As Expected of a Master

The master is going to take action himself!

Lu Xinlan and the others turned back in pleasant surprise.

Seeing Yi Feng stride forward with steady steps, his expression as composed as ever, their confidence soared. The pressure they had felt earlier instantly dissipated, replaced by eager anticipation!

If the master is making a move, the enemies before them are surely no match.

To witness the master's prowess firsthand is truly a great fortune.

Sa Donglai immediately clasped his fists in flattery, and Xu Baichuan and the others weren’t far behind in their respectful greetings. As the crowd parted, Yi Feng stood firmly at the forefront of the flying vessel.

The cheers behind him went unnoticed.

His gaze was fixed solely on the expert from Black Island, standing calmly in mid-air.

The man looked down with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of invincibility, yet showing no real fighting spirit—as if he couldn’t be bothered to take anyone seriously.

Judging by his demeanor, this man probably couldn’t be bothered to go all out.

In that case, Yi Feng might not succeed in his quest for death.

What should he do?

Yi Feng raised his head, observing for a few moments before frowning slightly.

This man was clearly extraordinary, his eyes steady and unshaken.

Ordinary taunting wouldn’t work.

Yi Feng had to change his approach.

True experts always prided themselves on their status, disdaining to fight the weak. If he could display a certain level of dignity and strength, perhaps he could provoke the man’s fighting spirit.

This guy was putting on quite the act—if Yi Feng outdid him, surely he’d have no choice but to go all out!

After a brief contemplation, Yi Feng mimicked the man’s invincible aura, clasping his hands behind his back and stepping forward.

He walked until he stood alone at the very edge of the flying vessel.

The wind brushed against him, his robes fluttering gracefully.

Yi Feng imagined himself as a peerless master, his eyes filled with the indifference of one who had seen it all, gazing upon the world as if it were nothing but ants. With a tone dripping with arrogance, he delivered his line:

"Do you dare to fight me?"

His cold voice marked the peak of his acting!

At this moment, Yi Feng felt like a god of war—no less imposing than the protagonists from the novels of his past life. His aura was undoubtedly overwhelming.

Acting score: 82!

The remaining 18 points? He’d reward himself with a resounding "666"!

Just as he looked up in anticipation—

The crowd behind him was already struck with awe!

The lone figure before them seemed to stand between heaven and earth, unmatched and invincible!

The terrifying aura sent chills through the entire flying vessel. Sa Donglai and the others trembled in their hearts; even the residual pressure alone nearly forced them to their knees!

Above the sky, Pei Songhe had been standing calmly all this time, indifferent to everything. When he saw someone actually step forward and challenge him, he merely smiled faintly.

But the moment their eyes met—

Suddenly!

The entire sky seemed to freeze!

The azure heavens turned stagnant, the air solidified, and the very essence of the Great Dao in the world felt as if it had been drained away!

H-how is this possible?!

Pei Songhe was horrified, his heart sinking like a stone!

Widening his eyes, he took a closer look.

At the forefront of the flying vessel, the figure stood with hands behind his back, gazing down at him with eyes full of disdain—as if he were nothing but an insect!

"Do you dare to fight me?"

The soft-spoken words rang in his ears like thunder!

Instantly, Pei Songhe’s mind went blank!

A chill shot up his spine, drenching him in cold sweat!

A supreme expert…

This was a being far beyond his reach!

The overwhelming pressure was unlike anything he had ever felt. His heart leaped into his throat, and his hands, which had been resting idly, clenched into fists inside his sleeves, his knuckles turning white!

Without a second thought—

Pei Songhe immediately descended before the flying vessel, bending at the waist in a deep, ninety-degree bow!

"I—I meant no offense! This is all a misunderstanding!"

Everything happened too fast.

Yi Feng stood there, dumbfounded, his brain struggling to process what had just happened.

Wasn’t this supposed to be an expert looking for a fight?

How did it suddenly turn into a misunderstanding, with the guy bowing in apology?

Did this mean his chance for a fight was slipping away again?

What the hell?!

The more Yi Feng thought about it, the angrier he got. He glared coldly.

"Aren’t you their guest elder? How can this be a misunderstanding? Fight me now!"

Fight him?

What kind of joke was that?!

Who in their right mind would dare raise a hand against such a being?!

If he wanted someone dead, he should just say so outright!

Damn it all!

How had he managed to provoke such an existence out of nowhere?!

Pei Songhe sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes nearly welling up with panicked tears!

Thud!

The once-terrifying expert dropped to his knees at the edge of the flying vessel, clasping his fists in frantic explanation, his mind racing at breakneck speed.

"P-please, Master, hear me out!"

"I—I may have once served the eldest Miss Lu, but she is ruthless! She pursues power at the cost of morality and family bonds! I could no longer stand by her side!"

"I rushed here to defect—to warn Miss Lu Xinlan and pledge my loyalty to her!"

Huh?!

Defect?!

Yi Feng’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected this twist.

While he was still processing, Pei Songhe had already pulled out an ornate box!

"Master, please accept this humble gift!"

"It is my personal treasure—a five-thousand-year-old Enlightenment Tea from the Eastern Sea! I prepared it as a token of sincerity, and now I offer it to you and Miss Lu Xinlan!"

The entire act was seamless.

No sooner had he explained himself than he presented the gift.

From the looks of it, he really had come prepared…

Yi Feng frowned skeptically, glancing back at the others.

"What do you think?"

Lu Xinlan was sharp.

She understood that Pei Songhe had been utterly intimidated by the master’s presence and was now scrambling to save his life by switching sides.

Such insight and adaptability were befitting of a sixth-rank expert.

Having such an ally would be a great boon.

Since the master showed no intent to kill, Lu Xinlan smiled and replied,

"Master, Elder Pei’s sincerity is evident. This must indeed be a misunderstanding."

Sa Donglai and the others weren’t thrilled about gaining another competitor.

The internal competition was already fierce, and now this guy had the audacity to offer a five-thousand-year-old celestial tea?!

Damn it!

This guy was a tryhard!

But since the master wasn’t inclined to kill and Miss Lu seemed willing to recruit him, the seasoned veterans played along.

"Master, this man’s defection is commendable. His sincerity is undeniable."

"In my opinion, this is just a misunderstanding."

Seeing everyone agree, Yi Feng had no choice but to relent.

He accepted the box.

The rich aroma of tea wafted out, and with Pei Songhe’s apparent change of heart, Yi Feng decided not to press the issue. He began preparing the tea but issued a stern warning.

"Fine. It seems this was just a misunderstanding."

"Get up. Since you’ve defected, prove your worth. Any treachery, and you won’t be spared."

Pei Songhe felt as if he’d been granted a new lease on life. He repeatedly clasped his fists in gratitude.

"Thank you, Master!"

"I swear to serve Miss Lu Xinlan faithfully and mend my ways!"

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Pei Songhe quickly stood and followed closely behind, shedding all traces of his former arrogance. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to pleasing Yi Feng, even humbly assisting in brewing the tea…