Chapter 595: Confrontation!

"Luosen, I am already aware of the situation."

As the three continued to argue, an aged voice sounded from deep within the courtyard.

Hearing this voice, Luosen and the two Nine-Star Douhuang experts immediately fell silent. They bowed respectfully toward the inner courtyard.

In a small stone pavilion at the back of the courtyard, four elderly men were seated together.

The one who had just spoken to Luosen and the others wore blue robes. His face was broad and carried an innate air of authority—clearly someone accustomed to a high position. Among the four, his aura was also the strongest.

"Brother Luo Cheng, it seems the president of the Mercenary Guild has come this time to cause trouble for your Luo family," said one of the four, a white-robed elder. His cultivation was the lowest among them, at the peak of One-Star Dou Ancestor. Hearing that the president had arrived, he appeared quite lacking in confidence.

"What is there to fear? The strongest vice president in the Mercenary Guild is only said to be at the peak of Four-Star Dou Ancestor. Brother Luo Cheng has already reached Five-Star Dou Ancestor. With the three of us here as well, what is there to fear from this president coming alone?" The other two elders spoke in unison, both showing a touch of arrogance.

These two were brothers, known as the Han Elders. Both were at mid Two-Star Dou Ancestor, but together, they could withstand a Three-Star Dou Ancestor expert. Within a thousand miles of Tianya City, they were rather famous.

"The Han Elders are right. With the three of you here, how could our Tianya City possibly fear the Mercenary Guild?" Luo Cheng nodded in agreement after they spoke.

"Come, let’s go meet this so-called president of the Mercenary Guild."

After speaking, Luo Cheng rose and swiftly headed for the city gate. The other three quickly followed.

...

On Liu Ling’s side, he waited leisurely atop the city wall for seven or eight minutes. Suddenly, the sound of rushing wind echoed from the sky inside the city.

Soon, four figures appeared in Liu Ling’s line of sight.

"It seems the rumors are true—the president of the Mercenary Guild is really just a young brat!" Seeing Liu Ling calmly drinking tea atop the wall, the Han Elders felt a flash of disdain.

Luo Cheng thought much the same.

However, the white-robed elder had different thoughts. Seeing Liu Ling, he realized that someone so young holding this position could only mean he was either very strong or had the backing of a powerful force.

"This time, I, Xu Tao, was invited to come. I hope I don’t bring disaster upon myself," the white-robed elder muttered in his heart. He was already prepared: if things went wrong, he would immediately withdraw from Tianya City or defect to the Mercenary Guild.

"So, you are the president of the Mercenary Guild?" Luo Cheng looked down at Liu Ling, his face full of pride.

"I am."

Facing Luo Cheng’s question, Liu Ling smiled and nodded lightly.

"Luo Cheng, I heard you don't allow the Mercenary Guild to appear within a thousand miles of your Tianya City. Are we blocking your interests?"

"Interests? Ridiculous. Even if the Mercenary Guild sets up a branch here, how could you compare to my Tianya City?" Luo Cheng sneered, "Young man, being too aggressive will only lead to ruin. Some places are beyond your reach. If I say the Mercenary Guild can’t come in, you will not be allowed to set up a branch here!"

Luo Cheng’s words left his attitude perfectly clear—he was determined to stand against the Mercenary Guild.

"Luo Cheng, you seem very confident in your Luo family. Are you aware that our Mercenary Guild has ten Dou Ancestor experts? What makes you so sure of yourself?" Liu Ling asked, his tone full of doubt.

"Ten Dou Ancestors? How could that be? Your Mercenary Guild hasn’t even been established for long. It’s impossible for you to have that kind of strength!"

Hearing Liu Ling’s claim, Luo Cheng’s first reaction was disbelief. What Liu Ling said was true, but due to distance and time, news of the Mercenary Guild’s true strength had not reached this region. Luo Cheng had underestimated them because he thought the branch president was only at the level of an Eight-Star Douhuang.

"Brother Luo Cheng, there’s no need to waste words with him. If you capture this president of the Mercenary Guild, what do you think will happen back at their headquarters? Ha!" The Han Elders spoke up excitedly.

"Heh, Luo Cheng, believe it or not—since I am here and your attitude is clear, your chance is gone!"

As the Han Elders finished speaking, Liu Ling’s tone turned cold.

He slowly stood up, his aura surging outward.

When Liu Ling revealed his cultivation, the previously arrogant Han Elders' faces changed dramatically.

"This aura… it's even stronger than Brother Luo Cheng’s! How is that possible?" the Han Elders exclaimed in unison.

"Six-Star Dou Ancestor peak... This brat is actually a Six-Star Dou Ancestor!" Luo Cheng sensed Liu Ling’s true cultivation and was utterly shocked.

"It seems I was right—the Mercenary Guild’s vice president is already a Four-Star Dou Ancestor at peak. How could the president be any weaker?" Xu Tao, the white-robed elder, thought to himself. He was grateful he hadn’t offended Liu Ling earlier.

"Please, calm your anger. If we’ve offended you just now, it was all a misunderstanding..." Luo Cheng’s words were anxious as he tried to salvage the situation.

Liu Ling only revealed a faintly mocking smile. He spoke calmly, "Regret now? Too late!"

After he spoke, Liu Ling’s hand swiftly formed several mysterious hand seals. As the seals took shape, a torrent of Dou Qi energy gathered in his palm, radiating an intense heat.

In moments, as Liu Ling finished forming the seals, a fiery red vermilion bird, ten zhang across, shot toward Luo Cheng.

Seeing the powerful energy radiating from the vermilion bird, Luo Cheng’s expression changed drastically. He was certain he could not withstand such an attack.

"Retreat!"

Luo Cheng shouted, retreating rapidly while thrusting out a massive palm strike, five zhang wide, to try to block the vermilion bird’s assault.

(End of this chapter)

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