After being fed with a pill given by Lee Tao, Chang Xiu's injury quickly recovered.
As soon as she regained consciousness, Chang Xiu could not help but feel utter embarrassment, humiliation, and bitterness.
After all, she was acting all high and mighty at the start of the fight. Yet, she couldn't even manage to land a strike before getting demolished by Deng Lijuan.
"Disciple Chang Xiu, are you alright?" Elder Yeung asked in concern when he noticed her dejected mood.
Chang Xiu smiled bitterly.
Was she alright?
How could she still be alright when she was utterly humiliated by someone that is a realm lower than her?
"I've disgraced the Xinghui Sect…" Chang Xiu muttered.
"You have not, Disciple Chang Xiu." Elder Yeung said in a solemn tone.
"I'm the one that has disgraced the Xinghui Sect. To think I was knocked away by a 6th Stage Elementary Spirit Realm at my level." He added.
Chang Xiu raised an eyebrow.
Seeing her confused expression, Elder Duan decided to intervene and relay the story back to Chang Xiu when she was fighting Deng Lijuan.
"L-Lee Tao is actually that strong?" Chang Xiu exclaimed in alarm.
She hadn't thought that Lee Tao would be able to use one move to defeat Elder Yeung.
"Yeah, his action was so swift that I couldn't even help Elder Yeung in time." Elder Duan said gravely.
Sometime later, Deng Lijuan walked toward Chang Xiu as she bowed her head slightly.
"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to harm you that much." Deng Lijuan apologized.
When she was told about what she had done to Chang Xiu from Lee Tao, Deng Lijuan almost had her eyes popped out.
How did she become so ruthless?
Despite not being willing to believe she could do such a thing, the words had come from Lee Tao, and she knew he wouldn't lie about stuff like this.
Meanwhile, Chang Xiu twitched her mouth at Deng Lijuan's apology.
To her, it was more like a taunt than an apology. It was almost like Deng Lijuan didn't mean to destroy her this easily.
"I-It's fine, Deng Lijuan." Chang Xiu said awkwardly. "After all, it was my fault for being too conceited despite Lee Tao's warning from before."
Deng Lijuan nodded her head.
Although she didn't like how she had treated Chang Xiu, she was glad that she had won and didn't fail to meet Lee Tao's expectations.
'I can finally prove my worth to Lee Tao…' She thought.
"Anyway, as per our agreement, Deng Lijuan has won. Therefore, the loot belonged to us and I hope you won't bother us in the future." Lee Tao smirked as he patted Deng Lijuan's head, seemingly praising her for winning so gloriously.
Seeing their close interaction, Chang Xiu couldn't help but ask, "Are the two of you lovers by any chance?"
Instantly, Lee Tao held a confused expression as he twitched his brow.
Lover?
Where the hell did she come to that kind of conclusion?
Meanwhile, Deng Lijuan stuttered as she quickly clarified their relationship.
"N-No… Lee Tao is my Master."
"He is your… what?" Elder Yeung was the one to shout aloud in shock as he held a disbelief expression.
For someone of Deng Lijuan's caliber that was capable of defeating their highly regarded disciple with such ease was Lee Tao's disciple?
Dumbfounded, Elder Yeung tilted his head as he glanced at Elder Duan, hoping that he was hearing things wrong.
However, he was equally dumbfounded as Elder Duan staggered backward.
'Their background is indeed immense…' Elder Duan thought.
"Ahem, I'm sorry, but when did I accept you as a disciple?" Lee Tao coughed as he brought everyone back to reality.
"B-But haven't I passed the test?"
"Pass what test?"
"Winning against Chang Xiu… you said to win her and I did…" Deng Lijuan mumbled.
"That was for your own good, not me. What do you winning have anything to benefit me in any way?" Lee Tao snorted coldly.
"Y-You're so unfair!" Deng Lijuan pouted in anger.
While the two of them were arguing, Elder Yeung and Elder Duan looked at each other in disbelief.
"Just what is wrong with this Lee Tao? If I were him, I would have already accepted Deng Lijuan as my disciple." Elder Yeung said.
"I agree… someone as talented as Deng Lijuan. If I can have such a disciple in life, then my life will be complete." Elder Duan nodded his head in agreement.
They would be more than happy to welcome Deng Lijuan to their Xinghui Sect. Yet, Lee Tao was actually refusing to accept her despite the talent she has as a cultivator.
Sometime later, Lee Tao glanced at Chang Xiu with a casual expression.
"Back to the topic, since Deng Lijuan won against you, then you owe us a favor." Lee Tao said.
"A favor?" Chang Xiu raised an eyebrow.
"Mhm, I wished to go through the Qingzhou Kingdom's gate to the Sierra Desert for my expedition. And you are someone that I need at the moment."
"..."
For some reason, Chang Xiu wondered if they were able to find Lee Tao today because he allowed them to.
'Did he set us up?' She thought.
"So, I've heard from Deng Lijuan that you're a rather famous person. Hence, you wouldn't renege on your promise, right?" Lee Tao asked again.
Seeing his flashy evil grin, Chang Xiu was now 100% sure she was set up.
"I, Chang Xiu, am not someone dishonorable." Chang Xiu sneered coldly as she retrieved a card out.
Afterward, she threw the card toward Lee Tao.
"That's the VIP card of our Chang Clan, and you can use that to go through the Qingzhou Kingdom." Chang Xiu said.
Lee Tao nodded his head.
Storing the VIP card into his spatial ring, Lee Tao waved his hand.
"Alrighty then, you may all fucked off outta here. Your usefulness has ended." Lee Tao said.
And with a swooshing sound, Lee Tao held Deng Lijuan by the waist as he vanished from the scene.