At last, Lü Yang understood.
"I can't leave!"
This wasn't because he was moved by Xiao Shiye's final act, but because he suddenly realized something that sent chills down his spine.
"In the end, why did I follow Xiao Shiye?"
"I should have gone to Zhao Xuhe immediately to claim the other half of that third-grade true technique from my past life—the Nine Transformations Dragon Art."
But what happened?
He followed Xiao Shiye to the Merit Pool just out of curiosity?
The Merit Pool's grand prize could only be drawn once a year, and he had already used his chance for this year. Going to the Merit Pool with Xiao Shiye was completely pointless. Why would he do something with no benefit?
This didn't make sense!
In an instant, Lü Yang felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his head, his hands and feet turning cold: "Who's influencing me? Tampering with my thoughts?"
"No."
After this realization, Lü Yang instantly understood.
Why did he accompany Xiao Shiye to the Merit Pool? Because Xiao Shiye needed him! Otherwise, Xiao Shiye would be the sole target of a powerful enemy!
But now, he had an outside helper!
If Xiao Shiye was a chosen one with boundless luck, then he was just an unlucky character in the story, destined to be a shield for the chosen one in times of danger!
Splitting up in this situation? That would only draw fire!
Lü Yang was 100% certain that if they split up, he would be the one caught and killed in the end, while Xiao Shiye would escape unscathed!
"Too insidious,"
Lü Yang exhaled deeply. Xiao Shiye, this chosen one, was playing the trick of diverting calamity, and any disciple of the Holy Sect would inevitably fall for it.
Because there were no good people among the disciples of the Holy Sect. If someone volunteered to cover their retreat, other Holy Sect disciples would be overjoyed, shed a few crocodile tears, and then run away without hesitation.
However, doing so would very likely turn them into Xiao Shiye's shield.
Unfortunately, Xiao Shiye had encountered Lü Yang. Xiao Shiye was convinced there were no good people in the Holy Sect, which was why he devised this plan. But Lü Yang thought the same way.
No good people in the Holy Sect? Only you, Xiao Shiye, are good?
I don't believe it!
So, no matter how eloquently you spoke, no matter how fearless you appeared, Lü Yang would first assume you weren't a good person, then deduce what evil deeds you intended to do!
That's right—Lü Yang drew his conclusion first!
Because of this, he wasn't blinded by appearances and took the time to examine himself, finally discovering the real problem. Otherwise, he would have been utterly ruined!
At the same time, Liu Xin, who had been in pursuit, also saw Xiao Shiye charging toward him and Lü Yang standing motionless not far away. He thought to himself, "To catch the thief, catch the king first. Xiao Shiye's cultivation is low and easy to deal with. It's safer to deal with Lü Yang first."
Before Liu Xin could finish his thought, a loud explosion suddenly rang out.
Boom!
The next second, a magnificent sword light tore through the clouds. But instead of fleeing, it arrived beside Xiao Shiye under his astonished gaze.
"Brother Xiao, we hit it off immediately. How could I, Lü Yang, abandon you?"
"A mere petty thief—what is there to fear with us joining forces?"
Lü Yang spoke with boundless pride.
Xiao Shiye was dumbfounded.
Could it be that he had miscalculated and truly encountered a good person in the Holy Sect?
"Impossible!"
Xiao Shiye instantly snapped back to reality. Realizing that Lü Yang, seemingly fighting alongside him, was actually tightly shielding him in front, his face darkened.
What good person? This was a bad person!
"Brother Lü, it was all a misunderstanding."
Xiao Shiye smiled bitterly, knowing Lü Yang had seen through his plan. He couldn't help but say softly, "Now that things have come to this, why don't we truly join forces?"
"Join forces? Fine."
Lü Yang sneered, then threw Xiao Shiye toward the others besides Liu Xin. Xiao Shiye immediately cursed, "You shameless bastard, Lü Yang!"
Seeing this from a distance, Liu Xin burst into laughter. Although he didn't know what had happened between Lü Yang and Xiao Shiye, it seemed they had clearly argued. This suited him perfectly—after all, he had no obligation to appease his enemy. If the enemy had a problem, he could kick them while they were down!
Thinking this, Liu Xin immediately changed his plan and shouted to the others,
"You trap Xiao Shiye. I'll deal with Lü Yang."
After giving the order, Liu Xin rode a beam of light toward Lü Yang. However, at that moment, he saw Lü Yang suddenly smile.
Something was wrong!
The next second, Lü Yang's figure disappeared.
Almost simultaneously, a sword light suddenly erupted from Xiao Shiye, who was already surrounded by others, and Lü Yang stepped out from within it!
Divine Firmament Sword Control Art!
Wherever the sword light reached, he arrived instantly!
Liu Xin instantly recalled the conversation between Lü Yang and Xiao Shiye. Their supposed alliance wasn't mockery—it was a tacit understanding!
The two had perfectly grasped each other's meaning and even put on a convincing performance, successfully deceiving him and creating a perfect opportunity: throwing the poised Lü Yang into a group of unprepared cultivators, the highest of whom were only at the mid-stage of Qi Refining!
Liu Xin's expression instantly changed drastically, and he shouted, "Scatter!"
"Too late!"
Lü Yang sneered, his sword pellet blooming like a peacock's tail. However, compared to before, this time the sword light was stained with a deep crimson.
In an instant, Lü Yang exhaled, his body transforming into a blood shadow and merging with the sword pellet. Then a scarlet light screen, like flames and blood, rose up. The divine light, centered on Lü Yang, swept in all directions, like a raging fire staining the land with blood, engulfing everyone in the blink of an eye!
Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Light!
Even in broad daylight, the cultivators swept by the blood light felt a chilling aura, as if falling into an ice cave, engulf their entire bodies—and then lost consciousness.
When the divine light dissipated, all that remained besides the still-shaken Xiao Shiye were empty human skins falling from the sky.
Their flesh and blood had been completely devoured by the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Light, making the red glow on Lü Yang's sword pellet appear even more sinister.
The next second, the sword pellet trembled slightly, and a blood-red shadow materialized, revealing Lü Yang's appearance.
He stared intently, seeing Liu Xin standing blankly in the distance as if in a dream, and burst into laughter: "So it's Senior Brother Liu!"
Before the words were even finished, he flew forward on his sword!
He hadn't forgotten the grudge of being instantly refined as "talent material" in his past life. He wanted revenge for his past self!
Yesterday's grudge was like a thorn in his back!
Today, don't blame him!
Lü Yang slashed with his sword. Liu Xin, who had just witnessed the power of the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Light, immediately turned grim and tried to retreat.
"Trying to escape?" Lü Yang didn't hesitate, pursuing him on his sword.
Seeing this, Liu Xin hurriedly shouted, "Qingchen, release the seal!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the illusory mirage that had previously sealed off the surroundings suddenly shattered, and a beautiful figure slowly emerged—it was Fairy Qingchen.
The magical artifact that had just enveloped this sea of clouds was her "Nine Palaces Dust-Melting Cloth." Hidden within the cloth was a grand nine-palaces array, capable of containing all things, trapping heaven and earth, and restricting a region. Originally intended to prevent her target's escape, it unexpectedly backfired, blocking Liu Xin's path to survival.
Seeing Fairy Qingchen appear, Liu Xin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The next second, he rode his escape light to Fairy Qingchen's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, his expression grave as he looked at the pursuing Lü Yang and Xiao Shiye.
The two exchanged glances.
After a moment, Liu Xin spoke in a low voice: "Xi... can we reconcile?"