Wang Fan slowly turned his head to look over his shoulder.
While he could slightly sense the strength of those who surrounded him and knew that they weren't his match, Sun Jianhong was still a serious threat.
Even if he were to deal with the four people around him, he would have spent a good bit of energy in the process.
This would've put him at a disadvantage for a rematch against Sun Jianhong.
Especially if he fought against the guy blocking his staff. He didn't know why but he got a dangerous feeling from that person.
Like he was a powerful river torrent or a blazing sun.
He slowly moved his head around in order to see what happened to the fighters he brought with him.
Only to find the lot of them collapsed onto the ground, bleeding out through puncture wounds in their body.
He couldn't believe someone was capable of dealing with so many people so quickly. Not just the ten people he brought, but even the guards, whom Sun Jianhong followed over to the area, were all knocked out.
He sighed at his situation as he glanced over at Tian Kai calmly.
Despite the weapons pointed to his neck, he didn't seem to hold even an ounce of fear. After all, although they were powerful there was still a large gap between their strength and the Wang Family's.
They wouldn't dare kill him.
"Well color me impressed, I never expected you to be so well hidden Tian Kai."
Wang Fan's information network all said that Tian Kai was a high B or A rank adventurer, a rank 1 at most.
Yet this power he displayed went beyond what a level one Qi refiner was capable of.
"You seem to be taking this quite lightly, I don't think you understand what kind of situation you're in." Tian Hai was getting annoyed by Wang Fan's cocky attitude.
He was already enraged by the fact that there was an attempt on his little brother's life. But for the culprit of the disaster to be so snarky while being arrested just really got under his skin.
Just as he was about to rebuke him even more, Tian Kai pulled back his spear and said calmly, "Leave, and bring your servants with you. I hope you learned your lesson this time, because if anything like this happens again then Zhou Wei might be hearing some rumors that he can't ignore any longer."
With some simple words left behind, Tian Kai nodded to Lou Ning and Lou Lan to release Wang Fan.
The two siblings nodded in response to Tian Kai's action and stepped back, but they kept their guards up just in case.
Wang Fan just snorted as he walked away, calling back how he would send some people later to pick up the losers on the ground.
Everyone sighed to themselves as Tian Hai gazed at the retreating back of Wang Fan.
"Why did we allow him to leave unscathed?"
Although he was probably the oldest among them, he was definitely the least mature. Tian Hai was one who acted on and trusted his emotions.
But Tian Hai was different.
He could see farther ahead.
"Let's say we do something, what is next? Wang Mu isn't one who takes such a disgrace laying down. We can scare away Wang Fan but after that it'll be the Wang Family's elders. Then Wang Mu himself. Even if we all worked together I doubt any of us could beat Wang Family elders much less their actual head."
Even with such an answer Tian Hai didn't understand what the issue was. He quickly turned around to face his little brother with bloodshot eyes, which clearly screamed out his disagreement.
"I know what you're thinking. Yes we have 'him' to back us up. But if he were to act, what do you think the public would think? They would wonder why he would act. If so then an investigation would occur. And if 'that' thing was discovered… I don't think I need to continue."
Xue Chang's true identity had been a well kept secret so far. If something was to happen just because he couldn't control his emotions, Tian Hai would never be able to forgive himself.
He already promised to support Xue Chang no matter what, but he realized that compared to his brother he wasn't very impressive.
"I understand how you feel Tian Hai, but don't worry. My restraint does not equal cowardice. If that idiot plans to truly keep harassing us even after all of this-"
For a second, just for a second, both Lou Lan and Lou Ning took a step back in fear.
An indescribable asking of bloodlust started flowing out of Tian Hai.
"-then I'll make sure to settle the debt. Everything will be fine as long as as the Wang Family never discovers the culprit."
Saying such chilling words, all of the bloodlust in the air immediately vanished. Returning the area to a quiet calm.
After finally seeing the grand scheme of things, Tian Hai finally calmed down.
Like he thought, his little brother really was monstrously talented. Whether it be in cultivation or in politics he just couldn't be beat.
Burying the disgruntled feeling deep within his heart, Tian Hai nodded as they all finally turned their attention to the man on the ground nearby.
Sun Jianhong looked up to the people who surrounded him with his mouth agape.
As a level five Qi refiner of course he could tell that they were all just level ones, but that wasn't what frightened him.
Although he wasn't from a distinguished family like Wang Fan was, he still held a lot of experience. So of course he once had the pleasure of meeting an elemental cultivator.
These type of cultivators were insanely rare as the amount of resource they'd need for training was astronomical.
Yet right in front of him he could sense four of them!
He did wonder why Wang Fan would let these people just go without a fight. But even for him, dealing with four elemental cultivators was a bit much.
Quickly getting up from the ground, Sun Jianhong clasped his hands together as he gave a bow of respect to the people in front of him.
"I'm Sun Jianhong, I can not thank you enough for the help you provided."
Tian Kai laughed aloud as he approached Sun Jianhong.
Wrapping his arms around his shoulders, Tian Kai said, "Don't be so stiff, I haven't been able to thank you properly for helping me out of that sticky situation back there."
Under the questioning gaze of his brother, Tian Kai quickly explained the situation and everything that had transpired.
This gave Tian Hai and the others a good first impression and quickly welcomed him with opened arms.
"Tian Kai, what happened to that kid you were with? I don't see him around, did he run away?"
Sun Jianhong was worried a bit about Xue Chang. It was a known fact that Wang Fan was very petty, if he targeted the child then things would become disastrous.
"It'll be alright, if Wang Fan really targets him then things won't end well for him."
Knowing that Xue Chang was unbelievably strong, he didn't worry about him for a second. But Sun Jianhong was still a bit worried.
"Anyway it'll be fine. If he wants to find us then he knows the way back to this place. How about we go in for some drinks?"
Lou Lan noticed the awkwardness in the air and invited everyone into the villa for drinks.
After living there for so long, he grew pretty attached to the house. Even Tian Hai and Tian Kai, who didn't have the best relationship with Lou Lan and Lou Ning before, warmed up to them a little.
As such they didn't mind Lou Lan acting out and treating the villa like his home. After all they were already all pretty close together, no problem with letting him invite one guest over.
The five of them got up and prepared to move in to the villa, but as they walked together Tian Kai could feel perspiration form on his forehead.
Wiping it away he noticed that his skin was hot to the touch.
"Are you alright?"
Lou Ning was the first to notice this strange occurrence and brought it to everyone's attention.
Lou Lan and Tian Hai looked over worriedly, as Sun Jianhong felt that something was wrong.
"I- I don't think so." Tian Kai struggled to let out his words as his body began to feel like it was on fire.
His perspiration just got worse as his throat became scratchy and dry.
"I need water." barely spitting these words out, he keeled over to the ground and trembled lightly.
Everyone freaked out over the strange occurrence, everyone except Tian Hai.
For someone who cared deep for his brother, he was oddly calm about this whole thing.
Looking carefully at Tian Kai, he noticed that his pores were opening up and seemed to be gulping for something.
Closing his eyes, he could tell that the energy within his body was raging fiercely.
It was like a volcano about to erupt.
"Lou Lan, go into the house and bring over some barrels of earth fire. Lou Ning, pull out your sword and stand guard."
Stepping forward to help Tian Kai up, he placed his hands upon his back and took in a deep breath.
Feeling the torrent of energy flowing within his body, Tian Hai began to help circulate the power around in order to keep it from staying in place.
He allowed it to flow into the dantian and then get released throughout his limbs.
Once Lou Lan brought the earth fire over, Tian Hai began the process of helping to send it into Tian Kai's obelisk.
They were cultivating together.
No one expected a day like this to come so quickly. It was frightening how quickly this was all happening.
"Everyone get ready, Tian Kai is about to break through to the next level!"
________
Wang Fan stepped out of alleyway just a short distance away from Xue Chang's villa. Within his palm was a slip of paper that was being burnt to ashes.
Snickering to himself, he looked back toward where he had suffered a defeat recently.
"Making a breakthrough? Well I hope you don't mind if I join in as well."
With a disgusting smirk on his face, Wang Fan stood there.
Waiting for his reinforcement to arrive.