Everyone's gaze was focused on the central figure on the field, Pei Yan. But Gu Shenghui, after confirming that the overall situation wouldn't reverse for the moment, turned his attention to the three people emerging from behind the Daoist Plane.
The reward for winning the team tournament was five Origin Seeds. Excluding one given to the Spirit Monster Plane, the remaining four were divided: one to Ning Quanchen. Now seeing the Origin aura emanating from the three of them, it was clear to Gu Shenghui that each of them must have claimed one portion. With this realization, he silently noted their appearances as a future precaution.
"Pei Yan, what are you doing? Release my companions! Do you want to prematurely spark a plane war?" Nero, having achieved his secret goal, feigned indignation, glaring at Pei Yan inside the arena with sharp reproach.
"If you want to fight, let's fight! Isn't this what you've always wanted?" Pei Yan said, pressing down harder on Di Xin's hand. Though pinned to the ground and crying out pitifully, Di Xin never stopped struggling, his figure continually swelling as he frantically tried to break free from Pei Yan's grip.
"Thinking about rules now? Where were you earlier, jumping around like a toad in front of me? I ignored him! That was me giving face to the host, believing they could handle it. But once or twice, no more thrice or four times!" At this point, a white light shone from Pei Yan's palm.
Boom! A blast sounded from beneath Pei Yan. A close-range electromagnetic cannon hit Di Xin squarely in the face. For a normal cultivator, this strike would be fatal or severely injure, but on Di Xin's head, reinforced by a large amount of Origin energy and supernatural abilities, it only caused him to fall into a brief coma.
"You think because I'm silent, I've become a gentleman, cultivating my character?" Pei Yan spoke, stepping on Di Xin's chest in front of everyone. As Di Xin let out a muffled groan, nearly waking, Pei Yan lifted his foot and kicked him hard in the side. Just like that, Di Xin, caught off guard, was kicked back to Nero's front.
"Keep your dogs on a leash so they don't come out barking." After speaking, Pei Yan looked at Lin Daozi with dissatisfaction and said, "Brother Lin, you're too kind to them, reasoning with them? What logic is there between us? Obviously, privately, you'd want to tear each other apart, yet you're bickering here."
Then he turned his gaze to Nero, raising his head in provocation, "Everything he said was right. Before the match, I stirred things up. After the match, I caught him. I did it all! So what? Bite me! Not convinced? Then stop the competition and gang up here! I'd like to see who loses and who wins."
As soon as Pei Yan finished speaking, except for Pei Jin, who was present, the five Children of Origin from the investigation hall simultaneously released their Origin energy. Seeing it had come to this, Lin Daozi shook his head helplessly, ground his teeth, and released his aura. Under his lead, six Children of Origin from the Daoist Realm simultaneously emitted their Origin energy.
Eleven Children of Origin on the field faced off against Blood Cult's, including four Children of Origin from Shitang Longsi Temple, likely contributing to fifteen Children of Origin altogether. The pressure they released reverberated across the ring, crashing against the surrounding walls as the protective shield was removed, causing cracks to appear. The influential leaders watching were forced to release their own aura to withstand the assault.
"We're still here! Do you want to overturn the heavens?" A majestic voice sounded from outside the ring. Instantly, the aura of the fifteen Children of Origin was compressed back onto the stage. Hearing this voice, Lin Daozi was the first to respond, restraining his aura and standing respectfully along with the others.
"It's normal for young people to be impulsive, but don't disrupt the match. Let the tournament proceed as usual; these trivial matters can be settled privately when you next meet post-competition." Another profound voice echoed. Nero and his companions, sharing a glance, retracted their vibes, landing back on the ground.
With two of the groups having ceased posturing, only the investigation hall continued to boast brazenly on the field. Observers hidden in the shadows could only cradle their heads in distress as they viewed the arrogant and domineering Pei Yan. Afterward, a long sigh resonated, "Jun Zhao!"
Pei Yan hadn't been directly reprimanded given it was a public setting, where disciples from your cornerstone plane could only be managed by the Origin within that plane. Any interjection by Lin Ruxue would constitute an overreach, potentially offending Lin Junzhao, known for his sensitivity and pride, thus jeopardizing their recently repaired relationship.
This call had indeed triggered the intended effect, as previously aggressive Pei Yan resignedly waved his hand at his teammates, prompting the investigation hall members to subdue and return to their usual state.
"Look! You want to fight, but the top refrains you, so stop talking smack." After saying this, Pei Yan, looking at Di Xin, who eyed him angrily with a bloodied face, grinned and taunted, "Talking about you, you idiot. You better hope your companions lose this battle, so I won't encounter you in the final rounds, letting you live a bit longer! Remember, your life and some things within you that aren't yours—I'll retrieve them sooner or later."
Seeing Di Xin wanted to rebut, Pei Yan lightly pointed his finger at him, continuing the threat, "Don't be stubborn. Since I've interacted with the Superpower Realm, many of my vows have been fulfilled, and you won't be an exception. You wait! Now, enjoy life, eat what you want, say what you haven't — do it quickly, don't wait until you see me and regret not saying it before—don't blame me for being unforgiving! I have no mood to comfort a weeping fellow like you today."
"You!" Di Xin, realizing Pei Yan was ridiculing his struggles while pinned on the ground, erupted in anger. Only those who had been in that situation knew, while the fall hurt, it wasn't enough to make him scream—the sudden, deeply penetrating pain was the real cause, but now, would anyone listen to his explanation?
"Enough, are you going to go against the teacher's wishes?" Nero reached out, stopping the impulsive Di Xin, reprimanding him. Hearing the mention of their teacher, Di Xin reluctantly retracted, retreating to the group sullenly.
Seeing Di Xin cease his outburst, Pei Yan knew not to press further. He gave a disdainful glance and left the arena with his team.
As the investigation hall dispersed and the main instigator no longer wished to fight, Lin Daozi, after instructing his sister to rest well, the unrelated participants from the Daoist Realm and Blood Cult Plane also exited the arena.
The competition reached its third match, with no need to choose opponents. Only two teams remained on the stage with the last contestants: Lin Daozi and Nero.
"Today's individual games have indeed been tumultuous, and the final victor will emerge between you and me." After sending off his teammates, Nero stood within the circle, looking at Lin Daozi with a mysterious smile.
