Contention

Today, Soaring Dragon City could be said to be at its absolute peak of excitement. A piece of news spread like a bombshell, and major powers rushed towards the eastern suburbs.

"Did you hear? The Liu family is preparing to make a move against the Zhang family. It seems two major families are involved."

"Yeah, I heard some whispers. They say the Liu family has enlisted the Black Eagle Prefecture to act on their behalf."

"Alas, I've long heard of the Liu family's connection to the Black Eagle Prefecture, but I never thought it was true. It seems after tonight, those two families will be wiped from existence."

"..."

The news that the Liu family had brought in the Black Eagle Prefecture to intervene naturally came from Liu Qiang. His objective was simple: to let all the powers in Soaring Dragon City know the consequences of offending the Liu family.

At the same time, he was telling them who the true overlord of Soaring Dragon City was.

Meanwhile, as this news spread throughout Soaring Dragon City, the vast majority of forces that had previously been affiliated with the Zhang family and the two major families chose to remain silent.

Only a small fraction of forces, after weighing their options, headed towards the Zhang family.

They couldn't help it; the Black Eagle Prefecture's reputation preceded it, and they had to consider their own families.

Just as these forces were murmuring amongst themselves, a group of people arrived with imposing momentum from a distance.

"The Liu family is here."

Someone spoke, and the crowd instantly fell silent. All eyes turned to the distance, eager to catch a glimpse of the Black Eagle Prefecture's Elder.

Before long, an elder in green, with a poker face, approached, surrounded by a crowd. Liu Qiang led the way, his expression and demeanor utterly respectful, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

Soon, the group arrived, and the assembled forces greeted them.

"Patriarch Liu."

"..."

It was evident that these forces harbored not only respect but also a great deal of awe in their eyes.

This was precisely the effect Liu Qiang desired. He nodded in acknowledgment, and the group continued towards the Zhang family, with the arriving forces following behind.

At this moment, the Zhang family was on high alert, with everyone standing ready.

"Report..." a disciple scrambled forward, his face filled with terror. "Pa... Patriarch... they... they're here."

"They're here?"

Zhang Jinhua shot up from his seat and glanced to the side.

Sensing Zhang Jinhua's gaze, Yang Kun looked at Qin Jishi, seemingly casually.

Qin Jishi nodded calmly.

Receiving the cue, Yang Kun said with composed ease, "Patriarch Zhang, there's no need to panic. With us here, the Liu family won't be able to cause much trouble."

"Let's go and see."

Yang Kun took the lead, guiding the others out of the main hall.

"You're not going?" Zhang Shiqing asked coldly.

"They can handle it," Qin Jishi said dismissively. "This kind of matter isn't suitable for me."

Zhang Shiqing: "..."

"Come with me!" Ignoring Qin Jishi's willingness or lack thereof, Zhang Shiqing grabbed his arm and forcibly dragged him out of the hall.

She didn't believe the Yang and Zhao families possessed the influence to dare challenge the Black Eagle Prefecture.

Similarly, Zhang Shiqing had witnessed the exchange of glances between Yang Kun and Qin Jishi, which indicated that Yang Kun's actions were all at Qin Jishi's behest.

Zhang Shiqing was curious to see just how deep Qin Jishi's hidden strength ran, to the point where he didn't even regard the Black Eagle Prefecture with importance.

They exited the hall and arrived outside the Zhang family residence. In the distance, a large group was approaching.

"Patriarch Yang, are those people from the Black Eagle Prefecture? Can you discern their cultivation?"

Liu Qiang's respectful demeanor towards Sun Baitan allowed those present to infer the latter's identity.

"I can't see through them!" Yang Kun shook his head, his expression grave. "Even the two individuals behind that elder in green, I can't discern their cultivation."

Hearing this, Zhang Jinhua was greatly alarmed.

Yang Kun was an Earth Fiend Level 3 expert. If even he couldn't see through their cultivation, it could only mean one thing: their cultivation surpassed Yang Kun's.

Gulp~

The Zhang family members also swallowed hard, their faces etched with fear.

Although Yang Kun couldn't see through their cultivation, he wasn't worried at all. With Qin Jishi present, let alone the Black Eagle Prefecture, what about the Liang family?

Under Liu Qiang's guidance, the group soon arrived. A hundred meters away, Sun Baitan halted. His gaze swept over the assembled crowd opposite him, his arrogant expression like that of Yama, the king of the underworld, who held the power of life and death, looking down with contempt and disdain.

"Is that elder in green the big shot from the Black Eagle Prefecture?" Zhao Xiong muttered softly.

"It seems so," Yang Xuan nodded. "Looks like the Liu family has this in the bag."

"Don't speak carelessly," Yang Kun reprimanded in a low voice.

"Oh!" Yang Xuan replied, falling silent.

The scene quieted down as both sides sized each other up, neither speaking.

A moment passed!

Sun Baitan gestured to Liu Qiang, who understood immediately and stepped forward.

"Yang Kun, Zhao Tai, I didn't expect you to actually dare to come. Impressive, impressive."

Liu Qiang's tone was playful. "Going by your attitude, are you planning to stand with the Zhang family?"

Yang Kun's lips curved into a slight smile. "Liu Qiang, how could we not know your intentions? Let's not play games. Just say what you mean directly."

"Clap, clap, clap!"

Liu Qiang clapped his hands. "Yang Kun, Yang Kun, do you really think you're still the overlord of Soaring Dragon City? Let me tell you, times have changed. Your Yang Family's era is coming to an end, and the sky of Soaring Dragon City needs to change."

"How about this!"

After a slight pause, Liu Qiang continued, "If your two great families are willing to submit to our Liu Family and offer the Zhang family and Qin Jishi as tokens of your allegiance, I might consider letting you live."

With the backing of Black Eagle Prefecture, Liu Qiang was naturally full of confidence, his eyes filled with extreme contempt.

"Hahaha!" Yang Kun laughed instead of getting angry. "Your Liu Family wants us to submit? How ridiculous."

"Let me tell you!"

Yang Kun's expression turned cold. "As long as my Yang Family and I, Yang Kun, are in Soaring Dragon City, this sky will not change."

"Arrogant!" Liu Qiang's face instantly soured. "Yang Kun, do you really think your Yang Family can cover the sky with one hand in Soaring Dragon City? Let me tell you, there's always someone stronger, and there's always a bigger world out there."

"You're right!" Yang Kun sneered. "There is indeed someone stronger and a bigger world out there, but in Soaring Dragon City, it's not your turn to act so high and mighty, Liu Qiang."

"Yang Kun!" Liu Kai roared. "Who do you think you are, speaking to my father like that? I think your Yang Family wants to be annihilated."

"Liu Kai!" Yang Xuan said menacingly. "You'd better shut your mouth, or I won't mind crippling you."

"You think you're capable of that?" Liu Kai's eye twitched. "Then let me see what you've got."

"Fine, if you want to die, I'll grant your wish." Yang Kun clenched his fists.

"..."

The two were filled with hostility, on the verge of exploding at any moment.

"Kai'er!" Liu Qiang stopped him, his gaze fixed ahead. "Yang Kun, I'll give you one last chance. Hand over Qin Jishi and destroy the Zhang family. I'll let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, all of you die."

As this voice fell, a powerful aura swept over, its dense and chilling malevolence causing everyone present to tremble.