Xu Lin, standing beside Xi Ranchen, watched the scene unfold not far away and couldn’t help but shake his head.
Seeing that Xi Ranchen still maintained an unperturbed expression, he grumbled inwardly.
‘That woman is truly ruthless. Yang Yao becoming a female villain has a lot to do with Xi Ranchen’s influence.’
“With Yang Yao’s current strength, she simply can’t win against that one.”
Out of goodwill, Xu Lin still offered a reminder.
Yang Yao possessed the Dark Lotus Mysterious Body, granting her immense spiritual energy, and with Xi Ranchen’s personal sword lending its power, she could hold her own against an ordinary Heavenly Firmament Realm cultivator.
But You Meng’er was no ordinary Heavenly Firmament Realm cultivator—she was a genuine peak Heavenly Firmament Realm, and the sword in her hand was no inferior to Yang Yao’s.
Regardless of the aspect, there was simply no comparison.
“Indeed.”
Xi Ranchen had to concede, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Li Hanjue, who was sneering coldly with a hint of smugness.
Li Hanjue had truly found an exceptional prodigy—or more precisely, a monstrous genius.
“Sect Master Xi, call it off.”
Xu Lin continued.
“Don’t make me heal your precious disciple again, only for her to chase after me with her sword.”
If Yang Yao came after him with that Baleful Meteor Sword, even Xu Lin would have to be wary.
Xi Ranchen gave a cold snort, finally growing impatient.
She looked at Xu Lin with an icy gaze.
“Saint, you certainly have a lot to say today.”
Xu Lin’s body trembled.
“What are you planning?”
He didn’t believe Xi Ranchen had confined him here merely to watch the chaos on the field below.
“What do you think?”
Xi Ranchen grabbed Xu Lin by the collar and pulled him close.
“All the younger disciples of the various sects have gone up to show their skills. Now only you’re left.”
“Sect Master Xi, don’t do anything rash. This isn’t a joke.”
Not to mention that everyone in that melee was no pushover—if his identity as the Vast Dao Sect’s former Senior Brother were recognized, he’d most likely not survive.
Xi Ranchen said nothing, but the smile curling at the corner of her mouth made Xu Lin feel increasingly unnerved.
On the field, the Nether Lotus and wind-snow clashed in a contest of brilliance, and the outcome was finally becoming clear.
As all the auras dispersed, Yang Yao stumbled back several paces before finally coming to a halt.
Her Nether Lotus spiritual energy was in disarray, cold air coursing through her body.
Her meridians pulsed with occasional stabs of pain, and a layer of frost covered the back of her sword-wielding hand, numb and devoid of sensation.
On the other side, You Meng’er stood steady with her sword, her hair slightly disheveled.
But after only a brief moment of breathing regulation, her expression returned to its usual composure.
Everyone could see it clearly—even if they continued trading blows, Yang Yao would still be no match for You Meng’er.
You Meng’er stared intently at Yang Yao and noticed that she still showed no sign of conceding.
In fact, she was channeling her spiritual energy, preparing to raise her sword once more.
Immediately, You Meng’er’s eyes darkened once more, and she charged forward with her sword.
If Yang Yao voluntarily conceded, You Meng’er couldn’t very well refuse to show any mercy in front of so many elders.
But it was clear that Yang Yao had no intention of surrendering.
That being the case, even if Yang Yao died by her sword, it wouldn’t be her fault—it would be the other girl’s failure to know her place.
You Meng’er’s figure transformed into a streak of cold light as she launched another sword move.
Yang Yao refused to be outdone, raising her sword to parry, but she could no longer withstand the sharp edge.
Under You Meng’er’s relentless assault, the Baleful Meteor Sword’s demonic aura scattered.
Even Yang Yao’s palm gripping the sword showed traces of blood, and a sweet taste rose in her throat.
A sweeping strike sent wind and snow swirling, and the long sword in Yang Yao’s hand was sent flying.
With another strike, You Meng’er’s sword pointed directly at Yang Yao’s chest—a life-threatening move.
The various sect masters couldn’t help but widen their eyes at the sight, believing that the first fallen junior disciple was about to appear.
The hearts of the Sunset Sect disciples watching the same scene were also in their throats.
If Yang Yao, as their Saintess, truly fell here, it would concern far more than just the Sunset Sect’s reputation.
Just as You Meng’er’s sword was about to pierce Yang Yao through, the demonic aura of the Baleful Meteor Sword returned, surging into the sky and striking the blade of You Meng’er’s sword.
With a metallic clang, the sword’s edge was deflected, and You Meng’er was rather taken aback.
This aura was the same as hers—a Heavenly Firmament Realm cultivator.
Snapping back to her senses, under the gaze of the entire arena, a black silhouette abruptly appeared, one hand gripping the Baleful Meteor Sword and the other wrapping around the swaying Yang Yao, retreating a distance from You Meng’er.
Even Yang Yao almost failed to react, but when she saw the Bronze Ghost Mask right before her eyes, she couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.
“It’s you…”
She never would have imagined that Xu Lin would step in to help her.
Xu Lin twitched the corner of his mouth and let out a helpless sigh.
“Don’t misunderstand. This is completely against my will.”
He glanced out of the corner of his eye at Xi Ranchen, who sat in a high position, and truly wanted to curse at her.
Just now, using the power of the restriction, Xi Ranchen had directly shoved him out toward Yang Yao’s direction, only releasing him when he was already midair.
But by that point, Xu Lin could neither advance nor retreat.
He could only go with the flow, grab the sword, and block that strike for Yang Yao.
Following Xu Lin’s gaze toward Xi Ranchen’s direction, Yang Yao roughly understood what had happened.
Noticing their current position, and how his hand was wrapped around her back and pressed against her chest, she couldn’t help but furrow her brows slightly.
“Then how long do you plan to keep holding me?”
“You… how can you…”
Completely disregarding what others might think, Yang Yao pushed forward and broke free from Xu Lin’s embrace, barely concealing the disdain on her face.
“This is already the second time. If there’s a next time, I really will kill you. I’m not joking.”
“…”
Xu Lin hesitated, as if wanting to say something but stopping himself.
This Yang Yao was so unreasonable.
What did she mean “second time”?
Both times, wasn’t it to save her?
Besides, last time she chased him with her sword, and it didn’t look like a joke.
Because of Xu Lin’s entrance, the atmosphere on the scene suddenly became delicate.
They had noticed Xu Lin in his Bronze Ghost Mask earlier, but during the melee just now—even when Yang Yao had entered—he hadn’t made a move.
Instead, he had suddenly barged in now.
They couldn’t quite hear the conversation between the two, but no matter how they looked at it, it seemed rather like a couple’s flirtatious banter.
“Sect Master Xi, what is the meaning of this?”
Li Hanjue spoke first, her tone cold and mocking.
“I didn’t expect you to have a soft heart, unable to bear seeing your beloved disciple outmatched, afraid she’d bleed out on the spot?”
Xi Ranchen retorted sharply.
“Valley Lord Li flatters me. Yao’er was afflicted with poison not long ago. Fortunately, our sect’s Saint stepped in to treat her, and she has only just recovered from a serious illness.”
Before she even finished, Xu Lin couldn’t help but widen his eyes and stare at Xi Ranchen.
‘How can this woman fabricate such lies? No, not entirely lies—but she’s making it sound as if I volunteered. I was coerced by this old monster!’
“Just now, I had originally intended for our sect’s Saint to enter the fray, but Yao’er was too impatient and insisted on sparring with her peers first.”
“Youthful impulsiveness—please forgive us for the spectacle.”
Xi Ranchen’s expression didn’t change.
“Now that our sect’s Saint has entered to take the place of the injured Yao’er, it’s only natural. Valley Lord Li, I trust you shouldn’t have any objections, right?”
Even Yang Yao found Xi Ranchen’s words strange after hearing them, but she couldn’t really say anything.