Master Jingxin and Mr. Chunqiu exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes. They had not expected that the Empress Dowager had already devised such a meticulous plan.
“This plan is indeed feasible,” Mr. Chunqiu said in a deep voice, “but we must ensure that the information is not leaked, otherwise we will alert the enemy.”
"I understand this perfectly well," the Empress Dowager said with a smile. "Therefore, we need to select a trustworthy person to travel to various sects to make contact."
Master Jingxin and Mr. Chunqiu exchanged another glance, wondering to whom the Empress Dowager would entrust this important task.
The Empress Dowager looked around at everyone, her gaze finally landing on Li Xi. "Xiao Xi, come out and greet these two elders."
Li Xi was taken aback. The matter had come so suddenly. She immediately bowed her head and clasped her hands in greeting, "Greetings, Master Jingxin, and Master Chunqiu."
Master Jingxin looked at the young man before him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. Although young, his demeanor was proper and his expression composed, clearly indicating that he was no ordinary person.
The Emperor Emeritus spoke slowly, "Xiao Xi, the imperial court and the martial arts world are now at odds, this will not do. After much thought, I have decided to send you to persuade the various sects. This journey may be fraught with danger, and you may not return. Are you confident in your abilities?"
Li Xi frowned slightly. This was a matter of great importance; she hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to entrust her with such a crucial task.
She looked at her master with some unease, only to see him nod almost imperceptibly at her.
"Xiaoxi will certainly live up to expectations." She lowered her head and said. Since her master agreed, they should make the arrangements.
Upon hearing this, Li Xi frowned slightly, fully aware of the weighty responsibility of this mission.
She looked at her master uneasily, only to see him nod almost imperceptibly.
"I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations," she said, bowing her head. Since her master had agreed to the trip, they must have made thorough arrangements.
As night fell, the banquet gradually came to an end. The respected elders rose from their seats and returned to their rooms to rest.
A gentle night breeze brushed against Li Xi's cheeks, bringing a touch of coolness.
She gripped the sword tightly, its tip gleaming coldly in the moonlight.
A black figure darted out from the shadows at incredible speed.
Li Xi's eyes sharpened, and without hesitation, she swung her sword to meet the attack.
The shadowy figure moved nimbly and dodged quickly, causing Li Xi's sword to miss its mark multiple times.
However, she was not discouraged and kept her pace firm, relentlessly pursuing the challenge.
After several rounds, Li Xi gradually figured out the shadowy figure's movement pattern. She was secretly delighted and suddenly made a sharp turn, slashing at the shadowy figure's back.
The shadowy figure seemed to have anticipated this, and with a nimble leap, it dodged Li Xi's attack.
Seeing that her attack had missed, Li Xi frowned slightly, her mind becoming increasingly alert.
She understood that the shadowy figure was far stronger than herself, and that she had to outsmart it to win.
Quickly surveying the surroundings, one could see that the dense forest, with its lush trees and entwined vines, was an ideal hiding place.
With a thought, Li Xi began to use the terrain to play hide-and-seek with the shadowy figure.
She moved erratically, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, sometimes climbing to the treetops, sometimes hiding in the bushes, her figure unpredictable and impossible to fathom.
Whenever the shadowy figure approached, she always managed to evade its pursuit by the slightest margin.
During the game, Li Xi gradually figured out the shadowy figure's movement pattern. She was secretly delighted, knowing that her opportunity had come.
Suddenly, she swayed and appeared to the left of the shadowy figure, her sword tracing a graceful arc as she aimed straight for the figure's neck.
However, the shadowy figure reacted extremely quickly. A dark figure drew a strange arc in the air and leaped directly behind Li Xi, the dagger in its hand gleaming with a blinding cold light.
Li Xi was startled, but she knew she couldn't just sit and wait to die. She suddenly dodged to the side and swung her sword, forcing the dark figure back.
However, the shadowy figure seemed to have already anticipated her intentions. With a flicker in the air, it appeared on Li Xi's other side, and once again stabbed the dagger fiercely at Li Xi.
A ruthless glint flashed in Li Xi's eyes; she knew she couldn't hide any longer. Suddenly, she gripped her sword with both hands and slashed fiercely at the dark figure ahead. Instantly, sword energy crisscrossed, and a fierce wind arose.
The sword energy forced the man in black back, and there he stood, panting heavily.
"Old Taoist, it seems you've really been caught off guard this time." Old Sun emerged from the darkness and laughed heartily at the man in black.
"Master, what is this?" Li Xi sheathed his longsword and looked at Elder Sun with a puzzled expression.
The man in black removed his mask and said with an unreadable expression, "I apologize for my rudeness, Young Master Li."
It turns out to be the Taoist Master Jingxin. That's too ruthless! He almost drove her to her death at the age of sixteen.
However, he still said respectfully, "So you are a Taoist priest. I apologize for my rudeness."
Old Master Sun looked at the Taoist Jingxin with schadenfreude, "I told you long ago, don't underestimate her. Although she is still young, she will surely make a name for herself in the martial arts world in time."
The Taoist Master Jingxin's face turned ashen. He glared at Elder Sun, seething with anger, and said, "You old fool, you've picked up a fine seedling!" He then turned to Li Xi and said:
"Young Master Li, why don't you become my disciple?"
Li Xi was stunned; she hadn't expected the Taoist Master Jingxin to make such a request.
He glanced at the Taoist Master Jingxin, then at Elder Sun, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer.
Old Master Sun was also stunned; he hadn't expected Daoist Jingxin to snatch his disciple. He looked at Li Xi, then at Daoist Jingxin, unsure how to react.
Seeing Li Xi's hesitation, the Taoist Master Jingxin said again:
"Young Master Li, if you were to become my disciple, I would certainly impart all my knowledge to you and make you an unparalleled master."
Upon hearing this, Li Xi's heart stirred. She had always wanted to become stronger so that she could better protect herself and those around her. If she could become a disciple of Daoist Jingxin, wouldn't that allow her to improve her strength even faster?
However, she did not show it on her face. "Thank you for your kindness, Daoist Master, but I have already become a disciple of my master, and it is really inconvenient for me to seek another master."
Upon hearing this, the Taoist priest's expression changed slightly, as if he was somewhat displeased.
He snorted and said, "Since that's the case, I won't force you. However, I'm afraid your master isn't really capable of teaching you anything. If you're interested, you might want to reconsider."
Before Li Xi could answer, Elder Sun interrupted, "Old Daoist, you're wrong. My little Xi is exceptionally talented and will surely surpass her master. She'll inherit the Hidden Sect in the future."
These words clearly provoked the Taoist priest. His face darkened, and he said, "What's so great about inheriting from your humble family? You might as well become the number one martial artist in the world and be invincible."
After saying that, he flicked his sleeve and looked at Old Sun with disdain.
Li Xi watched the two of them arguing like children, shook her head helplessly, and thought to herself that these two old rascals were getting more and more outrageous.
But watching them bicker, she suddenly had an idea.
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