A Saint had appeared out of nowhere and openly declared she would protect Qin Luo, stunning everyone in Tai Xu Holy Land.
Liu Changhe's face, in particular, turned as dark as ink. Saint Han Yue was a mid-stage Saint Realm powerhouse whose cultivation surpassed his own. If he clashed with her—even here, on his home ground—it would be extremely troublesome.
And the one to suffer damage would be his own foundation.
"Damn it, why does Qin Luo still have a Saint backing him?!" Ye Chen clenched his fists, eyes burning with unwillingness.
He had been one step away from killing Qin Luo, yet someone had suddenly appeared to snatch that chance from him. He felt absolutely wretched.
"No, Master, you must find a way to kill Qin Luo. If he doesn't die, I won't be able to sleep!" Ye Chen pleaded inwardly.
Before, he had merely wanted Qin Luo dead. Now, a faint fear of Qin Luo had taken root.
He was afraid.
Because Qin Luo's methods were too bizarre.
The Four Symbols Swordplay had clearly been stolen by him, with no backup in the sect. How had Qin Luo cultivated it, and to an even higher realm than him?
Even if Qin Luo had stolen the manual long ago or acquired it elsewhere, that might barely be explained.
But… the Tai Xu Bell was clearly in his ring. How could Qin Luo possess it as well—and not just a remnant, but a perfectly restored Tai Xu Bell?
All of this cloaked Qin Luo in a haze. Ye Chen could no longer see him clearly.
Inside the ring, a graceful, noble woman of breathtaking beauty, exuding an air of supreme dignity, parted her crimson lips and spoke lightly, "Do not worry. Tai Xu Holy Land is not so simple. He cannot escape easily."
Her words soothed Ye Chen a little.
Qin Luo looked at Saint Han Yue, dazed. He rummaged through the original Qin Luo's memories and found no intersection at all with her.
She had come to save him for no reason?
Was she… taken with his looks?
He glanced at that face full of age and wrinkles and shuddered.
"System, is she one of your arrangements?"
[The System does not control Saints. The System is merely an auxiliary System.]
So—not a "Saint-mover."
Liu Changhe leapt into the air to stand opposite Saint Han Yue. His voice was low and heavy. "Saint Han Yue, this matter concerns the internal affairs of my Tai Xu Holy Land. Must you insist on intervening?"
Saint Han Yue sneered. "Your internal affairs have nothing to do with this Saint; I couldn't care less."
"But Qin Luo—this Saint will protect him today."
Liu Changhe's face grew even gloomier. "Saint Han Yue, give me a reason."
Han Yue spoke lightly. "Qin Luo is the senior brother of my personal disciple. Is that reason sufficient?"
Senior brother of her personal disciple?
"You mean… Wan Ning?"
A girl's image surfaced in Qin Luo's mind: pure as moonlight, with star-deep eyes, a graceful figure, long hair like a falling waterfall, and simple robes fluttering like immortal clouds. She was like a fairy descended to the mortal world, exuding a cold, mysterious aura.
The original Qin Luo had always treated her as a younger sister and doted on her endlessly.
He had just been wondering why Shen Wan Ning hadn't appeared. So she had gone to seek help.
When had she become this Saint Han Yue's personal disciple?
"That's right. Your junior sister, Shen Wan Ning, is now this Saint's personal disciple," Han Yue said. "She begged me to save your life."
"Today, this Saint will spare your life. From this day forward, you and Shen Wan Ning will have no more ties."
Her resolute words echoed in Qin Luo's ears, making his expression very complicated.
In the original Qin Luo's life, two women held the most important places in his heart: Shen Wan Ning and Liu Ruyan.
For Shen Wan Ning, his feelings had been purely sibling affection. For Liu Ruyan, he had grovelled like a dog.
In Qin Luo's eyes, a woman like Liu Ruyan couldn't compare to even one of Shen Wan Ning's toes. In looks, he felt Shen Wan Ning surpassed her.
Her figure, he was quite sure, was also better than Liu Ruyan's.
Choosing Liu Ruyan over Shen Wan Ning… he really must have been out of his mind.
"Liu Changhe, can you give me some face?" Saint Han Yue—Lin Huashuang—looked at Liu Changhe and asked in a low voice.
"What if I refuse?"
"Then we fight," Lin Huashuang replied blandly.
"This Saint gave her word to Shen Wan Ning. I *must* take Qin Luo away today. If you don't believe it, try and stop me."
Her overbearing tone made irritation surge in Liu Changhe's chest.
Under the gaze of the entire sect, if he yielded too easily, where would his face be?
"Since Saint Han Yue insists on taking someone from my Tai Xu Holy Land, then this Saint will have to experience exactly where your confidence comes from!"
Boom.
Liu Changhe shot into the air, soaring up into the clouds. He called down to Lin Huashuang, "Take three of my moves, and I can consider it!"
Lin Huashuang sneered inwardly. She saw through his thoughts at a glance. "What is face worth? Still, since you want a step down, why shouldn't I give it to you?"
She stepped into the air as well, rising into the sky.
The duel between Saints instantly drew the attention of nearly everyone in Tai Xu Holy Land.
Qin Luo wanted to sneak away amid the chaos, but Ye Chen's eyes never left him.
"Elder Tu, Qin Luo is trying to run!"
Tu Shouyi's gaze immediately locked onto Qin Luo. He sneered. "Qin Luo, if you dare to take another step, this old man will suppress and kill you on the spot!"
Qin Luo shot back without the slightest weakness, "Old fossil, you dare? When Saint Han Yue comes back down, she'll swat you to death with one slap. One life for one life—this young master doesn't lose out at all."
"You—!" Tu Shouyi almost choked. In truth, he really didn't dare.
Saint Han Yue's reputation in these parts was immense. If she truly targeted him, Tu Shouyi's only end was death.
The battle in the sky started quickly and ended just as fast.
When Liu Changhe descended with a sullen face, he spoke in a deep voice. "Fine. You may take Qin Luo today."
That was as good as admitting defeat. The "three moves" from earlier had only been a way to save face.
His strength was indeed inferior.
"However, the Tai Xu Bell must stay." Liu Changhe's gaze fell on Qin Luo as he spoke, his tone hard.
Lin Huashuang had just opened her mouth when Qin Luo cut in first.
"You say it stays, and it stays?"
"That is the sacred artifact of our Tai Xu Holy Land!" Tu Shouyi jumped up to yell.
"You say it is, so it is?" Qin Luo activated the Tai Xu Bell, letting it float over his head. He said lazily, "Then call it. See if it answers you."
Lin Huashuang regarded Qin Luo properly for the first time. This boy was even more arrogant than she was.
She had the strength to back her arrogance. What did Qin Luo have? Just a sharp tongue?
"Heh…"
A cold chuckle sounded.
Liu Changhe's eyes lit up instantly.
"Today, no one leaves."
An old man slowly walked out from the depths of Tai Xu Holy Land. Many people, upon seeing him, immediately bowed. "Greetings, Old Ancestor!"
Liu Changhe was no exception; he also bowed deeply.
Lin Huashuang's face darkened at once. She shot Qin Luo a glance, and her voice rang in his mind. "Young man, you'll have to rely on yourself today. This Saint has done everything she can."
After the old man appeared, his gaze landed on Qin Luo. He said mildly, "As the Holy Son of my Tai Xu Holy Land, you dared to steal our sacred artifact, the Tai Xu Bell, and even betray our sect. Who gave you such courage?"
Boom.
A pressure several times stronger than Liu Changhe's earlier aura slammed down toward Qin Luo.
Qin Luo was just about to retort, "The Great Qin Imperial Dynasty's Sifang Marquis, Fang Xing, gave me this courage—"
Before he could speak, a majestic voice boomed from outside the mountain gate.
"The Great Qin Imperial Dynasty's Sifang Marquis, Fang Xing, has come to pay a visit!"