“Outrageous!” Baili He, atop the city wall, froze for a moment before roaring in fury, his voice thundering with imperial might. His figure flashed like lightning, charging toward Lin Xiao.
At that moment, two figures and the dagger surged toward Lin Xiao again, their speed blindingly fast.
Boom!
A terrifying force exploded before Lin Xiao, as if the void itself had shattered. Immense shockwaves rippled outward.
Though the power was immense, not a trace reached forward. Baili He stood before Lin Xiao like a mountain, single-handedly blocking the terrifying assault from the two figures.
The two assailants came clearly into Lin Xiao’s view: two elders—one in flowing white robes, exuding an air of refined grace; the other with a sinister face, radiating a domineering aura.
“Mei Taiyang!” Lin Xiao’s eyes narrowed. As expected, the You Tian Demon Palace had come, with a Martial Monarch in tow.
“Martial Monarchs!” The surrounding crowd gasped, fortunate to be at a distance from Lin Xiao, the shockwaves contained by Baili He.
Those disciples below one thousand kill points, standing behind the two attackers, were also spared.
Otherwise, a swathe of disciples would’ve been swept away.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
At that instant, seven or eight elder figures shot down from the city wall, landing beside Baili He in a blink.
Among them were three high-tier Martial Venerables, strong enough to counter a fifth-grade senior spirit controller.
Mei Taiyang’s brow furrowed, halting his attack. Surrounded like this, they’d lost their window.
“Baili He, I didn’t expect you to oversee the trial!” Mei Taiyang’s eyes flickered with wariness, clearly cautious of the top core elder of Shengyuan Academy.
Facing the pair, Baili He’s face burned with anger, his aura radiating a chilling pressure. “Hmph, Mei Taiyang, what’s the meaning of this? Coming to Saint City to kill a Shengyuan Academy disciple—do you think so little of us?”
“He hasn’t entered Saint City yet, so he’s not a true Shengyuan disciple, is he? He killed my fourth-grade spirit controller disciple, stormed our palace’s stronghold, and slew a Martial Venerable elder. His crimes are grave—hand him over.” The fifth-grade senior spirit controller spoke coldly.
Named Zhong Ling, he was a high-ranking elder of the You Tian Demon Palace. As a fifth-grade senior spirit controller, he could hold his own against a Martial Monarch. His pride was evident, undaunted even before Baili He.
Hearing Zhong Ling’s own words, the crowd’s hearts jolted. Lin Xiao had indeed killed a Martial Venerable from a titan like the You Tian Demon Palace, and a disciple of this fifth-grade controller, provoking two top experts to hunt him.
“My apologies, but I can’t comply. Lin Xiao has passed the trial and is now officially a Shengyuan Academy disciple. You’ve attacked our junior—now give me an explanation.” Baili He’s tone was calm, but his words carried inviolable authority.
The crowd was stunned. Shengyuan Academy was indeed a colossus, standing so firm against the You Tian Demon Palace.
This warmed their hearts. Even against a power like the You Tian Demon Palace and its Martial Monarch, Shengyuan Academy would risk conflict to protect its disciple.
It gave them an immense sense of security and honour, strengthening their resolve to join Shengyuan Academy.
“Elder Baili, this junior killed our elder. If anyone owes an explanation, shouldn’t it be Shengyuan Academy to us?” Mei Taiyang, though wary, didn’t back down, his words sharp.
“An elder killed by a junior, and you’ve the nerve to admit it? If an explanation’s needed, fine—Shengyuan Academy can offer one. Send your juniors to Saint City to slay our Martial Venerable elders.”
Baili He’s words dripped with sarcasm, souring the pair’s faces. An elder killed by a Heavenly Martial junior was indeed humiliating.
And sending You Tian Demon Palace juniors to kill Shengyuan Academy elders? That was impossible.
Baili He had deftly shut them down.
“No matter what, he killed our elder. He was in the wrong first. Hand him over, or the You Tian Demon Palace won’t let this rest,” Zhong Ling finally snorted, refusing to let Lin Xiao go.
“Hmph, if we handed over the trial’s top disciple, what face would Shengyuan Academy have left? If you insist on being stubborn, don’t blame us for being impolite!”
Baili He’s face grew colder, his authority enveloping them. “One million Martial King essence pills as compensation, and today’s attempt on our junior’s life can be overlooked!”
The pair’s expressions hardened—what a domineering Baili He! No, what a domineering Saint City lord, Shengyuan Academy’s top core elder, standing up for a disciple.
“Baili He, are you saying you’d wage war with our You Tian Demon Palace over a junior?” Mei Taiyang retorted coldly, his own authority flaring.
“War? Heh, Shengyuan Academy doesn’t bow to such threats. If you want war over this, we’ll take you on!”
Baili He sneered. “Besides, Mei Taiyang, you may hold rank in the You Tian Demon Palace, but you don’t call the shots, do you? Want war? Go ask your palace master. I’ll say it again—if you want to start a war with Shengyuan Academy over this, we’re ready!”
“You!” Mei Taiyang and Zhong Ling’s faces tightened, clearly unprepared for Baili He’s unyielding stance—or for facing him here.
“Hmph, we can’t touch him today, but one million Martial King essence pills? Never!” Mei Taiyang glared viciously at Lin Xiao, threatening, “Kid, you got lucky today. Let’s go!”
With that, he turned to flee.
Zhong Ling swiftly followed.
This was Shengyuan Academy’s turf—if a fight broke out, they’d be at a disadvantage, and Baili He’s group alone held no edge for them.
“Hmph, think you can just leave? Attack!” Baili He barked, soaring into the sky, striking at the pair.
The nearby experts surged forward, radiant light erupting as immense energy roared in the air ahead.
Explosions thundered in the void, the two pursued relentlessly.
The crowd marvelled—Shengyuan Academy was true to its name. Refuse one million Martial King essence pills? They struck without hesitation.
