The Mirror Master

When Lu Bai appeared, Jiao Wei and Mo Shaohan, the master and disciple from the Xuanjian Sect, followed the crowd’s gaze toward him.

The duel had been set for some time, but the master and disciple had only heard of Lu Bai by name.

This was the first time they had ever seen him.

Mo Shaohan stared at Lu Bai’s temples, then suddenly sneered. "Just as I thought, Inner Strength Realm. How amusing. A piece of trash like this actually dares to challenge me."

When he first heard the news, Jiao Wei had suspected that this Lu Bai fellow was hiding his true strength, figuring he was most likely a peak Innate Martial Artist.

Otherwise, it made no sense.

Only after seeing Lu Bai’s temples did he confirm it.

Once a person entered the Innate Realm and opened their Meridians, they could release True Qi externally, and the distinct bulge at their temples would gradually recede.

Jiao Wei said grimly, "Shaohan, take his life as quickly as possible. End it fast."

"A pity."

Mo Shaohan licked his lips. "I was hoping to play with him a little longer."

Jiao Wei reminded him, "Remember to use that Middle Grade Flying Sword I just gave you."

"Master, there’s no need."

Mo Shaohan was dismissive. "To deal with an Inner Martial Artist, my Low Grade Flying Sword is more than enough."

"How many times have I told you? Never underestimate your opponent. Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit!"

Jiao Wei frowned. "Back in the chaotic times of the past, Qi Refiners would occasionally suffer unexpected defeats.

"When Qi Refiners from the major Sects descended from their mountains to travel the Jianghu and perform missions, they were required to travel in pairs at a minimum, precisely to avoid such situations."

Mo Shaohan said, "Master, the situations you’re talking about mostly involve being ambushed and ganged up on.

"An Inner Martial Artist like him, fighting one-on-one? Even if ten or a hundred of them came at me one by one, my Flying Sword could kill them all with ease."

Jiao Wei said, "Don’t you underestimate those self-made Jianghu Travelers. They live dangerously and are audaciously daring. Lime powder, poison, Hidden Weapons, seduction—those are just their common tricks.

"Some with even dirtier methods will use filthy things like Red Dragon and Black Dog Blood to corrupt a Qi Refiner’s Flying Sword or Magical Treasure."

Mo Shaohan frowned. "This guy has the title ’Black Hand Young Hero.’ It’s probably because he uses dirty tricks."

"Correct."

Jiao Wei said, "The man isn’t an idiot. If he dares to challenge you, he must have made some preparations. I’m having you switch to the Middle Grade Flying Sword precisely to guard against his schemes.

"If a Low Grade Flying Sword is tainted with defiling substances like Red Dragon, it will lose its spiritual connection, and you won’t be able to sense it. Although a Middle Grade Flying Sword will also be affected, you’ll at least still be able to control it."

"You are right, Master."

Mo Shaohan nodded.

After arriving, Lu Bai quickly located the two Cultivators from the Xuanjian Sect in the crowd and activated his Eye of Illusion.

’Strange,’ Lu Bai thought with a frown.

He couldn’t detect any Yin Qi or Ghost Qi on the two men.

He scanned the crowd around Mo Shaohan for another moment but still found nothing amiss.

’Then why did the Black Dog try to attack them that day? Or could it be... they have some kind of treasure on them that conceals Ghost Qi?’

"Truly, heroes are born from the younger generation."

Prefect Dou Kuan slowly rose and announced, "For Young Hero Lu to accept this challenge... I am filled with admiration for his courage and daring.

"I hope that today, Young Hero Lu can bring honor to us Martial Artists and engage in a spectacular battle on the Discussion Platform with Daoist Mo!"

"YEAH!"

A wave of cheers erupted from near the Martial Arts Discussion Platform.

The growing roar of the crowd interrupted Lu Bai’s thoughts.

"You two, take the stage!"

As Prefect Dou Kuan finished speaking, Mo Shaohan stood up, formed a hand sign from his Sword Formulas, and gestured below his feet.

VMMMM!

A clear sword-hum rang out in all directions.

The longsword suddenly shot from its sheath, drawing a beautiful arc through the air.

Mo Shaohan leaped, and the sword stopped perfectly beneath his feet.

SWOOSH!

Man and sword, they landed on the Martial Arts Discussion Platform in the blink of an eye.

"Amazing!"

"So cool!"

"No wonder everyone wants to cultivate. Look at that! He just made a simple gesture, didn’t even touch his Treasure Sword, and it flew out on its own. He rode it here using Sword Control."

A wave of amazement rippled through the crowd.

With that move alone, Mo Shaohan had already made a stunning first impression!

"What’s he so smug about!"

Luo Ben spat. "The last guy who was this flashy got his face beaten to a pulp by Brother Xiaolu."

Despite his words, he felt a knot of unease in his stomach.

"You’re all talk, Luo Ben."

"Ignore him. Once the fight starts, let’s see what he has to say then."

"He runs his mouth about ’Brother Xiaolu’ at the academy all day, acting like he’s so great. Let’s see how smug he is after this."

Several students from Bluestone Academy waited, eager to see him made a fool of.

Lu Bai simply walked up the stairs.

Without knowing Qinggong, even if he tried to leap onto the Martial Arts Discussion Platform, it wouldn’t look very graceful.

It was better just to walk up.

On the Martial Arts Discussion Platform.

Both sides had taken their positions.

Mo Shaohan suddenly asked, "Lord Dou, once a Cultivator’s Flying Sword is unleashed, its speed is immense. If I were to accidentally take this man’s life, what then?"

"Well..."

Prefect Dou Kuan said hesitantly, "Daoist Mo, please do your best to stop once a victor is clear. Try not to take his life."

"Fine. I’ll try."

Mo Shaohan let out a soft laugh.

Li Tianxing frowned to himself.

He could tell that Lord Dou’s words weren’t a strict command, leaving Mo Shaohan some leeway.

Lu Bai suddenly spoke, his voice calm. "Since we’re on the topic, let’s fight without holding back. Pulling our punches would be restrictive and less than satisfying."

The moment he said this, the surrounding din quieted considerably.

For a moment, the crowd couldn’t believe it. They all stared with wide eyes, trying to make sure they had heard Lu Bai correctly.

"What do you mean?"

Mo Shaohan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Let’s make it a deathmatch."

Lu Bai said, "Only the one left alive gets to leave the Martial Arts Discussion Platform!"

The crowd was silent for only a moment before erupting with an even greater roar.

"Is this Lu Bai insane? He really has a death wish!"

"As they say, you can survive a disaster from Heaven, but not one you bring upon yourself. Lord Dou already told Daoist Mo to go easy on him, giving him a way out. This Lu Bai is just asking to be killed; he’ll have no one to blame but himself."

"This Lu Bai... he’s going to be the death of me!"

In the crowd, many who had bet on Mo Shaohan to win couldn’t help but curse loudly.

If it was a deathmatch, one of them was guaranteed to die.

All their money was on the line.

"Haha."

Another group gloated, "I told you so! There had to be a catch for Boss Jin to offer those odds!"

Escort Leader Zhao Wei couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, "Elder Zheng is brilliant."

"Hehe."

Zheng Yingming chuckled softly. "I didn’t expect this Lu Bai to actively seek death, but the result is the same either way."

The members of the Luo Family wore grave expressions. They were all extremely tense, their palms sweating.

Luo Tianxiong had lived for more than half a century and had seen his share of great storms, but right now, he was deeply unsettled, his heart in his throat.

This was perhaps the most insane decision he had ever made in his life!

"Good, good, good!"

On the Martial Arts Discussion Platform, Mo Shaohan actually laughed, nodding repeatedly. "Lu Bai, as you wish! A deathmatch between us. The loser leaves their corpse behind, and the winner walks away alive!"