Starting Sign-In from a Billionaire God Chapter 1255 - 1254:

The matriarch resolved to commit the entire clan to delaying the enemy, thereby securing Lin Fan's escape, with the strict stipulation that Lin Fan must also take Yun Qingyao with him.

Initially, the matriarch's plan involved Lin Fan finding a covert opportunity to escort Yun Qingyao away. However, this discreet approach was no longer viable; a public evacuation was now necessary. Regardless of the method employed, the matriarch was resolute that Yun Qingyao must escape the Yun Sect's premises.

Within the Yun Sect's hierarchy, the matriarch held a standing equivalent to that of Sect Leader Yun Zhongzheng himself. At her decree, the Yun Sect members immediately assumed a combat posture, prepared to confront the square-faced adversary, with the matriarch positioning herself at the forefront of their formation.

"Hold!"

Lin Fan's voice cut through the tense atmosphere, halting the matriarch. "Members of the Yun Sect, further futile sacrifices are unnecessary. You cannot possibly hold back this individual. Even if I were to escape now, he would slaughter you all and still pursue me. A confrontation with him is inevitable, so let us simplify matters; I shall face him directly."

A wave of astonishment washed over the assembled crowd; Lin Fan intended to duel the square-faced man?

Had they misheard? Was Lin Fan truly not courting death with such a declaration?

The matriarch implored, "Mr. Lin, we can engage him to provide you with the time needed for an escape. Confronting him directly offers you no hope."

Lin Fan offered a subtle smile. "Should I fail, you may engage him then; it will not be too late, nor will it constitute a delay. Old lady, please look after this child."

With those words, Lin Fan entrusted the three-year-old child into the matriarch's care. Despite her initial desire to refuse, the child was already within her arms, and Lin Fan had released his hold, leaving her with no option but to cradle the youngster.

Taking a decisive step forward, Lin Fan positioned himself directly before the square-faced man.

"I have a single question, and I trust you will provide an honest answer," Lin Fan stated to the square-faced man. "I will not surrender Yun Qingyao to you, but I wish to know: if I were to relinquish her, would you still end my life?"

The square-faced man responded with a sneer, "What are your thoughts on the matter?"

Lin Fan countered, "If my assessment is accurate, your objective in visiting the Yun Sect this time was never to show leniency to anyone, regardless of whether the Yun Sect's treasure was surrendered. Even if Sect Leader Yun were to concede and hand over the treasure, you would likely proceed to annihilate the Yun Sect, including myself, an uninvolved outsider. Is this deduction correct?"

The square-faced man let out a cold snort. "Enough of your nonsensical ramblings, boy. Provided Sect Leader Yun surrenders the treasure, your lives will be spared. However, should you fail to appreciate this concession, I will not hesitate to claim all your lives!"

Although the square-faced man verbally refuted Lin Fan's conjecture, Lin Fan discerned the truth from his expression, solidifying his suspicions. This denial was merely a calculated ploy to deceive Yun Zhongzheng into surrendering the treasure; in reality, his initial intention was to eliminate everyone present.

Upon acquiring the treasure, his plan was to exterminate all witnesses and depart with the prize, ensuring no trace of its acquisition by him remained.

Furthermore, the complete eradication of potential threats aligned perfectly with his ruthless nature; he had no intention of leaving any loose ends. While he doubted the Yun Sect's capacity for future retribution, he saw no reason to afford them even the slightest possibility; absolute elimination was the only prudent course of action.

Lin Fan declared, "Regardless of your intentions, I will not hand Yun Qingyao over to you. If you desire her, you must first best me."

The square-faced man erupted in enraged laughter. "What emboldens you to adopt such a defiant stance against me, whelp?"

Lin Fan replied, "Indeed, you possess formidable strength; even a concerted assault from the Yun Sect's experts could not inflict the slightest harm upon you. However, that does not equate to invincibility."

The square-faced man sneered, "Are you implying that you possess the capability to defeat me?"

Lin Fan responded, "Let us ascertain that fact through combat."

The square-faced man scoffed, "You are truly bent on self-destruction. Is your refusal to surrender the girl, using her as a supposed bargaining chip, merely an act?"

Lin Fan's reply was cool and detached. "Why do you inquire?"

The square-faced man elucidated, "If she were merely a pawn in a negotiation, would you truly risk your own life to shield her? You are aware of your inability to defeat me, yet you persist in protecting her. Do you hold affections for this woman?"

"What?"

A collective murmur swept through the onlookers; could Lin Fan harbor feelings for Yun Qingyao?

Upon hearing the square-faced man's words, Yun Qingyao froze. Her cheeks flushed instantly as she cast a furtive glance towards Lin Fan.

From an external perspective, the situation did indeed appear somewhat suggestive; why else would a man imperil his life for a woman if not for romantic inclination?

"Preposterous!" Yun Qingyao vehemently retorted. The very notion of Lin Fan harboring feelings for her was absurd; it would be a minor miracle if he didn't find her objectionable. The idea that he might like her, especially in front of so many witnesses, was mortifying!

A smile graced Lin Fan's lips as he quipped, "Yun Qingyao speaks the truth; cease your pointless babbling. My stance on not handing her over to you has been explicitly stated. My intention is to leverage her in a negotiation with Sect Leader Yun. Speaking of which, Sect Leader Yun, before I engage this fellow, I wish to have a word with you."

With those words, Lin Fan had already shifted his attention towards Yun Zhongzheng.

"Speak," Yun Zhongzheng commanded.

His expression, a complex tapestry of emotions, left him unsure how to label his current feelings. While he harbored doubts about Lin Fan's ability to overcome the square-faced man, and was even vexed by Lin Fan’s entanglement of Yun Qingyao, Lin Fan's unexpected intervention had, paradoxically, granted the Yun Sect precious time. Whether this temporal reprieve would lead to fortune or disaster remained an unsettling question.

Lin Fan declared, "My presence at the Yun Sect was to resolve the existing issues between us. Sect Leader Yun, you are well aware of my previous demands."

Yun Zhongzheng offered a nod of affirmation, "I am aware."

Lin Fan's prior proposal had been the return of Yun Qingyao in exchange for the Yun Sect abandoning their pursuit of Ye Tianyu, ceasing any further troubles directed at him, and rescinding the demand for 1 billion.

Lin Fan then added, "Now, I must introduce an additional condition. Should I succeed in defeating this individual on behalf of the Yun Sect, will the Sect agree to my terms?"

Yun Zhongzheng's face grew serious, "Mr. Lin, do you possess the genuine capability to defeat him?"

Lin Fan's smile widened, "Only through trial shall we know. Sect Leader Yun, are you prepared to accept my proposal?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Yun Zhongzheng gave his assent. In this critical juncture, any delay or uncertainty was unwarranted. "Very well, if Mr. Lin can indeed vanquish this opponent, all past grievances between us shall be considered settled!"

"Your assurance as Sect Leader Yun is sufficient," Lin Fan responded.

Having secured the agreement, Lin Fan's gaze returned to the square-faced man. "I now present you with an ultimatum: cripple your own martial cultivation, or face the consequence of tenfold suffering should I be forced to act. Individuals like yourself receive no clemency from me; consider this your final warning."

The square-faced man erupted in derisive laughter, "Hahaha... it has been an age since I last found something so uproariously funny. I seldom laugh unless faced with utter absurdity. Young man, you are, without a doubt, the most ludicrous individual I have encountered."

Lin Fan maintained his composure, "I do not perceive it as absurd; my intentions are entirely serious. Naturally, I understand your disbelief; my words were merely an act of kindness, a friendly caution."

Even as the atmosphere crackled with imminent conflict, Lin Fan's continued boasts were astonishing. What was particularly galling was his apparent sincerity and complete lack of fear.

Lin Fan's unwavering demeanor ignited a firestorm of inexplicable anger within the square-faced man. He found himself questioning the very source of this audacious, unfounded confidence; it was truly infuriating.

"Perish by my hand!"

The square-faced man, his patience at its end, finally unleashed his attack.