Bai Qi remained composed and didn't show any reaction to the accusations and shouting of the people around him. The first one was Go Fang, a fur-covered rogue cultivator, who falsely accused him of theft, the falsity obvious to anyone, including the observers. Bai Qi could have ignored him, but he was only the first to step forward, followed quickly by six others. To Bai Qi's surprise, and a good deal of inner anger, three of these six would have been devoured by the [Dew of the Fairy] if not for Bai Qi's intervention. And now, in place of thanking him, they accused him of offenses he had never committed and of stealing spirit herbs he had yet to see.

Despite the false accusations and clamoring, Bai Qi maintained his composure and waited for the situation to diffuse itself or for it to reach a breaking point where he could act as he wished. However, as time passed, waiting alone wouldn't solve anything, and Bai Qi's patience, had a limit. Therefore, after enduring their increasing shouting for some time, Bai Qi suddenly unleashed a wave of crescent-shaped and extremely sharp saber intent, which he directed toward the sky without intending to hurt anyone. His third step on the path of the Saber was still noticeable and dangerous enough for everyone to fall silent.

"I laugh at your accusations," Bai Qi spat out before continuing, "But as both a man and a cultivator, I cannot allow such words to be thrown at me without retaliation." He paused for a few breaths, allowing his words to sink in for both the accusers and the silent onlookers. Then he challenged them with a loud roar, "So I challenge every single one of you to a duel on the [Petal Stage]. Let the winner be the right one!"

Bai Qi's response was a bold move, but one could say it was expected. No self-respecting cultivator could let such words be thrown at him without a response. But for some? They were definitively unexpected. Some of the accusers exchanged looks, unsure of what to do next. They had never expected Bai Qi to respond in such a way, and now they were faced with a challenge they could not ignore.

The onlookers were also surprised as they were intrigued. A duel on the [Petal Stage] was not a rare occurrence, but a single person challenging seven was something they did not want to miss, even if it could adversely affect their results in the event.

Surprisingly, the first person to step forward and accept the challenge was not Go Fang, who had initiated the altercation, or even one of the other accusers, but a disciple of a 3rd-tier power called [White Grove], who had just joined with two of the men previously shouting, stepping to defend people of his power, as the three wore identical white and green robes. "I, Lei Guiying, accept your challenge. Let the heavens decide who's right!"

From the uproar that followed Lei Guiying's response, Bai Qi could tell that the man had a certain level of renown in the region. He caught wind of some of Lei Guiying's past feats, indicating that he was a formidable opponent. Despite Lei Guiying's cultivation not being relevant in the upcoming battle, Bai Qi couldn't help but take note of his impressive peak 7th level Warrior Lord status, which suggested a great deal of talent.

Unlike the accusations thrown at him earlier, Bai Qi paid attention to this information. If Lei Guiying was brave enough to respond to Bai Qi's challenge after his intimidating saber intent release and possessed such talent and renown, it meant that the man wasn't weak or foolish and had a certain level of confidence in his weapon skills and martial prowess.

But as always, Bai Qi managed to keep his thoughts hidden behind a carefree expression, instead mocking the silent accusers. Mocking heavily and calling them names, Bai Qi ensured that the seven people had to become his opponents soon face him on the Petal Stage.

***

The Palace had put in place rules and formations to save lives during the event, and still, one of the side effects was that participants could feel the nearest [Petal Stage]. Even if it was unclear whether this was a measure to prevent accidents or to encourage fighting, at least it was so to everyone but the higher-ups of the Palace, the ones that had placed such ability into their so-called life-saving measures.

Bai Qi had just challenged six opponents but ended up with seven. And now, he and his opponents walked towards the nearest stage. But it wasn't just them eight, as everyone else who had witnessed the events leading up to the challenge followed, even though it could hurt their event results. It was a truly strange decision, in Bai Qi's mind, at least. After all, no one could know how long Bai Qi's fights would last, and with over a third of the allotted time gone, it was a risky choice to watch in place of continuing the hunt for herbs.

Gao Xiulan couldn't help but feel a tingle of excitement as she followed the group toward the petal-shaped platform where Bai Qi was about to fight. As a fighter herself, she was naturally drawn to the spectacle of battle, but she was also acutely aware of how Bai Qi had surprised her during the [Dew of the Fairy] ordeal. It was his unexpected but correct actions that had left her in awe, defying her expectations of a rogue cultivator. Whatever the reason, she couldn't resist the urge to see him in action again, even if it meant sacrificing her own event results.

In the middle of the now-turned-red grassland, a petal-shaped platform of polished wood sat quietly, measuring around fifty feet from side to side. Its edges were the only adorned part, the rest appearing even coarse. Still, the intricate carvings of different spirit herbs on the edges gave the platform an unexpected majesty, one that Gao Xiulan had not seen anywhere, not even on the [Petal Stage] she had already seen before.

Even more, as the last rays of the setting sun cast a warm golden glow over the platform and Bai Qi, along with his first opponent, the renowned cultivator Lei Guiying, approached it, it seemed to come alive, emanating a faint aura of power and mystique. Gao Xiulan couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation, knowing that Lei Guiying was both the first and the most dangerous opponent of several lined up to fight Bai Qi. The sensation was so strange that even she couldn't explain what was going on. After all, wasn't Bai Qi just a rogue cultivator about to fight a renowned cultivator like Lei Guiying, who was known for his mastery of the sword and impeccable technique? Why did she feel this was just the first of several battles when nearly everyone around considered Bai Qi the loser, even after all he had shown?

These and many other strange thoughts crossed her mind, making her expect the battle as if it was her the one to fight. {Just what is going on? And why do I feel this [Petal Stage] to be different from the others?}

No one, not even the fighters or the spectators, including Gao Xiulan, could have known that the [Petal Stage] was anything but ordinary. The only ones to know it would be the several Palace elders who had been observing everything that had taken place, from the [Dew of the Fairy] ordeal to the challenge. And now, the reason for their continued observation could only be discovered by someone standing close enough to overhear their words.

"It responded! The first stage has responded!"

"The root? What about the root?"

"It's moving, don't you sense it?"

"Call for the head!"

"And who is that girl? She seems to sense something too!"

While Lei Guiying's lean build and wide face weren't impressive, he didn't look like the average cultivator, his piercing eyes having no sign of doubt or weakness. From what Bai Qi had heard during the walk, the man had a reputation as a skilled cultivator known for his sword mastery and impeccable technique. Thus, when they ascended on the stage, Bai Qi wasn't surprised by either Lei Guiying's calm or how he immediately walked towards one of the so-called [Petal's Marks], the one marked with the characters [Sword] and [Broad].

"Choose your weapon, and let us begin." No big words, no declarations of anything, Lei Guiying's calm translated into a simple phrase, which for Bai Qi, was a pleasant surprise. After all, from all his unexpected opponents, this one was the only one that both appeared and conducted himself as an experienced cultivator!

"Mmm, so I will do." With a light nod, Bai Qi started towards one of the [Petal's Marks] himself, only to suddenly change directions from the swords to polearms, firmly planting his feet on the characters [Polearm] [Short] [Spear].

"Unexpected, weren't you a saber user?" While Lei Guiying wasn't accustomed to speaking before or during a battle, he still couldn't help but ask, recalling Bai Qi's saber intent from before.

"I just felt a spear would be better for this one." Not even Bai Qi could say if his words were the truth, but he did feel the urge to choose a spear just an instant before, thus his abrupt change of direction.

In any case, there wasn't much time for words now, as with both fighters standing on the marks, the stage glowed brighter, the barriers around it activating to impede any interruption and protect the onlookers.

***

*Clang* *Clang*

A simple-looking five-foot spear made of bamboo clashed with a robust and broad iron sword. Yet, as the two weapons connected, there was no sign of the wood being worse than iron or that the bamboo was as simple as it looked. After all, how could a sharpened bamboo pole release sparks when clashing with an iron sword? Yet, it was happening indeed, and if the first few clashes could be attributed to some joke of the heavens, by now, it was clear that the apparent simpleness of Bai Qi's weapon hid something behind its simple front.

*Clang* *Clang*

Using not a single ounce of weapon intent, the two cultivators continued their deadly dance, not a single wound on either, even after reaching the hundred breaths mark.

Bot Bai Qi and Lei Guiying showcased uncanny abilities with their weapon of choice, yet it was clear that the battle would continue forever if done in such a way. As if they could read each other thoughts, both fighters suddenly broke distance, jumping backward, each to their respective edge of the stage.

"Interesting!" They both said in unison, once again giving the feeling of their minds being connected as they pointed their weapons at each other and released their weapon intent.

Bai Qi had reached the 3rd step of the Spear Path while Lei Guiying had already neared the edge between the 4th and 5th level of the Sword Path. Yet, as both intents were released, not a single observer, not even the Palace elders hidden high in the sky, could find any difference in their respective strengths!

"How can they appear equal? Is brother Lei holding back?" A man dressed in the same white and green of the [White Grove] asked the similarly dressed and slightly older man next to him.

"He would never offend his opponent by doing so!" The older man, having just reached his 30th year and a member of the same generation as Lei Guiying, shook his head as he exclaimed.

"Then Brother De wants to say Bai Qi's 3rd step is..?!" The younger disciple questioned again, only to receive an angry head shake as an answer.

Not that the slightly older cultivator could be blamed for not answering. After all, how could he say something when he had no idea of what was going on?