Chapter 262 - Things Happen Thrice

When legends come to life right before one's eyes, it's unlikely that anyone can remain unperturbed.　　This was the scene unfolding before them.　　A group of cultivators stared at the dark figure before them, hardly daring to believe what they saw. They also looked at the heavily injured green-haired woman in front of them, unwilling to just retreat. They mumbled for a long time but said nothing substantial and did not step back either.　　Chen Xia's tone grew heavier, "Didn't you hear me tell you to scram?"　　Large spirits hovered around him, prostrating themselves at his feet as if worshipping a true deity.　　The green-haired woman, dazed, assessed her surroundings again, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth once more. She hurriedly circulated the remaining spiritual energy within her to mend her body.　　The red-haired cultivator gritted his teeth, unwilling to retreat so easily. He explained to Chen Xia,　　"We intruded into this dead star domain not to disturb you but to pursue our enemy. We hope...you might be lenient."　　Chen Xia did not respond, his entire body covered by black mist, making it impossible for anyone to see his expression.　　Silence reigned.　　Only the occasional faint growls of the surrounding spirits broke the silence, urging impatiently.　　The red-haired cultivator felt a chill run down his spine, breaking out in cold sweat under immense pressure. He had thoughts of retreating but couldn't bear to leave the severely injured woman there.　　It was like chasing prey for a long time, only to have someone unrelated appear and order you away when you were about to catch it.　　Could he be content?　　The red-haired cultivator certainly couldn't be. He wanted to try one more time, especially since he had heard that the master of the dead star domain was merely a cultivator of the seventh layer Inverse Sea realm.　　Though such a realm was unattainably high for him, his sect did have elders at the high Inverse Sea realm.　　As the red-haired cultivator struggled with his thoughts,　　The blue-robed cultivator behind him flashed a look of amusement, quickly vanishing.　　Three breaths passed.　　The surrounding spirits'growls grew louder, not like urging but driving them away.　　The red-haired cultivator clenched his teeth, looking straight at the dark figure, raising his voice slightly with a pleading tone,　　"There would be no problem if we left, but please understand, we need to take this woman with us. If you agree, we will leave immediately."　　After these words, silence continued.　　Chen Xia asked slowly, "Who gave you the courage?"　　Cold sweat poured from the red-haired cultivator, shaking visibly.　　The other cultivators were even worse; if not for the red-haired cultivator blocking their view, they would have already fled.　　Seeing no response, Chen Xia extended his hand, forming a gesture with two fingers—not a peace sign or a cheer, but calmly said,　　"Three strikes and you're out. This is your second warning. Think carefully."　　The red-haired cultivator clenched his fists and, hardening his resolve, said, "I am a true disciple of White Armor Mountain, one of the Seven Great Sects. Our sect has an elder at the seventh layer Inverse Sea realm. I hope you can show mercy!"　　He had revealed his sect.　　The old site of the Seven Great Sects was not far from here, only three thousand years ago. The master of the dead star domain should have heard of them and would likely be wary.　　After all, the Seven Great Sects were top-tier sects in the star domain. Over the past few thousand years, they had maintained close ties, basically standing together if one was attacked.　　Offending one sect was equivalent to offending the other six.　　Precisely because of this, the Seven Great Sects held significant influence in the star domain.　　The red-haired cultivator looked up at Chen Xia, hoping to glean some information from the dark mist.　　After a moment, a very calm voice came through,　　"Third strike."　　The spirits' growls became intense!　　The red-haired cultivator's face changed drastically. Before he could beg for mercy, he was swallowed by a million spirits, swept away like debris in a flood toward the outer regions of the dead star domain.　　Though not fatal, being injured and demoted was inevitable.　　That was the principle of 'three strikes and you're out.'　　Chen Xia had given them chances.　　The green-haired woman looked up dumbfounded at the dark figure above, unable to comprehend.　　Chen Xia didn't say anything, turning and walking deeper into the dead star domain.　　He saved her because of Li Yang, and only because of Li Yang, without any other reason, nor did he intend to speak further.　　Once healed, the green-haired woman could leave on her own.　　"Wait…wait a moment, why…why did you save me?"the green-haired woman suddenly shouted.　　Chen Xia stopped, turning his head slightly to ask,　　"Hasn't anyone told you not to talk to strangers?"　　The green-haired woman paused, realizing no one had ever told her that. She frowned lightly, recalling and shook her head,　　"My family only told me not to kill strangers."　　There was a brief silence.　　Chen Xia nodded, "Your family understands education."　　"Not really," the green-haired woman replied, frowning lightly again and continuing, "Why did you save me?"　　"Just because I have a slight connection with your Li family. What kind of connection doesn't matter much, because it's truly just a little. Don't think of repaying me; this is returning a favor. Heal yourself and leave."　　Chen Xia spoke frankly, not hiding anything. He also feared she might want to repay the favor later, which would be troublesome.　　The green-haired woman paused, nodding in understanding, "So that's it. Thank you. My name is Li Yue. If you ever visit the Li family, I can welcome you."　　Another brief silence followed.　　Chen Xia nodded, "Your family knows how to name people."　　One Li Yang, one Li Yue.　　What kind of dynamic duo?　　Li Yue chuckled lightly, her light brows furrowing, "My family probably named me this way hoping I could catch up to Aunt Li Yang. Three thousand years ago, she was the unparalleled genius of the Li family, the only emperor candidate. Sadly, she eventually left the Li family."　　"Why did Aunt Li Yang leave?" Chen Xia asked curiously, quite interested in such family secrets.　　Li Yue recalled, swallowing a pill first, then explained,　　"At that time, I was young and only remembered that Aunt Li Yang was already the highest-ranking genius in the entire Li family, far surpassing everyone else."　　"But later, I heard from the old nanny that Aunt Li Yang wasn't actually outstanding in her childhood. She had to pick up trash to eat, not because the Li family lacked food, but because someone was deliberately making things difficult for her."　　"Aunt Li Yang was very ambitious. Without food, she picked up trash, and if she couldn't get it, she would steal. Almost everyone in the Li family had been stolen from by her."　　At this point, Li Yue couldn't help but laugh, "In my childhood, I stole from everyone in the Li family to emulate Aunt Li Yang."　　Chen Xia twitched his lips, "Is it possible that this isn't behavior worth imitating?"　　"I don't know," Li Yue shrugged, smiling again.　　"Later, Aunt Li Yang began to stand out, displaying terrifying talent. She rose to become the top among the younger generation in the Li family, becoming the sole genius."　　"No." Chen Xia suddenly shook his head, frowning, "Your story lacks excitement. It shouldn't be told this way. Let me teach you."　　He cleared his throat and narrated,　　"The prodigy Li Yang, once the family's rising star, was reduced to a nobody overnight, betrayed by everyone, including her fiancéwho personally delivered the divorce decree."　　"Right at this moment, a mysterious existence within her bracelet awakened, revealing itself to be an ancient powerhouse."　　"Watch as the girl retrieves treasures, learns divine abilities, and battles the heavens!"　　His narration paused.　　Li Yue paused, rummaging through her robes, pulling out a pouch of spirit stones, and weakly requested,　　"How about another fifty spirit stones?"