All those present were the geniuses of the nation, behind whom stood mighty factions. They were even of their clanâs direct line of descent, and had great reputations.
For them to step out to resolve this situation could be considered as giving Li Tianming enough face.
So, what did that disdainful smile mean?
Was he actually mocking them for protecting Wei Lingxuan? How could there be someone so tactless? Could he perhaps not know that Wei Lingxuan was the chancellorâs daughter, as well as the identity of all those present?
âWhat are you laughing at?!â Wei Qingyi wasnât able to control himself any longer.
âIâm laughing, because the so-called direct line of descent of Wei Manor, the so-called Flameyellow Scions Institute Chancellorâs daughter, actually just publicly broke her promise in front of so many people, only to hide behind other people afterwards! Wei Lingxuan, would you agree if I say youâre not worthy of a member of Wei Manor?â Li Tianmingâs words rang loud and clear.
His burning gaze landed on Wei Lingxuan. His words, overflowing with strength and conviction, was enough to tell everyone present one thing â he wasnât scared of anyone here.
âLi Tianming!â Wei Lingxuan gritted her teeth, her eyes reddening.
âWho are you trying to scare? Am I wrong to say someone cowardly like you who dares to bet but doesnât dare uphold it is unworthy of your identity? Am I?! In my opinion, youâre the disgrace of Heavenâs Sanctum and Wei Manor!â
Every word of Li Tianming landed on Wei Lingxuan like a slap to her face.
âLi Tianming!â Wei Lingxuan snarled. Under the pressure, she cracked and tears started to fall. She had never been humiliated like this until today, having always been treated as a princess.
âOh please, donât act pitiful. You definitely didnât have this expression just now when you wanted to use Flameyellow Rock to maim me. Who are you trying to elicit sympathy from? Wei Manor is always known for their strength of character, but it seems those rumours were blown out of proportion if theyâre filled with people like you.â Li Tianming snorted dismissively, his words stabbing at her ears again.
Li Tianming wasnât bullying a girl. In the battlefield, gender distinctions didnât exist.
Since she had attempted to humiliate and injure him, Li Tianming would disregard any supposed cousin relationship they had.
Li Tianming had believed since young that all things had their cause and effect. If you were willing to do something, you had to be prepared to pay for it.
Li Tianming had swapped his target of disdain from Wei Lingxuan to Wei Manor. For her, the bloodline of Wei Manor had always been her source of pride, and now Li Tianming was trampling all over it. Her bloodshot eyes and tears were insufficient to express the depth of her current feelings.
âShut up, SHUT UP! Mongrels like you have no right to comment on Wei Manor! You and your mother are the true failures and disgraces of our clan!â Wei Lingxuanâs hysterical shrieks only sowed confusion among the spectators. What relationship did Li Tianming have with Wei Manor? However, the matter was quickly put aside as the conflict continued to escalate.
âFunny. Those disgraces you mention at least know how to uphold their promises. Instead, it seems to be the ones with good breeding that hide behind others after losing a bet! Since weâre all trash, then donât bother playing dress up and acting all noble!â
âSHUT UP! Iâm not afraid of you!â Wei Lingxuan shrieked.
âImpressive! Then, you may start cleaning.â Li Tianming extended his foot towards her and pointed. Li Tianming didnât find his actions trashy. Who cared about her dignity? She didnât care when attempting to lead him into cultivation deviation, so it was a bit too late now.
âI swear that I will make you pay a price for this!â Wei Lingxuan pushed Wei Qingyi aside. Surrounded by baleful intent, she strode towards Li Tianming.
âRemember, clean it nicely and be quick about it!â Li Tianming inclined his head.
Honestly, if it was just a grudge, Li Tianming wouldnât care. However, if there was malice, it was a different matter. Li Tianming refused to back down, no matter how much criticism the onlookers levied on him.
âCome!â Li Tianming stared at Wei Lingxuan.
âYou wonât meet a good end!â Wei Lingxuan clenched her teeth.
âStop wasting my time with your nonsense.â
âWeâll see who can protect you once you leave the pagoda. Donât give me the chance!â Wei Lingxuan was aware her personal strength was enough to crush Li Tianming.
âDidnât I say cut the nonsense!â Li Tianming directly pressed down her head onto his foot. The unprepared Wei Lingxuanâs slammed onto the ground as she entered a crawling position at Li Tianmingâs feet.
Her pretty lips landed on Li Tianmingâs dirty shoe. However, Li Tianming didnât stop there as he brushed it across her face, smearing it with filth!
His brazen actions immediately caused an uproar. Todayâs events would surely change Heavenâs Sanctum disciplesâ view of Li Tianming. There was no way someone with this much guts could be a coward or joke!
No one here was unaware of Wei Lingxuanâs status. Even those with the strongest of backgrounds would choose to give Wei Lingxuan some face in this situation, but Li Tianming hadnât.
âYou... YOU!â Wei Lingxuan trembled as she experienced another first in her life. For three whole breaths of time, her mind was a complete blank as Li Tianming continued to use her face to wipe her shoe.
She only finally reacted when her entire face was dirty. She burst into tears and struggled away. By now, Li Tianming had already released her, watching as she went crazy.
She wanted to kill someone. In the next moment, her fingernails scraped across Li Tianmingâs chest, drawing five bloody gashes on them.
Li Tianming ducked out of the way, lest she did even more damage. Although fights were prohibited in Flameyellow Pagoda, she had obviously gone crazy and couldnât control herself.
Although Li Tianming could feel stinging pain and blood was flowing, he didnât mind. It was just a flesh wound, and in the world, a loss of dignity and face was even more painful.
âI swear, I wonât let you die with a complete corpse!â Wei Lingxuan hadnât lost all her rationality yet. After all, Li Tianming hadnât gone as far as he could have, as there was still filth left on his shoes. Still, that didnât stop killing intent and rage from filling her.
âI recommend you spend more time reading books and cultivating your inner qualities instead,â Li Tianming said placidly, wiping away the blood.
âDonât you dare leave Flameyellow Pagoda, let me see you, or go back to Wei Manor to visit your mother! Otherwise, thatâll be the day you die!â
âAlright, alright. Take a look in the mirror before you continue. Sheesh, the direct descendant of Wei Manor looks like some crazy shrew now.â
âLi Tianming, donât get too pleased with yourself. Youâre finished. Sis Xuan, letâs go.â Helpless, Wei Qingyi knew they couldnât do anything but to leave now. There was no chance of retaliating in Flameyellow Pagoda, and if Wei Lingxuan did lose control, she would land in even more trouble.
âGet lost!â Wei Lingxuan pushed him away and rose to her feet herself, leveling Li Tianming with an icy look. âIâll be waiting for you at Wei Manor.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âSure thing, prepare some fruits for me too. Iâm especially fond of grapes. Oh, and they have to be seedless!â Li Tianming said.
âSure, Iâll prepare so many that your stomach goes bad!â Wei Ling walked out of the pagoda, intermittently throwing Li Tianming murderous glares.
The conflict was finally over.
Everyone was speechless, except for Li Tianming who acted like nothing of significance had happened.
Li Tianming turned back to the Flameyellow Rock. âYing Huo, interested to challenge level five synchronisation?â
That was the supposed peak.
âGame on! Donât chicken out on me!â
âOh, bold words for a chicken!â
âHaha, you dare to shame me? Iâll make you lick clean my claws one day,â the little chick roared.
Li Tianming realised everyone was looking at him coldly. None believed he could last long in Heavenâs Sanctum after provoking Wei Lingxuan. She was so much stronger than him, and would trample him as soon as he left the pagoda. What would she care about some punishment after what happened?
However, among them remained one warm and gentle gaze that belonged to someone who had been waiting for Li Tianming to find her â Jiang Feiling.