Chapter 145: Cao Youqian – 'Correct, but unfortunately, there’s no prize.”

"Who’s there!" "Brother Overlord Fist!" "..." Everyone turned toward the source of the voice and saw a burly man in a black robe standing alone on the mountaintop with a delicate young woman dressed in a purple celestial gown. The people around them instinctively backed away dozens of steps, all looking as if they had nothing to do with this guy. Song Zhaoyi was completely bewildered. She’d been enjoying her days in the Taixu Secret Realm—both happy and fulfilled. Although Brother Overlord Fist would make her mine for resources every few days, he was always willing to share good things with her when he found them. In the hundred or so days she’d followed Brother Overlord Fist, Song Zhaoyi had gained far more treasures than she ever had before. Half an hour ago, Brother Overlord Fist said he wanted to take her to watch a good show, and Song Zhaoyi agreed without hesitation. She never expected Brother Overlord Fist would provoke the three top geniuses of Dayan Holy Land as soon as they arrived. Was he planning to take on all three at once? Even if he could handle three of them, the rest of Dayan Holy Land’s disciples were more than she could handle with her slight frame. Right now, she wanted to run, but her legs trembled uncontrollably. All she could do was grip Brother Overlord Fist’s robe tightly, afraid he’d leave her behind. Dugu Ming had, of course, heard of this genius who cleared all nine levels of the trial. "Overlord Fist, I know you’re strong, but you’re not qualified to interfere in the affairs of Dayan Holy Land!" The other two Dayan Holy Land prodigies didn’t speak, but moved closer to Dugu Ming’s side. That subtle move clearly showed where they stood. Cao Youqian chuckled, "Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not here to meddle in Dayan Holy Land’s business. I just came to help my junior sister get revenge for the destruction of her sect." ??? The three of them all looked confused. The onlookers wore expressions of anticipation, and some even took out mats to sit and watch. Whether it was Brother Overlord Fist, the White-Clothed Zither Demon, or the Dayan Holy Land geniuses, all were famous figures in the Taixu Secret Realm—any fight between them would be worth watching. Wang Lie asked coldly, "Are you trying to tell us that the White-Clothed Zither Demon is your junior sister, and that our Dayan Holy Land wiped out her whole sect?" "Correct," Cao Youqian replied with a smile. "Unfortunately, there’s no prize for guessing right." As he spoke, he swept off his black robe, revealing a resolute, arrogant face to the crowd. Cao Youqian shouted, "Where are the disciples of Wendao Academy?" The Wendao Academy disciples who had been watching all froze. Those who didn’t know the inside story immediately understood why the White-Clothed Zither Demon never killed Wendao Academy’s disciples—she was the zither senior from the Miscellaneous Dao Institute! "Senior Brother Cao, we’re here!" A dozen loud voices rang out from the mountaintop as more than ten people appeared beside Cao Youqian. Song Zhaoyi, who’d been scared out of her wits a moment ago, now looked at the man before her with sparkling eyes and an expression of pure admiration—Brother Overlord Fist was so handsome! For a moment, killing intent filled the Taixu Valley as over thirty Wendao Academy disciples and over fifty Dayan Holy Land disciples faced off, clearly divided into two camps. The crowd was on the verge of cheering, waving imaginary flags as they watched. This sudden turn left the Dayan Holy Land side completely caught off guard. They’d only planned to surround and kill the White-Clothed Zither Demon, but now it had escalated to a standoff with Wendao Academy. If the two sides actually fought, even if Dayan Holy Land managed to win, it would be a costly victory. This time, Dayan Holy Land would be the biggest loser in the Taixu Secret Realm. Cao Youqian, naturally, could see that the other side was wavering. He sneered, "Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. Hand over your storage bags and rings, then kowtow and beg for mercy from my third junior sister, and I’ll spare your lives." Anyone able to enter the Taixu Secret Realm for training was an elite disciple of their sect, each proud and arrogant—how could they bear such humiliation from Cao Youqian? Chao Xiu’s face darkened as he said coldly, "Overlord Fist, you really have a big mouth. Do you think you can represent Wendao Academy and declare war on Dayan Holy Land? If you know what’s good for you, hand over the White-Clothed Zither Demon. Otherwise, you’ll witness the thunderous might of Dayan Holy Land!" No sooner had he finished speaking than a light, casual voice drifted in from the horizon: "Junior Brother Cao can’t represent Wendao Academy, but can I, Xiao Chen?" With the voice came two cloaked cultivators, one in black and one in white. The two of them appeared directly above the Taixu Valley, and in perfect sync, they removed their cloaks, revealing the faces of a man and a woman. The man was handsome and cold, while the woman was beautiful and graceful. "Xiao Chen, it’s really Xiao Chen!" The onlookers immediately cried out in surprise when they saw the pair appear. The disciples of Dayan Holy Land all looked tense. They had heard of Xiao Chen’s reputation—candidate for Holy Son of Wendao Academy and a leading figure among the younger generation. Now that he had shown up, there was no way to avoid this battle. "We greet Senior Brother!" The disciples of Wendao Academy called out loudly. Xiao Chen’s arrival was undoubtedly a boost of confidence for everyone on his side. The three top geniuses of Dayan Holy Land exchanged glances. Dealing with Brother Overlord Fist alone was already troublesome—now there was also Xiao Chen. This battle would be even tougher. Chao Xiu gritted his teeth. "Fellow disciples, Wendao Academy clearly has no intention of letting us go today. Retreating is impossible! Besides, it’s fifty against thirty—we have the advantage. Who among you will fight with me!" "Fight! Fight! Fight!" The cultivators of Dayan Holy Land shouted in unison, and their morale reached its peak. Seeing this, Xiao Chen’s lips curled slightly, and he calmly uttered two words: "Clear the field." The spectators, hearing this, all hurriedly retreated several dozen zhang, clearing the entire Taiyin Valley for Wendao Academy and Dayan Holy Land to battle it out. The disciples of Wendao Academy gathered around Xiao Chen. Cao Youqian turned to Song Zhaoyi behind him. "Xiao Yi, find a safe place and stay there. I’ll come find you after I’ve taken care of this little trouble." "Okay." Song Zhaoyi nodded and left Taiyin Valley. On the Dayan Holy Land side, the three top geniuses exchanged glances. Dugu Ming said, "I’m the weakest. I’ll take the White-Clothed Zither Demon." Before Tota Lishi could speak, Wang Lie interjected, "In that case, I’ll deal with Brother Overlord Fist." Chao Xiu’s face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot when he heard them. When it came to taking credit earlier, neither of you was so modest. Now that Xiao Chen’s here, you’re both quick to avoid trouble. But with things as they were, he knew he had no way out. Chao Xiu took a step forward. "Xiao Chen, I’ve heard your swordsmanship is unmatched. Let me see your skills today!" "I don’t strike nameless people. Report your name!" As Xiao Chen spoke, he stepped forward, and the pressure from his aura spread outward. "Tota Lishi, Chao Xiu!" Chao Xiu shouted, and his whole body instantly grew a foot taller, his frame becoming massive. With the pagoda in hand, he stood there like a pagoda-bearing deity. Wang Lie fixed his gaze on Cao Youqian. "So you’re Brother Overlord Fist? Today I want to see if your fists are as tough as your mouth." Cao Youqian smiled and looked at the black tiger beside Wang Lie. "That male tiger is pretty good. I could use its whip to make some wine for my master." Roar! The black tiger let out a thunderous roar, sending a foul wind blowing through the Wendao Academy disciples, their hair in disarray. "Hmph!" Cao Youqian gave a cold shout, cutting off the tiger’s roar as his aura erupted like a volcano. Dugu Ming drew his sword and set his gaze on Qin Qin. "White-Clothed Zither Demon, do you dare fight me one-on-one?" "Why wouldn’t I dare?" As she spoke, Qin Qin leaped into the air and sat cross-legged, placing her hands on the guqin. The disciples of Wendao Academy and Dayan Holy Land all drew their weapons, and a great battle was about to erupt... Join my Patreon and get 20 chapters right away—plus 8 new chapters every week! ☕ Ko-fi is purely for support, but bonus chapters will be released when Ko-fi support goals are met! Patreon: /Alex_Cruise Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/anish_44