A mere core emergence realm!

Whoosh!

With a flap of its wings, the flaming red stallion soared into the sky, leaving a trail of embers that danced in the air.

Su Xiaobai was about to withdraw; his curiosity about Fairy Lianhua had been sated, and now his only desire was to leave the city behind.

"Hm?"

As he moved through the bustling crowd, his path was abruptly blocked.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A gust of wind heralded the arrival of the city guards, their eyes cold and ruthless.

"What do you want?" Su Xiaobai frowned as the guards barred his way, their presence filled with death aura.

There were a total of four peak Qi Condensation Realm experts and another two peak rank Meridian Expansion Realm experts, their combined aura enough to make the ground tremble.

Such a force was more than enough to topple this small city.

From the front, a figure in an emerald green robe appeared, his steps deliberate and filled with arrogance.

This was none other than Li Gong, the infamous Young Master Li.

Su Xiaobai recognized him; Li Gong was standing near Fairy Lianhua as she soared into the sky, but Su Xiaobai didn't pay much attention to him.

Unfortunately for Su Xiaobai, Li Gong noticed Fairy Lianhua's displeasure and was just waiting for her to leave so he could clean up this trash.

His aura was sharp, a force of the initial stage of the Core Emergence Realm, sending a ripple of tension through the air.

Su Xiaobai's eyes narrowed at the sight, a frown creasing his brow.

"How dare you block the way of Young Master Li?" The lead guard barked, his voice like the crack of a whip. "Courting death! Can't you see who stands before you?"

Li Gong's eyes gleamed with malice as he stepped forward, his lips curling into a sneer. "So, this is the fool who dared to lay his eyes upon Fairy Lianhua?" His voice dripped with disdain, as if Su Xiaobai were a mere insect beneath his notice. "Do you think trash like you is worthy of even glancing in her direction?

Su Xiaobai remained silent.

Blocking the young master's way?

Wasn't that just a flimsy excuse for murder?

But why bother with such pretenses?

Then he saw it—the burning envy in Li Gong's eyes.

The truth was clear: this wasn't about honor or insult; it was about quenching a fire of rage.

Su Xiaobai wasn't far off the mark. For months, Li Gong had poured his efforts into winning Fairy Lianhua's favor, only to be met with cold indifference.

Despite his wealth and status, the Fairy never spared him a glance.

Even his father had forbidden him from using force against her, leaving him powerless and seething in frustration.

Today had been the final straw. As Fairy Lianhua departed, she had once again ignored Li Gong, but this time, her gaze had lingered on Su Xiaobai, if only for a brief moment.

To Li Gong, that fleeting glance was like a dagger to the heart, a humiliation that demanded retribution.

After confirming that Su Xiaobai was weak in cultivation, Li Gong saw his chance to vent his pent-up anger.

The decision was made in an instant—this insignificant worm would pay the price for Li Gong's wounded pride.

Li Gong's sneer deepened, his voice dripping with venom. "Kneel, and I might consider sparing your worthless life. Otherwise, I'll ensure you never leave this city alive."

The crowd murmured, their eyes darting between the two, but Su Xiaobai's expression remained as calm as still water.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The guards advanced, their footsteps heavy, hands gripping the hilts of their swords, ready to strike at a single word from their master.

A cold, dangerous light flashed in Su Xiaobai's eyes as he finally spoke, his voice as sharp as a blade. "And if I don't?"

Li Gong's laughter echoed through the air, sharp and filled with contempt. "Then you'll die for your insolence!"

Su Xiaobai's lips curled into a faint smile, a glint of cold calculation in his eyes. "How about I sacrifice my hand, and you let me go?"

Li Gong froze for a heartbeat, his mind whirling, before he erupted into a derisive laughter that seemed to shake the very heavens. "Just a hand? Unless you offer both your eyes as tribute, don't even dream of leaving this place alive!"

Whoosh!

A powerful aura surged from Li Gong, crashing down upon Su Xiaobai like a tidal wave.

The pressure was suffocating, the air itself seeming to crackle under the aura.

Su Xiaobai's brow furrowed slightly. 'A mere Core Emergence cultivator dares to act so arrogant?' The thought crossed his mind with a flicker of disdain.

Yet, in Li Gong's eyes, that brief moment of surprise was mistaken for terror.

His arrogant smile deepened, convinced of his dominance.

Even on White Cloud Star, countless arrogant young masters like Li Gong roamed unchecked, but Su Xiaobai had seldom crossed paths with such vermin, living as he did in the secluded fringes.

Even so, how could a mere D-ranked Guardian flaunt such conceit before him?

'Such arrogance,' Su Xiaobai mused, his thoughts as cold as the void.

A dark resolve formed within him, as the situation crystallized in his mind. "You shall be the first to feed my pet," Su Xiaobai murmured, his smile turning icy.

He understood all too well that in Li Gong's eyes, he was nothing more than an insect to be crushed.

There was no reasoning with such a man—only bloodshed would pave his way out of this encirclement.

"You dare?" Li Gong's eyes widened in disbelief, shock rippling across his face.

That this lowly cultivator dared to speak back—it was unfathomable!

"Young Master, allow this servant to bring you his head!" declared one of the peak Qi Condensation Realm experts, his voice brimming with murderous intent.

Li Gong raised an eyebrow, surprised that Little Blackie was the first to step forward.

However, he nodded approvingly. "Good! If you succeed, I will reward you with one thousand spirit stones as a bonus!"

"One thousand spirit stones!" Little Blackie's eyes gleamed with unbridled greed, his lips curling into a wicked grin.

The thought of such wealth made his heart race.

He had only intended to curry favor with Li Gong by taking the initiative, never expecting such fortune to fall into his lap.

"Fools," Su Xiaobai muttered under his breath, though inwardly, his heart raced with anxiety.

His original plan was to eliminate the strongest threats first with a well-timed surprise attack.

But if he was forced to reveal his hand against these lackeys, he risked losing his advantage.

Burying his unease deep within, Su Xiaobai fixed a sneer on his face and shot a taunt at Li Gong. "Young Master Li, I never knew you were a eunuch—too afraid to fight yourself, so you send your dog instead!"

The two Meridian Expansion Realm experts, who were Li Gong's personal guards, snorted in disdain, their eyes narrowing as they stepped forward.

"Hmph! This ant dares to insult our second Young Master?" one of them growled, his aura flaring as he prepared to strike.

But before they could act, Li Gong raised a hand, silencing them.

His expression twisted with a mix of arrogance and irritation.

"Why would I dirty my hands for a mere dog like you?" he retorted loudly, though there was a subtle flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. 'Could this fool have something up his sleeve?' he wondered.

His mind raced. 'Why is he so calm in the face of certain death? Could there be a hidden expert protecting him?'

Despite the anger simmering in his chest, Li Gong forced himself to stay cautious.

His eyes darted around, trying to catch a glimpse of any hidden figures lurking in the shadows.

'Better to let Little Blackie test the waters,' he decided, a faint smirk curling his lips.

But even as he maintained his composed facade, Su Xiaobai's words had lit a spark in the surrounding crowd.

"Did you hear that? He called the genius of Li family a eunuch!" one onlooker whispered, eyes wide with shock and a hint of amusement.

"Is it true that Li Gong only reached the Core Emergence Realm by swallowing some shady pill?" another voice chimed in, laced with disbelief.

"I heard his foundation's as shaky as a newborn calf! No wonder he's so cautious!" a third voice added, barely suppressing laughter.

Li Gong's face darkened as the murmurs grew louder, the crowd's words stoking the flames of his fury.

He could feel his control slipping, and despite his best efforts, a vein bulged in his temple.

'These imbeciles…' he fumed internally, trying to maintain his composure.