The moment he spoke, countless people were stunned. A vast, biting chill quickly spread through the air, as if the entire Qingyuan River was about to freeze over. They had heard him clearly: Southern Dipper Academy.
What began as a conflict between the Imperial Clan and the Former Chief Military Commander had first seen the intervention of Biluo Sword Valley, and now, Southern Dipper Academy had arrived as well. This⊠This was truly a battle of gods.
The onlookers guessed a great chaotic battle might erupt next. Fearing they might be caught in the crossfire, they chose to retreat, and the chaotic sound of hurried footsteps rang out one after another. As the crowd retreated, the murderous intent filling the now-empty field grew ever more horrifying.
"Hmph!"
Facing Shen Shaotian's audacious words, Gu Xiulan gave a cold laugh. "This piece of trash killed someone from my Biluo Sword Valley and even severed the arm of my young lady's cousin. He must pay the price today."
"That only proves that the people from your Biluo Sword Valley are utter trash!" Shen Shaotian bared his teeth in a grin and patted Chen Yang on the shoulder again. "Of course, it also proves that my brother-in-law here is exceptionally strong. Even having grown up in this mortal world, killing people from your Biluo Sword Valley is a simple matter for him."
"YouâŠ" Gu Xiulan's already sullen face grew even uglier, her cold eyes glinting like a venomous snake's.
Shen Shaotian paid no further attention to the old witch and turned to explain to Chen Yang, "I am Shen Shaotian from Yuning Mountain's Southern Dipper Academy, and I'm your cousin Liu Qingmei's boyfriend. You can call me brother-in-law."
At the side, Zhou Zhirou rolled her eyes. This young master of hers truly has no shame. Nothing is even close to being settled, yet he dares to call himself Liu Qingmei's boyfriend and even expects to be called brother-in-law?
Chen Yang raised an eyebrow. "My cousin has a boyfriend?"
Shen Shaotian's face didn't twitch.
Then, without so much as a blush, he asserted confidently, "That would be me! Girls, you know, they're all a bit shy. It's perfectly normal for her to be hesitant to say it out loud at first!"
"Don't worry, your brother-in-law will protect you today."
Chen Yang let out an amused laugh. He could easily see the lack of confidence behind the man's bravado.
"Just you?" not far away, Gu Xiulan mocked. "Shen Shaotian, with Miss Zhiqing present, no one can protect him today."
"You're noisy, old witch," Shen Shaotian said, turning to face her.
Gu Xiulan was speechless.
"YouâŠ"
Shen Shaotian said no more. A surge of killing intent emanated from his slightly narrowed eyes.
CLANG!
With a flick of his fingers, his longsword left its sheath.
Gu Xiulan, who was standing a short distance away trying to gather her words, felt the hairs on her body stand on end as the cane she had just raised was instantly split in two.
BOOM!
A delicate, seemingly boneless hand reached out, shattering the frosty Sword Qi with a single palm strike.
SPURT!
Although Gu Zhiqing had acted in time, a spray of blood still burst from Gu Xiulan's chest.
THUD, THUD, THUD.
Gu Xiulan staggered back several steps, nearly collapsing.
"You, youâŠ" Gu Xiulan's heart trembled with fear. How could she have imagined that Shen Shaotian would dare to attack her so brazenly right in front of Gu Zhiqing?
"Miss Zhiqing, please keep an eye on your people," Shen Shaotian said with a faint smile, holding his sword in both arms.
Many couldn't help but twitch their lips. He had clearly struck first, yet he was telling her to watch her own people. What a shameless fellow.
Gu Zhiqing stepped forward, glanced at Shen Shaotian, then addressed Chen Yang indifferently. "Sever your own arm."
Instantly, the atmosphere became dangerously tense.
Everyone had assumed that with Shen Shaotian's intervention, Biluo Sword Valley would be somewhat wary. After all, both parties were from Yuning Mountain, and a direct conflict would likely result in mutual destruction. Yet unexpectedly, Gu Zhiqing proved to be utterly resolute. Ultimately, she was only seeking justice for her cousin, Gu Tianxing; she was not acting on orders from the Biluo Sword Valley.
"Hehe." Shen Shaotian suddenly laughed. "So, does Miss Zhiqing want to fight me?"
CLANG!
The moment he finished speaking, Shen Shaotian drew his sword.
"I've long heard that Gu Zhiqing of Biluo Sword Valley possesses astonishing talent and extraordinary strength. There are even rumors that Liu Qingmei isn't half as good as you." Shen Shaotian tilted his head, a mocking smile on his face. "Honestly, I don't believe it."
"My Qingmei would never be inferior to anyone."
Gu Zhiqing didn't speak; instead, she took a step back.
Hm?
Shen Shaotian frowned. Then, as if sensing something, his eyes shot toward the distant horizon.
In the torrential rain, a silver ribbon of light cut across the void. The wind and rain recoiled as if something truly terrifying was hurtling toward them. Within two breaths, a pair of deep, brilliant eyes ignited within the approaching silver ribbon, shooting past Shen Shaotian to lock onto Chen Yang.
"Today, no one can save him!"
A cold, heavy voice, like muffled thunder, rolled down from the heavens. The sound, like a great bell, made the earth tremble and sent ripples spreading across the nearby Qingyuan River.
"Tu Cunshan, this young master has been waiting for you for a long time!" Shen Shaotian declared, standing tall with a hint of mockery in his voice.
Immediately, the vast Cangyun City was thrown into an uproar.
"Is that⊠Is the Imperial Clan Leader, Tu Cunshan, here?"
"That old monster actually came himself. It seems the Imperial Clan won't rest until Chen Yang is dead today."
Discussions erupted all along the banks of the Qingyuan River. Many of the nobles and prominent families were ecstatic, even haughty. With the Clan Leader himself on the field, how could a mere young master from the Southern Dipper Academy possibly protect Chen Yang? This 'battle of gods' was changing in an instant, growing ever more intense and exciting.
SWOOSH!
A streak of cold starlight flashed into existence, tearing through the void as it shot straight for Chen Yang.
"Hmph!"
Shen Shaotian snorted coldly and took several steps forward to meet it head-on.
BOOM!
Sparks flew everywhere as the resulting force swept out in all directions like a hurricane. The Chen Family Ancestral Mansion shuddered, its tiles shattering and walls cracking. The waters of the Qingyuan River churned violently.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Shen Shaotian was forced back three steps. Each step landed like thunder, sending cracks spiderwebbing across the ground.
THUD!
A brown longspear plunged deep into the ground.
HUFF⊠HUFFâŠ
Shen Shaotian's chest heaved, his face slightly pale. His right hand, which gripped his longsword, trembled uncontrollably.
"ThisâŠ" Shen Shaotian's expression shifted rapidly, and a look of extreme caution flashed in his deep eyes.
"Tu Cunshan!" Anger flickered in Shen Shaotian's gaze as he glared at a middle-aged man in a black robe approaching through the storm. "You old fiend, you dare make a move in front of me?"
"So it is Young Master Shen Shaotian." The man in black, who was none other than the Clan Leader of the Imperial Clan, gave a slight bow of his hands. "The rain is quite heavy. I didn't see it was you just now. Please forgive me."
"By the way, what brings Mr. Shen here?" Tu Cunshan asked, feigning ignorance with a warm smile, his hands clasped behind his back.
Shen Shaotian was speechless.
How could he not see that Tu Cunshan was intentionally making a show of force, to let him know that no one could stop him from killing his target?