Chapter 1331: The Aftermath Reward

Chapter 1331: Chapter 1331: The Aftermath Reward

Su Fengchen spoke as he led the way, turning to Pei Yan and retorting, "Did you start noticing Zhou Yinnong from the Celestial Secret Pavilion?"

"I had heard about him long ago but never imagined he’d be involved with you all. Now, tell me, what exactly is he doing, darting around all the planes?" Pei Yan squatted down, pressing further.

"I’ve already answered enough of your questions today; I don’t want to answer this one." This time, Su Fengchen didn’t respond as straightforwardly as usual, refusing Pei Yan’s question for the first time.

"Are you really not going to tell me?"

"Yes!" Su Fengchen squinted, confirming as he looked at Pei Yan.

Pa! Just as Su Fengchen refused, Pei Yan suddenly gripped Li Ang’s neck, as white and smooth as lamb’s fat jade. Everyone, including the four black-clad men, was startled by his action, and instinctively looked at Lin Ruxue, who was sitting motionless. Seeing her lack of response, it was clear she had tacitly approved of Pei Yan’s actions.

"I know the Daoist Plane has many punishments worse than death, especially for female cultivators like Elder Li," said Pei Yan, emphasizing each word as he tightened his grip.

"Are you trying to threaten me with her? Let me hear what you intend to do to her," Su Fengchen sneered, not even glancing at his junior sister, still staring at Pei Yan disdainfully.

"Rest assured! I don’t have such vile intentions. I just want to watch her suffocate to death, bit by bit, right in front of you. After all, one sacrifice is enough to raise the banner," Pei Yan said, sinking his fingers further.

"Alright then! Let me watch! Pei Yan, my entire sect is about to be destroyed today. Do you think I would really care about a junior sister’s life enough to spill secrets I shouldn’t?" Su Fengchen sneered at Pei Yan’s threat.

Pei Yan wasn’t moved by his words, continuing to observe Su Fengchen’s facial changes while increasing the pressure on Li Ang’s neck. Once the apex of the Heavenly Dao, Li Ang now looked like a duck with its neck clenched, her face flushed red and hopeless murmurs escaping as her source energy and meridians were blocked.

No matter what, Li Ang was once at the top of the Heavenly Dao. As Pei Yan’s palm applied more force, she knew he truly intended to take her life, not just threaten. Seeing her senior brother remain silent, survival instincts and resentment brought out her potential, a faint trickle of source energy emerging and expanding from within her.

In this life-and-death crisis, Li Ang made her final resistance, managing to break a small gap in the ban set by several sect leaders. Unfortunately, in such circumstances, all her efforts were in vain. Just as she channeled source energy to the surface to breathe in some fresh air through technique, a black-robed man snapped his fingers, sending two streams of source energy into her meridians. The bit of gathered source energy scattered, and the seal reclosed.

"Brother, br-brother, uh!" With increasingly difficult breaths, two streams of tears rolled down Li Ang’s cheeks. Whether from fear of death or her brother’s indifference to her life, Pei Yan didn’t know, as Su Fengchen throughout paid no heed to her life or death, fixated only on Pei Yan.

"Huff! Huff! Cough-cough-cough! Uh~!"

Eventually, Pei Yan released his grip on Li Ang’s throat, allowing her to collapse, gasping, and coughing for fresh air.

"It seems your brother truly doesn’t care about your life. Are you ready to give me the answer now?" Pei Yan asked the violently coughing Li Ang lying on the ground.

Seeing the resentment and disdain in her eyes as she looked at him, Pei Yan knew his question was in vain. With no choice but to wave his hand in resignation, he sighed, "Take them away!"

After the four black-clad men dragged Su Fengchen and the others away, Pei Yan approached Mao Xiang, saying, "Immediately capture Zhou Yinnong alive, along with everyone in his trading firm. Don’t let anyone escape. I misjudged; I originally thought Zhou Yinnong was just a minor figure, doing Su Fengchen’s and others’ bidding. But it seems not to be the case! At least to Su Fengchen, the secrets Zhou Yinnong carries are more important than his sister’s life."

"I’ll get someone on it right away!" Knowing the importance, Mao Xiang nodded and turned to issue orders immediately.

After speaking, Pei Yan looked at Ding Zhiyi and the others, mocking, "You see! The threats behind you have also fallen; you clearly had a chance to survive, yet once again you’ve missed it."

"Pei Yan, you’re a devil! Do you think we’d believe your actions are out of kindness? No! You’re just mocking us to see our regret after refusing your conditions!" Ding Zhiyi responded without showing what Pei Yan expected, directly exposing his intentions.

Pei Yan didn’t get angry, nodding to acknowledge, "Sorry, saying you’re dumb might have been somewhat biased! Your misjudgment was just due to information asymmetry and ignorance of the unknown. You’re right! Once manipulated by powerful figures, I desperately grew to escape such situations. Now, having become a big figure in others’ eyes, I can’t help but mock my enemies. Perhaps it is psychological distortion." Pei Yan smiled wryly at Ding Zhiyi, "But it does feel quite good."

Under Pei Yan’s mockery, Ding Zhiyi, and the Beast Taming Institute captives were all taken away. When the courtyard returned to calm, Lin Ruxue finally spoke, "Pei Yan, are you so eager to shake off our control?"

"Uncle Master, although you set many pitfalls for me, I received many benefits from you. You’ve both saved and almost taken my life. I’m nostalgic and won’t hold grudges over past matters. I only seek fair treatment and space to make my own choices. If Uncle Master grants me such respect, regardless of future changes, I’ll maintain my respect for both of you," Pei Yan candidly responded.

"Hopefully, you’ll keep your word!" Lin Ruxue sighed, standing up with an unusually relaxed smile, "Pei Yan, your investigation was well done, and I’m very satisfied. Tell me, what reward do you want? You only have this one chance, so think carefully before you speak. After today, if you request any rewards, I won’t acknowledge it."

"I want Elder Liu’s cultivation technique set that can stack damage. Plus, an entire set of top-level spear techniques from the Daoist Plane, including Heart and Body Techniques for support!" Pei Yan, delighted by Lin Ruxue’s words, quickly voiced his long-considered request.