Chapter Eighty-Six: Relentless Pursuit

A large crowd looked towards Song Yue, excitement gleaming in their eyes. Even those who had been frightened by him earlier on the Scripture Hall plaza now grouped with the others, their fear gone. To everyone watching, it seemed certain that Song Yue was finished this time.

They did not consider themselves blindly confident. In a world where all mystical arts were sealed, the greatest asset a martial cultivator could wield was their own vitality. Did Song Yue possess powerful forbidden techniques? Yes—he had already used them moments ago. Was his fighting prowess extraordinary, matching grandmasters with the bearing of a master? Certainly—but here were at least a dozen martial cultivators at grandmaster level. Now, Song Yue was nothing but a cornered prey, trembling within, forced to put up a brave front. They were the hunters.

Several Lin family disciples quickly joined Song Yue, standing resolute at his side. Did they harbor resentment? Yes—but none of them faltered. To obey family rules and follow orders was the Lin family tradition. The elders had commanded them to protect Song Yue at any cost, and so they would, even if it meant injury or losing their lives. The Lin family's near-military discipline was often misunderstood, some even doubting its authenticity. Yet, it was precisely this habit of obedience that had allowed the Lin family to flourish for generations.

Song Yue glanced at these solemn Lin family disciples. Their willingness to stand by him now spoke volumes about the Lin family's attitude toward him. He smiled at the leading disciple. "Brother Lin, you've done more than enough. There's no need for this. Step aside—this is a matter between me and the Ou family. You need not get involved."

The lead Lin disciple shook his head. "We are ordered to ensure you leave the underground palace unharmed. We cannot withdraw." He was forthright, neither lying nor fishing for gratitude. It showed the backbone of the Lin family, while reminding Song Yue that their protection was by command.

Then the lead Lin disciple stared coldly at the opposing crowd. "What are you all planning? I understand the Ou family wants to target Song Yue, but what are you outsiders doing here?"

Someone responded coldly, "Who are you? What makes you think you matter?"

Another shouted, "Exactly, who do you think you are? Even if the king of heaven showed up today, Song Yue must die!"

The lead Lin disciple replied, "I am from the Lin family of Tianyue Star. Song Yue is our honored guest. Think carefully—even if we all die here today, this matter can't be concealed. Once you leave the underground palace, will you gain the Ou family's favor and leave unscathed?"

The leader of the Ou family smiled faintly. "Don't worry. If the Lin family can protect Song Yue, my Ou family can protect you!"

The lead Lin disciple looked at the Ou family speaker. "Ou Qiang, can you guarantee your words?"

The Ou family leader, Ou Qiang, was twenty-eight or twenty-nine, having just entered the grandmaster realm. He was proud and ambitious, not particularly ostentatious but with high standards, rarely giving ordinary people a second glance. Toward the Lin family, he maintained only the minimum respect. Now, with his adversary before him, whether for family reward or honor, he was determined to kill Song Yue today. Even if it meant bloody conflict with the Lin disciples.

Ou Qiang stared ahead. "Lin Wenbo, I can certainly stand by my words!"

Both sides knew further talk was futile. The clash was inevitable.

Just then, Ling Xiaohan, who stood beside Song Yue, stepped forward and addressed the crowd, "Since hatred can't be resolved and a life-or-death outcome is required, I have a suggestion. Instead of a chaotic clash causing massive casualties, why not have each side send five combatants…"

The crowd eyed Ling Xiaohan, whose beauty left them unable to muster coldness; no one rebuked her for interfering, all listened intently.

"Rest assured, Song Yue will participate—it concerns him, after all. Let this be a contest of skill. We're all young martial artists who settle grudges swiftly. Though strangers, there's no need for a bloodbath, don't you agree?"

Ou Qiang found the ethereal girl attractive but disagreed with her proposal. He had gathered this crowd to overwhelm Song Yue, not to give him a fighting chance. A young powerhouse capable of killing grandmasters with forbidden arts—who could guarantee victory against him? This contest was clearly designed to help Song Yue turn disadvantage into advantage. She was obviously on his side!

Thinking this, Ou Qiang shook his head. "Song Yue killed several Ou family disciples, the hatred runs deep, Miss. You probably do not know the details, so I won't blame you. Just step aside—this matter has nothing to do with you."

Ling Xiaohan sighed, her voice melodious, "So you still insist on using numbers to kill him?"

Ou Qiang replied coolly, "This is eliminating a menace for the people!"

Ling Xiaohan laughed, "Brother, I'm afraid you'll suffer terribly in that case! To be direct, Song Yue is our friend. We'll stand with him and won't step aside. Since reason is lost on you, there's nothing more to say. Come at us together!"

She retreated to Song Yue's side.

Lin Wenbo looked at several martial artists who had been invited by the Lin family, now standing with the Ou side. "Are you sure you want to be over there?"

One man replied stiffly, "We won't attack Lin family disciples, but what's Song Yue to you? Will you defend him at all costs?"

Lin Wenbo answered, "If you were being bullied, we'd defend you just as fiercely!"

The man was silenced, unable to respond, but remained with the Ou family. Having already soured relations with the Lin family, leaving now would offend the Ou family as well—ending up alienating two great clans of Tianyue Star for nothing.

The tension thickened, the battle imminent.

Song Yue quietly activated his physical and mental techniques, bringing himself to peak condition. If he were alone today, he likely would have fled already. The numbers against him meant little; fighting many with few was simple—one word: run! But running required skill; fleeing at full speed would leave him exhausted and vulnerable to a beating, unable to fight back. He needed to save some strength, then wait for the first pursuer to catch up, breathless, and strike fiercely, leaving them unrecognizable.

Usually, there were two outcomes: if he still had energy, he'd run again before the main force caught up; if not, he'd stay and beat the first pursuer mercilessly, hoping to intimidate the others with a bloodied, ferocious appearance. Nurses would shudder at the carnage.

This was Song Yue's usual tactic—against many, kite them; never confront head-on. But now things were different.

Several new "comrades" stood beside him with resolve. The Lin family disciples, though reluctant, refused to retreat. Now, Song Yue had to shoulder responsibility.

Clang!

Song Yue activated the alloy spear, swung it casually, and faced the crowd. He spoke softly, "Think it over—this battle, I might die, but many of you will not leave alive either. I'm not threatening you. If you want my life without paying the price, hoping to profit by joining in, you're dreaming!"

He flashed a mocking smile. "Listen well, I'll deal with your freeloaders first! If you want my life, bring your true skills—bring your lives!"

With that, Song Yue let out a thunderous shout. His vitality blazed like the rising sun, erupting instantly. He charged forward with the Green Rush Step, an unstoppable advance.

This was a warrior!

Lei Ming and Bai Qi's eyes lit up instantly—this was a born fighter! Song Yue claimed never to have fought in the Nine Gates battlefield, but his demeanor now was common there, rare in the mundane world.

Lei Ming unleashed his terrifying vitality, barehanded but with an imposing presence, charging after him.

Bai Qi moved unhurriedly, wielding his newly acquired rune halberd, stepping with a strange rhythm as if gathering momentum.

Ling Xiaohan and Qin Qi, left and right, shot forward like arrows, forming a pincer with Song Yue and Lei Ming, charging directly at the crowd.

Ethereal aura? That was for ordinary days! Now, Ling Xiaohan radiated unmatched killing intent. Qin Qi, usually a refined urban beauty, now exuded overwhelming murderous energy. The opposing crowd was stunned—where did these people come from, so battle-hardened?

Led by Lin Wenbo, the Lin family's group refused to fall behind. With words exhausted and the opposition relentless, there was nothing left to say—just fight!

Song Yue was the first to reach Ou Qiang, thrusting his alloy spear. Ou Qiang roared, his grandmaster vitality erupting, body thundering with power, never fearing battle.

He didn’t believe Song Yue could defeat him with a single strike after using forbidden arts.

Clang!

A deafening crash—the high-tech long blade in Ou Qiang's hand collided with Song Yue's alloy spear, the sonic wave stunning several grandmaster martial artists into dizziness.

Only now did some realize—this was not a hunt by numbers, but a grandmaster duel!

But realization came too late.

Song Yue's goal was never Ou Qiang. After a brief clash, he used the Green Rush Step to penetrate the crowd, unleashing Thunder Fist and Star-Splitting Hand without hesitation.

His targets were those who had switched sides from the Lin family to the Ou family. Whether traitors or not, they had to pay the price for changing allegiances.

These men were shocked and enraged—Song Yue dared attack them directly? But the Star-Splitting Hand and Thunder Fist were terrifying—one was blown apart on the spot! Blood sprayed, splattering many.

The Ou family was unprepared for this scene. Instead of surrounding and hunting their prey, Song Yue had charged in and slaughtered them.

Many panicked, losing formation.

"A rabble!"

Song Yue's gaze was icy. After blasting one opponent, he dodged Ou Qiang's furious strike and turned to another.

Song Yue had witnessed countless such scenes—his experience was vast. Despite some unavoidable attacks, he shielded himself with protective energy, running the Taiyi Body Refining Sutra. The runes on his body, hidden beneath clothing, glowed—his greatest safeguard. Unless struck by a grandmaster’s killing blow, he could ignore most attacks.

His alloy spear pierced a grandmaster's chest; his other fist thundered, lightning swirling, blasting another apart.

Lei Ming, though unarmed, moved like a humanoid mech—like a tiger among sheep, unstoppable! Like Song Yue, he seemed to practice a powerful technique, his body glowing. Attacks dissipated in the light.

Bai Qi was fierce—though he hadn’t yet refined the rune halberd, its sharpness alone sufficed. He swung the halberd, easily cutting down opponents.

Ling Xiaohan and Qin Qi were killing too! Those who had underestimated them for their looks paid dearly. Though their attacks were less brutal than Song Yue, Lei Ming, and Bai Qi, they were no less efficient—moving with agility, two elves felling several foes in the blink of an eye.

By the time the Lin family disciples joined, the Ou family’s dozens were already scattered!

Lin Wenbo’s mouth twitched violently—he was stunned! Like the Ou family, he had no idea where Song Yue had found such formidable allies. He’d never heard that Song Yue had such powerful connections on Tianyue Star. Even the two beautiful women were ferocious!

Moreover, their experience was immense. Their impressive results and the brutal battle were because they targeted the grandmaster martial artists—none could withstand their attacks, falling in seconds.

As Song Yue had warned, this was a fight to the death!

With the crowd dispersed, the Ou family’s grandmasters finally regrouped, aiming their attacks at Song Yue.

Focusing on one and beating them to death was not Song Yue’s exclusive tactic—his opponents could do it too! Yet they failed.

Because Lei Ming, Bai Qi, Qin Qi, and Ling Xiaohan now clustered with Song Yue, back-to-back, each covering a direction. Targeting Song Yue alone was impossible.

Those who had joined for profit were now terrified out of their wits.

This was not a battle they could take part in. Without reaching grandmaster level, facing Song Yue’s forbidden arts meant only one fate—death! He was not some prey from a low-civilization home planet—he was an ancient beast!

Many decided instantly to flee—not just leaving the battlefield, but the underground palace itself, planning to escape far away!

Run as far as possible!

Song Yue hadn’t expected his new allies to be so capable. He was used to fighting alone, fundamentally distrustful of others. This battle gave him a wholly new experience—and a deeper understanding of warriors as a group. Regardless of their faction in the Nine Gates world, he was determined to befriend them.

Lin Wenbo was bloodied, from both foes and himself. He looked at Ou Qiang and said gravely, "So many are dead, Ou Qiang. Will you continue?"

Ou Qiang was furious, yet also felt unprecedented fear. He and all but Ou Yuanfu in the Ou family had severely underestimated Song Yue’s strength—and where had Song Yue found such terrifying helpers? He doubted they were even from Tianyue Star. Their fighting power was staggering, the casualties they caused immense.

The dead included many outside the Ou family’s faction. The Ou family could shift blame to the Lin family and Song Yue, but they couldn’t escape responsibility. Dealing with these aftermaths would trouble the Ou family for some time.

Recalling Ou Yuanfu’s words, which he once dismissed, Ou Qiang could only sigh now. Ou Yuanfu had been right.

He looked at Lin Wenbo, voice heavy, "Song Yue is vicious and cruel, killing so many people—this matter cannot end here."

Ling Xiaohan and the others were silent—children of great clans excelled at slander and blame-shifting.

Ling Xiaohan protested angrily, "If you hadn’t threatened to kill him, would he have fought back desperately? Would people have died?"

Bai Qi said coolly, "Too few died."

Lei Ming said nothing, but his resolute face showed anger. He’d seen many twist truth and confuse right and wrong, but few young martial artists were as shameless as Ou Qiang.

Lin Wenbo looked at Ou Qiang, "Is it really to the death?"

Ou Qiang hesitated. This group—Song Yue and the others—still brimmed with vitality after killing so many. He now suspected Song Yue could use forbidden arts again to instantly slay grandmasters.

What if he could?

Lin Wenbo sighed, "Let it go, Ou Qiang. Don’t let needless casualties continue." His tone was sincere. "My Lin family and your Ou family are not enemies. The feud between you and Song Yue is baseless! You may deny it, but deep down you know the truth!"

Ou Qiang was unwilling.

Song Yue was equally unwilling. He knew that even if he wiped out all the Ou family faction here, he wouldn’t terrify the Ou family. Worse, the Ou family would never let him go! Earlier grudges had led to such elaborate pursuit; today’s conflict would only deepen hatred.

He wanted to inflict greater damage on the Ou family—not simply let this end with the deaths of a few greedy martial artists outside the Ou faction.

After the Ou family would surely use even more ruthless and covert methods against him.

So, Song Yue used his body technique to feign weakness. Just for a moment, then he concealed it. Grandmasters’ senses were keen; his weakness was noticed by several Ou family grandmasters.

A young grandmaster from the Ou faction, whom Song Yue had previously met in a restaurant, strode forward and said coldly, "This can’t end here. Neither side is satisfied—since the grudge is set, let’s settle it today. Song Yue, do you dare fight me?"

Fortune favors the bold! If he could defeat Song Yue publicly, he would earn the Ou family’s highest favor.

Song Yue stared coldly at him. "Why should I fight you? If you want a fight, all of you come together! Didn’t you want to overwhelm me just now? What, now you realize you’re a rabble and want a duel? Dream on!"

The young man laughed, "Song Yue, are you afraid?"

Song Yue sneered, displaying the arrogance unique to someone not yet twenty. "Afraid? If I were, I’d have run long ago! You want a duel? Who do you think you are?" He turned to Ou Qiang, "Don’t let your Ou family lapdogs bark. Want a duel? You do it!"

The young grandmaster glared at Song Yue, nearly speechless with rage. This damned Earth monkey looked down on him, calling him a Ou family lapdog—he deserved death!

Ou Qiang had also noticed Song Yue’s momentary weakness. He wondered whether it was a ruse. Yet now he was almost certain—Song Yue had not fully recovered after using forbidden arts! Despite his ferocious display, the aftereffects lingered.

Song Yue’s bravado was a front, betting Ou Qiang wouldn’t enter the fray.

But he was wrong!

Ou Qiang was a martial grandmaster with true courage, never fearing a challenge.

Ou Qiang stared coldly at Song Yue. "You want to challenge me? I’ll oblige you!"

Song Yue heard Ling Xiaohan’s voice in his mind: "Hey, did you just seem weak for a moment? Are you alright?"

Song Yue replied expressionlessly, "When I take down Ou Qiang, you, Lei Ming, Bai Qi, and Qin Qi strike instantly—wipe them out!"

Ling Xiaohan replied coolly, "No problem!"

If they fought, they would not rest until it was over.

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