Zhang Ergou saw only indifference in the other person's eyes.
Those bright, lively eyes were now devoid of any emotion, staring coldly at Zhang Ergou.
"Brother, there's no need to pretend to know me for your own purposes."
Ling Feng'er's clear, cold voice echoed again. The disciples of the Liuhai Sect around them cast even more hostile glances at Zhang Ergou.
They assumed Zhang Ergou, like other disciples from different sects trying to get close to Ling Feng'er, was posing as someone she knew.
However, Ling Feng'er's words of denial only strengthened their conviction.
"Kid, no matter what unspeakable secrets you hold today, don't even think of leaving safely."
The crowd adopted a defensive stance, with Lin Chen leading several Liuhai Sect disciples in surrounding Zhang Ergou.
It was as if they were afraid he might escape.
"Everyone, what is the meaning of this?" Zhang Ergou asked, his gaze sweeping over the group surrounding him.
His eyes, however, drifted towards the center of the crowd – Ling Feng'er.
Before Ling Feng'er could speak, Lin Chen interjected, "Naturally, we suspect you have malicious intent and snuck in while our Liuhai Sect was holding an event."
"Speak your purpose. If you cannot explain yourself clearly, don't blame us for handing you over to our sect's Disciplinary Hall for severe punishment."
The others nodded in agreement as Lin Chen spoke. It seemed that, besides Ling Feng'er, Lin Chen was the leader here.
What Zhang Ergou found puzzling was that this person's cultivation was only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
Upon closer inspection of the others, he realized that, aside from Ling Feng'er in the center, all the other disciples were only at the Foundation Establishment stage.
It was no wonder no one questioned Lin Chen's authority. This fellow must hold a significant position in the Liuhai Sect.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be associating with Ling Feng'er. Judging by their posture, they seemed to be protecting her.
"Haha, I never expected the Liuhai Sect, a grand sect, to conduct themselves in such a manner. It truly opens one's eyes."
Zhang Ergou burst into laughter, his face filled with mockery as he looked at the group.
He was confident he could escape from these people, but doing so would only solidify the accusation of having malicious intent.
Ling Feng'er in the crowd frowned. She had a vague recollection of having seen Zhang Ergou somewhere before, but she couldn't quite place it.
Since awakening her bloodline, much of Ling Feng'er's previous memories had been consumed.
Her current memories consisted only of the inheritance from her bloodline awakening and subsequent events.
The different feeling Zhang Ergou sensed from Ling Feng'er now was because she was no longer her original self; the soul residing within her was the awakened bloodline soul.
The original Ling Feng'er hadn't entirely vanished, but only a sliver remained after being consumed.
"Brother, it's best you tell us the truth. What is your purpose in coming to our sect? Otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite."
At this moment, Ling Feng'er spoke. Hearing their Saintess Ling Feng'er speak, the crowd surrounding Zhang Ergou became even more fervent. Su Dan Novel Network.
If Lin Chen had given the order, they might have felt some reluctance.
But with the Saintess's command, it was different. The Saintess's status in the Liuhai Sect was second only to the Sect Master, and she was a strong contender for the next Sect Master.
Therefore, upon hearing Ling Feng'er speak, their gazes towards Zhang Ergou transformed, now seeing him as prey.
Zhang Ergou hadn't expected this "Ling Feng'er" not only didn't recognize him but also intended to capture him as an offender.
"Is this the hospitality of the Liuhai Sect?"
Zhang Ergou declared loudly again, his eyes fixed on Ling Feng'er behind the crowd.
"You? You dare to pose as a guest of our Liuhai Sect? I believe you are like those offenders, trying to steal our sect's secrets and treasures."
Lin Chen scoffed at Zhang Ergou's words, refusing to believe anything he said.
With the Saintess's support now, he became even more emboldened.
In the past few days, they had apprehended many "unscrupulous individuals" who had lusted after Saintess Ling Feng'er's beauty. In his view, this Zhang Ergou was no different.
However, they faced a dilemma: Zhang Ergou's cultivation was far superior to theirs. Except for the Saintess, everyone else was only at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Capturing Zhang Ergou would not be an easy task.
Lin Chen signaled to a disciple beside him, who then secretly slipped away.
Zhang Ergou noticed the person leaving but didn't pay it much mind.
He continued to confront the people before him, who showed no signs of letting him go.
"What, do you all truly believe I am an offender and intend to capture me?"
As the crowd of onlookers grew, Zhang Ergou's expression darkened.
No one would feel comfortable being surrounded and stared at by a crowd as an offender.
Zhang Ergou hadn't anticipated that a simple stroll outside would lead to such a predicament. It was truly terrible.
He couldn't act rashly now, and there was no one he knew to ask for help. He had walked so far that he was now a considerable distance from the Misty Sect's encampment.
Just as Zhang Ergou was contemplating how to escape, he suddenly heard a furious roar: "How dare you audacious scoundrel! You dare to molest our Saintess! Where are the Azure Guard?"
"Here!" The Liuhai Sect disciples surrounding Zhang Ergou, led by Lin Chen, responded loudly.
"Capture this shameless scoundrel and detain him in the sect's celestial prison. He will be tried after the Grand Competition between the two sects concludes."
The newcomer shouted. Zhang Ergou tensed. The newcomer's aura was significantly more potent. If he wasn't mistaken, this considerably aged Azure-robed man possessed late-stage Golden Core cultivation.
The situation was growing increasingly complicated, and Zhang Ergou frowned.
If he were indeed captured and imprisoned until the Grand Competition, as the other claimed, his purpose for coming here would be unfulfilled.
He had promised Chi Yu that he would achieve a ranking in the Grand Competition and enter the legendary secret realm.
"Esteemed Elder, I believe there has been a misunderstanding. I am a disciple of the Misty Sect participating in the Grand Competition."
Intimidated by the other's cultivation and strength, Zhang Ergou felt compelled to explain his identity.
Just as he thought they would release him after he revealed his true identity, he saw a sneer flash across the other person's face.
"Haha, so you're a Misty Sect disciple just because you say so? The Misty Sect's encampment is over ten li from here. Are you perhaps impersonating them?"
Lin Wenshen hadn't expected his nephew to encounter such a big catch. This person surrounded was actually a disciple of the Misty Sect.
Recalling the matter that the Grand Elder had entrusted him with, Lin Wenshen felt even more smug. If he could capture this individual who claimed to be a Misty Sect disciple,
then the Liuhai Sect would have one less formidable competitor in the Grand Competition…