"Hold your hand, sir, there's been a misunderstanding." Xiao Buyu darted out, facing the green-clad maiden. His initially indifferent expression instantly grew solemn, tinged with surprise and uncertainty. "My lady, please quell your thunderous wrath; this is likely just a misunderstanding. Allow this old man to explain a thing or two to you."

"A misunderstanding? This joke isn't funny at all. If my sister and I were merely ordinary sheltered young ladies, even if we didn't lose our lives at the hands of this idiot right here, we'd probably be forcibly abducted by you lot, subjected to endless humiliation and wanton abuse? Is this how people belonging to the Wind and Snow Silver City conduct themselves? Explain? If it weren't for us sisters, would you even offer an explanation? Is there even a need for one?" The green-clad maiden’s eyes chilled, staring coldly at Xiao Buyu, her murderous intent completely undiminished; in fact, it intensified.

Naturally, Xiao Buyu was no match for Xiao Han. Even as the green-clad maiden’s aura surged, bringing killing intent upon him, he was not entirely without the ability to resist. It was just that the pressure was immense, making him feel nearly crushed under the burden.

However, ignorance is bliss. Until this moment, although Xiao Han felt the terrifying aura of the green-clad maiden, relying on Xiao Buyu's backing, he still failed to grasp the immediate danger. How could he know that Xiao Buyu, whom he regarded as an insurmountable wall, was himself barely holding on?

Facing such a surging, astonishing, and cold-blooded murderous intent, Xiao Buyu, who was striving to resist, suddenly broke out in a cold sweat from the back of his neck. This feeling was precisely akin to being targeted by an intensely venomous viper—one whose speed, agility, and power far surpassed his own!

In that instant, an icy chill pierced Xiao Buyu from the crown of his head all the way down to his tailbone, because he finally remembered who this green-clad maiden was! If he couldn't guess now, he was utterly unworthy of being called someone closest to the Supreme Experts!

"Your Excellency, please quell your anger. Fengwu and Han'er are both young and inexperienced. What they said just now was idle talk, without malice. I implore you, Your Excellency, please do not take offense. I shall immediately have them apologize to you." At this moment, Xiao Buyu felt an urge to furiously slap his own face, regretting his actions so deeply his intestines turned green. Damn it, I’ve truly gone senile! This familiar aura, these familiar clothes, those piercingly malicious eyes—apart from the difference in facial features, wasn't this the Snake King of the Heavenly Punishment Forest?

However, since the other party was unwilling to reveal her true appearance, it meant she intended to conceal her identity. If he rashly spoke it aloud, he would truly be courting death and giving profound offense.

As for that white-robed maiden... the Snake King’s elder sister, a young lady surnamed Mei... Heavens above! Let me die! I actually plotted to instruct my own grandson, and even encourage my grandson, to take the Snake King’s elder sister as a wife, or at least a concubine! This is utter madness, a complete drain on my brainpower! Even a genuine idiot couldn't be this foolish! If this story got out, wouldn't it become a huge joke? Judging by the respect the Snake King showed her, this elder sister, though perhaps slightly weaker than Venerable Mei, certainly wouldn't be weak by much. Among beasts, the strong are revered; without strength, you are nothing! Moreover, she... she is surnamed Mei! Could she be Venerable Mei’s sister?

It was perhaps understandable that he thought this way, as Venerable Mei had always been regarded by the world as a man! Furthermore, a man on the verge of old age. But the white-robed maiden before him was not only peerlessly beautiful but also possessed the fresh, jade-like beauty of youth.

Xiao Buyu paid no heed, not even a glance, to the approaching army of Jun Wuyi. He didn't even hear it. Deaf and blind to it all, he was frozen in shock. Heavens, what have I done? I just instructed my grandson to brazenly flirt with Venerable Mei's sister, and I even cursed the Snake King as a cheap slut!

Xiao Buyu swayed precariously. Damn it all, even bad luck doesn't come this strong! Why did I allow that scoundrel Xiao Han to run wild and follow him on this venture? Isn't this no different from seeking death? Thinking of this, Xiao Buyu couldn't help but glare fiercely at Xiao Han. Damn you, if you hadn't gone berserk, why would we have stopped? If we hadn't stopped, how could we have encountered these two fiends? If we hadn't encountered them, how would we have conceived the idea of flirting... If you hadn't cursed her as a slut, why would the Snake King be so furious?

Now that the Xiao family had firmly established the mysterious high-level expert as an insurmountable foe, we already had an enemy too powerful to challenge. If we now also antagonize the Beast Kings of the Heavenly Punishment Forest, the Ice and Snow Silver City won't need Venerable Mei to lift a finger; the Xuan Beasts of the Heavenly Punishment Forest alone would make our city the next Blood Soul Manor—utterly annihilated!

You... you... are truly a harbinger of misfortune, a demon that invites trouble! Establishing the Jun family as an enemy and provoking that supreme powerhouse was all because of you, kid. Now, provoking the Beast Kings of the Heavenly Punishment Forest is also because of you!

"Wind and Snow Silver City! What a grand name, daring to flirt with my elder sister and curse me... Hmph, truly great spirit! As expected of descendants from a noble family!" The Snake King, Qianxun, swept her electric-cold gaze over the seventeen individuals before her and coldly declared, "This matter is absolutely not over. I will surely visit Silver City later and demand an accounting from that old bastard Han Fengxue! Is this how he educates his subordinates?"

The Snake King’s voice remained clearly audible amidst the increasingly close thunderous hoofbeats of the approaching army. But only Xiao Buyu heard it. As for the others from the Wind and Snow Silver City, they still had no idea that they had just provoked immense trouble. However, seeing Xiao Buyu so abjectly humble, even apologizing profusely, they surmised that these two women must be people of great standing, certainly no ordinary individuals.

Xiao Fengwu's eyes brightened even further: If this white-robed woman was truly from some hidden aristocratic family, wouldn't his status in Silver City soar even higher if he managed to marry her? Hmm... If she truly is a descendant of a hidden family, then his dream of having two women might have to be abandoned. But as long as she proves worthy, giving up Princess Han would be acceptable; I would even consider marrying into her family. To have such a peerless beauty by my side surpasses that spoiled little princess by far!

It must be said, human thoughts are endless. Even at this critical juncture, Xiao Fengwu was still contemplating this—vainly dreaming of having two women, even entertaining the notion of marrying in—truly deserving of admiration.

Although Xiao Han possessed initial-stage Tianxuan cultivation, most of it was gained by relying on elders to clear his meridians and consuming vast amounts of spiritual medicine. He rarely achieved breakthroughs through his own arduous cultivation. Therefore, while his Tianxuan strength was genuine, it was in no way comparable to those Tianxuan experts who achieved their power through genuine self-cultivation accumulation. This was why Mu Xuetong could vaguely sense something amiss, yet he himself remained oblivious, still believing that his own grandfather, Xiao Buyu, was an indestructible, steadfast pillar of support.

Thus, Xiao Han’s gaze was never drawn to the green-clad maiden. He had no idea what kind of trouble he had stirred up; his focus was solely on the rising dust cloud in the south, his eyes blazing with bloody battle lust! Jun Wuyi, you’re finally here! I’ve waited for you for a long time! Today is your death day!

Xiao Buyu, the only one who grasped the situation, was completely stunned and frantic! Yet, he dared not speak out a warning. The current situation still offered room for negotiation, but if he truly exposed the other party’s identity, there would be no path left except for a fight! A fight? Could they win? Their side's strength was indeed formidable, enough to look down upon their contemporaries, but that depended on whom they were compared against. The Snake King alone possessed power at least equivalent to the Cold-Blooded Supreme, Lei Wubei—his group might not even be able to take her down. And then there was that mysterious, unfathomable Lady Mei, who seemed even stronger than the Snake King!

Even taking a step back, setting aside the fact that they likely couldn't win, if they did fight and sustained any losses, it would inevitably invite the full wrath of the Heavenly Punishment Forest. The Silver City's strength would be useless against such powerful forces! While the Wind and Snow Silver City was undoubtedly world-class, the Heavenly Punishment Forest was the unique supreme danger zone, renowned as the foremost dangerous locale, on par with the Three Great Holy Lands!

In that moment, Xiao Buyu, the top expert of the Wind and Snow Silver City, the Second Master Xiao of the "Moving Clouds and Flowing Rain," the mighty being closest to the Supreme Experts, was utterly thrown into disarray.

"Are these people even worthy of you lifting a hand? It would only dirty your hands. Just find that old scoundrel Han Fengxue and punish him for negligent discipline, then leave." At this point, the white-robed maiden, who had remained silent, finally spoke. But her light, indifferent words nearly caused the seventeen people, including Xiao Buyu, to choke with rage...

"Mhm, Elder Sister speaks wisely, Little Sister obeys Elder Sister’s command." The Snake King, Qianxun, nodded respectfully, then turned to Xiao Buyu and asked coldly, "Tell me, why are you here?"

"Heh heh, I won't hide it from... young lady. This is due to a private grudge between my Xiao family and the Jun family. Han'er is determined to have a one-on-one battle with that Jun Wuyi right here, as a man!" Xiao Buyu had intended to say, "I won't hide it from the Snake King," but suddenly remembered the other party was disguised and likely wished to conceal her identity, so he quickly changed his wording.

He spoke vaguely about the explanation, briefly recounting the situation, his gaze fixed on the rapidly approaching army in the distance, his expression heavy, his tone utterly listless. At this point, he had no interest whatsoever in letting Xiao Han challenge Jun Wuyi. Although the immediate crisis had been temporarily averted by the words of the white-robed Lady Mei, this matter was far from over in the long term. That single phrase—"Just find that old scoundrel Han Fengxue and punish him for negligent discipline"—already signified that they had brought an insurmountable, powerful enemy upon the Ice and Snow Silver City!

This truly felt like shooting oneself in the foot while drinking cold water and blocking one's front teeth with a slab of meat. For one person to be this unlucky was a strange tale for the ages. He wished he had wings to fly back to the Wind and Snow Silver City immediately to make preparations for contingency plans. The Snake King was already an unbeatable calamity, and judging by her tone, that Lady Mei must be even more terrifying! He was truly facing the height of misfortune!

When had he ever been this subservient? But the situation demanded it! He believed that even the Old City Lord, Han Fengxue, would have to speak politely here, let alone himself?