Chapter 55: Filial Children Are Born Under the Rod

Li Xingyao instinctively looked at the spirit sword in his hand, sinking into deep thought. Previously, the spiritual weapons of other disciples in the sect had almost all exploded; the few that hadn’t were simply because no one had infused them with vital energy. Thinking back now, Li Xingyao felt that something was amiss. Perhaps the culprit behind all this was that annoying young man.

Yet, he reasoned that since his mid-grade spirit sword had always been with him, it was impossible for it to have any issues. He let out a derisive laugh. “You might fool others, but you can’t fool me. Whether it’ll explode or not, let’s just try and see.”

“You truly don’t believe me?”

“I’d sooner believe a ghost than you!” Li Xingyao cursed, preparing to attack.

Qingxi grinned, pointing at Li Xingyao’s mid-grade spirit sword. “I possess a unique skill called ‘Disarm You.’ With a few words, I can render weapons useless. Now, let me show you.”

He stretched out his hand, suddenly aiming at the sword and shouted, “Disarm You!”

The surroundings fell silent, with not the slightest reaction. Yet Qingxi, whose face was thick as a city wall, remained composed. “My skill is invisible and intangible. Your sword has already been disabled—test it yourself if you don’t believe me.”

Li Xingyao was skeptical but still cautiously extended his left hand, forming a protective shield in front of himself and the sword. Then he gathered his vital energy.

“Boom!”

Unexpectedly, the mid-grade spirit sword exploded as well.

Everyone present was taken aback. Some even wondered if Qingxi truly possessed this mysterious skill called “Disarm You.” Especially Wan Hu, who had already listed Qingxi as a competitor, his pupils contracted. “Just as expected—he has unfathomable methods. He’s definitely a future contender for the position of core elder… Perhaps even for Grand Elder!”

The Grand Elder of the Lingyuan Sect held a status second only to the Sect Leader. Besides loyalty to the sect, the most important requirement was to have perfect innate cultivation or combat power.

Wan Hu believed Qingxi’s methods were strange and that, once his cultivation advanced to the late stages of innate, he’d be qualified to compete for Grand Elder.

“What kind of technique is this?” Mu Yue was momentarily stunned, feeling a vague sense of familiarity but unable to recall the specifics. She quickly turned to Wang Shuiling beside her.

But Wang Shuiling shook her head, indicating she’d never seen such a bizarre skill, not even in the annals of the Water Immortal Sect.

Li Xingyao was even more shocked. He had spent his remaining points in the sect to exchange for this mid-grade spirit sword, having owned it for only two days.

He had used it before, confirming it was flawless. So why had it exploded so suddenly and inexplicably? Clouds of gray iron fragments rained down, obscuring his view and unsettling his mood.

He suddenly believed that Qingxi truly possessed some strange technique.

As Li Xingyao stood momentarily dazed, Qingxi smiled triumphantly. The vital energy he had gathered was instantly unleashed; five spirit threads twined around Li Xingyao, binding him tightly.

Qingxi pulled with all his might, dragging Li Xingyao closer.

“A sneak attack! How despicable!” Li Xingyao reacted quickly, employing the commonly used Scarlet Flame Sect disciple skill, “Power Augmentation,” which temporarily boosted his strength, snapping the five spirit threads.

However, Qingxi seized the opportunity to rush forward, employing his newly perfected Titan Palm with his left hand and the perfected Vajra Fist with his right, striking simultaneously.

Li Xingyao, after all, was a genius at the peak of Qi Refinement with abundant combat experience. He crossed his arms, and five translucent shields appeared before him.

“Crack!”

Qingxi, who had absorbed the blood essence of many demon beasts, possessed strength exceeding two thousand pounds. Coupled with the simultaneous use of two perfected, powerful offensive techniques, he shattered all five shields.

Before the astonished crowd, Li Xingyao was sent flying, landing at the edge of the arena.

“What?”

“Li Xingyao lost in a single move?”

Disciples from every sect rose to their feet, stunned by the unexpected outcome.

“Wait, did anyone notice just now? That young man’s cultivation is actually…”

“Peak of Qi Refinement!”

Some sharp-minded youths focused on cultivation. As their discussions echoed through the hall, everyone’s gaze converged on Qingxi.

Originally, Qingxi hadn’t intended to reveal his true cultivation, but having just broken through, his control over his strength was still imprecise. Moreover, he felt that without exerting his full power, he wouldn't be able to defeat Li Xingyao.

Unexpectedly, the result was astonishing.

Even Qingxi was amazed by his own strength—he had managed to break through a defense in one strike.

Yet while Qingxi marveled, Li Xingyao suffered.

Having followed the path of the sword since entry, Li Xingyao’s strength was greatly diminished without his blade, and his defense was naturally weak.

In truth, even if Qingxi had only used the strength of Qi Refinement Level Thirty, he could have broken through Li Xingyao’s defense.

But in that case, Li Xingyao wouldn’t have been injured.

Now, with Qingxi unleashing the full might of two perfected martial skills, the impact was extraordinary—not only did he break Li Xingyao’s defenses instantly, but he also struck him so hard that his internal organs trembled, inflicting serious internal injuries. Li Xingyao’s strength fell further, now even weaker than an ordinary Qi Refinement Level Thirty.

“You… What kind of monster are you?” Li Xingyao wiped the blood from his lips, eyes wide as copper bells.

The last time he’d seen Qingxi, the latter only had Qi Refinement Level Fifteen. Yet in less than seven days, he had miraculously advanced to the peak of Qi Refinement.

Such cultivation speed was terrifying!

“I told you, my surname is Qing, my courtesy name is Ba, together it’s Qing Ba Ba—your Qing Ba Ba.” Qingxi raised his hand, sending out five spirit threads that bound Li Xingyao securely.

“Power Augmentation!” Li Xingyao refused to accept defeat. His strength surged, spreading the threads, nearly breaking free.

But a chilling wind swept through as Qingxi, wielding a staff formed from vital energy, struck Li Xingyao’s wrist, dissipating his gathered power.

The spirit threads tightened, ensuring he could no longer break free.

“Still dreaming of Power Augmentation? Keep dreaming!”

“They say that under the rod, a child learns obedience. Today, I’ll give you a proper lesson.”

Qingxi’s smile grew arrogant as the staff, forged from vital energy, whipped through the air, making Li Xingyao howl in pain.

Since Qingxi didn’t strike hard, Li Xingyao was merely in agony, his injuries not worsening much. But for a genius like him, this was all the more torment.

This was, as the saying goes, not just defeating the body but crushing the spirit.

The bystanders all gaped, even neglecting their snacks for fear of missing a moment of Li Xingyao’s humiliation.

Some girls who had been charmed by Li Xingyao’s handsome looks watched in distress, repeatedly scolding Qingxi.

In response, Qingxi simply sped up his swings, expressing his displeasure.

“That’s enough—we concede!” Finally, Li Xingchen below the stage could no longer bear it; disregarding the food stains on himself, he rushed to the edge of the arena, crying out.