At the town’s outskirts, Lin Xiao saw dozens, perhaps a hundred, spirit beasts facing off against dozens of cultivators. The beasts included patterned spirit tigers, spotted spirit leopards, and a pack of wind wolves.
A spirit lion charging at the forefront was blasted into pulp by a young cultivator’s single slash. The remaining beasts growled lowly, lingered briefly, then reluctantly retreated.
The cultivators didn’t pursue.
“Has the beast tide already reached here?” Lin Xiao frowned, observing the scene.
These beasts were all speed-types, likely scouting or asserting dominance.
This place was a thousand miles from the Mist Forest. If large numbers of spirit beasts were appearing here, the entire thousand-mile radius might soon be overrun.
“This place isn’t safe to stay!” Lin Xiao thought. If the Sky-Gazing Whisker moved, bringing the beast tide with it, even a group of Martial Kings would be in grave danger.
This town was no longer a safe haven for humans.
In that moment, Lin Xiao spotted two familiar figures—Han Bin and Zuo Ye.
They’d escaped the Sky-Gazing Whisker’s grasp, suggesting they had strong life-saving trump cards.
The young cultivator who’d struck decisively turned, revealing a handsome face to Lin Xiao.
“Human Star List disciple?” Lin Xiao was slightly surprised.
He’d glimpsed this man among the Human Star List crowd at the battlefield’s entrance, though he didn’t know his name or exact rank.
Given Zuo Ye’s presence, he was likely the Blade and Sword Alliance senior brother Zuo Ye mentioned—Pei Chenyu, ranked eightieth on the Human Star List.
To think they’d meet in this town.
But now, having reached third-level Martial King, Lin Xiao feared none of the three.
At that moment, Zuo Ye and Han Bin turned, their gazes unavoidably meeting Lin Xiao’s.
“Lin Xiao!” They exclaimed in unison, stunned.
After a moment, Zuo Ye let out an excited laugh. “Hahaha, I thought I’d missed my chance at the Glazed Spirit Fruits, but to meet you here!”
“Brother Pei, this is Lin Xiao, the one who took all six Glazed Spirit Fruits!” Han Bin said politely to the youth beside him, his face alight with greed.
“Oh?”
The youth was indeed Pei Chenyu, eightieth on the Human Star List.
At their words, his eyes lit up, a broad smile spreading. “I missed the Mist Forest’s barrier qi dispersal, but to think I’d still get a chance at Glazed Spirit Fruits. Today’s my lucky day. Once I refine them and break through, my Human Star List ranking will climb!”
Hearing them, the dozens of surrounding cultivators turned to Lin Xiao, their faces filled with greed, though Pei Chenyu’s presence kept them from acting.
Lin Xiao noted their reactions.
Did they think robbing him would be so easy?
“Brother Pei, could you spare me one Glazed Spirit Fruit? In the future, I, Han Bin, will assist you and Brother Zuo,” Han Bin said, bowing slightly, his eyes gleaming with greed.
“With such sincerity, one of the six Glazed Spirit Fruits is yours!” Pei Chenyu said generously. One fruit had a high chance of triggering a breakthrough.
A second would be less effective due to resistance. Han Bin was strong, not far below him, and his assistance would be valuable, boosting their group’s strength.
“Brother Pei, I’m also willing to serve you for a Glazed Spirit Fruit!” A nearby Martial King youth quickly bowed, speaking cautiously.
“Brother Pei, I’ll serve you too, just for one Glazed Spirit Fruit!” Another youth chimed in. With their lead, others couldn’t resist, clamouring to be Pei Chenyu’s lackeys.
All for a Glazed Spirit Fruit.
“Hmph, who are you lot to serve my senior brother?” Zuo Ye roared, his powerful aura sweeping the scene, silencing the crowd.
Forget Pei Chenyu—even Zuo Ye was far beyond their reach. Human Star List disciples were terrifyingly strong.
Especially those ranked ninety-third and eightieth.
“Dreaming of Glazed Spirit Fruits? You’re not worthy!” Zuo Ye sneered at the crowd.
They were furious but didn’t dare speak. They’d seen Pei Chenyu’s strike against the early fourth-tier spirit lion—overwhelmingly powerful. They were no match. Though they resented Zuo Ye’s insults, they could only swallow it.
“Heh, well said. So, are you three going to come at me for the Glazed Spirit Fruits together, or one by one?” Lin Xiao’s mocking laugh rang out.
“You!” Zuo Ye’s anger flared. Lin Xiao’s words were a direct slap to his face.
“Hmph, Lin Xiao, so what if you’re top of the preliminary list? Your arrogance only works on other preliminary disciples. Against Human Star List disciples, you’re nothing.”
A formidable aura burst from Zuo Ye. “No need for Senior Brother Pei to act. I alone am enough to deal with you!”
“Didn’t you beg me for help in the Mist Forest, offering hundreds of Martial King Yuan Pills and all your treasures?” Lin Xiao stood still, deliberately taunting.
“You! You dare bring that up!” Zuo Ye roared, about to strike.
“Let me handle this. I want to take the Glazed Spirit Fruits myself,” Pei Chenyu interrupted, shaking his head.
He knew killing Lin Xiao meant not only the Glazed Spirit Fruits but also rewards from the Xiahou family and Martial Alliance. Why would he let Zuo Ye take that prize?
“Fine, I’ll leave it to you, Senior Brother,” Zuo Ye said, reining in his anger and nodding. He hadn’t lost his reason.
With Pei Chenyu here, he had no chance to kill Lin Xiao himself. Though both were fourth-level Martial Kings, Pei Chenyu’s strength far surpassed his.
“Hmph, with Senior Brother Pei acting, Lin Xiao, you’re dead!” Zuo Ye added coldly.
“You begged me,” Lin Xiao said with a faint smile.
“You!” Zuo Ye’s anger surged again.
“Junior Brother Lin Xiao, is it your bad luck or my good fortune that I met you? Not only will I take the Glazed Spirit Fruits, but when I deliver your head to the Xiahou family and Martial Alliance, I’ll gain immense rewards. What a fine opportunity,” Pei Chenyu said, smiling, gripping a long blade as he approached Lin Xiao.
“What if I say it’s neither?” Lin Xiao replied calmly.
