Seeing his master Han Chengzhe's unyielding expression, Zong Luan almost ground his teeth to dust.
However, he dared not say anything.
He knew that Han Chengzhe was in a difficult position, already furious, and any further words would likely draw fire upon himself, leading to a more miserable end.
Thinking this, he gritted his teeth and agreed, secretly hoping that his master would compensate him later for the current injustice.
Meanwhile, Han Chengzhe turned his gaze to Ye Cangtian and said coldly, "This old man has already punished my disciple. Is it not time to settle the score with you?"
"Heh, since you refuse to see reason, then come!"
Ye Cangtian smiled faintly and slowly stepped forward.
Watching Yin Long and Han Chengzhe's eyes lock, the tension thickened like gunpowder, leaving Xue Qi and Bing Yao at a loss.
One was their savior, the other their master. They truly did not wish to see either of them harmed.
Beside them, Ye Zhenghao also frowned. He had a nagging feeling that Ye Cangtian was deliberately forcing the confrontation.
From his understanding of Ye Cangtian, he was fully capable of de-escalating the situation, making a storm in a teacup, rather than drawing swords.
"Heh, would it not be too anticlimactic to just fight like this?"
"Han Chengzhe, they are connected to the Blazing Fire Academy. Do you dare to unleash your full strength?"
"Are you truly not afraid of offending the Blazing Fire Academy?"
Just as Ye Cangtian and Han Chengzhe were about to clash, a mocking voice echoed.
In the blink of an eye, a figure appeared at the entrance of the main hall, slowly approaching.
This was a man with shifty eyes, looking anything but trustworthy.
Although he only exuded the aura of a terrestrial level cultivator, he showed no fear towards either Ye Cangtian or Han Chengzhe!
"Finally, you show yourself."
Ye Cangtian muttered inwardly as he watched the man in black approach.
He had sensed the man's presence long ago and initially thought he was Han Chengzhe's hidden trump card. Thus, he used the pretense of pressuring Han Chengzhe to draw the man out.
Now that the man had appeared, Ye Cangtian noted that he didn't seem to be from the Snow Peak sect.
On the other side, the man had reached the center of the hall. He raised his head and looked directly at Han Chengzhe.
"Han Chengzhe, you know my identity. If you join forces with me, you will no longer need to fear the Blazing Fire Academy! You can also act as you please!"
He had initially planned to remain hidden for a while longer, but then he reconsidered. If Han Chengzhe were defeated due to his hesitation to fight with full strength, he might end up yielding to the Blazing Fire Academy.
Therefore, he ultimately chose to step forward, believing that Han Chengzhe would accept his olive branch and cooperate with him.
"Hmm?"
As the man's words fell, Ye Cangtian and Ye Zhenghao both frowned.
This single sentence indicated that the man belonged to a top-tier force, otherwise, where would he get such confidence?
Could it be the Flying Cloud Pavilion?
Ye Cangtian immediately thought of the Flying Cloud Pavilion, as he had previously inferred that people from the Flying Cloud Pavilion might have followed him to Snow Peak.
The Flying Cloud Pavilion was also a top-tier force and did not fear the Blazing Fire Academy at all.
However, Ye Cangtian soon dismissed this thought.
This was because the people of the Flying Cloud Pavilion cultivated mental energy, and their mental power was significantly stronger than cultivators of the same realm.
The terrestrial level expert before him did not show any exceptional prowess in mental energy, so he was likely not from the Flying Cloud Pavilion.
Could it be the Misty Rain Tower?
Ye Cangtian's eyes darted around as he speculated again.
Of the five top-tier forces in the ruins, the Blazing Fire Academy, Swift Wind Tower, Imperial Dragon Villa, and Flying Cloud Pavilion had all been ruled out. That left only the Misty Rain Tower.
While Ye Cangtian was still guessing, Han Chengzhe's eyes were already darting around.
He knew very well that cooperating with the man would be akin to seeking a tiger for its skin; the man's ultimate goal was undoubtedly to annex Snow Peak.
This was something he could absolutely not accept. Snow Peak was not solely his; if he handed it over, how could he face the ancient sages with honor?
However, what the man said was also a valid point!
He was indeed wary of the Blazing Fire Academy. If he were to punish Yin Long, and Ye Zhenghao forcefully intervened on his behalf, the situation would become far more serious.
After a long silence, Han Chengzhe looked at the man and said faintly, "Black Demon, isn't it unseemly to take advantage of someone's predicament like this?"
"Heh, how can this be called taking advantage of someone's predicament?"
The man smiled at him playfully and said, "It should be called sending charcoal in the snow. Without us, how could Snow Peak withstand the wrath of the Blazing Fire Academy?"
This…
At these words, Han Chengzhe's old face flushed red, and he was speechless.
"Hey, hey, everything has a first come, first served rule!"
"You two should settle your matters privately, and don't exploit the conflict between us, or I will be very displeased!"
"Furthermore, if you want to meddle in our affairs, you'd best announce your name first, otherwise, I might easily mistake you for a tiny bug and crush you!"
Just then, Ye Cangtian, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.
The man had been using the conflict between him and Snow Peak to coerce Snow Peak into cooperation, which displeased Ye Cangtian greatly. Why should he pave the way for others?
Besides, since the man dared to openly intervene in this matter, he was definitely an enemy, not a friend. In such a situation, Ye Cangtian felt no need to be polite.
"Tiny bug?"
Black Demon's face darkened noticeably. He turned to Ye Cangtian and said fiercely, "Listen carefully, I am not a tiny bug. I am Black Demon of the Imperial Dragon Villa!"
After a pause, Black Demon continued, "Yin Long, it's not that I look down on you, but without the Blazing Fire Academy backing you, you wouldn't even have the right to speak to me!"
Imperial Dragon Villa?
Upon mentioning the Imperial Dragon Villa, Ye Zhenghao's brows furrowed immediately.
The Imperial Dragon Villa was one of the five top-tier forces, and its strength and heritage were no less than that of the Blazing Fire Academy.
Furthermore, it was rumored that the Imperial Dragon Villa had recently appointed a new Villa Master named Death God, who was said to be quite formidable.
If the Blazing Fire Academy and the Imperial Dragon Villa were to erupt into war, it was likely that neither side would emerge unscathed.
Besides this, in Ye Cangtian's previously mentioned plan, the Hidden Group, the Blazing Fire Academy, and the Swift Wind Tower had also included the Imperial Dragon Villa when eliminating the Five Poison Sect.
This was because he had heard Ye Cangtian say that the Imperial Dragon Villa would also use this opportunity for fierce retaliation, secretly cooperating with them to destroy the Five Poison Sect.
But if they were to fall out with the Imperial Dragon Villa now.
Then, during the extermination of the Five Poison Sect, the Imperial Dragon Villa might not lend a hand, which would disrupt their plans.
As Ye Zhenghao pondered, Ye Cangtian's brows also furrowed.
Perhaps due to the man's low cultivation level and the large number of people in the Imperial Dragon Villa, he did not recognize Black Demon.
However, if the Imperial Dragon Villa intended to cooperate with Snow Peak, such a significant matter should have been communicated to him by Zhan Wufeng.
But he had not received any news.
No!
Thinking of this, Ye Cangtian's eyes widened suddenly. He recalled the only possible explanation!
Black Demon was not currently from the Imperial Dragon Villa. He was likely a subordinate of the second senior brother who was previously expelled by Lei Ming!
After all, the senior brother, Sikong Longyin, was currently in Dragon City and would certainly not come to Snow Peak.
As for the second senior brother, being expelled and wanting to regain control of the Imperial Dragon Villa, he would not only need to increase his strength but also expand his influence.
Therefore, he intended to annex Snow Peak under the banner of the Imperial Dragon Villa.
Perhaps Han Chengzhe had seen through the second senior brother's identity, which was why he wanted to invite the Death God to resolve matters with the second senior brother and, at the same time, resolve the crisis facing Snow Peak.
Hmm?
On the other hand, Han Chengzhe's brows gradually relaxed. This Yin Long was truly a troublemaker, a complete mad dog who bit anyone he saw.
In such a short time, Yin Long had already clashed with Black Demon.
But this was good too. With both sides confronting each other, Snow Peak could sit back and enjoy the benefits.
"Black Demon, even if you are from the Imperial Dragon Villa, I still advise you to return obediently now. It would be beneficial for you and your master!"
At this moment, Ye Cangtian's voice rang out. Since he had already guessed the man's identity, he was no longer worried.
After all, he was the Villa Master of the Imperial Dragon Villa, and he should be able to deal with a mere second senior brother?
"What arrogance!"
"Who do you think you are, telling me to back down!"
"Damn it, I think you're looking for death!"
Black Demon looked coldly at Ye Cangtian.
In his eyes, Yin Long was merely a hermit. Even if his personal strength was formidable, compared to the Imperial Dragon Villa, he was nothing more than scum.
Now that he didn't even put the Imperial Dragon Villa in his sights, it was truly laughable, and it also made him seethe with anger.
"Alas! Truly stubborn and unyielding!"
Ye Cangtian sighed, his figure flashing instantly beside Black Demon, and he casually slapped him.
*Slap!*
Before Black Demon could react, he was sent flying by a single slap.
Everyone in the hall was stunned. No one had expected Yin Long to act so decisively, showing no respect at all.
It seemed he truly wasn't afraid of retaliation from the Imperial Dragon Villa!