The scene outside the Purple Immortal Pavilion stunned many onlookers, making them realize that this "outsider" was far from weak.
Meanwhile, inside one of the luxurious private boxes of the Purple Immortal Pavilion, Vergil Beigong, who had been watching the situation unfold, looked increasingly grim.
"That Ian Song really has guts—he actually dared to kill the young master's men!" one guard said angrily.
"Bring him up!"
Vergil Beigong said in a low voice.
Soon, Ian Song was escorted into the private box.
The box was extravagantly decorated, but from the moment Ian stepped inside, four pairs of eyes filled with killing intent locked onto him.
All four personal guards were powerful mid-Fusion experts.
Ian ignored the four guards' stares, walked over to the table, sat down, and fixed his gaze on Vergil Beigong. "You invited me to a banquet, but there's not even a cup of tea on the table. Is this what you call bait-and-switch?"
"You're Ian Song, right?" Vergil Beigong narrowed his eyes, giving Ian a cold stare as he asked.
"You already know the answer," Ian said with a smile.
Suddenly, Vergil Beigong let out a faint smile. "Good. It's been a long time since anyone dared speak to me like that."
"Is that so?" Ian shrugged, unconcerned.
Vergil's eyes grew cold again. "Disrespecting me and killing my men—two crimes at once. Tell me, how should I punish you?"
"Whatever makes you happy." Ian shrugged again.
"Aren't you afraid?" Vergil asked, a bit curious.
Ian laughed. "Afraid of what? If you didn't have such a powerful grandfather, I wouldn't even bother with an invitation from a wastrel like you!"
Instantly, Vergil's face darkened with anger. The four guards' auras erupted, locking onto Ian. At Vergil's command, they would attack without hesitation.
Vergil spoke again: "Ian Song, you're arrogant, and your talent is impressive. You could compete for the top ten on the Rising Talents Ranking. But you shouldn't be arrogant in front of me. Now, I'll give you a chance to live—cripple your own cultivation, and I'll let you walk out of here alive!"
Originally, he intended to kill Ian Song outright, but decided that would be too easy. Better to cripple his cultivation and make him wish he were dead.
"Are you really so sure you have me cornered?" Ian asked, looking at Vergil.
"In the imperial capital, there are people I have to watch out for, but you're not one of them. So yes, I've got you cornered!" Vergil said confidently.
"Ever heard this saying?" Ian suddenly changed the subject.
"What saying?" Vergil asked instinctively.
"Capture the king first!" As he spoke, Ian suddenly moved, grabbing Vergil by the throat. With a burst of true essence, he sealed Vergil's entire cultivation.
"Young master!"
"Bastard, let go of the young master!"
Everything happened too fast. The four personal guards hadn't expected Ian to attack Vergil directly, so they only reacted after Vergil was already in Ian's grasp.
Vergil, now in Ian's grip, remained surprisingly calm. He glared at Ian coldly and ordered, "Let me go!"
"Smack!"
Ian raised his hand and gave Vergil Beigong a resounding slap across the face.
Vergil froze, then began to tremble with rage—he'd actually been slapped. The four personal guards were also stunned; their young master had just been slapped.
The cultivators secretly watching with divine sense were also stunned—Ian Song actually dared to slap Vergil Beigong.
A prisoner should act like a prisoner. That tone of yours annoyed me—when I'm annoyed, I like to slap people! Ian said, his voice tinged with mockery.
I'll kill you! Bastard, I'll scatter your soul!' After a brief pause, Vergil erupted in fury, roaring at Ian.
Smack!
Ian gave Vergil another slap.
How dare you, villain!
Bastard, you're courting death!
The four personal guards shouted angrily, but since their young master was in Ian's hands, they didn't dare act recklessly.
Smack smack!
Ian briskly gave Vergil two more resounding slaps, then said to the four guards, "Quiet down, you're making too much noise. Of course, you can keep shouting—every time you say something, I'll give your young master another slap!"
"You dare!" one guard roared.
Smack!
Ian gave Vergil another slap to prove he dared, then said, "You can keep shouting. I haven't slapped enough yet!"
In the private box across the way, Jasper Easton was dumbfounded and shouted:
"Holy crap! This is unreal!"
"Impressive, Ian Song is seriously gutsy. If he walks out of the Purple Immortal Pavilion today, he's my friend!" Brandon Nangong laughed, watching Vergil get slapped—he was utterly delighted.
The other playboys in the same box were also shocked, muttering, "Damn, I just saw a real badass today!"
Back at the Purple Immortal Pavilion.
The four personal guards didn't dare make a sound—who knew if Vergil would get revenge on them later.
You four idiots, are you all statues? Attack him! Kill that bastard!
Vergil's swollen face twisted with rage as he roared madly.
Smack smack smack smack!
A flurry of slaps landed on Vergil's cheeks.
His already swollen cheeks puffed up even faster, like rising dough.
Ian Song, if you have guts, kill me! Otherwise, I won't let you go—I’ll kill you, scatter your soul, and your friends and sect won't be spared either!
Smack smack smack!
Ian said nothing—he just kept slapping!
Bastard! You dare hit me? If you've got guts, keep going!' Vergil kept roaring.
Smack smack smack smack!
Another round of slaps echoed.
Vergil was about to explode with rage, but he didn't dare speak again. He just glared at Ian with hatred.
Dare to glare at me? You deserve another slap!
Smack smack smack!
Bastard! You four idiots, forget about me—kill him! Otherwise, I'll make sure your souls are scattered!' Vergil roared again.
Smack smack smack smack!
After several more slaps, Vergil's face was unrecognizable. Then Ian did something unexpected—he casually tossed Vergil toward the four guards.
What?
The four guards were stunned—they hadn't expected Ian to hand Vergil back to them.
Still, they didn't hesitate and quickly removed the seal on Vergil.
Once the seal was undone, Vergil didn't recover from his facial injuries—instead, he grabbed a ninth-grade spiritual sword and charged at Ian.
Protect the young master!
One guard reacted quickly—seeing Vergil attack, he darted in front of Ian and threw a punch.
Though the punch looked ordinary, it contained his strongest power.
In less than a millisecond, the punch was at Ian's chest.
Bang!
Ian raised his hand and blocked the punch. He stood motionless, while the guard was sent flying backward, his face stunned as if he'd seen a ghost, exclaiming:
Impossible! You're only late Nascent Soul stage—how can you be this strong?