Bang!
Master Bai Yun’s palm strike slammed into a massive boulder, reducing it to dust in an instant.
Ling Xiao hadn’t moved at all.
Through his Mountain and River Martial Soul, he had analyzed that Bai Yun’s attack wasn’t aimed at him.
From behind the boulder, a figure darted out.
Clad in black, the figure was covered in dust, looking slightly disheveled.
They likely hadn’t expected Bai Yun to use a feint to flush them out.
“Hahaha, Uncle Bai Yun, your skills haven’t dulled with age. You actually spotted me.”
As the figure appeared, they shook off the dust with a surge of true essence, instantly restoring their pristine appearance.
At that moment, a silver crescent moon emblem on their clothing became clearly visible.
The person looked no older than thirty, with a smile on their face, though their eyes carried a hint of anger and embarrassment.
“Why are you here again?”
Bai Yun’s expression darkened.
He had long sensed someone watching from the sidelines and had used his anger as an excuse to act.
Ling Xiao had killed Zuo Leng, and Bai Yun was indeed furious, even tempted to strike him down.
But no matter how biased he was, he had a shred of principle and couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Moreover, with Zuo Leng dead, losing Ling Xiao as well would be too great a loss.
In the end, he only regretted not stopping the life-and-death duel.
Ling Xiao, of course, had no idea what was going through Bai Yun’s mind, nor did he care. He was shocked that this black-clad person had been so close without him noticing, a testament to their strength.
He recalled a rumor from days ago about someone injuring Bai Yun—likely this person.
Ling Xiao quickly stepped back, and a memory flashed in his mind: the blue-clad woman he’d met in the Crouching Dragon Mountain Range.
The reason? Both she and this black-clad person bore the silver crescent moon emblem.
Could they be from the same sect?
The crescent moon emblem?
Moon Blossom Sect!
Bai Yun was also a disciple of the Moon Blossom Sect, which explained it!
“As I said before, Uncle, you’re getting old. Keeping such talented disciples is a waste. Why not let me have a couple? I’m not greedy—just two.”
The black-clad man’s gaze lingered briefly on Ming Tian and Ling Xiao.
Clearly, he wanted them.
“No need to bring this up again. I’ve said it before—they’re my disciples. They’ll join the Moon Blossom Sect under me. There’s no need for them to become your students!”
Bai Yun waved his hand decisively, his tone firm.
At that moment, Ling Xiao and the other ten disciples felt a surge of tension. This young man’s strength likely surpassed Bai Yun’s.
Otherwise, given Bai Yun’s temperament, he would have attacked already instead of standing still.
“What if they studied under my master?”
The black-clad man said with a smile.
“Your master?”
“Exactly. My master entered the Moon Blossom Sect at the same time as you, Uncle. But your talent was limited, and you’re still only at Mortal First Layer. My master, however, broke through the shackles of Mortal Ninth Layer three years ago, ascending to the Heaven-Human Realm.”
As he spoke, the black-clad man’s face showed pride, his gaze toward Bai Yun carrying a trace of mockery and disdain.
He seemed unconcerned about whether his words would enrage Bai Yun.
After all, his strength surpassed Bai Yun’s, and his master’s was even greater.
“What! He’s reached the Heaven-Human Realm?”
Bai Yun’s body trembled violently, his face paling as if he couldn’t accept the news.
“Indeed. After reaching the Heaven-Human Realm, my master became an elder of the Moon Blossom Sect. He now wields significant influence within the sect!”
The black-clad man, as if his provocation wasn’t enough, continued.
Bai Yun’s expression grew even grimmer.
He knew well what being an elder of the Moon Blossom Sect meant, and what the Heaven-Human Realm signified.
Even if his disciples joined the Moon Blossom Sect, they’d face endless trouble if this man targeted them.
“Now do you understand my good intentions, Uncle? Let those two come with me, and my master might overlook past grudges, sparing your other disciples.”
The black-clad man grinned.
“Hmph, I don’t believe your master can control the entire Moon Blossom Sect!”
Bai Yun snorted coldly, regaining some confidence.
He might not be capable, but his disciples were geniuses!
“Stubborn fool. If I can’t have them, I’ll cripple them now to avoid trouble after they join the sect.”
The logic was simple: if Ming Tian and Ling Xiao weren’t yet Moon Blossom Sect disciples, killing them would be straightforward.
But once they joined, it would involve complex internal sect politics, making things far more troublesome.
The moment he spoke, the black-clad man swiftly closed in on Ling Xiao, ready to strike a lethal blow.
But he hadn’t anticipated that a mere Martial Vein Eighth Layer, Late Stage martial artist would sense the danger before he could act and dodge swiftly.
“Huh?”
He let out a sound of surprise and moved to pursue, but Bai Yun lunged forward.
“To kill them, you’ll have to get through me first!”
True essence flowed through Bai Yun’s palms as he unleashed nearly his full power, aiming to kill the black-clad man with a single strike.
“Strange, Uncle. Weren’t you just about to kill this kid yourself?”
Facing Bai Yun’s full-force attack, the black-clad man smiled, speaking casually. Then, with a slight lift of his hand, a sinister aura erupted, clashing head-on with Bai Yun.
Boom!
The terrifying shockwave spread like an explosion, shattering a pavilion on the Cliff of Life and Death and leveling the ground with residual force.
Fortunately, the others knew the devastating power of Mortal Realm martial artists’ battles and had retreated far enough to avoid being reduced to pulp by the terrifying energy.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Bang! Bang!
Crack! Crack!
The first strike failed, but Bai Yun didn’t stop. He pressed his assault, hovering in midair, a feat distinct from martial artists below the Mortal Realm.
Typically, those below the Mortal Realm could only linger briefly in the air, but Mortal Realm martial artists, with sufficient true essence, could hover for a quarter of an hour without issue.
Of course, there were exceptions.
Freaks like Ling Xiao, for instance.
But such prodigies were one in ten thousand, defying common logic.
Now, two Mortal Realm masters clashed in midair, the ground below erupting with explosive sounds. The once-pristine cliff was gradually reduced to rubble and dust.
“Terrifying!”
Ling Xiao maintained his soul-entered state. With his now-powerful soul force, he could sustain this state continuously, though it consumed significant energy.
But given the dire situation, he couldn’t afford to care.
In his soul-entered state, only he could clearly see the details of the fight.
“Not good!”
Ling Xiao noticed that Bai Yun was clearly losing ground. Initially, his surprise attack gave him a slight edge, but now he was entirely on the defensive.
—
The black-clad man’s words still echoed, his ultimatum to Ming Tian hanging heavily in the air. Ming Tian’s hesitation was evident, torn between loyalty to Bai Yun and the promise of a greater future under the Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign. The other disciples watched, tension mounting as the quarter-hour deadline approached.
Ling Xiao, keeping his distance, observed in silence. Expelled from Bai Yun’s tutelage, he was unbound, but the black-clad man’s arrogance grated on him. Still, the prospect of joining the Moon Blossom Sect and accessing the Heaven-Human Realm was enticing. If the offer extended to him, he might consider it—not out of betrayal, but necessity. Strength was paramount, and today’s events proved it.
Bai Yun, struggling to rise, glared at the black-clad man. “You dare manipulate my disciples in my presence? Even if I’m no match for your master, the Moon Blossom Sect has rules!”
The black-clad man laughed. “Rules? In the face of absolute power, rules bend. Ming Tian, time’s ticking. Choose wisely.”
Ming Tian clenched his fists, his mind racing. Stay with a weakened master or seize a chance at greatness? The weight of the decision bore down on him.
Ling Xiao’s eyes narrowed. Whatever Ming Tian chose, Ling Xiao knew one thing: he’d forge his own path, no matter who stood in his way—Bai Yun, the black-clad man, or even the Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign himself.
