The Sword God of the Universe

"The Song Family's actions are really too much!"

Jing Yan could understand why the Zhang Family was unwilling to step forward. The gap between the Zhang Family and the Song Family was like the one between the Jing Family and the Zhao Family in the past. Had Jing Yan not emerged unexpectedly to fight in the great battle between the Jing Family and the Zhao Family, the Jing Family would certainly have been the one to be exterminated.

The Zhang Family was also afraid of bringing disaster upon itself.

"The Song Family even captured my brother and said that if we can't meet their demands within seven days, they will kill my brother first and then annihilate the entire Fiery Flame Adventure Team," Gao Feng continued. "Four days have already passed; there are only three days left until the Song Family's deadline."

Gao Feng was telling all this to Jing Yan just as someone to confide in. She did not think Jing Yan could be of any help. Nor did she want Jing Yan's assistance. Facing a behemoth like the Song Family, getting Jing Yan involved would only put him in danger.

Gao Feng absolutely did not want to see Jing Yan at risk.

"Gao Feng, let me talk to the Song Family," said Jing Yan, narrowing his eyes.

"What?" Gao Feng uttered without thinking.

"That won't do!" Gao Feng quickly added. "The Song Family people are completely unreasonable."

"It doesn't matter. If they refuse to be reasonable, then we can be just as unreasonable," Jing Yan said, smirking at the corner of his mouth.

Gao Feng's eyes widened as she looked at Jing Yan.

"Jing Yan, do you have five hundred thousand Spirit Stones?" Gao Feng asked, incredulous.

Jing Yan's intention to talk with the Song Family surely meant negotiating terms. One of the two conditions set by the Song Family was a compensation of five hundred thousand Spirit Stones. If Jing Yan didn't have that many Spirit Stones, what was there to discuss?

"Yes, I do have enough Spirit Stones!" Jing Yan nodded.

"But... Five hundred thousand Spirit Stones... We at Fiery Flame don't know when we could repay that!" Gao Feng's brows knitted together.

"No need to hurry, you can pay it back whenever you have it," Jing Yan waved off the concern.

Gao Feng began to ponder deeply.

After a moment's thought, she finally nodded, "Alright then!"

There really was no other option!

If it had only involved her, Gao Feng could disregard it, willing to die if need be. But now, this matter not only concerned her but also her brother Gao Zhan and the entire Fiery Flame Adventure Team.

If Jing Yan could produce five hundred thousand Spirit Stones, perhaps this crisis could be peacefully resolved.

For Jing Yan's willingness to help, Gao Feng pressed her gratitude deep into her heart.

Thinking about it, her relationship with Jing Yan wasn't particularly profound. The only time they interacted was two years ago. Even though the Fiery Flame Adventure Team had done Jing Yan a small favor back then, it was nothing significant, and Jing Yan had already compensated them for their help; he owed them nothing.

Both of them stood up and left the guest room in the Zhang Family Mansion. Jing Yan was preparing to follow Gao Feng to the Fiery Flame Adventure Team's base.

Before leaving the Zhang Family Mansion, he went to see Zhang Yibing. It wouldn't be proper to leave the Zhang Family premises without any notice.

Inside the dwelling where Clan Chief Zhang resided.

"Clan Chief Zhang, I need to leave the Zhang Family Mansion for a few days. Gao Feng is my friend, she's in trouble, and I must help her," Jing Yan told Zhang Yibing.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yibing's expression changed slightly, and he looked at Jing Yan, surprised. He truly didn't expect Jing Yan to be willing to help Gao Feng. But considering the resources Jing Yan had casually given to Zhang Yu, Zhang Yibing came to terms with it. The five hundred thousand Spirit Stones demanded by the Song Family should be manageable for Jing Yan.

However, Zhang Yibing thought Jing Yan had greatly underestimated the Song Family's shamelessness. In his view, this matter was definitely not something that could be solved with just five hundred thousand Spirit Stones. The Song Family's greed would exceed Jing Yan's expectations.

"Jing Yan! Don't rush to decide. I think it's better for you to understand the Song Family more before you do anything. This issue won't be easily resolved," Zhang Yibing advised.

He genuinely didn't want to see Jing Yan get swallowed whole by the Song Family.

"It's alright," Jing Yan said with a smile, shaking his head.

Seeing Jing Yan's determination, Zhang Yibing didn't push further. After all, Jing Yan wasn't a member of the Zhang Family and didn't have much connection with them. Since Jing Yan was insistent on helping Gao Feng, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to say too much.

"Friend Jing Yan, since you've made up your mind, I won't say more," said Clan Chief Zhang.

"Mm, then I shall take my leave!" Jing Yan said, turning to walk away.

"This Jing Yan, is there something wrong with his brain?" an elder commented with a frown.

"So young, haha, to think a bit of strength can solve all problems," another elder sneered.

They believed Jing Yan definitely had some capability, at least of the Innate Realm. But a mere Innate Realm trying to negotiate with the Song Family? It was pure folly. The Song Family had Martial Artists of the Dao Spirit Realm.

Zhang Yibing and the others didn't think that Gao Feng hadn't told Jing Yan about the Song Family's situation. But since Jing Yan still decided to intervene, they could only conclude his thinking was far too simplistic.

"When the Song Family drains him dry, he'll know just how much he'll regret not listening to your advice, Clan Chief."

"Hmm, too naive. Thinking he's a student from Dao Yi Academy with plenty of Spirit Stones, he believes there's nothing he can't handle, tsk tsk... In the eyes of the Song Family, he's just a fat sheep."

"Regret? He probably won't even get the chance, the Song Family might just kill him!"

Several elders spoke, shaking their heads.

The Zhang Family certainly didn't think Jing Yan could resolve this issue. By intervening, Jing Yan was simply playing with fire.

Jing Yan and Gao Feng left the Zhang Family Mansion, and after half an hour, they arrived at the base of the Fiery Flame Adventure Team.

The Fiery Flame Adventure Team was not comprised of only one Fiery Flame adventure group. The team led by the Gao siblings was just one of their adventure groups. Within this adventure group, there were a total of four such teams.

The leader of the adventure group was also an Innate Martial Artist. However, this adventure group had only one Innate Martial Artist, and overall, it was still quite a low-level group. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been difficult for them to come up with five hundred thousand Spirit Stones in cash.

"Jing Yan, this is Li Yong, Team Leader of our adventure group!" Gao Feng introduced Jing Yan to a sturdy man in black clothing.

"Team Leader Li, pleasure to meet you." Jing Yan greeted with a smile.

"Welcome!" Li Yong replied with a solemn nod, then turned to Gao Feng with a puzzled look.

Gao Feng had gone to the Zhang Family for assistance, he knew, and was anxiously awaiting the outcome. But now, Gao Feng had returned with a young Martial Artist, leaving him to wonder what was going on.

"Team Leader Li, about the Zhang Family..." he began to inquire.

Gao Feng shook her head, "Team Leader, the Zhang Family doesn't wish to get involved."