Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor-Chapter 1239: Bullying the Weak, Fearing the Strong
"Oh, isn't this our Great Elder Leng? Why have you come back again?"
Wu Tong, who had just returned to Lishui City after a fierce battle outside, saw Leng Buyan and his full excitement instantly vanished, his words carrying a trace of undisguised mockery.
And the human cultivators beside Wu Tong displayed disdain as well. The fact that the Elder from Wuyan Palace fled the battle earlier made them despise him. If a powerful savior hadn't arrived suddenly, they might have been completely wiped out.
Usually, no one would dare to show such a face to a Peak Earth Bending Realm expert, but the circumstances are a bit different now.
Firstly, these cultivators from Lishui City are high-spirited after a massive slaughter of Strange Spirits outside; secondly, Lishui City might not be dominated solely by Wuyan Palace anymore. This old man is so contemptible; who would give him a good face now?
Unfortunately, Leng Buyan is unaware of this. He only knows that his Peak Earth Bending Realm cultivation is the strongest in Lishui City, and those Gushan City powerhouses are just here to help temporarily. After assisting, they'll return to Gushan City, leaving Lishui City as his realm once more.
Now that Lishui City has triumphed over the Strange Spirits, likely achieving first-rate results in this Demon Slaying Battlefield, why would Leng Buyan want to give up such a big piece of fat?
"Elder Wu Tong, I merely went to the West City to call for reinforcements, what are you thinking?"
At this moment, Leng Buyan naturally wouldn't admit to his cowardly escape. His tone shifted, and he shamelessly claimed his despicable act was going to gather reinforcements.
But in vast Lishui City, almost 80% of human cultivators are stationed at the East Gate, while the other gates are sparsely defended, merely alerting to possible Strange Spirit raids. Where could any reinforcements possibly come from?
"Oh? I didn't say Elder Leng fled the battle. Why are you explaining it yourself? Do you have a guilty conscience?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Tong's cold smile deepened. Once, he had extreme reverence for the Sixth Elder of Wuyan Palace, but at this moment, he felt no fear at all.
"Yes, and where exactly are the reinforcements Elder Leng called for?"
A Middle Stage Earth Bending Realm expert, covered head to toe in blood, couldn't stand Leng Buyan's despicable behavior of fleeing at a slight adversity only to seize unfair advantages later, coldly voiced his questioning.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of murderous intent shone in Leng Buyan's eyes. These two old foils kept pestering him; it seems he must find an opportunity to suppress them, perhaps even kill them discreetly, to prevent further defiance.
Yet, in this setting with many witnesses, Leng Buyan had to restrain himself. He couldn't afford to go into an embarrassing rage over normal questioning, otherwise, he'd be confirming the cowardly escape everyone accused him of earlier.
"Didn't I hear that the friends from Gushan City came to help? Well, since victory is achieved, why bother calling for reinforcements?"
Admittedly, though usually sparing in speech, Leng Buyan was articulate at this moment; however, he was somewhat puzzled. Weren't Gushan City experts supposed to help? Why hadn't he seen anyone yet?
"Humph, you cowardly wretch, are you still dreaming of leading Lishui City?"
The blood-soaked Middle Stage Earth Bending Realm expert was in high spirits and unrestrainedly spoke aloud, finally causing Leng Buyan's expression to suddenly darken.
"What did you say?"
Previously, Wu Tong and the others merely ridiculed covertly, but the current words directly accused Leng Buyan's vile actions, making any respectful facade impossible.
Moreover, Leng Buyan had long been arrogant in Lishui City, not only being a Peak Earth Bending Realm powerhouse but also having Wuyan Palace backing him.
Since arriving in Lishui City, no one dared to dissent his commands, yet this little time has passed, and their audacity has impressively grown.
"What, did I say something wrong? You retreated out of cowardice with so many witnesses watching, yet expect to conceal this with mere words!"
The man clearly wasn't concerned with Leng Buyan's Peak Earth Bending Realm cultivation, and his words incited nods from many, though some eyes also held traces of worry.
"Xuan Zhao, do you know whom you're speaking to? Who gave you such courage?"
Leng Buyan's chest slightly heaved from anger, evident on the edge of fury, and upon uttering these words, several people shrank away, clearly sensing the imminent danger emanating from him.
"Earlier East Gate was under threat, and you fled with Wuyan Palace Elders. Now that Strange Spirits retreated, you want to exploit this. How can the world allow such benefits?"
The cultivator named Xuan Zhao seemed to speak out everyone's thoughts, and this undeniable truth finally caused Leng Buyan to lose his grip, feeling that if Xuan Zhao continued, his prestige in Lishui City would be utterly destroyed.
"Such audacity!"
But before Leng Buyan could make a move, the Seventh Elder, Song Feng, standing beside him, couldn't hold back. Leng Buyan represented Wuyan Palace, and provoking him was akin to provoking Wuyan Palace. It was unbearable.
Whoosh!
Song Feng was also a formidable expert at the Late Stage of Earth Bending Realm, more powerful than Wu Tong. His swift attack struck like a bolt of lightning, causing Xuan Zhao's expression to change slightly. He couldn't dodge in time and could only take the blow head-on.
However, Xuan Zhao was not Yun Xiao. With a realm difference, he was no match for Song Feng. Besides, he had exhausted much of his Meridian Qi battling Strange Spirits earlier outside; how could he be as composed as Song Feng?
Thus, under the impact of the strike, Xuan Zhao staggered several steps back before stabilizing himself, his face paling as if he had sustained some internal injuries.
"Heh... cough... turns out Wuyan Palace treats its own with such rashness, but cowers from Strange Spirits. Today, Xuan has truly gained much insight!"
Despite his internal injuries, Xuan Zhao's stubborn anger was ignited. He coughed lightly twice, making everyone aware that there was likely no room for reconciliation between the two parties.
Previously, Xuan Zhao's words seemed targeted solely at Leng Buyan, but now his remarks encompass the entire Wuyan Palace, forging an unyielding, eternal enmity between them.
"You're seeking death!"
Leng Buyan's face was full of grim murderous intent. This time, he didn't wait for Song Feng to act again; with lightning speed, a shadow attacked Xuan Zhao's front. If this hit landed, Xuan Zhao would be instantaneously doomed.
He was a genuine Peak of Earth Bending Realm expert, separated by two minor realms within this Great Rank, making their combat power vastly different.
Thus, seeing Leng Buyan personally act, everyone's faces changed, and they couldn't help but silently lament. Regardless, the strength of this Sixth Elder of Wuyan Palace was indisputable, and Xuan Zhao shouldn't have engaged him head-on.
Bang!
However, Leng Buyan's strike ultimately did not land on Xuan Zhao. A silhouette emerged from the side and intercepted the attack. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Though this person took Leng Buyan's powerful blow, his figure retreated several steps, yet he wasn't gravely injured.
As the crowd focused their gaze, they saw the intervening person was indeed Wu Tong from Firewood Valley, a rightful Late Stage of Earth Bending Realm expert. Seeing him, the crowd collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
"Elder Leng, we're all on the same side; there's no need to be so ruthless, is there?"
Though Wu Tong held contempt for Leng Buyan's character, he was much more prudent than Xuan Zhao, choosing not to confront Leng Buyan directly in this moment, instead asking calmly.
"Xuan Zhao insulted my Wuyan Palace, hence deserves death. Today, I must kill him. Wu Tong, I advise you not to interfere, lest you invite trouble upon yourself!"
However, Wu Tong's calm voice didn't give Leng Buyan any pause. Hearing him invoke Wuyan Palace's great righteousness, it seemed he stood on a moral high ground, covering up his earlier cowardice.
Wuyan Palace was one of the four great powers on Tenglong Continent, though its prestige had waned over the years. It wasn't something any random riffraff could challenge lightly; this was a common understanding across the continent.
Additionally, Leng Buyan eagerly sought to reclaim his lost dignity, establishing authority was imperative. Xuan Zhao stepping forward was undoubtedly the best target for his display of dominance.
As Wuyan Palace's Sixth Elder, Leng Buyan wouldn't regard a mere Elder from Firewood Valley highly. More importantly, Wu Tong was only at the Late Stage of Earth Bending Realm, a significant gap in strength compared to him.
"Elder Wu Tong, you should step aside. I, Xuan Zhao, want to see if that old guy truly dares to kill me?"
Despite his injuries, Xuan Zhao resisted them. He didn't want to drag Wu Tong into the conflict, and as he claimed, if Leng Buyan dared to kill him publicly, it would affirm the notion of bullying the weak.
"Hmph, an ant at the Middle Stage of Earth Bending Realm dares to disrespect my Wuyan Palace, deserves death!"
With Leng Buyan's disposition, he wouldn't change his mind over Xuan Zhao's words, as dense Meridian Qi emerged from him, clearly indicating genuine anger, intent on killing.
Earlier, his strike was aimed at the Middle Stage of Earth Bending Realm, which Wu Tong managed to intercept. However, if he unleashed his full power, even if Xuan Zhao and Wu Tong joined forces, they likely couldn't withstand several blows from him.
