Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

"You?"

Li Yu was taken aback, his brow furrowing slightly. "Fellow Daoist Bai, as far as I know, you haven't registered..."

"No matter. I've already secured a spot."

"I will be fighting in place of Fellow Daoist Jiang Tao from the Cyan Rainbow Hall!"

Bai Yujie spoke with calm composure, his wide sleeves fluttering around his handsome, debonair figure.

"Oh?"

Li Yu's gaze was filled with doubt as he looked over, only to see that Bai Yujie was indeed holding a token.

It still bore the lingering aura of the Cyan Rainbow Hall!

Beside them, Li Jianyin's cold, sharp gaze shot over.

His heart stirred as he realized that the injuries Bai Yujie had sustained from that mysterious swordsman had already healed completely. His condition was back at its Peak.

"Fellow Daoist, hold on!"

Just as Chi Ming was about to return to his seat, Bai Yujie took a single step. The next moment, he appeared on the fighting stage behind Chi Ming, looking down on him from above.

Li Yu froze.

He hadn't even agreed, yet the man had completely disregarded his opinion and taken action.

This left a bad taste in his mouth.

But he couldn't very well say anything.

After all, a being of the Divine Might Realm had no business getting involved in today's tournament.

It would be best to quickly decide a winner and have them exit the stage.

That way, the fighting spirit of the other young Cultivators wouldn't be crushed.

"What is it?" Chi Ming turned to face Bai Yujie.

He couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

He felt a faint, yet distinct, pressure emanating from the white-robed man before him.

"How about you and I have a match to decide who takes first place in this Peach Blossom Banquet?"

Bai Yujie announced with a laugh.

As soon as he spoke, every eye in the arena focused on them, and a series of gasps echoed through the crowd.

The fight for first place in the Peach Blossom Banquet was naturally the most anticipated battle of all.

The winner of first place could unconditionally choose any ten of the rewards promised by the provincial government—a prize far superior to what was offered for any other rank.

Just when everyone had fallen into despair, assuming Chi Ming's victory was a foregone conclusion, no one expected Bai Yujie to suddenly interfere.

How could the many major powers present not know Bai Yujie's identity?

Everyone's eyes glinted as they realized the question of who would take first place in the Peach Blossom Banquet wasn't settled just yet.

Chi Ming hadn't expected the white-robed man to make such a demand.

He had seen this man in action back in Lingtian Pavilion and knew he was a formidable opponent who couldn't be underestimated.

If he insisted on getting involved, the consequences would be hard to predict.

Elsewhere, Song Yubing clenched her delicate hands, feeling that this turn of events was far too sudden.

'If Jiang Tao hadn't given his spot to that white-robed man, none of this would be happening!'

"Why the silence?"

"Are you scared?"

Bai Yujie stood with his hands clasped behind his back, cutting a dashing and elegant figure.

"I have no objection."

"However, it depends on the Prefecture Lord's will."

Chi Ming looked toward Li Yu.

Li Yu was, after all, the host of the Peach Blossom Banquet.

Whether to break with convention and proceed directly to the final match for first place was a decision Li Yu had to make.

Li Yu's brow twitched.

It was rare to see a young Cultivator like Chi Ming who had already stepped into the Divine Might Realm. A sense of appreciation for such talent bloomed within him, and he was reluctant to make things difficult for the young man.

If Bai Yujie and Chi Ming fought, there was no doubt that Chi Ming would be defeated!

"You're reasonably well-known over in the Central Province. What, you came to my territory just to bully people?"

Li Jianyin, young and hot-headed, wasn't one to ruminate like Li Yu. He couldn't stand Bai Yujie's actions and spoke up directly, his voice cold and grim.

"Bullying? How could you call this bullying?"

Bai Yujie said with a grin, "That fellow is a complete stranger, and his cultivation is clearly extraordinary. How can you be so sure he's a Cultivator from the eastern part of the dynasty?"

"Besides, the rules state that anyone with a spot can compete. Are you, Fellow Daoist Li, going to make things difficult for me?"

"HMPH!" Li Jianyin snorted. "If you can get on stage, why can't I?"

Gripping a worn, ancient-looking scabbard, he made to stand.

Seeing this, Bai Yujie's expression changed instantly.

'I'm not confident I can handle Li Jianyin!'

The others also noticed the commotion and turned to look.

'Is Dongxuan's number one prodigy going to enter the stage himself?'

But they also had their doubts.

With Li Jianyin's strength, could he really defeat Chi Ming, who was in the Divine Might Realm?

"Li Jianyin, are you determined to oppose me?"

"Congratulations, you guessed correctly," Li Jianyin said with a smirk.

He had said it before: if Bai Yujie tried to get on stage and cause trouble, he wouldn't just sit back and watch.

Bai Yujie's expression turned ugly. For a moment, he was at a complete loss.

Just then, the middle-aged man suddenly spoke.

"How about you do me a favor?"

"Fellow Daoist Li, don't meddle in today's affairs."

He gazed indifferently at Li Jianyin, then took out a token. It was a solid cyan-green, as if carved from jasper.

The token was translucent and shimmering, emitting a hazy cyan aura like some immortal Spiritual Treasure. It seemed extraordinarily mystical.

Li Yu had little reaction, other than to note that this token was far from simple.

But Li Jianyin's expression changed drastically.

"Master's token!?"

"How do you have something like this?"

He frowned at the middle-aged man, his mind reeling as if struck by a tidal wave.

"Fellow Daoist Li, why ask what you already know?"

"This is, of course, your master's will."

The middle-aged man noted the look on Li Jianyin's face and smiled. "You wouldn't want to disobey your master's orders, would you?"

At these words, Li Jianyin took a deep breath and sat back down. He lowered his head, remaining silent, his thoughts a mystery.

The surrounding high-ranking officials from the provincial government exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.

Li Yu frowned. He felt that events had developed to a point beyond his control.

Moreover, judging by the middle-aged man's demeanor, he had clearly come prepared.

He couldn't help but ask, "Fellow Daoist Shi, why does it seem like you're deliberately targeting Fellow Daoist Chi Ming? It looks as if you've gone to great lengths to prepare for this."

"I'm merely acting on someone's behalf."

The middle-aged man smiled. "Since Young Master Li has no objections, let us proceed. Fellow Daoist Bai, go and face Fellow Daoist Chi Ming. Settle the matter of first place."

"As Lord Shi commands." Only then did Bai Yujie turn his gaze nonchalantly toward Chi Ming. He said with a grin, "Well? Shall we begin our fight?"

With that, countless gazes converged on Chi Ming, as if waiting for his decision.

Song Yubing, in particular, watched the scene unfold with deep anxiety in her eyes.

Under the public's intense scrutiny, Chi Ming's brow slowly furrowed, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.

"Then let's fight!"

Someone spoke, but it was not Chi Ming's voice.

Bai Yujie froze.

He looked toward the source of the voice.

An imposing figure was striding through the air toward them, his aura as majestic as a god's!