Bai Qi had to recover. He had no chance to start to do so even. There was no need for him to interfere in whatever unrest was brewing. He didn't owe anything to the [Yi Clan] or the public to attempt to do so. And yet, Bai Qi spoke up.

It felt natural to him as if he had to do so, and when the people's gazes concentrated on him, some annoyed, some interested, some simply sparing a passing glance, Bai Qi suddenly sensed how it was indeed his task to speak up to the crowd.

Bai Qi could question himself how much he wanted - he had no answers anyway. He had ruled in his previous life, but it was more of a position because of obligation. Rulership he accepted and had not sought. Thus, such feelings and sentiments were new even for the man that once was the [White Scroll Immortal].

In any case, he had the crowd's attention, and even the unrest slightly calmed. This calm and attentiveness were volatile, so Bai Qi continued acting on how he felt now rather than how he usually would have.

"I understand the concern many of you feel. And speaking sincerely, I am of the same mind.

As the event ended, who would have supposed they would have to remain here?

But, you saw how Lord Yi acted, and while it's preposterous of me to comment on his actions, I am sure the reasons would be of utmost importance. And caution as well.

Considering that latter, if there's a situation, or worse, an enemy that the strongest cultivator of the City had to meet personally, would it be wise for us to leave? To go and unwarrantedly interfere? Put ourselves or others to risk?

I am sure none of you would shy from a known danger, but until it is unknown, shouldn't it better to stay here, behind the formations? To wait and then decide?"

Bai Qi's words were hardly anything from another world, and they would never appeal to experts and genuine cultivators. But, his objectives never were the latter. Famous, experienced, or trained cultivators were neither the biggest nor more tumultuous group. That place taken by non-cultivators and the odd rogue or small power disciple that had only come to gawk at the combats or to bet their hard-earned spirit stones in hopes of getting a big win.

Surprisingly, one of the experts, a Warrior King known as Pei Shang was the first to stand up, nodding to Bai Qi's words and then proclaiming his support, "The young dragon is right. Let us wait. The [Yi Clan] has always been known for hospitality and their lands as the safest. So, if Lord Yi had to shout at us, then there was definitively a reason for it, one that we will know sooner or later."

With a few similar voices of support from people known for their fighting prowess, victories, or other feats, Bai Qi's words ended up being accepted by most of the arena's public. Maybe some people still held doubts, or some of the supporting experts only did it to show off themselves rather than to support Bai Qi, but the result was there, and there was no more unrest.

{Thank you.} Yi Bingwen transmitted to Bai Qi, taking the chance to speak up, something that he had been supposed to do since the start, "As young friend Bai Qi, the conqueror of the Beginner arena has said, Lord Yi would never have acted like this if it wasn't required. The [Yi Clan] has always assured everyone of their safety. Right now, the half-Saint formation of the arena is already on, protecting all of us against all dangers. And so, even if a Warrior Emperor clash occurs, I can assure you there is no safer place in the City, bar the Palace itself."

"But, who would dare to come and attack the [Yi Clan]? To attack [Zihoadao]?" Voiced out by one, such questions would be the ones to fill the minds of most people next. But that had no relation to Bai Qi anymore.

With He Delan having stayed back with Fan Jia, Chun Hua, and Ma Su, Bai Qi wasn't worried about their safety, so his thoughts concentrated only on his own situation.

Deciding that, Bai Qi signaled to the Bai sisters as he away from the stage, into the arena's enclosed chambers meant for the participants' preparations. Ignoring the people that called out to him, Bai Qi selected one and entered it, closing the door behind it. Inside, he sat down, delving into his [Void Ring], selecting and summoning outside pill after pill, spiritual medicine after spiritual medicine.

_AFA_

She had been mad at Bai Qi. Everything about his fighting manner, the ease he countered her, and his words were as if made to piss her off. And it got to a point Yuwen Hanying had used talismans, a strategy acceptable for combat but unacceptable for a swordmaster. And still, she had lost.

But as their combat ended, her fuming died, and she stayed to observe Bai Qi's following combats Yuwen Hanying could not help but return to the words Bai Qi had told her, "You, you are strong, stronger than Fu Guo. Yet, I am unsurprised by your draw with him. His sword was far deeper than yours, even if he didn't count with the support of a treasured weapon or had such good instructors."

Being a Swordmaster in her own right and counting on good teachers for most of her life, Yuwen Hanying considered she had understood the path she was following. But now, she questioned if Bai Qi knew something more or had some other view, something that could help her advance.

After deciding what to do, Yuwen Hanying straightened her dress and passed a hand over her long brown hair. Then, noticing others doing the same, she started walking to the waiting room, following Bai Qi, who had left a few breaths before, probably intending to recuperate.

***

"Wei, aren't you going to greet your friend?" One of the few Warrior Kings from the [Yi Company] remaining in the city, Xu Hong, had asked as soon as the combats ended.

"Senior, I will go as soon as the event has ended. Our reunion can wait, but his win can not." Wei had answered with a light bow. It felt wrong for him to go and distract Bai Qi, who had just won 10 battles against some of the strongest Beginner Warrior Lords of the region, only to greet him. No, their reunion should wait until the congratulations ended. So he had thought.

With Lord Yi's words and his sudden rush out of the Arena, Wei's team had gone full alert, expecting orders. And they came, making everyone but Xu Hong remain in the arena, the latter joining the city guards in capturing or killing some intruders.

"And here I would have said that it would be the Clan or the Company people to speak up, control the crowd, do what your friend is doing." Mo Fen, the youngest member of the group and a 1st level Warrior King, whistled as Bai Qi's words helped calm the crowd.

"He always was a good one with crowds." Wei briefly answered as he recalled how easily [Wu Guang] dealt with any amount of people he had to speak to.

"Good, good! We understand he's great, and his fights confirmed it already. Now, when are you going to talk to him? He's not bad-looking either, so maybe introduce us?" Mo Ju, Mo Fen's sister and part of the same temporary team under Mo Fen's master Xu Hong, asked with a hint of impatience. They had arrived by the 3rd battle and saw most of the challenge. With Wei supposedly being this Bai Qi's friend, the latter even coming to [Zihoadao] only to visit, why was Wei continuing to stand here?

"I will go now." Wei nodded and started towards the back of the arena to enter the participant area.

***

For different reasons, there were other people, and not so people, who had or had chosen to speak with Bai Qi as he descended from the stage and moved to the chambers at the edge of the arena. But as several of them approached the room that Bai Qi had entered, among them Yuwen Hanying, they were stopped by a barrier of aura. As one of the men walking first, a young Warrior Lord that had observed Bai Qi's battles since the first day and hoped to get acquainted personally, released an exclamation when thrown back by the previously imperceptible wall, the others went alert. The aura was strong, and there should be no one allowed to use hostile means inside the arena, even if to block off a room.

Two hooded and cloaked figures landed near the group right away, and while their faces and figures were concealed, the savage aura released left no question as to who they were.

"Bai Qi is currently healing. He asked for no one to disturb him until he finishes." The Saint Beast standing to the right of the door released explained their actions in a raspy but unmistakably female voice.

"Who are you? Why do you stand in our path?" If it had been Bai Qi to refuse her, Yuwen Hanying would probably have accepted it, but here it was some Saint Beast she had never seen, and Yuwen Hanying wasn't used to being refused, never.

"My sister already told you. Bai Qi orders are to be left alone." The other figure growled, expanding her aura, revealing the 3rd level of Saint Beast cultivation. One far above everyone nearby and one that surpassed even the arena's head manager.

"We are here to protect him, and until he allows it, not a single soul will step inside, no matter what means we will have to use." Bai Rui followed Bai Ze's actions, fully releasing her aura as well.

"You!" While others accepted or were cowered back, Yuwen Hanying couldn't retreat without getting at least some back at the Saint Beasts, "The [Yi Clan] will never allow some beasts to do whatever they want on their Main Arena!"

"You are mistaken, young Noble Lady of the [Yuwen Family], [Mountain Slicing Sword] Yuwen Hanying. Main Manager Yi Bingwen has been informed of Bai Qi's escort beforehand, and they have all the rights to act as they wish, outside of interfering with the event, which has already ended." A man that had just now approached and was one of the [Yi Clan] personnel who dealt with bets during the challenge chose to intrude. He had no idea if it was so, but with Bai Qi's result and the City Lord being the first to congratulate the young warrior, who would say that he can not take a room to heal?

"Now, everyone, please leave. When Bai Qi finishes recuperating and comes out, it will be the time to meet or speak with him." Bai Rui didn't know if Bai Qi planned to spare any attention to the people gathering near the room's entrance, so she spoke vaguely, never confirming whether he would or would not meet someone.

There were not a few eyes that saw the exchange before the door that Bai Qi had entered, and soon the main topic of the arena's public switched once again. From Lord Yi's words and actions back to Bai Qi, this time discussing his guards.

"Saint Beasts? Judging from their figures, beastmen?

Peak 3rd level! So Bai Qi has an escort equivalent to a pair of 2nd or 3rd level Warrior Kings?!

Weren't they the two that, on Bai Qi's first appearance, crashed the Beginner Warrior arena to rescue some girl?

Oh yes, I saw that! It was Fan Jia, a new arrival whose opponent used a strange attack that even made Head Manager Yi interfere.

So, Bai Qi and this Fan Jia are connected? I wonder how."

As it was always in such a case, guesses would be shared as if they were the absolute truth, and who knows what kind of backstory or history Bai Qi would end with? Yet, the chatter was brought to a close, as everyone was reminded that the situation wasn't the peaceful one it appeared to be.

*Rumble* *Rumble*

Both Earth and Sky trembled, and even the Warrior Kings among the experts lightly shivered, feeling how Emperor-tier auras clashed somewhere nearby.

"That aura, Lord Yi!

The City Lord has entered battle!

Just what is going on outside?!"