Chapter 547: Domineering and Ruthless

Any other Grand Elder from the Giant Sect wouldn't have been an issue here. Only Fang Taiji. He was the least suitable Grand Elder to come.

“Are you the disciples assisting with the operation?” Fang Taiji scanned them, hands clasped behind his back, his body slightly hunched.

It was merely a gaze, yet as it swept over them, they felt a tangible force. It showed how formidable his physical power had become, likely on the verge of reaching the legendary Golden Body. Everyone grew even more respectful.

Suddenly, Fang Taiji’s gaze fell upon Jiang Fan, and a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes. “What powerful physique!” he exclaimed. “It rivals some of our Giant Sect elders! At such a young age, to possess such an accomplishment…” He then asked, “Youngster, which sect are you from? What is your name?”

Xia Chaoge and the others’ expressions darkened. Their worst fears had come true. Of all people, Fang Taiji’s attention had fixed on Jiang Fan. They remained silent, not daring to answer.

The nine accompanying elders had all witnessed Jiang Fan’s appearance days earlier. Naturally, they recognized him at once. They had also heard that Jiang Fan was heavily implicated in Tie Bubai’s death. For a moment, none dared to reply.

Fang Taiji noticed the unusual silence from those around him and frowned. “What? Should I not ask?” he probed. “Or is it that…” He seemed to realize something, his old eyes narrowing. “I’ve heard there’s a disciple who has recently gained much notoriety, named Jiang Fan. A disciple of my sect once claimed he possessed a purple sword, suspected to be the one that killed Tie Bubai. Youngster, could you… be Jiang Fan?”

An old fox is a wise fox. It was difficult to hide many things from a Grand Elder who had experienced countless events. Jiang Fan sighed softly. He had already guessed the old man’s identity when Xia Chaoge subtly positioned herself to block him. What was meant to come, could not be avoided. He stated calmly, “It is I.”

Fang Taiji’s profound eyes suddenly burst with sharp light. A heavy, immense force immediately struck Jiang Fan’s chest. Jiang Fan’s heart tensed. Having anticipated it, his body vibrated subtly as he activated the Overlord Tiger Physique. Roars like tigers echoed within him. The circulating immense force dissipated the incoming impact. Even so, he was forced to retreat three steps.

Fang Taiji’s gaze sharpened. “You truly are quite extraordinary!” he remarked. “An ordinary disciple would have been sent flying, spitting blood. Yet you only retreated three steps!” He continued, “What a pity you aren’t a disciple of my Giant Sect. What a pity you killed my precious disciple.” A deep, profound killing intent erupted in his clouded old eyes.

“Elder Fang, please wait!” The elder from the Azure Cloud Sect dispatched for this mission was Zhao Wuji. He had been worried for Jiang Fan. Seeing Fang Taiji’s murderous intent fully unleashed, he immediately flashed forward to block Jiang Fan. He cupped his hands and bowed, saying, “Elder Fang, please calm your anger.”

“After reviewing the surveillance crystal, your sect disciple’s accusation was found to be baseless,” Zhao Wuji explained. “My disciple, Jiang Fan, is innocent. I ask Elder Fang to see reason.”

Elders from the other eight sects also spoke up. “Elder Fang, I was present for that incident, and it is indeed as Elder Zhao said,” one confirmed. “It was a misunderstanding that day, please do not wrong Jiang Fan, Elder Fang.”

Thump— Fang Taiji lightly tapped his foot on the ground. A sharp, booming gust of wind erupted, cutting off their words. “When this elder handles matters, is it your place to dictate?”

His aged face was indifferent. The killing intent in his eyes, far from diminishing due to their pleas, grew even colder. He stated flatly, “When this elder kills, no evidence is needed. My will is enough.”

He lifted his foot and stepped towards Jiang Fan. As his foot landed, Zhao Wuji’s face suddenly paled, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, as if a great mountain had crushed him. His face turned crimson from strain. “Elder Fang… please show mercy…”

He was so suppressed that he could barely speak, only managing to force out a few words through gritted teeth. The elders from the other eight sects were awestruck. Fang Taiji was openly attempting to kill a disciple from another sect.

Yet, he had the standing to defy retaliation. Across the entire Nine Sects’ territory, he was among the top five Grand Elders. Apart from Xu Qingyang, there was no one who could reliably defeat him.

Xia Chaoge’s face turned cold, and she drew her sword, declaring, “Elder Fang! If you continue with such reckless behavior, do not blame this junior for being disrespectful!” Liang Feiyan gritted her teeth. She also drew her sword decisively. “Elder Fang! Do you really treat human lives with such contempt?”

Ouyang Jun, Xie Liushu, Hua Xiangchen, and Li Shiqian. After a brief struggle, they decisively drew their swords and stood firmly beside Jiang Fan. They were all individuals who had once died on the Boundary Mountain. They did not fear death.

Jiang Fan cast a grateful glance at them. “Thank you,” he said. “However, all of you step back. I will handle him myself!”

This old man! He intended to forcibly kill him without evidence? Was he now someone anyone could simply kill? In his sleeve, a jade talisman capable of a Nascent Soul-level strike was rapidly activating. These were weapons meant for killing enemies on the battlefield. Jiang Fan absolutely did not want to use them on his own people. But the Giant Sect had pushed too far repeatedly. Now, this Grand Elder Fang was brazenly attempting to kill him. Out of sheer necessity, he would have to waste one on him.

“Elder Fang, if you act here, aren’t you afraid of alarming the Demon Emperor’s consort?” Wu Manyue said with a cold expression. “If this ruins the mission and causes the Demon Emperor’s essence blood to fall into the front lines, how many heads do you have to spare?” Her eyes showed disdain. Did this old man not understand priorities? Was a personal grudge to take precedence over a war between two races?

Upon hearing this, a flicker of apprehension appeared in Fang Taiji’s eyes. He could disregard the people of the Nine Sects; he feared no one. But if he truly ruined things and incurred the wrath of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, that would indeed be troublesome. The killing intent in his eyes receded like water, yet the coldness did not diminish.

“After we secure the Demon Emperor’s consort’s head, I will settle the score with you!” Fang Taiji stated indifferently. He then turned, hands clasped behind his back, and ambled into the canyon.

Zhao Wuji wiped the blood from his mouth and turned to give Jiang Fan a look, urging him to leave quickly. Only then did he follow the other elders into the canyon. Once they had all entered,

Liang Feiyan cursed, “That bully!” She turned to Jiang Fan, her voice filled with worry. “Junior Brother Jiang, you should ride the demonic wolf back alone. That old man is utterly unreasonable. As soon as this mission is over, he will definitely come for you.”

Jiang Fan shook his head. A hint of coldness appeared in his eyes. “No need,” he said. “Let’s finish the mission first.”

This old man openly intended to kill him. He had also injured Elder Zhao. Why should Jiang Fan let him go? The Giant Sect was so concerned about Tie Bubai? Then he might as well send another Grand Elder down to join Tie Bubai!

Liang Feiyan was anxious to persuade him, but Wu Manyue chuckled, cutting her off. “Junior Brother Jiang, you’re safe now thanks to me just now,” she purred. “How will you thank me?”

Her peachy eyes were full of playful provocation. Jiang Fan scoffed. “Were you helping me? You were saving that old man, Fang Taiji!”