Zhang Lingxiao Kills Two People
Soon, members of the three great families flooded into the Zhang Family courtyard, surrounding it completely—inside and out.
However, aside from their leaders—Long Qingyun, Lord Li, and Lord Ma—most of them were merely at the Qi Martial Realm.
Zhang Lingxiao sneered inwardly at the sight.
He had long anticipated this situation and was fully confident in handling it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have returned so openly to the Zhang Family, exposing himself to everyone.
What surprised him, however, was that Long Springtooth and Ma Yinger, who had shared life-and-death experiences with him in the Ancient Tomb Space, were nowhere to be seen.
"Nephew Zhang Lingxiao, I heard you've returned from the Ancient Tomb Space. This City Lord has personally come to congratulate you!" Long Qingyun laughed heartily, appearing to be in high spirits.
"Indeed, Nephew Zhang Lingxiao. The moment we heard the news, we rushed here without delay!" Lord Li added, though a trace of greed flickered in his eyes.
"Nephew, congratulations," Lord Ma said more slowly. "Yinger thought you had perished and cried for days before returning to her sect. I've already sent word to her that you are alive—she should be on her way back."
Zhang Lingxiao carefully weighed their words, a cold smile forming on his lips.
Zhang Yunfeng's expression darkened as well. His sworn brother—the head of the Ma Family—had actually chosen to stand with the City Lord's Mansion and the Li Family.
Sensing Zhang Yunfeng's gaze, Lord Ma's expression stiffened slightly.
As expected… in the face of profit, even brothers could turn against one another.
"Nephew Zhang Lingxiao," Long Qingyun said with a smile, "you must have obtained a great inheritance and countless heavenly treasures during this trip, correct?"
"Yes, yes—why not take them out and share them with everyone?" Lord Li eagerly chimed in.
Only Lord Ma remained silent.
"That's right," Zhang Lingxiao said calmly. "I did gain quite a few benefits."
Long Qingyun's eyes gleamed. "Since that's the case, hand them over and share them among our three families. We all suffered heavy losses and are in urgent need of resources."
"Our families have been eagerly awaiting your return," Lord Li added. "Let's divide everything equally. We won't take more than our share of the Zhang Family's portion."
At those words, anger surged within Zhang Yunfeng.
These resources were obtained by his son risking his life—why should they be handed over to these opportunistic vultures?
Sensing his father's rising fury, Zhang Lingxiao gently calmed him before stepping forward.
"I did gain benefits in the Ancient Tomb Space," he said indifferently, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "But what does that have to do with you?"
"And your losses—what do they have to do with my Zhang Family?"
"Long City Lord, Lord Li—I suggest you leave."
"The things you want… I, Zhang Lingxiao, will not give them to you."
His tone was calm, yet filled with unmistakable dominance.
At present, he had already stepped into the Third Layer of the Lingwu Realm. Aside from Long Qingyun—who stood at the Xuanwu Realm—and his mysterious father, he feared no one present.
Moreover, based on Gu Yue Ningbing's earlier analysis, even Long Qingyun would be insignificant before his father's true strength.
"Zhang Lingxiao! How dare you speak to an elder like that?" Long Qingyun's expression darkened. He turned to Zhang Yunfeng. "Zhang Family Head, your son is ignorant. As his father, you should discipline him."
Zhang Yunfeng snorted coldly. "My son's words represent my will. He can decide for himself."
At this, Long Qingyun's expression turned completely cold.
"Zhang Yunfeng, since you refuse a toast, you'll be forced to drink a forfeit!"
"Lord Li, Lord Ma—capture that boy!"
The moment his voice fell, Long Qingyun released the full pressure of the Xuanwu Realm, bearing down on Zhang Yunfeng.
He intended to suppress Zhang Yunfeng while the other two captured Zhang Lingxiao.
Zhang Yunfeng remained unmoved, standing firm against the pressure.
Long Qingyun assumed he was merely putting on a brave front.
Meanwhile, Lord Li made his move.
In his eyes, Zhang Lingxiao was nothing more than a junior—no match for a seasoned expert like himself.
But the moment he attacked—
Zhang Lingxiao moved.
Boom!
With a single punch, he mobilized the spiritual qi within his body and unleashed the Primordial Sky-Shattering Fist.
It was his first time using the technique, yet its terrifying power erupted instantly.
The strike alone consumed nearly one-fifth of his spiritual qi.
"Ah!"
Lord Li's eyes widened in horror as he was blasted backward, crashing into the crowd behind him.
"Pfft!"
Blood sprayed from his mouth as his internal organs churned violently.
"How… how is this possible?!"
"You're actually at the Third Layer of the Lingwu Realm?!"
His voice trembled with disbelief.
Even if Zhang Lingxiao had reached that level, Lord Li himself was at the Sixth Layer of the Lingwu Realm—yet he had been defeated in a single blow!
Long Qingyun's pupils shrank.
Not only was Zhang Lingxiao's cultivation shocking, but his combat power was monstrous.
To heavily injure someone three layers above him in one strike—such talent was unheard of.
"Lord Ma! What are you waiting for? Move!" Long Qingyun barked.
Lord Ma stepped forward—but his face was filled with struggle.
Zhang Lingxiao's gaze locked onto him.
Lord Ma was at the Eighth Layer of the Lingwu Realm, stronger than Zhang Yunfeng's apparent strength.
"No… I can't do this!"
Suddenly, Lord Ma roared.
Then, instead of attacking Zhang Lingxiao, he turned and charged straight at Long Qingyun.
Long Qingyun's eyes turned icy, killing intent surging.
With a flick of his sword—
Swish!
A streak of sword light flashed.
Before Lord Ma could react, a searing pain exploded through his body.
His arm fell to the ground.
"AHHH—!"
Blood gushed from the severed limb as he collapsed, screaming in agony.
"Brother Ma!"
Zhang Yunfeng's eyes burned with rage.
"Old bastard! I'll make sure you die without a burial place!"
His aura erupted instantly—
Xuanwu Realm!
In a flash, he appeared before Long Qingyun and struck out with a palm.
Long Qingyun hurriedly countered—but he was too slow.
Boom!
He was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth.
"Ah!"
"Zhang Yunfeng… you hid your cultivation! You're also in the Xuanwu Realm!"
Clutching his chest, Long Qingyun's face turned pale.
Zhang Yunfeng's strike had nearly crippled him.
"Long Qingyun," Zhang Yunfeng sneered, "are you the only one allowed to break through to the Xuanwu Realm?"
Zhang Lingxiao watched from the side, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Xuanwu Realm?
Father… you're still hiding your true strength.
"Zhang Family Head… I admit defeat," Long Qingyun said with difficulty. "Let's pretend this never happened."
"Heh… you think that's possible?"
Zhang Lingxiao stepped forward, eyes cold.
The Tianji Sword appeared in his hand.
With a single swing—
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Two streaks of sword light flashed through the air.
The next moment—
Long Qingyun and Lord Li's heads flew into the sky.