Chapter 1398: Chapter 1399 Provocation
These were the thoughts of the young prodigies.
After five hundred years, the Central Origin Realm had continued to develop and progress, while Li Xiaobai had only just been resurrected. His strength and cultivation level were likely stagnant from five centuries ago, or perhaps had even regressed significantly.
This was an opportunity—an opportunity to make a name for themselves. If they could defeat him, they would instantly achieve fame across the Central Origin Realm!
“I assume this is Senior Li?”
“You are no different from your statue—truly a heroic figure. Junior Ning Que from the Five Poison Cult greets Senior!”
At the summit, leaders from all factions gathered, their curiosity about the resurrected Li Xiaobai palpable.
Such a legendary figure had been brought back to life—anyone would find it suspicious and feel compelled to investigate further.
Their shock only deepened when they saw Long Xue and Chen Yuan had regained youthful appearances. This was not the Preserving Youth Technique; it was a genuine extension of lifespan. Once decrepit and half-dead, these two experts now seemed revitalized—as if dead trees had sprouted new leaves. Clearly, they had benefitted from the intervention of some supreme expert, and none other than the seated Li Xiaobai could be credited for this miracle.
“The Five Poison Cult, you say?”
“I recall that the Five Poison Cult once colluded with the Blood Demon Sect, attempting to unleash a tempest of bloodshed across the Central Origin Realm. Among the many Super Sects, the Five Poison Cult was the sole faction firmly rooted in the demonic path!”
Li Xiaobai spoke with a calm expression.
“I… uh…”
The expert from the Five Poison Cult, Ning Que, opened his mouth but found himself speechless. The other party had begun by recounting a five-hundred-year-old secret—a dark chapter in his Sect’s history that he had no knowledge of. He could only stand there, stunned, as Li Xiaobai recounted the Five Poison Cult’s past misdeeds.
“And as for the sects from which you all hail, while my past acquaintances are gone, I find your appearances quite familiar. I assume you represent the major Super Sects of old.”
“If I remember correctly, back during the battle against the Immortal Gods, many of the Super Sects turned tail and fled. Had they chosen to stand their ground, perhaps others besides me would have survived.”
Li Xiaobai’s lofty gaze swept over the crowd as he spoke, his tone filled with scrutiny.
A formless pressure suddenly erupted in the air, an oppressive aura flowing through the scene. The atmosphere grew thick with danger.
The Saint Realm experts from various families all trembled involuntarily. Yet, the source of this immense pressure was not Li Xiaobai—it came from Long Xue and Chen Yuan at his side.
As survivors from five centuries ago who had lived through the battle with the Immortal Gods, they were well aware of these families’ actions back then.
While these factions had behaved normally in recent years, they lacked both the reason and qualification to confront Li Xiaobai. After all, they had merely been observers during the Immortal God battles. But now things were different; Li Xiaobai had returned from death—a hero of the Central Origin Realm and a spiritual pillar of countless people. He stood uniquely qualified to criticize these Super Sects.
“This…”
“Senior Li, your statement may be somewhat biased. While we were not personally involved in the events of that time, we have heard our ancestors speak of it. It is true our sects failed to fully contribute during the battle against the Immortal Gods, but that was due to the overwhelming disparity in strength. If we, without your cultivation prowess, had rashly stepped forward, we might have become liabilities, causing more harm than good. It was with this consideration in mind that our elders made such decisions. We hope Senior Li understands.”
“Still, for you to have been resurrected and to return to the Central Origin Realm after so many centuries—our ancestors, if they were aware, would no doubt feel immense comfort!”
The experts of the Super Sects wore ingratiating smiles, speaking in an overly polite manner.
Their words were polished, even sneaking in a subtle compliment toward Li Xiaobai. Yet it was all in vain. Li Xiaobai saw right through their posturing—intimately aware of their schemes. The way they operated had not changed in the slightest over five hundred years. It was disappointing.
“I was merely reminiscing about old acquaintances and became a bit sentimental. I hold no intent of blaming you for the past. Let bygones be bygones. After all, I wouldn’t take out my grievances from back then on juniors like you now.”
Li Xiaobai waved dismissively, speaking jovially.
The crowd observed his demeanor with suspicion. To be honest, even now, they found it hard to believe that the person before them was truly Li Xiaobai. They were more inclined to believe this was some stunt by Long Xue and Chen Yuan, meant to intimidate them.
Yet the truth remained to be tested.
“Might I ask why Senior has gathered us here today? Is there a significant matter to discuss? You are the hero of the Central Origin Realm—your words are as good as imperial edict; we shall obey without question!”
One cultivator spoke solemnly.
“Heh, relax. There’s no grand matter. It’s just that I haven’t seen you all in a long time, and on a whim, I thought to see whether I might encounter any old faces. Alas, it seems that even now, I can’t find any familiar ones. It seems my words from back then still hold true today.”
“Looking at you, all aged and decrepit, it’s clear—there’s no one capable in the Central Origin Realm!”
Li Xiaobai waved his hand and sighed, his eyes darting mischievously. Soon, all the forces of the Central Origin Realm would gather here. He was preparing to deal with them all at once.
“Senior, that is not entirely fair!”
“In five hundred years, the Central Origin Realm has entered a golden age. The cultivators of today are vastly different from those of your era!”
A youthful voice rang out from the crowd.
Young figures emanating daunting auras stepped forward from among the assembly. Bowing with fists cupped, they spoke respectfully, though their bodies radiated boundless combat intent—clearly demonstrating their lack of reverence for this legendary savior of old.
They intended to challenge a god. To conquer a myth!
“How dare you!”
“Senior Li is a hero of the ages! How can you insolent brats act so arrogantly here?”
“All of you, retreat now!”
High-ranking sect leaders reprimanded their disciples with stern voices, yet inwardly, a sliver of anticipation flickered. They themselves could not act due to their stature, but their disciples—young and fearless—were perfectly suited to test this supposed Li Xiaobai. Should a clash break out, it would reveal whether this person was authentic or a pretender.
At worst, they could claim youthful indiscretion later. Li Xiaobai would not openly harm their juniors before so many witnesses; at most, he might teach them a lesson.
“Master, please forgive your disciple’s persistence. To witness Senior Li’s prowess firsthand today would be our greatest fortune. If I could exchange blows with Senior and receive some guidance, I would be forever grateful!”
A fearsome cultivator with a striking aura declared solemnly, his gaze locked boldly on Li Xiaobai, brimming with defiance.
“Jin Hu, you court death!”
“How dare you challenge my Master! First, see if you can survive a bout with your Grandpa Ma!”
Ma Niubi immediately exploded in anger, ready to throw down. By seniority, Li Xiaobai was essentially Jin Hu’s ancestor—how could this young upstart dare issue such a challenge?
“My challenge is to Senior Li; this has nothing to do with you. Or is Senior Li now so aware of how times have changed, so keen on avoiding the might of modern cultivators, that he’d hide behind a disciple for safety?”
The young man named Jin Hu curled his lips into a mocking smirk. Though both had Saint Realm cultivation, there was an immense difference between cultivators from five centuries ago and those in the present. Modern techniques and resources had brought both qualitative and quantitative improvements in cultivation.
“Indeed. More than strength, I envy Senior Li for living in such a prime era. To have the opportunity to battle the Immortal Gods—oh, how glorious. If they were to reappear, I would surely slay them myself!”
A woman in a red dress, exuding aloof elegance, strutted slowly forward as she spoke.
Ma Niubi grew even more incensed, grabbing the Money Tree to use as a weapon. But Li Xiaobai raised a hand to stop him, tilting his head to study the group of young challengers before him.
“Interesting. You wish to spar with me?”
“Very well. As your ancestor, I shall give you some guidance. Show me your strongest techniques. If I take even one step back, I will count it as my loss!”