Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 896 - 896 0544 Understanding the Priorities of the

Chapter 896: Chapter 0544: Understanding the Priorities of the Matter_1 Chapter 896: Chapter 0544: Understanding the Priorities of the Matter_1 Chapter 0544: Determining Urgency and Priority

Under the deliberate flattery of the other cultivators sharing the courtyard, the wine flowed liberally, or at least it appeared that way on the surface, fostering a more harmonious atmosphere among them, no longer filled with the eagerness to spectate that had been present when Qi Tian first arrived.

Just as the drinking session was about to come to an end, several cultivators approached with a menacing aura, carrying the man whose walnut eyes Qi Tian had kicked out earlier on a stretcher. The leading cultivator shouted, “Who was it that had the gall to kick my brother and injure him severely? Show yourself immediately, bow your head in apology, and make reparation for my brother’s losses!”

Just as Qi Tian was about to stand up, a cultivator drinking beside him hurriedly grasped his arm and said, “Brother, heed my advice. We cannot provoke this man; he is Liu Jingyi, the captain of the second guard team from the City Lord’s Mansion. He is in charge of all the second-tier guards there, and unlike us, he practices Dual Cultivation of Spells and Body and possesses the strength of the fifth level at the Foundation Establishment Stage. We can’t afford to offend him.”

Qi Tian smiled and stood up anyway, his expression calm as he said, “It was me. What do you want to do about it?”

“Heh, what do I want to do? It’s about what you should do. If you know what’s good for you, do as I just said: bow your head in apology to my brother and compensate for his losses. If you comply, we can end this matter here. But if you ignore my advice, don’t blame us for not being polite. Don’t cry out in misery when it gets rough later,” Liu Jingyi said coldly.

“So, you want me to kneel? I won’t kneel. Maybe you should demonstrate it for me,” Qi Tian replied with a disdainful laugh.

A flash of cold light passed through Liu Jingyi’s eyes as his expression turned furious. He swung his hand towards Qi Tian, intending to teach Qi Tian a lesson in respecting him as the captain of the second team.

But before his hand could reach Qi Tian’s face, Qi Tian’s foot had already shot out, striking Liu Jingyi squarely in the abdomen. Despite being the captain of the second guard team and being far wealthier than the other cultivators present, carrying several Defensive Magical Artifacts on him, these artifacts sprang into action just as Qi Tian’s foot was about to make contact. For a moment, particularly around his abdomen, numerous runes flickered, attempting to protect Liu Jingyi.

The cultivators who had come with Liu Jingyi were familiar with the power of these runes. In their previous sparring sessions with Liu Jingyi, they had never been able to break through these rune defenses, often ending up hurting themselves instead. They had thought Qi Tian would meet the same fate, but to their shock, they witnessed an unbelievable scene—the seemingly indestructible runes shattered like paper upon contact with Qi Tian’s flying kick, offering not even the slightest resistance.

In the blink of an eye, Qi Tian’s foot had connected with Liu Jingyi’s abdomen, sending him flying backwards, tumbling across the ground several times before coming to a stop.

Qi Tian walked over and kicked Liu Jingyi lightly, saying, “Hey, I told you, I won’t kneel. Maybe you can teach me how?”

Liu Jingyi, completely dazed by Qi Tian’s kick, realized the vast gulf between their strengths. He didn’t dare utter another harsh word and, despite the intense pain in his abdomen, he managed to get up from the ground and knelt before Qi Tian, pleading, “Brother—no, grand elder, I failed to recognize a hidden gem and have offended you. I apologize and beg your forgiveness.”

Qi Tian snorted coldly, “Hmph. Considering your sincere apology, I will forgive you. Remember to keep yourself and your subordinates in line and do not trouble me further. If there is a next time, I won’t be so forgiving. Now leave.”

Liu Jingyi scrambled up from the ground, and despite the excruciating pain throughout his body, he had his dazed subordinates carry away the man with walnut eyes.

Qi Tian turned around to look and saw that the few cultivators from before, who had happily drunk wine and conversed with him, now looked at him with fear in their eyes. Just when they had reluctantly accepted that Qi Tian was slightly stronger than the man with walnut eyes, it had not been long before Qi Tian kicked Liu Jingyi, captain of the second guard team, sending him flying even more swiftly than he had the other man. Didn’t this mean that Qi Tian’s strength far surpassed Liu Jingyi’s? Was Qi Tian even human? They dared not jest with Qi Tian any longer; what if they accidentally offended him with their words? They couldn’t imagine how Qi Tian might deal with them then.

Seeing such a scene unfold before his eyes, Qi Tian suddenly felt disinterested. His original intent had merely been to integrate himself with the guards of the City Lord’s Mansion, seeking not to be an outcast. Now, it all seemed futile, and with no mood left to indulge them anymore, he no longer wished to feign interest. These people, who wouldn’t dare utter a word in front of him back at the Imperial Master Mansion, held no benefits for Qi Tian; he no longer bothered with them.

Qi Tian said, “Continue drinking; I’m feeling tired and will go rest.”

“Sure, go rest.”

Qi Tian shook his head subtly as he returned to his room. He had yet to arrange the daily necessities he had just purchased when he heard noisy disturbances from the courtyard. Shortly after, someone knocked on his door and spoke respectfully from outside, “Immortal master, the young master has decreed your promotion to first-class guard. There’s no need for you to stay here any longer; you may move to a better courtyard.”