137 - I’m Really Not an NPC

"Enough with the human trash talk. Haven't you noticed that Yue Ling looks rather tense now?" "She's clearly scared, isn't she? Hahaha." Human players did notice Yue Ling's serious expression, as if she was facing an imminent threat. They couldn't help but think, "Could this Bai Hui from the demon clan actually be formidable?" Even Wang Xuan was effortlessly defeated by Yue Ling; could Bai Hui be stronger than Wang Xuan? Is the demon clan really this powerful now? Yue Ling didn't care about Bai Hui at all. Her concern lay in the unease that had reached its peak in her heart! [Warning! Demon Sovereign Shi Fang appears (Level 100). Escape immediately!] [Warning!...] [Warning!...] Three blood-curdling system warnings caused Yue Ling's heartstrings to tighten abruptly. Escape? Yue Ling laughed bitterly, sensing the omnipresent spatial restrictions around her, she felt helpless. She couldn't fathom that a spur-of-the-moment decision to visit the Hundred Thousand Mountains would attract such a terrifying enemy. Sighing inwardly, she knew this time, she might truly meet her end. However, she wouldn't give up until the very last moment. The Demon Sovereign Shi Fang wore a luxurious green robe with wide sleeves that lightly touched the ground yet remained immaculately clean. He was tall with a face as pure as white jade, exuding an elegant and unassuming demeanor. Behind him stood two charming girls with classic elegance. To an unknowing bystander, he might appear to be a noble young master, taking a leisurely outing with ladies of distinguished families. "Wow, the Demon Sovereign is here!" "So this is Shi Fang? Truly dignified, worthy of the title Demon Sovereign!" "Isn't Shi Fang a bit too early? If he personally acts, Yue Ling might be killed in an instant, and the target reward would be wasted." "We must act first!" What they speculated, Bai Hui naturally thought too. He quickly turned and moved promptly toward Shi Fang, not daring to fly, which was a basic sign of respect to a superior. Approaching within ten meters of Shi Fang, he bowed slightly, mightily respectful as he said, "I am Bai Hui, and I wish to test Yue Ling on behalf of the Demon Sovereign." However, Shi Fang's gaze remained fixed on the renowned human girl who was shaking the star illusions. Even though she was surrounded and alone, her lovely face showed no trace of fear or dread. Shi Fang, accustomed to the turbulent paths of life, couldn’t help but silently praise her; from her composure alone, she showed the makings of a top-notch strong opponent. But precisely because of her potential, she absolutely had to die today! Seeing Shi Fang not responding for a long time, Bai Hui's face subtly changed. Was Shi Fang wary of Su Zi, and thus hadn't noticed him? Unable to hold back, he said again loudly, "I am Bai Hui, and I wish to test Yue Ling on behalf of the Demon Sovereign!" Shi Fang withdrew his gaze from Yue Ling, glanced at Bai Hui with an unknowable hint of scorn in his eyes, and said casually, "Hmm." Though he couldn't see the derision in Shi Fang's eyes, Bai Hui was aroused by his indifferent tone. He decided to make Yue Ling the subject of his demonstration, to truly showcase his strength. Though not confident in easily defeating Yue Ling, he only needed to display enough prowess to catch Shi Fang’s interest, thus achieving his goal for the day. Because Shi Fang’s “Ten Swords of Dream Fragmentation” was a highly coveted skill for sword-wielding demons. To be chosen by Shi Fang and taken under his wing meant those techniques would no longer just be an unattainable fantasy. As for actually killing Yue Ling, he reckoned he had at least a 60% chance. Yue Ling listened clearly to the conversation between them, fixing her gaze not for the first time on Bai Hui after being focused on Shi Fang. "Qing You, how much longer do you need?" "Master, hold on, I need five more minutes!" "Alright, don't worry, someone will help buy us time." Bai Hui's livestream. "It's starting, it's starting!" "Oh, Bai Hui is even opening betting pools?" "Damn, I'm going all in on Bai Hui today!" "This is risky! I'll just bet two thousand Ling coins." ... While the demon clan was fervently placing bets, the human audience became oddly silent, rarely seeing new comments in the livestream for quite some time. "Tsk, what's up, human kids? Why aren't you saying anything?" "Haha, are you too scared to bet on Yue Ling? Pathetic." "Just bet on Bai Hui, no need to feel shy. Don't waste your Ling coins, right?" However, unbeknownst to them, on the Star Illusion section of the Ask Immortal Forum, human players were laughing uproariously. "Haha, luckily I was quick to bet over twenty thousand Ling coins." "Damn, I just borrowed thirty thousand Ling coins and now they're saying the bets on Yue Ling are capped already. A five million Ling coin limit, filled in one minute; you guys are way too fast!" "No brainer, when it's a sure win, no one hesitates." "Just came back from the livestream, the demons are still smug. I almost feel sorry for them." "Serves them right, daring to mess with our Goddess Yue Ling, it's gonna cost them!" ... Under everyone's watchful eyes, Bai Hui casually approached within ten meters of Yue Ling, confidently stating, "Yue Ling, I heard you are skilled in swordplay; allow me to take a lesson today." With that, he slowly drew the long sword from his back, revealing a purple electric dragon circling the blade. "An S-grade quality Purple Light Sword! Didn't expect Bai Hui to obtain it." "Looks like the mysterious person who completed the S-grade challenge task was Bai Hui." "The Purple Light Sword boosts speed by 20% and has lightning power. With just her Black Iron Sword, how can Yue Ling defend against this?" "If she can't defend, she dies. Hehe." At this point, Yue Ling said seriously, "Sorry, I don't have time to instruct you." "Just words!" Bai Hui sneered, pointing the Purple Light Sword at Yue Ling, "Don't disappoint me." In an instant, Bai Hui flashed, transforming into a streak of purple light. He seemed to morph into a long purple dragon, roaring toward Yue Ling. "Oh wow, starting off with the Dragon Roar Sword Technique?" "Bai Hui is really overbearing, isn't he?" "Even a lion uses full strength against a rabbit. Bai Hui’s action is indeed that of a strong man." Bai Hui became one with his sword, overwhelming with momentum. Suddenly, he saw a shadow of a sword blossom in front of him; he paused slightly, sneering inwardly, thinking how such an ordinary sword shadow could possibly stop his Dragon Roar Sword Technique? Looks like today will be your last day, Yue Ling! Yet, as the purple dragon neared, he heard a series of "ding-ding-dang-dang" sounds. The purple dragon appeared as if struck by countless arrows, rapidly wilting. In his shocked gaze, a beam of white light sliced through the dragon, cutting it into two, leaving it to crash down, shattering into tiny purple fragments. "What kind of move is this?" Bai Hui was astonished but his extensive battle experience kept him from being stunned. Moving swiftly, he repositioned to Yue Ling's right, raising his sword, the tip forming a fierce dragon's head and spraying a large mass of purple-red flame toward Yue Ling. "This attack, even if you defend the first, you can't defend the next!" Bai Hui's left hand swiftly conjured a spell, summoning a burgeoning beam of pale light forming a vague sword embroidery. Yue Ling raised her sword, spinning its tip in a measured circle, forming a faint white sheath. As she effortlessly maneuvered her sword, that white circle began slowly rotating into a black and white Tai Chi pattern. As the fiery purple-red flame entered, it seemed to heed an unseen force, leisurely twirling within the Tai Chi, gradually becoming a spiraling purple serpent. Bai Hui's expression darkened. Although predicting this move wouldn't harm Yue Ling, its purpose merely a diversion, her swordplay surprised him nonetheless. "Such sword skills are unprecedented, but here is your limit today!" The pale light in his left hand solidified into a razor-sharp dagger, which he launched with a flick of his wrist, aiming squarely at Yue Ling’s abdomen. Seeing Yue Ling occupied with the swirling purple fire, seemingly unable to defend herself, Bai Hui finally smiled. "What now? How will you defend?" But suddenly, a familiar purple-red glow rose in his sight as Yue Ling pointed her sword, launching the purple serpent with a fierce hiss like an arrow towards Bai Hui. Simultaneously, she angled her sword to block the incoming dagger, shattering it into a flurry of glowing fragments with a clang. "What!" Bai Hui was frantic, and facing Yue Ling's unexpected counter, he quickly unleashed a white sword arc. Yet, hurriedly blocking while failing to fully shield against the purple serpent's assault led to his opulent attire being charred through numerous holes, exposing his fair skin and leaving him in a sorry state. Bai Hui, however, paid no mind to such trivialities, as two initial encounters were enough to inform him that Yue Ling’s capabilities might exceed his assumptions. But he would not surrender just like that! Even in defeat, he was determined to showcase his true prowess to Shi Fang! Thinking of this, Bai Hui immediately launched himself with his sword, though his aim was not to kill, but to showcase himself. Suddenly, various sword techniques, all but his most guarded ones, unfolded towards Yue Ling in an endless flow. "Wow, as expected of Bai Hui, he's forcing Yue Ling to only fend off attacks." "So strong! What happened to those humans praising Yue Ling? Why are they silent now?" Little did they know, human players were holding back their laughter, thinking to themselves that Yue Ling was using just a basic sword technique to counter all of Bai Hui's chaotic and flashy moves, clearly toying with him. They dramatically exclaimed, "Oh my! Bai Hui is so strong! Yue Ling is doomed! What should we do?" "It's over, it's over! If Yue Ling can't beat Bai Hui, our human clan is finished!" The demon clan smugly declared, "Hmph, indeed, she's done for."