Xiao Qi said coldly, “Stop talking nonsense. Again!”

　　 She launched a fist.

　　 Xiao Qi closed the distance between them, her fist force flying at Lu Guangdi’s chest.

　　 Lu Guangdi hurriedly raised his palm in front of his chest to block her smooth, jade-like fist.

　　 “Bang!” As Lu Guangdi took two steps backward again, a grim expression appeared on his handsome face, and his eyes gleamed coldly at her.

　　 Indeed, he found Xiao Qi very beautiful, but no matter how attractive a woman looked, he would never allow her to overpower him. All women should admit their inferiority to him.

　　 Unfortunately, Xiao Qi possessed a mysterious heart technique that was capable of blocking his mind-reading ability. In fact, everyone in this courtyard was shielded from it. Thus, his strongest trump card had been rendered useless.

　　 As expected, the Imperial Residence had many people with extraordinary skills and abilities. He also believed that there was something odd about this Tianshu Courtyard, since it could restrain the effects of divine powers and was causing him to be placed in such a disadvantageous position.

　　 If he wanted to have a chance of winning this fight, he needed to get out of Tianshu Courtyard first.

　　 However, leaving Tianshu Courtyard would not help his case much since Xiao Qi possessed such a mysterious heart technique. How annoying and detestable!

　　 Lu Guangdi decided not to hold back against Xiao Qi anymore, as a surge of rage and murderous desire began to fill his heart. Thus, he circulated the Rolling Wave Palm to the greatest extent and hurriedly launched his palm attack before she could make her move.

　　 Xiao Qi said calmly, “My strongest suit is swordsmanship!”

　　 As soon as she finished speaking, her sword flashed toward Lu Guangdi and instantly stabbed at his chest.

　　 “Ding…” A hole appeared in the fabric covering Lu Guangdi’s chest, revealing a Heart Guard Mirror.

　　 The Heart Guard Mirror was only as big as a palm and looked like a piece of white jade. Xiao Qi’s sword tip left no mark on it despite her attack.

　　 Lu Guangdi abruptly threw out another palm attack and then turned around to leave immediately. Though his movements seemed slow and sluggish, as if he was casually strolling away, his speed was incredibly fast, and he instantly made his way out of Tianshu Courtyard. Before Zheng Lide and the other protectors realized what was happening, he had already vanished from their sight.

　　 “I can’t believe he escaped so quickly!” Xiao Qi took a step backward to dodge the palm energy and slid her sword back into its scabbard.

　　 Xiao Shi shook her head. “This cunning fellow ran away as soon as he noticed the situation turning against him. He’s quite a clever person. You’ll have to be more careful from now on.”

　　 Xiao Qi said, “There’s something strange about that guy.”

　　 “Younger Sister, is Tide-listening Pavilion’s martial art really very powerful?”

　　 “How can they not be powerful when they’ve gained so much fame as a secluded faction? The Rolling Wave Palm has a well-deserved reputation indeed.”

　　 Xiao Qi knew that Zheng Lide and the others would not have allowed this Lu Guangdi to enter the Imperial Residence. However, seeing as they had failed to stop him from entering, even with the help of Zhu Tianhua, she figured that Lu Guangdi probably had outstanding intelligence and superb martial arts skills.

　　 “He should have learned his lesson now,” Xiao Shi said with a scoff.

　　 “I believe he won’t give up just yet,” Xiao Qi replied. “He’ll be back to challenge Chu Li.”

　　 “Well, that’ll be interesting to watch,” Xiao Shi said and laughed.

　　 Chu Li would never allow this arrogant young fellow to escape if he were around and would certainly cripple the guy’s martial arts.

　　 …

　　 Chu Li arrived outside Heavenly Demonic Sect but did not enter the ravine. Instead, he raised his voice and shouted, “Where is Du Feng?!”

　　 His voice sounded as mighty as a Spirit Tiger’s roar and caused Heaven and Earth to shake.

　　 The entire mountain and forest seemed to tremble at his voice, which contained some of the effects of the Stupefying Howl. The disciples in Heavenly Demonic Sect would certainly be able to hear him.

　　 “Where is Du Feng?” When Chu Li saw that no one had come out, he continued to shout, “Heavenly Demonic Sect has been returning kindness with ingratitude. Will Du Feng come out and meet me?”

　　 His voice echoed into the distance and could be heard over three miles away.

　　 Chu Li had used these few shouts to demonstrate the depth of his inner energy and cultivation level so that Fu Qingya would be forced to come out and handle this situation. There was no need for any ordinary Heavenly Demonic Sect disciple to come and fight him as they would not be able to withstand a single blow from him.

　　 “Whoever comes to us is our guest. You’re welcome to enter the ravine!” An old man glided out and appeared in front of Chu Li before giving a fist salute and saying, “The sect leader has invited you in!”

　　 “Lead the way!” Chu Li replied coldly, a grim expression on his face.

　　 The old man had a white beard and eyebrows, but Chu Li could not recognize him as he had never seen this person anywhere in the ravine of Heavenly Demonic Sect before. Through the Omniscient Mirror, Chu Li saw that he had an ordinary cultivation level and very young vital organs, so this person was clearly a young man in disguise.

　　 Chu Li did not care about this since all disciples of Heavenly Demonic Sect could easily change their appearances. The worst thing he could do was to judge them by their appearances.

　　 The two of them went through a cave and entered the ravine. Chu Li glanced around and scoffed. “This is where Heavenly Demonic Sect is located?”

　　 “Yes!” the old man replied. “However, outsiders won’t be able to enter this place. I haven’t asked your name, Young Master.”

　　 “Chu Li.”

　　 “So, you’re Young Master Chu.” The old man carried on walking into the ravine in an indifferent manner, so he had evidently never heard of Chu Li before.

　　 With the old man leading the way, Chu Li entered Heavenly Demonic Sect’s basilica and saw the Heavenly Demon Statue.

　　 Fortunately, he had used the Life and Death Scripture to completely conceal his Heavenly Demonic Power beforehand. Otherwise, the Heavenly Demonic Power would begin to circulate when he was in the presence of the Heavenly Demon Statue, and he would not be able to control it at all. This was a magical effect of the Heavenly Demon Statue.

　　 Inside the basilica sat five people, namely Fu Qing and the Four Grand Elders. They were all staring at him with cold and cautious eyes.

　　 Chu Li gave a fist salute and said, “I’m Chu Li!”

　　 “I’m Fu Qingya,” Fu Qingya replied calmly. “I’ve heard of Chu Li of the North and Du Feng of the South. You’re quite a famous figure. May I know what business has brought you here?”

　　 It was because Zhe Ying had assumed Du Feng’s identity that Fu Qingya had taken the effort to understand the state of affairs at the Ji Dynasty.

　　 Fu Qingya was astounded when he heard Chu Li’s shouts and did not dare to handle this situation carelessly. He knew that he had to personally confront this enemy who had such a deep and profound cultivation level. Although Chu Li was not as powerful as an Enlightened Master, the Four Grand Elders might not necessarily be capable of dealing with him.

　　 Chu Li huffed and asked, “Sect Leader has heard of Snow Lunar Pavilion, right?”

　　 “You’re from Snow Lunar Pavilion?”

　　 “I’ve come here to ask a few questions. Did you send your people to destroy Snow Lunar Pavilion just because you wanted to help Du Feng advance to the next level of his cultivation?”

　　 “Yes!” Fu Qingya replied calmly.

　　 Chu Li muttered coldly, “I’d like to know why exactly that was necessary!”

　　 Fu Qingya replied, “I did that to sever his emotional ties, so that he would have nothing more to be worried or concerned about. Then, he would be able to improve further in his Heavenly Demonic Power.”

　　 “Emotional ties?” Chu Li frowned.

　　 Fu Qingya explained, “I suppose there’s no harm in telling you this. Du Feng is a disguise used by a Heavenly Demonic Sect disciple called Zhe Ying.”

　　 He would never admit that it was only after Du Feng had been killed that Zhe Ying had taken on his identity.

　　 “He went out into the outside world to have some fun and disguised himself as Du Feng to explore the Ji Dynasty. However, he ended up developing some feelings toward a disciple from Snow Lunar Pavilion. He’s a genius at cultivation in Heavenly Demonic Sect and is only a step away from achieving perfect mastery in his Heavenly Demonic Power. This last step requires him to cut off all worldly ties so that he can be free from worries and concerns. With that, he’ll be able to achieve perfect mastery.”

　　 Chu Li laughed coldly. “Sect Leader Fu, you must be joking!”

　　 “How dare you!” Elder Du shouted.

　　 The basilica suddenly became brighter for a moment as Chu Li glanced at Elder Du and created light out of nothing.

　　 Elder Du secretly felt shocked and muttered coldly, “This is Heavenly Demonic Sect. We will not tolerate any nonsense from you!”

　　 Chu Li said, “Sect Leader Fu is only good at martial arts and knows nothing about Buddhist Austerities. In order for one’s heart be free from worries and concerns; one must let go of their worldly ties not forcefully sever them. You think you can help Du Feng — or should I say, Zhe Ying — free himself from all worries and concerns by killing the disciples of Snow Lunar Pavilion? On the contrary, you’re making it impossible for him to let go of his worldly ties as he will remember this forever and will never be able to free himself from his feelings! … Humph, I doubt you’re doing this to help him achieve perfect mastery. You’re actually afraid that he’ll achieve perfect mastery, aren’t you?”

　　 Fu Qingya’s expression turned dark as he glared at Chu Li coldly.

　　 Chu Li gave a scornful laugh. “Seems like I was right after all! … What a vicious trick indeed. I’m very impressed!”

　　 Elder Du and the three other elders turned to Fu Qingya with thoughtful looks.

　　 Fu Qingya was starting to regret this as he never thought Chu Li would be so intelligent that he could hit the mark with a single comment. Nonetheless, Fu Qingya said coolly, “You know nothing about our martial art. One has to experience great sorrow and gain great comprehension in order to reach the ultimate state of Heavenly Demonic Power. Only great pain and sorrow can bring about a thorough comprehension of the world, which will then enable him to let go of everything. If we don’t annihilate Snow Lunar Pavilion, he’ll never be able to attain a state of perfect mastery!”

　　 Chu Li laughed coldly and replied, “In that case, I don’t think wiping out Snow Lunar Pavilion would be enough to help him achieve perfect mastery. Based on what you’ve said, you should destroy Heavenly Demonic Sect as well since his greatest worry should be Heavenly Demonic Sect!”

　　 “He has betrayed Heavenly Demonic Sect before, which means that he has already let go of Heavenly Demonic Sect,” Fu Qingya said calmly.

　　 Chu Li replied, “You have to go to the extent of sacrificing Snow Lunar Pavilion just because he’s cultivating the Heavenly Demonic Power. You guys have no sense of justice at all. This Heavenly Demonic Power is absolute rubbish! … Where’s Du Feng? I’d like to confront Du Feng in person and ask him if this is how he’s planning to repay the kindness Snow Lunar Pavilion has shown him.”