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Ding Zhen's expression fluctuated as he looked at Li Xiaoyao, a name he had not heard before.

For many years, he had seldom paid attention to the affairs of the outside world, not to mention Jindu, even the events in Zhu Island City were rarely known to him.

He was entirely unaware of Li Xiaoyao's deeds in Ling City and his actions in Jindu.

It was different for Zhou Jue, born into a major family in Jindu, such news couldn't be concealed from him.

The first time he heard the name Li Xiaoyao, he found it familiar. Upon reflection, he realized that the only person he knew of by that name was the remarkable person who had annihilated both the Zheng Family and the Tang Family.

Zhou Jue found it strange that amid Four Nine City's vast and intertwined forces, even the most influential families wouldn't dare to address their problems with the arrogant and unrestrained manner that Li Xiaoyao had.

Even if the fall of the Zheng and Tang families was of no concern to others, there would always be those who disliked Li Xiaoyao's haughty and despotic attitude. As far as Zhou Jue knew, many formidable figures in Jindu were ready to cause trouble for Li Xiaoyao.

Nothing more than disapproval.

Yet the fact remained that Li Xiaoyao was still alive and well, as before and as he was now, as for the future, Zhou Jue dared not recklessly predict.

To others, Li Xiaoyao's arrogance may have been a new experience, but Zhou Jue had long heard rumors about him, and he was not surprised by Li's behavior at the Ren Family's birthday banquet today. Moreover, considering the strength displayed by Li Xiaoyao, it seemed that the Ren Family might be facing a grim fate today.

Ding Zhen listened to the murmurs of the banquet hall's guests with an exceedingly ugly expression. He had assumed this young man was just an ordinary novice Cultivator, whom he could crush to death with just a casual flick of his finger. Yet, unexpectedly, the young man held such a splendid record of victories.

But with things having come this far, if he were to back down now, the awe-inspiring reputation Ding Zhen had established thirty years ago would likely be cast down into Hell in an instant.

Today, even if not for the Ren Family, Ding Zhen needed to vent his anger.

"Mr. Ding, are you alright?" The Ren Family's patriarch was shocked by Li Xiaoyao's strength and was even more worried that Ding Zhen, having been wounded, would become fearful and abandon their family.

Ding Zhen pressed his bleeding arm a few times, shook his head, and said, "It's nothing serious. This youngster indeed has some tricks, taking advantage of my unpreparedness to launch a sneak attack. But that's all he's capable of. As a master who has wandered the martial world for decades, what kind of storm haven't I seen? Why would I fear him?"

Ding Zhen spoke casually; from below, there were those who cheered and those who sneered.

A sneak attack? The other party had openly struck and injured you; how could that be called a sneak attack?

It was your own contempt, jumping into action without assessing the situation, that got you into this. Still being alive should make you grateful.

Li Xiaoyao also shook his head in disdain; he had thought that this old man, with decades of cultivation, would have at least retained some integrity, but now it seemed he was just an old dog lacking morals.

"Well then, before I deal with the Ren Family, let's take care of you, the shameless old dog first," Li Xiaoyao said as he lightly caressed his palm.

Ding Zhen's eyes flickered with murderous intent, "Brat, do you really think I dare not kill you? You caught me off guard with your sneak attack earlier, but such an incident will not happen a second time."

The Storage Ring on his hand shimmered, and Ding Zhen now held a horsetail whisk in his hand, with its strands a silvery white and interwoven with ninety-nine whips made of Silver Iron—an extraordinary item at a glance.

Without another word, Ding Zhen executed the Seven-Star Step, and the horsetail whisk in his hands created a series of afterimages, its whistling wind sound revealing its formidable power.

If one were hit by it, the consequences would undoubtedly include lacerated skin and flesh.

Yet Li Xiaoyao remained standing in place as if he hadn't seen Ding Zhen's shadowy and fleeting approach, his black eyes tranquil like still water. As the horsetail whisk, taut with Dark Energy, whipped towards him, a sudden flash of cold light appeared.

Immediately after, it was the Vigor erupting from Li Xiaoyao's fingertips, at a speed invisible to the naked eye, that sliced the horsetail whisk in two.

Ding Zhen's pupils contracted sharply, and at such a close distance, he could almost vividly feel the thick murderous aura emanating from Li Xiaoyao's body. This aura was sky-high and astonishing, making him feel a bone-chilling coldness all over.

Regret started to fill his heart; he regretted that he had allowed pride to lead him to make an enemy of Li Xiaoyao.

He wanted to beg for mercy, but it was already too late.

The Vigor slashed through the horsetail whisk and, without losing momentum, headed straight for his neck.

Ding Zhen felt a chill at his neck, his brain still capable of thought. In his line of sight, everything inverted; he even saw his own body, now headless, charging forward, his right hand clutching the broken horsetail whisk.

"Bang!"

A blood-stained head fell, its hair strewn about as if reflecting the pitiable state of a knight that had been decapitated by the enemy on an ancient battlefield.

The whole scene unfolded in utter silence.

Master Ren clenched the armrests tightly with both hands, unable to believe the scene before his eyes.

Who was Ding Zhen?

He had made a name for himself thirty years ago; although he might not have dominated Zhu Island City, he was at least a significant force to be reckoned with.

And now, Ding Zhen, a significant force, had been killed by Li Xiaoyao in a manner as casual as slaughtering chickens or dogs?

At the birthday feast, only Ding Zhen and Li Xiaoyao were cultivators. Had a third person been present, they would have been astonished at the terror instilled by Li Xiaoyao.

Without stepping into this circle, one would not understand the strength that the well-known Ding Zhen possessed, nor would they comprehend the terror of Li Xiaoyao, who could kill him so effortlessly.

The shock of the crowd was palpable, but Li Xiaoyao, the instigator, remained indifferent.

Dusting off his white shirt, which had a speck of blood on it, Li Xiaoyao frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with this act of killing. Had blood actually dripped onto his clothes? Perhaps his speed hadn't been fast enough, or he hadn't completely controlled the direction of the blood spatter after decapitating his target.

"Mr. Li..." Master Ren began slowly, his voice trembling slightly, despite his attempts to control it. But under such extreme fear, how could such emotions be managed by will alone?

Li Xiaoyao lifted his head, interrupting him, "I've said before, your life was given by me, and today I'm taking it back, which is only natural. If you're dissatisfied, whether you beg or curse, it won't change my decision."

Master Ren felt utterly desolate, realizing that somehow Li Xiaoyao had come to know the content of his conversation with Ding Zhen. And from the methods he had just displayed, it was evident that this man was ruthless and would seek vengeance for the smallest grievances.

If someone were out to kill him, he probably wouldn't let them off the hook, would he?

The guests at this moment dared not even breathe aloud; what they had heard and seen today had surpassed their understanding of the world.

They had never known that this world could harbor a cultivator like Li Xiaoyao.

They appeared no different from ordinary people, but within their seven-foot frames lay the power to destroy heaven and earth.

In ancient times there was Xiang Yu, with the strength of nine tripods!

Now there is Li Xiaoyao, who can kill a man with a flick of his finger!

"Enough, enough." Master Ren gave a self-deprecating smile, his expression filled with sorrow. Still standing on the elevated platform, he said, "Mr. Li speaks rightly. This old life of mine was given by you, and now that you are taking it back, I have no complaints."