With Feng Xiu's command, the surrounding ability users surged forward in unison.
Qi Lan's eyes turned cold as his ability transformed into a surging river, crashing down with immense force, sending all the approaching cultivators flying dozens of meters away.
*Crack!*
Nearby trees were instantly shattered by the brutal pressure of the water element, offering no resistance.
"I warn you, don't push it," Qi Lan said, setting down his meat and looking coldly at the leading youth. "It's already generous of me not to rob you."
"Heh, you were caught off guard just now and succeeded once, kid. You really think you're someone now?" The youth, wielding a great saber with iron rings, steadied himself, his expression grim as he brushed water droplets from his body. He then looked at Qi Lan and said, "Ever since I was young, only I, Feng Xiu, have robbed others. No one has ever dared to rob me!"
"I have no intention of making enemies with anyone. I only want points. I see you have some strength; hand over your points obediently, and we can be friends in the future."
Qi Lan found this laughable.
"You want to rob my points and be my friend? Have you lost your mind?" Qi Lan's expression was calm as he spoke softly.
"Kid, I'll give you one last chance," Feng Xiu said, gripping his great saber tightly and looking at Qi Lan. "Not just anyone can be a friend of Feng Xiu. You'd better think carefully before you answer me!"
Qi Lan frowned again.
Judging by the man's tone, he seemed to have a significant background. The name Feng Xiu did sound familiar, but who was he?
After thinking for a long time, Qi Lan's left eyelid twitched, and a look of understanding dawned on his face. His gaze toward Feng Xiu then carried a hint of surprise.
Qi Lan sized Feng Xiu up and then asked with a peculiar expression, "So you're Feng Xiu, the son of Domain Lord Feng Tian?"
Feng Xiu hadn't expected Qi Lan to recognize him. He immediately tossed his head back arrogantly and said,
"Indeed, it is I."
"Now, you'll obediently hand over your points, won't you!"
Feng Xiu's expression and tone were extremely arrogant. The others around him didn't find it strange; in fact, they showed looks of envy.
This was because Feng Tian was one of the most powerful independent domain lords in the Hundred Clans Alliance.
And Feng Xiu was Feng Tian's son.
Although his talent was far inferior to Feng Tian's, he was Feng Tian's only son. As a result, Feng Xiu had been spoiled since childhood and was a notorious dandy in the realm of extraordinary cultivation.
"I've long heard that Domain Lord Feng Tian was cursed by the heavens to be without heirs due to cultivating a forbidden art, yet he defied fate and still had offspring."
"However, that offspring has extremely poor talent, is utterly unlearned, and incredibly dissolute, only knowing how to chase after women day in and day out, becoming a laughingstock to the world."
Qi Lan said, sighing,
"I never believed that such a peerless expert could have produced such a degenerate. But after seeing you today, I realize the rumors are all true. It's truly lamentable!"
By the time Qi Lan finished speaking, many people present had changed their expressions. Feng Xiu's face turned incredibly dark. When he finally finished, everyone began to panic, fearing that Feng Xiu's rage would implicate them.
Feng Xiu himself manifested dark brown forbidden patterns, his eyes blood red, as if he wanted to devour someone.
"It's Supreme Feng Tian's forbidden art! Those entangled by the patterns will have their essence blood and abilities drained!"
"Everyone, quickly retreat, lest you be caught in the crossfire!"
The ability users who had come with Feng Xiu, seeing him in this state, immediately retreated several meters in fear, their faces solemn and their stances defensive, even more serious than when facing Qi Lan.
There was no other way. Although Feng Xiu's talent wasn't great, and he wasn't diligent, his father was powerful!
Relying solely on that powerful forbidden technique and a vast supply of heavenly treasures, Feng Xiu's strength was enough to surpass most cultivators. Furthermore, his technique was truly terrifying; they didn't want to end up as dried husks!
"Heaven Devouring Divine Art," Qi Lan's brows subtly lifted. He stood on the river formed by condensed water element, his voice calm. "If someone else used it, I might be a little wary. But if it's you..."
"Haha, let's not talk further. If you want to fight, I'll oblige."
With a meaningful laugh, Feng Xiu's expression twisted with rage. He had already dismembered Qi Lan in his mind countless times, yet he hadn't made a move.
"You're afraid, because you're trying to provoke me."
Feng Xiu glared fiercely at Qi Lan, not charging forward but instead taking two steps back, creating a safe distance. The patterns on his body multiplied.
He was a dandy and unlearned, but that didn't mean he was stupid. Getting angry would lead to recklessness, and recklessness would lead to death. This was one of the few truths he had learned from his father.
The ensuing battle would clearly not be easy. Therefore, he chose to accumulate more ability and bring his state to its peak. After all, there was plenty of time, and with so many people surrounding them, Qi Lan wouldn't be able to escape.
"I didn't expect you to have a bit of sense," Qi Lan's expression turned solemn. It seemed this Feng Xiu was more troublesome than he had imagined.
But it didn't matter. The gap in their raw strength was evident. Feng Xiu would have little way of dealing with him, and if he wanted to leave, these people wouldn't be able to stop him.
They had all underestimated the strength of the Qi family's prodigy.
Qi Lan looked at Feng Xiu, shook his head, and was about to turn and break through the encirclement to leave, not wanting to waste energy here. Unexpectedly, at this moment, Feng Xiu was suddenly kicked down by a lunging figure, his body slamming into a large tree.
*Pfft!*
The flow of the Heaven Devouring Divine Art was forcibly interrupted. Feng Xiu, caught completely off guard, immediately suffered a backlash and spat out a mouthful of thick blood. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Brother Feng!" The surrounding people, seeing this, were about to rush forward, but Feng Xiu waved them off, wiped the blood from his lips, and stood up.
"Kid, I didn't intend to move against you because you could be considered pitiful. But you refused a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. How dare you sneak attack me!" Feng Xiu pointed at Jiang Sheng, who was blocking Qi Lan, and roared angrily.
Liu Hao and the others who had followed Jiang Sheng looked at him in astonishment. They hadn't expected Jiang Sheng, with his battered body, to suddenly erupt and sneak attack Feng Xiu.
But as Feng Xiu said, he had left Jiang Sheng alone all along and had never bullied him. Why did Jiang Sheng suddenly launch a sneak attack?
"My life was given to me by brother Mu Xu. You are brother Mu Xu's friend, so I am repaying this life to you," Jiang Sheng said, looking back at Qi Lan before staring intently at Feng Xiu, his voice heavy. "Hurry and leave. I can't hold them off for much longer."
"Uh, you really didn't have to do this." Qi Lan was also stunned. He hadn't expected someone from the Jiang family to step forward for this reason, risking his life to help him escape.
But the problem was, he wasn't in any danger to begin with. Even though they were numerous, it wouldn't have been difficult for him to break through.
"Loyal indeed, but you might die now." Feng Xiu gripped his great saber and, along with the surrounding people, slowly advanced to surround them, as if about to pounce at any moment.
"Even if you crush your jade slip, even if you are from the Jiang family, once I get out, I, Feng Xiu, will use my power to kill you."
"And you, what is your identity? Dare you tell me?" Feng Xiu asked Qi Lan.
"The Qi family. As for my name, you don't need to know it yet," Qi Lan replied, speaking the two words lightly. He didn't mind causing some trouble for his family.
Upon hearing that Qi Lan was from the Qi family, Jiang Sheng turned to look at him with a strange expression, pursed his lips, but ultimately said nothing.
"The Qi family, the Jiang family. Then the two of you shall die together!" Feng Xiu roared, forbidden patterns climbing onto his great saber, and then he suddenly lunged at Qi Lan and Jiang Sheng.
...
"Go quickly!"
Jiang Sheng clapped his hands, and an incredibly dense golden-yellow ability surged from his body. He was about to resolutely charge towards Feng Xiu.
At this instant, complex emotions flashed through Qi Lan's eyes. He didn't know if he should save Jiang Sheng or not.
If he saved him, he himself might have difficulty escaping and would expend a lot of his energy. Furthermore, Jiang Sheng was from an enemy family, and there was no real bond between them. Delaying future important matters for this would not be worth the cost.
But was he going to abandon someone who was risking his life to help him escape?
Impossibly complex thoughts flashed through his mind. At this moment, Jiang Sheng's right leg had already stepped forward fiercely, his golden-yellow ability shining, heavy and powerful. He seemed to be releasing the last of his ability.
Thus, Qi Lan turned and left.
As he left, he didn't forget to reach out with his right hand and grab Jiang Sheng by the collar of his neck.
...