C73 Ma Family's Family Head

"Do you have a death wish?"

The newcomer was a middle-aged man, somewhere between his forties and fifties, bearing a resemblance to the Ma family's young master.

Upon witnessing Han Feng's successful takedown of Ma Si, the middle-aged man erupted in fury and launched an immediate attack.

"Firepaw!"

With a swift motion, the man extended his hand, summoning a claw of pale crimson flames. The fiery talon burst forth, its True Qi tethered to the man's palm, continuously fueling its power.

Lin Qingshan let out a disdainful snort.

"Thunder Whip!"

A whip of purple light lashed out, shattering the Firepaw in an instant.

The middle-aged man, taken aback, ceased his assault on Han Feng, casting a wary glance at Lin Qingshan.

Han Feng, relieved, wiped the sweat from his brow. Had it not been for Sister Lin's intervention, he was certain he would have sustained grave injuries.

He quickly moved to Lin Qingshan's side.

Speculation buzzed among the onlookers.

"The Ma Family Head has arrived. He clearly dotes on his son."

"Naturally, that's his legitimate son."

"The Ma Family Head is a peak Six-star warrior on the cusp of advancing to the Seven-star Human Rank within the next couple of years, reaching the late stages of Human Rank."

"Indeed. Should the Ma Family Head achieve that level, the Ma family will become the most formidable clan in Renkang City."

"This lady could be in trouble."

"Perhaps not. Did you see how she effortlessly countered the Ma Family Head's technique? She may well be his equal in strength."

"Really? But she looks to be in her twenties. How could she be that powerful?"

"Don't measure her by Renkang City's yardstick. Remember the young lad who reached One-star Human Rank at thirteen or fourteen? This woman is his sister. Who knows the extent of her abilities?"

"You've got a point there!"

The Ma Family Head's gaze on Lin Qingshan was grave. She might appear delicate, but he sensed a threat like never before.

The Ma Family Head's expression turned grim. "Miss, after inflicting grave injuries on my son and slaying two of our Ma Family's Human Rank masters, don't you think an explanation is in order?"

Lin Qingshan replied coolly, "That's a question for your son, not me."

The Ma Family Head clenched his jaw, well aware of the situation at hand.

His body thrummed with True Qi, his gaze icy.

What did it matter if these two had powerful connections? Once he advanced to the Late Period of Human Rank and seized control of Renkang City, sealing off any news, who would be the wiser?

If Lin Qingshan were privy to his thoughts, she'd surely scoff at the Ma Family Head's naive arrogance.

The influence of a Great Power was far from the simplicity he imagined.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have fled Xuanxing City.

And his ambition to dominate Renkang City? Utterly impossible.

Renkang City was already under the Great Jin Nation's jurisdiction, and within a few years, a City Lord would be appointed. With a City Lord in charge, the Ma family's chances of ruling were nil.

Unless they fancied themselves adversaries of the Great Jin Nation.

But the Ma family was no match for the nation's might; the Great Jin could crush them with the slightest effort.

How many cities in the Great Jin Nation stood independent?

Even those with one or two Heaven Ranked Experts couldn't hope for autonomy.

The Ma Family Head, with his limited vision, failed to foresee the repercussions of his actions.

Narrowing his eyes, the Ma Family Head declared sternly, "No matter who you are, you've harmed my son, and you won't leave here unscathed."

"Nine Flame Hands!"

The Ma Family Head, a Six-star Human Rank, was engulfed in flames, from which nine fiery limbs emerged, each one menacing and clawed.

"You're seeking your own demise!"

Lin Qingshan extended her hand, "Thunder Whip!"

Five beams of purple light burst forth.

The nine Firepaw claws, once fiercely outstretched, were reduced to ash by the barrage of light.

The Ma Family Head's face turned ashen.

He could never have anticipated that his mightiest technique would be so effortlessly shattered.

The Martial Cultivators nearby gasped in shock.

A Six-star Human Rank expert, of which there were fewer than five in all of Renkang City, had been defeated with such ease.

The Ma Family Head inwardly cursed his misfortune. Facing such a formidable figure, he realized he was out of his depth. Just as he was about to plead for mercy, Lin Qingshan gestured, and a powerful force yanked the Ma Family Head toward her, causing him to crash to the ground at her feet.

Lin Qingshan's voice cut through the air, addressing the Ma family servants outside, "If you wish to retrieve your Family Head, you'll need to trade with Spirit Stones that meet our approval."

She then stepped onto the Ma Family Head's back, eliciting a wrenching scream from him.

Han Feng watched the Ma Family Head's plight and touched his nose thoughtfully.

Yet, he couldn't help but wonder. The Ma family might be influential in Renkang City, but it was a minor city at best. Could their Spirit Stones really be of high quality?

The majority were likely to be of the lowest quality. Medium-grade lower-tier Spirit Stones were scarce, and upper-tier lower-grade ones were almost certainly beyond their reach.

Such Spirit Stones would be of no use to Sister Lin.

In a hushed tone, Lin Qingshan enlightened Han Feng, "You fool, these Spirit Stones are intended for you. You've just advanced to Human Rank and need them for your cultivation."

"My own supply of Spirit Stones is running low. Our next stop is the Profound grade city. Near such cities, Spirit Veins are common, and there's an abundance of lower-grade Spirit Stones. We can hunt for Devil Cores and trade them for more stones."

A warmth spread through Han Feng's heart, and he smiled gratefully, "Thank you."

With a moment's reflection, Han Feng grasped the situation. Sister Lin had been a fugitive for so long; even if she started with a considerable stash of Spirit Stones, how many could she have left now?

The Ma family servants outside shuddered and beat a hasty retreat.

The surrounding Martial Cultivators swallowed hard and quietly dispersed.

None of them dared to provoke Lin Qingshan. My goodness, she had subdued a Six-star Human Rank expert with a single move. She was at the very least in the Late Period of Human Rank, and quite possibly at the Peak of Human Rank.

To them, such a powerhouse was no longer merely untouchable.

The Ma family Elders, upon receiving the news from their servants, were visibly shaken, their complexions turning a ghastly pale.

At that moment, these Elders harbored a deep resentment towards Ma Si, the Young Master of the Ma family. Were it not for his actions, the Ma family would never have been reduced to such dire straits.

The Elders conveniently overlooked the fact that their indulgence had played a part in the Young Master's reckless behavior.

Ultimately, the Great Elder of the Ma family resigned himself to the situation and took a substantial amount of Spirit Stones to the inn to ransom their Family Head.

They had no other choice. The Ma family's strength hinged on this sole Six-star Human Rank expert.