Chapter 133: Underlying Currents Surge

"Second Uncle, please send someone to help Xiao Tian quickly."

Long Tianjiao was secretly anxious. Chu Tian had already fought four consecutive battles; his internal energy must be significantly depleted. For Tao Yuanming to strike at this moment was clearly taking advantage of someone’s vulnerability.

"Tianjiao, why are you so anxious?" Long Jianfei waved his hand dismissively, looking indifferent. "Chu Tian initiated the provocation against Jiangbei himself. Since he had the courage to provoke them, he must bear the consequences! It’s time for this young man to learn that the world is vast and he should suffer a little for his arrogance!"

He had refrained from targeting Chu Tian earlier out of respect for Long Tianjiao, but that did not mean he would help him. Especially in the current situation, it was ideal for Chu Tian and the Jiangbei forces to exhaust each other until they were both crippled. Only then could the Long family step in to seize the position of alliance leader in the North-South conflict. In the face of family interests, personal feelings had to be set aside. Long Jianfei would not allow a few words from Long Tianjiao to disrupt the entire Long family's strategy.

Moreover, when the Situ family was suppressing the Qingshui Group earlier, Wan Tianyu hadn't lifted a finger. Now that Chu Tian had the upper hand, Wan Tianyu was repeatedly sending people to suppress him, as if he were determined to fight Chu Tian to the death. Long Jianfei refused to believe there was no collusion between the Wan and Situ families. But these two great clans had never had any dealings before; why had they suddenly aligned this year? Besides, the Situ family’s audacity to abduct Long Tianjiao was clearly aimed at the alliance leadership. Did the Wan family not covet that seat? Were they so benevolent as to hand the throne over to the Situ family?

Though he didn't know what secret agreement the two clans had reached, Long Jianfei vaguely felt that Wu Xingyan must be involved. Who else possessed the prestige to make these two great North-South families join forces? Rather than worrying about Chu Tian's fate, it was better to concern himself with the state of the Long family.

"Very well. Since you refuse to step down and rest, don't blame me for winning unfairly when you fall by my hand!" Tao Yuanming laughed heartily, his aura shifting abruptly.

Below the ring, the women’s gazes were locked onto Chu Tian, their eyes filled with worry. "Sister Qingshui, will Chu Tian be in danger?" Wei Qingqiu asked, her voice tight with concern.

"It will be fine. We must trust Chu Tian," Liu Qingshui nodded, though her tone lacked conviction; even she found it hard to believe her own words.

On the other side, frustrated by Long Jianfei's refusal to intervene, Long Tianjiao rose from the Long family’s seating area and walked straight toward her senior sister. Long Jianfei was stunned, then shook his head with a wry smile. Truly, a girl’s heart belongs elsewhere; could his niece have fallen for Chu Tian? Previously, the Long family had been prejudiced against Chu Tian, suspecting that as Wu Xingyan's disciple and a junior, he had ulterior motives in approaching Long Tianjiao. However, Chu Tian had saved her life, slain Situ Wugou, and crushed the morale of the Jiangbei experts. These actions had gradually changed Long Jianfei’s opinion of him. If Chu Tian were truly with Long Tianjiao, his strength would make him a worthy match for the Long family's prized daughter. Yet, the rest of the family still harbored prejudices, and such matters required her father’s approval; Long Jianfei dared not overstep his authority.

Thinking of Long Sihai, a grave look crossed Long Jianfei’s eyes. Ever since receiving news of Long Tianjiao’s safety, he had dispatched men to Purple Mountain to inform Long Sihai. By his estimation, the messengers should have arrived long ago. Why was there no word back? He felt a flicker of worry but kept it hidden, not even daring to hold the Situ family accountable yet. With Situ Wudi backing them and Long Sihai’s safety still uncertain, he could only turn his gaze back to the ring.

At this moment, Chu Tian and Tao Yuanming had already clashed. *Bang! Bang! Bang!* As their fists and feet collided, ripples of internal energy erupted in the air. Compared to the previous matches, this battle was several times more intense. Yet, Tao Yuanming held the upper hand, forcing Chu Tian to retreat repeatedly. Perhaps, after fighting four martial masters, Chu Tian had truly reached his limit; he could no longer withstand Tao Yuanming’s fierce onslaught.

"Heavenly Demon Fist!"

In the next second, Chu Tian struck out with all his might. But compared to the punch that had defeated the Jiangbei expert, the power of this Heavenly Demon Fist was greatly diminished. It carried only half the force, and the speed was significantly slower.

"Too slow! Far too slow!" Tao Yuanming sneered, mocking him. With such speed, he couldn't possibly land a hit.

Tao Yuanming flickered like a soaring eagle, vaulting into mid-air. *Boom!* Chu Tian’s punch missed, the shockwave from his fist slamming into the floor of the ring and causing the marble to shatter into flying debris. Tao Yuanming, high above, utilized gravity to plummet toward Chu Tian, his hand transformed into a claw, striking toward the top of Chu Tian’s head.

Instantly, Chu Tian took a step back and met the claw with a punch. *Boom!* As they collided, Chu Tian stumbled back five or six paces, while Tao Yuanming performed a somersault in the air and landed steadily. Anyone could see that Chu Tian was losing, struggling to hold on.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, Tao Yuanming leapt again, becoming a blurred shadow as he charged at Chu Tian. "Falling Petals Without a Trace!"

Tao Yuanming channeled his energy into his palm, the surrounding air seemingly flowing with his internal force, gathering at his palm. The sheer power of the strike shattered the air as it lunged toward Chu Tian’s chest. Instead of retreating, Chu Tian stepped forward.

Seeing this, the crowd’s expressions shifted, eyes wide with confusion. Clearly, Chu Tian was losing and his energy was nearly exhausted. Instead of dodging the finishing move, he was charging straight into it. Was he seeking death? This palm technique was Tao Yuanming’s life’s work! Even if Chu Tian were a master, he couldn't survive this blow, let alone in his weakened state. If he took this hit, he would be severely wounded, perhaps even lose his life on the spot.