A Standoff
Flames still lingered along the crimson mountain path.
A crackling sound erupted intermittently.
The rising firelight illuminated their faces, revealing different expressions.
Kong Guangyun was clearly more relaxed and at ease, even strolling leisurely towards the cave, each step seemingly adding to the sense of urgency.
Ye Xingliu's eyes held a hint of anger, but he remained composed.
This is blatant robbery; two thousand Spirit Stone is less than half the value of this cub.
As for the so-called discovery, that's utter nonsense. Spirit Beast resources naturally belong to whoever kills them. A third-tier Golden Light Rhinoceros might not even be the parent of this Golden Light Rhinoceros.
Besides, so much time has passed, how could anyone tell the difference?
"Fellow Daoist Kong, how about my Ye Family takes a share of the Spirit Stone?" Ye Xingliu tentatively suggested.
This cub is of extraordinary significance to the Ye Family, as it represents another extremely powerful Body Cultivator.
Moreover, although the Ye Family is affiliated with the Taiyi Sect, they are not vassals of the Kong Family.
Therefore, they proposed that the Ye Family provide Spirit Stone.
Clearly, Ye Xingliu wanted to hold back, after all, it was the Kong Family, and he had already seen Purple Mansion cultivator appear in the distance.
The Kong Family sent a total of three Purple Mansion and one Golden Core cultivator this time.
Their strength, both overt and covert, is far inferior.
Moreover, it is obvious to anyone with eyes to see that the four Golden Core Lineage of the Taiyi Sect have intricate connections with the sect itself.
Ye Jingcheng hesitated. Given the current situation, it would be better for them to be tolerant, even if they were in the right.
After all, the Kong Family is currently a Golden Core Lineage, while the Ye Family is only Purple Mansion Lineage. Even without considering Golden Core True Person, their apparent strength is far inferior.
Even the Xu Family itself could potentially clash with the Ye Family.
Upon realizing this, Ye Jingcheng was momentarily stunned, but then his eyes cleared again.
At that moment, he suddenly felt that Kong Guangyun's brazen and blatant behavior was probably due to something else...
After thinking it over, Ye Jingcheng simply went into the cave, first collecting the adult Golden Light Rhinoceros corpse, then grabbing the Golden Light Rhinoceros cub inside the cave and putting it into his Spirit Beast pouch.
The Golden Light Rhinoceros is too small now; although it possesses sentience, it is completely incapable of resisting Ye Jingcheng.
The sight of capturing the Spirit Beast instantly darkened Kong Guangyun's expression.
"How dare you steal my Golden Light Rhinoceros cub!" Kong Guangyun's voice was extremely loud, as if he had used Secret Method. After speaking, he rushed directly towards Ye Xingliu, making a move to snatch it.
Ye Xingliu naturally wouldn't surrender without a fight, and instinctively swung his sword.
The sword light was extremely cold, carrying a chilling Spiritual Qi, and it slashed towards Kong Guangyun in an instant.
What's even stranger is that Kong Guangyun didn't dodge; instead, he took the hit with his shoulder.
With a soft thud, half of Kong Guangyun's shoulder was covered in blood.
At that very moment, Kong Family Purple Mansion and Ye Haicheng, among others, also arrived.
However, the Kong Family sent two people with the Purple Mansion Realm, and the Kong Family also had a Golden Core True Person behind them.
"Ye Xingliu, what do you mean by this? This is a joint effort to exterminate demons. Do you think my Kong Family has no one to rely on?" A broad-faced cultivator in a blue robe landed and immediately shouted sternly.
Those eyes were terrifyingly large as they glared at Ye Xingliu.
"I hope Uncle Jiu can make the decision," Kong Guangyun repeatedly complained to the Kong Family's Purple Mansion.
This so-called Ninth Uncle is named Kong Chenmu, the ninth member of the Chen generation in the Kong Family, a mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivator, and renowned throughout the Yan Kingdom.
Upon hearing this, the spiritual power instantly targeted Ye Xingliu, but it was dispelled by Ye Haicheng in an instant.
"Fellow Daoist Kong, it's inappropriate for you to attack a junior without distinguishing right from wrong!" Ye Haicheng's words were equally calm and composed.
The smell of gunpowder in the air instantly changed from Foundation Establishment to the Purple Mansion, and it might even escalate further if Kong Guxiang were to arrive.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, are you perhaps going to aid and abet evil today?" Kong Chenmu turned his gaze to Ye Haicheng.
"If Fellow Daoist Kong insists on bullying my Ye Family because they have no one else, then we can only try our luck here with a duel!" Ye Haicheng didn't offer any explanation; anyone with eyes could see what he meant.
But that's exactly what the Kong Family did at that moment.
This means the other party is fearless, and what other premise could allow such fearlessness besides the Taiyi Sect's permission?
After all, someone who has reached the Golden Lineage wouldn't act impulsively like someone at the Purple Mansion or Foundation Establishment stage, ruining their image within the sect.
As Ye Haicheng released his spiritual light, Kong Chenmu and Kong Chenyun, who was at the early stage of the Purple Mansion beside him, also unleashed their Purple Mansion auras.
There's a strong possibility that they'll start fighting at the slightest disagreement.
As time went by, more and more cultivators appeared in the air. At this time, Xu Chunlin from the Xu Family's Purple Mansion also arrived.
Xu Wenchang immediately fell behind Xu Chunlin.
"Boom!" Ye Haicheng was the first to strike, wielding two golden hammers, his robes fluttering behind him.
The speed was unbelievable.
However, his hammer struck the top of Kong Chenmu's golden tower, only emitting a dazzling golden starlight before losing its power.
At the same time, Kong Chenmu and Kong Chenyun each summoned a magical Law Artifact.
The former is a spirit-binding whip, while the latter is a pair of golden scissors swords.
One attack was unparalleled in its trapping power, the other possessed astonishing shearing force.
Even though Ye Haicheng was Body Cultivator, he was instantly at a disadvantage.
The Binding Whip suppressed his position, while the Golden Scissors could cut through the Sword-Ray when separated, and their combined shearing force seemed to cut off the handles of the twin hammers.
Ye Haicheng was only at the early stage of the Purple Mansion, and in the blink of an eye, he was in a terrible state.
It even looks somewhat dangerous.
Just then, Kong Guxiang's figure appeared in the distance.
This scene shocked the Ye Family members, and some even questioned Ye Jingcheng.
In their minds, it would be better to simply give up the treasure.
They didn't know why Ye Jingcheng, who was usually meticulous and cautious, was being so blatantly provocative today.
Boom!
Kong Guxiang's imposing aura also pressed down.
Ye Haicheng was directly shoved into the ground; the difference between the Purple Mansion and Golden Core realms was simply too great.
Kong Chenmu and Kong Chenyun showed no sign of stopping and were about to strike Ye Haicheng.
"Stop!" Just then, Master Tianzhen and Xuandao True Person appeared together.
Upon hearing this, the two Purple Mansion of the Kong Family, though unwilling, still stopped.
"Do you gentlemen not know that this is a very important matter for me today?"
"You disregard the rules of my sect?"
Xuandao True Person's eyes were filled with rage.
The rest of the Ye Family were overjoyed, including Ye Jingcheng.
Of course, a cold smile also lingered in his heart at that moment.
What a perfect coincidence!
Ye Jingcheng himself wouldn't believe it if there was no instigation; it was clearly a move to force the Ye Family to use their true strength.
After all, if Ye Haicheng were to die, it's not certain that he could remain hidden.
"Reporting to the True Person, the Kong Family is trying to forcibly seize my junior's Golden Light Rhinoceros cub!" Ye Haicheng said, blood still dripping from his mouth, making him appear quite pitiful at the moment.
If it weren't for the intervention of the Xuandao True Person, he might have perished on the spot.
Kong Guxiang didn't hold back in that attack.
"Senior Brother Xuandao, my great-grandson was slain by the Ye Family. Junior Sister cannot bear it!"
"No matter the reason, the prestige of the sect cannot be dishonored. Both of you must be on the front lines this time to slay the demon, and you will also have to undergo the Taiyi punishment once!" Xuandao True Person said, thus bringing the matter to a close.
"Meanwhile, the entrance to the secret realm has been cleared, and each sect has prepared its quota of Foundation Establishment cultivators to enter!"