Zhang Yan exhaled a breath that surged forth like crashing waves against the shore, instantly blowing the two individuals out of the air.
The young maiden’s face turned pale with fright. She hurriedly invoked her spell, summoning a plantain leaf to shield herself and the boy beside her, narrowly avoiding injury.
She scrambled up from the ground and, upon lifting her head, saw Zhang Yan striding towards her. Instinctively, she prepared to summon her Dharma Treasure.
Yet, in that moment, she noticed with alarm that Zhang Yan’s aura swept through the air like the roaring tides of a mighty river, turbulent and unstoppable. Even the gravel beneath his feet seemed to shift and roll with every breath he took.
Witnessing this scene filled her heart with dread. A silent exclamation passed through her mind as she thought to herself, "This man’s prowess is overwhelming. To kill me and my brother would be as effortless as turning his palm. His reluctance to strike earlier must be out of consideration for the reputation of the Taihao Sect. But if my brother and I continue to oppose him, it will only invite his wrath and bring us more suffering."
This thought flashed through her mind, and she swiftly decided not to resist further.
Just then, she sensed her younger brother next to her about to act. Alarmed, she quickly reached out and grabbed his wrist, whispering urgently, "Younger brother, this man’s cultivation far surpasses ours. Under no circumstances can we act recklessly."
Though the boy’s face showed traces of unwillingness, he had always trusted his elder sister implicitly. He struggled briefly before stopping, though he continued to glare at Zhang Yan with puffed cheeks.
Zhang Yan strode forward and finally stopped before the two, looking down at them with a commanding gaze. His voice rang out coldly, "You two little ones, report your names to me!"
Under his piercing and oppressive stare, the young maiden dared not act rashly. With careful deference, she replied, "I am Yue Jing, and this is my younger brother, Yue Song."
When Zhang Yan heard their surnames, he immediately deduced their origins.
The Yue family was a prominent clan within the southern Xuanmen. For these two children to have attained Ming Qi cultivation at such a young age and even possess Dharma Treasures for protection, they were undoubtedly disciples of the Yue clan. Holding them captive would secure his position at the upcoming Ganoderma Congress, making all his efforts well worth it.
His face, however, remained untouched by this realization. Instead, he showed a stern expression and intoned gravely, "You dare to stir up trouble at Baofeng Temple? I cannot let that pass without consequence. However, considering your youth, I will not be overly harsh. First, I will capture you, and when your elders arrive, I will explain the matter to them."
The maiden secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as her life was spared, it was sufficient. After hesitating briefly, she said, "My younger brother is still a child and knows nothing of the world. I implore you, Senior, to release him and allow him to return home. I am willing to stay here in his place."
She still had a Dharma Treasure in her possession. Once Yue Song was sent away, she would have fewer concerns and might find a way to escape.
Suddenly, Yue Song cried out, "Sister, I don’t want to leave! When my Junior Master arrives, he’ll make this bad man regret it!"
Yue Jing was startled and hurriedly moved to cover his mouth.
Zhang Yan gave a slight smirk and casually waved his hand, conjuring two talismans that flew out and adhered to the duo’s acupoints, sealing their Qi. He then grabbed each of them by the collar and carried them over to Lu Tianying, tossing them at his feet. "Junior Lu, since these two insulted you, I leave their punishment to you. So long as you don’t take their lives, do as you see fit."
Lu Tianying knew that Zhang Yan wouldn’t act without purpose. Having cultivated for over a century, he was not one to create unnecessary conflicts, especially with the departure to the East Sea looming. He thus shook his head and said, "Senior Brother, handle it as you see fit."
Suddenly, his brow furrowed as he turned his gaze skyward.
A Daoist appeared, holding a horsetail whisk and treading upon a greenish-blue Xuan Guang.
This Daoist looked unremarkable in appearance, yet his posture was upright, his eyes deep as an abyss, and his beard tinged with a faint trace of green.
Bowing slightly to Zhang Yan and Lu Tianying, he said, "I greet the two fellow Daoists. I am Gongsun Mian, and these two on the ground are my niece and nephew. I wonder what offense they may have committed against your temple? If there has been any inappropriate conduct, I offer my apologies."
Though his demeanor seemed courteous, internally he was filled with indignation. He thought to himself, "Since entering the Taihao Sect, when have I ever had to bow my head in such humiliation?"
The Yue siblings were the children of his Junior Brother. This time, his interest lay in the Dragon Flame Tongue Herb, but he remained uncertain about Lu Tianying’s strength. Thus, he instigated the siblings to test the waters.
Over the past few days, he had been preoccupied with other matters and had neglected this situation. Unexpectedly, the Yue siblings had concealed their intentions from him and ventured forth, only to end up captured by Zhang Yan by the time he arrived.
If the captor were an ordinary cultivator, Gongsun Mian wouldn’t have bothered with formalities and would have immediately attacked. However, Zhang Yan was clearly not someone to be trifled with, and his indifference to the Taihao Sect’s reputation only made the situation more precarious. Forced to adopt a softer approach, Gongsun Mian could only hope to resolve the matter amicably.