376: Chapter 376 Why is it so difficult?

"My lady, no need to say more. I've said before that I don't mind your identity being known. However, this man named Wu brazenly tried to reveal it, clearly instigated by someone behind the scenes. So, I simply killed him."

Lin Xiao smiled, "It's fine as long as you don't blame me."

"How could I?!" Xiao Qingxuan shook her head vigorously. "If it weren't for my husband's wisdom and decisiveness, I wouldn't have even reacted yet."

"Actually, thinking about it carefully, when Western Shu fell, so many loyal officials died rather than surrender, yet Wu Zike returned to the Academy perfectly fine. There must have been a problem."

A hint of coldness flashed in Xiao Qingxuan's eyes. "Looking at it now, he must have been a mole sent by the Dagan Imperial Family and the Academy."

"Yes... It seems Emperor Hong already knows your identity, but he doesn't dare to speak of it openly. He only dares to send such double-dealing scoundrels to cause us trouble."

Lin Xiao said with a sneer, "For a monarch of a nation to use such petty tricks is truly beneath him."

"Husband, didn't you say before that our Xie Family didn't know Qingxuan was the Empress? Why would the Emperor know?" Xie Juner asked curiously.

Mu Wanying curled her lip. "Silly Juner, this world still belongs to the Li family, not the Xie Family. Isn't it perfectly reasonable that the Imperial Family knows even if you don't?"

Xie Juner thought about it and realized she was right, laughing awkwardly. "But husband is so clever. I was panicking just now, but it turns out we could just kill him to end it all. How satisfying!"

"This is what they call 'absolute strength overcomes all tricks.' Any schemes or plots are just self-inflicted humiliation in front of my husband," Zhao Caiwei praised.

Lin Xiao tasted a slice of orange peeled by Su Wansha and smiled sweetly, "Alright, it's just killing one person, no big deal."

"That wasn't just anyone; that was a Master of the Academy," Su Wansha mentioned.

"I've killed Prince Bai, the Golden Tent Khan, and the Grand Shaman. What does a Master of the Academy count for?" Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow.

Hearing this, the women all laughed uncontrollably. Put that way, it made sense!

At that moment, Lin Xiao noticed that sitting on the stage with all these women had made him the center of attention for the entire venue.

To Lin Xiao, there weren't many people on the field worth noting. Only the two major sects, Blade Mountain and the Sword Forest, had brought some unusual characters.

Those two 'distinguished guests' Xiao Dan mentioned yesterday who were coming last minute must be them...

[Guan Canghai, 135 years old, Sword Saint of the Sword Forest, Aptitude: Heaven Grade, Clear Sword Heart]

[Boundary: Great Grandmaster]

[Traits: Martial Arts Myth (Legendary), Great Grandmaster (Special), Instant Comprehension (Special)]

Although this Sword Saint was over a hundred years old, he looked to be in his early fifties. He even had a full head of black hair, looking like a handsome older man.

Considering his age and talent, Lin Xiao even felt that his future boundary might have a chance to surpass Xiao Dan's.

After all, the trait 'Instant Comprehension' meant his Comprehension Ability was extremely high.

On the other side, Blade Mountain had also brought their greatest backer...

[Wuming (Real name: Ji Wuming), 115 years old, Blade Emperor of Blade Mountain, Right Protector of the Moon Worship Cult, Aptitude: Heaven Grade, Peerless Strength]

[Boundary: Great Grandmaster]

[Traits: Martial Arts Myth (Legendary), Great Grandmaster (Special), Mountain-Toppling Power (Special)]

Lin Xiao couldn't help but be startled. Could this guy be the brother of Ji Wujiu, Prince Bai's grandfather?!

After all, that Ji Wujiu was the Supreme Elder of Blade Mountain.

It's just that the Blade Emperor used 'Wuming' as his name, so perhaps not many people knew of this relationship.

And... Right Protector of the Moon Worship Cult? This was getting interesting.

That Leader of the Moon Worship Cult could actually have a Great Grandmaster as a protector? Then what exactly was his background?

Lin Xiao even suspected that the person who forced Great Elder Chaka and the others from the Ten Thousand Poison Cave to set an ambush for him here was the Blade Emperor.

After all, if he really was Ji Wujiu's biological brother, then since Lin Xiao had killed Ji Wujiu and Prince Bai, he was definitely his enemy.

Furthermore, he might have unintentionally destroyed the Moon Worship Cult's infiltration into the Northern Border.

"Interesting..."

Lin Xiao couldn't help but wonder if the Moon Worship Cult also wanted to get its hands on the empire.

If Prince Bai actually had the support of the Moon Worship Cult behind him, then Prince Bai might have just been a puppet—at least, he wouldn't have known it himself.

And his own sudden emergence had disrupted the Moon Worship Cult's plans, making him a thorn in their side.

If that were the case, the attack by the Ten Thousand Poison Cave was just a prelude.

The opponent was likely testing his strength to see if things like poison were effective before thinking of other methods...

A surge of anger rose in Lin Xiao's heart. Damn it, I didn't ask for great wealth or power when I transmigrated to this world; I just wanted to live well. Why is it so hard!?

These people really deserve to die!!

Meanwhile, the Sword Saint and the Blade Emperor were also observing Lin Xiao.

"Master, what the Prince of Zhenbei used just now was sword qi, right?"

The current sect leader of the Sword Forest, Bai Jingfei, was a refined and elegant middle-aged man.

Because Lin Xiao had moved too fast and the distance was far, he couldn't be certain.

"Correct. Not only was it sword qi, but it was also an extremely exquisite sword technique cultivated to a very high level, likely immortal grade."

Guan Canghai took a sip of tea, his eyes showing a deep sense of interest.

"To be able to see this strike, this trip has already been worthwhile."

Bai Jingfei and the others looked shocked. One had to know that Guan Canghai's pursuit of the Way of the Sword was demanding to the extreme.

Among his many disciples, only Bai Jingfei, Ding Cuihua, and the traitor Shu Yelan could gain his recognition.

For their old master to say such words, the Prince of Zhenbei, who was only in his early twenties, was truly a monster!

At the same time.

In the Blade Mountain camp, a disciple who looked only twelve or thirteen years old, with a shaved head and heavy dark circles under his eyes, was looking at Lin Xiao with an aggressive gaze.

This person was Child Ghost, ranked first on the prodigy rankings. Because he had practiced the Three-Life Death Blade, which was heavily imbued with Yin-Shattering energy, since childhood, he would have nightmares whenever he slept. He almost never slept, so he hadn't grown much in height.

"Master, he's so strong. I want to fight him."

The Blade Emperor beside him was not like the rough blade-wielder many imagined.

He had a slender build and looked like a kind, sage-like old man.

"For this person to have his current status, he is not just a man of empty reputation. You wouldn't even be able to take one move from him, so forget it."

Child Ghost frowned, unconvincingly saying, "I don't believe it."

"If you take first place, I will set aside my old face and seek an opportunity for you to ask him for guidance," the Blade Emperor said.

Child Ghost was delighted. "It's a deal!"

As the heavyweight guests all arrived, the Old Celestial Master Xiao Dan, accompanied by several disciples, walked out with a kind and gentle expression.

Everyone present stood up to salute, including the Sword Saint and the Blade Emperor, to express their respect for the martial arts legend and titan of the world.

Lin Xiao saw that following behind the Old Celestial Master were not only Gou Qizi, who was dressed up quite decently, but also the flying fanatic Fangfengzi, and Taoist Xinyizi, who was said to be quite ruthless.

Behind Taoist Xinyizi followed a young girl priestess with two hair buns. She was walking with her hands and feet in sync, extremely nervous, her face flushed red.

"Xiao Yangliu! Go Xiao Yangliu!"

"Your senior brothers support you!"

When the disciples of the Dao Sect saw their junior sister, they all howled like a pack of dogs. This Xiao Yangliu clearly held the status of the sect's darling.

Xiao Yangliu suddenly panicked and hurriedly nodded her thanks to the senior brothers on both sides, her smile looking no different from crying.

Taoist Xinyizi was quite beautiful, but her features carried a cold and fierce air. As her gaze swept over the Dao Sect disciples on both sides, they immediately fell silent.

Just then, Child Ghost from Blade Mountain suddenly stood up, pulled out a Ghost-Head Blade that was not much smaller than himself, and waved it at Xiao Yangliu.

Then, Child Ghost directly made a throat-slitting gesture, the intent to intimidate being self-evident.

Xiao Yangliu was so scared that she hurriedly hugged her master, her already pale little face turning even paler.

Taoist Xinyizi patted the child's head and looked toward the Blade Emperor with dissatisfaction.

"Senior Wuming, your disciple has gone too far!"

The Blade Emperor chuckled, "A child's temper, don't mind it."

He pulled Child Ghost down, but clearly had no intention of reprimanding his disciple.

The people from the various sects present didn't think much of it either. In an occasion like the Tianwu Grand Tournament, one had to be aggressive!

If everyone was polite and friendly, what would be the point of fighting?

As the eldest present and the host, Xiao Dan naturally wouldn't intervene in such a small matter.

"Fellow martial arts friends, welcome to the Dao Sect to participate in the quinquennial martial arts grand event, the Tianwu Grand Tournament!"

"I am very happy today, for not only have I met two old friends, Guan Canghai and Wuming, but we are also honored to have the esteemed Prince of Zhenbei!"

Speaking to this point, Xiao Dan politely bowed to Lin Xiao, and Lin Xiao responded with a smile and a nod.

This humble attitude of the Old Celestial Master shocked many heroes in the martial arts world.

Logically, the court and the martial arts world were separate entities that didn't interfere with each other.

But this bow from the Old Celestial Master made the status clear: the Prince of Zhenbei truly stood above even this martial arts legend!

"This session of the Tianwu Grand Tournament, with the participation of several distinguished guests, will surely go down in history!"

"I hope the young juniors in the martial arts world can seize this opportunity to make a name for themselves throughout the world in one battle!"

"I announce that this Tianwu Grand Tournament has officially begun!"