The Cold and Aloof Palace Master's Daily Demon-Slaying Life

Chapter 121 Pilgrims, Devout and Sincere

Just as everyone was shaken by the thunderous dragon, Zuo Qingqiu's figure quietly faded away.

The next moment, she appeared silently between the eyebrows of the giant dragon's head.

His dark Taoist robe fluttered in the wind, and his black hair flew in the air.

She stood with her hands behind her back atop the dragon's head, with surging lightning and clouds beneath her feet, and the dragon's cold scales and flashing arcs of electricity beside her.

She stood there quietly, looking down at the world with a cold gaze, like a deity descending from the heavens, indifferently surveying the masses below.

Her gaze finally settled on the green-robed swordsman in the center of the square, whose spine remained straight despite the overwhelming dragon's might.

A voice, clear and cold like celestial music yet carrying supreme majesty, came from the dragon's head, resounding clearly in everyone's ears: "There are pilgrims, devout and sincere."

"Coming from the other side of the Western Sea, I bow with every step, just to pay homage to you, my sovereign."

She paused slightly, her tone suddenly turning icy, like ancient ice: "Why did you come with such murderous intent?"

"Killing intent?"

"Sword Profound Immortal actually dared to harbor murderous intent towards a True Monarch!"

"Has he gone mad? Even if his master is a True Lord, he himself is just a Purple Mansion cultivator."

"Arrogant, they're simply courting death."

As soon as Zuo Qingqiu uttered his words, the crowd in the square erupted in uproar once again, with their spiritual communication rising and falling.

This time, the shock was even greater than when they saw the Thunder Dragon.

How could someone harbor murderous intent towards a Golden Core True Monarch?

What an outrageous and suicidal act!

The majesty of the True Lord cannot be challenged by even an ant.

Even though Li Baitian was a direct disciple of Fu Shui Zhenjun, this move was tantamount to putting himself and his sect in an extremely dangerous situation.

However, after a brief moment of shock, some deep-thinking old monsters quickly calmed down, exchanged glances, and understood what was going on.

Li Baitian would not have dared to do this without the tacit approval or even instruction of his master, Fu Shui Zhenjun.

This was by no means a simple personal act, but rather represented the will of the True Lord of Fu Shui.

It is most likely some unknown game and test between the two True Lords.

However, this method of probing is far too direct and too dangerous.

If someone in the Purple Mansion realm reveals murderous intent to a True Lord, they could easily perish, and even their master might not be able to come to their rescue.

The contest between True Lords is beyond the comprehension of these Purple Mansion cultivators.

See through, don’t say through.

To speak ill of the True Lord is a death sentence.

The crowd fell silent, their gazes fixed on the figure in blue robes in the center of the arena with a complex mix of admiration for his courage, and even more so, pity and relief, as if looking at a dead man.

I'm glad it wasn't me standing there right now.

Despite the overwhelming dragon's might, Li Baitian's posture remained as straight as a sword.

He slowly raised his head and looked at the stunningly beautiful figure standing atop the dragon's head, seemingly one with the thunder.

The terrifying pressure was like a solid mountain pressing down on him, causing his bones to creak slightly, his blood and qi to surge, and his dantian to tremble.

But his hand holding the sword remained steady.

Faced with Zuo Qingqiu's icy question that seemed to pierce through his soul, Li Baitian showed neither fear nor panic.

He took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice due to the immense pressure, yet each word was clear: "True Lord, you are wise enough to see that I dare not kill you. I have come here for two reasons: first, to offer my congratulations on my master's orders, and secondly—" He paused, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, like a drawn sword, "to seek your guidance on the art of swordsmanship from you."

"Want to learn swordsmanship?"

"Everyone in the world knows that True Monarch Zixu is skilled in spear techniques but has no achievements in swordsmanship. This True Monarch Jianxuan is using his strengths to attack his weaknesses, which is clearly intentional."

"So what if True Monarch Zixu's swordsmanship is inferior to his? The difference in their cultivation levels is undeniable. How could a mere casual sword strike from a True Monarch be something a Purple Mansion cultivator could withstand?"

"True Lord Fu Shui—what exactly is your intention? Such humiliation of a newly promoted True Lord—aren't you afraid of triggering a war among True Lords?"

The exchange of consciousness resumed, and the way everyone looked at Li Baitian was no longer just pity, but also carried a hint of looking at a madman.

This was no longer a simple provocation, but almost a direct mockery: You may be a True Lord, but in the way of the sword, you may not be able to defeat me.

Standing atop the dragon's head, Zuo Qingqiu remained as cold and aloof as the moon in the face of this almost blatant provocation, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

The cold wind blew her dark Taoist robe and blue silk sash, making her appear even more ethereal, as if she might ride the wind and return at any moment.

A colossal dragon of thunder silently coiled beneath her feet, its eyes flashing with purple lightning, making her appear even more unapproachable.

She was not angered by Li Baitian's "challenge," but rather seemed to have expected it.

In fact, she could roughly guess what Fu Shui Zhenjun behind Li Baitian wanted to do.

But this was an open conspiracy, and even if she had guessed it, she had no choice but to agree.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be a disgrace to the True Lord to be mocked by a mere junior from the Purple Mansion and not dare to accept the challenge?

Doesn't she, Zuo, have any pride?

She is not the reincarnation of the Daoist Zhunti.

After a moment of silence, that heavenly voice rang out again, calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Since you insist on discussing the way of the sword with me—"

She lowered her eyes slightly, her gaze falling on Li Baitian as if a god were scrutinizing an ant.

"Then so be it, what's wrong with that?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's hearts tightened.

"However," Zuo Qingqiu changed the subject, her tone still calm, yet sending a chill down everyone's spine, "a sword sparring match without stakes would be utterly boring, wouldn't it? How about this?"

She extended her slender finger and pointed it in the air, as if touching an invisible law.

"Take my three sword strikes."

"If he survives the three sword strikes—"

Her eyes were cold and clear, like ancient ice.

"I will forgive you for offending the True Lord today, how about that?"

If anyone else had provoked her like that, she would have killed the madman on the spot. Why go through all that trouble, making a bet?

Even if this madman had a True Lord of the same level backing him up, she would still kill him without hesitation.

What a joke! Who does Master Fu Shui think he is?

Should I avoid his sharp edge?

However, Li Baitian had a good reputation among the people. He was known for slaying demons and monsters, and for his chivalrous deeds. He was also called the Great Hero of Qingping and was a good man.

That's why she gave him a chance.

Or rather, give him some dignity.

the other side.

After listening to what True Lord Zixu said.

The crowd in the square was shaken to their core.

Three swords.

Only if the True Lord survives three sword strikes can his offense be forgiven.

This is no friendly competition; it's a life-or-death decision.

It is the supreme and all-powerful true ruler who delivers the final judgment on those who dare to challenge him.

For a moment, the square was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone held their breath and looked at the lone swordsman in the blue robe standing tall in the center of the arena.

To everyone's surprise, Li Baitian, who had been looking solemn and even a little repressed, did not flinch or back down when he heard about the "Three Swords Pact". Instead, he laughed loudly.

"Haha! Hahaha! Good! Good! Good!"

His laughter was hearty, yet it carried a soaring sword intent and resolute determination.

"The True Lord is indeed a straightforward person."

"Three swords, then three swords."

"If I die before I can withstand three sword strikes, it is because my skills are inferior, and I have no one to blame but myself."

His laughter ceased, his eyes sharpened like swords, and he stared directly at Zuo Qingqiu atop the dragon's head. His aura surged, and the boundless sword intent belonging to the Great Perfection of the Purple Mansion and the pinnacle of swordsmanship erupted, subtly carving out a small domain of his own amidst the overwhelming dragon might.

The green robe fluttered and rustled even without wind.

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