"Whether I can resist or not, we'll only know if we try," Ian Song said calmly.
Just then, Harriet Gu darted out from behind her grandfather and rushed to Ian's side. "Brother Liang, I'm with you!"
Seeing this, Elder Shea's expression changed dramatically. He barked, "Harriet, stop messing around and get back here to your grandfather!"
Harriet turned to Elder Shea, her eyes resolute. "Grandpa, I've always followed your arrangements since I was little, but this time, I want to stay with Brother Liang. Even if the whole world gives up on him, I never will!"
Hearing his granddaughter, Elder Shea's face went ashen with anger, but mostly he felt helpless. "You little rascal, what am I supposed to do with you? Come back now—I'll agree to anything you want in the future, but this time, you have to listen to your grandpa."
Harriet still shook her head firmly. "Grandpa, you don't need to persuade me anymore. No matter what, I won't leave Brother Liang!"
Seeing his granddaughter so stubborn, Elder Shea grew more annoyed and glared coldly at Ian. "Huang Liang, if you truly care about Harriet, get her back to me right now!"
Ian didn't reply directly. Instead, he took Harriet's small hand and said softly, "Since you won't abandon me today, I won't abandon you for the rest of my life."
"Brother Liang!"
A wave of overwhelming sweetness surged in Harriet's heart, and she couldn't help but rest her head on Ian's shoulder.
"Leon Huang, do you really want to see Harriet Gu dead before you're satisfied?" Elder Shea was practically driven mad with rage, shouting at him.
"Tsk tsk, such a devoted couple! What a pair of star-crossed lovebirds!" Elder Marcus watched Ian Song and Harriet Gu with a mocking smile.
Ian Song ignored him and looked seriously at Elder Shea. "Don't worry, Elder Shea. As long as I'm here, no one can touch Harriet!"
Elder Shea grew even more furious at Ian's words, cursing, "Bullshit! How are you going to protect her? Don't forget, you can barely protect yourself right now."
Ian just smiled indifferently. "If I want to leave, not a single person here can stop me."
"Arrogant brat, let me take you down myself!"
Marcus Ma's voice rang out, and in a flash, he appeared right in front of Ian, reaching out to grab him.
But just then, a middle-aged man holding a sword appeared out of thin air in front of Ian.
A flash of sword light, as quick as lightning, shot straight at Elder Marcus.
Bang!
The force exploded, and Marcus Ma was sent flying backward, glaring angrily at the Sword Puppet.
But soon he realized something was off—this middle-aged man had no aura at all. "Is this a Sword Puppet?" he asked in shock.
Ian nodded. "That's right. This Sword Puppet has late-stage Grandmaster strength, and its body is so tough that even Martial Saints would struggle to break it. Elder Marcus, why don't you try and see if you can handle my Sword Puppet?"
For a moment, Marcus Ma's face turned ugly. "No wonder you're so cocky, kid—you've got a Sword Puppet protecting you. But do you really think one puppet can stop all of us?"
Ian nodded again, but a teasing smile appeared on his lips. "You're right, the Sword Puppet can't block everyone. But if I set it to kill just one person—Elder Marcus—I'm not sure you could escape. Want to give it a try?"
"...You...!"
A hint of dread flashed in Marcus Ma’s eyes. If the Sword Puppet really went all out to kill him, he might not be able to dodge it.
But he quickly switched tactics, turning to the crowd. "Everyone, are you just going to stand there and watch this brat act all arrogant in front of us?"
"Exactly! We should've taken this kid down ages ago, before the army starts doubting our loyalty!" Elder Lutz stepped forward and joined Marcus Ma.
The others' faces changed slightly at those words, knowing they couldn't delay any longer. Three more elders stepped out.
Five Grandmasters.
Three late-stage, two mid-stage.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Darren Fang Easton flashed in front of Ian and shouted, "Disciple, leave Pristine Way right now! I'll hold them off for you!"
Seeing Darren step up for him, Ian was genuinely moved. He hadn't spent much time with his master, but never expected Darren would go this far for him.
"Master, you really don't need to intervene. I can handle this myself—"
"Enough talk! Get going!" Darren urged anxiously.
"Darren Fang Easton, are you insane? Do you know what letting this kid go will cost the sect?" Marcus Ma snapped.
Darren replied without hesitation, "I don't care about all that. As his master, I can't just stand by and watch my disciple get bullied!"
"Elder Darren, if you step aside now, I'll overlook your insubordination!" Sect Master Ethan Chen said coldly.
"Sect Master, I'm afraid I can't obey that order!" Darren shook his head.
"Looks like you've made up your mind!" Marcus Ma suddenly flashed a sly smile. "Bring them in!"
As soon as Marcus finished speaking, three young Grandmasters dragged Tyson, Wes, and Lynn Ning into the hall.
Ian's face darkened at the sight.
"Leon Huang, if you surrender now, I promise not to harm them. Otherwise, I can't guarantee their safety!" Marcus Ma said smugly.
"Didn't expect you to stoop this low, Marcus. Aren't you afraid the whole sect will laugh at you?" Darren spat.
"Laugh at me? For the sect, I don't care how much I'm mocked or cursed!"
Marcus spoke with conviction, sounding almost heroic.
But Ian just sneered, "You want to use my friends to threaten me? You must really be tired of living."
The Sword Puppet stepped forward, its sword gleaming coldly.