The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2719 - 2694: Houtu Divine Thunder Art

Lin Bai found himself within the Fighting Arena. After a brief exchange with Xu Guang, and with no deep animosity festering between them, a casual conversation ensued once the martial arts competition concluded. Lin Bai soon rose to depart.

Xu Guang made no move to detain Lin Bai, having already determined that Lin Bai was a Sword Cultivator, and thus ill-suited to inherit the Taigu Shattered Star Fist he practiced.

Gazing at Lin Bai's retreating figure, Xu Guang let out a sorrowful sigh. "Such exceptional talent, it's a true shame he practices the way of the sword. It appears I must search elsewhere."

Departing the Fighting Arena, Lin Bai proceeded to claim the merits earned from his battle, then made his way directly to the Elegant Pavilion.

Upon entering Yellow Character No.1 Pavilion, Lin Bai noticed the disarray. The room appeared not as a site of a mere fight, but rather as if a tempestuous tantrum had transpired within its walls!

As Lin Bai stepped inside, he observed Madam Yang seated on the floor, clearly in distress. Her elegant attire was disheveled, exposing much of her fair skin.

Meanwhile, the four handsome young men stood in a corner, their bodies trembling with apprehension.

Lin Bai inquired softly upon his entry, "What occurred here? Was there a brawl?"

Hearing his voice, Madam Yang lifted her head and looked towards the Sword Demon, offering a reluctant smile.

Lin Bai perceived the bitterness etched on Madam Yang's face and chuckled. "I have triumphed in the competition, Madam. You ought to be pleased! After all, the odds were overwhelmingly in my favor, one in a hundred – more than enough for the Zhao Family to profit handsomely!"

Madam Yang let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Sword Demon, why torment me? I suppose you've already figured it out – we never actually placed the merits on you!"

Lin Bai offered a faint smile, not directly addressing Madam Yang's words. He casually stated, "I hold no concern for whom you placed the merits upon!"

"I have honored the promise I made to you, and now it is time for you to uphold your end of our agreement."

"We stipulated that I would engage in three battles for you within the Fighting Arena in exchange for information regarding the subsequent volumes of the 'Five Elements Divine Thunder Scripture'."

Lin Bai regarded Madam Yang, calmly posing his request.

With the conclusion of his duel against Xu Guang, Lin Bai had indeed completed the stipulated three matches in the Fighting Arena.

Madam Yang emitted a light chuckle. "Very well! I shall impart the knowledge to you!"

"Several million miles from Black Water City lies another significant urban center known as Houtu City!"

"Houtu City does not suffer the same level of disorder as Black Water City."

"Within Houtu City, a single dominant force exists: the Wang Family!"

"The Wang Family reigns supreme over Houtu City."

"Furthermore, the Wang Family has, through generations, preserved a Divine Thunder Art, known as the 'Houtu Divine Thunder Skill'!"

"Though few Wang Family cultivators practice the Houtu Divine Thunder Skill due to an ancestral decree deeming it fundamental to the family's core strength, Wang Family members are hesitant to pass it to outsiders!"

Madam Yang addressed Lin Bai, her voice steady.

Upon hearing Madam Yang’s declaration, Lin Bai's eyes glinted. "Houtu City, the Wang Family, the Houtu Divine Thunder Skill!"

Madam Yang continued, "I have already provided the information you sought. As I cautioned you previously, even with the location of the other volumes revealed, obtaining them would prove exceedingly difficult."

"Acquiring the Houtu Divine Thunder Skill from the Wang Family is regarded as near impossible."

"Now that I have fulfilled my part of the bargain, our agreement stands satisfied."

Madam Yang concluded.

Lin Bai gave a slight nod. "Farewell!"

Having secured the information he desired, Lin Bai saw no reason to prolong his stay.

As he turned to exit the Yellow Character No.1 Pavilion, just before opening the door, Lin Bai softly remarked, "Madam Yang, as I told you, I would not lose!"

"You should have placed your faith in me and allocated the merits to my name; then you would not find yourself in such a dire predicament now."

With these words, Lin Bai departed the room.

A series of bitter laughs escaped Madam Yang as she shook her head in silence.

Ever since Lin Bai and Madam Yang initiated their collaboration, Lin Bai had assured her: "Feel free to arrange the opponents; I guarantee I will not lose!"

At that time, Madam Yang had dismissed his words as mere bravado. However, after witnessing Lin Bai's decisive victory over Xu Guang today, she finally grasped the truth: Lin Bai had not been speaking lightly.

He genuinely possessed the capability to avoid defeat!

Lin Bai's triumph over Xu Guang brought immense elation to those individuals who were keen on wagering against the odds.

They had staked vast sums on Lin Bai, and their winnings had now multiplied a hundredfold, amounting to fortunes in the billions!

The most significant beneficiaries of this outcome were Ban Ye, Fatty, and Tang Yuezhi.

Ban Ye had wagered a million merits on Lin Bai, transforming himself into an immensely wealthy individual with ten billion merits to his name!

Tai Yi, the manager, approached Lin Bai with a beaming smile. "Brother Sword Demon, I offer my heartfelt congratulations on your victory in this fierce competition!"

Lin Bai returned the pleasantries with a smile, "Manager Tai Yi."

Tai Yi stepped closer, his expression eager. "A delegation of esteemed figures from Black Water City awaits your presence. This includes powerful individuals and patriarchs from the Eight Great Clans, as well as the esteemed Young Lord from Houtu City!"

Lin Bai's recent triumph over Xu Guang had, as expected, ignited a wildfire of renown throughout Black Water City. Naturally, numerous influential families were eager to secure his allegiance.

However, Lin Bai, feeling the weariness of the day, gently shook his head. "Thank you for the offer, but I am rather tired today. I do not wish to meet with anyone."

Tai Yi, ever the professional, responded softly, "Understood. I shall convey your regrets to them on your behalf, Brother Sword Demon."

Lin Bai gave a slight nod; however, a flicker in his eyes prompted him to call out, "Manager Tai Yi, you mentioned the Young Lord of Houtu City wished to meet me?"

Tai Yi paused, a smile returning to his face. "Indeed, after Xu Guang's initial battle, many influential figures were drawn to the spectacle. Houtu City dispatched emissaries from millions of miles away!"

"Among them is the Young Master of the Wang Family, who also holds the esteemed position of Young City Lord of Houtu City, bearing the name Wang Qian!"

Lin Bai contemplated this for a moment before stating, "While I must decline meeting everyone else, I am willing to grant an audience to the Young City Lord of Houtu City."

Tai Yi was visibly surprised. It was quite unexpected that Lin Bai would refuse the prestigious Eight Great Clans of Black Water City yet agree to meet the Young City Lord of Houtu City. This turn of events indeed intrigued him.

"Very well, I shall make the necessary arrangements," Tai Yi confirmed with a nod.

Without delay, Tai Yi retreated into the shadows. He produced a Sound Transmission Token and engaged in a private conversation with an unseen party.

After a short interval, Tai Yi emerged and informed Lin Bai, "Brother Sword Demon, Young City Lord Wang Qian cordially invites you to a gathering this evening at the Celestial Immortal Tower!"

Lin Bai acknowledged the invitation with a nod. "Excellent. I shall prepare myself accordingly and be there."

Tai Yi beamed and continued to converse casually with Lin Bai for a short while longer before escorting him safely out of the Fighting Arena.

Upon exiting the Fighting Arena, Lin Bai made his way back to the Tang Family estate.