Chapter 552: Chapter 553: A Woman Affects the Speed at Which I Draw My Sword
 

At this moment, Situ Guixiong was at the thirtieth step on the fourth floor, temporarily leading among the few, with Beichen Shixi and others around the twenty-fifth step.

The pressure on the fourth floor had once again increased by a thousand attribute points, and even Situ Guixiong felt immense pressure.

Originally, after witnessing several overseas cultivators swiftly ascend to the fifth floor in one go, he had mustered all his strength to quickly break through, but reality taught him a lesson.

There were disparities between talents, a fact he had to admit. Although he felt extremely irked by those overseas cultivators, their strength was apparent, and he could only admire them.

The higher he climbed, the heavier his steps became. The strong pressure constantly obstructed his movements, and even the spiritual power surging endlessly in his dantian seemed slightly hindered.

Droplets of sweat seeped out from his nose and temples, and it wasn’t hard to tell from his slightly trembling body that, at this moment, each step was a test for him.

The several people following him were in a similar state. Judging by their current vigor, reaching the fifth floor would be their limit.

Li Xiaobai smiled faintly and stepped onto the staircase.

[Attribute Points +4000…]

[Attribute Points +4100…]

[Attribute Points +4200…]

The attribute points began at four thousand and slowly increased. Li Xiaobai continued to walk unhurriedly, intending to further grind Situ Guixiong’s will.

He passed step by step by the cultivators who were struggling bitterly, looking calm and composed, leaving a multitude of cultivators gaping in astonishment.

Could this be a mistake? This was the fourth floor, equivalent to the pressure given by a Transcendance Tribulation Stage cultivator.

Yet this person seemed unaffected by the pressure, strolling leisurely along as if he was there to enjoy the scenery!

“Am I seeing things? This person hasn’t even disordered his breath, and he just walked up step by step?”

“Not only that, but his steps are steady, not constrained by the pressure of this place. It’s not that he’s slowing down due to the pressure, he’s actually taking a walk!”

“Who is this person, and why have I never seen him before?”

“Not sure, he must be a genius who has not revealed himself to the world yet. The Immortal Spirit Qi is about to be released, and many monsters have been let loose.”

The few Transcendance Tribulation Stage cultivators whispered among themselves, chatting quietly. They hadn’t expected that so many dark horses would emerge today, each more formidable than the last. If these people were to participate in the competition, there might be little to no chance for them.

Beichen Shixi and the others were also filled with shock, their eyes unblinking as they stared at Li Xiaobai who was passing by, a tumultuous wave stirring in their hearts.

The person in front of them had an appearance and aura that made him indistinguishable in a crowd. They had thought those overseas cultivators were freakish enough, but never expected that within Aolai Country of the Eastern Sea, there would also be a genius of this caliber.

Hidden too deeply, they had no impression of this person earlier. Low-key yet dignified, this was the hallmark of a true powerhouse.

On the twenty-third step.

“Brother, may I have the honor of knowing your esteemed name?”

Dongfang Mingyue couldn’t help but ask.

“I’m but a passerby on the path of the red dust, coming in a hurry and leaving in a hurry. A name is not important.”

Li Xiaobai waved his hand and said indifferently.

On the twenty-fourth step.

“Brother, may I ask your sect or clan, are you from an ancient family in Aolai Country?”

Beichen Shixi spoke up and asked.

“No sect, no faction, I think, therefore I am.”

Li Xiaobai said expressionlessly.

On the twenty-fifth step.

“Young Master’s cultivation level is truly admirable. If you don’t mind, may I make your acquaintance?”

Nangong Wan rarely showed a smile, but now her lips curved into a breathtaking arc as she addressed Li Xiaobai.

“Woman, don’t drown in the unfathomable depths of my strength—this cursed charm will one day fade with time.”

“And you, you’ll only slow down the speed at which I draw my sword!”

Li Xiaobai’s eyes harbored the Universe, his hands clasped behind his back, he spoke indifferently.

The onlookers were speechless. Were there really such show-offs among the cultivators of Aolai Country?

His mouth full of flirty words, he was the spitting image of Li Xiaobai when he was at his most arrogant and presumptuous.

“Who on earth is this guy?”

Dongfang Mingyue’s eyes flickered with confusion. Nangong Wan was coldly and ruthlessly rejected, a sure sign of an exceptionally steadfast Dao-heart, not someone the ordinary cultivator could compare to.

“So this young master is a swordsman.”

Wonder shone in Nangong Wan’s beautiful eyes. Although he had uttered only a couple of sentences that set her heart fluttering, she shrewdly picked up on a key piece of information: a woman would affect his sword-drawing speed. In other words, this young master was a master of the Sword Dao.

“Uh… my girl, I don’t think he meant it that way.”

Dongfang Mingyue’s expression was somewhat odd and she hesitated to speak.

Below, Long Xue stared intently at Li Xiaobai, trying to discern something about him. Every year, many cultivators attended the gathering, and she did not bother to remember each one’s face.

Yet here was a young and powerful cultivator who had managed to escape her notice entirely, which was quite intriguing.

A true master always radiates an aura that ordinary cultivators do not possess. No matter how much one tries to suppress it, it’s futile. The strong always stand out, unmistakably recognizable at a glance.

But this person appeared plain and inconspicuous. She had suspected that he was Li Xiaobai in disguise, using some special method to alter his appearance.

Yet their temperaments were completely different, irreconcilably so—their features, expressions, even their eyes. But her intuition told her that this person was definitely connected to Li Xiaobai, who had suddenly vanished.

Otherwise, how could she be oblivious to the presence of such a prodigious young genius at the tea party?

Above.

Li Xiaobai could also feel the intense gaze from Long Xue below. It seemed that his performance had caught her attention. However, he was wearing a Human Skin Mask, which had transformed him through and through, even slightly warping his personality.

There was no way he could be recognized.

Continuing upward.

The twenty-sixth step!

The twenty-seventh step!

…

The thirtieth step!

Walking slowly onward, Li Xiaobai, who until now had been strolling leisurely, suddenly buckled at the knees and sank to the ground. His pupils trembled violently, his breathing was heavy and rapid, and a fine layer of sweat beaded on his forehead.

Situ Guixiong, who had barely reached the thirty-first step, heard a strange noise behind him and swiftly turned around.

His pupils contracted suddenly. Out of nowhere, a mysterious cultivator had climbed up behind him, and there was only a one-step distance between them.

Who is this person?

When did he come here?

Not good, he couldn’t allow a cultivator from Aolai Country to surpass him—not when it was embarrassing enough being overtaken by an overseas cultivator. If a local cultivator surpassed him too, he would be too ashamed to show his face.

He needed to increase the gap quickly and climb upward!