Chapter 321: Little White, the Lucky Dog Who Won Without Lifting a Finger

Great Bamboo Peak, Shoujing Hall.

Two sword lights shot swiftly toward them and landed on the ground; Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu, both clad in white robes, sheathed their swords and bowed together to Tian Buyi and Su Ru.

Tian Buyi's gaze assessed Lin Jingyu, who had reached the fourth level of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao in three and a half years, and his expression darkened… In Tian Buyi's view, Daoist Cangsong had encountered Gu Qing, Lin Jingyu, and Zhang Xiaofan in Caomiao Village, immediately taken Gu Qing to Longshou Peak for protection, and brought Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan to Tongtian Peak.

After learning the full story, Daoist Cangsong took Lin Jingyu as his disciple, and in the entire affair, he took everything for himself, leaving Tian Buyi only the scraps—namely, the present Zhang Xiaofan.

Thus, seeing Lin Jingyu succeed, Tian Buyi was deeply displeased.

"What are you here for?"

Tian Buyi asked coldly.

"Respectfully reporting, Uncle,"

Qi Hao bowed formally and said, "Master Daoxuan has entrusted Master with organizing the Seven Peaks Martial Tournament, and Master, upon hearing Chief Gu Qing's advice, has made many changes to the tournament rules, so he sent me to each peak to convey them one by one."

Upon hearing Gu Qing's name, Tian Buyi's brow furrowed deeper. "What new trick has Gu Qing cooked up now?"

For these past three years, Gu Qing has brought tremendous change to the Qingyun Sect: new disciples must now train in the Golden Goose Art and the Heavenly Gang Beidou Array, and even the Taiji Xuanqing Dao passed down by Qingyun Zi has been reworked by Gu Qing, revealing many wondrous applications.

Now, Gu Qing's reputation surpasses that of all the elders; many within the sect believe that with Gu Qing, Qingyun has entered an era of rising prosperity.

"Chief Gu Qing believes that to identify true Qiangzhe, we should adopt a double-elimination system."

Qi Hao said honestly, "After several rounds of combat, fighters are divided into winners' and losers' groups. Winners continue advancing; losers drop into the losers' group. Those in the losers' group must keep winning to earn a chance to face the winners' group again."

The double-elimination rules were not complex; Qi Hao explained them clearly and simply.

"This time, each of the seven peaks sends nine fighters. Uncle Tian, your peak may have one fighter directly promoted to the winners' group."

Qi Hao stated the rule.

Tian Buyi's expression turned grim—he had only eight fighters in total. This "privilege" of direct promotion felt less like favoritism and more like humiliation.

"Your Longshou Peak invented this just to avoid internal losses, right?"

Tian Buyi's voice brimmed with anger.

In past Seven Peaks Tournaments, the grouping often led to internal battles, eliminating many top fighters within each peak. Now, with double elimination, clashes between peaks will increase.

Qi Hao's face changed slightly. "Chief Gu Qing designed this rule to ensure he meets Miss Lu Xueqi from Little Bamboo Peak in the final."

At these words, the people of Great Bamboo Peak fell silent.

Da Huang barked twice, feeling like a lonely dog.

"Has Xueqi come out of seclusion?"

Su Ru asked.

Qi Hao nodded. "Chief Gu Qing has already gone to meet her."

Tian Buyi thought of Gu Qing, and his rivalry with Cangsong vanished. Then he thought of Gu Qing and Lu Xueqi, and muttered, "That old hag Shuiyue should have stopped this."

Strong in power, towering in fame, smooth in romance—and even altering the tournament rules for personal whim…

Tian Buyi thought of his own arduous pursuit of Su Ru, and felt nothing but resentment… Though, if Gu Qing were his disciple…

Tian Buyi had no objection to the double-elimination rule; both Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu breathed easier. Lin Jingyu immediately sought out Zhang Xiaofan to catch up, while Qi Hao, glancing around, noticed Tian Ling'er in her red robes.

"Is this Miss Tian?"

Qi Hao smiled slightly and moved closer to Tian Ling'er. "Miss Tian, you're sixteen, and your mastery of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao is remarkable—I've admired you for a long time."

Zhang Xiaofan, mid-conversation with Lin Jingyu, saw this and grew flustered, his attention drifting from their talk.

"Brother Qi's reputation is well-deserved."

Tian Ling'er offered a casual compliment, then widened her eyes. "Brother Qi, has Brother Gu created any techniques using ribbons? Now Qingyun Sect has practically become the Qingyun Sword Sect—those of us who use other weapons feel like outsiders."

At the mention of Gu Qing, Qi Hao stiffened slightly.

"Chief Gu Qing is indeed extraordinarily gifted…"

Qi Hao changed the subject, pulling out a Cool Pearl. "Several years ago, I accompanied Master Cangsong on a righteous mission, exterminating a band of demonic cultivators, and recovered this Cool Pearl—it's said to preserve youth…"

"Forget it."

Tian Ling'er looked at it with disinterest. "Brother Gu said on Little Bamboo Peak that following certain meridians and acupoints in the Taiji Xuanqing Dao can reverse aging and preserve youth. How could your Cool Pearl compare to Brother Gu's method?"

Su Ru, originally from Little Bamboo Peak, had practiced this youth-preserving technique herself; Tian Ling'er naturally understood.

Qi Hao fell silent.

"Brother Qi, in this Seven Peaks Tournament, where do you think you'll place?"

Tian Ling'er suddenly asked.

Qi Hao recalled his crushing defeat three years ago and his years of grueling training. After a pause, he said, "I should reach the final." At least he wouldn't let Gu Qing and Lu Xueqi meet there.

"So no matter how hard you train, you still can't surpass Brother Gu."

Tian Ling'er lost interest.

Originally, Tian Ling'er had liked Qi Hao partly because of his reputation. But since Gu Qing defeated him, Qi Hao's halo of fame had faded. Now, in Qingyun Sect, the most renowned was Gu Qing—and Gu Qing already had Lu Xueqi.

Tian Ling'er turned and walked away.

Qi Hao watched her retreating figure; this boldness had made him inwardly withdrawn.

Zhang Xiaofan watched Tian Ling'er depart and Qi Hao standing still, and suddenly felt relief. He spoke more warmly with Lin Jingyu, even making plans to go down the mountain together to visit their hometowns.

Little Bamboo Peak.

Gu Qing and Lu Xueqi walked hand in hand. Her three-year seclusion had brought her to the ninth level of Jade Pure, and the Great Brahma Sutra to its fourth level—her power had undergone a revolutionary transformation. Walking beside Gu Qing, she smiled softly, more like a celestial couple than mortals.

"Brother Gu, a letter!"

A disciple from Longshou Peak arrived on his sword, handing over a letter.

Gu Qing opened it in front of Lu Xueqi and saw it was intelligence about a Fuxiang Valley disciple chasing a demonic fox.

"More than three years…"

Gu Qing crushed the letter with his grip, and a strange thought surfaced in his mind.

"If I save the six-tailed demon fox and claim the Xuanhuo Mirror, when the system settles accounts… will Little White count as a lucky dog who won without lifting a finger?"

(End of Chapter)