Boom!
The sun of thunder tore through the void, colliding violently with the cyan palm print.
Instantly, the clouds above Sunset Mountain shattered, and space itself seemed to crumple.
A visible shockwave of spiritual power erupted outwards, violently throwing many of the surrounding sect disciples to the ground.
Meanwhile, Ling Xiao's figure was sent flying backward, a trace of blood seeming to appear at the corner of his mouth.
Yet, in his eyes, there was a faint hint of mockery.
"Young Master Ling Xiao!!!"
"Ling Xiao!!!"
A figure in white robes flashed through the air, instantly appearing in the sky and catching the falling figure in her arms.
At this moment, Nian Qingyun's exquisite face held a trace of bewilderment.
She didn't know why seeing him injured had made her panic.
She didn't know why she had revealed herself to catch him.
Everything was just...chaotic.
No, I just don't want him to die by someone else's hand. He can only die by mine!
Yes, that's it!
Nian Qingyun looked down at the handsome, slightly pale face, a cold glint flashing in her beautiful eyes.
"Are you stupid?That was a Divine General expert... Do you... really think you're invincible?"
"I was terrified..."
Ling Xiao's voice was full of feigned alarm,but a sinister curl touched the corner of his mouth. He deliberately nuzzled his face deeper into Nian Qingyun's embrace.
Hiss.
Seems I'm getting a bit hungry for it again.
Let's see... it's been one day and three hours since I last got busy with Nian Qingyun.
"I just couldn't stand to see someone die unjustly. Although I walk the demonic path, I firmly believe this world still holds light and love."
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Thunderous applause erupted.At this moment, the entire peak of Sunset Mountain was swept by a wave of cheers and admiration.
All the sect disciples looked at the figure who seemed weakened and pale, their eyes filled with reverence.
So, this is the true Young Master Ling Xiao!
Those rumors from before were definitely spread maliciously by those jealous of the Young Master's reputation!!
Ah, I'm so ashamed. I actually believed Young Master Ling Xiao was arrogant, tyrannical, and cruel.
Gradually, people began kneeling on the ground, covering their faces and weeping bitterly. Their wails were sorrowful, as if their hearts were breaking.
"Young Master Ling Xiao!!"
Qin Leng's face was frozen in shock,two clear streams of tears slowly tracing down his cheeks.
He hated that he wasn't a woman.He hated that he was born into the Qin Clan, fated to be the Young Master's enemy!
The image of Ling Xiao standing fearlessly before him moments ago was like a carving knife,deeply etching itself into his heart!
Young Master Ling Xiao, if there is a next life, I swear... I will be yours!
"It's over..."
Meanwhile,the Divine General elder who had struck out turned deathly pale. Before he could even react, Ling Ping's figure flashed before him. A blinding golden light shot from Ling Ping's hand, smashing squarely into the elder's chest.
"Pfft!"
With Ling Ping's strength,killing him would have been effortless. Yet, he merely sent the elder flying. The elder's body crashed through nine towering ancient trees before finally slamming into the ground.
The faces of the other Immortal Sect elders darkened, but they remained strangely silent.
Their Cloud Millet Immortal Sect had already thoroughly offended the Qin Clan.If they now provoked the Ling Clan as well, the consequences would be...
Unlike the Qin Clan,the Ling Clan now had inextricable ties to the Myriad Daos Demon Sect, the Ethereal Dao Palace, and the Dan Yuan Holy Land.
Although Ling Xiao had intervened recklessly,if he had actually been killed by one of their elders, the situation would have become extremely troublesome.
Even as a supreme orthodox sect,the Cloud Millet Immortal Sect absolutely dared not wage war against four supreme orthodox sects simultaneously!
That Divine General elder getting struck by Ling Ping was nothing less than he deserved!
"Ahem, City Lord Ling, that's enough."
Ling Xiao sighed,wiping the blood from his mouth with his hand. Though he seemed somewhat reluctant, he finally stood up from Nian Qingyun's embrace.
"The matter today is complex and bizarre. The true facts of the case are unclear to anyone present. This is my Ling Clan's territory. If you were to take someone away just like that, wouldn't my Ling Clan become a laughingstock?"
Grand statements are best left to those with the stature to make them. You need the crowd's support before you can start preaching your ideals.
Seeing the sheer admiration in the eyes of everyone on Sunset Peak, Ling Xiao allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. He sighed softly and looked up at Qin Leng.
"Brother Qin, rest assured. If you have been wrongfully accused, I believe the Qin Clan will surely seek justice for you. And... esteemed elders of the Cloud Millet Sect, if you want answers, you should at least have Qin Clan representatives present as witnesses. So... it's best you return now."
"You..."
The Cloud Millet elders'expressions shifted, but they found themselves unable to refute Ling Xiao.
While Qin Leng had admitted to killing Xu Youwei,he insisted it was because Xu had killed Qin clansmen and stolen their fortune first.
Whether he or Ma Liang was lying was genuinely difficult to determine at this point.
"Young Master Ling Xiao!! Thank you!"
Qin Leng took a deep breath and bowed respectfully towards Ling Xiao.
How ridiculous.
He had actually coveted the Young Master's fiancée before.If not for Ling Xiao today, he would surely have been framed and killed by the Cloud Millet Immortal Sect.
This matter absolutely could not be dropped.Otherwise, the Qin Clan's prestige would plummet!
"Heh, justice exists in this world. I merely did what was right." Ling Xiao smiled faintly, calmly accepting the bow.
To the onlookers,this once again painted the picture of a peerless young master—humble, gentle, and unassuming.
"Fine!! Since Young Master Ling Xiao insists, Qin Leng, my Cloud Millet Immortal Sect will surely come to the Qin Clan tomorrow to demand an explanation!"
The Immortal Sect elders exchanged glances.Ultimately, they chose not to argue further.
They could already sense several terrifying auras rapidly approaching the mountaintop from below.
Clearly,Ling Clan experts had arrived!
And since Ling Xiao's injury today was caused by their sect's elder,if they didn't leave now, this scoundrel might just fake a worse injury and extort them. Then they'd really be in for it.
"Let's go!!"
"Wait a moment!"
Just as the group of Immortal Sect elders turned to leave,Ling Xiao's voice rang out again.
"Esteemed Elders, I was struck by your man for no reason at all. You surely don't... think you can just leave like this, do you?"
Ling Xiao's eyes held a playful glint as he feigned another couple of coughs.
"That's right! How irresponsible!"
"Think you're above the law just because you're a supreme orthodox sect?You can't just hit someone and walk away!"
"Is there no justice anymore?!"
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The sound of tearing air suddenly filled the sky as figures clad in black robes ripped through the void,materializing in the air above Ling Xiao.
"We pay our respects to the Young Master!"
Ling Ping had secretly sent a message earlier,summoning all the experts from Sunset City.
Now,if the Young Master gave the word, not a single person from the Cloud Millet Immortal Sect would leave today.
"Uh... Young Master, you appeared so suddenly... our elder couldn't retract his force in time, so..." The leading Cloud Millet Divine Marquis elder forced an awkward smile onto his face.
"Oh? So this elder's meaning is... you want to renege on your debt?" Ling Xiao coughed twice, and a fresh trickle of blood actually seeped from the corner of his mouth.
"Young Master!!!" The Ling Clan experts in the sky erupted with killing intent. The overwhelming pressure of their combined auras burst forth, scaring the Cloud Millet elder so pale he looked like a ghost.
"No, no, no, that's not it! I apologize on behalf of Elder Yin..."
What else could he say?
That Divine General elder still hadn't managed to get up.
"An apology?" Ling Xiao sneered coldly. "If apologies were enough, would we still need the principle of 'a life for a life' in this world?"
He glanced over the group of Immortal Sect elders."I don't have many demands. Each of you... hand over one Divine Artifact. Then we can consider this matter settled."
"You!!!"
The faces of the Immortal Sect elders contorted with rage,their aged eyes filled with hatred.
Dammit! It's all that Elder Yin's fault!
Who couldn't you provoke, you had to provoke this devil!