Doting Brother Maniac

Suddenly, a change occurred. The crimson sword shadow moved with extreme speed, slicing through the sky like a phantom. Its Sword Intent was so deeply contained that not a trace leaked out, yet Li Mu still felt a heart-pounding sense of danger.

In a flash, Li Mu instinctively dodged to the side. The crimson sword shadow narrowly missed his waist, leaving a cut on his white robe.

Just as Li Mu was congratulating himself on escaping death, that intensely dangerous Sword Intent struck from behind him once more.

The crimson long sword, as if it had eyes, changed direction in mid-air and lunged at Li Mu again. As if to prevent Li Mu from dodging, this attack no longer concealed its Sword Intent. An overwhelming aura pressed down directly upon Li Mu.

Li Mu's pupils instantly constricted. This aura clearly possessed the intensity of a Core Formation Realm expert. He was completely locked down. Not only could he not dodge again, but the mountain-like pressure made even moving extremely difficult.

What should I do? Am I going to die? How could such a powerful expert attack me?

The vast difference in strength filled Li Mu with despair. Even with the most heaven-defying cheat system, he couldn't find any way to break through this certain death situation.

This was the crushing power of the strong. No matter how extraordinary your talent was, how rare it was in a thousand years, it couldn't compare to a complete suppression in cultivation.

Time rewound to when Nangong Qi was sent flying by Li Mu's long-prepared sword strike. Seeing the most outstanding disciple his family had placed so much hope in defeated by a notorious dandy from Qinglan City, seeing the low-born commoners cheering, seeing the Nangong Family lose all face in front of the city's noble families and the elders of the Xuantian Sword Sect, Nangong Wuqing's rage could no longer be suppressed and erupted completely.

As the Nangong Family's First Elder, Nangong Wuqing had made a name for himself at a young age. His "Heartless Sword" had earned him a formidable reputation within a hundred-mile radius of Qinglan City. He reached Beginner Core Formation at twenty-five, Great Accomplishment at thirty, and Perfection Core Formation at forty. He was an absolute powerhouse in Qinglan City.

However, for the next few decades, this proud son of the Nangong Family stagnated at Perfection Core Formation, unable to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm no matter what he tried.

If the Core Formation Realm was the true starting point of the cultivation path, then the Nascent Soul Realm was the touchstone for whether one had truly entered the path of cultivation. Once one broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm, they could truly be called a powerhouse.

Ten years ago, this Nangong Family First Elder suddenly disappeared from Qinglan City, and no one saw him again. The Nangong Family publicly announced that he was in seclusion, pursuing a sliver of opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm.

The Immortal Realm was vast, with countless experts, and people died every day, but new stars also rose. Therefore, the name Nangong Wuqing was soon forgotten by everyone, until today, at the Qinglan Academy's annual grand competition, the Nangong Family First Elder suddenly appeared, sparking discussions among all the older cultivators in Qinglan City.

Where had he been for the past ten years? Had he broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm? What was his strength now?

These were all questions people cared about. Yet, Nangong Wuqing seemed as if he had never been absent for these ten years, calmly continuing to play the role of the top aristocratic family's First Elder in Qinglan City.

But that composure and calmness could no longer be maintained after Nangong Qi was forcefully defeated by Li Mu. Ten years ago, he had made up his mind and accepted the family's proposal to go to that secret location. He endured unimaginable hardships and torment, finally breaking through to the coveted realm.

This academy grand competition was his first public appearance since returning to Qinglan City. He had expected to bring glory to his family in front of the true immortal cultivation sects, but this brat named Li Mu had ruined all his plans, revealing the extreme and pathological tendencies deep within his heart.

Qi surged within his body. He transformed his right hand into a finger and pointed towards Li Mu, who was below the stage receiving the reverence of the Profound Tier Class. The crimson long sword that had been by his side seemed to gain life, instantly unsheathing and transforming into a stunning streak of light that flew in the direction Nangong Wuqing pointed, piercing directly towards Li Mu's chest.

The art of sword control was a mark of a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. Nangong Wuqing had truly overcome the bottleneck of many years and entered the ranks of the powerful.

Under Nangong Wuqing's control as a Nascent Soul Realm expert, the crimson flying sword moved like lightning through the air. The incident was sudden. No one present expected this Nangong Family First Elder to brazenly attack a student of Qinglan City in broad daylight. Even Mu Bai was caught off guard and stood frozen in place.

Failing to strike, Nangong Wuqing grew even more enraged. He no longer concealed himself, unleashing his full Nascent Soul Realm power. A formidable aura enveloped the entire area, and the crimson flying sword instantly accelerated, lunging at Li Mu.

The aura of death descended. Li Mu was suppressed by the Nascent Soul Realm's aura, forced to watch helplessly as the sword shadow struck him.

Is this really it? To die before my ambitions are realized? My life after transmigration is too pathetic.

Facing the unavoidable crimson flying sword, Li Mu lamented that he was truly destined to make heroes weep, his end coming prematurely. He cast a difficult final glance around, seeing the Profound Tier Class students below the stage shouting desperately for help, Teacher Mu rushing down from the stands to intervene, and the most beautiful sunset in the sky above Qinglan City.

It's enough. This brief transmigration wasn't entirely without reward.

Taking a deep breath, Li Mu despairingly closed his eyes, awaiting death.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

The expected splatter of blood never came. Even the suffocating pressure had dissipated. Li Mu opened his eyes, and the scene before him stirred his soul.

A towering figure stood before him, clad in crimson armor, with broad, unparalleled shoulders, shielding Ling Mu from all the sword's force.

"Big brother!"

Ling Mu exclaimed. The person before him was someone he could never have imagined: his usually stoic older brother, Ling Yue.

Ling Yue's aura was equally astonishing. The long sword at his waist was already unsheathed, wrapped in pure Sword Intent, and it forcefully blocked Nangong Wuqing's crimson flying sword in mid-air. The two forces met, colliding and creating a massive shockwave that knocked over all the students present.

With a roar, Ling Yue exerted force with his sword, directly deflecting the crimson flying sword. Then, his blade danced, and white sword energy wove into a giant net, encircling the crimson flying sword. It was the Ling Family Sword Style's sixth form—Heavenly Net.

Seeing that he had no chance to kill Ling Mu and that his flying sword was about to be enveloped by the white sword energy, Nangong Wuqing had no choice but to point with his right hand again, recalling the flying sword. The sword returned to its sheath, and Nangong Wuqing's expression grew even more somber.

"Nangong Wuqing, you attacked my Ling family disciple without cause during the Qinglan Academy grand competition. Do you truly believe my Ling family has no one?"

Ling Yue waved his long sword, his gaze fixed on Nangong Wuqing in the stands, and shouted sternly.

"Young Master Ling's strength is extraordinary, truly worthy of being Qinglan City's number one genius. This academy grand competition is for students to improve their strength through sparring. However, I did not expect some students to be so ruthless towards their peers, causing two of my Nangong family disciples to be severely injured and on the verge of death. I merely intervened to teach a lesson as punishment."

Nangong Wuqing subtly hid his killing intent and put on a calm demeanor, saying composedly.

"Ridiculous. In the Qinglan Student Class Competition, there are no restrictions on student combat. As long as one does not surrender, the battle does not end. This is a rule set by my father. Furthermore, when did it become your place, Nangong Wuqing, to discipline my brother, Ling Yue?"

Ling Yue stood proudly, his gaze sharp, staring at Nangong Wuqing and shouting. An imposing aura emanated from him, causing Nangong Wuqing's pupils to constrict.

"Young Master Ling puts on quite a show. Since you believe I, Nangong Wuqing, am not qualified, then our Nangong family will withdraw from this grand competition. Let's go!"

Nangong Wuqing knew that his rash action today had crossed the Ling family's bottom line. He could only force out a few perfunctory words before quickly leaving with his entourage.

Watching the powerful Nangong Wuqing leave in disgrace, everyone finally realized he was a Nascent Soul Realm expert. Then, wasn't Ling Yue, who could stop him, even more so...

"Impressive. Perfection Core Formation can be considered Beginner Nascent Soul. Although his realm is newly broken and unstable, he is genuinely in the Nascent Soul Realm. To challenge someone of a higher realm like this, his talent is already on par with the prodigies in my sect. Ling Yue, interesting."

Although his own strength was only Half-step Nascent Soul, having been taught by a legitimate immortal cultivation sect, Elder Qin did not take Nangong Wuqing seriously. However, Ling Yue's performance had indeed piqued his strong interest. The way he looked at Ling Yue had changed.

"My Ling family will remember today's events. Later, when my father returns, he will personally visit the Nangong family to demand an explanation from Nangong Bo."

Nangong Wuqing only heard Ling Yue's loud voice from behind him. He was furious but forced himself to endure it, leaving with his family members without looking back.

"Big brother, thank you. If it weren't for you, I..."

Ling Mu finally spoke, thanking his elder brother before him. He always felt conflicted when facing Ling Yue; the memories from his past life were filled with hatred for Ling Yue, but over these past few days, he had come to understand that his elder brother had been showing him care in his own way all these years.

"You don't need to thank me. I only acted to preserve the Ling family's honor. However, I hope you can improve your strength quickly, so you don't bring shame to Father's name one day."

Still expressionless, still speaking coldly, Ling Mu could still discern Ling Yue's concern for him.

"Teacher Mu, I was just passing by the academy today and remembered this competition, so I came to watch. I have other important matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

Ling Yue sheathed his long sword, cupped his hands towards Teacher Mu, and then, with a few swift movements, disappeared from Ling Mu's sight.

The interlude thus concluded, but everyone was impressed by the strength of the two Ling brothers. One, not yet in the Core Formation Realm, unleashed an attack comparable to a Core Formation Realm expert. The other was even more monstrous, a Core Formation Realm Perfection expert fighting a Beginner Nascent Soul Realm opponent across realms and holding his own.

"Ling Mu, can you continue with the class competition?"

Teacher Mu landed in the center of the arena and said to Ling Mu. This academy competition had been full of unexpected events, and he no longer dared to sit in the stands. Instead, he began to personally officiate the matches.

"Of course, we in the Profound Tier Class haven't won yet."

Ling Mu's reply was decisive. He then turned his gaze towards the Earth Tier Class's formation. His eyes sent shivers down the spines of the Earth Tier Class students, as if they were being stared at by a ferocious demon beast.