The Jade-faced Fox knew the Thunder Qilin Beast had a fiery temper and would be difficult to deal with, so she didn't respond.

The Thunder Qilin Beast didn't bother to argue with her and instead scanned downwards towards Li Chen.

Seeing Li Chen covered in blood, severely wounded and depleted of Primordial Energy, it couldn't help but revel in schadenfreude.

"Little guy, it seems like your situation isn't looking too good now!"

Li Chen, surprised to encounter the Thunder Qilin Beast here, forced a smile and said, "Thunder Lord, it looks like you're living comfortably in the Demon Domain!"

Seeing Li Chen not only knew the Demon Emperor's treasure Little Demon Immortal but also the great power Thunder Qilin Beast, everyone present couldn't help but change their expressions.

Right Path, Evil Path, Demon Clan, all seemed to have unclear relations with him. It seems this loose cultivator, Li Chen, is not simple at all.

What was once a confrontation between Right and Evil quickly evolved into a three-pronged standoff. The situation became increasingly complex.

It seems resolving this peacefully is now an impossibility.

The Master of Azure Water Palace, Jian Chen, and others all looked to Tian Yazi, to see how the Alliance Hierarch of the True Immortal Alliance would respond.

It turns out, Tian Yazi, who could support Penglai Pavilion, the leading sect of Penglai, and be elected as the Alliance Leader of the True Immortal Alliance, indeed had some skills.

He had a clear understanding of the current situation and quickly calmed down, brushing his sleeve and giving a symbolic salute to Heng Mountain Ancestor, Little Demon Immortal, and others.

"Heng Mountain Ancestor, Princess, today is the grand event held every sixty years by the Human Clan, the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition. If you are interested in watching, we naturally welcome you. However, if you intend to cause trouble, don't blame us for being merciless!"

After saying this, he looked down at the Ascending Dragon Platform and loudly declared, "Now I announce that the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition continues!"

Hearing Tian Yazi's words, Jian Chen, the Master of Azure Water Palace, and others secretly praised him.

As expected of the Alliance Leader of the True Immortal Alliance, remaining composed in the face of danger, with a measured approach.

His seemingly simple words were actually the best response strategy for the current complex situation.

The implied meaning was that this is a matter for the younger generation to resolve on their own. Neither we of the Right Path, nor you of the Evil Path, nor the Demon Clan, should interfere.

In this way, a large-scale conflict involving both Right and Evil Paths, as well as the Demon Clan, was temporarily suppressed.

The final outcome would depend on the contest between the geniuses of the great sects and the loose cultivator, Li Chen.

Despite Li Chen's monstrous talent, it was clear to anyone with eyes that after a series of fierce battles, he had exhausted his True Yuan, like an arrow at the end of its flight. Whoever could defeat him would have their sect become the new owner of the Yu Emperor's Treasure Cauldron.

Instantly, major sects communicated with their elite disciples, instructing them to defeat Li Chen at all costs and seize the Yu Emperor's Treasure Cauldron.

However, there were two sects that were exceptions.

One was Moon God Palace, the other Cloud Sea Sect.

Both sighed lightly and commanded their disciples to forcibly take Zhao Yuqing and Ling Shuanghua away from the Ascending Dragon Platform, declaring forfeits.

Otherwise, when the fighting began, if the two got unclear about their feelings and instead helped Li Chen, it would be a burden neither Cloud Sea Sect nor Moon God Palace could bear.

In fact, they were not the most pitiful ones.

The most pitiful was Sect Leader Jian Chen of Heavenly Sword Mountain.

Originally, he planned to use this Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition for Heavenly Sword Mountain to replace Penglai Pavilion and become the undisputed overlord of the Cultivation Realm.

But now, his highly regarded direct disciple Jian Wuheng had his cultivation forcibly destroyed. His junior, Jian Changming, was publicly killed by a loose cultivator in broad daylight.

It was imaginable that after this event, Heavenly Sword Mountain's prestige would plummet. Their generations-long dream of dominating Jiuzhou would be thoroughly dashed.

If they could obtain the Yu Emperor's Treasure Cauldron, it might compensate for this loss. But who knew that the Demon Sect and Demon Clan would swarm in, foiling his plans repeatedly.

One wonders how he could not be angry?

Yet, Jian Chen still had no intention of giving up. Fortunately, Heavenly Sword Mountain was full of talents. Besides Jian Wuheng, they still had Ye Xing and other outstanding talents.

"Ye Xing, if you can defeat this Li Chen and avenge your martial uncle and senior brother, I will consider making you a direct disciple and promoting Heavenly Sword Mountain!"

Hearing his master's words, Ye Xing was filled with excitement. It was his long-cherished dream. In the past, with senior brother Jian Wuheng acting like a mountain over his head, he could only think about it in his heart. Little did he expect that happiness would come so suddenly.

As long as he could defeat Li Chen, he would get everything he wanted.

"Thank you, Master, I will certainly fulfill the mission!"

After speaking, Ye Xing's gaze fell on Li Chen, filled with greedy and fiery light.

Seeing this, other Sect Leaders and Family Heads also offered various benefits to their elite talents.

Someone even appointed their heavenly pride disciples on the spot as the next sect or family helmsman. The entire Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition became a lively scene akin to a throne abdication ceremony.

Without the secret help of Zhao Yuqing and Ling Shuanghua, Li Chen, already severely depleted of Primordial Energy, found himself even more isolated against this group of zealous geniuses.

However, in response to this, he showed no fear on his face, just turned to the Little Demon Immortal and asked nonchalantly, as if making small talk, "Little Demon Immortal, do you remember the favor you promised me?"

The Little Demon Immortal was taken aback by his words; she naturally remembered the promise she had made to Li Chen.

Now that Li Chen suddenly brought it up, she began to feel uneasy. If he requested her help, should she help or not?

From a broader perspective, standing by and watching, letting others fight, was undoubtedly the best choice.

However, if...

While Little Demon Immortal's mind was racing, Li Chen pointed at Lian Hongshang and said, "Hongshang is injured, and there might be a fierce battle later. I can't afford to be distracted. Help me take care of her, and we'll be even, okay?"

"Is that all?"

The Little Demon Immortal widened her eyes in surprise and asked.

In fact, if Li Chen had made a request, she was already prepared to step in. No matter what, she had to save him back to the Demon Clan.

Unexpectedly, Li Chen merely asked her to take care of Lian Hongshang.

Li Chen solemnly nodded, "Yes, that's it, please."

"Chen, I won't leave; I want to stay with you. You said before, we would stick together through life and death!"

Lian Hongshang hurriedly said as she saw Li Chen attempting to send her away.

Li Chen gave her a faint smile and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine. This bunch of clowns can't do anything to me!"

After speaking, he seriously added, "Trust me!"

Lian Hongshang's eyes slightly reddened, nodding vigorously.

Seeing her nod, Li Chen grabbed Lian Hongshang's arm and pushed her towards the Little Demon Immortal.

The Little Demon Immortal shifted her Lotus Platform, receiving her steadily.

In this regard, neither Tian Yazi nor Jian Chen, the great figures of the Right Path, nor the bigwigs of the Demon Sect like Heng Mountain Ancestor, stopped them.

After all, they wanted Li Chen, not Lian Hongshang. Her presence or absence would make no difference to the outcome.

With Lian Hongshang sent away, Li Chen no longer harbored any worries.

His gaze was as sharp as a sword, sweeping across the various geniuses below. His kingly arrogance, looking down upon the world, was unmistakably evident.

"Anyone who wants this Qingzhou Tripod, come up and battle!"

Ye Xing, Monk Wuhua, and others were all eager to move.

Even though Li Chen was seriously injured, the overwhelming means he previously displayed were too intimidating, with residual power remaining. The geniuses and Holy Daughters present were wise—none wanted to become cannon fodder, benefiting others at their expense.

Seeing their hesitation, Li Chen stomped his foot and shouted, "You are all the elite geniuses of your sects, but now you act like daughters. Are you not ashamed?"

"If you wish to fight, fight! If not, get off the stage! Why act so wishy-washy?"

None who became the elite geniuses of their sects or families were not arrogant by nature. Hearing Li Chen's scorn, their indignation was palpable.

"Everyone, this Li Chen is already an arrow at the end of its flight. I don't believe that we, the Jiuzhou geniuses, cannot kill a single loose cultivator!"

Ye Xing was the first to speak, his words filled with murderous intent.

The other geniuses and Holy Daughters echoed his sentiments, their battle spirit boiling.

In no time, the atmosphere became charged with tension again!

...

Here's nearly a 3000-word chapter. The exciting drama continues. Let me hint a bit about the plot; there's a key character yet to make his entrance, frequently mentioned in previous texts. You might guess who it is!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.