Chapter 939: Our Sect Has Successors

As the cultivators from the Haotian Alliance made their move, Tong Shuyao instantly stepped in front of Lu Ye, her spiritual power surging and her eyes cold.

Fortunately, the cultivator who had lunged at Lu Ye still possessed some reason, and immediately stopped upon seeing Tong Shuyao.

However, their unusual actions had already alarmed many cultivators from the Myriad Demon Ridge, which in turn agitated the entire Haotian Alliance camp.

In an instant, spiritual power surged from cultivators on both sides as they glared fiercely at each other, creating a tense standoff.

Lu Ye's face was pale; primarily because it was his first time using divine sense against an opponent, and he had overexerted himself. The energy in his Divine Pool had been almost completely drained. This kind of damage could only be replenished by Soul Cleansing Water; relying solely on self-recovery would likely take some time.

But if he hadn't done so, he wouldn't have been confident in instantly killing Tan Shu. After all, the man was at the seventh-level True Lake Realm, and the cultivation gap between them was significant.

Once Tan Shu sensed something amiss, he could simply admit defeat, and Lu Ye wouldn't have been able to finish him off.

The small sacrifice was ultimately worthwhile.

“Is the Haotian Alliance such a sore loser? Do you really have to start a major conflict just because one person died?”

Someone shouted.

At this remark, many Haotian Alliance cultivators looked uncomfortable.

In these duels, it was common for cultivators to be defeated and die, but never before had it sparked such a large-scale confrontation.

For instance, when Xiao Xinghe just now beheaded his opponent with a single saber strike, no one from the Myriad Demon Ridge had stepped forward to intervene; they had only watched silently.

Yet now that one of their own, Tan Shu, had died, their reaction was so extreme, which naturally put them in the wrong.

However, the current situation was mainly provoked by the cultivators who had been accompanying Tan Shu; the remaining Haotian Alliance cultivators were merely reacting instinctively.

“If the Haotian Alliance can't accept losing, then let's fight it out here. We, the Myriad Demon Ridge, are not afraid of you!” Another person spoke up.

“Exactly! The rules of these duels have been maintained for many years. Those who enter the fight live or die by fate; others are not to interfere. If the Haotian Alliance insists on breaking these rules, that's up to you, but in the future, when people speak of today's events, I wonder how they will judge you all.”

“They probably think their lives are precious, while our lives are worthless!”

Amidst the cacophony of shouting, the situation became increasingly difficult to control.

At this critical moment, Tong Shuyao let out a sharp cry: “Everyone, be quiet!”

Her master's sister was the Fortress Lord of Darkmoon Forest Fort, possessing considerable strength herself, and was quite popular in the Darkmoon Forest Fort. Furthermore, she was the only seventh-level True Lake Realm cultivator present. When she shouted, none of the Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators dared to disrespect her, and immediately fell silent.

Tong Shuyao's cold gaze swept across the front as she declared: “If the Haotian Alliance wants to fight, we will see it through to the end. But if that happens, there will be no more duels here in the future, nor any more opportunities to earn extra battle merits. I doubt you want that, do you? Being killed in a duel is common. He only has himself to blame for his lack of skill. If you don't wish to fight, then withdraw immediately. Let today's matter end here.”

As she finished speaking, many Haotian Alliance cultivators cupped their fists in respectful salute from afar, and turned to leave.

Cultivators from the two great factions of Kyushu were not afraid of battle, but as Tong Shuyao had said, no one wanted to engage in a chaotic major battle here, destroying rules that had been maintained for years.

Moreover, with the Myriad Demon Ridge's morale currently high, and Tong Shuyao, a seventh-level True Lake Realm cultivator, presiding, the Haotian Alliance would certainly suffer losses if a real fight broke out.

Anyone with a shred of sense would not seek further conflict with the Myriad Demon Ridge at this moment.

With some taking the lead and others following suit, large numbers of Haotian Alliance cultivators quickly departed. Even those few cultivators who had been accompanying Tan Shu, seeing that nothing more could be done, could only hastily escape with Tan Shu's body.

Looking towards the direction where the Haotian Alliance cultivators departed, the Myriad Demon Ridge camp suddenly erupted in a huge cheer, their gazes burning with fervor as they looked towards Lu Ye.

These duels had been maintained for many years, and it could be said that day or night, cultivators were constantly fighting here, earning battle merits while honing their skills.

Yet this long-standing practice had come to a halt today. Moreover, it had, to some extent, suppressed the Haotian Alliance once again. Naturally, many Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators regarded Lu Ye, the instigator, with respect.

What's more, Lu Ye's six consecutive battles today had truly opened their eyes. Especially the last battle, no one knew exactly what had happened, but the result was undeniable.

A third-level True Lake Realm cultivator and a seventh-level one had decided life and death in an instant, and the one who died was the seventh-level cultivator.

Killing an enemy four minor realms above oneself – if such a feat hadn't happened right before their eyes, no one would have believed it.

It was foreseeable that this rogue cultivator named Li Taibai would surely gain the respect of the two Fort Lords in the future. Once he matured, he would undoubtedly become a cornerstone of the Myriad Demon Ridge.

Earlier, when Lu Ye had arrived with Tong Shuyao, no one had paid him much mind, and some had even secretly felt jealous. But looking at him now, they realized their own shortsightedness.

Such a figure would undoubtedly make a name for himself across Kyushu in the future!

Many concerned gazes turned towards him, the most concerned being naturally Tong Shuyao:

“Junior Brother Taibai, are you alright?”

Lu Ye's face was terrifyingly pale at the moment, and he seemed to be enduring immense pain, his expression somewhat contorted.

He shook his head slightly at her words: “I'm fine. I used a forbidden technique, and the depletion was considerable. Senior Sister Tong, please take me back.”

Tong Shuyao promptly summoned her flying spiritual artifact and carried Lu Ye towards Darkmoon Forest Fort. At the same time, she didn't forget to instruct the still-enthusiastic Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators: “Everyone, disperse.”

Watching the two depart, someone muttered admiringly: “Senior Sister Tong truly has good foresight.”

No one knew where she found this person; how could a rogue cultivator possess such profound reserves?

Before the Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators had even returned to Darkmoon Forest Fort, news of the events had already reached it. The first reaction of many cultivators who heard the news was disbelief: “Impossible.”

However, as more and more reports came in, many Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators were dumbfounded, because what they thought was impossible had actually just happened, witnessed by numerous cultivators from both factions.

By the time Tong Shuyao brought Lu Ye back to Darkmoon Forest Fort, more than half of the cultivators at the fort had already learned about the incident. Some had even come out early to greet them, just to get a glimpse of Lu Ye's true appearance.

Upon seeing him, they all secretly praised his extraordinary aura, a true dragon among men!

A short while later, Lu Ye entered his room, activated the protective formation for security, and took out a drop of Soul Cleansing Water from his storage bag to consume. Only then did he feel significantly better.

While using Heaven's Steal to replenish his spiritual power, he reviewed the gains and losses from today's battle.

Since his advancement to the True Lake Realm, he hadn't truly engaged in combat with anyone. Most of his time had been spent honing himself in secluded cultivation.

His only previous encounter with an enemy was when he accompanied Law Enforcement Hall's Squad A-3 of the Law Division to confront a Divine Sea Realm cultivator. That couldn't be considered a proper fight.

Although he won today's battle easily, there were many aspects he needed to reflect upon. Especially now that his identity wasn't that of a weapon master, but a sword cultivator, there was even more to ponder.

And Third Senior Brother... Why exactly did Tan Shu's group make things difficult for him? They even went so far as to try to kill him through others.

He had originally intended to ask Shui Yuan, but if he truly inquired, many things would become inexplicable, so he had to give up the idea.

He decided to visit Jinglan Lake Fort himself to investigate, whenever the opportunity arose.

The Tianyuan Sect... although it had replaced the Jadeblood Sect as a first-rank sect, it was still a major sect. Major sects shouldn't operate this way. Was Tan Shu's group making things difficult for Xiao Xinghe at the instruction of the entire Tianyuan Sect, or was it the secret prompting of a few individuals?

If it was the latter, it was understandable, as even cultivators within the same faction could have grievances. But if it was the former, then it was truly going too far.

And what about Azure Emperor City? Did they not know about their disciple's plight? Or did they know but were powerless to help?

The waters of Kyushu itself were much murkier than those of the Spirit Creek Battlefield or Cloud River Battlefield. Some things were not simply black and white.

He still remembered a remark the Sect Master had made to him when he first joined the Jadeblood Sect.

Techniques themselves are neither righteous nor evil; it is people who are good or evil. There were many with evil natures in the Haotian Alliance, and many with noble character in the Myriad Demon Ridge.

In life, different stances meant different perspectives on problems.

Taking himself as an example, to the Myriad Demon Ridge, he was the unforgivable 'Leaf of Sect Destruction,' one of the 'Spirit Creek Three Calamities.' But to the Haotian Alliance, he was a rising star, the future hope of the Jadeblood Sect.

Unable to figure out many things, Lu Ye decided not to dwell on them.

Meanwhile, Tong Shuyao arrived at a bedchamber.

The decor here had a distinctly feminine touch; it was Lin Yue's residence in Darkmoon Forest Fort.

Lin Yue was waiting for her.

Upon seeing Lin Yue, Tong Shuyao exclaimed excitedly: “Auntie! Auntie! Let me tell you, Junior Brother Taibai is absolutely incredible!”

“I've heard about it,” Lin Yue asked, “Is it true, or is there some exaggeration?”

She had received the news earlier and was just about to send a message to Tong Shuyao to inquire about the details, but unexpectedly, Tong Shuyao immediately came to deliver the good news.

“What did Auntie hear?” Tong Shuyao asked.

Lin Yue was unmarried and had no children, so she had always regarded Tong Shuyao as her own daughter. She doted on her greatly, which was why Tong Shuyao felt no restraint in her presence.

Lin Yue glared at her: “Don't you worry about what I heard. Just tell me what you saw.”

Tong Shuyao said 'Oh', and vividly recounted everything she had witnessed today. Of course, there was no significant exaggeration, and it was largely a truthful account. However, due to her preconceived notions, Lu Ye ultimately appeared a bit more unrestrained and dashing in her description.

“You're not lying to me?” Even after hearing Tong Shuyao say this with her own ears, Lin Yue still found it hard to believe. It wasn't that she was ignorant, but it was truly too incredible. “Absolutely true!” Tong Shuyao's expression was serious, almost to the point of swearing a Heaven's Secret Oath.

“Good!” Lin Yue broke into a smile: “The Myriad Demon Ridge has a successor! No, our sect has a successor!”

The sect that Lin Yue and Tong Shuyao hailed from was a second-rank sect. However, in recent years, it had faced a talent shortage. Originally, there had been a few promising talents among the new generation of disciples, who could hold their own, but they had all been killed by that 'Leaf of Sect Destruction'. Upon hearing of Lu Ye's performance today, Lin Yue immediately conceived the idea of recruiting him into their sect.