At the northern border of Baishi Town, where the former Wang Family mine was located.

Several squads of soldiers were orderly withdrawing from the perimeter.

They belonged to the secular forces of Baishi Town and had been stationed here to guard the mineral vein against rogue thieves.

But now that the cultivators of the Zhang Family had arrived, the soldiers knew full well that mortals could not contend with Immortal Masters. Following Gao Hui's prior instructions, they wisely chose to retreat.

The Zhang Family had dispatched three cultivators for this expedition. Leading a contingent of men, they stood before the mine entrance, conversing in low tones.

"Father, the scale of this mine is indeed much larger than the one within our valley."

The speaker was thin and gaunt, his complexion somewhat pale and his voice carrying a light, frivolous edge.

He was the eldest son of the Zhang Family, named Zhang Yao, a cultivator at the second level of Qi Gathering.

"Hmph! If not for that Qinghe Town Mayor's constant interference, I would have brought our men to seize this place long ago!"

The one who spoke next was short in stature but wore a deeply arrogant expression, his tone incredibly overbearing.

This youth was Zhang Yao's cousin, Zhang Chen, currently at the first level of Qi Gathering.

Standing before them was a tall, middle-aged man draped in a gray robe.

He stood straight as a spear, his gaze like burning torches. His aura was far more formidable than that of the two younger cultivators combined-this was Zhang Tianqi, the Family Head of the Zhang Family.

Hearing the conversation of his juniors, he smiled faintly.

"What belongs to my Zhang Family cannot escape us. Arriving sooner or later makes no difference."

With that, he lightly waved his hand, signaling the miners and laborers behind him to enter the shaft and begin extraction.

Whoosh-

Right at that moment, the sharp whistling of a fierce wind pierced their ears. A blurry phantom struck the upper ledge of the mine entrance, causing rocks to crash down and instantly seal the opening.

"Who goes there! How dare you act insolently before the Zhang Family!"

Zhang Chen was startled and immediately bellowed.

"Hahaha. Distinguished guests have arrived at our doorstep, yet I failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive my breach of etiquette."

Hearing the voice, Zhang Tianqi raised an eyebrow slightly. He turned toward the sound, a cold, harsh expression settling over his features.

Before long, three figures emerged from the dense forest.

Yang Guanfeng walked out with a faint smile, cupping his hands toward the opposing party.

"Yang Guanfeng of the Songshan Yang Family pays respects to Brother Zhang."

Yang Guanfeng made no attempt to conceal his cultivation. As he spoke, the powerful aura of the sixth level of Qi Gathering swept outward.

"The Songshan Yang Family? This man's presence is so powerful... He is actually at the sixth level of Qi Gathering, just like Father!"

"How can this be? Wasn't it rumored that the Yang Family Head was only at the fifth level?"

Seeing this, the two Zhang Family juniors frowned.

They had believed there would be no competitors for this prize, never expecting that the Yang Family Head had already broken through to the sixth level.

With this development, the ownership of the mineral vein was no longer a settled matter.

"Distinguished guests?"

Zhang Tianqi curled his lips into a cold smile. "I have kept watch over this place for three months, seeing only secular soldiers guarding it while no miners worked. It was clearly an ownerless land. Where does Brother Yang's claim come from?"

Before his voice could fade, a powerful, oppressive pressure rolled toward the newcomers.

Yang Guanfeng gave a light chuckle, casually waving his hand to disperse the oncoming spiritual pressure.

"Brother Zhang is unaware of the details. This place was originally the property of the Baishi Wang Family. Their clan suffered misfortune during the Beast Tide and lacked the strength to manage it, so they traded it to my family."

Yang Guanfeng turned his head slightly to glance at Yang Linghu beside him. "As for why we did not come for three months, it was because I had to stand guard as a Dharma Protector while this child underwent a breakthrough."

Zhang Tianqi shifted his gaze to Yang Linghu. Sensing the youth's unstable aura, it indeed looked as though he had only recently condensed his Qi Mansion.

With his sixth-level Qi Gathering cultivation, he naturally could not pierce Elder Yu's concealment techniques. Meanwhile, Yang Lingrui was only permitting himself to display the aura of the second level.

"Now that his realm has stabilized, I have finally come to inspect the property, only to happen upon Brother Zhang and your retinue. One can only say that arriving early is not as good as arriving at the right time."

"Heh..."

Zhang Tianqi stared at Yang Guanfeng with a hollow smile.

The brief clash of auras just now had been a deliberate probe. The results confirmed that Yang Guanfeng was indeed a genuine sixth-level cultivator.

However, in terms of sheer foundation, Zhang Tianqi still held a slight advantage.

Yet, such a marginal difference in strength would be difficult to capitalize on unless both sides waged a life-and-death struggle using every hidden card at their disposal.

As a Family Head, Zhang Tianqi was no fool. Fighting to the death over a single mine was a poor return on investment.

But if he retreated meekly based on a few words, where would the Zhang Family's prestige land?

"Yang Guanfeng, let us dispense with these empty pleasantries. Since I have come, I will not back down easily."

Zhang Tianqi declared loudly, "This territory sits precisely on the border of our two towns, with no clear demarcation. Since the Wang Family could not protect their assets, it is only natural that the ownership be redefined."

"Does Brother Zhang mean to exchange pointers with me?"

Yang Guanfeng stepped forward, his expression devoid of fear.

Instantly, the atmosphere in the clearing grew rigid as an invisible field of force expanded.

The four juniors managed to endure, as they were already Qi Gathering cultivators.

However, the mortal miners brought by the Zhang Family and the secular soldiers watching the commotion from a distance fared poorly. At best, they found it difficult to draw breath; at worst, their knees buckled, and they collapsed limply to the ground.

Fortunately, the confrontation between the two leaders did not last long, preventing any actual casualties.

This brief standoff made Zhang Tianqi even more certain that subduing Yang Guanfeng would be a grueling task. Even if they fought, it would likely end in a bitter draw.

"Father."

At this moment, Zhang Yao stepped closer and called out softly, casting a meaningful look at his father.

Zhang Tianqi understood his son's intent immediately.

"Yang Guanfeng, we are both leaders of our clans. Drawing blades against each other would look unseemly. Since the younger generation of both families is present today, why not let them spar to determine the ownership of this mine? What do you say?"

Zhang Tianqi knew his son was at the peak of the second level of Qi Gathering, so he felt victory was assured.

Little did he know that this proposal played directly into the Yang Family's hands.

Neither Yang Lingrui nor Yang Linghu had revealed their true strength.

Yang Guanfeng had simply been waiting for the opponent to offer a challenge.

"An excellent idea. With the two of us overseeing the match, we can ensure it does not harm our mutual goodwill," Yang Guanfeng agreed readily.

Hearing that there was a chance to fight, Zhang Chen grew eager.

"Uncle, let me-"

He had just begun to volunteer when Zhang Tianqi raised a hand to cut him off.

"Zhang Yao, you go."

"Yes, Father."

Seeing Zhang Tianqi select Zhang Yao, a flash of resentment colored Zhang Chen's thoughts.

His cousin was merely a few years older than him. When it came to innate cultivation talent, he considered himself superior to Zhang Yao.

Furthermore, the Yang Family youth who had just broken through was only at the first level of Qi Gathering. If he were allowed to step forward, wouldn't victory be easily secured?

"As expected, blood runs thicker than water. At a critical juncture like this, he only thinks of letting his own son claim the glory!" Zhang Chen thought bitterly.

This brief interaction exposed the structural cracks within the Zhang Family. In truth, the vast majority of cultivation clans could not achieve the absolute solidarity found in the Yang Family; internal rivalries and quiet friction were almost inevitable.

The reason the Yang Family could maintain its current cohesion was due to Elder Yu's selfless guidance and Yang Guanfeng's exceptional leadership and personal charisma.

Zhang Yao walked out into the clearing. From the Yang Family's side, Yang Lingrui stepped forward to meet him.

"Zhang Family, Zhang Yao."

"Yang Family, Yang Lingrui."

After exchanging formal introductions, the two assumed their stances.

Neither possessed an impulsive temperament; without understanding the opponent's depth, they would not strike rashly.

Boom!

Bang!

Zhang Yao flipped his palm, conjuring a snapping serpent of flame that lunged toward Yang Lingrui.

Yang Lingrui raised his hand, manifesting a shield of localized wind to neutralize the heat.

"A fire art."

"A wind technique."

After this single probing exchange, both gained a basic understanding of the other's elemental affinity and initiated the true battle.

"Flowing Fire Bullets!"

Zhang Yao seized the initiative. His fingers blurred through several hand seals, causing clusters of crimson flames to ignite around his torso.

With a sharp flick of his fingers, the blazing projectiles shot toward Yang Lingrui like arrows.

"Well met!"

Yang Lingrui gave a low shout. He swept his arms in a wide arc, causing a shield of Gang Wind to swirl violently around his body.

The rotating gale tore the fire bullets to shreds. Seizing the shifting momentum, Yang Lingrui launched a counterattack.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Three blades of condensed wind cleaved through the air, flying straight toward Zhang Yao.

"So fast!"

Zhang Yao's pupils contracted in sudden alarm.

The execution speed of Yang Lingrui's technique was significantly faster than any ordinary wind art he had ever encountered.

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