help you grow. For now, you may leave."

Without waiting for Su Luo to respond, Elder Yan Xi shooed him out.

No matter how much Su Luo begged, Elder Yan Xi remained unmoved.

Su Luo left, feeling like a stray dog.

But as he walked back, his mood gradually lightened, and he became as cheerful as a playful husky.

This bizarre chapter of the story was finally over. Though it had played out differently than before, it had concluded successfully.

Hooray.

Soon, he arrived at his residence.

When he opened the door, he saw Little Yu waiting for him, with the Sect Master standing beside her.

The sky had grown dim, and by this time, Little Yu should have already gone home.

But she had decided to stay and comfort Su Luo after his defeat.

The Sect Master, concerned for Little Yu, had stayed as well.

When they saw Su Luo, however, he was grinning from ear to ear, clearly in no need of comfort.

The Sect Master couldn't help but mock him. "Oh, you took so long to come back, and you're still so happy. Did something good happen?"

Little Yu, on the other hand, didn't ask any questions. She simply handed Su Luo a cup of tea. "You're back. Have some tea and rest."

Su Luo took the tea, wondering why the Sect Master was there.

Regardless, he knew he had to show respect.

"Sect Master," he greeted.

"Hmm, I watched your match earlier. You performed well. That treasure must have cost you dearly. What a shame it's broken," the Sect Master said.

"Yes, that damned Lin Xuan. I'll make him pay someday," Su Luo replied casually, humoring the Sect Master.

"Ha, we're all part of the same sect. No need for such hostility," the Sect Master said.

"Yes," Su Luo replied.

The Sect Master wanted to continue mocking Su Luo, but Little Yu spoke first.

"Su Luo, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I told you not to worry, so don't worry," Su Luo said.

"That's good. I'll get stronger and fight Lin Xuan with you," Little Yu said.

Though Little Yu had improved rapidly, she was still no match for Lin Xuan.

The Sect Master wasn't pleased. How could Little Yu still support Su Luo after his poor performance in the match? It made no sense.

"Su Luo, don't lead Little Yu astray," the Sect Master said.

"Yes, I won't," Su Luo replied.

"Master, Su Luo has never led me astray," Little Yu said.

The Sect Master had had enough. Little Yu kept defending Su Luo. What was so great about this guy?

"Su Luo, I'll be direct. I can give you any weapon, treasure, or pill you want, but on one condition: you must leave Little Yu," the Sect Master said.

"Your performance has been disappointing. You don't train, you rely on treasures at critical moments, and you lost to Lin Xuan. I see no redeeming qualities in you. If Little Yu stays with you, it will ruin her..."

The Sect Master poured out everything he had been holding back. If it weren't for Little Yu, he would have said it sooner.

"Stop scolding me, stop scolding me. I don't want anything. I'll leave Little Yu," Su Luo said.

Turning to Little Yu, he said, "Little Yu, though we haven't known each other long, you're a good person. Our paths must part here. I'm sorry, but I'm not worthy of you."

Su Luo had long prepared himself for this moment. Their paths were too different, and parting ways was inevitable.

The Sect Master was stunned. He had agreed just like that? He had expected more resistance. Even as the Sect Master, Su Luo shouldn't have given up on Little Yu so easily. He was right to look down on him.

"You have no backbone. What a coward," the Sect Master muttered, unable to help himself.

Little Yu froze for a moment, then quickly reacted. She turned to the Sect Master and said,

"Master, though we haven't known each other long, you're a good master. Our paths must part here. I'm sorry, but I'm not worthy of you."

With that, she stood by Su Luo's side.

Little Yu simply thought that if her master wouldn't allow her to be with Su Luo, then she had no choice but to end their master-disciple relationship.

In her heart, Su Luo had become an irreplaceable figure since that rainy day in the forest.

"You... you're serious?" the Sect Master asked, struggling to process what had just happened.

As the Sect Master, he had just been unceremoniously cut off by his own disciple?

"Yes," Little Yu said with utmost seriousness.