"Lu Dachong!"
That Elder Liu let out a gasp of shock when he saw Lu Dachong.
One must know, the White Tiger Gang was also a first-rate force in the Central Continent. In terms of strength, they were not the slightest bit inferior to the Tianxuan Sect.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
Soon, a large group of White Tiger Gang members arrived, following closely behind Lu Dachong. They landed on the scene, surrounding the Tianxuan Sect men on all sides.
"Hmph! Liu Jiang, since you recognize me, why haven't you scrammed yet? Must I take action myself?"
Lu Dachong shot a glare at Elder Liu and barked.
"Gang Leader Lu, this Master Liuyun has captured Young Master Zhou Sheng of our Tianxuan Sect. This is the gravest possible provocation against our Tianxuan Sect. Our sect will not let this matter go lightly. Otherwise, how could we continue to establish ourselves in the Central Continent in the future? Moreover, Young Master Zhou Sheng is still in his hands. We must rescue him!"
Elder Liu spoke despite his fear.
"Hmph! I don't care about some goddamn Young Master Zhou Sheng! In any case, as long as I'm here, don't you dare lay a single finger on Master Liuyun!"
Lu Dachong sneered.
"You refuse to leave? Fine, don't blame me for being rude!"
Lu Dachong strode toward Elder Liu.
"Gang Leader Lu, you are pushing us too far!"
Utterly shocked and enraged, Elder Liu quickly activated his movement technique and retreated at extreme speed.
Lu Dachong was a Grotto-Heaven Realm expert. How would he dare to engage Lu Dachong in combat?
"I'm stronger than you, so I'll bully you if I want. What can you do about it?!"
Lu Dachong laughed heartily.
Lu Dachong had an extremely volatile temper. Under normal circumstances, he was not accustomed to reasoning with people.
"Lu Dachong, what's the point of picking on someone weaker than you like this?!"
Suddenly, a furious roar rang out.
Then, a figure exuding an astonishing aura of spiritual pressure appeared in the distance, crossing the sky and landing instantly between Lu Dachong and Elder Liu.
This was a tall, slender middle-aged man. He wore a Taoist robe and held a fly-whisk in his hand, looking every bit the part of a Taoist priest.
"Zhou Tianming!"
Lu Dachong's eyes narrowed.
This middle-aged man before them was none other than Zhou Tianming, the leader of the Tianxuan Sect. He was also a First-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm expert, on par with Lu Dachong.
"Lu Dachong, when did our Tianxuan Sect ever provoke you? Why did you make a move against our men?!"
Zhou Tianming's furious gaze fixed on Lu Dachong as he demanded an answer.
"Your Tianxuan Sect men haven't provoked me. But they did provoke Master Liuyun. Provoking Master Liuyun is the same as provoking me, Lu Dachong."
Lu Dachong replied with a cold laugh.
"Lu Dachong, for the sake of a mere First-Grade Treasure Pill Master, are you willing to rip up all pretense of cordiality with our Tianxuan Sect? Lu Dachong, I imagine your purpose for coming to Alchemy City to attend the Alchemy Competition Conference this time is also to acquaint yourself with some high-level alchemists.
How about this: if you stop involving yourself with this Master Liuyun, I can introduce you to a Second-Grade Treasure Pill Master. My daughter married the grandson of the Sixth Elder of the Alchemy Tower. Introducing a few master alchemists to you is very easy. What do you say?"
Zhou Tianming stated.
Upon hearing Zhou Tianming's words, Lu Dachong couldn't help but hesitate. To be honest, Zhou Tianming's proposal was very tempting. Making the acquaintance of a Second-Grade Treasure Pill Master would be of immense benefit to the development of the White Tiger Gang.
"Gang Leader, this is an opportunity," a white-haired elder from the White Tiger Gang camp stepped forward and whispered to Lu Dachong.
This white-haired elder was a long-standing Elder of the White Tiger Gang.
"Lu Dachong, such a chance is rare," Zhou Tianming said.
"This Master Liuyun has not only provoked our Tianxuan Sect but also captured my son. It is impossible for our Tianxuan Sect to let him off. Your White Tiger Gang has no need to get dragged into this."
Zhou Tianming pointed at Ye Yunfei as he continued.
Ye Yunfei stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm and composed. He watched coldly from the side as if the matter had nothing to do with him.
With his current strength, facing a First-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm expert did not exert much pressure on him. Even if he couldn't win, it wouldn't be the least bit difficult to retreat unscathed.
Feng Yun Jue had already returned to Ye Yunfei's side, standing quietly with his hands at his sides.
"So that's it! Master Liuyun captured the Tianxuan Sect Leader's son! No wonder the Tianxuan Sect men came after him!"
The surrounding onlookers all came to a sudden realization.
By now, more and more people had gathered to watch, forming several packed layers around the scene. Their gazes were all fixed on Lu Dachong, watching to see what choice he would make.
Everyone understood that Lu Dachong's choice would determine Master Liuyun's fate.
If Lu Dachong chose to abandon Master Liuyun, then Master Liuyun would undoubtedly fall into the hands of the Tianxuan Sect and meet a miserable end.
Zhou Tianming was a Grotto-Heaven Realm expert! Even if he grew wings, Master Liuyun could not escape!
"Gang Leader, there's no need to think any further. This opportunity is too rare," the white-haired elder whispered again.
"No! Master Liuyun has shown me great kindness! I, Lu Dachong, am not an ungrateful or unrighteous person. I cannot abandon him! Zhou Tianming, with me here today, you cannot lay a finger on Master Liuyun!"
Lu Dachong suddenly gritted his teeth, made a decision, and announced loudly.
"This guy is quite interesting."
Ye Yunfei smiled slightly, feeling a flicker of gratitude.
"Gang Leader…"
The white-haired elder grew anxious.
"Don't say another word. My mind is made up."
Lu Dachong shot a glare at the white-haired elder.
"Lu Dachong! Are you truly determined to involve yourself in this matter?!"
Zhou Tianming roared furiously.
"That's right! I'm determined!"
Lu Dachong answered.
"You…!"
Zhou Tianming was enraged to the extreme.
"Brat! I advise you to release my son immediately! Otherwise, I guarantee you won't leave Alchemy City alive!"
Zhou Tianming turned his icy gaze toward Ye Yunfei and said coldly.
"I have a particular trait: I yield to persuasion, but not to coercion. If you threaten me like this, I won't release Zhou Sheng."
Ye Yunfei smiled faintly.
"Brat, you're asking for death!"
Zhou Tianming roared in rage. Rolling waves of spiritual pressure poured out from his body, sweeping toward Ye Yunfei like a hurricane.
Lu Dachong took a step forward, placing himself in front of Ye Yunfei. Instantly, he completely neutralized all the spiritual pressure released by Zhou Tianming.
"Lu Dachong!"
Zhou Tianming's eyes turned crimson, his body's fury seeming to materialize as it billowed upward.
"Fine! You just wait! Lu Dachong, your actions today will bring calamity and ruin upon the White Tiger Gang!
And you, brat! If I don't kill you, I, Zhou Tianming, swear I'm not human!"
Zhou Tianming spoke through clenched teeth, enunciating each word.
"Ha ha! Zhou Tianming, bring it on, then! Cut the crap and just show me whatever tricks you've got!"
Lu Dachong laughed uproariously.
His temperament had always been fearless and defiant. He wouldn't be frightened by mere threats from Zhou Tianming.
However, the white-haired elder from the White Tiger Gang showed a look of concern on his face.
He knew that although the White Tiger Gang's strength was not inferior to the Tianxuan Sect's... this was Alchemy City! Zhou Tianming's daughter had married the grandson of the Alchemy Tower's Sixth Elder. Once Zhou Tianming leveraged this connection, the White Tiger Gang would likely be in grave trouble.
"Gang Leader, I'm afraid you've brought about a huge disaster this time!"
The white-haired elder thought of this and couldn't help but stomp his feet anxiously.