Chapter 120: Is That Really How It Is?

“Old Ironwood Ghost, you’re far too arrogant. With your pitiful strength, you don’t even deserve to say such things,” Xie Cang shouted, nostrils flaring like a bull’s, anger radiating from his widened eyes.

But just then, a voice carrying spiritual energy whispered into Xie Cang’s ear—it was Nangong Hao: “Old Xie, don’t lose your temper. It seems Ironwood Qiu has broken through to the Great Mastery realm. Let’s take a step back for now and wait until the family head wakes up.”

“The Great Mastery realm,” Xie Cang’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with displeasure as he stared at Ironwood Qiu. Inwardly, he cursed, “Damn it, that old bastard really has reached the family head’s level. No wonder he acts so arrogantly. This is infuriating.”

He had already suspected from the earlier clash between Nangong Hao and Ironwood Qiu that the latter had made significant progress in cultivation. Although it had only been a guess that he had advanced to Great Mastery, it was understandable—the higher one ascended, the harder the breakthroughs became. Even a small realm leap required fortune and decades of accumulation.

Though straightforward, Xie Cang understood the threat Ironwood Qiu’s breakthrough posed to the Nangong family. In the Ancient Core realm, even a minor difference in realm could be enormous. A Great Mastery Ancient Core cultivator could match the strength of three to four small mastery cultivators.

“Ironwood Chief, I hope we can both take a step back. Our Nangong family would never betray Brother Ye by handing him over to you. However, we are willing to offer some compensation,” Nangong Hao said cautiously.

Nearby, Nangong Lin, a plump young man, leaned toward Nangong Xue and whispered, “Senior Sister, why do you think Elder Hao is making such concessions? The family head hasn’t even woken, and the Nangong family is quite powerful. There’s no reason to be so yielding.”

“From their earlier fight, it’s clear they fear Ironwood Qiu’s strength,” Nangong Xue replied softly, her brows furrowed. “There must be a reason for their actions.”

After this brief exchange, Ironwood Qiu laughed coldly, his snake-like eyes chilling as he looked at Nangong Hao. “Compensation? Fine. You hand over all the ‘Chosen’ slots for this year, and I will let this matter go.”

As soon as Ironwood Qiu’s words fell, several sharp knocks on chairs echoed. The other senior members of the Nangong family rose angrily, including two previously silent elders.

“This Ironwood Qiu really doesn’t know his place. The Nangong family isn’t someone he can just crush at will,” some young Nangong disciples grumbled.

“Ironwood Qiu, don’t get carried away. Our family’s concession is to settle this peacefully, not because we fear you. Don’t push your luck, or you’ll end up with nothing,” a Nangong elder in a blue robe said coldly.

“Ha! Too much?” Ironwood Qiu stared hard at the blue-robed elder before surveying everyone present with disdain curling at the corner of his mouth. “I knew you wouldn’t want to give up these ‘Chosen’ slots. Let me be clear: this Ye kid is mine. Whether you agree or not, you cannot stop me.”

With his arrogant declaration, the spiritual energy around Ironwood Qiu suddenly surged chaotically, winds swirling wildly. The terrifying aura radiated instantly, sending waves of force outward. Nearby warriors’ faces changed, many retreating several steps, while the weaker ones turned pale.

“A Great Mastery Ancient Core!” The senior members of the Nangong family, tens of meters away, all turned pale as they felt the oppressive energy emanating from Ironwood Qiu. Now they understood why Nangong Hao had been so yielding earlier.

“Damn it! That old Ironwood ghost really broke through to Great Mastery. This complicates things,” Xie Cang cursed in a rough voice.

“This is bad. Ye Cheng is in danger now,” Nangong Xue’s beautiful face shifted as she hurried to Ye Cheng’s side and whispered, “Ironwood Qiu’s strength is that of a Great Mastery Ancient Core. In Eternal City, only my father has reached that level. Even Grandpa Nangong Hao is only at the peak of small mastery. And with my father still unconscious, it’s unlikely the family elders here can protect you against Ironwood Qiu. Find an opportunity to escape. I’ll buy you some time.”

Ye Cheng heard the urgency in her voice and felt a warmth in his heart. Looking at her stunning face, he quietly asked, “How will you buy time?”

Deep down, Ye Cheng had pride. He didn’t want a girl, especially someone like Nangong Xue, to risk herself for him. In his heart, he had unconsciously accepted her, and he didn’t want her to get hurt on his account.

Moreover, with Nangong Xue’s current strength, she couldn’t even resist Ironwood Qiu’s attacks—one move from him could easily cripple her.

“Don’t worry about it,” Nangong Xue met his gaze, biting her silver teeth tightly. “I’ll do everything in my power to hold him off.”

“Why are you so kind to me?” Ye Cheng looked at her, noticing a flicker of nervousness in her eyes.

“N-no,” Nangong Xue was caught off guard by the question and quickly covered up, “You were invited by me. Morally and logically, I must do everything to ensure your safety.”

“Is that really so?”

“Yes.” Nangong Xue couldn’t hold his gaze and turned her face away, cheeks flushing faintly. She didn’t know why she suddenly felt shy around Ye Cheng.

“Has he noticed? Has he noticed?” Usually calm and composed, Nangong Xue now fluttered like a shy maiden, her heart pounding wildly.

Seeing her reaction, a smile appeared on Ye Cheng’s lips. He said no more. His feet didn’t move; he wasn’t really planning to run.

In his heart, he had prepared for the worst. If necessary, he would let Elder Mu intervene and then flee far away. Even with Ironwood Qiu’s skills, it would be difficult to find him.

“What are you two whispering about? Planning to run?” Ironwood Qiu’s face darkened as he glared at Ye Cheng and Nangong Xue. The terrifying aura of the Great Mastery Ancient Core pressed down directly on Ye Cheng’s position.

Nangong Xue’s delicate face instantly turned pale. Ye Cheng felt as if someone had grabbed his throat, making breathing difficult. But the feeling lasted only a moment before Nangong Hao and Xie Cang stepped forward, pushing back the oppressive aura.

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