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

In just a few short breaths, the pressure on the stage had already increased to an extremely terrifying level. If originally half of them had hoped to stay, now less than a third remained.

The root cause was nothing more than Li Xiaobai’s few provocative remarks.

Every word you say adds to the pressure, have you considered their feelings, you little people?

The disciple who had previously spoken out of turn now regretted his actions deeply. Why provoke this calamity?

Moreover, it seemed that this guy had real skills, like Situ Guixiong and Long Xue, fearless of the pressure.

“Impressive spirit, but this trial lasts for the time it takes an incense candle to burn. I want to see how long you can hold out,” said the Great Elder while stroking his beard and glaring coldly at the crowd.

“I’m all eyes.”

Li Xiaobai said cheerfully, sitting cross-legged and observing his System’s attribute panel.

[Attribute Points: Fifty thousand.]

All into defense!

[Defensive Power: Half-step Human Immortal body (8,650,000/10,000,000) (Immortal Spirit Qi: Not Acquired) Upgradeable.]

The Great Elder, out of spite, had increased the pressure, which quite suited Li Xiaobai’s wishes. Today’s trial would not only earn him a nice sum of Attribute Points but also offered a great opportunity to get rich.

Atop the high platform, the Family Heads nodded and commented on the scene below.

“I didn’t expect the Great Elder to be provoked by this man. He started by increasing the power, I’m afraid our family disciples are in trouble now.”

“Patriarch Wang is too modest. Your disciple remains composed, clearly with plenty to spare, his strength and cultivation level probably already surpassed his peers, right?”

“You flatter me, if we’re talking about outstanding disciples here, then the one from the Situ Household should be the best. At such a young age, he’s already reached the fourth level of the Transcendance Tribulation Stage; his future is boundless indeed!”

“Indeed, indeed, Patriarch Situ has fathered a fine son. If only my good-for-nothing could be half as outstanding as Young Master Situ, I’d burn incense in gratitude to our ancestors.”

Listening to the surrounding Family Heads sighing and lamenting, Patriarch Situ could not help but smile, although he remained quite humble verbally: “Far from it, my son causes trouble all day long and neglects his cultivation. I’d actually like him to learn from your heirs!”

“Besides, with the Sea Clan princess here today, it’s not my son’s turn to take the lead.”

Patriarch Situ’s gaze shifted, looking over at two cultivators from the Sea Clan nearby.

Both were guards for Long Xue on this trip. They were Mahayana Realm cultivators and considered top-notch in any force.

Currently, the two of them had cold expressions, their poker faces unaffected by the Family Heads’ words. They seemed as if they didn’t hear anything, not taking their eyes off the stage for a second.

“Stubborn fools!”

Patriarch Situ cursed in his heart; the Sea Clan’s guards turned out to be two blockheads, unfamiliar with the ways of the world. However, this also proved that the Sea Clan did not intend to interfere in the conflicts of Aolai Country, which was somewhat reassuring.

The other Family Heads also noticed this and their smiles became more genuine. With one less variable, they had one more chance.

“Senior Qi, I will have to rely on your protection afterward,” said Elder Su, speaking respectfully to the person in the black robe.

“Hmm, when will the Third Head make his move?” asked the black-robed figure, eyes fixed intently on the stage below. Among the crowd, he saw a familiar figure, a man who inspired fear!

How could this guy appear here, among the many younger generation cultivators?

“We will act immediately after the competition, no need for seniors to get involved. We just need to watch as events unfold,” Elder Su responded.

Patriarch Situ hurriedly spoke.

“Don’t worry, predecessor, we have two Half-step Human Immortals sitting in place here. Even if there are some unexpected events, there’s nothing to fear!”

Elder Su interjected.

“Very well, remember your promises. Once the matter is concluded, I want all the resources and that mysterious gift,” the man in the black robe said slowly.

“Understood!”

Elsewhere.

Huahuo’s peripheral vision swept over the family heads who were whispering among themselves, and a cold smile involuntarily traced her lips.

“These people, I’m afraid they’re still dreaming of royalty.”

“Hehe, today all the clans have arrived. It seems that the Situ Household has played its role, gathering them together to lay their cards on the table. It wasn’t in vain that I personally took actions.”

Master Rong covered her face with a light chuckle, everything was under control.

“It’s just that, how should I deal with Li Xiaobai’s third sister? Allowing her to do as she pleases might lead to resentment towards my Aolai Country.”

Huahuo’s gaze swept over the people below as she spoke indifferently.

“Once this matter is settled, we will offer our gifts in good manners. We ourselves will hold a banquet to personally apologize and alleviate the grievances in her heart,” she said.

“Besides, with my second sister presiding over, this child won’t make any unexpected moves. As long as he doesn’t obstruct our grand plan, let him be,” Master Rong said, not taking Li Xiaobai too seriously in her heart. Even though he might be a genius, he was currently only capable of contending with cultivators in the Mahayana Realm; without acquiring Immortal Spirit Qi, he couldn’t stand on an equal footing with them, nothing to be afraid of.

However, considering his monstrous talent, it was still necessary to form a good relationship with him and to provide ample face by apologizing afterwards.

“Is there any movement from the Sea Clan?”

Huahuo asked.

“No, the Eastern Sea above is calm, and the spies who sneaked into the seabed haven’t encountered anything unusual. Dragon Snow’s visit this time should not have any other purpose,” Master Rong confidently stated, feeling assured of victory. So far, everything had gone exactly as she had anticipated, and even the slightest deviations thus far wouldn’t stop the overwhelming might of the grand scheme.

On the stage.

The numerous prodigies were struggling to hold on. Apart from a few Transcendance Tribulation Stage geniuses who seemed to be handling it somewhat easily, the rest of the cultivators were dripping with sweat, some even overwhelmed to the point of trembling violently as if they could collapse at any moment.

Li Xiaobai looked around; the incense candle had burned down more than a third, nearing half.

The cultivators all around him were pale, with trembling lips, clearly on the verge of depletion.

The opportunity to make a fortune had arrived!

A sharp gleam flashed in Li Xiaobai’s eyes as he flipped his wrist, producing several bricks and swiftly assembling them into a mini Tangneng First-class bathhouse, just large enough to accommodate a single finger.

After filling it with water, he got up and slowly walked towards the nearest young man in white.

At this moment, the young man in white was soaked with sweat, with fine droplets sliding down from his forehead. His eyes were wide open, and his fists clenched tightly, his veins popping out like dragons.

“Is this the end for me?”

The young man felt desperate. He had the chance to pass this trial, but since the Great Elder had increased the difficulty, his spiritual power was nearly depleted even though the trial was less than halfway through.

If things continued this way, the exhaustion of spiritual power would damage his foundations; his only option would be to voluntarily step down.

But just then, an enthusiastic voice suddenly rang in his ear, “Brother, would you like to buy a bathhouse?”