22: The appointment was made after midnight. The story of the Sword Demon and Empress Xuanyuan of the Great Liang Dynasty.

"He's not dead?" Qingluan gently held Cao Meng, her clear, large eyes fixed on Xu Tian on the stage, her expression unreadable as to whether it was joy or sorrow.

On the arena, seeing Xu Tian come back to life, Senior Sister Nether Pupil let out a sigh of relief, then lightly tapped her jade feet and flew off the stage.

Although Nether Pupil was mischievous, she knew very well that now was not the time to expose the relationship between her Master and the Yanbei Royal Residence.

"The seven absolutes flying swords are indeed extraordinary."

Xu Tian slowly turned his head, his resentful gaze falling on Cao Meng.

Humiliation, anger, all emotions surged into his heart at this moment.

Just now, as he was about to kneel and call him 'Daddy', some mysterious information suddenly appeared in his mind—

Then, fueled by a burst of anger, he retaliated.

Unfortunately, the result was still an overwhelming defeat.

His head was even blown off.

If not for the activation of the Chongyang Sacred Meridian within his body, he might have truly died!

"This Young Master did underestimate you. To be able to withstand a blow from this Young Master's Profound Yin Ghost Claw and not die, your Immeasurable Golden Body is well Cultivated~"

"Cough, cough," Cao Meng coughed twice, his face pale.

He looked severely injured.

However, in reality, that kid's desperate strike had not caused him any harm at all.

The sixth level, a powerful Physical Body Divine Power comparable to the Dragon Elephant Realm Middle Stage, and the sixth layer of the Immeasurable Golden Body—these were Cao Meng's greatest trump cards.

"What, Young Master Xu, do you want to call me 'Daddy' again?" Cao Meng "strenuously" steadied himself, speaking flippantly.

After Chongyang, Xu Tian felt his strength had soared another notch, and the Sword Dao insights sealed in his previous life also flooded in. Filled with newfound confidence, he grew furious when he saw Cao Meng still oblivious to his impending doom:

"You bastard, you're looking for death, get up here... Mmm~"

He was halfway through his sentence when a sour-smelling large hand covered his mouth.

"Kid, don't mess around. That kid below has something strange about him. Be careful not to fall into his trap!" The Old Sword Demon roared into his ear, frustrated.

"This~"

When Old Sword Devil said that, Xu Tian also became suspicious.

"What a pity~" As soon as the Old Sword Demon made a move, Cao Meng knew that his plan to continue tricking the Dog Young Master was going to fall through.

"Kid, you just wait!"

In the end, Xu Tian still listened to the Old Sword Demon, leaving a harsh remark, and, accompanied by his three beautiful maids, turned and left the arena.

"Xu Tian, wait a moment!"

Just then, a voice came from the sky, a gentle voice carrying a hint of charm, making those who heard it feel as if they were drinking fine wine.

"That voice is so beautiful~" Cao Meng couldn't help but praise, looking up.

He saw a tall, graceful, exquisitely fair-skinned empress, dressed in a white Xuanwu immortal dress, slowly descending from the sky.

"Beautiful, no less so than Empress Revered Master."

Senior Sister Qingluan whispered, "It's the Holy Empress of Great Liang, Xuanyuan Baizhi, Revered Master's mortal enemy."

"So it's her." Cao Meng nodded.

The person before him was none other than Xuanyuan Baizhi, the Sect Head of Xuanyuan Beizhi, who had nearly had her Sacred Realm Dao destroyed by his own Empress Revered Master, and was also the Vice Headmaster of White Deer Academy.

That fellow Xu Tian was audacious, his evil eyes fixed on Xuanyuan Baizhi, as if he wanted to carve a piece of flesh from her body.

"Kid, you're quite bold. Even your father, Dragon Martial, wouldn't dare look at this Empress with such eyes..." Xuanyuan Baizhi's beautiful face showed no emotion.

What kind of person was Young Master Xu? He was very good at charming women, and immediately smiled, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. It's truly because Your Majesty is too beautiful. This Disciple couldn't help himself, couldn't help himself."

"Very good, you have courage." Xuanyuan Baizhi nodded.

"Are you willing to be my Disciple?"

"Ah?"

Everyone present was stunned.

Then, envious gazes fell upon Young Master Xu Tian.

Xuanyuan Baizhi and Wu Feiyan were recognized as the two Peerless Grade Divine Maidens of the academy. Both were not only of noble status and had profound backgrounds, but also possessed formidable strength.

Peerless beauty, extraordinary backgrounds—these were the women many men dreamed of.

Most importantly, both rarely took Disciples.

Even if they did, they only took female Disciples.

Only Wu Feiyan took Cao Meng as an exception.

To be their Disciple was something countless academy Disciples dreamed of.

Now, this windfall had actually fallen upon Xu Tian.

"Holy Empress, I..." Xu Tian was overjoyed. This was a godsend opportunity! Whether for his future grand plans or to get closer to the beauty, becoming Xuanyuan Baizhi's Disciple was all beneficial with no harm.

However, on the surface, he glanced at the Old Sword Demon Li Daoxuan beside him with a troubled expression.

Old Sword Devil transmitted his voice without changing his expression: "Kid, don't worry about me. Every powerful person will have many Masters in their lifetime. What's more, you really need a backer in this White Deer Academy..."

"Disciple pays respects to Master!"

With the Old Sword Demon's permission, Young Master Xu no longer hesitated, and with a thud, knelt on the ground, kowtowing three times.

"Good, very good! Get up." Xuanyuan Baizhi nodded in satisfaction.

Then, her beautiful eyes fell upon Cao Meng, and she was about to speak.

Cao Meng already laughed and preempted her:

"Your Majesty, you wouldn't also want to take me as your Disciple, would you?"

"Ah?" Xuanyuan Baizhi was momentarily stunned.

Then she smiled, "Yes, why? Do you want to betray your Master and join my sect?"

"Yes!" Cao Meng nodded repeatedly, deliberately showing a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

"Junior Brother~"

"Cao Meng!" Senior Sisters Qingluan and Nether Pupil were greatly surprised. Qingluan immediately pushed Cao Meng, who was leaning on her, away.

Senior Sister Nether Pupil even gripped the small black whip at her waist, looking at Cao Meng with an unfriendly expression.

Xuanyuan Baizhi chuckled softly: "You might want to, but unfortunately, this Empress wouldn't dare take Wu Feiyan's Disciple. What if you poison this Empress again sometime? Then this Empress would suffer a great loss."

After speaking, she waved her sleeve, and a roll of white silk flew out from her wide sleeve, wrapped around Xu Tian, and flew into the air.

Then, an ethereal voice sounded in Cao Meng's ear: "Kid, if you want to become my Revered Master, come to Jingpo Lake at the third watch tonight. Remember, don't let your Revered Master know~"

"These women nowadays are truly more insidious and cunning than the last," Cao Meng secretly laughed in his heart.

Still want to secretly take me as a Disciple and win me over?

This move is quite something.

"Kid, you're very good~" At this moment, the Old Sword Demon Li Daoxuan walked over with a smile, patting Cao Meng on the shoulder with his large hand.

Then he brushed past Cao Meng.

At the same time, a voice transmission sounded in Cao Meng's ear: "Kid, if you want to be my Disciple, come to Tide Pavilion at the third watch tonight. Don't worry, this old man has absolutely no ill will towards you."

"What?"

Cao Meng felt a little confused.

Xuanyuan Baizhi was one thing, but what was this Old Sword Demon's motive for taking him as a Disciple? Could it be that he thought he was handsome?

In his surprise, he cast an Appraisal Technique.

[Li Daoxuan: The direct descendant of the Li Imperial Clan. In his early years, due to his mother's crime, he was imprisoned in the Li Clan Sword Tomb. He comprehended the Dao through swordsmanship and, after coming of age, fought his way out of the Li Clan Sword Tomb with his sword. Few people know of his imperial clan identity...]