92: Chapter 92 Li Hanyi emerged victorious in this battle, becoming the first place winner of this competition!

That time, it was precisely Li Hanyi who had made the move.

Many people felt a wave of emotion in their hearts.

At the time, there was some regret at not being able to witness the splendor of that sword strike with their own eyes.

Now that they had seen it for themselves, they finally understood what it meant to be stunning and peerless.

On the main viewing platform, the gazes of many fell upon Li Hanyi. Their eyes no longer held the scrutiny one offers a junior, but were instead filled with respect and admiration, as if they were sizing up a Revered Master of equal standing to themselves.

Originally, these people had felt that so-called Geniuses were merely up-and-comers still in their growth phase.

Now, they no longer thought so.

The current Li Hanyi was no longer the same as before; she had grown significantly.

Just that one move from moments ago—even among the renowned experts of the Northern Li Jianghu, few could have received it.

"Shattering Star?"

Many people repeated it in low voices, silently committing the name of this move to memory.

Sikong Changfeng took two deep breaths, trying to calm his heart, which was surging with excitement. Just as he was about to announce the result, he saw a figure suddenly flash before his eyes like a ghost.

This sudden situation caused many to cast sideways glances.

The person who arrived was dressed in a moon-white Confucian robe, with a slender build and an outstanding temperament.

A head of black hair was tied up casually, and his features were handsome and distinct.

Yet in those eyes, there lay an endless accumulation of time.

Sikong Changfeng couldn't catch his breath for a moment; he coughed twice, looking in disbelief at the figure standing with his back to him.

"Revered Master?"

Baili Dongjun also stood up and cupped his hands in a salute.

The surrounding crowd heard the word "Revered Master" clearly, and they were all stunned. Then, seemingly recalling something, they all stood up and bowed.

"Greetings, Senior!"

Su Rui turned his head slightly, his gaze landing on the figure who had suddenly appeared.

This was his first time seeing Li Changsheng.

Looking at that face which resembled a youth's, he couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

The Great Chun Skill was indeed extraordinary.

It was rumored that Li Changsheng was already one hundred and sixty or seventy years old, yet his appearance remained in the prime of his youth.

Most of the ordinary martial artists, merchants, and commoners below the viewing platform had not yet noticed the change here, but many experts sitting in the stands had already recognized Li Changsheng's identity, and their hearts were all shaken.

"A reputation well-deserved!"

The City Lord of Xueyue City, Li Changsheng, had shaken the Jianghu for decades and had long since become a legend of his generation.

Thinking back to what Sikong Changfeng had mentioned before the competition—the Great Chun Skill!

So the City Lord had already cultivated this skill!

For a moment, everyone's hearts were stirred with excitement, their eyes burning with fervor.

Li Changsheng ignored the gazes from all around and spoke directly.

"In this battle, Li Hanyi is victorious and takes first place in this Grand Competition!"

The voice was not loud, and he hadn't even used Qi to project it, yet it echoed clearly in everyone's ears.

Just this one act alone shocked countless people.

It appeared ordinary, but the exquisite control within it could be called the pinnacle of perfection.

After announcing the result, Li Changsheng tapped his toes lightly and, with a few leaps, arrived beside Su Rui.

He looked at Su Rui, who was still sitting calmly, and as their gazes met, he performed a Confucian Disciple's salute.

Su Rui also cupped his hands in return.

"Sir, I have heard that your martial arts hall does not restrict Disciples from taking on other Masters or joining other factions?"

Li Changsheng asked straightforwardly.

After hearing this, Su Rui nodded and replied: "That is indeed the case."

"Good. Li Hanyi, would you be willing to take me as your Master?"

A gentle smile appeared on Li Changsheng's face.

However, that smile looked somewhat incongruous on the face of a young man.

The crowd, who had just been full of respect for Li Changsheng, were all stunned, and immediately, looks of immense envy appeared in their eyes.

Everyone knew that Su Rui's strength was extraordinary.

And Li Changsheng was an almost mythical figure in the Jianghu.

He had been famous throughout the world decades ago, and some even said he had once lived incognito, leaving behind countless legends in the Jianghu.

If Li Hanyi were to join his Sect, standing behind her would not only be a legendary figure like Li Changsheng, but also an unfathomable powerhouse like Su Rui. She would then become an existence in the Jianghu that no one would dare provoke.

However, Li Hanyi's answer caused an uproar in the entire venue.

"No, I don't want to. In this life, I only recognize one Master."

Her tone was firm, without a hint of hesitation.

These words shocked everyone so much they could barely open their eyes.

After all, Li Changsheng had already spoken, and Su Rui had also indicated his stance; this was undoubtedly a heaven-sent Opportunity, yet she had rejected it outright.

Li Changsheng himself was also stunned.

He had thought that his words were not excessive, and would not cause Li Hanyi to leave the martial arts hall.

He knew clearly in his heart that Su Rui's strength was unfathomable; he had even nearly been injured by a Sword Intent from the other party once.

If the other party hadn't intended to avoid hurting him, his old bones likely wouldn't have been able to handle it.

And he could naturally guess who the owner of that Sword Intent was.

That was why he was so polite.

After Li Hanyi finished speaking, she walked behind Su Rui, clearly unwilling to continue this topic.

Sikong Changfeng and Baili Dongjun, who had come along with Li Changsheng, couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed for him at this moment.

Looking at Li Hanyi's expression of complete resistance, Li Changsheng also felt a bit guilty inside.

He was the City Lord of Xueyue City. Back in the day, he had forced back the Demon Sect's eastern expedition army with just a broken sword. He had single-handedly founded the Hundred Knowledge Hall, which had been passed down for a hundred years. Taking you as a Disciple, and you still feel wronged?

But the problem was, Su Rui was right there, so what could Li Changsheng say?

Moreover, he truly appreciated Li Hanyi.

The situation was a bit awkward for a moment, so Sikong Changfeng coughed lightly and reached out to beckon Sikong Qianluo.

Sikong Qianluo looked confused, and just as she was about to step forward, she heard Sikong Changfeng say:

"Master, this daughter of mine has decent Aptitude. If you are willing to take a Disciple, she could join your Sect."

Sikong Changfeng's intention with these words was to help Li Changsheng out of the awkward situation, and he hadn't thought much about it.

But once the words were out, some didn't care, while others' eyes became subtle.

"If Qianluo joins the teacher's Sect, then you, as her father, are you her Senior Brother, or her elder?"

Baili Dongjun interjected slowly from the side.

Sikong Changfeng's body stiffened, and his face immediately became somewhat awkward.

But he still forced a smile: "It doesn't matter; our Xiaoyao Yufeng Sect has never been bound by conventional etiquette."

Li Changsheng heard this, and a smile appeared on his face. He took the Opportunity to say: "Since Li Hanyi is unwilling, then this Sikong Qianluo is not bad either. Her talent is good, and if cultivated properly, she might not be any worse than her."

"Xiaoyao Yufeng Sect!" The moment Li Changsheng named his Sect, someone in the crowd immediately exclaimed.

Everyone's gazes turned to the person who spoke—Ji Ruofeng.

"Could it be that Sect which dominated the Jianghu over a hundred years ago?" Ji Ruofeng's tone was excited, his eyes filled with anticipation.

The crowd looked at each other, then turned their gazes back to Li Changsheng.

"You must be Ji Ruofeng, the current Hall Master of the Hundred Knowledge Hall? A good name!"

Li Changsheng heard his voice, turned his head to look, and a trace of warmth flashed in his eyes.

This Ji Ruofeng, come to think of it, was his descendant by Bloodline, and his Aptitude was not bad.

While he was thinking, Su Rui suddenly spoke: "City Lord Li, have you ever heard of a person named Free and Unfettered Master?"

This sentence made Li Changsheng slightly stunned. "You know that Junior Brother of mine?" There was a trace of surprise in his tone.

That Junior Brother of his had always acted casually and called himself "Free and Unfettered Master."

In Li Changsheng's memory, he had once observed the Immortal's book, and although he hadn't mastered its method, he had blazed a new trail and created quite a few Cultivation Techniques.

However, that person was also quite old; if it weren't for the life-extending technique he created, he would likely have long since passed away.

"I've only heard of him. It seems there is still a Legacy of the Xiaoyao School over in Great Song." Su Rui's tone was flat, and after saying this, he ceased speaking.

Li Changsheng nodded lightly, not delving further.

Wang Yuyan, who was to the side, had a somewhat complex expression.

She knew that her maternal grandfather and maternal grandmother were indeed Disciples of the Xiaoyao School.

Her mother had once spoken to her about this connection. She hadn't expected to hear news related to it here today.

Just at this moment, Sikong Qianluo suddenly broke free from Sikong Changfeng's summoning, ran straight to Su Rui's side, and hid herself on the other side of Su Rui.

"I only wish to take one Master!" She buried her face behind Su Rui, her voice coming through muffled.

"..." At this moment, Sikong Changfeng was completely speechless.

What a rare Opportunity this was! Su Rui was certainly extraordinary, but Li Changsheng was a peerless Master who had lived for over a hundred years. If she could join his Sect, it would be of great benefit to her daughter's future growth.

"Forget it." Li Changsheng waved his hand, his tone indifferent.

Since she was unwilling, he didn't want to force her. Having lived to this age, any obsessions he couldn't let go of should have been put aside.

However, his gaze fell upon Su Rui once more. This person's strength was only at the Earth Realm, yet it gave him a trace of a sense of crisis.

Having lived for too long, he was naturally extremely sensitive to the dangers between life and death. In other words, Su Rui... had a way to kill him?

This strange intuition caused his heart to tremble slightly.

Sensing Li Changsheng's gaze, Su Rui also raised his eyes, and their gazes met in the air.

【Li Changsheng: 172 years and 9 months old; Aptitude: 99; Evaluation: Eidetic memory, able to draw inferences, and Masters subjects by analogy. Although he is advanced in age, there is still potential to be tapped; it is recommended to incorporate him into the martial arts hall system】

Su Rui raised an eyebrow slightly.

An Aptitude score of 99 was indeed the highest he had seen so far.

Thinking back to all of Li Changsheng's past deeds, he was indeed worthy of this Aptitude.

After all, in the history of Northern Li, he was the protagonist of that era, a legendary figure who spanned a century.

Just as Su Rui was deep in thought, he was suddenly interrupted by a voice.

"City Lord Li, what do you think of me? Would you be willing to take me as a Disciple?"

He looked in the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged man gazing intently at Li Changsheng.

This person's aura was restrained, and his cultivation had already reached the Carefree Heaven Realm.

Su Rui felt slightly puzzled.

"Teacher, they are likely here for the Great Chun Skill." Yin Luoxia whispered a reminder, her words reaching Su Rui's ears.

He finally realized.

In his view, the Great Chun Skill was merely an ordinary Cultivation Technique, but in the eyes of the martial arts world, it was considered a supreme secret manual.

Not to mention being able to live for hundreds of years, just Li Changsheng's age of one hundred and fifty was enough to make people flock to him.

"You?" Li Changsheng glanced indifferently at the person who had spoken.

"This is the Sect Head of the Vajra Sword Sect," Sikong Changfeng introduced from the side.

"Oh, I remember your Ancestral Master; he once crossed swords with me back in the day." Li Changsheng nodded slightly.