Shen Xiao doesn't want to join any faction because he has always been part of Shen Family which betryed them and then killed his father for position of head. So he was little unwilling to make commitments with any faction.
If he readily agreed to join any faction then he can't step step away. So, he decided to take step by step and if joining the faction is more favourable for him or not.
The other disciple seeing relaxed a little after a he retracted his killing intent and checked that my cultivation was low, so he again became arrogant. he was provoking me because he was rejected by Tang Mei earlier then he finally joined Qi Yun faction
"What are you afraid of figting and making excuses?" he taunted becuase duels were common in sects.
"No i am afraid i will accidentally kill you." Shen Xiao replied
"Then lets see if you have power to back your words." he challenged
Everyone made way for him, they were eager to watch a duel. No one stopped them. It was good to test others strength. Shen Xiao took a deep breadth and moved to the front. He wasn't the least bit pressured because of his low cultivation.
He had trained very hard in these last few months. His mother continued to train and hone his skills and he fought numerous demonic beasts and some other culivators from central lands with higher cultivation.
"My name is Shen Xiao" he introduced himself to everyone
"I am Yang Yunlo from brother Qi Yun's faction." he introduce himself with pride.
We took the fighting stance and he charged at me. His fists were coated with Qi and wild winds blowed as he charged. Just as his punch was nearing me i simply dodged as his speed was nowwhere near his mother.
"What are you running now." he shouted but Shen Xiao ingnored him.
He was even faster this time but before his fist toched me Shen Xiao kicked him in the stomach and sent him flying.
He stablized a little away from the spot and looked at Xiao with hatered.
'Lion fist' he threw punches in air as fire qi with shape of Lion face. They charged at Xiao rapidly as people thought i might end up dead but i siply kicked the ground and dodged easily.
Shen Xiao could tell that kid has exhausted himself by using a high level art.
"Enough play its time to end." Shen xiao said
Shen Xiao said attacked him. 'Palm Shock' he said as his hand covered in purple lightning struck his chest and he lay there unconscious without any sound.
Silence fell at the ground as most of them thought Shen Xiao would lose. There were only few who knew that he would win like Guo Yan, Su Yand and other strong disciples.
"Lightning Cultivator, quite rare" Guo Yan said and Shen Xiao just nodded without saying anything
Shen Xiao simled at Tang Mei before leaving and she returned the smile. This action was enough to infuriate Qi Yun and Chang Li who were pursuing her. He didn't care about any as long they stay away from his business he would ignore them, otherwise he wasn't afriad of offending anyone.
Before Shen Xiao left she spoke "If you want you can join my faction afer selection."
"Thank you for invitation, i will definitely consider." he said left the area
He wanted to just watch the show but who new that he would attract trouble just by standing at the side. Now two faction leaders are eye him with fury. He just sighed and left the place but Hua Yun decided to follow him because he knew that with his strength it would be difficult for him to be selected in any group.
"Brother Xiao why did you not join any faction, it would have been better for you. There are lot competition among factions and we can recieve good amount of resources for cultivation becaus ef that." Hua Yun said as we moved a little away from them
"You see i was part of group earlier and i don't have very good experience with them. They betrayed me and tried to kill me when they were getting more benifits after my death." Shen Xiao told him
He didn't say say that it was his family but indirectly told his feeling towards his lack of trust towards people. He didn't even know why he was telling Hua Yun as he didn't even know him prior to this.
"Why are you sharing this me if you don't trust people?" he asked the same question that was on Shen Xiao's mind.
Shen Xiao thought for a moment before answering "Maybe you can be useful with how informed you are."
He eyes brightened as he said "You are right, I have been gathering all the information about the sect and exams. Although i am not strong but i am very resourceful."
"Then can you tell me more about Tang Mei?" Shen Xiao asked as that girl caused him lot of problems by inviting him in her faction.
"Yes, i know a lot about her. Although she doesn't come from a big family but she has good background as her mother is an alchemist at Xuantian sect. They both are only one left in her family as her father was killed when she was just a child. He was really a strong cultivator and an elder at same sect."
'She is an alchemist huh', this piqued his interest as he was in need an alchemist. Although he wanted to learn alchemy but that needed lot of time, resources and concentration, which he doesn't want to split.
He can't possibly walk on different daos as it would slow his progress or there is a possibility that he will make things difficult for himself.
There is no other way for him because he doesn't have strength or financial capability to hire an alchemist.