Long Feng's face turned livid, cold light flickering in his eyes as he shouted at the two men, "Utter nonsense! Twisting words and forcing logic! Since when did Cloud Peak Mountain forbid those at the Golden Immortal Realm and below from entering? So long as one obtained a spot through legitimate means and by one's own ability, one was qualified to enter! I think you two have no respect for your elders and no regard for clan rules! Get yourselves outside the Punishment Hall and kneel at once! Once this old man has dealt with the matter at hand, I'll settle the score with you properly! Now! Immediately! This instant!"
Faced with Long Feng's nearly fire-spitting gaze, the two men trembled all over in fright. They did not dare utter another word and immediately fled.
Only after the two had left in a miserable state did Long Feng turn toward Long Wenxue, who stood to the side trembling, her head still lowered as she did not dare look at anyone.
A gentle smile instantly appeared on his face as he said softly, "Wenxue, it's all right now. Don't be afraid. With the Great Elder here, no one will bully you again."
He instinctively reached out, intending to pat her shoulder reassuringly.
Yet just as his hand was about to touch Long Wenxue's shoulder, the girl suddenly shrank her neck and recoiled with her whole body, dodging Long Feng's hand.
She lowered her head even further, her shoulders trembling faintly.
That subtle gesture of resistance made Long Feng's hand freeze directly in midair.
It also caused Jiang Bei, who had been silently observing from the side, to suddenly narrow his eyes.
Long Feng slowly withdrew his hand as though nothing had happened. His tone remained gentle as he said, "All right,