"Fifth Junior Brother, do not underestimate him. This person was originally a disciple of the Third Peak, possessing late-stage Void-Self realm strength. However, he had previously defeated disciples in the True-Self realm's initial stage with only mid-stage Void-Self realm power. With a breakthrough now, his strength must have soared."
"Furthermore, since he dares to step forward and issue a challenge to you, he must have thoroughly investigated everything. Therefore, Fifth Junior Brother, this battle must be approached with utmost caution," Su Yueze said with a hint of uncertainty in his voice as Li Xuan finished speaking.
Li Xuan nodded, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "To win battles against opponents of higher cultivation, he certainly has some skills. However, if he truly intends to treat me as a pushover, I wouldn't mind letting him experience despair."
Li Xuan's tone clearly carried a hint of indignation. Originally, there were only seven of them on the Seventh Peak. Now, only Li Xuan was being challenged, an obvious attempt to bully him for being the weakest. Although Li Xuan did not mind such things, his innate pride gave rise to a simmering resentment.
"Senior Brother, you are making too much of this. With Fifth Junior Brother's strength, he can naturally defeat that Ma Huayuan with ease. Once that happens, no one will dare to underestimate him," Song Wuwen said, seemingly sensing Li Xuan's irritation.
"During the disciple sparring matches, Fifth Junior Brother's displayed strength was already considerable. Now, after receiving the Spirit Dragon Infusion and with these days of cultivation, his strength must have improved significantly. Although Ma Huayuan is not weak, he is indeed considerably weaker compared to Fifth Junior Brother," Chai Jingyuan agreed, nodding.
Li Xuan smiled slightly. "Don't flatter me. If I were to lose, where would I hide my face? Alright, Senior Brother, are there any other matters?"
Su Yueze replied, "Besides this, there is nothing else. You were not present with Master earlier, so Ma Huayuan did not persistently seek a challenge. But now that you have appeared, Ma Huayuan will likely come to seek you out for a match tomorrow."
"If he comes, I will accept. Alright, Senior Brother, I will go prepare," Li Xuan said. With a nod from Su Yueze, he instantly moved away into the distance.
"Fifth Junior Brother's strength seems to be growing more and more unfathomable. The moment Fifth Junior Brother appeared, I somehow couldn't see through him," He Xidong said slowly as Li Xuan departed.
"So you felt it too, Third Brother? I thought I was mistaken," Chai Jingyuan exclaimed in surprise.
Listening to Chai Jingyuan and He Xidong's conversation, Su Yueze's expression held a hint of confusion as he gazed at Li Xuan's receding figure, his gaze lingering.
"Li Xuan has appeared?" At the same time, in another disciple's pavilion on the Seventh Peak, a man in a green robe with a black belt suddenly stood up.
"Replying to Senior Brother Ma, it is indeed that Li Xuan," a disciple opposite the green-robed man replied respectfully with a bow.
Ma Huayuan let out a sinister smile. "It's good that he has appeared. Hmph, the Void-Self realm alone, I, Ma Huayuan, do not take it lightly. The position of a purple-robed disciple, I, Ma Huayuan, will secure!"
An hour later, having familiarized himself with the Seventh Peak, Li Xuan prepared to return to the Spirit Waterfall.
"Yo, isn't this Elder Li Xuan from the main lineage?"
As he was about to reach his residence, a gloomy voice halted Li Xuan's progress.
Li Xuan stopped and slowly turned around.
The person approaching wore a white robe with a conspicuous black belt. Judging by his aura, he possessed late-stage Void-Self realm strength. Li Xuan could guess without thinking that this person was Ma Huayuan, who had come looking for him at this time.
Li Xuan sized up Ma Huayuan and calmly stated, "Senior Brother has already informed me of your challenge. I originally thought you possessed formidable strength, but seeing you now, I am somewhat disappointed."
Ma Huayuan's smile vanished instantly, and he turned to Li Xuan with a dark expression. "Could it be that Elder Li Xuan is afraid of losing and is intentionally trying to shirk this fight?"
Li Xuan chuckled and nodded. "I indeed do not particularly wish to fight you."
"I thought elders from the main lineage were supposed to be powerful. Did the disciples of the main lineage lose in the previous rounds, making Elder Li Xuan fear being unable to salvage the situation if he loses?" Hearing Li Xuan's nonchalant words, Ma Huayuan's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
Li Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Why do you think I don't want to fight you?"
"Why?" Ma Huayuan immediately asked, looking at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan looked at Ma Huayuan and slowly replied, "Because you are too weak."
As Li Xuan's words fell, Ma Huayuan could no longer mistake Li Xuan's contempt for him.
"However, since you have already issued the challenge, I cannot break the rules set by the Peak Master. Let's fight tomorrow, to prevent these people from jumping around too much." Li Xuan spoke again before Ma Huayuan could respond. His demeanor was extremely calm, as if he were handling a trivial matter. This behavior made Ma Huayuan's lips twitch uncontrollably, and his eyes, as he looked at Li Xuan, seemed to burn with fury.
"Hmm, Ma Huayuan, is it? Do you have any other business?" Li Xuan asked slightly raising his head as he saw Ma Huayuan still standing there.
"Since Elder Li Xuan has agreed to the challenge, we shall see the truth tomorrow. I, your disciple, would like to see just how powerful Elder Li Xuan truly is!" Ma Huayuan took a deep breath and said.
As soon as Ma Huayuan finished speaking, he turned and left directly, clearly not wanting to linger and be further provoked by Li Xuan.
"Young Master, this guy's strength, though seemingly a level above yours, isn't so foolish, is he?" the Heavenly Dao Brush's voice sounded in Li Xuan's mind.
Li Xuan chuckled. "This Ma Huayuan is likely a pawn pushed forward. The person behind this is probably that elder from the Third Peak."
"I truly pity this fellow. I hope he sleeps well tonight," the Heavenly Dao Brush remarked.
Li Xuan smiled and with a flick of his figure, he merged into the Spirit Waterfall and disappeared.