You're a Little Noisy

Bang.

A dull sound echoed over the courtyard.

Zhang Yao's punch had been blocked.

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More accurately, it had been caught.

And Li Xiao had caught Zhang Yao's full-force punch with just one finger.

Everyone who saw the scene was stunned.

One finger had blocked the full-force strike of a Late Dark Force martial artist.

Was such a thing even possible?

Naturally, Zhang Yao was the most shocked of all.

He knew perfectly well that he had held nothing back in that punch and had used all his strength.

After all, his opponent was a Transformation Grandmaster.

Yet... in the end, his full strength had been stopped by a single finger.

Before Zhang Yao could recover from his shock, Li Xiao grinned, and the power in that finger surged.

"Get lost!"

Li Xiao suddenly flicked that finger. Powerful force burst through his body and slammed directly into Zhang Yao, blasting him away and sending him crashing hard into the courtyard wall.

Silence. A deathly silence enveloped the courtyard.

No one had expected the outcome to be so utterly one-sided.

Was this the power of a Transformation Grandmaster?

A Late Dark Force martial artist could not even withstand the strength of one finger.

He had been sent flying in a single blow.

Seated nearby, Zhang Zhi's expression changed when she saw her father, Zhang Yao, get blasted away. She wanted to rise immediately, but at that moment, a hand landed on her shoulder.

It was her mother, Shen Yuniang.

Shen Yuniang said nothing. She merely shook her head gently at Zhang Zhi, and her meaning could not have been clearer.

If Zhang Zhi went over now, she would not be able to help at all. On the contrary, she would only become a burden.

Let alone a Late Bright Force martial artist—even if there were another Late Dark Force expert, the outcome would not change in the slightest.

Zhang Zhi bit down on her lips and silently sat back down, though the hand resting on her knee involuntarily clenched into a fist.

Qin Yaxin, who was also seated beside Lu Fan, wore an expression full of panic and anxiety after witnessing the scene before her.

Because she knew clearly that Zhang Yao's defeat meant that the Qin Household would be removed from Chi City's three great Lineages.

They might even be driven out of Chi City.

Over the years, the Qin Household had naturally offended many people while opening up routes for selling medicinal pills.

Once they lost their power, those enemies would never let such a perfect chance to kick them while they were down slip away.

The quiet air lasted only a few seconds before it was shattered by the sound of rubble falling.

By the courtyard wall, Zhang Yao crawled out from the pile of debris. His entire body was covered in dirt, leaving him ash-faced and bedraggled, while blood still stained the corner of his mouth.

"Heh, you can still stand?"

Li Xiao was somewhat surprised, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He had used thirty percent of his force in that last strike.

Against an ordinary Dark Force martial artist, that blow would have been enough to kill.

Yet Zhang Yao looked as though he had only suffered a minor injury.

"Ptui, Li Xiao."

"Looks like you Transformation Grandmasters are nothing special after all."

"It didn't hurt at all."

As Zhang Yao spoke, he strode forward, looking as though he intended to fight again.

But before he could do so, a figure swiftly stepped in front of him.

"Forget it, Brother Zhang. Let this matter go."

Qin Yuan grabbed Zhang Yao and held him back.

He knew very well that if they continued fighting, Zhang Yao would definitely die.

At that point, the Qin Household might lose even this one remaining ally.

And the tide had already turned. No matter how desperately Zhang Yao fought, he could not reverse the situation.

Before a Transformation Grandmaster, Dark Force martial artists were only slightly stronger than ordinary martial artists.

At this point, the others present also sensed the change in the atmosphere. One after another, people rose to bid Qin Yuan farewell and quickly left. Some could not even be bothered with pleasantries, simply turning around and walking away.

That was hardly strange. After tonight, the Qin Household's status in Chi City would plummet like a stone, and no one would be willing to maintain any connection with them.

At that moment, a figure came over to Shen Yuniang and Zhang Zhi.

That person was the head of the Shen Household.

"Yuniang, we're leaving."

"Ah, but Mother..."

Shen Yuniang glanced at Zhang Yao in the distance, then at her mother, her face full of hesitation.

"What is there to hesitate over? That man has no value left."

"Now that Chi City has a Transformation Grandmaster, the balance of power must be redrawn."

"You should sever ties with that man as soon as possible. As for Zhi'er, she can be brought back."

Old Madam Shen spoke, glanced at Zhang Zhi, then added something that was nearly a threat.

"Think it over carefully, Yuniang. The Shen Household will not offend a Transformation Grandmaster for the sake of one or two people."

After saying that, Old Madam Shen strode away without waiting for Shen Yuniang's response.

Watching her departing back, Shen Yuniang's alluring face was filled with bitterness.

Not long after, the courtyard that had been so lively moments ago became empty. The only people who had not left were those at Lu Fan's table, along with Shen Yuniang and Zhang Zhi at theirs.

Everyone else had left.

This was the bloody reality, the cruelty of the martial world.

Before an absolute powerhouse, any principles and bottom lines could be cast aside.

A Transformation Force martial artist was an existence capable of changing the rules.

At this moment, Qin Yaxin had also fallen completely into despair.

The Qin Household's decline was now inevitable. Nothing could change it.

"Old Chen, you... should leave quickly. Otherwise, if people mistake you for having ties to our household, it would be troublesome."

At this point, all Qin Yaxin could do was urge this benefactor, who had helped the Qin Household so many times, to leave as soon as possible.

Yet to her confusion, Lu Fan showed no reaction after hearing this. He merely took a light sip of tea, then pulled the Cracked Mask back over his face.

"The tea is not bad."

"Huh?"

Qin Yaxin froze, unable to understand what Lu Fan meant.

The next moment, Lu Fan spoke calmly.

"It's a little too noisy. This old man will excuse himself for a moment."

After speaking, Lu Fan stood up.

Although Qin Yaxin felt relieved upon hearing that, a trace of disappointment still flashed through her heart.

But in the next moment, something that left her utterly stunned happened.

Lu Fan actually walked straight toward Li Xiao.

"No, um... Old Chen, you... went the wrong way. That's the opposite direction."

Qin Yaxin hurriedly cried out, trying to stop Lu Fan.

But as soon as she finished speaking, Lu Fan had already arrived before Li Xiao.

"You're a little too noisy."

Lu Fan raised his head. His exposed eyes held a trace of displeasure as they looked at Li Xiao.

After hearing those words, Li Xiao was initially startled, but then a savage laugh spread across his face.

"Hahaha, hey, old man."

"Who do you think you're talking to?"

"I'm a Transformation Grandmaster!"

Li Xiao's face darkened, and killing intent surged in his eyes.

"Since you've lived long enough, I'll send you on your way!"