```
Yu Qingtan returned to the courtyard, Song Zhenkai and Zuo Hong had already dealt with the other two Shadow Leopards and were about to go look for Yu Qingtan.
"Miss Qingtan, thank goodness, you are safe and back, the Shadow Leopard?" Song Zhenkai asked.
"I have not shad us, that Shadow Leopard is dead," Yu Qingtan said.
"Young friend Yu is truly extraordinary, this old man admires you," Zuo Hong said. Being originally a Loose Cultivator from the shanty area, although he had long rented a house in the city, he held quite a fondness for Yu Qingtan.
He himself could only manage to hold off the Shadow Leopard without defeat, relying on Song Zhenkai’s reinforcents to finally slay it. He had not expected that Yu Qingtan would be able to kill a Shadow Leopard on her own.
"Qingtan, you had
worried to death!" At this mont, Shen Wanning rushed out and hugged Yu Qingtan tightly.
"I’m alright; you should have confidence in ," Yu Qingtan said gently, stroking her back.
"Mm-hmm," Shen Wanning replied, releasing Yu Qingtan with an affirmative response.
"Brother Song, what’s the situation now?" Yu Qingtan inquired.
"For the ti being, no more Demonic Beasts are attacking here, but the demonic turmoil in the city is still expanding, and the great battle outside continues. The situation is not looking optimistic."
At that mont, a group of Cultivators arrived outside the courtyard.
"May I ask if Miss Yu Qingtan from Tianxiang Pavilion is here?"
The person leading asked.
Hearing that they were looking for her, Yu Qingtan stepped forward and replied, "I am Yu Qingtan, what business do you fellow Cultivators have with ?"
Upon hearing her, the person bowed with hands clasped and said, "I’ve seen Miss Qingtan. I am Huang Jin, a retainer of the You family. Our young master heard that Miss Qingtan was here amidst the demonic chaos. Regrettably, he must oversee our clan, so he sent
with n to protect the lady."
"Thank you, Retainer Huang, and thank you, Young Master You."
It turned out to be people sent by You Xiwang.
Just then, almost simultaneously, two other groups of Cultivators arrived.
"Seventh Brother, you’ve arrived."
Song Zhenkai walked up to the leader of one group of Cultivators and said.
This person was none other than Song Zhenbo.
"The demonic chaos is rampant in the city, and the clan sent
to protect you," Song Zhenbo said, yet his gaze drifted towards Yu Qingtan, who was standing aside with a mask on.
Song Zhenbo specialized in combat and was not much of a talker.
"Haha, Brother Song is not only here to protect his cousin but also seems to have co for the purpose of protecting Miss Qingtan," the leader of the other group of Cultivators remarked.
Upon hearing this, Song Zhenbo didn’t argue but instead nodded slightly.
"Miss Qingtan, the Ges heard that you were here. Elder Nine has sent
with n to protect you," said the person, who was Ge Wenyu. Although he himself was only at the sixth level of Qi Cultivation, he was accompanied by a Ges retainer who was at the ninth level.
"Thank you to the Ges and Cultivator Ge, and thank you to Cultivator Song," Yu Qingtan said.
What else could Yu Qingtan do but first express her gratitude?
The others in the courtyard were all clicking their tongues in wonder. Qi Yu quietly said to Shen Wanning, "Your Qingtan truly lives up to being the strongest newcor of Tianxiang Pavilion. To protect her, two of the three major families have co. Such connections are simply incredible."
Puffing up her chest proudly, Shen Wanning responded softly with pride, "Of course, my Qingtan is the best!"
However, just as Yu Qingtan finished her words of thanks, two more groups of Cultivators arrived, one of which was from the Enforcent Team.
"Miss Qingtan, the Captain has sent
with n to protect you," the leading mber of the Enforcent Team said as he approached Yu Qingtan.
This was Zeng Jie, the deputy of Ouyang Wulong, soone Yu Qingtan also recognized.
"Thank you, Captain Ouyang, thank you, Cultivator Zeng."
```
Actually, Ouyang Wulong hadn’t thought about coming to protect Yu Qingtan. He was already swamped with work, but after soone found him and asked him to do so, he sent people over.
"Qing Tan, this young master was worried about you, so I brought people over to check on you. I did not expect this place to be so lively," he said.
Another group of cultivators arrived, led by none other than Qi Hong.
"Many thanks to Young Master Qi."
Yu Qingtan continued to express her gratitude with a bow.
"Haha, it seems everyone is here for Miss Qing Tan, but you’re all a step too late. A Shadow Leopard just attacked, and Miss Qing Tan has single-handedly dealt with a late-stage, first-rank Shadow Leopard," said Song Zhenkai, who also found the situation quite novel.
Upon hearing this, everyone who had just arrived was surprised and turned to look at Yu Qingtan.
"Miss Qing Tan is truly extraordinary," thought Huang Jin, an enforcer from the You family, while Ge Wenyu said it out loud.
"To have such strength, Qing Tan might already be stronger than ," said Qi Hong, looking at Yu Qingtan in amazent.
These descendants of major families typically had access to the finest cultivation techniques and spells, accompanied by an array of treasures and thods, giving them strength far beyond that of average loose cultivators of the sa rank.
Like Song Zhenkai, who was only at the seventh level of Qi Cultivation and not specialized in combat, was still able to slay a late-stage, first-rank Shadow Leopard.
Qi Hong, who was also at the seventh level of Qi Cultivation, was even stronger.
"Heh, at least you’re aware of your limitations. Now go back and don’t add to the chaos," Song Zhenkai said with a light laugh after hearing this.
He and Song Zhenfeng were brothers from the sa parents. Song Zhenfeng always had issues with Qi Hong, and although Song Zhenkai usually kept a low profile, he did not mind confronting him.
After all, his clan brother Song Zhenbo next to him looked quite displeased by Qi Hong’s conversation with Yu Qingtan, the annoyance nearly written on his face.
"Hmph, Song brat, do you dare to fight
to decide the winner?" Qi Hong was imdiately angered and pointed his folding fan toward Song Zhenkai.
Before Song Zhenkai could respond, Song Zhenbo had already drawn his longsword, holding the hilt and staring at Qi Hong.
The onlookers in the courtyard were all stunned; not only had mbers from the three great families gathered, but the Enforcent Team had arrived as well.
And then there was the Qis and the Songs, their swords drawn and crossbows pulled.
This must be a rivalry fueled by jealousy!
The gossip was juicy and enticing.
"Young Master Qi, Brother Song, everyone, please calm down. If you act like this, you will be doing Qing Tan a disservice," said Yu Qingtan, quickly stepping forward to diate.
"Moreover, there are Demonic Beasts wreaking havoc in the city. Countless cultivators are suffering at this very mont. Since you all ca to protect Qing Tan, and there’s limited space here, may I suggest that we join forces to eliminate the nearby Demonic Beasts?"
"Qing Tan is clear-headed and recognizes the greater good," said Qi Hong, quickly taking the chance to back down, putting away his fan.
He couldn’t beat Song Zhenbo.
"We will follow Miss Qing Tan’s arrangents," Huang Jin was the first to express his agreent.
"Miss Qing Tan is just and righteous, this is the best course of action," agreed Ge Wenyu and Zeng Jie as well.
"Miss Qing Tan, feel free to go. I will explain the situation to our superiors," said Song Zhenkai.
"Many thanks to Brother Song. Then, I shall leave this place in the care of the two of you," Yu Qingtan said, bowing to Song Zhenkai and Song Zhenbo.
With Song Zhenkai’s permission, she wasn’t abandoning her post.
Song Zhenbo wanted to accompany her, but since he was sent by his family to protect Song Zhenkai and the others, he reluctantly stayed behind.
"Wanning, wait for
here," Yu Qingtan said to Shen Wanning and the others, and then she left the courtyard.
At this ti, injured people were still being brought into the yard. Among those who ca with Song Zhenbo was an alchemist, providing him with a chance to have a brief exchange of words with Qi Hong.
Shen Wanning and the others had to continue their work.
Huang Jin, Ge Wenyu, Zeng Jie, and Qi Hong led their combined forces of over twenty people and followed.
Reviews
All reviews (0)