Mutou Masao's heart churned with astonishment. He never imagined Ye Ling would see through his identity!
Not a single person in the Mutou family knew about his membership in Takamagahara; he had guarded this secret meticulously.
Mutou Masao was acutely aware that the fact of a deity possessing him and indulging in dark desires through his body could never be revealed to anyone. The consequences of such a leak would be unimaginable!
And now, Ye Ling had exposed his identity right before his eyes. How could he not be shocked?
Fear gripped Mutou Masao as his mind raced, trying to pinpoint where the mistake had occurred, leading to his exposure.
However, despite his immense shock, Mutou Masao maintained a calm facade. He quickly regained his composure and smiled at Ye Ling, "My apologies? What are you talking about? I don't quite understand."
A socialite nearby, attempting to curry favor with Mutou Masao, sneered at Ye Ling, "Kid, which family do you belong to? Today is the Mutou family head's birthday banquet, not some mythology research society. Watch what you say, or I'll have security escort you out!"
"Quickly apologize to the Mutou family head!"
Ye Ling ignored the socialite's taunt and smiled at Mutou Masao, "Although you're trying hard to conceal it, your reaction just now completely betrayed you."
"You are an active member of Takamagahara."
Mutou Masao's lips twitched involuntarily.
The socialite, seeing Ye Ling disregard him, became enraged. He rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward, shouting, "You punk, are you looking for a beating? How dare you..."
"Noisy."
*Bang!*
Mid-sentence, the socialite was sent flying by a backhanded slap from Ye Ling, crashing directly into a wall and causing a commotion!
No one had expected someone to dare act at the Mutou family's banquet, right in front of Mutou Masao!
Immediately, ninjas employed by the Mutou family emerged from the shadows, attacking Ye Ling with lightning speed!
However, before those ninjas could get close to Ye Ling, they were all sent flying by Ye Ling, crashing in all directions!
At this point, the entire venue descended into chaos, with guests scattering in all directions.
While many of the banquet attendees were skilled cultivators, there were also many ordinary people. After Ye Ling's actions, they began to scream for protection, and the venue became increasingly chaotic.
The socialites surrounding Mutou Masao, realizing Ye Ling was a formidable opponent, all fled, leaving Mutou Masao alone.
Yet, Mutou Masao still wore a faint smile, seemingly unfazed by the disruption of his birthday banquet.
He asked Ye Ling, "Looking at your attire, you must be the one who clashed with Lai Xuan at the hotel entrance, right?"
Ye Ling stated without concealment, "Yes, and your son and grandson have both been killed by me."
Upon hearing Ye Ling's reply, Mutou Masao's lips twitched, his palms clenched, veins bulging on the back of his hands.
Mutou Masao suppressed his anger, gritting his teeth, "Are you joking? I had Master Randeng help look after them. You could kill someone under Master Randeng's watch?"
Ye Ling chuckled, "Oh... I almost forgot. It was that old monk who told me about your identity as a member of Takamagahara."
"You!!!"
Mutou Masao nearly spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes beginning to redden as he stared at Ye Ling, "You think saying that will make me believe you?"
"I know that old monk's character better than anyone. He would never betray Takamagahara!"
"Who exactly are you? How did you get information about Takamagahara?"
In response to Mutou Masao's barrage of questions, Ye Ling simply chuckled, "Believe it or not, but I'm not here to discuss that old monk."
Mutou Masao said grimly, "What do you want?"
Ye Ling asked, "Where is your Takamagahara headquarters?"
"You lunatic!"
Mutou Masao looked at Ye Ling as if he were an idiot, "Putting aside whether I know or not, would I tell you directly if you came asking about Takamagahara?"
Ye Ling shook his head in disappointment and sighed, "Alas, I knew it wouldn't be that easy."
Mutou Masao was amused by Ye Ling's words, saying, "Although you're a lunatic, your courage is commendable, daring to approach me directly."
"No matter who sent you or how you learned about Takamagahara, since you've dared to confront me, you should be prepared to die."
With that, Mutou Masao formed his fingers into a claw and lunged towards Ye Ling's chest, "Behold, Black Tiger Digs for the Heart!"
Mutou Masao roared, striking with lightning speed towards Ye Ling's heart, intending to tear it out in one blow!
However, Mutou Masao did not anticipate that when his fingers touched Ye Ling's chest, they would not pierce through as expected. Instead, he felt as if he had struck a piece of divine metal, and his five fingers snapped off!
"My hand!!!"
Overwhelmed by searing pain, Mutou Masao howled, clutching his palm, his expression contorting.
Ye Ling mocked Mutou Masao's howling, "Is that a kitten's scratch?"
"You!!!" Mutou Masao glared at Ye Ling, sweat beading on his forehead, his body trembling violently, "You're seeking death!"
*Boom!*
Mutou Masao roared, and his entire aura erupted!
The pressure of an eighth-rank cultivator instantly swept through the entire hall, causing all the guests to feel an unimaginable pressure, unable to breathe!
Aside from Ye Ling, Mutou Masao was the strongest cultivator in the banquet hall. As his aura exploded, all the guests were awestruck by his presence, no longer daring to make a sound!
For a moment, everyone looked at Mutou Masao and Ye Ling in terror, wondering who could have pushed Mutou Masao to such a degree!
A cultivator whispered, "Who is that kid? How dare he provoke Mutou Masao? Doesn't he know Mutou Masao is an eighth-rank cultivator?"
"I remember him. He also beat up Mutou Lai Xuan at the hotel entrance earlier, and now he's here to cause trouble for Mutou Masao. It seems he's determined to disrupt the Mutou family's banquet! He must have a deep grudge against the Mutou family!"
"Hmph! No matter who he is, daring to lay hands on Mutou Masao is courting death!"
Upon feeling Mutou Masao's aura, the cultivators began to whisper amongst themselves, looking at Ye Ling as if he were already dead.
Causing trouble for the Mutou family in East Capital was akin to buying a one-way ticket to death!
Furthermore, it was directly confronting Mutou Masao!
After Mutou Masao's aura erupted, his broken fingers rapidly healed.
He stared at Ye Ling with a grim expression and said coldly, "Kid, I don't care who sent you. Today is my birthday, and I don't want to make things too ugly. If you kneel down and kowtow to me three times, I'll leave you with an intact corpse!"
Ye Ling chuckled, "The Mutou family head certainly has a big mouth, thinking of leaving an intact corpse. You'd better worry about yourself first!"
As his voice fell, Ye Ling vanished from his spot.
Mutou Masao couldn't track Ye Ling's movements at all. Seeing Ye Ling disappear, a hint of shock flashed in his eyes!
So fast!
Mutou Masao quickly scanned his surroundings, utterly astonished, "Where are you hiding?"
"Behind you."
Ye Ling's voice echoed from behind Mutou Masao. Mutou Masao trembled and quickly turned to look, only to see Ye Ling descending from above!
Ye Ling's foot pressed down heavily on Mutou Masao's shoulder!
*Bang!*
Mutou Masao's shoulder was crushed by Ye Ling's foot. His knees couldn't withstand Ye Ling's strength, and he was forced to kneel!
Everyone in the hall was stunned!