Chapter 158: Proposal

Novel:

"Lu Ye, a disciple of the Bi Blood Sect, hereby challenges the various sects of the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge. Those of the same cultivation level who wish to kill me, come and fight!"

A deep, resonant voice, propelled by spiritual energy, spread outwards. Pairs of eyes turned towards Lu Ye, filled with surprise, bewilderment, and more often, shock.

Challenging the numerous Ten Thousand Demon Ridge sects present, all by himself, sounded grand and powerful, but in reality, it was utterly foolish. Human strength has its limits. There were nearly a thousand cultivators from the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge gathered, and even if not numerous, there were still hundreds at the fifth-level cultivation stage, the same as Lu Ye. To put it bluntly, a single person's spit could drown him.

However, it was undeniable that such audacity truly made people take notice.

The Ten Thousand Demon Ridge expert raised an eyebrow. "Can you represent the Bi Blood Sect? Represent the Vast Sky Alliance?"

Li Baxian's expression was stern. "The boy is speaking recklessly. Everyone, there's no need to take him seriously!"

Lu Ye turned his head and smiled at him, then looked back at the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge expert who had spoken. "I cannot represent anyone; I only represent myself! But aren't you all here for me? This conflict has escalated to a point where it's difficult to resolve through normal means, unless you wish for more people to die! I am merely offering a way to resolve this issue. Additionally, I have some demands. If the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge cannot agree to them, then consider what I just said unsaid. You may continue to fight, and I'll quietly watch the show!"

"Speak!" the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge expert said in a deep voice.

"From each sect, I will accept only one battle, and fight only one person at a time! If I lose, I'll have nothing to say. But if I'm fortunate enough to win, then that sect must withdraw from this conflict, with the Heavenly Mechanism as witness!"

As he finished speaking, Li Baxian raised an eyebrow. He had initially thought his junior brother was acting foolishly out of desperation, but now it seemed he had a plan after all. The only question now was his junior brother's actual strength and whether he could withstand so many battles.

If his junior brother was truly strong enough, this method could indeed resolve the conflict. But if his strength was insufficient, he would undoubtedly become a stepping stone for others' rise, as there was a substantial bounty for killing Lu Ye of the Bi Blood Sect.

He turned his head and glanced at Wei Yang, his eyes seeking an answer. Wei Yang slowly shook her head, indicating she also didn't know his junior brother's strength. Neither of them had ever interacted with Lu Ye before. Although Wei Yang had known for a while that the sect master had taken a junior brother, she had only met him in person yesterday, so how could she know Lu Ye's strength?

"What? Such a vast Ten Thousand Demon Ridge, brimming with talent, and no one dares to accept the challenge?"

On the smooth, mirror-like Golden Light Peak, the cultivators from both sides were silent, with only Lu Ye's voice echoing.

Suddenly, a woman spoke, "You, Lu Ye, are capable of killing those above your cultivation level. Among those of the same cultivation level, how many can be your opponent? That's quite a shrewd calculation!"

As the voice sounded, a woman gracefully stepped out from the crowd, gazing at Lu Ye with a cold expression. It was none other than Han Zheyue of the Tai Luo Sect.

Lu Ye had been pursued by her before; fortunately, Tang Wu had been secretly nearby and stopped her. Now that Tang Wu was nowhere to be found, Han Zheyue had actually appeared.

"This boy can kill cultivators above his level?" The expert, ranked among the top twenty on the Spirit Stream List, frowned upon hearing this. No wonder Lu Ye of the Bi Blood Sect was so arrogant; he had such confidence.

Han Zheyue gracefully bowed to this person. Then, staring at Lu Ye, she said, "Indeed, when this person was at the fourth level of the Spirit Stream, he killed several fifth-level cultivators from my Tai Luo Sect. Now he's at the fifth level. If you want to kill him, you'd need someone at the sixth level, at least."

"Oh? He's quite a talent; no wonder the Bi Blood Sect took him in."

"Furthermore, what you might not know is that this young man is skilled at using a defensive spiritual pattern in combat, making it very difficult to break through his defenses." Han Zheyue continued to expose Lu Ye's secrets, wearing a smug expression as she said this, as if watching him face his impending doom.

Her words caused a stir throughout the entire audience.

No cultivator was unfamiliar with spiritual patterns; they were indispensable in every cultivator's life and practice. The Nine Provinces even had a special group of individuals called Spiritual Pattern Masters. Most of these individuals had little combat power, as they devoted too much energy to studying spiritual patterns, rarely engaging in direct combat.

However, a very small number of Spiritual Pattern Masters were the most formidable. They were known as Battle Spiritual Pattern Masters, or simply Battle Pattern Masters. Compared to the terrifying destructive power of sword cultivators, their methods were arguably more unpredictable and varied. Those who opposed them often died without even knowing how.

Spiritual patterns were intricate and complex. Under normal circumstances, cultivators would only begin to study spiritual patterns after establishing a certain cultivation foundation. But even then, it was only the beginning of their study. To integrate spiritual patterns into combat required years of dedicated practice and accumulation.

The Nine Provinces continent was vast, with countless cultivators. Yet, fewer than a hundred Battle Pattern Masters were renowned. These individuals were, without exception, esteemed guests of the various top sects.

For a fifth-level cultivator to be able to wield spiritual patterns in combat—such a thing was not only unheard of but rarely even considered. This was clearly a promising talent for a Battle Pattern Master. If renowned Battle Pattern Masters knew, they would likely vie to take him as a disciple.

"Therefore, everyone, do not be deceived by him," Han Zheyue said, gazing at Lu Ye with a mocking smile. "If you truly let cultivators of the same level accept the challenge, however many go, that many will die." When Lu Ye had stepped forward and made his grand declaration, she had already seen through his intentions.

"Sang He is your senior brother?" A faint voice suddenly sounded in Han Zheyue's ear.

The smile on Han Zheyue's face immediately stiffened. She glanced timidly at Li Baxian, who had asked the question, and vehemently denied it: "No, he isn't!"

Li Baxian said indifferently, "Very well, prepare to collect his corpse!"

Han Zheyue cursed inwardly. "These Bi Blood Sect members are unreasonably protective of their own!" she thought. "I just spoke a few truths, and I'm being threatened like this. Senior Brother Sang He, if you ever see Li Baxian in the future, you absolutely must run immediately! Running slowly will get you killed! Also, I didn't mean to!"

The Ten Thousand Demon Ridge expert suddenly smiled, looking at Lu Ye. "Your proposal just now was good, but regarding cultivation level, I think we should limit it to no higher than the sixth level. What do you think?"

Lu Ye's face turned ashen, and he remained silent, wearing an expression of helplessness, as if his scheme had been exposed.

The Ten Thousand Demon Ridge expert said lightly, "Just now you were talking about how this concerned you and that you should take responsibility. What, is your responsibility only to this extent? People from the Bi Blood Sect are nothing more than this!"

"Alright!" Veins pulsed on Lu Ye's forehead, as if he had been provoked.

Li Baxian and Wei Yang simultaneously exclaimed, "Junior Brother, no!"

The Ten Thousand Demon Ridge expert took the opportunity to say, "The person involved has already agreed, yet you two wish to obstruct? Why? Do you really want the Vast Sky Alliance members to keep fighting tooth and nail for your Bi Blood Sect? A sect that's already on the verge of being struck from the rolls, what's the point of struggling anymore!"

This remark truly left Li Baxian at a loss for words. He glared at the person, then looked at Lu Ye. "Junior Brother, you're being foolish! He's clearly provoking you. How can you agree to something like this so easily?" Even if Lu Ye could truly kill cultivators above his level, challenging those of the same cultivation was already risky enough. He wasn't going to fight just one person, but a whole group. If it were against sixth-level cultivators, there would be no hope at all.

Lu Ye turned to look at him. "Senior Brother, I can!"

Li Baxian wanted to retort, "You can do nothing!" Everyone has been young and reckless, but it often comes with a hefty price. Even he, when he was at the fifth level, wouldn't dare to take on such a battle; people would truly die. But meeting Lu Ye's gaze, he found no anger or struggle in his eyes, but rather a hint of eagerness...

Lu Ye lowered his eyelids slightly, his gaze falling upon Li Baxian's hand. Li Baxian immediately understood, flicked his finger on his own hand, and a small blue light drifted towards Lu Ye.

Immediately, a message was sent: "Junior Brother, how strong are you? Give me the full picture."

"I've killed a few sixth-level cultivators. Haven't killed any seventh-level ones, but if I go all out, there might be a chance!"

Li Baxian was shocked inwardly. This wasn't just killing across one level; this was killing across two levels! "My junior brother, so formidable? The old man might be a bit stubborn, but his judgment is still sharp!"

He showed no outward change, maintaining a worried expression as he continued to transmit a message: "Were you doing that on purpose just now?"

The act of being provoked, unable to endure humiliation, and immediately agreeing, was too realistic; he hadn't seen a single flaw.

"Just go with the flow," Lu Ye replied. He hadn't expected Han Zheyue to be here and hadn't noticed her earlier. Now that she had exposed his secrets, challenging those of the same cultivation level was no longer possible.

"If you really do this, it'll be a continuous battle!" Li Baxian messaged. "There are at least thirty, if not fifty, sects from the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge here this time. Can you withstand it?"

"I'll do my best!" Lu Ye replied. "Senior Brother, if we keep fighting like this, no one will benefit. If this succeeds, it'll be the best way to resolve the issue."

Li Baxian fell silent. How could he not know this?

The Ten Thousand Demon Ridge side had actually realized this point too. The current situation was escalating beyond anyone's control. Because of Lu Ye, the number of cultivators from both major factions being drawn in was increasing, and subsequent battles would only become more chaotic. Yesterday, there were only a thousand people on Golden Light Peak; today there were nearly two thousand, and the number would only grow in the future.

Would the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge truly be willing to listen to the suggestion of a fifth-level cultivator? If they weren't in such a difficult position, they would dismiss anything Lu Ye said as nonsense.

It could be said that Lu Ye, at a time when both sides were in need, put forward a proposal beneficial to both. This was the primary reason why the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge side was willing to agree to the proposal.

Furthermore, as matters stood, many on the Vast Sky Alliance side would hope for things to proceed in this direction. If he refused, it would only cause the Bi Blood Sect to lose favor... Especially after the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge side uttered the phrase, "Do you really want the Vast Sky Alliance members to keep fighting tooth and nail for your Bi Blood Sect?"

The people from the Vast Sky Alliance were largely here by their masters' orders. But it was different for the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge cultivators; there were great benefits for them in killing Lu Ye.

So, regardless of his willingness, once Lu Ye made this proposal, it was bound to be put into effect.