The Legend of Fierce Tiger Li

“Is Senior Brother Li really that famous? What’s his background?” Han Li asked, somewhat surprised.

“You don’t even know Senior Brother Li?”

“Wasn’t I in closed-door training for a few years?”

“Right, right. I completely forgot about that. My memory’s terrible—I always assumed no disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect could possibly not know Senior Brother Li. I forgot you were in seclusion.” Little Abacus suddenly realized his mistake and quickly apologized.

“Could you tell me about Senior Brother Li?”

“Of course, Brother Han. Every young disciple knows Senior Brother Li’s story inside and out.” Little Abacus glanced at the arena, where Zhang Changgui’s side still hadn’t sent out Senior Brother Li’s opponent, and began recounting the various legends surrounding this famous figure.

“Brother Han, I’m not bragging when I say this, but not only do us younger disciples know Senior Brother Li’s story well, even the older senior brothers know plenty about him. Back then…” He launched into Senior Brother Li’s tale with great gusto, spittle flying as he spoke, looking as if he himself were the hero of the story.

As Little Abacus spun the tale of Senior Brother Li’s deeds, it truly did carry a legendary quality.

This Senior Brother Li had also come up the mountain four years ago, though not with the same batch of candidates as Han Li. He hadn’t passed the test on his first try and became a Disciple on Probation. But in the retest six months later, he took first place in every single event. In the final sparring session against the senior brothers, he was the only one who lasted more than thirty moves. This record shattered the performance of all previous probationary disciples and drew the attention of many high-ranking figures. Upon examination, the shocking result was that Senior Brother Li’s bone structure was merely average, and his potential for growth was limited. This diagnosis was deemed regrettable, and as a result, no senior figure took him as a personal disciple. After two years of basic training, he was finally taken in by an ordinary Protector, learning only a few common martial arts. The Galloping Thunder Blade was one of those unremarkable mid-level techniques of the Seven Mysteries Sect.

If the story had ended there, Senior Brother Li would hardly be considered legendary—a promising start with an anticlimactic finish. But not long after, armed with this unremarkable blade technique, he astonished everyone at the following year’s junior tournament, charging all the way into the top sixteen. He was the only newly admitted disciple to rank so high, and this once again made him the center of attention within the sect.

In the various competitions that followed, Senior Brother Li fought with relentless ferocity and unstoppable momentum, always securing high rankings and winning considerable face for the new disciples. In last year’s tournament, he seized third place outright. It should be noted that the first and second place finishers were both disciples with over a decade of training. Although they were still part of the younger generation, they were already twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with internal energy cultivation far deeper than his. Many disciples believed that if Senior Brother Li’s internal energy were on par with theirs, first place would have been his for the taking.

Thus, Senior Brother Li once again attracted the attention of the higher-ups. He was specifically assigned to participate in numerous major operations outside the sect. While other new disciples were still diligently training within the sect, he was already earning merits for the Seven Mysteries Sect. He gained the fearsome Jianghu nickname “Fierce Tiger Li,” and word had it that he was about to be granted special permission to enter the Seven Peaks Hall to train in even higher-level martial arts.

Even Han Li was moved upon hearing this. If all of this were true, then this Senior Brother Li was truly extraordinary. To rise from the status of a mere Disciple on Probation and achieve such renown—Han Li couldn’t help but feel a measure of admiration.

On Zhang Changgui’s side, after much hemming and hawing, one disciple finally steeled himself and stepped forward.

This disciple appeared to be no novice. He drew a gleaming soft sword from his waist, a blade no thicker than a thumb, limber and pliant—clearly not a weapon meant for the unskilled.

Senior Brother Li sensed someone approaching. He slowly opened his eyes, and they blazed with intimidating light.

He let out a thunderous roar, like a clap of lightning splitting a clear sky. The sound reverberated through the entire arena, setting everyone’s ears ringing. The opponent facing him shuddered and a flicker of panic crossed his face.

With the roar still hanging in the air, Senior Brother Li swung his long blade. A flash of saber light followed. He executed several consecutive forms in rapid succession, and in an instant, the blade transformed into a dozen or more shadows, ensnaring the opponent in a net of steel.

The man was alert. Despite his initial disarray, his soft sword wavered unpredictably, vicious and cunning. His defense, for the moment, was watertight.

“Who is that?” Han Li couldn’t help but ask.

“That’s Zhao Ziling, a disciple of the Fifth Elder. His Willow Flick Sword Art is quite tenacious.”

“Compared to Senior Brother Li?”

“Definitely not a match,” Little Abacus said with pride.

“Then why doesn’t Zhang Changgui send out someone stronger?”

“Haha! Zhao Ziling is the best they’ve got. Besides, among us new disciples, who could beat Senior Brother Li? Sending anyone else would be a waste of time.” Little Abacus seemed almost gleeful.

True to expectations, Zhao Ziling’s sword technique, though not yet broken, had completely lost its momentum. He was being suppressed by Senior Brother Li’s blade at every turn. Any seasoned observer could tell his defeat was only a matter of time.

Han Li watched for a while, but a doubt crept into his mind.

“There’s something I find strange. Why aren’t any of the older senior brothers here? Even if they’re not allowed to compete, surely some of them would come to watch. But there isn’t a single older disciple in or out of the arena. It’s only us younger ones watching. What’s going on?” Han Li bluntly voiced his question.

Upon hearing this, Little Abacus’s expression shifted. He gave Han Li a peculiar look, leaving Han Li feeling somewhat perplexed. Had he stumbled upon some kind of taboo?