It’s said that when hearts are connected, even the smallest gesture becomes clear.

During their cultivation in the Thirty-three Cave Heavens, Duan Zhao and Xu Nianning often met, discussed, combined forces, and developed a deep understanding and rapport...

It only took a glance.

Duan Zhao immediately understood Miss Xu’s intentions.

No matter if it’s the Master Ancestor or the Great Grandfather, anyone who enters the Sword Palace must adhere to its rules. For a Da Sui Sword Palace Sword Cultivator from Lotus Peak to go out and not even execute a basic sword technique is disgraceful. If word gets out, won’t it be a laughingstock to the whole world?

This duel must happen, and it must be won.

"Come on, come on."

Upon hearing that there was a fight about to occur, Xin Rui’s eyes brightened instantly.

The young girl rolled up her sleeves, eagerly ready for another round. However, she wasn’t foolish; she could tell that her two junior "grandchildren," although lower in seniority, had considerable realms. So, while rolling up her sleeves, she set the rules.

"If you want to fight, I’m happy to accompany you. But it must be said in advance that we need to fight at the same realm level, without using Tao Realm."

Duan Zhao and Xu Nianning are Yin God cultivators.

She was only at Cave Heaven Great Perfection.

If they truly fought, she wouldn’t gain any advantage.

"Naturally."

Duan Zhao smiled, still quite respectful: "But Master Ancestor, if we just have a plain fight like this, isn’t it a bit too dull?"

"...Dull?"

Xin Rui was momentarily stunned.

"Why not have some stakes?"

Duan Zhao lightly coughed.

The young girl already sensed something was slightly off, but still agreed boldly: "No problem. What stakes do you suggest? If I lose, should I call you Master Ancestor?"

"No, no, no..."

Duan Zhao was embarrassed and quickly waved his hand to refuse.

That would be too humiliating.

Letting Master Ancestor call him Master Ancestor, then when his master meets, wouldn’t he have to call him Uncle Master?

"How about this."

"If Master Ancestor loses, then sincerely practice the Lotus Sword Skill with Senior Sister Xu and, until fully mastering it, cannot use any magic outside of Da Sui Sword Palace when dueling."

Duan Zhao carefully set the condition.

He thought the opposite party would ponder for a while, or at least there would be some bargaining, but unexpectedly, before the words finished echoing, a cheerful laugh came from the Lotus Dojo.

"Deal!"

Xin Rui was already in motion.

Accompanied by a sharp sound of piercing air, this little demoness had already landed in front of Duan Zhao.

Boom!

With great force and a simple punch, she aimed straight at Duan Zhao’s face.

This move was truly devoid of martial ethics, with an incredibly fast initiation, giving hardly any time to react.

"Be careful!"

Xu Nianning hurriedly shouted, instinctively preparing to use Sword Qi to block the strike for Duan Zhao.

"Senior Sister, no need to worry."

Duan Zhao transmitted a strand of Divine Thought, smilingly responding.

Whoosh!

Coincidentally, a strong wind swept up at the top of Lotus Peak’s bamboo forest, carrying the young man’s figure backward.

Xin Rui’s sudden punch unexpectedly hit nothing but air.

"Huh?"

The young girl raised an eyebrow, surprised, and without thinking much, decided to press her advantage. Though the first punch missed, her subsequent attacks were as continuous as flowing water. Xin Rui twisted her body, lifted her hips, and launched a powerful whip-like kick.

Again missed.

Duan Zhao reclined slightly backward, almost parallel to the ground, seemingly like a floating leaf but his feet were firmly rooted, stuck to the ground.

"Xuanzhuo?"

Seeing this, Xu Nianning relaxed, contemplating the young man’s dragon-like agile movement technique.

Since joining Lotus Peak, Duan Zhao had been practicing "Heavy Sword."

As they say, simplicity is genius.

The way of the Heavy Sword emphasized overpowering all methods with pure strength.

However, Xie Xuanyi taught his disciple differently; Wangyou Island Master didn’t want Duan Zhao to practice swordsmanship, and thus Xie Xuanyi insisted he learn the essence of Lotus Peak’s swordsmanship.

There must be both the brave progressiveness of overpowering all methods with strength

And the elegant agility of crossing the river on a reed.

This intent is akin to the name of the Grotto Heaven where Duan Zhao went into seclusion...

Xuanzhuo!

"Master Ancestor, you still haven’t mentioned what conditions you’d ask for if you win?"

Duan Zhao chuckled while retreating.

"Wait until I win!"

Xin Rui had no time for idle chat with Duan Zhao, having launched numerous attacks all in vain, she was already red-faced with frustration.

A chest full of pent-up frustration, with nowhere to vent.

She had thought it would be a fierce offensive and defensive battle.

Unexpectedly, opposite her was akin to a dandelion, blown by the wind whichever way, never even touching the edge of his garment.

This fight is as frustrating as it gets!

"Ha..."

Watching this unfold, Xu Nianning couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

As they say, only a devil can grind a devil; Xin Rui’s wayward style might earn some advantage against herself, but against Duan Zhao, she genuinely suffers hugely.

After pursuing and fighting for dozens of moves, Xin Rui could hardly bear it anymore and roared angrily.

"Dare to take a punch from me!"

Thunk!

Suddenly, Duan Zhao stopped retreating.

He abruptly halted, standing as straight as a tree stump.

The punch landed squarely on the young man’s chest.

Finally, she hit him!

Before Xin Rui could feel delighted, her Heart Lake gave a sudden jolt; an intense unease immediately surged.

Previously, she assumed by chasing him relentlessly.

Xin Rui thought Duan Zhao, a Sword Control sword cultivator, needed to maintain distance to win due to his weak flesh body, thus didn’t dare to engage directly with her.

Who would have thought.

The punch landed with an oddly wrong sensation—

A full-force hit, like striking a block of dark steel, almost sparking.

"Ouch..."

The young girl winced in pain, inhaling sharply, tears nearly leaked out.

Raising her head, all she felt was a darkening sky above, total gloom. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The young man, a whole head taller than her, was staring down at her.

"Master Ancestor."

Duan Zhao spoke solemnly: "I will only make one move. If you can withstand it, it counts as your win."

As he spoke.

He extended his palm.

Strands of Sword Qi converged from all directions, deep within the bamboo forest, seemingly receiving a special summons, countless leaves surged like a storm.

"!!!"

Xin Rui’s pupils contracted.

From the depths of the bamboo forest, a heavy sword, larger than her entire body, suddenly charged.

With a thud, the heavy sword entered Duan Zhao’s palm; this seemingly frail young man was able to hold the heavy sword with one hand.

Buzzing... buzzing...

Among the bamboo forest of Lotus Peak, the wind wailing softly.

Xin Rui’s anxiety soared to its peak.

She wanted to distance herself, but it was already too late.

"Given this power level, we shouldn’t meet again until two days later."

Inwardly, Duan Zhao silently bid the young master ancestor goodnight, then turned his wrist, mercilessly flipping the heavy sword like swinging a fan!

No Taoist Intent was used, no Divine Skills were used.

Purely strong.

Purely a brute.

With a thud, a clean and crisp muffled sound, Xin Rui was slammed away, completely losing consciousness.