201: Chapter 201 Struggle

In the center of the banquet hall.

Ruan Xiao struck first, his sword condensing spiritual energy. A sword shadow attacked Ye Tianhao's face like a flash of lightning. Its speed was incredibly fast, causing the surrounding Disciples to cry out in alarm.

Ye Tianhao's expression remained unchanged. His figure avoided the sword shadow like a cool breeze, while a wisp of pale green spiritual energy condensed at his fingertips as he attacked with his sword.

The two of them were engaged in a pure swordplay duel. The back-and-forth was brilliant, earning continuous praise from the surrounding Sect Masters.

The black sword danced, blocking all of Ruan Xiao's sword techniques. Clanging sounds echoed throughout the banquet hall, and spiritual energy fluctuations scattered in all directions, causing the surrounding Qi Refining Disciples to retreat in panic.

Although Ye Tianhao's cultivation was not as high as Ruan Xiao's, he excelled with his flexible footwork and exquisite swordplay, gradually gaining the upper hand.

During the fight, for some reason, Ruan Xiao felt filled with anxiety as he looked at the youth. Being held at a stalemate by someone with lower cultivation quickly caused his mental state to become chaotic.

Ruan Xiao couldn't help but think of that Qi Refining Cultivator who had escaped multiple times, fearing he would disappoint his Revered Master, the Sect Master, in front of so many people.

Ruan Xiao, who had originally intended to just play around with the youth, suddenly felt a surge of killing intent, and his sword strikes became increasingly fierce.

Ye Tianhao naturally noticed the Cultivator's fierce attacks, each move aimed to kill.

"Senior, this is just a spar. Why resort to lethal blows!" Ye Tianhao shouted in a low voice. His moon-breaking sword danced once more, his spiritual energy surging as he blocked Ruan Xiao's incoming sword shadows.

The surrounding Cultivators naturally saw how fierce Ruan Xiao's offensive was.

Yun Ling, sitting in the main seat, quietly condensed spiritual energy, his expression darkening. He could see clearly that Ruan Xiao had developed true killing intent; this was by no means a simple mistake during a spar.

Seeing this, Fan Lang, who was sitting nearby, frowned, feeling a hint of displeasure.

Seeing this, Ye Tianyao's hands were clenched so tightly they turned white, her almond-shaped eyes red. She wished she could rush up to help her brother.

At this moment, Ruan Xiao turned a deaf ear to Ye Tianhao's warning, the killing intent in his eyes deepening as he growled, "Cut the nonsense!"

The more he fought, the more alarmed he became. Ye Tianhao's sword force was powerful, and every counterattack made him involuntarily think of the Black-robed Man who had caused him so much suffering before.

That kind of humiliation was something he could never forget.

Ye Tianhao was gradually pushed to the edge of the banquet hall. With his back against a cold stone pillar, he had nowhere to retreat. He could clearly feel the killing intent on Ruan Xiao growing heavier, and there were faint signs of Qi Deviation.

Seeing that he couldn't break through Ye Tianhao's defense no matter what, a flash of madness appeared in Ruan Xiao's eyes.

He immediately threw his sword out and quickly condensed spiritual energy in his palm. Taking advantage of the gap while Ye Tianhao was defending against the Flying Sword, he struck hard toward Ye Tianhao's chest.

This strike used all of his spiritual energy, enough to heavily injure Ye Tianhao.

"Enough!" Yun Ling finally spoke, his voice carrying the pressure of a Golden Core Cultivator, instantly enveloping the entire banquet hall.

With a flick of his finger, a beam of green spiritual energy shot out, accurately striking Ruan Xiao's wrist.

Ruan Xiao felt his arm go numb, and the black spiritual energy he had just condensed instantly dissipated. He staggered back a few steps and fell to his knees.

"Sect Master Fan, this has gone a bit too far," Yun Ling said, turning his gaze toward Fan Lang beside the main seat, his tone cold.

The smile faded from Fan Lang's face. He put down his wine cup and looked at Ruan Xiao with displeasure. "You wretched creature! It was just a spar. Who told you to act so recklessly? Apologize to Sect Master Yun at once!"

Ruan Xiao gritted his teeth and stood up. The malice in his eyes faded, and he gave a perfunctory cupped-hand salute to Ye Tianhao before standing beside Fan Lang.

Yun Ling looked at Ye Tianhao with a flash of gratification in his eyes. For Ye Tianhao to be able to exchange so many moves against Ruan Xiao, who was significantly stronger than him, was quite impressive.

He hadn't brought shame upon him.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall became oppressive once again. Although some wanted to smooth things over, no one dared to say a word.

Ye Tianyao rushed to Ye Tianhao's side, looking him up and down. "Brother, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Ye Tianhao shook his head and said gently, "I'm fine. Don't worry."

After this interlude, the banquet remained relatively peaceful.

The other Sect Masters came forward to say some pleasantries, gave some gifts, and then took their leave.

On the way back to the Lingxiao Sect, Fan Lang questioned Ruan Xiao: "Ruan Xiao, what happened at the banquet? How could you lose your composure like that?"

Ruan Xiao hurriedly said, "Revered Master, please forgive me! I... I just couldn't control myself for a moment..."

"Useless trash!" Fan Lang shouted, frustrated by his lack of progress. "You can't even handle a little Qi Refining thief from the Xuanyou Sect! And now you're letting him affect your Heart-Nature! What use do I have for you?"

Ever since the cold spring dew was stolen, all the Disciples in the vicinity knew that Ruan Xiao couldn't stop that Qi Refining Cultivator even with so many Magical Artifacts. Ruan Xiao had completely lost face.

Not to mention the last time he fought a Second-Order Demonic Beast and was ambushed by that Black-robed Man in the same way. Ruan Xiao was now on the verge of developing a Heart Demon because of these incidents.

He trembled all over after being called "trash" by Fan Lang. The Xuanyou Sect was originally a lie he had used to deceive the Sect. If his Revered Master found out he had been defeated by a Loose Cultivator of unknown origin, it wouldn't be as simple as getting a scolding.

"Revered Master, I know I was wrong!" Ruan Xiao's voice was filled with fear. "It's just that the little thief from the Xuanyou Sect is too cunning. I've tried to hunt him down several times, but he managed to escape by luck and even toyed with me repeatedly...

During this competition, I was also impatient, which is why I lost my composure and almost ruined your great plans, Revered Master!"

Fan Lang looked coldly at Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao. They both came from the Ye Clan, a recently rising Family. Their patriarch was said to be an old man named Ye Jing.

Ye Jing was the head of the Family that had a conflict with the Li Family. Fan Lang had originally intended to support the Li Family and use the opportunity to take over Tiangong Market and all the families that had submitted to the Qingyun Sect, then slowly devour the Qingyun Sect itself.

Who would have thought that Yun Ling, who had been stuck at the Core Formation stage and claimed to have made no progress, would actually break through to the Golden Core stage at such an inopportune time.

This meant that the Qingyun Sect now had the opportunity to stand on equal footing with Sects like theirs.

"Tch! That Yun Ling is truly a cunning old fox!" The more Fan Lang thought about it, the more frustrated he became. He looked at his useless Disciple and then at the young talents, Ye Tianhao and Lu Shaoyou.

Feeling stifled, Fan Lang mocked the trembling Ruan Xiao: "Ye Tianhao is so young, and look at Lu Shaoyou; everyone in the Qingyun Sect is a promising talent.

Then look at you—you can't even handle a little Qi Refining thief, and you almost succumbed to a Heart Demon during a match that dragged on for so long. You've completely disgraced the Lingxiao Sect!"

Ruan Xiao stiffened, feeling extremely unwilling. He quickly said, "Revered Master! I will definitely practice hard in the future and be extra careful. I will never let you down again!"

"Humph! I hope you're a man of your word!" Fan Lang snorted coldly, not bothering to pursue the matter further.

He was now thinking about that troublesome Xuanyou Sect.

Fan Lang's brow furrowed, his fingers unconsciously stroking the jade pendant at his waist. His tone was full of annoyance and wariness: "Humph, this Xuanyou Sect isn't a peaceful lot either!

A few years ago, I heard they were active near the surrounding Sects, specializing in shady dealings. They've always been secretive and haven't caused much of a stir, so I didn't pay them much mind."

He looked up at Ruan Xiao, his gaze turning a few degrees colder: "You say that little thief is from the Xuanyou Sect, but their people have always been mysterious and excel at concealment. They only dare to target Mortal kingdoms openly. Why would they repeatedly target the Lingxiao Sect's belongings?

Second-Order spiritual items are only suitable for refining medicine and forging equipment. Although cold spring dew is precious, it's not a top-tier spiritual material. Is it worth them taking risks repeatedly?"