"Zhou Yan, are you defying my orders?" Lin Feng's eyes flashed with fierce killing intent as he reprimanded in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Zhou Yan shivered all over, and quickly knelt on the ground, trembling as he said, "Young Master Lin, please forgive me. I am acting under my family's orders."
"Oh?" Lin Feng raised an eyebrow and said indifferently, "Since your Lin family has orders, I might consider sparing your dog's life."
"Thank you, Young Master Lin, thank you, Young Master Lin." Zhou Yan repeatedly expressed his gratitude, finally escaping death.
"However, while the death penalty may be waived, punishment for the living is unavoidable."
Lin Feng's tone shifted, and he said chillingly, "You abandoned your post. According to the rules, your cultivation should be crippled, and you should be expelled from the family."
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan's face changed drastically, and he cried out in panic, "No, Young Master Lin! I am also responsible for this matter. If there is punishment, punish me. Please spare my life."
"Hmph, it's too late. You have already violated the family rules. Today, you must pay the price, otherwise, how can we appease the public?" Lin Feng's gaze turned cold, his tone frigid.
"Young Master Lin."
Zhou Yan was filled with regret.
If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have been tempted by the two thousand spirit stones Lin Feng had given him earlier.
"Swish!"
Just then, a sword light streaked across the sky from afar.
The sword light was incredibly fast, like a falling meteor, instantly traversing hundreds of meters and heading straight for the plaza.
With a thunderous boom.
The sword light directly pierced a statue in the very center of the plaza.
This was a precious sword.
It emitted a dazzling golden light and a soaring sword aura.
The sword exuded a sharp sword energy, making the temperature in the plaza seem to drop by several degrees. Everyone around felt a chill down their spines and couldn't help but shiver.
"Xuan-grade low-tier precious sword, Zhan Chen!"
"It is said that the Lin family's ancestor once obtained an ancient precious sword. After hundreds of years of refinement, it has transformed into a treasure of the Xuan-grade."
"The power of this Zhan Chen sword is terrifying. A single casual strike is enough to send a second-level Condensing Pulse realm expert flying. This strike alone could cleave a Bone Tempering realm martial artist in half."
Around them, people began to discuss animatedly.
As for Zhou Yan, the moment he saw this sword, intense jealousy surged across his face, and a fire burned in his eyes.
He hadn't expected the Lin family ancestor to be so wealthy as to leave behind a Xuan-grade sword, and moreover, it was a sword of offensive type.
A Xuan-grade low-tier precious sword was a rare treasure in the entire Eastern Region.
Other than the leaders of major factions, no one else could possess such a weapon.
The Lin family, indeed, lived up to its reputation as one of the three great prominent families in the Eastern Region. Their foundation was so strong that they could even offer such a Xuan-grade low-tier precious sword as a reward. Truly extravagant.
However, soon, a sinister smile of a plan well executed appeared in Zhou Yan's eyes.
With the Lin family being so generous, he was sure to profit from this opportunity.
"Young Master Lin, this is a gift I specially prepared for you. I hope you will like it."
The next moment, Zhou Yan walked up to Lin Feng and, in a fawning manner, handed him a green pill.
"Jade Beautifying Pill, a five-patterned pill?" Lin Feng was slightly taken aback. He clearly recognized the Jade Beautifying Pill. He looked at Zhou Yan with some surprise and asked, "Where did you buy this pill?"
"It... it's..."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan was startled and almost blurted out the name of the pill's owner.
Fortunately, he reacted in time and changed his words, saying, "I obtained this accidentally. It has not been sold. Please accept it, Young Master Lin."
"Heh heh, this is a Jade Beautifying Pill, and you are willing to give it to me?"
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes, his gaze roving over Zhou Yan, a sarcastic curve on his lips.
"Uh... Young Master Lin, you jest. How could I be unwilling?" Zhou Yan chuckled awkwardly.
Lin Feng shook his head and sneered, "Zhou Yan, do you take me for an idiot? It's just a mere Jade Beautifying Pill, and you are unwilling to part with it. Do you really think I would believe that?"
"Young Master Lin, I truly didn't lie to you. I obtained this pill by chance." Zhou Yan quickly explained.
"Heh heh..."
Lin Feng smiled dismissively and said coldly, "If you say you picked it up, I might as well say you stole it."
"Whether you stole it or snatched it, you cannot escape punishment. I now declare that your cultivation will be crippled, and you will be thrown into the Disciplinary Hall, to be confined for at least ten years."
"What, ten years?"
"You're seeking death!"
Zhou Yan's pupils contracted sharply, and he cursed through gritted teeth.
Although his cultivation was only at the peak of the ninth level of Body Tempering, ten years of imprisonment would be worse than death for a pampered young master accustomed to wealth and luxury.
"Young Master Lin, please show leniency and spare my life. I am willing to hand over all the spirit stones in my storage bag." Zhou Yan immediately pleaded, his attitude extremely humble.
"Hmm, in that case, I can consider it." Lin Feng pondered for a moment and slowly nodded.
Zhou Yan breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly took out his storage bag, bent his knees, prostrated himself on the ground, and handed the storage bag over.
However, Lin Feng ignored the storage bag entirely and instead sneered, "Zhou Yan, you don't think I'll believe your nonsense, do you?"
Zhou Yan's face changed drastically, and he quickly said, "I swear, I am absolutely not lying to you. If I lie to you, may I be struck by lightning."
"Hmph! What's the use of making solemn vows? I've seen plenty of your kind. Give you some benefits, and you'll immediately turn your back and deny everything." Lin Feng said with a contemptuous curl of his lip.
Zhou Yan was instantly dumbfounded and thought to himself, "How could I forget? Lin Feng is notoriously petty."
"Alright, get out of here. My Lin family is too small and cannot accommodate a distinguished guest like you." Lin Feng waved his hand indifferently.
Zhou Yan stood up with a dejected expression, silently retreating to the side.
He lowered his head, his face filled with venom and ferocity.
If this hatred is not avenged, then he, Zhou Yan, would not be human.
"Zhou Yan, you don't need to be disheartened. I promised to help you get revenge, and I will fulfill it." At this moment, a clear and pleasant female voice suddenly rang out.
Immediately, a woman in a red dress, with fair and smooth skin and a face like a peach blossom, Liu Yiyi, elegantly approached.
She strode forward, her beautiful eyes glancing at Zhou Yan, and continued, "After Lin Feng dies, the Lin family will fall into chaos. This will be the perfect time for us to make our move."
"Are you sure you want to help me?" Zhou Yan suddenly looked up, his eyes fixed on Liu Yiyi with burning intensity.
He had long coveted Liu Yiyi, but in the past, his strength was weak, and he dared not provoke her, thus never harboring any improper thoughts.
Now that his strength had recovered to the ninth level of Body Tempering, just one step away from the seventh level of Qi Gathering, he believed he was entirely worthy of Liu Yiyi.