“Indeed, this brat must die today. Even with the Tianxuan Sect and the Spirit Controller Alliance stepping in, I fear it won’t change a thing. I urge Leader Ye to reconsider, or don’t blame us for disregarding old ties,” Feng Ziyang’s voice turned cold as he chimed in.
His stance aligned with the Chen family—Lin Xiao could not be spared.
“Chi!” At that moment, Ye Fenghua stepped forward. A vast wave of spiritual power surged from his mind, unleashing a transparent ripple through the air that spread in all directions. The terrifying mental pressure made everyone feel as though they were suffocating.
“Fifth-grade elementary spiritual power!” Le Zheng Hongmao was the first to exclaim, his face alight with shock. Among those present, he and Situ Guang were the most attuned to spiritual energy.
“What? Fifth-grade elementary spiritual power? You’ve broken through to fifth-grade?” Chen Wendao gasped. No one in the Lanlan Empire had reached fifth-grade elementary spiritual power. Ye Fenghua had hovered on the cusp for years, unable to take that step—how had he done it today?
Spirit controllers were unpredictable and fearsome in battle. Chen Wendao knew full well he’d gain no advantage against a fifth-grade spirit controller in a fight.
At that moment, everyone present—Chen Wendao included—was stunned.
The emergence of a fifth-grade spirit controller was a monumental event for the empire. In the long run, it would elevate the empire’s overall strength.
Even Lin Xiao showed a flicker of surprise. He’d only given Ye Fenghua the elixir recipe—gathering the rare ingredients was no small feat, and even then, success wasn’t guaranteed.
Yet Ye Fenghua had achieved it in such a short time.
It spoke volumes of his deep foundation.
The Spirit Controller Alliance members, shocked as they were, soon brimmed with excitement. They now understood why the alliance had mobilized its full resources to hunt for herbs—it was to craft an elixir to push for fifth-grade status.
With a fifth-grade spirit controller, others in the alliance could potentially advance their own spiritual power through Ye Fenghua’s elixirs—a boon for the entire group.
“It’s because of Brother Lin Xiao that I stepped into fifth-grade spirit controller!” Ye Fenghua declared openly, his stance resolute. But as his gaze drifted to Feng Youyu, a complex emotion flickered across his face, and he couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
His words sent another shockwave through the crowd. Ye Fenghua’s breakthrough to fifth-grade was thanks to Lin Xiao? Lin Xiao had a method to elevate a fourth-grade advanced spirit controller to fifth-grade?
The fourth-grade spirit controllers present felt their eyes blaze with fervor, even those not yet at the advanced level.
A method to push a fourth-grade advanced spirit controller to fifth-grade offered them a clear glimmer of hope.
Without it, even a talent like Ye Fenghua had struggled to break through on his own—leaving their odds impossibly slim.
“The Spirit Controller Alliance stands with our leader!” Le Zheng Hongmao and Situ Guang stepped forward in unison, followed by the two fourth-grade elementary spirit controllers.
The alliance’s elder powerhouses joined them, trailed by Wu Meng, Pang Po, and the rest. Soon, every alliance member present aligned with Ye Fenghua.
Clearly, they were ready to fight alongside their leader.
Though the alliance typically avoided conflicts, when pushed, they feared no faction.
Their combat strength was formidable.
“We too stand with our Sect Master!” From the Tianxuan Sect, an elder spoke up, followed by Elder Sun and other loyalists—diehard supporters of Yi Xuanfeng.
Some disciples stepped forward decisively, while others did so reluctantly.
Yet two inner elders, several newer outer elders, and half the disciples stayed with the Grand Elder. Many preferred avoiding the fray altogether.
Plenty among them were aligned with Chen Yan, Feng Lanyue, and the two families—they’d never switch sides.
Even with these incomplete forces from the Spirit Controller Alliance and Tianxuan Sect, the Chen and Feng families felt immense pressure.
A full-scale battle, even if winnable, would exact a devastating toll.
“Grand Elder, Uncle Chen, no need for you to deal with Lin Xiao—I’ll handle it,” Feng Lanyue stepped forward, breaking the deadlock as Feng Ziyang and Chen Wendao wavered.
“Oh?” Both men started, exchanging a glance before studying Feng Lanyue. Her confident demeanor gave them pause.
Knowing Lin Xiao’s identity yet radiating such assurance, she must have a trump card.
Still, Lin Xiao’s strength was too unpredictable—they hesitated to let her and Chen Yan take the risk.
“Heh, we’re all top powers in the Lanlan Empire—why escalate this so far?” Meng Xi, silent until now, spoke up, her aged voice slow and deliberate. “Let the younger generation settle their own affairs.”
“Exactly, exactly! A clash between Heimu and Feng Lanyue would be a pinnacle showdown for their age group. Once it’s decided, then resolve the dispute—no rush!” Zhou Moyi chimed in gleefully, reveling in the chaos.
“Those old bastards!” Feng Ziyang cursed inwardly. Why hadn’t they spoken up during the standoff? Now that Feng Lanyue had stepped forward, they jumped in.
He kept his grumbling silent—those two opportunistic factions added another layer of caution for him and Chen Wendao.
The pair exchanged a look, noting Feng Youyu’s silence, then nodded to each other.
Feng Ziyang glanced at Yi Xuanfeng and Ye Fenghua before addressing Lin Xiao, “We’ll let you settle it yourselves, but during the fight, you’re forbidden from using that explosive elixir. Otherwise, even if it takes our entire clans’ strength, we’ll kill you!”
The crowd stirred. An explosive elixir was part of a spirit controller’s arsenal—banning it was unexpected.
Yet it made sense. Lin Xiao’s fourth-grade elementary explosive elixir could obliterate any Heavenly Martial realm fighter—rendering the duel meaningless.
Forbidding a spirit controller’s elixir, though, felt shameless.
“To kill them, I don’t need an explosive elixir!” Lin Xiao replied coolly.
He looked at Ye Fenghua and the alliance members behind him, then at Yi Xuanfeng, cupping his hands, “Thank you, Leader Ye, Sect Master Yi, and everyone.”
“Lin Xiao, no need for thanks. You’re part of the Spirit Controller Alliance, and you’ve helped me. I won’t sit by when you’re in trouble. Rest assured—if any elder intervenes, I’ll protect you myself,” Ye Fenghua said solemnly.
Lin Xiao had shared not just the explosive elixir recipe but also the formula to break into fifth-grade spirit controller status—a debt Ye Fenghua wouldn’t forget.
“No need to mention me, haha!” Yi Xuanfeng laughed heartily. He’d promised Lin Xiao his aid—what he said now was just for show.
Nodding, Lin Xiao’s gaze locked onto Feng Lanyue. Pointing at her, he declared, “Our grudge ends today—let’s fight!”
