Azure Lotus Sword Immortal
The appearance of the white-clad swordsman instantly lowered the already tense atmosphere caused by the demonic attack to a freezing point. He simply stood there, and the chilling sword intent and extraordinary temperament emanating from him seemed to freeze and disperse the surrounding thick fog, forming an invisible domain.
"Leave the compass behind and exit the valley; this will save your life."
His words were devoid of any warmth or sentimentality, yet they contained an undeniable power, like a sword pointed at the throat.
Pei Qinhu felt the immense pressure, his muscles tensed instantly, and he growled, "Who are you? Do you own Longshan?"
Gongsun Li and Yang Yuhuan were also on high alert, their umbrellas, swords, and pipa strings already gleaming faintly. Yang Jian held his three-pointed double-edged sword horizontally in front of him, while his celestial hound lowered its body, letting out a threatening growl. Even Master Lu Ban secretly tightened his grip on a mechanism in his toolbox.
Only Yi Xing, after the initial shock, quickly calmed down. He stared at the white-clad swordsman, especially at the ancient longsword in his hand and the faint blue lotus phantom surrounding him. A name that was widely circulated in Chang'an came to mind.
"The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal... Li Bai?" Yi Xing tentatively asked, his voice weak due to his physical condition, yet it carried clearly through the silent misty valley.
The white-clad swordsman, Li Bai, raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this, a faint hint of surprise flashing in his indifferent eyes before returning to his usual calm: "Since you know my name, you should know that I always keep my word."
Having confirmed the other party's identity, everyone felt even more awe. Li Bai, this peerless swordsman who excelled in both poetry and swordsmanship and roamed the world, possessed a reputation and strength far surpassing ordinary martial arts masters. Why would he appear here, and why would he obstruct their search for the Origin Seed?
"A free bird will not linger on a fixed branch, but will stay to protect the scenery it loves; why does your sword point to this misty valley today?"
Yi Xing did not directly confront Li Bai, but instead probed Li Bai's intentions with words. This statement not only pointed out Li Bai's wandering nature, but also inquired about his motives for intervening.
Li Bai glanced at Yi Xing, then at the slightly trembling "Searching Disc" on his lap, and said calmly, "Deep within this valley, an ancient artifact is sealed, connected to an old friend. I will not allow anyone to disturb its peace, especially... someone carrying something that is clearly searching for energy." His gaze seemed to pierce through the thick fog, looking towards the deepest part of the valley, carrying a complex emotion that was difficult to describe.
Old things? Old friends?
Doubts arose in everyone's minds. Could this "source of life" have some connection with Li Bai?
"What we are looking for is the 'Source of Life' to save lives. We have no intention of offending your old friend," Yang Yuhuan explained softly, trying to defuse the hostility.
“The Source of Life?” Li Bai frowned slightly, then shook his head. “I don’t know what you mean by the Source. But I can sense that what you hold points to that sealed place. Whatever your purpose, this path is blocked.”
His attitude was firm, clearly leaving no room for negotiation.
Pei Qinhu had a fiery temper. Seeing that the other party was unyielding, he angrily said, "Why waste words with him! If you want to fight, then fight! Do you think I'm afraid of you?" With that, he unleashed his inner energy and was about to step forward.
"Ah Hu, don't be reckless!" Yi Xing hurriedly stopped him. The chances of winning against someone like Li Bai were slim, and besides, their purpose in coming here was to find the Origin Seed, not to make enemies.
However, just as the two sides were deadlocked and the atmosphere was tense, another unexpected event occurred!
"call out--!"
A faint yet incredibly sharp whistling sound suddenly came from the thick fog above and to the side! The target was not anyone in the arena, but rather the "Circulation Disc" on Yi Xing's knee!
This attack came too suddenly, and its speed was beyond imagination! Even Li Bai seemed slightly moved.
"Watch out!" Almost instinctively, Gongsun Li, who was closest to Yi Xing, suddenly turned the umbrella around, trying to block the hidden weapon.
"clang!"
With a crisp sound, the hidden weapon struck the sturdy umbrella surface; it turned out to be a poison needle as thin as a cow's hair and entirely black! The needle tip was a deep blue, clearly coated with a potent poison!
However, the attack was not over! The instant the first poison needle was blocked, the second, the third... a total of seven poison needles, like a torrential rain, enveloped all of Yi Xing's dodging space from different angles! The ruthlessness and timing of the attack far surpassed that of the previous "Faceless One"!
They were assassins from the "Shadow Pavilion"! And there was more than one! They had been lying in wait, and took advantage of the moment when Li Bai had attracted everyone's attention to launch a fatal attack!
"Xing'er!" Pei Qinhu's eyes were bloodshot, but it was too late to rush back to help!
Yang Yuhuan suddenly started playing music, but it could only interfere with part of the trajectory of the poisoned needles!
Yang Jian roared and leaped forward, but he was a second too slow!
Several poisoned needles were about to pierce Yi Xing's wheelchair, or even his frail body!
At this critical moment, a streak of azure sword light appeared like a fleeting glimpse of a swan, or like the rippling waves of autumn water, leaving a stunning mark on the retinas of everyone present.
No one saw clearly how Li Bai drew his sword.
It was as if he had only slightly moved his wrist, and the ancient longsword had already returned to its sheath.
Meanwhile, the seven black poison needles that came from different directions in the air, which were cunning and vicious, were simultaneously cleaved in two by an extremely subtle sword aura, breaking into fourteen tiny fragments that clattered to the ground!
One sword strike, piercing seven needles!
Precise, elegant, and breathtakingly powerful!
A few muffled groans and the faint sound of clothes rubbing together came from the thick fog, then quickly faded away. Clearly, the lurking "Shadow Pavilion" assassins had fled as soon as they realized the situation was hopeless.
Li Bai slowly withdrew his hand from the hilt of his sword, as if the earth-shattering sword strike he had just delivered had nothing to do with him. He glanced at Yi Xing, whose face was pale but who remained calm, and then at the direction from which the poisoned needle had been shot, and said indifferently, "The Shadow Pavilion's 'Seven Star Bone-Piercing Needle'... It seems you're in quite a bit of trouble."
He paused, then turned his gaze back to the depths of the valley, as if he had made some kind of decision.
"So be it." He sighed softly, his voice carrying a hint of weariness and reminiscence. "Since you are surrounded by wolves, rather than let you die at the hands of those villains and defile this place, I would rather... take you to that sealed land."
This unexpected turn of events left everyone stunned.
Li Bai, however, did not wish to explain further. He turned and walked into the thick fog, leaving behind only the words: "Stay close. If you take one wrong step and fall into the ancient maze, I will not be able to save you."
His figure appeared and disappeared in the mist, his moon-white robe like a guiding light.
Yi Xing and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the surprise and determination in each other's eyes. Although they didn't know why Li Bai had suddenly changed his mind, this was undoubtedly the best opportunity to enter the depths of the secluded valley.
"Follow him," Yi Xing said in a deep voice.
Without further hesitation, the group followed the fleeting white figure ahead, stepping into the depths of the denser and more dangerous mist. Meanwhile, in the shadows, "Nightmare's" purple eyes were fixed on the direction they had disappeared in, her water droplet darts spinning even faster at her fingertips.
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