Chapter 256: My Master Was Also Only at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment Back Then

"Xia Shidi Xu Shixiong Yan, you have lost. Hand over the 150,000 spirit stones," Xia Daoming withdrew the Azure Cloud Sword and the Millennium Profound Bamboo Sword, saying with a calm expression.

"I!" Yan Ding was somewhat lost and dejected.

He hadn't expected that at the same realm, he would be defeated so quickly.

"Stop with the 'I's. A promise made is a debt unpaid. Of course, if you don't have enough spirit stones on hand, Xu Shixiong is very easy to talk to; you can sign an agreement with me and set a deadline for repayment," Xia Daoming said.

"Xia Daoming, you are bullying people too much!" A true disciple in the spectator stands couldn't bear it and couldn't help but shout.

"Eh, Xu Shixiong, what you said is a bit unreasonable. Look, Xia Shidi Xu Shixiong Yan forced me to a duel; did I say he was bullying people too much?

No, right? Now that he has lost, I am asking him to give 150,000 spirit stones according to the regulations. He can't take out 150,000, and I am kindly letting him sign an agreement to delay the payment of spirit stones. Where is the bullying too much?

Xu Shixiong, if you want to stand up for Yan Ding, just say so clearly. Of course, fighting is not impossible, as long as you can afford my appearance fee.

My appearance fee is determined by the cultivation realm: 150,000 for early Foundation Establishment, 300,000 for mid-stage, 800,000 for late-stage, and 1.5 million for Foundation Establishment perfection.

If you think you can afford it, just come down and challenge me; I, Xia Daoming, will not refuse anyone. Back in the day, my master, at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, could beat up mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators and was comparable to formidable late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

As his disciple, even if I can't surpass the master, I must at least keep up with him. So you all had better consider it carefully; those at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment shouldn't come up, lest you waste spirit stones in vain."

Xia Daoming said at the end, his gaze slowly sweeping across the surroundings, seeing the true disciples in the spectator stands all filled with anger.

"Humph, sure enough, like master, like disciple!" A thin, tall, green-clothed woman with prominent cheekbones walked to the side of Yue Huang and Zuo Dongge, saying coldly while taking her seat.

"This child's arrogance is even more than Xu Shixiong Zuo's back in the day!" A black-clothed man with a face like a knife and a straight waist like a spear, with a cold expression, followed the green-clothed woman and said.

"You are sure it was my arrogance back in the day, and not that you all were overestimating your own abilities?" Zuo Dongge raised his eyes and glanced sideways at the black-clothed man and the two Core Formation cultivators behind him, asking in return.

"Zuo Dongge, if it weren't for your serious injuries, not having the majesty of back in the day, I would definitely fight you again!" The green-clothed woman gritted her teeth.

"Qu Dongyan, you can only say such things now," Zuo Dongge replied indifferently, then his gaze looked toward Xia Daoming in the dueling arena, carrying a trace of the desolation of a hero in his twilight years.

Qu Dongyan, the head of the Transmission Hall, was said this by Zuo Dongge, and her heart was unconvinced; she still wanted to retort a few words, but the black-clothed man on the side, who was Xing Zhan, the head of the Protection Hall, had already tugged at her sleeve.

Qu Dongyan swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

In reality, she knew very well that if Zuo Dongge hadn't been injured back then, he might have already broken the Core to form the Nascent Soul today; they were not people he could fight.

It was just that these people, who could reach Core Formation, were absolutely favored children of heaven; they had been suppressed by Zuo Dongge many times back in the day, and some were ultimately convinced, while some were still unwilling to accept it.

While the Core Formation cultivators were talking, the true disciple who had just said Xia Daoming was bullying people too much had already flown into the dueling arena, pointing at Xia Daoming and reprimanding: "Xia Daoming, stop being arrogant! I am at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment; let's see how you beat me up!"

Yue Huang's face turned black immediately upon seeing this.

He was the Sect Master and had the most true disciples under him.

This true disciple who was standing up for Yan Ding was also his disciple.

"Xu Shixiong, maybe I should let Daoming stop," Zuo Dongge said kindly upon seeing this.

"Stop what! Qiu Jie is a child I am familiar with; his foundation is solid, his true essence and magic power are vigorous, and what is more rare is that his spiritual sense is powerful, and he uses a good set of Mother-Son Profound Python Knives; he has quite a bit of the style of the Sect Master Xu Shixiong back in the day. Let Qiu Jie kill Xia Daoming's arrogance, so that this child knows the height of the sky and the depth of the earth," Qu Dongyan didn't wait for Yue Huang to speak before taking over the conversation.

Yue Huang's face turned even blacker, and his lips trembled somewhat.

"With Qiu Jie like this, he has a fart of the Sect Master Xu Shixiong's style," Zuo Dongge, upon hearing this, couldn't help but blurt out.

"Humph, Zuo Dongge, you haven't left the mountain for how many years. I estimate that you are seeing Qiu Jie for the first time, so how do you know how formidable he is? This child, I am not bragging, but he truly has the style of the Sect Master Xu Shixiong back in the day," Qu Dongyan said, unconvinced.

"Cough, cough, no, no, where is there any style of the Sect Master Xu Shixiong back in the day!" Xiao Hongyi, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, hurriedly intervened to refute.

"Uh, Xia Shidi Xu Shixiong Xiao, what you said is not right. I remember it was the year before last, you and I happened to see Qiu Jie dueling with another disciple, and we were very surprised, both saying that this child had the style of the Sect Master Xu Shixiong when he was young," Qu Dongyan said with dissatisfaction.

"Did I say that? How come I don't remember? Anyway, this child absolutely does not have the style of the Sect Master Xu Shixiong," Xiao Hongyi said, and at the end, he was firm and decisive, not bringing a bit of confusion.

While the Core Formation cultivators above were discussing whether Qiu Jie had the style of the Sect Master back in the day, in the dueling arena, Xia Daoming had already collected 70,000 spirit stones from Yan Ding, plus an IOU for 80,000.

Yan Ding left the dueling arena dejectedly and found a seat next to Ran Bocai in the spectator stands.

"How should I address this Xu Shixiong? Which Elder's disciple are you?" Xia Daoming collected the spirit stones and the IOU, and only then began to size up the man in front of him.

"Remember this, Xu Shixiong Xia; my name is Qiu Jie, and my master is the Sect Master of our Qingyuan Sect," Qiu Jie replied.

"So you are a disciple of the Sect Master's senior brother. Xu Shixiong Qiu, it is a pleasure to meet you." Upon hearing this, Xia Daoming hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Easy to say, let's begin," Qiu Jie waved his hand with quite a bit of style.

"Wait a moment," Xia Daoming called for a stop.

"What is the matter?"

"It's like this: brothers should settle accounts clearly. Even if Xu Shixiong Qiu is the Sect Master Uncle's disciple and a noble Xu Shixiong, we should still settle the accounts that should be settled.

300,000 spirit stones—if you are willing to accept this appearance fee of mine, I will compete with you; otherwise, I will not compete with you."

"300,000 is 300,000!"

"Good! I like people who are as straightforward as you, Xu Shixiong!" Xia Daoming gave Qiu Jie a thumbs-up.

Then the two very straightforwardly pulled apart their distance.

Yue Huang looked up at the sky, speechless.

"Qiu Jie won't be unable to beat Xia Daoming, right?" Seeing the Sect Master Xu Shixiong looking like he couldn't bear to watch, Qu Dongyan finally realized something was wrong and asked Xiao Hongyi on the side in a low voice.

"Bullshit! Look at Xu Shixiong Zuo's calm and composed appearance; is it possible for Xia Daoming to lose? But this brat is truly much more ruthless than Xu Shixiong Zuo was back in the day.

Just a casual duel and it's hundreds of thousands or over a million spirit stones; this speed of earning spirit stones is many times faster than ours, making me somewhat envious," Xiao Hongyi said.

"Humph, Xia Shidi Xu Shixiong Xiao, I know you have always respected Zuo Dongge, but don't just blow things out of proportion because of that. Hundreds of thousands is already reaching the sky, and you're talking about over a million!" Qu Dongyan was somewhat angry upon hearing this.

"Fine, there is nothing to argue about; the duel has begun, and one look will make it clear," Xing Zhan said.

Xing Zhan's voice hadn't even faded.

In the dueling arena, two points of yellow light lit up.

Two giant yellow pythons rolled up a yellow sand storm, their momentum soaring as they killed their way toward Xia Daoming.

"Qiu Jie indeed has a bit of the Sect Master Xu Shixiong's style back in the day..." Seeing this, Xing Zhan couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

However, before he could finish his sentence, he felt a chill.

Xing Zhan subconsciously turned his head in the direction of the chill, only to see Sect Master Yue Huang staring at him with eyes like knives, cold air radiating.

Xing Zhan was shocked in his heart and hurriedly turned his head away, pretending he hadn't seen anything.

At this moment, in the dueling arena, changes had already occurred.

Just now, the two giant yellow pythons, which had had astonishing momentum and rolled up yellow sand all over the dueling arena, were now shrouded in a green giant net.

The net lines of that giant net were actually transformed from nine flying swords.

The two giant yellow pythons were charging everywhere inside, stirring the giant net as if it couldn't bear the pressure.

But the Core Formation Elders in the spectator stands understood at a glance that this giant net changed infinitely and could be stretched or retracted at will.

It didn't fight the two yellow pythons head-on, but just moved like water, transforming into various shapes. If the yellow pythons charged east, it would follow and stretch to the east; if they went west, it would go west. Anyway, it just kept the two yellow pythons trapped, not letting them charge out.

"This child is actually able to manipulate a sword formation, and his control is exquisite; he is well-versed in the way of overcoming hardness with softness. If Qiu Jie cannot find the flaw and charge out as soon as possible, I am afraid that even if Qiu Jie is at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment and his true essence and magic power are vigorous, he won't be able to withstand the consumption," Qu Dongyan said, her brow furrowing slightly.

Xiao Hongyi looked at Qu Dongyan, the corner of his mouth twitching.

Fart about not being able to withstand the consumption; it's clearly this brat who wants to fish, otherwise, with Qiu Jie's little strength, where would he need to dawdle with him? He could just crush him directly.

However, Xiao Hongyi still misunderstood Xia Daoming.

His biggest purpose was actually not to fish, but to take the opportunity to comprehend and practice the techniques Zuo Dongge had taught him. Of course, if he could earn some spirit stones along the way, that would definitely be even better.

After entangling with Qiu Jie for a while, Xia Daoming felt that he had grasped the move "Net of Heaven and Earth" well enough, so he deployed the Azure Cloud Sword again.

"This child still has the energy to deploy other magic tools!" This time, apart from Zuo Dongge and the other two, the other Core Formation Elders who had rushed over to watch the excitement were all greatly moved.

However, Qiu Jie was still very formidable.

When the Azure Cloud Sword killed its way over, he had already deployed an ancient token made of unknown material, with very complex runes carved on it.

As soon as this token was deployed, it formed a yellow dragon that coiled around his body, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, spitting giant rocks, guarding Qiu Jie without a single gap.

The Azure Cloud Sword attacked like lightning, but was blocked by the yellow dragon.

"Good! Let's see how he breaks it!" Qu Dongyan cheered upon seeing this.

"Master back in the day used his early Foundation Establishment cultivation to beat up mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators—that was truly awesome! I am also at the early stage of Foundation Establishment now. If it weren't for my super-strong spiritual sense and I only used true essence and magic power, I would definitely not be able to beat these mid-stage Foundation Establishment true disciples!"

Xia Daoming sighed with emotion in his heart, thinking the time was about right, and his powerful spiritual sense immediately and keenly locked onto the flaw in the yellow dragon's defense.

A point of green light flashed, passing through the flaw in the yellow dragon's defense.

The sharp sword tip pressed against Qiu Jie's forehead.

The dueling arena instantly fell silent.

"I have lost!" Qiu Jie was somewhat lost and dejected.

"Xu Shixiong's control of this defensive magic tool still had flaws, which I luckily captured," Xia Daoming said with rare modesty, kindly comforting him.

"But you are only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment," Qiu Jie said, his heart full of bitterness.

"My master was also only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment back then!" Xia Daoming said.

In the dueling arena, those Core Formation Elders heard this and felt very heartbroken; even Xiao Hongyi couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

This brat! This brat is going too far!

Only Zuo Dongge, not in a hurry, stroked his beard.

Qiu Jie stood frozen on the spot upon hearing this.

"Xu Shixiong Qiu, it's time to give the spirit stones," Xia Daoming reminded him in a low voice.

Qiu Jie shuddered all over, feeling regret in his heart!

Why did I have to stand up for this!

300,000!

"If Xu Shixiong can't take out that much, you can write an IOU," Xia Daoming reminded him again in a low voice.

In the end, Qiu Jie took out 150,000 and owed 150,000.

Watching his disciple write an IOU, Yue Huang couldn't help but cover his head.

Another 300,000—these prodigal rebellious disciples!

"Xu Shixiong, I was wrong just now; how could this Qiu Jie have your style back in the day? You were much more formidable than him back then!" Seeing this, Xing Zhan hurriedly comforted and made up for it.

As soon as Xing Zhan said this, Qu Dongyan and the others felt a chill in their hearts and hurriedly lowered their heads, pretending they hadn't heard anything.

This wasn't comforting or making up for it; this was stabbing him in the back!

"Is that so? Speaking of which, we brothers haven't sparred for a long time. Let's compare notes later," Yue Huang looked at Xing Zhan.

"Ah, no need, no need; I can't beat you, Xu Shixiong," Xing Zhan shuddered in his heart and hurriedly waved his hands.

"It is settled then," Yue Huang said with a dark face.

The Core Formation cultivator spectator area instantly fell silent.

At this moment, Xia Daoming's voice rang out in the dueling arena.

"Fellow Xu Shixiong Brothers, is there anyone else who wants to challenge me? I will reiterate my appearance fee: 150,000 for early Foundation Establishment, 300,000 for mid-stage, 800,000 for late-stage, and 1.5 million for Foundation Establishment perfection. If there is no one, I am leaving."

Xia Daoming cupped his fists toward the spectator stands one by one.

"Fei Tingmei, you go up," Qu Dongyan said with a taut face to a white-clothed woman at the late stage of Foundation Establishment below.

"Xia Shidi Sister Qu!"

"Xu Shixiong Sister Qu!"

Yue Huang and Xiao Hongyi were anxious upon hearing this.

"I don't believe it! Zuo Dongge suppressed us back in the day, and his disciple can still suppress our disciples," Qu Dongyan gritted her teeth.

"That disciple of yours is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment!" Zuo Dongge reminded.

"I don't care; anyway, I will be unreasonable once today, and I must have Fei Tingmei suppress him once, which can be considered as venting the resentment of back then," Qu Dongyan said.

Yue Huang and Xiao Hongyi looked at each other in dismay upon hearing this.

That's not what we meant!

Just as they were about to open their mouths to say that wasn't what they meant, Fei Tingmei had already flown down from the spectator stands, saying with a frosty face: "Xia Daoming, do you dare to fight me?"

"Late stage of Foundation Establishment, 800,000," Xia Daoming said with a calm expression.

"Good!" Fei Tingmei said very straightforwardly.

Yue Huang and Xiao Hongyi looked at each other and shook their heads.

It had already reached this point; what else was there to say?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 257 =====

"Fine!" Fei Tingmei said quite decisively.

Yue Huang and Xiao Hongyi looked at each other and shook their heads.

Things had reached this point; what else was there to say?

(End of chapter)