A Forceful Stance

What shocked Qian Daoliu even more was this.

After those nine Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings appeared, the Sword Intent radiating from Li Bai's body was not suppressed by the rings' ferocious aura.

Instead, it became purer and more vast!

It was a kind of "intent" that transcended the level of Soul Power and pointed directly at the origin itself!

Under the shroud of this Sword Intent, he could even feel the Angel Soul Power within his body being slightly suppressed and sluggish!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The powerful Sword Intent was like invisible mountains, pressing heavily upon the hearts of every Spirit Hall powerhouse.

Soul Masters below the rank of Titled Douluo had long since collapsed limply to the ground.

Even Elders like Gui Mei and Yue Guan found it difficult to breathe, their Soul Power circulation impaired as cold sweat seeped from their foreheads.

"Damn it!"

Relying on the Divine Power granted by the Rakshasa God Trial, Bibi Dong barely managed to resist, but her expression was still extremely grim.

At that moment, she no longer harbored even the slightest intention of probing them. Only deep wariness and a trace of regret remained.

Was it really worth provoking such a terrifying opponent and force for the sake of a Nine-Heart Begonia?

Qian Daoliu took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart.

He glanced at Bibi Dong's pale face, then at the Elders behind him who were struggling to hold on under the pressure. A decision had already formed in his mind.

Now was absolutely not the time to tear all ties with Big Dipper Academy.

Especially when they knew nothing of the academy's details, while the other side had displayed such terrifying strength.

Spirit Hall might possess deep foundations, but against a force with at least one Limit Douluo comparable to—or even stronger than—him, along with that mysterious Dean and so many geniuses...

Starting a war rashly would bring unimaginable consequences!

"Enough!"

Qian Daoliu spoke in a deep voice, his words infused with the Soul Power of his Level Ninety-nine peak.

He barely forced open an area amid the vast Sword Intent, easing the pressure on the people of Spirit Hall somewhat.

His sharp gaze turned toward Bibi Dong, his tone carrying an unquestionable command.

"Bibi Dong, release them!"

Bibi Dong's delicate body trembled as she abruptly looked at Qian Daoliu, her eyes filled with unwillingness and humiliation.

Before the entire city, Spirit Hall had been attacked at its doorstep, only to yield and release its prisoners in the end. Where would that leave her dignity as Pope?

"Great Enshrined One!"

Bibi Dong gritted her teeth, still wanting to argue.

"I said, release them!"

Qian Daoliu's voice suddenly rose.

An irresistible majesty accompanied his words. Golden Angel Soul Power flickered around him, standing in opposition to Li Bai's Green Lotus Sword Intent.

"Now is not the time to act on impulse! Are you going to let Spirit Hall's foundation be shaken for the sake of a few people?!"

Bibi Dong bit down hard on her lower lip, nearly drawing blood.

She understood Qian Daoliu's meaning. Before they uncovered Big Dipper Academy's details, and especially before she completed the Rakshasa God Trial, fighting such a powerful enemy to the death was indeed unwise.

She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging rage and killing intent within her. Then, through clenched teeth, she forced out a single word:

"...Release them!"

The order was passed down.

Very soon, Elder Ye and the core members of the Ye Family who had been imprisoned were brought to the square under the complicated gazes of the Spirit Hall Soul Masters.

Though they looked somewhat disheveled, they had not suffered any abuse. Clearly, Spirit Hall had previously intended to recruit them.

"Grandfather!"

At the sight of her family, tears immediately streamed down Ye Lingling's face. She excitedly tried to rush over, only to be tightly held back by Ye Zhong.

Elder Ye looked at the confrontation in the sky.

Especially at the nine blood-red Soul Rings and the suspended Green Lotus Giant Sword, his aged eyes were filled with shock and lingering fear.

He bowed deeply toward Li Bai.

Only then did Li Bai nod in satisfaction. The terrifying Sword Intent around him and the nine Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings receded like the tide.

The suspended Green Lotus Giant Sword also slowly vanished into nothingness.

He seemed to return to being that lazy drunkard again. Yawning, he casually waved at Qian Daoliu.

"Thanks, old man. Since everyone's here, we'll be leaving."

With that, invisible Sword Qi swept up the Ye Family members, along with Ye Lingling and Ye Zhong. They transformed into a cyan streak of light and vanished from above Spirit City in an instant.

They had arrived suddenly and departed even more freely.

All they left behind was a devastated Spirit Hall and countless stunned, unsettled gazes.

Qian Daoliu stared in the direction Li Bai had disappeared, his face so dark it seemed ready to drip water.

Spirit Hall had been utterly humiliated today.

Before the eyes of the entire city, its wanted prisoners had been forcibly taken away. How could he possibly swallow this insult so easily?

Yet the strength the other side had displayed made him wary of taking action.

He turned around, his icy gaze sweeping over the equally grim-faced Bibi Dong and the Elders, who stood silent as cicadas in winter.

"No one is to spread word of what happened today. Anyone who disobeys will be treated as a traitor to the Hall!"

Qian Daoliu's voice carried unquestionable authority as he first tried to minimize the impact.

"Yes, Great Enshrined One!"

Everyone's hearts tightened as they answered in unison.

"Additionally,"

Qian Daoliu continued, his gaze sharp.

"From this day onward, without my command, no one is to provoke Big Dipper Academy or anyone associated with it!"

"Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, I order you two to mobilize every resource and investigate everything about Big Dipper Academy, especially the details of that Lu Xiao and this Li Bai!"

"Yes, sir!"

Yue Guan and Gui Mei hurriedly bowed to accept the order, their backs already drenched in cold sweat.

Bibi Dong tightly gripped the Pope Scepter, her knuckles turning white from the force. She stared in the direction Li Bai had vanished, humiliation, fury, and deep unwillingness flashing in her eyes.

She would never forget today's humiliation for the rest of her life!

But she also knew that Qian Daoliu's decision was correct. Before completely uncovering their details and completing her God Trial, it was unwise to fight head-on.

"Big Dipper Academy... Lu Xiao... Li Bai..."

She silently repeated those names in her heart, killing intent coiling around them like a venomous snake.

Just wait. Once I complete the Rakshasa God Trial, I will repay today's humiliation a hundredfold!

After arranging for her family, Ye Lingling followed Li Bai back to Big Dipper Academy.

After all, given the thunderous methods Teacher Li Bai had displayed earlier, Spirit Hall surely would not dare lay a hand on the Ye Family again anytime soon.

This finally allowed Ye Lingling to set her anxious heart at ease.

Not long after entering the academy, they sensed two auras change one after the other.

First came a sharp and profound aura shooting into the sky from the direction of Zhu Zhuqing's secluded training room, before slowly withdrawing.

A moment later, the door to the training room opened, and Zhu Zhuqing emerged in black robes.

Her aura was more condensed, her gaze as sharp as a blade. Clearly, she had gained much from this period of seclusion, and her Soul Power had steadily improved.

Almost immediately afterward, the formation at the academy entrance rippled as two graceful figures walked in while chatting and laughing.

They were Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan, returning from leave.

"Dean! We're back!"

Ning Rongrong spotted Lu Xiao in the courtyard at once and cheerfully greeted him. Then her attention was drawn to the unfamiliar Ye Lingling and Ao Yin.

Dugu Yan also curiously examined the new members.

"Hmm?"

Her jade-green eyes lingered on Ao Yin for a moment.

She vaguely sensed a Dragon Clan Pressure from the same origin, yet far more noble, and her heart tightened slightly.

Lu Xiao smiled as he introduced both sides. "You came back at just the right time. These two are Ye Lingling and Ao Yin, newly joined members of the academy. Lingling's Martial Soul is the Nine-Heart Begonia, while Ao Yin's Martial Soul is the Elemental Dragon."

Then he said to Ye Lingling and Ao Yin, "These two are Ning Rongrong, whose Martial Soul is the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and Dugu Yan, whose Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor. You should have sensed Zhu Qing just now as well. She has only just emerged from seclusion."

Nine-Heart Begonia!

Elemental Dragon!

Surprise flashed through Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes.

They had continued following the Sky Screen while away, so they naturally knew the remarkable rankings these two Martial Souls held on the Special Martial Soul Ranking!

"Welcome!"

Ning Rongrong's smile was radiant as she stepped forward and took Ye Lingling's hand.

"From now on, we're classmates! There are so many fun things in the academy!"

Dugu Yan also nodded in greeting. Her temperament was somewhat cooler, but her eyes carried kindness as well.

Feeling their warmth, a faint smile appeared on Ye Lingling's cool face. Much of her unfamiliarity with this new place faded away.

Ao Yin, meanwhile, still wore that cool expression and merely gave a slight nod.

After getting acquainted, Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan's curiosity immediately shifted to another matter.

They gathered around Ye Lingling, lowered their voices, and asked with excited, gossiping expressions:

"Lingling, we heard on the way back that Teacher Li Bai went to Spirit Hall to bring you all back?"

"Quick, tell us! Was Teacher Li Bai especially imposing at the time?"

"Just how strong is he? We've never seen Teacher Li Bai truly make a move!"

Although Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, she quietly stepped a few paces closer.

Her cool eyes held the same searching curiosity.

Li Bai had always seemed lazy and carefree within the academy. They only knew that he was unfathomable.

But no one knew exactly how strong he truly was.