"Is this really a protective spell?" someone asked in confusion, their eyes heavy with concern.
Yet Xu Lin was struggling to speak.
Before even approaching the Geng Metal Qi, his hand had already been gashed with sharp energy, bleeding profusely. It was far more than just a simple protective spell!
Chen Ye gave him no chance to catch his breath.
He flicked his fingertips lightly.
Several streams of Geng Metal Qi, like the bone-devouring poison, bypassed Xu Lin’s long sword and directly targeted the major acupuncture points around his body!
Xu Lin was shocked and hurriedly withdrew his sword to defend, only to be driven into a state of fluster by those small strands of Geng Metal Qi, appearing extremely haggard!
Chen Ye leisurely manipulated the Geng Metal Qi, which under his control, sometimes transformed into sharp blades and other times into ropes, swirling around Xu Lin.
"Swish!"
A golden light flashed, severing the hair bun on Xu Lin’s head, letting his long hair fall messily.
"Swish!"
Another golden light flickered, slicing the jade belt at his waist, causing his elegant robe to loosen.
Under the pressure of the Geng Metal Qi, Xu Lin was forced into a predicament, his movements becoming increasingly frantic and his appearance awkward.
"Not bad, it’s said that the Xu family is skilled in dance, and it’s indeed true!"
Chen Ye watched the flailing Xu Lin and smiled leisurely.
This was simply a taunt!
The faces of the many Xu family members turned ashen.
While Xu Lin’s face, already darkened, now flushed to the color of liver, he roared in fury, driven by anger to muster all his spiritual power for one final strike!
However, everyone understood.
How could Xu Lin stand a chance against Chen Ye? It was merely Xu Lin acting on impulse due to his fury.
"Enough! Xu Lin, spare his life. Our Xu family practices benevolence, not like the Tribulation Cultivators who are eager to fight!"
In the crowd, an elder Foundation Establishment cultivator, who had been resting with eyes closed, abruptly opened his eyes. A massive pressure from a Foundation Establishment cultivator erupted, intending to stop this farce before Xu Lin was defeated!
Under the pressure, Xu Lin regained his senses, realizing his impulsiveness, and sneered, "Uncle Xu speaks rightly, I will not argue with you!"
"Oh?"
However, at the moment the elder moved.
Black hair like ink, a long sword like water, a bright silhouette gracefully landed before the elder.
Mao Qingzhu’s black hair was loosely tied back with a plain jade pin, with a few strands hanging by her cheeks, clad in a plain green robe, serene and elegant.
Yet her phoenix eyes were fierce, with the sword point directly facing the elder:
"There’s no first place in literature, but in martial arts, there’s no second place. If it’s a magical battle, naturally, there must be a victor. If seeking peace, those who know they’re outmatched should concede."
She smiled lightly, her tone gentle, but with sword intent lingering endlessly, refusing even half a step back.
The elder’s face darkened, not expecting this young girl from the Mao family to dare to block him!
Yet... yet he was indeed no match for her.
If not for his declining vitality, why would he be a guardian for juniors?
During this brief stalemate, the situation on the field had already reached a conclusion.
"Not dancing anymore? Then die for me."
Chen Ye murmured softly,
The dozens of strands of Geng Metal Qi instantly combined into one, forming a golden sword that pointed at Xu Lin’s sword-wielding wrist!
"Ah——!"
Xu Lin screamed miserably, unable to hold his long sword anymore; with a clatter, it fell to the ground!
Immediately after, the golden sword steadied, hovering just three inches before his forehead!
The ominous Sword Qi cut his brow painfully!
"I... I..."
Xu Lin sat collapsed on the ground, already drenched in cold sweat, staring at the Geng Metal Qi before him, feeling his soul scattered, unable to utter a complete sentence.
"You just said. An adult does not bear grudges against a petty person, but a petty person must know when they’re wrong. Now..."
Chen Ye slowly walked to Xu Lin, looking down at him from a height, his mouth curling into a cold arc:
"Do you know, where you went wrong?"
Xu Lin held his bleeding wrist, the pain, fear, and exhaustion of spiritual power nearly caused him to black out.
He couldn’t help but look around helplessly.
In the dim sight, the cultivators of the Xu family were already intercepted by a graceful figure, leaving no one to save him.
"Ah!"
The next moment, the Geng Metal Qi advanced another inch.
His brow was torn, blood smearing his vision.
Xu Lin wailed in terror, heedlessly pleading for mercy, tears streaming down his face as he kowtowed on the ground:
"Steward Chen... no, Senior Chen! It was my fault! I failed to recognize greatness! Please... please forget a petty man’s mistakes and spare my life!"
His plea for mercy struck the others like a slap to their faces.
Even the composed Xu Qingsong couldn’t maintain his demeanor, gritting his teeth:
"Fool! You’ve truly embarrassed our Xu family!"
As if to compensate, another Xu family cultivator shouted:
"Xu Lin, do you really think he dares to kill you? Foolish! The young master noticed your lack of diligence in cultivation, indulging in pleasures, ranking last among our Xu family disciples, and that’s why he wanted Steward Chen to teach you... Though Steward Chen is ruthless, how can you plead for mercy?"
Enough.
The Xu family always had endless excuses.
No wonder Sister Qingzhu had been secluded in Divine Mist Valley, probably used to these faces.
Chen Ye smirked slightly: "So Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer cultivator is the weakest in Xu family... Then how about you all come at me together?"
He, Chen Ye, feared nothing more than a group fight!
Since advancing to Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, he wielded abundant spiritual power to use Geng Metal Qi, capable of defeating many with few, aided by the Cyan Wave Sword Control Technique... fighting a few cultivators with lower cultivation was effortless!