The Lay Flat Life: My Wife's Cultivation Makes Me Stronger - Chapter 39

However, just as Ye Longyuan prepared to attack, Ye Longquan grabbed his arm and spoke in a cold voice.

“Second Brother, don’t fall for it. Our goal is to provoke this guy into fighting you one-on-one, not to start an all-out battle with the Jiang family. It’s still early in the secret realm, and fighting them now would be pointless. The Jiang family is strong, and even if we wipe them out, we’ll lose some of our people too.

How will we compete with the other families for Immortal Spirit Crystals if we’re weakened?”

Ye Longquan’s analysis was calm and logical. The secret realm wasn’t just filled with their two groups—there were many other factions and solo disciples competing for the Spirit Crystals. Starting a bloody conflict with the Jiang family right away wasn’t worth the cost.

Ye Longyuan’s face darkened, but he nodded in agreement. He turned back to Han Feng and said,

“Han Feng, my target has always been you, not the Jiang family. I have no quarrel with them—I just want a duel with you.

Jiang Surou may want to protect you, but that doesn’t mean the entire Jiang family will defend you. If you’re a real man, don’t drag the Jiang family into this. Come fight me alone; otherwise, you’ll end up getting them all killed.”

Before Han Feng could respond, Jiang Surou stepped forward and spoke sharply.

“First of all, Han Feng is my Dao partner, which makes him part of the Jiang family. Our family has always stood together. If we refuse to help him today, what will happen tomorrow when other members of our family are in trouble? Should we abandon them too?

You can stop trying to sow discord. The unity of the Jiang family isn’t something you can break apart so easily.

Secondly, even if we lose this fight, it will be because the Ye family attacked us. Don’t try to shift the blame. Are we supposed to hate Han Feng because he’s being targeted by bullies like you? Shouldn’t we be angry at those who are attacking us instead?

Lastly, even without Han Feng, do you expect us to believe that you wouldn’t attack us later when it comes time to fight for the Spirit Crystals? The result would be the same either way. You’re just trying to make us turn against him so you can weaken us. What a cunning and deceitful plan you’ve come up with! But do you really think the Jiang family will fall for such a vile trick?”

Jiang Surou’s words instantly snapped the Jiang family disciples out of their daze. Her logic was sound—they realized they had almost fallen for Ye Longyuan’s manipulation.

Even though they didn’t particularly like Han Feng, he was still on their side. If they handed him over to the enemy now, how could they hold their heads high in the sect after that? They would become a laughingstock.

Outside the secret realm, in the main plaza of the sect, most of the crowd’s attention was focused on the confrontation between the Jiang and Ye families.

Both families were prominent in the sect, and their rivalry had drawn even more attention due to last month’s matchmaking event, where Jiang Surou had chosen Han Feng over Ye Longyuan. This drama had captured the imaginations of many disciples.

After all, who doesn’t love some juicy gossip?

Everyone was eager to see how this situation would play out.

In the section reserved for the Jiang family, Jiang Surou’s parents sat together, flanked by her older brother and sister.

Her father watched the scene unfold and nodded approvingly. “Our daughter may not speak much, but she has a sharp mind and quick wit. When it matters most, she knows how to defend her own and keep our family united. She didn’t fall for that villain’s scheme—well done.”

Jiang Surou’s mother also nodded in agreement. “Yes, she handled it well. I used to think highly of that Ye family boy, but now I see how vicious he truly is. To resort to such underhanded tricks… what a despicable person.

Thank goodness our daughter didn’t choose him. Her life would’ve been ruined.”

Jiang Surou’s sister, however, sneered. “And choosing this servant disciple was the right choice? A useless waste hiding behind his Dao partner’s skirt, spewing empty words—what kind of future does he have?”

Hearing this, Jiang Surou’s father snorted in disapproval. “As long as my daughter is happy, that’s all that matters. When you chose your Dao partner, did I interfere? I let you pick whoever you wanted.”

Her sister smiled smugly. “Of course, Father is the best. But the man I chose is a top-tier alchemist with high-grade Earth Spirit Roots—far better than that servant boy.”

Jiang Surou’s father sighed. “After this ceremony is over, we’ll bring that boy home. I’ll personally examine him and provide him with some resources—herbs, pills, whatever it takes to improve his constitution. My daughter’s Dao partner can’t remain a waste forever. If he improves his cultivation, it will benefit both him and Jiang Surou through dual cultivation.”

Jiang Huayang chuckled and remarked, “Father, you don’t need to worry about that. That boy will surprise you.”

“Oh? Does he have some hidden talent that I haven’t noticed?” his father asked curiously.

“You’ll see,” Jiang Huayang replied with a mysterious smile, refusing to say more.

Back inside the secret realm…

Ye Longyuan’s face grew darker after being rebuked by Jiang Surou. He ignored her and turned his cold gaze back to Han Feng.

“Han Feng, I’ll say it one last time: my target is you. Come out and face me, and this can end quickly.

If you refuse, that’s fine. I remember you have a good friend named Wang Mian, right? You’ve known each other for five years—you’re practically brothers. Well, he’s here in this secret realm too.

Go ahead, hide behind your Dao partner all you want. Once I find your friend, we’ll see if you stay hidden then.

Oh, and just so you know—I’ve reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining. Catching a fourth-layer servant disciple like him will be child’s play.”

With that final threat, Ye Longyuan waved his hand and flew off with his group.

Han Feng’s face darkened as he watched them leave.

He had been trying to keep Wang Mian away from him, but it seemed his worst fear had come true. Ye Longyuan planned to use Wang Mian as leverage against him.

Han Feng thought carefully. Even if he fought Ye Longyuan now and somehow won, the rest of the fifty-plus Ye family disciples would overwhelm him afterward.

The only option left was to leave the Jiang family group and find Wang Mian before Ye Longyuan did. He needed to get Wang Mian to the statue, offer his Spirit Crystals, and safely exit the secret realm.

That was the only way he could protect his friend.

The Jiang family couldn’t be expected to help—after all, they had their own mission to collect Spirit Crystals. And while they’d protect Han Feng, they had no reason to protect Wang Mian.

But if Han Feng moved alone, there was little chance the Ye family would catch him.

After all, with his Heavenly Wind Spirit Root at the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Refining, Han Feng’s speed was unmatched in this secret realm.

He might not win in a direct fight, but there was no way anyone could catch him if he decided to run.