Chapter 49

The arena fell silent at once.

All the onlookers stared at Li Taibai, their eyes brimming with stunned disbelief.

Their faces were painted with shock!

They simply had not expected it.

Li Taibai had refused so decisively!

And in his words, he gave not the slightest respect to the Fighting Monk.

You know.

This was Yunzhou Shaolin!

The only colossal power with influence even in other imperial dynasties!

Even the imperial court,

before fully breaking ties, would still grant it a modicum of face!

And yet this supreme power,

Li Taibai had granted it not a shred of face.

Worse, he had openly mocked it before so many witnesses.

This was tantamount to slapping him and Yunzhou Shaolin hard across the face in broad daylight!

Thus,

they could not help but be secretly startled!

On the contrary, Zhang Sanfeng,

upon seeing this, felt a quiet sigh of relief.

Merely facing Yunzhou Shaolin's aggression, Wu Dang was already struggling to hold its ground.

If Qinglong Society joined in, the outcome was obvious!

What he did not know was,

the reason Li Taibai had spoken these words

was not only because he despised cooperating with Yunzhou Shaolin,

but more so because Qinglong Society had its own pride!

If he had truly chosen to refuse joining,

then,

without Yunzhou Shaolin lifting a finger,

Qinglong Society would slaughter every last member of Wu Dang within half an hour!

That was just how brazen they were!

Now look at the Fighting Monk.

Seeing Li Taibai not only reject his goodwill without hesitation,

but also openly mock him and Yunzhou Shaolin,

the smile on his face vanished instantly.

His eyes darkened in turn.

Yet, out of caution for the other's unfathomable strength,

he refrained from acting rashly.

But from his face, black as a soot-covered pot, it was clear

his mood was anything but pleasant!!

As for this,

Li Taibai paid no mind.

Or rather,

he didn't even consider him worth a thought!

Having spoken, he turned his gaze directly to Zhang Sanfeng.

"You have ten breaths to decide."

"If you still cannot choose within ten breaths, it will be counted as refusal!"

Saying this,

he gave him no chance to speak.

Li Taibai began counting in a flat tone.

"Ten... nine... eight..."

Sensing the shift in atmosphere,

and recalling Li Taibai's earlier words,

now,

even the slowest among those present could not fail to grasp what was happening!

They all looked up at Zhang Sanfeng at once.

Secretly guessing his choice.

Their expressions grew complicated.

Among them, a few felt pity for Zhang Sanfeng—such a figure being coerced like this.

The remaining ninety-nine percent all felt as if they'd bitten into a sour lemon, their eyes brimming with envy, jealousy, and bitterness!

After all.

This is the most mysterious and most powerful force on the Nine Provinces continent!

Being admitted into it is what countless figures in the martial world dream of!

And Zhang Sanfeng actually received such an opportunity.

To say one isn't envious is a lie!

But they also understood.

Zhang Sanfeng could receive such an opportunity mainly because of his own strength and talent.

So.

Envy as they might.

They dared not gossip recklessly!

As time slowly passed.

After hesitating for two breaths, Zhang Sanfeng's furrowed brows relaxed.

He let out a deep sigh.

With a resigned bow, he said gravely.

"Thank you, Great Dragon Chief, for your great favor. Old Taoist vows to serve you with all his might!"

Upon hearing these words.

Even though everyone had already suspected it.

They still couldn't help but freeze for a moment.

And beside him, the Drunken Monk.

His expression changed.

A dark premonition rose faintly within him!

But just as he felt the urge to retreat.

Suddenly!

Li Taibai's cold voice rang out in the courtyard.

"Good! Since you've joined the Qinglong Society, then your affairs are now the affairs of the Qinglong Society!"

"Any Men Sect that attacked Mount Wudang today will no longer exist in the martial world of the Nine Provinces!"

No sooner had he spoken.

A killing intent so chilling it froze the blood of everyone present instantly spread across Mount Wudang.

That suffocatingly terrifying aura.

Made everyone feel as if their blood had been frozen solid!

They shuddered violently, their hearts filled with icy dread!