Not really, because losing one heir meant nothing when there were still one or two hundred remaining. In such circumstances, Gong Cang found the death of an heir insignificant and acceptable. Anger wouldn't change anything - it couldn't bring anyone back to life. Better to accept it calmly and leave a good impression on this "officer." Lu Ding's unrestrained laughter echoed through the auditorium. He pointed at Gong Cang through the air: "I like your attitude and appreciate your professionalism. If you ever get tired of working for Tianxing Group, you can come find me." Besides the bloodline candidates from Tianxing Group seated in the central section of the auditorium, there were also their supporting representatives and maternal family members sitting on both sides. These people had remained motionless earlier, observing the situation. Gong Cang's attitude seemed suspicious, so they didn't dare act rashly. But now, Lu Ding's actions had crossed their bottom line. Especially for Kim Suk's supporting representative - an old man at the Earth Observation realm. Lu Ding turned toward the voice. In a flash, he appeared before the old man nicknamed Cloud-Parting Elder. hovering ten centimeters off the ground, combined with his natural 1.9-meter height, Lu Ding looked down on him with condescending eyes: "If you think I'm being rude, then take action. Why ask me?" The trembling muscles on Cloud-Parting Elder's face revealed his suppressed rage. "Is sir deliberately making enemies with our Wind-Cloud Sect? I advise you to..." His remaining words were cut off as Lu Ding's hand pressed down on his head with overwhelming force. A torrent of violent energy surged from Lu Ding's eyes. The power from [Mountain-Shaking Earth-Quaking] was terrifying, beyond ordinary imagination. The pure "One Force Breaks All Techniques" energy poured into the elder's body, disrupting and scattering his spiritual energy flow, pinning him firmly to his seat without any possibility of movement. Lu Ding clenched the hand resting on the elder's head. A new wave of energy poured down, resonating with the force already inside the elder's body. The combined effect was: Lu Ding crushing the elder's head like a watermelon. The downward force then churned through the elder's body. Just like that, an Earth Observation realm Qi Refiner perished lightly before everyone's eyes, without any ability to resist. The intense visual impact and worldview-shattering shock left everyone doubting their own eyes. Was... this really not a dream? Lu Ding flicked blood from his hand. "Wind-Cloud Sect?" Read full story at n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net He shook his head: "Anyone connected to the Wind-Cloud Sect, remember to notify them when you return. Tell them Clark Kent awaits their visit at the White Eagle military base." "If you want revenge, come find me." Lu Ding pointed at his own chest. "If you're dissatisfied, send someone with a message, and I'll come to you." Respect and status are earned through force, From the moment he kicked open the door, Lu Ding had already decided: Today he would kill a chicken to scare the monkeys. Of course, killing one was the same as killing many - the number didn't matter to him. After all, once this was over, he'd be returning to Great Han. If they really had guts, they could try coming to Great Han. Then he'd truly be waiting in Yunhai to "welcome" anyone who dared come. His utterly arrogant words and contemptuous attitude suppressed everyone present, making it hard to breathe, even without Lu Ding releasing any energy. Only two Heavenly Perception enforcers seemed unafraid of him. But his mention of the White Eagle military base kept them from crossing the line. Seeing no further objections, Lu Ding flew back to Kim Gyeong-joo's side. After signaling her to stand, he spoke again: "I didn't come here today to target anyone specifically. I just want to say - everyone sitting here is trash." "If anyone disagrees or has complaints, you're welcome to come find me. My invitation stands anytime." Patting Kim Gyeong-joo's shoulder to have her sit down, Lu Ding considered this girl. Frankly, she'd been ordinary before - highly malleable, true. But no one could predict whether she could resist external temptations or what ideas might take root. So Lu Ding decided to follow historical precedent - turn her into an "isolated vassal." Under current circumstances, only a complete idiot would dare approach her. Since he couldn't guarantee she'd resist temptation, the solution was to remove all temptation. His persona today was firmly established - solid and unshakable. Lu Ding's words were harsh and humiliating, yet no one dared protest. They all clenched their fists tightly, veins bulging in their necks, while desperately hiding their reactions, keeping their heads lowered. Because those who protested earlier - whether bloodline candidates or Earth Observation realm experts - were all dead now. Kim Yeon-ju's gaze toward Lu Ding held something different. Earlier, her eyes had kept shifting between Kim Gyeong-joo and Lu Ding. she reached a conclusion: This "cousin" of hers was just an empty, pretty puppet. No, that wasn't quite accurate. Not exactly a puppet. Perhaps... cooperation? Or some other more favorable relationship. Because facing such brutality, she couldn't detect even a trace of fear in Kim Gyeong-joo's eyes. Now that was interesting. A puppet not being forcibly controlled... Seemed much better than being an endlessly working machine like herself... And "he" was incredibly strong. A seed began sprouting in Kim Yeon-ju's heart. Clear applause rang out. The current ruler of Tianxing Group, Kim Nam-won, stepped forward slowly while clapping. Dressed in a sharp suit with devilishly handsome features, Lu Ding turned to look. A similarly violent aura - though without malice - washed over him, mixed with a wildness Lu Ding himself lacked. Kim Nam-won spoke first: "Welcome, Mr. Clark." Lu Ding ascended the steps: "Long admired your reputation, Mr. Kim Nam-won." They shook hands, the atmosphere turning cordial as if nothing had just transpired. But the dangerous undercurrents beneath the surface remained unknowable to outsiders. "Thank you, Mr. Clark, for returning such an excellent bloodline candidate to our Tianxing Group." As he said this, Kim Nam-won looked at Kim Gyeong-joo with a gentle smile, genuinely resembling a father seeing his beloved daughter. But Kim Gyeong-joo only felt nauseated! She wasn't stupid enough to believe that without the Divine Lord's protection, her treatment would be any better than these half-siblings below. But she had to pretend. Instantly, mist formed in Kim Gyeong-joo's eyes. Her large eyes turned watery as she gazed at Kim Nam-won with an innocent, puppy-dog expression.