Early the next morning.

By the time Li Guanqi arrived at the training ground, he found Lin Qingyu, dressed in a tight white martial outfit, already waiting for him.

The form-fitting attire accentuated her curves beautifully.

Dawn was just breaking, with a faint mist still lingering in the air.

Turning around, Lin Qingyu smiled gently and softly asked, “Didn’t expect you to be this early. Where are the others?”

Li Guanqi shrugged and replied, “They’re all busy vying for the selection spots today.”

Without further ado, Li Guanqi said, “Then, Sister Lin, let’s have a casual sparring match.”

Lin Qingyu nodded, her smile gradually fading.

Clang!

A water-blue longsword was suddenly drawn from its sheath as Lin Qingyu softly announced, “Spiritual weapon, its name is Bi Shui.”

Li Guanqi smiled helplessly and said, “Sister, there’s no need to be so formal, just take it easy.”

However, Lin Qingyu seriously said, “Facing an opponent deserves the utmost respect.”

Resigned, Li Guanqi drew his sword and quietly said, “Spirit soul weapon, Cang Lang.”

As soon as he finished speaking, surprise filled the young girl’s eyes.

“Spirit soul weapon? You have a spirit soul weapon in your hand? A treasure-grade?”

Li Guanqi could only nod.

Lin Qingyu, full of envy, said, “This spiritual weapon is the best Master could find for me.”

“I didn’t expect that not only did Junior Brother awaken the Sword Spirit Ruin, but you also obtained a treasure-grade spirit soul weapon.”

Li Guanqi shrugged without explaining much and said firmly, “Come on!”

He then moved slightly, and his figure instantly dashed forward!

Lin Qingyu’s feet flickered with a blue light as she swiftly retreated.

At the same time, as her movements unfolded, her gaze grew more solemn.

She was shocked to find that his speed relied solely on his formidable physical strength.

Li Guanqi smiled slightly, not expecting Lin Qingyu’s movement technique to be of such a high level.

Boom!

The flagstones beneath his feet shattered, his speed surged again, and in the blink of an eye, he was behind her!!

His sword hilt pressed against her waist!!

Lin Qingyu’s body stiffened, her wrist-turning motion with the sword only just beginning.

With a downcast look, she lowered her sword and said softly, “I lost…”

Li Guanqi said nothing, as he saw Lin Qingyu, like the others, lacked practical combat experience.

Although her reactions were quick, her countermeasures were insufficient.

Just then, Lin Qingyu’s voice slowly reached him.

“How did you manage to change direction so forcefully?”

“Your posture just now, it shouldn’t have been possible to get behind me.”

“And… why is your sword so fast?”

Li Guanqi was about to speak when a disdainful voice came from a corner of the training ground.

“Just a feint, but he made it look real by shifting his entire weight onto his right foot.”

Li Guanqi frowned and looked toward the corner where a disheveled man lay on the ground.

“Why is he here?”

Gao Qiwen removed the hat covering his face and sneered, “Such tricks might deceive a little girl.”

“In the eyes of a true master, your petty schemes are worthless.”

“In the end, you’d just run headlong into a prepared blade.”

Li Guanqi’s brow furrowed slightly, not understanding why the man so undervalued what he had shown.

Shrugging, Li Guanqi turned to Lin Qingyu and said, “I’ll be heading back. When you have time, you might want to try your hand at the Sword Tower.”

“For you right now, the experience from the Sword Tower is just right.”

He knew clearly that sparring with Lin Qingyu wouldn’t benefit her real combat experience.

Continuing like this would only be guiding her cultivation, with no benefit to himself, hence his suggestion.

But who knew Gao Qiwen would scoff and say, “Sword Tower puppets are useless, all dead things without a brain.”

After speaking, Gao Qiwen limped out of the training ground.

Watching the man’s shaking figure, Li Guanqi frowned, feeling perplexed.

Because what he had just said was almost exactly what the Sword Spirit had told him!

But the Sword Spirit had also said that what he could do now was already very impressive.

Yet, for some reason, in the man’s eyes, it was utterly worthless.

Every feint he performed could be mistaken for the real thing!

Even his Master and Xu Zhengjie had praised him repeatedly.

This made Li Guanqi curious about the man who swept the Scripture Pavilion.

Turning to Lin Qingyu, who was about to leave, he asked softly, “Sister, do you know anything about Gao Qiwen’s past?”

To his surprise, Lin Qingyu shook her head and softly said, “I don’t know. I haven’t been in the Sect for long, but I know his temperament has always been like this.”

After parting ways, Li Guanqi didn’t check the Sect’s selection process, his mind preoccupied with the man’s words.

The Sword Spirit was still absorbing Primordial Energy and couldn’t hear his call.

Originally planning to return to Jade Bottle Peak by sword flight, Li Guanqi suddenly changed direction and flew towards Heavenly Pillar Peak!

When he arrived at the entrance to the Scripture Pavilion on Heavenly Pillar Peak, he found only Elder Ling there.

Li Guanqi approached the old man and bowed, saying, “Disciple Li Guanqi, greets Elder Ling.”

The old man, lying in a rocking chair and sipping liquor, grinned and said, “What brings you here? Want to exchange for a sword technique at the Scripture Pavilion?”

Elder Ling thought Li Guanqi had regrets and wanted to find a way to exchange a sword technique.

But to his surprise, the young man shook his head and asked softly, “Elder Ling, may I ask where Brother Gao is?”

The old man was taken aback, then asked with a hint of confusion, “Brother Gao… you mean Qiwen?”

Seeing the young man nod, the old man suddenly understood.

With a teasing tone, he said, “Did he call you all useless again?”

Li Guanqi’s face showed an embarrassed expression; although the man hadn’t said those exact words, the meaning was similar.

Elder Ling sighed softly, closed his eyes for a moment, then said softly, “He’s at Heavenly Sword Mountain, watching the selection for the Centennial competition among a hundred Sects.”

Understanding, Li Guanqi bid farewell to the old man and flew towards Heavenly Sword Mountain.

Upon arriving at the east side of Heavenly Sword Mountain, he found the vast square now had dozens of formation screens erected.

Within the screens, disciples were dueling, while the Elders of Various Peaks were recording something.

However, in a corner, Li Guanqi spotted the somewhat desolate figure of the man, drinking liquor one gulp at a time.

Gao Qiwen shook his empty jug, managing to pour out just one drop of liquor, which he eagerly caught with his tongue.

Li Guanqi passed a jug of spirit liquor with a wave of his hand.

The man looked at him, slightly startled, then accepted it without a word.

Yet, Li Guanqi could still see a hint of disappointment in the man’s eyes.

Li Guanqi spoke softly, “Do you think I’m worthless?”