They Are Enemies! . . .
"If I don't aid you, regardless of your identity, you will most certainly meet your demise. You understand this, yet you chose not to request my help politely or beg for your life. Instead, you dared to threaten me? How audacious!"
Bu Jingtian's eyes emitted icy glints as he sternly retorted, "You claim you can save me?"
Eun Xiao didn't provide a direct response. "With my expertise in crafting dan, if I cannot save you, do you believe there's anyone else in the world capable of doing so? However, you shouldn't harbor excessive hope, considering the attitude you displayed toward me."
Bu Jingtian's fury reached its peak.
He was indeed on the brink of death. As Eun Xiao pointed out, his life could extinguish at any moment. But that didn't imply he had to endure humiliation, particularly when he had held the title of the world's No. 1 Cultivator for countless years. He couldn't permit anyone to besmirch that legacy.
His expression darkened, and he spoke in a low voice, "Feng Monarch possesses keen insight. My time is limited, but I see no reason to endure indignity at the hands of a young man. I refuse to beg for my life. Feng Monarch, you are testing my patience. Over the course of my long life, I believe it would be a novel experience to perish alongside a master dan-maker."
Eun Xiao responded with a cold laugh, suggesting, "Perish alongside me? Fun? You want me to meet my end with you? Very well. You claim to be a legend in this world, do you not? Before your time is up, why not add another chapter to your legend—a final chapter to this epic story? A skilled master dan-maker meets his demise alongside you. This addition will not only extend the legend but create a new myth!"
Bu Jingtian hesitated.
Throughout his millennia of existence, he had committed numerous acts of cruelty. He led a solitary life and acted alone, unburdened by the constraints of conscience or morality. His dignity held significance, but his life was of paramount importance. After all, losing his life would entail losing everything he had amassed over the centuries.
Now, Eun Xiao had provoked him to the point of fury, yet he was unable to muster the resolve to take action. His emotions seethed within him, while his eyes exuded malevolence. In that instant, he found himself powerless to act.
Despite his lofty title as the world's No. 1 Cultivator, his vulnerability had been laid bare by another, leaving him utterly impotent.
Eun Xiao gazed upon this world-renowned cultivator and sighed inwardly.
[I suppose my plan to recruit a new ally has hit a roadblock...]
[This individual is unlike Ning Biluo, Zhao Pingtian, or Wan Zhenghao. I don't believe I should extend a helping hand to him!]
[The title of the world's No. 1 Cultivator?]
[Well, so be it.]
Eun Xiao remained composed, his arms crossed over his chest. His countenance exuded indifference and arrogance as he observed the No. 1 Cultivator with an air of indifference.
Yet, Bu Jingtian couldn't muster the courage to confront him. He could only seethe inwardly, doing nothing to retaliate.
The cultivators from the two great sects who had accompanied Bu Jingtian wore expressions of confusion and uncertainty as they exchanged glances.
[What is happening? Weren't we here for revenge? Why are we hesitating? What's our next move?]
[Is Bu Jingtian's condition, as stated by Feng Monarch, truly accurate?]
"What on earth does that man want? What's happening here?" Xiu of the Heavens observed the scene from the sky with bewilderment. "These individuals are incredibly powerful, and they've come to cause trouble. Yet, he has been speaking boldly and making them uncomfortable... He doesn't possess the strength to withstand these people. He's courting death!"
Ling Wuxie couldn't help but smile. "Just as I've always said, women have long hair and short tempers. It's a profound saying from the ancients. Very well said."
Wan-Er and Xiu-Er felt their anger rise, particularly regarding the "long hair and short tempers" remark, but they managed to suppress it.
[This man is a friend of our master. If we antagonize him, it will only bring embarrassment to our master. Besides, despite his foolishness, he is undoubtedly formidable in cultivation. We can't afford to provoke him.] Understanding the situation, they contained their irritation and merely rolled their eyes to express their displeasure.
If eye-rolling could inflict harm, Ling Wuxie would have been turned into a pile of minced meat.
Ling Wuxie arched an eyebrow. "This Feng Monarch is indeed a shrewd individual. Even when in a disadvantageous position, he can discern the vulnerabilities of his adversary. With just a few words, he has induced hesitation in his opponent, who now dares not act. This so-called No. 1 Cultivator... Cough, cough..."
His expression became complicated as he spoke about the No. 1 Cultivator.
He found it difficult to believe that a man he could easily defeat with a gust of wind held the title of the No. 1 Cultivator in this realm—a legend, a myth. It almost made a mockery of the concept of being a legend.
As he spoke of the No. 1 Cultivator, he couldn't help but feel a sense of shame, as though he were blatantly lying.
"That... Cough, cough... distinguished cultivator... Upon the No. 1 Cultivator's arrival, Feng Monarch quickly discerned the old man's ailing condition. Although the old man's time was running out, Feng Monarch had the means to extend his life. This allowed him to regain control of the dire situation. He even sought to recruit the old man... His plan is to first thoroughly defeat the No. 1 Cultivator and then save him."
"To weaken him and then save him—if executed skillfully, and if this Bu Jingtian is a reasonable man, they could transition from adversaries to allies with a few conciliatory words. In the end, one would have a powerful assistant, and the other would have a formidable supporter. Bu Jingtian would escape death and gain a longer life."
"This is Feng Monarch's well-thought-out plan, one that benefits both parties. However, to his surprise, he was dealing with a truly ruthless individual. This old man is far from a benevolent soul. He fears death immensely but delights in oppressing the weak."
"When Feng Monarch realized the true nature of the man he was facing, he lost his patience. There was no need for further hesitation. He is now contemplating how to deal with the No. 1 Cultivator. If you don't believe me, just watch and witness how this No. 1 Cultivator meets his end at the hands of Feng Monarch. It promises to be quite the spectacle!"