Under the barrage of blade shadows, a pair of spiritual eyes lit up.

In an instant, a faint glow emerged from Bai Xingyan's boots, making his silhouette erratic. He maneuvered at an incredibly high speed among the blade shadows, so swift that he left afterimages behind.

However, the other cultivators watching could not discern Bai Xingyan's figure, as his shadow was obscured by the dense onslaught of blade forms. When the blade shadows eventually dissipated and landed on the platform, Bai Xingyan had vanished.

"Holy crap! Was he sliced to pieces?"

"Didn't they say the killing was not allowed in the Earth Fire Leaderboard?"

Standing with Wei Haolong, Di Guxue's eyes sparkled. Wei Haolong sighed and remarked, "Truly a disciple taught by old Yu, his movement technique is so exquisite. Xue'er, your advancement battle won't be simple."

Di Guxue chuckled, "The more challenging, the more fun. Facing such a formidable opponent early on isn't dull at all."

On the platform, Xu Shi was completely baffled. Where did Bai Xingyan go? Did he jump off the platform out of fear?

"Hmph! This newbie is quite clever, knowing when to flee when he's outmatched. Alas, I didn't get to enjoy the fight."

Suddenly, a sharp cry came from behind him.

"Senior brother, where are you looking?"

Whirling around, Xu Shi saw that Bai Xingyan had somehow circled behind him, now hovering in the air with a winding, serpentine sword in hand.

Xu Shi's face turned pale in shock. "Damn! Sneak attacking? You little trash! Can't fight fair, can you?"

Bai Xingyan swiftly swung his sword thrice, releasing three winding streams of light that swiftly lunged forward, resembling serpents.

Sweat broke out on Xu Shi's forehead as he hurriedly swung his crescent blade to fend off the light serpents. However, his spiritual power faltered upon contact with these entities. The serpents quickly wrapped around him via his blade, immobilizing him entirely. Stubbornly, Xu Shi tried to resist, but suddenly, a potent surge of electricity coursed through the serpents. It jolted him so intensely that he convulsed, his eyes rolling back, and foam spewed from his mouth. He fell rigidly, unconscious.

One hit, one kill!

The onlookers were utterly shocked. They all knew Xu Shi as a contender who consistently ranked within the top fifty of the Earth Fire Leaderboard. That he was defeated, and so brutally, by a newcomer was unthinkable.

Wei Haolong's expression darkened. He said to Shu Han, "What magic tool did you give him? This power... it's like he's cheating!"

Shu Han only responded with a smile.

After landing from the platform, Bai Xingyan apologized, "Sorry Master, I didn't expect to cause such a commotion. But I didn't exert much strength. How did he fall so suddenly?"

In his mind, Shu Han thought: 'I've refined your Serpent Sword, incorporating the Thunderstone. This has elevated its power to the pinnacle among premium magic tools. It would be strange if it didn't kill in one blow.'

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"It's fine," Shu Han replied. "After all, you have to take first place."

Bai Xingyan, standing behind Shu Han, couldn't help but glance over at Di Guxue. He noticed that she was staring intently at him. When their eyes met, she turned away haughtily. "Hmph!"

Bai Xingyan: ...

It was soon Di Guxue's turn to compete.

The eleventh platform was quite far, so both Shu Han and Bai Xingyan activated their Clear Bright Spiritual Eye to watch from a distance.

Seeing the gleam in the eyes of the master and disciple, Wei Haolong became furious. He rushed over, delivering a kick to Bai Xingyan, then pointed at Shu Han and shouted, "Old Yu! Keep your thieving eyes to yourself! Don't you dare look at my disciple!"

Bai Xingyan was taken aback. His Clear Bright Spiritual Eye was still in its early stages, and he was confused about why he received a kick out of the blue, feeling somewhat wronged.

Shu Han retorted angrily, "It's so far away! I just wanted to see how your disciple performs. Is that not allowed?"

"You're talking nonsense! Were you really just watching her performance? You were obviously ogling her! You're despicable!"

"Get lost! Do you think everyone is like you? Always with those lecherous eyes, peeping at female cultivators everywhere! I've kept quiet about you, but in the eyes of a pervert, everyone's a pervert. Don't lump me with your kind!"

Wei Haolong, red with anger, grabbed his collar and shouted, "Watch your words in public! Be careful, or I'll sue you for defamation! With this attitude, are you looking for a fight? Seems like you're getting arrogant and not treating me, your elder, with respect!"

"When the hell did I ever respect you? You want a fight? Bring it on!"

"Let's go!"

"Let's!"

Suddenly, Shu Han and Wei Haolong flew away from Fiery Cloud Peak. Bai Xingyan watched in astonishment as his master and senior, without a word of agreement, decided to duel.

After a short while, Di Guxue effortlessly finished her battle. When she returned to the platform and saw only Bai Xingyan, she asked, "Where is my master?"

Bai Xingyan answered, surprised, "He went... to duel with my master."

Di Guxue's expression fell, "You might want to prepare some healing medicine for your master. My master is the third on the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard. Although he has some questionable tendencies, in terms of power, few can best him."

Bai Xingyan grew anxious, looking in the direction where Shu Han had left.

But within a quarter of an hour, Shu Han returned. Bai Xingyan quickly approached him and noticed burn marks on his face and clothes. Concerned, he asked, "Master! Are you alright?"

Shu Han laughed, "Just some minor injuries, nothing serious."

Di Guxue approached and saw that Shu Han had only minor injuries, she couldn't help but feel respect for this unfamiliar senior. She said, "I apologize on behalf of my master. But for you to have only received minor injuries from my master, you must be highly esteemed within the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect."

As Shu Han was contemplating a response, Wei Haolong returned from afar.

Covering his face with his sleeve, he whispered to Di Guxue, "Did you win? If you did, let's leave quickly."

"Master!" Di Guxue stomped her foot in frustration, "You promised to stay and watch the competition. Why do you want to leave so soon? And why are you covering your face?" Suddenly, she pulled down his sleeve to reveal Wei Haolong's face, which looked like it had been battered.

"Master...you..."

She looked between Shu Han and Wei Haolong's pitiful face. Recalling her previous words to Shu Han, she felt a burning embarrassment.

Wei Haolong cursed, "Damn you, Old Yu! We're fellow disciples, yet you hit me so hard!"

Shu Han retorted, "Old Wei, you didn't hold back either!"

"Unbelievable, in just a few months, you've become so much stronger. Come on, Xue'er, forget the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard. Let's go home and tend to my wounds. Ouch..."

Wei Haolong then transformed into a streak of light, flying towards the middle of Fiery Cloud Mountain.

Di Guxue looked a bit upset. When she looked at Shu Han again, there was clear respect in her eyes, admiring the power of this mysterious senior. She then turned to Bai Xingyan, her gaze suddenly fierce, saying coldly, "Junior Brother Bai, my master might not be as good as yours, but that doesn't mean I'm not as good as you! I'll see you in the advancement matches!"

With that, she transformed into a streak of blue light, following after Wei Haolong.

Shu Han laughed, "Did you see how she looked at me? It's clear she admires the strong. If you want to win her favor, defeat her without mercy in the advancement matches! As a descendant of your master, I have to take care of not only your cultivation but also your life's important matters!"