In the end, Wei Zhao's jab really was just a casual poke, carrying no force whatsoever. Yu Zhengliang blocked it almost effortlessly, without spending the slightest bit of true qi.

Was this whole thing nothing but bluster? A sense of humiliation washed over Yu Zhengliang, as though he had been played for a fool. He could not help but want to counter with all his strength—but the instant he relaxed, revealing only the faintest, utterly negligible flaw in the shift between offense and defense, a blue arc of lightning traced out from Wei Zhao's fingertip.

The arc pierced through his protective true qi in an instant. Yu Zhengliang felt his whole body go numb, and by the time he came to his senses, Wei Zhao had already swept a Wildfire Thousand Legs kick across his face. He was sent flying a full hundred meters and crashed to the ground, coughing up blood without pause.

A blue lightning arc plus Wildfire Thousand Legs—the power behind Wei Zhao's moves was not really much greater than that of the Heaven and Earth Palm. The scene was so one-sided purely because of a crushing gap in wits. Yu Zhengliang, senior disciple of the Qiangkun Sect, seemed seasoned enough, but against an opponent whose true body rivaled a titan of the Mountain-Opening stage, he was far, far too green.

Everyone in Snow Valley was struck dumb by the sight. Four formidable Heavenly Dao experts of the Qiangkun Sect—each of them insufferably arrogant—and not one of them could last even a single full exchange against Wei Zhao. Just how strong was this man?

"Hmph, hmph—this so-called Primordial Alliance of yours! You pack of blind little brats, you had the gall to come provoke Snow Valley, and now you know what happens, don't you!" Tang's mother sprang to life at the sight, bristling with vigor as she pointed at the gravely wounded Yu Zhengliang and the other three, seizing the chance to curse them out roundly. Her gift for scolding was something Wei Zhao could only despair of ever matching. At last she added smugly, "I told you all long ago—my son-in-law is wicked strong, one kick and he'd stomp you little brats to death. See? Now you're done for!"

The crowd exchanged glances. When had this woman ever said any such thing? Before this, she had had no idea Wei Zhao could return to save the day. If she had really said it, wouldn't she have been asking for a slap?

But no one was about to quibble over that now. Everyone knew Tang's mother was that sort of person, and besides, of everyone present, she was the one closest to Wei Zhao. The main reason Wei Zhao had rushed over to intervene was most likely thanks to her; otherwise, who knew how tragically this whole affair might have ended today.

"Valley Master Xue. How do you plan to deal with these four?" Wei Zhao turned to the newly installed valley master and asked.

At those words, everyone in Snow Valley perked up. Fortune truly did turn on its wheel—moments ago Yu Zhengliang and his three companions had been lording it over them, and now the tables had flipped so fast. Seeing the four in such a sorry, bedraggled state was deeply satisfying.

"I leave it entirely to President Lin's judgment," the new valley master said hurriedly. Most of Snow Valley's disciples had been injured this time, and everyone hated the four with a gnashing fury—yet she did not dare deal with them on her own authority. They were, after all, from the Primordial Alliance, and if the aftermath was not handled properly, Snow Valley still would not know peace.

"Fine, then let them roll on back. I will handle the Primordial Alliance." Wei Zhao shot Fei Yangsheng a look. The man was plainly born to play the henchman; he stepped up at once and kicked each of the half-dead four back onto their feet. Though Yu Zhengliang and the others were too badly hurt to move easily, they still gritted their teeth and scrambled and crawled their way out of Snow Valley, terrified Wei Zhao might go back on his word and silence them for good.

The four had clearly let their imaginations run away with them. Wei Zhao had no intention of falling out with the Primordial Alliance outright just yet—his primordial spirit body could not remain in the mortal world indefinitely, and at present he had only the strength of Foundation Establishment perfection, not enough to crush the entire Alliance singlehandedly. So unless driven to the last resort, he would not lightly begin a slaughter.

Surprising as Wei Zhao's decision was, watching Yu Zhengliang and the other three slink off in such wretched straits gave the Snow Valley crowd a measure of satisfaction. Apart from regret that they could not take their revenge with their own hands, no one had any complaint.

"Thank you for resolving this siege, President Lin. On behalf of every disciple of Snow Valley, I cannot express our gratitude enough. Snow Valley will forever keep President Lin's great kindness in mind," the new valley master said gravely.

"You're too kind. Snow Valley and I have deep ties; this was only my duty, no thanks needed." Wei Zhao waved a hand with a smile, then suddenly recalled Xue Li's instructions and asked, "By the way, how has Snow Valley fared these past few years?"

"All has been well these past few years—only today brought this turmoil." The new valley master gave a bitter smile, then looked Wei Zhao up and down, somewhat astonished. "President Lin, you've returned—does that mean the others have come back as well?"

"No, not exactly. My situation is rather unusual; this time it's only me." Wei Zhao shook his head. Seeing the other hesitate to speak, he laughed. "You're asking about Xue Li, aren't you? She's doing well. When I came back this time, she even asked me to pass along a message—she wants you all to set your minds at ease."

"Oh, oh—that's good, that's good." At that, the Snow Valley crowd breathed a collective sigh of relief, and smiles of comfort appeared on their faces. Xue Li, their former valley master, still held a warm place in their hearts here.

"President Lin, let's go inside and sit down. I'll have someone prepare a proper banquet. You and Snow Valley have deep ties, I know, but this time you've lifted such a great burden from us—at the very least, let us show a little of our gratitude," the new valley master proposed.

"That's right—Little Yi, you so rarely come back, so stay here a few more days," Tang's mother chimed in. Over the past few years she had scavenged no small trove of treasures from Snow Valley, and was already scheming to quietly slip them to Wei Zhao in private.

"Auntie, I really can't stay this time. I have to get back to Donghai City as soon as possible—the matter of the Primordial Alliance can't be delayed," Wei Zhao had no choice but to say.

"I see..." Tang's mother fell silent at once. For anything else she would have grabbed Wei Zhao and refused to let go without a second thought, but the Primordial Alliance was no small matter—especially after the harrowing experience of today, even she understood that mishandling this could lead to disaster. Anything else could wait; this alone absolutely could not.

The Snow Valley crowd shared the same thought, and spoke up at once: "In that case, next time you have a free moment, all of Snow Valley will await President Lin's honored visit."

"Very well. Take care, everyone—I'll be on my way." Wei Zhao bade farewell to Tang's mother and the Snow Valley crowd, then set off with Fei Yangsheng on the journey back to Donghai City. (To be continued.)

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