"Big Brother…"
Zhang Fangzhou clearly caught the overt threat in Li Ziyao's words. He nervously whispered to Lin Feng. Though he knew Lin Feng was formidable, they were deep within enemy territory. Six Foundation Establishment cultivators were in this room alone—who knew how many more lurked outside? He couldn't be sure Lin Feng's flying sword could handle them all.
He genuinely knew nothing about the Li family's supposed 'heirloom', but he suspected Lin Feng possessed it. He would have compromised. Yet Lin Feng seemed unwilling. If this escalated into open conflict… Zhang Fangzhou and Yao Wangtian, mere Qi Training cultivators, wouldn't survive.
Lin Feng waved a hand, signaling Zhang Fangzhou not to worry. He stared at Li Ziyao. "We've talked this long, yet I still don't know what this item you speak of actually is. Perhaps Li Sha sold it off or hid it elsewhere long ago. It might not even be in my possession."
Li Ziyao frowned. "My family's heirloom is half a spirit artifact fragment. Roughly half a palm in size, black. Beyond its material composition, it holds no power whatsoever. Unlikely Li Sha could sell it—who'd want it? Of course… if you claim you never found it on him… swear a Lightning Tribulation Oath to that effect. Do that, and I'll believe you. You may leave."
A Lightning Tribulation Oath was a sacred, binding vow for cultivators—not something sworn lightly. Li Ziyao was certain Lin Feng had the fragment; he expected Lin Feng wouldn't dare swear. It was pure coercion.
Even if Lin Feng didn't have it, he'd never submit to such a humiliating demand. Reason and evasion had failed. Annoyance flared. He replied coldly, "Family Head Li, isn't this pushing too far? What if I refuse to swear?"
"Refuse?" Li Ziyao's smile didn't reach his eyes. "That… is also possible. Then surrender your spatial ring for my inspection. If the item isn't there… perhaps I'll let you depart."
—'Perhaps'? Even if it's not there, you'll detain me anyway, demanding my 'Master' comes to fetch me, won't you?
Lin Feng inwardly scoffed. Patience evaporated. "And if I refuse… that too?"
"Refuse?! That's not your choice!" Li Renyao finally exploded, unable to contain himself. "You think my father's politeness means we fear you?! Reject kindness, face force! Seize them!"
This time, Li Ziyao didn't intervene. His cautious probing had failed; Lin Feng's obstinate arrogance stoked his anger. He decided a lesson was necessary.
—So what if he has a powerful Master? Just an outsider. A strong dragon cannot suppress a local serpent. Even if this 'Master' is a Golden Core cultivator, challenging the Li family within Biquan City wouldn't be easy.
At Li Renyao's command, chaos erupted. The two Foundation Establishment guards who had attacked Lin Feng earlier lunged forward. The two behind Li Ziyao moved simultaneously. Outside, hurried footsteps echoed as four more cultivators appeared, blocking the doorway—mere Qi Training stage, but their numbers added imposing pressure.
"Big Brother…" "Boss Lin…"
Zhang Fangzhou and Yao Wangtian tensed visibly, eyes wide with panic, fixed on Lin Feng.
Lin Feng rose to his feet. His cold gaze swept the encircling group, hesitating due to his spiritual light defense treasure. Finally, he locked eyes with Li Ziyao. "Since the Li family insists on bullying the weak… we have nothing left to discuss.—We're leaving!"
"Leaving?!" Li Renyao jeered. "I question if you're sane—do you truly believe you'll walk out of the Li Manor alive?"
Zhang Fangzhou pressed close behind Lin Feng, whispering urgently, "Big Brother, the Li family has numbers… how do we get out?"
"How?" A cold smirk touched Lin Feng's lips. "We fight our way out!!"
"Whoom!"
With a surge of true essence, the golden jade talisman in his hand flared. A three-meter-wide golden barrier enveloped him, Zhang Fangzhou, and Yao Wangtian. His right hand flicked out, producing a thick stack of talismans thrust towards the other two. "We move. Now. Anyone blocking our path—blast them in the face!"
Gasps rippled through the room at the sight of the stack of Grade 2 Chained Talismans. Before anyone could fully react, Lin Feng struck first. Seven or eight azure wind blades, each over two feet long, shrieked through the air towards the figures clogging the doorway.
"Look out!"
The sudden assault shocked everyone. The two Foundation Establishment guards reacted fastest, dodging while shouting warnings. The Qi Training cultivators at the door scrambled. Two, too slow to evade, desperately released protective qi shields, barely deflecting the slicing wind blades.
"GO!"
Amidst the confusion, Lin Feng barked the order. Shielded by the golden dome, he charged forward, dragging Zhang Fangzhou and Yao Wangtian with him towards the exit.
"STOP HIM!!"
Li Renyao roared. His right hand flashed, producing a Grade 2 Chained Purple Lightning Talisman. Zzzzt! Zzzzt! Zzzzt! Bolts of violet lightning slammed into Lin Feng's barrier. Lin Feng didn't flinch or turn. The spiritual light shield absorbed the impacts effortlessly.
Simultaneously, the two guards who had stood behind Li Ziyao lunged from the rear, weapons drawn. Their strikes clanged uselessly against the radiant dome, the recoil sending them staggering back.
The mid-grade treasure artifact barrier was immensely potent—not something easily shattered. Ignoring all incoming attacks, Lin Feng plowed forward like an unstoppable juggernaut, bursting out of the Li family main hall and into the spacious courtyard beyond.
"DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!!"
Fury contorted Li Renyao's face. He led the pursuit, bursting from the hall. In his hand now was a single-use, low-grade Grade 3 Talisman. With a vicious snarl, he hurled it at Lin Feng's retreating back.
"Fwooosh… BOOM!!"
The power of a low-grade Grade 3 Talisman rivaled a strike from a late Foundation Establishment cultivator. It struck the rear of the golden barrier with devastating force. A deafening explosion echoed. The barrier visibly shuddered. Inside, Zhang Fangzhou and Yao Wangtian yelped in fright.
"Fwooosh… BOOM!!" "KRAKOOM!!"
Worse followed. Li Renyao, eyes blazing, pulled out several more low-grade Grade 3 Talismans, flinging them without hesitation—a testament to the wealth of a family running a talisman shop. Precious artifacts most Foundation Establishment cultivators hoarded, he expended like cheap firecrackers.
Seeing their young master's assault, the others understood. Overwhelm the barrier first. They formed a loose ring around the glowing dome in the courtyard center. Eight or nine figures unleashed a relentless barrage. Being Li family members, talismans were plentiful. The courtyard became a maelstrom of light and thunder—fireballs, ice shards, earth spikes, lightning bolts—all crashing incessantly against the golden shield.
Inside the dome, Lin Feng and his companions fought back desperately, activating talismans of their own. But three against nine was a losing equation. Though their talisman supply was deep, their counterattacks only forced momentary scrambles among their attackers. The situation grew increasingly dire…
"Big Brother… what do we do?"
Zhang Fangzhou's voice was tight with panic as enemy fire intensified.
Lin Feng's expression was grim. The barrier was strong, unlikely to break soon. They could probably force their way out of the Li Manor by sheer momentum. But escaping the manor didn't mean the Li family would give up. What then? Flee Biquan City under constant bombardment?
Passive defense was futile. Better to…
A flash of icy resolve hardened Lin Feng's eyes. He turned, his gaze locking onto Li Renyao, still screaming orders from behind the ring of attackers…