A max-level player in Jade Dynasty: Awakening the Innate Dao at the start.

When Qi Hao turned around, his fist was clenched so tightly in his sleeve that his knuckles were white.

Those three words, "Tian Ling'er," were like three nails, piercing through the refined demeanor he had maintained for so many years.

He could feel the gazes behind him—curious, those watching his misfortune, those gloating…

The face of the chief disciple of Dragon Head Peak was shattered beyond repair by the red-clothed girl's single word, "pervert."

But the more he did this, the more fiercely the fire in his heart burned.

He didn't blame Tian Ling'er. What did a sixteen-year-old girl know?

It must be that bastard Zhang Xiaofan who has been badmouthing her a lot these past two years, that's why she has this prejudice.

Qi Hao walked back to the front of the group at Longshou Peak, his back ramrod straight.

His usual gentle smile returned to his face, as if the embarrassment from just now had never happened.

Only the closest junior disciples could see the icy glint in his eyes.

"Senior brother..." someone whispered.

"It's nothing," Qi Hao said calmly. "The Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament will let the true test on the arena."

He spoke casually, but he was secretly plotting something.

We must defeat Zhang Xiaofan in front of Tian Ling'er in a fair and square manner.

She needs to see for herself who is truly worthy of her attention.

That slap I received two years ago, let's settle it all at once.

In the distance, on the other side of Dazhu Peak, Tian Ling'er had already turned back.

She was talking to Zhang Xiaofan, her profile bathed in a soft glow from the setting sun.

As Qi Hao watched the scene, his heart felt like it had been violently clenched.

He took a deep breath and looked away.

Little Gray came running back at that moment.

A gray shadow swept over the crowd and landed squarely on Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder.

The monkey had barely steadied itself when a figure came close behind.

He was a young disciple dressed in the clothes of Feng Huifeng, looking about seventeen or eighteen years old, with thick black eyebrows and frighteningly bright eyes.

His eyes were fixed on Little Gray, and he muttered to himself:

"A three-eyed monkey...it really is a three-eyed monkey!"

The strange beasts recorded in "Tales of Gods and Demons" actually came to life in my life!

Zhang Xiaofan turned to the side, shielding Xiao Hui behind him.

The young disciple then raised his head, and upon seeing Zhang Xiaofan, his eyes lit up even more:

"Senior brother, is this monkey yours?"

"Yes."

"How were you tamed? The three-eyed monkey is very proud."

"I'd rather die than be a slave. The book says only by making friends with sincerity can one..."

"I didn't tame it," Zhang Xiaofan interrupted him. "We're friends."

The young disciple was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized what he meant and clapped his hands vigorously:

"Wonderful! Treating each other as friends, interacting with sincerity! Senior brother is a master!"

He cupped his hands in greeting: "Zeng Shushu of Feng Huifeng greets Senior Brother."

"Zhang Xiaofan of Dazhu Peak".

When the two greeted each other, Xiao Hui poked its head out from behind Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder and bared its teeth at Zeng Shushu.

Zeng Shushu was not afraid at all; on the contrary, he reached out with great interest to touch it.

The little gray paws moved with lightning speed, swishing across the target in a flash—

Zeng Shushu flicked his wrist, dodging the monkey's claws with such speed that it left a blur.

Zhang Xiaofan's eyes flickered.

At the seventh level of Jade Purity, his movements are quite agile.

"That was close!"

Zeng Shushu patted his chest, looking terrified.

"If my incredibly handsome face gets scratched up, how many senior and junior sisters will be heartbroken and shed tears?"

Tian Ling'er burst out laughing.

Zeng Shushu then noticed her, his eyes lighting up again. He was about to speak when...

From the Xiaozhu Peak group in the distance, Lu Xueqi glanced in this direction.

His gaze was calm and indifferent, but Zhang Xiaofan understood the meaning behind it:

The monkey ran away on its own; I didn't chase it away.

He nodded to Lu Xueqi, indicating that he understood.

Zeng Shushu followed his gaze and gasped when she saw Lu Xueqi.

He lowered his voice: "Zhang Xiaofan, do you know Lu Xueqi?"

"We've only met once."

"You met her once and she nodded at you?"

Zeng Shushu gave her a strange look. "Do you know how many people are desperate to even say a word to her?"

Zhang Xiaofan didn't respond to that question, but instead asked, "Senior Brother Zeng seems to know a lot about spirit beasts?"

Mentioning this, Zeng Shushu immediately perked up.

He talked endlessly about everything from the habits of the three-eyed monkey to the strange and exotic beasts recorded in "Tales of Gods and Demons".

He got so excited that he started gesturing wildly, and the disciples of Dazhu Peak couldn't help but gather around to listen.

Song Daren whispered to Zhang Xiaofan:

"The only son of Uncle Zeng Chang of Feng Hui Peak, he is known for his love of strange and unusual things."

Just then, a deafening drumbeat came from the direction of Tongtian Peak.

The drums sounded nine times, the sound so loud it shook the mountains.

All the talking in the square suddenly stopped, and thousands of disciples raised their heads at the same time to look at the white jade platform.

Seven figures descended from the sky and landed on the high platform.

Dao Xuan Zhenren stood in the very center, with three people on each side, who were the heads of the seven lineages of Qingyun Sect.

The moment the seven people stood still, an immense pressure swept across the entire square like a tidal wave, making it difficult for people to even breathe.

Dao Xuan took a step forward, his black Daoist robe remaining perfectly still in the wind.

"The 234th Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament of Qingyun Sect begins—"

The sound wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to every corner of the square, as if it were ringing right next to your ears.

Thousands of disciples bowed in unison, their shouts shaking the heavens and the earth.

"Greetings, Sect Leader! Greetings, Esteemed Masters!"

Dao Xuan raised his hand, signaling everyone to stand up.

Next was Zhao Li's opening speech, recounting the history of the Qingyun Sect.

It is our responsibility to uphold the right path, and to make friends through martial arts and improve through mutual learning.

Dao Xuan spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice possessing a convincing power.

The disciples below the stage stood at attention and listened attentively, even the most unruly Zeng Shushu stood ramrod straight.

After the speech, eight elite disciples from Tongtian Peak leaped onto the high platform to begin the sword-worshiping ceremony.

Eight longswords were drawn simultaneously, their light weaving into a net that gleamed in the sunlight.

The sword moves are ancient and grand, each move carrying the essence of the Qingyun Sword Technique.

The young disciples below the stage were dazzled by the spectacle, while the older generation nodded frequently.

Zhang Xiaofan was also watching, but his mind wasn't entirely on the sword dance.

He was observing Dao Xuan, observing how the aura of this Taiqing Realm sect leader flowed.

That state of perfect harmony, seemingly resonating subtly with heaven and earth, is a realm he has yet to reach.

Just as his attention wavered slightly, and his grip on the fire poker at his waist loosened a little—

A red light flashed on the surface of the fire poker.

It was very faint and brief, like a candle flame flickering in the wind.

But that one blink was enough.

The pool exploded.

It wasn't the kind of explosion where water splashes everywhere; the water from the entire pool shot skyward, transforming into a water column tens of meters high.

A deafening roar came from the water column, the sound waves seemingly pushing the air apart, making the ears of the disciples near the pool ring painfully.

A green shadow broke through the water.

It is ten zhang long, with scales as hard as iron, a single horn on its head, and eyes as big as copper bells—it is the treasure of Qingyun Sect, the Water Qilin.

But at this moment, the Spirit Lord was nothing like his usual docile self.

Their eyes were bloodshot, white breath was coming out of their nostrils, and their four hooves were pounding the air as they charged straight at the group of disciples!

The target is very clear: it's Dazhu Peak!

"The Spirit Lord has gone berserk!"

"Get back!"

Screams erupted, and the crowd descended into chaos.

The disciples in front were desperately pushing and shoving to the back, while those behind hadn't even had time to react.

During the scuffle, someone fell down, and the scene was on the verge of getting out of control.

On the high platform, the expressions of the six chief ministers all changed.

Master Cangsong had already taken half a step forward, his Crimson Flame Sword poised to strike.

But Dao Xuan was faster than him.

Without using a sword or performing any hand seals, Dao Xuan Zhenren's figure vanished directly from the high platform.

In the next instant, he was already standing between the Spirit Lord and his disciples, less than ten feet away from the raging divine beast.

When the Spirit Lord saw someone blocking his way, he roared even more fiercely and charged forward with his head down!

The unicorn ripped through the air, emitting a sharp whistling sound!

Dao Xuan raised his palm.

A blue light emanated from his palm, transforming into a circular light shield with a diameter of three zhang (approximately 10 meters).

The light shield was as thin as a cicada's wing, with runes flowing across its surface, making it look extremely fragile.

But at the very moment the Spirit Lord crashed into him—

"boom!!!"

The shockwave exploded, sending dozens of disciples flying.

But the azure light shield remained completely still, without even a slight tremor.

The Spirit Lord's ten-zhang-long body crashed into the light shield as if it had hit a mountain, and blinding sparks erupted where the horn made contact with the light shield.

The white jade ground beneath Dao Xuan's feet cracked with fine, spiderweb-like lines, yet he himself didn't even flinch.

One hand.

With just one hand, he stopped the raging, ancient divine beast.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Even a terrified scream got stuck in my throat.

Thousands of eyes were fixed on the figure in black, on the hand that held up the shield of azure light.

Only one thought remained in my mind:

What level of cultivation is that?

The Spirit Lord, blocked by the light shield, became even more agitated, kicking its four hooves wildly in an attempt to break through the barrier.

Dao Xuan then withdrew his light shield, took half a step back, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards the Spirit Venerable:

"Amitabha Buddha."

The four words, spoken calmly, carried a power that could penetrate directly into one's soul.

The Spirit Lord stopped moving.

His crimson eyes stared at Dao Xuan, his nose twitching as if trying to discern something.

After a long while, the bloodshot in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by confusion, and then... apprehension.

It let out a low growl, its voice no longer ferocious, but rather hesitant.

Dao Xuan cupped his hands in greeting again, turned around, and walked back to the high platform step by step.

His steps were unhurried, as if he had just casually swatted away a fly.

The Spirit Lord stood there for a while, shook his head, and then turned and jumped back into the pool.

When it entered the water, it barely splashed, as docile as a domesticated dog.

The danger was over, but the atmosphere in the square had changed.

The disciples, still shaken, returned to their original positions, their gazes towards the platform now filled with awe, a deep and profound reverence.

That scene was so amazing—one hand blocked the divine beast!

The rampage of the millennium-old spirit was resolved so easily; is this something a human could do?

The leaders of each lineage exchanged glances, with Master Cangsong's expression being particularly solemn.

They were closer, so they could see more clearly.

The strength that Dao Xuan just displayed has exceeded their understanding of the "peak of the Shangqing Realm".

Only Tian Buyi's lips curled up almost imperceptibly.

He already knew.

Zhang Xiaofan stood in the Dazhu Peak team, his palms sweating profusely.

He clearly sensed it the instant the Spirit Lord rushed over—

A faint trace of the evil energy emanating from the fire poker leaked out.

But for a divine beast like the Spirit Lord, it was as glaring as a tiny spark in the darkness.

He immediately used all his strength to suppress it, sealing the malevolent energy of the Bloodthirsty Bead and the Soul-Sealing Staff back into place.

But the Spirit Lord has already gone berserk.

Fortunately, there was Dao Xuan.

Zhang Xiaofan looked up at the high platform and at the dark-clad figure who had returned to the center.

That palm strike just now, with its effortless, natural, and effortless Daoist charm,

This gave him a more direct understanding of the three words "Taiqing Realm".

That's not a difference in quantity, it's a qualitative leap.

Like an ant looking at a mountain, you might think the mountain is just a bunch of big rocks.

But upon closer inspection, it became clear that it belonged to another world entirely.

The fire poker was slightly hot on the belt, as if it were a warning, or perhaps a provocation.

Zhang Xiaofan pressed it down and took a deep breath.

The hidden dangers remain.

And it's more complicated than I thought.

On the high platform, Dao Xuan Zhenren surveyed the entire audience, his voice still as steady as ever:

"The little incident is over. Now, the Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament officially begins—"

The sound of drums rang out again.

This time, the drumbeats were rapid and frequent, like the bugle call before a battle.