The man's hand paused mid-air as he tilted his head back and downed a swig of strong liquor.

 

Gazing at the distant light screen, the man spoke softly.

 

"Correct."

 

"The reason?"

 

"No reason, just a simple feeling that you're trash."

 

"Let's fight."

 

"No fight, can't you see I'm a cripple?"

 

"I'm Blind, isn't it normal that I can't see?"

 

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha."

 

Li Guanqi, seeing that he remained silent, said nothing more and turned to leave on his sword flight.

 

However, just as Li Guanqi left, Gao Qiwen watched his retreating figure and murmured in a voice only he could hear.

 

"Because… you're not strong enough…"

 

It wasn't long before the man left the plaza of Heavenly Sword Mountain, lacking any enthusiasm.

 

Shooting up from the ground, he transformed into a streak of light and flew towards the waterfall at Thousand Peaks Mountain.

 

Reaching the peak next to the waterfall, he stood still; the eighteen forms of the Purple Micro Demonic Sword Spirit had been perfected in his deductions.

 

Li Guanqi sat cross-legged atop the peak, contemplating the profound mysteries of the sword technique's chant.

 

Within his sea of consciousness at the spiritual platform, the perfected technique's operational diagram by the Sword Spirit was present.

 

After entering meditation, Li Guanqi quickly reached a very ethereal state, with the roaring sound of the waterfall gradually fading in his ears.

 

Gao Qiwen, watching from a distant peak, couldn't help but flash a glint of admiration in his eyes.

 

"Such insight… rare in a lifetime!"

 

As the sun began to rise, Li Guanqi abruptly stood up!

 

The young man with closed eyes held his palm as if grasping a sword and slowly swung it!

 

Buzz!!

 

With the first form executed, a gust of wind howled atop the mountain.

 

Then, the young man's figure shifted and darted about, his right hand slashing out in rapid succession!

 

Flashes of purple light flickered, occasionally accompanied by the crackling of lightning!

 

In just two breaths' time, he had swiftly delivered sixteen sword strikes!

 

Boom!!

 

A giant rock ten meters away from the young man suddenly shattered!

 

This scene made Gao Qiwen, who had been lying on the ground, abruptly stand up!

 

His black, disheveled hair could not hide the shock in his eyes.

 

Yet the young man shook his head slightly, looking thoughtfully at his right hand.

 

Then, Li Guanqi sat down cross-legged once more, facing the rising sun and slowly entering meditation.

 

After the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, the young man stood up again!

 

Still with closed eyes and an empty-handed grip, but this time Li Guanqi extended the speed of his sword strikes from two breaths to three.

 

But this time… he unleashed the seventeenth sword strike!

 

Boom!!

 

Crash!

 

A dull sound echoed as a palm-deep sword mark was carved onto the boulder!

 

"Puh!!"

 

The young man, still with closed eyes, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his right hand trembling slightly.

 

Then, Li Guanqi took the opportunity to sit down cross-legged once again.

 

At this moment, Gao Qiwen's eyes shone brightly, his fists clenched.

 

"Just a bit more… the very last bit! Can he do it…?"

 

Even with his keen vision, he could see that the young man's swordplay had yet to reach its peak!

 

The previous seventeen strikes were more like a buildup of waves, lacking the final blow!

 

After an indeterminate amount of time, once the young man had left.

 

A slightly sloppy man stood before a pile of rubble, silent for a long time before finally revealing a smile.

 

The slots for the Centennial competition among a hundred Sects were soon confirmed, and a group gathered at the summit of Jade Bottle Peak, laughing heartily.

 

"Haha, lucky for me, the words Li shared with me, today I completely baffled my opponent with that defensive move."

 

Ye Feng laughed heartily, boasting about his feat of the day.

 

Zhong Lin and Lin Dong also wore smiles on their faces.

 

After all, they had both gained insights from Li Guanqi's words the day before, combined with their own experiences under the waterfall.

 

Today, during the fight, their understanding of their own strength deepened.

 

However, Li Guanqi, upon returning, spoke gravely, "Even though we've secured our slots, we can't let our guard down!"

 

"The Centennial competition is teeming with geniuses; we must continue to cultivate diligently."

 

Hearing this, everyone nodded solemnly.

 

In the following days, aside from their daily cultivation and refining their foundations.

 

Each person practiced their newly learned sword techniques and movement skills, including Li Guanqi.

 

However, everyone only saw him practicing something intangible every day, which seemed rather baffling.

 

After all, those slow movements, akin to an old lady's, were truly puzzling.

 

But during this time, there was unanimous disdain for one person.

 

That was the sweeping Gao Qiwen!

 

"Disgusting! Such an obvious intent when you step out, simply too foul!"

 

"And you, charging around foolishly, who wouldn't dodge that?"

 

"Tsk tsk, such a waste to awaken a Sword Spirit in someone as useless as you. Can't you use your brain? Is it filled with dung?"

 

For a month, wherever the four went, they were followed by a broom-wielding man hurling insults at them.

 

But what frustrated them the most was that they actually found his criticisms reasonable after he scolded them!

 

That was the most vexing part!

 

Even Li Guanqi had to admit that Gao Qiwen's views on actual combat were indeed very practical.

 

Groin kicks, eye gouges, throat strikes, temple hits…

 

Although the techniques he described were rather ruthless, these were indeed the body's vital points!

 

Amidst his tirades, they all unwittingly learned a more efficient and lethal style of attack.

 

During this time, disciples of the Great Xia Sword Sect often saw four men chasing a rough man riding a broom with their swords.

 

They were cursing as they flew…

 

Time flew by, and everyone's realms were thoroughly stabilized.

 

Ye Feng, with his Royal-Grade Spirit Root, was at the peak of the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, his cultivation speed truly rapid.

 

Zhong Lin and Lin Dong were both at the peak of the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

 

And now, Li Guanqi had reached his own limit, the Primordial Energy in his pubic region was so dense that it could not be further condensed.

 

Even if he wished, with the right timing and preparations, he could step into the Golden Elixir Realm!

 

This stirred his heart even more.

 

One morning, their jade slips began to flicker slightly.

 

The four awoke from the Gathering Spirit Array, and Li Guanqi, with a gleam in his eyes, spoke softly, "Brothers, let's go!"

 

Whoosh!

 

Li Guanqi activated his movement technique, Cloud Swimmer, and instantly soared into the sky, faster than sword flight by a third!

 

The others smiled and followed suit, flying towards Heavenly Sword Mountain.

 

By the time they arrived, the Great Xia Sword Sect's delegation had already gathered early.

 

This time, the Law Enforcement Elder Qin Xian was personally leading the team!

 

Along with Elder Tu Kui from Heavenly Gold Peak and his own master, Li Nanting.

 

But this time, the group wasn't just the ten competitors; there were nearly twenty others accompanying them.

 

Among them was Yu Sui'an, who was lying on Li Nanting's back.

 

The little girl made a face at him and then turned away, clearly annoyed that Li Guanqi hadn't sought her out much over the past month.

 

Another figure caught his attention, a tall and burly young man, to whom he murmured, "Senior Brother Wu Bing?"

 

Wu Bing, sensing Li Guanqi's gaze, turned his head and gave a slight smile and nod.

 

Li Guanqi was surprised and quickly returned the gesture with a respectful fist salute.

 

A luxurious Cloud Boat was already docked beside the plaza.

 

Qin Xian waved his hand and declared, "Depart!"