Lin Tian felt a sense of helplessness. He had originally thought that this cold and beautiful woman would be his savior, but the situation turned out to be far more complicated than he had imagined. As he was contemplating, a long, piercing whistle suddenly echoed from the distance. The sound waves reverberated through the broken temple, shaking the windows and causing the dilapidated structure to tremble. Dust filled the air, and a heavy, oppressive atmosphere spread around them. Lin Tian and Gu Sangbo's faces were instantly covered in dust. Moments later, the person appeared in front of the temple.
"Lü Benben, I didn't expect you to hunt down a junior like me, and to think you're ranked tenth on the Evil Dao Earth Ranking." The woman's tone remained indifferent, as if she were facing a trivial enemy, showing no fear.
Even though Gu Sangbo's muscles were stiff and immobile, he still felt a cold shiver run up his spine, and his throat seemed to be blocked by something. He struggled to swallow, feeling a deep shock inside. The tenth place on the Evil Dao Earth Ranking was no ordinary figure, and this person dared to directly challenge the successor of the Yaochi Sword Palace.
"You shouldn't have learned too much." Lü Benben's voice carried a hint of impatience. As he stepped into the broken temple, his presence gradually grew more imposing. Lin Tian could see that he was a middle-aged man with a resolute face, plain in appearance, with no obvious signs of being an Evil Dao master.
"Since you're not afraid to make an enemy of the Yaochi Sword Palace, then let me duel with you." The woman's gaze suddenly turned sharp, and a wave of battle intent surged within her, as if she didn't consider Lü Benben as her true opponent but just a trial to hone her martial arts.
Yaochi Sword Palace!
At this moment, Lin Tian finally understood the identity of the woman before him. Although she looked young, her strength was enough to challenge the tenth place on the Evil Dao Earth Ranking, which was truly remarkable.
Ever since the Cifeng Hall,released the rankings of the righteous and evil paths, the entire cultivation world was aware of them. The rankings of the righteous and evil path masters were based on their combat strength and status. The rankings—Heavenly Ranking, Earth Ranking, and Human Ranking—formed the top tier of the cultivation world. These rankings were updated every ten years, and every adjustment sparked a wave of controversy.
However, the real top-tier powerhouses usually no longer appeared in these rankings. They hid outside the world, focusing on breaking through the "Breaking the Void and Shattering the Illusions" realm, the highest stage of cultivation. Those who ranked highly on the Earth Ranking already possessed power beyond ordinary cultivators, and Lü Benben was a prime example. Despite ranking tenth, his power could make even the strongest of cultivators tremble in fear.
From the rumors, Lin Tian already knew that Lü Benben was a "Detached Body" master of the Evil Dao, capable of expelling his vital energy and controlling a spiritual sword from several miles away, reaching the realm of the Sword Immortal. Such individuals were not people who could be easily resisted.
However, the background of the Yaochi Sword Palace made Lin Tian somewhat excited about the upcoming battle. As one of the three great sacred lands of martial arts, the Yaochi Sword Palace was renowned for its powerful sword techniques, and its disciples were all martial arts prodigies. Moreover, this sect's female disciples were capable of challenging such formidable opponents at a young age, showing just how formidable her strength was.
"Yaochi Sword Palace?" A trace of complex emotion flashed in Lü Benben's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "Do you know the consequences of crossing me?"
"I don't care," the woman replied coldly, showing no sign of retreat.
"If you truly dare to fight me, I'll see just how capable you are," Lü Benben said, his voice icy, his face carrying a trace of provocation.
Lin Tian couldn't help but smile inwardly. This battle was likely not just about resolving personal grudges—it seemed to be a contest of their respective identities.
"This duel is not just between you and me," the woman said in a low voice, with a hint of deeper meaning, "If I win, I will gain greater power. If I lose, then it's only a death sentence."
Upon hearing this, Lü Benben's face slightly changed, as though he realized the deeper implication in her words. A trace of wariness crept into his heart. But he quickly regained his composure, and there was no more fluctuation in his eyes.
"You think a little girl like you can defeat me?" he sneered.
However, just as Lin Tian had predicted, the woman was unafraid of death and only became more resolute in her belief. Her eyes gleamed with cold light. She didn't speak further but drew her long sword. As the sword flashed, the entire temple seemed to be enveloped by its sword energy.
"You are right. Battling the tenth-ranked expert of the Evil Dao will indeed take my martial arts to the next level," the woman's voice was calm and confident, "But whether I live or die is not for you to decide."
With one swing of her sword, the air seemed to be split apart. The sword energy pierced through the air, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure as it rushed toward Lü Benben. Lü Benben's expression finally shifted from a sneer to seriousness. He no longer underestimated the woman before him.
Lin Tian's mood tightened. This battle was bound to be an earth-shattering contest.