“Heh, there’s no possibility of reconciliation between me and those two—it’s a fight to the death!” Lin Xiao shook his head with a self-mocking smile. How could he not wish for a resolution with Feng Youyu? But this vendetta, no matter what, could never be settled.
His icy gaze then fixed on Feng Lanyue and Chen Yan, his tone cold and resolute, “Today, it’s either me or them—there’s no room for both!”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an intimidating force.
Once spoken, his words were unquestionable, unchangeable.
“Hmph, Heimu, no matter how great your talent, you’re just one person. You dare cause trouble at my Feng family? Watch me crush you first!” Feng Ziyang roared, unleashing a terrifying Martial King aura, his thick killing intent blanketing the scene.
Initially, he’d held back for the sake of appearances, but now, things had spiraled beyond expectation.
With Heimu’s reputation, even their direct intervention wouldn’t cost the family too much face.
“What, scared out of your wits? He’s not alone! Hahaha!” At that moment, an old man’s hearty laughter echoed from afar.
A figure with wings of condensed vitality soared toward the plaza.
This elder had jet-black hair, a few wrinkles creasing his face, and wore a dark robe. His sturdy frame radiated vigor despite his age.
Most strikingly, as he hovered above the plaza, the vitality wings beneath his feet vanished, leaving him standing midair.
“Martial Venerable!” The younger crowd gasped. Only a Martial Venerable could form vitality wings or briefly linger in the air.
The older generation was even more shocked.
“Yi Xuanfeng, you’re not dead!” Feng Ziyang blurted out, stunned.
Feng Youyu, Chen Wendao, and the other Martial Venerables present shared his astonishment.
Yi Xuanfeng, the Tianxuan Sect Master, represented the pinnacle of power in the Lanlan Empire—no one dared underestimate him.
He’d vanished for over a decade, yet here he was, reappearing today—a monumental event for the empire.
“Sect Master!” Yan Yitian’s mouth fell open in disbelief. After a pause, a cold glint flashed in his eyes as he thought, *Didn’t he succumb to the incinerating poison I planted? How has he recovered?*
“So this is the Sect Master missing for over ten years?” The Tianxuan Sect youths were equally stunned, a surge of unexpected joy rising within them.
With a Martial Venerable at the helm, the sect’s strength would soar.
“Sect Master, you’ve finally returned!” Elder Sun’s face lit with genuine excitement as he exclaimed.
“Welcome back, Sect Master!” an elder called out loudly.
The Tianxuan Sect members echoed in unison, “Welcome back, Sect Master!”
Their voices rolled across the Feng family grounds.
“Hahaha!” Yi Xuanfeng laughed heartily, declaring, “From this day, I reclaim control of the Tianxuan Sect!”
“Sect Master’s might is divine!” The disciples cheered, many visibly thrilled, though Yan Yitian and two inner elders darkened with displeasure.
They’d ruled the sect for over a decade—could it be taken back with a single word?
“Grand Elder, these years without me, I owe much to your stewardship of the sect,” Yi Xuanfeng said, his tone laden with meaning as he looked at the silent Yan Yitian.
“Sect Master, it’s my duty!” Yan Yitian cupped his hands, forcing calm into his voice.
Yi Xuanfeng let out two cold chuckles but said no more.
“Little Yi, long time no see!” Meng Xi’s voice rang out.
Yi Xuanfeng’s mouth twitched. It’d been ages since anyone dared call him that, but seeing who spoke, he softened, smiling, “Heh, Empress Dowager Meng, you’re well, I trust!”
“Congratulations, Brother Yi, on your safe return!” Zhou Moyi offered a greeting.
“Your strength keeps advancing, Brother Zhou,” Yi Xuanfeng nodded with a smile.
“Senior Yi, your power remains as formidable as ever—truly one of the empire’s top figures,” Feng Youyu said with a faint smile.
“The Feng family is indeed a cradle of talent—impressive youth! To reach Martial Venerable at such an age, Family Head Feng!” Yi Xuanfeng replied, his smile not reaching his eyes.
“Just luck,” Feng Youyu returned with a cold laugh.
“Heh, Sect Master Yi’s return is a grand event for the empire, but this matter hardly concerns you, does it?” Chen Wendao sneered.
“How could it not? Lin Xiao is my friend. You old relics want to bully the young—I can’t just stand by!” Yi Xuanfeng’s face hardened as he snapped back.
The crowd’s hearts stirred—when had Lin Xiao connected with Yi Xuanfeng?
“Hmph, Lin Xiao disrupts our families’ wedding—he deserves death. Yi Xuanfeng, meddling here might be unwise,” Chen Wendao’s voice deepened, unafraid of Yi Xuanfeng.
“Exactly. Ruining our wedding, this brat must die. You’ve just returned—do you intend to drag the Tianxuan Sect into bearing the sins of an expelled disciple who hates it? Some Sect Master you are!” Feng Ziyang shot back pointedly, causing the Tianxuan Sect members to frown.
“Hmph, without Brother Lin Xiao, I wouldn’t be standing here today. Say what you will—I’m in this!” Yi Xuanfeng retorted sharply, his stance unyielding.
Feng Ziyang’s face flushed with anger, “Yi Xuanfeng, aren’t you going too far?”
“Indeed, Yi Xuanfeng. Whether the Tianxuan Sect still obeys you aside, even if you alone—or the whole sect—join in, no one can save him!” Chen Wendao’s expression chilled as he roared.
“And what if the Spirit Controller Alliance joins?” At that moment, a middle-aged voice cut in. A refined man in white, exuding unmatched elegance, stepped forward.
It was Ye Fenghua, the Spirit Controller Alliance Leader—a titan of the spirit controller world.
“Ye Fenghua!” Chen Wendao and the families’ experts narrowed their eyes. The Spirit Controller Alliance was backing Lin Xiao?
“Leader Ye, Lin Xiao’s just a guest elder. Isn’t it improper for the alliance to intervene?” Feng Ziyang faltered. Wasn’t Ye Fenghua smitten with their family head? Why side with Lin Xiao now?
Feng Youyu hesitated, unsure if Ye Fenghua’s involvement was a boon or bane, her emotions tangled.
“He’s still part of our alliance. If it’s a fight between juniors and he’s killed, I’d have no complaints. But if elders step in, I, Ye Fenghua, won’t stand for it,” Ye Fenghua said gravely.
“You!” Chen Wendao’s brows shot up in fury. The alliance’s involvement was no small matter—spirit controllers were notoriously tricky in battle, and a full rift would cost them dearly.
But Lin Xiao’s talent was too threatening. Today, they couldn’t let him live, no matter what.
“Hmph, Leader Ye, this kid’s ties to you aren’t that deep, are they? Risking a break with our families over a guest junior—isn’t that a poor trade?” Chen Wendao threatened outright.
His meaning was clear: anyone shielding Lin Xiao was an enemy of the Feng and Chen families.
The alliance members frowned too—the consequences of a rift would be severe.
