You'd Better Stop Talking

"Hmm?"

Tang Tian raised a brow. There were still people in the Tang Family this eager to get beaten up?

Turning his head, he found an old acquaintance—Tang Li.

Several Tang Family youths stood beside him, though Tang Feng was nowhere to be seen.

"What? Your bones itching again?"

With Tang Tian's current strength, beating up Tang Li again would practically be bullying.

At his words, Tang Li immediately recalled the humiliation from a month ago. It was a shame that could never be erased from his life.

After that disgrace, Tang Li had worked hard and cultivated diligently, striving to make up for his shortcomings.

He believed that if Tang Tian had not launched a sneak attack, he would definitely no longer be Tang Tian's opponent.

But when he saw the contempt in Tang Tian's eyes, how could he possibly keep his temper under control?

As the saying went, when enemies met, their eyes burned especially red.

Provoked by Tang Tian, he forgot that they were standing at the Tang Family gates and struck first.

"With Brother Li making a move, won't Tang Tian obediently end up sprawled on the ground?"

"Sprawled on the ground? With Brother Li's strength, I'm worried he might accidentally beat that trash to death."

"Sigh, I just hope Brother Li remembers that they're both from the Tang Family and goes a little easier on him."

"Bah! Who's family with that piece of trash?"

The youths immediately began discussing it. They knew perfectly well how much Tang Li had put in during this period. Though he had not advanced into the Bone-Forging Realm, his strength had improved greatly.

Even Tang Feng would have to avoid Tang Li's attacks.

They eagerly anticipated the sight of Tang Tian lying on the ground in agony.

But when they looked over, they were stunned.

At that very moment, Tang Li had arrived before Tang Tian.

"Oh? Looks like you really put in some effort these past few days. You're quite a bit faster too."

Tang Tian casually appraised him, utterly unconcerned. In truth, Tang Li's speed was inferior even to the demonic beasts of the same realm in Starfall Forest.

Not to mention the Heavenly Thunder Python from back then—its speed had been terrifyingly swift.

Tang Li snorted arrogantly. "Of course. Don't think that saying a few nice things will make me spare you. I'm going to make you..."

"You'd better stop talking. I'm not interested."

Tang Tian calmly shook his head and raised a hand, slapping Tang Li across the face.

To beat Tang Li, his physical strength alone was more than enough.

"Ah..."

That scream gave the youths present a strangely familiar feeling.

Tang Li was sent flying ten meters away. Several large white teeth, mixed with a mouthful of blood, traced a graceful arc through the air before falling to the ground.

Tang Tian did not even glance at Tang Li. He patted the dumbstruck guard on the shoulder and casually walked through the gates.

"I..."

All the youths were terrified. They had just spoken disrespectfully and said bad things about Tang Tian.

Tang Li had not even withstood a single move before being slapped away.

If Tang Tian turned on them, their fate would likely be even worse.

Fortunately, Tang Tian directly ignored these insignificant people, too lazy even to spare them a glance.

The two guards exchanged a look, each seeing deep fear in the other's eyes. They were truly fortunate that their attitude had been good earlier; otherwise, their end would have been even more miserable.

After all, they were merely guards. Their status was far beneath Tang Li's.

Even Tang Li was lying on the ground like a dead dog. They would probably have wished they were dead.

As for Tang Li, dirt and blood were mixed in his mouth. His eyes were vacant as profound terror enveloped him.

When facing Tang Tian just now, it had been like facing a terrifying demonic beast. Especially that slap—he had not possessed the slightest ability to react or resist.

Before Tang Tian, he had seemed like an ant.

In truth, Tang Li really was an ant.

Tang Tian had just been about to return to his courtyard to rest when a hunched figure appeared before him.

"Young Master, you're back? The Family Head asked this old servant to inform you to visit his study."

Elder Li leaned on his cane. When he saw Tang Tian, a trace of nearly imperceptible surprise flashed through his clouded eyes.

"Alright. Thank you for the trouble, Grandpa Li."

Tang Tian immediately changed direction and headed toward Tang Lingyun's study.

As a Soul-Emergence Realm expert, Tang Lingyun had already known that his son had returned the moment Tang Tian struck Tang Li.

Tang Tian naturally was not surprised in the slightest. Moreover, once a cultivator reached the Organs-Hiding Realm, they possessed Divine Sense, allowing them to inspect their internal organs and project it outward.

"Kid, that old fellow with the cane just now has fairly decent cultivation for this world."

Fan Siren's voice rang out.

"Huh?"

Tang Tian was startled. He had not expected that, with Fan Siren's standards, there could still be someone he considered decent.

Elder Li was merely an old servant at the Organs-Hiding Realm. Since when had Master Fan taken a liking to Organs-Hiding Realm cultivators?

"Kid, don't ask so much. You'll understand in the future. But before you understand that person's intentions, be careful."

Fan Siren clearly did not wish for Tang Tian to know too much. After giving that warning, he said nothing further.

"Alright..."

Tang Tian naturally listened to Fan Siren's words, while also becoming wary of Elder Li.

After all, Tang Tian was not truly a member of the Tang Family and had no sense of belonging toward it. He certainly would not show mercy to anyone who might threaten him at any time.

"Tian'er, come in."

When Tang Tian arrived at Tang Lingyun's study, he was just about to knock when Tang Lingyun's voice sounded.

Tang Tian pushed open the door, walked before Tang Lingyun, who was drinking tea at his desk, and bowed. "Your son greets Father."

"Eh?"

Tang Lingyun had previously discovered Tang Tian's return with his Divine Sense, but had not examined him closely. Now that Tang Tian stood before him, one glance revealed his vigorous blood and qi. He clearly bore the appearance of someone who had advanced.

"Tian'er, you broke through?"

Tang Lingyun rose directly to his feet, walked over to Tang Tian, and gripped his shoulders.

"Your son is already an Initial Blood-Burning Realm cultivator."

Before Tang Lingyun, Tang Tian did not tell the truth.

With the Breath-Concealing Art, he was not afraid of being seen through.

"Initial Blood-Burning Realm..."

Tang Lingyun was delighted that his son's cultivation had finally improved, and thus so had his lifespan.

But when he thought of the life-and-death battle the day after tomorrow, his brows could not help knitting tightly.

Seeing Tang Lingyun's expression and feeling his father's genuine concern, Tang Tian was moved. Still, he forcibly suppressed the urge to reveal his true cultivation.

"Tian'er, if it truly won't work, then cancel the arranged battle. As long as you can stay alive, it doesn't matter if others mock you. Your father only wants you to be safe and well."

Tang Lingyun looked deeply at Tang Tian.

Tang Tian shook his head. "Father, if I shrink from battle, the one mocked will be the entire Tang Family—and you, the strongest man in Starfall City. Father, there is no need to worry. Until the deer dies, who will be the hunter is still unknown."

"How certain are you?"

Even if his son could challenge opponents above his realm, Tang Lingyun still could not believe that Tang Tian, with Initial Blood-Burning Realm cultivation, could kill Lin Yichen, who was at the Advanced Bone-Forging Realm.

"Ninety percent."

Tang Tian had originally wanted to say one hundred percent, but after thinking it over, he decided to keep a lower profile. Besides, there was no way to know what trump cards Lin Yichen might have hidden up his sleeve.

Tang Lingyun's face twitched. He felt that his son was trying to comfort him, yet Tang Tian's expression seemed utterly certain.

Just then, Elder Li's voice came from outside. "Family Head, the Ye Family Head has come to visit."

Tang Lingyun was taken aback, deeply puzzled. The Tang Family and the Ye Family had always kept the peace and had little contact with one another. Why had the Ye Family Head come calling?

[Author's note: The third update for today is here! Please send in those silver tickets! The life-and-death battle is about to begin, so please support it with your votes!]