A dazzling light flashed in the air, like a sharp sword cleaving through space. It was as if a hole had been pierced between heaven and earth; spiritual energy surged and roiled like raging waves, and everyone was affected by this strike.
One black and one white figure stood in the air. A fierce wind blew, sending the hems of their robes fluttering, while Sect Master Baili, who had charged at them, retreated somewhat.
As Sect Master Baili coughed once, several of Tianyuan Sect’s great elders instantly flew up to shield him, making it clear that the sect master indeed suffered from a serious ailment.
“Form the formation!” the sect master commanded. In an instant, a spell formation was set up, preventing the two from escaping easily.
At the same time, Mo Xuanli’s God Nine Transformations turned into eighteen nails, surrounding the two of them, facing all directions, ready to guard at any moment.
From that palm strike just now, both of them had taken quite a bit of impact, especially Mo Xuanli, who had only just recovered. If it weren’t for the origin bone on his person, he would definitely have suffered internal injuries at this moment.
The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously asked, “How are you?” Then, in unison, answered “I’m fine,” confirming that the other was not in serious trouble. A thousand unspoken words twined in their gazes before they turned back toward the newcomer.
At the instant he saw Sect Master Baili, Mo Xuanli still felt something different in his heart, after all, this was a true elder in name.
But clearly, this elder had come with ill intent.
Although Sect Master Baili looked somewhat similar to Mo Xuanli, that face was full of authority. Especially when looking at Mo Xuanli, his loathing was not concealed at all.
“Little beast… I didn’t expect you would really survive. You truly are a special mixed-blood.”
When others said such things, Mo Xuanli had long grown accustomed to it. But when Sect Master Baili said it, it was as if someone had slapped him across the face from afar, and his expression instantly became extremely ugly.
Gu Baiqing knew that Sect Master Baili was probably the most hidebound of all; otherwise, he wouldn’t have educated his two sons like that.
“Little beast, then what are you? The big beast’s elder brother? Also a beast, then.”
Gu Baiqing was too lazy to engage in verbal sparring, but he also couldn’t, just because he was lazy, allow others to insult them. Whoever dared curse his precious disciple, he would curse back.
“You… Gu Baiqing? Have you gone mad?” Sect Master Baili probably hadn’t expected Gu Baiqing to really become like this for the sake of a disciple. “You’re really bringing honor to your Zixiao Sect, bringing honor to your master. And just you think you’re worthy of the title of Immortal Venerable?”
That single sentence instantly enraged the somewhat dazed Mo Xuanli. Like a loyal hound protecting its master, all the nails in an instant concentrated their aim in Sect Master Baili’s direction.
Mo Xuanli said nothing, but his stance had already shifted slightly forward, shielding Gu Baiqing behind him. His hostility toward Sect Master Baili was already extremely obvious.
Such behavior instead provoked a strange fury in Sect Master Baili, the kind a ‘senior’ feels toward a defiant ‘junior.’
“What I do, I do with a clear conscience. And you? As a senior, you don’t think of ways to protect your juniors, help them, guide them, only of killing people. You really give yourself face.” Gu Baiqing seized the chance to mock him and shoot back.
Sect Master Baili roared angrily, “I won’t waste words with you. The mistake my younger brother left behind after being deceived back then ends today by my hand. Gu Baiqing, if you want to retreat, retreat now, I’ll take it that you were deceived. If you don’t retreat, then today will be the death anniversary of this master and disciple.”
Mo Xuanli’s pupils shrank as he heard this. His one red and one black eye were instantly flooded with killing intent, flashing with cold light.
“Then let’s see whose death anniversary it is!” Gu Baiqing shouted. The two of them both shifted into a state of holding long swords, ready to move at any time.
“Father…” Baili Jingcheng suddenly called out.
“Fa… father.” Baili Jingzhan’s eyes darted back and forth. He no longer knew how to judge the situation before him. He had even hoped just now that this master and disciple pair would leave safely, just as Gu Baiqing had said, go into seclusion.
But now… what now? What should he do?
Yet in the corner of Jingzhan’s vision, although no one was paying attention to Li Xiuran anymore, Li Xiuran had been holding his sword since just now, seemingly ready at any moment. That resolute gaze showed that he had no hesitation, he still intended to seize an opportunity to help Mo Xuanli.
Why could Li Xiuran be so completely unburdened?
That was… a mixed-blood… still what they said was a future being that might become the Primordial Demon. As a cultivator, one shouldn’t…
Jingzhan couldn’t understand it, but his heart was being tormented and battered.
“Jingcheng, your performance today has greatly disappointed me. As the young sect master, how could you tolerate their existence for so long, didn’t you discover it? Or were you soft-hearted? Don’t forget the humiliation your younger uncle suffered back then. If not for this vile spawn being born, how would your younger uncle have died? And why would the cultivation world have suffered such a great calamity? Act, don’t waste words. Today, this vile spawn must not be allowed to live.” Sect Master Baili shouted angrily.
Sect Master Baili’s authority was indeed different. With this declaration, plus the strength he had just displayed, everyone’s confidence surged, though they still felt a bit… And at this moment, He Jingyuan also jumped out to help speak, he definitely had to repay the humiliation he had just suffered.
He directly addressed everyone and said, “Everyone, regardless of past grievances or how this thief has behaved, today we absolutely cannot let the tiger return to the mountain. Sect masters, don’t forget why we take an extermination stance toward mixed-bloods. He has the traits of the Primordial Demon. If he evolves to that step, it will be a catastrophe for heaven and earth. This is the most critical issue. For the safety of this world, our generation must stand up! I don’t believe that, gathering the power of our entire cultivation world, we can’t kill him?”
Right, this was the key, this was the reason. It wasn’t that they were ungrateful or indiscriminately killing the innocent; it was that this person had to be killed. No, Mo Xuanli didn’t even count as a person. He was the embodiment of future terror. From the moment he was born, he was a disaster. Killing him didn’t require bearing the guilt of killing a person. This was for the safety of heaven and earth. If I don’t go to hell, who will?
Thinking this way, there was instead a sense of righteous inevitability, a sense of uprightness that made it unavoidable.
A single call, and a hundred responded!
Some even urged Gu Baiqing and Mo Xuanli to obediently surrender.
Sect Master Baili, upon hearing someone say that although they were innocent they still ought to do this and that, directly let out a scoff and said to Mo Xuanli, “Since you have been performing so well all along, if you are truly sincere for the sake of the cultivation world, then you should commit suicide, eradicate this filthy bloodline of yours, eliminate yourself, this most unstable factor, from this world. If you do so, I can even credit you with a merit.”
Gu Baiqing was instantly so angered that his hair practically stood on end, still trying to force Mo Xuanli to kill himself? This was simply sick.
But in the next second, Mo Xuanli took Gu Baiqing’s hand.
At last, Mo Xuanli spoke his first sentence to Sect Master Baili.
“I… don’t want to die!”
This sentence… he had also once said it to that man.
He didn’t want to die!
On what grounds should he die!
Before, it was because he didn’t understand, because he was afraid.
And now, it was because he was unwilling, and also because he did not want to.
There was someone who had given so much for him, if he still had to die, how much would he owe this person?
Because Mo Xuanli stated his position, Sect Master Baili mocked him with even greater contempt. The people around, on the contrary, began to blame Mo Xuanli because of this one sentence, as if his refusal to die meant there was guilt in his heart, that he intended to harm the cultivation world.
Listening to these arguments, Jingzhan suddenly, in an instant, felt them to be utterly absurd. He recalled how, when he had gone down the mountain for training before, he encountered ignorant villagers who, because of a natural disaster, sought divination. The diviner named a date, saying that children born on that day blocked the blessings of the Heavenly Dao, and so any child born on that day was taken by the villagers to be offered as a sacrifice. He and Xie Qingrong had saved the children together, they were all ordinary children, at most with poor fate patterns and insufficient fortune.
Xie Qingrong had said at the time, “How utterly innocent. Just because the time of birth was wrong, a person’s fate is decided, and it makes those ignorant people wary. Perhaps our cultivation of the Heavenly Dao is precisely to change such injustices.”
When Jingzhan thought of this, his pupils suddenly shrank.
At this moment, Mo Xuanli had intended to take his Master and leave directly, but suddenly discovered that they were blocked by the formation, void spirit space couldn’t be used, and they could only escape after getting out of a certain range first. Mo Xuanli didn’t know how long his Master’s condition could hold out, and in his heart he began to think of other methods.
Sect Master Baili also led several great elders to begin probing attacks, striking from time to time, but all were beaten back.
Personnel from the other sects also began rotating in, setting up formations, this was a plan to start a head-on battle.
At this time, some people questioned Zixiao Sect’s stance. Someone who knew them fairly well said to Fu Zhiyi, “Why don’t you also persuade Gu Baiqing? That person deserves to die, but Gu Baiqing can still be salvaged. He’s still young, he was just confused for a moment, blinded by feelings.”
Fu Zhiyi raised his head to look at the two of them. Inside, he was so anxious that he felt he might snap the handle of his feather fan in his grip, but on the surface he still had to maintain a cold demeanor.
“Since he’s blinded, then he’s beyond saving.” Fu Zhiyi closed his eyes and had no choice but to speak. “When it comes to matters of great right and wrong, our Zixiao Sect will absolutely not shelter criminals. Everyone, rest assured, now, in the name of Zixiao Sect, I expel Gu Baiqing and Mo Xuanli from Zixiao Sect. From this moment on, they are no longer disciples of our Zixiao Sect!”
Everyone was shocked, thinking that Fu Zhiyi really was quick at shaking off trouble. Indeed worthy of the nickname Smiling Fox.
More people had thought that Fu Zhiyi would only expel Mo Xuanli and would surely try to salvage Gu Baiqing, who had done something foolish, but they hadn’t expected that he would expel both together. This was directly pushing Gu Baiqing, this super-strong combat power, onto the opposing side.
Some people tried to persuade Fu Zhiyi to reconsider, or suggested asking the sect master’s opinion, but Fu Zhiyi was resolute, and even opened his mouth to question Gu Baiqing.
“Gu Baiqing, did you hear that!”
Yet after hearing this, Gu Baiqing showed no reaction at all. Instead, Mo Xuanli beside him shuddered all over, unable to help wanting to turn his head to look back. His feelings toward Zixiao Sect were not ordinary, not only because Gu Baiqing was his Master. Being suddenly driven out of his home, there was still a surge of sourness in his heart, but Gu Baiqing reminded him, “Focus, it’s fine…”
Mo Xuanli glanced sideways at his Master, only to find that his Master’s lips were slightly curved upward, he wasn’t sad at all, even though it was because of him that his Master had lost his home.
And Gu Baiqing, in turn, swept a glance back at Fu Zhiyi, gave a slight nod, but spoke aloud, “A sect that can’t protect its own disciples is not a place our master and disciple are willing to stay! From this moment on, anything involving us master and disciple has nothing to do with Zixiao Sect!”
Fu Zhiyi cursed inwardly.
“Good! Gu Baiqing, today don’t blame us for being ruthless when we strike!”
In truth, both of them understood each other’s thoughts. Fu Zhiyi had no choice but to say this. Mo Xuanli was destined not to withdraw unscathed. If Zixiao Sect were dragged into this, they would all become enemies, using the power of a single sect to oppose the entire cultivation world. Those with high cultivation might be able to remain safe, but what about the innocent disciples? So Zixiao Sect could only stand with the cultivation world.
As long as they weren’t dragged in, there would be ways to help this master and disciple elsewhere.
Fu Zhiyi could also pull Gu Baiqing back, but first, Gu Baiqing definitely wouldn’t listen; second, if Fu Zhiyi made such a statement, everyone else would focus their attacks on Mo Xuanli, concentrating all their firepower on one person, Mo Xuanli would likely end up miserable. So he could only play the villain and bind the two of them together. Sure enough, he received Gu Baiqing’s thanks, leaving Fu Zhiyi truly helpless.
Even though Zixiao Sect’s disciples were shocked by Mo Xuanli’s identity, and inevitably felt uncomfortable or even disgusted, in the end they had once been fellow disciples, and they truly didn’t want to strike.
But time didn’t allow them to hesitate. Fighting instantly broke out above, with more and more people joining in. Zixiao Sect’s disciples could only watch what Fu Zhiyi did, and seeing that Fu Zhiyi was only active on the periphery, they followed along, skirting the edges as well.
Two fists can’t match four hands. Gu Baiqing no longer dared to use points, and his spiritual power was being consumed at a rapid pace.
Mo Xuanli also gradually began to respond in a disheveled manner.
Gritting his teeth, Gu Baiqing signaled Mo Xuanli. In an instant, a move of Heavenly Thunder Descends struck, directly affecting everyone. Immediately after, a move of Thunder Slaughter coordinated with the wind fanned out by Mo Xuanli’s God Nine Transformations in fan form, not only breaking the formation, but also instantly opening up a path with no one blocking it for the two of them to rush out.
The two quickly flew out, but Tianyuan Sect’s own formations were layered upon layers, complex and ever-changing, controlled at will. Although their power was not great against Gu Baiqing and the others, even a moment’s obstruction was fatal under the circumstances. Thus, they were quickly blocked again by several tribulation-stage cultivators. Together with Sect Master Baili, in an instant, Gu Baiqing and Mo Xuanli were completely crushed.
Just as everyone was striking Mo Xuanli with lethal force, Gu Baiqing immediately stepped in to block, but he was no match for the combined assault and was instantly struck, coughing up blood.
Mo Xuanli hurriedly held Gu Baiqing, and upon seeing his Master injured, malice surged uncontrollably from the depths of his heart, his strength beginning to climb without limit. Suddenly, cracks appeared in the seal of the Heavenly Fire in the center of the plaza. Before the people around could even react to what was happening, a cluster of brilliant flames burst out of the main body of the Heavenly Fire through the seal and rushed toward Mo Xuanli.
Mo Xuanli was merely condensing a fire-type spell, yet felt a powerful force arrive at his side. With a swing of God Nine Transformations, golden-red flames soared into the sky.
Sect Master Baili, charging at the very front, was instantly shocked, seeing the familiar flames rushing straight toward him. In an instant, his expression twisted, this was Heavenly Fire he couldn’t even control…
Heavenly Fire, like Heavenly Thunder, made cultivators wary. In the blink of an eye, the cultivators who had just been encircling them all retreated, staring at everything before them in shock.
At this moment, everyone had no choice but to once again acknowledge one thing.
Even if he was a special hybrid, he was still worthy of being… Immortal Baili Jin’s biological son!
“Xuanli… calm down.” Gu Baiqing suddenly spoke. The flames Mo Xuanli had just been controlling instantly flew back, and he lowered his head nervously to look at Gu Baiqing.
Gu Baiqing wanted to slaughter in all directions, but if Mo Xuanli didn’t rein himself in and fell into demonic transformation, he would be done for, how could he then yearn for a beautiful life?
The current demonic transformation value was already at 85.
Gu Baiqing said, “Don’t panic, there’s a way.” It was time to redeem a strategy satchel.
Just as he was feeling heartache over the pitiful few remaining points, a voice suddenly rang out.
“Southeast corner!”
It was Li Xiuran’s voice.
Mo Xuanli and Li Xiuran had a natural tacit understanding. With that single call, Mo Xuanli didn’t need to react, he grabbed Gu Baiqing and charged toward the southeast corner.
At that moment, Li Xiuran had already used sword intent to cleave open a path for the two, taking the lead to guide them.
The two followed closely behind. Others hurriedly gave chase, thinking that Tianyuan Sect’s formations would once again buy time for everyone.
But in the next moment, everyone realized something was wrong, this Li Xiuran was actually so familiar with Tianyuan Sect’s formations, flawlessly avoiding every formation attack. Could it be that he was truly such a heaven-defying genius?
And this guy was really going to aid the wicked? To stand against them as well?
Yet no one noticed that on Li Xiuran’s shoulder rested a flower butterfly formed from spiritual power.
And when Mo Xuanli led Gu Baiqing out, he also conveniently destroyed formations along the way, which instead served to block the pursuing forces behind them.
Just as everyone anxiously watched those few about to escape, Sect Master Baili directly chose to attack from long range. A massive fireball, condensed from his strongest power and carrying fierce killing intent, shot toward the two, even Li Xiuran ahead might be caught in the blast.
“Watch out!”
Suddenly a voice rang out. At the same time, Mo Xuanli swept Gu Baiqing into his arms, grabbed Li Xiuran, and vanished on the spot at the very instant the fireball arrived.
Void spirit space… they had reached the range where it could be used.
And everyone knew that once void spirit space was activated, wanting to catch up was equivalent to being ten thousand steps behind.
But Sect Master Baili still gave an order with a roar, “Pursue! Those who slay hybrids are heroes of the cultivation world.”
Other sects immediately had responders who chased after them.
At this time, those combat forces on the peripheral battlefield also began to return one after another to attend the celebration banquet, including Chu Fei. Because the outermost barrier had been opened, they were finally able to enter; when they first returned, they had been blocked outside and felt inexplicably confused.
What they faced upon returning, however, was utter devastation and the lingering fluctuations of spiritual power left after battle. The scene was chaotic, with people constantly rushing out. Everyone grabbed others to ask about the situation. Chu Fei also flew to Fu Zhiyi’s side, his baby face hidden behind a mask, and asked sternly, “What happened, did the demonic race attack? Where is Senior Brother? Where is Xuanli?”
Fu Zhiyi’s expression was the most solemn Chu Fei had ever seen, and he understood in his heart that something major had definitely happened.
But before Fu Zhiyi could speak, people around them were already making sarcastic remarks, mocking the situation.
Chu Fei’s expression changed drastically, his mind seeming unable to keep up, yet he still glared angrily at Fu Zhiyi and blurted out his first sentence, “You drove them away?!”
Fu Zhiyi let out a breath of relief and said on the surface, “Shouldn’t I have? They betrayed Zixiao Sect. Chu Fei, I now order you, in my capacity as acting sect master, to pursue and kill Gu Baiqing and Mo Xuanli.”
Chu Fei was just about to explode in anger when Fu Zhiyi grabbed his shoulder, “You must catch up to them! We can’t let others get there first. Zixiao Sect cultivated people like them, we must redeem ourselves through merit! Absolutely do not give them any chance to escape!”
Fu Zhiyi’s eyes narrowed slightly. Chu Fei’s heart jolted, though he was usually not very sharp, at this moment, he seemed to have grasped something.
“Proceed with caution! Time is of the essence, go!” Fu Zhiyi’s gaze trembled, and the worry in his eyes was finally noticed by Chu Fei.
Chu Fei nodded, just about to leave, when a major incident occurred on the Baili family’s side, making him stop in his tracks.
On the other side, Baili Jingcheng glanced back at his younger brother. Jingzhan immediately shut his mouth, quietly releasing the hand seal he had been holding, his heart pounding with tension.
“Jingzhan, foolish.” Jingcheng said. “If father were to notice…”
“Brother, if Gu Baiqing were that hybrid, would you do the same?” Jingzhan suddenly asked.
Jingcheng’s gaze flickered. “I would put the greater good…”
Before he could finish, the furious Sect Master Baili suddenly flew over. Both brothers tensed up.
Especially Jingzhan, who had just done something he felt guilty about.
Pei Dai, afraid her husband would be scolded, also carefully stepped forward holding the child. Her father-in-law had not yet seen Zhenzhen, perhaps once he saw her, then…
Sect Master Baili had been prepared to scold the two brothers, but before he could land, he turned his head and saw the child in swaddling clothes.
In that instant, Sect Master Baili stopped in his tracks.
Jingcheng immediately wrapped an arm around Pei Dai, wanting to step forward to introduce Zhenzhen.
But in the very next instant, a shocking change occurred.
Sect Master Baili’s eyes bulged with fury. With a raise of his hand, Pei Dai was sucked over without any chance to defend herself, Jingcheng didn’t even have time to react. He only saw his father seize Pei Dai by the throat, lifting her into the air.
And because of this sudden situation, Pei Dai failed to hold onto Zhenzhen, and it was still Jingcheng, quick-eyed and fast-handed, who caught the frightened, crying Zhenzhen.
Everyone was shocked by this scene.
Jingcheng cried out in shock and anger, “Father!”
Jingzhan was also stunned.
“D*mn it! B*stard!” Sect Master Baili looked at Pei Dai as if he wanted to kill her, and Pei Dai was also terrified beyond measure. She wanted to struggle, but had no strength to do so. She wanted to seek help from her husband, but the next second, Sect Master Baili’s furious words plunged everyone into shock.
“The demon clan has gone too far! They deceived my younger brother, and now they come to trick my son into giving birth to a mixed-blood!! You deserve to die! Deserve to die!”
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