Despite his surprise, Zhang Yao did not panic too much. Instead, he revealed an expression that said victory was already within his grasp.

Pfft-

Boom!

As the three blades of astral wind struck, Zhang Yao remained unhurried. Raising both hands, he instantly condensed a half-person-tall pillar of fire.

The astral wind crashed into it. After a brief sway, the pillar of fire burned even more fiercely.

"Hahahaha!"

Zhang Yao laughed heartily. "Little Brother Yang, I admit your wind techniques have some skill, but do you not know the principle of wind fanning the flames? The result of this spar was actually decided from the very beginning."

Seeing this situation, Zhang Tianqi also revealed a smug expression. But when he looked toward Yang Guanfeng, he found him conversing with another child of the Yang family.

His complexion remained indifferent, as if he was not the least bit worried that Yang Lingrui would lose.

"Heh, feigning calmness is useless. If you refuse to accept your loss, I will definitely make you suffer!" Zhang Tianqi thought to himself.

"Linghu, if it were you, what would you do?" Yang Guanfeng asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Ancestor, if it were me, seeing the opponent use fire techniques, I would approach at the fastest speed. Even at the cost of trading injuries for a kill, I would end the battle quickly," Yang Linghu whispered.

"Mhm, it is a good method. But what if this was not a one-on-one arena spar, and you encountered them in the wilderness?"

"The wilderness?" Hearing this, Yang Linghu froze slightly, then a sly look appeared in his eyes.

"Then naturally I would run first. I would use my own advantages to open up the distance and hide, waiting until the opponent drops their guard to find an opportunity for a sneak attack!"

"Hehe, correct. When traveling outside, you must keep your wits sharp."

Saying this, the two looked toward the field once more.

At this moment, a bizarre scene was unfolding between the two combatants.

Zhang Yao controlled the pillar of fire, while Yang Lingrui seemed to have lost his mind, relentlessly blasting astral winds into it.

The originally half-person-tall pillar of fire had now surged higher than Zhang Yao himself.

"Is the kid from the Yang family out of his mind? Knowing full well that doing this only benefits his opponent, he still attacks like a madman."

Zhang Chen wore a speechless expression, but when he looked at Zhang Tianqi, he was stunned to find that the Family Head was actually frowning.

"Hm?"

He suddenly sensed that something was wrong. Taking a closer look at Zhang Yao, he realized the youth was already drenched in sweat.

With Yang Lingrui's continuous attacks, the fire pillar's expansion grew increasingly fierce. In the blink of an eye, it was about to reach one zhang tall!

"This!"

Only then did Zhang Chen realize the truth: the young cultivator from the Yang family was trying to gorge Zhang Yao to death!

It was true that the fire pillar had the ability to absorb techniques. Especially against wind techniques, it could not only absorb them but also strengthen itself.

But Zhang Yao only had a cultivation base at the second level of Qi Gathering. The current swollen size of the fire pillar had long surpassed the limits of his control.

"Damn it!"

On the field, Zhang Yao gritted his teeth, desperately trying to maintain the stability of the fire pillar.

He cursed inwardly, feeling utterly bewildered.

"Is this kid's spiritual power endless? How is he doing this!"

In a normal clash of spiritual techniques, he was confident he could gain the upper hand, though it would take some time.

He had summoned this pillar of fire hoping to force the opponent to back down. He thought it was a guaranteed victory, but never expected to end up riding a tiger, unable to dismount.

Because of its excessive expansion, the fire pillar was near losing control. Whether it eventually burst or he forcibly dispersed it, he would suffer heavy backlash.

Now, his only chance of winning was to pray that Yang Lingrui would exhaust his spiritual power first.

However, when he looked at his opponent, the howling astral wind was indeed not as fierce as it had been at the start, yet it was still far from completely draining the boy's spiritual power.

Looking at himself, his muscles were already trembling, and his consciousness was growing blurry.

In the eyes of the bystanders, Zhang Yao's defeat was only a matter of time. He alone was unwilling to give up, continuing to bitterly hold on.

Zhang Tianqi's brows knitted tightly, his expression exceedingly ugly. He had thought this mine would be easily acquired, yet he never expected the situation to turn out like this.

"Uncle, Brother Yao looks like he can't hold on..."

Zhang Chen stood beside him, his face full of concern, but in his heart, he was actually gloating over Zhang Yao's predicament.

"I told you to let me go. You lost, didn't you? Serves you right!"

Zhang Tianqi ignored him, merely taking a deep look at Yang Guanfeng before his figure flickered, arriving by Zhang Yao's side.

He reached out and grabbed toward the fiercely burning pillar of fire, dissolving it as easily as snuffing out a tiny flame.

At the same time, Yang Guanfeng also landed in the field. He placed a hand on Yang Lingrui's shoulder, dispersing the astral wind surrounding his body.

"Father, I haven't lost yet!"

Seeing this, Zhang Yao grew anxious and hurriedly spoke.

But as soon as he opened his mouth, he was harshly stopped by Zhang Tianqi.

"Shut up! Haven't you embarrassed us enough? If I had not stepped in just now, you would have been heavily injured by the blast of your own technique!"

After being reprimanded, Zhang Yao deflated, not daring to say another word.

"Brother Zhang, victory and defeat have been decided, and the ownership of this place is clear. Then I won't see you off."

"Family Head Yang, I have learned much today. Until we meet again."

Saying that, Zhang Tianqi led his people away from the mine.

"Father... I'm sorry."

On the way back to Sanglu Valley, Zhang Yao calmed down and opened his mouth to apologize to his father.

Zhang Tianqi did not continue to blame him. Instead, he said, "This matter cannot be entirely blamed on you. The fault also lies with me; I thought too simply of the Yang family."

"Too simply? Father, do you mean this Yang family has some background?"

"Whether they have a background is hard to say, but the cultivation methods they practice are definitely extraordinary."

Zhang Tianqi continued, "The matter of the mine requires long-term planning. Once our family opens that cave dwelling in the valley and obtains the treasure inheritance within, it will not be too late to settle accounts with the Yang family."

"Yes, Father." Zhang Yao nodded in compliance.

Walking to the side, Zhang Chen also nodded silently. Yet in his heart, he always felt that if it had been him today, he definitely would have won.

"The restrictions of that cave dwelling are incredibly powerful. It hasn't been opened in twenty years. Heaven knows how much more time it will take! Are we just going to let the Yang family take advantage of this mine for nothing?"

"Clearly our family is stronger! Where is the logic in backing down!"

"In the end, Uncle is biased. He doesn't see me as his own child, always letting Zhang Yao step forward for everything."

"Since he doesn't want me to stand out, then I will find a way myself. Just wait and see!"

Ultimately, he was too young. He looked at matters too simply, only seeing the surface, entirely failing to understand Zhang Tianqi's protection and nurturing of him.

Although his talent was outstanding, his temperament held him back.

Comparing the two, Yang Lingrui, who was in a similar situation, was more than just a bit stronger than him.

The dispute over the mine came to an end. Three days later, the Yang family's mining team arrived at the site.

Most of this team were commoners of different surnames from the south bank. Ever since they heard of the various benefits on the north bank, they had desperately yearned to obtain a spot. Upon hearing about the distant mine excavation, they had eagerly signed up to go.

Yang Linghu was left behind to guard the area. Before the situation stabilized, he would likely have to stay for a while.

Having spent a long time with Lingqing, he had been influenced by her and matured quite a bit.

When Yang Guanfeng questioned him earlier, he had already roughly understood the future arrangements.

The Yang family was continuously developing and expanding its influence. It was exactly a time when people were needed.

Lingrui cultivated, Lingqing managed the family, so matters of external duties would naturally fall upon him.

He had no complaints about this; on the contrary, he felt it was a good assignment.

Given his temperament, quiet cultivation was more of a miserable chore.

That night, after patrolling the mine, Yang Linghu returned to his quarters and found Yang Guanfeng there.

He was about to step forward and bow, but was stopped by Yang Guanfeng raising a hand.

"No need. I am just here to deliver something to you, then I will leave. Guarding the mine is arduous; rest early."

After Yang Guanfeng left, Yang Linghu looked at a small bottle placed on the table.

He stepped forward and opened it. The moment he felt the aura within, he understood everything.

"Hahahaha, that kid Lingrui is always so modest and yielding. How can I, his older brother, not feel ashamed."