Chapter 66: The Tide Turns

“Pfft…”
Under the heavy blow, Xue Tianren spat out a mouthful of blood.
Within the great formation, he was battered, his hair disheveled, bloodstained, appearing savage and terrifying.
“Young man, I didn’t expect you had this hidden skill. You’ve truly surprised me!”
Xue Tianren eyed Li Jian San with wariness.
“Now that you’ve witnessed my methods, why don’t you take your people and leave? I can still spare your lives.”
Li Jian San stared at him as well. The old man was astonishingly resilient—he should have died, but somehow endured.
Upon hearing Li Jian San’s words, Xue Tianren suddenly laughed aloud,
“Hahaha…
“You must be joking. Things have reached this point, and you want to end it just like that?”
Li Jian San sneered, “Then prepare to die!”
“What arrogance!”
Xue Tianren replied coldly, “I imagine activating such a grand formation has exhausted your mind and strength. Can you use it a second time?”
Li Jian San’s expression shifted—damn, he’d guessed it.
Even a second-tier formation required enormous energy.
If he hadn’t absorbed the Elder’s power earlier, he wouldn’t have been able to activate the formation this time.
For now, Li Jian San truly could not launch the formation again.
He shouted at Xue Tianren, “Hmph, even so, you don’t have much strength left. Dealing with the rest of your men will be enough for us.”
Xue Tianren suddenly laughed again,
“You have your ace, but do you think I have none? Surely you don’t believe these are all my tricks?”
“Protectors, it’s time to act!”
As Xue Tianren’s command fell, three powerful presences surged from every direction.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
In a flash, three black-robed elders appeared before Li Jian San.
Boom!
The three elders simultaneously unleashed terrifying auras, instantly overwhelming nearby disciples of lesser cultivation, sending them flying.
“All of them are at the Golden Core stage!”
Seeing this, Li Qingming’s expression grew grave. He quickly called to Li Jian San,
“The situation is dire. Step back! Let me hold them off!”
Xue Tianren sneered, “Protectors, you may proceed. Soon, we’ll take Shengjing Sect!”
“With me here, you won’t set foot in Shengjing Sect!”
Li Qingming summoned his strength and stepped forward.
Boom!
One of the black-robed elders launched an attack,
Li Qingming was undaunted, meeting him with a fierce punch.

In the instant their blows collided, surging power erupted like a tidal wave in all directions.
The immense force forced many disciples to retreat several steps.
Buzz!
At that moment, another black-robed elder struck.
A golden fist swept past Li Qingming, casting flickering shadows across his face.
A sense of danger welled up in Li Qingming's heart.
“Out of my way!”
Li Qingming roared, managing to repel them temporarily, but his figure was already battered.
Beset by two Golden Core experts, even Li Qingming’s formidable strength could not withstand such an onslaught.
Suddenly, the three Golden Core experts attacked together.
Boom!
Three immense forces converged, erupting in a violent explosion.
In the next moment, boundless energy engulfed Li Qingming.
The wild power seemed endless, raining blows upon him.
Step after step, Li Qingming was forced back, blood beginning to trickle from the corner of his mouth under their combined assault.
Seeing this, Li Jian San grew anxious and quickly communicated with his system:
“System, I still have nine uses of peak state, don’t I?”
The system replied, “Yes.”
Li Jian San barked, “Activate peak state for me, now!”
“Master, you only have nine opportunities for peak state. Are you sure you want to use one now?”
Li Jian San cursed, “This is no time for questions. Hurry, or there won’t be anyone left!”
“Understood.”
Just as Li Jian San was about to activate peak state, a voice rang out in the arena:
“Does it really take this long to deal with a single Shengjing Sect?”
“Chief, I…”
“I don’t want your explanations right now!”
Boom!
As soon as he finished, the man joined the fray.
With his arrival, Li Qingming was quickly overwhelmed.
“You, a Golden Core cultivator, managed to withstand my three protectors for so long. As expected of Shengjing Sect’s master—I had underestimated you before.”
“You have talent. I’d rather not waste it. Why not have Shengjing Sect join my Azure Dragon Village? I’ll appoint you as the fourth protector!”
Li Qingming scoffed, “Delusional fool!”
“If you refuse my kindness, then prepare to die!”
Boom!

As the words fell, Li Qingming was struck fiercely and sent flying.
Seeing this, Li Jian San rushed forward, “Stop!”
“Young man, since you wish for death, I’ll send you on your way first!”
The man struck at Li Jian San with a vicious palm, but upon seeing Li Jian San’s face, his action froze mid-air.
He spoke in shock, “It’s you…”
Li Jian San glanced at him, finally realizing this man was none other than Li Anshan, whom he had previously saved.
“Lord Li, what are you doing here?”
Li Anshan was surprised to see Li Jian San. Previously, after completing a transaction with him, Li Anshan had returned to Azure Dragon Village,
Quietly rallied his own forces, and quelled the rebellion within the village.
“They’re all your people?”
Li Jian San replied coldly.
Li Anshan, a little apprehensive, answered, “Yes… yes, they are.”
“Your men dared to cause trouble in my territory. Quite bold.”
After their last encounter, Li Anshan regarded Li Jian San as almost divine.
Thus, upon seeing Li Jian San, he quickly formulated a plan—
To maintain the air of an unparalleled master.
Li Anshan hurriedly pleaded, “No, no, no, we didn’t know this was your domain. It’s all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!”
“Oh? Is that so?”
Li Anshan begged, “My lord, please don’t be angry. I’ll go back at once and discipline these men.”
Witnessing their chief’s demeanor, all members of Azure Dragon Village were dumbfounded.
This was their chief—
A ruthless, commanding figure who killed without blinking,
Now groveling before a youth,
It was simply unbelievable…
At that moment, Xue Tianren, oblivious to the situation, hurried over. “Chief, we’re about to succeed. What are you doing?”
“Chief, let me finish up. Once we deal with their young master, Shengjing Sect is ours!”
He glared menacingly at Li Jian San. “Damn it, if not for this brat, I’d have crushed Shengjing Sect long ago. I wouldn’t be in this sorry state.
Seize him! I want to torment him properly!”
Hearing Xue Tianren’s words, Li Anshan first grew furious, then shocked:
He’d dispatched three Golden Core protectors—no wonder they’d held out so long, clearly guided by Lord Li.
Finally, Li Anshan’s expression turned fearful.
This idiot Xue Tianren was acting so arrogantly before Lord Li—if he incurred the lord’s displeasure, what then?