Having studied for a hundred years, why do you call me the Martial Saint?

When Gu Shuxian returned to the servants' quarters, it was already evening.

Qian Le was squatting by the door chatting idly with the servants from other rooms when he saw Gu Shuxian return. He quickly came up to him and said in a low voice:

"Junior Brother Gu, I'm going down the mountain tomorrow to pick up a shipment. Is there anything you need me to take with you?"

The outer sect competition brought Qian Le many business opportunities, and he started a business of buying low and selling high.

They buy all sorts of odds and ends from the foot of the mountain, transport them up the mountain, and then sell them at a high price.

Normally, he was surrounded by menial laborers and didn't have much money in his pocket, so he couldn't do this kind of work. But now there are many wandering swordsmen on the mountain, and sometimes when they are too lazy to go down the mountain, they will spend more money to buy what they need from Qian Le.

No one probably wanted the outer sect competition to be extended more than Qian Le.

Gu Shuxian thought for a moment, then took out the book "The Divine Halberd Couple" from his pocket and handed it to Qian Le.

"Please return this to me."

"This is..." Qian Le took the cloth bundle, opened a corner, and raised an eyebrow. "A book? Who should I return it to?"

"I borrowed it from the Liu family before, but I haven't had a chance to return it. Go down the mountain and take it to the Liu family for me, and give it to Liu Mingyuan, the young master of the Liu family."

Qian Le's eyes lit up immediately.

"The Liu family? The Liu family of Dayuan City? They're one of the wealthiest families in the city!" Qian Le's voice rose several decibels, but he immediately covered his mouth, looked around, and lowered his voice, saying, "Junior Brother Gu, when did you get involved with the Liu family? Liu Mingyuan is Master Liu's only son!"

"He's just a friend I've read books with," Gu Shuxian said. "You can deliver it for me. He should know that. If he doesn't, just say it's Brother Lü."

"Brother Lü?"

"Ahem, don't ask any more questions."

"Understood, understood!" Qian Le's eyes narrowed with a smile. He was clearly more interested in this than the way to get in touch with the Liu family.

He was already starting to consider whether he should buy a decent outfit or bring a small gift...

Seeing his expression, Gu Shuxian couldn't help but shake her head.

However, it's better to send Qian Le to the Liu residence than to make the trip myself.

Young Master Liu might still be thinking about finding the Divine Halberd Hero.

……

The twelfth day of the Grand Ceremony.

Just after 7 a.m., two groups of people set off up the Suishan Mountain Road.

One of the groups was led by a woman wearing a white cloak. She had a cold and beautiful face and looked to be no more than thirty years old. Her eyes were like cold pools. Behind her were more than a dozen disciples, all dressed in white.

Another group of men in black.

The leader was an old man with a resolute face. He had an unsheathed iron sword slung across his back, and he was followed by more than a dozen sword-wielding disciples, each with an extraordinary bearing.

Immediately afterwards, news spread throughout Suishan.

Luo Gushuang, the deputy palace master of Hanyue Palace, personally led twelve elite disciples to present a visiting card.

Hai Yuxu of the Canghai Sword Sect, along with the Canghai Sword Guards, ascended the mountain gate.

The two arrived almost one after the other.

The wandering swordsmen on the mountain path began to stir again.

The Cold Moon Palace is the orthodox sect of Xuan Yin. All the disciples in the palace cultivate the Xuan Yin lineage. Their techniques are yin, soft, and strange, forming a unique school. Luo Gushuang is a True Yuan Realm expert who has been famous for many years.

The Canghai Sword Sect is renowned for its swordsmanship. Its leader, Hai Yuxu, is also at the True Yuan Realm. His swordsmanship follows a fierce and powerful style. This man is ambitious and has declared more than once that in the world of swordsmanship, Canghai should be the most respected.

Both of these factions are major factions in the area.

They had previously shown no interest in the outer sect competition of Suishan and had not sent anyone over.

Now that these two families have come up the mountain at the same time, it's hard to tell whether they are friends or enemies.

"Hanyue Palace isn't familiar with Suishan, but they don't have any grudges either, right? Why are they here at this time?"

"The Canghai Sword Sect is a different story. Hai Yuxu has always been resentful of the title of Sword Master. Could he be here to take advantage of the situation?"

"Shh, keep your voice down! Their people are over there!"

Qin Zhongyu led his men to greet them in front of Suishan Palace.

His face was calm, but deep weariness was hidden in his eyes.

These days, more and more people are coming to test whether his master is alive or dead. Some are well-intentioned, and some are malicious. He hasn't had a good night's sleep for many days.

The previous visitors weren't particularly important figures, but these two are well-established True Essence Realm experts.

This must be taken very seriously, especially since his junior brother Chu Wuyai is still recovering from his injuries.

"Palace Master Luo has come from afar. I, Qin, have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me," Qin Zhongyu said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Luo Gushuang nodded slightly in return, and then said:

"Sect Leader Qin, you're too kind. I've heard the Sui Mountain Outer Sect Competition is a grand affair. I wonder how Sword Master is doing?"

Qin Zhongyu remained calm and said, "My master is currently in seclusion, and everything is fine."

Luo Gushuang's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then she said with a tentative smile:

"I have long admired the Suishan Nine Yang Skill of the Suishan Sword Sect. It rectifies the mind and enlightens the spirit, strengthens the foundation and cultivates the vital energy, and the power seems inexhaustible and indestructible. My Hanyue Palace has always admired it and has come here to witness the ceremony. I wonder if I may ask your sect for some guidance?"

Qin Zhongyu's heart sank; this person's intentions were clearly not good.

In the martial arts world, exceptionally talented masters like them often choose to cultivate a different type of internal skill to avoid being overly restrained.

For example, he also practiced a pure yang internal energy cultivation technique.

However, it's not easy to find an internal cultivation technique that can reach the True Essence Realm, and it must be from one of the Five Elements that is close to it.

His pure Yang internal energy has only condensed into Gang Qi. Does he not want to continue to improve?

It's because there's no further content about the realm.

Luo Gushuang, the deputy palace master, mainly cultivates the Xuan Yin lineage. If she wants to cultivate other lineages, she must find Vajra or Zixia. Coincidentally, the internal energy of the nearby Suishan Sword Sect is of the Zixia attribute, and they can even cultivate it to the True Yuan Realm.

For them, it is a temptation.

Qin Zhongyu saw through her intentions and was pondering how to respond.

A sneer came from the side.

"Palace Master Luo is a straightforward person, so I won't be coy either."

An old man in black robes strode forward, his face filled with undisguised arrogance; he was none other than Hai Yuxu of the Canghai Sword Sect.

"However, matters of the Sword Sect should naturally be settled with swords. Sect Leader Qin, I have long wished to meet the Sword Master and see if his so-called number one swordsman in the world truly deserves that title!"

These words were extremely rude, and the surrounding area erupted in uproar.

"Hai Yuxu, watch your mouth! How dare you discuss the Sword Master like that!" an inner disciple couldn't help but say.

Hai Yuxu glanced at him sideways, snorted coldly, and an aura of pressure instantly pressed down on him.

The disciple's face turned pale, and he staggered back several steps.

"When did it become your place to interrupt when I'm speaking to your sect leader?" Hai Yuxu said coldly.

The atmosphere instantly became tense and hostile.

A cold glint flashed in Qin Zhongyu's eyes. Just as he was about to speak, a chuckling voice suddenly rang out behind him.

"Oh, isn't this Sect Leader Hai and Palace Master Luo?"

Lu Zhongzheng appeared out of nowhere, a smile on his face.

"We're all old friends, why make the atmosphere so awkward? I'd like to thank you both for coming!"