The battle between the two opponents escalated, their swords and knives flashing through the air, their movements a blur of precision and force. Each weapon collided with the other in a dazzling display of sparks, and the crowd around them was on the edge of their seats, eager to see who would emerge victorious. Han Li watched the fight with a detached interest, unable to discern who was winning or what techniques were being employed. He could only admire the spectacle without understanding the nuances of martial arts. The combatants' skills were far beyond his own, and he simply enjoyed the show.
Meanwhile, Little Calculator, who had been watching Han Li intently, couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer. "Junior Brother Han," he said, his voice filled with respect, "I wonder which Senior Uncle you've studied under. You must have made great strides in your cultivation during your seclusion, right?"
In the Seven Peaks Sect, every inner disciple typically underwent two years of basic training in the Hundred Forging Hall before being assigned to a senior disciple for more advanced martial arts training. Only those who performed exceptionally well during the entrance examination could bypass this and go directly into the Seven Jue Hall, where they would be taken under the tutelage of the sect's leaders and learn the sect's secret techniques. These disciples were regarded as the elite. If any disciple stood out during their two years of basic training, they could be chosen by one of the elders, temple masters, or guardians to be their personal disciple, gaining far more privileges than ordinary disciples.
So when Little Calculator heard that Han Li had just come out of seclusion and had never seen him before, he assumed that Han Li must be the disciple of one of the sect's high-ranking figures. He immediately became more respectful and eager to make a connection.
"Oh, a few years ago, I was taken under the wing of a certain guardian," Han Li said modestly, his voice laced with a hint of pride as he intentionally kept the identity of his mentor vague. "As for which guardian, I can't reveal their name."
"Really?" Little Calculator was visibly impressed. "Junior Brother Han, you must be very lucky! Your status in the sect will undoubtedly rise, and you have a bright future ahead of you. I do hope, if possible, that you can guide me in the future."
Little Calculator continued to flatter Han Li, his words growing more effusive. "Looking at you, Junior Brother, it's clear you're no ordinary person. You'll certainly achieve great success in the future."
Han Li smiled inwardly at the sudden change in tone—from calling him "Junior Brother" to now referring to him as "Senior Brother." He wasn't surprised; after all, people tended to gravitate toward those they thought could offer them advantages. He didn't mind Little Calculator's behavior, knowing that such self-interest was common, especially in a world where everyone sought to improve their standing. Given the boy's name, it was clear that he was someone who liked to keep his options open and was skilled at making calculated moves.
However, Han Li knew that his claim about being a disciple of a guardian was more for convenience than truth. In reality, he had only become a so-called "guardian's disciple" through casual means—nothing that would make him stand out from the average disciple. If Little Calculator knew the truth, he would be sorely disappointed.
As Little Calculator continued to praise him, Han Li couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. He continued to listen to the flattery, occasionally offering a word of acknowledgment, all the while amused by the boy's eagerness to climb the social ladder.
"Junior Brother Han must be an expert in martial arts. If you were to join the fight, that swordsman would be defeated in no time," Little Calculator said, his voice never ceasing, as he watched Han Li carefully, eager to gauge his reactions.
"Odd…" Little Calculator thought to himself, "A disciple of a guardian should have profound internal strength and martial arts skills, but I can't detect any strength from him. His temples aren't slightly raised, his eyes don't seem particularly sharp... He looks like someone who doesn't practice martial arts at all."
As Little Calculator puzzled over this, Han Li casually interrupted his thoughts with a simple observation: "It looks like the fight is over."
Little Calculator snapped out of his thoughts, his gaze snapping back to the arena. Sure enough, the swordsman had thrown his sword aside, his arm was bleeding heavily, and he clutched his wound, his face dark with frustration. It was clear that he had lost, but the defeat didn't sit well with him.
"Such a pity," Little Calculator muttered, his tone laced with regret. "If only our side had won, we would've wrapped up the contest with three victories, and the last round wouldn't have been necessary."
Han Li, still somewhat confused, asked, "What's the issue? Why is it so unfortunate?"
Little Calculator, seeing the opportunity to explain, replied, "If King Big's side had won this match, it would've been three victories for them, and the final match wouldn't have been needed. But now…" He sighed, clearly disappointed. "It's not the end of the world though. We still have the final match left, and the person representing King Big's side is the best fighter among us."
"Who's that?" Han Li asked, intrigued by Little Calculator's sudden excitement.
"Ah, that's Li Senior Brother! He's got the Thunder Slash technique, capable of shattering stones and cutting through metal. You'll see, with Li Senior Brother's skills, we're sure to win this last match. No matter who Zhang Changgui sends out, victory is ours!" Little Calculator's face lit up with enthusiasm. It was clear he had full faith in Li Senior Brother's abilities.
"Li Senior Brother?" Han Li's curiosity piqued, but he remained nonchalant. "I don't think I've met him before."
Just then, a cold-faced young man stepped forward from King Big's side, holding a gleaming longsword. He walked with deliberate, calm steps to the center of the arena, his eyes shutting as if to focus entirely on the task ahead. A hush fell over the crowd.
"Li Senior Brother! Li Senior Brother! Li Senior Brother!" The cheers from the crowd erupted in unison, growing louder and louder with each call. It seemed as though every disciple, regardless of their background, was united in their support for this mysterious figure.
Han Li watched, a little surprised by the fervor of the crowd. The tension in the air was palpable as everyone eagerly awaited the final showdown.