Withstanding a Blow

Obviously, the fierce battle between Chen Zhengqing and Lei Gang had turned into a war of attrition.

The other Golden Core experts shook their heads as well, all believing it was only a matter of time before Chen Zhengqing lost.

"Chen Zhengqing's defeat is just a matter of time. Using a Mid-grade Spirit Artifact drains his Spiritual Power heavily."

"Right. Unless he has some heaven-defying elixir that can rapidly restore Spiritual Power, once his Spiritual Power runs dry, that's when he'll lose."

No one thought Chen Zhengqing had such an elixir, because any pill that could quickly restore a Golden Core expert's Spiritual Power would have to be at least a fourth-tier Spirit Elixir.

And fourth-tier Spirit Elixirs were even rarer than Mid-grade Spirit Artifacts; none of them had ever seen such a precious pill.

In fact, Chen Zhengqing really didn't have one.

He also realized that if things continued like this, he would lose sooner or later.

After all, his Early Golden Core Spiritual Power wasn't as abundant as Lei Gang's Mid Golden Core reserves, and using a Mid-grade Spirit Artifact consumed even more.

But his resolve was firm—he wouldn't give up until the very last moment.

Yang Lingtian watched the stalemated battle and could see that Chen Zhengqing was fighting to the death without retreating.

Seeing him defend himself so fiercely, Yang Lingtian felt a surge of emotion.

"The system's long-term mission is to help the Chen Family overcome various difficulties, but now I've brought trouble to them instead."

"If this goes on, Foster Father definitely won't be able to hold out, and he'll lose in the end."

"And Lei Gang's target is me. If I'm no longer in the Chen Family, he might stop hounding them."

"I need to redirect Lei Gang's hatred and attention onto myself. I'll have to use those two life-saving trump cards."

After a moment of deliberation, he decided he had to step up and not always let his foster father handle things for him.

With that, Yang Lingtian jumped out, landing in a conspicuous open space, and shouted with all his cultivation power.

"Stop. Patriarch Lei, the person you're looking for is me."

His voice was so loud that everyone heard it and turned to look at Yang Lingtian.

"It's over. This kid actually dared to jump out in plain sight. He's definitely going to get caught."

"If he hadn't come out, Patriarch Chen would have lost. At least he showed some conscience by showing up now."

"If he gets caught back there, it won't be as simple as kneeling. Even if he doesn't die, he'll be tortured beyond recognition."

The Onlookers all murmured, convinced that Yang Lingtian couldn't escape Lei Gang's clutches.

The battle between Chen Zhengqing and Lei Gang came to an abrupt halt, both fixing their eyes on Yang Lingtian.

"Kid, so you're the one who made my son kneel and turned him into a laughingstock?" Lei Gang roared.

"That's right, it was me. Your son started the trouble, and he wasn't skilled enough, so he had to take the loss." Yang Lingtian said calmly, his face unruffled.

Seeing that an ant at the Qi Refining Stage not only wasn't afraid of him but even spoke so righteously, Lei Gang grew even more furious. "You little brat, that's my son, Lei Gang's son."

"You made him kneel—that means you don't hold the Lei Family in any regard. Today, I'll make you kneel to me first."

"Then I'll take you back to kneel to my son, so you learn that the Lei Family isn't to be trifled with."

As his words fell, a powerful pressure surged toward Yang Lingtian, pressing down on him like a boulder.

"Lei Gang, do you think I'm not here?" Chen Zhengqing also released his pressure, blocking the overwhelming force from Lei Gang.

"Lingtian, retreat quickly. As long as I'm here, I won't let him take you."

Yang Lingtian's eyes sharpened, and he said, "Foster Father, this matter has nothing to do with the Chen Family. It's between me and the Lei Family."

Then he shouted at Lei Gang, "Lei Gang, I'd rather die than kneel to you. If you've got the guts, kill me."

"Fine, fine. You dare provoke me?" Lei Gang was completely enraged, his tone growing more vicious.

"I'll deal with your foster father first, then drag you back and torture you to death."

Lei Gang knew that with Chen Zhengqing nearby, he had no chance to strike.

Unless Chen Zhengqing stood by and did nothing to stop him—which clearly wasn't going to happen.

"No need. I'll give you one chance. Let you attack me once."

"If I don't die, then you won't make trouble for the Chen Family from now on." Yang Lingtian said firmly.

"Foster Father, don't intervene. Trust me!"

At the same time, Yang Lingtian had already grasped the Protective Talisman the system had given him.

Hearing this, everyone was stunned, wondering what trick Yang Lingtian was playing.

Wasn't this just asking to die?

How could a Qi Refining Stage cultivator withstand a blow from a Golden Core expert? One slap from a Golden Core expert could turn him to ash.

Some speculated that Yang Lingtian was offering his life to resolve the crisis.

A few Onlookers even began to feel moved—Yang Lingtian was acting out of righteousness!

To avoid dragging the Chen Family down, he was willing to sacrifice his own life.

In their view, there was no way Yang Lingtian could withstand a strike from a Golden Core expert.

Chen Zhengqing also looked at the calm-faced Yang Lingtian with surprise and suspicion, mulling it over in his mind.

"Could Lingtian have a trump card? He's facing a Golden Core expert—what kind of trump card could a Qi Refining Stage cultivator have to deal with someone at that level?"

"But Lingtian has changed so much. Maybe he stumbled upon some great fortune and picked up a few powerful cards."

Then Chen Zhengqing replied, "Fine. I won't step in."

"Hahaha, excellent. Yang Lingtian, you're asking for death, and I'll grant it." Lei Gang laughed wildly.

He raised his palm, instantly forming a massive handprint brimming with terrifying power, and slammed it toward Yang Lingtian.

To guard against any trump card Yang Lingtian might have, Lei Gang struck with full force, holding nothing back.

"What a terrifying blow! The Lei Family head actually unleashed such a powerful attack on a Qi Refining cultivator."

"It's over. Under that strike, Yang Lingtian won't even leave ashes behind." The onlookers panicked.

At that moment, Yang Lingtian's pupils dilated. He quickly crushed the Protective Talisman, and a powerful energy shield enveloped him.

In that instant, the fearsome handprint crashed into the shield.

With a thunderous boom, violent energy ripples erupted in all directions, but they couldn't shake the shield in the slightest.

Soon, everything settled. The energy shield around Yang Lingtian vanished abruptly.

"What?!" Lei Gang's eyes bulged.

He clearly sensed a powerful energy barrier blocking his strike, and it shocked him deeply.

The onlookers were stunned too, their faces filled with awe.

For a moment, everyone thought they'd seen things—Yang Lingtian was standing there completely unharmed.

"What just happened? How could he come out of such a terrifying blow without a scratch?"

"A treasure! He must have some life-saving treasure!" The crowd buzzed with shock.

Before anyone could react, Yang Lingtian crushed the Swift Wind Talisman. Instantly, a mysterious sensation enveloped his entire body.

He didn't dare wait any longer. He shot into the air and fled.

He couldn't guarantee Lei Gang wouldn't strike again. Without the Protective Talisman, one more hit and he'd be dead.

Snapping out of it, Lei Gang immediately gave chase, roaring, "Kid, don't run! You won't get away!"

"That life-saving card of yours is one-time use, isn't it? Tell me where you got such an outrageous treasure."

In Lei Gang's eyes, Yang Lingtian having a card like that meant there was definitely a big secret behind it.

"Hah, dream on! Catch me first!" Yang Lingtian taunted.

"You won't catch me today, but I'll be back to settle the score with you."

"And that son of yours, Lei Daben—a useless waste. A Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn't even beat me, a Qi Refining Stage fighter."

"A loser like that dares to crash a wedding and cause trouble? If I see him again, I'll make him kneel every time."

"And you, Lei Gang—another waste. A dignified Golden Core expert can't even kill a Qi Refining cultivator like me. I'm embarrassed for you."

Yang Lingtian kept hurling insults, aiming to enrage Lei Gang even more.

He wanted Lei Gang to focus all his hatred and attention on him, especially since he was escaping.

That way, Lei Gang might pour his energy into hunting Yang Lingtian down instead of making things too hard for the Chen Family.

Hearing a mere Qi Refining cultivator provoke him again and again, Lei Gang's fury boiled over.

After his tirade, Yang Lingtian poured everything into speed.

With the Swift Wind Talisman's effect, his speed shot up to that of a Golden Core peak expert.

Even though Lei Gang chased at full throttle, his Mid Golden Core speed couldn't match the near-peak pace.

Soon, Yang Lingtian vanished over the horizon, and Lei Gang lost all trace of him.

Lei Gang halted midair, his face turning ashen. A fierce killing intent erupted from him.

"Yang Lingtian, I will find you. That trump card of yours can't last much longer."

Then, in a rage, Lei Gang scoured the area around Tianchen City.

But Yang Lingtian had already disappeared like a stone sinking into the sea. Searching like this was no different from fishing for a needle in the ocean.

By now, Yang Lingtian had fled far away, and only about twenty minutes had passed.

That meant the Swift Wind Talisman still had thirty minutes left—more than enough to get even farther.

Still, he worried. Even though Lei Gang was targeting him, what if he couldn't find him and took his anger out on the Chen Family anyway?

That would still bring trouble to the Chen Family, making his escape pointless.

After a moment's thought, he suddenly remembered the True Elixir Pavilion.

Maybe he could use the True Elixir Pavilion's deterrent power to keep Lei Gang from touching the Chen Family.

After considering it, Yang Lingtian directly activated the Swift Wind Talisman with full force and returned to Tianchen City at great speed.

He didn't go back to the Chen Family but came straight to the True Elixir Pavilion to meet Master Lei Yi.

Master Lei Yi had been deeply absorbed in refining pills and hadn't yet caught wind of what was happening outside.

Still, since Yang Lingtian had come to see him, he didn't dare to be negligent—after all, the Great Yellow Elixir Formula was still in Yang Lingtian's hands.

"Young Friend Yang, what urgent matter brings you to see me?" Master Lei Yi asked with a grin.

Yang Lingtian replied bluntly: "I came today to add one more clause to our agreement."

Master Lei Yi's expression stiffened, and he inwardly worried: This kid isn't planning to tack on some tyrannical term at the last minute, is he?