She was unafraid of Seventh Elder's stern gaze and calmly said, "Seventh Elder, everything is about order of events. Treasure Pavilion's treasures are not judged by who did more, but by who made the greatest contribution."
Seventh Elder shook his head, "Treasure Pavilion's treasures are not about order of events, but about who made the greater contribution. My great grandson Qi Pengyuan has reached the pinnacle of the Gang Qi realm. Last month at Fallen Dragon Mountain he battled enemies and slew three of the enemy's top masters while injured, making great contributions. You, a mere guard, have no contributions to speak of and have no right to compete over the spirit medicine."
Xiao Qingruo looked at the youth beside Seventh Elder.
This person was called Qi Pengyuan. He was also one of Holy Might Manor's core disciples. Twenty-three this year, he had made many great contributions and had high prestige in the manor.
For Xue Yi to compete with Qi Pengyuan, he was clearly at a disadvantage. Furthermore, Seventh Elder had come in person, which was very unfavorable for them.
"Miss, this..." Gao Feng had a difficult expression. He was just the caretaker of Treasure Pavilion. He couldn't afford to offend either side.
Xiao Qingruo was also conflicted.
She didn't want to offend Seventh Elder.
But she couldn't break character!
She was the most arrogant goddess of the Ancient Divine Dynasty. When had she ever compromised?
Even with Seventh Elder here, she wouldn't back down!
"Who said he has no contributions?" said Xiao Qingruo.
"Oh? What contributions? This old man has not heard of them," Seventh Elder asked with interest.
Xiao Qingruo calmly said, "Yesterday he saved me. Is my life not worth more than Qi Pengyuan killing three foreign lackeys?"
"This..."
Seventh Elder's expression froze.
Qi Pengyuan frowned even harder.
"Miss, your words are somewhat shameless. With your Long Life realm cultivation, what need is there for a Gang Qi realm guard to save you?" Seventh Elder shook his head, not acknowledging this reason.
Xiao Qingruo said, "I cultivate the Nine Heavens Thunderbolt. My inner energy was damaged by the overbearing thunder energy. He interrupted my cultivation just in time, was that not saving me once?"
"Nine Heavens Thunderbolt? You actually cultivate that miraculous skill!" Seventh Elder was shocked.
It was a peerless heart mantra. Its power was extremely great, especially on rainy days when it could borrow the might of heaven to annihilate opponents three realms higher.
But it was also very dangerous to cultivate. The slightest carelessness would lead to heavy injury, or even collapse the inner universe, turning one into a cripple.
With Xiao Qingruo's peerless talent, she shouldn't need to cultivate such a dangerous heart mantra. But if it was to make further progress from the Hundred Foot Pole, it seemed understandable.
"Indeed."
Xiao Qingruo nodded slightly.
At the same time, she emitted the aura of the third level of the Long Life realm. Tiny electric snakes coiled around her body, looking quite accomplished in her cultivation.
Seventh Elder watched in amazement, repeatedly exclaiming, "At such a young age, yet with such accomplishment and courage. Given time, even the manor lord would be no match for you."
"However..."
He changed his tone and said, "This concerns the breakthrough medicine for my great grandson Pengyuan. Miss, I still wish to contend with you for it."
"Oh? Seventh Elder wants to fight me?" Xiao Qingruo's mouth curved slightly as the thunder and lightning grew even denser, seemingly ready to fight at any moment.
Xue Yi's heart clenched anxiously for her.
If they started fighting, wouldn't Seventh Elder slap her into minced meat with one palm?
But he clearly underestimated Xiao Qingruo's understanding of others and control of the situation.
Seventh Elder shook his head. "This old bag of bones has no face to bully a seventeen year old girl. Let them two fight it out here. Whoever wins, the medicine is theirs. What does the young miss think?"
Xiao Qingruo had an expression as if she expected this. She slightly nodded, "That's fine."
Qi Pengyuan was at the peak of the Gang Qi realm, two small realms above Xue Yi. His martial arts should also be much higher. Logically, Xue Yi was no match for him.
But Qi Pengyuan was still injured and not in optimal condition. Victory was still uncertain if they really fought.
"You are called Xue Yi?" Qi Pengyuan stepped forward.
"Master Qi." Xue Yi cupped his fist in greeting.
"Since this is an internal manor contest, it won't be a life or death battle, so no weapons."
Qi Pengyuan looked very confident. He didn't even take a stance, just standing there straight.
Xue Yi quickly analyzed that relying on the basic skills taught at the guards' quarters, he likely couldn't beat this guy.
He would have to use some real skills.
Hmm... he'll use the most inconspicuous move!
"Alright. Forgive me, Master Qi!"
He played the humble servant's attitude well. After greeting, he stomped and channeled a burst of domineering power from his feet to his waist, then to his right arm, fiercely punching out!
"Hm?"
Qi Pengyuan keenly sensed something wrong and quickly crossed his arms to block.
Bang!
Snap!
A faint sound of cracking bone rang out.
"What!" Seventh Elder's eyes bulged wide.
Qi Pengyuan stumbled back six or seven steps, losing his balance.
Xue Yi rushed forward with an elbow strike, directly knocking him to the ground.
He didn't use much force on the second hit, otherwise Qi Pengyuan might have died.
"Cough... what fist... technique is that?"
Lying on the ground, Qi Pengyuan looked incredulous.
In that instant, Xue Yi had erupted with power at the peak of the Gang Qi realm.
In his injured state, he naturally couldn't resist and lost his balance.
Seventh Elder pricked up his ears.
That move from Xue Yi was at least a top grade martial art, otherwise he couldn't defeat the consummate Qi Pengyuan while crossing realms with one move! He suspected Xue Yi had secretly learned the manor's taboo high level martial arts!
Just as Xue Yi was about to answer, Xiao Qingruo said, "This move is called Dragon Elephant Fist, a top grade martial art. I just taught it to him yesterday."
"Dragon Elephant Fist? Top grade martial art?" Qi Pengyuan frowned.
Even with his status, he only learned one top grade martial art, and it didn't feel as formidable as this Dragon Elephant Fist.
Seventh Elder was puzzled. "There is no such fist technique in the manor's martial repository. Young miss, where did you get it?"
Xiao Qingruo explained, "It is recorded in Martial Arts of a Thousand Families, a book gifted by the Divine Martial Manor's heir. It's a quick mastery martial art. Although powerful, it damages the foundations and is nothing worth mentioning."
"The Divine Martial Manor's heir..."
"I see. Most quick mastery martial arts are extremely damaging to the body. No wonder it can display such power after only a day of learning. Since Xue Yi has such determination, I will not contend further."
Qi Pengyuan gave a self-deprecating laugh and helplessly conceded.
"Thank you, Master Qi!" Xue Yi acted like his body was uncomfortable as he cupped his fist in thanks.
In fact, that move of his was not called Dragon Elephant Fist at all, but Tiger Descends the Mountain, mimicking a tiger's kick to instantly erupt with power. Its quality was indeed top grade, but it didn't damage his body at all. Rather, it could strengthen his leg strength the more he practiced.
But of course he couldn't say that. Xiao Qingruo's words were the truth, he had to play along for a seamless act.
Qi Pengyuan climbed up. His injury wasn't serious, just a dislocated bone in his arm, not broken. Pressing it back in was a small matter for cultivators.
Seventh Elder sighed. "It seems I can only consume some of my own contributions to exchange for a better spirit medicine for you."
Qi Pengyuan lowered his head, "Esteemed ancestor, I have shamed you, I am deeply ashamed."
"Forget it, it's a small matter. Don't resent Xue Yi, or have any unpleasantness with the young miss. If your skills are lacking, just work harder. It has nothing to do with them." Seventh Elder instructed his great grandson.
"Yes." Qi Pengyuan accepted the lesson.
This sentence directly earned Xiao Qingruo and Xue Yi's goodwill.
It seemed this elder was not arbitrarily bullying people because of his seniority. His way of competing for the medicine was also very fair.
"Seventh Elder, thank you for yielding. We will not stand on ceremony," said Xiao Qingruo as she took the wooden medicine box and handed it to Xue Yi.
"Go on. I hope to see Holy Might Manor flourish under you and regain its place as leader of the Eight Great Sects in my lifetime," Seventh Elder said with a smile, his expression kindly.
Qi Pengyuan looked at Xue Yi and said, "After you take these medicines and break through to the Cave Heaven realm, we can spar again. I look forward to it."
"Of course. Please go easy on me then, Master Qi," Xue Yi said respectfully.
Then without another word, he left Treasure Pavilion following Xiao Qingruo.