Chapter 53: Second To None (15)
Chapter 53: Second To None (15)
Although the five Grandmasters each ruled their own territories and rarely had any exchanges, as martial artists of the same level, they inevitably knew each other personally. Just as Bai Yan and Fazhao were close friends, Xiaoyaozi and Wei Qu were also friends of Emperor Yan. They had long been hiding in secrecy to watch the battle and recognized Lin Dan's martial art technique.
All Asura Sword practitioners had eventually caused bloodshed in the world. They may have died for hundreds or thousands of years, but the terrible memories they left were never forgotten. Not only did Bai Yan's sect instructed its members to kill the Asura Sword successor, but other martial arts sects had also received a similar command.
As the lord of Lianyun City and the top Grandmaster of Eastern Tang, Bai Yan should have come forward and eliminated the world's threat. Instead, he stood in front of Lin Dan and said, Come at me, both of you.
Bai Yan had challenged and won all four Grandmasters in a one-versus-one duel, but he had never fought against two Grandmasters at once. Xiaoyaozi and Wei Qu were apprehensive at first but seeing that he was behaving so arrogantly, no longer hesitated. They had no confidence of winning him in a single-man duel, but it would be different in a two-versus-one duel.
"We shall not hold ourselves back then! Emperor Yun, this devil will one day pose a huge threat to this world. We have been instructed by our sects to personally remove this threat for the world. This is not a fair fight but a reasonable one and we seek your understanding. We hope that you will stop helping the evil and protecting the wicked!" Xiaoyaozi and Wei Qu were still concerned with their dignity and made their actions sounded reasonable before starting the attack.
Bai Yan snorted and readied himself to face the enemies.
The fight broke out in an instance. Lin Dan wanted to witness the impressive fighting style of the top martial artist and turned her head with difficulty.
Meanwhile, Fazhao recited scriptures while creating an impenetrable barrier to protect Lin Dan. He chose to stand on the side of Lin Dan, not due to a friend's request but the calling of his heart. He knew that Lin Dan was not a devil.
Bai Yan looked back at Lin Dan, seemingly a little worried. But there was no room for any distraction in the battle against two Grandmasters. Wei Qu immediately took the chance and sent a palm wave towards him. However, he missed the attack as Bai Yan's body immediately dispersed like a cloud. In the next moment, Bai Yan appeared behind Wei Qu and attacked with a light palm wave, which was enough to hit him down to the ground. He spewed blood and was unable to get up for a long time.
Meanwhile, Xiaoyaozi took his sword and began thrusting at Bai Yan's formless and cloud-like body. It seemed as though Bai Yan was standing before his eyes but immediately dispersed like mist.
Xiaoyaozi's eyes widened and was horrified. He wanted to thrust his sword again but could not find where Bai Yan was. Like a madman, he slashed frantically in the air. Each time he drew his sword, Bai Yan's misty figure would appear at his point of attack. Over time, he was drenched in cold sweat. His facial expression was distorted and he had lost his mind. The outcome of the battle was concluded even before Bai Yan had revealed his true fighting abilities.
Bai Yan seemed uninterested in continuing the fight. He instantly appeared behind Xiaoyaozi and struck him to the ground as well. He had been using a mysterious technique against the two Grandmasters, but when it came to making real attacking moves, it only took him two palm waves to end the battle. Within less than half an hour, the two Grandmasters were defeated.
Lin Dan saw through Lonely Scarlet's Bagua Shadow Steps but could not see through Bai Yan's form technique. If Bai Yan was serious in fighting, she had no doubt that all five Grandmasters with all their powers combined had no chance against him. This man was so powerful that it was beyond anyone's imagination!
Bai Yan landed lightly on the ground. His white robe was still clean and neat and hair smooth as silk, as though there had been no fight at all. He said slowly, "According to the rules, your territories will belong to me if I kill you now. You should also know that nobody in this world would dare to stop me even if I turn into a cruel and ruthless, evil and unscrupulous man because they can't.
Xiaoyaozi and Wei Qu spat two mouthfuls of blood in a row, wearing an angry yet fearful expression on their faces.
"Don't do unto others what you don't want to be done unto you. Stay away from me if you don't want anything bad to happen." Bai Yan actually gave them a chance to live.
Xiaoyaozi and Wei Qu quickly got up and thanked him before helping each other down to the middle of the mountain and waited for their sect members to pick them up. Since then, they had remained dormant and were afraid to stand up against Bai Yan, not to mention speaking of killing Lin Dan. After the fight, not only were they defeated, they had also learned a terrible fact Bai Yan's skill had reached far beyond the Grandmaster level.
How are you feeling?" Bai Yan went to Lin Dan's side and wanted to stroke her cheek but quickly dispelled the idea. Lin Dan's bones were crushed and he did not dare to touch her at all.
"I'm fine. You should know that my technique will repair my body." Lin Dan said lightheartedly. It was already good enough to be alive and the serious injuries were nothing to her. She paused and said, "Thank you all." Without Bai Yan and Fazhao, she would have been killed by Xiaoyaozi and Wei Qu as she could not move at all after that big fight.
"I didn't expect the two Grandmasters to be so despicable and insidious, it was eye-opening." She joked.
Bai Yan was relieved to hear that and chuckled, "Grandmasters are humans too, they can get greedy and are not as noble as you think. After you became a Grandmaster, weren't you too poor to afford your own meals as well?
Lin Dan was amused, she gave a faint smile and her eyes glistened.
Bai Yan stared at her, his eyes were full of fear and joy at the same time. He had already decided to kill Emperor Yan and save her if her life was in danger, even if it meant he had to break the rules of this world. However, she gave him a pleasant surprise. With perseverance and skillful technique, she won the fight. It seemed as though she had unlimited potential and never failed to surprise him.
"This is the Rejuvenation Pill, a great healing medicine of Lianyun City. Take this, and it will help you recover faster." Bai Yan took out the medicine he had prepared beforehand and gave it to Lin Dan, before carefully feeding her with water.
"Amitabha. My Nirvana Technique may useful for you as well. Please relax while I transfer some life aura to you." Master Fazhao said gently.
But Lin Dan refused his offer and said resolutely, "Master, having some life aura can indeed ease my pain, but I think suffering in pain is also part of my cultivation. If I allow myself to feel better by receiving some life aura from you, would this make me kill the innocent just to feel more comfortable in the future? I have to get used to this pain. It keeps me awake and serves as a reminder that, I am Lin Dan, not some Asura.
Fazhao who was still a little skeptical had now completely trusted her. He put his hands together and said in admiration, "Amitabha. You are the wise one who is favored by the Buddha. It was me who was blind! Since the incident has ended and Emperor Yun is here to protect you, I shall take my leave until we meet again.
"Goodbye, Master." The moment when Lin Dan's voice fell, a group of people arrived at the top of the mountain, including He Yufei who was following right behind them.
"Greetings!" The people bowed and pointed at Lin Dan, "Emperor Yun, this demoness is a practitioner of the Asura Sword Technique, if you still consider yourself a member of this sect, you must kill her!" These people were none other than the elders of Lianyun City. They had also been hiding nearby to watch the fight and knew what happened.
The two Grandmasters were unable to change Emperor Yun's mind, but these elders were his fellow seniors and should be able to persuade him, or so they thought.
Bai Yun took off his outer robe and covered gently on Lin Dan. He said without turning his head around, "Sure, you may kill Lin Dan. But you have to defeat me first." This was not consent but a way to stop everyone from killing her. Was there anyone in the entire Eastern Tang who stood a chance of winning Emperor Yun and kill Lin Dan? Not to mention that even Master Fazhao had taken a step forward and protected the seriously injured Lin Dan.
"Emperor Yun, she will lose her mind one day and become a bloodthirsty mad woman!" The first elder said anxiously.
Bai Yan held Lin Dan's fingertips and said tenderly, "I will always be with her. If she loses her mind" He paused before continuing, "I will take her life myself.
Hearing what he said, Lin Dan was not afraid at all but smiled faintly.
Bai Yan could not bear to see her smile. He turned around slightly and said with glistened eyes, "Besides, what gives you the right to kill her? She defeated the world's top seven fugitives and destroyed the Plague City. She eliminated great evil from the world and saved no less than hundreds and thousands of people. But have you who, have been in this world for decades, done anything for the people? As you rise higher in status, you take lesser responsibilities of the world. Yet, you are acting all noble and superior right now? In comparison to her actions, shouldn't you feel ashamed?
Bai Yan finally turned around and said word by word, "You don't feel ashamed, but I do! Before you said she's a mad woman, you must know that she lives a more sober life than any of you!
Fazhao lowered his head and put his hands together, "Amitabha, indeed!
The elders and others were unable to lift their heads up high after hearing what Bai Yan said. They thought of the current situation of Eastern Tang which had been more peaceful than ever and looked at the dying Lin Dan who was seriously injured. They bowed and left in shame. Bai Yan asked several female sect members to stay and take care of Lin Dan. He Yufei hurriedly followed and refused to leave.
He Yufei had been feeling uneasy these days. Lin Dan had been promoted to Half-step Grandmaster and now the Grandmaster. Not only did she defeated the four elders, Lonely Scarlet, and the seven fugitives, she was gaining reputation in the world that was almost comparable with the old Grandmasters. She was also lucky that even the Eastern Holy Sect had turned from an unorthodox sect to an orthodox one. He Yufei should have thanked Lin Dan, but looking at how much Bai Yan cared for her, she only wanted Lin Dan to disappear forever.
Since Lin Dan escaped from death and broke away from He Chongling's control, she had become He Yufei's largest thorn in the flesh.