“Scoff!” In that fleeting moment, Lin Xiao felt an inexplicable force enveloping his body, instantly dispelling the oppressive might of Sikong Jian’s Martial Emperor aura.
This force clinging to him abruptly pushed him sideways.
“Swish!” At the same moment, a long spear descended from the sky, striking the ground before Lin Xiao with lightning speed.
“Clang!” A resounding metallic clash echoed as Sikong Jian’s sword qi struck the spear, only to be shattered and dispersed.
Lin Xiao’s body had just been shifted to a new position, ensuring that even if the spear hadn’t blocked it, the sword qi wouldn’t have hit him.
Immediately after, a figure descended from the heavens, standing before Lin Xiao. Clad in a brown robe, this figure was robust, with white hair flowing long, exuding a sturdy, unyielding presence, like a spear itself, resolute and formidable. A faint aura of an unparalleled warrior emanated from him, carrying a subtle yet awe-inspiring Martial Emperor pressure.
Gazing at the imposing back of this vigorous elder, Lin Xiao quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Had this elder not intervened, his dantian might truly have been crippled. Against Sikong Jian, he had no power to resist.
“Sect Leader!” At this moment, the Martial Emperor elder of the Spear Dragon Sect cried out in shock. He hadn’t anticipated Sikong Jian’s direct attack on Lin Xiao, leaving no time to intervene. Seeing the Spear Dragon Sect Leader appear, he too felt relief for Lin Xiao.
With the Sect Leader present, Lin Xiao’s crisis could be resolved.
Otherwise, even if he wanted to recruit Lin Xiao into the Spear Dragon Sect, stopping Sikong Jian would have been nearly impossible.
The Martial Emperor elders of other sects also quietly sighed in relief. Due to the Holy Spirit Vein, they didn’t wish for Lin Xiao to be crippled on the spot.
They could clearly see Sikong Jian’s intent to deal with Lin Xiao decisively.
Since the Spear Dragon Sect Leader had stepped in, they wouldn’t need to confront Sikong Jian themselves.
They were also curious to see how this genius, who received the Prosperity Token a hundred years ago, would clash with the genius who received it two hundred years ago.
At this moment, Zi Huang and Ling Xiao, who had been repelled by Sikong Jian’s transformed sword force, rushed to Lin Xiao’s side, standing in opposition to Sikong Jian.
Hearing the words of the Spear Dragon Sect’s Martial Emperor elder, Lin Xiao was inwardly shocked.
He had long suspected this Martial Emperor, known for wielding a spear, but hadn’t confirmed it. He never imagined that the Spear Dragon Sect Leader, a figure on par with Sikong Jian, would act to save him.
Regardless, he felt deep gratitude.
“Sect Leader Sikong, acting so hastily against a junior, doesn’t that lack the demeanor of an elder?” Dongfang Kaiyuan said to Sikong Jian, his tone resolute and resounding.
“Since he’s been identified as a traitor, why can’t I act?” Sikong Jian’s face darkened slightly, his eyes gleaming with sharp intensity as he looked at Dongfang Kaiyuan.
“Sect Leader Dongfang, Sect Leader Sikong’s actions are justified and not reckless!” Sheng Qianyu chimed in.
Initially, seeing Lin Xiao about to be crippled and the threat eliminated was ideal, regardless of whether Lin Xiao was the one who refined the Prosperity Wall.
But now, Dongfang Kaiyuan had appeared, blocking Sikong Jian’s sword qi. Acting again would be difficult without sufficient evidence.
“Justified? Where’s the evidence?” Dongfang Kaiyuan retorted, saying directly, “I won’t say much. Shortly after the Prosperity Token stirred, I arrived at the Prosperity Wall, lurking in the shadows. After the wall was refined, I clashed with the one who did it. That person’s strength was no less than mine. How could it be Lin Xiao, a mere Martial Venerable?”
“You clashed with the one who refined the Prosperity Wall?” Sheng Qianyu asked in shock.
Others were equally stunned.
Dongfang Kaiyuan nodded, “Indeed, but I couldn’t stop him. He was masked, and I couldn’t see his face.”
“What kind of power did he use?” Sikong Jian asked, “A powerhouse no weaker than Sect Leader Dongfang, likely only the leaders of our eight major sects in the Southeast Region, correct?”
“The power he used wasn’t from any sect’s techniques or methods,” Dongfang Kaiyuan shook his head, stating truthfully, “It was a stone-based power.”
At this, everyone was taken aback. A stone-based power?
Wasn’t that the same as Lin Xiao’s power?
But with Lin Xiao’s strength, could he withstand even a single strike from Dongfang Kaiyuan?
“Indeed, a petrifying power!” Sikong Jian’s eyes narrowed, his voice cold, “Sect Leader Dongfang, a power like this, I presume neither you nor I have ever encountered in our lives, correct?”
He pointed at Lin Xiao, saying, “This youth cultivates that very petrifying power. Now, do you still think this has nothing to do with Lin Xiao?”
Dongfang Kaiyuan frowned, responding coldly, “He possesses petrifying power, true, but with his mere Martial Venerable strength, how could he contend with me?”
“Sect Leader Dongfang, Lin Xiao may lack the strength, but there must be another culprit! However, since Lin Xiao has inherited such power, he must be connected to that culprit!”
Sheng Qianyu spoke, his tone thick with anger, his eyes glaring coldly at Lin Xiao, “Lin Xiao, name that person, and we may yet show leniency.”
Lin Xiao’s expression tightened. After all this, the blame had fallen back on him.
“This technique was merely a fortunate find in an ancient ruin, not some inheritance from a senior!”
Lin Xiao answered calmly, “Besides, if I were truly connected to him and plotting against the Prosperity Wall, would I still participate in the Southeast Region Youth Assembly? If there were a connection, he would have appeared just now. I ask Lord Sheng and all present to see clearly!”
Lin Xiao refrained from mentioning the Stone Man, as that would only complicate matters further.
Sheng Qianyu’s face grew angrier. His issue with Lin Xiao was no longer just about cultivating an evil power.
He was now convinced Lin Xiao was tied to that person.
Destroying the Sheng family’s ancient legacy was an irreconcilable enmity.
Sheng Qianyu glared at Lin Xiao, his voice chillingly grim, “My Sheng family has guarded the Prosperity Wall for countless ages. Now that it’s been destroyed, I, Sheng Qianyu, and the entire Sheng family have become eternal sinners!”
“Those who destroyed the Prosperity City are the Sheng family’s sworn enemies!”
“Today, no matter what, the Sheng family will not spare anyone tied to the destruction of the Prosperity Wall!”
Sheng Qianyu’s anger grew, “Since you won’t speak, don’t blame us for being unkind!”
With that, he waved his hand, addressing an elder judge nearby, “Elder Sheng Ning, go fetch Master Cen Kang!” The elder named Sheng Ning nodded and swiftly left the plaza.
