Ye Lingtian’s heart was churning too. In a battle between masters, one could discern the difference in strength with just a single exchange.
For a long time, Ye Lingtian had considered himself to have few rivals. Even when facing opponents of similar caliber, he was confident he could achieve victory through his extensive combat experience.
But facing Duan Liang, he felt a chasm as vast as the difference between heaven and earth.
Duan Liang was the exalted, prominent heaven, while he was the earth trampled by all.
This disparity could not merely be described as immense; it was incomparable.
Realizing Duan Liang’s power, Ye Lingtian got up, clutching his bleeding chest. “Senior, my Ye family was unaware of your esteemed presence. We have been remiss in our hospitality. We beg your indulgence!”
Ye Lingtian clasped his fists, his heart deeply shaken and bruised.
“Ye Lingtian, do you now recognize my elder brother’s might?”
“If you must lay hands on anyone, then do so to those around me. Do you think Lin Feng has no backup?”
Lin Feng rested his leg on the conference table. With Duan Liang as his backing, he felt completely unburdened.
“Lin Feng, even with a senior present, the enmity between you and my Ye family cannot be resolved.”
“Since Senior is a cultivator, he surely understands reason.”
“Lin Feng killed my son, Ye Kuang. This is an unforgivable offense. I implore Senior to dispense justice for my Ye family!”
Ye Lingtian said in a deep voice.
“Ye Kuang? That name sounds familiar.”
“Young brother Lin Feng, what exactly is going on here?”
Duan Liang asked, his tone seasoned with age.
“Big brother, Ye Kuang is that cripple I mentioned last time. He killed my brother and massacred innocent people. My killing him was acting on behalf of heaven; it’s hardly worth mentioning.”
Lin Feng replied with a smile.
“Is that so? Then acting on behalf of heaven is the righteous path. Your son deserved to die.”
“When I saw this young man last, I felt he was not a good sort. It is good that he is dead.”
Duan Liang mused, absentmindedly stroking his chin.
At these words, Ye Lingtian’s expression grew even more complex.
“Daoist Master, even if my son had transgressed, it was not your place to enact judgment. Are you perhaps being overly protective?”
A hint of coldness flashed in Ye Lingtian’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Duan Liang to speak so casually.
“And what if I am being protective? Do I need your permission to act?”
Duan Liang was instantly displeased.
No one in the Kunlun Sect dared speak to him like this, let alone Ye Lingtian.
Seeing that Duan Liang showed no semblance of a cultivator’s demeanor, Ye Lingtian realized the matter could not be resolved through normal means.
He clenched his fist and, dragging his injured body, sat down in a chair.
“Senior, since you are being so unreasonable, then forgive this junior for his rudeness!”
A fierceness flickered across Ye Lingtian’s face.
He would not back down today; this concerned the honor of the Ye family.
“Chen’er, go and invite our Ye family’s three Ancestors.”
Ye Lingtian commanded sternly.
“Yes, sir!”
Ye Chen’s face lit up upon seeing his father finally preparing to use their trump card. He hurried out.
“What is it? Are you still calling for reinforcements?”
Duan Liang, sensing the shift in atmosphere, approached Lin Feng.
“You boy, speak up! What are they up to?”
“Daoist Master is here to back you up. Do you really want Daoist Master to wipe them all out for you?”
“Daoist Master is reluctant to kill. Don’t force Daoist Master to break his vows!”
Duan Liang whispered.
“Daoist Master, things have come to this. There’s nothing I can do.”
“They clearly don’t respect you now. If you don’t show them who’s boss, who will fear you in the future?”
“Besides, if I’m incapacitated, you won’t get Feizhu Jisu. We’re brothers now, and you’re my elder brother.”
Lin Feng said with a smile.
“Damn it, you’ve pulled Daoist Master onto this pirate ship. Daoist Master is now in a difficult position.”
“But we have an agreement. If I help you this time, you better not go back on your word. Otherwise, if they don’t trouble those around you, Daoist Master will help them against you.”
Duan Liang warned strictly.
“Don’t worry, I’m not one to break my word. You just keep showing off.”
Lin Feng said, patting Duan Liang’s shoulder.
Seeing Lin Feng and Duan Liang arm-in-arm, Ye Lingtian became even more certain that Duan Liang was Lin Feng’s reliance.
His mind was in turmoil. Everything had been planned, but then Duan Liang, this formidable figure, had appeared out of nowhere.
However, he had no other choice now. If he allowed Duan Liang and Lin Feng to leave, the Lin and Hua families would surely trample all over his Ye family in the future.
A figure like Duan Liang, a person of such stature, could absolutely not be used by the Lin or Hua families.
The more Ye Lingtian thought about it, the angrier he became. He had truly underestimated Lin Feng this time.
The Lin family’s trump cards were too overwhelming, to the point where he felt a pang of envy and jealousy.
Just as the atmosphere settled into a tense silence, Ye Chen rushed in.
Following Ye Chen, three white-haired elders also arrived with hurried steps.
These three wore grey robes and were all near a hundred years old.
Yet, they were all robust, exuding an aura of immortal cultivation.
As the three appeared, their experienced gazes locked onto Duan Liang.
Duan Liang seemed to sense something as well, meeting the eyes of the three elders.
“No, these three old fellows are Nascent Soul cultivators! You actually offended three Nascent Soul stage cultivators, boy?”
Duan Liang suddenly sniffed out something. His previously calm demeanor vanished as he immediately transmitted a message to Lin Feng.
Hearing Duan Liang’s words, Lin Feng was also surprised.
“Daoist Master, are you sure? Are these three old men Nascent Soul stage cultivators?”
This was the first time Lin Feng had heard of cultivation levels.
He had always thought that Heaven Ranking experts were addressed similarly to martial artists, with terms like Grandmaster or Innate.
Now, it seemed things were different from what he imagined!
“Nonsense, Daoist Master is at the Nascent Soul stage. How could I be mistaken?”
“Damn it, you’ve completely tricked Daoist Master! You said these people were easy to deal with, just a bunch of rabble.”
“Does your rabble have Nascent Soul stage power?”
Duan Liang was so furious his nostrils seemed to flare fire. He was also surprised to encounter experts of this caliber here.
“Daoist Master, it’s no use blaming me now. You should think about how to win this fierce battle.”
Lin Feng said innocently. He didn’t care about Nascent Soul or any other stage; with Feizhu Jisu as his cheat, he could escape at any time.
But Duan Liang was different. He had already put on an act, and the Ye family members would surely not let Duan Liang off easily.
“Fight your grandmother! Do you think Daoist Master is a complete idiot?”
Duan Liang cursed Lin Feng.
Then, feigning composure, he said, “Three Daoist friends, since you have arrived, let us sit and talk!”
The three elders of the Ye family naturally perceived Duan Liang’s strength. After sitting down, one of them said in a deep voice, “Esteemed Daoist, you rely on your superior strength over our Ling Tian and come to our Ye family to cause trouble. Isn’t this a bit too bullying?”
A long-browed elder questioned sternly.
“Not at all, not at all. You were the ones who bullied my young brother here first. How can an elder brother stand by while his brother is bullied?”
“Since we are all fellow cultivators, I propose we consider this matter settled. From now on, we shall coexist peacefully, with no trespassing.”
Duan Liang said with a smile.
“Settled?”
“Who do you think the Ye family is, that anyone can run roughshod over us?”
“Today, either you leave this brat’s life here, or you leave yours!”
The long-browed elder, clearly ill-tempered, gave Duan Liang no quarter.
“Daoist Brother, we are all of advanced age. Let us not be so hot-tempered.”
“If we truly come to blows, it will not be good for either of us.”
“Why not give Daoist Master some face and let this matter conclude? It is better for us all to cultivate peacefully than to fight to the death.”
Duan Liang did not wish to fight three opponents alone, nor did he want to risk his life for Lin Feng. He would rather forfeit his pride.
However, the more Duan Liang showed his apprehension, the more aggressive the long-browed elder became.
He slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, “Daoist friend, do you not understand words? Since you insist on protecting this brat, then a fight is unavoidable!”
“Indeed. Words are useless. Let us begin!”
“It has been a long time since the three of us have stretched our limbs. If you wish to die, we shall oblige you.”
The other two elders also stood up.
“Big brother, they are pushing their luck too far. Don’t bother giving these three old geezers any face. Just take them down. I believe in your strength.”
Before Duan Liang could speak, Lin Feng gave him a nudge.
Duan Liang was so furious he wished he could slap Lin Feng to death immediately.