Wu Tianfeng nearly buckled under the pressure emitted by the patriarchs. Feeling an unusual presence he ran out to join Wu Tianmo to greet these unexpected guests.
Wu Tianmo smiled, waving his hand to cover Tianfeng, protecting him from the divine sense of the other patriarchs.
Chen Baoliang grit his teeth,
"A competition of divine sense? Young one you're 1000 years too inexperienced!"
His Divine Sense fell like Mt. Taishan falling upon both Wu Tianmo and Wu Tianfeng. The green serpent felt the unexpected waves of pressure and uncoiled from around Wu Tianmo's forearm. It looked up, seemingly unfazed by the pressure and grew in size.
Now fully grown it opened its giant maw, a vortex of swirling Divine Sense started to be devoured.
Chen Baoliang eyelid's twitched, he couldn't believe his eyes, and before he knew it he stumbled backwards coughing blood.
Internal Injury?! From this serpent....
The air fell deathly silent.
Chen Baoliang looked at the serpent with killing intent, releasing a few 2nd tier puppets preparing to get revenge.
"You dare?!--"
Zhang Guowei let out a roar filled with his refined qi,
"Enough!"
Everyone stumbled back a few feet, and Wu Tianfeng was even blasted into a nearby weapon rack.
Zhang Guowei looked at Wu Tianmo,
"The rumors must be true."
Wu Tianmo nodded,
"There are better ways to confirm it."
Zhang Guowei sneered,
"You're not in a position to criticize. Should I have jumped into your estate slaying your beast as a show of my prowess as well?"
Wu Tianmo's hand gripped his blackwood sword hilt tightly,
"Tsk..."
Zhang Guowei crossed his arms while looking down at Wu Tianmo,
"You intruded on the slaughter festival, do you understand the implications of your actions?"
Wu Tianmo stood, answering a question with a question,
"It was unavoidable. Was I to watch my own family member die?"
The patriarchs looked at Wu Tianfeng with interest.
Zhang Guowei looked him up and down,
That frosted hair.... he's even a cultivator. The Wu Clan isn't as desolate as they appear.
"I see, your clan must be known for it's snow-colored hair."
He let out a deep sigh and fixed his gaze back on Wu Tianmo,
"Doesn't matter. Heimu Village isn't your place to run wild."
His murderous intent leaked out and he took a single step forward,
"I looked past the incident with my son as he was in the wrong."
He took a second step a wave of aura pulsing with his step,
"I tolerated you building your own clan as a mere Body Refining Cultivator."
He took a third step now only a few feet from Wu Tianmo,
"Then you run wild in the town? The slaughter festival hosted by the Black Tower is important. We're a frontier town and we need what they provide to explore. Would you prefer to send your own to die in the woods?!"
He released his aura, weighing down upon Wu Tianmo, suddenly the serpent coiled around Wu Tianmo defending him, letting out a loud hiss,
Zhang Guowei's gaze lingered briefly on the serpent, his expression hardening.
"Tsk."
He retracted his aura before ending up like Chen Baoliang. Just as he was about to draw his saber Liu Changfeng walked forward,
"Let's all take a moment... Brother Guowei, the village has gained another powerful ally with Patriarch Wu's breakthrough."
He looked at Wu Tianmo,
"While there was a better way to go about things.... I can't say I would have acted different if it was my clan member. The Black Tower, while important, isn't known for their temperament with slaves."
Zhang Guowei looked back at Liu Changfeng and then at Wu Tianmo,
"Patriarch Liu speaks true, it is good that you're stronger."
He chuckled and let out a sigh,
"You can show your worth at the front line against the beast tide."
Chen Baoliang took a step forward,
"Village Leader! How can he get away wi--"
Zhang Guowei looked back at him, his eyes like daggers,
"Did I ask for your opinion?"
He looked at him disappointedly,
"Injured by a Junior, tsk.."
Chen Baoliang looked down not daring to speak again.
Zhang Guowei looked back at Wu Tianmo.
"I will look past these transgressions as there were reasons for both. Restrain yourself in the future and prepare compensation for the Black Tower."
He released his peak Meridian Opening Realm aura and then turned around,
"Or I will return to see the true extent of your abilities."
He launched from the wall of the estate back towards the town. He understood why Wu Tianmo did what he did, however, the Black Tower wouldn't let this go without compensation.
The Zhang clan being the leaders would have to tackle this issue head on.
Chen Baoliang sneered, then turned away and took his leave. The green serpent hissed and returned to his comfortable spot on Wu Tianmo's forearm.
Why does little green feel heavier?
Liu Changfeng walked towards Wu Tianmo with a big smile,
"Brother Tianmo, It's good to see you stronger. Brother Guowei is a good person, don't let his attitude tonight change your opinion of him."
Wu Tianmo ignored his last statement, looked at Wu Tianfeng and waved him over,
"Tianfeng, greet the Liu Patriarch"
He braced himself with the partially broken weapon rack, after rising to his feet he clasped his hands towards the Liu Patriarch,
"Junior Tianfeng greets the Liu Patriarch"
Liu Changfeng nodded towards him,
"It seems the Wu Clan will have multiple pillars in the future."
Wu Tianmo smiled, he appreciated Liu Changfeng who always stood up for their clan. Even when they were nothing more than dust to the others.
Liu Changfeng looked at Wu Tianfeng anxiously.
Wu Tianmo looked at Wu Tianfeng,
"Tianfeng, why don't you give us a moment."
He nodded, gave a bow and retreated back to his courtyard, yet still close enough to return quickly if a battle broke out.
"Patriarch Liu, is there something that you need?"
He laughed nervously,
"Oh Patriarch Wu, it seems my niece has become quite fond of your Wu Family. I didn't see it myself, but she wouldn't stop talking about Tianfengs prowess on the festival's battlefield. Despite only being a mid stage Body Reforging Cultivator he took down many peak tier one demonic beasts!"
Wu Tianmo chuckled,
"Your niece has good taste! Tianfeng is quite the warrior. I expect him to become a Meridian Opening Realm cultivator within five years."
Liu Changfeng looked at him puzzled,
"Five years? That's... quite quick."
Wu Tianmo sighed and looked towards Tianfeng's courtyard,
"Tianfeng's talent is only slightly less than my own, it won't be long before he joins us at this level. This land, is one with many opportunities after all."
A bead of sweat dripped down Liu Changfeng's neck,
Another Meridian Opening Realm for the Wu Clan?! The Liu Clan had already fallen behind them after that serpent appeared. Now there is another factor...
Wu Tianmo could sense his nervous demeanor,
"Patriarch Liu, I will never forget about the help you've given our clan. Is Liu Qinglan married?"
Liu Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief then shook his head,
"She is not, she has been... busy cultivating."
Wu Tianmo smiled,
"Wonderful, Tianfeng isn't married either. let's formalize an alliance through marriage."