Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Chapter 344: Chapter 266: First Clash

"Hey, wait! Our young master said only people from the Sea Domain Song Family are allowed through. You can’t go!" the disciple said, blocking Ling Xiao with an impatient sneer.

Song Mingyue’s expression changed instantly. Below, the crowd that had just been watching with envy was momentarily stunned, then their eyes lit up with excitement. They started to feel a sense of anticipation. ’There’s going to be a show!’

Song Mingyue’s face turned cold. "He’s with me!" she said, her voice like ice. "Which eye of yours decided he wasn’t from the Song Family?"

The disciple was at a loss for words. Finally, he just shrugged and spread his hands. "Whatever. These are my young master’s orders!" His attitude became firm.

"Ohhh!"

A murmur of understanding rippled through the crowd. Most of them had figured it out: the Qin Family’s young master was doing this to get closer to the young lady. It was a shame for the handsome young man by her side. As dashing as he was, how could he possibly be a match for the Qin Family? Instantly, those who had just been jealous of Ling Xiao couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity for him.

Ling Xiao’s expression was serene, betraying no emotion. Not a hint of anger could be seen in his eyes. He smiled faintly. "I have nothing to say to you. Step aside, or get the hell down."

The Qin Family disciple stared at Ling Xiao as if he were seeing a ghost. He probably never expected such words from this handsome youth, especially when delivered with a faint smile. For a moment, he was utterly speechless.

Song Mingyue gently looped her arm through Ling Xiao’s, her cold gaze fixed on the Qin Family disciples. ’Of course I know this is Qin Feng’s doing,’ she fumed internally. ’That man goes too far! Does he really think I’d fall for him after a stunt like this? Using such a despicable tactic to humiliate others... doesn’t he realize he’s only humiliating himself?!’

As he spoke, Ling Xiao took Song Mingyue by the hand. She followed him with perfect docility, like a little girl in need of protection. The crowd below stared, dumbfounded. ’That kid’s got some serious nerve,’ they thought, ’daring to force his way onto the Qin Family’s pier.’

The Qin Family disciples who tried to step forward and grab Ling Xiao’s clothes suddenly discovered, to their horror, that they couldn’t get near him. Two of them, who were slightly stronger and tried to force their way closer, were abruptly struck by a powerful force that sent them reeling backward.

SPLASH! SPLASH!

With two splashes, both men fell into the sea in a pathetic state. Qin Family disciples, much like those of the Sea Domain Song Family, all knew how to swim, but this was a huge loss of face.

Though these Qin Family disciples were of average strength, they still represented the face of the Qin Family to some extent. By using his Protective True Essence to fling them into the sea, Ling Xiao had effectively slapped the Qin Family in the face!

Because of this, many in the crowd began to worry for Ling Xiao. The Qin Family’s disciples were arrogant, sure, but one could have just tolerated it. This pair didn’t look like they came from a major clan or sect; otherwise, why would they seem so ill-equipped? To provoke the Qin Family and then expect to board their ship... wasn’t that something only a reckless fool would do?

"Tsk, tsk... Who’s this, acting so high and mighty? Daring to cause a scene on my Qin Family’s pier?"

A piercing voice rang out from behind. The onlookers quickly parted to make way for a group of people approaching.

The one who had spoken was a man in his thirties with a gaunt face, triangular eyes, short, sparse eyebrows, and a large black mole next to his thin lips. He was exceptionally ugly.

Behind this man, the Qin Family’s young master, Qin Feng, approached slowly with his entourage. When Qin Feng’s gaze fell on Song Mingyue, it immediately burned with fervor. His look toward Ling Xiao, however, was accompanied by a faint smile that expertly concealed a sliver of jealousy.

"And who are you supposed to be?" Ling Xiao’s tone was mild. He gestured to the hundreds of people behind them. "Is your Qin Family hosting an exclusive, invitation-only gathering? Does that mean that, in the Qin Family’s eyes, the rest of us here are all unqualified? In other words... has the Qin Family become so powerful it can now speak for all the hidden clans and sects?"

"You! Stop trying to sow discord!"

The man was seething at Ling Xiao’s words. ’This kid has some nerve,’ he thought, ’daring to stir up trouble in front of so many people.’ He couldn’t help but turn to Qin Feng at his side. Ling Xiao’s question was a trap. If they denied his claim, the ship was large enough to hold these hundreds of people, but the Qin Family’s island was by no means prepared to host so many guests.

But if they admitted the gathering had restrictions, they would fall right into Ling Xiao’s trap and offend all the smaller clans and families present. Individually, these groups weren’t powerful, but if they united against the Qin Family, the resulting force would be more than the Qin Family could handle.

Therefore, only Qin Feng could answer. After all, the man with the triangular eyes couldn’t speak for the Qin Family.

Qin Feng flashed a smile as pleasant as a spring breeze and addressed Ling Xiao. "My friend, you jest. The Qin Family is merely fortunate enough to be this year’s host. We have always abided by the unwritten rules established over a millennium of these hidden clan gatherings. It’s not nearly as serious as you make it sound. Everyone on the pier today is a guest and a friend of my Qin Family. We had, in fact, already prepared a place for them. In just a moment, everyone can begin boarding the ship in an orderly fashion under the guidance of our Qin Family disciples!"

He then turned to the crowd, cupped his fists, and said, "The Qin Family’s hospitality has been inadequate. Please forgive any slights you may have felt!"

Seeing their chance to board, the people in the crowd grew ecstatic. Their gazes toward the handsome and elegant Qin Feng filled with goodwill. Someone shouted from the throng, "Thank you, Young Master Qin!"

"That’s right! Look at the Qin Family’s young master—you can tell he’s from a great family. So well-mannered! Not like us from minor clans, we’re so petty in comparison!"

"Hahaha!" A wave of roaring laughter erupted from the crowd. Many people glanced toward Ling Xiao on the gangway. Although the man who had just spoken was being self-deprecating, everyone could hear the veiled barb aimed at Ling Xiao. They seemed to have forgotten that if it weren’t for Ling Xiao’s words, how many of them would have had the good fortune to board the Qin Family’s luxurious ship?

Ling Xiao’s expression remained unchanged, but his internal guard against Qin Feng rose another level. ’He’s resourceful, calculating, and from a major family. A truly worthy opponent.’

’Although Qin Feng lost the initiative, and there’s no way Song Mingyue will ever fall for him, a man like this is incredibly difficult to deal with. If he becomes your enemy, you must either destroy him completely in one fell swoop or avoid burning all bridges with him entirely.’

’Besides,’ Ling Xiao thought, ’I only came on this trip to get a feel for the strength of these hidden clans and sects. Once I return, I’ll have nothing more to do with them. I’ll focus on my own cultivation, and they can go on with their own development. Why should I care so much?’

At this thought, Ling Xiao smiled serenely. He intertwined his fingers with Song Mingyue’s and, without a hint of hesitation, leisurely strode onto the ship. This time, no one dared to stand in his way.

The triangle-eyed man beside Qin Feng shot a look at Ling Xiao filled with cold disdain. Qin Feng himself remained standing there gracefully. After everyone else had boarded the ship, the triangle-eyed man spoke: "Young Master, should we teach that Ling Xiao a lesson?"

"You?" Qin Feng glanced at the triangle-eyed man. This was one of his paternal cousins, from his second grand-uncle’s side of the family. Despite his ugly appearance, he possessed the strength of a Second Rank Demon Sword Master. While his talent was nowhere near Qin Feng’s, he was still considered a capable expert among the Qin Family’s younger generation and held a certain status.

"You’re not good enough. You’re no match for him."

Qin Feng shook his head, his eyes on Ling Xiao, who was standing on the deck some distance away.

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