Chapter 936: Seen Senior Brother

**Winds of Kyushu**

The situation in the arena was delicate.

Normally, the victory of an allied cultivator would be met with widespread jubilation and cheers. However, after the bizarre events that just transpired, when Xiao Xinghe defeated his powerful enemy, he received little applause. Instead, he found himself subtly surrounded by a few individuals, led by that True Lake Seventh-Order cultivator.

Hao Tian Alliance cultivators who understood the situation sighed and shook their heads. Some wanted to intervene, but were stopped. Xiao Xinghe's origins with the Azure Blood Sect were problematic at Tianmen Pass. While some couldn't act openly, there were underhanded and despicable tactics employed in secret.

After a long moment of silent staring, Xiao Xinghe spoke calmly, "There won't be a next time!"

The True Lake Seventh-Order cultivator let out a cold snort, replying in a voice barely audible to others, "And if there is... what then?"

"You can try it!" Xiao Xinghe turned and spat out a mouthful of blood. He then pulled out the long spear embedded in his shoulder blade, tossed it aside, and turned to face the vast lineup of the Myriad Devil Ridge.

"Who's next to die?!"

As soon as he spoke, someone impatiently charged out and immediately clashed with Xiao Xinghe. The Myriad Devil Ridge cultivator who rushed out was a spell cultivator, but only at the True Lake Third Order, even weaker than the previous opponent. He probably saw Xiao Xinghe was injured and wanted to take advantage. However, fueled by his internal frustration, Xiao Xinghe’s blade strikes became even more ferocious. He withstood several of the spell cultivator's magical attacks, rushed forward, and with a single downward chop, shattered the man's protective spiritual power, sending him flying. The spell cultivator was lucky to survive, but such severe injuries would likely require a long period of recovery.

Deafening cheers finally erupted, echoing one after another. Those who harbored ill will towards Xiao Xinghe were a minority; most were united with him against the common enemy. Witnessing his awe-inspiring power, they were naturally greatly encouraged.

Xiao Xinghe, still seething with unvented anger, had no intention of leaving the arena. He rested his long blade on his shoulder, striking an unyielding pose, and fixed his hawk-like gaze forward: "Another one!"

Many Myriad Devil Ridge cultivators were enraged. Although the tradition of dueling here had continued for many years, and many powerful cultivators had emerged, such arrogance and swagger were truly rare. Generally, cultivators who fought three consecutive matches would typically rest, both to give others a chance and because of immense exhaustion. However, Xiao Xinghe had now fought five matches, resulting in four injured and one dead among the Myriad Devil Ridge cultivators. If they lost again, the Myriad Devil Ridge would lose face completely.

So, as soon as Xiao Xinghe spoke, many True Lake Fifth and Sixth Order cultivators stirred. At this point, they no longer cared about being labeled as bullies; winning this match was paramount. Ideally, they wanted to kill Xiao Xinghe in public to reclaim their lost prestige.

However, before these Fifth and Sixth Order True Lake cultivators could charge out, a figure in flowing white robes appeared in the arena. The person held a long sword and had a gourd hanging from their waist. Although their cultivation was only at the True Lake Third Order, their movements were faster than anyone else’s. One could say that almost at the same instant Xiao Xinghe spoke, this person impatiently rushed forward, a stance so eager to claim credit that it made all the Myriad Devil Ridge cultivators frown.

"Junior Brother Taibai..." Tong Shuyue was also stunned, never expecting Lu Ye to enter the fray. She had brought Lu Ye simply to watch the excitement, with no intention of him participating in a fight. But Lu Ye had already rushed out, and there was no way she could call him back now. Myriad Devil Ridge had already lost face; calling back a combatant after they had entered would only be more humiliating.

Thinking back to Lu Ye's previous performances, Tong Shuyue's heart settled. Although Xiao Xinghe was powerful, he was now injured and greatly exhausted. Her Junior Brother Taibai had even fought cultivators in the Divine Sea Realm, so winning against Xiao Xinghe should not be difficult. Such a rare opportunity to gain fame and merit should not be missed. She probably thought he was trying to prove himself since he was new here. This was what Tong Shuyue thought, believing she understood Lu Ye's intentions; otherwise, he wouldn't have charged out so quickly.

Although many Myriad Devil Ridge cultivators present had never seen Lu Ye before and didn't know his background, many had witnessed Tong Shuyue bringing him over and saw them standing side by side, seemingly very close. So, despite their current displeasure, feeling that this youngster was about to snatch a great advantage, they didn't say much and simply watched the battle in silence.

In the arena, Xiao Xinghe couldn't help but size up Lu Ye. It wasn't because of his handsome appearance, but because his attire reminded him of Li Baxian. His Fourth Junior Brother had that carefree and dashing look, so attractive to women. So, it meant… those who used swords were never good.

"Darkmoon Forest Outpost, rogue cultivator Li Taibai, greetings, Senior Brother!" Lu Ye cupped his fist in salute. This "Senior Brother" was spoken with genuine sincerity. The reason he rushed out at this moment was not to steal credit, but because he saw that his Third Senior Brother was already running out of steam. It was only an unvented rage that kept him fighting against Myriad Devil Ridge. But how could Myriad Devil Ridge allow him to continue? If Lu Ye hadn't charged out, his Third Senior Brother would have faced True Lake Fifth and Sixth Order cultivators next. These individuals would certainly kill him, and if his Third Senior Brother was slow to surrender, the consequences would be dire. By him being the one to repel his Third Senior Brother, he could at least ensure a measured outcome.

Xiao Xinghe's surging killing intent suddenly faltered. He had intended to directly attack with his blade, but Lu Ye's polite greeting forced him to return the salute: "Jinglan Lake Outpost, Qingdi City's Xiao Xinghe!"

The moment he finished speaking, he charged towards Lu Ye like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, his recently restrained killing intent boiling over even more intensely. He knew his own limits; after several continuous fierce battles, he was greatly exhausted, and his numerous injuries were holding him back. He could only fight this one last match. Although this fellow named Li Taibai looked like his Fourth Junior Brother and was polite, their factional stances were different, and he naturally would not hold back. To win this battle, he had to end it quickly.

His Third Senior Brother's blade technique was somewhat similar to Lu Ye's—both were fierce and unyielding. When his blade momentum was formed, he would advance relentlessly, as if against a thousand men. Lu Ye was all too familiar with such blade techniques.

As a sword clang rang out, Lu Ye had already drawn his supreme-grade spiritual weapon longsword. He did not employ the "flying sword" technique; instead, his longsword moved with a supple grace, stabbing towards Xiao Xinghe. Using softness to overcome hardness! Reflecting the origin of the Soaring Dragon Realm, Lu Ye had witnessed the styles and techniques of various sword cultivators from different periods of the Soaring Dragon Realm. His sword cultivation was even stronger than his blade techniques, but he had never had the opportunity to demonstrate it in daily life. Now, with a single move, many sword cultivators in the arena watched with bright eyes. Sword cultivators did not only use flying swords; close-quarters combat was also the foundation of sword cultivation. Many sword cultivators discovered that this handsome fellow, who had appeared from nowhere, possessed extraordinarily skilled close-combat sword techniques.

Xiao Xinghe felt incredibly uncomfortable. His normally invincible blade momentum, when unleashed, felt as though it had sunk into a quagmire, completely unable to exert its full power. He also had an inexplicable feeling that this fellow named Li Taibai seemed very familiar with his fighting style. Every time his blade momentum changed, the opponent could counter it immediately.

His initial surge of power was like a tiger, but it quickly waned. After only thirty breaths of exchange, Xiao Xinghe's entire blade momentum completely stalled. What surprised him even more was that his opponent seemed not to have used his full strength.

"Senior Brother, please rest!" Lu Ye spoke softly, pushing his longsword forward. Amidst Xiao Xinghe's fierce blade momentum, it precisely pierced a flaw. With a surge of spiritual energy, Xiao Xinghe rapidly retreated backward. When he finally stood firm again, he was ten zhang away from Lu Ye.

Lu Ye did not pursue, simply standing still, holding his sword behind his back: "I yield!"

A breeze rustled, making his white robes flutter. This not only made Tong Shuyue's beautiful eyes gleam with admiration but also captivated many female cultivators from both factions, who watched him intently.

After a moment of silence, the Myriad Devil Ridge cultivators erupted in thunderous cheers, as if wiping away their previous shame. However, many were somewhat dissatisfied that Lu Ye hadn't delivered a fatal blow or pursued Xiao Xinghe. The previous opponents Xiao Xinghe fought were either dead or injured, yet this Li Taibai hadn't even harmed a single hair on Xiao Xinghe. Although he ultimately won, it wasn't quite as satisfying.

Xiao Xinghe stood still, looking at Lu Ye with some confusion. From beginning to end of this battle, he hadn't felt any killing intent from Lu Ye. When he first saw Lu Ye rush over impatiently, he, like others, thought Lu Ye was coming to take advantage and had decided to kill this fellow first. But now it seemed, the other party genuinely only wanted to force him back and had no other grand intentions. This person was truly... strange.

Unable to fathom it, after a brief moment of thought, Xiao Xinghe cupped his fist to Lu Ye and calmly withdrew. He did not linger but flew directly towards Jinglan Lake Outpost, clearly not wanting to get involved in the subsequent excitement and intending to return to heal his injuries.

Lu Ye watched him go. A moment later, he retracted his gaze, looked towards the Hao Tian Alliance's formation, and smiled slightly: "Another one!" Xiao Xinghe had just said these words, and now Lu Ye returned them. The difference was that when Xiao Xinghe said it, his killing intent was palpable, while Lu Ye said it with a gentle warmth. Though there was no thunderous sound, it conveyed greater confidence and power. The Myriad Devil Ridge cultivators, hearing this, were incredibly exhilarated, shouting in unison: "Another one!"

A figure flashed into the arena...

A moment later, this person retreated with a solemn expression, not forgetting to cup his fist in salute to Lu Ye. Although both were True Lake Third Order cultivators, there was a difference in their foundations and strength of their techniques. This person lasted even less time under Lu Ye's sword than Xiao Xinghe. At this point, both the Hao Tian Alliance cultivators and the Myriad Devil Ridge cultivators were somewhat surprised.