Batian Martial Soul

The man in red robes laughed loudly as he pointed at Ling Xiao, his eyes full of mockery.

"The Overlord Emperor's plan is truly ingenious!"
If we, the Cloud Mist Kingdom, were to devote all our strength to confronting the powerful Temple of Annihilation head-on, I would like to ask: what benefits would we gain?
Is it all for your so-called "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold" principle?
"Hmph, there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Without tangible benefits, who would be foolish enough to risk their life?"

Ling Xiao remained calm, like a bottomless lake, undisturbed.

He lowered his head slightly, his gaze falling on the God-Slaying Sword in his hand. The light on the sword's surface became even more dazzling, as if countless stars were twinkling and leaping on it.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze firm and sharp, looking directly at the man in red robes, his voice steady and powerful:
"benefit?
If the Overlord Empire is destroyed, do you think the Cloud Mist Kingdom can remain unscathed?
The ambitions of the Temple of Annihilation have never been limited to just one country.

They are like a pack of greedy wolves; once they taste the sweetness of expansion, they will continuously devour the surrounding territory.

Today they destroyed my Overlord Empire, and tomorrow they will extend their ferocious claws to the Cloud Mist Kingdom.

"At that time, how will the Cloud and Mist Kingdom resist?"

"The problem is,"

The man in the red robe curled his lips into a mocking smile. He slowly and deliberately straightened his sleeves, his movements elegant and composed, as if everything before him was irrelevant.

"The Temple of Annihilation is now looking for your Overlord Empire, not my Cloud Mist Kingdom."

Why should we deliberately invite this trouble?
This is like walking down the street and seeing two people fighting. Why would we rush in to help?
It might even end up hurting myself; it wouldn't be worth it.

Ling Xiao remained silent, his eyes gradually darkening, like the night sky before a storm, unfathomable.

He gripped the God-Slaying Sword tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. The sword seemed to sense its master's emotions, emitting a soft hum, a deep and urgent sound, as if foreshadowing the impending battle.

Seeing that Ling Xiao remained silent, the man in red assumed his words had worked, and his smile grew even more smug. He chuckled, his tone laced with mockery:

"Emperor Batian, forgive my bluntness, but this is a feud between you and the Temple of Annihilation. What does it have to do with us?"
The hatred between you is like a tangled mess; it is up to you to untangle it yourselves.

Our Cloud Mist Kingdom has no desire to be dragged into this mess and become a casualty of your struggle.

I'm sure you understand this principle.

Ling Xiao took a deep breath, slowly raised his head, and stared directly at the other person, his gaze sharp as lightning, as if it could pierce through one's soul:
"Can you represent the entire Cloud Mist Kingdom?"

Do you know the wishes of all the millions of people in the Cloud and Mist Kingdom?
"So you think you can make decisions for them without their consent?"

"nature."

The man in the red robe raised his head proudly, his eyes filled with confidence and arrogance. His aura suddenly surged, like a volcanic eruption, and a powerful aura spread outwards, distorting and deforming the surrounding air.

He said loudly:
"The Blazing Fire Sect is the ruler of the Cloud Mist Kingdom."

In the Cloud Mist Kingdom, our Blazing Fire Sect has the final say.

My words represent the attitude of the Cloud and Mist Kingdom.

"Emperor Tyrant, you should give up on that idea. We will not join forces with you against the Temple of Annihilation."

Ling Xiao remained calm and nodded slightly, his composed demeanor exuding the air of a king.

He turned to the side, his gaze gentle yet firm as he looked at Ni Shuanghan beside him, and said softly:

"Are you ready?"

Before he could finish speaking, the God-Slaying Sword, radiating a chilling light, instantly transformed into a dazzling streak of light, hurtling into his palm like a meteor, as if merging with his body.

"let's go."

Ling Xiao's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an undeniable determination.

At this moment, he had a clear understanding of the situation before him.

The Blazing Fire Sect, from top to bottom, was determined to sit back and watch the two sides fight, hoping to reap the benefits when the Overlord Empire and the Silent Annihilation Temple were both severely weakened.

Since the other party has adopted such a cold and resolute attitude, there is no point in trying to persuade them with all my heart; it would only be a disgrace.

His gaze swept across the Blazing Fire Sect disciples before him like a sharp sword. The disciples all looked tense, gripping their weapons tightly, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Ling Xiao's gaze did not linger on them for long, finally settling steadily on the man in the red robe.

There was a hint of mockery in his gaze, as if he were silently ridiculing the red-robed man's shortsightedness and cowardice.

Just as Ling Xiao and Ni Shuanghan turned around, their steps firm as they prepared to leave, the red-robed man's slightly shrill voice suddenly rang out:

"The Overlord Emperor!"

The sound, like the hooting of an owl, echoed in the silent air, carrying a hint of defiance and resentment.

Ling Xiao paused slightly, his figure as upright as a pine tree, but he did not turn around.

He simply asked, his voice calm and utterly unwavering:
"Does the Vice Sect Master have any further instructions?"
Could it be that he has suddenly come to a realization and wants to join forces with my Overlord Empire to fight against foreign enemies?

The man in red robes let out a wild laugh, a laugh tinged with mockery, as if Ling Xiao's words were the most ridiculous joke in the world:
"I heard that Lord Tianyuan intended to take you as his adopted son, which is an honor that many people dream of, but you refused without hesitation."

It must be said that this decision was extremely foolish.

"If you had agreed back then, with the powerful Tianyuan Temple by your side, why would you be begging for help everywhere, looking like a stray dog ​​in such a sorry state?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao turned around abruptly, his movements as swift as lightning.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, like lightning in the cold night, sending chills down one's spine.

The God-Slaying Sword reappeared in his hand, its blade gleaming with a cold light, its tip pointing directly at the red-robed man, as if it would pierce his throat in the next second.

"Then why don't you go and be his son?"
"The Heavenly Abyss Sanctuary must look down on someone as short-sighted and cowardly as you."

Before the other person could answer, he chuckled again, a laugh full of sarcasm:

"Ah, I understand."

I suppose you're not even qualified to be someone's son, are you?

"Indeed, who would be willing to take you in as an adopted son?"

The man in the red robe turned ashen-faced from Ling Xiao's words, his eyes suddenly turning cold, like an ice cellar in the dead of winter, sending chills down one's spine.

The surrounding temperature suddenly dropped, as if we were in a world of ice and snow, and even the starlight seemed to freeze and stop twinkling.

"Overlord Emperor, don't forget this is the Cloud Mist Kingdom, the territory of my Blazing Fire Sect. It's not a place where you can run wild."

If you continue to be so insolent, don't blame me for being impolite!

The red-robed man's voice was deep and sinister, as if it came from hell, carrying a strong sense of threat. (End of Chapter)