From the beginning of Swordsman, he created a legend in the martial arts world.

Looking at the reverence for his master, the desire for personal growth, and the youthful vigor in Li Bin's eyes, Aya couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

She knew that Meng Fei intended to temper this young man, and she understood that young people need to experience trials and tribulations to grow. However, the inexplicable unease in her heart still lingered.

That being said, caution is still necessary.

She then handed the challenge back to him, her tone gentle yet solemn: "The world is a dangerous place; it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Since they dared to issue a challenge, they must be quite confident. When you go to the meeting tomorrow, bring a few clever people with you to scout out the surrounding area beforehand, just in case they try to trick you."

"I understand, Sister Aya. I'll be careful!"

Li Bin nodded seriously. Although he called Aya "sister", he already regarded this gentle and caring woman, who had a close relationship with his master, as an elder. He even had a feeling that she and Sister A-Luo would become his master's wives sooner or later.

Therefore, I hope to gain her approval in my actions.

"besides……"

Aya thought for a moment, then turned and went into the room. A moment later, she took out a small porcelain bottle.

"Here are some antidote powder and hemostatic powder that A'Luo and I prepared. Although they are not panaceas, they are still somewhat effective against common poisons and external injuries. Keep them with you just in case."

"Okay, thank you, Sister Aya!"

Li Bin nodded vigorously, his eyes blazing with even greater fighting spirit.

The following morning, outside Fuzhou city, in front of the local earth god temple.

More than ten members of the Black Snake Gang surrounded a young man with an arrogant expression and a long sword hanging at his waist.

The man appeared to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a lithe build and sharp, sinister eyes. He was Hou Renying, one of the Four Heroes of the Qingcheng Sect.

Li Bin brought only seven or eight of his closest and most clever members of the Divine Sword Gang. Although their numbers were fewer than those of the Black Snake Gang, they all stood tall with firm eyes and showed no sign of weakness.

"Li Bin, you really have some guts to come."

The leader of the Black Snake Gang chuckled coldly, then turned and cupped his hands towards Hou Renying, saying, "I'll have to trouble you today, young hero Hou."

Hou Renying sized Li Bin up and down, noticing his robust physique but somewhat childish face, and couldn't help but look down on him: "You're Meng Fei's disciple? I've heard your master's swordsmanship is quite good. I wonder how much you've learned? Today, I'll show you what true, orthodox swordsmanship is!"

Faced with Hou Renying's arrogance, Li Bin remained unmoved, simply saying in a deep voice, "Make your move; further words are pointless!"

Then, the two stopped talking and got into fighting stances.

Hou Renying drew his longsword, using the Qingcheng School's "Pine Breeze Sword Technique".

This sword technique emphasizes "the strength of a pine tree and the speed of the wind," with rigorous moves and concentrated power. When used by Hou Renying, it was quite imposing.

Seeing this, Li Bin dared not be negligent and immediately used the first move of the Thirteen Deadly Swords, "Spirit Serpent Probing the Cave". He thrust out his long sword diagonally, avoiding the frontal attack and aiming directly at the connection point of Hou Renying's moves.

Hou Renying exclaimed "Eh!" and then parried with his sword. The two swords clashed, producing a crisp "clang," and each took a half step back.

In their first exchange, the two were evenly matched.

Subsequently, the two clashed again. Li Bin's Thirteen Deadly Swords were fierce and powerful. Although his internal strength was slightly inferior, his swordsmanship was exquisite, which made Hou Renying's Pine Breeze Sword Technique feel quite constrained.

Hou Renying was secretly alarmed. He hadn't expected this young man's swordsmanship to be so formidable; he couldn't gain the upper hand for the time being.

Twenty moves passed in the blink of an eye. Hou Renying calculated the time in his mind and estimated that Yu Renhao and the others should have arrived near Meng Fei's residence by now, and might even have succeeded. So he did not delay any longer.

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and his Pine Breeze Sword Technique suddenly intensified, the sword whistling as he pressed forward with each move, striving for a swift victory.

"Wind Sweeps Through the Pine Trees" and "Ten Thousand Pine Needles" were used in succession, attempting to suppress Li Bin with a swift offensive.

Faced with the sudden and fierce attack, Li Bin felt the pressure increase, but he was determined and gritted his teeth to resist. He used the Thirteen Deadly Swords "Three Stars Soul Stealing" and "Rainbow Piercing the Sun" one after another. Although he was forced to retreat repeatedly, Hou Renying could not defeat him immediately.

Just then, a plan suddenly formed in Hou Renying's mind. He slowed his sword strike, a sinister smile spreading across his lips, and deliberately raised his voice, "Boy, do you think I'm really here today to stand up for the mere Black Snake Gang? Let me tell you, my junior brothers are probably already at your master's residence. And your two beautiful 'master's wives' are likely already in the hands of my Qingcheng Sect! Haha!"

These words struck Li Bin like a thunderbolt!

"What?! You...you're despicable!"

Li Bin trembled violently, feeling an uncontrollable surge of anger and panic explode within him!

Sister Aya! Sister Alu! If anything happens to them, how can I explain it to my master?!

In a fit of rage, Li Bin's sword suddenly shifted, transforming into a fierce rain of swords that disregarded his own safety and sought only to kill the enemy, carrying a tragic aura of mutual destruction as it madly attacked Hou Renying.

Seeing this, Hou Renying was not surprised but delighted. He then seized the slight opening that Li Bin had made due to his rage and suddenly used the "Green Pine Welcoming Guests" move from the Pine Breeze Sword Technique. The angle was tricky and the speed was as fast as the wind.

With a "swoosh!", Li Bin was instantly struck in the left shoulder by a sword, but he seemed completely unaware of it. Instead, he used the pain to channel all his strength and energy into the sword.

At that critical moment, when life and death hung in the balance and his mind and sword intent were highly concentrated, the sword techniques he had practiced day and night, the words his master had occasionally mentioned, and the unrestrained swings he had just unleashed in his rage were suddenly reforged under some indescribable inspiration.

At this moment, the Thirteen Deadly Swords are no longer just moves, but a will, a resolute sword intent of sacrificing oneself for life and forging ahead without hesitation.

"die--"

Li Bin roared, his longsword drawing a cold, eerie, yet incredibly fast streak of light. It was no longer imitating his master's trajectory, but rather infused with all his anger, anxiety, protective instincts, and determination to die.

This sword strike exceeded Hou Renying's expectations and also surpassed Li Bin's own past limits!

Hou Renying only felt a flash of sword light before his eyes. The sword light seemed to ignore his block and cut into his defense at an incredible angle.

"puff!"

The sound of a sword piercing flesh rang out.

The sinister smile on Hou Renying's face froze instantly, replaced by disbelief, shock, and excruciating pain.

Then, he looked down at the blood-gushing wound on his chest, opened his mouth, and the long sword in his hand fell to the ground with a clang.

Li Bin leaned on his sword, breathing heavily, blood gushing from the wound on his left shoulder, but only one thing occupied his mind—the mansion! Sister Aya! Sister Aluo!

He abruptly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes like those of a wounded beast, glaring at the terrified Black Snake Gang members, and hissed, "Get out! If you dare take another step, kill us all!"