Chapter 59: Bai Ruyue's Anger

The Second Elder wore a solemn expression and stood silently by.

Ever since she learned that Elder Wuqing had engaged in a life-or-death battle with a junior in Central Province, the Sect Master had rushed over with them in tow.

Along the entire journey, she could not fathom which junior in Central Province possessed such formidable audacity to challenge Elder Wuqing to the death. Aside from the First and Second Princes of the Great Xia Dynasty, surely no one else would dare be so bold.

However, the Second Elder was well aware that the First Prince had been guarding Youzhou for over a decade without ever taking a single step outside of it.

As for the Second Prince, his whereabouts remained entirely unknown, save for his return on a few specific days each year, making him an even more unlikely candidate.

Although the higher-ups of the Wangyue Sect were aware of the matter concerning Suyang, they had not taken it to heart. No matter how extraordinary one's talent might be, without resources for cultivation, how could someone rely solely on their own strength to overthrow the Wangyue Sect? The emergence of Wang Yiyi had astonished the elders, who unanimously regarded her as the successor to the next Wangyue Sect Master, naturally placing their full confidence in her.

Consequently, neither the First Elder nor the Second Elder recognized that the person currently cradled in Xuantian's arms was none other than Suyang—the very person who had challenged the entire Xuantian Sect and slain Elder Wuqing.

"Sect Master Yue, it seems your arrival is ill-timed," Xuantian said, genuinely surprised that Bai Ruyue had appeared at this juncture, accompanied by two elders. Presumably, someone must have notified the Wangyue Sect, prompting Bai Ruyue to rush over with reinforcements.

Unfortunately, she had arrived a step too late.

"Sect Master Xuan, it seems you won't be taking him away today," Bai Ruyue said in an icy tone.

"Oh? How so, Sect Master Yue? Surely you don't think you can keep me here?" Xuantian chuckled involuntarily.

"Sect Master Xuan, a sect elder of mine died at the hands of this brat. Are you truly intent on meddling in this matter?"

"Bai Ruyue, perhaps you are unaware, but this kid is now my disciple. Therefore, you cannot take him either." Xuantian's tone was grave, entirely unfazed by Bai Ruyue's glacial gaze.

At these words, all three of them fell silent.

The First Elder stepped forward and said, "Sect Master Xuan, even if he is your disciple, he has now slain an elder of our sect. Do you really expect to walk away with him just like that?"

"What? Your sect's elder entered into a life-or-death battle with my disciple. Everyone from the Liang Estate can testify to this. Your elder lacked the skill and died by my disciple's hand; could it be that the Wangyue Sect is a sore loser?" Knowing that reason was on his side, Xuantian felt no urgency, aware that if this turned into a protracted dispute, the Wangyue Sect would be the ones to suffer.

At that moment, Prince Liang also appeared beside Xuantian. Looking at Bai Ruyue, he smiled and said, "Sect Master Yue, I can personally testify that the two engaged in a life-or-death duel of their own accord, with no coercion whatsoever."

The Third Prince also stepped across the void and declared, "Sect Master Yue, this prince can also bear witness."

Seeing that both Prince Liang and the Third Prince were speaking up for Suyang, Bai Ruyue's expression grew even gloomier, though her voice remained as cold as ice. "It appears you all wish to make an enemy of the Wangyue Sect?"

"Sect Master Yue misunderstands. The Liang Estate has never wished to make an enemy of any faction; today's events simply unfolded as Sect Master Xuan described. I deeply regret the fall of Elder Wuqing, but rules are rules. I hope Sect Master Yue will restrain her grief."

"The Great Xia Dynasty has likewise never desired hostility with your esteemed sect, but this is the territory of our dynasty, the city of Central Province. Since the two engaged in a mortal duel, one was bound to survive. As long as he remains within Central Province City, at least for today, he will not die," the Third Prince added aggressively.

"You! Are you threatening our Sect Master?" The First Elder's tone was equally frigid.

"Elder He, so many people are watching. Do you truly wish to ruin the reputation of the Wangyue Sect?" Prince Liang's voice turned cold as well.

After all, today was his son's coming-of-age ceremony, and the guests had gathered primarily for that occasion, even if Suyang's confrontation was the ultimate climax.

Yet, as the master of the Liang Estate, he had a certain obligation to prevent any untoward harm to Suyang at this moment.

"By your meaning, once Sect Master Xuan takes this brat and leaves Central Province, I am free to act as I please?" Bai Ruyue dismissed their justifications and cut straight to the point.

Prince Liang and the Third Prince exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.

"Very well! In that case, I shall wait outside Central Province. I am curious to see what methods Sect Master Xuan possesses to carry him away." With a sweep of her long sleeves, Bai Ruyue flew over to the lifeless body of Elder Wuqing, lifted it into the air, and vanished into the void.

Watching the direction where the three had disappeared, Xuantian narrowed his eyes and muttered, "That madwoman... It seems she is playing for keeps this time."

"......Sect Master Xuan, if you had lost an Origin-realm elder, you would likely react the same way, would you not?" Prince Liang remarked with a peculiar expression.

"......" Xuantian was momentarily speechless.

Meanwhile, the Third Prince looked at the unconscious Suyang and suggested to Xuantian, "Sect Master Xuan, why don't you accompany me back to the imperial palace first?"

"Haha, I appreciate the Third Prince's kind intentions, but that won't be necessary."

"If Prince Liang does not mind, might I impose upon your estate for a day or two?" Declining the Third Prince's invitation, Xuantian turned to ask Prince Liang.

Prince Liang raised no objections and readily agreed.

Thus, Xuantian had no choice but to carry the unconscious Suyang back into the Liang Estate and begin treating his injuries.

With Bai Ruyue's departure, the incident finally drew to a close.

Though the outcome had greatly surpassed everyone's expectations, it left the onlookers with much to ponder.

One could only wonder whether the Wangyue Sect, having suffered the loss of an Origin-realm elder, would escalate the matter further.

...

On a distant rooftop, an elderly man gazed toward the Liang Estate, seemingly lost in deep thought.

Frowning deeply, he murmured in a low voice, "That aura of battle intent... There is no mistake. Could this youth carry the inheritance of *that* person?"

"This matter is of the utmost gravity. It seems I cannot afford to remain here."

"I must verify this as soon as possible. If this boy truly possesses that person's legacy, the entire Xuantian Continent may well face destruction..."

With those words, the old man vanished from the rooftop in an exceptionally bizarre manner.

Meanwhile, within the Dragon-Phoenix Tower, another figure stared fixedly at the Liang Estate, their eyes radiating the majestic might of a true dragon.

"Emperor Xia, why have you come as well?" asked a woman cradling a white cat, her voice as soft and delicate as a purring feline.

"Had I not come, I suspect you would have intervened as well," Emperor Xia said sternly.

"I... This concubine knows her wrong," the woman lowered her head in submission.

"Hmph! The struggle for the crown is strictly limited to the three princes; no one else is permitted to meddle. Do you truly believe that being my consort grants you the right to interfere? Do you take the Empress for a fool? Let me warn you, if there is a next time, this Dragon-Phoenix Tower will have no reason to exist."

At these words, the woman trembled violently, not daring to utter another syllable...