Dong Yuan's intentions naturally could not escape Liu Ying's notice, but oftentimes, even when one clearly knows the other's motives are impure, it is still difficult to stop one's mind from thinking along the direction the other person desires.
That is human nature, and also what one would call an open scheme. This was precisely why Dong Yuan could act so brazenly.
Although Liu Ying had chosen to endure out of fear of Liu Bai's strength, the knot in his heart remained, and the look he cast toward Liu Bai and Xia Youran had grown darker than ever.
"Senior Sister, is everyone simply waiting here for now?" On the other side, after chatting briefly about their shared academy background, Liu Bai posed the question.
As a "newcomer" entering the Divine Spiritual Mountain for the first time, it was only natural for him to harbor such doubts.
Xia Youran did not think much of it. She extended a slender finger toward the heavens and said, "Do you see that? The Divine Spiritual Baptism will soon descend from there."
A massive orb of light was writhing and contracting in the sky, as though some terrifying existence was gestating within it. Liu Bai could faintly sense a vast and dreadful fluctuation emanating from within that orb.
"So that's it. The baptismal energy of the Divine Spiritual Baptism is contained within that light."
"Correct." Xia Youran nodded and continued, "The higher one stands upon the Nine Heavens Steps, the stronger the baptismal energy one can absorb. Those below can only take in the remnants that trickle down after those above have absorbed their share."
"The baptismal energy isn't infinite. The fewer people on each level, the stronger the baptismal energy each individual receives."
As she spoke, Xia Youran's gaze drifted upward. Her unspoken implication was clear.
At present, only Ding Xuan stood upon the first level, while none of the seven on the second level had the courage to challenge him.
Even without mentioning anything else, the blade aura enveloping Ding Xuan alone was enough to make everyone on the second level tremble in fear. Thus, a tense stalemate persisted.
Yet just as everyone was silently calculating their own moves, a cold, detached voice suddenly broke the stillness.
"You. Leave. There are too many people on the second level."
The entire second level fell silent for a moment before everyone realized that it was Mo Xingtian who had spoken and his words were directed at none other than Liu Bai, who had just arrived.
Such a scene immediately caused various reactions among the others.
A glint of delight flashed across Liu Ying's eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled upward. Clearly, he was quite pleased that Mo Xingtian had chosen to take the lead.
As for the others, most chose to remain spectators. After all, if one less person remained on the second level, they would benefit as well—provided the one being expelled wasn't themselves.
Liu Bai's expression stayed calm, as if he found Mo Xingtian's words unsurprising. Xia Youran, however, was visibly furious, glaring at Mo Xingtian. "Mo Xingtian, what do you mean by this?"
Her reaction wasn't entirely out of fairness to Liu Bai.
If Mo Xingtian dared to target Liu Bai, who could say he wouldn't drive the rest of them down as well?
After all, the fewer people there were, the more baptismal energy each would obtain. Even if Mo Xingtian lacked confidence to step onto the first level, if he stood alone on the second, the amount of energy he received might not be much less than Ding Xuan's.
However, Mo Xingtian clearly had no such reckless intention. He was confident he could defeat any one of them or even two but if he had to face three or four at once, he wasn't certain of victory.
But if his target was only Liu Bai of the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy, then the others would definitely remain indifferent.
"Nothing much. I simply don't wish for this person to receive the baptismal energy on the second level."
His words were blunt, yet they left Xia Youran speechless.
Since he had declared his motive so plainly, no one else would stand against him for Liu Bai's sake. Alone, Xia Youran had neither the power nor the courage to oppose him.
Moreover, the relationship between the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy and the Demonic Dargon Palace was well-known across the Northern Heaven Continent. Even if Xia Youran wanted to side with Liu Bai, her Nine-Summer Chamber of Commerce would never permit it. For a moment, she found herself utterly torn.
Liu Bai instantly saw through her hesitation. He smiled at her reassuringly before stepping forward to face Mo Xingtian, his eyes calm and steady.
"If you want me to step down, that's fine. Show me your strength."
Mo Xingtian's expression remained composed, but a faint smile—rare for him—appeared upon his lips.
The crowd, both on the mountain and beyond it, looked on in confusion. Was Mo Xingtian out of his mind?
"Do you know? I actually admire you. Your talent astonishes even me. Given enough time—perhaps a year—you might even catch up to me."
"If you retreat to the third level now, I won't make things difficult for you. But if you insist on staying, I'm afraid you won't be enjoying the baptismal energy this time."
Liu Bai listened with a somewhat dazed expression. He couldn't help thinking, What kind of nonsense is this? Isn't this supposed to be my line as the protagonist? Why is a side villain acting all self-important?
"Well, thank you for your appreciation, but you might want to show a little more strength before saying such things. Otherwise, everyone will just think you're putting on airs," Liu Bai replied helplessly.
Mo Xingtian's faint smile froze instantly, and a chilling gleam flashed in his eyes.
The tension between the two made the entire second level grow lively. Xia Youran and the others instinctively backed away; no one wanted to get caught up in this fight.
As for the people below, they were all eager spectators, secretly hoping the two would tear each other apart. The fewer competitors left above, the more scraps of baptismal energy would fall to them.
Mo Xingtian gazed coldly at Liu Bai. In the next instant, he raised a finger, and the spiritual energy between heaven and earth began to surge violently.
A massive beam of spiritual light, nearly a hundred meters long, shot forth from his fingertip. The sheer power of that attack made even Xia Youran and the others at a distance change expression.
Mo Xingtian's spiritual energy was overwhelmingly strong—far beyond that of any of them.
Liu Bai arched an eyebrow in mild surprise. He hadn't expected Mo Xingtian to be so formidable even three years ago. No wonder this man would later become the foremost figure among the younger generation of the Northern Heaven Continent. His offensive power was several times, perhaps even more than ten times, that of an ordinary Late-phase Heaven Completion Realm cultivator.
Take Jia Bing from earlier, for instance—Mo Xingtian could have easily defeated or even killed him with just that one finger strike.
Outside the Divine Spiritual Mountain, Elder Zhu Tian and Hall Master Mo You both held their breath in tension.
Though they had witnessed Liu Bai's rapid growth, Mo Xingtian's strength was equally terrifying. If the two clashed, even they could not easily predict the victor.
As the radiant torrent of spiritual energy swept toward him, Liu Bai's right hand clenched lightly. A sword of lightning-infused spiritual energy formed in his grasp, and he swung it down in a single motion.
A deep, muffled boom resounded, followed by a violent gust of spiritual wind erupting from the point of collision.
Xia Youran and the others instinctively raised their arms to shield themselves, though their eyes remained fixed on the two figures within the storm. Those on the lower levels quickly activated their spiritual barriers, lest they be blown away by the blast.
Swoosh!
Liu Bai was never one to take a beating without fighting back. After blocking one of Mo Xingtian's attacks, his figure vanished from sight and reappeared above his opponent. Black spiritual energy rapidly flowed across his right hand as several black Death Seals condensed into form. In the next instant, he struck downward, slamming them directly toward Mo Xingtian's head.
A cold glint flashed in Mo Xingtian's lifeless eyes. From those black Death Seals, he could clearly sense a dangerous threat.
Clenching his five fingers tightly, he punched upward, an overwhelming wave of murderous intent surging forth as his immense spiritual power burst outward like a raging tide.
"Demon Dragon Fist!"
A hoarse roar erupted as his fist collided with the descending seals. At that moment, the force of his punch seemed to transform into a roaring demonic dragon, exuding a terrifying aura of slaughter.
Boom!
A deep, muffled explosion resounded. Ripples visible to the naked eye spread out from the point of impact. The ground beneath Mo Xingtian's feet cracked inch by inch, the fractures spreading outward like waves, shattering the surrounding stone steps layer by layer.
Seeing this, Xia Youran, Liu Ying, and the others hastily retreated to avoid being caught in the devastating aftershock.
Liu Bai too felt the immense counterforce surging against his palm, a strength so tremendous it seemed immovable.
However, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
In the next instant, the ten Death Seals exploded violently, and the backlash from the impact sent both of them hurtling backward for hundreds of meters.
Mo Xingtian's eyes narrowed slightly as he felt a horrifying pressure crushing the flesh and bones of his arm.
If one could see beneath his skin, they would notice fine cracks forming along his white bones.
"What a domineering power!"
Even someone as powerful as Mo Xingtian could not help but feel astonished by the explosive might of the ten Death Seals. Of course, if he knew that this force came from a High-level Comman-Grade offensive Spiritual Art, his shock would have been a hundred times greater.
He gave his arm a slight shake, circulating his spiritual power rapidly to ease the pain while mending the fractured bones within.
At this moment, Mo Xingtian had also gained a clear understanding of Liu Bai's physical strength.
That immense backlash force had affected them both equally. If he had sustained such injuries, then Liu Bai, who had unleashed the technique, should not be any better off.
Yet from Liu Bai's calm expression, it was obvious that his physical body was even stronger than his own.
If that was the case, engaging in close combat would not be a wise choice.
With that thought, Mo Xingtian made his decision without hesitation. He extended his palm and clenched it firmly.
A surge of black light condensed, and a massive black heavy spear appeared in his grasp.
The entire weapon was covered in dark scales that shimmered with a sinister luster. The spearhead took the shape of a demonic dragon's maw, its sharp fangs forming the tip, exuding an aura sharp enough to tear the heavens asunder.
"That is…"
Upon seeing the weapon, Xia Youran and the others turned pale. "The Demonic Dargon Palace's Supreme-grade Spiritual Artifact, the Devouring Demonic Dargon Spear?!"
As Mo Xingtian gripped the black spear, his aura surged wildly, layer after layer, as if a demonic dragon had broken free from its chains and descended upon the world, intent on devouring the heavens.
On Liu Bai's side, his right hand tightened, and a brilliant azure longsword appeared in his grip.
"Another Supreme-grade Spiritual Artifact?!"
This time, everyone present was truly shocked.
It was not surprising for Mo Xingtian, the foremost prodigy of the Demonic Dargon Palace and their primary focus of cultivation, to possess such a weapon. But for Liu Bai to also wield one was utterly unbelievable.
After all, everyone knew the rules of cultivation at the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy. All resources had to be earned through one's own effort.
And a Supreme-grade Spiritual Artifact was not something that could be obtained easily. The cost required was enormous, and Liu Bai was merely a new student. How could he possibly have acquired such a treasure through his own means?
"Tsk tsk, doesn't your Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy claim to uphold fairness and equality? Seems like those words are nothing but empty talk," the Yellow Dragon Sovereign sneered, seizing the chance to mock Zhu Tian and the others.
Zhu Tian only gave him a calm glance and said indifferently, "That sword was earned by Liu Bai himself as a reward for completing an academy mission. Oh, and Yellow Dragon Sovereign, would you like to know what mission that was?"
Hearing this, the mocking expression on Yellow Dragon Sovereign's face gradually vanished, his heart sinking as he subconsciously asked, "What mission?"
"The bounty mission to slay Blood Demon Dragon Yu Yuan."
In an instant, the faces of everyone from the Demonic Dargon Palace darkened. Yellow Dragon Sovereign's gaze toward Zhu Tian now brimmed with killing intent.
Unfortunately, both sides were Sovereigns of equal rank, and even if he was furious, there was nothing he could do. At worst, they could simply fight it out.
Mo Xingtian's expression grew solemn as he looked at Liu Bai holding the azure sword.
"I originally thought it would be easy to deal with you, but it seems I was wrong. I shouldn't have underestimated you. Still, this works too. It's been a long time since I've used the Devouring Demonic Dargon Spear. I hope you can give it a worthy battle today."
"Hehe, I won't let you down."
Liu Bai smiled faintly, then swung his sword down toward Mo Xingtian.
Seeing this, many people shook their heads, and Liu Ying even sneered.
"Foolish! Even if both weapons are Supreme-grade Spiritual Artifacts, using a longsword to clash head-on with a heavy spear is utterly stupid!"
Many others shared the same thought, looking at Liu Bai with scornful eyes.
Under those gazes, Liu Bai's azure sword and Mo Xingtian's black spear collided fiercely.
.....
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