A blade aura swept through as Sun Tianba slashed the gambling table between Ling Feng and Tuoba Cheng in half. He then swung his knife back, fiercely aiming for Tuoba Cheng's head.
Tuoba Cheng quickly dodged, his palm glowing with a jade-like light as he forcefully deflected Sun Tianba's blade. He shouted, "Boss Sun, don't be impulsive! I didn't lose on purpose!"
"That's bullshit! Tuoba Cheng, you think you can step on me to curry favor with that kid from the big family now that you don't need the Batian Society? Dream on!"
Sun Tianba was blinded by rage, his attacks ferocious and deadly as he relentlessly targeted Tuoba Cheng.
"Boss Sun, if you keep pushing, don't blame me for fighting back!"
Tuoba Cheng was inwardly cursing his luck. He glanced at Ling Feng, only to find the young man watching with a playful look. This was all clearly within Ling Feng's expectations.
How did he do it? How did he manage to change the numbers on his dice?
"Hmph, you traitor. You dare fight back?" Sun Tianba roared. "Damn it, I was blind to trust scum like you!"
Faced with this sudden turn of events, both the members of the Batian Society and the Lin family casino were at a loss, not knowing what to do.
Lin Moyun blinked in surprise. She never expected this young man, with just a small trick, to make the Batian Society members turn on each other.
"Haha. Dog eats dog, and they both get a mouthful of fur!" Lin Moyao couldn't help but laugh. "Sister, see? I told you Mr. Ling would handle it!"
Lin Moyun bit her lip while looking at the young man in white. This excessively young man now seemed even more mysterious to her.
Ling Feng watched with amusement as Sun Tianba and Tuoba Cheng fought like dogs. At that moment, a streak of purple light shot towards him, instantly merging into his body. A complaining voice echoed in his mind, saying, "Master, don't give me such hard tasks again. My head is spinning!"
"Haha, those who are capable should do more work," Ling Feng chuckled. "I'll let you have a good meal later to make up for it."
Zifeng immediately perked up. It hadn't had a meal in so long!
Meanwhile, Tuoba Cheng, driven by genuine anger, clenched his jade-like palm[1]. With a crack, Sun Tianba's steel blade shattered into several pieces and scattered on the ground.
"Boss Sun, I repeat, I did not lose on purpose!" Tuoba Cheng growled, his voice booming, forcing Sun Tianba back several steps.
Sun Tianba's pupils contracted, realizing that the gambling master he had kept by his side was actually a formidable fighter!
Judging by the force that shattered his mystical weapon, Tuoba Cheng's strength was at least ten times his own!
"Gulp..." Sun Tianba swallowed hard, glaring hatefully at Tuoba Cheng and then at the Lin sisters, already contemplating retreat.
If Tuoba Cheng sided with that kid Ling Feng, the Batian Society would gain nothing today!
"Alright, very well!" Sun Tianba gritted his teeth, his voice cold. "Tuoba Cheng, you really are cunning!"
Tuoba Cheng snorted, losing patience. "Fool, even if I did lose on purpose, it's not betrayal. I'm your guest, not your lackey!"
"You’re finally admitting it!" Sun Tianba hatefully glared at Tuoba Cheng. "You'll regret this!"
With that, Sun Tianba signaled his men to leave. He was planning to settle scores with Tuoba Cheng and the Lin family casino another day.
Unfortunately, he wouldn't get that chance.
As Ling Feng watched Sun Tianba's retreating back, through his spiritual consciousness he told Zifeng,, "Zifeng, go. Leave him with just one hour of life essence."
Zifeng cheered, transforming into a streak of purple light and shooting out.
Absorbing the life essence of a Transformation Realm martial artist at its peak was now a trivial task for Zifeng. In less than ten breaths, Zifeng returned, well-fed, to Ling Feng's dantian.
Zifeng let out a satisfied burp but still complained, "Only eighty years of life essence, how boring. It's much more exciting to absorb the life essence of demonic beasts."
Ling Feng shook his head with a smile before saying, "Be glad you had something to eat."
With the vitality shared through Vitality Fusion, Ling Feng also gained a portion of the life force and felt rejuvenated. The energy consumed earlier in refining the seventh-tier ancient medicinal pill, the Icy Soul-Stabilizing Golden Pill, was replenished.
Sun Tianba felt like something had bitten him. Suddenly, he was overcome with extreme fatigue. As he reached the door, his legs gave out, and he nearly fell.
"Boss... Boss Sun, what's wrong?"
A lackey quickly rushed to support Sun Tianba, startled by his appearance. He was weak and panting earlier, but now he looked ten years older. His hair was turning white at the roots, and the once burly man now appeared hunched and frail.
"I'm just tired..." Sun Tianba felt utterly weak, his arms trembling. Leaning on his subordinate's shoulder, he gritted his teeth and said, "Take me back to rest... Just a rest, and I... I'll be fine."
Little did he know, this rest would be his last.
Inside the Lin family casino.
Ling Feng raised an eyebrow. Sun Tianba had only an hour left to live. Once he died, the Batian Society would collapse into chaos, no longer posing a threat to the Lin sisters for a long time.
"Thank you, Mr. Ling, for your great kindness," the Lin sisters stepped forward and bowed.
If not for Ling Feng's intervention tonight, their father's legacy would have been lost.
"You're welcome. We're friends anyways," Ling Feng replied with a faint smile. "If I'm not mistaken, you both must be Lin Mochen's sisters, right?"
"You know Mochen?" Lin Moyao asked in surprise.
"He's my teammate in the East Court's sword team," Ling Feng laughed. He then glanced at Tuoba Cheng, who had been silently observing him since Sun Tianba left.
"Master Tuoba, I apologize for stirring conflict between you and Boss Sun. If you're unhappy and seek revenge, I'm ready to face you," Ling Feng said, staring at Tuoba Cheng.
"Sun Tianba is of little consequence. You don't need to worry about him, Mr. Ling."
Tuoba Cheng took a deep breath while clenching his fists. Finally, as if making up his mind, he gritted his teeth and said, "Mr. Ling, please teach me your gambling skills!"