"Break three of my legs?"
The man's face instantly turned as dark as ink, his expression livid.
His triangular eyes, filled with intense killing intent, stared fixedly at Ji Mo: "You insolent cur, daring to speak to me like this. Do you know who I am?"
This man was Han Dongwu, the youngest and most formidable elder of Longhu Mountain, as well as the only son of its sect leader.
Spoiled by his parents, he had always been arrogant and self-important.
He was accustomed to sycophants and had never encountered anyone who dared to speak to him so defiantly.
At this moment, his pride wounded, he harbored murderous intent.
Ji Mo, unyielding, retorted, "And do you know who I am?"
With the Zhuxian Sword in hand, Ji Hanhan feared no one.
Anyone who dared to trouble him would be dealt with.
"You, an unknown nobody, dare to run amok on my Longhu Mountain? You court death."
Han Dongwu let out a cold shout, raising his palm. A surge of violent energy erupted as he intended to strike Ji Mo down on the spot.
A graceful figure flashed out, blocking Ji Mo.
"Han Dongwu, you may not touch my man."
Li Xuanji's body erupted with brilliant radiance. At this critical moment, she stepped forward to defend Ji Mo, unafraid of offending Longhu Mountain.
She stood in confrontation with Han Dongwu, ready to retaliate if he dared to make a move.
The surrounding crowd was stunned.
Li Xuanji, enraged for her beloved, was willing to fall out with Han Dongwu on the spot.
Especially the phrase "my man," which confirmed the close relationship between Li Xuanji and Ji Mo.
Many men who harbored affections for Li Xuanji felt their hearts shatter.
Ji Mo was also taken aback. He thought, "Miss Xuanji is truly reliable; she really steps up when there's trouble."
They were merely acquaintances, having met by chance, yet he never expected Li Xuanji to be so loyal.
Han Dongwu had long harbored unspoken desires for Li Xuanji. Hearing her words now felt like his heart was being pricked by needles.
He couldn't comprehend why Li Xuanji would be so superficial as to fancy such a pretty boy.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Han Dongwu's expression grew even uglier, as black as the bottom of a pot. He said sternly, "Palace Mistress Li, do not meddle in this affair. This brat insulted me and must pay the price."
Li Xuanji replied coldly, "Did you not first verbally mock my friend without reason? As the host, you are so rude to your guest, and then you twist the narrative. Have you no shame? If you want to fight, bring it on. I'd like to properly experience your Longhu Mountain's hospitality."
Despite being in the sacred grounds of Longhu Mountain, Li Xuanji showed no fear and was extremely assertive.
Most of the cultivators present were invited guests, and their attention was now fixed on Han Dongwu.
As guests, they were subjected to mockery and harassment by their host. They did not wish to suffer the same fate and thus sided with Ji Mo.
"You... you..."
Han Dongwu was left speechless by her retort. He clenched his fists, which crackled audibly. However, he quickly devised a counter-argument, feigning innocence: "We invited heroes from all factions, prominent figures renowned throughout the Nine Heavens. We did not invite someone like him. This person must have infiltrated Longhu Mountain with malicious intent and deserves to be executed."
Li Xuanji unreservedly linked her arm with Ji Mo's and said, "I brought him in. With my status, what's wrong with bringing one or two people in? What's wrong?"
As the leader of a palace, she could bring in a whole troop of people, let alone one.
When attending as a guest, which sect leader would not make a grand entrance?
This left Han Dongwu utterly speechless.
Even some members of Longhu Mountain secretly transmitted messages, advising him not to cause trouble and embarrass the sect.
Han Dongwu's face flickered between green and purple. He had never felt so humiliated.
His original intention was to embarrass Ji Mo publicly, but in the end, he was the one who was shamed.
He harbored extreme hatred for Li Xuanji and Ji Mo, his fury burning, but he could not act out in public, forcing him to suppress his anger.
Boom...
Just then.
The entire Tiger Mountain suddenly experienced violent tremors.
From the deepest part of the Tiger's Den, an incredibly dazzling light erupted, accompanied by a terrifying aura.
Instantly, everyone's attention was captured.
Ji Mo widened his eyes, trying to ascertain what had happened.
But the blinding light was too intense, making it impossible to see clearly.
He only saw that the silk fabric, suspected to be a heavenly scripture, seemed to react intensely, emitting a chaotic aura and rapidly soaring towards the depths of the Tiger's Den.
"Could it be that besides the heavenly scripture, there are other astonishing treasures here?"
Ji Mo was incredibly excited.
Indeed, it was worthy of being a Daoist sacred land; there were so many good things.
However, his expression soon changed drastically as he realized that the terrain and the pervasive energy flow of the entire Tiger's Den had undergone a massive transformation, turning into a death trap.
Clearly, the appearance of some unknown item had caused all of this.
"A great treasure has appeared, let's grab it!"
"I thought the saying 'exploring the Tiger's Den for treasure' was just a rumor, but I never expected the Tiger's Den to truly hide supreme treasures."
"A divine object has appeared; it belongs to the fated. Let's see whose fortune is greatest!"
A large group of cultivators could no longer restrain themselves, shouting and rushing madly into the Tiger's Den.
It was as if the first one to arrive would claim the treasure.
Han Dongwu, no longer bothering with Ji Mo, turned into an afterimage and dashed into the cave.
"With the appearance of astonishing treasures, bloodshed is inevitable. You stay here obediently and wait for me to bring back the treasure."
Li Xuanji instructed Ji Mo not to participate. Such a high-stakes competition would undoubtedly be perilous, beyond his involvement.
In her eyes, Ji Mo was merely a rustic from the Thirteen Prefectures, incapable of participating in conflicts of the immortal and divine realms.
"Miss Xuanji, I am actually very strong."
Ji Mo said with a serious expression.
"Really, I'm such a mighty man, haven't you noticed?"
"Mm, I know, you're very strong, so strong you'd make me cry with a single punch. You stay here and be my strong backing. I'll snatch the treasure and share it with you."
Li Xuanji coaxed Ji Mo as if he were a child.
For some reason, when facing Ji Mo, she felt an urge to protect this simpleton.
Ji Mo was speechless and could only tell Li Xuanji to be careful.
The cave was now filled with killing intent, and it was highly probable that many would perish within.
Indeed.
Soon, screams could be heard, indicating that some unfortunate soul had met their demise.
But immediately after, excited voices rang out: "Treasure, so many treasures, I'm rich, I'm rich..."
From the commotion, it sounded like some had died tragically, while others had made a fortune.
Previously, the Tiger's Den would yield one or two treasures after a long period. But for some reason today, the traces of numerous treasures had appeared all at once.
Especially in the depths of the cave, auspicious light blazed, mist billowed, and colorful clouds shimmered, drawing immense attention.
Many cultivators' eyes turned green, and they rushed forward without hesitation.