The area was unexpectedly filled with restrictive formations, and the disciples hurriedly reported their discovery.
Upon receiving the news, Hu Man immediately went to investigate, but he couldn't make sense of the formations, nor could he comprehend their nature.
In the Blood Battle Gang, Long Zaitian was the eldest and most experienced. He was already aware of the situation, so Hu Man asked him to take the lead in deciphering the formations, hoping to uncover the hidden secrets within.
Hu Man had a hunch that something extraordinary was concealed within those formations. If the Blood Battle Gang could obtain this secret, their strength would soar. While it might not rival the Eight Great Families of Zhongdu, it would at least elevate them to the level of the first-rate forces.
Hu Man was also somewhat regretful. At that time, Hu Mei'er had repeatedly stressed that this matter must remain confidential, but he hadn't taken it seriously. Now, the entire upper echelon of the gang was aware.
The day he returned from the mining area, Hu Man immediately sought out Hu Mei'er, trying to find out how she had learned of the hidden secret beneath the mine.
To his surprise, Hu Mei'er erupted in a furious argument with him over the matter. During the quarrel, Hu Man learned that his daughter had been tipped off by a mysterious expert. It was this expert who had told Hu Mei'er about the hidden secret beneath the mine.
Yet, due to his negligence, his daughter had failed to honor that expert's trust. The expert clearly didn't want the people of the Long family to know about the secret.
"Daughter, who is this expert?" Hu Man felt a deep respect for the mysterious figure. To be able to perceive a secret buried dozens of meters underground with just a glance, this expert's strength must be remarkable.
In Hu Man's imagination, this person surely possessed earth-shattering power.
"What kind of expert?" At that moment, the image of Yang Kai flashed in Hu Mei'er's mind. Her face reddened slightly, and she gave her father a sidelong glance. "I'm not telling you!"
Seeing her expression, Hu Man was stunned. Could it be that his daughter had feelings for this expert?
After some indirect probing, Hu Man was shocked.
This expert was actually a young man! Such a person—how could his background be insignificant?
"Daughter, have you fallen for him?" Hu Man eagerly inquired. To him, his daughter would eventually marry, but to whom was the key question. If she could marry into one of the Eight Great Families of Zhongdu, it would be a dream come true, and the Blood Battle Gang could ascend to new heights.
Yet this young man, with such extraordinary insight, surely wasn't inferior either.
"So what if I like him?" Hu Mei'er sighed faintly.
"If you like him, then you should get closer to him. My daughter is so beautiful, could he possibly reject you?" Hu Man encouraged her enthusiastically. "Ah, perhaps he already has a wife? What of it? It's normal for men to have multiple wives."
Hu Mei'er turned away and glared at him. "It's all because of you! I've already failed to live up to his expectations—how could I face him again?"
Hearing this, Hu Man could only offer a sheepish smile. He had no idea that his daughter was telling the truth. Had he known, he wouldn't have revealed the secret at all.
Hu Man had entirely misunderstood Yang Kai. If he knew that the extraordinary expert in his mind was merely an Outer Disciple of the Lingxiao Pavilion, he would probably be urging Hu Mei'er to stay far away, not encouraging her to get closer.
With a heavy sigh, Hu Man reflected on the situation, finding it increasingly troubling. His daughter had been in seclusion, diligently cultivating, unlike her usual carefree self. Her strength had indeed improved, but if she didn't interact with that young man, how could she have a chance to marry him?
Meanwhile, the hall's various leaders were still flattering him, but to Hu Man, their words were as tasteless as chewing wax.
Just as he was about to rise and leave, Hu Man suddenly paused, his eyes swiftly shifting toward the door, his expression growing grave.
The next moment, all the hall masters and branch leaders fell silent and turned their heads.
An immense, invisible pressure descended upon them, as if the sky itself was pressing down, causing their hearts to tremble.
A formidable expert had arrived at the Blood Battle Gang! Everyone in the hall could feel the oppressive aura of the newcomer.
Then, an aged voice rang in their ears: "Where is Long Zaitian?"
The voice was calm, devoid of emotion, but it sent a chill down everyone's spine. They could tell that this powerful figure had not come with good intentions.
Looking for the Deputy Leader? Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what this was about.
"Come with me to see," Hu Man rose to his feet and strode toward the door, followed closely by the others.
Stepping outside, they immediately spotted an old man hovering in mid-air, motionless. His hair and beard were white, his face stern, and his sharp gaze swept across them like an eagle surveying the earth, exuding an aura of supreme arrogance and disdain.
Under that piercing gaze, everyone felt insignificant.
"Spirit Wandering Realm at its peak!" Hu Man gasped, his rugged face twitching slightly.
"The peak of the Spirit Wandering Realm?" someone exclaimed in shock. "Could he be the Pavilion Master of the Lingxiao Pavilion?"
In this vast region, there were indeed a few experts in the Spirit Wandering Realm, but only the elusive Pavilion Master of the Lingxiao Pavilion was known to have reached its pinnacle.
The old man's age matched the rumors of the Lingxiao Pavilion's master, which led to the confusion.
"It's not him," Hu Man shook his head slowly. He had seen the Lingxiao Pavilion's master once in his youth, and the person before him looked entirely different.
Moreover, though this man was indeed at the peak of the Spirit Wandering Realm, the pressure he exerted far exceeded that level.
Hu Man himself was in the seventh layer of the Spirit Wandering Realm, and even if the Pavilion Master of the Lingxiao Pavilion had come personally, it wouldn't have overwhelmed him like this.
But this old man was different. To Hu Man, he was like an insurmountable mountain, a river that could never be crossed, no matter how much effort he expended.
This feeling was eerie, yet Hu Man trusted his instincts.
This elder could not be challenged, should not be challenged!
Where had such an expert come from? Hu Man's expression grew even heavier. He took a step forward, cupped his hands respectfully, and said, "May I ask the senior's honored name?"
The newcomer was none other than Meng Wuya, and he had been holding back his anger for far too long. After returning to the Lingxiao Pavilion, he had initially wanted to confront Long Zaitian, but had been worried his disciple might sneak off to find Yang Kai. After confirming she was in seclusion for two days, he finally made his move.
"Are you Long Zaitian?" Meng Wuya narrowed his eyes, his eagle-like gaze locking onto Hu Man.
Hu Man instinctively activated his energy, as if his life was in danger. However, he remained calm on the surface, for as the leader of the gang, he had to maintain his composure. Showing fear at this moment would be a disgrace.
"I am Hu Man, the leader of the Blood Battle Gang. May I ask, Senior…"
Before Hu Man could finish his sentence, Meng Wuya cut him off impatiently. "If you're not Long Zaitian, why are you talking?"
Hu Man's face twisted with frustration, but he couldn't afford to lose his temper. Just as he was about to explain, Meng Wuya erupted.
"Damn Long Zaitian! I'll curse your ancestors for eighteen generations! Get out here, now!"
His thunderous shout reverberated through the skies, shaking the earth. Everyone in the Blood Battle Gang, Fengyun Pavilion, and the Lingxiao Pavilion heard it clearly.
When the roar subsided, silence reigned.
All the experts in the Spirit Wandering Realm and True Essence Realm stood there dumbfounded, staring at Meng Wuya in shock.
They had never imagined that such a dignified and imposing figure would resort to such vulgar insults.
Where was his grace? Where was his dignity? A true expert wouldn't stoop so low, right?
What kind of deep-seated hatred could drive him to abandon all decorum? Had Long Zaitian stolen his chickens or robbed his dogs? What could have ignited such fury?
Meng Wuya's outburst made it clear to everyone that he had indeed come with malicious intent.
Hu Man's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Senior, can we discuss this matter civilly?"
Though the intruder was powerful, Hu Man didn't want to provoke him. But Long Zaitian was still the deputy leader of the Blood Battle Gang, and Meng Wuya's insult affected him as well.
"Discuss? Discuss what?" Meng Wuya barked, his anger flaring. "If Long Zaitian doesn't come out and offer me his head to use as a chamber pot, I'll slaughter the entire Blood Battle Gang!"
He had come to pick a fight and hadn't even seen Long Zaitian yet. His fury was palpable.
Meng Wuya had no regard for the Blood Battle Gang.
Hu Man's face grew grim, and a hint of killing intent flickered in his eyes. Even a patient man would have limits, and Hu Man's temper was never mild. If not for Meng Wuya's overwhelming power, Hu Man wouldn't have been so polite.