Is This the End or Is This Just the Beginning?
Hu Fei Yan’s meaning was obvious. If they did not hand Tan Xiu Teng over, their journey to the Sacred Wind Realm, one of the Three Great Sacred Realms, would be dangerous. The Zhong clan’s supreme powerhouse might send people after them. If they handed Tan Xiu Teng over, even if their journey would not be completely trouble-free, they would not be targeted by the Zhong clan.
“Young master! You…” Tan Xiu Teng called out anxiously through Voice Transmission when he saw Hu Fei Yan looking at Duan Ling Tian and asking for Duan Ling Tian’s opinion.
Duan Ling Tian did not let Tan Xiu Teng finish speaking before he said to Hu Fei Yan resolutely, “Tan Xiu Teng is working for me, and he’s also helped us a lot during this journey. I can’t hand him over. Moreover, even without Tan Xiu Teng, we still would’ve killed the leader of the bandit.”
A joyful expression appeared on Tan Xiu Teng’s face upon hearing these words. He quickly thanked Duan Ling Tian profusely. He was filled with gratitude at this moment. Whether it was under orders or not, he indeed killed the leader of the bandit. It would be undoubtedly easier for Duan Ling Tian to hand him over to Zhong Yue, the Young Master of Mount Tai’s Zhong clan. He was not naive after all. He knew that even if Zhong Yue dropped the matter now because of Linghu Yun Di, Zhong Yue would definitely not let the matter go after Linghu Yun Di left. If he were in Duan Ling Tian’s shoes, he would also hand himself over to Zhong Yue. As such, he was surprised and delighted that Duan Ling Tian, whom he had only known for a short time, was determined to protect him. How could he not feel moved and grateful?
At the same time, Zhong Yue’s expression darkened upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s words. However, a hint of fear could be seen in the depths of his eyes as well. In his opinion, Duan Ling Tian was definitely not a simple character. After all, not only was Duan Ling Tian traveling with Hu Fei Yan, but Hu Fei Yan also asked for Duan Ling Tian’s opinion. It would not be easy to deal with the murderer of his junior brother since it was clear, based on the way the murderer addressed Duan Ling Tian as ‘young master’, that the murderer was Duan Ling Tian’s subordinate.
As for Hu Fei Yan, her expression did not change much after listening to Duan Ling Tian’s words. However, a hint of admiration could be seen in her eyes. If Duan Ling Tian had chosen to give up on Tan Xiu Teng, even if she could understand his decision, she would have looked down on him in her heart. It spoke a lot about Duan Ling Tian’s character that he did not give up on Tan Xiu Teng. If he had given up on Tan Xiu Teng, she would have found an excuse and parted ways with him after they arrived in the Sacred Wind Realm. After all, he could give up on Tan Xiu Teng, it meant that he would also give up on her if they faced danger in the future. Although she had many life-saving methods, which were given to her by her adoptive father, they were not limitless. If her companion was unreliable, it was better for her to travel alone.
Finally, Hu Fei Yan turned to Zhong Yue and said determinedly, “Zhong Yue, you heard my friend’s words. We can’t hand him over to you. If you’re not satisfied, we can fight. I also want to see the strength of the Young Master of the Zhong clan!”
Hu Fei Yan was filled with fighting spirits at this moment. Her long hair fluttered in the air as she stood majestically like a powerful female warrior.
Upon hearing these words, Zhong Yue, whose expression was dark, instinctively glanced at Linghu Yun Di.
Linghu Yun Di saw Zhong Yue looking at her and said expressionlessly, “Zhong Yue, your junior brother isn’t without blame in this matter. You should let this matter go.”
Following that, Linghu Yun Di looked at Leng Jing, the young man standing next to her, and asked, “Leng Jing, what do you think?”
Upon hearing these words, Leng Jing, the nephew of the Clan Leader of the Winter Land’s Leng clan and the prodigy of the clan who came with Linghu Yun Di and Zhong Yue, said, “Zhong Yue, Miss Linghu’s words make sense. For her sake, you should let this matter go.”
Zhong Yue was intimidated by Linghu Yun Di’s strength and background. As such, he only scoffed and did not say anything else. He only looked at Duan Ling Tian and the others with a dark expression before he turned around and left.
Upon seeing this, Leng Jing hurried after Zhong Yue.
On the other hand, Linghu Yun Di looked at Hu Fei Yan and said with a smile, “Deputy Commander Hu, please don’t forget your promise to me.”
Without waiting for Hu Fei Yan’s reply, Linghu Yun Di turned around and left. However, before she left, her eyes lingered on Duan Ling Tian briefly.
“This…”
At this time, apart from Duan Ling Tian and the others, only the disheveled middle-aged man, the only survivor of the Yuan Organization, was left. His expression was extremely grim at this moment. He did not expect this outcome at all. After he regained his senses, he hastily chased after Zhong Yue. If he stayed any longer, he might possibly lose his life.
With this, the matter ended without a fight. However, Duan Ling Tian did not feel at ease. He knew that this was just the calm before the storm. If it were not for Linghu Yun Di’s presence, this matter would not have been resolved so easily. Whether it was the Zhong clan or the Leng clan, they were both powerful forces, and they were not any weaker than the Colossal Heaven Army. Zhong Yue and Leng Jing were both prodigies in their respective clans and were almost as strong as a peerless top advanced Supreme God. They were naturally not intimidated by Hu Fei Yan, let alone an unknown person like him.
‘If Linghu Yun Di weren’t present today, not only Hu Fei Yan, but I’d have to fight as well. After all, we can only save Tan Xiu Teng if we defeat Zhong Yue and Leng Jing…’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself.
‘We’re only nearing the Three Great Sacred Realms, but we’ve already encountered three cultivators who were almost comparable to peerless top advanced Supreme Gods. One of them is even acknowledged to be invincible among those below the realm of peerless top advanced Supreme Gods in the Peaceful Might Realm,’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself. He could not help but feel slightly fearful when he thought about Linghu Yun Di.
Since Linghu Yun Di was widely acknowledged as being invincible among those below the realm of peerless advanced Supreme God in the Peaceful Might Realm, she was undoubtedly powerful. As such, Duan Ling Tian was not very sure if he could defeat her even if he went all out and asked for help from the World Cleansing Divine Water and the Divine Tree of Life. Perhaps, they would fight to a draw at most. There was even a possibility that he might be at a slight disadvantage. After all, he had not comprehended any of his laws to the perfect form. His strength mostly came from his Sword Dao.
‘Considering how powerful Linghu Yun Di is, I’m afraid she doesn’t just have a profound comprehension of the law. It’s likely that she has other means as well. There’s also a possibility that she has a profound comprehension of one of the Four Daos of Heaven and Earth as well,’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself solemnly.
At this time, Tan Xiu Teng was finally able to heave a sigh of relief after Zhong Yue and the others left. Then, he hurriedly thanked Duan Ling Tian and Hu Fei Yan who had saved his life again before he said, “Young master, Deputy Commander Hu, the Young Master of the Zhong clan left because he’s afraid of Miss Linghu. However, it’s certain that he hasn’t let this matter go. Why don’t we take a detour after this? I’ll pilot the flying ship. With that, both of you can cultivate or rest with ease.”
Needless to say, this suggestion was not only for Duan Ling Tian and Hu Fei Yan’s benefit, but it was also for Tan Xiu Teng’s benefit. He knew that if Zhong Yue returned after Linghu Yun Di left, Zhong Yue might not do anything to Duan Ling Tian and Hu Fei Yan since Zhong Yue was afraid of their formidable backgrounds, but Zhong Yue definitely would not have any qualms about killing him.
Hu Fei Yan agreed to Tan Xiu Teng’s suggestion, and Duan Ling Tian had no objection as well. It did not matter that they had to take a detour since it would only take a little longer for them to reach their destination.
After boarding the flying ship, instead of going straight, the flying ship took a turn to the side.
At this time, even Duan Ling Tian and Hu Fei Yan were unaware that the disheveled middle-aged man from earlier was tailing them from a distance.
…
Meanwhile, Leng Jing looked at Linghu Yun Di, who was standing nearby, and asked skeptically, “Miss Linghu, why are you so courteous to Hu Fei Yan? The Colossal Heaven Army is nothing in front of the Linghu clan, right?”
Based on what Leng Jing knew, not only did the Linghu clan have an imminent World Supreme Powerhouse, but the Linghu clan also had supreme powerhouses who were not any weaker than Hu Bu Gui, the Commander of the Colossal Heaven Army. With that, the Colossal Heaven Army was indeed nothing compared to the Linghu clan.
“Didn’t I say it earlier? An elder of mine is acquainted with the Commander of the Colossal Heaven Army,” Linghu Yun Di said with a hint of impatience.
After sensing Linghu Yun Di’s impatience, although Leng Jing was curious, he no longer asked any more questions about this matter. However, he said to Zhong Yue through Voice Transmission, “Zhong Yue, after we part ways with Linghu Yun Di, I’ll accompany you to find those three and avenge your junior brother. Even if you can’t kill Hu Fei Yan, we can’t let that young man’s subordinate live. After all, he killed your junior brother. However, before we do that, I suggest you ask for help from the Zhong clan as well. Tell the clan to send helpers. They have to at least be on par with us in terms of strength. Based on how courteous Hu Fei Yan was, that young man is definitely not any weaker than Hu Fei Yan. We might not be able to win them if it’s just the two of us.”
Zhong Yue’s expression did not change as he listened to Leng Jing’s words. Only a hint of icy killing intent could be seen in the depths of his eyes as he replied tonelessly through Voice Transmission, “That’s my thoughts as well…”