Chapter 45: The Unyielding Stance
What shocked Qian Daoliu even more was this.
After the nine hundred thousand year spirit rings appeared, the Sword Intent emanating from Li Bai's body was not covered by the fierce aura of the Soul Rings.
Instead, it became purer and more vast!
That was an 'Intent' that transcended the level of Soul Power and pointed directly to the Origin!
Under the shroud of this Sword Intent, he even felt that the Angel Soul Power within his body was slightly suppressed and sluggish!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The powerful Sword Intent was like an invisible mountain, heavily pressing down on the hearts of every expert in Spirit Hall.
Soul Masters below the Titled Douluo level had already collapsed onto the ground.
Even Elders like Gui Mei and Yue Guan felt difficulty breathing, their Soul Power circulation was sluggish, and cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.
"Damn it!"
Bibi Dong barely managed to resist relying on the divine force brought by the Rakshasa God Trial, but her expression was also extremely grim.
At this moment, she no longer harbored any intention of testing him; only deep apprehension and a hint of regret remained.
Was it truly worth provoking such a terrifying opponent and faction just for one Nine Heart Begonia?
Qian Daoliu took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart.
He glanced at the pale Bibi Dong, then looked at the Elders behind him who were struggling under the pressure, and a decision was made in his heart.
Now was absolutely not the time to fall out with Big Dipper Academy.
Especially when they knew nothing about the academy's background, and the opponent had displayed such terrifying strength.
Although Spirit Hall had deep heritage, facing a power that possessed at least one Limit Douluo comparable to or even surpassing himself, along with that mysterious Dean and numerous Geniuses...
Starting a war rashly would have unimaginable consequences!
"Enough!"
Qian Daoliu spoke in a deep voice, his voice imbued with his Level 99 Peak Soul Power.
He barely managed to carve out a space amidst the vast Sword Intent, slightly alleviating the pressure on the Spirit Hall members.
He looked sharply at Bibi Dong, his tone carrying an unquestionable command.
"Bibi Dong, release them!"
Bibi Dong's delicate body trembled. She abruptly looked at Qian Daoliu, her eyes filled with resentment and humiliation.
Spirit Hall was challenged right on its doorstep in front of the entire city, yet she had to concede and release the prisoners. Where would that leave her prestige as the Supreme Pontiff?
"High Priest!"
Bibi Dong gritted her teeth, wanting to argue further.
"I said, release them!"
Qian Daoliu's voice suddenly rose.
Carrying an irresistible majesty, the golden Angel Soul Power around him faintly fluctuated, standing in equal opposition to Li Bai's Green Lotus Sword Intent.
"Now is not the time to act on impulse! Are you willing to shake the Foundation of Spirit Hall just for a few people?!"
Bibi Dong bit her lower lip fiercely, almost drawing blood.
She understood Qian Daoliu's meaning. It was indeed unwise to clash head-on with such a powerful enemy before understanding Big Dipper Academy's background, especially before completing the Rakshasa God Trial.
She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the surging rage and killing intent, and squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth:
"...Release!"
The order was passed down.
Soon, Old Master Ye and the core members of the Ye family, who had been imprisoned, were brought to the plaza under the complicated gaze of the Spirit Hall Soul Masters.
Although they looked somewhat disheveled, they had not been abused; clearly, Spirit Hall had previously intended to recruit them.
"Grandpa!"
Ye Lingling saw her kin and immediately burst into tears, excitedly rushing forward, only to be held back tightly by Ye Zhong.
Old Master Ye looked at the confrontation scene in the sky.
Especially the nine blood-red Soul Rings and the suspended Azure Lotus Great Sword, his old eyes were filled with shock and lingering fear.
He bowed deeply in the direction of Li Bai.
Seeing this, Li Bai nodded in satisfaction, and the terrifying Sword Intent and the nine hundred thousand year spirit rings around him receded like a tide.
The suspended Azure Lotus Great Sword also slowly vanished into nothingness.
He seemed to revert back to the lazy drunkard, yawning and casually waving his hand at Qian Daoliu:
"Thanks, old man. Since the people are all here, we'll be leaving now."
With that, invisible Sword Qi once again swept up the Ye family members, along with Ye Lingling and Ye Zhong, transforming into a streak of azure light that instantly vanished above Spirit City.
They arrived abruptly and departed even more dashingly.
Only the ruined Spirit Hall and countless stunned onlookers remained.
Qian Daoliu looked at the direction where Li Bai disappeared, his face so gloomy it could almost drip water.
Today, Spirit Hall's reputation was utterly ruined.
Having key prisoners forcibly taken away under the gaze of the entire city, how could he easily swallow this insult?
But the strength the opponent displayed made him wary of striking back.
He turned, his icy gaze sweeping over Bibi Dong, whose expression was equally grim, and the Elders who were silent with fear.
"No one is allowed to spread word of today's events. Those who violate this order will be treated as traitors to the Hall!"
Qian Daoliu's voice carried unquestionable authority, aiming first to minimize the impact.
"Yes, High Priest!"
Everyone's heart tightened, and they responded in unison.
"Furthermore,"
Qian Daoliu continued to give orders, his gaze sharp.
"Starting immediately, without my command, no one is to proactively provoke Big Dipper Academy or its related personnel!"
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, I order the two of you to use all resources and fully investigate all information regarding Big Dipper Academy, especially the backgrounds of Lu Xiao and this Li Bai!"
"Your subordinates obey!"
Yue Guan and Gui Mei quickly bowed to accept the command, their backs already soaked with cold sweat.
Bibi Dong tightly gripped the Supreme Pontiff's Scepter, her knuckles white from the exertion. She looked in the direction where Li Bai vanished, her eyes flashing with humiliation, anger, and deep resentment.
The humiliation of this day would be unforgettable for her lifetime!
But she also knew that Qian Daoliu's decision was correct; it was inappropriate to fight fiercely before fully understanding the opponent's background and completing the God Trial.
"Big Dipper Academy... Lu Xiao... Li Bai..."
She silently recited these names in her heart, killing intent coiling around her like a venomous snake.
"Just wait. Once I complete the Rakshasa God Trial, I will repay today's shame a hundredfold!"
...After Ye Lingling settled her family, she followed Li Bai back to Big Dipper Academy.
After all, given the thunderous methods Teacher Li Bai displayed earlier, it was expected that Spirit Hall would definitely not dare to move against the Ye family again in the short term.
This finally allowed Ye Lingling to let go of the worry in her heart.
Soon after entering the academy, she sensed two auras changing one after the other.
First, from the direction of Zhuqing's secluded cultivation room, a sharp and profound aura shot up into the sky, then slowly retracted.
A moment later, the door of the room opened, and Zhuqing, dressed in black, walked out.
Her aura was more condensed, her eyes sharp as knives. Clearly, she had gained significantly from this seclusion, and her Soul Power had stabilized and increased.
Almost immediately after, the Formation at the academy entrance fluctuated, and two graceful figures walked in, chatting and laughing.
It was Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan, returning from their leave.
"Dean! We're back!"
Ning Rongrong spotted Lu Xiao in the courtyard instantly and greeted him cheerfully. Her gaze was then drawn to the two new faces, Ye Lingling and Ao Yin.
Dugu Yan also curiously sized up the new members.
"Huh?"
Her pair of emerald eyes lingered on Ao Yin for a moment.
She faintly sensed a Dragon Clan pressure that was of the same Origin yet more noble, causing her heart to slightly tremble.
Lu Xiao smiled and introduced them: "You returned at the perfect time. These two are newly joined members: Ye Lingling and Ao Yin. Lingling's Martial Soul is the Nine Heart Begonia, and Ao Yin's Martial Soul is the Elemental Dragon."
He then said to Ye Lingling and Ao Yin: "These two are Ning Rongrong, whose Martial Soul is the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda; and Dugu Yan, whose Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphor Serpent. Zhuqing, you should have sensed her just now; she just finished her seclusion."
Nine Heart Begonia!
Elemental Dragon!
Surprise flashed in the beautiful eyes of both Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan.
While they were away, they had been paying attention to the heavenly curtain, so naturally, they knew the illustrious rankings of these two Martial Souls on the special martial soul ranking!
"Welcome!"
Ning Rongrong smiled brightly and proactively stepped forward to hold Ye Lingling's hand.
"From now on, we're classmates! There are tons of fun things in the academy!"
Dugu Yan also nodded, acknowledging them. Her personality was relatively colder, but her eyes held goodwill.
Ye Lingling felt their enthusiasm, and a faint smile appeared on her usually cool face, significantly lessening the sense of unfamiliarity from just arriving.
Ao Yin maintained his usual aloof appearance, merely nodding slightly.
After the introductions, Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan's curiosity immediately shifted to another matter.
They leaned close to Ye Lingling, lowered their voices, and asked with gossipy excitement:
"Lingling, we heard on the way back that Teacher Li Bai went to Spirit Hall to bring you back?"
"Quickly tell us, was Teacher Li Bai especially majestic then?"
"Just how powerful is he? We haven't even seen Teacher Li Bai truly make a move yet!"
Although Zhuqing didn't speak, she quietly took a few steps closer.
Her cool eyes also carried a look of inquiry.
Li Bai had always been lazy and casual in the academy; they only knew he was unfathomable.
But no one knew his specific strength.
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