Li Shuang spent two months at the sect, diligently training.
During this time, the disciples of the Sword Sect reduced their outings. Not for any other reason, but because sparring with Senior Sister Li Shuang brought them immense benefits!
Other elders also gave lectures, but somehow, they always felt that Li Shuang's explanations were more profound yet easier to understand.
Those disciples from the former Lingxu Peak knew why.
True Lord Lingxu used to be a hands-off master. All disciples of Lingxu, from newly initiated ones to true disciples like Sheng Yuan, were almost entirely taught by Li Shuang alone.
From basic to advanced, she masterfully grasped everything.
The sparring sessions were not only beneficial to the Sword Sect disciples; Li Shuang, by re-analyzing current sword techniques from a fundamental perspective, also found them incredibly enriching.
During the day, she sparred; in the evenings, Li Shuang would have small gatherings with a few members of the Emotionless Peak when they returned to the sect.
Lin Qingling would occasionally join them for a drink, but she was far busier than before. She would often stay for a short while before rushing off.
As the time approached.
Li Shuang felt that the mark on her hand was becoming exceptionally hot.
She went to seek out Lin Qingling and informed her about going to the Langya Palace secret realm.
Lin Qingling was slightly surprised but quickly composed herself.
In this place, the city lord had many tasks and also many demonic creatures, which could help them improve themselves.
These things were more than enough for ordinary disciples.
But for Li Shuang, they were far from sufficient.
She deserved a grander stage.
"Go ahead," Lin Qingling merely advised, "While experience is important, safety is also crucial. You must... return safely."
Li Shuang obediently agreed.
Night.
Li Shuang and the few from Emotionless Peak drank together until dawn.
As the first rays of morning light appeared.
The key mark on her hand grew even hotter.
In space.
A fissure opened in the barrier, and golden light shone down.
Li Shuang bid her final farewells to Luo Mingyue and the others. Then, she soared into the air, her figure disappearing into the golden light.
After Li Shuang left.
The fissure quickly closed.
A slight silence fell over the scene.
Luo Mingyue couldn't help but sigh, "We seem to be getting further and further away from Junior Sister."
Li Shuang was still by their side, but their worlds had already become vastly different.
Luo Mingyue felt a little dazed.
She remembered playing the role of protector when they first went out on a mission together.
How long had it been? Now, she couldn't even see Li Shuang's back.
Liu Juncheng couldn't help but pat Luo Mingyue's shoulder, "Senior Sister, Junior Sister is walking ahead. We just need to keep chasing."
Whether they could catch up or not, they still had to improve.
"Alright," Luo Mingyue simply smiled.
In the City Lord's Mansion.
Yu Jin's face showed a hint of anticipation.
The name 'Li' had already shocked the world.
Now, it was Li Shuang's turn.
On this journey to Langya Palace, Li Shuang would astound everyone.
A distant secret place.
Magnificent mountain gates stood tall, with the characters "Langya Sect" carved in a vibrant, ancient script, exuding an incredibly ancient aura.
Streaks of white and golden light flashed, and figures appeared one by one in front of the mountain gate.
Li Shuang was among these figures.
As soon as she arrived, the key in her palm transformed into an elite disciple's token, hanging from her waist.
Her name was engraved on the token, with only one pattern, indicating she was a Core Formation realm elite disciple.
Li Shuang subconsciously wanted to put away her token, but she found that it couldn't be put away. Whether she wanted to or not, the token could only hang from her waist.
No wonder the city lord said she could no longer conceal Li Shuang's identity.
With the token so conspicuously displayed, how could she conceal it?!
At the same time.
No one else could conceal theirs either!
Li Shuang had immediately noticed that those who arrived first with flashing white light were ordinary disciples, a fixed number of one hundred.
Those who arrived with flashing golden light were elite disciples, and there was no fixed quota for elite disciples!
In the dangerous place she cleared, she was the only elite disciple.
But what about other dangerous places? There might not be any, or there might be several elite disciples from one dangerous place.
Li Shuang quickly saw that this time, including herself, there were a total of twelve elite disciples!
And!
She mostly recognized these twelve people.
She had seen half of these twelve people in the Soul Golden Altar.
Except for You Lan, several other old acquaintances were there.
You Lan wasn't present, not because of her strength, but likely because she exceeded the age of 100 and hence was ineligible for this Langya Palace journey.
This time.
Everyone used their original appearances. Everyone's looks were completely different from when they were in Wanfa City, but these geniuses originally used their real names, so Li Shuang recognized them immediately through their tokens.
"Oh, they're all old acquaintances," Cang Yin chuckled lightly. "Can you all protect this little sister? I'm all alone here, feeling a bit scared."
Cang Yin pretended to be very scared.
Feng Yu glanced at her, speechless. "Cang Yin, everyone knows your background. Stop pretending!"
After You Lan left the rankings, Cang Yin had risen to second place on the genius list, second only to that monstrous Li!
And she was still pretending!
Cang Yin looked innocent, "This brother speaks so harshly. How is this pretending? I'm really scared."
She turned to look at her next target, and everyone quickly averted their gaze.
They didn't want to talk to Cang Yin!
Her Dao was skilled at bewitching people. If you talked to her too much, you wouldn't even know when you'd been bewitched.
None of these people even dared to meet her gaze.
Cang Yin became a little bored.
Then.
She looked at Li Shuang, who was standing in the very corner.
Li Shuang had hidden herself in the corner, but the elite disciple token on her waist was impossible to ignore.
A hint of surprise flashed in Cang Yin's eyes.
Core Formation realm!
A Core Formation realm elite disciple?
That was quite rare!
"Junior Sister Li Shuang," Cang Yin walked to Li Shuang with a beaming smile. "They all won't talk to me. How about we stick together?"
Li Shuang sighed inwardly.
This elite disciple token really made it impossible for her to keep a low profile.
Seeing Li Shuang remain silent, Cang Yin showed a tearful expression. "Could it be that even you won't talk to me? I'd be so sad then."
She stood beside Li Shuang, with no intention of leaving.
Whether Li Shuang refused or not, it seemed it wouldn't change anything.
"As you wish," Li Shuang said calmly.
A hint of surprise flashed in Cang Yin's eyes.
Didn't Li Shuang recognize her?
A Core Formation realm cultivator acting so calm in front of her was quite unusual.
"Which sect is Junior Sister Li Shuang from? You look a bit unfamiliar," Cang Yin said with a smile.
Her voice, subtly, already carried a hint of bewitchment.
In this Langya Palace, everyone's cultivation was shielded by a mysterious force, so she couldn't discern Li Shuang's current cultivation level. This was a good opportunity to test her.
Li Shuang glanced at her, showing no signs of being affected. She calmly retorted, "Must I answer?"