Boom!
Shen Wan and Li Yan clashed head-on. Violent spiritual energy swept outward like a raging gale, erupting with a thunderous crash as both staggered back.
The clash between two Dao Foundation Realm experts was terrifying, and everyone nearby felt an overwhelmingly oppressive aura.
"Shen Wan, you dare stand in my way?"
Li Yan roared.
"So what if I do? Ning Chuan is a Shen Family Member, yet you dare threaten to kill him?"
Shen Wan had a fiery temper, and she answered with a sneer.
"Fine, fine, fine! Shen, since you dare shelter that murderer Ning Chuan, the Li Family will fight you to the death today!"
Li Yan laughed in fury, the killing intent in his eyes almost tangible.
He had already decided to seize this chance to wipe out the Shen outright!
"You think you have what it takes?"
Shen Wan sneered, refusing to back down.
"Stop!"
Just then, Zhao Songzhai spoke in a ringing voice.
A powerful aura surged from him. Spiritual energy shot into the sky, and his imposing presence erupted, making both Li Yan and Shen Wan shudder involuntarily.
Zhao Songzhai was the City Lord of Flame Dragon City and its strongest expert, with cultivation at the peak of the ninth layer of the Dao Foundation Realm!
Even Li Yan and Shen Wan were no match for Zhao Songzhai.
Now that Zhao Songzhai had spoken, neither dared ignore him.
"Patriarch Li Yan, do you have any evidence proving that Ning Chuan killed your son, Li Yunfei? If you have none, stop making an unreasonable scene here. No one is permitted to fight and kill at will within Flame Dragon City!"
Zhao Songzhai gave Li Yan a warning look as he spoke.
Li Yan's expression turned exceedingly ugly. He had never expected City Lord Zhao Songzhai, who normally remained neutral, to side with the Shen.
"City Lord Zhao, my son Yunfei must have been killed by Ning Chuan! Ning Chuan is scheming, despicable, and shameless. Just let me capture him, and I will make him confess!"
Li Yan's face was dark, but his tone remained forceful.
"Insolence!"
Zhao Songzhai's expression hardened.
"Patriarch Li Yan, you may eat carelessly, but you cannot speak carelessly! I trust young friend Ning Chuan's character. How could he be the villain you claim he is? With me here, let us see who dares harm young friend Ning Chuan!"
Even Zhao Songzhai's voice grew chilly.
Everyone shuddered, their faces filled with shock. None of them had expected Zhao Songzhai, the City Lord of Flame Dragon City, to take the Shen's side.
More precisely, he was taking Ning Chuan's side, openly declaring his intent to protect him.
Since when had Ning Chuan commanded such respect?
Shen Wan and Shen Qingqing also looked delighted and surprised, though they were deeply puzzled as to why Zhao Songzhai was defending Ning Chuan so fiercely.
"Ning Chuan, just how many things are you still hiding from me?"
Shen Qianxun's beautiful eyes settled on Ning Chuan, filled with surprise and confusion as she chided him.
"Ahem, my wife, what would I dare hide from you? Don't worry. The Li Family is nothing to fear. If they truly insist on courting death, I don't mind wiping them out!"
Ning Chuan gave a light cough, a faint smile appearing in his eyes.
Naturally, Zhao Songzhai was protecting Ning Chuan because he had saved his granddaughter Luo Luo, and because he still needed Ning Chuan to neutralize the God-Devouring Gu Poison.
Watching Zhao Songzhai favor and defend Ning Chuan so brazenly, Li Yan's expression grew uglier and uglier. Cold fury churned in his eyes, and frustration bottled up inside him.
"City Lord Zhao, you are presiding over today's Spirit-Seizing Battle. Isn't it rather inappropriate to favor Ning Chuan so openly? Could you do me the courtesy of letting these two families settle their own grievances?"
Just then, Chen Lin spoke with a derisive laugh.
He stood beside Li Yan.
When Chen Lin spoke, Zhao Songzhai could not help frowning. Chen Lin was a disciple of the Chen, one of the four great Lineages of Jade Capital City-a colossus even Zhao Songzhai could not afford to offend.
Yet after hesitating briefly, Zhao Songzhai still said firmly, "Young Master Chen, this is a matter for Flame Dragon City. There is no need for you to interfere! As I said, fighting and killing are forbidden in Flame Dragon City, and I have absolute faith in Ning Chuan's character. Patriarch Li Yan, if you have no evidence, you may leave!"
He still chose to stand with Ning Chuan.
The smile froze on Chen Lin's face. His gaze darkened slightly as he stared at Zhao Songzhai. "City Lord Zhao, are you really going to reject the Chen's goodwill?"
He placed heavy emphasis on the name "Chen."
This, too, was a threat!
Everyone nearby exchanged uneasy looks. City Lord Zhao might be powerful, but would he really refuse to show even the Chen of Jade Capital City any respect?
"And what exactly do the Chen amount to? Young Master Ning Chuan is an Honorary Elder of our Treasure Pavilion. Does your Chen intend to make an enemy of the Treasure Pavilion?"
Just then, a cool voice rang out.
Huo Xiyan rose to her feet.
Her crimson gown traced the perfect curves of her figure, and her eyes shone brilliantly. A light veil concealed her peerless beauty, yet her alluring presence was still utterly intoxicating.
Her words, however, made both Li Yan's and Chen Lin's expressions change.
"An Honorary Elder of the Treasure Pavilion? Impossible!"
Li Yan growled, his face dark and his eyes filled with disbelief.
He had never imagined that even the Treasure Pavilion would stand on Ning Chuan's side!
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