We're done for!
We're definitely dead this time!
When Horse King saw Jin Lie arrive with Ding Da in tow, he knew this was no mere scare tactic from the Jinwu Li Clan.
What to do?
Horse King didn't know what to do either.
He was utterly panicked.
And at that moment.
A figure flashed into view beside the Firecloud Grand Chariot — it was Qiānlíng.
Immediately after, the dozen or so people from the Xiaoluo Secret Realm rushed over as well.
Following them.
Xuán Xīn and Liúlí also emerged from the manor.
Qiānlíng's arrival brought no glimmer of hope to Horse King.
He had clung to a sliver of hope earlier, thinking that since Young Master Xuán Yún was here — a scion of the Lotus Secret Realm and a celebrated genius of the Dual-Pole Heavenly Domain hailed as the Immortal Prodigy of the past ten thousand years — his presence might count for something.
Despite cultivating for only a few decades, Xuán Yún had already reached the pinnacle of the Ninth Heaven as a Great White Golden Immortal, earning significant fame in the Dual-Pole Heavenly Domain and standing as a leader among the younger generation.
Horse King had initially believed that if Young Master Xuán Yún intervened, Jin Lie might give him some face.
But now, with Jin Lie bringing over ten young masters from the Jinwu Li Clan, over a hundred immortals from the Jinwu Secret Realm, and even Ding Da, it was clear they had come fully prepared.
Forget whether Xuán Yún would even step forward; even if he were willing, he would have to consider a serious question: was it worth antagonizing the Jinwu Li Clan over the Xiaoluo Secret Realm?
Just as Horse King was trembling with fear, an urgent voice rang out.
"What's going on?
Why are there so many people outside?"
Qiānniǎo, having apparently heard the commotion outside, stopped tempering her Blue Moon Sword and rushed out from the quiet room. Seeing over a hundred people gathered outside, she couldn't help but jump in fright.
"They're all from the Jinwu Li Clan!"
"What!
They're all from the Jinwu Li Clan?
What are they all doing here?"
Horse King asked from beside her, "Have you already forgotten what happened earlier?"
Ever since Gu Qingfeng returned, Qiānniǎo had been immersed in the staggering joy of the 1.8 billion windfall, especially the Blue Moon Sword he gave her, which she adored more and more the longer she tempered it. Lost in her delight, she had completely forgotten everything else. Only now, hearing Horse King mention the earlier events, did she suddenly remember.
Earlier, that little drunkard not only rammed Jin Lie with this luxurious Firecloud Grand Chariot, but also struck Lǐ Jìngyǎ with a Violet-Gold Heavenly Thunder Talisman.
Back when she had merely struck a mere mortal immortal who tagged along with the Jinwu Li Clan for scraps, the Jinwu Li Clan had relentlessly bullied the Xiaoluo Secret Realm.
Now that little drunkard had struck the noble young lady Lǐ Jìngyǎ of the Jinwu Li Clan and rammed their elder Jin Lie — how could the Jinwu Li Clan possibly let him go?
Heavens!
Looking at the dense, dark crowd outside, Qiānniǎo's delicate face turned deathly pale.
"Qiānniǎo, stay inside. Don't come out."
Qiānlíng didn't turn her head, merely issuing this instruction.
Qiānniǎo nodded, looking around but failing to spot Gu Qingfeng. She whispered, "Where's the little drunkard?
Did he hide?"
Horse King replied, "No, he's sleeping in the bedroom."
"What!
Sleeping?
How can he still be sleeping at a time like this?"
Horse King choked up, expressing deep agreement. "Tell me about it."
Outside the grand chariot.
The dozen or so people from the Xiaoluo Secret Realm all looked extremely tense, gripping their immortal weapons and treasures tightly, their faces alternating between green and white. Some even had cold sweat beading on their foreheads. Although they had all cultivated for many years, each was a Grand Luo Golden Immortal with passable cultivation, they had always practiced in seclusion and never experienced major confrontations. Now, surrounded by over a hundred Grand Luo Golden Immortals, they couldn't help but feel terrified.
However.
Qiānlíng stood straight as a ramrod in front of the grand chariot, her beautiful, cool face as expressionless as usual.
Was she afraid?
No.
At least.
From Qiānlíng's face and eyes, one could see no trace of fear, not even nervousness.
The only thing present was confusion.
Yes.
Confusion.
She had long anticipated that the Jinwu Li Clan would not let matters rest. For this, her heart had long been prepared, even for the worst-case scenario.
The only thing she couldn't figure out was Gu Qingfeng.
She knew Gu Qingfeng was no ordinary individual, absolutely not a common mortal. Ever since she guessed that Gu Qingfeng was the senior who had wandered the Great Wilderness and pointed her toward comprehending the true essence of the Mysterious Heaven Myriad Sword Art, she had known. And yesterday, when Gu Qingfeng personally admitted it, Qiānlíng became even more certain of her guess.
She could also see that Gu Qingfeng simply did not fear the Jinwu Li Clan; it seemed more like he was looking for amusement.
But what she couldn't understand was: what exactly was Gu Qingfeng relying on?
Even if this fellow was some senior expert in the past, that was only the past. Now, his cultivation was completely lost, and he possessed no cultivation attainments whatsoever in his entire body. Why did he still dare to act so recklessly and fearlessly?
Could it be because of his strange, incredibly tough physical body?
As for how tough Gu Qingfeng's strange body really was, Qiānlíng didn't know either. She hadn't tested it, only knew that Qiānniǎo had exhausted herself trying without budging it an inch.
In Qiānlíng's estimation, Gu Qingfeng's body might be strange, but it was still flesh and blood. No matter how tough, there had to be limits. Facing a true expert, it would likely be utterly useless.
What exactly was he relying on?
What was his backing?
Ever since parting with Gu Qingfeng yesterday, Qiānlíng had been pondering this question, but even now she hadn't figured it out.
"Where is that lowly nouveau riche!"
Lǐ Jìngyǎ rushed out from the grand chariot. Yesterday, struck unexpectedly by Gu Qingfeng's Heavenly Thunder Talisman, she had suffered greatly. Although her immortal armor protected her immortal spirit from harm, her physical body had been severely blasted. Not only had she lost a lot of hair, but long cracks had also been torn in her skin.
Now, wearing a rather opulent-looking hat to cover her thinned hair, she flew over on her sword, leading the charge.
"Lady Jìngyǎ, please don't act rashly."
Xuán Yún stepped forward, blocking the charging Lǐ Jìngyǎ.
"Young Master Xuán Yún!"
Lǐ Jìngyǎ glared furiously at Xuán Yún and shouted, "I advise you not to meddle in other people's business!"
"Xuán Yún!
Get out of my way!"
Lǐ Tiānhuà also charged over, pointing at Xuán Yún and yelling, "Otherwise, don't blame our Jinwu Li Clan for being impolite to you today!"
Under normal circumstances, Lǐ Tiānhuà wouldn't dare be so brazen in front of Xuán Yún. Although the Jinwu Li Clan was an immortal family with immense influence, the Lotus Secret Realm had been passed down since ancient times. Combined with Xuán Yún's widespread reputation and, most importantly, the fact that Xuán Yún was already a Great White Golden Immortal at such a young age, his strength far surpassed what Lǐ Tiānhuà could match.
However.
Today, with so many members of the Jinwu Li Clan present, Lǐ Tiānhuà's confidence was brimming, and inwardly he felt no fear of Xuán Yún.