"In any case, Elder Pang Bing, the Pang clan has to deliver 100,000 prominent Celestial Stones to me within three days before I'll let this matter slide," Duan Ling Tian said indifferently. He clearly did not buy Pang Bing's words and decided Pang Bing was interfering with the matter between him and the Liu Clan
"100,000 prominent Celestial Stones within three days?" Pang Bing's expression turned gloomy as he continued to say in a low voice, "Honorable Sir, your appetite is really huge! If the Pang clan is unable to deliver 100,000 prominent Celestial Stones in three days, what are you going to do?"
"I can only personally come knocking on your door to collect the Celestial Stones then," Duan Ling Tian said apathetically as though he was talking about the weather.
Pang Bing scoffed as he looked into the distant sky. He coldly said, "If you want the Pang clan to give you 100,000 prominent Celestial Stones, you'll have to make sure you survive today!" At this moment, he could clearly feel a powerful aura closing in on them from the County Governor's estate. He could also sense the speed of the aura was terrifyingly fast. Based on these, he knew the County Governor was coming. Although he knew he was not as strong as this purple-clad young man, he could discern that the purple-clad young man was only the strongest among those who were below Great Overarching Golden Celestials. Regardless if the purple-clad young man's strength was almost comparable to a Great Overarching Golden Celestial, the former was still weaker than the latter.
Great Overarching Golden Celestials were divided into ranks. Yellow Great Overarching Golden Celestials were the weakest. Tian Ji Yu, the County Governor of Nine Specters County, was a profound Great Overarching Golden Celestial who was much stronger than yellow Great Overarching Golden Celestials. His strength was much closer to that of an earth Great Overarching Golden Celestial. In fact, he was among the strongest profound Great Overarching Golden Celestials.
For this reason, Pang Bing was of the opinion that the purple-clad young man would not be able to create any trouble once the County Governor of Nine Specter County arrived.
"Elder Pang Bing, there's no need for you to concern yourself with my survival," Duan Ling Tian said as he looked in the direction of the County Governor's estate. He could, naturally, feel the familiar and fast approaching aura.
A few moments later…
Swoosh!
A powerful gust of wind appeared in the sky above the great hall in the Liu clan's mansion, causing many people's robes to flutter and flap noisily.
The wind was accompanied by a figure that seemed to have appeared out of thin air. The figure belonged to a tall middle-aged man who was dressed in a long silver robe. He had a square face, thick eyebrows, and big eyes. He carried the air of someone with high status.
"Lord County Governor!"
"Lord County Governor!"
As soon as the County Governor appeared, the members of the Liu clan greeted him in unison.
Pang Bing cupped his fists together and greeted the County Governor as well. 'Lord County Governor."
As everyone greeted the County Governor, Duan Ling Tian looked at him as well. He only faintly smiled and casually greeted the County Governor.
Upon seeing how casually Duan Ling Tian had greeted the County Governor, as though Duan Ling Tian was familiar with the County Governor, Pang Bing's expression changed slightly as an ominous feeling rose in his heart.
Duan Ling Tian's behavior did not escape Liu Dong Ping and Liu Zuo Lin's eyes as well. Their expression changed drastically. It was clear the purple-clad young man was well-acquainted with the County Governor. Moreover, based on the way the purple-clad young man greeted the County Governor, it seemed like they had a close relationship.
'How's this possible? How does he know Lord County Governor? No! It's impossible!' Liu Zuo Lin shook his head. Despite his thoughts, his eyes that were brimming with hope earlier seemed to have turned dull at this moment. Earlier, he was convinced the County Governor's arrival would definitely mean he would be able to escape this calamity. However, now, he was not so certain.
"Lord County Governor!" Pang Yuan, Liu Zuo Ling's mother who was from the Pang clan, did not waste any time and stepped forward. She pointed at Duan Ling Tian accusingly and said with righteous indignation, "It's him. He killed Elder Liu Qian!" Her expression turned aggrieved as she continued to say, "Elder Liu Qian was an inner-estate elder in the County Governor's estate. His act of killing Elder Liu Qian is akin to declaring war on the County Governor's estate. Lord County Governor, you must avenge Elder Liu Qian and teach this person a lesson!"
"Hm?" Tian Ji Yu, the County Governor of the Nine Specter County, had already seen Duan Ling Tian and was about to return his greeting when Pang Yuan had interrupted him and accused Duan Ling Tian of killing Liu Qian. What a joke! Duan Ling Tian killed Liu Qian? If it was true, then did it not mean that Duan Ling Tian would certainly be able to rank first in the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties and obtain the three mediocre Celestial Pills, the Great Overarching Pill?
Tian Ji Yu scowled as he coldly said, "Preposterous! Duan Ling Tian isn't even 100 years old, and yet, you say he killed Elder Liu Qian who had long become an Indigo Sun Golden Celestial? Are you trying to fool the County Governor of Nine Specters County?" His gaze turned cutting as he stared at Pang Yuan.
Pang Yuan felt chills running up her spine. She was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she began to tremble from head to toe.
At this moment, the entire place was deathly silent.
Duan Ling Tian? He was not even 100 years old? Everyone in the Liu clan was familiar with this name. They were aware that he had ascended to Bloody Specter City, one of the counties in Nine Specters County, and came to the County City of Nine Specters County two years ago. They, naturally, knew he had easily entered the Latent Dragon Abyss and soundly defeated Zhou Fei who was widely acknowledged as the strongest among the younger generation. After that, he had taken over Zhou Fei's place of being the strongest among the younger generation.
Pang Bing looked at Tian Ji Yu with an expression of disbelief as he asked, "Lo… Lord Governor… Are you certain this person is Duan Ling Tian?" It did not occur to him to determine Duan Ling Tian's age earlier so he was, naturally, shocked by this revelation.
"Of course, I'm certain," Tian Ji Yu indifferently said. His brows were slightly furrowed as he said, "Elder Pang Bing, what are you doing here? You're not the slightest bit injured, but Elder Liu Qian is dead. What happened here?" His expression had turned grim when he finished speaking.
"He… He's younger than 100 years old!"
"Heavens! I didn't think to probe him earlier… It seems like he's really younger than 100 years old!"
"He…. He's really the strongest powerhouse among the younger generation in Nine Specters County, Duan Ling Tian?"
"Isn't this too frightening? He's not even 100 years old, but he's stronger than Elder Pang Bing who's widely acknowledged as the strongest among those below Great Overarching Golden Celestials!"
'You're right. Earlier, Elder Pang Bing admitted he's not as strong as Duan Ling Tian!"
Tian Ji Yu was suitably shocked when he heard the conversations in his surroundings. 'These people are saying Duan Ling Tian is stronger than Elder Pang Bing? How's this possible? In Nine Specters County, Elder Pang Bing's strength is only inferior to me and Revered Elder Zhou Tong who had died.'' His eyes were brimming with bewilderment and skepticism as he looked at Pang Bing.
Pang Bing, naturally, knew what was going through Tian Ji Yu's mind. He could only nod and bitterly say, "Lord Governor, my strength is indeed inferior to Duan Ling Tian!" After he had probed Duan Ling Tian to confirm his identity, the ominous feeling in his heart intensified. At the same time, he felt incredulous that someone who was not even 100 years old was stronger than him.
Tian Ji Yu's eyes flashed as he asked, "So, Elder Liu Qian is really killed by Duan Ling Tian?"
"Yes," Pang Bing nodded slightly as he explained, "This isn't a baseless accusation. Everyone here can stand witness to this."
Upon hearing this, Tian Ji Yu turned to look at Duan Ling Tian. His smile remained polite as he asked, "Duan Ling Tian, did you kill Elder Liu Qian?"
"Yes." Since Duan Ling Tian dared to kill Liu Qian, he was, naturally, not afraid to admit it.
Tian Ji Yu's expression froze as soon as he heard Duan Ling Tian's reply…