Beside Mu Yao stood a striking unfamiliar man in his late twenties, dressed in a refined brown robe. His polished demeanor and mature, handsome features exuded an air of unparalleled elegance.
A faint Martial Venerable Third Realm aura radiated from him, noticeably stronger than Mu Yao and the others.
“Mu Yuanhua?” Lin Xiao guessed. A Martial Venerable Third Realm with such a potent aura, accompanying Mu Yao, was likely her brother, Mu Yuanhua.
Back then, Mu Yuanhua, wary of Lin Xiao’s closeness to An Miao, had ordered Ru Xian to kill him in the Mysterious Domain battlefield. Fortunately, Mu Yao intervened, and Ru Xian never got the chance.
“You’re really alive!” Mu Yao exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over.
“Junior Brother Lin Xiao, you’re truly a prodigy. To return unscathed from such a place!” Bai Moxuan marveled.
“Haha, with Junior Brother Lin Xiao back, things are about to get lively between Shengyuan Academy and Youtian Demon Palace!” Yang Dehui laughed heartily, stepping forward.
Lin Xiao smiled at the group. “Blessed by the heavens, I managed to survive.”
Others came forward to greet him, and Lin Xiao responded warmly. They had fought side by side before.
“Not bad, catching Master An Miao’s eye,” Mu Yuanhua said coolly from beside Mu Yao.
Lin Xiao’s gaze shifted to him, his tone pointed. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re Senior Brother Mu Yuanhua. I recall you ordered Ru Xian to kill me.”
“Brother!” Mu Yao shot Mu Yuanhua a reproachful glare.
Seeing her reaction, Mu Yuanhua softened, his tone neutral. “That was my mistake. I hope Junior Brother Lin Xiao won’t hold it against me. If you’re still upset, you’re welcome to confront me anytime.”
“What a guy,” Lin Xiao thought, noting the forceful apology. Since Mu Yuanhua had apologized, he saw no need to press further.
“For Mu Yao’s sake, I’ll let it slide. Otherwise, you might’ve been the one fighting me today,” Lin Xiao replied evenly.
“Junior Brother Lin Xiao’s boldness is impressive. Honestly, I’d love to test your strength, but Brother Yue’s ahead of me,” Mu Yuanhua said with a noncommittal smile, glancing at Yue Xingchen.
Yue Xingchen stood ahead, arms crossed, silent. He felt a trace of disdain for Mu Yuanhua and wasn’t surprised by Lin Xiao’s popularity. He was in no rush to act.
Once everyone gathered and he defeated their celebrated prodigy, Lin Xiao’s fame would dim.
“I’d also like to test Junior Brother Lin Xiao’s strength!” A mature voice rang out as a sharp-featured, imposing young man approached.
“Wu Tian, the top-ranked Heavenly Star List fighter!”
“Wasn’t Wu Tian in seclusion? Why’s he here?”
“A prodigy who survived a death trap and the second-ranked Heavenly Star List fighter are about to clash. Of course he’d come!”
The crowd buzzed as the dignified man arrived.
Wu Tian, the Heavenly Star List’s top fighter, was Shengyuan Academy’s greatest prodigy, a near-mythical figure whose fame rivaled Lin Xiao’s.
Hearing the crowd, Lin Xiao knew who it was. Scanning Wu Tian, he couldn’t gauge his depth—a truly unfathomable presence.
As the Heavenly Star List’s top fighter, Wu Tian’s strength was undoubtedly extraordinary.
“Third Realm Martial Venerables against a Ninth Realm Martial King—have you no shame?” Mu Yao scolded.
Lin Xiao just smiled faintly. “If the senior brothers are interested, I’m ready anytime.”
“Junior Brother Lin Xiao’s courage is remarkable, fearless at peak Martial King,” Wu Tian said, stepping forward with a chuckle. “But I won’t take advantage. Let’s fight when you reach Martial Venerable.”
“Senior Brother Wu Tian’s magnanimity is admirable,” Lin Xiao replied, smiling.
Seeing Wu Tian’s grand gesture, Yue Xingchen snorted, thinking, “Wu Tian, one day I’ll surpass you!”
Wu Tian noticed Yue Xingchen’s reaction and smiled. “Brother Yue, fighting a peak Martial King like Lin Xiao—your patience seems to be slipping.”
His words carried a mocking edge. Yue Xingchen forced a smile. “Brother Wu’s patience is admirable. But if someone arrogantly challenged you, would you hold back just because they’re weaker?”
“Depends on my mood. Usually, I’d wait until they’re strong enough,” Wu Tian replied with a grin, irking Yue Xingchen further. The crowd sensed the verbal sparring between the Heavenly Star List’s top two.
“Lin Xiao, you’re not dead!” A furious roar interrupted, followed by dozens of people storming towards the plaza’s center, radiating anger. The crowd parted for them.
Leading was a broad, lean-framed middle-aged man, exuding a Martial Venerable Fifth Realm aura, thick with killing intent.
“Xiahou Li, father of Xiahou Wanyu and Xiahou Jing!” Ziling frowned, whispering to Lin Xiao. “Be careful. Xiahou Li’s a Xiahou family elder, very extreme. You killed his daughter, so he might do something against the rules.”
“Oh?” Lin Xiao’s eyes narrowed at Xiahou Li’s murderous glare. The man’s hatred was palpable.
The Xiahou family members behind him glared at Lin Xiao with equal venom.
They were likely the least thrilled in the Holy City to hear he was alive.
But Lin Xiao wasn’t too concerned. Even Xiahou Lan didn’t dare act—would Xiahou Li?
This was the Holy City.
“You killed my daughter?” Xiahou Li demanded, his voice seething.
