"Young Master Bai, Second Master Bai." Qin Zhengming, who stood behind Qin Tuyi, nodded and greeted them with a warm smile.
"Uncle Qin." Bai Tianyi nodded in response.
As for the middle-aged man in plain clothes standing beside Bai Tianyi, he merely lifted his eyelids to glance at Qin Zhengming, offering no reply.
Qin Zhengming was accustomed to this and paid it no mind.
"This manor is a bit small, you all can stay outside." Bai Tianyi instructed the group of black-clad bodyguards behind him, then walked towards the villa with Qin Zhengming.
"Elder Master Qin, apart from celebrating your birthday, I believe you are also aware of the other matter for which I have come."
Facing Qin Tuyi, Bai Tianyi showed little respect, instead adopting a nonchalant demeanor.
The Qin family members were displeased, but Qin Tuyi did not seem angered. He merely smiled and nodded, saying, "Young Master Bai, this old man is naturally aware of the matter you speak of."
Bai Tianyi glanced at the Qin family members behind Qin Tuyi, and not seeing Qin Luoshui, he asked, "Where has Luoshui gone?"
...
"The Bai family does indeed possess some strength." As Bai Tianyi stepped into the manor, Zhang Fan couldn't help but remark with a smile.
"En." Qin Luoshui also nodded. She was now a master close to the invincible realm and possessed some discerning eyes.
She could tell that each of the black-suited bodyguards of the Bai family was a master of true qi. The weakest among them possessed mid-stage true qi cultivation, and there were even peak true qi masters.
Such strength, if placed within the Green Gang or the Hongmen, would be considered elite. In some third-rate small sects, they could even serve as elders.
However, within the Bai family, they were merely subordinates, which showed the Bai family's deep foundations.
Of course, what drew Qin Luoshui's attention even more were Bai Tianyi and the plain-clothed middle-aged man beside him.
Bai Tianyi appeared quite young, not exceeding thirty years of age, yet his strength was even a notch above Qin Luoshui's. He had likely reached the half-step Sacred Domain realm, not much inferior to Wei Xiaowen.
To reach such a level at such an age meant that very few in the entire Chinese martial arts world could compare to him.
As for the middle-aged man in plain clothes, both Qin Luoshui and Wei Xiaowen could not see through him.
His aura was contained, making him appear like an ordinary person. However, the senses of a martial artist allowed them to perceive that this middle-aged man was an extremely dangerous individual.
"That middle-aged man is likely a Sacred Domain expert, and moreover, a master among Sacred Domain experts," Wei Xiaowen stated.
After all, she was a disciple of the Great Dragon Temple and had encountered many Sacred Domain experts, which enabled her to make a rough judgment.
Although Wei Xian did not cultivate martial arts, he had a profound understanding of the strength divisions among martial artists. He spoke, "The Bai family has held sway in the southwest for centuries. To have survived and remained prosperous through countless wars is naturally due to their profound heritage."
"When I was young, I heard legends of the Bai family, that they had a Divine Realm expert guarding them. It was said that they once relied on the power of a Divine Realm expert to repel the Japanese encirclement. If that is true, it is not surprising that they have Sacred Domain experts."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan couldn't help but nod. Although among China's top powers, such as the Green Gang and Hongmen, the strongest were merely at the Sacred Domain realm.
However, he understood that once one's cultivation reached the Divine Realm, their pursuits were entirely different. They disdained establishing influence, as it would only become a burden on their path of cultivation.
Many remained in seclusion, pursuing breakthroughs to higher realms.
However, on this Earth with its sparse spiritual energy, breaking through to the Divine Realm and achieving the Golden Core Earth Immortal realm was exceedingly difficult.
...
Hearing Bai Tianyi's words, Qin Tuyi's face showed a hint of hesitation, his gaze darting towards where Zhang Fan was.
Bai Tianyi followed his gaze. The smile that had been on his face instantly turned cold, and a hint of bloodthirsty killing intent flashed deep within his eyes.
He saw a young man, who had an arm around Qin Luoshui's slender waist, leaning intimately together, chatting and laughing.
He had only met Qin Luoshui once, but he had already decided that she was his woman, Bai Tianyi's woman. Anyone who dared to touch her would be treading on his inverse scale.
The plain-clothed middle-aged man standing beside him let out an internal sigh upon seeing Bai Tianyi's change in expression. Based on his understanding of his nephew, he suspected that Qin Tuyi's birthday banquet today would likely involve bloodshed.
"To dare touch a woman I, Bai Tianyi, desire, you are truly seeking death." Bai Tianyi no longer paid attention to Qin Tuyi and strode towards Zhang Fan.
At this moment, Zhang Fan was leaning intimately with Qin Luoshui. Seeing Bai Tianyi approaching with a frosty expression, the corner of his lips couldn't help but curve upwards, a faint smile on his face.
He harbored the same thought as Bai Tianyi: daring to lay eyes on Zhang Fan's woman was truly seeking death.
At this moment, everyone in the manor watched this scene with a mixture of tension and anticipation, eager to see what sparks would fly between the young master of the Bai family and Master Zhang.
"I'll give you three seconds. Leave, or die!" Bai Tianyi stood before Zhang Fan, staring down at him with indifferent eyes, as if looking at an ant.
Without any further preamble, Bai Tianyi's slightly eerie pale face merely cast a glance at Zhang Fan before issuing his ultimatum.
His words startled everyone in the manor. Having witnessed Zhang Fan's fearsome power, they all harbored reverence for this young man. Yet, this young master of the Bai family dared to provoke Zhang Fan in such a manner, earning their admiration for the spirit of those from the Bai family.
Wei Xiaowen, standing beside them, couldn't help but feel a sliver of admiration for this young master of the Bai family whom she had met for the first time. Even a true Divine Realm expert would not dare to speak to Master Zhang in such a tone.
...
To Bai Tianyi's surprise, after hearing his words, the young man did not show any anger or panic.
Zhang Fan stared indifferently at Bai Tianyi, the corner of his mouth slightly upturned, and slowly said, "Since you've given me two choices, I'll give you two choices as well."
"Kneel within three seconds, or I'll beat you to your knees."
"Hahahaha." Bai Tianyi heard this and laughed in anger, "In all my years, this is the first time anyone has dared to speak to me like this..."
"Time's up!" Zhang Fan's indifferent voice sounded. Before Bai Tianyi could finish speaking, he was abruptly cut off.
The look of wild laughter on his face was replaced by shock and fury.
Zhang Fan casually pressed his palm towards Bai Tianyi.
Instantly, an immensely majestic force descended upon him. Without any ability to resist, Bai Tianyi was pressed into the ground, with a massive palm print surrounding him, causing the earth to sink.
"Not good!" The moment Zhang Fan made his move, the middle-aged man in plain clothes, standing not far away, sensed trouble. His body blurred into an afterimage as he rushed towards Bai Tianyi, but his actions were still too slow.
Seeing Bai Tianyi sprawled on the ground like a puddle of mud, the middle-aged man's eyes instantly filled with fury.
...