The Lan family disciples, who had just fallen prey to Wu Tong’s charm techniques, snapped back to their senses to witness Ling Fan slapping Wu Tong.
Instantly, everyone was stunned.
Their first thought was that their Lan family's useless son-in-law had caused trouble again!
Who was Wu Tong?
She was the cherished daughter of the Wu family, the cultivation authority in Jiangnan City. Her status was immeasurably higher than Ling Fan, a mere Lan family son-in-law.
What kind of person was Ling Fan to dare lay hands on Wu Tong?
He was clearly tired of living.
Wu Tong, covering her face in disbelief, was both shocked and enraged. The turmoil in her heart was no less than that of anyone else.
She was shocked that Ling Fan, this good-for-nothing, could resist her foolproof charm techniques.
She was enraged that he dared to slap her!
Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she was a pampered prodigy. The Wu family doted on her, fearing she might melt or break. She was showered with affection, and her suitors stretched from Jiangnan City all the way to Yunmeng City. When had she ever suffered such humiliation?
It was one thing that Ling Fan showed no mercy, but he had the audacity to slap her clean across the face.
Could he even be called a man if he could strike such a beautiful woman?
However, a hint of guilt also flickered within her.
After all, she had intended to frame Ling Fan with her charm techniques, a purpose that could not be revealed in the light of day.
Overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, Wu Tong became furious and, in a fit of rage, pointed at Ling Fan’s nose and shrieked, "Even my great-grandfather never scolded me! You are just a useless son-in-law, what right do you have? I'm telling you, this is not over. You and the entire Lan family will pay for this."
Wu Tong's words immediately caused the Lan family disciples' faces to change drastically.
This was bad. Ling Fan had thoroughly offended Wu Tong.
The Wu family's influence was far greater than the Lan family's. The Lan family was currently locked in a fierce rivalry with the Jin family. If they were to make another enemy, the Lan family's situation would become even more precarious.
"Ling Fan, why aren't you quickly apologizing to Teacher Wu!"
"You are truly audacious, daring to hit even Teacher Wu. What other trouble won't you stir up?"
"Hurry and kneel! If you ruin the relationship between our Lan family and the Wu family, you won't be able to bear the responsibility."
For a moment, Ling Fan was the target of everyone's condemnation.
All the Lan family disciples berated him, demanding that Ling Fan apologize to Wu Tong.
However, Ling Fan's expression remained unchanged. They couldn't detect any trace of panic on his face.
Was this still the same weak and incompetent son-in-law?
Seeing that Ling Fan was unmoved, Han Qing and others jumped from their seats, preparing to forcibly push Ling Fan to his knees to apologize to Wu Tong.
"If you, you scoundrel, still refuse to repent, then don't blame us for being impolite! You won't apologize, will you? Then we'll force you to apologize!"
Ling Fan let out a slight cold snort and said, "I only slapped her once, and that was out of consideration for Xueyi's feelings. Otherwise, for daring to charm me, she wouldn't have gotten off so lightly today. When have I, Ling, ever needed to apologize for my actions?"
Upon hearing this.
Han Qing and the others were stunned for a moment, then let out disdainful cold laughs.
"According to you, Teacher Wu was the one who actively seduced you? Utterly absurd! What are you? I'd consider it dirtying my shoes to step on you. Teacher Wu is both beautiful and talented, why would she possibly fancy someone like you?"
"What utter nonsense. I think this brat is unrepentant. Let's stop wasting our breath on him."
Naturally, no one believed him.
How could a goddess like Wu Tong be interested in seducing a useless nobody?
Listening to Han Qing and the others, Wu Tong stood aside with a smile on her face.
Just as they said, even if Ling Fan saw through her methods, who would believe him if he spoke of it?
Her voice grew colder as she said, "Ling Fan, you attempted to assault me, and when I refused, you became enraged and slapped me. Now you're crying wolf, accusing me of using charm techniques to slander my reputation. What utter nonsense. I've never even heard of such a thing as charm techniques. I will not let this matter go today."
Wu Tong's words carried a strong threat.
Han Qing and the others immediately became anxious, saying, "Teacher Wu, please don't get angry. We will make this scoundrel kowtow and apologize to you right now! We will also report this matter to the family and have them severely punish him. We will definitely give you a satisfactory explanation."
A cunning smile flashed in Wu Tong's eyes, hinting at her success.
Ling Fan, however, remained neither happy nor sad, maintaining a composure that suggested he wouldn't panic even if the sky fell.
He said indifferently, "You want to escalate things?"
Wu Tong, thinking Ling Fan had finally caved, said with a triumphant smile, "You realize you're scared now, but it's too late!"
Ling Fan nodded and said, "I originally intended not to embarrass you, considering you are my wife's friend. But since you insist on seeking humiliation, I shall oblige."
For some reason, Ling Fan's words made Wu Tong's heart flutter uneasily. However, she was now in too deep to back down. Could she, a proud and high-minded prodigy, possibly bow down to Ling Fan?
Ling Fan continued, "If you want to know if you used charm techniques to seduce me, it's simple. Your charm technique originates from the ancient Heavenly Desolation Witchcraft. After achieving minor success, a black rose pattern will condense on your back at the Fengcheng acupoint, which is your shoulder blade. Whether it's true or not, you know it in your heart."
The others were still bewildered and confused.
But to Wu Tong, it was like a thunderclap, stirring up a tempest in her heart.
Ever since she began cultivating that ancient charm technique, a rose imprint had gradually appeared on her back. She had never revealed this to anyone. How did Ling Fan know about it!
Could it be that Ling Fan was a master figure who understood ancient and modern knowledge, possessing eyes like a torch? Could he have deduced all this simply from the single instance of her using charm techniques?
No, that was impossible!
She was absolutely certain that Ling Fan was merely a short-sighted, decadent good-for-nothing and would never possess such earth-shattering abilities.
But then how could she explain Ling Fan's accurate statement!
While Wu Tong was still in shock, Ling Fan continued, "Xueyi surpasses you in both appearance and talent, overshadowing your brilliance, which has bred jealousy in your heart. You intended to use me to strike at her. It's a shame Xueyi considers you a sister, but your actions are not only despicable but also heartless and unrighteous."
"Listening to your lectures, you claim the human body only has twelve meridians, and once the number is sufficient, one should immediately break through to the Qi Refining realm. You also say that those in the Qi Refining realm should fully strengthen their true qi and rapidly improve their cultivation. This is completely backward and misleading!"
"Someone like you, with a heart as venomous as a snake, heartless and unrighteous as a pig or dog, lacking any real skill yet daring to pose as a teacher and seek fame – do you think you are worthy of flaunting yourself before me, Ling?"
Ling Fan's words were sharp and incisive. With each sentence he spoke, Wu Tong trembled as if struck a heavy blow.
She wanted to retort, but after Ling Fan mentioned the black rose imprint on her back, her guilt had deepened significantly.
She feared that if this matter truly escalated, her secret practice of forbidden techniques would be exposed, and her painstakingly crafted image of a perfect goddess would collapse in an instant.