The disciples of Wushuang Sect had always been arrogant. But now…
They finally realized something. That earlier arrogance had actually been restrained. And now, with Lin Xiao dead, Yun Jin and the Wushuang Sect no longer bothered to hide it.
Today, Wushuang Sect was openly challenging the authority of Qingxiao Pavilion.
The outcome of this confrontation would very likely decide the balance of power for the next hundred years. Liu Hua and the others couldn't help but watch with anticipation. After all, this was the Holy Land, Qingxiao Pavilion.
No matter how fast Wushuang Sect had grown, in such a short span of time, it was impossible for them to have developed to the point where they could wrestle with a Holy Land, right?
Today, Qingxiao Pavilion had to crush Wushuang Sect's arrogance. Otherwise, how could they command respect in the future?
"Wushuang Sect dares to be this presumptuous!" A Qingxiao Pavilion elder roared in fury.
Several Qingxiao Pavilion elders attacked together, manifesting their dharmic forms in the sky, forcefully breaking through the blockade Qin Ping had set.
Yet Liu Hua and the others did not look reassured at all.
On Wushuang Sect's side, only Qin Ping had acted, while everyone else merely watched.
But on Qingxiao Pavilion's side, it had taken several elders working together just to break Qin Ping's blockade.
This…
"Wushuang Sect truly is too arrogant." Suddenly, a chilling voice rang out, and an overwhelming aura pressed down on Qin Ping.
Qin Ping's expression changed. The man's aura was terrifyingly strong, and he found it difficult to withstand.
"Who dares to slander Wushuang Sect?!"
Bai Yiran sneered, releasing a frigid aura that soared skyward. The oppressive force bearing down on Qin Ping instantly vanished.
"Hm…" The voice faltered in surprise. A moment later, a white-bearded elder stepped into Qingxiao Pavilion's ranks.
The elder looked at Bai Yiran with clear suspicion in his eyes.
"Sect Master Yun," Hua Ran whispered, "that is Qingxiao Pavilion's Grand Elder, Elder Jin Guang. He has avoided the world for so long that people outside suspected he had already fallen. But as you can see, he is still vigorous. His cultivation is extremely high. A thousand years ago, he was ranked just below Ji Wusi among humanity's peak experts."
Yun Jin gave a barely perceptible nod. So this was Lin Xiao's hidden trump card. Most likely, Xuan Kong's smooth ascension to Sect Master also had much to do with this man.
"You, just now, who were you planning to discipline?" Bai Yiran's voice turned icy as she glared at him.
Elder Jin Guang's face darkened. "This is Sky City. I will not fight you here."
Sky City forbade open combat. At most, one could clash with aura and momentum, but not truly fight to the death. Even so, his words carried clear concession.
The plaza fell into utter silence. They had thought Wushuang Sect's strength relied solely on Yun Jin. But now, before Yun Jin had even acted, just Qin Ping and Bai Yiran alone were able to stand toe-to-toe with Qingxiao Pavilion's experts.
And if Yun Jin were to make a move…?
A ripple of dread spread through the crowd.
"In Sky City, it might not be impossible to fight." Yun Jin suddenly spoke with a faint smile.
Elder Jin Guang's face grew grim. "What do you mean by that?"
Yun Jin turned toward the towering statue and spoke respectfully, "Elder Sister Fairy, would you temporarily lift the restriction, so that we may determine victory and defeat?"
Elder Jin Guang sneered. "Absurd. How could the statue possibly respond to such an outrageous request?" His words had barely left his mouth when—
A flash of white light rippled across the statue.
A cold, clear voice echoed in everyone's minds: "Granted."
And then—
They all felt it. The unseen restrictions were lifted.
Elder Jin Guang: "???"
Yun Jin smiled at him. "Elder Jin Guang, we can fight now. Come, properly teach my unworthy disciples a lesson. That way, they will understand that in the Qingxiao Region, it is still Qingxiao Pavilion who rules."
The corner of Elder Jin Guang's mouth twitched. He cast a wary glance at Bai Yiran. He knew well how terrifying Bai Yiran was, even thousands of years ago. Now, she seemed even stronger.
Just getting past her would be difficult.
And Wushuang Sect still had Qin Ping, Hong Ye, and others… none of them looked simple.
Elder Jin Guang's gaze shifted, and he suddenly addressed Yun Jin directly. "Very well, fighting is fine. But I do not lower myself to fight nameless juniors. Sect Master Yun, I've heard your reputation has grown immensely. Why don't you and I exchange a bout?"
Elder Jin Guang silently praised himself. How clever he was. Surely Bai Yiran was only some powerful ally Wushuang Sect had temporarily invited. That only proved the others lacked true strength.
As for Yun Jin, though she was in the Tribulation stage, no matter how heaven-defying she might be, she could not possibly surpass him.
"Elder Jin Guang, you…" Xuan Kong's eyes widened. He could scarcely believe this man's stupidity.
He was about to speak up and stop him when his expression suddenly twisted. Grinding his teeth, Xuan Kong forced out, "Well done."
Elder Jin Guang allowed himself a satisfied smile. He truly felt like a modest little genius.
"You are certain you want to challenge our Sect Master?" Bai Yiran's expression turned strange.
She had seen people courting death before. But never someone so eager to rush toward it.
Elder Jin Guang stroked his beard. "Naturally."
"Yi Ran," Yun Jin said with a faint smile, "since he requests it, and I always take pleasure in helping others, I shall personally oblige him."
The Wushuang Sect disciples immediately spread apart without hesitation.
Their speed startled Elder Jin Guang.
Did they truly not protect their own Sect Master?
Was this sect really so heartless?
"Elder Jin Guang," Yun Jin strolled forward leisurely, "a one-on-one would be bullying you. Why don't we make it a group battle instead?"
Elder Jin Guang thought he had misheard.
What did she mean by bullying him?
Wasn't it the other way around?
Unable to help himself, he asked, "What do you mean by group battle?"
Yun Jin raised a finger with a smile. "A group battle means… just me, fighting all of you."
"???"
Elder Jin Guang hadn't even processed her words when—
Suddenly—
Two chains, one black and one white, shot out from Yun Jin's fingertip.
In an instant, every single member of Qingxiao Pavilion present was bound together.
"You dare!" Elder Jin Guang bellowed, immediately surging his spiritual power.
But it was useless. The moment his spiritual energy surged, it was instantly absorbed by the chains, leaving not even the slightest ripple.
"Yun Jin, don't go too far!"
"This is rebellion, utter rebellion!"
The Qingxiao Pavilion experts roared, but no matter how they struggled, they could not break free from the chains' grip.
Yun Jin chuckled softly. She gave the chains a light tug, and instantly the plaza resounded with screams of pain.