Gao Xianwu treated Lin Xuan with utter disregard, as if he were the master and Lin Xuan the servant.
Fang Ming’s eyes, accustomed to a cold glint, flickered as he observed the leading servant, Gao Xianwu.
What kind of person was Fang Ming? He had once swept through countless zombies in the zombie world and almost dominated the martial artist world. Even an unintentional glance from such a person, a flash of cold light, carried the weight of authority.
Gao Xianwu, who had barged in, felt an unbearable chill in his heart when he met Fang Ming’s gaze, as if facing a Dao Foundation Elder of his clan. This inherent authority made him involuntarily step back a few paces.
However, because of Fang Ming's past actions, which had not occurred in this world, Gao Xianwu’s perception of Fang Ming lacked the corresponding status to explain the deterrence in his eyes. Thus, after retreating a few steps, Gao Xianwu regained his composure.
Wasn't Lin Xuan supposed to be a good-for-nothing? Why was he being forced to retreat by the gaze of a mere nobody?
This thought fueled Gao Xianwu's anger. Being intimidated by a weakling's stare was an immense humiliation. Regardless of the reason, he decided to vent his frustration on Fang Ming.
Gao Xianwu roared, "Boy, you've got some nerve! Dare to hoard my Lingyuan Pills? Hand over that pill immediately, or else..."
"I'll beat you to death today!"
Gao Xianwu declared with his usual arrogance, "If you hand it over, I'll just teach you a lesson, give you a beating. You'll be mostly recovered in a few months. But if you don't... you'd better think carefully!"
Gao Xianwu's words were outrageously arrogant, openly threatening to kill Fang Ming. Even if Fang Ming had obediently handed over the pill, he intended to beat him.
His tone was presumptuous and completely disregarded the Lin family's rules. Yet, the other servants around showed no intention of intervening. Instead, they watched as if witnessing a spectacle, pointing and jeering at Fang Ming.
Some even placed bets on how badly Fang Ming would be beaten, with different odds corresponding to the severity of the punishment. It was utter lawlessness.
There were no bets on Fang Ming winning, as in their eyes, he couldn't even reach the first level of Meridian Condensation, making him no cultivator at all. Gao Xianwu, though a servant and not a direct descendant of the Lin family, and with mediocre talent, was a cultivator. He was at the second level of Meridian Condensation.
Wasn't it easy for a second-level Meridian Condensation cultivator to beat up someone who wasn't a cultivator? Could Fang Ming, who couldn't use any mystic arts, possibly defeat a true cultivator? It was a zero-win scenario, rendering any bet pointless.
However, Fang Ming's actions today would undoubtedly exceed their expectations.
Fang Ming, without even looking at Gao Xianwu, asked directly, "You want the Lingyuan Pill?"
"I've hoarded your Lingyuan Pill?"
"But I recall this Lingyuan Pill being my own."
"I recall this Lingyuan Pill being my monthly allowance from the clan."
"Perhaps, in your subconscious, you've mistaken the clan's allowance to me as your personal property?"
"Heh."
"A servant treating the master's belongings as his own, how impressive."
"The servant is bullying the master."
Fang Ming sneered. Lin Xuan's memories were filled with instances of Gao Xianwu bullying him. The original body of this vessel harbored resentment towards Gao Xianwu. It was just that, lacking the strength, any confrontation would only lead to further humiliation. Thus, the hatred remained in his heart, but he dared not act. Lin Xuan feared Gao Xianwu.
But Fang Ming did not. Lin Xuan had indeed not reached the first level of Meridian Condensation. Fang Ming, on the other hand, though his exact cultivation level in the Dao Foundation realm was unknown, was already at that tier. With such strength, why should he fear the second-level Meridian Condensation cultivator, Gao Xianwu? Gao Xianwu could only bully the original Lin Xuan, not Fang Ming.
Fang Ming's sarcastic words naturally sent the already enraged Gao Xianwu into a complete meltdown.
Furious, he charged forward, "What servant bullying the master? Are you the master? You're just a tiny, insignificant waste!"
"You're not convinced? You refuse to hand over the Lingyuan Pill?"
"I'll beat you until you are!"
Gao Xianwu's rage boiled over, as Fang Ming had struck a nerve. He was, in theory, a servant who should have been respectful to Fang Ming. But how could a good-for-nothing, an outcast shunned by everyone in the Lin family, utter such words? He was getting too big for his boots! He needed a few beatings to understand his place as a nobody!
Facing Fang Ming's verbal taunts, Gao Xianwu, unable to retort, chose to respond with force.
"Hand over the pill!"
Gao Xianwu unleashed a palm strike towards Fang Ming. The palm strike was a deep black, imbued with volatile energy and an incredibly sharp aura. Fang Ming could feel the turbulent power controlled by Gao Xianwu, which, while chaotic, was also incredibly venomous. If this palm strike had truly connected, the original Lin Xuan would likely have been incapacitated for months.
Fang Ming could even sense that Gao Xianwu's emotions had been completely provoked and were now out of control. In such a state, it wasn't impossible for him to lose control and kill the original Lin Xuan. Such a person couldn't suppress his anger, lacked self-control, and was irrational.
Fang Ming made his judgment and, without a hint of panic, employed a saber technique he had learned in the martial artist world to counter Gao Xianwu's palm strike.
Flame Saber.
It was a saber technique Fang Ming had learned in the martial artist world. Although Fang Ming had no saber in hand, this technique emphasized intent over form. Using his finger as a saber, he could still unleash the technique's finesse. Fang Ming used his palm as a saber, and with a single strike, the heavens seemed to burn.
Gao Xianwu felt as if he saw a sea of fire, burning the entire ocean to ashes. It was fire. The fire of blazing flames. Under this fierce blaze and boundless light, Gao Xianwu's previous venomous palm energy dissipated.