Master Gu

Lei Bao sat down in the central seat of the hall, then said with a beaming smile, "Today is a joyous day for my Lei Family and the Xie Family. Thank you all for gracing this wedding banquet with your presence. I won't waste words—let's begin the ceremony."

The following proceedings were rather dull. Lin Dong watched with barely concealed yawns, while Lin Changqiang observed the stiff movements of Lei Li and Xie Yingying with some emotion.

Most of the guests knew that the Lei Family had ulterior motives this time, so they couldn't muster any interest in the wedding of two juniors, merely watching coldly from the sidelines. A few hotheads and those who liked to stir up trouble also stopped applauding under the strange atmosphere.

In this odd mood, Lei Li and Xie Yingying quickly withdrew, and all eyes in the hall turned to Lei Bao.

Under everyone's gaze, Lei Bao smiled faintly, drained his cup of wine, and slowly rose to his feet. "Since the wedding is done, it's time to discuss the real business."

At this, Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong, who had nearly dozed off, both perked up and sat straight.

"In short, my Lei Family intends to unify Qingyang Town and have all of you here become our subordinates."

As soon as the words fell, an extremely powerful surge of Yuan Power erupted from Lei Bao's body, instantly flooding the entire hall and startling many.

"Yuan Dan Stage!"

Feeling that overwhelming Yuan Power, gasps rang out across the hall. If Lei Bao were merely at the Late Heavenly Origin Stage, he wouldn't inspire such awe, but the Yuan Dan Stage was a different matter entirely.

"If you're willing, then all is well. If not, feel free to leave—I won't force anyone."

Hearing Lei Bao's words, the guests' faces shifted constantly. Many cursed inwardly but dared not actually walk out, leaving the hall dead silent.

Seeing this, Lei Bao smirked smugly.

"In that case, we'll take our leave. The Lin Family is departing first. Farewell."

Lei Bao's smile slowly froze at a calm voice, and his vicious, venomous gaze instantly locked onto the Lin Family members.

Watching the Lin Family stand up one after another, many guests were stunned. Clearly, they hadn't expected the Lin Family to so blatantly defy Lei Bao.

At the Mad Saber Martial Hall, Luo Cheng was also wary of Lei Bao's strength, but seeing the Lin Family take the lead, he gritted his teeth and stood up. "The Mad Saber Martial Hall has no such intention either."

Though the situation had developed beyond his expectations, Luo Cheng had no desire to see the martial hall he'd built with such effort become a lackey for the Lei and Xie Families.

Seeing the other two major powers reject the Lei Family together, many secretly cheered. Who would willingly become someone's subordinate if not forced?

"Since the Lin Family scorns to ally with my Lei Family, I won't force the issue." In the center of the hall, Lei Bao's face was as dark as water, his eyes like blades fixed on Lin Zhentian. After a moment, a chilling smile curled at the corner of his mouth. "But you must answer for the deaths of Lei Mu and Xie Qian!"

As the last word fell, a tremendous aura erupted from Lei Bao's body, like a tornado tearing through a horse ranch, nearly crushing the breath out of those nearby.

Lin Zhentian's expression remained as calm as ever, and he even couldn't help but laugh. "Lei Bao, after all these years, you're still as shameless as ever."

"That day, Lei Mu and Lei Pi attacked Lin Dong, and he wounded one and killed the other. Not long ago, Xie Qian led men to ambush my Lin Family, and Lin Changqiang killed him outright." As he spoke, Lin Zhentian's eyes grew fierce. "In the end, they brought it on themselves!"

Lin Zhentian's words made many in the hall who knew the story sigh, while those who didn't stared at the two in shock.

"Lei Bao! Do you think stepping into the Yuan Dan Stage lets you do whatever you want? If you want to make an example of my Lin Family, your Lei Family isn't qualified!" Lin Zhentian's face turned sharp. He took a heavy step forward, and a long-suppressed powerful aura exploded outward in all directions, shattering a wooden table beside him into splinters.

"Another Yuan Dan Stage?!"

Figures stared at Lin Zhentian in horror, finally understanding why the Lin Family showed no fear even against the combined forces of the Lei and Xie Families.

"This old bastard broke through to the Yuan Dan Stage too?!" Seeing the powerful aura Lin Zhentian unleashed, the Lei and Xie Families' faces changed drastically, their earlier pride and confidence gone. Clearly, this was something they hadn't anticipated.

"Heh, so that's why the Lin Family had the guts to attend my Lei and Xie Families' wedding—you old ghost also broke through to the Lesser Yuan Dan Stage." Lei Bao stared hard at Lin Zhentian, his earlier smugness replaced by a hint of gravity.

Lin Zhentian's sudden display of strength caught him off guard. The Late Heavenly Origin Stage and the Lesser Yuan Dan Stage were two entirely different concepts.

Even he found it a bit troublesome now, but only a bit. Being cautious by nature, he had already prepared other contingencies!

"System, display the Yuan Power and Spiritual Power cultivation levels of everyone nearby."

As the words fell, dense yellow text appeared before Lin Changqiang's eyes.

"Mid Earthly Yuan Stage."

"Early Heavenly Origin Stage."

"Ninth Layer of Body Tempering."

Lin Changqiang swept his gaze across the hall and quickly spotted two conspicuous blue characters among the yellow text.

"Gu Yuan, Two-Seal Talisman Master."

"Lin Dong, One-Seal Talisman Master."

Lin Changqiang focused his eyes and saw a man in gray robes sitting with a smile at an unremarkable table.

"Talisman Masters are such a hassle." Lin Changqiang frowned. If he could, he'd sneak up behind the man and land a heavy blow right now. But this guy wasn't a novice like Lin Dong or himself—he'd likely already spread his Spiritual Power around for early warning.

"Lin Zhentian, hand over Lin Dong and Lin Changqiang, and my Lei Family will let bygones be bygones!" Lei Bao's tone grew more vicious.

But Lin Zhentian didn't care. "You're full of shit."

At this point, everyone knew a great battle was imminent.

"Sigh."

Luo Cheng exhaled, finally made up his mind, and led the Mad Saber Martial Hall's men to stand near Lin Zhentian, making his stance clear.

Seeing this, Lei Bao's smile turned even uglier. "Hall Master Luo, are you really siding with the Lin Family?"

"If I side with your Lei Family, after the Lin Family is wiped out, we'd be next, wouldn't we?" Having made his decision, Luo Cheng no longer hesitated.

"Good. Very good."

With that, Lei Bao, to the astonishment of many, turned to an inconspicuous seat and cupped his hands respectfully. "Please, Master Gu, lend us your aid!"