Chapter 82

The oppressive aura seeped out, as if from Beichenzi’s feet, or perhaps from his entire body. This oppressive aura made the people around Beichenzi tremble slightly, and they subconsciously moved their feet. Under this oppressive aura, they seemed to feel a thick and heavy presence.

Even the mysterious person in the gray robe, when he felt this oppressive aura, showed a change in expression, and his otherwise motionless body trembled slightly. His gaze, which had been cold and indifferent, now followed the oppressive aura, and as Beichenzi took a step forward, his eyes moved as well.

This was the first time he had seen Beichenzi make such a move!

But there were still some who did not retreat at all due to the oppressive aura emanating from Beichenzi. One of them was Baishi.

Baishi’s gaze focused on Beichenzi, and his breathing remained steady. He clearly knew that a year ago, Dongchenzi had almost come to blows with Beichenzi because of him. This matter had been gnawing at Beichenzi’s heart, and now, as he looked at Beichenzi, although his gaze was stern, beneath that sternness, there was a barely concealed... anger!

The most worried, however, were Xichenzi and Nanchenzi. Xichenzi knew very well that Dongchenzi had been harboring resentment over that day’s events. Now, with Beichenzi making such a move, Xichenzi subconsciously looked at where Dongchenzi was. Dongchenzi’s expression was extremely grim, and it seemed he was ready to fight at any moment.

From Beichenzi’s heart, she was also wary of Dongchenzi’s strength. So even though she exuded a stern aura, she would not rashly make a move. Now, as she approached Baishi again, she finally spoke in a deep voice: "Whether or not he is a waste, as you said... it’s still unclear. We’ll see in a moment!"

After saying this, Beichenzi moved her gaze from Baishi to Xichenzi, who seemed to have just recovered from the tension, and said, "Xichen Senior... among these courtyards, you are the eldest. Dongchenzi has already said that Baishi is not in Dongchen Courtyard. Now that Baishi has appeared, we will follow your arrangements. Do you want to test his strength first, or should we implement the oath Baishi made a year ago?"

"This..." Although he was the senior among these masters, Xichenzi was at a loss in the face of this awkward situation. After a moment of hesitation, he looked at Dongchenzi, whose expression was still very grim.

"Fine... it doesn’t matter what we do first," Dongchenzi said, waving his sleeve and speaking in a deep voice.

Beichenzi’s tone was high and mighty, "I noticed that Baishi has some bloodstains on him. I imagine he must have made a lot of effort for this competition, fighting beasts in the Daochen Mountains. He just returned, and if we were to start the competition with him right away, some people might think it’s unfair."

Dongchenzi gave Beichenzi a glance and was about to speak, but Baishi interrupted, "Since some people can’t hold back, I, Baishi, will not refuse... talk of rest might work against other courtyards, but in a competition with Beichen Courtyard, I think it’s unnecessary."

Baishi’s words made the disciples of Beichen Courtyard show fierce expressions. Such disregard and arrogance made them clench their fists, eager to challenge Baishi. But this commotion was quickly stopped by Beichenzi. She raised her hand, and immediately, silence fell behind her. Then, she looked at Baishi with a fierce gaze, as if there was an invisible hatred in her eyes, and said softly, "Since you don’t trust the people of Beichen Courtyard, then today, in front of everyone, we will show that the disciples of Dongchen Courtyard are not expelled without reason, but are indeed... a bunch of wastes!"

Baishi’s expression remained indifferent, but after hearing Beichenzi’s words, especially seeing the pride in her eyes, he couldn’t help but sneer, "If you really have the capital, then there’s no need to talk. We can start the battle now."

As Baishi’s words fell, he moved his gaze from Beichenzi to Lin Nan, then to Xichenzi, and gave a somewhat awkward smile, saying, "Xichen Master... after I left Xichen Courtyard, I also boasted that in two years, with my strength, I would surely defeat those who entered Xichen Courtyard with me."

As Baishi’s words fell, before Xichenzi could continue, there was another commotion behind him. This commotion, like the one among Beichenzi’s disciples, was filled with ridicule, mocking the waste who had left Xichen Courtyard, wondering what capital he had to make such a boast.

But there was one person who did not join in this commotion. It was the mysterious person in the gray robe. When he heard Baishi’s words, his pupils constricted slightly, as if he saw an invisible power in Baishi’s figure. This power made him frown, and he seemed to sense something mysterious, just like himself!

At the same time, Xichenzi stopped the commotion behind him. He smiled and was about to speak when he saw Baishi’s gaze turn to his back, and his voice became even more resolute, "I think we don’t need to wait two years. Today, I will settle all the things I said before!"

After saying this, Baishi suddenly turned and walked to Dongchenzi’s side, looking at Su Xuan and then at Dongchenzi.

Only in their eyes did he see support and trust.

This was not just a deep-seated hope for Baishi, but a genuine understanding of his strength.

Su Xuan had seen it with his own eyes, and although Dongchenzi could not detect Baishi’s strength due to the purity of his soul, he was very clear about this. But when Baishi was in Dongchen Courtyard, in the wine cellar on the back mountain, he saw Baishi break through the Foundation Establishment stage and enter the Cave Profound realm. So, in his heart, Baishi’s current strength was not only in the Cave Profound realm but also had a certain stability.

Faced with a disciple of Baishi’s age, Dongchenzi was not worried at all!

As their gazes met briefly, Dongchenzi immediately moved around Baishi, walked to the front, and looked at Beichenzi, whose pride was still evident, then shifted his gaze to Xichenzi and said, "Xichen Senior, since Baishi has said this... as his uncle, I will not doubt him. The strength test for your Xichen Courtyard can be put on hold, can it?"

Xichenzi, in his awkward position, found a way out with Dongchenzi’s words. Without much hesitation, he nodded and said, "That’s fine."

After saying this, Xichenzi signaled for all the disciples to disperse and stand at the four corners of the courtyard. As they moved away, Dongchenzi raised his hands as if holding his breath. With this raise, two powerful forces surged from his palms, shaking the ground. The area within thirty meters of the force’s impact immediately trembled violently, and the rumbling sound echoed instantly!

As the rumbling sound echoed, a large stone platform suddenly rose from the flat courtyard, shaking violently. As Dongchenzi raised his hands, the platform rose slowly. When he suddenly withdrew his hands, the platform stopped rising, but there was still snow that had not been swept away, and beneath the snow, a thick layer of ice.

Around the platform were some stone steps.

Seeing the appearance of the platform, the disciples around were all surprised, but Nanchenzi, Xichenzi, and Beichenzi were not, as if they had known there was a platform here all along.

Baishi took a step forward. Although it was the first time he saw the platform, he did not show much surprise. Instead, he walked straight up the steps, onto the platform, and looked at the people below, his gaze sharp and cold. He spoke in a deep voice, "After I finish my match with Cai Heng, if anyone is不服... feel free to challenge me. I will not refuse!"