I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Elder Zhang was dumbfounded at this moment, and so was Zhang Xu.

Just a second ago, they were watching the show with great interest, but suddenly they found themselves kneeling. The scene was identical to what had been described, it truly was the Demon Sword!

But if you were to ask who was the most dumbfounded in the arena, it would have to be Zongdao and his wife. They could never have imagined that Li Xiaobai would actually take control of them as well. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Weren't they on the same side? Could it be that he had a penchant for slaughtering even his own people?

"Young Master Li, this old man has already surrendered and admitted defeat, why are you still relentless? Such behavior is truly ungentlemanly!"

A flicker of panic flashed through Elder Zhang's eyes. He couldn't sense the presence of Spiritual Power and had lost control of his body. It had been many years since he'd last tasted such vulnerability.

"Senior, according to the rules of admitting defeat, you must leave the arena. Your current state doesn't count as admitting defeat."

"We, cultivators, should always uphold our inner selves, constantly self-reflect. But look at yourselves, one by one immersed in the struggle for power and authority, neglecting proper cultivation for the seductions of this worldly life, it is truly heartbreaking!"

"Today, I shall bestow upon you a fortune, to experience the life of mortals. Start everything anew. Once you cultivate back to your current realm, I believe you will become even stronger!"

Li Xiaobai had a calm expression and didn't even wait for the old man to beg for mercy before carelessly stuffing an elixir into his mouth and forcing him to swallow.

Shortly after, heart-wrenching screams filled the entire arena.

"You... you actually destroyed my cultivation level, decades of hard work gone down the drain, how dare you do this!"

"My Zhang Family has countless strong individuals, and behind us, we are supported by the Situ Household. By acting this way, it will be difficult for you to leave Aolai Country alive!"

The old man screamed in horror.

Li Xiaobai waved his hand dismissively, "Is the Situ Household really that impressive? I am the guest invited by the Second Leader of Aolai Country. Your offense against me is a great disrespect. Destroying your cultivation level is to guide your practice. I hope you seize this opportunity to reform and start a new life."

"If you do not learn from your mistakes, the next time we meet, I won't be so lenient."

As Li Xiaobai spoke, he smoothly took the Space Ring from the old man's hand and placed it on his own.

"You might not know, but the Situ Household belongs to the Third Leader. Even if you are a guest invited by the Second Leader, you are still an outsider in the end. Offending the Situ Household, you won't be able to leave Aolai Country. This old man wants to watch you be cut to pieces, to ease the hatred in my heart!"

The old man's face twisted to the extreme, his eyes filled with spiteful venom, wishing desperately to have his foe chopped into a thousand pieces.

You've destroyed my damned cultivation, what practice is there to speak of?

And to make matters worse, my Space Ring has been taken. It contained the wealth of my lifetime's struggle, and now it's been casually taken by someone else, leaving me with no means for a comeback.

"So you are people from the Third Leader. But if the Third Leader knew he had such a ragtag bunch under him, he would likely clean house personally."

Li Xiaobai shrugged his shoulders and said indifferently.

The Zhang Family was backed by the Situ Household, and the Situ Household was backed by the Third Leader. These people probably would never discover that the Third Leader, whom they considered their support, was playing them in the palm of his hand all along.

"Young Master Li, I understand my wrongdoing. When I return, I will report to my father and from then on will never bother you again. Please spare me this once!"

"As for the Space Ring in my hand, Young Master Li, feel free to take it. As for these people, I'll leave them all at your disposal!"

Zhang Xu saw Li Xiaobai walking towards him, and, petrified with fear, hurriedly spoke.

"Heh, you're quite sensible, but it's a pity, If I'm not mistaken, you were leading the team today, right?"

"When you were in front of the Zong Mansion, weren't you extremely arrogant? You represented the face of the Zhang Family, so how could you submit so easily? You've truly brought shame to your clan."

Without further discussion, Li Xiaobai threw several elixirs into the other's mouth. A few breaths later, Zhang Xu's eyes lost their luster, his face turned ashen—he was finished. Just like his elder brother, he had become a cripple.

He had risen to power less than a day ago, and now his future had been destroyed by someone else.

"Li Xiaobai, I will never coexist with you in peace!"

Fire blazed in Zhang Xu's eyes, but he dared not show it. Even Zhang Elder, such a powerful figure, had been defeated, so to kill his opponent, perhaps only someone like the Great Elder or his own father could succeed?

Today, every single one of the Zhang Family cultivators who came to attack was fed elixirs by Li Xiaobai, stripping them of their cultivation levels.

The elixirs produced by the System merely cleared out the Spiritual Power from inside the cultivators' bodies. If they continued to cultivate, they could still reach the pinnacle state, and because it would be their second time cultivating, their foundation would be even more solid.

However, Li Xiaobai had no intention of disclosing this matter to everyone. Just as he had said, this was a punishment but also an opportunity. Only the cultivators who truly wished to turn over a new leaf would discover this secret.

Cultivators who were entangled in the web of schemes and politics would be half-hearted about their cultivation and would not realize this.

"Alright then, go back and tell your Family Head to send some proper cultivators next time. Now get lost."

Li Xiaobai sheathed his sword and spoke indifferently.

"I will!"

Rancor filled Zhang Elder's eyes as he quickly helped Zhang Xu to leave.

Watching the crowd disperse in a state of utter dejection, Li Xiaobai smiled slightly. With this, a grudge had been formed, and his connection with the Situ Household had been established as well.

Eliminating the Zhang Family would naturally lead to the appearance of the Situ Household. After that, the complex network of relationships hidden in the shadows would gradually surface.

As for how big of a fish would ultimately be pulled in, it was none of his concern. That was a matter for the Third Leader.

"Young Master Li... oh no, Senior Li, we owe you a great debt today. Without your help, our Zong Family might have faced a calamity!"

Zongdao clasped his hands and bowed, his expression full of gratitude.

"Indeed, Senior saved our Hu'er, blocking the enemy for our Zong Family. This kindness, we will never forget!"

Lady Zong also expressed her gratitude.

Li Xiaobai's strength far exceeded their expectations, and such a powerful figure needed to be secured.

Hu'er was truly lucky to have encountered such a young master, and based on what those from the Zhang Family had said, he was also a person from the Second Leader. With this relationship in place, the prosperity of their Zong Family might just depend on Li Xiaobai.

"It was nothing more than a helping hand. There's no need for such formality. The Zhang Family acts high-handedly and overbearingly. In taking this action, I was simply following the will of the people, and I believe even if the Family Heads were informed, they would agree with my approach."

Li Xiaobai spoke cheerfully.

Zongdao's expression hesitated for a moment, as if he had made some sort of determination: "If Senior does not find it beneath him, I would like to request that Senior become my son's mentor!"