The woman leading the group, a middle-aged lady with a stunning and indifferent face, had eyes as cold and ruthless as ice, exuding an aura that warned strangers to stay away. She was the Valley Master of Ruthless Valley, Jue Mie.
Beside Jue Mie followed a beauty dressed in a white gown, with raven-black hair and a pale countenance, her gaze indifferent. This was Bing Xin, the successor to the position of Valley Master in Ruthless Valley, who had previously attempted to kill Ye Luo several times in Zhonghai.
At this moment, the two parties happened to meet, and as Bing Xin and Ye Luoâs eyes met, sparks seemed to fly.
"Bing Xin, who is he?"
Seeing the peculiar look in Bing Xinâs eyes, Jue Mie glanced at Ye Luo and asked in a chilly tone.
"Master, he is the one who saved Du Huixian and killed our disciples of Ruthless Valley,"
Bing Xin stated coldly.
Whoosh!
Jue Mieâs pupils narrowed, and a slash of icy chill shot from her eyes towards Ye Luo, as if intending to freeze him completely.
Facing Jue Mieâs sharp gaze, Ye Luo remained calm and composed, with no changes to his expression.
"Kid, it was you who killed my disciples of Ruthless Valley!"
Jue Mie took a step forward, her gaze locked on Ye Luo, and an invisible aura unfurled from her, the power of the Controlling Qi Realm pressing down on Ye Luo.
Yet now, Ye Luo, facing the pressure of the Controlling Qi Realm, felt no oppression at all. The Nine Yang Energy spread throughout his body, effortlessly resisting the formidable pressure.
"What is the meaning of this, Valley Master Jue Mie?" Elder Shi asked, his gaze shifting towards Jue Mie as he spoke in a deep voice.
"This boy has killed my disciples of Ruthless Valley. I must discipline him."
Jue Mie declared coldly.
"He is currently one of the participants sent by our Huaxia governmentâs Tian Group to participate in the Youth Ranking Competition. I hope Valley Master Jue Mie can be understanding."
Elder Shi stated blandly.
"Hmph, with just a Saint Realm ninth levelâs strength, he came to participate in the Youth Ranking Competition. Seems like your Tian Group really has no one left, not afraid to lose face. Such an existence, even if he does participate, will only serve as an embarrassment and a stepping stone for others. Since thatâs the case, Iâll take care of him personally."
Jue Mie stated coldly, a glint of merciless killing intent in her eyes.
"Whatâs going on here, such a lively scene?"
A crisp female voice sounded, drawing everyoneâs attention. A group of people, led by some powerful members of the Mount Tai Sect, arrived at the mountaintop; they were from Snow Palace.
The one leading them was dressed in elegant blue robes, followed by several Snow Palace experts and five young women: Yan Ruxue, Ruan Yu, Tang Baoâer, and Leng Ruobing, accompanied by a female disciple from Snow Palace who had reached the sixth level of Hua Yuan Realm, clearly the fifth participant for the competition.
Leng Ruobing and Ye Luo exchanged smiles as they looked at each other.
"What are you all up to?"
Lan Yuqiong approached, her dignified presence instantly overpowering Jue Mieâs aura.
"Palace Master Lan!"
Jue Mieâs gaze flickered as she addressed Lan Yuqiong with a hint of respect.
"Jue Mie, this young fellow here is a participant from the Tian Group after all. Donât you think itâs a bit inappropriate for you to attack him now?"
Lan Yuqiong addressed Jue Mie.
Hearing Lan Yuqiongâs words, a subtle change crossed Jue Mieâs face.
At that moment, more people arrived at the summit of Mount Tai, this time all male. Leading them was a fair-faced middle-aged man in white robes with an air of scholarly elegance, yet exuding a formidable invisible presence.
Accompanying him was a younger man dressed even more flamboyantly, with a particularly pale complexion as if covered in white powder, fan in hand, and a flippant look in his eyes, which twirled around mischievously.
At first glance, he gave off a skeevy impression, yet his strength was formidable; he had already reached the first level of the Spirit Sea Realm. Behind him followed several young men at the eighth and ninth levels of the Hua Yuan Realm.
And they were from one of the four top-tier families of the Hidden Sect, the Ximen Family, led by the Family Head of the Ximen Family, Ximen Yu, with the young man beside him being his son, the future heir to the Ximen Family, Ximen Tian.
"Palace Master Lan, long time no see, youâve grown even more youthful and beautiful!"
Ximen Yu approached with a series of compliments, smiling broadly.
"Thank you for the praise!"
Lan Yuqiong had a calm expression, without any discernible change in her eyes.
"Wow, what a beautiful lady! When did the Snow Palace acquire such a gorgeous member?"
Ximen Tianâs eyes were filled with malicious intent as he gazed at Leng Ruobing, his lips curling into a frivolous smile before he boldly walked over.
"Hello, beauty, I am Lord Ximen Tian of the Ximen Family, pleased to meet you. Whatâs your name?"
Ximen Tian held a feather fan, smiling at Leng Ruobing.
"Hey, hey, Ximen Tian, can you stop getting all aroused every time you see a beauty? This is my junior sister, and you best not go after her. Sheâs already taken."
Tang Baoâer glared at Ximen Tian with her hands on her hips.
"Taken? Thatâs too bad."
Ximen Tian shook his head and sighed, but then his eyes hardened and he said, "However, it doesnât matter. I like married women too, and as long as I kill this beautyâs man, I still have a chance."
Ximen Tian spoke carelessly, his eyes gleaming fervently as he looked at Leng Ruobing.
Hearing Ximen Tianâs words, Leng Ruobingâs face turned cold, and anger flashed in her eyes.
"Ximen Family Head, please control your son. My disciple, Lan Yuqiong, is not someone to be trifled with. If youâre unable to discipline him, then I will have to do it myself."
Lan Yuqiong rebuked coldly, radiating a powerful and majestic aura.
"Ximen Tian, donât be impertinent!"
Ximen Yu directly interjected.
"My apologies!"
Ximen Tian offered a light smile.
"Ruo Bing!"
At that moment, Ye Luo walked over and softly called out to Leng Ruobing.
"Ye Luo!"
Leng Ruobing involuntarily called back, her eyes filled with deep affection.
"How are you? Everything okay?"
Ye Luo walked up to Leng Ruobing and asked gently.
"Yes."
Leng Ruobing nodded and a thick sweetness spread across her face.
In a flash, Ximen Tianâs face turned extremely ugly, his eyes sending a cold glint towards Ye Luo: "Youâre this beautyâs man?"
"Is there a problem?"
Ye Luo wrapped his arm around Leng Ruobingâs slim waist, his expression indifferent as he looked back at Ximen Tian, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"Such a beautiful lady, and sheâs the disciple of the Snow Palace Master, yet her man is merely at the nine-layered Saint Realm. Itâs truly a waste of heavenâs gifts. It seems I have a duty to rescue this lady and let her know who truly deserves her."
Ximen Tian spat out coldly.
"Whether I deserve her or not, is that for you to decide? To hit on my girl right in front of me, youâre really quite audacious."
Ye Luoâs expression suddenly turned icy, and his eyes flashed with a chilling light as he spoke.