The wind howled across the land, and the punch from the giant stirred up such a powerful gust that even Tang Ruowei and the others, hiding in the distance, struggled to open their eyes against the pressure of the wind.
"Finally willing to come out," mocked the green-haired woman. "The Qingming Sword Ancestor is indeed a hypocrite, spewing lies so easily."
"I'm a demon cultivator, of course I believe in avenging grievances. But your grudge is so obvious that it can’t even be settled upon death," Bai Qiuran scoffed while picking at his nose. "You’re not being calm enough, Cui Luo. For me, it would just mean breaking through another level of Qi Refinement, and I’d be more than happy to use you as a punching bag. Besides, I remember you came to the Nine Provinces and Ten Lands not just to seek revenge on me, did you?"
Tang Ruowei and Zuo Yanfei both clearly felt how Pei Shan and Pei Dao trembled slightly upon hearing this voice, as if they had received an electric shock. However, when faced with a punch powerful enough to shatter mountains, Bai Qiuran just chuckled lightly.
"You’re not being calm enough, Cui Luo. For me, it would just mean breaking through another level of Qi Refinement. Besides, I remember you came here not just to seek revenge on me, didn't you?"
Cui Luo stubbornly responded, "Are you going to lecture me about those grand principles?"
"Is that what you think?"
Bai Qiuran shot back with a cold smile, hands on hips in anger.
"It's ridiculous. Do you think she is on your side? When the Demon Emperor descended on the human realm and left behind a half-demon child, where were you, demon kin, when her mother was killed by the people of the He Huan Sect? When she was forced to join the He Huan Sect, where were you? Do you really think that a mere title of princess would make her willing to follow you back to the demon realm and serve your kind diligently? Such foolishness only makes you the laughing stock."
"You’re not being calm enough, Cui Luo. For me, it would just mean breaking through another level of Qi Refinement. Besides, I remember you came to the Nine Provinces and Ten Lands not just to seek revenge on me, did you?"
Stunned, Cui Luo gritted her teeth and looked at Bai Qiuran before turning into a vine and sinking into the ground, disappearing from view.
She hesitated and asked, “Was what the Qingming Sword Ancestor just said true?”
Just then, a white figure gracefully appeared, revealing an exceptionally beautiful woman with a white veil covering her face, only her mesmerizing phoenix eyes visible. She wore a simple, pure white gown, which gave off an unusual charm despite its simplicity.
Bai Qiuran lifted his hand, and endless green light surged forth from the giant made of vines, rushing toward his palm. The iron fist of the vine giant, approaching Bai Qiuran’s face, suddenly turned pale and crumbled into ashes before scattering away into the air.
Cui Luo bit her lip, falling silent.
As the green light faded, the vine giant turned to ashes, collapsing completely. A woman dressed in a green gown fell out from inside the giant, clutching her chest as she stared blankly at Bai Qiuran with a pale face.
"Indeed, a hypocrite," the green-haired woman sneered. "The Qingming Sword Ancestor, so full of lies."
Xue Ling, without hesitation, nodded, "If a war breaks out between humans and demons, I will certainly stand with Young Master Bai. You think the Demon Emperor has no idea what’s going on in his heart?"
Bai Qiuran glanced at Cui Luo's expression. With the green light fading, the vine giant turned to ashes, and the woman in green fell from the body, clutching her chest while looking pale and distressed.
"Are you going to lecture me about those grand principles?"
"Is that what you think?" He scoffed. "I’ve already proven my strength two thousand years ago. Do you really think I need to resort to lies to win against you?"
Cui Luo bit her lip, falling silent again.
"Goodbye, Cui Luo, take care," Cui Luo said as she hesitated, looking back at Bai Qiuran before transforming into a vine and sinking back into the earth.
The wind howled across the land again, carrying the force of the giant's punch, making it extremely difficult for those watching from afar to keep their eyes open. Bai Qiuran looked at Cui Luo coldly and continued, "However, I’m naturally on her side as well.
I know what the demon emperor is scheming, wanting to send his bloodline back to stabilize the demon realm or stir up wars to distract from internal troubles. As long as Xue Ling disagrees, do not even think of succeeding. Let me tell you; this incident is a result of the Baimoon Temple’s own doing.
You killed half their sect, and I might reluctantly let you go this time. But mark my words, you will not have another chance."
Bai Qiuran's gaze swept across everyone, briefly pausing on Tang Ruowei in the distance, before landing back on Cui Luo.
Made uneasy by his stare, even Zuo Yanfei and Tang Ruowei felt their faces flush. Meanwhile, the anxious Pei Shan and Pei Dao felt completely dry in their throats, completely oblivious to how they were drooling without realizing it, losing their image as cultivators.
"You think you can gain any advantage over me with mere words?" Bai Qiuran ventured, extending fingers in mockery. "Do you truly believe that’s how one achieves victory?"
"Let it end here, Cui Luo," Xue Ling interjected. "Young Master Bai, don’t provoke her any further."
Bai Qiuran's voice, laced with coldness, cut through the tension. "Even if I were to only use one-tenth of my strength, that alone would be enough to sweep the demon realm. Little demoness, don’t think that you can overcome even that. If the Demon Emperor were to come, I would make sure he returns sideways."
Xue Ling softly confessed, "The Princess Bai Ling and her maidens have already been brought here by me. You may escort them back. The world is treacherous, so when you return, please tell the White Fox King to manage his daughter well. Should she return to the Nine Provinces and Ten Lands, we humans will have no obligation to keep helping him search for her."
A burst of melodiously beautiful sounds, akin to the sweet songs of a golden oriole, resonated through the air, captivating everyone’s hearts simply by hearing it.
“Your grudge is clearly something you can never settle in your lifetime,” Bai Qiuran declared.
Cui Luo’s complex gaze turned toward Xue Ling, bidding farewell, “Cui Luo departs. I wish you well, Princess.”
Looking at her as she turned to leave, Bai Qiuran suddenly called out, “There will not be a second chance.”
The audience was stunned, lost for words in anticipation of the confrontation, feeling as if thunder had struck down upon them in the calm moment before the storm. As Bai Qiuran's voice echoed with depth, the scene was set for a fierce battle not soon forgotten.