Finally, Lu Yang figured it out.
"I can't leave!"
This was not because he was moved by Xiao Shiye's final performance, but because he suddenly realized something that made his blood run cold.
"In the end, why did I follow Xiao Shiye out here?"
"I should have gone to find Zhao Xuhe right away to get my hands on the other half of that third-grade true art from my previous life, the Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art."
But what happened instead? He had followed Xiao Shiye to the Merit Pool, just because he was curious? One must know, the Grand Prize at the Merit Pool could only be drawn once a year, and he had already used up his chance for this year.
There was no benefit at all in going to the Merit Pool with Xiao Shiye. I actually did something with no benefit? This was unreasonable!
In that instant, Lu Yang felt as if a basin of cold water had been dumped over his head. His hands and feet turned ice-cold to the extreme.
"Who is influencing me? Interfering with my thoughts?"
"No..."
After figuring this out, Lu Yang had a sudden epiphany. Why did he accompany Xiao Shiye to the Merit Pool? Because Xiao Shiye needed him!
Otherwise, he would be the only one being hunted down by a powerful enemy right now! And now, he had an external reinforcement in him! If Xiao Shiye was the Son of Heaven blessed with overflowing luck, then he was the unlucky bastard in the stories who served as a meat shield when the Son of Heaven was in danger!
Splitting up to escape in this situation? That was just asking to draw fire! Lu Yang was one hundred percent certain that if they split up, he would be the one hunted down and killed, while Xiao Shiye would turn the crisis into safety!
"How treacherous..."
Lu Yang deeply exhaled a breath of turbid qi. A Son of Heaven like Xiao Shiye playing the game of diverting disaster onto others would surely ensnare any disciple of the Saint Sect. Because among the disciples of the Saint Sect, there were no good people.
If someone offered to bring up the rear, any other Saint Sect disciple would be overjoyed, shed a few crocodile tears, and then decisively flee without the slightest hesitation. However, as soon as they did that, they would very likely become Xiao Shiye's shield. Unfortunately for Xiao Shiye, he ran into Lu Yang.
Xiao Shiye was certain that there were no good people in the Saint Sect, which was why he came up with this plan. The problem was, Lu Yang thought the same way. No good people in the Saint Sect, so you, Xiao Shiye, are the only good one?
I don't believe it! So, no matter how extravagantly you speak, no matter how you act as if you are facing death with equanimity, I will first assume you are not a good person, and then deduce what evil deed you are planning! That's right, Lu Yang reached a conclusion first!
Precisely because of this, he was not blinded by a single leaf and was able to examine himself in time, ultimately discovering the real issue. Otherwise, he would have been royally screwed! At the same time, Liu Xin, who had been in hot pursuit, also saw Xiao Shiye charging toward him, and Lu Yang, who remained motionless in the distance.
He thought to himself, "To catch the bandits, first catch the king. Xiao Shiye's cultivation level is low, after all, he's easy to deal with. It's safer to take care of that Lu Yang first."
Before Liu Xin could finish his thought, a loud bang suddenly echoed.
"Boom!"
The next second, a magnificent sword light tore through the sea of clouds. It did not flee, but instead arrived right beside Xiao Shiye under his astonished gaze.
"Brother Xiao, we hit it off right from the start. How could I, Lu, abandon you?"
"Mere petty thieves. With you and I joining hands, what is there to fear?"
Lu Yang spoke with heroic spirit. Xiao Shiye was dumbfounded as he listened. Could it be that I miscalculated?
Did I really meet a good person in the Saint Sect...
"Impossible!"
Xiao Shiye instantly snapped back to his senses. He noticed that while Lu Yang seemed to be facing the enemy side-by-side with him, he was actually positioning Xiao Shiye firmly in front of him as a shield. His expression immediately darkened.
What good person? This is a bad person!
"Brother Lu, what just happened was all a misunderstanding."
Xiao Shiye wore a bitter smile, knowing that Lu Yang had already seen through his scheme. He could not help but say softly, "Since things have come to this, why don't we truly join forces?"
"Join forces? Sure."
Lu Yang gave a cold laugh, then directly threw Xiao Shiye toward the others, not Liu Xin. Xiao Shiye immediately started cursing, "Lu, you shameless bastard..." Seeing this from a distance, Liu Xin burst out laughing.
Although he did not know what had happened between Lu Yang and Xiao Shiye, it was clear they were having a dispute. This suited him just fine. After all, he had no obligation to accommodate his enemies.
Since the enemies were having problems among themselves, it was the perfect chance for him to kick them while they were down! Thinking of this, Liu Xin immediately changed his plan and shouted to the others, "You guys trap Xiao Shiye. I'll deal with Lu Yang."
After giving the order, Liu Xin rode a streak of escaping light and charged toward Lu Yang. However, just at that moment, he saw Lu Yang suddenly reveal a faint smile.
Something's wrong!
The next second, Lu Yang's figure vanished. Almost simultaneously, a sword light suddenly bloomed from Xiao Shiye, who was already surrounded by the others. Lu Yang's figure strolled out from within the sword light!
Divine Firmament Sword-Riding True Art! Wherever the sword light is, he arrives with a thought! Liu Xin instantly recalled the conversation between Lu Yang and Xiao Shiye.
The so-called talk of joining forces was not sarcasm, but a tacit, unspoken understanding! The two had precisely understood each other's meaning and had even put on a perfectly coordinated act on the spot.
As a result, they successfully deceived him and created a perfect opportunity for battle: throwing a fully prepared Lu Yang into a group of cultivators who were completely unprepared, with the highest among them only at the mid-stage of the Qi Refining Realm! Liu Xin's expression changed dramatically in an instant. He shouted, "Scatter quickly..."
"Too late!"
Lu Yang let out a savage grin. The sword pellet bloomed like a peacock spreading its tail. However, compared to before, the sword light that erupted this time was tinged with a thick, bloody color.
In an instant, Lu Yang exhaled and shouted, his body transforming into a blood shadow and merging with the sword pellet. Then, a scarlet curtain of light, like flame and blood, rose up. With Lu Yang at its center, the divine light swept out in all directions, just like a prairie fire, dyeing the land in blood.
In the blink of an eye, it had completely submerged everyone! Heavenly Demon Transforming Blood Divine Light! Though it was broad daylight, the cultivators swept by the blood light only felt a bone-chilling coldness, as if they had fallen into an ice cavern, engulf their entire bodies.
Then, they lost consciousness. When the divine light dissipated, all that remained in the surroundings, besides the still-shaken Xiao Shiye, were empty human skins fluttering down from the sky.
As for their flesh and blood, it had been completely devoured by the Heavenly Demon Transforming Blood Divine Light, which also made the red glow on Lu Yang's sword pellet appear even more malevolent. The next second, the sword pellet trembled slightly. A blood shadow emerged and transformed, revealing Lu Yang's appearance.
He focused his gaze and saw Liu Xin standing in the distance, dazed as if in a dream. He immediately burst into laughter, "I was wondering who it was. So it's Senior Brother Liu."
Before his voice had faded, he rode his sword light and flew over to slash at him! He had not forgotten the grudge of being refined as a human material in an instant in the life before last. He would avenge himself from that life!
The grudge from days past felt like thorns on his back! Today, don't you blame me! Lu Yang flew on his sword to attack, while Liu Xin, who had just witnessed the power of the Heavenly Demon Transforming Blood Divine Light, had a grim expression and immediately tried to pull back and retreat.
"Trying to run?"
Lu Yang did not hesitate, riding his sword in pursuit. Seeing this, Liu Xin hastily shouted, "Qingchen, release the restriction!" As soon as his voice fell, the illusory mirage that had sealed off the area suddenly shattered.
Immediately after, a graceful figure slowly appeared. It was none other than Fairy Qingchen. The magical artifact that had just covered this sea of clouds was her "Nine Palaces Dust-Spreading Handkerchief".
Hidden within the handkerchief was a Nine Palaces Grand Formation that could hide Mount Sumeru in a mustard seed, lock down heaven and earth, and seal an entire region. Its original purpose was to prevent the target from escaping, but unexpectedly, it backfired and blocked Liu Xin's path to survival.
Seeing Fairy Qingchen appear, Liu Xin finally heaved a sigh of relief. The next second, he rode his escaping light to Fairy Qingchen's side and stood shoulder to shoulder with her, looking with a grave expression at the pursuing Lu Yang and Xiao Shiye. The two sides stared at each other.
After a moment, Liu Xin finally spoke in a low voice, "Sigh, can we reconcile?"