“Hmph, Xiahou Wanyu, back then you could still fight me. Now, you don’t even qualify to challenge me. If your cultivation weren’t so low, I’d teach you a lesson today!” Ziling’s face flared with anger at the threat to her Spirit Gate, striking at Xiahou Wanyu without holding back.
Xiahou Wanyu’s face twisted with rage and humiliation. Once a prodigy who vied for the top spot with Ziling, he had been second on the Human Star List. Now, far behind her, he couldn’t even face her in battle. Being called out publicly was a slap to his face, fueling his fury and unwillingness.
But he was powerless against her.
“And you, Yue Xingchen, if you dare target my Spirit Gate, I won’t hold back either.” Ziling’s cold gaze locked onto Yue Xingchen, a thick battle intent radiating. “I’ve long wanted to test the second-ranked Heavenly Star List genius. Since your Moon Gate wants a fight, let’s have a real one.”
Yue Xingchen’s brow furrowed slightly. He hadn’t planned to fight Ziling, only intending to oversee the scene and let his disciples humble Tianmen. But her challenge left him no choice—backing down would cost him face.
“Very well, let’s make it a real fight. It’s time to remind everyone of the Moon Gate’s authority and my rank as second on the Heavenly Star List.” A cold aura emanated from Yue Xingchen. They were set on crushing Tianmen today.
“Yue Xingchen’s making a move. Ziling probably has little chance, right?”
“Not necessarily. She’s a fifth-grade initial spiritual controller with extraordinary techniques. She was second on the Human Star List before, so she might hold her own against Yue Xingchen now.”
“But Ziling’s breakthrough was recent, while Yue Xingchen’s been at Martial Venerable Third Realm for a couple of years. There’s likely still a gap.”
“We’ll see who wins. Either way, with three major factions clashing and top fighters involved, this will be a spectacle.”
“Tianmen rose too fast. Some can’t sit still. The Moon Gate stepping in to knock them down might be a good thing.”
The crowd buzzed with discussion, retreating to give space as Ziling and Yue Xingchen spoke.
“Hmph, Yue Xingchen, don’t get cocky. Your Moon Gate might overpower us today, but when Hu Yue and the others return, we’ll settle this score. Not one of your disciples will escape,” Ziling said, spiritual fluctuations swirling around her head. She summoned a purple sword, floating before her under her control.
“Hu Yue? Heh, let’s see if they make it back from the battlefield,” Yue Xingchen sneered, drawing a gleaming white sword radiating moonlight. As a breeze lifted his robe, he looked strikingly elegant before the fight.
“What do you mean?” Ziling’s brow furrowed, a bad feeling creeping in.
Gu Juejin’s expression darkened, a cold aura rising.
“With such a full-scale move, their opponents won’t be weak. Whether they kill or get killed depends on their fate,” Yue Xingchen said indifferently. “Enough talk. Attack! All Moon Gate disciples, target same-realm disciples from Tianmen, Spirit Gate, and First Alliance!”
“Chi! Chi! Chi!” Auras surged, sweeping towards the three factions.
“Think we’re scared? Fight!” Wang Long roared.
The clash was imminent.
But at that moment, a calm, familiar voice cut through: “Everyone, stop.”
Both sides froze, halting at the young man’s voice.
The onlookers were stunned. Who dared intervene in a dispute between major factions?
All eyes turned towards the voice’s source.
“This voice…” Ziling’s heart skipped, her gaze darting over.
Gu Juejin, Wang Long, and others looked too, the voice so familiar they questioned their ears.
Tap! Tap!
Under everyone’s gaze, soft footsteps echoed, clear to all ears.
A young man slowly entered their sight.
Tall and lean, with ordinary features, he was barely nineteen. Yet his youthful face held a rare resolve and composure, meeting all gazes calmly, walking steadily towards the crowd.
“Lin… Lin Xiao?” Ziling trembled, her body stiffening as if petrified.
“Lin Xiao?” Gu Juejin’s face went blank.
“Boss?”
“Gate Master?”
Wang Long and Tianmen disciples gaped, eyes bulging as if they’d pop out.
“Lin Xiao, how is this possible?” Xiahou Wanyu’s eyes widened, his expression frozen in disbelief.
“Lin Xiao, this can’t be!” Yu Xiang, Jia Zhao, Xiahou Lan, Fang Yang, and others stood dumbfounded, their faces slack.
The crowd’s jaws dropped, shocked by Lin Xiao’s fame, which had echoed like thunder for the past year.
Most present had seen him before.
“He died in the Mysterious Domain battlefield. How could he be alive?” Yue Xingchen’s face was stunned.
Everyone was shocked, all wondering the same thing.
A year ago, Lin Xiao was thrown into the thunderstorm by a Martial Monarch. The ultimate battlefield closed, with cataclysmic phenomena wiping out life, leaving no chance of survival.
Yet here he was, alive before them, making them doubt their eyes. The scene froze as Lin Xiao approached.
As he reached the center between the factions, near Tianmen’s disciples, Ziling, still incredulous, asked, “Lin Xiao, you… you’re not dead?”
“Do I look dead to you?” Lin Xiao shrugged, smiling lightly at her.
“You… you didn’t die!” Ziling, still disbelieving, rushed forward, pounding his chest a few times to confirm it was really him.
“Want a hug?” Lin Xiao grinned.
