Ji Xue also noticed Li Fan, who stepped forward. Her beautiful eyes revealed a trace of surprise—why was he here too?
Was he here for the Yun ng Swamp trial?
Huang Xiong swept his gaze over the crowd and recognized the group of Bai Lu Academy disciples. He clasped his hands and said, "I am Huang Xiong. This man wearing a mask infiltrated the Demon Hunting Team to murder and steal the Demon Core. And now, he dares to turn the tables and slander us."
"Utter nonsense." Dai Long rebuked coldly, glaring at Huang Xiong. He said, "I study at Bai Lu Academy. I ca to Yun ng Swamp to slay demons for the trial. If I needed a Demon Core, I would kill demons myself—not steal yours. You led the Demon Hunting Team to ambush us as we hunted demons, killing my companions and injuring . And now, you have the audacity to make false accusations?"
"Senior brothers, please execute these two on the spot."
The mbers of Bai Lu Academy fixed their gaze on Huang Xiong. The man stood tall and imposing like a fiendish brute, holding an iron cudgel still stained with blood.
By comparison, they were inclined to trust Dai Long, who was a fellow academy disciple.
At this mont, the rest of the Demon Hunting Team stepped forward. Each wore a palpable aura of ferocity, their bodies still stained with blood from wiping out the ambushing team earlier.
When they spotted the Bai Lu Academy disciples, they hesitated for a mont.
Soon, they realized—the masked man was a Bai Lu Academy student?
"Senior brothers, look! These are the ones who attacked and surrounded us. The blood on them proves what they’ve done. These villains must not be spared." Dai Long exclaid indignantly.
"Shaless!" Huang Xiong’s bell-like eyes locked onto Dai Long. Taking a wide stride forward, he raised his iron cudgel and charged toward Dai Long.
*Fury surged within him—this man had ambushed and killed his comrades. Now, he dared to lie and turn the bla back on them?*
Dai Long knew well that Huang Xiong possessed natural Divine Power; he’d experienced it firsthand before. Without employing cunning tactics, he couldn’t kill him—not even at full strength. And now, he was injured.
"Senior brother, help !" Dai Long retreated into the ranks of academy disciples. His earlier cold arrogance vanished; now he appeared as a pitiful victim.
"Enough!"
Seeing Huang Xiong charge directly at them, one man stepped forward decisively. A sharp whistle escaped his sword. As Huang Xiong’s iron cudgel struck down, the sword intercepted it precisely.
A trendous force rippled through the iron cudgel, forcing Yun Zhiqiu to skid backward. Yet this sa force caused Huang Xiong to stagger several steps.
When Yun Zhiqiu looked up, a glimr of astonishnt flashed in his eyes. Was this brute’s power truly so terrifying?
*Although he had achieved the Foundation Establishnt Realm and was unskilled in raw strength, he shouldn’t have been pushed back by a Martial Artist in the Innate stage. Then again, he had underestimated his opponent when striking hastily.*
*The humiliation made his blood boil. He had accompanied Ji Xue here, hoping to win her favor. Being pushed back by a brute? How could he tolerate such disgrace?*
A domineering Sword Intent erupted from Yun Zhiqiu as he deftly shifted his stance. His body straightened like a sword as he advanced. With a leap, he swung his sword horizontally, releasing an overwhelming sword arc in the air.
"Watch out!" Xiao Kui couldn’t cultivate, but she sensed the imnse power of this strike and cried out in alarm. Huang Xiong roared furiously, lifting his iron cudgel to collide with the sword.
A loud explosion echoed. The Foundation Establishnt Sword Cultivator’s calculated attack was too much for Huang Xiong. His massive figure was thrown backward as the fearso Sword Aura tore into his body, shredding his armor and leaving bloody wounds on his flesh.
Clearly, his physical defenses couldn’t withstand such an attack.
But Yun Zhiqiu also felt his arm go numb, his heart filled with shock. *No wonder Dai Long was being hunted by this man—the brute possessed Divine Power and exceptional physical defenses. Yun’s Sword Aura would have critically injured or killed an ordinary Martial Artist at the peak of the Innate stage.*
*But Huang Xiong only sustained flesh wounds.*
Li Fan did not intervene. If he were rely a talented Sword Cultivator, it wouldn’t matter—after all, there were many gifted individuals in the world.
*However, being skilled enough to challenge a Foundation Establishnt cultivator would require him to reveal techniques from Li Mountain. This could expose his identity.*
*If suspicions arose that he was a disciple of Li Mountain, it would bring significant trouble, possibly even a Court pursuit.*
Still, should Huang Xiong find himself in mortal danger, Li Fan wouldn’t hesitate to act.
From the looks of it, Huang Xiong was even more formidable than Li Fan had anticipated, especially in terms of explosive power.
Li Fan pondered whether to offer Huang Xiong an opportunity, a chance to connect with elite cultivators who could guide his path. He thought Master Xing might be a perfect fit and would likely take an interest in Huang Xiong.
"Brother Huang!" Demon Hunting Team mbers stepped forward. Spotting Yun Zhiqiu’s intent to continue attacking, one of them shouted, "Is this how Bai Lu Academy, the revered Jiangzhou Sacred Land, bullies others?"
"You hunt human cultivators to steal Demon Cores, and still you claim righteousness?" Yun Zhiqiu retorted coldly, his sword moving forward.
"Miss Ji."
Just then, Li Fan’s voice broke through as he looked at Ji Xue.
Yun Zhiqiu hesitated, turning his gaze to Li Fan. Of course, he had noticed Li Fan earlier—the man had trailed Ji Xue before being forced out after Yun hinted to Ji Xue’s uncle. Yet here they were, eting again.
Ji Xue also turned her attention to Li Fan at the sound of his voice. Li Fan spoke, "I ca to Yun ng Swamp for the trial, working alongside this Demon Hunting Team. I can testify—it was this academy cultivator who sought to murder and steal the Demon Core. The Core they wanted is in my possession."
As he spoke, Li Fan produced the Tree Demon’s Demon Core from his palm and continued, "If that weren’t the truth, Miss Ji, do you think the Demon Hunting Team mbers would dare to slander academy disciples, knowing who you are?"
"That’s right. This man ambushed and killed our friend but fled when he couldn’t overpower us. We’ve pursued him here ever since," Xiao Kui chid in.
This drew the academy mbers’ suspicion toward Dai Long.
As Li Fan had pointed out—what audacity would these Demon Hunting Team mbers have to falsely accuse Bai Lu Academy students?
"I’ve always held Bai Lu Academy in high regard; is this truly how they distinguish right from wrong?" Huang Xiong growled, stepping forward despite his injuries. He locked his murderous gaze on Dai Long.
Yun Zhiqiu frowned, his sword in hand, ready to attack.
"Senior Brother Yun," Ji Xue called out. Yun Zhiqiu turned toward her as Ji Xue said, "Shouldn’t we confirm the truth before taking further action?"
Though she found Ji Feng insufferable, Ji Xue acknowledged that Li Fan had exhibited restraint and judgnt thus far. If he said so, coupled with others’ behavior—could Dai Long be the real problem?
Yun Zhiqiu replied, "Junior Sister Ji, Bai Lu Academy disciples would never stoop to such actions. Surely, this is a case of these people pursuing Junior Brother Dai and changing tactics upon detection, attempting to sar his reputation."
Another academy disciple spoke up, "Senior Brother Yun is right. If Junior Sister Ji has doubts, let’s apprehend these people and bring them back to Yun ng City. The truth will co to light there."
Ji Xue remained uneasy but nodded slightly, refraining from further comnt.
Li Fan glanced toward her and caught her avoiding his gaze as she retreated into the crowd.
Witnessing this, Li Fan could infer Ji Xue’s stance.
"So, Bai Lu Academy disciples would never commit such actions, yet our Demon Hunting Team would? Is that your reasoning?" Huang Xiong’s bitter laughter rang out. His disappointnt was palpable.
*He had long admired Bai Lu Academy, respecting its disciples as figures of honor. But recent events shattered that image.*
*Now, he saw their true nature—ordinary, flawed mortals, no different from anyone else.*
His voice carried a sense of dejection, underscoring his profound loss.
Li Fan, however, remained indifferent.
Yun Zhiqiu waved his hand, prompting the academy disciples to advance, forming a loose encirclent around Huang Xiong and his group.
"So, this is Bai Lu Academy," Huang Xiong growled harshly, gripping his iron cudgel tightly. Xiao Kui stayed close by his side, equally stunned to find their opponents were academy disciples.
The Demon Hunting Team burned with rage.
Li Fan stepped forward and joined Huang Xiong’s side, holding his sword, Sword Intent swirling around him as he calmly faced the approaching academy disciples.
"Brother Yang, this matter doesn’t concern you," Huang Xiong said to Li Fan.
"What nonsense, Brother Huang? This all started because of . Don’t worry—nothing will happen." Li Fan replied, sword at the ready.
Ji Xue watched Li Fan closely. She could sense the Sword Intent coiling around him. During their earlier journey, she had noticed Li Fan carried three swords. Now it was clear—he was indeed a Sword Cultivator.
Huang Xiong stepped forward and blocked Li Fan, whispering, "Please, Brother Yang, take Xiao Kui and leave."
He intended to shield Li Fan as much as possible. As a Sword Cultivator, Li Fan had speed on his side.
Gazing at the broad, formidable figure before him, Li Fan recognized Huang Xiong’s righteous nature. The man was truly a valiant soul.
"We stand together," Li Fan answered.
Just as both sides prepared to clash, a scream erupted from behind the Bai Lu Academy disciples. All eyes shifted to the sound, where the bloodied corpse of an academy student floated atop a nearby cold pond.
Terror gripped the disciples as they turned their focus to the pond.
Earlier, their demon hunt had led them to this location. Their attention had been on the pond until Dai Long’s arrival disrupted them. Now, they were drawn back to it.
Li Fan’s eyes also shifted, noticing the cold pond surrounded by ancient trees. He sensed a powerful Demon Energy emanating from within.
Suddenly, a massive tail struck out from the pond at incredible speed, targeting a nearby figure.
The man retreated swiftly but lagged by a breath. The scaled tail imdiately dragged him into the pond’s depths.
The Bai Lu Academy disciples attacked, charging toward the cold pond to confront the threat.
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