48: Huh? Oh my god?

The sword light let out a sharp, space-tearing whistle, aimed directly at the Third Elder's Face.

"Who?!"

The Third Elder's hair stood on end. Years of combat instinct left him no time to think; he violently twisted his body and swung his sword, blocking the ancient longsword in front of him.

"Clang—!"

The sound of the impact was deafening. The moment the green sword light collided with the ancient longsword, a blinding spiritual light erupted.

The Third Elder felt a surge of immense power travel through the sword blade. His arm instantly went numb, and the webbing between his thumb and forefinger split, oozing blood. He was actually shaken by this sudden sword light, retreating several meters before managing to stabilize himself, the bluestone floor tiles beneath his feet crushed to powder.

Just as the situation changed, a figure in green robes appeared in front of Li Pingan and the other.

The Third Elder's Face was full of rage as he spat out word by word: "Bai Tang!"

Li Pingan was stunned for a moment, then broke into a smile: "Senior!"

Xiao Lingxian narrowed her eyes slightly. She remembered that back at the entrance of the Secret Realm, this person seemed to have bowed to her Revered Master. Could it be someone Revered Master knows?

Bai Tang gave a grunt of acknowledgment without turning his head: "Don't worry, this old scoundrel won't be able to do anything to you today."

He looked at the Third Elder and sneered: "A dignified Golden Core Realm Elder, yet here you are making things difficult for two Juniors. You've completely thrown away the Face of the Azure Nether Sword Sect, you old scoundrel."

The Third Elder's gaze was venomous, and his Face turned ashen as he roared: "Bai Tang, why has your swordsmanship improved so much? Does your Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect really want to meddle in others' business? Think carefully—is one Crimson Firmament Sect not enough, and you want to add the Leaving Fire Pavilion too?"

Beside him, Chu Linger, Heavenly Pride of Li Huo Pavilion said sinisterly: "Greetings, Senior Bai. I wonder what Senior means by this?"

Facing the Third Elder's threats, the corner of Bai Tang's mouth curled into a faint smile: "Don't threaten me with that empty talk. If you really have the ability, go talk to the Three-foot Green Peak in my hand."

"Defeat me, and I'll accept whatever you say."

The Third Elder's expression shifted. The tempers of those from the Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect were each fouler than the last.

From that previous sword strike, he already knew the gap between them. If they really fought, he certainly wouldn't come out on top. He had only intended to earn some favor with the Leaving Fire Pavilion.

It wasn't worth fighting this brute; the loss would outweigh the gain!

He snorted coldly and threw out a parting threat: "Bai Tang, don't get ahead of yourself. I'll remember this sword strike today."

"Oh?"

The longsword in Bai Tang's hand unsheathed an inch, and green Sword Qi swirled around him, causing the debris on the ground to float up.

"Remember it? Then let me deepen that impression for you."

Seeing this, the Third Elder didn't dare stay any longer. He violently circulated his internal Spiritual Qi, and his figure instantly vanished from the spot, shooting toward the edge of the plaza. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from everyone's sight, leaving only a roar from afar:

"Bai Tang! You just wait!"

"The old thing sure runs fast!" Bai Tang sheathed his sword, withdrew his aura, and looked at Li Pingan.

"Good, truly good! Not seeing you for just a few days, and your strength has improved so much. Even the Prodigy of the Leaving Fire Pavilion is no match for you."

"I reckon that fellow from my Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect isn't your match either. With such talent, you could truly be called the number one person among the younger generation in the Eastern Region."

Li Pingan scratched his head sheepishly and said shyly: "Senior, I'm still far from it. My Senior Sister and Junior Brother—the talent of those two is not inferior to mine."

"And this Junior Sister beside me!"

Bai Tang smiled faintly, taking it as Li Pingan's modesty. This little girl in red—aside from her looks, he didn't see anything special about her.

The only slightly surprising thing was her Qi Refining Seventh Layer Realm, but if she had started practicing from a young age, it wasn't particularly outstanding.

Xiao Lingxian observed the man's appearance, feeling a bit strange. She hadn't heard Revered Master mention such a friend?

Bai Tang smiled and said: "This divine soul stele is of great benefit to a Cultivator's Divine Soul. You two can meditate on it again. Such an Opportunity is hard to come by."

Li Pingan and Xiao Lingxian looked at each other, both with a hint of worry in their eyes.

Bai Tang seemed to sense their concerns and laughed: "Don't worry. As long as I, Bai, and my sword are here, the experts of the Leaving Fire Pavilion won't be able to touch you."

Li Pingan hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Senior."

Bai Tang waved his hand and said with a hearty smile: "It's just a small effort. If anyone should be thanking anyone, it should be me thanking you."

Seeing Li Pingan and Xiao Lingxian return to the ten-meter radius of the divine soul stele to sit and Cultivate, Chu Linger, Heavenly Pride of Li Huo Pavilion bit her lip and said in a heavy voice: "Senior Bai, do you really want to offend my Leaving Fire Pavilion for these two?"

Bai Tang glanced at her sideways and said calmly: "For the sake of you being a Junior, I won't use my sword against you. I'll give you ten breaths to leave this place immediately."

"My Revered Master is the Grand Elder of the Leaving Fire Pavilion, Daoist Fentian."

"Ten... nine..."

Two Leaving Fire Pavilion Outer Sect Elders came to Chu Linger, Heavenly Pride of Li Huo Pavilion's side and advised: "Young Miss, the people of the Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect are notoriously stubborn. The experts of our Leaving Fire Pavilion haven't arrived yet; let's avoid his edge for now and get back at him later."

Chu Linger, Heavenly Pride of Li Huo Pavilion clenched her fists, her eyes looking venomously at the dark-skinned youth sitting in meditation.

She whispered: "Let's go!"

"Huh? The people from the Leaving Fire Pavilion actually left in disgrace? Where's the Face of a Hegemon-level Force?"

"Nonsense, if they don't leave, are they waiting to be humiliated further? Even the Second Elder of the Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect has taken action. Do you expect Chu Linger, Heavenly Pride of Li Huo Pavilion to fight a Golden Core Expert?"

"Could this Dao Seeking Sect be a subordinate force of the Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect? Otherwise, it doesn't make sense at all. First, at the entrance of the Secret Realm, the sect's high-level officials protected the Dao Seeking Sect even at the cost of going to war with the Crimson Firmament Sect. Now, in this Spirit Void Secret Realm, they're actually standing up to the Leaving Fire Pavilion."

"I feel like there's a storm brewing in the Eastern Region."

"What the hell are you feeling? With such a good Opportunity, hurry up and Cultivate."

...Elsewhere in the Secret Realm!

Two Red-Striped Leopards, covered in dark red scales with five golden lightning patterns running down their backs and baring their claws and fangs, were guarding a Snake Saliva Fruit Tree. This was a grade-three Spirit Medicine that could enhance one's state of mind after consumption.

"Wanqing, go give them two big slaps and get that snake saliva fruit for Revered Master."

Mu Wanqing was shocked and pointed at herself: "Ah? Me?"

"Who else? Do you expect Revered Master to do it personally?" Chen Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the scene below.

Mu Wanqing's round, oval Face was full of reluctance. She said softly: "Revered Master, those are two Qi Refining Ninth Layer Yao Beasts."

"With my small frame, if I go, won't I just be a full meal for them?"

"Revered Master is here to back you up, what are you afraid of?" Chen Xuan continued to urge his Eldest Disciple to exchange a few blows.

Mu Wanqing was, after all, a young lady from a scholarly family.

If asked to teach two Cultivators a lesson, she could agree without hesitation. But facing two ferocious Yao Beasts, she really lacked confidence.

"Revered Master, I heard from Junior Brother that the snake saliva fruit is bitter and astringent, and tastes terrible. We should focus on our journey and hurry to find Junior Brother and Junior Sister."