Chapter 84: Driving the Tiger to Devour the Wolf, Each Harboring Hidden Intent!

"Kid, I didn't expect the Song Family to value you this much—actually sending Song Tianlin to protect you." Fang Yongyuan's face darkened.

Originally he had still been preparing to continue his attack, but now he withdrew his fighting stance, his expression wary.

Song Tianlin, like him, was also a late-stage Tongmai Realm expert.

Though not as astonishingly talented as Song Tianhao, famed as the number one Tongmai of the prefectural city, his strength was still not to be underestimated.

In the past, he would naturally have had no fear of his opponent.

But now, with this Qin-surnamed kid lending aid, making it two against one, he had no confidence he could win.

"Fang Yongyuan? What are you doing here?"

The moment he saw Fang Yongyuan, Song Tianlin was also startled.

Then he saw ahead on the mountain path, scattered rocks strewn about, the ground in disarray—clearly they had just endured a great battle.

With Song Tianhao's shrewdness, how could he still not understand? This Fang Yongyuan, like himself, had come to kill Qin Shuo.

Thus he immediately declared: "Elder Brother Fang, don't misunderstand—I came here for the same purpose as you, both for this Qin-surnamed fellow. You go ahead and strike; I, Song Tianlin, swear to heaven I will not interfere in your fight."

"Heh heh!"

Fang Yongyuan coldly snorted, wearing a look of disdain: "Song Tianlin, do you take me for a fool? Do you think I'll believe your nonsense?"

Song Tianlin frowned, a cold light flashing in his eyes, but he still patiently said:

"This Qin-surnamed fellow severed my nephew Tian Bai's arm, gravely wounded my elder brother-in-law Tian Zhan, and ruined the friendship between the Song and Tian families—I'm sure Elder Brother Yongyuan has also heard of this.

If Elder Brother Yongyuan wishes to strike at him, I would absolutely welcome it."

Fang Yongyuan fell silent.

Qin Shuo's deeds against the Tian family, he naturally knew.

Moreover, he also understood that Song Tianlin had come here, and it was likely truly to kill this Qin-surnamed kid.

Because outside rumors have long said the Song Family's branch and main line are at odds.

And this Qin-surnamed kid is none other than Song Yan's junior disciple, a Guest Elder recruited by the Song Family's main line.

Thus, Song Tianlin has sufficient reason to strike at Qin Shuo, to cut off the main line's wings.

But what if?

What if Song Tianlin breaks his promise mid-way, launches a sneak attack on him—he might not die, but would likely be gravely wounded.

After all, the Fang and Song families are age-old enemies, both wishing to place the other in death's grasp.

If Song Tianlin sees the chance to heavily wound or even kill him, he dares guarantee the other will absolutely strike.

Because reversed, in the same situation, he too would strike.

Even if Qin Shuo is strong, now he is merely just entered the Tongmai Realm, facing him—a late-stage Tongmai expert—is already quite strained and difficult.

Even if the other is from the Song Family's main line, temporarily sparing him, there may still be no chance later to check and balance.

But if he kills him, Fang Yongyuan, then it's different.

The top combat power of the Fang and Song families will instantly fall out of balance.

By then, as long as the two Song lineages aren't foolish, they will surely first join forces to exterminate the Fang Family, then later discuss how to divide the estate.

Thinking this through, Fang Yongyuan's gaze turned toward Qin Shuo.

At this moment, the youth's face remained calm, showing not the slightest tension or fear from being surrounded by strong foes, utterly composed.

A flicker of unwillingness flashed in his eyes.

If he continued fighting, he had ninety percent confidence he could behead this youth beneath his halberd.

But now, Song Tianlin watches him tiger-like from the side—he simply cannot go all-out, and might even be ambushed by the other.

After weighing it all, he decided to retreat.

"Kid, consider yourself lucky—next time we meet, I will surely take your life."

Fang Yongyuan gave a cold snort, about to turn and leave.

The current situation is unfavorable to him; he can only leave this place for now, then make further plans.

"Hah! Want to come and go as you please—do you really take me for a soft persimmon, to be kneaded at will?" Qin Shuo's voice was icy cold.

After taking a Blood Qi Pill, with the aid of the Meta-Magnetic Earth Pearl, his Inner Qi had become much fuller.

Then, without further words, he directly activated the Burning Blood Secret Technique.

Golden Inner Qi, like blazing fire, condensed on his body's surface into the illusory form of a Primordial Savage Elephant, which fiercely charged toward Fang Yongyuan.

Roar!

The bellow of the Primordial Savage Elephant, as if transmitted from endless ages past, shook the people so their qi and blood surged, their eyes swimming.

Qin Shuo clenched his fist seal, his whole body enveloped in golden light and flames, his violent aura like an ocean sweeping over, pressing so hard that everyone could barely breathe.

Song Tianlin, watching from the side, furrowed his brow.

This youth's rate of progress is too terrifying.

In just a few days without seeing him, he has actually made another breakthrough—more terrifying than when he gravely wounded Tian Zhan initially, his power even more astonishing.

"Want to kill me, yet think you can leave without leaving something behind?"

Qin Shuo roared, like a Heavenly Dragon bellowing.

He activated the Heavenly Dragon Divine Intent—if the opponent's strength is weaker than his, this single great shout alone could shatter their courage.

But Fang Yongyuan is different—he is a late-stage Tongmai expert, his strength far surpassing Qin Shuo's, so the Heavenly Dragon's roar has little effect on him.

Almost in an instant, he had made his preparations.

Only seen: he opened his stance, crossed his arms to block horizontally before his body, his aura contracting inward, like a divine mountain, towering and unmoving.

Hanshan Fist, Immovable as a Mountain!

This is a defensive move of the Hanshan Fist—no matter how strong you are, I remain towering like a mountain ridge.

As soon as this stance appeared, everyone felt as if a towering high mountain had suddenly risen from the ground ahead.

No matter how fierce you are like a tiger, how violent you are like an ape, as long as this mountain stands, you shall not pass.

Qin Shuo arrived with a shout, bearing the strength of ten thousand catties, rolling fist winds surging forth, as if to suppress the mountain and destroy the city, shattering the earth.

Boom!

Golden Dragon Shakes the Mountain, Savage Elephant Collides with the Peak!

Fang Yongyuan was struck by a tremendous force and driven directly into the stone wall dozens of meters away, like a nail hammered into a wall, fiercely embedded in the mountain face.

In terms of pure strength, even Fang Yongyuan at the Tongmai Late Stage would fall short of Qin Shuo by a measure.

Moreover, at the moment of their impending collision, Qin Shuo communicated with the Meta-Magnetic Earth Pearl, increasing his own weight by more than tenfold.

At the same speed, a tenfold increase in body weight brings a terrifying surge in kinetic energy.

Fang Yongyuan felt as if he had been kicked by a Primordial Savage Elephant.

His arms bent, emitting a crisp sound of bone fracture — indeed, he suffered broken bones under this blow.

Clang!

Qin Shuo seized the black halberd he had previously flung away.

This halberd is entirely black, feels slightly heavy in hand, and likely weighs around one hundred eighty catties.

To wield such a heavy weapon speaks volumes about the terror of Fang Yongyuan's physical body.

Had it not been for encountering Qin Shuo, this aberration, with his strength, he would still have a fighting chance against even a Tongmai Peak cultivator.

Boom!

Earth and stone exploded as Fang Yongyuan broke free from the mountain wall, his gaze icy and terrifying.

His body drenched in blood, yet he remained calm and composed.

"Are you not afraid I will join forces with Song Tianlin to kill you?"

Fang Yongyuan's expression was deep and distant as he stared at the black halberd held in Qin Shuo's hand, a flicker of apprehension crossing his eyes.

Though his body is strong, he has not yet reached Qin Shuo's level — where blades cannot pierce and axes cannot harm.

That black halberd was forged by a master smith he commissioned, its edge unmatched in sharpness.

Now fallen into Qin Shuo's hands, its power will inevitably surge.

Combined with Song Tianlin watching him like a tiger eyeing its prey, if the battle continues, he may truly be in danger.

"Join forces to kill me?"

Qin Shuo sneered: "How do you know he won't first join with me to eliminate you, this outsider of the Song Family?"

"After all, I am a Guest Elder of the Song Family; joining hands with me to repel invaders is proper and justified."

"Furthermore, killing you, the second-in-command of the Fang Family, is far more profitable than killing me, a direct-line Guest Minister of the Song Family."

"What do you say? Song Third Master?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Yongyuan's face darkened once more.

The other party speaks truth — if he could kill himself, for the Song Family's collateral branch, the gains would be far more substantial than killing a direct-line Guest Minister.

"Don't drag me into this — I said I won't interfere in your fight."

Seeing Fang Yongyuan show signs of being swayed by Qin Shuo's words, Song Tianlin hastily spoke up.

What a joke!

Killing Fang Yongyuan indeed aligns more with the collateral branch's interests.

But if, today, we could simultaneously eliminate the Qin brat and Fang Yongyuan, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?

As if seeing through Song Tianlin's thoughts, Fang Yongyuan let out a cold snort and sneered:

"Want to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, then reap the fisherman's gain? Daydream!"

Fang Yongyuan hesitated no longer — he stomped his feet, transformed into a black shadow, and darted into the distant forest.

At the same time, a low voice echoed from the woods,

"Brat, if you can survive today, someday I will reclaim the halberd — and take your head."