As soon as the stranger finished speaking, a young man in white robes strode steadily out of the City Lord’s Mansion and stopped a few meters in front of him. “I’m Ian Song. And you are?”
The stranger’s gaze darkened. “My name is Brandon Longwind. Does the name ‘Longwind’ mean anything to you?”
Ian Song immediately understood. Six years ago, he ambushed a Profound Immortal patrol squad—the captain was called Jason Longwind, wasn’t he?
“You’re from the Longwind Family? What’s your relation to Jason Longwind?”
Brandon Longwind narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “I’m Jason’s eighth brother. You killed him, so today I’ve come to take your head and offer it as a tribute!”
Ian Song felt a headache coming on. The last thing he wanted right now was a war with a super-clan—he just wanted to quietly survive three years and claim the System’s reward. But Brandon Longwind had to show up at this exact moment. Annoying!
“You’re that confident you can take my head? Why not talk things out—turn enemies into friends? Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Enough nonsense. Are you ready to die?”
Brandon Longwind was already losing patience.
Ian Song replied seriously, “How about we make a deal? Let’s set a three-year agreement—three years from now, we’ll have our life-and-death duel!”
Brandon Longwind looked utterly disdainful.
“You’re just a Profound Immortal—how dare you propose a duel with me? If you hadn’t killed my ninth brother, I wouldn’t even bother with an early-stage Profound Immortal like you!”
Though Brandon’s words were full of contempt, Ian Song didn’t get angry. He continued, “That’s exactly why you should agree to a duel. Who knows? Maybe in three years, I’ll break through to the Ancestral Immortal realm.”
“Ridiculous! You think you can reach Ancestral Immortal in three years? Enough talk—prepare to die!”
As soon as he finished, the unsheathed sword on Brandon’s back flew into his hand. He swung it in a fierce slash toward Ian Song.
The sword-light was like thunder—fast and ruthless, as if it could split the very void in two.
Ian Song was speechless, but he didn’t dare slack off. The Abyssal Ancient Sword appeared in his hand, and he swung it to meet the attack. That sword still housed a formidable sword spirit, and all of Greenvine City was covered by his grand formation. If he fully activated the array, he could even kill Brandon Longwind outright.
But he couldn’t kill him—doing so would probably provoke a super-clan, and Ian had spent a whole year keeping a low profile just to finish the System’s task. He didn’t want to ruin everything now!
Clang!
The two swords collided with a deafening crash, unleashing a terrifying wave of power that spread out in all directions, destroying everything in its path. Luckily, the grand formation covering Greenvine City activated just in time.
The array absorbed and neutralized all the scattered energy.
Even so, everything within a kilometer radius was reduced to ruins.
“You actually blocked my sword?”
Brandon Longwind stared at Ian Song, who had only retreated three steps, a look of surprise in his eyes. He’d thought one sword strike would be enough to blow this early-stage Profound Immortal to pieces.
He hadn’t expected Ian to only step back three times, completely unharmed.
“Don’t get too cocky—this is my turf!”
Ian Song said in a deep voice. Then he stomped hard on the ground, fully activating the grand formation covering Greenvine City. Instantly, Brandon Longwind felt a massive binding force descend, trying to lock him in place.
Meanwhile—
Ian Song’s six senior brothers and sisters showed no panic at all; they just watched the scene unfold, knowing that with the grand formation in place, this Ancestral Immortal couldn’t harm Ian.
“Who would’ve thought our little junior brother is this strong? He actually blocked an Ancestral Immortal’s strike!”
Jenny Gu sighed in admiration.
“He’s a total monster! He’s got crazy skill in both alchemy and formations, and now, even in pure strength, none of us can compare!” said Qianmei Wenren bitterly.
“Seriously, he’s a monster!” Gongsun Mao nodded in agreement.
“Break for me!”
Just then, Brandon Longwind roared, unleashing a terrifying burst of energy in an attempt to break free from the array’s restraints.
But the array’s power held him fast—he couldn’t break loose at all.
Ian Song shook his head at Brandon. “Don’t waste your strength. Even a second- or third-stage Ancestral Immortal would be trapped by this array, let alone you at first-stage. Agree not to bother me for the next three years, and I’ll let you go. How about it?”
“Never!”
Brandon Longwind shouted in anger. He hadn’t expected to fall into a Profound Immortal’s trap.
“Don’t reject me so quickly! Why not think it over?” Ian Song said with a smile.