Chapter 937: Another One

In the eyes of cultivators from both factions, Lu Ye had undoubtedly gained a significant advantage by defeating Xiao Xinghe. Xiao Xinghe had fought several consecutive battles, and no one knew how much strength he could exert when facing Lu Ye. However, the next opponent, who was in peak condition, was still swiftly defeated. This demonstrated that Lu Ye possessed considerable depth and was not an ordinary True Lake Realm cultivator.

“Next!” Lu Ye announced from the arena, still smiling with a warm, gentle demeanor. Yet, his simple two words made many Haotian Alliance cultivators feel humiliated.

Immediately, a True Lake Realm Fourth-Layer cultivator swiftly entered the arena. He didn't bother with pleasantries, launching a strong offensive before even standing firm, hoping to catch Lu Ye off guard. A short while later, this True Lake Realm Fourth-Layer cultivator retreated with a look of shame. He hadn't lasted long against Lu Ye either. Moreover, he had entered with a killing intent, yet his opponent had treated him kindly; this magnanimity alone made him feel inferior. After being repelled by one of Lu Ye's sword strikes, he admitted defeat with a bow and left without further struggle.

Three battles, three victories, all won with effortless ease. The Ten Thousand Demon Ridge faction once again erupted in earth-shattering cheers.

Many cultivators from the Haotian Alliance began to look grave. Previously, Xiao Xinghe's successive great victories, wounding and killing enemies, had greatly encouraged them, but they hadn't expected the tides to turn so quickly. Three battles had already revealed some clues to many: this cultivator named Li Taibai, despite being only at the True Lake Realm Third Layer, possessed an extremely profound foundation. Otherwise, it made no sense for him to win against higher-level opponents with such ease.

If a Third-Layer cultivator was no match, and a Fourth-Layer cultivator was also no match, then only a Fifth-Layer cultivator could be sent.

In such duels, typically, the cultivation gap between the combatants isn't too large. After all, both sides had True Lake Realm cultivators at various levels, and if one side sent out a higher-level cultivator, the other would naturally retaliate. There was only one exception: situations like the current one. But even then, the Haotian Alliance still adhered to a default rule: the cultivation level of the combatants would increase layer by layer.

The Fourth Layer was defeated, so naturally, the next one to enter was a Fifth Layer cultivator. Still, he was no match! He only managed to last a little longer. Cultivators from both factions were stunned. Initially, they had all thought Lu Ye had gotten lucky against Xiao Xinghe. However, given the profound strength Lu Ye displayed at that moment, even Xiao Xinghe at his peak would certainly not be his opponent. There was no need for him to rely on any advantage. He had come here purely to make a name for himself.

The only consolation for the Haotian Alliance was that Li Taibai only defeated his opponents, not killed them, seemingly without a strong desire for slaughter.

With the Fifth Layer already proven no match, only a Sixth Layer cultivator could be sent out. The earth-shattering cheers from the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge side subsided, and everyone tensely watched the situation in the arena, wondering if Li Taibai could maintain his undefeated record. It was well known that being able to defeat and even kill opponents of a higher cultivation level was usually exclusive to core disciples of the Great Sects of Kyushu. To defeat a Fifth Layer cultivator with a True Lake Realm Third Layer cultivation was already extraordinary. Although Lu Ye had still appeared at ease moments before, no one on the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge side was confident whether he could defeat a Sixth Layer opponent. If he lost, it would be understandable. But if he could win, then without a doubt, after this battle, Li Taibai's name would echo throughout Dark Moon Forest. Even the two camp leaders would likely bestow rewards.

While the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge was tense, the Haotian Alliance cultivators were no less so. Although the Haotian Alliance cultivators in the previous battles had all retreated unharmed, and Lu Ye had never killed or injured anyone, a defeat was still a defeat. If they couldn't win this battle, it would be utterly disgraceful.

“I'll go.” A voice rang out, and a young man with a sword casket on his back stepped forward.

A sword casket is similar to a weapon casket; both are used to store and nourish spiritual artifacts. Weapon caskets typically hold a cultivator's spiritual weapons, while sword caskets specifically hold flying swords. Strictly speaking, Li Baxian's wine gourd was essentially the same as a sword casket, though his could also hold wine in addition to nourishing flying swords. Generally, only the most dedicated sword cultivators would carry a sword casket.

From the man's attire alone, Lu Ye knew he was a sword cultivator. As he stepped forward, many Haotian Alliance cultivators visibly relaxed, clearly placing great hope in him and believing he could surely defeat this Li Taibai.

“Zhang Youlin, of the Northern Profound Sword Sect,” he announced. He cupped his fists in a salute, his eyes slightly narrowed. “I see you are also a sword cultivator, fellow Daoist.”

“Indeed,” Lu Ye nodded.

“Then why haven't you used flying sword techniques before?”

Lu Ye vaguely understood. “Is fellow Daoist interested in a flying sword duel with me?”

Zhang Youlin nodded. “I ask for your guidance.”

“Alright,” Lu Ye grinned. As he spoke, his longsword transformed into a streak of light and flew towards Zhang Youlin.

Zhang Youlin stood still, but a sword hum resonated. The sword casket on his back vibrated slightly, and a streak of sword light shot out, meeting Lu Ye's flying sword. With a clang, sparks flew as the two flying swords collided. Then followed a continuous series of clangs as both wielded a flying sword, engaging in ceaseless combat in the arena, like two intertwining dragon shadows, a dazzling spectacle for onlookers. Cultivators from both factions were astonished.

Lu Ye's displayed strength was simply incredible. With a True Lake Realm Third-Layer cultivation, he could actually contend equally with a Sixth-Layer cultivator from the Northern Profound Sword Sect in a flying sword duel.

“Beware, fellow Daoist!” After a prolonged stalemate, Zhang Youlin let out a low cry. His sword casket hummed again, and several more streaks of light shot out, bypassing the clashing flying swords and heading directly for Lu Ye. Lu Ye remained unperturbed. He channeled spiritual power into the sword gourd at his waist, and several sharp sword qi bursts spontaneously emerged, meeting the incoming flying swords and blocking them all.

“Hmm,” Zhang Youlin raised an eyebrow, already realizing Lu Ye's strength. Without hesitation, his sword casket hummed ceaselessly, and streaks of sword light shot out like shooting stars. In just a moment, all hundred-plus flying swords nurtured within his casket were unleashed, clearly indicating his intention to use his full power. However many flying swords he unleashed, Lu Ye met with an equal number of sword qi bursts. Instantly, the arena where they clashed became a sea of sword light, engulfing their figures, leaving the spectators on both sides unable to discern the situation.

Until at a certain moment, the sword light split, then gathered on both sides, transforming simultaneously into two sword dragons. Beneath the two sword dragons, Zhang Youlin and Lu Ye stood in distant confrontation, and as their gazes met, sparks seemed to bloom in the void. The sword dragons roared, charging towards each other, soon colliding. Sword light raged, and flying swords hummed. Suddenly, both sword dragons disintegrated, sharp sword qi dissipating in all directions, forcing even the surrounding spectators to momentarily retreat.

All the sword light surged towards Zhang Youlin. With a grave expression, Zhang Youlin recalled his hundred-plus flying swords, forming a protective sword array in front of him. As soon as the sword array materialized, the various sword qi followed like shadows, pouring into the formation. Hissing sounds were incessant. When the dust settled, Zhang Youlin's sword array was broken, and blood even spilled from the corner of his mouth. He wasn't injured by sword qi, but merely suffered some internal injuries due to immense exhaustion. Looking at Lu Ye, his face was slightly pale, and he was breathing heavily, clearly also having expended a great deal of energy. The entire arena fell silent, everyone gazing at the scene in disbelief.

The hearts of many Haotian Alliance cultivators sank. After a long silence, a voice they found hard to accept emerged from Zhang Youlin's lips: “I lost!”

“Roar!” A roar like a beast's bellow erupted from the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge faction, quickly spreading into a continuous surge of sound, venting their excitement and joy. A True Lake Realm Third-Layer cultivator had fought a Sixth-Layer cultivator, and the Third-Layer one had won! Moreover, that Sixth-Layer cultivator was no ordinary one; he was a powerful sword cultivator from the Northern Profound Sword Sect, someone who could himself defeat higher-level opponents. Yet, such a person had still fallen to Li Taibai. It was unbelievable, yet it had truly happened before their very eyes. How could such a scene not thrill the cultivators of Ten Thousand Demon Ridge? The frustration and indignation caused by Xiao Xinghe's previous string of victories were swept away, replaced by a feeling of immense relief and exhilaration.

One should know that Xiao Xinghe's opponents had been of comparable strength, at most a minor level higher than him. But Li Taibai's opponents had grown stronger with each battle, and now he had even defeated a Sixth-Layer cultivator. The encouragement he brought was far greater than what Xiao Xinghe had achieved.

“Senior Brother Zhang…” Someone gasped, unable to accept the result. They had thought Zhang Youlin's appearance would guarantee a victory against Li Taibai, but unexpectedly, even the formidable Zhang Youlin was no match.

Who else could be his opponent?

Amidst the mixed emotions of joy and despair, Lu Ye took a deep breath, seemingly calming the churning vital energy in his chest. He raised his sword slightly, pointing it towards a certain position in the Haotian Alliance's formation, a smile gracing his face once more: “One more!”

His words were utterly astounding. The cheers from Ten Thousand Demon Ridge abruptly ceased, and everyone stared at Lu Ye in disbelief. Tong Shiyao, her eyes full of admiration, suddenly snapped back to reality and quickly called out, “Junior Brother Taibai, you've done enough! Please come back!”

He had defeated a Sixth-Layer cultivator; wasn't that good enough? Five battles, five victories. If he continued, there would be no one left for the Haotian Alliance to send out. Moreover, Tong Shiyao could tell that Lu Ye had expended a great deal of energy in his last battle; facing another powerful opponent might not guarantee a win. The best choice now was to retreat gracefully, not to press on relentlessly. Immediately, many Ten Thousand Demon Ridge cultivators began to urge him to stop, for they noticed that the direction Lu Ye's longsword pointed was precisely where the Haotian Alliance's only Seventh-Layer cultivator stood! That person was precisely the one who had previously caused unpleasantness with Xiao Xinghe.

Lu Ye naturally ignored the many pleas from the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge cultivators. His prominent appearance this time wasn't solely to protect Xiao Xinghe; his goal from the beginning had been singular. It was the fellow who had troubled Xiao Xinghe earlier! The Ten Thousand Demon Ridge side was too far away to have clearly heard what that person said earlier, or to fully understand what had transpired. But Lu Ye had already developed spiritual sense, and under its perception, nothing that had just happened escaped his scrutiny.