Chapter 571: Everyone Is Family

Wind Rises in Kyushu

In the ravaged battlefield, uninvited guests suddenly arrived, completely surrounding the area. The four combatants ceased their fierce struggle.

Li Baxian was observing the group, guessing their origins. Xia Liang and Tan Sheng were doing the same.

Their situation was dire; without intervention, neither of them would have survived the day. Thus, they welcomed the arrival of these cultivators.

If the newcomers were from the Hao Tian Alliance, there would be nothing to say—death would be inevitable.

However, if they were from Wan Mo Ridge, it would mean salvation from certain doom.

As they watched, Xia Liang's eyes suddenly lit up. He called out to one of the Ninth-Level cultivators, "Is that Zhou Yuntian from Burning Heaven Valley, Brother Zhou?"

At these words, both Lu Ye and Li Baxian's expressions tightened.

Things were getting complicated!

Burning Heaven Valley was clearly a force from Wan Mo Ridge. Since Xia Liang knew Zhou Yuntian's name, it was evident they were acquainted. In other words, this group was highly likely from Wan Mo Ridge!

Hearing his name, Zhou Yuntian glanced at Xia Liang, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. "Brother, are you perhaps Xia Liang from the Crazy Blade Sect, Brother Xia?"

Xia Liang nodded, "It is indeed I!"

From their conversation, it seemed they knew each other, though not very well. Even so, it spelled disaster for Lu Ye and Li Baxian.

They had dared to pursue and kill Ninth-Level cultivators only because Xia Liang and Tan Sheng were severely injured. But how could they contend with so many Wan Mo Ridge cultivators now?

Even escaping was a pipe dream; the opponents had immediately surrounded the area. With their overwhelming numbers, there was no space for the two to flee. Any rash move would likely result in an immediate siege.

Lu Ye's mind raced, searching for a way out. But no matter how he thought about it, their current predicament was a certain death trap.

Meanwhile, Xia Liang and Zhou Yuntian exchanged a few pleasantries. Zhou Yuntian asked, "Brother Xia, why are you in such a sorry state?"

Xia Liang sighed, "A tiger fallen into the plains, no need to mention it. Brother Zhou, I have a favor to ask!"

Zhou Yuntian gestured with his hand, "Please speak, Brother Xia."

Xia Liang cast a cold gaze towards Lu Ye and Li Baxian, then said grimly, "I ask Brother Zhou to kill these two. I will be immensely grateful." His current physical condition no longer allowed him to fight; his body was riddled with new and old injuries, and he wouldn't recover his strength without a period of rest. Although he didn't want to rely on others, given the situation, there was no better choice.

He had come primarily to avenge Yan Xing. As long as Li Baxian died, his wish would be fulfilled. Whether Li Baxian died by his own hand was no longer something he could insist upon.

"Oh?" Zhou Yuntian chuckled softly, seemingly curious. "Brother Xia, what grievances do you have with these two fellow cultivators? Why are you fighting to the death here?"

They had been drawn here by the sounds of intense combat; otherwise, in the vast Tai Mang Mountain, and given this remote location, they wouldn't have chanced upon this spot.

Xia Liang raised a hand and pointed at Li Baxian, scoffing, "Brother Zhou, look closely. Who is this person?"

Only then did Zhou Yuntian look towards Lu Ye and Li Baxian. His gaze swept over Lu Ye, paying him little mind, but when he looked at Li Baxian, his expression changed. He asked in surprise, "You are... Li Baxian?"

Li Baxian didn't know him, but he knew Li Baxian.

Who didn't know the legend of the Spirit Creek Battlefield? It could be said that if Li Baxian didn't wear his mask, at least five out of ten people would recognize him if he walked around the Cloud River Battlefield today, including Feng Yuechan.

Thus, Zhou Yuntian was very surprised to suddenly see Li Baxian, as he hadn't expected to encounter this legend in the Cloud River Battlefield.

As he spoke, the others also turned their attention to Li Baxian. Some nodded, "It really is Li Baxian. I saw him once from a distance in the Spirit Creek Battlefield; it's definitely him."

"Didn't he and Feng Yuechan seal their cultivation and remain in the Spirit Creek Battlefield all this time? Why has he suddenly come to the Cloud River Battlefield?"

"Looking at his cultivation, he's already at the Fifth Level of the Cloud River Realm. It seems he's been in the Cloud River Battlefield for a while. We haven't had contact with the outside world for a long time; we've missed many interesting things."

The group conversed amongst themselves, not bothering to lower their voices, which made both Lu Ye and Li Baxian look rather bewildered.

Both of them had been ready for a desperate fight to the death. While it was true they were no match for this group, it was absolutely impossible for them to sit idly by and await their demise. Even if they couldn't escape, they would drag a few down with them before dying. Those Eighth and Ninth-Level cultivators might be difficult to kill, but Tan Sheng and Xia Liang were certainly going to die!

But now, it seemed this group harbored no ill will towards them?

Lu Ye was baffled, and Li Baxian was equally perplexed. He glanced at Zhou Yuntian and nodded, "That's right, I am Li Baxian. What guidance do you have, fellow cultivator?"

Zhou Yuntian's face showed a hint of deference. "Fellow cultivator Li, you exaggerate. I wouldn't presume to offer guidance. When I was cultivating in the Spirit Creek Battlefield, Fellow Cultivator Li was already famous. Though my cultivation is higher than yours now, it's only because I entered the Cloud River Battlefield earlier. If we had entered at the same time, you would likely have already advanced to the True Lake Realm. Please don't humble me so much."

His exaggerated humility made Li Baxian quite uncomfortable. He wailed inwardly, *What in the world is going on? A cultivator from Wan Mo Ridge, after recognizing me, not only shows no hostility but acts so respectfully... When did my name become so influential?*

He couldn't figure out the situation, and neither could Tan Sheng or Xia Liang. Xia Liang frowned and said, "Brother Zhou, Li Baxian is from the Danxin Sect!"

Zhou Yuntian nodded, "I am naturally aware of that."

"You're aware?"

"And you're not attacking quickly?"

Seeing that Xia Liang seemed about to say more, Zhou Yuntian chuckled and raised a hand to stop him. "Brother Xia, I understand your intentions, but here, there is no distinction between factions. Since we have arrived here, we are all one family. There's no need to mention the Hao Tian Alliance or Wan Mo Ridge anymore. I don't know what past grievances the four of you have to be fighting so fiercely here, but since we've encountered you, it's destiny. All your past enmities can be put aside from this moment on."

These inexplicable words left all four of them stunned. Since ancient times, Wan Mo Ridge and the Hao Tian Alliance had been in opposition, with cultivators from both factions fighting endlessly. The deep-seated blood feud accumulated between them could never be washed away. In the Spirit Creek Battlefield and the Cloud River Battlefield, regardless of whether cultivators knew each other or not, if their factions differed, there was a reason to fight.

Let alone that Zhou Yuntian was merely a Ninth-Level Cloud River Realm cultivator; even if he were at the peak of the Divine Sea Realm, he would not have the authority to resolve the animosity arising from the conflict between the two factions.

Moreover, not only were the four of them from opposing factions, but they also had personal grudges. Otherwise, Lu Ye wouldn't have pursued them to this point, appearing intent on annihilating them.

However, Zhou Yuntian's words had seemed truly heartfelt, and none of the surrounding cultivators showed any signs of rejection; instead, they all nodded, with some even advising the four to prioritize peace. The scene was truly indescribably strange.

Xia Liang and Tan Sheng both looked at Zhou Yuntian as if he were insane. If their conditions hadn't been so poor, they would have undoubtedly burst into curses at that moment.

Though Li Baxian felt strange, he kept nodding. "Indeed, indeed. It's always best to prioritize peace in all matters. What sort of conduct is it to fight and kill all day long!"

Under the circumstances, although he was annoyed that these uninvited guests had ruined his and Lu Ye's opportunity to eliminate their enemies completely, the current situation was still better than being besieged by the group.

When Xia Liang blurted out Zhou Yuntian's name, Li Baxian had almost prepared his dying words...

"Fellow Cultivator Li truly understands reason and the greater good!" Zhou Yuntian smiled at Li Baxian, his face full of approval.

Li Baxian responded with a smile, appearing gentle and refined.

Just then, the sound of tearing air accompanied by surging spiritual energy approached from deep within the dense forest. Zhou Yuntian looked up, his expression suddenly solemn. He whispered, "The Honored One has arrived!"

At his words, all more than ten cultivators present grew solemn, bowing slightly in a posture of respectful welcome.

Their exaggerated reaction, coupled with Zhou Yuntian's mention of an "Honored One," made Lu Ye and Li Baxian also become solemn. They vaguely felt that the "Honored One" Zhou Yuntian referred to must be someone extraordinary; otherwise, an entire group of Cloud River Realm cultivators wouldn't be so deferential.

Following the direction of the tearing air, everyone—Lu Ye, Li Baxian, Tan Sheng, and Xia Liang—looked up, their eyes wide with surprise.

In the air, four figures arrived, flying through the sky. Judging by the spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from them, all four were indeed Ninth-Level Cloud River Realm cultivators.

If it were merely four Ninth-Level cultivators, it wouldn't have been enough to astonish Lu Ye and the others.

What astonished Lu Ye and the others was the posture of these four Ninth-Level cultivators: they were positioned front, back, left, and right, jointly carrying a Consort Couch, floating gracefully towards them.

A pink, semi-transparent curtain hung over the Consort Couch. Through the curtain, a figure so graceful it made one's blood surge could vaguely be seen reclining languidly. Before she even arrived, an enchanting fragrance drifted on the wind, filling the battlefield, which was previously saturated with the smell of blood, with a captivating aura.

Lu Ye was bewildered, unable to fathom who could be on that Consort Couch, capable of making four Ninth-Level Cloud River Realm cultivators lower themselves in such a manner. In the Cloud River Battlefield, every cultivator who reached the Ninth Level was naturally proud and arrogant; even when facing someone stronger, they would at most address them as "fellow cultivator."

Judging only by the figure vaguely visible through the curtain, the person on the Consort Couch was clearly a woman!

In a flash, the Consort Couch arrived above the group. The four Ninth-Level cultivators stood in the air, their expressions solemn.

The mountain breeze swept by, and the lingering fragrance at their nostrils grew even richer. It was a scent Lu Ye had never encountered before, indescribable yet possessing a strange, intoxicating power. Anyone who smelled it couldn't help but crave more.

"Welcome, Honored One!"

Led by Zhou Yuntian, the more than ten cultivators who had arrived earlier spoke in unison, their expressions utterly devout.

Lu Ye even observed a few people subtly taking deep breaths, as if trying to inhale more of the fragrance.

His expression couldn't help but turn serious. He discreetly glanced at Li Baxian, seeing that his senior brother also had a wary look. Both clearly sensed the strangeness of the situation.