Battle!

"The Wang family and Cao Fengqi of the Cao family are at odds! Come on, hurry, let's go watch."

"Huh? What happened?"

As Wang Dahai headed home to fetch his father, his face dark with embarrassment, word of the clash between the Wang family and Cao Fengqi of the Cao family quickly spread through the area.

Before long, everyone in Team 55's area and several neighboring team areas had heard the news.

Many people with nothing to do headed toward the Cao family's place.

In less than twenty minutes, over a thousand onlookers had gathered around the Cao family's home.

"It all started because of a girl named Wu Qianqian. I heard she's going to marry Wang Long's son, Wang Dahai. Wang Dahai came over and demanded that Cao Fengqi kneel and apologize, but Cao Fengqi pointed a gun straight at him. Now Wang Dahai's gone to fetch his father."

"Has Cao Fengqi gotten too full of himself? Does he really think having a little strength means he can afford to offend the Wang family?"

"He's gotten arrogant, that's what. Cao Fengqi's been called Liangmin County's chosen one lately. I'd say it's gone to his head."

"This should be fun. A newly risen upstart versus an established wealthy family. Heh."

"What makes the Cao family upstarts? They just got lucky. It's all thanks to an Arcane Musket, but some people keep talking about how damn amazing he is. Give me a transcendent gun and I'd be invincible too."

"I've seen Wang Long's strength for myself. He's decked out in level 4 equipment, he's a fearsome sight with that horse-slaying saber of his, and he has powerful saber skills too."

"Making a name for yourself when you're young isn't necessarily a good thing. It's easy to lose your way and get conceited."

People from other teams who had come to watch the spectacle arrived around the Cao family's shelter.

They gathered in groups of three or five, discussing the matter.

Making a name for yourself at a young age was bound to arouse jealousy.

Many people were convinced that if they were given a transcendent gun, they could be just as formidable.

Even those who had witnessed Cao Fengqi's marksmanship were frowning now.

It wasn't that they thought Cao Fengqi was weak, but Wang Dahai's father was too strong.

He was a renowned expert from a wealthy family in Liangmin County.

Cao Fengqi had become famous lately, but the Wang family was even more famous!

"What these people are saying is just awful."

At the Cao family's door, Liu Chunying listened to some of the discussions around her, anger on her face.

"There are advantages to having so many people here, but there are drawbacks too."

Cao Jiancheng looked at the large crowd gathered around them, his brow filled with worry.

The advantage was that if they did clash with the Wang family, Wang Long wouldn't dare deal a killing blow.

The drawback was that this would probably be quite a blow to his son.

That boy's taking it pretty well, though.

He glanced at his son, who was still eating inside, and felt a little relieved.

As for the rest of them, they were in no mood to eat.

"Wang Dahai's father, Wang Long, is here."

"He's covered in armor. Hiss, what a powerful baleful aura! He really is one of Liangmin County's top experts."

"Out of the way! All of you, get the hell out of my way!"

Cries of surprise and forceful shouts rang out.

The Cao family immediately looked over, their faces grave.

Up ahead, Wang Dahai held his head high, his former arrogance restored.

Wu Qianqian and her parents looked delighted. With someone backing them up, even their strides carried more swagger.

At their center, the burly, 1.85-meter-tall Wang Long strode forward in armor that glinted coldly, a horse-slaying saber in his hand.

With every step he took, his armor clanked with a dull sound that made hearts tremble.

When Cao Jiancheng saw Wang Long's imposing presence, his heart sank.

Recently, the treasures his son had brought back had increased his constitution by a full 8 points.

With his constitution now at 38 points, he considered himself far from weak in Liangmin County.

But faced with Wang Long, he felt intimidated and under immense pressure.

It was the oppressive feeling brought on by the disparity in constitution and equipment.

"Tap, tap!"

Hearing the commotion outside, Cao Fengqi walked out.

His gaze slowly settled on the expert from the wealthy family.

"Hum!"

His gaze sharpened, and densely packed information about the supplies around him appeared in his eyes.

"Three pieces of level 4 equipment, and a level 5 treasure at his chest?"

Cao Fengqi's expression also grew grave.

"It was a minor matter. I thought sending my son over would be enough."

Wang Long stopped ahead of them, his sharp gaze falling on the Cao family. He spoke calmly. "But I didn't expect you not only to deny the Wang family face, but also to dare hurt my son."

His voice was calm, yet carried an indescribably overbearing force.

The onlookers fell silent at his words.

"Wang Long, there's no grudge or enmity between our Cao family and yours..."

"A jinx brought an idiot over and told me to kneel and apologize. I really don't know what goes on in your heads."

Cao Jiancheng spoke to Wang Long in a low voice, but before he could finish, Cao Fengqi tugged at him.

He stepped forward, fixed his gaze on Wang Long, and gave his icy reply.

"You... You're fucking at death's door, and you still dare act so arrogant?"

Wang Dahai hadn't expected Cao Fengqi to remain so arrogant even after his father arrived. His gaze turned cold, and he cursed him outright.

"Hahaha! Hahaha!"

Hearing that, Wang Long couldn't help bursting into laughter instead. He looked Cao Fengqi up and down. "Good, good, good. A newborn calf really isn't afraid of a tiger. I don't know whether you're fearless or ignorant!"

"Heh."

Cao Fengqi smiled too. He moved his hand and picked up the Arcane Musket. "Then let me see just how strong a so-called expert from a wealthy family is."

"That Cao boy's gone mad!!"

"He's courting death!"

Everyone around them stared at the scene, somewhat dumbfounded.

"That idiot." The four members of the Liu family behind them watched, their expressions changing.

"Tsk, tsk, interesting, very interesting. An eighteen-year-old brat actually dares challenge an expert from a wealthy family. Brother Long, if you don't teach this kid a proper lesson, your Wang family will lose face today."

At that moment, a middle-aged man standing to one side with his arms folded spoke, finding it amusing.

The crowd was slightly startled to see someone else get involved.

When they saw the middle-aged man's face, a trace of awe appeared in their expressions.

There was no other reason: the man who had spoken was Ma Jiuxing, an expert from a wealthy family in Team 57's area.

"Heh, it is interesting."

Wang Long glanced at Ma Jiuxing, then turned his gaze back to Cao Fengqi. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he said condescendingly, "You've got a transcendent musket and suddenly you don't know your own limits. I'll give you one more chance, young man. Cripple whichever hand you used to shoot my son, or I'll chop off both your hands."

"Bang! Bang!"

"You talk too much!"

The moment Wang Long finished speaking, Cao Fengqi raised his arm and fired two bullets straight at him!

"You're courting death!"

"Hum!"

Seeing Cao Fengqi open fire without hesitation, Wang Long realized he had underestimated the young man's arrogance.

His gaze turned cold, and killing intent instantly appeared on his face.

His body shook, and a dark cyan defensive shield appeared in front of him. At the same time, he immediately held his long saber across his body.

"Bang! Bang!"

The Arcane Musket's bullets struck the dark cyan shield, dimming it somewhat.

"You dare challenge me with a level 4 transcendent gun?"

Seeing his level 4 treasure block the Arcane Musket's attack, Wang Long's face turned cold and contemptuous. "Looks like you really don't know what's good for you!"

As he spoke, he walked toward Cao Fengqi with his long saber in hand, his face full of killing intent.