Chapter 2098

Cough, cough, cough...

Pfft...

Tao Bifu spat out a mouthful of golden divine blood again.

She looked somewhat dazedly at He Pingsheng standing in the void, and at the staff over a zhang long in his hand.

Tao Bifu didn't understand why a mere God Lord realm cultivator would have such formidable combat power.

In another part of the void, Tao Yaoyao was so frightened she broke out in a cold sweat all over.

She stared in shock at the scene before her, almost unable to believe her own eyes.

Just a few breaths ago, she hadn't even given this man a second glance, and had even confidently told him to make the first move.

But...

If that strike just now had really been aimed at me, could I still be alive?

No no no... my soul would probably be torn apart, right?

Hiss hiss hiss...

What a terrifying man.

"You're ambushing me..." Tao Bifu said, though she knew He Pingsheng's combat power was extraordinary, she didn't want to admit it at this moment, only saying: "Just now, this palace had made no preparations; if I knew your strike was aimed at me, it's still uncertain who would win or lose between us..."

"Oh?" He Pingsheng asked: "Senior, do you want to continue fighting with me?"

"Fight then fight?" Tao Bifu gritted her teeth: "Who's afraid of you?"

He Pingsheng slowly put away the staff in his hand, sighed, and said: "Senior, being stubborn-tongued and being stubborn-fated—you can only choose one!"

"If you choose to keep fighting with me, you might die!"

"That strike just now was not my full power!"

"I think we came out today to assess my strength, not to engage in a life-or-death contest—what do you think?"

Tao Bifu's emotions gradually calmed down.

She nodded slightly, rose from the void, and said: "That's right..."

"Your strength is indeed formidable!"

"Are you... hiding your cultivation?"

It's no wonder Tao Bifu is so doubtful—He Pingsheng is strong to an absurd degree.

In her entire life, she had never seen anyone fight above their major realm, and even if such people existed, compared to this handsome youth before her, they should still be far inferior, right?

This guy is only at the first layer of the God Lord realm.

I'm already at the seventh layer of the God Venerable realm.

One strike and I'm reduced to this state?

At this moment, Tao Yaoyao also flew to the two's side.

She bowed her hands toward He Pingsheng and said: "Thank you, Dao Friend He, for showing mercy..."

"Otherwise, I might..."

"Alright, no more talk!" Tao Bifu waved her hand, saying: "Let's go down and talk!"

She flew toward the distance, chose a mountain peak, and landed there.

The three landed on a smooth piece of bluish stone.

Night rose, the heavenly light gathered in.

Tao Bifu said: "Dao Friend He's strength is beyond reproach; if you haven't hidden your cultivation, then not only securing a top-nine position, but even taking first place is no problem!"

Unconsciously, Tao Bifu had already placed He Pingsheng on equal footing with herself in her regard.

Her way of addressing He Pingsheng had changed from calling him by name directly to "Dao Friend He."

He Pingsheng said: "I haven't hidden my cultivation at all!"

"Yaoyao... brew some divine tea!" Tao Bifu said to Tao Yaoyao.

Then she waved her hand, taking out an exquisite red divine wood small table and two stools from her ring.

He Pingsheng and Tao Bifu each sat on one stool, while Tao Yaoyao stood by brewing tea.

"Dao Friend He... frankly speaking, the rules have indeed been changed!" Tao Bifu said: "But you wanting to participate is not impossible..."

"Among the rules on Taoshan, there is one stating that family members include not only those of the same surname, but also those of different surnames!"

"However, those of different surnames must become Dao Companions with a Taoshan woman to qualify!"

"So if you wish to represent our Taoshan clan in the grand competition, you must first become Dao Companions with one of our Taoshan women!" Saying this, Tao Bifu glanced at Tao Yaoyao and added: "Yaoyao is not bad—she stands out among our Taoshan God Lord realm disciples and is about to ascend to the God Venerable realm!"

"She is a great Dao cultivator, practicing fire-attribute Dao arts!"

"Dao Friend He, if you're willing, you can become Dao Companions with Yaoyao!"

The Tao Yaoyao who was brewing tea nearby instantly blushed all over her face, but she behaved well and said nothing.

He Pingsheng took a sip of tea and said: "We could... pretend to become Dao Companions for now, and after we obtain that divine fruit, we can go our separate ways with no further ties!"

"That way, I wouldn't implicate your Taoshan clan's Young Lady!"

"Sigh..." Tao Bifu said: "Easier said than done..."

"You could just walk away, and not to mention our Yaoyao's reputation, just consider how we Taoshan would still participate in the grand competition later?"

"If you leave, wouldn't we be proven to have used outsiders as substitutes?"

"Dao Friend He... this Dao Companion bond must not be feigned!" Tao Bifu continued: "If you do it, do it for real!"

As she spoke these words, Tao Bifu's face still bore a smile.

He Pingsheng suddenly realized: this woman might be scheming against me.

"No need!" He Pingsheng shook his head: "If I truly must become a Dao Companion to participate in the competition, then I won't compete!"

"I'm unable to agree!"

Tao Yaoyao lowered her head and continued to brew tea, she said nothing.

Tao Bifu frowned slightly, she paused for a few breaths, then took a deep breath and said: "There is another way... then I will wrong you to become my disciple under my sect!"

"In this way, you will also be considered a member of our Tao family!"

"No!" He Pingsheng shook his head: "I can become a Dao Companion with the women of your Tao family, but only in name!"

"That is, it's fake!"

"Really, I do not accept!"

"Besides, I do not agree to be your disciple!"

"As for how to let me represent your Tao family in battle, I don't care, that's your business!"

"If you fail to fulfill the corresponding promise, then you owe me a space-attributed【Shakyamuni Divine Fruit】, you just saw my strength, originally this divine fruit I was determined to obtain!"

"Other matters have nothing to do with me!" He Pingsheng took another sip of tea, said: "Tao senior, farewell!"

"When the Tao Mountain Grand Competition approaches, I will come to find you myself!"

After saying this, He Pingsheng turned and left, then transformed into a streak of flowing light that streaked across the sky.

"This..." Tao Bifu's face was uncertain for a moment.

"Aunt... what should we do?" Tao Yaoyao sat down, looking at Tao Bifu.

Tao Bifu's face was extremely ugly: "What do you think?"

Tao Yaoyao said: "This person is very strong, even if he is a peerless heavenly pride, he is not as good as him!"

"Moreover, he acts decisively, clean and efficient without compromise!"

"Our Tao family is merely a small six-star clan, we absolutely cannot afford to offend him!"

"My meaning is..."

"Even if he is not currently a match for our Tao family, once his cultivation advances further to the God Venerable Realm or God King Realm, our Tao family will be in danger!"

Tao Bifu said: "But the rules of the Tao Mountain Grand Competition have changed, what can I do?"

"Or else, only by spending a lot of money, buying a Shakyamuni Divine Fruit from another family!"

"No!" Tao Yaoyao shook her head, said: "That price we cannot afford!"

"Or else, I will pretend to be his Dao Companion... at worst, I will not marry anyone for the rest of my life, then those families on Tao Mountain will not say we are pretending to be real!"