Little brother, you are truly formidable!

"Song Qiuling? It’s been a while, but you’re looking more radiant than ever," Lin He said, his narrow eyes narrowing even further as he spoke.

"What do you want?" Song Qiuling turned to face Lin He, a trace of disdain flickering in her gaze.

"It's not a big deal. It's just that my cousin needs a few Mystic Spirit Branches for the alchemy exam. I wonder if you, Miss Song, could spare some?" Lin He looked her over without restraint, his voice soft.

Sensing his gaze, the distaste in Song Qiuling’s eyes deepened.

"No. Get lost." Yu Daoyi suddenly appeared between them, grinning mischievously.

He hadn’t even gotten what he wanted yet—how could this guy cut in? He simply couldn’t stand people who acted all high and mighty. Such a useless fellow, yet he wouldn’t just stay home and act his part. Ugly people truly do make the most trouble.

The Lin family was always at odds with the Wang and Song families. With the formidable strength of the Lin family head, who was in the Foundation Establishment stage, they held sway over half the business in Qingshan Town among the four great families.

The Yu family kept a low profile and had little interaction with the Lin family. However, the younger generation had crossed paths a few times, so they recognized each other. Everyone knew that Lin He’s so-called cousin was Lin Tao, the Lin family head’s son, who was quite gifted and had some skill in alchemy.

Song Qiuling didn’t object to Yu Daoyi’s interference. Given the tense relationship between the Song and Lin families, there was no need to invite unnecessary trouble. Better to let him handle it. Thanks to this guy, the Song and Yu families had grown rather close, and so she showed no restraint.

"And who invited you?" Lin He frowned at Yu Daoyi. The Yu family was low-key, but as one of the four great families, he couldn’t just insult them outright.

"Oh, still no. Get lost," Yu Daoyi replied, the same cheerful grin on his face.

"It’s just a trivial matter. Everything is negotiable—no need to be so absolute. Or are you authorized to speak for the Song family in this?" Lin He prodded, his tone openly provocative.

"Mmm… yes, yes! Not giving it. Get lost." After a moment’s thought, Yu Daoyi shamelessly admitted it.

Lin He’s mouth twitched. This guy really wasn’t giving him any face. Fine—he would just ignore him.

“Song Qiuling, Miss Song, if my cousin finds out the Mystic Spirit Branches were a gift from you, he will surely be grateful,” Lin He said, turning to Song Qiuling and ignoring Yu Daoyi.

Song Qiuling’s brows furrowed at his persistence, a wave of disgust rising within her.

“I need them myself. Not giving them away.” Her voice was cool, tinged with disdain.

“Song Cheng, what do you think of people who are disliked, resented, even loathed for no reason at all and yet remain oblivious to it? Is there any hope for them?” Yu Daoyi exchanged a glance with Song Cheng, sighing dramatically.

“Ah, it’s always the ugly ones who cause the most trouble. Daoyi, why not endure him, yield to him, let him be, avoid him, be patient, or simply ignore him? Give it a few years, and you’ll see,” Song Cheng replied with a helpless shrug.

“See what?”

“See if he’s still around, of course. After all, those who bring trouble on themselves rarely last long.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. People like that should really avoid going out before noon in the future.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Daoyi?”

“Because trouble is bound to find them sooner or later.” Yu Daoyi shook his head and looked at Lin He with mock regret.

A vein throbbed furiously on Lin He’s forehead. This little rascal.

A faint, lovely smile curved Song Qiuling’s lips as she stole a glance at Yu Daoyi. Yes, every scoundrel meets their match.

“Yu Daoyi, don’t push your luck!”

“Why, Lin He, what’s with that face? Don’t tell me you think we’re talking about you? No, no, no—we just said you’re ugly. As for causing trouble, who could say?” The little troublemaker replied with exaggerated innocence.

“But if you really think we’re talking about you, then come hit me if you’re not convinced!” His tone suddenly shifted, his chin raised in open defiance.

How satisfying!

“You little brat—”

Lin He raised his hand, as if to slap him.

Suddenly, a sharp smack echoed through the hall.

A bright red handprint bloomed on Lin He’s left cheek.

The air froze.

“Were you about to say something?” No one noticed when Yu Yunfan had joined the crowd. He gazed at Lin He, his voice cold and quiet.

None of the Lin family members saw how he’d struck; naturally, they couldn’t stop him.

“Blood… it’s bleeding,” Lin He mumbled, touching the corner of his mouth.

His expression twisted with rage as he stared at the much younger boy before him.

“I said he’s a bas—”

Smack.

A matching handprint flared on his right cheek as Lin He collapsed to the floor.

“What were you about to say?” Yu Yunfan tilted his head slightly, repeating his question.

Brilliant, little brother!

Yu Daoyi watched in perfect silence from the side. This was more than satisfying—this was brotherly understanding at its finest.

“Why are you all just standing there? Didn’t you see me get hit?” Lin He snapped at his people, rubbing his burning face.

“Do you dare?” Yu Yunfan stepped forward, surging spiritual energy radiating from him. Anyone would believe he was at the ninth stage of Qi Refinement.

“N-ninth stage?” The Lin family’s followers hesitated, not wanting to risk a beating.

Lin He stared in disbelief.

Yu Daoyi knew the truth about him: his cultivation talent was mediocre at best. At fifteen, he’d barely reached the sixth stage of Qi Refinement thanks to medicinal aids, and his spiritual power was shaky. The pale complexion was a sign of overindulgence and forcibly boosting his cultivation with pills.

To witness a boy not yet ten exuding the aura of the ninth stage must have been truly shocking.

Everyone knew that even as the family head’s nephew, Lin He was just a dandy in the Lin household—nowhere near as valued as his cousin, Lin Tao. This whole incident was just an excuse to show off under Lin Tao’s name and snag a few Mystic Spirit Branches. Who could have guessed he’d provoke such an unexpected little monster?

“Little brother, they’re bullying your sweet, helpless older brother,” the troublemaker said with exaggerated pathos.

Plenty of people rely on women for support; me, I rely on my little brother. Nothing wrong with that! Feels great!

Yu Yunfan gave his brother a somewhat helpless look, but then turned away, heading toward Lin He.

Rough play was one thing, but actual violence was not allowed.

For insolence, a slap sufficed—some people simply weren’t worthy.

Lin He looked at the boy before him but could find no words.

“No fighting in the Celestial Pavilion. Any grudges, settle them outside.” A deep, resonant voice echoed from somewhere unseen.

Yu Yunfan stopped, frowning slightly, but said nothing.

“Pity, isn’t it, Lin He? I’d hoped you’d muster the nerve to try hitting me someday. After all, I admit I can be quite insufferable,” the troublemaker squatted before Lin He, speaking with a tone of mockery.

Lin He’s anger was palpable, but there was nothing he could do except glare fiercely.

This guy really was infuriating!

No doubt most of those present felt the same.

Song Cheng looked on with a hint of admiration—just a few words and Lin He had gone from standing to sitting on the floor.

A faint smile tugged at Song Qiuling’s lips.

In the distance, Xia Rong approached with a wry smile.

“Everyone, the owner has made it clear—no fighting is permitted inside the Celestial Pavilion. If it’s just about a few Mystic Spirit Branches, there’s no need for conflict. These aren’t particularly rare, nor are those of twenty years’ age hard to find. If you need them urgently, the owner says you can find them in the hills behind Qingshan Town.”

Yu Daoyi: “…”

Song Qiuling: “…”

Lin He: “…”