Don't Leave! Die!

"Although the Cao Family is powerful, their bullying and forced marriage is far below the standards of the Five Great Families of the Pill Region."

A faint, cold laugh echoed in the front yard, like a chilling wind in the dead of winter. It instantly deepened the gloom on Cao Dan's face and gave a glimmer of hope to the despairing hearts of the Ye Family members.

All eyes turned to the source of the sound in the void.

The space twisted and rippled like a curtain of water, then slowly cracked open. Four figures, as if breaking through the void, stepped out from the crack and landed steadily in the front yard of the Ye Family.

Leading the group was Lin Ming, a tall and handsome man.

Beside him stood the aloof and ethereal Xiao Yi Xian, and the dignified and imposing Elder Yao, whose aura was restrained yet possessed a profound and steadfast presence.

Meanwhile, the massive, towering Hei Qing stood silently a short distance behind, like the most loyal guard.

The four of them did not deliberately exude any earth-shattering aura upon their appearance, but the sense of harmony that seemed to blend into the surrounding space, as well as the profoundness and confidence hidden beneath the calm in Lin Ming's eyes, made everyone present, including the Bitter Robe Venerate, feel a slight chill.

Cao Dan's sharp gaze swept over Lin Ming and the other three. Apart from Lin Ming, whom he could sense a faint aura about, the others all seemed unfathomable to him.

Upon hearing this, Cao Dan's pupils involuntarily contracted, and his body instinctively wanted to retreat. However, remembering that this was the Pill Region, and that the Cao Family was currently at the height of its power, and that Bitter Robe Venerate was also by his side, he immediately stopped his retreating step. Then, a cold smile appeared on his lips, and he sneered with sarcasm.

"So that's why the Ye Family suddenly became so assertive; they've found some formidable allies..."

Lin Ming stepped out of the void, his gaze calmly sweeping over the tense situation in the arena, finally landing on Cao Dan, who was in the lead. When he saw the badge on Cao Dandan's chest that shimmered with seven Purple-Gold Stars, a faint look of surprise flashed across his eyes.

Such a young Seventh Grade Alchemist is an extremely rare find, even in the entire Middle Continent. The Cao Family's position among the Five Great Families of Pill Tower demonstrates their profound foundation and should not be underestimated.

However, this surprise was fleeting. The continent is vast and boundless, teeming with geniuses and possessing top-tier resources, so the emergence of such a figure is not too unexpected.

"The Cao Family's style is indeed impressive..." Lin Ming's gaze swept over the nearly one hundred menacing Cao Family elites, his tone calm, yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible coldness.

"Big Brother Lin!"

Seeing the familiar figure stepping out from the void, and especially seeing Lin Ming and Xiao Yi Xian appear unharmed before her, Xin Lan was first stunned, then her pretty face was instantly overwhelmed with joy. She almost jumped to Lin Ming's side, as if she had found the most solid support.

Suppressing her excitement, Xin Lan whispered quickly behind Lin Ming, "Big Brother Lin, it's so good that you're all alright! This person's name is Cao Dan, a direct descendant of the Cao Family, known as a once-in-a-century alchemy prodigy. He's already Seventh Grade Alchemist at a young age, with a great reputation in the Pill Region, and he's extremely arrogant..."

Lin Ming nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.

Lin Ming's gaze returned to Cao Dan, whose expression was shifting between anger and uncertainty. His tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "Cao Dan, the conflict between the Ye Family and the Cao Family is ultimately nothing more than a clash of pride, a few minor grudges. Why not each take a step back and let things settle down? Why must things escalate to this point?"

Sensing the oppressive aura emanating from Lin Ming, who, despite being only at the Dou Zong level, possessed a power that even Cao Dan found unsettling, and hearing the unfathomable aura of Elder Yao beside him, Cao Dan instinctively felt a urge to retreat. However, upon glancing at the expressionless Bitter Robe Venerate beside him, and remembering the formidable reputation of his Cao Family, the thought of admitting defeat that had just arisen was forcibly suppressed.

A cold glint flashed in Cao Dan's eyes as he stared at Lin Ming, his tone hardening. "Take a step back? You make it sound so easy! When the Ye Family proposed the marriage alliance, my Cao Family already made it public. Now they've unilaterally gone back on their word. If I back down now, what face will my Cao Family have left? In the Middle Continent, that would be a huge joke! Can this still be considered a small grudge?"

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Lin Ming not only didn't get angry, but instead a half-smile appeared on his lips. He slowly took a step forward, looking directly at Cao Dan. "So, according to you, you must take this person away today no matter what?"

Forced by Lin Ming's suddenly sharp aura, Cao Dan's heart skipped a beat, but his pride as a genius of the Cao Family made him determined not to back down at this moment.

He also took a sudden step forward, shortening the distance between himself and Lin Ming to less than ten feet, meeting his gaze without flinching, his voice carrying the arrogance of Seventh Grade Alchemist:

"I don't care who you are! I, Cao Dan, admire your imposing presence at such a young age! In terms of fighting, I may not be as good as you, but you need to understand that my Cao Family is one of the Great Elder families of the Pill Tower, with profound foundations and extensive connections! If my Cao Family were willing, countless Dou Zun expert would be willing to fight for us! Even if you are exceptionally strong, provoking my Cao Family will make it difficult for you to move an inch and will cause you endless headaches!"

These words, though laced with threats and an air of bullying, also revealed the Cao Family's deeply entrenched and terrifying influence in the Middle Continent Plains.

However, faced with this blatant threat, Lin Ming's smile deepened, but beneath that smile, a chill ran through him.

"Ha... You think you can intimidate me with the Cao Family?" Lin Ming shook his head slightly, as if he had heard something ridiculous. "I dared to wipe out the entire Ice River Valley when they came out in full force. Do you really think that just because of the Cao Family's name, you can make me, Lin Ming, back down even a step?"

"Lin Ming? You're Lin Ming?!"

Upon hearing the name, Cao Dan was first taken aback, then his expression changed drastically!

A few months ago, the momentous event that shook the Middle Continent region flooded his mind like a tidal wave—the formidable Ice River Valley, one of the Three Valleys, attempted to capture several Dou Zong but ended up hitting a brick wall. Its high-level combatants, including Valley Master Venerable Bing He and Great Elder Tian Shuang Zi, were almost entirely wiped out by a mysterious powerhouse, rendering Ice River Valley a mere shell of its former self! The central figure in this incident was said to be a young man named Lin Ming, an Alchemy Grandmaster capable of refining the Tier 7 High-Grade pill, Fire Bodhi Pill, and thus became a guest elder of Blazing Flame Valley!

Just as Cao Dan was deeply shaken by Lin Ming's identity, Lin Ming had already lost patience to continue rambling.

He flicked his finger lightly.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Two figures flashed out of his Storage Ring like ghosts, and then, like two iron towers, landed heavily on the ground in front of Lin Ming, one on the left and one on the right.

"Thump!"

The heavy thud seemed to strike everyone's hearts.

These two figures shimmered with a cold metallic luster, their skin a blend of icy gold and pale gold, their eyes empty and lifeless, devoid of any trace of human life, only exuding a chilling Killing Intent and overwhelming pressure that made one's soul tremble!

"This... this... this is!!"

Having remained silent until now, the Bitter Robe Venerate, who had been on high alert after watching Lin Ming and the others emerge, was struck dumb the moment he saw the faces of the two figures. He gasped sharply, his cloudy old eyes widening in disbelief, and cried out in shock:

"Ice River Valley Bing He! And Great Elder Tian Shuang Zi! They... they were actually... actually turned into Puppet?!" Bitter Robe Venerate's voice trembled with extreme shock.

Several years ago, he was invited to visit the Ice River Valley and had a pleasant conversation with the Venerable Bing He. He still vividly remembers the power of that Five-Star Dou Venerate.

But now, the once-powerful Ice River Valley and Tian Shuangzi, whose strength had reached the level of One-Star Dou Venerate Tian Shuang Zi, had actually become two mindless combat Puppet who only obeyed orders! This huge visual and psychological shock made even this Dou Zun expert, who was used to seeing all kinds of storms, feel a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and the hair on his body stood on end!

Upon hearing the exclamation of the Bitter Robe Venerate, Cao Dan and the rest of the Cao Family behind him froze in place, their faces drained of color, and their gazes toward the two Puppet filled with boundless terror!

Ice River Valley, Bing He! That's Five-Star Dou Venerate! He's actually been turned into Puppet? Then what terrifying existence stands behind Lin Ming? Or does he himself possess terrifying strength enough to crush Five-Star Dou Venerate?

The thought of threatening the other party with the Cao Family's name just moments ago sent a burning pain down Cao Dan's spine, his heart overwhelmed by boundless panic. This ruthless man, who dared to destroy Ice River Valley and create Puppet from Five-Star Dou Venerate, would he fear the Cao Family's name?

Lin Ming's gaze swept indifferently over the pale-faced members of the Cao Family, finally settling on Cao Dan, whose body was trembling slightly. His tone was icy and devoid of any emotion:

"Now that you know who I am, then--"

"Get out!"

The two words, like a thunderclap, carried an undeniable authority.

"I don't like dawdling." Lin Ming's voice continued, like a death sentence, clearly reaching the ears of every member of the Cao Family. "Those still here after three breaths..."

He paused slightly, his gaze shifting to the two Puppet beside him, radiating an overwhelming aura of ferocity, and coldly uttered the last word:

"Kill!"

The first half of the sentence is an ultimatum to everyone in the Cao Family.

The second half of the sentence was a kill order given to the Ice Puppet and Frost Puppet!

The moment the words fell, a chilling red light suddenly shone from the empty eye sockets of the Ice Puppet and Frost Puppet! The terrifying aura of the Seven-Star Dou Venerate and the Peak Three-Star Dou Venerate erupted like a dormant volcano, mixed with the Puppet's unique cold and deathly intent, and swept through the entire Ye Family's front yard like a tangible storm!

The Killing intent was chilling, like the arrival of a harsh winter!