Lu Yu: “Indeed! Sister Xueqi, has his cultivation improved significantly over the past half year?”
Lu Xueqi: “I just heard from the junior sisters that his cultivation doesn’t seem to have made much progress.”
Lu Yu: “That basically rules out systems like the Sign-In System or Heaven Rewards Diligence System—those things that boost strength quickly!
He’s pestering you so insistently, chances are eight or nine out of ten that his system requires a connection with you to upgrade.
I’m guessing what he has is a Binding System, or something like a Beauty Collection System!”
Xiao Yan: “Makes sense. Sister Xueqi, try to avoid meeting him. If there’s no other choice, we’ll need to act before he fully matures.
Once he successfully binds, his strength will likely grow exponentially.
By then, even if we have the chat group, we may not be a match for someone backed by a system.”
Lu Xueqi: “Understood. Thank you both for the advice, I will handle this matter properly.”
While everyone in the chat group was fervently discussing how to guard against Qi Hao, the atmosphere on the front slope of Xiaozhu Peak was entirely different.
After several days of recuperation, Qi Hao’s complexion had finally returned to normal, the previous purplish bruising fading away, returning him to his usual gentle, jade-like appearance.
He looked at the Xiaozhu Peak before him, eyes filled with delight, silently murmuring in his heart.
“Sister Xueqi, your Brother Qi Hao has finally regained his freedom. This time, no matter what, I must have a proper talk with you and successfully complete the binding.”
Just as he was filled with anticipation, the Xiaozhu Peak disciple who had gone to the back mountain to report his arrival returned hastily, flying on her sword.
When he saw the mountain-guarding disciple flying back from the rear slope, a faint glint flashed through Qi Hao’s eyes.
He suspected that Lu Xueqi was likely still cultivating in the back mountain, but he didn’t reveal this thought in the slightest.
His tone was soft, with just the right touch of hope.
“Junior Sister, might Senior Sister Xueqi be willing to see me?”
The round-faced junior sister shook her head without mercy and refused.
“Senior Brother Qi, I’ve already informed Senior Sister Xueqi of your visit, but she doesn’t wish to see you. I’m truly sorry, please head back.”
Though Qi Hao still wore a gentle smile, his heart suddenly sank.
He had thought that under the guise of an apology, he could smoothly meet Master Shuiyue and Lu Xueqi. He hadn’t expected to be shut out again.
This unexpected rejection stirred a wave of displeasure in his heart.
But having learned his lesson from last time, Qi Hao buried all his unwillingness deep inside.
Outwardly calm and carefree, he was already plotting inwardly. He had decided to sneak into the back mountain of Xiaozhu Peak once more.
This time, he would abandon his previous recklessness and act in a more covert manner.
In his view, even though the system hadn’t bound to anyone yet, its unique stealth function was enough to conceal his presence.
As long as it was used properly, even cultivators stronger than him would find it hard to detect his movements.
Still wearing a gentle smile, Qi Hao clasped his fists to the round-faced junior sister and said,
“Since Senior Sister Xueqi and Master Shuiyue don’t wish to meet for now, I shall take my leave for today.”
The round-faced junior sister, who had been on full alert and ready to deal with Qi Hao’s persistence, couldn’t help but be slightly stunned.
She truly hadn’t expected this famous Senior Brother of Longshou Peak to leave so readily.
Silently letting out a sigh of relief—after all, with her cultivation at the Fourth Level of Jade Purity Realm, facing an Eighth Level cultivator came with immense pressure—
she hurriedly returned the salute and said politely:
“Senior Brother Qi, if you wish to see Master and Senior Sister again, perhaps you could choose a more suitable time on another day.”
As she spoke, she even deliberately raised her hand to make a “please leave” gesture, subtly urging Qi Hao to depart.
This action, which clearly carried the meaning of sending someone away, caused a surge of fury to ignite within Qi Hao’s heart.
As the top disciple of Longshou Peak, when had he ever been treated with such disrespect?
But he forcibly suppressed his emotions and simply gave his sleeve a heavy flick.
Immediately after, a thought stirred in his mind—a flash of cold light appeared, and the Ice Immortal Sword instantly materialized beneath his feet.
With a light tap of his toe, his entire figure turned into a streak of flowing light, swiftly flying toward Longshou Peak.
Only after confirming that Qi Hao had completely departed did the round-faced junior sister finally relax her tense body, turning back to resume her duties guarding the mountain.
However, after flying several li on his sword, the light of Qi Hao’s sword suddenly veered, diving rapidly toward the ground.
After landing, he fixed his gaze darkly on Xiaozhu Peak, his eyes filled with a ruthless determination that would not rest until his goal was achieved.
After a brief pause, he decisively activated the system’s stealth function. His figure darted through the forest like a ghost, swiftly making his way toward the back mountain of Xiaozhu Peak.
Clearly, he was still obsessed with meeting Lu Xueqi, even willing to take great risks.
But as Qi Hao stealthily advanced with all his might, he remained completely unaware that his every move had already been noticed.
Not far behind him, a figure silently emerged. That person’s gaze was sharp, locked tightly onto Qi Hao’s silhouette.
Once Qi Hao disappeared into the dense forest, the figure followed without hesitation.
If Qi Hao were present, he would have instantly recognized this person—it was Lin Jingyu.
This time, Qi Hao’s trip to the back mountain of Xiaozhu Peak had a very clear objective.
His first destination was precisely the spot where he had last found Lu Xueqi.
At this moment, a trace of grim resolve flashed through his eyes.
This time, he was determined to complete the binding with Lu Xueqi at all costs.
Over this period, in order to achieve that goal, he had spent a tremendous amount of time and energy, which had caused his cultivation to stagnate for quite a while.
If he still failed to successfully bind with Lu Xueqi—or anyone else for that matter—then even though his current cultivation was considered decent among his peers, aiming to win the Seven Peaks Tournament would be next to impossible.
Besides, the powerful combat strength Lu Xueqi displayed last time was clearly above his.
If he didn’t bind with Lu Xueqi now and use her power to rapidly increase his strength, by the time of the Seven Peaks Tournament, he would definitely not be her match.
However, once he succeeded in binding with Lu Xueqi, his cultivation could improve by severalfold.
If Lu Xueqi’s strength increased by one level, he could at least rise by several levels.
At that point, he would very likely break through to the Upper Purity Realm—and maybe even go a step further within that realm.
In that case, no matter how strong Lu Xueqi became, she wouldn’t be able to oppose him, and the first place in the Seven Peaks Tournament would surely be his.
Thinking of this, a trace of greed unconsciously crept onto Qi Hao’s lips.