Yang Family Compound, Shanzhou City.
As morning approached, the bright sunlight shone into this enormous compound, yet it felt somewhat chilly.
In front of a traditionally Gu Feng mansion, a group of people dressed in strange costumes stood quietly, seemingly waiting for something.
Just then, an elderly man in rich attire and with a thin face stepped out. His cold expression held a hint of anger, making him appear extremely dignified.
"Family Head, how is Wan Feng?"
As soon as the old man appeared, the elegant and beautiful woman at the front of the crowd rushed forward and asked anxiously:
"I heard he injured his Meridians. Will he still be able to cultivate in the future?"
Upon hearing this, the nearly two-hundred-year-old Family Head twitched his eye twice, his gaze falling on her as he calmly spoke:
"More than three-quarters of his Meridians were frozen and damaged, but the person who did it was smart enough not to completely cripple him. If a fourth-level physician were to treat him, he would probably recover in about five years."
Upon hearing this, the Yang family members in the crowd in the courtyard, who were originally worried that Yang Wanfeng would be crippled because of this matter, causing the Yang family to lose its most dazzling rising star in recent years and gradually fade into obscurity in Shanzhou City, were shocked.
I finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Five years is neither a short nor a long time for a genius Second-Tier Martial Artist like Yang Wanfeng.
Given the Yang family's resources, hiring a fourth-tier physician with healing talent wouldn't be difficult.
But the beautiful woman frowned, a deep anger rising on her alluring face, and she cried out in a sorrowful and indignant tone:
"Damn Ye Li, how could he let my son suffer like this!"
"Five years! How many five-year periods does one have in a lifetime?! By then, Ye Li will have graduated from Fengyun University, and Wan Feng will only be able to cultivate as usual!"
She looked up at the old man and said through gritted teeth, "Family Head, this matter absolutely cannot be left like this!"
To everyone's surprise, the many members of the Yang family present nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
The reason is quite simple.
The Yang family has been in Shanzhou City for so many years, killing so many people and gathering so many retainers for the sake of a reputation for "always seeking revenge".
How can we break the precedent and ruin our reputation because of a Third-Tier martial artist from Fengyun University?!
Avenge every wrong done; be brave and responsible.
These two sentences were not only the creed that brought fame to the Yang family, but also a powerful slogan for attracting their retainers.
Tell me, which independent martial artist wouldn't be tempted by a force willing to help you avenge yourself at any cost?
The Yang Family of Shanzhou has adhered to this doctrine for over a century.
Even if Ye Li is the highest scorer in the history of the Martial Exam in Ying Province, he is now just an ordinary True Blood Realm who has just entered the Third-Tier!
If we don't take action against him simply because he's a student admitted to Fengyun University through a special recommendation program, how will we attract followers in the future?
Without retainers, how will the Yang family cultivate the [Blood Burning Secret Technique]?
"Family Head, I have investigated everything."
At this moment, another middle-aged man stepped forward and said in a low voice:
"That kid lives in the South District of Linhai City right now. I even know his house number. If you give your approval, he won't live to see Fengyun University."
They certainly can't confront Fengyun University head-on, but they're quite confident in dealing with a student who hasn't even enrolled yet!
"Ye Li..."
Family Head pondered the name, a chilling murderous intent flashed in his murky eyes, and his hands, which were behind his back, gradually clenched.
He asked, "Is this Ye Li currently at the Third Order True Blood Realm?"
"Exactly."
Someone nodded and said, "According to the teachers from various Martial Arts High School, he should be at the level of the initial Third-Tier."
"Third-Tier martial artist, not even twenty years old..."
The Family Head chuckled lightly, seemingly with a sigh, "Truly a martial arts prodigy."
Looking back, he realized that he had only barely broken through to the Second-Tier at the age of twenty. In recent years, he had relied on the secret techniques of the Yang family to successfully advance to the Fifth Tier and become famous in the region.
Although the forced breakthrough left him with a hidden ailment that prevented him from advancing any further in this life, the "help" of his retainers was enough to solidify the Yang family's position in Shanzhou City.
That is why the old man was well aware of the difficulties of Martial Dao training.
This made him realize one thing at that moment --
If Ye Li is not eliminated today, he will surely become someone who can overthrow the Yang family in the future!
"I can't let the Yang family's century-old reputation be ruined in my hands."
The Yang Family Head's voice was cold and sinister, and his attitude was made clear in a single sentence. "Yang Rong, take those two fourth-tier Upper Seat Retainer and deal with them."
"You mean [The Disappointed Sword] and that [Dragon Tablet Hand]?"
One person exclaimed in surprise.
Thirty years ago, the former single-handedly fought his way through a force with a Third-Tier expert, relying solely on the Azure Cloud Sword. Afterwards, his lover was killed by the remaining members of that force. Heartbroken, he changed his name to [Disappointed Sword].
He joined the Yang family to avenge his lover.
The latter is a martial artist who is proficient in external martial arts. His iron palms are enough to split mountains and shatter rocks. Over the years, at least fifty to a hundred Mutant Beast have died at his hands!
Both of them were renowned martial artists in Shanzhou City and even the entire Ying Province.
They are also two of the few fourth-tier experts in the Yang family, with relatively high martial prowess.
Now let's deal with a kid who's just entered the Third-Tier...
"Family Head."
The middle-aged man named Yang Rong had prominent scars on his face, as if they had been burned by a raging fire.
Looking at the distinguished old man above, his face trembled, and he hesitated before saying:
"Isn't this making a mountain out of a molehill? Putting aside the damage, once Fourth-Tier Martial Artist makes a move, the sheer scale of the attack is probably..."
Fourth-Tier Martial Artist can communicate with heaven and earth, and the martial arts they unleash are completely different from those of first-tier martial artists. Their power and influence are immense and difficult to conceal.
If the Qingyi Bureau discovers this, the Yang family will lose two Fourth-Tier Martial Artists, a truly devastating blow...
What are you afraid of?
The Family Head gave him a cold glance and asked in a calm voice:
"So what if they're exposed? Their feud is already established, and they already owe the Yang family something. We'll just hand them over to the Qingyi Bureau afterward."
"Or do you think that a Third-Tier martial artist who is not even twenty years old is no match for two Fourth-Tier Martial Artists have exhausted their potential?"
Upon hearing this, the scar on Yang Rong's face trembled slightly.
Indeed, compared to such a young martial artist with unlimited potential, the loss of two Fourth-Tier Martial Artist is surprisingly acceptable...
Thinking of this, he bowed and clasped his hands respectfully, saying:
"I'll take care of it right away."
"Wait!" the beautiful woman called out softly, then looked at the noble old man above her and said through gritted teeth:
"Family Head, may I go instead?"
"Your turn?"
"That's right," the beautiful woman said. "I just broke through to the Third Order Sixth Layer a couple of days ago, which is two levels higher than Yang Rong. I have a better chance of success if I go."
As she spoke, a surge of Killing Intent flashed in her eyes, and her tone was icy cold:
"Furthermore, I genuinely want to kill the man who crippled my son with my own hands!"
"..."
Taking in her expression, the Yang Family Head pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and said:
"Alright, then it's your turn."
"Thank you Family Head!" The beautiful woman's face lit up with joy, and she quickly cupped her hands in thanks.
"Let's call it a day."
The Family Head gave a faint "hmm," then left a comment and turned to walk back into the house.
About an hour later, the crowd outside dispersed.