‘ bù zhī sǐ huó ！”
‘不知死活！”
"Careless enough to die!"
mù guān lǎo zhě de liǎn shàng ， shǎn guò yī sī jī cháo zhī sè ， shuāng mù zhōng xiōng guāng dà zuò ， yòu shǒu yī tái ， yǒu hēi de mó qì zhòu rán fú xiàn ， jiē zhe “ pū pū ” liǎng shēng chuán lái ， nà mó qì yī xià zi cuàn chū ， huà wèi yī dú jiǎo guài mǎng ， ér qiě bèi hòu shēng yǒu chì bǎng 。 suí ? mèng ? xiǎo ? shuō ,.COM
木冠老者的脸上，闪过一丝讥嘲之色，双目中凶光大做，右手一抬，黝黑的魔气骤然浮现，接着“噗噗”两声传来，那魔气一下子窜出，化为一独角怪蟒，而且背后生有翅膀。随?夢?小?說,.COM
The old man with a wooden hat flashed a mocking expression. His eyes glinted with ferocity as he raised his hand, and dark magical energy suddenly appeared. Two pops echoed, and the magic energy transformed into a one-horned monstrous python with wings sprouting from its back.
lüè yī zhuǎn zhé ， yǐ chū xiàn zài le tǔ huáng mǎo sè de jīng hóng zhī shàng 。
略一转折，已出现在了土黄冇色的惊虹之上。
Turning slightly, Lin Xuan was already standing on the golden streak of lightning.
wěi ba yī bǎi ， jiù jiāng duì fāng gěi chán le qǐ lái 。
尾巴一摆，就将对方给缠了起来。
Swinging its tail, it quickly ensnared the opponent.
gǔ gé suì liè shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， suí hòu nà guài mǎng huà wèi le yǒu hēi de mó huǒ ， kě lián nà xiū shì yuán běn duì zì jǐ de dùn sù yǒu jǐ fēn zì xìn zhī chù ， yǐ wéi dà yǒu jī huì táo tuō ， nǎ zhī dào zuì hòu ， què luò gè shēn sǐ yǔn luò de jié guǒ 。
骨骼碎裂声传入耳朵，随后那怪蟒化为了黝黑的魔火，可怜那修士原本对自己的遁速有几分自信之处，以为大有机会逃脱，哪知道最后，却落个身死陨落的结果。
The sound of bones breaking filled his ears, followed by the monster transforming into black magical flames. The cultivator had been somewhat confident in his speed and thought he might escape, but ended up dead and fallen.
xiē wěi shàng rén de liǎn sè yīn mái dào jí chù ， qí tā de gǔ mó ， yī shí yě jìn ruò hán chán le ， huò xǔ shì shè yú duì fāng de wēi shì ， jìng rán bù gǎn qún qǐ ér gōng zhī 。
蝎尾上人的脸色阴霾到极处，其他的古魔，一时也噤若寒蝉了，或许是慑于对方的威势，竟然不敢群起而攻之。
Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal's face was dark to the extreme; even other ancient demons fell silent. Perhaps intimidated by his power, they did not dare attack en masse.
rán ér zhè yàng tuō yán xià qù ， xiǎn rán yě bú shì gè liǎo jú ， chí zǎo huì bèi duì fāng gè gè jī pò dì 。
然而这样拖延下去，显然也不是个了局，迟早会被对方各个击破地。
However, this delay could not be a solution either. He would eventually be broken one by one.
zhè dào lǐ ， dà jiā dōu xiǎo de ， rán ér qián chē zhī jiàn zài nà lǐ bǎi zhe ， shuí yòu yuàn yì qù dāng zhè chū tóu niǎo ne ？
这道理，大家都晓得，然而前车之鉴在那里摆着，谁又愿意去当这出头鸟呢？
Everyone knew this logic, but with such a precedent before them, who would willingly take the lead?
xiē wěi shàng rén zhòu méi sī suǒ ， yī shí piàn kè ， què yě kǔ wú liáng cè 。
蝎尾上人皱眉思索，一时片刻，却也苦无良策。
Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal frowned in thought, but he was at a loss for a plan.
bù guò chén mò ， zǒng xū yào rén dǎ pò 。
不过沉默，总需要人打破。
Silence needed to be broken.
lín xuān yǎn zhōng yì máng shǎn guò ， shì shí hòu gāi zì jǐ chū chǎng le 。
林轩眼中异芒闪过，是时候该自己出场了。
A strange light flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. "This kid is hard to deal with."
“ hǎo wēi fēng ， hǎo shā qì ， wǒ men zhè xiē rén ， bù guò shì shì féng qí huì ér yǐ ， tóng liǎng wèi dào yǒu de ēn yuàn méi yǒu guān xì ， gé xià jū rán yào gǎn jìn shā jué ， yě bà ， lín mǒu wèi zì bǎo ， shuō bù dé zhǐ hǎo yǔ xiē wěi dào yǒu lián shǒu ， yǔ dào yǒu zhōu xuán yī fān le 。”
“好威风，好煞气，我们这些人，不过是适逢其会而已，同两位道友的恩怨没有关系，阁下居然要赶尽杀绝，也罢，林某为自保，说不得只好与蝎尾道友联手，与道友周旋一番了。”
The old man's heart raced despite not having fought against Lin Xuan. An ominous warning emerged from within him, making his face even more grim.
lín xuān huà yīn wèi luò ， zhòng gǔ mó yǐ zhuǎn guò le tóu lú ， cǐ shí cǐ kè ， lín xuān dāng rán bú huì zài yǐn cáng xiū wèi shén me ， shēn shēn hū xī ， qiáng dà yǐ jí de fǎ lì ， zài tǐ mǎo nèi yùn zhuàn bù yǐ 。
林轩话音未落，众古魔已转过了头颅，此时此刻，林轩当然不会再隐藏修为什么，深深呼吸，强大以极的法力，在体冇内运转不已。
This variable was something he did not want to face but had to handle now.
xiē wěi shàng rén yòu jīng yòu xǐ ， ér nà jiǎ lǎo mó ， liǎn sè zé nán kàn yǐ jí ：“ nǐ yě shì fēn shén qī ！”
蝎尾上人又惊又喜，而那贾老魔，脸色则难看以极：“你也是分神期！”
"Friend, you jest. Others must stay here, but as a Saint Clan cultivator of the Divinity Realm, why would I have no reason to fight with you? You can leave."
“ bù cuò ， gé xià kě shì yào jiāng lín mǒu yě yì qǐ miè chú ？”
“不错，阁下可是要将林某也一起灭除？”
If it were a thousand years ago, the old man would have made an entirely different choice. However, his personality had changed after that ambush; he knew when to adapt and retreat.
lín xuān liǎn shàng mǎn shì lěng xiào zhī sè ， rán ér xīn zhōng de gǎn jué ， què guài guài de ， yuán běn zì jǐ xiǎng yào dà nào hūn yàn ， yǔ xiē wěi shàng rén wèi dí ， shuí xiǎng dào shì shì biàn huàn ， què yào wèi tā zhù quán tuì dí 。
林轩脸上满是冷笑之色，然而心中的感觉，却怪怪的，原本自己想要大闹婚宴，与蝎尾上人为敌，谁想到世事变幻，却要为他助拳退敌。
He believed Lin Xuan would see sense, but his response was again contrary to expectations. The old man almost spat blood at Lin Xuan's reply.
dāng rán ， lín xuān zhī suǒ yǐ zuò zhè yàng de xuǎn zé ， shì zì yǒu yī fān kǎo liáng lái zhe ， yǐ tā de xìng gé ， yòu qǐ huì shì zhēn xīn xiāng zhù ， bù guò shì jiǎ xì zhēn zuò ， móu qǔ gèng dà de lì yì bà le 。
当然，林轩之所以做这样的选择，是自有一番考量来着，以他的性格，又岂会是真心相助，不过是假戏真做，谋取更大的利益罢了。
"You are indeed impressive, with such power and authority. Kill if you must, let me go if you wish. What makes you think I should listen to your commands? I am not a Divinity Realm Saint; why should I?"
dāng rán ， biǎo miàn shàng ， bié rén zì rán wú fǎ jiāng lín xuān de dǎ suàn kàn chū ， nà mù guān lǎo zhě de liǎn sè ， yǐ shì nán kàn dào jí chù 。
当然，表面上，别人自然无法将林轩的打算看出，那木冠老者的脸色，已是难看到极处。
Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal was overjoyed as he feared Lin Xuan would just leave for self-preservation. The old man was both shocked and angry—his retreat had been a step back, but the other kept pressing.
tā zuò mèng yě méi xiǎng dào ， huì chū xiàn lín xuān zhè ge biàn shù 。
他做梦也没想到，会出现林轩这个变数。
A mere First Stage Divinity Realm ancient demon meant nothing to him; he would have torn this reckless kid's soul apart. But now... he wanted to do so, yet Lin Xuan wasn't alone.
sú huà shuō ， chī yī qiàn ， zhǎng yī zhì ， qiān yú nián qián ， tā jiù shì chī le rén dān shì báo de kǔ ， bèi xiē wěi yǔ wǔ dú wéi gōng ， chà diǎn yǔn luò ， hǎo bù róng yì táo tuō ， rú jīn cún xīn xiǎng yào bào fù ， tā yòu zěn me kě néng chóng dǎo fù zhé ？
俗话说，吃一堑，长一智，千余年前，他就是吃了人单势薄的苦，被蝎尾与五毒围攻，差点陨落，好不容易逃脱，如今存心想要报复，他又怎么可能重蹈覆辙？
It was like a tiger being bullied by a dog and a dragon being mocked by shrimp. His frustration knew no bounds.
zài yí gè dì fāng diē dǎo liǎng cì ， tā qǐ bù chéng shǎ guā le ？
在一个地方跌倒两次，他岂不成傻瓜了？
But weighing the pros and cons, he did not want to fight with this foolish stranger. This was his moment for revenge; why engage in a pointless battle?
wèi le fù chóu ， tā de zhǔn bèi ， nà jiào yí gè chōng zú 。
为了复仇，他的准备，那叫一个充足。
After pondering, he took a deep breath, calming his mood. A thousand years of hardship had honed his cultivation skills well. When he spoke again, his tone was calm.
zhè cì chū xiàn de shí jiān ， mù guān lǎo zhě shì jīng tiāo xì xuǎn ， shì qián xì xì dǎ tàn guò ， yīn wèi jǔ xíng de shì nà qiè dà diǎn ， suǒ yǐ xiē wěi shàng rén bù hǎo tōng zhī nà xiē tóng jiē de dào yǒu ， qián lái dào hè de dōu shì fēn shén qī yǐ xià de jiā huo 。
这次出现的时间，木冠老者是精挑细选，事前细细打探过，因为举行的是纳妾大典，所以蝎尾上人不好通知那些同阶的道友，前来道贺的都是分神期以下的家伙。
"What do you desire?"
zhè yàng de cún zài jiù suàn shù liàng zài duō ， duì zì jǐ yě xíng bù chéng fēn háo de wēi xié ， jǐn jǐn xiē wěi shàng rén yī míng fèn shén qī gǔ mó ， yòu zěn me kě néng shì zì jǐ de duì shǒu ne ？
这样的存在就算数量再多，对自己也形不成分毫的威胁，仅仅蝎尾上人一名分神期古魔，又怎么可能是自己的对手呢？
"Me? I want..." Lin Xuan smiled. "This is obvious. Today is Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal's joyous day, yet someone disrupts it with such malicious intent. Your so-called grievances are from a thousand years ago; there's no proof. Who knows if they're true or false. Maybe you're framing me. And your words contradict each other—Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal has already shown the Thunder Peng Order, but you still want to kill him. Everything comes down to reason. With such poor character, how can I stand idly by? If you see sense, return the order and apologize, vowing never to trouble Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal again. Otherwise... I will fight with you."
yī qiè dōu jǐn zài tā de zhǎng wò ， rán ér dǎ suàn gù rán bù cuò ， kě shì dào lín tóu ， hái shì chū le chā cuò 。
一切都尽在他的掌握，然而打算固然不错，可事到临头，还是出了差错。
The surrounding ancient demons were already in uproar.
jū rán yǒu yī míng mò shēng de fēn shén qī xiū shì yuè zhòng ér chū ， zhàn zài le xiē wěi shàng rén yī cè 。
居然有一名陌生的分神期修士越众而出，站在了蝎尾上人一侧。
Everyone looked at him as if he was a monster.
jiǎ lǎo mó jīng nù jiāo jí ， yǎn jīng wēi mī ， xiàng zhe lín xuān wàng qù 。
贾老魔惊怒交集，眼睛微眯，像着林轩望去。
It wasn't surprising; the cultivation world was full of danger, and the demon realm even more so, filled with bloodshed and deceit. Ancient demons usually prioritized self-preservation, so his departure would be unsurprising. But Lin Xuan's response was too unexpected.
nà yǎn zhū yě biàn chéng le xuè hóng sè ， móu zi lǐ ， yǒu yāo yì de guāng huá bào shè ér chū 。
那眼珠也变成了血红色，眸子里，有妖异的光华爆射而出。
Was this guy stupid? He had no connection but insisted on getting involved, challenging a mid-stage Divinity Realm cultivator.
gāng gāng ， méi yǒu rén gǎn yǔ tā duì shì piàn kè ， rán ér lín xuān què shì ruò wú dǔ ， xíng ruò wú shì de dīng zhe duì fāng de yǎn zhū ， zuǐ jiǎo biān hái guà zhe dàn dàn de xiào róng 。
刚刚，没有人敢与他对视片刻，然而林轩却视若无睹，形若无事的盯着对方的眼珠，嘴角边还挂着淡淡的笑容。
What benefit did he gain from this? Wasn't there something wrong with him?
“ zhè xiǎo zi bù hǎo duì fù 。”
“这小子不好对付。”
Curiosity still drove them.
mù guān lǎo zhě de xīn tiào zhòu rán jiā sù ， suī rán bù céng yǔ lín xuān dòng shǒu ， rán ér nèi xīn shēn chù ， què yǒu jǐng zhào mò míng shēng chū ， tā de liǎn sè ， yuè fā de nán kàn le 。
木冠老者的心跳骤然加速，虽然不曾与林轩动手，然而内心深处，却有警兆莫名生出，他的脸色，越发的难看了。
Even the old man with the wooden hat was stunned by Lin Xuan's words and forgot to be angry. This... was too outrageous; he didn't know how to respond.
zhè biàn shù ， shì tā bù yuàn yì miàn duì de ， rán ér jì rán yù shàng le ， què yòu bù dé bù yìng fù 。
这变数，是他不愿意面对的，然而既然遇上了，却又不得不应付。
After a moment of silence, he finally stammered, "Are you... a fool?"
“ dào yǒu shuō xiào le ， qí tā rén dāng rán yào liú zài cǐ chù ， dàn dào yǒu jì rán shì fēn shén qī shèng zú ， píng bái wú gù ， tóng nǐ wèi dí ， lǎo fū néng dé dào shén me hǎo chù ， nǐ dāng rán shì kě yǐ lí kāi de 。”
“道友说笑了，其他人当然要留在此处，但道友既然是分神期圣族，平白无故，同你为敌，老夫能得到什么好处，你当然是可以离开的。”
"What?" Lin Xuan feigned shock perfectly. "Friend, what do you mean? Do you want to humiliate me? The matter comes down to reason—either apologize and return the treasure or fight with me and Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal. Make your choice."
ruò huàn chéng qiān nián qián ， mù guān lǎo zhě shí yǒu **， huì zuò wán quán bù yí yàng de xuǎn zé ， rán ér shàng cì de tōu xí ， què ràng tā de xìng gé gǎi biàn le xǔ duō ， tài gāng yì zhé ， gāi biàn tōng de shí hòu jiù yào biàn tōng ， sú huà shuō ， tuì yī bù hǎi kuò tiān kōng 。
若换成千年前，木冠老者十有**，会做完全不一样的选择，然而上次的偷袭，却让他的性格改变了许多，太刚易折，该变通的时候就要变通，俗话说，退一步海阔天空。
At this point, the old man had no other option. Dealing with a smart person was easy; dealing with such a foolish one was frustrating.
tā zì wèn yǐ zuò chū le ràng bù ， zhè mò shēng de fēn shén qī xiū shì xiǎng bì huì jiàn hǎo jiù shōu ， rán ér shì qíng de jié guǒ ， què zài yí cì yǔ tā xiǎng xiàng de bù tóng ， lín xuān jiē xià lái de huí dá ， ràng tā chà diǎn tù xiě 。
他自问已做出了让步，这陌生的分神期修士想必会见好就收，然而事情的结果，却再一次与他想象的不同，林轩接下来的回答，让他差点吐血。
In truth, he didn't want conflict but what could he do against someone so principled?
“ dào yǒu zhēn shì hǎo wēi fēng ， hǎo shā qì ， yào shā jiù shā ， yào ràng wǒ zǒu jiù ràng wǒ zǒu ， nǐ dāng zì jǐ shì shén me ， dù jié qī de shèng zǔ ， lín mǒu píng shén me ， yào tīng nǐ de fēn fù ？”
“道友真是好威风，好煞气，要杀就杀，要让我走就让我走，你当自己是什么，渡劫期的圣祖，林某凭什么，要听你的吩咐？”
Would it be better to retreat? Would his thousand-year-old grudge end just because of this fool's interference?
lín xuān cǐ huà yī chū ， xiē wěi shàng rén dà xǐ ， tā gāng cái hái zhēn pà ， lín xuān dàn qiú zì bǎo ， pāi pāi pì gǔ zǒu diào ， ér mù guān lǎo zhě zé yòu jīng yòu nù ， zì jǐ míng míng ràng le yī bù ， duì fāng què bù bù jǐn bī 。
林轩此话一出，蝎尾上人大喜，他刚才还真怕，林轩但求自保，拍拍屁股走掉，而木冠老者则又惊又怒，自己明明让了一步，对方却步步紧逼。
That was impossible!
rú guǒ huàn yí gè shí jiān ， qū qū yī fēn shén chū qī de gǔ mó ， tā yòu rú hé huì fàng zài yǎn zhōng ， kěn dìng jiāng zhè bù zhī sǐ huó de jiā huo ， chōu hún liàn pò ， rán ér cǐ kè …… tā dǎo shì xiǎng zhè me zuò ， kě duì fāng bìng fēi gū jiā guǎ rén yí gè 。
如果换一个时间，区区一分神初期的古魔，他又如何会放在眼中，肯定将这不知死活的家伙，抽魂炼魄，然而此刻……他倒是想这么做，可对方并非孤家寡人一个。
It had nothing to do with personality—any cultivator in his position would act the same.
zhēn shì hǔ luò píng yáng bèi quǎn qī ， lóng yóu qiǎn tān zāo xiā xì ， xīn zhōng de yù mèn ， nà yè yí gè wú yǔ lún bǐ 。
真是虎落平阳被犬欺，龙游浅滩遭虾戏，心中的郁闷，那叶一个无与伦比。
A mere fool, even a Divinity Realm one, could he really have such power?
kě quán héng lì bì ， tā shí zài bù xiǎng yǔ zhè quē xīn yǎn de mò shēng xiū shì wèi dí ， rú jīn zhèng shì bào chóu de guān jiàn shí kè ， hé kǔ yǔ yī mǎng fū zuò nà yì qì zhī zhēng ne ？
可权衡利弊，他实在不想与这缺心眼的陌生修士为敌，如今正是报仇的关键时刻，何苦与一莽夫做那义气之争呢？
He decided and hardened his expression. "Little guy, you've thought it through. You're willing to fight me for Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal, who's just an acquaintance? What do you gain from this? Be careful; you might be sold out by the other."
nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn guò ， tā shēn shēn hū xī ， jiāng xīn zhōng de yù mèn píng fù xià qù ， qiān nián qián chī de kǔ ， ràng tā de yǎng qì gōng fu xiū liàn dé bù cuò ， dāng zài cì kāi kǒu de shí hòu ， yǔ qì jū rán píng jìng xià qù le 。
脑海中念头转过，他深深呼吸，将心中的郁闷平复下去，千年前吃的苦，让他的养气功夫修炼得不错，当再次开口的时候，语气居然平静下去了。
"Rubbish! Lin Senior Immortal, don't listen to that old demon's nonsense here. Your judgment is correct—he's using his strength to bully me. Poor me, alone and weak... little brother, please help me. If we join forces to defeat this enemy, I'll be your brother..."
“ nà nǐ yù rú hé ？”
“那你欲如何？”
The surrounding ancient demons cursed him but saw the benefit in Lin Xuan's foolishness. They didn't reveal it; instead, they echoed his words.
“ wǒ yù rú hé ？” lín xuān xiào le ， cǐ shí cǐ kè ， zì jǐ jiù yào bàn yǎn yī hān hòu lǎo shí ， yǒu xiē rèn sǐ lǐ de mǎng fū jué sè ：“ zhè nán dào hái yòng wèn me ， jīn tiān shì xiē wěi dào yǒu dà xǐ de rì zi ， gé xià què qián lái jiǎo jú ， yòng xīn hé qí xiǎn è ， ér qiě nǐ shuō de nà xiē ēn yuàn ， dōu shì qiān nián qián de le ， yòu méi yǒu zhèng jù ， shuí zhī dào shì zhēn shì jiǎ ， shuō bù dìng nǐ shì gù yì zāi zāng jià huò ， ér qiě nǐ zhè ge rén ， hái chū ěr fǎn ěr ， xiē wěi dào yǒu yǐ jīng jiāng léi péng lìng ná chū ， nǐ què hái yào gǎn jìn shā jué ， fán shì tái bù tuō yí gè lǐ zì ， gé xià rén pǐn rú cǐ ， lín mǒu lù jiàn bù píng ， yòu zěn me huì rèn nǐ xiāo zhāng bá hù ， nǐ rú guǒ shí xiàng ， jiù jiāng léi péng lìng huán gěi xiē wěi dào yǒu ， zài péi lǐ dào qiàn ， fā shì yǒng yuǎn bù huí lái zhǎo xiē wěi dào yǒu de má fán ， fǒu zé …… lín mǒu shuō bù dé yǐ duō qī shǎo ， yǔ nǐ dòu shàng yī dòu 。”
“我欲如何？”林轩笑了，此时此刻，自己就要扮演一憨厚老实，有些认死理的莽夫角色：“这难道还用问么，今天是蝎尾道友大喜的日子，阁下却前来搅局，用心何其险恶，而且你说的那些恩怨，都是千年前的了，又没有证据，谁知道是真是假，说不定你是故意栽赃嫁祸，而且你这个人，还出尔反尔，蝎尾道友已经将雷鹏令拿出，你却还要赶尽杀绝，凡事抬不脱一个理字，阁下人品如此，林某路见不平，又怎么会任你嚣张跋扈，你如果识相，就将雷鹏令还给蝎尾道友，再赔礼道歉，发誓永远不回来找蝎尾道友的麻烦，否则……林某说不得以多欺少，与你斗上一斗。”
"Right, Senior Lin, that old demon kills innocents—please act for us."
lín xuān huà yīn wèi luò ， zhōu wéi de zhòng gǔ mó ， yǐ shì huá rán yī piàn le 。
林轩话音未落，周围的众古魔，已是哗然一片了。
"That old demon can't be trusted. We're on Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal's side."
dà jiā kàn tā de biǎo qíng ， jiù xiàng zài kàn guài wù 。
大家看他的表情，就像在看怪物。
"Senior Lin, we rely on you."
zhè yě shì nán guài de 。
这也是难怪的。
The old man remained silent. This foolishness was useless; he would make the other regret his interference.
"Careless enough to die!"
The old man with a wooden hat flashed a mocking expression. His eyes glinted with ferocity as he raised his hand, and dark magical energy suddenly appeared. Two pops echoed, and the magic energy transformed into a one-horned monstrous python with wings sprouting from its back.
Turning slightly, Lin Xuan was already standing on the golden streak of lightning.
Swinging its tail, it quickly ensnared the opponent.
The sound of bones breaking filled his ears, followed by the monster transforming into black magical flames. The cultivator had been somewhat confident in his speed and thought he might escape, but ended up dead and fallen.
Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal's face was dark to the extreme; even other ancient demons fell silent. Perhaps intimidated by his power, they did not dare attack en masse.
However, this delay could not be a solution either. He would eventually be broken one by one.
Everyone knew this logic, but with such a precedent before them, who would willingly take the lead?
Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal frowned in thought, but he was at a loss for a plan.
Silence needed to be broken.
A strange light flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. "This kid is hard to deal with."
The old man's heart raced despite not having fought against Lin Xuan. An ominous warning emerged from within him, making his face even more grim.
This variable was something he did not want to face but had to handle now.
"Friend, you jest. Others must stay here, but as a Saint Clan cultivator of the Divinity Realm, why would I have no reason to fight with you? You can leave."
If it were a thousand years ago, the old man would have made an entirely different choice. However, his personality had changed after that ambush; he knew when to adapt and retreat.
He believed Lin Xuan would see sense, but his response was again contrary to expectations. The old man almost spat blood at Lin Xuan's reply.
"You are indeed impressive, with such power and authority. Kill if you must, let me go if you wish. What makes you think I should listen to your commands? I am not a Divinity Realm Saint; why should I?"
Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal was overjoyed as he feared Lin Xuan would just leave for self-preservation. The old man was both shocked and angry—his retreat had been a step back, but the other kept pressing.
A mere First Stage Divinity Realm ancient demon meant nothing to him; he would have torn this reckless kid's soul apart. But now... he wanted to do so, yet Lin Xuan wasn't alone.
It was like a tiger being bullied by a dog and a dragon being mocked by shrimp. His frustration knew no bounds.
But weighing the pros and cons, he did not want to fight with this foolish stranger. This was his moment for revenge; why engage in a pointless battle?
After pondering, he took a deep breath, calming his mood. A thousand years of hardship had honed his cultivation skills well. When he spoke again, his tone was calm.
"What do you desire?"
"Me? I want..." Lin Xuan smiled. "This is obvious. Today is Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal's joyous day, yet someone disrupts it with such malicious intent. Your so-called grievances are from a thousand years ago; there's no proof. Who knows if they're true or false. Maybe you're framing me. And your words contradict each other—Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal has already shown the Thunder Peng Order, but you still want to kill him. Everything comes down to reason. With such poor character, how can I stand idly by? If you see sense, return the order and apologize, vowing never to trouble Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal again. Otherwise... I will fight with you."
The surrounding ancient demons were already in uproar.
Everyone looked at him as if he was a monster.
It wasn't surprising; the cultivation world was full of danger, and the demon realm even more so, filled with bloodshed and deceit. Ancient demons usually prioritized self-preservation, so his departure would be unsurprising. But Lin Xuan's response was too unexpected.
Was this guy stupid? He had no connection but insisted on getting involved, challenging a mid-stage Divinity Realm cultivator.
What benefit did he gain from this? Wasn't there something wrong with him?
Curiosity still drove them.
Even the old man with the wooden hat was stunned by Lin Xuan's words and forgot to be angry. This... was too outrageous; he didn't know how to respond.
After a moment of silence, he finally stammered, "Are you... a fool?"
"What?" Lin Xuan feigned shock perfectly. "Friend, what do you mean? Do you want to humiliate me? The matter comes down to reason—either apologize and return the treasure or fight with me and Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal. Make your choice."
At this point, the old man had no other option. Dealing with a smart person was easy; dealing with such a foolish one was frustrating.
In truth, he didn't want conflict but what could he do against someone so principled?
Would it be better to retreat? Would his thousand-year-old grudge end just because of this fool's interference?
That was impossible!
It had nothing to do with personality—any cultivator in his position would act the same.
A mere fool, even a Divinity Realm one, could he really have such power?
He decided and hardened his expression. "Little guy, you've thought it through. You're willing to fight me for Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal, who's just an acquaintance? What do you gain from this? Be careful; you might be sold out by the other."
"Rubbish! Lin Senior Immortal, don't listen to that old demon's nonsense here. Your judgment is correct—he's using his strength to bully me. Poor me, alone and weak... little brother, please help me. If we join forces to defeat this enemy, I'll be your brother..."
The surrounding ancient demons cursed him but saw the benefit in Lin Xuan's foolishness. They didn't reveal it; instead, they echoed his words.
"Right, Senior Lin, that old demon kills innocents—please act for us."
"That old demon can't be trusted. We're on Scorpion Tail Senior Immortal's side."
"Senior Lin, we rely on you."
The old man remained silent. This foolishness was useless; he would make the other regret his interference.