Who didn't know that Tang Tian had poor aptitude and was merely at the Meridian Refining Realm?
The former Tang Tian had been meek and submissive all day long, never stirring up trouble.
Yet after returning from Starfall Forest today, he seemed like an entirely different person.
His temperament had changed drastically. He had become flamboyant and bold!
As his father, Tang Lingyun naturally harbored no suspicions. Instead, he was immensely gratified, believing that his son had finally changed.
But Tang Tian, who was now practically an ordinary person, was actually going to withstand an attack from a Bone-Forging Realm expert. It was truly hard to believe.
Once cultivators reached the Bone-Forging Realm, their meridians, blood, and bones all underwent transformation. Even if Lin Yichen suppressed his cultivation, he was still far stronger than a true Blood-Burning Realm cultivator.
Most importantly, some genius cultivators would cultivate a Life Soul intimately connected to their bloodline when entering the Blood-Burning Realm.
Since Lin Yichen had become an inner disciple of the Falling Star Sect, he must have cultivated a Life Soul!
When a cultivator possessed a Life Soul, the two combined would make their strength more than twice as powerful.
If the Life Soul was even more extraordinary, their strength would multiply further.
"Tian'er, absolutely not!"
Tang Lingyun was beside himself with anxiety. In his eyes, Tang Tian would undoubtedly die if he took such a risk.
Tang Tian took a deep breath and said seriously, "Father, please rest assured."
Qin Yuexi cast Tang Tian a sidelong glance and sneered. "What reckless stupidity. If he dies at Brother Lin's hands, it'll only dirty them for nothing."
It had to be said that this woman had taken shamelessness to the extreme. She had already made the words "Brother Lin" roll off her tongue so naturally.
Lin Yichen said indifferently, "Sister Yuexi is right. If I accidentally kill the Tang Family's young master, I fear the whole world will laugh at me. How about this? I've changed my mind. As long as you kneel, kowtow, and apologize, I'll let this matter go."
"Insolence!"
Tang Xiaohai roared, a powerful aura erupting from him as he could no longer hold himself back from teaching Lin Yichen a lesson.
No matter how useless Tang Tian was, he was still the Tang Family's young master. If he were humiliated and they pretended not to know—
The entire Tang Family would never be able to hold their heads high in Starfall City again.
Tang Xiaohai's defense of him surprised Tang Tian somewhat.
It was precisely because of this that he began to feel a trace of belonging toward this unfamiliar family.
"Uncle, let me handle this matter myself. There's no need to get angry."
Tang Tian's expression was calm, without the slightest trace of fear.
"Ridiculous! You're merely a brat at the Meridian Refining Realm. Are you trying to use your little life to make my Tang Family lose face?"
Tang Xiaohai glared fiercely at him. This brat simply did not know the immensity of heaven and earth.
"Uncle, I know my limits. If I truly die at his hands, then it is because I am not strong enough, not because the Tang Family is weak."
Tang Tian spoke as if it had nothing to do with him, yet his gaze was exceptionally resolute.
"Xiaohai, let Tian'er handle it himself."
Tang Lingyun's expression was grave. In his eyes, the Tang Family's dignity was important, but his son's life was more important.
Since Tang Tian insisted, he could only choose to trust him!
"You've got guts, brat!"
Tang Xiaohai naturally listened to his elder brother. He merely snorted coldly.
"Brat, although your strength is a little lacking right now, I have to say, this courage of yours is worthy of a little praise from me."
Just as the atmosphere was becoming somewhat tense, Master Fan's voice rang out in Tang Tian's mind.
Tang Tian could not help but rejoice. This mysterious expert had actually awakened.
However, worried that the others present might discover Master Fan's existence, he hurriedly glanced around in secret. Fortunately, no one seemed unusual.
"Don't worry. Aside from you, no one can detect my existence. I was sleeping, but then I discovered you courting death, so I had no choice but to say something. Even if you were an expert in your previous life, you are now merely a cultivator who has just started out. Later, when you receive one of his attacks, don't be afraid. This time, I'll help you make a move, but after that, you'll have to deal with him yourself."
"Alright!"
With this mysterious expert's assistance, Tang Tian felt much more at ease.
Seeing Tang Tian standing there in a daze, Lin Yichen assumed he was afraid and could not help but sneer disdainfully. "Are you scared to death?"
"Scared? Of course I'm scared. I'm scared you won't be able to kill me. Hurry up and attack. This young master needs to go back and sleep."
Tang Tian raised a brow and shrugged, speaking with a somewhat helpless expression.
"You're courting death!"
Lin Yichen could no longer endure it. His body moved with astonishing speed, and he threw a punch straight at Tang Tian.
With Soul-Emergence Realm experts present, they naturally did not need to worry about the fight damaging anything.
The punch tore through the air with a thunderous roar, and Tang Tian's pupils could not help but contract.
It had to be said that in a remote little city like this, Lin Yichen's strength was indeed quite impressive.
Before the fist even approached, the powerful gust of wind from it had already crushed Tang Tian until he could barely breathe.
Just as the fist was about to strike his chest, Tang Tian let out a low shout. Rather than retreating, he advanced, meeting it with a punch of his own.
Admit defeat? Back down?
Neither was Tang Tian's style!
"Let me see just how powerful my ultimate strike is after opening the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Fiends Hidden Meridians!"
Tang Tian's gaze was resolute. In an instant, he felt the primal energy in his body surge and churn like rushing water.
All of that primal energy flowed through his meridians and gathered in Tang Tian's outstretched right hand.
"Hm?"
Tang Lingyun had originally been worried about Tang Tian. With his cultivation, he naturally noticed the strange change in his son.
"How can someone at the Meridian Refining Realm possess such vast primal energy?"
Tang Lingyun found it extremely strange. Tang Tian was clearly a Meridian Refining Realm cultivator, yet the punch he threw was completely capable of contending with a High Blood-Burning Realm cultivator!
Challenging above one's realm!
Though he was still at the Meridian Refining Realm, he had become utterly different from before!
"Boom!"
As everyone stared in astonishment, a deafening explosion rang out.
Lin Yichen staggered back several steps before steadying himself, while Tang Tian was sent flying and slammed directly into the wall.
"Pfft..."
He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Tian'er!"
Tang Lingyun's expression changed dramatically. With a flash, he had already arrived before Tang Tian.
Tang Tian's face was deathly pale. Blood ran from the corners of his mouth, already dyeing his robes red.
"Master Fan, you fucking set me up!"
Rather than immediately answering Tang Lingyun, Tang Tian spoke to Master Fan in his mind.
Master Fan had clearly promised to help him earlier.
Yet from beginning to end, there had not been the slightest sign of assistance.
If the Mysterious Black Tower's power had not cleansed his marrow and forged his body, making his physical body much stronger, that punch might truly have killed him on the spot.
"Brat, I did say I would help you, but who knew it would end before it even began? I just stretched, and I wasn't ready yet."
Master Fan yawned as he spoke, and Tang Tian nearly failed to catch his breath.
He had known long ago that Master Fan was unreliable. He had not expected it to be proven true so quickly.
Yet Master Fan's voice rang out again, perfectly serious. "Brat, this is the second lesson Master Fan is teaching you. No matter when, never trust anyone, especially not by placing your life in someone else's hands. I am wise and mighty, and I had long foreseen that you would not face any danger to your life. Naturally, there was no need for me to help."
He yawned again. "Sigh, I'm getting old. The more I talk, the sleepier I get. I'm going to sleep, going to sleep. Don't disturb me..."
"..."
Tang Tian's mind was filled with black lines. If he could beat the other party, he would surely fight him to the death.
Unfortunately, the other party's words made perfect sense, leaving him speechless.
Tang Tian lay in Tang Lingyun's arms without moving. Everyone present assumed that he had already died beneath Lin Yichen's punch.
[Author's Note: Here is today's second update. The third update will be coming shortly! Thank you to all the brothers and sisters who tipped and supported Sanshao!]
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