Chapter 74: If Brother Was Here

While the disciple of Mountain River Pagoda Sect was frantically sketching the portrait, Bai Qiulan was already quietly transmitting a message through voice transmission.

"Elder Sun, please quietly shatter the soul stone of my disciple Lu Ye. Make sure no one notices."

Sun Li?

Although confused, Sun Li still did as asked.

“Who is this fiend? Does anyone recognize him?”

Elder You Tianyou of the Mountain River Pagoda Sect enlarged the drawn image proportionally, tracing it with energy threads of all kinds to bring it vividly to life.

The youth in the image appeared tall and broad, with eyes absurdly large and blazing with blood-red flame. A storm of killing intent swirled around him, making him look like the reincarnation of a god of slaughter.

Everyone turned their eyes toward the projection of the youth suspended in the sky.

This person...

Unfamiliar!

Over on the Grand Dao Sect’s side, Yue Hongling stared at the projected image in stunned silence.

This... was Senior Brother?

Yue Hongling strained to find even the slightest resemblance to Lu Ye in that sketch.

...

Nothing. She really couldn’t see it.

Who the hell had drawn Senior Brother like that?

Everyone stared at the image and couldn’t help but shake their heads.

Judging by the build, he seemed more like someone from the Jie Sect.

“Central Province Dynasty, do you recognize this person?”

The Central Province Dynasty was still inwardly relieved. Fortunately, they’d maintained a good relationship with the Grand Dao Sect and had listened to Bai Qiulan’s warning.

Though no one from their sect had managed to leave their name on the Eternal Heaven’s ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) Chosen Ranking, at least they had survived. Compared to the devastation other forces had suffered, it was practically a miracle.

“We don’t recognize him, never seen this person.”

“What about the Grand Dao Sect?”

“Do you know this fiend?”

You Tianyou hadn’t been aiming at the Central Province Dynasty to begin with—his real target was always the Grand Dao Sect.

The members of the Grand Dao Sect were also curious about who this person could be.

They examined the image again and again, thought about it repeatedly.

But in the end, they still shook their heads.

“Apologies, we don’t know him.”

You Tianyou’s gaze turned toward Bai Qiulan. “Daoist Bai, you must recognize him, don’t you?”

Bai Qiulan’s expression remained calm. She looked at the image and spoke without even a trace of a lie. “I don’t recognize him.”

“You dare swear to that?”

“Swear your ass. Who the hell do you think you are, to demand my master swear an oath?” Yue Hongling’s temper exploded instantly.

You Tianyou was briefly stunned.

“Insolent! I’m speaking to your master—when did a junior like you earn the right to interrupt?”

His voice roared out like crashing waves, loud enough to deafen.

If a weaker cultivator had been nearby, just that single shout would’ve made them piss themselves in terror.

To use such force against a young woman—cruel and despicable.

“Daoist You, don’t you think that was too much?” Bai Qiulan’s eyes turned icy cold in an instant.

The power of the Taiyin Divine Force spread around her.

“Too much? Hardly. I’m simply teaching her what it means to respect her elders.”

Yue Hongling’s eyes were bloodshot with rage.

“An old sack of bones like you has the nerve to call yourself a senior? You’ve reached this cultivation realm purely by living long enough. If I had your years, you wouldn’t even be qualified to carry my shoes!”

That one line made every older cultivator present—especially those at the Combined Dao Realm—look distinctly uncomfortable.

“Hongling! Watch your words!” Bai Qiulan snapped at her immediately.

Then she turned to You Tianyou. “Elder You, you are indeed a senior. You shouldn’t lower yourself to arguing with juniors. It’s beneath your dignity.”

“I don’t care about dignity today. Our Mountain River Pagoda Sect lost so many disciples. I led them here—if I don’t avenge them, what face do I have to return with?”

“Bai Qiulan, you clearly know who this fiend is. He’s committed monstrous crimes—why won’t you say his name?”

With You Tianyou taking the lead, other sects that had suffered heavy casualties stepped forward as well—before anyone realized it, they had subconsciously formed a loose encirclement around the Grand Dao Sect.

The Grand Dao Sect’s powerhouses immediately raised their auras in response.

"Junior Bai already said she doesn’t recognize him. Why must you press the issue so aggressively?"

"Indeed. Daoist You, do you truly think our Grand Dao Sect fears you?"

The people from the Supreme Sword Sect didn’t waste a word. They stepped up beside the Grand Dao Sect, their sword intent already howling through the air.

"Picking on the few with the many? Then let me be clear—the Supreme Sword Sect isn’t here just to spectate!"

The Central Province Dynasty hesitated for a moment, then likewise stepped forward to support the Grand Dao Sect.

In the blink of an eye, sects across the realm had split into two camps, a clear divide forming. Tension filled the air—one spark, and everything would erupt.

"I’m not an unreasonable man," You Tianyou said loudly. "Daoist Bai once swore upon her own Dao to save someone’s life—such nobility I truly admire. It was our own ignorance that caused the deaths of our disciples. We cannot blame anyone for that. But now, if Daoist Bai has the courage to swear upon her Dao to save someone, why won’t she swear she doesn’t know this fiend?"

"Cut the crap. If you want to fight, just say so," barked Langya Jian from the Supreme Sword Sect. "We’re all in the Combined Dao Realm—what right do you have to demand others prove their innocence with a Dao oath? If you think Daoist Bai knows him, then show some proof!"

"Hmph! Her refusal to swear means she does know him! Anyway, I’ll have no face to return to my sect after losing so many disciples. I might as well challenge your sect’s techniques before I die!"

"Come on, then! Just make one move and see if I don’t hack you into pieces!"

The situation teetered on the edge. A single misstep, and a full-blown battle would break out.

Bai Qiulan let out a quiet sigh.

She truly couldn’t stand to see the sects of the Great Wilderness descend into civil war. That would only bring endless bloodshed.

"Everyone, please calm down."

"Since Daoist You insists on a Dao oath to prove my innocence, then I shall give it. All sects stand as one—this conflict is unnecessary."

"Master!"

Yue Hongling panicked and shouted.

This was outright humiliation. Everyone knew the burden of proof was on the accuser, not the accused. And now they wanted her master to swear an oath based on nothing?

Bai Qiulan motioned for Yue Hongling to be silent.

"I, Bai Qiulan, swear upon my own Dao—I do not recognize the person shown in this image. If I lie, let my Dao be severed."

The oath was made.

Yue Hongling broke down in tears on the spot.

A deep, unbearable injustice overwhelmed her heart.

Why?

Why did they have the power to force her master to swear upon her Dao? And it was only because this projection didn’t look like Senior Brother. What if it had looked like him? What then?

If Senior Brother were here...

If Senior Brother were here, who would dare do this?

Forget forcing her master—when You Tianyou opened his mouth, Lu Ye would’ve already charged in with his sword raised.

Fuck whoever it was.

Fight if you want to fight.

Even if the heavens collapsed, Lu Ye wouldn’t care.

The only thing he ever cared about—were the people beside him.

Senior Brother...

Senior Brother...

After swearing her oath, Bai Qiulan let out another sigh deep in her heart.

She felt stifled too.

If only Lu Ye were here...

"That bastard dares insult my master? I swear I’ll wipe out his entire sect!"

She wouldn’t even have time to stop him. Who the hell would be swearing oaths with Lu Ye around?

Bai Qiulan had sworn.

You Tianyou hadn’t expected she would actually do it. He froze, the rest of his words stuck in his throat.

"Fine then. He can’t stay in the Heaven’s Chosen Ancient Battlefield forever. When he comes out—we’ll know who he is."

Those who’d been mentally traumatized at first didn’t dare look at the image at all. But under their elders’ encouragement, they forced themselves to glance at it...

And froze.

Huh?

Not scary!

"That’s not him—not even close! His eyes weren’t that round. They were narrow, with red tail flames spreading from the corners..."

"No, no, his figure was slim—definitely not this broad-shouldered bull of a man."

"Even his clothes weren’t like this..."

The crowd...