If I stay in the Hehuan Sect, I'll live off the pampered daughters of the Heavenly Pride Sect.

At dawn, the sky over Qingquan Peak was still not fully bright.

The mountain mist seemed real, seeping into one's bones with its dampness.

The air was filled with a cool, pine scent, and... a scream like a pig being slaughtered.

"ah--!!"

A mournful cry pierced the sky, startling a flock of birds roosting in the woods.

If the sound were even more tragic, some people might think that Qingquan Peak had been massacred by demonic cultivators.

Unfortunately, there were no demonic cultivators.

There was only one more terrifying than the demonic cultivators—Second Senior Sister.

An open area in front of the woods on the back hill.

Wenren Ji was in a bizarre, twisted position, suspended in mid-air by a long whip with barbs.

His already pale face was now as white as freshly plastered paint.

Sweat dripped down his messy bangs and shattered on the bluestone slab with a "plop".

And not far from him.

Mo Chengyue wasn't much better off.

He was in a horse stance, with a large cauldron filled with boiling oil on his head and red-hot plum blossom stakes under his feet.

Her legs were shaking so rhythmically, like an electrified sieve.

"Second...Second Senior Sister..."

Mo Chengyue grimaced, feeling his thigh muscles undergoing mitosis.

"Aren't we... going a bit too far?"

"fierce?"

Qin Wanzhuang sat in a grand chair, holding a cup of still steaming spiritual tea in her hand.

She gently blew away the foam, without even lifting her eyelids.

"Compared to Xiao Ji's 'wonderful' performance on the stage yesterday, this level of intensity is nothing."

"Shameful."

Qin Wanzhuang put down her teacup with a crisp sound, which startled the large cauldron on Mo Chengyue's head, causing it to shake three times.

She stood up, took a long stride, and walked a few steps to Wenren Ji, who was hanging there.

"Have you figured it out?"

Qin Wanzhuang's voice was cold, even colder than the morning mist.

Why did we lose yesterday?

Wenren Ji raised his head with difficulty, his eyes filled with a hint of stubbornness and confusion.

"Because... the lime powder was blown back..."

His voice was hoarse, as if he had swallowed two pounds of sand.

"And... the chili powder wasn't spicy enough..."

boom!

Qin Wanzhuang retaliated with a sharp rap on the head, making Wenren Ji's head buzz.

"idiot!"

"Should we also get you a blower? And add some arsenic?"

Qin Wanzhuang laughed in anger, her perfect figure outlined by her black outfit now exuding a suffocating sense of oppression.

She grabbed Wenren Ji by the collar and put him down.

Wenren Ji staggered to the ground, and before he could stand up, Qin Wanzhuang kicked him in the back of the knee.

thump.

Kneel on one knee.

"Look at me."

Qin Wanzhuang looked down at him, her phoenix eyes burning with a flame of disappointment.

"Xiao Ji, you are a sword cultivator."

"What is a swordsman? Unyielding and relentless, charging forward without fear!"

"Look at the way you were yesterday, what did you look like?"

"Like a petty, cunning scoundrel!"

Wenren Ji bit his lip and remained silent.

But her eyes were red.

He wasn't feeling wronged, he was feeling ashamed.

He wanted to win, to win fair and square, but his strength wouldn't allow it.

Qin Wanzhuang seemed to see through his thoughts, and her tone softened slightly, but it was still sharp.

"I know, it was your third senior brother who led you astray."

Mo Chengyue, who was cosplaying as a "human candlestick" next to him: ? ? ?

"Senior sister, I'm not taking the blame for this! I did it for..."

"Shut up."

Qin Wanzhuang shot her a sharp glare, "You'll settle your score later."

She turned her head and continued to stare at Wenren Ji.

"Xiao San's theory is indeed useful in the Qi Refining stage, and even in the early Foundation Establishment stage."

"Sprinkling lime, gouging eyes, kicking groin..."

"A surprise attack, a comeback victory against a higher-level opponent—sounds awesome, right?"

Qin Wanzhuang gave a cold laugh.

She extended a long, slender, white finger, and a dazzling golden light suddenly shone from the tip.

That was the protective aura of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator.

Solid, substantial, and flawless.

"Come."

Qin Wanzhuang said calmly.

"Use all the hidden weapons and poison powder you have on you to attack me."

"No need to hold back."

Wenren Ji was stunned for a moment.

"Senior sister, this..."

"Let's do it!"

Qin Wanzhuang let out a low shout, her voice booming like thunder.

Wenren Ji was startled and subconsciously pulled out the only remaining packet of specially made "Blood-Sealing Powder" from his pocket.

With a gritted tooth, he threw it out with all his might!

The bright green poisonous powder exploded in the air, instantly enveloping Qin Wanzhuang.

however.

next second.

Om-!

Qin Wanzhuang didn't move at all; only her protective aura trembled slightly.

A faint crimson halo suddenly burst forth from her body.

It was a protective barrier formed purely from spiritual energy, and it also carried a trace of the scorching heat of the blazing sun sword intent.

All the poisonous powder that came into contact with the golden light instantly felt like ice and snow meeting lava.

Zizizi!

A wisp of blue smoke rose up.

The poison powder was vaporized instantly, leaving not a trace!

Not even a speck of dust could penetrate that barrier.

The protective golden light remained as bright as ever, without even a ripple.

Qin Wanzhuang remained standing there, spotless, like a deity.

"Did you see it clearly?"

Qin Wanzhuang waved her sleeve, creating a gust of wind that dispersed the remaining pungent smell.

She frowned in disgust, as if she had just been faced not with deadly poison, but with a pile of dust.

"That's the difference in levels of understanding."

"This is absolute power."

Wenren Ji stared blankly at this scene.

In that instant, his prized "trump card" seemed utterly ridiculous.

It's like a child with a water gun challenging a fully armed tank.

"When you reach the Core Formation stage, or even the Nascent Soul stage."

"The spiritual power within my body surges like a mighty river, and my protective aura is impervious to all magic."

Qin Wanzhuang stood with her hands behind her back, like a strict private tutor giving a lesson to a slow-witted student.

"You'll find out then."

"What lime powder, what poison, what hidden weapons..."

"They can't even break through their defenses!"

"They can even immobilize you with just a glance."

Qin Wanzhuang walked up to Wenren Ji and patted his thin shoulder.

"True strength doesn't require fancy tricks."

"Because for them..."

"A basic attack is the ultimate move."

These six words.

It was like a thunderbolt that struck Wenren Ji hard on the top of his head.

Basic attack... is that the ultimate move?

His eyes, which had been somewhat cloudy, gradually brightened.

It was as if a door to a new world was slowly opening for him.

"I see."

Wenren Ji took a deep breath and clenched his fist.

For the first time, his face, which usually remained expressionless, revealed such a resolute look.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior sister!"

"I'll throw all that junk away!"

"From today onwards, I will only practice swordsmanship!"

"Even the most basic straight thrust, I will practice a million times, ten million times!"

Seeing his energetic and enthusiastic demeanor, Qin Wanzhuang finally nodded in satisfaction.

"This child is teachable."

"Alright, go wash yourself under the waterfall."

"Don't even think about eating until you force out your sword intent."

"yes!"

Holding his greatsword, Wenren Ji charged towards the waterfall behind the mountain with the valor and pride of a warrior about to blow up a bunker.

One is sorted out.

Qin Wanzhuang turned around, a dangerous smile playing on her lips.

Their gaze fell on Mo Chengyue, who was still supporting the large cauldron.

"Now, it's your turn."

"My dear junior brother."

Mo Chengyue's heart skipped a beat.

It’s over.

This is a case of settling scores later.

"Senior sister, I have also deeply reflected on my actions!"

Mo Chengyue quickly made a statement, his survival instinct kicking in.

"Senior sister is right! Basic attacks are the ultimate move! That's the truth!"

"I'll go back and use all that lime powder to build the wall!"

"I also want to learn from my junior brother and become a true and upright sword cultivator!"

"Oh?"

Qin Wanzhuang raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on her lips.

"Since you are so prepared, then I will grant your request."

"Put the cauldron down."

Mo Chengyue felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly threw the heavy cauldron on the ground.

I was just about to breathe a sigh of relief.

Then Qin Wanzhuang casually folded a willow branch.