The Unparalleled Sword Emperor
Chapter 938 - 936: Lin Bai’s Joining!

Chapter 938: Chapter 936: Lin Bai’s Joining!

Ruan Jinhui immediately showed pleasure on his face and asked, "Since the lady Jian Ruohan has recommended a friend, he must be extraordinary. Is he this young man by your side?"

Ruan Jinhui seemed quite kind, and spoke with extreme politeness.

However, Lu Rui standing next to him had a rather unfriendly look on his face, muttering to himself: What is the relationship between this person and Junior Sister Jian Ruohan? She’s standing so close to him that their bodies are nearly touching.

"To join the Guard Team, not just anyone can join. At the very least, you should have the cultivation of Fourth Level Martial Intent," Lu Rui said coldly, scrutinizing Lin Bai from head to toe.

In Lu Rui’s eyes, Lin Bai did not seem like someone with Fourth Level Martial Intent.

Lin Bai was taken aback, looking at Lu Rui. This person had been barbed with his words ever since he appeared, as if he held some animosity against Lin Bai.

Yet Lin Bai could not recall having ever provoked this person.

Jian Ruohan replied promptly, "His Martial Intent has already reached the Fourth Level."

"Hahaha, if you have Fourth Level Martial Intent, there’s no problem. You can join the Guard Team. May I know the honorable name of this junior brother?" Ruan Jinhui asked with a polite smile.

Lin Bai stepped forward, saluted with clasped hands, and said, "I am Lin Bai, a disciple of the Sword Art Academy, and I pay my respects to Elder Brother Ruan of the Array Dao Temple!"

Ruan Jinhui returned the salute with a smile, "So it is Junior Brother Lin Bai, I’ve heard a lot about you. Junior Sister Jian Ruohan must have already told you about the matter, that all the warriors of the Guard Team will receive one hundred Third Level Spirit Crystals."

"I am already aware," Lin Bai said with a nod and a smile.

"That is good..." Ruan Jinhui smiled and said.

Before Ruan Jinhui could finish speaking, Lu Rui suddenly burst into loud laughter, "I thought some impressive character had come, but it turns out to be the famously notorious Lin Bai from our Sword Art Academy!"

Lu Rui’s laughter was filled with sharpness and mockery.

This caused Lin Bai some displeasure.

"Oh? Do you know Lin Bai, Junior Brother Lu Rui?" Ruan Jinhui curiously asked with a smile.

"Elder Brother Ruan, how could I not know Lin Bai? He is the only one in the Sword Art Academy with a Yellow Rank First Class Martial Spirit for thousands of years. When he joined the Sword Art Academy, his name resounded throughout," said Lu Rui with a sneer on his face and sarcasm in his eyes as he glanced at Lin Bai, filled with disdain.

Lin Bai’s expression remained calm; ever since he started on the path of Martial Art, his Martial Spirit had been looked down upon, almost numbing him to such scorn.

Thus, Lin Bai preferred to speak with strength, finding it rare to bother countering Lu Rui’s words.

Lu Rui said, "Elder Brother Ruan, I think it’s better to forget it. The Guard Team already has nearly ten members."

"Besides, a warrior with a Yellow Level First Grade Martial Spirit, even if he possesses Fourth Level Martial Intent, his Martial Intent can’t be very strong."

"Letting him join the Guard Team might end up with us having to look after him!" said Lu Rui indifferently.

"Hmm? Yellow Level First Grade..." Ruan Jinhui hesitated, glancing at Lin Bai with some difficulty deciding.

Lin Bai stepped forward with a salute and a light laugh, "Elder Brother Ruan, indeed my Martial Spirit is of Yellow Level First Grade. If Elder Brother Ruan feels that I am not suited to join the Guard Team, then I shall take my leave."

After saluting Ruan Jinhui, Lin Bai finished speaking and turned to leave.

Although staying in the alliance Guard Team would be safer, Lin Bai had many tricks up his sleeve; both the power of the Nine Rotations Sword Steps and the Mo Wen Sword were extremely formidable.

Even if Lin Bai were to venture alone on the Scorching Gobi, he was confident enough that, if he encountered a Fifth Level Spirit Puppet, he could summon all his strength to slay it!

Therefore, whether Lin Bai stayed or left, it did not matter.

"Wait, Junior Brother Lin Bai," Ruan Jinhui called out upon seeing Lin Bai walking away.

Lin Bai paused, turning back to look at Ruan Jinhui.

"Junior Brother Lin Bai, the path of Martial Art values strength above all. Since there is still half an hour before we depart, why don’t we spar? If you can meet my expectations, I can let you stay in the Guard Team," Ruan Jinhui proposed with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Jian Ruohan felt a surge of joy, as she was extremely confident in Lin Bai’s strength.

Jian Ruohan believed that if Lin Bai could stay, the alliance’s strength would surely grow significantly.

"Apologies, Elder Brother Ruan, I am not too interested in the one hundred Spirit Crystals. The reason I agreed to join the Guard Team was out of consideration for the over five thousand companions from the Miracle Ridge and for Lady Jian Ruohan."

"Since I cannot stay, I will not impose any further."

Lin Bai returned the smile with a nod and was about to leave.

"Junior Brother Lin Bai..." Seeing Lin Bai leaving, Ruan Jinhui called out again.

At this moment, Lu Rui spoke disdainfully, "Elder Brother Ruan, just let him go. Keeping him around is useless, a warrior who doesn’t even dare to accept your challenge, how strong do you think he can be?"

"I think he knows how weak his Martial Intent cultivation is, that’s why he dares not accept your challenge!"

"If that’s the case, why should we bother pulling a dead weight into the team?"

Lu Rui’s face was full of mockery.

Ruan Jinhui’s face showed a hint of reluctance. It was true that Lin Bai possessed Fourth Level Martial Intent, and if the team could gain another strong one with Fourth Level Martial Intent, the alliance’s strength would certainly increase significantly.

Ruan Jinhui didn’t want to miss out on such a powerful aid with Fourth Level Martial Intent like Lin Bai.

And Lin Bai’s Yellow Level First Grade Martial Spirit, it was like a thorn stuck in Ruan Jinhui’s throat, making him somewhat uncomfortable.

Jian Ruohan, seeing Ruan Jinhui having difficulty deciding, said, "Elder Brother Ruan, I can assure you that Lin Bai’s power is absolutely on par with mine, even stronger!"

"Oh? Sister Jian Ruohan, are you so confident that Lin Bai’s strength is on par with yours?" Ruan Jinhui asked in astonishment.

Earlier, Jian Ruohan had been adventuring in the Scorching Gobi with Ruan Jinhui and several other warriors; Ruan Jinhui couldn’t stop praising Jian Ruohan’s strength and recognized it highly.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Jian Ruohan’s strength could rank within the top three in the Guard Team.

"I’m certain! Because I’m too familiar with his sword," Jian Ruohan nodded slightly as she spoke.

"Well then, since Sister Jian Ruohan has vouched for him, let’s invite Lin Bai to join the Guard Team." After some contemplation, Ruan Jinhui quickly caught up with Lin Bai’s steps.

"Junior Brother Lin Bai."

"Junior Brother Lin Bai, hold on a moment."

Ruan Jinhui caught up, smiling as he said, "Junior Brother Lin Bai, this alliance is crucial, it concerns the life and death of the five thousand disciples here, so I had to consider more thoroughly."

"If there was any offense earlier, I hope Junior Brother Lin Bai will not take it to heart!"

"If Junior Brother Lin Bai is not busy now, would you walk with the Guard Team?"

"On behalf of the Guard Team, I formally invite you to join."

Ruan Jinhui approached, a face full of sincerity and enthusiasm, all of which made it impossible for Lin Bai to refuse.

Jian Ruohan also approached and said, "Stay, Lin Bai. With you here, we would have even more confidence in this journey."

"Consider it a favor I owe you."

Jian Ruohan said with a faint smile.

A smile appeared on Jian Ruohan’s cold face, like a plum blossom blooming under the snowfall, unspeakably beautiful!

Lin Bai let out a light sigh, "Well then, since both Elder Brother Ruan and Sister Jian Ruohan have insisted on inviting me, if I were still to refuse, it would seem rather ungrateful. I will accompany the Guard Team on their journey."

"Should we encounter a Fourth Grade Spirit Puppet on the way, Lin Mou will do all he can to slay it!"

Lin Bai nodded lightly and reluctantly agreed.

At this, Ruan Jinhui laughed heartily, "Good, Junior Brother Lin Bai, get ready, and we can set out!"

"Alright," Lin Bai responded.

Immediately, Ruan Jinhui went to arrange for the disciples to set out.

At this moment, Lu Rui approached, sneering as he said, "Hmph, since Elder Brother Ruan lets you join the Guard Team, I can’t do anything about it, but I hope you don’t drag us down. Otherwise, I’ll be the first to kill you!"

Lin Bai looked at Lu Rui, a trace of a smile showing on his expressionless face.

This smile was like the sinister grin of a Demon God from Hell, terribly frightening!

Only Jian Ruohan knew what Lin Bai’s smile meant... It was a smile that Lin Bai only showed when the killing intent in his heart had reached its peak!

Whenever that smile appeared on Lin Bai, the person before that smile was not far from death.