Zi Linling and Shangguan Yulin's repeated insults of "beasts" instantly enraged the four elders of the Gou family.
"A bunch of ignorant brats! If I let you leave here standing today, I'll take my own life as atonement!"
Gou Tong, the second elder of the Gou family, roared in fury.
As soon as the words fell, he unleashed a palm strike towards Zi Linling.
His eyesight was sharp, and he naturally recognized Zi Linling's leading position.
Capture the leader to capture the followers!
As long as Zi Linling was dealt with, the current situation would collapse on its own.
Zi Linling smiled serenely, showing no intention of countering the attack.
Her target was the hidden experts of the Gou family.
Those like Gou Tong, who were in the Divine King realm, would be handled by others.
Indeed, before Gou Tong's attack could reach Zi Linling, he was intercepted by a mid-stage Divine King realm expert from the Cao family.
This person's name was Li Bo, and he was the strongest among the three mid-stage Divine King realm experts of the Cao family.
Their palms touched and separated, and both men retreated.
When Gou Tong saw clearly who was blocking him, his face turned extremely grim.
"Brother Li, what is the meaning of this? Is your Cao family helping outsiders against our Gou family?"
Li Bo cupped his fists and said with a smile, "Second Elder, we are taking action because you intended to attack our master. This has nothing to do with the Cao family!"
Gou Tong, the second elder of the Gou family, was taken aback. "What do you mean, Brother Li?"
Li Bo glanced at Zi Linling and said, "I mean, the ten of us have left the Cao family. Our master is now this Miss Zi!"
"..."
Li Bo's words struck Gou Tong, the second elder, Gou He, the third elder, Gou Bai, the sixth elder, Gou Huan, the ninth elder, and the Gou family members who had just arrived at the entrance like a thunderclap, leaving them utterly stunned and shocked.
After a long while, everyone finally recovered their senses.
Gou An, the first elder of the Gou family, berated, "Li Bo, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed for betraying the Cao family?"
Just as Li Bo was about to speak, he felt a figure appear before him.
This figure was none other than Zhuang Xing, a late-stage Divine King realm expert.
Zhuang Xing said calmly, "First Elder, a wise man knows when to adapt! Moreover, our relationship with the Cao family was purely one of mutual benefit, so it cannot be called betrayal!"
"As for you, I advise you to hand over Gou Fugui, Li Furong, and Gou Anran according to my master's request, or you will bear consequences you cannot afford!"
Gou An, the first elder of the Gou family, said with a dark expression, "Zhuang Xing, are you threatening our Gou family?"
Zhuang Xing said faintly, "I dare not! I am merely speaking the truth!"
Gou An, the first elder of the Gou family, let out a cold snort and said, "Although our Gou family's reputation is not as great as the Cao family's, we are still a family of standing and integrity. Therefore, if you want us to hand over these people, you must have the capability!"
"It's not that I look down on you, but I genuinely do. Not to mention just the ten of you, even if the Divine Kings of the Cao family came, they would have to pay a certain price to make our Gou family submit!"
Zhuang Xing shook his head with pity, thinking to himself, "If they knew my master was the chosen one, wouldn't they be rushing to curry favor with her?"
Heaven, though benevolent, can hardly save those who are bound to die!
Some people, no matter how well you advise them, will only realize what is impossible after crashing into the southern wall.
Zhuang Xing had initially wanted to help the Gou family avoid this calamity out of past acquaintance, but since they were unappreciative, he had no desire to say more.
His expression turned cold, and he said, "Let me be the first to test the waters and see what price must be paid!"
"Zhuang Xing is here, who among the Gou family dares to offer some guidance!"
Just as Gou Tong, the second elder of the Gou family, was about to step forward, he was stopped by the elder Gou An. "He is a late-stage Divine King realm expert, and you are no match for him. Let this old man have a few rounds with him!"
After speaking, Gou An, the first elder of the Gou family, had already positioned himself in front of Zhuang Xing. "Since you have betrayed the Cao family, I will not hold back! Take this!" Su Dan Novel Network
With that, his palm wind reached Zhuang Xing's face.
Zhuang Xing narrowly dodged the blow, his face turning ashen. "Sneak attack? Is this the integrity of your Gou family? If that's the case, then don't blame me for being impolite!"
He said, raising his fist and smashing it towards Gou An, the first elder of the Gou family!
"Are you afraid of me!"
Gou An, the first elder of the Gou family, roared and met the attack with his palm.
They exchanged blows, and in the blink of an eye, over thirty moves had passed.
Of course, both of them seemed intent on staying away from the crowd to avoid accidentally injuring their own people.
After they moved away, Li Bo and Gou Tong, the second elder of the Gou family, were once again facing each other.
Then, Gou He, the third elder, and Gou Qie, the fourth elder, faced the other two mid-stage Divine King realm experts from the Cao family.
The six early-stage Divine King realm experts from the Cao family also found their respective opponents.
Subsequently, they paired off in two's and found a place to engage in a fierce battle.
On Zi Linling's side, only the five of them remained, plus Gou Jieran, whose combat power was negligible.
On the Gou family's side, there was the Patriarch Gou Shiren, the fifth elder Gou Ke, the sixth elder Gou Bai, the seventh elder Gou Le, the eighth elder Gou Song, the ninth elder Gou Huan, and four Divine King realm experts.
Gou Shiren, the Patriarch of the Gou family, looking at the nearly double number of people on his side, became somewhat unrestrained and said, "Miss Zi, we have no enmity between us, why must you trouble our Gou family?"
"How about this, I will have my son Fugui apologize to you, and you hand over that girl Jieran to me for punishment. We can then shake hands and be at peace. In the future, if you need anything, feel free to ask. Whether it's resources or spirit stones, I will try my best to satisfy you, how about it?"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Zi Linling smiled faintly and asked in return.
Gou Shiren, thinking there was a chance, quickly nodded. "Of course! Oh, and I can also help mediate the conflict between you and the Cao family."
Zi Linling smiled without answering, and instead looked at Gou Jieran, "What do you think?"
Gou Jieran was stunned for a moment, then said unhurriedly, "Miss Zi, can you trust someone like Gou Shiren, who would sell even his own daughter?"
"Of course, if you decide to, I have nothing to say. After all, my life was saved by you. It's only natural for you to hand me over, and even if you wanted my life, I wouldn't complain!"
"Oh?"
Zi Linling smiled meaningfully, "You truly wouldn't complain?"
Gou Jieran said with conviction, "I swear on the lives of my mother and sister: no matter what decision you make, I will have no complaints towards you!"
Zi Linling said with satisfaction, "Good!"
Then she turned to Gou Shiren and said, "I can hand Gou Jieran over to you, but I have one condition!"
Upon hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Gou Jieran's eyes, but it was only disappointment, not resentment.
As she had said, her life was saved by Zi Linling. If Zi Linling were to take it back now, it would be understandable.