The moment You Siqi spoke, the entire scene fell silent.
Everyone thought they had misheard, but the reality seemed to align with what they heard, as Liu Buli actually stood up.
So, what was happening?
Had his audacious words actually meant he had no intention of acting himself?
But even if he didn't plan to act, why would he involve Liu Buli? Could it be that this man of mysterious identity had some unspeakable past with Liu Buli?
A wave of speculation filled everyone's minds.
You Siqi carried himself with an air of arrogance. Though no fight had yet begun, he held his chin high, clearly projecting the image of a victor.
After all, he had kept his word. Leng Qingxue had told him not to seek Shen Muzhi's help, but she hadn't forbidden him from seeking help from others, had she?
Liu Buli, on the other hand, let out a sigh that was a mix of amusement and exasperation. He obediently stepped into the spotlight, saying, "Leng Qingxue, I actually have no desire to be your enemy. We've barely interacted, and there's no way we have any grudges. But you bullying our family is truly uncalled for."
Leng Qingxue's eyes widened. "You call him family? Is he your brother? The cultivation world has never heard of you having any relatives. Are you saying this now to deliberately embarrass me?"
Liu Buli shrugged, offering no direct answer to her question.
After all, even he couldn't quite define his relationship with You Siqi.
From initial mutual dislike, they had evolved into something akin to family, though not by blood. In this entire cultivation world, if he trusted anyone besides Lu Wuming, it would undoubtedly be You Siqi and Shen Muzhi, ranking at the very top.
However, even so, he was absolutely certain that if he dared to nod and claim You Siqi as his brother now, You Siqi would later shiver with goosebumps and call him disgusting once everything was over.
That was simply the nature of their relationship.
With a slight smile, Liu Buli lifted his chin and once again met Leng Qingxue's gaze. "Don't worry about the specifics of my relationship with him. Just know that I'm from his maternal side. Now, you're bullying You Siqi at the Dao Companion ceremony. If I don't do something, I'm truly afraid everyone will think he has no backing."
Liu Buli's words stunned everyone present.
Having witnessed the previous martial arts tournament, most of them knew just how powerful Liu Buli was.
Setting aside his seemingly invincible performance at the tournament, he had single-handedly slain the leader of the demon race during the invasion.
This was something others couldn't achieve.
It was precisely because of this that while many in the cultivation world disliked Liu Buli, very few had dared to challenge him or confront him over the years.
Now that Liu Buli had stepped forward, declaring himself as part of the "maternal family" of Shen Muzhi, the male consort, others exchanged hesitant glances. Regardless of their actual relationship, they all abandoned any thoughts of causing trouble.
After all, when they had started their commotion, it was simply because they felt the male consort was alone and unsupported, with no sect or family backing him, so bullying him seemed inconsequential.
But now, reality had struck them hard, and there was no need to prolong this painful experience.
Everyone here had brains.
They understood when to stop.
However, those with brains were only the majority.
Leng Qingxue was clearly among the less intelligent.
Seeing Liu Buli step forward, she gritted her teeth and took another step forward, saying, "Liu Buli, don't think that just because you've performed well before, everyone considers you the number one in the cultivation world! In my eyes, you're nothing! You're just like that man beside you! Clearly a man, yet subservient. You... Ah!"
Her curse turned into a scream.
Before anyone could react, blood began to pour from Leng Qingxue's right eye.
She covered her eye as quickly as possible.
But the rupture of her eyeball was a fact, and saving it was now impossible.
There were no signs of any weapon appearing, and no one could sense who had made the move.
As everyone tensed up, looking left and right for the assailant, it was Liu Buli's Dao companion and disciple who slowly stood up. With a sigh, he said, "Woman, I don't remember your name, but if you dare to speak ill of my master again, I can make everyone forget your name."
Hearing this, everyone around understood. The attack had definitely been his doing.
But how had he done it?
What spiritual energy had he used?
Why had no one detected his killing intent? There wasn't even a ripple of spiritual energy fluctuation. How had he achieved this?
They were all cultivators, and they understood simple truths. If you couldn't see someone's actions at all, it could only mean one thing—
The gap in cultivation between you and them was simply too vast.
So, just how terrifyingly strong had Liu Buli's disciple become?
No one dared to ponder the answer to this question.
Liu Buli, however, was unconcerned. He smiled and asked him, "Make everyone forget her name? What kind of operation is that? What are you planning to do?"
"It's simple," Lu Wuming smiled. "She's not an important figure anyway. Not many people in the cultivation world even remember her name to begin with. So, if she dies, won't it be that no one will remember her name? After all, it's not easy for many people to keep the names of the dead in their hearts."
With these words, everyone understood.
This was clearly a blatant threat!
Leng Qingxue, as the direct recipient, was furious.
But now that one eye was blind, if she continued to argue with them, she might even lose her life. Leng Qingxue was both angry and helpless. After a moment of hesitation, she finally gritted her teeth fiercely and said, "Liu Buli, think carefully. You are protecting him as he attacks me, which means you are opposing my Leng family! It might not matter to you alone, but you represent your Dan Sect! Do you think you can gain much from a confrontation between a sect and a noble family!?"