Chapter 43: The Proud and Arrogant Hu Yunyin, Eyes Like Looking at Trash!

“Fellow cultivator, we have no enmity or grievance between us. Don’t you think your actions are a bit excessive?” Earlier, when this woman had fainted on the ground, Ling Tian and his companions had harbored no ill intentions toward her. Who could have expected that the moment she regained consciousness, she would attack with deadly intent.

“Hmph. I do as I please. What business is it of yours?” Hu Yunying gave a cold snort, showing no sign of stopping as she struck at Ling Tian and the others again.

Yet her target remained fixed—Xiao Ling’er.

Ling Tian found it odd. He was clearly the stronger one, so logically, shouldn't he be dealt with first? Or perhaps, he mused, there was something not quite right with this woman’s thinking.

“I’m glad you listened to my words, but I don’t appreciate your answer.” Ling Tian frowned, taking out his Imperial Banner and following the same set of moves as before.

“Divine Binding!”

Hu Yunying was suspended in midair, bound tightly and struggling furiously, but it was in vain. Unless she could transform into a mist of blood and escape, as some could, there was no way—she was merely at the King-sealed realm, and breaking free would be nothing short of a fantasy.

After all, the Imperial Banner was an emperor’s weapon!

“Let me send you on your way, then.” Ling Tian’s eyes narrowed. With Hu Yunying so domineering and intent on killing them, he had no reason to show her mercy.

“Detestable lackey of the Phoenix Clan! You followed me even into this secret realm? Even if I die, I will never marry your so-called Third Scion of the Phoenix Clan!” Even now, Hu Yunying glared angrily, cursing under her breath.

Yet her words piqued the interest of Ling Tian and his companion.

She had mentioned the Phoenix Clan.

Regardless of whether Ling Tian was inclined to stop, Xiao Ling’er had already come to his side, her eyes full of pleading. After all, Xiao Ling’er’s mother was of the Phoenix Clan.

Ah, what an uncanny turn of fate this was!

“How did you determine that we’re of the Phoenix Clan?” Ling Tian put away his aggressive stance and asked Hu Yunying calmly.

“How? Hmph! Her phoenix bloodline is so dense it’s impossible not to notice!” Hu Yunying’s eyes shone with intensity. No matter how proud she was, she had to admit that Xiao Ling’er’s phoenix bloodline must be of an exceptionally high grade.

Her White Tiger Clan was extremely sensitive to such things and could sense it clearly. She had been astonished to discover such a figure among the Phoenix Clan.

“I see. We’re not actually—” Ling Tian began to explain, but just then, a prompt echoed in his mind:

[Years ago, you passed by the White Tiger Clan. Hu Yunying, already an esteemed figure, looked at you—a useless wretch—with the same disdain one reserves for trash, her eyes full of scorn.]

[Reversal quest triggered.]

[Repay her in kind—look at her with the same eyes one uses for garbage, and make her accept it in her heart.]

[Reward: Dominion Over Beasts (can affect demon beasts several major realms above your own, muddling their minds and forcing their submission)]

Well, well, the system was becoming more and more considerate, even explaining the reward’s effects.

Was Dominion Over Beasts useless? Nonsense—in Ling Tian’s view, it was the perfect tool for showing off.

By the established timeline, Hu Yunying would become a Saint a hundred years from now, making matters difficult. But now… well, well…

“Smack—”

“Do you think you’re clever? Let me tell you, you’re an utter fool! If not for us just now, you’d have already been taken by the one lurking in wait behind you. Big chest, no brains!” The system had spoken, so Ling Tian saw no reason to be polite—he simply slapped her.

He pressed his fingertip against her forehead, speaking with force, all the while looking at her with the same contemptuous gaze she had once shown him.

Hu Yunying was stunned, especially when she saw Ling Tian using her own expression against her—even letting his gaze linger at her chest for a moment, making her both angry and embarrassed.

“If you have the guts, kill me! Why humiliate me like this?” Hu Yunying bit her lip and stared at Ling Tian, stubborn and proud.

Ling Tian sighed. Truly, one’s nature is hard to change. Even now, Hu Yunying refused to yield. The task the system had given him was indeed difficult.

“Fine! I’ll kill you now. But—look what I have here.” Ling Tian narrowed his eyes. He had seen Hu Yunying recklessly attempt to subdue the Azure Lotus Flame, which meant it must be of great importance to her.

“You… don’t—don’t kill me.” Seeing the Azure Lotus Flame flickering in Ling Tian’s hand, Hu Yunying instantly snapped out of her stubbornness. Yes—if she died, her grandfather would be doomed.

This young man had managed to tame the Azure Lotus Flame; did that mean…

“Release.”

Ling Tian withdrew the Imperial Banner. Since Hu Yunying had quieted down, it meant they could continue the conversation.

“Apologize!” Ling Tian said with interest, staring at her.

If not for the quest, he would never have wasted so many words on her. His temperament would have seen Hu Yunying reduced to ashes by the Imperial Banner already.

“What did you say?” Hu Yunying’s eyes widened, as if she had misheard.

“Hm?” Ling Tian raised an eyebrow and made to put the flame away.

“I’m sorry. I was too impulsive just now and startled you,” Hu Yunying said through clenched fists, looking at Xiao Ling’er reluctantly and speaking the words with clear reluctance.

Damn it. She glanced at Ling Tian again, only to be met with that same contemptuous gaze.

“Tell me, what’s your connection to the Third Scion of the Phoenix Clan?” Ling Tian was surprised by how resilient Hu Yunying was—clearly, she needed further tempering.

“The Third Scion of the Phoenix Clan wants to marry me, but I have no interest in him. I detest the aggressive attitude of the Phoenix Clan, so whenever I meet their people, I make a move against them.” This time, Hu Yunying did not cause any new disturbances. She knew that if she tried anything else, this young man might do something truly unpredictable.

“The Phoenix Clan dares to behave this way because my grandfather, who defended against the Demon Clan, was tainted by demonic energy and lost his position. That’s why I was pushed forward as a bargaining chip.” As she spoke, a look of resolve surged in Hu Yunying’s eyes. Her grandfather had always been good to her, and now he was tormented daily by demonic energy.

It was a fate she could not bear to see.

After a long moment of inner struggle, Hu Yunying finally looked straight at Ling Tian, her gaze unwavering, and gently pulled down the collar of her robe off her shoulder.

“If you’re willing to save my grandfather, I will agree to any request within my power…”