Sage of Humanity
Chapter 942 - 940: Haotian Alliance has Lu Yi, Ten Thousand Demons Ridge has Li Taibai

Originally, a True Lake Realm independent cultivator wouldn't attract much attention from a big sect, as they already have plenty of True Lake Realm cultivators.

Recruiting such independent cultivators makes it difficult to cultivate their loyalty to the sect. It's better to nurture some young ones without any background; at least, they have stronger potential to grow and more easily develop a sense of belonging to the sect.

But Lu Ye's performance today certainly intrigued Lin Yue.

The most important point is that he's not just any independent cultivator, but one from the Unparalleled Continent. He's new to the Nine Provinces and doesn't fully understand the situation here, likely confused about his own future. If they recruit him now, it'll be easy to win his allegiance.

As for loyalty, it can be gradually cultivated later.

There's no need to inspect his background.

Previously, Lin Yue had already sent a communication from Ten Thousand Demons City to have someone check Li Taibai's background, at least to ascertain whether he was from the Unparalleled Continent.

If he was a hidden agent from the Haotian Alliance or had been recruited earlier by them and placed in Ten Thousand Demons Ridge, Lin Yue would be implicated if events unfolded later.

But today, Li Taibai, in front of many cultivators from both camps, decisively struck down a Haotian Alliance True Lake Level 7 cultivator. This makes it clear that he has no relation with Haotian Alliance, otherwise, why would he blatantly kill someone in front of everyone?

Having killed someone from Haotian Alliance, no matter who he was before, he can only be a person of Ten Thousand Demons Ridge from now on.

Such a person can be used with confidence.

Tong Shuyao was delighted upon hearing Lin Yue's words, "Does Master Uncle intend to bring him into our sect?"

"What do you think?" Lin Yue glanced at Tong Shuyao.

"That's great, that's great!" Tong Shuyao nodded eagerly, like a chicken pecking at grain, wishing for it to happen, and urged, "I'll go talk to him."

If he can be recruited into the sect, their relationship would be even closer, and future interactions would be more legitimate.

"There's no rush. This person is not as straightforward as he appears. If you hastily approach and speak to him, it might not be effective." Lin Yue waved dismissively.

"Master Uncle means..." Tong Shuyao didn't quite understand.

"Silly girl." Lin Yue sighed, feeling his junior niece was rather naive, or perhaps only saw the brilliance on Li Taibai and missed everything else, so he decided to give her some pointers, "Why do you think he killed that person from Haotian Alliance today?"

Tong Shuyao blinked, "Why?"

"To assert dominance!" Lin Yue, with an understanding look, confidently shared his insight into Lu Ye's intentions.

Tong Shuyao was puzzled.

Lin Yue went on to explain, "He won six battles continuously, but only retreated the enemy in the first five battles, not even injuring them. Yet in the final battle, with a thunderous strike, he used some method to kill his opponent. It is clear; he intended to assert dominance by killing. In previous fights, he didn't kill anyone just to let them lower their guard. When his target appeared, he instantly put all his effort."

"Master Uncle means... Junior Brother Taibai's initial target was Tan Shu, the one who died?"

Lin Yue nodded, "On Ten Thousand Demons Ridge side, the strongest is you, on Haotian Alliance's side, the strongest is Tan Shu. To assert dominance, taking on the strongest is naturally most effective. In the first five battles, he only retreated opponents without killing, deliberately so, until the final fight. He's new to the Nine Provinces and brought here by me. Now having such prestige, it will be easier to make his moves later... Tsk, this guy is quite shrewd. Be a bit cautious when interacting with him; he's not as simple as he appears."

Tong Shuyao listened, feeling dizzy, hesitatingly said, "Could it be that Junior Brother Taibai knew Tan Shu was strong, and didn't dare to hold back, that's why he went for the kill?"

"It's possible, but even if he had fought Tan Shu to a draw or lost, no one would underestimate him. Yet, he chose to kill Tan Shu, clearly knowing that defeating the strongest yields the best effect."

Tong Shuyao pondered, recalling everything Lu Ye had done today, realizing it might truly be as Master Uncle said, that everything Lu Ye did today was intentional, strategically advancing step by step with Tan Shu as his original target.

Indeed, Lin Yue's analysis was thorough, with Lu Ye's actions largely interpreted correctly, though the motivation was mistaken.

But how could Lin Yue know, Lu Ye merely wanted to stand up for his Third Senior Brother, not for showing off?

If not for his concern about the treatment Third Senior Brother received and his future safety, Lu Ye wouldn't have made such a big show. For him now, keeping a low profile and conserving strength would be sensible.

At the very least, by killing Tan Shu, there would be one less person troubling Third Senior Brother in the future. Moreover, Tan Shu himself wanted to kill by proxy but failed, so Lu Ye felt no psychological burden in taking him down.

"It's understandable that he has his own thoughts, but no matter what, my Ten Thousand Demons Ridge finally has someone who can be showcased." Lin Yue smiled slightly, "Haotian Alliance has Lu Yiye, and my Ten Thousand Demons Ridge has Li Taibai. I wonder, if these two meet, who would be stronger."

Among the cultivators of this generation, both camps have produced many with excellent talent, but none as dazzling as Lu Ye.

Originally, Ten Thousand Demons Ridge had Lan Ziyi, and many strong cultivators in the Divine Sea realm pinned their hopes on Lan Ziyi, hoping she could surpass Lu Yiye.

But things didn't go as hoped…

On the Spirit Stream battlefield, her ranking on the Spirit Stream Ranking was inferior to Lu Ye's, and on the Cloud River battlefield, her standing in the Cloud River contest was also lower than Lu Ye's…

There's no hope for Lan Ziyi, but Li Taibai is promising. Based on his performance today, he's certainly not inferior to Lu Yiye.

Lin Yue could almost foresee that once these two grow up, there will inevitably be a world-shaking rivalry!

"Yao'er, follow him in the coming days. Don't let too many people get in touch with him. If the opportunity arises, see if she's willing to join our sect," Lin Yue instructed.

The news of today's events will undoubtedly spread quickly, and by then, theirs won't be the only sect eying Li Taibai.

Fortunately, they had the advantage of proximity. If others wanted to poach him, it would depend on her consent.

"I understand, Master Uncle. Rest assured, I won't let anyone snatch him!" Sometimes Tong Shuyao was a bit silly, yet other times she was very smart. This time, she understood Lin Yue's implication.

Saying this, she dashed out, clearly intending to find Lu Ye.

But just as she stepped out, she remembered that after today's battle, Junior Brother Taibai was exhausted and had already gone into seclusion to recuperate. Even if she went, she wouldn't see him.

"This girl..." Lin Yue shook her head with a smile.

Initially, Lin Yue had some reservations about Tong Shuyao fancying Li Taibai. From her perspective, apart from being handsome, Li Taibai didn't have any particularly outstanding qualities; he was just barely presentable.

Young talents like him were abundant over at the Ten Thousand Demons Ridge, and even their sect had several.

Judging people by appearances, like Tong Shuyao did, wasn't very smart. It could cause her trouble in the future.

But now, upon reconsidering, her view changed. If Tong Shuyao genuinely liked the lad, it might be worth trying to match them up.

At that time, he would be the sect's ideal son-in-law, and whether they officially recruited him wouldn't matter much.

Of course, recruiting him would be best, saving him from being snatched up by other sects.

After that incident, the long-standing combat tradition at the two mountain pass entrances had ceased for several days; the previously bustling combat field was now desolate and empty.

Two days later, a figure darted into the Dark Moon Forest Pass, hurrying towards a grand hall.

This was the administration hall of the Dark Moon Forest Pass, where Lin Yue typically worked, handling various matters within the pass.

She wasn't the only one in the hall; there were other Ten Thousand Demons Ridge cultivators present. Many matters at the mountain pass didn't require her direct attention, so she naturally had people assisting her—her trusted aides.

When that figure rushed into the hall, the many Ten Thousand Demons Ridge cultivators quickly rose and saluted, "Greetings, Great Mountain Pass Chief."

Generally, each mountain pass has at least two Divine Sea Realm cultivators stationed, distinguished as Great Mountain Pass Chief and Little Mountain Pass Chief.

The distinction lies solely in their cultivation levels.

Although Lin Yue held the position of Mountain Pass Chief at Dark Moon Forest Pass, she was actually the Little Mountain Pass Chief. The man who came was the Great Mountain Pass Chief Zhang Kun, his cultivation level one tier higher than Lin Yue's, at Divine Sea Level 7.

Previously, he had matters to attend to and had not been present at the pass for the past few days.

Now, he rushed back urgently, looking very anxious, which made Lin Yue click her tongue in curiosity, "What has happened to you, Senior Brother?"

Zhang Kun wasted no words, urgently stating, "I heard some rumors earlier."

"What aspect are you referring to, Senior Brother?"

"There's a rumor that a cultivator named Li Taibai came to the pass and, with a True Lake Level 3 cultivation, killed a Haotian Alliance cultivator of Level 7. Is it true?"

"What do you think, Senior Brother?" Lin Yue smiled lightly without giving a direct answer, pondering whether this guy also has an eye on Li Taibai and plans to contend with her for him.

Although she held the advantage of proximity and had instructed Tong Shuyao to stay close to Li Taibai, ensuring he wouldn't interact with too many people, according to Tong Shuyao's reports, Li Taibai had been in seclusion healing these past two days, not allowing anyone an opportunity to draw him in.

"Junior Sister, I'm not joking with you, nor do I have any other intentions. Please tell me if this really happened!" Just like Lin Yue hadn't believed it when she first heard of it, he was equally skeptical. But as he gathered more and more intelligence, he realized that it might very well be true. And if it was, the situation was becoming perilous.

"It did happen, why?" Seeing Zhang Kun's not-so-good expression, Lin Yue didn't want to beat around the bush any longer.

"Was the person killed named Tan Shu?" Zhang Kun asked again.

"It seems that's the name." Lin Yue recalled and nodded; after the incident occurred two days ago, everyone at the mountain pass talked about Li Taibai's fame. Who would care about the victim? Lin Yue only knew Tan Shu's name because Tong Shuyao narrated the details to her.

"Damn it!" Zhang Kun's face changed, urgently exclaiming, "Quick, issue orders to prepare for battle!"