C10 He Would Return the Favor!(2)

Ye Qian's body shook with increasing violence, her face drained of all color, terror and helplessness consuming her. The Soul-Crushing Pill she had taken did nothing to alter the dire situation. She was utterly defeated. Despite her attempts to wield her soul power against Bai Yeh, her mind was in chaos, her power wildly unstable. To Bai Yeh, her desperate counterattacks were futile.

How had it come to this?

Ye Qian's mind was a blank slate until the murderous intent radiating from Bai Yeh jolted her back to reality. In a frantic scream, she pleaded, "Save me! Someone save me! Who will save me?"

But the Ye family members were paralyzed by Bai Yeh's ferocious tactics, and even Ye Hu, who was nearest, was restrained by Bai Chen. Who could possibly rescue her?

"You monster, do you dare?"

Amidst Ye Qian's hopelessness, a furious roar cut through the air, imbued with such fearsome soul power that all who heard it clutched their ears.

Shanglong!

Bai Yeh's face turned icy. He could not afford to hesitate and charged at Ye Qian.

But Shanglong was incredibly swift. He had traveled from the Royal Capital, driven by his duty to protect Ye Qian. If she were harmed, how would he answer to the academy?

In that critical moment, Shanglong unleashed his full soul power, transforming it into a colossal tiger shadow that scattered nearly a hundred onlookers and bore down on Bai Yeh with the force of a mountain.

Bai Yeh struggled to move forward, but he was unyielding, taking step after step.

If he could overpower Ye Qian, he could leverage Shanglong. And if not, he was prepared to perish alongside her, refusing to suffer a loss.

With teeth clenched, Bai Yeh withstood the crushing pressure of Shanglong's soul force, his footstep shattering the earth beneath him.

"Yeh!"

Bai Chen's roar echoed.

Bai Qingshan and others turned their gaze.

Yet, in that instant, there was no one who could save Bai Yeh.

Certainly, no one could prevent Bai Yeh from executing Ye Qian – not even Shanglong!

The situation had deteriorated beyond the point of no return...

Were both prodigies destined to fall?

The breath of onlookers seemed to hang suspended in the air.

"Everyone, cease your actions!"

In the midst of this dire urgency, a resonant voice boomed from beyond the walls of Lo City.

All were jolted by the sound.

A palpable, oppressive force swiftly enveloped the city. A burst of spiritual energy, akin to a shooting star, streaked in from the outskirts and struck Bai Yeh and Shanglong with precision, forcibly separating them!

Bai Yeh tumbled to the ground.

Shanglong staggered back several paces, his face a mask of shock.

Who could so effortlessly defuse such a desperate standoff?

A figure in gray glided across the sky, approaching with the poise of an immortal. Onlookers scrutinized the newcomer: clad in a gray robe, his hair tinged with silver, golden patterns adorning his sleeves, he exuded the aura of a venerable sage, complete with a goatee and an imposing demeanor, his presence steeped in enigma and mystique.

Upon seeing the figure, Shanglong was visibly shaken. He quickly bowed his head and greeted with a fist-and-palm salute, "Shanglong pays his respects to the Master."

Master?

This raised doubts in Bai Yeh's mind.

Who was this individual that could command such reverence from Shanglong?

The surrounding crowd halted their actions, the Almighty's formidable presence compelling them to refrain from any hasty movements.

Was this the true essence of strength? A mere look from him could bring others to their knees!

Bai Yeh's eyes blazed with intensity as he observed the figure.

The man spoke slowly, his voice authoritative and commanding respect.

"Shanglong, are you aware of where you stand?"

"I am... This is Lo City..." Shanglong replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"If this is Lo City, then it falls under the dominion of my Soul Finishing Sect. What audacity do you from the Holy Academy have to behave so recklessly on our grounds?" The man's tone brimmed with displeasure.

Shanglong's face shifted through a gamut of emotions, sweat beading on his brow as he responded cautiously, "Shanglong meant no disrespect. It was only because a disciple from our Holy Dao College faced persecution here that I felt compelled to intervene."

"Who is the disciple from your Holy Academy?"

"Ye Qian!"

"Ye Qian?" The middle-aged man's gaze sharpened as he looked over.

Ye Qian had already risen to her feet. Recognizing the newcomer, her eyes widened with shock, and her complexion turned ashen. Bowing her head, she respectfully addressed him, "Ye Qian pays her respects to the Sect Master."

Bai Yeh was taken aback—this man was the Soul Finishing Sect Master!

Even the esteemed teachers of the Holy Academy showed him the utmost respect. The influence of the Soul Finishing Sect Master was clearly formidable.

"Ye Qian, I had intended to groom you as my Soul Finishing Sect's successor, but since you've aligned yourself with the Royal Capital's powers, you are no longer one of us. Henceforth, focus on your cultivation within the Holy Dao College," the Sect Master stated coolly, effectively severing ties with Ye Qian.

Ye Qian clenched her jaw, remaining silent.

Shanglong, however, was not about to let things slide. He fixed his gaze on Bai Yeh and, with a formal bow, declared, "Master, this individual resorted to using a 'Soul Breaking Pill' during the match—his actions were underhanded and disgraceful, and he even attempted to harm our Holy Academy's disciples. By our rules, he must face severe punishment. I intend to take him into custody and bring him to the Holy Academy for judgment."

Shanglong spoke with conviction.

No sooner had he spoken than a fearsome Gale struck, hitting Shanglong with such force that the ground trembled and cracked beneath him. Propelled backwards, Shanglong was sent flying, expelling a mouthful of golden blood before crashing through several walls. He lay on the ground, his body convulsing.

The Soul Finishing Sect Master had struck!

"Master!" cried the people from the Holy Dao College, rushing to Shanglong's aid.

The Sect Master's voice cut through the commotion, icy and stern, "Shanglong! Do you take me for a fool? Could I not discern the use of a Soul Breaking Pill? You dare to try and deceive me? Has the Holy Academy grown so presumptuous?"

Fear filled Shanglong's eyes; he had not anticipated such a swift and violent response from the Sect Master.

The onlookers were left in utter shock.

The Master of the Soul Finishing Sect was incredibly domineering!

Only Gu Cao understood that the Sect Master wasn't being capricious; he was genuinely enraged this time.

"Scram!" The Sect Master barked the command.

The members of the Holy Academy, feeling as though they'd been pardoned, hoisted Shanglong and fled from Lo City, not a single one daring to utter a word.

Ye Qian stared blankly at the retreating figure of Shanglong, as if her soul had been stripped away.

Just who was this Master of the Soul Finishing Sect? What kind of power did he wield to make Shanglong appear so fragile before him? To disable him so effortlessly? Didn't he care about the Holy Academy's stance? After all, that was their founding ancestor!

Regret suddenly gripped Ye Qian. If she had stayed under the Sect Master's guidance, if she hadn't left the Soul Finishing Sect, maybe things would have turned out differently...

But it was too late for regrets now.

"Considering our past, you should leave as well!"

The Sect Master's gaze was cool as he addressed Ye Qian.

Her face drained of color, Ye Qian bit her lip and rose to her feet, hurrying after Shanglong.

"Ye Qian, there's no need to rush off! Our business isn't finished yet!"

Bai Yeh, wiping the blood from his mouth, rose to his feet with a grave tone.

"Your Origin Energy is depleted, and your Heavenly Soul is overextended. If you continue this battle, you risk serious damage to your Heavenly Soul, with consequences that could haunt you forever," the Sect Master warned calmly.

"Thank you for your concern, Sect Master. But this woman has threatened my father and sought to end my life. I cannot simply let her walk away," Bai Yeh replied icily.

A shiver ran through Ye Qian, fear evident in her eyes.

"You don't need to rush to settle things with Ye Qian today. She has taken Shanglong as her master and is now part of the Holy Academy. If you kill her here, you'll only bring calamity upon the Bai family! Your father will suffer for your actions. Besides, upon closer inspection, Ye Qian's only notable trait is her Twin Heavenly Soul. With ambition, you could surpass her in less than five years. Then, simply go to the Holy Academy and challenge her openly. It will be a legitimate duel, much like her actions against your family today. Wouldn't that be a more fitting resolution?" The Sect Master spoke slowly, his voice measured.

Bai Yeh nodded, agreeing that it made sense. "Very well, we'll proceed as the Sect Master suggests!"

Today's events would undoubtedly lead to Ye Qian's disgrace. Even if she managed to gain entry to the Holy Academy, she would carry the stain of her tarnished reputation. Bai Yeh had the power to end Ye Qian's life today, but he didn't want to give anyone the impression that his victory over her was due to the backing of the Soul Finishing Sect Master.

"Ye Qian, beat it. Before long, I'll come to the Holy Academy myself to issue a challenge. I expect you won't show the same weakness you did today," Bai Yeh declared, his gaze icy.

Shaking all over, Ye Qian's lips paled. As she left, her steps were feeble, betraying her defeated spirit.