Just as Xiao Yan was inwardly grumbling, the figure who gave him endless headaches had already stepped forward of his own accord.
Xiao Yi sauntered up to Xiao Ning, glanced at the tree with the savage gash cut into its trunk, then at Xiao Ning's smug expression. He shook his head with exaggerated solemnity, looking utterly heartsick.
"Ah, now that's just wrong. Flowers and grass have lives too. How could you bring yourself to be so cruel to an innocent little tree? Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility."
His flippant tone, paired with that bizarre expression of compassion for all living things, instantly punctured Xiao Ning's newly inflated vanity like a needle through a balloon.
Being lectured in front of his lackeys by the "Crazy Ghost" infamous throughout the clan left his face burning. Anger surged straight to his head.
"Xiao Yi! Who the hell do you think you are, lecturing me? It's none of your damn business! You're just jealous of my sword, while you're nothing but a useless fool who plays in the mud!"
The lackeys beside him immediately joined in. "Exactly! Brother Ning, don't waste your breath on this charlatan!" "He's just an adopted son, yet he really thinks he's somebody?"
Some distance away, Xiao Yan watched with his arms folded, thoroughly entertained. He wasn't worried about Xiao Yi in the slightest; instead, his curiosity had been piqued.
His adoptive elder brother always acted in unexpected ways. Xiao Yan was eager to see what sort of "magic trick" he would use to wrap things up this time.
Facing the cold edge of the sword, Xiao Yi's expression didn't change at all. He barely even blinked. He simply extended two fingers, gently nudged the sword tip pointing at him an inch to the side, and spoke in an