Chapter 7: No one believes the truth these days?

As the old man announced the result.

No one applauded.

There was only the shocked expression on people's faces.

Li He of the Martial Hall.

A top-tier figure in the Martial Hall, courted by countless noble families and dynasties, who had previously killed opponents of higher cultivation levels on several occasions.

Yet today, he had actually been defeated by the unknown Ye Qiubai.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Ye Qiubai had been relaxed and at ease throughout the entire match, as if he hadn't even used his full strength.

Above, Dean Qin Tiannan smiled and said, "It seems that kid Changsheng's judgment is still quite good."

The Elder of the Confucian Hall also nodded and said, "This child's talent is indeed excellent."

Meanwhile, the Elder of the Sword Hall nearby stared at Ye Qiubai with a strange look in his eyes, wondering what he was thinking.

At this moment, the old man stood beside Ye Qiubai and asked with a curious expression, "Ye Qiubai, your current contribution points are 200. Do you wish to continue challenging? However, if you lose, all your contribution points will be handed over to the winner."

Ye Qiubai did not hesitate in the slightest. He had come here specifically for practical combat to break through his current realm.

"Let's continue."

The old man nodded and read out the name of the next challenger.

"Array Hall, Qiu Ming."

Qiu Ming looked at Ye Qiubai and said solemnly, "Your strength is very high, but I wonder if you can break my array."

As soon as he finished speaking, array flags shot out from Qiu Ming's fingertips.

Surrounding the entire martial arts stage, the space between the flags formed layers of seven-colored mist, enveloping the entire stage.

Some in the audience exclaimed.

"This is Qiu Ming's Seven Illusions Mist Array! Those who fall into the illusion will experience seven types of hallucinations. If they cannot walk out, they will be trapped for a lifetime!"

"Then isn't this Ye Qiubai in trouble?"

"Doesn't everyone have seven emotions and six desires?"

The Elder of the Array Hall watched this scene and couldn't help but smile. "Qiu Ming is my disciple; his Seven Illusions Mist Array was taught by me personally. Ye Qiubai is in a difficult spot now."

The Sword Hall Elder, however, shook his head and said, "Those who cultivate the sword are not so easily trapped by illusion arrays."

"Then let us wait and see."

On the other side, Ye Qiubai was trapped in the Seven Illusions Mist Array. The first illusion was the scene of his talent test back in his family.

"Next, Ye Qiubai!"

Looking at the realistic, mocking faces surrounding him in the illusion, Ye Qiubai walked up slowly.

Those mocking faces, like the most vicious insults in the world, rushed toward Ye Qiubai's heart.

However.

How could these words disturb Ye Qiubai's state of mind now?

He placed one hand on the Heaven-Reaching Stone. Instantly, light burst forth, and strands of sword qi crisscrossed throughout the entire illusion!

*Crack!*

In an instant, the first illusion was shattered!

Following that, the second, the third, and all the way to the sixth were shattered by Ye Qiubai in quick succession!

When he reached the seventh, a little girl stood before Ye Qiubai.

The little girl was chasing after a little boy.

Every other word out of her mouth was "Brother Qiubai."

The two played together and cultivated together.

The boy was hailed as the number one genius of Tianyuan City.

They were a perfect match, and a marriage contract had been set when they were young.

Ye Qiubai watched this scene quietly, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

The scene shifted.

The girl had grown up into a charming and alluring woman.

But the boy had lost all his talent during his training.

The woman then arrived at the man's family with the marriage contract, tore it up, and left gracefully.

Afterward, she sent people to hunt him down.

The scene ended there.

Ye Qiubai sighed and said, "What is past should remain in the past. Live life with joy and enmity; repay kindness with kindness, and vengeance with vengeance."

"How can I sink into despair here?"

"The path of the sword must always forge ahead!"

Ye Qiubai's eyes were crystal clear, and a realization seemed to dawn in his heart as he swung his sword.

The seventh layer of the illusion, broken!

Outside.

The crowd was still discussing whether Ye Qiubai could break the array.

At this very moment, Qiu Ming's expression changed.

The Seven Illusions Mist Array, those layers of colorful mist, actually began to dissipate!

"How is this possible!"

Qiu Ming hurriedly tried to stabilize the array, but the array flags began to crumble directly!

Qiu Ming spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground!

Backlash from the array!

The audience was shocked.

At a time when they all thought Ye Qiubai couldn't break the array.

Ye Qiubai not only broke it, but he did it in a mere ten breaths!

Ten breaths to break Qiu Ming's Seven Illusions Mist Array—what kind of concept was that?

Above, the Sword Hall Elder exclaimed, "Clear Sword Heart!"

Qin Tiannan also wore a solemn expression.

The Array Hall Elder was even more incredulous.

"To comprehend the Clear Sword Heart at such a young age, this child's future is limitless!"

Having said that, the Sword Hall Elder flashed directly onto the martial arts stage, looked at Ye Qiubai, and said with great urgency, "Are you willing to join my Sword Hall and take me as your master?"

Qin Tiannan and the others exchanged glances, all of them feeling both amused and helpless.

The surrounding crowd also let out bursts of exclamations.

"The Sword Hall Elder is personally poaching him too!"

"It seems this Ye Qiubai is truly formidable."

"Indeed, even an Elder has lowered himself to poach him!"

Ye Qiubai was stunned at the sight, but without a second thought, he cupped his hands and refused, "I am already a disciple of the Thatched Cottage, my apologies, Elder."

The Sword Hall Elder urged, "You are a practitioner of the sword, and our Sword Hall possesses countless foundations of sword dao. As long as you come to our Sword Hall, it is not impossible for you to comprehend Sword Intent within sixty years... whereas in the Thatched Cottage..."

Sword Intent...

Ye Qiubai's expression was strange, but he still shook his head and said, "I already have a master."

Seeing this, the Sword Hall Elder could only sigh and say, "Very well, but the Sword Hall welcomes you at any time."

He then tossed a sword-shaped jade token to Ye Qiubai.

"This is my Sword Hall's jade token. If you have any questions regarding sword dao in the future, you can come and ask me."

"Many thanks, Elder."

Ye Qiubai thanked him respectfully.

After speaking, the Sword Hall Elder vanished from the spot.

Afterward.

Ye Qiubai went on a winning streak.

He defeated people from every hall.

The name of the Thatched Cottage began to resound throughout the Cangdao Academy once again.

Decades ago, the name of the Thatched Cottage was known to all.

Until now, the Thatched Cottage had finally taken in a disciple, announcing its return with an extremely domineering posture.

Meanwhile, Qin Tiannan arrived at the Thatched Cottage.

He told Lu Changsheng about all these events.

Lu Changsheng's expression turned strange as he said, "Why does this kid like to show off so much? If everyone wants to join the Thatched Cottage, won't I be unable to slack off?"

Qin Tiannan's face darkened as he said, "Since you have this ability, why don't you take on more disciples?"

"What ability do I have?"

Lu Changsheng spread his hands and said, "I've already said, I can't even figure out my own cultivation, how could I possibly teach others? As for that kid Qiubai, it's purely because of his own great talent."

Qin Tiannan sighed and patted Lu Changsheng on the shoulder. "This seat knows you have the ability; you just like to be lazy."

After saying this, Qin Tiannan left directly.

Lu Changsheng looked completely innocent.

In this day and age, no one believes you even when you tell the truth?