391 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

**Chapter 391: Battle with the Immortal King** "Tao Shichao, what is the meaning of this? This isn't what we agreed upon before," Cao Guanqing demanded, clearly displeased. Had he known this would be the outcome, he would have never brought his apprentice here. "Heh, your method of apologizing from the Hunyuan Immortal Sect is indeed unique," Ye Linglong retorted with a cold smile. The people from the Hunyuan Immortal Sect probably thought she had no significant background. Though she was Cao Guanqing’s apprentice, there was no blood relation, and they were quite confident that the Immortal Spirit Academy wouldn't break ties with their sect over a mere student like her. "Heh, it's just some harmless scuffles among youngsters. She's standing here unharmed, isn't she? Isn’t the compensation enough? I can add more if needed," Tao Shichao replied dismissively. Cao Guanqing's temper flared immediately. "You've used death warriors, and you call this child's play?" His face was flushed with anger, and he yearned to slap the smug look off Tao Shichao’s face. Were it not for Master Hai holding him back, Cao Guanqing might have already lashed out. "Hunyuan Immortal Sect needs to reconsider their actions. You should know that Ye Linglong is not just a student at the Array Court; she's also an alchemist. The wrath of the Alchemist Alliance is not something the Hunyuan Immortal Sect would want to bear," Master Hai’s voice was firm. Tao Shichao merely smiled, "Why would Master Hai say that? Those who ambushed the alchemist have already paid the ultimate price—they’re dead. What more cost does my Hunyuan Immortal Sect need to bear?" This was just absurd, Ye Linglong thought with a cold smile, glancing at Qiu Zeyuan. Although he frowned, he did not object, likely agreeing with Tao Shichao's stance. The Immortal Spirit Academy held an exalted status, but the Hunyuan Immortal Sect was no pushover either. In the headmaster's eyes, her personal grudge wasn’t worth a conflict. Predictably, just as Cao Guanqing was about to argue, Qiu Zeyuan spoke up, "Alright, Guanqing. Tao Shichao's words aren't without merit. Since your apprentice is unharmed, why not settle this? You can negotiate for more compensation, which they likely won't oppose." "Yes, it's a rare opportunity. You must seize it," Taishi Yan added with a laugh, echoing Tao Shichao, their faces identically smug. "If I disagree?" Ye Linglong interrupted, unyieldingly. Taishi Yan's expression turned icy, laced with disdain. "I advise you to not refuse a toast only to drink a penalty instead. Who knows if you’ll be so lucky next time... Ah!!!" Before the blatant threat could be completed, a crisp slap echoed. Taishi Yan’s face was knocked sideways, swelling instantly with a prominent handprint. The burning pain snapped Taishi Yan back to reality. Clutching her cheek, she looked at Ye Linglong in disbelief. "You dared to hit me!!!" Ye Linglong shook her wrist, nonchalant. "Do I need a special occasion to hit you?" Taishi Yan’s anger skyrocketed. "Ye Linglong, I will kill you!!! Uncle, kill her! Kill her!" Tao Shichao’s face darkened. Watching his niece, whom he raised, get slapped was akin to being slapped himself. "Dean Qiu, doesn’t this require an explanation?" he asked, seeking redress. "What kind of explanation? Why don't you mention your niece tried to take my apprentice’s life first?" Gao Guanqing countered sarcastically. Master Hai agreed, "Exactly. Since you sought her life, taking this slap seems well-justified." Qiu Zeyuan stayed silent, implicitly endorsing their points. After all, the Hunyuan Immortal Sect was clearly at fault here. They should apologize, yet they continued to mock, pushing hypocrisy to its limits. Seeing Qiu Zeyuan not intervening, Tao Shichao’s expression grew more shadowed before he suddenly acted. Channeling his Hunyuan technique, he lunged at Ye Linglong with murderous intent. The strike was swift and deadly. As the blow was about to land, Tao Shichao's lips curled in a brief, satisfied smile. Die! Die! Gao Guanqing and Master Hai hadn’t expected Tao Shichao to act so wildly, striking their student right in front of them. "Tao Shichao! How dare you!" Gao Guanqing roared in fury. But it was too late to react. Boom! An explosion resounded. Ye Linglong swung her sword, the powerful sword aura enveloping icy snow crashing into Tao Shichao's palm strike. The resultant explosion scattered smoke and dust, forcing everyone back. Once clear, Ye Linglong pressed her advantage, engaging in close combat. Gao Guanqing stood astounded, watching his student fiercely contest Tao Shichao, possibly holding an advantage. Could he be seeing things? Tao Shichao was a legitimate Immortal King expert. Yet his apprentice at the peak of the Golden Immortal stage was holding her own against an Immortal King? Rubbing his eyes, he confirmed it was true. Qiu Zeyuan observed Ye Linglong’s endless sword intent and the subtle power of the stars in her strokes, unable to hold back a compliment. "Guanqing, you've truly found an extraordinary apprentice." Gao Guanqing nearly preened with pride, modestly dismissing, "Not at all." Yet inwardly, he questioned Ye Linglong’s origins. Her sword techniques definitely exceeded mere Golden Immortal power. The more they fought, the more Tao Shichao was alarmed and determined. This woman could not be allowed to live. The enmity with Hunyuan Immortal Sect had already been sown, and reconciliation was impossible. She was already so formidable; what would the future hold? Gradually, Tao Shichao's attacks grew more ruthless as both exerted their utmost. Yet Ye Linglong refrained from using her foreign flames or other trump cards, aiming to test her newly comprehended sword techniques. Throughout, she wielded only the Celestial Sword Art, skillfully invoking the power of the stars. Boom! Boom Boom! With more resounding explosions, they battled from indoors to out. With Ye Linglong mastering her Celestial Sword Art, Tao Shichao started losing his foothold. His body bore countless sword marks from her precise strikes. Panic crept into Tao Shichao’s heart. He sought to escape, but it was too late. Ye Linglong was not about to spare someone who had just tried to kill her.