Chapter 95: Li Damou’s Jealousy and Hatred! While Ye Qiu was walking closely beside Xu Shangyin, seemingly very familiar with her, he didn’t notice a pair of eyes watching them from the shadows — eyes filled with jealousy and hatred. “A measly level-20 nobody, and an outsider from beyond the domain at that… how is he doing so well?!” Li Damou clenched his teeth in fury. “And that slut Xu Shangyin! I’ve been bending over backward, treating you kindly in every way possible, and you never treated me this warmly! Yet this outsider only arrived at the Sword Sect today, and you’re already clinging to him like glue! Shameless!” The owner of that resentful gaze was none other than Li Damou, one of the two guides stationed at the entrance of the Sword Sect, just like Xu Shangyin. He had previously sparred with Ye Qiu. Despite being level 64, he had been beaten by a level-20 outsider! And even worse, he had secretly gone all out! Now that the entire sect had learned about his defeat, he’d become a laughingstock, ridiculed behind his back by everyone. The humiliation ate away at him. Just then, a younger female NPC walked over to him and asked, “Senior Brother Li, how did that outsider become Elder Han’s disciple?” Li Damou, despite his anger, quickly masked his expression. He glanced at the girl. It was a junior female disciple who had always admired him. He didn’t remember her name. Too many admired him for him to keep track. But in his heart, there was only Xu Shangyin. “Hmph, outsiders are always full of tricks. He probably used some sweet talk to deceive Elder Han,” Li Damou sneered, his voice soaked in bitterness. After all, this was Elder Han — a revered, almost legendary figure in the Sword Sect! Countless disciples dreamt of becoming his student, yet he had never taken any apprentices… until now! The junior disciple hurried to agree. “Senior Brother Li is right! That outsider is just level 20 and hasn’t even changed classes yet. He must have used some dirty trick to become Elder Han’s disciple!” Hearing her side with him, Li Damou finally smiled. “He’s sure to be kicked out of the Sword Sect one day!” The girl nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly! Our sect doesn’t raise useless trash. Only geniuses like Senior Brother Li, with true talent and strength, are the future of the Sword Sect! Elder Han will regret taking that outsider as a disciple.” She even batted her eyes at him flirtatiously. To be fair, the Sword Sect did select disciples partly based on appearance. As a result, nearly everyone in the sect was good-looking. Even the elderly had an air of elegance about them, hinting at a youthful beauty in their past. But beautiful things still had their distinctions. Every time Li Damou looked at the girl before him, he couldn’t help but compare her to Xu Shangyin and always found Xu Shangyin to be the more beautiful one. “Elder Han seems to have gone to the Sealed Grounds,” Li Damou suddenly said. “My grandfather is stationed there. I’ll head over and check things out. You carry on.” He waved her off and left quickly, leaving the female disciple stomping her foot in frustration. The Sealed Grounds was located at the bottom of the tower, not the first level, but three floors underground — B3. The tower wasn’t just 100 floors tall. It also extended 100 floors underground. However, the lower floors were far less refined and majestic than the upper ones. The moment one reached B1, a damp, musty air hit like a wall. Descending further, traces of toxic miasma could be clearly felt, like countless invisible blades scraping and cutting across one’s skin. They were sharp and painful. Thankfully, Li Damou was high-level, with decent resistance to the miasma. And since his grandfather was stationed at B3, he didn’t need to take the Miasma Resistance Pill. As soon as he reached the B3 level, he saw Elder Han. Li Damou quickly cupped his hands and respectfully greeted, “Greetings, Elder Han!” Elder Han gave him only a slight nod and didn’t speak. Li Damou dared not linger near him and quickly walked over to another elderly man nearby — his grandfather. This old man’s hair was almost completely gone, his skin was wrinkled and pale, and his few remaining teeth were black and rotting, reeking with foul breath. But when he saw Li Damou, he smiled stiffly. “Why are you here?” Li Damou didn’t answer right away. He glanced at Elder Han again. The old man smiled. “Elder Han just came to inform me that his new disciple will soon come to witness the outer incarnation of the Human Emperor.” At that moment, Elder Han spoke, “Elder Li, when my disciple arrives, just let him through. I’ll be heading back up now.” “Understood,” Elder Li replied with a nod and a laugh. In the Sword Sect, all the elders greatly respected Elder Han. Even those who opposed him in the past admired him. Elder Han vanished from the spot. Li Damou watched with envy. “When will I ever reach such a level?” Elder Li chuckled and looked at his grandson. “Elder Han is a sword genius. He’s not someone ordinary people can compare with. Just focus on your cultivation, get married, have children, and maybe you’ll give birth to someone with talent like his. That’s the only hope for our Li family!” Li Damou wanted to argue but fell silent as he remembered Elder Han’s level 120, third-transition sword cultivation. So, he forced a smile and began massaging his grandfather’s shoulders and back. Elder Li laughed. “You brat. You never come to see me unless you want something. Speak. What is it?” Li Damou didn’t hesitate. “Grandfather, it’s true that Elder Han took on a disciple, but did he mention that this disciple is an outsider from beyond the domain?!” “Hm?” Elder Li’s smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly composed himself. “There are rumors that even the Human Emperor was an outsider. Besides, Elder Han personally approved this. It’s not a big deal.” “But he’s only level 20! And hasn’t even changed classes! Why should he be allowed to witness the Human Emperor’s clone?!” Li Damou protested. Elder Li quickly realized that his grandson harbored deep hostility toward this new disciple. So he said calmly, “Since it’s Elder Han’s disciple, and Elder Han came to ask me personally, unless you can give me a better reason, I can’t refuse his request.” After all, Elder Han wasn’t just strong, his reputation and personal charm meant even enemies respected him from the heart.