C13 Dragon Tiger Platform

Bai Yeh spun on his heel and charged at the remaining adversary.

The Soul Finishing Sect disciples erupted in rage, with the lead Inner Sect disciple, Guan Chengfei, particularly livid. He launched an attack on Bai Yeh without a second thought.

But he was a moment too late.

With a flick of his sword, Bai Yeh severed the man's neck artery. He stepped back, retreating swiftly.

And just like that, four lives were extinguished.

Guan Chengfei's strike hit nothing but air, yet he didn't rush to follow up. Instead, he gestured for the others to encircle Bai Yeh.

"Seize him!" Guan Chengfei bellowed.

Bai Yeh lifted his sword, repelling those who dared approach, and demanded icily, "Won't you even inquire about the circumstances?"

"Is there a need to? You've disregarded the bonds of brotherhood, slain your fellow disciples, betrayed your master, and desecrated your ancestors. Your actions are unforgivable!" Guan Chengfei declared sternly.

"They sought my life first."

"I saw nothing of the sort. All I witnessed was you taking their lives," Guan Chengfei spat through clenched teeth.

He didn't see it? These people must be in league with the four.

Bai Yeh scoffed, "What I did was in self-defense. Moreover, even if I were at fault, it's not your place to judge."

"True, I have no authority. But I am an eyewitness. I intend to take you before the elders for judgment!"

"Fine by me!" Bai Yeh retorted fearlessly, a smirk on his face. "Let's go then. I'm here alone, a newcomer to the sect, while they numbered four. I'm curious to see if the elders will believe I was the instigator."

Guan Chengfei's face twisted with conflict.

Revealing this incident could complicate the matter of assigning guilt to Bai Yeh, especially since the elders were no fools.

"What's the matter? Not heading to the elders now?" Bai Yeh prodded.

Guan Chengfei seethed inwardly, his eyes glacial, "What is your name?"

"Bai Yeh."

"Bai Yeh? Good, I'll remember that. I'll spare you today, but this isn't over. Watch your back!" With a cold huff, Guan Chengfei turned and strode away.

The group emerged from the Black Wood Forest in dribs and drabs.

"Why do I keep finding myself in trouble?"

Bai Yeh was baffled. It seemed when luck turned sour, even drinking cold water could choke you.

...

Upon returning to the sect, he promptly traded the Qin Blue Grass and Snake Pill for thirteen Magic Soul Pills, consuming the snake gall himself.

These Magic Soul Pills were just what he needed for a breakthrough. Bai Yeh found a quiet spot on the back mountain, sat cross-legged, and activated his Heavenly Soul. Every half an incense stick's time, he swallowed a pill. Before long, his body was burning up, and the soul power from his Heavenly Soul began to quiver.

Whoosh.

A surge of energy burst forth from the top of his head.

"Sixth Rank!"

His Taotie Heavenly Soul was truly exceptional, absorbing soul power at an incredible rate.

Once he had assimilated the remaining Magic Soul Pills, he went back to the mountain to practice the Flashing Sword Spell.

A soul cultivator must not neglect their training, nor their techniques; every move required relentless practice.

However, it wasn't long before footsteps drew near.

He looked up to see Guan Chengfei and the others who had recently departed.

Had they come to settle accounts so soon?

Bai Yeh tensed up as Guan Chengfei pulled out a small sword from his waist and slammed it down in front of him.

"A Chess Sword Token?"

"Bai Yeh, I've heard you're set to duel Senior Brother Mo Qinghong on the Dragon Tiger Platform. I'm not sure where you're getting your confidence, but you owe me an explanation for Li Qing and Meng Ran's deaths. How else can I save face? If you dare, accept my challenge. Tomorrow, on the Dragon Tiger Platform, we'll see who prevails!"

"Tomorrow?"

"What, does that seem too soon? I'm just worried you'll be defeated by Senior Brother Mo and end up beyond recognition, leaving me no chance for retribution," Guan Chengfei said with a cold laugh.

"You keep talking about revenge, but you know as well as I do that they started it."

Bai Yeh picked up the Chess Sword Token from the ground and responded coolly, "But since you're issuing a challenge, I accept."

"Alright, that's the spirit! See you tomorrow then! Tomorrow, it's a fight to the finish—either you die, or I perish!" With that, Guan Chengfei made to leave.

"Wait a moment," Bai Yeh called out.

"What's the matter? Getting cold feet?" the crowd jeered.

Bai Yeh shook his head and tossed the sword token back, his voice cool and detached, "Why wait until tomorrow? Let's head to the Dragon Tiger Platform right now!"

Everyone was stunned, their eyes locked on Bai Yeh in disbelief.

"Huh?" Guan Chengfei was taken aback. "Right now? You don't want to prepare?"

"What preparation is needed to deal with you?" Bai Yeh scoffed.

Guan Chengfei's composure wavered at Bai Yeh's nonchalant demeanor, but there was no turning back now.

Does he really have that much confidence? Is he trying to intimidate me? I'm an Inner Sect disciple, and he's just a newcomer!

He nodded with a cold laugh, "Fine by me. The sooner you're out of your misery, the better. Let's go!"

The group made their way to the Dragon Tiger Platform.

Situated at the heart of the Soul Finishing Sect, the Dragon Tiger Platform was flanked by statues of the past four sect leaders, each one imposing and magnificent. Disciples passing by couldn't help but feel a deep reverence.

As they neared the Dragon Tiger Platform, the onlookers from the roadside began to take notice, and the crowd around the platform swelled.

The two competitors let drops of their blood fall onto the sword token and inserted it into the platform's designated slot, triggering a brilliant golden light to burst forth from the Dragon Tiger Platform.

"A golden seal? It's a golden seal! A life-and-death duel is about to take place!"

The surrounding crowd gasped in excitement.

In the Soul Finishing Sect, a duel to the death was the ultimate way to settle scores. Once initiated, the outcome on the Dragon Tiger Platform was beyond the sect's intervention—life or death.

Guan Chengfei sprang forward, soaring into the center of the platform like a shooting star.

"It's Guan Chengfei!"

"There he goes again. This guy, with his sixth-level Soul Core Realm strength, has been throwing his weight around the sect, oppressing newcomers. Anyone who stands up to him ends up in a duel to the death. He's already crippled three fellow disciples this year."

"I wonder who got under his skin. Now it's come to a fight to the death," people murmured among themselves, their faces turning pale with concern.

Bai Yeh made his way through the crowd and stepped up to the challenge.

Guan Chengfei's gaze was venomous. "Step onto the Dragon Tiger Platform, and your life is mine. Kneel and beg for mercy now, and I'll only sever your arms and destroy your cultivation. I'll let you live. What do you say?"

"Scram," Bai Yeh replied, his voice cool and detached.

"You ignorant brat!" Guan Chengfei's rage boiled over. He summoned his soul power and launched a punch at Bai Yeh, the force of it roaring like a mighty river.

"And who's the ignorant one?" Bai Yeh stood his ground, unfazed by the assault.

Boom!

The punch landed squarely on his chest, its power scattering instantly, yet Bai Yeh remained unmoved, his gaze steady on Guan Chengfei.

"Is that all the strength you have?" Bai Yeh asked, his tone still even.

"Huh?" Guan Chengfei was taken aback. He quickly swung his fist again, his power surging.

But as his fist left Bai Yeh's chest, a burst of internal energy shot out, striking Guan Chengfei's fist head-on.

Guan Chengfei staggered backward several steps. Bai Yeh grunted softly, advanced with a quick stride, and delivered a vicious punch to Guan Chengfei's face.

Guan Chengfei was sent flying, hurtling backward over ten meters before crashing into the emblem of the Dragon Tiger Platform.

Bang!

The dull thud echoed.

Whoa!

The crowd erupted into a frenzy.

Bai Yeh had been the one to take the hit, yet Guan Chengfei was the one sent reeling? What on earth had just happened?

Guan Chengfei got to his feet, his eyes wide with fury and disbelief. The shock of the impact still lingered on his fist, as if it was ripping through his knuckles.

What kind of move was that?

Bai Yeh approached, step by measured step.

Guan Chengfei gritted his teeth and reached for his waist, drawing a slender, flexible sword. He covered the blade with his soul power, making it shimmer with a brilliant light, and swung it wildly, like a serpent striking.

"Die!"

"With that?" Bai Yeh scoffed.

In a swift motion, he bent forward and evaded the attack. Yet, as he sidestepped, a glint of cold light sparked in his hand.

The sword flashed!

Bai Yeh had made his move!

Yet in that lightning-fast moment, many had failed to catch even a glimpse of the blade's shadow.

Guan Chengfei's body seized up, and moments later... a gush of blood.

His hand, once grasping the sword, was sent flying, blood spraying in all directions.

"Ah!!!!!"

Guan Chengfei's scream tore through the air.

A collective gasp rose from the spectators.

Guan Chengfei had truly met his match; only a few exchanges in and he was already driven to the brink!

"This sword isn't half bad."

Bai Yeh lifted the Soft Sword, appraising its weight.

"Don't kill me," Guan Chengfei pleaded as he stumbled backward. Despite his slender frame, his physical strength was immense. And he had just drawn his sword? How could he possibly have managed that under such conditions? He must have struggled even to maintain his balance!

"If our positions were reversed, would you spare me? I doubt it. So why should I extend any mercy?"

A glint of lethal intent shone in Bai Yeh's eyes, showing no mercy as he raised the Soft Sword...

"Stop!"

Just then, a desperate cry erupted from the crowd.

Bai Yeh turned to see a man in white pushing through the throng, urgency etched on his face. He bowed with a fist in palm towards Bai Yeh, imploring, "Junior brother, please spare Guan Chengfei. We are all brethren of the same sect. Can we not put an end to this?"

But no sooner had the man spoken than Bai Yeh brought the Soft Sword down with a swift stroke.

Puchi!

Guan Chengfei's head hit the ground.

Blood splattered in all directions.

A hush fell over the crowd.

The man from Bai Mansion's complexion underwent a violent shift, his once genial face darkening.

Bai Yeh secured the Soft Sword at his waist and descended the stage without a trace of emotion. He spared the man in white no glance as he spoke coolly, "I've been aware of you since Guan Chengfei stepped onto the stage. If you truly wished to intervene, you should have done so before our swords crossed, not at the moment of his demise."

With those words hanging in the air, he vanished into the distance down the narrow path.

The man in white's expression turned icy, as though he stood in a vault of frost.

After several seconds of silence, the crowd erupted into a frenzy of speculation about the identity of the person in question.

On a distant hillside, Mo Qinghong, Bai Zhixin, and others were gazing intently from afar.

"It seems that Bai Yeh's victory over Ye Qian wasn't just a fluke," Bai Zhixin murmured to herself.

"What does it matter? Guan Chengfei is the weakest among the Inner Sect disciples. His skills are inferior, so his demise was inevitable. However, Senior Brother Mo is a different story. A mere Bai Yeh stands no chance against him!"

"Exactly. This loser is going down!" chuckled the people beside her.

"Bai Yeh is audacious indeed. It's one thing to provoke me, but to disrespect Lin Zhengshu as well? Lin Zhengshu is no Guan Chengfei. He may not be on the Tiger Dragon Ranking, but his strength is on par with those who are. Plus, he's one to retaliate from the shadows, never directly. Once I've crippled Bai Yeh's cultivation, Lin Zhengshu will likely make sure he meets a grim fate," Mo Qinghong said, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched the man in white.