“You useless, cowardly old mutt! Is this what a ’Third Demon General’ amounts to? Sneaking up on a junior like a rat in heat?”
He scoffed, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Maybe next time, go back to licking boots in the Demonic Sect kennel. At least there, no one expects you to act like a man.”
Gou You’s expression twisted into something monstrous.
But Bai Zihan was far from finished.
“What’s wrong? Can’t handle words after failing to kill someone? That punch of yours—what was that? A soft massage? My Great Great Grandmother hits harder than that, and she’s been dead for years!”
Even the crowd twitched at that one.
“And don’t give me that look, you old sack of bones. You’re lucky Grand Elder Bai Ren was here to babysit you. If it weren’t for him, you’d be decorating the ground right now like the disgrace you are!”
That’s when the Elders finally moved.
“Little Ancestor, please stop!”
They had no choice.
As much as they sympathized with his rage, Bai Zihan was one insult away from publicly declaring war.
And more importantly, he was running out of curse words.
“Tch! That old dog is lucky that Grand Elder Bai Ren is stopping him from dying right here!”
The Elders rolled their eyes.
(Please, can you stop bragging for a second?)
Although they agreed he was no longer a waste and now one of the strongest in the younger generation, killing Gou You was still a long way off for him.
But there was no need to reprimand their heir who was showing off to everyone else.
The Crimson Demon Sect’s elders were all embarrassed because of Mo Tianji and needed to shift their attention.
And what better way than to remind everyone of the original goal?
“Everyone, we need to take care of the one who got the Inheritance! Don’t get caught up in other people’s problems.”
With those words, the attention finally returned to Bai Xinyue.
“What shall we do, Young Master?”
The Elders of the Bai Clan asked worriedly.
With Bai Zihan’s display of strength, they were now 100% certain he—and only he—deserved to be the next Sect Leader.
If he wished for Bai Xinyue’s death, then so be it.
Perhaps he could even obtain the Inheritance after her death, making him much stronger than he already was.
However, they also hoped for the opposite since Bai Xinyue was one of their own and despite the exile, she still had Bai Clan’s blood in her veins.
Bai Zihan looked at Bai Xinyue, whose only support seemed to be Qinglan and a few elders from the Heaven Sword Sect.
Although she looked like she had zero chance of surviving, with her being a Five-Star Heaven Chosen One, Bai Zihan was certain she could escape.
“Leave—”
(Save her!)
He wanted to leave her be, but it seemed the Remnant Soul wanted him to save her.
He could ignore her and leave Bai Xinyue to fend for herself—but he thought otherwise.
For one, he knew she wouldn’t die even without his help.
So by helping her, he was doing her a favor. Additionally, he was also doing a favor to Immortal Emperor Feilian.
And most importantly… saving her was easy for him.
“Tch! What are you all doing? Bring Bai Xinyue and take her with us!”
Bai Zihan quickly changed his words.
The Bai Clan Elders’ expressions lit up instantly, and they hurriedly nodded in agreement.
Bai Zihan’s words were heard by others.
“Too arrogant!”
“I agree he’s stronger than Mo Tianji, but don’t think you can take the Inheritance away so easily.”
“Against so many of us, even with the Bai Clan involved, what can they really do?”
…
They could only laugh at how arrogant those words sounded.
Bai Zihan spoke as if he didn’t even see those who were about to attack Bai Xinyue.
(Just what is he thinking?)
Bai Xinyue was stunned and confused about what Bai Zihan was planning.
She knew he wasn’t doing this out of kindness, and although his words sounded like he was going to help her—she didn’t trust him.
On the other hand, Qinglan was relieved that the Bai Clan was going to help protect Bai Xinyue.
With Bai Clan members getting involved, the chances of protecting Bai Xinyue increased.
After all, if the Bai Clan decided to shield Bai Xinyue, their allies might follow.
Though, of course, some might still side with the enemy to get their hands on the Immortal Emperor’s Inheritance.
Bai Zihan turned to face everyone.
He stood there with a smug smile.
“You all are really pushing my buttons,” Bai Zihan said.
He raised his hand casually, like a king addressing his subjects.
“I’ll make this clear once—Bai Xinyue will return to the Bai Clan.”
He turned, his eyes sweeping over the gathered crowd like a blade.
“Whoever tries to stop that…”
He smirked.
“…will face the consequences!”
The air trembled slightly—not from Qi, but from the weight of his sheer arrogance.
“Hah!”
Someone from the Demonic Sect laughed, clutching his stomach.
“Does he think he’s a god?”
“What a joke!”
“This isn’t the Bai Clan’s territory, brat! Who do you think you’re talking to?!”
…
Others joined in, laughing as if they’d heard the greatest comedy of the century.
But Bai Zihan didn’t even blink.
He waved a hand behind him and said lazily, “Elders, go. Bring Bai Xinyue. I don’t have time to waste here.”
The Bai Clan elders paused—but decided to follow the order. After all, they needed to protect Bai Xinyue anyway.
They didn’t fully understand why he was doing this, but as long as Bai Zihan ordered it—they obeyed.
However, not everyone was willing to stand by and watch.
“I’ve had enough of your nonsense!”
A burly man in silver robes growled, Qi flaring around him.
He belonged to the Crimson Thunder Palace, and behind him stood their proudest genius—though not even one of them had made it to the third trial inside the Ancient Ruins.
“You think your words mean anything here? The Inheritance belongs to whoever takes it!”
He stepped forward aggressively, eyes locked on Bai Xinyue.
Qinglan moved protectively, fingers tightening around her sword hilt.
Bai Xinyue narrowed her eyes, already sensing the killing intent.
She began channeling her Spirit Severing Realm Qi, prepared to counter.
But before either of them could react—
Snap!
Bai Zihan casually snapped his fingers.
BOOM!
An ear-splitting explosion tore through the air as a figure behind the Crimson Thunder Palace elder was blasted backward like a ragdoll.
Everyone froze!
One of the Crimson Thunder Palace’s geniuses was sent flying, blood gushing from his mouth.
His barrier had been shattered as if it never existed.
He slammed into the ground several meters away, crumpling like a broken puppet.
Dead silence followed.
Then panic.
“W-What?!”
“What just happened?!”
“Who attacked?!”
…
All eyes turned back to Bai Zihan, who hadn’t moved an inch from his spot.
He casually dusted off his sleeve, as if flicking away dirt.
“That was your warning,” Bai Zihan said, voice calm and cold.
“You make another move—and all your geniuses will suffer the same fate.”
Everyone who had been sneering a moment ago now stood stiffly, their faces pale—especially the other geniuses from the Crimson Thunder Palace.
The explosion hadn’t come from any visible technique.
No chant.
No hand seal.
No weapon drawn.
Just a snap!
Bai Zihan’s smug smile returned.
“I don’t need to waste words.”
His eyes swept across the other sects and clans.
“You want to try again? Be my guest. But know that you’re gambling with your sect’s future.”
