Lin Bai, disguised as the "Sword Demon," met with Wang Qian, the young lord of Houtu City. Wang Qian, who had booked out the Celestial Immortal Tower for the night and was accompanied by many beauties, attempted to recruit Lin Bai to his family. Wang Qian offered immense wealth and women, but Lin Bai only expressed interest in the "Houtu Divine Thunder Skill," a powerful ancestral cultivation technique. Wang Qian immediately refused, stating it was the Wang Family's most treasured secret and could not be given to an outsider.
Upon hearing Wang Qian’s resolute declaration, Lin Bai’s expression grew considerably more serious.
He then shook his head and stated, "Since the Wang Family is not amenable, let us abandon this endeavor!"
"I bid you farewell now."
Lin Bai rose from his seat, preparing to depart.
Houtu City and the Wang Family held no particular interest for Lin Bai.
The sole reason for agreeing to meet Wang Qian was the "Houtu Divine Thunder Skill" possessed by the Wang Family!
With Wang Qian’s clear refusal, Lin Bai could no longer consider journeying to Houtu City.
Acquiring the "Houtu Divine Thunder Skill" would necessitate finding an alternative method in the future.
As Lin Bai moved to leave, Wang Qian’s demeanor abruptly turned grim, and he sharply commanded, "Wait!"
Lin Bai halted, turning his gaze back to Wang Qian.
Wang Qian, rising from amidst the surrounding beauties, fixed Lin Bai with a cold stare and declared, "Sword Demon, do not mistake a kind offer for weakness; you have already cost me over ten billion merits in the Fighting Arena!"
"I am now willing to let past grievances fade and offer you a place within my ranks, so do not push my patience!"
"If you possess any sense, you will obediently accompany me to Houtu City; my Wang Family will surely reward your loyalty!"
"However, if you prove unwise..."
Wang Qian’s tone had shifted to one of unmistakable threat.
Lin Bai recognized the spoiled young master’s tactic: offering an olive branch, only to reveal hostility when expectations were not met.
Coming to his senses, Lin Bai’s eyes, hidden beneath his mask, turned icy as he addressed Wang Qian, "If I am unwise, does Young City Lord Wang Qian intend to end my life right here?"
Lin Bai’s voice grew sharp, and a subtle, tense atmosphere enveloped them.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yang, positioned discreetly behind Wang Qian, cautiously advanced, his eyes fixed on Lin Bai.
As Wang Qian's personal guardian, Jiang Yang could not afford a moment's carelessness, especially when confronting Lin Bai, the victor over the Undefeated General in the Fighting Arena!
A single misstep could see Wang Qian perish instantly at Lin Bai's hands!
Should Wang Qian meet his demise, Jiang Yang would undoubtedly face relentless pursuit from the Wang Family upon their return to Houtu City!
Wang Qian scoffed, "Accept the treat willingly, or you'll get nothing, not even scraps!"
"Farewell!" Lin Bai uttered with a cold snort, turned his back, and began to walk away.
Lin Bai had entirely lost any desire to engage further with Wang Qian.
"Stop!" Wang Qian bellowed, his voice filled with rage.
Despite hearing the command, Lin Bai did not falter, proceeding directly towards the exit of the Fighting Arena!
"Seize him! Unmask him! I wish to see the face hidden behind that facade!" Wang Qian’s cold command echoed towards Lin Bai’s retreating figure.
As Wang Qian's words ended, the warriors stationed within the Celestial Immortal Tower immediately surged towards Lin Bai, their spears and swords leveled at him.
In mere moments, Lin Bai found himself encircled by more than ten armored combatants.
Wang Qian's voice dripped with disdain, "Sword Demon, I offer you one final chance. Consider your decision carefully!"
Lin Bai, without even glancing back at Wang Qian, stated coolly, "I too, am offering you all a chance. Step aside swiftly and do not impede my path, lest you all meet your demise!"
Wang Qian let out a sneer, took a sip from a wine goblet on a nearby table, and casually commanded, "Kill him!"
Swish swish swish—
The dozen warriors surrounding Lin Bai moved in unison, charging at him with lethal intent.
Lin Bai’s eyes flashed, and a dark arc of electricity erupted from his form. With a blur, a bolt of black lightning weaved through the attackers, striking their chests.
Instantly, the dozen warriors were sent flying backward, collapsing in a heap on the ground, their consciousness severely compromised!
"Jiang Yang!"
Wang Qian's voice was a cold summons.
"Yes, Young City Lord!" The middle-aged man clad in black, standing behind Wang Qian, responded. He stepped forward, his imposing aura erupting and pressing down on Lin Bai like an immense mountain.
The moment Lin Bai turned, Jiang Yang was already before him, his fist rocketing towards Lin Bai’s face!
Rumbling!
The earth-shattering impact of the punch sent tremors through the Celestial Immortal Tower.
Within Lin Bai, both the Qingmu Divine Thunder and the Black Water Divine Thunder activated simultaneously. Lin Bai’s fist met Jiang Yang’s devastating blow.
With a thunderous clash, both combatants were forced back ten paces!
"You are no ordinary warrior. State your name!" Lin Bai demanded, his voice sharp.
Jiang Yang chuckled softly, replying, "Houtu City, Fighting Arena, Undefeated General, Jiang Yang!"
"Another Undefeated General!" Lin Bai mused, his gaze hardening as he looked at Jiang Yang.
Lin Bai held a considerable degree of respect for the Undefeated Generals, a sentiment amplified after his encounter with Xu Guang, which had underscored their formidable strength.
Having introduced himself, Jiang Yang immediately launched another assault on Lin Bai.
The sheer power emanating from him was overwhelming!
A palm strike was unleashed into the void, sending ripples surging towards Lin Bai. He observed the approaching waves, each one mounting in intensity compared to the last! There were eighteen layers to these ripples. The initial few were relatively weak, but by the eighteenth layer, Lin Bai witnessed the very fabric of space distorting violently, a clear indication of the palm strike's formidable power! Zing! A sharp sound echoed as the Demonic Sword was drawn. With its edge, Lin Bai slashed with all his might, cleaving through the void and shattering seventeen layers of ripples before finally clashing with the eighteenth. A tremendous crash ensued, causing half of the Celestial Immortal Tower to crumble from the impact! The tower's collapse sent gasps of fear through the assembled warriors. At this very moment, Lin Bai stood atop the ruins of the Celestial Immortal Tower, locked in an intense battle with Jiang Yang. After hundreds of exchanges, Wang Qian grew impatient, exclaiming, "Jiang Yang, why are you so incompetent, unable to handle a mere Seventh Layer warrior of the Death Reversal Realm!" "I will give you another fifteen minutes. If you haven't defeated Sword Demon by then, do not dare to return to Houtu City!" Hearing this, Jiang Yang's expression hardened into ruthlessness. "Yes, Young City Lord!" he affirmed, as the power within him surged with even greater intensity than before! Lin Bai tightened his grip on the Demonic Sword, preparing for the renewed confrontation. Suddenly, from a distance above the clouds, a thunderous roar erupted, accompanied by an enraged voice, "Wang Qian, this is Black Water City, not your Houtu City!" "If you are here as a guest, my Black Water City extends its welcome!" "However, if you are here to cause trouble, Black Water City is not your stomping ground. Restrain your audacity!" This voice, cold and furious, reverberated around the Celestial Immortal Tower. Upon hearing the voice, Wang Qian froze. He quickly clasped his hands and said, "Uncle Zhao, please calm yourself! Your nephew acknowledges his mistake!" Witnessing Wang Qian's apologetic gesture, Jiang Yang ceased his assault! The voice also fell silent! Lin Bai cast a glance at Wang Qian and Jiang Yang before turning and departing the Celestial Immortal Tower. This time, the contingent from Houtu City made no move to stop him! "Young City Lord, are we simply going to let him leave like this?" Jiang Yang inquired, returning to Wang Qian's side. Wang Qian replied coldly, "What else can we do? Zhao Wuji has spoken. Do you wish to make an enemy of the City Lord of Black Water City?" "Let me tell you, although the City Lord of Black Water City is nearing his end, his cultivation remains intact. If anyone dares to provoke him now, he is already facing death and wouldn't mind dragging several others down with him!" Wang Qian stated with chilling finality. Hearing this, Jiang Yang visibly trembled and offered no further comment. Wang Qian observed Black Water City, saying with a hmph, "Well, Zhao Wuji won't last much longer. Since we failed in the battle between Xu Guang and Sword Demon, let us focus on other arrangements!" "Ensure by all means that a member of the Qian Family takes the City Lord position of Black Water City!" "We had two primary objectives upon arriving in Black Water City: first, to gain some merit points from Xu Guang in the Fighting Arena, which failed. Therefore, ensuring the Qian Family secures the City Lord position cannot be allowed to fail as well!" Wang Qian declared coldly. "When does the Dragon City Battle commence?" Wang Qian then inquired. Jiang Yang responded, "According to the Qian Family's intelligence, the Dragon City Battle is scheduled to begin in ten days!" Wang Qian nodded. "Excellent!"
