14: Chapter 14 How about we have a friendly spar?

At this time, Baili Dongjun was not the Wine Immortal who had reached the Half-Step Divine Roaming Realm in later years, but merely an influential figure in Snow Moon City.

Now, with the Ascending Heaven Pavilion assembly approaching, the City Lord was contemplating taking in a Disciple again. With all these matters converging, he was already swamped, not to mention the hidden forces stirring restlessly beneath the surface.

It seemed Snow Moon City was likely heading for trouble.

"You've reminded me of something. We previously sent people to investigate the background of this young Martial Arts School owner, but found absolutely nothing. We couldn't even trace when he entered the city; it's as if he materialized out of thin air!" Sikong Changfeng's expression was unreadable.

"Then you're still relieved to let your daughter go to that Martial Arts School to learn?

Baili Dongjun felt a mix of exasperation and amusement upon hearing this.

"Haven't I already sent Fairy Luoxia to investigate? With her cultivation, she should be able to uncover something different."

"Let's just hope they aren't people from the Demonic Cult."

Baili Dongjun sighed, picked up his wine pot, and took a few long gulps.

"The city is indeed not peaceful right now. Rumor has it someone is secretly colluding with the Demonic Cult. Snow Moon City is probably already targeted by them."

"We both know the Demonic Cult's intentions. They have coveted Northern Li for a long time; any action now is expected. We just hope no other forces stir up trouble."

Thinking of that astonishing Sword Intent that split the clouds that night, Baili Dongjun felt a touch of apprehension. He admitted he couldn't withstand Sword Intent of that caliber.

"That's right. We don't necessarily fear the Demonic Cult alone, but we must pay closer attention to their movements recently. Since someone dares to collude with the Demonic Cult within the city, don't blame us for being merciless."

Sikong Changfeng had always been meticulous. He had long seen through the Demonic Cult's ambition toward Northern Li, and as the most powerful of the Four Great Cities of Northern Li, Snow Moon City naturally became a primary target for them. He presumed many Demonic Cult spies had already infiltrated the city.

"Very well, I'll leave this matter to you." Baili Dongjun set down the wine pot, a hint of drunkenness already in his eyes.

"Fine! You two send me to investigate while you sit here drinking!" A cool voice sounded, followed by a graceful figure appearing at the doorway like an illusion.

Seeing it was Yin Luoxia, Sikong Changfeng immediately put on a smiling face.

"Isn't this because we trust the Fairy's strength?"

"Trust? The kind that involves losing to a young girl?"

Yin Luoxia's single sentence left Sikong Changfeng speechless.

"Fairy, you must have been momentarily careless in that matter; you don't need to dwell on it. How is the situation with that Martial Arts School? What is the Martial Arts School owner's cultivation level?"

"Teacher?" Yin Luoxia looked at the two with a half-smile, her eyes holding a deep implication.

The two were momentarily confused.

"Teacher's strength is merely Ninth Grade!"

This answer was completely unexpected by Sikong and Baili.

Ninth Grade?

They never imagined Yin Luoxia would state that number. Even if she had said he was in the Divine Roaming Realm, or avoided the question, they could have understood. But Ninth Grade specifically?

Not even having stepped into the Upper Realm?

Who was she trying to fool?

Sikong Changfeng looked at her speechlessly. "Fairy, do you truly believe that?"

"That's what I found. Teacher's cultivation is indeed Ninth Grade; he hasn't even entered the Vajra Mortal Realm!"

Yin Luoxia shrugged, as if stating the most ordinary thing in the world.

The two exchanged a look, helplessness evident in their eyes.

"But this is too bizarre! Didn't he emit that Sword Intent?"

Baili Dongjun also began to feel doubtful.

"Wait, Teacher?" Sikong Changfeng suddenly froze, staring intently at Yin Luoxia for a long moment.

"Did you really become a Disciple?"

"Why, is that not allowed? A lost bet is a lost bet, and I am utterly convinced by Teacher's abilities!"

Thinking of the Ascending Immortal Steps of Unrestrained Will she was currently learning, a smile flickered in Yin Luoxia's eyes.

"But you said he is Ninth Grade!"

"Can someone who is Ninth Grade not be formidable? You need to change that old mindset."

As soon as Yin Luoxia spoke, the two were instantly silenced, awkwardness coloring their faces.

"Moreover, what you said is correct. That Sword Qi was indeed emitted by Teacher, but it wasn't intentional. Teacher said it was an accidental Epiphany during his Cultivation!"

"..."

An Epiphany could cause such a massive fluctuation?

"Teacher's method of imparting knowledge is indeed very special. Perhaps he is concealing his true Realm; after all, he is so much higher than me that I can't see his depth at all!"

"That makes sense!" Baili Dongjun nodded slightly, finding that deduction reasonable.

"Imparting knowledge? You also received a Cultivation Technique?" Sikong Changfeng asked in surprise. His own daughter, Qianluo, had just joined the Martial Arts School and was taught an extremely exquisite spear technique; could it be the same for Yin Luoxia?

Her cultivation was not low; ordinary Cultivation Techniques wouldn't catch her eye.

"Of course! A set of footwork that allows me to exert ultimate speed!"

Yin Luoxia's tone was firm and full of confidence.

"Ultimate speed isn't something you can just claim lightly!"

Upon hearing this, the corner of Sikong Changfeng's mouth lifted into a smile. He himself was renowned for speed and movement techniques, so he naturally couldn't ignore such a claim.

"Care to spar a bit?" Sikong Changfeng proposed.

Yin Luoxia recalled the previous match where she lost to him. She wasn't someone who easily admitted defeat, so she nodded in agreement.

"How about we place another bet?"

"Same as last time: whoever loses owes the other a favor!"

Sikong Changfeng suggested.

"Deal!" Yin Luoxia agreed without hesitation, feeling fully confident thanks to the Ascending Immortal Steps of Unrestrained Will.

Baili Dongjun also became interested and volunteered to be the referee.

As the match began, both Sikong Changfeng and Baili Dongjun were stunned.

She appeared relaxed and carefree, like a Fairy amidst the clouds, yet her speed was astonishingly fast.

What was even more outrageous was that even at this extreme speed, she could execute various agile changes in direction and sudden turns. In the blink of an eye, the area was filled with her figures, each posture distinct yet all graceful and unrestrained.

"This is practically the legendary Shrinking the Ground to an Inch, exactly like the immortal arts recorded in the ancient texts of Qingcheng Mountain!" Baili Dongjun exclaimed.

At this point, Sikong Changfeng had already stopped moving; continuing the contest was meaningless.

"Changfeng, this footwork has almost stepped into the Realm of immortality. It's no disgrace for you to lose. Perhaps only a legendary existence like the City Lord could contend with her!"

Baili Dongjun offered consolation.

"Losing is a small matter. It's just that the Martial Arts School owner can impart such profound footwork so easily; his strength is truly unfathomable. If he is genuinely connected to the Demonic Cult, then we are in serious trouble!"

Sikong Changfeng's expression turned grave. He was already considering whether he should bring Qianluo back, or even ask the City Lord to intervene.

"Heh, you shouldn't speak such nonsense casually!"

Yin Luoxia stopped moving and spoke coldly, her gaze fixed directly on Sikong Changfeng.

"Although Teacher is not old, his aura is peaceful, his demeanor gentle, and he is extremely patient in teaching his Disciples. He seems indifferent to his own cultivation."

She sighed slightly here.

"If you provoke him rashly, I won't be able to protect you."

"This..." The two exchanged glances.

"But this person's identity is unknown, his cultivation is profound, and we know nothing about him—he is ultimately a hidden danger!"

They weren't worried for themselves, but for the entirety of Snow Moon City. How could they be at ease with such a powerhouse residing in the city when every piece of information about him was a mystery?

"Could he be a Senior Expert like the City Lord?"

Baili Dongjun proposed a guess, then added immediately, "Or perhaps the successor of some Senior!"

Sikong Changfeng nodded slightly. "That... we probably have to ask the City Lord. However, besides asking us to issue a proclamation a few days ago, the City Lord doesn't seem to plan on showing his face."

"We'll wait until the Ascending Heaven Pavilion assembly. The City Lord will surely appear then, and these issues can be left to him!"

As the helmsman of Snow Moon City, Li Changsheng was the stabilizing force of this city. Now, the owner of this Nameless Martial Arts School had unknown strength and identity; whether he was friend or foe remained unclear, and they dared not probe lightly.

After hearing Sikong Changfeng's words, Baili Dongjun also nodded.

Yin Luoxia's expression shifted slightly.

"You are discussing me right in front of me. Aren't you afraid I'll go back and tell Teacher? I am his Disciple!"

"No, Fairy, you haven't actually started considering yourself that person's Disciple, have you?"

Sikong Changfeng looked utterly bewildered. He had only asked Yin Luoxia to probe the situation, but she had ended up completely won over?

What kind of situation was this!

Judging by Yin Luoxia's demeanor, she truly considered herself a legitimate Disciple. And this was only after one day!

"A Master is a Master. Since I have taken him as my Master, I naturally must acknowledge it. Besides, Master has an appearance like an immortal; just looking at him is much more pleasing to the eye than looking at you two old pickles!"

"Ahem!"

Baili Dongjun nearly spat out his wine, looking at Yin Luoxia speechlessly. How could she resort to personal attacks in her speech?

"I've only just turned thirty!" Baili Dongjun couldn't help but defend himself.

However, under Yin Luoxia's gaze, he meekly lowered his head. Compared to Yin Luoxia, he truly couldn't be considered young anymore.

"Alright, alright, whatever the Fairy says is right!"

Sikong Changfeng, always quick-witted, naturally wouldn't argue with Yin Luoxia on such a topic, so he simply raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Oh, right, Fairy, didn't Qianluo return with you?"

"No, my Senior Sister Sikong is currently out shopping on the streets with the other Senior Sisters!"

Yin Luoxia's tone was somewhat subtle.

Baili and Sikong both caught the implication in her words and quickly raised their wine cups to mask their embarrassment.

The streets of Snow Moon City were bustling with noise and excitement.

As the foremost city in the Jianghu of Northern Li, it naturally possessed a unique prosperity. Jianghu people generally spent lavishly, so a city full of Jianghu figures naturally had a thriving commerce.

Moreover, with the Ascending Heaven Pavilion selection about to begin, people flocking to Snow Moon City were endless.