"Senior Brother Jin, we are fellow disciples, why must we go to such lengths?"
Xu Ziyang, who had been standing to the side, finally couldn't hold back and spoke up.
"Junior Sister Ziyang, if you agree to be my Dao companion, I can consider it."
Jin Hezhi squinted and smiled at Xu Ziyang.
"Rascal, don't think I won't dare to move against you!"
Upon hearing this, Dugu Qingshao coldly snorted, and the long sword behind him "swooshed" out of its scabbard, the imposing sword aura sweeping through the entire Cloud Tower.
"You two are being too presumptuous!"
At this moment, an elder of the Qingxuan Sect in the Cloud Tower coldly snorted.
"If you want to duel, go to the Cease War Tower; otherwise, sit quietly in your seats."
The elder followed up with a warning.
"Senior Brother Qingshao, don't fall for his provocation; he wants to force you to act."
Xu Ziyang tugged at Dugu Qingshao's sleeve.
"Senior Brother, don't get angry."
Zhao Linglong, standing to the side, also advised.
Dugu Qingshao glared at Jin Hezhi upon hearing this, then bowed to the elder patrolling the tower, and with a "clang," sheathed his sword, sitting down without a word.
"Oh, I was really scared. Xiao Xuan, you must stand up for your senior brother later; don't let the senior brothers and sisters of the Seventh Peak laugh at us."
Jin Hezhi's lips curled up upon seeing this, and his face once again took on a carefree expression.
"Senior Brother, rest assured, I will do my best no matter who I face."
Then he glanced at Lin Buyu sitting behind him, and upon seeing that she hadn't looked at him once, a surge of anger rose in his eyes.
"Since weapons have no eyes, if I accidentally injure or kill this young brother, please understand, senior brothers and sisters of the Seventh Peak."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Linglong's heart tightened, and she stared coldly at him.
"Junior Brother Ye Xuan, if you can kill him, I can kill you too."
Dugu Qingshao patted Zhao Linglong's shoulder, then without turning his head, looked down at the arena below, his tone icy: "Junior Sister, I won't let that happen."
The so-called Seven Peaks Sword Inquiry.
It involves each of the seven peaks selecting a disciple to compete with the chosen disciple from the mountain below, to test their strength and potential, which will serve as the basis for the next selection of disciples.
According to the sect's rules, the peak that ranked first in the last Seven Peaks Competition has the first choice.
And the top-ranked disciple in the last Seven Peaks Competition is from the current First Peak, Qiong Lou Peak.
"Logically, the peak that is interested in you will send a disciple to challenge you, so the one challenging you should be a senior brother from the Seven Peaks."
"That should be a senior brother from the Seven Peaks."
Xu Taiping, who had already returned to the arena, was communicating with Bai Yu in the gourd using his divine soul.
Next to Xu Taiping stood six other mountain disciples who had won the right to participate in the Sword Inquiry.
However, except for Xu Taiping, everyone's face was filled with excitement and nervousness.
"What if another peak challenges you and then selects you? You should know that the Seventh Peak, as its name suggests, is the last in terms of the cultivation and strength of its disciples and the resources it possesses."
Bai Yu asked Xu Taiping again.
He knew much more about the Qingxuan Sect than Xu Taiping did.
"Of course, I will still choose the Seventh Peak."
Xu Taiping answered without hesitation.
"Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. The path of cultivation is long, and today's choice may determine your future."
"Who can predict the future? All I can do now is make a choice that I can be proud of."
Xu Taiping answered, lifting his head to look at the Cloud Tower where Zhao Linglong and Qingshao were sitting.
Lingyue Fairy's voice echoed in Xu Taiping's mind.
"However, Taiping, if you encounter a similar situation in this Sword Inquiry, it's best to remove the item on your body. Even if you can endure it, your divine soul will not be able to withstand the strain and will suffer damage."
She continued to remind Xu Taiping.
"Understood, Sister Lingyue. In the last match, I was just testing my limits of pain endurance. I won't be so reckless in the future."
Xu Taiping responded in his mind.
In the last match, he himself was somewhat frightened because, in the instant he killed Ji Wuyou, his consciousness had a momentary blank, as if he had really died.
"The first match of the Seven Peaks Sword Inquiry will be chosen by the First Peak, Qiong Lou Peak."
At this moment, Elder Heilong's rough and hoarse voice echoed from the tallest Cloud Tower.
Upon hearing this, the six outer disciples on the arena, except for Xu Taiping, all showed hopeful expressions.
Qiong Lou Peak was the strongest among the seven peaks, having held the title of the First Peak for three decades, making it their top choice. Therefore, they all hoped that the First Peak would challenge them.
"Qingzhu Residence, Xu Taiping."
At this moment, a man's voice with a strong tone of authority echoed.
There was no doubt that the one speaking was the First Peak's peak master, sitting in the Cloud Tower.
However, the noise from the disciples watching from the surrounding Cloud Towers was not due to the identity of the speaker, but the content of what he said.
"The First Peak chose Xu Taiping?"
"Why? Although he defeated Ji Wuyou, his bone roots and cultivation are clearly inferior to ours."
"That's right, why did the First Peak choose him?"
Not only were the disciples in the Cloud Tower discussing, but the six disciples on the arena were also whispering to each other, their gazes filled with confusion or jealousy as they looked at Xu Taiping.
At this moment, Xu Taiping frowned.
He didn't want to be chosen by the First Peak at all.
"Fortunately, even if I am chosen, I have the right to refuse."
Xu Taiping muttered to himself.
"Xu Taiping, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don't refuse it when the time comes."
As if guessing Xu Taiping's thoughts, Bai Yu in the green gourd quickly reminded him.
Xu Taiping didn't argue with Bai Yu because he saw the elder overseeing the examination on the arena waving at him.
"Xu Taiping, a disciple from the First Peak will challenge you. During the challenge, you are not allowed to use spirit treasures or talismans, but there are no other restrictions. However, although it is a challenge, weapons have no eyes, so you are responsible for your own life and death."
The elder reminded Xu Taiping.
"Thank you, Elder, for the information."
Xu Taiping bowed to the elder.
"Please have the First Peak send a disciple to challenge."
At this moment, Elder Heilong's voice echoed again.
"The First Peak's challenger this time is a disciple of the Zhen generation, Ye Xuan."
Not long after, the First Peak's peak master's voice began to reverberate over the Sword Inquiry Ground.