MSBITRS Chapter 42 V1

The moment Ao Yi collapsed, chaos erupted.

Li Changshou felt the sharp gazes of many Dragon Palace experts locking onto him, their hostility growing more palpable. Internally, he had roughly pieced together the Second Prince’s puzzling behavior and began quickly formulating a response.

Although the young prince’s performance was clumsy, his identity carried weight. If the Dragon Palace used this opportunity to cause trouble, it would not bode well.

At that moment, Jiujiu stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Li Changshou. Her petite figure shielded half of him as she asked softly, “Changshou, are you hurt?”

“Just a slight disruption to my internal energy. Nothing to worry about, Martial Uncle,” he replied calmly. “The Second Prince’s strike was overwhelmingly powerful, but I’ll be fine.”

Li Changshou’s face showed a hint of concern and guilt as he added, “I wonder how the Second Prince is doing. My talismans shouldn’t have been able to breach his celestial armor. Perhaps, in my attempts to evade and avoid confrontation, the prince grew impatient, and his energy went astray. Martial Uncle, do you think you should offer assistance? Who knows if the Dragon Palace’s medical skills are up to handling such issues?”

Jiujiu couldn’t help but chuckle in exasperation. “The Dragon Palace is teeming with experts. Do you think they can’t handle this? Stop overthinking.”

Her words shifted the focus of the Dragon Palace attendants and guards toward Ao Yi. Turtle Prime Minister, who had supported the prince, soon spoke up:

“The Second Prince is unharmed. His energy circulation merely faltered, causing his celestial armor to rupture. He is currently unconscious due to his energy backlash but will recover shortly without issue.”

A silver-armored general quickly asked, “Prime Minister, how should this match be concluded?”

The Turtle Prime Minister hesitated, glancing at the boundary and then at the unconscious Ao Yi. This time, Li Changshou didn’t need to intervene further.

One of the Daoist immortals from the Du Immortal Sect chuckled. “Naturally, the Second Prince is the victor. My young martial nephew stepped out of bounds before the prince suffered his energy misstep. The outcome is clear. As a token of goodwill, we offer a humble elixir from the Du Immortal Sect. While the Dragon Palace may not find it noteworthy, it’s our heartfelt gesture.”

“Much appreciated,” the Turtle Prime Minister replied, signaling a Dragon Palace general to accept the elixir and effectively concluding the matter.

Several celestial eel guards carried the unconscious Ao Yi away on an ornate jade chair. Meanwhile, the Du Immortal Sect disciples escorted Li Changshou back to their seating area.

On the way, Li Changshou quietly said to Jiujiu, “Martial Aunt, I think I read in some ancient texts that the grapes on our table might help alleviate cases of energy disruption like this.”

“Those grapes are a gift from the Dragon Palace. Don’t you think they’d already know that?” Jiujiu retorted, feigning irritation. “And you—why did you step out of bounds? If you had stayed put for just a little longer, you might’ve won outright!”

Li Changshou offered a helpless smile. “At the time, I could barely hold on.”

Jiujiu sighed and began scolding him. “Once we return, I’ll personally oversee your cultivation. What’s the use of crafting talismans and studying formations if your skills can’t keep up? Your cultivation base is the foundation of everything! Without it, even the most powerful treasures in your hands would be half as effective.”

“Yes, Martial Aunt. I’ll do better,” Li Changshou replied, bowing his head in contrition, though he secretly felt a wave of relief.

As the attention that had been centered on him began to disperse, a figure approached. It was Qin Xuanya, carrying her greatsword with an expression of urgency.

“Senior Brother Changshou, are you alright?”

“I’m fine, just a bit shaken,” Li Changshou said with a self-deprecating smile. “I let everyone down with my lack of skill, bringing shame to our sect.”

One senior brother transmitted his voice: “That Dragon Palace prince was looking for trouble. It’s no coincidence they targeted you. Don’t worry, Junior Brother. I’ll make sure the dragon offspring in the later rounds pay dearly.”

Li Changshou responded with a grateful look.

“Senior Brother Changshou, you should sit down and recover. Don’t overexert yourself.”

“Indeed. The Dragon Palace has gone too far, and that Second Prince was truly despicable.”

Jiujiu interjected, “Enough with the complaints! Sit down and stay calm. Countless celestial immortals are watching from above!”

Though reprimanded, a few disciples continued to grumble about the injustice done to Li Changshou, only to be scolded by other elders.

Such reactions, Li Changshou knew, were normal. They stemmed more from collective pride than any personal concern for him.

Settling into his seat, Li Changshou’s breathing quickly steadied. Qin Xuanya hesitated nearby, glancing back several times before finally leaving.

As she departed, her previously concerned expression transformed into one of icy resolve. The top disciple of the Du Immortal Sect’s younger generation placed her greatsword on the low table before her. With methodical precision, she activated the Qinglian Heaven-Splitting Mark, infusing the blade with fiery runes that split into slender flying swords.

The atmosphere around the Du Immortal Sect disciples grew noticeably colder.

Qin Xuanya retrieved two bottles of restorative pills, verifying their contents to ensure her supply was adequate. Then, with deliberate care, she polished her flying swords, her cold and elegant face betraying no emotion. Yet, her eyes seemed to carry a faintly intimidating aura.

“Junior Sister Qin.”

Li Changshou’s voice reached her ears through a transmission.

She paused, turning her gaze toward him.

“If you plan to act later, remember to exercise restraint. This is the Dragon Palace. There’s no need to provoke them further.”

Qin Xuanya gave a slight nod, the combative glint in her eyes softening somewhat.

Her expression wavered for a moment between pursed lips and a faint smile—a delicate mix of defiance and understanding.

Her expression and gaze conveyed one message to Li Changshou: “Don’t worry.”

The three Duoxian Sect disciples seated between Li Changshou and Youqin Xuanya were witnessing this rare display of emotion for the first time. Surprised, they couldn’t help but feel somewhat out of place… even unnecessary.

Youqin Xuanya continued meticulously polishing her flying swords. It seemed that Li Changshou’s message hadn’t changed her determination.

Seeing this, Li Changshou decided to stop interfering. After all, there wasn’t much he could do about it.

He quietly cast a Wind Whisper Spell, this time to listen to the discussions around the arena, performing a “post-performance audience feedback” review.

Voices near and far reached his ears in a noisy blend:

“This Duoxian Sect disciple isn’t bad. That Dragon Palace’s second prince, though, was far too impatient. He couldn’t even bring out his full potential.”

“The turtle minister already explained—he’s only ten years old. Some impulsiveness is to be expected.”