"Zhang Yao, you are courting death!"
Suddenly, a furious shout echoed, drawing everyone's attention to Lord Long. The speaker was none other than Lord Long, who had aided Luli once yesterday and, as expected, stood by him today.
Meanwhile, the head of the Lin family breathed a sigh of relief. His support for Luli today wasn't merely for his sister; it was also due to Lord Long. Since Lord Long presented Luli with a sword yesterday, the head of the Lin family sensed that Lord Long held a significant interest in Luli.
Though uncertain why, the head of the Lin family believed his speculation wasn't far off. Today, with Lord Long once again supporting Luli, it indirectly meant that Lord Long would pay more attention to the Lin family.
In East Lin City, Lord Long held the utmost authority.
The words "courting death" made Zhang Yao's hand, reaching towards Luli, pause. Zhang Yao turned to face Lord Long.
"My Lord, I implore you not to favor Luli!"
"Favor Luli? That's a joke. In a martial arts competition, where life and death are at stake, members of the Zhang family can take lives, yet others cannot retaliate!"
At this moment, a young man from the Zhang family rose and addressed Lord Long.
"I am Ling, the Marquis of Cangyun City. I hope Lord Long will give us some face. Luli has consecutively killed two of my nephews, and today, he must pay with his life!"
Though the young man's words lacked overt dominance, everyone who heard them felt an unspoken pressure—a long-standing aura.
"Marquis Ling, from the House of Cangyun City! No wonder Zhang Yao has such confidence today in confronting Lord Long!"
"Members of the House of Cangyun are formidable; Luli is in deep trouble now. The House of Cangyun is a top-tier family in the provincial capital. Zhang Yao's daughter has married well!"
The crowd erupted in discussion, and Zhang Yao, casting a glance at Lord Long, found solace. With his son-in-law present and the House of Cangyun supporting him, what did he have to fear?
A fierce palm energy enveloped Luli, and everyone believed Luli would meet his end today.
Suddenly, above Zhang Yao, an invisible palm energy condensed. Then, a gigantic hand descended, seeming to execute gods and vanquish demons, instantly shrouding Zhang Yao as his palm energy was still forming.
Zhang Yao felt like he was seized by a colossal hand. Despite being at the First Realm of Transcendence, he had no resistance under this giant hand.
Startled, Zhang Yao witnessed Lord Long turn to Luli.
"Luli, end him!"
Without any hesitation, Luli swiftly struck down with his blade. Zhang Yao, a formidable expert at the First Realm of Transcendence, was beheaded with a single slash, his head rolling down, blood spraying half of the martial stage.
"Congratulations to the host for killing the patriarch of the Zhang family. Ferocity value +16."
"Congratulations to the host for successfully cross-ranking to kill a First Realm Transcendent. Ferocity value +22."
"Host's first time killing a Transcendent. Reward: one lottery chance."
The consecutive system prompts confirmed the abundant rewards for cross-ranking kills. Today, by killing a First Realm Transcendent, Luli gained a whopping 38 points of ferocity value. Combined with the previous 26 points, his ferocity value surged to 64.
Reflecting on it, for each additional minor level in the Meridian Connection Realm, Luli gained one point of ferocity value. However, at the Transcendent Realm, each minor level directly added five points.
Moreover, cross-ranking kills rewarded an additional two points for each minor level in the Meridian Connection Realm and ten points for each minor level in the Transcendent Realm.
Cross-ranking kills doubled the ferocity value rewards—a formidable advantage.
If Luli were to kill a Transcendent at the Fifth or Sixth Realm, the rewards would be even more staggering.
Luli considered that today's success in killing Zhang Yao was mainly due to Lord Long restraining Zhang Yao. Otherwise, even with ten Lulis, they would not be a match for Zhang Yao.
After all, Zhang Yao was a genuine expert at the First Realm of Transcendence. Once in the Transcendent Realm, martial practitioners and ordinary people were fundamentally separated. While a Meridian Connection Realm warrior could be overwhelmed by sheer numbers of ordinary people, a Transcendent Realm practitioner was virtually untouchable unless their spiritual power was depleted.
"Lord Long, you're quite audacious!"
Seeing Zhang Yao's demise, Hou Ling's eyes blazed with anger. One Zhang Yao meant little to him; he wanted the woman. No matter how exceptional she was, if she married into the Hou family, she would be just one of his concubines, disposable at his whim.
However, when Lord Long dared to kill Zhang Yao, right in front of him, that was disrespecting Hou Ling too much.
A mere city lord, Lord Long was beneath Hou Ling's notice.
"Xue Lao, seize him and Luli's head for me!"
Behind Hou Ling, an elderly man with snowy hair rose. From beginning to end, except for when Hou Ling spoke, this old man hadn't moved or uttered a word.
As the old man stood up, an unmatched aura emanated from him. Under this aura, a storm seemed to sweep through the martial stage, making those closer to the Zhang family unstable, and ordinary people around them were blown away.
Just this slight movement showcased the formidable nature of Xue Lao. No one could discern his cultivation level, but people instinctively gave way, not daring to approach him too closely.
Approaching Lord Long step by step, Xue Lao responded to Hou Ling's command.
"Hou Ling, if you don't want the blood of the Hou family to flow like a river, leave now!"
Facing Xue Lao, Lord Long showed no fear. He didn't even spare a glance at Xue Lao but continued looking at Hou Ling.
"If you want the Hou family's blood to flow like a river in the Cloud State, you're bound to pay a hefty price! Today, I helped you; your father's favor has been repaid. Farewell!"
Evidently, Xue Lao feared staying in the Hou family wouldn't benefit him, so he took his leave.
In East Lin City, where Zhang Yao was killed and Hou Ling was frightened away, no one dared to speak up for Zhang Yao anymore. With Lord Long present, advocating for Zhang Yao was akin to seeking death.
The rise of the Zhang family, the most influential force in East Lin City, suffered a sudden decline. With their patriarch dead and the main disciples killed by Luli, the Zhang family was destined to fall.