《Magic Emperor En》


 Chapter 1 - Nine Serenities Secret Records

    On the highest platform on Devil Peak stood a black-garbed man with rapt attention.


    High above the clouds, the sun and moon hung side by side, flooding the land below in their warm glow and sharp coldness. The man took deep breaths as he spread his arms toward the sky, and the lights gathered in his palms. And the world dimmed.


    A foul wind stirred, wreathing with endless howls of agony from untold ghosts.


    The wind picked up the man¡¯s elegant hair, revealing a demonic face behind.


    The sun and the moon dimmed while the man grew in power from the rays. Soon, even dark energy began to rise from him.


    With his face battered by the freezing winds, the dark energy grew thicker until it covered him whole. He released a breath and an evil smile adorned his face.


    Rumble!


    With a loud sound as the trigger, the four mountains in vicinity erupted while Devil Peak itself was wracked by terrible tremors. The man absorbing the essences of the sun and moon opened his eyes.


    With a space rending sound, seven flashes of light appeared. As the light scattered, there stood seven figures radiating ruthless power.


    His eyebrows shook but a fraction as the man spoke in an eerie voice, ¡°How are the seven of you here? Didn¡¯t you all despise us demonic cultivators to no end?¡±


    ¡°Humph, Demonic Emperor, Zhuo Yifan, isn¡¯t it obvious why we¡¯re here?¡± An old man stroked his white beard as he gave a look of disdain.


    His heart skipped a beat and Zhuo Yifan sounded out, ¡°Geezer Sword Emperor, I do not know what you mean.¡±


    ¡°Humph, stop faking it and take out the Nine Serenities Secret Records.¡± A female Daoist stepped arrogantly as she threw her chin forward.


    Zhuo Yifan paled.


    It had been only a month since he found the legendary Nine Serenities Emperor¡¯s dwelling. After brushing death countless times in the process, he finally obtained the written accounts he wished to study for all his life. How was it that they caught wind of this?


    He suddenly recalled something and his face grew darker by the second.


    ¡°Zhao Chen, come out.¡± shouted Zhuo Yifan.


    A cheery voice rang through the empty forest on the mountain. Immediately, a handsome youngster in white robes walked from behind the seven, smiling; all the while as he made a curt bow to Zhuo Yifan, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Master, did you ask for me?¡±


    Zhuo Yifan glared with hatred at the hypocrite and said, ¡°Is this your doing?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± nodded Zhao Chen with a smile.


    ¡°Did you also cancel the guarding array?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Why? I never slight you in the least.¡± Zhuo Yifan clenched his fist as murderous intent flared out from his eyes.


    Despite being a demonic cultivator, he normally did not kill without reason. If he did, he was just acting out on his nature. Else, those righteous cultivators would¡¯ve come to end him much sooner. Zhao Chen, for that matter, was an orphan that Zhuo Yifan took in when he saw his talent. Yet, who¡¯d have thought the day would come when Zhao Chen would betray him.


    Despite putting a front with his calm demour, before Zhuo Yifan¡¯s increasing killing intent, Zhao Chen¡¯s feet betrayed him as he took two steps back, moving closer to the seven beings behind him.


    ¡°Master, I understand your kindness is as heavy as a mountain. But that doesn¡¯t give you the right to steal the Eight Emperor seat and cast me in your shadow for all eternity. Even more so, regarding the Nine Serenities Secret Records. Ever since you¡¯ve obtained it, you¡¯ve trained alone, even afraid of me catching a glimpse of it.¡±


    Zhuo Yifan¡¯s heart clenched when he heard this.


    Zhao Chen would never know he did it for his sake. Having low cultivation and going head first into studying the Nine Serenities Secret Records would deviate one¡¯s cultivation. He had opted to understand it in its entirety and only then impart it to him.


    Yet all his plans were ruined in just a short month.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, well said. Zhao Chen, you¡¯re a true disciple!¡±


    Zhuo Yifan¡¯s roaring laughter reached the heavens and so did his rage, ¡°Since it is so, Master will give you a taste of the Nine Serenities Secret Records.¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Yifan, it is not your place for such unbridled words in the presence of us seven.¡± The white-bearded old man stepped before Zhao Chen.


    ¡°Humph, everyone in the Sacred Domain knows me as the Eight Emperor. I could care less if all seven of you Emperors come at me together!¡±


    No sooner said than done, Zhuo Yifan launched a palm at Zhao Chen.


    A black claw flashed in the sky reaching out for him.


    His eyes shrunk, face paled, and retreated with haste, fear having taken its grip on the youth.


    In the face of that powerful claw, the old man drew a sword. A sword wave flashed and the black claw was turned to nothing.


    ¡°Humph, Nine Serenities Secret Records is nothing great.¡± The old man stood in the wind with his sword ready, disdain all over his face.


    Zhuo Yifan smiled and waved his palms, ¡°Geezer, stop being so arrogant.¡±


    Boom!


    As if endless thunders were rumbling, the sky was covered by thousands of black palms, bearing down on the seven. Each palm was twice as big as the claw. Such power reached a new height that even the seven were in shock.


    ¡°How can this be? Did he break through to the Sacred Stage?¡± Sword Emperor sucked in a cold breath at the sight.


    As they watched, they could feel bravery leaving them.


    Not even seven Emperors together were a match against a Sacred stage expert.


    Zhao Chen¡¯s face grew paler as regret gnawing his heart. Who¡¯d have thought just a month of practice would elevate Zhuo Yifan to such height in power.


    ¡°Humph, damn traitor, this is the end for you.¡± Sneered Zhuo Yifan.


    Whoosh!


    A light fell from the heavens above, piercing the black hands and went straight for Zhuo Yifan. With no time to react, the light passed right through him.


    Scarlet blood spurted from his mouth and the thousands of black hands vanished. Zhuo Yifan looked with his wan face at the sky to see a middle-aged man basked in a holy aura of light.


    ¡°Saint!¡± Zhuo Yifan bit his lips in defiance. He knew in his heart the newcomer¡¯s intention.


    ¡°Demonic Emperor Zhuo Yifan, this Saint represents the Sacred Domain in retrieving the Demon Emperor¡¯s legacy. If you hand it over, your life shall be spared.¡± The surroundings and people entered his eyes yet none of them were reflected within. He wouldn¡¯t even deign to look at Zhuo Yifan, if not for having the Nine Serenities Secret Records.


    This was the strongest Saint in the Sacred Domain. Even Emperor stage experts were mere ants before him.


    With a miserable chuckle, Zhuo Yifan took out a dazzling multi-colored jade slip from his bosom.


    The mere sight of it changed the expressions of everyone present, especially Saint¡¯s.


    With a look of derision to all around him, Zhuo Yifan jeered, ¡°What righteous cultivators, what Saint? Aren¡¯t you all just thieves lusting a poor man¡¯s wealth? I won¡¯t let any of you get one word from the Nine Serenities Secret Records even if I have to destroy it.¡±


    As if to prove his conviction, a powerful energy rose up from his body.


    ¡°Damn! He¡¯s gonna self-destruct.¡±


    Sword Emperor¡¯s eyes shrank speeding further away, with the other not far behind. Only the Saint exploded in holy wrath and charged for Zhuo Yifan, ¡°Stop!¡±


    With a proud smile, Zhuo Yifan pinched and the jade slip was turned to dust right under the Saint¡¯s eyes. The rage and bitterness he saw in the Saint as he gnashed his teeth elicited an unrestrained laughter from Zhuo Yifan.


    Boom!


    His laughter was soon accompanied by powerful shock waves leveling the entire Devil Peak.


    As the smoke and dust cleared it was soon clear to see the angry face of the Saint, along with his worse for wear clothes.


    ¡°Even in the face of such a terrifying explosion, a Saint can come out of it without so much as a scratch.¡± The Sword Emperor came before the Saint to express his admiration.


    The Saint snorted and was about to leave.


    It was then Zhao Chen blocked him, ¡°Please wait, Saint. Demonic Emperor Zhuo is cunning and deceitful. If he possesses someone, just from knowing the Nine Serenities Secret Records, he will one day come to exact vengeance upon us all.¡±


    ¡°Humph, his self-destruction was down to his soul. What possession?¡± He waived his sleeve and vanished.


    The hearts of everyone present eased after hearing this.


    With a Saint present, an Emperor stage expert would find it impossible to escape with their soul even if they self-destructed. It was a pity for the loss of the ancient Demon Emperor¡¯s legacy, Nine Serenities Secret Records.


    As people gazed upon the ruins of Devil Peak, they each felt differently. Some were rejoicing, others lamenting, while most were feeling pity¡­

 Chapter 2 - Demonic Emperor’s Rebirth

    In the dead of night, even the moon¡¯s radiance was snuffed out by the black clouds.


    Bodies laid in a pile in a quiet part of the forest, the aftermath of a gruesome battle. The air reeked of blood drawing all kinds of wild animals to feast on their flesh.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    Among the countless chomping sounds of animals, from amongst the bodies, a young man let out a groan.


    Ears twitched and the animals approached the source in silence.


    Thump!


    With a loud sound, two corpses were thrown to the side to reveal a bloodstained figure wrestling out from the pile. The animals jumped two steps back in fright, but when they noticed he was alive, they came back with a vengeance to rob life from him.


    Yet, the youth hardly noticed the imminent danger, still sat there in a daze.


    ¡°Is this¡­ the current me?¡± He checked his hands as his eyes glazed over.


    Awoo!


    A wolf¡¯s howl echoed as the beast sprung towards the youth.


    He turned his head, his eyes shining with blood thirst from his blood stained face. The killing intent was akin to two swords stabbing into the wolf¡¯s eyes.


    Whoosh!


    The wolf grounded to a halt, shivering as it curled backwards. The rest of the animals were also making a run for it when they watched those demonic pair of eyes.


    Despite his weak appearance, the animals¡¯ instinct screamed at them of the danger the youth posed.


    As silence set in once again, the youth took a deep breath and closed his eyes.


    His name was Zhuo Fan, fifteen years of age, a servant of the Luo clan at Cloud Manor. His life was happy and carefree, until three days ago when a band of Blackwind Mountain bandits butchered the manor. He along with some guards escorted the young master and young miss as they fled, only to find his end in this forest at the hand of their pursuers.


    In his final breaths, he was filled with an obsession. It was this that drew the drifting Demonic Emperor Zhuo Yifan¡¯s resentment and allowed the Demonic Emperor to possess him.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with demonic glee.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Sword Emperor, Zhao Chen, you would have never imagined the Nine Serenities Secret Records has a way of possessing someone without the need of a soul. Wait for me, I will soon return to Sacred Domain and behead you myself. ¡°


    Only Zhuo Fan¡¯s mad laughter echoed in the bleak forest. Even the other animals chewing on corpses were startled into fleeing.


    Cough!


    A sudden cough cut his raving laugher short as his eyes turned like a hawk towards the source.


    ¡°He-help me!¡±


    Zhuo Fan rushed to it to see a Luo clan¡¯s guard buried in bodies, with blood pouring from his mouth.


    ¡°Humph, the affairs of mortals have nothing to do with me.¡±


    His eyes shrank and shook his head as he was about to leave. The previous Zhuo Fan would¡¯ve done his best in helping the man. But he was now replaced by the Demonic Emperor Zhuo Yifan. To Yifan, the Luo clan were nothing but ants to him.


    Who was so bored as to save an ant¡¯s life?


    He took only two steps before stopping. Recalling something, he dropped down cross-legged to inspect his body.


    Not a moment passed and Zhuo Fan flashed his eyes open with glee.


    ¡°This kid is 15 yet has never cultivated. His body is untainted.¡±


    On the Martial Emperor Continent, most could cultivate. Even farmers would have a 1st or 2nd layer in the Foundation Establishment stage. It was rarer to find a fifteen years old who never cultivated once.


    And the strongest cultivation method is the Nine Serenities Secret Records ¨C Demon Transformation Art, who could use other¡¯s cultivation and later allow one to swallow the Heavens and devour the Earth, reaching the highest realm of power in this world, needed a pure body to train in it.


    This cultivation method was something the Nine Serenities Emperor comprehended only after he entered the Emperor stage. Just when he was contemplating destroying his cultivation and starting anew, he suffered at the hands of the other Emperor stage experts.


    In ancient times, the Nine Serenities Emperor was among the top three strongest Emperors, for it to make even him consider restarting his cultivation, this cultivation method must be of treemendous might. Maybe it surpassed even a Heaven ranked cultivation method.


    As such, once Zhuo Yifan obtained it, he began to consider his next course of action. But before he could decide, the seven Emperors and Zhao Chen came and forced him on this path.


    With a pure body, the effect would be even more pronounced.


    At this point, Zhuo Fan returned to the guard. He removed the corpses covering him and pulled him out of the rest.


    Empty eyes watched as he got pulled from the brink of death. The guard smiled, ¡°Ah, it¡¯s you, Zhuo Fan. Thank you, I¡¯ll repay you when we get back.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, why wait when you can just as well do it now.¡± With a corner of his mouth perked up, Zhuo Fan exposed an odd smile.


    The guard froze as a chill seized his heart.


    As they were both from the Luo clan, this wasn¡¯t the first time he saw Zhuo Fan. But this was his first time watching such a sinister expression. It was akin to how a wolf would set its sights on a rabbit.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan. what are you going to do?¡± The guard watched him vigilant.


    Zhuo Fan ignored him as he watched with the same smile, mumbling all the while, ¡°Not bad, a 2nd layer of Qi Condensation cultivation. Solid foundation material.¡±


    While other cultivation methods absorbed the spiritual energy around them to refine the host¡¯s body, the Demon Transformation Art robbed others of their cultivation to further his own.


    But how could a normal man steal from a cultivator? When the target was wounded of course, to the point he couldn¡¯t even move.


    This was the reason for Zhuo Yifan¡¯s uncertainty to abolish his cultivation at the time. If such an encounter never happened, he would¡¯ve been a mortal for the rest of his life. It would end in a complete loss, something he believed caused even the Nine Serenities Emperor to hesitate at that time.


    Yet, here he was, with a newly possessed body that the heavens dropped on his lap. ¡®Truly something only found by luck.¡¯


    Seeing the insidious Zhuo Fan watching him like a rogue watched a beauty, the guard¡¯s heart never knew rest as he shouted, ¡°Y-you¡¯re not Zhuo Fan!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, correct!¡±


    The evil laughter further emphasized Zhuo Fan¡¯s malevolent look, ¡°I am the Sacred Domain¡¯s Eighth Emperor, Demonic Emperor Zhuo Yifan!¡±

 Chapter 3 - Demon Transformation Art

    The guard watched in horror as Zhuo Fan raised a palm over his head and began operating his cultivation method.


    Black streams came from it, twisting like worms as they burrowed into the guard¡¯s body. The moment they entered, the guard¡¯s face changed.


    His horrified visage, twisted from pain, now darkened the pale face from the extreme blood loss. With each passing moment, the man inched closer to turning as black as charcoal. In the dark night, even if one didn¡¯t pay attention, no one would claim him to be a human.


    This perked Zhuo Fan up, riveted in excitement to the sight before him.


    Demon Transformation Art might take other¡¯s cultivation as his own, but when was it that easy to steal one¡¯s Yuan Qi? Even if he did, it would probably reject him. He needed to show extreme caution, especially now when he was building his foundation.


    Therefore, Zhuo Fan chose to first demonify it before absorbing it.


    Taking a deep breath to calm his excitement, his hand tightened and the black streams began to flow back from the guard into his body as the guard himself was withering in front of his naked eye.


    An hour later, Zhuo Fan took back his hand and sat cross-legged, beginning to refine the new Yuan Qi.


    The guard collapsed and scattered to ashes. It was as if an ancient corpse was unearthed only to scatter in the wind the moment they made contact.


    Nine Serenities Emperor¡¯s creation not only took other¡¯s cultivation but also their essence.


    The black energy roamed around his body like a flood. Zhuo Fan sank into concentration as he operated the cultivation method to make the energy flow through his meridians and widening little by little.


    The entire power of a Qi Condensation expert flowed through his untrained body. The force was on the verge of bursting his meridians as his forehead broke out in  sweat.


    But he pushed through because he knew this power could build a never before seen foundation. Such a stable foundation would guarantee an easier and smoother path of cultivation.


    Time passed one second at a time for two hours long hours, as Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and sweat poured from him like a river¡­


    He loosened his jaw only on the sixth hour, when the black energy, after roaming his body for hundreds of times, gathered in his Dantian and settled in the form of a black lake.


    He slowly opened his eyes and released a long breath. The clouds in the horizon began to brighten, and the stuffed wild animals returned to the depths of the forest.


    ¡°It¡¯s dawn? Ha-ha-ha, I didn¡¯t expect for a 2nd layer Qi Condensation¡¯s cultivation would require an entire night.¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and examined his body.


    Bang!


    A loud sound echoed and the rock crumbled under the Zhuo Fan¡¯s frail punch.


    Zhuo Fan nodded in satisfaction. The Qi Condensation expert¡¯s cultivation refined his body and improved it greatly. Based on his body strength alone, he was no weaker than a Qi Condensation expert.


    Next he inspected his cultivation.


    He was calm before, but that look scared the living daylight out of him.


    As for his cultivation, not only did it reach the 5th layer of Foundation Establishment, the Yuan Qi inside him was that of Qi Condensation, and not of Foundation Establishment.


    ¡°Man, this Demon Transformation Art is fantastic.¡± Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t help smacking his lips, being secretly delighted.


    Generally speaking, even those rare geniuses from the Sacred Domain needed a year to reach the 5th layer of Foundation Establishment. Yet, he needed one night to do what others had to work for two-three years to attain.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be long before I return to the Sacred Domain. He-he-he¡­¡± Zhuo Fan snickered.


    Just as he was indulging in his fantasy when he returned, shouts woke him up.


    Frowning, he walked cautiously in their direction. He was clear on his limitations. Even if he had a 5th layer Foundation Establishment cultivation, this little achievement couldn¡¯t deal with the simplest martial skill. He had no power to retaliate if he met an expert.


    As such, being prudent took first priority. After all, he wasn¡¯t the all-powerful Demonic Emperor right now.


    With steps as light as a cat, he neared a bush. Zhuo Fan pushed aside the leaves to see two parties in a stalemate.


    One had more than a dozen men, Luo clan¡¯s guards surrounding an eighteen-year-old girl and a six-year-old boy.


    The other group wore black and was led by an old man, over twenty people. The man was familiar to Zhuo Fan. He recalled seeing him in the Luo clan as their steward. Then the pair surrounded by the guards had to be Luo clan¡¯s young master, Luo Yunhai, and young miss, Luo Yunchang.


    ¡°Humph, no wonder the mountain bandits breached the tight security of the Luo clan guards, we had a traitor amongst us. ¡°


    Zhuo Fan sneered inside. He recalled his disciple and clenched his fists.


    In his past life, he was betrayed by his disciples, and the one he possessed now died from a similar result. He couldn¡¯t help relating a bit to the body he occupied.


    But he soon shook his head and sighed, ready to turn around and leave.


    With his strength, he had no way of helping them. Besides, there was nothing tying him to the Luo clan. It just wasn¡¯t worth throwing his life away for.


    Yet, he only took two steps before his heart seized with pain. The third step never came.

 Chapter 4 - Heart Demon

    Chapter 4, Heart Demon


    In fear, Zhuo Fan tightened a hand over his chest. The pain was so excruciating, it brought him to his knees, mumbling, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Did my cultivation deviate?¡±


    His heart welled with panic. If he deviated right as he built his foundation, the result wasn¡¯t as simple as losing all progress. He would never again be capable of cultivation, he would become a cripple.


    But the pain left as soon as it came.


    Zhuo Fan stood up and took a deep breath. He couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of it.


    Yet the next step brought with it the same heartache!


    ¡°No, this isn¡¯t deviation but¡­ heart demon!¡±


    Thinking of this, he began to look for the source of the heart demon. If a cultivator ignored it, he wasn¡¯t far from deviating and becoming a demon.


    Zhuo Fan soon found its source, but the result left him feeling discontent.


    Before being possessed, Zhuo Fan was a devoted servant. Luo clan¡¯s young miss was very kind to him and so he pledged life-long devotion to the clan. The resentment before death was born out of regret of not protecting the Luo clan.


    It was then the Demonic Emperor¡¯s hatred and his resentment fused, possessing his soul and breathing life into his body. And his resentment became a contract with the Demonic Emperor, turning into his shackles.


    In short, the Demonic Emperor lived so he could replace him in protecting the Luo clan, or the heart demon would haunt him.


    ¡°Blast it! This punk is the worst. He wants me to be a servant?¡± Zhuo Fan wanted to cry but no tears came out as he kept cursing.


    How could the glorious and magnificent Demonic Emperor Zhuo Yifan, the Eighth Emperor of the Sacred Domain, be tied down by some nameless clan?


    Yet the heart demon couldn¡¯t be ignored either.


    Helpless, he caressed his forehead, ¡°It would be better if a punk like you wished for vengeance instead. This way, it would¡¯ve taken me a few years to kill him. Yet¡­ you went and ruined my life.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s there? Show yourself!¡±


    An aged voice shouted and Zhuo Fan sensed a thick killing intent aimed at his location.


    Shaking his head, he sighed and walked out.


    Since he got found out, he might as well go deal with that traitorous Steward Sun¡­


    Seeing who it was, Steward Sun smiled with derision, ¡°Humph, I wondered who it could be, when in fact it was just a little bastard.¡±


    Then Steward Sun turned to Luo Yunchang, paying him no heed.


    ¡°Young miss, I advise you to hand over the Returning Dragon Palm martial art to avoid any unnecessary casualties. I don¡¯t think you want that either.¡±


    ¡°Rubbish, geezer Sun, you traitor. As long as we¡¯re here, you won¡¯t harm a single hair on young miss and young master.¡± The Luo clan¡¯s guard captain took a step forward.


    Luo Yunchang glared back, her pretty face filled with resolve, ¡°Steward Sun, Returning Dragon Palm is a spirit ranked martial art handed down in the Luo clan for generations. We will never hand it over.¡±


    Zhuo Fan snorted inside.


    He was wondering why the mountain bandits raided the Luo clan. It was all for a mere spirit ranked martial art.


    On the Martial Emperor Continent, all cultivation methods and martial arts were divided into five ranks: spirit, profound, earth and heaven. Each in turn was split in low, mid and high. In Sacred Domain, spirit ranked martial arts were at every corner and mere trash in the eyes of a Demonic Emperor such as himself. He had thousands of them already.


    It was a total waste to die for such junk.


    Zhuo Fan sighed and shouted bored, ¡°Young miss, it¡¯s just a spirit ranked martial art. Just give it to him and I¡¯ll just give you another.¡±


    All eyes quivered in shock, then looked at him like a nut case.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, quite the cheeky tone you have there. Taking out a random spirit ranked martial art? On what grounds can a fifteen-year-old Luo clan servant do that? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Steward Sun threw his head back and laughed, eyes filled with mockery. Even the bandits followed with their taunting laughter, not hiding their ridicule.


    While the guards looked at him in doubt. Even his former friends familiar with him looked oddly.


    [This kid is usually honest. Why does he speak nonsense all of a sudden? Did the mountain bandits scared him silly?]


    [Eh, that must be it!]


    With that, all guards changed their looks into those of sympathy.


    Zhuo Fan saw through them and just shrugged. His repertoire wasn¡¯t limited to spirit ranked martial art, and even included Demon Emperor¡¯s ancient art, the Nine Serenities Secret Records. But they¡¯d never believe him.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, enough nonsense. Hurry up and look after the young master.¡±


    Zhuo Fan turned at the scolding voice to find Luo Yunchang in a mask of rage. But her eyes conveyed a trace of pity.

 Chapter 5 - Obnoxious Servant

    Perking up into a grin, Zhuo Fan picked up on her intent.


    Young miss had to be thinking he was insane, yet she still did not want him to die. As they were speaking, she was looking for a chance to hide him behind the guards.


    ¡°What are you waiting for? Get him over here before he humiliates us further.¡± Luo Yunchang shouted at the guards.


    Before anyone even moved, a bloody blade rested on Zhuo Fan¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Steward Sun snickered, his eyes piercing through Luo Yunchang¡¯s as he had figured out her plan. ¡°He-he-he, young miss is as kind as ever, wanting to save even a mentally unstable servant.¡±


    Luo Yunchang raged, ¡°Steward Sun, you won¡¯t let even the demented live?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, right back at you. If you don¡¯t want the innocent to die, take out the Returning Dragon Palm. We don¡¯t care if our blades get slick with the blood of one more man.¡±


    With that, the bandit brushed the edge along Zhuo Fan¡¯s face and sported a bloodthirsty grin.


    Luo Yunchang pursed her lips, hesitation visible in her eyes, yet still decided to close them.


    Zhuo Fan understood.


    Although the young miss had no plan to save him by taking the martial art out, as his mistress, it filled him with gratitude just from hesitating.


    But in the end, it would come down to him if he could save himself.


    Taking a look back at the bandit, he found a fat man of the same height at 7th layer of Foundation Establishment.


    [It should be doable!]


    Zhuo Fan clenched his fist and gathered Yuan Qi in his left, eyes flashing with ruthlessness.


    ¡°Humph, since you¡¯re so stubborn, Zhuo Fan will be the first to die because of you.¡± Steward Sun¡¯s hand dropped, staring at Luo Yunchang¡¯s pain-filled eyes, ¡°Fatty, kill him.¡±


    He grinned, and raised the blade way up high.


    It was then that a thump echoed out, soon followed by bone snapping along with the fat man¡¯s wails.


    His blade had long ago slipped from his hand.


    Zhuo Fan picked it up and decapitated the man.


    Blood spurted and a large head trailed the air.


    Zhuo Fan was only in the 5th layer of Foundation Establishment, yet his Yuan Qi was something only a Qi Condensation expert would possess. In a moment of the fat man¡¯s ignorance, he elbowed his chest and snapped his ribcage.


    He followed with a swing of the sword in one smooth motion.


    None could even react as the fat man¡¯s head flew from his shoulder.


    Plop!


    The bloody head rolled around and stopped right before Steward Sun.


    He looked dumbly at the familiar face, incredulous of the outcome.


    He saw Zhuo Fan grow up in the Luo clan and knew the kind of person he was. He was honest to a fault, a slave begging to be picked on.


    Yet this sheep bared its fangs like a tiger, killing a 7th layer Foundation Establishment expert in one strike. It was done with such brutality that it even shook the bandits.


    The guards on Luo clan¡¯s side were even more devastated. Was he the same man they used to laugh with, the same honest to god Zhuo Fan? Leaving the kill aside, his quick and brutal act was something not even the captain of the guards could match.


    Every single one of them stood in shock, watching dumbly as blood dripped down Zhuo Fan¡¯s blade, to the point they forgot even to breathe.


    If Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t take this chance to leave, he¡¯d never get another.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes squinted, pressed his advantage and threw the bloody saber at Steward Sun. all the while running for young miss and young master. By the time the saber arrived, he was already before Luo Yunchang.


    One hand held Luo Yunhai while the other grabbed her, running like hell deeper into the forest.


    Luo Yunchang was still in a daze, letting him pull her.


    Steward Sun saw the target slipping away again and panicked, ¡°After them!¡±


    But the captain and his guards were there to block them.


    ¡°Humph, think you can stop us?¡± Steward Sun said with cruelty.


    The captain smiled and shook his head, ¡°No, but we can buy them some time for them to get away.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, with you dead, you still think they can escape?¡±


    Taking one last look in their direction, the captain nodded, ¡°If it was before, perhaps no. But they have that boy.¡±


    The guards nodded, with their trust in Zhuo Fan beginning to grow in their hearts.


    They might not know why Zhuo Fan was so bold all of a sudden, but with him next to the young miss and young master, their chances of survival were high.


    Gnashing his teeth, Steward Sun looked darkly beyond them, ¡°That brat dares to meddle in my affairs. Once I get my hands on him, I will flay him. I¡¯ll make him wish for death!¡±

 Chapter 6 - Vile Servant Actually

    Zhuo Fan carried Luo Yunhai in one hand while the other pulled the tender arm of Luo Yunchang in his mad dash, leaving behind the cries and wails of the guards at their backs.


    ¡°Wait, we can¡¯t just leave them.¡± Luo Yunchang recovered after a while and said anxiously.


    Zhuo Fan kept going without paying her any heed.


    ¡°Let go!¡±


    Luo Yunchang saw him disobeying her and threw his hand off. Zhuo Fan stopped and stared her down.


    ¡°We need to go back. We can¡¯t let the guards throw their life away for us. ¡±


    ¡°Can you beat them?¡± said Zhuo Fan.


    Luo Yunchang sighed with a frown, ¡°The others are bad enough, but they have Steward Sun, in the 6th layer of Qi Condensation while I am only in the 3rd layer and the captain in the 4th. Even if we join forces, we are still no match for him.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the point of returning then? Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Zhuo Fan snorted and grabbed her again to dash.


    It was now that the child in his other hand squirmed, ¡°Stinky slave, how dare you talk back to your master. Apologize to my sister and I won¡¯t let you butt blossom in pain.¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked in a daze, the pup bearing his fangs in his arm then looked at Luo Yunchang. The young miss was angry. Recalling he was but a mere servant of the Luo clan, only now did his disrespectful words sink in .


    But so what? He wasn¡¯t the real Zhuo Fan anyway.


    Moreover, they weren¡¯t exactly the same revered Luo clan either. [Your family is on the brink of being exterminated yet you have time to nitpick?]


    If not for the heart demon, the majestic Demonic Emperor would have never even minded your trifling matters!


    ¡°Brat, think I won¡¯t make your butt blossom?¡± Zhuo Fan stared at Luo Yunhai.


    ¡°You dare, slave!¡± Luo Yunhai glared back without fear. He grew up in the manor and knew of the gap in their status. How could he ever come to fear a servant¡¯s threat?


    Such a pity the one before him wasn¡¯t Luo clan¡¯s servant.


    With a grin, Zhuo Fan bent him over the knee, pulled his pants and slapped like no tomorrow.


    The sonorous slaps rang in their ears, striking Luo Yunhai and Luo Yunchang dumb. They never dreamed of this ever happening. A servant daring to slap a master¡¯s bum.


    To the point even the bratty Luo Yunhai forgot about the pain. But he soon got a taste of the scorching sting on his rear.


    ¡°Impudent!¡±


    Luo Yunchang cried in alarm, wrestling her brother from him and into her embrace, ¡°Zhuo Fan, you dare raise your hand against your master?¡±


    Luo Yunchang was known in the clan for her gentle nature, and warm and refined demeanor, a girl from a wealthy family that never got angry. But Zhuo Fan¡¯s act took the cake and made the rage inside her burn like never before.


    Zhuo Fan avoided her eyes as he sneered, ¡°Not as daring as young miss. To the point of wasting time berating others while the enemy is just around the corner.¡±


    The noise behind them was getting weaker. Zhuo Fan and Luo Yunchang were clear the guards couldn¡¯t hold on much longer.


    ¡°I only slapped him a few times, but if you do not run, those men will soon take his life.¡± Zhuo Fan pointed at Luo Yunhai.


    Luo Yunhai was still angry but Zhuo Fan¡¯s words struck close to home. Her brother was the only male left in the clan. She could sacrifice herself, but nothing must happen to him.


    After some thought, she became serious, ¡°Zhuo Fan, take young master and leave while I stall them.¡±


    ¡°I refuse!¡± blurted Zhuo Fan, ¡°If you dare leave, I will kill this brat.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    She was at a loss for words. Never would she have imagined her clan would house such an arrogant and impudent servant that would dare threaten their master.


    ¡°I¡¯ve lived in the Luo clan for all my life and do not know the surrounding. If you leave, me and the brat won¡¯t make it.¡± Zhuo Fan continued.


    Luo Yunchang nodded in silence, her anger cooling. It made sense. But the next words flamed her anger to new heights, staring daggers at him.


    ¡°It won¡¯t mean much even if you die, but try not to take me down with you..¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Luo Yunchang turned green, but held it in.


    He ignored the pair and turned to walk, ¡°Is there any place nearby where we can hide?¡±


    Snorting, Luo Yunchang glared at him while ignoring the insufferable servant.


    But she was a young miss after all and even though her anger never waned, she still knew to look past it in this dangerous situation, ¡°There¡¯s only farmland around us for a hundred miles and only the west face of the Blackwind Mountain is the only place few people venture in. It is a forest covered in fog that not even the mountain bandits know in detail.¡±


    ¡°Then, That¡¯s where we¡¯ll go.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Carry your brother and lead the way.¡±


    She snorted and walked forward without sparing him another look.


    Just how could she stumble upon such bad luck, where the two siblings were now accompanied by an arrogant and rotten slave. She was in front and he was in the back, it was as if the master-servant roles were reversed.


    Never had the siblings suffered such humiliation.


    [Just you wait. Once we get out of this, I will put you in your place.] Thought Luo Yunchang in ange

 Chapter 7 - Wraith Array

    Four hours later, they found them before a fog wreathed forest.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed each time they roamed over the trees swallowed by the mist.


    ¡°This is Misty Forest, covered in fog year round. Any who enters will find it hard to come out.¡± Luo Yunchang hesitated, ¡°We might lose them there, but we might also get lost for all eternity.¡±


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t pay her much heed, inspecting the area, especially the mountain in the east, which was surrounded by clouds.


    ¡°Is that Blackwind Mountain?¡±


    Luo Yunchang nodded, ¡°My dad said Blackwind Mountain¡¯s Mountain Lord has great power, no less than his. Our clans have been fine for decades yet, for some reason, their bandits attacked out manor.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, good place!¡± Zhuo Fan rubbed his chin, showing heartfelt admiration.


    ¡°Azure Dragon in the East, White Tiger in the West, Vermilion Bird in the South, Black Tortoise in the North, and Qilin¡¯s horn in the center, breaking the sky!


    ¡°This is a natural array!¡± Zhuo Fan mumbled, ¡°Such a pity, no one knowledgeable discovered it. Now that I¡¯m here, I¡¯ll make this place my second Devil Mountain!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with joy.


    He was clear of this mountain¡¯s value. If this was Sacred Domain, only a Saint could grab hold of such a place.


    ¡°Young miss, want to kill Steward Sun and the rest here?¡± Zhuo Fan turned his head.


    Luo Yunchang was startled.


    They only numbered three while a strong party was hunting them down and they had hardly enough time to escape. Just how were they going to destroy them?


    Luo Yunhai snorted and smiled wryly at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Stinky slave, stop bragging!¡±


    ¡°Is your butt itchy again?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s glare stuck Luo Yunhai¡¯s words in his throat. That round of slapping to his rear told him this servant couldn¡¯t care less for this young master.


    ¡°Humph, a wise man knows when to retreat. Once I get home, I¡¯ll see how tough you are!¡± He mumbled on his sister¡¯s shoulder.


    With her brother in her arms and to avoid the vile servant¡¯s wrath, Luo Yunchang asked in doubt, ¡°How?¡±


    With a light smile, Zhuo Fan extended his arm, ¡°Young miss, how many spirit stones do you have? Please give them all to me.¡±


    ¡°What do you need them for?¡± Luo Yunchang watched him with a vigilant eye.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, young miss misunderstands, I¡¯m not trying to take advantage of a declined clan and turn into an evil servant that robs it. All my actions are for your safety.¡±


    ¡°Humph, still consider yourself a loyal servant? The way I see it, there¡¯s not a viler servant out there who can outmatch you.¡±


    Luo Yunchang rubbed her pitiful brother¡¯s butt, as she thought that, but still gave him her ring, ¡°This is all my wealth. If you dare lie to me, I will never forgive you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan took it with a smile and sank in the mist.


    ¡°Wait for me here.¡±


    ¡°Humph, this servant is too outrageous. He even dares to order his master! Sister, you need to punish him for me!¡± Luo Yunhai raved once the servant was gone.


    She shook her head and looked at the roaming mist, ¡°Yunhai, he might be rude, but he¡¯s always helping us, much better than those strong hypocrites. We can¡¯t reward kindness with enmity. ¡±


    Luo Yunhai thought for a moment then nodded, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s all that damned Steward Sun¡¯s fault.¡±


    Luo Yunchang was pleased and praised him, ¡°Yunhai, you¡¯re growing up.¡±


    But then he hissed through his teeth, ¡°As for that stinky slave, he should be spanked like no tomorrow. Killing him is too easy for him!¡±


    Luo Yunchang was silent.


    Zhuo Fan walked among the white fog, his deep eyes taking in his surroundings. From time to time, his hand flashed and a spirit stone flew out from the ring and disappeared into the ground.


    Despite it being his first time here, he was remarkably familiar with its layout. His path never once was disturbed by the fog.


    In but a quarter of an hour, he traveled across the entire forest.


    ¡°Nine Underworld Gates open! Four Cardinal Wraith Array activate!¡±


    His hands made signs with lightning speed, while he spoke the incantation from the Nine Serenities Secret Records.


    The wind shifted and the sky darkened. With wails, gray shadows fell from the sky and hid in the Misty Forest.


    The fog reddened, then blackened, the same color as the sky.


    Constant shrieks came out.


    The siblings held closer to each other, shaking in fear while taking steps back for some semblance of comfort.


    Yet the wails and shriek stopped as soon as they started while the sky cleared up and even the sun peeked through the clouds. Misty Forest¡¯s fog dissipated and revealed a gasping Zhuo Fan walking over.


    ¡°What just happened? What did you do?¡± Luo Yunchang watched him with bewilderment.


    He only waved and entered the forest.


    ¡°Follow me.¡±


    Luo Yunchang was suspicious, however she led her brother behind. Zhuo Fan had a mysterious appearance that made the two not voice their doubts.


    When they arrived at an ancient tree, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Stay below this tree for now. I will teach you how to control the Wraith Array and when Steward Sun comes, you can use it to kill them.¡±


    ¡°What!? This is an array?¡±


    Luo Yunchang was stunned.


    Arrays were even more precious than martial arts in this world. No sect would ever dare release even a normal array to outside. Even if the auction had a 1st grade array, it would still sell for hundreds of thousands spirit stones. They were rare and in high demand.


    If their Cloud Manor had a protective array, they would¡¯ve never sunk so low from mere bandits.


    Yet, at this very moment, a mere servant casually set up an array. It was impossible that this feat would result in the young miss being shocked silly.

 Chapter 8 - Baiting The Enemy

    ¡°H-how can you¡­¡±


    ¡°Forget about how for now, and do what I said. This is a bewildering array which can affect the perceptions of others inside. And this is also a killing array, controlling wraiths to kill your enemies.¡±


    Luo Yunchang copied stiffly as Zhuo Fan performed the gestures. However, he was too fast. She could only watch him do it as she fumbled to a stop. Unable to remember the movements as he carried on, stuck on the last sign she did.


    ¡°Sigh, how are you so slow? This is the simplest method!¡± Zhuo Fan got angry and cursed, ¡°If you keep going like this, Steward Sun will be upon us. We might as well just serve ourselves on a silver platter. You¡¯re as slow as a pig.¡±


    All her life, Luo Yunchang was handled with finesse and attention a pearl would need. She received others love and respect. Never has she been mistreated like this, degraded to such a degree.


    Glittering tears started welling in her eyes as she lowered her head. Yet, she persevered.


    Seeing his sister humiliated, he found courage and shouted at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Stinky slave, don¡¯t mock my sister.¡±


    Zhuo Fan just shook his head, not having the time to bicker with the brat.


    He found his Yuan Qi was only enough to start the array, failing to control it.


    If one were to speak of a complete Wraith Array, even if none of them controlled it, a trash like Steward Sun would end up beaten to a pulp either way. However, he only had around a thousand spirit stones. If not for being a natural array, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to set even a damaged one.


    It was now in the hands of 3rd layer Qi Condensation young miss to control the array.


    But for her, the method was long and complicated. It was hard to grasp. Worse, they were on the clock.


    Helpless, Zhuo Fan embraced her from behind and took hold of her hands.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Luo Yunchang froze up as her cheek blossomed with red.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move and let me guide you.¡± Zhuo Fan led her hands and taught her the signs.


    Despite catching his intent, being embraced by an unfamiliar man threw her heart in chaos and cheeks burned hotter, since this was the first time it ever happened to her.


    Each time her mind drifted, a voice would ring in her ear, ¡°Pay attention.¡±


    She peeked at him and saw how serious Zhuo Fan was, that his actions were not aimed to take advantage of her.


    [Humph, he knows when to be a gentleman!]


    Luo Yunchang calmed down and her body drew nearer to his. Feeling the strong arm behind her, this was the first time in the last three days she felt safe.


    ¡°Steward Sun. they went towards the Misty Forest.¡± Ten miles outside the Misty Forest, a lanky bandit checked for tracks and reported to him.


    With cold laughter, Steward Sun straightened his white moustache, ¡°Quite a good hiding place. We know the mountain area but not that eerie place. However¡­¡±


    Steward Sun looked at the bound captain and his eyes flash with an evil glint.


    ¡°Captain Pang, you¡¯re up soon. With how kind young miss is, she won¡¯t ignore your pleas.¡±


    ¡°Ptooey, don¡¯t think you can use me to threaten young miss.¡± His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Steward Sun.


    ¡°You¡¯d better kill me, or I will murder you and avenge my fellow guards.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, when I get the martial skill, I¡¯ll be happy to fulfill your wish.¡± Squinting his eyes, Steward Sun let out a creepy laughter. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    It took an hour for their group of twenty to reach Misty Forest.


    Yet before they could get any closer, snoring came from a man sleeping against a tree. A careful look identified him as Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Steward Sun, it¡¯s the one who killed the fatty.¡±


    Woken up by the voice, Zhuo Fan yawned and opened his weary eyes. Seeing Steward Sun and co., he showed no fear, no anxiety. Instead, a smile.


    ¡°Steward Sun, I¡¯ve waited so long to see you.¡±


    Frowning, Steward Sun watched him. He eyed him with utmost care yet nothing seemed to tell him anything. He was just calm.


    ¡°What a deep-rooted schemer you are. I underestimated you,¡± thought Steward Sun.


    If it were any other time, he would¡¯ve never paid attention to a servant.


    But ever since Steward Sun witnessed Zhuo Fan kill so brutally, Steward Sun¡¯s image of him turned upside-down. [This punk not only hid deeply, but he¡¯s also ruthless. If he matures, only suffering awaits.]


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, you¡¯ve quite the nerve to show off before me,¡± squinted Steward Sun at him.


    Zhuo Fan cut to the chase instead of replying, ¡°Steward Sun, want to make a deal?¡±


    ¡°What deal?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you the Luo clan¡¯s young master and mistress. So, secure my career in Blackwind Mountain.¡±


    [What?]


    Not only was Steward Sun shocked, but even the guard captain was also dumbfounded.


    He rested his hopes on Zhuo Fan to take the siblings far away. Who¡¯d have thought Zhuo Fan would defect and use them as bargaining chips.


    ¡°Why are you doing this? Luo clan hasn¡¯t scorn you,¡± doubts arose in Steward Sun¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, then why do you? Luo clan treated you even better.¡±


    Steward Sun reddened at this and felt his rage boiling.


    As he calmed himself, Zhuo Fan continued,¡±Every man for himself. With how much the Luo clan has fallen, reviving it isn¡¯t something one man can do. Why should I walk towards my death? Using them to secure my life is but human nature.¡±


    He picked the red rope from the ground who followed into the mist.


    ¡°Young miss is at one of the ends of the rope. I left a few forks on the rope along the way that only I know about.¡±


    Steward Sun nodded as he grabbed it, ¡°Good plan, to use a rope to mark your way. And you even included forks to safeguard the right trail for yourself. A true double-crosser, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    He gave the rope back, ¡°Deal, lead the way. But don¡¯t even think of playing tricks.¡±


    ¡°Steward Sun, I am an honest man!¡± smiled Zhuo Fan.


    Steward Sun sneered, ¡°I would¡¯ve believed you before but now¡­ who would!?¡±


    The two locked their eyes, each laughing as their looks hid devious thoughts.


    The captain¡¯s hair stood on end. He kept cursing Steward Sun as a rotten and vile human, while he barked at Zhuo Fan as one who betrayed their master. Though everyone ignored him as he was escorted by other men as they ventured into the thick mist.

 Chapter 9 - The Array’s Power

    The row of people stuck together and held on to the red rope as they walked through the mist. Zhuo Fan went first with Steward Sun right behind him. Holding onto him with a firm grip on to prevent the boy from escaping.


    Because of the thick mist, one couldn¡¯t even see the figure of the one in front and relied on their hands to feel their neighbor.


    At the heart of the Misty Forest, where it was impossible for anyone to escape, Zhuo Fan stopped.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Steward Sun was feeling apprehensive, tightening his grip on Zhuo Fan¡¯s clothes.


    With a snicker, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Steward Sun, we¡¯ll be paring here. It¡¯s best if you travel the Underworld River without me.¡±


    With acute fear, Steward Sun discovered he fell in Zhuo Fan¡¯s trap. He pulled Zhuo Fan close and slapped him.


    The clothes were turned to ribbons, but instead of Zhuo Fan, they held a log.


    ¡®W-when did he escape?¡¯


    He¡¯d been holding tight on Zhuo Fan to prevent his escape, yet reality showed the opposite.


    ¡°Turn back, quick!¡± Steward Sun rushed from where they came.


    As soon as he shouted, the men used the rope to retrace their path.


    But then, a shout came from the mist, ¡°The rope has been cut!¡±


    It was as if lightning struck them and they all turned pale. How would they get out of this thick mist without the rope?


    Steward Sun stomped as he gnashed his teeth, ¡°Blast it! That brat got us.¡±


    ¡°Bring that damn Pang over.¡±


    ¡°Steward Sun, he¡¯s gone.¡±


    ¡°Bastard!¡±


    Steward Sun punched the ground and made a meter wide hole in rage.


    He was a schemer himself, yet he fell at the hands of a stinky brat.


    ¡°Damn punk, I¡¯ve played this game longer than you. Don¡¯t think a puny Misty Forest can trap me.¡± Steward Sun roared towards the sky. ¡°Once I get out! I¡¯ll tear you to pieces!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯ll never have the chance.¡±


    With Zhuo Fan¡¯s mad laughter as the signal, the mist reddened.


    ¡°Why is the mist turning red?¡±


    They were in shock by the sudden change. They were bandits that killed people for a living, yet these strange circumstances had them on edge.


    ¡°Steward Sun, you are wiser than most¡­ Can you tell us what this is?¡±


    Even though the bandit shouted, only silence echoed back. He felt around him yet touched no one, as if everyone around him vanished and left him all alone.


    He wasn¡¯t the only one. The people that hung on to the rope began to vanish one at a time.


    Steward Sun could hardly believe what was happening, ¡°C-can this be¡­ an array?¡±


    One as old as Steward Sun has seen many things and experienced even more, yet the more he knew, the more he realized how terrible arrays were and fear¡¯s grip his heart.


    An array worked using Heaven and Earth¡¯s energy. As long as a man controlled it, it could wipe out a dozen equal to him in power. Even if tens of experts gathered, they still could not measure to its power.


    Of all the possibilities he thought of, not once did he consider being trapped in an array.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, w-who exactly are you?¡±


    Steward Sun trembles from the feeling of dread.


    He saw at last that Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t just any ordinary man, how could a simple man know how to use or set up arrays? If Zhuo Fan had taken out an array when they met, he wouldn¡¯t have had the nerve to chase him.


    Standing in the center of the array, Luo Yunchang was clear of the situation. Her eyes drifted to Zhuo, filled with intrigue.


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan kept a cold and callous expression as he said:


    ¡°Kill them!¡±


    She followed his order by following his hand signs.


    The blood-red fog changed again, this time black, and swallowed all that laid within. Now they couldn¡¯t even see themselves.


    Only their ears picked the mournful wails of thousands of wraiths.


    With fear as their only companion, they lost all their will to resist once the black streams of energy started burrowing inside them.


    They felt their soul devoured yet were powerless to resist.


    All succumbed to terror at this point.


    Smirking, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shined with glee. He left Luo Yunchang and sat cross-legged in another center of the array.


    The Nine Serenities Secret Records stated that the Demon Transformation Art user had a backdoor into all arrays.


    The men in the array were driven mad, and all he needed to do now was to absorb their Yuan Qi.

 Chapter 10 - Constant Breakthrough

    ¡°Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; Nine Underworld wraiths return to me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands moved as he stole the array from under Luo Yunchang¡¯s control while also making the clear figures of Steward Sun and the rest disappear from her mind


    Luo Yunchang felt it odd and redo the signs to no avail.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    The Misty Forest was drowned with shrieks and wails. Steward Sun and the rest became pitch-black but still had a sliver of awareness left as black shadows left their body.


    Each time one flew out, it evoked cries of torment as if pieces were ripped from its body. When the last shadow left, the cries stopped and so did their life. Their body dried up like a mummy and they turned to dust.


    In the darkness, the shadows returned like bees to Zhuo Fan and entered his body.


    He accepted them with a calm face and soon his body turned black just like Steward Sun did. When the last shadow burrowed, he began doing hand signs to practice the Demon Transformation Art.


    The still black Yuan Qi inside him boiled as it charged through his meridians and settled in his Dantian. And his power grew with it.


    In an instant, he entered the 6th layer of Foundation Establishment.


    In the next instant, he was in the 7th.


    And then, he was at peak 7th layer.


    He kept going like this through the 8th layer, then the 9th, until the peak of Foundation Establishment.


    He opened his eyes and took a deep breath as he clenched his hands, feeling the power course through him.


    This time, it wasn¡¯t as easy. The wraiths were almost spent when he demonified the Yuan Qi for himself. But with his experience as a veteran demonic cultivator, he understood that breaking through in a state of exhausted Yuan Qi, holds much more value with his future progress.


    He clenched his teeth and operated the cultivation method. He sucked the wraiths dry and used the remaining Yuan Qi he had to make one final push.


    Bang!


    Zhuo Fan heard something explode. He felt as if a dam broke and his body coursed with powerful Yuan Qi then settled in his Dantian to replenish his spent reserves.


    This act of scraping for the last traces of energy enlarged his meridians by more than double.


    Qi Condensation!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes opened with glee.


    Even when he did this in his previous life, his meridians were nowhere near as wide as they were now. And the Yuan Qi in his Dantian allowed him to face an expert at Qi Condensation. He was three times as powerful as before.


    He released a long breath and made some hand signs to release the wraiths. They turned back to gray and he went back to normal.


    When all wraiths were gone, Zhuo Fan stood up and a single wave from his hands pushed away the black fog. Allowing the sun¡¯s rays to land on the forest.


    He could now control the array himself, no longer needing Luo Yunchang¡¯s assistance.


    He showed a small smile as he looked at the sky, ¡°Now that I¡¯m in the Qi Condensation, I can practice some martial arts!¡±


    Despite the end of Steward Sun and his retinue of bandits, Zhuo Fan had managed to free the Luo clan siblings. It could be said Zhuo Fan benefited the most out of this. Without devouring Steward Sun, he would have never reached Qi Condensation.


    It was at this stage that he could practice martial arts. Later, not only could he defend himself, but also easier to devour others, becoming stronger himself.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan.¡±


    A clear shout came from Luo Yunchang as she came over, embracing her brother. Meanwhile, the guard captain followed behind. ¡°Where did you run off to? Why did I lose control of the array?¡±


    ¡°Uh, perhaps there were too few spirit stones and the array collapsed. I just saw Steward Sun die. This is worthy of celebration. No one escaped,¡± dodged Zhuo Fan.


    He wasn¡¯t about to reveal his secret, because in this world, demonic cultivators were strong, uncanny and cultivated with shocking speed.


    And his Demon Transformation Art was even more monstrous. If others knew, he¡¯d be a public enemy. This was why he died last time. So, for his second life, he made sure to avoid any mistakes.


    Luo Yunchang nodded, believing him.


    After some hesitation, Captain Pang toughened his resolve and kneeled.


    ¡°Brother Zhuo Fan, I was too reckless before, unaware of your plan and still cursed you. If you must punish me, I will accept any that you might have for me. Even if you ask for my head, I will gladly offer it. ¡°


    Zhuo Fan nodded inside.Captain Pang was a loyal retainer. If Zhao Chen had this level of devotion, Zhuo Fan wouldn¡¯t have fallen so low.


    Sighing inside, he helped Captain Pang up, ¡°Captain Pang is a captain of the guards while I am just a mere servant. How could I receive such courtesy? Moreover, we have young miss to thank for setting up an array to eliminate Steward Sun¡¯s group.¡±


    Luo Yunchang watched him, confused. Only nodding when he threw Luo Yunchang a look.


    Although Luo Yunchang didn¡¯t know why Zhao Chen avoided admitting he was the one who set the array, he did save her and still deferred for her opinion.


    Captain Pang turned to Luo Yunchang in shock, ¡°Young miss knows arrays?¡±


    Luo Yunchang laughed, embarrassed, forced to admit it.


    ¡°Heaven protected the Luo clan! Young miss knows arrays, our rise is imminent!¡± Captain Pang threw his head back and laughed, exhilarated by the prospect.


    Zhuo Fan rubbed his nose.


    Luo Yunchang stole a glance at Zhuo Fan, [If Luo clan is to rise, it¡¯s only thanks to this man.]

 Chapter 11 - Entering Windgaze City

    Zhuo Fan understood her and quickly said, ¡°Now that we no longer have Steward Sun breathing down our necks, what does young miss intend to do next?¡±


    ¡°Uh, we were planning on seeking shelter at Cai Manor!¡± Captain Pang spoke before she could.


    This captain of the guards no longer treated Zhuo Fan as a common servant, but of equal status.


    ¡°You should know that Cai clan¡¯s young master has a marriage agreement with young miss.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, Windgaze City¡¯s Cai clan?¡±


    Zhuo Fan rubbed his chin, nodding.


    According to this body¡¯s memories, Cai clan was the best clan in the Windgaze City, of the same power as Luo clan. If he could hand over the Luo siblings to them, then the grudge would be settled and his heart demon lightened. Maybe it could even be dispelled.


    Zhuo Fan nodded at this thought, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go to the Cai clan.¡±


    But not before he took one last look at Blackwind Mountain, mumbling, ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡±


    At the same time, in a dark cave atop Blackwind Mountain, a malevolent youth was on a large seat. His eyes were filled with cruelty as they flicked to his subordinate, ¡°Any news of Steward Sun?¡±


    ¡°R-reporting to young lord, Steward Sun said he¡¯d soon have the martial art.¡± The bandit was shaking like a leaf, fearing to even meet the youth¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, withdraw.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± The bandit wiped the sweat from his head, not lingering one moment more if he could help it, from fear of being eaten.


    The youth rose and moved behind the cover placed at the back of his seat. An old man laid there, glaring with fury at him. His lips trembled but no words came out.


    The youth patted the man¡¯s hand with a smile, ¡°Master, be at ease, your friend left first and is waiting for you. Once Returning Dragon Palm arrives, I will reunite you two old friends.¡±


    The old man¡¯s eyes were bloodshot at this, as if wanting to eat him alive. Despite the constant trembling, he could do nothing else.


    In response, the youth¡¯s savage and vicious laughter echoed throughout the cave¡­


    Windgaze City was the largest city in a hundred miles and a ten day-journey from the Luo clan. From fear of other bandits pursuing them, Zhuo Fan and the others sped up and reached it in five.


    Once inside, the bustling of the city assaulted them while also bringing some comfort. All the tension accumulated over these past days seemed to seep from them.


    Now that she was finally around other people, Luo Yunchang¡¯s strained face finally revealed a smile.


    ¡°Yunhai, look there!¡± pulling his hand, she pointed at a juggling stall.


    Captain Pang was happy to know the fall of the young miss¡¯ clan didn¡¯t put a damper on her spirits, ¡°Brother Zhuo Fan, I seem to recall you never came to Windgaze City.¡±


    Zhuo Fan just nodded.


    Captain Pang was stunned at that.


    Windgaze City¡¯s bustle was famous around these parts. He recalled the last time he came here and was so excited he couldn¡¯t sleep for three nights. Why was it that a home grown kid who never saw the flourishing city didn¡¯t even flinch?


    Of course, how could he know? In Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes, this place was no different than a village.


    ¡°Old Pang, is Cai clan far from here?¡± Sharing hardships brought them closer and even started calling each other brothers.


    Luo Yunchang spoke before Captain Pang could, ¡°We don¡¯t need to go so quickly. I and Yunhai must make an official visit first, then I will come see you. Stay at a tavern in the meantime.¡±


    ¡°So annoying!¡± frowned Zhuo Fan.


    With a bitter smile, Captain Pang just shrugged, ¡°Can¡¯t be helped. There¡¯s no one rushing us now. If we go there now, they will laugh at us for not showing propriety.¡±


    ¡°Fine, you go first.¡± Zhuo Fan sighted, but nodded.


    As long as the siblings were safe and he gained his freedom, waiting for a bit more wouldn¡¯t hurt.


    After five days of silence, someone couldn¡¯t restrain their temper and began running his mouth.


    ¡°Humph, stinky slave. Windgaze City is my sister¡¯s domain. Just you wait, see how I¡¯ll deal with you.¡± Luo Yunhai crossed his arms and flared his nostrils, becoming the same old impertinent young master from before.


    Bam!


    He didn¡¯t get to enjoy it though, as Zhuo Fan delivered a healthy kick to his rear. He flew a meter and landed on his face.


    ¡°No need to wait, let¡¯s settle this now.¡±


    Luo Yunchang rushed to help her brother and glared at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Why do you always pick on a child?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your brother who needs a spanking.¡±


    Zhuo Fan shot her a look then waved, ¡°Go already. After you settle in, if you still look at me with such discontent, I will not hesitate to leave you.¡±


    Luo Yunchang snorted and left while hugging her brother.


    Luo Yunhai rested his head on her shoulder, face red as if choking but not daring to make a peep.


    Even a child like him understood the two siblings had no power in the forest and suffered at the hands of that despicable and dastardly servant. But now that they were in Windgaze City, his sister¡¯s turf, it didn¡¯t seem to make much difference. [Why am I getting beaten by that damn slave again?]


    [Does this slave fear not even Heaven and Earth?] Luo Yunhai never saw anyone like him in the Luo clan.


    Captain Pang watched this unfold with shock to say the least, as his eyes were close to popping.


    Not even he knew Zhuo Fan was so daring and impertinent that he¡¯d beat up the young master right in front of young miss. Yet she did not make a complaint nor retaliate.


    Young miss dotted on her brother, never once being harsh with him. Yet Zhuo Fan trampled over young master with no regard to her with uncanny ease and skill.


    Now he understood why young master looked at Zhuo Fan like a mouse eyeing a cat.


    Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Captain Pang said, ¡°Brother Zhuo Fan, young master is your lord. If not out of respect for the young miss, do it out of respect for her husband. How could you kick him?¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed then shrugged. No one was a lord in his eyes. Everything he did was to remove the heart demon.

 Chapter 12 - Odd Girl

    ¡°They won¡¯t come back for a while. Let¡¯s stroll around the city.¡±


    Zhuo Fan turned around and walked away. Captain Pang knew he didn¡¯t take his words to heart and sigh as he followed.


    They were soon in the market area. This was where rogue cultivators sold their wares, to exchange items or other cultivating materials.


    With Zhuo Fan¡¯s experience, he should be able to find goods which others overlooked.


    The two visited many stalls, and many times, Captain Pang wanted to put his hands in his pocket, but when he saw Zhuo Fan walking away with a dull look, he followed suit.


    Perhaps he wasn¡¯t aware, but the grand captain of the guard was reduced to following Zhuo Fan at every step.


    ¡°Ai, since when did the world overflow with overlooked treasures? Let¡¯s just go.¡± Zhuo Fan scoured the market but nothing caught his eye.


    It was then he heard a ruckus.


    He went to see a stall owner and a red-faced girl in a heated dispute.


    He led Captain Pang through the crowd¡¯s center and saw the girl¡¯s appearance. She wore white clothes, with fine eyebrows like a crescent moon and looked calmed and gentle. Even when yelled at, she never lost her smile as if she never got angry. She persevered despite opposition.


    ¡°This black jade is fake.¡±


    ¡°How is it fake? This is the purest black jade, one that if left in the sun for a day, will still feel cool to the touch. If worn as a pendant, cultivation will be much easier¡­¡±


    The man spat non-stop about how pure it was, ¡°Young miss, do you understand what I¡¯m saying?¡±


    She shook her head, but her smile never faltered, ¡°I do not know much about black jade, but I have seen one so I can tell this one¡¯s a fake.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you saw it once and dare to say you find this one fake? Did you hear, everyone? Has there ever been such an absurd situation in the world?¡±


    ¡°It has, and I know I¡¯m right. If we talk about price, the worst black jade is worth 10 spirit stones while the best a hundred. Yet yours is only 3 spirit stones.¡±


    ¡°Get out of here! Enough with your rubbish, little girl. Don¡¯t ruin my business. How could you possibly know of its value?¡±


    The girl smiled while staring at the man. He felt a rage burning inside, but had nowhere to vent.


    As the saying goes, you can¡¯t strike one who only smiled.


    The girl kept denying the black jade¡¯s price without a solid reason. If it was any other person, he would¡¯ve slapped them silly. But her smile left him powerless to even lift his hand.


    ¡°That black jade is indeed fake.¡±


    A man¡¯s voice echoed out and the crowd saw Zhuo Fan watching the girl with a smile, ¡°Young miss¡¯ eyes are true, but cannot explain where the fault lies. As everyone knows, reality is a matter of perception. What¡¯s real can be fake and what¡¯s fake can be real..¡±


    The girl was taken aback but nodded while scrutinizing him.


    Zhuo Fan turned to the crowd, ¡°Everyone, is it possible to prepare a few things? Sulfur, clover¡­¡±


    He enumerated some of the most common things, and some people already bought them.


    Under everyone¡¯s eyes, Zhuo Fan threw them in water, stirred, and said to the stall owner, ¡°Please place the black jade inside.¡±


    ¡°Humph, you¡¯re just washing it!¡± He was also confident, even as he placed it inside.


    But once it entered, the water began to bubble and turn red. It even released a faint hint of blood energy.


    ¡°How can it be?¡± The stall owner was shocked.


    The girl also watched wide-eyed, astonished.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, no need to be so surprised. This black jade was just an imitation that will show its real color once introduced to water.¡± Zhuo Fan took the black jade and gave it to the owner, ¡°Now you should know this lady was right.¡±


    ¡°That bastard lied to me! He sold it to me for 20 spirit stones.¡± The stall owner gnashed his teeth.


    ¡°This black jade is only worth 3 spirit stones.¡±


    The girl declared her assessment then smiled to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Mister has good eyes. I knew it was fake, but couldn¡¯t pinpoint the difference. I thank mister for his intervention.¡±


    ¡°It was nothing. I have also seen this once,¡± Zhuo Fan smiled. ¡°Young miss, won¡¯t you buy it? It¡¯s just 3 stones now.¡±


    ¡°No need. I only wanted to inform others of the stone¡¯s real price.¡± She chuckled and left.


    Watching her figure fading into the crowd, Captain Pang sighed next to Zhuo Fan, ¡°What an odd girl.¡±


    Zhuo Fan, on the other hand, breathed out relieved as he muttered, ¡°That girl¡¯s eyes are sharp and sinister. It¡¯s a good thing she is still inexperienced, or she would¡¯ve taken the treasure without hesitation.¡±


    He then turned to the black jade, eyes shining with excitement.


    But the stall owner was sighing as he packed his things, ready to go home¡­

 Chapter 13 - Blood Spirit

    ¡°Never thought I¡¯d make a mistake.¡±


    The stall owner was carrying his bag while walking along a remote alley. He didn¡¯t talk, just sighed as he walked.


    But then a voice came from behind, ¡°Owner, please wait.¡±


    He stopped with a startle and looked to see Zhuo Fan walking over.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one from before¡­¡± He recognized Zhuo Fan. It was him who showed everyone his black jade was fake.


    ¡°Is there something you need?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, owner, I like your black jade and will pay ten spirit stones for it.¡± Zhuo Fan laughed, taking glances at the man¡¯s bag.


    After some muttering, the owner looked oddly at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Mister, you know this stone is fake, so why pay 10 spirit stones? The lady said it was worth 3.¡±


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan added, ¡°Even if it is fake, it can still pass off for the real thing. I might be able to sell it as a black jade.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see. You want to trick others into buying it.¡± The owner nodded in understanding then scanned around, ¡°Since this is the case, things are different now, it is worth much more than just 10 spirit stones.¡±


    ¡°How much do you want then?¡± Zhuo Fan squinted with murderous intent.


    ¡°At least 50!¡± The owner showed his own sneaky side, ¡°If not, I¡¯ll just find my own target and sell it at a hundred.¡±


    Thanks to Zhuo Fan¡¯s reminder, the owner realized how rare were people who could tell the real black jade from fake. He could sell the fake himself and earn a fortune.


    ¡°Are you buying, or do I have to look elsewhere?¡±


    Seeing Zhuo Fan¡¯s expression, the owner knew he didn¡¯t have that many spirit stones on him. But it was fine since he could sell it himself and dupe another in the process. He walked away.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    The moment he took the first step, a hand grabbed his shoulder like an iron claw, eliciting a shout of pain from the owner.


    ¡°Owner, don¡¯t be too greedy.¡± Zhuo Fan warned.


    ¡°Humph, so what if I am? The black jade is mine and I¡¯ll sell it at whatever price I want¡­¡±


    His voice choked as a black Yuan Qi entered his body.


    After his body turned black, a breeze scattered his dust into the wind.


    Releasing his breath, Zhuo Fan felt his Yuan Qi grow a bit. He was a 1st layer Qi Condensation expert. The 7th layer Foundation Establishment owner hardly helped in increasing his power.


    He just wanted to trade, but the owner had to be ruthless and force his hand.


    Zhuo Fan took the black jade and returned to the tavern.


    He wasn¡¯t addicted to killing, but some people were addicted to courting death.


    Zhuo Fan met with Captain Pang at the tavern and threw him a pouch, ¡°Old Pang, here.¡±


    Captain Pang didn¡¯t understand, ¡°Eh? The 10 spirit stones are all here? Didn¡¯t you buy it?¡±


    Zhuo Fan left Captain Pang at the tavern after borrowing 10 spirit stones, saying he found something that caught his eye. Yet the same spirit stones were left in the bag, untouched.


    ¡°Oh, that old man was so nice he just gave it to me.¡± Zhuo Fan dodged.


    ¡°Also, Old Pang, guard my door and don¡¯t let anyone come in.¡±


    With that, he closed the door to his room. Captain Pang found it strange, but since they were like brothers now, he helped him out. As such, he sat before Zhuo Fan¡¯s door as a guard.


    Zhuo Fan was clear as to what happened beyond his door and nodded, pleased. He lucked out in finding such a loyal man.


    Next, he settled the black jade on the table and released his dark Yuan Qi.


    Bam!


    The stone¡¯s exterior cracked and fell, revealing a blood-red light.


    It was no longer a black jade but a bloody one. Moreover, it gave the impression of a heart as it flashed on and off like heartbeats.


    ¡°I knew it, it¡¯s the Blood Spirit!¡±


    Zhuo Fan swallowed, his face working hard to restrain the obvious delight in his voice.


    The Blood Spirit stems from any stone. It¡¯s only requirement of formation is to be bathed in the blood of millions of people, absorbing the essence of sun and moon for thousands of years, it would take form. It was a demonic cultivator treasure, rarest of treasures.


    A cultivator would use the Blood Spirit to form a Blood Infant. In battle, he could send the Blood Infant to absorb the opponent¡¯s blood essence then kill him. And the Blood Infant could grow along with the cultivator. Once Zhuo Fan grew strong enough, even an Emperor wouldn¡¯t dare mess with it.


    According to the Nine Serenities Secret Records, there was once an ancient demonic cultivator expert, Patriarch Blood Demon, that trained the Blood Infant to the Saint Stage. Even the ancient ten Emperors were unwilling to make an enemy out of him.


    Patriarch Blood Demon felt invincible and went to challenge Nine Serenities Emperor for the title of the strongest demonic cultivator. It was a drawn out battle, with the Nine Serenities Emperor heavily wounded at the end; barely overcoming the Patriarch Blood Demon by half a move.


    However, the Nine Serenities Emperor obtained Patriarch Blood Demon¡¯s secret method to raise the Blood Infant, improved it, and added it to the Demon Transformation Art. The Nine Serenities Emperor wanted to train the Blood Infant too, but never got the chance.


    Never did he, Zhuo Fan,  the Demonic Emperor, think he¡¯d have such a stroke of luck after rebirthing to train the Blood Infant.


    If he had it in his past life, a Saint would¡¯ve been nothing.


    That thought made him eager to slash his wrist and pour his blood onto the blood jade.

 Chapter 14 - Refining The Blood Infant

    Plop¡­ plop¡­


    Just like how an infant breathed, each drop of blood landed on the stone and disappeared the next instant. The stone started to throb and the sensation only grew stronger with each drop of blood.


    Zhuo Fan smiled viciously and pushed out more blood for the jade.


    If he wanted to refine the Blood Infant, he needed to bathe it in his blood until the Blood Spirit synchronized both their breathing and heartbeat.


    The seconds trickled by as Zhuo Fan¡¯s blood thinned, but the Blood Spirit was never sated, devouring everything he gave.


    Zhuo Fan licked his dried lips, growing paler as his mind was clouded. He knew the loss of blood was too great, but he¡¯d come too far now.


    There was only one chance to refine the Blood Infant. If he stopped, it¡¯d be like throwing a child away. It would think Zhuo Fan abandoned it and would never approve of him ever again.


    This was why there was no going back once Zhuo Fan started the process.


    After an hour, Zhuo Fan felt the world spinning. If he dared keep this up, it would endanger his life. If his life came at an end, the Blood Spirit would lose its meaning.


    Just as he was considering abandoning the process, an indescribable feeling arose in his heart.


    Zhuo Fan was stunned, then overjoyed. His mind and the Blood Spirit were now connected.


    He held onto the bloodstone and activated the Demon Transformation Art. Black Yuan Qi enveloped the stone and strands of blood left it to enter Zhuo Fan.


    Finally, the bloodstone shattered with a loud sound and a red glow shot for his body. Zhuo Fan checked in glee and saw the red palm-sized infant resting in his Dantian.


    Sensing his eyes, the infant opened his eyes then went to sleep.


    ¡°T-this is the Blood Infant!¡±


    After a moment of stupefaction, he jumped in joy. He never thought it would be so easy to refine the Blood Infant.


    Even though he succeeded, he lost too much blood. When he stood up, his legs went soft and hit the ground. But even that couldn¡¯t wipe the grin off his face.


    ¡°Now that I have the Blood Infant, the next step is to settle on a martial art to learn.¡±


    Blood Palm, a mid mortal ranked martial art. The palm would rain havoc to one¡¯s blood and reverse its flow. Thanks to also having the Blood Infant, it was now savage enough to even damage one¡¯s blood essence.


    Despite a mere mid mortal ranked, its power was as strong as a high mortal ranked martial art. It might even surpass it¡­


    Ten days later.


    The door opened with a creak and Zhuo Fan came out grinning. Captain Pang rose to his feet and rubbed his eyes.


    ¡°Why did you take so long? Cai Manor already sent someone over.¡±


    Seeing the dead tired Old Pang, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Old Pang, thank you for your hard work.¡±


    ¡°Ai, what hard work between brothers? But we cannot let young miss and young master wait for too long.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you¡¯re not curious what I¡¯ve been doing the past ten days?¡±


    ¡°That is your business. You¡¯ll tell me when you want to.¡± Captain Pang waved indifferently, pulling Zhuo Fan with haste towards Cai Manor.


    Zhuo Fan was touched seeing this rough man. Despite not knowing each other for long, Old Pang had complete trust in him.


    This never happened for all his life as Demonic Emperor.


    They arrived an hour later before a majestic gate with a sign inscribed in golden letters, Cai Manor.


    Just when they were about to enter, the guards stopped them.


    ¡°Stop. Who are you to dare enter Cai Manor?¡±


    Captain Pang clasped his hand, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I am Luo clan¡¯s captain of the guard, Pang Yu, and this is Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan. My young miss and young master are guests in your home.¡±


    Zhuo Fan was taken aback. Since when did he become the Luo clan¡¯s steward?


    Pang Yu knew what he was thinking and whispered, ¡°Eight days ago, Cai clan¡¯s men came to say you are Luo clan¡¯s steward. Young miss must have done it. Congratulations, brother Zhuo, he-he-he¡­¡±


    Shaking his head out of helplessness, Zhuo Fan let out a bitter smile.


    He didn¡¯t want to be some steward, but to entrust the safety of the siblings to the Cai clan and free himself of the heart demon. How could the grand Demonic Emperor be a puny clan¡¯s steward?


    But just as how he looked down on the Luo clan, so did the guards of the Cai Manor.


    The two guards shot a glance filled with contempt, ¡°Humph, another two showed up to cheat their way to a free meal.¡±


    ¡°Hey, what did you say?¡±


    Captain Pang was pissed and wanted to argue, but Zhuo Fan stopped him. They walked inside.


    Captain Pang didn¡¯t understand, ¡°Why did you stop me?¡±


    Zhuo Fan only had a grave expression. These two server¡¯s attitude was a reflection of their lords. Nothing good would come out of talking to them. The two needed to find Luo Yunchang and understand what was happening. The Cai Manor might not be such a good place to place his trust in.


    After some inquiry, they arrived at the siblings¡¯ dwelling.


    Seeing the wretched place they lived in, even lower than the tavern rooms, Captain Pang cursed, ¡°Why is the Cai clan treating young miss and young master like this? They are even less than guests.¡±


    ¡°Not just that, they don¡¯t even consider them humans.¡± Zhuo Fan felt anger seething inside. If not because of the siblings¡¯ injustice, then because of wasting his time and energy.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go in.¡±


    Zhuo Fan rushed next to Captain Pang who was in a hurry to open the door. Inside, they saw Luo Yunhai sitting on the bed crestfallen, without his usual enthusiasm.


    The place was crude, with just a broken chair and a broken table.


    Captain Pang¡¯s eyes teared up, ¡°Young master, don¡¯t be sad¡­¡±


    ¡°Kid, where¡¯s your sister?¡± Zhuo Fan was blunt, with no sympathy.


    It seemed Zhuo Fan¡¯s beating casted a shadow on his heart. The lifeless Luo Yunhai shivered and woke up.


    Luo Yunhai stammered at the raging Zhuo Fan, ¡°Sister went to look for him¡­ hic, young master Cai, to help rebuild the Cloud Manor.¡±


    ¡°Asking for help in this situation is asking for humiliation. Let¡¯s go look for your sister.¡± Zhuo Fan dragged Luo Yunhai off the bed, his attitude worse than ever.


    Captain Pang was in a panic, wanting to stop Zhuo Fan from being so rude to his master. But Zhuo Fan¡¯s mood seemed to put him off, and all the courage left him.


    As such, Luo Yunhai was shaking in fear as he led them.


    Captain Pang cached up to them, thinking. [Just who is the lord here?]

 Chapter 15 - Annulled Marriage

    Next to a clear stream, an elegant man was frolicking with a charming lady in red. They chased each other around the pond, laughing all the while in this peaceful place.


    Luo Yunchang felt only sorrow as she watched the flirting couple. But for the good of the clan, she braced herself and stepped forward, ¡°Brother Xiaoting¡­¡±


    The mood of the man turned sour as he glared at her, ¡°Luo Yunchang, I thought I made myself clear. From now on, I have nothing more to do with you. My eyes are only for Yufei.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, now get lost. Brother Xiaoting doesn¡¯t love you anymore.¡± The lady in red sneered at her.


    Biting her lip, Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes mist over.


    At the time when Luo and Cai clans were on good terms, the parents of both families arranged their marriage. She and Cai Xiaoting grew up together and swore their love for each other, to never abandon the other.


    This was why the first person she thought of was her fianc¨¦e when she needed help.


    Yet reality was cruel. Ever since they came here, she and her brother kept suffering while Cai Xiaoting had the arrogant and insufferable Sun clan¡¯s young miss, Sun Yufei, next to him.


    She knew all hope of marrying into the Cai clan was lost. But for the sake of rebuilding her clan, she hoped to stir Clan Head Cai¡¯s amiable emotions the two clans had in the past and lend a helping hand.


    Yet Clan Head Cai Rong was cold and unfeeling to their plight, not moving an inch.


    The siblings stayed here for ten days, all in hope of gaining some assistance. But since Cai Rong ignored her, she could only turn to Cai Xiaoting.


    ¡°Brother Xiaoting, I don¡¯t ask for you to go through with the engagement, and only hope you can persuade your father, for old time sake, and help the Luo clan. ¡±


    ¡°It has nothing to do with me. Talk with dad.¡± Cai Xiaoting waved his sleeve coldly.


    Luo Yunchang kneeled with tears streaming down her cheeks.


    ¡°Brother Xiaoting, if you don¡¯t agree, I will kneel here until I die.¡±


    Taking a long look at her, Cai Xiaoting frowned and was plagued by hesitation.


    But then Sun Yufei jumped between them and slapped Luo Yunchang. The blow threw her back and blood trickled from her mouth.


    ¡°Humph, bitch, Cai Xiaoting is mine. Stay away from him.¡±


    Sun Yufei¡¯s phoenix eyes glared and raved. She turned to Cai Xiaoting and said harshly, ¡°You stay away from her too. If I find there¡¯s still something left between you, I will leave you.¡±


    As if waking up, he nodded and swore, ¡°Yufei, relax, my heart is yours. Other girls are dirt compared to you.¡±


    Cai Xiaoting¡¯s eyes showed his sincere feelings, watching her like a love-struck puppy.


    Sun Yufei nodded pleased, as Luo Yunchang¡¯s face turned ashen. She knew her last hope faded away¡­


    Whoosh!


    A shadow flashed by and two slaps echoed. Sun Yufei and Cai Xiaoting were still confused about what happened, when a red handprint appeared on their faces.


    Zhuo Fan stood in front of Luo Yunchang as he stared at them, ¡°A damn illicit couple dares to ruin my affairs?¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Sun Yufei and Cai Xiaoting woke up with a start. They were geniuses of Windgaze City, Qi Condensation experts, and peerless in their generation.


    Yet here was Zhuo Fan, of similar age yet faster than even them. They got slapped before they could react.


    Is it possible for such an individual to exist in this world?


    As the scene played out, only Captain Pang and Luo Yunhai came to Luo Yunchang¡¯s help.


    Seeing the thin figure in front, Captain Pang was even more shocked.


    Although he was an expert in the 4th layer of Qi Condensation, while Cai Xiaoting was in the 3rd, a level beneath him; They had different upbringings and if they clashed, he might even lose.


    Yet such arrogant geniuses were slapped by Zhuo Fan. Thinking about the power he displayed in the forest, Captain Pang couldn¡¯t help but wonder how he got so strong in such a short span of time.


    Ignoring the two and the shocked Captain Pang, Zhuo Fan turned to the crying and pitiful Luo Yunchang and felt pain in his heart.


    ¡°Wretched heart demon.¡± Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth.


    With his Demonic Emperor disposition, he could look beyond the world¡¯s entire sufferings. How could a girl¡¯s humiliation ever cause him pain? He could only attribute it to this body¡¯s former soul, who felt anger for his master.


    ¡°Ai, it looks like I¡¯ll be stuck with the Luo clan for some time.¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed inside as he wiped Luo Yunchang¡¯s tears, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Luo Yunchang nodded, there was no point in staying here. She carried the bitter Luo Yunhai and walked with Captain Pang¡¯s help.


    ¡°Humph, don¡¯t think you can run after hitting us.¡±


    Sun Yufei shrieked as she barred their way. Cai Xiaoting chimed in, ¡°Luo Yunchang, you think this is a place you can come and go as you please?¡±


    Luo Yunchang was filled with grief and balled her fists. She regretted ever coming here for help. Facing this overbearing couple in their home, she could only reign in her anger.


    If she were alone, she would¡¯ve rather fight them for her honor, but she still had her brother. If he died, she would be too ashamed to meet her parents in the Underworld River.


    ¡°W-what do you want?¡± Luo Yunchang¡¯s voice trembled.


    ¡°Humph, simple. Kneel and kowtow three times.¡± Sun Yufei smiled viciously and pointed at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Especially him!¡±


    Clenching his teeth, Captain Pang¡¯s eyes went red, wanting nothing more than to beat them senseless. This was too humiliating.


    Luo Yunchang hesitated, then closed her eyes as her knees bent.


    ¡°Kneel, all of you.¡±


    They could all hear her faint mournful voice. Sun Yufei stuck out her chin with arrogance and smiled with pride.


    Bam!


    Before they kneeled, Sun Yufei and Cai Xiaoting took the initiative to kneel first with a cry. Rather saying they kneeled, it was better to say their knees were focible smacked onto the pavement.

 Chapter 16 - Tomorrow, You’ll Be Beneath Me

    Cracks spread like spiderwebs on the pavement. If they weren¡¯t Qi Condensation experts, their knees would be crushed, unable to walk again.


    The two grimaced as they looked up to see Zhuo Fan standing before them.


    ¡°You again!¡±


    The couple knew Zhuo Fan was the only one among the group who had the power to attack them out of the blue.


    ¡°Even if you beg on your knees now, I won¡¯t ever let you go.¡± Sun Yufei glared scornfully at Zhuo Fan, howling with rage.


    Pa, pa!


    Two hits echoed and Zhuo Fan kicked them without hesitation.


    ¡°You want me to kneel? You think too highly of yourselves.¡±


    Sun Yufei and Cai Xiaoting were dumbfounded, even forgetting the pain from the kick.


    Slapping them to help Luo Yunchang out of a predicament, was something they could understand. To make amends, they were ordered to kneel. Yet, the steward still had the guts to strike them. Was he not afraid they would never be allowed to leave Cai Manor alive?


    Captain Pang was enraged by the two¡¯s act, but he looked at it from a different perspective and felt it was better to endure, or the Luo clan would be perishing here.


    Luo Yunchang smiled dejectedly. Others didn¡¯t understand Zhuo Fan, while she gained first-hand knowledge of his violent character in the forest. He never once acted like a servant. He just did whatever he wanted. She just could not cope with the fact their Luo clan had such a servant.


    Yet, Luo Yunhai¡¯s attitude changed completely. He now looked at Zhuo Fan with worship and adoration.


    This damnable slave¡¯s nerve that always bullied him wasn¡¯t limited to picking on his masters, but even on others. He just didn¡¯t know fear. In that instant, the image of the damnable slave turned into an almighty hero coming to rescue the Luo clan.


    ¡°Who dares to act impertinently in the Cai clan¡¯s domain?¡±


    A man¡¯s rebuke echoed as he appeared before them.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s face dropped. She pulled her brother so close that even he could feel her anxiety.


    Cai Xiaoting was overjoyed, ¡°Dad, you¡¯re here! He is looking for trouble with our Cai clan.¡±


    Knowing Clan Head Cai Rong came, Zhuo Fan eyed him more carefully.


    Cai Rong looked to be in his fifty, tall and sturdy, and a powerful aura emanating from him.


    ¡°8th layer of Bone Tempering.¡± Smiled Zhuo Fan.


    Cai Rong¡¯s eyebrows jumped as shock flashed over his face. He never thought possible for a youth to see through his cultivation.


    ¡°Good eyes!¡± Patronized Cai Rong, ¡°May I ask who you are?¡±


    ¡°Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan!¡±


    Cai Rong was startled and observed him closely.


    He heard from Luo Yunchang that Luo clan had a new steward, since the old one turned traitor, but he didn¡¯t think it¡¯d be one as young as Zhuo Fan. And he also gave off a strange energy.


    If it were any other time, a fox like him would never mess with an unknown variable like Zhuo Fan. Such a pity there was now a power in this city he could offend even less.


    ¡°Uncle Cai, you must bring justice to us victims.¡± Sun Yufei revealed the red print on her face while glaring at Zhuo Fan.


    Cai Rong understood the situation in an instant. He placate her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, uncle Cai is here now.¡±


    He then turned solemn as he looked at Luo Yunchang, ¡°Yunchang, I took you, siblings, out of kindness. It is fine if you do not reciprocate, but why look for trouble?¡±


    Luo Yunchang shuddered, lost for words.


    Zhuo Fan stepped forward with a smile, ¡°You even bully a lady at your age, Clan Head Cai. I needn¡¯t say anything more. Moreover, stop preaching kindness. No need to mince words, you did it out of benefit, or you wouldn¡¯t have annulled the marriage. ¡±


    ¡°Alright, since you want us to be hostile, I won¡¯t be lenient.¡± Cai Rong¡¯s face changed, ¡°Today, I will have to settle this for Yufei. You need only handle my palm attack. I won¡¯t take advantage of you and only use two tenths. Let life and death be decided like this.¡±


    Two tenths?


    As his pupils shrunk, Captain Pang shouted, ¡°Coming from you, it¡¯s even stronger than a 9th layer Qi Condensation expert¡¯s all-out attack. You clearly want us dead!¡±


    ¡°Uncle Cai, I beg you. Yunhai is still a child, he is innocent!¡± Yunchang implored.


    But Cai Rong snorted, then smiled at Sun Yufei.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go first.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth perked up.


    Whoosh!


    A great red palm appeared in the air. Cai Rong didn¡¯t expect for Zhuo Fan to attack first and turned serious as he sent his own palm attack.


    At contact, the blood palm scattered and Zhuo Fan fell back ten steps, yet was unharmed.


    ¡°A 2nd layer Qi Condensation can withstand two tenths of my power!?¡± Cai Rong¡¯s heart was in shock, ¡°But your survival all came down to luck.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, the only reason I¡¯m still alive is because I don¡¯t believe in luck.¡± And he pointed at Cai Rong¡¯s hand with a grin, ¡°But power.¡±


    Cai Rong¡¯s eyes squinted. His hand was bleeding from the previous exchange.


    How could this be? [He is just a 2nd layer Qi Condensation cultivator while I am an 8th layer Bone Tempering cultivator. That¡¯s a whole stage difference!]


    ¡°Furthermore,¡± followed Zhuo Fan, ¡°You really think that was two tenths? That wasn¡¯t even a tenth.¡±


    Cai Rong began to recall what transpired.


    Despite the abruptness of it all, he indeed wanted to release two tenths, but when he released the palm, his blood fell in disorder and the result was obvious to all.


    ¡°Also, take a look at your son.¡±


    Zhuo Fan pointed at Cai Xiaoting. Cai Rong saw his son spat a mouthful of blood.


    ¡°Dad, w-what¡¯s happening?¡± Cai Xiaoting panicked. He wasn¡¯t wounded yet he puked blood.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, what the hell did you do?¡± Cai Rong roared.


    Zhuo Fan replied with a sneer, ¡°I only wanted to tell Clan Head Cai I can take your son¡¯s life anytime. Please take it into consideration.¡±


    As Cai Rong was hesitating, Zhuo Fan pointed again, eliciting another mouth of blood form Cai Xiaoting.


    ¡°Alright, I believe you.¡± Cai Rong wiped his brow of sweat as he spoke in a shaky voice.


    He didn¡¯t know what trick he pulled on his son, but Zhuo Fan was prepared for his intervention. He was now regretting. If he knew the Luo clan had such a shrewd and decisive steward, he wouldn¡¯t have taken things this far.


    ¡°Then, I will bid you farewell here. Clan Head Cai.¡± Zhuo Fan sneered as he cupped his hands then pulled Luo Yunchang and walked away.


    Zhuo Fan laughed all the while, ¡°Today you love to bully me, tomorrow you¡¯ll be beneath me.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Cai, are you letting him go?¡± Sun Yufei said with resentment.


    Sighing helplessly, Cai Rong muttered as he watched Zhuo Fan leave, ¡°Instead of offering shelter, I invited an enemy¡­¡±


    Shaking his head, he helped Cai Xiaoting walk inside. After a few steps, his eyes flashed as he turned to Sun Yufei.


    ¡°Yufei, we need to end Zhuo Fan as soon as possible. He will endanger your Sun clan.¡±


    ¡°Humph. you don¡¯t dare to attack him because of your son. My Sun clan isn¡¯t afraid. I will let him have a taste of what it means to offend the Seven Noble Houses!¡± Sun Yufei spoke with hatred.

 Chapter 17 - Veiled Dragon Pavilion

    As the three left Cai Manor, Captain Pang and Luo Yunchang were trembling and even looked back now and then for fear of Cai Rong having changed his mind. Only Zhuo Fan was calm, yet a bit of rage still existed in his heart.


    ¡°Young miss, is there anywhere else we can go?¡± Zhuo Fan asked in a cold tone.


    Her eyes turned misty as she shook her head. Captain Pang also signed in sorrow.


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and promised himself to run the Cai clan into the ground one day.


    He was just a step away from providing a safe haven for the Luo siblings, yet Cai clan¡¯s father and son ruined it all.


    If the day came that the Cai clan was ruined because they offended Zhuo Fan, Cai Rong would be twisting inside with regret.


    But that was the future. Now, Zhuo Fan was pissed. His hopes were dashed and he had to spend more time to look after the siblings.


    Zhuo Fan mumbled for a while, then said, ¡°Young miss, do you know what are the Seven Noble Houses?¡±


    ¡°What! W-where did you hear that from?¡±


    Luo Yunchang was in a panic as she watched Zhuo Fan. It was as if he knew a heavenly secret. But recalling the fantastic events that happened the past days, she relaxed.


    Captain Pang also looked oddly at Luo Yunchang. This was the first time he heard of them.


    Pursing her lips for a long time, Luo Yunchang finally spoke in a solemn tone, ¡°Since we lived in Cloud Manor and had no dealings with them, not knowing them is normal. But we are now wondering outside. If you ever meet someone from the Seven Noble Houses, you must avoid him, even if it¡¯s a dog.¡±


    Captain Pang was shocked. This was his first time seeing Luo Yunchang speaking on such a heavy tone; as if she was talking about horrifying people. Yet, a proud girl like her, even if from a fallen clan, did not speak near as highly about the Cai clan.


    The warning seemed to go right past Zhuo Fan as he retained his calm.


    ¡°Be it Luo clan or Cai clan, regardless of how strong they are, they are only mortal clans. But in Tianyu Empire, there are seven officials who earned the imperial family¡¯s approval and can stand next to the Emperor. Their power and territory are above all mortal clans. Fighting them is like going against the Empire.¡±


    ¡°What? This world has clans that can stand next to the imperial family?¡± Captain Pang¡¯s face contorted in fear.


    Luo Yunchang nodded with extreme seriousness, ¡°Every clan knows these seven families must not be touched. I am telling you this so that you all must remember to be careful!¡±


    ¡°Is the Sun clan one of them?¡± interrupted Zhuo Fan.


    Stunned for a second, Luo Yunchang shook her head, ¡°Why do you ask?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, brother Zhuo, if she was of the seven houses, then young miss would¡¯ve stopped you from smacking her. ¡± Captain Pang snickered. Since Luo Yunchang didn¡¯t stop him then she agreed in silence.


    As if she was found out, Luo Yunchang reddened and glared at him.


    In fact, seeing Sun Yufei slapped was the most refreshing event for Luo Yunchang. Since Captain Pang could tell how glad the girl was, how could Zhuo Fan not? But Zhuo Fan¡¯s vision was much further. Even if they had a falling out with the Sun clan, he had to understand the other¡¯s background.


    ¡°Then is the Sun clan part of the seven houses?¡±


    ¡°What made you come to that conclusion?¡± Luo Yunchang was feeling nervous for some reason.


    Her only hope right now was that Zhuo Fan was joking around to scare her, but his next words were spoken with a straight face, ¡°That girl raved how she¡¯ll let us see the might of the Seven Noble Houses.¡±


    ¡°H-how can this be? Did we offend Seven Noble Houses¡¯ people?¡±


    Luo Yunchang paled and her mind blanked, watching Zhuo Fan with empty eyes. Captain Pang was even worse, his heart froze up.


    At this moment, the world seemed to have vanished, making way for silence¡­


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, quick, we need to apologize to young miss Sun.¡±


    Luo Yunchang pulled him to Cai Manor, but Zhuo Fan was stuck like a rock.


    ¡°If we go, we¡¯ll die.¡± Zhuo Fan said coldly.


    Luo Yunchang froze and her eyes glazed with helplessness. Zhuo Fan¡¯s words were ear-piercing but they all spoke of the harsh truth. If offending the Seven Noble Houses was so easily settled, no one would¡¯ve regarded them with such fear.


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, what do we do?¡±


    They were all surprised to find Luo Yunhai speaking as he gazed at Zhuo Fan with unshakable faith.


    Not even Zhuo Fan foresaw it. A kid that everyone overlooked was now watching him with such big and innocent eyes.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t I a stinkin¡¯ slave?¡± squinted Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Big bro Zhuo, we, brother and sister, are grateful for this new chance at life. You¡¯re our greatest benefactor, my dear brother. My dear brother-in-law, please save us once again.¡±


    ¡°Yunhai, don¡¯t talk nonsense.¡± Luo Yunhai glared with a red face, yet her eyes couldn¡¯t help sneaking a glance at Zhuo Fan.


    They were alive thanks to him. Despite being inferior in his eyes, Zhuo Fan¡¯s abilities made others have a whole new level of respect for him. This was the reason why she appointed him as the clan¡¯s steward.


    For the rebuilding of the clan, men like him were needed.


    Zhuo Fan saw Luo Yunhai¡¯s imploring eyes and laughed inside.


    [This kid is a clan¡¯s son after all, haughty but also clever to see another¡¯s talent; how adorable.] Moreover, helping the Luo clan was a given for him, ¡°Does Windgaze City have men from the seven houses?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the Veiled Dragon Pavilion, the number one treasure appraising clan among the seven houses. Its wealth knows no bounds.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s return to the tavern and go to Veiled Dragon Pavilion tomorrow.¡± Zhuo Fan ruffled Luo Yunhai¡¯s head.


    ¡°What for?¡± Luo Yunchang rushed to ask.


    ¡°Allies!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s curt reply came.


    The others were stunned.


    Why would one of the Seven Noble Houses, the Veiled Dragon Pavilion, ally with a run down clan? That was more of the wish of a hopeless loser¡­

 Chapter 18 - Long Kui

    A tens of meters tall ancient building stood in the eastern part of Windgaze City. It¡¯s size overwhelmed any from approaching to the point that not a single person dared get within a hundred meters of it.


    Two guards in golden garb stood at the gates. Their aura gave off the impression of veterans, of imperial bodyguards.


    Despite standing still, their eyes roamed everywhere, staring daggers at any who dared match their gaze.


    But in this place, four people suddenly appeared.


    ¡°Peak of Qi Condensation!¡±


    Zhuo Fan muttered as he walked in front of the siblings and Captain Pang. While he had no problem facing such imposing guards, the three stiffened, to the point they almost forgot to walk.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    The guards barred Zhuo Fan¡¯s path, ¡°Veiled Dragon Pavilion is not a place for you to wonder about!¡±


    ¡°I ask that you send word of Cloud Manor Luo clan¡¯s young miss, Luo Yunchang, I have arrived to have something appraised.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t even look at them.


    The two exchanged a look of surprise.


    Windgaze City didn¡¯t lack people who came here to see the appraiser, but all were fearful and fawned them when talking. This was a first though, meeting such a smug kid.


    ¡°We¡¯ve never heard of you. Our appraiser can¡¯t meet with nobodies!¡± spoke a guard harshly.


    Luo Yunchang lowered her head. One of the Seven Noble Houses, Veiled Dragon Pavilion, would never pay attention to an ant-like clan. They weren¡¯t even worthy to speak with them, not to mention become allies.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan¡­¡±


    Luo Yunchang pulled Zhuo Fan, but before she could finish, he shook her off, ¡°That is the appraiser¡¯s concern to see us. Try and act as the servants you are.¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡± The guards were outraged, releasing their full aura.


    The Luo clan members felt their breathing become heavier as they retreated back. Only Zhuo Fan stood in his place and roared, ¡°Is this how the Seven Noble Houses treats its guests? Humph, truly renowned.¡±


    ¡°Stop.¡±


    A girl in white came out to meet them. The guards bowed, ¡°Young miss, these people are looking for trouble.¡±


    ¡°I heard what you said, and it is you who are in the wrong. All who come are guests. Make sure to show respect.¡± The girl berated them in a cold tone, then smiled at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Mister, we meet again.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s you?¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Captain Pang were startled. She was the one that quarreled with the stall owner.


    But things were different now.


    Zhuo Fan sneered inside, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect for young miss to be from the Veiled Dragon Pavilion. Please forgive my lack of respect.¡±


    The girl nodded with a smile, ¡°I am Long Kui, only a small appraiser here. I wonder why mister has come to us?¡±


    ¡°To be honest, I am Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan. Because a terrible misfortune plagues us, I accompanied my young miss to the Veiled Dragon Pavilion, the number one appraising noble house in Tianyu Empire¡¯s number one appraising noble house, to sell the clan¡¯s treasure.¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡± Eyes flashing, Long Kui smiled when she saw Luo Yunchang nodding, then turned back to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Then I will do my best to examine your treasure. Please, follow me.¡±


    She showed them in, to the shock of the guards, ¡°Was that¡­ young miss¡¯ friend?¡±


    ¡°No way. How can young miss have such a dirt poor friend? She must be doing it for the treasure. Once it fails to meet her expectations, they will be kicked out. Then, he-he-he¡­¡±


    ¡°We will teach them a lesson they won¡¯t ever forget, especially that rude Zhuo Fan. But what if the item is to her licking¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. Just look at them, how can these wretched people have anything that is worth more than black jade? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The other also jeered, rubbing his hand in eagerness to vent all his energy¡­


    On the other side, Long Kui took them to a flourishing room and smiled once they were seated, ¡°I wonder what treasure did you bring? Please take it out.¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned.


    [This girl thinks herself above others, but is quite shrewd as well.] He was certain she knew exactly what went on at the entrance, but let the guards test them if they were worthy of her time.


    If they showed any sign of giving up, her current attitude would¡¯ve been unyielding.


    Despite how cunning she was, she was far too naive when up against the devilish Zhuo Fan.


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan placed a scroll with countless images before her, which immediately caught her full attention.


    Taking it in her hands, Long Kui took careful and long looks at the contents.


    Luo Yunchang and Captain Pang were in a bit of a shock. This drawing was something Zhuo Fan made last night. When they saw it, they only had one thought. [What is this thing?]


    Yet from the looks of Long Kui¡¯s expression, it must be worth a fortune.


    ¡°Mister Zhuo Fan, how much do you want?¡± Long Kui placed the scroll back and watched Zhuo Fan with a hardened gaze.


    ¡°Young miss Long is an appraiser and saw your skill in the market. Please be the first to state a price.¡± Zhuo Fan chuckled.


    Biting her lip, Long Kui noticed from his eyes that this man was also knowledgeable. She couldn¡¯t swindle him, ¡°How does twenty thousand spirit stones sound?¡±


    ¡°What, twenty thousand?¡±


    Luo Yunchang stood up in shock.


    If you¡¯d take Cloud Manor¡¯s wealth when it was at its peak, you¡¯d get fifty thousand. Yet Zhuo Fan messed around with a brush and came up with twenty?


    Captain Pang was dumbstruck.


    Long Kui couldn¡¯t restrain her disdain for the two.


    [Humph, I am a madam while you are a pack of stray cats.]


    But when she saw the silent yet smiling Zhuo Fan, she turned serious.


    [The true expert is this steward¡­]

 Chapter 19 - Godeye Long Jiu

    ¡°Twenty thousand, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan rubbed his chin, shaking his head as he reached for the scroll, ¡°Since young miss Long isn¡¯t honest, there¡¯s no need to continue.¡±


    Her body moved back and hugged the scroll, afraid Zhuo Fan might take it.


    ¡°Mister Zhao, twenty thousand isn¡¯t little for a 1st-grade array. And this is a drawing instead of a jade slip. This price of mine is fair.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, young miss Long, I might not be too learned, but I know when you try to cheat me. Give me the scroll.¡± Zhuo Fan reached out but was in no rush to take it as he stared down at her.


    Tightening her grip on the drawing, Long Kui bit her lip and shouted, ¡°Take it as my loss, thirty thousand.¡±


    ¡°Young miss Long, still is not honest enough.¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head in disappointment and leaned over to grab for the scroll.


    Long Kui curled backward, wanting to dodge Zhuo Fan¡¯s evil clutches.


    This drawing was indeed a 1st-grade array, and this wasn¡¯t the first time she saw one. Her original price was quite fair and began with twenty thousand because she knew she couldn¡¯t swindle the knowledgeable Zhuo Fan.


    But even so, with how many arrays were out there, she didn¡¯t know them all. The number one appraising noble house in the empire had many arrays in storage, yet this was a rare chance for her to encounter one that was unlike any she saw before.


    As such, even if she would lose out, she would do all she could to have this array.


    A pity that the relentless Zhuo Fan stood in her way, unwilling to back down even half a step. As such, she turned to the ignored young miss of the Luo clan, ¡°Young miss Luo, this drawing is thirty thousand at most. Only the Veiled Dragon Pavilion has the wealth to buy such a drawing in the entire empire. You won¡¯t gain a better price elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°Uhm¡­¡± She hesitated and glanced at Zhuo Fan.


    Long Kui knew she had an escape and pushed her advantage to entice her, ¡°Young miss Luo, you and the Veiled Dragon Pavilion are making a great transaction and will become our honored guest. Our doors will forever be open to you.¡±


    Honored guest?


    Luo Yunchang mumbled, ¡°Isn¡¯t this gaining a supporter?¡±


    Her heart was overtaken with joy and turned to Zhuo Fan, ¡°What if¡­¡±


    ¡°Not a word!¡± Zhuo Fan roared and glared at her.


    This foolish woman was swayed in seconds. How could the Veiled Dragon Pavilion stick their heads out for some bullshit guests? To get the best of their power, to have their protection, they could only attain it through a trade of equals.


    ¡°Young miss Long, I am Luo clan¡¯s steward, in charge of all matters concerning it. Please return the drawing.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s smile was replaced by a cold stare.


    Luo Yunchang looked in a daze, first at him then at Luo Yunchang.


    Though his words rang true, since when did a steward¡¯s power superseded his lord¡¯s? How was he the steward?


    [By the look of things, the lady of Luo clan is unable to keep the steward in check.]


    Sighing, Long Kui was very reluctant in giving the scroll back, evident by her slow movement, ¡°Such a pity, mister Zhuo Fan. Your request is too high and I can¡¯t fulfill it. But I am willing to guarantee on our Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s fame, that this 1st-grade array won¡¯t go beyond thirty thousand.¡±


    With the scroll in hand, Zhuo Fan rose from his seat and leaned closer to Long Kui, leaving her flabbergast.


    Before she could say anything, he said, ¡°Sorry, it seems I thought too highly of the young miss. You truly don¡¯t understand. Does this place have any other appraiser?¡±


    ¡°W-what, I do not understand?¡±


    Long Kui¡¯s cheeks were tinted red as her heart swelled with anger.


    No item that passed her hands hadn¡¯t received a correct assessment. The fact she could point out the fake black jade, yet unable to explain why, was her talent. It was because of this that she rose to a top-rated appraiser.


    In short, she was an expert!


    Yet, here came Zhuo Fan mocking her talent, refuting her skill in appraising. It was worse than any physical attack, an insult to her dignity.


    ¡°Mister Zhuo Fan, your eyes are not wrong, but it is best not to overreach.¡± Long Kui showed a smile that went beyond just anger. All of them could hear the gnashing of her teeth.


    Yet Zhuo only smiled, ¡°Is there any other appraiser here?¡±


    Long Kui glared, ¡°Fine, just wait here.¡±


    And she left. Luo Yunchang was worried about the anger Long Kui showed, ¡°Did we offend the Veiled Dragon Pavilion?¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head with an unusual smile.


    Moments later, Long Kui appeared again with steady steps. But this time, an old man was at her side.


    ¡°Godeye Long Jiu?¡±


    Luo Yunchang shouted in shock and turned to Zhuo Fan, ¡°He is the supervisor of the Veiled Dragon Pavilion in Windgaze City, the head appraiser, Godeye Long Jiu.¡±


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s Luo clan¡¯s young miss.¡±


    Even from a hundred steps, Long Jiu¡¯s voice resounded clearly in their ears, ¡°I¡¯ve met your father twenty years ago. He was full of mettle then. I didn¡¯t expect for your clan to sell their treasure.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart shivered as his brows knitted.


    This man¡¯s power was a cut above Cai Rong¡¯s, to the point not even Zhuo Fan could see through him. It wasn¡¯t that his eyesight were poor, or the fact the old man hid his power. The difference between them was just too deep.


    [I see. So Veiled Dragon Pavilion has such an expert],  thought Zhuo Fan.


    Soon, Long Jiu was supported by Long Kui and arrived before them. Luo Yunchang bowed, ¡°Grandpa Jiu.¡± The others were quick to follow, yet Zhuo Fan just stood there.


    Long Jiu sized him up with his only hazy eye, ¡°Are you Luo clan¡¯s steward?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Alright. Anyone¡¯s better than that old Sun.¡± Long Jiu shot a meaningful glance at them, then sat down, ¡°I heard you doubt little Kui¡¯s skill.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t mince words, eliciting a snort from her and a roll of the eye.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, little Kui might be new in this line of business, but her eyes are true. She must be more or less right with her assessment. But since you doubt her, this blind old man will take a look.¡±


    ¡°Please.¡±


    Zhuo Fan offered the scroll. The Long Jiu¡¯s smile vanished when he turned to its contents, staring intently at it.


    ¡°Uncle Jiu, wasn¡¯t I right?¡± Long Kui grinned and shouted, ¡°1st-grade array, thirty thousand spirit stones.¡±


    Long Jiu kept staring at the drawing and only after a while did he spoke with a solemn face, ¡°I never thought the Luo clan would hide such a thing. Kid, what do you think of 1.8 million spirit stones?¡±


    What?


    They all went slack-jawed, Long Kui in particular. Never had she dreamed of the day the supervisor of Veiled Dragon Pavilion, Long Jiu, would utter such an astronomical number¡­

 Chapter 20 - Ancient Array

    ¡°Uncle Jiu¡­¡±


    Long Kui watched Long Jiu wide-eyed, who instead watched the calm Zhuo Fan with his only eye.


    Zhuo Fan gazed back with a grin, ¡°Too low.¡±


    ¡°Wh-¡°


    They all cried out in response.


    1.8 million was an inconceivable wealth for the Luo clan. Luo Yunchang never dreamed of having such riches. Yet in the eyes of Zhuo Fan, it wasn¡¯t enough.


    Luo Yunchang and Captain Pang looked lost at him. If not for being born and raised in the Cloud Manor, they¡¯d be thinking he was a noble descendant.


    His gaze traveled so far.


    Yet before others could recover from Zhuo Fan¡¯s attack, here came Long Jiu¡¯s reply.


    ¡°I understand, but this is the most this old man can give.¡±


    ¡°Uh, then I¡¯ll sell it as a favor for grandpa Jiu at this price.¡± Luo Yunchang chuckled embarrassingly as she wiped her brow.


    She never imagined a random drawing from Zhuo Fan would garner such an insane price that took all of Godeye Long Jiu¡¯s wealth to pay for it.


    And by the looks of it, Long Jiu seemed to have set his sights on it. As such, it was better to earn his favor and be on good terms with Veiled Dragon Pavilion.


    Long Jiu showed a gratified smile, as expected, being extra careful as he rolled the drawing.


    But then, Zhuo Fan slapped the table, ¡°Since you can¡¯t go higher, the deal is off.¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    Luo Yunchang gave him a look, but he ignored her as he reached for the scroll.


    Squinting his eyes, Long Jiu unleashed his awe-inspiring power, ¡°Kid, this old man wants it.¡±


    Under such tremendous pressure, everyone recoiled, while Luo Yunchang and Captain Pang were overwhelmed from shock.


    Long Jiu was far above Cai Rong. Offending him would be tantamount to instant death.


    Yet, Zhuo held his own under the man¡¯s power and even sneered, ¡°Grandpa Jiu, you¡¯re staining Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s reputation.¡±


    ¡°Kid, are you not afraid?¡± Long Jiu kicked his power up a notch.


    ¡°Humph, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Blanking out for a second, Long Jiu took back his power and laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, good kid. With you in charge of the Luo clan, they have nothing to worry about.¡±


    The others were baffled. The two were a step away from jumping at each other¡¯s throat and in the next instant all went up in smoke.


    Yet, no one knew the two moved the battle from brawn to mind.


    Long Jiu released his power to soften Zhuo Fan into selling him the drawing. Instead, Zhuo Fan pushed through the pressure and asked the old man about his honor. Veiled Dragon Pavilion was the number one appraising house among the seven nobles. If this coercion leaked then the damage would be unimaginable.


    Zhuo Fan bet on his fate and the clan¡¯s honor¡¯s place in Long Jiu¡¯s heart and won.


    With a deep look directed at Zhuo Fan, Long Jiu took the direct approach, ¡°Kid, I know you didn¡¯t come just to sell this drawing. What are your terms?¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan pushed the drawing before Long Jiu, ¡°Ten million is a fair offer. Let¡¯s start by having you pay us a million and the rest slowly.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    Long Jiu eyed the scroll then nodded after a while, ¡°Alright. Until the debt is paid, the Veiled Dragon Pavilion shall owe Luo clan.¡±


    Long Jiu took the scroll and left. Yet once he was gone, his voice lingered, ¡°Little Kui, give them a million spirit stones and walk them out.¡±


    ¡°Uh, yes!¡±


    Long Kui was overwhelmed with different thoughts as she had never seen Long Jiu with such a sour expression. Turning back to Zhuo Fan, it was the first time she saw him sporting such a content smile.


    Next, she handed a million spirit stones and saw them out.


    At the gate, the two guards were eager for them to show up and teach them a thing or two, but Long Kui¡¯s respectful attitude threw a wrench in their plans. And when they heard the deal they made included a million spirit stones, they were stunned.


    Never had they imagined a remote place like this could come with such an important deal. It became one of the top three deals in Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s history.


    ¡°Damn, thank god we didn¡¯t do anything or disaster might have struck.¡± A guard watched the four leave and wiped the sweat off his brow. The other just bobbed his head.


    Veiled Dragon Pavilion treated a rich clan with respect. If any of their men dared to offend the clan, the noble house would exact punishment.


    In the case of a clan with a million spirit stones, the guards¡¯ complete lack of courtesy would even end with their deaths.


    Thinking about it, they began to sweat buckets¡­


    On the other hand, Long Kui returned to Long Jiu who was now looking at every detail of the 1st-grade array.


    ¡°Uncle Jiu, isn¡¯t it just a 1st-grade array? How is this worth ten million? I never even seen an item worth that much.¡± Long Kui asked the moment she went through the door.


    Sighing, Long Jiu gestured to her next to him, ¡°Little Kui, look closer, this might be the only one of its kind in the empire.¡±


    ¡°This is¡­¡± Long Kui¡¯s eyes flashed with shock.


    ¡°An Ancient Array!¡±


    Long Jiu showed how moved he was with every word, ¡°The ancient arrays are a lost art, yet this has essentially proven their existence. It is priceless, and even ten million is too low.¡±


    ¡°What? It¡¯s that valuable?¡±


    Nodding, Long Jiu revealed a childish smile, as if he got his most cherished toy. But something occurred to him that soured his mood.


    ¡°Little Kui, tell Ah Jie to find five experts and watch over the Luo clan. They offended the Sun clan today.¡±


    ¡°Why should we help them?¡±


    Long Jiu snorted, ¡°Haven¡¯t you been listening? We owe them.¡±


    Long Kui began to recall. [So this is what Zhuo Fan and Long Jiu were haggling over.]


    Yet, the veteran uncle Jiu was defeated in negotiations by a pup. Of course he was in a bad mood.


    Long Kui couldn¡¯t help but let out a giggle¡­

 Chapter 21 - Trouble Comes Knocking

    The second day, Zhuo Fan was meditating in his room at the tavern when hurried footsteps closed in. Captain Pang rushed in with an anxious face.


    ¡°Sun clan has us surrounded outside.¡±


    Slowly opening his eyes, Zhuo Fan evoked an odd smile, ¡°They¡¯re finally here.¡±


    ¡°Eh, why are you so calm?¡±


    Zhuo Fan walked outside without a care, ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for them. Tell the siblings to come out too.¡±


    Captain Pang couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes helplessly. Zhuo Fan was the official Luo clan steward and called young miss and young master in other¡¯s presence, but when they were alone, he had no such restraints.


    If it were the past, Captain Pang would¡¯ve gone the distance in enacting the clan head¡¯s rules. But he got used to the tough-looking but soft-hearted Zhuo Fan. He had the habit of criticizing the siblings on and on, but he was the first to jump in front of them when the need arose.


    Just like yesterday, when he rebuked Luo Yunchang for speaking out of place and coming close to ruining their deal. Although wronged at the time, the young miss knew when they saw Long Jiu leaving that Zhuo Fan had done a great favor for the Luo clan.


    With how the rundown Luo clan turned in a million spirit stones, they wouldn¡¯t be in the precarious position of living on the streets or relying on others.


    What was most important was Long Jiu¡¯s evaluation of Zhuo Fan. As long as the Luo clan had him, it would soar.


    ¡°A capable man stands at the top!¡± Captain Pang rubbed his chin, taking one last look of admiration at Zhuo Fan then went to get the siblings.


    Soon, Captain Pang accompanied them to Zhuo Fan in the tavern¡¯s hall. Luo Yunchang still bore the marks of grievance from yesterday¡¯s tongue-lashing on her face.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, young miss and young master.¡±


    Zhuo Fan gestured outside with his eyes and Luo Yunchang snorted as she pulled her brother along.


    The tavern keeper opened the doors with a creak.


    Luo Yunchang showcased her young miss qualities by shifting her posture and expression to ones worthy of such status. Zhuo Fan even sighed inside that she was a prime example of a clan¡¯s lady.


    Thirty Sun clan guards stood outside, Qi Condensation experts. In the lead was Sun Yufei and a tall, dignified young master. He held a fan as his ghostly eyes roamed over Luo Yunchang¡¯s lithe figure.


    Noticing his gaze, Luo Yunchang shifted hers to Sun Yufei, ¡°Why has young miss Sun brought so many people to look for us?¡±


    ¡°Humph, why ask when you already know he offended this young miss in the Cai Manor!¡± Sun Yufei pointed with hatred at Zhuo Fan, ¡°I will make sure to wipe out all of the Luo clan today!¡±


    Luo Yunchang knitted her brows and pulled Luo Yunhai tighter, but a look at the relaxed Zhuo Fan eased her tension.


    It was in these moments of extreme danger, that Zhuo Fan dissolved all problems. Be it in front of Cai Rong or even Long Jiu, his cunningness and meticulous planning pulled them through.


    In front of those two experts, these people were nothing.


    Luo Yunchang knew, as long as Zhuo Fan was calm, the matter was as good as settled.


    Seeing Zhuo Fan unflinching, Luo Yunchang began to smile, lifting her chin with confidence, ¡°My Luo clan had lorded over Windgaze City for centuries, you think we¡¯ll bend over just because you say so? Young miss Sun, your clan has only been here for just a few decades, please watch your tone.¡±


    Luo Yunchang had finally recovered the lofty bearing she had in the time of Luo clan¡¯s prosperity. Such confidence left others speechless.


    The audience reduced Sun Yufei to a shrew servant while raising Luo Yunchang to a noble lady.


    Noticing their expressions, Sun Yufei¡¯s face was inflamed, bursting with Yuan Qi, ¡°Luo Yunchang, I will teach you the meaning of a fallen clan.¡±


    She charged for her and Captain Pang rushed to protect his young miss. But before they could meet, a fan rested between them.


    ¡°Cousin¡­¡± Sun Yufei watched him with bloodshot eyes.


    Without paying her any attention, he showed respect towards Luo Yunchang, ¡°Young miss Luo, please forgive my cousin¡¯s lack of manners. We have come to your home for your steward to seek justice for my cousin. It does not concern young miss. If you hand him over, I guarantee not to harm any Luo clan member.¡±


    ¡°Cousin, didn¡¯t we say we¡¯re going to destroy them, why¡­¡± Sun Yufei was panicking, but he covered her face with the fan.


    ¡°I could also bring back the glory of old to the Luo clan.¡±


    ¡°No need, Zhuo Fan is part of the Luo clan. If you¡¯re looking to trouble him you¡¯re dealing with the whole clan. If you have any complaints, come to me. I am in charge of the Luo clan.¡± Luo Yunchang stood fearless before all.


    Losing his smile, the youngster shook his head, ¡°I urge young miss to not be taken in by emotions. If you knew who I am, you might not say the same.¡±


    Frowning, Luo Yunchang glared at him.


    ¡°I am You Quan, a disciple of Hell Valley.¡±


    ¡°Wh-¡± Luo Yunchang was shocked and took two steps back, ¡°That¡¯s¡­ Seven Noble Houses¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, scared now?¡± Sun Yufei laughed with pride.


    Everyone, besides Zhuo Fan, sported grim expressions. There was no reason to fear meeting Long Jiu since they were negotiating, but in this case, they were at odds with the Hell Valley.


    Any from the Seven Noble Houses needed to only lift a finger and a mortal clan would fall or thrive. No wonder even the Clan Head Cai Rong saw the Sun clan girl with importance, her clan had a connection with the Seven Noble Houses.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan¡­¡±


    Luo Yunchang grabbed his hand as her voice trembled.


    With a reassuring smile, he stepped forward, ¡°I am Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan. What do you think of fighting one on one?¡±


    ¡°Humph, cousin was right, you are an arrogant slave,¡± sneered You Quan as he approached him, ¡°All of us against someone like you will smear Hell Valley¡¯s reputation.¡±


    With his last word, a whoosh sound traveled and You Quan disappeared.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes narrowed, somersaulting backward. When he looked forward, a trace of blood flowed down his face.


    As blood dripped from his cheek, the youth now occupied Zhuo Fan¡¯s previous position.


    ¡°Humph, so you¡¯ve managed to dodge it.¡± You Quan eyed him evilly, as if he was toying with him.


    [6th layer of Qi Condensation, demonic cultivator.]


    Zhuo Fan squinted and smiled, ¡°Interesting.¡±


    When You Quan attacked like a demon, if Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t a veteran demonic cultivator, it would¡¯ve killed him. But this revealed Hell Valley¡¯s nature, that of a demonic faction.


    If another met such a problem, he¡¯d have a hard time coping.


    Demonic cultivators gained power through any means, filled with danger and ruthless natures. Righteous cultivators took the opposite approach, taking it one step at a time. They weren¡¯t as impressive as demonic cultivation experts, but they hardly encountered problems in cultivation.


    And this explained why despite only in his 6th layer, You Quan was far more dangerous. Yet Zhuo was in the 2nd, and four layers difference would make him hard-pressed even against a righteous cultivator.


    Luck had it though that Zhuo Fan was an old monster in demonic cultivation, knowing his fair share of its arts and methods. This was his only hope of success.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Luo Yunchang was anxious, watching the blood trail down his cheek.


    He wiped the blood and showed an excited smile. It wasn¡¯t that he never fought with higher layers before, just that they were all righteous cultivators. This was his first encounter with a demonic cultivator in this situation and began to enjoy the novelty of it.


    ¡°Fight!¡±


    Even if the Luo clan wasn¡¯t here, it was still important to go through with this fight for the sake of his meticulous schemes. This fight followed no logic, as his boiling blood dictated his movements.


    The bloodthirsty look in Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes caught You Quan off guard.


    Common sense told him his first move should have robbed Zhuo Fan of his life, and even if he escaped by some miracle, he¡¯d be scared witless. But instead of fear, Zhuo Fan showed thrill and thirst for battle.


    ¡°Can it be¡­¡±


    You Quan thought of something but was forced to block.


    Bam!


    A blood palm exploded in his hand, pushing him back again and again. When he finally stopped, his hand was dripping blood.


    ¡°Cousin, be careful. Even Cai Rong suffered from this palm.¡± Sun Yufei advised.


    You Quan frowned, his casual expression turning grave, ¡°This is going to be a pain. Never thought I¡¯d meet someone like him¡­¡±


    He saw Zhuo Fan sporting a grin and he sighed inside, while also raising his vigilance.


    [If I had known, I wouldn¡¯t have caught myself in this¡­]

 Chapter 22 - The Most Dangerous Man

    Demonic cultivation had a single pursuit: power. Meanwhile, the righteous path followed set rules to form a solid foundation and advance one step at a time. Because of this savage pursuit, demonic cultivators were seen as madmen, resorting to any despicable means to further their might. This was why righteous cultivators feared them.


    Fighting them was tantamount to fighting a madman.


    With this knowledge in mind, You Quan began to regret fighting Zhuo Fan. Despite being confident in his success, fighting an unscrupulous demonic cultivator would be sure to come with negative repercussions on his part.


    ¡°I need to settle this quickly.¡± You Quan¡¯s eyes flashed with murderous intent and dark-blue energy came out of his palm.


    The air around him chilled in an instant and even Luo Yunchang, who was ten feet away, felt the cold biting her.


    She was aware of its danger and her heart was in a panic. But before she could warn Zhuo Fan, You Quan turned into a black shadow and charged. All the flowers along the way wilted.


    ¡°High mortal ranked martial art, Hell Claw.¡±


    Bam!


    The blackish cold energy struck Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest until the latter spat blood along with pieces of ice.


    ¡°Humph, I have your heart. No matter what you¡¯re trying to do, it¡¯s useless.¡±


    You Quan was pleased his sudden strike worked and relaxed.


    There were four layers of power between them, and even if demonic cultivators, no matter the weird techniques or savagery, once one¡¯s heart was in a vice, he couldn¡¯t use most of his power. It was the same as being powerless.


    Sun Yufei cheered at her cousin¡¯s success, ¡°Kill him.¡± While Luo Yunchang and the others were nervous.


    Nodding inside, despite knowing his cousin was rash and prone to anger, You Quan had to admit her words this time were true. A demonic cultivator enemy must never be left alive.


    Because a demonic cultivator¡¯s vengeance will always be ruthless.


    Now, another dark-blue palm aimed for Zhuo Fan¡¯s head, ¡°Humph, die!¡±


    Luo Yunchang and the rest were in shock, hearts in their throats.


    But following an explosive sound, Zhuo Fan¡¯s head was fine while You Quan was flung like a ragdoll, trailing a bloody arc in the air.


    ¡°Blood Palm!¡± Zhuo Fan bellowed, staying in the move executing stance.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡±


    You Quan crawled to his feet and clasped his chest with an incredulous expression, ¡°I sealed your heart, how can you still use martial arts?¡±


    ¡°Humph, there¡¯s nothing bro Zhuo Fan can¡¯t do!¡± Luo Yunhai stuck his chin out as Luo Yunchang and the others chuckled in relief.


    But then, Zhuo Fan spat out another mouthful of blood. A sudden hole was now adorning his chest, which leaked blood.


    ¡°Wh-what¡¯s going on?¡± Luo Yunchang was stunned while Captain Pang rushed to support the collapsing Zhuo Fan.


    Only You Quan understood and cackled, ¡°He seemed to have exploded his heart on purpose when I used my skill on him to break out of Hell Claw¡¯s grip. He won¡¯t have long to live.¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡± Luo Yunchang was nervous.


    Ignoring her, You Quan ridiculed the hazy eyed Zhuo Fan, ¡°Such a pity. If you were at my stage, your move would have ended with mutual destruction. But it ended with quickening your death. Even hurt, I can finish you off.¡±


    He rushed for Zhuo Fan and, though his speed dropped, it wasn¡¯t something Luo Yunchang and the others could cope with.


    ¡°No!¡± Luo Yunchang jumped in front of Zhuo Fan with her arms spread. You Quan sneered, ¡°He-he-he, young miss Luo, I would hate to kill you.¡±


    Whoosh!


    The Luo clan members saw You Quan¡¯s claw but were powerless to stop it from approaching Zhuo Fan¡¯s head.


    You Quan wanted to kill Zhuo Fan in front of them.


    Sensing the incoming danger, Zhuo Fan gave out a strange smile.


    Bam!


    Suddenly, the blackish claw was caught in a vice-like grip.


    ¡°Mid mortal ranked martial art, Hidden Dragon Claw?¡±


    You Quan raised his head to find a warm face greeting him. It belonged to a youth of around eighteen, dressed in golden clothes and a scholarly face, yet having a sharp pair of eyes.


    ¡°Long Jie?¡± You Quan gnashed his teeth.


    Sun Yufei was in shock, ¡°Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡­¡±


    ¡°You Quan, do you need to kill for every little mistake?¡± Long Jie smiled.


    ¡°Humph, that¡¯s my business, butt out.¡±


    Shaking his head, Long Jie might look kind, but there was a certain determination in his eyes, ¡°I was ordered by Uncle Jiu to protect the Luo clan. If you want to kill him, you have to go through me.¡±


    ¡°Why is the Veiled Dragon Pavilion suddenly¡­¡±


    Sun Yufei trembled, never imagining the Luo clan could gain the help of Veiled Dragon Pavilion.


    The Sun clan was under the protection of Hell Valley and even though the Luo clan only had four people, they had the Veiled Dragon Pavilion to back them. Based on background, the only clan that could fight the Sun clan in Windgaze City was the Luo clan.


    This deflated Sun Yufei¡¯s superiority. A clan under Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s backing was bound to rise.


    Gazing at Luo Yunchang, Sun Yufei hardly hid the hatred in her eyes.


    ¡°Humph, Long Jie, we have the same strength. You think you can protect them?¡± You Quan looked at Zhuo Fan hanging by a thread with killing intent.


    With a serious face, Long Jie said with coldness, ¡°You Quan, don¡¯t forget your wounds. Think you can match me as you are now?¡±


    Before he could retort, Long Jie said, ¡°I know what you want to say, that a demonic cultivator can show 120% of his power. But if we fight here, it will incur an open war between our houses. Are you prepared to bear such responsibility?¡±


    You Quan hesitated.


    Hell Valley and Veiled Dragon Pavilion were of the Seven Noble Houses, yet also at odds. It was only a matter of time till war broke out, but not now. If he ruined his clan¡¯s plan, he wouldn¡¯t be able to bear the repercussions.


    ¡°Al-¡°


    Just when he nodded, a hand grabbed at his chest.


    He rushed his Yuan Qi in a panic to block the attack, but a sudden blood energy messed up his control. In but an instant, the hand pierced his chest and gripped his heart.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t your Master warn you? In a battle with demonic cultivators, never let down your guard or you will forfeit your life.¡±


    A familiar voice reached You Quan¡¯s ears while his eyes were greeted with Zhuo Fan¡¯s evil grin.


    ¡°Y-you can¡¯t¡­¡± You Quan was in shock.


    Zhao Fan was on the brink of death yet, now, had the energy to move around. But what was even more baffling was that he was stronger and faster than when Zhuo Fan first fought him¡­


    Everything was clear now. He fell in his trap, and not just him¡­


    He turned to the equally shocked Long Jie with an imploring gaze.


    [Save me¡­]


    ¡°Die!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s demonic voice echoed in the two¡¯s ears and both shouted, ¡°No!¡±


    It was too late. Zhuo Fan already gouged out You Quan¡¯s heart. Blood flowed like a fountain from You Quan¡¯s chest as he collapsed.


    He didn¡¯t want to fight a demonic cultivator since every move was planned and vicious¡­


    ¡°Cousin!¡±


    Sun Yufei cried in pain as she walked in a daze to his body. Sun clan¡¯s guards took her and left in a rush. They no longer had a backing and this place was filled with Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s men.


    The calm Long Jie, witnessing death for the first time, swallowed dryly and turned to Zhuo Fan. He saw the still-beating heart in Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand and broke out in a sweat.


    He saw his fair share of demonic cultivators but Zhuo Fan horrified him the most. If he compared them, those demonic cultivators he saw were noblemen when up against Zhuo Fan¡¯s methods.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one grandpa Jiu sent to protect us? Thanks for the help. Please send him a message, that we no longer need protection.¡± Zhuo Fan flung the heart and clasped his hands.


    Long Jie returned the gesture with a bitter smile. Then he left without a word, like a defeated general.


    Six hours later, inside Veiled Dragon Pavilion.


    Bam!


    Long Jiu smacked the table in a fit of anger as his only eye was on the verge of popping out. Long Jie and Long Kui stood with heads bowed, not daring to make a peep.


    ¡°Never thought I¡¯d see the day I, Long Jiu, who moved unhindered across the world, was had today by a brat. To think he would ruin all of our clan¡¯s plans.¡±


    Long Kui hesitated and asked, ¡°Uncle Jiu, I do not understand. What does Zhuo Fan¡¯s sneak attack have to do with Veiled Dragon Pavilion?¡±


    ¡°Foolish child.¡± Long Jiu cursed, ¡°Ah Jie was there and was at odds with You Quan, everyone saw it. That punk killed You Quan right before Ah Jie. You tell me, who will the blame will fall on?¡±


    ¡°Luo clan!¡± Long Kui said like it was obvious.


    Long Jiu laughed as he shook his head. Long Jiu explained, ¡°Little Kui, do you believe a small clan would dare to kill a disciple of the Seven Noble Houses?¡±


    Long Kui shook her head after thinking it over.


    Long Jie continued, ¡°If even you don¡¯t believe it, then Hell Valley and Sun clan will surely refuse to. They will blame us.¡±


    ¡°What? But that will mean we¡¯re the ones down on our luck. Why should we be the Luo clan¡¯s scapegoat?¡±


    ¡°Humph, luck? All of this is the work of that punk. From Ah Jie, I understand the kid was on the verge of dying when he arrived. Even if You Quan wanted his life, he couldn¡¯t do anything since Ah Jie stopped him. Then he sneak attacked him with a stronger move then in the beginning. This clearly states how cunning he was and that he planned ahead.¡±


    ¡°What? Does that mean he knew brother Long Jie was there from the start and targeted You Quan?¡± Long Kui exclaimed.


    Sighing, Luo clan shook his head in helplessness, ¡°Silly girl, not only did he plan against You Quan, but he also included Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Hell Valley in his calculations. Our houses would fight while his Luo clan escapes.¡±


    ¡°Impossible! Isn¡¯t he afraid of offending two houses?¡±


    ¡°He thought this one out too. When he sold us that drawing, he already ascertained our house¡¯s position. If we attack them or ignore the Luo clan¡¯s plight, it is the same as showing weakness in front of Hell Valley, damaging our Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s honor. Our only choice is to protect the Luo clan.


    ¡°Sigh, he had me from the start¡­ This punk is the most dangerous man I have ever seen.¡±


    Recalling the previous scene, Long Jie had to nod his head in agreement.

 Chapter 23 - Conspiracy

    ¡°Get out!¡±


    In the dead of night, Zhuo Fan was trying hard to staunch the flow of blood from his chest while sitting on the bed. Luo Yunchang wanted to help him but Zhuo Fan¡¯s bellow drove her out.


    Despite winning against You Quan, his victory wasn¡¯t a sweet one.


    If not for his sneak attack, the fight would¡¯ve been one-sided, a common occurrence when demonic cultivators were involved. But he felt a deep sense of powerlessness from today¡¯s fight.


    Although they were 4 layers apart, he believed himself to be a Demonic Emperor, that using all his power would have certainly finished off a kid still wet behind his ears.


    Yet reality showed that not only he couldn¡¯t win, but he also couldn¡¯t even get the upper hand in the fight. He had to rely on scheming to lure Veiled Dragon Pavilion out in the open and kill his enemy when he least expected by inciting chaos among the houses, while also providing the Luo clan a way out.


    It all went according to plan, yet it didn¡¯t leave a good taste in his mouth.


    ¡°Too weak¡­¡±


    To get rid of their trouble with the Cai clan and Sun clan, they got tangled up in the Seven Noble Houses¡¯ conflict. It was trading one poison for another. All was quiet for now, but they¡¯d have to face the music sooner or later.


    Yet, with his meager power, he couldn¡¯t protect himself, let alone the Luo clan.


    ¡°I need to get stronger fast!¡±


    Zhuo Fan clenched his teeth and performed strange hand gestures as his eyes let out an eerie red light.


    At this moment, Cai Xiaoting was meditating in a room when a sudden ache in his abdomen twisted his face in pain. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead and he soon passed out.


    A bloody light flashed from his abdomen and a palm-sized infant came out.


    It was Zhuo Fan¡¯s Blood Infant.


    At the time he was in Cai Manor, Zhuo Fan inserted the Blood Infant in Cai Xiaoting, to control Cai Rong. Because his movement was too fast, no one saw him. And under the threat of his son¡¯s life, Cai Rong was forced to let the Luo clan go.


    Thanks to the Blood Infant in Cai Xiaoting¡¯s body, Zhuo Fan could monitor their affairs. He would get an early warning to any plan they might come up with.


    But now, spying on the Cai clan has lost its value.


    The Blood Infant saw the unconscious Cai Xiaoting and let out a sneer in Zhuo Fan¡¯s voice, ¡°Humph, I won¡¯t take your life so you could bear witness to the fall of the Cai clan.¡±


    The Blood Infant then turned into a red light and flew outside.


    In a dark garden, a Cai clan guard was patrolling when a red light entered his body. He couldn¡¯t utter a sound as his body numbed. He soon shriveled up and a light wind scattered him to dust, leaving behind the red glow.


    In this manner, more than thirty guards disappeared from the Cai clan.


    In the tavern, Zhuo Fan snickered and sent Blood Infant for the next prey.


    He and the Blood Infant were one. When the Blood Infant entered a cultivator, he used the Demon Transformation Art to absorb the person¡¯s blood essence and Yuan Qi for Zhuo Fan to refine later.


    He didn¡¯t plan on using the Blood Infant so soon, but he needed it to heal his heart. So he might as well reduce Cai clan¡¯s numbers while he was at it.


    The Blood Infant reached the Qi Condensation and even an early Bone Tempering expert would find it troublesome to fight with. As for Qi Condensation opponents, it would kill them in an instant.


    If Zhuo Fan had the Blood Infant on him in his fight with You Quan, he could¡¯ve won without having to resort to any schemes.


    He could only sigh as he thought of how it was the perfect match to have both the Blood Infant and the Demon Transformation Art.


    Raising the Blood Infant was very difficult, and even Patriarch Blood Demon only reached Saint Stage with it. Yet, thanks to the Demon Transformation Art, Zhuo Fan raised it to Qi Condensation after ten days of hard work in the tavern.


    He did it during his previous seclusion. The first day he used to bind the Blood Infant and the rest to provide it with blood essence. Since the Blood Infant reached such a level, it was time for it to collect blood essence.


    And in a clan like the Cai clan, Bone Tempering experts were rare, so Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t afraid the Blood Infant would be harmed. This led to an unrestrained hunt as he sucked dry fifty more guards.


    But just when he planned to wipe away any Cai clan remnants, an eerie energy caught his attention.


    ¡°A Demonic cultivator expert?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was startled and guided the Blood Infant to the source.


    It arrived near a small room, where a faint light burned. There were two dozen peak Qi Condensation cultivators standing guard.


    It stirred Zhuo Fan¡¯s curiosity and drew Blood Infant to a window. As for those guards, they couldn¡¯t even detect the Blood Infant, not to mention see it.


    Three elderly sat in the guest and main seats inside the room.


    The one in the main seat was Cai Rong. The first seat on his left was occupied by a bald old man with cloudy eyes and exuding a peculiar energy.


    Zhuo Fan recognized it in a second, it was from a demonic cultivator expert.


    The old man on Cai Rong¡¯s right wore noble attire and faint traces of demonic energy leaked from him. It showed he was in the middle of changing to a demonic cultivation method.


    Yet Cai Rong and the noble dressed old man were showing great respect to the bald demonic cultivator.


    [Can it be¡­]


    Zhuo Fan felt he was onto something when Clan Head cupped his hands before the bald man, ¡°Elder Jian, to what do I owe the honor of your and Clan Head Sun¡¯s visit?¡±


    Cloudy eyes stared at Cai Rong until he trembled. It was then that Elder Jian smiled, ¡°I¡¯m sure you know that a disciple from my Hell Valley was killed today by a Veiled Dragon Pavilion.¡±


    ¡°Uhm, wasn¡¯t it done by the Luo clan?¡± Cai Rong let out a dry laugh.


    ¡°You think the Luo clan would have the nerve?¡± Elder Jian laughed as his cloudy eyes shined, ¡°The feud between my Hell Valley and Veiled Dragon Pavilion was at a stalemate where neither dared to make the first move and break the balance of the seven houses. Yet the Veiled Dragon Pavilion used the Luo clan to kill my disciple. What are they aiming for?¡±


    This made Zhuo Fan muffle his laughter.


    Just as he expected, these seven houses were treated like kings for so many years that they would never believe anyone would challenge their authority. It was because of such raw arrogance that made them believe there was a deeper scheme involved instead of taking what happened at face value.


    Veiled Dragon Pavilion was no different, willing to accept this injustice instead of showing weakness.


    ¡°Uh, then you visited me because¡­¡± Cai Rong hesitated.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, nothing much, just help us to spy on Veiled Dragon Pavilion and understand their intent. It seems this event will trigger a battle between the houses.¡±


    ¡°Uhm¡­ Elder Jian, that¡¯s the Veiled Dragon Pavilion. My Cai clan can¡¯t afford to offend them.¡± Cai Rong panicked.


    He thought, [Why the hell are you Seven Noble Houses dragging my small clan into this?]


    Shaking his head, Elder Jian said, ¡°Clan Head Cai, don¡¯t misunderstand. There is no need for your clan to go head to head with Veiled Dragon Pavilion. It¡¯s just testing them, that is, dealing with the Luo clan and observing the Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s reaction.¡±


    ¡°What, Luo clan?¡±


    Cai Rong was shocked.


    There wasn¡¯t anyone in the Windgaze City who didn¡¯t know of today¡¯s fight between You Quan and Zhuo Fan, that Luo clan was backed by the Veiled Dragon Pavilion. [Yet here you are asking me to go make a mess of Luo clan. Isn¡¯t that the same as offending the Veiled Dragon Pavilion?]


    Cai Rong looked over at Clan Head Sun, only to see him smile with a hint of schadenfreude.


    [Damn you! Since you¡¯re so close with Hell Valley, why don¡¯t you go mess with Luo clan? Didn¡¯t your daughter make a scene today? But now that you saw them with the Veiled Dragon Pavilion, you don¡¯t dare move an inch.]


    Cai Rong felt his tooth itch from hatred but didn¡¯t have the courage to refuse Hell Valley, ¡°Ai, to tell the truth, I hate that punk, Zhuo Fan, the most. He came to my clan a few days ago to look for trouble. I don¡¯t know what evil trick he used, but he made my son cough blood for several days and we still haven¡¯t found a cure. If I go after him, he would use the same trick to take my son¡¯s life¡­¡±


    Pff¡­


    Before Cai Rong even finished, Zhuo Fan could barely hold his laughter.


    He left the Blood Infant inside Cai Xiaoting to teach the Cai clan a lesson, but never used it again afterward. He didn¡¯t expect the Clan Head would use such a lame excuse to escape this predicament.


    Even Elder Jian was skeptical of Cai Rong¡¯s flowery speech and his face hardened.


    Upon seeing this, Cai Rong rushed to present an alternative, ¡°Elder Jian, Clan Head Sun is the best man for the job and is also close with Hell Valley. Letting him in charge of this task won¡¯t disappoint you.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Cai Rong, what are you trying to pull?¡±


    Clan Head Sun jumped to his feet. Luo clan was a headache and they didn¡¯t know how tight its relation was with the Veiled Dragon Pavilion. If he¡¯d instigated Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s involvement when he messed with the Luo clan, he¡¯d be ruined.


    Despite the Sun clan and Hell Valley being related, the former was by no means one of the Seven Noble Houses. Getting on the Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s wrong side was out of the question. It was unknown if the Hell Valley would stick its neck out for the Sun clan.


    Going after Luo clan was plain suicide.


    Seeing the two clans proclaim loyalty by day and shirking off their duties at crucial times, Elder Jian snapped, ¡°Enough, you useless fools, I don¡¯t need any of you. I will find someone else for the job.


    ¡°Also, Cai Rong, have you brought your spirit ranked martial art, Wind Kick?¡±


    ¡°Please inspect it, Elder Jian.¡± Cai clan rushed to present the jade slip, yet his eyes showed reluctance, ¡°Elder Jian, this is the only spirit ranked martial art the ancestors have passed down in my Cai clan.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t take advantage of you.¡± Snorting, Elder Jian threw him a jade slip, ¡°This is the spirit ranked martial art, Flaming Finger, a higher rank than yours.¡±


    Cai Rong was overjoyed, expressing his thanks again and again. Zhuo Fan standing outside was puzzled, [Is Hell Valley muddled to exchange a mid spirit ranked martial art for a lower one?]


    ¡°Elder Jian, who did you find to deal with Luo clan, if you don¡¯t mind me asking?¡±


    Ignoring the martial art the Hell Valley bestowed on Cai Rong, Clan Head Sun asked. Cai Rong pricked up his ears to catch the answer.


    Snickering, Elder Jian¡¯s eyes flashed with disdain, ¡°You bunch of dogs, afraid someone might replace you? Humph, relax will you, that person is from Hell Valley.¡±


    ¡°Does the Hell Valley plan to step forward? Why¡­¡± Cai Rong and Clan Head Sun didn¡¯t mind Elder Jian¡¯s disdain and were surprised.


    With an odd light in his eyes, Elder Jian said, ¡°He is a spy we have long planted in the Blackwind Mountain¡­¡±


    ¡°Blackwind Mountain!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was so shocked his heart skipped a beat and his control over his energy slipped.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±


    Elder Jian whipped his head and launched a palm attack. The door was blown to pieces as Blood Infant turned into a red streak of light and flew away.


    Only now did Elder Jian rush outside.


    ¡°So quick!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s shock wasn¡¯t small, but luck was with him as the guards were surrounding the place. He grinned and urged the Blood Infant to enter one of them.


    ¡°Blood Boil!¡±


    The guards were in shock as Zhuo Fan¡¯s shout blew up the guard. With no time to dodge, all the others next to him lost their lives.


    Elder Jian¡¯s figure was blocked by the sudden explosion, allowing Blood Infant¡¯s escape.


    Cai Rong and Clan Head Sun saw the wretched aftermath and were frightened, ¡°What was that?¡±


    Elder Jian shook his head, yet his face turned grave, ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it must belong to a demonic cultivator¡­¡±

 Chapter 24 - Breakthrough Again

    Whoosh!


    A red light streaked in the dead of night, passing through doors and entering Zhuo Fan¡¯s body.


    Letting out a breath, Zhuo Fan opened his eyes as he rejoiced. Fortunately, the Blood Infant was quick to escape or it would¡¯ve been ruined by the bald elder.


    He never imagined he¡¯d bump into such a strong opponent in the Cai clan. Even if he couldn¡¯t recognize the elder¡¯s cultivation, he was certain the elder was no less powerful than Godeye Long Jiu.


    And once Blood Infant was destroyed, because of Zhuo Fan¡¯s connection with it, it would spell doom for him too. But the opposite was also true. Even if his heart exploded, he wouldn¡¯t die as long as the Blood Infant lived; because the moment he bound with the Blood Infant, it became his heart.


    ¡°I need to work harder on improving my strength.¡±


    His vast experience told him danger was looming. For now, it looked like Hell Valley and Veiled Dragon Pavilion were silent, but the Blackwind Mountain might be the fuse to a disaster with the Luo clan smack in the middle.


    His fate rested on strengthening the Blood Infant to Bone Tempering Stage. This was the only way to ensure some semblance of control when he met an expert like Long Jiu.


    Zhuo Fan closed his eyes and refined the Yuan Qi and blood essence the Blood Infant collected.


    In the next moment, red flashes came from his chest as red energy coursed through his veins to his heart. As the energy gathered the whole in his chest began to heal. His weak heartbeat soon started pounding with greater force.


    In but an hour, his chest healed, with not even a scar left behind. If one didn¡¯t witness his heart exploding, they wouldn¡¯t believe the events of this morning occurred.


    He continued refining Blood Infant¡¯s gathered Yuan Qi and turning into black energy. One part flowed into his Dantian and another back to the Blood Infant.


    No less than 50 Qi Condensation experts¡¯  Yuan Qi were refined and propelled Zhuo Fan through the 3rd layer of Qi Condensation and to the brink of entering the 4th layer.


    With a faint boom, Zhuo Fan and Blood Infant broke through to the 4th layer.


    Zhuo Fan was happy. It was so easy to increase one¡¯s strength. It was only ten days ago that he entered the 2nd layer and here he was now in the 4th.


    But when he wanted to work towards the 5th layer, he found Blood Infant¡¯s Yuan Qi reserves had been spent.


    He wanted to keep going, but he was satisfied he at least advanced two layers in one go.


    He looked out the window at the clearing sky and walked out to stretch his legs. Now that Blackwind Mountain was coming, he had to find a safe haven for the Luo clan.


    Zhuo Fan opened the door to his room but before he could take a step, a thump resounded and something fell at his feet. He looked to see a drowsy Luo Yunchang getting back up in embarrassment.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Zhuo Fan frowned.


    He poured all his focus on controlling the Blood Infant last night and then cultivating, so he didn¡¯t pay attention to what happened outside his room to the point he didn¡¯t detect her.


    [Damn it! How could I become so careless? If it were an enemy instead, I would¡¯ve been dead.]


    Seeing his angry look, Luo Yunchang was apologetic as she mumbled, ¡°I was worried about your wounds worsening and waited outside. Now that you¡¯re alright, I¡¯ll be going. ¡°


    ¡°Wait, you stood guard all night?¡± Zhuo Fan was shocked.


    Luo Yunchang blushed and turned to leave with a hurried pace than before.


    Captain Pang took this moment to appear and saw Zhuo safe and sound and shouted in joy, ¡°Brother Zhuo, you¡¯ve recovered. That wound of yours scared all of us to death. Young miss always stayed at your door, worried for your life. Eh, where is she?¡±


    ¡°She left.¡±


    Zhuo Fan rubbed his nose and said calmly, yet warmth grew in his heart.


    [Damn this heart demon!]


    Zhuo Fan cursed. How could the glorious Demonic Emperor feel anything for a mere woman? [This must be the work of the kid¡¯s heart demon.]


    ¡°Right, old Pang, you came right on time. Come with me to the Veiled Dragon Pavilion.¡±


    ¡°But what about young miss and¡­¡±


    ¡°Relax, after yesterday¡¯s event, no one would dare touch them, if not for fear of offending Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡­¡± Zhuo Fan snickered.


    Captain Pang had to take a moment to recover and reacted by giving thumbs up as his eyes glittered with worship. He didn¡¯t get Zhuo Fan¡¯s plan but he was clear Zhuo Fan made others misunderstand Veiled Dragon Pavilion was backing Luo clan.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, I am now thoroughly convinced. If the Luo clan doesn¡¯t have you as a steward, we would have been doomed. It was a waste of your talents to have left you sweeping the courtyard back in the day.¡±


    Laughing, Zhuo Fan patted Captain Pang¡¯s shoulder and shook his head.


    [That person wasn¡¯t me¡­]


    Fifteen minutes later found the two at the gates of Veiled Dragon Pavilion, before the same two guards. But this time, they showed proper respect.


    ¡°Please enter, dear guests.¡±


    ¡°What, you won¡¯t go and report first?¡± Zhuo Fan mocked.


    After giving a silly laugh, a guard knew Zhuo Fan was still bothered by what happened before and apologized, ¡°It was us who were ignorant before and didn¡¯t recognize your greatness. You made a deal of a million spirit stones. We do not have the right to block such an honorable guest.¡±


    ¡°Humph, snobs!¡± Zhuo Fan sneered then took Captain Pang inside, leaving the guards still bent and flattering him. They were clearly miserable inside but still plastered a fake smile on their faces.


    The two ran into Long Kui. This time, she lacked the respect she showed before and snorted in anger as she walked away.


    ¡°Uhm, how did we offended her?¡± Captain Pang was baffled.


    Zhuo Fan smiled.


    ¡°Young miss Long Kui, is this how Veiled Dragon Pavilion treats its guests?¡±


    ¡°Humph, how are you guests?¡± Raising an eyebrow, she glared at him, ¡°You don¡¯t deserve to be guests when you used us!¡±


    Rubbing his chin, Zhuo Fan smiled and muttered, ¡°Still just a girl, and so naive.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s voice was faint but not enough to prevent the disdain in his voice from reaching Long Kui. She was treated as the jewel of the clan, and never received such contempt, especially from people around her age.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, who are you calling naive?¡±


    ¡°You, of course!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Be it business or the politics between the seven houses, everything must be taken into consideration when looking to make a profit. Yet you are prone to anger just from being used in someone else¡¯s plan. Just how did you survive this long? Compared to you, Long Jie is much more mature. He realized I used him and just walked away instead. The way I see it, admitting a loss is also a kind of power. At least the next time I plan on using him, it won¡¯t be as easy.¡±


    This was the first time Long Kui heard such an argument and was stunned.


    She came from the clan¡¯s estate and was put in Long Jiu¡¯s care. The elders in the estate spoke highly of her talent but not enough to entrust her with heavy responsibility. When she arrived here, Long Jiu spoke the same. Her talent wasn¡¯t any less than Long Jie but Long Jiu didn¡¯t trust her in being responsible.


    She didn¡¯t understand, but now it seemed she was clear on something¡­


    ¡°Love, hate, closeness, and vengeance won¡¯t help you, only benefits.¡± Zhuo Fan saw her bewildered eyes and chuckled, ¡°Let¡¯s set aside our personal grievances and talk about business. It is also where your talent lies.¡±


    Long Kui thought for a bit and nodded.


    But just then a light cough came, along with an aged voice, ¡°Mister Zhuo Fan, let¡¯s talk.¡±


    The three of them looked to see Long Jiu accompanied by Long Jie walking towards them. But Long Jie couldn¡¯t mask a glint of shock as he gazed upon Zhuo Fan.


    Yesterday, he saw Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart exploding, but now, he was walking like it never happened. His breath was even and spoke calmly.


    [Did he recover in one night? How?]


    ¡°Grandpa Jiu, won¡¯t you give this young one a chance?¡± Not paying any heed to Long Jie¡¯s shock, Zhuo Fan spoke.


    Shaking his head, Long Jiu laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, just from talking with you, I ended up being used in the end. To think you still dare to come here. If I knew your true colors before, I would¡¯ve taken you as a thousand-year-old monster taking shelter in the Luo clan.¡±


    [Damn! I almost got found out!]


    Zhuo Fan forced a laugh as he dismissed him, ¡°You¡¯re too kind, grandpa Jiu. How can I compare to you?¡±


    ¡°Cut the crap!¡± Long Jiu switched tones in an instant and said harshly, ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I am looking for a safe house for the Luo clan to live in. Does grandpa Jiu know of a good place?¡±


    Stroking his beard, Long Jiu replied, ¡°Why should I help you?¡±


    ¡°Simple, Veiled Dragon Pavilion owes us! Also¡­¡± Zhuo Fan laughed eerily, ¡°It will help you watch over us more easily.¡±


    Long Jiu¡¯s eyes squinted as his heart trembled in shock.


    [This punk can see through anyone. Ever since killing You Quan yesterday, Veiled Dragon Pavilion has been on the defensive. With how tense our relation with Hell Valley is now, a battle might break out at any time.]


    And Luo clan was a variable because of their connection with Veiled Dragon Pavilion, no one dared to mess with it, but it also allowed the Luo clan to do whatever it wanted. One wrong move and it could trigger a war between the houses.


    This was why Long Jiu placed surveillance over the Luo clan. Yet, Zhuo Fan went and exposed it. This left Long Jiu feeling apprehensive.


    [What is this punk scheming?]


    He never imagined a veteran practitioner a century-old would one day be toyed with by a punk. And he didn¡¯t understand the whole picture either, leaving him with an unpleasant feeling¡­

 Chapter 25 - Array Grandmaster

    Seeing the old man hesitating, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to suffer a loss and give you something.¡±


    ¡°Humph, what could you possibly know that the Veiled Dragon Pavilion doesn¡¯t?¡± Long Kui stuck her chin with disdain.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°I have heard of the Veiled Dragon Pavilion boundless strength, but the cat and mouse each have its own means. What I know doesn¡¯t mean you do as well.¡±


    Long Kui grinned unconvinced. Long Jie also shook his head. But only Long Jiu fixed his single eye on Zhuo Fan.


    Long Jiu wouldn¡¯t even care if it were anyone else. But it concerned Zhuo Fan, who gave them too many shocks these past days. He began to add a certain importance to the youth before him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hear it!¡±


    Snickering, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Did you know Hell Valley¡¯s men are already here?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Long Jiu shouted in shock.


    Since the founding of the empire, the Seven Noble Houses¡¯ domains had clear boundaries. Windgaze City was Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s and no other house was allowed to establish a branch here or it would be taken as provocation and war would break out.


    Of course, their disciples were the exception, as it could be seen from Veiled Dragon Pavilion ignoring You Quan¡¯s arrival. However, this didn¡¯t extend to elders or similar experts, they needed consent first.


    Zhuo Fan knew of this rule from Luo Yunchang and was now probing. It went just as he thought. From their faces, they had no idea the bald old man was here.


    ¡°Impossible, we have scouts all over Windgaze City and no one can escape our notice.¡± Long Jie shook his head with a grim look.


    ¡°Humph, don¡¯t listen to him. He just wants to scare us.¡± Long Kui glared at Zhuo Fan.


    Only Long Jiu spoke in a grave tone, ¡°What proof do you have?¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°None.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re just running your mouth.¡± Long Kui threw a despising glare his way.


    Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°But his appearance was that of a bald old man, with Cai Rong and Clan Head Sun calling him Elder Jian!¡±


    ¡°Condor Jian Fan?¡±


    Long Jiu¡¯s only eye squinted as his power exploded. It was so strong none of the others around him could breathe, stepping back again and again.


    Only after a while did he calm down.


    Zhuo Fan gasped as his heart shivered. Long Jiu¡¯s power contained naked killing intent that shocked even him.


    ¡°Grandpa Jiu, you¡¯ve met that old man?¡± Zhuo Fan probed.


    ¡°Not only met him¡­ That man ruined uncle Jiu¡¯s godeye.¡± Long Jie explained.


    Zhuo Fan was in joy. [I was scared you had no grievances. Now that I know you¡¯re archenemies, it couldn¡¯t be better.]


    ¡°Restrain your anger, grandpa Jiu!¡± Zhuo Fan switched to a fake compassionate tone.


    Waving, Long Jiu¡¯s eye glinted with coldness, ¡°Alright, since you spoke of his appearance, I¡¯ll believe you. You can take the courtyard a hundred yards from here.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, grandpa Jiu!¡± Zhuo Fan clasped his hands and walked away with Captain Pang. But after a couple of steps, Long Jiu spoke coldly, ¡°Kid, where¡¯s that geezer?¡±


    Stopping, Zhuo Fan replied, ¡°Cai clan, but it¡¯s more likely he¡¯s in the Sun clan now.¡±


    ¡°I see!¡± Long Jiu nodded as the bones in his fists crackled. Once Zhuo Fan was out of sight, he spoke, ¡°Ah Jie, report it to the clan so they can send some elders. I won¡¯t let Jian Fan leave this place alive. Also, stay for now in that courtyard and look after the Luo clan. I don¡¯t want them to do anything that might scare away Jian Fan.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Jiu, he is a Hell Valley elder, if he dies here, it will trigger a war between our houses.¡± Long Jie showed his worry.


    ¡°Humph, it is he who doesn¡¯t follow the rules and sneaked my domain. If I let him live, I won¡¯t be able to live with the regret of him taking my eye.¡±


    Seeing his advice falling on deaf ears, Long Jie sighed and left with Long Kui. Though they left, they could still hear Long Jiu¡¯s angry laughter¡­


    The next morning, Zhuo Fan took the siblings and Captain Pang to their new home. This was where the Veiled Dragon Pavilion received their honored guests. It was far larger than the reception house where they were welcomed before. It was the best place in town.


    In a short while, Luo clan was the talk of the town, of how they were under Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s close care. Everyone knew the Veiled Dragon Pavilion supported them, or they wouldn¡¯t have placed them in one of their courtyards, protected day in day out.


    Cai clan and Sun clan rejoiced they didn¡¯t accept Elder Jian¡¯s task. Just from today¡¯s circumstances, it was clear that any who dared to harm the Luo clan would face the wrath of Veiled Dragon Pavilion.


    Just like that, the moment the Luo clan stepped foot in their new home, it was publicly declared as the number one clan in the Windgaze City. They were held above even the Cai clan and Sun clan, despite being a small clan of four.


    ¡°Are we going to live here from now on?¡±


    Being the first to enter, Luo Yunchang was shocked by the imposing atmosphere of the place, including the sheer number of guards around them, all Qi Condensation experts. Adding to them were two dozen more golden armored guards staying vigilant. They were clearly Bone Tempering experts.


    Such guards could only be seen in the Seven Noble Houses.


    Luo Yunhai and Captain Pang ware struck dumb. The later was even in awe by the number of experts, while the former inquisitive.


    ¡°Old Pang, when the Luo clan recovers, what do you think of becoming the leader of such a team?¡± Zhuo Fan patted his shoulder.


    Captain Pang shyly shook his head, ¡°Any guard here is stronger than me. It is great if I can be as strong as them, but I don¡¯t dare lead them.¡±


    Despite saying that, his eyes flashed with hope.


    Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°That day will come.¡±


    But a sudden mocking laughter reached them, ¡°Mister Zhuo Fan, you not only lie to others but even lie to your own people. A steward like you is only good at conning.¡±


    Many turned to see Long Jie and Long Kui walking over.


    Ever since she realized Zhuo Fan made use of Veiled Dragon Pavilion, she lost all amiable pretense with Zhuo Fan, ¡°With Captain Pang¡¯s talent, he¡¯d reach the 6th layer Qi Condensation at best. Such a man is but a basic guard to us, not a captain. I advise your little clan not to dream for something out of reach.¡±


    Luo Yunchang and Captain Pang saddened while Zhuo Fan steeled his face.


    ¡°Young miss Long Kui, as the saying goes, don¡¯t mock a destitute youth. Your words are too harsh.¡±


    ¡°Humph, what youth am I mocking? That¡¯s just an excuse to deceive dreamers. Every glorious clan built their way over thousands of years to reach the top. Don¡¯t think you can rely on your wit to stay under Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s protection forever. In my eyes, Windgaze City is but a grain of sand. Even if you¡¯re a king or overlord here, you¡¯d only be a frog in a well, oblivious to the vast world outside¡­¡±


    Hearing her incessant babbling, Zhuo Fan laughed.


    [Oblivious to the vast world? A frog in a well? If anything worked as it should, the glorious Demonic Emperor wouldn¡¯t have fallen from Sacred Domain.] In his eyes it was this Tianyu Empire who was the speck, to say nothing of the Veiled Dragon Pavilion.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    Seeing him angry, Luo Yunchang pulled his hand with a frown. They shouldn¡¯t offend their protector.


    Long Jie also felt Long Kui crossed the line and shook his head after drawing her attention. But the lady only snorted.


    ¡°Young miss, lend me some spirit stones.¡± Zhuo Fan said coldly.


    Luo Yunchang was startled. She didn¡¯t know what he wanted to do but she gave him a ring containing what he requested.


    Zhuo Fan jumped on the highest point on the roof and overlooked the area.


    ¡°Hey, this isn¡¯t your home. Get down from there!¡± Long Kui barked.


    Ignoring her, Zhuo Fan spoke, ¡°3rd grade, Coiling Dragon Array.¡±


    Long Kui and Long Jie were shocked. Zhuo Fan¡¯s words spoke of the array Long Jiu set up in this place yet this kid saw through it with one look.


    Yet before the shock lessened, Zhuo Fan jumped and spread spirit stones around him from the ring. In fifteen minutes, close to ten thousand spirit stones were buried in the courtyard.


    When Zhuo Fan landed, Long Kui asked, ¡°What are you trying to do?¡±


    Zhuo Fan began making hand signs.


    In an instant, the ground trembled and dragon roars resounded followed by nine golden dragons bursting out of the ground.


    The dragons spread across the sky above Windgaze City for all to see.


    Elder Jian, who was in a hidden room in the Sun clan. He opened his eyes and stared in shock, ¡°Who¡¯s setting up the array? Is it that geezer? No, he doesn¡¯t have the skill to set up one such as this.¡±


    In Veiled Dragon Pavilion, Long Jiu shot to his feet as he watched in astonishment, ¡°Is that my Coiling Dragon Array? No, my array isn¡¯t as strong.¡±


    On Blackwind Mountain, a sinister youth turned to Windgaze City¡¯s direction with a frown, ¡°What¡¯s going on in the city? Was the plan pushed forward?¡±


    But he soon shook his head, ¡°No, Elder Jian isn¡¯t impulsive. What could have happened¡­¡±


    Everyone¡¯s eyes turned to this strange light. After fifteen minutes, Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand signs changed and the nine golden dragons returned to the earth of the courtyard.


    It was soon followed by a golden glow that spread all over it.


    ¡°W-what did you do?¡± Long Kui stammered.


    Zhuo Fan ignored her again and showed deep respect as he presented the ring to Luo Yunchang, ¡°Young miss, I notice the 3rd grade Coiling Dragon Array lacked in strength to safeguard young miss¡¯ safety. As such, I took it upon myself to upgrade it to the 5th grade Nine Heavens Coiling Dragon Array. I have wasted spirit stones, please punish me, young miss.¡±


    W-what?!


    Long Jie and Long Kui were gob-smacked.


    There were but a handful of people who could set a 5th grade array in the Tianyu Empire. Not even the seven houses had such a talent. But this kid had just simply deployed one.


    Was he a 5th grade array master?


    Luo Yunchang knew Zhuo did it on purpose to humiliate them, then deferred to her. This was also the first time she saw him so subdued. It was the perfect moment to install her rightful status as a young miss onto him.


    Luo Yunchang smiled inside yet her face was stone cold, ¡°Steward Zhuo, I should punish you for taking so many spirit stones without consent. But I won¡¯t blame you as you did it for our sake. Let¡¯s go. ¡°


    What? Punishment? Not even the Seven Noble Houses would dare rebuke such a lofty existence.


    Long Kui looked as if she had a fly stuck in her throat.


    Soon, Zhuo Fan accompanied Luo Yunhai as they swaggered inside, to the endless shock of the others and the snickering of Captain Pang and Luo Yunhai.


    Only Long Jie and Long Kui stood there with their hearts in chaos.


    They never thought it possible for a scheming 2nd layer Qi Condensation Zhuo Fan to also be a 5th grade array master.


    How could an unknown clan have such a talent¡­

 Chapter 26 - Invitation

    Whoosh!


    With a sudden boom, a figure appeared before the two, it was Long Jiu. His eyes were filled with excitement.


    ¡°Who set up the array just now?¡±


    ¡°Uh, it¡¯s¡­¡±


    The two looked long at each other before Long Jie replied, ¡°Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan!¡±


    ¡°What, him?¡±


    Long Jiu turned to the array and the more he examined it, the more shocked he got, ¡°An array master needs to know each array as the back of his hand and pours years and years into understanding heaven and earth. At my age, I can only set up 3rd grade arrays, so how can a pup set up a 5th grade array so quickly?¡±


    Long Jiu seemed to be asking Long Kui and Long Jie, but it also seemed to be asking himself. The two only shook their heads.


    It was unknown what kind of man Zhuo Fan was as he kept doing extraordinary and shocking things again and again. Even the two of them, born in a powerful clan, no longer dared to underestimate Zhuo Fan. They even felt inferior.


    ¡°Go and call the kid over. Uh, no, invite him. I want to speak to him.¡± Taking a look around, Long Jiu grinned.


    The two cupped their hands and followed his order. Soon, in a pavilion in the garden behind the courtyard, Long Jiu served tea at a stone table. It didn¡¯t take long before Zhuo Fan came in, followed by Long Jie and Long Kui.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, brother Zhuo Fan, sit.¡± Long Jiu laughed as he invited him.


    Long Jie and Long Kui were shocked.


    Brother Zhuo Fan?


    Long Jiu had a high position in the clan, as such, the two of them called him uncle. Yet a proud man like Long Jiu only respected a handful of people in the Tianyu Empire.


    But to call this kid ¡®brother¡¯ left the two stumped.


    Zhuo Fan took it in strike however, sitting without hesitation. In his eyes, this was a world where the strong were respected. With enough strength, even this old man¡¯s grandpa would call him brother.


    ¡°Why has bro Jiu called for me?¡± Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t a stickler for rules and poured himself some tea. He didn¡¯t seem to know the meaning of shame as he called Long Jiu bro without so much as a blush.


    Long Kui couldn¡¯t even react. Long Jie rolled his eyes, cursing him for being shameless and taking advantage of circumstances.


    But Long Jiu was overjoyed. Their relationship was now tighter and that was a good thing for him.


    ¡°Brother Zhuo Fan, since you called me bro Jiu, I won¡¯t mince words. I¡¯ll be honest with you, brother. For a 5th grade array master to stay in a fallen clan like the Luo clan is a sin. It¡¯s best if you join the Veiled Dragon Pavilion. We will even treat you as a Venerable. Even the Clan Head will have to show you respect.¡±


    Long Kui and Long Jie never imagined Long Jiu wanted to invite Zhuo Fan as Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Venerable.


    That was the highest status in the Veiled Dragon Pavilion, even higher than an elder. How could a kid, still wet behind his ears, receive such honor?


    Then again, Zhuo Fan was a 5th grade array master only in the Qi Condensation Stage. Any of the seven houses would invite such a person to be a Venerable.


    Asking him to join the Veiled Dragon Pavilion was for the clan¡¯s future.


    Zhuo Fan sipped tea with a smile.


    He knew of Long Jiu¡¯s intention even before he came. Who wouldn¡¯t fight and seize a 5th grade array master in such an empire? Even the emperor would have to show him courtesy.


    He foresaw this even as he set up the array.


    ¡°Brother Zhuo Fan, what do you say?¡± Long Jiu asked again.


    Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°I have one condition.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s in Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s power, you can ask for anything.¡± Long Jiu expressed his consent.


    ¡°Even making her serve me tea, rub my feet, and warm my bed?¡± Zhuo Fan pointed at Long Kui.


    Long Kui¡¯s cheeks flared red with anger, ¡°Keep dreaming.¡±


    Long Jiu had to shake his head in embarrassment, ¡°It¡¯s impossible with little Kui.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s just a joke. I already have a young miss so why would I look for another?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes were radiant as he turned serious, ¡°I want the Luo siblings¡­ forever safe.¡±


    Zhuo Fan paused after each word.


    Long Jiu showed his admiration. He never expected for Zhuo Fan¡¯s condition to be just this. Such devotion inspired respect from the three around him.


    Even the always angry Long Kui looked at him longer.


    ¡°I agree. As long as the Veiled Dragon Pavilion exists, the Luo clan, not only this generation but its descendants will also live in peace.¡±


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan sipped his tea again.


    ¡°Then from now on, you are Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Venerable. I will report it to the clan and three days later, I will ask Ah Jie to escort you to the clan estate.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised his hand, ¡°I didn¡¯t agree.¡±


    ¡°What? But just now¡­¡± Long Jiu stood in panic then glared at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Brother Zhuo, were you messing around?¡±


    Zhuo Fan turned serious, ¡°If it were 15 minutes ago, I would¡¯ve agreed without hesitation. But now¡­¡±


    ¡°What about ¡®now¡¯?¡± Long Jiu¡¯s beard trembled.


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan let out a mysterious smile as his voice turned cold, ¡°Young miss Long Kui, do you remember what you said?¡±


    Zhuo Fan extended his fist, ¡°Within ten years, I will make the Luo clan stand above the seven houses!¡±


    He down the tea in one gulp and smacked the cup on the table as he left.


    Long Kui had a strange feeling watching his back.


    It was impossible for a small clan to rise above the Seven Noble Houses in ten years, even if he was a 5th grade array master. The Seven Noble Houses¡¯ reserves weren¡¯t something he alone could overcome.


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s confidence left her without retort.


    ¡°Little Kui, what did you say?¡± Long Jiu turned to the two. From Zhuo Fan¡¯s expression, he knew Zhuo Fan was not lying. So, something must have happened earlier.


    Long Kui only stared at Zhuo Fan¡¯s back as Long Jie spoke after hesitating.


    Long Jiu shook his head after hearing the story, ¡°I¡¯ve said already not to insult people and cut at their shortcomings. You¡¯ve insulted the Luo clan and they are sure to not take it lying down.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ what he said can¡¯t be achieved.¡± Long Jie muttered.


    Long Jiu stroked his beard, ¡°Luo clan has a 5th grade array master. Even if it won¡¯t rise above the seven houses, it will still be well known in the land. It¡¯s best to get closer to it.


    ¡°We were so close to having him as Venerable¡­¡± Long Jiu sighed as he fixed his eye on Long Kui.


    Regarding Zhuo Fan, he went to Luo Yunchang, his mind going a mile a minute.


    He could have completely put his heart demon to rest but chose not to because of Long Kui¡¯s words.


    [Pipe dream? If we can¡¯t even dream, our only choice is to leave it up to fate.]


    Demonic cultivators walked in defiance of heaven, fighting for their own fates. Zhuo Fan thus hated when someone told him that any goals he had was a pipe dream, that he should feel grateful for his fate.


    He had to prove to everyone that even a fallen clan could reach the top one day. He no longer helped the Luo clan just for the sake of his heart demon, but also for his path as a demonic cultivator.


    [Nothing in this world is impossible! If Heaven stands in my way, I will kill it. My fate is my own and not Heaven¡¯s.]


    The day shall come when he would rebuild this ruined clan to the best the world had ever seen! As long as Demonic Emperor Zhuo Yifan was here, nothing was impossible.


    Bam!


    Zhuo Fan slammed the door open full of anger.


    Luo Yunhai, Luo Yunchang, and Captain Pang were startled. Luo Yunchang hesitated before building up the courage to speak to him, ¡°Zhuo Fan, what did grandfather Jiu want?¡±


    ¡°He invited me to join Veiled Dragon Pavilion.¡±


    The three¡¯s faces saddened. Despite being downhearted inside, Luo Yunchang strained a smile, ¡°Congratulations, Veiled Dragon Pavilion will offer you a far more glorious future than Luo clan.¡±


    She had a guess Zhuo Fan¡¯s talent as a 5th grade array master would attract the seven houses¡¯ invitation. The Luo clan would find it impossible to hold onto such a man.


    Zhuo Fan snorted, ¡°What are you sad about? I declined.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Shock was seen but happiness was the most obvious emotion, ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Just because. I¡¯ll be in my room!¡± Zhuo Fan left without answering. But just before he was gone, he said coldly, ¡°Young miss, don¡¯t interfere in any future matters of the Luo clan, be it big or small.¡±


    Luo Yunchang nodded absentminded. Wasn¡¯t it like this so far? Why did he bring this up?


    Zhuo Fan then seemed to talk to her but also to himself.


    ¡°From now on, I am Luo clan¡¯s steward. In ten years, I will raise the Luo clan above the Veiled Dragon Pavilion!¡±


    His figure left with the last word, leaving the three in shock¡­

 Chapter 27 - Capturing A Bandit

    For the next ten-odd days, there was not a shadow of Zhuo Fan gracing the small courtyard in the Veiled Dragon Pavilion. Not only Long Kui, not even Luo clan¡¯s members saw him.


    After his bold words that day, Zhuo Fan worked harder on cultivation, locked up in his room. He only let Blood Infant roam free at night to gather Yuan Qi.


    His target, the Cai clan.


    As such, Clan Head Cai was dejected all this time. His guards shrank in numbers with each passing day, without so much as a trace left behind. This left him wondering if the Luo clan he offended asked Veiled Dragon Pavilion to deal with his clan.


    In his opinion, only the Seven Noble Houses had such dreadful power to reap his guards without notice. As such, Cai Rong¡¯s heart grew heavier, to the point his son balled up under his blanket, shivering at night; afraid he would be next.


    To the living, it wasn¡¯t death that was scary, but the wait before. Father and son felt the crawling of time in the agony of fear.


    He also thought of seeking Hell Valley¡¯s help. But ever since it got his family martial art, it cut off all ties.


    This only went to further prolong Cai Rong¡¯s agony as he shouted out his frustration one day in his room. No demonic cultivator was trustworthy, but he was in too deep to turn back now.


    Zhuo Fan took them all in stride with a sneer.


    As for the Sun clan, he let the Blood Infant pay them a few visits too. However, Elder Jian was there so, there were many close calls to getting caught. And as of late, many great powers have been present there, so Zhuo Fan avoided entering.


    He only left Blood Infant to monitor at the gates.


    On this day, as per usual, the Blood Infant ate a dozen Cai clan guards then staked Cai clan¡¯s gates for a bit before returning to the little courtyard, pleased.


    Just as he was about to enter his home, a trace of energy caught his eye. Zhuo Fan frowned in his room as the Blood Infant hid its energy. Soon, in a corner across from the little courtyard, a shadow was reflected in his eyes.


    That person was watching his home.


    ¡°Humph, no one dares to step inside Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s territory yet this one does? He must be from Blackwind Mountain.¡± Zhuo Fan grinned.


    He recalled Elder Jian telling it wasn¡¯t the Cai clan nor the Sun clan who¡¯d come after the Luo clan, but a third party unrelated to them, Blackwind Mountain.


    If the Luo clan fell, Hell Valley was spared of all liability. But how were a bunch of bandits going to enter the little courtyard?


    [You think this is the Cloud Manor?]


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan guided the Blood Infant after the person in black. Because Blood Infant¡¯s hidden energy, it wasn¡¯t found out.


    After taking stock of the surrounding, the bandit left, followed by a red trace.


    An hour later, the person jumped through a window of a tavern and the Blood Infant floated to peer inside. Zhuo Fan saw seven strong men and a 17-year-old girl to the side. They were all waiting for the person in black to speak.


    ¡°Young miss, how¡¯s the situation?¡± Before the person in black spoke, the girl poured tea and spoke with concern.


    Zhuo Fan was taken aback, ¡°A woman?¡±


    He never expected the leader of the Blackwind Mountain bandits to be a woman. Were they looking down on the fact that the Luo clan had only four members?


    Zhuo Fan shook his head.


    He saw the person in black remove her veil to reveal a pair of bright eyes, black hair flowing down to her waist, with fair and unblemished skin worthy of the title beauty.


    Even the men couldn¡¯t help but swallow dryly and stare. But the woman¡¯s glare made them lower their heads.


    ¡°Xiao Cui, get me a pen and paper.¡± Being shouted to, the girl rushed to obey.


    The beauty drew in detail for fifteen minutes. The contents shocked Zhuo Fan.


    That was Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s little courtyard in minute detail. He had to admit, making such a map after one night of staking earned a thumbs up from him.


    She wasn¡¯t the leader for nothing.


    ¡°Look closely. Here, here, and here are guards. The four corners here have Bone Tempering experts¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Young miss, this is Veiled Dragon Pavilion, how do we proceed? By the look of things, we¡¯ll be dead before we even make it through the door.¡± One man wiped his sweat from fear.


    The woman dismissed him. ¡°Relax, senior brother got in contact with Hell Valley¡¯s men and said they will distract the guards. We just need to capture Luo Yunchang and kill the rest.¡±


    [What? She isn¡¯t a man, so why capture young miss for?] Zhuo Fan was baffled, but not worried. Even without the guards, he still had the Nine Heavens Coiling Dragon Array.


    They were ants throwing their lives away.


    But what caught his attention was that Blackwind Mountain and Hell Valley were connected. They were being exploited just like the Cai clan, but on a much deeper level.


    ¡°Uhm, young miss, there¡¯s something you might not like to hear, but it concerns our lives¡­¡±


    ¡°Say it!¡± Waving her hand, the girl spoke calmly.


    The man hesitated before firming his resolve, ¡°Young miss, the young lord and Hell Valley are connected and will listen to him. Even if Hell Valley¡¯s men help us, the Veiled Dragon Pavilion is still one of the Seven Noble Houses. Offending them will leave us with no place to hide. Will the Hell Valley shelter us then? If they abandon us instead, death will be our only outcome.¡±


    ¡°Humph, that¡¯s like saying you¡¯re scared of dying!


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re letting down Mountain Lord with your words? For helping camp lord recover, for his revenge, the least we can do is stake our lives!¡±


    Her words brought shame on their faces.


    She glared at them and shouted, ¡°Withdraw! Follow the predetermined plan without fail.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    They cupped their hands and shouted with respect. When they left, they were resolute with staring death in the face.


    ¡°Not bad!¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow as he left the room.


    Now it was his turn¡­


    When all the people left, the girl clapped her hands in glee, ¡°Young miss is amazing, like a true Mountain Lord.¡±


    Shaking her head, the woman sighed, ¡°If godfather was back to health, he¡¯d do it far better. No one on Blackwind Mountain would have doubted him, nor question his orders.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but they still believe in young miss.¡±


    The woman shook her head, ¡°Xiao Cui, don¡¯t comfort me. I only hope to cure my adoptive father once we get the Returning Dragon Palm.¡±


    ¡°Young miss will succeed in her filial duty!¡± The girl giggled.


    However, it was now that a faint sigh reached them, ¡°Girl, filial and success are different things. Moreover, who told you the Returning Dragon Palm can heal wounds?¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±


    The woman and the girl turned to find Zhuo Fan sitting on the window frame with a smile.


    ¡°No need to panic, I have no ill intent. I just came to chat and clear some things up.¡± Zhuo Fan made a friendly gesture.


    ¡°Who exactly are you?¡±


    The woman drew Xiao Cui two steps behind her. She didn¡¯t realize Zhuo Fan was spying on them. If he wanted her life, she¡¯d be dead by now.


    ¡°Oh, I haven¡¯t introduced myself.¡± Zhuo Fan bowed, ¡°I am Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan.¡±


    ¡°What, the Luo clan?¡±


    The woman¡¯s eyes squinted and gnashed her teeth, ¡°Then die.¡±


    She stabbed with two fingers. Piercing lightning danced between her fingers as if it wanted to shatter the skies.


    Zhuo Fan was a bit startled, ¡°9th layer of Qi Condensation, spirit ranked martial art?¡±


    He¡¯d never expected for the lass to be so strong and even wield a spirit ranked martial art to boot. Her power was close to a Bone Tempering cultivator.


    Unfortunately, she met Zhuo Fan. He mocked all those below Bone Tempering.


    Because he had the Blood Infant!


    With a hand sign, a red light flashed from his body into the woman.


    Her body froze yet the lighting still buzzed between her fingers.


    She was afraid, ¡°What did you do to me?¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Nothing, I am only controlling your body.¡±


    And then grabbed her two fingers, ¡°Cancel.¡±


    In an instant, the piercing lightning died out.


    Blood Infant was born of blood and controlled blood. This, in turn, led to the control of the whole body. Only strong cultivation and Yuan Qi could repel such restrictions.


    But this was because the Blood Infant was still weak. If it was in the Saint Stage, even an Emperor would find it hard to deal with.


    ¡°Come with me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan hugged her waist. She could do nothing but let the strange man embrace her as they went.


    ¡°Young miss.¡± Xiao Cui shouted.


    Zhuo Fan turned and thought of something, ¡°Oh, forgot about you.¡±


    His hand grabbed her shoulder and the lass blanked out. Xiao Cui was just a servant that had yet to enter Qi Condensation.


    Thus, as the first rays of dawn graced the earth, Zhuo Fan walked to his home embracing one girl and one woman¡­

 Chapter 28 - Interrogation

    Whoosh!


    As dawn approached, Zhuo Fan carried a pretty girl in each hand to his courtyard. The guards were taken aback seeing this steward locked up for ten-odd days, only to follow up with a knowing smile.


    One even teased, ¡°Steward Zhuo, last night must¡¯ve been exhausting for you!¡±


    Long Kui happened to pass by and saw him with two beauties. She frowned and rolled her eyes as she walked away with large steps. She ignored him while her mouth kept criticizing, ¡°Men are all the same.¡±


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t care that they misunderstood and threw the two in his room. He closed the door and sat on a chair.


    ¡°Ow!¡±


    Xiao Cui recovered from hitting the ground and rubbed her eyes, ¡°Where is this?¡± But shouted when her eyes landed on the other woman, ¡°Young miss, are you alright?¡±


    The woman laid motionless on the floor, presenting her delectable assets to Zhuo Fan to see.


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan moved his finger and she regained her freedom.


    The woman rose in a flash and reached for her ankle. Her hand now had a dagger that rushed at Zhuo¡¯s neck.


    Yet, only a groan came as the dagger stopped an inch from his throat as she froze in place.


    Zhuo Fan admired her with a sneer, ¡°Nice skills, but that won¡¯t work on me. I only invited you over to clarify some things. If you are honest, I will let you go.


    ¡°Also, it¡¯s best if you don¡¯t bare your fangs at me again.¡± Zhuo Fan took the dagger from her hand then spared a second glance to her shapely body, ¡°Oh, we¡¯d have to make sure you have nothing else hiding on you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan adopted the frisking posture.


    The woman turned beet red, ¡°You dare?¡±


    His hand stopped as Zhuo Fan looked into her eyes, ¡°Whether I dare or not depends on you.¡±


    Then his tone turned grave, ¡°Who are you? What are you doing in Windgaze City?¡±


    The woman ignored him.


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan ripped a part of her clothing wrapped around her waist and threw it to the ground.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    With a shriek the woman¡¯s anger exploded. Her eyes seemed to spew fire yet Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t care less.


    Xiao Cui rushed over and smacked Zhuo Fan with her tender fists, ¡°Bastard, how dare you do that to young miss!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s other hand moved with ease and some of Xiao Cui¡¯s clothing fell on the floor. She was stunned for a second before shooting back and holding her clothes tighter with tears swelling in her eyes.


    Zhuo Fan was nonplussed, asking in the same calm voice, ¡°Who are you? What are you doing in Windgaze City?¡±


    Gnashing her teeth, the woman bit her lips in answer.


    Her clothing was torn to shreds before as Zhuo Fan repeated with coldness, ¡°Who are you? What are you doing in Windgaze City?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s cruelty was akin to a heartless machine that brought fear to the woman¡¯s heart. She finally relaxed her clenched jaw, ¡°I am Blackwind Mountain Mountain Lord¡¯s goddaughter, Lei Yuting. I have come to Windgaze City to end the Luo clan.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s face was unfeeling as if it had nothing to do with him. This only worked to stoke Lei Yuting¡¯s fear. This man didn¡¯t look human in her eyes.


    ¡°Hell Valley will distract the guards while we sneak in.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded satisfied. He knew this beforehand and asked this to shred her heart¡¯s defenses.


    The next question was something he wanted to know the most.


    ¡°What¡¯s your connection with Hell Valley? What do they get by helping you?¡±


    Lei Yuting was at a loss too, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Zhuo Fan kept his eyes on her, and when he found her answer truthful, ¡°How are you in contact with Hell Valley? Who mediates?¡±


    Lei Yuting¡¯s eyes shook but her lips pursed.


    Zhuo Fan had a guess but he wanted to hear it from her, so he ripped Lei Yuting¡¯s shirt.


    Her body was exposed to Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes in an instant, leaving only a red lace cloth to protect her final vestige of modesty.


    Lei Yuting¡¯s tears dropped without a sound. Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand closed in on the red cloth as his voice dropped even lower, ¡°This is your last chance to maintain your honor. If you don¡¯t answer, there are more than a dozen craving men outside beside me.¡±


    ¡°Bastard!¡± Lei Yuting hissed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll count to three. One, two¡­¡± The higher he got the closer his hand was to the red cloth.


    Lei Yuting¡¯s bit her lips, close to drawing blood while crying, yet no word came out.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite brave!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded and was about to pull when Xiao Cui shouted in panic, ¡°Don¡¯t! I beg you, don¡¯t bully young miss. It¡¯s senior brother Yang who¡¯s in contact with Hell Valley.¡±


    ¡°Who is he?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s curled up an evil smile. Lei Yuting wanted to shout for Xiao Cui to stop, but Zhuo Fan¡¯s robbed her voice.


    Xiao Cui saw young miss suffering and spoke truthfully, ¡°He is Mountain Lord¡¯s disciple, Yang Ming. The Mountain Lord formed a marriage contract between senior brother Yang and young miss. But one day, Luo¡¯s Clan Head, Luo Zhennan caught him off-guard and wounded him heavily. He lays paralyzed, unable to even speak¡­¡±


    ¡°So you thought of catching the Luo clan off-guard?¡± Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°Killers must pay and revenge must be dealt, right?


    ¡°And then?¡±


    Xiao Cui hesitated but then she saw Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand drawing near Lei Yuting¡¯s chest, ¡°We were at a loss in the face of Luo clan¡¯s tight guard, but then senior brother made a pact with Steward Sun. He worked with us from the inside and defeated the Luo clan. Then Luo clan¡¯s young miss ran away and we lost track of her. It was also then when senior brother Yang found out you were all here and asked Hell Valley¡¯s help¡­¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand remained still, ¡°How did you know Mountain Lord was sneak attacked by Luo Zhennan? Did you see it?¡±


    ¡°Senior brother Yang did!¡±


    ¡°Did your senior brother Yang also tell you Returning Dragon Palm can heal him?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow as he asked Xiao Cui who nodded. She was amazed he got it right.


    With a clear picture, Zhuo Fan withdrew his hand from Lei Yuting¡¯s chest.


    However, a light voice came from outside, ¡°Zhuo Fan, are you there?¡±


    Luo Yunchang went inside with Luo Yunhai and Captain Pang. The image rooted them in place.


    An extra two beauties with messed up clothing were inside, with Zhuo Fan¡¯s nefarious hand in front of one¡¯s chest. Luo Yunhai was slack-jawed, yet his eyes roamed like lightning.


    Covering her brother¡¯s eyes, Luo Yunchang shouted at Captain Pang, ¡°Get young master out.¡±


    Captain Pang nodded as he carried Luo Yunhai outside, but not before he threw Zhuo Fan a vulgar smile any man would understand.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo!¡±


    Luo Yunchang raged, ¡°This is Veiled Dragon Pavilion. Why are you making trouble?¡±


    Shrugging, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Everything I do is for Luo clan¡¯s sake.¡±


    ¡°For Luo clan?¡±


    Luo Yunchang laughed from anger, ¡°You bring two flossies to mess around with and you say it¡¯s for Luo clan? Didn¡¯t you say you were getting stronger? Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯ll raise the Luo clan above the seven houses in ten years? Is this how you do it?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was stunned. Luo Yunchang carried herself with dignity and virtue at all times, even when angry. Why did she snap today so bad that she lost all composure?


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°If you knew who they were, you wouldn¡¯t be saying that.¡±


    Luo Yunchang was skeptical.


    ¡°They are from Blackwind Mountain and I was interrogating them.¡± Zhuo Fan sneered at the two girls with messed up clothing, ¡°This method is the most effective against women, even in the case of bandits.¡±


    ¡°What, they¡¯re from Blackwind Mountain?¡±


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes went bloodshot as she used her Yuan Qi to punch Lei Yuting, ¡°Give me back my father.¡±


    Zhuo Fan caught her soft hand, ¡°Calm down, I believe Blackwind Mountain and the Luo clan¡¯s grievances are connected. The Seven Noble Houses were probably behind it all.¡±


    What?


    Not only Luo Yunchang, even Lei Yuting and Xiao Cui were stunned.


    Both the Luo clan and Blackwind Mountain were mere ants to the Seven Noble Houses. Why go to such lengths to hide their intention when they could deal with them with a snap of their fingers?


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t figure it out yet, but he still let go of Lei Yuting.


    ¡°Young miss Lei, I have a presumptuous favor to ask of you.¡± Zhuo Fan bowed, ¡°I want you to take me to Blackwind Mountain. I want to get to the bottom of this.¡±


    ¡°Humph, there¡¯s no way you can enter Blackwind Mountain.¡± Lei Yuting snorted.


    Zhuo Fan smiled at Luo Yunchang, ¡°Young miss, please take out the Returning Dragon Palm.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Luo Yunchang took it out anyway. If others asked for it, she wouldn¡¯t have been so quick to respond. But since Zhuo Fan was a 5th-grade array master, he wouldn¡¯t covet a mere spirit ranked martial art.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Young miss Lei, this is the Returning Dragon Palm you wanted. But this is a martial art, it is unable to heal Mountain Lord¡¯s wound. I can only ask for you to take me to Blackwind Mountain to investigate. The chance is Yang Ming had always lied to you. We need to make matters clear, otherwise, Luo clan and Blackwind Mountain will be crushed by the seven houses.¡±


    ¡°Senior brother Yang is a good man, not a liar.¡± Xiao Cui said.


    Zhuo Fan only looked at Lei Yuting, ¡°How could Yang Ming make Luo clan¡¯s steward defect after decades under Luo clan and also be in constant contact with Hell Valley? Lei Yuting, do you even know your fianc¨¦e?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words struck a chord inside Lei Yuting and doubt sprouted. Tracing Returning Dragon Palm¡¯s jade slip with her hand, she nodded.


    Since they gave her the martial art, one passed down through generations, even she found something amiss and agreed. Moreover, Blackwind Mountain was her home and Zhuo Fan was but one man. No trick of his would work there.


    Zhuo Fan was pleased, but he cleared his voice in embarrassment the next second, ¡°Miss Lei, be careful not to catch a cold.¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Only now did she react to the vile steward ripping her clothes and could only use her hands for cover.


    Luo Yunchang and Xiao Cui shoved Zhuo Fan out the door, ¡°Scram!¡±


    The door slammed behind him as the three girls exchanged a smile. But then it dawned on them how complicated the matter got. They were still enemies and lost their smiles.


    Then came Zhuo Fan from outside, ¡°Miss Lei, next time don¡¯t forget to wear more.¡±


    Lei Yuting was so embarrassed her eyes burned with rage, while her face grew hotter¡­

 Chapter 29 - Entering Blackwind Mountain

    woman and an old man walked down a forest road.


    She was tall, mesmerizing and emanating a perfume that drew in butterflies. The wizen old man had a white goatee, yet his eyes flashed with vigilance now and then.


    The two arrived at the foot of a mountain and looked to the summit. The beauty eyed the elder but her tone was laced with anger, ¡°Zhuo Fan, you better behave. If I find you have any evil intentions towards Blackwind Mountain, I won¡¯t let you off.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, relax miss. This old man only came to investigate. Moreover, what could a lone man possibly do?¡± The old man¡¯s laughter reached the heavens above.


    Snorting, Lei Yuting ignored him, ¡°Furthermore, if you harm even a hair of Xiao Cui, I will end you.¡±


    ¡°Relax, I took her hostage because we don¡¯t trust each other. On one hand, I needed some insurance. On the other¡­¡± Zhuo Fan spoke in a mysterious voice, ¡°It is for your own good.¡±


    ¡°For my own good?¡±


    Lei Yuting didn¡¯t understand, but the only response she got was Zhuo Fan shaking his head.


    The two climbed in silence. Halfway up, they got to the first checkpoint.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±


    A strong man jumped out in their path. But when he saw Lei Yuting, he bowed, ¡°Ah, so it¡¯s Young miss. Weren¡¯t you in Windgaze City, why¡­¡±


    ¡°I had to return!¡±


    Lei Yuting jutted out her chin, walking without sparing the man a glance.


    ¡°He is on Yang Ming¡¯s side.¡±


    Zhuo Fan whispered, ¡°Tell me, if your task in Windgaze City was so secret, why is it that a common bandit knows of it?¡±


    Lei Yuting frowned.


    Her previous unshakable trust in Yang Ming was gnawed by Zhuo Fan these past few days. She, herself, started to notice many more inconsistencies in Yang Ming¡¯s behavior. The same could be said about the man they just met. He was watching her every movement, but what she used to take it as normal before, now it felt like a warning.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see. Once we arrive, Yang Ming will welcome you.¡± Zhuo Fan smiled as he sped up. Lei Yuting watched his figure with a heart filled with doubts.


    They passed several more checkpoints before reaching the summit, they now stood in front of the Blackwind Mountain camp¡¯s gate. Since Zhuo Fan was impersonating an old man and was led by Lei Yuting, no one questioned him.


    But just as they stepped foot across the gate, a man appeared.


    He was tall and majestic, just that a wicked smile smeared his handsome face. Zhuo Fan knew in a flash he was Yang Ming.


    ¡°See, all your actions were reported back.¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow at Lei Yuting, like a child who won the bet.


    But Lei Yuting didn¡¯t humor him by playing his game, and instead had a solemn face.


    Zhuo Fan had been feeding her doubts every step of the way, particularly regarding Yang Ming, who might¡¯ve been a spy from the Hell Valley.


    She didn¡¯t want to believe it since he was the fianc¨¦e her godfather arranged for her. It was hard for her to change her perception of a man who had the trust of everyone, her godfather included.


    But these doubts were the fruit of Zhuo Fan¡¯s careful wording along the way.


    Biting her lip, Lei Yuting saw Yang Ming with a complicated gaze and braced herself for what was to come.


    ¡°Sister Yuting, shouldn¡¯t you be in Windgaze City? Why the sudden return?¡± Yang Ming approached her with a smile and turned to Zhuo Fan, ¡°And this is¡­¡±


    Lei Yuting hesitated a moment, ¡°Senior brother, Veiled Dragon Pavilion isn¡¯t someone we can provoke, while Hell Valley¡¯s men aren¡¯t worthy of trust. This operation has too many dangers so I¡¯ve put the men on stand by to observe for now.¡±


    Yang Ming¡¯s face changed, not much but enough for Zhuo Fan to notice the killing intent in his eyes.


    ¡°Sister Yuting, Master¡¯s kindness is as heavy as a mountain. How can we not give our lives for such a man? How can we be so selfish? Furthermore, aren¡¯t we supposed to avenge Master?¡±


    ¡°I am aware, however¡­¡± Lei Yuting frowned, ¡°We cannot disregard the lives of our brothers. This is a 2nd ranked alchemist I have found to save godfather. We will settle this vengeance once he recovers.¡±


    Sensing his cue, Zhuo Fan cupped his hands, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, this old man has wandered the pugilistic world and cured countless illnesses. No injury or disease can escape my trained eye¡­¡±


    ¡°Humph, if you were so great, we¡¯d have known about you. Who are you trying to deceive?¡±


    Yang Ming interrupted Zhuo Fan bragging, ¡°Junior sister, only Returning Dragon Palm can heal wounds this martial art caused. Don¡¯t you trust me?¡±


    Lei Yuting recalled the times she spent with Yang Ming and her heart was in chaos.


    Zhuo Fan stood between the two and asked Yang Ming, ¡°Little brother, give me a chance. I¡¯m an expert healer.¡±


    ¡°Get lost!¡±


    Yang Ming was furious and sent a palm attack. Zhuo Fan felt the power behind it but didn¡¯t dodge, opting to take the strike with clenched teeth.


    Bam!


    Despite not using a martial art, the palm backed up by the power of an early Bone Tempering cultivator struck Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest and sent him sprawling while coughing blood.


    ¡°Why did you attack if you refused him entry?¡± Lei Yuting yelled.


    Zhuo Fan staggered to his feet after puking another mouthful of blood, ¡°This old man can¡¯t take too many hits. Miss, I¡¯m sorry but I will have to refuse this deal. I should¡¯ve known no good comes from dealing with bandits.¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    Yang Ming was enraged and slapped again, but Lei Yuting stopped him.


    ¡°I invited him. If you want to hit him, you¡¯ll have to go through me.¡±


    ¡°Humph, let him try for all I care. But if this healer makes the Master worse, he won¡¯t leave this place alive.¡± Yang Ming flung his sleeve and walked out in anger.


    Lei Yuting felt wronged and glared at Zhuo Fan, ¡°It¡¯s all your fault senior brother ignores me. I was a fool for believing you. There¡¯s no way my caring senior brother could harm godfather.¡±


    ¡°Miss, didn¡¯t your godfather teach you how to judge people?¡± Zhuo Fan wiped the blood from his mouth with a smile, ¡°But this is perfect since he bought it.¡±


    Lei Yuting was shocked, then doubtful.


    ¡°When you talk to someone, you don¡¯t pay attention to what they speak but how they act.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s grinned evilly, ¡°The reason he stopped me before was because he didn¡¯t know of my level. Thanks to his palm strike, he gauged my strength was negligible and let me pass. You tell me if he¡¯s caring or not.¡±


    Lei Yuting replayed the early scene while leaving out Yang Ming¡¯s words. All of his actions went according to Zhuo Fan¡¯s conjecture. To the point that when he left, Yang Ming showed a faint smile to her.


    [Can it be¡­]


    Lei Yuting didn¡¯t dare finish. If she did, her heart would be in too much pain and wouldn¡¯t be able to stop herself from confronting Yang Ming. At that time, the two would break all relations.


    Zhuo Fan patted her shoulder, ¡°Come, take me to your godfather.¡±


    ¡°Damn swindler! It¡¯s fine if you want to act but there¡¯s no point in seeing him.¡± Lei Yuting could hardly reign her emotions.


    Zhuo Fan smiled while shrugging nonplussed, ¡°When you act, you need to be thorough. Moreover, the act hasn¡¯t reached its climax.¡±


    With the final word, Zhuo Fan walked forward and Lei Yuting followed.


    As they passed, hundreds of eyes focused on them.


    Lei Yuting felt uneasy from so many stares. What used to be eyes filled with respect, now held only wariness.


    The two entered the Mountain Lord¡¯s room and saw Yang Ming inside. He held a bowl of gruel, feeding the old man on the bed.


    ¡°Hack, I will hold you responsible for anything that happens to Master.¡±


    Yang Ming smacked the bowl on the table and glared, then took a seat to the side to observe.


    Zhuo Fan laughed inside as he inspected the patient.


    When his fingers touched the old man¡¯s wrist, he injected his Yuan Qi and what he saw stunned him. It was all clear to him now.


    ¡°He has no external wounds.¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head.


    Yang Ming rolled his eyes and snorted, ¡°Is there a need to even say it?¡±


    ¡°But neither¡­ internal ones.¡±


    Yang Ming¡¯s eyes squinted and his hands tightened.


    He judged the 4th layer Qi Condensation Zhuo Fan as having no skill to speak of, but reality proved him wrong.


    Yang Ming¡¯s killing intent spiked!


    ¡°If godfather isn¡¯t injured, why can¡¯t he move or speak?¡± Lei Yuting doubted Zhuo Fan¡¯s diagnosis, thinking he was just putting on a show. [When you put up an act, try to make it believable.]


    [How are you going to explain an immobilized Bone Tempering expert having no injuries?]


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose as he smiled, ¡°This old man has concluded he has something foreign inside.¡±


    Bam!


    Yang Ming snapped the corner of the table while the old man on the bed glared at Zhuo Fan. He wanted to speak with such ardor but he was powerless to do so.


    Yet his emotional gaze said it all¡­

 Chapter 30 - Mad Slaughter

    ¡°Nonsense!¡±


    Yang Ming stormed before Zhuo Fan and pulled him back. Lei Yuting was stunned.


    ¡°Senior brother, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Squinting his eyes, Yang Ming turned to Lei Yuting, ¡°Junior sister, are you hiding something from me?¡±


    Lei Yuting froze but shook her head after hesitating, ¡°How can I?¡±


    Yang Ming snickered, ¡°Junior sister, after being in contact for so long, you¡¯re unable to lie to me.¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡±


    Lei Yuting felt danger behind Yang Ming¡¯s smile. As if a viper had its eyes on her, forcing her to stagger back.


    Yang Ming flashed with determination, ¡°Junior sister, where is Xiao Cui?¡±


    ¡°I had her do some things.¡± Lei Yuting stammered.


    Yang Ming nodded, pleased. But the next second, his eyes flashed evilly as he sent a palm strike. The powerful strike to her chest sent Lei Yuting flying.


    A trail of blood hung in the air.


    Yang Ming then pressed a spot on the bed and a trap door opened beneath Lei Yuting.


    Zhuo Fan faked shock and fled. But Yang Ming¡¯s quick hand clutched his neck throwing him inside the hole and then closed the trap door.


    The old man trembled from fury seeing the two falling in Yang Ming¡¯s trap.


    Bam!


    Lei Yuting¡¯s body ached as she landed in the black cave. But then, with a loud bang, something crashed onto her with such force that she spat blood.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t think this kid would have a trap door.¡± Zhuo Fan reached for the ground and felt something soft in his palm, ¡°Why is the ground so soft?¡±


    ¡°Ah, bastard! Get off me!¡±


    A shriek pierced his ears and Zhuo Fan realized he was on top of Lei Yuting with his two hands conveniently placed on her chest.


    He rushed away and said embarrassed, ¡°Sorry, it was a total accident¡­¡±


    Lei Yuting, with a beet-red face, didn¡¯t argue.


    She stood up and raved, ¡°Yang Ming, so you¡¯re the one behind it all!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Yang Ming¡¯s egotistical laughter came from above, ¡°Junior sister, I knew your return was suspicious. And you even brought a 2nd-grade alchemist. You started to doubt me.¡±


    ¡°Why are you doing this? Godfather always treated you well.¡± Lei Yuting wailed in grief as her heart broke.


    Yang Ming replied with a sneer, ¡°I have my own plans, this old man means nothing to me. I didn¡¯t hope to deal with you so soon, but you even went as far as bringing a 2nd-grade alchemist to ruin my plan.¡±


    ¡°What, do I mean so little to you?¡±


    Tears streamed Lei Yuting¡¯s cheeks. She spat blood again from heartache.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, unmoved by her plight. [You only have yourself to blame.] But since he had a play to finish, he still kept true to his role as a healer.


    ¡°Little brother, I have nothing to do with your problems. Let me go, I¡¯m innocent.¡±


    Yang Ming only laughed.


    ¡°Damn hack, if you were useless it wouldn¡¯t have made much difference if I killed you or not. Such a shame you figured out the old man¡¯s illness.¡±


    ¡°Illness? What illness? I only thought he didn¡¯t move for so long that toxins started to set in and wanted to give him a laxative!¡± Zhuo Fan cried his injustice, ¡°This is how I earn my meager living, why¡­ ¡°


    Yang Ming rubbed his forehead.


    [Curses, it¡¯s all a misunderstanding!]


    He took the old man as having skills when he was nothing but a swindler looking to earn his next meal. [In the end, what skill can a 4th layer Qi Condensation old man have?]


    Yang Ming shook his head, regretting his rash actions. He wanted Lei Yuting to complete his job, but now he had to do it himself.


    ¡°Damn hack! You ruined everything!¡± Yang Ming roared, ¡°Once I come back, I¡¯ll deal with you both!¡±


    ¡°Guards, make sure no one comes in.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Zhuo Fan then heard two guards taking positions at the door and Yang Ming leaving.


    ¡°Hey, little brother, I¡¯m not the only one who makes a living like this! Hey, let me go, I¡¯m innocent¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan shouted a few more times but didn¡¯t get a reply and was certain Yang Ming was gone.


    He turned to Lei Yuting to find her sitting blankly. She just found out her fianc¨¦e was someone else entirely and felt nothing for her, willing to even kill her. Any girl would feel their heart torn to shreds from this.


    Rubbing his fake beard, Zhuo Fan spoke, ¡°You¡¯re not too different from my Young miss. You should later share each other¡¯s pain and learn from them.¡±


    ¡°Humph, later? It¡¯s still unclear if we¡¯ll survive.¡± Lei Yuting lashed.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s smile brimmed with confidence, ¡°It¡¯s all going according to this old man¡¯s plan. Relax, we¡¯re leaving tonight. But if you want to die, you can take your life now of course. After all, you¡¯ve been discarded.¡±


    Lei Yuting snapped, ¡°If I die, I¡¯ll drag you down with me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan chuckled as he closed his eyes, waiting for the night.


    Lei Yuting pouted, yet she found bickering with Zhuo Fan had eased the pain inside and that something faint sprouted¡­


    In the dead of night, a crescent moon hung in the clouded sky above Blackwind Mountain. Most bandits were asleep, with the exception of the guards.


    In the dark cave, Zhuo Fan neared the wall and flashed his eyes open as Lei Yuting was sleeping further behind.


    He pointed and a red light flashed from Lei Yuting¡¯s body and floated before Zhuo Fan.


    The Blood Infant.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t trust Lei Yuting even with an agreement in place. So he took Xiao Cui hostage and placed the Blood Infant inside her.


    If she made one wrong move, he¡¯d end her in an instant.


    It was fortunate Lei Yuting¡¯s act was in order, but now it was time for Blood Infant to show its strength.


    The Blood Infant was acting as if it hadn¡¯t seen its parent for days, rubbing Zhuo Fan¡¯s cheek. He smiled for a moment before his eyes flashed with mad killing intent.


    Blood Infant knew his heart desires and flew outside. The thick stone walls didn¡¯t hinder it in the least.


    The mountain forest was particularly quiet at this time and the bandits were enjoying their dreams in their rooms.


    But a red light flashed inside one of them, only to leave the next second to enter another bandit. The previous content smile faltered and was soon devoid of life.


    The Blood Infant¡¯s speed was dreadful, cleaning up a room of twenty bandits in one breath. When it left, the room was robbed of life.


    In the same manner, the Blood Infant travelled all over Blackwind Mountain, taking every breath of life along the way. Its final stop was the two guards at Mountain Lord¡¯s door.


    Whoosh!


    One guard saw his partner being assaulted by a red light, ¡°Something went inside you!¡±


    The other guard froze, not getting what happened, but then Zhuo Fan¡¯s voice came from within his body, ¡°Let us out.¡±


    The guards¡¯ hearts were in a panic. Why did the voice of the one trapped beneath them come from one guard¡¯s body?


    Before they could understand what happened, the Blood Infant dried up its host before the other one¡¯s eyes, leaving nothing but dust. It then entered the other guard.


    The guard was scared to death to the point he lost his voice.


    It was then Zhuo Fan¡¯s voice came from inside him, ¡°Let us out!¡±


    It carried with it an undeniable power that softened the guard¡¯s knees as he relieved himself in his pants.


    ¡°Lord, please wait, I¡¯ll do it right now.¡± The guard cried.


    Anyone who had seen their partner turn to dust would have no shred of courage left. The guard rushed in tears to open the mechanism.


    Rumble!


    The trapdoor opened and light shined inside.


    Lei Yuting was roused by the sudden light and looked to see Zhuo Fan next to her, ¡°If you want to live, come with me.¡±


    Then he jumped.


    Lei Yuting was amazed at how he did it, but his words made her angry, ¡°Humph, I won¡¯t die so easily.¡±


    She then jumped after him¡­

 Chapter 31 - Frigid Pool Snow Worm

    Returning to Mountain Lord¡¯s chamber, the guard begged for his life, ¡°Lord, Young miss, spare me. Young-, no, Yang Ming that bastard forced me¡­¡±


    Lei Yuting was clueless as Zhuo Fan waved, ¡°Stand aside.¡±


    The guard curled up in a corner.


    Then Zhuo Fan walked to the old man¡¯s bed. Zhuo Fan smiled at the naked killing intent in the old man¡¯s eyes, ¡°I can heal you, but you have to listen to me afterwards.¡±


    Lei Yuting was moved, ¡°You can heal godfather?¡±


    Zhuo Fan only stared at the old man in the eye.


    The old man hesitated but Zhuo Fan dispelled it with a smile, ¡°Relax, I won¡¯t do anything that might jeopardize your clan. I am Zhuo Fan, Luo clan¡¯s steward. We have a common enemy and I am missing a Bone Tempering expert that I hope you can fill in for.¡±


    His words worked to intensify the glare in the old man¡¯s eyes.


    Zhuo Fan grinned, knowing he agreed, with a wave of his finger the Blood Infant left the guard and floated in front of Zhuo Fan.


    At the sight of the bloody light, the guard shivered. This was the one behind his partner¡¯s gruesome death.


    Lei Yuting was shocked, having also suffered at the hands of this light, ¡°Zhuo Fan, what are you trying to do?¡±


    ¡°Heal him.¡± Zhuo Fan flitted his eyes over her.


    ¡°Can¡­ this thing heal?¡± Lei Yuting was doubtful, having seen Zhuo Fan using it to attack and humiliate her before.


    [What if this thing worsens godfather¡¯s illness?]


    Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°Young miss, your godfather agreed already. I have no reason to hurt him.¡±


    ¡°Then what is that thing?¡± Lei Yuting watched the old man with worry.


    ¡°Demonic creature!¡±


    Zhuo Fan explained coldly, ¡°Us, demonic cultivators, refine demonic creatures. Be it for attacking or defending, these creatures are essential. Do you know why Yang Ming snapped when I said the old man had a foreign object inside?¡±


    Lei Yuting shook her head, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say it was a blind guess?¡±


    Zhuo Fan almost spat blood, ¡°Now I know why he fooled you. You¡¯re a blockhead. Did you also believe me when I was fooling him? I see now why he left so at ease, even while you are alive.¡±


    Lei Yuting blushed and lowered her head.


    Godfather always told her she had a talent for cultivation, a genius. But Zhuo Fan was the first to call her blockhead.


    ¡°The reason why he flipped was because my words hit him where it hurts.¡± Zhuo Fan spoke gravely, ¡°As for why the old man is immobilized, it¡¯s because of a demonic creature! I will now use mine to expel the one inside him.¡±


    Even so, Lei Yuting was still worried, ¡°Your demonic creature can expel his?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed as he heard the biggest joke in his life.


    Based on his early diagnosis, Yang Ming¡¯s demonic creature was refined from a parasitic worm, the lowest among demonic creatures. But his was the Blood Infant, feared by even the ten Emperors of old. How could they ever be equal?


    [Sigh, ignorance is terrifying!]


    Zhuo Fan no longer wasted words on Lei Yuting and waved his finger so that the Blood Infant entered the old man.


    A flash of red passed and the old man¡¯s skin crawled. As it started to wiggle, a light flashed over that spot.


    Wherever the light went, the wiggling stopped.


    After a few dozen breaths, the Blood Infant returned to Zhuo Fan¡¯s body while the old man began to move his finger. His lips parted to let a faint whisper, ¡°Ting¡¯er¡­¡±


    ¡°Godfather!¡±


    Lei Yuting grabbed his hand as tears fell. But Zhuo Fan frowned and muttered, ¡°Damn it. This old man won¡¯t move anytime soon, his blood vessels atrophied. He needs at least half a year to recover; I helped him for nothing.¡±


    Even with his low voice, Lei Yuting picked up his every word.


    Lei Yuting glared at him, ¡°Make no mistake, my godfather owes you and I will do everything to repay it. You won¡¯t lose out.¡±


    He shrugged. He wanted a Bone Tempering expert, not a run of the mill cultivator stuck at the cusp of entering Bone Tempering Stage that he could easily deal with.


    It was at this time the old man¡¯s body trembled and an inch-long snow-white worm crawled out of his mouth.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Lei Yuting shrieked. But when she saw the worm, her anger got the best of her.


    ¡°So you¡¯re the cause of my godfather¡¯s illness!¡± Lei Yuting poured all her power into the lightning between her two fingers and stabbed at the worm.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Zhuo Fan grabbed her hand. Lei Yuting saw his eyes flash with an odd light.


    ¡°What are you doing? We need to kill this parasite!¡±


    ¡°You know nothing!¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked for a box to put the worm carefully. Before closing the lid, he dropped a few drops of blood essence and smiled with satisfaction as he hid it in his chest.


    Never did he expect to earn so much on this trip.


    This creature was called Frigid Pool Snow Worm, one that lived in the coldest waters and was very rare. It was a parasite that would die if the larva didn¡¯t find a host in two hours after hatching.


    But the cold pool it lived in hardly had any living beings and most of the worms would die soon after being born.


    A demonic cultivator would raise it into an inferior demonic creature since most poisonous worms or insects could be turned into parasites. This was why many demonic cultivators considered the Frigid Pool Snow Worm a mere parasite, albeit a rarer one.


    Yet even in the Sacred Domain, one would be hard-pressed to find someone who knew of Frigid Pool Snow Worm¡¯s fatal flaw. It would only leave its host when it was on the brink of death.


    Just now, the Blood Infant used the Demon Transformation Art to kill its larva and make it believe its life was threatened so it would come out willingly. Another way was to kill the old man.


    By destroying all its larva, the worm had now become a common parasite.


    However, a treasure such as this could be refined into an unprecedented demonic creature in Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands.


    He started to let out an evil smile. His grin only made the other three¡¯s hearts shudder, thinking Zhuo Fan was worse than Yang Ming.


    ¡°Carry him, we¡¯re returning to Windgaze City.¡±


    Zhuo Fan then turned to the remaining guard with a kind smile, ¡°Thank you for opening the door for us.¡±


    With a strained nod, the guard squeezed a smile.


    Then a steel grip lifted him by the throat, ¡°But now, you¡¯re expendable.¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Lei Yuting was late in stopping him. Black energy burrowed into the guard and he soon blew up in a cloud of dust.


    She froze seeing Zhuo Fan kill a man for the first time.


    He was so ruthless, he didn¡¯t even leave a corpse. Lei Yuting recalled how she spent the last few days next to such a murderer and fear swelled inside her.


    Even the old man¡¯s eyes squinted. He was a seasoned cultivator yet also felt his courage falter from Zhuo Fan¡¯s act.


    Lei Yuting looked at her godfather with a heavy heart, unsure if joining Zhuo Fan was a good choice. But one thing was certain, she should never ever make an enemy out of him!


    Sighing, she resigned in carrying her godfather behind Zhuo Fan.


    Bodies were strewn everywhere they looked around the camp. Each man had a peaceful death, but it was this calm expression that struck the greatest fear in the two¡¯s hearts.


    The mountain camp had around four hundred men, yet they all died without a sound, including those who weren¡¯t corrupted by Yang Ming.


    The old man had tears streaming down his cheeks when he recalled drinking with his brothers.


    But far from hating Zhuo Fan, he was more grateful. He was the lord of Blackwind Mountain and knew decisiveness was needed here. Once word got out about his rescue, not only the ones here but also the ones living in Windgaze City would find themselves dead.


    If Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t do it, the old man would¡¯ve asked him to.


    He was grateful that Zhuo Fan spared him from giving out the kill order.


    ¡°Steward¡­ Zhuo, thank¡­ you.¡± His strained words shocked Lei Yuting, while Zhuo Fan understood.


    The old man was both in admiration and fearful as he watched the bodies.


    ¡°You¡­ did a great deed¡­¡±

 Chapter 32 - Men From Headquarter

    Ten days later, Zhuo Fan returned in secret to the small courtyard in Veiled Dragon Pavilion.


    This trip took them half a month, but Zhuo Fan made sure to tell Lei Yuting to place the Blackwind Mountain bandits in the city on stand by.


    Since the bandits were still, so was Hell Valley.


    On the way to his home, Zhuo Fan found that Long Jie and Long Kui weren¡¯t around and set for a guard to put the old man in a room while he went to look for Luo Yunchang.


    Fifteen minutes later, Xiao Cui cried when she saw the door open. She ran in tears to Lei Yuting, ¡°Young miss.¡±


    Lei Yuting wiped the girl¡¯s tears and bopped her nose, ¡°Silly girl, they weren¡¯t hard on you, were they?¡±


    Xiao Cui shook her head, ¡°All Luo clan, besides that evil steward, treated me with kindness.¡±


    ¡°Ahem, girly, don¡¯t talk bad about people when they¡¯re present or they will put you in your place.¡±


    Zhuo Fan then walked next to the rest of the Luo clan¡¯s members who smiled at Xiao Cui¡¯s antics.


    Luo Yunhai approved, ¡°You dumb girl, bro Zhuo likes to spank people the most. You messed with him, now see how he messes up your rear.¡±


    Xiao Cui hid behind Lei Yuting.


    Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes. Was he a fiend in these kids¡¯ eyes? Luo Yunchang and Captain Pang exchanged a glance but felt warm inside.


    Zhuo Fan always did what he wanted and never left a good first impression, to the point some might even call him vile. They experienced this first hand. But once they got to know Zhuo Fan, they would discover that he was a trustworthy person.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ Yunchang?¡±


    They all turned to the old man behind Lei Yuting who watched Luo Yunchang with emotion. Then he turned to the child, ¡°And you are¡­ Luo Yunhai?¡±


    ¡°Gods be praised, brother Zhennan¡¯s children are alive!¡±


    ¡°Senior, are you perhaps¡­¡± Luo Yunchang hesitated.


    The first thing Zhuo Fan did when he returned was to bring her to Blackwind Mountain¡¯s lord to understand the relationship between Blackwind Mountain and Luo clan, and why Hell Valley set its sights on them.


    Zhuo Fan made the introductions, ¡°This is Blackwind Mountain¡¯s lord, the leader of the bandits who destroyed Cloud Manor.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s face turned gloomy and dignified as killing intent surged and her Yuan Qi leaked.


    Lei Yuting jumped in front of the old man.


    His frail hand moved Lei Yuting aside and dropped to his knees, tears flowing freely, ¡°Yunchang, Luo clan¡¯s disaster is all my fault. If you want to kill anyone, kill me.¡±


    ¡°Godfather!¡±


    ¡°Mountain Lord!¡±


    Lei Yuting and Xiao Cui shouted but the old man dismissed them, ¡°I owe it to the Luo clan. You are not to stop her.¡±


    Luo Yunchang watched the weak old man with anger, yet she didn¡¯t strike.


    Zhuo Fan patted her shoulder, ¡°Yang Ming had him fooled for so long, immobilized him in his bed, and he had only recently recovered somewhat. The attack on the Luo clan had nothing to do with him.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so earlier?¡± Luo Yunchang grumbled, blaming him for almost having killed an innocent.


    Zhuo Fan rubbed his chin, ¡°Although, this old man is so blind that taking him in might sink the Luo clan. Killing him for revenge is only natural.¡±


    She rolled her eyes at Zhuo Fan¡¯s dubious logic.


    Despite making some sense, blaming the old man was going too far. Luo Yunchang wasn¡¯t a person who took her anger on others. Even more so when the old man seemed to have known her father well.


    ¡°Senior, you¡¯re also a victim.¡±


    ¡°No, I and Zhennan are sworn brothers but the Luo clan fell because of me. It is because of me his soul can¡¯t rest.¡± He wiped the tears from his pain-stricken face.


    Luo Yunchang was shocked and then saw Luo Yunhai shaking his head, ¡°Senior, why is it that father never mentioned you?¡±


    Releasing the breath that he was holding, the old man calmed his restless heart, ¡°Luo clan is a distinguished clan, leagues above an old bandit such as I. But your father and I became sworn brothers right as we met and kept it hidden, afraid of affecting the Luo clan¡¯s reputation. Furthermore, my Lei clan has an ancient rule, never to make enemies of Cai and Luo clans.¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡±


    Luo Yunhai cried out then muttered, ¡°Dad once told me that regardless of the situation, to always survive or perish alongside Lei and Cai clans. I know of the Cai clan, but is the Lei clan he was referring to, yours?¡±


    Luo Yunchang turned to her brother, ¡°How come father never told me anything about this?¡±


    Luo Yunhai stuck out his chin and snickered, ¡°Dad said it¡¯s a secret between men. It is not for women or outsiders to know of.¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned, ¡°Is it possible that this ancestral rule in the Lei and Luo clans is passed down to the Clan Head only?¡±


    ¡°Correct, but as I do not have a son to pass it on, I speak of it now. Moreover, I and Zhennan became brothers, so the Luo clan would never harm us.¡±


    But then he recalled how Luo clan fell because of him and shook his head in shame.


    ¡°Old man, do you have a martial art passed down in your clan?¡± Zhuo Fan asked.


    The old man nodded, ¡°I passed down my clan¡¯s spirit ranked martial art, Lightning Finger, to Ting¡¯er as I have no son. But that bastard Yang Ming took the jade slip instead.¡±


    Bam!


    Zhuo Fan clapped, ¡°That¡¯s it. That¡¯s what they are after.¡±


    Then he rushed out the door, ¡°Wait here.¡±


    Everyone was stunned, clueless as to what he wanted to do¡­


    Zhuo Fan passed like a storm through Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s gates guarded by the same pair of guards, they didn¡¯t even try to stop him.


    ¡°Bro Jiu!¡± Zhuo Fan shouted as he searched for Long Jiu.


    He soon saw a closed door with Long Kui and Long Jie acting as guards and knew Long Jiu was inside. He rushed over as he shouted.


    Long Kui blocked him, enraged, ¡°Shut up! Uncle Jiu won¡¯t receive guests today. Get lost!¡±


    ¡°Humph, I¡¯m not a guest. I have important matters to discuss with Long Jiu. Stand aside.¡± Zhuo Fan wanted to charge in but Long Jie and Long Kui¡¯s power barred him entry.


    ¡°Important is it? Don¡¯t mistake Uncle Jiu¡¯s appreciation of you for weakness! This is Veiled Dragon Pavilion, not your backyard.¡± Long Kui glared at him as she stood her ground before the door.


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, Uncle Jiu can¡¯t see you today. Please go back.¡± Long Jie was firm.


    Zhuo Fan knew charging in was pointless and smiled, ¡°Girly, do you know where I¡¯ve been these past few days?¡±


    ¡°Humph, where could a filthy man possibly go? Last time you had two in your arms and this time you must have spent a tender night out in their village.¡± Long Kui rolled her eyes.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head with a sneer, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I wish, but I¡¯m not as free as Young miss Long. Back to the matter at hand, I followed a lead on Hell Valley.  Any time now they will come to Veiled Dragon Pavilion, so don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you!¡±


    ¡°Humph, nonsense. If you know Hell Valley¡¯s actions, then bulls can fly.¡± Long Kui disdained.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and left, shouting his final warning, ¡°Tell Uncle Jiu I am taking the Luo clan into hiding, so we won¡¯t get dragged in Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s fall.¡±


    Long Kui wanted to curse, [We¡¯ve always treated you so well yet you even curse us after breaking all ties?]


    She didn¡¯t get the chance however, as the door opened with a creak and Long Jiu¡¯s voice came, ¡°Please bring brother Zhuo in!¡±


    Long Jie and Long Kui were shocked, then bowed, ¡°Yes!¡±


    Zhuo Fan flitted past them like smoke, ¡°No need, I can do it myself, he-he-he¡­¡±


    Long Kui panted with rage when she saw his smug look, ¡°What¡¯s so great about him? Isn¡¯t he just a 5th-grade array master? Why does Uncle Jiu care so much about him?¡±


    With a bitter smile, Long Jie returned to guarding the door.


    [This is a prime example of hating grapes from being sour without trying them. If Young miss was a 5th-grade array master instead, not only Uncle Jiu would¡¯ve cared for you, he¡¯d even praise you to high heaven¡­]


    On the other hand, Zhuo Fan, who couldn¡¯t care less about Long Kui¡¯s increasing discontent of him, walked inside a huge house after spending five minutes crossing a corridor.


    He soon saw Long Jiu sitting on a high chair beaming at him. On either side of him were another two identical seats, with the exception that they were facing in the opposite direction.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, brother Zhuo, what brought you here today?¡±


    Zhuo Fan stopped before Long Jiu who was smiling at him, but that smile was soon replaced by a grim look, ¡°But I must remind you, if you came here with nonsense, there will be consequences.¡±


    Scratching his nose, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Hell Valley¡¯s experts are here and will soon attack this place. I wonder if this is considered nonsense.¡±


    ¡°Of course not, if it¡¯s true!¡±


    Before Long Jiu responded, an aged voice came from one high chair, followed by the slow turning of both the chairs. Two ferocious auras, stronger than Long Jiu, swept Zhuo Fan.


    His breath caught in his throat and staggered backwards as a drop of cold sweat trailed down his shocked face¡­

 Chapter 33 - Movements From All Sides

    The two chairs creaked as they turned slowly, revealing two old men.


    One had sandy hair, with big eyes and thin hands that each time his finger tapped the armrest, it echoed out. His eyes flashed golden like a piercing sword, enough to cut one¡¯s heart.


    The second elder had red hair and took long breaths. Each exhale warped the air as if he breathed fire.


    One look was enough for Zhuo Fan to know they were stronger than Long Jiu. One of them even trained the Golden Body to completion while the other cultivated a fire cultivation method to great success.


    In the short time Zhuo Fan was exposed to their power, he knew the old men weren¡¯t far from the Radiant Stage. In the mortal domain, any who reached this stage was among the few strongest on the continent.


    [So this is the power of the Veiled Dragon Pavilion.] Zhuo Fan sighed inside.


    The blond elder glanced at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Are you that Zhuo Fan old Jiu couldn¡¯t stop praising?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°I heard you¡¯re a 5th-grade array master.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded. Before grasping the two¡¯s character, he refrained from acting casually, ¡°Junior has a trivial understanding of 5th-grade arrays, but nothing seniors could consider as worth.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, a 5th-grade array master is a Venerable in the Veiled Dragon Pavilion. And we two are just Elders. Even we have to show you respect.¡± The blond elder let out a friendly laugh, unfitting of his stiff expression.


    The red-haired elder¡¯s rough voice boomed, ¡°Hey kid, old Jiu said you¡¯re quite arrogant, that you can raise an unknown clan above the seven houses in ten years. Listening to you shout bro Jiu sure is arrogant enough. How come you¡¯re so shy when facing us two?¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°I have met with bro Jiu many times and got to know his limits. But this is my first time meeting the two of you.¡±


    The elders were surprised.


    Long Jiu¡¯s face twitched and snapped, ¡°Kid, you say you saw through me, is that it? And here I thought you were bossy to anyone you met when in fact you acted like this only around me. You think this old man is all washed up?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, of course not. I consider bro Jiu my friend, and with how a broad-minded senior you are, you would never lower yourself to my level. If I were to act the same with a one-track minded person, I¡¯d be dead.¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and continued, ¡°That is no longer arrogance, but idiocy.¡±


    The three smiled inside. The blond and the red-haired elders even showed approval.


    [Just as old Jiu said, this kid can see through others while also handling each of them with flawless flattery. His words might irritate old Jiu but as a senior, he won¡¯t bicker with a junior.]


    ¡°I like this kid, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± The red-haired elder laughed, while the blond elder nodded, ¡°If I didn¡¯t know you have no intention to join Veiled Dragon Pavilion, I would¡¯ve insisted on having you join us, ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    Zhuo Fan might be cupping his hands with a smile, but a sneer laid in his heart.


    In the off chance this glorious and fallen Demonic Emperor couldn¡¯t rise again, he would still not join a party that didn¡¯t even have a Radiant Stage cultivator. [Quite the opposite, in fact. If you old fogies are stuck in cultivation, this old man will give you pointers.]


    ¡°Oh, you were saying just now that Hell Valley¡¯s men are here. Are you certain?¡±


    The blond old man¡¯s face turned solemn as they went down to important matters. Long Jiu turned his eye over to him, eager to know.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Half a month ago, I discovered the Sun clan had two more incredibly strong auras besides Elder Jian. As I was out with work these past days, I hadn¡¯t kept an eye on Sun clan and am unclear if more had come.¡±


    ¡°Humph, the more the better! I will kill them regardless!¡± Long Jiu slapped the table as his eye turned bloodthirsty.


    ¡°Old Jiu, don¡¯t let anger cloud your judgment!¡± The blond old man frowned and said to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Little brother, how do you know?¡±


    ¡°A cat has its way, and so does a mouse. The less you know, the better.¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head.


    The blond old man was doubtful, while Long Jiu was convinced, ¡°Third brother, brother Zhuo¡¯s news is reliable. When that bastard Jian Fan came to Windgaze City, our spy network didn¡¯t pick it up and we only knew it thanks to brother Zhuo¡¯s warning. I can attest to that, as I checked its validity myself.¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡±


    The blond elder frowned and said surprised, ¡°Little brother, you¡¯re quite amazing. I wonder who your Master is¡­¡±


    ¡°Overlord Nine Serenities!¡± Zhuo Fan blurted.


    They were stunned.


    This name was domineering to the extreme, but when did this continent have such a persona?


    Zhuo Fan smiled to himself. In the Sacred Domain, it would hint to the Nine Serenities Emperor¡¯s location, but in the mortal domain, no one was the wiser.


    After all, the folk here were too far away, enough to keep such ancient rumors from reaching their ears.


    ¡°Uh, your Master must be a hidden expert to train brother Zhuo to 5th-grade array master.¡± The blond elder didn¡¯t press for more.


    ¡°Brother Jiu, do you have a Recovery Pill?¡± Zhuo Fan popped a question.


    Long Jiu nodded as he took out a bottle, ¡°Is someone from Luo clan hurt?¡±


    A Recovery Pill was a 3rd-grade pill, not too expensive and neither too common, valued a hundred thousand spirit stones at the minimum. But since Zhuo Fan wanted it, Long Jiu was bound to acquiesce.


    What could this pill be worth when the two were close as bros and there was even a 10 million debt binding them?


    Zhuo Fan took the pill then cupped his hands, ¡°Thank you, bro Jiu and elders. I will be going now.¡±


    ¡°Damn punk, this was your aim all along.¡± Long Jiu cursed, ¡°You disturbed us for some meager pill, so now you must suffer my punishment.¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed as he dismissed him, ¡°I¡¯ll tell you something else then. Hell Valley will attack in two days. Better bump up security.¡±


    Then he walked out laughing.


    Long Jie and Long Kui saw the immensely pleased Zhuo Fan come out and knew he had a delightful conversation, which only worked to sour the two¡¯s hearts.


    The fact that a kid like him had more right than them to join a meeting of elders left them annoyed, Long Kui in particular.


    The blond elder stroked his beard, keeping Zhuo Fan¡¯s figure in his eyes, ¡°Brothers, this kid puts on a smart appearance, while each word he spoke was carefully considered. So young yet so skilled. I can¡¯t help but wonder whose disciple he is. Veiled Dragon Pavilion will have to get in touch with his master.¡±


    The two nodded.


    On the other hand, Zhuo Fan went straight home. Along the way, he even spotted quite a few suspicious individuals prowling around.


    A great fight was about to erupt.


    He soon returned to Luo Yunchang.


    Thanks to the old man¡¯s briefings, Luo Yunchang was now privy to the ups and downs of past events and was beginning to sympathize and relate with them.


    Since both of them have suffered at the hands of a common enemy, their alliance became more solid.


    Zhuo Fan relaxed seeing this and threw a bottle at the Mountain Lord, ¡°Take this. I hope you¡¯ll be up to your peak in no time.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Lei Yuting asked.


    ¡°Recovery Pill!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Lei Yuting was stunned.


    She knew of its value. Even if Blackwind Mountain robbed for a whole year, they¡¯d still be unable to gather the spirit stones to pay for it. Yet he threw such a precious pill just like that.


    Was Luo clan that rich?


    Seeing through her, Luo Yunchang patted Lei Yuting¡¯s hand, ¡°Sister Yuting, be at ease. Veiled Dragon Pavilion owes us 10 million. A 3rd-grade pill is nothing!¡±


    Lei Yuting¡¯s shock left her slack-jawed.


    No wonder Veiled Dragon Pavilion was protecting them free of charge.


    [Wait, was Cloud Manor that wealthy?]


    But Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes at Luo Yunchang¡¯s radiant smile.


    [Women are all the same. They all love to compare¡­]


    Meanwhile, in a dark room of the Sun clan sat four people. Three of them had their faces hidden, though unable to hide the vile energy they gave off, while the fourth was Hell Valley¡¯s 8th elder, Condor Jian Fan.


    The handsome youth standing before them with a creepy smile was Yang Ming. Also known as You Ming in Hell Valley.


    ¡°You Ming,¡± Elder Jian began, ¡°You hid for more than a decade in Blackwind Mountain. You¡¯ve done well! But this isn¡¯t a job for a girl.¡±


    ¡°There was an incident, but it was taken care of!¡± You Ming smiled.


    Whoosh!


    A black light trailed his face, drawing blood.


    You Ming was appalled Elder Jian would strike him.


    Staring at him, Elder Jian said unfeelingly, ¡°This secret plan had been going for a decade. If your overconfidence ruins the house¡¯s plan, I will make you beg for death.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± You Ming bowed as cold sweat formed.


    ¡°Leave.¡± Elder Jian waved, ¡°We¡¯ll begin three days from now.¡±


    You Ming was at the door when he caught Elder Jian¡¯s sneer, ¡°No Luo clan member is allowed to live, especially¡­¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡± You Ming paused after each word.


    Nodding, Elder Jian¡¯s killing intent surged, ¡°Even if Veiled Dragon Pavilion used him to kill You Quan, his hands are stained with your junior brother¡¯s blood. No such person shall live in this world!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    You Ming gnashed his teeth, his smile bloodthirsty¡­

 Chapter 34 - Battle Approaches

    Zhuo Fan was sitting cross-legged on his bed when he opened his eyes.


    He was but a step away from entering the 5th layer of Qi Condensation. But his lack of Yuan Qi blocked his advance.


    If he had known, he would¡¯ve spent more time on Blackwind Mountain to absorb more people¡¯s Yuan Qi. But since he was pressed for time, he only let Blood Infant do the killing, wasting good materials in the process.


    With the battle knocking at his door, he refrained from letting Blood Infant roam. It would be a huge loss for it to die if Elder Jian bumped into Blood Infant.


    Zhuo Fan muttered, ¡°I can only hold it in. It will not be long before they attack!¡±


    Yet, his last word was followed by a terrifying power looming ever closer towards his direction.


    He ran out of the house and jumped onto the roof to see a man was already there, floating in the sky, Long Jiu.


    He too felt the power approaching closer and closer, as his single eye squinted with the release of killing intent. Despite this place being a hundred meters from Veiled Dragon Pavilion, Zhuo Fan shivered from the intense desire to kill.


    ¡°I knew it. They¡¯re Profound Heaven experts!¡±


    Even if Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t pinpoint Long Jiu¡¯s power, figuring out his stage was easy. Hovering in the sky was all the proof he needed. As for the other two elders, they were even stronger.


    Thinking of them, he swept the area, but Zhuo Fan saw no shadow of them. They had to be laying an ambush to trap Jian Fan.


    Zhuo Fan sported a wicked grin.


    The three elders¡¯ plan showed Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s decision to fight Hell Valley to the death, regardless of consequences. This left no room for amicable conciliation, while also securing the Luo clan¡¯s safety.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, what happened?¡±


    Luo Yunchang with Lei Yuting and the rest came outside. Zhuo Fan guessed Mountain Lord hadn¡¯t finished digesting the pill since he didn¡¯t come. Zhuo Fan sorely lacked a peak expert.


    He yelled, ¡°What are you doing? Get back inside!¡±


    Their little power was nothing to a Profound Heaven expert, unlike Zhuo Fan who relied on the Nine Heavens Coiling Dragon Array.


    Luo Yunchang knew the gravity of the situation from Zhuo Fan¡¯s tense face. She took her brother and the others to hide in the house while also saying, ¡°Zhuo Fan, be careful!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded.


    A sudden cawing echoed in their ears and a black cloud floated above Veiled Dragon Pavilion. With a laugh, a black-robed old man walked out of the cloud. The few strands of hair on his head drifted in the wind as his evil eyes narrowed on Long Jiu. But even so, he couldn¡¯t help spare the small courtyard a glance.


    ¡°Condor Jian Fan, how dare you step into my domain?¡± Long Jiu¡¯s one and only eye was bloodshot. His bone-deep hatred seeped into every word he uttered.


    Snickering, Condor Jian Fan laughed, ¡°Long Jiu, Veiled Dragon Pavilion killed Hell Valley¡¯s disciple, You Quan. You¡¯re saying I can¡¯t even come to seek justice?¡±


    ¡°Justice? Since when did Hell Valley know the meaning of the word?¡±


    Long Jiu¡¯s breathing grew ragged from the grudge he carried, ¡°Who then plotted against me in Drifting Leaves City? Who then set a trap for me and ruined my Purple Lightning Gold Eye?¡±


    [Purple Lightning Gold Eye?]


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t expect the people in the mortal domain to cultivate such a remarkable ability.


    The legend of the Purple Lightning Gold Eye went back to the time of the ten emperors, pertaining to one of the top three emperors, Heavenly Emperor¡¯s mystic eye. It released a golden light, divine lightning that could crush Heaven. Even a Saint Stage expert would fall from his gaze.


    Yet, this amazing cultivation method appeared in the mortal domain. He was curious as to how in Heavens Long Jiu managed to cultivate it. If it was cultivated to the 6th Heaven, it was a pity to have it ruined.


    Even he, the Demonic Emperor, would feel the same hatred as if having his wife stolen or his father killed.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Jian Fan wasn¡¯t the least bit ashamed and laughed instead, ¡°Who is to blame for your idiocy? Relying on your eye, you became a top expert in the Veiled Dragon Pavilion. Without this crutch, you¡¯ve degenerated to become one of the nine elders, stuck to defend Windgaze City. Oh, the horror.¡±


    ¡°Jian Fan!¡±


    Long Jiu¡¯s energy blew with his rage and even his eye was on the verge of bleeding, ¡°I will have my revenge!¡±


    Long Jiu charged as a golden dragon coiled around his hand.


    ¡°Mid spirit ranked martial art, Soaring Dragon Claw!¡±


    Roar!


    The dragon roared and left Long Jiu¡¯s arm, bearing its fangs at the enemy.


    Jian Fan sneered and simply waved his hand.


    A black mist formed chains as it left his sleeve, binding the golden dragon. With a twist of his hand, the golden dragon wailed and shattered to pieces.


    ¡°Mid spirit ranked martial art, Hell Chains!¡±


    Jian Fan mocked, ¡°Long Jiu, you were a dragon with your eye before, but you are now a mere bug. The name of Godeye Long Jiu will never rise again¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, a palm appeared before him and a claw grabbed his wrist.


    ¡°Veiled Dragon Claw!¡±


    Jian Fan was unable to escape the vise but he wasn¡¯t too worried as he laughed, ¡°Humph, think you can face me with mortal ranked martial arts when even spirit ranked martial arts are useless?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, I don¡¯t need to take your life, just¡­¡±


    Grinning, Long Jiu threw Jian Fan to the ground! The blond and the red-haired elders jumped from nearby to attack him.


    ¡°Not good!¡±


    Jian Fan started panicking.


    Only now did he realize Long Jiu¡¯s ploy. Long Jiu wanted to trap him with two others, cutting off his escape.


    [Long Jiu is set on killing me, but¡­]


    Jian Fan grinned.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    The black cloud revealed two men in black as they converged on Long Jiu.


    This left Long Jiu and the elders in shock. But thanks to Zhuo Fan¡¯s intelligence, they had a contingency in place.


    ¡°Old Jiu, hold fast!¡±


    The blond elder moved swiftly towards Jian Fan with the red-haired elder behind him, ignoring Long Jiu¡¯s fate.


    Long Jiu grinned as a golden light shined on his palm and a dragon-shaped sword appeared, ¡°As long as you kill Jian Fan, I can die in peace.¡±


    ¡°3rd-grade spiritual weapon, Dragon Sword?¡±


    The two men in black stopped in their attacks and dodged the incoming sword attack.


    Whoosh!


    A golden light passed just an inch from them as a thunderclap followed behind it. The light split the sky in half and only after ten breaths did it recover.


    The two men in black felt dread while retreating ten steps. They didn¡¯t expect Long Jiu to use a treasure to deal with them.


    ¡°Good!¡±


    The blond elder shouted in glee. Long Jiu¡¯s attack scared the two men. He wrapped himself in golden light and charged at Jian Fan.


    Attacked from two sides, Jian Fan was like meat on a chopping board.


    ¡°Old Jiu, take a look, see how third brother ends him.¡±


    The blond elder laughed as he attacked. Despite not using a martial art, ear-piercing sounds were heard as his hand moved.


    Jian Fan began to sweat as his eyes squinted, feeling death breathing down his neck¡­


    Boom!


    But then a purple light exploded. It not only blocked the attack but even forced the blond elder to cough blood.


    The red-haired elder rushed to check on him while the blond elder ignored his wounds and stared at the rolling smoke.


    As for Long Jiu, he was shocked.


    When the smoke scattered, it revealed a panting Jian Fan. But this time, he was no longer afraid and even grew rampant having escaped death.


    ¡°That was close. Didn¡¯t think Veiled Dragon Pavilion would send 5th and 3rd elders after me! Devastating Gold Dragon and World-burning Fire Dragon, your reputation precedes you!¡±


    The two elders were staring, not at Jian Fan, but at the thing on his shoulder¡­


    Soul Devouring Crow!


    Zhuo Fan frowned.


    He didn¡¯t expect for Elder Jian to have such a demonic creature.


    The Soul Devouring Crow¡¯s body wasn¡¯t formidable, but it can devour anything and transfer what it swallowed to its owner. Soul Devouring Crow¡¯s power depended on its owner. But one thing was certain, Soul Devouring Crow was among the strong demonic creatures.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyebrows shook as he looked into the crow¡¯s eyes. One was black, while the other was golden and released a purple light. Even faint thunder sounds came out.


    ¡°3rd Heaven, Purple Lightning Gold Eye!¡±

 Chapter 35 - Purple Lightning Gold Eye

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s my eye!¡±


    With just a look, Long Jiu saw through the secret of crow¡¯s eye. He used to move unhindered thanks to that same eye and even earned the name Godeye Long Jiu.


    But the godeye was now his enemy¡¯s weapon to be used against him.


    ¡°I-impossible!¡± Long Jiu shook his head in denial.


    Jian Fan¡¯s laughter was unrestrained, ¡°Long Jiu, did you ever think that your precious Purple Lightning Gold Eye will one day be put to use on my demonic creature? If you want to kill me, you¡¯ll have to first overcome this eye.¡±


    Then he began making hand signs.


    The crow flew and purple light glinted in its golden eye, rumbling as it charged at Long Jiu.


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    The blond elder woke Long Jiu out of his stupor in time to defend with his Dragon Sword.


    Boom!


    Long Jiu was struck down by one purple lightning after another and was blown away coughing blood.


    The two elders rushed to Jian Fan in panic. They knew that as long as Jian Fan stopped his hands, the crow would stop moving.


    But how could Jian Fan not see such an obvious flaw?


    Sneering, he gestured again and caused two explosions, the purple lightning struck the two elders. They bore the brunt as it sent them flying and blood leaked from their mouths.


    Zhuo Fan was shocked by how vicious the Purple Lightning Gold Eye was. It was only in 3rd Heaven and it could already outclass a Profound Heaven expert.


    As matters stood, Veiled Dragon Pavilion would lose, and the Luo clan would be next.


    ¡°No, I cannot let that happen.¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and pointed, sending a red light at Jian Fan.


    He was taking a huge gamble. If Blood Infant was found out, it would die in a blink from the purple lighting, and him along with it.


    But if he stood at the sidelines, the Luo clan would be sure to fall for good.


    Zhuo Fan hardened his heart and sent the Blood Infant on the offensive.


    Jian Fan was focused on Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s three elders and was oblivious to the incoming danger.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Purple Lightning Gold Eye is awesome. Not even together are you three fools its match.¡± The crow flew back to Jian Fan¡¯s shoulder as he cackled.


    The two men in black flew to either side of Jian Fan and grinned.


    The three Veiled Dragon Pavilion elders¡¯ faces darkened. The enemy looked down on them despite acting together. This was the first time this ever happened.


    If they lost here today, Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s reputation would be thrown into the mud, all thanks to them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think you can win with a damn demonic creature and a stolen eye, Condor.¡± The blond elder¡¯s eyes flashed golden and exploded with killing intent.


    ¡°Old Jiu, old Wu, stay here. I will take their heads.¡±


    While shocked, the red-haired elder saw the determination in his eyes and nodded, as did Long Jiu.


    As they were all elders of Veiled Dragon Pavilion, they knew the blond old man¡¯s true power.


    Once the Devastating Gold Dragon was enraged, he would split the earth and shatter the heavens. During the time when Long Jiu had his eye, there were three people in Veiled Dragon Pavilion he couldn¡¯t beat.


    1st and 2nd elder were the first two, while the last was the enraged 3rd elder.


    Whoosh!


    A dazzling golden light shined and started covering him with a thick film, like a golden armor. Each time his finger moved, it let out a metallic sound.


    Jian Fan¡¯s face turned grave, picking up on the threat to his life the old man¡¯s change promised.


    ¡°Allow me to educate you that the name of Devastating Gold Dragon isn¡¯t an empty title.¡±


    The blond elder formed claws with his hands, all the while radiating in gold and staring at Jian Fan with a cold gaze. Then he rushed at Jian Fan. In his charge, the elder brought his hands together, just like scissors.


    Roar!


    A dragon roar echoed in the pitch-black night. Jian Fan saw the blond elder appeared surrounded by the image of a huge dragon.


    It unclenched its jaws and followed the blond elder¡¯s claws to swallow the three enemies whole.


    ¡°High spirit ranked martial art, Devouring Dragon Claw!¡±


    Startled, Jian Fan hastened his hand gestures to control the crow¡¯s Purple Lightning Gold Eye.


    Boom! And a purple light flashed!


    But this time, when the lightning fell on the dragon, it bounced off like a bullet, not even able to slow it down.


    Jian Fan panicked, unable to believe that the blond elder would be so strong that he could deflect Purple Lightning Gold Eye¡¯s attack. But he did notice how the dragon¡¯s golden aura dimmed.


    ¡°Hell Chains!¡±


    Jian Fan and his two men moved together. Tens of black chains flew from their arms and fell on the dragon like a dark cloud.


    The chains tightened and the dragon body was rendered motionless under their vise, yet the dragon still lingered, wanting to press on the attack.


    ¡°You¡¯re not Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s 3rd elder for nothing, needing all three of us to hold you back.¡±


    Jian Fan gave his all in grasping the black chains along with his men. They even began to sweat.


    The 3rd elder gnashed his teeth, his lips curling in disdain, ¡°You think the three of you could¡¯ve held me if not for the Purple Lightning Gold Eye?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, you¡¯re right. We still have the Purple Lightning Gold Eye.¡±


    Jian Fan snickered, now that 3rd elder reminded him, he used the hand that held the black chains to make hand signs. With a cawing sound, purple lightning flashed.


    The 3rd elder¡¯s scalp went numb.


    Both sides were in a deadlock. If the purple lighting hit, it would spell heavy wounds, if not death.


    ¡°Third brother!¡±


    Long Jiu and the red-haired elder were nervous, rushing to help despite not making it in time.


    Seeing 3rd elder¡¯s fate sealed under the purple lightning, Jian Fan grinned.


    It was at this moment when Zhuo Fan, who was just a hundred feet away, showed a mystifying smile.


    ¡°Using this chaos, I¡¯ll take your life. I can¡¯t have the Veiled Dragon Pavilion lose such an important battle!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s killing intent spiked as his hand moved. The Blood Infant lying in wait just around the corner sprung up from its hiding place, aiming for Jian Fan. With Jian Fan and his two men focused on 3rd elder, they were oblivious to the impending danger.


    ¡°He-he-he, die, 3rd elder!¡±


    Jian Fan cackled as the crow¡¯s eye spilled purple lightning. But then a sudden flash of red entered his body and felt his breath hampered, dispelling the black chains from his hand.


    ¡°Elder Jian, what are you doing?¡± His two men jumped in fright.


    Jian Fan found something burrowing in his body and wanted to expel it but it was too late¡­


    3rd elder pressed his advantage and exploded with power.


    Roar!


    The dragon burst out of the chains and bit down.


    The two men¡¯s eyes squinted as they fled. But the pitiful Elder Jian was rooted in place thanks to Blood Infant¡¯s control. The next instant, an arm flew way up high.


    3rd elder grabbed it and stood with pride as he laughed at the one-armed Jian Fan and his men.


    ¡°Curse you. Veiled Dragon Pavilion went as far as refining demonic creatures to make a sneak attack¡­¡±


    Jian Fan clenched his teeth as his heart bled with grief. Thinking how a veteran demonic cultivator as himself was hampered by a demonic creature left a bad taste in his mouth. Would he get any respect from others now? What was even worse was that this was done by righteous cultivators.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Jian Fan knew he lost the advantage and there was nothing to gain from fighting a losing battle.


    Yet Long Jiu wasn¡¯t one to let them go.


    ¡°After them!¡±


    3rd elder¡¯s feelings were mutual and shouted while pursuing them.


    The Blood Infant returned inside Zhuo Fan without anyone¡¯s knowledge. He smiled. [It¡¯s best for Hell Valley to put this blame on Veiled Dragon Pavilion. Their hatred isn¡¯t light anyway and a bit more won¡¯t affect them.]


    Zhuo Fan justified his actions.


    Just that he couldn¡¯t help the Purple Lightning Gold Eye to catch his attention.


    ¡°One way or another, I¡¯ll have to get it.¡± Zhuo Fan rubbed his chin as his eyes roamed around. Few things caught the Demonic Emperor¡¯s eye, and the Celestial Emperor¡¯s Purple Lightning Gold Eye happened to be one of them.


    ¡°Kill!¡±


    But then, a group of men in black charged into Veiled Dragon Pavilion. They were all Bone Tempering experts.


    However, Veiled Dragon Pavilion had a contingency in place and Long Jie led his own team to repel the enemies. Mere moments after the two sides clashed, Long Kui came out to meet them with her own team from the small courtyard.


    During the Profound Heaven experts¡¯ battle, they remained hidden, waiting for the right moment to strike. They waited for all of Hell Valley¡¯s men to charge in so they could kill them all in one go.


    Hell Valley acted as if they didn¡¯t expect an ambush and retreated with Long Jie and Long Kui hot on their tails.


    No sooner did they retreat after the initial ¡®attack¡¯, leaving the Luo clan and the ones in the small courtyard.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t they baiting?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was calm, having known Hell Valley¡¯s plan. He was waiting for the true mastermind to come out.


    Soon after, Yang Ming appeared leading Blackwind Mountain bandits.


    Zhuo Fan smirked, ¡°Hell Valley had paid a heavy price to have the Lei clan wipe out the Luo clan. I wonder how far are they willing to go?¡±

 Chapter 36 - Lone Sentry

    Bam!


    The little courtyard¡¯s door was kicked open and Yang Ming and his bandit gang stormed the premises.


    ¡°Get the Returning Dragon Palm! And kill the Luo clan!¡± Yang Ming extended his hand.


    Whoosh!


    A breeze passed, followed by Zhuo Fan landing from the roof and barring their path, ¡°People, the way is closed off. Please go back, for your own sake.¡±


    The bandits stopped in shock. Yang Ming stepped from among them and snickered, ¡°Are you from the Luo clan?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°I am Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan.¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan?¡± Yang Ming exposed a savage grin, ¡°Here I was wondering where to look for you and yet you were kind enough to jump right in my path.¡±


    ¡°Whoever brings me his head will get a reward.¡± Yang Ming shouted to the bandits around him.


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Under Yang Ming¡¯s enticing offer, the bandits shot for Zhuo Fan like cannonballs.


    Zhuo Fan sneered inside, [What could 2nd layer Qi Condensation cultivators possibly do?]


    In but a breath, Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand moved like a shadow, touching the head of the first victim that dared to step close and sending out black energy through the use of Demon Transformation Art.


    Under the shocked gaze of the rest, the victim turned to dust and was swept away by the wind.


    Even Yang Ming was scared, never seeing such a ruthless killing method despite his stay in the Hell Valley which was filled with its fair share of demonic cultivating monsters. If he was scared, the bandits were horrified.


    Despite Zhuo Fan having killed a weakling, how he did it drew a far greater reaction out of them.


    ¡°T-that¡¯s the best demonic method!¡±


    Yang Ming¡¯s eyes flickered on and off, gone was his disdain for Zhuo Fan, now replaced by endless caution, ¡°Who the hell are you? There¡¯s no way the Luo clan could have someone like you.¡±


    With a sinister smile, Zhuo Fan pretended to caress an imaginary beard while speaking in an aged voice, ¡°Little brother, did you forget? This old man is but a swindler.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s you!¡±


    Yang Ming realized he was the old guy accompanying Lei Yuting before. Since he was here, that meant¡­


    Killing Intent flashed as Yang Ming spoke, ¡°Where are they?¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Are you dumb or what? Since I¡¯m here, of course they¡¯re here with me.¡±


    Yang Ming¡¯s heart tightened. If the old man and Lei Yuting came out, his control over the Blackwind Mountain bandits would crumble.


    ¡°I should¡¯ve killed you two from the start.¡± Yang Ming¡¯s Yuan Qi exploded. His Bone Tempering power caused the bandits to flinch back three steps.


    Zhuo Fan only shook his head, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have attacked, not until you saw Xiao Cui. For you to have hidden for so long in the Blackwind Mountain shows your careful nature, unable to accept the smallest mistake. Until you knew for certain Xiao Cui¡¯s location, you¡¯d never kill her master.¡±


    Yang Ming¡¯s heart was in upheaval.


    Never for the likes of him could he imagine a stranger had such a piercing analysis of him, that could see through his every move. He was far more cunning than even the old men in the Hell Valley.


    He had to die.


    As Zhuo Fan words landed, the bandits began to doubt.


    Yang Ming couldn¡¯t drag this any longer, for fear of exposing himself for good and ruining the house¡¯s plan. He chose to attack Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s demonic method left him in shock, but as Zhuo Fan was but a 4th layer Qi Condensation cultivator, he could kill him in one blow.


    Zhuo Fan was taken aback by Yang Ming¡¯s sudden attack and retreated, ¡°Have you no dignity? How can a Bone Tempering cultivator use all his power against a Qi Condensation cultivator?¡±


    Yang Ming cackled, ¡°You think I¡¯m as dumb as You Quan to be caught off guard by you?¡±


    His finger extended and lightning blossomed, the same move used by the Lei clan, Lightning Finger.


    For early Bone Tempering Yang Ming to use a spirit ranked martial art on Zhuo Fan showed the desperation he had in wishing to kill him.


    And yet, despite his opponent¡¯s fierce momentum, Zhuo Fan stopped and spread his arms as he welcomed Yang Ming with a mystifying smile.


    Yang Ming was unnerved, but not enough to curb his attack.


    Zhuo Fan then curled a finger and a yellow light encased him.


    Yang Ming collided with the light and bounced off while coughing blood.


    ¡°What is that?¡±


    Yang Ming was dumbstruck in the face of such a light. He only felt as if Zhuo Fan¡¯s finger held the power to send him flying.


    How did he do it?


    [Wasn¡¯t he just a Qi Condensation punk? Didn¡¯t You Quan give him a heavy wound? How is he so strong?]


    Zhuo Fan chuckled at Yang Ming¡¯s puzzlement as his hand moved, ¡°You¡¯re a bit stronger than You Quan, but still trash. The only fate of trash¡­ is death!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with killing intent.


    A golden dragon burst out of the ground and swooped down on Yang Ming. Its majestic power brought everyone else to their knees.


    Yang Ming felt fear and wanted to curse.


    [Blast it, the house lied to me!]


    [Didn¡¯t they say this punk can only sneak attack? How does he have this much power? If that dragon attacks, not even my bones will remain.]


    [Only a Profound Heaven expert has such power!]


    The Blackwind Mountain bandits were terrified. Didn¡¯t Hell Valley bait all the experts? Why was one still here? [No one from the seven houses is trustworthy.]


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Just when the golden dragon was poised to strike, a shout came. The bandits knew it belonged to their Young miss and hope rose within them.


    Zhuo Fan snorted.


    Yet the next moment tens of black chains descended from the black cloud above. They not only tied the dragon up but also crushed it.


    Zhuo Fan looked with contracted pupils.


    The black cloud was the same one the three elders from the Hell Valley relied on before.


    ¡°There was another one?¡± Frowning, Zhuo Fan knew the black cloud hid another elder.


    ¡°He-he-he¡­¡±


    A man descended from the black clouds and landed in front of Yang Ming. Lei Yuting also arrived next to Zhuo Fan and glared, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to stop?¡±


    ¡°Anyone who stands in my way is my enemy. Why should I listen to you?¡± Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t look at her, only staring at the newcomer.


    Lei Yuting snorted.


    ¡°Sigh, that old Jian Fan told me to watch over the Blackwind Mountain bandits. I thought it was a waste of time and did not take it seriously.¡± The man waved, ¡°You Ming, leave!¡±


    ¡°No, Elder Yun. I want to get Zhuo Fan¡¯s head myself, for junior brother You Quan¡¯s revenge.¡± You Ming glared at Zhuo Fan.


    Bam!


    The man gave him an unexpected slap, sending him flying.


    ¡°You think you can?¡±


    The man sneered, ¡°You can¡¯t even match his skill, so go back to Hell Valley! This doesn¡¯t concern you anymore.¡±


    ¡°Elder Yun¡­¡±


    You Ming was distracted seeing the unfeeling gaze in the man¡¯s eyes. He never saw Elder Yun like this. You Ming was among the best in Hell Valley and no elder ever looked at him with such cold eyes.


    ¡°W-why?¡±


    The man snorted, ¡°Despite your scheming heart, I used to see you as a man of talent, worthy of raising. But now that I met this youngster, I realized you are nothing more than an insect.¡±


    The man then turned to Zhuo Fan with a smile, ¡°Child, you have one chance, join Hell Valley and all our differences shall be made void. Or¡­¡±


    Whoosh!


    He swiped and a black chain tightened tens of Blackwind Mountain bandits. He pulled a bit and all that was left were pieces of flesh.


    ¡°Or follow in their footsteps.¡±


    Shock spread to those still alive to see this and Lei Yuting glared in rage at him.


    Rubbing his chin, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Wasn¡¯t Hell Valley using Blackwind Mountain to save its reputation. Why kill them?¡±


    ¡°With how smart you are, I¡¯m sure you can figure it out.¡± The man snickered, ¡°Since our plan is out in the open, I would rather avoid raising doubts in them by killing all now.¡±


    ¡°Them? Who¡¯s that?¡± Zhuo Fan frowned.


    The man shook his head, ¡°You will know once you join us.¡±


    Zhuo Fan only laughed, ¡°To me, Hell Valley is the same as he is to you, a mere insect.¡±


    He pointed at You Ming with a taunt.


    The man¡¯s ire grew, ¡°Kid, don¡¯t you fear death?¡±


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Can you deliver it?¡±


    The man jumped and hacked his palm in rage at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Die!¡±


    Zhuo Fan made a gesture and a yellow light blocked the attack.


    You Ming saw them clash with jealousy and hatred. He was considered outstanding and was sent on an important mission to Blackwind Mountain. But Zhuo Fan¡¯s sudden appearance ruined everything.


    It even caused the elder to abandon him.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, you¡¯ll see.¡± You Ming wiped the blood from his mouth and fled.


    Lei Yuting chased at once and the two were gone moments later.


    Zhuo Fan, on the other hand, faced the man with the help of the array. Seeing her go, he sighed, ¡°Foolish girl!¡± And he sent Blood Infant to follow them in secret¡­

 Chapter 37 - Fighting A Profound Heaven Cultivator

    The man struck three times and Zhuo Fan countered with a hand sign, which erected yellow light. After twenty-odd hits, the man floated in the air and sneered, ¡°You¡¯re really something to be able to control the 3rd-grade Coiling Dragon Array at such a young age. It¡¯s most unfortunate you met me.¡±


    He then rushed towards Zhuo Fan again as the latter formed a golden dome of light to stop him. Having foreseen this, the man gathered 20% more power in his palm before striking.


    The dome crumbled under the devastating blow and he continued to speed towards Zhuo Fan, ¡°Humph, the power of Profound Heaven isn¡¯t something a Qi Condensation kid can even begin to imagine.¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled and muttered, ¡°A 5th-grade array isn¡¯t something a novice can comprehend either.¡±


    With a snort, Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand signs took a sudden change.


    ¡°1st Heaven!¡±


    Roar!


    A golden dragon erupted from the ground and moved to attack Elder Yun.


    With disdain plainly seen on his face, Elder Yun waved tens of black chains around the dragon and crushed it.


    Just as the dragon dissipated, Zhuo Fan¡¯s gesture changed again.


    ¡°2nd Heaven!¡±


    Roar! Roar!


    Two golden dragons charged this time.


    Shocked, the man never saw this array forming two dragon images. This exceeded his understanding of the Coiling Dragon Array.


    But it wasn¡¯t something out of his control. Both of his arms moved and the dragons were crushed under black chains.


    Even before the man could take a breather, Zhuo Fan shouted two times.


    ¡°3rd Heaven!¡±


    Three dragons took to the skies!


    ¡°4th Heaven.¡± And the fourth dragon appeared.


    ¡°5th Heaven, 6th Heaven¡­, 9th Heaven.¡± A total of nine golden dragons roamed the skies as their fearsome roars echoed everywhere.


    Every great clan in the city burrowed deeper into their homes, without daring to make a peep. This battle was by far the most horrifying one in their lives.


    The man was gasping for breath and looked appalled at the majestic scene. Never in his wildest dream could he ever conceive that a Qi Condensation child was able to control such an imposing array.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t the Coiling Dragon Array!¡± The man saw the nine golden dragons setting their vicious sights on their enemy, him.


    Zhuo Fan gave a cruel grin, ¡°This is the 5th-grade array, Nine Heavens Coiling Dragon Array. Try it, if you have the nerve.¡±


    After a deep look at Zhuo Fan, the man cackled, ¡°How amusing. To think a kid can control a 5th-grade array! I am more and more intrigued.¡±


    ¡°For the last time, will you join Hell Valley?¡± The man¡¯s fervent look was akin to gazing upon a priceless treasure.


    But he only received disdain, ¡°I¡¯ve never once considered joining a run-down place like yours!¡±


    ¡°Since you chose to keep that road shut, the only path left is to your death.¡±


    The man flew like the wind, with all his killing intent focused on Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan was but a teenager, but the ruthless and calculative mind coupled with his preeminent talent left the man with dread for the future.


    It was best to avoid any future mishaps and kill him on the spot.


    Zhuo Fan was clear of Elder Yun¡¯s intention and with a hand sign from him, he sent the nine dragons to attack the Elder.


    Nine dragon tails charged.


    An ear-piercing sound came and the man had to come face to face with the awe-inspiring power of nine dragon tails, stopping him dead in his tracks.


    His only choice was to unleash his black chains, hoping their power was enough.


    Rumble!


    Under the shaking sky and spinning ground, the man¡¯s chains and the dragon tails clashed. It resulted in him being sent flying.


    He flew fifty meters before landing, puking blood the first instance his body made contact with the ground.


    Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°How did you become an elder with just this much strength? How did Hell Valley even wiggle its way among the Seven Noble Houses?¡±


    The man was about to spout obscenities.


    Who¡¯d imagine this day would come when a Qi Condensation child would toy with him. Once word got out, he¡¯d be the butt of the empire¡¯s joke!


    Even if he returned to the valley, the Valley Lord wouldn¡¯t let him off with just a tongue lashing.


    ¡°Kid, even if you go down on your knees and beg, I will still kill you.¡±


    His eyes bloodshot, a golden ring appeared on the man¡¯s hand exuding a dreadful aura.


    ¡°Demonic treasure?¡±


    Zhuo Fan started to get serious.


    A demonic treasure was a demonic cultivator¡¯s weapon, just as how a spiritual weapon was to a righteous cultivator. With it, the man¡¯s power would multiply.


    ¡°Hell Valley¡¯s elder, have you no shame? To use a demonic treasure against a Qi Condensation junior?¡± Zhuo Fan mocked.


    But Elder Yun replied with a savage grin, ¡°He-he-he, who will be able to tell when everyone¡¯s dead?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was anxious now.


    He wanted to provoke Elder Yun just so he could avoid this situation. But when up against a demonic cultivator, they would stoop to any low. Then again, if it were him, he¡¯d come to the same decision as well.


    If a righteous cultivator gave up his life for honor, fought for justice and yet still died gruesomely, a demonic cultivator would only take that man for a fool.


    This was why no demonic cultivator would ever wish to battle with another demonic cultivator. They were ruthless, scheming and sinister characters and the only outcome of fighting them was one victor and one loser with no in-between, particularly in the shameless one¡¯s case.


    ¡°He-he-he, die, kid!¡±


    The man attacked again and Zhuo Fan sent the nine dragon tails to fend him off.


    But this time, the ring flashed silver light and increased the man¡¯s speed, cutting through the tails like a silver saber.


    ¡°So fast!¡±


    Zhuo Fan sucked a cold breath. He knew the man¡¯s newfound power was all because of the ring.


    The silver light then flashed in front of him, followed by the man¡¯s vicious grin, ¡°Kid, there¡¯s nowhere left for you to run.¡±


    Zhuo Fan clenched his teeth seeing the ring¡¯s saw blade edge. The silver light seemed to cut even the air.


    ¡°3rd-grade demonic treasure?¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    ¡°Good eye.¡± The man nodded, ¡°You¡¯re the first Qi Condensation with the honor of dying from this 3rd-grade demonic treasure, Savage Moon.¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± Zhuo Fan waved frantically, ¡°If I join Hell Valley now¡­¡±


    ¡°Too late!¡± The man laughed as Savage Moon approached Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t want to die, he just got reincarnated. But all he could do was sigh and close his eyes.


    Boom!


    A sudden thunderclap reached his ears and Zhuo Fan could still feel that he was alive. Opening his eyes, he saw a tall old man in front with blood trickling down his arm.


    The old man was facing Elder Yun, who¡¯s Savage Moon¡¯s blade was stained in fresh blood.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Elder Yun asked.


    ¡°Blackwind Mountain¡¯s Lei Yuntian!¡± As the old man shouted, lightning flashed all over him, ¡°Any that dares to mess with the Luo clan are my enemies.¡±


    Zhuo Fan now knew the old man was, in fact, the Mountain Lord of Blackwind Mountain. Before, he was but a bedridden patient and now was back to his health.


    ¡°You¡¯ve recovered?¡± Zhuo Fan was overjoyed.


    Smiling, Lei Yuntian expressed his thanks, ¡°Thanks to Steward Zhuo¡¯s kindness, I¡¯ve not only recovered but also entered the Profound Heaven Stage.¡±


    Zhuo Fan was in glee. That was exactly what he needed right now.


    ¡°Humph, what can a Qi Condensation kid and a fresh Profound Heaven geezer do? You¡¯ll all die just the same under my Savage Moon¡¯s blade!¡±


    He lifted the bloody Savage Moon.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so sure.¡± Chuckling, Zhuo Fan made a sign and nine golden dragons soared, ¡°Old man Lei, please hear me out. This time we¡¯ll be taking this geezer¡¯s life.¡±


    Lei Yuntian saw the confidence in Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes and nodded. While their enemy seemed to have heard the biggest joke in his life.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯ve broken through your array once, kid. This Profound Heaven old man¡¯s cultivation is still unstable, not enough to take my life!¡±


    Smirking, Zhuo Fan muttered, ¡°When I use someone, I never take any rules into consideration. This is our best chance, old man Lei. Attack!¡±


    ¡°Good!¡±


    Since Zhuo Fan saved his life once, Lei Yuntian had faith in him. He knew the enemy was stronger than him but still chose to face him.


    ¡°Lightning Finger!¡±


    Elder Yun sneered and sent black chains. Even if Lei Yuntian did not die from this attack, he¡¯d still be sporting heavy wounds.


    However, the nine golden dragons charged into battle as well.


    Elder Yun had no choice but to soar up and use the silver light from his weapon to cut the dragons in two. The dragons were unable to stop his assault as he inched closer to Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°It¡¯s best I kill you first.¡±


    Elder Yun¡¯s speed left Zhuo Fan without time to make a hand sign, but Lei Yuntian appeared with his Lightning Finger aimed at the Elder¡¯s throat.


    ¡°You¡¯re asking for it!¡± The man had to shift Savage Moon¡¯s target from Zhuo Fan to the Lei Yuntian. Lei Yuntian showed a gratified smile, still willing to attack Elder Yun. For Lei Yuntian, even if Zhuo Fan had intended to send him to his death, he¡¯d be willing.


    Dying for the Luo clan¡¯s sake was a good death to him.


    Yet something happened just when Savage Moon was nearing the old man¡¯s chest.


    Thanks to the old man¡¯s distraction, Zhuo Fan finished his hand signs and bit his tongue, spitting blood essence, ¡°Humph, have a taste of Nine Heavens Coiling Dragon Array¡¯s real power!¡±


    The nine cut dragons turned into golden dots and rushed to Zhuo Fan. A glorious and ancient roar was released, followed by a huge dragon far greater than all the previous nine dragons combined.


    This new dragon immediately rushed towards Elder Yun.


    The man¡¯s eyes narrowed as his heart shook, but it was already too late.


    The new dragon¡¯s speed was even greater than Savage Moon¡¯s. He couldn¡¯t even poise Savage Moon to defend and the dragon crashed into him, carrying him off into the sky.


    ¡°How can¡­ a Qi Condensation brat¡­¡±


    Following his final wail, the dragon held the man in its jaws and exploded¡­

 Chapter 38 - Scary Zhuo Fan

    Boom!


    A grand explosion rumbled the skies above the small courtyard as the dragon ignited the heavens in a flash of gold. The shockwave even put pressure on the building, despite being so far, while other houses crumbled in the aftermath.


    Deafening noise from the explosion attacked people¡¯s ears even as they covered them up and laid trembling on the ground. This sound attack lasted for a full minute.


    But nothing could erase that dreadful image from their hearts, nothing¡­


    A hundred miles out, two men in black fought as they fled from Long Jiu¡¯s group.


    ¡°Where is that bastard Jian Fan?¡± Long Jiu¡¯s anger spiked when he caught no sight of his mortal enemy, ¡°Son of a-, that old dog must¡¯ve left these two to stall us.¡±


    ¡°Forget it.¡± 3rd elder glared with killing intent, ¡°Let¡¯s finish off these two first!¡±


    Under the three elder¡¯s united assault, the two men in black were sweating bullets, having no choice but to fight.


    Then, a dreadful noise came from Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s direction, followed by a golden light that lit up the whole sky. The five people stopped their attack and stood in shock.


    ¡°What was that? Did another expert appear?¡± 3rd elder felt his ears rumbling and sucked in a cold breath, ¡°But¡­ which expert could¡¯ve unleashed such a move?¡±


    ¡°Retreat!¡±


    With no time to waste, 3rd elder shouted as he flew back to Veiled Dragon Pavilion. He was far more worried about its wellbeing than the death of these two Hell Valley elders.


    Though Long Jiu was unwilling, he followed the 3rd elder with a sigh.


    Seeing the three Veiled Dragon Pavilion elders retreat, the two men in black let out a sigh of relief, yet were still puzzled by how the events turned out.


    They knew an elder was there to make sure the plan didn¡¯t go south. But even that elder wasn¡¯t powerful enough for this kind of feat. Plus, a bunch of Qi Condensation insects didn¡¯t garner such a heavy hand either.


    The answer was quite simple in this case, another expert much stronger than Elder Yun showed up.


    Hearts heavy with worry, the two discarded any plans of going there to assist Elder Yun. They feared that the Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s three elders might set a trap. So, they took the only viable choice, retreat.


    [Elder Yun, you¡¯re on your own¡­]


    At the small courtyard, Lei Yuntian watched the night sky slack-jawed. He thought Zhuo Fan wanted him to bait Elder Yun and leave him open for a sneak attack.


    He went with it despite knowing he was a dead man. As long as Luo clan survived, it was worth dying for. But Zhuo Fan defied his imagination. He still acted as bait but did not pay the ultimate price. While the enemy was caught unaware, the lad sprung up with a devastating blow that took Elder Yun¡¯s life, leaving no remains.


    Recalling the sky-blazing aftermath, Lei Yuntian shuddered. Not only was he surprised, but also shocked.


    [A Hell Valley¡¯s elder, a Profound Heaven expert, died in one move!]


    [This kid is terrifying¡­]


    ¡°Old man Lei!¡±


    Zhuo Fan caught his breath and stood up weakly. Lei Yuntian heard him and rushed over to hear his instructions. His faith in the kid had once again strengthened.


    This was no longer just gratitude for having saved him or faith in a youth¡¯s potential, but the respect for the strong, ¡°Steward Zhuo, if there¡¯s anything you want done, just tell me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Old man Lei, I¡¯ll leave Luo clan in your care while I go bring Young miss Lei back.¡±


    ¡°No worries, they¡¯ll have to pass over my dead body before they can harm a hair of Yunhai and Yunchang.¡± Lei Yuntian nodded with resolve.


    Zhuo Fan showed a relieved smile and went after Lei Yuting.


    Hell Valley had left only one elder here and he too was dead now. Seeing how no other enemy popped up while fighting, Zhuo Fan was certain Hell Valley only sent four men in total, including the ones Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s elders were chasing.


    Under a Profound Heaven expert¡¯s careful watch, the Luo clan siblings¡¯ safety was guaranteed. So he could devote all his attention to saving that foolish girl. To be on the safe side, he picked up the Savage Moon first.


    [A 3rd-grade demonic treasure shouldn¡¯t be wasted.]


    Yang Ming ran like mad while clutching his chest in the gloomy forest. He was injured from the smack he got from Zhuo Fan¡¯s array, but Elder Yun¡¯s slap made it worse. His mind was clouded and breath ragged.


    As for the dreadful explosion before, he didn¡¯t have the time to waste on it. But he was shocked nonetheless, finding it inconceivable for Elder Yun and Zhuo Fan¡¯s fight to escalate to such degree.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    A clear and angry shout came from behind, freezing Yang Ming in place. He turned to see Lei Yuting watching him with complex emotions.


    Making sure she was alone and double-checking Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t there, Yang Ming relaxed and showed a wicked grin, ¡°Junior sister, you want to stop me all by yourself?¡±


    Frowning, Lei Yuting¡¯s eyes turned misty, ¡°For my godfather, I will help him get rid of such a traitorous disciple.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, traitorous disciple? I was never one of you in the first place.¡± Yang Ming mocked her, ¡°Moreover, do you think you can kill me with your strength?¡±


    ¡°Even if we are to die together, at least I can repay godfather¡¯s kindness for raising me.¡± Lei Yuting¡¯s eyes glittered with tears as she stared at him right in the eye, ¡°I just want to know, did you ever love me?¡±


    Black demonic energy drifted from Yang Ming¡¯s hand as he sneered, ¡°I am a genius disciple of Hell Valley. If I am ever to marry, I would choose from among the seven houses. How can I be tied down with the likes of you?¡±


    Tears fell unabated but Lei Yuting hardened her determination, ¡°Then from now on, we are through.¡±


    Lei Yuting followed her last word with lightning flickering between her fingers. Yang Ming laughed, hardly afraid, and fought back with the black-colored hand.


    In the clash between the freezing palm and the flickering lightning, sparks flew.


    However, Yang Ming dodged Lightning Finger at the last second and struck down Lei Yuting with no remorse.


    Lei Yuting saw his evil grin and came to terms with the outcome, closing her eyes for death to take her.


    It was then that a flash of red struck Yang Ming¡¯s black palm.


    Bam!


    Yang Ming was sent flying and coughed blood in midair.


    An infant¡¯s cry came from the red light as it flew into a bush.


    Waking from her stupor, Lei Yuting saw Yang Ming heavily wounded on the ground and the weakened red light among the bushes.


    She knew it was Zhuo Fan¡¯s Blood Infant.


    She stood there in a daze, muttering as she glanced at Blood Infant, ¡°Was it you who saved me?¡±


    The Blood Infant tried to fly again, only to collapse.


    She did not know of the inseparable bond between Zhuo Fan and the Blood Infant, however, she knew it was something he treasured. But even so, to think that Zhuo Fan would send his treasure to save her.


    Lei Yuting began to feel warm inside. When she turned her focus to Yang Ming, only killing intent remained in her eyes.


    Walking over, Lei Yuting¡¯s fingers crackled with lightning.


    Yang Ming was panicking, wanting to flee but hardly had the energy to get up.


    ¡°Sister Yuting, have mercy. Remember how close we were? Remember how we used to laugh?¡± Yang Ming shrank backwards while begging.


    ¡°Now I want to kill you even more!¡±


    Snorting, her fingers struck without hesitation.


    ¡°W-wait, spare me¡­¡± Yang Ming wailed, but there was no one to hear his cry.


    Bam!


    When Lei Yuting¡¯s attack was about to land, a tremendous power blew her away.


    A bald elderly landed next to Yang Ming.


    ¡°Elder Jian!¡± Yang Ming cried out. He took Elder Jian as his savior, having pulled him out of the jaws of death. Never had he been so thrilled to meet an elder from his house.


    Throwing a side glance at the wounded kid, he bellowed, ¡°How did you fall so low? What about the plan?¡±


    Yang Ming¡¯s face fell and shook his head, ¡°Unclear.¡±


    Elder Jian wanted to kick this worthless thing away, [You are the one most knowledgeable about this plan and yet you come to me saying it¡¯s unclear?]


    [The house¡¯s expense was heavy in this decade long plan, and this is your answer?]


    If Elder Jian didn¡¯t need to hear the kid¡¯s report, he would¡¯ve killed him right then and there.


    ¡°Forget it, we¡¯ll speak of it when we return.¡± Sighing, Elder Jian¡¯s eyes turned to the stunned Lei Yuting, ¡°After we get rid of this girl.¡±


    He then jumped at her with a palm strike.


    Coming face to face with a Profound Heaven expert for the first time, Lei Yuting was frozen in fear. Under such power, she couldn¡¯t even defend.


    ¡°Is this the power of the Profound Heaven Stage?¡±


    Lei Yuting paled, rooted to her spot as she waited for the palm to take her life.


    Whoosh!


    A sudden silver flash cowered Elder Jian into retreating before the hit landed. A figure made itself notice as it walked next to Lei Yuting, striking a sinister grin, ¡°Do all elders from Hell Valley like to pick on juniors?¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    Lei Yuting cried in joy as her heart found peace.

 Chapter 39 - Killing Another Profound Heaven Cultivator

    ¡°You again.¡± Elder Jian squinted his eyes at the Savage Moon in shock, ¡°Why do you have that demonic treasure? What happened to Elder Yun?¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan pointed Savage Moon at Elder Jian, ¡°Oh, you recognize it.¡±


    Jian Fan¡¯s mind was in chaos, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡­ how can that old guy die at the hands of a pup? But¡­¡±


    The more he looked at the demonic treasure, the more Jian Fan felt shock, hatred, and above all, confusion¡­


    Be that as it may, but no Hell Valley¡¯s demonic treasure was allowed to fall into an outsider¡¯s hand. Elder Jian then saw the naked killing intent in Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes.


    Aware of the other¡¯s intention, Zhuo Fan snickered as he sent a whisper to Lei Yuting, ¡°Listen, aim for the old man¡¯s heart and close your eyes as you attack with Lightning Finger. Ignore everything else!¡±


    She turned to him in shock, [How can I hit him if I close my eyes? We won¡¯t win against a Profound Heaven cultivator regardless!]


    But she soon recalled Zhuo Fan¡¯s unscrupulous character and understood his intention. The only reason he saved her was to use her as a live bait to throw into the jaws of death.


    Lei Yuting nodded despondently. She was already prepared to die when she made the decision to come here.


    Zhuo Fan curled his finger, making Blood Infant return to his body unnoticed as he shouted, ¡°Now!¡±


    Zhuo Fan went first and Lei Yuting followed his plan by closing her eyes and using Lightning Finger.


    Startled, Elder Jian didn¡¯t expect them to move first. But he didn¡¯t mind as a Profound Heaven cultivator¡¯s defense wasn¡¯t something a Qi Condensation cultivator could pierce. The only danger to his life was posed by that Savage Moon. As such, Zhuo Fan had his complete focus.


    Lei Yuting charged the lightning with her eyes closed, ignoring everything, while Zhuo Fan flitted left and right.


    Elder Jian sneered, turning a blind eye to the girl.


    When she was near Elder Jian, Zhuo Fan flashed in front of her and attacked with Savage Moon.


    It was a simple thing for Jian Fan to grab Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand and snap it in two.


    ¡°Humph, don¡¯t think a petty diversion is enough to trick my eyes. I¡¯ve lived far longer than you. Smoke and mirrors won¡¯t work on me.¡± Jian Fan sneered.


    ¡°Yet¡­ it still has!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s smile remained.


    Suddenly, Elder Jian¡¯s heart was filled with unease.


    Before he could make clear as to why, a red light flew from Zhuo Fan into his body.


    From Zhuo Fan¡¯s broken arm, blood spurted out like a stream and dyed the trees red.


    Jian Fan watched Zhuo Fan with rage, ¡°It¡­ was you back then?¡±


    He now knew what had entered his body not too long ago and allowed the three elders from Veiled Dragon Pavilion to use that chance and tear one of his arms.


    Zhuo Fan grinned.


    ¡°You¡¯re brave, I¡¯ll give you that, to rob me of my arm!¡± Jian Fan gnashed his teeth, ¡°Once I get out of your demonic creature¡¯s control, I¡¯ll tear you to pieces.¡±


    Elder Jian focused all his Yuan Qi into his body while talking.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, despite sensing the increasing pressure on Blood Infant, ¡°Elder Jian, you¡¯ve been tricked yet again.¡±


    Lightning crackled as Lei Yuting¡¯s fingers came from behind Zhuo Fan and struck Jian Fan¡¯s chest.


    Watching Zhuo Fan¡¯s eerie smile with doubt, Elder Jian¡¯s eyes bulged out from grievance and unwillingness to die like this.


    ¡°Elder Jian, you were wrong. I was the distraction.¡± Zhuo Fan smiled despite the blood leaking from his mouth, ¡°You only paid attention to Savage Moon, but you forgot your wounded state. Weakened as you are now, you no longer have the same amount of Yuan Qi as before, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The fear in Elder Jian¡¯s eyes grew thick.


    [Such a cunning and vicious youth¡­ ]


    ¡°How horrifying¡­¡±


    This was how the expert Jian Fan breathed his last breath.


    Zhuo Fan used himself as bait while leaving the final blow to Lei Yuting. Each step was filled with perils. The slightest mistake, the slightest hesitation would¡¯ve meant death.


    Yet when Zhuo Fan was involved, everything they did was as if they were dancing to his tune, resulting in Elder Jian¡¯s ultimate demise. It was especially so when Zhuo Fan blocked Elder Jian from noticing the real danger hiding behind him, Lei Yuting¡¯s Lightning Fingers.


    Two Qi Condensation juniors killing a Profound Heaven expert! If anyone spoke of this, none would believe it.


    Plop!


    Zhuo Fan collapsed in his own blood.


    Lei Yuting was crying in despair when she saw this. She thought Zhuo Fan wanted her to act as bait, but it exceeded her expectations when he took the most dangerous role onto himself.


    All kinds of emotions swept her heart, pain, warmth and even something Yang Ming never managed to stir.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, forgive me.¡± Lei Yuting kneeled at his side, watching his pale face.


    Zhuo Fan waved, ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault. When Blood Infant was wounded, I also suffered internal injuries.¡±


    He recalled Blood Infant from Elder Jian¡¯s corpse, ¡°This time, it¡¯ll take a lot more time to heal.¡±


    His wounds mattered little when compared to Blood Infant¡¯s, which represented his life.


    This only worked to increase Lei Yuting¡¯s flow of tears. She now knew that the demonic creature wasn¡¯t a treasure, but something bound to his life.


    Yet even in such a perilous state, he chose to take a life-threatening hit for her.


    She began to see Zhuo Fan with different eyes, but Zhuo Fan himself couldn¡¯t care less.


    Zhuo Fan pointed at Jian Fan, ¡°Search him. A Hell Valley elder has to have valuable things on him.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Lei Yuting used her highly dexterous hands to complete this task with such skill that Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t help but raise an eyebrow, [A bandit sure is skilled.]


    Once Jian Fan was picked clean, Lei Yuting returned to Zhuo Fan. In her entire life, this was the first time she ever lowered her head in shame from doing something so unbecoming of her. But he couldn¡¯t care less about the reason why she was hiding her face.


    As she strewed the things before Zhuo Fan, she kept avoiding his eyes.


    Zhuo Fan found it odd but didn¡¯t care and started to rummage through Elder Jian¡¯s stuff.


    The first and foremost thing that caught his eye was the storage ring and soon found what he was looking for inside.


    A light flashed and two jade slips appeared in his hand, Lei clan¡¯s spiritual ranked martial art, Lightning Finger, and Cai clan¡¯s martial art, Wind Kick!


    He was clueless as to the secret involving the three clans¡¯ martial arts but did not hesitate in taking them into his own ring.


    What was left were some cultivation methods, martial arts and spirit stones. Zhuo Fan, as a former Demonic Emperor, couldn¡¯t care less about those and threw the ring to Lei Yuting.


    ¡°According to bandit¡¯s rule, half belongs to you.¡±


    Lei Yuting shook her head, ¡°The old man was your kill. They are yours.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want them, he has nothing of value!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled and turned his eyes to a bag.


    It was only as big as a palm but Zhuo Fan knew of its remarkable quality. It was a bag that could store living creatures. And what laid within was none other than the Soul Devouring Crow.


    Stashing it in his chest, Zhuo Fan smiled pleasantly. It held the largest interest to him. Who knew, he might even discover the secret of the Purple Lightning Gold Eye.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, at least take the ring.¡±


    Lei Yuting was shocked at the ring¡¯s contents and still decided to give it to Zhuo Fan, ¡°I know Luo clan is wealthy, but there are some spirit ranked martial arts and cultivation methods inside which are of far greater value than mere spirit stones. It will provide great help in restoring your clan.¡±


    Zhuo Fan shrugged as he weighed the ring, ¡°Such trashy things I have in heaps. There¡¯s nothing rare or great about them. If you don¡¯t want it, I¡¯ll just throw it.¡±


    He was about to do just that when Lei Yuting took the ring from his hand, ¡°How can you be such a wastrel, to not even want spirit ranked martial arts? How did you manage to become a steward anyway? With how you act, Luo clan¡¯s money will get flushed down the drain.¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled as he put Jian Fan¡¯s corpse into his ring, ¡°Time to head back. Veiled Dragon Pavilion has some explaining to do.¡±


    Lei Yuting nodded and rushed to support him. As Zhuo Fan was far too weakened, he could only lean onto her shoulder, tinting her cheeks red in the process.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Zhuo Fan stopped to look around, ¡°Where¡¯s Yang Ming?¡±


    Lei Yuting looked everywhere but there was no sight of Yang Ming.


    They forgot about him in the heat of the battle.


    ¡°Curses, he got away.¡± Lei Yuting gnashed her teeth.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°No need to bother with an insect.¡±


    But then he recalled his disciple, Zhao Chen, and killing intent flashed in his eyes, ¡°But even insects can spell trouble. The next time I see him, he¡¯s dead!¡±

 Chapter 40 - Shock

    The sun¡¯s warm rays shone from the East as Long Jie and Long Kui led hundreds of Veiled Dragon Pavilion guards back to the branch. Even tiredness couldn¡¯t hide the prideful air they carried themselves with.


    Not only did they win the battle with Hell Valley, but did it spectacularly.


    Long Jiu, with 3rd and 5th elder, stood at the gates watching their return with negligible casualties.


    ¡°Uncles!¡±


    Long Jie and Long Kui bowed with a smile.


    The three elders were pleased, ¡°Little Kui, Ah Jie, how was your fight?¡±


    Long Kui was the first to report, ¡°As the uncles predicted, after you chased the elders from Hell Valley, a large force came to attack us only to be defeated by us. Barely a scant few Bone Tempering cultivators escaped.¡±


    ¡°Well done!¡±


    Long Jiu shouted his approval, ¡°Your improvement has been great lately. Magnificent for you to not only lead your own team but to also wipe out the enemy.¡±


    ¡°Third brother, when you return to the estate, make sure to report the two¡¯s merit to Pavilion Lord. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Long Jiu¡¯s laughter shook the air as if he was relieved of the past years¡¯ pressure.


    3rd elder stroked his beard with a smile. This huge merit the two achieved for Veiled Dragon Pavilion was the first in their lives.


    Such accomplishment was always followed by a sense of honor and pride.


    ¡°Oh, right.¡±


    3rd elder furrowed his brow, ¡°Do you know what was the cause of that tremendous explosion last night?¡±


    Long Jie and Long Kui were also puzzled.


    ¡°That sound shook the world and I thought it was from 3rd elder¡¯s fight with Hell Valley¡¯s elders. Wasn¡¯t it?¡± Long Kui asked.


    The three elders¡¯ expression turned grave as they shook their heads.


    The explosion shook the hearts of everyone last night, instantly becoming a mystery as to what caused it.


    ¡°Oh, didn¡¯t the Luo clan stay hidden in their small courtyard all this time? Let¡¯s go ask them.¡± Long Jiu slapped his head as he turned to 3rd elder.


    Nodding, 3rd elder walked in the small courtyard¡¯s direction, followed by the others.


    Long Kui smirked, ¡°The battle must¡¯ve been so brutal last night that a tiny clan like them were scared to even poke their heads. They probably hadn¡¯t seen anything.¡±


    None spoke while Long Jie shook his head.


    They clearly approved of her stance, as they were only going there to ask for clues.


    When they arrived before the guest room of the small courtyard, they saw Luo clan¡¯s members standing before Zhuo Fan¡¯s door with worried faces. With them were three more people and one among them was in the Profound Heaven Stage.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be that¡­ yesterday was because¡­¡±


    The three elders were startled, hurrying to pay their respects to Lei Yuntian.


    ¡°May I inquire brother¡¯s name?¡± Long Jiu looked at him while being confused, [When did Luo clan get an expert?]


    Lei Yuntian returned the gesture as he knew of Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s might, ¡°I am Lei Yuntian from Blackwind Mountain. It¡¯s an honor to meet the famous Veiled Dragon Pavilion. I am fortunate to come face to face with elders!¡±


    Long Jiu nodded.


    Having stayed in Windgaze City for so long, he knew the city had many clans with different power levels. But only the recently established Sun clan along with the previous Luo clan, Cai clan and Blackwind Mountain¡¯s Lei clan were first-rated clans.


    Of course, this applied to a small town like Windgaze City, not including the seven houses.


    As the Lei clan now had a Profound Heaven expert, the Blackwind Mountain¡¯s influence would expand like never before. Despite how Bone Tempering Stage and Profound Heaven Stage were but a stage apart, the fact that a clan had a Profound Heaven expert as overseer, it now became a second-rate clan on this continent. Those that lacked such power, were mere third-rate or fallen clans.


    Lei clan can now be considered as the most outstanding clan in Windgaze City.


    ¡°Clan Head Lei, I wonder what are you¡­¡± Long Jiu roamed his eyes over the people gathered before Zhuo Fan¡¯s room.


    Lei Yuntian sighed, ¡°Steward Zhuo was hurt last night and is unclear if he will survive¡­¡±


    ¡°What, this place was under attack too?¡±


    3rd elder was shocked. He thought that Long Jie and Long Kui had blocked all Hell Valley¡¯s men last night, but it seemed that wasn¡¯t the case.


    ¡°Did they prepare two teams?¡±


    ¡°Humph.¡± A sudden snort of disdain came from behind, ¡°Wasn¡¯t Zhuo Fan always acting so high and mighty? Didn¡¯t he boast he¡¯d surpass the seven houses in ten years? So useless, to only end up on his death bed from a bunch of thieves!¡±


    Luo clan and Lei clan all glared at the speaker, but Long Kui just rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Quiet, little Kui.¡± Long Jiu shot her a glare and Long Kui was forced to remain silent.


    Looking apologetic toward Lei Yuntian, Long Jiu spoke, ¡°Please excuse her rash behavior. Just who could it be, powerful enough to injure Zhuo Fan to such a state even with a Profound Heaven expert such as yourself protecting him?¡±


    [What, me protecting him?]


    Lei Yuntian was taken aback, but then shook his head, ¡°I am ashamed to say that I only advanced last night and still lacked the power to defend Steward Zhuo.¡±


    To others, Lei Yuntian was the strongest here and it was natural for him to protect everyone. But only he was the clearest as to who protected who last night.


    ¡°But the enemy was a Profound Heaven expert that called himself Elder Yun.¡±


    ¡°What, You Yunqing?¡±


    3rd elder and Long Jiu were startled as the former muttered, ¡°I never thought that he¡¯d also come.¡±


    But then he turned with joy at Lei Yuntian, ¡°Brother Lei, you¡¯re amazing. That man was one of Hell Valley¡¯s twelve elders, having entered the Profound Heaven Stage for decades. Yet you just advanced to Profound Heaven Stage and defeated him. Impressive indeed.¡±


    The other two elders also showed their admiration.


    Lei Yuntian blushed and said with a cough, ¡°3rd elder is exaggerating. I couldn¡¯t even take a single blow from him.¡±


    ¡°Then how did you all pass the night unharmed?¡± Long Jiu asked.


    Scratching his head, Lei Yuntian looked at Zhuo Fan¡¯s door, ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to Steward Zhuo. If not for him, everyone here would¡¯ve undoubtedly perished.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying Zhuo Fan held You Yunqing back by himself, all night?¡±


    Everyone was stunned, Long Kui included.


    ¡°B-but he¡¯s just a Qi Condensation cultivator.¡± Long Jiu refuted.


    Lei Yuntian shrugged at a loss, ¡°I am clear on that, but so what?¡±


    The last words choked Long Jiu. Lei Yuntian said it as if it was a common occurrence for a Qi Condensation cultivator to fight off a Profound Heaven cultivator for an entire night.


    ¡°And?¡±


    3rd elder clenched his fists, staring at Lei Yuntian, ¡°You mean to tell us Zhuo Fan forced Elder You Yunqing into retreating?¡±


    ¡°Retreat?¡±


    Frowning, Lei Yuntian showed a trace of fear as he relived the last night¡¯s events, ¡°You are underestimating Zhuo Fan far too much.¡±


    [Underestimate? How?]


    [Even if one scoured the continent, would he ever find an instance where a Qi Condensation cultivator forced a Profound Heaven expert into retreating?]


    [We only made the most reasonable guess, yet even this is such a far fetched exaggeration that not even Zhuo Fan would believe. If not for you mentioning it, we¡¯d have never conceived such ideas.]


    The three elders swallowed dryly, with hearts in their throat.


    ¡°The fool didn¡¯t even have time to flee, killed in one move by Zhuo Fan!¡± Lei Yuntian sighed.


    ¡°What?¡±


    The elders were overwhelmed with shock.


    This was unprecedented!


    Long Kui and Long Jie were also dumbfounded.


    Long Jiu¡¯s hands began to shiver without his knowledge, ¡°Are you saying Zhuo Fan was behind the huge explosion last night? He killed a Hell Valley¡¯s Profound Heaven elder and got out with a light wound?¡±


    Lei Yuntian saw their eager expressions and wanted to nod, but frowned instead with a shake of his head.


    ¡°What was it then?¡± Long Jiu was anxious and his aura leaked, forcing the others to take a few steps back.


    Lei Yuntian sighed, ¡°I told you not to underestimate the kid. He killed Hell Valley¡¯s elder, but not at the cost of injury. Only his Yuan Qi was depleted.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible! He came out unscathed?¡± Long Jiu was battered with one shock after another that even he didn¡¯t know what he was saying, ¡°B-but then how did he get hurt?¡±


    Bam!


    A pale-faced Zhuo Fan slammed the door open and snapped at Long Jiu, ¡°Isn¡¯t it because of you, bro Jiu?¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    Some were shocked, some were glad, some were amazed, but most were filled with doubts as they turned to him.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Luo Yunchang was worried.


    ¡°Alright my ass!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snorted as he glared at everyone who was present, ¡°Here I am trying to keep my life and you people had to yap on and on. You think one can get well like this?¡±


    They all started getting embarrassed and lowered their heads. Only the three elders looked at him at a loss.


    Zhuo Fan secretly snorted, ¡°Bro Jiu, didn¡¯t you want to know how I got hurt? It¡¯s all because of him!¡±


    Zhuo Fan took out a cold corpse shocking them all. The ones most shocked were, of course, the three elders.


    ¡°Condor Jian Fan!¡±

 Chapter 41 - Purple Lightning Gold Eye’s Secret

    The fear in Jian Fan¡¯s eyes hadn¡¯t dissipated even after his death and was clearly visible for everyone as they looked at his corpse that laid stiff on the ground. What manner of death could have evoked such expression from a monster who roamed the continent unhindered?


    ¡°H-how? Condor Jian Fan is actually dead. W-who killed him?¡± Long Jiu was unnerved and stammered.


    Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°Is there a need to ask when I was the one who took out his corpse?¡±


    They all looked at Zhuo Fan with a stranger¡¯s eyes. Each guessed as such, but none dared to believe it.


    This monster had even escaped the Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s three elders¡¯ joint attack!


    ¡°I knew that there was a deep grudge between him and bro Jiu. Since I chanced upon him, I killed him.¡± Flicking off imaginary dust from himself, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Bro Jiu, please don¡¯t take offense from meddling in your affairs.¡±


    ¡°H-how can I?¡±


    Long Jiu panted and was staring at the corpse with bloodshot eyes, ¡°This monster ruined my eye and my future. I can hardly contain myself from drinking his blood and feasting on his flesh. How can I blame you for taking revenge in my stead?¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhuo.¡±


    Suddenly, Long Jiu cupped his hands, ¡°From this day forth, I shall treat you as a sworn brother. As long as you¡¯re in my domain, you just need to ask and I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    ¡°Sigh, bro Jiu is too courteous. I barely did anything.¡±


    Zhuo Fan dismissed him with a wave, but that little movement stirred his wound and winced. Long Jiu appeared next to him in a flash, ¡°Don¡¯t move brother, here are some Recovery Pills. In three days you¡¯ll be up and about.¡±


    Long Jiu took out a few small bottles and placed them in Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand.


    With how caring Long Jiu was, the other elders stared at Zhuo Fan in amazement. Long Kui pouted, feeling her heart dumped in vinegar.


    They just wiped out Hell Valley¡¯s men and earned great merit that even the three elders were overjoyed, yet it paled in comparison with Zhuo Fan, who killed two of Hell Valley¡¯s elders.


    ¡°Humph, who knows what trick he pulled to get so lucky and snatch their heads. How could a Qi Condensation cultivator ever kill a Profound Heaven expert?¡±


    Long Kui muttered in jealousy, but everyone heard her.


    3rd elder glared but then shook his head.


    Yet Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°It is true that it was by luck that I encountered the one-armed elder and got his head, bad luck in fact. Because I had just then killed a Profound Heaven expert and was out of Yuan Qi. But this also made him underestimate me. How else could I have killed the wounded Elder Jian?¡±


    ¡°If it were any other time, wouldn¡¯t the elder kill me with but a wave of his hand? Sigh, last night I had the worst luck. Unlike some people, who only had to lead their men to ensure their safety¡­¡± Zhuo Fan sighed as Long Kui¡¯s face flushed red.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Lei Yuting giggled.


    She was clear on what happened last night. Zhuo Fan was indeed amazing, forcing the elder to act as he wanted. But amazing as he was, such an instance wasn¡¯t going to repeat itself every time.


    Zhuo Fan said that just to spite Long Kui.


    [I am better and stronger than you. My merit is also greater, all coming from one well-placed hit. While you can only yap your mouth¡­ ]


    The three elders laughed as they shook their heads.


    They knew that Zhuo Fan succeeded in bringing down a Profound Heaven expert only through special means and not like how he bragged about, killing because he met him.


    But the fact remained, him killing two such experts in a single night shook the elders¡¯ core.


    ¡°Old Jiu, take care of brother Zhuo¡¯s wound. We will also add a few hundred guards around the premises while I and brother Wu report back to the estate. We must notify Pavilion Lord.¡±


    Long Jiu nodded while Long Kui and Long Jie froze, [Why even 3rd elder is calling Zhuo Fan brother?]


    Zhuo Fan adapted to the change on the spot, ¡°Bro San, bro Wu, take care!¡±


    Stumbling, 3rd and 5th elders shook their heads in dismay.


    [Old Jiu was right, this kid¡¯s greatest talent is to read hearts.]


    After they left, Long Jiu and the others helped Zhuo Fan back to his room. Long Jie and Long Kui left to handle the additional security of the small courtyard.


    In bed, Zhuo Fan eased his breathing and asked, ¡°Everyone leave, I have to talk with bro Jiu alone.¡±


    As the people left, Long Jiu was wondering what could Zhuo Fan want to know so urgently.


    ¡°Bro Jiu, I have a gift for you.¡±


    ¡°Gift?¡± Long Jiu only laughed, ¡°Brother, I¡¯m not trying to discourage you, but the Luo clan hasn¡¯t got anything I could take interest in! Or is it that you have another ancient array?¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°In your dreams! That array alone is worth ten million at the minimum. Do you think they¡¯re easy to come by? But I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re going to like this gift.¡±


    Zhuo Fan took out a bag.


    Frowning, Long Jiu didn¡¯t understand until Zhuo Fan opened the bag and a crow landed on his shoulder.


    ¡°Jian Fan¡¯s Soul Devouring Crow?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°Ever since that old guy died, this crow has been without an owner. I¡¯m sure bro Jiu wouldn¡¯t need long to turn it into your spirit animal, always there to protect you.¡±


    Long Jiu¡¯s eyes began to glisten.


    The title of Godeye Long Jiu lost all it¡¯s power ever since his eye was robbed. Now that he had the crow, it was as if he recovered his mystic eye.


    ¡°Brother, thank you for your kind intention.¡± Long Jiu¡¯s eye trembled from the heartfelt gratitude.


    Zhuo Fan continued, ¡°Bro Jiu, there¡¯s just one thing I am unclear about. Since you trained one eye in Purple Lightning Gold Eye, why couldn¡¯t you do the same for the other?¡±


    ¡°Sigh, brother, this mystic eye of mine was gained through a chance encounter. A once in a lifetime opportunity.¡± Long Jiu sighed recalling his youth.


    ¡°This mystic eye wasn¡¯t cultivated through a cultivation method from Veiled Dragon Pavilion. It was something I found through luck.¡±


    Long Jiu considered Zhuo Fan as one of his closest friends. Thus, he became the first listener to this secret Long Jiu had buried for such a long time, ¡°Brother, do you know of the three danger zones on this continent?¡±


    After Zhuo Fan shook his head, Long Jiu smiled, ¡°You can go anywhere you want across the continent, except for the three danger zones. Regardless of your strength, you¡¯ll find helpless against the dangers in there.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded from how serious Long Jiu looked but didn¡¯t take the warning to heart.


    ¡°The zones are Lightning Canyon, Ice Mountain and Fire Pit!¡±


    Long Jiu stared at Zhuo Fan in all seriousness, but then laughed in the end, ¡°Never mind, even if you want to go you still can¡¯t. Only if your luck is sky-high will you enter one.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because these zones appear at random. Today, they might be in the East and tomorrow in the West. Regardless of where they descend, it will cause a terrible tornado that draws in all who dared approach, while also trapping them inside.¡±


    [That must be an array which an expert had deployed. If one didn¡¯t know how the array operated, they would have no hope of finding the entrance.]


    Zhuo Fan asked, ¡°Then how did you get out?¡±


    Long Jiu nodded with a deep look, ¡°You¡¯re smart, brother. Yes, in my youth I chanced upon the Lightning Canyon.¡±


    ¡°At that time, the tornado swept me away and all I could see was a world of purple lightning. Every single expert there fell under the purple strikes. Just recalling it sends shivers down my spine. Then the oddest thing happened. The strike that was meant for me hit in my eye. While I was unharmed, all that I could feel from my eye was scorching heat.¡±


    Zhuo Fan now understood.


    As it was stated in the Nine Serenities Secret Records regarding the Heavenly Emperor¡¯s Purple Lightning Gold Eye, everything was subjected to be destroyed under its gaze, all except the eye. This was why when the purple lightning struck Long Jiu¡¯s eye, he was unharmed.


    ¡°Perhaps because of my will to survive, I gave it my all in fighting for my life. I was aware of the purple lightning¡¯s power but still wanted to live. It was at that moment that a man¡¯s voice reached me. He was reciting some method and I, in my confused state, mimicked his words. It shocked me in the end when my eye released purple lightning.¡±


    ¡°It may have been because of the eye that the purple lightning no longer struck me. Finally, when the tornado passed, only I survived. But ever since I was robbed of my eye and because of the frantic situation when I gained it, I no longer recalled the words that man recited and had no way of forming another mystic eye.¡±


    Long Jiu sighed while Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Lightning Canyon was a remnant the Heavenly Emperor left behind and contained his cultivation method. [I have to find it. If I add the Nine Serenities Emperor¡¯s legacy with Heavenly Emperor¡¯s, with two of the three ancient Emperors¡¯ legacy in my hands, none can contest me!]


    [I didn¡¯t reincarnate in vain!]


    [No one would ever imagine that a powerful Emperor Stage expert would leave his remnant in the mortal world. Ha-ha-ha¡­]


    Zhuo Fan wanted to cackle but was sensible enough to refrain since Long Jiu was next to him.

 Chapter 42 - Resisting

    Their talk took the entire day. Once Zhuo Fan got hold of all the information that interested him, he walked Long Jiu out after which he entered seclusion for a month to heal.


    With Long Jiu¡¯s Recovery Pills, he was back to full health in ten days but was forced to spend the remaining time to patch up Blood Infant¡¯s precarious state.


    A month later, Zhuo Fan came out of his room stretching his limbs and enjoying the fresh air. Moreover, just a few days ago, he and Blood Infant entered the 5th layer of Qi Condensation.


    Just that it was a pity one of the two elders from Hell Valley died for naught. He truly hoped he could absorb the elder¡¯s Yuan Qi at the time.


    With it, he¡¯d be in the Bone Tempering Stage by now.


    ¡°Ah, Steward Zhuo¡­¡±


    Xiao Cui shrieked in joy seeing him but then bolted.


    Zhuo Fan was stumped, feeling his face unconsciously. [Did something change about me? Why did she run as soon as she saw me?]


    [What¡¯s so scary about me? I¡¯m not a man-eating monster.]


    But he soon had it all figured out.


    [I must¡¯ve been too rough on her when I ripped their clothes that time and this girl is now afraid of me. The same as how Luo Yunhai was before.]


    Zhuo Fan snickered, [I was kinda too hard on both the kids.]


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, are you feeling better?¡±


    This time it was the uncouth Captain Pang.


    ¡°Old Pang!¡±


    Captain Pang was the only one he admitted being his friend since he reincarnated. Zhuo Fan started to miss him after not seeing each other for a month.


    However, just as Captain Pang was about to give him a friendly hug, his face changed and away he ran.


    This time, Zhuo Fan was floored.


    [Forget that lass, Xiao Cui, why is even Old Pang avoiding me like a plague?]


    Zhuo Fan frowned, unable to get to the bottom of it.


    He was expert in reading people¡¯s intentions in negotiations and fights, but that was because he was convinced every man¡¯s actions were motivated by benefit.


    Yet Old Pang¡¯s behavior had him stumped.


    [I¡¯ve done nothing to hurt him and he shouldn¡¯t have a reason for being scared of me. Then what¡¯s the deal with him running away?]


    Zhuo Fan shook his head in puzzlement but he wasn¡¯t in the mood to find out the reason. A man such as Demonic Emperor was a man of great action, not bothered by petty affairs.


    When he was about to leave, Lei Yuting appeared in his sight with a lunch box and Xiao Cui running behind her.


    Her cute body hid behind Lei Yuting, peeking her small head to gaze at Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°What are you up to?¡± Zhuo Fan stood in place, puzzled.


    Lei Yuting walked with unsure steps, unlike the usual decisive nature she carried herself with. When she looked at Zhuo Fan, her cheeks were rosy, ¡°Um, Steward Zhuo, thank you for saving me. Please accept this small token of appreciation.¡±


    Zhuo Fan eyed the lunch box with suspicion as he eased the lid open.


    A wonderful smell swept him when the intricately made dishes prepared from the heart were in the open.


    ¡°What a wonderful smell!¡±


    Zhuo Fan asked, ¡°Where did you buy them from? Did Windgaze City have such a great restaurant?¡±


    ¡°Humph, they weren¡¯t bought.¡± Xiao Cui jumped out with a smile, ¡°Young miss spent ten hours each day making them and waited for Steward Zhuo to come out of seclusion to try them out!¡±


    [Every day?]


    Zhuo Fan now unraveled the mystery of Xiao Cui running at the sight of him. It was to notify Lei Yuting.


    Not knowing when he¡¯d come out, Lei Yuting cooked for him every day. Her perseverance moved him.


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan spoke, ¡°I accept your gift.¡±


    Lei Yuting cupped her blushing face and whispered, ¡°Steward Zhuo just got well and needs to take care of his body. Hurry and eat before it gets cold.¡±


    ¡°Right!¡±


    Zhuo Fan returned to his room with the lunch box. Even though he was in the Qi Condensation Stage, not eating for a month made him hungry.


    Lei Yuting with Xiao Cui in tow followed him in. Her eyes shined like the sun, soft yet warm enough to melt a glacier.


    When Zhuo Fan was about to dig in, Luo Yunchang¡¯s charming figure entered the room with a knock. Captain Pang followed behind her.


    Quirking an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan saw her carrying a lunch box too.


    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t know Steward Zhuo already had someone bringing him breakfast. I was worried for nothing.¡±


    When she saw the lunch box in front Zhuo Fan, Luo Yunchang¡¯s smile widened but her eyes became sharp as if they were about to poke holes into everyone present.


    ¡°What got her in such a foul mood this morning?¡± Zhuo Fan flickered his brow in confusion. But when he picked up on Captain Pang¡¯s pitying glance, it got him baffled.


    Bam!


    Luo Yunchang slammed the box in front of Zhuo Fan while squeezing a smile, ¡°Steward Zhuo, this is something I made for you to help in your recovery.¡±


    ¡°I already have a share. I¡¯m not a glutton to eat so much.¡±


    Zhuo Fan shrugged, planning on pushing aside Luo Yunchang¡¯s box but then he sensed killing intent. He caught Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes glaring at him.


    ¡°Um, I¡¯ll try both of them.¡±


    Zhuo Fan flinched for the first time in his life. He didn¡¯t understand what the fuss was about but knew that if he hadn¡¯t said that, there would have been a real danger to his life.


    Revealing Luo Yunchang¡¯s dishes, he found them scorched black, cutting most of his appetite.


    ¡°Um, I think I¡¯ll eat this one.¡±


    Zhuo Fan went for Lei Yuting¡¯s box as she showed a bright smile.


    But even before his hand reached it, Luo Yunchang bumped her box closer to him with a glare, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯ll eat them both?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s brow flickered, hesitation setting in as he took another long look at Luo Yunchang¡¯s burnt dishes.


    But he could hardly refuse her sincere eyes and nodded, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll eat them.¡±


    Luo Yunchang broke out into a wide smile, to which Lei Yuting was showing disdain.


    ¡°Mine first.¡± Luo Yunchang urged.


    ¡°No, mine.¡± Lei Yuting said in haste.


    The two women¡¯s eyes met and sparks seemed to fly.


    Zhuo Fan wondered, [Weren¡¯t they close? Why are they fighting all of a sudden?] He couldn¡¯t comprehend what could bring such a change in them.


    ¡°First come, first served.¡±


    Zhuo Fan then took a bite out of Lei Yuting¡¯s dishes. She was staring at him with wide and expectant eyes.


    Zhuo Fan gave a thumbs up, ¡°Delicious!¡±


    Lei Yuting¡¯s smile bloomed like a flower while Xiao Cui pushed out her chin and shouted, ¡°My Young miss started cooking since she was ten. No one in Windgaze City can match her skill. You are fortunate today, Steward Zhuo.¡±


    Xiao Cui¡¯s boast embarrassed Lei Yuting, but even that couldn¡¯t take away the radiant smile from her face.


    Luo Yunchang pouted, ¡°Zhuo Fan, try mine.¡±


    Zhuo Fan took a bite but spat it out as soon as it touched his tongue.


    ¡°Even poison is better.¡± His words were sharp as he took Lei Yuting¡¯s box, ¡°I still choose this one.¡±


    Lei Yuting was smiling, while Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes started tearing.


    ¡°Wow, such a great smell!¡±


    At this time Luo Yunhai shouted in surprise as he jumped into Zhuo Fan¡¯s room, ¡°Bro Zhuo, you¡¯re out! And you are having such a feast, why didn¡¯t you invite me?¡±


    ¡°Go and eat your sister¡¯s cooking.¡± Zhuo Fan dissed him.


    Luo Yunhai complained, ¡°Her skill isn¡¯t worth a dime. She doesn¡¯t know anything besides opening the kitchen door.¡±


    Unable to stay there any longer, Luo Yunchang ran out with her lunch box. But people could see the droplets she left behind on the floor.


    ¡°Um, was I wrong?¡± Luo Yunhai was confused.


    ¡°Not at all.¡± Zhuo Fan gorged on Lei Yuting¡¯s cooking as he said, ¡°But some people have low confidence.¡±


    After finishing his meal, Zhuo Fan informed the others before leaving, ¡°Stay here as Hell Valley¡¯s people might still lurk around. I¡¯m going to pay Veiled Dragon Pavilion a visit.¡±


    Luo Yunhai and Captain Pang nodded then turned to Lei Yuting. Seeing her all flushed, Xiao Cui was even more excited, ¡°How great, Young miss, Steward Zhuo is interested in you.¡±


    Lei Yuting only smiled.


    At the same time, in the Imperial City.


    In a magnificent office, two people sat side by side. One man was in his forties, dressed in a white silken robe. He had a small hanging mustache that shook with his smile.


    The other man was in his fifties, with a somber complexion and wearing a dark cloak. His pair of large eyes were filled with grievance.


    The two acted like strangers, not meeting each other¡¯s eyes.


    Cough, cough, cough¡­


    With a cough, a shaky body appeared before the two. It was an old man dressed in a golden robe embroidered with nine dragons.


    ¡°Your Majesty!¡±


    The men rose up and bowed.


    The elder waved for them to sit, ¡°Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Hell Valley both are from the Seven Noble Houses, the pillars of the empire. What matter has made you request an audience with me?¡±


    This elder was the Emperor of Tianyu Empire!


    ¡°Your Majesty, Veiled Dragon Pavilion killed two of our Hell Valley¡¯s elders last month, breaking the seven houses¡¯ agreement. Your Majesty, please punish the Veiled Dragon Pavilion!¡± The black-robed man complained.


    Sneering, the middle-aged man spoke, ¡°You Wanshan, you have some nerve complaining first! Your Hell Valley¡¯s elder infringed upon my Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s domain. How are you going to explain it? Who is it that broke the seven houses agreement first?¡±


    ¡°One of my valley¡¯s disciple, You Quan, was killed in Windgaze City. Can¡¯t I send an elder to bring the matter to light?¡± You Wanshan squinted, ¡°Long Yifey, you are just making an excuse to exact revenge for what happened two decades ago.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, and? Twenty years ago, you trapped Elder Jiu in Drifting Leaves City and ruined his mystic eye. You accused him of entering your domain and breaching the seven houses agreement, I didn¡¯t object. This time, however, it is your elder who entered mine. And not just one, but four! Is this what you call investigation?¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    The Emperor¡¯s cold shout came as his eyes flashed in anger, ¡°Both sides are in violation. This is my judgment. Veiled Dragon Pavilion shall withdraw from Windgaze City, it is no longer part of your domain. Hell Valley and Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s people are never to set foot in this city ever again.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty!¡±


    The two cupped their fists, but the Emperor flicked his sleeve, ¡°This matter is settled, withdraw. I no longer want to hear anything about the seven houses, nor about internal disputes.¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    None of them was willing to accept this conclusion but retreated nonetheless.


    When they were gone, the Emperor¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°For Hell Valley¡¯s people to enter Windgaze City, they must be privy to the thousand-year-old secret.¡±


    ¡°The Imperial City has always been a place of conflict, filled with the eyes and ears of every faction. This should be known to Your Majesty.¡± An aged voice replied from behind.


    The Emperor chuckled, ¡°It seems¡­ the plan has begun. Pearls will always shine, he-he-he¡­¡±

 Chapter 43 - A Stubborn Fatty

    Since the Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s grand gate was but a few hundred steps away, Zhuo Fan chose to walk.


    However, he stopped before passing through it.


    In front of the gate was a yellow palanquin with four peak Qi Condensation cultivators as carriers and 16 Bone Tempering cultivators surrounding it.


    A fat figure in yellow stood in front of the palanquin. You could barely make out his pin-sized eyes from his bulging cheeks. At first glance, one would take him as having a bun in place of his head.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head. He¡¯d seen his fair share of people, but this was his first encountering such a fatso.


    [How can one get so fat?]


    Zhuo Fan resumed his gait, glancing at the fatty from time to time. His appearance was far from attractive, but his 7th Qi Condensation cultivation and the large number of guards was nothing to scoff.


    If the fatty was from Veiled Dragon Pavilion, he¡¯d have gone in by now.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s entry was stopped by a sudden shout. Turning around, he caught the sight of fatty¡¯s feet sinking into the ground with each step towards him.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s cheek started twitching, ¡°Do you¡­ need something?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, are you from Veiled Dragon Pavilion?¡±


    The fatty smiled. It would¡¯ve been better if he hadn¡¯t, as his eyes were now gone for good.


    Zhuo Fan was shocked by such a baffling appearance for a moment, ¡°I¡¯m just a guest.¡±


    ¡°Eh, that means you can also enter.¡± The fatty showed a warm smile, ¡°Can I ask brother¡¯s help with a small matter? Please send word to Young miss Long Kui. She hasn¡¯t come out for a whole day and I had to sleep outside.¡±


    [This weird fatty is pursuing Long Kui.]


    Zhuo Fan wanted to laugh, but he couldn¡¯t, not when there were so many people around. [To think that haughty Long Kui knows this fellow.]


    Setting aside his status, his weight alone would make her awkward if someone caught them together.


    ¡°Alright, I will tell her right away.¡± Zhuo Fan struggled not to laugh as the fatty cupped his hands in gratitude, ¡°I¡¯ll leave it to brother.¡±


    Zhuo Fan hastened his pace in fear of laughing if he spent one more moment with this guy. It wasn¡¯t worth it offending a great faction for such a reason.


    He soon arrived at the meeting room and met Long Kui, ¡°Miss Kui, long time no see. How have you been?¡±


    ¡°Great, until you showed up.¡± Long Kui snorted. Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t mind it, ¡°Where¡¯s bro Jiu, I want to speak with him.¡±


    ¡°Out!¡± Long Kui rolled her eyes.


    Zhuo Fan read her face and found that she didn¡¯t lie. Since he didn¡¯t see Long Jie either, it meant that he must be with Long Jiu on business.


    This would put a delay on the things he wanted to know. But he still had that fatty¡¯s message to deliver. [To get that guy¡¯s gratitude and support, all I have to do is make this smug girl see him. What¡¯s the harm in passing the time while embarrassing this missy while I¡¯m at it?]


    Zhuo Fan showed a wide grin.


    ¡°What¡¯s with you?¡± Long Kui frowned.


    ¡°Oh, nothing. There¡¯s a rich handsome guy outside who wants to talk to you. Hurry up and see him before he¡¯s gone.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Miss Long, who¡¯s he?¡± Zhuo Fan elbowed her with raised eyebrows.


    Long Kui knew Zhuo Fan was making fun of her and got angry. Ignoring him, she walked to the gates with Zhuo Fan laughing behind her.


    ¡°Damn fatty, haven¡¯t I rejected your marriage proposal already? What are you still doing here?¡±


    The fatty¡¯s smile fell.


    ¡°Sister Long Kui, that happened when I was ten. Now I¡¯m twenty. Don¡¯t you feel anything after I proposed a thousand times these past ten years?¡±


    ¡°Of course I have, annoyance!¡±


    Zhuo Fan butted in at this point, patting the fatty¡¯s shoulder as he looked at Long Kui, ¡°Miss Long Kui, such tender and strong love are rare these days. My dear friend is so smitten by you that he even slept outside waiting for you.¡±


    The last words almost made Zhuo Fan burst in laughter. The fatty was so touched that the thick sarcasm flew right past him.


    Long Kui saw them working in unison, one explaining while the other agreeing, and felt her anger peaking. But for some reason, she changed to a charming smile.


    Even Zhuo Fan blanked out from seeing her smile like this for the first time. And there was no need to mention the drooling fatty.


    Long Kui felt sick inside but still maintained her composure, ¡°Brother Cong, you¡¯ve always treated me so well ever since we were little. But my heart belongs to another¡­ ¡°


    ¡°What, who¡¯s the punk?¡± The fatty¡¯s face changed and his eyes spat fire.


    Zhuo Fan thought, [Uh-oh. She isn¡¯t planning on dragging me into this is she?]


    Yet Long Kui turned to him with an enigmatic smile.


    [Oh. Hell.]


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t know which faction the fatty belonged to, but one thing was clear, he wasn¡¯t to be provoked. Zhuo Fan already had Hell Valley as his enemy and messing with another faction just as strong, if not stronger, then even Demonic Emperor would have a hard time turning disaster into an opportunity.


    ¡°I was wondering why you are able to enter Veiled Dragon Pavilion like you own the place. It was because you and Long Kui are¡­¡± The fatty grabbed Zhuo Fan¡¯s collar and glared.


    Zhuo Fan denied, ¡°Brother, it¡¯s all just a misunderstanding¡­¡±


    However, the fatty¡¯s eyes were red from anger and blinded to reason. There were two things any man would go berserk from, having his father killed and wife stolen. But the latter caused way more outrage than the former.


    Feeling as if he was wearing such a hat with no rime or reason turned this misunderstanding into a conflict.


    Zhuo Fan sighed, [Now I have to ask Long Jiu to explain in order to avoid offending another power.]


    He was pondering on how to do it when he was floored by fatty¡¯s next words.


    ¡°Sister Kui, what do you not like about me? Does this punk have something that I don¡¯t?¡±


    Zhuo Fan almost spat blood, watching the fatty in a daze, ¡°Brother, now I know why you proposed a thousand times.¡±


    Cocky people, he has seen aplenty, but this was Zhuo Fan¡¯s first time meeting one as oblivious about himself as this guy.


    Watching the fatty, who could burrow the earth just by standing, Zhuo Fan wanted to shout, [Brother, it¡¯s more like you pack something way extra than me!]


    Even Long Kui was silently rolling her eyes.


    ¡°Brother Cong, there must be some other reason for you to be here. You do not have the luxury of leaving the Imperial Capital as you wish. Take care of your matters and stop wasting time.¡±


    ¡°That is out of the question. You are my future wife. I even applied for this task just to see you. Yet¡­¡±


    Then the fatty glared at Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Let¡¯s duel!¡±


    He pointed at Zhuo Fan¡¯s nose as he raged, ¡°We will duel today to settle Sister Kui¡¯s groom.¡±


    Zhuo Fan took a closer look at the fatty, secretly admiring him, [This kid is the first who didn¡¯t shout out his glorious clan¡¯s name before me.]


    Just from this, Zhuo Fan liked him.


    Hearing the fatty request a duel, one of his guard stepped forward, ¡°Young Master, your body is too precious to participate in duels! It¡¯s best if you let me handle him¡­¡±


    ¡°Quiet!¡±


    The fatty interrupted the guard, ¡°It is I who want to marry Sister Kui. My honor and dignity as a man are on the line. If you fight, I¡¯ll be mocked forever and Sister Kui will despise me even more!¡±


    [I will never ever approve of you!] Long Kui rolled her eyes.


    Zhuo Fan agreed with a grin, ¡°Well said, I accept. However, all your guards are stronger than me and I can¡¯t take even a single hit from them if they interfere.¡±


    ¡°If I say we will duel, then it will be one on one. My word is gold. You don¡¯t believe me?¡± The fatty was even angrier now.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°I do believe you. But if I defeat you, can they hold themselves from not jumping in? At that point, even if you order them not to, it won¡¯t do much good.¡±


    It was unknown if the fatty was pondering or fuming since his eyes disappeared when he squinted. But then he barked at the guards, ¡°All of you stay put. If anyone has the nerve to move, I¡¯ll kill him.¡±


    Then he turned to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Pick a location where we won¡¯t be disturbed.¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled while Long Kui frowned and blocked him, ¡°You truly intend to fight? If he gets hurt, even Veiled Dragon Pavilion can¡¯t help you.¡±


    He just nodded, ¡°This fatty isn¡¯t bad.¡±


    Long Kui was stunned.


    When the fatty saw them stick together, his heart was aflame from rage, panting with each word, he declared, ¡°Punk, you¡¯ll see. I will mop the floor with you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, not minding it in the least¡­

 Chapter 44 - Assassin

    Zhuo Fan took the fatty to a remote place in the woods. Since Long Kui was afraid of mishaps she also went along, but Zhuo Fan already had Blood Infant keep an eye out.


    At least the fatty¡¯s order worked like a charm and the guards stayed behind.


    Zhuo Fan clapped, ¡°Fatty I praise you for not using the guards.¡±


    ¡°Humph, I am always true to my word. This is related to me and Sister Kui¡¯s happy marriage. I will have to beat you, pesky puck, so thorough you can¡¯t contest my victory. Or who knows what excuse you¡¯ll use later to pester Sister Kui.¡± The fatty jutted out his chin.


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan showed his vicious side, ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried I laid an ambush?¡±


    The fatty frowned. His pin-sized eyes scoured his surroundings as he roared, ¡°Humph, I am willing to venture alone against any adversity, but if you think Sister Kui will look kindly to such a despicable punk, think again. No matter what you have in store, I will never lose!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, enough with the heroism. Kid, I like you. It¡¯s time we get this duel started.¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    Yet even before he finished, a punch came his way.


    Zhuo Fan rushed to dodge, but he was too late to react. His body flew and his right cheek was now red and swollen.


    ¡°Hey fatso, I thought you were an honorable man!¡± Zhuo Fan snapped at the nonchalant fatty who replied, ¡°Didn¡¯t you just give start to the duel? All is fair in love and war.¡±


    Zhuo Fan took a long look at him and secretly nodded.


    [This kid is more cunning than he lets on, yet he conducts himself with honor. He is as honest as Old Pang but that is where the similarities end.]


    Compared to the simple Old Pang, Zhuo Fan liked the shrewd fatty more.


    A demonic cultivator would use any means to reach his goal. This fatty, who bent the limits of morality, was more to Zhuo Fan¡¯s liking.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re right!¡± Zhuo Fan cackled and pointed at Long Kui, ¡°Fatty, look, Long Kui is undressing!¡±


    The fatty could spot a lie when he heard one, but he still bought it this time and turned towards Long Kui¡¯s direction.


    Bam!


    Zhuo Fan used this chance to kick the fatty into the air.


    ¡°Bastard!¡±


    Long Kui fumed at the sideline with a red face, yet the culprit didn¡¯t mind it in the least when her glare focused on him.


    ¡°Wretched punk, you dared sully Sister Kui¡¯s honor. I will show you!¡± The fatty wobbled as he got to his feet but his eyes burned hotter than ever.


    Zhuo Fan dissed him, ¡°I was just messing around, yet you looked anyway. Weren¡¯t you also thinking something shameful about our Young miss Long?¡±


    The fatty gasped.


    Never had he heard this kind of counter before. Zhuo Fan might have disrespected Long Kui but didn¡¯t he himself sully his goddess by imagining something inappropriate? If so, did he have the right to blame Zhuo Fan?


    Fatty¡¯s resentment was gone just like that and he even felt ashamed. But once he imagined Long Kui changing clothes, his face went beet-red. His small eyes were perfect in hiding his secret stare over Long Kui¡¯s enticing figure.


    But she found him out nonetheless and stared him down with killing intent.


    When a shiver crawled up his spine, the fatty focused on the fight, ¡°Punk, I will let this matter slide. Time to get serious.¡±


    The fatty¡¯s body gave out a golden shine and even the ground started cracking around him.


    ¡°High mortal ranked martial art, Mountain Shaking Punch!¡±


    The fatty darted towards Zhuo Fan like a raging bull, cracking each and every stone he set his foot on.


    ¡°Punk, better dodge. But if you do, admit your loss!¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan extended a red palm, not intimidated in the least.


    The fatty raved, ¡°Damn punk, this will be your funeral! I am at the 7th layer of Qi Condensation and using a high ranked martial art. This is not a move which a 5th layer Qi Condensation punk can withstand!¡±


    ¡°If you treasure your life, dodge!¡±


    But Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t budge.


    The fatty didn¡¯t wish for the worst outcome and wanted to hold back some of his power, but it was too late now. His flabby body was already upon Zhuo Fan.


    Boom!


    Something strange happened. The weak-looking Zhuo Fan was still standing as a breeze ruffled his hair.


    The fatty, however, had his golden light scattered thanks to the red glow and was sent flying.


    He hit the ground in a daze and even as he got up, he still couldn¡¯t shake his astonishment.


    ¡°How can this be? I am clearly stronger so why was I the one who got pushed back?¡± He needed a long time to recover from the shock.


    Long Kui scoffed.


    She didn¡¯t like Zhuo Fan one bit, but that didn¡¯t stop her from admiring his strength and ability. After all, he was the first on the continent to have killed two Profound Heaven expert while being a Qi Condensation cultivator.


    Arriving next to fatty, Zhuo Fan offered his hand with a smile, ¡°Fatty, I know you went easy on me.¡±


    The fatty sighed, ¡°A loss is a loss. Using all my power against someone weaker is the same as loosing. I am an upright man. This is your win.¡±


    Zhuo Fan turned serious, ¡°You might take it as being upright, but I see it as kindness.¡±


    The fatty looked closer at Zhuo Fan. He was amazed this man found out his intention in that split second.


    ¡°I see now why Sister Kui likes you!¡±


    The fatty praised him and took Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand. He went to Long Kui and sighed, ¡°Sister Kui, you¡¯ve found a great man. This punk will turn into a monster one day.¡±


    The fatty felt dejected.


    But a sudden sound broke the silence.


    Zhuo Fan squinted his eyes and pushed the fatty to the ground. A green light passed above them the next second, cutting all the trees in its path.


    The fatty looked up at Zhuo Fan with gratitude, ¡°Brother, thank you for saving me. I never thought that my love rival will become my savior.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too early for thanks. Here they come.¡± Zhuo Fan frowned as he helped the fatty up. Long Kui also ran next to them.


    A dozen men appeared around the three of them the next moment, each giving off the energy of a Bone Tempering expert.


    ¡°What now?¡±


    Long Kui¡¯s expression was grave as she looked at Zhuo Fan. With the Veiled Dragon Pavilion being even farther than the fatty¡¯s guards, the only one she could turn for help was the guy she disliked the most. But he was also the one most likely to pull off a miracle.


    The fatty strode out from between the two with confidence, ¡°It¡¯s me you¡¯re after. Let them go.¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, as a member of the imperial family you sure have the air of a King. But too bad we can¡¯t leave any witnesses.¡± A man stood out from the group, he was their leader.


    The fatty was filled with hatred.


    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan kicked the fatty with a snicker, ¡°This fatty is under my care. If you want to kill him, you¡¯ll have to go through me first.¡±


    The dozen men laughed.


    ¡°A mere Qi Condensation insect wants to act tough?¡±


    ¡°Since they¡¯ll all die anyway, let¡¯s start with him.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s best we kill the fatty first and complete the mission. It was hard enough finding this opportunity after waiting for so long. We can¡¯t let it go to waste¡­¡±


    As they were rambling on and on, the fatty whispered to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Brother, they¡¯re after me. I will run towards East while you take Sister Kui back to Veiled Dragon Pavilion.¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°With your speed, you won¡¯t even last one second.¡±


    ¡°What other choice do we have?¡± Asked the fatty flustered.


    Zhuo Fan hardened his tone and said, ¡°Slaughter them all!¡±


    He took a step and reached their leader as Savage Moon flashed in his hand.


    ¡°Demonic treasure?¡±


    The leader was shocked and wanted to dodge, but a red light entered his body and froze his movements.


    Whoosh!


    With a silver flash, a head trailed the sky followed by a fountain of blood. Only Zhuo Fan stood in the pool of blood with cruel eyes.


    For the first time in fatty¡¯s life, his eyes bulged out from his chubby face, becoming larger than ever¡­

 Chapter 45 - Slaughter

    The silence was deafening!


    Everyone watched slack-jawed at the unfolding event. No one there could¡¯ve imagined a Qi Condensation kid blindsiding them, who were Bone Tempering experts, and even killing one in a single hit.


    All the mockery and disdain they had for Zhuo Fan was now replaced with extreme caution.


    Fatty was still out of it, staring at Zhuo Fan like his brain was on the fritz. It finally dawned upon him that it wasn¡¯t him who held back the most in their duel, but Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Kill the punk first!¡±


    With a sudden shout, the men charged at Zhuo Fan together. They were now of one mind, no longer of a different opinion. They had to kill this dreadful and sinister punk first. If they were to leave him for later, they were sure they¡¯d have to pay a steep price, even if they outnumbered him.


    They had long forgotten their main objective and were now pointing their weapons at the punk who was holding Savage Moon and standing in a pool of blood.


    Smiling wryly, Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way!¡±


    The next moment, he jumped at the first enemy. The man was startled and rushed to retreat. Even if Zhuo Fan was just in the Qi Condensation Stage and unable to hurt him, the 3rd-grade demonic treasure would cut through him like butter.


    Their leader got such a miserable death for underestimating Zhuo Fan and he wasn¡¯t willing to make the same mistake.


    With eyes fixed on Savage Moon¡¯s trail, the killer grinned. He knew how to deal with Zhuo Fan. Since his speed was superior to Zhuo Fan, all he needed to do was pay attention to Savage Moon, and killing this kid would be a breeze.


    However, just as he was about to jump into action, Savage Moon flashed a silver glow. The light wrapped around Zhuo Fan and then streaked by the killer¡¯s body.


    The killer had no idea what happened and was looking up as his upper half slid to the ground while his lower half stood there unmoving.


    While he fell, he could still see Zhuo Fan¡¯s grim face. Especially the eyes, cold and unfeeling.


    Everyone sucked in a cold breath as they watched Zhuo Fan with dread.


    If one were to say that killing their leader was from a sneak attack, this time around it was a fair fight and yet Zhuo Fan still killed a Bone Tempering expert in an instant.


    When the silver light flashed again, he was so fast that none of the killers had time to react before Zhuo Fan felled another.


    Such horrifying speed coupled with the sharp edge of the Savage Moon soaked the backs of the killers in a cold sweat.


    ¡°As you dared to come look for trouble in my domain¡­,¡± Zhuo Fan squinted at each man around him and trailed a finger across his neck as his eyes turned red, ¡°¡­Your lives are forfeited.¡±


    At that moment, all of them paled and stepped back. The fear they felt from his eyes mounted the dread they already had. Their roles began to blur as it became unclear who was the victim and who was the killer.


    The hunter¡¯s and prey¡¯s role were now switched.


    The fatty watched Zhuo Fan¡¯s domineering gaze while being shell-shocked. Then, he was swept by a sudden familiar feeling, the imposing and grand feeling he felt only from his father.


    But what he felt from Zhuo Fan was far more assertive. As if all who dared resist this man would find themselves dead beyond a shred of a doubt.


    The pressure Zhuo Fan¡¯s power released was something that even made him shiver.


    Seeing that they couldn¡¯t contend with Zhuo Fan individually, a killer shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, let¡¯s attack together. He¡¯s just a Qi Condensation punk relying on a 3rd-grade demonic treasure. If we surround him, he¡¯s done for.¡±


    The others nodded as fear eased from their faces, now that they had a plan, they found hope.


    With a cry, the killers jumped at Zhuo Fan closing the net on him.


    Sneering, Zhuo Fan rushed forward without fear as he held Savage Moon. His target swallowed dryly but didn¡¯t retreat since he had men on each side releasing punch at Zhuo Fan.


    If Zhuo Fan pressed on, the killer would die, but so would Zhuo Fan under the joint attack of two Bone Tempering experts.


    But if he retreated instead, it would only work to tighten the net and his death would be just a matter of time.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t plan on dying in this fight, or he would¡¯ve fled a long time ago with the help of Savage Moon¡¯s speed boost.


    Whoosh!


    With a flash of silver, Zhuo Fan vanished from their sights and the punches hit nothing but air. Zhuo Fan then landed right in front of the killer who was standing behind the other two.


    Having not seen this coming, the killer was frightened but soon became elated seeing that Zhuo Fan was not facing him. He didn¡¯t waste this chance and punched towards Zhuo Fan¡¯s defenseless back.


    [Your head is mine, kid.]


    But a silver light flashed by and the man froze.


    In the moment of impending doom, Zhuo Fan swept Savage Moon around him and jumped from their tight circle.


    As for the man behind Zhuo Fan, he watched wide-eyed as his body hit the ground in two pieces, blood and guts spilling everywhere.


    Another one!


    Even under their joint efforts, Zhuo Fan came out unscathed and robbed them of another comrade. Fear in their eyes mounted higher and higher.


    They had some hope before, wishing to kill him with numbers. But that hope was now lost.


    ¡°What kind of freak is he? When did the Seven Noble Houses have such a person?¡± A killer cursed as he felt his knees trembling.


    Secretly sneering, Zhuo Fan squinted his eyes and bathed the world with the killing intent they contained.


    These killers were routed, they lost their nerve and were no longer a threat. Now was the perfect time to end them.


    Zhuo Fan rushed forth with a savage grin.


    Silver light flickered as Zhuo Fan brandished Savage Moon and sent limbs flying with each passing. The killers cried during their futile attempts to evade, having lost any and all will to resist.


    Zhuo Fan was like a wolf among sheep, taking his fill of slaughter and carnage. For the occasional spirited and still brave souls among them, Blood Infant would enter their body and seal their movements. Thus priming them for Zhuo Fan, only to leave them mangled.


    If it was any other day, with Zhuo Fan¡¯s strength and Blood Infant¡¯s help, he could only fight with a single Bone Tempering expert. If another joined, he¡¯d have a hard time reacting to their attacks, let alone killing a dozen.


    But luck had it he got Savage Moon off Elder Yun, whom he killed a month ago.


    This gave him newfound confidence. Savage Moon was just as deadly as Blood Infant was on Bone Tempering experts, perhaps even more. Especially when taking its ability to increase one¡¯s speed into consideration. And all of this was added to Zhuo Fan who already had the skills to skip stages.


    Now that he thought about it, he really ought to thank Hell Valley for throwing such a nice toy in his lap.


    Hearing the Bone Tempering experts¡¯ miserable wails, watching heads and entrails flying about, the fatty remained lifeless from shock. He stood there witnessing the gruesome dance Zhuo Fan was performing with Savage Moon. For these killers to cry and beg for their lives was something unheard of.


    He could hardly believe that the man he recognized as a love rival, the man he challenged, was strong to this degree.


    Recalling their duel, it seemed more like a joke now.


    The Bone Tempering experts were butchered like animals in front of the fatty. [I, a 7th layered Qi Condensation cultivator, dared to issue a challenge, and still was lenient with him while preaching fairness.]


    ¡°Sigh, Yuwen Cong, your lenient act and fairness preaching was meaningless.¡± The fatty shook his head, feeling mournful.


    He had seen many peers among the seven houses who were geniuses and even if he wasn¡¯t stronger than them, he believed their strength wasn¡¯t far from his.


    But Zhuo Fan showed him today what the saying ¡®a man above man, and a sky above a sky¡¯ meant.


    Those geniuses were nothing but trash by comparison. Furthermore, the gap was so huge at such a young age¡­


    Long Kui covered her mouth experiencing the greatest shock she ever felt.


    This was the first time she saw Zhuo Fan fighting. She had heard of him killing two Profound Heaven experts, but doubt still existed. This notion was far too outrageous for anyone to believe.


    But watching him fight today, left this young miss stunned.


    The cruelty, the overbearing eyes, it was as if a demon had descended, one which was capable of scaring and overpowering even Bone Tempering experts.


    Whoosh!


    When Zhuo Fan finally stopped, Savage Moon in his hand was dripping blood. The dry earth around him had become a wide pool of blood.


    A killer shivered as he watched the Savage Moon¡¯s fall with dread. His legs were severed, but the pain wasn¡¯t registered as begging was all that was left on his mind.


    Not sparing him a glance, Zhuo Fan asked coldly, ¡°Who sent you?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t reflect an ounce of pity towards any living creature in this world, only coldness.


    The killer looked around to see his dead brothers and fear swept his heart. He didn¡¯t know where to begin describing the savagery and cruelty of this youth before him. This youth was, in all sense of the word, a demon.


    The killer¡¯s heart was in shambles.


    ¡°I-it¡¯s¡­¡±


    But a sudden whistling sound was heard and the killer¡¯s eyes lost its light.


    ¡°Killing with intent, a Radiant Stage expert!¡±


    Zhuo Fan drew a cold breath. His bottomless and cold eyes now showed a ripple of panic¡­

 Chapter 46 - Alliance

    The whistling sound was heard clearly by everyone, but none could afford to slack their guard. On the contrary, each felt their heart in their throat.


    A Radiant Stage expert was able to kill with divine intent alone. This was an enemy Zhuo Fan wouldn¡¯t be able to defeat even with Blood Infant and Savage Moon.


    An icy shiver traveled down his spine as Zhuo Fan turned more and more serious.


    Whoosh!


    The whistle stopped suddenly and a pair of steps echoed. Zhuo Fan and the other two forgot to breathe. Their eyes were fixed towards the sound¡¯s location.


    But when the person came out into the open, the fatty was stunned for a second before shouting, ¡°Teacher, how come you¡¯re here?¡±


    Long Kui cried with joy, ¡°Senior Fang, what brought you here?¡±


    Zhuo Fan saw the two recognizing the new entrant and began sizing him up.


    The man had a goatee and looked like he was in his sixties. He was dressed in a blue robe and had a sword strapped to his back. All this time he was smiling as the green jade flute revolved in his hand.


    The jade flute shocked Zhuo Fan. He remembered something and asked, ¡°Are you one of the five Divine Dragons, the guardians of the imperial family, Jade Flute Divine Sword, Fang Qiubai?¡±


    Zhuo Fan heard Long Jiu mention that even if the imperial family could no longer control the seven houses, they could still persevere, all thanks to the five Divine Dragons. Each was a peak Radiant Stage expert whom none of the seven houses would dare mess with.


    Among them, there was a man known as the First Divine Sword, and he was Fang Qiubai, Jade Flute Divine Sword.


    He boasted himself as having united the sword and the flute as one, that his sword followed the sound and turned it into sword intent. One time, he singlehandedly defeated five Radiant Stage experts with a sword strike, forcing the seven houses to forget about testing him while also spreading his name to the four corners of the world.


    The man raised an eyebrow and watched Zhuo Fan with a profound look before nodding.


    With laughter, Long Jiu appeared before everyone, ¡°Wasn¡¯t I right? This kid has sharp eyes. I only mentioned you once and he already recognized you.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Jiu!¡±


    Long Kui was overjoyed as she ran to him, ¡°When did you and Senior Fang arrive? Why didn¡¯t you come out sooner?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, we¡¯ve been here since Brother Zhuo and the 3rd Prince¡¯s duel.¡±


    Long Jiu turned to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Brother Zhuo, you¡¯re quite something to keep a straight face against a dozen Bone Tempering experts. When I was your age, I certainly lacked the courage you showed today. I truly admire you!¡±


    Long Kui pouted while casting a side glance towards Zhuo Fan.


    Seeing Zhuo Fan in action had her convinced, but admitting it was a whole nother matter.


    ¡°Master, with you two seniors here, why didn¡¯t you act? You almost worried your student to death.¡± Fatty clapped his fat chest, ¡°It mattered little what happened to me, but what if Sister Kui got hurt?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, and miss a good show?¡±


    Fang Qiubai laughed, eyeing the calm and collected Zhuo Fan, ¡°Moreover, I¡¯ve never seen such a genius¡¯ marvelous display before.¡±


    ¡°Senior, you¡¯re too kind!¡±


    Zhuo Fan cupped his hands, but his face was stone-cold, ¡°I¡¯m only curious, why did senior kill the last one? Is it¡­¡±


    Fang Qiubai squinted and his smile turned fake as he spoke in a frosty tone, ¡°Youngster, you are exceptionally sharp, but your strength might turn this advantage into a flaw.¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan laughed and cupped his hands, ¡°Junior thanks for senior¡¯s lesson. Junior has already forgotten this encounter.¡±


    Zhuo Fan picked up on Fang Qiubai¡¯s warning. He did not wield enough power to poke his nose in their conflict. The man had silenced the killer to protect him.


    Fang Qiubai took one more long look at him and his admiration grew, ¡°You¡¯re not only smart but also know when to retreat; how rare. What a surprise, finding someone like you in the mortal world yet outside the seven houses. If you weren¡¯t a demonic cultivator, something I am unsuited with, I would¡¯ve wanted to teach you for two years and make your future limitless.¡±


    Long Kui and fatty were shocked.


    Outsiders may not know who Fang Qiubai was, but the seven houses were crystal clear on his character. Who among the Heads of the seven houses didn¡¯t want to have their child under his tutelage?


    But this old man was stubborn as a mule, not giving them any attention.


    Even if the Emperor were to request him on behalf of his sons, he¡¯d act no differently. He¡¯d been teaching the fatty for three years because Fang Qiubai appreciated his strong will, yet the fatty barely learned a few moves. But it wasn¡¯t enough to accept him as a disciple.


    Yet the first time he laid eyes on Zhuo Fan, Fang Qiubai took the initiative to invite him. If the two had walked the same cultivation path, Zhuo Fan would¡¯ve been Divine Sword¡¯s first disciple.


    Wherever he¡¯d go, if any seven houses¡¯ disciples saw him, they¡¯d have to bow down to him.


    Long Jiu saw the two kids¡¯ shock and surmised their thoughts with a shake of his head. [These kids are yet to reach our level. So they don¡¯t know the meaning of rare find.]


    With Zhuo Fan¡¯s talent, any expert who saw him would want to take him as a disciple. Even if one was unrivaled in the world, to pass on his mantle he needed to find the best disciple suited for his legacy.


    The greater the strength of the expert the higher the expectation!


    But Zhuo Fan shook his head at this and even sneered.


    Forget about Fang Qiubai not accepting him because of cultivation path difference, even if he could be accepted, he¡¯d still refuse. As a Demonic Emperor, the only one worthy of him calling Master was an Emperor Stage expert.


    Fang Qiubai was reluctant to let Zhuo Fan pass by him but, in the end, he took fatty and left, ¡°Long Jiu, 3rd Prince still has a task to complete, so I¡¯m taking him with me.¡±


    Fang Qiubai and fatty disappeared the moment he finished.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Fatty still wanted to say something to Long Kui and Zhuo Fan, but it was too late. One second his anxious face was there, and the next it was gone.


    ¡°So fast!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was shocked, then he hardened his resolve. He had to reach Radiant Stage as soon as possible to guarantee his safety in his travels across the continent.


    ¡°Brother Zhuo.¡±


    Long Jiu walked to Zhuo Fan with a solemn face, ¡°Come with me to Veiled Dragon Pavilion, there¡¯s something I have for you.¡±


    Smiling wryly, Zhuo Fan nodded. He had anticipated this.


    Fifteen minutes later, Zhuo Fan and Long Jiu were in Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s meeting room and Long Jiu pushed an unwilling Long Kui to guard the door outside. Long Jiu took out a sheepskin branded with four dragon marks.


    The first words that Zhuo Fan recognized were alliance agreement.


    Skimming through it, a pleasing smile bloomed on his face.


    This was what he aimed for from the start, an alliance between Veiled Dragon Pavilion and the Luo clan. Veiled Dragon Pavilion would not only become a support for the Luo clan but would also provide resources without any conditions attached.


    If the agreement came into effect, he¡¯d be worry-free from any outside attacks and would have the time to develop the Luo clan into a great power.


    Long Jiu was a bit astounded, ¡°Why do I feel like you knew this was coming?¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled.


    It had nothing to do with predicting, but planning.


    Once he settled on having Veiled Dragon Pavilion as an ally, he used the ancient array diagram to entice Long Jiu, then took advantage of Veiled Dragon Pavilion in sticking its neck out for him.


    But that wasn¡¯t an alliance, it was just the Luo clan seeking shelter. When faced with great danger, Veiled Dragon Pavilion would¡¯ve kicked them out.


    To avoid the worst outcome, he and Veiled Dragon Pavilion fought side by side and even killed two Profound Heaven elders. He risked offending the Hell Valley to show the potential of the Luo clan.


    His aim was an alliance agreement of equals.


    If he were alone, he would¡¯ve avoided showing off by fighting two Profound Heaven experts and amassed fortune instead.


    If Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Pavilion Lord was a man of vision, he¡¯d choose alliance. Because he would know that the alliance offered now was like fire in winter for the Luo clan. But if offered in the future, it would be more like decoration, one among many.


    As such, Zhuo Fan made a daring gambit. Gambling if the Pavilion Lord was a man of ambition who did not bother with trifles, and willing to make an ally out of a fallen clan.


    Fortunately, he won.


    Of course, if he lost, then Zhuo Fan would cross Veiled Dragon Pavilion from the list of future potential allies. Just because their leader lacked the bravery and ambition of one.


    Zhuo Fan smiled as he rolled up the sheepskin, ¡°I will now take it to Young miss for signing.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± Long Jiu gripped his shoulder, ¡°Sign it here and now!¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°I¡¯m not the Clan Head. Signing it as a Steward will make it void.¡±


    With a sly smirk, Long Jiu looked at Zhuo Fan in the eye, ¡°Pavilion Lord said this agreement is not with the Luo clan, but with Zhuo Fan.¡±


    Frowning, Zhuo Fan stared hard at Long Jiu.


    ¡°Wherever Zhuo Fan is, that place is Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s ally!¡± Long Jiu spoke, ¡°This is Pavilion Lord¡¯s intent!¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned, then smiled with a nod.


    ¡°Pavilion Lord sure is ambitious, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    In the dead of night, Zhuo Fan returned to the small courtyard and looked for Captain Pang, ¡°Old Pang, where¡¯s missy, I¡¯m looking for her.¡±


    Sighing, Old Pang muttered, ¡°I¡¯ll take you to her.¡±


    Zhuo Fan was taken aback but followed nonetheless.


    The two entered the kitchen and Zhuo Fan looked at Captain Pang in puzzlement when the latter pointed at Luo Yunchang.


    Zhuo Fan saw the chaos inside the kitchen and Luo Yunchang, who had fallen asleep next to the stove. Her face even had traces of soot.


    ¡°Sigh, Young miss kept asking the cook for guidance from morning till late into the night.¡± Captain Pang sighed, blaming Zhuo Fan a little.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, I know of your skill, and that Young miss and Young master do not enter your eyes. But you must know, Young miss worked hard day in day out for a whole month to cook for you so that you could have them when you come out of seclusion. But her efforts were not appreciated instead she received your harsh criticization. Any girl would¡¯ve been devastated after such a response¡­¡±


    Ignoring Captain Pang¡¯s rant, Zhuo Fan walked next to the stove where the few dishes Luo Yunchang made laid. Compared to those at noon, these dishes were almost burned.


    Zhuo Fan took a bite and shook his head, ¡°She has no talent whatsoever.¡±


    ¡°Sigh, even so, at least show some consideration for her work.¡± Captain Pang rebuked as he walked next to the dishes and tried one, ¡°How hard can it be to swallow?¡±


    He also took a bite and chewed it just once before spitting it right back out.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, Steward Zhuo, Young miss is inept at cooking. Sorry for blaming you.¡± Captain Pang wiped his mouth and walked out with a red face.


    But when he turned back, he saw Zhuo Fan taking one bite after another, and even savoring it.


    ¡°Uh, Steward Zhuo, don¡¯t force yourself. Ignore what I said. Now that I¡¯ve also tried Young miss¡¯ cooking, it¡¯s indeed¡­¡± Captain Pang¡¯s mouth clamped shut and his face twisted.


    ¡°I¡¯m just a bit hungry.¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled as he ate everything¡­

 Chapter 47 - Imperial Family’s Invitation

    In the morning, a ray of sunshine entered the small courtyard¡¯s kitchen.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyelids trembled as she opened her drowsy eyes. She looked around the kitchen and smiled dejectedly.


    Last night, she was so tired after cooking that she fell asleep in the kitchen itself.


    Even if anyone caught wind of this, no one would believe it. A Qi Condensation cultivator tiring herself out from cooking? But the truth was she was too fatigued that she would rather pick cultivation instead of cooking.


    Just as she was getting up, she froze. Someone had put a plain cover on her and her back wasn¡¯t leaning on the hard stove but on something soft instead.


    Pursing her lips, she turned her head only to see a sleeping Zhuo Fan leaning on her. And what kept her back soft was his arm.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Luo Yunchang was about to yelp but she covered her mouth. It never crossed her mind that Zhuo Fan would spend the night with her here.


    Blushing, Luo Yunchang observed his face and wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. Young miss¡¯ red lips were inching ever closer to his face.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, Young miss¡­¡±


    A sudden rough shout came from Captain Pang. Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyelids trembled and were about to open.


    Luo Yunchang immediately laid her head back on his shoulder and faked sleeping without budging. Just that her red face betrayed her as if she¡¯d done something she shouldn¡¯t.


    Zhuo Fan opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and frowned when he saw Captain Pang coming in, ¡°Old Pang, what¡¯s the rush?¡±


    ¡°Uh, Brother Zhuo, Young miss¡­¡± Captain Pang pointed at Luo Yunchang with shock.


    Zhuo Fan turned to see Luo Yunchang¡¯s red and shivering face. He touched her forehead, ¡°It¡¯s burning up. Did she catch a cold?¡±


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan blamed himself.


    Last night, he wanted to take Luo Yunchang back to her room, but afraid of waking her up, he chose to watch over her in the kitchen. He didn¡¯t think sleep would cast its spell on him too.


    ¡°Old Pang, say what you came to say. Meanwhile, I¡¯ll take this missy back to her room.¡±


    Zhuo Fan carried Luo Yunchang, but Old Pang was panicking, ¡°You can¡¯t, brother Zhuo. Someone wants to invite Young miss for a chat. Someone we can¡¯t offend.¡±


    ¡°What can¡¯t offend? She won¡¯t be going even if the Veiled Dragon Pavilion asked.¡± Zhuo Fan snapped, ¡°Can¡¯t you see she has lost consciousness? She must be sick. Wait for a bit and I¡¯ll go see the guest.¡±


    ¡°Sigh, brother Zhuo, Steward Zhuo, Young miss must go meet him in person. He bears the Imperial Golden Seal.¡±  Captain Pang shouted.


    Zhuo Fan stopped.


    Only the Imperial family¡¯s guards had this seal. Even the seven houses¡¯ leaders would have to respond at once or they¡¯d have committed a grave crime. The lightest punishment was death, while the harshest was dragging one¡¯s whole clan with him.


    Of course, with the Seven Noble Houses¡¯ power, the Imperial family would refrain from resorting to such methods. But that didn¡¯t apply to a fallen clan like them.


    Zhuo Fan squinted and thought it through, ¡°Old Pang, tell him Young miss is unwell and that he should come back tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Captain Pang¡¯s heart jumped in fright.


    [That person carries the Emperor¡¯s edict. If you do this, it is the same as saying you don¡¯t want to talk to him.]


    But Zhuo Fan had it thought out. Thinking back to last night, he guessed the one calling him over was that fatty¡¯s guard.


    The fatty was a good man and wouldn¡¯t let emotions cloud his judgment, slaughtering innocents left and right.


    ¡°Do what I said, now!¡± Zhuo Fan raised his voice.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Luo Yunchang yelled, struggling out of Zhuo Fan¡¯s embrace and spoke with a stern face, ¡°Captain Pang, tell him to wait a moment to make myself presentable.¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    Captain Pang bowed and secretly rejoiced. [Thank god, Young miss woke up or who knew how much trouble brother Zhuo¡¯s arrangement would¡¯ve stirred up.]


    [But this Steward Zhuo sure is dauntless. If I were to follow his words, I¡¯ll die of fright.]


    Captain Pang shook his head and left.


    Zhuo Fan watched Luo Yunchang skeptically. [How did she regain consciousness all of a sudden?]


    Luo Yunchang rolled her eyes, ¡°Why are you so reckless? Is the Imperial family someone you can offend?¡±


    To avoid him noticing anything, Luo Yunchang rushed away. Zhuo Fan was left to walk alone to the living room, with doubt in his heart.


    He met with the man carrying the seal, a peak Qi Condensation cultivator. He was one of the porters to fatty¡¯s palanquin.


    ¡°Are you Steward Zhuo? My master is inviting you and Young miss Luo for a talk.¡±


    The envoy cupped his hands, but the prideful attitude never left him. And either on purpose or otherwise, the Imperial Golden Seal flashed on his waist. Perhaps he was afraid they¡¯d mistake him for someone other than the Imperial family¡¯s guard.


    Zhuo Fan snorted, [You¡¯re still soft thinking you can fake your arrogance around me. When I was faking it, you were still but an egg in your mother¡¯s belly.]


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t even look at him as he slumped in a chair, one leg over the other.


    The envoy¡¯s eyes swelled with rage.


    ¡°Is the fatty¡¯s injury healed?¡± Zhuo Fan asked in passing.


    [Fatty?] The man was stunned.


    Then it hit him that Zhuo Fan was calling his master fatty. But the number of people in this world who dared to call him that was less than ten.


    [Then he and master are¡­]


    His heart started beating a mile a minute and the arrogance was gone from his eyes, ¡°My master did not mention any injury when he returned last night.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, then laughed, ¡°He must be thinking of his image. I punched him thirty-odd times yesterday and kicked him a dozen times more. There¡¯s no way he¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think so too? That fatty must be faking it so you guys won¡¯t laugh at him, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Zhuo Fan quirked his eyebrows at the man.


    The envoy¡¯s lips twitched, unable to respond. But he was embarrassed nonetheless.


    ¡°Right, was that old goat Fang Qiubai still angry after he arrived?¡± Zhuo Fan looked at him carefully this time.


    But the envoy just shook his head.


    Fang Qiubai returned with his master yesterday and only then did they find out about Fang Qiubai¡¯s arrival. Since Zhuo Fan knew this before them, it spoke how close he was with his master.


    At this point, the envoy stashed the seal in his pants. It worked well in scaring some, but it was best to not make a fool of himself in front of such a Young master like Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Great!¡±


    Seeing the envoy shaking his head, Zhuo Fan rejoiced, ¡°Perhaps you don¡¯t know but that old goat wanted to take me as a disciple. If not for my staunch heart and me choosing death over kneeling, the old goat would¡¯ve taken me away by now. I still thought he was angry and was going to come nag me again. Now that I know he isn¡¯t, I can rest easy. That old goat understands my predicament.¡±


    ¡°What, Fang Qiubai wanted to take you as a disciple?¡±


    The man shouted as his legs went soft and collapsed.


    [Heavens! Who the hell is this Young master? He is a friend that beat up master and also someone wanted as a disciple by Jade Flute Divine Sword Fang Qiubai, who the Emperor shows respect to?]


    Zhuo Fan secretly sneered, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why fall over?¡±


    ¡°Let me help you!¡± Zhuo Fan said so but showed no intention of moving.


    The envoy was sharp enough to get back on his feet while waving his hand, ¡°No need, Steward Zhuo, I don¡¯t dare ask you of such a favor. I am not worthy.¡±


    ¡°Humph, a servant¡¯s instinct!¡± Zhuo Fan disdained, ¡°You call helping you get up, a favor?¡±


    ¡°Might you be the Emperor¡¯s envoy?¡±


    Luo Yunchang, dressed to impress, walked before him and bowed. The envoy rushed to kowtow, ¡°You are making it hard on me. Please don¡¯t be so courteous. If master heard I was disrespectful to his friends, he will punish me.¡±


    Luo Yunchang was at a loss and turned to Zhuo Fan, who just shrugged.


    But Captain Pang, who was behind her, was stunned silly at the sight of the envoy¡¯s courteous attitude.


    [Where¡¯s your previous haughty attitude? Spouting something like if Young miss didn¡¯t come to see you in fifteen minutes, you¡¯d be executing all of us. Why the sudden change of tones?]


    But even this change was too outrageous and polite.


    Captain Pang eyed Zhuo Fan who only sported a puzzling smile.


    Old Pang figured Steward Zhuo had something to do with it and gave him a thumbs up.


    [Only Steward Zhuo can make an Imperial family¡¯s guard kowtow to our Young miss.]


    Zhuo Fan dismissed the envoy¡¯s courtesy, ¡°Why is that fatty calling me?¡±


    ¡°I-I do not know. I was only ordered to invite Windgaze City¡¯s Cai clan, Lei clan and Luo clan.¡± The envoy spoke with extreme politeness.


    Zhuo Fan squinted.


    [It seems that the Hell Valley targeting the three clans must have something to do with the Imperial family¡­]

 Chapter 48 - Thousand

    In a peaceful location within the forest, a kilometre from Windgaze City, stood a remote courtyard. The four guards posted at the door were Bone Tempering experts.


    Zhuo Fan and Luo Yunchang came along with Luo Yunhai and Captain Pang with the envoy as their guide.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, Young miss Luo, please enter!¡±


    The man was very polite. He opened the door, stood to the side and bowed for them to pass. The other guards frowned with doubt and a flicker of scorn in their eyes.


    They were Imperial family¡¯s guards, always welcomed with bows and courtesy everywhere.


    But this guy went to invite some no-name Clan Heads and even bowed down before them. He was seen as a disgrace by his fellow guards.


    The man picked up on scorn, but he just smirked.


    [How can idiots know the importance these people hold?]


    [Steward Zhuo is master¡¯s friend, who even Senior Fang Qiubai has his eyes on. He needs to say just one word and he¡¯d be Fang Qiubai¡¯s disciple. Even the Emperor will have to show respect then.]


    [As for the other three, they¡¯re Steward Zhuo¡¯s friends. We can¡¯t show any disrespect even to them.]


    Secretly snorting, the envoy still showed a flattering smile as he guided them inside.


    They soon arrived at a garden.


    A single pavilion laid in the middle with a stone table inside. Fatty sat in the seat of honor and behind him stood Jade Flute Divine Sword, Fang Qiubai.


    On one side of the fatty was Lei Yuntian, with Lei Yuting and Xiao Cui behind him. On the other, it was Cai Rong and his son, Cai Xiaoting.


    There were two additional empty stools around the table, for Zhuo Fan and Luo Yunchang.


    ¡°This must be a meeting of the three Clan Heads.¡± Zhuo Fan rubbed his nose and took a step back, letting Luo Yunhai take the lead.


    ¡°Bro Zhuo¡­¡±


    Luo Yunhai didn¡¯t understand, while Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Show them the dignity of a Clan Head, and don¡¯t let them look down on you.¡±


    Luo Yunhai understood as Luo Yunchang showed a grateful look.


    It was clear this meeting was between the three Clan Heads and the Imperial family. But after the events over the past few months, all of Windgaze City knew that Luo clan¡¯s true Clan Head was Zhuo Fan.


    Even the Imperial family might be considering Zhuo Fan as the master of the Luo clan.


    Zhuo Fan did this now so that he did not exceed his authority, and was letting Luo clan come into the light. He wanted to state the fact Luo clan¡¯s Clan Head was still named Luo.


    ¡°Please, come in.¡±


    The envoy saw the 3rd prince and bowed ninety degrees towards Zhuo Fan in a show of respect he had for his master¡¯s friend.


    But this had a different effect on everyone. The fatty was stunned, [Since when were the Imperial family¡¯s guards so humble?]


    Cai clan and Lei clan were of the same opinion.


    When this guard came to invite them, he was brazen, cocky and flaunting, not carrying in the least who he was talking to. But towards the Luo clan, he treated them like guests.


    The two clans felt apprehensive in their hearts, they were even more envious. They were all clans of Windgaze City yet the treatment was worlds apart.


    Only Fang Qiubai smiled, guessing Zhuo Fan might have twisted facts to scare the envoy. But this only worked to admire him more.


    Under the envoy¡¯s polite call, the Luo clan stepped into the pavilion. Luo Yunchang greeted the fatty, ¡°I am Luo Yunchang, greetings, Your Highness!¡±


    On the way here, the envoy told them of his master. The others followed Luo Yunchang in showing respect. But Zhuo Fan just shrugged.


    The fatty only waved, not taking Zhuo Fan¡¯s disrespect seriously, ¡°Please sit.¡±


    Luo Yunchang and her brother took a seat, while Zhuo Fan and Captain Pang stood behind them.


    Fatty threw a long look towards Zhuo Fan, secretly nodding. [Great authority, but without any arrogance. He is a loyal subject!]


    Fang Qiubai smiled with praise in his eyes.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s conduct was etched in the two¡¯s hearts. Wielding his martial prowess to protect his master, and courteous enough to defend his master¡¯s honor. In the eyes of the Imperial family, he was a rare and valuable official.


    The fatty began, ¡°I have invited the three Clan Heads today per the Imperial edict to reveal to you the thousand-years-old relationship between the three clans.¡±


    Everyone was focused on fatty¡¯s next words.


    ¡°The three Clan Heads must have each received an instruction from the previous Clan Head, to not make an enemy out of each other. And perhaps even mentioned about helping one another.¡±


    Fatty stood up, ¡°Moreover, the three clan¡¯s power must never leave Windgaze City until the pearls shine.¡±


    Cai Rong and Lei Yuntian watched the fatty in puzzlement. Luo Yunchang got a nod from her brother and also looked puzzled.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, in fact, this is an agreement between the founding Imperial family a thousand years ago and the three Clan Heads of that time, known as Secret Pearl Order.¡± Fatty smiled and his eyes flashed, ¡°Cai clan, Luo clan, Lei clan and the Seven Noble Houses are the same, they are all loyal officials, founders of the empire.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Like a bomb was thrown on them, the three clan¡¯s representatives were shell shocked. They never thought that their origins were the same as the seven houses. But why had they fallen so low that they could only stay in Windgaze City as mortal clans?


    The fatty turned a bit bashful, guessing their thoughts, ¡°Sorry, this is what our Yumen clan owes you.¡±


    Sighing, fatty continued, ¡°At that time, Tianyu Empire was just established and was shaky, with unrest among its people. The Great Ancestor and founder sent his seven ministers across the kingdom to employ autonomous administration and settle the land. This gave them enough power to make them equal to the Imperial family. They later became the Seven Noble Houses.¡±


    ¡°In just twenty years, the seven houses grew exponentially, and their greed ignited a war among them. The Imperial family could no longer keep them in check and had to employ schemes in weakening them. The seven houses were ultimately aware that there will be no winners in their war and ceased fire. But the aftermath was cruel. The people were suffering, the empire was mourning, and it was just one step away from collapsing.¡±


    ¡°But how is this connected to us?¡± Zhuo Fan frowned.


    Taking a deep breath, fatty straightened his back, ¡°Everyone, to be honest, your clans are founders of our empire. If your elders were still sitting in the Imperial court, they would be no less famous than the Four Pillars!¡±


    Everyone sucked in a cold breath.


    Four Pillars were the support of the Tianyu Empire, leading the military, economy, politics, external affairs¡­ They were the only ones capable of resisting the seven houses.


    There was a rumor, the Four Pillars¡¯ power was so strong it struck fear in the Imperial family.


    Imperial family, Four Pillars and the Seven Noble Houses represented the empire¡¯s highest power, but also restricting each other in a delicate balance. If one side tips, the balance would crumble and the empire would fall.


    No one could believe that their ancestors were so amazing and capable of becoming the empire¡¯s Four Pillars of today.


    The fatty lost his smile at this point, ¡°The Great Ancestor at the time set up the Secret Pearl Order with your ancestors to prevent another war from breaking out among the seven houses. The Emperor used all kinds of excuses to demote your ancestors to Windgaze City and become common clans. But the Imperial family could, at any time, combine the three clans into a great clan equal to the rank of the seven houses. This would occur only when war broke out again between the seven houses. Then this new clan would add balance to the equation, to save as many lives as possible.¡±


    ¡°But, even if an eighth house were to appear, it cannot stop the seven houses.¡± Luo Yunchang voiced her doubts.


    Zhuo Fan cut fatty off with a smile before he could speak, ¡°Young miss, the eighth house¡¯s purpose isn¡¯t to stop them but to add balance. A war breaks out only when one side has absolute confidence in winning it. But a war in which winning was possible at a heavy cost won¡¯t happen unless the two sides hated each other to the bone. Sometimes, when two power starts a conflict, it is very easily solved, since no one wants to suffer irreparable damages.¡±


    Luo Yunchang nodded, and the fatty praised Zhuo Fan, ¡°Steward Zhuo is amazing. Luo clan will rise for sure in your capable hands.¡±


    Cai Rong¡¯s lips twitched from the regret he felt.


    If he hadn¡¯t offended Zhuo Fan, he might¡¯ve been able to rope him. This kid was a genius seen once in a thousand years.


    ¡°3rd Prince, we know of the relationship between the three clans. What I want to know is, how are you going to secure our rise to the eighth seat.¡± Zhuo Fan stared at the fatty.


    Raising his brow, the fatty nodded in admiration, ¡°That¡¯s Steward Zhuo for you, hitting the nail on the head.¡±


    ¡°Of course, the Imperial family¡¯s power is enough to make a clan rise in a short time. The hard part though is how to keep it hidden!¡±  Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°You think the seven houses would just watch us rise up to their level?¡±


    Cai Rong and Lei Yuntian¡¯s backs went cold with sweat.


    They were elated that their ancestors had been Imperial court officials. They were thinking, [My clan will receive the Imperial family¡¯s support to rise above a common clan.]


    But Zhuo Fan brought them down to earth.


    Not to mention growing stronger, the seven houses wouldn¡¯t even let the new clan grow to their level. They would be destroyed while they were at their weakest.


    Cai Rong and Lei Yuntian were grateful for Zhuo Fan¡¯s reminder.


    The Imperial family wanted the seven houses¡¯ power in balance, but the three of them wanted to survive.


    Cai Rong had to admire Zhuo Fan¡¯s prudent mind¡­

 Chapter 49 - Three Clans As One

    After muttering under his breath for a while, the fatty spoke, ¡°This was settled at the moment the secret order was given. What is a clan¡¯s foundation? Spirit stones, pills? No, these are support items. Strength is the best guarantee of a powerful clan.¡±


    ¡°Veiled Dragon Pavilion has its nine outstanding elders, Hell Valley has its twelve elders as overseers. Each of the seven houses has its own strength. Also, every one of them has invited a Venerable. Along with other secret weapons they¡¯re holding, even we, the Imperial family, don¡¯t dare stir them.¡±


    Fatty¡¯s eyes then shined like a radiant sun, ¡°At the time, in order to paralyze the seven houses, Great Ancestor confiscated the wealth of your clans. This is why none of you has any decent cultivation method and martial arts. It was also because of this reason the seven houses withdrew their surveillance on you five hundred years ago.¡±


    ¡°Yet none of them would have thought that you all are still holding a low profound ranked martial art.¡± Fatty showed a sneaky smile, ¡°With this martial art all of you can become strong. Even the seven houses only have one or two profound ranked martial arts.¡±


    The three clans were amazed.


    When did they have such a martial art? If they had it, they¡¯d have used it to grow strong by now.


    Only Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes rolled about, recalling something.


    With a vague smile, fatty¡¯s hand flashed and revealed a green jade slip, ¡°This is a low mortal ranked martial art, Combining Art. By itself, it holds no value, but if you use it along with your clans¡¯ spirit ranked martial arts you inherited, you can combine them into a single martial art of the profound rank.¡±


    ¡°In other words, Luo clan¡¯s Returning Dragon Palm, Cai clan¡¯s Wind Kick, and Lei clan¡¯s Lightning Finger were originally one single martial art that the Imperial family split among the three clans. And only the Imperial family knew the way to restore it.¡± Zhuo Fan squinted.


    Fatty was shocked but then nodded, ¡°Steward Zhuo is wise. There aren¡¯t many martial arts which are capable of splitting other martial arts, and the number of martial arts that can restore them are even lesser. I didn¡¯t think Steward Zhuo would know of this. If imperial father hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I would¡¯ve never found out.¡±


    Zhuo Fan just smiled.


    Perhaps because the splitting martial arts were uncommon even at the mortal rank, each sect in the Sacred Domain seized them. They split their core martial arts to prevent degenerate disciples from spreading it. Only the sect leader¡¯s disciple had the right to learn the entire set of martial arts.


    Zhuo Fan turned to look at Cai clan and Lei clan. They were startled, but their eyes showed deep regret.


    Perhaps because they were negligent in safeguarding their inherited martial arts and let the Hell Valley steal them. Especially with regards to Cai clan, who were quick to give it away.


    [It must be really eating Cai Rong inside right now!]


    ¡°Clan Heads, please take out your inherited martial arts.¡± Fatty placed the jade slip on the table with a smile.


    But only Luo Yunchang took out her clan¡¯s martial art. After Lei Yuting got to know of Yang Ming¡¯s treachery, she gave back the Returning Dragon Palm to Luo Yunchang. But the other clan heads looked at each other in shame.


    Fatty frowned as he stared at them.


    Sighing, Lei Yuntian cupped his hands, ¡°Your Highness, I was unable to protect my ancestor¡¯s martial art from Hell Valley¡¯s thieving hands. I accept Your Highness¡¯ punishment.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Fatty slapped the table.


    Cai Rong also cupped his hands, ¡°Your Highness¡­ I am the same¡­¡±


    Fatty¡¯s body shivered in rage, ¡°Y-you, just how are you both Clan Heads? Have you forgotten your ancestor¡¯s instructions? You should have defended it with your lives.¡±


    The two kneeled, ¡°Please forgive us, Your Highness.¡±


    Fatty sighed as he scratched his head.


    Cai Rong peeked at him, ¡°Your Highness, can¡¯t the Imperial family bestow us another profound ranked martial art?¡±


    ¡°Bestow your mom!¡±


    Fatty couldn¡¯t hold it in and began raining curses and spitting all over Cai Rong¡¯s kneeling figure, ¡°What do you take profound ranked martial arts for, cabbage? Even the Imperial family has only four of them. And they¡¯re each registered. If I take one out, everyone will know. How are your clans gonna rise then?¡±


    ¡°You dumb pig, are you tired of living?¡± Fatty gave Cai Rong a round of slapping then stomped his feet.


    Cai Rong curled up and shivered on the ground.


    ¡°What now, what now? The Secret Pearl Order is ruined!¡± Fatty paced around.


    Zhuo Fan smirked and two jade slips appeared with a flash in his hand, ¡°3rd Prince, there¡¯s no need to worry. I have their clans¡¯ martial arts.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    The two Clan Heads shouted in unison, staring dumbfounded in Zhuo Fan¡¯s direction. Cai Rong in particular, having not witnessed Zhuo Fan¡¯s prowess, was incredulous at what was happening.


    Lei Yuntian gave Zhuo Fan a thankful nod. If not for him, not only Lei clan wouldn¡¯t recover, they¡¯d even be executed in a fit of anger by 3rd Prince.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo, you truly are amazing. I see why Elder Jiu of Veiled Dragon Pavilion speaks so highly of you!¡± Fatty was overjoyed, and ran into Zhuo Fan for a bear hug, ¡°If not for you, I would¡¯ve failed Imperial Father¡¯s task. I owe you one.¡±


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°This is all for the Luo clan!¡±


    ¡°Yes, right, for the Luo clan and for me, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Fatty slapped Zhuo Fan¡¯s shoulder, then gathered the four jade slips, ¡°Now that we have the martial arts, next is the merger of the three clans. According to the Great Ancestor¡¯s Secret Pearl Order, two clans are to merge with the strongest. And the profound ranked martial art will be in the Clan Head¡¯s care. As such, you¡­¡±


    ¡°Your Highness,¡± Cai Rong seemed hyped as he jumped to his feet, ¡°Luo clan has little strength and only four members, and Lei clan is on the verge of collapse, only my Cai clan is flourishing. As such, I will begrudgingly accept this responsibility and support them under my clan¡¯s wing. As of now, I will take Lei and Luo clan as Cai clan¡¯s disciples and assist the Imperial family in fulfilling the secret edict.¡±


    As he finished speaking, Cai Rong reached for the jade slips but a rough hand stopped him. Lei Yuntian glared at him as he asked.


    ¡°Cai Rong, how can a Bone Tempering cultivator be enough to act as Clan Head?¡±


    ¡°Humph, so what? Based on strength, my clan is the best.¡± Cai Rong raised his brows.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so sure.¡± Lei Yuntian sneered at Cai Rong and looked at Lei Yunting. She showed a proud smile and stepped forward, ¡°Clan Head Cai, in this last month, I gathered all the scattered Blackwind Mountain¡¯s men. We have six hundred men, half of them are in Qi Condensation. Based on strength alone, the Cai clan is weaker.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, so what if you¡¯re strong? You¡¯re just bandits!¡±


    Cai Xiaoting laughed at her, ¡°Lei clan is but a rabble of thugs! If you take the role of Clan Head, we¡¯ll only be the seven houses¡¯ laughingstock, never will we be able to reach their level.¡±


    ¡°Who are you calling a thug? You want a piece of me?¡±


    ¡°You say you¡¯re not, thug granny?¡±


    In an instant, the Lei and Cai clans started fighting for the leader¡¯s position. Zhuo Fan was secretly sneering at the side.


    [This new clan is just being established, and it was still a question if it could survive. Yet these bunch of idiots are plagued with delusions of grandeur that they could hold their own against the seven houses.]


    Fatty and Fang Qiubai mocked the quarrelling clans with their eyes.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s face burned in anger. They were fighting against each other while ignoring the Luo clan. It clearly showed that they thought little of her clan.


    Although they were but four members, they were still one of the three clans in the edict. But these clans didn¡¯t even ask for their opinion!


    Bam!


    With that loud slap, the two clans stopped and turned to see the brat Luo Yunhai hitting the table.


    His face was stern and his eyes were steadfast, unlike his usual childish self. Even Zhuo Fan quirked an eyebrow.


    ¡°Why all this fuss?¡±


    Luo Yunhai swept the people with his eyes and spoke with resolve, ¡°In this merger of clans, the only one worthy of the leader position is none other than my Luo clan.¡±


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s declaration shocked them silly. Cai Xiaoting mocked, ¡°What does a brat know? You¡¯re the weakest of us, nothing of worth at all. What gives you the right to lead us?¡±


    Sneering, Luo Yunhai grinned.


    Everyone there recognized his look, the spitting image of someone they all knew very well. This made them turn their eyes to Zhuo Fan.


    [Hell, Zhuo Fan ruined him!]


    Zhuo Fan was quite piqued by this brat.


    ¡°Luo clan has no men, money or pills. It only has us four, masters and servants.¡± Luo Yunhai looked at them with sparkling eyes, ¡°But our clan is the strongest because we have Steward Zhuo!¡±


    Luo Yunhai turned to Zhuo Fan with worship in his gaze.


    If Luo clan was to have any right to become the head, it would all be thanks to Zhuo Fan. His skills were obvious to anyone there. Even Veiled Dragon Pavilion was certain that if Zhuo Fan stayed with Luo clan, its rise was but a matter of time.


    Under the hopeful and worried gazes, especially Luo Yunhai¡¯s expectant look, Zhuo Fan shook his head.


    [This kid hardly ever shows such great expectations from me. I can¡¯t disappoint him now, can I?]


    ¡°Humph, Zhuo Fan is a mere steward. How can a person of low status like him be worthy to hold on to all our Cai clan¡¯s guards and wealth? Punk, our clan shall be the head, don¡¯t¡­ ¡°


    Cai Xiaoting mocked but didn¡¯t finish as Zhuo Fan slapped the table, revealing the alliance agreement.


    Under the puzzlement of others, Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°This is Luo clan and Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s alliance contract.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    The fatty was so shocked his whole body trembled and was close to falling off his chair. Even the relaxed and uncaring Fang Qiubai behind him narrowed his eyes as he scanned the sheepskin with shock.


    Veiled Dragon Pavilion was one of the Seven Noble Houses. The only ones worthy of signing an alliance agreement with them were others from the seven houses, while the rest only had the right to sign a subsidiary agreement. But now¡­


    With a deep look, Fang Qiubai sighed as he asked Zhuo Fan, ¡°Kid, how did you do it?¡±


    ¡°Recognized and valued as a hero!¡±


    He nodded towards Fang Qiubai then turned to the two clans and spoke in a cold tone, ¡°Let me tell you, even if this crappy Secret Pearl Order never existed, as long as I¡¯m here, Luo clan will ultimately rise to the ranks of the seven houses.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re of no help to us! On the contrary, you are a burden.¡± Zhuo Fan sneered.


    The two other clans lost their voices in shock.


    With rosy cheeks, Luo Yunchang raised her chin proudly. Luo Yunhai was grinning from excitement, watching Zhuo Fan with veneration¡­

 Chapter 50 - Merger

    Mulling over, the fatty traced his hand on the alliance agreement.


    He found Zhuo Fan¡¯s strength exceeding his expectations as it was not a simple matter to gain such an alliance agreement. Even if Long Jiu was in favor of him, an elder didn¡¯t hold much sway in the Veiled Dragon Pavilion.


    Fatty sighed, ¡°Steward Zhuo, I am saddened by seeing you live in such a poor clan. Why don¡¯t¡­ you come help me. Just think about it.¡±


    To the shock of everyone present, the 3rd Prince expressed his intention in recruiting Zhou Fan. It amazed them that Zhuo Fan was so highly sought after that even the Imperial family was willing to have him.


    Luo Yunchang stood up nervously, thinking Zhuo Fan would be snatched away.


    Zhuo Fan smiled and shook his head, ¡°3rd Prince, you¡¯re overestimating me. Even in the Luo clan, am I not doing my best for the Imperial family?¡±


    Fatty quirked an eyebrow and smiled, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll leave it at that.¡±


    He then turned to the rest, ¡°It¡¯s decided. The Luo clan will be the leader of the three clans merger. Cai and Lei clans are to assist the Luo clan in fulfilling the Secret Pearl Order.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±


    Cai Xiaoting was disgruntled and wanted to voice his objection, but Cai Rong gripped his arm. He didn¡¯t understand the reason but fatty¡¯s pin-sized eyes left him shivering from the killing intent.


    Secret Pearl Order was a millennium-old secret plan, and it held great importance to the Imperial family. It was understandable that they would only choose the best clan for the position of leader.


    If the three clans were equal, the Imperial family would¡¯ve taken his objection into consideration.


    But Zhuo Fan took out the alliance agreement, making all dissent moot. It turned the Luo clan into the best choice in implementing the secret edict for the Imperial family. If even with this, the other clans voiced their discontent, the Imperial family would deal them with a heavy hand.


    Just as Zhuo Fan said, the Luo clan had all the power it needed to bring the secret edict to fruition. This, in turn, made the other two clans their vassals. If they felt that being a vassal was unpleasant, the Imperial family would finish them off with a mere swipe.


    Cai Xiaoting let the matter drop, yet the discontent never left his face. He could only follow Cai Rong¡¯s actions in submitting.


    Fatty nodded, then turned to Lei Yuntian to see if he had objections. The old man said, ¡°Your Highness, be at ease. I will give my all in assisting Yunhai and Yunchang. As Cloud Manor fell because of me, I will become a servant to atone for my crimes.¡±


    Fatty nodded at his sincerity, ¡°Good, since there are no objections, the three clans shall unite.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Everyone bowed, ¡°We shall now withdraw!¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo stay for a while.¡±


    Zhuo Fan was unclear as to the reason why but remained nonetheless under the departing and curious gazes of the rest.


    The fatty let out a breath then rushed to Zhuo Fan and dragged him to an empty place in the garden.


    ¡°3rd Prince¡­¡± Zhuo Fan frowned.


    Fatty waved, ¡°Just follow my lead.¡±


    Fatty then pointed two fingers at the sky as he shouted, ¡°I, Tianyu Empire¡¯s 3rd Prince, Yuwen Cong, vow to heaven to become sworn brother with Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan. To share life and death together and never betray him!¡±


    ¡°Your turn!¡± Fatty watched Zhuo Fan impatiently.


    Zhuo Fan was confused, but becoming sworn brothers with 3rd Prince had to be a good thing so he went along, ¡°I, Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan, vow to Heaven to become sworn brother with Tianyu Empire¡¯s 3rd Prince, Yuwen Cong. If he doesn¡¯t betray me, I won¡¯t either!¡±


    Fatty muttered when he heard the last part, ¡°Brother, you sure are meticulous.¡±


    ¡°Fatty, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust you, but the pugilistic world is too vicious.¡± Zhuo Fan shrugged, not having any restraint in calling him fatty. Since no one was here, the fatty himself wouldn¡¯t blow a gasket over this.


    [Plus, this kid needs me to complete the secret edict.]


    Zhuo Fan was perfectly clear when to be fierce and when to be scared.


    Just as he foresaw, the fatty nodded instead of getting angry, ¡°Call me how you like it. I feel much better since we are sworn brothers now.¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at him in puzzlement.


    Fatty sighed, ¡°Do you remember our bet from yesterday? The winner gets to have Sister Kui. I lost the bet but I still can¡¯t let it go. So I decided to become sworn brothers with you. This way I won¡¯t go after my brother¡¯s wife and it would help me forget about Sister Kui too.¡±


    Zhuo Fan rose an eyebrow, incredulous that the fatty wanted to become sworn brothers over this, ¡°Fatty, there¡¯s nothing between me and that girl. She was just making excuses.¡±


    ¡°What, is that true?¡± Fatty even jumped ten meters in joy, ¡°Then can I still chase her?¡±


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan showed a vague smile, ¡°Go, go, annoy the little lass to death!¡±


    ¡°Awesome, brother. You are indeed my sworn brother, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Fatty was skipping and whooping in joy. Now that the bet was off, he could chase Long Kui to his heart¡¯s content.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Fatty, what does the Secret Pearl Order truly say?¡±


    The fatty dropped his smile, watching Zhuo Fan with embarrassment, ¡°Brother, didn¡¯t I say it already?¡±


    ¡°This plan is very delicate, and even the goal is fair, but,¡± Zhuo Fan squinted, ¡°It lacks ambition. So much so that an Emperor of a founding empire would never come up with it.¡±


    The Great Ancestor showed great ambition when he established the empire. Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t gullible enough to believe the secret millennium order was limited to restricting the seven houses and maintaining a balance of power.


    Fatty shook his head, ¡°I do not know either. This was what I¡¯ve been told.¡±


    Zhuo Fan stared him down but discovered nothing else. Maybe he knew nothing, or maybe his acting was top notch.


    ¡°Then how did Hell Valley catch wind of this thousand-year-old secret edict?¡± Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°All of Hell Valley¡¯s actions were against the secret edict while looking innocent doing it. They were afraid of the Imperial family¡¯s investigation.¡±


    Fatty frowned, ¡°Reason points to the contrary, but there are many spies in the Imperial Capital, the information about secret edict might have leaked.¡±


    ¡°It remained hidden for a thousand years and only now it gets leaked?¡± Zhuo Fan frowned, ¡°Maybe leaking it is part of the secret edict¡¯s contents?¡±


    The fatty shivered and went wide-eyed.


    Zhuo Fan smirked, [It¡¯s clear now.]


    ¡°Never mind, it works in Luo clan¡¯s benefit anyway. So there¡¯s no need to poke my nose in it. There¡¯s no need to worry over nothing, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan waved as he left, ¡°Fatty, I¡¯ll be going. We¡¯ll meet again if we get the chance!¡±


    A voice rang in fatty¡¯s ear as Zhuo Fan¡¯s figure distanced.


    ¡°This kid is perhaps too sharp¡­ scary even!¡±


    Whoosh!


    It was Fang Qiubai in his blue robe.


    Fang Qiubai muttered, ¡°The more I watch him the more he resembles someone!¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Fatty asked.


    Fang Qiubai¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°Zhuge Changfeng!¡±


    ¡°The Leader of Four Pillars, Prime Minister Zhuge Changfeng?¡± Fatty was in shock, ¡°Are you saying Zhuo Fan¡­¡±


    Nodding, Fang Qiubai smiled, ¡°Cong¡¯er, becoming sworn brothers with him was the best decision you made in your life. One day, he will become one of your Four Pillars, helping you rule!¡±


    The fatty was stunned, watching Zhuo Fan getting further away as ambition flickered in his eyes¡­


    Zhuo Fan returned to the small courtyard and saw the others waiting outside.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did 3rd Prince say something?¡± Luo Yunchang was worried. He refused Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s invitation but this was the Imperial family.


    With just a nod, he could become an official with the support of the Imperial family.


    Secretly smiling, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Fatty told me to do my best in fulfilling the secret edict.¡±


    Luo Yunchang covered Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth then looked around before saying, ¡°How can you call 3rd Prince like that? Be careful or he might take your life!¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t. He still needs me!¡±


    Zhuo Fan dismissed her worry and even gave a thumbs up to Luo Yunhai, ¡°Your performance was perfect, worthy of a Clan Head. You made me proud.¡±


    ¡°Please, didn¡¯t I learn it all from bro?¡±Luo Yunhai stuck up his chin. It was clear the bro he referred to was Zhuo Fan.


    Everyone laughed and Luo Yunchang showed a relieved smile.


    [Dad, can you see? Yunhai has grown up. He can shoulder the honor and glory of the Luo clan!] Luo Yunchang looked at the sky with sparkling eyes.


    On the second day after the meeting, the new clan was established with Luo clan at the helm. The name was, of course, Luo clan. Zhuo Fan, with the Imperial family¡¯s support, had no trouble becoming the Head Steward of the clan, handling all affairs.


    He appointed Lei Yuntian as Luo clan¡¯s Grand Elder and Cai Rong as the 2nd Elder while keeping Old Pang as the Captain of the guards, leading the Cai clan¡¯s guards. Lei Yuting was made the leader of the shadow corps, taking Blackwind Mountain¡¯s bandits under her, and in charge of intelligence gathering and training assassins.


    Because of the Imperial family¡¯s decree, the Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Hell Valley were banned from entering the Windgaze City. The rest of the seven houses remained within their borders, thus making this city belong to the Luo clan alone.


    As for the Luo clan¡¯s estate, Cai clan suggested for it to be the former Cai Manor, but Zhuo Fan had other plans.


    Blackwind Mountain, the place where a natural array took form!


    And so, another Devil Mountain was established, and Zhuo Fan¡¯s plans advanced one step at a time¡­

 Chapter 51 - Four Pillars’ Leader

    The slums in the Imperial Capital were the darkest corners of the empire. Seedy, good, devious, and all other kinds of people mixed in here, along with the downed shacks painted a perfectly wretched image. Any self-respecting man who had some money on the side would never choose to live here.


    Only those living from one day to the next and the truly poor stayed here, waiting for the day that would rob them of their lives.


    Yet in the worst corner of the slums was a courtyard the people feared to the point of being afraid to step through its doors. Even if the vilest and most sinister man was to wander by happenstance here, he would be warned to leave this house be.


    This courtyard was unoccupied, but at night, there were eerie whispers coming from it. Some braved to investigate, but it was as if their traces in this world vanished the moment they stepped foot inside.


    Recently, some Bone Tempering and even a Profound Heaven expert charged in, fearing no evil.


    Afterwards, well, there was no news. They were gone all the same. From that moment, the courtyard became a taboo, avoided by the strong and weak alike.


    On a full moon night, when the slums had turned unusually quiet. The people had gone home earlier and as far away from the demonic courtyard as possible.


    But it was then that a faint lantern lit up in the courtyard. It was akin to ghost fire, flickering on and off.


    In a ruined room of the courtyard, an elderly with white temples sat in a pleased manner on a tutor¡¯s chair, waving a goose feathered fan. His half-lidded eyes flashed here and there, and his mouth was twisted at the corners. It was as if the world¡¯s suffering and happiness were beneath him.


    Two old men stood behind, one with black hair and the other with white hair. Their eyes were closed but their powerful auras identified them as experts, preventing any living creature from approaching a hundred meters around them.


    Even a harmless beetle would find its tiny heart wreaked with fear.


    Whoosh!


    A sound broke the silence and a black-clothed man suddenly appeared outside the room. He had a bamboo hat that hid his features.


    The sitting old man stopped fanning and smiled, ¡°Valley Lord You, how is it progressing?¡±


    The bamboo wearing man was Hell Valley¡¯s Valley Lord, You Wanshan!


    Sighing, You Wanshan shook his head, ¡°A dozen years of painstaking effort was ruined. The Emperor ordered for Hell Valley to stay away from Windgaze City. The same goes for the other houses. He must have sensed something.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± The old man raised an eyebrow with a smile, ¡°The Emperor is planning on enacting the Secret Pearl Order?¡±


    ¡°My guess is yes.¡±


    You Wanshan¡¯s face grew angry, ¡°They got luck on their side last time, but next time, it won¡¯t be so simple. Emperor wants to raise the 8th house, but we shall see if the clan can live to see that day!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Valley Lord You, ease your anger. A loss is a loss. Why make excuses?¡± The old man was still calm, yet his words were sharp and filled with disdain, ¡°Hell Valley is one of the Seven Noble Houses, yet it can¡¯t even deal with three common clans. The time of its fall must be close at hand.¡±


    You Wanshan snapped, his power exploding. Peak Profound Heaven cultivation smashed the windows to splinters. He unleashed all of it to pressure the old man.


    ¡°Zhuge Changfeng, you were the one who told me of the contents of the Secret Pearl Order. It was also you who said the Emperor wants to help in the rise of the 8th house. The dozen years plan also came from you. So how can you speak like this?¡±


    You Wanshan bellowed, ¡°Go to hell!¡±


    The smile never left the old man¡¯s face, still sitting calmly and fanning slowly.


    Boom!


    Just when the pressure was drawing near Zhuge Changfeng, the black and white elders behind him opened their eyes.


    At that moment, one¡¯s eyes flashed black while the other¡¯s flashed white. A ripple echoed outwards and clashed with You Wanshan¡¯s display of power, creating a jarring sound.


    The entire slums shook.


    You Wanshan¡¯s felt a sweetness in his throat and spat blood as his face paled.


    The two elders closed their eyes again, while Zhuge Changfeng swayed the fan like nothing had happened, still sporting that ever-present smile.


    You Wanshan watched the black and white elders incredulously, ¡°Yin Yang Elders?¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng nodded, ¡°Valley Lord You sure is knowledgeable. These seniors haven¡¯t shown up over the past century. I find it amazing that you still recognize them.¡±


    Grinding his teeth in anger, You Wanshan panted while also spitting blood now and then, but the look he had when he turned to the elders was now one of fear.


    ¡°You are worthy of being Tianyu¡¯s number one sage, Four Pillars¡¯s Leader, Prime Minister Zhuge. To be able to make these monsters leave their mountain, not even that Fang Qiubai from the Divine Dragons can compare to you.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Valley Lord You is exaggerating. I am not worthy of such a title. I do not dare face the Imperial family in the open just yet.¡± Zhuge Changfeng let out a short laugh, but the confidence he exuded was unshakable.


    You Wanshan snorted and muttered, ¡°Prime Minister Zhuge is as modest as he is arrogant. Who in the Tianyu Empire can match your power? Not even the Imperial family can!¡±


    ¡°Sigh, I can see why you failed in Windgaze City. In this world, strength and weakness aren¡¯t obvious at a glance!¡± Zhuge Changfeng sighed as he looked at the sky, ¡°Furthermore, I am not the number one sage in Tianyu.¡±


    ¡°If not you, then who?¡±


    ¡°That person above me!¡± Zhuge Changfeng pointed upward with a grave expression.


    You Wanshan disdained, ¡°You¡¯re talking about that senile Emperor?¡±


    ¡°Senile?¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng chuckled, ¡°I¡¯ve been a Prime Minister in the Imperial court for forty years now, and I still can¡¯t read him.¡±


    ¡°Valley Lord You, go back. Make sure to not cause any further trouble!¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng swayed his fan as his countenance went back to normal, ¡°Be careful to not give that old man the perfect chance to remove you for good!¡±


    ¡°Humph, the Imperial family¡¯s power is hardly enough to deal with my Hell Valley.¡± You Wanshan grinned, but when he saw the cold look in Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s eye, he didn¡¯t continue. He just cupped his hands and vanished in the night.


    After You Wanshan left, Zhuge Changfeng took a deep breath and looked to the heavens.


    ¡°Your Majesty, what is your plan? What is the Secret Pearl Order?¡±


    ***


    Three months later, in the Misty Forest at the foot of Blackwind Mountain.


    Zhuo Fan stood near a frigid blood pool, holding a gourd. His hands performed signs and red dots flew from the pool into the gourd.


    A smile tugged at Zhuo Fan¡¯s face as he watched the wiggling red dots.


    This blood pond was something Zhuo Fan made to raise the Frigid Pool Snow Worm. Though, its name should more aptly be Frigid Pool Bloodworm.


    Zhuo Fan used a secret art from the Nine Serenities Secret Records to train this particular demonic creature. So it not only retained the parasitic ability of the Frigid Pool Snow Worm but it also connected to Zhuo Fan through telepathy. It could now work in tandem with him in performing a secret and evil magic art from the Nine Serenities Secret Records, the Blood Curse.


    The Blood Curse was a demonic cultivator¡¯s way of controlling his men. Once he put the Blood Curse on someone, they had to obey him for life. If not, the Blood Curse would flare up and the victim would die of blood explosion, a cruel and savage ending.


    But the Blood Curse had a fatal flaw. If the target was stronger than the caster, the later would be devoured. This wasn¡¯t anything good for Zhuo Fan.


    But now that Zhuo Fan had the Bloodworm, this flaw could be eliminated. Since the Bloodworm lived in the target¡¯s body, they would never be able to remove the Blood Curse.


    With this special demonic creature, Zhuo Fan would be in control of a large group of experts to assist him.


    If anyone heard of this, they¡¯d come to kill Zhuo Fan themselves, even Radiant Stage experts. This demonic creature was an abomination, an affront to Heaven.


    Any listener would shiver hearing one could make any expert into a slave.


    With a maniac grin on his face, Zhuo Fan took the gourd filled with Bloodworms and left Misty Forest. He performed a hand sign and the forest¡¯s fog turned bloody, barring any entry.


    This was his rearing grounds. Why would he ever let another find it?


    Stashing the gourd in his ring, Zhuo Fan returned to Blackwind Mountain. On his way, he paid attention to every grass, every tree to make sure all was in order.


    Over the past three months, besides the Imperial family sending thousands of spirit stones and hundreds of pills, the Veiled Dragon Pavilion also sent two thousand spirit stones.


    He had enough spirit stones on hand that he could flaunt his array grandmaster¡¯s skills. Plus with the natural array here, he could still set up some decent defensive array even without such an amount of spirit stones.


    To the East of Blackwind Mountain was the Azure Dragon position under the wood attribute. It was a place filled with vitality. As such,  Zhuo Fan set up a 5th-grade array, Poison Dragon Array. Poisonous thickets grew inside the array and the miasma above them would never scatter. Even a Profound Heaven expert would find it hard to escape with his life.


    To the West was the White Tiger position under the metal attribute. It was a place filled with sharp and overgrown plants. Zhuo Fan set up a 5th-grade array, Dazzling Gold Array. Nine suns shined brightly within the array in every direction that no one could walk with their eyes open. Each ray of golden light was like a sharp sword, capable of robbing people of their lives, yet incorporeal.


    To the South was the Vermilion Bird position of the fire attribute, filled with burning Qi. Zhuo Fan set the 5th-grade array, Blackflame Array. The fires within it were demonic flames that corroded bones. When it entered one¡¯s body, it would be hard to remove, and it wouldn¡¯t stop gnawing until the target was burned to ashes.


    To the North was the Black Tortoise position of the water attribute, a place filled with piercing chills. Zhuo Fan set up the 5th-grade array, Ice Shadows Array. Howling winds blew within the array¡¯s territory, forming endless illusions. Anyone who entered it would lose their way easily and freeze to death under the bone-piercing coldness that seeped into the victim¡¯s body.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t tell anyone about the four new arrays. But since today was the day of his departure, he had to give the arrays¡¯ method of control to those he trusted¡­

 Chapter 52 - Departure

    ¡°Young miss, come with me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan beckoned Luo Yunchang. She was unclear as to the reason, but she followed nonetheless. She was filled with glee as she saw so many things brought from the Imperial family over the past few days.


    Especially with two elders standing watch, Luo clan was becoming stronger day by day. She was so moved that she was lost for words. It got so far that she even let Zhuo Fan¡¯s disappearance for these past three months slide.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, is there something?¡±


    Luo Yunchang smiled as they entered a small room. Zhuo Fan closed the windows and doors without replying. Her thoughts started going in a particular direction and her face flushed.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, w-what are you trying to do?¡± Luo Yunchang was bashful.


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan began, ¡°I¡¯m leaving!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Luo Yunchang stood there in shock. She had a face of complete disbelief, wondering if she had heard him wrongly. Only when Zhuo Fan repeated was she certain.


    ¡°Why, Luo clan is growing and is already the number one clan in Windgaze City. Why do you want to leave?¡±


    ¡°For Luo clan¡¯s safety!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone was grave, ¡°Luo clan is safe, for now. And there¡¯s no other clan around to mess with it. But remember what we had to do in exchange for all this.¡±


    ¡°We accepted the Imperial family¡¯s vague Secret Pearl Order and offended the Seven Noble Houses¡¯ Hell Valley. As for Veiled Dragon Pavilion, if we do not rise to the level of the seven houses, they will change their stance with us!¡±


    ¡°Then we need you even more. What will we do without you?¡± Luo Yunchang teared up, her heart was unwilling to let him go. In a blink, a glittering tear fell.


    Wiping her tears away with a gentle touch, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Fatty was right about one thing, a clan¡¯s foundation is strength. I am leaving now to bring back experts for the Luo clan, to protect our future.¡±


    ¡°This is the control method of the four arrays around Blackwind Mountain. Only you must use it. If I¡¯m not back in time, you can activate the arrays to deal with any trouble that arises. These are four 5th-grade arrays, plus the Wraith Array in the Misty Forest, it should defend you for a good while.¡±


    Zhuo Fan gave a jade slip to Luo Yunchang, who accepted it in tears. She asked softly, ¡°How long will you be gone?¡±


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I¡¯ll be back as soon as I can.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t leaving just to recruit experts, but also to search for the Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant Long Jiu talked about, Lightning Canyon. At any given time, raising one¡¯s power was the most basic way to guarantee one¡¯s safety.


    ¡°Alright, go now. Send Captain Pang and Yunhai in.¡±


    Nodding, Luo Yunchang left but stopped to kiss Zhuo Fan. He froze for a moment and watched her leave with a deep look.


    Luo Yunchang blushed but didn¡¯t turn around as she mumbled, ¡°Come back soon.¡±


    When the words came, she was already gone.


    Not a moment later, Captain Pang brought Luo Yunhai over. Even they were shocked that Zhuo Fan was leaving.


    ¡°Silly kid, you¡¯re the only man of the Luo clan. Your sister will have to rely on you in the future. You must act like a true Clan Head who bears the Luo clan¡¯s responsibilities.¡± Zhuo Fan patted Yunhai¡¯s shoulder.


    Luo Yunhai nodded while sobbing.


    Turning to Captain Pang, Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand flashed and revealed a jade slip. But when Captain Pang was about to take it, Zhuo Fan clenched his fist.


    Captain Pang looked at him in doubt.


    Zhuo Fan stared hard at him, ¡°Pang Yu, do you remember what Long Kui said? She is right, with your talent, you¡¯ll only be a Qi Condensation cultivator at best.¡±


    Captain Pang¡¯s face darkened, his hand shivered and withdrew a bit.


    ¡°But,¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone turned grave, ¡°Nothing is set in stone. I have on me a way to change your body anew, to gain incredible power. But the terror you will experience would be worse than death and the pain unimaginable. Are you willing?¡±


    Captain Pang was stunned, then he was overjoyed.


    ¡°Truly?¡±


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan raised the jade slip, ¡°This is a mid profound ranked demonic method, Wraith Art! It is unlike other cultivation methods. It is a cultivation method for the body, ignoring one¡¯s talent for cultivation or his constitution. Just that cultivating it will make your life a living hell. It¡¯s no different from being boiled alive. And once you start, you can never stop or your soul will perish!¡±


    Captain Pang licked his dry lips, yet he wasn¡¯t afraid, his eyes only held excitement.


    ¡°No worries. As long as I can become strong, no torment shall best Old Pang.¡± Captain Pang snatched the jade slip as he shouted.


    Zhuo Fan reminded him, ¡°The horrors you will experience from cultivating it aren¡¯t something you can fathom. Maybe you will be under such a pain that your mind will collapse and die in the end. This is a mid profound ranked cultivation method, matching a high profound ranked cultivation method, but with the process being so excruciating, many great demonic cultivators never even dared to touch it. Choose wisely!¡±


    Waving his hand, Captain Pang¡¯s eyes flickered.


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, Old Pang¡¯s only torment in this life was to see Clan Head die before me and unable to stop it. Now, my greatest wish is to protect Young miss and Young master.¡±


    Captain Pang looked gratefully, ¡°Brother Zhuo, thank you for giving me this chance to have no more regrets.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart shivered as he nodded. His eyes held respect.


    ¡°The next time we see each other, I hope to see a powerful Old Pang and not a corpse!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, no worries. I am stubborn, not one to die from just this!¡± Captain Pang laughed and squeezed Zhuo Fan in a bear hug with moist eyes.


    ¡°Brother, come back soon. Luo clan won¡¯t be the same without you!¡±


    Patting Zhuo Fan¡¯s shoulder, Captain Pang left with Luo Yunhai. Per Zhuo Fan¡¯s instructions, Lei Yuting came soon after.


    ¡°Miss Lei, how is the task I gave you?¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    Lei Yuting blushed with a nod, ¡°Brother Zhuo, the six hundred ten-year-old children you asked me to gather are almost here. They all are high talents and await your teachings.¡±


    Zhuo Fan eyed her then nodded, ¡°How did you know that I wanted to teach them?¡±


    Lei Yuting spoke with confidence, ¡°I know you too well to believe that you helped those orphans out of the goodness of your heart. So I guessed you wanted to train them as Luo clan¡¯s guards and make me their leader.¡±


    At her words, Zhuo Fan recalled something and sighed.


    [Goodness? I once raised an orphan out of kindness and look where it got me. Didn¡¯t he betray me in the end?]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed coldly at that point, scaring Lei Yuting.


    ¡°Miss Lei.¡± Zhuo Fan held a jade slip, ¡°This is a mid spirit ranked cultivation method, Elusive Shadow Art. Cultivate it and then give it to those you trust to form the shadow corps, protecting the clan in the dark. Begin with the six hundred children the same way I taught you.¡±


    ¡°Use the worst of them as guards, the average for the shadow corps, and hand the best among them over to Captain Pang to train them in secret. Pass him my word, he¡¯ll understand.¡±


    Lei Yuting took the jade slip with a blank look, then stared at Zhuo Fan, her heart uneasy, ¡°Why not do it yourself?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Lei Yuting asked, ¡°Why?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was forced to retell his reasons. Lei Yuting nodded, but before she went out the door, she pecked Zhuo Fan¡¯s cheek.


    He was floored, watching her dash away in a blink.


    [What is going on? Do all women like to peck?]


    Next was Lei Yuntian¡¯s turn. Zhuo Fan explained to him his affairs and Lei Yuntian took his instructions to heart in an honest manner.


    Although he was the Grand Elder, he was clear Zhuo Fan controlled everything.


    ¡°Elder Lei!¡±


    Zhuo Fan took out another jade slip, ¡°This is the profound ranked martial art I recorded after merging the three clans¡¯ martial arts, Thunderwind Sweeping Dragon Art! Since this is part of the Imperial family¡¯s Secret Pearls Order, this will be the Luo clan¡¯s best martial art on the surface. As the Grand Elder, you need to be diligent in practicing it.¡±


    Lei Yuntian raised an eyebrow but nodded.


    Zhuo Fan put an emphasis on the words ¡®on the surface¡¯, making it clear he had other high ranked martial arts that the Imperial family was unaware of, his secret weapons.


    A day may come when the Imperial family might discover that the 8th house they raised was out of their control. But at that time, it would already be too late.


    Zhuo Fan was young, but his wisdom and shrewdness drew the old man¡¯s admiration.


    ¡°Rest assured, Steward Zhuo, I will be the best Grand Elder there is.¡± Lei Yuntian laughed, reaching an understanding with Zhuo Fan.


    Even without Zhuo Fan¡¯s reminder, he was clear what it meant to stand close to a ruler, and that the Imperial family wasn¡¯t to be trusted. But Zhuo Fan gave this old man the nerve to tangle with this behemoth.


    ¡°Right, Steward Zhuo, what of Cai clan¡¯s father and son?¡±


    Lei Yuntian frowned, ¡°Its already been three months since the merger of the three clans, but I still feel that the Cai clan is of a different thought, always acting suspiciously. The Blackwind Mountain¡¯s guards have people from the Cai Manor. I fear¡­¡±


    ¡°Let them!¡±


    Zhuo Fan waved with a smile, ¡°The Cai clan is part of the Secret Pearl Order. If we deal with them, we¡¯ll earn the Imperial family¡¯s ire. But if they betray us first, he-he-he¡­¡±


    Lei Yuntian¡¯s eyes flashed with a nod, ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Steward Zhuo, to plan so far ahead.¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted as killing intent filled his eyes.


    ***


    On the morning of the second day, Zhuo Fan left Blackwind Mountain all by himself. On the mountain peak, Luo Yunchang, Lei Yuting and Lei Yuntian along with other Luo clan members watched him leave. All except Cai clan¡¯s duo.


    But in the forest halfway up the mountain, Cai Rong and his son watched Zhuo Fan¡¯s retreating figure with cold eyes.


    ¡°Humph, without this wretched punk, Luo clan will fall from grace.¡± Cai Xiaoting snorted, ¡°That stinky girl, Luo Yunchang, made eyes with Zhuo Fan every single day, not sparing me even a glance. With Zhuo Fan gone, Blackwind Mountain is ours. Let¡¯s see her act haughty now!¡±


    ¡°Sigh, one must give credit to Zhuo Fan for his rare talent. He has Veiled Dragon Pavilion on his left and 3rd Prince on his right, while he himself has the power to shake the three clans. All of Blackwind Mountain knows the true Clan Head of this merged clan is him.¡±


    Cai Rong shook his head, ¡°The most unfortunate thing is that he chose to be against us. Since he is leaving, we might as well take everything back.¡±


    ¡°Dad, what do we do?¡± Cai Xiaoting asked.


    Shaking his head, Cai Rong said, ¡°Don¡¯t be hasty. With Zhuo Fan gone, the Luo clan is nothing. The Lei clan is our true enemy. We need to ally ourselves and become stronger than the Lei clan¡­¡±

 Chapter 53 - Allbeast Mountain Range

    In the shadow of a large forest, a black-robed figure stood on the precipice of a mountain.  His eyes took in the view of a large city gate with three golden words inscribed on it, Blue Expanse City.


    Raising the corner of his mouth, the black-robed man left as the wind scattered two piles of black dust.


    Fifteen minutes later, the man arrived before the city gates.


    ¡°Hold, where¡¯s your pass?¡±


    With a clank, two city guards crossed their spears before the man as they released their 6th layer Qi Condensation cultivation.


    Taking out a metal tablet with the ¡®serene¡¯ character inscribed on it, the black-robed man let them see it. The guards nodded and let him pass.


    ¡°Enter!¡±


    The black-robed man quickened his pace but after a hundred meters, he turned his head at the guards, eyeing them with disdain.


    ¡°Utterly useless!¡±


    The man raised his head and exposed his face. It was Zhuo Fan.


    It had been a month since he left Luo clan, and this city was his first destination, Blue Expanse City. This place was Hell Valley¡¯s domain. Just how Veiled Dragon Pavilion placed its guards in the Windgaze City, so did Hell Valley in this city.


    To avoid anyone recognizing him, Zhuo Fan put on a black robe.


    He braved through this deadly danger because he was left with no other choice. Who told the spiritual beasts to gather on the Allbeast Mountain Range near the Blue Expanse City?


    This was also why the security was so tight in this city.


    Be it righteous or demonic cultivators, there were other external means to increase one¡¯s power besides the hard and arduous method of cultivation. Spiritual weapons, demonic treasures, spirit animals, demonic creatures, these were all external means but of significant importance. At the time of peril, it could save one¡¯s life.


    The late elder of Hell Valley was a good example. Condor Jian Fan¡¯s Soul Devouring Crow had the Purple Lightning Gold Eye and could push back Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s three elders¡¯ joint attack.


    Long Jiu¡¯s 3rd-grade spiritual weapon was another, helping him push back two Hell Valley¡¯s elders with just a sword.


    It was obvious how important these external means were to cultivators.


    Spiritual beasts could be turned into demonic creatures or spirit animals. Righteous cultivators tamed them into spirit animals, while demonic cultivators tamed them into demonic creatures. Zhuo Fan¡¯s Blood Infant which was born naturally was an exception.


    The Blue Expanse City was taken by Hell Valley during the founding of the Tianyu Empire. As such, any cultivator wanting to get his spirit animal or demonic creature would have to obtain Hell Valley¡¯s approval.


    And Hell Valley used this as a pretext to set up a checkpoint half a mile around it to confirm everyone¡¯s identities, allowing entry to only those with a pass.


    But how could Zhuo Fan expose himself and offer himself up on a chopping block?


    So he killed two righteous cultivators outside, stole their pass, and waltzed right in.


    ¡°Humph, Hell Valley can only intimidate some shy disciples with this. You think this is enough to deal with a bold cultivator or a Profound Heaven expert?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth let out snide remarks as he walked on.


    He came all this way to Allbeast Mountain Range looking for a rare 6th level spiritual beast, Thunder Skylark!


    Entering Lightning Canyon could only be done through the purple lightning. Zhuo Fan was certain Long Jiu¡¯s 3rd Heaven purple lightning wasn¡¯t the same as the lightning from that place, or it would¡¯ve reached the 6th Heaven.


    That kind of power was a deterrence even for a Radiant Stage expert.


    So before he cleared Lightning Canyon¡¯s restrictions, he had to first find a way to guarantee his life in that place. And the Thunder Skylark, a creature that lived by swallowing lightning, was a perfect choice.


    When he¡¯d made it his demonic creature that matched the Demon Transformation Art, he¡¯d have no trouble getting in.


    Zhuo Fan hoped Lightning Canyon¡¯s purple lightning wasn¡¯t higher than 6th Heaven, or not even the Thunder Skylark would survive repeated blows to its body and turn to ash.


    If that happens, then he¡¯d only be waiting for his death.


    Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and picked up the pace. If not for Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant, he¡¯d never dare go through such danger.


    Bam!


    As he walked, a black figure knocked into his chest. Zhuo Fan looked down to find a little beggar in shabby clothes.


    Zhuo Fan was enraged, but before he could curse, here came the little beggar¡¯s pleading voice, ¡°Please, don¡¯t shout!¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned. Then, from his back, a group of thirty Qi Condensation cultivators appeared.


    Because the beggar hid in front of Zhuo Fan, his black cloak was wide enough to hide the beggar.


    ¡°Any sign of him?¡±


    ¡°None!¡±


    ¡°What are you standing around for? Find him! If we don¡¯t find him, master will have our heads.¡± A steward cursed. The others only nodded as they scattered.


    Once they were gone, the beggar looked up with a relieved breath and patted his chest, ¡°Scared me to death. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d make it.¡±


    Zhuo Fan ignored him and walked away.


    ¡°Eh, brother¡­¡±


    The beggar was stunned for a second then swooped in to block Zhuo Fan¡¯s path. He had a dark and dirty face but sported an extra big smile as he said, ¡°Thank you for earlier. If it weren¡¯t for you¡­¡±


    But Zhuo Fan kept walking.


    The beggar stood there blinking then hurriedly caught up with Zhuo Fan, ¡°Brother, did you come from outside the city? Can you take me outside, please?¡±


    ¡°If you want to leave, do it alone. You don¡¯t need a pass to go out!¡± Zhuo Fan dodged him.


    The little beggar¡¯s face was bitter as he bit his lip and sniffed twice as tears rolled down his cheeks, ¡°Brother, to be honest, I stole from them. If they catch me, I¡¯m a goner. Please, take me outside.¡±


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan eyed him, ¡°Around fifteen-sixteen years old and a 4th layer Qi Condensation cultivator. You¡¯re not weak for your age. There¡¯s no way a commoner can have such cultivation. Are you truly a beggar?¡±


    The beggar stopped crying and his eyes darted everywhere as if looking for an excuse.


    Zhuo Fan continued with a smile, ¡°And even if you¡¯re sincere, why should I help you and offend a powerful clan? I see no reason why I need to help you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan then shook his head and walked past him. The beggar stood frozen in his spot, not knowing what to do. He didn¡¯t think Zhuo Fan was pragmatic.


    From the start, the beggar thought Zhuo Fan to be a kind youth since he helped him once.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to go to the Allbeast Mountain Range?¡± The beggar shouted.


    Zhuo Fan halted his steps, ¡°All who come here are looking to go to the Allbeast Mountain Range. What else is here, visiting Hell Valley¡¯s cemetery?¡±


    The beggar was stunned by his words, [This kid sure has an attitude. Isn¡¯t he afraid of being killed for cursing Hell Valley?]


    But the more Zhuo Fan acted as such, the weirder the beggar¡¯s eyes turned.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to wait for three months before going to Allbeast Mountain Range.¡±


    Zhuo Fan stopped with a frown, ¡°Why?¡±


    The beggar skipped to him with a smile, ¡°Let me tell you, the Diamond Sand is about to come out on Allbeast Mountain Range. These past months Hell Valley sealed the whole mountain range for this precise reason.¡±


    Diamond Sand?


    Zhuo Fan was secretly overjoyed.


    The Diamond Sand was known as the blood of the earth, rare and difficult to obtain. It was used for refining 5th-grade spiritual weapons. But what made it even more valuable was that it was a flowing spirit metal, a perfect match for his Blood Infant.


    His Blood Infant was close to breaking through to Bone Tempering Stage and he needed to refine its body. At that time, Blood Infant could switch between being corporeal and illusive, killing people without leaving tracks. Refining it with a hundred spirit metals would turn it as hard as a demonic treasure and it would become difficult to cause any harm to it.


    He could also achieve a similar result by refining Blood Infant with Diamond Sand. If he was able to do it, then he wouldn¡¯t have to worry about obtaining 100 spirit metals. And with a body refined from Diamond Sand, facing a Profound Heaven expert would be a cinch.


    Thinking of this, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with excitement.


    The beggar saw through Zhuo Fan and coughed as he raised his head with pride, ¡°Let¡¯s make a deal. If you take me outside the city, I will take you to Allbeast Mountain Range. And when the Diamond Sand erupts, we can take advantage of their carelessness and steal a bit.¡±


    Zhuo Fan secretly snickered. There was no way Hell Valley didn¡¯t prepare for this. But the fact that he had a guide to enter Allbeast Mountain Range without them knowing was a nice bonus.


    ¡°Deal!¡±


    The beggar raised his hand and winked.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and slapped the beggar¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, awesome. I finally found someone to take me out of this damnable place.¡± The beggar laughed while jumping around. ¡°Brother, what¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was blunt because he knew even though Hell Valley was aware of the Luo clan, his title as a steward wasn¡¯t well known. And the only one who knows that he killed two of their elders was Yang Ming. But would anyone believe him even if he said it?


    Zhuo Fan was confident that Yang Ming would let this matter fester inside him. If anyone knew that Elder Jian died at the hands of a Qi Condensation punk, yet he survived, his future would be bleak, if not cut short.


    Moreover, even if he did speak up, Hell Valley would never announce it. Could they afford to lose any more reputation?


    The beggar laughed, ¡°Brother Zhuo, call me Xiao Ning.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Zhuo Fan nodded, not carrying much because he knew it was fake.


    The beggar pouted, looking at him with a deep look full of curiosity. Zhuo Fan gave him a different impression from all those he had seen before, simply mysterious¡­

 Chapter 54 - He’s With Me

    ¡°Ning¡¯er!¡±


    Just when the little beggar was about to take Zhuo Fan to Allbeast Mountain Range, a yell echoed in their ears. Little beggar shivered, turning his head shyly.


    With slow footsteps, what appeared before the two was an elegant young master in white with tied hair. He was in front of 20 Qi Condensation experts donning the same clothes as the ones from the previous group.


    The young master ignored Zhuo Fan and glared at the beggar with rage, ¡°You¡¯ve caused enough trouble. It¡¯s time you return.¡±


    Biting his lip, the beggar¡¯s eyes looked uncertain, but soon he came to a decision and stared back with a firm gaze. He dodged behind Zhuo Fan with a yell, ¡°Brother Zhuo, save me.¡±


    The young master finally picked up on Zhuo Fan¡¯s presence, merely glancing his phoenix eyes his way, ¡°This concerns our Xue clan. If sir does not want any trouble, I suggest you leave.¡±


    Xue clan?


    Zhuo Fan quirked an eyebrow and stared long at the beggar, [I didn¡¯t think this buddy had offended the Xue clan.]


    Xue clan was the number one common clan in Blue Expanse City. It had a Profound Heaven expert as overseer and could be considered a 2nd rate clan on the continent.


    But as Blue Expanse City was under Hell Valley¡¯s control, Xue clan was nothing more than its vassal.


    Zhuo Fan saw the beggar pleading with his eyes and smiled as he drew the beggar closer. The young master squinted and paled. The beggar was also surprised and a faint red tint made itself notice on his dirty cheeks.


    ¡°Kid, what do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± The young master bellowed.


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°From now on, he¡¯s under me. If you want him, you¡¯ll have to pass through me first!¡±


    ¡°Absurd! Did you come to Blue Expanse City without even knowing of our Xue clan? Is our clan someone you can offend?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha,¡± Zhuo Fan laughed and shook his head, ¡°Of course I know. Xue clan is Hell Valley¡¯s number one dog in Blue Expanse City. You¡¯re telling me to ignore all those rare and amazing spiritual beasts on Allbeast Mountain Range for a lame dog?¡±


    The young master was about to explode from anger. The beggar was also angry and pushed Zhuo Fan, ¡°Don¡¯t talk of Xue clan like that!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was stunned. [I am venting your anger yet you still blame me?]


    ¡°Men, seize them!¡±


    As Zhuo Fan was lost for words, the young master bellowed orders.


    The men behind him swarmed the two. The beggar woke up to who the enemy was and hid behind Zhuo Fan.


    Sneering, Zhuo Fan picked up on the fact that these guards were mostly 5th layer Qi Condensation cultivators, with only two in the 6th layer.


    ¡°A bunch of fishes looking for death!¡±


    Zhuo Fan attacked with disdain. His hand flashed red and struck with Blood Palm!


    It hit a guard¡¯s chest, and the victim felt all his blood vessels burst and his organs expand to the point of bursting. He spat blood before collapsing.


    Another palm flew and the next guard fell.


    This pattern went on and on¡­


    The group of twenty guards fell one by one under Zhuo Fan¡¯s onslaught.


    The young master had long been standing there in shock. Even with his 8th layer Qi Condensation cultivation, he would be unable to deal with 20 men like Zhuo Fan did.


    It was clear that Zhuo Fan was only in the 5th layer, yet his simple palm dealt each guard a serious wound.


    What escaped his eyes though, was that Zhuo Fan¡¯s Blood Palm bypassed a person flesh and struck at the blood vessels. It was the same as ignoring the body¡¯s defense and attacking the vulnerable organs within, so of course, it was far deadlier than it looked.


    In but a few breaths, all guards were on the ground, knocked out.


    The young master witnessed it all with a solemn expression. The beggar¡¯s eyes also bulged in wonder.


    ¡°So you do know a thing or two, kid. No wonder you¡¯re so smug.¡± The young master gnashed his teeth and jumped, shattering the stones beneath his feet, ¡°Then let me, Xue Gang, coerce sir with my high martial arts!¡±


    ¡°Xue Gang?¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned, ¡°Are you Xue clan¡¯s young master? I heard your dad pampers you and you are to be the clan¡¯s successor!¡±


    ¡°So, are you afraid perchance?¡± Xue Gang shouted.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°No, I just don¡¯t like annoyances. If I offend you here, my days in Blue Expanse City will be harder. It¡¯s best to¡­ shut all these people up for good and bring peace to my ears!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with killing intent and shot forward. Such pressure from him squeezed at Xue Gang¡¯s heart.


    He never dreamed Zhuo Fan would dare to kill him. The naked killing intent made his Yuan Qi slow down, even if he was 3 layers higher than Zhuo Fan.


    He, who was praised to high heaven for his talent in cultivation, couldn¡¯t foresee the world housing such a ruthless youth. A mere 5th layer Qi Condensation cultivator was able to overwhelm an expert 3 layers higher.


    He watched in abject fear as the palm neared his chest and was moments away from rupturing his heart. But in this moment of impending crisis, he bit his tongue to wake up. The pain freed him from the killing intent¡¯s horrifying grip.


    With no time to lose, he punched. Blue lights shot like a tornado at Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°High mortal ranked martial art, Howling Fist!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snorted in disdain and made a hand sign so that a red light flew right into Xue Gang¡¯s body.


    Before the Howling Fist even touched Zhuo Fan, it broke apart and Xue Gang¡¯s body froze on the spot in panic.


    At this moment Zhuo Fan towered over him. Seeing Zhuo Fan¡¯s devious grin, Xue Gang felt like he was looking at a demon and his heart seized up for a few seconds.


    Bam!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s palm landed on his chest and Xue Gang spat blood as he flew into the air. His organs felt like they were burning and his blood vessels began to rupture.


    But the pain had yet to register when the demon approached. Xue Gang was so scared he was having a mental breakdown.


    This was Zhuo Fan!


    He didn¡¯t strike with another palm and instead, Zhuo Fan grabbed Xue Gang¡¯s neck with a sneer, ¡°Young master Xue, worry not. After you die, your servants will follow in your footsteps, down to the last one. This should keep the Xue clan from chasing me all over for at least three months. Let¡¯s make this case¡­ cold.¡±


    Zhuo Fan tightened the chokehold and Xue Gang felt his throat almost breaking, he could even hear his bones creak.


    He was on the brink of death. Besides agony, nothing else was felt.


    Not for the life of him could he understand what he did wrong. Wasn¡¯t he only going to bring Ning¡¯er back? Why did he meet a reaper instead? A ruthless killer!


    [I forgot to read my future before heading out!]


    If his neck wasn¡¯t being crushed by Zhuo Fan, he¡¯d be wailing and bawling. [Damn it, what rotten luck!]


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Just when Zhuo Fan wanted to apply the last bit of force and send the young master to paradise, the beggar yelled.


    Zhuo Fan eyed him suspiciously, ¡°What are you doing? Aren¡¯t they your enemies?¡±


    The beggar was filled with worry for Xue Gang¡¯s life that even tears formed in his eyes. In fact, he wanted to stop Zhuo Fan long ago, but Zhuo Fan was just too fast. He dealt with the guards in one moment, and in the next, he was at Xue Gang¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Even if they are, I don¡¯t want to kill them!¡± The beggar cried.


    Zhuo Fan frowned, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so? But it¡¯s too late now. They are no longer just your enemies, they are mine too. The only ending for my enemies is death!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand tightened and Xue Gang¡¯s eyes bulged out. He wasn¡¯t far off from dying.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t release him, I won¡¯t guide you.¡± The beggar yelled in tears.


    Zhuo Fan frowned. This was his first time seeing a person shed tears for their enemies.


    He let go and Xue Gang dropped on the ground. Zhuo Fan made a sign and Blood Infant returned as he shrugged, ¡°Since you aren¡¯t scared, why would I be over some future inconvenience?¡±


    He wiped the tears off the beggar¡¯s little face and walked away while holding the beggar close, ¡°Show the way, then I will take you outside the city, far from Xue clan.¡±


    ¡°Y-you baddie!¡± The little beggar stammered.


    Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°Correct, I¡¯m a bad man! But in this world, they are the only ones who can survive. The good guys have already left for hell.¡±


    The beggar wiped his tears and looked at Zhuo Fan, unafraid.


    He had seen his fair share of bad people, but none rose to Zhuo Fan¡¯s level. Yet he never felt any hatred for Zhuo Fan as he did for others, instead, he felt at ease.


    This feeling he didn¡¯t express, but it felt nice anyway¡­


    An hour later, a black figure appeared standing in Zhuo Fan¡¯s previous position. The old man¡¯s beard shivered from rage at the sight of the guards on the ground.


    He noticed Xue Gang twitching on the ground, helped him up, and asked nervously, ¡°Gang¡¯er, what¡¯s wrong? Who did this to you?¡±


    Xue Gang gasped with a pale face, yet not one word was uttered. The old man looked him over and found that only Xue Gang¡¯s insides were wounded, while below him was a puddle of water.


    He gave Xue Gang a pill then let out a long breath.


    But Xue Gang¡¯s injury astonished him.


    His wound wasn¡¯t heavy, only needing a month to heal. But his mind, however, had received a heavy shock. He was frightened so badly he peed himself!


    [Gang¡¯er is a bold youth. Only a dreadful expert could have scared him to such a state in such a short time.]


    The old man was bewildered as he pondered for a long time. In the end, he shook his head and left with Xue Gang.


    No matter who it was, any who dared offend Xue clan in Blue Expanse City would have another thing coming¡­

 Chapter 55 - Peak Bone Tempering Stage

    ¡°That¡¯s the path up the mountain.¡±


    The beggar and Zhuo Fan poked their heads through a bush close to a narrow mountain path.


    Zhuo Fan looked ahead and frowned seeing 30 Bone Tempering guards.


    With his strength and Savage Moon, along with Blood Infant¡¯s help, it wasn¡¯t hard to charge through. But to do it without anyone noticing was the problem.


    Any noise here would attract the elder from Hell Valley stationed within. And since Xue clan¡¯s Profound Heaven expert was after him, he¡¯d have a hard time coming out alive.


    After careful deliberation, Zhuo Fan shook his head. He¡¯d have to rely on the little beggar if he wanted to go within the mountain¡¯s range.


    ¡°Xiao Ning, where¡¯s the secret tunnel?¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at the little beggar, the latter was still feeling afraid of what he had witnessed some time ago. He wasn¡¯t crying but still sniffed.


    ¡°C-come with me.¡± said the little beggar while sniffing hard, then he and Zhuo Fan vanished from the bushes.


    Zhuo Fan felt helpless. [Why is this kid more of a coward than a mouse? Ever since he saw what I did, he keeps crying from fear, even now.]


    [They were the enemies chasing you down, not your family. So why are you crying so hard?]


    Zhuo Fan secretly cursed but was resigned to his fate. Who told him to agree to this little beggar¡¯s deal? He imagined that after he followed the beggar to the mountain, he¡¯d be facing some ferocious spiritual beasts while the beggar kept crying at the side.


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan travelled with the beggar through a dark forest. After a long time, they found a narrow tunnel next to a hidden stream.


    ¡°T-this is it.¡± The beggar forced himself to stop sobbing, but his body still shivered, ¡°W-when I was little, I used to play with my dad and brothers in these woods!¡±


    Zhuo Fan lifted an eyebrow as he inspected the cave and the surroundings. It was such a remote place that only a native would know of.


    He guessed that the little beggar must have stumbled upon this cave when he was playing with his brothers, or the Hell Valley would¡¯ve sealed it by now if they knew of it.


    ¡°Alright, Xiao Ning. Go in first, I¡¯ll be right behind you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shouted as he pushed the little beggar in. He didn¡¯t think this place held a trap, but his years and years of experience still showed his cautious nature.


    The little beggar was aware of the meaning and rolled his eyes in anger, and stooped to go in.


    Suddenly, a loud shout was heard.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, stop!¡±


    Whoosh!


    With a sound of the wind, a large figure blocked the two¡¯s path. The man looked like he was in his forties and wore luxurious clothing over his tall and sturdy body. His pair of large eyes flashed with the explosive power of an expert.


    ¡°Peak Bone Tempering expert!¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned and his hands tightened, ¡°Are you the Clan Head of the Xue clan, Xue Wanlong?


    ¡°Good eyes!¡±


    Xue Wanlong praised, ¡°Where you the one who harmed my eldest son, Xue Gang?¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°He wanted to take one of my people. Sparing him was already kind enough!¡±


    ¡°What, yours?¡±


    Xue Wanlong was shocked and turned to the little beggar. The little beggar blushed as he hid behind Zhuo Fan.


    Xue Wanlong¡¯s expression turned weird.


    ¡°Dad!¡±


    Just then, a yell was heard. A youth in white landed next to Xue Wanlong, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I knew Ning¡¯er would be hiding here.¡±


    ¡°Dad, let me help you take him back!¡±


    The youth looked thrilled. He disregarded Zhuo Fan and flew to the little beggar.


    [Bastard, this kid is way too cocky, treating me like air!]


    Zhuo Fan squinted and secretly cursed. When the youth was close to him, he struck with a red palm.


    The youth felt his energy turn sluggish and his blood vessels rupture. In this moment of deadly crisis, Zhuo Fan struck like lightning and grabbed his neck.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Xue Wanlong roared.


    He didn¡¯t think his son would be caught so easily.


    To be honest, he saw Zhuo Fan as a 5th layer Qi Condensation cultivator and was still skeptical of how he hurt his eldest son and guards.


    But now he knew.


    Compared to the kids he raised in his clan with all his heart, Zhuo Fan was akin to a savage beast bathed in blood. He was weaker, but his timing was perfect and his methods vicious.


    Before Zhuo Fan, his two sons were nothing more than greenhouse flowers.


    With a snicker, Zhuo Fan raised the youth up high, ¡°A 5th layer Qi Condensation cultivator. He must be your second son, Xue Lin, right?¡±


    ¡°Release him now, or you won¡¯t make it out alive!¡± Xue Wanlong roared in anger.


    Sneering, Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°If I do as you say, you¡¯d make sure I¡¯m dead even more!¡±


    ¡°Clan Head Xue, no matter what grievances Xiao Ning has with you, he is my person. I only hope you will give up at this point. Don¡¯t¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand squeezed and Xue Lin gasped with his tongue out, ¡°And you will have your son as a corpse!¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    The little beggar shouted before Xue Wanlong could reply, grabbing Zhuo Fan¡¯s arm and begging with his eyes.


    Zhuo Fan was stunned, [This beggar must have a screw loose. Why does he want to leave his enemies alive?]


    Xue Wanlong watched them with a complicated gaze. But soon came to a decision and calmed down.


    This, in turn, startled Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Kid, what is your name?¡± Xue Wanlong asked.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°I am alone and am not afraid of your revenge. Nor am I afraid of telling you my name. It¡¯s Zhuo Fan!¡±


    ¡°Alright, Zhuo Fan! You want to protect him no matter what?¡± Xue Wanlong pointed at the little beggar with a solemn look.


    Zhuo Fan snorted, ¡°He is mine, so of course I will!¡±


    ¡°Good, then let¡¯s make a bet. You let my son go and take ten hits from me. If you win, I will no longer care about him. What do you say?¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan considered Xue Wanlong¡¯s bet, then showed his manic grin as he threw Xue Lin away.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid I will break my word?¡± Xue Wanlong¡¯s eyes flashed.


    Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°If I want to kill him, you won¡¯t be able to stop me!¡±


    ¡°Big words!¡± Xue Wanlong was angry again, ¡°Here are my ten moves!¡±


    He charged with his peak Bone Tempering power on display. But Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t seem to feel any discomfort, standing there calmly.


    Xue Wanlong¡¯s brow trembled as he secretly praised Zhuo Fan.


    But before he reached Zhuo Fan, the later also charged. This puzzled him greatly.


    [Even if this kid is a seasoned fighter, he can¡¯t fend off a Bone Tempering expert! So why¡­]


    He saw Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand shine and Savage Moon appear.


    Basked in a silver glow, Zhuo Fan sped up and was before Xue Wanlong in an instant, ready to attack.


    ¡°3rd-grade demonic treasure?¡±


    Xue Wanlong was shocked and turned to the side in an attempt to dodge.


    But a red light darted out from Zhuo Fan, aimed at Xue Wanlong.


    ¡°Got you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned with killing intent.


    But just as Blood Infant was about to enter Xue Wanlong, it was repelled. As it bounced off, Zhuo Fan felt his blood stirring from his connection with it. His hand moved and he slashed with Savage Moon.


    The silver light trailed past Xue Wanlong¡¯s face.


    When both of them stopped, Zhuo Fan was standing in Xue Wanlong¡¯s original place with a solemn look. Just now he had planned to take Xue Wanlong¡¯s life in one hit by using Blood Infant and Savage Moon.


    But unexpectedly, Blood Infant bounced off and the recoil veered his attack.


    He turned back to see Xue Wanlong¡¯s chest flash, and shouted, ¡°2nd-grade defensive demonic treasure?¡±


    His heart grew heavy having found out the reason.


    Against such a defensive demonic treasure, his Qi Condensation Blood Infant was useless. He could only rely on Savage Moon in this battle.


    As Zhuo Fan felt gloomy about the upcoming fight, Xue Wanlong¡¯s jaw dropped in shock.


    He didn¡¯t foresee that a 5th layer Qi Condensation kid would have such terrifying power. If he was a moment too late, his head would¡¯ve been sent flying right now.


    Recalling his bet with Zhuo Fan, he felt a cold shiver run down his spine.


    [Blast it, as the matter stands, it¡¯ll be good if I can at least keep my head after ten moves!]


    He then looked at the chain mail on his chest and sighed. Thanks to his father warning him that the man who took Ning¡¯er might have been an expert, he wore this armor.


    He was unclear as to what was Blood Infant¡¯s use, but he knew death wouldn¡¯t be far away once it got into his body.


    Then he turned to Zhuo Fan, who was looking at him as if to devour him, and broke out in cold sweat.


    This was his first time meeting such a dreadful opponent. Even more so when this opponent was in the 5th layer of Qi Condensation!


    ¡°Damn it. Is this kid a monster?¡± Gnashing his teeth, Xue Wanlong braced himself for what¡¯s to come¡­

 Chapter 56 - Mystifying Phantom Step

    Zhuo Fan stared at Xue Wanlong, thinking hard for a way to finish his enemy. Xue Wanlong was the same, yet his eyes seemed lost.


    He saw no hesitation from Zhuo Fan, but a naked taunt instead. This was not how a Qi Condensation cultivator was supposed to stare at a Bone Tempering expert. It was more akin to a savage beast staring down its prey, and he didn¡¯t like it one bit.


    [Being stared down by someone weaker than me feels like I¡¯ve lost all respect.]


    He decided to rush for an attack and strike awe in this kid.


    But Zhuo Fan got ahead of him and ran for him first.


    ¡°Second move!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s sudden action startled him, but soon recalled who he was. Even if it was against a punk, he wasn¡¯t about to make a fool of himself.


    Moreover, only Savage Moon was a threat to him. If he paid attention to it, he¡¯d be fine. It would be no problem lasting ten moves.


    If his thoughts were known to others, it would leave them speechless.


    In a fight between Peak Bone Tempering expert and a Qi Condensation kid, the former who thought this was but a cat and mouse game was now thinking how to survive ten moves.


    Who the hell was strong and who was weak then? And more importantly, who in the hell told him to make a 10 moves bet in the first place?


    But he had no time to mind such trifles as Zhuo Fan had turned into a silver light. Seeing the silver light approach him, Xue Wanlong exploded with power and retreated. It could be said that he was being wary of Savage Moon, but he was even more afraid that he would end up making an embarrassing scene!


    Xue Lin, who was thrown down, coughed twice then stared in shock, ¡°Dad, you were the one who brought up the ten moves bet, not the other way around!¡±


    Xue Wanlong¡¯s face froze, itching to run over and kick his son¡¯s rear real good. [Can you be even more oblivious? This kid¡¯s toy is sharp and you want me to play around with death?]


    Xue Lin was ignorant of his dad¡¯s struggle and kept cheering. But Xue Wanlong¡¯s face was getting more and more ashen!


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t even get to touch Xue Wanlong¡¯s clothes in the first 5 moves. But he saw through Xue Wanlong¡¯s intention and became bold.


    With a manic grin, Zhuo Fan declared, ¡°Sixth move!¡±


    He sped up for another attack while Xue Wanlong was prepared to dodge.


    But this time, Zhuo Fan stepped lightly and turned into three figures, surrounding Xue Wanlong. Three silver lights approached Xue Wanlong in a threatening manner from different directions.


    Xue Wanlong was startled. But as a Peak Bone Tempering expert, he didn¡¯t lose his calm. He kicked the ground and made it explode. The force helped him dodge backwards, almost enough to escape the encirclement.


    But Zhuo Fan sneered and stepped again!


    Whoosh!


    The images dissipated. However, Zhuo Fan appeared from behind Xue Wanlong and cut past his ear!


    ¡°Low spirit ranked martial art, Mystifying Phantom Step!¡±


    The two stopped again, with Zhuo Fan standing three meters away from his opponent with a smile. Xue Wanlong stood there watching a strand of black hair floating before him.


    ¡°I-I lost!¡±


    He couldn¡¯t believe it. What was meant to be a test for the kid, ended with his complete loss in the 6th move.


    He didn¡¯t sense Zhuo Fan behind him, but since Zhuo Fan could cut his hair just as well, it could¡¯ve been his head.


    In other words, Zhuo Fan was going easy on him.


    Xue Wanlong swallowed dryly. He was going all out from the 2nd move. But even so¡­


    ¡°Impossible!¡±


    The beggar and Xue Lin yelled at the same time. They found it hard to accept that such a powerful expert lost to their peer.


    ¡°Dad, you must¡¯ve gone easy on purpose, right?¡± Xue Lin ran next to Xue Wanlong with expectation in his eyes. But Xue Wanlong didn¡¯t comment.


    Zhuo Fan watched them coldly, ¡°Of course Clan Head Xue went easy. His first move was just a test, without killing intent!¡±


    ¡°If dad hadn¡¯t gone easy, you¡¯d be dead!¡± Xue Lin was grasping for straws here when he stuck out his chin in derision.


    But Zhuo Fan just sneered, ¡°Terribly sorry, your dad didn¡¯t go all out. But if he had, his head would¡¯ve been lying on the ground by now!¡±


    Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t saying to scare people.


    Although his first attempt with Blood Infant failed, it only meant that he lost the initiative completely. And that didn¡¯t equal losing his chance to kill Xue Wanlong.


    A Bone Tempering expert lacked speed in comparison to a Profound Heaven expert. With Savage Moon¡¯s assist, Zhuo Fan¡¯s speed matched a Bone Tempering expert. So, he still had a chance with his speed.


    What was left then was to deliver a killing blow at the perfect timing!


    If Zhuo Fan was in the 4th layer of Qi Condensation, it would¡¯ve been impossible. But in the 5th layer, he could use spirit ranked martial arts.


    And the first one he trained was Mystifying Phantom Step.


    This was not your average martial art, but one coming from Nine Serenities Secret Records, a rare martial art that made use of an array¡¯s advantage. The phantom part wasn¡¯t important, but it was crucial to bait the opponent. The true killing move came from the mystified path he drew his opponent in.


    With this martial art, Zhuo Fan could teleport anywhere within a short-range.


    During their fight, the phantoms took all of Xue Wanlong¡¯s attention and made him ignore the sudden appearance of Zhuo Fan behind him.


    If Zhuo Fan had sensed any killing intent in their fight, he would¡¯ve chopped Xue Wanlong¡¯s head off.


    Xue Wanlong was more than clear on this and accepted his defeat.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan,¡± With a sigh, Xue Wanlong stared at him solemnly, ¡°You¡¯re the most reliable youth I¡¯ve ever seen. I will leave Ning¡¯er with you. Don¡¯t fail him!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was puzzled, [What does he mean by that?]


    But Xue Wanlong didn¡¯t explain and hugged the little beggar.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, go and don¡¯t return. Follow your dreams!¡±


    ¡°Dad!¡± The little beggar cried rivers. Zhuo Fan watched in shock, [Dad? When did Xue Wanlong have a third son?]


    But soon, he yelled, ¡°Hold on, you¡¯re 3rd Young miss, Xue Ningxiang?¡±


    Rolling his eyes, Xue Wanlong patted Zhuo Fan¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Kid, I thought you were smart, but you found this out only now! Anyway, you said it yourself that she is yours, so I am leaving her in your care. If I find out that you mistreated my daughter in any way, I will wring your life from your body!¡±


    ¡°N-o way! W-what is going on here?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was slack-jawed. All this time he¡¯d been fighting the little beggar¡¯s father and was so close to ending her entire family. [It¡¯s obvious now why she always glared at me with such hatred.]


    Sighing, Xue Wanlong took one last look at his tearing daughter and left with Xue Lin.


    After going some distance, Xue Lin said, ¡°Dad, if we don¡¯t get Ning¡¯er back, how do we explain it to Hell Valley¡­¡±


    ¡°Quiet, I have a way!¡±


    ***


    ¡°Xue Ningxiang!¡±


    Zhuo Fan stepped before the little beggar and tossed her cap. Jet-black silky hair cascaded.


    The little beggar, who was still lost in tears as she watched her father leave, yelped when this happened and hurriedly held her head. She faced him with a blushed face but didn¡¯t meet his eyes.


    ¡°Miss Ning, what¡¯s your game? Here I was fighting with your father thinking of helping you vent your anger but, in fact, it was for nothing!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang took two steps back, muttering as she looked at his angry face, ¡°Brother Zhuo, don¡¯t be angry. I only want to leave the city while you want to go to Allbeast Mountain Range. We¡¯ll each get what we want!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was startled. [Then again, she¡¯s right!]


    [As long as I get what I want, who cares if they¡¯re a family of archenemies?]


    [Each gets what he wants. This missy speaks reason. Will I, Demonic Emperor, get angry because she lied to me? Anyway, this has nothing to do with me!]


    But then Zhuo Fan was startled once again.


    [Since when have I been so emotional?]


    With a frown, Zhuo Fan recalled everything that happened since his rebirth. He then realised that being in contact with the Luo clan over the past months made him show consideration to the people around him, even without his knowledge. This wasn¡¯t how a demonic cultivator acted at all!


    [Damn it, I don¡¯t need these useless feelings. I have to change.]


    [I have to!]


    Zhuo Fan reminded himself again and again. His face then turned serene, void of any emotion.


    ¡°Xue Ningxiang, let¡¯s go!¡± Zhuo Fan pointed at the cave and said in a cold tone, ¡°Once I¡¯m done with Allbeast Mountain Range, I will take you out. At that time, our deal is done!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang looked long at him then nodded. Zhuo Fan¡¯s behavior changed way too fast as if he was a different person.


    To begin with, Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t a good man in her mind but now he became neither good nor bad, but cold and unfeeling¡­

 Chapter 57 - Golden Spring Pool

    Allbeast Mountain Range, deep in the forest.


    In a remote thicket, a rabbit was chewing on tender juicy grass. Suddenly, the rabbit straightened its ears and bolted.


    A moment later, a black hand extended out from the ground followed by the slow crawl of the little beggar. But as she was crawling, she was flung out with a loud sound, as if a palm had slapped her.


    ¡°Get out already!¡±


    Zhuo Fan scowled and came out after the beggar flew. He was just as filthy as the beggar and looked as if he had crawled through a cramped coal mine.


    The tunnel was winding and almost half a mile long, it was also damp and smelled of rot. He couldn¡¯t understand for the life of him what was so great about playing in this place as kids?


    Xue Ningxiang got on her feet, rubbed her rear and then glared at him, ¡°You¡¯re the worst. I show you the way and this is my thanks?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m a scoundrel!¡±


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t argue with her and had his eyes peeled, scanning the surrounding as he heard the seldom roar of spiritual beasts. He now knew that this was indeed Allbeast Mountain Range.


    Looking at his filthy appearance, he shook his head and turned to Xue Ningxiang, ¡°Hey, is there any river nearby?¡±


    Rolling her eyes, Xue Ningxiang began walking, ¡°Follow me!¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled and followed her.


    Fifteen minutes later, the sound of water reached their ears. He perked up and sped.


    His eyes were soon rewarded with the sight of a wide river flowing with clear water and small fishes.


    With a shout, Zhuo Fan leapt in despite a female¡¯s presence. His clothes then flew out.


    Xue Ningxiang whipped her body around in shame and snapped, ¡°You rogue, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°What do you think, bathing!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snorted as he bathed with no regard to her presence, ¡°I¡¯ll get out after I finish. Do what you want! If you wish, we can bathe together, I don¡¯t mind!¡±


    ¡°Damn you, who wants to bathe with you?¡± Xue Ningxiang didn¡¯t turn around, only mumbled with irritation, ¡°Shameless!¡±


    Zhuo Fan heard her loud and clear though. [If demonic cultivators cared about reputation, what are righteous cultivators then?]


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhuo Fan came out of the river and put on a new robe from his ring. He patted Xue Ningxiang¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Let¡¯s go, where is the Diamond Sand going to appear?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang was a bit nervous seeing Zhuo Fan wanted to leave. She stood there in hesitation and was too embarrassed to speak.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, ¡°What? Show the way. Didn¡¯t we have a deal?¡±


    ¡°B-but¡­¡± Xue Ningxiang muttered shyly, ¡°I haven¡¯t washed yet!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyebrow twitched and he exposed an enigmatic smile, ¡°I told you to wash but you refused! Since you haven¡¯t then that¡¯s that. I won¡¯t avoid you either way!¡±


    ¡°B-but¡­¡±


    Xue Ningxiang was even more embarrassed now. She put on a disguise to run away from home. But she was a girl, and girls loved beauty, so how could she allow herself to stay dirty?


    Zhuo Fan knew this too, but he was just teasing the hell out of her. [Who told her to deceive me?]


    Xue Ningxiang was swaying from one foot to the other but didn¡¯t speak. But when she caught Zhuo Fan¡¯s faint smile she knew he was teasing her.


    Pissed, she threw her hat in his face and walked to the river.


    But after a few steps, she turned to warn Zhuo Fan, ¡°Y-you better not peek!¡±


    Zhuo Fan mocked as he left, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in unripe fruits!¡±


    Unripe?


    Xue Ningxiang was startled, then looked down at her chest and pushed it out unconvinced, ¡°Humph, where am I unripe?¡±


    But Zhuo Fan had already disappeared among the trees.


    Xue Ningxiang pouted and returned to the river with a gloomy heart.


    Half an hour later, Zhuo Fan was laying carefree on a bush, holding a straw in his mouth and contemplating his next course of action. The bushes around him moved at that moment and Zhuo Fan looked over with a smile.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re finally done! Little miss, can we go now?¡±


    ¡°Y-yeah!¡±


    With a shy reply, the bushes were pushed aside. A white-clothed delicate girl slowly walked out. She wasn¡¯t gorgeous, but she had a lively air about her.


    She was like a bouquet of fresh and pure flowers!


    Even Zhuo Fan was startled by her image. He didn¡¯t think that the dirty little beggar from before would transform into a gentle swan.


    Xue Ningxiang reddened a bit from his constant staring. She coughed and Zhuo Fan smiled embarrassingly.


    ¡°Um, lady Xue, please lead the way.¡±


    Changing his mannerism after encountering a belle, Zhuo Fan started to despise himself a bit, [Since when have I become so shameless?]


    Yet the end result was that he found it refreshing walking side by side with a belle¡­


    Two hours later, Xue Ningxiang brought him to a hilltop. Zhuo Fan was puzzled, ¡°Since the Diamond Sand is coming out, there should be plenty of people around. Why is it deserted?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang shook her head and rolled her eyes, ¡°Brother Zhuo, I thought you were smart. How come you are so stupid all of a sudden?¡±


    Zhuo Fan watched her skeptically.


    ¡°If we go in right now, we will be caught. That is why I led you here!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang pulled Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand and went higher up the hill and pointed, ¡°That is the place where the Diamond Sand will erupt!¡±


    Looking over, Zhuo Fan saw many figures, fifty in number, defending a pond. The pond seemed to be connected to a hot spring as it was bubbling.


    In the centre, on a stone rising from the water, sat a grey-robed white-haired elder with his eyes closed. The air was warm around him but the steam from the hot spring vanished the closer it got to him.


    So much so that not even his hair was wet!


    ¡°Such deep cultivation. Is he a Profound Heaven expert?¡± Zhuo Fan frowned in panic.


    Suddenly, that elder snapped his eyes open and looked in Zhuo Fan¡¯s direction. His eyes were sharp and landed like lightning on his position.


    ¡°Get down!¡±


    Zhuo Fan pulled Xue Ningxiang to lie on a rock as cold sweat ran all over his body, ¡°Such a sharp instinct, he is a Profound Heaven expert for sure!¡±


    ¡°Correct!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang nodded, ¡°He is Hell Valley¡¯s elder overseeing Blue Expanse City for the past dozen years. Last month he found that the Golden Spring Pool released a lot of Diamond Sand and has stood watch here ever since. The 50 people around him are also Bone Tempering experts!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Before Diamond Sand erupted, it would cause the Flowing Gold Tide. But the Flowing Gold Tide would only contain trace amounts of Diamond Sand. But three months from then, the Diamond Sand would erupt for sure.


    [To get all the Diamond Sand before others, they placed guards. But who is to say the Diamond Sand would erupt from here?]


    Zhuo Fan frowned as he thought. With his power, he had no hope of stealing the Diamond Sand, unless¡­


    His eyes flashed and pulled Xue Ningxiang off the hilltop.


    ¡°What, you have a way?¡± Seeing Zhuo Fan confident, Xue Ningxiang was startled.


    She was already shocked that he could beat her family, but could he also have the power to win against a Profound Heaven cultivator and a team of Bone Tempering experts?


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°If you can¡¯t beat them, outwit them! Let¡¯s go, I want you to find a little pet for me!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang was puzzled.


    In the Golden Spring Pool, the elder¡¯s eyes were filled with confusion, ¡°Did I sensed wrongly¡­¡±


    At the same time, in Blue Expanse City, Xue Wanlong took Xue Lin¡¯s dirty figure home. In the main hall of the Xue clan sat a wizen old man in the seat of honor, watching the two. Then he suddenly jumped to his feet.


    ¡°How was it? Did you bring Ning¡¯er? Did you deal with the culprit that harmed Gang¡¯er?¡±


    Sighing, Xue Wanlong shook his head, ¡°Dad, I let them go! That kid is not bad, so I entrusted Ning¡¯er to him. As for him injuring Gang¡¯er, he did not know any better. As long as he takes care of Ning¡¯er, I do not mind it.¡±


    ¡°What, that man is Ning¡¯er¡¯s¡­¡± The old man spouted in shock.


    Nodding, Xue Wanlong said, ¡°That kid said Ning¡¯er was his. Ning¡¯er was also willing, so we can assume so!¡±


    ¡°Fool!¡±


    The old man slapped the table with a howl, ¡°Wanlong, no matter who the kid is, even if you disregard what he did to Gang¡¯er, Ning¡¯er can never ever be taken away. You know that if she leaves, our Xue clan¡­¡±


    Even though he was angry, his eyes revealed sadness.


    Xue Wanlong looked at his father with firm eyes as he said, ¡°Dad, let Ning¡¯er go. I will take full responsibility!¡±


    ¡°You take shit! Can you keep the young and old safe?¡±


    The old man roared, ¡°Wanlong, I know you love your daughter, but you think I don¡¯t? But Xue clan¡­¡±


    Sighing, the old man¡¯s face hardened, ¡°Where did they go?¡±


    Xue Wanlong was vexed, but still spoke as he closed his eyes, ¡°Allbeast Mountain Range!¡±


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, the old man vanished¡­

 Chapter 58 - Mystery Guy

    Zhuo Fan and Xue Ningxiang were searching through bushes in Allbeast Mountain Range. Xue Ningxiang was unsettled, not knowing where he was going with this.


    Zhuo Fan suddenly shouted in glee and held out something dirty, ¡°Found it!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang blinked in curiosity at the thing, ¡°What is it? What does it do?¡±


    ¡°Sweet potato!¡±


    Zhuo Fan gave a vague smile and continued, ¡°The one thing that 1st level spiritual beast Burrowing Mouse likes the most!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s eyes flashed and yelled, ¡°Great plan, you want to use a Burrowing Mouse to make a tunnel and steal the Diamond Sand!¡±


    The Burrowing Mouse didn¡¯t know how to fight and even a Foundation Establishment cultivator could capture it easily. But its burrowing skill was second to none.


    Just one of these critters could dig through a thousand-mile long mountain range in an hour!


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t reply and showed a faint smile. Xue Ningxiang felt even more suspicious now. No one seemed to be able to unravel the insidious mind of Zhuo Fan.


    A moment later, Zhuo Fan took Xue Ningxiang far away from the Golden Spring Pool and made a fire in which he threw the sweet potato.


    Soon, a sweet aroma wafted for a hundred miles!


    Many spiritual beasts raised their heads and began searching for the source. Zhuo Fan took Xue Ningxiang to lay in ambush close by, their eyes fixed on the fire.


    The bushes rustled and many spiritual beasts, big and small, approached the fire. They prodded the black lumps in the fire, wanting to find out from where the sweet smell came from, to no avail.


    Zhuo Fan secretly laughed and smiled at Xue Ningxiang.


    In fact, the two took the cooked sweet potato long ago, they only left it inside enough to release its sweet smell and attract the Burrowing Mouse. If not, the other spiritual beasts would¡¯ve taken it away and ruined their plan.


    More and more spiritual beasts came and searched, but found nothing.


    However, the soil next to the fire moved as it bulged outwards to no more than a fist in size. Zhuo Fan stood up slowly and got ready.


    Suddenly, the bulge of dirt broke away. A creature with a black mouth on its tiny head came out. It roamed around the fire a few times and sniffed.


    [Now!]


    Zhuo Fan screamed in his mind as he shot for the fire. The spiritual beasts, which gathered around the fire, were only at 1st and 2nd level, ran away at the sudden noise.


    Only the Burrowing Mouse was oblivious to what was happening, but its intuition as a spiritual beast gave it a bit of insight that danger was looming. It immediately started moving its claw, wanting to burrow.


    But it was too late. Zhuo Fan already flashed before it and grabbed its tail.


    The Burrowing Mouse struggled for its life in panic. But there was no escape from the demonic palm of Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°He-he-he, buddy, you wanna run?¡± With a manic grin, Zhuo Fan grabbed the critter¡¯s frail body and squeezed. It screeched in pain and flailed its claws.


    Xue Ningxiang couldn¡¯t take it anymore and took the poor thing close to her chest. She patted it and threw Zhuo Fan an evil eye, ¡°How can you be so cruel? What if you hurt it?¡±


    ¡°Humph, spiritual beasts don¡¯t get bruised easily!¡± Zhuo Fan snorted, ¡°We need to hurry and tame it or we won¡¯t get another chance!¡±


    ¡°But you don¡¯t need to be such a boor about it! My clan had raised some small spiritual beasts before and even if they were wild they still listened to me!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang comforted the poor critter with a sweet smile, ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, little one?¡±


    The Burrowing Mouse seemed to understand and nodded, then glared at Zhuo Fan.


    [Curses, buddy you¡¯re pushing it here!]


    Zhuo Fan raged inside, itching to get his hand on the prick. But it was impossible, not with Xue Ningxiang guarding it like a tigress.


    But then an idea struck him and his manic grin returned.


    The Burrowing Mouse shivered at the sight of him and hid in Xue Ningxiang¡¯s chest.


    ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± Xue Ningxiang warned Zhuo Fan as she stepped back.


    His face flipped to a gentle smile as a gourd appeared on his palm, ¡°It¡¯s alright. I won¡¯t harm the little one. I only want it to swallow something.¡±


    Then he took out a blood-red worm from the gourd.


    It was the demonic creature he had raised with great care, Frigid Pool Bloodworm! Any creature that ingested it would have no choice but to listen to his commands or the Blood Curse would claim their lives.


    If not for time being an issue, he wouldn¡¯t have wanted to waste a Bloodworm on a 1st level spiritual beast!


    ¡°What is that? So disgusting!¡± Xue Ningxiang frowned and took another step back. The Burrowing Mouse also sensed the danger and hid in her chest.


    Zhuo Fan was dead serious, ¡°We have two ways we can tame the little guy fast. Either let me train it for a day, or he eats this.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang saw Zhuo Fan¡¯s face and she knew if she refused, he¡¯d use force.


    Helpless, Xue Ningxiang took the Burrowing Mouse out and patted its head, ¡°Little one, it¡¯s better if you eat it. Although its a tad disgusting, it¡¯s better than landing in that guy¡¯s hands!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang said as she walked towards Zhuo Fan.


    With a sinister smile, Zhuo Fan inched the bloodworm close to the Burrowing Mouse¡¯s mouth. The critter struggled but it was of no use. The bloodworm was about to enter its mouth.


    At that moment, however, a whoosh was heard.


    Zhuo Fan pushed Xue Ningxiang away as he moved back himself, ¡°Watch out!¡±


    A cold light passed between them. The freezing ray almost touched Zhuo Fan¡¯s fingers as it cut the wiggling bloodworm clean in half. He was aware of the killing intent the ray contained.


    Zhuo Fan turned to see a tall youth not ten meters away. He looked to be 20 years old and had a handsome visage. His eyes flashed with coldness, like a pair of sharp blades, at the two of them.


    The Burrowing Mouse shrieked a few times and ran from Xue Ningxiang¡¯s hands and climbed up his body to his shoulder.


    [It¡­ has a master?] Zhuo Fan scowled.


    The youth snorted at the two, ¡°You both got some nerve eying my spirit animal!¡±


    ¡°Uh, sorry, it wasn¡¯t on purpose¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan stopped Xue Ningxiang¡¯s explanation with a wave and pushed her behind him, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if it has a master or not. We need it today!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, big words!¡±


    The youth sneered, ¡°One insect is in the 5th layer of Qi Condensation, while the other in the 4th. Yet you still want to tame what is mine? Fine, guess I will have to end you!¡±


    ¡°Humph, we will see about that!¡±


    Sneering, Zhuo Fan rushed at the youth as Savage Moon flashed in his hand.


    ¡°3rd-grade demonic treasure?¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, the youth lost the contempt he had before. This demonic treasure was a threat to his life, and in all his teachings he received, one needed to go all out regardless of the enemy!


    His eyes gleamed as he dashed at Zhuo Fan, his hand flashed and it now held a longsword.


    In an instant, the world seemed to freeze over. The sky and the earth seemed to vanish as flickering lights spewed from the sword!


    ¡°Empty Net!¡±


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan suddenly slowed down amid his charge. Even his surroundings were sluggish while the only thing unaffected was the longsword.


    ¡°Profound ranked martial art, 7th layer of Bone Tempering Stage, and 4th-grade spiritual weapon!¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan started to take this seriously.


    This youth wasn¡¯t average. It was hard enough reaching such cultivation at his age, but he had also grasped a profound ranked martial art and used a 4th-grade spiritual weapon!


    In the Tianyu Empire, rare were those like him even in the Seven Noble Houses!


    And exactly that was the answer. This man could be a core disciple of the Seven Noble Houses, perhaps even an inheritor. Today Zhuo Fan offended him and tomorrow trouble would come knocking. The only choice was to kill him!


    In an instant, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes exploded with killing intent.


    The youth was startled!


    [Am I not the one holding the advantage? Why is this kid releasing such thick killing intent? Does he think he can actually kill me?]


    The next moment, however, Zhuo Fan¡¯s action left him pale.


    Despite knowing that he was slowed down, Zhuo Fan only took a step and turned into five images of himself!


    Sneering, the youth grinned, [Think you can act tough with such a base level killing move?]


    The youth¡¯s sword turned into five and struck each figure down. But at that moment, Zhuo Fan¡¯s voice came from behind him.


    ¡°Nice sword skill! Too bad you met me!¡±


    The youth jumped in fright, [When did he get behind me?] In this moment of imminent danger, he stabbed backwards.


    The sword art¡¯s aim was perfect, targetting Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest!


    Zhuo Fan looked down calmly, with slight praise in his heart, [Too bad it¡¯s over!]


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan ignored the sword going for his chest and slashed at the youth¡¯s waist. If this continued it would end with Zhuo Fan being gravely wounded and the youth dead!


    [A wound for a kill, worth it¡­]

 Chapter 59 - Sword Marquise Abode Of The Seven Noble Houses

    Ding!


    Zhuo Fan slashed with full power, but a metal screech echoed and Savage Moon bounced back.


    He squinted as his heart was in a panic, [This punk has a spiritual armor besides the spiritual weapon!]


    But the timing didn¡¯t even let him think. The youth¡¯s sword was getting dangerously close to his chest. In this wound for a kill scenario, his opponent would come unharmed while he would be too wounded to continue fighting.


    [Damn it, I miscalculated this time!]


    Zhuo Fan secretly cursed and used the Savage Moon¡¯s rebound to save himself! Not for the life of him did he think this freakin¡¯ punk to be this rich.


    Even an elder from Hell Valley had a single demonic treasure at best. But this punk here was wielding one while wearing another.


    [Who the hell is he?]


    Bam!


    With no more time to think, Zhuo Fan¡¯s Savage Moon and the golden sword struck each other.


    With a loud sound, Zhuo Fan flew back due to the force. The blood in his chest flowed erratically and forced him to spew blood.


    He hit the dirt and the Savage Moon clanked next to him in two. His brow shivered as he turned solemn.


    [He has a 4th-grade spiritual armor on him that my Blood Infant can¡¯t get through. The only way to hurt him was with Savage Moon.]


    [But Savage Moon is now in pieces.]


    This was the first time since his rebirth that Zhuo Fan met such a danger to his life.


    The youth was in the 7th layer of Bone Tempering Stage, had a spiritual weapon, had a spiritual armor, and even profound ranked martial arts! [I can¡¯t punch through his defense and I can only take a beating.]


    But the worst part was, the youth used all his power against someone weaker. Everyone was afraid of the serious types.


    [This will make it even harder for him to make any mistakes for me to exploit.]


    [How do I fight him?]


    Zhuo Fan stared down the figure while his forehead ran cold with sweat.


    Yet who¡¯d have known that the youth¡¯s mental state mirrored his, maybe even more terrified!


    The youth was known as a genius among geniuses in his clan. He learned the sword all his life and never lost! But against Zhuo Fan, who was weaker, he was one move away from dying even when he exerted his all.


    If not for the spiritual armor, he¡¯d be dead! Dead from a man weaker than him by a stage.


    He just couldn¡¯t get over this. He was an exceptional genius who could defeat a peak Bone Tempering expert in a single move. He was the clan¡¯s successor, how could¡­


    The youth¡¯s brow was sweating bullets and gnashed his teeth at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Brother, what is your name?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was startled and saw the change in the youth¡¯s eyes, guessing he wouldn¡¯t keep on wanting to kill them, he replied, ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll remember you. We¡¯ll finish this the next time we meet!¡± That youth sheathed his sword, took his Burrowing Mouse, and was about to leave.


    Zhuo Fan rushed to say, ¡°Wait!¡±


    The youth stopped, ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Dare I ask brother, are you also here for the Diamond Sand?¡±


    The youth stared at Zhuo Fan, ¡°What if I am, what if I¡¯m not?¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°If not, then lets part ways. If you are, want to work together?¡±


    ¡°Work together?¡± The youth frowned and took a long look at the two, ¡°How? Not even the three of us are enough to steal one speck of Diamond Sand!¡±


    Not long back, this youth viewed them as nothing more than insects, but his words just now showed his respect for Zhuo Fan¡¯s strength as someone equal to him.


    Zhuo Fan grinned inside. [We can negotiate like this.]


    ¡°Brother has a Burrowing Mouse, so you plan to avoid fighting them.¡±


    The youth smiled, ¡°So we had the same idea. I see why you wanted this guy! But this Burrowing Mouse is mine. What can you bring if we team up?¡±


    ¡°The correct way of using the Burrowing Mouse!¡±


    Zhuo Fan continued with a smile, ¡°How is brother going to use it to get the Diamond Sand?¡±


    The youth squinted, and replied with another question, ¡°How about you?¡±


    ¡°Dig a tunnel, wait for the Diamond Sand to erupt, and we steal some.¡± Xue Ningxiang spoke out of turn.


    But her response only earned the laughter of the two until her face went red. She glared, ¡°Why are you laughing? Am I wrong?¡±


    The youth shook his head, ¡°Lady, they have a Profound Heaven expert, so how could it work? You¡¯ll be caught before you even make a move!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°In any case, my silly sister raised an option we definitely must avoid. What about you?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang glared at Zhuo Fan for making fun of her, but her face became red again for some other reason.


    The youth spoke simply, ¡°Easy, the Diamond Sand is pushed by the deep earth and comes out as a spring. I will have the Burrowing Mouse dig a small tunnel from the main course to direct a part of the Diamond Sand to me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan clapped and Xue Ningxiang praised the brilliance of it, ¡°Great plan.¡±


    The youth smiled with pride, but Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°If I were you, this would also be the best plan.¡±


    The youth frowned, ¡°You have a better way then?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, of course. Why would I work with you if I didn¡¯t?¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled as he continued, ¡°Your plan won¡¯t earn you even a thousandth. Since there are so many types of earth layers beneath us, the Diamond Sand will be stuck along the way and you will get even less!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your idea then?¡± The youth stared at him.


    With a mysterious smile, Zhuo Fan stuck out his chin, ¡°If brother believes me, I can get all of it, leaving nothing to Hell Valley. We will later split it evenly. What do you say?¡±


    ¡°How can that be?¡±


    The youth watched them in shock, but Zhuo Fan was confident, ¡°My skill is making impossible possible.¡±


    This got the youth to recall Zhuo Fan¡¯s close call in killing him and nodded, ¡°Fine, I believe you! How do we do it?¡±


    ¡°Splendid!¡± Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°We are now partners. How should I address brother?¡±


    ¡°Xie Tianyang!¡± The youth spoke loud and clear.


    Zhuo Fan frowned, ¡°Xie¡­ you mean you¡¯re from the Seven Noble Houses, Sword Marquise Abode¡­¡±


    Waving his hand, Xie Tianyang smiled vaguely. But they all figured out even if Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t get to finish. Xue Ningxiang watched the youth for a long time in shock.


    Second rate clans like the Xue clan relied on the protection of the Seven Noble Houses. Just that she never got to leave Blue Expanse City, not once in her life, and the only Seven Noble Houses¡¯ people she saw were from Hell Valley.


    ¡°Oh, brother Zhuo, what house do you come from that you¡¯re so amazing?¡± Xue Ningxiang couldn¡¯t help but wonder as Zhuo Fan was so young and yet no less powerful than Xie Tianyang.


    In fact, Zhuo Fan could¡¯ve struck this disciple of Sword Marquise Abode dead if not for the spiritual armor. Thus, Zhuo Fan had to be from a special background.


    Xie Tianyang also turned to Zhuo Fan with eager eyes. He wanted to know just which house gave birth to such a monster.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m no one important, just a small steward in the Luo clan of Windgaze City!¡±


    Steward? Luo clan?


    The two were shocked.


    [Luo clan? Never heard of it!]


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s quite normal for you to not know. Luo clan is just a 3rd rate clan!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    This time, both of them eyed him with suspicion.


    They would never believe that a trifling clan could raise such an expert! Not even the Imperial family and the seven houses had many like him.


    ¡°Brother, if what you said is true, you are welcome to join Sword Marquise Abode!¡± Xie Tianyang¡¯s eyes shined as he patted Zhuo Fan¡¯s shoulder.


    It mattered little if Zhuo Fan was being honest, he was an unpolished gem nonetheless. With Zhuo Fan joining the Sword Marquise Abode, the Luo clan would one day be a 2nd rate clan, maybe even a peak second rate with the house¡¯s assistance. The Sword Marquise Abode would at that time grow in power even more.


    For one of the Seven Noble Houses to personally ask for a clan to sign an agreement with them would stir all other small clans into crying if they found out. But Zhuo Fan only disdained this act.


    Knowing where Xie Tianyang was going with this, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°He-he-he, you¡¯re late. I already signed an alliance agreement with Veiled Dragon Pavilion! But if Sword Marquise Abode wants to sign a similar agreement, I¡¯d be happy to oblige!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Zhuo Fan just dropped a bomb that shocked the other two to their cores!


    Alliance agreement? Veiled Dragon Pavilion?


    Why would Veiled Dragon Pavilion do this for a small clan¡­

 Chapter 60 - Thousand Mile

    Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang took long skeptical looks at Zhuo Fan.


    From Zhuo Fan¡¯s reaction, it could be said he spoke the truth. But this news was too outrageous, even worse than if the heaven and earth switched places.


    The Seven Noble Houses could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Imperial family. If they discovered a clan with great potential, signing a vassal agreement was more appropriate.


    But an alliance agreement only ever happened between the Seven Noble Houses.


    Yet this gap in power between the house and the clan breached by an alliance agreement made it look like the Emperor went out to a beggar and called him brother.


    Such an act would make them, the seven houses and the Emperor, look like charitable folks. But this was fundamentally impossible. Just how did Zhuo Fan do it?


    Xie Tianyang watched Zhuo Fan closely but shook his head in the end, ¡°Brother, it¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t want to say it. But do you have to lie to us so openly?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang rolled her eyes while whining, ¡°Brother Zhuo, we told you everything about us, while you still keep your¡¯s secret. This is not proper!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head. The truth was taken as lies by others and he did not know how to respond.


    ¡°Alright, brother Zhuo, let¡¯s forget it. We¡¯ll be going our separate ways when this is over anyway, with little chance of meeting again. There¡¯s no need to know everything about each other.¡±


    Then, Xie Tianyang clapped, ¡°We had better listen to brother Zhuo¡¯s plan.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded with a smile.


    He liked Xie Tianyang¡¯s attitude a lot. There was no eternal enemies and friends in the world, only benefits. They were friends now, thanks to a mutual goal, but tomorrow they might be on opposite sides. There was no need to know too much about each other.


    Quite the contrary, it would be best to hide one¡¯s secret and protect one¡¯s identity.


    Only Xue Ningxiang pouted, ¡°Since we were brought together by fate, why can¡¯t we be friends?¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang just smiled.


    Zhuo Fan then retrieved a piece of paper from his ring and began to write on it. Fifteen minutes later, a strange design adorned it.


    Xue Ningxiang was looking puzzled, while Xie Tianyang was feeling more and more astonished with each brushwork.


    ¡°This¡­¡±


    Xie Tianyang watched the finished design in shock, ¡°A 1st-grade array?¡±


    ¡°B-but I¡¯ve never seen this one in my life, and I¡¯ve seen my fair share¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan secretly nodded. Xie Tianyang was from the seven houses, and just like Long Kui, he had learned of arrays from a young age. But few parts of this array were from an ancient era and not seen today. Thus, he could not understand the array completely.


    Xie Tianyang studied the design for a long time, then looked at Zhuo Fan with a firm gaze, ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re from the seven houses, no, maybe even Imperial¡­¡±


    He wasn¡¯t certain, because the more he got to know Zhuo Fan, the more Zhuo Fan¡¯s talent scared him. So much that he couldn¡¯t ascertain which house Zhuo Fan belonged to.


    He even felt the seven houses couldn¡¯t have raised such a monstrous talent. Then the only one above the houses was the Imperial family¡­


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°I already said it. It¡¯s up to you to believe or not, but now we¡¯re working together.¡±


    Xie Tianyang gave a strained nod.


    ¡°Follow me!¡±


    Zhuo Fan took out a map and walked ahead with the other two close behind.


    After half a day, Zhuo Fan reached a stream. He gave the area a once-over and nodded. Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang were filled with curiosity.


    This place was even farther away from the Golden Spring Pool, and near the border to the second area in the Allbeast Mountain Range.


    Allbeast Mountain Range was split into three areas based on how dangerous the spiritual beasts were.


    The first area was the safest, with only 1st and 2nd level spiritual beasts roaming around, and the seldom 3rd level. These were suited for Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation cultivators to catch as spirit animals.


    And the Golden Spring Pool was in this area.


    The second area was the treasure hunting area, a place where 3rd and 4th level spiritual beasts came and went as they pleased. Entering it while being below the Bone Tempering Stage equaled death.


    But this area was filled with spiritual beasts, an important place from where strong experts got their spirit animals.


    The third area was deemed as the danger zone. The spiritual beasts here were of 5th and 6th level. Even a Radiant Stage expert would die here.


    As such, if one didn¡¯t have absolute confidence in his power, he would not step foot here.


    Zhuo Fan was now standing near the border between the first and second areas. Once they entered the second area, Xue Ningxiang, with her Qi Condensation cultivation, would find death lurking at every corner.


    Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and nodded, ¡°This is it!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang were puzzled, but Zhuo Fan waved, ¡°Brother Tianyang, I¡¯ll be counting on your Burrowing Mouse to dig a tunnel to the Golden Spring Pool, then keep digging along this pattern.¡±


    Zhuo Fan pointed on the map, ¡°This is where the Golden Spring Pool is!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Xie Tianyang said startled, ¡°For it to dig to the Golden Spring Pool is not a problem, but for it to arrange spirit stones and set an array¡­ It will take more than a thousand trips!¡±


    ¡°Correct, 3221 to be exact!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Burrowing mouse is small and can only carry one spirit stone at a time. This means it will take 3221 trips to set the array around the Golden Spring Pool.¡±


    Xie Tianyang gasped and Xue Ningxiang went slack-jawed, ¡°You want to work it to death!¡±


    Even the Burrowing Mouse seemed to understand and collapsed on Xie Tianyang¡¯s shoulder.


    [Shit, this punk is after my life. I can¡¯t do this idiotic thing or it¡¯ll be the death of me!]


    Burrowing Mouse shut its eyes. Even when it fell from the shoulder and landed on a rock it wouldn¡¯t open them, though its twitching gave it away.


    Zhuo Fan smirked and ignored the critter while talking to its owner, ¡°Time is of the essence. Diamond Sand could erupt at any minute, so get your critter step on it.¡±


    ¡°Is there no other way?¡± Xie Tianyang asked with a solemn expression.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°If you can snatch the Diamond Sand from right under their noses then be my guest!¡±


    Xie Tianyang watched the unmoving critter on the ground with pity.


    Zhuo Fan added an incentive, ¡°There¡¯s a lot more Burrowing Mouse where he comes from, but as for Diamond Sand¡­ He-he-he, only if you listen to me will you make a killing!¡±


    Spurred on, Xie Tianyang¡¯s eyes flashed and he nodded, ¡°Fine, it¡¯s just a 1st level spirit animal anyway. Who would need it, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The Burrowing Mouse jumped to its feet and pleaded to its owner with teary eyes.


    [Master, how can you be so cruel! I¡¯ll end up working to the bone!]


    But Xie Tianyang was too far gone to notice its gesture, as he and Zhuo Fan looked like demons with their manic grins at the poor critter.


    Xue Ningxiang watched the cuddly and pitiful little one and her heart swelled with love. She hugged it and comforted it as she glared at the two demons.


    But why would any of them care about a critter when Diamond Sand was at stake?


    At once, under the stately figure of its master, Xie Tianyang, the Burrowing Mouse was compelled to dig to Golden Spring Pool. In fifteen minutes, a new pattern was beginning to emerge underneath the Golden Spring Pool, all according to Zhuo Fan¡¯s grand design.


    Yet the elder stationed at the Golden Spring Pool was oblivious to everything that was happening right underneath his nose.


    This was only the beginning for the oppressed Burrowing Mouse, which was forced to work itself into the ground. The only time the trio saw it was when it came for the next spirit stone. It could take it at first, but once it was finished with its first hundred stones, it was dog-tired that even its fur was slick with sweat.


    Around the 500th trip, the critter was gasping.


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s heart was bleeding, wanting to give the poor guy a rest. But Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang stood like demons, just like a landlord overlooking his peasants, making sure to leave them dead tired.


    Especially Xie Tianyang, having nothing but Diamond Sand in his head, he had no time to mind trifles like getting his spirit animal killed from overworking.


    This resulted with the Burrowing Mouse making trip after trip and Xue Ningxiang giving it a sip of water on the sly out of pity, the only thing that she could do to ease its hell.


    In the eyes of the little guy, she became a goddess.


    It was starting to hate itself for choosing poorly. Its owner just heard demon king Zhuo Fan¡¯s two cents and was hooked into sending it to its death!


    When it came out for the final time, it was close to breathing its last. Xue Ningxiang hugged it and consoled it, letting it feel the joy of a survivor.


    Zhuo Fan smiled at Xie Tianyang, ¡°See, I told you it¡¯d be fine!¡±


    Xie Tianyang sighed, ¡°Yeah, but this guy would hate me to the bone after this.¡±


    ¡°No choice. If we wanted to have the array in place within three days, the only choice was its sacrifice.¡± Zhuo Fan shrugged, ¡°If he¡¯d really died of work, then it wouldn¡¯t be treated as a 1st level spiritual beast.¡±


    Zhuo Fan stood up and his hand flashed as he deployed another array on the stream¡¯s bank. With a hand sign, the spirit stones in the ground lit up.


    An invisible ripple spread out and the two arrays, thousands of miles from each other, were now connected.


    At almost the same time, the elder at the Golden Spring Pool shivered and opened his eyes with suspicion, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why am I restless all of a sudden?¡±


    Next to the stream, Zhuo Fan revealed a wicked grin, ¡°Only one more push! When the Diamond Sand erupts, Hell Valley¡¯s elder would get the shock of his life, he-he-he¡­¡±

 Chapter 61 - Heaven And Earth Shift

    With everything in place, Zhuo Fan¡¯s party entered an idle period alongside Hell Valley¡¯s elder, waiting for the eruption of Diamond Sand.


    For a while, everything was quiet and peaceful. Xie Tianyang was feeling bored standing guard every day and thought of training his martial arts, but his worries about the Diamond Sand erupting and Zhuo Fan hogging it won over that feeling in the end.


    Because he knew Zhuo Fan¡¯s mannerism but not his intention, and because he didn¡¯t understand Zhuo Fan either, he held some mistrust.


    While Xue Ningxiang seemed to have forgotten about the Diamond Sand and played with the Burrowing Mouse every day. Xie Tianyang tried to call the critter over, but the little guy gave him an eye roll, which only worked to embarrass him.


    It was his spirit animal yet it was closer with Xue Ningxiang¡­


    So he switched targets to Zhuo Fan, watching him with a perplexed look.


    Zhuo Fan was a riddle, be it his background or his origins. In no way would he believe Zhuo Fan¡¯s words of coming from a small clan.


    Among their group, Zhuo Fan was the calmest. Over the past ten-so days all he did was meditate. As if he didn¡¯t care about the Diamond Sand at all, while in fact it also concerned him the most.


    Zhuo Fan, in Xie Tianyang¡¯s mind, was becoming more valued, with how rare such a character existed in the Tianyu Empire.


    At least he didn¡¯t have the state of mind to cultivate while waiting for the Diamond Sand like Zhuo Fan.


    Cultivating with his anxiety and restlessness would only cause a deviation. While Zhuo Fan¡­


    Xie Tianyang scrutinized Zhuo Fan, feeling envy.


    A sudden sound woke Zhuo Fan up, ¡°At last, the 6th layer of Qi Condensation.¡±


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s cheek trembled and showed a resigned expression.


    To breakthrough at such a crucial time, he would never reach Zhuo Fan¡¯s state of mind for years to come¡­


    This was how the trio spent the next month. Xie Tianyang was bored out of his mind, Xue Ningxiang and the critter played like crazy, sporting smiles every moment, while Zhuo Fan sat there in meditation.


    Rolling his eyes, Xie Tianyang was driven to the point of insanity. [If I knew this would happen, I wouldn¡¯t have pushed the Burrowing Mouse that hard.]


    The critter broke up with him so thoroughly that it wouldn¡¯t even come to relieve his boredom!


    ¡°Can¡¯t take it anymore!¡± Xie Tianyang wailed.


    Then a sudden bang resounded across the mountain range and the ground started shaking.


    ¡°It¡¯s time!¡±


    Zhuo Fan jumped to his feet. Xue Ningxiang, who was playing with the critter, was a bit startled and turned to Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang.


    But the two didn¡¯t look afraid, only excited!


    Hell Valley¡¯s 7th elder stationed at Golden Spring Pool flew higher, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I have waited two months for this.¡±


    ¡°Men, cast the nets to gather the Diamond Sand!¡± The 7th elder roared and the Bone Tempering guards bowed, ¡°Understood!¡±


    They then began throwing golden nets into the Golden Spring Pool until it was all shining golden.


    At the same time, at the stream, Zhuo Fan asked, ¡°Did you prepare a net?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, why would I come for Diamond Sand if I hadn¡¯t?¡± Xie Tianyang laughed and cast his net.


    Diamond Sand erupted along with lava and it needed special nets to filter it.


    Zhuo Fan also cast his own golden net into the stream.


    Xie Tianyang watched him doubtful, ¡°Brother Zhuo, what will you do now?¡±


    ¡°Watch closely!¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled with confidence and his hand performed signs, ¡°Heaven and Earth reverse, mountains and river switch, yin and yang shift, twin array exchange!¡±


    The spirit stones laid underground shined ever brighter and each beam of light pierced the horizon.


    All around the Golden Spring Pool, 3221 light pillars towered towards the sky. The 7th elder felt uneasy, but as Diamond Sand¡¯s eruption was imminent, he had no time to mind parlor tricks and fixed his eyes on the hot spring¡¯s mouth.


    Suddenly, a column of water sprouted from the spring, just that the heat from it was far lower.


    People were stunned seeing this.


    Reason dictated that along with the eruption of Diamond Sand, lava should flow out too. The hot spring¡¯s water would be so hot that not even a Bone Tempering expert should be able to approach.


    But why was there only plain water?


    7th elder blinked in a daze, then face-palmed, ¡°Damn it, someone¡¯s playing us.¡±


    He rushed higher in the air and saw thousands of light pillars in the distance.


    ¡°There!¡±


    7th elder seethed in rage as he charged, ¡°You¡¯re dead if you think you can play me!¡±


    Meanwhile, the stream before Zhuo Fan¡¯s party was gone, replaced by a dark hole that was soon spewing lava along with fine and shiny particles.


    ¡°Diamond Sand!¡± Xie Tianyang was overjoyed as he turned to Zhuo Fan in shock, ¡°Brother Zhuo, you¡¯re great. How is the Diamond Sand erupting here?¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan flatly said, ¡°This array is called Heaven and Earth Shift. It is a mere 1st-grade array, but it can reverse yin and yang, shift mountains and rivers. I only switched Diamond Sand¡¯s flow to here.¡±


    Zhuo Fan said it dully, but Xie Tianyang was shocked to the core.


    As far as he knew, only 6th grade and above arrays could do that, and they were all lost. But Zhuo Fan not only did it but used just a 1st-grade array in the process.


    He started to recall Zhuo Fan mentioning Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s alliance agreement.


    [It might not be far fetched for Veiled Dragon Pavilion to make such an agreement if they knew of brother Zhuo¡¯s outrageous talent.]


    Xie Tianyang watched Zhuo Fan closely with a secret smile. He didn¡¯t think he¡¯d meet such a man when he decided to get the Diamond Sand.


    [There may not be a second person in the empire who can set this array.]


    Xie Tianyang then spoke, ¡°Brother Zhuo, would you like to come into Sword Marquise Abode as a Venerable?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang was tongue-tied. Zhuo Fan was so young yet he¡¯d get to be a Venerable in one of the seven houses!


    Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes and almost made Xue Ningxiang stumble with his next words, ¡°Save it. Veiled Dragon Pavilion tried it already and I refused them all the same. That¡¯s why they changed to having an alliance agreement!¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, you¡¯re showing off here.¡± Xue Ningxiang clearly doubted his words.


    But Xie Tianyang nodded and said, ¡°Alright, I will send someone with an alliance agreement when I get back. Where do I send it?¡±


    ¡°Windgaze City¡¯s Luo clan. I will return when I am finished with my affairs!¡±


    Xie Tianyang hesitated, ¡°Then I will wait for your return. I want to sign it with you. With your skills, when you leave the Luo clan in the future, we won¡¯t lose out then!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, [Why are all seven houses the same?]


    Xue Ningxiang gasped as her face twitched. [Sword Marquise Abode is so unruly, why would they want to sign an agreement with an outsider?]


    And it wasn¡¯t with a clan, but with a single man!


    But what escaped her thoughts was that precisely because Xie Tianyang was from the seven houses that he valued Zhuo Fan so much. The average clan would never see Zhuo Fan¡¯s value.


    At this time, the dark cave let out a final eruption of lava. Seeing this, Zhuo Fan urged, ¡°Get the nets!¡±


    ¡°Why the hurry?¡±


    Xie Tianyang waved and continued with a smile, ¡°The nets are made of spirit metal. They won¡¯t break in lava.¡±


    Zhuo Fan snorted, ¡°You think I don¡¯t know that? If we don¡¯t go now, we may not have a life to enjoy it.¡±


    Xie Tianyang was startled as Zhuo Fan continued, ¡°You think all elders from Hell Valley are blind? Who wouldn¡¯t notice the light pillars? Just wait, and you will have a Profound Heaven expert hovering overhead!¡±


    Xie Tianyang rushed in with his hand signs to recover the net. As the nets rose, the trio saw the glitters among the lava. And on the net¡¯s threads was shining sand.


    ¡°What do we do now?¡±


    Xie Tianyang was happy seeing the net but was aware of the imminent danger. Zhuo Fan dragged them for 12 hours to this place for a reason most obvious¨Cto buy time. Even a Profound Heaven expert would need two hours to reach here.


    During this time, they could retrieve the Diamond Sand and leave. But where to run was the question? Where was safe?


    Noticing Zhuo Fan gazing at the stream¡¯s opposite bank, the pair shouted, ¡°The second area?¡±


    ¡°Wrong!¡± Zhuo Fan said dryly, ¡°The third area!¡±


    Gasping, the two stared at Zhuo Fan in a daze.


    [Is this guy crazy? The second area is dangerous enough, but going to the third is suicide!]


    But they both were oblivious to the fact that Zhuo Fan¡¯s aim from the start was in that area.


    6th level spiritual beast, Thunder Skylark¡­

 Chapter 62 - Chase

    ¡°We¡¯ll divide the Diamond Sand first then flee!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was getting eager to get his share of the spoils when he saw the glittering dust and gave the two the cold shoulder.


    Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang smiled bitterly.


    Ever since they ran into Zhuo Fan, they were led by the nose. Zhuo Fan did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.


    The same went for abusing the critter and setting an array to steal all Diamond Sand.


    But all turned out fine in the end, everything he did was flawless and brought success. So, despite Zhuo Fan making no sense, which added to their worry, the two believed he had a failsafe in place.


    So Xie Tianyang dropped the issue and was excited by all the glittering dust before him.


    Whoosh!


    The dust flowed like water out of the net and filled a one-meter tall bucket; and that was just a third.


    So everyone started taking out any containers they had from their rings, and the coveted Diamond Sand soon filled vessels of all shapes and sizes.


    Seeing such a haul, Xie Tianyang was smiling in excitement.


    At first, he hoped to use the Burrowing Mouse to get a bit of Diamond Sand, and now, with a weirdo like Zhuo Fan around, they got everything in no time at all.


    In refining a 5th-grade spiritual weapon, a handful of Diamond Sand was enough to raise its power, making it a top 5th-grade spiritual weapon. But with heaps of Diamond Sand, who knew how many such weapons could be made, and he could even add as much dust as he wanted in the refining process.


    When refining, people would add a gram, fuse it well, then add another gram; thereby increasing the amount of Diamond Sand progressively.


    [With this much yield, it¡¯s even possible to make a pure Diamond Sand spiritual weapon, ha-ha-ha¡­]


    Xie Tianyang started laughing. Despite his high position in Sword Marquise Abode and not being poor in the least, compared to the Diamond Sand before him, it was no different than being a beggar¡­


    Zhuo Fan saw Xie Tianyang laugh, his eyes flashed as he turned back to the glittering sand with a smirk.


    [Sword Marquise Abodes¡¯s disciples are ignorant of the world outside!]


    Zhuo Fan then stashed half of the sand into his ring while he spoke in a flat tone, ¡°This is my share and the rest is yours!¡±


    Xie Tianyang blinked, then smiled, ¡°No worries, it¡¯s fine if you take a bit more!¡±


    They had struck it rich this time. So, even with Zhuo Fan taking half, it was more than enough for the other two.


    But in the end, this wealth was divided in two, with Xue Ningxiang having no interest in it. Compared to having such a precious item, she¡¯d rather get out of Blue Expanse City.


    Zhuo Fan only took his share, leaving her¡¯s untouched. Xie Tianyang secretly nodded and took the rest of the Diamond Sand, and asked Zhuo Fan, ¡°How do we escape now?¡±


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand held a small bottle and took three red pills out. He ate one and gave the rest to the two.


    ¡°This is a 1st-grade pill, Energy Concealing Pill. It can hide our auras for a whole day and let us pass through the second area while not attracting spiritual beasts.¡±


    Xie Tianyang looked at the pill with amazement, ¡°That¡¯s great! Where did you get it?¡±


    Allbeast Mountain Range was a treasure trove that had the continent¡¯s cultivators drooling over for thousands of years. Too bad the spiritual beasts were a bit savage and kept the cultivators at bay. If they knew such a pill existed, they¡¯d be fighting over it. Moreover, it was just a 1st-grade pill!


    As far as Xie Tianyang knew, the continent didn¡¯t have such a pill, or wouldn¡¯t the cultivators be flocking here by now?


    Xue Ningxiang was also amazed.


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, ¡°I made it, it is unique to me!¡±


    Xie Tianyang shouted, ¡°You¡¯re a freakin¡¯ alchemist too?¡±


    Perhaps he was a bit too amazing that Xie Tianyang even had to resort to curses. But Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t care less, which was evident from his shrug, ¡°Yep, the more skills the better!¡±


    The shock got to Xie Tianyang so badly that his cheek was twitching.


    [Who the hell is this punk? He¡¯s a Qi Condensation cultivator, yet can match me, a Bone Tempering cultivator. And now he¡¯s an alchemist too?]


    [Not only that, but he also sets up a lost array and refines unprecedented pills!]


    Until now he thought that he had met a paragon like himself, just another strong opponent like the few geniuses he found his match in, in the seven houses.


    But with Zhuo Fan revealing that he was also an alchemist, gave Xie Tianyang¡¯s psyche a heavy blow. Next time around, he¡¯d never say that he was a genius, at least not when Zhuo Fan was present!


    Xie Tianyang swallowed the pill and jumped across the stream and into the second area, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Xue Ningxiang were startled, [What¡¯s up with him?]


    They didn¡¯t know that this proud and conceited genius had just fallen from cloud nine all the way down into the mortal quagmire.


    Two hours later, a gray figure landed next to the stream. It was the seventh elder.


    His face was red with rage when he saw the steaming lava, and his hawk-eyes flashed with killing intent.


    ¡°Someone¡­ someone pulled the Diamond Sand here¡­¡±


    Squinting, the seventh elder huffed a few times then calmed down. But the coldness on his face grew thicker.


    He looked around and muttered, ¡°They just got the Diamond Sand and shouldn¡¯t have run far. If they stayed in the first area, death was only a matter of time. Then¡­¡±


    The seventh elder turned to the opposite bank with a sneer, ¡°Think you can get rid of me with parlor tricks?¡±


    Then he soared into the second area!


    A hundred miles out, Zhuo Fan¡¯s party was running when a sudden cawing came from behind followed by crows taking to the sky.


    Zhuo Fan stopped and looked back with a frown.


    ¡°What?¡± Xie Tianyang and Xue Ningxiang also stopped.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Zhuo Fan muttered, ¡°That elder is charging right into the second area!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Xie Tianyang was anxious, ¡°What now? He will catch up in no time.¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I thought that the elder would first search the first area after inspecting the lava, just to be sure. Thus, buying us enough time. Moreover, the second area is notoriously dangerous, so I guessed he wouldn¡¯t come here to search so soon. That is why I picked this area to flee.¡±


    ¡°And by the time he¡¯d figure it out, we¡¯d have a six-hour lead. And for his safety in the second area, he¡¯d be flying far slower to avoid 4th level spiritual beasts. At that point, we¡¯d be in the third area and he¡¯d ultimately given up the chase. In that area, he will be in the same boat as us, food for the spiritual beasts. So he¡¯d never go in after us.¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted, ¡°Yet he went for the second area from the start. In this case, we only have one hour lead. If he catches up to us here, we¡¯re dead!¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, haven¡¯t you heard of the seventh elder and what he is famous for?¡± Xie Tianyang asked.


    Zhuo Fan was startled, ¡°I only knew that a Hell Valley¡¯s elder was stationed here, but not the details.¡±


    Sighing, Xie Tianyang shook his head, ¡°Know your enemy and yourself and you shall win a hundred battles. It¡¯s normal for you to make a mistake when you don¡¯t even know how dreadful the seventh elder is.¡±


    ¡°Dreadful?¡± Zhuo Fan frowned.


    Xie Tianyang said in a severe tone, ¡°He is greatly admired in Hell Valley, and even Valley Lord You Wanshan consults with him. Or he wouldn¡¯t have left such an important city in the seventh elder¡¯s charge.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying he¡¯s strong?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s brow twitched.


    Xie Tianyang shook his head, ¡°Not his strength, but his schemes! He is cunning and deceitful, known as the Insidious Demon. His mind is filled with schemes. Many elders of the seven houses have fallen in his ploys. Even Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Elder Jiu lost his Purple Lightning Gold Eye because of the seventh elder¡¯s plot.¡±


    ¡°Many hate him to the bone, but even more fear him!¡±


    No wonder Zhuo Fan¡¯s plan fell through. [He is another who plays open schemes. This kind of plot is useless against him.]


    But the die was cast and Zhuo Fan¡¯s only choice was to beat him at his own game!


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, our only choice is to leave lady Ning¡¯er behind. With our speed, we may be able to escape the seventh elder¡¯s clutches.¡± Xie Tianyang¡¯s eyes flashed as he spoke firmly.


    Xue Ningxiang shuddered and grabbed Zhuo Fan¡¯s arm with a pitiful look, ¡°Brother Zhuo, you promised to get me out.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, this is not the time to be soft. Leave her behind. She will stall the seventh elder while we escape!¡±Xie Tianyang¡¯s mind was set.


    Zhuo Fan squinted as he contemplated, then sneered at Xie Tianyang, ¡°Humph, if not for my Energy Concealing Pill, you¡¯d have thrown me away too.¡±


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s mouth pursed.


    Zhuo Fan laughed it off and said, ¡°I won¡¯t abandon anyone. As for that elder, I have my way to deal with him. I will fight him right here, with an array!¡±


    Xie Tianyang nodded after a careful ponder. He knew of Zhuo Fan¡¯s skills in arrays and was certain that Zhuo Fan was an array grandmaster.


    Xue Ningxiang was beaming as she heard him and was swinging Zhuo Fan¡¯s arm on and on with a red tint on her cheeks.


    But they both failed to notice Zhuo Fan¡¯s odd smile at the end¡­

 Chapter 63 - Thunderflame Gale Array

    Whoosh!


    Beneath the shade of the forest, a gray figure flitted by. The moment a spiritual beast saw him, it would jump on him with greedy eyes.


    But the beast would ultimately fall to the ground lifeless with an extra fist imprint on its chest.


    The seventh elder¡¯s eyes turned darker, but his speed remained the same. Unlike Zhuo Fan, his flight attracted no little amount of trouble.


    Yet this only left a trail of 3rd level spiritual beasts corpses behind. He was lucky enough that he did not meet a 4th level spiritual beast, or it would have been a slightly different outcome.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, he landed in an open area. He checked for tracks, making sure nothing escaped his sight.


    ¡°He-he-he, three little brats. Want to run?¡± The seventh elder sneered. He stood upright and scrutinized his surroundings with a cold eye, ¡°Will you come out yourselves, or shall I drag you out?¡±


    His yell bathed the trees in killing intent and scared off nearby spiritual beasts.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I see the seventh elder is not without his reputation. No wonder you are called Insidious Demon, finding how many we are just from a few faint signs. I am in awe!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s laughter resounded through the air. The seventh elder frowned and paid closer attention, ¡°Kid, you have just entered the 6th layer of Qi Condensation.¡±


    ¡°Good ears!¡±


    The hidden Zhuo Fan felt his heart go cold. This elder was shrewder then he¡¯d thought, a hard opponent, but he still kept his cool.


    ¡°Seventh elder must be tired after such a long chase. And fighting here will attract 4th level spiritual beasts. It will be quite an annoyance to you. What if we strike a deal?¡±


    ¡°Which is?¡± The seventh elder snorted and his cold eyes flitted around the area.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Seventh elder chased us for so long all for the Diamond Sand. If we give you half, are you willing to let us go?¡±


    ¡°You must be joking. The Diamond Sand was mine to begin with. You want to bargain with what you stole from me?¡± The seventh elder laughed while being shrouded in thick killing intent, ¡°I will not only get my Diamond Sand but wring the life out of you brats!¡±


    Then the elder rushed towards a lush tree. He struck it with his palm and made it explode, to reveal Zhuo Fan sitting on the rock behind it.


    ¡°He-he-he, brat, you knew of my sharp hearing yet still talked about conditions with me!¡±


    The seventh elder went for another palm attack, this time targetting Zhuo Fan. But the latter was calm as ever, he even smiled, ¡°He-he-he, I¡¯ve never been afraid of revealing myself from the start!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand shifted and¡­


    Boom!


    With a loud noise, from behind Zhuo Fan, a towering flame rose 50 meters high. And with a bird cry, it took the shape of a phoenix.


    It spread its wings and launched two fire pillars at seventh elder!


    ¡°Array?¡±


    The elder was startled as he didn¡¯t foresee the weak brat would know about arrays. From the look of its power, it had to be in 5th-grade.


    No longer careless, he struck the pillars with his palms.


    Boom!


    Raging flames exploded and the elder was thrown back with burned palms.


    Looking up, the elder¡¯s carefree eyes from before, sported a hint of severity now.


    ¡°I took you lightly.¡± The seventh elder squinted, ¡°Never imagining a 6th layer of Qi Condensation youth was a 5th-grade array master. Too bad it won¡¯t be enough to beat me!¡±


    The seventh elder soared and made a sign.


    A fiendish demonic shadow rose behind him from the twisting black tendrils of energy. Wails echoed around him and made the temperature drop.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes squinted and his tone lowered, ¡°Such a malevolent demonic method, is this from Hell Valley¡¯s inheritance?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, why do the dead need to know so much?¡±


    The seventh elder cackled and pointed. The demonic shadow rushed at Zhuo Fan with a shriek. Zhuo Fan responded with a hand sign.


    The fire phoenix cried and spat flames.


    Bam!


    Flames and shadow collided in an anticlimactic way. When the fire touched the demon, hissing was heard as if it was met with ice.


    The seventh elder looked proud of this while Zhuo Fan squinted, ¡°Ning¡¯er, now!¡±


    A faint cry echoed and from another side not far from Zhuo Fan, a fierce gale hammered through the woods and exposed Xue Ningxiang sitting on a stone.


    At Zhuo Fan¡¯s call, she made the hand signs he had taught her.


    A chilling wind picked up and flew like a blade as it fused into the fire phoenix¡¯s attack.


    The fire pillar expanded ten times in a blink and started pushing back the demonic shadow.


    The seventh elder¡¯s face turned grave and made hand signs to strengthen the demonic shadow.


    But with the help of Xue Ningxiang, Zhuo Fan was getting the upper hand and the seventh elder started sweating.


    He never saw it coming. Another person was controlling the array!


    But before he could think of a countermeasure, Zhuo Fan shouted again.


    ¡°Xie Tianyang, he¡¯s yours!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I was waiting for this! See how I splatter the brains of a Profound Heaven expert!¡±


    Under Xie Tianyang¡¯s incessant cackling, lightning burst and revealed him sitting on the other side of Zhuo Fan and across from Xue Ningxiang.


    Xie Tianyang made a hand sign and launched a 50-meter long lightning dragon. With a roar, it flashed right into the demonic shadow.


    Boom!


    As lightning entered the shadow, it triggered an explosion!


    The demonic shadow could not overcome the multiple increases in power and was blown into black pieces, soon becoming nothing but ash.


    The seventh elder spatted blood!


    This defied all logic. Today, three brats hurt him! But the brats were far from done and battered him with the thunderflame gale again.


    If he didn¡¯t do something now, he¡¯d be heavenly wounded, he may even die!


    The seventh elder braced himself and waved the centipede-like chain that suddenly appeared in his hand.


    Boom!


    The thunderflame gale attack was blown away as the elder took a few steps back. Zhuo Fan¡¯s side also shivered as each of them felt blood stagnating in their chest. It was a tie!


    ¡°4th-grade demonic treasure?¡± Zhuo Fan turned serious.


    The seventh elder gasped and barked, ¡°Good, well done. I¡¯ve traveled the world for so long but today, three brats have reduced me to this state!¡±


    He turned to Zhuo Fan, ¡°I admit you¡¯re strong. If we continue, it will end with both sides dead. It¡¯s better to take your previous deal. Give me half of Diamond Sand and I will go!¡±


    The three exchanged glances. Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang didn¡¯t want to offend Hell Valley and nodded. Zhuo Fan showed an amiable smile, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s make the deal!¡±


    He then jumped off the stone. The seventh elder took back his weapon and flew towards Zhuo Fan.


    When they were ten meters apart, suddenly both their eyes flashed with murderous intent.


    ¡°Die, brat!¡±


    ¡°Finish him!¡±


    Shouting at the same time, the seventh elder revealed his demonic treasure and flung it at Zhuo Fan while the latter made hand signs.


    The flames and the centipede chain clashed.


    Xie Tianyang and Xue Ningxiang were startled. Even though they missed the first clash, they soon sent lightning and wind blade toward the elder.


    The seventh elder couldn¡¯t dodge and had to destroy their attacks with his chain once again, but he was also forced to retreat to the skies.


    Eyeing Zhuo Fan, the elder¡¯s face turned green and white from rage, ¡°Bastard, who would believe you?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, takes a demonic cultivator to know one!¡± Zhuo Fan smirked.


    Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang witnessed this in a daze.


    [Who the hell are they? One is more despicable than the other. None of them is worth trusting.]


    Both of them had only one thought since the beginning, kill.


    [They¡¯re too damn vile, treacherous, insidious¡­]


    [Had one of them trusted the other, then their side would have died by now.]


    This thought made the two gasp and their eyes darted at Zhuo Fan. [Thank god we have one just as vile and insidious among us. Or we¡¯d be dead for sure¡­]

 Chapter 64 - Bait

    [I need to calm down first.] The seventh elder took a deep breath and inspected the area with wrinkled brows.


    He found that the recovery of Diamond Sand was becoming a headache, and when he knew the trio ran into the second area, he confirmed it.


    With his experience, he could easily discover their meager cultivation. And with the highest among them being the 7th layer of Bone Tempering Stage, it was no different than squeezing three insects.


    What was unbelievable though, one of them had a deep knowledge of arrays along with a cunning mind, unlike a rash and ignorant youth he posed to be.


    This led to the current predicament. With the three working together to control the array, he would never get the upper hand.


    However, he thought of something and his hawk-eyes flashed sinisterly.


    ¡°You are Xue clan¡¯s third young miss!¡±


    The seventh elder ignored Zhuo Fan and switched targets, sizing Xue Ningxiang with a smile, ¡°I remember seeing you five years ago. You were just a child back then. My, how you¡¯ve grown into a fine lady.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s heart seized and lowered her head to avoid his piercing gaze.


    Zhuo Fan shouted, ¡°Seventh elder, if you have something to say, say it to my face. Don¡¯t go around scaring girls!¡±


    Yet the seventh elder¡¯s eyes never left Xue Ningxiang, ¡°Ning¡¯er, why do you bother going against me? Xue clan is a vassal of Hell Valley. We always took care of your Xue clan. And yet here you are, resorting to this¡­¡±


    His eyes flashed with murder as he spoke. Xue Ningxiang shivered and could no longer keep the hand sign up.


    Zhuo Fan knew that the seventh elder was threatening Xue Ningxiang and rushed to say, ¡°Attack!¡±


    He and Xie Tianyang synced their hand signs, launching lightning and fire at the seventh elder. But Xue Ningxiang was still in a daze, her hands trembling.


    Xie Tianyang thought, [Damn, Xue Ningxiang is worried for her clan and has no will to fight. Without the wind¡¯s help, there¡¯ll be a sharp decline in power.]


    The seventh elder was fighting a psychological battle, grasping the trio¡¯s weakness.


    Fire and lightning combined as it neared the elder, but his centipede chain just flew at it and the attack was nulled. The seventh elder stood still in the sky while Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang spat blood!


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s better!¡±


    The seventh elder cackled, ¡°Ning¡¯er, you made the right choice. These brats will wash their hands over this and leave from here, while your clan will stay forever.¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at the shivering Xue Ningxiang and urged, ¡°Ning¡¯er, don¡¯t listen to the old goat. He knows who you are and will destroy your clan either way. The only way to save the Xue clan is to kill him here and now. Remember my words, the Thunderflame Gale Array needs three people to work together and as long as the three are in sync, not even a Profound Heaven expert can escape!¡±


    Another shiver wreaked Xue Ningxiang¡¯s frail body and now she stood still. The seventh elder¡¯s words scared her but she had finally recovered.


    Zhuo Fan smirked and shouted, ¡°If this old coot lives, your clan is no more!¡±


    Boom!


    His words echoed in her ears and Xue Ningxiang rose her head to show killing intent for the first time as she muttered non stop, ¡°He can¡¯t leave. He has to die, he must¡­


    ¡°DIE!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang roared the last word and completed the hand sign.


    A green panther roared behind her and sped towards the seventh elder, ten times stronger than before.


    The elder panicked, noticing the true power of the array in Xue Ningxiang¡¯s hands. [From the start, the two brats used all they had in fighting me, yet she hadn¡¯t?]


    Xue Ningxiang was a kind and gentle soul, not willing to kill even her enemy. But the seventh elder¡¯s words struck a chord in her frail heart that she was close to losing her will for fighting.


    It was then that Zhuo Fan woke her up and lit a fire in her. The dissonance in her heart led to unleashing her full power.


    To protect her clan, Xue Ningxiang turned cold and unfeeling like a reaper. She was willing to do anything and everything to make sure the old geezer died here.


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang smiled and launched their own attacks. Fire, wind, and lightning combined at their strongest into an overpowering strike that threatened to consume the seventh elder.


    Even the calm and collected seventh elder was starting to feel fear. He hastily lifted the centipede chain and lashed.


    Boom!


    A huge explosion shook the entire second area and even the sky seemed to collapse. Some 4th level spiritual beasts even fled.


    The seventh elder, who was caught in the middle, was blasted a dozen meters with his hair and beard singed as he spat blood. But this time, the blood evaporated before it touched the ground.


    It was proof of the intensity of the attack that pierced his inner organs. With such a heavy wound, just one more and he¡¯d be done for!


    For the first time, the seventh elder panted with fear in his eyes. Not even he could foresee that the array needed just the girl to flip out for unleashing its full power.


    But he understood that he would not be able to take more of such attacks.


    ¡°He¡¯s on his last leg. Ning¡¯er, Xie Tianyang, get ready. We¡¯ll finish him off.¡± Zhuo Fan laughed as he made another hand sign.


    But a sudden green panther beat him and Xie Tianyang to the punch.


    All Zhuo Fan saw was Xue Ningxiang going crazy and making signs on and on as she raved, ¡°He has to die, he must die¡­¡±


    [Damn, this girl has lost it. I managed to spur her on, but now she is too far gone. Her only thought is to kill the old goat, even disregarding cooperation with her allies.]


    Her action was limiting the array¡¯s power!


    The seventh elder noticed this weakness and smiled as he charged for Xue Ningxiang! He was only facing a wind panther, and without the other two elements, he could breeze through it. With a swing of the centipede chain, the panther was no more.


    ¡°Quickly help Ning¡¯er!¡±


    Zhuo Fan panicked as he formed hand signs alongside Xie Tianyang. Once again lightning and fire came at the seventh elder.


    Yet such lack of cooperation lost the array¡¯s advantage and the seventh elder dealt with it easily. He flung the centipede chain, removing this nuisance and appeared before Xue Ningxiang.


    But she sank in, making hand signs.


    The seventh elder snorted and clutched her neck, lifting her off the ground. Xue Ningxiang began suffocating and her hands slowed down.


    ¡°Crazy girl, you almost had me killed! Consider yourself lucky since you still have some use, or I¡¯d have killed you already.¡±


    ¡°Ning¡¯er!¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang stood up with worry. The seventh elder mocked them, ¡°What are you brats called anyway? Sit tight, I will deal with you in a moment!¡±


    Zhuo Fan clenched his fists.


    ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­¡±


    Xue Ningxiang coughed, looking at Zhuo Fan with pleading eyes, ¡°Kill him, don¡¯t let him harm my father¡­¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, what a carrying daughter. You¡¯re still thinking about your father? Too bad these two brats have no way of killing me. Once I get back, I¡¯ll make sure to wipe the Xue clan for good!¡±


    Tears glistened down Xue Ningxiang¡¯s cheeks.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s heart hurt and roared in anger, ¡°Hell Valley elder, does one of your stature even know what shame is to raise your hand on a defenseless girl?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, there¡¯s no such thing as shame in a demonic cultivator¡¯s vocabulary.¡± The seventh elder cackled and turned to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Brat, you¡¯re just like this old man, stirring this girl¡¯s will to fight with a few words. I would¡¯ve taken you as my disciple if not for us being enemies!¡±


    ¡°You hurt my friend, so you must die by my hands!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone was irreproachable, ¡°Xie Tianyang, get ready to strike!¡±


    ¡°But Ning¡¯er¡­¡±


    ¡°Ning¡¯er¡­ also agreed¡­¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with a hard look. Xie Tianyang felt cold as he looked at Zhuo Fan, then saw the pleading eyes of Xue Ningxiang and sighed.


    [This old man must die, or he will slaughter the Xue clan and Ning¡¯er won¡¯t ever find peace, even in death.]


    Xie Tianyang then yelled as he made hand signs.


    The lightning dragon roared as it encroached on the seventh elder. Zhuo Fan, with his red eyes, also shouted and the phoenix behind him spread its wings.


    This was the strongest power they managed to unleash through their cooperation.


    But to all this, the seventh elder¡¯s answer was disdain, ¡°Humph, I have already figured out this array. Without wind, just you two are nothing!¡±


    Xie Tianyang gnashed his teeth. [Would our full power attack amount to nothing? Would we meet our end at his hands?]


    [Furthermore, Ning¡¯er¡¯s clan would be doomed.]


    But Zhuo Fan revealed an evil grin, ¡°Who said we lacked wind?¡±


    His hands shifted through the signs and the seventh elder was swallowed by a tornado, turning his immediate surrounding into a wind prison.


    Then came the lightning dragon and fire phoenix.


    Boom!


    Fire and lightning mixed, erupting in a spectacular fashion on contact with the tornado, burning everything within into nothing. This display of power was twice as strong as their best attack.


    [This time the elder should be dead.]


    Xie Tianyang watched it all at a loss, ¡°H-how¡­ w-what¡­¡±


    ¡°How the wind appeared?¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, unlike someone who just lost a friend, ¡°I told you before that I can¡¯t control the 5th-grade array by myself and need all three of us to work together, right? Well, I lied. That seventh elder would¡¯ve seen through you and I couldn¡¯t have deceived him in the end.¡±


    ¡°What, all¡­ was a lie¡­¡± Xie Tianyang stammered.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Insidious Demon is beyond sharp, he is Hell Valley¡¯s sage. If I fight him alone, defeat is certain. So I arranged for you two to work with me in controlling the array and help conserve power. But this wasn¡¯t without its weakness. Us three had to be in full cooperation to unleash its greatest power.¡±


    ¡°Him being the Insidious Demon, he would find this out with ease and would target the weakest among us. It¡¯s clear Ning¡¯er is that person and he would attack her. But he would have never guessed Ning¡¯er was the bait I laid out for him. So, he fell right into my trap!¡±


    ¡°Y-you¡¯re saying that you had planned on giving up on Ning¡¯er from the start?¡± Xie Tianyang gasped. Zhuo Fan felt like a stranger to him.


    He still recalled how Zhuo Fan yelled at Ning¡¯er, ¡°I won¡¯t leave anyone behind!¡± his eyes filled with righteousness. [Was it all an act?]


    ¡°What¡¯s with that look?¡± Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say to leave Ning¡¯er behind and flee, that she was a burden? I only thought of a more appropriate use of this burden!¡±


    ¡°What of your promise to her?¡± Xie Tianyang swallowed dryly, ¡°I heard you promised Ning¡¯er to take her outside the city!¡±


    Zhuo Fan waved it off, ¡°The result¡¯s the same, be it living or otherwise¡­¡±


    Seeing Zhuo Fan¡¯s casual manner, Xie Tianyang felt numb and a chill crawled up his spine.


    After working together for over a month, he had thought that he somewhat understood Zhuo Fan¡¯s character. But now it felt like he was talking to a stranger!


    Such sheer cruelty made him, a 7th layer of Bone Tempering expert, feel more fear than facing a Radiant Stage expert.


    But laughter came from amidst the thunderflame gale prison¡­

 Chapter 65 - Insidious Demon

    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, kid, you¡¯re just like me. Selfish, cruel, heartless, and won¡¯t even hesitate to use your own men. Even I¡¯m feeling a bit afraid of you!¡±


    Boom!


    The thunderflame gale prison blew away with a loud noise to reveal the sinister smiling seventh elder. Yet now he held another centipede chain in his hand, this one black.


    The two chains formed a helix around him, sparing his life from the dreadful attack. But even so, his body was littered with burn marks, and one could even see the bone in some places as blood seeped out.


    It was obvious that he survived because of these chains.


    And that too against the true power of the Thunderflame Gale Array.


    After spitting some burning blood, the seventh elder gasped, but his wicked eyes never left Zhuo Fan for a moment.


    ¡°Kid, I have always been quick to pick up on things related to my enemies everywhere I went, but today you almost had me killed! I have to admit, I never met such dreadful brat in my life.¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked over to see Xue Ningxiang unconscious at his feet. But she wasn¡¯t dead. Perhaps the chain helix protected her the same way it protected the elder.


    But it wasn¡¯t like Zhuo Fan cared if she lived or died. He just kept staring at the black centipede chain, ¡°You have another 4th-grade demonic treasure?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, I used to have only one!¡±


    The seventh elder joined the two centipede chains together to form a black and white chain, ¡°This 4th-grade demonic treasure, Yin Yang Chains are of one body. I usually attack with the yang chain and use the yin chain to kill my enemy at the right time. But to save myself today, you forced me to reveal my yin chain. You should be proud of that. Even Profound Heaven experts only figure out the truth at the moment of their deaths!¡±


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth, ¡°The Insidious Demon title fits you like a glove! You were willing to suffer a heavy wound just to keep this move hidden!¡±


    ¡°But of course!¡±


    The seventh elder coughed blood twice but his face still retained the sinister smile, ¡°With how the world is filled with lies and schemes, I prefer to keep my strongest move hidden. That is why my ploys always succeed while the ones against me fail!¡±


    ¡°But today is the exception!¡±


    The seventh elder¡¯s eyes flashed and threw the yang chain at Zhuo Fan and the yin chain at Xie Tianyang as he roared, ¡°Too bad you¡¯re out of tricks and can¡¯t beat me!¡±


    ¡°I beg to differ.¡± Zhuo Fan smirked and made a hand sign, making a bloody light fly out of Xue Ningxiang towards the seventh elder.


    The elder was seriously hurt and the chains were far away. Zhuo Fan watched him like a hawk just to find if he also had a defensive demonic treasure.


    This way he could put Blood Infant to good use.


    In his sorry state, if Blood Infant was to get inside the seventh elder, he¡¯d be refined without even a means to resist.


    This was Zhuo Fan¡¯s true killing move. Even the thunderflame gale prison was only used as bait to reveal all the elder¡¯s cards.


    Zhuo Fan refused to believe a man with the Insidious Demon fame had no hidden means to save himself.


    ¡°Demonic creature!¡±


    On the other hand, the seventh elder was startled by the bloody light. He now figured out what Zhuo Fan really intended when he said Xue Ningxiang was the bait.


    It wasn¡¯t just to trap him in the thunderflame gale prison but to also hide a killing move. With how close he was to her, he had no way of dodging.


    Insidious Demon had to admire Zhuo Fan¡¯s cunning mind for beating him at every turn.


    Zhuo Fan was expectant of victory as he smiled, ¡°It¡¯s over, seventh elder. This fight is my win¡­¡±


    Suddenly, the seventh elder¡¯s yang chain pierced through Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest. He felt his heart being crushed. A large hole was left behind on his body, with pieces of his heart here and there.


    ¡°This is impossible¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan was confident that the Blood Infant would gain control of the seventh elder once it entered him, also stopping the yang chain¡¯s attack.


    But the truth was, the chain never stopped. Zhuo Fan even felt his organs withering and seeping life force.


    This wasn¡¯t caused by the chain, but by Blood Infant¡¯s injury!


    Puking blood, Zhuo Fan watched in shock as Blood Infant hung behind the seventh elder. A flash of silver revealed a needle impaling Blood Infant¡¯s chest.


    ¡°3rd-grade demonic treasure, Twisted Needle!¡±


    The seventh elder sneered at Zhuo Fan and pulled back the Twisted Needle into his elbow.


    Blood Infant collapsed and Zhuo Fan fell to his knees. His eyes were filled with dread. He couldn¡¯t believe he just lost.


    Bam!


    A sound was heard from the side, Xie Tianyang struggled for his life but the yin chain lashed over his chest and he was now spitting blood. It was thanks to his spiritual armor that he was still breathing!


    Ignoring the rest, the seventh elder walked to Zhuo Fan calmly.


    ¡°Kid, I am known as the Insidious Demon. How can anyone outsmart me?¡±


    The seventh elder watched the dying Zhuo Fan, ¡°You¡¯re good, real good. Your schemes even make me feel fear. In a decade or two, you will become an outstanding demonic cultivator! Not even the number one sage in Tianyu can compare to you. A pity you won¡¯t live so long, because I am afraid, afraid of what you¡¯ll become. You are the first to ever make me feel this way¡­¡±


    He was about to land the finishing blow, ¡°You might die at my hand, but do not feel bad. Our cunningness is about the same, but I am stronger. In front of true power, all tricks, all methods are moot¡­ ¡°


    The seventh elder¡¯s palm came from above and Zhuo Fan could even hear the whistling wind.


    He didn¡¯t want to die, but he had nothing left to fight with.


    A loss was a loss, be it in power or cunningness. And the one to lose, died! But he had so many things he wanted to do.


    So what? The loser never had a choice to begin with!


    Closing his eyes, Zhuo Fan took one last breath and blacked out¡­


    Roar!


    A sudden roar shook the entire Allbeast Mountain Range and the seventh elder¡¯s palm stopped an inch above Zhuo Fan¡¯s head.


    Along with the roar, a wave of flames came to engulf everything. It swallowed trees and left empty husks behind.


    The seventh elder was startled.


    Looking towards the third area, he said with uncertainty, ¡°Why is this monster coming to the second area¡­¡±


    Taking another look at the hopeless trio, he gnashed his teeth and fled, even disregarding the Diamond Sand.


    A bird cry soon followed and the skies darkened. A huge bird wing trailed above, overshadowing the earth.


    The spiritual beasts shivered in their caves.


    The huge bird¡¯s wing burned blue, and each flap sent sparks everywhere. Wherever the sparks landed, flames torched all of it into nothing.


    The previously lush forest was now reduced to ash after the bird passed. Not even bones were left of the 4th level spiritual beasts touched by the flames.


    The huge bird flew for a while then left, but the forest beneath it was no more.


    Zhuo Fan and the other two were lying unconscious among the ashes. Some spiritual beasts passed by but finding them dead, they left.


    In fact, it was thanks to the Energy Concealing Pill that hid their auras.


    Cough, cough, cough¡­


    With a light cough, Xue Ningxiang strained her eyes open, but shock swept her heart. [Why is the forest gone and only ash remained?]


    [The seventh elder couldn¡¯t have done this.]


    She looked around in haste for Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang and saw them lying unconscious. Zhuo Fan had the most critical injury, bleeding from the hole in his chest.


    He wasn¡¯t too far from breathing his last¡­

 Chapter 66 - Guilt

    ¡°Brother Zhuo!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang was on Zhuo Fan with a cry and turned him over to see the fist-sized wound in his chest which went all the way through his back. His face paled by the second and his temperature dropped.


    Tears welled in Xue Ningxiang¡¯s eyes and fell along with her anxious voice, ¡°Brother Zhuo, wake up, wake up¡­¡±


    Perhaps it was the soft tears or the incessant shouts grating on his ears that made Zhuo Fan crack his eyelids.


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, you¡¯re awake!¡± Xue Ningxiang was glad.


    Zhuo Fan moved his lips but was too weak to even let out words.


    Watching her tear-stained face, Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and squeezed his last drop of energy into pointing, but his hand soon fell limp.


    Xue Ningxiang caught his gesture and saw Blood Infant in a pool of blood.


    ¡°You want me to bring it over?¡± She asked.


    Zhuo Fan blinked weakly, the only thing he could do in his current state. Xue Ningxiang thus marched to Blood Infant and was soon back with it in her arms. She then placed it on the hole in Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest.


    Blood Infant flashed red and was back in Zhuo Fan¡¯s body. He let out a breath as his complexion started improving slightly.


    His and Blood Infant¡¯s lives were shared, so much so that its wound was far more important than his own injury. As long as Blood Infant was fine, him suffering heavy wounds would matter little. But now Blood Infant¡¯s life hung by a thread. Without his blood essence, he could only keep it alive for a short while longer.


    He was in a worse condition too and had no way to save it. But as Blood Infant was kept alive a bit of energy returned to him.


    ¡°B-blood¡­¡± Zhuo Fan whispered hoarsely.


    Xue Ningxiang paused a moment, then cut her wrist with a dagger and brought her hand to Zhuo Fan¡¯s lips.


    The girl¡¯s blood dripped in Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth and he slowly recovered a bit more energy.


    Xue Ningxiang let out a relieved sigh and even sported a faint smile.


    But Zhuo Fan suddenly bit her wrist, sucking the blood out. Xue Ningxiang braced through the pain and let him have his fill.


    Time passed but Zhuo Fan¡¯s appetite didn¡¯t drop. Xue Ningxiang¡¯s face paled and was even getting woozy.


    She knew it was from the blood loss but she didn¡¯t stop him.


    When Zhuo Fan finally let go and gasped for fresh air, he saw Xue Ningxiang¡¯s pale countenance and felt complicated.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Zhuo Fan now had the strength to speak, thanks to the blood. Xue Ningxiang smiled. She was feeling weak but her smile looked mesmerizing to Zhuo Fan.


    Recalling his previous act, his heart began to feel guilt.


    With a thought, a blue bottle flashed in his hand.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, these are 3rd-grade Heart Protecting Pills. Give me one, you take the second and give the third to the kid if he isn¡¯t dead.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang nodded and fed the first pill to him. She checked Xie Tianyang and found him alive. Excited, she fed him a pill but saved hers.


    Zhuo Fan was laid on the ground but his heart was clear, ¡°Ning¡¯er, you are also hurt. Why aren¡¯t you taking it?¡±


    Ning¡¯er shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s only a scratch. This pill is too precious and it¡¯s better used on you two.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, not in the least. It came from Veiled Dragon Pavilion anyway, so don¡¯t worry!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled. He came to Allbeast Mountain Range prepared, not only in spirit stones but also in pills.


    Since the Imperial family and Veiled Dragon Pavilion were providing the Luo clan with stuff, he had everything besides the truly rare pills. Some of his pills were something not found even in the entire Tianyu Empire, refined by yours truly.


    [I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d use them so fast!]


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, take it, it¡¯s yours!¡±


    A snort came and Xue Ningxiang turned towards Xie Tianyang. He was also worse for wear, not life-threatened like Zhuo Fan, but he couldn¡¯t move still.


    He would need 3-5 months to heal.


    Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t budge but neither could he. Even so, his fear of Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t that high and said with a clipped tone, ¡°Ning¡¯er, this big brother Zhuo wanted to use you as bait from the start. This is his just deserts!¡±


    When Zhuo Fan exposed his plan, she was already unconscious in the thunderflame gale prison explosion. But hearing it now, she was startled and looked at Zhuo Fan with the hope that he¡¯d deny.


    She refused to believe that Brother Zhuo, who stood by her side for over a month, would be so cruel as to throw her away.


    She hoped this was a misunderstanding, that Zhuo Fan would refute Xie Tianyang¡¯s claims. But Zhuo Fan remained silent, and his cold eyes refused to meet hers for the first time.


    With tears welling, Xue Ningxiang forced her sorrow down, but her heart felt like being stabbed with a knife.


    She didn¡¯t realize when, but Zhuo Fan meant a lot to her. She didn¡¯t feel hate for being cast out, but pain¡­


    Sensing her pain, Zhuo Fan hesitated, ¡°Ning¡¯er, I¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, you don¡¯t need to say anything.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang wiped her nose and forced a smile, ¡°I know Brother Zhuo is brave and smart, that all went according to your plan. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s a misunderstanding.¡±


    She whipped her head around and left, ¡°I¡¯m going to look for branches and make a stretcher. We can¡¯t keep staying here.¡±


    Watching her walk away like nothing had happened, Xie Tianyang rose an eyebrow, ¡°Hey, Ning¡¯er, you¡¯re going to forgive him just like that? He is hurt and can¡¯t move. Now¡¯s your chance for revenge.¡±


    Yet Xue Ningxiang didn¡¯t return¡­


    Xie Tianyang wanted to yell again but then Zhuo Fan¡¯s snort came, ¡°Zip it. If you want to die, just ask!¡±


    ¡°Humph, you have it worse than me, let¡¯s see you try!¡±


    Xie Tianyang put up a tough front but fear gnawed his heart because of the naked killing intent laced in Zhuo Fan¡¯s words.


    Seeing with his own eyes how Zhuo Fan had fought the seventh elder, he knew the horror Zhuo Fan could unleash. Despite losing, Zhuo Fan played with that Insidious Demon to such a state.


    He felt both fear and hatred towards Zhuo Fan.


    Hate for his unfeeling heart to his friends and fear from his cunning mind. But then a new feeling triumphed them both, something the genius disciple of Sword Marquise Abode never felt before, awe.


    Xue Ningxiang was soon back with wood and made two stretchers. When she placed them both on each, Zhuo Fan wanted to apologize but swallowed his words when he saw her avoiding him.


    Rumble!


    With a thunderclap, the rain started pouring down on the ashen forest and helped the saplings grow.


    Xue Ningxiang tied the stretchers with rope and trudged through the mud. Because of the heavy rain, the rough mountain path, and the blood loss, she fell down again and again.


    But she pressed on like a machine, dragging them ever forward.


    The three never spoke a word the entire time. Even Xie Tianyang¡¯s complaints about taking revenge fell silent.


    The two felt worse and worse the more they saw Xue Ningxiang¡¯s pale face as she pulled them.


    Xie Tianyang was the first to mention casting her away for being weak. Zhuo Fan went a step further by rejecting the idea in a dignified manner, only to throw her out as bait not much later.


    And now, the two were in dire straits, useless for months to come. But Xue Ningxiang¡¯s heart remained steady and firm, never abandoning them.


    The two felt heavy in their hearts from the huge debt they had for her. [How can we ever repay it?]


    On the muddy and slick mountain road, a bump appeared and the Burrowing Mouse revealed itself. It ran towards Xue Ningxiang as soon as it came out.


    Now that she saw the little guy, her smile came back on her face, since losing it when she found of Zhuo Fan¡¯s betrayal.


    Afraid of critter suffering, she drove it away before their fight with the seventh elder. But now it came back.


    The little guy was jumping around her leg in joy then skipped ahead of her.


    Xue Ningxiang guessed that it was showing the way and dragged the stretchers to a cave.


    Happy, she pulled the two people into the cave for sheltering from the rain and healing their wounds.


    But Zhuo Fan looked around once and shouted in panic, ¡°We can¡¯t stay here, we have to leave now!¡±

 Chapter 67 - Heaven

    Xue Ningxiang turned to Zhuo Fan with a start.


    Zhuo Fan spoke while gazing at the weeds around the cave, ¡°That is Soothing Grass!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s perfect, it can help relieve fatigue. What is wrong with that?¡± Xie Tianyang asked.


    Zhuo Fan said annoyed, ¡°That¡¯s true for humans, but for spiritual beasts, it has a calming effect that attracts nearby spiritual beasts.¡±


    Xie Tianyang was anxious, ¡°That means¡­ trap?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Yes, a trap made by predators. The Burrowing Mouse was drawn here and led us right to it!¡±


    ¡°Curses, you can just bury your head and run, but we¡¯ll have to suffer. Why had I taken you in any way?¡± Xie Tianyang snapped at the critter.


    He wasn¡¯t as brash usually, but he was now hurt and powerless to resist an attack. In this grim state, falling in a trap was the last straw.


    To escape from the seventh elder yet die in a beast¡¯s trap was something this genius disciple couldn¡¯t accept.


    The Burrowing Mouse squeaked a few times with a lowered head.


    Xue Ningxiang hugged it to her chest and spoke softly to Zhuo Fan, ¡°What do we do now?¡±


    She had ill-feelings towards Zhuo Fan but she always turned to him for help when the going got tough.


    ¡°What else?! Run!¡± Xie Tianyang cut him off.


    Zhuo Fan asked hastily, ¡°What time is it?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang looked outside the cave, but the rain clouds blocked the sky. She shook her head, ¡°I¡¯m not sure, a day must¡¯ve passed by now.¡±


    ¡°Damn!¡± Zhuo Fan said gravely, ¡°The Energy Concealing Pill must have worn off and we are now easy targets. I¡¯m guessing beasts must be coming here in droves!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Xie Tianyang jumped, ¡°You said¡­ droves?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°The truly strong spiritual beasts don¡¯t stoop so low to use this trick. Only low-level spiritual beasts place traps and move in packs.¡±


    Just then, along with the sound of rain, roars of beast echoed, and several pairs of cruel eyes fixed on the cave¡¯s mouth.


    A rough look would spot around a thousand heads.


    ¡°Bloodthirsty Wolves!¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°We¡¯re finished. Bloodthirsty Wolves are 2nd level spiritual beasts but with their numbers, they must have a 3rd level wolf king among them. Not even a 4th level spiritual beast would dare to mess with them.¡±


    Xie Tianyang saw the faint green eyes getting ever closer, ¡°Woe is me! Heaven must be jealous of my outstanding talent and wants to pluck me.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang looked worried while Zhuo Fan had his trademark unflappable expression.


    ¡°Xie Tianyang!¡±


    Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Give your sword to Ning¡¯er!¡±


    ¡°Ning¡¯er?¡± Xie Tianyang didn¡¯t understand, ¡°My Star Sword may be a 4th-grade spiritual weapon, but Ning¡¯er is in the Qi Condensation Stage. It¡¯s not enough to deal with those savage beasts.¡±


    He spoke of the difference in cultivation and leveled his eyes at Zhuo Fan, ¡°She isn¡¯t like you, fighting Bone Tempering and Profound Heaven experts while in Qi Condensation Stage.¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Ning¡¯er won¡¯t be fighting the beasts, but escaping their encirclement.¡±


    He took out a bottle from his ring but didn¡¯t have the strength to lift it.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, take this Energy Concealing Pill.¡±


    Zhuo Fan spoke calmly, ¡°Use it to leave Allbeast Mountain Range once you break the encirclement, but don¡¯t go to your clan. Leave the city.¡±


    Xie Tianyang now understood Zhuo Fan¡¯s plan. So he too took out his Star Sword.


    Their debt to Ning¡¯er was too great, and at this point, they were nothing but dead weights.


    Seeing their firm gazes, Xue Ningxiang took the sword and ran outside.


    Both Xie Tianyang and Zhuo Fan revealed a smile, feeling a weight being lifted off their chests.


    ¡°This way, we can repay her kindness. Even if we die, we can do it free of regrets!¡± Xie Tianyang mumbled.


    Zhuo Fan spoke blandly, ¡°I don¡¯t care about returning favors, just felt unwilling to die like this. I just don¡¯t want this girl to keep looking after me.¡±


    ¡°Humph, how cold-hearted!¡± Xie Tianyang snapped.


    After that short banter, the two were at peace, waiting for the Bloodthirsty Wolves to devour them.


    But then wails came, followed by blood splattering on both of them.


    When they looked towards the mouth of the cave, they were shocked to see Xue Ningxiang standing guard at the entrance. Some Bloodthirsty Wolves were circling around trying to enter but were cut down by her.


    With her standing guard and this being the only entrance, the wolves were kept at bay.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, what are you doing?¡± Zhuo Fan shouted.


    Xue Ningxiang slashed and three more wolves fell. She looked back with a shy smile, ¡°See, with me standing here, they will never get in!¡±


    ¡°Idiot, those are nothing but cannon fodder. The wolf king wouldn¡¯t care if they died. He¡¯s trying to tire you out before killing you!¡± Zhuo Fan cursed, but his eyes were filled with worry.


    Xue Ningxiang smiled, ¡°That wolf king is a beast uncaring for his pack, but you are my most important friends. I won¡¯t abandon you.¡±


    She killed another two incoming wolves.


    Because of the blood loss and the fatigue of carrying the two, she felt weak and pale. She was shaking with the wind and seemed like she might collapse any second. Yet her eyes were headstrong.


    Xue Ningxiang slashed, again and again, piling wolf corpses at her feet in a pool of blood.


    Her brows were drenched, her breathing haggard, her arms numb, but her back remained straight against the incoming storm.


    Watching her frail body, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes filled with warmth.


    He closed his eyes, not wishing to see the end as pain laced his heart.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    Xie Tianyang yelled, ¡°I just realized, we¡¯re both damn bastards.¡±


    ¡°En!¡±


    Zhuo Fan groaned a response. Xie Tianyang looked over to Xue Ningxiang braving outside and he also closed his eyes.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang let out a cry as a wolf bit her wrist when her strength failed her. It then pinned her to the ground.


    Then another wolf pounced on her other hand. She wanted to get up and keep fighting but felt too weak to move. She had surpassed the limits of her body long ago and was now powerless to deal with two weak wolves. She couldn¡¯t even feel the blood flowing out from the bite wounds on her hands.


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang knew this was going to happen but kept their eyes closed. They wanted to be spared from the sight of the girl getting mauled.


    While two wolves pinned her arms, the rest were closing in as Xue Ningxiang¡¯s breathing grew faint.


    If they could, the two in the cave would¡¯ve covered their ears.


    In celebration of a successful hunt, the pack howled and the wolf king, three times bigger than the rest, strutted before Xue Ningxiang.


    Licking its fangs, the wolf king howled and opened its maw to ravage Xue Ningxiang.


    With her eyes blacking out, all she could see were vague shapes.


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang still had their eyes closed.


    Roar!


    Just as the wolf king was about to bite her, a sudden roar echoed from deep within the Allbeast Mountain Range. Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang blanked out the moment it reached them.


    The thousand Bloodthirsty Wolves pack collapsed one after the other, with only the wolf king staggering from fear.


    But before it could retreat, a flame swept over the wolves, not even leaving ash behind.


    Even the wolf king couldn¡¯t survive and disappeared from this world.


    Unbelievable enough, Zhuo Fan¡¯s party survived unharmed, though unconscious¡­


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    Zhuo Fan vaguely heard someone calling him and opened his eyes.


    [What is with this foggy place? Where am I?] He looked around.


    But then it occurred to him, he was heavily wounded so how could he move?


    Suddenly, two blue flames ignited. It fused together to reveal a burning blue-robed figure floating high above.


    ¡°Is your name Zhuo Fan? I heard the two kids call you as such!¡± The figure smiled. His voice fit a sturdy middle-aged man, but it wasn¡¯t clear from his appearance.


    Zhuo Fan was suspicious, ¡°Who are you?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to know.¡± The figure replied, ¡°This is my domain, and here, I ask the questions!¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, why have you come to Allbeast Mountain Range?¡± the blue figure asked.


    Zhuo Fan thought for a moment, ¡°To capture a spiritual beast and make it my demonic creature!¡±


    ¡°What spiritual beast?¡±


    ¡°6th level spiritual beast, Thunder Skylark!¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes swiveled, ¡°Why else, to increase my power!¡±


    Boom!


    A loud noise resounded and Zhuo Fan felt like his head was about to explode.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha¡­¡± The figure laughed, ¡°Boy, we are inside your consciousness. It¡¯s easy for me to tell when you lie.¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at the figure in fear.


    He could enter other¡¯s consciousness on his own. Such power went beyond Radiant Stage, maybe even above the mortal domain.


    ¡°Are you¡­ from the Sacred Domain¡­¡± Zhuo Fan gasped.


    He never thought that it was possible to run into a Sacred Domain¡¯s expert in the mortal domain.


    The figure was also surprised that Zhuo Fan knew about Sacred Domain and nodded, ¡°You aren¡¯t normal to know of Sacred Domain, to apply ancient arrays, and refine the Blood Infant¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan was shocked to find that all his actions were monitored, this man even knew of Blood Infant.


    Matters regarding Patriarch Blood Demon were decades old and very few people knew of them even in the Sacred Domain. If he hadn¡¯t stumbled upon the Nine Serenities Secret Records, he would be none the wiser.


    But¡­


    ¡°W-who exactly are you?¡±


    ¡°I said it before, only I ask the questions here!¡± The figure replied coldly, ¡°Why do you want the Thunder Skylark. Speak the truth!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was pensive, but found no way out, ¡°I want to go to Lightning Canyon and search for the Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant. For that, I need the Thunder Skylark to block the purple lightning!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    The blue figure never anticipated such an answer, but laughed in glee, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, good. Great even. That is a good place. You should definitely go!¡±


    The figure vanished and popped right in front of Zhuo Fan¡¯s face. Zhuo Fan was startled but didn¡¯t pick up any bad intentions from him.


    The figure then tapped Zhuo Fan¡¯s forehead and a blue flame seeped in. Zhuo Fan only felt gentle energy from his forehead.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, boy, we are fated so here¡¯s a gift. I hope you can help me in the future!¡±


    The figure was gone but his words rang in Zhuo Fan¡¯s ears, ¡°You can find the Thunder Skylark three thousand miles into the third area. Do your best to catch it¡­¡±

 Chapter 68 - Between Life And Death

    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Zhuo Fan sat up with a start. A ray of sunshine shone through the cave¡¯s mouth and forced him to cover his eyes.


    To his surprise, he found that he could actually move.


    Although still weak, he was mostly recovered. Inspecting himself in detail, he found the Blood Infant laying depressed in his Dantian but its life was no longer hanging by a thread. Even its eyes were trembling, on the verge of waking up.


    Being shocked was an understatement. Zhuo Fan knew the expert he met last night was someone who rose above the mortal domain. Or he wouldn¡¯t have had the ability to heal his wounds overnight along with Blood Infant¡¯s.


    ¡°But¡­ why did he choose me?¡±


    Zhuo Fan rubbed his forehead, recalling that the man had planted something there. But his weak self didn¡¯t allow him to see clearly what it was.


    He shook his head in the end, [It doesn¡¯t matter, anyway he saved me. Whatever his reasons are, I will figure them out sooner or later.]


    With his current strength, what could he do against that man?


    Mocking himself, he realized that he was overthinking things sometimes. It had to do with the fact that he was in the 6th layer of Qi Condensation with the heart of an Emperor Stage expert. [What a pain!]


    So, his current objective was to boost his strength. The strong had the final say in everything.


    He sighed as he looked at the incoming sunshine. Despite the somber feeling exuding from the burned trees, the sun brought a ray of hope.


    A groan interrupted his musing and Zhuo Fan found Xue Ningxiang¡¯s weak figure in a pool of blood. He rushed to her and fed a Heart Protecting Pill.


    A gentle Yuan Qi traveled within her body and Zhuo Fan breathed easy.


    The girl¡¯s wounds were only skin deep. She had overused her Yuan Qi in her fight against the Bloodthirsty Wolves and needed just a few days to recover.


    But the pale face of Xue Ningxiang brought another wave of worry in his heart. He then started to remove the dirt from her face.


    Feeling his rough hand, Xue Ningxiang cracked her eyes open and showed a sweet smile.


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, are we dead?¡±


    ¡°Rest easy, we are alive and well!¡±


    ¡°Liar, how are you able to move when you were so hurt?¡± Xue Ningxiang mumbled, ¡°But¡­ at least we died together¡­¡±


    And the girl faded into unconsciousness at the last word.


    Zhuo Fan watched her peaceful expression and carried her inside the cave to lay her next to the Soothing Grass. It was the best item in relieving fatigue for humans.


    Now he was standing beside the unconscious Xie Tianyang, with a not so friendly face.


    ¡°Yo, get up, up I say!


    Zhuo Fan kicked him lightly, twice for good measure, but he was still as a rock.


    Zhuo Fan sneered and swung his leg way back before kicking with enough oomph on Xie Tianyang¡¯s ass!


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    A wail that shook the heavens and the forest was heard. It even frightened the spiritual beasts around.


    [I say, what¡¯s with this ghastly yell? Trying to wake the heavens? The Allbeast Mountain Range doesn¡¯t lack dreadful monsters you know¡­]


    Xie Tianyang shivered as he reined in his tears, ¡°What is this place? What did I ever do to deserve such cruelty even in death?¡±


    ¡°Is kicking once cruel? You, a Sword Marquise Abode young master have seen nothing yet!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled at Xie Tianyang¡¯s shocked face.


    Xie Tianyang was startled seeing Zhuo Fan, ¡°Did you kick me? Why the hell¡­ we clearly died together, so why can you hit me?¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°If we¡¯re dead, all of us would be equals. Too bad, we are alive and kicking. And since you weren¡¯t moving¡­¡±


    ¡°What, we¡¯re alive?¡±


    Xie Tianyang stopped listening after that and laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s the same cave. We are alive!¡±


    But then his mood soured, eying Zhuo Fan up and down before yelling, ¡°Why are you able to move while I can¡¯t? You had it far worse than me and your cultivation is weaker too¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan shrugged and perked an eyebrow, exasperating the self-entitled genius disciple.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s lip quivered as he wailed in frustration, ¡°Freak!¡±


    Not for the life of him could he comprehend how Zhuo Fan was jumping around after having his life hanging by a thread just two days ago! Even he, a Bone Tempering expert, would need two months of recovery to be able to stand.


    He was vexed enough knowing that Zhuo Fan was stronger than him, despite their realm difference, and better skilled than him, despite their differences in background. Now though, this damn punk showed a miracle, jumping back on his feet in no time at all.


    [How can one even bloody compare? It¡¯s like being left light-years behind¡­]


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, tell me the truth. Who the heck are you?¡± Xie Tianyang spat.


    Zhuo Fan lost his smile and patted Xie Tianyang¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Human of course, though just slightly above-average!¡±


    Xie Tianyang was pissed off by Zhuo Fan¡¯s attitude. But his bad state didn¡¯t help him vent.


    And even if he could move, Zhuo Fan¡¯s array would just splatter him into pieces.


    This made bitter tears flow down his cheeks. A genius disciple¡¯s pride was crushed completely!


    Nonetheless, Zhuo Fan moving about had its upside. He could set up an array to defend them.


    Xie Tianyang had nothing to say to that. It brought far more advantage with Zhuo Fan recovered than if it was him instead. His cultivation only helped protect himself in such a place, let alone others.


    Spirit stones flew out of his ring and Zhuo Fan set up an ancient 1st-grade concealing array.


    At that moment, the cave disappeared from this place and not even a 6th level spiritual beast would find it even if they passed through.


    The trio could finally heal in peace.


    Xue Ningxiang woke up three days later and was wild with joy knowing that they weren¡¯t dead.


    Then she wondered where those wolves went and why they didn¡¯t eat the trio.


    Xie Tianyang was unclear about this too but Zhuo Fan frowned, finding it tied to the expert he met in his consciousness.


    It was in this manner the trio recouped for three months. Zhuo Fan was back to full health while Xie Tianyang could now exert 70% of his power. Xue Ningxiang recovered long ago and spent her time playing with the Burrowing Mouse.


    Both of them were happy seeing her smile again, thinking of her like a little sister. Xue Ningxiang too started to feel more dependent on the two¡­


    Whoosh!


    A hundred meters away from the cave, Xie Tianyang hacked a rock as he smiled towards Xue Ningxiang not far away. He clearly recovered to 80%.


    Xue Ningxiang clapped excitedly alongside the Burrowing Mouse.


    Zhuo Fan walked over with a smile, ¡°Nice power you have there. You should enter the 8th layer of Bone Tempering Stage soon.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you also entered the 7th layer of Qi Condensation after your wounds healed?¡± Xie Tianyang clipped, ¡°Besides, Zhuo Fan, how can your eyes be that good? To detect me breaking through before I do?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang waved her hand to placate them, ¡°Why are you always arguing when you meet each other? You weren¡¯t like this before!¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it his fault?¡± Xie Tianyang stuck out his chest and cursed Zhuo Fan, ¡°After all this time, I still can¡¯t forgive this brat for using Ning¡¯er as bait! How can I not be pissed? What arguing, I¡¯m itching to give him a beating.¡±


    ¡°Pot calling the kettle black. Who was it that said to dump her and stall the seventh elder?¡± Zhuo Fan countered.


    ¡°I never¡­¡± Xie Tianyang was at a loss, but soon recovered his courage, ¡°I didn¡¯t know Ning¡¯er was so great, alright? Moreover, it¡¯s far better than being used as bait.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a demonic cultivator. It¡¯s normal to be more immoral than a righteous cultivator like you.¡±


    ¡°Immoral? You¡¯re a bloody criminal by comparison¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Seeing Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang quarreling over her, Xue Ningxiang gestured for them to stop, ¡°Come on, don¡¯t argue, it¡¯s all in the past. I don¡¯t care anymore, so why are you bringing it up?¡±


    ¡°No, I want to give you justice.¡±


    Xie Tianyang grabbed her shoulders while glaring at the smiling Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, we are friends who braved through life and death together. It¡¯s water under the bridge!¡± Xue Ningxiang showed a smile at the two and extended a pinkie.


    Xie Tianyang smiled wryly and was hesitant in extending his pinkie, but he did nonetheless. He was followed by an indifferent Zhuo Fan. The three pinkies touched and they started to feel warm and fuzzy inside.


    Finding a close friend in life was hard, but finding one to brave death alongside oneself was even harder.


    From now on, they would never abandon each other, no matter what. Zhuo Fan suspected he¡¯d be hard-pressed to find any closer friends in this life.


    As they took back their respective fingers, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Now that we have recovered, we will each go our own way.¡±


    Startled, the two didn¡¯t understand why he¡¯d say this.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Sorry, that was my mistake. I want to leave. Xie Tianyang, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t take her out of the city. Help her in my stead.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, where are you going?¡± Xue Ningxiang felt nervous.


    Zhuo Fan replied with a determined tone, ¡°The third area!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Xie Tianyang and Xue Ningxiang shouted, ¡°At first we wanted to avoid the seventh elder by going there, but why would you still want to go?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with guilt, ¡°To be honest, it was my objective from the start. I wanted to go together because¡­ you were useful¡­¡±


    ¡°Bastard, you wanted more baits?¡± Xie Tianyang cursed.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Yes, so if you don¡¯t want to die, run along. The farther from me the better!¡±


    As he replied, Zhuo Fan turned to leave.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang pulled his hand with a shy smile, ¡°Brother Zhuo, if you don¡¯t consider me as a burden, take me with you. Even if I were to become bait, it is alright as long as I can stay with you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was startled and his heart throbbed.


    Xie Tianyang advised, ¡°Hey, Ning¡¯er, this guy¡¯s no good¡­¡±


    But Xue Ningxiang¡¯s gentle eyes only had Zhuo Fan in them, and so Xie Tianyang also reluctantly chose to put his hands together with theirs.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, ¡°You too want to follow me?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Xie Tianyang felt lifeless, ¡°But don¡¯t misunderstand, I¡¯m not coming to help you but to make sure you don¡¯t betray Ning¡¯er.¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled.


    [With how smart you are, I might go and betray you both!]


    But he didn¡¯t voice it, meeting the two of them could be considered as his fortune.


    Friends in life and death were hard to find¡­

 Chapter 69 - Savage Clash

    The forest in Allbeast Mountain Range¡¯s third area was so thick it blotted out the sun. It was also packed with vicious spiritual beasts that roared at any passing moment. It painted such a gruesome picture that struck terror in any who were intent in setting foot inside!


    Suddenly, a low bush stirred despite the lack of wind.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s party stuck to the ground as they crawled, making use of the bushes as cover. They did take Energy Concealing Pills, but unlike the previous areas, if any spiritual beast saw them here, it spelled doom.


    As such, this was the only viable way to advance, moving at a crawl 3,000 miles inland.


    With each roar and cry, fear struck, soaking their brows with sweat.


    ¡°Blast it! We¡¯ll never get anywhere crawling like this!¡±


    After half a day of wiggling through ten miles, Xie Tianyang complained and sat with arms crossed, ¡°I¡¯m not doing it anymore. It¡¯s too lame! Besides, you think a 5th level spiritual beast lies at every corner?¡±


    ¡°Fool, get down before it¡¯s too late!¡± Zhuo Fan cursed.


    Xie Tianyang smirked in disdain, ¡°How will that help? With how tall the fauna is here, you think they¡¯ll spot us at a glance?¡±


    Roar!


    In reply to his disdain, a reverberating roar deafened the trio. They turned to see five towering trees being pushed to the ground.


    A fifty-meter-tall black bear appeared. Seeing its meal, the black bear roared with bared fangs and bloodthirsty eyes.


    ¡°4th level spiritual beast, Mad Storm Bear!¡±Zhuo Fan cried as the trio shook in fear. Xie Tianyang was even rooted in place.


    Before the bear could jump on its prey, a tail thick as a bucket coiled around its body. The bear was squeezed and thrown into the heavens above as its pitiful cry grew faint.


    When it came back down, a maw opened wide and swallowed it whole. As the maw closed, blood sprayed in the surroundings forming a pool beneath it.


    Even Zhuo Fan felt a shiver of fear.


    That was a 30-meter-long python with a scarlet crest and rock-hard scales.  Its cold eyes flashed, on the prowl for the next meal.


    ¡°5th level spiritual beast, Diamond Crest Python!¡±


    ¡°Run!¡±


    Zhuo Fan yelled as he sped up his crawling and the other two worked to catch up. Even Xie Tianyang disregarded his sorry state and crawled with them.


    He came face to face to the horrors of this area. One slip and he was a goner. It was plainly obvious why even a Radiant Stage expert would die here.


    When the Diamond Crest Python ate the bear, because of its bulk, it didn¡¯t notice the trio and left after its meal.


    ¡°Damn you, Zhuo Fan! I must¡¯ve been insane for agreeing to come with you to this hell!¡± Xie Tianyang worked his all not only to crawl but also to complain on and on, afraid he would soon lose his life without venting.


    He was on the verge of tears. He had heard this place was savage, but not to this extent. If he¡¯d try to even stand taller than waist height, he¡¯d soon find danger setting its sights on him.


    Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°No one told you to come. Why don¡¯t you crawl your way back?¡±


    Xie Tianyang was looking at the sky.


    [Curses, the sun is setting. Nocturnal spiritual beasts will be on the hunt soon, and crawling won¡¯t work against them. I¡¯ll be dead in a second!]


    [Better stick to Zhuo Fan. He would set up an array and no spiritual beast would wander in.]


    Annoyed, Xie Tianyang had an edge in his voice, ¡°Since I¡¯m in the same boat as you, once I wander back it will be plain suicide.¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Xue Ningxiang shook their heads.


    Then the trio¡¯s schedule was crawling by day and ducking under an array at night. And after a month they finally crawled through 3,000 miles till their limbs and waist went sore.


    The good news was that the closer they got, the fewer the spiritual beasts spotted. Zhuo Fan knew they entered the territory of those 6th level spiritual beasts, where no weaker beast would dare step a paw in.


    In the third area, 6th level spiritual beasts were kings. If they found some oblivious beastie wandering into their domain, they¡¯d chase it even for a thousand miles; all to preserve a king¡¯s dignity.


    Especially if humans were involved!


    Stretching and exhaling, Zhuo Fan felt a bit better. Despite his relaxed manner, Xie Tianyang had his eyes peeled as he cautiously rose to his feet, ¡°We¡­ can stand here?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded with a smile, ¡°On our way here, there were too many eyes and ears on the lookout for any movement so we crawled to avoid the spiritual beasts. Here though is the domain of 6th level spiritual beasts. Hiding will be much more effective than crawling in this place.¡±


    Xie Tianyang finally found safety for the first time in a month and smiled, ¡°So it¡¯s much safer here than other places?¡±


    Zhuo Fan arched an eyebrow, ¡°You can say that, but we¡¯ll die even faster bumping into a 6th level spiritual beast!¡±


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s smile vanished and his tone held some bite, ¡°Then what the hell are we doing here? Tame them? How?¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled with confidence.


    He had considered this point a long time ago. He came to such a deadly place as the third area with a plan. He only needed to slip a bloodworm into the Thunder Skylark and all was well.


    But the problem was how.


    Rumble!


    Zhuo Fan was cooking up a plan when a sudden noise shook the world. The trio felt the earth shaking beneath their feet.


    They blinked in shock.


    This had to be from another devastating clash of spiritual beasts. But throughout their crawling, never had they heard a sound so loud. Not even when two 5th level spiritual beasts fought.


    There could only be one answer¡­


    ¡°6th level spiritual beasts!¡± They shouted in unison.


    ¡°It seems to be coming from that direction!¡± Zhuo Fan ran straight for it while Xie Tianyang yelled nervously, ¡°Those beasts will tear you to pieces!¡±


    Zhuo Fan smirked.


    If one of them was the Thunder Skylark, it¡¯d be perfect. He¡¯d lay in wait and make use of the perfect opportunity to strike.


    Xue Ningxiang remained quiet and followed him closely. Wherever Zhuo Fan went, she would be close by. So, Xie Tianyang had no choice but to join them.


    Fifteen minutes later, the trio heard a thunderclap in the sky and the roaring flames.


    The three huddled behind a large rock in a small valley and peeked above. But the sight took their breath away.


    Two spiritual beasts flew high up, both 6th level spiritual beasts.


    One was a deep-blue colored bird with a 15-meter-long body and a wingspan of 20 meters. Lightning traveled along its body as it cracked the air.


    Despite being smaller in size, even compared with a 5th level spiritual beast, its every wing beat covered the sky in lightning and wind blades that struck the rocks in the valley to pieces.


    A 5th level spiritual beast would be crushed by such display.


    ¡°Thunder Skylark!¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted. [He didn¡¯t lie to me. Thunder Skylark¡¯s nest is here.]


    He then turned to the other spiritual beast.


    It was a flying lion wreathed in scarlet flames. Its mane was on fire and it had 30meter-long wings of flames, half as long as his body. A flap of its wings sent fire to engulf the skies and burn the whole valley to a crisp.


    ¡°6th level spiritual beast, Flaming Lion King!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart tightened. The Flaming Lion King was as powerful as a 7th level spiritual beast, putting the Thunder Skylark at a disadvantage.


    He had thought that if the Thunder Skylark was tangled with another 6th level spiritual beast, he¡¯d play the fishermen and make the bird swallow a bloodworm during the confusion.


    Pity that it was facing Flaming Lion King. The Thunder Skylark would likely be defeated and killed! But wouldn¡¯t that bore a large hole in his plans?


    [No, I have to help it!]


    [But how? This savage battle is no different than a Radiant Stage experts¡¯ fight. Getting involved will only get me killed.]


    Boom!


    As Zhuo Fan was musing a plan, the two beasts clashed again.


    Flaming Lion King spat a fireball while Thunder Skylark sent a thunderstorm with a flap of its wings, intending to crush it.


    But then, Flaming Lion King rammed its huge body into the frail Thunder Skylark.


    The bird cried out and tumbled around in the air.


    Zhuo Fan secretly sighed.


    Sure enough, the Thunder Skylark was just as adept at using her attribute like the Flaming Lion King, but her body lacked power in contrast.


    It would die if this went on.


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, can you help the poor birdie?¡± Xue Ningxiang turned her puppy eyes to him.


    Zhuo Fan was this close to spewing blood.


    [Birdie? Well, it does belong to the swallow type, but it¡¯s a spiritual beast nonetheless. Regardless, just how exactly is that thing small?]


    But Xue Ningxiang¡¯s pleas echoed his thoughts.


    [The Thunder Skylark must survive!]

 Chapter 70 - Divine Azure Flame

    ¡°Ning¡¯er, we can¡¯t just interfere in a battle of 6th level spiritual beasts!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang felt regret the moment she spoke up. Over these few months, Xie Tianyang never refused any of her wishes.


    ¡°Ignoring the fact that our strength is not nearly enough, just from how fiercely these 6th level spiritual beasts are clashing, one can tell it is not over food, but territory. You couldn¡¯t interfere even if they were people, not knowing who is wrong or right! We can¡¯t just risk our lives for them.¡±


    Zhuo Fan lifted an eyebrow as he gave Xie Tianyang a deeper look.


    [In the end, he comes from the seven houses and knows what battles between great powers implies. If I didn¡¯t need the Thunder Skylark so badly, I wouldn¡¯t get involved either.]


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s expression was filled with worry, ¡°But that birdie isn¡¯t fighting over territory, it¡¯s to protect her young¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked again and saw a nest below the Thunder Skylark holding five huge eggs.


    Flaming Lion King was powerful enough, but the Thunder Skylark¡¯s speed was astonishing. It could leave just like that if it wanted to, but the lion king caught it between a rock and a hard place, battering it again and again until it was filled with wounds all because it was worried about harming her eggs.


    Now that Zhuo Fan got the whole picture, he hatched a plan to help the Thunder Skylark.


    ¡°She is one big mother.¡± Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°Ning¡¯er, worry not. See how I get that birdie out of trouble.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang became overjoyed while Xie Tianyang was skeptical, ¡°Hypocrite, since when were you so selfless?¡±


    [This guy has a callous heart and betrays his friends at a drop of the hat. Since when did he start sticking his head out for someone else, a savage beast no less?]


    ¡°Oh, Xie Tianyang, how can you understand me? I am in fact a man with love in his heart. Wait for a bit, I will need your help soon.¡±


    ¡°Screw you! If you have love, I¡¯m a saint!¡±  Xie Tianyang retorted in derision, but then he said in shock, ¡°I got it. You want the Thunder Skylark!¡±


    Zhuo Fan perked an eyebrow and nodded, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯ve started using your head more since teaming up with me.¡±


    ¡°Curses! I almost got used by you, again.¡± Xie Tianyang spat, ¡°If you want to get the Thunder Skylark, leave me out of it.¡±


    Zhuo Fan shrugged then gave Xue Ningxiang a long look.


    Xue Ningxiang nodded and showed her doe eyes as she shook Xie Tianyang¡¯s arm, ¡°Big brother Xie, go with big brother Zhuo. The birdie and her young are so pitiful!¡±


    Xie Tianyang felt like crying.


    [The birdie is pitiful? One flap from it will tear me apart. Why aren¡¯t you feeling sorry for me?]


    Lacking any choice in the matter, Xie Tianyang nodded. He was still feeling guilty for what happened to Xue Ningxiang and would agree to any of her requests.


    At his nod, Xue Ningxiang exploded into a sparkling smile and Zhuo Fan grinned at the side.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, watch it. If you throw me away, I will make you pay!¡± Xie Tianyang glared but Zhuo Fan just shook his head, ¡°Take it easy, when I use someone I make sure they won¡¯t ever get the chance to come back to bite me.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Xie Tianyang exclaimed.


    Zhuo Fan just laughed and patted his shoulder. After warning Xue Ningxiang to hide and not get discovered, Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang sneaked towards the eggs.


    The two were able to sneak thanks to the Energy Concealing Pill. As the beasts raged, lightning and flames collided, rocking the valley like a boat.


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang crept up cautiously below the raging storm. Each time the boom drew closer, it gripped their hearts in a vise and soaked their brows with sweat.


    One stray fireball or lightning could become the end for them both.


    Luckily enough, they reached the eggs without a scratch. Below the Thunder Skylark, it was both the most dangerous and safest place.


    ¡°What now?¡± Xie Tianyang looked above at the flashing figures engaged in a fierce battle.


    Zhuo Fan explained his plan with a smile, ¡°While the Thunder Skylark isn¡¯t paying attention we will hide the eggs. When it finds out that its eggs are gone, it will no longer fight and rush to search for its young. Since it is faster than the lion, we will thus save its life.¡±


    ¡°Good plan!¡± Xie Tianyang spoke in a low voice and gave him a thumbs up.


    Zhuo Fan then indicated to lift the nest together.


    While the heavens were swept by a storm, two bandits were making away with the entire nest from right under everyone¡¯s noses.


    Seeing this, Xue Ningxiang sported a wide smile.


    Suddenly, Flaming Lion King gained altitude, breaking away from the bird while the Thunder Skylark kept a closer eye on its movements.


    As Zhuo Fan was carrying the nest, he found that the shadows on the ground were much bigger and that the sky had turned silent. Startled, he stopped and looked up.


    He was met with the large eyes of the Flaming Lion King. He also noticed that the lion¡¯s eyes were ridiculing him.


    Zhuo Fan shouted in panic, ¡°That savage found us, run.¡±


    ¡°But the eggs¡­¡± Xie Tianyang was nervous.


    ¡°What eggs, just throw them.¡±


    Ignoring Xie Tianyang, Zhuo Fan tossed the nest and the five eggs to the ground. Since they were spiritual beast eggs, they wouldn¡¯t break so easily.


    Startled by Zhuo Fan¡¯s yell, the Thunder Skylark looked in time to see her five young thrown on the ground and rushed in anger.


    Boom!


    Then, a ball of fire passed close to the Thunder Skylark. The Flaming Lion King wasn¡¯t aiming for it but the five eggs.


    With a cry, the Thunder Skylark flew like lightning and used her body to block the fireball.


    Zhuo Fan let out a mental sigh. Not for Thunder Skylark¡¯s sacrifice, but the lion¡¯s cunningness.


    It knew that the Thunder Skylark was fast as lightning which proved it difficult to land a heavy blow. But those eggs couldn¡¯t move and were the perfect means to cripple the Thunder Skylark¡¯s speed.


    Attacking what one defended was the best plan!


    The Flaming Lion King laughed in glee and spat another ball of flame.


    Thunder Skylark used her lightning to stop it but, with the eggs scattered, another ball of fire was closing in on another egg. Thus she was forced to fly all over to defend them.


    The Flaming Lion King, which was hovering above, roared and sneered.


    ¡°We made it worse! We hastened the Thunder Skylark¡¯s end.¡± Darting back to Xue Ningxiang, Zhuo Fan sighed. Despite not liking it, he spoke with determination, ¡°Let¡¯s go. If we wait for Thunder Skylark to die, the crazy lion will come after us.¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang grabbed Xue Ningxiang¡¯s arm, but she stood rooted to the spot, watching the Thunder Skylark darting to and fro as tears fell down her cheeks.


    Zhuo Fan sighed, he had no way to help the bird now.


    ¡°Let it go Ning¡¯er. We need to leave!¡± Zhuo Fan furrowed his brows and urged, but Xue Ningxiang shook her head.


    Boom!


    After fending off two dozen fireballs, the Thunder Skylark let out a mournful cry and fell tired and wounded in a large crater.


    The Flaming Lion King charged with its claw aiming for the bird¡¯s throat.


    ¡°No!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang broke away from the two¡¯s grasp and rushed to defend the Thunder Skylark. The cold wind from Flaming Lion King¡¯s attack fanned her fine black hair. But her eyes remained unwavering.


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang rushed over, alarmed.


    Both forgot that they would soon be two more corpses added to the pile, that it wouldn¡¯t make a difference. Even Zhuo Fan lost his calculative mind.


    The three only knew to not abandon the other!


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, I will accompany you in death!¡± Xie Tianyang roared as he threw himself in front of her.


    Zhuo Fan flashed in front of the two but his eyes were fixed on the Flaming Lion King.


    He was the Demonic Emperor. Even in death, he would stare down his enemy.


    [Dumb humans, your flesh won¡¯t stop this king¡¯s claw!]


    The Flaming Lion King opened its mouth and sneered. As its claw drew close, its killing intent made the trio shiver.


    But just when the claw was about to touch Zhuo Fan¡¯s face¡­


    An azure flame came out of Zhuo Fan¡¯s forehead and a shocking power shrouded the entire Allbeast Mountain Range. The spiritual beasts were left shivering and lowered their proud heads.


    Even those fighting bent their knees.


    Flaming Lion King stopped its claw and watched the swaying flame as it trembled in fear¡­

 Chapter 71 - Got An Egg

    The azure flame was as small as a candle¡¯s, flickering in the wind in front of Zhuo Fan¡¯s forehead.


    But with each sway, the Flaming Lion King¡¯s eyes shivered, as if it saw its end.


    It then took back its claw and sped away in the form of a ball of fire. It scampered off with speed rather than dignity, so much so that it was even close to falling at some point.


    A 6th level spiritual beast, a king in the Allbeast Mountain Range, was now fleeing like a kitty while trembling from every joint.


    Frowning, Zhuo Fan touched his forehead but the azure flame had already hidden inside.


    He only felt a  faint warmth and concluded that it was connected to the expert who had appeared in his consciousness and touched him there.


    ¡°Hey, Zhuo Fan,¡± Xie Tianyang shook his arm as he questioned, ¡°B-be honest with me, are you absolutely positive that you are human?¡±


    ¡°Cut the crap, what else would I be, a demon?¡± Zhuo Fan slapped Xie Tianyang¡¯s hand away.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a human scare a 6th level spiritual beast with just a look.¡± Xie Tianyang took deep breaths to calm down and continued, ¡°Did you see how scared it was when it saw you? As if afraid you would eat it whole.¡±


    ¡°As brothers, you owe me an explanation. How many secrets are you hiding?¡±


    Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes then turned to Xue Ningxiang, ¡°We were never brothers!¡±


    Xie Tianyang froze, then he showed an awkward smile. But he was becoming more and more curious about Zhuo Fan.


    Coming next to Xue Ningxiang, they saw her tear-stained face as she looked at the Thunder Skylark. The lion didn¡¯t take its life but the birdie was too far gone to be saved.


    Unlike Xie Tianyang, she ignored the fleeing Flaming Lion King and inspected the birdie¡¯s wounds.


    ¡°It won¡¯t make it.¡± Zhuo Fan sent his Yuan Qi to check its state then sighed.


    His plan on getting a Thunder Skylark went up in smoke.


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, can you help her?¡± Xue Ningxiang looked at him with teary eyes but he could only sigh.


    As a Demonic Emperor, he had plenty of ways, but the current him was weak.


    Xue Ningxiang began crying her heart out, tears falling down the Thunder Skylark¡¯s face.


    The bird opened its eyes and looked elsewhere.


    Xue Ningxiang noticed and spotted an egg not too far. But the egg was burnt black.


    The Thunder Skylark gave its all before but was incapable of stopping every fireball.


    ¡°It wants her young. Let¡¯s go find them.¡± Xue Ningxiang cried.


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang searched around and soon gathered four scorched and lifeless eggs.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t there one more?¡± Xue Ningxiang nervously asked.


    The two shook their heads. The last one was lost. They couldn¡¯t find it anywhere.


    Xue Ningxiang was sorrowful, kneeling before the Thunder Skylark as she sobbed, ¡°Forgive us, we are the ones who hurt you.¡±


    The Thunder Skylark was always watching the four scorched eggs with teary eyes. Then, her eyes flashed and moved her great body.


    From below her, the last egg rolled out. It was intact but still had a few scorch marks on it.


    Zhuo Fan looked long at the Thunder Skylark and secretly nodded.


    Despite being forced to run around by the Flaming Lion King, it knew what it had to do. It made sure to protect one egg without anyone knowing.


    And when it collapsed, it used its body to hide the egg. So that even if it was killed, the egg would survive. It gave its life to protect its young.


    Thinking about this, Zhuo Fan developed a deep respect for the bird.


    With a cry, the Thunder Skylark stared at Zhuo Fan or, more specifically, his forehead. Then it turned to its egg with a hopeful gaze.


    ¡°You want me to take it?¡± Zhuo Fan assumed.


    It nodded, eyes filled with warmth for the egg.


    Zhuo Fan picked it up and sighed, ¡°It is badly burnt and, even if it hatches, it won¡¯t live for long. Unless..¡±


    He whispered the rest into the Thunder Skylark¡¯s ear. It was first startled then nodded in gratitude.


    Turning to her young, the Thunder Skylark closed her eyes in peace. She could now rest easy knowing Zhuo Fan would look after it.


    Xue Ningxiang saw its life fade away and was crying her heart out.


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang sighed. They didn¡¯t foresee her being so compassionate even towards a spiritual beast.


    They would, at most hold some respect, but never be so heartbroken about it.


    ¡°Uh, Ning¡¯er, it won¡¯t come back. Don¡¯t feel too sad about it.¡± Zhuo Fan consoled.


    ¡°Yeah, I never knew you¡¯d be so compassionate towards this Thunder Skylark just after meeting it once!¡± Xie Tianyang laughed dryly and scratched his head, not knowing how to comfort the girl.


    Xue Ningxiang wiped her tears and nose, ¡°Y-you guys misunderstood. It is a sad birdie but I¡¯m not crying for it. I was reminded of my home. Her appearance made me recall my dad protecting me every step of the way, taking care of me¡­ ¡°


    The other two smiled dejectedly.


    [It seems this girl was reminiscing. No wonder she was so touched.]


    ¡°Uh, since it¡¯s not for the bird, then I will take the Thunder Skylark¡¯s body.¡± Zhuo Fan felt awkward as he stashed the body in his ring, but Xue Ningxiang just nodded.


    Xie Tianyang however, was aflame in anger, ¡°Hey, why do you get to have a whole 6th level spiritual beast¡¯s body?¡±


    A spiritual beast was a treasure in and of itself. The 6th level spiritual beast bodies, in particular, made for great refining materials. Even the seven houses seldom got such an item and Xie Tianyang regarded it greatly.


    Looking askance at him, Zhuo Fan stated, ¡°You saw it giving me its egg. Its body is the same. You stay here with Ning¡¯er, I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    He left before Xie Tianyang could argue. Xie Tianyang wanted to follow Zhuo Fan but seeing Ning¡¯er, he stayed. He was worried for her safety, leaving her all alone in the woods was not wise. Though it made little difference if he was there too.


    Whoosh!


    In a secluded spot, Zhuo Fan took out the egg, the Thunder Skylark¡¯s body, and some black rocks.


    He began circulating his Yuan Qi and his hand burned scarlet.


    This was a cultivator¡¯s most basic Yuan Qi flame. Weak in battle, but useful in refining. And those black rocks were spacial stones used in making storage rings.


    These rocks were very rare even with all the spacial rock mines in control of the seven houses and the Imperial family. But thanks to Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Imperial family endorsing the Luo clan, he got his hand on a few.


    And right now, he was planning on refining a beast holding ring.


    It was far more complex to refine than a storage ring and the great sects had a tight lock on any refining methods regarding them. Furthermore, it could even store spiritual energy.


    As spiritual beasts were nurtured by the spiritual energy of the world, they were the best ingredient for refining items.


    Case in point, this egg came from the Thunder Skylark, and its spiritual energy would help it recover. If not for this, Zhuo Fan was unsure if he could even hatch it.


    Now that the Thunder Skylark was dead, he desperately needed to hatch the egg and make it his demonic creature in order to enter the Lightning Canyon.


    For this, Zhuo Fan spoke a few words to the dying Thunder Skylark. And it agreed once it knew its broken body could help her young live.


    Either way, this was Zhuo Fan¡¯s way of showing his respect for the mother. Also, he would¡¯ve taken this course of action regardless of her decision.


    Zhuo Fan pointed and the flame towered, fusing the ingredients with high-speed hand-signs and a smile of satisfaction.


    He was close to fulfilling his objective.


    In the dead of night, stars glittered with Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang watching them bored out of their mind. As this was Thunder Skylark¡¯s territory, no 6th level spiritual beast would wander here. It was the safest place for them.


    A sound broke the silence and Zhuo Fan appeared next to them.


    Xue Ningxiang ran to him in glee as Xie Tianyang looked him up and down, ¡°What did you do with the corpse?¡±


    Shrugging, Zhuo Fan was blunt, ¡°Tore it in eight and used it.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang was startled by his reply and Xie Tianyang rushed to placate her, ¡°Ning¡¯er, it¡¯s alright. The bodies of spiritual beasts are handled like this. But I don¡¯t know what he refined using it.¡±


    Xie Tianyang knew Zhuo Fan was an array master and an alchemist, so being a refiner on top wasn¡¯t that far fetched. As Zhuo Fan was gone for a day, he assumed Zhuo Fan had refined something.


    ¡°Hey, did you know today is Ning¡¯er¡¯s 16th birthday? She was reminded of her family when the Thunder Skylark protected her egg and it made her cry.¡±


    Zhuo Fan took a long look at Xue Ningxiang, who was blushing with a lowered head.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, since it¡¯s her birthday, then I will give her a present.¡± Zhuo Fan revealed a ring that had lightning running across it. Then he took Xue Ningxiang¡¯s hand and inserted the ring on her finger.


    ¡°This is the storage ring I refined from the Thunder Skylark, Thunder Ring. I have one and you the other. They both are made as one, and are connected with each other.¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised his hand and sparks flashed across his ring.


    Xue Ningxiang was overjoyed inside and blushed as she extended her fist with the ring on it. Zhuo Fan did the same with his hand and the two rings let out crackling sounds.


    Xie Tianyang was filled with envy and roared, ¡°Zhuo Fan, g-give me one too.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m out!¡± Zhuo Fan deadpanned, ¡°Is it your damn birthday too?¡±


    ¡°No, but you have to give me one! Or¡­ the two of you¡­ a pair of rings.¡± Xie Tianyang¡¯s face burned hot. He no longer cared about the value of the Thunder Ring, but that Zhuo Fan and Xue Ningxiang wore a unique pair of rings¡­


    Seeing through him, Zhuo Fan sighed inwardly, ¡°We¡¯ve been through thick and thin together, so of course, I have one for you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan then tossed him a ring. Xie Tianyang put it on in glee then made a fist bump with Xue Ningxiang.


    Each of them got a Thunder Ring which would only react when another was around.


    Zhuo Fan spoke seriously, ¡°What gift did you give Ning¡¯er?¡±


    Xie Tianyang started and scratched his head from having nothing of value on him. Suddenly, he turned to the Burrowing Mouse and pointed, ¡°Ning¡¯er likes playing with it, so I¡¯m giving it to her.¡±


    ¡°Get lost, it has long stopped being yours.¡± Zhuo Fan jabbed.


    Xie Tianyang snapped in anger, ¡°Isn¡¯t it all your doing?¡±


    The two began quarreling while Xue Ningxiang stood content at the side with a smile. Absentmindedly looking at the Thunder Ring, she wished the time would stop so that the three of them would stay worry-free.


    After a long night, they began their trek back first thing in the morning.


    But ten thousand miles out, a huge bird had its eye on each and every movement of theirs. Blue flames wreathed its body and with every flap of its wings, it flew deeper into the Allbeast Mountain Range¡­

 Chapter 72 - Xue Clan Patriarch

    The trio returned to the second area using the same method as before. Then they soon arrived at the first area.


    With the first step into safety, their hearts started easing up. Their Thunder Rings flashed with lightning from how close they were.


    ¡°All that¡¯s left is to leave Blue Expanse City and we¡¯ll be safe.¡± Zhuo Fan looked in the city¡¯s direction with a smile.


    Although he didn¡¯t obtain the Thunder Skylark, he earned much more, its egg and two dear friends in life and death moments.


    Xue Ningxiang however was frowning, worry plaguing her heart, ¡°But we offended the seventh elder. Won¡¯t he set a trap for us?¡±


    ¡°Unlikely.¡± Zhuo Fan stated, ¡°He must¡¯ve spared our lives because another greater danger was looming overhead forcing him to flee. He must be thinking we¡¯ve died at the hands of that scary thing.¡±


    ¡°Thing, what thing?¡± Xie Tianyang asked.


    Zhuo Fan only shook his head. He was out like a light at that time and was unclear what happened. But when he woke up he saw the destruction around him and came to this conclusion.


    As for why they were luckily spared, ask heaven!


    ¡°In any case, sneaking out of the city is easy.¡± Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Ning¡¯er, what will you do after we leave?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang turned gloomy, but then she looked up at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, I¡¯ll just go with you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan started while Xie Tianyang became flustered and said, ¡°Ning¡¯er, how about you come with me, to Sword Marquise Abode. Not only will your clansmen not come for you, but even Hell Valley¡¯s people wouldn¡¯t be able to take you from us.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang happily nodded, ¡°Alright. Big brother Zhuo, why don¡¯t you also come? I¡¯ve never seen the strong Seven Noble Houses of the Tianyu Empire.¡±


    Xie Tianyang wasn¡¯t too pleased about it but since Ning¡¯er was happy he also relented, ¡°Zhuo Fan, for Ning¡¯er, I will extend an invitation to visit my house as a guest.¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at them for a moment and shook his head, ¡°I cannot. I have other places to be. If fortune smiles, we will see each other again.¡±


    The two were startled and hesitant about parting.


    Though Xie Tianyang and Zhuo Fan were like fire and water, arguing every day, they went through hell together and came out as brothers.


    ¡°Hey, I truly welcome you to my house. Think of your brother, me, and come.¡±


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°I already said, we aren¡¯t brothers!¡±


    ¡°Sigh, how can you¡­¡±


    As Xie Tianyang was about to laugh it off, a crack was heard and a sudden pressure pushed down on them, ¡°No one is allowed to leave!¡±


    Whoosh!


    A black figure appeared with long black and white hair. His long goatee fluttered in the wind, and his eyes flashed as they landed on the trio.


    Profound Heaven expert!


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang were startled and protected Xue Ningxiang with their bodies.


    ¡°Is it an elder from Hell Valley?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen him.¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang whispered. What was certain though, this old man wanted to wring them dry.


    But then, Xue Ningxiang jumped out from between them and walked cautiously towards the man, ¡°Grandfather!¡±


    Xie Tianyang was stumped while Zhuo Fan asked with a frown, ¡°You¡¯re Xue clan¡¯s only Profound Heaven expert, Xue clan¡¯s Patriarch, Xue Dingtian?¡±


    Turning a blind eye to the rotten kids in front, Xue Dingtian looked over Xue Ningxiang, ¡°Ning¡¯er, where did you run off these months? I looked all over for you.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang hung her head in guilt and mumbled, ¡°Sorry for worrying you, grandfather.¡±


    Xue Dingtian sighed and tousled his dear grandchild¡¯s hair then spat, ¡°Did any of these runts misbehave?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang knew where this was going and was embarrassed, ¡°Grandpa, what are you saying!¡±


    ¡°Humph, then all is good!¡±


    Xue Dingtian rolled his eyes over Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang, ¡°Who was it that hurt my grandson, Xue Gang?¡±


    ¡°Him!¡±


    Xie Tianyang didn¡¯t miss a beat in exposing Zhuo Fan, ¡°I only met Ning¡¯er after. I never saw your grandson.¡±


    Rolling his eyes, Zhuo Fan could only blame his poor luck in friends, ¡°I didn¡¯t know he was Ning¡¯er¡¯s brother, so¡­ please forgive the offense, senior!¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ you eloped with Ning¡¯er?¡± Xue Dingtian questioned Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°What, elope?¡±


    Xie Tianyang cried with a start and grabbed Zhuo Fan by the clothes, ¡°Zhuo Fan, explain it to me! Since when were you so close with Ning¡¯er?¡±


    Xue Dingtian glanced at Xie Tianyang and turned towards his granddaughter. [Who is that kid, to be even more pissed than me?]


    Xue Ningxiang glared at her grandpa, then hid her flaming cheeks with her hands.


    [Grandpa is getting old, how could he mention something like that out of the blue?] She was complaining inside but her eyes sneaked a peek at Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Wait, don¡¯t misunderstand. I only asked Ning¡¯er to show me the way and nothing else!¡±


    Zhuo Fan gesticulated while shouting. Only then did Xie Tianyang stop.


    Xue Dingtian stared down Zhuo Fan but seeing no lies, he spoke, ¡°Good, in that case, I won¡¯t be hard on you on account on your time with my granddaughter.¡±


    ¡°Come, Ning¡¯er, let¡¯s go home.¡± Xue Dingtian pulled her. But Xue Ningxiang turned to the two behind her. Xie Tianyang was getting anxious, wanting to stop them.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Zhuo Fan shouted.


    Xue Dingtian spoke in a cold tone, ¡°Is there something else, runt?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t take Ning¡¯er.¡± said Zhuo Fan with a stony expression, ¡°And I advise you don¡¯t return either.¡±


    Xue Dingtian frowned, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be frank. We offended the seventh elder of Hell Valley and he recognized Ning¡¯er. I can guess he¡¯s now getting rowdy in the Xue clan. If you go back now, you will die.¡±


    Xue Dingtian was startled, then looked to see Xue Ningxiang nodding shyly.


    As if thunderstruck, Xue Dingtian trembled and stumbled backward before falling.


    Xue Ningxiang started crying and rushed to her grandpa, ¡°Grandfather, forgive me¡­¡±


    Xue Dingtian tightened his fist as rage swallowed his heart. Then his killing intent filled eyes landed on Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang.


    ¡°It¡¯s you who brought this disaster upon us. As long as I take you to the seventh elder, he will spare us.¡±


    Saying so, he slapped towards Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s foot moved a bit making two of his phantoms appear near him. Then they immediately retreated in different directions. Xue Dingtian scattered the three retreating figures to dust with a wave of his hand but the real one wasn¡¯t among them.


    The next moment, Zhuo Fan came from behind Xue Dingtian and attacked with a bloody hand.


    Blood Palm!


    Startled, Xue Dingtian felt his blood vessels boil. He now felt it on his own skin why his son and grandson had lost.


    Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t only strong enough to skip stages, but also cunning and hard to fathom.


    Too bad he wasn¡¯t in the Profound Heaven stage like the old man.


    Xue Dingtian vanished before the Blood Palm could hit him, shocking Zhuo Fan.


    At the same instant, a powerful strike came from behind, and Zhuo Fan, who was unable to dodge in time, spat blood while flying.


    Xue Dingtian was about to pursue when a mystical sword intent came at him. It was Xie Tianyang wielding his Star Sword to strike Xue Dingtian¡¯s chest.


    As he looked at the approaching sword, the sky seemed to have calmed and he could only see the glittering sword moving.


    Profound ranked martial art?


    Xue Dingtian moved his foot slightly and disappeared, only to attack from Xie Tianyang¡¯s side with a palm.


    Xie Tianyang spatted blood and flew due to the impact. It was thanks to his spiritual armor that he wasn¡¯t heavily wounded.


    Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang staggered to their feet. A Profound Heaven expert¡¯s power wasn¡¯t to be taken lightly. Without an array, they had no chance.


    That brief exchange from before lasted but a breath and the outcome was a forgone conclusion.


    The two couldn¡¯t even touch a Profound Heaven expert.

 Chapter 73 - Cauldron

    ¡°Stop!¡± cried Xue Ningxiang.


    Xue Dingtian turned towards his granddaughter and was startled to see her in tears with a dagger at her neck.


    ¡°What are you doing, Ning¡¯er?¡± Xue Dingtian became nervous.


    Xue Ningxiang spoke between sobs, ¡°Grandpa, let them go, they¡¯re my friends.¡±


    ¡°If I do, then our Xue clan will be no more!¡± Xue Dingtian stepped towards Zhuo Fan with hatred and killing intent.


    ¡°Grandpa, take one more step and I will be leaving this world before you!¡± Xue Ningxiang nervously pushed the dagger closer to her throat.


    Blood began to trace the blade.


    ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Xie Tianyang was frightened, but Xue Dingtian gnashed his teeth and pressed on. However, Zhuo Fan noticed the tears in the old man¡¯s eyes.


    Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Xue Dingtian, you¡¯ve gotten senile. You think taking us to the seventh elder will save Xue clan? It will only hasten your downfall.¡±


    ¡°What are you saying?¡± Xue Dingtian stopped and stared at Zhuo Fan.


    Sneering, Zhuo Fan turned to Xie Tianyang, ¡°Do you know who this is? He¡¯s from Sword Marquise Abode! By handing him over to the Hell Valley, you will make one of the seven houses into your enemy. Do you think you can handle their wrath and prevent the downfall of your second rate clan!¡±


    Xue Dingtian became apprehensive, he spoke while scrutinizing Xie Tianyang, ¡°Impossible, you are trying to play me. I would¡¯ve known by now if someone from Sword Marquise Abode came to Blue Expanse City!¡±


    ¡°Seven Noble Houses¡¯ disciples wander the world, so why should they report to you? Clear those muddy eyes of yours and take a closer look at his spiritual weapon, his martial arts! Are they common? Even in the seven houses, such a masterful disciple is rare.¡±


    A chill shook his very core and Xue Dingtian staggered back a few steps.


    He knew that was a 4th-grade spiritual weapon and the kid was using a profound ranked martial art. Who could wield both if not a man from the seven houses?


    Having Xue Dingtian right where he wanted, Zhuo Fan drove in the last nail with a sneer, ¡°You want to take us back to Hell Valley when it¡¯s uncertain if they¡¯ll even accept us. But if they do, will the Sword Marquise Abode just let you go?¡±


    Plop!


    Xue Dingtian lost all his nerve and collapsed in a shivering mess.


    The Xue Clan was under Hell Valley, but never would they think to step between the conflicts of the seven houses. If it ever happened, the Hell Valley would toss them in front as cannon fodder.


    Xue Dingtian began to feel mournful and lost.


    [This year is a disaster for Xue clan. Do we have no other choice but to die at the hands of one of the seven houses?]


    He could take these runts with him, but he wouldn¡¯t want them now even if they landed in his lap.


    ¡°Y-young m-masters, forgive this old man¡¯s rash behavior. I was blind to young masters¡¯ identity!¡± Xue Dingtian squeezed through clenched teeth and crouched before them to kowtow three times.


    Everyone was dumbfounded, while Zhuo Fan just took it all in with a critical eye.


    Xie Tianyang couldn¡¯t quite accept it and rushed over. Forgetting the fact he was Ning¡¯er¡¯s grandfather, just being an aged Profound Heaven expert was enough to make Xie Tianyang unable to receive such a gesture.


    Would the Profound Heaven experts, elders in title, back at Sword Marquise Abode had to kneel too?


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand barred his way.


    ¡°If you want to save Ning¡¯er, show off your status.¡± Zhuo Fan whispered, to which Xie Tianyang nodded with a bit of startle.


    ¡°Grandfather, get up!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang had never seen her grandfather so humiliated and rushed to help him up. But then Zhuo Fan yelled, ¡°Who told you to get up?¡±


    Xue Dingtian shivered and was back on his knees with a red face.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Xue Ningxiang was angry, but Xue Dingtian pulled her back. Zhuo Fan strutted before the old man and said in a clipped tone, ¡°Do you know of our young master¡¯s eminent identity in the house? You hurt him today and us, the Sword Marquise Abode, will not let this go unpunished.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I was ignorant in my offense.¡± Xue Dingtian hung his head which was already full of cold sweat.


    ¡°Humph, then we will take Ning¡¯er. If you want to get her back, have the Xue clan or Hell Valley come for her at Sword Marquise Abode.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was about to leave when Xue Dingtian grabbed his ankle, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if Ning¡¯er offended the seventh elder, but she cannot leave. Or the Xue clan will be dead for good. I cannot accept it even if it means offending Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s young masters.¡±


    Frowning, Zhuo Fan eyed him thoughtfully and saw the staunch resolve in his eyes.


    [Maybe¡­ Ning¡¯er¡­]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with killing intent. He snatched Xie Tianyang¡¯s Star Sword and stabbed at the old man¡¯s chest.


    ¡°No!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang panicked and threw herself before Xue Dingtian, stopping Zhuo Fan¡¯s attack just in time.


    ¡°Damnable and crazy punk!¡±


    Xie Tianyang came to and took his sword, ¡°I thought you were just scaring the old man, not being serious. He is Ning¡¯er¡¯s grandfather!¡±


    Zhuo Fan spoke coldly, ¡°If you were to choose who dies, who will you pick among the two?¡±


    ¡°Of course it¡¯s¡­¡± Xie Tianyang hesitated as he got caught in a dilemma. Xue Ningxiang didn¡¯t understand what was going on between her grandfather and Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Xue Dingtian, what do you need Ning¡¯er for?¡± Zhuo Fan spoke harshly.


    Xue Dingtian sighed, ¡°I know that young masters like my granddaughter, but she is already betrothed to Hell Valley¡¯s young master. When she is 16 years of age, I will have to take her to them. Because of this, she has tried to run from home so many times. With how the time is nearing its end, if I don¡¯t take her, our whole clan will perish.¡±


    Xie Tianyang asked, ¡°Ning¡¯er, is this why you ran away?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang nodded sadly.


    Zhuo Fan watched Xue Dingtian¡¯s wrinkled face for any lies but found none, ¡°So even you do not know for sure. If it¡¯s marriage then it¡¯s fine, but¡­¡±


    ¡°But what?¡± Xie Tianyang snapped, ¡°Ning¡¯er can¡¯t marry some random guy from Hell Valley. Come, follow brother to Sword Marquise Abode.¡±


    ¡°Xue Tianyang, this marriage is fake!¡± Zhuo Fan shot him a glance then spoke to Xue Dingtian, ¡°If it was about Hell Valley¡¯s marriage they would¡¯ve come for her ages ago. But have you seen any girl getting married off to them coming back alive?¡±


    Xue Dingtian pondered then shook his head, ¡°Hell Valley is one of the seven houses, with proper rules and manners. Marrying with our second rate clan already deserves heartfelt gratitude. What other reason can there be? She is ready to be wed to someone, and it¡¯s no longer our place to ask.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s exactly what they want.¡± Zhuo Fan cackled, ¡°If I were to tell you that all the girls who got married to the Hell Valley¡¯s people died, what will you do? Will you still let Ning¡¯er go?¡±


    ¡°What? Impossible!¡± Xue Dingtian refuted, ¡°Why would they do that? We¡¯ve always been loyal to them.¡±


    ¡°It is because you are so devoted that they chose you to raise a cauldron!¡± Zhuo Fan declared.


    Everyone asked in shock, ¡°What cauldron?¡±


    Zhuo Fan answered calmly, ¡°There are some demonic cultivators who train in a cultivation method that utilizes ghosts of the people dying gruesome deaths. But too heavy grievance would lead to an imbalance in the yin and yang, this would increase the risk of oneself getting devoured by the ghosts. Therefore, the purest soul is needed as a foundation to train in it. And 16-year-old maidens are the best materials.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying they want Ning¡¯er to train some art?¡± Xie Tianyang looked at Xue Ningxiang with worry.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Most likely. Do you remember the seventh elder¡¯s martial art? That profound ranked martial art wasn¡¯t trained to completion and was weak because the cauldron was lacking. You think he¡¯d go easy on us on purpose?¡±


    They all gasped at the cruelty of Hell Valley which was using people as materials to practice arts.


    But Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t care less. Demonic cultivators were selfish, not cruel or humane. Anything that killed one¡¯s opponent was most welcomed.


    He recalled that one time back in the Sacred Domain when an Emperor Stage expert cultivated this demonic method and killed ten thousand cultivators, the expert provoked the entire Sacred Domain¡¯s cultivators into an uprising against him. Even demonic cultivators rose the flag of righteousness, vowing to wipe such filth from the world.


    That was one of the rare occasions in which the two paths joined.


    Luck had it that Zhuo Fan was among them, witnessing this force on the move. He learned then not to incur public hatred if he wasn¡¯t the strongest.


    That was also why he trained in the dark after getting the Nine Serenities Secret Records. Even now, despite having the Demon Transformation Art, which could raise his cultivation without a limit, he wasn¡¯t slaughtering left and right.


    If he¡¯d get found out, he¡¯d be the next target of both paths!

 Chapter 74 - Flowing Metal Body Refining

    The silence was deafening!


    It was so quiet that only cawing was heard. And even this noise only worked to darken the mood.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er!¡±


    Xue Dingtian turned serious as he said, ¡°If what this young master said is true, it¡¯s best if you leave.¡±


    ¡°Grandfather¡­¡± Xue Ningxiang looked at him in tears.


    Xue Dingtian smiled, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll go back and find out the truth. If it isn¡¯t like what this young master said, then I will come back to get you and proceed with the marriage.¡±


    He ruffled her hair and flew away.


    Watching his departing figure, Xue Ningxiang sniffed in tears.


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, will my grandfather be alright?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s conjectures were always spot on and Xue Ningxiang wished to know her grandfather¡¯s fate.


    She wanted him to say her grandfather would be fine, that her clan would be fine. But Zhuo Fan shook his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, if he doesn¡¯t return, your clan still might live for a while. But now, all of them will die.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang was shocked to the core and tears never stopped falling.


    Xie Tianyang began cursing to hide his sadness, ¡°Hey, you¡¯re not that damn Insidious Demon¡¯s match in reading people, so how can you say they¡¯ll all die if he returns? I think a Profound Heaven expert would make the Insidious Demon think twice.¡±


    ¡°Humph, that is where you¡¯re wrong. I may not be as sharp as him when it comes to picking up one¡¯s intentions, but we are all humans, and I can tell a thing or two of his actions. First, we offended him, and since he determined the identity of Xue Ningxiang during our fight, he would think that the Xue clan betrayed Hell Valley. He is bound to kill them to the last woman and child. But at that time, old man Xue came to find Ning¡¯er. In this case¡­ ¡°


    Zhuo Fan paused then sighed, ¡°Until he knew the whereabouts of the Profound Heaven expert, he would keep them alive to draw your grandfather. Once old man Xue returns, there will be nothing holding him back.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit! A Profound Heaven expert is an elder in the seven houses. I don¡¯t believe he has such nerve to slaughter a Profound Heaven expert¡¯s entire clan.¡± Xie Tianyang saw Xue Ningxiang¡¯s expression turn darker and darker and roared at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Exactly because Xue clan has a Profound Heaven expert he would wait for Xue Dingtian to return before wiping them all off. In addition, you¡¯re wrong about something. A Profound Heaven expert is not strong at all, but a free one is.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think he kneeled before us? He didn¡¯t do it for the two of us, but for the Sword Marquise Abode behind you. He didn¡¯t kneel for himself either, but for the Xue clan. If he were a rogue cultivator, free of responsibility, killing us would be a matter of fact.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡± Xie Tianyang wanted to retort but found nothing to refute him with. He knew of this all too well, but the sorrowful look on Xue Ningxiang pushed him to find her some solace.


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s words stabbed Xue Ningxiang¡¯s frail heart like a dagger.


    At this point, Xie Tianyang wanted to punch him. [Can¡¯t you have some sympathy for Ning¡¯er?]


    ¡°Alright, stop fighting.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang shouted, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, I know what you said is reasonable. Tell me then, if I go back as a cauldron, can I save my clan?¡±


    Xie Tianyang was appalled, ¡°Ning¡¯er, don¡¯t!¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked her in the eye but all he saw was an unwavering will and nodded, ¡°Even the magnificent and grand seventh elder of Hell Valley has no other way to train in that martial art. From this, it is obvious how much the Hell Valley lacks cauldrons. Doing this is likely to work, but¡­¡±


    ¡°There is no but as long as it works!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang waved and breathed out as if to get out all the worries off her chest. She was smiling, but the two felt their hearts heavy from the tears flowing down Xue Ningxiang¡¯s cheeks.


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, big brother Tianyang, thank you for taking care of me these past months. We shall part ways, just that¡­¡± Xue Ningxiang sniffed, ¡°I¡¯ve never once gone outside the city, never seen Sword Marquise Abode. It¡¯s my only regret.¡±


    She waved with a smile and left.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s eyes were tinted red. They both knew what this girl was about to do.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er!¡±


    Xie Tianyang stepped forward, but Xue Ningxiang¡¯s delicate voice reached them before he could take a second, ¡°Please don¡¯t try to use force. I know I am not your match, but I will hate you for all my life and will never listen to you two again.¡±


    Xie Tianyang fell to his knees and watched her distancing figure in pain.


    ¡°Hey, Zhuo Fan, Ning¡¯er left. Can she save Xue clan?¡± He asked gloomily.


    ¡°For some time.¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head, his face serene, ¡°Once Ning¡¯er¡¯s use as cauldron expires, Xue clan would¡¯ve outlived its usefulness.¡±


    ¡°Why did you let her leave then?¡± Xie Tianyang bit his lip until he drew blood as his words were spoken with an edge.


    Zhuo Fan stared him in the eye, ¡°At least¡­ Ning¡¯er will leave this world at peace, believing her clan will be kept safe.¡±


    ¡°Bastard!¡±


    Bam!


    Xie Tianyang stood up and punched Zhuo Fan¡¯s face and sent him ten meters flying, ¡°You betrayed Ning¡¯er again.¡±


    Roaring, Xie Tianyang rushed after Xue Ningxiang.


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Zhuo Fan wiped the blood from his mouth and stood up.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to save her!¡± Xie Tianyang was dead serious.


    ¡°Just you?¡± Zhuo Fan jabbed, ¡°How can a Bone Tempering cultivator fight against a Profound Heaven expert? You saw what happened just now. You know the difference between the Bone Tempering Stage and Profound Heaven Stage. It¡¯s not just about being unable to fly but also about speed.¡±


    ¡°So what?¡± Tightening his fists, Xie Tianyang spat, ¡°It¡¯s better than doing nothing like you. We clearly had the chance to end that Insidious Demon last time¡­¡±


    ¡°Last time we had the element of surprise and an array in place. In an array, no matter how fast he is, we can deal with him. But how will I set an array now? Are you telling me to set one right under his nose, then ask him to kindly step inside?¡±


    Xie Tianyang understood the meaning behind Zhuo Fan¡¯s words but couldn¡¯t accept his manner. Ning¡¯er fought through life and death with them and now Zhuo Fan was just going to sit there and do nothing.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, I always knew there was no worth in trusting you. But as a man, good or bad, they are duty-bound to fulfill their promise. You promised to take Ning¡¯er out, and if you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll be nothing more than a coward!¡±


    Roaring, Xie Tianyang sped up in his rush.


    ¡°If you go you can only watch, powerless to do anything!¡±


    ¡°I will still go. I would rather die than be a coward!¡±


    Watching Xie Tianyang chasing Ning¡¯er, Zhuo Fan tightened his fists and muttered, ¡°Who said I¡¯m any different¡­¡±


    Then he turned around and entered the forest.


    In a cave, fifteen minutes later, Zhuo Fan set up a concealing array then drew an odd pattern on the ground and placed spirit stones at key locations. Then he spread Diamond Sand across the entire pattern.


    Finally, his hand flashed and a pair of wings with streaks of lightning across them appeared in the center of this pattern.


    This was a secret body refining art from the Nine Serenities Secret Records. It would make use of Demon Transformation Art to refine the ingredients and transform one¡¯s flesh into Diamond Body.


    This was far crueler than the Wraith Art he gave to Captain Pang. Wraith Art was a cultivation method for humans to refine their body, but this secret art treated the human body as a medium in refining it just like a demonic treasure.


    The results were outstanding of course, invincible and tough as steel. But the process was excruciating, a thousand times more miserable than the Wraith Art.


    To imagine, this process involved cutting one¡¯s body inch by painful inch if one wanted to refine his body with ingredients suited for demonic treasures. It was so dreadful that one would find death a blessing.


    In the past, before he even found the Nine Serenities Secret Records, Zhuo Fan wouldn¡¯t train in Wraith Art even if he had it. Because it was too inhuman, too brutal, despite how much strength it gave back.


    And here he was using a method even more excruciating and dangerous.


    But this was also the only way he could improve his strength in a short time. If he wasn¡¯t stronger than that cunning and deceitful Insidious Demon, his success wasn¡¯t certain!


    With his heart at peace, his eyes filled with resolve, Zhuo Fan made a hand sign.


    In an instant, the strange pattern shined brightly and started to churn. As it spun, the Diamond Sand trickled towards a small vortex in the center and entered inside the cross-legged body of Zhuo Fan¡­

 Chapter 75 - Spirit And Body Refining

    Speck by diamond speck sunk into Zhuo Fan¡¯s body as the array turned. The sand acted like minute needles boring through his muscles and drawing blood.


    All Diamond Sand that touched him pierced his body, with no exception. One or two specks, he could bear, but a hundred, a thousand¡­ they were beginning to take its toll on him and all this while he could only gnash his teeth.


    When the number reached millions, his whole body was soaked in blood. And this blood all came from pin-sized holes left behind by the diamond speck, akin to a very fine sieve.


    Looking closely, the Diamond Sand had ruined his muscles, turning them to mush.


    And this was only the beginning, yet the pain was so excruciating, worse than any torture; death by a thousand cuts, quite literally.


    However, to speed up his increase in power, Zhuo Fan still bore through it with clenched teeth, unwilling to utter even a grunt. Fine sweat ran over his body, testament to the pain. Even the mighty Demonic Emperor was reduced to a shivering mess.


    ¡°AHH!¡±


    Then, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes narrowed as he cried out, unable to endure another million specks piercing his skin and muscles.


    He yelled and howled from the pain, but knew he had to stop and soon closed his mouth shut.


    In his heart he knew, this body refining method would remake his entire body, from the inside out, replacing his all with Diamond Sand. So much so he would become an unbreakable diamond.


    But before that, he would have to endure this agony.


    Yet this was just the flesh, it would soon be followed by the bones and inner organs.


    Zhuo Fan could only grit his teeth and follow through. If not for wishing to save Xue Ningxiang, he wouldn¡¯t have chosen this path no matter how amazing the result!


    Too cruel!


    The strange array never stopped revolving, feeding Zhuo Fan¡¯s body with Diamond Sand. After two long hours, his muscles were broken down to the last fragment, then the Diamond Sand continued on to pierce his bones.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook from the pain and a grunt escaped his clenched teeth.


    Yelling would only amplify his suffering until he could take it no more. To avoid his demise, he forced his mouth shut while his eyes bulged out of his blanched face.


    [Damn rotten decrepit senile Nine Serenities Emperor. How the hell did you come up with this insane refining method?]


    The moment the Diamond Sand entered his bones, Zhuo Fan spasmed. He couldn¡¯t even speak, so he cursed the first Demon Emperor of ages past in his mind.


    Had the Demon Emperor heard, his reply would be mockery, ¡°Did I push your hand? Who lied to you that a meager thing like you can succeed?¡±


    Suddenly Zhuo Fan¡¯s body seized up one second and laid limp the next. His skeleton was turned to dust in that instant.


    Such pain filled his eyes with tears, but he was now nothing more than a pile of mush. And all he could do was lie paralyzed on the ground.


    [There¡¯s also the last step¡­ body remodeling¡­]


    Zhuo Fan was sweating bullets as he sucked in a deep breath through gritted teeth.


    With his skeleton nothing more than a bone meal, the Diamond Sand burrowed deep into his organs. It didn¡¯t wait to stick to them like before but punched right through them.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s organs were shredded and he was spewing blood mixed with flesh again and again.


    The blood seeped into the strange array and fused with it. Yet despite the constant flow of blood and the sweat and the pain, his lips curled into a sinister grin.


    [I have prevailed. Now only body remodeling is left¡­]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s smile was wiped away by a wail.


    ¡°AHHH!¡±


    It didn¡¯t go as planned. The Diamond Sand finished with his organs and went for his brain.


    Be it a mortal or cultivator, the brain was the weakest for both, as it was the place that housed one¡¯s soul.


    Diamond Sand was raining havoc in his very soul, his mind. Once it was gone, his death would be final.


    He felt as if thousands of ghosts were assailing him, a pain down to the bottom of his core. It was thousands of times crueler than the first step. But unlike before, when his mind was clear, the pain was now eating away at his consciousness.


    His soul was slowly being spent and was on the verge of shattering. And all he could do was wait for his demise.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, for me, the grand Demonic Emperor, to die at my own hands! How ironic! If only I knew how wretched this body refining method was¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan chastised himself as he grew weaker.


    All this while, the strange array never stopped spinning, and the remaining Diamond Sand on it was soaked in his blood, but he was too far gone to even care. He was hanging by a thread, one that thinned by the second.


    What struck him as odd was, why did he have to refine his body through this hellish torture?


    ¡°I must¡¯ve gone insane. Why did I use this deviant secret art¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan shut his eyes with a trace of regret, as his life flashed before his eyes.


    Since he became a demonic cultivator, he overcame all trials baring his path, becoming the leader of the Eight Emperors in the Sacred Domain, the first below a Saint; a path filled with glory. Then he gained the Nine Serenities Secret Records, bringing him further joy, and though his disciple sold him out, he was reborn in the Luo clan, as a steward. Then he met Xie Tianyang and Xue Ningxiang¡­


    ¡°Xue Ningxiang¡­ Xue Ningxiang¡­¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s lips cracked open, muttering her name in his delirium. Then he flashed his eyes open and yelled, ¡°Ning¡¯er!¡±


    He recalled why he chose this path. It was to save her.


    At that moment, the strange array spun faster and faster, encompassing everything in it in arcane power.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s forehead released a blue flame that turned into tendrils and enveloped his body, to ultimately fuse into the strange array.


    Zhuo Fan had no clue that this secret body refining method didn¡¯t just refine the body, but one¡¯s spirit too. Its purpose was to unearth all potential of a cultivator.


    If only the body was refined through this method, failure was guaranteed and death was a certainty.


    When Zhuo Fan was nearing death, he woke up to the reason behind his choice and his will to live thrummed with power. It resonated with his soul and allowed the blue flame in his body to fuse with the array.


    It was only now that this strange array displayed its true power.


    The array spun so fast that it kicked up a storm. It soon turned blue from the flame and melted the Diamond Sand before fusing it with Zhuo Fan¡¯s blood, flowing throughout his body.


    Golden blood soothed Zhuo Fan¡¯s lacerated body, breathing life into his muscles, bones, and organs. The blue flame returned to his forehead once the process was complete and fused with his soul.


    Zhuo Fan kept his eyes closed, unaware of what happened outside. He only felt his life renewing and growing with every passing moment.


    All this time, Blood Infant sat cross-legged in his Dantian. Seeing the incoming golden blood, it was filled with ecstasy, swallowing as much as it could.


    It began to alternate between fading in and out of reality, to ultimately turn into a golden infant. It opened its eyes and they flashed golden, filled with vigor.


    Thanks to the blue flame, the pair of wings which streaked with lightning, were turned into liquid and entered Zhuo Fan. In a blink, an image of a pair of blue wings appeared on his back with lightning flashing across them.


    Deep in the Allbeast Mountain Range, high up a mountain, laid a cave. And from this cave came the shocked voice of a strong middle-aged man.


    ¡°Eh? How come the azure flame I gave the kid is now gone? Did he remove it, or did he take control over it?¡±


    Then laughter came from deep within the cave, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I must be getting old. For that kid to erase it is already impossible, so how could he refine it? Not even a Saint Stage expert can receive my azure flame.¡±


    ¡°Although, if he really removed it, how will I find him? Well, he¡¯ll come around sooner or later, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The man laughed in his cave, and the sound traveled for hundreds of miles, but there was no spiritual beast around to hear it¡­

 Chapter 76 - Diamond Body

    Blue Expanse City, Xue clan¡¯s entrance.


    When Xue Dingtian landed, he noticed that the place was eerily quiet. There weren¡¯t even guards around, it made his heart nervous and he rushed inside.


    He soon arrived outside the main hall. As he looked inside, he saw a familiar figure in the seat of honor, Hell Valley¡¯s seventh elder, You Guiqi.


    The seventh elder was leisurely nursing a cup of tea.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware the seventh elder graced us with his presence. Please forgive me for not welcoming you!¡±


    The seventh elder¡¯s presence here intimidated Xue Dingtian but he forced himself to show proper respect as if all was normal in the world.


    You Guiqi sipped his tea then smashed it on the table.


    Plop!


    And Xue Dingtian¡¯s heart sank with it.


    Giving him a cursory glance, You Guiqi broke out in an insidious grin, ¡°Xue Dingtian, you¡¯ve been under Hell Valley¡¯s care for a century now. We¡¯ve always been kind to you.¡±


    ¡°Without a doubt! Thanks to Hell Valley and seventh elder assisting us, Xue clan reached today¡¯s glory!¡± Xue Dingtian forced his anxiety down, hiding it behind a smile.


    You Guiqi nodded and stood up. He strolled before Xue Dingtian and patted his shoulder with a warm smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s great that you think so, then¡­¡±


    As he spoke, You Guiqi¡¯s face twisted and clawed at Xue Dingtian¡¯s shoulder as he thundered, ¡°Why did you collude with outsiders and steal Hell Valley¡¯s Diamond Sand?¡±


    Xue Dingtian was shaking in fear and fell on his knees to kowtow, ¡°Seventh elder! This is a misunderstanding! The Xue clan has been nothing but loyal to Hell Valley. We would never do such a thing!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, there was a time I thought the same, that you wouldn¡¯t be taking advantage of our kindness then move behind our backs. But that time has long passed!¡±


    Grunting, You Guiqi slapped the table to splinters and barked, ¡°Where is your grandchild, Xue Ningxiang?¡±


    Xue Dingtian stammered for a response, but words left him.


    ¡°Humph, I will tell you. She and two runts stole my Diamond Sand and they now lie dead in Allbeast Mountain Range.¡± You Guiqi¡¯s brow shook as he recalled the dreadful howl he heard at that time. If he had stayed a moment longer, he¡¯d be a goner.


    Despite not finishing the trio off, he assumed the monster would¡¯ve finished the job with how wounded they were.


    He thought ruefully about this event. Xue Ningxiang was of use to him, but now she was gone. He came back empty-handed too, no Diamond Sand and neither a cauldron.


    Sighing, You Guiqi placed his rage on the Xue clan.


    ¡°Men, bring them in!¡± You Guiqi clapped and three Bone Tempering experts pulled three people in chains.


    Xue Dingtian was filled with sorrow and tears fell as he looked at them.


    They were Xue Wanlong and his sons, Xue Gang and Xue Lin. Heavy hooks dug deep into their shoulders, locking their clavicles in place and sealing their cultivation. From the bruises and wounds all over their bodies, it was clear how close they were to breathing their last.


    ¡°Seventh elder!¡±


    Xue Dingtian bellowed and stared down the smirking You Guiqi with bloodshot eyes, ¡°Xue clan sacrificed its all this past century for Hell Valley in defending Blue Expanse City. Is this how Hell Valley repays its vassal clan¡¯s hard work?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, your second rate clan is nothing but garbage. Hell Valley can have as many as it wants. To me, you¡¯re no vassals, but somewhat useful watchdogs.¡±


    ¡°We throw you a bone, a reward, and you should be skipping around in joy. When a dog starts raising questions to his master about getting credit for its hard work, it must be put down!¡± You Guiqi cackled.


    Unable to bear You Guiqi¡¯s mockery any further, Xue Dingtian clenched his fist and unleashed his fury.


    Exerting his pressure as a Profound Heaven expert, he pushed back the three Bone Tempering experts around him while You Guiqi just watched on with naked killing intent.


    ¡°It seems that the watchdog wants to take a bite out of its master, he-he-he¡­ Then it¡¯s time to replace it!¡±


    ¡°You Guiqi!¡±


    In his entire life, this was the first time Xue Dingtian uttered the seventh elder¡¯s taboo name out of sheer rage, ¡°Let me ask you. Isn¡¯t Ning¡¯er¡¯s marriage just a cover to use her as a cauldron and practice martial arts?¡±


    You Guiqi looked at him in surprise before laughing, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I used to look down on you every time, but look at how smart you are. We¡¯ve been at it for so long yet you¡¯re the only vassal clan that figured it out. So that¡¯s why you defected, it¡¯s all for a silly girl!¡±


    ¡°Bastard!¡±


    Xue Dingtian¡¯s fury exploded and rushed with his entire Yuan Qi laid bare, ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡±


    You Guiqi sneered, sidestepping Xue Dingtian¡¯s palm and delivering an attack of his own.


    Bam!


    The hit on his chest upset his blood flow and Xue Dingtian spat blood as he tumbled backward.


    You Guiqi made use of Xue Dingtian¡¯s prone condition and delivered two more palm attacks.


    Xue Dingtian felt his chest burning and he spurted blood like a fountain.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Xue Dingtian, you think you have what it takes to kill me? You¡¯re nothing but a greenhorn Profound Heaven Stage cultivator that just broke through, while I am in the 3rd layer. You are at the bottom and I am at the peak. You will never overcome this chasm!¡±


    You Guiqi then dealt another palm attack with bloodthirsty eyes, ¡°Old coot, die! But go in peace knowing that your son and grandsons will follow you!¡±


    Powerless to do anything, Xue Dingtian closed his eyes awaiting the final strike. Such an ending, he never wished for his Xue clan. But at the very least, his dear granddaughter escaped this calamity.


    Xue Dingtian was relieved that You Guiqi assumed her to be dead and wouldn¡¯t search for her¡­


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    A high pitched cry was heard and You Guiqi stopped his attack midway. Looking ahead, he saw Xue Ningxiang at the gate, holding a dagger to her neck.


    ¡°You¡¯re alive?¡± You Guiqi was in shock. His sole reason for coming to this clan was to have her as a cauldron.


    Xue Ningxiang took in the sight of her suffering family, her grandfather beaten to a pulp, and her eyes teared. She only had hatred towards You Guiqi for his cruelty.


    Dagger inching at her throat, Xue Ningxiang threatened, ¡°If you still want me as a cauldron, release them! Or I will take my life right here and now!¡±


    You Guiqi mocked, ¡°He-he-he, Ning¡¯er, get off your high horse. We do need you to practice martial arts, but you aren¡¯t irreplaceable. You have nothing to bargain with.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang was startled and worry gnawed her heart, but she recalled Zhuo Fan¡¯s analysis and showed her white neck as she mocked, ¡°Seventh elder, you can¡¯t lie to me. I know Hell Valley lacks cauldrons, I know of my value. Since you do not care, then I will die along with my family.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang then traced her dagger along her neck and blood trickled.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, no!¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Xue Dingtian and You Guiqi cried at once. Xue Ningxiang looked down on You Guiqi, ¡°Seventh elder, it seems to me that you¡¯re not yet ready to let me go!¡±


    You Guiqi¡¯s ruthless eyes flashed, ¡°Is that runt still alive?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang avoided his gaze. She knew who he was talking about, ¡°He died in Allbeast Mountain Range and you can go look for his body if you want to. But I¡¯m afraid spiritual beasts would¡¯ve devoured it by now.¡±


    ¡°Humph, don¡¯t try to lie to me!¡± You Guiqi¡¯s sneered, ¡°I have many enemies, but that runt was the first to bring me to such a state¡ªcoming back empty-handed and heavily wounded.¡±


    Chuckling, You Guiqi continued, ¡°Girlie, don¡¯t take this the wrong way, but you do not have what it takes to see through me. That runt must¡¯ve told you.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang only stared back, to which You Guiqi shook his head, ¡°In any case, I will have to take a step back. Since you put me on the spot, I will not take your family¡¯s lives.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Xue Ningxiang was about to go help her grandfather in joy, but You Guiqi shook his hand and a hook bit into Xue Dingtian!


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    A wail of agony resounded and Xue Dingtian blacked out. His chest was soaked in blood and his clavicle was pierced, just like his son¡¯s.


    ¡°You Guiqi, you¡­¡±


    ¡°I said I won¡¯t kill them, but your grandfather is a Profound Heaven expert. I have to make sure he falls in line. I will, of course, let them go once we¡¯re at Hell Valley.¡±


    ¡°You better honor your word!¡± Xue Ningxiang stared at him.


    Nodding, You Guiqi snickered, ¡°How could I lie when you¡¯re so valuable!¡±


    ¡°Men, take miss Ning¡¯er to rest, we will return to Hell Valley on the morrow!¡±


    An elegant youth arrived next to Xue Ningxiang along with two servants. Zhuo Fan would¡¯ve recognized him in an instant. He was You Ming, who infiltrated Blackwind Mountain as Yang Ming and later escaped Windgaze City.


    Standing next to Xue Ningxiang, You Ming snickered, ¡°So you are the cauldron for my seniors¡¯ use? I have to say, you sure are pretty.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang snorted and turned to look at her family as she left accompanied by the servants.


    You Ming shrugged then went to You Guiqi, ¡°Master, what would you like us to do in regards to Luo clan? We have suffered greatly at the hands of their steward, Zhuo Fan!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s pace faltered at the name.


    ¡°Did you tell anyone else that he killed two of our elders?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± You Ming was cautious, ¡°Even if I do, no one would believe me.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I didn¡¯t believe it either. But a few months back, I met a freak of nature that countered everything I threw at him. With how large the world is, there are bound to be some monsters out there.¡±


    ¡°Master, then¡­¡± You Ming spoke softly.


    Shaking his head, You Guiqi¡¯s eyes flashed with killing intent, ¡°We will deal with this runt first, then think of a way to end that Zhuo Fan. Or these two whelps will one day be Hell Valley¡¯s nightmare.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang was worried sick at his words and picked up the pace.


    She was worried since You Guiqi had set his eyes on Zhuo Fan because of her. Yet none of them knew that the two whelps were one and the same¡­


    The night seemed endless to Xue Ningxiang as her heart was unable to find peace.


    At dawn, the first rays of sunlight washed over the unusually quiet Xue clan¡¯s small courtyard. A dozen servants were already tending to Xue Ningxiang¡¯s preparations.


    Meanwhile, a shockwave passed through the first area of Allbeast Mountain Range and exposed a pitch-black cave.


    A naked man staggered outside in the gentle sunlight, giving his body a golden shine.


    His every step left deep prints in the earth, and even the rock crumbled to dust.


    He sheltered his eyes from the sunlight and looked around. He took another step and rested his hand on the cave wall for support.


    But his small action destroyed the stone wall completely and he fell to the ground.


    The man stood up among the rubble, however, the rock he was on also turned to dust.


    Taking a moment to adapt, his face now showed resolve. At a closer look, it was clear this man was Zhuo Fan.


    Just that his every line and features were as if sculpted, exuding sharp power. When he opened his eyes, streaks of lightning sparked.


    Zhuo Fan got a feel of his body and revealed a manic grin. Everywhere he touched let out a metallic sound.


    He was immensely pleased with his body, which was now completely refined with the Diamond Sand and was as tough as a 5th-grade spiritual weapon.


    He then touched his forehead and a blue flame drifted out.


    This was the flame that the mysterious expert gifted. He couldn¡¯t control it until now. But through the strange array¡¯s refining, it fused with his soul and became his Soul Flame. He could now use it any way he wished.


    Thinking of this made him burst out in laughter.


    The refining process was hellish, excruciating, and deadly, but the result was astounding. He was now reborn with an unbreakable Diamond Body. Even a Profound Heaven expert wouldn¡¯t be able to make a dent in his body.


    With but a thought, a pair of wings with lightning flickering over their surface, burst from his back and lifted him ten meters in the air.


    They were the wings of Thunder Skylark, a creature who¡¯s speed was incredible even against a Profound Heaven expert. This was why he chose to refine them into his body.


    With them, he became a freak, a true monster!


    Putting on new clothes, he flashed towards the Blue Expanse City like lightning¡­

 Chapter 77 - Round Two, Star

    ¡°Young miss is marrying!¡±


    Outside Xue clan¡¯s gate, an obese granny yelled as Xue Ningxiang was led outside by two servant girls. The entire Blue Expanse City gathered around to witness the event.


    You Guiqi and You Ming sported a faint smile.


    Everyone was happy towards Hell Valley¡¯s show of gratitude. Some people were even tearing, imagining it was their family¡¯s daughter getting married.


    Xue Ningxiang walked before the shocked masses. If before they were amazed by Hell Valley¡¯s power, now they were in awe by her beauty.


    Xue Ningxiang was dressed in a common wedding gown but lacked the heavy makeup other brides had. Yet solely from this, her appearance evoked a feeling of genuine beauty, not a fake one from excess preparations. Pure as an orchid, making people afraid of marring!


    Only this beauty deserved to be married into the seven houses!


    The crowd gathered to see her smile, to wish her blessings.


    But their best wishes and kind thoughts only worked to burden Xue Ningxiang¡¯s already heavy heart.


    Everyone here envied her second rate clan for their marriage with one of the seven houses, unaware of the hell that awaited her.


    Slanting her head towards You Guiqi, Xue Ningxiang asked in a cold tone, ¡°Will seventh elder accompany me?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, but of course. It is my duty to protect miss Ning¡¯er and Hell Valley¡¯s disciple¡¯s wedding, to safely deliver you to Hell Valley.¡±


    The crowd was once again in awe of their kindness.


    However, Xue Ningxiang only showed a smile of disdain, [What safeguard, it¡¯s clearly for monitoring us.]


    [At least once You Guiqi leaves Blue Expanse City, big brother Zhuo can escape.]


    Before she could breathe easy, You Guiqi saw through her and said with a cold smile, ¡°Oh right, miss Ning¡¯er, I sealed off Allbeast Mountain Range, even your secret tunnel. Those rats won¡¯t be able to escape from my palm.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Xue Ningxiang flared as her face blanched. It was her clan¡¯s secret and You Guiqi must have pulled it out from her father and brothers.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s means of escape was now cut off.


    ¡°Seventh elder, I want¡­¡±


    ¡°No need to say it!¡± You Guiqi cut her off with a cold smile, ¡°Your life was exchanged for your family, nothing more nothing less.¡±


    ¡°Miss Ning¡¯er, after you!¡± He then shook his sleeve.


    A lavish palanquin was before her with fifty Bone Tempering experts around it.


    Xue Ningxiang frowned as she lifted her leg only to put it back down. She wanted to save Zhuo Fan but You Guiqi had her family¡¯s lives in his hand. She had nothing to bargain with.


    Suddenly, Xue Ningxiang¡¯s Thunder Ring flashed and her heart seized in panic.


    ¡°Don¡¯t come!¡± Xue Ningxiang shouted at the sky, startling the onlookers.


    No one except You Guiqi understood the reason behind her reaction. With a sinister flash in his eyes, he patiently waited for his prey.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, I have come to save you!¡±


    In response to Xue Ningxiang¡¯s shout came another. It was Xie Tianyang piercing forward with Star Sword at You Guiqi.


    Sword intent made the crowd gasp as they scattered.


    You Guiqi just mocked, ¡°Humph, so you want to die. A mere Bone Tempering cultivator would find their death close at hand against me!¡±


    You Guiqi, unafraid of the 4th-grade spiritual weapon, struck back with a palm.


    Against the wind pressure of the palm, Xie Tianyang¡¯s sword tip trembled and the sword intent scattered.


    He was shocked but didn¡¯t use the sword to defend and added more power to it.


    A golden sword light flew from the sword tip and pierced the mighty palm, then it continued towards You Guiqi.


    ¡°Space Rupturing Form!¡±


    You Guiqi¡¯s heart tightened and he vanished from his spot. The sword light struck the palanquin and turned it into splinters.


    ¡°Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s profound ranked martial art, Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms?¡±


    You Guiqi appeared behind Xie Tianyang and spoke with derision, ¡°You¡¯re from Sword Marquise Abode. How can a boy wield its legacy? Are you¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Humph, none of your business!¡±


    Xie Tianyang snorted and stabbed backward.


    This time, the sword no longer had the imposing might. But everywhere it struck, it made space stagnate and You Guiqi was slowed.


    ¡°Empty Net!¡± Xie Tianyang bellowed.


    ¡°Humph, you don¡¯t know when to quit! Even with a profound ranked martial art, the gulch between Bone Tempering Stage and Profound Heaven Stage cannot be overcome.¡±


    Snorting, You Guiqi vanished, only to appear in front of Xie Tianyang.


    Xie Tianyang was startled but could do nothing as You Guiqi¡¯s palm slapped him into the air. When he landed, six Bone Tempering experts surrounded him to make sure he didn¡¯t get up.


    ¡°Humph, disgraceful runt! If not for Sword Marquise Abode, you would¡¯ve died by now!¡± You Guiqi mocked him.


    Xie Tianyang spat on his face and responded as if to spite him, ¡°I dare you to kill me! But can you take responsibility for the war that follows? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Wiping his face, You Guiqi¡¯s tone turned colder with killing intent, ¡°Damn kid, you think I¡¯m scared? You made a mess in my city, so the Sword Marquise Abode won¡¯t say anything even if I kill you.¡±


    You Guiqi slapped at Xie Tianyang¡¯s chest.


    Xue Ningxiang cried, ¡°No!¡± But You Guiqi was dead set on killing him.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    An aged voice echoed and a golden sword wave hacked down!


    You Guiqi wasn¡¯t about to receive it. This attack was unlike Xie Tianyang¡¯s, it was backed by the power of a Profound Heaven expert.


    He stopped his attack and jumped six meters back.


    Boom!


    When the dust cleared, a meter wide hole was in You Guiqi¡¯s previous position; its depth unknown.


    A white-haired old man drifted next to Xie Tianyang and fanned the Bone Tempering experts away.


    ¡°Eighth elder!¡±


    The old man looked frail, his eyes cloudy, a stark contrast to the true expert he was. Even his right hand was missing three fingers, yet this hand was bony and showed its blue veins clearly. Proof he was a seasoned swordsman.


    Xie Tianyang cried in joy while You Guiqi sneered, ¡°Jian Suifeng, fifty years no see. How have you been?¡±


    ¡°Fine, until you came to ruin my mood!¡±  The elder spat through gritted teeth. His cloudy eyes seethed with bone-deep hatred.


    ¡°Eighth elder, thank god you¡¯re here. Help me save Ning¡¯er!¡± Xue Ningxiang pulled Jian Suifeng¡¯s sleeve.


    But Jian Suifeng shook his head, ¡°Tianyang, this is Hell Valley¡¯s affair. We cannot get involved.¡±


    ¡°Youngster, there¡¯ll be hell to pay if you poke your nose in other¡¯s business.¡± You Guiqi snickered, then turned to Jian Suifeng, ¡°Case in point, you lost your three fingers due to the same reason.¡±


    Jian Suifeng¡¯s eyes trembled from rage as he stared You Guiqi down, ¡°You think I would¡¯ve fallen for your scheme if not for being young at that time?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it would¡¯ve been better if you had stayed quiet!¡±


    You Ming laughed, ¡°I heard from my Master about senior¡¯s matter, of the so-called undistinguished elder with rotten youth. At that time, if senior hadn¡¯t lusted over a girl from one of Hell Valley¡¯s vassal clans, why would you force your way in her town, only to finally end with you ransomed by your glorious Abode Lord with three cities? Too bad about those three fingers; you had to leave those behind.¡±


    Gritting his teeth, Jian Suifeng was so enraged that veins popped, ¡°You Guiqi, don¡¯t take it too far.¡±


    ¡°Or what, you¡¯ll attack?¡± You Guiqi made a sinister grin, ¡°Five decades ago you couldn¡¯t beat me. And that hasn¡¯t changed even now, when we¡¯re just one layer apart. You best run along and call for your seventh elder instead.¡±


    He continued to ridicule Jian Suifeng, ¡°I am in awe of the Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s 13 sword elders fame shaking the empire. But you¡¯re the only eyesore among them, not worth a dime!¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Jian Suifeng clenched his fists and shouted, ¡°Tianyang, we¡¯re leaving!¡±


    ¡°But eighth elder, you must at least fight for the honor of Sword Marquise Abode even if we can¡¯t save Ning¡¯er. Leaving like this¡­¡±


    ¡°Quiet! Can¡¯t you tell he¡¯s goading us? This here is Hell Valley¡¯s domain. Winning or losing here will put Sword Marquise Abode at a disadvantage.¡±


    He glared once more at You Guiqi and said to Xie Tianyang, ¡°Tianyang, remember You Guiqi¡¯s title and how cunning he is. Next time you meet him, make sure to face him with ample preparation.¡±


    Xie Tianyang looked at Xue Ningxiang not far ahead, and said in a determined tone, ¡°I know that. But if I don¡¯t save her today, I will regret it for the rest of my life.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, such is youth, ignorant of the world¡¯s dangers! Since Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s young master is so entertained by the idea of a hero saving a damsel, I will oblige by giving you a chance. Save not only her but also her clan, letting her feel ultimate gratitude towards you.¡±


    You Guiqi clapped and four Bone Tempering experts pulled four large crosses, with the entire Xue clan nailed on them, from old to young.


    ¡°Grandpa, dad, brothers!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang wailed and glared at You Guiqi, ¡°Seventh elder, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Acting my role as a villain.¡±


    You Guiqi then sent a grin towards Xie Tianyang, ¡°How will the young master play the hero otherwise?¡±


    He then twisted his face and howled, ¡°Attack!¡±


    The Bone Tempering experts took out hooks and clawed them into the Xue clan¡¯s members.


    Blood fell like rain and their howls rang in the air. They even found the strength to shout their lungs out when the hooks came out of their bodies. Not even Xue Dingtian, who was a Profound Heaven expert, was eased from this suffering.


    Xue Ningxiang was crying her heart out and yelled, ¡°You Guiqi, stop or I will kill myself!¡±


    ¡°Then I will kill them all.¡± You Guiqi roared in return.


    Xue Ningxiang was rooted to the spot, powerless to alleviate the painful cries of her family. Her knees softened and she collapsed, as did her mind.


    Snickering next to her ear, You Ming reveled in her pain, ¡°Girlie, get off your high horse. You¡¯re in no position to demand anything from my Master. He is Insidious Demon, the number one sage of Hell Valley. So many people from the seven houses have fallen to my Master¡¯s ploys, and you think you can best him at that?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯ll have you know this too. It¡¯s because you angered him that he chose this course of action. You might have a bargaining chip, but too bad, you¡¯re too naive. And don¡¯t forget he has a bargaining chip too, rather close at hand.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang lifted her head but all they conveyed was emptiness and tears.


    Despair and agony!


    She sacrificed herself to save her clan, but she was far from being able to win against this cunning fox. It instead earned his ire and now he was venting it all on her clan.


    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault!¡± She blamed herself for everything.


    ¡°Who will save me now?¡± Xue Ningxiang mumbled while looking at the sky in tears, ¡°Who can save us?¡±


    ¡°Humph, idiot!¡± You Ming mocked her but then shrugged, ¡°Idiot or not, a cauldron still has its use.¡±


    Xie Tianyang saw Xue Ningxiang losing herself and his heart was in pain. Jian Suifeng stopped him from charging over with a shake of his head and a hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°The farther we are from You Guiqi, the better.¡±


    ¡°But eighth elder¡­¡± Xie Tianyang¡¯s words faltered as Jian Suifeng¡¯s hand squeezed his shoulder harder, afraid the kid would make a rash decision.


    Plop!


    Xie Tianyang collapsed to his knees, his spirit broken, his pride as a genius turned to nothing but tears of humiliation. The girl he liked was suffering before him and he was powerless to do anything.


    Then he suddenly recalled Zhuo Fan¡¯s words.


    [If you go you can only watch, powerless to do anything!]


    It all went out just as Zhuo Fan had said. Xie Tianyang believed there was nothing he couldn¡¯t do, but now he realized how meager and weak he was.


    ¡°It seems that I was the coward all along!¡± He muttered under his breath.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, you bastard, where the hell are you?¡± Xie Tianyang then raved through his manly tears and punched the ground until his fist inflamed.


    Jian Suifeng understood the kid¡¯s pain but couldn¡¯t help him.


    Suddenly, Xue Ningxiang¡¯s and Xie Tianyang¡¯s rings sparked. Only this time it was much stronger, similar to the time when the three Thunder Rings were close together.


    ¡°He¡¯s here!¡± Xie Tianyang looked around with hope.


    Xue Ningxiang shivered and her eyes began to regain clarity. She muttered looking at the Thunder Ring, ¡°B-big brother Zhuo¡­¡±


    Rumble!


    Suddenly lightning streaked across the sunny sky. It struck down among the crucified Xue clan members and blasted out the Bone Tempering experts there in all directions.


    The dust rose as lightning still flickered within and everyone was now trying to perceive through it.


    When the dust settled, it revealed Zhuo Fan sporting his manic grin.


    ¡°You Guiqi, I lost the previous round. But the second round starts now!¡±

 Chapter 78 - Terrifying Power

    ¡°Who is he?¡±


    Asked Jian Suifeng when he saw Zhuo Fan through the dust while being shocked by the feeling of dread the youth exuded.


    He was experienced enough to notice that Zhuo Fan had just entered the Bone Tempering Stage, and yet the aura and power the kid released held a threat to a Profound Heaven expert¡¯s life.


    This contradiction made it all feel bizarre.


    Xie Tianyang felt the same. Zhuo Fan¡¯s face, which was radiating golden, added an extra feeling of pressure.


    It was unlike that from a Profound Heaven expert but felt like raw power was seeping in Zhuo Fan and threatened to destroy his last vestige of life.


    Everyone felt as if they were standing in front of a savage beast that was ready to pounce on them.


    ¡°He is a friend most untrustworthy, but also most dependable!¡± Xie Tianyang smiled wryly as his body shivered. Not from fear, but excitement.


    He grasped the possibility that this new Zhuo Fan could save Xue Ningxiang.


    Jian Suifeng looked at Xie Tianyang in amazement.


    It was his first time seeing this arrogant and genius kid show such confidence and dependence on someone.


    Jian Suifeng turned to watch Zhuo Fan, to witness what made him so special.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you not only survived but broke through!¡±


    You Guiqi sensed Zhuo Fan¡¯s entirely changed aura but dismissed it. The way he saw it, this was merely confidence from entering a new realm.


    [He would learn on his own skin how weak a Bone Tempering cultivator was in the face of a Profound Heaven expert, and his confidence will deflate like a balloon.]


    One thing did strike him as odd though. He and Zhuo Fan last met a few months ago when the kid was in his 6th layer of Qi Condensation, and on his last breath. Yet here he was less than half a year later, unharmed and even advanced to Bone Tempering Stage.


    His speed sent shivers even down You Guiqi¡¯s spine.


    [How did this happen?] You Guiqi thought, [This runt is a freak, and must definitely be put down for good!]


    You Guiqi snorted, ¡°Ming¡¯er, go and end him for me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan rose an eyebrow in ridicule, ¡°Oh, so it¡¯s you. That¡¯s fine, last time you ran away and left me with regret, but I will be extra careful in making sure to end our grievance this time around!¡±


    ¡°What, you two know each other?¡±


    You Guiqi jerked back at You Ming, only to see his prideful disciple shaking in his boots. Even his face was twisted, pale beyond belief.


    ¡°Useless! Even with me having your back, you¡¯re still this scared?¡± You Guiqi spat at his disciple¡¯s cowardice.


    It was fine if no one else was around, but with the two from Sword Marquise Abode here, it made quite the embarrassment.


    [A damn lily-livered punk threw all of Hell Valley¡¯s name into the ground.]


    Jian Suifeng wasn¡¯t one to overlook the chance to laugh at their expense, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, a brilliant disciple matching a renowned master. Today I¡¯ve seen Hell Valley¡¯s disciple¡¯s staunch will!¡±


    You Guiqi was turning green and kicked You Ming who faceplanted into the ground, ¡°What a disgrace. He just broke through, while you¡¯re in the 2nd layer of Bone Tempering Stage!¡±


    Stumbling to his feet, You Ming took a short glance at Zhuo Fan. But Zhuo Fan¡¯s wicked grin seemed to spell death and so he threw himself at You Guiqi¡¯s feet with a wail, ¡°Master, h-he is Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan! Elder Jian and Elder Yun died because of him!¡±


    You Guiqi froze a second then flitted a long look at Zhuo Fan.


    He finally seemed to understand.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s power wasn¡¯t limited to setting up 5th-grade arrays. He also had a cunning mind that almost made him pay with his life. [It¡¯s no wonder the two elders died by his hand.]


    In Hell Valley, elders were seen as figures of respect and worshiped by disciples, unrivaled in the world. But You Ming witnessed the death of two and now fear gnawed his heart like a demon.


    He will never muster the courage to face Zhuo Fan in this life regardless of his advantage over him.


    With You Ming in the 2nd layer of Bone Tempering Stage, he should have no trouble dealing with the newly advanced Zhuo Fan. But was this notion still valid? Just look at him shivering!


    You Guiqi sighed and patted You Ming¡¯s shoulder.


    To remove his disciple¡¯s heart demon, his disciple had to kill Zhuo Fan himself.


    He stated coldly, ¡°Anyone willing to capture him will receive my reward!¡±


    ¡°Elder, I will do it.¡±


    A large man cupped his hands. He was in the 6th layer of the Bone Tempering Stage. Dealing with an early Bone Tempering cultivator was easy pickings.


    The other guards were sad that they missed such a chance. Zhuo Fan was an easy contribution that just flew away.


    You Guiqi nodded and turned You Ming¡¯s head towards Zhuo Fan, ¡°Ming¡¯er, watch. This runt is only good with arrays. Now that he has no chance of setting one, he¡¯s done for. The guard will soon bring him over and you can kill him yourself to remove your heart demon!¡±


    You Ming nodded and looked ahead.


    Jian Suifeng frowned, ¡°You Guiqi sure lives up to his title. He instantly figured out his disciple¡¯s state and a way to help him overcome it. Tianyang, your friend is in danger.¡±


    Xie Tianyang looked at the always composed Zhuo Fan and smiled, ¡°That punk never batted an eyelid. He will be fine.¡±


    Such a reply rose Jian Suifeng¡¯s curiosity.


    [The difference between the two is of 5 layers, so the outcome should be clear as day.]


    The large man thundered towards Zhuo Fan with a cackle, ¡°He-he-he, you are a heaven-sent gift for me. I can¡¯t wait to receive my reward from the seventh elder once I hand you over.¡±


    ¡°People die from greed, while birds die from hunger. It all depends on you if you can defeat me.¡± Zhuo Fan snickered.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you sure have a big mouth for one who is about to die. One fist is enough to make you behave.¡±


    The large man¡¯s punch was as fast as the wind and as strong as a mountain!


    Yet Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t look like he had time to react.


    The boom shook in everyone¡¯s ears.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s smile was gone, now replaced with shock that Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t even able to dodge.


    [He was able to contend equally with me when he was a Qi Condensation cultivator, so why didn¡¯t he move?]


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s face fell, ¡°Big brother Zhuo!¡±


    Seeing that Zhuo Fan took the punch head-on, Hell Valley¡¯s guards started sneering.


    ¡°He-he-he, I knew he was done for, but never thought it¡¯d be over so quickly.¡±


    ¡°Did he really kill two of our elders? If he did then I am first under heaven, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Curses, that moron got all the reward. Now I want to know what Valley Lord¡¯s gift will be!¡±


    ¡­


    As the people started chattering, Zhuo Fan¡¯s threatening atmosphere soon disappeared from their hearts.


    Only You Guiqi frowned, looking left and right.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    A wail pierced the noise of the crowd, and the large man was seen clutching his hand as he stumbled back.


    His hand was now a twisted and broken mess.


    Turning to Zhuo Fan, nothing seemed to have changed about him, still the same grin and the same demeanor.


    ¡°This is impossible!¡±


    Jian Suifeng cried, ¡°A 1st layer Bone Tempering cultivator broke a 6th layer¡¯s hand with his face?¡±


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s eyes bulged out. He knew Zhuo Fan always moved with a plan in mind, but even he found this new strength of this youth borderline perverse.


    [With him like this, he¡¯ll have no trouble even against Profound Heaven experts!]


    The crowd now lost their mocking gazes and were instead rooted in place by fear and shock.


    Zhuo Fan never paid them any heed as he strolled before the large man. The large man was groaning while holding his bleeding hand.


    Before he could react, his chest was then punched through by Zhuo Fan¡¯s fist. It all seemed so easy, as if he punched through paper.


    Zhuo Fan then flicked his hand and the large man splashed on the ground after a wide trail in the sky.


    The people watched in abject horror the bulging eyes of the man, his vacant expression.


    [Where did this kid come from? His power is obscene¡­]

 Chapter 79 - Human Weapo

    Yes, obscene!


    This was the only apt description anyone could think of. Zhuo Fan¡¯s power far exceeded the common understanding and only this word could encompass the height he reached.


    It was common knowledge that Bone Tempering Stage was the best period in a cultivator¡¯s life to temper one¡¯s body. Even a Profound Heaven expert could, at best, destroy a Bone Tempering cultivator¡¯s organs. A far cry from what Zhuo Fan did, running one through.


    On top of that, Zhuo Fan just broke through, making this even unprecedented throughout history.


    ¡°Monster!¡±


    It first began as a whisper, but this word grated everyone¡¯s ears and they all agreed to this adequate assessment.


    Fear was painted vividly on their faces.


    Hell Valley¡¯s Bone Tempering guards were no longer envious of the ¡®lucky¡¯ man, instead, they felt sympathy for him.


    [What rotten luck! Not only didn¡¯t he earn merit but threw his life away instead.]


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan was suddenly caught off guard by a white and black pair of chains as they coiled around him.


    You Guiqi smirked, holding the other end of the chains.


    ¡°Damn, even with the kid¡¯s insane talent, he¡¯ll be mincemeat soon as he is locked by the 4th-grade demonic treasure.¡± Jian Suifeng sighed.


    He was in awe of Zhuo Fan¡¯s ability, of his bright future, but¡­ [A pity he¡¯ll die at Insidious Demon¡¯s hand.]


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s heart tensed. He didn¡¯t foresee a Profound Heaven expert like You Guiqi resorting to sneak attacks on a newly promoted Bone Tempering cultivator.


    Although the person in question was a freak of nature, it was still despicable.


    Xue Ningxiang was happy at first but then turned worried.


    Zhuo Fan eyed the familiar demonic treasure and said, ¡°Using such underhanded moves from the get-go, that too against a junior. Seventh elder, seems like you do not care about Hell Valley¡¯s name.¡±


    You Guiqi laughed dryly, ¡°You¡¯re smart to notice my intention from a look. There is hardly anyone compared to your caliber in the Tianyu Empire. You are one outstanding devil that not even I dare to neglect.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I truly admire the seventh elder¡¯s cautious nature. In any case, this junior came without any plan or scheme prepared, only to end you myself. Yet you¡¯re so prudent regardless.¡±


    You Guiqi¡¯s mood darkened.


    Reading between the lines, he knew Zhuo Fan mocked him for his yellow-bellied attitude. Even he had his limits, especially when humiliated in front of such a crowd by a Bone Tempering junior.


    ¡°Runt, say that again and I¡¯ll make sure there won¡¯t even be a corpse left of you.¡±


    ¡°Am I wrong?¡±


    Zhuo Fan cocked his head and laughed, ¡°With your character, the faster you kill your opponent the better. Yet the first thing you did when I arrived was to send your disciple to test the waters, only to have him reduced to a shivering mess from fear to the point he ignored your orders. And left with no choice, you sent that buffoon to his death in the name of curing your disciple¡¯s heart demon.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to even mention winning, but just in case he failed, it wasn¡¯t that much of a loss since it offered you the perfect timing to blindside me when I finished him off. And this is the result!¡±


    Zhuo Fan enlightened everyone and even Jian Suifeng was startled so much that his fear for You Guiqi grew.


    He wasn¡¯t You Guiqi¡¯s match and if he were in Zhuo Fan¡¯s stead, You Guiqi would¡¯ve succeeded in his devious plan.


    [You Guiqi is ruthless and cunning to the extreme. Yet that Zhuo Fan isn¡¯t any better, discovering his ploy in an instant.]


    The Insidious Demon showing such an extreme caution against a Bone Tempering cultivator not only shocked him but everyone present.


    On the other hand, Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t in the least beneath You Guiqi in cunningness.


    Thinking about this let Jian Suifeng hold Zhuo Fan in higher regard.


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, aren¡¯t you caught in my web despite seeing through it?¡± You Guiqi snickered with killing intent, ¡°I just need to twitch my arm and you¡¯ll turn putty!¡±


    Zhuo Fan rose an eyebrow and laughed, ¡°Say, how did a sinister old coot like you turn so stupid? You think it¡¯s that easy to trap me since I saw through you?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes gleamed and lightning cracked.


    Bam!


    You Guiqi couldn¡¯t even react before the chains were thrown away.


    Zhuo Fan now sported a pair of ten-meter long wings streaked by flashing lightning!


    ¡°Thunder Skylark¡¯s wings?¡± Xie Tianyang cried.


    Zhuo Fan had appropriated the Thunder Skylark¡¯s body for himself. But Xie Tianyang didn¡¯t expect him to refine its wings into a demonic treasure.


    Since the Thunder Skylark was a 6th level spiritual beast, adding the Diamond Sand into the equation, the refined demonic treasure would also be 6th-grade.


    Xie Tianyang was in glee. [No wonder this punk barged right in here, he had such an awesome item. This will increase his chances of victory against You Guiqi greatly.]


    ¡°6th-grade flying demonic treasure?¡± You Guiqi¡¯s tone was grave, ¡°With it, you can match a Profound Heaven expert¡¯s speed, however¡­¡±


    As he spoke, he flicked the Yin-Yang Chains. The chains moved individually from opposite directions to seal Zhuo Fan¡¯s escape.


    ¡°¡­A Profound Heaven expert¡¯s advantage over Bone Tempering cultivator isn¡¯t just limited to speed.¡±


    ¡°I know that all too well!¡± Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t care about the chains, ¡°A Profound Heaven expert relies on his quick moves in melee, not something a flying demonic treasure can overcome. Although¡­¡±


    But then, the chains were about to strike Zhuo Fan, one aiming his head and the other his chest.


    Whoosh!


    The pair of wings moved like independent arms and swatted the chains away.


    You Guiqi and Jian Suifeng jerked in shock, ¡°This can¡¯t be possible!¡±


    There was an ancient story that spoke of flying demonic treasures that could change shape at the wielder¡¯s will and launch attacks. But a demonic treasure was inanimate, so how could it do that?


    The people there watched Zhuo Fan as if they were looking at a monster. He sported a faint smile as he spoke at leisure, ¡°But when did I say it¡¯s a demonic treasure?¡±


    While demonic treasures were refined as tools, Zhuo Fan refined the wings into his body.


    In other words, they were part of his body. He could let them out at will and make them move as he wished.


    He was no longer your average human being, but a human weapon. If the wings were a 6th-grade demonic treasure then his body had become a 5th-grade demonic treasure refined through the method of Diamond Sand tempering!


    This wasn¡¯t something You Guiqi and the rest could fathom when not even the denizens of Sacred Domain couldn¡¯t.


    The only ones who could comprehend this were those ancient talents who held the Nine Serenities Secret Records and were aware of the deviant secret method to refine materials into their human body.


    ¡°Damn freak!¡± Even the calm You Guiqi had to curse through gritted teeth. His eyes were bloodshot and his hands were poised to strike.


    The two chains flitted everywhere and soon became two, then four, then eight¡­ Numerous chains approached from every angle like a rain of death, all aiming for Zhuo Fan.


    He wanted to beat Zhuo Fan to a pulp.


    But Zhuo Fan smiled fearlessly as he stood his ground. His eyes flashed and the wings moved like lightning.


    Only the sounds of cracking lightning and grating metal were heard, while not even a trace of the chains nor the wings was seen.


    But the flickering lightning was proof enough for everyone to know of the bitter fight the two were in.


    This was a Profound Heaven expert¡¯s speed.


    This gave a shock to the audience and let them know how weak they were against a Profound Heaven expert. But Zhuo Fan was the one who agitated them the most.


    A Bone Tempering cultivator had such power¡­


    Xie Tianyang watched numbly with incredulous eyes at how deep the gap between them was. Even more so when Zhuo Fan of yesterday was a far cry from today.


    ¡°Eighth elder, what can you see?¡±


    Xie Tianyang saw Jian Suifeng standing there in a daze without blinking. He never saw his elder so astonished in his life.


    ¡°You Guiqi is pushing hard with his attacks but Zhuo Fan is blocking them all. It is unclear as to the outcome, but You Guiqi seems to have the upper hand!¡± Jian Suifeng stated so, but his eyes never left the fight, afraid of missing anything.


    Xie Tianyang was despondent. His and Zhuo Fan¡¯s gap was now even bigger.


    Zhuo Fan of before won with arrays while now he relied only on himself.


    In merely a single day, their positions switched so much that Xie Tianyang was left far behind in the dust¡­

 Chapter 80 - Face Slapping

    Whoosh!


    The metallic and lightning sounds came to an abrupt stop. Zhuo Fan¡¯s expression was one of focus as he halted his wings while You Guiqi was nowhere in sight.


    A sound broke the silence and Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart seized, he instinctively bent his wings.


    Ding!


    His wings blocked the sneak attack of the chains from behind but a cold needle was speeding at his back.


    It was You Guiqi with his 3rd-grade demonic treasure, Twisted Needle!


    ¡°He-he-he, runt, what are you going to do now?¡± You Guiqi snickered.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s wings were occupied with the Yin Yang Chains. The 3rd-grade demonic treasure¡¯s attack came at an impeccable timing, right when Zhuo Fan¡¯s movement was sealed.


    Not even You Guiqi could get out of this one if he was in Zhuo Fan¡¯s place.


    But Zhuo Fan only muttered, ¡°Mystifying Phantom Step!¡±


    Whoosh!


    He vanished from his place and the chains along with the Twisted Needle lost their target, throwing You Guiqi off-balance.


    Then Zhuo Fan came from behind using his wings as axes aiming for You Guiqi¡¯s neck.


    Ding!


    With a crisp sound, the wings and Yin Yang Chains clashed again. But this time, their roles were reversed.


    The situation flipped in a blink, with Zhuo Fan now pressing his advantage!


    Even Jian Suifeng was affected by this sudden turn. Hell Valley¡¯s number one sage, You Guiqi, was driven to a corner by a youth.


    ¡°Seventh elder, how does it feel to be on the receiving end of a sneak attack?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s wings pushed against the Yin Yang Chains until You Guiqi leaned backward, ¡°If I also had a 3rd-grade demonic treasure, you¡¯d be dead by now. Yet despite your efforts and the golden opportunity, I¡¯m still alive and kicking, so to speak.¡±


    You Guiqi¡¯s face flushed and was gasping heavily to ease the rage within him.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words were an affront to his title.


    You Guiqi wasn¡¯t powerful because of his cultivation, but because of his title as Insidious Demon, the number one sage of Hell Valley.


    Yet Zhuo Fan was mocking his pride. The same as saying [If I were you, I would¡¯ve long killed my opponent with a sneak attack and wouldn¡¯t need to waste time chatting them up!]


    This was the worst humiliation You Guiqi ever suffered.


    One may mock his character, his devious nature, yet he would take them all as badges of honor. But never ever would he allow one to insult his intelligence. That was where he drew the line.


    Anyone who mocked him for a fool, he would make sure to give them a fate worse than death.


    Yet Zhuo Fan had him beaten at every corner and kept mocking him, with him powerless to prevent it. This brought a never felt feeling of resentment.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too cocky, damn runt!¡±


    You Guiqi¡¯s anger reached a breaking point. His Yuan Qi exploded, flinging Zhuo Fan¡¯s wings aside.


    Then, he swirled his chains at Zhuo Fan leaving behind afterimages.


    You Guiqi was at peak speed and with the added effect of the Yin Yang Chains, he reached a new height.


    Zhuo Fan remained calm as he laughed. His figure darted around with the help of Mystifying Phantom Step and his wings, moving even faster than You Guiqi.


    The people were once again bearing witness to afterimages and metallic sounds clashing with streaks of lightning, but never a clear image of any of the two¡¯s bitter fight.


    They flashed across the entire plaza, one moment to the east, the next to the west. Flashing in every direction possible and even around the Bone Tempering guards.


    But since the people could only hear them and not see, they stood there in fear. One slip, one errant move from their part and only pieces would remain of them.


    ¡°Eighth elder, how does it look?¡±


    When You Guiqi and Zhuo Fan were at a standstill with demonic treasures, Xie Tianyang could grasp some of the situation. But as the matter devolved to such a state, he was unable to see them and had to defer to Jian Suifeng¡¯s assessment.


    Jian Suifeng however gestured for Xie Tianyang¡¯s silence as he focused his all on the fight.


    After one huge boom, two figures reappeared.


    Zhuo Fan crossed his hands casually, standing in the same spot, while You Guiqi was gasping for breath. Zhuo Fan¡¯s nonchalant attitude left not only him but also Jian Suifeng, in shock.


    ¡°W-who won?¡± Xie Tianyang knew but still couldn¡¯t help ask.


    Jian Suifeng was solemn, ¡°Soon you will know.¡±


    Thunderous booms echoed and a score of Bone Tempering guards were struck down by lightning. It burst their heads and liquefied their organs.


    The other guards fled for fifty meters in anxiety while You Guiqi and Zhuo Fan stood across each other, having known of this long ago.


    ¡°W-what¡¯s happening?¡± Xie Tianyang darted his eyes to the corpses in fear.


    Jian Suifeng¡¯s eyes never left  Zhuo Fan as he spoke in a grave tone, ¡°Tianyang, your friend is terrifying. I¡¯ve never seen anyone like him. That You Guiqi, he has never suffered as much as he has now.¡±


    Xie Tianyang didn¡¯t understand, but Jian Suifeng continued, ¡°In their clashes, You Guiqi was giving his all. They attacked each other again and again and made me believe Zhuo Fan was also fighting with everything. Then suddenly, his speed jumped. But¡­¡±


    ¡°But what?¡± Xie Tianyang seemed impatient.


    Jian Suifeng revealed an imperceptible smile, ¡°But instead of ending this battle, he dragged You Guiqi around, killing guards right under You Guiqi¡¯s eyes.¡±


    Xie Tianyang was startled, ¡°Why do this? Why didn¡¯t he finish the old man off if he had the chance?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, this is where the kid is truly terrifying.¡±


    Jian Suifeng¡¯s eyes shook and he turned serious, ¡°He did it to mock that old fool. An elder was led by the nose by a snot-nosed brat, killing a score of his men yet powerless to stop it. You Guiqi, known as the Insidious Demon, was played around by a Bone Tempering kid as a cat plays with a mouse. Will there be any pride left in him after this?¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan and You Guiqi are the same. Offending such a person would invite a world of suffering. Because their revenge isn¡¯t limited to killing you, but robbing you of all you hold dear, including pride. Death only comes after there is nothing left to plunder.¡±


    Jian Suifeng suddenly laughed, feeling all his grievances get washed away, ¡°Only evil can fight evil! You Guiqi was despicable in his ways for too long, and today he met his match in a little demon who has a heart just as black as his! How refreshing!¡±


    Jian Suifeng¡¯s laughter rang in everyone¡¯s ears and jarred You Guiqi¡¯s. The later was burning with rage and was close to spewing blood. He felt miserable every time he saw Zhuo Fan standing smug.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s power exceeded his predictions by far.


    In the first move itself, he discovered that Zhuo Fan had surpassed him. He not only treated this fight as a spar but also had the leisure to kill his men.


    Zhuo Fan left him powerless. Especially when it came to schemes, where Zhuo Fan was at his level, if not higher.


    You Guiqi felt his head hurt, feeling weak and feeble for the first time.


    [No, this can¡¯t end like this! If this gets dragged on for long, he will kill me. I need to end it in one blow!] You Guiqi had a plan in mind but didn¡¯t know if it would work, especially in Zhuo Fan¡¯s case. But he was left with no choice.


    His eyes flashed and flung the chains at Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°This thing won¡¯t work on me.¡± Zhuo Fan smirked, readying his wings.


    But the Yin Yang Chains veered off from him at the last minute, aiming for Xue Ningxiang.


    Xue Ningxiang was rooted in fear, but Zhuo Fan appeared before her in a flash of lightning and flung the chains with his wings.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I see it now!¡±


    You Guiqi laughed hysterically, ¡°Zhuo Fan, oh Zhuo Fan, I found your weakness. In the Allbeast Mountain Range, you ingrained a deep fear in these old bones with your constant attacks, so I thought you came this time seeking revenge. But now I see it was all for her.¡±


    ¡°And you think this changes anything? You will die just as well.¡± Zhuo Fan stated.


    ¡°Humph, if you bore the same ruthlessness you showed before, I would have some misgivings. But you care for this girl and placed victory in my grasp, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±

 Chapter 81 - Instant Kill

    You Guiqi jumped in the air and performed a double hand sign.


    A demonic face appeared, twisted in malice and pain.


    ¡°Hell Valley¡¯s profound ranked martial art, Demonic Face Seal!¡± Jian Suifeng shouted, ¡°This martial art is focused on striking at one¡¯s soul, it is undefendable. Even Radiant Stage cultivators will find it hard to cope with such an attack. The lightest injury is dizziness, while the worse would be death.¡±


    His words traveled to Zhuo Fan¡¯s ears as a clear warning.


    You Guiqi noticed this but laughed instead, ¡°Damn runt, if you dodge, the Demonic Face Seal will kill the girl. If you try to take her, you won¡¯t make it!¡±


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, forget about me and leave. I can die in peace knowing you will save my family.¡± Xue Ningxiang urged.


    Zhuo Fan looked back with a smile, then spoke coldly at You Guiqi, ¡°She is mine. As long as I¡¯m here, you can¡¯t harm her.¡±


    ¡°Then I will kill you, ha-ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    You Guiqi pointed and the demonic face wailed on its way towards Zhuo Fan. Xue Ningxiang was nervous and was about to jump in front, but Zhuo Fan stopped her with his wing.


    Boom!


    The demonic face smashed on Zhuo Fan and thousands of gray tendrils of energy wrapped around him. The cries of lamentation, similar to that of a being starved for centuries and finally finding food, were heard all around.


    Xie Tianyang turned towards Jian Suifeng in anxiety, but the latter only sighed.


    Even a Profound Heaven expert was powerless in the face of such an attack, least of all a Bone Tempering cultivator.


    Xue Ningxiang couldn¡¯t hold back her tears.


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, damn runt, lust is your downfall. A demonic cultivator should be ruthless, yet you let emotion cloud your judgment and make you weak.¡± You Guiqi cackled as he turned to Xue Ningxiang, ¡°Wench, his death is on you.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang watched Zhuo Fan become gray and her cries became heartrending.


    If not for saving her, he could¡¯ve lived.


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, forgive me, it¡¯s all my fault!¡± Xue Ningxiang sobbed.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, foolish girl, don¡¯t let that old goat see you cry. You¡¯re only bringing him satisfaction!¡±


    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan¡¯s voice came from within the ball of gray tendrils. The crowd was shocked.


    [Wasn¡¯t Zhuo Fan wreaked with pain inside there, how is he so calm?]


    You Guiqi cried in fear, ¡°This isn¡¯t possible! His soul should have been swallowed whole!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you want to kill me with a parlor trick? Aren¡¯t you a tad bit naive, Insidious Demon?¡±


    An azure flame flashed from within the gray tendrils. The gray energy retreated every time the flame moved.


    As the gray energy withdrew, Zhuo Fan was soon revealed before the crowd with an azure light coming from his forehead.


    Zhuo Fan muttered, ¡°Demon Transformation Art!¡±


    Suddenly, the gray energy wailed as they were devoured by the azure flame. And Zhuo Fan felt his soul growing stronger as result.


    Demon Transformation Art was originally used to absorb everything to promote one¡¯s cultivation. The reason he couldn¡¯t absorb souls so far was because his own wasn¡¯t strong enough. It would only be a detriment if the result would¡¯ve harmed him instead.


    But since he refined his soul, it grew in power, akin to Radiant Stage cultivator¡¯s level. And having the strange azure flame as a protector, this measly amount of vengeful ghosts were nothing more than a snack after the flame removed the waste.


    Eying You Guiqi in the air, Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°Is that it? If you have no trick up your sleeve, guess I¡¯ll have to get serious.¡±


    ¡°Get serious? He-he-he, stop showing off. Are you saying you¡¯ve been playing around all this time?¡±


    You Guiqi was both angry and startled. Startled that Zhuo Fan could dismiss such a strong attack and angry from his contempt.


    But that was how Zhuo Fan treated him, with naked contempt.


    Wasn¡¯t he Insidious Demon of Hell Valley, their number one sage?


    Despite all that, fear grew inside him. This was a foreign feeling to him since he always grasped his opponent¡¯s weakness before striking them down.


    But when he looked at Zhuo Fan, he only felt powerless despite everything he threw at the kid. Furthermore, he had a nagging feeling that all his moves were within Zhuo Fan¡¯s calculations.


    Zhuo Fan played him like a fiddle, leaving him without a shred of dignity. This fear he had was the worst he ever felt.


    Chuckling, Zhuo Fan mocked again, ¡°Seventh elder, I wonder, do you remember what you told me a few months back in the Allbeast Mountain Range? Against true power, all schemes are moot.¡±


    You Guiqi¡¯s eyes dilated, his heart sped up, and a bad feeling crept its way down his spine.


    ¡°Today, I throw this line right back at you!¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan pointed at the sky, ¡°In just one move, I will have your head.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit!¡±


    You Guiqi could no longer take it and snapped.


    He now realized, Zhuo Fan¡¯s end goal this time was revenge against him while he was only saving Xue Ningxiang in passing.


    From the moment Zhuo Fan showed up, he smacked the old man¡¯s face at every corner, to show him how useless his Insidious Demon moniker was before true power.


    [My intelligence is laughable when it comes face-to-face with raw power. My cunningness falls short to his.]


    Zhuo Fan wanted to crush his pride as an insidious person, to die in pain.


    ¡°What a dreadful kid, far worse than even You Guiqi!¡± Jian Suifeng felt overwhelmed with shock.


    [He is even more terrifying than Zhuge Changfeng.]


    This thought helped Jian Suifeng understand Zhuo Fan¡¯s actions so far. [It is unknown if he will one day be friend or foe. Observing him now is for the best!]


    Ignoring the gazes around him, Zhuo Fan stared down You Guiqi with delight in his eyes.


    Perhaps all demonic cultivators were at their happiest in the throes of slaughter.


    Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°You Guiqi, ready? It¡¯s time you see what real power looks like.¡±


    He jumped the next moment.


    Bam!


    He shot for You Guiqi like a rocket.


    You Guiqi attacked with his Yin Yang Chains. But with a flap of his wings, Zhuo Fan slipped right past them.


    Yin Yang Chains couldn¡¯t even touch him and he was already punching at You Guiqi.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, got you!¡±


    You Guiqi laughed and a black and white chain flew at Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest. But Zhuo Fan only said, ¡°Oh, so you had another set of chains besides those two!¡±


    ¡°But so what? With my power, all your plans are moot, including all you¡¯ve hidden so far!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed and a golden light flew from his body. It was the Blood Infant after being refined with Diamond Sand.


    The Blood Infant, which was comparable to a 5th-grade demonic treasure, charged at the black and white chain.


    The chains couldn¡¯t last even a second as Blood Infant tore through it along with You Guiqi¡¯s arm.


    You Guiqi was shocked to find that the golden light, which passed by his ear, had taken away not only the chain but also his arm.


    He only now woke up to the validity of Zhuo Fan¡¯s previous words, so much so that Blood Infant¡¯s power scared You Guiqi.


    He had no time to feel the loss of his arm when Zhuo Fan¡¯s punch was right at his face.


    ¡°Damn runt, you think you can kill me in one move?¡±


    He knew his death was sealed, but he wasn¡¯t about to let Zhuo Fan determine how he died.


    Or he really would never rest in the afterlife. The only reason he still fought was for his honor.


    Whoosh!


    3rd-grade demonic treasure Twisted Needle flew from his sleeve towards Zhuo Fan¡¯s fist.


    As long as he stopped the fist, he wouldn¡¯t die in one blow. Such was the glorious mind of the number one sage in Hell Valley reduced to after fighting with an equally insidious demon.


    Zhuo Fan was here to make sure he would be left without a scrap of honor.


    The punch still moved without hesitation, meeting with the Twisted Needle, to the joy and hope of You Guiqi.


    But the crisp sound that resulted from the contact revealed that the Twisted Needle broke in two. The fist was unaffected in the slightest as it bore into You Guiqi¡¯s chest.


    You Guiqi watched in horror and muttered, ¡°W-what kind of damn monster are you?¡±


    ¡°Humph, I don¡¯t mind telling you. My body is as strong as a 5th-grade demonic treasure. Yours was only a 3rd-grade demonic treasure! And as for why I¡¯m such a freak¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed as he recalled the endless anguish and torment he had to live through, ¡°Isn¡¯t it all your fault?¡±


    Roaring, Zhuo Fan threw his fist and flung You Guiqi into the ground, smashing a few buildings.


    Blood flew from You Guiqi¡¯s mouth as he watched Zhuo Fan in the air with shock and loss.


    [How does your freakish change have anything to do with me?]


    With this final thought, You Guiqi¡¯s head sagged and breathed his last. His eyes were wide open, never to find peace¡­

 Chapter 82 - Shocking Fame

    Zhuo Fan spread his wings among the clouds and hovered like a god towering above the ants. In his hand, he was clutching a still-beating heart which was dripping blood.


    But the owner of this heart had long met his end and was no more than a stiff corpse, never again able to find peace from the horrors he endured.


    The onlookers raised their heads in shock but witnessing the majesty of Zhuo Fan, they even forgot to breathe. Fear was almost palpable among the Hell Valley¡¯s guards.


    In just a single blow, the notorious Insidious Demon, the number one sage of Hell Valley, You Guiqi died.


    Xie Tianyang was in denial of what he witnessed, even Jian Suifeng was swept by fear as he gazed upon the youth hovering in the sky.


    ¡°A true monster!¡± Jian Suifeng muttered.


    Zhuo Fan simply relaxed his grip and the heart dropped down to the ground with a splat.


    But this casual action seized everyone¡¯s hearts.


    As Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold stare roamed among the people, they lowered their heads in fear; horrified that the demon would set his gaze on them.


    Zhuo Fan, however, only laughed, ¡°That guy must¡¯ve run off to his house. He actually slipped away again.¡±


    He suddenly swooped down, alarming the people into scattering. But he went by Xue Ningxiang and held her.


    Xue Ningxiang let out a short cry before being carried into the clouds. They both then disappeared in a lightning flash.


    In a clearing outside Blue Expanse City, lightning sparked, revealing Xue Ningxiang and Zhuo Fan landing. As he eased her onto the ground, she looked at him in puzzlement.


    Zhuo Fan had a faint smile, ¡°I said that I will take you out of the city, and I have. Now, I have fulfilled my promise.¡±


    ¡°Is this the outside world?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang darted her eyes around and breathed in, a smile playing on her lips, ¡°This is the first time I¡¯m walking outside the city.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m finally out!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang laughed and blushed, ¡°Thank you, big brother Zhuo!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. We shook on it, didn¡¯t we?¡± Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Ning¡¯er, this might be the right time to say goodbye.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± Xue Ningxiang jerked her head up, her eyes fixed on Zhuo Fan, ¡°Where to?¡±


    He sighed as he said, ¡°I don¡¯t know. There are still so many things I need to do.¡±


    The most pressing matters were finding the Lightning Canyon, Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant, and searching for experts to strengthen the Luo clan. Despite having no clue where to start on any of them, he had to keep looking.


    Xue Ningxiang saw his mind was set and spoke softly, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, c-can I come with you?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Zhuo Fan denied, ¡°With your strength, you will be in too much danger.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang lowered her head in defeat. She knew she¡¯d be just a burden to him if she went.


    Zhuo Fan tousled her head with a smile, ¡°And you still have your clan to look after. Xue clan offended Hell Valley and needs to find someone that can protect it. The Sword Marquise Abode is a good choice. From Xie Tianyang¡¯s sharp mouth, he must be quite high placed. If he vouches for you, Sword Marquise Abode is sure to take you in.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang raised her head then nodded.


    Now was the time to look for a safe place for her clan. It would be too cruel of her, and selfish, to go with Zhuo Fan and leave her father and brothers in danger.


    She was embarrassed but still felt reluctant to part with him.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, bye, little sister!¡±


    Zhuo Fan ruffled her head one last time and left with a smile. Tears formed in Xue Ningxiang¡¯s eyes as she shouted, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, when will we see each other again?¡±


    ¡°When the Thunder Ring flashes!¡±


    Zhuo Fan waved as he walked away, the Thunder Ring on his and Xue Ningxiang¡¯s fingers flashing¡­


    In another area, Jian Suifeng was looking down on You Guiqi¡¯s corpse, the enemy who robbed him of his three fingers. He recalled You Guiqi¡¯s wretched death and his mood livened.


    ¡°Oh, You Guiqi, what a tragedy befell you, one of the great men of Tianyu Empire!¡±


    Jian Suifeng found that the Hell Valley guards Zhuo Fan routed were now scrambling away from this place, abandoning even their elder¡¯s body.


    Only a cold wind blew over the white hairs on You Guiqi¡¯s body which was lying there on the cold and hard ruble. His eyes were wide, despited losing their light.


    Xie Tianyang was still looking at the sky, in Zhuo Fan¡¯s direction, but then spoke in a sour tone, ¡°Damn bastard, good for you killing You Guiqi, but what are you playing at taking Ning¡¯er?¡±


    ¡°Tianyang, help the others down, we¡¯ll rush to Sword Marquise Abode to heal them. The Xue clan will become Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s vassal clan.¡± Jian Suifeng indicated towards the crucified Xue clansmen.


    Xie Tianyang jumped and smiled, ¡°That¡¯s my intention. Eighth elder, who knew we thought alike? I was also going to save Ning¡¯er¡¯s clan.¡±


    ¡°Humph, who is like minded with a brat?¡±


    Jian Suifeng snorted, ¡°You¡¯ve seen what that little monster is capable of. Only time will tell how far his strength will reach. Since he went out of his way to save these people, it won¡¯t hurt to earn his favor. We might even become friends in the future. And in case we stand on opposite sides, we can use these people as hostages to deal with him.¡±


    Xie Tianyang only smiled wryly at his elder¡¯s reasoning.


    [Humph, so you¡¯re not saving Xue clan because of me but because of that prick Zhuo Fan. Just who is a Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s core disciple here anyway?]


    [If this gets out, my name will be dragged through the mud!]


    Although secretly cursing, he still went to work. Since this was his aim all along, to help Xue Ningxiang.


    Yet none was the wiser as half a mile out, You Ming was curled up in shivers.


    His fear of Zhuo Fan grew out of proportion, to such a scale that he might never overcome this heart demon.


    [Bastard, this is the third time! What did I ever do to you? Everywhere I go, you come killing! Last time you killed two elders and this time you killed my master.]


    [Abomination!]


    You Ming cursed Zhuo Fan to high heavens. But when Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold face resurfaced in his mind, shivers wreaked his body¡­


    ***


    A month later, in the Emperor¡¯s gardens of the Imperial capital.


    Two old men were playing chess beneath a pavilion. One of them was dressed in a golden gown and had white temples and cloudy eyes, he was the Emperor of Tianyu Empire.


    The other elderly had a long beard, white hair, and exuded an imposing aura. Whenever a guard looked his way, their eyes were filled with respect.


    Among the melodious chirping of the garden birds, the chess pieces being moved made for a calming rhythm.


    Suddenly, a wail broke the blissful peace, ¡°Lord Father, something big just happened¡­¡±


    A two hundred kilo round ball of flesh rolled next to the emperor. He shook the very earth he stepped on and threw the chess match into a mess.


    Rubbing his forehead, the emperor smiled dejectedly at the other man, who only smiled understandingly.


    ¡°Cong¡¯er, didn¡¯t I tell you to face all events with calm? And haven¡¯t you noticed that I am playing chess with Mr. Sima?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes, I know my wrongs.¡± Yuwen Cong rushed a bow to the emperor and the elderly, then wiped the sweat from his forehead.


    ¡°Speak, what is the matter?¡±


    The emperor held on to another chess piece, not minding his son.


    Yuwen Cong forced his excitement down and said in a grave tone, ¡°Reporting to Lord Father, Hell Valley¡¯s Seventh elder was killed a month ago!¡±


    The chess piece in the emperor¡¯s hand clanked on the board and he looked at the frowning Mr. Sima.


    ¡°Who did it?¡± The emperor then turned his hardened face towards Yuwen Cong.


    Seeing no one around, Yuwen Cong whispered, ¡°It is someone from the clan we are currently endorsing, Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan. A month ago, something got into him that he killed the seventh elder of Hell Valley in Blue Expanse City under everyone¡¯s eyes. It was also revealed that he was the one who killed Hell Valley¡¯s two other elders in Windgaze City and used Veiled Dragon Pavilion as a patsy.¡±


    ¡°What? A brat killed Hell Valley¡¯s three elders, their precious You Guiqi included? What guts!¡± Mr. Sima said to the emperor, ¡°Your Majesty, how should we handle it?¡±


    The emperor evoked a faint smile and kept playing chess, ¡°If it only involved the seven houses, it would¡¯ve posed a headache. But as matters stand, You Wanshan won¡¯t have the cheek to complain to me. Don¡¯t let them snuff out the Luo clan. This pearl of mine is about to reveal it¡¯s splendor, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Bam!


    The emperor slammed the chess piece with delight.


    Yuwen Cong looked long at the emperor then bowed and left.


    ***


    Prime minister¡¯s residence in the Imperial Capital.


    Prime Minister Zhuge Changfeng laid on a rocking chair with half-closed eyes, swaying gently. Suddenly, a black shadow whispered in his ear.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng flashed his eyes open in shock, then sighed, ¡°The balance between the seven houses is now askew. I will need to make ample preparations for the aftermath.¡±


    And he resumed his previous state, gently swaying on the rocking chair.


    ***


    High Priest¡¯s residence in Imperial Capital.


    A white-haired elder was reading through some information delivered by one of his men. As he read through, a frown appeared on his forehead and he signaled his men to withdraw.


    With shaking steps deigning his old appearance, the elder walked into the observatory and looked up towards the sea of stars, ¡°The star of war is near and turmoil is on our doorsteps. A spark is enough to light this powder keg! The ruler is about to change, I only hope the people can weather the storm.¡±


    ***


    Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s headquarters.


    Pavilion Lord Long Yifey and some elders were in a meeting, but two young people were also present, Long Jie and Long Kui. Because of their efforts and brilliant conduct, seven days ago, Long Yifey officially allowed them to participate in the elder council, pleasing the two to no end.


    ¡°Recently, Xiao Kui and Xiao Jie have displayed impeccable conduct. I propose to send them to cultivate under the Grand Elder and learn the house¡¯s profound ranked martial art.¡±


    Long Yifey smiled looking at the two and spoke with pride.


    Third elder commented with a hardened look, ¡°These two kids progressed well, however, they are only average by contrast with the other houses¡¯ genius disciples.¡±


    ¡°How? Third elder, don¡¯t underestimate us. We are on the verge of breaking through to the Bone Tempering Stage.¡± Long Kui protested while Long Jie was in accord, ¡°Third elder is right. I heard rumors that Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s Xie Tianyang became a Bone Tempering expert three years prior. We are still far behind him.¡±


    ¡°Xiao Jie is so modest! You will do great deeds in the future!¡±


    Godeye Long Jiu nodded with satisfaction, a black crow perched on his shoulder; the Soul Devouring Crow he got from Zhuo Fan. Looking at the bird, Long Jiu couldn¡¯t help his expression softening.


    ¡°If you two brats were half a man my brother Zhuo is, you¡¯d be training our passed down profound ranked martial art by now.¡±


    ¡°Humph, Uncle Jiu, why bring him into this?¡± Long Kui always became irritated whenever she heard Zhuo Fan¡¯s name, ¡°He is cocky, brash, and doesn¡¯t want to join Veiled Dragon Pavilion. Even if he has a smidgen of talent, that doesn¡¯t make his rise guaranteed. We will undoubtedly surpass him.¡±


    A man suddenly barged in while shouting, ¡°Urgent report, Pavilion Lord!¡±


    Third elder waved him away after taking the report and read it. The next moment, his hand froze and the paper drifted to the floor.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, third elder?¡±


    Long Jiu picked up the paper in worry, never having seen third elder so spooked. But the contents left his sole eye in tears.


    ¡°Good brother, I owe you again.¡±


    ¡°What is all this about?¡± Long Yifey was inquisitive like the rest of the people present and took the paper.


    His brows shook and his voice betrayed his excitement, ¡°Hell Valley¡¯s You Guiqi was killed by Zhuo Fan in Blue Expanse City!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Everyone was dumbstruck.


    Who hadn¡¯t heard of You Guiqi? He was the greatest headache of everyone, especially for Long Jiu, who had his eye stolen in You Guiqi¡¯s ploy.


    Yet this dreadful man was killed by Zhuo Fan. Their shock was understandable. Even Long Jie and Long Kui had heard of You Guiqi¡¯s infamy, after all, he was a man feared by all elders of the Veiled Dragon Pavilion.


    They instantly felt how far behind Zhuo Fan had left them.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, well done!¡± Long Yifey burst in laughter, ¡°I was right in my decision. This kid is a dragon among men. Increase our support to the Luo clan and send some men to safeguard their clan. I¡¯m sure we all can agree on that.¡±


    It was a unanimous decision. Not even the elders who were against Long Yifey proposing an alliance with Zhuo Fan showed any complaint.


    After all, none of them here could do what Zhuo Fan did, sending that You Guiqi to his grave.


    And the Veiled Dragon Pavilion was just the beginning. The continent¡¯s clans soon came to know of this affair. Among the shocks and cries of joy, Zhuo Fan¡¯s name was etched in the minds of many clan leaders.

 Chapter 83 - Hell Kill Order

    In a lone valley, sieged by mountains on three sides and a narrow trail on the fourth, the sun¡¯s warm glow barely reached this place throughout the year. Being shrouded in mist, this place was a cesspool of poisonous insects and rats.


    Yet this particularly strange environment led to the development of some of the rarest herbs the world had ever seen. To gathered such ingredients, men braved many dangers through the valley, where the mortality rate was incredibly high and the ghosts of the fallen exacerbated the gloom.


    People came to call it, Hell Valley.


    A thousand years ago, a powerful group stumbled upon this odd place and established a foothold. They even set up a 5th-grade array to safeguard from the gruesomeness of this valley.


    This group was the You house, one of the Seven Noble Houses of Tianyu Empire. With time, people came to call this valley as the strongest house that could oppose the Imperial family.


    Until now.


    In Hell Valley¡¯s meeting hall, Valley Lord You Wanshan was in a poor mood as he sat on his throne. Out of the 12 total seats, 9 seats were occupied by elders. Each time he glanced at the empty seats, his eyes turned savage.


    ¡°You Ming!¡±


    You Wanshan bellowed, ¡°Do you mean to say that three of Hell Valley¡¯s elders are dead because of a single kid?¡±


    Kowtowing on the ground and shivering uncontrollably, You Ming replied, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t even think of lying to Valley Lord. Elder Jian, Elder Yun, as well as my master, Seventh elder, were indeed killed by Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan!¡±


    ¡°Useless wench!¡± You Wanshan slapped the table, ¡°You knew he killed two elders before so why didn¡¯t you report this sooner?¡±


    ¡°Spare me, Valley Lord! It was my master who forbade me. Master found it too weird and ordered me to keep it to myself. He told me that he will find the opportunity to deal with Zhuo Fan. But before he could, Zhuo Fan broke into our city and¡­¡±


    At this point, You Ming¡¯s voice was choked with sobs.


    The rest of the elders snorted.


    [All demonic cultivators are cruel and cold, so why is this punk getting so worked up?]


    Throwing such a show would make them despise him instead.


    The elders were all clear this wasn¡¯t his fault yet refrained from pardoning him. If they¡¯d trade places, they would do the same. If not, they¡¯d be accused of rash thinking and that would be used as an excuse by some others to remove them.


    Who would believe that a fresh Bone Tempering kid could kill a Profound Heaven seasoned expert if not for it happening before countless eyes?


    ¡°Valley Lord, You Ming might have erred, but he had no control over what happened. Our first priority is to deal with the aftermath.¡±


    This was spoken by the first elder on the right as he stood up, ¡°Tianyu Empire¡¯s mighty clans have set their sights on us. If we let that kid go unpunished, what will the people think? We will become the laughingstock of the empire and our vassal clans will abandon us.¡±


    You Wanshan frowned, his eyes filled with cruelty, ¡°Grand Elder is right. We cannot let that punk get away with this! Wasn¡¯t he some steward of Luo clan? We¡¯ll make the Luo clan answer for his transgression!¡±


    ¡°Valley Lord, you mustn¡¯t!¡±


    A deep and worried voice traveled from an old man with raven hair, seated on the opposite side of Grand Elder.


    You Wanshan snorted, ¡°Second elder, what are you trying to say? Do you think it¡¯s alright for someone to kill our people, shame us, and then walk away? What will others think of Hell Valley?¡±


    ¡°Valley Lord, I am not stopping you from settling this debt. Only¡­¡±


    Second elder muttered something before resuming, ¡°Valley Lord should remember the ban the Emperor enacted a year ago on the seven houses which was against stepping foot in Windgaze City. If we breach it openly, it will give the Imperial family the excuse to strike.¡±


    ¡°Second elder makes a fair point. This is not the time to move in the open. And there are also reports that the Imperial family and Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s experts are patrolling nearby Windgaze City. We will fall into their trap if we go!¡± Grand Elder urged.


    Eying the two most respected elders, You Wanshan hesitated for a while before spatting through gritted teeth, ¡°We can¡¯t do this, we can¡¯t do that! What else can we actually do?¡±


    Even the elders turned silent.


    You Wanshan sighed, ¡°This wouldn¡¯t have been such a headache if the seventh elder was here. Blasted punk, he managed to rob me of my wisest adviser. When I get my hands on you, I will skin you alive!¡±


    Seeing them all pensive, the kneeling You Ming darted his eyes left and right before making a tentative remark, ¡°Valley Lord, may disciple be so bold as to convey a solution?¡±


    ¡°Humph, the elders meeting is not something you can join. Get the hell out!¡± You Wanshan barked without even looking at You Ming. But Grand Elder¡¯s gesture detained him, ¡°Valley Lord, the kid can be considered as seventh elder¡¯s successor. Why not give him a chance?¡±


    You Wanshan conceded when he heard the Grand Elder¡¯s reason.


    You Ming¡¯s heart burst with joy as he rushed to explain, ¡°Valley Lord, this disciple¡¯s humble opinion is to ignore the Luo clan. From my observation, Luo clan is relying on Zhuo Fan. With him around, even if we remove the Luo clan, it will only make it worse for us. But if Zhuo Fan is out of the picture, then the Luo clan will fall from grace. They will have no hope of replacing us, Hell Valley!¡±


    You Wanshan¡¯s eyes flickered, ¡°Go on.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± His mouth twisted in a smile, You Ming said, ¡°We cannot approach Windgaze City, but Zhuo Fan is nowhere near it either. We just need to focus all our efforts in dealing with him.¡±


    ¡°And how will we find him?¡± You Wanshan questioned.


    ¡°Issue the Hell Kill Order and have the empire corner him!¡± You Ming revealed his savage side, ¡°We will then know where he is going, and before he returns to Windgaze City, we can just ambush him.¡±


    You Wanshan cackled, ¡°Good, that¡¯s what we¡¯ll do!¡±


    ¡°Men!¡± He then shouted orders, ¡°In my name as Hell Valley¡¯s leader, I declare the Hell Kill Order on Zhuo Fan. Anyone who provides clues to his location can become a vassal to Hell Valley. Anyone who brings me his head will become Hell Valley¡¯s number one vassal, ruling above all others!¡±


    You Wanshan¡¯s sinister laughter echoed, to which You Ming followed up with a vile smile.


    [Zhuo Fan, you abomination! I won¡¯t dare face you but now you have the whole empire after your head, he-he-he¡­]


    Grand Elder smiled, [As I thought, this kid is still thinking about revenge.] But the elder didn¡¯t care since Zhuo Fan was the enemy of Hell Valley¡­


    Grand Elder stated, ¡°Valley Lord, even if we declare Hell Kill Order on Zhuo Fan, since he killed seventh elder, the weak clans won¡¯t be his match. I think we will have to act if we want to end him after all.¡±


    ¡°Then all elders move out, kill that bastard!¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Grand Elder gestured, ¡°He killed seventh elder, elders below seventh won¡¯t be of any help. From Ming¡¯er¡¯s retelling of him, he must be a body refining demonic cultivator. The only ones who can stand up to him are the first five elders. Furthermore¡­¡±


    He turned to a red-haired elder, ¡°Fifth elder, you refined your body with the Scorching Demon Flame. Your unbreakable body is the perfect match for that kid!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me!¡± Yet the man in question shook his hands again and again while smirking, ¡°I am about to join Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Hundred Pill Meeting. I don¡¯t have the time to run around after some snot-nosed brat!¡±


    ¡°Humph, what¡¯s so great being invited by women to a meeting to discuss about pills? Is going there more important than taking revenge for the house?¡± You Wanshan snapped.


    Grand Elder lightened the atmosphere with a smile, ¡°Valley Lord, the Drifting Flowers Edifice may be made up of women, but they are still one of the seven houses. Establishing a close relationship will only work in our favor. They extended an invitation to fifth elder since they took an interest in his fire attribute cultivation method, in hope of refining new pills.¡±


    ¡°Humph, how did a bunch of skanks climb up to our position? One day I will personally go and take over their domain.¡± You Wanshan said viciously.


    Grand Elder shook his head, ¡°Valley Lord, I would like to have You Ming participate in seventh elder¡¯s place in our future elder meetings.¡±


    Staring at You Ming, You Wanshan nodded, ¡°Fine, raise him well, as the next Insidious Demon, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    You Ming was overjoyed in his bowing!


    Meanwhile, in Blackwind Mountain, Captain Pang was cultivating by sitting on 36 blades. His body was riddled with scars. While cultivating, black tendrils of energy would leave his body, drift around the blades, and return back to him.


    But as each black tendril went back into his body, a new bloody scar adorned his wreaked body, making him frown.


    Suddenly, a shadow grew before him and Lei Yuting came from behind.


    Cracking his eyelids, Captain Pang stood up with a smirk, ¡°Miss Lei¡¯s Elusive Shadow Art is becoming more and more outstanding. I didn¡¯t even notice you were coming.¡±


    ¡°Humph, your Wraith Art isn¡¯t any less impressive, reaching Bone Tempering Stage in just a year. You¡¯re making those clans¡¯ geniuses jealous.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, it¡¯s all because of brother Zhuo!¡± Captain Pang laughed and peeked next to him. Not five meters from him, a 15-year old was braving above other blades as sweat marred his brow and trailed along his scarred body.


    But around him were corpses riddled with wounds, as if hacked by countless edged weapons.


    ¡°Damn it, what kind of vile method are you cultivating?¡± Lei Yuting cursed.


    Captain Pang replied with indifference, ¡°Of the 20 kids you sent, only one barely made it. Send me another batch.¡±


    ¡°With just one survivor you want more?¡± Lei Yuting raised her voice in shock.


    Captain Pang smirked, ¡°It¡¯s actually quite a good result. For fifty to die while training in this art is normal. But for Luo clan, everything is worth it.¡±


    ¡°Humph, you are hard at cultivating, and what is that brother of yours doing?¡± Snorting, Lei Yuting fetched a paper, ¡°He killed Hell Valley¡¯s seventh elder and they¡¯ve issued a kill order.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Captain Pang burst into laughter, ¡°Brother Zhuo truly does incredible things, shaking the world everywhere he goes.¡±


    Then he patted Lei Yuting¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Miss Lei, don¡¯t be too worried. With brother Zhuo¡¯s skills, Hell Valley¡¯s order won¡¯t affect him.¡±


    ¡°Humph, who the hell cares about him.¡± Lei Yuting muttered through gnashed teeth, ¡°He just went and provoked Hell Valley over a girl. Since when was he so goody-goody?¡±


    Captain Pang grinned, ¡°So that¡¯s what it was, ha-ha-ha. Sometimes, brother Zhuo quite likes striking a heroic figure.¡±


    ¡°Hero? My ass! You think I don¡¯t know him?¡± Sighing, Lei Yuting turned into a shadow and vanished.


    Captain Pang shouted the next moment, ¡°Don¡¯t mention this to young miss, especially the last part.¡±


    But Lei Yuting¡¯s response didn¡¯t come. Captain Pang sighed, ¡°Ah, women¡­¡±

 Chapter 84 - Wraith Style

    Atchoo!


    ¡°Who¡¯s badmouthing me behind my back?¡±


    In a secluded forest, Zhuo Fan scratched his nose and set his eyes on a 100-meter-tall rock.


    He suddenly flexed his legs and jumped, with the wings behind him flashing with lightning.


    ¡°Wraith Style 1st move, Soaring Demonic Dragon!¡±


    Roar!


    A black draconic image flashed with him at its center. The dragon intertwined with the lightning and smashed into the rock.


    Boom!


    The rock crumbled like a stack of cards and Zhuo Fan came out with a flash. Then he turned around and unleashed a black claw at the rubble.


    ¡°Wraith Style 2nd move, Ghostly Dragon Claw!¡±


    It was lackluster compared to the previous thundering explosion but it made up for it with visual impact, turning the rubble to sand.


    The tremors even frightened the birds away. Zhuo Fan gasped as he continued sweating, but his hands kept dancing through gestures, aiming for the flock of birds.


    ¡°Wraith Style 3rd move, Necro Dragon¡¯s Screech!¡±


    Roar!


    The sound was eerie, akin to a demon. Zhuo Fan¡¯s wail even made ripples through the air as it swept the flock of birds.


    The birds froze mid-air, their eyes blanked, and fell dead. One look would spot thousands of dead birds.


    Zhuo Fan was now reduced to a gasping mess, crouching down with a downcast look.


    This low profound ranked martial art matched the Wraith Art. Each strike held enough power to shake the earth and kill instantly. Although ranked low, it was nonetheless strong as a mid profound ranked martial art.


    The problem was the high requirement these moves had on the body, making it viable only to Wraith Art cultivators. But with Zhuo Fan¡¯s refined body, he long surpassed it.


    In theory, these moves should¡¯ve been easy for him to execute.


    Yet the fact remained, only after training in them for a month did he realize that he didn¡¯t lack in the body department, but in the soul. He was in the 1st layer of Bone Tempering Stage and using profound ranked martial art almost exhausted his Yuan Qi.


    The last move, in particular, Necro Dragon¡¯s Screech, was a soul attack that could only be trained when one was in the Radiant Stage.


    With his body and soul refined, his soul power shot up, and even with the added benefit of the azure flame, he just barely succeeded. But it didn¡¯t stop him from feeling his vision swoon and collapse.


    ¡°Goddamit! These moves will be the death of me. If I don¡¯t kill my enemy with these, he will kill me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed and sat cross-legged to recover his Yuan Qi.


    Killing You Guiqi stirred up a hornet nest. He was bound to stumble on a far stronger opponent and needed to protect himself by training powerful martial arts.


    As a consequence, he hid for over a month in the mountains to practice, yet the outcome wasn¡¯t in the least bit reassuring.


    Half a day later, Zhuo Fan stood up with a rosy complexion, having recovered.


    His hand flashed and was now holding a large egg. He looked at the singed marks on the egg with worry.


    The Thunder Skylark egg was still alive thanks to its mother¡¯s spiritual energy. But this only put a delay on things. If he wanted to hatch it, he¡¯d first have to restore its vitality.


    [Just where am I supposed to look for the needed spiritual herbs in this vast world?]


    The egg wasn¡¯t fully developed yet and common herbs wouldn¡¯t do any good. He¡¯d need those rare treasures capable of snatching a man¡¯s life from the jaws of imminent death.


    Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t help but frown at this thought.


    ¡°Song Yu, hand over the Body Tempering Pill if you know what¡¯s good for you.¡±


    A sudden shout interrupted Zhuo Fan¡¯s musings. His face darkened and walked over.


    [Who¡¯s the bastard that dares disturb my peace?]


    Pushing a branch aside, Zhuo Fan saw a man and a woman driving a carriage. The man was around 20 with fine features and at 1st layer of Bone Tempering Stage cultivation, while the woman was of similar age, charming complexion, and in the 2nd layer.


    They were surrounded by six men, of who five where in the 8-9th layer of Bone Tempering Stage and the last one, an old man, was in the 6th.


    The pair was now staring daggers at the old man.


    ¡°Humph, the Body Tempering Pill was made by us, the Song clan, through a secret formula to join in the Hundred Pill Meeting. You think I¡¯m just going to give it away?¡± The man snorted and a 1st-grade spiritual weapon appeared in his hand.


    Zhuo Fan smiled in derision.


    The Body Tempering Pill was a 4th-grade pill, useful in tempering one¡¯s bones, and also useful in aiding a 9th layer Qi Condensation cultivator in breaking through to the Bone Tempering Stage. The only downside was that it could only be used once.


    For the genius Zhuo Fan, who was worry-free about breaking through to Bone Tempering Stage, this pill was garbage. [And this crappy pill was made from a secret formula; what a bunch of weaklings.]


    But the bloodshot-eyed old man thought otherwise.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Song Yu, Song Qian, aren¡¯t the two of you in the Bone Tempering Stage at such a young age thanks to it? Your third-rate clan, which seized the secret formula for a 4th-grade pill, is being too greedy. It¡¯s best if you just hand it over.¡±


    ¡°Humph, we would rather die!¡±


    Song Qian and Song Yu charged at the old man who did the same.


    Bam!


    From just a single palm attack, both of them drew wide arcs in the air trailed by their blood. Despite being in the same stage, the difference of 5-6 layers wasn¡¯t something they could overcome.


    ¡°He-he-he, miss Song Qian, is this necessary? Be good and hand the pill and its formula. Are you going to force this old man into patting down the both of you?¡±


    The old man eyed Song Qian¡¯s enticing curves and let out lascivious laughter.


    Song Qian glared with hatred but then sighed and looked at her brother, ¡°Are you scared?¡±


    ¡°I am not!¡± Song Yu¡¯s steeled himself.


    ¡°Then let us die together. At least the clan¡¯s formula won¡¯t land in that old bastard¡¯s hands.¡± Song Qian made a downcast smile and raised Song Yu¡¯s spiritual weapon to their necks.


    This scene stirred Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart, his mind drifting to the siblings in the Windgaze City. [They would¡¯ve had the same ending if I wasn¡¯t compelled by the heart demon at that time.]


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan shot a leaf at the pair.


    Whoosh!


    Just when it was about to slit their throats, the weapon fell off her hands.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Both the siblings and the old man shouted anxiously.


    ¡°Is it really necessary to kill them over a 4th-grade pill?¡± Zhuo Fan stepped out of the tree line. The old man laughed, ¡°Here I was nervous who might come, and it¡¯s only a brat fresh into the Bone Tempering Stage.¡± He mocked Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Kid, aren¡¯t you a demonic cultivator? Everyone knows demonic cultivators are the most savage and ruthless bunch out there, and you have the cheek to preach me on mercy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not preaching mercy, but power.¡±


    Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°Now that I have witnessed this matter, you can¡¯t kill them.¡±


    ¡°Humph, with just you?¡±


    The old man¡¯s eyes glinted with malice as Song Qian shouted anxiously, ¡°Little brother, run! Save yourself and forget about us!¡±


    ¡°Run? Too late.¡±


    While Song Qian was urging him, the old man charged at Zhuo Fan with a snicker, ¡°Kid, you only got yourself to blame for poking your nose where it does not belong.¡±


    The siblings could only close their eyes to be spared of the horror.


    Yet with a crisp sound, Zhuo Fan stood unfazed while the old man fell in a pool of blood, headless.


    The laughing old man was dead in an instant and despite the others having smiles on their faces, their eyes were filled with terror.


    They clearly saw how Zhuo Fan made a casual attack and popped the old man¡¯s head.


    ¡°Monster!¡±


    A scream echoed and the others ran for their lives. Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t care about them and turned to leave.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Song Qian called. Her eyes were in shock of Zhuo Fan¡¯s immense strength despite similar cultivation levels.


    It was as different as heaven and earth¡­

 Chapter 85 - Hundred Pill Meeting

    ¡°What is it?¡±


    Zhuo Fan asked as he turned slowly. He noticed the elegant beauty, yet he didn¡¯t bat an eyelid. Song Qian was the one to be affected by his gaze instead, blushing and lowering her head.


    ¡°I have yet to know little brother¡¯s name. One day, the Song clan will repay you for saving our lives!¡±


    ¡°No need!¡± Saying so, Zhuo Fan started leaving.


    Startled, Song Qian felt somewhat discouraged in her heart. All males in a hundred miles of Song clan would be speechless in her presence, yet Zhuo Fan gave her the cold shoulder. This led to the rising discontent inside her.


    She skipped before Zhuo Fan and stopped him by raising her hand.


    But he just frowned, ¡°Is there anything else?¡±


    [This fool!] Song Qian was cursing inside but showed an enticing smiled on the outside, ¡°Little brother, where are you planning on going?¡±


    ¡°None of your business!¡± Zhuo Fan bypassed her with a snort. Song Qian¡¯s mouth was twitching as she shouted, ¡°We are on our way to Hundred Pill Meeting. Why not join us?¡±


    Zhuo Fan paused, then turned, ¡°Drifting Flowers City, the home of Drifting Flowers Edifice, one of the Seven Noble Houses?¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Nodded Song Yu as he rushed over, ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice holds the Hundred Pill Meeting once a decade. It is a gathering where famous alchemists from clans around the empire compete over their refining method. If luck would have it, the Drifting Flowers Edifice would take notice of you and take you in as a vassal clan!¡±


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose. [Hundred Pill Meeting is bound to have plenty of rare ingredients and the chance is high for me to find the treasures to restore the egg.]


    He made a lopsided grin, ¡°You¡¯re words caught my interest. I would very much like to see the Hundred Pill Meeting.¡±


    ¡°Great! Let¡¯s go together.¡± Song Qian jumped in joy.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, [Asuming another identity while entering one of the seven houses isn¡¯t a bad idea.]


    The Song siblings were glad he agreed. With Zhuo Fan¡¯s strength, nothing would stop them from reaching Drifting Flowers City.


    ¡°Oh, what do I call little brother?¡±


    ¡°Uh, Luo Fan!¡± Zhuo Fan scratched his nose.


    He could no longer risk giving his real name, not since Blue Expanse City. He figured the entire Tianyu Empire was privy to his name by now. Then again, he was Luo clan¡¯s steward, and using their name was perfectly normal.


    ¡°Song Qian, Song Yu!¡± The two introduced.


    Zhuo Fan then followed the sister and entered the carriage, which had various ingredients strewn about, while the younger brother drove it.


    But Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t even spare these plain items a glance.


    Song Qian kept making eyes with Zhuo Fan, but seeing her efforts hit a wall, she turned awkwardly to look out the window.


    But then she burst into a giggle with a red face.


    Seeing this, Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes, [She either lost it or is smitten. I wouldn¡¯t have gone with them if I knew.]


    Throughout the trip, Song Qian treated him like a rare breed, eying him at every chance. He tried his hardest in switching places with Song Yu, but the kid turned him down and he was forced to endure the doe eyes from Song Yu¡¯s sister.


    After a long half a month, the carriage slowly approached a city¡¯s gates. Song Yu laughed, ¡°Brother Luo, sister, we¡¯re here!¡±


    ¡°About freakin¡¯ time!¡± Zhuo Fan stepped out in a rush from the red hot gaze of the other passenger. But then he cursed when he noticed the gate, ¡°How in the hell is this Drifting Flowers City? Why did you even stop here?¡±


    The plaque above the gate read: Orchid City.


    This wasn¡¯t under any of the seven houses¡¯ jurisdiction, but the Imperial family.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, brother Luo, calm yourself. An old friend of my father stays here. We¡¯ve come to Orchid City to buy ingredients from him before setting out to Hundred Pill Meeting.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhuo Fan could only sigh. [Will my suffering ever end?]


    Song Qian stepped out and glared, ¡°Do you hate being around me?¡±


    Zhuo Fan just shrugged.


    But Song Yu laughed and revealed a vulgar smile, ¡°Brother Luo, I know exactly how you feel. I am the same, itching to get to Drifting Flowers City. They say the 15 Overseers of Drifting Flowers Edifice are like fairies, and the Edifice Lord an outstanding beauty, proclaimed as the number one beauty in the empire. If I can see her once, my life is fulfilled.¡±


    Song Yu wore an intoxicated look. It was as if he could really see them, but then he woke up and noticed his sister looking glum and disdained, ¡°But even my sister¡¯s beauty is hard to come by. Although, how could a man pick just one, when the world is filled with ravishing beauties?¡±


    ¡°Xiao Yu, what did you say?¡± Song Qian heard him and her glare sent him shivering. Zhuo Fan just shook his head.


    [They¡¯re a pair of clowns, one love-struck, the other a moron. I need to get far away from them or I¡¯ll find myself at their level soon.]


    ¡°Qian¡¯er!¡±


    Their conversation was interrupted when they heard a shout. Song Qian stiffened, knowing who the person was.


    It came from a finely clothed young man, who looked casual and confident in his demeanor. He was around 20 years old and in the 4th layer of Bone Tempering Stage. Song Qian however seemed not too eager in seeing him, giving an awkward greeting, ¡°Brother Tianlei!¡±


    Song Yu also stiffened, whispering to Zhuo Fan, ¡°He is Qi Tianlei, Orchid City¡¯s top clan¡¯s young master. The Qi clan is an old friend of ours, but they are a second-rate clan and they always make a point to show it. Also, Qi Tianlei is crazy for my sister¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed, already feeling regret following this pair.


    The Luo clan and Song clan were similar, but the former had the privilege of Demonic Emperor gracing them with his presence, elevating it to a first-rate clan.


    [Similar people, different fates!]


    ¡°Qian¡¯er, who¡¯s he?¡± Even as Qi Tianlei was caressing Song Qian¡¯s fair hand, he was always watching the other two. But while his eyes were filled with contempt for Song Yu, it revealed only hostility towards Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°H-He is Brother Luo, our friend.¡± Song Qian was fearful of Qi Tianlei, but even with a tremor in her voice, she tried to protect Zhuo Fan. She then rushed to change topics, ¡°Tianlei, how did you know we¡¯re coming today?¡±


    ¡°I received Uncle Song¡¯s letter and estimated when you¡¯d arrive.¡± Qi Tianlei spoke casually then marched before Zhuo Fan, pushing aside Song Qian who blocked his way, ¡°Who are you to Qian¡¯er?¡±


    ¡°Brother Qi, he is my friend¡­¡±


    Bam!


    Qi Tianlei slapped Song Yu away, ¡°I wasn¡¯t asking you!¡±


    He turned toward Zhuo Fan with a wild look, ¡°Speak, what is there between you two?¡±


    Zhuo Fan saw Song Qian helping her brother. Looking at their terrified states, he knew they were oppressed by this young master of the Qi clan.


    ¡°On our way, we ate together and slept together. We practically never left the carriage. You tell me if there¡¯s anything between us!¡±


    Song Qian was shocked, knowing he did it just to spite Qi Tianlei.


    And Qi Tianlei¡¯s eyes were now bloodshot as he unleashed his power.


    ¡°Wretched filth, I will have your head!¡± He declared as he threw himself at Zhuo Fan.


    But Zhuo Fan remained calm and unmoving.


    Then, a sudden sound was heard and a ripple spread from Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest.


    Ice-cold killing intent swept everyone¡¯s minds, freezing them. They were scared as rabbits, powerless to even resist it.


    Qi Tianlei looked as if he was seeing a demon from hell, shivering all the while. As for his fury, it vanished into nothing.


    Killing with intent was a Radiant Stage expert¡¯s absolute power.


    Zhuo Fan was no Radiant Stage expert, but his soul was strong enough to train in the Wraith Style¡¯s Necro Dragon¡¯s Screech. It was far from being able to kill with intent, but enough to scare.


    This was a feat not even a Profound Heaven expert was capable of, yet a freak of nature like Zhuo Fan could¡­


    Strolling before the shivering Qi Tianlei, Zhuo Fan whispered in his ear, ¡°The next time you try showing off before me, I will end you!¡±


    Qi Tianlei hit the ground with a thud and couldn¡¯t stop sweating.


    While the Song siblings stood shell shocked¡­

 Chapter 86 - Murder Fest

    He scared them into submission without lifting a finger. Just how was he a Bone Tempering cultivator?


    Song Qian and Song Yu saw a whole new Zhuo Fan and their hearts started racing.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, a figure landed before Qi Tianlei. He checked the young master and became enraged finding him unconscious.


    ¡°Who did this?¡± The newcomer whipped his head back and roared, his eyes flickering with flames of rage. But then he noticed Zhuo Fan and all of a sudden his anger diffused.


    Zhuo Fan frowned and took a much closer look at him.


    The man was around 40 years old, with a beard and at peak Bone Tempering Stage. From the fine clothes he was wearing, it was clear he was a Clan Head.


    Song Qian, who was roused from her shock by the shout, began apologizing with tears welling in her eyes, ¡°Forgive me, uncle, it¡¯s all my fault. Take it out on me.¡±


    The man¡¯s eyes then noticed the Song siblings and his gloomy face cleared up with a laugh, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, so it is Qian¡¯er. I was wondering why this brat ran so fast to the city gate, seems like it was to welcome honored guests. So it was all a misunderstanding.¡±


    ¡°Come, follow me to our home. You¡¯ve come a long way to Orchid City, it must have been tiring.  As your host, I¡¯ll do my best to make you comfortable!¡± The man overlooked Qi Tianlei¡¯s situation and simply shouldered the unconscious fellow as he took the lead.


    The way he switched tunes real quick, and how he took sideway glances on and off at Zhuo Fan, the later felt it as a warning.


    ¡°What was all that about being looked down on by Qi clan? You were clearly trying to fool me.¡± Zhuo Fan smirked, ¡°This uncle of yours cares for you even more than Qi Tianlei, ignoring even his scared silly son.¡±


    ¡°Why would he? He is Qi Ganglie, the Qi Clan Head, and not once did he look kindly on us.¡± Song Yu said confused, ¡°But today he¡¯s like a different person. Qi Tianlei is his only son, the apple of his eye. Something odd is going on for him to ignore his son¡¯s plight!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, baffling!¡± Zhuo Fan scoffed.


    Song Qian watched Qi Ganglie leave then turned to the other two, ¡°What¡¯s so strange? He must be in a good mood today, so don¡¯t make assumptions. At least he didn¡¯t pursue it, or we would¡¯ve been worse off.¡±


    ¡°Just him?¡± Zhuo Fan sneered.


    What could a peak Bone Tempering cultivator amount to when not even a Profound Heaven expert was a match for Zhuo Fan? As his strength grew exponentially, he felt the return of his confidence as the Demonic Emperor.


    But anyway, the Song siblings were clueless to his strength.


    Song Qian walked to him with quick steps then rolled her eyes, ¡°I know you¡¯re great, but that¡¯s within the Bone Tempering Stage. Could you handle a Profound Heaven expert? If you get on their bad side, not even we can help you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan scoffed.


    Song Qian shook her head but her eyes never left Zhuo Fan. His haughty and condescending attitude stirred her maiden heart.


    In fact, she felt oddly safe next to him, something she never felt with anyone before.


    The Qi clan welcomed the trio in their residence, and before they could leave to purchase any ingredients, the Qi Clan Head¡¯s message came that he wanted to reminisce with the siblings.


    Without a choice, Song Qian and Song Yu went to see Qi Ganglie while Zhuo Fan was left alone in the guest house. [Now I can finally get some cultivation done in peace and quiet.]


    Six hours later, the door creaked open. Zhuo Fan sitting on his bed, saw the Song siblings tip-toeing inside.


    ¡°Did you finish your talk with Qi Ganglie?¡±


    Song Qian and Song Yu jumped in fright, then nodded woodenly, their eyes full of fear.


    ¡°What¡¯s up? Was that old coot hard on you?¡± Zhuo Fan asked with suspicion.


    They both denied.


    The more Zhuo Fan looked at them the more he felt his suspicion grow. Song Qian laughed dryly, ¡°Zhu-, uh, brother Luo, Qi Clan Head is holding a feast in our welcome. Come join us.¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Since it is for you two, I won¡¯t go as I don¡¯t know him!¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t!¡±


    Song Yu exclaimed, but tried to save the situation and dispel Zhuo Fan¡¯s doubts with a forced laughter, ¡°Brother Luo, this is the Qi clan¡¯s residence. The Clan Head even threw a welcoming feast for us. It would be crass of us if we are not present.¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, ¡°Do I have to?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± They both nodded.


    Zhuo Fan stood up with a sneer and said, ¡°Lead the way. We must join the festivities if he went so far as to invite us, even if it ends up a murder fest.¡±


    His words had the two siblings shivering and looking guilty.


    Arriving at the hall, they saw Qi Ganglie seated on the main seat with a smile while nine other Bone Tempering elders flanked his sides at a round table.


    Looking closely, the table had three lone empty seats in the furthest corner of the hall, with walls on either side of them.


    Zhuo Fan secretly mocked them, [It¡¯s ridiculously obvious that they want to attack me. The fact my seat is in the worst possible position proves it.]


    [Can¡¯t you be any more obvious?]


    He let out a faint smile and didn¡¯t let it get to him. [Even if they attack together, their end is still the same.]


    Zhuo Fan and the siblings arrived at their seats with a fake smile.


    ¡°Qian¡¯er, Xiao Yu, I am most pleased with your visit to our city. Uncle shall toast to you, for your success in the Drifting Flowers City and joining the Drifting Flowers Edifice.¡± Qi Ganglie laughed as he drank.


    The others followed suit and the Song siblings were no exception. Yet Zhuo Fan only brought the cup to his nose and then sported a wide and ineffable grin before placing it on the table.


    Qi Ganglie frowned a bit as the atmosphere grew tense.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, little brother is called Luo Fan, right? Qian¡¯er told me about you, how you looked after them on your journey. I shall toast in gratitude.¡±


    Qi Ganglie drank another cup, yet Zhuo Fan was as still as a rock.


    This time, the people around the table eyed Zhuo Fan viciously.


    Qi Ganglie gave them looks to calm down and said, ¡°Brother Luo, I am the Qi Clan Head and am offering you a toast. Aren¡¯t you going to reply in kind?¡±


    ¡°As wine takes a heavy toll on one¡¯s body, I have learned to abstain from drinking.¡± Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°And I¡¯d recommend Qi Clan Head do the same. Who knows what mistakes one can make in their drunk haze? You might earn the ire of someone you should not and end up destroying yourself and your clan.¡±


    His knuckles white on the cup, Qi Ganglie felt the sweat trickling down his brow. The others were also growing anxious.


    Taking a moment to calm his nerves, Qi Ganglie continued with a fake smile, ¡°Little brother is wise beyond his age. I understand now how you could become a Bone Tempering cultivator at such a young age. But a youth should be more impulsive and learn to live in the moment, enjoy the simple pleasures of life.¡±


    Qi Ganglie laughed, hinting at the cup before Zhuo Fan. The latter shook his head, ¡°Life is enjoyable as long as you have it. I am young and don¡¯t plan on leaving this wonderful world just yet!¡±


    Losing his patience, Qi Ganglie rose from his seat and shouted, ¡°What do you mean by this?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, cut the act. You know who I am, else you wouldn¡¯t have set up such an obvious trap!¡±


    Zhuo Fan lifted his glass and tipped it. The wine touched the table and sizzled in white smoke before eating through it.


    ¡°Hundred Bane Pill, refined from a 4th-grade spiritual beast, the Scarlet Poisoned Python¡¯s venom!¡±


    With a mocking grin, he stared at Qi Ganglie, ¡°Most of all, these Bone Tempering experts must be your elders. Even for a junior¡¯s welcoming feast, this is too much of an honor.¡±


    ¡°Sigh, Clan Head, it was really hard to fake overlooking it, you know? Ha-ha-ha, can you be any more obvious?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mockery had Qi Ganglie flushed with anger and gasping in an attempt to calm himself down.


    ¡°Damn it! Since it fell through, then I¡¯ll cut to the chase.¡± Qi Ganglie roared and his power froze the Song siblings in their seats.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, you messed with Hell Valley and they issued the Hell Kill Order on you, making you the number one target of the empire. Rather than let others have you, I¡¯ll take your head and claim the Hell Kill Order¡¯s reward for myself!¡±


    ¡°Elders, attack!¡±

 Chapter 87 - Betrayal

    At Qi Ganglie¡¯s order, the nine elders pounced. The tremendous pressure had the Song siblings frozen in panic, unable to move an inch. Yet Zhuo Fan smiled as he flipped the table.


    Boom!


    Among the splinters, there was no shadow of Zhuo Fan around.


    The elders looked around in a daze.


    ¡°He-he-he, here I am!¡±


    The ridicule came from behind. They didn¡¯t even have time to turn as an elder¡¯s skull blew up in a spray of blood and gore.


    Zhuo Fan dusted a piece off his hand as he jeered, ¡°The first!¡±


    The elders were speechless from the show of strength Zhuo Fan displayed. He was in the same stage as them and was attacked from every direction, yet he still managed to pull off a kill.


    ¡°The rumors were true, you really are a monster. No wonder seventh elder died at your hands.¡± Qi Ganglie¡¯s eyes shivered as he watched Zhuo Fan in fear.


    Zhuo Fan looked down on him with a smile, ¡°And you chose to attack anyway! Hell Valley can¡¯t hold me and you think you have what it takes?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, fortune favors the bold. The bigger the danger, the greater the reward.¡± Qi Ganglie grinned as he charged with a crazed look. An image of a tiger appeared behind him as he charged.


    ¡°Mid spirit ranked martial art, Tiger Fist!¡±


    Roar!


    The tiger¡¯s image superimposed on Qi Ganglie¡¯s movements, but Zhuo Fan stood there with a sneer and punched out.


    Bam!


    The noise was jarring to the ears and the Song siblings were forced to curl up on the ground while hugging their heads.


    The tiger pushed Zhuo Fan ten meters back, his legs leaving two trails in the floor while the tiger itself turned into golden motes of energy and died out.


    Then a blood-curdling scream resounded as Qi Ganglie¡¯s hand was split open.


    ¡°Clan Head!¡± The elders cried out in panic, yet the man only had eyes for Zhuo Fan, watching him in fear.


    [God dammit, what kind of freak is he? How is he so damn hard?]


    From their exchange, he knew he had the upper hand in terms of Yuan Qi, but Zhuo Fan¡¯s body was as hard as a rock as if it was freakin¡¯ refined to be a spiritual weapon!


    ¡°What the hell are you?¡± Qi Ganglie panted, ¡°You¡¯re no human!¡±


    Smirking, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes gleamed with savagery, ¡°Regardless, it doesn¡¯t concern you.¡±


    He then took a step forward, Mystifying Phantom Step!


    He appeared before three elders and struck before they could react, burying his fist into their chests.


    The elders were still baffled as to what happened to their Clan Head¡¯s hand, but now they finally figured out this little devil was inhuman.


    Where could one find a man who could casually punch through three Bone Tempering experts?


    The Song siblings were dumbstruck. Although they had some semblance of knowledge about Zhuo Fan¡¯s abilities, this went beyond their wildest imaginations. Zhuo Fan¡¯s power allowed him to be in control despite surrounded by experts, even squashing them like bugs.


    This was absolute power!


    Everyone present there looked at him with grave faces and terrified minds.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, I was rash and overconfident in provoking you. Please, on account of Qian¡¯er and Xiao Yu, let us go and we will never cross paths again.¡±


    Qi Ganglie knew the matter was only going to get worse and capitulated. However, Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t someone who was soft when it came to punishing his enemies. He mocked, ¡°Qi Clan Head, I warned you to think twice about the consequences. And as for those two¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan turned to the siblings, ¡°Since when do traitors have any value? Qi Ganglie, are you looking down on me, or do you really expect too much from them?¡±


    Song Qian and Song Yu felt deep regret.


    ¡°Luo, uhm, no, brother Zhuo, we were forced to do it, please¡­¡±


    ¡°Talk is cheap.¡± Zhuo Fan cut off Song Qian with his frosty tone, ¡°Actions are louder than words. Leave! And make sure we never meet again.¡±


    Pursing her lips, Song Qian hung her head in regret while Song Yu sighed.


    Qi Ganglie saw Zhuo Fan unwilling to compromise and blew a gasket, ¡°Zhuo Fan, you will regret pitting yourself against my entire clan!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m looking forward to it. Can you take me down with you?¡± Zhuo Fan sneered.


    Qi Ganglie¡¯s face alternated between green and white, spatting through gritted teeth, ¡°Elders, altogether!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Clan Head!¡±


    The remaining five elders jumped at Zhuo Fan in unison, each of them resigned to death, executing their best moves.


    Zhuo Fan knew they wanted to exchange their lives for his, but it mattered little. With a crackle, lightning flashed and his wings unfolded, flying around them.


    The five elders¡¯ moves hadn¡¯t even finished before they were split in two, splattering the ground in blood and painting it red.


    ¡°Humph, barely worth the effort.¡± Zhuo Fan scoffed.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, a faint streak of blue rushed at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan discovered Qi Ganglie sporting a sly grin. He used the elders as bait in releasing his true killing move, this dagger.


    [You think you can beat me with this lousy trick?] Zhuo Fan sneered as he flew. Yet just then, a tender cry followed by a graceful figure came right before him.


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    Following a grunt, blood splattered, and Song Qian struggled to stand with black blood flowing from her mouth.


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    With a wail, Song Yu rushed to catch her weak body. But Song Qian only had eyes for Zhuo Fan, working hard to muster the strength to look at him.


    ¡°Forgive us, we didn¡¯t want it to come to this!¡±


    Zhuo Fan just sighed.


    ¡°Damn bitch, you ruined everything! I will kill you!¡±


    Having his plan thwarted, Qi Ganglie flew into a rage and charged at the siblings.


    Snorting, Zhuo Fan¡¯s wings flickered like swords.


    In a blink, Qi Ganglie stopped and fell to pieces, with blood and viscera oozing.


    The Qi clan experts were vanquished!


    Zhuo Fan then started inspecting Song Qian¡¯s wound. He noticed the dagger stuck in her shoulder, and black blood seeping around its blade.


    He pulled it out and frowned, ¡°It¡¯s poisonous.¡±


    ¡°Poison?¡± Song Yu grew frantic and was close to tears, ¡°It must be one of the Qi clan¡¯s poisons. I will check their stores to see if they have an antidote. Sister, you must hold on.¡±


    Song Yu wiped his tears and left.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Zhuo Fan jumped to his feet to stop Song Yu but a frail hand caught his arm. He looked down at the pale Song Qian.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go!¡± Song Qian¡¯s faint voice came.


    Zhuo Fan gave a curt nod and steadied her by placing his palm on her back, ¡°Uh, I only wanted to tell your brother this poison can be removed with Yuan Qi.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, he is always impulsive, unlike you¡­¡±


    A faint smile adorned Song Qian¡¯s wane face and her delicate hand touched his. A pair of glistening eyes locked his own in an unshakable gaze that unnerved Zhuo Fan. He felt as if they were back in the carriage.


    Worried about her state, he rushed to clear the poison.


    However, when his Yuan Qi entered her body he found a problem, ¡°Why can¡¯t I find its source?¡±


    This hardly ever happened. Based on his experience, there were two reasons. One, because she never got poisoned, and two, this type of poison couldn¡¯t be sensed with Yuan Qi.


    He found Song Qian¡¯s health deteriorating and came to a decision.


    Since Yuan Qi was useless, the second method implied drawing out the poison.


    But the wound¡¯s close position to her chest made it hard not to encroach upon her dignity.


    [This will make it terribly awkward¡­]

 Chapter 88 - Trap

    ¡°W-what is it?¡± Song Qian found Zhuo Fan making an odd expression and asked.


    After muttering to himself, Zhuo Fan spoke, ¡°Uhm, that is, the only choice is to suck the poison out¡­¡±


    Song Qian understood from his hesitation and her pale face was tinted pink.


    ¡°Then, sorry to trouble you¡­¡± Song Qian¡¯s soft voice rang hard in his ears. The delicate and charming look would stir anyone¡¯s sympathy.


    Licking his dry lips, Zhuo Fan ripped her clothes around the wound and exposed her fair skin.


    Song Qian shuddered as she closed her eyes with a red face. She knew what was about to happen, but when her clothes tore, she still gasped.


    ¡°Then, a thousand pardons, miss Song.¡± Zhuo Fan forced a smile in this awkward situation and neared his mouth to the wound, beginning to draw the poison out.


    But the longer he sucked the more doubts sprouted. [Why is the blood spicy? Why is Song Qian¡¯s blood normal, as if she wasn¡¯t poisoned to begin with?]


    However, he pushed aside all conflicting thoughts and kept sucking to make sure she was out of harm¡¯s way, that is, until her blood turned scarlet again.


    ¡°I¡¯ve taken most of the poison out, so there should be no problems.¡± Zhuo Fan let out a breath he was holding, but his eyes were clouded with more doubts.


    Then, a smoking hot body hugged him and two tender arms curled around his neck.


    Zhuo Fan was startled, ¡°Miss Song, what¡­¡±


    Song Qian¡¯s hot breath entered his ear, ¡°Zhuo Fan, do you know? I liked you the moment I saw you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes darted left and right, his tone wavering,  ¡°Miss Song, your brother will be here soon¡­¡±


    ¡°Never mind him.¡± Song Qian¡¯s tongue left a trail on his cheek, making him feel as if a bolt of lightning had struck him, ¡°I only want you next to me!¡±


    She didn¡¯t give him the chance to put up any resistance as she drew his head into a hot kiss.


    As his eyes grew lost, his heart was thoroughly shocked and his mind blanked.


    He reached the Demonic Emperor level because he always had cultivation in his mind, taking into account every step, every detail. So much so, he had overlooked the matters between a man and a woman.


    When Luo Yunchang and Lei Yuting stole a peck, it floored him, but this time, his mind was literally blown.


    [Damn it, I was born twice and a virgin each time, but never did I come upon such a battle!]


    Then, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flared with irritation and pushed Song Qian away, ¡°What did you just give me?¡±


    In his daze, he could still feel something entering his mouth and dissolving.


    Song Qian cried as she hit the ground, then a burst of laughter echoed around him, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, something marvelous, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    A black figure appeared and threw a large transparent bell over Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan exclaimed, ¡°4th-grade defensive spiritual weapon?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, indeed. This is the Qi clan¡¯s treasure, Violet Canopy!¡±


    The black figure landed in front of Zhuo Fan and revealed itself to be an aged man. His eyes were filled with glee and rancor.


    ¡°You¡¯re the Qi clan¡¯s Profound Heaven expert?¡± Zhuo Fan tried to get up but his head swooned, falling back to his knees.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Am I poisoned?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s a powerful toxin of the Qi clan, Soul Devourer!¡± The old man mocked, ¡°It targets one¡¯s soul and no one beneath Radiant Stage can last more than two hours. Even they will die three days later without our antidote!¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned.


    The old man saw through him and cackled, ¡°You must be wondering how you got poisoned? He-he-he, let me tell you. The dagger wasn¡¯t poisoned, it was only dabbed in something to change the blood¡¯s color. The true poison was on Qian¡¯er¡¯s shoulder, which you were more than happy to suck out.¡±


    Two more figures walked next to Song Qian at this moment, Song Yu and Qi Tianlei. Song Qian and Song Yu appeared to be eaten by guilt, avoiding Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes. But Qi Tianlei stared right at him through the cover he was in, with deep-seethed hatred.


    ¡°You killed my dad. I will tie you to horses and have you ripped to pieces.¡±


    ¡°Humph, I¡¯ve seen my fair share of dishonorable old goats, but your Qi clan¡¯s elders take the cake.¡± Zhuo Fan jeered, ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, Qi Ganglie was the bait from the start, expecting me to kill him. In other words, you¡¯ve all given up on him from the get-go.¡±


    Having been exposed, Qi Tianlei was left speechless.


    But no matter how true it was, none of them would dare speak of it. Else he would earn the world¡¯s unanimous hatred and reviled gazes when word got out that a rotten son like him threw his father to the wolves all so he could snatch a bounty.


    ¡°Humph, who are you trying to deceive?¡±


    Zhuo Fan sneered at the old man, ¡°You sure know how to play a big hand, using the Clan Head and nine elders as small fries.¡±


    The old man disregarded Zhuo Fan¡¯s jab with a laugh, ¡°And? I gave up my son, but I still have a grandson. It¡¯s all worth it for your head. Once we become Hell Valley¡¯s number one vassal clan, we can have as many elders as we want, we will be stronger than ever. This little loss is nothing compared to the future glory of the Qi clan!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s how the ambitious act, shameless.¡± Zhuo Fan praised, then derided them, ¡°But in the end, that old mind of yours is too narrow. You¡¯re paying such a heavy price only to become Hell Valley¡¯s number one lap dog. You¡¯re bound to fail. If it were me, I would become the ruler of the continent with what you paid!¡±


    [Is this kid nuts? Can you even grasp how large the Tianyu Empire is, not to mention the continent?]


    [Just another loud mouth!]


    The old man sneered, ¡°Now I know why you are so reviled, so set against Hell Valley. You¡¯re clearly insane! How can one common man possibly rule the entire continent?¡±


    ¡°Humph, what does an ant know of the human stepping on it?¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and asked, ¡°Oh, I forgot to mention, but I do dab in alchemy myself, you know? If her shoulder had poison on it, I would¡¯ve known.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, I heard you killed You Guiqi. This speaks volumes of your own twisted mind for having fought him. You think we¡¯d use common poison when dealing with you?¡±


    The old man took on a haughty tone, ¡°Soul Devourer is a combination of two different medicines. One was on Qian¡¯er¡¯s shoulder and the other was the one you just swallowed.¡±


    ¡°Was that what she made me take when she kissed me?¡±


    ¡°Precisely! That was also for her own safety. If she hadn¡¯t fed it to you, she¡¯d be the one dying.¡±


    The old man let out a manic grin, ¡°To end you, I have scoured every bit of rumor and information about you, most of all about you sticking your head out for a little girl and offending Hell Valley. I know you¡¯re just one big softy inside. How ironic this came to be your downfall.¡±


    Zhuo Fan mocked himself, [Who knew my fight with You Guiqi was twisted into a hero saving a damsel.]


    [Then again, it is true. Also, saving a woman was the first thing I did after I rebirthed, wasn¡¯t it?]


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan was this close to labeling himself a lecher, ¡°Hey, old goat, you sure employ vicious schemes, no less than You Guiqi.¡±


    ¡°Why thank you.¡± The old man stuck his chin out in pride, ¡°You Guiqi only had the luck of the draw in being born in one of the seven houses. If I had such privilege, my achievements would¡¯ve dwarfed his. Do you know what I¡¯m called? Steel Fettering River, Qi Weilin, he-he-he¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan had a grin himself, ¡°Steel Fettering River, neither good nor bad. The one in your clutches can¡¯t beg for life, nor can die!¡±


    ¡°Precisely!¡±


    Qi Weilin laughed, speaking as if to a close friend, ¡°You see, this is the first time you¡¯ve heard of me and you can already appreciate my title. No wonder you could beat You Guiqi. I would hate to remove that pretty head of yours, but too bad it¡¯s worth so much.¡±


    ¡°Think you have what it takes to reap my head?¡± Zhuo Fan mocked as his glabella lit up.


    Whoosh!


    An azure flame revealed itself along with a black smoke drifting out from it.


    The Soul Devourer was reduced to nothing before the power of this flame.


    Zhuo Fan took his time getting back to his feet and surveyed the people with killing intent, ¡°I told You Guiqi something when I killed him, and now I shall repeat it for you. In front of true power, all schemes and ploys are moot!¡±

 Chapter 89 - Cold

    How could this be?


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s casual rise to his feet left everyone astonished, especially Qi Weilin.


    The Soul Devourer passed on through generations, a Radiant Stage expert killer, was dealt with just like that?


    ¡°W-what is that?¡±


    Qi Weilin now noticed the azure flame on Zhuo Fan¡¯s forehead and exclaimed, ¡°Did that thing remove the poison?¡±


    The flame vanished the next second and Zhuo Fan had a wicked grin plastered on his face, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, the dead needn¡¯t worry too much.¡±


    All of them were startled and took a step back.


    They saw the terror Zhuo Fan could unleash and his words only worked to unnerve them.


    But Qi Weilin gathered his courage when he noticed the Violet Canopy was still around Zhuo Fan, ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry, the brat is trapped under my spiritual weapon. There¡¯s no way¡­¡±


    Roar!


    He didn¡¯t get the chance to finish his flimsy reasoning as a dragon roar echoed and a black light ran through his chest.


    With a jerk, Qi Weilin was left bleeding from his mouth.


    ¡°What¡­ just happened?¡± As Qi Weilin wiped the blood away, he felt his body growing colder. His life was seeping away yet he couldn¡¯t understand why.


    He looked towards Qi Tianlei and the Song siblings only to find them staring at his chest. Qi Weilin looked down and discovered a fist-sized black hole spurting blood.


    He noticed an identical hole at his back too. It was as if something had burrowed through his chest.


    ¡°How did¡­ this happen¡­¡± Qi Weilin couldn¡¯t comprehend what had happened even on the brink of his death. But when he looked at Zhuo Fan, his eyes narrowed.


    Zhuo Fan was gasping beneath the Violet Canopy after using close to half of his energy, but his hand was still in the form of a dragon claw.


    It just so happened that there was also a fist-sized hole in the canopy, aligned with his chest.


    Only now did the horror and dread of what transpired got to Qi Weilin, ¡°Monster! To force your way through a 4th-grade spiritual weapon¡­ with only¡­ your¡­ body strength¡­¡±


    Bam!


    His body hit the ground hard, his eyes were still shocked and incredulous of what came to pass.


    Zhuo Fan killed him in an instant despite being trapped!


    Not even a Profound Heaven expert could display such power if they were in Zhuo Fan¡¯s place.


    [He¡­ is an abomination that will end my clan¡­]


    Along with the fear Qi Weilin felt, there was now endless regret¡­


    ¡°Ah!¡± Song Qian cried in terror while fleeing. Qi Tianlei and Song Yu¡¯s knees softened, shivering all the while they ran alongside her.


    Gasping, Zhuo Fan showed a vile smile of delight.


    Wraith Style 2nd move, Ghostly Dragon Claw!


    Among the profound ranked martial arts, Zhuo Fan could only employ one move fully, yet it still sapped half of his strength.


    [But the power makes it all worth it!]


    The Wraith Style was suited to a body cultivator, the stronger the body, the more outrageous the blows. However, the end result exceeded Zhuo Fan¡¯s imagination. It was a perfect match for his 5th-grade demonic treasure body!


    At first, he only thought of giving it a shot in breaking the 4th-grade spiritual weapon. Yet the result showed that the spiritual weapon was like paper in front of the Ghostly Dragon Claw.


    ¡°He-he-he, I was right in my course of action. Since my freaky body refining worked, a stronger martial art was only fitting.¡± Zhuo Fan revealed a radiant smile.


    Then, his wings whipped out with a flurry.


    Rumble!


    The broken Violet Canopy turned to pieces and Zhuo Fan eyed the trio in the distance with coldness. His wings flapped and he was on them in seconds.


    He then blocked their retreat and the trio stumbled to the ground with pale faces.


    ¡°Go ahead, run!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s vile smile was a prelude to the horror that followed, ¡°Let¡¯s see who¡¯s faster, me or you?¡±


    ¡°Y-young master Zhuo, the Qi clan was blind not to see your greatness. You killed my grandfather and my dad, please let me go.¡±


    Qi Tianlei was so scared by Zhuo Fan¡¯s twisted grin that he was pounding the ground with his forehead, all the while shedding bitter tears.


    Zhuo Fan gave a faint smile and hoisted him by his neck, ¡°Now that you said it, it¡¯s best I kill you too, to accompany them in death.¡±


    Black tendrils left Zhuo Fan and burrowed into Qi Tianlei. In but seconds, Qi Tianlei was turned to dust, scattered to the four winds.


    The Song siblings were close to having a mental breakdown witnessing such a gruesome murder.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Is there anything you want to say at this point?¡±


    In the end, it was Song Qian who spoke through trembling lips, ¡°Brother Zhuo, we were compelled. The Song clan is a minor clan and can¡¯t offend even the Qi clan. Let my life douse your anger, but please leave the Song clan our last heir.¡±


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    Song Yu¡¯s tears flowed unabated as Song Qian looked at him with tenderness.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head with a mutter, ¡°You are just like them, with your clan in dire straits, and compelled to lower yourself¡­¡±


    He then turned around and looked at the wide sky with a sigh, ¡°I wonder what they are doing right now? Wonder if my actions brought them more hardships¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you speaking of¡­ Luo clan?¡± Song Qian ventured.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Indeed. You are so much alike that it makes it hard for me to do this¡­¡±


    The siblings broke out a faint smile, but then came Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold tone, ¡°Such a pity, there is one part you are different in¡­¡±


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s wings whipped and the siblings¡¯ heads traveled through the air before plopping on the ground.


    What made it even eerier was the faint smile of forlorn hope.


    ¡°You two are far shrewder.¡± Zhuo Fan jeered, ¡°You two knew from where I come from and enacted such a heartfelt play thinking I was a moron. This is where you diverge from their demeanor, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan left, uncaring of the corpses or the consequences, not even of the wails coming from the Qi clan¡¯s home.


    A month later.


    Three figures landed in the Qi clan¡¯s manor. They were dressed in gray and their leader was Hell Valley¡¯s second elder.


    He watched everything with a calculative eye and muttered, ¡°How come the Qi clan is so quiet?¡±


    ¡°Humph, they have the nerve to say that they have clues about the runt and when we come, there¡¯s no one here at all.¡± Another elder curse, ¡°What is a mere second-rate clan trying to pull?¡±


    Second elder huffed and then shouted, ¡°No, there¡¯s something wrong here. Third elder, Fourth elder, check the surroundings.¡±


    Moments after they left, a cry came from the back of Qi clan¡¯s manor, ¡°Second elder, third elder, come and take a look at this.¡±


    Both of them appeared in a blink, but the sight left them speechless.


    What used to be a garden was now a cemetery housing a thousand dead bodies in a towering pile. The rot assaulted their noses and painted an even gruesome picture with the swarm of flies around it.


    ¡°That punk is savage. He killed the whole Qi clan.¡± Second elder spat.


    The other two were overwhelmed by the image of a kid ripping apart fleeing people and came to realize they were a far cry from his level when it came to viciousness.


    Such cold-blooded slaughter of an entire clan only came from offending the Tianyu Empire or the seven houses.


    Second elder grew frantic, ¡°Elders, handle the corpses so that no one finds out about this.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Fool, if anyone comes to know of the dread this runt can instill, who else will muster the nerve to search for him?¡± Second elder cursed, ¡°Humph, Qi Weilin liked to flaunt himself as an equal for our seventh elder. He must¡¯ve planned on taking the kid down all by himself and earning the reward. Look at what greed does to people.¡±


    ¡°Overconfident fool!¡± Scoffing, second elder left as a towering flame rose behind him. It swallowed the manor and the corpses, leaving only the ashes of the renowned Qi clan.


    An elder gazed upon the raging fire and asked, ¡°Second elder, what now?¡±


    ¡°We separate!¡± The look in second elder¡¯s eyes hardened, ¡°The three of us will go different ways. One of us is sure to be on the right track.¡±


    ¡°What about the fourth direction?¡± The elder frowned, ¡°If not for Grand Elder being in seclusion, the four of us would have been enough.¡±


    Second elder shook his head, ¡°There¡¯s no need to concern ourselves with that direction. It leads to Drifting Flowers City. If the brat dares to step foot in it, he¡¯ll have to face the fifth elder.¡±


    Then he flew away. The other two elders also picked a direction and left.


    What was left behind was a desolate and eerie place, void of people. So came to pass the number one clan in Orchid City, destroyed to the roots¡­

 Chapter 90 - Scapegoat

    ¡°The spring breeze rustles the shore¡¯s willow,


    I am riding in search of pills.


    One does not know the one he is facing,


    All because he can¡¯t gaze beyond his nose!¡±


    This was the singing voice of a youth, who was driving his cart slowly on a road. If the Qi clan¡¯s recently departed ghosts were here, they¡¯d be shocked to the core.


    Wasn¡¯t this their carriage? Wasn¡¯t the youth Song Yu? Didn¡¯t he die?


    However, there was one thing out of place. This youth had a devious grin on his face, enough to scare the most wretched ghosts.


    His smile closely resembled that demon who annihilated their entire Qi clan.


    ¡°Hooo!¡±


    The youth reined in the horses as he gazed to the distance, at the three words emblazoned on the gate, Drifting Flowers City!


    ¡°I¡¯m here at last. I hope this place has life-saving herbs, or it would be a true waste of time coming here.¡± The youth grinned as he snapped the reigns.


    But a shout delayed him, ¡°Stop!¡±


    Following the yell, six people appeared around him. The youth gave them a once-over and rose an eyebrow, ¡°Hell Valley?¡±


    ¡°Oh, quite perceptive. You recognize us?¡± The leader scrutinized the youth in amazement, ¡°From the way you look, you seem like some clan¡¯s young master. State your name.¡±


    The youth asked in puzzlement, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t Drifting Flowers City be managed by Drifting Flowers Edifice? Why¡­¡±


    ¡°Cut the chat!¡± A cursing voice cut him off, ¡°Hurry it up before I lose my patience. If this place didn¡¯t belong to Drifting Flowers Edifice, I would¡¯ve killed you just from you being so slow on the uptake.¡±


    The youth frowned, his eyes flashing with killing intent before suppressing it, ¡°I am Song Yu and hail from Nightrain City¡¯s Song clan. Father commanded me to participate in the Hundred Pill Meeting, this is my clan¡¯s seal.¡±


    He fished out an engraved jade from his bosom. The leader looked over it and nodded. Meanwhile, his men rummaged through the carriage and they too nodded.


    ¡°Fine, you can go. But if you catch sight of this man, notify us at once.¡± The man gave the youth a sidelong glance as he handed over a roll of paper before leaving. Once the men were out of sight, the youth regarded the unfolded paper with a sneer.


    It was the Hell Kill Order on Zhuo Fan along with an impeccable drawing of his features. On the bottom of the paper, rewards were stated. Anyone who provided clues to his whereabouts could become a vassal to Hell Valley, and whoever brings his head could become the foremost among all of Hell Valley¡¯s vassal clans.


    ¡°Humph, they really can¡¯t see beyond their nose. How can you find someone you don¡¯t even recognize?¡± He mocked as he rolled the kill order into a ball before throwing it away.


    Indeed, this youth was Zhuo Fan!


    After damning the Qi clan, he was aware that everyone in the Tianyu Empire would be privy to his face. So he refined a little pill that turned him into Song Yu and resumed his way to Drifting Flowers City.


    This would work wonders in searching for treasures unperturbed by narrow-minded fools. And wearing the Song clan young master¡¯s identity would also leave Hell Valley grasping straws.


    As he entered the city he realized how grand it was, a perfect match for the headquarters of Drifting Flowers Edifice. It was a city, true, but it was ten times more expansive than an average city.


    By contrast, Windgaze City and Blue Expanse City looked like towns. Especially when it came to the people on the streets. There were many young masters of clans wondering about, but the difference was they were all from first-rate clans. These young heirs were more important than the Clan Head or elders of a third-rate clan.


    This made the third-rate young master, whom Zhuo Fan was impersonating, look like a beggar.


    With a bitter smile, he snapped the reins for picking up speed. He¡¯d best find lodgings fast or he¡¯d feel dwarfed in this crowd.


    He assumed that posing as Song Yu was a walk in the park. But now that he got here, he knew that third-rate clansmen were a rarity as most of the people in the city were from the second and first-rate clans.


    [Instead of blending in, I became the odd one out!]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s carriage creaked down the street before finally stopping in front of a tavern.


    ¡°Owner, do you have a room available?¡± Zhuo Fan asked the man at the counter. The man looked up, then returned to counting his profit.


    [Hey, now you really aren¡¯t looking beyond your nose!]


    Zhuo Fan was getting irate fast and slapped the counter as he roared, ¡°Do you have a room or not? You think I don¡¯t have the coin for it?¡±


    Looking up at him again, the owner said in a laid-back manner, ¡°Show me the clan seal.¡±


    Zhuo Fan was a bit shocked at this. [Even a shop owner asks for it now?] But he still chose to take it out.


    The owner got one look at it and jeered, ¡°Yeah, just the Song clan, a third-rate clan.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with that? Didn¡¯t you open this establishment to make money? Are mine unwelcome here?¡±


    Shaking his head, the owner patted Zhuo Fan¡¯s shoulder, and impersonating a wise sage, he counseled, ¡°Young man, there¡¯s a run-down hut three miles out. It won¡¯t charge you a dime!¡±


    Zhuo Fan blinked in shock, then rage burned in his eyes, ¡°Owner, even I know those are the slums. Even if I come from a third-rate clan, I am still a guest in your tavern and should be treated as one.¡±


    The owner sighed but didn¡¯t pay him any more heed.


    Then sudden laughter drifted over.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Song Yu, you hick! You came for the Hundred Pill Meeting without even knowing the rules of Drifting Flowers City?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart seized, [How come the first place I visit, someone ends up recognizing Song Yu?]


    He saw a flashy young master coming down the stairs with four elders in tow, Bone Tempering experts. That person himself was at the 5th layer of Bone Tempering Stage.


    On his left was a cute young lady, not a beauty but one worthy of appreciation. But the lady only looked at Zhuo Fan with despise.


    Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes as his mind was going a mile a minute in his curses, [Damn brat, you got what you deserved. I spent half a month traveling with you yet you didn¡¯t say anything about the ones you know here. I should¡¯ve seen this coming.]


    In any case, the young master saw Zhuo Fan keyed up and laughed, ¡°Brat, are you still a scaredy-cat? No wonder my little sister doesn¡¯t like you!¡±


    As if on cue, the lady snorted.


    Zhuo Fan licked his dry lips in embarrassment and said, ¡°Uh, brother is quite right. Since you do not welcome me, I shall leave.¡±


    ¡°Hey, wait!¡±


    Just as Zhuo Fan was planning on leaving, the young master called out to him, his face tinted in suspicion, ¡°Strange, something is off with you today. What brother this and that, why are you calling me in such an odd way?¡±


    Zhuo Fan secretly cursed his bad luck, thinking he was exposed. If that happened Hell Valley would come storming in and his plans would go up in smoke.


    All the more reason he was itching to snap this punk¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Oh, right.¡± The young master interrupted his inner cursing by coming up with a seamless explanation, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still mad that Wan¡¯er turned down your marriage proposal and ruined your self-esteem. Are you so petty to be still brooding over it after all this time?¡±


    When he heard this, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes sparkled and his heart leaped. It was as if he was grasping straws while drowning and finally found purchase.


    He instantly changed his demeanor and faked anger, ¡°Humph, don¡¯t mention it then! We are done here! I don¡¯t want to see you guys ever again.¡±


    ¡°Sigh, this is where you are wrong. Why are you dragging me into yours and my sister¡¯s problems?¡±


    The young master shook his head, then his eyes shifted as he said in an understanding tone, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, we are close as brothers, lifting our spears together and together¡­ he-he-he¡­¡±


    This, Zhuo Fan understood perfectly. [The way he looks, he must be a second-rate clan¡¯s young master. How did Song Yu get to befriend him? And by the looks of things, they¡¯re buddy-buddy too.]


    [Then again, this might not be so bad.]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s lascivious smile mimicked his, ¡°He-he-he, a real man doesn¡¯t boast about his past glory. You don¡¯t need to say it!¡±


    ¡°What? I last longer than you by far. I can take eight rounds while you only five¡­¡± The young master then made an obvious gesture towards Zhuo Fan. If not for his sister¡¯s presence, he¡¯d be going in much more gory details, ¡°Sigh, those three days and three nights were a bliss.¡±


    Zhuo Fan saw his intoxicated face and adjusted accordingly. Though the lady there stated her disagreement with her disgusted reply, ¡°Gross!¡±


    She then proceeded to walk out of the tavern and let the two perverts to their vile imagination¡­

 Chapter 91 - Chit

    Zhuo Fan and the young master were like best pals now, chit-chatting what all young men talked about those days. This worked to Zhuo Fan¡¯s advantage, finding all the particularities regarding Song Yu¡¯s past.


    Dong Tianba belonged to an average-sized town¡¯s leading clan, considered a second-rate clan in the empire, but far stronger than the Song clan.


    Not too long ago, Dong Tianba¡¯s father sent him on business to Nightrain City, where this young master hit it right off with the dastardly Song Yu. The moment Song Yu found that his friend was from a second-rate clan, he took it in stride, drinking and going to pleasure houses, not forgetting to act the haughty part that deigned his new position, and all of this alongside his friend. It went so far that Dong Tianba was even planning on giving his sister¡¯s, Dong Xiaowan, hand in marriage to Song Yu.


    Song Yu was close to going crazy from joy as that was the greatest gift any from the Song clan would want. As all was set and done, he went straight to proposing.


    Unfortunately, Dong Xiaowan was the only daughter of the Dong clan, the apple of her grandfather¡¯s eye, so how could he let Dong Tianba decide her fate? As a result, when his grandfather found Song Yu¡¯s social standing, his dastardly moral talent, the grandfather catapulted him out of his home and even rebuked his grandson.


    As for Dong Xiaowan, she never forgave her dear elder brother for bringing up such a proposal. [I am your sister and you want to throw me to that pig?]


    [He is a greedy slacker!]


    While the Dong clan saw Song Yu for what he was, a sorry excuse of a man, Dong Tianba found him as his dearest of friends, going out with every chance he got.


    [What greedy slacker? He is true to himself, unlike those hypocritical gentlemen.] Dong Tianba recalled that encounter with a smile, feeling he let down his dear friend in Nightrain City.


    It was also thanks to him for having notified the Song clan of the Hundred Pill Meeting that they sent Song Yu to the gathering. He hoped Song Yu would use this chance to climb the ranks and dismiss the Dong clan¡¯s despising glances.


    With a bit of luck, the Song clan would be under Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s care and the Dong clan would have nothing to say if he asked for Dong Xiaowan¡¯s hand again.


    Zhuo Fan gave a bitter smile at the side. [This is one odd elder brother! The rotten Song Yu just invited him to a drink a couple of times and he is ready to throw his sister in the former¡¯s lap. If I were the Dong grandfather, I would¡¯ve tanned his rear to a paste.]


    [Furthermore, how come you push your sister on others you like while you yourself are unmarried?]


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, worried over the happiness of the Dong clan and Dong Tianba¡¯s sister. Even the four elders behind them were red-faced with humiliation from having such a weirdo for a young master.


    They even looked around at times to make sure no one heard him!


    Zhuo Fan sighed, [Birds of a feather flock together.]


    ¡°Bro Song!¡±


    Dong Tianba beckoned him with a strange smile, ¡°Where¡¯s your sister?¡±


    Zhuo Fan replied, ¡°She left after bringing me here. I made sure to personally see her off.¡±


    He had an ineffable smile when he said ¡®personally¡¯. But it went over Dong Tianba¡¯s head who was downcast.


    ¡°And I really wanted to gaze upon miss Song one more time. I would¡¯ve long sent the dowry if not for my old man refusing to have anything to do with your clan.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, the world houses countless beauties, bro Dong needn¡¯t ¡®hang¡¯ on just one.¡± Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°My sister doesn¡¯t deserve you. Look around, there are countless girls in Drifting Flowers City to feast your eyes on.¡±


    ¡°Sigh, bro Song, you wouldn¡¯t understand. You can¡¯t touch any of the girls here!¡±


    Dong Tianba made sure no one was around before whispering, ¡°Don¡¯t you know that the Drifting Flowers Edifice is unique among the seven houses for only having women? For a thousand years, they had men marry into their house. This is a place where women reign.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean you can¡¯t even chase girls?¡±


    Dong Tianba had a deep look this time, ¡°Bro, how come I feel like I know you less and less? Don¡¯t you know chasing and harassing have different meanings?¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed in dismay, ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re absolutely right. Bro Dong is a genius.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, we both are. Didn¡¯t we use to swap pointers? How could you forget? Must be from the blow my sister¡¯s refusal gave you that you succumbed to your vices.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded repeatedly. Dong Tianba was an oddball, but quite true to others. Talking with him all this time made Zhuo Fan feel at ease.


    ¡°By the way, brother Dong, what other rules are there? Like this tavern¡­¡±


    ¡°Almost forgot.¡± Dong Tianba spoke in a heavy tone, ¡°Because of the massive influx of people throughout the Hundred Pill Meeting, the Drifting Flowers Edifice has laid some rules regarding lodging. The third-rate clans are to stay in the poor district, the second-rate clans in the taverns and the first-rate clans are welcomed by the 15 Floor Keepers. The Seven Noble Houses¡­¡±


    ¡°There are people from the Seven Noble Houses here?¡± Zhuo Fan raised a question.


    Dong Tianba nodded, ¡°That is only natural. The seven houses might be plotting and scheming among each other, but Drifting Flowers Edifice is neutral. It is expected for two-three houses to be here, welcomed personally by the Edifice Lord. At the very least, Hell Valley is certain to be here.¡±


    Zhuo Fan gasped.


    That explained the Hell Valley¡¯s disciples at the gate. They weren¡¯t purposely placed in every city for searching him in particular, but because they followed someone important from their house to participate in the Hundred Pill Meeting.


    The one who must be representing Hell Valley had to be an elder, or maybe their Valley Lord¡­


    ¡°Who came from Hell Valley?¡± Zhuo Fan asked frantically.


    Wrinkling his brows, Dong Tianba shook his head. But then a man burst through the door huffing,  ¡°Young master, the young miss is in trouble!¡±


    Dong Tianba jumped to his feet and rushed with the four elders. Zhuo Fan was right behind them!


    They arrived at a market. There were many people standing at the sideline in silence.


    A fine and charming lady stood in front of a stall, holding a delicate piece of jewelry. Her phoenix eyes darted towards the crying woman on the ground.


    Dong Xiaowan¡¯s cheeks were swollen as tears streamed her stinging face. Anyone there would realize she was slapped, and not just once or twice.


    Dong Tianba hurried to help his sister as he roared, ¡°Xiaowan, what happened? Who did this?¡±


    ¡°Brother, let¡¯s just go!¡± Dong Xiaowan held in her sobs while taking a side-glance at the stuck up lady in red.


    ¡°Who said you can leave?¡± The lady said with malice. Her sharp eyes stabbed like swords and made Dong Xiaowan shiver, ¡°I told you to slap yourself a hundred times. Aren¡¯t you skipping some from thirty?¡±


    ¡°No matter who you think you are, I can make your whole clan burn if I want to!¡±


    Crestfallen and shivering, Dong Xiaowan started slapping herself and her already swollen face began growing redder and bulgier along with the tears of humiliation.


    Dong Tianba grabbed her hands and snapped, ¡°Xiaowan, stop! Why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°Brother, it¡¯s all my fault.¡± Dong Xiaowan cried, ¡°I wanted to buy that item, but she¡­¡±


    Dong Tianba heard it clearly even if her voice trailed off. He turned his flaming eyes of rage to the lady in red, ¡°I get that you wanted to take the jewelry from my sister¡¯s hand, but why do you have to be so heavy-handed?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I asked her politely, but she kept being rude to me and didn¡¯t know what¡¯s good for her.¡± The lady mocked and threw the jewelry to the ground in spite, ¡°Now I lost all interest in it. So how can I not teach her manners for this?¡±


    The lady¡¯s naked contempt made Dong Tianba spit words through gritted teeth, ¡°Bitch, I will make you regret this, or my name isn¡¯t Dong Tianba.¡±


    He then went charging over. With how the lady was but in the 9th layer of Qi Condensation, his power was more than enough to deal with her.


    Unfortunately, a gale stopped him as a white figure flashed in front of him.


    Bam!


    The noise echoed around as Dong Tianba was sent flying into the air and in his previous place landed a handsome youth in white, fanning himself; 7th layer of Bone Tempering Stage.


    Such a disciple was considered the cream of the crop among the seven houses.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyelid trembled and his feet moved.


    Dong Tianba and his four elders were nowhere near enough to deal with the newcomer. If he was impassive, this pair of siblings would experience a world of hurt today.


    But if he did act, he would earn a world of trouble, affecting his plans.


    But this bitch was too ruthless, she was asking for a beating. Not even he, a Demonic Emperor, could take this lying down.


    When all was said and done, some things couldn¡¯t be held in. This was his demonic path¡­

 Chapter 92 - Only A Game

    ¡°Dandan, what happened?¡±


    The white youth turned a blind eye to Dong Tianba and focused on the red lady. She, on the other hand, had only naked disdain for the Dong clan, ¡°Nothing of importance, just some blind dogs yapping at my feet.¡±


    ¡°Oh, they must be truly ignorant to offend Peony Edifice¡¯s grand miss Xiao, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± The youth mocked.


    His words caused widespread shock, especially to Dong Tianba, ¡°What? The Peony Edifice? Belonging to the Drifting Flowers Edifice?¡±


    Dong Tianba looked towards his terrified sister in a daze.


    That was why his sister was so set on bearing this humiliation. No one from the Seven Noble Houses could be offended, or one¡¯s entire clan would go extinct.


    ¡°Wan¡¯er, how¡­¡± Dong Tianba sighed at his tear-stained sister, feeling how wronged she was.


    Xiao Dandan couldn¡¯t care less for their plight and glared at Dong Tianba, ¡°Weren¡¯t you about to hit me? Well, what¡¯s stopping you?¡±


    Dong Tianba¡¯s body shivered and started to regret his transgression, ¡°I was at fault for not noticing your grandeur and offending miss in my rash action. Please pardon me!¡±


    ¡°Pardon, how are you guilty?¡± Xiao Dandan sneered, ¡°You just said that I coveted your sister¡¯s item and then humiliated her. Sticking out for her is only normal, but do you have the strength to back it up?¡±


    Gnashing his teeth, Dong Tianba cupped his hands, ¡°Miss¡¯ lesson is that I am powerless and still dared to strike!¡±


    He then slapped himself six times and his face swelled. The people around shook their heads. Stumbling upon any from the seven houses was bound to bring humiliation to your entire clan.


    ¡°Humph, such filth, not in the least bit entertaining.¡±


    Xiao Dandan grinned, ¡°Why are men such cowards, lacking the basic mettle to stand tall?¡±


    Then, she came up with a great idea that brought a smile to her lips, ¡°Brother Tianyu, why not have some fun with him?¡±


    ¡°Dandan, what are you suggesting?¡± The youth in white smiled.


    With a sweet smile, Xiao Dandan replied, ¡°This kid must be quite fond of his sister. You¡¯re quite able in martial arts and such an understanding character, so this should be convenient for you. If you can shred that girl¡¯s clothes under the protection of those five Bone Tempering experts, she¡¯s yours to indulge in. The Drifting Flowers Edifice will even turn a blind eye.¡±


    What?


    Dong Xiaowan shivered and Dong Tianba¡¯s eyes were bloodshot!


    This was no longer picking on others, but disgracing. Even if they were from the seven houses, this was something the common people wouldn¡¯t stand for.


    Yet the youth in white waved her proposal off, ¡°Dandan, you¡¯ve gravely misunderstood me. I come from Merry Woods, but that doesn¡¯t imply that I¡¯m lecherous. You¡¯re making it hard for me to accomplish your request, ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Your expression doesn¡¯t seem to be saying so. Fine, I don¡¯t mind it at all. So what are you worried about? I¡¯ll be yours next July anyway. You¡¯ll still get to join the Drifting Flowers Edifice regardless.¡±


    The youth in white rose an eyebrow then turned an appreciative eye over Dong Xiaowan, ¡°He-he-he, since Dandan requests it, I must comply. But keep in mind, this is only a game, so don¡¯t go settle the score later.¡±


    ¡°Despicable!¡± Xiao Dandan rose the corner of her mouth.


    The youth in white walked towards Dong Xiaowan, who shivered at each of his steps.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I am Lin Tianyu of Merry Woods, a future son-in-law of Drifting Flowers Edifice. As you heard, I¡¯m not lecherous and an insufferable bully, it is you who offended my future wife and have to be punished for your transgression.¡±


    ¡°Young master Lin!¡±


    Dong Tianba said in pain, ¡°I am well aware of miss¡¯ game and I would like to know if, by some fluke, we can stop your advance.¡±


    Lin Tianyu just let out a mocking laughter and Xiao Dandan replied instead, ¡°If you can, then this matter will end here and we shall never have anything to do with each other.¡±


    ¡°Then please forgive this offense!¡± Dong Tianba roared and his eyes were filled with fighting spirit, having heard what he wanted.


    Yet Lin Tianyu¡¯s contempt only grew, ¡°Good eyes, but¡­¡±


    Whoosh!


    A figure flitted by and Lin Tianyu was already behind Dong Xiaowan. His hand even held the delicate clothes of the latter.


    ¡°Too bad you¡¯re so weak!¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡± Dong Xiaowan cried as she covered her shoulder in tears. She was wearing five articles of clothing, and one was gone just like that, revealing the white and delicate skin beneath.


    Dong Tianba turned in shock.


    Lin Tianyu¡¯s speed was incredible!


    But Zhuo Fan only smirked. [This kid is in the 7th layer of Bone Tempering Stage but his power is only in the 6th layer. His focus must be on speed.]


    This was a typical case of putting the cart before the horse. No matter how fast you were, if you couldn¡¯t harm your opponent, it was useless. And he was already weaker than others by one layer.


    The more he¡¯d advance the more the gap would widen. To Zhuo Fan, such a cultivator was no different from a cripple.


    No wonder the Merry Woods sent him to marry into Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    However, this was privy to an expert¡¯s eyes alone. Dong Tianba was nowhere near that level as he was even standing around scared from the display of speed.


    ¡°Elders, surround my sister!¡± Dong Tianba shouted at the four elderly. They immediately formed a circle with Dong Xiaowan in their center, their eyes fixed on Lin Tianyu.


    With a vicious smile, Lin Tianyu said, ¡°It¡¯s no use. The five of you won¡¯t even see my shadow!¡±


    A series of booms were heard and Dong Xiaowan cried out once again. Her second article was removed, even under heavy guard.


    Dong Tianba couldn¡¯t accept this outcome.


    They were both in Bone Tempering Stage, yet there was such a gap between them.


    ¡°Ah, what a soothing perfume!¡±


    Lin Tianyu sniffed hard at the clothing in his hand and was intoxicated by the fragrance, ¡°If the second clothing is so refreshing, I¡¯m eager to know how miss¡¯ underwear is like!¡±


    Dong Xiaowan let out a shiver and cried in fear, ¡°Brother!¡±


    ¡°I will definitely protect you!¡± Dong Tianba mustered his courage with a roar and set his eyes on Lin Tianyu¡¯s every move.


    Although he wished to marry her off to the useless Song Yu, it was because he knew the later wasn¡¯t evil. However, anyone who dared to harm his sister would earn his wrath.


    ¡°Are you done? Hurry it up!¡± Seeing Lin Tianyu showing his true colors, Xiao Dandan spat with revulsion. Lin Tianyu nodded while tucking the clothing in his chest and vanished.


    The next moment, his hand was holding another piece of clothing. And with it, Dong Xiaowan was shamed even further.


    Plop!


    Dong Tianba fell to his knees, powerless and helpless. [He is so fast that I can¡¯t even see him.]


    ¡°Wan¡¯er, forgive me, your brother is unable to protect you.¡± Dong Tianba sobbed.


    Dong Xiaowan watched him in sorrow and closed her eyes, resigned to her fate.


    The four elders were also aggrieved. In this game of cat and mouse, they were left without any dignity. It would¡¯ve been better to die than suffer like this.


    Then, sudden footsteps were heard and a figure overshadowed Dong Tianba.


    He looked up, only to find Zhuo Fan looking at him.


    ¡°Uh, bro Dong, how about you leave the last try to me?¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Xiao Dandan cut Dong Tianba off before he could speak.


    Scratching his nose, Zhuo Fan pointed at Dong Xiaowan, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯m her husband!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Seeing the widespread shock, Zhuo Fan rushed to explain, ¡°Uh, no, she is my wife.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the difference?!¡± The crowd exclaimed.


    Scratching his head, Zhuo Fan mused a bit and explained, ¡°Well, I did go to her clan to propose but was refused. Does that make me an ex-husband?¡±


    [What ex? You were clearly kicked out!] Everyone looked at him in contempt.


    Xiao Dandan even mocked, ¡°Fine then, another Bone Tempering moron won¡¯t change a thing. Plus, seeing your dearly beloved ravaged before your eyes is even more appealing.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I don¡¯t mind as long as Dandan doesn¡¯t. One more would hardly matter!¡± Lin Tianyu boasted.


    Standing back up, Dong Tianba looked at Zhuo Fan gravely, ¡°Bro, you don¡¯t need to involve yourself in this.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, bro Dong we aren¡¯t strangers, but close pals. Of course, I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    This earned a nod of approval from the people.


    ¡°I knew you are a good man who knows loyalty.¡± Dong Tianba was moved to tears.


    Zhuo Fan then gazed at Dong Xiaowan with a smile of reassurance, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he won¡¯t touch you ever again.¡±


    She thought Zhuo Fan was using this chance to take advantage of her, but his clear eyes evoked unknown feelings in her heart.


    Zhuo Fan now turned to Lin Tianyu and stuck out his hand, ¡°Come!¡±


    Lin Tianyu¡¯s smile of mockery froze on his face and was soon replaced by rage. He felt Zhuo Fan was looking down on him¡­

 Chapter 93 - Speed

    ¡°Damn punk, what a load of gall you have! Once I¡¯m through with her, I¡¯ll deal with you.¡±


    Lin Tianyu stared down Zhuo Fan with killing intent. As a man from the Seven Noble Houses, everywhere he went all he saw was respect and envy.


    So a person like Zhuo Fan, who had only contempt, had to be put down. This was an unwritten law of the Tianyu Empire.


    Dong Tianba sensed his killing intent and sighed at Zhuo Fan¡¯s fate.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, bro Dong shouldn¡¯t waste time with a clown.¡± Aware of the change in the atmosphere, Zhuo Fan still sported a casual smile.


    It was spoken low enough to seem nonchalant, but loud enough to let everyone in on his words.


    Everyone knew who he was hinting at, but none saw it coming from a 1st layer of Bone Tempering cultivator.


    [Only a fool would mock the Seven Noble Houses.]


    The people started to pity Zhuo Fan¡¯s imminent and gruesome death.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, brother Tianyu, a fool just ridiculed you.¡± Xiao Dandan felt the atmosphere was lacking so she added oil to the fire.


    Lin Tianyu was now filled with hatred for Zhuo Fan, ¡°Humph, a retard¡¯s words won¡¯t affect me. I¡¯ll just swipe him away once I¡¯m done with the girl.¡±


    He then stepped forward.


    A fierce wind blew and vanished, but his laughter never stopped banging on the others¡¯ ears, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, only the last article remains and then I will get to truly appreciate this lady.¡±


    Dong Xiaowan was curled up in fear, her hands tightened on her last shred of dignity.


    Dong Tianba and the four elders made a tight circle around her. However, Zhuo Fan stood there impassive, as if it had nothing to do with him.


    Suddenly, Lin Tianyu appeared before Dong Xiaowan and reached for her last article with a grin.


    ¡°He-he-he, I won!¡±


    ¡°Think again!¡±


    A snort reached his ears.


    He didn¡¯t even get the chance to react when a fist smashed into his pretty face.


    He went tumbling through the air and smacked the pavement before he could get his bearing. When he got up from the ground his cheek was already swollen.


    ¡°What just happened?¡±


    The two were so fast that the onlookers didn¡¯t see a shadow. They only heard two loud sounds and then came Lin Tianyu kissing the ground. Zhuo Fan also appeared, his hand outstretched above Dong Xiaowan.


    ¡°You¡­ got him?¡± Dong Tianba was stunned. When not even himself and his four elders could save his sister, this kid managed to save the day?


    Putting aside the fact that his 1st layer Bone Tempering cultivation held more power than a 7th layer, his speed alone was inconceivable.


    In a casual manner, Zhuo Fan rubbed his presumably sore fist, ¡°Something just came towards my fist. Owie, it stings.¡±


    His words startled everyone, and Dong Tianba even began to laugh, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, great! Bro, how did you do it? I couldn¡¯t even see him!¡±


    ¡°Do you even need to see?¡± Zhuo Fan rose an eyebrow and sported a vague smile, ¡°Isn¡¯t his target obvious? If you build a wall next to her, he¡¯s bound to bump into it.¡±


    It was so obvious now that everyone could think of it.


    They were so focused on Lin Tianyu¡¯s speed mastery that they were led by the nose. But even with his impressive speed, his target was Dong Xiaowan. All they had to do was keep their eyes on her.


    This simple reasoning almost made them tear up.


    ¡°Amazing!¡± An elder praised Zhuo Fan, ¡°Young master Song is really a genius worthy of our young master¡¯s admiration.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, see little sister? Don¡¯t I always say bro Song is a man of ethics and talent? If it wasn¡¯t for him, you¡¯d never have escaped this predicament.¡± Dong Tianba laughed as he lifted the weight off his heart.


    Dong Xiaowan blushed as she conveyed her thanks and appreciation to Zhuo Fan through her eyes.


    Waving it off, Zhuo Fan made eye contact with Dong Tianba, ¡°Bro Dong, can you stop, it¡¯s not up to you how it ends.¡±


    Picking up on his gesture, Dong Tianba walked before Xiao Dandan with a smile, ¡°Miss, we were lucky to have stopped this youth. I¡¯m sure a disciple from Drifting Flowers Edifice wouldn¡¯t cross her word, so let us end it here. I will be taking my sister now.¡±


    With a deep bow, Dong Tianba was about to leave.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Xiao Dandan eyed the crowd and gave a lopsided grin, ¡°I will forgo this matter, of course, but too bad brother Tianyu isn¡¯t too fond of that idea.¡±


    ¡°Humph, in all my life, I¡¯ve never been punched so hard.¡± Lin Tianyu stared with killing intent, ¡°I am not one to pick on people but this game has yet to entertain me enough. I would have to ask you all to keep me company throughout the end.¡±


    [What?]


    While the others were lamenting inside, Dong Tianba shouted in anger, ¡°And when will the game conclude?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be over when I say so.¡± Lin Tianyu sneered.


    This came as a terrible shock to the Dong clan. Wasn¡¯t it the same as saying it wouldn¡¯t end until they¡¯d have no dignity left?


    [You¡¯re too freaking petty to even take a loss!]


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose and tightened his fist, [Seems I can return this with courtesy.]


    He didn¡¯t want to blow this matter out of proportions any further, but this rotten couple didn¡¯t know when to stop!


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, this barbaric game is fun! Let me join too!¡± Zhuo Fan laughed.


    He attracted the eyes of everyone, and also Dong Tianba¡¯s confused look.


    Zhuo Fan, however, didn¡¯t care about them, ¡°I used to play such a game with bro Dong not too long ago. I ripped his woman¡¯s clothes while he ripped my woman¡¯s. The first to finish got the woman.¡±


    ¡°Right, bro Dong?¡± Zhuo Fan hinted. Dong Tianba quickly woke out of his stupor and nodded.


    ¡°But it seems this game isn¡¯t completely fair. You get to tear my woman¡¯s clothes, while I have no target.¡±


    Lin Tianyu mocked, ¡°You think you are all-powerful just because you landed a lucky punch? Ha-ha-ha, wishful thinking!¡±


    Zhuo Fan spoke flatly, ¡°Young master Lin, are you scared, or perhaps whipped?¡±


    Chuckles resounded all around, Xiao Dandan¡¯s included. Despite being fearful of the seven houses, everyone cursed them behind their backs.


    Lin Tianyu was livid but still deferred to Xiao Dandan by looking her way.


    Frowning, Xiao Dandan spoke plainly to Zhuo Fan, ¡°It seems besides Zhuo Fan, there are more and more people cropping up who slight the seven houses. But, do you have what it takes? If you can take even one article of clothing from me, I will kick brother Tianyu out and marry you instead!¡±


    Xiao Dandan¡¯s challenge first came as a shock, then forced laughter spread as everyone came to realize the gap between the two. The seven houses reviled those beneath them. How could they even entertain the thought of accepting a nobody into their house, as a groom no less?


    With an evil smile, Zhuo Fan blinked, ¡°Miss Dandan, be careful of what you say, lest you¡¯d end up crying.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s going to wail!¡± Xiao Dandan stuck out her chin.


    ¡°Alright, enough talk. Get ready, I am about to start!¡± Lin Tianyu roared over their conversation.


    Dong Tianba was getting into position but Zhuo Fan waved him off, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, since I talked about fairness, only I will be defending Dong Xiaowan, lest he¡¯d use it as an excuse to be even more shameless.¡±


    ¡°Bro!¡± Dong Tianba cried, but nodded in the end, ¡°I¡¯ll leave my sister in your care.¡±


    He then took his elders to the side.


    ¡°Miss Dong, do you trust me?¡± Zhuo Fan stared at Dong Xiaowan.


    She jumped, but nodded in the end, realizing the repulsive lecher from before was replaced by a reliable young man.


    Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°Great, enjoy the show!¡±


    But just then, a cackle came into their ears, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, the last article is mine!¡±


    Dong Xiaowan curled up in fear, but Zhuo Fan was as calm as ever. He even had a mocking smile on his face.


    Bam!


    A crack resounded and Lin Tianyu didn¡¯t even get to touch Dong Xiaowan as he was sent tumbling in the air before hitting the pavement again. He was filled with shock, ¡°You could see me?¡±


    As he turned around, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes were cold.


    Whoosh!


    With a crack of thunder, Zhuo Fan appeared behind Xiao Dandan. His hand flashed and her dress was torn apart!


    ¡°You call that speed?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mockery shocked the crowd.


    [This kid is an expert!]

 Chapter 94 - What Goes Around, Comes Around

    [How could this be?]


    Xiao Dandan watched the drifting cloth in shock.


    How could she not know her future husband¡¯s strongest point? Merry Woods was known as the wind house, known for having the fastest speed in the empire.


    Not to mention, Lin Tianyu chose to abandon power for even more speed. He reached such a mastery that even a peak Bone Tempering expert would be left in the dust.


    However, a low-level Bone Tempering brat did the unthinkable and managed to surpass him.


    Not only was Xiao Dandan incredulous, but so was Lin Tianyu. His face was frozen in shock as no words could leave his mouth.


    As for Dong Tianba¡¯s group, they were slackjawed. Particularly young master Dong, who knew Song Yu for ages. Never once had he displayed such outstanding features. Yet, here he was, a third-rate clan¡¯s member winning against a seven houses¡¯ disciple.


    Everyone became silent, with all eyes focused on the proud Zhuo Fan, their words stuck in their throat.


    Grinning evilly, Zhuo Fan sniffed and said with satisfaction oozing from his voice, ¡°Miss Dandan, you truly are an amazing beauty, evident from this fragrance. I will never forget this soothing smell for as long as I live.¡±


    Xiao Dandan stared at him with a red face. Lin Tianyu was turning green, his heart bleeding from hatred.


    [Bastard! You dare harass my wife in my presence? Do you take Merry Woods for nothing?]


    Taking a side glance at Lin Tianyu, Zhuo Fan grinned inside and flashed before Xiao Dandan. She then cried in panic when Zhuo Fan hugged her.


    She tried to resist but was a moot effort against Zhuo Fan¡¯s cultivation.


    ¡°Damn brat, what do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Lin Tianyu roared.


    Zhuo Fan watched the red-faced Xiao Dandan and raised an eyebrow in challenge, ¡°Miss Dandan, I¡¯m not as flimsy as that weak lord. I¡¯ve always learned to take the initiative with a woman. My actions were a bit rude to you, miss. So, you can hit me or curse me, but I¡¯ll still do the same.¡±


    Xiao Dandan was glaring at him, yet her heart stirred. Zhuo Fan¡¯s pushy attitude was worlds apart from Lin Tianyu¡¯s flattery.


    This feeling was so new to her that she didn¡¯t know where to place it.


    ¡°Rotten brat, let go or you¡¯ll be sorry!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was courting his woman before his eyes and even before the public. Something that Lin Tianyu could not bear any longer.


    But Zhuo Fan was far from done. He pulled her closer instead, eliciting a charming cry from Xiao Dandan.


    It made any male on the scene feel their pulse quickened, swallowing dryly, and sporting wide and nasty grins. Meanwhile, the women around blushed.


    Lin Tianyu¡¯s face was ashen, wishing to tear Zhuo Fan limb by limb.


    Snorting, Zhuo Fan raised a taunting eyebrow, ¡°Brother Lin, isn¡¯t this a game of your own accords? Since time immemorial, the winner receives everything while the loser ends up with nothing. If brother Lin wins, you¡¯ll have two women. If not, well¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan patronized, then turned to blow his hot breath in Xiao Dandan¡¯s ear, ¡°Miss Dandan, if I win, please be so kind as to kick this man out and make me your guest.¡±


    His tone was soft, yet his words traveled far, particularly stabbing into Lin Tianyu¡¯s ears.


    However, this wasn¡¯t what struck his core, it was Xiao Dandan¡¯s blushing and faint nod.


    Zhuo Fan had given another wave of shock to the crowd and many were now eyeing him with envy.


    [Damn rotten bastard! He snatched a Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s girl right out of that flimsy Merry Woods¡¯ disciple in minutes! His skill is worthy of being a pioneer in the sacred art of chasing skirts. If I had such skill, I would also take a Drifting Flowers Edifice girl for myself!]


    Lin Tianyu trembled, his lips leaked a trail of blood.


    ¡°Bastard, you¡¯ve taken this too far!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what of it? What goes around comes around. Next time, if you¡¯re lucky enough to win, then speak.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s wicked grin wasn¡¯t in the least bit heroic or worthy of his conquest, but it made everyone¡¯s heart shiver. While the women were swooning.


    Lin Tianyu had a belly full of hatred. Zhuo Fan¡¯s incessant mockery was trumped by stealing his woman. This exceeded his bottom line long ago, ¡°Son of a bitch! Once I peel your girl¡¯s clothes, I¡¯ll finish you off.¡±


    Lin Tianyu appeared before Dong Xiaowan.


    She cried in fear but Lin Tianyu¡¯s evil clutches didn¡¯t arrive. A slap cuffed him over the ear into the ground. When he looked up, Zhuo Fan was back next to Xiao Dandan, continuing to mock, ¡°Miss Dandan, that limp noodle lost again, I¡¯m afraid I will have to relieve you of another article.¡±


    A rip was heard and an article left Xiao Dandan¡¯s body more exposed.


    Zhuo Fan lifted her chin, ¡°Miss Dandan, please, don¡¯t blame my uncouth act.¡±


    Her charming eyes rolled and her face turned rosy, playing coy, ¡°Can¡¯t you be more gentle?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I am uncouth and unmannered, this is something that won¡¯t change for as long as I live.¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head. Lin Tianyu¡¯s eyes were bloodshot and looked as though we was about to spit fire, ¡°Rotted bastards, both of you!¡±


    Lin Tianyu went for Dong Xiaowan again with the same result. Zhuo Fan made sure to even slap him five times for good measure.


    And it resulted in Xiao Dandan¡¯s turn to loosen her clothing. Yet the lady hardly cared, making Lin Tianyu¡¯s coals of anger burn hotter.


    With but one flimsy and thin piece left on miss Xiao Dandan, Zhuo Fan¡¯s grin turned maniacal, ¡°Brother Lin, final chance! If you fail now, miss Dandan is mine.¡±


    ¡°Wretched filth, you dare mock the seven houses?¡± Lin Tianyu spat, the ire in his heart having grown out of his control. Yet oddly enough, he was clear headed enough to understand Zhuo Fan¡¯s speed overwhelmed him, so he chose another angle, using Merry Woods¡¯ name.


    But why would Zhuo Fan care when he even had the nerve to kill Hell Valley¡¯s elders?


    As a result, Lin Tianyu words only worked to goad Zhuo Fan further, who, under Lin Tianyu¡¯s rage-filled eyes, landed a kiss on Xiao Dandan¡¯s check, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯m about to be Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s son-in-law, why the hell would I be afraid of your goddamned Merry Woods? Isn¡¯t that right, my lady?¡±


    Xiao Dandan was so far gone, accepting anything he was throwing at her, that she nodded without remorse.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    It would seem Lin Tianyu had had enough and charged at the couple. He even went as far as cursing at his revered Xiao Dandan, ¡°Bitch, you are both a bunch of dogs. I will send you both to hell!¡±


    He made a hand sign and a green gale gathered around his legs. The sharp whistling spoke of its deadly power as he kicked at them.


    He had forgone using his prized speed in favor of stealing victory by force.


    ¡°Mid spirit ranked martial art, Razor Kick!¡±


    Xiao Dandan cried in shock, ¡°Lin Tianyu, the gall of you, to try to kill me right in Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s city!¡±


    ¡°Humph, for a skank like you, I will do the world a favor by killing you both!¡±


    Xiao Dandan was now afraid after noticing the killing intent in his eyes. She was only in Qi Condensation Stage, while Zhuo Fan was in his 1st layer of Bone Tempering Stage. It was not possible for him to take on such an attack.


    However, Zhuo Fan just mocked, ¡°Brother Lin, is this your final struggle? Oh, how pathetic!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s arm snaked around Xiao Dandan¡¯s waist while his other acted as a shield.


    Bam!


    The green gale lashed at Zhuo Fan¡¯s arm, but the sounds coming out of it was that of screeching metal.


    The kick didn¡¯t even scratch his arm, though his sleeve did turn to shreds, revealing an all glorious and perfectly chiseled arm.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be!¡±


    Lin Tianyu seemingly crazy as he muttered, ¡°You¡¯re a body cultivator? How can you be so fast?¡±


    With a mocking smile, Zhuo Fan simply replied, ¡°Who told you that we can¡¯t also train in speed? Trading off power for such measly speed will only be done by a dumbass like you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes evoked killing intent that turned Lin Tianyu into a shivering mess.


    He didn¡¯t get to react as Zhuo Fan kicked him on the head.


    Blood spurted and Lin Tianyu felt a sharp pain digging its way into him. He let out one final wail before his eyes lost their light and slumped on the ground.


    None of the people could believe their eyes. A simple kick finished a Seven Noble Houses¡¯ disciple, who had a 6 layer advantage over his opponent.


    The fight ended not in praise of power or speed but rather mockery towards Merry Woods.


    ¡°Miss Dandan, did you see that? I don¡¯t discriminate, I am as uncouth and rude to men as well. If your fianc¨¦e lives, he still won¡¯t see reason. I hope you do not blame me for this.¡±


    Zhuo Fan acted like his crime never happened and resumed flirting with the lady.


    Xiao Dandan watched him enamored and blinked in joy, ¡°You¡¯ve done perfectly! With you around, why would I need that trash for? Don¡¯t you worry, you¡¯ll soon join Drifting Flowers Edifice and Merry Woods won¡¯t be able to lay a finger on you.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, thank you miss Dandan for your care, just that¡­¡± Zhuo Fan eyed Xiao Dandan¡¯s last vestige of dignity, ¡°According to the rules, for your fianc¨¦e to lose, I¡¯d have to pry out the last article!¡±


    With a coy and blushing face, Xiao Dandan wrapped her soft lily-white hands around his neck, ¡°Brother, I am soon to be yours. If you want my body, you¡¯ll have to wait till tonight. Or do you want the people to see everything?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose after looking at her delectable body. Then, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes turned sharp and startled the flirting woman.


    ¡°Humph, weren¡¯t you listening? What goes around comes around. This goes for you too.¡±


    Zhuo Fan reached for her last piece and Xiao Dandan was filled with fear.


    Would she have any face left to walk into Drifting Flowers Edifice if she went naked in the middle of the city?


    Suddenly, a loud shout came, ¡°Stop!¡±


    And two blue silk ribbons drifted over.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand froze in shock, ¡°a Profound Heaven expert!¡±

 Chapter 95 - Bewitching Whispers

    Two blue silk ribbons shot towards Zhuo Fan. He thought of dodging, but he dismissed that idea.


    Despite not unfolding his wings, his speed was beyond the Bone Tempering Stage, thus allowing him to one-up Lin Tianyu.


    This was a shock to everyone, but not unlikely to happen.


    In the case where his speed was to match a Profound Heaven expert¡¯s, that would label him a monster. Across the vast world, he might be the sole person with such a deviant degree of body refining.


    It was tantamount to telling everyone who he was.


    [I¡¯ll have to gamble!]


    One ribbon tightened around him and made any movement impossible. There, he reminded himself.


    [I just need to showcase how strong I am but within limits. Unlike that known deviant, Zhuo Fan, who could kill a Profound Heaven expert.]


    The other wrapped Xiao Dandan in a protective embrace.


    What followed next was the arrival of the owner of the ribbons. The people lowered their heads in respect, as did Dong Tianba and his sister.


    Zhuo Fan only gave her a rough glance. She was a lady in her thirties, wearing a thin veil over half her face, yet incapable of hiding her grace.


    And with how high her cultivation was, it garnered even more respect.


    While she walked with light steps, her eyes were solely focused on Xiao Dandan. She extended a dainty finger and tapped Xiao Dandan¡¯s forehead.


    Yuan Qi entered Xiao Dandan¡¯s body and made her shiver, while also taking away the redness in her cheeks.


    ¡°What, where am I?¡± Xiao Dandan looked around in confusion, but when she saw Zhuo Fan it all came back in a flurry of images. She cried in shock and her face went beet red.


    ¡°H-how could I have done that?¡±


    ¡°Silly child, you can¡¯t even tell when you were tricked?¡± The woman in blue shook her head, then her eyes snapped to Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Little brother, if you are intent on chasing after Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s girl, you can chase them using your skills. But don¡¯t you think using Bewitching Whispers is demeaning and vile?¡±


    Zhuo Fan praised her in his heart, [She¡¯s quite perceptive].


    Bewitching Whispers affected a person¡¯s mind so that the user could lead his victims to do whatever he wanted. This was how Zhuo Fan got hold of Xiao Dandan so easily.


    This little trick wasn¡¯t a demonic cultivator¡¯s secret skill, but not anyone could employ it. First of all, the user¡¯s soul had to be strong, which made most of the demonic cultivators beneath Profound Heaven Stage unable to use it.


    And because this skill had limited power, most demonic cultivators did not train to use it. Ergo, the number of people aware of Bewitching Whispers were few and far in between.


    Yet, here was one woman who knew its effect.


    Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°Lady, I have no intention of chasing miss Dandan. This is only for the sake of teaching her a lesson.¡±


    ¡°Senior aunt, don¡¯t listen to this runt. He dared to humiliate me and looks down on Drifting Flowers Edifice.¡± Xiao Dandan was raging as she recalled the scandal she partook in. Even tears started swelling in her eyes.


    However, the blue woman eyed her coldly and shouted, ¡°Quiet, haven¡¯t you had enough of disgracing yourself?¡±


    Then turned to Zhuo Fan, ¡°I would¡¯ve long ago put you in your place if not for knowing you had a good reason for using that foul skill to charm a woman in Drifting Flowers City.¡±


    The woman then turned her attention to Dong Xiaowan and spoke in apology, ¡°Miss, Dandan was spoiled by her master. I will make sure to punish her. Please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    ¡°Ah, I would never¡­¡± Dong Xiaowan was startled.


    The lady in blue smiled as she flew, and two ribbons took Xiao Dandan and the unconscious Lin Tianyu. But Xiao Dandan didn¡¯t forget to glare at Zhuo Fan with loathing.


    Zhuo Fan, though, did not care, he was thinking of the blue lady¡¯s last brief look she gave him.


    Thanks to Zhuo Fan¡¯s strong soul, he managed to sense it.


    [Was I just found out?] Zhuo Fan frowned as he watched her leave.


    ¡°Brother!¡±


    Dong Tianba came with the rest to Zhuo Fan to express his gratitude, ¡°Thank you so much. If it weren¡¯t for you, the Dong clan¡¯s name would¡¯ve been sullied. Dammit, none of the seven houses¡¯ domain is safe to linger for long.¡±


    ¡°Big brother Song, thank you¡­¡± Dong Xiaowan tightened the thin clothing on her body and spoke shyly.


    Not paying attention to any of this, Zhuo Fan spoke with a frown, ¡°Bro Dong, who was she?¡±


    Dong Tianba¡¯s tone was grave, ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s 1st Overseer, the Iris Edifice¡¯s Qin Caiqing! Haaa¡­ such luck that the one we met was the Iris Overseer. She is honorable and kind. She is known to never pick on clans and other disciples. But if it were Peony Overseer, with her fickle personality, she would¡¯ve released her wrath on us!¡±


    ¡°I see, with her cultivation, it is no wonder she is an Overseer.¡±


    Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and ripped the ribbon to shreds.


    ¡°Bro, how are you so strong? That was Iris Overseer¡¯s ribbon imbued with her Yuan Qi. How did you break out of it?¡±


    Dong Tianba watched Zhuo Fan as though he was viewing a monster, ¡°I feel like I don¡¯t know you anymore.¡±


    Laughing, Zhuo Fan waved it off and took out a small bottle, ¡°The Song clan is third-rate, but we have our ways. Look, this is our Body Tempering Pill. It¡¯s all thanks to this that my body is so strong.¡±


    ¡°As if! Body Tempering Pill is only a 4th-grade pill. It¡¯s not outstanding enough to make you stronger than a 7th layer Bone Tempering cultivator and break out of a Profound Heaven expert¡¯s restriction!¡± Dong Tianba¡¯s expression remained impassive.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be a secret method of the Song clan if anyone could refine it. You think I¡¯d join the Hundred Pill Meeting if it weren¡¯t for this?¡±


    Dong Tianba was starting to believe him after hearing Zhuo Fan continue to praise the pill.


    But what they didn¡¯t know was that these were only lies made up by Zhuo Fan.


    Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan was feeling vexed. He could not understand why Qin Caiqing did not expose him if she knew who he was? Did she go to call for help thinking she could not defeat him?


    [If that is the case, then staying here would be all the more dangerous. She could be asking for backup.]


    Zhuo Fan said frantically, ¡°Uh, bro Dong, I have some urgent matters to take care of. Let¡¯s talk at a later date.¡±


    ¡°Sigh, I haven¡¯t given my proper thanks, how can¡­¡± But before he could finish, Zhuo Fan was already meters away waving his hand as he left.


    Dong Tianba was startled but sighed in the end, ¡°Bro Song truly is husband material. Wan¡¯er, you must be regretting your refusal by now.¡±


    ¡°Brother¡­¡±


    Dong Xiaowan rolled her eyes, but still peeked at Zhuo Fan with clear and emotion-filled eyes¡­


    Meanwhile, at the Drifting Flowers Edifice, in the guest hall.


    A charming and enticing woman in red sat in the lounge. She wore a thin veil, obscuring her most prominent features.


    But it couldn¡¯t hide the fire in her eyes that could stir the coldest heart.


    She was a true vixen!


    On her left was a middle-aged man, with even whiter hands than hers. He was stroking his goatee, but his eyes rested on her every curve.


    The woman in red rolled her eyes and smiled, ¡°Elder Lin, do I have something on me?¡±


    ¡°Cough, Peony Overseer must be joking.¡±


    The old man faked his cough and showed an embarrassed smile, ¡°I can¡¯t help but wonder, why isn¡¯t the exalted Edifice Lord present and it is the Peony Overseer who is welcoming me instead.¡±


    ¡°Hee-hee-hee, is Elder Lin not satisfied with me?¡± The lady fluttered her eyes at him.


    Her gesture almost stole the elder¡¯s soul away, finding it difficult to reply, ¡°Uh, Peony Overseer is very considerate and kind, and, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Humph, I came here to join the Hundred Pill Meeting, not to see you two flirt.¡±


    An angry snort came from Peony Overseer¡¯s right, a red-haired elderly, ¡°Since the meeting hasn¡¯t started, I¡¯ll be leaving. I have important things to take care of.¡±


    ¡°Hell Valley¡¯s fifth elder, why are you so vexed?¡± Peony Overseer smiled, ¡°The meeting will commence upon the Edifice Lord¡¯s order. The great houses have yet to gather, so it is only natural for it to take a while longer.¡±


    ¡°Peony Overseer, don¡¯t listen to this old goat grumble. These days, Hell Valley was sacked of its three elders by a mere brat. They lost all credibility, so how could they have the patience to participate in the Hundred Pill Meeting? Right now, fifth elder must be thinking of new and ingenious ways to skin that punk alive. Or maybe the anxiety of having his poor little elderly life in danger got him wound so tight he has been jumping in his sleep! It must be torture, ha-ha-ha!¡±


    ¡°Lin Zitian, screw off! I wonder how many elders Merry Woods would lose if they met that brat!¡± Fifth elder slapped the table and glared at the middle-aged man.


    Lin Zitian also stood up and returned a glare without fear, ¡°Wanna fight?¡±


    Their power was on full display and sparks could fly at any second!


    But laughter interrupted their staring contest, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, how rowdy! If you guys want to fight it off, count me in!¡±

 Chapter 96 - Vicious Pill King

    Those words were made by a man in a green robe entering the guest hall.


    His hair was green, his eyes were green, and even his beard was green, painting a particularly strange image.


    He had a violet gourd strapped to his waist. His appearance caused Elder Lin and the fifth elder to show respect.


    ¡°Master, you are amazing beyond words. Not even Hell Valley and Merry Woods dare utter a sound in your presence, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    A youth in his twenty came following behind the elder, he was at peak Bone Tempering Stage. Yet, his tone lacked the respect and manner one should have when talking to the three other people present there.


    The trio¡¯s faces turned ashen, their anger was slowly rising, but they held their tongue.


    This scene would shock anyone. Three Profound Heaven experts were mocked by a Bone Tempering pup. And they didn¡¯t even retort, despite the rude tone.


    Fifth elder, who was known for his quick temper, was also silent. A scene that even his disciples would find it hard to imagine.


    ¡°Elder Yan, you should mind your disciple, he doesn¡¯t seem to have any manners. Is this how a junior speaks to his elders?¡± fifth elder said unhappily.


    Yet, the elder in green caressed his beard with a smile, ¡°Hell Valley¡¯s fifth elder, why argue with a child? It doesn¡¯t befit your status, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Exactly, you¡¯re totally not acting as a senior should. So, why should I treat you like one?¡± The youth¡¯s brash voice was tinted with mockery.


    Fifth elder shivered and his face turned red, itching to pry this fool¡¯s head from his body. But he forced his anger down and resumed to clenching his fists.


    With a crack, a piece of the table was vaporized.


    Lin Zitian eyed the fifth elder¡¯s anger and secretly sighed. He had some reservations when looking at the elder in green as he forced a laughter, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯d never guessed such a small meeting will bring together four of the seven houses. With Elder Yan attending, the meeting will run smoothly!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, Lin Zitian, you don¡¯t need to give me lip service. I know none of you see me eye to eye. But who told you to name it as the Hundred Pill Meeting? You think it¡¯s worthy of the name ¡®Hundred Pill¡¯ if I, Vicious Pill King, is missing in attendance?¡±


    The elder in green didn¡¯t give Lin Zitian any respect and even mocked him to the point Lin Zitian turned his head away.


    Peony Overseer was livid, but on top of her anger lied a deep seething hatred.


    ¡°Elder Yan Song,¡± Peony Overseer spat, ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice doesn¡¯t seem to have extended Pill King Hall an invitation. So why have you graced us with your uninvited presence?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Peony Overseer, you¡¯re as fiery as ever!¡±


    With his eyes flashing green, Yan Song snorted, ¡°In the Tianyu Empire, I can go wherever I want with no one daring to oppose me! Now that I¡¯m here in your Drifting Flowers City, are you going to kick me out?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    She was poised to attack, but Lin Zitian stopped her, ¡°Peony Overseer, calm yourself.¡±


    Eying Yan Song cautiously, Lin Zitian sighed as he gave her a look, ¡°Before Edifice Lord comes, be careful of devolving the situation!¡±


    Peony Overseer snorted, turning her body away, easing Lin Zitian¡¯s worry.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Peony Overseer is like a lass, so spiteful. So, it is a wonder to me how you still became an overseer? Master, you were right. A bunch of broads can never accomplish anything. Drifting Flowers Edifice is the worst of the seven houses by far.¡± The youth ridiculed.


    The eyes of the three turned sharply. [Vicious Pill King is too arrogant and his disciple belittles anyone he sees.]


    Their ¡®friendly¡¯ conversation was interrupted when a sound came from outside the door.


    ¡°Little brother, Drifting Flowers Edifice may have only women but it has stood strong in Tianyu Empire for a millennia. It has its own principles, it is not something anyone can criticize.¡±


    A beauty in blue floated in, the Iris Overseer, Qin Caiqing!


    ¡°Senior sister, you¡¯re back!¡± Peony Overseer cried, regaining her confidence, ¡°Where did you go? We have someone barging uninvited and I am powerless to stop them.¡±


    Peony Overseer¡¯s eyes snapped to Yan Song but Qin Caiqing simply smiled, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be taking care of your precious disciple instead? I once told you to raise your disciple better, not to disgrace Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s reputation.¡±


    ¡°Who did she offend?¡±


    Shaking her head, Qin Caiqing simply clapped.


    Two female disciples brought Xiao Dandan who was still wrapped in the blue ribbon. With her curves full-on display, she earned the youth¡¯s fiery gaze.


    Then two more disciples brought an unconscious Lin Tianyu.


    ¡°Tianyu!¡±


    Lin Zitian jumped next to him, then his look was filled with murderous desire, ¡°Who hurt him?¡±


    The youth cut her off before she could reply, ¡°Master, is that kid¡¯s injury grave?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, that¡¯s putting it mildly. If not dead then a cripple. The culprit sure had no restraint.¡± Yan Song enjoyed others¡¯ misfortune.


    The youth laughed in ridicule, ¡°Merry Woods¡¯ disciple can¡¯t even take a hit. And his master is no different either.¡±


    Lin Zitian gnashed his teeth, glaring at the youth.


    Qin Caiqing smiled, ¡°Little brother is wrong. The one he met was an even younger man, whose strength is above all the seven houses¡¯ genius disciples. Little brother is Elder Yan¡¯s disciple, but even you will meet the same fate.¡±


    The youth frowned, filled with rebuke. Qin Caiqing secretly smiled.


    ¡°Senior sister, why didn¡¯t you bring him? Is he stronger than you?¡± Peony Overseer jerked.


    Shaking her head, Qin Caiqing said, ¡°Perhaps not, but you know how I am, staying outside others¡¯ affairs. If someone messed with my disciple, I¡¯ll intervene, but¡­¡±


    Qin Caiqing sighed as she looked at Xiao Dandan, ¡°Dandan, you explain. And be honest. I already know everything that transpired.¡±


    ¡°Yes, senior aunt!¡±


    Xiao Dandan sobbed a nod, then retold the events.


    The people there sighed at the conclusion. Not for the humiliated Dong clan though, since none of the seven houses gave a damn about these people. They were considered slaves in their eyes.


    And their disciples were of the same mind. Some might be even more ruthless than Xiao Dandan. It was only thanks to the Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s restrictions on their disciples that made them far more restrained.


    What was on everyone¡¯s mind was Zhuo Fan¡¯s conduct.


    Not only did he end the humiliation the Dong clan received but turned the humiliation back at Xiao Dandan and her fianc¨¦e. With such a savage method.


    Fifth elder couldn¡¯t help associating him with a familiar figure.


    Didn¡¯t his actions resemble that of Zhuo Fan who killed the seventh elder?


    He stroked his beard as he stated, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what is wrong with the Tianyu Empire? With Zhuo Fan as the origin, many more are starting to belittle the seven houses, assaulting our disciples again and again. If we don¡¯t keep them in check, none will fear us.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, isn¡¯t it all because of Hell Valley¡¯s incompetence? You have yet to find that insolent brat too. You¡¯re making us, the other six houses, look bad!¡± Yan Song mocked.


    Fifth elder wasn¡¯t angry as he turned to the youth behind him with a smile, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s all our fault. But for an elder to step into a disciple¡¯s conflict, isn¡¯t it more shameful? Lin Zitian, too bad you didn¡¯t bring another disciple to take revenge for Tianyu and save that Dandan girl¡¯s reputation.¡±


    The youth jumped in front of Xiao Dandan before Lin Zitian could reply, and took her arm, ¡°Come with me, I will avenge you!¡±


    And with that short declaration, the two were gone, causing the fifth elder to show a broad smile.


    ¡°Insolent! That brat has no manners at all. He even ignored my presence and took my disciple away!¡± Peony Overseer¡¯s lip trembled in rage.


    Yan Song waved his hand as he walked off, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, in this world, a woman¡¯s fate is to land in a man¡¯s arms. Drifting Flowers Edifice wouldn¡¯t have lasted so long without this!¡±


    When Yan Song was gone, the fifth elder¡¯s eyes squinted as he too took the initiative to leave. ¡°That old fool must have also sensed it¡­¡±


    Peony Overseer was confused, ¡°Why is everyone leaving?¡±


    Lin Zitian frowned, eying Qin Caiqing with a profound gaze, ¡°Iris Overseer, are you certain that troublemaker isn¡¯t that demon Zhuo Fan?¡±


    ¡°What? He¡¯s Zhuo Fan?¡± Peony Overseer jerked.


    Qin Caiqing¡¯s eyes showed a peculiar light, ¡°I am unclear. The kid is outstanding, but not enough to kill Profound Heaven experts!¡±


    ¡°Maybe he is faking it¡­¡± Lin Zitian then laughed, ¡°I see now why even Vicious Pill King is impatient to watch the fight. If he really is Zhuo Fan, his disciple is as good as dead! At that time¡­


    ¡°Yan Song will make a move. However¡­¡± His lips traced a cryptic curve. Qin Caiqing finished, ¡°It is unclear if Zhuo Fan can kill a man viler than even You Guiqi. After all, he is called the Vicious Pill King for a reason!¡±


    Lin Zitian nodded with a mutter, ¡°I just hope he is Zhuo Fan¡­¡±

 Chapter 97 - Scourge Woman

    Under the faint rays of dusk, Zhuo Fan was venturing alone through the city. He seemed to be at ease, but his mind was hard at work. He was spreading his soul to his surroundings for detection purposes.


    Yet, after such a long time, no expert appeared in sight.


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯m reading too much into this. Maybe my cover isn¡¯t blown.¡±


    Zhuo Fan whispered. As he strolled around, he ended up around a street with run-down buildings.


    This place housed people like Zhuo Fan, those from third-rate clans.


    ¡°Hey, this is my area, take your things out of here!¡±


    ¡°Cut the crap, I came first. What¡¯s yours? Get lost!¡±


    ¡°Kid, you dare talk back to this young master? Do you know who I am?¡±


    ¡°Humph, why would anyone care? If you think you¡¯re so great then how did you end up here?¡±


    These events played out everywhere, the third rate clans claiming a new dwelling as theirs. This was a place where the weak were despised. Yet, ironically, even these weaklings, who were discarded in this dump, fought among each other.


    ¡°Humph, what a pathetic bunch. This is why third rate clans can¡¯t amount to anything and deserves to be in the slums.¡±


    Zhuo Fan spoke in a harsh voice, no longer paying them any heed.


    He walked further in and found the shabby buildings on both sides have already been taken.


    Everyone eyed him with open hostility, afraid he¡¯d want to fight them over their lodgings.


    [This seemed like a common occurrence here.] Zhuo Fan scoffed, his every action was only to further his own goals. Fighting over a house disgraceful to him.


    Unfortunately, he found no place vacant as he wandered around. [Do I need to fight for a bed? It is much better to take the sky as my roof.]


    Zhuo Fan suddenly halted. His eyes watched the house before him with skepticism, then he looked at the people around oddly.


    At the end of this row of shabby houses, there was one building that looked to be in better shape, yet no one lived in it.


    With how rowdy the crowd was before, now, there was no sign of anyone around.


    Frowning, he turned to the people fighting in doubt, ¡°Why are you foolishly fighting? Can¡¯t you see that empty house?¡±


    ¡°Humph, you¡¯re the fool! If you want to die, go right ahead!¡± Someone was quick to snap in derision.


    Zhuo Fan was baffled. But one man was kind enough to advise, ¡°Brother, you can stay at my house if you¡¯d like. I will make room for you, but you mustn¡¯t step foot in that one.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Sighing, the man explained, ¡°You are new here so you don¡¯t know. The owner is a scourge woman, her body riddled with disease. Many have disregarded this warning and chose to live there. Even though they stayed far away from her, in the back of the house, they all died three days later.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, not even beggars would stay there. And because of lack of space in the Drifting Flowers City as the Hundred Pill Meeting approaches, we were sent to this dump! Goddamit, isn¡¯t Drifting Flowers Edifice the ruler here? Why don¡¯t they just take out this scourged woman once and for all?¡±


    Zhuo Fan snorted inside.


    If that woman was disease ridden, he had to see it first hand for himself. [You all are standing outside yapping on and on. None of you dare to take action and still want to send someone else in to kill her.]


    It was obvious who were the true scourges.


    Ignoring the senseless chatter, Zhuo Fan was walking straight to it under everyone¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Brother, do you have a death wish?¡±


    ¡°My life is boundless!¡± Zhuo Fan waved him off.


    Whether plagued or poisoned, while other people heed it in anxiety, he was worriless. Demon Transformation Art could absorb anything in this world, even this disease!


    The closer he got to this plagued district, the colder it became. This made Zhuo Fan frown.


    He found no plague here, but abnormal changes that could only come about from an array.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±


    Zhuo Fan followed the shout to see a girl before a broken-down house in rough linen staring at him.


    The girl may be dressed in coarse linen, hiding her form and face, but her pure eyes caught Zhuo Fan off guard.


    He swore he never saw such mesmerizing eyes in his life.


    ¡°What beautiful eyes!¡± Zhuo Fan admired.


    The girl¡¯s cheeks turned a tint rosier. Her eyes lowered a bit but still had the same coldness, ¡°Who are you? Who told you you can come in?¡±


    ¡°Uhm, I am Nightrain City¡¯s Song Yu, arriving here for the Hundred Pill Meeting. Because of my third rate clan¡¯s status, I can only stay here!¡± Zhuo Fan cupped his hands, smiling like a gentleman.


    The girl frowned, her tone harsh, ¡°Then stay in another house, aren¡¯t you afraid of death by coming here?¡±


    ¡°I believe death is unimportant. I saw how selfish and despicable the people here are acting and couldn¡¯t recognize such men as my neighbors. I would rather choose death in this peaceful place!¡±


    ¡°Stop lying, think I¡¯d believe you¡¯re sophistry?¡± She huffed.


    Helpless, Zhuo Fan made a heartbroken face, ¡°Lady, I¡¯ll be honest. All the people before are stronger than me and I can¡¯t beat them. If you throw me out, I will die at their hands!¡±


    To such a sound argument, the lady nodded, believing it somewhat. But Zhuo Fan switched tones way too fast, which caught her off guard and caused her to be suspicious. Her tone grew colder as she asked, ¡°You¡¯re afraid of being beaten to death, but not afraid of me? Do you know who I am?¡±


    ¡°I do, of course I do!¡±


    Zhuo Fan bobbed his head, ¡°I heard them say there is a scourge woman here, that must mean you. But I would rather get diseased than die beaten. As they say, a flower should be allowed to roam free¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Quiet, don¡¯t try to play smart with me!¡±


    The lady snapped, her eyes darting around in thought. She pointed her white finger to a broken house, ¡°Sleep there, but you are to never wander outside at night, or you will die.¡±


    ¡°Yes, lady, I promise!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded and when he looked up, she was gone.


    He narrowed his eyes and his revering gaze now turned to one of coldness.


    [I couldn¡¯t see through her cultivation. Did she reach the Radiant Stage? Or maybe she¡¯s a common person? But how can a common person hold such a tone before a Bone Tempering expert?]


    [Humph, how amusing!]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth perked up into a grin and entered his house, [You must be up to something since you forbid me from going out at night. Then I will do just that and find out what you¡¯re hiding!]


    Zhuo Fan went to meditate.


    Time trickled by and the night cast a cloak of darkness over the slums.


    A sudden ripple came from the slums, followed by a sharp decrease in temperature. Zhuo Fan shivered and muttered, ¡°I was right, it is an array.¡±


    His hand flashed and revealed a small bottle. It contained the same pill he used in Allbeast Mountain Range, an Energy Concealing Pill!


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan flicked it into the air and a flash of red came from his body and swallowed it.


    The ethereal Blood Infant made Zhuo Fan give off a wicked smile. Not even a Radiant Stage could find it now that it ate that pill.


    ¡°Go!¡±


    Blood Infant went through the walls and flew deeper into the slums, reaching the furthest area.


    That place was in ruins, ruins that formed an odd array. The lady sat upright in its center, deep in meditation. The bright moonlight, with its extreme coldness, entered inside the array then her body, while the rest chilled the slums.


    With each ray of power from the moonlight she absorbed, her body grew a sheen layer of ice. Then, a green flash from her forehead pierced through the ice and slowly faded away.


    Each time that happened, the lady¡¯s eyelids trembled, as if in great pain!


    ¡°3rd-grade array, A Moon Array!¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed and withdrew the Blood Infant.


    He now understood why the previous people died. He thought it was because of the scourge woman¡¯s vile conduct or her disease. But after he saw it, he knew that it was neither of those. She was only treating herself.


    The ignorant people approached her and the moonlight¡¯s yin energy ravaged through their meridians and that damage eventually killed them.


    Moon Array allowed one to absorb the moon¡¯s yin and cultivate, but spending too much time in it would throw one¡¯s inner balance out of whack. Yet, this scourge woman had no intention of cultivating, she was just using the moon¡¯s yin to suppress the poison inside her.


    Unfortunately, this was not without side effects. As yin gathered inside, her meridians would start to deteriorate and one day, she would become a cripple. The more she tried to contain the poison, the more violent it would be when she couldn¡¯t hold it in check any longer.


    It could even take her life.


    Such a scene caused even the great demon cultivator, Zhuo Fan to feel pity for the lady. Just what poison was so deadly that needed such an extreme method to suppress it?

 Chapter 98 - Playing The Fool

    At the first ray of dawn, the moon hid back behind the forest while the sun was rising to take its rightful place in the sky. In its shine, the ice on the scourge woman thawed.


    The lady opened her eyes and sighed with exhaustion.


    ¡°Lady!¡± A cry of shock came from Zhuo Fan, holding fruits to his bosom as he staggered towards her.


    The scourge woman jumped to her feet and waved the leaves to cover the array.


    Then she snapped a glare towards Zhuo Fan, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not to wander about? What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Uh, lady! You didn¡¯t say anything about going out during the day!¡± Zhuo Fan acted oblivious to the array beneath him, pointing naively at the sky.


    The scourge woman was stunned, then blushed. She rebuked, ¡°If you are to stay in this place, you must remain in your quarters, even through the day. Or I¡¯ll kick you out!¡±


    ¡°Eh?!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shuddered from the heavy injustice that befell him. He hanged his head and walked away with remose. But then he turned to leave the fruits before the woman.


    ¡°Lady, I find your complexion to be slightly pale so I picked these this morning, please take them. And thank you for letting me stay.¡± Zhuo Fan sighed and trod away.


    He made himself out to seem as though he was a particularly bleak figure, filled with loneliness who had suffered a dash of injustice.


    The woman turned from him to the fruits and her heart softened, picking one up.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s back was towards her but his soul gave him full knowledge of her every move. He let out a devious grin.


    So long she picked just one fruit, it proved he had made a breakthrough to her heart. Next, he needed to stick to her for as long as possible to find out the poison that had cursed her.


    There¡¯s a fine line between godly medicine and abominable poison. As the Hundred Pill Meeting hadn¡¯t begun yet, he had no clue where to search for rare ingredients. Since he had the time, who knew if he might get something from sticking close to this scourge woman?


    [He-he-he, women are the best swindler and, ironically enough, the easiest targets!] Zhuo Fan snickered inside as he slumped away from her sight¡­


    Noon.


    The scourge woman was doing her usual routine, sitting upright on a rock, absorbing the sunshine one breath at a time.


    A sudden hubbub pierced her ears, disturbing her inner peace. With fire in her eyes, she marched to the source.


    She watched a throng of people raving, ¡°Kill him, beat that lousy punk to death¡­¡±


    She approached doubtfully and witnessed Zhuo Fan wrestling with a stocky 3rd layer Bone Tempering expert.


    She shook her head ready to leave, but Zhuo Fan yelled at the top of his lungs, ¡°I won¡¯t let you insult her! She is a good person¡­¡±


    ¡°Screw you! That scourge woman killed numerous people already and you still dare to take her side?¡± The stocky man he was fighting against, punctuated his reproval with a slap.


    But Zhuo Fan was stubborn as a mule. He was mocked, roughed up, shamed, yet his eyes never lost their will to fight.


    ¡°Humph, she¡¯s been living here long since you came barging in. Before then, some people die to god knows what, and you people start slander the lady. Can you even call yourself a man?¡±


    ¡°Hey, this kid is asking for it. Finish him off!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, letting him live will invite disaster upon us. He is just like that scourge woman, wanting to kill us all. But before he kills us, we¡¯ll just have to take him out.¡±


    ¡°Kill, kill¡­¡± The crowd began chanting like madmen.


    The scourge woman saw this unfold with a shiver as anger started to well up in her eyes.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    A crisp shout rang in their ears, even over the thunderous roars of the mob. They turned in shock then shivered in fear, staggering away.


    ¡°It¡¯s the scourge woman! Watch out everyone! Or she¡¯ll infect you if she gets too close!¡±


    In an instant, the people around started to run off. Even that Bone Tempering expert dismounted Zhuo Fan¡¯s prone figure and fled in fear.


    The scourge woman walked straight to Zhuo Fan and helped him stand. She only eyed the crowd around them then brought him back to the plagued house.


    The mob sighed in relief and wiped their sweat as they watched them go.


    ¡°Split the money!¡±


    A sudden shout echoed. The people gathered around again and at the center, was a pile of glittering spirit stones.


    The dazzling show of light struck the core of everyone.


    ¡°Damn, this must be more than ten thousand! Wasn¡¯t that kid from a third rate clan? How did he get so rich?¡±


    ¡°Hey, stop poking your nose in others¡¯ business! Who cares if he wants you to beat him up as long as you get paid? This must be around fifty thousand spirit stones. That young master said each can take a thousand, not a stone more!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, I got it. That fellow wants that scourge woman so he wanted us to make a play. He is playing with fire. Who in the hell would go after a woman plagued with disease?¡±


    Bam!


    But his words were welcomed with a flurry of blows. The man turned in shock at the angry stocky man.


    ¡°He told you to not speak of this once you get your cut. If just one of you has loose tongues, all of us will end up dead!¡±


    ¡°Uh, what¡¯s so scary about a rich kid? Even if he might be from a second rate clan¡­¡±


    The first guy was still trying to justify himself but the stocky man¡¯s slap left him traveling through the air, ¡°Bastard, I told you to shut up. You can¡¯t even begin to imagine what that young lord will do to us if this gets found out!¡±


    The stocky man¡¯s inflamed fists trembled with fear, recalling the scene of a man turning to ashes before him.


    Zhuo Fan let only him witness the almighty power of fear. The others were oblivious to his devious and poisonous acts. Nonetheless, since this stocky man was the strongest among them, if he was scared, he would share the fear and keep his words in mind.


    In a flash, they clamped their mouths and left after taking their share of spirit stones¡­


    On the other side, the scourge woman took Zhuo Fan to the broken-down house. A small bottle appeared in her hand after seeing his bruised up and bleeding body, she order in a rather cold voice, ¡°Eat it!¡±


    Zhuo Fan knew it was a healing pill, but he turned his head away.


    How could those useless Bone Tempering men even dent his perfect 5th-grade demonic treasure body? His wounds were self-inflicted to stir pity in the scourge woman¡¯s heart.


    And if he just ate the pill, the woman would just take off. So he put up a tough front, like a spoiled brat.


    The woman, however, was perplexed, ¡°What, scared there¡¯s poison?¡±


    ¡°I am not afraid of staying with you. Do you think I¡¯m afraid of you poisoning a pill?¡± Zhuo Fan huffed, ¡°Didn¡¯t you tell me to get lost? Why did you save me then?¡±


    The scourge woman eyed him deeply, ¡°Then, why did you still try to defend me before those people? Weren¡¯t you afraid of being beaten to death? If I had arrived just one second later, you¡¯d have died.¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed inside. He knew that after a full night spent on absorbing the moon¡¯s yin, the following day would be used on absorbing the sun¡¯s yang to warm her meridians. If not, even the strongest of experts could not withstand the corrosive yin energy raining havoc through their body.


    When he did his rounds around the area, he knew the spot she picked for absorbing yang. It was all a matter of staging a good show with his fellow neighbors. Not even mild-tempered people could keep away from the ruckus once their meditation was interrupted.


    In layman¡¯s terms, it all went according to Zhuo Fan¡¯s foolproof plan to breach the scourge woman¡¯s psychological barriers and accept him with all her heart.


    Zhuo Fan turned his head and stared right in her eyes until her own eyes faltered away. He spoke with emotion, ¡°My mother said, eyes are a window to one¡¯s soul. There¡¯s no way a person with such beautiful eyes possess an evil heart. And, you also let me stay, you definitely have a good heart. If those people slander you for murder, how could I stand by and not defend your name?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s open bootlicking was filled with childish naivety, lacking the feeling of deception an adult would have. If a lady heard it, she wouldn¡¯t loathe this childish behavior, on the contrary, they would like it even more.


    That¡¯s the secret to capturing a woman¡¯s heart, not using flowery and sweet words, but to stir her motherly side.


    This epiphany came to him after talking with Dong Tianba. He used to feel Dong Tianba and Song Yu were simply mighty silk pants. Though their chasing skills were vile and repulsive, it still achieved results.


    Therefore, he was using the same methods. [It¡¯s true, the world is filled with wondrous trades. Everyone¡¯s a master in something!]


    The effect was obvious, the scourge woman¡¯s cheeks tinted red and snapped, ¡°Silver-tongued!¡±


    But the eyes, though, now showed acceptance!


    [Thanks, brother Dong, thank you for teaching me the way of chasing!]


    Zhuo Fan secretly sighed, but his face was still etched with that childlike innocence as he laughed, ¡°Sister, I know you for so long yet I haven¡¯t caught your name!¡±


    ¡°How is that long? We only saw each other three times!¡± Rolling her eyes, the scourge woman mumbled, ¡°You¡­ call me sister Chuchu.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sister Chuchu!¡±


    Zhuo Fan put on a puppy-eyed face that made even him nauseous, but his hands were tied. Women ate them like candy.


    ¡°Now take the pill.¡± Chuchu extended the bottle, but Zhuo Fan smiled and opened his mouth, ¡°Sister Chuchu, feed me!¡±


    Sighing, Chuchu shook her head helpless, glared, but she still extended him a pill with her dainty hand.


    Zhuo Fan saw her hand approaching and grabbed her wrist suddenly, pouring in his Yuan Qi¡­

 Chapter 99 - Amazing Alchemy Skill

    His Yuan Qi didn¡¯t travel far as a sudden chill, caused by the yin power, broke his contact, and a thin layer of ice crystals formed on his hand.


    Zhuo Fan was in shock.


    This didn¡¯t come as a result of the terrible chill, since it belonged to the yin power of the moon. What startled him so was the poison the scourge woman was housing in her body.


    There were seven types of poison twisted inside, and each one of them was enough to leave a person dead as a doornail. As opposed to miraculous medicines, this was a certain death poison. With how the seven poison were twisted among each other, even a Radiant Stage expert would be in endless torment before dying.


    He didn¡¯t know anyone so vile and malicious that would administer such poison, but one thing he did know, the poison was far too strong to be suppressed by the moon¡¯s yin power alone.


    And there was one more thing Zhuo Fan found inside her body fighting off the seven poisons, a medicine; the Bodhi Jade Sap!


    With his eyes wide, Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart was in exultation.


    Bodhi Jade Sap was a miraculous medicine capable of reviving someone from an inch of death, a 7th, if not 8th-grade medicine. One drop was enough to save a mortally wounded person.


    And this was what Zhuo Fan¡¯s aim all along!


    Now, he was apathetic to the scourge woman¡¯s plight, only having eyes for the Bodhi Jade Sap to restore the Thunder Skylark egg.


    All that was left was to figure out how to get it out of her. This miraculous treasure wasn¡¯t a common topic he could discuss with her, it breached one¡¯s lifeline.


    ¡°What are you doing?!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s act was instantaneous and only now did she pull her dainty hand away and glared in fury.


    His eyes darting around, Zhuo Fan put on a sappy face, rubbing his hands in worry, ¡°Sister Chuchu, your hand is so cold, let me warm you up!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t play with me!¡±


    Chuchu stared at him filled with doubt, ¡°Say it, why did you search me with Yuan Qi?¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°I noticed sister Chuchu¡¯s unwell complexion and since my clan is an alchemist clan, I thought of helping you. I didn¡¯t expect sister to doubt me¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan now sported a face filled with injustice, and even sniffed to drive the point in. It had the obvious effect and Chuchu¡¯s heart softened and her eyes no longer glared.


    ¡°My injury isn¡¯t something a third rate clan can help with. But thank you.¡±


    ¡°Who says that?¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised his head, like an indignant child, ¡°My Song clan from Nightrain City have been alchemists for generations. My dad is a 3rd-grade alchemist and passed his teachings onto me. If you don¡¯t believe it, come and see my skills!¡±


    Zhuo Fan grabbed Chuchu¡¯s soft hand and went outside. Chuchu was so stunned she forgot to fight back.


    No matter what she was thinking, she didn¡¯t seem to want to cut at this big boy¡¯s enthusiasm.


    Zhuo Fan led Chuchu through some broken-down houses, to the fright of the new locals. Of course, most of them were in fear of the scourge woman while only one man felt dread from Zhuo Fan.


    He was the stocky man who witnessed Zhuo Fan¡¯s vicious methods!


    The pair arrived at the tavern where Dong Tianba stayed. In his rush before, he even left the Song carriage here. It contained the ingredients the Song clan readied for the meeting.


    ¡°Bro!¡±


    He ran right into the Dong siblings. Dong Tianba was in glee while Dong Xiaowan gave a bashful nod, ¡°Big brother Song!¡±


    Yet, Dong Xiaowan felt something strange as she caught his hand holding Chuchu¡¯s wrist.


    Dong Tianba noticed this also and felt awkward, ¡°Bro, who is she?¡±


    ¡°Sister Chuchu, a new friend!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    At his words, Dong Tianba dragged him to the side with a raised eyebrow, ¡°Wait to go, bro! You got one just as you arrived!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s all thanks to brother Dong!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words came from his heart. You¡¯d think a cultivation maniac like him would know how to get close to Chuchu if not for yesterday¡¯s long chat with this prodigal son?


    Stealing a glance at Chuchu, Dong Tianba gave a lustful grin, ¡°Bro, is she hot? I can¡¯t tell from her clothes. But she should be hiding something amazing.¡±


    ¡°Uh, I¡¯m not sure since I never saw her body!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Dong Tianba cried out, ¡°Not even her face? And you want to bed her?¡±


    Zhuo Fan shrugged, ¡°Don¡¯t be like that. I don¡¯t look at her like that anyway.¡±


    Zhuo Fan brushed passed him, letting him stand dumbstruck, his brows furrowed in deep confusion, [If a man isn¡¯t after a woman for her body, then is it for love? When did my dear bro change so much?]


    ¡°Brother Dong, where¡¯s my carriage?¡± Dong Tianba recovered only after he heard Zhuo Fan¡¯s yell. He replied, ¡°In the back of the tavern. Come with me.¡±


    Dong Tianba led them out back and Zhuo Fan went right inside the carriage, beginning to take out all the glittering and odd ingredients.


    He didn¡¯t look at all serious, instead, he was as pure as a child.


    Chuchu found it normal, but the Dong siblings were startled. Where did the vicious and sinister Zhuo Fan of yesterday go?


    Dong Tianba then realized, [It seems that love can make a man go crazy. Bro, you are caught in a love trap!]


    Not minding the looks he got, Zhuo Fan met Chuchu¡¯s eyes and spoke with a boyish smile, ¡°Sister Chuchu, watch closely!¡±


    His hand now held a scarlet Yuan Qi flame, throwing dozens of ingredients inside. Yet it was amazing how the ingredients didn¡¯t mix.


    ¡°What precise control!¡± Dong Tianba exclaimed.


    A 3rd-grade alchemist could, at best, handle nine ingredients at once. But Zhuo Fan made light work of dozens. His skill went beyond the 4th grade, perhaps even 5th.


    4th-grade alchemists were seen only in second rate clans, 5th grade in first rate clans. As for those above, they were talents raised in the seven houses.


    Dong Tianba just couldn¡¯t believe it. When he met Song Yu again in this city, he discovered that not only did his power soared, but even his alchemy ability jumped.


    [If he had one iota of skill he shows today at the start, the Clan Head wouldn¡¯t have refused him.] Dong Xiaowan was watching him with an even more amazed expression.


    Chuchu nodded faintly, her eyes evoking praise. His skill at his age made Zhuo Fan a diamond in the rough!


    But Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t going for just praise, he wanted shock. Only shock was enough to assure Chuchu of his alchemy ability and let him have the Bodhi Jade Sap.


    [Then, he-he-he¡­]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes narrowed and gripped the scarlet flame containing the ingredients, putting it out. Only a weak trail of smoke was left behind.


    ¡°What are you doing?!¡±


    Dong Tianba cried, ¡°I thought this guy improved but why does he suddenly lack common sense? If you forge all the ingredients together and put out the flame, you¡¯ll ruin them.¡±


    Chuchu shook her head with a light smile. [He is still a child. How can you refine with an unsteady heart?]


    Then, among the pitying gazes, Zhuo Fan smirked mysteriously, ¡°As an alchemist, how can I not know when my pill is ruined? I don¡¯t need you to remind me!¡±


    With a smug smile, Zhuo Fan opened his hand.


    A piercing red light flashed and left behind a round red and glossy pill.


    ¡°H-how is this possible?¡±


    Dong Tianba was beyond shocked, not daring to even believe this was real. It went against all alchemical common sense.


    From the gloss and the fragrance, it denoted it as a 2nd-grade pill, but of top quality. It had a far greater value than any pill of the same grade.


    An apt description would be, a pill that jumped grades!


    Chuchu narrowed her eyes in shock. This was her first time witnessing such a skill.


    Zhuo Fan snickered inside. This refining method was called Universe Palm, taken from the Nine Serenities Secret Records. It preserved the ingredients¡¯ effects and even boosted the pill to top quality.


    It was no wonder those in the mortal domain were oblivious to it since not even the Sacred Domain was aware of its existence.


    How could mortals even begin to understand the secret methods of the ancients? It was all for the sake of getting that Bodhi Jade Sap, or Zhuo Fan wouldn¡¯t have revealed such a technique.


    To common folk, this secret art meant nothing, but to alchemists, they would rave over it. He¡¯d be inviting disaster if they knew of it.


    But these potential issues were for him to deal with in the future. All that mattered now was gaining Chuchu¡¯s trust.


    Zhuo Fan grinned as he brought the glossy red pill before Chuchu, ¡°Sister Chuchu, I felt your hand freezing, so this Yang Pill is for you.¡±


    Chuchu raised her eyebrow, but mocked instead, ¡°I appreciate your kindness, but Yang Pill is a 2nd-grade pill. It has no effect on me!¡±


    ¡°How can you be certain if you haven¡¯t tried it yet?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s cryptic smile left Chuchu in doubt, but she also knew this pill wasn¡¯t ordinary thanks to the special method he employed in refining it. She chose to take it after some muttering.


    Chuchu suddenly felt her body shivering, her eyes filled with shock. She had an expression that no one could decipher¡­

 Chapter 100 - Rainbow Cloud Palm

    ¡°How is this possible?¡± Chuchu exclaimed.


    That pill was unlike any she had taken. It dissolved in an instant into a miniature sun and caused her to let out a scorching breath.


    The strong pill effect traveled to every corner of her body, warming it up. When the effect faded, a comfortable feeling still lingered while also dispelling most of the yin power damaging her meridians she absorbed last night.


    Chuchu was incredulous such an astonishing pill existed in this world.


    Her Yuan Qi was of yin attribute, and normal yang attribute pills would be rendered useless. As such, a mere 2nd grade Yang Pill should have already been offset by her body before it could help dispel the moon¡¯s yin power inside her.


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s pill was burning like the sun, yet it was gentle, nurturing the recovery of her meridians.


    The crux of it all was that her Yuan Qi didn¡¯t fight against it, allowing her to capitalize on the pill¡¯s entire effect.


    This went beyond even her wildest dreams!


    A pair of sparkling eyes stared at Zhuo Fan¡¯s.


    Zhuo Fan was gleeful inside as he smiled, ¡°How is it, sister Chuchu? My pill is different from the rest.¡±


    Chuchu nodded unconsciously as she praised, ¡°You are so young yet using such an enigmatic refining skill. In a few years, the entire empire will know your name.¡±


    [He-he-he, it has already, though you don¡¯t know it yet!]


    Zhuo Fan cursed inside, but his face still evoked the same boyish smile, ¡°Then, sister Chuchu, if there¡¯s anything hurting your body, I will make it sure that it stops.¡±


    Chuchu jerked, Zhuo Fan¡¯s words struck a chord in her. She knew her own body all too well and needed a great alchemist to remove the poison. However¡­


    Chuchu muttered to herself. Zhuo Fan was always watching her, his heart stretched taut. If his mind could be heard it would be like, [What¡¯s the hold-up?]


    [Hurry up and fork that damn Bodhi Jade Sap over! If you don¡¯t have it, then point me in the right direction at least!]


    Then, a laugher suddenly resounded, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, took you long enough. I¡¯ve been waiting here for a whole day, brat.¡±


    Two figures landed from the sky.


    One was dressed in red, the beautiful figure of the girl Zhuo Fan humiliated yesterday, Xiao Dandan. The other was a man, a handsome youth in green and with an eerie green flicker in his eye.


    Dong Tianba and his sister jumped in shock. Chuchu was also affected, staring at the two with a complicated gaze. While Zhuo Fan¡¯s expression was grave, his eyes glinting dangerously.


    [Son of a bitch! I almost had it! Your meddling warrants death!]


    Zhuo Fan was itching to snap these two¡¯s necks, but noticing Chuchu, [Forget it, I¡¯ll keep playing the naive child.]


    ¡°He-he-he, punk, I heard you were quite strong¡­¡±


    ¡°Sister Chuchu, they¡¯re picking on me. Beat them up!¡±


    While the smug green youth was pointing at him, Zhuo Fan pulled on Chuchu¡¯s clothes. He was striking an uncanny resemblance to a younger brother bullied by others and asking his boss for help.


    This caused a widespread shock to all that knew of yesterday¡¯s affair. The green youth¡¯s face twitched, watching Xiao Dandan in skepticism, ¡°Miss Dandan, is he the one who was hard on you yesterday? Is he the same insufferably arrogant punk? Why is it he has not one bone in his back?¡±


    Xiao Dandan felt dizzy, [He wasn¡¯t like this before! he was even bossy with my senior aunt. Is he bipolar?]


    ¡°Uh, young master Yan, he¡­ is. But¡­ he wasn¡¯t like this yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Humph, whatever. Since he is the one, I will give him a reckoning for what happened to you.¡± Snorting, he said to Zhuo Fan, ¡°I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re a spineless coward or a retard. Since you offended people from the seven houses, you deserve death. With how skilled and heavy-handed you were when dealing with Lin Tianyu, you are worthy of my personal involvement!¡±


    ¡°You beat Lin Tianyu? Weren¡¯t you weaker than even a third rate clan¡¯s disciple?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes darted everywhere, then gave an embarrassed smile, ¡°Uh, if I say he tripped and hurt himself, would you believe me?¡±


    Everyone almost lost balance and collapsed.


    [Dude, can¡¯t you come up with a more realistic lie?]


    Chuchu smiled out of anger, ¡°Song Yu, if you admit you lied to me from the start, I can still forgive you. But you are clearly taking me for a fool.¡±


    Chuchu brushed her sleeve and vanished, leaving only her angry voice in his ear, ¡°Humph, since you court it, you deal with it!¡±


    ¡°Sister Chuchu, let me explain¡­¡± Zhuo Fan trailed but she was gone.


    When Zhuo Fan turned around, his eyes were cold and deadly. His previous cute and adorable look was gone, replaced with murderous desire.


    ¡°You bastard, couldn¡¯t you wait a minute more? You ruined my plan!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone carried a vicious desire for revenge, making Xiao Dandan shiver as she hid behind the green youth. Even the youth held a serious expression.


    From being in contact with so many people from the seven houses, it was easy to figure out a man¡¯s nature from a single glance. But Zhuo Fan¡¯s naked killing intent made his judgment moot. Such savagery only came from the kind of beast.


    ¡°Humph, from how tough you act, it is no wonder that you dealt a heavy blow to Lin Tianyu!¡± The green youth mocked, ¡°Too bad you met me, Pill King Hall, Vicious Pill King, Yan Song¡¯s head disciple, Yan Fu! I am unlike that trash from Merry Woods who indulges in lust. I am the Vicious Pill King¡¯s successor!¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned. Vicious Pill King was the title of the best alchemist in Pill King Hall.


    But the first in Pill King Hall wasn¡¯t like the first in any other clans.


    To some clans, their number one alchemist title was gained by being the best in alchemy. But in Pill King Hall, it not only represented alchemy but also concocting poison unlike any other.


    From this his title, Vicious Pill King. It could be said that he was the mightest killer and savior in the world. With life and death in his hands, he became known as a true Pill King!


    [In other words, this kid¡¯s good at poisons. Humph!]


    Zhuo Fan mocked inside. Poison might inconvenience the rest, but to him it had no effect.


    [See how I use my Demon Transformation Art and wring your cultivation dry!]


    With a crack of lightning, Zhuo Fan appeared before Yan Fu.


    The shock Yan Fu felt was palpable, not expecting the 1st layer of Bone Tempering Stage cultivator to employ such speed. It was no wonder that Merry Woods¡¯ disciple who despite his focus on speed lost so badly.


    Yet before he could react, Zhuo Fan kicked him in the stomach.


    Spewing blood, Yan Fu flew out, making a human-shaped hole in the wall around the tavern and bounced fifty meters in the street.


    Everyone was slack jawed.


    To be honest, if not for Zhuo Fan¡¯s irritated state, he would¡¯ve toned it down.


    Casting a side glance at Xiao Dandan, she was scared out of her wits. Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°No matter who you call, they¡¯ll all end the same. Do you women from Drifting Flowers Edifice can only rely on men? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan walked away and left her crying, feeling wronged.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s contempt and harsh tone cut deep into her. It was no longer humiliation, but despise!


    Going through the broken wall, Zhuo Fan walked towards Yan Fu, who was getting up. The tavern¡¯s customers and the bystanders hid when they saw it was a fight involving the seven houses.


    ¡°He-he-he, quite fast, the fastest beneath Profound Heaven Stage I reckon.¡± Yan Fu sneered as he wiped the blood from his mouth.


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Well this is a first, seeing one happy to be beaten.¡±


    ¡°Humph, I am happy, but of certain victory.¡±


    ¡°Victory?¡± Zhuo Fan disdained, ¡°I know Pill King Hall can make pills as well as poisons. But you think you can beat me with poisons?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, debased punk, you know nothing of the world!¡±


    Yan Fu¡¯s eyes flashed as he laughed, ¡°My master is Vicious Pill King, revered by all. If not for his poisons, why do you think the seven houses fear him?¡±


    Yan Fu spread his arms.


    A mist flew from his palms that gradually changed its color, soon letting out three different types of light.


    Red, yellow, and green interweaved.


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, feeling slightly numb.


    [Crud, this punk¡¯s poison skills are good to the point that even I have been affected.] He was cursing inside, however, Zhuo Fan had a calm expression on the outside.


    ¡°He-he-he, have a taste of Pill King Hall¡¯s legacy profound ranked martial art, Rainbow Cloud Palm!¡±

 Chapter 101 - Lunatic

    With his final words, the palms gushed out a tri-colored mist. In a mere blink, it rotated around him like a tornado, obscuring his form.


    Zhuo Fan gave a cold laugh inside.


    [Those from Pill King Hall are focused on practicing poison and, just like Merry Woods, who focus on speed, their bodies aren¡¯t tempered at all.]


    Their bodies were weak.


    And to cover it up, he hid in the mist, at a safe distance.


    [Too bad your trick won¡¯t work on me.]


    His eyes flashed and Zhuo Fan charged, planning on wringing the punk¡¯s neck in one move. But he stopped soon after, as he looked at the mist. He realized something.


    [Damn, it¡¯s a trap!]


    [He came here to exact revenge for Xiao Dandan, but in fact, he¡¯s been egged on to come here and probe me. If not, Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s men would¡¯ve come to settle their disciple¡¯s matter. Why would they let this kid steal the limelight?]


    Zhuo Fan breathed in and his eyes returned to the usually calm and calculative look.


    [Iris Overseer is unclear on who I am and tricked this kid into testing me. I can assume there are a few Profound Heaven experts already watching.]


    [Humph, not a bad plan!]


    Zhuo Fan laughed coldly inside as he withdrew, no longer having the desire to kill in his eyes.


    Under these circumstances, he must not win no matter what!


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, punk, weren¡¯t you cocky of your speed? Come on then!¡± Yan Fu¡¯s egotistical voice came from inside the mist.


    Zhuo Fan tapped his chin with a faint smile, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, think I¡¯m stupid? You come out if you dare. I don¡¯t believe you¡¯ll stay there for a lifetime. When you¡¯re out of Yuan Qi, I will put you in your place!¡±


    ¡°Humph, you¡¯re sadly mistaken if you think the Rainbow Cloud Palm is only used for defense! I will let you experience the perfect martial art!¡±


    Whoosh!


    Three tendrils of mist moved from the tornado, like hands, going after Zhuo Fan, their speed no less than his.


    Zhuo Fan ducked and dodged through the gaps in the attacks. But the tendrils suddenly turned and came from his back.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, now you see, punk? Pill King Hall¡¯s Rainbow Cloud Palm isn¡¯t just for defense. No matter what you do, you will still die!¡±


    Yan Fu was cackling smugly while Zhuo Fan was dodging with contempt.


    Poison users were strong and weak at the same time. Before the poison was dispelled, the user would be invincible. But after, he was the weakest person ever.


    He¡¯d be even weaker than a cultivator at the same stage!


    Among the ten ancient emperors, not one relied on poison as their main path. The Pill King Hall was so stuck-up because of this technique because there hadn¡¯t been anyone who could counter it.


    [Humph, once I deal with your palm technique, the Pill King Hall will be kicked out of the seven houses. See how you¡¯ll cry then. As for now, humph¡­ I¡¯ll endure!]


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth.


    But his silence only worked to bolster Yan Fu¡¯s haughty attitude, thinking he was scared, ¡°Punk, don¡¯t think you can mess with Seven Noble Houses just because you¡¯re a bit stronger than average. You might not care about the rest of them but, let me tell you, when provoking Pill King Hall, all that you¡¯ll receive is death!¡±


    [The hell, when did I go and do that? Didn¡¯t you pick on me on purpose?]


    Gasping, Zhuo Fan clenched his fists.


    [This punk is too damn patronizing. I might fake defeat, but not before I let him have a small taste!]


    At this thought, Zhuo Fan stopped his running, as if tired. Yan Fu was thrilled, sending the red, yellow, and green tendrils of poisonous mist right for him.


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s squinted and with a loud bang, he charged through the three tendrils of poison and into the mist like an artillery shell.


    Yan Fu could foresee what Zhuo Fan was planning to do and became startled. He was preparing to move out of the way. But he was late to react and Zhuo Fan was already before him, his hand clutching at his neck.


    ¡°Son of a bitch, if poison is so great! Then, you and I will die together then!¡±


    Poison seeped into his body and Zhuo Fan¡¯s face alternated between red, yellow and green. His mouth and nose were bleeding constantly, but he couldn¡¯t care less, kicking Yan Fu in the chest!


    Bones cracked with a crisp sound and Yan Fu spat blood. His eyes were filled with fright.


    He couldn¡¯t believe there was a man who didn¡¯t fear poison and charge in with such determination.


    Most people would¡¯ve hesitated in face of a poison mist. But who knew Zhuo Fan to be the exception? His method was that of staunch determination, choosing death for both of them. Was Yan Fu about to meet his end?


    ¡°Lunatic, you¡¯re truly insane!¡±


    Yan Fu was going hysterical watching dark blood flow freely from Zhuo Fan¡¯s face.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with a crazed look, ¡°He-he-he, I am crazy! Since I¡¯m going to die, I¡¯m going to take you down first and avenge myself!¡±


    Zhuo Fan kicked Yan Fu¡¯s chest three more times, breaking all his ribs. Yan Fu was itching to cry his heart out from all the pain.


    But this was just the start.


    Before he could make a sound, Zhuo Fan grabbed his skull and slapped him a dozen or so times.


    The sharp sounds echoed on the street as Yan Fu¡¯s teeth were flung with each slap. His eyes were wet but had no energy to even cry. The immense pain stabbed into his heart and all he could do was whimper.


    Xiao Dandan and the Dong siblings who came out of the tavern stared in shock. Xiao Dandan even covered her mouth, unable to believe what she saw.


    In reality, Yan Fu¡¯s injuries were superficial, hardly enough to kill him, while Zhuo Fan had poison coursing through him and his life was seeping fast out of his body. It wouldn¡¯t be long before he¡¯d succumb to it and die.


    However, from the two¡¯s interaction, it looked more like Zhuo Fan was the winner and was dealing heavy killing blows, while Yan Fu was akin to a loser kowtowing for forgiveness.


    [This can¡¯t be!]


    Xiao Dandan watched with mixed feelings as Zhuo Fan was nearing ever closer to death yet stronger than ever.


    He was clearly dying yet in his final moments, he was the strongest in the world. She never saw a man like this, not once.


    Her heart was suddenly seized by regret, actually hoping Zhuo Fan would live on.


    Yet, she was clear that once poisoned by Pill King Hall, no one could survive, the rest of the seven houses included. This was the terror instilled by the Pill King Hall!


    ¡°He-he-he, didn¡¯t you say your Pill King Hall¡¯s martial arts are perfect? Didn¡¯t you want to kill me? Humph, we will both go down today, and all that¡¯s left is to see who is going to have a quicker death!¡±


    Zhuo Fan yanked Yan Fu by the hair, his body trembling from the poison reaching his organs. He didn¡¯t have much time. Yet his smile was as crazed as before, slamming Yan Fu into the ground.


    Even if Yan Fu survived this ordeal, it would leave him with permanent scarring!


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    A gale knocked Zhuo Fan flying as a green-robed elderly drifted to Yan Fu. He gave him a pill, checked his wounds then sighed.


    His poisonous eyes then snapped to Zhuo Fan, glinting with murderous intent.


    A thousand meters out, on a tall building, stood two figures. One was middle-aged with a split mustache, the other was a red-haired elderly. The two watched Zhuo Fan with a sigh.


    ¡°They say that some are so stubborn they can¡¯t see they¡¯re going to die! This kid¡¯s desperate and suicidal act is Pill King Hall¡¯s bane! If the rest of the houses did the same, would Vicious Pill King dare run rampant again?¡± 5th elder laughed in lament, ¡°This kid¡¯s character is something I like.¡±


    Nodding, Lin Zitian said, ¡°I know now why Tianyu lost. It would¡¯ve been a miracle if he won when meeting such a lunatic, one that is so strong too. When meeting an unbeatable opponent, one must not make an enemy out of him or the result would be devastating. Most people¡¯s first thought is to run to save their lives, and by the time they react, it would be too late. This is why Pill King Hall is still held in fear.¡±


    5th elder nodded and flew away, leaving his words behind, ¡°It¡¯s a pity. With this man¡¯s strong body, under my guidance, his future would¡¯ve been bright! With Pill King Hall¡¯s poison in him, it is ruined¡­¡±


    ¡°5th elder.¡± Lin Zitian shouted from behind, ¡°Is he not¡­ Zhuo Fan?¡±


    Startled, 5th elder turned to look at him and shook his head, ¡°Zhuo Fan is as treacherous as a fox, cunning as a wolf, dangerous as a snake, and savage like a tiger! Not only does this kid not look like him, he is all brawn and no brain. Even if they both do not fear death, they are totally different!


    ¡°Lin Zitian, listen well! Zhuo Fan is a hundred times more dreadful!¡± His eyes shivering, 5th elder vanished.


    Lin Zitian was left with a hard expression.


    Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder was the pillar of Hell Valley, the strongest. His words must be real if even he was afraid of the kid¡­

 Chapter 102 - Bodhi Jade Sap

    ¡°Big brother Song!¡± Dong Xiaowan cried out as she witnessed Zhuo Fan collapsing. She wanted to go to him but Dong Tianba pulled her hand.


    Dong Tianba was watching the elder in green with a serious face. Zhuo Fan reduced Yan Fu to such a state and helping him would only incur the elder¡¯s wrath.


    It may not be righteous, but as long as you¡¯d escape an encounter with the seven houses alive, everything else was just details.


    ¡°Hey, wench, take care of my disciple!¡±


    Vicious Pill King turned to Xiao Dandan, his eyes flashing green. She shivered from fear as she pointed at herself, ¡°Y-you mean me?¡±


    ¡°Cut the crap. My disciple ended up like this for your sake. Who else should be looking after him if not you?¡± Yan Song spoke in an irreproachable manner.


    Xiao Dandan was forced to obey despite her wishes.


    Yan Fu¡¯s mangled body stirred endless disgust in her. [Who told him to stick his head out for me? Not me! He dragged me here to mess with Song Yu and now that he got hurt, I have to look after him?]


    Picking up on her loathing, Yan Song spoke in a threatening tone, ¡°Wench, my disciple got hurt for your sake and you¡¯re just going to ignore him?¡±


    Shivering, Xiao Dandan shook her head again and again, ¡°Uh, no, I wouldn¡¯t dare!¡±


    ¡°Humph, you¡¯d better. My disciple took a liking to you so you better not let him down or I will make you beg for the sweet release of death!¡±


    Snorting, Yan Song left his precious disciple in Xiao Dandan¡¯s care then walked to Zhuo Fan. The latter was on the ground, seemingly having stopped breathing, but his mind was hard at work paying attention to all that was happening.


    Also, he wasn¡¯t as poisoned as he had led on.


    He just canceled out Yan Fu¡¯s three poisons with the use of Demon Transformation Art and put on this act to dupe the crowd.


    Feeling Yan Song¡¯s naked killing intent with every step, Zhuo Fan¡¯s fist tightened.


    [I¡¯m already poisoned to death and a senior like you still wants to finish the job?]


    If push came to shove, his only choice was to expose his real identity.


    Despite having a 5th-grade demonic treasure body, an all-out strike from a Profound Heaven expert would leave him with a heavy wound. At the very least, his inner organs would be damaged.


    Zhuo Fan was ready to react at a moment¡¯s notice and strike down the insufferable Vicious Pill King!


    Suddenly¡­


    Lighting crackled along his Thunder Ring left him startled, [That guy can¡¯t be here, right?]


    Yet familiar laughter echoed as a person flashed a hundred meters from Zhuo Fan, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, and here I thought the magnificent and grand Vicious Pill King was amazing, while instead, he delights in picking on the weak!¡±


    It was none other than Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s Xie Tianyang, the one who went through life and death alongside Zhuo Fan. Next to him was the same elder from before, 8th elder Jian Suifeng!


    [Well damn, you picked the perfect timing to show up!]


    Zhuo Fan was in glee, sneaking the Thunder Ring into another storage ring while no one was looking. The crackling of lighting vanished but Xie Tianyang didn¡¯t care, as he continued to stare at Yan Song with arrogance.


    ¡°Twerp, did you come to butt into my affairs?¡±


    Yan Song snapped his eyes to him, exploding in killing intent. Jian Suifeng rested his hand on Xie Tianyang¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Tianyang, this doesn¡¯t concern us.¡±


    ¡°8th elder, Drifting Flowers City isn¡¯t Pill King Hall¡¯s turf, why should we be scared of him?¡± Xie Tianyang grinned, sticking out his chin.


    Jian Suifeng shook his head. Ever since the battle of Blue Expanse City between You Guiqi and Zhuo Fan, Xie Tianyang had become a busybody. He just couldn¡¯t stand by and watch injustice playing before him.


    This quirk wasn¡¯t that bad, but it didn¡¯t do any good either.


    The elder didn¡¯t stop him in normal cases. But right now, he had gone too far. To dare to butt in the seven houses¡¯ affairs, this had left the Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s elders in a panic. He could not fathom the consequences.


    That Zhuo Fan was all by his lonesome self, messing with whoever that crossed him as he wished. But Tianyang represented Sword Marquise Abode. Just what did the elders teach him?


    Furthermore, did he have to go against the Vicious Pill King out of all of them?


    Jian Suifeng gave a wistful smile as he apologized in Xie Tianyang¡¯s stead, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, elder Yan Song, I am Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s 8th elder, Jian Suifeng. Please don¡¯t mind the words of an ignorant youth!¡±


    ¡°No wonder he dares acts so presumptuous. He¡¯s from Sword Marquise Abode!¡±


    Yan Song¡¯s eyes drifted over the two then shook his head at the breathless Zhuo Fan, ¡°Whatever, I¡¯ll let Sword Marquise Abode have this one and won¡¯t punish this punk myself. He inhaled my disciple¡¯s poison anyway and won¡¯t have long to live.¡±


    Yan Song emphasized the word disciple, pointing out the fact his disciple was the one that would kill this kid. It was a message to them, ¡®It has nothing to do with me. I¡¯m not picking on the weak, so don¡¯t you freakin¡¯ start spreading false rumors and ruining my name, Sword Marquise Abode!¡¯


    Jian Suifeng was clear on his hidden meaning and nodded, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, elder Yan Song has a fine disciple. How could any common person be his match? This kid dared to mess with him so death is what he deserves! ¡°


    Yan Fu nodded in satisfaction, [At least you¡¯re tactful.] He then flashed before Xiao Dandan and took her and his disciple away.


    His disciple won, but it was a wretched win.


    If he lingered any more, the Sword Marquise Abode might figure out his disciple killed his opponent with poison while getting beaten like a punching bag. He¡¯d have no face left then!


    There weren¡¯t many who knew this, to begin with, only Drifting Flowers Tower, Merry Woods and Hell Valley, but the fewer that did, the better ¨C this was all to avoid making a disgrace of himself.


    When the old man left, Jian Suifeng took a deep breath. Though Jian Suifeng who was filled with hatred gnashed his teeth while looking at Zhuo Fan slowly dying, ¡°Bastard, he flaunts his power at every chance and disgraces all the seven houses!¡±


    ¡°Alright already. Do you think you¡¯re that monster, Zhuo Fan? That you can do anything you want?¡±


    After cuffing Xie Tianyang over the head, Jian Suifeng shook his head, ¡°Tianyang, do you have any idea how dangerous that was? Unlike You Guiqi who likes to play games and scheme instead of acting on impulses, Vicious Pill King would strike at anything that earns his displeasure with impunity, even against the other houses, no one can do anything to stop him!¡±


    Xie Tianyang bit his lip and sighed powerlessly.


    ¡°You must be the Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s young master!¡±


    Xie Tianyang turned to see Dong Xiaowan kneeling at his feet, ¡°Brother Song Yu has been poisoned by Pill King Hall, please save him!¡±


    Xie Tianyang eyes Zhuo Fan then Jian Suifeng, ¡°8th elder, can we save him?¡±


    ¡°Ha! You think there¡¯s anyone in this world that can cure Pill King Hall¡¯s poison? If there was, it wouldn¡¯t have grown into such a fearful figure.¡± Jian Suifeng shook his head, ¡°Tianyang, don¡¯t mess with other people¡¯s problems!¡±


    Xie Tianyang watched Dong Xiaowan hopeless, ¡°Forgive me, miss, I cannot help him.¡± And left with Jian Suifeng.


    Dong Xiaowan cried as she turned to her brother. Dong Tianba sighed, ¡°At the end of it all, dear little brother Song met his doom because of us. We will return his body to Nightrain City and bury him there. The Song clan will be then declared our kin.¡±


    Dong Xiaowan sniffed and nodded.


    ¡°Wait!¡± A sudden voice stopped them.


    Chuchu appeared, ¡°He¡¯s been poisoned by Rainbow Cloud Palm. If you touch him you will also suffer!¡±


    What?


    The two backed off a few steps. Dong Xiaowan watched Chuchu mournful, ¡°What can we do? We can¡¯t just leave big brother Song¡¯s body here.¡±


    ¡°Leave him to me. I will heal him!¡±


    Chuchu bound Zhuo Fan in a ribbon and vanished, leaving the Dong siblings in shock.


    The Sword Marquise Abode of the Seven Noble Houses couldn¡¯t do anything. Yet, a hick woman could?


    The two couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of it, but Zhuo Fan was the most in shock.


    He observed the three poisons in his body combining and ever-changing, amplifying its toxicity. Was there any other method that could remove it besides the Demon Transformation Art?


    [Maybe¡­] His guess got him in high spirits.


    Fifteen minutes later, in the slums, Chuchu laid Zhuo Fan on the earthen bed and her hand flashed with a bottle.


    The instant she uncorked it, the scent wafted everywhere in the room.


    Zhuo Fan was startled yet despite his eyes being close, they still trembled. This was what he was after from the start, the heavenly treasure, Bodhi Jade Sap.


    A green drop landed on Zhuo Fan¡¯s lip, sliding in his mouth.


    In that instant, Zhuo Fan felt a boundless vitality soaring ever higher in his body, wrapping every inch of his body. He was so happy, but the sorrow in his heart dwarfed it.


    [Sister, it would¡¯ve been better if you dripped it on my egg¡­]

 Chapter 103 - Incredible

    A green light spread throughout his body, into every damaged fiber left behind by the poison. In six hours, his face no longer looked ill.


    Zhuo Fan felt the medicine did its job and faked a faint breath, as  though he had just recovered. He was muttering all the while to make his weakened state believable.


    Chuchu nodded slightly and helped Zhuo Fan to sit on the heated bed. She took a seat behind him, releasing a silver glow from her hands as she rested them on his back.


    Shivering from the sharp cold, Zhuo Fan sensed a frigid yin seeping into his body and flowing through his meridians to clear any leftover poison.


    His body had little poison to begin with, and the poisoning he showed on the surface was already cleared up thanks to the Bodhi Jade Sap.


    If this process continued, the cat would be out of the bag. No one would fear Pill King Hall if their poison was so easily removed.


    Furthermore, with how knowledgeable Chuchu seemed regarding Pill King Hall¡¯s poison, if a drop of Bodhi Jade Sap was enough to cure him, she wouldn¡¯t have followed through with the healing.


    Zhuo Fan was frowning at this point. [No, I cannot let that happen. I can¡¯t have her realize the truth or I¡¯ll be exposed!]


    So Zhuo Fan used the Demon Transformation Art to remove the yin energy. Chuchu was startled, thinking the poison countered her efforts so she added more strength.


    Zhuo Fan tweaked his cultivation method to match her rate of pushing Yuan Qi into his body until, at some point, Chuchu sensed her Yuan Qi moved uninhibited through his body.


    However, a light scowl adorned her face, ¡°I cannot believe the Pill King Hall¡¯s poison has reached such heights. The poison from a mere youth made me expend so much energy to dispel it!¡±


    Zhuo Fan secretly laughed, creaking his eyelids open and putting on the weak and sick act.


    ¡°Where am I?¡±


    Zhuo Fan turned his head around, puzzled. But he cried in joy at the sight of Chuchu, ¡°Sister Chuchu, you¡¯re finally back. I thought you¡¯re angry with me and would never talk to me again!¡±


    Chuchu was slightly moved.


    It was unimaginable for this boy to be so happy about seeing her, instead of being relieved he was still alive. This was clear proof he placed her far higher in his heart than his own wellbeing.


    Feeling warm inside, Chuchu raised an eyebrow as she smiled, ¡°Of course I¡¯m angry! You, a body cultivator, trashed Yan Fu to such a state, and you still dare fake weakness before me? Speak, what is your aim?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, I don¡¯t have one. Just that when I saw you for the first time, you showed such a fierce attitude towards me. But I know you are a good person, taking me in despite your troubles. That is why I want to get close to you, understand you and become your friend!¡±


    Chuchu gave him a long look and a smile slipped on her face, ¡°Humph, yeah right, who¡¯d believe you? I saw your fight with Yan Fu. You were so vicious in your attacks, using filthy language too. It was the opposite of what a refined young master would do when looking for consolation!¡±


    Zhuo Fan darted his eyes left and right as he sighed in his heart.


    [Chuchu is wise to figure out a man¡¯s true nature after just one battle. What she said is true. Why would a ruthless demonic cultivator act all kind if not for his self-interest in growing stronger?]


    He always felt that only the week would rely on factions, while the strong stood alone. It was the same for spiritual beasts. Packs existed only of low level spiritual beasts while 5th and 6th level beasts were solitary.


    Because once you had strength, you did not need one to look for shelter.


    But how was he supposed to answer Chuchu?


    Mulling in his heart for a while, Zhuo Fan noticed Chuchu¡¯s stare on him. It was then an inspiration struck and he secretly smiled, [Brother Dong, thanks again for your girl chasing skills.]


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, sister Chuchu, you really want me to say it?¡± With silly laughter, Zhuo Fan scratched his head shyly.


    Chuchu¡¯s heart was growing in suspicion. Her eyes became piercing, ¡°Tell me. Is your aim in getting close to me something unspeakable?¡±


    ¡°Uh, it¡¯s not that important, just that¡­ I like you.¡± Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, blushing, ¡°Sister Chuchu, you¡¯re right, I¡¯m not that forward when making friends with anyone¡­ except beauties!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s bottomless eyes stared at Chuchu with emotion. She was so stunned that a rosy tint spread on her cheeks.


    ¡°Y-you don¡¯t even know how I look, so why do you know I¡¯m beautiful?¡± Chuchu was starting to feel nervous as she stammered.


    Zhuo Fan secretly relaxed, [The initiative is back in my field.]


    [Thanks, brother Dong! Thank you for your skirt-chasing experience!]


    Zhuo Fan was happy inside, but his face was giddy, ¡°Sister Chuchu, I already told you, your eyes are mesmerizing. The moment I laid eyes on them, I knew you were beautiful!¡±


    ¡°Sophistry! Eyes have nothing to do with how one looks!¡± Chuchu turned her head, afraid of meeting Zhuo Fan¡¯s gaze.


    Zhuo Fan let out a short laugh and pressed his advantage, ¡°Who said that? Mother said, the prettier the eyes, the beautiful the woman!¡±


    ¡°Your mother is speaking nonsense!¡±


    ¡°Really? Then let¡¯s see! ¡°


    Zhuo Fan reached for Chuchu¡¯s cloth covering her face. She was startled for a moment before fleeing scared, ¡°Don¡¯t, I am hideous. I don¡¯t want to scare you. If you try that again, I will be angry!¡±


    Chuchu turned into the scared rabbit hunted by the fierce tiger, running to a corner in the room and blushing in panic. As for her threat, it held no power. In fact, it was more dignified than her usual cold and unfeeling manner.


    Zhuo Fan was stunned, ¡°Sister, I won¡¯t hit you. What are you so afraid of?¡±


    Chuchu seemed to have recovered her usual self after hearing him speak.


    She shook her head, ¡°Don¡¯t joke around like this again. Regardless of your reason for getting close to me, I will soon leave this place. It¡¯s likely that we will never meet each other again.¡±


    ¡°What? Leave?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was alarmed. He finally found this Bodhi Jade Sap and now she wanted to leave? [Where do I go looking for heavenly medicine then?]


    ¡°Where?¡± Zhuo Fan blurted.


    ¡°I won¡¯t tell you even if you ask!¡± Chuchu turned and left, ¡°This will be the last time we see each other.¡± Her steps were growing ever fainter.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes now flashed with a trace of resolution. He would have to fight for the Bodhi Jade Sap if he still wanted it. But the opponent was a Profound Heaven expert. A noisy fight might break out and more experts would come. At that point, his fate was sealed.


    Killing intent flashed in his eyes and feigned reluctance in his voice, ¡°Sister Chuchu, don¡¯t leave! I don¡¯t want to be away from you- ah!¡±


    Zhuo Fan pretended to be weak as he got up, only to collapse forward.


    Even flung from a hundred-meter-tall cliff wouldn¡¯t put a dent in him with his Bone Tempering cultivation, in normal cases. But women were women.


    Chuchu¡¯s heart turned soft and was by his side to support him. But Zhuo Fan let out an evil smirk as he clawed at Chuchu.


    He¡¯d force her to hand over the Bodhi Jade Sap. If not, he was going to pry it from her cold dead body.


    Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t kind, striking down even his so-called friends if it came to it.


    Since she was a Profound Heaven expert, she slanted her head the moment she heard the sound from the swift attack and avoided Zhuo Fan¡¯s move.


    The claw passed by her neck, taking with it the cloth over her face and exposing a delicate and smooth skin.


    Since the first attack didn¡¯t work, he wanted to continue, but Chuchu¡¯s expression left him dumbfounded.


    [Incredible!]


    That was the only thought in his mind. Chuchu¡¯s features made her the most perfect, most outstanding beauty he had ever seen. This was even if he were to include his past life. So much so, he couldn¡¯t even conceive the thought such a being existed.


    [She is indeed a fairy.]


    Zhuo Fan forgot even his objective.


    Chuchu was also lost, not having detected Zhuo Fan¡¯s killing intent. His slackjawed expression made her blush as tears pooled in her pure eyes.


    Bam!


    A crisp slap made intimate contact with Zhuo Fan¡¯s face, throwing him into the wall. She picked up the rough cloth on the ground and covered her face before leaving.


    With the clear teardrops still stained on the floor.


    ¡°W-what¡¯s going on?¡±


    Zhuo Fan rubbed his inflamed cheek, finding it impossible to forget her visage.


    ¡°Who knew the world could birth such beauty? I thought what I used before was flattery, but it turned out to be true. Pretty eyes are always on pretty women. And she is the most amazing in the world.¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed with palpitation and sorrow.


    Suddenly, something occurred to him, and rushed outside. But there was no sign of Chuchu or any trace of her Yuan Qi.


    [Sister, at least leave the Bodhi Jade Sap behind!]


    Zhuo Fan was crying inside, [Now I¡¯m back to square one!]


    [Blast it all to hell! What was I doing gawking instead of attacking? Am I a lecher that can¡¯t move when he sees a beautiful woman?]


    Zhuo Fan cursed himself as he sighed again and again¡­

 Chapter 104 - 2nd Layer Of Bone Tempering Stage

    Three days later, the Dong siblings were asking around as they made their way through the slums.


    ¡°Bro Song, where are you?¡±


    Dong Tianba took his sister to a run-down house where he noticed Zhuo Fan¡¯s figure through a hole in the roof.


    He was sitting on the bed with his eyes closed in meditation.


    ¡°Bro, I finally found you! It¡¯s good that you¡¯re alright!¡± Dong Tianba ran to him but bumped into an invisible wall and was flung into the dirt.


    Opening his eyes, Zhuo Fan exhaled as he stood up.


    With all the effort he put into cultivating these past few days, he reached the 2nd layer of Bone Tempering Stage! He had Yan Fu¡¯s three poisons to thank for that.


    Poison was also a tonic. Zhuo Fan refined them and also absorbed Chuchu¡¯s yin Yuan Qi resulting in a one-month early breakthrough.


    This advancement strengthened his body and speed by 10%. Now, the average Profound Heaven experts were nothing and he could even clash with those body cultivators in the Profound Heaven Stage!


    With a wave of his hand, he released the defensive array and walked out with a smile, ¡°Bro, a second rate clan such as you coming to visit my humble home truly brings light into this wretched house!¡±


    ¡°Please, stop pretending!¡±


    Dong Tianba patted the dust from his clothes, ¡°What¡¯s with this house? Why couldn¡¯t I enter and felt like I got slapped instead?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you think anyone can just waltz in?¡± Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°These three days, I was cultivating in seclusion and set up a defensive array so no one would bother me.¡±


    ¡°What, you know freaking arrays?¡±


    Dong Tianba jumped, his two eyes staring at Zhuo Fan in shock, ¡°Bro, if I haven¡¯t indulged in vices with you for so long, I¡¯d think you¡¯re a different person. We haven¡¯t seen each other for a few years and not only has your strength soared but you¡¯re also knowledgeable in arrays as well as having refining skills?¡±


    Dong Xiaowan stared with her pretty eyes at Zhuo Fan in worship.


    Laughing out loud, Zhuo Fan hurried to explain, ¡°Brother Dong, don¡¯t tease me. I used to be so frivolous in my youth but young miss Dong and your grandfather woke me up. Let bygones be bygones.¡±


    ¡°Big brother Song it all my fault?¡± Dong Xiaowan¡¯s rebuking glance seemed to be sending a message. Though, in fact, it was filled with love.


    Dong Tianba smacked his lips, ¡°Little brother¡¯s glorious success leaves me ashamed! I¡¯ll work hard and one day reach new heights just like you!¡±


    [Ha-ha-ha, cultivation is based firstly on talent, second on luck, and third on diligence! If anyone could¡¯ve become strong after just hard work, the world would¡¯ve been filled with experts.]


    Zhuo Fan gave a bitter laugh. Dong Tianba¡¯s talent will only allow him to reach Profound Heaven Stage at best. Without a lucky break, he would never advance beyond that.


    But Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t want to curb his enthusiasm.


    ¡°Oh, Brother Song, where¡¯s lady Chuchu?¡± Dong Tianba looked around, ¡°She said she¡¯ll save you and had actually done it. She is such a strange person. Why is it that I don¡¯t see her around?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed, having recalled the Bodhi Jade Sap and was filled with lament, ¡°I had the perfect chance and blew it. But regretting it now is pointless. If the heavens would grace me with another chance, I will definitely strike when I need to!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was filled with resolve while Dong Tianba misunderstood, ¡°She left?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded with a sigh.


    ¡°Bro, you have become so infatuated!¡± Dong Tianba patted his shoulder, ¡°It¡¯s alright, lovers will one day reunite. Just make sure to not let her go next time!¡±


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t get the chance to explain as Dong Xiaowan glared at her brother.


    Dong Tianba noticed it and changed his tone, ¡°Uh, that lady Chuchu must have left because she has another lover. Forget about her! The world is teeming with flowers so you don¡¯t need to stop at the first one you find. Perhaps the one before you might be even better.¡±


    Dong Xiaowan was bashful.


    Zhuo Fan watched the siblings¡¯ act while blinking dumbstruck. [Do I look like a man intoxicated by emotions?]


    [My only regret is missing my chance to get the Bodhi Jade Sap.]


    Though Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t clear the misunderstanding, he continued to speak. ¡°Brother Dong, did you come here to make sure I am still alive and kicking, or is there something else?¡±


    Dong Tianba recalled the reason for his visit and facepalmed, ¡°Brother Song, thanks for reminding me, I totally forgot. I came to make sure you¡¯re alright and, for the safety of both our clans, to take you somewhere.¡±


    Dong Tianba then pulled Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan was baffled but followed after noticing how serious he was. Since he lost all trails on Bodhi Jade Sap, it was better to go with Dong Tianba and ask around.


    The trio arrived before a tall building. The plaque on it left Zhuo Fan secretly giving a chuckle. Meanwhile, he had a vulgar grin on his face, ¡°He-he-he, brother Dong, you just said you¡¯re going to work hard but how come you brought me to this place?¡±


    ¡°What place?¡± Dong Tianba was clueless.


    With a wretched smile, Zhuo Fan pointed at the plaque, ¡°Brother Dong, don¡¯t play the fool. You¡¯re much more cultured than me. Look, it says bro-¡°


    ¡°Mph!¡±


    Dong Tianba clamped his mouth shut as he cursed, ¡°Quiet, this is Drifting Flowers City! A place ruled by women. You think there are such places here?¡±


    ¡°Uh, then¡­¡± Zhuo Fan blinked at the plaque.


    Dong Tianba looked where he was pointing and almost cried, ¡°Brother! Please look closer. It¡¯s the Iris Edifice!¡±


    After a long look, Zhuo Fan noticed right then when the wind blew the red silk away and revealed the whole plaque.


    (StarReader: play on words. The first character for brothel is the same for iris.)


    This was the Iris Edifice, the top of the 15 buildings under Drifting Flowers Edifice. And the Iris Overseer too was none other than Qin Caiqing!


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, so it¡¯s the Iris Edifice. I thought such a place was uncultured and didn¡¯t bother remembering the matron¡¯s name and called it brothel¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still saying it?¡± Dong Tianba glared at him and sighed in relief once he found no one paid attention to them.


    Uttering the word brothel in Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s domain was suicide!


    Dong Xiaowan pouted, ¡°Humph, all men are the same. Let me warn you, both of you are forbidden from going into such places again.¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed dryly, [If you want to bother someone, nag at your brother. Why are you lumping me together with him? We¡¯re not related and I am a free spirit!]


    ¡°Brother Dong, why did you drag me here?¡± Zhuo Fan ignored Dong Xiaowan.


    The frown further emphasized the seriousness on Dong Tianba¡¯s face, ¡°Brother, I have thought long and hard these past days and realized our misfortune came from offending Peony Edifice¡¯s Xiao Dandan.¡±


    ¡°Among the fifteen overseers, Iris Overseer is the most amiable and the easiest to speak with. I want to ask her to help dissuade this grudge. If not, even if we shave our heads and hide in a monastery, we¡¯ll meet our end sooner or later!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snorted but secretly nodded.


    [If that Iris Overseer had any intention of helping us, Xiao Dandan would have been kept on a tight leash. She did all this in an attempt to expose my identity.]


    This was fine anyway since Zhuo Fan wanted to know the Iris Overseer in person, to figure out how deep her suspicion went. And whether or not his battle with Yan Fu worked to consolidate these guesses!


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Bro you¡¯re so thorough. The Iris Overseer is definitely a place the two of us must pay a visit.¡±


    ¡°Since bro agrees then let¡¯s go.¡± Dong Tianba laughed and produced a red invitation to the two Qi Condensation young ladies standing guard.


    Dong Tianba bowed 90 degrees as he offered it, ¡°Please announce that Dong Tianba and Dong Xiaowan along with the Song clan¡¯s Song Yu have come to visit Iris Overseer!¡±


    ¡°Humph, you think it¡¯s that easy for second and third rate clans to waltz in?¡± The girl snorted.


    Dong Tianba was beet red in anger, but his bow didn¡¯t flinch under the contemptuous stare of the girl.


    Dong Xiaowan chewed her lip and sighed.


    She felt sorry for her brother but there was no other way. This was the reception all clans outside the seven houses got.


    Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t known for his patience, entering while Dong Xiaowan was distracted.


    ¡°Ladies, do you know Xiao Dandan?¡±


    One of them looked at Zhuo Fan, ¡°She is our senior sister. What, you know her? She¡¯s from Peony Edifice while this is Iris Edifice. We won¡¯t announce your arrival even for her sake.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s not my intention at all. But have you heard? She was stripped naked by a man in the middle of the street, leaving her in nothing but her underwear.¡±


    The two¡¯s eyelids twitched as they nodded.


    ¡°He-he-he, that man was none other than me!¡±


    Zhuo Fan let out a wicked smile, ¡°Do you believe me when I say that if you do not announce our arrival, I will peel your clothes off in broad daylight?¡±


    The two recoiled, ¡°How dare you! This is Iris Edifice!¡±


    ¡°Is there a difference?¡± Zhuo Fan stared them right in the eye. His killing intent spiked and a soul ripple swept the two.


    The ladies shivered, fear had gripped their hearts.


    ¡°W-wait here. I will go make the announcement!¡± Unable to withstand his cold gaze, one lady ran inside, leaving the other shivering.


    Dong Tianba sighed.


    Ever since he met Song Yu again, Dong Tianba felt he was a different person. Not only in strength but also in character, not putting even the seven houses in his eyes.


    This was why he brought his sister along, to keep an eye out on this brother of his. But not only did she overlook his actions, the latter was now looking for trouble!


    [We came here to look for asylum. And you¡¯ve come asking for help with that attitude? It¡¯d be lucky if they don¡¯t slaughter your entire clan!]


    Not only was Zhuo Fan indifferent, but he also had a proud look plastered on his face, ¡°Bro, towards these small-time snobs, fear is the best solution! He-he-he¡­¡±


    ¡°Bro, you¡­¡± Dong Tianba sighed.


    He could only hope Iris Floor Keeper was open-minded enough to overlook this¡­

 Chapter 105 - Bodhi Root

    The Dong siblings waited nervously while Zhuo Fan looked calmer than ever.


    The lady soon returned and spoke in a frightened tone, ¡°The Overseer shall see you!¡±


    ¡°Oh, great! Thank you!¡±


    Dong Tianba bowed then rushed inside dragging his sister. Zhuo Fan swaggered in in the slowest and most languid way, smirking at the ladies and giving them the middle finger as he passed.


    The ladies stepped back in fright, and only gained some semblance of reassurance when he was gone.


    ¡°Hey, did you also report how vulgar that punk is?¡± The other lady asked.


    The first one was sullen, ¡°Sister, I did, repeatedly!¡±


    ¡°Then why is the Overseer letting them in? She should¡¯ve sent someone to put him in his place!¡±


    The other lady was on the verge of crying, ¡°Sister, don¡¯t say it, it¡¯s useless. Do you know what the Overseer said when I mentioned his obscene behavior?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Four words: ¡®don¡¯t provoke the lunatic!¡¯¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    The other lady was scared now, her eyes wide as saucers. She didn¡¯t know Zhuo Fan¡¯s identity but their Overseer actually went as far as to recommend not offending him?


    [Is he from the seven houses?]


    [That can¡¯t be. The invitation clearly states Dong and Song clans. The Dong clan is a second rate clan, and the Song a third rate clan. It doesn¡¯t make sense to let him go unrestrained!]


    This was the thinking of people who had yet to witness the sheer brutality and savagery of the infamous Zhuo Fan.


    A madman wasn¡¯t scary, but a pig headed madman was.


    Zhuo Fan dolled up as Song Yu when he came to Drifting Flowers City, but his demeanor was as frivolous and whimsical as ever. In any case, the trouble would fall on the Song clan. So, he was free to be brasher than ever.


    With this incentive, he plunged the Merry Woods¡¯ disciple into a world of hurt, spicing up the show by humiliating the Peony Edifice¡¯s disciple, and then trashing of Pill King Hall¡¯s disciple as the curtains fell. He showed no leniency to any of them, despite them hailing from the seven houses.


    Yet, with all the trouble pilling up on his head, he wasn¡¯t in the least bit interested regarding the danger he was bringing the Song clan. Even Iris Overseer was not willing to mess with such a lunatic, who had no mind of the repercussions.


    It was fine if he didn¡¯t care about his life, but others close to him?


    This was a fact made obvious when he clobbered Yan Fu. Qin Caiqing thus warned the disciple to avoid something she would clearly regret.


    The two though were unaware of the whole story, so they thought Zhuo Fan was someone of immense power with a deep background that affected even their Overseer.


    Zhuo Fan had long foreseen such a possibility. The one truly frightening people were those stubborn and hardheaded people that were willing to forsake even their lives.


    In the eyes of those who watched his battle with Yan Fu, he was a man who had died once. And this only worked to boost his egotistical behavior instead of putting a damp on it, further removing many troubles.


    Bulling the weak and fearing the strong, along with self-preservation was a law adhered by all, be it strong or weak. Even the seven houses had to think twice when messing with this stubborn mule, even if they thought he was beneath them.


    With a dastardly grin on his face, Zhuo Fan cackled in his heart. He was met with no obstruction as he walked with the pair of siblings to Iris Overseer¡¯s receiving room. She was already sitting there and watched in awe Zhuo Fan strutting in, ¡°Please, sit!¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare!¡±


    Dong Tianba dragged his sister into a bow while Zhuo Fan slumped into a chair, ¡°Much obliged.¡±


    Dong Tianba was scared witless, on the verge of crying.


    [Blast it all to hell! You¡¯re in someone else¡¯s house! If you piss her off, it won¡¯t be just the Song clan that gets buried!]


    [I pleaded with you all this time to behave. If I knew you this impudent I would¡¯ve never had brought you.]


    Dong Tianba lamented in his mind as he rushed to make amends, ¡°Please ignore him Floor Keeper. My brother is rash and uncivilized. Please don¡¯t blame him.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, young master Song is true to himself, why would I ever blame him? Also, you two can dispense the courtesy and sit.¡± Qin Caiqing said with a smile.


    Dong Tianba wiped his forehead and pulled his sister into a seat, while not forgetting to send Zhuo Fan a glare.


    Zhuo Fan ignored it, of course, since he didn¡¯t even see it.


    Dong Tianba sighed, his feature tenses as if at a funeral!


    Qin Caiqing giggled, her eyes drifting over them, ¡°Young master Dong, this isn¡¯t the underworld. Relax! Try to be like young master Song!¡±


    Dong Tianba right then noticed Zhuo Fan taking a bite out of a random fruit he picked off the table.


    Dong Tianba¡¯s eyelids were twitching, [He¡¯s too comfortable. This isn¡¯t your home, you know?]


    But he only kept it to himself when he saw Qin Caiqing¡¯s calm state.


    They said Iris Overseer was an amiable person, but he didn¡¯t think it was to this extent. [She¡¯s so friendly that it should be easy to handle our problem!]


    Dong Tianba bowed once again and spoke in a grave tone, ¡°Overseer, the three of us have come with a request.¡±


    ¡°Do speak!¡± Qin Caiqing smiled.


    ¡°Overseer, a few days ago we offended miss Xiao Dandan and this had us in a fright these past two days. This might be presumptuous of me, but I want to ask the Overseer to mediate, to remove this grudge between us. The Song and Dong clans will forever be in your gratitude!¡±


    ¡°I understand this matter and Dandan was the one going overboard. I will be sure to straighten her.¡± Qin Caiqing nodded, then smiled at Zhuo Fan, ¡°However, I can¡¯t help but feel intrigued about something. They say young master Song was hit by Pill King Hall¡¯s Yan Fu¡¯s Rainbow Cloud Palm because of Dandan. How is he back on his feet after only a few days? Pill King Hall¡¯s poison isn¡¯t so easily removed.¡±


    Dong Tianba froze but for a moment, then glanced at Zhuo Fan. Chuchu was Zhuo Fan¡¯s friend and it was up to him if he wanted to reveal her involvement. If he made a careless comment and invited disaster later, his dear little brother would blame him for the rest of his life.


    Zhuo Fan nodded satisfied. Dong Tianba was a black sheep of the family but he had a redeeming feature, his loyal heart.


    As for Chuchu, Zhuo Fan was also thinking of asking around for her. Qin Caiqing was an Overseer and ought to know of the Profound Heaven expert Chuchu¡¯s Bodhi Jade Sap.


    He was brief and blunt, ¡°I met a woman covering her face who dispelled the poison swiftly!¡±


    ¡°A woman covering her face?¡± Qin Caiqing was caught by surprise.


    ¡°Yes. I met her in the slums, a woman that calls herself Chuchu. The people there call her the scourge woman!¡± Zhuo Fan fixed his eyes on Qin Caiqing, noticing suspicion in her eyes. It was then that a sudden realization seemed to overcome her but she quickly hid it.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, young master Song is fortunate to have such an encounter. Your future will be boundless!¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted, ¡°I can only hope!¡±


    From the two¡¯s casual talk, Chuchu wasn¡¯t such a sore topic. Dong Tianba was scared she had some conflict with Drifting Flowers Edifice that would affect today¡¯s talks.


    His hand flashed and a coral as large as a man appeared, glowing a faint red.


    This item was so rare that even Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow. It was useless to cultivators but its value came from its rarity. It was worth more than a hundred thousand spirit stones.


    Dong Tianba bowed again, ¡°Then please accept this for your troubles, Overseer.¡±


    ¡°I accept your kindness, but take back with you. I will handle Dandan all the same.¡± Qin Caiqing didn¡¯t even glance at the coral.


    Dong Tianba bowed again in panic, ¡°This is but a token of my appreciation. Please take it, or I wouldn¡¯t be able to find peace.¡±


    [Bullshit! Riches are given in exchange for favors. If you don¡¯t take it, how do I know you¡¯ll do it? If you overlook this once we leave, that damn girl will burn our clans to the ground. And you might not even know it!]


    [No, you will most likely have forgotten us by then. At least taking my gift ought to remind you of our plight each time you look at it, no?]


    Dong Tianba cursed inside. Qin Caiqing understood him and shook her head as she took the item.


    Only then did Dong Tianba smile in relieve.


    Qin Caiqing clapped triced and a disciple brought wine.


    ¡°Guests from afar, you gave me an immense gift. These three bottles of Hundred Flowers Wine is our Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s specialty that helps in one¡¯s cultivation. Please accept my gift.¡±


    ¡°Uh, we can¡¯t possibly refuse Floor Keeper¡¯s generous hospitality.¡± Dong Tianba laughed as he poured himself a cup. Zhuo Fan and Dong Xiaowan toasted and drank.


    ¡°What great wine!¡±


    Dong Tianba praised but plopped on the table unconscious the next second. The same went for Dong Xiaowan, while Zhuo Fan was the only one sober.


    Raising an eyebrow, he smiled, ¡°Overseer, is there something you want to say to me?¡±


    Qin Caiqing gave him a praising look and nodded, ¡°You¡¯re smart. I need you to do something for me. Do it well and the two of you can leave the Drifting Flowers City in safety. Fail, and your clans will shortly follow you into the grave!¡±


    ¡°Is that a threat?¡± Zhuo Fan perked the corner of his mouth into a wicked grin.


    Qin Caiqing shook her head, ¡°No. A fact. I know you¡¯re a brash and fearless man, but didn¡¯t you come here to settle the matter with Dandan? If you don¡¯t do this for me, I won¡¯t help you either. And with that lass¡¯ temper, your two clans will have no future!¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted, ¡°Let¡¯s hear it. And if I can¡¯t do it, I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re going to destroy us anyway. ¡°


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s carefree tone seemed to say he didn¡¯t care. But Qin Caiqing found this extremely odd. Who in this world didn¡¯t care about their clan¡¯s fate?


    [Madman, a true lunatic! This man can¡¯t be controlled!]


    Qin Caiqing secretly sighed while her face remained impassive, ¡°I¡¯m not asking the impossible. I only want you to steal something from me!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Zhuo Fan yawned.


    ¡°Our Edifice Lord¡¯s treasure, the Bodhi Root!¡±


    ¡°Come again?¡±


    ¡°The Bodhi Root!¡± Qin Caiqing iterated.


    His eyes wide, Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart was in exultation.


    Bodhi Root gathered earth essence and turned it into life essence in the form of Bodhi Jade Sap. Who¡¯d have seen this coming? He just lost his trail on the Bodhi Jade Sap and now he has clues about a Bodhi Root!


    [Bloody hell! This is providence, ha-ha-ha¡­]


    Zhuo Fan cackled inside, his eyes glinting with interest¡­

 Chapter 106 - Scouting Drifting Flowers Edifice

    ¡°As an Overseer, a valuable member of Drifting Flowers Edifice. Why are you doing this?¡± Despite how thrilled he was, it was best to cover all bases and know the situation in detail.


    Qin Caiqing¡¯s eyes showed a deep gaze as her tone grew colder, ¡°That does not concern you. All you have to do is to get it!¡±


    ¡°But Drifting Flowers Edifice is packed with guards. How am I¡­¡±


    Qin Caiqing cut him off, ¡°You need not concern yourself with this. I made preparations!¡±


    After she spoke, Qin Caiqing placed a map in his hand. Zhuo Fan looked at the multitude of colorful lines and symbols blended in an intricate mesh.


    ¡°It is easy to remember, contains the Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s terrain along with the patrol routes and when they change shifts. With your skill, as long as you¡¯re smart, it won¡¯t be hard getting in and out!¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan put away the map in deep thought.


    This was the perfect chance to get his hands on the Bodhi Root, but was suspicious that this might be a trap. Qin Caiqing may have already known his identity and set up an ambush there. If he was against Profound Heaven experts, not even his wings could save him.


    [Though it is highly unlikely for this to happen!] If he didn¡¯t have the Iris Overseer¡¯s help, entering Drifting Flowers Edifice would be difficult!


    ¡°Have you come to a decision?¡± Iris Overseer stared at his face, her heart nervous, ¡°young master Song, I¡¯m sorry if I have to resort to unbecoming language when I say this. But if you don¡¯t do it and leak it instead, I will gouge out your eyes, wretch out your tongue, and tear your arms and legs from your body. ¡°


    ¡°Ah? And what choice does that leave me?¡±


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Although, Iris Overseer, I have to admit, that is a bit vicious of you to do. Tearing my limbs from my body, wretching my tongue out, and gouging my eyes is worse than dying.¡±


    Knowing he agreed to her request, the Iris Overseer¡¯s heart eased, ¡°I am not one who takes killing lightly. But as you¡¯ve seen the map and still chose not to agree, all those actions are to prevent you from leaking the secret, be it through writing or otherwise!¡±


    Rolling his eyes, Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth twitched, ¡°Then, why must you take my feet? Is my feet useful in writing?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. With what an oddity Young master Song is, who knows what you¡¯re truly capable of?¡± Qin Caiqing gave a silly smile, hidden behind her veil. Although her features were obscured, her beauty couldn¡¯t be hidden.


    Zhuo Fan sighed.


    [She is quite the looker, but her heart is so poisonous.] This was something he could understand. This world was one where might was right, and men ruled. A woman had to be vicious enough, poisonous enough, to stand tall in this world.


    With how naive and gullible that pure Xue Ningxiang was, if it weren¡¯t for her encounter with the demon, Zhuo Fan, she would¡¯ve been Hell Valley¡¯s cauldron by now!


    Zhuo Fan started to recall the carefree life the three led in the Allbeast Mountain Range. Those were the best and shortest days of both his lives.


    ¡°Young master Song, you will go tonight.¡±


    ¡°So soon?¡± Zhuo Fan stared at Qin Caiqing. He was impatient of getting Bodhi Root, but not that much. Who knew the Iris Overseer was in even more of a rush?


    ¡°Young master Song, there¡¯s something you may not know!¡±


    Qin Caiqing sighed, ¡°The Bodhi Root is something the Edifice Lord protects herself. Only when the month of full moon does she go in seclusion, leaving the Bodhi Root in the Treasure Pavilion¡¯s care. We are running out of time, as she is soon to come out!¡±


    ¡°Tianyu¡¯s number one beauty, Chu Qingcheng?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, ¡°What¡¯s her cultivation?¡±


    Her stare was fixed on Zhuo Fan. Until she was certain he didn¡¯t show any odd reaction, she responded, despite being doubtful, ¡°She is my junior sister, and should be in the 3rd layer of Profound Heaven Stage!¡±


    [That much should be possible to fight off!]


    Zhuo Fan analyzed, then nodded, ¡°Then I will go tonight!¡±


    Qin Caiqing was overjoyed and released a scent to the Dong siblings to wake them up.


    Since they were out for the duration of the talk, Qin Caiqing explained they fainted after drinking such a potent wine, but that it wouldn¡¯t happen again in the future.


    This concluded the meeting and Qin Caiqing saw them out. Dong Tianba was more than happy to leave now that his aim was achieved. As they passed by the entrance, the two ladies were still in fear, holding their tongues in check.


    But once the trio was gone, Zhuo Fan threw a pill into the air. A flash of red flew out of him and swallowed the Energy Concealing Pill, then went into Iris Edifice.


    He was curious to know what Iris Overseer¡¯s true game was.


    Blood Infant moved like a specter, entering the drawing-room, without anyone¡¯s notice, where Iris Overseer was still sitting.


    A cough suddenly came and a person appeared behind Qin Caiqing. Zhuo Fan cried out, ¡°Vicious Pill King Yan Song! Why is he here?¡±


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡± Yan Song touched her shoulder and squeezed, making Qin Caiqing grimace and her face flash green!


    Qin Caiqing gnashed her teeth as she broke out in fine sweat, ¡°Elder Yan, I am Iris Overseer. If I don¡¯t do this, I can no longer keep my position! Once the fool gets the item, his life would have run its course and no one will know of my involvement. ¡±


    ¡°Humph, you¡¯re still thinking of escaping liability even when you execute my plans. If anything goes wrong with the brat and ruins my plan, I will have you answer for it!¡±


    Yan Song clutched at Qin Caiqing harder, throwing her on the ground. She could only let him do what he wanted as tears of humiliation streaked her cheeks.


    Yan Song ridiculed, ¡°Of the 15 overseers, I control more than half. Drifting Flowers Edifice will soon come under Pill King Hall and the first of seven houses to be swallowed. Do you think exposing this will help you? As long as I¡¯m here, act like the Iris Overseer you are, not for Drifting Flowers Tower, but for my Pill King Hall!


    ¡°You heard the brat, there¡¯s someone in this city that can remove your poison. If your poison is cured, how will you threaten the other overseers?¡±


    Yan Song gave her a contemptuous and evil smile, ¡°Were you always waiting for the arrival of such a man that will save Drifting Flowers Edifice from this crisis?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what wishful thinking! My Rainbow Cloud Palm is made up of seven savage poisons and no one can remove it! The brat was only lucky to be hit by my disciple¡¯s three poison palm. If it was mine instead, not even the most renowned alchemist could save his wretched life!¡±


    Qin Caiqing bit her lip, a trail of blood flowing down and tears glistened in her eyes from the resentment she carried.


    Snorting, Yan Song kicked her, ¡°Bitch, get rid of him once he comes back. Or you and your sisters will wait in silence for death without me, ha-ha-ha¡­


    ¡°A woman will always be a woman, reliant on a man. You must be delusional for fighting against the world of man!¡± Yan Song laughed as he left.


    Zhuo Fan surmised she must be feeling hatred, anger, and deep-seated powerlessness. Though it had nothing to do with him.


    So he willed Blood Infant to return.


    Now that light has been shone on the matter, he could go all out. He¡¯ll get the Bodhi Root and skip town.


    As for the Song and Dong clan, [Thanks for taking the fall.]


    Zhuo Fan snickered secretly, looking at the Dong siblings without any remorse. They had elders to get them out of any situation. [I owe you guys nothing after all.]


    [So, be grateful for helping me out! Okay?]


    The Dong siblings reciprocated his warm smile with another of their own. Though appearances could be deceiving, where even a smile hid countless dangers¡­


    In the dead of night, silence ruled. The street was empty but there were some who were moving around a large building, the patrol.


    Three words were gracefully placed on the building, Drifting Flowers Edifice!


    Zhuo Fan flashed in the darkness, wearing black clothes from head to toe. He made use of the patrols changing shifts and snuck inside. Through a series of odd twists and turns, he arrived at a pond.


    Looking back, Zhuo Fan sighed and took the map out with a smile, ¡°With Qin Caiqing¡¯s help, I wouldn¡¯t have known of all these arrays.¡±


    ¡°There are freaking ten of them! I just passed one and still have nine to go¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed and stepped back into the darkness. He was adept in arrays, but it would be very easy to get trapped in them without prior investigation.


    But knowing the map and the disciples¡¯ routes, he had it in the bag!


    [I guess people have this saying, attacks you can avoid day and night, but thieves are hard to counter! When I get back to the Luo clan, I will have to make proper arrangements so that this won¡¯t ever happen to me!]


    Zhuo Fan had such an easy time with the arrays, he even indulged in flights of fancy. Soon, the ten arrays were cleared.


    The objective was almost in sight.


    Treasure Pavilion, Bodhi Root¡­

 Chapter 107 - Drifting Flowers’ Whisper

    Under the cover of the inky black night, Zhuo Fan advanced like a cat through the sentries and arrived at the inner courtyard.


    But for some reason he stopped, brows furrowed.


    Taking the map out again, Zhuo Fan flitted his gaze from the map to the layout again and again, ¡°Someone changed it!¡±


    The inner courtyard had a 5th-grade array, Shifting Defensive Array. It affected every corner of the courtyard and messed with the layout.


    Going by the map¡¯s explanation, the Drifting Flowers Edifice shifted once a month for protection. So much so that not even the disciples knew of the new layout!


    But Qin Caiqing was an Overseer and knew the basis behind the shift, pointing the crucial locations out on the map.


    Now that he was here, Zhuo Fan saw there had been another shift, with those locations were no longer valid. He was now forced to search everywhere for the Treasure Pavilion.


    ¡°Curses! Things only get worse!¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed as he stepped lightly, while also letting Blood Infant out to help move things along.


    Whoosh~


    Blood Infant flashed through empty rooms after empty rooms until feeling a sudden powerful force. Zhuo Fan squinted, [Profound Heaven expert!], and made Blood Infant vanish.


    In a sparse room ¨C with a bed, a table, and a chair ¨C a yellow lamp burned faintly on the table. Zhuo Fan recognized the old man meditating on the bed as being Xie Tianyang¡¯s 8th elder, Jian Suifeng.


    The door creaked and Xie Tianyang entered covered in sweat, gasping for breath as he slumped in the chair.


    Jian Suifeng opened his eyes and watched Xie Tianyang, pleased. ¡°Tianyang, you¡¯ve been working hard as of late. It won¡¯t be long before you surpass your elder brother.¡±


    ¡°Humph, my dad always says elder brother is a genius that comes by once a millennium. Not even a Radiant Stage cultivator can beat him, so how can I compare?¡±


    Xie Tianyang was filled with fighting spirit, ¡°I am content as long as I can surpass that punk.¡±


    Jian Suifeng smiled, ¡°You mean¡­ that freak Zhuo Fan?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s eyes flashed with sorrow, ¡°8th elder, my only regret in life is that I was powerless in Blue Expanse City because I didn¡¯t train harder. I let Ning¡¯er down when she needed me most! I hope the next time will be me who will protect her, not Zhuo Fan!¡±


    Jian Suifeng sighed, ¡°Tianyang, you are too talented and the Abode Lord won¡¯t let you marry a second rate clan¡¯s daughter¡±


    ¡°I know that, just¡­¡±


    Xie Tianyang chuckled in the end, ¡°If there¡¯s one good thing that damn punk taught me, it is that might makes right. There¡¯s nothing in this world you cannot do. You all kept saying how treacherous You Guiqi was, but didn¡¯t he find his end in Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands? With enough strength, I will be deciding my bride, and dad can do nothing to stop me!¡±


    Laughing, Xie Tianyang left the room.


    ¡°Tianyang, where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Training!¡±


    Xie Tianyang was firm in his decision, his eyes proud, ¡°Of the Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms I only know four. I will be practicing the fifth!¡±


    ¡°What, you know the fourth?!¡±


    Jian Suifeng watched the leaving Xie Tianyang with pride, ¡°Watching Zhuo Fan¡¯s battle must have motivated him. If he keeps this up, it won¡¯t be long before he¡¯s in the Profound Heaven Stage, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Blood Infant slunk back out. Zhuo Fan shook his head, [Didn¡¯t think Xie Tianyang took me as a rival. This is good, with his power, I can rest easy knowing he can protect Ning¡¯er!]


    Zhuo Fan moved Blood Infant to another room. But it was just another empty room.


    From the map, Treasure Pavilion was always shifted close to the Edifice Lord¡¯s chambers. It wasn¡¯t near this empty one. [But then, where can her room be?]


    ¡°Sister Dandan, give me a kiss, just one!¡±


    ¡°Young master Yan, please don¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Ai, your fianc¨¦e, Lin Tianyu, is already ruined by that brat. He can¡¯t make you happy, so let me.¡±


    He suddenly heard two voices and moved Blood Infant inside the room, hoping to eavesdrop on some clues.


    But Zhuo Fan was shocked when Blood Infant entered. [I beat the crap out of this disciple, but he is now mostly recovered. Pill King Hall¡¯s number one alchemist sure deserves his fame, healing his protege to such an extent in a mere three days.]


    Only a 7th-grade alchemist could do that.


    As the disciple recovered, so did his lust. He was now on the bed holding Xiao Dandan¡¯s hand without letting her go. His mind had to be in the gutter.


    [Humph, perverted couple, none of you are worth a dime! I don¡¯t have time to waste on you!] Zhuo Fan snorted inside.


    Yan Fu suddenly pulled Xiao Dandan into bed and loomed over her, ¡°He-he-he, fair lady, stay with me tonight.¡±


    ¡°No! Young master Yan. The ladies of Drifting Flowers Edifice give themselves to their husbands only on their wedding night.¡±


    ¡°What Drifting Flowers Edifice? It will all belong to Pill King Hall sooner or later anyway!¡± Yan Fu¡¯s eyes became malevolent as he eyed Xiao Dandan with suspicion, ¡°Are you still pining for that impotent fianc¨¦e of yours?¡±


    ¡°N-no!¡± Xiao Dandan cried.


    ¡°Then what are you waiting for? Let us enjoy ourselves.¡± Yan Fu started to roam his hands around as Xiao Dandan¡¯s gave off powerless protests, ¡°Young master Yan, don¡¯t! I need to pay my respects to my master each evening!¡±


    [Pay respects?]


    Wasn¡¯t her master Peony Overseer? That meant following her would lead him closer to Treasure Pavilion.


    Zhuo Fan stopped in his tracks and his heart burst with rage when he saw Yan Fu about to take advantage of Xiao Dandan.


    [Goddammit! Get the f*ck down, bastard! Don¡¯t ruin my plans, she still needs to visit her master!]


    Blood Infant entered Yan Fu in a flash.


    Yan Fu just loosened his waistband but then felt a sharp pain in his stomach. With a waning face, he plopped on the floor!


    Xiao Dandan was still shivering even after he collapsed. She put him on the bed and covered him with the quilt. Then left after wiping her tears.


    Perhaps because of the fear she was in, she did not question why Yan Fu had blanked out and left.


    Zhuo Fan snickered as he sent Blood Infant on her trail.


    Yan Fu was no one important. He didn¡¯t want to earn Vicious Pill King¡¯s rage because of the brat. So, he only allowed the Blood Infant to suck up enough of Yan Fu¡¯s blood to knock him out.


    Following Xiao Dandan, Zhuo Fan soon arrived at a large building. The lamps were lit and the fragrance of women drifted for over a hundred meters.


    Blood Infant followed Xiao Dandan, who rushed to the door where she knocked.


    Zhuo Fan was startled and sent Blood Infant inside. He found not only a woman but also a man.


    She was very bold and, despite her veil, her chest was covered by a thin cloth while leaving her back bare open. Her promiscuous eyes landed on the man.


    He was a middle-aged man, with a split mustache that stared hotly at the woman¡¯s chest!


    [How is this a Seven Noble House? It¡¯d be better changing its name to brothel. Why is it that everywhere I go, I end up seeing these things?]


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and sighed. But he was still a man and couldn¡¯t help but sneak another peek.


    ¡°Elder Lin, do you love me?¡± The woman giggled.


    Bobbing his head, the man was drooling, ¡°I love you with all my being, Peony Overseer. I, Lin Zitian, love you dearly and even die for you. I only hope that Overseer would allow me a glimpse of your delicate features!¡±


    He reached for her veil, but Peony Overseer dodged with a giggle, ¡°Elder Lin, you must first make me yours before taking my veil!¡±


    ¡°I will, I will most certainly make you mine!¡± Lin Zitian was overcome with lust, as if he never saw a woman in his life.


    Peony Overseer rolled her eyes, ¡°Then, do you agree to my marriage condition?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    Lin Zitian frowned and his face fell, ¡°Peony, don¡¯t make it difficult for me. All of seven houses know how dreadful Vicious Pill King is. Asking me to face him is the same as wanting my life.¡±


    ¡°Humph, Lin Zitian, where has all that love you proclaimed gone? Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d die for me?¡±


    ¡°I am willing to die for you, but not a worthless death.¡±


    ¡°All men are cheaters. Get lost!¡± Peony Overseer¡¯s anger flared and roared, tears welling in her eyes.


    Lin Zitian shook his head, leaving slowly. When he got to the door, he sighed, ¡°Peony, I know Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s situation and what you¡¯re thinking. But Drifting Flowers Edifice is hopeless, no one is willing to offend the Pill King Hall for you. If you have no safe place to turn to, look for me in Merry Woods.¡±


    Lin Zitian left slowly, leaving Peony Overseer in tears¡­

 Chapter 108 - Seeing Chuchu Again

    ¡°Master¡­¡±


    A delicate voice came from behind the Peony Overseer. She knew it was her disciple and hurried to wipe the tears away, before turning around.


    But Xiao Dandan¡¯s disorderly appearance had her furious, ¡°What happened? Was it Yan Fu who messed with you this time? Did he do anything to you?¡±


    Chewing her lip, Xiao Dandan held in her tears as she furiously shook her head, ¡°Master, he didn¡¯t do anything yet.¡±


    Sighing, Peony Overseer showed tenderness as she caressed Xiao Dandan¡¯s head, ¡°Dandan, I was wrong to blame you¡­¡±


    ¡°Master, I am fine. But you bore such shame all because you cared for Drifting Flowers Edifice¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say it.¡± Peony Overseer interrupted her, ¡°Dandan, remember, the men of this world only know to hide their intention behind sweet words. They say they love you, that they¡¯d die for you, but when push comes to shove, they will leave you. Never ever believe a man¡¯s sophistry! ¡°


    Xiao Dandan¡¯s eyes roamed around before muttering, ¡°Perhaps there is an exception¡­¡±


    ¡°Dandan, what are you saying?¡±


    Peony Overseer¡¯s turned strict, ¡°All men of this world are heartless, with no exceptions. Lin Zitian is the same, his master is the same, and even that Yan Fu¡­ Humph, they only see us as a piece of meat. They will never stick out their necks for any of us! Women can only rely on themselves. No man is worthy of our trust!¡±


    ¡°But master¡­¡± Xiao Dandan flushed, ¡°Didn¡¯t Zhuo Fan appear recently? I heard he ran amok in Blue Expanse City for one girl, killing Hell Valley¡¯s 7th elder. He was willing to defy Hell Valley for her. Isn¡¯t this love?¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan?¡±


    Peony Overseer gasped, ¡°I¡¯ve never seen him and can¡¯t come to a decision of what kind of man he is. But rumors paint him as a bloodthirsty demon. His battle with You Guiqi may have had nothing to do with the girl. It could be a grudge he held against the 7th elder.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ aren¡¯t these all rumors spread by Hell Valley? This is clearly done deliberately to defame him!¡± Xiao Dandan spoke softly.


    Peony Overseer raised an eyebrow, ¡°Girl, why are you bringing him up? You have never saw him either!¡±


    The Peony Overseer started to put things together, ¡°Hmm, you¡¯ve been strange of late. Fussing and complaining about Lin Tianyu while also going out to look for trouble. Was it all because you fancy Zhuo Fan?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was stunned. [You¡¯re saying this girl acted all spoiled and humiliated the Dong clan because of me? I don¡¯t remember having that much charm. Since when is my name enough to make a girl fall head over heels for me and ruin other clans¡¯ happiness?]


    [I guess being outstanding has its demerits!] Zhuo Fan got his head in the clouds.


    Xiao Dandan was beet red, acting all bashful, ¡°Master, don¡¯t tease me. I was only hoping of finding such a man myself, one that was willing to stand up to the seven houses for his girl.¡±


    ¡°And that is why you found Lin Tianyu increasingly displeasing, right?¡± Peony Overseer saw Xiao Dandan nod and sighed, ¡°Silly child, even if such a man does exist, it doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ll be fortunate enough to meet him. We, the women of Drifting Flowers Edifice, only marry people form large clans to preserve our standing. You must accept this fate!¡±


    Xiao Dandan resigned and nodded sadly.


    Sighing, Peony Overseer patted her shoulder, ¡°Dandan, I am tired, please patrol around Treasure Pavilion in my stead.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master!¡± Xiao Dandan left with a bow.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed in glee. He got what he wanted without even asking. [It¡¯s like giving water to the thirsty. How convenient!]


    He called Blood Infant back and slowly followed Xiao Dandan, to the blind eyes of the master and disciple.


    After fifteen minutes of twists and turns, he saw before him a fifty meters tall pagoda. If one paid attention, he would sense a strange energy around it.


    An array!


    Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes and withdrew. This array was controlled by those who lived here. If he forced his way in, he¡¯d attract the experts around.


    [But why isn¡¯t this array on the map? Is it to mislead me or did the Iris Overseer not know?]


    Zhuo Fan was trying to figure out the reason but hadn¡¯t much to go on. He threw the thought away in the end. He only planned to take the Bodhi Root then bolt. Why would he give it to her anyway?


    So Zhuo Fan paid close attention to Xiao Dandan¡¯s gestures as she shouted, ¡°Open!¡±


    The energy around the tower retreated.


    Xiao Dandan entered, followed closely by Zhuo Fan.


    The tower had six levels, illuminated by night pearls. Xiao Dandan checked the treasures on each level ¨C cultivation methods, spiritual weapons and demonic treasures. On the 6th level, a wooden box laid on a pedestal in the middle of the room.


    Xiao Dandan opened it with care, revealing a dark green root emanating a fragrance, dazzling in the moonlight!


    Bam!


    Xiao Dandan closed it and smiled, ¡°All is in order!¡±


    Then a black figure flashed and struck her neck, knocking her out.


    ¡°He-he-he, seeing you¡¯re a fan of yours truly, I¡¯ll let you off!¡±


    A black cloth fell, revealing Zhuo Fan¡¯s twisted smile. He opened the box and took the root.


    But the moment he touched it, he cried out, ¡°Damn it¡­ it¡¯s a fake!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was panicking. It looked so similar to the real thing that he didn¡¯t realize the difference until he touched it.


    The Bodhi Root had vital essence, and even as a root, it was still alive.


    But this thing had the same looks and vibe as the real thing except it had no vitality in it.


    This was clearly a countermeasure against robbers!


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan was beginning to doubt if Qin Caiqing was in on this. But what was the point of making him steal a fake?


    [Is it to fool Vicious Pill King?]


    He put the root in the box and stashed it in his ring.


    Since it was fake, he might as well give it to Iris Overseer and see her reaction.


    ¡°Who dares encroach upon Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Treasure Pavilion?¡±


    A woman¡¯s voice came from behind him. He could feel her power and knew it to be a Profound Heaven expert.


    He made the logical decision to jump through the window and make a run for it.


    But was a Profound Heaven expert going to let him leave that easily?


    A thin cloth blocked his path. The woman¡¯s elegance and beauty were emphasized in the moonlight, akin to a fairy.


    Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t see past her veil, but was stunned nonetheless.


    [Curses! Drifting Flowers Edifice is filled with beauties! Too bad yours only came after items, not to steal girls.]


    Zhuo Fan charged.


    The woman was perplexed seeing a 2nd layer of Bone Tempering cultivator coming right at her. This was no different than a deathwish.


    The woman snorted inside and struck with a cold palm.


    Zhuo Fan let out an odd smile just as it was about to hit him, vanishing with the Mystifying Phantom Step. The next moment he was behind the woman, fleeing.


    She hadn¡¯t expected such skill from him and that caught her off-guard. Her delayed reaction allowed him to flee with a dozen meters advantage.


    But she was a Profound Heaven expert and she managed to catch up. Her fair hand caught his shoulder as she turned. With a squeeze, Zhuo Fan halted on the spot.


    ¡°He-he-he, got you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned. Instead of throwing her off, he grabbed her hand, not letting it go. At the same time, lightning cracked as his wings unfolded.


    The Lightning Wings were a 6th-grade demonic treasure and would send even this Profound Heaven expert to her doom.


    Zhuo Fan was using a dirty and savage trick, but this was what he excelled at.


    Feeling the danger, the woman released all her power!


    The cold Yuan Qi flung Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand away. He withdrew his wings and cried, ¡°Sister Chuchu¡­¡±


    The woman was shocked beyond belief, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t hope to have been found out so soon, but he chose to make use of the shock to disappear into the night.


    Chuchu was left standing there, still baffled¡­

 Chapter 109 - Iris Overseer’s Stubbornness

    Under the cover of night, Zhuo Fan moved like a cheetah through a groove fifty miles out of Drifting Flowers City. He stopped in a clearing and inspected the ice on his hand.


    He took a deep breath to calm down. He had not expected to meet Chuchu so soon, and in the Drifting Flowers Edifice no less. Much less that he would be injured by this familiar yin energy.


    Yet, this encounter brought him some ease.


    Zhuo Fan cast a look back while sporting a strange smile.


    This was where his meeting with Iris Overseer would take place. It was also the escape route marked on the map. He would give her the Bodhi Root here.


    What Iris Overseer didn¡¯t know was that he wasn¡¯t coming alone, bringing his tail along.


    A white immaculate figure floated on a branch not far behind Zhuo Fan under the cover of the darkness. A light breeze rustled the leaves and Zhuo Fan strained his ears.


    He knew Chuchu was here. When was there a Profound Heaven expert that couldn¡¯t give chase to someone of his cultivation level? Well, of course, him not using the Lightning Wings may have had something to do with it.


    His plan was to find out Iris Overseer¡¯s true purpose and Chuchu¡¯s true identity. Who knew if he might even find clues to the real Bodhi Root.


    It all came to him in a flash of inspiration the moment he recognized Chuchu. All that¡¯s left was for the two Profound Heaven experts to meet and reveal their secrets.


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan sighed as he looked around, ¡°This is where we¡¯re supposed to meet, but it looks like I¡¯m late. Since she doesn¡¯t want it, I¡¯ll just take it with me.¡±


    ¡°Pff!¡±


    Delicate laughter resounded followed by a bluish figure trailing among the trees. Her soft eyes stared down at Zhuo Fan in anger, ¡°Young master Song, I never took you for an impatient man, that you can¡¯t even wait for two minutes. If you took that treasure away, the only thing that will happen is the destruction of the Song clan!¡±


    ¡°I know that, but you should also know this item is a headache for us third rate clans. The longer we have it the more dangerous it will be.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, young master Song is a wise man. Then please hand it over.¡± Qin Caiqing smiled as she stepped forward.


    Zhuo Fan took the box out and held it in his hand, his eyes staring into her eyes, ready to grasp her every reaction, ¡°Overseer, you need to handle this carefully, lest it will come back to bite me. If it does, you¡¯ll have me to deal with.¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, I didn¡¯t know that young master Song is so bold and so careful.¡± Qin Caiqing giggled, but then her eyes flashed when she opened the box.


    Zhuo Fan also noticed.


    ¡°Yes, this is Drifting Flowers Edifice Lord¡¯s treasure, Bodhi Root!¡± Iris Overseer nodded pleasantly, ¡°Young master Song, you¡¯ve done well!¡±


    Zhuo Fan lifted an eyebrow as he gave her a deep look.


    He was clear Qin Caiqing knew this thing was a fake, but pretended otherwise. Her aim was obvious, for him to steal the fake and not the real Bodhi Root.


    All to deceive Vicious Pill King!


    Just as he thought, an aged voice cackled when Iris Overseer spoke. Vicious Pill King floated next to her.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Zhuo Fan faked surprise and retreated a step.


    Snorting, Yan Song watched Zhuo Fan in contempt, ¡°He-he-he, foul punk, you fought my disciple. Did you forget already? But that is only normal since you were unconscious.¡±


    ¡°You hurt me?¡± Zhuo Fan put on a pondering look then shouted, ¡°Oh, I know, when I was trashing that bastard Yan Fu so hard, a damn old coot jumped me. You¡¯re that son of a bitch?¡±


    Yan Song¡¯s eyes flashed and his beard trembled from rage.


    In the entire Tianyu Empire, who the hell would dare curse him?


    But that was nothing compared to saying he jumped a kid. He was the number one alchemist in Pill King Hall, the Vicious Pill King. Once word got out he sneak attacked a Bone Tempering junior, his face would be thrown in the mud.


    He rushed to amend this, ¡°Punk, that was just to teach you a lesson.¡±


    ¡°Humph, shameless geezer, admit you jumped me! You¡¯re so old and yet you and your disciple colluded against me from the start! Humph, so this is how Pill King Hall acts! Strength does come in numbers!¡± Zhuo Fan mocked, as if grieved from the injustice of it all.


    Qin Caiqing laughed, while Yan Song was turning purple.


    [This punk is too ridiculous. When did my disciple and I collude against him?] If this got out, he¡¯d be the laughing stock of the empire.


    The seven houses¡¯ disciples picking on other clans was a common occurrence. But if an elder joined too, and against a third rate clan no less, it would be utter humiliation.


    Worse, there had yet to be anyone in the seven houses who did this.


    ¡°Old Yan, ease your anger. This is his character, he is quick to anger those around him. D-don¡¯t get angry¡­¡± Qin Caiqing advised Yan Song, but in the end, she had to hide her smile.


    Glaring at her, Yan Song¡¯s towering rage only grew.


    ¡°Humph, damnable punk, you¡¯re dead anyway. Talk all you want!¡± Yan Song gnashed his teeth, his rage-filled eyes wiped the smile off Qin Caiqing¡¯s face, ¡°Don¡¯t laugh and take it out!¡±


    Qin Caiqing presented the box and Vicious Pill King opened it. His two eyes narrowed.


    Bam!


    Yan Song threw the box on the ground, crushing the Bodhi Root inside to pieces.


    Qin Caiqing cried in shock, ¡°Elder Yan, why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a fake. That is no Bodhi Root!¡± Yan Song stared coldly at her.


    Qin Caiqing jerked, her face baffled, ¡°Fake¡­ how? This Bodhi Root has always been safeguarded in the Treasure Pavilion. She is about to come out of seclusion and so it doesn¡¯t make sense. Unless¡­¡±


    Qin Caiqing cast her suspicious eyes on Zhuo Fan, treading closer with killing intent, ¡°Young master Song, I thought you knew when to retreat even if you are not the type of man that does so. I never took you for someone who would switch items.¡±


    ¡°You doubt me?¡± Zhuo Fan put on a fearful face as he fled, ready to spread his wings.


    He now had what he wanted and uncovered her ploy. She, a woman of power, didn¡¯t do it herself and used him, a stubborn Bone Tempering cultivator, so she could shift the blame on him.


    Regardless if Yan Song was duped by the fake Bodhi Root or not, she would still shift the blame on him.


    Yan Song would then blame her for her poor choice in men and would not tell her to go for the Bodhi Root again.


    The Bodhi Root would be saved and she was free from Yan Song¡¯s coercion, and all at the low cost of a third rate clan¡¯s kid. Wasn¡¯t this a win-win situation?


    Zhuo Fan snorted inside as his fist tightened.


    Such a pity the one before her wasn¡¯t a mere Bone Tempering cultivator, but one who killed You Guiqi, the freak Zhuo Fan.


    It wouldn¡¯t be long now. Chuchu would jump in and he would then get to kill this pair.


    What was the Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s first Overseer, what was the Vicious Pill King? They were but a woman and a spineless coot who dabbed in poison.


    [Killing them isn¡¯t going to be easy, but it will not be hard either.]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with bloodthirst as he licked his lips in anticipation. As if he was a demon king prepared to engage in slaughter.


    But then, something happened.


    Qin Caiqing who was closing in, stopped in her tracks and launched a blue palm to Yan Song¡¯s chest.


    Bam!


    Among the loud explosion, there were even sounds of bones cracking. Yan Song was flung like a ragdoll into the air as he spat blood.


    ¡°Y-you dare betray me?¡± Yan Song crawled to his feet and pointed at her with rage and rancor.


    Zhuo Fan watched her in a daze, his fists relaxing.


    [What? Didn¡¯t Iris Overseer want me to take the fall?] Zhuo Fan was baffled finding his assessment wrong for the first time.


    He sighed, [A woman¡¯s heart is like an ocean, unfathomably deep!]


    His guess was the most beneficial to her. But her betrayal would not only make both sides suffer, but it may lead to them dying together!


    ¡°Humph, Qin Caiqing, don¡¯t forget, your life is in my hands. Do you want to die?¡± Vicious Pill King wiped the blood from his mouth as ice crystals formed on his chest.


    Qin Caiqing lifted her head, her mind set, ¡°Yan Song, get this straight. I am Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯s first Overseer, Iris Overseer Qin Caiqing. I won¡¯t have you ruin Drifting Flowers Edifice even if I have to pay for it with my life.¡±


    Zhuo Fan was stunned.


    Iris Overseer was usually calm and collected. The beautiful Overseer also did not use coarse language even against an opponent she hated. For some reason, he began to feel deep respect for her¡­

 Chapter 110 - Drifting Flowers Edifice Lord, Chu Qingcheng

    Vicious Pill King watched the proud Iris Overseer with a critical eye, savagery dripping from his voice, ¡°Humph, a wench thinks she can kill me?¡±


    ¡°You will see soon enough! Your heart has directly received my Cold Jade Palm and your meridians must be freezing right about now. You have no way of using Rainbow Cloud Palm!¡±


    Qin Caiqing¡¯s eyes flashed elated and prideful, ¡°Yan Song, you¡¯ve long got this coming. I may die from your poison but it will be without regrets!¡±


    Qin Caiqing charged towards Yan Song, her palm glowing blue as she aimed for his chest.


    Yan Song took a deep breath and staggered as he had to spit out more blood. Just as Qin Caiqing said, his Yuan Qi¡¯s flow was hindered. And yet, he found no reason to fear. His green beard trembled as he made an evil grin on his face.


    Qin Caiqing did not even manage to reach him before she started to tremble and vomit out black blood. The black blood was so potent that it ate through the ground when it landed.


    Iris Overseer swayed then fell.


    Qin Caiqing couldn¡¯t understand what was going on.


    ¡°He-he-he, wench, don¡¯t you know who I am? You think you can attack me that easily?¡± Yan Song snorted, ¡°Look at your hand.¡±


    Qin Caiqing brought her trembling hand to her eyes and discovered it had turned from white to purple.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I am Vicious Pill King. Every inch of me¡¯s covered in devastating poison. You think the Rainbow Cloud Palm is the only one thing I use to go against another Profound Heaven expert like you?¡±


    Yan Song laughed at the sky, his sharp eyes filled with murderous intent, ¡°Humph, no one would fear me if that was the case. He-he, dumb broad, what a fool. I will kill you and get rid of future troubles!¡±


    Despite being wounded, his palm had enough power to end a Profound Heaven expert¡¯s life.


    Qin Caiqing was in despair, chewing her lip in hatred and remorse.


    Zhuo Fan watched it all with a critical gaze. He didn¡¯t join in because he knew there was only one person who could save the Iris Overseer.


    And sure enough, a white figure flew before the Vicious Pill King and struck.


    Frowning, the Vicious Pill King redirected his attack towards the white hand of the newcomer.


    Bam!


    With a loud explosion jarring to the ears, Vicious Pill King stumbled ten feet back and spat blood. His hand was encased in ice.


    The white figure landed next to Iris Overseer, her manner was filled with power and demanding respect from any who dared look at her.


    ¡°Sister Chuchu, why are you here?¡±


    Zhuo Fan still had to fake he knew she was hiding nearby, ¡°Were you always behind me?¡±


    ¡°Humph, you stole from Drifting Flowers Edifice and think I could not catch up?¡± Chuchu glared at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan was startled as he gave a pretending cry, ¡°What? Sister Chuchu you¡¯re from Drifting Flowers Edifice? Which Overseer are you then?¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked anywhere else but at her, like a child who knew he did something wrong. He tried to prove his innocence as he pointed at Qin Caiqing, ¡°Sister Chuchu, it¡¯s not my fault, I was forced. It¡¯s her, she is your traitor. She is the one to blame, not me!¡±


    Shaking her head, Chuchu held her forehead in anger, ¡°You brat, you dare say this when you don¡¯t have the courage to take responsibility? You deserve to be punished!¡±


    She then leaned over Qin Caiqing to check her wounds.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ ruined¡­¡± Qin Caiqing lifted her heavy head with difficulty as tears streamed down, ¡°Forgive me, I betrayed Drifting Flowers Edifice!¡±


    Bam!


    Vicious Pill King cracked the ice on his hand and glared at Chuchu, ¡°Profound ranked martial art, Arcane Moon Art. Ha-ha-ha, Drifting Flowers Edifice Lord, Chu Qingcheng, you finally show yourself! How is your wound, I wonder. Would you like me to ease your pain?¡±


    ¡°What? Sister Chuchu, you¡¯re Drifting Flowers Edifice Lord, Chu Qingcheng?¡±


    Zhuo Fan watched her beautiful figure in stunned silence. He wasn¡¯t faking it this time.


    The scourge woman he met in the slums was actually Drifting Flowers Edifice Lord? What was she doing there?


    Since he couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of it, he pushed this question aside. What upset Zhuo Fan even more was that Chu Qingcheng was called the number one beauty in the empire. And he did witness her visage once.


    Who could have those impeccable features if not Chu Qingcheng? He never questioned her identity, making him doubt if his brain had a screw loose to be this foolish.


    [But when did I become so foolish? It was when I saw Chuchu¡¯s face.]


    Zhuo Fan sighed, even now he felt relaxed when he recalled that image. [To think a woman could actually possess such charm.] The him of before would never have imagined it possible.


    Ignoring both of their gazes, Chu Qingcheng watched Qin Caiqing¡¯s wound and a bottle appeared in her hand.


    She opened it and the sweet smell had the two people¡¯s eyes flash with greed!


    Bodhi Jade Sap!


    ¡°Senior sister, I know how much you care for Drifting Flowers Edifice. Forgive me, I failed as a Lord and made you suffer.¡± Chu Qingcheng moved the blue veil a bit and let a drop fall on Qin Caiqing¡¯s mouth.


    Qin Caiqing¡¯s body began shining in a green hue, filled with endless vitality. Even the grass beneath her began to grow unchecked.


    The poison on her hand had also retreated and wasn¡¯t long before it recovered its white color.


    The greedy Yan Song and Zhuo Fan gulped, their eyes fixed on the bottle.


    It was the second time he saw Bodhi Jade Sap¡¯s effect and its endless vitality left him in awe all the same!


    [Ahh! Nooo! another drop ruined!]


    Zhuo Fan lamented, considering whether or not to steal the bottle. This thought was on Yan Song¡¯s mind too!


    ¡°He-he-he, Bodhi Jade Sap is a legendary cure! How mystical!¡±


    Vicious Pill King licked his lips, ¡°Lord Chu, how about we make a deal? That hag is about to die and Drifting Flowers Edifice will collapse without you. Give me the Bodhi Root and I will give you Rainbow Cloud Palm¡¯s antidote. It will ensure the survival of your Drifting Flowers Edifice.¡±


    ¡°Humph, Bodhi Root is the basis of Drifting Flowers Edifice. Without it, Pill King Hall would run amok and Drifting Flowers Edifice would lose its place among the seven houses. Do you take me for a three-year-old, Yan Song?¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes with bone-deep hatred, ¡°And Grandmother¡¯s vengeance¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, those old hags were narrow-minded. Served them right. Lord Chu, I advise against making the same mistake!¡± Vicious Pill King laughed in mockery.


    Chu Qingcheng tightened her fists.


    Iris Overseer gasped a few times and got up weakly. Her pale face glaring at Yan Song, ¡°Qingcheng, I wounded him and now he can¡¯t use profound ranked martial art. Together, we can end this geezer.¡±


    ¡°But senior sister, what of the poisoned overseers¡­¡±


    Pain laced her gaze but soon her focus recovered. Iris Overseer said, ¡°Everything is for Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s future, even the death of all overseers. Qingcheng, attack!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng was still reticent as Qin Caiqing shouted, ¡°Qingcheng, we will never get the chance to kill this old dog again. We won¡¯t get revenge for Grandmother!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng woke up and her eyes became increasingly colder.


    ¡°Song Yu, stand aside!¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s bitter voice came out.


    Zhuo Fan meekly got out of their way! He was now watching the bustle and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. None of them were on guard against the 2nd layer Bone Tempering cultivator.


    [He-he-he, fight, fight! Die all of you and let yours truly reap the rewards.]


    Zhuo Fan had a twisted grin.


    Squinting, Vicious Pill King watched the two¡¯s determination and his hand rested on the gourd at his waist, ¡°Lord Chu, think it through. Don¡¯t regret it later!¡±


    ¡°Humph, I will regret it for all my life if I don¡¯t kill you now!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng snorted as she and Iris Overseer charged towards Yan Song. In this two against one, Yan Song, who couldn¡¯t use profound ranked martial art was at a disadvantage.


    But he wasn¡¯t panicking, his knuckles were white as he gripped against his gourd.


    Boom!


    A sudden purple lightning struck, stopping the two women. Vicious Pill King frowned as he turned his head towards the newcomer¡­

 Chapter 111 - Godeye Reemerges

    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Chu Qingcheng and Qin Caiqing shouted.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, girls, did you already forget this old man after a few years?¡±


    It was an old man in yellow, blind in one eye. A crow laid on his shoulder yet had eyes flickered with purple lightning.


    He was Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Godeye Long Jiu, and his spirit animal, Soul Devouring Crow. The pair behind him were in Bone Tempering Stage, Long Kui and Long Jie.


    Zhuo Fan was startled. He didn¡¯t think he¡¯d meet familiar faces all the way over here.


    ¡°Uncle Jiu?¡± Chu Qingcheng and Qin Caiqing cried in joy. Vicious Pill King was frowning, despite his cold tone, ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you to get your eye back, Godeye Long Jiu.¡±


    Long Jiu laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s all thanks to my little brother. I have regained my title and won¡¯t cower from the likes of you, Vicious Pill King.¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s face twitched but his heart cursed to high heavens.


    Godeye Long Jiu¡¯s recovery of his Purple Lightning Gold Eye was akin to meeting his archenemy. The Rainbow Cloud Palm had always been ineffective against Long Jiu.


    After losing his eye, Long Jiu was downcast. So Yan Song didn¡¯t pay him any attention. But now, he was back.


    Vicious Pill King squinted, his heart was in panic as his hand held the gourd tighter, ¡°Long Jiu are you going to join the ladies against me?¡±


    The ladies in question turned their expecting gazes at Long Jiu.


    Long Jiu cast a furtive glance on Vicious Pill King¡¯s gourd then shook his head, ¡°Yan Song, don¡¯t misunderstand. I came here to mediate. We are all guests in Drifting Flowers Edifice and should act like one.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I admire your reasoning Elder Jiu. I will forgo the ladies¡¯ unreasonable act today. But they might not do the same.¡±


    Vicious Pill King rested easy knowing Long Jiu was out of this fight. His smile now turned to the ladies.


    Chu Qingcheng gnashed her teeth and looked at Long Jiu with hope, but the latter only shook his head. She could only give up, ¡°Humph, Yan Song, I¡¯ll let you off now, but don¡¯t you dare make trouble in Drifting Flowers City.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, that depends on how Lord Chu receives guests.¡± Vicious Pill King snickered and flew away.


    They all breathed easier seeing him leave. Even the ladies. They may have been shouting kill and attack but against an opponent like Yan Song, they were extremely tense.


    ¡°Uncle Jiu, why did you stop us? Did you forget Grandmother¡¯s revenge?¡± Qin Caiqing complained, but Chu Qingcheng grabbed her shoulder, ¡°Senior sister, you misunderstood Uncle Jiu. He saved us.¡±


    Long Jiu sighed, his voice dignified, ¡°Girls, I am the one who knows Vicious Pill King Yan Song the best. He is worse than You Guiqi. Fighting him would only end in you dying for nothing.¡±


    ¡°But didn¡¯t I hurt him?¡± Qin Caiqing retorted.


    Long Jiu spoke gravely, ¡°Qing¡¯er, did you notice his gourd?¡±


    Qin Caiqing shook her head.


    ¡°We have met countless times but never saw him carry one until now. He must be carrying it for some ulterior motive. Vicious Pill King is rampant and arrogant, but his heart is so spiteful that not even You Guiqi dared mess with him. You were at grave risk today!¡±


    ¡°But Uncle Jiu, is there no way we can deal with that old dog?¡± Qin Caiqing wasn¡¯t willing to give up.


    Long Jiu smoothened his beard, ¡°Hard to say, unless¡­ My little brother was here. He is sure to have a way.¡±


    ¡°Your little brother?¡± Chu Qingcheng and Qin Caiqing asked.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, [He can¡¯t mean me, right?]


    Long Kui¡¯s mood was foul at Long Jiu¡¯s words, ¡°Uncle Jiu, why bring that brat again? He only killed You Guiqi and yet, you brag about him on and on for the past few months! Many from Veiled Dragon Pavilion are starting to think you aren¡¯t just brothers!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, little Kui, are you jealous? Who in your generation could have accomplished the feat of killing that rotten bastard? Even taking him as my ancestor wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration. What¡¯s more, we became brothers.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Jiu, are you talking about that rumored¡­ vile spawn, Zhuo Fan?¡± Chu Qingcheng raised an eyebrow.


    Long Jiu nodded, ¡°Chuchu, you are an exceptional genius, rarest of rare. But my little brother is no weaker than you!¡±


    ¡°Humph, what genius, he only knows violence. Killing wherever he goes!¡± Long Kui spoke in a sour tone.


    Long Jie shook his head, ¡°Little Kui, you are wrong. Whether you want to or not, you have to admit that Zhuo Fan is better than us in every way. He may be a bit unhinged, true, but his talent matches the seven houses¡¯ six dragons. And when it comes to killing, no one of our generations can compare.¡±


    ¡°Uh, little Jie got it right!¡± Long Jiu praised. But Long Kui came before Chu Qingcheng, not at all pleased, ¡°Humph, what are you talking about? There¡¯s no way that brat can compare with sister Qingcheng!¡±


    [Yep, not right at all. Yours truly has always been keeping low! I¡¯ve been in Drifting Flowers City for days and have I run amok even once? No!]


    Zhuo Fan was dissatisfied, [Aren¡¯t I always low-key? I normally kill without stating my name?]


    Yet it perplexed him how, even with that, his name was known in the entire Tianyu Empire as a demon spawn! [The only one that I am known to have killed was You Guiqi, which happened as though it was on a grand display, so of course everyone knew about me from that incident. But the rest should not be tied to my name.]


    He thought of himself as a rational and calm person but to others, his every move, every gesture, was filled with arrogance!


    Chu Qingcheng held Long Kui¡¯s hand then looked at Long Jiu in hope, ¡°Uncle Jiu, Zhuo Fan truly has the power to kill Vicious Pill King?¡±


    Long Jiu shook his head, ¡°I am not sure, but from what I can guess, Vicious Pill King¡¯s ending would only come at the hands of my little brother Zhuo Fan.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m starting to get curious about this matchless genius.¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes roamed around in thought.


    Next, Chu Qingcheng settled Long Jiu¡¯s party in the Drifting Flowers Edifice. Zhuo Fan wanted to use the chance to bail but before he could do anything, Chu Qingcheng grabbed him by the neck and dragged him back to Drifting Flowers Edifice like a chicken.


    The moon hung above in the quiet night. Many guests were resting, except for a lamp still burning in a small room.


    Five people were gathered, Chu Qingcheng, Peony Overseer, Iris Overseer, Xiao Dandan, and Zhuo Fan. In other words, Zhuo Fan was the only outsider here.


    [I¡¯m finished, kaput!]


    Zhuo Fan lamented. One wrong move and three Profound Heaven experts would jump him.


    Peony Overseer was watching Zhuo Fan with suspicion, [Why has the Edifice Lord brought a nobody to Drifting Flowers Edifice?] While Xiao Dandan¡¯s eyes rested on Zhuo Fan for a long long time.


    Zhuo Fan humiliated her once, but for some odd reason, she didn¡¯t hold it against him.


    ¡°What are you looking at? Never seen a man before?¡± Zhuo Fan was annoyed and snapped. Xiao Dandan shivered and stepped back.


    ¡°Impudent!¡±


    Peony Overseer¡¯s fiery temper broke out as she cursed him. ¡°You rude brat, where do you come from that allows you to speak like that in my Drifting Flowers Edifice? Don¡¯t you know where you are?¡±


    ¡°Who cares, just don¡¯t let that crafty and arrogant lass have such a hot gaze for this handsome man.¡±


    ¡°W-what hot gaze?¡± Peony Overseer was startled.


    Pointing at Xiao Dandan, Zhuo Fan stuck out his chin and cursed, ¡°Look at her eyes, they are clearly undressing me. Can¡¯t you see me wearing clothes? If that¡¯s not a hot gaze I don¡¯t know what is!¡±


    The three ladies spat, finally knowing what hot gaze meant, their faces turn red. Xiao Dandan was even more so, lowering her head in shame.


    [This brat is too vulgar. What hot gaze? I only looked at you twice!]


    But as Xiao Dandan was getting redder by the second, and was close to burning up.


    Chu Qingcheng glared, ¡°Song Yu, stop being rude!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sister Chuchu!¡±


    Zhuo Fan changed into an obedient child next to Chu Qingcheng. He knew her weakness, that she couldn¡¯t stand to reprimand him like this.


    ¡°At last I found you Song Yu! You were the one who picked on my disciple!¡±


    But Peony Overseer¡¯s temper flared once again at the name. Zhuo Fan was fearless now that Chu Qingcheng was there to hold his hand as he shouted, ¡°So what if did? Who told her to pick on my woman? Can¡¯t you see how rotten her morals are?¡±


    Peony Overseer shivered. Of course she knew the truth, but she didn¡¯t think this brat was so pigheaded that he dared argue with her in the Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    She knew she was wrong. She was willing to let the matter slide, with just a small payback. However, she was humiliated instead.


    ¡°Damn rotten punk, see if I don¡¯t beat you to death!¡±


    Peony Overseer was ready to strike but the one to stop her wasn¡¯t Chu Qingcheng. She watched the hand, stunned.


    It belonged to none other than Xiao Dandan.


    She was pleading with her eyes, to let the rotten punk go! Peony Overseer was perplexed.


    ¡°My dear disciple, didn¡¯t he humiliate you, twice? Why are you defending him?¡±

 Chapter 112 - The Strongest House, Regent Estate

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡­¡±


    Peony Overseer suddenly cried, ¡°You fancy him?!¡±


    This got all of them jumping, with even Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyelid twitching as he said in haste, ¡°Hey, think what you like but be careful of what you spout! You¡¯re Peony Overseer for crying out loud, you can¡¯t just go around spreading rumors and damaging my name¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you even have a reputation? Why do you sound like you¡¯re the one losing out if my disciple likes you?¡±


    Peony Overseer was furious. How could Xiao Dandan like a reckless and impudent brat like him? But now his words set her temper off.


    [What¡¯s wrong about my disciple that you find unacceptable to you?]


    In a fit of anger, Peony Overseer¡¯s rage shifted from her blind disciple, to enforcing marriage on Zhuo Fan. By the looks of it, it may even come to fighting if Zhuo Fan kept refusing.


    Xiao Dandan was red as a tomato, but was also let down by Zhuo Fan¡¯s reaction. She cried, ¡°Master, that¡¯s not what I mean. Stop rambling!¡±


    ¡°Then what do you mean?¡± Peony Overseer looked with askance at her and resentful of her attitude.


    Looking up at Zhuo Fan, Xiao Dandan muttered, ¡°I only thought he is a rarity in this world, sticking out for that lady and standing against Drifting Flowers Edifice. The world actually has another man willing to sacrifice himself for a woman.¡±


    ¡°Him? A good man?¡± Peony Overseer mocked, ¡°It is fine to be hot-blooded and reckless if he had Zhuo Fan¡¯s strength, but he is weak and still has the nerve to offend the seven houses. He is just suicidal!¡±


    ¡°If he had offended any other house besides Drifting Flowers Edifice, he¡¯d be lying cold on the ground by now. He was fortunate to meet Edifice Lord who saved him, or Yan Fu would¡¯ve killed him!¡±


    ¡°Yes, last time it was Qingcheng who saved young master Song!¡± Iris Overseer raised an eyebrow.


    Chu Qingcheng nodded, ¡°That was pure coincidence. Once I got back, I would mention it to Peony Overseer and to reign in her disciple, not to stir up trouble. Drifting Flowers City is the only place where women have the last say in things. I don¡¯t want for women to fight against each other here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I will be sure to reign her in!¡± Peony Overseer rushed to make a bow to Chu Qingcheng and pulled Xiao Dandan to do the same.


    Chu Qingcheng dismissed it, ¡°It¡¯s all in the past. We have gathered here tonight for one purpose, the theft of the Treasure Pavilion.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng turned to Iris Overseer and Zhuo Fan, ¡°You two, explain what happened.¡±


    Zhuo Fan was indifferent in his retelling, yet he didn¡¯t miss a detail, [I am the victim here. Go punish her!]


    Peony Overseer and Xiao Dandan cried in shock. Who¡¯d have conceived it possible Iris Overseer was a traitor?


    Chu Qingcheng saw anger in their eyes and urged, ¡°Don¡¯t be anxious, Iris Overseer hasn¡¯t truly defected from Drifting Flowers Edifice. She knew I carried the Bodhi Root with me at all times yet still sent Song Yu to steal it.¡±


    The two calmed down somewhat, but Peony Overseer still said, ¡°Senior sister, why have you been saying silent? I¡¯m dying to know your side of the story!¡±


    Rolling her eyes, Iris Overseer sighed, ¡°To be honest, Yan Song struck me with the Rainbow Cloud Palm when I was returning to Drifting Flowers City three months back.¡±


    ¡°What, you¡¯re also poisoned?¡± Peony Overseer was worried, ¡°That means close to half of our overseers are poisoned.¡±


    ¡°Humph, half?¡±


    Shaking her head, Iris Overseer had a hardened expression, ¡°Of the 15 overseers, that old dog got to 14, forcing them to obey his orders. The only one safe is you, Peony Overseer.¡±


    [What?]


    The shock was understandable. It wasn¡¯t long before Vicious Pill King got his hands on the entire Drifting Flowers Edifice!


    ¡°So that¡¯s why Yan Fu kept saying Drifting Flowers Edifice is his¡­¡±  Xiao Dandan recoiled two steps and Peony Overseer found it hard to even swallow, her despair was obvious.


    Iris Overseer also sighed out of frustration, ¡°He told me of this secret only to have better control over me. I decided then that I¡¯d rather have him killed than seizing Drifting Flowers Edifice. That is why I have been hiding my intention so I can strike him when he told me to steal the Bodhi Root.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t make me steal a fake to fool him, but to shift his anger on me and attack him from behind when his guard was down? Iris Overseer, what a great plan.¡± Zhuo Fan analyzed.


    Iris Overseer looked at him in shock, ¡°Young master Song, I never knew you were so smart! Not at all like the stubborn oaf you appear to be!¡±


    ¡°Uh, just a wild guess, ha, ha, ha¡­¡± Zhuo Fan scratched his head and faked clueless once again. [What a blunder!]


    The Song Yu he played was an impulsive and reckless man, not one capable of deep though. Putting together a sly mind and a strong body what would you get? Zhuo Fan!


    Luck was with him this time, as they thought it was odd. However, they were not suspicious of his identity. An oaf of a brat who hit the nail on the head sometimes.


    ¡°Senior sister, sorry for being hard on you.¡± Peony Overseer took Iris Overseer¡¯s hand as tears welled in her eyes.


    Qin Caiqing patted her hand and chuckled. These two women had sacrificed much for Drifting Flowers Edifice and took all the responsibility on their shoulders.


    ¡°Senior aunt, did you succeed in your attack on that old dog?¡± Xiao Dandan asked.


    Zhuo Fan sneered at this, ¡°Oh please, and here I thought I was one who disliked using his brains, but in fact, yours seems nonexistent. If she succeeded, you¡¯d be toasting right now. Why would you all be wailing and sobbing here at this point?¡±


    Xiao Dandan blushed and glared at him.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s callous words broke the sisterly mood between Peony Overseer and Iris Overseer. Their tears just went and disappeared.


    ¡°Rotten punk, can¡¯t you read the mood? I should¡¯ve known better than to expect delicacy from you.¡± Peony Overseer flared again as she ranted.


    The others broke in a small smile while Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Peony Overseer, don¡¯t mind him. Song Yu speaks before he thinks!¡± Chu Qingcheng glared at him then acted like a big sister, trying to make amends for her little brother.


    Peony Overseer noticed this subtle difference quickly. With Edifice Lord protecting him, she no longer pursued it, and her face changed into worry, ¡°Edifice Lord, with how can senior sister put it, Drifting Flowers Edifice is in imminent danger. What do we do now?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng took a deep breath, her eyes flickering, ¡°We aren¡¯t nearly enough to deal with Pill King Hall. We need to find outside help!¡±


    ¡°From the other houses?¡± Iris Overseer shook her head, ¡°From the start, the seven houses only cared about themselves. Even Uncle Jiu, who is closest to us, was fearful of Vicious Pill King. Who would stick their necks out for us?¡±


    ¡°Yes, no man can be trusted!¡± Peony Overseer had only hatred from being abandoned in her chambers.


    Her eyes flickering with wisdom, Chu Qingcheng showed a smile, ¡°Others may not be trustworthy, but he will surely help us!¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Was the unanimous question.


    Chu Qingcheng grinned, ¡°The strongest house!¡±


    Their eyes shined as hope was rekindled. Though Zhuo Fan frowned and muttered, ¡°The Regent Estate!¡±


    Among the Seven Noble Houses, everyone was arrogant, everyone thought highly of themselves. But there was one house that was recognized as the strongest, the one who stood above them for the past thousand years, the Regent Estate.


    The Regent Estate¡¯s power was three levels higher than any house among them.


    No house alone could defeat it.


    Who¡¯d have thought that the Regent Estate¡¯s men were also joining in the Hundred Pill Meeting? Though their numbers and strength were unknown. If the rumors were true about its power, he¡¯d had better tread lightly.


    With such a strong crowd in Drifting Flowers City, one wrong move would spell damnation.


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan clenched his fists. He needed to get the Bodhi Jade Sap fast and leave even faster. From here on out, it was only going to get worse.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes drifted to Chu Qingcheng¡¯s storage ring.


    She also noticed Zhuo Fan was worried and smiled, ¡°Song Yu, stay in Drifting Flowers Edifice.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Zhuo Fan jerked, though his heart was leaping in joy. This would make it more convenient for him.


    Chu Qingcheng walked before him and patted his shoulder with tender feelings, ¡°No need to worry, I know you fear Vicious Pill King¡¯s revenge. But he won¡¯t dare kill anyone in Drifting Flowers Edifice.¡±


    She then left with the overseers after telling Xiao Dandan to prepare him a room.


    Zhuo Fan stood stunned, feeling somewhat warm and fuzzy inside. He had always been cooking up schemes on how to get that Bodhi Jade Sap, maybe even killing someone if he had to.


    But Chu Qingcheng¡¯s constant care for him left him hesitant. [Should I steal the Bodhi Jade Sap¡­]

 Chapter 113 - Royally Arrogant, Huangpu Qingyun

    The night passed and Zhuo Fan walked out of his room. He was welcomed by the warm sun, yet his eyes were cold as ever.


    After a thorough analysis, he came to the decision to strike. Tonight was his best chance to steal her Bodhi Jade Sap, when Chu Qingcheng was alone.


    The best case was if it all went smoothly. If not, it couldn¡¯t be helped. He wouldn¡¯t shirk from killing if it¡¯d get him the medicine.


    He was the Demonic Emperor and not even a woman could stand in his way.


    Zhuo Fan took steps towards Chu Qingcheng¡¯s room. From his gait, one could even see a certain growing resolve.


    But the closer he got, the stranger he felt. Why were there so few people in Drifting Flowers Edifice? Not even the guests were around.


    ¡°Make way, make way!¡±


    A rash and urgent yell came from a figure in red moving with great haste. It was none other than Xiao Dandan.


    Thinking for a moment, he flashed before her.


    Thump!


    Xiao Dandan seemed to have smacked into an iron wall and fell to the ground, bringing sharp pain to her butt and head.


    ¡°Who is so blind that dares block me¡­¡± Xiao Dandan cursed but she choked on her words when she saw Zhuo Fan.


    Eying her coldly, Zhuo Fan snorted, ¡°Did you say something about a blind man?¡±


    Lowering her head and blushing a bit, Xiao Dandan went by him.


    Zhuo Fan was even more perplexed. [She used to be so feisty? So, why did she suddenly change?] He grabbed her arm.


    Xiao Dandan shuddered and her cheeks reddened evenmore.


    Zhuo Fan ignored her state and said, ¡°Where are you going? Why is Drifting Flowers Edifice so quiet? Where is everyone?¡±


    ¡°Uh, that¡¯s because they went to see young master Huangpu.¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned then cried, ¡°Huangpu¡­ a man from the Regent Estate? Why is he here so soon?¡±


    ¡°The one who came is Regent Estate¡¯s second young master, Huangpu Qingyun. I heard he and Edifice Lord were childhood sweethearts. With him here, Vicious Pill King will not dare to cause trouble.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart shook.


    [Son of a bitch! I just decided to attack and here comes an expert. And did he have to be Chu Qingcheng¡¯s childhood sweetheart too?]


    [How the hell am I supposed to do anything with those two sticking like glue?]


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and looked on murderously, ¡°Let¡¯s go. I want to see the oh so great young master Huangpu.¡±


    ¡°Great? How can you be so rude to Regent Estate¡¯s young master¡­¡± Xiao Dandan was going to advise him to be restraint, but Zhuo Fan pulled her along before she could say anything.


    Xiao Dandan looked at their hands but did not say a word. Though, it could be because her heart was skipping like a deer. Zhuo Fan¡¯s unbridled and rash attitude made her heart jump for the first time for a man.


    She was wishing for time to stop right now.


    However, with the two¡¯s cultivation, they soon arrived at the entrance of Drifting Flowers Edifice. They looked on towards the crowd. Zhuo Fan let go of his hand, which made the young miss feel a sense of loss.


    [Blast it! This damn Regent Estate is too impressive! They are like emperors! To have the other houses welcome them like this!]


    The scene shocked him.


    From first to third rate clans, all kneeled at the side of the main avenue. And those of powerful clans stood around the Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s entrance in welcome.


    This was Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s headquarters, yet the procession was even grander than the Edifice Lord¡¯s.


    Was Regent Estate so strong that it could intimidate the other six?


    It had to. With how arrogant and belittling the seven houses were, they would never accept such a loss of face.


    His face turned grave, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes were like a hawk, watching further ahead.


    In the middle of the street, a yellow sedan chair appeared before his eyes.


    This sedan chair was plain, with but four people lifting it. They were all Profound Heaven experts!


    [Curses to high heaven! Profound Heaven experts?! The other six houses have them as elders and you freaking use them as porters?]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face twitched and his fist tightened. Though the four Profound Heaven cultivators just broke through, that was beside the point. What was important, was that Regent Estate¡¯s power was incredible.


    The rumors didn¡¯t do them justice. They weren¡¯t just three levels stronger!


    The other six houses were swept by fear! When the sedan chair was nearby, they walked forward and bowed.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I am but a young and uncultured junior, how could I trouble the six houses¡¯ elders to welcome me?¡±


    Candid laughter came from the sedan, strong and resounding, reaching everyone¡¯s ears. The heavy power that it contained gave the impression of a mountain pressing on their hearts, robbing one of all power to resist.


    This was a true higher power, backed by soul pressure.


    Under the youth¡¯s kind words, all trembled, as they knew the words were backed by arrogance. He came out like this before the elders just to show off his power.


    They had to admit, however, that no one here could match against his soul pressure. Not even the elders of the houses.


    The strength of one¡¯s soul in the Profound Heaven Stage was a sign of one¡¯s potential and power in the Radiant Stage. No one was pleased but they had to give credit where it was due. Regent Estate would soon have another incredible expert.


    His power has been promised to be no less than Jade Flute Divine Sword, Fang Qiubai in the future.


    Everyone was putting on serious faces, with only Chu Qingcheng lifting her head, pleased. He was someone she invited. The stronger he was, the more intimidating he was, the more capable he was to help Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    ¡°Qingyun, we haven¡¯t seen each other for ten years and yet you¡¯ve become so strong. I may no longer be your match.¡± Chu Qingcheng smiled.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Qingcheng, don¡¯t tease me. I would never dare hurt you.¡±


    Laughing, the silk of the sedan chair rose and an elegant and handsome man in his twenties came out. The flicker in his eyes was far stronger than those possessed by the elders, and he also had a golden glow around him too.


    [2nd layer of Profound Heaven, a body cultivator!] Zhuo Fan squinted.


    Zhuo Fan managed to kill You Guiqi so easily because that man was a mere schemer.  He did not have an unyielding body to brave through any army.


    However, this Profound Heaven body cultivator was a headache to deal with. And that wasn¡¯t the least of it¡­


    Zhuo Fan sighed and looked at Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder. He noticed some time ago that this elder also had a version of the Diamond Body.


    Not even Zhuo Fan could handle two body cultivators.


    [Things are getting complicated¡­] Zhuo Fan clicked his tongue.


    Xiao Dandan thought he was worried about Drifting Flowers Edifice and consoled him, ¡°I didn¡¯t take you for such a kind man, one to worry for our sake. But don¡¯t worry, with young master Huangpu Qingyun, the Vicious Pill King will have to obediently give up the antidote.¡±


    [Humph, who the hell cares about you!]


    He shook his head, but his eyes flashed when he gazed at Huangpu Qingyun.


    [He isn¡¯t an easy man to deal with!]


    For the first time in his life, a tremor ran through Huangpu Qingyun, and he turned his attention in Zhuo Fan¡¯s direction.


    Seeing him with Xiao Dandan, he squinted, ¡°Qingcheng, since when does Drifting Flowers Edifice welcomes men?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng also looked at Zhuo Fan and spoke with amusement, ¡°He is a son-in-law of ours. Don¡¯t you know Drifting Flowers Edifice had men marrying in?¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Huangpu Qingyun nodded, ¡°To marry into the Drifting Flowers Edifice, he must be a man of greatness. I wonder when I will have that honor too.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun was beaming, but Chu Qingcheng rolled her eyes, with a hint of red on her cheeks.


    Huangpu Qingyun laughed harder at this, while the elders strained their expressions. [Even for a second young master of Regent Estate, he is too freakin¡¯ arrogant. He dares give us the cold shoulder to flirt with the Edifice Lord right in front of us?]


    ¡°Humph, I would rather train right now!¡±


    Xie Tianyang left but Jian Suifeng pulled him back. Huangpu Qingyun then smiled at him, ¡°You must be Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s second young master. My, my, you have such manners!¡±


    Xie Tianyang didn¡¯t care and Jian Suifeng had to make amends, ¡°Forgive him. The second young master, Tianyang, is but a haughty child that I have failed to educate. Please overlook this.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. Young master Xie must be an impulsive man. I would like to befriend many such people!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun walked to Xie Tianyang and rested his hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°Second young master!¡± Jian Suifeng was panicking.


    Huangpu Qingyun gave a reassuring glance then smiled brightly at Xie Tianyang, although his tone was frosty, ¡°I like straightforward people like young master Xie the most. I would¡¯ve grown tired if all I saw were fawning types, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The moment Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s hand touched Xie Tianyang¡¯s shoulder, he felt an overwhelming pain spread through his body. He could not move. Only managing to gnash his teeth from pain and stand straight as an arrow. Pleased with the ¡®lesson¡¯, Huangpu Qingyun let go and laughed as he left with a group of fawners behind him.


    Jian Suifeng sighed, ¡°Tianyang, why do you act like this? I told you that Regent Estate¡¯s men are proficient in grasping the hearts of the people. Anyone who disobeys them suffers in the end.¡±


    ¡°8th elder, I now understand Ning¡¯er¡¯s feelings at that time. I never knew the Sword Marquise Abode would see this day!¡±


    Sweat was dripping down Xie Tianyang¡¯s face, ¡°I will remember this Huangpu Qingyun. The day will come when I will pay in kind!¡±


    Jian Suifeng shook his head.


    For thousands of years, Regent Estate stood atop the seven houses. [Even if you are unwilling, all you can do is bear it.]


    While this scene played out, none of them noticed Zhuo Fan standing in a corner, watching closely. His eyes were cold and his fists were clenched.


    ¡°Song Yu, what¡¯s wrong? Your face is scary.¡± Xiao Dandan asked.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Nothing. What will you do if your sisters are picked on?¡±


    She watched him, amazed. Hearing a mild tone from him for the first time, ¡°Depends on who it is. I will take some of my sisters to deal with normal people, or tell my master if it involves the seven houses.¡±


    ¡°Humph, what will be the point of that?¡± Zhuo Fan squinted as he showed naked killing intent, ¡°I, on the other hand, will crush anyone to dust for picking on my brother!¡±


    His icy tone left Xiao Dandan shivering. She looked as if she didn¡¯t recognize him¡­

 Chapter 114 - Hints Of Ambition

    Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s guest hall was packed with delicacies and food for a feast. Huangpu Qingyun arrived with a crowd of retainers and sat in the seat of honor. It was the seat reserved for the leader.


    His action implied crass and open disrespect for Drifting Flowers Edifice. It could be even deemed as provocation.


    However, people found Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s act normal, treating him like an emperor. Chu Qingcheng didn¡¯t mind at all. Now that he sat there, it wouldn¡¯t be long before he would help them.


    ¡°Elders, please take a seat. Don¡¯t be shy!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun acted as the host and gestured to the four Profound Heaven experts carrying his sedan.


    As they sat along with the guests, there seemed to be one table empty.


    Huangpu Qingyun asked the obvious, ¡°Why is there an empty table? Was the table count wrong and the servers left it as so?¡±


    Clear of his intention, Vicious Pill King snickered evilly, ¡°Second young master, it belongs to Sword Marquise Abode. He must be running late with important matters. If it is irksome, second young master, we might as well remove it.¡±


    Everyone watched him coldly. Vicious Pill King was simply adding insult to injury.


    Everyone in the hall saw Huangpu Qingyun attack Xie Tianyang from getting on his bad side. It was obvious that Xie Tianyang was now taking care of his wound and did not come.


    They all guessed that this second young master was still irritated and brought up this topic.


    [It is fine if you don¡¯t want to irk the second young master, but as a man from the seven houses, must you go so far to pour oil over the fire and present the chance to shame Sword Marquise Abode?]


    And Huangpu Qingyun wasn¡¯t one to miss it, ¡°Elder Yan is right. The empty table is bothersome. Remove it from sight.¡±


    ¡°Second young master, Sword Marquise Abode is one of the seven houses. Even absent, their table should remain. Sir¡¯s conduct of disgracing them might earn Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s displeasure!¡± Long Jiu stood up, no longer having the patience to sit by and watch.


    Vicious Pill King squinted, ¡°And? You think the Sword Marquise Abode would start a war over a table?¡±


    ¡°This is not a matter of boldness, but the seven houses¡¯ sanctity. The Seven Noble Houses shouldn¡¯t hold each other in such contempt.¡±


    ¡°Humph, nice speech. Then let me ask you, Elder Jiu, in whose domain again did my elders get killed?¡± This time, it was Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder who laughed coldly.


    ¡°He-he-he, I have no problems with anyone if no one gives me problems. Hell Valley dug its own grave. You got yourself to blame for that.¡±


    ¡°What did you say you blind old dog?¡± 5th elder snapped and slapped the table. Long Jiu squinted, staring back without fear.


    The feast had become a ticking time bomb ready to explode.


    They would¡¯ve long had trade blows if not for this place being Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    ¡°People, please calm down. This is neither Veiled Dragon Pavilion nor Hell Valley. It is not a stage for you to settle your grudges.¡± Lin Zitian wiped his sweat, as he urged, ¡°If not for Drifting Flowers Edifice, then for the second younger master. Restrain yourselves.¡±


    The two turned their attention to Huangpu Qingyun.


    He was smiling slightly, but his eyes were anything but pleased! As if to remind them this was his welcoming feast. [You dare cause trouble at my feast?]


    The two muttered and cupped their hands towards him before sitting back down.


    Huangpu Qingyun laughed, ¡°That¡¯s better. The seven houses are one big happy family. There¡¯s no need to argue over a table. Moreover, this is Drifting Flowers Edifice, and it is their decision if the table stays or not.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun turned his stare to Chu Qingcheng, who nodded, ¡°Sword Marquise Abode is Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s guest and should have a table!¡±


    Frowning slightly, Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyes flashed with disappointment, but laughed nonetheless, ¡°All will be done as Qingcheng said. This is your domain after all!¡±


    ¡°Thank you Qingyun!¡± Chu Qingcheng nodded curtly, not detecting Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s change in expression.


    Meanwhile, the Vicious Pill King had an evil smile at her expense.


    [Humph, dumb broad! You have no clue of the second young master¡¯s intention. Drifting Flowers Edifice deserves what¡¯s coming to it!]


    ¡°Then the table will stay!¡± He declared.


    But when Huangpu Qingyun saw two figures passing by, he smirked, ¡°However, it¡¯s only an empty table. The two outside, how about you come join me for a drink?¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Xiao Dandan were about to go to their rooms when they heard his shout.


    Xiao Dandan was distraught over what to do and looked at Zhuo Fan since the guest hall was filled with elders. This was something the cherished disciple of Peony Overseer had never participated in.


    Then, she secretly laughed at her as she took a look at Zhuo Fan


    If she, a Drifting Flowers Edifice disciple panicked, what about him? Who was a third rate clan¡¯s young master?


    Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan was completely opposite. He was cool as a cucumber, taking her hand as he walked with a steady gait.


    [Does this man fear no one?]


    Not her master, not her senior aunt, not even Regent Estate¡¯s second young master, Huangpu Qingyun. In a blink, Xiao Dandan was charmed as she looked at Zhuo Fan.


    She didn¡¯t seem to wake up from her charmed state even when they were standing in the middle of the guest hall. Her lovestruck gaze was there, open for all to see!


    Two sudden killing glares landed on the two. Xiao Dandan shuddered and found one to be from Merry Woods¡¯s Lin Tianyu seated next to Lin Zitian.


    The other from Yan Fu sitting next to Vicious Pill King.


    Their lips moved yet, no words came out. But the word they mimicked was the same, slut.


    They would¡¯ve long shouted curses if it were not for Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s presence.


    Sizing the couple up, Huangpu Qingyun laughed, ¡°What a perfect match. Could you introduce yourselves?¡±


    ¡°Uh, I am Xiao Dandan from Peony Edifice. Greetings second young master!¡± Xiao Dandan was tense in her greeting.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyelid and stated, ¡°Son Yu from the Song clan, a third rate clan of Nightrain City!¡±


    ¡°Eh, third rate?¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun raised an eyebrow, ¡°Such a rare occurrence for a third rate clan young master to become Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s son in law. People, please sit there!¡±


    [The hell, son in law? When have I become¡­ Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s son in law?]


    Zhuo Fan was in deep thought to only be jerked awake by Xiao Dandan, who had reddened cheeks.


    Chu Qingcheng stood at once, ¡°Qingyun, you can¡¯t! That is Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s table. It is not for juniors!¡±


    ¡°Yes, second young master, they do not qualify to sit there!¡±


    Peony Overseer stood as well, paid her respect to Huangpu Qingyun, then berated the two, ¡°What are you two standing around for? Leave!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun waved his hand, his face became gloomy, ¡°Qingcheng, I agreed to not take Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s table, but now, I can¡¯t even have two guests? You are slighting me.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng stammered. She watched Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s cold face and realized she no longer knew him.


    Zhuo Fan understood at once. If a third rate clan young master and Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s disciple took that table, it would bring utter humiliation to Sword Marquise Abode!


    Huangpu Qingyun was doing it on purpose, differentiating between those who fawned over him and those who disregarded him.


    The problem revolved around a mere table, but it was an allusion to a question of obedience.


    [Looks like Regent Estate¡¯s people are a cut above the six houses, and so is their appetite. They want to unify the seven houses!]


    [I need to move fast and secure some elders for the Luo clan.]


    [When the seven houses unite, the Tianyu Empire will be plunged into chaos.]


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t wait for their argument to finish as he already sat at the table.


    The people were stunned. [What gall the brat has. This will be a shame for Sword Marquise Abode.]


    ¡°Kid, you better be careful where you sit, lest you invite death!¡± Long Jiu warned him with a cold eye.


    Zhuo Fan watched him calmly, ¡°Grandpa Jiu, be careful to not have your clan ruined with what you say!¡±


    The people were twitching. [He doesn¡¯t have just gall, he¡¯s mad. He even threatened Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Long Jiu.]


    Only Huangpu Qingyun watched Zhuo Fan with admiration besides shock.


    He could now see how a third rate clan young master became Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s son in law.


    Long Jiu¡¯s eye shivered from emotion and shock. After a long time, he cupped his hands in gratitude, ¡°Thank you young master for reminding me!¡±


    Then sat quietly.


    This caused an even bigger shock. Not only was Huangpu Qingyun and his experts startled, even Long Jie and Long Kui next to Long Jiu were perplexed.


    The grand Elder Jiu of Veiled Dragon Pavilion was cowed by a nameless brat. [How is this possible?]


    But no one noticed Long Jiu was moved to tears. His Soul Devouring Crow was also flapping its wings in excitement¡­

 Chapter 115 - Isolated

    Watching the Soul Devouring Crow¡¯s jubilation, Zhuo Fan perked the corner of his mouth, knowing that Long Jiu recognized him. After all, he used to address Long Jiu with ¡®Grandpa Jiu¡¯ the first time they met.


    Furthermore, unlike those that addressed him as ¡®Grandpa Jiu¡¯ , Zhuo Fan¡¯s haughty tone made it undoubtedly clear to Long Jiu as to who he was.


    None of the people there understood what happened. Their eyes darting from one to another in hesitation.


    A third rate clan kid dared speak nonsense to a Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s elder ¨C odd. The elder in question not only did not rebuke but looked relaxed ¨C odder.


    On top of that, there seemed to be some underlying meaning in it, which was baffling to them.


    This cast many doubts upon the guests. But before they could pry, a sneer resounded, ¡°Humph, Drifting Flowers Edifice is so thoughtful to let some pipsqueak have a table!¡±


    To everyone¡¯s shock, Xie Tianyang had been standing at the entrance, unbeknown to them. Meanwhile, Jian Suifeng¡¯s face had turned ashen.


    The exclusion of Sword Marquise Abode from the seven houses¡¯ feast was utter humiliation.


    Chu Qingcheng cried, urging Zhuo Fan, ¡°Who told you to sit? Leave at once!¡±


    ¡°Qingcheng, did you forget? It was I who invited them!¡± Huangpu Qingyun smiled at her, but his deeper meaning pricked at Sword Marquise Abode, ¡°Isn¡¯t it a waste to have an empty table? I have welcomed the two disciples to make better use of it. It is not a place for a dog to sit in after all.¡±


    ¡°Humph, since the second young master does not put Sword Marquise Abode in his eyes, we shall be taking our leave then. Farewell!¡± Xie Tianyang waved his sleeve and left.


    This time, Jian Suifeng didn¡¯t stop him, going after him with a stern face. There was no compromise when it came to the matter of Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s dignity, even if it meant offending the other six houses.


    Chu Qingcheng became anxious.


    It was Huangpu Qingyun who did this, but Drifting Flowers Edifice was the host. With Xie Tianyang returning humiliated, wouldn¡¯t Sword Marquise Abode put all the blame on Drifting Flowers Edifice?


    In this moment of crisis, Drifting Flowers Edifice should be making friends, not offending others left and right.


    ¡°Young master Xie, please wait. This is the fault of our Drifting Flowers Edifice, please forgive me! I will be arranging a table shortly to apologize!¡± Chu Qingcheng cried in panic.


    Xie Tianyang paused and turned. Chu Qingcheng was willing to lower herself and apologize. This was enough for Sword Marquise Abode to keep their dignity.


    It wouldn¡¯t be proper to be obstinate.


    However, noticing Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s mocking grin, Xie Tianyang¡¯s anger flared and spoke coldly, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, since you have the powerful Regent Estate to lean on, you needn¡¯t degrade yourself. I am unfortunate to say that the small and meager Sword Marquise Abode cannot accept your apology!¡±


    Xie Tianyang left this time for good.


    Chu Qingcheng sighed.


    How could she not get his meaning? Drifting Flowers Edifice chose to rely on Regent Estate in their hour of most desperate need, this in turn alienated the other houses.


    She didn¡¯t know if this was the right path, but she began to feel that Drifting Flowers Edifice was becoming more and more isolated. Even their long time friend, Long Jiu, could only sigh at this.


    If she couldn¡¯t even preserve the dignity of her guests, what¡¯s to have them return a second time?


    Huangpu Qingyun was immensely pleased and showed it in his smile. His eyes drifted to Vicious Pill King who nodded and showed a crafty glint.


    Zhuo Fan took it all in and cried inside [Damn it! This is Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s plan! To isolate Drifting Flowers Edifice!]


    When Drifting Flowers Edifice was gone, the next to follow would be Sword Marquise Abode and Veiled Dragon Pavilion who refused to acknowledge their might. And when the seven houses were under one banner, the Luo clan would fall.


    Zhuo Fan squinted his eyes as he yelled, ¡°Brother Xie, there are more seats here! If you do not mind, let¡¯s squeeze together and join the feast?¡±


    [Humph, an insignificant noisy brat dares call me brother? Are you freakin¡¯ worthy of it? Sitting next to you would throw the seven houses¡¯ honor down the drain!]


    Xie Tianyang snorted inside as he clenched his teeth!


    [This rotten Drifting Flowers Edifice has gone too far! Since when can a third rate clan kid yell at me?]


    Xie Tianyang didn¡¯t even turn around so Zhuo Fan scratched his nose as he shouted, ¡°Coward, are you that scared of sitting next to me?¡±


    The fierce tone rang in everyone¡¯s ears.


    Everyone was dazed, even Huangpu Qingyun. They were too out of it to even react.


    [Blast it! This punk is a madman among lunatics! The nerve of this brat!]


    He first threatened Elder Jiu and now he was calling Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s young master a coward? Did he yearn for death that much?


    Elder Jiu didn¡¯t retaliate because of seniority. With his power, striking against a junior in front of everyone would be too shameful.


    While Xie Tianyang was a rash youth. [You think he¡¯d let you off after this public humiliation?]


    [The Drifting Flowers Edifice won¡¯t say anything even if you do end up dead!]


    Iris Overseer held her forehead, Peony Overseer sighed. Chu Qingcheng gnashed her teeth with tightened fists. She was itching to tear him to pieces.


    [This rotten brat, here he goes again thinking with his brawn.]


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s disciple and Merry Woods¡¯ disciple were enjoying the show with cold smiles.


    ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, this is too much even if you rely on Regent Estate. Do you want to slight Sword Marquise Abode so much?¡± Jian Suifeng snorted in anger as his body exudes power.


    Chu Qingcheng rushed to diffuse the misunderstanding, ¡°Please calm down, 8th elder. This is a misunderstanding. This child speaks without thinking. I will deal with this personally.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng glared at Zhuo Fan and berated, ¡°Song Yu, what are you waiting for? Apologize!¡±


    A small smile played on Zhuo Fan¡¯s lips as he looked at Xie Tianyang¡¯s back.


    Shivering, Xie Tianyang turned around jerkily, eying Zhuo Fan with rage, but also shock. He then strode before Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Young master Xie, please¡­ He is but a child, please don¡¯t lower yourself to his level!¡± Chu Qingcheng was nervous, yet Yuan Qi gathered in her palms.


    She would have no choice but to interfere if Xie Tianyang moved in for the kill.


    Xiao Dandan jumped in front of Zhuo Fan as she nervously said, ¡°Young master Xie, he is my fianc¨¦e, one of Drifting Flowers Edifice. His error will be dealt with by Drifting Flowers Edifice. Please don¡¯t let anger control you!¡±


    Ignoring her, Xie Tianyang only calmly walked to Zhuo Fan¡¯s table.


    However, outside of everyone¡¯s expectation, the two didn¡¯t jump at each other¡¯s throat. Xie Tianyang just landed his butt on the chair next to Zhuo Fan and poured himself a drink before downing the glass. Then, stared at Zhuo Fan¡¯s face, not fully convinced as he laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, good wine!¡±


    ¡°Of course! Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s wine is made by the young and charming ladies. Since you¡¯re here, brother, let¡¯s have drinks all round!¡±


    Zhuo Fan filled his cup and Xie Tianyang nodded, sitting there as if nothing happened.


    Everyone¡¯s eyes were bulging out of their sockets. Even Jian Suifeng was dumbstruck.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s reckless temper flared even before the likes of Huangpu Qingyun from the Regent Estate. Why was he casually drinking wine with a man who just cursed him?


    He didn¡¯t understand, the others even more so.


    Having the show cut short, the others were stunned. Chu Qingcheng was also dumbfounded, her hands relaxing.


    She couldn¡¯t understand what trick Zhuo Fan pulled to calm Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s young master¡¯s anger.


    ¡°Xie Tianyang, didn¡¯t you say sitting at that table is beneath you¡­¡± Huangpu Qingyun was disappointed as he spoke coldly.


    Laughing, Xie Tianyang waved off his reproach, ¡°I do, but not with a brother who I appreciate.¡±


    Xie Tianyang and Zhuo Fan clinked glasses just like drinking buddies!


    Jian Suifeng awkwardly sat next to Xie Tianyang, not quite able to wrap his head around his young master, ¡°T-Tianyang, you¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, 8th elder, sit! Sharing a table with this brother will not disgrace Sword Marquise Abode in the slightest!¡± Xie Tianyang waved his hand, pulling Jian Suifeng to sit.


    Jian Suifeng watched Zhuo Fan, befuddled.


    Seeing peace restored, Chu Qingcheng relaxed also. Her pretty eyes landed on Zhuo Fan with gratitude.


    Zhuo Fan raised a glass in her honor and lifted an eyebrow.


    Chu Qingcheng glared at him but they held no anger. It was the same as when a big sis smacked her little brother over the head, a love tap.


    ¡°Qingcheng!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eye grew cold, severely irked by Zhuo Fan¡¯s action of diffusing the conflict between Drifting Flowers Edifice and Sword Marquise Abode.


    However, Chu Qingcheng did not notice. So, she urged, ¡°Qingyun, it was hard to gather all the seven houses before the Hundred Pill Meeting, as you can see. So, don¡¯t be so hard on young master Xie. ¡°


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, how could I? I came because of you after all.¡±


    His eyes flashing, Huangpu Qingyun spoke, ¡°Let¡¯s begin. Now that all houses are here, let us settle the matter between Drifting Flowers Edifice and Pill King Hall.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng was happy. [With Regent Estate standing here, that old dog will have to give up the antidote.]


    What she didn¡¯t know however, was that Vicious Pill King was also anticipating this¡­

 Chapter 116 - Ruthless Betrayal

    Clap~


    At the sharp clap, everyone turned to Chu Qingcheng.


    She smiled and eyed the Vicious Pill King, ¡°On this occasion, with all seven houses gathered here, I would like everyone to bear witness to one matter of mine!¡±


    She stared Vicious Pill King down with a cold gaze, ¡°Yan Song, it is time to end our grudges, today.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha¡­ What grudges do you speak of? I do not understand. Have I perhaps turned up uninvited?¡± Vicious Pill King stroked his beard.


    Squinting, Chu Qingcheng continued, ¡°Yan Song, stop faking it. The elders of the seven houses are here, and so is Regent Estate¡¯s second young master. You won¡¯t leave this place until you give up the Rainbow Cloud Palm¡¯s antidote!¡±


    Iris Overseer and Peony Overseer stood up also, ready to strike at a moment¡¯s notice.


    The others kept silent, watching the events unfold.


    They knew of this grudge between them for a long time. This time, however, Drifting Flowers Edifice invited Regent Estate to mediate and press down on Pill King Hall. Vicious Pill King would have no choice but to comply in his presence.


    Yet, just when the second young master ought to speak, he remained unusually quiet.


    The people ignored Chu Qingcheng, and Vicious Pill King, turning their gazes to Qingcheng.


    Because they all knew, he was the one who had the final say.


    Who was right and who was wrong, who failed and who won, all rested on this man¡¯s shoulders.


    Huangpu Qingyun smiled towards Vicious Pill King, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Elder Yan, if you truly poisoned Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s disciples, there is no harm in providing the antidote and keep it cordial.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, second young master is right!¡±


    Snickering, Vicious Pill King cupped his hands at Huangpu Qingyun, but his sinister eyes stared right at Chu Qingcheng, ¡°I have indeed hurt your overseers, but I am unable to provide the antidote.¡±


    ¡°Yan Song, the nerve of you! You won¡¯t even listen to the Regent Estate? Do I have to bother His Majesty for you to drop this matter?¡± Chu Qingcheng shouted.


    But Huangpu Qingyun lightly waved it off, ¡°His Highness is terribly occupied and has no time to mind us, seven houses. Even after what happened in Windgaze City between Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Hell Valley, His Highness rebuked them both. Not only they, but even the other houses were given a warning. Windgaze City has now become a restricted area for us.¡±


    When Huangpu Qingyun pointed this out, Long Jiu and Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder started glaring at each other.


    Zhuo Fan sneered inside, knowing where this was going.


    For the Regent Estate to unify the seven houses, they must have all of the houses¡¯ affairs under their control. Wouldn¡¯t it become a mere figurehead as the leader of the seven houses if the other houses turned to the emperor for mediation?


    [Humph, they move quite quickly when it comes to grabbing power. So this is the true ambition of Regent Estate!] Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed coldly.


    Chu Qingcheng took a deep breath to calm her anger, ¡°Qingyun, you are right, but this old dog¡­¡±


    ¡°Leave it to me!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun held his hand in interruption and spoke to Vicious Pill King, ¡°Elder Yan, taking your current stance is tantamount to slighting Regent Estate. Don¡¯t you see me sitting here?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, the second young master misunderstands. The truth is, I cannot provide the antidote!¡±


    Vicious Pill King cupped his hands and smiled, ¡°But, shouldn¡¯t what a certain thief stole be returned first?¡±


    ¡°Eh, what do you mean?¡± Huangpu Qingyun raised an eyebrow, his voice odd.


    Grinning, Vicious Pill King looked at Chu Qingcheng in askance, speaking with a sly smile, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, I¡¯m sure you haven¡¯t forgotten of that devil Chu Qingtian.¡±


    Shivering, tears welled in Chu Qingcheng as she clenched her fists. Bottomless rage and overflowing killing intent surged.


    The people were shocked having witnessed Chu Qingcheng so out of control for the first time.


    Sneering, Vicious Pill King added, ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice had once sent that devil, Chu Qingtian, to become my disciple. I found him smart and imparted some of my teachings. In the end, he stole Rainbow Cloud Palm¡¯s antidote formula. His strength was lacking when refining it and died, while also poisoning many overseers in the process. How can this be my fault?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he was my senior brother meant to inherit the master¡¯s legacy. But he was driven by delusions of grandeur and betrayed us despite our good relations. He got his just deserts when he thought too highly of himself. He was blind to believe he could refine the antidote, only to fail!¡±


    Yan Fu was mocking them now, ¡°The only thing I admire about my senior brother is his talent in alchemy. As for his moral character, he was too arrogant, repaying gratitude with enmity and hurting Drifting Flowers Edifice. It can be said he was impudent!¡±


    ¡°Shut up!


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s anger flared and her eyes reddened as she watched the evil pair. The others jerked in fright.


    Throwing a disdainful gaze at her, Vicious Pill King snorted, ¡°Second young master, if this happened in Regent Estate, would you give your spy the antidote?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right!¡± Huangpu Qingyun nodded.


    Everyone¡¯s eyes were on him in a split second. It was Drifting Flowers Edifice who asked for him, so what was he doing sticking up for Pill King Hall?


    Only Zhuo Fan knew this was coming, calmly tasting the fine wine.


    ¡°Second young master, there is a reason behind this matter. At that time, Pill King Hall attacked our Edifice Lord¡­¡± Iris Overseer hurried to explain, but Vicious Pill King cut her off, ¡°Humph, there are plenty of arguments among the seven houses, but does this garner sending a spy to another house? Going by your words, won¡¯t that make Hell Valley filled with Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s people? And Veiled Dragon Pavilion teeming with Hell Valley¡¯s spies as well?¡±


    Elders began nodding at this.


    In the case of small arguments, they were resolved openly. Sending spies was too demeaning and shameful for the seven houses¡¯ prestige!


    Iris Overseer was flustered while Chu Qingcheng was almost lost in her rage. Her eyes bore hatred towards Yan Song, wanting to eat him alive.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough. Since I and the houses¡¯ elders are here, I will be the judge and you witnesses in dissolving this grievance.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s shout drowned the two side¡¯s bickering. Everyone nodded.


    Huangpu Qingyun turned to the Vicious Pill King, to which Yan Song cupped his hands, ¡°I leave everything in the second young master¡¯s hands!¡±


    Turning to Chu Qingcheng, she let out a ragged breath and nodded. Huangpu Qingyun came at her request and believed he would side with Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyes flashed pleased, ¡°With both sides in agreement, then I will state my verdict. Do not object it or it will mean a challenge to Regent Estate.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Chu Qingcheng and Vicious Pill King nodded.


    ¡°Good. Elder Yan, you are to give the Rainbow Cloud Palm¡¯s antidote to the Drifting Flowers Edifice!¡± Huangpu Qingyun shouted and Chu Qingcheng was happy.


    But Huangpu Qingyun followed up on a cold tone, ¡°However, Drifting Flowers Edifice was the first in the wrong. To be fair, Elder Yan may choose any one item from Drifting Flowers Edifice as compensation!¡±


    This caused a widespread shock. Everyone knew what Yan Song coveted the most.


    Drifting Flowers Edifice refused to bargain this treasure with him. Or they would¡¯ve long have traded it.


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s verdict sounded fair, but it leaned towards Yan Song.


    In a blink, they all understood, flickering their eyes from one to another. Chu Qingcheng was even more shocked. She noticed Yan Song¡¯s cunning smile and came to realize it was a trap all along.


    [They planned this from the start!]


    ¡°Second young master¡¯s verdict is fair. I wholly agree!¡± Vicious Pill King laughed, ¡°Then I won¡¯t be shy and choose Bodhi Root.¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡± Chu Qingcheng snorted, ¡°The Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s sacred treasure won¡¯t be yours!¡±


    ¡°Qingcheng, you are the one who asked me to mediate. I have given my verdict and now you refuse? Are you mocking me?¡± Huangpu Qingyun barked.


    Everyone knew Huangpu Qingyun didn¡¯t come to help Chu Qingcheng, but the Pill King Hall.


    With this excuse, Regent Estate drove itself between Pill King Hall and Drifting Flowers Edifice. If Drifting Flowers Edifice didn¡¯t hand over Bodhi Root, they would have to face not only Pill King Hall, but the dreaded and mighty Regent Estate, the strongest of the seven houses.


    If Regent Estate moved, no other house dared to help Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    Before Drifting Flowers Edifice could drive out the vicious wolf, they brought in a tiger. There was no going back now.


    Chu Qingcheng glared at Huangpu Qingyun with tears in her eyes. She never thought possible the one she rested her last hope on, her childhood sweetheart, would ruthlessly betray her!


    Iris Overseer and Peony Overseer were enraged, glaring at him with bitter hatred.


    The one they hated the most was now Huangpu Qingyun, the betrayer.


    As if unable to look his former sweetheart in the eyes, Huangpu Qingyun turned his head and sighed, ¡°Qingcheng, don¡¯t be so obstinate. This is all for Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s sake.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit! What would be left of Drifting Flowers Edifice if the Bodhi Root is gone?¡± Peony Overseer¡¯s temper flared and cursed him.


    ¡°How will you call yourself Drifting Flowers Edifice if everyone is dead?¡± Huangpu Qingyun snorted, ¡°We agreed before, to not contest my verdict. Accept it or suffer the wrath of Regent Estate!¡±


    Peony Overseer turned mute, Chu Qingcheng and Iris Overseer were falling in despair.


    However, a sneer echoed around, ¡°Young master Huangpu, if my ears didn¡¯t fail me, you said you came to mediate and let the elders bear witness! Now that you have given your verdict, isn¡¯t it the elders¡¯ turn to judge its fairness?¡±


    This shocked everyone, turning to find the brazen man who dared contest Regent Estate¡­

 Chapter 117 - Lifeline

    The people saw Zhuo Fan casually holding his glass as he nursed his wine. He didn¡¯t look afraid at all, having just contested against Huangpu Qingyun.


    ¡°Humph, you dare interrupt the matter between Drifting Flowers Edifice and Pill King Hall?¡± Huangpu Qingyun glared.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and embraced Xiao Dandan. Lifting a taunting eyebrow at Huangpu Qingyun, ¡°I am now part of Drifting Flowers Edifice and have the right to speak for it. What goddamn right do you have for spouting bullshit?¡±


    ¡°Impudent!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s fury resulted in unleashing his power, launching a sudden palm attack. Not even Zhuo Fan would dare take a palm backed by a 2nd layer of Profound Heaven cultivator.


    However, he didn¡¯t look the slightest bit worried. He knew someone would save him!


    A white silk ribbon seized the palm. He turned to see the cold Chu Qingcheng staring back.


    ¡°Qingcheng, what¡¯s the meaning of this? Are you violating the agreement?¡± Huangpu Qingyun squinted.


    Chu Qingcheng spat through gnashed teeth, ¡°Song Yu¡¯s words are correct. Second young master has given his verdict and now it is the elders¡¯ turn to judge its fairness. I am sure the great second young master is a man of his word.¡±


    After muttering to himself, Huangpu Qingyun snorted in anger, ¡°Fine, then let the elders decide!¡±


    His power flashed and the white silk ribbon on his hand was torn to shreds as he returned to his seat. His cold eyes gleamed over the crowd.


    ¡°Tell me, is my verdict right, or wrong?¡±


    The hearts of everyone seized. They shook their heads then glared at Zhuo Fan.


    [Does a Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s son in law have to go this far for them? Now you threw the ball in our court. Won¡¯t uttering a single word earn Regent Estate¡¯s rage?]


    Mulling for a moment, Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder stood up laughing, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, second young master¡¯s verdict was indeed fair. I have no objection!¡±


    ¡°5th elder is wise. Second young master, I second him!¡± Vicious Pill King smiled at Huangpu Qingyun.


    After seeing Peony Overseer¡¯s riveting gaze, then Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s, Merry Woods¡¯ Lin Zitian cupped his hands, ¡°I accept second young master¡¯s verdict wholly.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun nodded pleased and Peony Overseer was prepped to blow.


    [No man is worthy! They speak sweet nothings and then abandon you in your hour of need. You damn two-faced!]


    [I will never forget this, Lin Zitian!]


    Peony Overseer¡¯s eyes burned with towering flames of rage, her breath ragged in a desperate attempt to hold it in. Meanwhile, Lin Zitian simply avoided her gaze.


    As matters stand, three of the seven houses approved of Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s verdict. Only one more was needed to set it in stone.


    Drifting Flowers Edifice was fully against it, but even they had no choice in the matter.


    Pushed against the wall, none of the elders desired to fall alongside Drifting Flowers Edifice and offend Regent Estate.


    Huangpu Qingyun had a pleased smile when he saw Chu Qingcheng¡¯s sour face. He turned to Long Jiu, ¡°Next, Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Elder Jiu. State your stance!¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Long Jiu thought it over. He saw Chu Qingcheng¡¯s hopeful gaze and Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s towering arrogance. Sighing, he shook his head, ¡°Second young master, I also believe you are co-¡­¡±


    Chu Qingcheng was ashen and Huangpu Qingyun was beaming from happiness.


    Then Zhuo Fan pursed his lips, casually saying, ¡°Grandpa Jiu, choose your words wisely.¡±


    [The hell! This punk is threatening Elder Jiu, again?]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone was flat, but all knew its meaning. What shocked the people present was his balls to disrespect Long Jiu again and again!


    He may be a junior to Long Jiu, but doing it a second time was testing Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s patience. If Long Jiu didn¡¯t strike, it would be an affront to their reputation!


    ¡°He-he-he, Long Jiu, you¡¯ve been berated once again by a mere junior yet still do not retaliate. You have quite the mild temper, it seems.¡± Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder seized the chance to mock him.


    Long Kui and Long Jie glared at Zhuo Fan.


    Though Long Jiu didn¡¯t care, all his focus was on what to say next. Looking at Zhuo Fan again, he noticed the deep determination his eyes hid. Long Jiu then gnashed his teeth!


    [Fine then, I¡¯ll gamble!]


    ¡°Second young master, I believe you are partial! Drifting Flowers Edifice may have been the first to be in the wrong. But taking their precious treasure from them is the same as cutting off their future. It is no different than destroying them!¡±


    Long Jiu cupped his hand and shouted. Though his head was soaked in sweat. His words smacked Regent Estate in the face. His stance would have a great impact on the way Regent Estate would treat Veiled Dragon Pavilion in the future.


    But he had more faith in Zhuo Fan. He saw it with his own eyes in Windgaze City. Each of Zhuo Fan¡¯s decisions was always correct.


    Shock beyond belief! No one saw this coming. This wasn¡¯t just siding with Drifting Flowers Edifice, it was going against Regent Estate.


    Chu Qingcheng and the other two overseers offered their thanks again and again. Long Jiu gave a bitter smile as he slumped in his chair.


    He had no idea if this would promise blessings, or spell doom.


    Huangpu Qingyun disregarded Long Jiu and stared at Zhuo Fan. He made the grand Elder Jiu change his decision. Just who the hell was he?


    Indeed, Huangpu Qingyun discovered Long Jiu had already made up his mind of forsaking Drifting Flowers Edifice. However, those few words from Zhuo Fan set Veiled Dragon Pavilion against Regent Estate.


    [Who in god¡¯s name is he? He has greater sway than even me?]


    In fact, he wasn¡¯t the only one who noticed. Everyone else there realized this but chose to abstain from revealing it. Yet their eyes never left Zhuo Fan!


    Chuckling inside, Zhuo Fan kept drinking with Xie Tianyang like best buds.


    ¡°What of Sword Marquise Abode? What is your opinion?¡± Huangpu Qingyun turned his cold eyes to Jian Suifeng.


    Xie Tianyang however patted Jian Suifeng before he could rise and laughed, ¡°8th elder, let me handle this.¡±


    ¡°Uh, Tianyang, this concerns the future of Sword Marquise Abode. You must¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, I know!¡±


    Xie Tianyang waved his warning off, sneering at Huangpu Qingyun with a slanted look, then toasted with Zhuo Fan again, ¡°Kid, I find you really familiar. Are you really a son in law to Drifting Flowers Edifice?¡±


    ¡°Yep!¡± Rolling his eyes, Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t know what he was going for and nodded.


    ¡°He-he-he, then prove it by kissing your wife!¡± Xie Tianyang laughed as he pointed at Xiao Dandan.


    She went beet red in a flash, her heart raced, going a mile a minute, and stole glances at Zhuo Fan. The latter glared at Xie Tianyang and cursed softly, ¡°What are you playing at, punk? Wanna fight?¡±


    Xie Tianyang just stated, ¡°Hey now, I know you want my favor. So do what I say or I don¡¯t know which side to choose.¡±


    [What?!]


    This made everyone hold their breaths. Jian Suifeng was close to exploding. In this critical moment, when one word could decide the future of their house, he was playing around?


    ¡°Tianyang!¡± Jian Suifeng shouted.


    ¡°8th elder, believe me. I know what I¡¯m doing!¡± Xie Tianyang showed a reassuring glance. Jian Suifeng had never before seen him look so serious.


    He nodded in the end and chose to believe this disciple. [He won¡¯t be damning the house over a game, right?]


    ¡°Fine, Xie Tianyang¡­¡± Zhuo Fan clenched his fists and was itching to wipe that grin off Xie Tianyang¡¯s face, with his fists. But he chose to endure, glaring at him, ¡°I will obey your order!¡±


    Zhuo Fan embraced Xiao Dandan and French kissed the girl in front of the whole crowd.


    Xiao Dandan¡¯s mind went blank. When he saw Xie Tinayang¡¯s ridiculously pleased grin, Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t help but curse, ¡°Pervert, what are you happy about? If you want a woman, go find your own!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I already have, you know? Once I tell her, she will hate you forever.¡± Xie Tianyang laughed and slapped the table in joy.


    Everyone watched Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s young master in a daze. They didn¡¯t know what he was saying but one thing was certain. The two knew each other.


    Meanwhile, only Zhuo Fan knew the ¡®she¡¯ he was referring to was Xue Ningxiang.


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°Make your choice then.¡±


    ¡°Alright, brother. I choose you.¡± Xie Tianyang could barely hold his glee as he turned to Huangpu Qingyun and taunted with his eyebrows, ¡°Second young master, I absolutely positively refute your so-called fairness. That is why Sword Marquise Abode believes your verdict is wrong!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun clenched his fists in rage. His eyes bored through Xie Tianyang, ¡°You have gall! Just you wait!¡±


    Xie Tianyang lifted his head in confidence, ready to fight back.


    With this, the verdict was a tie. Chu Qingcheng was overjoyed and expressed her thanks to Xie Tianyang. She then said to Huangpu Qingyun, ¡°Since the second young master¡¯s verdict could not gain the seven houses¡¯ elders¡¯ approval, it is vetoed.¡±


    ¡°Who said it is? Have you forgotten about us, the Regent Estate?¡± Huangpu Qingyun snorted.


    ¡°He-he-he, I have never heard of giving a verdict and vote also. Regent Estate¡¯s vote is invalid from the start.¡± Zhuo Fan sneered.


    Gnashing his teeth, Huangpu Qingyun glared at him.


    If he had killed Zhuo Fan when he had the chance, Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Sword Marquise Abode would¡¯ve abstained and Drifting Flowers Edifice would¡¯ve easily fallen!


    [Damn punk! I will kill you myself!] Huangpu Qingyun glared murderously at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan noticed and smiled, ¡°If the second young master is unsatisfied with this conclusion, I have a proposition. Elder Yan gives the antidote and he is free to pick anything from Drifting Flowers Edifice, besides Bodhi Root!¡±


    ¡°No! Only Bodhi Root matters to me!¡± Vicious Pill King brushed his sleeve in anger.


    Zhuo Fan perked the corner of his mouth as if he was expecting this, ¡°That may not be off the table as you might think. Just that you can¡¯t have it so easily. It will all depend on you.¡±


    ¡°What are you getting at?¡± Vicious Pill King asked.


    ¡°Simple. The Hundred Pill Meeting is about to start and the prize shall be the Bodhi Root. The winner will have all rights to claim it.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s see if anyone can contest my alchemy skill! Ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Vicious Pill King cackled, thinking he had it in the bag.


    Huangpu Qingyun muttered for a while then agreed. While Chu Qingcheng and the rest were filled with worry. Who could beat Vicious Pill King in alchemy?


    It seemed like a lifeline for Drifting Flowers Edifice, but it didn¡¯t seem to make much of a difference then before¡­

 Chapter 118 - Joint Plan

    With both sides coming to an accord, the intricate feast had reached its end.


    What people found strange, was Pill King Hall and Regent Estate converting about conditions not with Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Lord, but Zhuo Fan, the Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s son in law.


    In a land where women ruled, their fate was ultimately in the hands of a man. This was one irony some people couldn¡¯t get enough of.


    But the real irony was that Zhuo Fan was a fake son in law, only known by the overseers. And this man was the one who spoke for the Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    Peony Overseer and Iris Overseer exchanged a glance, their hearts bitter. As this was all said and done, any regret now would be wasted breath.


    Besides the fact the elders of the seven houses were witnessing this, who¡¯d be able to change it now that Pill King Hall and Regent Estate grasped such a huge advantage?


    They could only blame themselves for trusting Regent Estate. They gave Huangpu Qingyun so many of their treasures to bring him here, only to be closer to losing their very last and most important one.


    When the elders left, taking care of their affairs, Chu Qingcheng called for Huangpu Qingyun, the last man to leave.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s face was frosty, her eyes cold. Huangpu Qingyun paused but didn¡¯t turn around. Not far away, Vicious Pill King also paused and looked at the two.


    ¡°Why?¡± Chu Qingcheng said.


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s lip moved but started with  a sigh, ¡°Qingcheng, I have given you a chance, but you didn¡¯t take it!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng frowned.


    ¡°In any case, this is all in your house¡¯s interest. And neither of us can change it. If only Drifting Flowers Edifice would¡¯ve been more behaved, you¡¯d have never come to witness today!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyes flashed with regret and strode away with his four Profound Heaven experts.


    In Chu Qingcheng¡¯s moment of loss, Vicious Pill King crept over with a vicious smile, ¡°Edifice Lord, you¡¯ve been wrong in your assumptions this time. The ones who want the Bodhi Root isn¡¯t Pill King Hall, but Regent Estate.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Chu Qingcheng was startled.


    ¡°He-he-he, that old bat didn¡¯t tell you? Regent Estate had long demanded the Bodhi Root from her. Too bad she was so stubborn, not willing to budge an inch, so¡­ ¡°


    Vicious Pill King squinted, ¡°Guess it¡¯s no harm in telling you this secret at this point. You think I alone am enough to harm that old bat? She had advised three generations of your Edifice Lords, after all, a truly awe-inspiring peak Profound Heaven expert.¡±


    A bad feeling began to seize Chu Qingcheng¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you should have already guessed it. The one to have wounded her to such a state was an expert from Regent Estate! Foolish girl, you think your weak link with the second young master is enough to make Regent Estate help you? You brought the wolf in with open hands!¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s unrestrained laughter was filled with disdain as he took his leave.


    Chu Qingcheng shivered and collapsed. Her eyes empty and tears streamed down her cheeks.


    ¡°What¡­ have I done¡­¡± Her empty eyes now held despair. Her lone figure in the grand guest hall struck a pitiful image¡­


    Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan and Xiao Dandan left the hall and saw the Veiled Dragon Pavilion with Sword Marquise Abode waiting for them in a remote corner.


    With a grin, Zhuo Fan walked straight to them, with Xiao Dandan next to him, of course, eliciting a surprise from him, ¡°What are you coming with me for? Go play by yourself!¡±


    Xiao Dandan pouted, ¡°You¡¯ve done that in front of everyone and now you¡¯re so mean¡­¡±


    ¡°What did I do? Wasn¡¯t it just a kiss? It¡¯s nothing great, I did it to get Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s vote and save your Drifting Flowers Edifice.¡± Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes and warned, ¡°Don¡¯t ever mention this again. There is nothing going on between us.¡±


    ¡°En!¡±


    Xiao Dandan was like an obedient child, though in her heart, she felt miserable. Yet noticing the two houses watching them closely, she couldn¡¯t help but grab Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand in worry.


    ¡°Song Yu, are they looking for trouble since you insulted them at the feast? It¡¯d be best to leave as soon as possible.¡±


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t explain and nod, ¡°Correct, but this is a man¡¯s job, not for women! Also, the further you are from me, the better!¡±


    Zhuo Fan wrested his hand from her grip without hesitation and walked forward. Xiao Dandan was sad but worried for his sake. She thought of something and quickly rushed off.


    ¡°Greetings, it¡¯s been a long time!¡±


    Zhuo Fan sported a faint smile, putting on the Thunder Ring from his storage ring. Sparks traveled across it and Xie Tianyang¡¯s reacted in kind.


    He laughed, ¡°I knew it was you! You looked so different that I almost didn¡¯t recognize you. But calling me a coward made me realize the truth!¡±


    Xie Tianyang was the first to call Zhuo Fan a coward and now the roles were reversed.


    ¡°By the way, where¡¯s sister in law?¡± Xie Tianyang¡¯s eyebrows danced on purpose.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mood turned sour as he waved a fist, ¡°Why did you do that anyway? Are you itching for a smackdown?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha¡­ it¡¯s a joke, a joke. You didn¡¯t lose out anyway!¡± Xie Tianyang laughed as he withdrew, still somewhat afraid of Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°By the way, little brother, I wanted to ask. What was this all about?¡± Long Jiu asked sternly, ¡°Don¡¯t you realize we all offended the Regent Estate?¡±


    ¡°Little brother? Wait¡­ you¡¯re Zhuo Fan?¡±


    Long Kui cried out. Since Long Jiu only had one little brother, Zhuo Fan, it was easy to figure it out.


    Jian Suifeng and Long Jie were also in shock. Now they knew why Long Jiu and Xie Tianyang sold their face to a kid, to the point they openly defied Regent Estate. Both were brothers to Zhuo Fan, holding undying gratitude towards each other.


    ¡°Yeah, brother, what was that all about?¡± Xie Tianyang was also serious, ¡°I trust you since you have a good reason, but don¡¯t go ahead and sell me out again. We¡¯ve been through life and death together.¡±


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, ¡°You two are the ones I trust the most. I wouldn¡¯t have dragged you into this if I had no other choice. Just that you¡¯ve already been pushed into harm¡¯s way and it¡¯s best to plan ahead.¡±


    The two asked at the same time, ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you see it?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°Regent Estate intends to unify all seven houses, and you two are on their kill list. Rather than wait to be killed, it¡¯s best to set a boundary and retaliate.¡±


    ¡°What, unify the seven houses? How do you know tht?¡± They all cried.


    Zhuo Fan slowly shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s just a guess for now. Huangpu Qingyun displayed his power the instant he saw Xie Tianyang refuse to comply. If we take this arrogant behavior of a disciple into account, then we can draw conclusions at the true schemes cooking in the heads of the Regent Estate¡¯s minds.


    ¡°On the surface, it looks nothing more than looking to make trouble for Sword Marquise Abode and humiliating it through you. When in fact, he managed to achieve two things. Weakening Edifice Lord¡¯s position, instigating Drifting Flowers Edifice and Sword Marquise Abode against each other, and splitting the people into three camps. Those that obey, those that defy, and the opportunists!¡±


    ¡°From how everyone reacted just now, it is safe to assume Hell Valley and Pill King Hall are in support of them. Meanwhile, Drifting Flowers Edifice, Sword Marquise Abode, and Veiled Dragon Pavilion, having reproached him many times, are obviously against them. As for Merry Woods, they are in the opportunist camp!¡±


    They began to recount the feast in its entirety and came to the same conclusion.


    Now, they began to see why Huangpu Qingyun was so disgusted and rude over this trivial matter, even towards a house¡¯s young master.


    He wasn¡¯t just arrogant, but was devising a way to deal with the houses!


    They all broke out in cold sweat. If Zhuo Fan was right, the strongest of the seven houses was going to declare war on them. To root them out and unite the seven houses under one banner!


    ¡°This is all just a guess of yours. If it isn¡¯t true, then we became hostiles with Regent Estate for nothing.¡± Long Kui said sternly after a moment.


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes turned cold, ¡°Indeed. But don¡¯t you all agree it is better to become enemies than to wait for the moment when they come at you and catch you unprepared? It¡¯s easy to see the difference in danger. If it was me, I would destroy them all at the slightest sign of disobedience!¡±


    Shivering, Long Jiu and Jian Suifeng exchanged a glance and admired him inside.


    [So vicious and decisive, just like a true ruler.]


    ¡°Fine, I know of that saying about ¡®guard against those that want to hurt you¡¯ or whatever! I get the Regent Estate is coveting us, but Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s sorry state is a different matter! Brother, you made us favor Drifting Flowers Edifice and thus pushed forward Regent Estate¡¯s war to us.¡± Xie Tianyang suddenly said.


    Jian Suifeng gave him a praising glance [This kid is finally thinking for his house.]


    Zhuo Fan disapproved with a sneer, ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice is indeed the weakest of the seven, on the verge of collapse. This is why Regent Estate wants to start with them. Think about it. If they fall, who will Regent Estate turn to next?¡±


    They all then realized, shock. Though the Drifting Flowers Edifice was the weakest amongst the seven houses, they were still part of the seven houses. If Drifting Flowers Edifice was out of the picture, the next would be them, Sword Marquise Abode and Veiled Dragon Pavilion.


    ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice is your gate. Once this gate splits open, Regent Estate will be unstoppable in its march to swallow you all. In addition, Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s existence presents us with Regent Estate¡¯s attack target. Take Drifting Flowers Edifice out of the picture, and it will be anyone¡¯s guess who the next mark is.¡±


    They all nodded, with some people¡¯s eyes flashing with resolve. Even Long Kui, who always looked for chances to nitpick with him, had to agree.


    Long Kui now understood how serious this matter was, which involved her house!


    ¡°Then what do you get out of this?¡± Xie Tianyang said, ¡°I know you well enough and there¡¯s no way you¡¯d get involved without getting something. Least of all, volunteering to help Drifting Flowers Edifice get over this predicament.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with confidence and said, ¡°Miss Long Kui, do you remember our ten years agreement?¡±


    ¡°Rising Luo clan above the seven houses in ten years?¡± Long Kui muttered.


    ¡°Correct.¡± Zhuo Fan continued with a smile, ¡°What I get from all of this, is to slow down the Regent Estate¡¯s campaign and allow the Luo clan rise in ten years. When I am done, we will see who will be the true number one house in the empire¡­¡±

 Chapter 119 - Zhuo Fan’s Determination

    [What boasting!] Jian Suifeng was the first to open his mouth in shock.


    Ten years to go beyond the seven houses? There never was such a precedent in the entire Tianyu Empire, let alone rising enough to fight the strongest of the seven houses, Regent Estate.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words were borderline fantasy.


    But from the looks of the rest, this arrogance was something they were used to. Given enough time, they got used to Zhuo Fan¡¯s egomaniac nature. So much so, they became numb to how many surprised he gave them, to some extent.


    Besides, compared to those shocking and incredible things he did, boasting would hardly mean anything. In fact, he might actually pull it off!


    They were skeptical, but also expectant. Looking forward to seeing how far this little freak could go.


    Furthermore, their interests aligned, for now.


    ¡°Ai, to safeguard both of our houses, we have no choice but to work together and protect Drifting Flowers Edifice. It would¡¯ve been best if we talked about this yesterday¡­ Now that the two houses are in agreement, with none of us having any legitimate reason to intervene in that contest anymore¡­¡± Long Jiu shook his head.


    Xie Tianyang did the same, complaining, ¡°Punk, making that proposition was a bad move. Wining with alchemy is the same as just giving it to Vicious Pill King.¡±


    ¡°You think I wanted to? How else could I have made them take a step back and give Drifting Flowers Edifice a lifeline?¡± Rolling his eyes, Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°Moreover, you don¡¯t need to worry about this. All you have to do is to support Drifting Flowers Edifice from time to time and prevent it from being swallowed!¡±


    ¡°Does that mean you have a contingency in place?¡± They all asked.


    Perking the corner of his mouth, Zhuo Fan spoke with confidence, ¡°It¡¯s just alchemy. I will face the Vicious Pill King myself!¡±


    ¡°What?! He is a 7th grade alchemist, how¡­¡±


    This time they were panicking. A 7th-grade alchemist was considered a peak in Tianyu Empire. Very few people had reached such a level. And Vicious Pill King was the number one alchemist in Pill King Hall. He was better than even an average 7th-grade alchemist, possibly the best in the empire.


    Was Zhuo Fan, with his cultivation, at his age, capable of such a feat?


    [Damn it all to hell! What is up with this freak? Alchemy, arrays, he is a master of all! There¡¯s hardly anyone in his generation who is his match!]


    [How did all of Heaven¡¯s favor get dumped on him?] Xie Tianyang was close to raining curses. He knew Zhuo Fan¡¯s skill in alchemy was abnormal, but not to the extent he reached a 7th-grade alchemist¡¯s level.


    Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. I am going to face him, but I too am not certain of success!¡±


    Zhuo Fan knew alchemy needed three things: cultivation, skill, and flame.


    Cultivation allowed prolonged control over the flame. Skill referred to the secret refining skills of some clans. Without a good one, no amount of cultivation would help refine a good pill. And flame determined the degree of ingredient refinement.


    For high-grade ingredients, a common flame was unable to refine it. An alchemist had to look for a beast flame or a natural born fire!


    The stronger the flame, the better the refinement.


    His cultivation left room to refine a 4th-grade pill at best. But with the secret and ancient refining skill from Nine Serenities Secret Records, he could go a grade higher.


    Regarding flame, he had no clue how strong the azure flame was, but it was strong, no doubt about it. He was confident he should be able to refine a 7th-grade pill!


    ¡°And if you fail?¡± Long Jiu saw Zhuo Fan silent and was beginning to worry.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with naked killing intent, ¡°Then it will come down to a fight. This is actually for the best. Taking the Bodhi Root, the Regent Estate will change their targets to me and Drifting Flowers Edifice will gain some breathing room.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ you will end up chased by the experts of three houses¡­¡± Long Jiu¡¯s eyes trembled, worried for Zhuo Fan¡¯s safety.


    A smile leaked on Zhuo Fan¡¯s lips, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, and? We¡¯ll be enemies sooner or later. Messing up their plan earlier is for the best! With me getting their attention, you three houses will have no trouble making preparations!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words moved them. He was using his life to buy them time.


    They were now looking at him in gratitude and admiration. Who would dare brave such dangers when a single mistake would be paid for with his life?


    ¡°Damn, kid, you¡¯re truly bold!¡± Even Jian Suifeng had to admire him.


    Xie Tianyang slapped his shoulder. He was silent, but his eyes spoke volumes. A burning gaze that seemed to want to melt him.


    It was a hero¡¯s appreciation of another¡­


    ¡°Young master Xie, please do not hurt him!¡±


    A charming voice was followed by the appearance of a figure in red. It was none other than Peony Overseer.


    Xiao Dandan ran back and pulled the baffled Zhuo Fan behind the Peony Overseer.


    ¡°Everyone, Song Yu is as stubborn as a mule and offended you before. Please, for my sake, don¡¯t take it out on him.¡± Peony Overseer cupped her hands.


    They suddenly froze, then laughed!


    Peony Overseer thought they wanted to get revenge on Zhuo Fan and rushed over to save him. This made them exchange a glance. It was though they sent out a message though their gaze, and all agreed to play along.


    Zhuo Fan was always so cocky that Long Jiu, a senior, looked for any chance to poke fun at him.


    Long Jiu coughed before he snorted in anger, ¡°How did Drifting Flowers Edifice get such a rude disciple? I would¡¯ve long slapped him silly if Peony Overseer hadn¡¯t shown up!¡±


    ¡°Uncle Jiu, please don¡¯t take it out on him!¡± Peony Overseer nodded again and again. Long Jiu was stroking his beard, but his eyebrow danced in amusement at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart jumped and knew something was up.


    And sure enough, Long Jiu bypassed Peony Overseer and patted his shoulder like a teaching elder, ¡°Punk, you got away this time. But you better watch it in the future!¡±


    Then Long Jiu slipped away, walking faster than normal, afraid Zhuo Fan would settle the score.


    Zhuo Fan blinked, still out of it.


    Xie Tianyang, having learned by Long Jiu¡¯s example, slapped his shoulder with a proud smile as he blurted, ¡°Punk, better watch it next time! I won¡¯t go so easy again! I am cooler than you! Stronger than you! To think you even dared call me brother hoping you can climb ranks! ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Xie Tianyang was carefree in his speech. If it were any given day, he¡¯d never had the balls to speak to Zhuo Fan in such a way. Whose fault was it that Zhuo Fan took on Song Yu¡¯s face?


    Zhuo Fan clenched his fists and fire ebbed in his eyes.


    [Curses! Since when did I have such goddamned brothers? You were the one acting all familiar with me before, and now you¡¯re messing with me?]


    As Zhuo Fan glared at the two¡¯s retreating figures, a charming voice spoke, ¡°Hey, what are you looking at? Can¡¯t take it?¡±


    Zhuo Fan turned towards Long Kui.


    She struggled to hold her smile back as she berated, ¡°You¡¯re just a junior just like this lady. You better get your act together when you see Uncle Jiu again. Don¡¯t be cheeky and learn some manners!¡±


    Long Kui stuck out her chin, passing him by with an attitude to match. Worse, when she just passed him, Zhuo Fan noticed a wry smile on her face.


    Zhuo Fan was trembling now, close to spitting blood.


    [Curses!! Even this wench is joining in? You¡¯re lucky Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s people are around, or I¡¯ll be pulling your pants down and tanning your ass!]


    [I am a sworn brother with Long Jiu! I am a senior here! You¡¯re the cheeky one!]


    Zhuo Fan felt bleak. Long Jie passed by him and he glared back as if to say, ¡®What, you¡¯re also going to kick me around?¡¯


    Long Jie just shrugged and walked.


    Jian Suifeng stroked his beard with a smile, walking after Xie Tianyang.


    If he didn¡¯t see it himself, he wouldn¡¯t have believed the freak Zhuo Fan that killed You Guiqi, would have a day like this, all sullen and downcast.


    Once all were gone, Xiao Dandan sighed and smiled, ¡°That was dangerous. Lucky I called my master in time to save you¡­¡±


    ¡°Who told you to?¡±


    Zhuo Fan glared impatiently and howled. [How could they dare think to mess with me if not for you two showing up?]


    Xiao Dandan lowered her head, feeling deeply wronged.


    Peony Overseer flared, ¡°Song Yu, don¡¯t think you can always rely on Edifice Lord and pick on my disciple! Humph, you think I care for your fate? I only came to save you because Dandan asked me to!¡±


    ¡°Humph, men are all the same, ungrateful! Dandan, let¡¯s go. He isn¡¯t worthy of you!¡± Peony Overseer pulled Xiao Dandan away.


    Xiao Dandan looked back at him, but Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.


    Zhuo Fan thought for a moment then walked to the guest hall. [It is time to lay the cards out for Chu Qingcheng!]


    [Exchanging Bodhi Jade Sap for the safety of Drifting Flowers Edifice is a good enough deal for them¡­]

 Chapter 120 - Strange Formula

    The guest hall was quiet now that all the bustle was over. Only a bleak and desolate figure lay collapsed on the ground.


    Knowing to be Chu Qingcheng, Zhuo Fan walked to her, his words blunt, ¡°Edifice Lord, I need to speak with you. It¡¯s regarding Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s future. I am sure you¡¯d be interested.¡±


    Zhuo Fan seemed like a different person, unlike the silly and naive Song Yu. He had a crafty smile and a deep gaze.


    Yet his words fell on deaf ears.


    Zhuo Fan looked down to find Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes dead. She didn¡¯t hear a word he said.


    [Come on! You¡¯re a Profound Heaven expert and an Edifice Lord on top of that! Yet, you can¡¯t take a hit? A man¡¯s betrayal was enough to bring you to this state?]


    Zhuo Fan shook his head.


    [No wonder men have been rulers since antiquity. A woman¡¯s heart is too fragile.]


    [Though, big sis, even if you want to give up, do that after you listen to my plan. At least give me the Bodhi Jade Sap while you¡¯re at it!]


    Zhuo Fan sighed.


    If this had happened yesterday, he would have laughed, thinking it would be easy to take the Bodhi Jade Sap and just leave.


    But now, things have changed!


    If anything happened to Chu Qingcheng, the Drifting Flowers Edifice would collapse. Wouldn¡¯t that be to Regent Estate¡¯s satisfaction? For now, he couldn¡¯t steal the Bodhi Jade Sap and could only politely ask for it.


    ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, wake up. Listen to my plan to rescue Drifting Flowers Edifice. I promise you will like it!¡± Zhuo Fan waved his hand in front of her.


    Chu Qingcheng was still unresponsive, her eyes blank. Though, the tears proved she was very much alive.


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan found himself out of options. After a person locked their heart to escape the cruel reality, the only one capable of saving them was themselves.


    ¡°Sister Chuchu, why are you like this¡­¡± Zhuo Fan sighed, not knowing what to do.


    Suddenly, Chu Qingcheng moved and the light came back in her eyes, ¡°W-what did you call me?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was startled then happy. It seems his unintentional call brought this foolish lady back. He rushed to say, ¡°Sister Chuchu, wake up!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook to her as he used Bewitching Whispers.


    His voice was amplified hundreds of times in her ear. Chu Qingcheng shivered and woke up, looking back at Zhuo Fan. Her eyes softened, ¡°So it¡¯s you¡­ thank you!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, as long as you¡¯re awake now!¡±


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan laughed inside, ¡°By the way, I have something¡­¡±


    ¡°No need to say it. Nothing matters at this point!¡± Chu Qingcheng stood up as she had made her newfound resolve. Her eyes flashed, ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice has entered such a crisis and it¡¯s my responsibility to do everything to save it!¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault. And Drifting Flowers Edifice still has¡­¡±


    ¡°Song Yu.¡± Chu Qingcheng didn¡¯t seem to have heard him as she smiled warmly, ¡°I really need to thank you. I don¡¯t know how you got Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Sword Marquise Abode to help us, to give us one last chance. Without this chance, I know that we would¡¯ve been stripped of all dignity!¡±


    ¡°Uh, actually¡­¡±


    ¡°Alright, you don¡¯t need to explain. I understand!¡± She used a delicate hand to help Zhuo Fan up and smiled, ¡°I know you want to comfort me, but there¡¯s no need. I realize it now. There is still time until the Hundred Pill Meeting starts and hope you can help me with some things.¡±


    She pulled Zhuo Fan outside. The pitiful Zhuo Fan tried many times to get a word in, but was always shut down before he could finish. His only choice was to let Chu Qingcheng pull him.


    [Big sis, can¡¯t you let me speak? I have a way to save Drifting Flowers Edifice!]


    Zhuo Fan sighed, [How does this woman speak so fast? I can¡¯t get a word in. The moment I open my mouth, she lets out ten words. It is just for some Bodhi Jade Sap. Is it really necessary to cut me off every time?]


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and stopped talking. Regardless of how he worded it, Chu Qingcheng had a way to shut him up each time, as if talking to a child!


    Zhuo Fan was silent the whole trip, pulled along to a desolate cliff at the back of the edifice. And the cliff¡¯s wall had faint energy waves leaking from it, a barrier.


    ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice disciple Chu Qingcheng, requesting an audience with Aunt Tao!¡± Chu Qingcheng bowed and shouted.


    An invisible ripple echoed and the barrier opened.


    An aged voice traveled from within, ¡°Chuchu, you are the Lord now. You do not need to act this way for this old lady.¡±


    ¡°Aunt Tao is the master of this place. I may be the Lord, but I dare not enter without permission!¡± Chu Qingcheng let out a rare smile and pulled Zhuo Fan inside.


    The instant he got in, he sneezed!


    It was so cold that he could feel it even through his Diamond Body. A cold cave such as this had to contain an extreme yin treasure!


    Sure enough, a ten-meter square block of black-bluish ice laid in the middle of the cave. Any yin cultivator would greatly improve their speed of cultivation here. This place was a naturally formed treasure.


    Although a tad lacking compared with Bodhi Root, it was still enough to make a Radiant Stage expert become greedy.


    On the ice lay an old woman in intricate robes. She seemed in her fifties, but the black and blue on her face pointed out that she was poisoned, and from the looks of it, it had to be consuming most of her body.


    ¡°Damn! This old woman is so poisoned and can¡¯t move, yet she can still release this barrier? Just what¡¯s her cultivation? I didn¡¯t think it possible Drifting Flowers Edifice could have another expert.¡± Zhuo Fan spoke.


    Then a voice filled with contempt entered his ears, ¡°Humph, foolish child, that is a living corpse. It cannot hear, cannot speak, cannot move. How can it release the barrier? I am the one who did it!¡±


    Frowning, Zhuo Fan turned to see deeper inside the cave. There laid an old woman cross-legged. She wore black clothes and with how dusky it was in here, Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t notice her at first.


    ¡°Aunt Tao, he has very low cultivation and only a bit of physical strength. It is normal he didn¡¯t see you. Please don¡¯t blame him.¡± Chu Qingcheng smiled.


    Aunt Tao teased, ¡°Girl, I have never seen you protect a man before. Is he your¡­ Did you show it to him?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng blushed and nodded.


    Zhuo Fan was staring blankly, unable to make sense of anything!


    [See what? Treasure?]


    ¡°Song Yu, she is our top alchemist, Aunt Tao. Quickly bow!¡± Chu Qingcheng pushed him forward.


    Zhuo Fan helplessly went, feeling more bizarre. [Why suddenly bring me to your head alchemist? To teach her?]


    [In any case, teaching her depends on her aptitude!]


    Zhuo Fan did not wish to bow right now, but he had to show respect. But when he caught a glimpse of the old woman, he jumped in fright.


    She had white hair, but also a green and blue face from being poisoned. Not worse than the old woman on the ice.


    Rainbow Cloud Palm!


    One look was enough to recognize the cause.


    ¡°What, did I scare you? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Aunt Tao showed a frightening smile, ¡°Not all of Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s people are beauties!¡±


    ¡°Song Yu, don¡¯t be rude and apologize.¡± Chu Qingcheng urged.


    Yet Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t react, only watching her face as he muttered, ¡°Wait, it¡¯s similar but not quite like the Rainbow Cloud Palm.¡±


    The old woman¡¯s face moved and showed surprise, ¡°Child, you seem quite knowledgeable of poisons. To be honest, this isn¡¯t because of Rainbow Cloud Palm, but from when I failed to refine its antidote!¡±


    ¡°Are you making pills or poison?¡± Zhuo Fan shouted.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, well said!¡±


    With a sad smile, Aunt Tao felt mournful, ¡°Whether it¡¯s poison or medicine, I am yet unsure. But in these three years of research, I have come to understand this is like a pill yet not a pill, a poison yet not a poison! Vicious Pill King, you are indeed so remarkable that I can¡¯t even compare!¡±


    With a crazed laughter, Aunt Tao fixed her eyes on the stone wall.


    Zhuo Fan followed her eyes and squinted. A human skin was sprawled on the wall, holding a record of Rainbow Cloud Palm¡¯s antidote formula.


    Even with Zhuo Fan¡¯s extensive knowledge, he found it weird!


    ¡°How is this possible?¡±


    Zhuo Fan muttered, ¡°The seven ingredients¡­ Each is a rare natural treasure. But the refining¡­ is that of a poison or a pill?¡±


    Being silent for a moment, Zhuo Fan walked to the living dead on the ancient ice. He touched her hand and injected his Yuan Qi. As he expected, she was poisoned by Rainbow Cloud Palm.


    And just like Chu Qingcheng, she had the Bodhi Jade Sap restraining the seven poisons. With the help of this ancient ice, her life was preserved.


    Only that Chu Qingcheng¡¯s poisoned state was less grave, while this living dead was filled with it. Even with an antidote, her recovery was slim. If the ancient ice hadn¡¯t kept her in suspended animation, her life would¡¯ve been over.


    Zhuo Fan turned to the formula on the wall and felt something was off about it.


    [It¡¯s real, but there¡¯s a trick to it!]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with a strange light¡­

 Chapter 121 - Grandmother

    ¡°Alright child, this is a secret formula of Pill King Hall. I have studied it hard for many years yet it¡¯s workings elude me. You may have some passable skill in alchemy but there¡¯s no way you can see through its mysteries after just a glance.¡±


    Picking up on his surface thoughts, Aunt Tao shook her head. She then turned to Chu Qingcheng, ¡°Girl, you didn¡¯t come here just for his sake, right?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s cheek went rosy and bowed as she related the feast¡¯s events in all its details. Aunt Tao cried out in shock.


    ¡°What, even Regent Estate came? Ah, this must be fate¡­¡±


    Crying towards the heavens, Aunt Tao wiped the dry tears from her eyes and muttered, ¡°Chuchu, what are you planning to do next? Will you let them destroy Drifting Flowers Edifice? Or will you plead the Venerable to fight them to the death?¡±


    Venerable!


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow in thought.


    Each of the Seven Noble Houses raised their own Venerable. They were Radiant Stage cultivators, their last line of defense. They would never ask a Venerable¡¯s intervention unless a calamity struck.


    This confirmed that Drifting Flowers Edifice was on the brink of annihilation.


    When he thought about it, going against another Radiant Stage expert would most likely end in the Regent Estate¡¯s Venerable being wounded for a few decades. [I guess it is another way to slow down their conquest.]


    ¡°Sister Chuchu, ask the Venerable to step in and let them know we will fight tooth and nail with them. Drifting Flowers Edifice isn¡¯t their playground.¡± Zhuo Fan instigated, the more chaos, the better it was for him.


    Chu Qingcheng shook her head, her eyes firm, ¡°Asking the Venerable will trigger a war among the seven houses. The empire would be plunged into civil war and the people would fall into despair. My heart cannot bear it. If Drifting Flowers Edifice falls, we, sisters, will part ways, but in case of war, Drifting Flowers Edifice will lose for sure and my sisters will perish with it. As a Lord, I cannot ignore their fates.¡±


    ¡°Now I see why Grandmother chose you, the least qualified, as the Lord despite unanimous disapproval.¡±  Aunt Tao nodded with a faint smile.


    Zhuo Fan, on the other hand, rolled his eyes, [Softies the lot of ¡¯em!]


    If it were him, he would¡¯ve divided and then conquered, attack openly and overtly, spreading slaughter everywhere and throw the empire upside down. That was where his chance laid, to rise above from that madness. [I would rather turn my back on the world than have the world turn its back on me!]


    The demonic cultivator path was cruel and ambitious, with everyone stepping on others to reach the peak.


    Unfortunately, Chu Qingcheng was not a demonic cultivator. Her kind nature was just not cut out for this unlike Zhuo Fan¡¯s bold nature!


    ¡°And there are the overseers poisoned by that old dog¡­¡±


    Chu Qingcheng gazed with worry at Aunt Tao, ¡°This is why I want to ask Aunt Tao to step out and protect the Bodhi Root! Perhaps our only chance of getting the antidote is if we give it in exchange¡­¡±


    ¡°You plan on making me face that accursed man in alchemy?¡±


    Aunt Tao seemed to have heard the biggest joke, cackling like mad. But in her lunacy, a hint of woe was hidden.


    ¡°Qingcheng, look at me. In my trials of unraveling his Rainbow Cloud Palm, I am now neither human nor demon. Do you think my feeble skill is enough to win?¡±


    Her heart in pain, Chu Qingcheng whispered something in Aunt Tao¡¯s ear.


    Aunt Tao¡¯s eyes lit up and nodded, ¡°I see, I see. So that¡¯s what you¡¯re planning. But¡­ will it work?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes were dead set, her nod firm,  ¡°Then I will die a worthy death!¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s why you brought this child.¡±


    Sighing, Aunt Tao patted Chu Qingcheng tenderly on the shoulder. She then turned serious as she eyed Zhuo Fan, ¡°Kid, come here and kowtow to this Grandmother three times!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was clueless, [Grandmother? Where?]


    Following her finger, he discovered she was referring to the living dead!


    He was still out of the loop, but the dead ought to be shown respect, he guess. So kowtowing wasn¡¯t that big of a deal. And so, Zhuo Fan was quite casual in his kneeling and knocking his head on the ground.


    As he did, he realized Chu Qingcheng was kneeling next to him, kowtowing just as well.


    ¡°Good! The rite is complete!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was still confused when Aunt Tao shouted, and asked for him to kneel again.


    This time, he was against it. He was first clueless to what was going on, but now he had to kneel again to this damnable old bat? But Chu Qingcheng¡¯s piercing eyes left Zhuo Fan with no other choice.


    [Crud, I¡¯m Song Yu now and can only kneel.]


    Aunt Tao and Chu Qingcheng noticed his proud eyes and shook their heads.


    Next, Aunt Tao began reciting the teaching of Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s ancestors, along with their thousand-year-old history. Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t at all content listening to some senseless rambling.


    But around the middle, Zhuo Fan started paying attention.


    It turned out Drifting Flowers Edifice and Pill King Hall were in a tight alliance, frequently marrying one¡¯s disciples to the other.


    Also, the Pill King Hall¡¯s Rainbow Cloud Palm wasn¡¯t so strong in the past. But thanks to Drifting Flowers Edifice providing Bodhi Jade Sap, it slowly improved, becoming what it was today, the dread of all the seven houses.


    Later, because a Pill King Hall and Drifting Flowers Edifice couple quarreled, which led to a fight. It ended up with the husband using the Rainbow Cloud Palm on the wife, and the wife returned, enraged back to Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    Drifting Flowers Edifice didn¡¯t take it seriously at first, using Bodhi Jade Sap to cure her. But they were shocked to find the Bodhi Jade Sap, which could save one from imminent death, to be ineffective.


    From that moment, Drifting Flowers Edifice realized the seriousness of the situation. Pill King Hall¡¯s poison was out of control so they cut off their supply of Bodhi Jade Sap.


    This enraged Pill King Hall and the houses became bitter enemies ever since.


    Until a hundred years ago, the Pill King Hall kept harassing Drifting Flowers Edifice and killing 8 overseers with Rainbow Cloud Palm. Not even the Lords were exempted, with two of them falling victim as well.


    The imperial family turned a blind eye to their feud. How could they not? Pill King Hall was supplying them with pills.


    It got to the point where Pill King Hall drove Drifting Flowers Edifice close to destruction several times!


    One thing had to be said. When there¡¯s a will, there¡¯s a way.


    In Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s hour of most desperate need, a strange woman stepped up, Chu Bijun. She was none other than the living dead laying in the ancient ice.


    Not only was she strong, she was also wise. On one hand, she repelled Pill King Hall¡¯s attacks, and, on the other, connected with the other houses through marriage, expanding their power. This had led to Pill King Hall to suffer countless and heavy defeats over the last century.


    Everyone in the seven houses had to admire this woman¡¯s skill. They all came to the realization that without her, there would¡¯ve been no Drifting Flowers Edifice today.


    Even Pill King Hall had to admire her.


    The people came to call her the Lady of Steel, while the disciples of Drifting Flowers Edifice called her Grandmother. She was by no means the Edifice Lord, but she assisted three generations of them, holding Drifting Flowers Edifice strong.


    It was a pity the Lady of Steel ended up falling in an enemy¡¯s ploy.


    A decade ago, Vicious Pill King had three overseers under his control. They betrayed the house and called out for help. Chu Bijun went to their rescue, only to fall into their trap.


    Heavily wounded and poisoned by the Rainbow Cloud Palm, she still managed to escape their encirclement.


    They always thought Pill King Hall was behind this but now they knew it was Regent Estate all along.


    Her state was very precarious on her return, with but one breath away from death. In this moment of impending demise, she made a bold and radical decision.


    To make Chu Qingcheng the Edifice Lord, passing on the mantle to a mere 13-year-old girl, with Iris and Peony Overseers at her side. This decision earned disapproval among many overseers.


    But they could only bear it in silence before the might of their Grandmother. In light of what happened, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s most trusted allies were the Iris and Peony Overseers.


    With time, people started to think Grandmother was dead, when in fact Aunt Tao, froze her on her last breath and had turned her into a living dead!


    This ended the sorrowful history of Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    Chu Qingcheng dabbed her eyes and recalled those times as she looked at Grandmother.


    Aunt Tao was looking stern at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Kid, did you get all of it?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Good. Now, you will be the next one to pass it on! The Drifting Flowers Edifice will never die as long as someone remembers it!¡± She laughed and helped Zhuo up before he joined his and Chu Qingcheng¡¯s delicate hands together.


    ¡°Just for a few days¡­ take care!¡±


    Aunt Tao walked towards the cave wall and entered contemplation.


    Zhuo Fan was about to ask for clarification when Chu Qingcheng pulled him before the Grandmother. She bowed again and left without turning around.


    With a rumble, the stone door closed and the array started again.


    ¡°Sister Chuchu, what is going on?¡± Zhuo Fan asked puzzled. He didn¡¯t understand why Chu Qingcheng prevented him from speaking and brought him to listen to their history.


    Chu Qingcheng shook her head and showed a rare but warm smile, ¡°From now on, call me just Chuchu, or Qingcheng!¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan blinked. He was clueless to what Chuchu meant, but her gaze evoked something foreign in his heart.


    ¡°Silly!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng pulled his hand as she continued, ¡°You are now one of us. Come, I will take you to see the members of my family.¡±

 Chapter 122 - Heaven Toppling Pill

    Chu Qingcheng took Zhuo Fan to a barren hill. Three lonely graves struck a dreadful image in the midst of harsh and cruel winds.


    ¡°They are my parents and my younger brother!¡± Chu Qingcheng sighed.


    Zhuo Fan noticed that the graves had written on them: beloved mother, beloved father. However, the foremost one was a blank slab, with a black cloak fluttering on it.


    On a closer look, there were some words on the cloak, ¡®heaven toppling pill¡¯!


    ¡°Such audacious words!¡±


    Zhuo Fan cried. Every cultivator knew that alchemy was a wide and long winding road. Even if you invested all your energy in it, you¡¯d only pick up a few things along the way.


    What¡¯s more, refining skills abided by Heaven¡¯s laws. How arrogant could one be to say the words, heaven toppling pill? Not even that narrow-minded Vicious Pill King would dare utter such a thing.


    He turned puzzled to Chu Qingcheng, who replied with a warm smile, ¡°You must find them self-centered, right?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded. Chu Qingcheng walked to the grave and caressed the cloak, ¡°This is my younger brother, Chu Qingtian! And this cloak is something I made for him!¡±


    Chu Qingtian?


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s raised an eyebrow as he recalled. Wasn¡¯t he the spy sent by Drifting Flowers Edifice to the Vicious Pill King? [It turns out to be her brother!]


    [But sending her own brother as a spy¡­ Seems Drifting Flowers Edifice has run out of talents!]


    Zhuo Fan smacked his lips.


    ¡°Song Yu!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng turned to him with a soft gaze, catching him by surprise, ¡°Did you know? When you gave me fruits in the slums, when you fought for my sake, I saw Qingtian in you! Especially when you fought Yan Fu. Your reckless and stubborn nature is his spitting image.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng had tears glistening in her eyes, recalling the past.


    Zhuo Fan blushed from shame. He always thought he got close to Chu Qingcheng thanks to Dong Tianba¡¯s skirt-chasing skills. It turned out he was only a substitute for her brother.


    Embarrassed, Zhuo Fan muttered, ¡°So sister Chuchu took me for your little brother?¡±


    Glaring at him, Chu Qingcheng reproached, ¡°I told you to stop saying sister. Did you forget?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was baffled.


    [A substitute little brother can¡¯t call you sister?]


    Chu Qingcheng noticed his reaction and shook her head, ¡°Perhaps I did consider you as my younger brother at first. But after today¡­¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s blushed and muttered, ¡°Now, you aren¡¯t my little brother anymore¡­¡±


    She digressed so badly that Zhuo Fan had no clue what she was saying. Though it didn¡¯t look like she¡¯d explain as she spoke, ¡°My parents were normal disciples of Drifting Flowers Edifice which fell from Pill King Hall¡¯s poison. From a young age, I and Qingtian vowed revenge. Grandmother found our talent worthy of her attention and taught us herself!


    ¡°However, Qingtian was a man and Drifting Flowers Edifice had only one use for such people, marry their disciples and carry on Drifting Flowers Edifice forward. Qingtian¡¯s refining skill was beyond mere talent. He was unwilling to waste away living like this and defied Drifting Flowers Edifice in becoming Pill King Hall¡¯s disciple.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t he a spy? How come you use ¡®defy¡¯?¡± Zhuo Fan interrupted.


    Chu Qingcheng nodded, ¡°You are correct, but we were unaware of the ploy at that time. I even wrote a letter to break all ties with him! Only three years later did he return to Drifting Flowers Edifice. We then understood this was Grandmother¡¯s plan all along. He did not abandon his mission and stole the Pill King Hall¡¯s Rainbow Cloud Palm¡¯s antidote formula. Because of Pill King Hall¡¯s strict guard, he used a concoction to carve the formula on his back. It would never be visible unless a special liquid was poured on it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying that human skin in the cave, is your brother¡¯s?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart shuddered. Chu Qingtian went through inhuman lengths for Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    He had to use human skin to take the formula with him. It was obvious how dangerous, how hard this mission was.


    This also gave Zhuo Fan some plans he could use for the Luo clan. [Should I also get some diehards and send them inside the other houses as a contingency?]


    But his plan would have to have far more impact than Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s. While Drifting Flowers Edifice wasted a decade for a formula, he had greater plots developing in his mind. Like getting his spies in the houses through some special means and reporting their every movement.


    The Nine Serenities Secret Records had a secret art pertaining to demonic cultivators to aid in this endeavour but it was too cruel. The secret art wasn¡¯t used on enemies but on his own men. He could only harden his heart if he were to handle the seven houses.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with coldness.


    Chu Qingcheng continued, oblivious of his reactions, ¡°Qingtian¡¯s return had everyone excited. With Rainbow Cloud Palm¡¯s antidote, we had no reason to fear Pill King Hall. While everyone was eager, Aunt Tao and Qingtian began refining it.¡±


    ¡°However, the formula was too much of an oddity! The overseers who were already poisoned died when taking the refined antidote, while the refiners got poisoned themselves! ¡°


    ¡°And your brother died from poison? Heaven can be so cruel to geniuses!¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed. That was the truth of it and he felt close to tears. The antidote was a 7th-grade pill. He was a freak of an alchemy genius to participate in its refining at such a young age.


    [It is truly a pity his life ended so soon.]


    Chu Qingcheng shook her head, eyes downcast, ¡°No, he was killed by the other overseers.¡±


    ¡°What, but didn¡¯t he earn great merit? Why¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan was startled but soon figured it out.


    [Who was the most unfortunate in this world, the nameless hero!]


    [Why?]


    [Ha-ha-ha, because, neither side got what they wanted!]


    Chu Qingcheng confirmed it, ¡°My other sisters suspected him as being Pill King Hall¡¯s spy, that he brought a fake formula to ruin the house. They took advantage of me, Peony Overseer and Iris Overseer¡¯s absence and beat him to death. This is Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s shame. We had no choice but to say he died from poisoning. While Aunt Tao still believed the formula is real, studying it painstakingly.¡±


    Tears fell from Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes. Zhuo Fan wanted to comfort her but she waved her hand to refuse, stopping him in his tracks.


    ¡°Because Qingtian¡¯s body was in such condition, I could only bury him here. I was afraid he would be cursed and reviled so I didn¡¯t leave his name behind. Later, I moved my parent¡¯s graves to have them reunited here.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng pulled Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand into kowtowing three times before the graves, ¡°Song Yu, when I die, please bring my body here to rest with them.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s words were filled with sorrow and sounded very much like a dying wish, leaving Zhuo Fan puzzled, [What is she planning?]


    ¡°Silly girl, with me here, there¡¯s nothing to worry about!¡± Zhuo Fan showed a rare serious expression.


    Chu Qingcheng was startled. She rarely saw the stubborn Zhuo Fan display any semblance of reliability like right now.


    She soon rolled her eyes, ¡°You are never satisfied, are you? I told you to call me by my name and now you dare call me silly?¡±


    ¡°Uh, ha-ha-ha. Bro Dong said this will bring women a feeling of safety. What, you don¡¯t like it?¡± Zhuo Fan scratched his head, playing the fool.


    She glared at him, ¡°That brother of yours is a wastrel. Stay away from him!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shrugged.


    ¡°Now, follow me to the last place.¡±


    After seeing Grandmother and paying respects to her family, Chu Qingcheng took the cloak and pulled Zhuo Fan as she soared.


    Fifteen minutes later, they were at a familiar place.


    Zhuo Fan was amazed to find this place was the slums where they first met. Because of the scourge woman, none dared to get close.


    ¡°Uh, why are we here again?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was baffled, ¡°Right, why is the great Edifice Lord hiding here as a scourge woman?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng took a deep breath, ¡°I had no choice. Enraged by what happened to Qingtian, I went to Yan Song to settle the score, only to be wounded and poisoned as well. I didn¡¯t let anyone know this, afraid of affecting Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s stability. I claimed to enter seclusion when in fact, I have been using the moon¡¯s yin power to suppress the poison. This was how I came to be known as a scourge woman.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded and Chu Qingcheng suddenly draped the black cloak on his shoulders.


    Zhuo Fan looked at her, startled.


    Chu Qingcheng smiled, ¡°Song Yu, I don¡¯t have much time. I hope you can take Qingtian¡¯s place, letting me feel the warmth of a family.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, so I¡¯m still your brother in the end¡­¡± Zhuo Fan laughed in spite of himself.


    Bam!


    Suddenly, Chu Qingcheng embraced his broad back and closed her eyes. Zhuo Fan was startled and did not continue to speak.


    ¡°I told you, you are not my brother. Just let me feel the warmth of a family one last time.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng stared into his eyes. She hesitated before removing her veil.


    Her outstanding beauty was once again revealed to him, making his heart freeze. He was plunged into a daze a second time, despite seeing her once already.


    Chu Qingcheng noticed and a hit of red colored her cheeks, ¡°Song Yu, Qingtian told me my smile can topple cities. His pill can topple heaven. I hope you will let me relive our short warm memories together.¡±


    (StarReader: Qingcheng= city toppling)


    (Star Reader: Qingtian= heaven toppling)


    Zhuo Fan could not even process her words. He was too confused and lost, only nodding unconsciously.


    Chu Qingcheng showed a smile of gratitude, ¡°Thank you!¡±


    The two began experiencing the lives of a man and a woman in a quiet and decrepit house. They were like average people, with Zhuo Fan repairing the house and Chu Qingcheng washing and cooking before eating together.


    The following three days, Zhuo Fan never felt so at peace.


    He would¡¯ve never thought it possible before. How could the grand Demonic Emperor live his days in such a vile way? Yet, these days were spent without any bit of worry or remorse, as if he was living a dream.


    Unfortunately, this was an act that fell in a pair of vicious eyes hiding in the darkness.


    He was a Profound Heaven expert.


    The figure left and soon arrived at Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s guest rooms. He quietly entered one that was filled with people.


    Vicious Pill King, Merry Woods¡¯s Lin Zitian, Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder, were all here. And leading them was none other than Regent Estate¡¯s second young master, Huangpu Qingyun.


    The figure whispered in the second young master¡¯s ear.


    Bam!


    The teacup in his hand was shattered into pieces. Huangpu Qingyun was enraged.


    ¡°Second young master, what happened?¡± Vicious Pill King asked.


    Clenching his fists, Huangpu Qingyun spat, ¡°That bitch took off her veil for that punk!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun ran out, flying straight to the slums¡­

 Chapter 123 - Golden Tyrant Body Art

    A morning ray of warmth spilled into the house onto Zhuo Fan¡¯s peaceful face.


    His eyelids trembled and he smiled, looking at the person in his arms.


    He and Chu Qingcheng lived their days in peace like a game of house. They toiled by day and rested in the same bed by night.


    Although nothing happened, they leaned on each other, giving a sense of peace to both. Zhuo Fan, who was a ruthless demon, never stumbled upon such feelings before.


    [Perhaps, this is the warmth of a family.]


    Zhuo Fan watched the beauty in his arms absentmindedly. Chu Qingcheng¡¯s appearance could incite wars.


    As the saying went, a woman was a hero¡¯s downfall. He has experienced this first hand. Living a peaceful life with Chu Qingcheng was all that was on his mind right now.


    [What¡¯s the point of rising to the top? What¡¯s the point of ruling the world? How can it compare to a beauty¡¯s smile?]


    [Perhaps this is what they call to fall from grace. But so what? I am willing to fall, ha-ha-ha¡­]


    Zhuo Fan laughed inside, the ever unchanging Demonic Emperor was wavering. He gazed at Chu Qingcheng resting on his chest.


    Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t help but want to lean in for a kiss!


    Whoosh~


    Suddenly, Chu Qingcheng opened her eyes and threw them out of the house.


    Bam!


    The house went up in flames, turning into ashes in an instant. From the rising ashes, a figure emerged, the outraged Huangpu Qingyun.


    The fire in his eyes burned even hotter when he saw Chu Qingcheng and Zhuo Fan holding hands.


    ¡°Man, I just fixed the house!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun was angry, Zhuo Fan was pissed. This was his and Chu Qingcheng¡¯s quiet home. And it barely lasted a couple of days before it went up in smoke.


    [Son of a bitch! You¡¯ve gone too far! You take me for a meek lamb?]


    These days of peace and quiet seemed to have gone to his head. It made him forget he was acting as Song Yu. Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with killing intent. He took a step forward, ready to get Huangpu Qingyun acquainted with pain.


    But Chu Qingcheng blocked him and whispered, ¡°Song Yu, stay behind me!¡±


    Finally realizing what he was about to do, Zhuo Fan relaxed his fists.


    He couldn¡¯t step in now, or Regent Estate would have an excuse to move against Drifting Flowers Edifice and ruin all his plans.


    [These days have been so relaxing that I forgot about the bigger picture!]


    Zhuo Fan cursed inside, then sighed, ¡°Qingcheng, I will leave it to you.¡±


    ¡°Qingcheng?¡± It only worked to inflame Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s anger, ¡°You¡¯re on a first-name basis now, like a cheating couple? I will make sure you will die miserably today!¡±


    ¡°Huangpu Qingyun, watch your mouth? Who¡¯s a cheating couple?¡± Chu Qingcheng glared.


    ¡°Humph, you¡¯re asking me? Chu Qingcheng, even when we settled on the agreement, you did not once remove your veil for me! Yet now you just let a damn punk see you first¡­¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes were cold, ¡°Huangpu Qingyun, you¡¯re the one who broke our agreement first. Why would I ever show you my face?¡±


    ¡°Uh, hold on, you lost me there!¡± Zhuo Fan stepped in.


    ¡°You are so petty. She only lifted her veil and you want to kill me? Even with Qingcheng as your childhood sweetheart, you only don¡¯t wish for anyone to have a look at her appearing? Your reaction is uncalled for. It is not like I steal your wife or something?¡±


    As the saying went, silence was golden. Huangpu Qingyun was now an explosive, ready to blow, ¡°Rotten punk, you dare feign ignorance? You¡¯re dead, you hear!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun punched despite being 300 meters away. Nonetheless, a golden light flew from his fist and arrived in a blink.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart froze.


    The body refining art he used could not be compared to Zhuo Fan¡¯s secret refining art, but was top-notch nonetheless.


    In normal cases, a Profound Heaven expert killing a Bone Tempering cultivator was an easy feat. However, the distance had to be a bit smaller, or the Yuan Qi would fade before it could pass through a Bone Tempering expert¡¯s tough body.


    Yet, this light was different. Zhuo Fan was certain this attack would¡¯ve nailed your average Bone Tempering expert. Then again, he wasn¡¯t your average one either and could handle it.


    Zhuo Fan made some guesses and even with this advantage, he knew his odds of winning were decent if he were to fight.


    He dispatched the 3rd layer of Profound Heaven Stage You Guiqi with ease. Yet, currently, he felt like he was going to have a hard time against this 2nd layer expert. It spoke volumes of the Regent Estate¡¯s strength.


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng pulled Zhuo Fan ten meters away, dodging the light. He heard a boom and looked to see a 30 meter large stone pulverized.


    Chu Qingcheng was flustered. She knew Huangpu Qingyun was strong, but not to this extent. Her expression was grave.


    ¡°Humph, Qingcheng, did you see that? That punk only knows how to hide behind your skirt! When danger comes, you always have to protect him in the end. Such a man is unworthy of you!¡± Huangpu Qingyun snorted.


    Chu Qingcheng raised her head high, ¡°And? This is what I desire. Aren¡¯t most of the Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s men all like this?¡±


    ¡°Uh, Qingcheng, I don¡¯t mean to argue, but I don¡¯t hide behind women.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s voice was quite naive, but this was something he could not let go. He needed to make a point here. He was none other than the Demonic Emperor. His name was at stake. Even if he was in a disguise, this was a matter of pride and he couldn¡¯t get sloppy in times like these.


    Glaring at him, Chu Qingcheng lashed, ¡°Zip it! No one was talking to you!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, well said! If you call yourself a man then don¡¯t freakin¡¯ hide behind a woman. Come out and face me alone!¡± Huangpu Qingyun gave a taunting laughter.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes went cold, staring at him with killing intent, though he didn¡¯t let it get to him, ¡°We will fight, don¡¯t you worry, but not today. There¡¯s no harm in killing you two days later!¡±


    The two watched him in shock and even Chu Qingcheng looked at him funny.


    [What gave this brat the nerve to speak so boldly? Huangpu Qingyun was in the 2nd layer of Profound Heaven Stage, and a body cultivator!]


    Yet, he was just a 2nd layer of Bone Tempering cultivator from a third rate clan. The gap could not be bigger.


    Though his eyes spoke how confident he was of turning this threat into reality.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, perfect!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun was laughing from anger. He didn¡¯t expect a day would come when a nobody would predict his death.


    It was utterly ridiculous!


    [This punk must¡¯ve lived in a cave and knows nothing of Regent Estate¡¯s power. I just displayed my power yet he still dares speak with such nerve.]


    ¡°No need to wait, I will squeeze the life out of you right now.¡±


    In the wake of Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s words, he leaped at Zhuo Fan. Chu Qingcheng held Zhuo Fan behind her in concern and had her other hand struck forward.


    Bam!


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s advance stopped, his fist was covered in ice. While Chu Qingcheng flew 20 meters, leaving a trail of blood.


    ¡°Humph, Qingcheng! For a brat, you even dared to use the Arcane Moon Art to block me!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun flicked the ice on his hand away, ¡°You only have yourself to blame for what is about to happen!¡±


    Roaring, Huangpu Qingyun stomped his feet and a golden light enveloped his body. There was even a faint golden dragon above his head. With a faint dragon roar, six golden dragons wound around his body.


    Dragon Vein Body Refining!


    Zhuo Fan finally got to know the source of his body¡¯s power. He trained his body with the essence of Dragon Veins.


    Every Dragon Vein held the essence of earth. The power of earth was unshakable, lofty, and tough. Refining his body with this essence was like turning one¡¯s body into a mountain, holding both power and stability.


    Speaking of Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s body refining method, it was another path leading to the same result as his own.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s body was cast using the blood of the earth, Diamond Sand. It was made with a great deal of earth essence. Both of them held similar bodies, but there were some disparities.


    While Zhuo Fan was a living weapon, Huangpu Qingyun was half human half weapon. The gap was small but will be magnified as one¡¯s cultivation increased.


    Chu Qingcheng cried in panic, ¡°Regent Estate¡¯s profound ranked martial art, Golden Tyrant Body Art!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, Qingcheng, I told you not to shield this punk with your life!¡± Huangpu Qingyun charged at Zhuo Fan.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s palms danced. Tens of white ribbons flew at Huangpu Qingyun and encased him like a mummy.


    Yet the next moment they were ripped to shreds and Chu Qingcheng spat blood while recoiling ten more steps. Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s speed wasn¡¯t affected in the least.


    Zhuo Fan clenched his fist, ready to unfold his Lightning Wings.


    [It seems that have no choice but to reveal myself and fight this guy to the death¡­]

 Chapter 124 - Zhuo Fan’s Wr

    ¡°Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms, Space Rupturing Form!¡±


    ¡°Purple Lightning Gold Eye!¡±


    ¡°Cold Jade Palm!¡±


    ¡°Peony Finger!¡±


    Following many yells, four attacks of great power descended. They were composed of purple lightning, lofty sword intent, a deep chilling wind, and a deep yet flexible power.


    They hammered Huangpu Qingyun and forced him to withdraw three steps as four figures stood in front of Zhuo Fan and Chu Qingcheng.


    Jian Suifeng, Long Jiu, Iris Overseer and Peony Overseer. The overseers rushed to Chu Qingcheng and checked her wounds while the first two were on high alert for any of Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s sudden movements.


    When the dust settled, Huangpu Qingyun had a frosty expression, but unharmed in any way.


    This caused a great deal of shock. The four elders used their most masterful skills against Huangpu Qingyun. But even though they lacked the intent to kill, he had no damage whatsoever, not even a bruise or a cut.


    This only worked to put them on guard.


    [No wonder Regent Estate¡¯s Golden Tyrant Body Art was the strongest of the seven houses! This is monstrous!]


    Whoosh~


    Three more figures landed, Vicious Pill King, Lin Zitian, and Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder next to Huangpu Qingyun. They took a glance at the situation and could guess what happened.


    ¡°He-he-he, such gall you have to strike the second young master!¡± Vicious Pill King laughed coldly, taking advantage of the occasion to sow chaos, ¡°If you want to fight, we will gladly entertain you!¡±


    Lin Zitian and 5th elder exchanged glances, then looked at Huangpu Qingyun. They had no choice but to bear through this.


    Not stepping forth now was getting on the Regent Estate¡¯s bad side.


    With shivering hearts, Long Jiu¡¯s group looked at each other with determination on their faces. Huangpu Qingyun was bad enough, but now that the other three showed up, it would be hard to come out on top in this battle.


    In an instant, Long Jiu and Jian Suifeng looked at Zhuo Fan without even realizing it.


    Zhuo Fan had You Guiqi¡¯s killing under his belt. He was both brave and devious. The most dependable man here weren¡¯t they, the elders, but him.


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan locked his eyes on Vicious Pill King.


    If battle erupted, Vicious Pill King posed the biggest threat. Long Jiu and the others would suffer at this old dog¡¯s poisonous tricks. Before anything happened, he had to remove this danger from the equation.


    This may diverge from Zhuo Fan¡¯s original plan, but things kept coming one after the other. [Who knew it would come to this? I have no choice but to be firm with my decisions and get rid of this headache first.]


    Zhuo Fan slowly moved, boring into Vicious Pill King with killing intent. Yan Song was in the dark regarding Zhuo Fan¡¯s threat. Killing him would be easy when his guard was down.


    Jian Suifeng and Long Jiu noticed his eyes and understood he came to a decision. Trading blows here was the same as falling out with Regent Estate and the other three houses. The seven houses war would erupt.


    None of them could see if this was a fortune or disaster for their house.


    What they did know, was that the die was cast and they had to strike!


    ¡°Hold on!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun shouted to stop everyone in place and he looked at Chu Qingcheng, ¡°Qingcheng, think this through! Are you going to side with them?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng wiped the blood from her mouth and stepped in front of the others. She turned to Zhuo Fan, then the black cloak, and her eyes steeled, ¡°Yes, I have never been more certain!¡±


    ¡°Fine, be that way. I wish you all a long life!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun spat the last two words with thick sarcasm, evident of the rancor and curses running through his head.


    He said his piece and left with his group. As they passed by Zhuo Fan, he gave a laughter seeping with contempt, ¡°Punk, Drifting Flowers Edifice never had males, are you¡­ ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Hold up, where did you get that idea?¡± Zhuo Fan raised a taunting eyebrow, ¡°Wasn¡¯t Chu Qingtian a man? His actions were foolish, true, but he was a man through and through!¡±


    He hid for a decade for Drifting Flowers Edifice, only to die at Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s hands. Yet, this pitiful hero was now viewed as a black stain.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t condone such idiotic behavior. Why would anyone throw away their lives for a bunch of broads who treated men like nothing more than tools. Only using them to secure their little sanctuary?


    That was no mere idiocy, but downright madness!


    However, his loyalty was praiseworthy even in Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°If he was truly a man, it would¡¯ve been best if he stuck to sleeping with women, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Huangpu Qingyun mocked, loathing displayed on his face.


    Vicious Pill King snickered at Zhuo Fan, making it obvious he was speaking to everyone present, ¡°Chu Qingtian was once my disciple. To be honest, his alchemy skill was top-notch, but he was too blinded by pride, holding everyone beneath him. He was a helpless dreamer, believing he alone was enough to refine the antidote and cure Drifting Flowers Edifice. The results speak for itself. He is more of a fool than anybody else!¡±


    Vicious Pill King walked away, pleased after seeing Chu Qingcheng clenching her fists, but still couldn¡¯t help pouring more salt on the wound, ¡°This is a world of men and wisdom. Fools and women that dare covet it will only get burnt!¡±


    ¡°Damn that Vicious Pill King!¡±


    Long Jiu knew the ins and out of the situation and his lone eyes flickered in rage. He looked back at Chu Qingcheng to see her trembling in anger.


    Long Jiu shook his head and whispered to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Little brother, talk to Chuchu about the alliance between us three houses!¡±


    ¡°No need!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flickered with coldness and spoke, eyeing the departing group, ¡°That is your matter. What I want is to make that insufferable guy know the true meaning of being a man!¡±


    Long Jiu¡¯s heart seized. He opened his mouth many times but Zhuo Fan¡¯s unfeeling face stopped him. He never saw Zhuo Fan looking so scary before¡­


    When Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s group got back to Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s guest rooms, the Vicious Pill King asked, ¡°Second young master, why did you let them go? We were more than enough to deal with them!¡±


    ¡°Fool!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun berated, ¡°Killing them is easy, but what then? It will incite war among the seven houses. Even if we win, we will have to pay a heavy price for it.¡±


    ¡°Second young master, why do you say that?¡± The others asked.


    Huangpu Qingyun laughed mockingly and said, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, Tianyu holds not just the Seven Noble Houses, but the Four Pillars¡­¡±


    His voice drifted off, but everyone was clear. So Regent Estate¡¯s ambition was to reach such a height.


    ¡°In any case, Drifting Flowers Edifice is already close to fall. Don¡¯t mind those cornered dogs. As for Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Sword Marquise Abode, humph, I am now certain they are opposing us. We would¡¯ve had to deal with them sooner or later!¡±


    ¡°Brilliant, second young master!¡±


    They all bowed, but each thought differently.


    Pill King Hall had long surrendered, while Hell Valley was grinning at his enemy¡¯s predicament. [Veiled Dragon Pavilion kicked an iron board this time.] As for Merry Woods¡¯s Lin Zitian, he was an opportunist. Seeing others bowing, he did the same, to avoid trouble befalling on his head!


    Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan walked out of Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s guest room and sighed towards the sun.


    Yesterday, he was caught up in his own delusion. He thought the world was made of just he and Chu Qingcheng, where the others mattered little. Today, he reentered the mortal world and shook his head out of regret.


    [If not for Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s disturbance, I would¡¯ve still been with Chu Qingcheng in that quaint house as nothing but simple farmers.]


    But even without yesterday¡¯s event, he would have only one day until the Hundred Pill Meeting, where he had to put his plan in motion. His future didn¡¯t lay in that quiet farmhouse.


    [I am but a simple worker!] Zhuo Fan sighed at the sky,


    A white figure suddenly landed, Chu Qingcheng. But before he could scream, she took him into the air.


    ¡°Come with me!¡±


    An hour later, they landed in the slums again. But they weren¡¯t the only ones there this time. There were the Dong siblings and Xiao Dandan.


    Zhuo Fan was puzzled as to what it was about.


    Chu Qingcheng giggled, ¡°You visited Grandmother and my family. Now it¡¯s only reasonable that I visit your parents, but it¡¯s a way off and can only see your friends for now.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng pulled Zhuo Fan and invited the others into a small run-down house.


    Xiao Dandan was dumbstruck. [Why is Edifice Lord with him, here?] She accomplished her master¡¯s order by bringing the Dong siblings here, where in fact they were meeting with Edifice Lord.


    While she was dumbstruck, the Dong siblings were floored.


    Meeting the evil Xiao Dandan first thing in the morning, they thought Drifting Flowers Edifice was about to settle the score with them and were on edge the whole way here. But seeing Edifice Lord holding hands with his brother, their whole world collapsed.


    [Just how did Song Yu do it? How did a third rate clan young master end up with the leader of one of the Seven Noble Houses, Drifting Flowers Edifice? The number one beauty in Tianyu, Chu Qingcheng.]


    ¡°Sister, I often told you, you should¡¯ve caught him first! Now, all hope is lost!¡± Dong Tianba stared at the couple, in a daze.


    Dong Xiaowan lamented inside, not expecting this to happen, ¡°How could I have known brother Song Yu and Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Lord would have become an item?¡±


    While they were bitter, Xiao Dandan felt like crying. She finally found herself a worthy man only to have her boss become her love rival. What could she possibly do now?


    The three were now more bitter than ever¡­

 Chapter 125 - Yours Truly Does Not And Will Not Owe Favors

    ¡°Sit down and relax!¡±


    Many delicacies had already been laid on a worn and old table, courtesy of Chu Qingcheng¡¯s cooking. She was still hiding her face behind the veil, but her every gesture and elegant demeanor made her seem like the perfect wife. Her tone was neither haughty nor overbearing. She acted just like any ordinary young wife receiving faraway guests.


    The trio stiffly took seats. They had Chu Qingcheng¡¯s invitation, but this does not mean that their heart was at ease.


    On the contrary, Zhuo Fan was feeling right at home after having spent time with Chu Qingcheng the past few days. His movements were casual and frank. He spoke normally ¨C like a simple family.


    Dong Tianba began to envy him. [Lil¡¯ bro must have had quite the heavenly fortune for Chu Qingcheng to look at him.]


    Xiao Dandan and Dong Xiaowan were staring at him all this time, but Chu Qingcheng¡¯s presence left them sour inside.


    They felt inadequate in front of such a world-class beauty that they lowered their heads.


    They passed the day in a peaceful and cheerful manner. Once dusk was setting in, Chu Qingcheng sighed, ¡°It¡¯s getting late and we should part ways!¡±


    ¡°What parting do you speak of when tomorrow¡¯s the Hundred Pill Meeting?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    Shaking her head in sorrow, Chu Qingcheng pulled his hand and said to the rest, ¡°Come with me.¡±


    She walked ahead, with others rushing to catch up. They soon turned to a lonely road where a worn-out carriage stood.


    That carriage belonged to none other than the Song clan Zhuo Fan reappropriated.


    There were also six people standing close to it. Dong Tianba¡¯s four elders and the Peony and Iris Overseers standing at the front of the group.


    This caught them by surprise, not understanding what was going on.


    ¡°Go.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng pointed at the carriage, ¡°Leave by night and make haste in hiding your clans. You may still have a chance to survive!¡±


    ¡°W-what¡¯s going on? Edifice Lord Chuchu, why are you driving us away? Did we offend you?¡± Dong Tianba cried, so scared his legs were quaking.


    Chu Qingcheng shook her head, ¡°Forgive me. It is not your fault, but mine. I didn¡¯t want to drag you into this, but Huangpu Qingyun is petty. I fear he will strike you out of spite.¡±


    ¡°Huangpu¡­ The Regent Estate?¡± Dong Tianba was alarmed, on the verge of tears, ¡°Why would Regent Estate be involved with us? We did nothing to them!¡±


    ¡°Your Dong clan has not been destroyed so why are you crying?¡±


    Zhuo Fan snorted and turned to Chu Qingcheng, ¡°What are you planning? Don¡¯t do anything stupid, there¡¯s still room to turn this around!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng shook her head and caressed his cheek, ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing. Just that I need your help with something.¡±


    Zhuo Fan eyed her suspiciously.


    She pulled Xiao Dandan, who was still in shock, and rested her hand in Zhuo Fan¡¯s, ¡°Please watch over Dandan. She may very well be the last member of our Drifting Flowers Edifice house!¡±


    ¡°Edifice Lord!¡±


    Xiao Dandan was panicking and Zhuo Fan paled. But before he could speak, Chu Qingcheng stopped them, ¡°This is my last wish. You have to do this for me.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng took her storage ring and gave it to Xiao Dandan, ¡°Dandan, take this with you on your journey with Song Yu to his clan. But you can only look inside once you arrive! Take care of your husband and don¡¯t be so willful, alright?¡±


    Xiao Dandan nodded in tears.


    Peony Overseer found it unbearable as she shouted, ¡°It¡¯s late, leave quickly! If they find you, you won¡¯t get another chance!¡±


    Dong Tianba didn¡¯t understand, but was clear to the danger, rushing inside the carriage with his sister.


    Zhuo Fan knew Chu Qingcheng wanted to give Drifting Flowers Edifice a chance at revival. He had a plan in mind but wasn¡¯t sure it was foolproof. So he followed Chu Qingcheng¡¯s wishes and pulled Xiao Dandan into the carriage.


    At worst, he¡¯d come back once they were far enough.


    His firm actions made Peony Overseer filled with anger, ¡°Song Yu, look after my disciple, or I will never let you off!¡±


    ¡°Humph, your disciple is big now. She can take care of herself.¡± Zhuo Fan shirked all responsibility and whipped the horses.


    Peony Overseer stomped her foot in anger, watching the carriage drifting further away, ¡°Humph, I told you men aren¡¯t reliable. Once he gets wind of trouble, he flees! He jumped in with no hesitation!¡±


    ¡°Chuchu, was it worth entrusting everything to that man?¡± Iris Overseer frowned.


    Shaking her head, Chu Qingcheng said, ¡°Aren¡¯t all our hopes resting on them leaving safely? What more is there to say?¡±


    Yet, she couldn¡¯t fight back the tears, feeling disappointed by Zhuo Fan¡¯s last act.


    [We will never see each other again. Can¡¯t you at least show some reluctance for the sake of all the precious little time we spent together?]


    But they were unaware what Zhuo Fan was thinking. Their thoughts were completely worlds apart from each other. They took this as a final parting while Zhuo Fan took it as making a delivery. He¡¯d be dropping off Xiao Dandan to a safe place before running straight back.


    [I¡¯m only a delivery boy, and soon will come back running. What final? What parting?]


    ¡°Let us return, tomorrow we have a bitter fight on our hands!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng took a deep breath to reign in her emotions then flew back. The overseers were right behind her.


    Night came, and soon darkness gave way to the sun¡¯s rays. Chu Qingcheng stood alone in her room, watching the grandiose building outside. It was the place where the Hundred Pill Meeting was held, and their final battle.


    ¡°Chuchu!


    Iris Overseer flashed next to her and nodded, ¡°Everything¡¯s ready. All that¡¯s left is for that old dog to come.¡±


    ¡°Good!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes flashed with resolve, ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice may fall, but that old dog will go down with it. Blood for blood. Let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan rode the carriage all night and was now a hundred miles out of Drifting Flowers City. He thought it was enough, loosened the reins, and jumped down.


    ¡°Alright, you guys leave. I¡¯m going back!¡±


    ¡°Darling, wait!¡± Xiao Dandan cried out from inside, ¡°You can¡¯t go back! Won¡¯t you make sister Qingcheng¡¯s sacrifice in vain?¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s your Darling?! Don¡¯t shout without thinking! Isn¡¯t Chu Qingcheng your Edifice Lord? What a cheeky disciple, calling her sister.¡±


    Reddening, Xiao Dandan replied coyly, ¡°Isn¡¯t it because you are my husband? Edifice Lord has given my hand to you personally. So, you are my husband in every sense of the word. And Edifice Lord is your wife as well. What else can I do but call her sister?¡±


    ¡°What?! When did Chu Qingcheng become my wife?¡± Zhuo Fan was floored.


    Scratching his head, Dong Tianba stuck out of the carriage and sighed, ¡°Bro, how are you so slow in the head? Both of you were so close in that broken house that even a blind man could see you two are married. How could you not? What she said should¡¯ve been an obvious enough hint. Yesterday, you visited her family, today she visited your friends. What else could it be if not to show everyone that you two were married?¡±


    ¡°Uh, that can¡¯t be¡­ I always thought she saw me as her younger brother to relive her old warm memories, how¡­¡± Zhuo Fan was dumbfounded. He, a demon through and through, with his nose always deep plotting against others, was clueless in matters between a man and a woman.


    Even if he were to engage in such acts, it would only be a stepping stone for a greater purpose, faking through it all. He had never ever truly experienced romantic love.


    Xiao Dandan watched Zhuo Fan cautiously as she muttered, ¡°Then Darling, let me ask you. Did you see her face?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook away her approaching hand in loathing then thought about it, ¡°I have, twice!¡±


    ¡°Then it is indeed so. Edifice Lord has never married before. If a man were to see her face, she would either kill him off or resign her duty as Edifice lord and marry him.¡±


    Xiao Dandan raised an eyebrow, ¡°Since husband is safe and sound, it speaks of sister Chuchu¡¯s decision of recognizing you as a husband.¡±


    Zhuo Fan suddenly recalled the moment he made a sneak attack on Chuchu for her Bodhi Jade Sap, only to take her face cover. She was deeply conflicted then.


    [She was hesitating whether to kill me or to marry me?]


    [That was way too dangerous. If not for my boyish charm and dashing good looks that no woman on this wide green earth can resist, Chu Qingcheng would¡¯ve killed me by now!]


    [He-he-he, what can I say, I¡¯m too much of a dashing rogue, only matched by my luck!]


    [Wait, aren¡¯t I Song Yu now?]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s confidence hit rock bottom, [At least the kid¡¯s pretty face had some use and saved my life. Or maybe it was my wonderful personality that won her over?]


    Zhuo Fan sank in delusions. But what he didn¡¯t take into consideration was where exactly did the ¡®wonderful¡¯ part fit a demon like him.


    ¡°Darling, if you still don¡¯t believe me¡­ the ring sister Chuchu gave has to be holding that item.¡±


    His constant hesitation led Xiao Dandan to defy the task entrusted to her by Chu Qingcheng. She took out the item in the ring, all to justify her position as his wife.


    After the light dimmed, three things appeared in front of everyone¡¯s eyes.


    One was the black cloak Zhuo Fan already saw and the second a small bottle. He also knew this contained the Bodhi Jade Sap. He immediately snatched it, overcome with joy.


    [I¡¯ve run all over the place for this, only to fall so easily in my lap. Ha-ha-ha¡­]


    Xiao Dandan said, ¡°The Bodhi Jade Sap is sister Qingcheng¡¯s dowry. If you take it, then you are accepting sister Qingcheng and¡­ me!¡±


    Xiao Dandan blushed at the last part. Zhuo Fan was in a daze. After he heard what she said, all smiles were wiped from his face.


    He was a Demonic Emperor that had no scruples, but never ever owed favors. It would¡¯ve been better if he had stolen it. Yet, the fact remained that it was given to him by someone, along with a ¡®free gift¡¯ attached. If he took it, then he had to accept the ¡®gift¡¯.


    But accepting Xiao Dandan¡­


    [Ha-ha-ha, sorry¡­ but the first impression I have of you already ruined it for me. I won¡¯t be taking you!]


    Now he turned to the third item, a wooden piece of wood with the words ¡®Beloved wife Chu Qingcheng¡¯s memorial tablet¡¯ written on it!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes squinted and cried, ¡°What is this?¡±


    Xiao Dandan sighed, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be telling you this, but I once heard master mention that they were ready to fall with the Vicious Pill King¡­¡±


    ¡°Damnation! You think they¡¯ll succeed to drag that old geezer down when they couldn¡¯t even keep this plan hidden from a mere disciple? Humph, a bunch of foolish women going to their doom.¡±


    Zhuo Fan rained curses. Then he looked at the Bodhi Jade Sap and snickered, ¡°He-he-he, yours truly does not and will not owe favors!¡±


    He took the items into his ring and ran towards Drifting Flowers City, disappearing from sight.


    Dong Tianba and the rest were restless. He was a loafer, but not a fool. If the overseers and the lord were in a bitter fight, didn¡¯t that mean Drifting Flowers Edifice was the worst place to be right now?


    Would Zhuo Fan get out alive if he returned?


    ¡°Damn it, Darling won¡¯t be able to come back if he goes. We need to go after him!¡± Xiao Dandan cried.


    Dong Xiaowan was also anxiously watching her brother, pleading. Dong Tianba gnashed his teeth and ordered, ¡°Let¡¯s go, I can not allow my brother to face dangers alone again!¡±

 Chapter 126 - Complete Betrayal

    The Drifting Flowers Arena was more than a hundred meters tall, spanning a few kilometers, the largest building in Drifting Flowers City. This was where the Hundred Pill Meeting was being held.


    It was divided into three layers in a circular shape.


    The first layer was where the competitors met. It was the stage where thousands of cauldrons spread across the entire floor.


    The second layer was for the second and third rated clans who came to spectate.


    The third layer was for the glorious clans of Tianyu Empire. This layer hosted terraces, which acted as stands for the honorable guests of the Seven Noble Houses.


    Chu Qingcheng and her two overseers stood in the host terrace, furthest from the arena.


    The Bodhi Root was placed on the pedestal, the prize of today¡¯s competition. The winner would have the glory of stepping forward and snatching Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s greatest treasure.


    None wanted to admit it, but they were clear it would be none other than Vicious Pill King.


    ¡°Is everything ready? Did that old dog notice?¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes flashed.


    Peony Overseer nodded, ¡°I tasked the ones I trust the most with this. That stage contains a Dragon Prison Array. Not even the old dog can escape it once he enters!¡±


    ¡°What of Huangpu Qingyun?¡± Chu Qingcheng looked to the eastern stand with worry.


    ¡°The eastern stand also has a barrier placed. They won¡¯t get the chance to intervene when the time comes. So, we will finally settle the score with that old dog!¡±


    ¡°Then I can rest easy.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng sighed, ¡°Senior sisters, this old dog isn¡¯t to be trifled with. Even if we three attack together, we may kill him, but we will also shortly after succumb to his poison. I don¡¯t mind dying, just that senior sisters will end up accompanying me¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Qingcheng, you don¡¯t need to say it!¡± Iris Overseer patted her hand, ¡°We have promised Grandmother to help you without fail. As Drifting Flowers Edifice is about to die, then let it die with a bang. We will tell the world that women are not easy targets.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng was moved and squeezed their hands. The three shared deep feelings for each other.


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t the other overseers arrived yet?¡± Chu Qingcheng found it unusual.


    The other two were also puzzled.


    Suddenly, a wizened voice followed by familiar figures appeared before them, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Edifice Lord Chu, are you looking for them perhaps?¡±


    The three¡¯s eyes were wide in shock.


    Behind Vicious Pill King stood eight ladies in different colors and veils on their faces. They were none other than 8 of the Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s 15 edifices¡¯ overseers.


    The eight avoided looking at the three, lowering their heads in shame.


    ¡°Y-you all¡­¡±


    She knew they were under Yan Song¡¯s poison, but never thought they would stand in the open by that old dog¡¯s side. This was a naked betrayal! Peony Overseer was livid and couldn¡¯t even find words to speak.


    Chu Qingcheng rested her hands on the Peony Overseer to soothe her anger, her tone was flat towards the 8 women, ¡°I feel your pain and I don¡¯t blame you. I just hope you will take care of yourselves, leaving this dreaded place as far behind as possible.¡±


    ¡°Edifice Lord¡­¡±


    The eight were sobbing but did not show their appreciation for her words because of Vicious Pill King¡¯s threat.


    ¡°Humph, what a soft Edifice Lord. However, I wonder if you¡¯ll show the same softness to them!¡± Vicious Pill King snickered and clapped three times.


    Five figures flashed and the trio paled.


    They were the rest of the overseers.


    Of all the overseers, everyone sided with Pill King Hall, except for Peony and Iris Overseers.


    They each had their reasons, but this was without a doubt the true power of Drifting Flowers Edifice coming out in full force.


    Chu Qingcheng shivered and could no longer keep calm. She was unaware Vicious Pill King was so thorough in stripping them of their power. They had no way to even fight back.


    ¡°Overseer Chun Yu, you are the oldest among us. How is it that even you¡­¡± Peony Overseer glared at one of the five people.


    The person was calm, however, ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s power waned and I could only look elsewhere for safety. I urge you to find your own and not do something you should not.¡±


    At her odd words, Chu Qingcheng looked doubtful at Peony Overseer.


    Peony Overseer bit her lip, filled with regret and anguish, ¡°Forgive me, Qingcheng. I have trusted that matter to her! I thought she was still trustworthy, but¡­¡±


    Chu Qingcheng trembled and her body swayed. Despair swallowed her eyes.


    She knew what Peony Overseer was referring to, the array to counter Vicious Pill King when he got the Bodhi Root. The one tasked with it turned out to be a traitor. It was clear the Vicious Pill King was privy to all their plans.


    Their last chance to end this old dog had failed¡­


    ¡°He-he-he, I already told you. Drifting Flowers Edifice is under my complete control. All your efforts are useless. Why not spare yourselves the ordeal?¡±


    Vicious Pill King cackled and waved his hand. Clattering resounded as sparkling spirit stones landed at their feet. They were the ones to be used for the Dragon Prison Array.


    ¡°By the way, I also managed to undo the barrier on the eastern stand. We can¡¯t have the second young master watch the Hundred Pill Meeting from behind a barrier, now can we? You¡¯ve been most rude to Regent Estate, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Vicious Pill King descended the stairs laughing, with the traitorous overseers having little choice but to follow with their heads down.


    This made all onlookers watch slack jawed.


    Why were 13 overseers following the Vicious Pill King? Any man with a brain would know that the Drifting Flowers Edifice had now lost most of their power.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Edifice Lord Chu, see how I take your precious treasure through legitimate means.¡±  Vicious Pill King laughed at the bottom of the stairs.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes felt like they were in a fog. She clenched her fists so hard that scarlet blood flowed.


    Peony Overseer was overcome by guilt as tears flowed unimpeded, ¡°Qingcheng, hit me. It¡¯s all my fault for ruining everything.¡±


    ¡°Peony Overseer, how could you be so dazed to let others know of our plan¡­¡±


    Chu Qingcheng stood there frozen. It felt like the sky collapsed, her heart in pieces. Iris Overseer sent a reproaching glare to Peony Overseer and sighed.


    What would be the point in pointing fingers when the matter was done? Vicious Pill King achieved victory in the most anticlimactic way possible. All that was left was for them to wait for him to strut and claim his prize.


    ¡°Old dog Yan Song, don¡¯t think it¡¯s that easy to take our treasure.¡±


    A shout echoed and Yan Song looked over only to snicker, ¡°I wonder who it was, but then I saw it was only you, old hag!¡±


    It was Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s best alchemist, Aunt Tao.


    Aunt Tao flashed beside Chu Qingcheng and said, ¡°Girl, don¡¯t cry, we haven¡¯t lost yet!¡±


    ¡°Humph, empty words! When I last saw you two decades ago, you were but a 6th-grade alchemist, while I am a 7th. After all this time, you would still come up short of my skill even if you can refine a 7th-grade pill!¡±


    ¡°Humph, that remains to be seen. Time can change anything! Don¡¯t think you¡¯ll get anywhere near the Bodhi Root with me around!¡±


    Vicious Pill King mocked, ¡°Old hag, show me if all those years were of any help!¡±


    Vicious Pill King flicked his sleeve and left with his entourage.


    Chu Qingcheng looked at Aunt Tao with hope, ¡°Aunt Tao, can you truly win?¡±


    Aunt Tao let out a downcast sigh, her previous vigor sapped, ¡°Silly girl, I was only pretending. The Vicious Pill King is indeed the best alchemist in Tianyu!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying we¡¯re hopeless then¡­¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes were now dead, with the last burning kindling of hope put out.


    Aunt Tao felt pained as she spoke, ¡°That may not be the case. Regardless of how strong an alchemist is, failing in refining speaks louder. If an alchemist is distracted in mid refining, then the pill would most likely end up in failure. Not even Vicious Pill King with decades of refining experience could escape such predicament!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying there¡¯s still hope?¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes sparkled, as well as the other two overseers¡¯.


    Aunt Tao¡¯s heart could not bear their pure eyes, but forced a nod. Though she knew Vicious Pill King¡¯s decades of experience forged him a steady mind. How could he make such a rudimentary mistake?


    In the case she failed ten times at refining, Vicious Pill King may never fail even once.


    Sighing, Aunt Tao dragged her body down the stairs, ¡°I will go prepare. Don¡¯t be discouraged, we still have a chance!¡±


    All this senior could do was give these young ladies words of comfort, even if she herself did not believe in them. Her word had the desired effect and Chu Qingcheng looked livelier. The trio watched Aunt Tao with hope.


    Yet, this last hope of theirs was an old woman walking to certain death while also having one foot in the grave¡­

 Chapter 127 - Gathering Of Experts

    After the courtesy had been being slowly dispensed at the Hundred Pill Meeting, the clans¡¯ delegates stepped in the widespread arena. Meanwhile, the guests had slowly gathered and the audience seated.


    Regent Estate, Hell Valley, Pill King Hall, and Merry Woods were guided to the eastern stand. Huangpu Qingyun watched the prize on the pedestal, already sporting a winner¡¯s attitude, and smiled.


    On the other hand, the Veiled Dragon Pavilion, Sword Marquise Abode, and the ones who stood in favor of Drifting Flowers Edifice, were guided to the western stand. Long Jiu was with Xie Tianyang and the rest, watching the endless stream of people with a critical eye. However, there was no sign of Zhuo Fan.


    [If this kid doesn¡¯t show, who will deal with the Vicious Pill King?]


    Seconds ticked by, then minutes, as the arena was gradually filled with contestants.


    ¡°Oh, if it isn¡¯t Master Huang! You¡¯re also competing?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Everyone aims for higher standing. Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Hundred Pill Meeting happens once every few decades. How could I not come?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯m the same. I hope to rise in fame as well. Even if I cannot enter Drifting Flowers Edifice, I can at least make an impression on some of the first rate clans. Eh? Isn¡¯t that Master Zhang? It¡¯s an honor to meet you¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, Master Chen, such an honor¡­¡±


    The competition had yet to begin and the contestants were greeting each other. Suddenly, an elderly with a powerful aura stepped in, with a split mustache on the corners of his mouth. He glowed with confidence.


    Before his presence, everyone halted what they were doing.


    ¡°A-aren¡¯t you the head alchemist of the Ximen clan of Thriving City, Liu Yizhen? Ximen clan is a first rate clan, and you¡¯re even their head alchemist. Why on earth did you come here?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Everyone has heard of your skill already. You earned second place at the Great Alchemy Tournament in the imperial capital. You were but seconds behind completing your refining. Only to end up forfeiting the first place to the Pill King Hall¡¯s genius disciple, Yan Fu. You are already well known, so why come to this competition among nameless juniors?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, you are a famous grandmaster, a glorious 5th-grade alchemist. So why come to this competition? You should give us all a chance too¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Everyone was complaining when Liu Yizhen showed up. Yet, the elder had a faint smile, and a poised face, as if he relished every bit of rancor aimed at him, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I may have a bit of a name in alchemy but I still have so much to learn. I have come today not to seek fame, but to open my eyes and learn from everyone.¡±


    [As if! Who are you kidding? You clearly came to enter Drifting Flowers Edifice. Everyone here knows Ximen is great, but they are still not one of the Seven Noble Houses.]


    He was looked down on and despised by everyone. The result of the contestants¡¯ deep seated fear.


    Liu Yizhen was greatly known throughout the empire for his alchemy. They would have no chance now that he was here.


    More and more reproachful gazes settled on him, but he responded with a haughty attitude, as though he was the king of the world!


    ¡°Settle down, everyone!¡±


    A sweet voice, soothing to the ear came. It was followed by a young lady in a violet dress, who floated down from the sky.


    Silence ensued so deeply that the clamor of before seemed more like an illusion.


    The lady nodded, pleased, ¡°Greetings and welcome competitors, to our Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Hundred Pill Meeting. I am the judge of today¡¯s competition, Xiao Ya.¡±


    Clap!


    Xiaoya clapped lightly and a string of demure girls appeared in a line, with each settling at every cauldron.


    ¡°This time, every participant will be accompanied by one of our disciples to prevent cheating.¡±


    ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice is truly great, settling every detail!¡± Liu Yizhen was the first to gush praises and give his thumbs up.


    ¡°Indeed, with a beauty around, refining will be a breeze. This young master appreciates it, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    They all sighed in admiration. Only one of the seven houses could employ such a method, to have thousands of alchemists paired with one disciple each.


    Xiao Ya extended her hands at the 20 most prominent cauldrons, ¡°Everyone has different masteries, and alchemists are no different. These 20 cauldrons are for the most outstanding alchemists. If you are confident, please stand in one of them.¡±


    The arena was quiet.


    The majority of the thousands of alchemists here were of equal skill. There was no way to know who was the best. Except for a few superior figures around, who could say they were in the top twenty in this group?


    Liu Yizhen twirled his mustache, his face beaming with pride, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, alchemists may appear to be refining on the surface, but they are actually refining their mind. Without even a bit of confidence, will one be able to make any passable pill?¡±


    ¡°Grandmaster Liu is right. We don¡¯t know who among us is the best, but he is definitely among them!¡± Someone instantly spoke for Liu Yizhen.


    Laughing towards the sky with pride, Liu Yizhen continued, ¡°I am not conceited, only confident as an alchemist. To refine great pills, one must believe he is the best alchemist in the world.¡±


    ¡°As such, I will not shy from my duty!¡± Liu Yizhen strutted to the first cauldron while laughing.


    But his third step was welcomed by a cold shout, ¡°You¡¯re in my way! Beat it!¡± Yan Fu stomped by him.


    Liu Yizhen faltered and his face twitched, cursing inside, [Damnit! Why is this rotten prick here as well? Why join the Hundred Pill Meeting when he¡¯s already in Pill King Hall?]


    ¡°Isn¡¯t he the winner of the Great Alchemy Tournament in the imperial capital? Yan Fu of Pill King Hall? Why is he here?¡±


    Someone recognized him and also peaked at Liu Yizhen¡¯s frozen state, whispering, ¡°Grandmaster Liu, your opponent is here. What if¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Yan Fu is indeed an alchemy genius seen once a century. He managed to win last time. So, let him have this one, while I take the second cauldron!¡±


    ¡°I truly admire Grandmaster Liu¡¯s modesty!¡±


    Liu Yizhen¡¯s light tone earned the crowd¡¯s praise. [A true grandmaster!] But how would they know Liu Yizhen was cursing Yan Fu in his heart.


    [Wretched spawn, you got ahead of me in the imperial capital, and now you followed me to the Hundred Pill Meeting? Are you being hard on me on purpose?]


    In the middle of his inner rant, an aged voice came.


    ¡°If you¡¯re not going, stand aside!¡±


    An elderly shoved him, slowly moving forward. That green face got everyone scared. Liu Yizhen almost jumped in fright.


    ¡°Who is that old woman? Such a scary face. Is she also an alchemist?¡±


    Liu Yizhen watched her figure dumbfounded, ¡°Why her too?¡±


    ¡°Grandmaster Liu, do you know her?¡±


    Liu Yizhen was close to cursing again, ¡°Of course I do! 30 years ago, when I was a 2nd-grade alchemist, sage doctor Tao made a name for herself as a 5th-grade alchemist. She is as famous as the Vicious Pill King. But isn¡¯t she the head alchemist of the Drifting Flowers Edifice? What is she doing here?¡±


    His words spread shock to others. There was actually someone equally renowned as Vicious Pill King!


    No one had seen this coming. The small Hundred Pill Meeting was now a gathering of experts. But Liu Yizhen¡¯s forlorn figure eased their shock.


    ¡°He-he-he, Grandmaster Liu, don¡¯t be so down. Isn¡¯t there a third spot? It definitely belongs to Grandmaster Liu.¡±


    Liu Yizhen took a deep breath and stood up straighter as his eyes spat out flames of rage, ¡°It is as you said. I may not be the first, or the second, but winners always come in threes. Even in third place, it will not be the least bit lacking from the first two.¡±


    [Uh, Grandmaster Liu, that¡¯s just self-comforting!]


    They now realized their words of comfort were wasted on Grandmaster Liu, could contort anything to be positive.


    ¡°Don¡¯t block my way! Take a hike!¡±


    Then, another aged man shouted. A green figure passed through the crowd, his eyes sending shivers through their bodies.


    Vicious Pill King, Yan Song!


    This scared them witless. Vicious Pill King, the head alchemist of Pill King Hall was joining the Hundred Pill Meeting as well? [The hell is he doing here?]


    [For heaven¡¯s sake! You¡¯re the best in the empire for crying out loud! Can you be any more obnoxious?]


    ¡°Grandmaster Liu, your third place, seems to be gone!¡± Someone sympathized with Liu Yizhen¡¯s situation.


    His lips trembled and Liu Yizhen felt more wronged than ever watching the three up there. Just then, someone ran into him hard, ruining his calm and lofty image as he broke out a string of curses, ¡°We are all damn famous here, alright? Why in goddamned heaven are all of you taking part in this competition? Stealing my seat? You¡¯re going too damn far!¡±


    The crowd froze, their faces twitching. They all thought to themselves.


    [You¡¯re one to talk¡­]

 Chapter 128 - Qingtian’s Back

    Liu Yizhen ended up in fourth place, behind Yan Fu, Tao Danniang, and the Vicious Pill King.


    In spite of all that, he accepted his spot without any complains. As for who was behind him, he had other more important things on his mind right now.


    The rest of the spots were taken by people of renowned and unquestionable skill.


    Xiao Ya smiled, ¡°Everyone else, please move to the area in accordance with your clan¡¯s strength. The first-rate clans in front, second rate clans in the middle, and third rate clans in the back. Please take your positions.¡±


    This method also showed their relevant alchemy skills. It was a common fact first rate clans were better than second, who were better than the third.


    It was also made easy for the great clans in the stands to see their abilities. It would¡¯ve been an embarrassment if the third rate clans would¡¯ve started making protests.


    Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s consideration for everyone earned the admiration of many great clans.


    The alchemists had nothing to say, moving to their spots. Now that thousands of alchemists were in the arena, they were ready for the competition to begin.


    A bronze cauldron was laid before them, with a gorgeous Drifting Flowers Edifice disciple beside it.


    With everyone seated, Xiao Ya smiled as she explained the details of the Hundred Pill Meeting, ¡°The competition is divided into three rounds. Contestants will be eliminated in each round and only the top twenty alchemists will be worthy of stepping onto the final round, where we will finally decide on who is the Pill King!¡±


    In other words, Drifting Flowers Edifice only cared about the first 20 alchemists.


    The participants were sporting serious faces. They knew it would be hard, but it was not that disastrously hard.


    Of the thousands of alchemists, only 20 would be allowed entry in the final round.


    These 20 were without a doubt the best alchemists the Tianyu Empire had to offer. With their spots set, their position would be unshakable.


    It could be said that not even 300 rounds would be enough for the other contestants to get a chance to earn one of the 20 spots.


    The participants were vexed, while the 20 on the stage looked on with smiles of pride.


    Xiao Ya had a flash of contempt in her eyes as she continued, ¡°This meeting has gathered a wide variety of renowned alchemists from every corner of the empire. For this, Drifting Flowers Edifice prepared their most prized treasure as a reward for the winner.¡±


    Xiao Ya clapped and two disciples brought a red wooden box on the pedestal.


    Xiao Ya flipped it open.


    Something akin to a green root appeared before everyone. What was even more astonishing, was that the root throbbed like a heart.


    Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Bodhi Root.


    None saw this coming. Drifting Flowers Edifice was staking their most amazing treasure in this meeting. Only a handful knew the true reason behind it, squinting when the item in question appeared on stage.


    ¡°Elder Yan, you must get it.¡± Huangpu Qingyun clenched his fists in the eastern stand, eyeing the root with yearning


    On the first stage, Vicious Pill King licked his lips, his heart throbbing to get his hands on it. He knew it was real too. All he had to do was win and the Bodhi Root was his.


    ¡°Humph, old dog, with me here, don¡¯t even dream of getting it!¡± Tao Danniang snorted.


    Snickering, Vicious Pill King mocked, ¡°Just you? How?¡±


    Liu Yizhen realized now why Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Hundred Pill Meeting attracted these two towering figures of alchemy in the empire. [They all came for this treasure!]


    Liu Yizhen wiped his sweat and cried in his heart.


    Forget about even winning against them, even if fantasy became reality, and he managed to win, with two tigers glaring at him, taking it would be a one-way ticket to the underworld.


    [Curses! I shouldn¡¯t have come here.]


    Liu Yizhen regretted it until his insides turned green. It was too late now though. Now that he was on stage, he¡¯d lose his name if his performance was sub-par.


    He considered himself fortunate, that he was not on their level and losing wasn¡¯t that much of a big deal.


    Liu Yizhen sighed happily for the first time in life, that he was doomed to lose. His thoughts would¡¯ve widened no few pairs of eyes.


    [Grandmaster Liu, didn¡¯t you say just now that one has to be confident when refining? Why are you quitting before even starting?]


    Each had their own thoughts. Yet, most decided to take a step back on this. In such an ardent competition, they didn¡¯t have the nerve to join.


    Xiao Ya noticed the prevalent atmosphere but ignored it, ¡°The target of the first round is¡­ a 1st grade pill.¡±


    Those that already took a step back shivered with confidence. [Is there anyone who can¡¯t make it? Why the hell would we come here if we can¡¯t make one damned 1st grade pill?]


    Xiao Ya continued, ¡°A 1st grade is simple, but the method isn¡¯t, as well as the efficiency. In this first round, you will be competing with your refining skills. The alchemist must accomplish the refining of a 1st grade pill as soon as possible. Only the quickest hundred can advance.¡±


    What?!


    This crushed their kindling hope to dust.


    A competition involving thousands of participants had the first round eliminating most of them. Was it really necessary to be so cruel?


    ¡°I have with me a little bell, as do the Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s disciples. One ring gives the start and another the end. And, begin!¡±


    Ding!


    Xiao Ya directly rang her bell.


    The competitors were startled. Then scrambled to get out their Yuan Qi flame and begin refining.


    The top 20 alchemists sneered, not at all hurried.


    It was more accurate to call this round a test of one¡¯s mind than that of speed. Getting worked up over such a minor thing, not even a 3rd-grade alchemist would be able to refine a 1st-grade pill.


    ¡°A bunch of morons!¡±


    Vicious Pill King laughed coldly. His hand revealed a scarlet flame and he threw six ingredients inside. Under the naked eye, each ingredient was refined.


    Every one of the 20 alchemists could do it, albeit not at the same speed.


    Liu Yizhen sighed, [He is truly the best in the empire! Even when refining a 1st-grade pill, it shows how skillful he is.]


    Tao Danniang was the second-fastest. She wasn¡¯t at all pleased but was aware of her limits.


    Vicious Pill King mocked her, ¡°I only used half of my skill. Just thought you should know. It¡¯s best you give up now if you can¡¯t do even this. Stop wasting your energy.¡±


    Humph!


    Tao Danniang snorted. She knew it was a trick of his to shake her heart.


    Up on the terrace, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group was watching the two closely. They were worried since the difference in their speed was so great.


    Urgent footsteps approached as an elderly shouted, ¡°Chuchu, where¡¯s the kid who was with you?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng turned to find Long Jiu, Xie Tianyang and Jian Suifeng watching her group in anxiety.


    ¡°It was too dangerous here and I-I made him leave!¡± Chu Qingcheng watched them strangely, not knowing what their connection was with Song Yu to be so worried about him.


    But her words threw them in a panic.


    ¡°What? He left?! Then who is competing with Vicious Pill King?¡± Xie Tianyang asked unsettled.


    This baffled Chu Qingcheng and the two overseers. How could a mere third rate clan young master be a match for Vicious Pill King?


    ¡°Humph, forget about facing Vicious Pill King, when that brat left, he didn¡¯t even waste time.¡± Peony Overseer recalled Zhuo¡¯s attitude with coldness.


    Long Jiu¡¯s group was gloomy.


    Zhuo Fan ran, so what were they staying around here for, as patsies? He was the one who mentioned allying and they even offended Regent Estate for his sake. Yet, he was the first to run away without hesitation?


    ¡°Bastard! Did he just sell me out again?¡± Xie Tianyang frowned and spat in rage.


    Then, a sudden sobbing came. It was Xiao Dandan and the Dong siblings running up the stairs. Chu Qingcheng was anxious, ¡°Why are you back?¡±


    ¡°Sister Qingcheng, master! Darling left us behind and rushed back. Did you see him?¡±


    ¡°What? Song Yu came back as well?¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group raised their eyebrows in shock.


    Before they could find out more, Xie Tianyang jumped in, ¡°Sister in law, you¡¯re saying that punk didn¡¯t leave and came back instead? Ha-ha-ha, he didn¡¯t sell me out! Where is he, tell me?¡±


    Xiao Dandan didn¡¯t even get to reply to the ¡®sister in law¡¯ part as Xie Tianyang was immediately actively searching for Zhuo Fan through the thousands of participants.


    ¡°Damn it! The Vicious Pill King¡¯s almost done!¡± Iris Overseer gnashed her teeth.


    They all focused on the old man and indeed, The Vicious Pill King¡¯s pill needed only a few seconds more.


    Tao Danniang however needed a minute.


    They all knew what that meant. The first round had its winner and their moods sank.


    Tao Danniang couldn¡¯t gain the advantage even when refining a 1st-grade pill, which spoke volumes of how their competition would be when refining higher graded pills. Chu Qingcheng¡¯s heart sank to the bottom of the abyss.


    Her final hope was fading!


    Yan Fu saw Vicious Pill King¡¯s pill and bowed, ¡°Master, you¡¯re the best there is!¡±


    ¡°Naturally!¡± Vicious Pill King laughed, throwing a mocking glance towards Tao Danniang.


    A ding sounded at that moment. Far in the third-rated clans¡¯ area, the bell rang.


    There was someone here who could refine faster than the best alchemist in the empire?


    Who?


    Whoosh!


    They turned to see where the ringing came from.


    But what appeared before them was a black-robed figure with the heaven-toppling pill words inscribed on it!


    ¡°Chu Qingtian!¡±


    Yan Fu¡¯s eyelids trembled as he cried out¡­


    Silavin: My god! I love Liu Yizhen. He made me laugh so much. This shameless old bat is priceless!

 Chapter 129 - Show Of Skill

    ¡°Qingtian¡­¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes were glazed.


    Long Jiu and Jian Suifeng sported a wide grin then laughed to their hearts¡¯ content, having a heavy stone relieved from their shoulders, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Chuchu, you¡¯re wrong. That¡¯s not Qingtian, but that brat!¡±


    It was now that a crisp voice came from that direction, ¡°Nightrain City¡¯s Song clan, Song Yu, 1st-grade pill has been completed!¡±


    [What, Song clan? Who on earth is that? We¡¯ve never heard of it!]


    Shock after shock, every single one of the people there stood speechless. A nameless alchemist hailing from a nameless clan stole the first spot in the Hundred Pill Meeting¡¯s first round, stepping over the best alchemist in the empire, the Vicious Pill King!


    [Just who is this Song Yu? What¡¯s his did he cheat? How did he refine so quickly?]


    Under everyone¡¯s admiring gazes, Zhuo Fan swaggered from the third area and onto the first spot.


    That narcissistic attitude was as if he was on top of the world and asking for a smacking. Thankfully, this was Drifting Flowers Edifice, or the thousands of participants would¡¯ve jumped him.


    [Go ahead, enjoy it while you can!]


    ¡°Look, it¡¯s Darling!¡± Xiao Dandan cried and the Dong siblings whipped their heads.


    Chu Qingcheng frowned and grumbled,  ¡°Damn brat, why did I get you to leave early? So you could return?¡±


    Despite her harsh words, her heart was filled with warmth. This showed he was not the heartless man he let her to believe. In her most desperate hour, he chose to return and spend this last part of their journey together.


    The other two overseers¡¯ anger for him went up in smoke. [At least this man has a conscience.]


    On the eastern stand, Huangpu Qingyun glared at Zhuo Fan with the full intent to kill, clenching his fists in anger.


    ¡°He-he-he, second young master wants that brat¡¯s life? It will be simple to do! Just let us get the Bodhi Root first, second young master, then I will deal with him personally!¡±


    Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder saw his anger and jumped at the chance to earn his favor before Vicious Pill King stole this one!


    Huangpu Qingyun only nodded.


    His hatred for Zhuo Fan seeped into his bones. Not only did he steal his wife, but he talked back to him at the feast. Yet again, this man was going against him! However, killing him himself was beneath his standing.


    The key was that he did not wish to earn Chu Qingcheng¡¯s resentment. He still hoped for the day when his betrayal would be forgotten and she would return to him.


    But this man suddenly showed up, preventing that from ever happening.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t notice that two pairs of eyes watched hopefully as he slowly strutted to the first stage. He was afraid he didn¡¯t garner enough hatred, finishing his act with a sidelong glance at the Vicious Pill King.


    Not even Vicious Pill King could stay calm after such obvious contempt. So he poured all his energy into finishing the refining.


    He relaxed after the ding was heard next to him and bore his eyes towards Zhuo Fan, ¡°You little shit, what the hell are you staring at? Wanna die?¡±


    ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and kicked at the alchemy table next to the cauldron and cursed, ¡°What do you think? I¡¯m afraid of you? What an idiot!¡±


    Clamor erupted.


    [Where did he come from? Where does he get the nerve to curse the Vicious Pill King?]


    Even the other 19 alchemists had to reel from this, almost ruining their refining.


    [Godamn it! Where the hell did this brat pop out from? He¡¯s too much!]


    The rage got to Vicious Pill King so badly that he was turning from green to purple. If not for fear of this indirect strike unnerving his mind, he would¡¯ve long slapped the punk into the grave.


    Vicious Pill King took deep breaths to calm his anger, he couldn¡¯t let impulsiveness ruin his plans, ¡°Punk, you came to pick a fight with me and I would¡¯ve killed you where you stand if not for reasons I cannot say.¡±


    ¡°Reason? You dare talk about goddamn reason?¡±


    Bam!


    Zhuo Fan kicked at the alchemy table again, pissed, ¡°Old fart, step aside. You¡¯re in my spot!¡±


    Startled, Vicious Pill King was stunned for a moment. But Xiao Ya spoke in an apologetic tone, ¡°Please excuse us, Elder Yan, young master Song Yu has earned the right to this table. Your ranking is one step lower.¡±


    ¡°Hear that? Now shoo!¡± Zhuo Fan kicked the alchemy table again.


    Vicious Pill King took deep breaths, working his hardest to calm down, ¡°Wretched bastard! You were just lucky! I will be back the next round.¡±


    Stepping to the second table, Vicious Pill King cursed, ¡°Moving is moving, so what¡¯s with the kicking? Today¡¯s generation has gone out of control!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s it to you? I was kicking my own table! Old farts these days are too short-tempered!¡± Zhuo Fan said as he stood at the number one spot.


    Vicious Pill King reeled at his comeback. His mouth moved but didn¡¯t say a word, while his heart was consumed by hatred!


    [This punk¡¯s tongue is too sharp. There¡¯s no end talking to him. Once this is over, I¡¯ll settle the score!]


    The two looked like they fought over a mere alchemy table but they were engaged in a battle of the mind. Using this chance to throw the other off his game.


    No matter how fine and amazing one¡¯s refining skill was, it was useless in the hands of one with a frail mind.


    Vicious Pill King was very close to having his inner peace ruined when the self-important Zhuo Fan strutted in. But as he was a veteran in alchemy, he noticed it fast, working hard in quelling the anger in his heart.


    The competition resumed. After Yan Fu finished his pill, Tao Danniang followed closely behind. Then came Liu Yizhen and the rest of the twenty alchemists.


    As time passed, more and more finished and the ringing never stopped. As the ringing increased, the hearts of the competitors became more chaotic.


    Even a 1st-grade pill had a high chance of failure. The many that failed started refining again in annoyance, but time was running out.


    Ding!


    The hundredth ring sounded and Xiao Ya drew the first round to a close by eliminating the rest.


    The ones who were hard at work in refining froze. They doused their flames and dragged their feet up to where the audience were.


    There were many 3rd-grade alchemists here but their mind was still lacking, failing to refine even the most basic pill.


    Now, the first hundred participants entered round two, with one tiny detail off. It wasn¡¯t Vicious Pill Master in front, but a third rate clan young master, Zhuo Fan.


    As a result, the 20th alchemist was kicked from his table.


    [Goddamn it! Who said the 20 spots were set in stone? It¡¯s only been the first round and I got kicked by a black horse. Even the Vicious Pill King lost and was now in second place! And all the others along the line as well!]


    [Who knows how many great alchemists are getting kicked out this round!]


    Whether or not black horses were in vogue in this competition, the audience watched on enraptured for the next kicking.


    ¡°Judge!¡±


    Vicious Pill King called Xiao Ya¡¯s attention, ¡°I would like to inspect the kid¡¯s pill and check if it was a 1st-grade pill. I still find it hard to believe someone can beat me at the speed of refining!¡±


    [Yeah, make sure he is not cheating!]


    This got the crowd wild. Vicious Pill King was the best alchemist in Tianyu. It was unbelievable how someone just popped in and dethroned him, especially when it was a rotten punk. [He¡¯s been weaned just for a few days and he already mastered alchemy? How is that possible?]


    The last one that barely got into the second round was also voicing his complaints, asking for justice.


    Xiaoya had no choice as she said to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Young master Song, is it possible for you to refine one more time, letting them see your speed?¡±


    Casting a side glance, Zhuo Fan deadpanned, ¡°No, thank you.¡±


    The crowd went hysterical.


    ¡°Look! He¡¯s scared. He doesn¡¯t have the nerve to refine another one for us!¡±


    ¡°I knew he smelled fishy! How could he beat so many great alchemists?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, he¡¯s done for. Drifting Flowers Edifice doesn¡¯t tolerate cheaters!¡±


    ¡­


    All denounce him, while Vicious Pill King and his disciple watched with a cold smile. Tao Danniang shook her head.


    She knew the kid wanted to help Drifting Flowers Edifice, but to get caught cheating meant that not even she could save him.


    ¡°Child, one¡¯s mind must remain true and not practice vile methods! You will be the one to suffer in the end!¡± Tao Danniang gave earnest guidance and turned to Xiao Ya, ¡°Change his position from the first to the last.¡±


    Xiao Ya nodded, to the cheer of the crowd. But Vicious Pill King sneered, ¡°Cheating has been found in the Hundred Pill Meeting and you¡¯re only eliminating him? Since when did Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s rule become so lax?¡±


    The place got rowdy again. Xiaoya now turned her attention to Chu Qingcheng.


    Chu Qingcheng sighed and shook her head. This brat caused endless troubles. Vicious Pill King now had a legitimate reason to end him. Escape looked bleak.


    Long Jiu¡¯s group was stunned. [A cunning guy like him could make such a mistake?]


    Watching them all with a cold eye, Zhuo Fan yawned, ¡°What gave you the crazy idea that I cheated? I only said that I won¡¯t do it again.¡±


    ¡°That just means you¡¯re scared!¡± Yan Fu coldly smiled, feeling good kicking someone when they were down.


    Zhuo Fan gave a patronizing glance to all of them, ¡°A bunch of idiots. Don¡¯t you know I had a gorgeous lady next to me the whole time? How could I cheat? You only need to listen to how yours truly refined it and you¡¯ll know why it took so little time.¡±


    Zhuo Fan beckoned towards his previous table, ¡°Gorgeous, please tell them the name of my pill and get them acquainted with real skill.¡±


    Whoosh!


    They all then whipped their heads towards his supervisor¡­

 Chapter 130 - Crooked Path

    A 16-year-old girl stood at that table, still young and unaware of the true world. With so many looking at her, she couldn¡¯t help but blush and fidget.


    ¡°Xiao Lian, you don¡¯t need to be so nervous. Just speak up.¡± Xiao Ya smiled.


    Xiao Lian regained some of her calm by taking a deep breath, but looking at Zhuo Fan¡¯s pill in her hand, she got redder.


    Not from shyness, but at how hard it was to describe. She didn¡¯t know what was wrong with her at the time, that she judged this pill to be 1st grade.


    She now felt embarrassed when she thought about how she declared her verdict. Despite all that, she had no choice but to proceed, ¡°Young master Song refined an Appetite Pill!¡±


    She then lifted it way up high, letting its fragrance drift about.


    However, the crowd was silent, before bursting out in laughter.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, is that even a pill? He is a cheat after all!¡±


    ¡°That thing is not even a 1st grade pill! They give it to children to help digestion! Is that what you call a pill?¡±


    ¡°I can make a handful of them in less than a minute. I won¡¯t accept it if he wins with this!¡±


    ¡­


    The crowd was getting rowdy again. Xiao Lian was scared. Because this was her judgment, she couldn¡¯t avoid punishment.


    She turned her hateful glare at Zhuo Fan. Blaming him.


    Any random quack on the streets could make this Appetite Pill. Why did she have to speak out for the most basic pill?


    She didn¡¯t know, but Iris Overseer knew fully well, ¡°He must¡¯ve used Bewitching Whispers. He used it first on Dandan and now on Xiao Lian, in the 3rd layer of Qi Condensation.¡±


    ¡°Humph, this brat is on a crooked path.¡± Peony Overseer snorted, ¡°Damn girl, you always have that dopey look on your face. Are you still under his spell?¡±


    ¡°Master, senior aunt undid it for me!¡± Blushing, Xiao Dandan watched Peony Overseer shyly, then her eyes looked pitiful when she turned to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Actually, I couldn¡¯t be happier if he used it on me again!¡±


    Peony Overseer held her forehead and sighed. What¡¯s so charming about that brat? That got her brash disciple so smitten?


    Chu Qingcheng didn¡¯t mind, only sighed, ¡°Bewitching Whispers isn¡¯t important. What matters now is that Song Yu failed to become the winner. The Vicious Pill King will once again condescend us. The only thing that changed is turning cheating into Xiao Lian¡¯s mistake.¡±


    The scene played out as what Chu Qingcheng had said. Xiao Ya gestured for the excited crowd to calm down, ¡°Forgive us, this is a mistake on our disciple¡¯s part. The first place in the first round will¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Zhuo Fan waved and eyed her from the side, ¡°Judge, you¡¯re not taking my Appetite Pill for a 1st grade pill?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you call that a pill?¡± Yan Fu cut Xiao Ya roff before she could reply with his ridicule and made those around him laugh.


    Thousands of scornful pairs of eyes bore into Zhuo Fan.


    [You dare come to a competition with such a pill? You must¡¯ve been blind!]


    Perking the corner of his mouth, Zhuo Fan looked passed the mockery sent his way and spoke matter-of-factly at Yan Fu, ¡°Then please, oh the best alchemist of Pill King Hall, Vicious Pill King¡¯s prized pupil, young master Yan Fu, enlighten me. Just what exactly is the Appetite Pill?¡±


    ¡°Of course it¡¯s¡­¡±


    Yan Fu suddenly froze. He recalled something but he didn¡¯t get the chance to continue.


    Snickering, Zhuo Fan turned to the crowd, finally resting his cold smile on Yan Fu, ¡°What, cat got your tongue? Ha-ha-ha, then let me refresh your memory. There are 12 pill grades, and 1st grade is the lowest. I can just throw the ingredients in the fire and, as long as it¡¯s refined, the least it¡¯ll be is 1st grade!¡±


    The hubbub stopped in a flash, from the sheer shock his words implied. Even the faces of those mocking him froze, yet their eyes were bulging out of their sockets.


    [Why didn¡¯t I think of that?]


    Because the Appetite Pill was that easy, that simple, even a normal person could make it.


    This made the alchemists look past it.


    But by definition, the lowest grade a pill could be was 1st grade. As long as the ingredients were refined, it was called a pill. Even the a botten of the barrel pill is considered to be 1st grade.


    Speaking of it from this point of view, the Appetite Pill was undeniably a goddamned 1st-grade pill. Although, for everyone else, getting the first place in the Hundred Pill Meeting with such a lame pill was too insulting.


    This led to everyone turning to Xiao Ya to hear her verdict.


    Xiao Ya fell on pins and needles. Every single one of the participants here gave their all, even with a 1st-grade pill. They all wanted to excel.


    Who could have foreseen such a weirdo use the lowest of the lowest pill to compete in the meeting? And to top it all of, he fuckin¡¯ won!


    Giving him first place would make the other alchemists feel unfair. So Xiao Ya could only compromise, ¡°Young master Song, your pill may have somewhat fulfilled the bare minimum, but the first pl¡­¡±


    ¡°Is mine!¡± Zhuo Fan cut her short.


    His haughty attitude led Vicious Pill King to feel newfound rage for him, ¡°You little prick, are you that shameless? You already cleared a spot, so don¡¯t push it! That Appetite Pill may be a 1st grade but it¡¯s the worst there is. It can¡¯t get any lower than this.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t the worst also a 1st grade? The judge clearly stated: refine a 1st grade pill and compete in speed. Each of you are morons. You didn¡¯t listen to the rules and tried to refine a great pill. Who¡¯s to blame for your loss? There¡¯s no way I¡¯m giving up my spot!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s attitude was beyond arrogant and earned the ire of every alchemist. But they had no words to refute.


    They could only stomp in hatred.


    [Son of a bitch! Why couldn¡¯t I have found the loophole in the rules? This damn runt used it instead! I could refine an Appetite Pill even faster than him!]


    Dismay flowed like a river in the hearts of each of the thousands of alchemists. But who could blame them? The opportunity to win was right there in front of them, but they did not see it.


    So, they chose to direct all their anger onto Zhuo Fan. They looked at him as their worst enemy. It was fine if he had used real skill to win, but Zhuo Fan just got the biggest advantage, a cheap trick, to get in front of them. None of them could ever accept it.


    All their killing intent seemed to fly right past Zhuo Fan, who found the time to even smile, ¡°Oh my, you know what they say, envy of talent and all that. It seems that yours truly has been pretty outstanding so far.¡±


    The crowd was a powder keg primed and ready to blow.


    Xiao Ya shook her head helplessly, ¡°Young master Song, I¡¯ve seen my fair share of shameless people, but you¡¯re the worst by far.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, what are talking about? This is yours truly¡¯s nature!¡± Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°They didn¡¯t consider their own nature while yours truly is the most at peace with myself. I earned first place, prop and all!¡±


    Seeing him tooting his horn, Xiao Ya felt sick and no longer paid attention to this dissolute young master.


    The alchemists looked down on him. He had no skill, they thought. He used a crooked path, they thought. He¡¯d be washed up next round, they thought.


    Though one man among them looked at him with a stern face.


    It was none other than the newly kicked in 5th spot, Liu Yizhen.


    He was just like the others at first, mocking Zhuo Fan for saying the end justified his demeaning means. Taking him for an incompetent fool.


    But Zhuo Fan leaked the fact the first round wasn¡¯t about speed but one¡¯s mind, a test to their nature. This shocked him and he began to look at Zhuo Fan with different eyes.


    Were there even a handful among these thousands of alchemists who caught the test¡¯s real meaning? Yet, this immoral young master saw through it with a glance. Was he perhaps a hidden gem, a grand alchemy genius?


    If so, then refining the Appetite Pill may not have been his limit, only complying with the rules.


    Liu Yizhen no longer wore a casual expression but one of dead seriousness.


    The Tianyu Empire had many talents crop up in recent years. Not only the Vicious Pill King¡¯s prized pupil, Yan Fu, but now this outstanding genius as well.


    This would make the Hundred Pill Meeting more intense by the second! [I thought getting third would be alright, but by the looks of things, I might not even make it to the fifth place¡­]


    Grandmaster Liu started sinking into depression.


    Refining all his life, he never achieved anything great, and many outstanding youngsters kept overtaking him. It was sad, and regretful¡­


    ¡°Although I do not wish to, I still must declare young master Song as the first place winner of this round!¡± Not paying attention to the old man¡¯s lament, nor Zhuo Fan¡¯s true strength, Xiao Ya declared with a sigh.


    In an instant, everyone hissed.


    Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t care less, grinning at them. To him, they were just a blind fool with no future!


    Vicious Pill King snorted, ¡°You had it easy this time, but I will throw you out the next round!¡±


    ¡°Humph, can you?¡± After a sneer, Zhuo Fan turned around and pointed at the words on his back with pride, ¡°Take a good look, you¡¯re just the Vicious Pill King, while I am Heaven-toppling Pill!¡±


    Vicious Pill King laughed coldly, ¡°You think wearing a dead man¡¯s cloak will help you? Ha-ha-ha, Chu Qingtian was a genius, but couldn¡¯t compare to me in alchemy. Heaven-toppling Pill is just his own egotistical words. Speaking of it, his death at the hands of my antidote is proof of how naive and immature he was.¡±


    ¡°Yan Song, is that formula truly fake?¡± Tao Danniang couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Yan Song snickered, ¡°Would you be looking like this if it weren¡¯t? He-he-he, that foolish kid didn¡¯t know his limits, stole my formula and ended up killing himself with it, taking down others with him. Getting beaten to death by Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s people was his just deserts.¡±


    Tao Danniang clenched her fists, her eyes burning with anger, ¡°I have worked three years on it, only to find out it¡¯s fake.¡±


    Up on the terrace, Chu Qingcheng bit her lip as the killing intent in her eyes grew. It was thanks to the two overseers stopping her that she didn¡¯t charge at Yan Song.


    Long Jiu sighed.


    He understood Chu Qingcheng¡¯s feelings. Who could stand to watch their most hated enemy that put their little brother to death continue to humiliate him?


    Zhuo Fan then said something that left them speechless.


    ¡°Yet here I am, standing before you in his cloak!¡±


    His tone was calm and looked at Yan Song with a challenging grin.


    Yan Song couldn¡¯t help but clench his fists, his eyes gradually reddening, burning with endless rage¡­

 Chapter 131 - Qingtian’s Final Wish

    Challenge!


    Yes, a naked challenge!


    Not only that, but it also promised retribution for the departed.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words were blunt. He wore Qingtian¡¯s cloak right in front of Yan Song. That meant he was going to surpass Yan Song as an alchemist in Qingtian¡¯s stead!


    How could the best alchemist in the empire, Vicious Pill King take this lying down?


    But that wasn¡¯t the most important thing right now. If Zhuo Fan said it fifteen minutes ago, he would¡¯ve laughed, calling him still a child that didn¡¯t know his limits.


    Now, after the first round, Zhuo Fan stood in the first place, the place he took from Yan Song.


    Even if one disregarded the stunt he pulled in the first round, the fact he spoke as such was truly shocking. Because in truth, he was standing ahead of the Vicious Pill King.


    And because it was the truth, it angered Yan Song.


    Never had there been a case where someone stood ahead of him. Yet, this man somehow did it while also openly challenging him.


    If he were to take this down, he would no longer be Vicious Pill King!


    The silence was deafening.


    The people watched dumbfounded as if they forgot to even breathe. Zhuo Fan earned the first place through devious tricks and was now challenging the Vicious Pill King. Was he tired of living?


    None could understand, not even the people on the terrace. Only Chu Qingcheng bit her lip as tears glistened in her eyes, [Thank you!]


    She knew Zhuo Fan did this all for her. Whether he won or not, he would challenge Vicious Pill King in her stead. This was Qingtian¡¯s final wish.


    As Chui Qingtian¡¯s elder sister, she has never managed to do it, but Zhuo Fan had!


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s gaze on Zhuo Fan turned passionate at that moment.


    This man was a third rated clan young master, but he was willing to give everything for her. It was not wrong of her to entrust her dignity to this man. He and Qingtian were the same, albeit a bit more immoral.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s heart felt as if it was beating out of her chest. What she didn¡¯t know was that Zhuo Fan did all this mostly because of the Bodhi Jade Sap.


    All because the grand Demonic Emperor did not owe favors!


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, someone has the nerve to challenge the great Vicious Pill King. This is the first time it happened to Elder Yan. So, he must be pissed.¡±


    In the eastern stand, Huangpu Qingyun smiled as he looked around.


    The others nodded, with Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder joining him, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that old bag of bones Yan Song considered everyone beneath him. How satisfying to see an ignorant pup mock him to such a degree.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun nodded in glee, his eyes shining, ¡°It seems we won¡¯t be needed to deal with this kid. Once Elder Yan wins the next round, with his temper, he would immediately kill him.¡±


    ¡°Second young master is right, the kid will die after the second round. He challenged Elder Yan, so even if he ended dead, Drifting Flowers Edifice has no grounds to blame Elder Yan and second young master. Young miss Qingcheng won¡¯t feel any more resentment towards you.¡± Lin Zitian fawned with a smile. It had to be said, his words hit the nail on the head.


    Huangpu Qingyun gave a satisfied nod.


    In the arena, assaulted by Zhuo Fan¡¯s contemptuous challenge, Vicious Pill King was trembling from rage. He took deep breaths to force it down, but his face had become frightening.


    ¡°Rotten punk, you want to challenge me in Chu Qingtian¡¯s stead?¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head in mockery, ¡°Old coot, get real. Me challenge you?¡±


    Bam!


    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan¡¯s stomped on the alchemy table, jarring the ears of the others with the noise. Then he proudly declared, ¡°Take a good look, I am in first place! Isn¡¯t it more accurate to say that you¡¯re the challenger?¡±


    ¡°You!¡±


    The Vicious Pill King was so pissed his vision blurred, his hair whipped about. He knew the punk was insufferable but clearly didn¡¯t know by how much. With a bit of luck and a clever mind, this punk thought it was enough to flaunt as the best in the empire. And get to make the Vicious Pill King challenge him?


    The Vicious Pill King¡¯s chest shook with every breath, rancor dripping from every word, ¡°Little prick, you¡¯re more insufferable then Chu Qingtian. But most arrogant people don¡¯t end well.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, the ending isn¡¯t based on arrogance, but strength.¡± Giving him a side glance, Zhuo Fan coldly smiled, stomping on the table again, ¡°Take this table from me and you¡¯ll be the best in the empire!¡±


    ¡°Humph, I intend to!¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s add one more condition. If you can take this spot, I will offer you my head!¡±


    The people froze!


    Betting one¡¯s life in a mere pill competition? Or did the kid know his end would be bleak after offending the Vicious Pill King and decided to go for broke?


    Chu Qingcheng and the rest became grave. Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s side laughed even harder than before. This justified it even more when the kid lost his head.


    Long Jiu¡¯s group was anxious, ¡°Why is this brat playing such a dangerous game?¡±


    As to how cautious Zhuo Fan was, he wouldn¡¯t use such arrogant words easily.


    Xiao Dandan was so worried she was on the verge of tears, ¡°Master, what do we do if Darling loses? He isn¡¯t the Vicious Pill King¡¯s match. Will he really die? Will I be a widow?¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t even been with him yet. What widow nonsense?¡± Peony Overseer cursed, ¡°This kid is so stubborn he doesn¡¯t know what he¡¯s saying. Now, when he loses, we won¡¯t be able to save him.¡±


    The Dong siblings watched everything blankly.


    [Where did bro get all that courage from? Is he still the same Song Yu we know?]


    Ignoring the clamor, the Vicious Pill King sported an insidious smile, ¡°He-he-he, it¡¯s you who said it punk. Don¡¯t go begging me later for mercy.¡±


    ¡°Enough with the boasting, brat. Yan Song is an elder and you are wrong about him. Take back those jokes and he won¡¯t argue with you either.¡±


    Because of Chu Qingcheng¡¯s relation with him, Tao Danniang gave Zhuo Fan a signal to pull him out of this mess.


    Zhuo Fan seemed to have turned a deaf to her help, upping the ante. He turned to everyone, ¡°My word is gold! It¡¯s not just for the old guy, but it applies to anyone. Whoever takes my place, yours truly will present his head!¡±


    What?!


    The crowd exploded again. He wasn¡¯t just challenging one man, the Vicious Pill King, to settle grudges, but all of them.


    More aptly put, a challenge towards all alchemists in Tianyu. He was obviously looking to establish himself in the Hundred Pill Meeting as the best alchemist in the empire.


    But putting the Vicious Pill King aside, [Does a snot-nosed brat have anything to back those words?]


    In a blink, the scene erupted. All the alchemists were now glaring at him, becoming the public enemy number one.


    They only felt mockery at first, but now it vanished, with anger replacing it.


    Vicious Pill King smiled evilly, ¡°You¡¯re digging your own funeral!¡± Tao Danniang shook her head. She could not understand what Chu Qingcheng found in this reckless brat.


    He stirred the crowd into focusing their anger on him.


    On Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s side, they were laughing with glee. After all, Zhuo Fan had turned himself into the target of everyone¡¯s hatred. He was begging to be put down!  Meanwhile, the two overseers sighed.


    [Damn rotten brat, are you that hard-headed?]


    Chu Qingcheng was confused about it all. Song Yu was brash but not to this extent. Then, Zhuo Fan looked at her and pointed at the words on his back with a smile.


    Chu Qingcheng seemed to have been struck by lightning. She was shaking all over as tears flowed unabated.


    ¡°Qingcheng, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Iris Overseer asked in worry.


    Chu Qingcheng watched Zhuo Fan from afar and muttered, ¡°I was the one who was wrong all along.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± Peony Overseer asked.


    With a bright smile, Chu Qingcheng replied, ¡°I always thought Qingcheng¡¯s last wish was revenge, to surpass Vicious Pill King in alchemy. But I was wrong. He only ever wanted one thing, a heaven toppling pill. To be the best alchemist in the whole world!¡±


    The familiar cloak left Chu Qingcheng laughing, despising herself. ¡°I made that cloak myself, but never truly understood Qingcheng¡¯s heart. While Song Yu knew just from a glance. I am not qualified to be his elder sister.¡±


    ¡°What Song Yu is doing this to fulfill Qingtian¡¯s final wish?¡±


    The overseers exchanged a glance then looked at Zhuo Fan¡¯s back, feeling that this thin figure had grown in their eyes.


    They always said men were unreliable, but there was a man, here and now, that dared take on the whole world for the woman he loved.


    They could only have respect for him! And their eyes also hid something stirring deep within¡­


    The Vicious Pill King was the first in the empire. Everyone knew that, but no one could reach him!


    The brat fulfilled Chu Qingtian¡¯s wish but now, he was on a road of no return!


    ¡°He-he-he, this punk sure knows how to draw hatred!¡± The three were startled to find Xie Tianyang grinning.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying the kid first humiliated Yan Song, and then plans on taking his head? To make him lose in his refining then fly into a rage over his failure as an excuse to take his life?¡±


    ¡°En, this brother is truly cunning. I presume he has what it takes to win.¡± Long Jiu caressed his beard.


    ¡°Humph, Uncle Jiu, you expect too much of him, again. He may win against others, but how can he win against the Vicious Pill King, the best in the empire?¡± Long Kui grumbled, ¡°I only see this brat being afraid of losing. He will most likely use the opportunity when Yan Song is busy refining, to end his life. Someone like him won¡¯t possibly accept a loss at this point. Especially if he has to throw his face away!¡±


    They all had to nod at this.


    Zhuo Fan had always been cool-headed, while also engaging in underhanded tactics more often than not. Sneak attacks while refining wasn¡¯t beneath him.


    As they discussed, Peony Overseer cursed, ¡°Uncle Jiu, I thought you are on Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s side. Yet when we are facing a calamity, you are taking joy in our plight?¡±


    Long Jiu was startled and knew they misunderstood.


    Xie Tianyang watched the angry Chu Qingcheng and Xiao Dandan, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, lady Dandan, we don¡¯t mean any insult for that fellow. We were only talking.¡±


    Suddenly, his eyes shined, and he gave a vague smile, ¡°Also, sister in law, it doesn¡¯t look like you¡¯ve seen the true face of your husband yet. You better watch closely, you¡¯ll surely get the fright of your lives. He may look docile near you, but in fact, he is the devil. No less than Vicious Pill King, ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    They were startled, clueless to his meaning. Then, a ding sound off and the second round began¡­

 Chapter 132 - Secret Refining Skill, Ninth Heaven Roaring Dragon Claw

    Ding!


    Xiaoya shook the bell in her hand, earning everyone¡¯s attention.


    It seemed Zhuo Fan¡¯s cocky attitude from before chilled even this lady. Being a judge of the Hundred Pill Meeting, held every few decades, was her arrogance, pride, and honor.


    Then, Zhuo Fan showed up halfway, with his bag of devious tricks to throw everything in disarray. His endless smug attitude cut her glory down a few levels.


    From honor, to a nobody! That was what she became.


    A judge would¡¯ve kicked out such an incompetent fool on the spot. Zhuo Fan¡¯s logic made an irritating good point that left her speechless. She had to concede the first place to this silk pants.


    His sloppy and conceited manner earned the rage of all alchemists and her hatred. But any other option, she could only reign it in, and work hard to calm down. She then announced the second round, to hurry up and get rid of this brat.


    ¡°The second round¡¯s objective is a 3rd-grade pill!¡±


    Xiaoya¡¯s clear voice echoed and her eyes shined with splendor.


    Talking about making a 3rd-grade pill when most of them here were 3rd-grade alchemists?


    But just then, the Drifting Flowers Edifice disciples accompanying them presented a storage ring.


    Xiao Ya spoke while they were in a stupor, ¡°I ask that everyone refines with Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s ingredients, as to avoid any cheating from occurring.¡±


    ¡°But they¡¯re all 2nd grade ingredients. Is this some kind of a mistake?¡±


    Someone already voiced his doubts, just as Xiao Ya finished. And once there was one, many followed.


    Xiao Ya ignored them, ¡°The main test of this round is pill quality, followed by speed. The first 50 will advance while the rest will be eliminated!¡±


    ¡°Hey, judge, all you gave me are ingredients for a 2nd-grade pill! How do you want me to refine a 3rd grade pill?¡±


    While the back was complaining, the first 20 alchemists sneered as they ignited their Yuan Qi flame.


    These morons still didn¡¯t get what this round was about. It wasn¡¯t testing their ability to make a 3rd grade pill, but their formulas.


    Normally, a 3rd-grade pill could be made with the appropriate ingredients of the same grade. But that does not mean 3rd-grade pills could not be made with 2nd-grade pill ingredients. It was just that usual refining method most were used to would not work in such cases. For such a leap in grade, the refining of the ingredients needed to compliment one another. Boosting each of their effects to create a 3rd-grade pill.


    This test was aimed at an alchemist¡¯s formulas, how many one had.


    Drifting Flowers Edifice gave a ring filled with 2nd-grade pill ingredients. It was only expected to be possible to refine 5 types of 3rd-grade pill from them.


    After the ingredients were handed out, what mattered now was how they could extract their effects. To make the ingredients suitable for refining a 3rd-grade pill. The first 20 alchemists had such formulas aplenty. The back alchemists though, were pulling their hairs out in frustration, with some still barking at the Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s disciples kept silent when receiving their rants but held disdain in their eyes.


    Zhuo Fan was toying with the ring, thinking which formula to pick.


    The others were vexed they knew too few formulas.


    While Zhuo Fan was also vexed, it was for the opposite reason though. He had too many to choose from. Which to use to make that Vicious Pill King take the loss lying down?


    ¡°Young master Song¡­¡± Xiao Ya watched him in delight over his misfortune, ¡°The others have already started. How is it that the first place hasn¡¯t as well? You can¡¯t mean you can¡¯t even refine a 3rd-grade pill, right?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, the kid¡¯s skill might not be as awful as you think!¡±


    It was Vicious Pill King who answered first, with his mockery, ¡°He must be still doubting why you gave him such low ingredients. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The other 20 alchemists laughed along with him. Tao Danniang shook her head, focusing on her own refining. [In the end, this bag of bones will be the one who will compete with Vicious Pill King.]


    Yet, there was one man alone who wasn¡¯t laughing. He was watching Zhuo Fan¡¯s every move. It was Liu Yizhen.


    He believed Zhuo Fan was more than he led others to believe.


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan smiled towards the crowd, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, yours truly thought that as the winner, and in first place, it was poor manners from my part to pick on a bunch of newbies. But since you are so eager to lose to me, yours truly will open your horizon in the true field of alchemy.¡±


    This remark only earned their glares!


    [Where did this punk come from? Calling us newbies? Absurd!]


    After that, they were all watching dumbstruck.


    [Secret refining art, Ninth Heaven Roaring Dragon Claw!]


    Zhuo Fan spoke in his heart, then his eyes flashed. His finger beckoned tens of ingredients into the air as a Yuan Qi flame ignited in his palm.


    A roar echoed as the flame took the shape of a dragon and sped towards the ingredients.


    It opened its maw and swallowed the first ingredient. The item was refined in an instant, becoming pure medicinal liquid.


    The shock was palpable as everyone watched amazed, even the alchemists around.


    [What goddamned refining skill is this that can refine an ingredient in an instant?]


    Even the great Vicious Pill King, despite his fastest speed, could only do it after minding every step. The least he could do was make it visible how the ingredients were refined.


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s action seemed to go against all alchemical laws, refining the ingredient in a blink of an eye. While others were hard at work in their refining, he had refined them all.


    Roar!


    With another yell, the blazing dragon turned the ingredients into a paste. It then turned into a fire tornado and revolved in Zhuo Fan¡¯s palm. The dozens of ingredients ebbed calmly among the flames, separated from each other.


    All that Zhuo Fan had to do was put them together and finish the pill.


    He was in no hurry, apparently, watching over the others coldly, ¡°Newbies, yours truly¡¯s refining hasn¡¯t devolved to your mime show. You have still much to learn to reach my level!¡±


    He was as obnoxious as before, but this time, his words struck their core.


    Before, they mocked him for boasting and his immoral character. Now, he was the one reprimanding them as a superior alchemist.


    They had no room to refute.


    Even Vicious Pill King was stupefied.


    This reckless brat possessed a miraculous refining skill. A skill not even the best in the empire could fathom.


    ¡°Master, w-what is this skill?¡± Yan Fu stammered.


    Vicious Pill King tried many times to speak but settled to rebuke him and hide in humiliation instead, ¡°Mind your pill. Don¡¯t ask so many questions!¡±


    Yet his heart felt like bleeding and, for the first time, he turned serious when he saw Zhuo Fan, hiding a hint of killing intent in his eyes.


    This time, Zhuo Fan had become a real threat to him as the best alchemist in the empire.


    Zhuo Fan noticed everything but wasn¡¯t of a mind to care. He kept on belittling Vicious Pill King as he pointed at the firestorm in his palm, ¡°Elder Yan, if you don¡¯t hurry up, yours truly will get the first place again.¡±


    Flushed, Vicious Pill King¡¯s beard began to quaiver. His chest moved with ragged breaths but he didn¡¯t utter a word.


    He was truly and utterly speechless. He could not accept it, but he knew it was the truth!


    In the host terrace, Chu Qingcheng was shocked silly! Zhuo Fan made it possible to even leave the Vicious Pill King without words of reprisal.


    The fact the Vicious Pill King was now solemn against Zhuo Fan¡¯s challenge meant that he admitted in his heart that what Zhuo Fan said was true; despite not voicing it out.


    ¡°Amazing, Darling is the best!¡± Xiao Dandan¡¯s delicate face was red as she danced in joy.


    Iris Overseer was still lost, finding it hard to believe, ¡°Am I dreaming? Did that brat outshined the Vicious Pill King?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. We never took him seriously.¡± Peony Overseer blinked then sighed at the Iris Overseer, ¡°Senior sister, pinch me. I think I¡¯m still dreaming. How is he able to do this?¡±


    Shaking her head, Iris Overseer turned to Chu Qingcheng, ¡°Qingcheng, did you know of this? Is that why you chose him as your husband? How can our great Edifice Lord marry a third rate clan young master otherwise?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s cheeks turned pink, and rolled her eyes, ¡°Senior sister, don¡¯t tease me. I was so saddened at the time, thinking only about living and dying with Drifting Flowers Edifice. I could not trust anyone. But then I met him. He was so similar to Qingtian, and I threw all my faith to him. I saw his miraculous refining skill once, but never thought for a second he could shut the grand Vicious Pill King up!¡±


    The overseers were shocked.


    ¡°This kid is truly unpredictable.¡±  Sighing, Iris Overseer looked around, ¡°At the least, the Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s survival can be entrusted to someone. I hope he and Aunt Tao can dispel the imminent disaster facing the Drifting Flowers Edifice.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng and Peony Overseer nodded. Watching Zhuo Fan¡¯s smug face, for some odd reason, Chu Qingcheng felt at peace, a foreign feeling over the last few years.


    [Perhaps this is what it means to lean on someone!]


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s gaze on Zhuo Fan grew even warmer¡­

 Chapter 133 - Being Played

    Thump!


    Huangpu Qingyun pounded the stone table, which was as strong as a 1st-grade spiritual weapon. Cracks like spiderweb spread through the entire table.


    Watching Zhuo Fan with his hawk eyes, Huangpu Qingyun spat in anger, ¡°Is there anyone who can tell me where this guy came from? Why is it that he can surpass even Elder Yan in alchemy?¡±


    Shuddering, the people around looked at each other, but none wanted to earn his ire.


    However, Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder, rolled his eyes as he laughed, ¡°Second young master, relax. Elder Yan is more than capable to deal with that obnoxious brat. He must¡¯ve already thought of a way. Once he wins this round, he will not hesitate to get rid of that pest gnawing at his heart. He must be itching to finish him off. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun took a deep breath as he watched Yan Song.


    Sure enough, the shock faded from Yan Song¡¯s face and was now replaced with deep-seated killing intent. This somewhat eased the second young master¡¯s anger.


    Lin Zitian watched 5th elder askance as he wiped the cold sweat off his brow, crying inside.


    [Curses! No one here is good!] 5th elder looked as if he was appeasing Huangpu Qingyun when in fact, he was placing the responsibility of dealing with Zhuo Fan solely on the Vicious Pill King.


    If the Vicious Pill King killed the kid, he¡¯d be settling a grudge and Huangpu Qingyun would reward him. If not, then the second young master would pour all his rage on Vicious Pill King.


    And by the look of things, Yan Song had no idea this was happening.


    Such scheming was vicious. [I¡¯ll have to tread carefully around these people. Or I won¡¯t even know how I got betrayed.]


    Sighing, Lin Zitian shook his head as he watched Huangpu Qingyun.


    In the arena, Zhuo Fan had to praise Vicious Pill King for managing to get his anger under control; though, inside. He was the best alchemist in the empire after all, and didn¡¯t get distracted so easily.


    Yet he did not relent with his mockery, ¡°You¡¯re so slow in refining the ingredients. What do you say I wait for you? How about three breaths to catch up?¡±


    To a normal man, three breaths passed in a blink, but to alchemists, this period could mean the difference between victory or defeat.


    In these crucial moments, Zhuo Fan was laid back in his battle against the Vicious Pill King. It was naked humiliation.


    He would¡¯ve been mocked if he spoke of this before the round, but now, no one could do so after his display of skill.


    Slowly, Zhuo Fan¡¯s arrogance was taken as something normal. [Well, he is a grandmaster afterall¡­ If you got the skill then you can be as cocky as you want! Right?]


    The Vicious Pill King had eyes only for his own pill, although his speed has lowered. Tao Danniang was a bit nervous as she urged Zhuo Fan, ¡°Child, you¡¯re still in the lead so hurry and finish. Don¡¯t drag it out any more than necessary.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, young master Song, uh, Grandmaster Song!¡±


    After Zhuo Fan revealed his skills, Xiao Ya felt she needed to change how she addressed him, ¡°Anything can happen at any moment in a competition. Use this chance to your advantage.¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and snickered, ¡°Judge, do you know what this pill of mine is called?¡±


    ¡°Is grandmaster testing me?¡± Xiaoya let out a sweet smile, ¡°Grandmaster chose mostly yang ingredients. And according to the formula, it should be the Yang Pill. Its main use is to dispel the negative energy in one¡¯s body. It is gentle on the meridians and can increase a Qi Condensation cultivator¡¯s cultivation by one layer.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, miss is truly knowledgeable. However, do you know who I¡¯m giving it to?¡±


    Xiaoya shook her head. [What does it have to do with me?]


    ¡°You!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    Blushing, Xiao Ya averted her eyes from him, and muttered, ¡°I am but a normal disciple of Drifting Flowers Edifice. I¡¯ve long surpassed the Qi Condensation Stage. Why is Grandmaster giving it to me?¡±


    His smile growing colder, Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°Because you have a vile mouth so your body must be filled with negative energy. I am doing this for your own good.¡±


    Xiao Ya was shocked speechless as everyone burst out laughing.


    They all knew Xiao Ya mocked Zhuo Fan and now he was only returning the favor.


    Xiao Ya felt slandered and her eyes glistened with tears. She gave a hateful glare to Zhuo Fan out of spite.


    Zhuo Fan however still sported that insidious grin.


    ¡°This brat is so petty. He even shamed a young lady!¡± Chu Qingcheng couldn¡¯t help but grumble seeing a fellow sister of her Drifting Flowers Edifice being mocked.


    Xie Tianyang nodded after a pause, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu is right. This brat¡¯s eyes are so narrow that it¡¯s best we don¡¯t mess with him. His revenge is never welcomed.¡±


    Xiao Dandan felt it on her own skin and nodded with force. Although she wasn¡¯t the least bit vexed over what she went through. Instead, she was prideful.


    ¡°He dares?¡± Chu Qingcheng raised her head up high, it was the image of a wife who got her husband on a leash. But noticing their looks, her cheeks blushed and she lowered her head back down.


    As if they rehearsed it, they all looked at each other and laughed. Only Chu Qingcheng¡¯s blush grew a shade deeper.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, as everyone was paying attention to Zhuo Fan, who got a bit carried away in his teasing of Xiao Ya. A green liquid shot into the firestorm in his hand and melded into his concoction.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart was in a panic. He noticed that the direction it came from was Yan Song. It was unknown when, but the ingredients in his hand had already finished refining.


    He slowed down on purpose to get Zhuo Fan to drop his guard.


    Vicious Pill King let out a vile snicker, ¡°Grandmaster Song, I already finished refining my concoction, so I will be going ahead and form the pill. You don¡¯t need to spare me three breaths, rather you should stick to your own matters. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    His eyelid twitching, Zhuo Fan¡¯s face grew colder, ¡°What did you throw in my concoction?¡±


    ¡°Throw?¡± Vicious Pill King denied it completely, ¡°I would never do such an immoral act as ruining other¡¯s refining. Just that I was a bit sloppy and a few drops spilled from my concoction. It just so happened to fall into yours. This was all just a big mishap. I¡¯m sure Grandmaster Song won¡¯t mind at all.¡±


    Mishap?


    When an alchemist slacked in concentration, the Yuan Qi flame faltered and the concoction did spill. But that only happens to beginners. It wouldn¡¯t happen to even a 1st-grade alchemist.


    Yet, it happened to the best alchemist in the empire, the Vicious Pill King, a grand 7th-grade alchemist?


    It couldn¡¯t get more deliberate than this.


    Everyone knew it and so did he. But there was no way to contest it. He said he was careless and no one could prove otherwise.


    Gnashing his teeth, Zhuo Fan ignored him and returned his focus on the changes in his concoction. He cried out in shock from what he saw.


    ¡°Green python scale concoction?¡± Zhuo Fan cried.


    This shocked everyone.


    They knew Zhuo Fan was refining a Yang Pill. All of his ingredients were of yang property. But the green python scale concoction was made with a base from a 2nd level spiritual beast, Green Sky Python¡¯s scale.


    The snake had yin properties and was also cruel, making this ingredient the worst addition to Zhuo Fan¡¯s.


    This poison was now attacking the Yang Pill¡¯s ingredients. Once used, it would reduce the yang of the pill a great degree.


    He would be hard-pressed to make a 2nd-grade, let alone a 3rd grade pill. It was most likely going to end up as a common 1st grade pill


    Everyone shook their heads.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s refining skill was a rare one that gave incredible speed. A pity, his ingredients were now wasted. If he started from scratch, he would never catch up to the Vicious Pill King.


    The easy win had now turned to failure all because of Zhuo Fan¡¯s ego.


    Vicious Pill King laughed coldly, ¡°Punk, you remember your promise? If you fall from your spot, your head will be mine. I¡¯ll be right here waiting for you to bring it to me, ha-ha-ha¡­.¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s laughter reverberated across Drifting Flowers Hall.


    The people sighed. This outstanding genius was now going to present his head to Vicious Pill King because the latter pulled a dirty trick.


    Tao Danniang sighed, disappointed, and resumed her focus on her pill.


    [The child is amazing, but his mind is unstable¡­]


    Liu Yizhen watched Zhuo Fan in a daze, only to shake his head in the end.


    In the eastern stand, Huangpu Qingyun was laughing his heart out, ¡°Elder Yan did have a way!¡± The rest around him nodded.


    In the host terrace, three people stomped in anger.


    ¡°This brat is insufferable!  He brags about saving Drifting Flowers Edifice and now he falls to Yan Song¡¯s ploy?¡± Peony Overseer flared, ¡°In your arrogance, you threw away the prestige we worked so hard to get back!¡±


    ¡°Indeed, this brat¡¯s manner is causing everyone headaches.¡± Iris Overseer sighed, ¡°Forget about saving Drifting Flowers Edifice, when we can¡¯t even save him.¡±


    Only Chu Qingcheng watched Zhuo Fan without complaining, ¡°He is in Qingtian¡¯s stead. Even if he is a little arrogant, does that mean he is in the wrong? Qingtian would¡¯ve done the same as him.¡±


    ¡°Master, save Darling!¡± Xiao Dandan pleaded.


    Peony Overseer was powerless and turned to Long Jiu, ¡°Everyone, seeing how familiar you are with Song Yu, what do you think of this?¡±


    Her anger flared, but her heart was clear. She knew saving Zhuo Fan with only Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯ power was impossible. They had to ally with Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Sword Marquise Abode.


    Though they didn¡¯t even react to her words, calm as ever.


    ¡°Save? Who? That brat needs our saving?¡± Xie Tianyang said, ¡°I reckon he must be so pissed he¡¯s about to pop a vein. A shrewd man like him was being played by another. It¡¯d be odd if he could hold it in.¡±


    Peony Overseer didn¡¯t understand.


    Suddenly, Dong Tianba staggered and fell with a terrified face.


    Dong Tianba cried out before they could ask, ¡°H-he¡¯s not brother Song Yu. J-just who is he?¡±


    None understood what he meant and looked at the stage. One look was enough to scare the life out of them.


    Because Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes had so much killing intent, it actually took form. It was as if an Asura from the Underworld stepped into the world. Those eyes made everyone feel a razor blade bearing on their necks.


    As if any moment their lives could be reaped!


    Zhuo Fan was royally pissed¡­

 Chapter 134 - Sacred Dragon Call

    [Damn it! I¡¯m the one who usually playing with others! Now, I am on the receiving end?!]


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan controlled the firestorm in his hand while the other clenched and shivered. It was poised to strike at any minute.


    The glorious Demonic Emperor had always been a close follower of being ¡®the first and the last to strike¡¯. Yet here he was, playing fair, while the others took advantage of him. He just couldn¡¯t take it lying down.


    Only the head of the accuser could now salvage the Demonic Emperor¡¯s dignity.


    His killing intent was hidden behind a pair of eyes. Hidden so well in fact, the Vicious Pill King, who was the closest to him, was not even able to sense it.


    Only those on the terrace noticed since they were always focused on him. But because of this, Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s people finally realized how scary Zhuo Fan was.


    They always took Zhuo Fan for a pig-headed and arrogant kid who knew nothing of the world, and was close to losing his life on numerous occasions. If not for these women¡¯s timely intervention, he¡¯d be long dead.


    But now, they understood he was not so simple.


    First was the fact of concealing all his killing intent in his eyes wasn¡¯t something anyone could do, not even them.


    A killer had killing intent, and the more he killed, the more he had. It was great for scare tactics but useless in subtle matters.


    So every assassin learned to hide their killing intent. But hiding it from the Vicious Pill King and the surrounding experts normally would not work at all.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s was different though. As long as you didn¡¯t look in his eyes, you wouldn¡¯t know the depth of his killing intent. His technique was the best for assassinations.


    It was clear Zhuo Fan was an expert at killing others from obscurity.


    Secondly, Zhuo Fan¡¯s killing intent was so thick it took shape, scarring even them, Profound Heaven experts.


    Just how many did one have to kill to reach this state?


    Peony Overseer finally understood what Dong Tianba¡¯s meant. He was not Song Yu. Since when did a third rate clan young master have such strong killing intent?


    ¡°Just who is he? Why is he acting as Song Yu then appearing in our Drifting Flowers Edifice?¡± Iris Overseer¡¯s heart shivered.


    Chu Qingcheng and Peony Overseer frowned, while Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s people long knew the truth and were calm.


    Smiling at Chu Qingcheng, Long Jiu said, ¡°Worry not, Chuchu. This brat¡¯s presence is Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s fortune!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sister Chuchu. This brat, although deceitful, can save Drifting Flowers Edifice. The only one perhaps.¡± For the first time, Long Kui was actually speaking in Zhuo Fan¡¯s favor.


    Everyone looked at her suspiciously. Long Kui blushed, ¡°What are you looking at? I¡¯m telling you the truth!¡±


    Long Jiu shook his head.


    A strange power revolved around Zhuo Fan that could even make those who hated him, admire him.


    The way they talked in riddles, left the three women confused. But despite the threat he posed, he wasn¡¯t against Drifting Flowers Edifice, so they all relaxed.


    ¡°He-he-he, the brat had enough, he can¡¯t take it. He¡¯ll act soon.¡± Xie Tianyang¡¯s snicker made them look at the arena.


    Sure enough, Zhuo Fan could no longer dispel the killing intent in his eyes, the point where he was about to make a move.


    Then, his boundless killing intent just vanished. Xie Tianyang was startled, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why is he holding it in? This isn¡¯t how he normally does things!¡±


    He knew Zhuo Fan well, the brat would never relent until the one who shamed him was in pieces.


    It was also the best moment, so why stop?


    It was the same for the rest. They knew how determined Zhuo Fan was and would never miss a golden opportunity for a sneak attack. Killing and slinking back in obscurity had always been his plan. Why the sudden change?


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan calmed his heart. Looking at the cloak on his back, he once again had a sneer on his face.


    His aim today wasn¡¯t only to block Regent Estate¡¯s conquest and buy time for the Luo clan to rise, but also to return the favor to Chu Qingcheng for the sap.


    By saving the Drifting Flowers Edifice, he would be having her owe him a favor. But, it was still along the lines of his main objects. Therefore, in his heart, he could not really consider that as a favor she owed to him.


    So he also acted as Chu Qingtian, rising to be the best alchemist in the empire.


    Heaven-toppling Pill was Chu Qingcheng¡¯s final wish, and aspiration!


    A demonic cultivator was free and unrestrained. He must never owe anyone, anything!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed and flicked his hand. The lid on the cauldron was lifted and another flick sent the firestorm inside.


    Grandmaster Song was using the cauldron to refine!


    Everyone watching him was startled.


    A grandmaster¡¯s control over ingredients was high, only using the cauldron when refining high-grade pills for assistance. Since it was just a mere 3rd-grade pill, none of the first 20 used one.


    Yet, Zhuo Fan was the first to act, and in a splendid fashion too, clearly displaying his perfect control. So using the cauldron at this point was all to mask his actions.


    All eyes were now on him.


    Snickering, Vicious Pill King saw the burning concoction going inside the cauldron, which had already fused and mocked, ¡°Your pill is ruined. Using a cauldron at this point won¡¯t make a difference. Admit your loss.¡±


    ¡°My skill is not something boors like you can understand.¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan pointed at his cloak before yelling, ¡°Look closely. You are Vicious Pill King, and yours truly is the Heaven-toppling Pill. Our levels are as different as heaven and earth.¡±


    Under the eyes of everyone, Zhuo Fan jumped on the cauldron and removed his belt¡­


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Cries of women rose as they all blushed and hid their faces. Xiao Ya squinted as she yelled, ¡°G-grandmaster Song, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°What do you think? Refining, of course!¡±


    Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes and under the eyes of everyone, he let go! A stream of clear liquid smoothly entered the raging inferno inside the cauldron.


    [I knew it! Grandmaster Song¡­ is taking a piss inside the cauldron!]


    The audience was speechless. [Is this goddamned alchemy? Or is he just throwing a tantrum ¡¯cause he lost?]


    Vicious Pill King and the alchemists were dumbfounded. Even if refining failed and he had to present his head, he ought to at least keep his dignity, his ethic!


    [The hell is he doing?] Was he venting on the pill, or an outcry to them? What was happening was too insane for them to comprehend


    ¡°Uh, this is¡­ what is he doing?¡±


    Xie Tianyang was dumbfounded watching Zhuo Fan pissing into the cauldron. Along with the flowing and smooth stream, the raging fire dampened.


    Looking at the concoction inside, there was no doubt that it was ruined, ¡°He plans to lose the competition without any dignity? Why would he do such an obscene act in front of a crowd? Is he¡­¡±


    Xie Tianyang thought of something and then cried, ¡°No one look! Especially the overseers¡­¡±


    [Who wants to anyway?]


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group had long since covered their eyes and turned around with flushed faces. Xiao Dandan was the same, for a time, but Peony Overseer forced her to turn around and stare long and hard.


    Xiao Dandan didn¡¯t blame her though. He was her husband in the end, if she didn¡¯t look, who would?


    ¡°Damn, the brat went mad.¡±


    Seeing them turned around, Xie Tianyang did the same and cursed, ¡°I know what he wants to do! With his stinking temper, he plans on using this humiliation of seeing him pee as an excuse to kill them all.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Peony Overseer was panicking, ¡°Impossible! Won¡¯t that make him a demon in this world? Did the world have someone like him?¡±


    ¡°Humph, he has been a freak from the start, one that enjoys killing. He is a demon through and through.¡± Xie Tianyang was certain of it, ¡°So don¡¯t look at him below his waist or he¡¯ll use it as an excuse to kill us.¡±


    Long Jiu stroked his beard. It was a far fetched possibility, but Zhuo Fan was very much capable of doing it, especially when mad.


    So he pulled Long Jie and Long Kui and turned them around.


    Seeing even Long Jiu doing it, Chu Qingcheng and the overseers believed him capable of it with a nervous heart.


    They knew not who Zhuo Fan was in reality, but the way these people behaved, was as if they were afraid of him.


    If Zhuo Fan ever found out, he¡¯d give Xie Tianyang a thrashing he wouldn¡¯t ever forget. And scold something along the lines of: ¡®Since when have I become a murderous demon?¡¯


    ¡®Well yes, people have called me a freak, but that¡¯s about my strength. I also killed, true, but only my enemies. I am also a demon, true, but that¡¯s because I¡¯m the proud Demonic Emperor!¡¯


    ¡®Are you looking to ruin my name by spreading these falsehoods?¡¯


    Luckily, Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t know or he¡¯d go on a killing spree.


    With his job done, he jumped off the cauldron. Under the astonished eyes of the crowd, he saw that Vicious Pill King was close to finishing his pill. He turned to his own cauldron and nodded at the strange colored paste.


    [Good, there¡¯s still time!]


    Perking his mouth into a smile, Zhuo Fan turned to the dumbfounded Vicious Pill King, ¡°Old fart, yours truly will let you see what is a true refining skill.¡±


    Zhuo Fan formed a gesture and pointed at the cauldron, ¡°A man of true skill will persevere and push through to rise like a dragon. Sacred Dragon Call! ¡°


    Roar!


    In a blink, the almost extinguished fire in the cauldron flashed with a golden splendor. A sky trembling dragon roar battered the ears of the people, that forced even the women shying away to look¡­

 Chapter 135 - Fading Pill

    Whoosh~


    A golden pillar of light shot from the cauldron. The sputtering flame suddenly flared and spiraled around the golden pillar in the form of a fire dragon.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand shifted gestures as he chanted, ¡°Yin turns to yang, a snake transforms into a dragon. Ascend and scale the gates of Heaven!¡±


    Roar!


    With another dragon roar, the mixture in the cauldron that Zhuo Fan irrigated flickered with a golden glow. Soon, this golden liquid began to move like a stream, along with the dragon.


    As the golden concoction flowed upward, the dragon¡¯s aura grew and grew, as if the golden liquid was its blood, its life.


    The audience was dumbstruck, including Tianyu¡¯s most renowned alchemists. They have forgotten their own refining, watching this unbelievable spectacle.


    They had refined for dozens of years, but this was their first time seeing someone doing it with such flair.


    As he watched in a daze the slowly rising liquid in the dragon, Vicious Pill King¡¯s heart was restless. He began to rush the refining of his own pill, pouring more power into his flame.


    Snickering, Zhuo Fan shouted, ¡°Old fool, you¡¯re too late. The second round¡¯s top spot is for no one else but me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan punctuated with a change in his gesture and called out, ¡°Sacred dragon prevailed and returned successfully. Dragon power flows into the fire and gives birth to the pill!¡±


    Hum~


    A sudden ripple spread from the light pillar and burst into golden lights that littered the sky.


    The fire dragon stuck the light pillar, to turn its head and smashed into the cauldron!


    Boom!


    The fire dragon¡¯s body exploded and formed a fireball.  Before the fire passed, the sparkling golden lights gathered around the flaming cauldron. The lights formed a net that tightened the fireball as it shrunk.


    With a final heaven-shaking dragon roar, all the golden lights gathered and condescended into a golden pill.


    Zhuo Fan beckoned and the pill landed in his hand. He raised it way above him and shouted, ¡°Third-grade pill, Yang Dragon Pill, complete!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s announcement rang in everyone¡¯s ears, but they were still in shock, marveling at what they just witnessed. When they recovered, they were gobsmacked.


    Especially the alchemists, they found it unimaginable.


    Wasn¡¯t Grandmaster Song¡¯s pill a failure? How did it succeed?


    They turned their confused eyes to the judge, Xiao Ya.


    Understanding their concerns, Xiao Ya muttered under her breath, before walking to Zhuo Fan. However, she was hesitant about getting anywhere near the pill, even more so about touching it.


    Everyone saw how Zhuo Fan made this crazy pill. He poured his very ¡®essence¡¯ into it. Regardless if it was a 3rd grade pill, it was hard for Xiao Ya to even approach it.


    ¡°Uh, Grandmaster Song, are you certain it¡¯s a 3rd grade pill?¡± Xiaoya fidgeted in embarrassment.


    Arching an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan presented the pill with a sneer, ¡°You¡¯re the judge. It¡¯s your call. If you can¡¯t tell with your eyes, eat it and make your decision.¡±


    Xiao Ya¡¯s face was twitching, anger bubbling from within. Zhuo Fan was obviously poking fun at her. [Forget about it being a 3rd-grade pill, because of the ingredients, this missy here wouldn¡¯t eat it even if it were a 7th grade pill!]


    Though, many were eyeing her with expectant gazes. She had no choice but to hold it in and give them an explanation.


    She sighed and took the hateful pill, made with, but not limited to, this spiteful man¡¯s golden ¡®essence¡¯. But the moment it landed in her palm she felt it was ice cold to the touch. Why wasn¡¯t the pill hot after just being refined by such blazing fire?


    Xiao Ya was puzzled and, after more analyzing, she was baffled.


    The pill wasn¡¯t hot at all and didn¡¯t even have a fragrance. Like a mudball, without anything great about it.


    [No way! With the show this brat put on, there¡¯s no way it¡¯s a dud. It is possible for a pill to be this strange?]


    Xiao Ya couldn¡¯t for the life of her make anything out of it after a long time, ¡°Uh, sorry, Grandmaster Song. I can¡¯t tell your Yang Dragon Pill¡¯s grade.¡±


    The audience was speechless.


    All pills had grades! Was she saying this pill was made of waste and was beneath grading?


    Listening to the endless comments, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Then why not eat it and feel for its grade?¡±


    The crowd cheered, ¡°Eat, eat, eat¡­¡±


    Xiao Ya felt pained, glaring at Zhuo Fan. She now looked at the pill in her hands on the verge of tears.


    It was great if it was a real pill. If not, [Doesn¡¯t that just mean I drank his pee?]


    Xiao Ya was in a pickle, not knowing what to do!


    Suddenly an aged voice came, ¡°Judge, no need to eat it. Split the pill and you can discern its grade. Only¡­¡±


    ¡°What only? Anyways! We¡¯ll do it as Grandmaster Liu suggests!¡±


    Xiao Ya was grasping straws at this point. She gave thanks for his help and split the pill.


    Whoosh!


    Golden mist drifted from within, still containing the roars of dragons. The pill fragrance instantly swept the whole arena.


    With each whiff, the people¡¯s soul shuddered and their Yuan Qi surging!


    It was already strong without taking it. How great would it be once it was eaten then? It was no longer just a 3rd grade pill¡­


    They all waited for Xiao Ya¡¯s verdict.


    She was also out of it as she cried, ¡°I-it¡¯s a 5th-grade pill!¡±


    Her answer caused chaos. What in god¡¯s name was that secret skill? How did he make a 5th-grade pill from 2nd-grade pill ingredients?


    Where did this Grandmaster Song come from?


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Xiao Ya blinked and sported doubt on her face, ¡°This pill just dropped a grade. It¡¯s now a 4th-grade pill¡­¡±


    The people were again shocked.


    This was too damn odd! [We never heard of a pill that drops in grade!]


    Xiao Ya then followed with, ¡°It¡¯s now 3rd grade, 2nd, 1st..¡±


    Xiao Ya¡¯s voice made the audience¡¯s heart skip. Then, Xiao Ya took a deep breath watching everyone perplexed, ¡°I-I am correct. This pill¡­ lost all of its effects¡­¡±


    She watched the split pill in her hand, ¡°These are only waste!¡±


    Silent as the grave!


    None could utter a single sound. A pill could actually have its effect fade only leaving behind waste?


    This was too bizarre! The pill wasn¡¯t alive so how could it run away?


    But even if it was and ran away, there were too many people here for it to get out alive.


    ¡°Grandmaster Song, w-what is this?¡± Xiao Ya spoke with a trembling voice.


    Zhuo Fan shrugged, ¡°I told you to eat it, but now it¡¯s too late!¡±


    She should¡¯ve known this punk would mess with her. So she ignored him and looked at the rest of the alchemists.


    It was only now that Vicious Pill King withdrew his flame and held a red pill. He sighed, ¡°I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d be a step behind! But it still isn¡¯t too late.¡±


    He then threw the pill to Xiao Ya.


    She cried, ¡°As expected of Vicious Pill King! This is a 4th grade pill. Your skill is marvelous to refine such a pill with only 2nd grade pill ingredients.¡±


    Though she sang praises, her words didn¡¯t get the expected reaction from the crowd. They only oh-ed and ah-ed.


    Seeing Zhuo Fan¡¯s heaven shaking secret skill, who would dare utter the words marvelous skill? Even Vicious Pill King just closes his eyes, striking a lonely figure.


    ¡°Uh, what¡¯s wrong with everyone? We are not sure what grade of Pill Grandmaster Song¡¯s pill is.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean unclear? Some may not see, but the top ten alchemists are clear on that pill¡¯s outstanding effect!¡±


    Liu Yizhen cut her off, ¡°Lady, you¡¯re too young. You may be enough to judge our pills but not enough to see the true value of Grandmaster Song¡¯s pill!¡±


    Xiao Ya vehemently denied it.


    She was no grandmaster, but saw countless pills and judged them all fairly. [How can I possibly not be able to judge a stinky kid¡¯s pill?]


    But then she saw the top ten alchemists sporting solemn expressions. Even Vicious Pill King had to make a nod.


    [Just what is this? Isn¡¯t he and Grandmaster Song in a bitter battle? Why is he taking his side?]


    Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t want to admit Zhuo Fan¡¯s ability but sensed the value of his refining skill. However, was he the only one?


    If he denied it, he would only earn the other¡¯s ridicule.


    He held the highest ability in alchemy up till now. But now, he didn¡¯t even have the right to shame his opponent!


    After all, Zhuo Fan¡¯s skills were indeed incredible!


    ¡°Did I see it correctly?¡± Xie Tianyang blinked, ¡°Vicious Pill King just admitted defeat in front of everyone? Is this still Elder Yan, who always cared about his reputation?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group was amazed. It wasn¡¯t easy squeezing a win from this old coot¡¯s mouth.


    [Just where did this fake Song Yu come from??]


    Peony Overseer¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°Young master Xie, you know this fake Song Yu, don¡¯t you? I don¡¯t think you know him at all, describing him as a murderous demon. He¡­ is an alchemist, right?¡±


    Peony Overseer blushed at the end.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s recent conduct wasn¡¯t exactly stellar. After all, he did something so unrefined.


    Lifting his head in pride, Xie Tianyang snorted, ¡°Did I ever say otherwise? I¡¯ve been through hell with him!¡±


    ¡°Then what is his name?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡± But Xie Tianyang caught himself before playing into Peony Overseer¡¯s game and snickered, ¡°I won¡¯t tell you. Just enjoy the show.¡±


    Peony Overseer glared at him with gnashed teeth.


    Long Jiu shook his head, but his eyes were filled with admiration for Zhuo Fan.


    [He not only knows of ancient arrays but an ancient refining skill too? Just who is he? How does he have so many treasures on him?]


    He was but a servant in the Luo clan before. Was it possible that¡­

 Chapter 136 - Secret Art That Shakes The Peo

    In the arena, Xiao Ya was pacing back and forth, her brows locked in deep thought.


    Many alchemists started turning in their pills, qualifying for the next round. But regarding the first place, she was still uncertain what to do.


    It was a spot that could only be taken by either Grandmaster Song or Vicious Pill King.


    While Vicious Pill King¡¯s 4th-grade pill was held in her hand, Grandmaster Song¡¯s pill turned into a waste after cutting it in two. How could she possibly judge this?


    Despite not being so erudite, the fading pill was a 5th grade pill. But why did it drop grades? What was up with that?


    Without getting to the bottom of it, she couldn¡¯t make a call


    If she put Grandmaster Song in first place, she wouldn¡¯t know how to explain if the need arose. Putting Vicious Pill King first would earn the scorn of the top ten alchemists.


    As if saying this lady was too green and unable to see the pill¡¯s secret. What vexed her most was Vicious Pill King also looked at her the same.


    She was thoroughly stuck.


    This was her first time in all her years of judging that she encountered such a problem.


    She could only turn to Liu Yizhen, pleading for guidance. She found him the most amiable among the top ten grandmasters.


    As for Zhuo Fan and Vicious Pill King ¨C one smug, the other an iceberg ¨C it was best to ignore them. Meanwhile, she avoided asking  Aunt Tao or Yan Fu as they might play favorites.


    ¡°Grandmaster Liu, could you please explain to me what is so great about Grandmaster Song¡¯s pill?¡±


    Liu Yizhen bowed to Zhuo Fan first.


    It was a gesture of respect to seniors among alchemists. Liu Yizhen was among the ten best alchemists in the empire. Yet, he has never bowed, even to Vicious Pill King.


    He was convinced Zhuo Fan¡¯s refining skill was a cut above everyone here. He was on another level.


    This bow made everyone drop their jaws. Even the amateur alchemists. They knew Zhuo Fan was amazing, but not this much. Until Liu Yizhen, a grandmaster bowed to him as a junior.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, not expecting the old guy to disregard his own reputation and nodded.


    This nod had another meaning.


    Among alchemists, secret skills were passed down through the generations, never divulged. If someone guessed some points about a pill, they could not speak without the owner¡¯s explicit accord. It would be a gross form of disrespect.


    Cutting all ties at best, or fighting to the death at worst.


    Liu Yizhen bowed in respect and Zhuo Fan nodded his assent.


    Liu Yizhen smiled, ¡°Young miss, Grandmaster Song¡¯s skill is beyond amazing. Did you know that Grandmaster Song¡¯s secret refining skill is the legendary long lost skill, Sacred Dragon Evocation?¡±


    What? Ancient secret skill?


    The people froze in shock!


    Even Long Jiu¡¯s group, as well as Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s, they all went slack jawed.


    The ancient refining skill had been lost for so long they became legends. It was inconceivable how such a legendary skill would appear in the hands of a youth.


    The people started to get excited, watching with shining eyes.


    Xiao Ya looked at Zhuo Fan incredulously. She found him too young at first. But now, he could compete with Vicious Pill King, and make everyone speechless.


    But it went far beyond that. He used an ancient secret refining skill, one long lost in legends.


    That was why the proud Vicious Pill King conceded. Who could contest with an alchemist that used an ancient secret refining skill?


    ¡°But Grandmaster Liu, why did Grandmaster Song¡¯s pill turn to waste like this?¡± Xiaoya bit her lip and rushed to ask for an answer.


    Shaking his head, Liu Yizhen showed great veneration, ¡°This is exactly what made Grandmaster Song¡¯s pill so miraculous. It wasn¡¯t fading, but used by all of us instead.¡±


    What?!


    His words sent ripples of shock through the audience.


    Liu Yizhen continued, ¡°A normal pill, regardless of grade, could only use 50% of its ingredients¡¯ effect. But the ancient secret skill Sacred Dragon Call was said to make use of everything they had. Everything was refined. Once eaten, it would immediately dissolve.¡±


    ¡°That golden mist coming from the pill was its true essence. If someone swallowed it, it was the same as a 5th-grade pill. But it was instead dispersed to the surrounding, and everyone else benefited from it. Now, it has been used up, it is no different than left over material. This is why I immediately felt deep regret when I said you could split the pill.¡±


    ¡°I see. I now understand why I felt so energized after breathing in the pill¡¯s aroma!¡±


    They all agreed and looked at Zhuo Fan with admiration.


    ¡°Grandmaster Liu, why did the grade drop?¡± Xiao Ya asked her most pressing question. This had to do with judging who was in first place.


    Liu Yizhen¡¯s face froze and shook his head awkwardly, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯m not sure either. I have only read some records regarding this ancient secret refining skill. The only one who knows its secrets is only Grandmaster Song.¡±


    Whoosh!


    In a blink, eyes whipped to Zhuo Fan. Xiao Ya was no different.


    Zhuo Fan raised his eyebrows and grinned evilly, ¡°Want to know? He-he-he, but I won¡¯t tell you unless you beg for it!¡±


    ¡°You!¡±


    Xiao Ya glared with hatred at him. She may have been disrespectful, but not enough to condone such constant mockery.


    But that¡¯s how petty Zhuo Fan was. He looked askance, clearly meaning to evoke others to know his thoughts. [On your knees and beg for it, or yours truly won¡¯t say a word.]


    [I already displayed my skill and earned my right as the first place. Now you want me to share my secrets with the whole crowd?]


    His attitude allowed others to understand the reason. So, even if they were in the Drifting Flowers Edifice, they lifted their fists.


    ¡°Beg, beg, beg¡­¡±


    The crowd roared with mighty force, shaking the entire Drifting Flowers Arena.


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s mood darkened. He didn¡¯t think Zhuo Fan had such skill to turn this around and grasp everyone¡¯s hearts.


    This was the way of a ruler!


    ¡°This man must not be allowed to live!¡± Huangpu Qingyun glared with hatred. His followers nodded.


    Liu Yizhen didn¡¯t think much of the scene and only shook his head. [Grandmaster Song is such a prankster, ha-ha-ha¡­]


    With the hall shouting beg, Xiao Ya was on the verge of tears. While Zhuo Fan just leaned on the cauldron impassive.


    It seemed he¡¯d only give up after she kneeled.


    Helpless, Xiao Ya¡¯s tears flowed, and her slender legs began to buckle.


    But an angry roar came from the terrace, ¡°Song Yu, stop playing around!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was startled and looked at the angry Chu Qingcheng. With a helpless smile, he relented in her favor and shook his hand at Xiao Ya, ¡°Whatever, it was only a joke. You take me for such a heartless man?¡±


    [I do!]


    Xiao Ya didn¡¯t dare say it, however, she gave a look of thanks towards Chu Qingcheng.


    ¡°As to why yours truly used this secret skill, you have Vicious Pill King to thank for that. He was so careless in spilling some green python scale mixture after all!¡±


    Now that Xiao Ya was off the hook, Zhuo Fan started explaining. But the first thing he did was drag Vicious Pill King into this. The crowd had become calmed, listening enraptured to Grandmaster Song¡¯s lecture of his skill.


    ¡°Grandmaster Song is still blaming me for my inadvertent mistake?¡± Vicious Pill King squinted.


    Shaking his hand, Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Why, I would never! I am only thanking you. Sacred Dragon Evocation has the dragon word in it and had to have an ingredient related to dragons. The Yang Pill had no such ingredient. Meanwhile, a snake was, for all intents and purposes, can be considered a small dragon. Your mistake granted me the liberty to use this secret art!¡±


    ¡°But the snake is yin, while the Yang Pill only had yang ingredients. And Grandmaster Song¡¯s Yang Dragon Pill is also yang. I did not sense any yin inside.¡± Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyelid twitched, clenching his fists.


    Snickering, Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°You think the likes of you can unravel the mysteries of an ancient secret skill? Yin and yang restrain each other, but can also interchange. To evoke the yang out of this yin, green python scale extract, I had to rely on yours truly¡¯s essence to wash it down with additional incentive.¡±


    Holding his belly, Zhuo Fan laughed out, ¡°Pee is water, and water is yin. But a virgin is pure yang. Yours truly used his pure yang pee to change yin into yang, to turn a snake into a dragon. Not only has the ingredients been refined completely, but there was also the extreme yang dragon power. This allowed the 2nd grade pill to rise to the 5th grade. A pity that once the pill is split, the pills effect starts to leak along with the dragon power, lowering its grade and potency.¡±


    Now everyone understood and looked at Zhuo Fan with a greater admiration for his secret refining skill.


    Vicious Pill King was no different, clapping his hands with force, fully admitting defeat in his heart, ¡°Grandmaster Song is unparalleled in his refining skill. I concede this round to you without remorse. However, Grandmaster Song, you¡¯re at a disadvantage. The next round is mine.¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes flickered with killing intent. Zhuo Fan grinned.


    The two locked eyes and even a blind man could see they were at odds. Tao Danniang was moved. It caught her by surprise, the fact that Zhuo Fan could make Vicious Pill King admit his loss.


    His future was boundless.


    Then she started worrying. Vicious Pill King¡¯s last words pointed at Zhuo Fan¡¯s weaker cultivation.


    Even with Zhuo Fan¡¯s unparalleled refining skill, he could not beat Vicious Pill King.


    Helpless, Tao Danniang was thinking on how to settle this and not let such a great youth fall here.


    It was only now that Xiao Ya spoke after having made her decision, ¡°In this round, 39 passed and 11 forfeited. The first place stays with Grandmaster Song. The second place is Vicious Pill King¡¯s¡­¡±


    Her words traveled far and the crowd began to wonder why so many people withdrew?


    They had no way to know that many felt inferior after they witnessed Zhuo¡¯s refining skill, their confidence was in shambles. If an alchemist had no confidence, how could they refine?

 Chapter 137 - Zhuo Fan’s Weakness

    ¡°Wonderful! We won another round.¡±


    Peony Overseer cried in joy. The other two women were also sporting smiles. Song Yu was a fake, but his refining skill couldn¡¯t be more genuine.


    If it weren¡¯t for him, Vicious Pill King would¡¯ve been in the lead. If things continue like this, the best alchemist in the empire would finally be defeated.


    Dong Tianba saw them so excited and hesitated to speak, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, I may be presumptuous, but I am certain that man is not brother Song Yu. To be blunt, me and brother Song Yu are very close. There¡¯s no way he¡¯s a virgin!¡±


    ¡°So what if he isn¡¯t Song Yu?¡±


    It was Xiao Dandan who spoke in his defense, ¡°No matter who he is, he will always be my Darling.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng and the overseers nodded.


    Chu Qingcheng smiled, ¡°Dong Tianba, his killing intent must¡¯ve scared you. To the point where you did not manage to hear our conversation. Young master Xie already stated that that man is a friend of his and not Song Yu.¡±


    ¡°Then what happened to brother Song Yu?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? He killed him. Why else would he dare take his face and run around the place?¡± Xie Tianyang laughed, patting Dong Tianba¡¯s shoulder. Then admired Chu Qingcheng, ¡°Great sister in law knows how to handle her husband well. I will rely on you in the future to get this brat to fall in line. Don¡¯t ever let him harm others, especially me.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng blushed and hid it with anger, ¡°Young master Xie, w-what nonsense are you saying?¡±


    ¡°Nothing in particular.¡± Xie Tianyang blinked as he stated in all seriousness, ¡°That brat is petty and spiteful. If someone punched him, he replies with ten slashes of the sword. But your earlier words restricted his nefarious temper. Great sister in law is highly valued in his heart. Perhaps only you can curb his murderous streak, and also appreciate him more.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s blush was fierce and demurely nodded, but her heart was overjoyed.


    ¡°I-is he that frightening?¡± Chu Qingcheng muttered.


    Frowning, Xie Tianyang looked at Long Jiu and the rest, then they all nodded. They all held fear in their eyes, no exception.


    Sighing, Chu Qingcheng smiled broadly.


    If such a terrifying man changed for her, that meant his feelings for her were real!


    [My ideal husband is like Qingtian. A dashing hero, willing to risk his life for me. Today, I have found him¡­]


    Chu Qingcheng watched Zhuo Fan with a warmer gaze, her feelings for him growing ever more¡­


    Boom!


    In the western stand, Huangpu Qingyun banged the table. The heavily cracked stone table turned to dust.


    The others by his side jumped in fear and reeled a step.


    ¡°The second round is another failure! And Elder Yan even admitted defeat! Tell me, does he have any chance of getting the Bodhi Root and that punk¡¯s head on a platter?¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyes were chilling to the bone.


    None made a peep. Lin Zitian¡¯s eyes shifted, [This is a perfect chance to kiss some ass.]


    He advised, ¡°Second young master, please quell your anger. Elder Yan is known as the Vicious Pill King, the best alchemist in the empire. A slight oversight, causing him to lose two rounds is of no consequence. Believe in him as he is sure to have a plan.


    Lin Zitian¡¯s words were more or less the same as 5th elder¡¯s. Shoving the blame on Yan Song regardless of the outcome.


    Too bad, this time was different.


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyebrows trembled, trying his hardest to calm himself, ¡°Oh? Since Elder Lin believes Elder Yan so much then I will hold you responsible if he fails.¡±


    ¡°Al- uh, wha-?¡±


    Lin Zitian was dumbstruck. [W-why aren¡¯t you treating me the same as you were to the 5th elder?]


    Watching this scene play out, the 5th elder was now laughing and mocking him.


    [Lin Zitian is an opportunist, but has no ass-kissing techniques! Copying me is not helpful at all and will be detrimental instead. Playing the same flattery won¡¯t work.]


    [Huangpu Qingyun valued Yan Song greatly before. Therefore, raising Yan Song in esteem worked then. But now that he failed a second time, Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s thoughts on Yan Song have changed. He is pissed at Elder Yan¡¯s Inability to do anything. Praising him now would only set Huangpu Qingyun off in directing his anger onto you.]


    [He-he-he, fawning is also a skill, so, as an opportunist, you better start practicing it.]


    5th elder cackled in his heart, while Lin Zitian was on the verge of crying.


    [What bad luck. I always¡­]


    Ding!


    A clear ringing signaled the start of the third round.


    Xiaoya looked at the 40 alchemists, ¡°This round will be regarding your refining ability.¡±


    At her words, everyone focused on the first place, on Zhuo Fan.


    They witnessed his ability and were clear that Grandmaster Song ruled in the refining skill department.


    One man sighed, another watched the sky in sadness, both equally depressed for having no chance to win. Only the top ten alchemists kept a calm face.


    They knew that alchemy was based on refining skills but it was not the only deciding factor to make a pill.


    After two rounds, they realized the conditions were increasingly harder to fulfill. As the grade of the pills required increased, Zhuo Fan began to reveal his weakness.


    This was what they¡¯ve been waiting for.


    Zhuo Fan was indeed a grand genius of alchemy but wasn¡¯t infallible. He could not use his refining skill and refine any kind of pill he wanted¡­


    ¡°In this round, grandmasters need to refine a 5th grade pill!¡± Xiao Ya declared.


    Zhuo Fan began to frown, while the top ten alchemists expected it.


    Vicious Pill King, in particular, showed his sinister smile towards Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°The faster you can make it the higher you will climb. The first to finish will enter the Pill King finals of this competition. Begin!¡±


    They started igniting their Yuan Qi flame just as she finished. Most had no choice but to make use of the cauldron. But only Vicious Pill King and Tao Danniang refined with their hand.


    These two¡¯s skills were far higher than theirs.


    But when people looked at Zhuo Fan, they saw him just standing there. Even his expression was grave.


    ¡°Oh no, he¡¯s in trouble!¡± Long Jiu was getting anxious. The others too watched him nervously.


    Peony Overseer with her fiery temper, was even more so, ¡°Uncle Jiu, what¡¯s wrong? Wasn¡¯t he unparalleled so far? Why isn¡¯t he moving?¡±


    Long Jiu stared at the frozen Zhuo Fan and sighed, ¡°Because of this brat¡¯s weakness.¡±


    ¡°Weakness?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Long Jiu spoke gravely, ¡°He won in the first two rounds against everyone and even made Vicious Pill King concede because of his incredible secret refining skill.¡±


    ¡°There are three deciding factors to an alchemist¡¯s level. Cultivation, flame, and refining skill. Cultivation is used to supply the flame for longer periods of time, the flame is for refining ingredients, and the refining skill needs to be high enough to handle high grade pills. But¡­¡±


    Long Jiu clenched his teeth, ¡°This kid¡¯s refining skill is amazing, however that is all he has. His flame is just a normal one made from Yuan Qi. But what¡¯s worse, his cultivation is only in the 2nd layer of Bone Tempering Stage.¡±


    ¡°Any alchemist with this cultivation could refine a 3rd-grade pill at most. Yet he used 2nd-grade pill ingredients to make a 5th-grade pill. That is his limit. Now that he is competing against the other grandmasters, with 5th-grade pill ingredients being used, his flame is inadequate. Meanwhile, his cultivation is shallow. I am certain he will not be able to refine the ingredients before his Yuan Qi runs out. Refining such high-grade ingredients is a whole other matter.¡±


    The shock was palpable and they turned to watch Zhuo Fan on his last leg, but this time with sorrow.


    ¡°Master, if Darling loses, will he lose his head too? Please save him!¡± Xiao Dandan pleaded.


    Long Jiu and the others weren¡¯t worried though.


    Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t one who lost his head that easily. It was more correct to say others lost their heads to him.


    Even in the off chance he lost, he¡¯d just stick to the basics, killing people and uprooting their any source of trouble. In their minds, he was in no trouble.


    They did not realize, however, how important this competition was to Zhuo Fan. He couldn¡¯t fail here. It concerned returning Chu Qingcheng¡¯s favor. The Luo clan was already running him into the ground with all its needs and having Chu Qingcheng¡¯s Drifting Flowers Edifice hanging overhead was too much for him to handle.


    Zhuo Fan was now considering whether to use the azure flame or not¡­

 Chapter 138 - Failure

    The mysterious azure flame was what Zhuo Fan had got from the expert in Allbeast Mountain Range. His low cultivation didn¡¯t allow control over even a thousandth of its power.


    But one thing was certain. This azure flame was a legendary flame even in the Sacred Domain. So a thousandth was enough to refine a high-grade pill.


    However¡­


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan watched the top ten alchemists hard at work. Vicious Pill King, his disciple, and Tao Danniang were the only ones relaxed.


    They had to have a card up their sleeve to use at the right moment in the finals.


    Meanwhile, the azure flame was Zhuo Fan¡¯s hidden trump card. Taking it out so soon would get Vicious Pill King to target him. [Best leave it for last.]


    That left him with only one choice, though somewhat volatile.


    Zhuo Fan sighed and made his move under the riveted eyes of the audience.


    They wanted to see what shocking achievement this amazing genius with a secret refining skill would give them next.


    Yet Zhuo Fan simply ignited a red Yuan Qi flame in his palm and threw 5th grade ingredients in using hand signs.


    Without the godly secret refining skill, and without using the same refining ability he started with in the second round, the ingredients¡¯ refinement seemed to go nowhere fast.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s display was so plain because the flame he was using was even weaker than all other alchemists.


    Those 5th grade ingredients in that weak flame got refined at a snail¡¯s pace. Needing a long time for even a drop to be extracted.


    Compared to earlier show of force, Zhuo Fan¡¯s refining time was not only average, but even lackluster! As if all other alchemists¡¯ refining ability here looked far better than his.


    Such disparity disappointed everyone. They saw the greatest talent in alchemy climb to the top only to fall back into the mud.


    The top ten alchemists watched on with regret and helplessness, but mostly with content.


    [This punk¡¯s weakness is finally revealed in the third round.]


    Among the snickers, Zhuo Fan¡¯s figure standing in the first spot looked quite bleak.


    As if to correlate his inability this round, his smugness was nowhere to be seen.


    Xiao Ya was a bit curious, speaking somewhat without meaning to, ¡°What is wrong with Grandmaster Song in this round? He isn¡¯t himself anymore.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, that¡¯s normal!¡±


    Vicious Pill King took pleasure at his plight, ¡°His refining ability had reached his peak and can go no further.¡±


    Xiaoya asked skeptically, ¡°Elder Yan, what do you mean?¡±


    The other alchemists started letting out a carefree laughter.


    ¡°What I mean is that he can only refine low-grade pills.¡±


    Still not understanding, Vicious Pill King was quite patient and enjoyed explaining this to her, ¡°In alchemy, flames are divided into gentle and fierce flames. Common ingredients for low-grade pills use the gentle flame, otherwise the fierce flame will burn them. And when refining high-grade ingredients, the gentle flame falls short.


    ¡°But this punk¡¯s cultivation is too low to control the fierce flame. He has no way to refine 5th-grade ingredients.¡± Vicious Pill King snickered then mocked Zhuo Fan, ¡°This is your weakness. Am I right, brat?¡±


    Ignoring him, Zhuo Fan was still as patient as he was calm, focused on his refining.


    ¡°But how did Grandmaster Song refine the 5th-grade Yang Dragon Pill?¡±


    Shaking his head, Vicious Pill King derided, ¡°It was made with 2nd-grade ingredients, forcefully refined then turned into a 5th-grade pill. It is not a true 5th-grade pill. But even I must admit, that refining skill is indeed legendary. If he were to refine 5th-grade ingredients, he could make a 7th-grade pill. What a shame, he-he-he¡­¡±


    The people looked on with lament at his words.


    Their hearts were filled with the odd sense of grief when they gazed upon the lonely yet persevering figure.


    No one knew when, but for the thousands of alchemists around watching, Zhuo Fan caught all their attention. The shock Zhuo Fan¡¯s secret refining skill instilled was far too great.


    With how lonely he looked now, he made others feel sad.


    Vicious Pill King, however, couldn¡¯t be more chipper, casting stones at the helpless, kicking him when he was down. This earned the public¡¯s distaste.


    ¡°Grandmaster Song, you can do it! We¡¯re cheering for you!¡±


    At some point, someone cried out in encouragement. After one, many soon followed, and cheers broke out everywhere.


    ¡°Grandmaster Song, you¡¯re the greatest!¡±


    ¡°Grandmaster Song, we love you!¡±


    ¡°Grandmaster Song, I-I want your babies¡­¡±


    ¡­


    The entire Drifting Flowers Arena was aboil. Xie Tianyang and his group were dumbstruck by the waves after waves of cheering.


    [This punk made one pill and now has everyone¡¯s siding with him? There was even one saying she wants his babies. What does he have that I, the grand Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s young master, don¡¯t?]


    Turning around, Zhuo Fan gave a small wave and the crowd settled. Not even seven houses¡¯ elders had such a sway over the masses.


    ¡°Thank you all for your support.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face was solemn, his words sincere, ¡°I hail from a third rate clan and have already shown everything that I¡¯ve learned so that I may die without regrets. On the path of alchemy, what we refine is our hearts. And my heart wants, is to be the best. I only ask that you watch my final refining and honor my parting!¡±


    With his final word, Zhuo Fan returned to work hard on his refining, the difficult 5th-grade ingredients. But the Heaven-toppling Pill written on his cloak had everyone in tears.


    He was no mere genius of alchemy, but a man who pledged himself to alchemy. A hero with a noble pursuit.


    He was not like Vicious Pill King and the others, making use of vile acts while refining. No, his heart was being refined to be the best in the world. It was a pure and grand heart of gold.


    ¡°You are so modest, Grandmaster Song. Please receive this salute from us!¡±


    The eliminated alchemists watched the persevering Zhuo Fan despite knowing he¡¯d fail. Their heart was filled with admiration, especially those who forfeited.


    On the eastern stand, Huangpu Qingyun laughed, unrestrained. No matter how much sympathy he¡¯d garner, his life was through, as far as the seven houses were concerned.


    Would these third rate clans dare rebel against Regent Estate, the strongest of the seven houses?


    On the terrace, Chu Qingcheng and the overseers knew he was a fake, but their eyes reddened still. Zhuo Fan¡¯s grieved figure, like a tragic hero, touched a soft spot in their womanly hearts.


    Xiao Dandan was bawling her lungs out, taking Zhuo Fan¡¯s words as a eulogy to himself.


    Xie Tianyang curled his lip in helplessness, ¡°He¡¯s good, faking again. However, he should avoid faking it like before, allowing someone else to trip him up while he does it.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, this brat is shrewd. How can he fall for the same trick twice?¡± Long Jiu shook his head, ¡°The way I see it, he has something big planned. If not, he would not change tunes so quickly.¡±


    ¡°What plan?¡±


    Rubbing her red eyes, Long Kui sniffed, ¡°This brat is so evil. If he¡¯s not making people angry he¡¯s making them cry.¡±


    Long Jiu was out of sorts, ¡°Little Kui, don¡¯t you also understand that he is acting? Why are you also crying?¡±


    Long Kui complained, ¡°I was too engrossed!¡±


    Staggering Long Jiu and Xie Tianyang laughed bitterly and wiped the cold sweat off their brows.


    [Women¡­]


    In the arena, Vicious Pill King had finished refining the ingredients and was beginning to combine them. The other alchemists were also halfway done with refining.


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s refining hadn¡¯t even passed 20%.


    Vicious Pill King saw it and mocked, ¡°Punk, it¡¯s pointless to grasp the heart of the public. Even if you stir those trash into saving you, they have no power. Just wait patiently for me to climb onto the first spot and take your head.¡±


    ¡°Eh? I wouldn¡¯t speak so soon if I were you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow then gestured at the slowly refined ingredients, ¡°Universe Palm!¡±


    With a muffled sound, light smoke started drifting from his hand.


    Vicious Pill King laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, killing the fire before the ingredients finished refining will destroy them! You should work hard even if you lose. Or is this your last act before dying?¡±


    Zhuo Fan ignored his yapping. He was nervous inside, his attention riveted to his slowly opening fist.


    A pity that what greeted him was ashes and not a complete pill!


    Failure!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart sank and looked at Vicious Pill King.


    His concoction has melded, the only thing that is left is to shape it into a pill. If this went on, the third round¡¯s first place would be his.


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed coldly and his mouth perked into an evil grin.


    [Old fart, you dared play tricks on yours truly before. This time I will return it tenfold¡­]

 Chapter 139 - Payback

    ¡°Heavens, what¡¯s going on? Grandmaster Song who brought a failed batch of refining last time has lost for the first time in three rounds. Is Elder Yan¡¯s deduction correct? Can Grandmaster Song really not make a 5th-grade pill?¡±


    Zhuo Fan opened his fist and showed the black ash. Xiao Ya even cried. She couldn¡¯t get to speak as a sharp glare landed on her.


    Shivering, Xiao Ya watched Zhuo¡¯s eyes in fear and closed her mouth. But her cry was already loud enough and everyone heard it.


    People started to feel uneasy and watched Zhuo Fan with worry.


    Those high on the terrace were even more nervous. Since the start of the Hundred Pill Meeting, Vicious Pill King had been stifled. Especially the arrogant air that surrounds him. This is all because of Zhuo Fan.


    If Zhuo Fan lost, then who would be Vicious Pill King¡¯s match?


    Tao Danniang? Ha-ha, she was quite a renowned 6th grade alchemist, but Vicious Pill King never took her seriously.


    Everyone knew Zhuo Fan¡¯s secret ancient skill and his talent had placed the Vicious Pill King on the second spot. If Zhuo Fan was gone, he would once again be the best in the empire!


    The people now looked on at Zhuo Fan with hope. Even those who came only to bring some good alchemists back to their clans couldn¡¯t keep calm and looked towards Zhuo Fan.


    It was a disastrous loss for a young genius alchemist to lose the competition, lose his life all because of his low cultivation!


    But this was the reality. After his first failure, Zhuo Fan froze ashen on the spot. It felt like an unimaginable blow and sank into despair.


    [Ah, what a pitiful child!]


    Many women started shedding tears. Vicious Pill King was snorting, no longer paying this despairing loser any more of his time, focusing on his own pill.


    The Yuan Qi flame in his hand burned hotter and the concoction was slowly taking the form of a pill. It wouldn¡¯t be long before Vicious Pill King finished. Meanwhile, Tao Danniang was getting nervous, trying to rush things.


    But her ingredients had only just finished being refined and didn¡¯t have enough time to catch up to Vicious Pill King, who was close to finishing.


    This was a time of crisis. Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group was also nervous, shifting their gazes from the depressed Zhuo Fan, to Tao Danniang and Vicious Pill King. Watching them with clenched fists and sweating in anxiety.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I win. The third round¡¯s first place is mine and so is the punk¡¯s head.¡± Just as Tao Danniang¡¯s pill took a tentative form, Vicious Pill King laughed.


    Among the flames in Vicious Pill King¡¯s hand, a lustrous pill appeared. The completion was now imminent. No one could stop him from being the next Pill King.


    ¡°Humph, you¡¯re hundreds of years too early if you think you can best me!¡± Vicious Pill King roared in glee.


    [It wasn¡¯t easy. That punk had pushed me back the last two rounds but now, I can show off my skill.]


    The closer the pill was to finishing, the more outrageous Vicious Pill King¡¯s smile became. He was more glad now than when he made his first 7th-grade pill.


    Huangpu Qingyun was also nodding in satisfaction.


    Tao Danniang clenched her teeth in regret and Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group was filled with hatred.


    Everything had turned to dust and impossible to come back from. Vicious Pill King would become the winner of the third round and was one step closer to earning Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Bodhi Root.


    No one could stop him now!


    Drifting Flowers Edifice would fall at this moment¡­


    Atchoo~


    A sudden and violent sneeze echoed around and the fire in Vicious Pill King¡¯s hand exploded.


    Vicious Pill King lost focus for a moment and his beard and eyebrows burned alongside the pill to ashes!


    Oh!


    This shocked the crowd silly, looking at each other in a daze. Why did it blow up all of a sudden?


    The best alchemist in the empire wouldn¡¯t make such a mistake.


    Trembling, Vicious Pill King¡¯s body froze. He turned his head, with a face so livid, an explosion was about to occur.


    And where was he looking at? It was nowhere else but at Zhuo Fan.


    The others also looked to find in shock that the depressed Zhuo Fan was no more, back to his usual self and sporting an extra sly grin. Below his nose there were two trails of green snot dangling.


    Sss~


    He sniffed the green snot back in and Zhuo Fan smiled as he rubbed his nose in apology, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, do forgive me, Elder Yan. I must¡¯ve caught a cold!¡±


    Everyone¡¯s eyes bugged out. Their faces twitched and couldn¡¯t figure out if they should cry or laugh.


    [Grandmaster Song, your excuse is beyond lame! Even worse than Vicious Pill King¡¯s! Since when do cultivators catch colds?]


    [After Qi Condensation Stage no minor disease works alright? Plus, you¡¯re in the Bone Tempering Stage for crying out loud!]


    [If you wanted payback then do it, no one¡¯s stopping you. But do everyone a favor and pick a better excuse next time! Do you think we¡¯re 3-year olds?]


    Everyone could see it. Not to mention, Zhuo Fan particularly targeted Vicious Pill King to become the victim of the explosion.


    Vicious Pill King was so angry he was about to lose his mind.


    He was only a blink away from finishing his 5th-grade pill and winning. But at this critical juncture, Zhuo Fan played a trick on him and made all his effort go out in smoke.


    It was the same as looking five decades for the treasure of his dreams and just when he reached for it, someone pounded it with a hammer.


    Such pain was enough to make even his heart cry!


    ¡°P-Punk! I will kill you!¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s shaking was obvious to anyone with eyes. He was pushing the anger back. Though he didn¡¯t manage to hold everything in as his shout released his mighty power, causing the flames of other alchemists to sway.


    Backed by incredible pressure, Vicious Pill King struck a palm towards Zhuo Fan. Yet Zhuo Fan stood there smiling like everything was normal in the world.


    Whoosh!


    A silk ribbon flew that locked Vicious Pill King¡¯s palm in place. Chu Qingcheng¡¯s figure stood next to Zhuo Fan and pulled on the ribbon to divert Vicious Pill King¡¯s attack.


    ¡°Elder Yan, this is the Hundred Pill Meeting of Drifting Flowers Edifice. If you want to cause trouble, please leave!¡± Chu Qingcheng glared.


    Gnashing his teeth, Vicious Pill King stared at Zhuo behind Chu Qingcheng and knew it wouldn¡¯t be easy to attack now. He pointed at Zhuo Fan and rebuked, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, it¡¯s not me who started it! This punk broke the rules and disturbed my refining first.¡±


    ¡°When did I disturb you?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, not backing an inch.


    Snorting, Vicious Pill King pointed at the crowd, ¡°Everyone saw you. My pill was almost finished and your sneeze ruined everything.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ mishap!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Didn¡¯t I say already? I caught a cold¡­¡±


    ¡°Cut the crap! Can a Bone Tempering cultivator even catch a cold?¡±


    ¡°You cut it! A 7th-grade alchemist can splash his mixture but yours truly can¡¯t catch a cold?¡± Zhuo Fan bit back at every turn.


    Vicious Pill King stammered for a while, tongue-tied.


    [He was waiting for this!] In any case, there was no way a Bone Tempering cultivator could catch a cold nor a 7th-grade alchemist could splash his concoction.


    Since he used such an excuse before, then this brat could use it too.


    Vicious Pill King hated himself from being such a blabbermouth. He only had to use that old brain of his more and think of a better excuse and get the upper hand. However, now, this punk had ruined everything with but a sneeze. Worse, there was no way to refute it.


    Taking deep breaths, Vicious Pill King calmed down with much difficulty. His green eyes flashed with hatred at Zhuo Fan, ¡°You sure have gal, punk. Your snot was too damn precise. It chose the perfect timing to land on my pill and ruin it at the last moment. If the fire was still at the strongest, then your snot would¡¯ve been burnt instead of landing in the crack of the pill and making it explode.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what a genius. You are so precise in his sneezing that I have to admire you¡­¡± Vicious Pill King¡¯s killing intent grew as sarcasm dripped from his tone.


    But Zhuo Fan took it in stride, ¡°You¡¯re far too kind. It¡¯s because we are the very best. Great minds think alike, you know. Just look. You are Vicious Pill King and I am Heaven Toppling Pill. You splashed some of your concoction, and I caught¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you goddamn dare say you caught a cold!¡± Vicious Pill King cut him off in anger, ¡°I don¡¯t wanna hear it!¡±


    So he turned around, going back to his spot to begin a new refinement.


    Zhuo Fan shrugged.


    Chu Qingcheng saw Vicious Pill King go and sighed, knowing that trouble had been averted. With most of their power in this old coot¡¯s hands, and in Regent Estate¡¯s favor, falling out now would mean their loss.


    Thankfully, he still cared about his face and didn¡¯t want the world to know how despicable the Pill King Hall was. Quickly defusing this situation before matters blew out of proportions. Otherwise¡­


    Chu Qingcheng turned Zhuo Fan and spoke so only the two of them heard, ¡°Dear, can you tell me who you are?¡±

 Chapter 140 - The Shocking Universe Palm

    A shiver went through Zhuo Fan as he looked at her, ¡°Y-you, how did you know?¡±


    ¡°How could I not?¡± Chu Qingcheng smiled and reproached, ¡°Dear! I¡¯m waiting for your honest answer!¡±


    ¡°J-just don¡¯t shout, alright? Edifice Lord Chu, it¡¯s all just a misunderstanding. I really didn¡¯t know this was what you meant at the time¡­¡± Zhuo Fan was waving his hands frantically, then caught Vicious Pill King beginning his second refining and was getting nervous, ¡°We will talk about this later. After I kick this old coot out.¡±


    He started to run as soon as he finished speaking.


    Chu Qingcheng was startled and was more disappointed than bewildered.


    It wasn¡¯t narcissistic of her when she always thought that her character and appearance were outstanding. She saw with her own eyes how 99% of the men who looked at her had dirty thoughts.


    And even those exceptions, would at least talk to her like normal human beings. But none went as far as to run away.


    Zhuo Fan ran as if a crone was out to get him. She couldn¡¯t help but feel angry, [Why is this brat so different as compared to other men?]


    [Others will try to act like gentlemen on such occasions, eloquent and smooth-talk me into doing what they want. Well, I guess those men normally pluck the flowers of hundreds of women already¡­ Meanwhile, this guy is still a virgin¡­]


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s blushed, admonishing herself, [Just what am I thinking?]


    But she had no way of knowing what was truly on Zhuo Fan¡¯s mind. He ran because he once climbed to the Demonic Emperor position. He knew full well that righteousness and women were the biggest dead weights in a man¡¯s pursuit for power.


    He wanted to regain his Demon Emperor power, to rise above and beyond. And to do that, he had to cast aside such weights.


    Chu Qingcheng didn¡¯t return to the terrace. She stood there, watching the only man who moved her heart running towards his first place spot.


    Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan only had a thirst for victory in his eyes.


    Tacking a side glance as his returned archenemy, Vicious Pill King, now that he got his anger more or less under control, smiled wickedly, ¡°Brat, why did you even return?¡±


    ¡°To make pills, of course!¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed inside. [Vicious Pill King is the best in the empire after all. He recovered his calm after just a few breaths.]


    Few people were capable of such a feat.


    ¡°He-he-he, making pills? More like you came here to bother me. ¡°


    ¡°You overestimate me. How could I possibly dare to mess with you?¡± Zhuo Fan snickered.


    Shaking his head, Vicious Pill King was refining his ingredients with one hand while he grinned, ¡°If not to mess around, then what other point is there? With your snail pace speed, there¡¯s no hope you can win.¡±


    ¡°So, that¡¯s why you thought I came to mess around.¡± Zhuo Fan was quite calm.


    Vicious Pill King eyed him with contempt, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, if this was your plan all along, it may not have been half bad. Stopping me from making a 5th grade pill would get that Tao Danniang to finish first. Too bad, you were too conceited and spoke that nonsense about letting anyone who took first get your head. Wouldn¡¯t that also apply to Tao Danniang?¡±


    Startled, the people¡¯s hearts grew nervous.


    Indeed, in this competition, only Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t afford to lose. Once he fell from the top, his head would fall with him.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I will enjoy killing you just as if I was the one who won! You think Tao Danniang can stop me?¡± Vicious Pill King cackled, finally venting and releasing his anger.


    Chu Qingcheng frowned in worry for Zhuo Fan with a hint of reproach in her eyes.


    [Be as insufferable as you want but within limits. This old guy has leverage and will have your head. Yet, this is just how Qingtian would¡¯ve acted.]


    Chu Qingcheng watched on with love and hatred. Was she going to lose her loved one a second time?


    Tao Danniang was close to finishing when she heard this. Her hand trembled and the process stopped.


    ¡°Old hag, go on then. If you won¡¯t finish, someone else will!¡±


    Zhuo Fan turned from her to Vicious Pill King and his eyes grew colder, ¡°Old coot, I told you. I will never leave this spot and no one can take it from me. Not you, not anyone.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand suddenly ignited into a raging fire and gestured for tens of ingredients to fly inside.


    Watching the flame, it was no different from Vicious Pill King¡¯s or the other Profound Heaven experts¡¯ Yuan Qi flame. But after one breath, Zhuo Fan was sweating.


    Vicious Pill King laughed even harder, ¡°You little prick, your cultivation is not nearly enough to sustain such a strong flame. You¡¯re looking to die if you keep this up!¡±


    ¡°Humph, narrow-minded old goat, yours truly will show you the difference between us!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shouted and slapped the burning hand.


    With a bang, the flame burned twice as strong and consumed all of Zhuo Fan¡¯s Yuan Qi in an instant. At this moment, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed and his burning hand made a fist. The fire and the ingredients were all now squeezed inside.


    In one blink, the towering flame had vanished into thin air. Only Zhuo Fan held his fist tightly. It was bright red and billowing smoke leaked from between his fingers.


    This whole process of putting the ingredients inside the flame and closing his fist took a few short breaths.


    Many didn¡¯t even catch him doing it.


    Scratching their heads, many looked at each other lost, not understanding what was going on.


    Vicious Pill King stared fixed at the fist and laughed, ¡°I was wondering what you¡¯re planning. But it¡¯s the same as before. Isn¡¯t it destroying all ingredients again?¡±


    With ragged breath and ashen-faced, Zhuo Fan collapsed from exhaustion. But his smile turned unprecedentedly wicked. It seemed to convey endless confidence.


    ¡°Old coot, I may have done the same, but the result isn¡¯t.¡±


    Taunting Vicious Pill King with his eyes, Zhuo Fan pumped his fist and then opened it, ¡°Everyone, the refining of a 5th-grade pill is now complete!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s shout resounded throughout the hall and a golden pill gleaming brilliantly spun around in his palm.


    The soothing fragrance, the luster, they all confirmed that it was indeed a 5th-grade pill.


    In an instant, the audience devolved into chaos. Just what did Grandmaster Song do? How did he suddenly refine a pill?


    The top ten alchemists, closest to Zhuo Fan, cried incessantly, ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡±


    They saw it most clearly. How Zhuo Fan turned a batch of ingredients into a pill in an instant. But this was also why they just couldn¡¯t believe it and couldn¡¯t accept it.


    They not only never seen such a godly refining skill, but did not even catch a rumor of it.


    Liu Yizhen watched Zhuo Fan in a daze, almost forgetting about his own task. His brain froze. He didn¡¯t understand ancient refining skills, but read records of them. Yet none of them held any reference that might allude to what this heaven-defying skill was.


    He made a 5th-grade pill just by closing his fist? [If refining is that easy, what pride would the alchemists of today have?]


    [A pill taking two hours to make just took seconds in your fist!]


    On the terrace, Long Jiu and the rest were dumbfounded. How was this alchemy? It was clearly pulling something out of thin air!


    This refining skill was too goddamned insane! It was no different from swindling!


    On the eastern terrace, Huangpu Qingyun and his men were dumbstruck as well.


    ¡°T-this brat¡­¡± Huangpu Qingyun was so surprised he could barely speak. His men didn¡¯t fare any better


    The only eyes not looking at the pill was Zhuo Fan who was holding it.


    Swallowing hard, Zhuo Fan waved the pill before the flabbergast Vicious Pill King, ¡°Old coot, ever heard of Universe Palm?¡±


    Vicious Pill King blinked hard and swirled his head. He looked at Zhuo Fan like looking at a freak. He stammered for a long time but all that came out was a garbled mess.


    The shocking Universe Palm was unlike any ancient secret skill he used before. This was a heaven-defying ability.


    The alchemists seemed to have been in a dream. A refining skill that defined the heavenly laws actually existed in the world!


    Snorting, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Did you see, old coot? This is our difference. The difference between Heaven Toppling Pill and Vicious Pill King is as big as heaven and earth.¡±


    Vicious Pill King watched him dazed, and couldn¡¯t get any word out in rebuke.


    Zhuo Fan sneered with a shake of his head and showed the pill to Xiao Ya, ¡°Forgive me, my cultivation isn¡¯t enough and could only refine a high 5th grade pill. A perfect one shouldn¡¯t influence my spot, right?¡±


    The alchemists¡¯ faces twitched, feeling like crying.


    [Making a 5th grade pill in a blink is heaven-defying enough, so why in god¡¯s name do you have to make it a high one too? Are you trying to steal our bread?]


    Xiao Ya felt dizzy. Zhuo Fan had to call her out a few times before he got a reaction. She rushed to receive the pill and assess it in detail, ¡°Grandmaster Song¡¯s high 5th-grade pill is successful. He keeps the first place and enters the final round to compete for the position of Pill King!¡±


    At her words, Zhuo Fan turned around and spread his arms. He looked at the audience, his cloak billowing, a manner exceedingly arrogant, and shouted, ¡°As long as I stand in this spot, no one can take it!¡±


    ¡°Grandmaster Song~¡±


    The crowd¡¯s passion was ignited and pumped their fist as they called out his name.


    The Pill King finals had yet to start, but he had already become a Pill King in their eyes¡­

 Chapter 141 - Yours Truly Wants To Kick You Out

    Hearing the rumbling and fanatic cheers shaking even the heavens, Xie Tianyang looked envious, ¡°This punk does the same wherever he goes. If the world was in chaos, he¡¯d be an overlord by now!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, even peace can¡¯t stop this kid¡¯s rise.¡± Long Jiu caressed his beard, his eye trembling with admiration, ¡°I knew long ago he isn¡¯t someone to mess with, but it still leaves me in awe whenever I see him! I can¡¯t help but wonder, what¡¯s his limit?¡±


    The others heard him and turned to Zhuo Fan being the star of the show, acting just like a king. They had to nod at Long Jiu¡¯s assessment.


    Xiao Dandan listened to them praise Zhuo Fan and pride got to her head, her heart sweetened like honey.


    [I found the best husband. He is leagues above the other men.]


    Her thoughts were echoed by Chu Qingcheng as well. Seeing Zhuo Fan worshiped by the crowd, the cheers he evoked, unknowingly changed her slim body¡¯s position, striking a dignified and imposing look, as well as love-struck eyes.


    Every woman, even Chu Qingcheng, hoped to find a shoulder to lean on.


    However, this was Drifting Flowers Edifice, a place where women governed.


    Furthermore, the people of Tianyu whose shoulders she could lean on could be counted on one hand. Not to mention, some had evil thoughts and were unworthy of trust.


    Not too long ago, she rested her weary body and hoped on the strong-armed Huangpu Qingyun. Only to find out the latter chose his house over her.


    In spite of it all, Zhuo Fan came through in the end. She took him as a mere child and used him to comfort her heart. But she slowly came to realize that this man was the only one worthy of her trust¡­


    The praises, the veneration, and the kowtowing of the crowd was still ongoing, shaking the sky and jarring even the ears of the alchemists, meddling with their refining.


    Xiao Ya was in the arena gesticulating all over the place and demanding silence, ¡°Don¡¯t shout! Please remain¡­¡±


    But no one heard her. Her sharp voice was drowned in the flood of praises.


    The only thing she could do was stomp in distress.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan raised a hand to catch everyone¡¯s attention.


    The uproar from before was gone in an instant, like it never existed. The crowd seemed to have faded from the silence, with only the flames of the alchemists in the arena making small burning noises.


    ¡°Everyone, other alchemists are still refining. Please keep quiet, for me.¡± Zhuo Fan calmly flung his hair.


    There were nods all around and even some zipping their mouths.


    Xiao Ya was exasperated. [Whose goddamn competition is this? Grandmaster Song is too damn liked!]


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s face twitched, [Damn it! This punk is showing off, again!]


    In the eastern stand, Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s mood sank ever lower. The bigger Zhuo Fan¡¯s popularity was, the harder it was for him to act. And this was something he did not want to see.


    As Zhuo Fan gained his current fame through alchemy, this was also the only way to crush it. And the only one up to the task was Vicious Pill King.


    But Vicious Pill King¡¯s confidence had begun to falter at this point.


    Looking at him, one could see Vicious Pill King ignoring everything around him and focused on refining his pill with all haste. The situation had gone out of his expectations.


    Instead of losing, Zhuo Fan kept his first spot in the third round. While Vicious Pill King was now on his second round of refining, putting him in last place.


    The only thing that worked as intended was his speed. Still very much capable of overtaking the others.


    Zhuo Fan knew this as well and his grin turned into a sly smirk.


    A shiver struck Vicious Pill King out of the blue, but his mind was on refining.


    Suddenly, a flame flickered and Tao Danniang put out her flame, leaving behind a spinning and shining pill in her hand.


    ¡°Tao Danniang refined a high 5th-grade pill. She enters the Pill King round!¡± Xiao Ya¡¯s crisp voice resounded.


    Zhuo Fan raised his eyebrow and directed his belligerent eyes along with his flout at Vicious Pill King, ¡°Oh, even the hag finished! Elder Yan, didn¡¯t you say something about taking first place? How come you didn¡¯t even make it second place?¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s heart boiled with anger, despite his quiet state.


    He knew Zhuo Fan¡¯s aim, to mess up his concentration and ruin the refining. Replying would fall into Zhuo Fan¡¯s trap.


    So he chose to bear it in silence. No matter what insults Zhuo Fan threw at him, he would ignore them.


    This time, Zhuo Fan had a lot of time on his hand. Time, which the Vicious Pill King needed. He was rushing as fast as possible, or the chance of elimination would be high.


    At that point, the problem wasn¡¯t getting the Bodhi Root but saving his reputation!


    Zhuo Fan knew Vicious Pill King¡¯s mental state and wasn¡¯t worried.


    When you want to hit a person where it hurts, you need to do it at the precise time. It can¡¯t be too early or too late, and when you decide to go in for the attack, make sure he is sent to hell. Else, there will be heavy retaliation.


    As such, Zhuo Fan¡¯s nagging was only setting up the playing field. He was simmering the opponent and would only truly act when the perfect chance availed itself.


    ¡°High 5th-grade pill, refined!¡±


    A familiar voice suddenly came and Yan Fu showed the pill in his hand with pride.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyelid twitched and laughed, ¡°Elder Yan, you taught one amazing disciple! He surpassed you! But now another spot in the finals slips from your grasp!¡±


    Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t reply but his raging glare pierced his prized pupil.


    The proud and cheerful Yan Fu felt a frosty pair of eyes watching him. When he discovered they were from his master, he started shivering and lowered his head, sweating bullets.


    He had now realized his blunder. In this competition, how could a disciple dare finish refining before his master?


    Wasn¡¯t this taking his master¡¯s limelight, openly defying him?


    He regretted it until his innards turned green. But what was done was done. Vicious Pill King also didn¡¯t waste time arguing with his moronic disciple, rushing to finish his own pill.


    [Oh-ho, that¡¯s Vicious Pill King for you. He can still hold it in!]


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose and smiled faintly at Yan Song, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I must say, I do admire Elder Yan¡¯s staunch character, able to bear even your disciple¡¯s disgrace! Too bad you fell for it regardless!¡±


    Vicious Pill King only snorted, knowing it all to be a ploy to mess with his head. He would fall for the trap if he truly replied.


    Uncaring if he heard or not, Zhuo Fan kept on talking, ¡°Did you know? I failed the first time I used the Universe Palm¡­¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s ears peeled without wanting to. He knew it was all a trap, but not even Vicious Pill King could block his ears when it came to a heaven-defying alchemy skill.


    With a vicious grin, Zhuo Fan resumed, ¡°I failed because the flame was too weak. I was perfectly aware of this even before I started. I didn¡¯t think of succeeding, just trying it out. In brief, I failed on purpose!¡±


    Squinting, Vicious Pill King¡¯s heart skipped alongside his flame. He hastily calmed himself and resumed refining, but his hearing was now sharper.


    ¡°I only assumed the posture of losing for your benefit, while also earning the others¡¯ sympathy. All of it was to lower your guard, or my sneeze would¡¯ve been stopped by you.¡±


    With his jerking, Vicious Pill King¡¯s flame also trembled. He finally turned his head, ¡°So you acted right where the pill was at a crucial point, when I was most relaxed because of imminent success. Punk, such a vicious ploy is no less than You Guiqi¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, don¡¯t, please. You¡¯re flattering me, Elder Yan.¡±


    Zhuo Fan said, ¡°A plan is something that makes use of all available elements around oneself. Elder Yan said that these people can¡¯t save me no matter how stirred they are. And you are indeed correct. They may not be able to save me, but they can help me deceive an old geezer. If you weren¡¯t taken by my wretched display, I fear you wouldn¡¯t have lowered your vigilance around me so quickly.¡±


    Vicious Pill King clenched his empty fist. He hated himself for being toyed with by a brat at his age.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, don¡¯t be so hard on yourself.¡±


    Picking up on his thoughts, Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°Since you¡¯ve always been focused on alchemy, you¡¯re not that erudite in schemes. Losing is only natural. If it were You Guiqi, he wouldn¡¯t have been duped.¡±


    ¡°Humph, no matter what, I have suffered greatly this time. But don¡¯t get too excited. There won¡¯t be a second time.¡± Vicious Pill King spat through clenched teeth.


    Arching an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan laughed hysterically, ¡°Oh, forgive me, Elder Yan. This may be a tad insolent, but I must inform you that you¡¯ve been had again.¡±


    Startled, Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t understand.


    It was now that Liu Yizhen and two others shouted. In these few breaths of time, three more people entered the final round.


    ¡°You may be quick in refining, your heart may be calm despite my words and didn¡¯t fail in your control, but I got to slow you down!¡± A demonic smile was plastered on Zhuo Fan¡¯s face, ¡°Correct, yours truly¡¯s aim isn¡¯t to mess your concentration, but to drag out your refining and kick you out!¡±


    Frightened, Vicious Pill King saw more and more alchemists around him were about to finish and was anxious by the second. For the first time, he was afraid.


    [This punk is a plague. From the third round, no, since the beginning, he set up such a vicious trap for me to spring it.]


    [What¡¯s even more frightening, is that he got me twice!]


    Seeing the half-refined ingredients in his hand, Vicious Pill King¡¯s mood grew gloomier. He walked this earth for so many years but this was his first meeting with a deceitful opponent like Zhuo Fan¡­

 Chapter 142 - Pill Breaking Wind

    Since there was no way to block him, kicking him out was option B! This was Zhuo Fan¡¯s plan cooked up from the moment he heard of the third round¡¯s condition.


    As this round was based on speed, cutting the old coot¡¯s speed would make it harder for him to enter the finals.


    With an evil smile, Zhuo Fan watched Vicious Pill King. The latter had been duped already, so why would he keep paying the brat any more attention?


    He was going as quickly as he could to finish the refining. And indeed, the best alchemist in the empire wasn¡¯t one to disappoint, speeding through the process like a bullet. In but a few breaths, he was done with refining the ingredients.


    Next was forming the pill.


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t the least bit worried. There were some things that even though one knew they were wrong, they still couldn¡¯t stop themselves from doing them. Because they were still holding an interest in those things, and Vicious Pill King was no exception.


    ¡°Ahe-he-hem¡­¡± Zhuo Fan coughed lightly, ¡°Elder Yan, I noticed your pill¡¯s ingredients and decided to run by you the Ninth Heaven Roaring Dragon Claw¡¯s secret I used in the second round.¡±


    His ears perked without his knowledge, despite knowing it was one of Zhuo Fan¡¯s ploys, despite being certain that this secret was bogus. No matter how bad it looked, and felt, the temptation was too great. He wanted to know more about such a magical refining skill, especially since he was an alchemist.


    He was only a breath from forming the pill¡¯s shape but now the process was halted. His speed was now under Zhuo Fan¡¯s complete control.


    Laughing inside, Zhuo Fan still kept a serious face, ¡°Oh, going by its name, it has a dragon and claw in it. So your hand must also take the shape of a dragon claw¡­¡±


    [What a load of obvious bull!]


    Vicious Pill King was clear as crystal of Zhuo Fan¡¯s scheme and didn¡¯t want to listen, but he only got his ears to blame for betraying him.


    Yet, hearing the mention of a secret, he stopped to listen more closely. But what reached his ears was nothing more than some superficial talk from Zhuo Fan.


    He felt like crying. So wretched that he wanted to cut his ears off.


    With no choice, he turned to Xiao Ya and blabbed like a little kid to his teacher, ¡°Judge, this brat is disrupting my refining!¡±


    ¡°What, Grandmaster Song is hindering you? How?¡± Xiao Ya looked skeptical.


    With a red face, Vicious Pill King gnashed his teeth, ¡°The brat keeps gallivanting in my ear and distracts me!¡±


    Silence followed throughout the arena, then shortly followed by rambunctious laughter!


    An alchemist¡¯s most important feature was his state of mind. [What kind of alchemist are you to mess up your refining from a few words? How did you become the best alchemist in the empire anyway?]


    Everyone looked out with mocking smiles. This never ever happened before.


    How could they have known Zhuo Fan¡¯s words struck a nerve? He didn¡¯t want to listen, but his ears were a whole nother matter.


    Everyone would feel the same if they were in his stead.


    The more he heard the maniacal laughter, the redder Vicious Pill King got. His face was thoroughly caked in mud.


    Xiao Ya¡¯s eyelid twitched, and cursed, ¡°Elder Yan, you¡¯re not a child. Why are you complaining to me about such a simple matter?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re just chatting and getting to know each other. Why did you have to go out and tattletale?¡± Zhuo Fan liked to make a mountain out of a molehill and jested.


    This launched the crowd into another round of laughter!


    Getting his anger under control after a few breaths, Vicious Pill King shouted at Xiao Ya, ¡°Wench, aren¡¯t you a judge? Do you even care? Why aren¡¯t you kicking this brat out?¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine, fine, I do care, alright?¡± Xiao Ya shook her head helplessly and giggled an apology to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Grandmaster Song, I appreciate it if you would not speak with Elder Yan as he refines. Why not come into the guests¡¯ corner for a drink?¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll listen and won¡¯t talk!¡±


    True to his words, Zhuo Fan¡¯s lips were sealed. Then, the next second, Vicious Pill King found the world around him got quiet and turned to see the other competitors. Most of them reached the step to complete their pill while he was only at the molding phase.


    He sped up at once and gathered all the refined mixture into one place and took the final form of a pill.


    ¡°5th-grade pill, completed!¡±


    Another shout, another finalist. In total, there were seven who qualified for the Pill King round.


    Vicious Pill King wiped the cold sweat from his brow and rushed urgently to finish the pill. Although worry had not left him in regards to a certain punk, fearful he might be up to something.


    For the remainder of the process, he divided his attention to Zhuo Fan¡¯s every move. Who, at this point, was on his best behavior, as if he abandoned any thoughts of thwarting Yan Song¡¯s progress.


    [This punk is faking again! The last time, you got me out of carelessness, but this time, I will be on guard. The more this punk is at ease, the more certain it is he is waiting for me to show the slightest slip-up!]


    Squinting, Vicious Pill King laughed coldly inside, while his heartstrings were also stretched taut.


    [You won¡¯t get me a second time!]


    ¡°Judge, I finished!¡±


    Another shout marked the taking of the 8th spot of the finals.


    Vicious Pill King took a deep breath and worked hard to keep his calm while steadying the flame in his hand. Such a crucial time needed him to calm and tranquil.


    Seeing the pill in his hand had taken shape, Vicious Pill King gnashed his teeth and gave his 120%. This was a key moment and failing was not an option.


    The silent and unmoving Zhuo Fan looked askance at his cautious nature in making the pill.


    Soon, he reached the final step. All that was left was to spur the flame and condense the pill.


    Though he started to recall Zhuo Fan¡¯s sneeze and was overly cautious of his interference. He could not be defeated a second time with the same trick.


    Vicious Pill King suddenly shouted inside, and the flame towered.


    At this exact moment, the nightmarish sound came again.


    Atchoo~


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s heart seized and flicked his sleeve to protect the flame while also turning his back to Zhuo Fan.


    But this scare shook his focus and the flame was trembling. Luckily, he was a veteran alchemist and stabilized his state of mind in a blink, preventing his pill from being ruined again.


    Sighing relieved, Vicious Pill King wiped his sweat and turned to see Zhuo Fan.


    Only to find the person in question sneezing in another direction and rubbing his nose like nothing happened.


    Noticing the old geezer¡¯s look, Zhuo Fan eyed him back and cursed, ¡°The hell you¡¯re looking at? Yours truly didn¡¯t disturb you!¡±


    Stammering, Vicious Pill King was enraged, but no word came out. [You don¡¯t need to talk to annoy me. Your presence is enough harassment as it is!]


    Vicious Pill King suddenly felt dead tired. Not of the body, but in the mind. He had been on this earth for many years but never was he as exhausted as he was now.


    Who could go through the refining process with one¡¯s nerves stretched tighter than a violin?


    He had to admit to one thing though. Never in his life had there been anyone acting the same Zhuo Fan did.


    Noticing his master¡¯s embarrassment, Yan Fu was taken aback. Never was there a time when his ruthless master was pushed back again and again.


    Turning to the first spot, he saw Zhuo Fan with a cryptic smile, and his heart chilled for some unknown reason.


    Tao Danniang saw Yan Song sullen and couldn¡¯t help be chipper. Chu Qingcheng saw him getting toyed by Zhuo Fan and her eyes shined with affection.


    The people on the terrace already laughed their hearts out.


    Yan Song had been a literal plague over the seven houses but now, he was put in his place by a newbie. One couldn¡¯t help but relish the moment.


    One thing was clear though. The brat wasn¡¯t ordinary. If any took his place, they would¡¯ve long failed miserably.


    In the end, only demon Zhuo Fan had ever beaten Vicious Pill King. They sighed. Yan Song was wicked beyond words and only someone more wicked than him, a demon like Zhuo Fan, could settle this Vicious Pill King.


    Huangpu Qingyun and his men in the eastern stand watched the scared Vicious Pill King with trepidation.


    [If this old bag of bones loses, the Bodhi Root will leave my grasp!]


    Taking deep breaths, Vicious Pill King watched the almost finished pill and worked hard to calm his mind.


    He knew what everyone was thinking which made this bout was just as important for him as it was to Zhuo Fan.


    If Zhuo Fan lost, his head would roll. If Vicious Pill King lost, not only his name would be dragged through the mud, the Regent Estate would bestow him its endless wrath.


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes squinted and boosted the flame in his hand. The roaming pill inside the flame also lit up in a strange light.


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes flashed and his mouth perked up at a corner in hope.


    [Almost there, just a bit more and I¡¯m done with this exhausting refining. This goddamn round is so exhausting¡­]


    Bam!


    A large sound came out of the blue. Vicious Pill King jerked and his towering flame shuddered and exploded.


    Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t even notice his scorched beard and eyebrows as the almost done pill was now junk!


    Vicious Pill King went stiff and stared into space. He turned around to see where the sound came from. Zhuo Fan scratched his head embarrassed with a dashing smile, ¡°He-he-he, do forgive me. I just couldn¡¯t hold it and farted. Was it too loud?¡±


    Sss~


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s couldn¡¯t stop trembling. He watched the beaming Zhuo Fan with his black beard whipping in the wind but was unable to make one word from the sheer anger he felt¡­

 Chapter 143 - Damaged Vitality

    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, damn! I admire this brat!¡±


    Up on the terrace, Xie Tianyang slapped the table as he roared in laughter, ¡°No matter where you go in the Tianyu Empire, all you hear about Vicious Pill King is how powerful and influential he is. But when he is here, he¡¯s actually reduced to such a wretched state. Look at him, he is on the verge of crying, so angry he can¡¯t even speak. He¡¯s so miserable, I even pity him.


    ¡°This brat is inhuman. How can he be like this to his elders? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Xie Tianyang cursed Zhuo Fan while also laughing.


    Long Jiu and Jian Suifeng¡¯s gazes met and smiled. But when they looked back at Zhuo Fan, their eyes were filled with admiration.


    Long Jie and Long Kui felt more and more complicated instead.


    They were of the same age and even came from one of the best houses in Tianyu, but they only got to be supporting roles for the elders of their house.


    While Zhuo Fan, a servant from a third rate clan, was fighting head to head with the empire¡¯s most famous, and even came at an advantage at that.


    Why was the gap so large when they were of the same generation?


    Peony Overseer and Iris Overseer watched the thin figure in complete control over the whole situation in such awe, they couldn¡¯t even speak.


    The two tasted Vicious Pill King¡¯s cruelty and treachery on their own skin. Yet, they knew. Not even the entire Drifting Flowers Edifice was enough to defeat him.


    However today, the old geezer was like a puppet played by this mysterious youth to exhaustion.


    His wretched figure, unable to even cry, was something the two women never even believe was possible. Was this the same cruel and sinister Vicious Pill King?


    Swallowing dryly, the overseers watched each other, but it was Iris Overseer, in the end, who walked to Long Jiu, ¡°Uncle Jiu, stop being so cryptic and tell us who is this fake Song Yu already? Who¡¯s clan¡¯s young master is he? Or is he an inner disciple from a sect?¡±


    Caressing his beard, Long Jiu shook his head, his eyes at a loss, ¡°Clan? Ha-ha-ha, his clan is nothing more than a firefly. As for sects, I never heard of any being mentioned. In short, this brat is one huge enigma!¡±


    ¡°Not even Uncle Jiu knows?¡± Peony Overseer was startled as she rushed over, ¡°Then why do you have so much faith in him?¡±


    ¡°Faith? Humph, as if!¡±


    Xie Tianyang snorted, ¡°Out of everyone I trust, he is absolutely not among them! None of you know his true nature. One second he is buddy-buddy with you, and in the next, he casts you aside, changing tunes faster than you can turn a page. If you put your faith in him, you won¡¯t even know how or why you died.¡±


    This made Xie Tianyang recall something and his eyes were filled with dread, ¡°You cannot imagine a crueler and more sinister man in this world. I recall that condescending grin when he sold out Ning¡¯er and it gives me chills even now!¡±


    Their hearts shuddering, the overseers noticed Xie Tianyang being truthful. But if this man was such a monster, why were Long Jiu and the rest respecting him so?


    Xiao Dandan was irked by Xie Tianyang¡¯s description of Zhuo Fan and barked, ¡°You keep saying my husband is your friend, but why do curse him behind his back and even call him a traitor?¡±


    ¡°Me, curse? Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s the truth of it. And he won¡¯t deny it either.¡± Xie Tianyang laughed, ¡°But if there¡¯s one thing I admire about him, it¡¯s his hypocrisy!¡±


    ¡°Then why are you all still friends with him?¡± Peony Overseer asked puzzled.


    They all started laughing, ¡°How could we not?¡±


    Iris Overseer was thoroughly confused. None of them clearly trusted him and even said he was worse than a human, but why were they so reliant on him?


    Like a true friend, leaving him in charge of everything. Wasn¡¯t this a contradiction?


    Seemingly seeing her doubt, Xie Tianyang smiled, ¡°Iris Overseer, trust and entrusting are different things. He is not a friend worthy of trust, but he is a brother to entrust in. And that is because of his strength!¡±


    Xie Tianyang pointed at the wretched Vicious Pill King, ¡°Tell me, if it weren¡¯t for our untrustworthy friend, how would you have dealt with that old geezer?¡±


    Shuddering, the overseers now understood what he meant.


    It wasn¡¯t that this mysterious youth was worthy of trust to place Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s fate in his hand. It was that there was no one else up for the job!


    Lounging in his stone chair, Xie Tianyang¡¯s look softened when he gazed at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Do you know why you have such faith in an unworthy friend? Because he is the only one worthy of it.¡±


    ¡°Without him, I would¡¯ve lost the one I love. I believe I cannot repay this favor for as long as I live. This is why I spoke without hesitation at the feast and put Sword Marquise Abode in the face of danger for Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s sake.¡±


    This shocked the two overseers greatly.


    It now came to light that Sword Marquise Abode and Veiled Dragon Pavilion did not help them because of Drifting Flowers Edifice, but because the brat asked them to.


    They started to laugh dejectedly.


    One of the Seven Noble Houses, Drifting Flowers Edifice, with a history of over a millennium, had loss in terms of reputation to a random kid. [If Grandmother knew this, she would be flipping out right about now.]


    Atchoo~


    On the first spot, Zhuo Fan sneezed for no rime or reason. But for real this time.


    Rubbing his nose, Zhuo Fan cursed inside, [Who the hell is talking behind my back?]


    He looked at Vicious Pill King staring blankly, [It¡¯s gotta be this old coot cursing me in his mind. Don¡¯t you worry now, I will have your life soon enough.]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed with killing intent.


    But this time, the old guy was innocent. Ever since his loss in the second round, out of anxiety, except for feeling anger, he didn¡¯t dare to even curse Zhuo Fan in his mind.


    All who entered the third round were famous grandmasters of alchemy. He may not be up to Vicious Pill King¡¯s level, but he had refining skills to make up for it.


    After one failure, Yan Song could still catch up. But now, he fell behind too much and there was no hope for a comeback.


    He now started to truly panic but the more restless his heart was, the less he could think of a way out.


    Zhuo Fan laughed coldly inside, having foreseen this.


    In fact, the two failures happened all according to Zhuo Fan¡¯s plan, right when they were about to finish being refined. This also worked to make him waste the most of his time.


    Even if he didn¡¯t intervene in his third refining, the Vicious Pill King still wouldn¡¯t make it.


    Plainly speaking, Vicious Pill King lost the third round, but more importantly, he was played around like a fiddle by Zhuo Fan.


    Tao Danniang¡¯s eyes flashed in glee. She never would¡¯ve thought Zhuo Fan capable of having Vicious Pill King kicked out of the competition.


    Now, regardless of who of the two won, Bodhi Root would stay with Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    Chu Qingcheng found Zhuo Fan more and more to her liking. To take Xiao Dandan¡¯s earlier words, this husband was far stronger than the last.


    ¡°Got it!¡±


    Vicious Pill King facepalmed out of the blue. He took out eight silver needles in haste and stuck them in his head.


    ¡°Silver needle acupoint?¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and smiled. The old guy wanted to seal his hearing and avoid any disturbance.


    [Why didn¡¯t you do it sooner then? Yours truly needn¡¯t interfere since you¡¯re through anyway.]


    But Vicious Pill King flashed a flame on his hand and threw ingredients in.


    ¡°5th grade pill, complete!¡±


    And another shout came, marking the 9th finalist. The rest were also working hard. The slowest needed around three minutes.


    While the fastest ones are around half a minute.


    [Humph, this old coot is done for!]


    Zhuo Fan laughed coldly while the other alchemists were getting excited. This was their chance, perhaps the only one in their lives, to beat Vicious Pill King.


    Suddenly, a blood arrow was spat into the flame and the fire towered ten meters high, many times stronger than before.


    In a blink, all the ingredients were refined.


    Zhuo Fan squinted, [This old coot is dead serious on entering the finals to use even his blood essence.]


    Too bad, not even this could make a pill in time.


    Then another blood arrow was spat and Vicious Pill King rushed to make signs despite the blood around his mouth.


    In a blink, the blood turned into the shape of a pill and the concoction resulted from refined ingredients rushed inside.


    A shout later, Vicious Pill King¡¯s flame grew bigger, and the lustrous blood pill came out while emitting dense energy.


    Vicious Pill King grabbed the pill and shouted, ¡°5th-grade pill, complete!¡±


    ¡°5th-grade pill, complete!¡±


    At almost the same time, another shout echoed.


    Xiao Ya eyed the two and came to Vicious Pill King who finished first and nodded after inspecting the pill, ¡°Elder Yan¡¯s low 5th grade pill is complete. He enters the finals.¡±


    He was pulling the last silver needle when he heard her. Vicious Pill King sighed and swayed. But this did not wipe the relief on his face.


    From his wane face, Zhuo Fan knew he damaged his vitality. He may have qualified, but now he could refine no more¡­

 Chapter 144 - Beyond Bold

    ¡°Since the ten finalists have been decided, the rest will be eliminated!¡± Not even looking at the pill of the alchemist who finished in close after Vicious Pill King, Xiao Ya shouted.


    This caused an uproar, one born from puzzlement, as one protested, ¡°Weren¡¯t there supposed to be 20? Why only ten?¡±


    Snapping a cold gaze at the speaker, Xiao Ya flatly explained, ¡°I never said there will be 20. It just so happened there were 20 top cauldrons prepared.¡±


    Her words sent them pondering, making them realize their false preconceived notion.


    At the start of the meeting, the judge never once mentioned how many would enter the finals and just started the competition.


    But, as there were 20 top spots standing out from the rest, they simply took it for granted.


    Realizing their own mistakes, the alchemists sighed in regret, especially the second batch of ten. They falsely assumed there was plenty of time and didn¡¯t give their all, wasting their chances.


    None of them considered that this was set on purpose by the Drifting Flowers Edifice. An alchemist who did not strive to reach the top, was unworthy to qualify.


    Unless of course, he was like Zhuo Fan, with plenty of skills in their arsenal. After all, it was a universal practice to bend the rules and morals in any profession and let the strong ones in.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    The alchemist who finished after Vicious Pill King shouted his dissent. He was intimidated by Vicious Pill King but soon calmed in his heart as he declared his malcontent, ¡°Judge, my pill is a top 5th-grade pill while Elder Yan¡¯s was a low 5th-grade pill. We also finished close together. Reason dictates that the tenth spot ought to be mine!¡±


    ¡°Quiet!¡±


    It was Zhuo Fan who got ahead of Xiao Ya. His cold eyes stared pitilessly, ¡°Are you deaf? This round was based on speed, not quality. This is what you get when you can¡¯t even understand what is required of you. What face can you expect when you bark like a dog? Forget about who was first or last. If this old guy finished at the same time as you, he¡¯d still be the one to qualify since he shouted first.¡±


    All the alchemists were startled.


    [Vicious Pill King and Grandmaster Song are in a life and death battle. Grandmaster Song would no doubt by jumping for joy if he could kick the old goat out.]


    [Why is Grandmaster Song speaking up for his opponent?]


    They were confused and so too the people on the terrace. Even Vicious Pill King eyed Zhuo Fan with a stare.


    Tao Danniang watched worriedly from the side. [Why is this brat defending him when he was working so hard to kick him out before?] Chu Qingcheng was also clueless, her angelic eyes fixed on his figure.


    Under everyone¡¯s rapt attention, Zhuo Fan snorted and took on a smug attitude in his berating, ¡°I know exactly what you¡¯re thinking. Indeed, yours truly wanted to kick this old guy out. But he used blood essence to refine pills, twice, cutting away almost half of his life to finally win his spot. And let¡¯s not mention braving through my schemes. But even so, I will still win the Pill King round! In the meantime, I will not have this old coot fail from meaningless prattle. That would be a disgrace to me as an alchemist!¡±


    Silence as the grave.


    Then, thunderous applause dominated the air, with worshiping eyes directed at Zhuo Fan.


    [Now this is the air of a true scholar!]


    Open, frank, and of outstanding bearing!


    Even Vicious Pill King started to feel a thread of respect for Zhuo Fan. He inched his withered hands and slowly clapped.


    Tao Danniang sighed, but felt quite prideful. [This brat is sinister and cruel when is needed and frank when the circumstances demand it. This is a true man, a husband worthy of that girl.]


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s heart exploded with love.


    Xiao Dandan had long been thrilled that she was trembling. It was impossible for her not to adore such a dauntless man.


    Xie Tianyang and the rest nodded in admiration. Zhuo Fan was despicable, true; unscrupulous, also true, but was not nasty. Only evil.


    And his evil nature was embraced by his domineering character, making him an antihero!


    ¡°This man is a man of ambition, similar to myself!¡±


    On the eastern stand, Huangpu Qingyun breathed out in lament. The others looked at him then at each other in silence.


    Finally, it was Lin Zitian who spoke, ¡°Second young master, you took a liking to the kid and want to employ him?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not!¡±


    He shook his hand. Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyes flashed with killing intent, ¡°A mountain is too small for two tigers. With his ambition, he will not deign to serve under another. He must be dealt with swiftly.


    ¡°Whether I get the Bodhi Root or not, he must meet his end today!¡± Huangpu Qingyun clenched his fist, his manner of unprecedented seriousness, ¡°A premonition struck me just now. He must die here, today, or Regent Estate will have an archenemy.¡±


    The hearts of his men shuddered.


    Regent Estate was the strongest of the houses and wouldn¡¯t show fear even when matched against the other six. [Why is it that the second young master evaluates this third rate clan kid so highly?]


    No matter how great his talent and skills were, he hadn¡¯t the power to fight against the Regent Estate.


    What they didn¡¯t realize was that Regent Estate¡¯s men were most skilled in grasping the heart of the people. If Huangpu Qingyun came to such a clearcut decision regarding the kid¡¯s fate, it spoke of the possible threat Zhuo Fan could grow into and endanger Regent Estate.


    The men turned to watch Zhuo Fan with deep gazes.


    Only Lin Zitian, however, was uncaring as he flattered, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, second young master is overthinking. A third rate clan brat, regardless if he knows some ancient refining skill or if he was even a 7th-grade alchemist, this is only limited to alchemy. He can¡¯t¡­¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s piercing stare snapped at him. Lin Zitian stopped with a shiver.


    ¡°I will say it again. This kid must die today!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyes flashed with absolute conviction. The others had never seen him so determined. They could only nod, as each¡¯s eyes flashed with their own resolution.


    In the arena, the discontent alchemist cupped his hand in shame, ¡°Grandmaster Song is indeed correct. I never had the right to enter the tenth spot. Please do forgive my careless words. Having seen Grandmaster Song¡¯s imposing manner, I feel ashamed of myself!¡±


    The man gave a deep bow to Zhuo Fan and left with a lowered head.


    This earned more reverence from the crowd.


    The man was ranked 13th in the empire in alchemy, known to nitpick on anything and everything. Yet the same man submitted willingly. [Grandmaster Song is of impeccable moral standing!]


    Zhuo Fan would¡¯ve cracked up if he heard them.


    Moral was the least fitting trait when it came to him. It was more accurate to call him of ruthless standing, beating others into submission with power rather than reason¡­


    Xiao Ya bowed in appreciation to Zhuo Fan. She had first despised him, then was shocked by him, and now had come to respect him, with something else mixed within.


    Zhuo Fan had no experience in this field to pick up these subtle signals. However, Chu Qingcheng was one who always followed her heart. Thus, she noticed these signals immediately and could only shake her head.


    [An outstanding husband is not always a good thing. Too many eyes will be on him.]


    ¡°To all grandmasters that have entered the Pill King round, congratulations. You have a chance of getting Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s most precious treasure, the 9th-grade spirit item, Bodhi Root!¡±


    Xiao Ya smiled, ¡°I ask that everyone move to their respective spots.¡±


    The last eight alchemists started to move in order. Their ability in alchemy was clear cut as to who was strong and who was weak.


    Only Vicious Pill King fell from the second to the tenth spot under Zhuo Fan¡¯s relentless harassment.


    ¡°Hey, old guy, give up!¡±


    Tao Danniang felt quite thrilled to have finally got ahead of that old coot for once.


    Snickering, Vicious Pill King glared at the hag and snorted, ¡°What are you so excited about? It wasn¡¯t you who did it!¡±


    Vicious Pill King looked at Zhuo Fan, now filled with a staunch desire to fight. He hadn¡¯t felt like this in decades.


    ¡°Brat, I have been unequaled in alchemy all my life. But today¡­ ha-ha-ha. I have traveled the continent unchecked for decades and not once have I found one worthy of admiration. But today¡­ ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Laughing, Vicious Pill King slowly walked to his new spot yet his voice was still clear, ¡°Brat, we will have a true battle today and see who shall be the best alchemist in the empire.¡±


    Shock pervaded the crowd.


    The arrogant Vicious Pill King who saw no one as his equal, not even Regent Estate¡¯s leader, just acknowledged someone. On the surface, he might seem like he cared about the Regent Estate. However, deep inside he still couldn¡¯t care less about them.


    He was the first alchemist in the empire and had arrogance to spare.


    However, this time, he met his match. Three times they duked, three times he failed. He never suffered such a wretched defeat in his life!


    Yet, now, he was far from angry, but jealous instead. It was as if he was back in his prime, filled with the thirst for battle.


    Tao Danniang was startled, getting the feeling he was looking at the Vicious Pill King of old. She smiled and said to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Kid, the old coot already took you as his opponent. This is his approval of you!¡±


    ¡°Tch, since when does yours truly need his approval?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone was filled with coldness, ¡°Old coot, you lost close to half of your life in the last round! Keep this up in the next one and you will fall!¡±


    ¡°My life is my own! Today, I will win against you!¡± Vicious Pill King shook his hand and spoke resolutely.


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan started reevaluating the old coot.


    Vicious Pill King no longer had the cruel and sinister manner from before, but the bearing of a true grandmaster of alchemy¡­


    Silavin: We reached the goal o.0


    Well, guess there is going to be 4 chapters a week till the end of the month. ????

 Chapter 145 - Pill King

    ¡°Master, are you alright? Be careful of your wounds.¡±


    After changing his spot, Yan Fu rushed to Vicious Pill King and looked at him in worry. Vicious Pill King however, didn¡¯t even acknowledge his presence.


    Bam!


    Vicious Pill King slapped his face out of the blue, sending him sprawling three meters away as he barked, ¡°Humph, you dare finish before your master? Did you not see how close I was to not entering the finals?¡±


    ¡°Forgive me, master. I was wrong. I would¡¯ve never considered it possible for that punk to¡­¡± Yan Fu crawled sullenly to Vicious Pill King but the latter¡¯s words got stuck in his throat.


    Squinting, Vicious Pill King spoke icily, ¡°What were you trying to say? That the punk played me to such a miserable state?¡±


    ¡°Never!¡± Yan Fu lowered his head, sweating bullets.


    Shaking his head, Vicious Pill King said, ¡°What never? Yes, I was indeed played like a fiddle. Be it in alchemy or schemes, I failed on both accounts! Is there anything wrong with saying it? Even the brat admitted he could not kick me out. His plan failed. So what could I, in my sorry state, not dare to admit?¡±


    Yan Fu was shocked. He looked up in fright as he muttered, ¡°Master, why have you changed?¡±


    ¡°I have not changed, only returned¡­¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Vicious Pill King gazed afar with eager eyes. It was unclear if he was speaking to himself or his disciple, ¡°An alchemist¡¯s mind should be set only alchemy. Success and failure are commonplace. It does not warrant covering it up!¡±


    Vicious Pill King looked at Yan Fu, ¡°Disciple, do you know why I hit you?¡±


    ¡°Because I dared to finish before master and shamed you¡­¡±


    Before Yan Fu could finish, Vicious Pill King shook his head and laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, over that small matter? I only blame you for taking a spot and almost making me lose the chance to fight a worthy opponent! I never had such an opportunity in all my life.¡±


    Laughing again, Vicious Pill King ignored his disciple and went to the tenth spot.


    Yan Fu was startled and turned his head to look at his master.


    He felt his master was unlike his usual self. His master used to emphasize results above all else. Successful refining was rewarded, while failure, punishment.


    Under such strict guidance, he had managed to surpass Liu Yizhen¡¯s rank and become one of the top five alchemists in the empire.


    Now, his master no longer cared about results, but to have a fair match with the kid.


    If the kid had dared threaten Vicious Pill King¡¯s place of being the first alchemist in the empire from the start, he would¡¯ve been long dealt with.


    A dead man, even with neat alchemy skill wouldn¡¯t have been able to challenge him.


    [Strange, is it because the brat helped my master out just now?]Yan Fu¡¯s heart was filled with questions.


    He had no way of knowing it was simply a hero respecting another hero!


    When formidable individuals fought, they may employ devious schemes, a dog eat dog battle, but a win was absolute and victory, brilliant. Zhuo Fan did not manage to kick out theVicious Pill King and openly admit his loss.


    It is fine if he failed this time. After all, there was still the next round, which Zhuo Fan intended to dominate.


    But from the gossip flying around about Vicious Pill King, it would be impossible for Zhuo Fan. Naturally, Zhuo Fan did not take their words to heart. He knew that these people could be used, but never relied upon.


    Afterall, the sneaking and sinister way of a dowager had always been the weapons of the weak and the scorn of the strong.


    Vicious Pill King felt the same and now had his spirit aroused. He wanted to pit against Zhuo Fan in this round and win clean and perfectly so that Zhuo Fan would have no room to deny it.


    The battle between these two heavyweights was on the field of alchemy. Yet, it was also a fight to the death!


    On the eastern stand, Huangpu Qingyun stared at Zhuo Fan, then at Vicious Pill King, ¡°Tell me, can Elder Yan win?¡±


    ¡°Of course, second young master!¡±


    Lin Zitian jumped right in with a giggle, ¡°Elder Yan lost the first three rounds but from the third round, the brat used an ancient refining skill that is taxing on the body. His best is a 5th-grade pill while Elder Yan is a true 7th-grade alchemist. It would make no sense if he lost.¡±


    ¡°En, I see!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun nodded, but then smiled, ¡°However, Elder Lin, thank you for reminding me. You said the same thing in the last round, staking your head on Elder Lin¡¯s victory, and how did it end?¡±


    Lin Zitian cursed in his heart as his smile froze.


    [When did I ever put my head for the likes of that old coot? Isn¡¯t it you who demanded it?]


    His only choice was to keep those words to himself and shake his head with a bright smile.


    Laughing, Huangpu Qingyun said, ¡°Anyway, I do not expect anything from the old man. The loss in his first round can be said it was because of that brat¡¯s tricks. But he failed the second round from pee.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun shook his head but then cracked up when he recalled Yan Song¡¯s wretched look as if he swallowed a fly, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s take it as the kid is quite able. But the third round, a sneeze and a fart threw him back to the tenth spot. Is this still because of the kid¡¯s amazing skills?¡±


    ¡°Second young master, Yan Song is usually a vicious and spiteful man. But to fail when it was most crucial, makes him unworthy of bearing heavy responsibilities.¡± The 5th elder stepped forward and started throwing stones at Yan Song.


    Huangpu Qingyun raised an eyebrow, ¡°Elder Lin, what do you have to say?¡±


    Lin Zitian was hesitating. Second young master was clearly resentful over Yan Song¡¯s failures but he had always stuck up for the old guy and their fates were tied. If he was a turncoat now, wouldn¡¯t the second young master never trust his words again?


    Lin Zitian gnashed his teeth.


    [Since I was wrong from the start, then I¡¯ll be so till the end. I hope this will be a chance for me and that old guy.]


    He said, ¡°Second young master, please relax. Elder Yan isn¡¯t the only one at fault, because his opponent is too sinister. In this Pill King round, the requirement is definitely above the 5th grade and the kid won¡¯t win no matter how cunning he is. Elder Yan will be the one to take the first place!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun eyed him deeply.


    Not because he found Elder Lin¡¯s words right, but that this opportunist had a loyal side. He couldn¡¯t help but secretly nod at that.


    Lin Zitian noticed his admiring gaze and sighed, feeling proud.


    [This time, I made the right call. Sigh, it¡¯s not easy sticking close to the ruling class¡­]


    In the arena, Xiao Ya smiled at the ten grandmasters in their respective spots and started the finals, ¡°In this Pill King round, everyone has free reign on what they make. Instead of speed, it will be the highest grade that will crown you Pill King in this Hundred Pill Meeting!¡±


    In an instant, some were worried while others were happy!


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s side laughed. It went as Lin Zitian said, with the final round based on an alchemist¡¯s true ability.


    Tao Danniang frowned. Zhuo Fan was in the Bone Tempering Stage and could only make a 5th-grade pill after giving his all. How was he going to defeat the 7th-grade alchemist Vicious Pill King now?


    Yet, by his appearances, Zhuo Fan seemed unconcerned. When Vicious Pill King looked at him, his eyes were filled with fighting spirit.


    After losing three rounds in a row, he figured out that the kid couldn¡¯t always rely on schemes. The refining of a 7th-grade pill at the Bone Tempering Stage may be pure fantasy, but¡­


    [Humph, this kid might actually pull it off!]


    Zhuo Fan felt the old man¡¯s eyes and waved. He didn¡¯t think the one to believe him the most ended up being his greatest opponent.


    ¡°Then, for the purpose of fairness, Drifting Flowers Edifice will provide high-grade ingredients for grandmasters who are missing ingredients.¡±


    Xiao Ya clapped and a lovely group of hundreds of disciples pushed cabinets in the arena.


    The cabinets contained ingredients from the lowest grade to the 7th, and even a few 8th-grade ingredients could be noticed.


    Swallowing dryly, everyone, especially the alchemists, were now greedily looking over the items.


    Like a pack of starved wolves meeting a fresh lamb. Like a pack of perverts meeting a naked and gorgeous lady!


    [Damn, Drifting Flowers Edifice is filthy rich.] The sheer amount of ingredients here was not something a third and second rate clans could hope to obtain. Not even a first rate clan could get them easily.


    ¡°I invite the grandmasters to choose the ingredients you are lacking for your refining. A word of caution, however, do not get greedy. You need to refine with all the chosen ingredients, otherwise¡­¡± Xiaoya¡¯s smile penetrated their deepest thoughts.


    Coughing lightly, the people chuckled in embarrassment then began choosing.


    In no time at all, they all finished, having returned to their spots. However, Xiao Ya looked around and found one spot empty still.


    Looking at the cabinets, Zhuo Fan was there choosing, uh, looting his booty.


    He didn¡¯t take his time going from one ingredient to another but stuffed a whole cabinet in his ring and moved to the next. From the 1st grade to the 8th, he didn¡¯t miss one. The crowd was in total shock!


    [Dude, can you not so openly rob the Drifting Flowers Edifice?]


    Silavin: My god. The comedy! My stomach! Hahaha!

 Chapter 146 - Shameless Looting

    ¡°Grandmaster Song, y-you¡­


    Xiao Ya pursed her red lips and despite knowing what he was doing, she couldn¡¯t outright say it. Before the three rounds, Zhuo Fan was nothing more than a nameless silk pants, now turned number one famous alchemist. Some token of respect had to be present when addressing him.


    [Even as the first in the empire, you still need to be ethical. You should not openly break the rules of Hundred Pill Meeting.]


    Xiao Ya was watching him awkwardly. She could neither stand still nor let him do what he wanted. This was a pickle.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands paused and raised an eyebrow, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say these are for us? So which is it?¡±


    ¡°Grandmaster Song, I think you misunderstood me.¡± She explained, ¡°These are only used as complementary ingredients to the ones you have¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I am lacking everything!¡±


    Zhuo Fan resumed looting the cabinets.


    The crowd was speechless, [You can do that?] The alchemists from before were also shocked silly, thinking they should¡¯ve taken some more when they had the chance.


    ¡°Uh, judge! If Grandmaster Song can do it, then there¡¯s no problem if I do it too¡­¡± Liu Yizhen licked his lips, looking at Zhuo Fan and Xiao Ya anxiously.


    [If I don¡¯t hurry up, the kid will pick them all clean.]


    He was a top alchemist, but he sorely lacked ingredients.


    Xiao Ya glared, ¡°Grandmaster Liu, don¡¯t make trouble. You¡¯re saying you can use them all in this round?¡±


    Liu Yizhen let an awkward smile, then shook his head on his way to his spot.


    With how many ingredients there were, who could refine them all? He couldn¡¯t mess with Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    Then again, [Getting a couple can¡¯t hurt, right?]


    Liu Yizhen looked again at Zhuo Fan with admiration. He was plundering the cabinets like he was moving house. [Just which clan or sect does he hail? There¡¯s no way a third rate clan kid would dare perform highway robbery right under Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s nose.]


    ¡°Grandmaster Song, you need to make sure you use all ingredients you are taking. Or there will be serious consequences!¡± Xiao Ya had gotten angry and changed her tone.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand slowed, then smiled inside.


    [With how many there are here, how could they be refined in one go? This amount is enough for tens of thousands of pills. Then again, so what?]


    Once he got crowned as the Pill King, he¡¯d take the Bodhi Root and haul ass out! The Drifting Flowers Edifice could then do nothing but eat his dust.


    So, he might as well get as many treasures as he could. They¡¯d be breaking all ties at the end and it would be such a waste to leave these beauties lying here!


    Slowly turning his head, Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°How do you know I won¡¯t be using them all? I¡¯ll do it in a jiffy, don¡¯t you worry your pretty little head about it.¡±


    He then resumed his shameless picking.


    Xiao Ya was close to crying. She never saw a more vile grandmaster in her life.


    Refining tens of thousands of pills on the spot? As if! This was daylight robbery!


    The crowd watched the darkest horse in this arena, who had displayed alchemy skills more outstanding than even Vicious Pill King, now robbing the cabinets of ingredients.


    [To think this grandmaster has balls to rob Drifting Flowers Edifice¡­]


    Yet, Drifting Flowers Edifice did not even try removing him from the premises. After all, who told them to give the alchemists free reign? And what if someone insisted he could refine thousands upon thousands of pills?


    [Although far fetched, that¡¯s beside the point. You can only settle this after the competition.]


    Xiao Ya waited bitterly for Zhuo Fan to load up his ring.


    When he stopped, Xiao Ya was overjoyed, and smiled, ¡°Grandmaster Song, are you ready? Then please return to your spot and begin refining. Everyone is waiting for you.¡±


    Frowning, Zhuo Fan turned to Xiao Ya and his ring flashed, ¡°My storage ring is packed, can you bring me another?¡±


    Staggering, Xiao Ya was about to collapse. The audience¡¯s faces froze.


    [Grandmaster Song, you¡¯re too shameless!]


    ¡°No, Drifting Flowers Edifice does not provide storage rings.¡± Xiao Ya roared.


    Glancing at her, Zhuo Fan snorted helplessly, ¡°What Seven Noble Houses? So stingy!¡±


    Xiao Ya was close to spurting blood. Thank god she choked on words and the blood stayed inside. She glared at Zhuo Fan with such hatred that she wished she could tear him limb from limb.


    [You took advantage of us and still dares to call us stingy? Is there anyone in the world more shameless than you?]


    Looking at the cabinets, most of them were empty, leaving only the 1st and 2nd-grade ingredients behind. Xiao Ya was this close to bursting into tears.


    These ingredients took Drifting Flowers Edifice a whole year to gather! Some of them were close to a hundred years old before being harvested. Yet, all of them were swept clean by a damn punk.


    Drifting Flowers Edifice aimed to show off their power by letting the participants choose their ingredients. But then, this fool came around and nabbed them all.


    [Just you wait, brat. If you don¡¯t bake ten thousand pills I will tear you a new one!]


    Xiao Ya glared with all her power at Zhuo Fan to comfort her bleeding heart. Her slight, almost ephemeral respect she had for him before now burned in the flames of rage and hatred.


    [This punk is a rogue.]


    Zhuo Fan had better things to do than care about her opinion. He scratched his nose and went to his spot. [What is fame when tangible stuff is more valuable, he-he-he¡­]


    On the terrace, Xie Tianyang was piqued by his actions, then asked, ¡°Elder Jiu, I heard you and the brat came to become allies. All his ingredients must be coming from Veiled Dragon Pavilion. Why is it that he looks so miserably poor? He was even moved by those 1st-grade ingredients!¡±


    ¡°Humph, when talking about greedy people, even a needle on the ground can move them.¡± Long Kui berated.


    Xie Tianyang raised an eyebrow in thought. [Well, that¡¯s quite true. With this brat¡¯s character, everywhere he goes, not even grass is left.]


    Long Jiu muttered under his breath but actually agreed with Long Kui¡¯s assessment, ¡°What little Kui said isn¡¯t without wisdom. This brat sure is greedy. Veiled Dragon Pavilion may be his ally, but we can¡¯t just give him our best ingredients. We can only provide 4th grade at most. But for some reason, the attendant in charge of giving him ingredients suddenly gave 5th-grade ingredients too, and lots of them.


    ¡°We later questioned the old and loyal attendant but he would rather take the blame for sneaking the ingredients out than to say anything. Ha-ha-ha, that brat sure has a way with people!¡± Long Jiu chuckled. His eyes however were especially dignified.


    Xie Tianyang muttered, ¡°Damn, I know this brat is vicious to everyone, enemy and friend alike. But he can even dig out Veiled Dragon Pavilion cornerstones?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not quite right. The attendant is still fine, working for our house as we speak. Even he doesn¡¯t know what got into him at that time to help that brat out!¡±


    Shuddering, Xie Tianyang and Jian Suifeng looked at each other as they sank in deep thought.


    They, who had a certain understanding of Zhuo Fan, now revised their opinion of him. [We must not, by any means, act too friendly with him when we interact.]


    [Or he¡¯ll dig out everything from our house.]


    The overseers were too focused on what happened in the arena to pay attention to their discussion. With every empty cabinet, their hearts bled harder.


    [As the son in law to Drifting Flowers Edifices, he shows not the least restraint when taking our things. But he even goes as far as not leaving anything!]


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s angelic eyes now had a rare hint of killing intent.


    [Rotten brat, isn¡¯t what¡¯s yours mine? What are you taking everything for? You¡¯ll soon be returning them anyway¡­]


    Xiao Ya took a few deep breaths to push her anger down.


    Boring her eyes into Zhuo Fan, she shouted at the ten participants, ¡°With everyone ready, the Pill King round shall begin.¡±


    Yuan Qi flames were ignited one after the other.


    Zhuo Fan was unmoving, however. Xiao Ya gnashed her teeth and spat, ¡°Grandmaster Song, don¡¯t forget, you have to refine all the ingredients!¡±


    Snorting, Zhuo Fan had a smile of disdain.


    [You daft? I ain¡¯t that stupid! Wait for me to be crowned Pill King, take my prize, then skip town. What will you do then?]


    Boom!


    Like a roar of a huge beast, the sound from a blood-colored flame shook everything as it reached the heavens.


    The instant it appeared, the alchemists close to it had their flames shriveled up.


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan laughed coldly inside.


    [Humph, that old coot finally plans to show his true skill¡­]

 Chapter 147 - Amazing Display

    ¡°T-this¡­¡±


    Xiao Ya jumped in fright from the sudden strange flame and turned in its direction.


    Liu Yizhen smoothened his beard as he gave a chuckling apology to his fellow alchemists behind him, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, terribly sorry, it is the finals and I must give it my all. Do forgive me if I offend anyone.¡±


    No matter how polite he made it sound, his eyes couldn¡¯t hide the pride he felt.


    The alchemists swallowed dryly and eyed the towering flame and then, to their own lifeless Yuan Qi kindle, feeling more and more despondent.


    How were they supposed to compete when another just snuffed out their efforts?


    They watched him with hatred in their hearts but also envy. Just where did this old guy get that flame from anyways?


    With that flame, his refining might reach the 6th grade!


    Xiao Ya¡¯s eyes lit up and cried, ¡°Grandmaster Liu¡¯s flame must be from a 4th level spiritual beast, the Sky Blazing Python¡¯s heart fire. I heard the Sky Blazing Python spends its time moving underground and its core is influenced by the earth¡¯s fire. It is so hot it can melt anything. No ingredient on this land cannot be refined with it. Grandmaster Liu must¡¯ve been holding onto it for the final round.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you sure are knowledgeable, girl. No wonder you¡¯re the judge. But besides a flame, one must also make use of an intricate refining skill. I have taken out this flame to increase my rank. However, I dare not aim for the crown.¡±


    Liu Yizhen shook his hand with modesty, but his pride was no different from one who thought of himself as the next Pill King.


    [Hypocrite!]


    Cursed the crowd, in particular, the alchemists who only had Yuan Qi flames and were influenced by the mighty blaze.


    He had a reason to be smug of course, with how strong his 4th level spiritual beast flame was.


    It not only increased his refining but also slowed down the others¡¯ ¨C killing two birds with one stone. With such a flame, if two people were of equal levels, one would have his refining boosted by two grades.


    His confidence was well placed.


    [Even you, Vicious Pill King! My flame will lower you from 7th grade to 6th.]


    Everyone could make this educated guess just from looking at the faltering flames around him.


    Just when the crowd was focused on the battle between Vicious Pill King and Zhuo Fan, it had now gotten even more confusing to whom the crown would place their bets on.


    Xiao Ya sighed and watched Liu Yizhen in admiration. He was the true black horse of the Hundred Pill Meeting.


    [He hid it well.]


    She couldn¡¯t help asking this though, ¡°Grandmaster Liu, I heard that Sky Blazing Python is very rare and strong as a Profound Heaven expert. May I ask how you obtained its core¡¯s flame?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that time was truly dangerous. About a year ago¡­¡±


    ¡°Humph, you¡¯re so cocky with just a stinking snake flame?¡±


    Just as Liu Yizhen was about to retell his grand and historical venture, of the endless trials of hardship he had to go through, a snort stopped him short.


    Then marked by a humming, a small bluish flame flickered into existence.


    Its appearance cut the size of all Yuan Qi flames in half. What was even more astounding was the fact that even Liu Yizhen¡¯s beast core flame shuddered as it turned lifeless.


    Crying out in shock, Liu Yizhen turned to find Yan Fu holding a raging dark blue fire and sporting a condescending smile.


    ¡°T-this¡­¡±


    Xiao Ya cried, ¡°Is this a 5th level spiritual beast flame, from the Fire Swallow?¡±


    ¡°Indeed!¡±


    Yan Fu laughed coldly and mocked Liu Yizhen, ¡°I have bested you in the imperial capital, Old Liu, and I will do it again today. Don¡¯t get carried away in thinking the Pill King title is yours! Ha-ha-ha, how laughable. You think you¡¯re the only one in this world with a special flame?¡±


    Beet red, Liu Yizhen felt his anger boil but had no leeway to complain.


    He had to admit that a top alchemist was more than capable of getting himself a 4th level spiritual beast flame. The least of all Yan Fu, who was Pill King Hall¡¯s core disciple!


    [Sigh, I was too naive.] In the end, who could compare with the Seven Noble Houses?


    Liu Yizhen gave a wistful sigh. Before he could rise completely, another one came to knock him down to his place. Now recalling the smug look from before, it only worked to color his face red.


    ¡°Uh, young master Yan, Fire Swallow is a 5th level spiritual beast that even Radiant Stage experts have trouble defeating! How did you get its flame?¡± Xiao Ya¡¯s eyes were riveted on the flame.


    Grinning, Yan Fu swept his eyes over Tao Danniang and the rest of Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s female disciples and laughed, ¡°This flame was bestowed by Pill King Hall to me, the greatest of its disciples. As for how, humph, Pill King Hall needs only to want something and it will soon have it.¡±


    His words didn¡¯t reach the average disciple because of the competition¡¯s noise, but Chu Qingcheng and her overseers heard it clearly, and glared at him.


    Even Tao Danniang¡¯s green face turned gloomy and terrifying.


    But he couldn¡¯t care less as he began introducing it in his arrogance, ¡°Alchemy is the balance of yin and yang. Old Liu¡¯s flame may perhaps be from a 4th level spiritual beast, but the earth fire is too violent, unfit for refining pills. My flame, on the contrary, is fire yet it holds some water, it is also water yet it contains fire. Thus fire and water combine and yin and yang intertwine. It is the most fitting flame for alchemy. And only Pill King Hall¡¯s men know how to find such a flame, and so, the only ones who can be Pill King is¡­¡±


    Suddenly, a green flame appeared before him.


    The common Yuan Qi flames shrunk again, and Liu Yizhen with Yan Fu¡¯s spiritual beast flames were also cut down to size.


    Emerging like a beast king from deep in the mountains, the other flames prostrated before it.


    Yan Fu squinted and looked at Tao Danniang¡¯s green flame in shock, ¡°Y-you¡­ that¡­¡±


    ¡°Humph, your Fire Swallow flame is best suited for alchemy? You will first have to ask this 6th level spiritual beast flame of mine, the Moon Fire Falcon¡¯s flame.¡±


    [What, a 6th level spiritual beast?]


    This caused widespread shock.


    Not even a Radiant Stage expert would dare mess with such a being. Just how did Tao Danniang get hold of this marvel?


    Xiao Ya grew happy inside. Tao Danniang was from Drifting Flowers Edifice, after all, and praised, ¡°Aunt Tao, how did you obtain the flame of a 6th level spiritual beast?¡±


    ¡°Humph, girl, why ask when you already know. You think my old body has the skill to go pull the life fire from the belly of a 6th level spiritual beast?¡±


    Tao Danniang cursed as she eyed Yan Fu, then the further away Vicious Pill King. [Trying to shake Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s prestige?] Then she shouted, ¡°This is a fire is passed down in the Drifting Flowers Edifice to its best alchemist.¡±


    ¡°Girl, remember, this is not a flame that can be sought. The Moon Fire Falcon flies thirty kilometers above and comes out at night to absorb the moon¡¯s yin while eating the spiritual herbs in the mountains. This makes its flame have the essence of the moon. It can increase the grade of a pill in refining. How can a mere Fire Swallow¡¯s flame compare to it?¡±


    Under the guise of teaching Xiao Ya, Tao Danniang was in fact speaking loudly to jab at Yan Fu.


    Yan Fu gnashed his teeth but kept silent. A 5th level beast flame was a cut short compared to a 6th level beast flame. Not to mention, the Moon Fire Falcon ate many spiritual herbs in its life, making it far stronger than Fire Swallow.


    This ultimately made it unfit for comparison.


    Tao Danniang stuck her chin out in pride and mocked, ¡°Pill King title is only fit for Pill King Hall, is it? Humph, punk, be careful of making too big a boost and unable to back it up!¡±


    Shuddering, Yan Fu glared at her as he barked, ¡°Old hag, don¡¯t get too happy. I am just a junior, not your match in alchemy. But don¡¯t forget, I¡¯m not the best alchemist in Pill King Hall. My master, Vicious Pill King is.¡±


    Yan Fu turned to Vicious Pill King and shouted, ¡°Master, open the eyes of these ignorant fools and let them see your true strength.¡±


    The people turned their attention to Vicious Pill King, waiting for the best alchemist in the empire to let out his best skill.


    Only the few grandmaster alchemists who used Yuan Qi flames felt like crying looking at the puny flames in their hands.


    [Grandmasters, you¡¯re all so rich you all have beast flames. But we are dirt poor, using the weakest flame made of Yuan Qi.]


    [Have some mercy and don¡¯t take out an even more amazing flame or our Yuan Qi flames won¡¯t take it. We won¡¯t even be able to cook rice, let alone pills¡­]

 Chapter 148 - Heaven And Earth Spirit Flame

    ¡°Master¡­¡±


    Yan Fu¡¯s call echoed in everyone¡¯s ears, but Vicious Pill King seemed oblivious. His eyes fixed on one place only.


    It happened even at Yan Fu¡¯s second call.


    Following his sight, what lay at the end was the first spot where Zhuo Fan stood with his arms crossed and eyes closed.


    In Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes, this opponent was the only one who could light his competitive spirit.


    Taking a deep breath, Vicious Pill King shouted, ¡°Kid, don¡¯t you have any other special skills in store for this final round?¡±


    Flashing his eyes open, Zhuo Fan shot him a look and snorted, ¡°If yours truly has or not, what¡¯s it to you?¡±


    ¡°Quite a lot actually. I want to have a showdown with you, a fair competition. If you¡¯re still hiding your skills, then I shall be using the flame that had been with me for years to win. But if this is all you had to offer, I won¡¯t take advantage of your plight. Even keeping my flame hidden, I can still beat you just with a plain Yuan Qi flame.¡±


    [Such bold words!]


    The people¡¯s hearts shivered, their faces gloomy.


    If Vicious Pill King said this before, none would have anything to comment. Just who could beat the best alchemist in the empire?


    But now, after losing to Zhuo Fan three times, his words were akin to an empty boast.


    [Oh please, don¡¯t you recall how Grandmaster Song, pissed, sneezed and farted you out of the second spot? If not for wasting half of your shriveled life, you¡¯d never even be in this round!]


    [It happened just a few minutes ago. Did you go senile, you old coot?]


    Not only Chu Qingcheng looked derisory at him, but the rest of the audience as well.


    But Vicious Pill King only had eyes for Zhuo Fan. Anything else, even the despising glances directed to him, were of no consequence.


    Zhuo Fan squinted and snorted, ¡°Humph, then let yours truly enlighten you. I indeed have hidden one skill. Don¡¯t you worry your old little head about it and go all out. The title of Pill King will be mine regardless.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, alright. Then I shall rest easy. You are the first opponent in decades that can make me exert all my ability in alchemy. Please, after you.¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan asked, ¡°Why do you want me to go first? Shouldn¡¯t we both do it at the same time?¡±


    With an ambiguous smile, Vicious Pill King showed a proud expression, ¡°Youngster, I¡¯m not bragging when I say that even with your great refining skill, you won¡¯t finish that pill once I let out this old flame of mine. In hope that you can exert your best, I will start after you finish. It wouldn¡¯t matter if I finish a bit later. This round is based on the grade after all.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth perked at one corner and almost laughed.


    [The old coot has total confidence in his flame.] But so did he in regards to his azure flame, his secret weapon. Just that it got him wondering which was stronger, his azure flame or the old coot¡¯s?


    [There is no doubt. Mine is better.] It was one of those treasures that the Demonic Emperor would covet.


    Smiling, he said, ¡°Since Elder Yan is so sure, by all means, take out your flame and let us all widen our horizons. While also letting me know if I should just give up right now.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, master, just let them see your might!¡± Yan Fu cheered.


    Laughing, Vicious Pill King never felt more excited as of this moment, ¡°If you want to see it so much, then here it is.¡±


    With a cackling laughter, a white fire burned in Vicious Pill King¡¯s thin hand. Then, a wicked face appeared within the flame.


    That cackling laughter actually came from it.


    Its appearance snuffed out all the Yuan Qi flames around. Liu Yizhen, Yan Fu and Tao Danniang¡¯s beast flames acted as if something dreadful appeared and shrank to half their size, as if prostrating before their king.


    Shock was an understatement, as even Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyelids trembled.


    [Who knew this old guy was actually hiding something so valuable?]


    ¡°T-this¡­¡± Tao Danniang was scared out of her mind. Yan Fu raised his head in pride and laughed, ¡°Do you see that? This is the flame master chanced upon a decade ago, the heaven and earth spirit flame, Bone Soul Truefire!¡±


    [A heaven and earth spirit flame?]


    Sss~


    Those words evoked gasps of sheer amazement from all around. The people watched the evil face in Vicious Pill King¡¯s hand and their hearts sighed.


    Even the alchemical disinclined knew that the heaven and earth spirit flame was made from gathered spiritual energy of heaven and earth that over millions of years and had gained spirituality. The flame was actually alive, a veritable king among flames.


    The 5th and 6th level beast flames were nothing compared to it.


    The flame was the body while the wicked face was the spirit of the Bone Soul Truefire. It not only could refine any kind of ingredient but also amplify their effects and raise the grade of the pill. It was every alchemist¡¯s dream to have one.


    Vicious Pill King was the best alchemist in Tianyu for a reason after all. Now, no matter what secret refining skill Zhuo Fan used it, would be of no importance.


    Did you not see how the Yuan Qi flames got snuffed, they couldn¡¯t stand its power. Even those beast flames were shirking away.


    Three things were of most importance to an alchemist, cultivation, refining skills, and flame. When the flame was wilted from the pressure of another, winning was impossible!


    Sighing, the people turned to Zhuo Fan, shaking their heads in pity.


    [How sad, an extraordinary alchemist was so close to beating the best alchemist in Tianyu but under the flame¡¯s suppression, failure is imminent. If he fails here, we will lose another genius. The Heavens must be truly jealous of geniuses.]


    The thought didn¡¯t even cross their mind if Zhuo Fan, with how young he was, and his background, had a flame that could counter Vicious Pill King¡¯s heaven and earth spirit flame.


    Since not even the seven houses could pass along such flames. This old guy¡¯s luck had to be off the charts to stumble upon the Bone Soul Truefire.


    Sensing everyone¡¯s fear and awe of it, the white flame¡¯s face cackled madly in excitement. The laughter was jarring to the ear and filled with boundless despise. Just like a ruler who won andlorded over his enemies.


    He-he-he¡­


    Tao Danniang sighed and closed her eyes. If she knew the old man to have such a spirit item, she wouldn¡¯t have wasted her energy and just gave up.


    Then again, now that she recalled, the one who won three times against Vicious Pill King was none other than him.


    Tao Danniang turned to Zhuo Fan and shook her head.


    [Not even the brat can get out of this one¡­]


    Chu Qingcheng frowned in worry. She was looking at Zhuo in hope he had a way to turn it all around. But Zhuo Fan¡¯s face never wavered. He was always calm, as if he was in deep thought.


    The overseers were beside themselves in worry. Only Long Jiu¡¯s group was unphased. According to Zhuo Fan¡¯s plan, winning wasn¡¯t a must. At worst he¡¯d just bolt.


    On the eastern stand, Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s group had long since started laughing.


    ¡°The old man actually had such a treasure hidden. Losing now is impossible, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Huangpu Qingyun laughed, ¡°Vicious Pill King is definitely worthy of his title!¡±


    The others nodded, with the happiest being Lin Zitian.


    At some point, he tied his fate with Vicious Pill King over a reason not he was sure of. But now that Vicious Pill King was at an advantage, the second young master was excited and he was basking in the glory nearby.


    ¡°Elder Lin!¡± Huangpu Qingyun smiled.


    Lin Zitian rushed next to him, ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°The moment the kid loses, rush over, and take his head. Understandd?¡±


    Startled, Lin Zitian said, ¡°Why me? Isn¡¯t Elder Yan supposed to do this?¡±


    Squinting, Huangpu Qingyun snorted, ¡°If he were to move, Qingcheng would be sure to block him. I do not wish to further alienate her from me. Your Merry Woods is focusing on speed, so taking the kid¡¯s head in an instant is easy. Qingcheng would be enraged but would not dare to make everything worse over a dead man.¡±


    Realizing what he meant, Lin Zitian gave a thumbs up, ¡°Nice, second young master is truly wise!¡±


    The other men felt their stomachs churning as they secretly cursed him for being shameless.


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s smile seemed to say everything was dancing in his palm.


    But just then, the crowd froze in shock seeing Vicious Pill King¡¯s flame swayed around Zhuo as he laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, brat, now you know why I told you to go first? Even if you have a beast flame, it won¡¯t do you any good with my Bone Soul Truefire out.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to get your hands on the Bodhi Root?¡± Zhuo Fan was still calm.


    Taking a deep breath, Vicious Pill King seemed to recall something and laughed, ¡°Yes, I indeed want it. But what I want more is to win against you fair and square. To see who among us shall be the best alchemist in Tianyu. Defeating you because of the flame¡¯s power is not something I will ever accept.¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked long at him.


    [He may be shameless and despicable, cunning and vicious, but when all is said and done he is a tough grandmaster alchemist. It¡¯s kind of a pity for him to be in the Pill King Hall.]

 Chapter 149 - The Monarchic Azure Flame

    A wicked grin plastered on his face, Zhuo Fan seemed to have something special in store.


    Yan Fu¡¯s heart seized. He understood his master¡¯s intention and wanted to advise against it, but Vicious Pill King shook his hand.


    ¡°Did the old fart turn senile?¡± Huangpu Qingyun sensed the situation spiraling into an undesirable direction and clenched his fists.


    Lin Zitian wiped the cold sweat from his brows, his mind was on edge.


    [Old coot! You¡¯re vile and wicked, so why the hell are you doing the exact opposite at a crucial time like this? Cut the righteous act, both our lives are at stake here!]


    Catching the eastern stand¡¯s people¡¯s reaction with a side glance, Zhuo Fan swiveled his eyes on Vicious Pill King, ¡°Old man, I appreciate the thought, but there really is no need for that. It¡¯s best you go ahead and refine.¡±


    Vicious Pill King stared at Zhuo Fan in astonishment.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words were backed by unfaltering confidence. He did not propose to do it together and see who was stronger but directly urged Yan Song to go fist.


    [Does he have an even stronger flame than Bone Soul Truefire?]


    [He fears that his flame will affect my own.]


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s heart trembled, but he couldn¡¯t find it in himself to believe that the world could house a stronger flame than the heaven and earth spirit flame.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha! Youngster, don¡¯t brag. Taking your age and background into account, the most you can afford is a 4th level beast flame. You think it¡¯s enough to stand toe to toe with mine?¡±


    Vicious Pill King was probing Zhuo Fan, who only smiled.


    Such action only made Zhuo Fan look more mysterious that even the rest were at a loss for words. [You¡¯re telling us that Grandmaster Song has a mystical flame that can stand against your Bone Soul Truefire?]


    [This would make the final round more exciting.]


    [Two grandmasters, two heaven and earth spirit flames, fighting toe to toe for the crown.]


    In a blink, the crowd¡¯s nervous eyes landed on Zhuo Fan, eagerly awaiting his answer. Chu Qingcheng and the overseers were especially nervous.


    In terms of refining skills, Zhuo Fan was a cut above Yan Song. Coupled with a possible heaven and earth spirit flame, this could all work to compensate for his weak cultivation.


    Only Xie Tianyang felt disdained as he laughed, ¡°Don¡¯t go and believe his hosh-posh people. That brat is up to his neck in faking again. He is in a battle of minds with the old man. I¡¯ve seen this trick too many times to count.¡±


    Long Jiu and the rest nodded.


    With how deep and twisted the kid¡¯s plans went, it was very much plausible to be a tactic of his to unnerve Yan Song.


    Today¡¯s events proved it. Yan Song himself suffered at Zhuo Fan¡¯s schemes again and again, making him grow cautious.


    After some careful thought, he laughed, ¡°Kid, I am frank with you but yet you still use such petty tricks to mess with my head. The same tactic won¡¯t work on me again.¡±


    ¡°What makes you think I am?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Humph, by no means do you have a heaven and earth spirit flame, perhaps not even a beast flame. You are only pretending so as to disturb my mind. You used these cheap tricks in the previous two rounds already, and you want to do it again?¡±


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°Vicious Pill King, you have such a low opinion of me. You take yours truly as nothing but a vicious and petty schemer whose plans only amount to lying about having a heaven and earth spirit flame to mess with your head? Is that what you think my plans amount to? I¡¯m hurt!¡±


    Pausing, Vicious Pill King realized it was indeed so.


    Zhuo Fan may have sneezed and farted, nothing but petty tricks, but it hit right when it hurt him the most. Each and every time, his focus crumbled at the most crucial moment. If his mind was not as strong, he would¡¯ve long devolved into chaos, unable to continue refining.


    Compared to the last two times, Zhuo Fan¡¯s words now were a bit disbelieving, but not enough to affect his mind.


    This only threw Vicious Pill King into even deeper confusion.


    In his eyes, Zhuo Fan had become an enigma, whose every gesture and random act were filled with intricate mysteries. Never had he encountered such a baffling opponent in his life.


    [Damn it, who¡¯d have thought picking a fight with this punk would end up becoming a torment.]


    Vicious Pill King couldn¡¯t come to a conclusion even after some long and hard thinking. He just gnashed his teeth in the end and howled, ¡°Brat, no matter what flame you have, take it out. I want to have a fair match with you so stop jumping at every shadow!¡±


    ¡°It is because I have the same wish that I do not want to reveal it. I still insist on letting you go first.¡± Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°If I do take it out, you might lose your desire to even compete. Starting together would end in your loss, no doubt about it.¡±


    His words sounded even more cocksure than Vicious Pill King¡¯s from before. They were so outrageous that none of the people there believed him.


    [A flame that can cow the best alchemist in the empire to surrender just at the sight of it, does it even exist?]


    Not even Vicious Pill King was that outrageous before pulling out his white flame.


    [Dude, take a closer look. He holds the lord of the flames, a heaven and earth spirit flame. Even if you have the same kind of fire, it will only result in a tie.]


    [Even if by some off chance it is stronger, how much could it actually be compared to Yan Song¡¯s?]


    [You¡¯re saying your flame is so freakish that it can suppress a heaven and earth spirit flame just as the latter suppresses beast flames?]


    [Did the world even have such a thing?]


    ¡°Humph, he¡¯s clearly faking and bragging yet none of his words sound believable.¡± Xie Tianyang mocked.


    Vicious Pill King laughed, ¡°Kid, you take me for a three-year-old? The world does not have such a savage flame. If you can take it out, then I will directly kowtow three¡­¡±


    Suddenly, his voice was choked with the appearance of an azure flame above two of Zhuo Fan¡¯s fingers. It was as calm as candlelight, unimpressive in the slightest.


    But this plain azure flame descended on the world like a monarch. Its invisible pressure befell like a mountain.


    The cackling Bone Soul Truefire now seemed to have found its nemesis and scurried back into Vicious Pill King¡¯s body, never to come out again.


    Not even at Vicious Pill King¡¯s incessant urgings.


    If a heaven and earth spirit flame was so decisive, then Liu Yizhen¡¯s, Yan Fu¡¯s and Tao Danniang¡¯s beast flames were even worse.


    They had no spirituality but they nonetheless trembled under the azure fire¡¯s pressure and died out.


    When the monarch of flames descended, no common flame dared to burn!


    All the fires died out in a blink, even the other alchemists¡¯.


    Only Zhuo Fan¡¯s frail azure flame let out a soft glow.


    The shock was incomprehensible. Even Vicious Pill King stared slackjawed.


    ¡°W-what is this? The heaven and earth spirit flame ran?¡± Vicious Pill King¡¯s body was swaying. He was the owner of Bone Soul Truefire and could feel it shivering in fear, ¡°What flame is that?¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at his azure flame with a smile, ¡°Who knows? It¡¯s been given to me anyway.¡±


    His cheeks twitching, Vicious Pill King trembled.


    [Why is it that I wasn¡¯t lucky enough to have someone give me such a strong flame?]


    When he chanced upon the Bone Soul Truefire, he¡¯d been so thrilled he couldn¡¯t sleep a wink for how much fortune smiled upon him. He could¡¯ve died happy!


    But here, now, in Zhuo Fan¡¯s presence, his bit of luck was lackluster, to say the least.


    ¡°Now, do you still want to refine?¡± Zhuo Fan snickered, letting the azure flame sway in front of him.


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes reddened from envy. How the hell could he still refine? His entire mind was set on that frail flame.


    He was almost consumed by the desire to just seize it.


    Zhuo Fan laughed, knowing perfectly well what Yan Song was thinking, ¡°Now do you believe me? Well then, Vicious Pill King, let me ask you. Who¡¯s the petty one?¡±


    Vicious Pill King felt like crying.


    [Goddamn it! This punk is unfathomable! Three rounds ago he spoke not a grain of truth and now he said the most unbelievable things yet it turns out to be the whole and unfurnished truth!]


    [Curses! His plots are too sinister for me to unravel!]


    Despite being filled with regret, Vicious Pill King still reddened as he admitted, ¡°Pardon me, Grandmaster Song. I have wrongly mistaken a gentleman for being petty.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, lighten up. It¡¯s enough to know that I¡¯m a perfect gentleman.¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed and not only made the old man redden harder from shame but even flaunted, ¡°Then, wanna go ahead and refine? Or maybe, together?¡±


    [You joking? Refine with you? How, when any and all flames were snuffed because of yours?]


    [I get why this punk said there was no competition if both refined together!]


    Vicious Pill King sighed and admitted it despite the humiliation it brought, ¡°Pardons, Grandmaster Song. I was overconfident. I shall go ahead and refine first.¡±


    ¡°Alright. With my generous nature, I shall let you begin.¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled and took back his azure flame while crossing his arms. Even so, he couldn¡¯t help himself from muttering, ¡°Stingy, how unreasonable!¡±


    His voice may have been soft, but all heard him.


    Vicious Pill King staggered. He was truly pissed but felt more aggrieved than anything else.


    [I rarely want a fair fight and what do I get? Humiliation. Being good is not all that cracked up to be.]


    He was oblivious though that as he was feeling sorry for himself. Zhuo Fan nodded in his mind and his mouth widened into a broad and satisfied smile¡­

 Chapter 150 - Authority

    ¡°Holy cow, he wasn¡¯t faking! The brat did have a card up his sleeve!¡±


    On the terrace, Xie Tianyang stumbled. Then it hit him, ¡°Right, he used the same azure flame against You Guiqi too. I took it as some martial art at the time but now I see that it¡¯s actually a heaven and earth treasure¡­¡±


    It all made sense now, how he faced Hell Valley¡¯s profound ranked martial art and easily overcame it.


    The azure flame could easily handle a heaven and earth spirit flame so it was only natural to be able to deal with You Guiqi¡¯s wicked skill¡­


    Xie Tianyang found himself looking at Long Jiu, ¡°This brat has so much stuff on him that makes him a walking treasury. Are you sure he¡¯s only a third rate clan kid?¡±


    ¡°Why are you looking at me for? I¡¯m as clueless as you are!¡± Long Jiu snorted then kept watching Zhuo Fan.


    Veiled Dragon Pavilion had looked again and again into Zhuo Fan¡¯s history but they always came with the same answer. A servant that never left the Luo clan.


    Yet the night of the Luo clan¡¯s demise marked his complete change.


    A mere servant took the four-membered Luo clan and pulled it through the crisis. Along the path of remarkable wisdom and deep schemes, he changed the fate of the Luo clan; turning it into a future opponent for the Seven Noble Houses.


    Veiled Dragon Pavilion weren¡¯t fools, of course, especially Long Jiu. Their new hatred for Hell Valley was all because Zhuo Fan instigated it.


    Yet, even so, they were willing to take this burden for him.


    First, just as Zhuo Fan predicted, Veiled Dragon Pavilion was not about to show weakness before their archenemy, Hell Valley. With how deep their hatred was, adding one more debt was of little concern.


    Not to mention, in the great battle of Windgaze City, making them carry the killing of those two elders was in fact a favor. Even when he was summoned by the Emperor, the Pavilion Lord was grinning from ear to ear.


    It had been years since Pavilion Lord was this excited.


    And secondly, Zhuo Fan¡¯s power shocked every one of them to the marrow. Even Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s highly ranked men started discussing with Zhuo Fan when he was but a Qi Condensation cultivator.


    None of them could¡¯ve come with a more perfect plan than his.


    Sowing dissension, escaping, bidding his time to land the final blow¡ªit all may have seemed simple tactics but their execution would¡¯ve been far from his.


    This was something easily understood by reading the two houses¡¯ millennia-long feud.


    Moreover, Zhuo Fan was very skilled. Not only he could set up a 5th-grade array, but he also had many long lost ancient arrays.


    After so many miracles, Pavilion Lord¡¯s quick decision to cooperate with Zhuo Fan was met with no objection. And that was only because this kid¡¯s actions left everyone unable to unravel his true purpose!


    From the looks of it, Zhuo Fan¡¯s change seemed to have started from that fateful night.


    Before it, he was just an honest-to-god and shy servant. After it, he changed into the sinister and cunning steward that none in the seven houses could compare with.


    That night was the crux. But what did happen that night?


    Taking a deep breath, Long Jiu was filled with confusion trying to pick some hints by looking at the smug figure, only to sigh in the end.


    [He may very well be the only one who knows the answer to this riddle¡­]


    Totally oblivious of Long Jiu group¡¯s comments, the overseers had long been skipping in joy at seeing Vicious Pill King taken down a peg, again.


    Just like some 16-year-old girls, blushing to the ears.


    This was the finals after all. Pushing the old man back would help in increasing his chance of winning it.


    Xiao Dandan had never seen her senior aunt and master so happy in her life. She knew they were happy and so was she, raising her pretty face in pride.


    As if to tell the world, [Here comes my man!]


    As Chu Qingcheng saw that figure growing in authority, her heart grew with love, though still reserved enough not to be so frank about it as Xiao Dandan. But her eyes couldn¡¯t hide the warmth and feelings she had for him.


    On the eastern stand, Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s elegant visage was now twisted in rage.


    Even the most oblivious of his men could see he was best left alone, if they valued their life.


    But did that mean he wouldn¡¯t come to you by himself?


    ¡°Elder Lin!¡± Huangpu Qingyun squinted and snapped.


    Lin Zitian shivered and stood at attention, though his heart was on the verge of crying, ¡°Second young master, orders?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you promise me that the old fool will win? Well, where is his win? He quoted fairness and offered to let the punk refine first, only to be shamed further. What fairness? He wouldn¡¯t have brought more shame on himself if someone else did that to him¡­¡±


    ¡°Second young master, Elder Yan isn¡¯t the only one at fault.¡± Lin Zitian spoke over Huangpu Qingyun to curb his anger, or he would¡¯ve been sent into the fray sooner than needed. At that time, that bastard Vicious Pill King would¡¯ve been long gone and he unable to deal with the kid alone. To safeguard his life, he had to speak up.


    He continued anxiously, ¡°Second young master, you saw it too. It¡¯s not Elder Yan who is powerless but that punk is just too¡­ too freakish!¡±


    Lin Zitian stammered for a long time before coming with an apt description, ¡°The heaven and earth spirit flame is the lord of the flames. But who saw it coming that the brat would pull an even more freakish flame rendering the lord of the flames inferior. None of us did!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun rose his hand at first but soon put it down. He had calmed down somewhat after those words, though his calmness was one that inspired fear. He looked at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Indeed, this is not on Elder Yan, but all because that brat is¡­ too strong!¡±


    This was the first time Huangpu Qingyun admitted Zhuo Fan¡¯s strength.


    His men trembled. Their second young master was a man of immense pride who never acknowledged anyone.


    Yet here he was praising someone for their strength and was also quite sincere at it.


    Perhaps, Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s anger wasn¡¯t because of Yan Song¡¯s setback, but his unwillingness to admit someone could have the same authority as him.


    This was something a proud and domineering man like himself would never allow to happen.


    Therefore, they all looked at Zhuo Fan as if he was already dead.


    And sure enough, Huangpu Qingyun followed with, ¡°Elder Lin, there¡¯s no need to act anymore. I will kill that brat myself.¡±


    ¡°Uh, then what of Edifice Lord Chu¡­¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyes flashed with naked killing intent, ¡°I want to avoid fighting with Qingcheng, but I can never find peace until I kill the kid myself!¡±


    His men¡¯s hearts shivered as they nodded.


    Whoosh~


    Vicious Pill King let out his white flame again and Xiao Ya rushed to stop him, ¡°Forgive me, Elder Yan, but because of your flame and the beast flames, the other alchemists can¡¯t refine. So, to give a fair judgment I can only ask all of you to refine one at a time, from weak to strong.¡±


    ¡°Humph, you want me to give way to them?¡±


    Vicious Pill King snored, ¡°Why should I? It won¡¯t matter even if my flame doesn¡¯t affect them! They don¡¯t rise to even one hair of mine! Giving way to them means wasting my time.¡±


    Tao Danniang grew angry and glared at him. Yan Fu snickered at the side, finding it only natural.


    His master was the best in the empire, except the unknown kid that sprung up from who knew where. Who else could match his master?


    The alchemists, Liu Yizhen included, were livid, but facts were facts. They had no ways to refute Vicious Pill King and could only sigh.


    Xiao Ya found herself in a tight spot.


    What was planned to be the finals between ten people, now became a clash of two. Were the other eight alchemists mere decorations to make them look good? What was the point of getting this far then?


    Too bad Vicious Pill King was the best alchemist in the empire and was dead set on his decision. The judge could do nothing.


    In Xiao Ya¡¯s moment of anxiety and stomping, a lazy voice echoed.


    ¡°Old man, since it¡¯s a competition, give them a chance. Why do you have to be so hard?¡±


    This startled everyone and turned to see Zhuo Fan still with his arms crossed and eyes closed, but smiling nonetheless.


    Frowning, Vicious Pill King muttered then withdrew his flame.


    Those alchemists who had it rough with just their Yuan Qi flames were overjoyed. While the others looked at Vicious Pill King dumbfounded.


    Even Yan Fu looked at Vicious Pill King as if he wasn¡¯t his master.


    Since when did his prideful master secede just like that because someone said so? [This is mortifying!]


    But the fact was, one word from Zhuo Fan was enough to make the grand and arrogant Vicious Pill King renounce his pride.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Did the old man get a personality change?¡± Up in the eastern stand, Hell Valley¡¯s fifth elder was filled with puzzlement like everyone else.


    What they didn¡¯t notice, however, was Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s even thicker killing intent!


    Perhaps he was the sole person here who understood authority.


    It was what made others submit completely!


    He wielded the same authority, an obvious fact from the people around him that listened to his orders without question. But this authority was bestowed by Regent Estate. As these men submitted to Regent Estate¡¯s power, he could only thus order them.


    More clearly stated, they spoke yes while their hearts were against it.


    Only Huangpu Qingyun understood that Zhuo Fan had become the man with the most authority here. And his authority was based on the true submission of everyone present. Vicious Pill King was the perfect example, seceding with just some words.


    It was all because from the very beginning he grasped everyone¡¯s hearts, letting them take one step at a time in growing their faith in him.


    This was the true way of the ruling class in seizing authority.


    At first Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s killing intent at Zhuo Fan was rather hazy. He guessed it was because of a conflict of interest. But now he clearly wanted Zhuo Fan dead. After Lin Zitian spoke and Zhuo Fan showed a monarchic flame, he understood perfectly why Zhuo Fan had to die.


    He wasn¡¯t as narrow-minded as others thought him to be, that he couldn¡¯t stand someone more powerful them him. His decision to kill Zhuo Fan was because of the feeling he got from the latter. Every time Zhuo Fan did something, it was like an open challenge to his authority.


    How could a regent¡¯s authority be so easily challenged?


    A mountain wasn¡¯t big enough for two tigers. With two people knowing the way to grasp the hearts of the people, they would fight over authority and only one would come out victorious.


    Zhuo Fan had long noticed the killing intent coming from the eastern stand, but he was unfazed as ever, even sporting a scornful grin¡­

 Chapter 151 - Clinging

    Going with Xiao Ya¡¯s proposal, the first to start were the five grandmasters who used Yuan Qi flames. They hastily took out their flames and gave a sign of gratitude at the other grandmasters.


    Although they were ranked among the best alchemists in Tianyu Empire, Zhuo Fan showed up with his heaven-defying refining skill that made them look as common as muck.


    This was clearly showed through the yawns of the crowd.


    Their refining resulted in three high and two mid 5th grade pills. Not one could go higher than 5th grade.


    The third round had such a grade as the target. Showing it now, in the finals, robbed them of any chance at getting the first place.


    They knew of their limits but chose to do it anyway so they could catch the eyes of some powerful clans.


    Grinning, Yan Fu patronized, ¡°Master was right after all. Letting those idiots go first was a total waste of time.¡±


    He threw Liu Yizhen a side glance and sneered, ¡°Lu old man, weren¡¯t you bragging about using your 4th level beast flame to freakin press us all down into making a 5th-grade pill?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, I have no intention to be Pill King. Just getting ahead of a twerp like you and washing away the disgrace is enough.¡± Liu Yizhen said as he caressed his beard.


    Yan Fu seemed to have heard the biggest joke ever, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, old man, losing is losing. What are you doing tacking that cocky tone? Not to mention, my beast flame is stronger than yours. And you still think of besting me?¡±


    ¡°Humph, alchemy isn¡¯t based on flame alone. Last time I lost in terms of speed, but when it comes to refining abilities, I am above you, twerp.¡±


    Liu Yizhen¡¯s hand burned with his beast flame as he threw in all kinds of ingredients. Yan Fu had a constant sneer on his face.


    As seconds trickled by, the scarlet flame blazed constantly, illuminating Liu Yizhen¡¯s hard red face. Suddenly, Liu Yizhen spat a blood arrow into the flame.


    The fire exploded and a scarlet pill twirled in the air before he caught it.


    Liu Yizhen ignored the blood on his mouth as he gasped. He glowered at Yan Fu and revealed a crazy smile as he showed the pill.


    ¡°Brat! Tell me, what grade is this?¡±


    Yan Fu stared at the old man and gnashed his teeth in reply. But Xiao Ya yelped, ¡°Grandmaster Liu refined a high 6th-grade pill!¡±


    [Say what?]


    The audience was in an uproar. Grandmaster Liu was a 5th-grade alchemist, but he actually managed to refine a 6th-grade pill. This was something not even a fresh 6th-grade alchemist could pull off.


    Was it really all because of the 4th level beast flame? Could it be¡­


    Whoosh~


    Yan Fu cut their second-guessing short by letting his blue flame out. The raging tongue of flame shined in his pair of eyes as if they themselves contained a deep fire within.


    Whoosh~


    Ingredients flew into it one after another, refining and mixing. He did it with such practiced ease that it looked no different than eating, earning no few praises.


    Zhuo Fan was too awesome earlier, so Liu Yizhen and Yan Fu¡¯s limelight got smothered. People now bore witness to a youth, who, while not as freakish as Zhuo Fan, was by all intents and purposes a genius of alchemy.


    He was indeed an expert alchemist hailing from Pill King Hall!


    Suddenly, Yan Fu also bit his tongue and spat blood essence. It fused with the blue flame in a blink.


    Liu Yizhen¡¯s pupils contracted as his weak body trembled. His lips parted but no words could come out from the sheer shock that grasped his mind.


    Whoosh!


    The fire vanished and a bluish pill shined. He grabbed it and showed it to Liu Yizhen. Yan Fu was pale and blood dripped from his mouth, painting a gruesome image when coupled with his smile, ¡°Old man, tell me, what grade is this?¡±


    Looking closely, Liu Yizhen shook his head sullenly. He was now too dejected to even reply.


    Yan Fu let out an unrestrained laughter.


    Xiao Ya flicked closer and looked in shock, ¡°Young master Yan Fu refined a low 7th-grade pill!¡±


    [What?!]


    The audience exploded. [There was now another 7th-grade alchemist in the Pill King Hall besides Vicious Pill King? And one so young at that?]


    At the side, Tao Danniang couldn¡¯t help sucking her teeth.


    [They¡¯re both insane. They have no shot at becoming the Pill King with Vicious Pill King around so why still refine with blood essence? Is their grudge so deep to warrant such illogical action?]


    Losing a drop of blood essence meant an injured vitality that could persist through years. If one was careless in their recovery, it could lead to permanent damage, worse would be stunted cultivation.


    An alchemist would never use such a method unless the situation was dire.


    [Vicious Pill King did it to barely qualify. You two, however, the hell you just up and harmed yourself for some simple refining?]


    Tao Danniang cursed them inside but was in fact hesitating.


    She was a 6th-grade alchemist who should¡¯ve had no problem with these two. But god knew what got into them, using their blood essence to refine. Yan Fu even managed to land a 7th-grade pill.


    If she too didn¡¯t bleed, Yan Fu would win. [What goddamned face will I have left then?]


    Gnashing her teeth and stomping, Tao Danniang¡¯s eyes flashed with resolve and the green flame appeared in her hand.


    [I¡¯ve been at this even before you were born. You think I have lost my touch?]


    Ingredients spiraled inside the flame. When it was almost done, she also bit her tongue and spat a blood arrow.


    When the flame died out, Tao Danniang¡¯s weak body reached for the pill with a gleeful smile.


    ¡°Heavens! It¡¯s a mid 7th-grade pill!¡±


    Xiao Ya¡¯s outcry agitated the crowd. Only Yan Fu and Liu Yizhen looked at her puzzled.


    ¡°Old hag, we decided on settling our accounts from the imperial capital alchemy competition. So what are you trying to pull?¡±


    Ugh!


    Tao Danniang almost spat blood in anger. But seeing the two of them confused, her face went red and tried to cover it with a snort, ¡°I¡¯ll have you know that there is a mountain beyond a mountain as there¡¯s someone above another. You too have a long way to go. Don¡¯t let yourself caught up in thinking only you two exist in this contest. You need to set your eyes further into the distance. There are many adversaries ahead.¡±


    Tao Danniang sighed and through this lesson, she recovered her bearing.


    But the two weren¡¯t grateful in the least.


    ¡°Old hag, we focused on each other because we wish to settle a score. How does this have anything to do with you?¡±


    Yan Fu raised an eyebrow and spoke vaguely, ¡°You think we don¡¯t know of mountains beyond mountains and someone above another? Aren¡¯t they clearly master and that brat? What¡¯s the point of even saying it?¡±


    Liu Yizhen nodded in full accord. [These two are prime examples. What are you trying to teach us?]


    Tao Danniang sank into silence, lost for words.


    Seeing the two of them sporting wise gazes, she was itching to kick them. [You think I¡¯d waste blood essence to uphold my reputation if it weren¡¯t for you two morons doing it first in your dumb fight?]


    [I wanted out of this awkward situation with my name intact, but you bastards aren¡¯t even giving me that.]


    [Speaking of which, I can expect it from this prick, Yan Fu, since he¡¯s from Pill King Hall. But what of you, Liu Yizhen? So old and you don¡¯t know how to show some respect?]


    Tao Danniang gnashed her teeth in rage.


    But no one cared about her.


    At this moment, all eyes were on Vicious Pill King. Despite this round being a showdown between ten contestants, it was in fact between only two.


    Squinting, Vicious Pill King stared hard at Zhuo Fan.


    Whoosh~


    With an evil laughter, the Bone Soul Truefire reemerged. He was in no hurry to throw ingredients in, choosing to spit blood essence again.


    ¡°Master, no!¡± Yan Fu cried.


    Vicious Pill King already did this in the third round, harming himself. If he did it again then he would be left with scarring injury, or worse, die from severe trauma.


    But Vicious Pill King no longer cared.


    How often did he meet a real opponent? To defeat Zhuo Fan, his greatest adversary, he was willing to do everything he could, even pay with his life.


    Vicious Pill King then threw ingredients in the flame, getting it refined in an instant in the Bone Soul Truefire, mixing along with his blood essence.


    Suddenly, Vicious Pill King spat blood essence again.


    This shocked even Tao Danniang. [Has the old man lost it? It may increase the pill¡¯s grade greatly but it will also threaten his life.]


    Vicious Pill King hardly cared. His eyes filled with endless madness¡­


    Yan Fu fell to his knees, with tears streaming down his cheeks, ¡°Master, what happened to you¡­¡±


    Whoosh~


    Only now did the ever relaxed Zhuo Fan open his eyes, watching Vicious Pill King with an even gaze.


    But noticing Zhuo Fan watching him, it got Vicious Pill King even more excited¡­

 Chapter 152 - Cradle Returning Dragons

    Whoosh~


    The raging flame made a clear contrast with Vicious Pill King¡¯s wane face. The once imposing and tough old man now appeared frail and with one foot in the grave. His body swayed in the breeze, a moment away from collapsing.


    But he clenched his teeth and persevered. He grinned at Zhuo Fan, who was looking back at him, with excitement.


    As if to challenge Zhuo Fan, Vicious Pill King¡¯s gestures changed and the flame soared.


    Losing blood essence three times in a day along with supplying so much Yuan Qi had taken its toll on his aged body. Sweat began to fall from not just his face as his hands grew paler and seemed to age with the naked eye.


    But his eyes danced in joy as he saw the pill slowly form within the flame.


    His behavior even stirred the sympathy of those who hated him to the core, including Chu Qingcheng and the overseers.


    ¡°Vicious Pill King is vile and twisted, but one had to admit his alchemy skill is worthy of admiration. He lives up to his name as the first alchemist in the empire.¡± Long Jiu sighed in praise.


    The others nodded, watching Vicious Pill King with the same feelings.


    Despite being on opposite sides, a hero was worthy of respect.


    Bone Soul Truefire was indeed a heaven and earth spirit flame. And in the expert hands of Vicious Pill King, the pill was completed in no time at all.


    The pill was ready to be taken out of the inferno.


    But right at this moment, Vicious Pill King spat more blood essence!


    Everyone was nervous when it entered the fire. A humming spread and the Bone Soul Truefire burned hotter.


    At the same time, a pill shined brightly and flew out of the fire with a cackle. The sound of the laughter was in fact the same as Bone Soul Truefire¡¯s.


    ¡°Vicious Pill King bestowed the pill with spirituality!¡± Long Jiu sighed in amazement. The others looked on in shock at the incredible dancing pill.


    It was a known fact that a heaven and earth spirit flame could instill spirituality into a pill, but doing it was a whole another matter.


    In Tianyu Empire¡¯s thousand-year-old history, there had been accounts of alchemists possessing a heaven and earth spirit flame, but none of them were able to refine a living pill.


    This rumor came from outside the borders. But for such an alchemist to appear even after such a long time, it was still rarer than rare. The entire continent might not have had such a genius appearing over the last half millennia.


    But Vicious Pill King had done it!


    Zhuo Fan with his dazzling performance had made the people neglect this number one alchemist in the empire. But now he used his power to prove he was still the best.


    With a gesture, the pill entered his hand and Vicious Pill King¡¯s hair started swirling in the air. He slowly raised the pill in Zhuo Fan¡¯s direction, his eyes recovering their pride and arrogance.


    He was weakened but let the people see this old man teetering towards collapse like a lofty giant.


    ¡°T-this¡­¡±


    Xiao Ya opened and closed her mouth speechless. In the end, she finally managed to express her doubt, ¡°Odd, the pill looks to be above the 7th grade but not quite in the 8th. What does it mean?¡±


    Squinting, Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t respond. Only stared rivetingly at Zhuo Fan.


    It was an open provocation.


    Chuckling, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°It is without a doubt a 7th-grade pill, albeit a perfect one. If you insist on defining it, you can call it a grade skipping pill. But it is in fact this kind of pill the hardest to refine in one¡¯s alchemical journey. It may be a 7th-grade pill, but it¡¯s worth supersedes a common 8th-grade pill.¡±


    The crowd was in complete shock!


    This was their first time hearing of a 7th grade pill that exceeded an 8th grade pill. Even some low-grade alchemists were dumbstruck.


    Though the 5th-grade alchemists and above were fully aware of the reason.


    There were, in fact, some alchemists who had a hundred percent chance of refining 5th-grade pills that could touch upon how to reach the perfect quality. But never, even after they entered the 6th grade, had they achieved it.


    Thus 6th grade pills were easy to refine, while perfect 5th-grade pills were nigh impossible.


    To them, refining a grade surpassing pill was a talent among talents.


    Talent was already needed to become a high-grade alchemist, but for refining a perfect pill one had to be a genius.


    It was clear Vicious Pill King was such a man.


    In an instant, the people¡¯s image of Vicious Pill King grew exponentially.


    Vicious Pill King, however, didn¡¯t care about such things. His eyes were on one man only. That man was the sole person qualified to make him stake his life in this competition.


    Following his eyes, the crowd¡¯s sight landed on Zhuo Fan. They now knew why Vicious Pill King went all out in this refining, even risking his life to make a perfect pill. It was all to beat the strongest opponent he ever had.


    They were all watching Zhuo Fan eager to see his reaction.


    A clash between heavyweights, a match among peak grandmaster alchemists was a rare occurrence. After today, none may get the chance to see another again. This only worked to raise their spirits higher.


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan began pondering.


    None disturbed him either in the deafening silence that ensued. Yet the people¡¯s eyes were fixed on Zhuo Fan, not leaving him for even a blink.


    With gloom ever-present on his face, Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s killing intent only grew. The more Zhuo Fan could grasp the hearts of the people, the more threatened he felt of his authority.


    He was certain of one thing, Zhuo Fan had to be dealt with.


    Long Jiu¡¯s group frowned, waiting for Zhuo Fan¡¯s next move. Chu Qingcheng and the overseers watched on edge.


    The strangest thing that happened was Chu Qingcheng no longer cared about the prevalent grudge between Pill King Hall and Drifting Flowers Edifice. Her mind was solely preoccupied with Zhuo Fan, of how he would respond to Vicious Pill King.


    In this tense atmosphere, even the crowd forgot this was an alchemy contest, only caring about the match between two peak grandmaster alchemists.


    It mattered not who won, because they were waiting for the two of them to give them the shock of their lives.


    After a moment of deep thought, Zhuo Fan let out a long breath and his face revealed a mysterious grin, ¡°So that¡¯s how it is. Let¡¯s give it a try.¡±


    Chuckling, he turned to Vicious Pill King, ¡°Any man who spat blood essence five times is bound to die. Old man, you did it four times today, which was quite impressive. If I don¡¯t get it together and show something special, I would only be insulting you.¡±


    ¡°You are correct!¡± Vicious Pill King grinned fearlessly and as excited as before.


    There was nothing more thrilling than seeing one¡¯s greatest opponent answering his challenge by going all out.


    Zhuo Fan noticed his excitement and chuckled as he walked next to his cauldron.


    With him moving, so did the countless pairs of eyes. Zhuo Fan was now the center of attention, the life of the party. His every gesture stirring the hearts of many.


    Rustle~


    He leisurely lit up the fire and snapped his finger. Tens of spirit stones revolved around the cauldron before falling into an intricate and bizarre shape.


    The people looked at each other dumbly.


    [What is Grandmaster Song doing? Setting an array? What did that have to do with alchemy?]


    Even Vicious Pill King as well as the rest of the alchemists were clueless of his intention. Since time immemorial, alchemy and arrays never intersected. What was his purpose?


    Ignoring the baffled audience, Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand made a sign and chanted, ¡°Heaven¡¯s gate, earth¡¯s locks, open for me! Let thy spiritual energy flood this array! Assist my heavenly fire in opening its eyes! Let spirits and dragons enter this pill!¡±


    The world quaked and with it, the Drifting Flowers Arena started to rumble.


    Everyone was rattled, not knowing what was happening.


    Right then, creepy laughter echoed as dark shadows from all directions flew towards Zhuo Fan and revolved above his head.


    Then they slammed into the core of the array.


    At the same time, Dragon roars echoed and dragon images flew from the core of the array, under the gobsmacked faces of everyone.


    When the world stopped shaking, the shadows were gone and the sky was crowded by nine dragon images.


    Zhuo Fan snapped his finger and threw an azure flame into the cauldron.


    The dragons seemed elated as they flew around agog before slamming inside the cauldron.


    In a blink, a deeper dragon roar was heard and an azure fire dragon burst out of the cauldron.


    It was then followed by the other 8. The azure fire inside the cauldron was now gone, absorbed by the dragons.


    With his eyes flashing, Zhuo Fan grinned as his hands danced.


    Hundreds of ingredients took to the sky at that moment.


    ¡°Secret pill array, Cradle Returning Dragons!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shouted and the nine fire dragons responded with a roar before flying into the ingredients floating about¡­

 Chapter 153 - Dragon Transformation Array

    Boom!


    The thunderous roars rang in people¡¯s eardrums. It then followed with a resplendent light, so glaring that they couldn¡¯t open their eyes.


    Once the light died out and the nine dragons¡¯ roars passed, all the ingredients were gone from the sky.


    But under closer attention, one could see that the nine fire dragons had changed. Within their body made of azure flames, a line coursed through them like a blood vessel.


    But instead of blood, it was flowing with the ingredients extracts.


    Instant refining!


    The people watched Zhuo Fan incredulously.


    They recalled Zhuo Fan¡¯s Ninth Heaven Roaring Dragon Claw with which he instantly refined 3rd-grade pill ingredients. But he had now achieved the same result with hundreds of 7th-grade pill ingredients.


    Such speed raised his refining skill to another level of comprehension.


    Even Vicious Pill King had to admit, he could not accomplish such a feat. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have taken this Bone Tempering brat as his strongest adversary.


    This was just the start of everyone¡¯s shock. The greatest awe was how the nine dragons had different colored mixtures flowing through them.


    Zhuo Fan just up and separated the ingredients in the instant they were refined.


    Speed refining seemed simple, but it touched upon one¡¯s control over the ingredients and his flame. A stronger flame would ruin the ingredient while a weak one wouldn¡¯t refine them.


    Regarding the difficulty of control, each successive ingredient grade would be like vaulting heaven. This was the wall that had so many alchemists standing before it, unable to advance.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s instant refining needed absolute control, which was even harder. Not even Vicious Pill King could do it.


    Zhuo Fan not only did it but went a level further in his control, separating the hundreds of ingredients into nine types.


    This was something Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t think was possible.


    Some pills, especially poisons, needed the extracts divided, followed by careful mixing. The Pill King Hall¡¯s poisoned palm was no exception.


    It turned refining into a very precise task, with every ingredient refined independently. One blunder would add impurities and ruin the batch.


    Yet, Zhuo Fan refined nine types of ingredients in a flash. Such accuracy was something the audience could not even begin to fathom, and this was what got Vicious Pill King so overwhelmed.


    How did the world give birth to such a mystical refining skill and such an outstanding genius alchemist?


    Hu~


    As Vicious Pill King had known, this step was the hardest when making pills. Even Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t help but let out a breath when this step was completed.


    The perceptive Xiao Ya knew Zhuo Fan was at a crucial step and didn¡¯t disturb him. Now that he relaxed, she couldn¡¯t reign in her curiosity any longer, ¡°Grandmaster Song, what was that secret skill, it is no lie to say that it shook the world?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, a mere pill array, a simple little array to help in refining.¡±


    Zhuo Fan chuckled and turned to Vicious Pill King. His provocation, however, was loud enough for everyone to hear him, ¡°For a high-grade pill to become a grade surpassing pill, it has to have spirituality. Using blood essence to make the heaven and earth spirit flame¡¯s spirituality instill a spirit into the pill is one way. But that¡¯s too dangerous. If all alchemists did it, nine out of ten would die. Truly idiotic!¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyelid twitched, feeling the naked irony within. This brat was teaching him a lesson. Like a senior teaching his juniors. This stung him hard.


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s words were correct. Vicious Pill King would¡¯ve never braved such danger if he was but a greenhorn alchemist.


    ¡°Then, did you also instill spirituality into the pill, Grandmaster Song?¡± Xiao Ya asked in awe while looking at the nine majestic dragons.


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan had a cocksure grin, ¡°Spirituality is instilled only by pouring heaven and earth spirituality into the pill. A heaven and earth spirit flame has such a property, albeit incomplete. The soul of a heaven and earth spirit flame is merely formed over millions of years within the earth by accumulating the spirits of the earth. Just take out the spirits and you can instill spirituality.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean those gray shadows were the spirits of the earth?¡±


    ¡°Correct. Spirits are all around us, just that they do not persist for long, nor do they have awareness. The locations of the seven houses were chosen with dense spiritual energy in mind. A place like that gives birth to many spirits, but not just anyone can find them.¡±


    Chuckling, Zhuo Fan pointed at the array, ¡°In the long-forgotten past, alchemy and array were one specialty. But as there were many different sects, alchemy and arrays diverged, to the point many ancient arrays are lost. The array that I set up today is the ancient Dragon Transformation Array. It draws the spirits around and transforms them into dragon spirits. Not a true dragon, mind you, but one containing just a hint of a true dragon spirit¡¯s might. A striking difference from a heaven and earth spirit flame¡¯s spirituality formed over millions of years.¡±


    Despite the shock they were in, Zhuo Fan¡¯s words brought them further amazement. They had endless admiration for him.


    This pill array was in no ancient book, moreover, no one had heard of it either. But Grandmaster Song not only had vast and widespread knowledge about all aspects but even grasped the intricacies of a pill refining array.


    Considering all the secret refining skills he displayed today, there might not be a second one like him in the entire continent, least of all this empire.


    An Exalted of alchemy!


    Vicious Pill King couldn¡¯t be clearer on this. However, he still clung onto a thread of hope. He may have lost in terms of refining skills, but he won over Zhuo Fan in terms of cultivation. The possibility of victory was still there.


    Zhuo Fan chuckled, as if in response to Vicious Pill King¡¯s thoughts. Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed and his hand signs changed.


    The nine fire dragons roared and whipped their tails in the center of the array.


    Boom!


    With an earth-shattering noise, the nine tails collided. They broke off from the dragons and crumbled down into flames that ultimately mixed together.


    With another roar, the flame burst into nine dragonlings. These dragonlings¡¯ blood vessels were of the same color, flowing azure.


    The erudite found it incredulous how Zhuo Fan refined the nine concoctions into a single mix in an instant.


    Instant refining again!


    A moment of extreme importance, one that required perfect control, was done in a blink. This got even those grandmaster alchemists peeved.


    [Grandmaster Song, your refining skill is great and all, but can you please tone it down?]


    [Are you doing all the hard steps so casually just so you can rub our faces in it? Would it hurt to take at least a second while doing it?]


    They were all in envy and depression over the might of such an exotic refining skill.


    Roar!


    The nine tailless fire dragons roared and charged to the center of the array. This time, head first.


    Boom!


    As before, the nine tailless dragons blended into a sea of fire. The next moment, another nine dragonlings emerged from the blaze.


    And just as the first nine dragonlings, these had the same azure bloodstream.


    Eighteen roaring dragonlings were truly an impressive spectacle.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, time to wrap it up!¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand flashed and a small bottle appeared. He opened it, releasing a soothing smell filled with vitality.


    Bodhi Jade Sap!


    With trembling eyes, the grandmaster alchemists watched Zhuo Fan in shock and puzzlement.


    They all knew Bodhi Jade Sap was Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s treasure. So how did it end up in Grandmaster Song¡¯s deft hands? Was he Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s¡­


    It all started to make sense! But even so, the shock was immense. [Where did Drifting Flowers Edifice find this Exalted Grandmaster Song?]


    In today¡¯s alchemy competition, he smacked the face of Pill King Hall for no less than a hundred times.


    The structure of Tianyu¡¯s alchemy system was going to change. Pill King Hall was no longer at the top. Such a change had countless implications.


    It was a known fact that Pill King Hall was the imperial family¡¯s pill supplier. If they weren¡¯t the best in Tianyu, why would the imperial family buy from them?


    People started to draw conclusions.


    Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Hundred Pill Meeting was a platform for Pill King Hall, to show off their own skills.


    But how could the ordinary masses have known? Behind the scenes, Vicious Pill King alone had almost driven the entire Drifting Flowers Edifice to collapse. Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan was not even specifically invited by the Drifting Flowers Edifice to deal with Pill King Hall¡¯s Vicious Pill King.


    If the masses had known, they would most likely have the same expression as those from Drifting Flowers Edifice?


    The two overseers were smiling. Zhuo Fan might not have been invited by them, but he was, nonetheless, Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s son in law.


    With Zhuo Fan at the helm, Pill King Hall would be held in check!


    Chu Qingcheng was thinking the same thing. She was rejoicing that her rash action proved to be a choice with incredible implications towards better!


    Only Zhuo Fan begged to differ. He was only doing what he had to¡­

 Chapter 154 - Transcending Pill King

    ¡°Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Let the dragon¡¯s feast perfect the pill!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s shout was followed by a vigorous shake of the hand, sending 18 drops of Bodhi Jade Sap into the air. The 18 dragonlings acted like cats catching the smell of fish, nabbing a drop each.


    Roar!


    As the dragonlings roared, their body dissolved into azure flames followed by their heads and leaving a ball of azure fire.


    Then the fire scattered to reveal upon the world a shining azure pill. It released a soothing smell, gripping the hearts of everyone there.


    ¡°W-what grade is it to have such an astonishing effect?¡± The people stared unblinking at the 18 dancing pills.


    These pills had yet to renounce their dragonic nature, roaring as they traveled the sky.


    All 18 of them were clearly alive. What got people so distraught was that while Vicious Pill King nearly gave his life to make just one, Zhuo Fan flipped his hand and there went eighteen of them dancing across the sky.


    This feeling was something words weren¡¯t enough to describe. Just how many times did one need to surpass Vicious Pill King¡¯s skill to breach this gap?


    There was no need for judging at this point. Everyone was dead set that Zhuo Fan was the winner. And this time, his victory was perfect, incontestable, thoroughly crushing the opposition.


    Taking a small bottle, Zhuo Fan waved for the 18 pills. He put them inside without even letting Xiao Ya take a single peek.


    Xiao Ya was alarmed, ¡°Grandmaster Song, the pills you refined¡­¡±


    ¡°No need to see them.¡± Zhuo Fan cut her off with a shake of his head. He turned to the dumbstruck and collapsed Vicious Pill King and muttered, ¡°I won!¡±


    Pure confidence.


    The whole crowd watched the calm and proud Zhuo Fan with a sense of awe. They looked at him as if he was their sole king.


    His cocky and obnoxious attitude came back in full force as well, making them all bend their knees.


    [In alchemy, I am the first. Who dares claim my throne?]


    Zhuo Fan stood there, quietly, giving the grandmaster alchemists a whole new meaning to how small they felt.


    He was a true Pill King. A Pill King with unquestionable authority!


    Xiao Ya was the closest to Zhuo Fan. She bore the brunt of his aura, but was fast to recover also, ¡°Grandmaster Song, I¡¯m convinced you have gone beyond mere winning. But please, explain to us, what grade are they?¡±


    ¡°18 pills, all of perfect 8th-grade quality!¡± Zhuo Fan deadpanned.


    The crowd erupted in surprise. The grandmaster alchemists knew he exceeded their imagination, but never knew the full extent of it. How sheerly unbelievable it all was.


    Vicious Pill King could refine a perfect 7th-grade pill and he was already at the peak of his skill.


    When people saw the 18 pills, despite the shock, they only went as far as thinking Zhuo Fan refined them as perfect 7th-grade pills. It was more than enough to surpass Vicious by many times.


    But this little prick went even further beyond anyone¡¯s guess. He not only surpassed him but went a full grade above.


    Perfect 8th-grade pill. That was something not even a 10th-grade alchemist could accomplish consistently, least of all 18 of them in one breath.


    Such heaven-defying skill was only mentioned in legends, hearsay. How could it ever be a reality, here and now?


    This cheeky little prick was that much of a monster?


    They shouted at him in their hearts, but they could not hide the sheer admiration and respect they held for his incredible refining ability.


    Vicious Pill King himself was floored. His green hair became white under the naked eye. He aged dozens of years in just one breath.


    It was an astonishing defeat. Vicious Pill King never had suffered such a thorough and complete loss. It left him with no chance of a comeback.


    This Pill King had discovered today that his refining ability was nothing when faced with a true expert. The despair, the grief, was harder to bear than even death.


    Yan Fu watched his master¡¯s loss with a pained heart. He flicked a glare at Zhuo Fan, but all he could do was gnash his teeth.


    [This brat is too damn strong. Master was never his match. And I will never get the chance to catch up to him either!]


    As there was a man beyond the next, so was a sky beyond another. It was such an apt description that no one could refute it.


    He took master as his role model. Acting as brash as him, thinking his master was the best alchemist in the world. But then came the day his master was defeated, hopeless of even taking revenge.


    Such a gap was no different from a chasm¡­


    Tao Danniang ought to be going wild with joy seeing Yan Song¡¯s crushed spirit. But it never came. Every new wave drove higher than its predecessor, who died on the sandy beach.


    Didn¡¯t Yan Song¡¯s defeat mark the end of their generation of grandmaster alchemists?


    The world was going to be tumultuous. A warrior of the new generation was already standing on their corpses, breaking the grounds of a new age.


    Turning to Zhuo Fan next to her, Tao Danniang was grateful.


    Fortune helped them to have him as Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s¡­


    Long Jiu and the rest watched it all with a sigh.


    ¡°Goddamn it, this prick sure knows how to act. He said it wasn¡¯t clear that he could lose against Vicious Pill King. And the end result? Not only did he win, but got a freaking perfect win! And not just a perfect win, but crushed him thoroughly!¡±


    Xie Tianyang couldn¡¯t help cursing to high heavens despite the shock, ¡°For god¡¯s sake, just look at Vicious Pill King. He got his life scared out of him by that brat¡­ even I feel sorry for him!¡±


    Long Jiu nodded gravely, ¡°The brat is beyond ruthless. He won¡¯t let the other have anything left. A single perfect 8th-grade pill was more than enough to win it by a landslide, but he went as far as to make 17 more, striking a fatal blow to Vicious Pill King. I fear he might never recover from this trauma for as long as he lived.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re speaking of¡­ a heart demon?¡± Xie Tianyang raised an eyebrow.


    Nodding, Long Jiu¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°Even without it, he may never get to refine a high-grade pill in his life. That brat¡¯s vicious retribution leaves everyone in dread!¡±


    They all had to nod at that.


    ¡°Then the Pill King of this Hundred Pill Meeting is¡­ ¡°


    As the crowd raved, Xiao Ya pointed at Zhuo Fan while shouting. Before she could finish, however, quick steps were heard approaching.


    Zhuo Fan was slowly and calmly walking towards the center stage. Xiao Ya was startled, ¡°Grandmaster Song, what¡­¡±


    ¡°Only I have the right to declare myself as Pill King!¡±


    Throwing that casual sentence, Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t even look at her and walked past her.


    The crowd was in awe again, [He has the aura of a king! He is without a doubt this generation¡¯s Pill King!]


    Xiao Ya suddenly forgot she was the judge here and blushed a bit. She was so lost in Zhuo Fan¡¯s flair that she forgot to do her job.


    Xie Tianyang sighed enviously, ¡°He is an expert at putting on airs. When will I get the chance to do the same I wonder? Just one time is all I ask.¡±


    Under the chaotic shouts from all around him, Zhuo Fan arrived before the stage. He swallowed when he saw the wooden box and a weight fell off his heart.


    [Chu Qingtian, wearing your cloak up to this point, I can rest at ease to say that I have returned your sister¡¯s debt.]


    Zhuo Fan let his cloak fall and walked on stage.


    The people were struck into silence. They saw the cloak spread on the steps of the stage and the words on it and were moved.


    ¡°Heaven-toppling¡­ Pill!¡±


    It all started with a murmur, but it soon grew into an ear-splitting roar. They all started to pump their fist and join, ¡°Heaven-toppling Pill, Heaven-toppling Pill, Heaven-toppling Pill¡­¡±


    Indeed, Pill King was far beneath a man of Zhuo Fan¡¯s caliber. In their hearts, only this title, Heaven-toppling Pill, was fit to Grandmaster Song¡¯s genius.


    Chu Qingcheng covered her mouth, her eyes flowing with tears.


    The people acclaimed Zhuo Fan as Heaven-toppling Pill, but it was in fact Chu Qingtian¡¯s wish. Zhuo Fan had taken her little brother¡¯s place and fulfilled his cherished wish.


    Her eyes on him now contained an even deeper love.


    Vicious Pill King was in a daze as he heard the roars and looked at the four words on the stage¡¯s steps. He seemed to be both crying and laughing, ¡°Heaven-toppling Pill. I never thought there was a man in this world who¡¯d use these words. Qingtian, I have lost today at his hands, and yours¡­¡±


    Vicious Pill King seemed to have lost it. But his eyes seemed to have realized something as they got clearer¡­


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan was cool, despite the turmoil banging his ears. He did not look at the cloak again, as it had no more sway on him.


    He did what he had to. He paid the favor he owed. And now followed with his true objective.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes turned colder and reached for the wooden box on the pedestal.


    But with a sudden sound, a golden fist caught him off guard, ¡°Punk, you are far from worthy of taking the Bodhi Root!¡±


    ¡°Watch out!¡±Chu Qingcheng paled at the danger he was facing, but her warning came too late.


    The iron fist struck Zhuo Fan square in the chest.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes suddenly turned vicious! His act as Song Yu was done. Now, it was time for the Demonic Emperor, Zhuo Fan, to reenter the scene¡­

 Chapter 155 - True Demon Revealed

    Whoosh~


    Zhuo Fan vanished the next moment. Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s heart was in distress. How could a Bone Tempering kid escape his sneak attack?


    Thunder rolled and Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s heart froze, feeling danger creeping up on him.


    His only reaction was a slight tilt of his head.


    Whoosh!


    A flash of lightning streaked past his face, drawing blood. Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s forehead was soaked with sweat.


    He had a keen danger sense, otherwise his head would have rolled off his shoulders.


    Bam!


    He may have avoided the killing blow, but a hammer blow shot into his belly. He felt pain down to his marrow as if a cannon shot at him.


    With a rumble, he flew back and created a three meter wide hole in the Drifting Flowers Arena wall.


    It all happened in a blink. It was unclear how he was even attacked, only to ultimately end up through the wall.


    The snicker on those on the eastern stand froze. [What was going on? How did Huangpu Qingyun lose when he was the one with greater power, when he was the one at the advantage?]


    His opponent was but a Bone Tempering kid!


    Aghast, the people looked towards the center stage only to feel their faces twitching.


    Zhuo Fan was standing there in all his glory, with the Lightning Wings flickering behind him. His leg was still high up, the clear reason behind Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s setback.


    Those wings, could they be¡­


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡± Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder gnashed his teeth in malice. His eyes filled with killing intent.


    This was unbelievable to the crowd. They once heard of this demon Zhuo Fan and the sensations he stirred. Of his lightning wings and his ruthless savagery.


    Who could¡¯ve seen it coming? The one to defeat Vicious Pill King four times, the one to transcend the title of Pill King, Heaven-toppling Pill, the same Grandmaster Song, was in fact the one and only Zhuo Fan.


    Even Chu Qingcheng and Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s people were in a state of shock. That vile and deceitful demon of a man was in fact the pigheaded, blunt, and oafish Song Yu?


    [They had absolutely nothing in common!]


    Or more aptly put, Zhuo Fan¡¯s performance was so convincing, he got everyone dancing his tune!


    ¡°Did you know he was Zhuo Fan all along?¡± Peony Overseer asked Long Jiu¡¯s group.


    Nodding, Long Jiu stroked his beard with a chuckle, ¡°Indeed. And our friendship with the kid isn¡¯t shallow either!¡±


    ¡°What will you do now? Are you going to join him in fighting Hell Valley and Regent Estate?¡± Iris Overseer frowned in worry.


    They all saw Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s power. Now that he had three other houses helping him, they were out of their depths. But that wasn¡¯t the worst part. This was a turning point. Once they joined this fight, the damage was done, and the seven house war would erupt.


    With how precarious Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s state was, their end was guaranteed!


    They did not want to see it come to pass. However, Hell Valley¡¯s number one offender, Zhuo Fan, came out of the closet. Now the seven houses were split in sticking for Zhuo Fan or wishing to kill him.


    Drifting Flowers Edifice held a grudge against the party who wished to kill Zhuo Fan. Therefore, they could not join them. On the other hand, Zhuo Fan¡¯s side was the weakest, doomed to fail.


    Iris Overseer and Peony Overseer were in anguish, on the verge of tears.


    [You got smacked again and again so many times before, but why do you appear now, in front of so many people? Wose, in front of your enemies! Why are you making it so hard on us? Drifting Flowers Edifice never offended you, so why are you looking to harm us?]


    Xie Tianyang could guess what they were thinking and gestures dismissively, ¡°Don¡¯t you worry now. There¡¯s no need to join this miserable battle. We plan on sitting back as well.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t help him?¡± Peony Overseer was puzzled and glad. Puzzled since he always said he and Zhuo Fan went through thick and thin together, but not willing to help him now when it matters. Glad, since they could play innocent. Since no one was going to help him, then Drifting Flowers Edifice needn¡¯t bother themselves with other people¡¯s problems.


    However, seeing them so callous, Xiao Dandan was fuming mad, ¡°Humph, and you call yourselves brothers while afraid to lend a hand when it matters. If you won¡¯t help him, I will.¡±


    Xiao Dandan just started running when Peony Overseer dragged her back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go cause trouble, missy. That Zhuo Fan has a vile reputation. Who knows what he was planning while hiding in Drifting Flowers City? Why are you still treating him like your husband? And how come you¡¯re more infatuated then before?¡± Drifting Flowers City cussed.


    Xiao Dandan felt chagrined, ¡°Master, I finally found a good man and I just can¡¯t sit by and watch him die.¡±


    ¡°Miss Dandan is so virtuous, worthy of me calling you sister in law.¡±


    Xie Tianyang giggled, ¡°Don¡¯t you worry your pretty little head. This is all part of that brat¡¯s master plan. He even warned us not to get involved and to believe in him to see this through to the end.¡±


    ¡°What? Is this true? Or are you just saying this to shift the blame and pull the wool over my eyes? ¡± Xiao Dandan suspected him.


    The others laughed with a shake of their heads and even Peony Overseer felt bitter.


    [Foolish girl, who do you think they are? If people of the seven houses say they won¡¯t go save him, then that¡¯s what they¡¯ll do. Why would they go and lie to a lass?]


    Seeing her suspicion not in the least dispelled, Long Kui let out a disarming giggle, ¡°Lady Dandan, that brat didn¡¯t want us to interfere, afraid that Regent Estate would target us and affect the rise of his clan. Which reminds me. This is all part of a selfish aim of his. Why would a ruthless and devious savage such as him show kindness otherwise? Why would he burden himself with the lives of others otherwise? This brings me back to the chaos that happened in Windgaze City between us and Hell Valley. He took advantage of the turmoil and killed two of their elders, while making us take the fall¡­¡±


    ¡°You are not allowed to speak ill of my husband! Can¡¯t you see it¡¯s all because of his intelligence?¡± Xiao Dandan cut her off with an irritated tone.


    Shaking her head, Long Kui remained silent. [What¡¯s so good about him anyway? What got this grown-up lady so delusional over him?]


    Ignoring her martial niece, Iris Overseer looked at Zhuo Fan then at Long Jiu, ¡°Uncle Jiu, you say that he wants to carry this by himself. But how is a Bone Tempering cultivator able to deal with four houses ganging up on him and flee with his life? Will you intervene if his death is certain?¡±


    Long Jiu paused for a long time, then nodded with unyielding conviction, ¡°Yes, he is the brother I believe in without question.¡±


    ¡°I as well. I owe him a debt.¡± Xie Tianyang grinned, then chuckled at the tall figure in the arena, ¡°However, we are probably overthinking things. He got this in the bag.¡±


    ¡°What!? He can actually escape under the eyes of four experts?¡± Peony Overseer jolted, ¡°That would make him just as the rumors spoke of, a freak. These four are renowned figures of the Profound Heaven Stage.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, he is without a doubt, a freak!¡± Xie Tianyang laughed, ¡°I also do not know if he can escape, but I know from his fight with You Guiqi. He is no oaf. As long as he set his mind on something, he will see it through to the end.¡±


    They all had to nod at this and returned to watch the events unfold.


    Crash!


    With a burst, Huangpu Qingyun flew out of the rubble. There was dust all over him, but otherwise, not a scratch on him.


    He however knew full well how his belly hurt.


    Feeling his belly carefully, Huangpu Qingyun watched the winged Zhuo Fan solemnly.


    He underestimated him for having a Bone Tempering cultivation, but in fact, Zhuo Fan¡¯s speed wasn¡¯t the only one transcending stages, his body¡¯s power too.


    As a fellow body cultivator, Huangpu Qingyun knew how difficult Zhuo Fan could be. What surpassed this, however, was the shock of finding someone with a more savage body cultivation method than Regent Estate¡¯s Imperial Tyrant Body Art.


    Easing his leg down, Zhuo Fan¡¯s face was ever the same, calm and unfeeling. He opened the wooden box in his hands and breathed in deeply. The root was finally his.


    Grinning from ear to ear, Zhuo Fan put the box away and ignored the flabbergast looks of everyone as he turned his attention to Hundred Pill Meeting, ¡°Second young master, didn¡¯t you say something about being unworthy of Bodhi Root? Ha-ha-ha, as you well know, as the Pill King of this Hundred Pill Meeting, I am rightfully entitled to it.¡±


    ¡°You little shit, you won¡¯t live enough to enjoy it!¡± Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyes exploded with killing intent.


    Shrugging, Zhuo Fan chuckled a retort, ¡°If yours truly took it, I am least afraid of someone taking it from me!¡±


    Whoosh!


    With a sudden sound, Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder flashed not ten meters from him. He glared, ¡°Punk, you¡¯re that Zhuo Fan who killed 7th elder! Don¡¯t even think of denying it. Many from Hell Valley saw those same lightning wings when you committed the crime!¡±


    ¡°When did I ever say the contrary? He-he-he, then again, who else out there is brazen enough to openly steal what one of the seven houses covet?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face slowly changed to his original appearance.


    Despite knowing it was coming, the crowd was still filled with panic. Zhuo Fan¡¯s face was the same one on Hell Valley¡¯s kill order.


    The crowd devolved into chaos as each ran which way.


    The fight between the killer of Hell Valley¡¯s mastermind ¨C You Guiqi ¨C Zhuo Fan and their 5th elder was not something these first, second and third rate clans would dare involve themselves in.


    If by some disaster, they would get killed from a stray attack, they wouldn¡¯t even have time to lament.


    Despite such fears, they couldn¡¯t help feeling sorry for the magnificent Heaven-toppling Pill, Grandmaster Song, ending up to be the demon Zhuo Fan.


    Under the seven houses¡¯ encirclement, the only ending was with one¡¯s head on a pike.


    Regardless if he was the demon Zhuo Fan, or the freak Zhuo Fan, how could either of them escape from the seven houses¡¯ entrapment?

 Chapter 156 - Savage Like A Tiger

    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s thoughts aligned with the rest.


    She gazed upon the changing yet unmistakably proud face with incertitude.


    Zhuo Fan had lied to her from the start, yet he did not once do something to disappoint her. It turned out that with his intervention, all the crises were laid before her, unraveled, waiting for her to solve them with ease.


    She came to believe that she and Drifting Flowers Edifice owed him. Now there was no reason for her to hold back from helping him avoid the danger he was in.


    However, that only applied if he was anyone but Zhuo Fan. After all, he killed Hell Valley¡¯s 7th elder.


    If she chose to stand up for him, Hell Valley would soon be knocking with a war on her door. Regent Estate and Pill King Hall would never miss the golden opportunity either. Thus marking the end of Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    She was deep in thought for a while before coming to a decision. Chu Qingcheng gnashed her teeth and her eyes shined with conviction as she took a simple step.


    [Death is nothing, since today is Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s judgment day. Without this man¡¯s help, Vicious Pill King would¡¯ve gripped the whole of Drifting Flowers Edifice in a mere two days.]


    Rather than struggle on death¡¯s door, ending alongside the man she admired with a bang didn¡¯t seem like a bad way to go.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s gait became firm and nodded at Tao Danniang, ¡°Aunt Tao!¡±


    Clear on her intention, Tao Danniang sighed as she grew resolute as well.


    But right then, one red and one blue silk ribbon held them tight before lifting them on the terrace.


    ¡°I knew you two were foolish, but thankfully I managed to stop you.¡±


    Peony Overseer and Iris Overseer released the ribbons and sighed. Xie Tianyang then rushed to explain Zhuo Fan¡¯s intentions.


    The two were alarmed, unable to comprehend how a Bone Tempering cultivator could face four Profound Heaven experts. It was impossible even to a freak like him.


    Shrugging, Xie Tianyang sighed, ¡°I¡¯ve fulfilled my end and told you of his wishes. If you still wish to be reckless, all you¡¯ll be doing is ruining his plan. His anger will be on you!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see him dare get angry at me!¡± Chu Qingcheng shouted. But soon, she realized this was not the time for casual bickering.


    With a rotten smile, Xie Tianyang spoke in circles, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, you have no idea of the extent of that brat¡¯s retribution. By the time you find out, you¡¯ll be left in tears. He-he-he¡­¡±


    Chu Qingcheng watched the arena mystified.


    At the same time, Huangpu Qingyun and Zhuo Fan turned towards the terrace as if in sync.


    Huangpu Qingyun was worried Chu Qingcheng would stick out for Zhuo Fan. He didn¡¯t want to fight her and now he could finally put this worry to rest. Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan was even more concerned. If Chu Qingcheng stood up, his plan would go up in smokes.


    Two rivals were actually willing to pause over a woman.


    ¡°Brat, it¡¯s time you pay for my 7th brother¡¯s misery with your life!¡±


    Suddenly, Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder charged Zhuo Fan. His body exploded with power and ignited into a scarlet flame as he swung at Zhuo Fan.


    The fist was filled with rage and thrown in haste, but it kicked up a storm. Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t even breathe from its power, as if a mountain was crushing him.


    [5th layer of Profound Heaven Stage, and a body cultivator too!]


    His pupils contracting, he although had an inkling of the man¡¯s power, it exceeded his expectations.


    Despite being a Profound Heaven expert as well, he was in a different league from You Guiqi. Zhuo Fan weighed it thoroughly and came to the conclusion he was far from this man¡¯s match in body power.


    [But everyone has a shortcoming. Your flesh might be steel, but I have two blades behind me!]


    With savagery in his eyes, Zhuo Fan stood his ground. The Lightning Wings warped into sickles and attacked 5th elder.


    One hacked the flaming fist, the other his face.


    Zhuo Fan was willing to accept this heavy wound if it meant the death of his opponent.


    Seeing the incoming sickle, 5th elder stomped. With an explosion, he stopped in his tracks and flew backward.


    The wings missed and with a boom, a 5 meter hole was left behind three meters from 5th elder.


    Wisps of black smoke drifted above the hole.


    Feeling the icy sweat trickling down his head, 5th elder expression turned grave. He no longer charged recklessly.


    He now knew how You Guiqi met his end.


    [This brat is too vicious. Not only to his enemies, but even to himself.] It may look advantageous exchanging a wound for a kill, but he would open himself to others, a pig ready to be slaughtered.


    To make such a savage decision in a split second showed how cunning and ruthless he was!


    The 5th elder was beginning to worry about the upcoming battle. What if the brat up and chose to take them both down?


    Such an ending would be meaningless.


    The worried people on the terrace watched in shock. [Is this the rumored demon Zhuo Fan? He is indeed a monstrosity.]


    Yet, the women from Drifting Flowers Edifice came to find he was sporting one hell of a domineering air.


    In this state, where Zhuo Fan was the weakest in terms of cultivation and number, he exuded the aura of the strongest, one who looked down on others with pride.


    While Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s team, the one with higher cultivation and number, was bleak and distressed. Their stance looked to be the weakest of the two sides!


    The previous exchange between 5th elder and Zhuo Fan was the perfect example. Zhuo Fan was willing to bet his life while 5th elder wasn¡¯t quite up to terms with staking his life on one strike. It ended as it played, with 5th elder terrified and Zhuo Fan winning.


    [I was the one to attack first but ended up scared by his sickles. How mortifying!]


    ¡°This is how a man should be, brave. I finally found a real man. How great that he is also my husband¡­¡± Xiao Dandan was love-struck, with only him in her ever infatuated eyes.


    Chu Qingcheng shook her head but was feeling her fair share of growing feelings as well. [Yes, this is how my husband should be, an undefeated hero!]


    In the arena, 5th elder was aware of the humiliation. He was pissed, but he stayed put. Zhuo Fan grinned and placed the Bodhi Root in his Thunder Ring, ¡°Yours truly shall no longer entertain you, buh-bye!¡±


    Zhuo Fan punctuated with a stomp and took flight. His wings shot him high in the sky.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    Snorting, 5th elder stomped as well, chasing after him. In mere seconds, he overtook Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan however, expected this and the Lightning Wings shifted into whips as they lashed at him, ¡°Get lost!¡±


    ¡°Humph, you little prick, you think you¡¯re the only one with demonic treasures?¡±


    5th elder had come prepared. His hand suddenly held an enormous scarlet hammer. He used both his hands to swing it at Zhuo Fan, ¡°If you¡¯ve got the guts, let¡¯s see you bet your life again!¡±


    ¡°A 5th-grade demonic treasure!¡±


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and shifted his wings into shields.


    With the enemy having a 5th-grade demonic treasure, exchanging a wound for a life was impossible now. His life might be the one to perish first.


    Bam!


    Zhuo Fan smashed into the ground like a meteor, picking up a cloud of dust. When it cleared, it revealed the crumbled stage.


    Chu Qingcheng and the others were alarmed. Xiao Dandan even jumped to search for his body, but Peony Overseer caught her before she could do it.


    Long Jiu¡¯s group was looking grave.


    Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder was a body cultivator. If this hammer strike hadn¡¯t outright killed Zhuo Fan, it would definitely leave a mark. If the situation worsened, they would have no choice but offend Regent Estate and join the fight.


    5th elder floated down and smashed the ground with his hammer, making the earth quake three times.


    Huangpu Qingyun eyed the ruins, then the proud 5th elder and cackled, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, 5th elder is indeed Hell Valley¡¯s expert body cultivator. Your art is as strong as Regent Estate¡¯s Imperial Tyrant Body Art.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too kind, second young master, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± 5th elder faked modesty. He had always been confident of his body cultivation method. Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s words of praises made his heart pump with pride.


    Huangpu Qingyun turned to the ruins again with a chuckle, ¡°With 5th elder¡¯s strength, that brat must be close to dying if not dead already. Could I ask a favor from 5th elder? If he¡¯s still alive, allow me to exact revenge for your valley¡¯s 7th elder.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyes flashed with naked killing intent.


    5th elder knew he was after this all along and didn¡¯t hurt earning his favor over such a small matter. He laughed, ¡°Others are unworthy, but if it¡¯s the second young master¡¯s request, please do not hesitate to do it. But I would like to return to Hell Valley with his head.¡±


    ¡°I will never forget 5th elder¡¯s dutiful act!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun then walked towards the ruins with killing intent.


    Since ancient times, one mountain wasn¡¯t big enough for two tigers. [This is your fate, that I will wring the life out of you to ease my heart.]


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group stared in anxiety and worry that he would kill Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Uncle Jiu, do we attack?¡± Chu Qingcheng asked impatiently.


    But Long Jiu¡¯s lone eye stared at the ruins, still ruminating. This only worked to add more pressure on Chu Qingcheng¡­

 Chapter 157 - Cunning Like A Fox

    ¡°Humph, if you won¡¯t go, I will!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng had reached her limit again, flicking her sleeve as she rushed to save him. Long Jiu and his group helplessly followed after her.


    But an explosion stopped them before they could intervene.


    Huangpu Qingyun was right at the edge of the crumbled stage when it shot into the air. A black figure flashed and a foot slammed Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s cheek.


    Huangpu Qingyun flew for dozens of meters and was now seeing stars. The black figure was far from finished, flickering behind Huangpu Qingyun and hacked with two thunderous axes for his head.


    Huangpu Qingyun was too caught up to even know what was happening before finding himself face to face with death.


    ¡°Watch out, second young master!¡±


    Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder swung his two fists to help him, but the figure already retreated.


    When the black figure stopped, it was unmistakably Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan had blood flowing from his mouth and sporting an infuriated expression, only surpassed by the killing intent in his eyes.


    ¡°Dammit, so close and I would¡¯ve had that punk¡¯s life!¡± Zhuo Fan spat blood and barked at Huangpu Qingyun.


    Huangpu Qingyun was overwhelmed and his body broke out in cold sweat.


    [This goddamn prick is too deceitful. He faked death among the ruble so that I would get close enough to kill me.]


    [If not for 5th timely rescue, I would¡¯ve been a goner.]


    Huangpu Qingyun grew more roiled, but feeling more appalled than ever. Chu Qingcheng¡¯s side was wild with joy. Zhuo Fan looked as fine as ever, with hardly enough to be called wounded.


    ¡°Well damn. I always took the rumor of him being a freak as nothing more than a jest. But two years after we last saw each other, this brat¡¯s hardheadedness reached a whole new level. With how strong Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder¡¯s body was, even Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s 3rd elder would want to avoid fighting him. They have come to blows many times over the years but always ended in a tie. How is it that this brat is pitch-perfect after getting a smack from his hammer? He is an abomination.¡±


    Long Jiu said suddenly to Xie Tianyang, ¡°Kid, didn¡¯t you see him last time? Just when did he get that freakish?¡±


    Shrugging, Xie Tianyang felt downcast, ¡°Who knew it would all happen overnight? From the 6th layer of Qi Condensation, where he could beat even Bone Tempering experts, he suddenly changed to the Bone Tempering freak who killed You Guiqi!¡±


    [Overnight?!]


    They all smacked their lips. What baffling skill did the brat use to become so dreadful?


    But then they recalled how he changed overnight when the Luo clan was in crisis at that time as well. And now he did it again, this time gaining an unbreakable body.


    ¡°Brother, just how much are you hiding for your dear older brother?¡± Long Jiu sighed as the rest watched Zhuo Fan in amazement.


    This kid was a true monster. Not only his alchemy ability was top-notch, but he was well versed in other aspects as well!


    Unaware of his dear older brother, Long Jiu, labeling him a monster, Zhuo Fan spat another mouthful of blood as he watched the appalled Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder.


    ¡°Goddamned old fart! Your hammer almost snapped my rib. But you at least managed to shake my organs a bit and give me a slight wound. Hell Valley, eh? Fine then, Hell Valley¡¯s old 5th, I¡¯ll remember this debt.¡±


    With a twitching face, Zhuo Fan spat the words with great rancor. Yet, why did it sound more like a mockery than anything else?


    A grand 5th layer Profound Heaven bone cultivator¡¯s hammer blow couldn¡¯t kill a Bone Tempering cultivator, when it would turn any normal Profound Heaven expert to mush. Not even Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s 3rd elder dared to take on his hammer.


    The least was a serious wound and worst, death.


    But this punk didn¡¯t even get a rib cracked, nor sported the slightest wound.


    [Just who the hell is this brat?]


    5th elder had regarded Zhuo Fan highly from the start. At least at You Guiqi¡¯s level since he managed to kill him.


    But he now realized how sorely mistaken he was.


    [This punk is a monster through and through. His body is nigh unbreakable!]


    [Thank the fates he¡¯s not in the Profound Heaven Stage and can¡¯t use his body to its full advantage¡­]


    Spatting, 5th elder turned grave!


    Zhuo Fan secretly laughed having figured out what was on his mind. This was the best time to flee. And he did just that, without any useless words, just fled.


    The grave 5th elder jolted and cursed inside as he rushed to block him.


    [Think I¡¯m a fool to let you walk away after you cursed me? You won¡¯t get the chance! You won¡¯t live to make my life miserable.]


    He was indeed a Profound Heaven expert, catching up in an instant and swinging his hammer on Zhuo Fan again.


    But Zhuo Fan was prepared this time. Grinning, his Lightning Wings deflected the hammer and rushed towards the 5th elder.


    5th elder was in glee.


    Zhuo Fan may have dodged the blow, but coming closer, couldn¡¯t be better.


    5th elder let go of the hammer and smashed his fist towards Zhuo¡¯s face.


    The blow packed enough power to at least break a few bones this time.


    But Zhuo Fan kept his cool, even snickering. He lightly stepped, ¡°Mystifying Phantom Step!¡±


    Zhuo Fan vanished into thin air and popped behind 5th elder.


    5th elder had no idea what occurred while Zhuo Fan used this chance to flee.


    ¡°Kid, you won¡¯t get away that easy!¡±


    Suddenly, Huangpu Qingyun appeared and blocked his escape.


    Zhuo Fan frowned and felt vexation get to him, [I so want to take him down a peg but this is not the time.] They were both body cultivators but with one stage gap. Brawling would be detrimental to Zhuo Fan.


    Moreover, it would also slow down his speed if he were to use the Lightning Wings to fend off his opponent. Afterwards, the 5th elder would rush over during the gap and make matters worse.


    With no alternative, Zhuo Fan used Mystifying Phantom Step again to escape Huangpu Qingyun.


    Huangpu Qingyun stood dumbly in mid-air. [What¡¯s with this strange art?] He never saw anything remotely resembling it.


    However, to the dismay of the ones on the terrace, a blue figure flashed over, curbing Zhuo Fan¡¯s escape.


    With a boom, he was kicked back before he could figure out how it happened.


    He hit the ground so hard, a wave of dust formed.


    The messy Zhuo Fan clawed back to his feet. He felt his sore face as he looked coldly.


    5th elder and Huangpu Qingyun took one side around him as did the blue figure. Zhuo Fan snickering at him, ¡°The kick was fast, but hardly powerful. It turns out to be an elder from Merry Woods. ¡°


    The one to get a leg up on Zhuo Fan was none other than Lin Zitian.


    Taking a quick look at Vicious Pill King, he found him too drained to join in the fight. Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder were tough but had no way to counter Zhuo Fan¡¯s eerie movements.


    Thus making Merry Woods¡¯ speed the only way to bring the brat down a peg.


    Lin Zitian thought, [Fortune favors the bold.] He made sure to kick back this monstrosity to win the greatest credit.


    Unbeknownst to him, that kick shot him straight through the gates of hell.


    ¡°Elder Lin, well done! I will remember this later!¡± Huangpu Qingyun was vexed by Zhuo Fan¡¯s erratic movements but now only Lin Zitian could keep him here so Huangpu Qingyun flattered him.


    Picking up on the second young master¡¯s plan, 5th elder followed suit, ¡°This little prick is such a headache, having a strange movement art on top of his strong body. If not for Elder Lin, he would¡¯ve escaped.¡±


    Lin Zitian was proud of his glorious achievement, but shook his head trying to act modestly.


    Peony Overseer was itching to go there and kick his butt.


    [You damn old fart. It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t want to help Drifting Flowers Edifice, but you went as far as helping that bastard from Regent Estate against Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s son in law? I was a fool to waste my feelings on you.]


    Zhuo Fan had a contemptuous grin and secretly cursed him for being a moron. Ye, even in this situation, he didn¡¯t put him in his eyes.


    He already saw through Merry Woods¡¯ cultivation method, a useless trick, fancy but pointless! If his disciple ruined himself with it, what was to say of his master?


    How was he a worthy enemy if he was the weakest, albeit fastest?


    Zhuo Fan sneered. He only took into consideration Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder, while throwing Elder Lin in the back of his mind.


    Such clearcut disregard irked Elder Lin, stinging his prideful heart.


    ¡°Second young master, 5th elder, allow me to handle this arrogant punk!¡±


    Lin Zitian didn¡¯t find anything amiss and shouted. Zhuo Fan looked at him queerly. [This opportunist sure is ballsy.]


    [You know I killed You Guiqi, who was as weak as you, yet you dare challenge me?]


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder looked at him the same way.


    [Is this old man alright? Even I have to watch my every move when facing this demon and here you are asking to do it alone?]


    [Just who was the truly arrogant one here? One or two praises already got to your head?]

 Chapter 158 - Unstoppable Speed

    Sticking out his chest, Lin Zitian felt so full of himself being the center of attention.


    What he didn¡¯t see was the suspicion in their eyes.


    ¡°5th elder, if Elder Lin wishes to fight him, let us owe him this favor and we¡¯ll repay it back in the future.¡± Squinting, Huangpu Qingyun no longer second-guessed it and agreed with Lin Zitian.


    Lin Zitian cupped his hands to Huangpu Qingyun in joy, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare. This is something I should be doing anyway. For the second young master to grant me this honor is enough.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s words revealed how much importance he gave himself. Lin Zitian was overjoyed Merry Woods now had a powerful backer.


    ¡°But second young master¡­¡± 5th elder spoke with revulsion. Though his face had an understanding smile when turned to Huangpu Qingyun.


    As if the second young master cared about this pawn called Lin Zitian! He was only used as bait to see what other tricks Zhuo Fan had up his sleeves.


    At the least, they¡¯d make some early plans on how to deal with them.


    Snickering inside, 5th elder cupped his hands at Lin Zitian, ¡°Elder Lin, thank you for your trouble.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too kind, 5th elder.¡±


    Lin Zitian¡¯s face had a glittering smile plastered on it. Like the bottom of the barrel got hailed as the number one genius. While Zhuo Fan could barely contain his mockery.


    [There¡¯s no worse fool out there than a clueless lab rat!]


    [Fighting such a moron is a total waste of time.]


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t waste words and capitalized on their inattention by jumping backward. His Lightning Wings were primed into sharpened daggers to break out of this encirclement.


    This time he wasn¡¯t aiming for the air, but the wall behind him.


    As the wall was the closest to him, his action would leave the other unable to react. This would ultimately allow him to escape Drifting Flowers Arena and take to the skies.


    He would be soon as free as a bird, in his own element. While also offsetting the three¡¯s Profound Heaven speed from catching up.


    Huangpu Qingyun shouted in alarm, ¡°Damn it! He wants to run!¡±


    He cursed Zhuo Fan inside for his cunning nature. One careless moment and he would slip away!


    By the time he and 5th elder got to the hole in the wall, Zhou Fan had the advantage of the open sky outside.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Huangpu Qingyun, old 5th, we will meet again if fate allows it.¡± Zhuo Fan sped up and left his laughter behind.


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder gnashed their teeth but didn¡¯t pursue.


    They knew it was too late already.


    But Zhuo Fan once again omitted Lin Zitian¡¯s name.


    It was clear disregard!


    Lin Zitian¡¯s grew irate, [This prick thinks of escaping with me from Merry Woods here? Absurd!]


    Whoosh!


    Lin Zitian¡¯s figure vanished. Not even Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder who were the closest, noticed his movements.


    The next thing everyone knew, he was behind Zhuo Fan and cutting off the latter¡¯s retreat.


    So fast!


    Zhuo Fan was startled somewhat. Lin Zitian was in the Profound Heaven Stage but his speed was far above it.


    [He isn¡¯t an elder of Merry Woods for nothing. Although¡­]


    [Since when is speed everything? You¡¯re nothing more than a paper tiger to me.]


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t slow down at all, going straight for Elder Lin.


    This had the elder fuming with rage.


    ¡°You little shit, you will pay for your insolence!¡± Like an enraged lion, Lin Zitian roared and charged as well.


    But Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t one to mind, mocking him in fact as his Lightning Wings were sharpened for impact, ¡°Your funeral!¡±


    The clash already had a conclusion in everyone¡¯s minds.


    Zhuo Fan was a monster yet only a Bone Tempering cultivator. He could face off against the impressive 5th layer of Profound Heaven body cultivator, Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder by himself. Not to mention he killed You Guiqi in one hit.


    [You, Lin Zitian, are no body cultivator, even weaker than You Guiqi. Yet, you dare face such a freak? Truly a moron.]


    ¡°Let¡¯s go together, 5th elder!¡± Huangpu Qingyun spoke.


    Startled, 5th elder didn¡¯t understand, ¡°Second young master, we won¡¯t be able to save him even if we do join.¡±


    ¡°Fool, what saving? He might not last a hit, but as a Profound Heaven expert he can delay that brat long enough for us to catch up!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun already bolted with the 5th elder laughing right behind him.


    Zhuo Fan had long guessed their plan and his mouth perked into a peculiar smile.


    Whoosh~


    Just when they were about to clash, Zhuo Fan used Mystifying Phantom Step again, only to appear behind Lin Zitian.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder stopped in shock. Zhuo Fan¡¯s cackle came from behind Lin Zitian, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, your plan was for me to waste time on this idiot, right? You counted your chickens too soon!¡±


    ¡°Damn it, he figured it out!¡± Huangpu Qingyun scowled.


    Long Jiu¡¯s group now realized as well. Lin Zitian wasn¡¯t there to attack Zhuo Fan, but to stall him enough for the other two to catch up.


    It was clearly out of Lin Zitian¡¯s intentions, ending up used by Huangpu Qingyun.


    Regent Estate was indeed an expert in manipulation. But Zhuo Fan saw through it with a glance, hailing his skills a cut higher.


    In this three against one battle, they did not fight with only their fists but with their minds. If one side lost either aspect, defeat was imminent.


    Long Jiu admired Zhuo Fan even greater now. If it were him in Zhuo Fan¡¯s shoes, he would¡¯ve attacked Lin Zitian and fell in Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s trap.


    But now the situation resolved and Zhuo Fan was free to leave.


    However, before anyone could breathe a sigh of relief, Lin Zitian punched Zhuo Fan as he roared, ¡°Punk, you dare look down on me?¡±


    ¡°Humph, you seriously don¡¯t know when to quit. Since you want death, I shall oblige!¡±


    Finding Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder stock still from the corner of his eye, Zhuo Fan grinned. Killing intent flared in his eyes and thrust at Lin Zitian.


    Huangpu Qingyun was filled with regret.


    Who knew Lin Zitian was so thickheaded, still in pursuit? If they knew, they wouldn¡¯t have stopped. Now, however, it was too late to go after him again. All they could do was watch Lin Zitian throw away his life for nothing.


    Lin Zitian didn¡¯t seem afraid of the 6th-grade demonic treasure coming for his life. He even had time to mock, ¡°Brat, don¡¯t you know power is useless when you can¡¯t even land a hit?¡±


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t seem to catch his drift. But then Lin Zitian vanished half a meter away from him and the Lightning Wings hit naught but air.


    ¡°How?!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was in shock. It was impossible to move so fast without build-up. Only his Mystifying Phantom Step could do it, allowing him to blink short distances.


    What he failed to detect, however, was the ripple in space. This was a burst over short distances.


    But this burst was so fast that not even a Profound Heaven expert¡¯s speed was its match.


    In his shock, Lin Zitian appeared again with a mocking smile as he punched Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest. With Lightning Wings in mid-attack, Zhuo Fan could only use his arm to block.


    ¡°Humph, regardless of how fast Merry Woods is, your power is nothing. With such childish punches, not even a hundred will help. Can one man¡¯s punch make any difference?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, ever heard of constant efforts always prevail?¡±


    Snorting, Lin Zitian mocked Zhuo Fan but his heart was furious as he added more power into his punch. But Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t care, as Lin Zitian was indeed punching like a child. The most he could do was add his Yuan Qi on his punch to rattle Zhuo Fan¡¯s organs.


    Zhuo Fan was flabbergasted to discover this paper tiger sent him flying. He planted into a rock and ended up buried under the rubble.


    This astonished everyone around, making them reassess Elder Lin. To send the freakish Zhuo Fan flying earned him the title of peak expert in the Profound Heaven Stage.


    Some couldn¡¯t even believe the opportunist Lin Zitian had such power in him.


    Even Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder were rooted in shock.


    Rumble!


    Zhuo Fan jumped out of the rubble, unharmed, but his arm looked inflamed.


    Raising his eyes on Lin Zitian, Zhuo Fan was now serious, ¡°It seems I¡¯ve underestimated you, Elder Lin!¡±


    ¡°Humph, you better believe it! We, the Merry Woods, have become one of the seven houses thanks to our strength!¡± Lin Zitian put away his fist as his eyes flashed with pride.


    All around looked at Lin Zitian with newfound respect. His figure never looked so imposing.


    Despite all that, Lin Zitian sneakily put his hand behind him and rubbed the pain away as he sucked a cold breath.


    His hand was purple¡­

 Chapter 159 - Sinister Like A Snake

    [Blast it! Why is his body so damn hard? How is he even human? One punch almost destroyed my hand!]


    Lin Zitian stood with hands behind his back, his head at a 45 degree up angle, like a veritable expert.


    He was looked down on most of the time and now, he finally had the chance to show off. But what people were unaware of was that his eyes were swimming in tears. Without keeping appearances, he¡¯d be losing all decorum.


    He could barely hold it in!


    His hand was screaming in pain¡­


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Elder Lin¡¯s power opened my eyes! I am in awe!¡± Huangpu Qingyun laughed.


    The battle started with them having the advantage. Then Zhuo Fan had to take out some weird movement that made their advantage moot. Lin Zitian had the speed to counter it, but unfortunately, he was a paper tiger.


    In spite of appearances, this Elder Lin showed he had what it took to fight Zhuo Fan. With the three of them working in tandem, Zhuo Fan was dead meat.


    Huangpu Qingyun proposed, ¡°Elder Lin, you have just shown your strength, but it¡¯s best we deal with this little prick as soon as possible! ¡°


    ¡°Yeah, Elder Lin. It will take you too long to bring him down so I and second young master will help you!¡±


    Getting Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s meaning, 5th elder urged as well in a sincere tone. He wasn¡¯t faking it this time.


    Before, Lin Zitian was but a mere cannon fodder. But now, he was an asset worth considering when taking down Zhuo Fan. Not only in terms of speed, but even with his power, he managed to earn the two¡¯s approval.


    His heart moved to tears, Lin Zitian who never received such courtesy cupped his hands, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, second young master, 5th elder. I will not let him escape as long as I¡¯m around!¡±


    ¡°I have full trust in you!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun then turned to Zhuo Fan with killing intent.


    Zhuo Fan sank into a deep and heavy mood.


    He could deal with them two, but adding a Lin Zitian who could strike him into the mix and it would make living a lot harder.


    He already had a plan set just for this occasion. Or he wouldn¡¯t have been so brazen to show himself. But that plan was a final resort. It was dangerous so he wanted to avoid it at all costs.


    The only path left for him was driving a wedge in their teamwork. As for where to start, did one even need to ask?


    Snickering, Zhuo Fan eyed Lin Zitian with an evil glint, ¡°Elder Lin, I was truly wrong about you. I never took you for an expert, when you are in fact no less than Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re late in realizing the obvious!¡±


    Lin Zitian laughed the resentment away, now filled with nothing but content. Zhuo Fan was a junior, true, but he was infamous in the Tianyu Empire. He had proven himself a man of great power and ambition when he killed You Guiqi.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s approval made him feel like he was bursting with prestige.


    Zhuo Fan eyes his vanity and upped the ante, ¡°But you can¡¯t blame me for that, Elder Lin. Merry Woods isn¡¯t exactly as impressive as the other houses. Nor its reputation for that matter¡­¡±


    ¡°Rubbish! Merry Woods¡¯ name has always been glorious!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s words began to take effect, having Lin Zitian cut him off incensed.


    It only made Zhuo Fan¡¯s devious smile wider, ¡°From now on Merry Woods will be known throughout the empire. But did you perhaps not hear of those lines?¡±


    ¡°What lines?¡±


    ¡°Merry Woods, the opportunist. At a gust, it shifts between two. Today they bow before a red dress, tomorrow, they kneel before a tree. But on which day the wind is stronger, that no one would want the lame leg anymore?¡±


    Of course, these lines were a proud work of Zhuo Fan. However, they comprised everything he witnessed in his stay at Drifting Flowers Edifice, emphasizing Lin Zitian¡¯s magnificent love life.


    Even Zhuo Fan grew narcissistic when he heard himself. [Such literary talent would make me a best seller!]


    But to Lin Zitian¡¯s ears, it was jarring. His face flushed and turned to see Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder dry coughing.


    But anyone could see they were laughing inside.


    With rasp breath, Lin Zitian cursed, ¡°Bullshit! Who dared started this vilification? I will break the one who started this rumor!¡±


    ¡°Rumor? Elder Lin is so forgetful, avoiding responsibilities. Now that you have a staunch supporter backing you, did you forget the fragrant and soft legs of yesterday?¡± Zhuo Fan coincidently looked at the terrace in that exact moment.


    Noticing his eyes, Peony Overseer was ashamed, boring her resentment into him.


    Chu Qingcheng frowned, ¡°Senior sister, is this¡­¡±


    ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, don¡¯t listen to his hosh-posh. I was about to do it, for Drifting Flowers Edifice¡­ but he didn¡¯t agree and we were through. What stuff about responsibility when he didn¡¯t do anything?¡± Peony Overseer rushed to explain, but it only made it worse. Everyone was looking at her oddly.


    At the same time, Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder were filled with mirth when seeing Lin Zitian.


    Though more aptly, mirth filled with mockery and contempt.


    Playing with women was nothing to a man, but that didn¡¯t go the same with ¡®leaning left then right¡¯. Regent Estate prized loyalty above all else.


    Lin Zitian¡¯s face alternated between white and blue. His mouth parted but he had no riposte.


    Even the weakened Vicious Pill King had to sneer at such sensational news. Lin Zitian looked as if he choked on a fly. He couldn¡¯t spit or swallow, stuck in the worst moment of his life.


    Looking back at himself, he regretted it in his heart for talking with this bastard.


    ¡°You little shit, I will tear you into a thousand pieces!¡±


    Lin Zitian flew into a rage, ignoring his teammates as he charged at Zhuo Fan. The latter was startled and moved the Lightning Wings to attack Lin Zitian.


    Whoosh!


    Lin Zitian vanished again, only to appear before Zhuo Fan. Without a choice, Zhuo Fan had to block with his hand again.


    The same scene replayed, with Zhuo Fan smashing into a rock, then covered in rubble.


    Coming out of there, he saw Lin Zitian already on him, not leaving him room to even breathe. Zhuo Fan¡¯s arm was inflamed but he pressed on with his wings.


    It was useless. Lightning Wings were fast but not a match for Lin Zitian¡¯s speed.


    This resulted in him being ragdolled from one rock to another by Lin Zitian¡¯s kicks. Lin Zitian was no body cultivator, so such attacks meant little harm to Zhuo Fan, but such damages accumulate.


    Around the 7th or 8th round, Zhuo Fan was bruised all over. Not life-threatening but it worked to cut at his body¡¯s strength, now huffing for breath.


    Taking seven-eight hits of this left him wounded deeply. Even his Diamond Body would start to decline under a Profound Heaven expert¡¯s onslaught.


    Persistent effort!


    Anything hammered long enough, no matter how tough, would soon break at some point.


    The same was happening to Zhuo Fan. Despite the battering he suffered, the staunch resolve never left his eyes.


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder laughed out loud. Zhuo Fan was done for. Without them needing to even lift a finger.


    They never thought of Lin Zitian as someone that strong. He was flinging the demon Zhuo Fan around like nothing when they were having such a hard time with him just a few moments before.


    [Ha-ha-ha, everyone has a weakness!]


    Huangpu Qingyun laughed inside and shouted, ¡°Elder Lin, leave him half alive. Let me have a go.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng was filled with worry, as was Xiao Dandan. Seeing Zhuo Fan suffering, she was on the verge of crying. Long Jiu tightened his fists, ready to jump in at a moment¡¯s notice.


    But Vicious Pill King watched Zhuo Fan with doubt, ¡°Something is off here, but what?¡±


    ¡°Master, did you say something?¡± Yan Fu came next to him. Following his gaze, he suddenly laughed, ¡°Oh, you mean that brat. He-he-he, he will soon die at Elder Lin¡¯s hands and clear your resentment. He was so haughty and insufferable just a while back and now he is getting his just deserts, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s it!¡±


    Vicious Pill King muttered, ¡°I see it now. What it felt off. His haughty and obnoxious nature is gone.¡±


    Yan Fu was startled, ¡°Master, what is so bad about that? Why would he still act cocky if he is beaten senseless?¡±


    ¡°You know nothing!¡±


    Cursing, Vicious Pill King turned grave, ¡°Even in death, a lion¡¯s a lion. If a king takes off his gown, he is still a king. That gaze that said everything is beneath him will never disappear.¡±


    ¡°But it is gone now¡­ no, not gone, hidden. Like a viper poised to make use of that once chance that will take the enemy¡¯s life!¡±


    Vicious Pill King watched Zhuo Fan being kicked around and cried in fright, ¡°Elder Lin, watch out! He is planning on taking your disciple hostage!¡±

 Chapter 160 - The Plot To End Lin Zitian

    Precisely!


    Everyone had eyes only for Zhuo Fan and were unable to see the bigger picture. That whenever Lin Zitian sent Zhuo Fan flying, it brought him one strike closer to the eastern stand.


    With all the experts down in the arena, it left poor Lin Tianyu, disciple of Lin Zitian, alone.


    Lin Tianyu was watching how his master taught that man who brutalized and humiliated him in front of so many people a hard lesson. Yet, Vicious Pill King¡¯s yell got him staring blankly.


    [W-why me again?]


    Lin Zitian also stopped from shock.


    But Zhuo Fan snickered and his eyes flashed with killing intent, ¡°Humph, too late!¡±


    He stomped and shot like a cannonball for Lin Tianyu. He no longer hid his intense killing intent and released it out onto the world.


    Zhuo Fan was still just a hundred meters away from Lin Tianyu. It took a mere blink to one with comparable speed to those Profound Heaven experts to close this distance, leaving Lin Zitian unable to do a thing.


    ¡°Lin Zitian, you seemed to have had a blast kicking me around. Now, I will kill your prized disciple. Let¡¯s see how you like them apples!¡±


    Frightened, Lin Zitian knew he¡¯d been led by the nose. But how, when he was a highly intelligent man, yet never saw any signs pointing to this?


    However, this was no time to think, his disciple was in Zhuo Fan¡¯s evil clutches. Lin Zitian flashed behind Zhuo Fan and punched as he roared, ¡°Zhuo Fan, fight me if you have the guts! Leave my disciple out of it!¡±


    Whoosh~


    Zhuo Fan vanished from his sight. Then a groan escaped his lips and his body trembled. Lin Zitian¡¯s rage-filled eyes went stiff.


    Looking down, he saw a hand sticking out of his chest whilst holding a slowly beating heart.


    ¡°Wish granted, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    A sinister laughter reached Lin Zitian but all he could feel was his body growing colder. His life ebbing away.


    But his eyes were ever clouded in doubt. He struggled to look back at the demonic youth, ¡°Y-you, how did you match my speed¡­¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t your disciple tell you? I already told him. It doesn¡¯t matter how fast you are when I know who your target is!¡±


    Zhuo Fan clenched his hand and the beating heart splashed blood everywhere. Lin Zitian¡¯s ice-cold corpse slumped on the eastern stand. His eyes wide as saucers, dying with regret.


    Lin Tianyu wailed in fear and curled up in a corner, not even daring to look Zhuo Fan in the eye.


    ¡°Trash! You don¡¯t even dare look at your master¡¯s killer? Disappointing!¡± Zhuo Fan left with a snicker.


    What met him were the frightened eyes of everyone else.


    Merry Woods¡¯s elder Lin Zitian was killed in one blow. But the worst was Zhuo Fan¡¯s casual expression when doing it. It looked like he was squashing a bug and not a Profound Heaven expert.


    And his calculative eyes looked on as if everything fell in his predetermined plan. It was as though he was able to easily pluck the lives of his enemy at the drop of a hat.


    [Demon!]


    This was the sole impression he conveyed.


    ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, I told you. You know nothing of this brat. Did you see it just now? He is a Demon King, in the flesh!¡± Xie Tianyang¡¯s expression was grave. Although this made it the second time he saw Zhuo Fan kill a Profound Heaven expert, the shock was in no way lessened.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s slaughter was incomparable to any other¡¯s. It was as natural as a king disposing of his slave.


    Such a cold and unfeeling manner made him shiver whenever he saw Zhuo Fan strike. The same went for everyone there as well.


    ¡°This brat is worse than Vicious Pill King!¡± Peony Overseer¡¯s lip trembled, ¡°I-I can see now why the Hell Kill Order was issued. But I feel that the Hell Kill Order is not enough to make him feel an ounce of fear!¡±


    ¡°Qingcheng, you need to think this over carefully, whether he is the man you want to return to!¡± Iris Overseer sucked a deep breath and spoke her concerns.


    Chu Qingcheng muttered to herself for a while. her eyes were filled with uncertainty, but soon hardened, ¡°Indeed. What you all say has its merits. But! Isn¡¯t this the very same Demon King who saved our Drifting Flowers Edifice?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sister Qingcheng. Husband may be vile, but only to our enemies. He never harmed us. Don¡¯t ever think otherwise.¡± Xiao Dandan blurted.


    Her devotion to Zhuo Fan was unflinching. Afterall, she desired to be with him for as long as they lived. However, Zhuo Fan once said he didn¡¯t accept Chu Qingcheng¡¯s dowry. So, how could she accept her then, when she was nothing but an extra?


    So Xiao Dandan had to keep Zhuo Fan in Chu Qingcheng¡¯s heart. Otherwise, he would not only refuse Chu Qingcheng, but the free gift as well.


    The heart could only bear so much for love!


    The two overseers also sighed seeing Chu Qingcheng making up her mind. They all knew, however, there would not be one day of peace around someone like Zhuo Fan.


    Vicious Pill King watched the cold and sinister Zhuo Fan up in the stand and sighed, ¡°I was wrong. You didn¡¯t aim for Lin Tianyu, but was after Lin Zitian from the start.¡±


    ¡°Correct. I wanted that old coot¡¯s life from the very beginning. Why would I go after his trash of a disciple for?¡± Zhuo Fan chuckled, ¡°Also, I may be holding Lin Tianyu hostage, striking fear in Lin Zitian, but would Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder care about his life? Am I someone who doesn¡¯t know a person¡¯s value?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, right. When a viper bares its fangs, it will strike its mark. I was wrong in thinking Lin Tianyu was important!¡± Vicious Pill King lamented and shook his head, ¡°However, your fight leading to Lin Tianyu was all according to your plan.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re catching on!¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised his head and grinned, ¡°Lin Zitian was a fool, thinking he was in control. When in fact, every strike was predetermined. When all paths are sealed, his only choice was the only one he saw. It was the path I let him see. This was the conclusion I came to while I was kicked around.¡±


    ¡°What a sinister brat!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun gnashed his teeth, ¡°If only I noticed earlier. I and 5th elder would¡¯ve stepped in and save Elder Lin¡¯s life.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, don¡¯t kid yourself Huangpu Qingyun. You¡¯re overconfident if you think a daft brat like you can see through my schemes. Do you think a few books on ruling are enough to grasp the people¡¯s hearts? Humph, you¡¯re far beneath me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed with scorn, ¡°It would¡¯ve been quite the high stakes mind game if You Guiqi was here, but you guys, just don¡¯t cut it!¡±


    Clenching his fists, Huangpu Qingyun was infuriated. The great Regent Estate¡¯s second young master had never been patronized in his life by his peers, to the extent of being mocked as a daft brat.


    This was no different from a beggar cursing at an emperor in the middle of the street. The emperor was no emperor if he would take it lying down.


    Or he wasn¡¯t Regent Estate¡¯s second young master if he let it slide.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mockery only grew worse when he noticed his fury, ¡°Huangpu Qingyun, you can¡¯t take it? Then let me reiterate. You know nothing of the ways of ruling, so don¡¯t go smear mud on the true way of grasping the people¡¯s hearts.¡±


    ¡°If the three of you had gone together against me, I wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance. So I had to relieve you of one man, the oh so intelligent and ambitious Elder Lin.¡±


    Everyone was fixated on Zhuo Fan, who was telling how he led them by the nose, and managed to kill Lin Zitian. Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s heart was bleeding from hatred, yet his ears were attentive to catch the details.


    ¡°First things first, a ruler needs to see talent, to be tolerant! With how vain Lin Zitian was, all I had to do was to fling some dirt at him and he lost control. And you, instead of appeasing him, you mocked him from the side, making him fly off the handle. In his anger-addled mind, he left you behind fighting me all by himself!¡±


    The witnesses turned to see how Huangpu Qingyun would react. One thing was clear though, he wasn¡¯t tolerant in the least, not at all how a ruler should behave.


    To be blunt, he was not leader material.


    Huangpu Qingyun sensed the change in everyone and his hatred for Zhuo Fan grew.


    Yet, Zhuo Fan just kept going, ¡°Moving on, a ruler has control over the situation, placing worth on the greater picture. Of all people here, only Lin Zitian could counter my speed. But you let this valuable asset go further and further away from you in his battle with me, out of your range. You only had to stay close to him and he would still be alive. This is another fault of yours.¡±


    ¡°Enough! It is you who killed Lin Zitian, and now you¡¯re trying to pin it on me? Humph, everyone knows how deceitful you are!¡± Huangpu Qingyun could no longer sit still while listening to his mockery.


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan scorned him, ¡°A regent is a regent because he is leading the people. Those that shirk responsibilities are not fit to be regents, and are not worthy to follow!¡±


    The people¡¯s hearts shivered. They watched Zhuo Fan, amazed at how much sense he made. It also worked to dampen their respect for Huangpu Qingyun by a great deal.


    They respected Regent Estate¡¯s second young master at first, for his strict handling of affairs, for being a ruling talent.


    But Zhuo Fan opened their eyes to the truth. He was no leading material and following him would lead them to a dead end. Even 5th elder¡¯s eyes changed, now sporting a different opinion.


    Sowing discord!


    But this sowing was hidden very deep, since he was driving a wedge between their trust and not just based on emotions. Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s retinue was formed of blind followers, thinking there was nothing he couldn¡¯t do. If it worked, it couldn¡¯t be better.


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s killing of Lin Zitian fell mostly on his shoulders. Saying he was unfit to lead at this point, whether the people believe or not, it cut down a great deal of his prestige.


    He would become someone no one wanted to follow and, most importantly, the cooperation between Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder would falter, making them weaker.


    Zhuo Fan smiled his evil grin, as if all were dancing in the palm of his hand¡­

 Chapter 161 - Rumbling Blood Bat

    With eyebrows locked in a scowl, Huangpu Qingyun could feel the eyes on him taking a different nuance, making his heart burn with newfound rage.


    [Damn it, this punk is good in psychological warfare as well. He got these geezers buckling with a few words. This can¡¯t go on. He must die, beyond any shadow of a doubt. I have to shut him up now. Will I have any respect left, any credibility, if this keeps up?]


    With his mind set, Huangpu Qingyun restrained his aura, ready to make an overt attack at any opportune moment. [Since I can¡¯t counter that odd movement, I¡¯ll just finish him off with one clean and hidden strike!¡¯


    Before his chance came, however, Zhuo Fan flitted to the closest arena wall, aiming for a quick escape.


    ¡°Curses, again with the running!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun cussed, feeling his plan ruined before he could even enact it.


    He wanted to sneak attack Zhuo Fan so he dropped his aura to confuse enemies. But Zhuo Fan took the initiative to move first before he could.


    He was exasperated, [The little shit is a parasite. How is it that whenever I¡¯m planning something, he reacts as if knowing what it is?]


    There wasn¡¯t anyone around to tell him that this old and veteran demon, Zhuo Fan, could tell if he had to take a dump before even he did.


    And now that 5th elder¡¯s trust in Huangpu Qingyun plummeted, his reaction was somewhat slower than before.


    This short delay allowed Zhuo Fan to arrive before the wall.


    The two hurried to catch him while Zhuo Fan was having a blast, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, too slow. You¡¯re far from enough to stop yours truly.¡±


    Zhuo Fan lashed his Lightning Wings at the walls.


    The wall sported a brand new five-meter tall hole, allowing sunshine to spill inside. Fresh air rushed to him, lifting his spirits.


    Zhuo Fan then stepped into the clouds. He was like a caged bird finally seeing the wide-open skies for the first time.


    5th elder gnashed his teeth. Only now did his senses come back, figuring out that Zhuo Fan¡¯s speech was meant to drive a wedge and affect their state of mind.


    How else could he escape from under the tight guard of two Profound Heaven experts in an enclosed space like Drifting Flowers Arena?


    [This kid is more cunning than 7th Elder!]


    He may be sighing inside, but his eyes were filled with killing intent. The more outstanding Zhuo Fan revealed to be, the more he had to put the kid down.


    [He¡¯s already a freak in Bone Tempering Stage. What will happen when he enters the Profound Heaven Stage then? Who in Tianyu will be able to stop him?]


    Huangpu Qingyun was of a like mind.


    He had to be killed!


    They looked at each other, finding determination in each of their eyes. They rushed through the hole and engaged in the chase. Vicious Pill King muttered to himself as he took Yan Fu through the hole as well.


    The only ones left inside were Long Jiu¡¯s gang.


    Secretly sighing, Iris Overseer looked on in fright, ¡°Demon Zhuo Fan is beyond cunning. He played the astute Huangpu Qingyun like a fiddle. Now I can see how he killed the Insidious Demon, You Guiqi.¡±


    ¡°He-he, but of course!¡±


    Snickering, Xie Tianyang shook his head dejected, ¡°That brat is just too sly. Those with brains but not brawn will undoubtedly lose. Those with brawn but no brains will never get the upper hand on him. He is the single most dreadful thing in this world.¡±


    ¡°My husband is brave and wise beyond his age!¡± Xiao Dandan¡¯s pride in Zhuo Fan jumped a few notches.


    Chu Qingcheng smiled without meaning to. Even her eyes glinted with pride.


    The others had to nod at her words. Zhuo Fan was a rarity on this continent. Where could one find such a youth excelling in mettle and mind!


    Long Jiu proposed, ¡°Let¡¯s go as well. He is now in an open space with a high chance of escaping, but it¡¯s best we are nearby if things go south.¡±


    They all nodded and flew outside.


    But a panicked cry came at this moment, ¡°Dandan, Dandan, save me!¡±


    His master¡¯s corpse turned Lin Tianyu¡¯s legs to mush, unable to even move from fear. Watching Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group leaving as well, he supposed they were aiming for Zhuo Fan and got excited.


    Lin Tianyu started crying as if he hadn¡¯t seen his relatives in years.


    This man truly took after his master. He was still clueless which side was pro Zhuo Fan, and which was anti Zhuo Fan. He went and assumed Zhuo Fan made a scapegoat out of Drifting Flowers Edifice.


    So, he hurried to Xiao Dandan, gave a few bows to the seniors and wept, ¡°Dandan, that demon killed my master. For the feelings we had, for Drifting Flowers Edifice and Merry Woods¡¯ intermarriages all these years, I plead seniors to give master justice and kill that demon. Please avenge master!¡±


    Long Jiu¡¯s group was startled, then looked at him funny.


    The apple truly didn¡¯t fall far from the tree. [He¡¯s as dumb as his master. Did you not see us standing at the side doing nothing, with no intention of stepping in?]


    [You are one clueless kid to come ask us for help!]


    Lin Tianyu was off-put when they were silent and second-guessed. They had to be in fear of Zhuo Fan, unwilling to join thinking their houses¡¯ well-being was on the line.


    Since appealing to their morality went bust, he¡¯d appeal to reason.


    He turned grave on the spot as he spoke with zeal, ¡°Demon Zhuo Fan flaunts his ruthless and barbaric power. Today he killed my master, tomorrow he will kill you. Even with second young master and 5th elder joining hands, they may not hold him here. If he runs, it will spell the end of the seven houses. For our brothers and sisters, I plead you to think of your own house, of your bleak future, and join together with second young master in removing this vile spawn from the face of the world!¡±


    Lin Tianyu spoke with righteousness, with valor, but the ones he was talking to were having a ball in their minds.


    [Is this kid still playing the gentleman with no crowd around to see him?]


    [Better yet, since when did the seven houses become brothers and sisters? Are you blind to not see Vicious Pill King almost annihilating Drifting Flowers Edifice?]


    [You need to get your facts straight. Just how has this disciple been raised to believe this nonsense? When the time comes, he is the type that won¡¯t even know how he died.]


    They only shook their heads and ignored him as they went on their merry way.


    [He is a prime example of what a fool is!]


    ¡°Uh, miss Dandan, I find this kid upstanding, so why not take him? Later¡­ you¡¯ll need to handle him well!¡± Xie Tianyang cracked jokes.


    Lin Tianyu had no clue what this Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s young master was going with this.


    But his words brought Xiao Dandan one thought only. [Isn¡¯t that telling me to whip him?] And her cheeks flushed.


    Lin Tianyu saw them treating him like thin air and he downheartedly implored Xiao Dandan, ¡°Dandan, Merry Woods is too far and I won¡¯t make it in time to report. Please, you have to convince your seniors to avenge master!¡±


    ¡°Do it yourself! What man are you, letting others do your job for you?¡± Xiao Dandan snapped a glare at him then kicked him before storming back to the group.


    She was so perplexed. How could they both be men, with one a hero and the other an annoying coward? He even had the nerve to ask others for revenge when he didn¡¯t even look the killer in the eye!


    The more she compared the two, the more her love grew.


    On the other hand, Lin Tianyu fell to the ground and wailed dejectedly, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with asking others for revenge? How am I supposed to fight that freak who killed master? This is not how a man¡­¡±


    Outside the Drifting Flowers Arena was packed with clansmen and alchemists, who were in the area, afraid of getting in the crossfire between Huangpu Qingyun and Zhuo Fan.


    Although they did leave the building, they were too curious to vacate the premises.


    They wanted to see for themselves the ending. How the demon Zhuo Fan, grandmaster of alchemy, was as scary as the rumors painted him out to be. Meanwhile, they were also afraid that they might get caught in the crossfire and end up injured.


    This was a Profound Heaven experts fight to the death, was it not? Sticking too close would send one to an early grave.


    [Sigh, everything¡¯s so twisted.]


    The Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s disciples were tasked with upholding order. Xiao Ya was among them too, lamenting. [Why is this time¡¯s Hundred Pill Meeting filled with fighting?]


    She was thinking the Drifting Flowers Arena might even blow up from their Profound Heaven Stage powers.


    Boom!


    As she was mulling, a loud explosion rang her ears.


    The crowd saw a new opening in the arena wall and a winged figure taking to the skies.


    Zhuo Fan!


    Startled, they began to admire how amazing he was to escape from Hell Valley and Regent Estate.


    But then, two more figures came out, Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder. They only took a blink to bar Zhuo Fan¡¯s way.


    A sledgehammer and a golden fist flew and backing Zhuo Fan into a corner.


    But with the wide open space around him, Zhuo Fan bizarre art was even weirder, flitting back and forth like a specter.


    Not even Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder¡¯s tight blockade could hold Zhuo Fan.


    In the sky, three figures dashed around, but they always flashed past each other, not once connecting.


    The crowd had long stood slackjawed. None could reach their speeds but they could guess how astonishing it was.


    Seeing Zhuo Fan flitting around so relaxed was enough proof.


    [No wonder he¡¯s dubbed demon when he can throw off Profound Heaven experts with his weird movements. Only a demon could move as creepy as that.]


    Whoosh!


    With a sudden kick, Zhuo Fan escaped the two¡¯s encirclement. Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder were now panting in pursuit but couldn¡¯t catch up.


    They were body cultivators but had no movement art. Matching their speed to Zhuo Fan taxed their bodies.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Huangpu Qingyun, time to count your blessings!¡± Laughed Zhuo Fan.


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder were far from willing to give up.


    Suddenly, an aged voice came, ¡°Youngster, have you forgotten about me?¡±


    Unable to react, Zhuo Fan was stuck. It was as though he was hit with an artillery shell. Slamming him onto the ground, creating a ten-meter crater in the ground.


    And in his previous spot was a meter large blood-colored bat with small eyes and sharp glints.


    The crowd cried out, ¡°3rd level spiritual beast, ¡°Rumbling Blood Bat!¡±

 Chapter 162 - Dire Straights

    Rumbling Blood Bat, a seldom-seen peculiar spiritual beast.


    In the world of spiritual beasts, the strong preyed on the weak. The higher the level, the stronger they were. Yet, this creature was an exception. It was no stronger than a 1st level spiritual beast and had neither claws nor fangs.


    It had a shocking trait though. the Rumbling Bat Wave. It was a sound attack that struck the soul. It would leave one in a coma or, worse, annihilate one¡¯s soul.


    After using it, it would then go and bore its fangs into the victim, sucking blood away. It may be a mere 3rd level spiritual beast, but few were capable of surviving its sound attack.


    Not even a 4th level spiritual beast could stand up to a flock of ten Rumbling Blood Bats.


    Who cared how tough you were? Who cared how skilled you were? You¡¯d still die from this creature¡¯s sound attack if your soul lacked heart.


    This creature that bared Zhuo Fan¡¯s escape was one that could strike fear even in 4th level spiritual beasts.


    Jumping out of the hole, Zhuo Fan looked up at the ten bats. He was finally sporting a serious expression. Then looking at the speaker and saw Vicious Pill King.


    He was holding a gourd, smiling at Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Now I see. This must be your final move!¡± Zhuo Fan squinted.


    He¡¯d seen the old man carry the gourd for a while now. But only discovered it was a beast holding item.


    When cornered by Iris Overseer, Chu Qingcheng, and Long Jiu not too long ago, he was still putting a tough front because of the Rumbling Blood Bats in his gourd.


    It was smart of them to back off and not to attack then, or they would¡¯ve been doomed.


    This old man wasn¡¯t to be pushed around. Even after using blood essence four times, he still couldn¡¯t be underestimated no matter how weak he appeared.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed in admiration.


    Long Jiu¡¯s group just came out through the hole and saw him standing amidst ruins. They turned to the sky and paled, ¡°Rumbling Blood Bat! And ten of them?!¡±


    They all turned grave.


    Just when they thought Zhuo Fan had free reign of the skies outside the arena, he was met with ten Rumbling Blood Bats. Zhuo Fan was now cornered by two Profound Heaven experts and a 4th level spiritual beast equivalent flock of bats.


    Not even a Profound Heaven expert could pull an escape out of this, least of all, a winged Bone Tempering expert.


    Their hearts were now stretched taught.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Elder Yan. In the end, you are the most reliable to block this brat!¡±


    Laughing freely, Huangpu Qingyun floated next to the old man. Then, he stuck up his chin at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Kid, let¡¯s see you run now!¡±


    Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder landed beside them, eyes flashing with cruelty.


    Sighing, Vicious Pill King looked on with regret, ¡°Song, uh, Grandmaster Zhuo, I am in awe of sir¡¯s wondrous refining skill. I am pained to have you as my enemy. But I am bereft of any choice!¡±


    His words stirred the sympathy of many clan delegates, as well as the alchemists participating today.


    The demon Zhuo Fan, who offended Hell Valley, was Grandmaster Song. Such sorrow!


    A cruel death awaited all who dared oppose the Seven Noble Houses. But an exalted alchemist to find his end in such a wretched way, was lamentable.


    The least the crowd could do was show deep respect while sending off this great man on his final journey¡­


    But Zhuo Fan only snickered, ¡°He-he-he, Elder Yan, you think too highly of your batsies. They can scare a 4th level spiritual beasts, but in the end, they¡¯re a flock!¡±


    Zhuo Fan vanished as he took flight.


    The bats flapped their wings and opened their snouts. The air rippled and a visible wave traveled at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan sidestepped. The wave hit the ground but nothing happened. Yet, the stones around turned to dust.


    The people began to fear the Rumbling Blood Bat even more. A normal Bone Tempering expert struck by this wave would¡¯ve died in anguish.


    But Zhuo Fan relied on his uncanny speed to dance among the attacks. He was almost out of their encirclement.


    ¡°Damn, Zhuo Fan is too sly. He noticed that the ten bats are unable to coordinate and slipped through the gaps in their attacks. Let¡¯s block him together, 5th elder!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun cried in panic, to which, Vicious Pill King dismissed his words, ¡°Second young master, don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ll only make it worse if you charge along with the blood bats. I will make sure he won¡¯t have anywhere else to run.¡±


    Vicious Pill King opened his gourd and made a hand sign.


    A screech came from within it, followed by another flock of bats flying to the gap Zhuo Fan was aiming for, shutting it tight.


    Hum~


    A dozens of times stronger ripple sent Zhuo Fan barreling into the ground, leaving another huge hole.


    When he crawled out, he sucked a cold breath at the sight.


    The sky was filled with Rumbling Blood Bats. A rough estimate would give around a hundred.


    If 10 were enough for a 4th level spiritual beast, then a hundred would even kill a 5th level spiritual beast.


    A bolt of fear went through the crowd, including Huangpu Qingyun. They were so frightened they couldn¡¯t speak.


    Not even a Radiant Stage expert could come out of this one, least of all this Zhuo Fan freak.


    ¡°Holy! Just where did the old coot find so many Rumbling Blood Bats? They don¡¯t grow on trees!¡± Long Jiu¡¯s mind was in a haze, ¡°Not even the brat could get out of this one.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Xiao Dandan jerked, ¡°You¡¯re saying husband has no chance?¡±


    Nodding gravely, Long Jiu sighed and pointed.


    When Zhuo Fan was falling, Vicious Pill King made other signs and had Zhuo Fan surrounded by the hundred bats.


    If he dared fly, the bats would blow him back down.


    This barricaded area seemed to belong to a different world, covered by a hundred rare Rumbling Blood Bats. They tightened the space so much that it became smaller than Drifting Flowers Arena.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Zhuo Fan frowned as he jumped in the sky again.


    Hum~


    Like a pillar coming from the heavens above, Zhuo Fan was sent into the ground without delay. His knees were touching dirt, blood seeped from his mouth, and all the rocks around him were blown away as nothing but dust.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, a hundred blood bats is so strong that even the kid¡¯s unyielding body is wounded. His death is in sight.¡± Huangpu Qingyun laughed, watching Vicious Pill King with newfound respect, ¡°Elder Yan, you¡¯ve surprised me. I never knew you hid such wonderful things.¡±


    ¡°Second young master, you jest. These bats were gathered over the past thousand years by the Pill King Hall. I was only allowed to use them because of my modest contributions to Pill King Hall.¡±


    Vicious Pill King then turned a sad look to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Second young master, Zhuo Fan is, after all, a grandmaster alchemist. He may deserve death, but leave his corpse intact.¡±


    ¡°Humph, I really wanted to tear him apart, but since it¡¯s Elder Yan¡¯s request, I will let it go.¡± Huangpu Qingyun waved, pleased inside.


    Nodding, Vicious Pill King made the hundred Rumbling Blood Bats open their snouts again.


    All of them struck with sound attacks at the same time.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    With a wail, Zhuo Fan felt his head about to explode and his mind fading. His soul was damaged.


    If not for the refining he had been through, he would¡¯ve long had his soul scattered.


    ¡°Blast it! I still had a way out but now it¡¯s useless. I should¡¯ve used it when I had the chance! These bastards better hope I won¡¯t get out of here or I will slaughter them all.¡±


    His head hurting like hell, Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and held on to his dear life. His bloodshot eyes and veiny forehead let the crowd in on the suffering he was enduring.


    ¡°Humph, he is a freak alright. Anyone would¡¯ve hit the dirt by now, but he¡¯s still holding strong.¡± 5th elder exclaimed.


    Huangpu Qingyun laughed, his eyes sharp, ¡°So what if he¡¯s a freak? He¡¯s just slightly tougher than the average man. He¡¯ll soon drop dead anyway. This is for the best. Killing him here will show the world what end awaits any who stands against Regent Estate.¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s wail never ceased, akin to a flogged wild beast. The rocks he had been clutching had long been crushed to powder.


    Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t indulge in taking revenge, only feeling endless regret. His greatest and most respected opponent would find himself dead in such a wretched way.


    The alchemists around also sighed. But there was no one there willing to stand up to the seven houses.


    Xiao Dandan¡¯s face was covered in tears, pleading Chu Qingcheng with her eyes. She bit her lip, about to intervene, but Long Jiu pulled her back.


    ¡°Not even we can save him from the hundred Rumbling Blood Bats¡¯ onslaught. We will only throw our lives away. Let it go, there is no point¡­¡± Long Jiu sighed at Zhuo Fan¡¯s sorry state. Already thinking about how to abandon the Luo clan.


    His alliance was with Zhuo Fan. Without him, the Veiled Dragon Pavilion had no reason to help the Luo clan. With Zhuo Fan dying, the alliance agreement would fall through.


    [Sigh, brother, don¡¯t blame me. I will look after your clan, but cannot uphold the alliance any longer. It just isn¡¯t in the house¡¯s benefit!]


    Long Jiu sighed, while the rest lowered their heads in resignation.


    Zhuo Fan was in dire straits, with no one appearing to aid him¡­

 Chapter 163 - I Want To Kill

    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan¡¯s wailing was cut short. Everyone¡¯s heart seized with a shiver. Qingcheng even began shedding tears thinking Zhuo Fan was gone.


    But what was so astonishing was that Zhuo Fan¡¯s energy signature was still there, with an azure flame in the center of his forehead.


    Under its cover, Zhuo Fan started breathing eased up. The sound waves didn¡¯t stop, but they weren¡¯t as aggravating as before.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Xie Tianyang cried, ¡°I remember now! In his battle with You Guiqi, this azure flame appeared as well, shielding his soul.¡±


    Indeed, Zhuo Fan was muddled from the pain to his soul and forgot about the azure flame protecting his soul.


    Now that his soul was at its limit, the azure flame came out by itself.


    With it, Zhuo Fan relaxed. Under the gentle and warm glow of the flame, his soul began to recover.


    Zhuo Fan felt how it grew and was on the verge to break through into the Radiant Stage.


    Slowly closing his eyes, Zhuo Fan remained kneeling and ignored everything around him as he let the warmth bathe him. This was a rare chance for his soul to advance and he wasn¡¯t about to miss it.


    The proud Huangpu Qingyun now cried in panic at Vicious Pill King, ¡°Elder Yan, what¡¯s happening? He still seems to be alive!¡±


    ¡°Uh, he¡¯s not dead yet!¡± Vicious Pill King was also confused.


    ¡°Then what is this? Why isn¡¯t he wailing and seems to be enjoying it instead?¡± Huangpu Qingyun was baffled.


    Vicious Pill King rolled his eyes and shook his head, [How should I know?]


    ¡°Elder Yan.¡± Huangpu Qingyun squinted, ¡°You can¡¯t be thinking of going easy on him because he¡¯s an incredible alchemist, are you?¡±


    Incensed, Vicious Pill King snapped his glare on him, ¡°Second young master, please watch your tone! Haven¡¯t Pill King Hall always assisted Regent Estate? When have we ever shown the opposite? Aren¡¯t we getting the Bodhi Root for you as well?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that remains to be seen. Everyone knows Pill King Hall yearns for this incredible treasure. Who knows, maybe you¡¯ll just take it and run at first chance!¡± Huangpu Qingyun snorted.


    Vicious Pill King was so furious he couldn¡¯t say a word and his heart sank.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words may have been to break their teamwork, but they were undoubtedly true. This Huangpu Qingyun was no leader material, he was too narrow-minded.


    5th elder walked to Huangpu Qingyun, watching Zhuo Fan assaulted by the Rumbling Blood Bats and said, ¡°Second young master, I think he had come up with a way to block the blood bats. If this continues, the situation will only worsen.¡±


    ¡°What do you think we should do?¡± Huangpu Qingyun was growing worried as well.


    5th elder revealed a wicked grin, ¡°I suggest we attack him together. The blood bats sealed that uncanny movement skill and we can kill him at close range. Also, second young master, didn¡¯t you speak of killing him yourself to ease your hatred? He-he-he¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯ll do as you say.¡± Huangpu Qingyun nodded, and said to Vicious Pill King in request, when in fact it sounded more like a demand, ¡°I¡¯ll be troubling Elder Yan to stop the blood bat¡¯s attack and let us go fight him ourselves. But remember, don¡¯t let that kid escape again.¡±


    Snorting inside, despite his anger, Vicious Pill King complied. Who told the Regent Estate and Pill King Hall to sign an alliance agreement? For lack of a better alternative, he had to obey.


    With a hand sign, the hundred Rumbling Blood Bats stopped but Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes were still very much closed as he kneeled on the ground. He looked just like a man on his last leg, with his reserves spent, he was unable to even stand up. With one exception, the azure flame still flickered on his forehead.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him?¡± Chu Qingcheng asked, anxious.


    With the sound attacks gone, he should¡¯ve jumped to his feet. But he was sitting there like a statue instead. He may be either comatose or too weak to even move.


    Both of which were the worst possibilities in such a dangerous situation.


    Chu Qingcheng pleaded Long Jiu with her eyes, ¡°Uncle Jiu¡­¡±


    His lone eye shook as he said gravely, ¡°Wait a bit longer!¡±


    ¡°If he still has a scheme in play, we will not only fail to save him by going in now, but even ruin his plan.¡± Xie Tianyang blurted.


    The rest nodded.


    They were all clear from Zhuo Fan¡¯s handling of Huangpu Qingyun so far. He always aimed for when his opponent was unguarded. He was unfathomable to always seem to manage to have Huangpu Qingyun trapped again and again without even realizing it.


    Huangpu Qingyun was thinking the same thing.


    Zhuo Fan looked calm, unmoving, but who knew if he was faking it instead? They wanted to avoid his sudden assault, which could send another one of them to an early grave.


    Huangpu Qingyun recalled just how dangerous it was so far and he was soaked in a cold sweat. His steps were even more careful as they neared Zhuo Fan.


    The alchemists and the clans¡¯ delegates bolted before they could witness the intricate battle of before.


    To their eyes, two Profound Heaven experts, from the seven houses, were shaking in their boots in the face of a defenseless Bone Tempering cultivator.


    They were dumbstruck!


    [Dude, what¡¯s up with that? You are the ones after his life, you are the strongest one here, yet you won¡¯t dare get close to an unconscious man? You¡¯re disgracing the seven houses, you know?]


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s response, if he could hear them, would be, [I know! Damn it!]


    Taking a deep breath, Huangpu Qingyun closed in on Zhuo Fan ever so slowly, yet the sweat on his brow grew denser as well. He wasn¡¯t afraid of fighting Zhuo Fan.


    It was Zhuo Fan¡¯s tricky nature that left him harried.


    At the end of it all, he was just scared of falling for Zhuo Fan¡¯s trick again!


    When they finally got to Zhuo Fan, Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder tested with a punch.


    Bam!


    The golden fist smacked into Zhuo Fan¡¯s face and sent him flying. Then a boom resounded as he was buried in rubble.


    Huangpu Qingyun was stumped, [Wasn¡¯t that too easy?] Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t even react and he was now overjoyed. [He must be still out of it from the bats¡¯ sound attacks.]


    ¡°5th elder, we were right. His brain is the only thing that kept him alive so far.¡± Huangpu Qingyun laughed.


    5th elder nodded and grinned as he invited, ¡°If you would, second young master!¡±


    The two puffed out their chest and strutted to the rubble.


    The people were speechless. They were shaking in their boots before, but now they knew he was out like an extinguished candle, a lamb to the slaughter, they got their haughty attitudes back.


    [W-what kind of people are these?]


    The crowd looked at them with derision. They¡¯d be raining mockeries if not for them being from the seven houses.


    The two were too self-absorbed in their joy to notice, and were now going to pluck the fruit of victory.


    Chu Qingcheng was panicking. Even if she acted now, it was far too late.


    Long Jiu looked up at the circling bats, then around, and said through clenched teeth, ¡°Jian Suifeng, Iris Overseer, Peony Overseer, come with me to deal with the bats. Kill as many as you can. Qingcheng, you go save the kid. I hope Huangpu Qingyun will go easy seeing a familiar face!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng nodded with conviction.


    But before they could start, another boom followed. Zhuo Fan jumped out of the rubble and the azure flame was also gone, but his eyes flashed with a bluish glow, as if flames still throbbed within.


    ¡°Who the hell hit me? Step up and I promise not to beat you to death!¡± He twisted his neck around to the two of them with an evil grin.


    Startled, Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder were incredulous, ¡°You¡¯re fine even after being hit by a hundred bats¡¯ attacks?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, the hundred bats¡¯ cawing were nothing but annoying.¡± Zhuo Fan showed a cryptic smile.


    The people were dumbstruck. A hundred Rumbling Blood Bats were enough to kill a 5th level spiritual beast but he was safe and sound?


    [Zhuo Fan is a freak through and through.]


    Vicious Pill King was also dazed from shock. Long Jiu¡¯s group finally relaxed.


    ¡°He is always giving us scares and worries. He has a talent to keep turning a crisis into a blessing in disguise!¡± Long Jiu sighed, but Chu Qingcheng frowned at the bats in the sky, ¡°The danger has yet to pass.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s all fine now.¡±


    Xie Tianyang smiled, ¡°Look how his eyes changed. I only saw that look once, when he killed You Guiqi. I will never forget that unnerving confidence.¡±


    They all looked and realized Xie Tianyang was right. Zhuo Fan¡¯s entire demeanor changed. He was like a honed sword, waiting to leave its sheath and upturn the world.


    And deep in the dark abyss that were his eyes, frigid killing intent roiled.


    Even Long Jiu, a Profound Heaven expert, shivered. Xie Tianyang laughed and stretched, ¡°He is itching to slaughter someone!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder nearby the rubble were tense. But the hundred bats overhead worked to assure their safety, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan, there¡¯s nowhere for you to run. So stand still and await your death.¡±


    ¡°Run?¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan flicked his eyes at the beasts above and smiled, ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s nowhere to run now. And since none of you want to see me running, I will do just what you want and stay put.¡±


    ¡°Stay¡­ and kill!¡± Zhuo Fan spat through gnashed teeth, riveting his boundless killing intent on the two of them.


    The two shivered and their hearts were struck by an odd sense of fear.


    The two found it hard to accept it, [How can this be¡­]

 Chapter 164 - Discerning Field

    Soul suppression!


    It was an ability anyone with a powerful soul could use to put pressure on those weaker than him, until they could not even stand. Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t reach that far but was enough to instill fear in his enemies.


    This in turn caused them to feel shocked.


    Although both were body cultivators, they were nonetheless still focused on training their souls in preparation to enter the Radiant Stage. The best example was Huangpu Qingyun, who trained in Imperial Tyrant Body Art, refining his body with dragon power but also able to use dragon soul to refine his own soul.


    Their souls were strong, even for Profound Heaven experts like them.


    However, reality showed Zhuo Fan¡¯s soul exceeded theirs by so much, that they felt fear. The only explanation was that this kid had the soul of a Radiant Stage expert.


    This thought crippled their hearts in fear. They stared dumbstruck at Zhuo Fan to such a degree that not even they could think it possible.


    His cultivation was merely in the Bone Tempering Stage yet could go toe to toe with a Profound Heaven expert and even have his soul in the Radiant Stage. Was such an outlandish coincidence even possible?


    Zhuo Fan picked up on their thinking and smirked, ¡°I believe thanks are in order. Without the Rumbling Bat Wave¡¯s torment, I would¡¯ve never have gotten such a timely chance at breaking through!¡±


    The azure fire in his eyes died out and Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s heart seized with it. He felt a deep fear from the core of his being.


    [That has to be it!]


    The two were now certain Zhuo Fan just entered the Radiant Stage with his soul. His soul was indeed strong but not quite there yet to kill with intent alone.


    The reason for his still position before, was because he was in the middle of advancing.


    [This freak cannot be allowed to live!]


    Yelling inside, Huangpu Qingyun signaled 5th elder with his eyes. 5th elder picked up on his decision and got ready.


    They had to end him now while they still had the chance. Or when he grasped how to kill with intent, it¡¯d be too late!


    Bam!


    With no preamble, Huangpu Qingyun shot towards Zhuo Fan. His body lit up in a golden glow and was preparing a punch.


    5th elder also took out his hammer, aiming at Zhuo Fan¡¯s head.


    Zhuo Fan was suddenly overshadowed as if a mountain was about to fall on him. Suddenly, in front of him was Huangpu Qingyun with his majestic fist, holding enough power to break mountains and cleave seas.


    In face of such devastating assault, Zhuo Fan was unphased. Two azure glows flickered in his eyes and all he did was slant his head, and the might fist hit nothing but air.


    The golden light traced passed his ear, blowing up a whole street of houses, yet powerless enough to not touch a single hair on Zhuo Fan¡¯s head.


    Regarding the incoming hammer, Zhuo Fan simply jumped and was out of its range.


    The hammer boomed into the ground, caving the earth for 20 meters around, yet only enough to reach Zhuo Fan¡¯s toes. He was barely standing at the edge, at peace, as if all was natural in the world.


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder were nervous, going at him again, with a flurry of fists and a rain of hammer blows. There were so many blows. Each was so fast that it should have sealed any means of escape.


    However, Zhuo Fan lightly sidestepped around the attacks without even the use of Mystifying Phantom Step. Simple footwork was enough to get him out of any and all danger.


    Throughout these hundred blows, Zhuo Fan had danced in but a 2 meter circle, while Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder were powerless to even ruffle his clothes.


    This spectacle was unheard of, much less seen, eliciting cries from the crowd.


    Two Profound Heaven experts were rendered moot in the face of a Bone Tempering Stage cultivator. They attacked a hundred times but not once succeeded. Even if this was staged, it was not possible to have such uncanny accuracy.


    While it was impossible to make sense of it all, it was all so clear to Long Jiu and the rest. But they were all so shocked, so astonished, that they only stared bugged eyed for a long time.


    They were clear of this being a Radiant Stage cultivator¡¯s ability, the Discerning Field!


    Within its range, the user could detect the most minute change. It was also easy enough to detect an attack¡¯s course.


    This was the reason behind all his perfect evasions. While he was under a barrage of blows, his heart was as still as water.


    ¡°This brat had reached a whole new level of freak. That¡¯s a Radiant Stage¡¯s ability, yet used by a Bone Tempering cultivator¡­¡± Long Jiu was astonished, yet his heart was pained.


    How many elders of Veiled Dragon Pavilion worked their whole lives to reach the Radiant Stage, to feel its power for themselves, yet were unable to? Long Jiu was no exception.


    However, this up and coming Zhuo Fan, still wet behind his ears, beat them to it. It was a sense of defeat mixed with admiration that made it so hard to swallow.


    He saw Zhuo as his brother, but he could not cast out all the envy he had. Why were they so different? Why couldn¡¯t he do it as well?


    Xie Tianyang sighed as well, ¡°By the looks of it, our little freak came out of his shell and became a full-fledged abomination. I wonder if he even has a limit. Will I ever be able to reach him?


    ¡°Ha-ha, it doesn¡¯t look like it¡­¡± Xie Tianyang shook his head in frustration.


    The others sighed and nodded.


    Back to the battle, Zhuo Fan skipped around calmly, escaping the enemies¡¯ range. The only thing off about him was the azure glint ever-present in his eyes.


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder were already panting. They could guess as to the reason as well, but knowing didn¡¯t enable them to solve it.


    Zhuo Fan, a Bone Tempering cultivator, was armed with the Radiant Stage¡¯s Discerning Field, leaving them powerless to even land a glancing blow.


    ¡°You little prick, fight me if you dare! Come on, be a man for a change!¡±


    Perhaps his mind was taxed, or his patience long overdrawn, that 5th elder started cursing Zhuo Fan. He was now regretting doing it.


    [Since two great Profound Heaven experts can¡¯t finish a mere Bone Tempering cultivator, you¡¯re asking him to stand still? If this isn¡¯t ridiculous then what is?]


    [You might as well ask him to tie himself up for you while he¡¯s at it.]


    His words were met with profound disdain from the crowd. The seven houses picking on others was a common occurrence, but never had they sunk so low.


    [Humph, now I know why Grandmaster Zhuo killed You Guiqi. That old coot was so insufferable that he couldn¡¯t take it anymore. Hell Valley must be the most shameless of all seven houses!]


    Many whispers traveled, and none were good, holding some hint of scorn, whether open or otherwise.


    Huangpu Qingyun glared at the senile fool, [If you want to disgrace yourself, fine. But don¡¯t go around dragging me into your mess. Just what is Hell Valley¡¯s requirement for elders these days? Shamelessness?]


    Zhuo Fan only quirked an eyebrow and smiled a nod, ¡°I guess that¡¯s fine. Since I don¡¯t plan on going anywhere either, I suppose I might as well give you a sound defeat. You see this spot, I won¡¯t move from it!¡±


    Zhuo Fan then planted his feet a tad deeper into the ground, his face filled with zest, ¡°Just like in refining earlier. If my feet leave this spot, my head will be yours!¡±


    Sss~


    The crowd gasped in fright.


    [The heroism of Grandmaster Zhuo is so unmatched it got to his head! There was nothing to fear while refining since you had that amazing ancient secret refining art. It is all because of that, that you managed to keep your head!]


    [But this is another matter entirely. You, sir, a Bone Tempering cultivator, although stronger than average but is still a Bone Tempering cultivator nonetheless. For the love of god. You are facing two shameless and despicable Profound Heaven experts head-on. They won¡¯t go easy on you just ¡¯cause you¡¯re weaker.]


    [If you¡¯re still doing with all this into account, then, it¡¯s your funeral!]


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder jerked but turned bewildered.


    ¡°You little prick, what are you playing at?¡± Huangpu Qingyun eyed him cautiously.


    And the crowd rolled their big white eyes, with some close to spurting blood.


    [Grandmaster Zhuo is rooted to the spot and all that¡¯s left is to tie him up. Yet, you fools are overthinking it saying it¡¯s some sort of scheme of his?]


    [Humph, guess there¡¯s no frickin¡¯ relation between a man¡¯s nerve and his cultivation.]


    [A Bone Tempering cultivator has more guts to face two Profound Heaven experts, while you two are more scared than a mouse. You don¡¯t get to see this every day!]


    The people could no longer stand for how despicable they acted and scorned them despite being from the seven houses.


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s face was aflame, finding his own words somewhat faint-hearted. But it was best to be safe rather than sorry in that punk¡¯s trap.


    Laughing, Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t even try hiding it, ¡°Of course I have one. But nothing overt, just something necessary.¡±


    Zhuo Fan took out a bottle and snickered, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, I¡¯m an alchemist.¡±


    He popped the cork and a blue gleaming pill landed in his hand with a shake.


    ¡°5th grade pill, Bursting Pill!¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s cried. And Huangpu Qingyun was also panicking as he flitted back tens of meters, ¡°He¡¯s gonna blow!¡±


    The scene was thrown into chaos as people scampered all over the place for cover. They feared a Bone Tempering cultivator¡¯s detonation would reach them.


    Long Jiu¡¯s group was startled and perplexed. The situation wasn¡¯t that dire to warrant such an extreme decision as blowing himself up.


    To be truthful, the Bursting Pill was in fact only useful when one did detonate himself!


    The people looked at Zhuo Fan¡¯s calm face, still sporting that cryptic smile of his¡­

 Chapter 165 - Dominating

    One, two, three¡­ The pills fell in Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand with a light tap of the bottle. And with every fall of the azure gleaming pill, hearts were strung tighter than a fiddle.


    When five gathered in his palm, Zhuo Fan placed the bottle away, ¡°Five pills ought to be the limit.¡±


    ¡°Five?!¡± Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyelid twitched.


    A single Bursting Pill could increase one¡¯s Yuan Qi by ten times. If the body couldn¡¯t take it, it would blow up from the strain. That explosion was also ten times stronger than a simple self-detonation.


    Taking these pills would turn Zhuo Fan into a ticking time bomb. It increased his power fifty times, but the explosion would be no less than a Profound Heaven expert¡¯s.


    The damage wouldn¡¯t be limited to this small area either, but the entire Drifting Flowers City. It would be swept by the shockwave, razed to the ground.


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s heart shuddered as he shouted in fear, ¡°Stop him, or he¡¯ll drag us all down with him!¡±


    Too little, too late. Zhuo Fan swallowed the pills without hesitation.


    In a blink, the wind picked up, and a rumbling echoed.


    Under the frightened eyes of his audience, the space around Zhuo Fan warped. Something seemed to seep out of his body as well, looking akin to raw and physical Yuan Qi.


    His Lightning Wings had grown twice their size.


    Under constant changes, Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth as sweat trickled down his brow. His fist clenched, his face, grim from the unspeakable pain.


    But he held on to his voice, not letting even a grunt escape.


    Bam!


    His body shivered and his two arms exploded in size. His forehead sported the azure flame again, but this time bigger than before.


    The azure flame now burned hotter, his wings flickered with thunder, and his cold eyes were bloodshot. His twisted face as well looked ready to unleash a gruesome power.


    The people watched the advent of their death from afar, incredulous of how much power he had gotten.


    He rose steadily from the 2nd layer of Bone Tempering Stage under the watchful eyes of Vicious Pill King and the rest, with constant anguish.


    The stronger he got, the more bang for his buck. If his control slipped while he powered up, the explosion would be less, but only by a fraction.


    But Zhuo Fan stubbornly hung on and his power soared.


    Huangpu Qingyun was appalled, but he was crying inside. [What in god¡¯s name is this brat made of? How is he still holding it together?]


    With a relieving sigh, just like a tornado, Zhuo Fan¡¯s power up reached the end. Yet, outside of everyone¡¯s expectation, there was no explosion.


    All they saw was a calm Zhuo Fan breathing in and out.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Vicious Pill King¡¯s voice trembled, ¡°I-it¡¯s the Profound Heaven Stage!¡±


    The others could see the fierce aura around him and gasped. In just a few breaths, Zhuo Fan climbed from the 2nd layer of Bone Tempering Stage all the way to the Profound Heaven Stage.


    [T-this is too astonishing!] Huangpu Qingyun and the 5th elder¡¯s faces were grave.


    They knew now the pills weren¡¯t to off himself, but to increase his power.


    But how could a man accomplish such a feat?


    To the average man, a ten times Yuan Qi increase would burst him like a balloon. But this brat withstood five times of that.


    [Just how tough is he?]


    ¡°Monster!¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun couldn¡¯t help but voice it. The others also watched with shock and awe of Zhuo Fan¡¯s staunch body.


    Making a come hither gesture at Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder, Zhuo Fan mocked them with a smile, ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to fight? Well, come and get me!¡±


    The audacity and scorn made Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder burst with anger. This was the first time they were ever mocked this much.


    They shot at Zhuo Fan without words and Huangpu Qingyun launched a golden fist right at his face.


    ¡°You little shit, if you have the nerve to taunt then don¡¯t dodge and take it like a man!¡± Huangpu Qingyun was goading him.


    Smirking, Zhuo Fan lifted his hand, ¡°There¡¯s no longer a need to dodge¡­¡±


    Bam!


    Fists met, tearing up the air with a sharp explosion and making ears sting from it. The two¡¯s Yuan Qi collided and spread like a tidal wave all around.


    The pebbles and rocks around were pulverized under such raw unbridled power.


    The people were frantic in getting their Yuan Qi up to shield themselves, but some weak Bone Tempering cultivators were flung twenty meters away and spat blood.


    The shock from a simple clash dominated their hearts. The fight was going to be intense.


    But then, their eyes widened.


    They watched in shock as Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s all-out attack was simply blocked by Zhuo Fan. The latter didn¡¯t even look to be trying.


    Suddenly, 5th elder entered the scene from behind, swinging that hammer right at his head.


    Dong!


    Screeching of metal on metal resounded and another shockwave sped away. The audience worked to withstand it but dozens were flung into the air.


    Yet, when they looked up now, their eyes were twitching.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face was as calm as ever, to the point of ignoring the 5th elder completely and letting a wing lightly block the hammer.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t even shudder from the blow.


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder cried frantically, ¡°Impossible!¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s impossible, especially when it comes to yours truly!¡± Zhuo Fan gripped Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s fist and threw him.


    Huangpu Qingyun slammed into the ground, sinking inch by inch.


    Not forgetting about the 5th elder either, his Lightning Wings slightly shook and the old man flew for a hundred meters before hitting the ground. But even so, he had to take six more steps back to stabilize.


    Looking at Zhuo Fan now, the 5th elder was frightened. But his heart couldn¡¯t accept it and charged again. Zhuo Fan brushed his attempt off, only staring down at Huangpu Qingyun with sarcasm, ¡°Second young master, remember when you talked to me about men and women? Then allow me to inform you that this time, only those standing¡­ are real men.¡±


    It was naked humiliation!


    Huangpu Qingyun roared and swung at Zhuo Fan. He was Regent Estate¡¯s second young master, how dared someone insult him?


    5th elder arrived as well, smashing with his hammer.


    But Zhuo Fan only laughed at their futile attempts.


    His body was refined with Diamond Sand into a 5th-grade demonic treasure. He couldn¡¯t take these two on earlier because his Yuan Qi was lacking in bringing about the body¡¯s true potential.


    Taking five Bursting Pill compensated for this, allowing him to use his demonic treasure body to its full capabilities. Adding to his Radiant Stage soul, how could these two even land a hit?


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan placed a hand behind him and only used his left to block everything and anything Huangpu Qingyun threw at him. At the same time, he used his wings to dance to 5th elder¡¯s hammering tune.


    Clangs and dings were heard constantly, as the power behind each swing was enough to pulverize anything around them


    The sting from the explosions hurt the people¡¯s ears but they were too dumbstruck to mind.


    Seeing how easily Zhuo Fan handled two Profound Heaven experts while standing still was hard to believe, even when seeing it themselves.


    [What is wrong with this world? Since when did there exist a Bone Tempering cultivator who is such a monster, capable of making Profound Heaven experts become his stepping stone? This is two on one, and they can¡¯t even gain the upper hand! Worst, their opponent is taking it in stride.]


    Despite their curses, they knew the truth. The Profound Heaven experts that laid in front of their eyes were in no way weak, but this Bone Tempering youth was simply too much of a monster!


    Long Jiu¡¯s group was stupefied.


    A blink was all it took for Zhuo Fan¡¯s power to surpass everyone¡¯s imagination. Their minds couldn¡¯t cope with the impossible scene unfolding right before their eyes.


    The world flipped, the power scheme upturned, and a Bone Tempering cultivator was playing with two Profound Heaven experts!


    Chu Qingcheng and her overseers were bug-eyed. It was Iris Overseer who first recovered somewhat to gasp, ¡°Demon Zhuo Fan lives up to his infamy. The monster of all freaks.¡±


    Xie Tianyang felt like crying, ¡°8th elder, I should go find elder brother to train with my sword. I want to revive Sword Marquise Abode. There¡¯s no point in going after that brat. That dream¡­ is just wishful thinking!¡±


    Jian Suifeng sighed as well.


    Ever since they saw Zhuo, not only the juniors, but even the elders were suffering a serious blow to their self-esteem¡­

 Chapter 166 - Dauntless

    Boom~


    Not for a second did the explosion stopped.


    Huangpu Qingyun had now clashed two hundred times with Zhuo Fan. Adding 5th elder¡¯s hammer blows, it made for a total of four hundred yet Zhuo Fan had not once lost his cool.


    No matter how the two attacked, they could not even scratch him.


    With cold laughter, Zhuo Fan was now looking at them as if they were a bunch of noisy children, hardly of any threat.


    Hu~


    Suddenly, the azure flame flickered above Zhuo Fan slowly dissipated. Zhuo Fan¡¯s brow was locked, finally sporting a serious face.


    [Almost there!]


    ¡°Humph, have you swung enough? My turn then.¡±


    Snorting, the ever passive Zhuo Fan just stretched his hand and gripped Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s wrist in a vise.


    Bam!


    A simple ordinary fist hit the man squarely in the belly and gave Huangpu Qingyun the feeling as if a mountain bore through. He then whistled through the air like a ragdoll.


    Only to pass through dozens of buildings on his way and ending under a pile of rubble.


    With one down, Zhuo Fan looked askance at the ever swinging 5th elder. One wing shifted and flowed along the hammer like a viper and latched onto his shoulder.


    The other whipped him on the chest.


    Bam!


    With a thunderous sound that could only be made by a crumbling mountain, 5th elder flew into the air before smacking into the ground, leaving behind a deep hole.


    When he staggered out of it, he slipped and fell down, spewing blood.


    ¡°Five¡­ ribs broken!¡± 5th elder tried to bear through the pain as his brow was marred with cold sweat.


    He had never suffered this much in his entire life as a body cultivator. Worse, just one thrash was all it took to break his five ribs.


    Huangpu Qingyun faired no better. He got out of the rubble only to hit the dirt, and spat OUT blood five times; with pieces of flesh in the puddle.


    Clutching his stomach, he was aware of the heavy wounds his organs suffered. But his shock of Zhuo Fan¡¯s power trumped it.


    He cultivated the Imperial Tyrant Body Art yet, couldn¡¯t take even a punch?


    The azure flame died from his forehead and Zhuo Fan eyed the two coldly. He lightly stepped out of the footprints he made and patronized, ¡°I gave you not one, but two chances. It¡¯s you who are too weak to make use of them. You ought to be convinced of your defeat by now. So it is only proper for me to take your lives.¡±


    The crowd was in complete shock!


    With the two of them being second young master of Regent Estate and 5th elder of Hell Valley, they may be beaten at every turn, but only they had the privilege of killing others whenever and however they wanted. It was not supposed to be not the other way around. It was as if their killer couldn¡¯t give a rat¡¯s ass about the seven houses¡¯ retaliation.


    But the crowd doubled back and wondered again, [Who is this man?]


    Demon Zhuo Fan, killer of the insidious You Guiqi. So, why would he care if he messed with Hell Valley, again?


    When one of the Seven Noble Houses was offended, what difference would it make if he added another?


    This realization got the audience¡¯s expectation to rise!


    The Seven Noble Houses had no one to answer to for a thousand years, until now. This was perhaps a once in a lifetime chance to see the Seven Noble Houses finally being on the receiving end. It was high time they got what they deserved in full.


    They masked the joy they felt, silently cheering.


    [Grandmaster Zhuo, you¡¯re our man! Kill them, kill them all¡­]


    Besides, it had nothing to do with them anyway. It wasn¡¯t like enjoying the show was a capital crime!


    Zhuo Fan seemed to have heard their hearts and stepped towards Huangpu Qingyun with killing intent in his eyes.


    Huangpu Qingyun was downright panicking, finally getting acquainted with the taste of fear for the very first time. He never saw someone as powerful as Zhuo Fan, nor one to have such a matching imposing flair.


    Deep down, he began to feel like a meager ant waiting to be squished.


    Sweating like a pig, Huangpu Qingyun fell backward with a mask of fear and not even trying to put on a token of resistance.


    Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder felt just as helpless.


    This freak Zhuo Fan surpassed their expectations. He wanted to go and help but he needed power, which he didn¡¯t possess. Also, what was he doing going around helping Regent Estate¡¯s second young master when his situation was no better?


    However, a seven-colored mist flew at the squinting Zhuo Fan, ¡°Rainbow Cloud Palm, Yan Song!¡±


    ¡°Of course it is me!¡±


    Vicious Pill King propped his frail body as he used the signature profound ranked martial art of Pill King Hall. His mouth curved into a grin, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo, I admit your refining skill is thousands of times better than mine, but your escape is nigh impossible from the poison of my Rainbow Cloud Palm.¡±


    ¡°Yan Song, putting up this front will only speed your death. Why must you throw your life away?¡± Zhuo Fan frowned as he shouted at Vicious Pill King.


    Grinning, Vicious Pill King raised his head and sighed, ¡°Repaying favor with favor!¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and secretly nodded.


    Boom!


    The seven-colored poisoned mist swallowed Zhuo Fan whole.


    Huangpu Qingyun was grasping straws at this point, happy to find hope in this frail rescuer, ¡°Thank you Elder Yan, but this brat is a freak of nature. Can your Rainbow Cloud Palm handle him?¡±


    ¡°Cough, cough¡­ no, it can only buy time!¡±


    Using a profound ranked martial art with an already weary and damaged body only aggravated his precarious state resulting in a vicious coughing fit, followed by spitting blood. Yan Fu could no longer stand still and watch him suffer, but Vicious Pill King gestured to him to stand down.


    ¡°Second young master, the Bursting Pill has increased his power to Profound Heaven Stage for a short while, but it comes with side effects. As this power isn¡¯t his to begin with, once the time is up¡­ cough~¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying he¡¯ll go back to normal?¡± Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyes shined, his face ecstatic. He could see the dawn of victory on the horizon.


    Vicious Pill King smiled, ¡°It won¡¯t stop there. He forced himself to increase his power and it will undoubtedly harm his body, no matter how tough he is. Once his boost is sapped, his body will be torn from the inside, his power is waning. He will be nothing more than a lamb to the slaughter!¡±


    ¡°We just need to hang on for a bit and victory will be ours!¡± Huangpu Qingyun found hope rekindled. 5th elder was thrilled as well.


    ¡°But how long can he last?¡± 5th elder asked nervously, and Huangpu Qingyun looked at Yan Song eagerly.


    Snickering, Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes glinted at the rainbow mist, ¡°Not long. You may not have noticed but the azure flame wisped away from his forehead. His time is running short.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun reddened with shame. The two were scared shitless and that made them lose all reason.


    Vicious Pill King shook his head, fully grasping the seriousness of the situation, ¡°Second young master, you can¡¯t blame yourselves. This brat is too cunning, seeing through you and having you buy into his fake bravado. He is now under my Rainbow Cloud Palm and is suffering from its poison. He will soon be too weak to put up any resistance.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun was immensely grateful. He could finally see the light. Chu Qingcheng however, was frowning in worry.


    Then a sudden laughter came from within the mist.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re indeed praise worthy, Vicious Pill King. I can¡¯t hide the Bursting Pill¡¯s side effect from you! Although, you are wrong about one thing. The time I have to kill the likes of you is aplenty!¡±


    ¡°Humph, Grandmaster Zhuo, you can¡¯t fool me! You had your chance before, but now, under my Rainbow Cloud Palm¡¯s poison, your Yuan Qi will be sapped even faster!¡±


    ¡°Oh, you mean these seven poisons?¡±


    More laughter spread from the mist, ¡°Elder Yan, you may not recall our discussion but, to whom this world belonged to again?¡±


    ¡°My answer is to men and smart people, naturally!¡± Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t know where Zhuo Fan was going with this.


    With another laughter, Zhuo Fan continued, ¡°Mine is different. The world belongs only to the strong!¡±


    Suddenly, black billowing energy spewed from within the seven-colored mist and swallowed the poison mist whole. And from amidst the black energy, Zhuo Fan strutted out like a king, unharmed and untouched.


    ¡°Impossible! Pill King Hall¡¯s thousand-year-long research in the seven poisons¡­¡± Bug-eyed, Vicious Pill King staggered two steps back.


    All the shocks he experienced today paled to this.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°Old man, do you get my meaning? I am not saying you should lump me together with those useless broads. What I¡¯m saying is not to take me for a weakling, the same as them. Your poison only works on the weak, with not one damn effect on the strong like me.¡±


    Vicious Pill King gasped heavier and heavier. Unknown if from shock or anger.


    But Iris Overseer was so pissed her eyes spat fire, ¡°Who is this brat calling weak?¡±


    ¡°Easy now, easy, it¡¯s all just an act.¡± Xie Tianyang placated her, and smiled, ¡°Moreover, his words clarified that you and he have nothing going on. This is for your own good. At least Regent Estate won¡¯t come finding faults with you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, darling¡¯s words are savage but he¡¯s always looking out for us. Not to mention, we are indeed weaker than darling!¡± Xiao Dandan looked at him like a love-struck puppy. Infatuated the more she gazed upon him, and grew in boldness as well.


    Peony Overseer pinched her, ¡°Damn girl, you¡¯re starting to get on my nerves¡­¡±

 Chapter 167 - Invincible

    Zhuo Fan dominated the battlefield. He was a living paragon, taking dauntless steps towards the three. The murderous glint in his eyes was razor-sharp and got them shaking from the very core.


    Zhuo Fan was now the picture of indomitability, willing to slay everything that dared bar his path, including gods. Huangpu Qingyun had lost all will to even resist, standing there like a terrified chicken.


    The three never dreamed they¡¯d see the day when they would run into such a dreadful foe.


    For three great experts, joint together too, sinking so low was an irony in and of itself.


    Sweating bullets, Vicious Pill King watched Zhuo Fan with nothing but fear. He very much knew of his foe¡¯s weakness, needing but little time to turn all of this around, yet, he couldn¡¯t stop the sense of powerlessness boring deep in his heart.


    This was power. He knew how to counter, but lacked the means to do so. The power gap was a bottomless pit.


    Vicious Pill King wrecked his mind about and suddenly his eyes flashed with resolve. He took out a bottle toward the other two, ¡°Second young master, both of you take a pill.¡±


    He proceeded to give each of them one.


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder stared at it in shock. Zhuo Fan¡¯s brow also shook. He was more than familiar with it. In fact, it was the same pill he used, Bursting Pill.


    Eyes shuddering, Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s heavy gaze landed on Vicious Pill King, ¡°Elder Yan, this is indeed the only way. Even if we need someone to self-destruct to kill him.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun squinted at 5th elder, ¡°5th elder, I entrust this task to you. Have no worry, I will pay your valley a personal visit and present my utmost gratitude to Valley Lord, in honor of your selfless sacrifice. Regent Estate and Hell Valley will forevermore be allies!¡±


    [When the time to blow is at hand, why the hell aren¡¯t you doing it?]


    5th elder was about to rain curses, but Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s dead set eyes cut him deep.


    [Regent Estate is a double-crossing two-timing pack of pricks. I can bet my life on it that Huangpu Qingyun won¡¯t ever take Hell Valley as his ally. Even if he does, what freaking good will that honor do me?]


    5th elder wouldn¡¯t stick his head out even for Hell Valley.


    Huangpu Qingyun saw 5th elder still wavering and stared him down while belittling him, ¡°This brat is Hell Valley¡¯s problem to begin with. It¡¯s your duty to finish him!¡±


    5th elder¡¯s face sank, itching to tear Huangpu Qingyun a new one.


    [Hell Valley has a score to settle with this demon, but aren¡¯t you also aiming to kill him? And now that you find yourself lacking, you wish to throw me to the wolves?]


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and snickered.


    When life and death hung in the balance, almost everyone would cling to their only vain chance at life. Why would he sacrifice himself for the sake of others? Everyone looked on with respect and deference towards Regent Estate but none would ever wash their necks and spill blood for them.


    Who was that big of a fool anyway?


    ¡°He-he-he, no need to shift the blame, you¡¯ll both be dropping dead soon enough.¡± Grinning, Zhuo Fan¡¯s fist ebbed with black energy.


    Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elders shuddered and stepped back in horror.


    Vicious Pill King shook his head and shouted, ¡°Second young master, 5th elder, this pill isn¡¯t meant to kill you. It is to boost your power like it did to the brat.¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡± The two shouted in unison, watching him flabbergast.


    Sighing inside, Vicious Pill King showed a trace of disappointment. These two were great in the seven houses, but they couldn¡¯t hold a candle to a kid¡¯s valor.


    His face hard, he spoke, ¡°You are body cultivators, while he is a freak of nature, you are titans. If he could take five, how could you not even handle one? And since death is certain, why not go for broke? Isn¡¯t it better to die on your terms then end up lambs to the slaughter like my weak self?¡±


    The two trembled and gathered up their courage as they looked at the pill in their hands. Then they swallowed it.


    Instantly, a gale blew and their Yuan Qi spiked. Overpowering Yuan Qi coursed through their veins, eating at their flesh. The pain was excruciating and elicited a roar from them both.


    The Yuan Qi imbued roar scattered even the Rumbling Blood Bats. While the people around covered their ears in hope of dampening the splitting headache.


    But this power couldn¡¯t be denied, tearing at their ears and making them all bleed.


    Zhuo Fan had to take a few steps back from the raw display of power. Vicious Pill King was pushed back more than ten feet as well, but his breath was as uneven as before.


    With how Huangpu Qingyun and 5th elder were Profound Heaven experts to begin with, a ten times increase in power far outstripped the norm.


    The increase finally stopped and the two felt the surging Yuan Qi within their bodies. The power was intoxicating, evident from their excited faces.


    They could never believe this was their power.


    Now looking at Zhuo Fan, they shed all fears and bore down on him with killing intent.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, this outcome is only logical. Taking a Bursting Pill is nothing when you¡¯re a Profound Heaven Stage cultivator.¡± Vicious Pill King laughed in glee. This was his desperate attempt at turning things around, yet never once did he believe it would work.


    Long Jiu¡¯s group felt the two¡¯s raw power, far exceeding Zhuo Fan¡¯s and were filled with concern. Zhuo Fan¡¯s advantage was stripped and, even worse, his time was running out.


    As time passed, the two may not be able to defeat him, but his Yuan Qi would run dry and all that awaited him was death.


    Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t be more clearer on this. In fact, this was his main worry.


    Tightening his fists, with a burst of power, Zhuo Fan¡¯s wings flickered and stared down the three of them, ¡°We all know I don¡¯t have time to waste. So I¡¯ll just snatch victory with one blow.¡±


    ¡°Humph, couldn¡¯t agree more. I will take your head myself.¡±


    With great power came a great boost in ego to Huangpu Qingyun, releasing all that he was worth. Following dragons roars, six golden dragons swirled around him, the same as when he first attacked Zhuo Fan.


    But soon, a seventh dragon was added.


    ¡°Imperial Tyrant Body Art, 7th stage!¡± Not only Vicious Pill King but even Long Jiu¡¯s group gasped.


    The Imperial Tyrant Body Art was a marvel among body cultivation methods. Each stage would transform the user body, toughening and strengthening it in all aspects. With him advancing in such a dire moment, Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s power must¡¯ve grown by no less than ten times.


    In a blink, the people turned to Zhuo Fan with worry.


    Huangpu Qingyun had now become the same level of freak as Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°He-he-he, you little shit, feast your eyes on Regent Estate¡¯s Imperial Tyrant Body Art¡¯s true power.¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun roared and charged. The seven golden dragons swirled around and made all defense moot.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s squinted fearlessly. He charged as well, although his display was much weaker.


    At the moment of impact, Zhuo Fan revealed his trademark smirk, ¡°Kid, when it comes to martial arts, your wretched Regent Estate has nothing on me!¡±


    Zhuo Fan roared, ¡°Wraith Style¡¯s first move, Soaring Demonic Dragon!¡±


    Roar!


    With a sky shaking roar, Zhuo Fan was enveloped in the image of a black dragon as he clashed with Huangpu Qingyun.


    The seven golden dragons and the black dragon collided, unleashing a shockwave of epic proportion. The witnesses had to cough blood while the weaker ones were knocked out cold.


    Even Vicious Pill King was hurled three hundred meters into the air.


    He never would¡¯ve guessed Zhuo Fan was hiding so many outstanding abilities. It was no less than Regent Estate¡¯s Imperial Tyrant Body Art, if not stronger.


    When things finally settled, people relaxed. They turned to see smoke billowing and watched dumbstruck.


    Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingyun changed positions, but Zhuo Fan was as mighty as ever, with no decrease in his aura, just like a god of war. His eyes flashed with boundless valor.


    As for Huangpu Qingyun, he was pale and blood pooled at his feet. Looking down he saw half of his body in pieces. His innards had long turned to dust.


    ¡°H-how can it be¡­ so strong¡­¡±


    Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s eyes bulged out of his sockets as he peered into the hole in his body. Then, his eyes went dead, and collapsed in his own blood. His death was the same as any of Zhuo Fan¡¯s victims, filled with endless remorse.


    Sss~


    Gasping, the people stared at Zhuo Fan with dread. Huangpu Qingyun, under the Bursting Pill, at the peak of his power, was killed in one blow.


    Vicious Pill King as well as Long Jiu watched, astonished at Zhuo Fan¡¯s new degree of power, making them reassess this youth¡¯s level.


    They thought that in Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s newfound power against Zhuo Fan, a tie was already an extravagant wish. But it went way beyond that, getting killed with only a single blow.


    Xie Tianyang gasped and lamented, ¡°Now I really need to go practice my sword with big brother¡­¡±

 Chapter 168 - Leaving By Suicide

    It was just too hard a truth to swallow.


    Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder still sported a confident smile in his power, just as Huangpu Qingyun before him. But witnessing the latter¡¯s miserable ending cut all his bravado short as he reeled back again and again.


    [No, that is no human. Not even a Bursting Pill is enough to defeat him. I need to escape, now!]


    ¡°Second young master!¡±


    Suddenly, four cries echoed and four figures were next to Huangpu Qingyun and lamenting his fate. Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow at the four. They were Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s porters, in the 1st layer of the Profound Heaven Stage.


    However, Zhuo Fan¡¯s soul was now in the Radiant Stage and this time, looked at the four with a frown and suspicious eyes.


    These guys were indeed of Profound Heaven cultivation but were weak as hell, even when compared with peak Bone Tempering experts. [No wonder Huangpu Qingyun told them to stand aside. But why are they here anyway?]


    At one point in his thinking, Zhuo Fan¡¯s vision swirled and his body was on the verge of collapse.


    [Damnation, I¡¯m running out of time.]


    Gnashing his teeth, Zhuo Fan braced himself to keep up appearances and then flee from this place. Staying here longer than necessary would only make it worse for him, as he wouldn¡¯t be able to hold on for long and fall unconscious. At that point, his head was up for grabs.


    But he didn¡¯t get the chance as the four porters roared and jumped him, ¡°You savage mongrel! You dare kill Regent Estate¡¯s second young master, we will kill you!¡±


    ¡°Just the four of you? Please!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snorted, but as the four approached, his mind whirled and his power plummeted. Bursting Pill¡¯s effect was declining faster and faster.


    Bitting his tongue to clear his head, Zhuo Fan¡¯s wing lashed out and the three porters were cut in two while the latter was wailing on the ground having his arm chopped off.


    Ignoring the ¡®lucky¡¯ fellow, Zhuo Fan flew away as fast as he could.


    Vicious Pill King paused for a moment before yelling, ¡°5th elder, stop him now! His fight with second young master used up his Yuan Qi and can¡¯t hold on for long. We have to keep him here at all costs.¡±


    When 5th elder was ready to slink into obscurity, he whipped his head around and saw the three dead and one rolling on the ground. His eyes lit up then laughed out loud.


    Demon Zhuo Fan¡¯s attacks were ruthless and precise. [How could he just harm and not kill? His body can¡¯t take it and didn¡¯t have the time to finish the last one.]


    5th elder then shot straight for Zhuo Fan and swung his mighty hammer.


    With his vision fading away, Zhuo Fan swayed in his flight. He watched the incoming hammer dazed.


    Chu Qingcheng was beside herself with worry, but there was not enough time to help.


    5th elder cackled, his eyes lit up with savagery, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, demon Zhuo Fan, time to pay for what you did to 7th elder and second young master with your life.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not nearly worthy enough to take my life!¡±


    His body¡¯s power was sapped, but his eyes never lost their ruthlessness. Bitting his tongue again to sober somewhat, Zhuo Fan roared and lashed with his wings like a pair of lightning whips.


    Bam!


    5th elder¡¯s hands went numb from pain, with the half a ton hammer slipping from his grip, flung away by Zhuo Fan.


    Yet, 5th elder couldn¡¯t be happier, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, wise ass. It is you who fell for it this time. You can¡¯t possibly fend me off when you have no wings to protect you and your body is too weak to resist!¡±


    5th elder¡¯s hand was wrought in a fierce flame and clawed at Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest, ¡°High spirit ranked martial art, Back Piercing Fire Claw!¡±


    With the Lightning Wings used to fend off the hammer, they were too far off to recall them in time. Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest was wide open.


    With 5th elder being a body cultivator in the 5th layer of Profound Heaven Stage and using a high spirit ranked martial art, the strike would go straight through him.


    Not even Zhuo Fan could keep his life then.


    5th elder smirked while Chu Qingcheng was watching below wracked with anxiety and powerless to help.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed coldly and said, ¡°I already told you. You¡¯re not worthy enough to take my life!¡±


    Zhuo Fan roared, ¡°Wraith Style¡¯s second move, Ghostly Dragon Claw!¡±


    With another heaven shaking dragonic roar, the two claws clashed.


    Something incredible happened. In that instant, Zhuo Fan ripped 5th elder¡¯s entire arm clean off.


    Blood spurted but 5th elder took a long time for the feeling to sink in. He turned to his arm and then fell from the sky wailing.


    Only Zhuo Fan, the invincible, stood in the sky like a king. The burning arm he was clutching, was now soaked in blood.


    ¡°Humph, no one is worthy of taking yours truly¡¯s life!¡±


    Snorting, Zhuo Fan once again displayed his power for all to see. He clenched his hand and 5th elder¡¯s hand was ripped to pieces.


    [He¡¯s just too strong!]


    They couldn¡¯t be further from the truth. Zhuo Fan¡¯s power kept dropping but even so, he ripped the arm off 5th elder despite the latter having been at his peak of power, and having taken the Bursting Pill.


    Such power struck the core of everyone.


    Vicious Pill King had long been reduced to standing there dumbly. Zhuo Fan¡¯s early power was based on the five Bursting Pills.


    But now that the pills¡¯ effect was waning, how was he still invincible?


    Even Long Jiu¡¯s eye bulged out.


    Who was Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder? An expert that clashed with Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s 3rd elder thousands of times to a draw. The shock was palpable, seeing his hand ripped off like it was a child¡¯s play.


    ¡°Just how am I going to explain this to third brother? This little freak has far surpassed him. How shocked will he be when he finds out?¡±


    Long Jiu shook his head, turning to Long Kui and Long Jie, ¡°Maybe, you¡¯ll be the one to break the news to him.¡±


    The two had long stopped listening. They never had truly witnessed Zhuo Fan fight for real, and were now watching dumbstruck at what their peer was capable of.


    Panting, Zhuo Fan had used too much of his energy. He snapped a cold glare at the dazed Vicious Pill King and flew off.


    Biting his lip, Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes roamed everywhere and after some hesitation, he roared, ¡°Zhuo Fan, don¡¯t forget! I¡¯m still around!¡±


    The hundred Rumbling Blood Bats flew at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s flight faltered and glared back, ¡°Old fool, don¡¯t be obstinate. I let you go in respect from one grandmaster alchemist to another. Don¡¯t you come and throw your life away!¡±


    ¡°Humph, as I was entrusted, I shall reply with the same devotion! Second young master is dead and only your head will keep me alive! Bluntly speaking, either you die, or I die!¡±


    Vicious Pill King roared as his hand made signs. The hundred Rumbling opened their snouts and unleashed Rumbling Bat Waves on Zhuo Fan.


    A huge ripple struck Zhuo Fan just like a tidal wave.


    Chu Qingcheng was overwhelmed with alarm. This was a soul attack. Zhuo Fan¡¯s tough body was useless against it and could only resist with the azure flame.


    And when that happened, he¡¯d be too exhausted to leave.


    But Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t fretting.


    He flicked his eyes to Vicious Pill King and made a hand sign, ¡°Since that is your wish, I shall oblige. Wraith Style¡¯s third move, Necro Dragon¡¯s Screech!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snapped his jaws open and roared!


    This dragon roar was unlike the Rumbling Blood Bat¡¯s wave, it came out of Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth and appeared as a dragon. It flew in the air and shook the whole world.


    ¡°T-that¡¯s a sound martial art, and a goddamned Profound Rank at that!¡± Xie Tianyang had never been so overwhelmed with shock in his entire life. He said to Long Jiu, ¡°Didn¡¯t he say he comes from a third rate clan? Just where the hell did he really come from when such an art doesn¡¯t even exist in the entire Tianyu Empire, or the seven houses?¡±


    Long Jiu shook his head bitterly, ¡°How am I supposed to know? That is one secret only the brat knows. But there¡¯s one absolute truth, he did not come from that third rate clan.¡±


    Xie Tianyang nodded slowly.


    Then, the two sound waves collided.


    The tidal wave and the dragon fought each other and the aftermath spread well into the crowd below.


    The previous shockwaves were from Yuan Qi, so the people could resist it. But this time, it was a soul attack.They would hit the ground, dead if their souls lacked in the least.


    Chu Qingcheng used her soul to resist and Peony Overseer covered Xiao Dandan behind her. But even they, Profound Heaven experts were forced to spew blood.


    With pain came shock, unable to believe that a sound martial art was unblockable. They weren¡¯t even the real targets of the attack and were already suffering. It was unimaginable how astonishing its power was on the real target.


    The people began looking at Zhuo Fan with dread. Vicious Pill King was relying on the hundred Rumbling Blood Bats while Zhuo Fan could do it himself.


    His hand made another sign as Vicious Pill King did his best to withstand the shockwave, with dark blood leaking from his mouth. Never had he dreamt it possible for Zhuo Fan to use a sound martial art. He was an abomination!


    He was able to hold Zhuo Fan back before, but now¡­


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan saw through the old coot¡¯s inability and roared again.


    The huge dragon above whipped its tail and the tidal sound wave was dissolved. It then flew through the hundred Rumbling Blood Bats, who¡¯s eyes went blank as they fell on the ground like hail.


    Such was irony, cruel and merciless. The powerful blood bats, prideful in their sound waves were shot dead by Zhuo Fan¡¯s own sound attack.


    But the huge dragon didn¡¯t stop there, passing through Vicious Pill King as well. His mind went blank, with not even a simple thought coming to him.


    Then, his body plopped two the ground, stiffly. Yan Fu wailed, ¡°Master!¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned and flew away. When his figure was gone, a mad laughter resounded, ¡°The great seven houses beneath the imperial family are not able to kill one man even with seven against one. Their name is undeserved, bringing shame to the entire world, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±

 Chapter 169 - Calamitous Casualties

    Zhuo Fan was long gone yet the people still stared dumbly in his direction.


    And when they managed to gather their wits, all they heard were mournful cries all around. The ground was littered with corpses and thousands of wounded, the aftermath of Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s fierce clash.


    The last sound wave, in particular, must¡¯ve caused over a thousand to fall!


    Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder weakly got to his feet, watching dazed, his missing arm bellowed to the sky, ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    These two simple words were mixed with hatred and rage that any other survivor had after this bitter battle.


    Yep, after this ¡¯bout¡¯ Zhuo Fan¡¯s name would be heard clearer and further than ever, but never in a good light. He was one of the very few notorious figures known in Tianyu since its foundation.


    Demons paled to what he had become now.


    Towards the bodies strung about, to the endless suffering ramming their ears, people had only horror in their core. But at the same time, two words were deeply etched in their minds.


    [Demon Archon!]


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group finally came to as well, only to look on with pity at the miserable state surrounding them and sent people to count in the dead. Xiao Ya was soon back with a tally, and a visage painted in sorrow.


    ¡°Edifice Lord, in the aftermath of the battle, 4862 are dead and 36019 people are wounded. This count is mainly the heavily wounded, while the light wounded are too many to count.¡±


    ¡°So many!¡±


    Iris Overseer cried and said inside, [Is Zhuo Fan the harbinger of death? He killed so many in just one strike!]


    Long Jiu¡¯s group was startled as well.


    They were aware of how insanely powerful the brat was, but not once they thought him capable of this. It was no different than the aftermath of a skirmish.


    ¡°And¡­¡± Xiao Ya faltered, but still said it, ¡°Because of Hundred Pill Meeting, many delegates of important clans have come. The number of casualties is disastrous, with more than two thousand clans having lost their people, and ten thousand more in critical condition.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s heart tightened and was agitated, ¡°Xiao Ya, try to calm them down. Tell them Drifting Flowers Edifice will give them an answer for this disaster. That we will also offer some compensation for their losses!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Xiao Ya left with a nod.


    Xie Tianyang took a deep breath, ¡°Damn, killing more than four thousand at once. This brat is racking up enemies to an all-time high.¡±


    ¡°Humph, how is it darling¡¯s fault? With how many died in the aftermath, they should be taking up with Regent Estate for the damages!¡± Not once did Xiao Dandan see Zhuo in a bad light and wasn¡¯t one to tolerate anyone who spoke ill of him as well.


    Xie Tianyang had to admit Xiao Dandan¡¯s words with a nod, but then he jeered, ¡°Oh, miss Dandan speaks true. Although¡­ Who has the nerve to complain to the Seven Noble Houses? Not to mention, Regent Estate is also a victim, with four dead and a cripple.¡±


    ¡°Humph, since they don¡¯t dare to take it up with Regent Estate, they think darling is one to be pushed around?¡± Xiao Dandan stuck out her chin in pride.


    ¡°Yeah, with that freak¡¯s power, even a Profound Heaven expert would give him a wide berth. However¡­¡± Raising an eyebrow, Xie Tianyang chuckled, ¡°Didn¡¯t you listen to Vicious Pill King? The kid¡¯s time is almost up, and he¡¯ll be unable to move then. Even a three-year-old could do him in.¡±


    That startled them.


    If not for his reminder, they¡¯d have forgotten Zhuo Fan might be lying somewhere, weak and alone.


    ¡°Everyone, scour the place for demon Zhuo Fan. I want him alive! He will have Regent Estate to answer to!¡± Chu Qingcheng ordered. The only way to pull the wool over the other¡¯s eyes was to treat him like an enemy.


    Xiao Dandan bore her stare into Xie Tianyang with hatred, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so earlier?¡±


    ¡°Would it have mattered? Those with half a brain are already searching for him!¡± Xie Tianyang pointed around them with a smile, ¡°Tell me, who is missing here?¡±


    Long Jiu¡¯s group was puzzled. Only Xiao Dandan clapped, ¡°It¡¯s the Dong siblings.¡±


    Then, she took off in Zhuo Fan¡¯s direction.


    ¡°Silly girl, why so anxious?¡± Peony Overseer shouted.


    ¡°How can I not be? That Dong lass has a thing for darling. I can¡¯t let her get ahead of me!¡±


    The other had to laugh at that. Xiao Dandan was one innocent and chipper young lady!


    Peony Overseer¡¯s face flushed. [You nitwit disciple, you¡¯re enough of a disappointment as it is. I get that you¡¯re all googly-eyed over him but can you at least not make a fool out of me too?]


    On another note, Zhuo Fan was rushing to fly away while also keeping an eye out for a nice corner of the world to hide and lick his wounds. All while his sight was growing ever hazy.


    Suddenly, his vision went dark and passed out. His body then crash-landed into a small valley.


    With a bang, he touched the ground and got buried in a pile of rocks.


    Moon took the sun¡¯s place in the sky, then soon, the sun rose back to its rightful place¡­


    For three days, Zhuo Fan laid there among the rocks, defenseless. This was a blessing in disguise, as the wild animals would¡¯ve dispensed with his body by now if he was out in the open.


    Rustle~


    On the dawn of the fourth day, morning dew trickled from the rocks and on Zhuo Fan¡¯s face, rousing him from slumber.


    Zhuo Fan opened his eyes and felt his whole body aching so much he couldn¡¯t even budge.


    His original plan was to take the root and flee. He¡¯d then divide and conquer his pursuers, Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s group of four, as they got further apart from each other going after him.


    Bursting Pill was saved as his last resort.


    He had been trying to get away many times, but was foiled at every turn and even got surrounded. With no choice in the matter, he ended fighting the four of them together instead of making a break for it.


    But the toll for this was hardly worth it. Sensing his body, he was sure he was stuck here, disabled, for a month before he could even lift a finger.


    During this period, he¡¯d be as helpless as a lamb, at the mercy of any strong guy that chanced upon him.


    Putting his life in fate¡¯s hands wasn¡¯t the Demonic Emperor¡¯s style. But no amount of lamenting would get him out of it. He was a piece of meat ready to have its life pounded out of him!


    Suddenly, slow steps were heard coming and Zhuo Fan tensed. But he was too hurt to even sweep the area with his soul to check. He was in the dark about the person¡¯s cultivation and panic was slowly setting in.


    Suppose it was the enemy¡¯s Profound Heaven expert. That would curb his short life even shorter.


    Crack~


    Sounds of stones clashing resounded and Zhuo Fan knew the newcomer was digging through the pile.


    Boom!


    Then, the final layer was removed and a piercing sun ray graced his face and making him unable to see his ¡®rescuer¡¯.


    Then he heard a familiar voice, ¡°Brother, I found him!¡±


    ¡°Dong Xiaowan?¡± Frowning, Zhuo Fan sighed. [If it¡¯s the Dong guys, I¡¯m saved, he-he.]


    ¡°Step aside Xiaowan, I¡¯ll get him out!¡±


    Rocks crumbled to pieces as a powerful hand reached into the pile and pulled the buried Zhuo Fan out into the light of day.


    With a boom, his dirty body was wrested out of the darkness by Dong Tianba and smacked the ground hard. Zhuo Fan felt something was oddly off here.


    Before Zhuo Fan even saw their faces, what greeted him was the cold glinting steel of a 3rd-grade spiritual sword resting on his neck.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart was floored, [What did I ever do to you?]


    Dong Xiaowan cried, ¡°Brother, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Stay out of this!¡±


    Dong Tianba stared Zhuo Fan down, the sword shaking in his hand, ¡°Demon Zhuo Fan, I¡¯ve been waiting to meet you for a long long time. You¡¯re just as they say, so cunning you made complete fools out of us!¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Here I am, demon Zhuo Fan! I never planned to fool you, but you never left me alone!¡±


    ¡°You dare talk back?¡± Dong Tianba¡¯s anger spiked, ¡°I¡¯m asking you, where¡¯s my dear brother Song Yu? Why did you take his face in coming to Drifting Flowers City?¡±


    Zhuo Fan finally got to know what this was all about and grinned wickedly, ¡°I¡¯m sure you realized the truth by now.¡±


    ¡°You killed him?¡± Dong Tianba¡¯s hand trembled and his eyes reddened.


    ¡°Of course!¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes were cold, and his tone flat, ¡°I am a demon. Since when did I need a reason to kill someone?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s remorseless eyes in killing Song Yu got Dong Tianba trembling from anger. Roaring, his sword advanced.


    ¡°No, brother!¡± Dong Xiaowan threw herself before Zhuo Fan and said nervously, ¡°Brother, he helped us. We would¡¯ve died if it weren¡¯t for him, and so would our clan. You¡¯re not only picking on the weak, but you¡¯re also biting the hands that feeds you!¡±


    Dong Tianba¡¯s sword stopped. His hands trembled, a reflection of his chaotic heart.


    ¡°Who dares harm my darling?¡± A sudden shout echoed.


    A flash of red pushed Dong Xiaowan back and stood before Zhuo Fan ¨C Xiao Dandan of course.


    ¡°Dong Tianba, you got some nerve. You dare mess with my man?¡±

 Chapter 170 - A Three Layers Ju

    Xiao Dandan scared Dong Tianba, jumping two steps back, causing his sword to tremble like a leaf. He wasn¡¯t afraid of her, but the Drifting Flowers Edifice behind her.


    ¡°Move!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold tone came.


    Xiao Dandan jerked and turned her head in doubt, only to meet a pair of frosty eyes, ¡°Darling, this ungrateful punk wants to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Are you deaf?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s roar got Xiao Dandan shaking in her boots and demurely moved aside.


    Zhuo Fan was immobile but that didn¡¯t curb his dominating attitude in the least.


    He spoke to Dong Tianba calmly, ¡°I won¡¯t lie to you. I not only killed your good little brother, Song Yu, but his sister as well. If you plan on taking revenge, no one¡¯s stopping you!¡±


    Dong Tianba was hesitating and flitted a glance at Xiao Dandan. She had her glaring eyes riveted to him, as if to say, [Just try it!]


    Zhuo Fan understood his reluctance, ¡°This is between us, men. Women have no place here. Listen here Xiao Dandan, if you mess with the Dong clan because of this, then don¡¯t ever call me darling again.¡±


    Xiao Dandan flared, ¡°Then you¡¯ll accept me?¡±


    Zhuo Fan just stared at Dong Tianba with unnerving calm.


    The sword lifted at times and fell in others. Dong Tianba saw Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shift from hatred to gratitude. Recalling the time when they were drinking like best buds, Dong Tianba threw the sword a way away with a sigh.


    ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ll just take it as brother¡¯s Song Yu¡¯s luck was the worst to meet a Demon Archon like you.¡±


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you attacking? Is it because of Xiao Dandan? Kill her then kill me. You two need to just keep a tight lid on this and no even Drifting Flowers Edifice will find out about this. If you¡¯re still worried, I can teach you how to make a scapegoat out of another clan. One hundred percent success guaranteed.¡± Zhuo Fan smiled wickedly.


    His words got all three of them jumping.


    Did the world have someone so kind to teach his killer not to get found out? Xiao Dandan was morose and muttered, ¡°Darling, I¡¯m trying to help you. So why do you want me killed as well?¡±


    Turning a blind eye to this love-struck puppy, Zhuo Fan stared at Dong Tianba with a vague smile.


    Dong Tianba was vexed, ¡°Wan¡¯er is right. You saved us before and killing you will bite the hands that feed us. It¡¯s best if today ends with both our debts being settled.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying¡­ you¡¯re letting me go for saving you?¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    Nodding, Dong Tianba sighed, ¡°What a pity, I just can¡¯t take revenge for my dear brother Song Yu¡­¡±


    Whoosh!


    Dong Tianba was cut short by a golden streak passing his ear. With a boom, a fifty-meter tall rock was pulverized.


    The golden light returned to Zhuo Fan and grinned wickedly.


    The three found it to be a golden infant. It was indeed Zhuo Fan¡¯s Bone Tempering Stage Blood Infant!


    With a sneer, Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone was cold, ¡°Dong Tianba, you are far from worthy to decide my fate. My life is my own no matter the circumstances. Suppose your sword got a bit too close, well, you wouldn¡¯t be standing right now.¡±


    Breaking out in a cold sweat, Dong Tianba looked at the grinning Blood Infant, then at the sinister smile on Zhuo Fan. The two caused his heart to beat a mile a minute.


    Demon Zhuo Fan was the one who killed You Guiqi, not someone a nobody like him could handle.


    Zhuo Fan needed but a blow and this second rate young master would be naught but dust. It made a mockery of his earlier display of settling their score even.


    [I never had the right to choose the fate of someone who challenged the Seven Noble Houses!]


    Xiao Dandan¡¯s eyes were more intoxicated than ever.


    Her darling was so hurt he couldn¡¯t move but the flair around him, the boldness, made him a man among men, the best of the best, were still there!


    Dong Xiaowan wasn¡¯t that far gone as Xiao Dandan, but among the fear and trepidation her eyes conveyed, they nonetheless held a constant ripple and firm gaze on him.


    Not bored enough to mind the eyes of his fans, Zhuo Fan closed his eyes, ¡°Take me somewhere safe. I need a fortnight at the least to recover.¡±


    ¡°Ok, darling, I¡¯ll carry you.¡± Xiao Dandan jumped at the chance, holding no reservations.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s silence was all the approval she needed.


    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan¡¯s ears peeled and he opened his eyes, ¡°Wait. Someone¡¯s coming.¡±


    The others looked around for any signs while Zhuo Fan got Blood Infant back in his body.


    Blood Infant was good with scaring Bone Tempering cultivators, but he might not succeed in a sneak attack against a Profound Heaven expert. Least of all going from the front.


    Only when he paired up with Blood Infant in battles, was he invincible.


    But now, he was a dead weight and Blood Infant¡¯s success rate fell sharply. He hid Blood Infant in his body, waiting for the right moment to strike a killing blow.


    The bushes ruffled under the anxious gaze of everyone. Then, an old man came out.


    Zhuo Fan knew who it was, Liu Yizhen.


    Liu Yizhen couldn¡¯t be happier he found Zhuo Fan, ¡°Song, uh, Grandmaster Zhuo, I finally found you. I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re alright.¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at the others clueless.


    [Was I ever so close with this oldie? What got you so concerned about my health?]


    Zhuo Fan was baffled, seeing Liu Yizhen jumping to examine Zhuo Fan¡¯s state. Zhuo Fan and the rest found no ill will hidden among his actions and let him through.


    Liu Yizhen was frowning a moment later, gushing with worry, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo¡¯s meridians are damaged. You¡¯ll need three to five months to recover. Luckily I have the 6th-grade pill, Yang Recovery Pill. It may not be enough to bring about a total recovery but enough to allow Grandmaster Zhuo to at least move.¡±


    ¡°Yang Recovery Pill?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was overjoyed. He knew of this pill since he was an alchemist. With it and the Bodhi Jade Sap, he¡¯d be up and about in no time flat.


    Before the Hundred Pill Meeting, he had no 6th-grade ingredients and couldn¡¯t refine a Yang Recovery Pill, or he¡¯d have done it ages ago. Liu Yizhen¡¯s arrival was such timely help.


    Liu Yizhen saw him in glee and was even overjoyed. His hand flashed with a bottle and presented a scarlet pill.


    Xiao Dandan hovered it near Zhuo Fan for a close inspection then let him have it when it was deemed safe.


    In an instant, Zhuo Fan began glowing a blinding light from his main acupoints as the warmth traveled through his meridians. It was so strong that even the others around him could feel it.


    It started with a twitch of his finger as Zhuo Fan slowly got the feeling in his arm, testing its range of movements.


    Liu Yizhen shouted in glee, ¡°In less than an hour, Grandmaster Zhuo will be able to walk.¡±


    Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t one to wait as he used his only able arm to swallow a drop of Bodhi Jade Sap.


    Liu Yizhen slapped his head, ¡°How could I forget? Grandmaster Zhuo still has that divine treasure. You won¡¯t even need an hour now and you¡¯ll make a full recovery.¡±


    This shocked the rest.


    Zhuo Fan sat cross-legged and focused on recovery.


    The medicine flowed throughout his body and Zhuo Fan could feel how his meridians recover. It went so well that they not only recovered, but became stronger.


    Bang!


    With a sudden popping sound, Zhuo Fan¡¯s ears twitched as a newfound power roamed unhinged through him.


    Dong Tianba cried, ¡°He broke through!¡±


    His words were followed by another pop and Zhuo Fan¡¯s power doubled as he even started to glow in waves. It was as if Diamond Sand was roaming through his body.


    ¡°H-he broke through again!¡±


    Liu Yizhen blinked his aged eyes and yelped, ¡°This is incredible! Breaking through twice in one breath! How many in this world would ever have such luck?¡±


    Then it happened again right in the middle of his speech!


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Liu Yizhen¡¯s voice trembled, ¡°Doing it three times in a row is unheard of! Grandmaster Zhuo¡¯s title of ¡®freak¡¯ is justly deserved. Even I had to cultivate day after day, year after year, to advance, but never once have I done it so fast.¡±


    Everyone around him, who heard his speech, rolled their eyes.


    [How can you even compare yourself? He is a freak, a genius among geniuses. How can an old coot, who¡¯s not even a genius to begin with, even dream of climbing to his level?]


    Liu Yizhen realized his blunder and straightened his beard awkwardly.


    An hour later, Zhuo Fan¡¯s power withdrew within him and opened his eyes with a flash of azure.


    Every minute movement within a kilometer around him in the valley appeared in his mind, down to the last cricket.


    This was Radiant Stage¡¯s Discerning Field!


    When Zhuo Fan just entered the Radiant Stage with his soul, he exhausted his Yuan Qi from using that dangerous pill, thus preventing him from carefully sensing the changes the new stage brought. Now, he broke three layers and entered the 5th layer of the Bone Tempering Stage in one smooth motion.


    His growth wasn¡¯t limited to that of the body, but of the soul as well, while also stabilizing it.


    Just like Fang Qiubai, who had eyes everywhere within a kilometer of him, Zhuo Fan could as well. All that was left was to practice killing with his mere intent.


    That was a Radiant Stage expert¡¯s most dreadful ability¡­

 Chapter 171 - Antidote

    ¡°Congratulations, Grandmaster Zhuo, for your recovery and improvement!¡± Liu Yizhen gave a gesture of respect along with a smile.


    Zhuo Fan shot him a glance, ¡°Skip the small-talk and say what you want.¡±


    Liu Yizhen¡¯s face froze for a second, then bloomed into a broad smile, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo is a man of true talent. I will no longer hide it from you.¡±


    ¡°Humph, that¡¯s all thanks to knowing there is no one in this world helping a stranger without getting something in return! There¡¯s no free lunch in this world. You must be after something big to give away a 6th-grade pill.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s piercing gaze saw right through him. Liu Yizhen muttered something under his breath then threw himself at Zhuo Fan¡¯s feet, kowtowing three times, ¡°Disciple Liu Yizhen admires Grandmaster Zhuo¡¯s endless talent. I beseech Grandmaster to accept me!¡±


    Dumbstruck, not even in Zhuo Fan¡¯s wildest dreams did he consider the old guy¡¯s request being this. Scowling for a second, he said, ¡°Give me an empty jade slip!¡±


    Liu Yizhen¡¯s eyes sparkled and handed it over with glee, ¡°Yes, master!¡±


    Not even he expected his request to go through so smoothly.


    However, Zhuo Fan closed his eyes for a brief moment then gave the jade slip back, ¡°Grandmaster Liu, this jade slip contains three alchemy secret skills, my debt to you. We are now even. Don¡¯t mention apprenticeship again. I do not take disciples!¡±


    [Why the hell would I take another when the first and last one almost got me killed? Humph, teaching a disciple starves the master. This saying couldn¡¯t be more right. I will abide by it all my life!]


    Zhuo Fan sighed, recalling that traitorous disciple of his.


    Liu Yizhen wanted to plead his case, but Zhuo Fan cut him off with a wave.


    Zhuo Fan then turned to Xiao Dandan, throwing her a pitch-black ring. Xiao Dandan was startled. Wasn¡¯t it the same storage ring Chu Qingcheng gave her?


    ¡°Take this back to Edifice Lord Chu. Tell her that I have paid the favor for the medicine. She and I are now even!¡±


    ¡°W-what about me?¡± Xiao Dandan was panicking, her heart in turmoil.


    Zhuo Fan perked an eyebrow and watched her funny, ¡°It has nothing to do with me. Do whatever.¡±


    He took a single step and shot high into the sky, disappearing in a flash. Liu Yizhen watched the jade slip downcast then sighed as he put it in his ring.


    Xiao Dandan looked at the sky and cried, ¡°Waaah, darling doesn¡¯t want me~!¡±


    Dong Xiaowan saw the heartbroken Xiao Dandan and lowered her head in desolation. At least Zhuo Fan explained himself to Xiao Dandan, while not sparing her so much as a glance.


    [Am I of no value in his heart?]


    Dong Tianba saw through his sister¡¯s distress and patted her shoulder, ¡°Wan¡¯er, that guy is bound to cause great chaos. There¡¯s nothing in common between him and us.¡±


    Dong Xiaowan nodded, her heart clear. How could a girl from a second rate clan deserve a hero who fought back the seven houses?


    But that didn¡¯t mean she could accept it. She looked up at the wailing Xiao Dandan and felt envious.


    He did spare this lady a glance at the least¡­


    ¡­


    In the hazy night, among the broken-down houses of the slum, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s lovely figure struck a touching image standing there in the moonlight.


    She had behind her Iris Overseer and Long Jiu¡¯s group while Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s disciples scoured the place for any sign of Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, it¡¯s been four days already. Are you sure he¡¯d return here?¡± Xie Tianyang shook off a yawn.


    Chu Qingcheng was still as she watched Zhuo Fan¡¯s fleeing direction, but her eyes flickered with resolve, ¡°This is where we lived together. I know he will come here once he is safe.¡±


    ¡°Sigh, that only means you don¡¯t know him. That brat is a ruthless and stone-cold killer. When he was docile to you in that idyllic period, it was just him playing his role as Song Yu. That wasn¡¯t the real him!¡± Xie Tianyang sighed.


    Chu Qingcheng smiled, but her mind was set, ¡°I believe in the feelings from that time. He will not abandon me!¡±


    [We can only hope.]


    Xie Tianyang sighed, not believing in the slightest¡­


    Tap, tap!


    Suddenly, a horse¡¯s trotting was heard and everyone looked to see a worn-out carriage drawing near. Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes shined, her heart in bliss.


    She recognized this carriage, it was Song-, uh, Zhuo Fan¡¯s.


    ¡°He¡¯s back!¡± Chu Qingcheng cried, rushing over with the others in tow.


    But the people to come out were just Dong Tianba, Dong Xiaowan, and the crying Xiao Dandan.


    Chu Qingcheng realized they were the only one insie and asked, ¡°You came back without finding him?¡±


    Dong Xiaowan and Xiao Dandan were downhearted and in no mood to speak. Dong Tianba bowed, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, we did find him, but¡­ he left once he recovered. We didn¡¯t follow¡­¡±


    ¡°What, he left?¡± Chu Qingcheng exclaimed in shock before he could finish. This man left without so much as giving her an explanation? Why?


    ¡°Waaah, sister Qingcheng, darling doesn¡¯t want us!


    Xiao Dandan could no longer hold in the pain and let it out in the form of rivers of tears. Chu Qingcheng was stunned as Peony Overseer drew her dear disciple into a hug, ¡°Dandan, tell me, did he do anything to you?¡±


    Sniffing twice, Xiao Dandan gave the black ring to Chu Qingcheng and said between tears, ¡°Sister Qingcheng, he said he repaid the favor for the medicine. From now on there is no relation between us.¡±


    ¡°What, does he have no conscience? Is he that heartless?¡± Peony Overseer went into a rage, ¡°I told you, men aren¡¯t good for anything.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng was lost as she took the items from the ring.


    It was the spirit tablet Chu Qingcheng gave to Zhuo Fan before going to her death. Now, Zhuo Fan returned it.


    As if he didn¡¯t recognize her as his wife.


    There was also a box and Chu Qingcheng looked within with a dead gaze.


    Aunt Tao snatched it and sighed, ¡°At least he has the conscience to leave this behind.¡±


    Bu Chu Qingcheng couldn¡¯t make herself care about anything, not even the return of the Bodhi Root. All she ever felt was loss.


    Except for returning the bottle of Bodhi Jade Sap, everything else was back.


    His meaning loud and clear. From now on they were strangers!


    ¡°You mean¡­ he was using me the whole time?¡± Chu Qingcheng swayed as she whispered. Yet the look on her face spoke volumes of her denial.


    [I finally found a man that I love, only to be deceived in the end?]


    Xie Tianyang had long seen it coming and coughed, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, let me just say something, but don¡¯t get angry. The brat told us he came to Drifting Flowers City for the Bodhi Jade Sap. But because of the sudden involvement of the Regent Estate, he helped you in passing. And that only after judging that the benefits outweighed the risks. His actions aren¡¯t driven by kindness or compassion, so please don¡¯t feel sad!¡±


    Shivering, Chu Qingcheng frowned, still no willing to believe what¡¯s in front of her.


    Iris Overseer couldn¡¯t take it anymore and patted Chu Qingcheng¡¯s shoulder. She knew Chu Qingcheng was kind on the outside, but quite proud inside. No man ever managed to get her attention.


    But this time, she finally found a man after her own heart, only to be cast away without a shred of remorse. The bitter pain was a far deeper wound than that of flesh.


    Peony Overseer had to say something as well, ¡°How dare this punk break our Edifice Lord¡¯s heart? The next time I see him, I will peel his skin!¡±


    ¡°Can you?¡± Snorting, Xie Tianyang mocked from the side.


    Startled, Peony Overseer wet her dry lips as she recalled Zhuo Fan¡¯s freaky power and a cold shiver crawled down her spine, ¡°I take it back. I¡¯ll just curse him in my head.¡±


    The others didn¡¯t know how to react.


    ¡°Eh, what¡¯s this?¡± Tao Danniang took out a vial from the ring, ¡°Qingcheng, did you give him this as well?¡±


    Shaking her head, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes were hazy, ¡°I didn¡¯t give him these pills.¡±


    Squinting, Tao Danniang¡¯s eyes shined, ¡°It must be his gift!¡±


    She opened it and a thick medicinal aroma wafted about, along with the faint roars of dragons.


    ¡°A-aren¡¯t these the perfect 8th-grade pills refined in the Pill King finals? Why did he give them up?¡± Tao Danniang started counting, ¡°One, two¡­ sixteen, seventeen!¡±


    Weren¡¯t they eighteen?


    Tao Danniang¡¯s eyes wandered in thought when suddenly threw a pill to Iris Overseer as she yelled, ¡°Eat it!¡¯


    Caught off guard, Qin Caiqing was puzzled but did what she said.


    Suddenly, an azure glow came from within her. Qin Caiqing then sat to absorb the pill with eyes closed. Fifteen minutes later, a muffled boom was heard and Qin Caiqing¡¯s power shot up.


    Under the shock of everyone there, Iris Overseer broke through.


    Only after a full thirty minutes did Qin Caiqing opened her clear eyes in joy, ¡°Aunt Tao, not only I advanced but the Rainbow Cloud Palm left behind by Vicious Pill King is gone!¡±


    What?!


    They all turned with hope at the vial.


    The poison of Pill King Hall was infamous throughout the land, yet this group here seemed to hold the only cure. What was even more astonishing was that they as many as 17 antidotes to the Rainbow Cloud Palm¡¯s poison.


    Such news would unleash a bitter fight over them among clans, with even Pill King Hall participating.


    The difference was, while the clans would come to get them, the Pill King Hall would do its all to destroy them¡­

 Chapter 172 - Forceful Invitation

    ¡°He is indeed an unheard of genius. I toiled for years over the pill recipe, but this kid up and understood it. I am completely in awe¡­¡±


    Tao Danniang laughed, sighed, then sank into depression. Zhuo Fan¡¯s godly alchemy skill left her feeling inferior in her meager achievements.


    It was a far greater blow than Vicious Pill King could ever give her.


    After all, Vicious Pill King was the best in Tianyu and yet, she could still follow his tracks. While Zhuo Fan, he had risen to unseen heights; to the point she couldn¡¯t even catch a shadow.


    Chu Qingcheng and the rest were over the moon, ¡°Is that true?¡±


    ¡°Of course. With the 17 pills the kid gave us, it is enough to get Drifting Flowers Edifice out of this crisis!¡± Tao Danniang laughed.


    Chu Qingcheng blinked, still finding it hard to believe this was real, ¡°Aunt Tao, you mean to say he unraveled the mystery of that antidote? That pill recipe is real?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is undoubtedly real. Vicious Pill King may have denied it, but to make the antidote to Rainbow Cloud Palm, one had to at least have a recipe. Or you wouldn¡¯t know where to even begin.¡±


    Tao Danniang sighed again, ¡°But that kid is amazing, not only understanding the pill recipe but also following it in refining. The pill recipe was just a 7th grade, yet he made perfect 8th-grade pills. With this, even Grandmother¡¯s recovery is assured.¡±


    ¡°What, Grandmother?¡± Long Jiu¡¯s group cried, ¡°She¡¯s still alive?¡±


    With a vague smile, Tao Danniang shook her head, ¡°Just a breath away from death. But she will soon be back!¡±


    Everyone felt uplifted by the news.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s act was of huge consequence. Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Grandmother was the Lady of Steel. Furthermore, he not only wrested Drifting Flowers Edifice out of Pill King Hall¡¯s control, he even saved Grandmother.


    From now on, Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s only way was up. Regent Estate would not find it so easy to handle this house as before!


    ¡°He is the savior of Drifting Flowers Edifice!¡± Long Jiu sighed, his admiration for Zhuo Fan going up a notch. [To think this was his plan all along.]


    How else could Drifting Flowers Edifice resist their wretched ally, Regent Estate? Drifting Flowers Edifice will soon return to being a national power.


    If Long Jiu understood this, then so did Chu Qingcheng and the others.


    Sharing a look, Chu Qingcheng and the others had a newfound respect for Zhuo Fan. Even Peony Overseer, who endlessly cursed at Zhuo Fan, felt a little ashamed.


    Regardless of what was said, regardless of how focused Zhuo Fan was on his own directive, one thing was certain. He was the herald of Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s new dawn.


    This alone made him Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s greatest contributor!


    ¡°It¡¯s no longer him owing me, but me being indebted to him. Our bond still remains!¡± Chu Qingcheng smiled with a crafty look.


    They were eager to get back to Drifting Flowers Edifice, remove the poison from their sisters, and boost the morale of their troops.


    Out of everyone¡¯s notice, when the moon fell from its peak, a winged figure watched them from a treetop. He sighed and vanished into the night¡­


    In another place, on the wide street, Yan Fu was shedding bitter tears going westward on a carriage. He was returning to Pill King Hall with the body of his master, Vicious Pill King.


    No one would have ever believed this trip to Drifting Flowers City would rob the grand Vicious Pill King of his life.


    Wiping his nose, Yan Fu recalled his master¡¯s smile, his care for his disciple, and his grief only grew. His cloudy eyes once again began shedding tears of sorrow.


    ¡°No, I cannot cry. I will have vindication!¡± Wiping his tears, Yan Fu¡¯s eyes steeled, ¡°Zhuo Fan, one day I will kill you and lay master¡¯s soul to rest!¡±


    Hu~


    A sudden gale blew, followed by thunder. Yan Fu¡¯s heart seized and turned to look back. He saw a man with wings of lightning charging for him.


    ¡°Z-Z-Zhuo Fan!¡±


    In a blink, Yan Fu¡¯s towering thirst for revenge was wiped clean. The panic was so palpable from his face that he was on the verge of tears.


    [Dude, I was saying one day! Not now! Why are you here? I¡¯m not ready! Could you at least give me at least seven or eight decades?]


    But why would ever Zhuo Fan care? He always followed through with what he put his mind to.


    Whoosh~


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s arrival was swift like lightning.


    With lack of a better choice, Yan Fu jumped off the carriage. He then hopped on his feet with a serious face.


    [Since I can¡¯t avoid him, come! I am not afraid of you, even if I die!]


    But Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t care less of him.


    Boom!


    With a crack of thunder, Zhuo Fan went through the carriage, which blew into smoldering ash. As Zhuo Fan¡¯s figure was made clear from the wreckage, he was holding someone.


    Yan Fu cursed in panic, ¡°Zhuo Fan, you bastard! What do you think you¡¯re doing to my master?¡±


    ¡°Came to whip a corpse, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The air echoed with Zhuo Fan¡¯s mockery. Yan Fu shook but all he could do was cry, ¡°Master, forgive me. Disciple is useless. I can¡¯t even defend your body. I am unfilial. I cannot stop that demon from humiliating you¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked back at him with a smile. Although the kid was a cunning twerp, not great in the least, he was loyal though.


    After flying for half an hour, Zhuo Fan landed in a groove and threw Vicious Pill King¡¯s corpse on the ground.


    Watching the aged and peaceful man, Zhuo Fan put a pill in Vicious Pill King¡¯s mouth then brought out his gourd. Opening it, a blood-red cute worm wiggled from within.


    ¡°He-he-he, finally going to put you to good use!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snickered and placed the Bloodworm in Vicious Pill King¡¯s mouth. He put away the gourd and started going through gestures as he shouted, ¡°Ha!¡±


    In a blink, a visible ripple came from Vicious Pill King.


    Shuddering, Vicious Pill King started moving and got up. His mind in a panic, his hazy eyes looked around, ¡°Where¡­ am I?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Elder Yan, we can finally have a nice and quiet chat.¡± Zhuo Fan made a point to give the kindest and most heartwarming smile he could.


    But all he managed to do was send Yan Song into a shivering fit. He staggered backward, to get some to a safe distance from him.


    Such a reaction was as instinctive as when a bunny met face to face with a tiger.


    If only the others were here to see this, they¡¯d be slackjawed. The grand and magnificent Vicious Pill King, the best alchemist in the empire, who treaded the continent with such haughtiness, was actually a scaredy-cat!


    But any who had dealings with Zhuo Fan would find this totally understandable. The fear that was Demon Archon, Zhuo Fan, was not something mortals could fathom.


    ¡°D-din¡¯t you just killed me? How on¡­¡± Staring long at Zhuo Fan, Vicious Pill King recalled what happened four days ago. But to him, it was as if it was just a moment ago.


    Chuckling, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°My actions are always ethical. Those that I want to kill, they stay dead. As for the others, they won¡¯t die if I¡¯m around. I made sure the sound attack was weakened before it hit you, dislodging your soul from your body for a while. It¡¯s akin to feigning death. A mere Soul Restoring Pill would wake you up easily.¡±


    Roaming his eyes in thought, Vicious Pill King found it to be true, but still asked with no little suspicion, ¡°Why did you let me live instead of killing me?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, didn¡¯t I tell you? I respect you as being the first Grandmaster of your generation. It¡¯d be such a pity to kill you and I find that using you is a much better alternative!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shined and his grin widened.


    Scared out of his wits, Vicious Pill King now knew Zhuo Fan¡¯s intention and mocked him, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you think you can recruit me just ¡¯cause you want to? I am the best alchemist in Pill King Hall, so why would I fall from grace and become your errand boy?¡±


    ¡°Nice, prideful. I just love your attitude. At least this way, you¡¯ll get to make plenty of pills!¡± Zhuo Fan condescended, adding a thumbs up for good measure, ¡°Sigh, guess I can¡¯t force you!¡±


    Startled, Vicious Pill King was puzzled. [I refused yet he¡¯s not one bit angry? He gave up too easily! This is not how the usual demon acts.]


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, you won¡¯t try to persuade me?¡±


    ¡°What would be the point? I said all I had to say already. It¡¯s fine as long as you understand!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled like a good chap.


    But then his hand made a sign.


    In a blink, a bloody mark appeared on Vicious Pill King¡¯s forehead, causing his blood to boil. He felt his head exploding, that it was slowly cracking itself open.


    Vicious Pill King held his head and rolled on the ground from the torture. Blood seeped from his mouth, ears, nose, and eyes.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, what the hell did you do to me?¡± Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes bulged out, ready to explode.


    In all his years, he had never endured such excruciating pain. Even the poisons he made paled in comparison to the torture this suffering brought about.


    He just couldn¡¯t figure out what Zhuo Fan had done to him.


    Giggling, Zhuo Fan showed him a red worm, ¡°Elder Yan, to be completely honest, I was afraid you might not be so inclined to go along with my request. So, I gave you this little pet while you were unconscious. It can make your blood to surge and expand, ending up with a bloody bang. ¡°


    Horrified, Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t think Zhuo Fan was capable of having such vile acts. He knew he had no escape and clung to his only hope as he yelled, ¡°Zhuo Fan, you¡¯re going back on your own words. Didn¡¯t you say you won¡¯t force me?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I won¡¯t ever force you. It is wholly up to your own free will if you want to come with. But if you refuse, that takes us back to when we were enemies. It is only right that I rid the world of my enemies, no?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold face stared him down.


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s mouth fell and felt like crying.


    It was clear like ink on paper. Zhuo Fan wanted to force him into submission, but the prick had the gall to preach him of free will, even if it made perfect sense.


    ¡°Then end me, spare me of this suffering!¡±


    ¡°Tch, tch, tch, I can¡¯t help you there. It¡¯s my decision on how I destroy my enemies. In your long-lived life, sir, how many enemies have you seen teaching their killer how to kill them?¡± Zhuo Fan blinked with a wide and naive smile.


    Though it only helped to horrify Vicious Pill King further.


    [Demon Zhuo Fan earned his name. He is entirely insidious and cruel¡­]

 Chapter 173 - Pill House Elder

    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s screams reached the clouds, evoking the same torment a soul would feel when being fed upon by the horde of wraiths in the Underworld. The good news was this was in the wild, so no human would be scared to death by hearing his cries at night.


    Zhuo Fan sat leisurely on a big rock, staring at him pitilessly.


    Suddenly, Vicious Pill King had had enough. He gnashed his teeth and gathered his Yuan Qi to blow himself up.


    Of course, such an obvious move didn¡¯t escape Zhuo Fan¡¯s sharp eyes. He made a gesture and all his work came undone as the energy seeped into nothing.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I almost forgot to tell you. Once the Bloodworm enters you, you are under my complete control. Think of suicide? You need to have my permission first!¡± Zhuo Fan mocked.


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s heart was filled with shock.


    [Where did this Demon Archon Zhuo Fan come from? Why was he so evil? If I had this thing, I would not need to waste time with Rainbow Cloud Palm. Instead, I could have outright controlled Drifting Flowers Edifice.]


    The irony here was that instead of him getting to use it, Zhuo Fan used it on him, the glorious Vicious Pill King.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    All Vicious Pill King could do was make his torment known through endless shrieks and wails. His eyes bulged and blood crammed into his skull, on the verge of popping. And that was exactly what was hoping to happen.


    Being at the edge of exploding, he couldn¡¯t even move as the torture only grew and grew.


    He just couldn¡¯t believe such hell existed. And Zhuo Fan¡¯s gaze made his fear all the more. [The malice this kid shows had never been seen in this world, and probably won¡¯t appear either long after he is gone.]


    ¡°K-kill me!¡± Vicious Pill King was as stubborn as ever, although his eyes did contain a hint of pleading.


    Zhuo Fan passed him a glance and placed an hourglass on the ground.


    ¡°Elder Yan, I don¡¯t have time to waste on you. If you want to die, all you have to do is wait for the hourglass to end. It¡¯s not much, just around 24 hours.¡±


    [What?!]


    Vicious Pill King was on the verge of tears. Wasn¡¯t the same as saying to let him be driven mad by pain for a whole day? He didn¡¯t want to wait even a minute.


    [Please kill me! I beg you, sir!]


    Vicious Pill King wailed inside, but not minding his plight, Zhuo Fan ruffled the dust off himself and left.


    ¡°W-wait, where are you going?¡± Vicious Pill King cried.


    The chance to make Zhuo Fan deliver him into the sweet embrace of death would be higher if he was watching. But if Zhuo Fan left, he¡¯d be all alone in his suffering for a full day!


    Imagining that horror got him shivering.


    Never had he imagined this day would come, to hope for death, to be so miserable.


    He was now longing for it, growing ever impatient to get it!


    Snorting, Zhuo Fan disdained, ¡°My time is too precious to waste it on you to kick the bucket. But I respect you too much, as the best alchemist of your generation, to walk this path all by your lonesome self. So, I¡¯ll just fetch your prized pupil to show you the way to the Underworld. He will make good company. I believe he will jump in joy since such a filial disciple can be together with his cherished master, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Panicking, Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes took an ominous glint, ¡°Zhuo Fan, if you touch one hair on his head, I vow to haunt you in the afterlife!¡±


    Cocking an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan turned to look at him with a beaming smile, ¡°Oh dear, threatening me, are we? Well, go ahead then.¡±


    Zhuo Fan flew away.


    ¡°Wait, wait!!¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s anxious cries were met with silence. Then, his face sank as he said, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo, young master Zhuo, I concede. I am not your match. I will do anything you want, just let my disciple go!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s laughter echoed into the sky. He smirked triumphantly without turning around, he casually responded. ¡°When I stole your body, I had the impression that we might become allies. So, I didn¡¯t harm your disciple, for your sake. But now, since we¡¯re enemies, it¡¯s best to snuff any danger out¡­¡±


    Vicious Pill King had gone silent.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s meaning was crystal clear. Either he surrendered and both disciple and master would be his buddies, ensuring their safety. Or stay enemies and be rooted out!


    He didn¡¯t want his sole disciple to be harmed, but Pill King Hall was his house. How could he betray it?


    Vicious Pill King was plagued with indecision.


    Picking up on his conundrum, Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°Elder Yan, do you have any friends, lovers, or any cherished people in the Pill King Hall?¡±


    ¡°Why do you want to know that?¡± Vicious Pill King frowned.


    Shrugging, Zhuo Fan chuckled, ¡°Not much. Since we¡¯ll be palls, it¡¯s best to know who they are so I¡¯ll go easy on them if I ever meet them.¡±


    Zhuo Fan spoke in such a heartfelt and touching tone that had Vicious Pill King nod.


    ¡°Sigh, no need for such compassion. Our great house doesn¡¯t only fight with outsiders but also among ourselves. Especially when I became the first alchemist and earned my title, the fighting only intensified. I¡¯ve given all my life to my house. I am not close to even the elders, only to my disciple. I hope Grandmaster Zhuo will spare him!¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s tone was mournful, yet sincere. Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Does that mean Elder Yan concedes?¡±


    ¡°I cannot, Pill King Hall is my home¡­¡±


    ¡°What home? A place filled with coldness, a place undeserving of you is worthy of being called home?¡±


    Zhuo Fan cut him off before he could finish, ¡°The way I see it, Pill King Hall is nothing more than a bank, loaning and collecting money. It should be proud of itself to raise a great alchemist such as yourself. But, think about it. All those years you wasted on it, is time you will never get back. You stand on the edge of a knife. Dwell on this reluctance of yours to leave it. Is Pill King Hall truly worthy to be called your home?¡±


    Vicious Pill King was shocked to the core. Zhuo Fan also calmed down the Bloodworm and let him think it through.


    Zhuo Fan wanted Vicious Pill King to surrender wholly, not be forced into submission. He would be better off without him otherwise. Who knew when he¡¯d be sold out one day because of him?


    ¡°Besides, didn¡¯t you betray Pill King Hall?¡± Zhuo Fan prodded Vicious Pill King, seeing him hesitating, ¡°What happened with Chu Qingtian and the pill recipe? And don¡¯t you dare tell me he was a spy, who would believe a normal disciple could steal the pill recipe? Isn¡¯t it more along the lines that you gave it to him?¡±


    Startled, Vicious Pill King watched Zhuo Fan shocked, ¡°H-how did you know¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°Because you¡¯re too similar to the Chu Qingtian. You are both fond of alchemy. Which alchemy master wouldn¡¯t like a disciple who loves alchemy as well as he does? Although you mocked Chu Qingtian whenever he is mentioned, you have not once denounced his talent. In fact, you even find him pitiful!¡±


    Vicious Pill King sat dazed on the ground, powerless to move, as he droned, ¡°As soon as the child arrived at the door, I knew of his origin. At the beginning, I have to admit, I held no good intentions towards him. Furthermore, I am usually haughty and shameless. Doing whatever I liked. But, his talent had me surprised and I could no longer bear to hold such intentions towards him anymore.¡±


    ¡°So, I let him steal the pill recipe. Allowed him the opportunity to learn it on his own. If he could understand it, then, he would¡¯ve surpassed me. Such a pity¡­¡± Vicious Pill King sighed with sorrow, ¡°That was the only time I failed Pill King Hall!¡±


    [Humph, only by making you admit your betrayal, will you embrace it!]


    [Besides, any ¡®loyalist¡¯ that had betrayed once, will definitely do it again!]


    Zhuo Fan shed some light, ¡°Elder Yan loves his disciples, and no harm was done even if the pill recipe was leaked, since no one could unravel it. Furthermore, you¡¯re dead and no one will look into this betrayal of yours.¡±


    ¡°What, dead?¡±


    ¡°Correct. Everyone saw how I killed you. I killed you then and saved you now, without the eyes of the public. In other words, your life is mine, it no longer has anything to do with Pill King Hall!¡±


    The words struck close to home. Vicious Pill King still held onto Pill King Hall not because he cared for it, but being the place where he grew up.


    But Zhuo Fan said he died once, breaking all ties with Pill King Hall. Now it was time to think about the future and leave the past behind.


    And sure enough, Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes changed, hesitation growing stronger in him.


    Zhuo Fan thought it was about time to drive the last nail, ¡°You now have a choice. To return to being Pill King Hall¡¯s Vicious Pill King, and enemies to me along with your disciple so that I may kill you again. Or accept my proposal, and become Windgaze City¡¯s Luo clan¡¯s Pill House¡¯s Elder, be reborn and shake the world!¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes flashed and laughed, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo¡¯s words are sweet. So, I¡¯ve already died once. In that case, I am willing to follow the great Grandmaster Zhuo into shaking Tianyu.¡±


    Vicious Pill King looked more majestic than ever as he cupped his hands.


    ¡°Excellent!¡±


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan flicked an azure pill to him. Vicious Pill King cried in shock, ¡°Isn¡¯t this one of the perfect 8th-grade pills Grandmaster Zhuo refined? Why are you¡­¡±


    ¡°To remove your poison!¡±


    Zhuo Fan spoke in a heavy tone, ¡°I already saw through that pill recipe and improved upon it. This perfect 8th-grade pill is made based on its instructions. It stated that to make the antidote, I first must make the poison. I used the seven poisonous ingredients and then, seven more detoxifying ingredients to create this. Following that pill recipe, it was impossible to refine a true antidote. Also, the initial part of mixing those seven poisonous ingredients was what ended up poisoning Tao Danniang and the others.¡±


    Vicious Pill King felt even more admiration, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo is without a doubt the best alchemist. You even understood the thousand-year-old pill recipe of Pill King Hall with one look?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you don¡¯t need to exaggerate. It took me five days.¡±


    Zhuo Fan waved his praise in modesty. But Vicious Pill King¡¯s cheeks twitched. [That¡¯s still fast. If the Hall Leader knew, he might end up crying¡­]

 Chapter 174 - Luo Clan’s Calamity

    Vicious Pill King no longer hesitated and swallowed the pill in one gulp.


    He realized on the spot that Zhuo Fan saw through the flaw of the pill recipe since he could make the antidote.


    The Rainbow Cloud Palm was made of seven incredible poisons that only Pill King Hall could remove. But even that wasn¡¯t a real antidote, just diminishing the poison within the body so that it would no longer be deadly. Yet as time passed, that little bit of poison would constantly harm the body.


    Anyone who used this palm was never long for this world. But to make their house look mighty, they chose to use it anyway. This skill was a double-edged sword.


    To the point that his hair turned green as well as his eyes.


    For this reason, they had planned to get their hands on the Bodhi Jade Sap for centuries. Not for evil intentions, or swallowing Drifting Flowers Edifice, but to use Bodhi Jade Sap and dispel the poison.


    As to Regent Estate entering the fray, that happened later!


    And Zhuo Fan, the Eminent Alchemist of his generation, not only understood the pill recipe, but even refined the antidote to its perfect form, 8th grade.


    Since Vicious Pill King, a Grandmaster of his generation, knew how great this pill was, he took it without a shred of doubt.


    The pill roared in his belly like a dragon, turning into an azure dragon power that scoured every corner of his being.


    As if alive, it rooted out every scrap of poison, yet was mild on his meridians while also increasing his Yuan Qi.


    He was moved and immensely intrigued by this perfect 8th-grade pill.


    Standing at the side, Zhuo Fan saw him shining in an azure glow and the green from his originally black hair was retreating.


    The wrinkles smoothed over as well, giving him a fresh and youthful air. Vicious Pill King flashed his black eyes open, free of any trace of poison.


    Laughing, Vicious Pill King stood up. His manner grew more dignified as his power advanced a layer. He went from the 5th to the 6th layer of Profound Heaven Stage.


    By the looks of him now, he ought to be in his forties and not the aged geezer from before.


    Sizing him up, Zhuo Fan chuckled, ¡°Elder Yan, you truly have been reborn. Even your acquaintances may not recognize you.¡±


    ¡°It is all thanks to Grandmaster Zhou¡¯s pill. I was filled with poison after practicing that art for far too long. Grandmaster Zhou is truly the best in the empire!¡± Vicious Pill King cupped his hands in admiration.


    Returning his gesture, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°We are all on the same side now. So, there is no need to call me Grandmaster. You are an elder of the Luo clan while I am but a mere steward. From now on, you can call me Steward Zhuo.¡±


    ¡°Eh, Luo clan?¡± Vicious Pill King¡¯s tone was odd, ¡°I heard that you came from a third rate clan, but no one said anything about a Luo clan. Then again, thinking of Steward Zhuo¡¯s incredible talent, the Luo clan must be a hidden dragon, ready to rear its head and tower over all. It may not be as renowned as the seven houses, but its might is that of a crownless king!¡±


    ¡°Uh, maybe later!¡± Zhuo Fan chuckled awkwardly.


    The Luo clan had only one Profound Heaven expert who only broke through two damn years ago. At best, it¡¯d be considered a second rate clan. But with this old guy joining the fold, they¡¯d make a good first rate clan.


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s appetite was far from being quenched. He wanted to raise the Luo clan above the other seven houses in ten years, to be the best clan in Tianyu.


    However, it was not a ripe time. They were far too weak. [So what? Can¡¯t we steal what we miss? Didn¡¯t I do the same with this Profound Heaven elder here?]


    [Humph, if there¡¯s a first, there¡¯s bound to be a second.]


    All in all, there was no one who could stop the Demonic Emperor from fulfilling his cunning plans!


    With a flash of insidiousness hidden in his eyes, Zhuo Fan spoke heavily, ¡°Elder Yan, I promise you that the Luo clan is the best in Tianyu, second to none!¡±


    Gasping Vicious Pill King was shocked. Not even Regent Estate had the gall to proclaim that. But the air about Zhuo Fan made him realize this was not a joke.


    It made a believer out of him as well. With a genius like Zhuo Fan around, any clan could become the best. He was so moved thinking that joining such a powerful clan would raise him to even greater heights.


    But how could he had known Zhuo Fan¡¯s words only applied to the future. Even so, he was simply thrilled.


    ¡°Gran-, no, Steward Zhuo, when will we be returning to the clan?¡± Vicious Pill King was quite eager.


    He was dying to see this hidden and powerful clan.


    Although seeing it might be a tad bit of a letdown.


    Zhuo Fan tch-ed inside, but didn¡¯t let it show and waved him off, ¡°What¡¯s the rush? We¡¯ll get there eventually. I still have a task to fulfill so you¡¯ll be coming with me.¡±


    Slightly let down, Vicious Pill King nodded nonetheless.


    For such a freak, a hidden gem, a first-class troublemaker, one who slapped the seven houses like they were children, him staying in the Luo clan will forever be the clan¡¯s greatest fortune.


    [Such confidence he has. That means the Luo clan must be a behemoth to stand above the seven houses. Just how many ages have they laid in waiting, beyond the prying eyes of the seven houses and the imperial family? They must be strong for Steward Zhuo to be with them.]


    [As a new elder, I have to apply myself and not drag it behind.]


    Vicious Pill King was having wonderful flights of fancy regarding this behemoth. What escaped his notion, however, was that the great Luo clan wasn¡¯t hidden to conceal its strength, but so downright weak no one paid it any attention.


    Zhuo Fan knew what he was thinking yet did nothing to bring his feet back to earth. He cared too much for the old man¡¯s heart.


    People always aimed higher and higher. The old guy may be listening to him since a little worm worked its magic, but Zhuo Fan still needed him to still be in an illusion. After all, Zhuo Fan needed to keep his motivation high.


    ¡°By the way, Steward Zhuo, aren¡¯t you afraid some ill might befall the clan after the ruckus you made in the Drifting Flowers City?¡± It was just a sudden thought and soon he was shaking his head in self-mockery.


    [How can such a clan be afraid of anything?]


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t much care either, ¡°Afraid of what? The seven houses are banned from Windgaze City. And the other clans are trifles!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see. The Emperor issued the order just to protect our Luo clan.¡± Vicious Pill King exclaimed, looking ever eager to see it.


    [For even the Emperor to watch over it, this clan must be a paradise. It must be at least as strong as the seven houses since the Emperor ordered for the seven houses to stay clear of this city.]


    The more he thought, the more excited he was. This turncoat business might¡¯ve been the best thing that ever happened to him. He cracked up, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, then I can rest easy. Even if Regent Estate comes knocking, they¡¯ll only suffer. I would really like to see their looks now.¡±


    Staggering, Zhuo Fan woodenly turned his head with a frown, ¡°You¡¯re saying Regent Estate can still go in? It dares violate the Emperor¡¯s edict?¡±


    ¡°Uh, Steward Zhuo, it seems our Luo clan had been hiding for too long and doesn¡¯t know everything.¡±


    Vicious Pill King chuckled, ¡°Over the past millennium, the imperial family had given many orders to the seven houses, but do you know why it never had a conflict with them despite them never obeying?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes roamed in thinking then suddenly focused, ¡°They were probing the imperial family¡¯s tolerance?¡±


    Vicious Pill King laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo is indeed wise beyond his age. Indeed, the seven houses were testing the imperial family. And these acts only increased over the last century.¡±


    ¡°What was the imperial family¡¯s reaction then?¡± Zhuo Fan was anxious.


    ¡°Weak, always the first to back down!¡± Vicious Pill King squinted, ¡°The current Emperor has to be the worst this empire has ever seen. The houses may respect him, but none fear him.¡±


    ¡°And you even killed Regent Estate¡¯s second young master at Drifting Flowers Edifice. The Regent Estate will surely use this excuse to step out of line and see the impact it has on the imperial family¡­¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was troubled and cut Vicious Pill King off as he flew straight for Windgaze City.


    Vicious Pill King was startled, ¡°Steward Zhuo, where are we going?¡±


    ¡°Home, this spells trouble!¡±


    ¡°What trouble? With the power invested in the Luo clan, not even the imperial family dares enter its domain, least of all an outsider. The Regent Estate is bound to suffer a great deal of pain¡­¡±


    ¡°What damn power? If I¡¯m not there, there won¡¯t even be corpses left!¡± Shouting, Zhuo Fan sped away.


    Now, he regretted blowing the situation out of proportions back in the city. He didn¡¯t know the delicate relation between the imperial family and the seven houses, that they¡¯d enter a cold war. They may be cordial in the open, but conflicts still arose among them.


    If this kept up, Windgaze City might be the fuse that would blow this charade sky high.


    If the Regent Estate wasn¡¯t going to attack the Luo clan directly, but the imperial family. His clan would end up sacrificed by the imperial family to de-escalate the conflict.


    The more he thought, the faster he flew. Zhuo Fan thought the imperial family¡¯s power was unquestionable, but it actually declined to such a degree.


    Vicious Pill King might be clueless but still dragged behind Zhuo Fan as they sped toward the Luo clan¡­

 Chapter 175 - Shaking The Nation

    A month later, in the Imperial Capital.


    In a garden of mesmerizing beauty and singing birds, the emperor sat across from a wizen old man under a pavilion. At a closer look, it was easy to recognize him as being Mr. Sima.


    A stone table laid between them, with a chessboard filled with black and white pieces. Mr. Sima was playing the black pieces.


    The emperor held a white piece, still unclear as to the best place to put it. When he finally placed it, he chuckled sadly, ¡°Mr. Sima¡¯s skill is exquisite. I fall sorely short. But could you at least give me some leeway as an Emperor? You won ten matches already.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Your Majesty is too modest!¡±


    Mr. Sima chuckled, ¡°I am only able to grasp this square foot area, while Your Majesty plays with the whole nation in mind. How could my meager skill ever compare? Your Majesty may have lost ten chess matches but has resolved the land¡¯s issues. It is I who has fallen dreadfully short!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Mr. Sima mustn¡¯t joke. In this land, it is unknown who shall be the true winner!¡±


    ¡°But Your Majesty has everything set in place and is only waiting for the final piece, correct?¡± Mr. Sima let a meaningful chuckle as he placed a black piece on the board.


    The emperor¡¯s face twitched a second as they exchanged glances. Then they burst out laughing.


    ¡°Im-Imperial father¡­¡±


    A thundering cry came from behind, shaking with it the ground in its wake. The emperor waved the maids to clean the board, ¡°Damn, that brat is back again.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Your Majesty need not fret. I have come prepared!¡±


    Mr. Sima waved for the maids to leave, as he smiled at the board, ¡°I brought a black iron board this time so the third prince won¡¯t get to disturb the match!¡±


    The emperor smiled, ¡°Mr. Sima is thoughtful.¡±


    A familiar figure rolled into their sights. The fatty was jumping over and quaking the ground with every step.


    The emperor turned to the heavy weighting Yuwen Cong and lamented. [What did this kid eat to grow even fatter in these three months?]


    Bang~


    Yuwen Cong ran for all he was worth at the emperor ¨C soaked in sweat, and filled with panic. Watching the ball growing ever bigger, the two servant girls were feeling fear, fear for their lives that the fatty would slip and barrel straight for them.


    ¡°Cong¡¯er, slow down!¡± The emperor pointed at him impatiently.


    But the warning fell onto Yuwen Cong¡¯s deaf ears as he strained to understand, ¡°What did you say, imperial father?¡±


    His eyes finally catching onto who the emperor¡¯s guest was, had robbed him of the attention of what was in front. A mischievous rock found itself in his path, and the fatty was now falling to the ground like a ton of bricks.


    He found it odd as the ground only grew nearer, inertia working against him and turning him into a veritable living ball of flesh rolling on its merry way straight for the emperor.


    The emperor stood in shock and stepped back. Mr. Sima was too out of it, ¡°The third prince is a man of extraordinary talent. Who else can have such a precise shape?¡±


    Bam!


    In his sighing, Yuwen Cong found himself shooting right before him, taking out the stone table by happenstance as well.


    The black iron chessboard was also thrown to the ground and the game scattered everywhere.


    His face twitching, Mr. Sima stood agape at the ball of flesh, itching to curse him. The ball was aiming for the match all along, but who¡¯d have thought to lift the chess in that dire moment?


    And he even promised the chess match would be untouched. It was not only touched, but the board was entirely thrown off.


    ¡°Mr. Sima, are you alright?¡± Yuwen Cong rubbed his poor spine as he crawled on his stubby legs.


    Mr. Sima¡¯s eyes twitched and took a deep breath, ¡°Third prince, few and far in between had managed to shame me. You should be proud to be one of them!¡±


    [Eh?]


    Yuwen Cong was at a loss, blinking his bean-sized puppy eyes cluelessly. Suddenly, a bellow came from behind him, ¡°Cong¡¯er, how many times have I told you that a prince must remain calm and upright. What got you so frantic that you had to lose all decorum?¡±


    With uncanny agility, Yuwen Cong kneeled and cried, ¡°Imperial father, this time it¡¯s huge, titanic!¡±


    ¡°Humph, what titanic? Are you going to say the sky is falling?¡±


    With an angry snort, the emperor flicked his sleeve at the servants to rearrange the table and bring tea. He took back his seat and shouted coldly at Yuwen Cong, ¡°Over the past century, the Tianyu Empire had been in harmony, filled with peace and prosperity. The biggest event was only fifty years ago, when Quanrong had crossed the borders. The second is the death of You Guiqi two months ago. What could be more grave than these two?¡±


    Yuwen Cong peaked at the emperor as he mumbled, ¡°Imperial father, this matter is indeed grave. At least far more than the situation two months ago!¡±


    The emperor was about to pour tea when his face turned grave, ¡°Who was it this time?¡±


    ¡°Merry Woods¡¯s sixth elder, Lin Zitian!¡± Yuwen Cong was kneeling as he reported.


    Face twitching, the emperor took a deep breath and took his teacup, ¡°Lin Zitian, he can be said to be someone of importance, but not up to the likes of You Guiqi. Well, he¡¯s dead now. Oh, and who killed him?¡±


    ¡°Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan!¡±


    ¡°What? Him again?¡± The Emperor perked an eyebrow, ¡°This kid only knows how to stir trouble! First was Hell Valley and now Merry Woods. Humph, he just doesn¡¯t know his limits and probably will be ending up dead in a ditch somewhere. Who knows by what lucky turn of events that he managed to kill You Guiqi, and now he thinks he¡¯s a bigshot around here!¡±


    ¡°But Your Majesty, he is the pillar of the Luo clan. Anything he does will come back to bite the Luo clan. While your Secret Pearl Order¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, I know!¡± The emperor waved him off with a smile. He turned to see Mr. Sima¡¯s eyes flickering, as if already knowing what he was planning, ¡°I assume Mr. Sima is fond of talent and would like to outstretch a helping hand, perhaps?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, helping him means helping the Luo clan, which in turn, helps Your Majesty¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine, if Mr. Sima wants to help him, then go ahead. I believe the Merry Woods would consider Mr. Sima¡¯s presence and will know restraint.¡± The emperor smiled.


    Yuwen Cong looked up at the two then blurted, ¡°Uh, Mr. Sima I will have to trouble you to go to Hell Valley.¡±


    ¡°Eh, why would I?¡± Mr. Sima asked.


    Just killing You Guiqi got the Hell Valley to bear a deep seeded hatred for Zhuo Fan. Going was pointless.


    With a sneaky smile, Yuwen Cong replied, ¡°Because the kid also robbed Hell Valley¡¯s fifth elder of his arm. The Hell Valley is a powder keg ready to explode. Perhaps your face is great enough to fizzle it out¡­¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    The emperor and Mr. Sima replied at the same time. While Mr. Sima went slackjawed.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying the kid took Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder¡¯s hand? How is that possible?¡±


    Mr. Sima blinked the shock away, ¡°That fifth elder is a powerful body cultivator, just as Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s third elder. He is known as the Diamondback Ape, for crushing a whole mountain. And you mean to tell me this renowned expert got his arm ruined by an unknown kid?¡±


    ¡°Who is unknown? At this point, the entire Tianyu heard of this Demon Archon, Zhuo Fan. He caused a sensation at the Hundred Pill Meeting, fighting one against seven, yet standing invincible! While the Seven Noble Houses turned into a laughing stock, with three dead and one crippled!¡± Yuwen Cong mocked.


    This came as an even greater shock to the emperor and Mr. Sima.


    ¡°Three died and one crippled¡­ Lin Zitian died and 5th elder was crippled. Then who are the other two?¡± The emperor was getting nervous, ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Uh, Vicious Pill King, Yan Song!¡± Yuwen Cong spoke with caution.


    Sss~


    The two gasped in shock.


    A dead Lin Zitian was no biggie, but Vicious Pill King was more well known even compared to You Guiqi, and was stronger far stronger. With Vicious Pill King dead as well, the Pill King Hall wouldn¡¯t rest until either they or Zhuo Fan laid dead.


    ¡°Damn this brat! Is he looking to stir up heaven itself? He thinks that since the Luo clan is under our protection, he can just go wherever and kill whoever?¡± The emperor was imperially pissed.


    Mr. Sima straightened his beard and sighed, ¡°Guess kicking up a storm is also a talent, of sorts. Who knew the insignificant Luo clan could bring up such a savage? Ha-ha-ha, quite amusing!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Sima, don¡¯t just go being fond of that kind of talent in front of me. This kid went past poking a hornet nest and is now stabbing at heaven. Messing with three houses in one swing sure is amazing. He¡¯d very soon find himself dead, that¡¯s how amazing he is!¡± The emperor panted with rage, ¡°I hoped he¡¯d be the one to revive Luo clan, but now, I just pray he won¡¯t end up inviting calamity and ruining the Luo clan altogether, and my Secret Pearl Order¡­¡±


    Mr. Sima chuckled and tried to mollify him, ¡°Your Majesty, at worst, I¡¯ll just have to intervene and tie him down so he won¡¯t pull any more stunts. In the end, the three houses don¡¯t dare to openly defy the imperial might, going after the Luo clan.¡±


    ¡°Maybe not them, but one house does!¡± Yuwen Cong whispered with a grin.


    Now the two recalled there was one more dead unaccounted for, ¡°Who is he?¡±


    ¡°Uh, imperial father, it¡¯s best if you sit!¡± Yuwen Cong emphasized every word, ¡°Regent Estate¡¯s second young master, Huangpu Qingyun!¡±


    Sss~


    Mr. Sima was struck dumb. The emperor was having a panic attack, breathing in and out to finally recover his voice, ¡°My heart¡­ dammit! This brat went and poked the heavens¡­¡±

 Chapter 176 - Regent Estate’s Invitation

    A silence had swallowed the imperial gardens, one it had never seen since its making. Even the birds felt the situation was dire, not making a peep.


    Yuwen Cong looked cautiously at the serious emperor sunk in deep thought.


    Mr. Sima frowned, ¡°Your Majesty, with how thoroughly blown out of proportion this matter is, I leave the decision to you. Perhaps giving up on Luo clan is¡­¡±


    The emperor started pacing, his brows locked tight.


    After ages, he stopped. His eyes were incredibly calm, while also hiding a deep hint of freezing killing intent.


    ¡°No, I must protect the Luo clan and the boy!¡±


    Waving, the emperor shouted, ¡°I have always exercised tolerance in my ruling. But this has gone far enough. They will push me down a cliff if I let this happen.¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s my decree. Inform Marshal Dugu to move swiftly! There¡¯s not a moment to lose!¡±


    [What, the second of the Four Pillars, War God Dugu Zhantian is coming back?]


    Yuwen Cong hesitated to speak, but Mr. Sima showed his unrest, ¡°Your Majesty, you can¡¯t! Marshal Dugu defends the borders. The Quanrong wouldn¡¯t dare to step a foot beyond the Thunder Pond with him there. The border will descend into chaos if he leaves!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re exaggerating. For thirty years, the border had been peaceful.¡± The emperor cut Mr. Sima¡¯s advice short. His eyes flashed coldly, ¡°I will show my cousin, who this land belongs to. He has crossed my final line!¡±


    Shuddering inside, Mr. Sima knew the emperor had made up his mind and sighed. Yuwen Cong bowed and then withdrew with the edict.


    The emperor looked up, his eyes flashing as he laughed coldly¡­


    ¡­


    Prime-minister¡¯s residence in the Imperial Capital.


    Prime-minister Zhuge Changfeng was swinging in his rocking chair with his eyes closed in rest. Suddenly, a black figure came and whispered before vanishing again.


    Opening his eyes, Zhuge Changfeng revealed a calculative look as a smile grew on his face, ¡°The monkey had stirred enough ruckus in the Heavenly Temple and made him nervous. To even have that old man return. Ha-ha-ha, the time for the war between the seven houses and him is soon upon us. Since this is the case, let me spice things up.¡±


    (StarReader: Journey to the West reference. Monkey King always caused havoc in every task Jade Emperor gave him.)


    Zhuge Changfeng looked in his yard, ¡°Elders Yin and Yang!¡±


    ¡°Prime Minister Zhuge, what is it that you ask of us?¡± One black and one white figure flashed before him.


    Zhuge Changfeng smiled, ¡°Do you know where Thunder Swarm Mountain is?¡±


    ¡°It is a place for one of the empire¡¯s tree guardian sects, the Demon Scheming Sect. There is a large barrier there. It detains the four greatest criminals, now suffering the strikes of ten thousand lightning bolts every day for the past 60 years!¡± The black-haired elder spoke.


    Nodding, Zhuge Changfeng smiled, ¡°Very good, can you go there and get them out?¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± The two exchanged a glance, thinking they had heard him wrong.


    ¡°Prime-minister Zhuge, why would you want to? This is the matter of Demon Scheming Sect that we shouldn¡¯t meddle in. Not only were the four savage disciples on the path of demonic cultivation, but held key positions within the sect. They can¡¯t be used.¡± The white-haired elder cupped his hands.


    Shaking his head, Zhuge Changfeng said, ¡°Those four old fellows have been stuck there for sixty years. Demon Scheming Sect couldn¡¯t care less anymore. As long as we keep our mouths shut about this, no one will know. Also, I never planned on recruiting the four. Now, can you two do it or not?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± The two elders nodded.


    They may have not come from a great sect, but their skills have very much sharpened over the centuries. A mere barrier couldn¡¯t stop them.


    Nodding, Zhuge Changfeng laughed, ¡°Good, now go. The already restless Tianyu will soon reach a boiling point, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Meanwhile, Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Pavilion Lord, Long Yifey, was listening along with the elders to Long Jiu¡¯s report ¨C the shock palpable.


    Once Long Jiu finished, all were bug-eyed.


    ¡°You mean to say that Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder lost an arm?¡± Third elder cried out.


    Understanding his feelings, Long Jiu smiled wryly as he advised, ¡°Third brother should relax. The kid had taken the Bursting Pill first. If you had taken it¡­¡±


    ¡°But you also said that the fifth elder ate it too¡­¡± Third elder¡¯s face sank in disappointment.


    Long Jiu rushed to say, ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right, but that kid ate five. If you took five¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be a goner!¡±


    Third elder cut him off with a sigh. He shook his mind clear, and continued, ¡°Moreover, he is only in the Bone Tempering Stage. Sigh, the young always surpasses the old. I must be getting too much in years¡­¡±


    Long Jiu watched him sink into depression but didn¡¯t know what to say to make him feel better. [If you know what¡¯s best for you, don¡¯t go comparing yourself with that little monster.]


    An elder with white hair shouted, ¡°Third elder, why are you still hanging on to some meager honor? Did you not hear what it¡¯s at stake here? Regent Estate¡¯s Huangpu Qingyun was killed!¡±


    ¡°True, Regent Estate¡¯s Imperial Tyrant Body Art is mystical body art. Yet, that kid blew away Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s lower body to smithereens. Just how strong of a body must he have to pull it off? I know that even I fall short!¡± Third elder looked even more downcast.


    The elders who spoke held his forehead, [Brother is hopeless.] He then turned to Long Yifey, ¡°Pavilion Lord, this matter concerns Regent Estate and it¡¯s best we do not get ourselves involved. If Regent Estate drags us into this because of the kid¡­¡±


    ¡°But did you not hear Long Jiu? Regent Estate is targeting every other house. Even if the matter with Zhuo Fan never happened, sooner or later they would come knocking on our door. If we cut ties with Zhuo Fan, we¡¯ll only be avoiding the truth. We may soon find ourselves following in Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s footsteps.¡± Another elder interrupted.


    ¡°From what you say, you want us to work together with Zhuo Fan to fend off Regent Estate? This is giving them an excuse to wipe us off the earth.¡±


    ¡°That will happen even without an excuse. Can we not see how much ambition the Regent Estate has? This will end us grounded down the same way it happened to Drifting Flowers Edifice. I¡¯d rather fight now than see that happen!¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    Long Yifey shouted over the clamor, breaking the argument, ¡°It is I who agreed to become allies with Zhuo Fan, and this shall not change even now. The kid¡¯s display had opened my eyes, realizing he will be a great help to us. I will say this again, as long as Zhuo Fan lives, our alliance with the Luo clan is still in effect.¡±


    ¡°But Pavilion Lord, Regent Estate¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough, This is my decision!¡± Long Yifey¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°Our alliance with Zhuo Fan has always been followed through in the dark. The Regent Estate has no clue this is happening. They have nothing to use against us!¡±


    [So that¡¯s why!]


    The other elders exclaimed, ¡°Pavilion Lord is brilliant!¡±


    ¡°Humph, what brilliant? It¡¯s called tactics!¡± Long Yifey let out a bitter laughter. He may hate this kind of person the most, but for the sake of his house, this was the best choice.


    ¡°Pavilion Lord, Regent Estate sent a letter!¡±


    A disciple shouted from beyond the doors.


    Long Yifey looked at the elders then let the man in.


    [Regent Estate came swiftly!]


    The disciple bowed before Long Yifey and presented the letter with the Regent Estate words written in gold on it.


    Long Yifey was startled the moment he opened it. Third elder snatched the letter and his eyes widened, ¡°Regent Estate will hold an assembly half a month from now. The seven houses are to convene and plan to remove the demon scourge!¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­¡±


    Long Yifey nodded, ¡°Regent Estate is playing a ferocious move this time. The last time they did this was just three hundred years ago!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but that little monster three hundred years ago had the seven houses going crazy. While this time, Regent Estate is playing this move just for its own benefit without even asking the opinion of the six houses. It is basically acting as though it is the head of the seven houses!¡±


    Third elder spat, ¡°The Veiled Dragon Pavilion cannot lose again in the next Esoteric Debate!¡±


    The others all nodded!


    The other five houses received the Regent Estate¡¯s invitation at the same time. Suddenly, the six houses were now en route to convene with the Regent Estate on the plan to rid the world of Demon Archon Zhuo Fan!


    Achoo~


    Zhuo Fan was speeding towards the Luo clan when he suddenly felt a chill and shuddered. He rubbed his nose, ¡°Blast it, who¡¯s cursing me this time? Why is it that I feel a chill on my back?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo kicked a storm in Drifting Flowers City, with casualties in the thousands. Their grief must be focused on you.¡± Vicious Pill King was laughing at his side, having a blast.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and mocked, ¡°Elder Yan, Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s grief is far stronger on you. Don¡¯t you feel the chill from the tens of thousand female disciples putting all their sorrow and pain on you?¡±


    Vicious Pill King chuckled sheepishly, ¡°I¡¯m used to it!¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned. None of them were good people so this teasing had no effect on either of them.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Zhuo Fan suddenly halted and Vicious Pill King asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Snickering, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°They move fast. An ambush is laid for us not half a mile from here¡­¡±

 Chapter 177 - Sneak Attack

    ¡°What?¡± Vicious Pill King watched Zhuo Fan baffled. Then, he recalled how in Drifting Flowers City Zhuo Fan¡¯s soul reached the Radiant Stage and knew Discerning Field.


    And after so much time had passed, it would¡¯ve been odd if he couldn¡¯t get more used to it and detect movements in half a mile.


    Closing his eyes, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°In a forest half a mile out, two people are hiding to the West. From their energy, they must be from Hell Valley. To the East, there are also two quick on their feet, probably Merry Woods. And finally the two in the North with heavy air about them. Cultivators of Imperial Tyrant Body Art are experts from Regent Estate. And all six of them are in the 5th layer of Profound Heaven Stage.¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo is amazing to use Radiant Stage¡¯s ability!¡± Vicious Pill King praised, ¡°Now we can just avoid them and let them wait forever, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Quirking an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°And why should we? Since they are here, we might as well duke it out!¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, you can¡¯t!¡±


    Vicious Pill King was flustered as he tried to explain, ¡°They are clearly prepared this time. In the Drifting Flowers City, you fought the four of us, and, as much as it pains to admit, we underestimated you. Not to mention, we were all from different houses, with gaps in our cooperation. Now that the houses sent pairs, even if you take that pill again, it will only make them drag it out then end you at your weakest.¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan eyed him deeply. [I didn¡¯t think the old man would be so caring so quickly.] He said, ¡°I was alone then, but don¡¯t I have you now?¡±


    ¡°Me?¡±


    Vicious Pill King shook his head, ¡°The common folk fears me for my Rainbow Cloud Palm. But with how many there are here, only one has to bear the brunt of my poison and I will be a goner. Later, he just has to go get the antidote from Pill King Hall. I¡¯m sure you are clear on this from the moment you fought my disciple. ¡°


    Indeed, he was posing as Song Yu at the time but being relentless was the bane of Pill King Hall¡¯s poison. At worst, it was one life at the price of another.


    Moreover, the enemy was now working together. Even if they did get poisoned, Pill King Hall would offer the antidote and Vicious Pill King¡¯s threat would plummet.


    ¡°What if you can poison them all? Won¡¯t their power drop?¡± Eyes flashing, a grin was plastered on Zhuo Fan.


    Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t seem to get it, ¡°How can I? They¡¯re not stupid to sit still and take on my palm. And they¡¯re all Profound Heaven experts. They may not be able to use Radiant Stage¡¯s abilities, but they can at least discern any movements in a thousand-meter radius. The moment we approach, they¡¯ll spot us and we¡¯ll have no chance of retaliation.¡±


    (StarReader: author mistake perhaps? First half a mile now a kilometer?)


    (Silavin: Might not be. He got used to it but, he is still new. It might be that the ability is stronger.)


    ¡°And if they can¡¯t spot us?¡±


    Zhuo Fan watched Vicious Pill King with a playful smile. Vicious Pill King was baffled, then saw a red pill thrown his way.


    Vicious Pill King watched it even more perplexed.


    Zhuo Fan said, ¡°This is an Energy Concealing Pill, a 1st-grade pill. For a full day, your energy won¡¯t be released. Unless someone sees you, or a Radiant Stage expert actively searches for you, no one will notice.¡±


    Zhuo Fan took one.


    In a blink, his aura vanished. Vicious Pill King watched dumbstruck.


    ¡°Since when did such a marvelous pill exist in this world? How come I never heard of it? And a 1st grade as well?¡± Vicious Pill King¡¯s shock and disbelief were understandable.


    Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°It is an ancient pill recipe. How could you know of it? But that¡¯s not important, I will tell you about it later since I recruited you to help me to make pills. The Energy Concealing Pill will be of great importance later. For now, stick close. We will talk again after we deal with these pesky flies!¡±


    Zhuo Fan resumed flight.


    Vicious Pill King swallowed it after a moment of shock then followed him excitedly.


    Putting aside how amazing the Luo clan was, just getting to study these ancient pills from Zhuo Fan was a reward in and of itself.


    [Following this kid was the best choice I ever made!]


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s heart was dancing in joy, the same as when he made his first living pill¡­


    In a hidden part of the forest, two elders in white sat on two rocks with their eyes closed. Even so, they were always on guard, listening to every rustle, every gust of wind.


    Only when they were certain the gust wasn¡¯t made by some expert, did they relax.


    ¡°Third brother, will that kid really pass through here? We¡¯ve been at this for days and there¡¯s still no sign of him. Did he pass us already or took another route?¡± One elder muttered.


    The other elder still held his eyes closed and his position on the rock, ¡°Mr. Leng is famed for his insight. He doesn¡¯t make mistakes. He said that we will meet the killer of sixth brother here, today. It will soon be over, just be patient!¡±


    ¡°But all this waiting is so boring¡­¡± The other elder sighed.


    Then, a black shadow moved closer, unperceived by the pair. When it got behind them, with a thunderous roar, two wings ran the two through.


    Zhuo Fan then came out of the shadow.


    Spatting blood, the two elders opened their eyes and strained their heads behind them, just to see Zhuo Fan looking down on them.


    ¡°I was afraid you two would spot me so I used Elusive Shadow Art, but you guys always had your eyes closed. You can¡¯t be serious even when laying an ambush! Sigh, Merry Woods is doomed to perish!¡±


    Under the shock of the two, Zhuo Fan twisted their necks. Then, black energy swallowed the bodies, leaving not but ash in its wake.


    The two were so dumbstruck before, still disbelieving to be caught off guard so thoroughly.


    Clapping, Zhuo Fan shrugged.


    He learned from his encounter with Lin Zitian that Merry Woods¡¯s cultivation method boasted great speed. So he figured he¡¯d rather deal with these two first and remove the trouble later.


    What he didn¡¯t expect was for this pair to wait in ambush with eyes closed. [They were clearly begging for it!]


    [You mean to say killing four elders of the seven houses doesn¡¯t warrant any contingencies?]


    [Well, they make it easier for me to do what I want, at least!]


    After devouring the two experts, he could feel the Yuan Qi inside him surging. Zhuo Fan turned to the West, at where Hell Valley¡¯s elders lay in wait.


    [Humph, old enemies do meet often it seems!]


    Zhuo Fan snickered, turned into a shadow, and began haunting his way forward.


    The elders in the West weren¡¯t like Merry Woods, waiting idly. Their aura was somber and watching over any sign of movement around them.


    They knew Zhuo Fan for who he was and never dropped their guard for a second.


    ¡°Third elder, the kid is late and it¡¯s making me nervous!¡± An elder watched around, ready to pounce. His hawk eyes scrutinized every inch.


    The other elder was just as vigilant, but through some strange coincidence, he always kept a hundred meters from his partner, ¡°Fourth elder, the kid not only killed seventh elder but even crippled 5th elder. He is vicious to the core and hard to handle. We must not underestimate him for being in the Bone Tempering Stage. He will be here soon and we must work together and avoid ending like seventh elder and fifth elder!¡±


    ¡°Relax, I consider this kid a veteran Profound Heaven expert!¡± The fourth elder nodded with a grave expression.


    A shadow was creeping in on him, listening to his words. Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and mocked them in his mind.


    [You don¡¯t say. Your welcoming of your enemy is truly worthy of this Demonic Emperor. Although, how am I to ambush you when you¡¯re so on edge?]


    Zhuo Fan started recalling the two wastes from Merry Woods. Those guys saved him a lot of trouble, but what about this pair?


    He would be hard-pressed to get rid of these two quickly, not to mention, they were higher than fifth elder in rank.


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan began to hesitate.


    Then, he heard a boom and a rainbow mist rose in the North. Everything this mist touched, be it plants, animals, and even rocks, decayed.


    The two elders looked in shock, ¡°Rainbow Cloud Palm?¡±


    ¡°Why is Pill King Hall here? I thought they weren¡¯t included in this plan?¡± Third elder asked.


    Fourth elder paused then waved indifferently, ¡°He-he-he, didn¡¯t the kid kill their best alchemist? I heard that he stole his corpse later on. This is one shame they can¡¯t take lying down. I suspect they came here willingly. Anyway, the more we are, the better the odds. ¡°


    ¡°But why are they using Rainbow Cloud Palm¡­¡± Third elder paused then came to a shocking conclusion.


    The other elder¡¯s eyes shined and shouted, ¡°They found the kid. We better hurry and help!¡±


    But before they could even take to the skies, they saw two people rushing towards them. The elders panicked, ¡°Aren¡¯t they Regent Estate¡¯s elders? Why are they poisoned? Was it an accident?¡±


    In their moment of doubt, a shadow flitted behind them¡­

 Chapter 178 - Nefarious

    Whoosh!


    As third elder and fourth elder were still trying to make sense of the Regent Estate¡¯s elders¡¯ poisoning, Zhuo Fan stabbed his wings towards fourth elder¡¯s chest.


    He was run through in a blink.


    He began to feel a sting in his chest, then how his body grew ever weaker as the life ebbed out of him.


    He then slumped on the ground.


    ¡°Fourth elder!¡±


    Third elder roared but Zhuo Fan¡¯s second wing was already coming at him.


    However, these two elders matched well with each other even in their daily lives, more so in battle. They attacked and retreated in such a way that they always maintained a fixed distance.


    This was happening now as well, making Zhuo Fan¡¯s attack only take down fourth elder while third elder was just too far away for him to reach in time.


    Third elder jumped backward and dodged the Lightning Wing.


    He saw fourth elder¡¯s corpse then turned his bloodshot eyes to Zhuo Fan, thirsting for revenge.


    Zhuo Fan glanced at the corpse below him then at the Profound Heaven expert opposite of him and grinned.


    ¡°Are you that Demon Archon Zhuo Fan?¡± Third elder clenched his fists, his aura exploding with immense power. He was in the 8th layer of Profound Heaven Stage.


    Not even a pill could guarantee Zhuo Fan a win in this fight.


    But Zhuo Fan kept his cool at all times, nodding slightly then looking at the dead fourth elder, ¡°Is he your brother? You fit quite well together.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s it to you? You killed seventh elder, fourth elder, and crippled fifth elder. I will make sure you never leave this place alive.¡± Third elder spat through clenched teeth, yet his ever raging eyes couldn¡¯t help but pause over his brother¡¯s body.


    Taking it all in, Zhuo Fan snickered. He then had the corpse suspended with his Lightning Wings.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Third elder roared.


    ¡°To my enemy I will not only kill him but ruin his corpse as well, making him die in regret!¡± Zhuo Fan snorted.


    Third elder was about to charge, but Zhuo Fan suddenly sighed, ¡°However¡­¡±


    Third elder stared wide-eyed.


    ¡°Seeing you brothers so close, I will let him go. After all, I also have a brother earned from life and death struggles, only to die at the hands of You Guiqi. If not for this, I wouldn¡¯t have had any quarrel with Hell Valley.¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed and shook his head.


    Third elder was stunned, relating to this third rate clan kid and why he became Hell Valley¡¯s enemy. Thinking of his earlier action, he also would¡¯ve charged and exact revenge for his brother regardless of peril.


    ¡°Even so, you think I¡¯ll let you go?¡± Third elder snorted, angry still.


    Zhuo Fan snickered and raised his head to show his blazing eyes, ¡°For my brother¡¯s revenge I have incurred upon me today¡¯s disaster, but I do not regret it. How could I ask my enemy for forgiveness? But seeing you meet the same fate as I did, I won¡¯t ruin his body and return it to you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan flicked Lightning Wings and threw the corpse to third elder.


    Third elder moved with haste, now looking at Zhuo Fan with a faint trace of respect as he bellowed, ¡°Good, we will have a man to man fight and see who¡¯s the real, ugh¡­¡±


    Third elder stopped for some reason, feeling a chill in his heart. Looking down, he saw a fist-sized hole in his chest that wasn¡¯t there before.


    Blood flowed in rivers from it.


    Third elder looked at Zhuo Fan in complete and utter perplexity.


    [What¡¯s going on? We didn¡¯t even start fighting and I¡¯m already dying?]


    With a snicker, Zhuo Fan waved.


    A golden light came from third elder¡¯s back flying over next to Zhuo Fan.


    Third elder watched the golden infant closer.


    ¡°This is my demonic creature. I hid it in the body and threw it over all so I could catch you off guard. That is why I also cooked up that little story about my dead brother. I only killed You Guiqi for being an eyesore.¡±


    Waving at third elder, Zhuo Fan sent him off with his most demonic smile he could muster, ¡°Fare thee well, loyal and cherishing Hell Valley¡¯s third elder. I hope you won¡¯t be so gullible to a stranger¡¯s words in your next life. Especially your enemies¡¯, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Falling backward, third elder felt himself going colder, his eyes still reflecting Zhuo Fan¡¯s last smile.


    [Demon Archon Zhuo Fan¡¯s nefarious ploys are foolproof. No wonder even seventh elder fell victim¡­]


    Bam!


    Third elder fell next to his brother, yet, as his mind stopped working, those eyes were forever opened and evoked unspeakable regret!


    They were sent here to end Zhuo Fan, only to fumble about and die so miserably¡­


    ¡°I took too long here. Better go and help Elder Yan!¡±


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan took back Blood Infant and flew up high. In four breaths, he arrived above the Northern part of the forest.


    The Regent Estate¡¯s elders were now green with poison. Despite being in the 9th stage of Profound Heaven Stage, the poison was nonetheless effective in dropping them all the way to the 4th layer.


    Yet, even in such a case, a body cultivator was still as strong as a normal 6th layer Profound Heaven expert. Recalling Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s might in his 2nd layer, he realized Regent Estate¡¯s body cultivators were not pushovers.


    ¡°It was an accident. I made a mistake. I thought Demon Zhuo Fan was hiding here!¡±


    ¡°Bullshit! Who in this world doesn¡¯t know we are from Regent Estate, especially with these clothes? Don¡¯t try to play the fool. You did this on purpose! Stay right there! We¡¯ll break your bones and we will go together to your Pill King Hall to settle this!¡±


    Up in the sky, Vicious Pill King fled like a frightened mouse, with the two Regent Estate¡¯s elders on his tail.


    With how Vicious Pill King was proclaimed dead and rejuvenated a couple decades after removing the poison, these two elders had no clue as to who he really was.


    But he wasn¡¯t about to shout it out either. Would a traitor like him have any resting moment from Pill King Hall and the entire empire¡¯s pursuit?


    He may be Vicious Pill King, but he was not as skilled as Zhuo Fan, and clearly not as bold to be hunted down by everyone.


    Zhuo Fan sighed.


    Where had the great and might Vicious Pill King from Drifting Flowers Edifice gone to? Why was he such a scaredy-cat before two of Regent Estate¡¯s elders?


    [Is it Regent Estate too strong, or Vicious Pill King just too damn weak?]


    Zhuo Fan already knew the answer, but didn¡¯t want to accept it. Because his troubles would grow exponentially if it was so.


    ¡°Regent Estate, I will surpass you in ten years!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed.


    Spotting Zhuo Fan, Vicious Pill King laughed as if he found his savior, ¡°Steward Zhuo, you finally came! Save me!¡±


    Vicious Pill King dashed behind Zhuo Fan without an ounce of propriety.


    At this point, the two elders also caught up. Seeing Zhuo Fan¡¯s Lightning Wings, they shouted, ¡°Bone Tempering Stage cultivation, Lightning Wings¡­ You¡¯re that Demon Archon Zhuo Fan who made a mess of Drifting Flowers City!¡±


    ¡°The one and only. And you two must be from Regent Estate. I take it.¡± Zhuo Fan said with a chill in his voice.


    They nodded, then eying Vicious Pill King behind him with curiosity, ¡°Now I see. Pill King Hall had turned to rely on Demon Archon Zhuo Fan. No wonder he attacked us on the sly. You still dare say it was an accident?¡±


    Vicious Pill King snickered.


    The two elders snorted, ¡°Why do you think Regent Estate¡¯s Imperial Tyrant Body Art makes us the best among the seven houses? It¡¯s that not even your Rainbow Cloud Palm can kill us. We will crush you both and fulfill our mission!¡±


    ¡°Humph, you¡¯re a broken record, you know that? You¡¯re clearly weaker now and still prance around saying you can take us on?¡± Zhuo Fan snorted in disdain.


    The two elders cracked up, ¡°Even weakened, we are more than enough to wring the life out of you!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you. Why not try killing him first?¡± Zhuo Fan chuckled and threw Vicious Pill King forward.


    Vicious Pill King cried in panic, [Did Zhuo Fan just sell me out?]


    The two were puzzled, but still grabbed tight to Vicious Pill King. Feeling him trembling in their grasp, they were stumped.


    Grinning evilly, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t take him for the coward he is. He has real skill, you know?¡±


    To prove his point, a golden glow came out of Vicious Pill King and entered one of the elders.


    The elder froze in place and one could even see how he started drying up like a raisin. His life was swiftly leaving him.


    Shell-shocked, the other elder darted a hundred meters back. Even Vicious Pill King was just as horrified.


    He never saw Zhuo Fan make use of Blood Infant, nor kill with Demon Transformation Art. Now he was watching this all play out in utter fear, [How can such an abominable and cruel method exist?]


    Floating before Vicious Pill King, Zhuo Fan recalled Blood Infant sneakily and laughed at the frightened remaining Regent Estate elder, ¡°Did you see that? Now, can you still boast about taking us on?¡±


    The elder had his voice shocked out of him and watched Vicious Pill King in horror.


    [Forget it. That old guy is inconsequential. What matters is I get Zhuo Fan¡¯s head and complete my mission. I don¡¯t need to worry myself with that old man¡¯s eerie skill!]


    The elder took a deep breath and laughed, ¡°Kid, you¡¯re good to have found such a patron. Then, I will spare your life today, but¡­ what is that?¡±


    Suddenly, the elder pointed behind the two with panic.


    Zhuo Fan and Vicious Pill King turned to look. In that blink, the elder snickered and appeared before Zhuo Fan in a single step, aiming for Zhuo Fan¡¯s head.


    Bam!


    The elder didn¡¯t get to touch one hair on his head, however, as a golden light flew from Zhuo Fan and blew a hole in the elder¡¯s chest.


    Zhuo Fan turned back to see the shocked elder, ¡°That¡¯s the oldest trick in the book. Don¡¯t you know anything else? Now, I finally know what that old saying means, all brawn and no brain!¡±


    Chuckling, Zhuo Fan lightly pushed and the man fell like trash in the abyss!


    Vicious Pill King had long been stupefied by how easily Zhuo Fan dealt with two experts from Regent Estate. He now understood what it meant to kill people as easy as chatting¡­

 Chapter 179 - Unwonted Con

    Whoosh!


    The golden light moved about then returned to Zhuo Fan¡¯s side. Vicious Pill King watched the golden infant with shock, ¡°What just happened?¡±


    ¡°Simple really, since you fled around like a mouse, they held you in contempt. So I put my demonic creature in you before throwing you over to deal with one of them.¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan added, ¡°When a powerful Profound Heaven expert died without rime or reason, it got his partner scared out of his mind. I used this chance to recall the demonic creature. This time, he held you in too high regard, thinking you hid yourself to pull a fast one on them. And by comparison, he thought I was the easy target this time and charged for me. And to make matter run smoothly, he had his attention split between me and you, leaving room for my demonic creature to catch him off guard!¡±


    Vicious Pill King blinked, still out of sorts.


    Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°In the end, they all died. First was arrogance, second overconfident, third conceitedness¡­¡±


    ¡°Uh, Steward Zhuo, aren¡¯t they all the same?¡± Vicious Pill King muttered.


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan laughed harder, ¡°Indeed, this is the disease that plagues every expert. Facing them head first will make me lose without a doubt. Too bad, they were too full of themselves. To others, this will hardly matter, but when it comes to me, a fraction of a second of carelessness is enough for me to give them a death full of regrets!¡±


    A bolt of fear went through his core as Vicious Pill King watched Zhuo with even more admiration.


    Now that he thought about it, everything panned out just as Zhuo Fan explained. It was all done with the sole purpose of baiting the Regent Estate elders, and it worked like a charm.


    Without even realizing it, the two bit the dust in but a blink.


    Rather than say this was a well-thought-out and ingenious trap preset by Zhuo Fan, it was in fact more along the lines of him reading them like a book and pushing the right buttons to make them fall into a trap themselves.


    [Such cunningness is unheard of. No wonder even You Guiqi fell!]


    Vicious Pill King held a deep respect for Zhuo Fan now, ¡°Steward Zhuo is of endless wisdom and courage, with foolproof plans. But being just a steward is a waste for you!¡±


    ¡°Humph, you don¡¯t need to go ass-kissing. I am clear where my talent lies. Nothing is beneath me, be it a higher rank or the entire world! Only¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed as he looked in Windgaze City¡¯s direction.


    This wasn¡¯t the time for such thoughts, but to settle the safety of Luo clan and avoid any trouble they might suffer. This wasn¡¯t just forced on him by his heart demon, but a wish that slowly crept into his mind without his notice.


    Since Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t know the whole story, he thought it was for a much higher purpose. His eyes roamed in thought then snapped into focus when he reached a shocking conclusion.


    A youth of remarkable talent like Zhuo Fan was willing to be a steward.


    And what was a steward? The Clan Head¡¯s right-hand man! Able to do everything and loyal to a fault. What monster was this Clan Head to be able to raise such a young and outstanding Zhuo Fan yet as cunning and vile like a Demon Archon?


    Seeing Zhuo Fan¡¯s look, that staunch resolve to do everything in his power for the Luo clan, his admiration only grew for this Clan Head!


    This was his first time hearing Tianyu had such a titanic clan, such a person of overbearing might. Vicious Pill King was eager to meet this person and was jumping in joy inside.


    Vicious Pill King was having a flight of fancy of epic proportions, hailing the Luo clan into the ranks of seven houses while holding the Clan Head in even more admiration and regard than the emperor himself.


    How could he ever have known the Luo clan was not even a first rate clan? That the Clan Head was long rotting in the dirt and leaving a pair of wretched brother and sister behind?


    They should be thankful Zhuo Fan was there to keep their sorry lives!


    Delusions were bliss while reality, a dump.


    But that was something dear Vicious Pill King would have to experience for himself when he gazed upon the glorious Luo clan¡­


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Zhuo Fan was ready to resume their journey when Vicious Pill King laughed, ¡°Steward Zhuo, are those other two places handled?¡±


    Zhuo Fan knew what he was hinting at and rolled his eyes, ¡°Cut the crap. Think I had time to waste saving your sorry ass if I hadn¡¯t finished those other four blokes?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo is of genuine talent! Four Profound Heaven experts from Merry Woods and Hell Valley dealt with in a blink. All while I couldn¡¯t even handle two Regent Estate elders. I am ashamed!¡± Vicious Pill King¡¯s admiration only grew.


    And the more he admired Zhuo Fan, the more he believed in Luo clan¡¯s power! And, of course, sinking deeper into his delusion¡­


    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan stopped and Vicious Pill King looked over.


    Zhuo Fan squinted, ¡°Elder Yan, I overheard Merry Woods¡¯s elders mentioning that Mr. Leng planned this ambush. Do you know him?¡±


    ¡°Leng Wuchang!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words stirred Vicious Pill King, ¡°No wonder. I thought with so many roads leading to Windgaze City, how is it they managed to pick the exact same one we were taking? So it was all Leng Wuchang¡¯s doing.¡±


    ¡°You know him?¡±


    Nodding, Vicious Pill King sighed, ¡°To be frank, Steward Zhuo and Leng Wuchang are much alike!¡±


    [I know nothing about him, just how are we so damn alike?]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed.


    Knowing Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t understand, Vicious Pill King elaborated, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what I mean to say is that he is a steward like you, but that of the Regent Estate!¡±


    What?!


    Zhuo Fan was shocked for a second, then he started making guesses. With how Regent Estate was the strongest of the seven houses, the steward, the aid of the Clan Head, had to be a man of renown.


    ¡°There are three people widely known for their wisdom in Tianyu Empire. Prime-minister Zhuge, one which you already know. Regardless of what decisions he makes, they are all so irrefutably correct that no one could find any fault in them. In recent centuries, the empire had been in turmoil because of invaders beyond the borders, that was until he took office. As the head of the Four Pillars, the emperor hates him to the bone, but he can¡¯t do without him either. The seven houses as well, fear him.¡±


    Vicious Pill King flicked his sleeve and continued, ¡°The second sage is Regent Estate¡¯s steward, Unwonted Contriver Leng Wuchang. As a distant relative of the imperial family, the Regent Estate is taught in the same way an emperor is. Their steward was also appointed by the Prime-minister. Leng Wuchang may be a steward in name, but his position carries a whole lot more weight. He is equivalent to Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s position in the empire. Regarding talent, rumor has it he is not one bit inferior to Zhuge Changfeng either, although no one had seen them wage a battle of the minds. Leng Wuchang is admired by all for his foolproof plans and insight.¡±


    ¡°And the third?¡± Zhuo Fan was impatient seeing Vicious Pill King stop just now.


    Laughing, Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes shined oddly, ¡°Steward Zhuo, isn¡¯t it obvious? It is you who killed the third.¡±


    ¡°Insidious Demon, You Guiqi?¡± Zhuo Fan caught his meaning.


    Vicious Pill King nodded, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, yes, him. The third sage was Insidious Demon, famed for his dastardly and cunning ploys. But ever since he stumbled upon Steward Zhuo, a man of wildly greater intellect, his head fell like a rock. From that point on, Steward Zhuo became the third sage of Tianyu.¡±


    ¡°Hey, easy on the bootlicking. I killed him using power alone. I didn¡¯t waste my brain power on him. That would¡¯ve been tiresome!¡± Zhuo Fan mocked as he brushed off his flattery.


    Vicious Pill King stroked his beard and nodded, ¡°I guessed as much. You Guiqi may not be up to the level of the other two, but it is nonetheless hard to catch him off guard. So, he must¡¯ve died from the power gap!¡±


    ¡°Does that mean Leng Wuchang is more cunning than You Guiqi?¡± Zhuo Fan tightened his brows as the topic was brought out.


    Nodding, Vicious Pill King laughed in dismay, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, more than that. Zhuge Changfeng is a marvelous strategist. Leng Wuchang¡¯s every scheme plays as it should. You Guiqi¡¯s devious traps are unsolvable. Compared to the first two, You Guiqi was passable in schemes, but fell dreadfully short in power.


    ¡°The first two had intricate plans put in place. Hard to defend from the dark yet openly for everyone to see. You could see through You Guiqi¡¯s elaborate tricks, but when it comes to Zhuge Changfeng and Leng Wuchang, you¡¯ll have no choice but to jump even if they tell you a trap is before you. Who is better, who is inferior, who is stronger, who is weaker? Steward Zhuo, now do you know the difference between them?¡±


    Vicious Pill King sighed, his tone ever solemn, ¡°Since Leng Wuchang is involved, we must tread carefully and lightly!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Since he was far more shrewd than You Guiqi, then he would not contest him in cunning, but in strength. No matter how ingenious and convoluted plans he threw at Zhuo Fan, power reigned supreme.


    This was the true plot, in which power was the true way.


    This brought him back to finding experts to back the Luo clan.


    Hu~


    A sudden breeze blew and Zhuo Fan squinted. He grew anxious as he pulled Vicious Pill King¡¯s hand to fly faster.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Steward Zhuo?¡± Having never seen him so alarmed, Vicious Pill King was startled.


    Eyes twitching, Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth, ¡°Curses, they sent a Radiant Stage expert as well!¡±


    ¡°What!?¡± This time Vicious Pill King was panicking.


    [How can this be¡­]

 Chapter 180 - Paying Respects To A Radiant Stage

    Eh?


    Half a mile out, a tall and buffed elderly with silver hair was flying idly behind them. Then, his brows furrowed and a hint of shock swept his face.


    ¡°Was I discovered?¡±


    The elderly¡¯s eyes flash in suspicion, then shook his head, ¡°Not possible. They are only a Bone Tempering Stage and a Profound Heaven Stage. Only the likes of Radiant Stage experts can discover me. They picked up the pace since they were hurrying. Yes, that has to be it. ¡°


    Laughing dryly, the elderly had no clue how close to home his random guess brought him.


    If these two with their low cultivation could spot a Radiant Stage, then the latter would find themselves obsolete.


    The old man used his soul to scour the place of battle and shouted, ¡°Damn brat, they¡¯re so weak yet, they killed six Profound Heaven experts of three houses, and perfectly too. He-he-he, his reputation precedes him. The kid must have an even more valuable body cultivation method than Imperial Tyrant Body Art.¡±


    He licked his lips and excitement danced in his eyes as he increased his speed.


    But his act was easily picked up by Zhuo Fan as he pulled Vicious Pill King even faster.


    There was no denying it this time, the old man was spotted. Why else would Zhuo Fan react so quickly?


    Then he recalled his earlier thought about being obsolete.


    His face went red in a flash and felt like slapping himself for those needless remarks. But the way he looked at Zhuo Fan was with even more zeal.


    ¡°He-he-he, this kid is a freak through and through. How amusing!¡±


    The old man ramped up his speed ten times and in mere breaths, he already caught the two in his sights, only a thousand meters out.


    Startled, Zhuo Fan found his pursuer close behind and shouted, ¡°Shit, the old guy is almost on top of us!¡±


    ¡°What, that fast?¡±


    Vicious Pill King peeked behind and paled in fright, ¡°Why did it have to be this freak? My poor life is over!¡±


    ¡°You know him?¡± Zhuo Fan asked.


    Vicious Pill King nodded on the verge of tears, ¡°Who doesn¡¯t? Everyone of my generation knows and fears this freak.¡±


    ¡°Who is he?¡±


    ¡°The Mad Dipper, Li Jingtian!¡± Vicious Pill King swallowed dryly as he broke out in cold sweat.


    Zhuo Fan was also becoming anxious, having never seen Vicious Pill King so scared before. With how arrogant he usually was, he would stand up even to a Radiant Stage if the chance arose.


    Just then, a booming laughter entered their ears, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, don¡¯t run, I recognize you. Aren¡¯t you that Yan Song kid? And is that little imp next to you is Zhuo Fan? You better halt, there¡¯s something I want to discuss with you!¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s face sank.


    [Why is it that my face changed so much that those two Regent Estate elders couldn¡¯t tell who I am even when they held me, yet, you saw through me from a mile away?]


    Then, he realized. The old freak just scanned with his soul and instantly knew the truth.


    Zhuo Fan could feel the shivering Vicious Pill King and was panicking as well.


    This guy was no pushover. Their fate would be grim once the old guy gets his paws on them. Only a moron would stop now.


    His Lightning Wings flapped and doubled his speed.


    ¡°Humph, learn when to quit!¡±


    Squinting, Li Jingtian released a ripple that shot straight for the two with deadly precision.


    [Killing with intent?]


    Zhuo Fan looked back flustered as the azure flame flashed in his eyes.


    Hum~


    Another visible ripple was shot. Incomparable with the first, but enough to pull up a defense against the first one.


    Bam!


    The two intents clashed, vibrating the space itself. A bolt of pain shocked Zhuo Fan¡¯s head and the azure flame appeared on his forehead.


    Next, Zhuo Fan pulled Vicious Pill King speeding up as he tried to ease the shock he felt.


    His soul may have entered the Radiant Stage, but he was a long way from being Li Jingtian¡¯s level. When their intents collided, it forced his azure flame out.


    He was clear the azure flame safeguarded his soul. Its appearance proved what a serious threat the old man¡¯s intent had to his soul, despite not meaning to kill him outright.


    Even so, his soul wasn¡¯t free from injury.


    If that intent had hit, he¡¯d be out cold and waiting for the old guy to pick him up.


    While he was shocked, a thousand meters behind him, Li Jingtian was downright struck dumb. He really didn¡¯t see it coming. Only a Radiant Stage could grasp this ability yet, he just witnessed a Bone Tempering cultivator using it.


    He looked as if he saw a tiger sprout wings and take off. Not only was it impossible, but seeing it become reality, he realized what a true freak that kid was.


    A tiger was the king of beasts. If it took flight, then who could stand up to him?


    He felt a real threat coming off from Zhuo Fan. He could use Radiant Stage¡¯s abilities in the Bone Tempering Stage. Then, when he reached the Radiant Stage, he¡¯d be unstoppable.


    At that point, even fellow Radiant Stage cultivators would fall beneath the kid¡¯s intent.


    This last thought sent a shiver down Li Jingtian¡¯s spine. No wonder the seven houses gathered to end this brat once and for all.


    The best freak out there was a dead one. Leave him alone and he might grow even beyond the demon three centuries ago.


    Bloodthirst seeped into Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes. If he found Zhuo Fan amusing at first, now he wanted nothing more than to squeeze the last drop of life out of him and rid the world of a future menace.


    But that didn¡¯t say anything about not wringing out the things he wanted first.


    Li Jingtian went faster, shooting for the two like a meteor. Zhuo Fan could barely react as their necks were grabbed in steel like vises.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, let¡¯s see you run now?¡±


    So fast!


    Zhuo Fan scowled. Wondering if he should use this chance to let Blood Infant on him. But he cast that thought aside as soon as it came.


    This man was in the Radiant Stage, and had Discerning Field around him. Blood Infant would be discovered the instant it left his body. Unless Blood Infant entered the Profound Heaven Stage and reached a speed that surpassed a Radiant Stage¡¯s soul detection.


    A pity, he was only in the 5th layer of Bone Tempering Stage. Since he shared his life with Blood Infant, the two had the same cultivation!


    [Goddammit! Why did I bump into a Radiant Stage!?] Zhuo Fan cursed inside his bad luck as cold sweat ran down his back.


    He was utterly powerless in the face of a Radiant Stage expert. This feeling of having his life in the hands of someone else was the worse he¡¯d ever felt, not to mention, dangerous.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you little prick, I don¡¯t know how you become so young and handsome, but no matter how fast you run, you can never escape me!¡±


    Ignoring Zhuo Fan, Li Jingtian turned to the shivering Vicious Pill King.


    Vicious Pill King looked as if he just lost his mum, ¡°Senior Li, how can I compare to you? When you became widely known throughout Tianyu, I was but a lowly 2nd-grade alchemist. Don¡¯t you care how people will see you if you kill me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I always heard how haughty Vicious Pill King, but you looked more like a mouse to me. Where¡¯s your zeal, your backbone?¡±


    ¡°Elder Li, don¡¯t joke. I would never dare act pompous before you.¡± Vicious Pill King said downcast, ¡°Senior Li, in the end, you are Regent Estate¡¯s guest Venerable. This is obviously a misunderstanding between the houses. Why not¡­¡±


    ¡°Houses?¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Li Jingtian cracked up, ¡°You mean Regent Estate and Pill King Hall or Regent Estate and Zhuo Fan¡¯s clan?¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s mind shivered at this. He was planning on keeping his dumb act, to get out of this alive. But it didn¡¯t look like this was going to happen anytime sooner.


    Li Jingtian¡¯s smile was frosty, ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know. I saw your fight earlier. You turned your back on Pill King Hall and threw your lot with Zhuo Fan!¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Vicious Pill King was stumped, turning to Zhuo Fan for a way out.


    Since going back to Pill King Hall was out, betraying Zhuo Fan was impossible. That would make him immoral. He was Vicious Pill King, not an opportunist like Lin Zitian who swung both ways. He still cared about his face, albeit younger.


    Sighing, Vicious Pill King admitted, ¡°Yes, I left Pill King Hall. I will follow Steward Zhuo to the Luo clan. Now if you want to kill me, go ahead.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded inside.


    He saw Vicious Pill King as a devout alchemist foremost and a loyalist second, a man you could count on.


    Li Jingtian didn¡¯t expect such a blunt reply and laughed, ¡°Good! Yan Song. You live up to your rumors. I will let you go, but this kid¡­¡±


    ¡°You want to kill me?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, staring at Li Jingtian, ¡°Sure. I mean, you are Regent Estate¡¯s Venerable and I killed your second young master and you want vindication. But I couldn¡¯t help but hear that you are their guest Venerable and have no relation with Regent Estate.¡±


    ¡°Where are you going with this?¡± Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes flashed.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan spoke boldly, ¡°Then let¡¯s discuss terms for you to join me. What Regent Estate offers you, I, Zhuo Fan, can not only meet their offer, but double it!¡±

 Chapter 181 - A Martial Fanatic With Honors

    [[What?!]]


    Li Jingtian and Vicious Pill King were shocked silly.


    Regent Estate was the head of the seven houses and fulfilled Li Jingtian¡¯s however pricey terms. But was there anyone else in the whole empire who could simply double it?


    Even the imperial family would find it hard to meet twice what Regent Estate offered.


    But thinking over Zhuo Fan¡¯s skill and the titanic and secret clan behind him, Vicious Pill King started grinning.


    Since Zhuo Fan boasted the Luo clan as the best in Tianyu, then it had to be above the seven houses, even equal to the imperial family.


    Vicious Pill King stuck out his head and laughed, ¡°Elder Li, our Steward Zhuo¡¯s words are gold.¡±


    Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes flashed.


    Thinking how deceitful Zhuo Fan was, of course he didn¡¯t believe a word. But the moment Yan Song laid eyes on him, he bolted like a mouse, yet, was now puffing up his chest.


    This led him to believe Zhuo Fan had stronger and very much real backing for him to speak such words.


    How was he supposed to know Yan Song¡¯s courage was born out of delusions? A more apt description would be Zhuo Fan painted him a pretty picture, and Yan Song¡¯s mind embellished.


    Since the strong Vicious Pill King believed it, it conveyed enough confidence for Li Jingtian to maybe trust it as well.


    Muttering something, Li Jingtian snorted, ¡°Humph, you little pup, you think too highly of yourself. If you think you can buy me over, you have another thing coming. Do you have any idea how I met Regent Estate, how I became their Venerable, and what they gave me?¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s heart was wound tight. [Is Mad Dipper unbuyable?]


    Zhuo Fan grinned, hiding the sneer in his heart.


    [Oh, you big shmuck. I didn¡¯t know who you were before but now I¡¯m perfectly clear. You wouldn¡¯t be flouncing around if you were such a Regent Estate die-hard. You¡¯d be ending us with impunity and taking our corpses back.]


    [Ain¡¯t it obvious you¡¯re bitching to ask for a bigger pay? I¡¯ve played this game myself a million times!]


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°My knowledge is shallow. Having not heard of Elder Li¡¯s glorious pursuits, I ask that you enlighten me.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I knew you were wet behind your ears. That¡¯s why you spouted those egotistical words about buying me. Although I can¡¯t blame you, since I haven¡¯t gone out much for you to hear of me.¡±


    Nodding with pride, thinking things were going his way, Li Jingtian turned to Vicious Pill King, ¡°However, if I were to retell old stories of myself, all you¡¯d be hearing is bragging. Yan Song, you tell him.¡±


    Shivering, Vicious Pill King bobbed his head, ¡°Right away!¡±


    Despite the apprehension he felt, Vicious Pill King glanced at Li Jingtian then spoke with the utmost gravity, ¡°Steward Zhuo, Elder Li is a man that shook the empire. You¡¯d be hard pressed to find another grand figure such as him in the whole of Tianyu Empire.


    ¡°Elder Li started as a rogue cultivator, no match to any of the seven houses¡¯ experts. However, his mind was staunch, his heart set on giving his all in training his arts. Since he had no cultivation method, he stole it from other clans. He began with a mortal ranked cultivation method, slowly working his way to a spirit ranked cultivation method, then a profound ranked cultivation method. The exploits of Elder Li are found in every history book¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, so, Elder Yan means Elder Li is a thief?¡± Zhuo Fan interrupted as he scratched his nose.


    Panicked, Vicious Pill King gesticulated wildly in his stammering, ¡°I-I never said such a thing¡­¡±


    ¡°Mind your words!¡± Li Jingtian bellowed and slapped him. Looking somewhat awkwardly at Zhuo Fan.


    He was hoping Vicious Pill King would make a proper account of his heroic deeds, racking up his value. But this old coot went and spilled the whole beans about his inglorious past.


    All robbing would do was drop his price instead.


    Li Jingtian glared at Yan Song then coughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that is an old story, a part unworthy of attention.¡±


    ¡°How can it be? Without a cultivation method, your only choice was to steal if you didn¡¯t want to stay weak all your life. I truly admire your courage!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes shined and his heart jumped in joy since Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t despise him. He laughed even harder, ¡°Your reputation doesn¡¯t do you justice, Demon Archon, Zhuo Fan. You aren¡¯t like those so-called experts, but a man of true talent.


    ¡°Correct. In my younger days, I had to go steal renown skills and cultivation methods from clans to become what I am now. And the more I stole, the more enemies I gained. But I showed no fear. After cultivating, I became stronger than any of them and killed any who chased me down. I always fought them with the same skills I stole, promising to hand my head over if I ever lost!¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at him deeply. [Isn¡¯t that the same as what I¡¯ve been through in the Hundred Pill Meeting?] Zhuo Fan¡¯s opinion of him grew somewhat.


    He was a renowned man to steal other¡¯s belongings and achieve greatness, just like Zhuo Fan. None of them were saints, just looking at things from a different angle!


    ¡°Then, people started calling Elder Li as the ¡®Mad Dipper¡¯. It means to say how arrogant I am yet so powerful none of them could do anything to me!¡± Vicious Pill King put his two cents in.


    Li Jingtian nodded, ¡°So I robbed and cultivated my way to the Profound Heaven Stage, unmatched by all. But at that point, I have reached a chokepoint.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Spirit ranked cultivation methods are too slow in the Profound Heaven Stage and had to be exchanged. And the only ones with such cultivation methods are the imperial family and seven houses, or the Four Pillars. Is this how you leaned on Regent Estate?¡± Zhuo Fan said.


    Li Jingtian shook his head, holding his head up high.


    Vicious Pill King butted in, ¡°Steward Zhuo, you may not know, but Elder Li didn¡¯t lean on Regent Estate, but fought his way in. Elder Li heard of Regent Estate¡¯s Imperial Tyrant Body Art being the best of all the houses and wanted to take it. Five elders had to work together but even they, with their Imperial Tyrant Body Art, couldn¡¯t defeat Elder Li spirit ranked body cultivation method. Even Regent Estate¡¯s Grand Elder Huangpu Fenglei had to intervene. Thus, he invited him into his house as a guest elder, now Venerable. This was one of the rare events in the history of Regent Estate.¡±


    Vicious Pill King turned his admiration-filled eyes to Li Jingtian. Li Jingtian¡¯s head rose even higher, as if that was possible, as he stroked his ego in just the right spots.


    As if to say. [Look, I didn¡¯t go there begging, it was Regent Estate who invited me.]


    But Zhuo Fan saw through everything and snorted inside.


    This so-called invitation was after he became a sensation.


    [Regent Estate is fraught with danger. No matter how tough you are, a Profound Heaven expert would soon be lying dead somewhere before he could make any kind of scene. It¡¯s obvious he used his own strength to recommend how fitting he was for Regent Estate.]


    [If I went in, my conceived version of Imperial Tyrant Body Art would¡¯ve grown far stronger than theirs, thus boosting the power of Regent Estate.]


    [Nonetheless, a body cultivator who has always been engrossed in his training yet, still had the time to develop such cunningness is a rarity. It had to be all that chasing¡¯s fault]


    Li Jingtian looked more pleasing in Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes.


    [This Radiant Stage guy has brawn and brain. He is a good specimen!]


    Scratching his nose, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°In other words, Elder Li is a martial fanatic. Doing anything and everything in your pursuit of power.¡±


    ¡°You only have one life. If you don¡¯t fight your way to rise above the masses, it¡¯s not worth living for!¡± Li Jingtian looked at the skies and sighed.


    Zhuo Fan spoke, ¡°Now, I know what Elder Li wants¡­¡±


    ¡°Hold on, I don¡¯t want you to see me as¡­¡±


    ¡°I have my own cultivation method!¡±


    Zhuo Fan cut him off, ¡°What I am unclear, however, is why Elder Li, a Regent Estate¡¯s guest Venerable, and knowing the Imperial Tyrant Body Art, would come after my cultivation method?¡±


    ¡°Uh, kid, I am not actually¡­¡±


    ¡°Do be frank with me!¡±


    Shooting him a glance, Zhuo Fan was completely defiant, ¡°If Elder Li isn¡¯t honest, you will never get what you want from me. Since I don¡¯t know what you really want.¡±


    Stammering, Li Jingtian looked squarely at Zhuo Fan with admiration. [He is no common kid. Few are those who can meet the gaze of a Radiant Stage expert.]


    [No wonder Leng wanted me to personally deal with him.]


    Li Jingtian sighed and nodded, ¡°Indeed. I came today for a cultivation method. Humph, I am Regent Estate¡¯s guest Venerable, yet, they only imparted the Imperial Tyrant Body Art up to the seventh stage, omitting the last two. Yet, those weaker than me get to practice it without worry.


    ¡°Ridiculous! If I had trained to the ninth stage, I¡¯d be invincible. Not even the imperial family¡¯s Divine Dragons can compare. Just why have they not given me the last stages?¡±


    Li Jingtian let go of all his rancor, to which, the two looked at each other and shook their heads in mockery.


    This guy really was a martial fanatic, godlike even. Could Regent Estate rein him in if he became invincible? Humph, he had always been an outsider.


    [I wouldn¡¯t impart it either if I couldn¡¯t control you!]


    Zhuo Fan said so yet, the outline of a plan was forming in his mind.


    This man could be taken into the fold. Though, he needed to fine-tune his rash behavior and get him to fall in line¡­

 Chapter 182 - Duping A Radiant Stage Expert

    ¡°Kid, I have been completely open with you. Now, it¡¯s your turn to tell me that body cultivation method of yours!¡±


    He wanted to still pose as a senior, but Zhuo Fan¡¯s bluntness was hard to cope with. He thus reverted to his Mad Dipper, robber self.


    Scratching his nose, Zhuo Fan was just as calm as he smiled, ¡°Elder Li, how do you know my cultivation method is better than Imperial Tyrant Body Art?¡±


    ¡°Humph, anyone can tell after the stunt you pulled in Drifting Flowers City!¡±


    Li Jingtian huffed, ¡°Huangpu Qingyun just entered the seventh stage of Imperial Tyrant Body Art yet, could only take one Bursting Pill. And then there¡¯s you, taking five of them and killing him outright. Even a blind could see whose is better!¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Vicious Pill King shared a look and nodded. Not everyone was stupid, able to tell which was which.


    Yet, Zhuo Fan still chose to shake his head, ¡°Elder Li, you are a renowned senior, most clear on the power the Imperial Tyrant Body Art holds. Think it through, just how many cultivation methods are there that can surpass it? ¡°


    Li Jingtian was at a loss.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Elder Li, as you know the full recount of what happened in Drifting Flowers Edifice, then you must also know what my other title is!¡±


    ¡°Eminent Alchemist Zhuo Fan?¡± Li Jingtian was stunned, ¡°You mean¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded with a crafty smile, ¡°I managed to display such power with my body because of my cultivation method, yes, but also thanks to the pills personally refined. Just one was enough to boost my power five times!¡±


    ¡°What, is that possible?¡±


    Body cultivators were stronger than average because of their tough bodies. And the only way to obtain it was through arduous training, no exceptions.


    But if there was a pill that could do the same thing, where¡¯d the body cultivators¡¯ advantage go?


    [Does the world have such a miraculous pill?]


    Li Jingtian was skeptical, but Zhuo Fan¡¯s logic held some truth. How else could Zhuo Fan with his Bone Tempering Stage cultivation stand up to Huangpu Qingyun?


    Li Jingtian was clearly hesitating, but then he said coldly, ¡°Kid, give me the pills or I¡¯ll waste you.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t, I ate them all. How else could I have finished off Huangpu Qingyun?¡±


    ¡°Then you better make some. Aren¡¯t you an alchemist?¡±


    ¡°Out of ingredients!¡±


    ¡°Then, I will stay with you until you get them!¡± Li Jingtian was shouting now.


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan caught Vicious Pill King showing off a peculiar smile. One that Li Jingtian clearly spotted.


    ¡°In that case, I need the blood of a red tail ice fox, a third level beast. Let¡¯s go to Allbeast Mountain Range.¡± Zhuo Fan proposed.


    Li Jingtian waved him off with a smile, ¡°Hold on. Why should we go that far? There¡¯s plenty of third level spiritual beasts in a nearby forest. They aren¡¯t as many in Allbeast Mountain Range, but should be enough for refining.¡±


    Frowning, Zhuo Fan had no choice but to sigh and nod, ¡°Very well. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Turning around, he gave Vicious Pill King a look. Vicious Pill King didn¡¯t seem to have caught it but Li Jingtian was on guard to pick up this particular strange behavior.


    He pulled Zhuo around by the shoulder and squinted, ¡°Kid, a third level spiritual beast doesn¡¯t need all three of us. Let Yan Song get it while we wait.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I am an alchemist and pay close attention to the details when picking any ingredient. How could I let Elder Yan go?¡± Zhuo Fan wiped his brow of sweat.


    Li Jingtian snorted inside. He didn¡¯t know what Zhuo Fan¡¯s game was, but rumors about his cunning and treachery floated everywhere. It¡¯s best to be on the safe side. How many¡¯s blood ended up in this kid¡¯s hands just because they looked down on him?


    Li Jingtian was a veteran and saw through everything. He laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, kid, cut the act. I said he will go alone and that¡¯s final. He is also an alchemist and knows what spiritual beast to pick.¡±


    Gnashing his teeth, Zhuo Fan furrowed his brows, but sighed in the end and took out a gourd from his ring, ¡°Elder Yan, here are the favorite worms of the red tail ice fox. Bait it with this and catch it quickly.¡±


    Yan Song¡¯s eyes lit up, catching his meaning, and nodded.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Li Jingtian felt something was off, ¡°What is this? Let me see!¡±


    Yan Song hesitated but Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Li Jingtian took the ice-cold gourd and opened it. A blood-colored worm wiggled its way out.


    Li Jingtian looked at it with a critical eye but found nothing unusual. He gave it back to Vicious Pill King, ¡°This fox eats worms?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, who else but us alchemists know the habits of every spiritual beast?¡± Zhuo Fan laughed.


    When Li Jingtian found Vicious Pill King had gone ten meters away, he shouted, ¡°Yan Song, you have one day to bring a third level spiritual beast. Be late and we won¡¯t wait for you.¡±


    Yan Song staggered in his flight looking back at Zhuo Fan and nodded.


    Zhuo Fan sneered inside. Li Jingtian was quite cautious, leaving no stone unturned. Even though he let Yan Song go, he gave him a deadline.


    Now, it wouldn¡¯t matter even if he got help, since these two would be long gone.


    [Humph, getting hounded in his younger days worked wonders for his prudence it seems. But despite all this caution, it only sends him deeper into my trap.]


    Zhuo Fan grinned.


    Around twelve hours later, Vicious Pill King carried a snow-white fox¡¯s body. Its tail was a vibrant red.


    Vicious Pill King placed the body down and returned the gourd to Zhuo Fan with a slight nod.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Now, we can refine.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Li Jingtian again butted in, his eyes flashing eerily. A flick of his finger cut the fox in two.


    Li Jingtian stooped and squeezed the parts until a red worm came out.


    ¡°Now you can begin!¡± Li Jingtian squashed the worm to a paste.


    Vicious Pill King was startled yet found Zhuo Fan calm as a well.


    ¡°So now I will refine a body pill for Elder Yan to prove my words!¡± Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and used his Yuan Qi flame.


    But Li Jingtian barked, ¡°Wait. I want ten. The more you have, the better.¡±


    ¡°But you can only take it once in your life! Taking any more would be useless!¡± Zhuo Fan furrowed his brows.


    Laughing, Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes were sharp, ¡°If I say you make ten, then that¡¯s what you¡¯ll do. Unless you two don¡¯t want your heads on your shoulders!¡±


    For lack of a better option, Zhuo Fan started refining. When the pills were just about done, he added the ice fox¡¯s blood.


    With a hum, ten pills radiating cool air and colored red flew into Zhuo Fan¡¯s palm.


    Li Jingtian cried in shock, ¡°Why are they so cold yet came out of a Yuan Qi fire?¡±


    ¡°Elder Li may not know that this 3rd-grade pill, Freezing Body Pill, is a clan secret. Refined with a yin yang flame, it is hot inside and cold on the surface. Once ingested, hot and cold will travel through the body hundreds of times, tempering it.¡± Zhuo Fan explained.


    Li Jingtian reached over, ¡°Give me one!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, acquiescing his demand.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Li Jingtian had a sly smile, ¡°Give me the other nine!¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned but complied. Li Jingtian then pointed at the one Zhuo Fan was holding and said with a cold smile, ¡°Kid, eat it.¡±


    ¡°I told you, this pill only works once!¡± Zhuo Fan frowned,


    Laughing, Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes bore into him, ¡°I know of course. But it won¡¯t matter if you take one more. If you don¡¯t eat it, that this pill must have a defect and I will kill you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan ate it in the end.


    Seeing him fine, Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes roamed around in thought, ¡°Kid, pick one from these nine.¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed and took one.


    ¡°Give it to me!¡± Li Jingtian said.


    Zhuo Fan complied, yet Li Jingtian shouted again, just before he ate it, ¡°Hold on. You eat it, Yan Song.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± Yan Song stammered but was forced to eat it either way.


    In this way, Li Jingtian made Zhuo Fan pick again and again, until only three were left. He picked one himself then checked the two¡¯s faces before eating it.


    Li Jingtian felt a chill seep into him, then a warmth. It was so gentle and cozy.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow then snickered.


    [This guy is paranoid, but he took the bait anyway, he-he-he¡­]

 Chapter 183 - Another One Comes Aboard

    Li Jingtian entered meditation and focused on refining the pill. Zhuo Fan and Vicious Pill King were actually just standing there looking at him.


    Six hours later, Li Jingtian stood up. Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°How is it, Elder Li? Happy?¡±


    ¡°Yes, my body feels so free!¡±


    Li Jingtian let a carefree laugh, but then was cut short as he frowned, ¡°However, why is it that my body hasn¡¯t grown in power?¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°That¡¯s normal since it was not a body pill by any means. It¡¯d be odd if you did get stronger!¡±


    ¡°What? You lied?¡± Li Jingtian¡¯s rage exploded.


    Vicious Pill King hunkered for cover behind Zhuo, but the latter was still carefree, ¡°Oh my, Elder Li, you are a veteran and a man with widened horizons. How come you bought into this fairy tale about body pills? Don¡¯t you know cultivators walk in defiance to Heavens? The greater the price the bigger the reward. Relying on pills will only ruin you in the long run!¡±


    ¡°You played me for a fool?!¡± Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes were red now.


    Vicious Pill King shivered as he shook Zhuo Fan¡¯s arm. He tried to make him stop aggravating this old monster.


    Zhuo Fan, however, flicked his hand free and laughed, ¡°And, what are you gonna do about it? You think I¡¯m as dumb as those morons you robbed, thinking you can just take my cultivation method? Fat chance!¡±


    ¡°Why you little¡­¡±


    Li Jingtian was panting in rage, pointing at Zhuo Fan all the while.


    The great Mad Dipper Li Jingtian was somebody, even in his early days, that the seven houses would show some respect. But then, he met this young pup who started cursing him.


    The shame was unbearable.


    No matter if he got the cultivation method or not, Zhuo Fan had to die.


    Li Jingtian bellowed and slapped the two. The wave of power coming from him almost blew the two away.


    ¡°Kid, your life ends here!¡±


    Vicious Pill King shivered behind Zhuo Fan in fear.


    [Steward Zhuo, you tricked him but your Bloodworms plan fell through, so why are you making it worse?]


    [You looked so wise with your poise and calmness, but how come why are you hotheaded today?]


    Vicious Pill King cried as he wailed inside. Who could have seen this coming? He just got a new lease on life only to die again a month later.


    [Is this the end of my poor life?]


    In the middle of his lamentation and prayers, Zhuo Fan snorted and made a sign.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    A shriek of pain shuddered the heavens itself. A bloody mark appeared on Li Jingtian¡¯s forehead that forced his palm to a stop but a hair¡¯s breadth away from Zhuo Fan


    He then proceeded to hold his head as he collapsed in agony.


    Blood flowed from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, dyeing the ground red. His eyes bulged out and were ready to pop.


    The wail had Vicious Pill King looking stumped. Looking back at Zhuo Fan, he noticed the trademark wicked grin on his face.


    ¡°Uh, Steward Zhuo, did it work?¡± Vicious Pill King blinked.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°But of course. This coot is under my complete control. Elder Yan, you did well today. I will remember this!¡±


    ¡°Great, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s spirits were uplifted. He looked to Li Jingtian with a proud gaze. [He-he-he, you finally got yours. Who told you to play around?]


    [Don¡¯t you know any ploy before Zhuo Fan is paid back many folds?]


    Vicious Pill King felt it on his own skin. But seeing the Mad Dipper of Tianyu¡¯s act crushed and shamed, made him chipper.


    His admiration for Zhuo Fan grew as well of course


    [He even managed to bring a Radiant Stage cultivator to his knees! This boy is too much!]


    ¡°W-what¡¯s happening to me?¡± Li Jingtian held his head as he rolled on the ground, ¡°What the hell did you do to me?


    Zhuo Fan and Vicious Pill King snickered in sync.


    Taking the remaining two pills, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Elder Li, I¡¯m sure you know by now. I mean, didn¡¯t a veteran cultivator like you ever heard the saying, don¡¯t take candy from a stranger?¡±


    ¡°The pill?¡± Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Impossible. Even if a 3rd-grade pill had poison, my Yuan Qi is more than enough to remove it. And didn¡¯t you take it too?¡±


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°We did indeed. Terribly sorry, however, this pill is completely safe. It has no poison, though it does refresh one¡¯s body. What is wreaking havoc in your body is this little buddy.¡±


    Zhuo Fan presented the gourd and a Bloodworm came out.


    Li Jingtian had known something was off about it, but never thought it could be so deadly and make him stand on the edge of a precipice.


    ¡°This is my demonic creature, Bloodworm. It takes control of your blood. I am linked with it and a thought from me is enough to plunge you into a world of pain! It works just the same even on a Radiant Stage expert like you and there¡¯s nothing you can do about it.¡±


    Li Jingtian was shocked and roamed his eyes around, all while he expressed his doubt, ¡°That can¡¯t be! I scanned every ingredient you used, even the dead fox and there was nothing wrong with any of them. The Bloodworm was killed by me at the start. You¡¯re saying the worm didn¡¯t die when being refined?¡±


    Vicious Pill King was also curious about this. This was the reason for his disappointment earlier. He just didn¡¯t know how Zhuo Fan pulled off getting this old guy to swallow a Bloodworm.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I know this as well. Why else would I propose the red-tailed ice fox?¡±


    Chuckling, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shined with wisdom, ¡°My Bloodworm lives in frigid pools, and the ice fox¡¯s main property is its icy blood. So, I had Elder Yan feed it a Bloodworm, but not to include it in the pill later. It was all so it would lay its eggs. You might have killed the Bloodworm, but the icy blood was filled with eggs.¡±


    ¡°Now I get it! Under a Radiant Stage expert¡¯s scrutiny, they¡¯ll notice any hint of life in seconds. But an egg isn¡¯t alive until it hatches. This made Li Jingtian¡¯s search useless.¡±


    Vicious Pill King exclaimed while also giving Zhuo Fan a good round of ass-kissing, ¡°Steward Zhuo is a sage to cover all aspects. Not even the veteran Li Jingtian could match your perfect schemes. I am in awe!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not right. How did you make the Bloodworm grow so fast from a mere egg?¡± Li Jingtian was still in denial.


    With a light smile, Zhuo Fan supplied the explanation on a casual note, ¡°You have the potency of the pill to thank for that. As I¡¯ve said, I used both yin and yang fires in the refining. If I did not do so, the yang fire would have ruined the egg in the blood. The rest is as you already understand. Or more aptly put, felt on your own skin. The pill freely switches from yin to yang. Sometimes the warmth of spring, and sometimes the chill of a winter blizzard. It imitates the four seasons. Though it may have been six hours, but to the Bloodworm, it was equivalent to decades.


    ¡°Not to mention, this pill speeds up your pulse, all to help the little Bloodworm grow. The pill was no body pill, but one that facilitates the flow of blood, the Spring Pill!¡±


    The explanation floored Li Jingtian completely.


    Never had he thought this day would come. He moved unchecked across the empire only to fall in the hands of a twerp. He could only laugh at himself for being greedy. It was this that brought him to his knees.


    But Zhuo Fan saw through him once again, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you must be thinking greed got you into this mess, no? Wrong. Humans are inherently greedy. Take away your desire, and would you still be human? Desire is fine, but you must never ever try to take any shortcuts. There¡¯s no such thing as a miracle pill to make you strong. And even if there is, the price you¡¯d have to pay for it would be so much greater.¡±


    Zhuo Fan then placed a jade slip at his feet, stopping the Bloodworm¡¯s torment as he continued preaching, ¡°Like I said. I have my own cultivation method. It is called Wraith Art, a mid profound ranked demonic method of astonishing power. Train it to completion and it won¡¯t lack one bit to a top one. It is without a doubt stronger than even the Imperial Tyrant Body Art. At the same time, I will also give you three matching profound ranked martial arts.¡±


    ¡°If you are willing to bend a knee and join me and the Luo clan, pick it up and become its elder. Or, you can just leave, return to Regent Estate as a guest Venerable. I won¡¯t stop you!¡±


    Looking Zhuo Fan straight in the eye, Li Jingtian could pick up on his sincerity.


    He slowly reached for the jade slip as he muttered, ¡°I first want to see if it is real and not and if it is incomplete like what Regent Estate had passed to me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled and nodded.


    When Li Jingtian caught a glimpse of it, his eyes widened, ¡°Bloody hell! There¡¯s a sound profound ranked martial art in here! This doesn¡¯t exist anywhere in the empire. What kind of a behemoth is this Luo clan to have such a treasure? ¡°


    ¡°Your decision?¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯m in. Who the hell wouldn¡¯t at this point?¡± Li Jingtian put the jade slip in his ring and laughed, ¡°Kid, I¡¯d come over to your side much earlier if you had just shown me this cultivation method. What need was there for all that cloak and dagger spiel? He-he-he¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t say.¡± Knowing what he was thinking once again, Zhuo Fan smiled coldly, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you have killed me instead, to silence me, and take my head for a reward?¡±


    Li Jingtian scratched his head awkwardly from having his heart laid bare.


    [Zhuo Fan is just as the rumors say. Nothing escapes him. No wonder he can act so calmly after killing six experts.]


    [With such a talent, the clan must be of even more epic proportions. I didn¡¯t lose out following him.]


    Li Jingtian laughed inside. He may have been forced to switch camps but you could say he traded up!


    As such, another poor and disillusioned expert climbed aboard.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t mind at all. [Isn¡¯t it a good thing if they trust the Luo clan? Although they may perhaps experience a somewhat mild let down when they see it.]


    Zhuo Fan felt somewhat bashful at that last thought¡­

 Chapter 184 - Seven Houses Gathering

    The Caged Dragon City leaned onto the endless miles long Bulwark Range. Four towering peaks, jutting cliff edges, and cloud wreathed hunks of rocks had the city surrounded. Seen from above, the four looked like spikes nailing down a proud dragon, dooming it for all eternity.


    And this city here was where the head of the seven houses, the Regent Estate, laid its roots.


    An old man in his fifty, with sunken cheeks and pale as paper, was now standing before the looming city gate. His hair was in a bun, just like a scholar¡¯s, evoking a refined and courteous air. But the bloodthirst in his eyes ruined this image.


    Two Profound Heaven experts flanked him, yet, their attitude was quite deferred toward the old man, with a hint of fear mixed within.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, three lights flashed before them. They were none other than Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Pavilion Lord, Long Yifey, 3rd elder and Long Jiu.


    ¡°You honor me, Pavilion Lord Long, with your arrival. Do forgive me for coming so late to welcome you!¡± The scholar half bowed to Long Yifey, yet, there was no trace of courteousness on his face.


    Long Yifey returned the greeting with haste and respect, ¡°It is of no importance. How could I possibly demand Sir Leng come in person? You have given me a world of respect just by waiting for me.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Pavilion Lord Long is courteous. It is only proper I do so, as the steward of Regent Estate!¡± Sir Leng cupped his hands and his lips curled into a wide smile.


    Long Yifey nodded but felt his heart in a vice.


    Around a man they called Unwonted Contriver Leng Wuchang, one had to be mindful of his every little gesture at all times, lest they reveal something they wouldn¡¯t want to about themselves. Lest they would unwittingly allow him to pry into Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s secrets.


    Even the other six house lords treated meeting Sir Leng with more gravity than seeing the emperor.


    Whoosh!


    Three more figures arrived just then. Looking over, they were Hell Valley¡¯s Valley Lord, You Wanshan, along with his Grand Elder and one-armed 5th elder. Perhaps the rage and humiliation still held him in their grip for his features were tightened and morose.


    After exchanging greetings with Leng Wuchang, and some short pleasantries, Leng Wuchang flicked his cold eyes on Long Yifey, ¡°Humph, Pavilion Lord Long, enemies always seem to bump into each other. This is the second time we meet since our audience with the emperor.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, quite so. Life is fickle like that. It seems, however, after we parted from the imperial capital, Veiled Dragon Pavilion stayed the same, yet, I find it that not to be the case for Hell Valley.¡± Long Yifey chuckled, the sarcasm clear in his eyes as well.


    This open jab at Hell Valley was an obvious mockery to them losing two great generals. First the demise of You Guiqi, and second, the crippling of 5th elder, Diamondback Ape.


    Hell Valley¡¯s losses were tremendous, falling dreadfully short in power compared to Veiled Dragon Pavilion.


    You Wanshan¡¯s face contorted in rage and stomped forward, his power threatening to break out as he spat, ¡°Long Yifey, come and see for yourself if Hell Valley is still the same or not.¡±


    ¡°Humph, you think the likes of you scare me?¡±


    Snorting, Long Yifey¡¯s eyes were sharp, letting his power ooze out. The two peak Profound Heaven experts¡¯ auras clashed, putting pressure on the two Profound Heaven experts belonging to Regent Estate into retreating.


    Even though Regent Estate was crowned as the strongest house, Long Yifey and You Wanshan were not to be taken lightly either.


    Few present could push back these two elders, even in the Regent Estate.


    The two sides bared their fangs, needing one last push to blow everything up in smoke. Leng Wuchang coughed, ¡°Gentlemen, please, this is Regent Estate!¡±


    Those simple words were as if spoken by a god as it shook the hearts of the two and their aura vanishing.


    They proceeded to instantly bow in apology, ¡°Please show leniency, Sir Leng.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Just remember that we are in Regent Estate and you are our guests. You will make it difficult for me if you start fighting here. Please take it elsewhere if you want to sort your differences. That¡¯s all I¡¯m asking.¡±


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s face was as blank as ever, but the words were chilling to the bone. His eyes even contained a hint of reprimand when looking at them. Despite the anger welling in the two, they could only let it simmer.


    He had the monster that was Regent Estate behind him, someone none of the six houses wanted to make an enemy of.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, this place sure is lively. Valley Lord You, Pavilion Lord Long, it¡¯s been ages!¡±


    A laughter broke out, followed by three towering figures in green. Their leader was a wizen old man with silver-haired while the other two were his elders. One was red-haired and the other violet, yet, each one of them had an eerie hint of green in their eyes.


    ¡°Hall Lord Yan Bogong?¡± Squinting, You Wanshan mocked them, ¡°You seem to be quite springy, for someone who had his best alchemist slaughtered in cold blood.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Valley Lord You, there¡¯s no need to provoke me!¡±


    Yan Bogong smiled, ¡°Pill King Hall is different from you. You always go on a murder spree every day, with every one of your elders a mighty general ¨C my condolences for the loss by the way. While we at the Pill King Hall pursue alchemy above all else. Only the best alchemist is worthy of the Vicious Pill King title. Even if we were robbed of our precious alchemist, we still have many more that can fit the role as well. Just as we have many 7th grade alchemists like Yan Song. Since they have always been in his shadow for so long, they must be letting it all out in laughter now.¡±


    ¡°In short, we do not lack alchemists. Our next Vicious Pill King will achieve just as his predecessor had, taking the title of the best alchemist in Tianyu.¡±


    Yan Bogong stood proud before the two, while You Wanshan cursed silently, ¡°A cold and cruel hell is a more fitting place for you!¡±


    Long Yifey snorted, ¡°Hall Lord Yan seems to be quite confident. I heard that in the Hundred Pill Meeting held by Drifting Flowers Edifice, before Vicious Pill King¡¯s untimely demise, he fell utterly short to the more skilled Zhuo Fan. Do tell, how is the best alchemist in Tianyu one of yours now, hmm? I certainly don¡¯t see it.¡±


    For the first time since he came, Yan Bogong¡¯s face took a darker tone, his eyes flashing with bloodthirst, ¡°Humph, and if Zhuo Fan dies? The dead can¡¯t compete with Pill King Hall in taking the best alchemist title.¡±


    ¡°What? Zhuo Fan? Where is that devil?¡±


    A sudden bark rang everyone¡¯s ears. It followed with the arrival of three figures in blue. A middle-aged man with delicate features walked to Leng Wuchang, ¡°Sir Leng, hasn¡¯t Zhuo Fan been dealt with yet?¡±


    Leng Wuchang frowned.


    Merry Woods was the dumbest ally no one would ever want. [Could you speak any louder? I don¡¯t think everyone heard you clearly.]


    Too little too late. Long Yifey could already guess as his eyes glanced at the two.


    Leng Wuchang coughed, ¡°House Lord Lin, please mind yourself. We are all here to strategize on how to rid the world of that devil.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Lin Rufeng, why do I get the feeling you already began to act?¡± Lin Rufeng¡¯s eyes searched for a clue, a tick, anything.


    Lin Rufeng nodded without a care, ¡°Damn right. That punk killed our 6th elder. How can we not retaliate? This time, we sent two Profound Heaven experts¡­¡±


    ¡°House Lord Lin, Zhuo Fan is most cunning. It is not appropriate for Merry Woods to act alone. Let us all work together on this after the Seven Houses Gathering.¡± Leng Wuchang intervened before Lin Rufeng¡¯s loose tongue could do even more damage.


    Lin Rufeng was startled, [What do you mean alone? Weren¡¯t you in it as well?]


    But Leng Wuchang¡¯s deadly glare shut him up before he could open his beak.


    However, Long Yifey could already guess what happened. [Regent Estate has been on the move even before the Seven Houses Gathering. And they excluded Veiled Dragon Pavilion it seems.]


    It was a clear indication that Regent Estate crossed Veiled Dragon Pavilion from their ally list.


    [This spells trouble. If the Regent Estate goal is to rule all seven houses, they are sure to make an example out of Veiled Dragon Pavilion by eliminating us.]


    Long Yifey secretly sighed. [I can only pray for Zhuo Fan¡¯s safety, that he will assist us once he rises to power. You must stay alive at all costs!]


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s been a long time since it¡¯s been so bustling here. It must¡¯ve been what, a century since our last gathering?¡±


    A sudden chuckle followed a scholarly middle-aged man with a long beard joining them with two elders behind. And one of them was Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s 8th elder, Jian Suifeng.


    Jian Suifeng and Long Jiu¡¯s eyes met and they nodded at each other.


    In Drifting Flowers City, Zhuo Fan pulled the strings in getting Sword Marquise Abode and Veiled Dragon Pavilion secretly more acquainted. Long Yifey¡¯s eyes shined at the newcomer, finally meeting an ally, and laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Abode Lord Sky Breaking Xie Xiaofeng, we meet at last!¡±


    ¡°Pavilion Lord Soaring Dragon Long Yifey, I¡¯ve been looking forward to seeing you as well.¡± Xie Xiaofeng cupped his hands, laughing together for a reason only they knew.


    These two were house lords yet, they have never once met before but since they were allies now, they saw each other in a better light.


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s brows trembled.


    ¡°The seven houses are almost all here. But in light of Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s unfortunate disaster that demon caused, I believe they have their hands tied and can¡¯t join us. Let us¡­¡±


    ¡°Who said Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s hands are tied?¡±


    A clear and powerful voice cut Leng Wuchang¡¯s speech short. Then a bang echoed as a golden staff with a dragon head smashed the ground.


    The sight of her caused the others to widen their eyes, even Leng Wuchang.


    [The old hag still lives¡­]

 Chapter 185 - Demon Purg

    A curvaceous woman in her forties, free from the scars of time, walked with dignity and lofty air.


    At every step, the dragon head golden staff smashed the pavement. Oddly enough, it was at that instant the other people¡¯s hearts jumped as well.


    She was the legend that had kept Drifting Flowers Edifice afloat a century ago with her own two hands, the one they called Grandmother, Chu Bijun!


    Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng had heard of her recovery from Long Jiu and Jian Suifeng, but seeing her in person was a whole other matter entirely.


    Each of them watched dumbstruck as if they saw a ghost. One could hardly blame them.


    Behind Grandmother were Iris Overseer and Peony Overseer. They stood proud and head held high, finally able to blow off their long pented steam.


    ¡°I-impossible! You should be dead!¡± Hall Lord Yan stammered.


    Snorting, Chu Bijun flicked him a look and spat, ¡°Yan Bogong, you¡¯d wish it so. But to your disappointment, I am still alive and well. I may soon even enter the Radiant Stage. Humph, your deep consideration for Drifting Flowers Edifice over the years have been noted. I will make sure to repay each and every transgression!¡±


    Shivering inside, Yan Bogong sank into a depression.


    Chu Bijun¡¯s title of Lady of Steel was for her staunch determination in following through on her promise. The future of Pill King Hall looked quite bleak.


    ¡°Congratulations on your recovery, Edifice Lord Chu, and resuming your lead!¡±


    Leng Wuchang gradually cooled and cupped his hands to Chu Bijun. She returned the gestures with a light bow, ¡°Please, Sir Leng, you¡¯re too kind. The Edifice Lord has always been Qingcheng. But she had to enter seclusion while this gathering is taking place. So I took it upon myself to assist her by coming here in her stead.¡±


    ¡°Edifice Lord Chu is modest. Everyone knows you are the First Overseer. However, you are no different than an Edifice Lord, thus your title. With you leading, Drifting Flowers Edifice will bound to rise.¡± Smiling, Leng Wuchang continued, ¡°You have my utmost admiration for advising three generations of Edifice Lords and for your open-minded nature.¡±


    Chu Bijun nodded in her show of respect.


    Leng Wuchang smiled, ¡°Would it be too much to ask that in this Seven Houses Gathering, Edifice Lord Chu put aside our differences?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, of course, Sir Leng. Only, I¡¯m not so sure everyone else would be as quick to agree as me.¡± Chu Bijun sneaked a glance at Yan Bogong.


    Yan Bogong gnashed his teeth, ¡°Since Sir Leng asked, I shall accommodate your request while in Regent Estate.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, wonderful!¡±


    Laughing, Leng Wuchang¡¯s eyes roamed over the crowd and gestured with a flourish, ¡°Guests, please follow me. Estate Lord is waiting.¡±


    He took the lead.


    The rest followed after him, while Yan Bogong snorted at Chu Bijun. Chu Bijun only smiled coldly, leaving with her overseers.


    When passing by Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Sword Marquise Abode, they exchanged glances and the three broke out in smiles.


    This was done in such a casual manner that no one noticed. These three houses were in fact allies.


    The six houses¡¯ delegates entered in a lofty and grand hall. The arrangements were full of taste and refinement, yet there were only seven seats.


    It was obviously reserved for the house lords, while their detail made to stand. This earned no little dissent among the elder. They were revered in their own houses and even their house lord showed them proper respect.


    While here, they seemed to be treated like air.


    Turning a blind eye, Leng Wuchang gestured, ¡°Please take your seats while I ask Estate Lord to join you. ¡°


    And he left.


    Yan Bogong, You Wanshan and Lin Rufeng looked at each other before taking their seats. Chu Bijun squinted and took a seat as well.


    The elders were however, made to stand at their side.


    Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng exchanged a glance then looked at their elders, undecided to the best course of action. A house leader should fight for the respect of his elders.


    The best way was to ask Regent Estate for more seats. The elders were the pillars of the house, not mere servants to watch their house lord eat while standing aside.


    But the seating was so strange that left the two at a loss.


    While they were debating inside, a stout man in golden ceremonial robes dazzled in with Leng Wuchang behind him.


    He was the Estate Lord, Huangpu Tianyuan!


    The people stood and offered their respects.


    Huangpu Tianyuan returned their gesture and sat in the seat of honor. Only then did the other sit as well. Leng Wuchang chose to stand behind Huangpu Tianyuan, without a hint of complaint.


    Huangpu Tianyuan took everyone¡¯s presence into account and, even though Leng Wuchang warned him, he was shocked to see Chu Bijun here just the same, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, I am relieved to see you in good health.¡±


    Chu Bijun nodded, ¡°I am most grateful for Estate Lord¡¯s kind thoughts!¡±


    ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifice and Regent Estate have always been close. Chu Bijun recovery is a happy event for us, Regent Estate.¡± Huangpu Tianyuan smiled and patted her snow-white hand.


    Chu Bijun withdrew in flustered and with reddened cheeks.


    [Goddamn hypocrite!]


    Iris Overseer and Peony Overseer cursed him secretly. If not for Grandmother¡¯s early warning, they¡¯d be blowing a gasket right about now.


    Huangpu Tianyuan turned to Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng, asking in faux interest, ¡°Pavilion Lord Long, Abode Lord Xie, why are you standing? Do you find your seats lacking? I will change them for you.¡±


    ¡°Uh, no no no!¡±


    Long Yifey denied, his eyes darting around while replying oddly, ¡°Sir Leng is one of the three sages in Tianyu. How could I let him stand? I freely offer my own seat to him.¡±


    Xie Xiaofeng understood his hidden meaning.


    At an important and rare occasion as the Seven Houses Gathering, how could Regent Estate make such a casual blunder to forget some seats? It was obviously done on purpose.


    Mentioning it would instantly trigger the trap. As for what that was, no one knew.


    Yet, Leng Wuchang took a roundabout approach, hanging the issue over Leng Wuchang¡¯s head. Although unable to talk back for Regent Estate¡¯s accommodations, the least he could do was counter it ingeniously.


    [He-he-he, Pavilion Lord Long still knows how to use the old noodle!]


    Xie Xiaofeng joined in as well, ¡°Ai, how could I let Pavilion Lord Long give his seat? It¡¯s best I give my own.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no no no, take mine!¡±


    ¡°Please, I insist!¡±


    The two kept going back and forth hoping to make a mountain out of a molehill. Yet Huangpu Tianyuan was sitting there without the slightest disturbance.


    Leng Wuchang snorted secretly. He cupped his hands at the two, ¡°Thank you house lords for your generous offers, but we have rules here. I cannot agree. These seven seats are for house lords only. A subject like me is unworthy of seating next to lords.¡±


    [So that¡¯s why!]


    [Is this regent¡¯s skill in dividing his subjects from the lords?]


    The two saw the same guess in each other¡¯s eye.


    Leng Wuchang was quite vague, but it hinted at Regent Estate¡¯s ambition. He tossed out the ¡®subjects and lord¡¯ excuse to test who was worthy of making ties with Huangpu Tianyuan and who was not.


    As for who was the lord and the subjects among the seven houses, it was painfully clear.


    For the sake of dealing with Zhuo Fan, they convened the Seven Houses Gathering, but it was in fact a cover to threaten the six houses into submission!


    There was no way Regent Estate would breach this subject out of their own initiative. So how could they deal with this?


    Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng gnashed their teeth, taking seats with anxious hearts. The elders stood behind them with heavy expressions.


    Regent Estate was planning on using Zhuo Fan as a scapegoat to unite the houses!


    Huangpu Tianyuan smiled once everyone was seated, ¡°The reason why I¡¯ve asked you all here today is abundantly clear.


    ¡°As of late, devil Zhuo Fan had repeatedly breached the Seven Noble Houses¡¯ honor. Beginning with Hell Valley¡¯s 7th elder, it slowly snowballed into the chaos that engulfed Drifting Flowers Edifice and robbing us of four elders with his devious ploys. The whole of Tianyu sees us as nothing but buffoons. If we let him continue on this path, the day may very well come when he will purge one house from its roots.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, wasn¡¯t Drifting Flowers City the root of Drifting Flowers Edifice? He-he-he¡­¡± Hall Lord couldn¡¯t help but point out his mockery.


    Chu Bijun smiled coldly, ¡°Indeed, Drifting Flowers City has been reduced to shambles. However, that was at the price of taking out the best alchemist in Tianyu. Shouldn this old bones destroy a few more?¡±


    ¡°Chu Bijun, mind your goddamn tone!¡± Yan Bogong slapped the table.


    Chu Bijun was quite calm as she stood, ¡°Humph, anyone here is more than clear who should mind his?¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan shouted, ¡°Fighting among us before our enemy is vanquished will only benefit him.¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan ended their quarrel and resumed, ¡°For that purpose, I propose, in the name of the seven houses, the Demon Purging Decree and put an end to his vile tendencies!¡±


    [What?!]


    The others gasped, even Chu Bijun and Yan Bogong.


    They all had their guesses, but hearing it was still a shock!


    The last time the Demon Purging Decree was issued was three centuries ago¡­

 Chapter 186 - Grandmother’s Tactic

    Demon Purging Decree was the seven houses¡¯ act, which held as much power as the emperor¡¯s edicts. Yet, it was far more cruel.


    Even if the emperor was subjected to some offense, his edict would involve the seven houses, at the most, in dealing with the offender. But the Demon Purging Decree rendered a constant kill order on the target, in which, the seven houses would deploy all their assets, including their Venerables, in hunting him down.


    The target would be exterminated with extreme prejudice. It wasn¡¯t limited to the target either, as it included the place he visited, be it a village or a city. They were all burned to the ground.


    Driven by fear, everyone else would start hounding the target as well, until he had nowhere to hide in the whole of Tianyu Empire.


    In this manner, the target would slowly grow weary, unable to cope, and ultimately perish.


    As this was a drastic measure, the Demon Purging Decree was issued only if voted unanimously by the seven house lords. If one house fail to participate, it would be tantamount to betraying the imperial family and being labeled as traitors.


    Yet, Zhuo Fan only killed people from four houses, becoming bitter enemies with them. Even if he had all seven of them breathing down his neck, it would still not warrant such a cruel and vicious act as the Demon Purging Decree.


    Since this act implied the slaughter of innocents in cold blood.


    Three centuries ago, the seven houses would have refrained from using it as well, but that little monster was too hard to deal with. While this time, it was used on a mere Bone Tempering cultivator!


    Everyone was frowning, sinking into their thoughts.


    ¡°What does everyone think?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan smiled.


    Yan Bogong, You Wanshan, and one other nodded, ¡°We agree to Estate Lord¡¯s decision. The brat has to be put down at once!¡±


    Long Yifey muttered, ¡°However, using Demon Purging Decree at this time is overkill. This implies an empire-wide call to arms and an explanation has to be given to the imperial family. Furthermore, Zhuo Fan is hardly at the level of that little monster three centuries ago. It doesn¡¯t make sense to use the Demon Purging Decree for just this.¡±


    Xie Xiaofeng nodded.


    ¡°Humph, of course you¡¯d say that, Pavilion Lord Long. At that time, Veiled Dragon Pavilion was willing to take the blame for the kid. You must be practically joined at the hip with that devil by now.¡± You Wanshan snorted.


    Long Yifey roared, ¡°You Wanshan, cease your baseless accusations! When your two elders died in Windgaze City, we were in the dark too. Would you have believed us if we just told you it wasn¡¯t us? We might as well settle this now so that rumours won¡¯t spread saying that Qianlong Pavilion is afraid of you. How is it that now, your story has changed into us taking the fall for Zhuo Fan?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, you know full well who¡¯s taking the blame. Are you to tell me you are that oblivious to what happens in your own backyard? Windgaze City is your domain!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you knew full well that was our domain yet you sent elders in. They were seeking death!¡±


    ¡°Say that again!¡± You Wanshan slapped the table and jumped to his feet. Long Yifey did the same in answer to his challenge.


    Huangpu Tianyuan snorted in anger.


    One that shook the entire place. You Wanshan and Long Yifey felt their ears ringing and a heavy force pushing down on them.


    Shock set in as well. Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s power was incredible. Despite all being peak Profound Heaven Stage experts here, they were a cut below him.


    The two were reduced to only glaring at each other as they took their seats.


    Eyeing them coldly, Huangpu Tianyuan said, ¡°Remember, this is the Regent Estate!¡±


    The two apologized but were wary nonetheless.


    ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, what is your decision?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan smiled.


    After a brief reflection, Chu Bijun responded with a smile, ¡°I wholly approve of Estate Lord¡¯s decision. This devil ruined Drifting Flowers Edifice and has to be put down.¡±


    Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng watched each other baffled.


    [Hey Grandma, we are allies here. Don¡¯t go kicking us to the curb!]


    Huangpu Tianyuan was shocked at her casual response.


    But then Chu Bijun showed an expression plagued by worry, ¡°Estate Lord, we may issue the Demon Purging Decree, but you have to move like lightning and destroy him. You must know that he has the Bodhi Root in his possession, Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s greatest treasure. If he is pushed into a corner and eats it, it will boost his power and will ruin us.¡±


    Chu Bijun¡¯s words struck a chord. Huangpu Tianyuan sighed, ¡°On second thought, it is best we don¡¯t unleash such a calamity as the Demon Purging Decree on the people. ¡°


    [En¡­ wait, what?]


    You Wanshan¡¯s side nodded out of instinct but soon came to and was flabbergast. He thought to himself.


    [I say, Estate Lord, didn¡¯t you tell us to follow your lead? We even agreed to enact the Demon Purging Decree. Why are you then so whimsical? Are you going back on your words to trick us too?]


    Huangpu Tianyuan treated their looks of doubt as air, sighing once again in abject sorrow, ¡°I only proposed the Demon Purging Decree to see if there¡¯s any compassion left in your hearts. Us seven are the peak of Tianyu¡¯s power, we have to lead by example, to stand united in upholding peace in Tianyu. If we adhere to the Demon Purging Decree and bring disaster to our people over one kid, for our selfishness no less, wouldn¡¯t that be too despicable of us?¡±


    Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng bobbed their heads. They were clueless as to why Huangpu Tianyuan shifted gear like a teenager, but they agreed in a heartbeat.


    You Wanshan¡¯s side had their faces twitching. And Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s amiable smile almost had them spurt blood.


    [Curses! Are you playing with us?]


    [Did you just use us knowing our motives earlier to paint us the villains while making you the benevolent hero?]


    [This damn Regent Estate is a den of bastards.]


    You Wanshan¡¯s side glanced at each other, looking as if they swallowed a fly.


    They all then started to discuss how to deal with Zhuo Fan, but came up empty. Huangpu Tianyuan then adjourned the meeting, for the house lords to get some rest.


    When Chu Bijun left, Huangpu Tianyuan never let her out of his sight.


    ¡°This damn hag is back to her old tricks!¡± When all left, Huangpu Tianyuan spoke faintly.


    Nodding, Leng Wuchang smiled, ¡°Yes, hitting us right where it hurts. The hag saw your motive with a glance and threw a wrench in your Demon Purging Decree. From what I¡¯ve seen, the Drifting Flowers Edifice may be the weakest house, but Chu Bijun isn¡¯t easy to deal with. At least, far more troublesome than Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng working together.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. With this hag back, the Drifting Flowers Edifice is going to be a hard pill to swallow!¡± Huangpu Tianyuan sighed.


    You Wanshan¡¯s group suddenly appeared in the hall.


    Already knowing they¡¯d come, Leng Wuchang waved them off with a smile, ¡°I know what¡¯s on your minds, but please relax. We have no ill will towards any of you. Estate Lord only changed his decision on the spur of the moment.¡±


    Startled, You Wanshan¡¯s group held Leng Wuchang in even greater admiration.


    ¡°Sir is an outstanding strategist. It is indeed why we came here yet you could tell with a single look!¡±


    ¡°Please, you¡¯re too kind. I only have people¡¯s best intentions in mind.¡± Leng Wuchang smiled.


    ¡°But Sir Leng, Estate Lord, how are we to get rid of Zhuo Fan?¡± You Wanshan frowned.


    Hell Valley and Zhuo Fan¡¯s grudges were bone-deep. They only cared about seeing Zhuo Fan dead.


    Huangpu Tianyuan and Leng Wuchang laughed.


    ¡°Valley Lord You, a pup has you running scared? Look at you shaking in worry over there,you are bringing disgrace to the seven houses.¡± Huangpu Tianyuan mocked him.


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°Valley Lord You, haven¡¯t we already sent a team to intercept him?¡±


    ¡°And if it fails? Isn¡¯t this the reason for the Demon Purging Decree?¡± This was You Wanshan and the others¡¯ biggest worry.


    Huangpu Tianyuan rejected, ¡°You think a mere Bone Tempering kid is worthy of the Demon Purging Decree? The decree is only a means to an end, a convenient excuse.¡±


    You Wanshan blinked baffled.


    Leng Wuchang looked unperturbed, ¡°I may not know much about him, but three houses send two Profound Heaven experts after him. The chance of success is over 90%. But just now, it became 100%!¡±


    ¡°Oh, what makes you so sure of success, Sir Leng?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan raised an eyebrow. Even he was curious.


    Leng Wuchang grinned, ¡°Because our guest Venerable, Leng Wuchang, volunteered as well.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s going too, whatever for?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan was startled.


    ¡°Why else? He must have heard of the kid¡¯s exploits in Drifting Flowers City and plans on taking Zhuo Fan¡¯s cultivation method for himself. That martial fanatic knows when to be serious only when these things are involved.¡±


    ¡°Humph, what a fool. He is Regent Estate¡¯s guest Venerable, with Imperial Tyrant Body Art at his disposal, and yet here he is coveting an outsider¡¯s cultivation method.¡± Huangpu Tianyuan snorted.


    Leng Wuchang shook his hand indifferently, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. With Elder Li¡¯s character, he¡¯ll definitely kill the kid afterward. The brat¡¯s fate is sealed.¡±


    You Wanshan¡¯s group was overjoyed at the news.


    Now that a Radiant Stage expert set his eyes on Zhuo Fan, he would die for sure no matter how skilled he was.


    Yet to their complete lack of knowledge of the situation, that giddy Radiant Stage expert who went to rob and kill, got turned instead.


    Even Leng Wuchang would be so shocked his eyes would pop out of their sockets¡­

 Chapter 187 - Return To Windgaze City

    ¡°Also¡­¡±


    You Wanshan¡¯s group was slowly getting into a mood of celebrating Zhuo Fan¡¯s death. Meanwhile, the one-armed 5th elder was shedding tears of vindication. However, this stopped when Leng Wuchang shot them a look, ¡°You all need to proceed to Windgaze City!¡±


    The smile froze on the four and You Wanshan turned his head mechanically, with a bright smile to offer the two, ¡°Estate Lord, Sir Leng, haven¡¯t we been keeping watch of Windgaze City just so we could get rid of Zhuo Fan? Why do we need to attack that place now that Zhuo Fan is out of the picture?¡±


    ¡°Fool!¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan barked, his eyes cold, ¡°That¡¯s the place that gave birth to Zhuo Fan and there¡¯s a good chance for a second, a third, maybe even a tenth Zhuo Fan to rise! Rather than deal with that mess, we need to level that clan. Furthermore¡­¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s tone shifted to a darker one, ¡°Have I ever gone back on my words?¡±


    [You did exactly that just now!]


    Shivering, You Wanshan¡¯s group complained in their minds, but they were on their best behavior on the outside. Bowing to Huangpu Tianyuan again, they then left.


    ¡°Send them a message. It¡¯s time for them to begin!¡±


    ¡°En!¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan, nodded, pleased. Once the four were out of sight of the hall, You Wanshan stomped in rage, ¡°Who does Regent Estate think they are to use us as messengers?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the Emperor banned us from Windgaze City two years ago. Regent Estate wants to test the imperial family¡¯s limits and doesn¡¯t dare go himself. So, he is making us face the danger. What an abominable man!¡± Yan Bogong gnashed his teeth.


    Lin Rufeng furrowed his brow in worry, ¡°But, we will be offending Regent Estate if we don¡¯t go. And if we do, we will incur the imperial family¡¯s wrath. What is the better choice?¡±


    They stared at each other for a long time but came out empty as they sighed.


    The imperial family may be a frail tiger now, but that didn¡¯t mean one should start groping its tail. If by some chance they touched a sore spot, the weak tiger would snap back at them. The three houses would feel the fangs and claws of the imperial family and would have no place to hide in the empire.


    [Go to hell, Regent Estate!] Each of them was thinking along the same lines, but none dared to turn Huangpu Tianyuan down.


    5th elder continued, ¡°Valley Lord, we should choose the lesser of two evils! We don¡¯t know if the imperial family will act if we move in on Windgaze City. But going against Regent Estate will have Huangpu Tianyuan on our backs. And you know his short temper.¡±


    The three house lords shuddered and sighed.


    ¡°In this situation, our only option is to go on a limb!¡±


    You Wanshan spat, ¡°That the imperial family is useless and won¡¯t act against us!¡±


    You Wanshan picked a green jade slip and made a gesture. The jade slip turned into a light and shot in Windgaze City¡¯s direction.


    The other two house lords followed his gestures.


    Leng Wuchang was outside the hall, smiling at the three lights tracing the sky above Caged Dragon City.


    ¡°The three realized my plan but they chose to follow it anyway!¡± Huangpu Tianyuan chuckled as he walked next to Leng Wuchang.


    Leng Wuchang nodded with a smile of his own, ¡°The three are house lords, after all, not mere idiots. How could they not see through Estate Lord¡¯s intentions? But even so, after balancing the gains and losses, they ultimately sided with Estate Lord. The seven houses seem to take the imperial family as just an empty shell!¡±


    ¡°Indeed. Over the last thousand years, the seven houses thrived while the imperial clan declined. It reached a point where the current Emperor is the weakest this empire has ever seen. A great opportunity presents itself to us!¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan grinned and showed his ambition, ¡°If the imperial family remains passive even after the battle of Windgaze City, then I can enact the Demon Purging Decree and purge all outsiders while unifying the seven houses. I will ultimately control the whole land!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, with the seven houses under you, not even the Four Pillars can stand in your way! I would like to be the first to congratulate the Estate Lord for taking the throne!¡± Leng Wuchang gave a deep bow.


    Huangpu Tianyuan laughed having his ego stroked, then helped Leng Wuchang up, ¡°Leng Wuchang, you are the genius of this generation yet, chose to become my steward, helping Regent Estate¡¯s rise to glory. I hereby vow that once I ascend the throne, I will make you the head of the Four Pillars!¡±


    ¡°I am most grateful for Estate Lord¡¯s kindness!¡±


    Leng Wuchang bowed again as hope flickered in his gaze, ¡°Once Elder Li kills Zhuo Fan and brings back the Bodhi Root. I will assist Estate Lord in obtaining the Nine Dragons Diamond Body. Not even the imperial family¡¯s five Divine Dragons will be able to harm you then. You will truly wield ultimate power and rule above everyone!¡±


    ¡°But won¡¯t that martial fanatic catch an interest into that worldly treasure? Or would he just throw it away?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you must be jesting, Estate Lord. Elder Li is only a martial fanatic and not a complete idiot. How could he throw away such a treasure? Of course he¡¯ll return it to us. And with Elder Li¡¯s ability, Zhuo Fan will have no opportunity in damaging the treasure at all. Rest assured, Estate Lord.¡±


    Leng Wuchang and Huangpu Tianyuan started laughing together. As if the world was their oyster.


    In a different part of the city, Long Yifey, Xie Xiaofeng, and Chu Bijun convened in a secluded place once they left the hall.


    Long Yifey showed Chu Bijun proper respect, ¡°Grandmother, what has gotten into Regent Estate? Could you please enlighten me?¡±


    This also concerned Xie Xiaofeng deeply. They knew Regent Estate was up to something, and it was not good by the looks of it, but he couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of it.


    Grandmother sighed and shook her head, ¡°Pavilion Lord Long, Abode Lord Xie, the three of us are in an alliance so I¡¯ll be frank. You two are at the very top of Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s blacklist.¡±


    [What?!]


    Startled, the two had guessed as much, but there was another thing to hear it from Grandmother, a renowned figure among even the seven houses.


    Chu Bijun took a deep breath and resumed, ¡°I have dealt with the houses for all my life and can attest that I know every house¡¯s style like the back of my hand. Let¡¯s turn back to when we just entered the hall. You believed since Leng Wuchang spoke of the ¡®lords and subject¡¯ that he was looking for you to follow Regent Estate blindly, right?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the case?¡± The two asked together.


    Shaking her head, Chu Bijun sighed, her eyes focused, ¡°That was a test of obedience!¡±


    ¡°Obedience?¡±


    ¡°Precisely. The so-called ¡®lord and subject¡¯ setup was in fact, a way to lord over the masses. To sum it up, to judge obedience! The instant we entered the hall, it was made abundantly clear.¡±


    Chu Bijun squinted, her tone cold, ¡°Huangpu Tianyuan is too proud and he only wants those who obey around him. So when you saw the seats he had laid out for you, he expected you to take them without making a peep. Pavilion Lord Long may have been clever, but to him, it was all the same as not obeying him and putting you first on the blacklist.¡±


    Long Yifey never would¡¯ve thought Regent Estate was so overbearing to impose his will even on the seven houses.


    Xie Xiaofeng frowned as he nodded in agreement, ¡°I can see now why Grandmother has been going along with his intentions. It was all to make Drifting Flowers Edifice among the last to get rid of.¡±


    ¡°That should be the case!¡±


    Chu Bijun nodded, ¡°Now that he believes the Bodhi Root is with Zhuo Fan, and that I obey him throughout this whole farce. In his eyes, Drifting Flowers Edifice should be behind your houses on the blacklist.¡±


    ¡°Brother Xie, we must stay vigilant.¡± Long Yifey laughed dryly.


    Xie Xiaofeng nodded.


    What they thought would be a hidden alliance with Drifting Flowers Edifice to make a joint covert attack, now became a full-blown and open assault.


    Suddenly, becoming the vanguard had placed a heavy weight on their shoulders. As if the vicious eyes of Regent Estate were fixed on them both.


    But they had to admire the Lady of Steel.


    Drifting Flowers Edifice had now revived to the one of old along with Lady of Steel¡¯s recovery. For her to shift Regent Estate¡¯s main priority from them was a difficult feat to pull.


    Putting these two in the first line of fire¡­


    Chu Bijun knew what they were thinking and tapped with her dragon head staff, ¡°House lords, do not think for a second you are shouldering Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯ disaster alone. With you in front, Drifting Flowers Edifice is indeed safe, for now. But we are all in the same boat. If one house falls, the ruin of the other two will only be a matter of time.¡±


    The two bowed in profound respect, ¡°Grandmother has always had the greater picture in mind. We are ashamed!¡±


    ¡°Now that we are allies in the truest sense of the word, we must devise a plan to stop Regent Estate¡¯s campaign!¡±


    Chu Bijun spoke in an imposing tone, ¡°His plan to use the Demon Purging Decree was not to deal with demon Zhuo Fan, but take advantage of the chaos and swallow the six houses. But I knew his keen interest in Bodhi Root and mentioned it, all so he would give up on that notion. It won¡¯t last, however. Once he kills Zhuo Fan and obtains the Bodhi Root, the Demon Purging Decree will be issued all the same.¡±


    ¡°But wouldn¡¯t the death of Zhuo Fan take away the sole reason behind the Demon Purging Decree?¡±


    ¡°Fool!¡±


    Grandmother tapped with her staff, her tone dropping lower, ¡°Demon Purging Decree never had anything to do with Zhuo Fan from the start. He is an excuse. And this excuse remains valid even if he kills Zhuo Fan while the facts are hidden! I am convinced that Regent Estate had long since sent a team to deal with the kid. And since Unwonted Contriver Leng Wuchang is also lending a hand, I can only assume the worst.¡±


    Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng nodded, hearts overwhelmed with shame.


    This was the Lady of Steel, a woman worthy of her title! In times of great peril, she was not a bit inferior to a man. Before this senior, the two house lords were naught but mere children that listened to her orders.


    ¡°All that Regent Estate is missing is to determine the limit of the imperial family. Only then, will they unleash the Demon Purging Decree without scruples. And this limit is none other than Windgaze City!¡± Chu Bijun¡¯s eyes focused and shouted, ¡°We do not know the imperial family¡¯s stance on Windgaze City, so we have to help them. We cannot let Luo clan fall!¡±


    ¡°Qing¡¯er, Peony, go and inform Huangpu Tianyuan that I, Pavilion Lord Long, and Abode Lord Xie have urgent matters to attend in our houses and have to leave.¡±


    ¡°At once!¡± The two overseers bowed.


    Chu Bijun turned to the house lords, ¡°We must make haste and aid Windgaze City. The enemy must have forces in place already. I can only hope we make it in time.¡±


    ¡°Uh, Grandmother, won¡¯t the three houses be moving together?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t afford any delays!¡± Chu Bijun cut through their hesitation on the spot, ¡°Leng Wuchang is a shrewd man and we won¡¯t be able to hide our cooperation from him for long. It¡¯s best we make it public and face them head-on. This will also work to show that we are one and not to be pushed around.¡±


    Saying her piece, Chu Bijun flew away.


    Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng looked at each other and laughed dryly. [Lady of Steel is fierce indeed.] The two house lords couldn¡¯t gain any word in at all. All they could do was follow her lead!


    [She¡¯s a bit too fierce¡­]


    And at this moment, three figures landed on a mountain outside Windgaze City.


    ¡°Guess who¡¯s back!¡±

 Chapter 188 - Fink

    With a deep breath, Zhuo Fan overlooked Windgaze City, especially Blackwind Mountain, with a sigh.


    For Luo clan¡¯s safety, its steward left on a two-year journey. [I wonder how they are doing? Old Pang¡¯s Wraith Art was a success or death?]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mind was filled with thoughts the nearer he got. He didn¡¯t realize when the Luo clan got to be so important to him.


    ¡°Elder Li, you¡¯re not pulling my leg, are you? Regent Estate truly canceled the Demon Purging Decree?¡± Vicious Pill King was on pins and needles all the way to Windgaze City.


    Li Jingtian forced a smile. This guy had asked him a hundred times already but no matter how he explained it, he¡¯d come back to ask, again and again, getting on his nerves.


    His eyes snapped on Vicious Pill King and roared, ¡°Kid, you¡¯re so old yet nagging me like a midwife. This will be the last time I¡¯ll tell you, I came voluntarily after you, not because Regent Estate issued the Demon Purging Decree. At least, not before I left. If you ask me one more time, geezer, I¡¯ll tear your mouth off!¡±


    Vicious Pill King jerked from fear. He remained quiet but worry still plagued him.


    Zhuo Fan had also got to know what the Demon Purging Decree entailed this past two weeks and could feel Vicious Pill King¡¯s distress.


    Radiant Stage experts were the ultimate power of any house, and the only way to use them was through a Demon Purging Decree.


    Zhuo Fan was certain Li Jingtian didn¡¯t come because of it, and lying to him was impossible. This martial fanatic really came just to steal cultivation methods.


    Or the moment the old man saw them, Zhuo Fan¡¯d fight instead of letting himself be captured.


    ¡°Elder Yan, relax. Even if the Demon Purging Decree is released, it won¡¯t be anytime soon. We will still have time to prepare!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    Hum~


    A sudden ripple spread from Windgaze City. Vicious Pill King was still out of it, but the other two felt it, ¡°Radiant Stage?¡±


    Their faces took a darker tone.


    Especially Zhuo Fan, [Is Demon Purging Decree really in effect?] It was all too sudden. He and the elders had ways to safeguard themselves, but the Luo clan was powerless.


    Zhuo Fan nodded at Li Jingtian, who searched with his soul. Under the cover of Li Jingtian¡¯s soul sense, Zhuo Fan released his own.


    This would make the other side only notice Long¡¯s Discerning Field while Zhuo Fan¡¯s was still hidden.


    This would give him a good opportunity to lay some traps if the other was an enemy. At any given time and place, Zhuo Fan hid his cards to make a deadly strike on any who came after him.


    Li Jingtian had to admire Zhuo Fan for his behavior.


    It was the first time he saw the kid this vigilant. While Li Jingtian was a martial fanatic, Zhuo Fan would be a high-functioning sociopath, with killing always on his mind.


    But that stemmed from Zhuo Fan always meeting difficult opponents. At the end of it all, Zhuo Fan was still standing while all the others around him laid dead.


    And since the first thing that came to Zhuo Fan¡¯s mind was killing, those people had to exhibit just a brief lack in judgment and their lives were forfeited.


    Li Jingtian secretly signed, holding Zhuo Fan in even higher regard.


    ¡°Three Radiant Stage experts!¡± Li Jingtian frowned.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Two in the 3rd layer and one in the 4th. Not to mention, there are many Profound Heaven experts around as well! Wait, there¡¯s also those two¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan snickered all of a sudden, ¡°I knew they were garbage, but had no good excuse so far. But this time, humph¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan observed Blackwind Mountain in the distance. A glance was enough to reveal that the arrays he set up were activated, easing his worries.


    [Blackwind Mountain still holds!]


    ¡°Well I¡¯ll be, Luo clan is no pushover. Just from not being able to see through the arrays, I can tell it¡¯s no less than at a Regent Estate¡¯s level. Even a Radiant Stage will have his work cut out for him.¡±


    Li Jingtian scanned the Blackwind Mountain as well.


    The minute Vicious Pill King heard something about Radiant Stage experts being involved, he jumped the gun, ¡°Three Radiant Stage experts in one go. This must be the Demon Purging Decree¡­¡±


    ¡°Elder Yan, stop whining. Demon Purging Decree has nothing to do with this!¡±


    Zhuo Fan saw Vicious Pill King hysterical and shook his head, ¡°They would¡¯ve attacked before the arrays were activated if the Demon Purging Decree was declared. But look at them, they¡¯re still waiting for orders!¡±


    ¡°But why else are Radiant Stage experts included if not because of Demon Purging Decree?¡±


    ¡°Because of me!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shot him a look, ¡°To make sure I stay dead, they laid a trap. Everything is taken into account, including the intervention of Veiled Dragon Pavilion. I can say for sure that once I set foot in Windgaze City, those three Radiant Stage experts will take my life! However¡­¡±


    A creepy grin found itself on his lips as Zhuo Fan turned to Li Jingtian, ¡°They¡¯ll never guess I still have a Radiant Stage expert on my side, and a 6th layer body cultivator to boot!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, with me here, these pups won¡¯t take one hair from you!¡± Li Jingtian laughed and jutted his chin.


    With a raised eyebrow, Zhuo Fan said evilly, ¡°Why stop there? Elder Li, that would be a walk in the park for you.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    Li Jingtian pondered carefully, and his eyes took a savage tone, ¡°Then I¡¯ll just kill my way in and put them in their place!¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    Li Jingtian was confused, ¡°Steward Zhuo doesn¡¯t trust my strength? Humph, forget about these weak bastards, when not even a Radiant Stage expert at my layer can take three hits from me!¡±


    Li Jingtian¡¯s tone was mighty enough, but unclear if from confidence or overconfidence.


    Zhuo Fan however still had the same smile, ¡°And what if I want Elder Li to kill them as well?¡±


    ¡°That¡­¡± Li Jingtian frowned as he smoothed his beard in predicament.


    Killing those weaker than him was easy, but doing the same for those in the same stage was a whole nother matter. Taking Windgaze City¡¯s battle as an example, Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s 3rd and 5th elders were far stronger than Hell Valley¡¯s elders.


    But unable to kill him no matter how they tried.


    It was all thanks to Zhuo Fan¡¯s schemes, taking advantage of the enemy¡¯s carelessness, that he killed two elders. This was also why Veiled Dragon Pavilion was in so much uproar then.


    When someone stronger couldn¡¯t kill them, Zhuo Fan up and pulled off such an impossible feat while two stages below. Not once, but twice.


    And now, Li Jingtian was finding it hard to answer Zhuo Fan¡¯s request.


    Grinning diabolically, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes were on him, ¡°Elder Li, I seem to recall you are still Regent Estate¡¯s guest Venerable!¡±


    ¡°Uh, Steward Zhuo, my intentions are real¡­¡±


    Li Jingtian was just about to explain his loyalty when he caught onto Zhuo Fan¡¯s sneaky meaning.


    ¡°Precisely. No one yet knows of you standing with the Luo clan, so¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan got closer to Li Jingtian¡¯s ear, who nodded now and then.


    Once done explaining, Zhuo Fan stressed, ¡°Remember, don¡¯t go rambling about once inside. Slap them a couple of times and tell them to lay siege on the mountain!¡±


    ¡°Got it. It¡¯s been so long since I played this role! Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Li Jingtian flew straight for Windgaze City. Zhuo Fan grinned, disregarding Vicious Pill King¡¯s facial expression, ¡°He-he-he, when one looks for a fink, quality is always preferred. And the ones you have found are some I can¡¯t wait to get rid of.¡±


    Vicious Pill King had no clue what he was raving about as Zhuo Fan pulled him towards Blackwind Mountain.


    ¡°Elder Yan, I¡¯ll take you to see the clan!¡±


    Vicious Pill King¡¯s eyes sparkled and nodded. [It is finally time to see the legendary clan¡­]


    Meanwhile, in Windgaze City¡¯s Sun clan¡¯s manor.


    Those poor quality finks Zhuo Fan mentioned, Cai Rong and Cai Xiaoting, were sitting in a small room with evil looks.


    ¡°Humph, to hell with the Sun clan, and to hell with Hell Valley! We¡¯ve been running around Blackwind Mountain for so long and even drew them a map. It¡¯s not our fault they couldn¡¯t see the guarding arrays, yet now, they give us the silent treatment!¡± Cai Xiaoting nagged.


    Cai Rong sighed, ¡°Zhuo Fan is incredible to set guarding arrays before leaving! But that damn Luo Yunchang is too paranoid, not having extended contact with outsiders. We had to turn traitors if we wanted to attack it! Ha-ha, our map is useless now that the guarding arrays are up. No wonder everyone gives us the cold shoulder!¡±


    ¡°Humph, Zhuo Fan must¡¯ve taught her before leaving! That bitch gobbles up everything Zhuo Fan says. She is so loyal that she almost pushed the Luo clan head position on him!¡± Cai Xiaoting raged, his eyes clouded in jealousy.


    ¡°Tell me father, am I not, Cai Xiaoting, the grand young master of Cai Manor, better than that nobody? Why is it that Luo Yunchang never looked at me ever since Zhuo Fan showed up? He¡¯s been gone for two years now, yet, she pins for him every day by looking in the direction he left. There was not even a word of mention to me regarding the guarding arrays¡­ ¡°


    Cai Rong regretted the more he saw his son complaining.


    Zhuo Fan was a true genius, admired even by the seven houses. He would¡¯ve long given his daughter to Zhuo Fan if he had one instead!


    [My son is in the 9th layer of Qi Condensation yet, has not a bit of wisdom on him¡­]


    Cai Rong shook his head when Sun Yufei burst in, ¡°The elders want to see you. Come with me.¡±


    Startled, the Cai father and son turned happy thinking they would meet Hell Valley¡¯s higher ups. Their rise was just around the corner¡­

 Chapter 189 - One Stronger Than The Last

    Cai clan¡¯s father and son followed Sun Yufei into the Sun manor¡¯s parlor.


    Sun Yufei motioned for them to stop as she made a respectful bow, ¡°Elder, the Cai clan father and son are here!¡±


    ¡°Let them in!¡±


    The cold voice sent shivers down the father and son¡¯s spines, shuffling behind Sun Yufei with the courage of a mouse.


    They were about to meet a man of great power in the seven houses, a grand Profound Heaven expert. One word from him would send their heads tumbling.


    They only just stepped through the door and their knees hit the floor, soon followed by their heads, ¡°Salutations, elder. I am Cai Rong, head of the Cai clan and he is my son!¡±


    Sun Yufei couldn¡¯t help but frown.


    She used to think Cai Xiaoting was a distinguished man of valor and pride. Only to find he had not one single bone in his back.


    She was the one leading them, yet, instead of letting her make her own gesture of respect first, they cut in front of her! Then again, hardly anyone in Tianyu didn¡¯t go on his knees when meeting an elder from the seven houses.


    But this cowardice brought them to a whole new level of shameless she never saw before, earning her contempt, [I must¡¯ve been blind to have fancied you!]


    The feelings were mutual for the middle-aged men sitting in the chairs across, holding them in even worse regard.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, this pair knows how to choose sides!¡±


    The voice on their left made the Cai clan father and son look. [It isn¡¯t just one Hell Valley elder that came this time?]


    What they saw was an old man with blue hair nodding at them. He was mocking, being satisfied, and flashing in his eyes gave the father-son duo a weird feeling.


    ¡°Yan Zhenglan, if you find them so capable, why not take them under Pill King Hall¡¯s wing?¡± The man in the center teased.


    Yan Zhenglan shook his hand and laughed, ¡°You Laoliu, isn¡¯t it a bit rude to push these men who came to Hell Valley? Even to an inferior clan such as theirs, credit must be given where it¡¯s due and take them in your care. When a dog wags its tail, a master ought to throw it a pound of flesh, no?¡±


    ¡°What are you guys doing wasting time on these fools? Ask what we came here for and let¡¯s get on with it! House lords¡¯ messages could arrive any day now!¡±


    The rude voice came from the two¡¯s right this time. They turned cautiously and saw a stout man with a beard in a blue robe and of imposing presence.


    Another Profound Heaven expert.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what crawled up your ass and died?¡± You Laoliu dismissed him with a smile, ¡°Lin Yuelun, among us three houses, Merry Woods¡¯ grudge with Zhuo Fan is the smallest. So just sit tight! Maybe Zhuo Fan has already been dealt with and we won¡¯t be doing any attacking. We¡¯re not allowed to be here anyway!¡±


    The other two caught his meaning and shivered a nod.


    The two from the Cai clan had long been sweating buckets.


    [What the hell is wrong with this world? Why are three of the Seven Noble Houses here? I only recall swearing fealty to Hell Valley, not to three of them!]


    [Are we such a hot commodity that they¡¯re fighting over us? Ha-ha-ha, as if! Zhuo Fan! They must¡¯ve come here for revenge!]


    Cai Rong gnashed his teeth, the hatred for Zhuo Fan burning even hotter!


    In this backwater place, Lei Yuting handled the intelligence of the Luo clan, while the father and son remained in the dark regarding Zhuo Fan¡¯s exploits in the outside world.


    He was smart enough to guess Zhuo Fan poked his nose where he shouldn¡¯t to end up with two more houses on his tail.


    Wasn¡¯t that clear enough he wanted to make it hard for these two?


    [Couldn¡¯t you have offended anyone else instead of the seven houses?]


    The original plan was to work from the darkness with the Sun clan for the Hell Valley and wipe out the Luo clan, presenting Windgaze City as a welcome gift. But the plan went up in smoke as Hell Valley suffered a crushing defeat instead.


    [The imperial family¡¯s Secret Pearl Order can go to hell for all I care. The eighth house is going to be the Luo clan, not my Cai clan. Why the hell should I give my life for them?]


    But the arrival of Pill King Hall and Merry Woods told him their hatred for the Luo clan was no less than Hell Valley¡¯s.


    Why else would two great houses travel thousands of miles to Windgaze City, even when the imperial family had put a ban on this area?


    In short, one house¡¯s ire became three houses¡¯ wrath.


    Selling the Luo clan out might have been able to appease one house¡¯s anger, but when there were three, even if the Luo clan was burned to the ground the remaining rage of the other two houses would be shifted onto the father and son!


    After all, they were once part of the Luo clan, no?


    Cai Rong was on the verge of crying! [Zhuo Fan is a genius to stir three hornet nests! What the hell did you do to offend three houses in just two years?]


    The three elders didn¡¯t know the anguish and sorrow plaguing the poor father and son, not that they cared. Yan Laoliu sipped his tea and shouted, ¡°Cai Rong, begin by telling me of the experts hiding in the Luo clan.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    Cai Rong was out of it for a second then bobbed his head, on the verge of hugging their legs and begging for mercy. As for getting rewarded for his merit, that was long forgotten.


    ¡°Elders, the Luo clan is a second rate clan at best. Only Grand Elder Lei Yuntian is a Profound Heaven expert, one that advanced two years ago. As for his goddaughter, Lei Yuting, and Captain Pang, they are all in the Bone Tempering Stage! While the Luo clan orphans, Luo Yunhai and Luo Yunchang are even weaker. The rest are inconsequential, beneath elders¡¯ attention¡­ ¡°


    Cai Rong blurted out as fast as he could, sometimes pausing, letting Cai Xiaoting join the explanation.


    They spilled the beans on anything and everything that happened in the Luo clan over the past two years.


    The three elders looked at the two somewhat awkwardly.


    They all have seen their fair share of snitches but never ever someone as useless as these two. [How did they even keep their vassal clan status?]


    ¡°That¡¯s all. We have no need to know what flowers you planted on the mountain!¡± Scratching his nose, You Laoliu said, ¡°What of the four arrays? Do you know how to shut them down, or how to avoid them?¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan has set them up before his departure. We know nothing about them. Only after betraying the Luo clan, did we find out of the arrays¡¯ existence. You have to believe me, elders¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine fine, we believe you!¡±


    To Cai Rong¡¯s panic, You Laoliu gestured for him to stop. How could the three elders not believe such dedicated traitors?


    The elders nodded.


    They had a rudimentary knowledge of the Luo clan so there was no point in asking further. Knowing how the two planted flowers behind the mountain or staking out the latrines for days on end would probably, most definitely, not reveal some groundbreaking secret. They thought.


    Just as they were about to ask the two to leave, three men suddenly broke in and the elders got shocked and rushed to bow, ¡°Greetings to the three Venerables!¡±


    [What?! Venerables? Isn¡¯t that a Radiant Stage expert?]


    Gasping, Cai Rong brought his head even lower. He was so shocked he almost had a heart attack. Never had he entertained the notion there would be one here, much less see one in person.


    The only one they ever saw was the Jade Flute Divine Sword, Fang Qiubai. That man was following the third prince, and it was clear that he had no ill intentions towards them.


    While these three Venerables wouldn¡¯t be as tolerant, killing them at a whim if they wanted to. The two didn¡¯t shiver in fear before the elders, but were now rooted on the spot.


    The Venerables couldn¡¯t care less about ants, fixing their eyes on the elders.


    ¡°We detected three men outside Windgaze City. A Bone Tempering Stage, a Profound Heaven Stage and a 6th layer of Radiant Stage experts!¡± One Venerable spoke.


    The elders were shocked.


    [Why would such an expert come here for? Was he a friend or foe?]


    ¡°Damn! the Radiant Stage expert is heading for us!¡± A Venerable shouted.


    Everyone was on edge right now, as even the elders broke out in sweat. A Profound Heaven expert was no different than an ant before a 6th layer Radiant Stage.


    The three Venerables fixed their gazes outside this courtyard.


    The atmosphere was so heavy, no breath was heard and the air grew thick. Cai Rong and his son were crawling on the ground shaking like a leaf.


    If all the experts here fought with the newcomer, they would have no chance of survival!


    Boom!


    Shockingly, Mad Dipper, Li Jingtian slammed into the Sun clan¡¯s yard, kicking up dust. Once it settled, his raging face was terrifying.


    ¡°A-aren¡¯t you¡­¡±


    A Venerable recognized him and pointed a trembling finger.


    He didn¡¯t get the chance to continue as Li Jingtian slapped him silly.


    The Venerable was bent over as Li Jingtian shouted, ¡°Fools, why haven¡¯t you attacked yet?¡±


    The others were dumbstruck.


    Not caused by Li Jingtian¡¯s booming voice, but the suddenness of his slap.


    Who was this man to slap a high and mighty Radiant Stage expert, a Venerable?


    Cai Rong and his son were paralyzed. Today had been an eventful day for them, to say the least.


    In the span of only fifteen minutes, one stronger than the next kept popping up! It all culminated with the arrival of a Radiant Stage expert slapping a seven houses¡¯ Venerable silly¡­

 Chapter 190 - I Told You To Attack That Mo

    All stood still as statues, not breathing, and mouth agape.


    The slapped Venerable wobbled then held his swelling face. Despite the rage coursing in his veins, he chose only to give a hateful stare.


    ¡°Y-you¡¯re that guest Venerable from Regent Estate, Mad Dipper Li Jingtian! Why are you here? Didn¡¯t Regent Estate choose to stay out of this? More importantly, what¡¯s the meaning of this?¡±


    The others gasped, with Cai Rong and his son appalled.


    [No wonder he dared throw his weight around, he¡¯s from Regent Estate, the head of the seven houses. But why would the Regent Estate take an interest in this backwater city?]


    [Don¡¯t tell me. That blasted Zhuo Fan went and stepped on Regent Estate¡¯s toes?]


    Cai Rong felt woozy. [That filthy mongrel is nothing but trouble! This goes beyond only me dying, my entire clan will be uprooted!]


    It suddenly hit him that even if he hadn¡¯t sold out the Luo clan, Zhuo Fan would sooner or later have them disposed of. Two years of hard work and schemes had just gone down the drain.


    Of course, Li Jingtian snapped back in a higher tone, ¡°You have the gall to question me? If you weren¡¯t standing around with your hands down your pants Zhuo Fan wouldn¡¯t have sneaked through that array that even my soul sense can¡¯t penetrate!¡±


    ¡°What, Zhuo Fan escaped from six Profound Heaven experts and yourself? You¡¯re saying he¡¯s back? Why haven¡¯t we noticed then?¡± Another Venerable cried out.


    Li Jingtian stared him down, before giving him a resounding slap as well, ¡°Be quiet, or people might think you¡¯re an idiot!¡±


    They were all too shocked to even speak.


    Elder Li was just as the rumor painted him to be, a Mad Dipper and had an even worse temper. Especially now that a Bone Tempering cultivator like Zhuo Fan actually slipped through his fingers. Opening one¡¯s mouth now would only make one a target.


    [And you went ahead and pointed out his failure. No wonder you got slapped!]


    What they didn¡¯t stop to think about, however, was that all of this was part of Zhuo Fan¡¯s cunning plan.


    Looking at it from a different angle, Li Jingtian¡¯s sudden arrival in Windgaze City was full of warning signs. Putting aside the fact that Zhuo Fan slipped past a 6th layer Radiant Stage expert like Li Jingtian and returned to Blackwind Mountain, and not even the three Radiant Stage experts felt him. There was clearly something off about this.


    In spite of all the glaring faults, Li Jingtian¡¯s venting scared all these suspicions away from their minds. It devolved into taking Li Jingtian¡¯s words as solid gold.


    This way, Zhuo Fan had them all follow Li Jingtian into his trap.


    ¡°Every abled body is to follow my lead and attack that mountain!¡± Li Jingtian barked as his cold eyes swept them.


    The three Venerables hesitated with a frown, ¡°Elder Li, we have yet to get word from the house lords. We can¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Cut the crap! Why have the three of them sent you here if not to get that damn Luo clan?¡±


    And Li Jingtian emphasized with another resounding slap, ¡°I am here, so why are you still frickin¡¯ hesitating? I told you to attack that mountain! Do it, and you¡¯ll gain merit for it. Don¡¯t¡­¡±


    Li Jingtian snorted twice for good measure and flew at Blackwind Mountain.


    The three slapped Venerables looked at each other in consternation. They finally gnashed their teeth and followed.


    Their reticence was about Regent Estate using the three houses to test the imperial family¡¯s limit. So, the Regent Estate had sent two of their elders to kill Zhuo Fan and not a single one of their men to Windgaze City. It was the same as saying, they had no hand in this if it went belly up.


    So, the three Venerables were awaiting their house lords¡¯ orders.


    But now, Li Jingtian came, who represented Regent Estate. Since he dared to attack, they had to follow. At worst, the Regent Estate would be leading the charge. This sounded like a solid plan to the three.


    As they only had their house¡¯s benefits in mind, they chose to put all the discrepancies aside.


    For example, they clearly sensed two more people with Li Jingtian before. They had questions like: ¡®Who were they? And if he chased Zhuo Fan all the way here, why was one of them in the Bone Tempering stage?¡¯


    However, they chose to ignore all these important and obvious issues. Or more aptly put, they¡¯d never speak up even if they did come to mind. Afterall, were Li Jingtian¡¯s slaps so refreshing that they wanted more?


    This way, the three cowardly Venerable came aboard Li Jingtian¡¯s rocky ship.


    On the three elders¡¯ side, they could only laugh bitterly and follow as well. Now that their Venerables joined the front, they had no excuse not to!


    The only ones left were three people, Cai clan¡¯s father and son, as well as Sun Yufei.


    Cai Rong sighed as he followed the experts fly away, ¡°Today opened my eyes. I¡¯ve never seen so many Radiant Stage experts in one place before, and even a Venerable from the great Regent Estate is here. One stronger than the last. Even those three Profound Heaven elders were naught but ants before the four experts.¡±


    ¡°Humph, look who¡¯s talking! Who was it that was shaking in fear earlier?¡± Sun Yufei made her contempt known.


    Cai Xiaoting was annoyed, ¡°Sister Yufei, Cai clan has always been on friendly terms with the Sun clan. Why are you suddenly so antagonistic towards my father?¡±


    ¡°Humph, you¡¯re no different either. A deadbeat!¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Cai Xiaoting¡¯s face was aflame from rage, his knuckles white. It was obvious he couldn¡¯t put a lid on his anger and wanted to take this former goddess of his down a peg.


    But a sudden sound made Sun Clan Head¡¯s arrival known. He turned his attention from the big hole made from Li Jingtian¡¯s landing to the empty yard, ¡°What happened? Where are the elders?¡±


    Sun Yufei chose to ignore Cai Xiaoting and explained to Sun Clan Head what happened.


    Sun Clan Head grabbed Sun Yufei and livened his step, ¡°Yufei, we¡¯re going to Blackwind Mountain!¡±


    ¡°Whatever for?¡± Sun Yufei was stunned.


    ¡°Foolish girl, it¡¯s to cheer on the elders and Venerables, of course!¡± Sun Clan Head laughed, ¡°Remember, if you want any of them to notice you, you have to put on a decent show!¡±


    Cai Rong raised an eyebrow and dragged his son along as well.


    ¡°Dad, are we¡­¡±


    ¡°As if! The Sun clan lorded over us all because they had a relative in Hell Valley. With three elders and four houses Venerables here fighting, it is our best chance at making ties with one of them. the Sun clan had Hell Valley¡¯s backing and, who knows, we might get Regent Estate as a sponsor! We¡¯ll see then how tough they¡¯ll act around us!¡±


    Cai Xiaoting nodded fiercely, ¡°Dad, you¡¯re right. Will that Sun bitch dare look down on me then?¡±


    Cai Xiaoting felt himself filled with the desire to fight, putting more power in his legs and going faster than even his dad.


    Cai Rong relaxed seeing him, [My child is all grown up!]


    This way, the two clans outdid themselves in kissing the asses of the four houses. They were afraid these backers of theirs might get snatched by someone else¡­


    Inside Blackwind Mountain¡¯s hall, a pale Luo Yunchang sat cross-legged. She had worked hard in her cultivation these last two years but she was still only a peak Qi Condensation cultivator.


    For one person to sustain four large arrays day in day out was a heavy burden!


    Next to her was Lei Yuntian, as well as Captain Pang and some others. Seeing their usually healthy and energetic young miss now looking haggard, pain laced their hearts.


    ¡°Young miss, please take a rest. They arrived in Windgaze City for a month now and still have not attacked. There shouldn¡¯t be a problem if you take a breather.¡± Captain Pang¡¯s face was filled with black energy as his aura leaked without realizing it. Yet, even so, tears welled in his fierce eyes.


    Smiling slightly, Luo Yunchang¡¯s lips seemed pale, yet her smile ever bright, ¡°Sister Lei is still hard at work with scouting right? The enemy has at least three Profound Heaven experts, along with even stronger people among them. All our attempts to find out more about their side have proved fruitless. I¡¯m afraid if they chose to attack, we might not even have the time to activate the array.¡±


    ¡°Girl, you can¡¯t keep this up for much longer!¡± Lei Yuntian sighed, ¡°It¡¯s all my fault for being powerless and letting you suffer like this. For a girl to shoulder the defense of a clan when disaster strikes, makes me realize how useless this Grand Elder is!¡±


    ¡°Uncle Lei, don¡¯t beat yourself up. You and Captain Pang, along with sister Lei, have worked tirelessly for the Luo clan to thrive. I couldn¡¯t do anything to help you up till now. So allow me to at least do this for our clan. Luo clan is my home, and you are part of it. I saw it laid to ruin once, and I¡¯m not going to stand by and see it happen again¡­ ¡°


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s sad tone had them all sighing.


    Luo Yunhai looked at his sister, ¡°If only bro Zhuo was here, it would¡¯ve all been fine. He always had a way out of any crisis!¡±


    The eyes of the others trembled and softened.


    Lei Yuting bit her lip in, ¡°This damn brat, kicked up a storm for us and still hasn¡¯t come back. He must be living it up out there!¡±


    ¡°Sister Lei, don¡¯t say that. Zhuo Fan must be rushing over as we speak!¡± Luo Yunchang frowned slightly, ¡°We must defend our clan and await his return!¡±


    ¡°Yunchang, he is actually¡­¡±


    Captain Pang¡¯s scowl and the shaking of the head had Lei Yuting swallow her words. She had been in charge of intelligence for the Luo clan and knew fully well of Zhuo Fan¡¯s love life, but refrained from sharing it with Luo Yunchang.


    Luo Yunchang looked puzzled.


    ¡°Ah!¡± she cried out.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± The others were frantic.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s brows quivered as her eyes revealed shock, ¡°I lost control over the Poison Dragon Array in the East¡­¡±


    [[What?!]]


    Everyone¡¯s hearts were in their throats¡­

 Chapter 191 - Stand As One

    Whoosh~


    Four figures flashed before Blackwind Mountain, Li Jingtian and the three Venerables.


    They watched four pillars of different light shoot into the sky. The four mists wrapped the mountain so closely the four could only sigh when their attempt at scanning it was futile.


    ¡°I am amazed to see such intricate arrays in such a place. It may very well be better than the guarding arrays of our houses. It¡¯s hard to imagine how a third rate clan would know such skill!¡± One Venerable sighed.


    The others did the same, including Li Jingtian, but he did it out of excitement.


    Why wouldn¡¯t he, when this was his new patron?


    With another sound, Yan Laoliu, Yan Zhenglan, and Lin Rufeng arrived as well.


    Seeing as all joined the war effort, Li Jingtian pointed at the Poison Dragon Array, ¡°You three elders, go deal with that array. The Venerables are with me!¡±


    Li Jingtian flew into the Blackflame Array in the South. The Venerables only shrugged before going after him.


    As for the elders, they had even less right to complain, especially when the Venerables complied. And since he was a Regent Estate¡¯s Venerable, the aftermath would fall on him anyway.


    They entered the array but had complete disregard for safety.


    ¡°Humph, a 5th-grade array can¡¯t stop a Profound Heaven expert, least of all four Venerables!¡± You Laoliu mocked as they entered the Poison Dragon Array.


    ¡°Damn!¡±


    On Blackwind Mountain¡¯s hall, Luo Yunchang jumped to her feet and made the others grow nervous, ¡°What happened?¡±


    Luo Yunchang took a deep breath to calm down, ¡°Four experts entered the Blackflame Array in the South! They only just entered it and the array is on the verge of collapse!¡±


    What?!


    The others gnashed their teeth with sinking hearts.


    And before Luo Yunchang even realized, the Poison Dragon Array got out of her control as well. It was most likely broken through. And now that there were four even stronger enemies going into Blackflame Array, Blackwind Mountain would soon be flattened.


    ¡°Let me go meet them!¡±


    Lei Yuntian couldn¡¯t just sit around doing nothing and rushed outside. Luo Yunchang cried behind him, ¡°Uncle Lei, I can¡¯t see how strong the four are even as they are in the array. They may be beyond the Profound Heaven Stage. You are not their match!¡±


    Lei Yuntian faltered for a second, then he stepped firmly. He vanished soon after, but not before saying, ¡°Luo clan almost perished because of me. Now it is time I pay that debt with my life. Run, I will hold them off!¡±


    The others looked down, their hearts forlorn. They knew of the guilt plaguing Lei Yuntian. He gave his all these past two years and was now going to his doom, just so he could protect the Luo siblings.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Elder Lei, since when can one man hold back so many? Allow me to join you.¡± Captain Pang laughed, following after him.


    ¡°Captain Pang¡­¡± Tears welled in Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes.


    Grinning, Captain Pang laughed emboldened, ¡°Elder Lei can sacrifice himself for the Luo clan after being here for only two years. But I, who had been living in the Luo clan¡¯s grace for my entire life, can¡¯t? If only I could see my brother one last time¡­¡±


    Lei Yuting patted Luo Yunchang¡¯s shoulder. The latter looked at her with a grim look and a bad feeling, ¡°Sister Lei, you don¡¯t mean¡­¡±


    Nodding, Lei Yuting smiled faintly, ¡°I am immensely grateful for godfather¡¯s kindness. I can¡¯t let him die alone! Just¡­ ha-ha-ha, Yunchang, do me a favor and give that brat two slaps for me. That¡¯s what he deserves for not returning to send me off to my death!¡±


    And, Lei Yuting left for Blackflame Array. Despite how desolate she looked and unreconciled, perhaps not seeing that man one last time weighed heavier than she realized¡­


    Seeing everyone vanish into the mist, Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes grew hazy from tears. Her brother spoke, ¡°Sister, are they giving their lives for us?¡±


    Nodding, two trails of tears slowly formed down her cheeks.


    Luo Yunchang hugged Luo Yunhai as she whispered, ¡°Yunhai, we may not have a dad, but we still have a home. They are our family. Look for brother Zhuo when you¡¯re out. He will definitely protect you!¡±


    ¡°Sister, what about you?¡± Luo Yunhai blinked puzzled.


    With a poignant smile, Luo Yunchang added, ¡°Yunhai, do you remember the teachings of our ancestors?¡±


    ¡°Of course, steadfast and righteous!¡±


    ¡°We cannot let their sacrifice be in vain! But I will have to stay and control the arrays to help them!¡± With unyielding resolve, Luo Yunchang pushed Luo Yunhai away as she rushed to her duty.


    ¡°Sister!¡± Luo Yunhai wailed.


    Luo Yunchang didn¡¯t look back, only spoke, ¡°Go find Zhuo Fan¡­¡±


    Inside the Blackflame Array, Li Jingtian¡¯s group saw the infernal black flames capable of gnawing bones sped towards them.


    Since they were Radiant Stage experts, a flick of the wrist repelled such a meager attack.


    Flooded by endless flames, they could only sigh.


    ¡°Such a rare 5th-grade array, with incredible power as well. A pity the user¡¯s control is weak, unable to bring out even 1% of its potential. Or even the four might¡¯ve had a hard time getting through!¡±


    A Venerable sighed a node. He was glad the enemy lacked a true expert! If these four 5th-grade arrays each had a Radiant Stage expert controlling them, Blackwind Mountain would¡¯ve been a steel fortress.


    Not even Regent Estate¡¯s experts could push through that.


    Hum~


    A sudden ripple passed and they looked at the source to see Lei Yuntian coming closer.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± A Venerable shouted.


    Snorting, Lei Yuntian barked, ¡°Luo clan¡¯s Grand Elder, Lei Yuntian!¡±


    ¡°Eh, he¡¯s a Grand Elder?¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, they looked at each other and burst out laughing. A Grand Elder was usually the clan¡¯s strongest elder. But it was obvious from a mile away that Lei Yuntian just entered Profound Heaven stage.


    [What Grand Elder? Humph, Luo clan is nothing but a third rate clan, or a second rate at best. There¡¯s no one strong in it at all!]


    It was so weak that it wasn¡¯t worthy of the four Venerables¡¯ intervention. They were only sent here because of the four arrays.


    Li Jingtian blinked. To him, the Luo clan ought to be an obscure clan that was stronger than even the seven houses.


    [Why does the clan have a freak like Zhuo Fan, but its elder is so¡­]


    Then it hit him and secretly laughed. A 5th layer of Bone Tempering cultivator like Zhuo Fan managed to kill six Profound Heaven experts and escape unscathed.


    [This elder is only in the 1st layer of Profound Heaven Stage, but he can kill a Radiant Stage expert, no?]


    [With the steward a monster, the elder has to be at least a freak.]


    Snickering, he patted a Venerable¡¯s shoulder and pointed at Lei Yuntian, ¡°Go and shut this geezer¡¯s trap.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, Elder Li, it will be my pleasure!¡± Bowed and swung a fist straight for Lei Yuntian.


    Li Jingtian snorted, [You moron, don¡¯t let Luo clan¡¯s cultivation fool you or you won¡¯t even know what killed you.]


    Since Zhuo Fan was a freak, then the entire Luo clan had to be a den of freaks.


    And yet, reality was such a letdown!


    Boom!


    Lei Yuntian raised his hand in defense but the light blow had him sprawled on the ground and coughing blood.


    Wide-eyed, Li Jingtian¡¯s smile froze on his face. [What kind of Grand Elder are you if you¡¯re not a freak level, at the minimum?]


    Zhuo Fan had stressed time and time again to look after the Luo clan¡¯s members. But this martial fanatic heard this old guy was a Grand Elder and it got to his head, thinking the old guy¡¯s power was through the roof.


    When in fact, the old man was just as his cultivation stated, a common Profound Heaven expert, unlike the excessive Zhuo Fan.


    Li Jingtian¡¯s face darkened.


    How was he going to explain this to Zhuo Fan? Was his promise worth nothing?


    ¡°He-he-he, I didn¡¯t even warm up yet and you¡¯re already dying? So weak! If not for this array limiting my senses, I wouldn¡¯t have wasted time with you and dirty my hand!¡± The Venerable wiped his hand.


    He had the power to kill Lei Yuntian in one hit, but it was obvious he liked to play with his prey. Such humiliation had Lei Yuntian spit more blood.


    Whoosh!


    A sudden black figure flashed before Lei Yuntian. Lei Yuntian cried, ¡°Captain Pang!¡±


    Grinning, Captain Pang shouted, ¡°When enemies storm the gates, when home is in peril, it is the captain of the guards¡¯ duty to defend it. How can I let Elder Lei do it alone?¡±


    ¡°Me as well!¡± Lei Yuting flitted next to him.


    Lei Yuntian was moved, while the Venerable snickered, ¡°Humph, you¡¯re not even in the Profound Heaven Stage. You just came here to die!¡±


    ¡°Humph, we¡¯ll make sure you taste hell before we do!¡±


    The sudden shout had the blackfire form eight dragons and charge at the Venerable.


    He had no time to react as he was engulfed in flames.


    It was also then that Luo Yunchang appeared¡­

 Chapter 192 - Snar

    ¡°Young miss, what are you doing here?¡±


    They looked shocked as she appeared and started going through gestures.


    Luo Yunchang smiled, ¡°We are a family. We live together, we die together!¡±


    They all trembled and felt immense gratitude. It was worth dying for a clan that valued them so.


    ¡°But what of Yunhai?¡± Lei Yuntian staggered to his feet with a pale face.


    Bitterness flooded Luo Yunchang¡¯s face, but soon replaced it with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s fine. He¡¯s grown up now, almost entering the Qi Condensation Stage. I had him go look for Zhuo Fan. He will be safe with him.¡±


    Luo Yunchang may have said so, but anyone could see it worried her still.


    Sighing, the others began worrying as well. Luo Yunhai was but a child. Searching the empire for Zhuo Fan was fine as long as he did find him. But in this world, danger lurked at every turn.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, are you guys talking about that brat?¡±


    A cackling came from the blackfire pyre. With a boom, the flames were repelled and the Venerable walked forward.


    ¡°Humph, your steward dared to kill 7th elder and has been sentenced to death. No matter where he runs, we¡¯ll be close behind him! As for you, Luo clan, you have committed a heinous crime for bringing such evil into this world. Not one shall be spared. I will find even that kid of yours and grind his bones to dust!¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t even spare a child?¡± Luo Yunchang gnashed her teeth.


    The Venerable snickered, ¡°Not even if he is a baby. I will kill him where he stands, without the slightest hesitation!¡±


    Luo Yunchang was enraged as she clenched her hands.


    Then, a sudden childish voice came, ¡°You don¡¯t need to look. I¡¯m right here!¡±


    The others looked in shock at the speaker, ¡°Yunhai, what are you doing here?¡±


    Beaming a wide smile, Luo Yunhai spoke with unbending courage, ¡°Sister, our Luo clan¡¯s ancestors taught us to be steadfast and righteous. I cannot let you throw your lives away just so that I alone may live!¡±


    Hearts stirring, his clansmen looked at Luo Yunhai with an indescribable look. Even Li Jingtian had to sigh in the end.


    Luo clan was admirable, maybe not the strongest by far, but they had loyalty first and foremost!


    [I was wrong. Was this what Steward Zhuo meant when he said this clan was the best in the world?]


    Li Jingtian sighed. But even now, he misunderstood what Zhuo Fan meant. There was no way a Demonic Emperor like Zhuo Fan would value affection.


    The meaning of his words were: [Wherever I am, that place is the strongest!]


    But that was all unimportant. Here and now, Li Jingtian didn¡¯t join Zhuo Fan¡¯s gang because he was forced, but from seeing the Luo clan¡¯s spirit. He felt that the Luo clan of now, was far better than the seven houses¡­


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, since all of Luo clan is here, then allow me to send you off, permanently.¡± With a mad cackle, the Venerable¡¯s eyes flashed with bloodthirst, while the other two behind snickered.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s heart was ready for battle, ¡°If you want my brother, you¡¯ll have to go through me!¡±


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s hands moved.


    The blackfire started swirling like a tornado, with that Venerable at its center. She clearly wanted to swallow him in a sea of flames.


    ¡°Blackfire Storm!¡±


    And yet, the Venerable was standing there with an unphased look as he waited for the blackfire to storm him from all directions.


    Then, a soul ripple echoed out, extinguishing the blackfire into nothing.


    Luo Yunchang was forced to spit blood, under the anxiousness of her clansmen.


    Snorting, the Venerable mocked, ¡°This 5th-grade array of yours is pretty good. Too bad, your cultivation is too low. You¡¯re not even a Bone Tempering cultivator and your control is sorely lacking. But now, you no longer have time for regrets, for I am here to send you on your last journey!¡±


    The Venerable stretched his hand, making Captain Pang and the rest tense to take the brunt of the attack. He knew very well how fruitless it all was, yet, he still wanted to uphold his duty until the very last moment.


    Suddenly, there were two groans and the Venerable¡¯s movement slacked. He turned his head in inconceivable shock. Luo Yunchang was also wide-eyed.


    Their eyes reflected two blood-red fists coming out of two people¡¯s chests.


    The two Venerables in the back were still laid back in enjoying the drama. They were just about to witness the end of the Luo clan when they suddenly felt their life ebbing from their chests.


    Jerkingly turning their heads back, their eyes reflected the cold and unfeeling face of Li Jingtian.


    ¡°E-Elder Li, wh¡­.¡±


    ¡°The dead don¡¯t need to know!¡± Snorting, Li Jingtian flicked his hands and the two Venerable fell in pieces. The blackfire soon engulfed them and ground them to ashes.


    Gasping from shock, the last Venerable was filled with suspicion. [Why is this Regent Estate¡¯s Venerable killing us?]


    [I don¡¯t remember any of our houses having offended Regent Estate!]


    But the truth was laid out right in front of him. Not only did Li Jingtian murder them, he had planned to do so for the very beginning. After all, no matter how strong he was, it was impossible for him to kill two masters of that cultivation level in an instant. Such a task can only be accomplished by a sneak attack!


    ¡°E-Elder Li, what is the meaning of this?¡± The last Venerable ignored the Luo clan and cautiously sizing up Li Jingtian. The cold and meticulousness of his sudden strike had him filled with dread. It came without warning.


    Snapping his eyes on the Venerable, Li Jingtian snorted, ¡°Fool, are you that thick in the head? You¡¯ve been had, duped, strung along. Need I say more?¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    The Venerable was overwhelmed but had no time to make sense of anything. Li Jingtian was out to get him and if he didn¡¯t run now, his end was certain.


    He, a 3rd layer of Radiant Stage cultivator, could flaunt his strength before the Luo clan, but that fell through the instant he faced Li Jingtian, a 6th layer of Radiant Stage body cultivator.


    It wouldn¡¯t take even five exchanges before he¡¯d splatter the ground with his blood.


    Thankfully, their cultivations weren¡¯t that far apart and Li Jingtian could do nothing to stop him from running.


    No sooner thought than done, he bolted to escape the array while Li Jingtian was calmly making hand signs.


    Suddenly, Luo Yunchang cried as she felt her control over the Blackflame Array wrested from her grip.


    The Blackflame Array roared to life like an erupting volcano, forming firewalls to box everyone in. The Venerable didn¡¯t fly far as the firewalls forced him to retreat.


    When he looked intently, he was scared out of his mind!


    The Blackflame Array was suddenly used to its full power. If before there were only some tongues of blackfire around, now, there was a sea of lava in every direction.


    Not even a Radiant Stage expert had hope of getting out now. If just a spark touched him, he¡¯d be soon nothing more than a charred corpse.


    Shivering from fear, he turned his head to see Li Jingtian making signs. The Venerable stammered, ¡°E-Elder Li, why do you know how to use the array?¡±


    The same question was on Luo Yunchang¡¯s mind as well.


    Snickering, Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes flashed with bloodthirst, ¡°Moron, I told you already! You¡¯ve been had! I thought of drawing you into the array then trap you here. He-he-he, didn¡¯t you find it odd how the array was so weak? But with me in control, don¡¯t you find it strong? He-he-he, let me clue you in. I¡¯m with the Luo clan. Steward Zhuo Fan himself invited me into the Luo clan as its elder!¡±


    [What?!]


    This was shocking news to any who heard it, but the Venerable went pale from fright.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s group was floored, finding it impossible to believe such a miracle had graced them.


    Zhuo Fan went to recruit experts. He said so just before leaving two years ago. But who¡¯d ever expect it would be one of such caliber?


    Heavens, this Radiant Stage expert shot the Luo clan from a mere clan, all the way into the rank of a house. Their shock was completely and utterly understandable¡­


    ¡­


    In another location, the three elders entered the Poison Dragon Array and already felt the miasma growing thick. Yan Zhenglan pulled out some pills, ¡°This is a Poison Repelling Pill for each of you!¡±


    They all took one and kept an ever-watchful eye on the surroundings.


    Then, two figures entered their sights. One was around forty, with black hair and a black beard. None of the three recognized him. Only Yan Zhenglan had a nagging feeling of deja vu.


    The other person was but a Bone Tempering Stage youth.


    They were startled instantly as they took out the Hell Kill Order. [It¡¯s him, Demon Archon Zhuo Fan!]


    Zhuo Fan seemed as if only now discovered the trio and clapped in laughter, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, everyone¡¯s finally here. I¡¯ve been waiting!¡±


    Faces dark, the elders felt bitter.


    They knew of the havoc he stirred in Drifting Flowers City, killing three experts and ruining another¡¯s hand. They had no hope of winning, not to mention, they were in his array.


    [Blast it! The Venerables should be meeting this punk, not us! Why did it have to be us? I knew I should¡¯ve picked another array!]


    They felt close to tears as they pinned their final hopes on having the four Radiant Stage experts hurrying with breaking through the array and coming over to help.


    Like that¡¯ll ever happen! Out of their knowledge, the four had long fallen in Zhuo Fan¡¯s trap, with two already dead and the last one making one last ditch effort before succumbing as well.


    They were having a hard time saving themselves, yet, they were putting their meager hope on someone in an even worse state than them¡­

 Chapter 193 - Vicious Pill King’s Reemerge

    Zhuo Fan easily picked on the three¡¯s thoughts and jeered, ¡°You should all lighten up and be thankful that all of you are unworthy of me ending you personally. Not with your meager strength. The one all of you shall have the honor of facing is our Pill House Elder!¡±


    Zhuo Fan patted the elder¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Elder Yan, they¡¯re all yours!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, don¡¯t worry Steward Zhuo, these old goats are nobodies. I¡¯m more than enough for them!¡± Yan Song laughed, bringing out the old Vicious Pill King¡¯s haughty demeanor back out.


    Zhuo Fan nodded and chuckled before leaving.


    The three elders¡¯ faces were pitch black. As the saying went, ¡®death before dishonor¡¯.


    Even though they were all far beneath Zhuo Fan¡¯s match, his utter disregard of them had their minds filled with nothing but rage.


    By the way, who was this cocky uncle Zhuo Fan left them with? [We don¡¯t know what hole you crawl out of, nor do we care, but who do you think you are to talk to us like that? Zhuo Fan?]


    The three stared daggers at Yan Song. The latter was quite relaxed and confident.


    ¡°Old coot, state your name. I do not kill without knowing my opponent¡¯s name!¡± You Laoliu coldly stated. The other two watched Yan Song with the same desire, to rip him apart.


    Grinning, Yan Song¡¯s eyes glinted evilly, ¡°Humph, I¡¯m afraid of making you wet your pants if I do!¡±


    ¡°Oh? Do enlighten us please as to what other circus clown the third rate Luo clan has besides your freak, Zhuo Fan. Ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    The three¡¯s laughter dripped sarcasm.


    Squinting, Yan Song¡¯s mouth curled in pride, ¡°Then unclog your ears and prepare to be amazed. I am Yan Song!¡±


    [What?!]


    The three were dumbstruck, with bulging eyes and everything. Especially Pill King Hall¡¯s Yan Zhenglan. His eyes were as big as saucers.


    They all knew Yan Song fell at the hands of Zhuo Fan in the chaos of Drifting Flowers City. How the hell did he end up here, and as Luo clan¡¯s Pill House Elder no less?


    When Yan Zhenglan and Lin Rufeng came from their stupor, they looked at Yan Zhenglan. He was the only one here who was most familiar with Yan Song, being from the same house and all.


    He should spot immediately if that man was the real Vicious Pill King.


    After a long and hard scrutiny, Yan Zhenglan gasped, ¡°Vicious Pill King, Elder Yan Song! It¡¯s really you!¡±


    You Laoliu¡¯s heart trembled and his face grew solemn.


    [No wonder this geezer mocked us.] While he was known as the Vicious Pill King, they were truly and utterly titleless.


    ¡°Why, Yan Song? Why did you betray Pill King Hall!?¡± Yan Zhenglan shouted.


    Yan Song had only mockery for him, ¡°Vicious Pill King had followed the natural course and died in Drifting Flowers City from Zhuo Fan. And from his death, Yan Song was reborn. Tell me, where¡¯s the betrayal? Besides, with me out of the picture, isn¡¯t the Vicious Pill King title up for grabs? Humph, I¡¯m not naive. Don¡¯t tell me the Pill King Hall didn¡¯t break out in celebration once they heard of my death.¡±


    Yan Zhenglan stammered in silence.


    From his reaction, the others knew Yan Song told the truth. No wonder he betrayed Pill King Hall, he had nothing holding him there, no relation to speak of.


    Scratching their nose, the elders¡¯ eyes exposed a fierce light.


    With everything clear, any argument from them would do nothing in bringing Yan Song back. In that case, they had to go through Yan Song if they wanted to clear the array.


    But Yan Song¡¯s old title still gripped their hearts in fear.


    ¡°Old Yan is an expert in poisons. It is my domain as well. I will hold him, while you two flank him from the sides. We have to end this swiftly. It will be hard to get to him once he hides behind his Rainbow Cloud Palm!¡±


    Yan Zhenglan signaled the two as he whispered. The two nodded.


    Yan Zhenglan then shot like an arrow for Yan Song with an outstretched palm.


    A python made of purple miasma came out and threatened to bite Yan Song.


    ¡°High spirit ranked martial art, Shifting Cloud Palm!¡±


    His mouth tracing a cold smile, Yan Zhenglan mocked, ¡°Humph, Yan Zhenglan, an inept like you who can¡¯t use the Rainbow Cloud Palm dares to play with poison around me?¡±


    Seven colored veils of mist flew from Yan Song¡¯s palms like dragons, forming a rainbow storm crushing the purple python and rushing for Yan Zhenglan.


    ¡°Humph, now, this is Pill King Hall¡¯s real skill, profound ranked martial art, Rainbow Cloud Palm!¡±


    Yan Zhenglan focus sharpened and forehead started to ooze cold sweat. However, he was in no rush because he knew that he was going to be sacrificing himself.


    Suddenly, You Laoliu and Lin Rufeng appeared left and right of Yan Song. Yan Zhenglan laughed, ¡°Yan Song, you¡¯re done for! You¡¯re exposed before you hide in the Rainbow Cloud Palm¡¯s poisonous mist. I may not train in your martial art, but I know it like the back of my hand. And you will suffer dearly for it!¡±


    You Laoliu and Lin Rufeng had vicious grins, thinking this win was in the bag.


    When the grand Vicious Pill King fall under their attacks, who would anyone dare call them without a title in the future?


    Although, Yan Song¡¯s face didn¡¯t seem particularly worried. As the two¡¯s palms inched closer, he made a hand sign and two dragon roars echoed out!


    Suddenly, two groans came as two dragon tails jumped from the earth and sent the two men barreling. You Laoliu and Lin Rufeng were still trying to make sense of everything. They were just inches from striking down Yan Song when out of the blue, their bodies were flung about like garbage.


    Just as they smacked the ground two hundred meters out, the rainbow storm engulfed Yan Zhenglan.


    Boom!


    Yan Zhenglan flew a full hundred meters as he spat black blood. His body was now filled with the deadly poisons of the Rainbow Cloud Palm.


    You Laoliu and Lin Rufeng crawled back to their feet. They felt weary for some odd reason and looked down in shock. The green vestige on their body was evidence of poisoning.


    ¡°How?¡± The three roared at the same time.


    Yan Song snickered with an evil glint in his eye, ¡°Yan Zhenglan, you aren¡¯t useful even as bait! You take me for a sitting duck if I¡¯m not hiding in the Rainbow Cloud Palm mist? He-he-he, did you forget where we are? This here is a 5th-grade array, the Poison Dragon Array that I am able to control! Here, I can create all the poison mist I want. Your plan failed the moment you thought it out!¡±


    Yan Song made another sign.


    Roar!


    Seven dragon roars were heard as seven hundred-meter-long dragons of different colors came from beneath his feet. Their maws were open and the poisonous stench was easily felt coming from their fangs.


    If not crushed to death in their grip first, the poison would rip them apart from the inside out!


    The three cried in alarm.


    Yan Song alone was bad enough with his nefarious poison, but now, with this 5th-grade array, he was invincible.


    Not even a Radiant Stage expert could escape him, least of all them!


    The three¡¯s hearts sank as despair set in.


    Yan Song cackled like mad, just as he did back in the Drifting Flowers City. That rampant Vicious Pill King was back.


    Yan Song¡¯s ego even grew, if that was possible. Because he had the 5th-grade array, he was god. [Not even a Radiant Stage expert can take me on! Ha-ha-ha¡­]


    ¡­


    In another place, Sun clan¡¯s father and daughter along with Cai clan¡¯s father and son finally came to Blackwind Mountain. Since flying was not an option, they had to rely on their tiny legs to run themselves into exhaustion.


    But as they gazed upon the four light pillars, hope glimmered in their eyes.


    ¡°Cough, cough, congratulations 6th elder for your complete success!¡± Sun Clan Head panted then cupped his hands and bent his wais ninety degrees down angle.


    Sun Yufei felt awkward, ¡°Father, there¡¯s no one here. What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, foolish girl, the elders are cleaning up the Luo clan and would surely gain many contributions for this. As those experts move fast, I fear that my nerves may get to me when the time comes to congratulate them and my manners would slip. It¡¯s best I practice my performance for when it counts!¡±


    Sun Clan Head smiled, ¡°Yufei, let¡¯s do it together for a brighter future!¡±


    Sun Yufei¡¯s mouth twisted in revulsion.


    ¡°Congratulations, Elder Li, in returning victorious!¡±


    Suddenly, Cai Rong bowed as well as he mocked Sun Clan Head, ¡°If you want a sponsor, you have to think big. Elder Li is a Regent Estate Venerable. Everything will be ours once we earn his favor!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, Xiaoting, practice along!¡± Cai Rong patted Cai Xiaoting¡¯s shoulder. A chip of the ol¡¯ block, Cai Xiaoting¡¯s gesture was spot on like his father¡¯s. Sun Yufei felt more disgusted than ever.


    Sun Clan Head sneered, ¡°Cai Clan Head, you sure are ignorant! But what can you expect when you haven¡¯t been in touch with the seven houses and know nothing about them. A Venerable may be strong, but they ignore house affairs. Only elders hold the true power in a house.


    ¡°Your ass-kissing has more worth directed at an elder. They are the ones who can make you a vassal clan!¡± Sun Clan Head spoke with immense pride.


    Cai Rong scowled and smoothened his beard as he sank in his thoughts.


    Then, a lazy voice reached them, ¡°Ass-kissing must be done in style. One wrong kiss and you¡¯ll get the gallows! I mean, won¡¯t you offend the Venerables if you only do it to elders? And if you flatter the Venerables, won¡¯t the elders feel irritated? What a dilemma. Why not both? You may get nothing, but at least you¡¯ll keep your heads!¡±


    ¡°Good point!¡±


    Clan Head and Sun Clan Head looked at each other then bobbed their heads. Only then they reacted, [Who said that?] And turned to look.


    It was better not knowing. They cried out with such fear, one may think they saw a ghost, ¡°Z-Z-Zhuo Fan, why are you here¡­¡±

 Chapter 194 - Total Victory

    Who knew when Zhuo Fan got there? Surely not them. But his seamless interjection in their discussion unnerved them all.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, lighten up. I¡¯m the same as you, I came here to welcome guests!¡± Zhuo Fan waved the awkwardness away with a smile.


    Though his smile looked dreadfully cold to the rest.


    It was practically common knowledge four houses, Regent Estate included, came here explicitly for Zhuo Fan¡¯s head. Yet, the four Venerables and the three elders were inside trying to break the arrays. All while he was standing just outside for the heck of it.


    The Sun and Cai people looked at him, feeling his toying with the seven houses was worthy of applause.


    Swallowing dryly, Cai Rong ventured a nervous reply, ¡°Z-Zhuo Fan, I have always had the Luo clan¡¯s benefit in mind in all my actions. Hear me out please, and leave quickly. If the Venerables come out, you won¡¯t stand a chance!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I never knew Elder Cai would, after betraying the Luo clan, care so much for me. Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯m touched!¡± Zhuo Fan raised a mocking eyebrow.


    Cai Rong reddened, feeling the condescending tone, but he didn¡¯t snap back. His reply was one of genuine concern, ¡°Zhuo Fan, Luo clan¡¯s misfortune has come because of you. Why did you come back? I am concerned for your wellbeing. Don¡¯t let your talent go to waste. Quickly escape!¡±


    Cai Rong was very concerned but still urged Zhuo Fan to leave.


    Even when facing the Demon Archon, who was such a thorn in the seven houses¡¯ side, this third rate clan¡¯s head was filled with uncertainty. Or he¡¯d long since captured Zhuo Fan and handed him over.


    The Sun Clan Head was thinking along the same lines.


    But since youths were rash as usual, their kids couldn¡¯t see this logic. Cai Xiaoting stood with his chest out as he shouted, ¡°Dad, he¡¯s only a 5th layer of Bone Tempering cultivator. Why waste time and just go deal with him alongside Uncle Sun? Get his head and the seven houses will hail us as heroes, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Quiet, fool! You know nothing!¡± Cai Rong glared at his son.


    Sun Clan Head sneered as well. He didn¡¯t know what Zhuo Fan did to get on the seven houses¡¯ bad side but the old fox in him knew something was up.


    It was best to stand down until all was made clear, lest he wanted an untimely death.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, ¡°Oh? Taking my head you say. That¡¯s a good plan!¡±


    ¡°No no no, that was never our intention!¡±


    Gesticulating like mad, Cai Rong was on pins and needles, ¡°Xiaoting is a foolish child. I promise you, we aren¡¯t your enemies. Please leave quickly. Leave before the Venerables are back!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, them coming back?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone was unbridled, ¡°I set those arrays and know them like the back of my hand. If even one man escapes, my head¡­¡±


    Bam!


    With a loud noise, a figure flew from Poison Dragon Array, so poisoned that his body had seven colors on him. His mouth was tight yet black blood kept flowing from his lips, ears, and nose.


    It was hard to figure out who he was, but Cai Rong knew as he cried, ¡°Pill King Hall¡¯s Elder Yan!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s cheek twitched. He just got into his role of showing off and then, this guy had to come out just to spite him.


    Fuming mad, he stepped right before Yan Zhenglan.


    The fearful Elder Yan was only thinking of escaping when he found someone just ahead. But then dread set in when he saw his face, ¡°Z-Z-Zhuo Fan?¡±


    ¡°How did you get here?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth trembled, but anyone could feel the coldness in his voice, the rage boiling deep within.


    Yan Zhenglan shivered, ¡°I-I took advantage of Yan Song not paying attention¡­¡±


    ¡°It would¡¯ve been so much better if you died inside. Now, your corpse¡¯s going to be in pieces!¡±


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan¡¯s Lightning Wings crackled and shifted into sickles.


    Yan Zhenglan¡¯s shock was still prevalent on his face as he fell in six pieces, soaking the ground in blood.


    Sss~


    Gasping, the others were shocked out of their minds.


    Now, they knew why the seven houses wanted to end Zhuo Fan so desperately. A Profound Heaven expert fell apart instantly thanks to Zhuo Fan¡¯s skill.


    Even wounded, how could a Bone Tempering cultivator kill a Profound Heaven expert?


    Cai Xiaoting felt weak in the knees, tumbling down. He hated himself for those brash words he spoke just now. Telling his dad to deal with this freak was the same as sending him to an early grave!


    Cai Rong and Sun Clan Head were soaked in sweat.


    At least, these old foxes had their wits about them from the start and weren¡¯t rash. If they had been anything else, their meat pile would soon be joining the elder¡¯s on the ground.


    Whoosh!


    Flashing before them, Zhuo Fan looked quite awkward, ¡°Uh, just forget the last part. Alright?¡±


    ¡°Yep, you bet. Don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about Steward Zhuo. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, my ears must be playing tricks on me!¡±


    The four of them shook their heads till they were dizzy. Zhuo Fan smiled.


    With a second sound, another figure popped out of Poison Dragon Array, but this time, it was Vicious Pill King. He took in the pieces of Yan Zhenglan, and the cold faced Zhuo Fan, catching the gist of it all.


    Scratching his head, Yan Song giggled, ¡°Thanks, Steward Zhuo for helping me get rid of that one. It would¡¯ve been much harder for me alone!¡±


    ¡°Elder Yan, you let one escape with your skill?¡± Zhuo Fan smiled coldly.


    Yan Song¡¯s scalp felt numb, ¡°Steward Zhuo, I was careless. He was also an alchemist, so¡­¡±


    ¡°Elder Yan, do you have any idea what I was just about to promise these guys? A head¡­ ha-ha-ha. So tell me, whose head is it going to be?¡± Ignoring his words, Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold glare stared him down.


    Shivering, Yan Song knew this time, it was serious.


    Steward Zhuo was flaunting before these guys but then, his show deflated like a balloon, and so did his prestige. Of course he¡¯d be pissed.


    Swallowing dryly, Yan Song had a cruel smile for them, ¡°Steward Zhuo, that¡¯s easy! Isn¡¯t it just some heads? Aren¡¯t there four heads lining up for the taking?¡±


    ¡°Good point. With them dead, no one will know about your blunder!¡±


    ¡°Yep, yep¡­¡± Yan Song smiled and nodded.


    Cai Rong¡¯s group was scared out of their wits. They kneeled and begged forgiveness. While also cursing them inside, [What kind of damn unreasonable freaks are these people?]


    What they didn¡¯t know was this vicious demon wouldn¡¯t have made a name for himself if he was reasonable.


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan waved, ¡°Forget it. Don¡¯t scare these shrimps. Elder Yan, what of the other two?¡±


    ¡°Dead!¡± Yan Song was solemn.


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan turned to the four, ¡°Alright, take these four in. I want to leave them for that snot-nosed brat to handle. And teach him how to be a Clan Head!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    Vicious Pill King pointed in finger at them and the four were chained, soon flying behind him as he entered Poison Dragon Array.


    Hum~


    A ripple spread and the Blackflame Array in the South opened to reveal Luo Yunchang and the rest. Li Jingtian was leisurely walking behind them.


    Zhuo Fan eased a breath seeing everyone safe. The battle was now over.


    ¡°Big bro Zhuo!¡±


    Luo Yunhai cried and skipped over for a fierce hug. His tears soaking Zhuo Fan¡¯s clothes.


    Zhuo Fan noded with a smile, feeling warm and fuzzy inside.


    Looking up, he found Lei Yuntian and Captain Pang looking at him with fervent gazes. The two nodded, and Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°Old Pang, I¡¯m relieved to see you still kicking!¡±


    Captain Pang knew what he meant and laughed as well, ¡°Steward Zhuo, if I am to die, I will do it fighting for the Luo clan. Never will I waste away in training!¡±


    Then Zhuo Fan turned to Lei Yuting with a smile, ¡°Miss Lei, how are the people I asked you to train?¡±


    Lei Yuting huffed and gave him a sound slap in return.


    Zhuo Fan was stunned. [What did I say?]


    But then he saw her teary eyes.


    ¡°Damn you, bastard! You finally came back and instead of asking if I was fine you went straight to business?¡± Lei Yuting wailed.


    Zhuo Fan blinked, [That does make a lot of sense.] So he smiled, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Miss Lei, how have you been?¡±


    Bam!


    Then another slap graced his face. Zhuo Fan was now floored. [What the hell? I asked how you are so what¡¯s the problem? You want me to pay respects to your whole family?]


    Lei Yuting glared instead, ¡°Too little, too late!¡±


    Reeling from the blow, Zhuo Fan was almost coughing blood at this point. [This girl¡¯s too fickle I can¡¯t make sense of her heart!]


    The others smiled at his misfortune. Li Jingtian joined them, never having seen the cunning Steward Zhuo so soft hearted.


    Shaking his head with a sigh, Zhuo Fan really couldn¡¯t get her. [It¡¯s best I don¡¯t talk at all.]


    When they separated, Zhuo Fan looked to see Luo Yunchang fumbling towards him with a pale face.


    Zhuo Fan frowned, ¡°Young miss, are you hurt?¡±


    Luo Yunchang only locked eyes with him, as if to see straight through his heart. Ice cold hands touched his face, as her eyes stared at him with emotion, ¡°Zhuo Fan, welcome home!¡±


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes closed and collapsed in his arms.


    ¡°Young miss!¡± The others were worried.


    Zhuo Fan stood there in a daze.


    The Luo clan was considered his clan since rebirth. But he never once saw it as his home. When Luo Yunchang said those words, they struck a chord in his thawing heart¡­

 Chapter 195 - Mean Steward

    The warm glow of the morning sun spilled through the window and into the pink room. Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes trembled open but the glaring sun¡¯s rays made her squint.


    ¡°Young miss Luo, are you awake?¡±


    Luo Yunchang turned to see Lei Yuting¡¯s servant, Xiao Cui. She was happily bringing in piping hot stew.


    Luo Yunchang weakly got up, as Xiao Cui placed the bowl on a nearby table.


    Luo Yunchang nodded gratefully for her help, ¡°Xiao Cui, where¡¯s sister Lei?¡±


    ¡°Miss and Steward Zhuo are in a meeting! She told me to watch over you. She also had me make this stew for you¡­¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan¡­¡±


    She didn¡¯t seem to have heard her as Luo Yunchang shivered having recalled something. She then broke out in a wide smile, ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s back. I¡¯m going to see him!¡±


    ¡°Slow down, young miss Luo. You¡¯re still very much weakened. Please have this stew first. Steward Zhuo isn¡¯t running anywhere.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. I want to see him!¡±


    Luo Yunchang was so excited all the fatigue left her as she jumped out of bed. Xiao Cui sighed, left with following after her out of worry.


    The two soon arrived before Blackwind Mountain¡¯s hall, hearing Zhuo Fan¡¯s familiar voice from within.


    ¡°Elder Lei, how is your cultivation?¡± Zhuo Fan asked as he browsed the books.


    Lei Yuntian replied in disappointment, ¡°I am muddled, and have not advanced one layer in two years. But I feel I will break through soon¡­¡±


    ¡°Muddled indeed!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold tone cut his frail tone short. But his eyes were still checking the reports, ¡°Thought it¡¯s not your fault. It is hard for someone as old as you to advance.¡±


    Lei Yuntian forced an embarrassed smile. [Steward Zhuo is so blunt, not sparing any feelings.]


    Lei Yuting saw her godfather put on the spot and slapped the table in anger, ¡°Zhuo Fan, where are you going with this? While you were gone for the last two years, we had to look after the Luo clan. And now that you¡¯re back, the first thing you do is point fingers.¡±


    ¡°And you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan threw a book before her as he spoke coldly, ¡°When I came back yesterday you said I cut straight to business instead of greeting you. That I was cold! So I spent all day catching up with what you have been doing over the years. But today, I need to resume my role as the steward!¡±


    Snapping his eyes on her, Zhuo Fan pointed at the book, ¡°I told you to form a shadow corp before leaving to become our hidden ace as well as our eyes and ears in Tianyu. Why is it that all you managed to contact are some small towns and some villages? You didn¡¯t place anyone in the capital, not to mention the seven houses¡¯ cities!¡±


    ¡°Humph, you think it¡¯s that easy?¡± Huffed Lei Yuting, ¡°Ten times I¡¯ve sent people into Hell Valley¡¯s city, but they were seized every time. Thankfully, they were loyal to us and died rather than say anything. Or Hell Valley would¡¯ve been upon us a year ago!¡±


    ¡°Oh, did you not see how it¡¯s done when I got into Drifting Flowers City?¡± Zhuo Fan raised a taunting eyebrow.


    Lei Yuting spat through gnashed teeth, ¡°Don¡¯t you even start. Just when I was close to forgetting. Steward Zhuo had gone out for the glory of the clan, but never forgot to spare certain someone his feelings, quite carefree I might add! If my men had even half your skills, they would have infiltrated the whole empire by now, even the palace.¡±


    ¡°Uh, whatever you may think, I did it all for the clan!¡± Zhuo Fan scratched his nose.


    Captain Pang grinned, adding his two cents to smooth things over, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, young miss Lei misunderstands. Brother Zhuo¡¯s thinking is unfathomable. I¡¯m sure Brother Zhuo had a good reason for letting those rumors appear. Look, didn¡¯t he bring back two experts like he promised?¡±


    ¡°And you, Old Pang!¡±


    Zhuo Fan butted in before Lei Yuting could nag some more.


    Captain Pang was startled, and swallowed drily, feeling cold sweat down his spine. Now it was his turn it seemed. None of them knew the refined Zhuo Fan, who planned to put the Luo clan back on its feet, would be so mean.


    Because Captain Pang cultivated the Wraith Art, the vibe coming from him was that of a fiend. But before Zhuo Fan, he was nothing more than a mouse in front of a cat.


    Although the two were like brothers, Captain Pang still shivered whenever he saw Zhuo Fan acting high and mighty. [Who knows what fault this kid will find now?]


    ¡°Uh, brother, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Done awesome!¡± Out of all expectations, Zhuo Fan beamed. He was happy as well, while the rest, sullen. [What did Captain Pang do that is so awesome?]


    [Our efforts aren¡¯t lower than his!]


    Zhuo Fan elaborated with a grin, ¡°When I gave you the Wraith Art I didn¡¯t even think you¡¯d survive. You not only survived but even exceeded my expectations.¡±


    [Then why the hell did you give it to me then?]


    Captain Pang¡¯s face twitched, not knowing if he should be glad or enraged. [You gave it to me thinking I¡¯d die?]


    Knowing what he was thinking, Zhuo Fan patted his shoulder, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, don¡¯t you worry now. You are reborn as one of Luo clan¡¯s pillars!¡±


    Captain Pang nodded solemnly. Defending the Luo clan had been his aim all along¡­


    Having talked with his men, Zhuo Fan looked at the small figure at the side.


    The bored Luo Yunhai noticed his eyes and shivered. He felt danger in his gaze, as if a viper was out to get him.


    ¡°He-he-he, big bro Zhuo, I¡¯m still a child. Cut me some slack!¡± Luo Yunhai opened his big naive eyes like an oversized kitten.


    Too bad this trick didn¡¯t fly with a Demon like Zhuo Fan.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan looked like a ghost from the Underworld, ¡°You rotten brat, how¡¯s your cultivation?¡±


    [Why ask when you already know?]


    Luo Yunhai felt a shiver down his spine, ¡°Uh, big bro Zhuo, I¡¯m in the 9th layer of Foundation Establishment. On the verge of breaking through!¡±


    He also gave Captain Pang a sign, who added, ¡°Steward Zhuo, young master Yunhai has only been cultivating for two years. To reach such a level is a feat worthy of a genius!¡±


    ¡°Oh, not bad indeed. How many hours a day did you cultivate?¡± Zhuo Fan nodded with a smile everpresent.


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s eyes darted around then raised six fingers, ¡°Six hours!¡±


    Captain Pang was startled, then nodded, ¡°That¡¯s right, young master Yunhai cultivated in earnest!¡±


    ¡°Good, then from now on you¡¯ll do it for 20 hours a day.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s smile was wide as ever, causing the others to gasp.


    Wouldn¡¯t the poor kid die of exhaustion training for so long?


    Luo Yunhai was dumbstruck. He immediately shouted his complaints, ¡°Big bro Zhuo, I¡¯ll die!¡±


    ¡°Hardly. By feeding you pills each day, death will long be forgotten! Plus, as the days pass you¡¯ll get used to it!¡± Zhuo Fan laughed.


    He recalled how his master did the same for him.


    His lower lip trembling, Luo Yunhai was on the verge of tears, ¡°But that would leave me with only four hours to rest. What about playing?¡±


    ¡°Who told you you have four hours to rest?¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan added, ¡°Two hours is enough, while the rest is for reading books! How are you going to be a Clan Head if you¡¯re stacked in all the right places except in the head?¡±


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s eyes rolled into his skull and slumped in his chair.


    The others sighed secretly. Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t mean to just them but even to children. No wonder he was called Demon Archon in the outside world.


    Vicious Pill King and Li Jingtian were staying quiet, but hearing Zhuo Fan¡¯s verdict, even they shivered.


    Then they looked at Luo Yunhai with all their sympathy. [Is it a blessing, or a disaster? No one can tell.]


    The cruel steward set his eyes on the poor child. He was dead set on making him the Luo clan¡¯s next in line. Yet, his future wasn¡¯t as glorious as any true future clan head, but one of a miserable childhood.


    But with Zhuo Fan¡¯s wicked planning and the kid¡¯s talent, his future was bound to be limitless.


    This could be counted as his only blessing.


    After a few more words, Zhuo Fan told them to withdraw, leaving only Vicious Pill King and Li Jingtian behind. As for Luo Yunhai, he walked out like a zombie, feeling like the whole world abandoned him.


    Such a young child was showing such despair.


    Zhuo Fan ignored him as he poured himself some tea, ¡°Young miss, since you¡¯re already here, you might as well come in ¡­¡±

 Chapter 196 - The Four Tigers Of Tianyu

    With graceful steps, Luo Yunchang gestured Xiao Cui to stay as she entered alone. Her softened gaze had been on Zhuo Fan all this time.


    Zhuo Fan smiled as he rose, ¡°Young miss, are you better?¡±


    Luo Yunchang didn¡¯t speak, only nodded slightly.


    Zhuo Fan took a deep breath out of awkwardness. He gestured to the other two and smiled, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, let me introduce you Elder Yan Song. He will be Luo clan¡¯s Pill House Elder. The other is Elder Li Jingtian, the elder in charge of the arrays. As long as he operates the 5th-grade arrays, no one can break through them!¡±


    Blinking, Luo Yunchang now realized there were two more people there and rushed to greet them.


    The elders returned her greeting as well.


    And yet, Li Jingtian still had pride in his eyes, while Vicious Pill King was downcast.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face turned solemn, ¡°Are you perhaps not satisfied?¡±


    Vicious Pill King was the one who replied, ¡°Steward Zhuo, the Luo clan you describe is not at all as we¡¯ve seen! We just found out that the Luo clan has no elders and that is only around a second rate clan¡­¡± Vicious Pill King sighed.


    What he thought to be a titan in hiding, stronger than the seven houses was more along the lines of a damn frickin¡¯ third rate clan!


    Li Jingtian sighed as well. He could feel the loyalty of this clan, but the reality failed to rise to his expectation, by a huge margin.


    Zhuo Fan glared at them, ¡°I never said anything about the Luo clan¡¯s extent when I invited you in. You accepted my invitation of your own free will¡­¡±


    ¡°But Steward Zhuo, you said the Luo clan is the strongest clan in Tianyu¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you saying it¡¯s my fault?¡± Zhuo Fan cut Vicious Pill King off and scared him with his sudden reply.


    Luo Yunchang bowed again, ¡°Elder Yan, Elder Li, first of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for joining the Luo clan. I know we are a small clan, unfit of your greatness, but please believe me, With Steward Zhuo, and you, the Luo clan will become better and stronger. We, the Luo clan will not disappoint you. If you still want to leave, I will not stop you¡­¡±


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s heartfelt words touched the two.


    ¡°You two old coots better goddamn suck it up!¡±


    Then came Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold tone. While Luo Yunchang¡¯s words were that of a fairy, Zhuo Fan¡¯s were that of a demon wanting to feast on their flesh.


    ¡°You may dislike how weak the Luo clan is, but I promise you, in five years, I will make the Luo clan rise to the level of the seven houses. And in ten years, It will exceed them! If you want to leave, hump. Getting into the Luo clan is easy, but getting out will be done through the mud, cold and very much dead!¡±


    Shuddering, the elders could feel Zhuo Fan¡¯s bloodthirst. Just looking at him, they knew he wasn¡¯t kidding.


    If they tested Demon Archon¡¯s anger, today may very well be their funeral.


    Sweating, Li Jingtian and Vicious Pill King dropped to one knee, ¡°Young miss, Steward Zhuo, we were only joking. Don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    Luo Yunchang was shocked. She may be the young miss but how could she receive such gestures from the elders? Not to mention, one was in the Profound Heaven Stage and the other in the Radiant Stage.


    She rushed to get them up, ¡°Please rise elders, this isn¡¯t proper!¡±


    But Luo Yunchang could do nothing if they refused.


    Sneaking a glance at Zhuo Fan, they noticed his ever stone-cold face and lowered their heads. He may be quite courteous to them usually, but when it came to such principles, he was dead serious.


    If they couldn¡¯t appease Zhuo Fan¡¯s anger, their lives were forfeited today.


    Luo Yunchang turned to Zhuo Fan and said, ¡°Zhuo Fan, you¡­¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan spoke, ¡°I will let this matter rest here on account of young miss. But I better not hear of this again. Now, leave!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Steward Zhuo. Thank you, young miss!¡±


    Sighing, the two bowed again and ran outside. It seemed they had to get much closer with this young miss of theirs.


    She may be frail, but she could keep that steward in check. [Our very lives depend on it!]


    Luo Yunchang was left stunned at how quickly the two bolted. She had no idea Zhuo Fan could control a Profound Heaven expert and a Radiant Stage expert.


    The two experts were like shy kids before Zhuo Fan.


    What she didn¡¯t know was that if she could control the Bloodworm as well as he does, she¡¯d receive the same treatment. Forget about whining, they wouldn¡¯t even make a peep!


    Turning to Zhuo Fan, Luo Yunchang revealed a broad smile, ¡°Zhuo Fan, why do I feel you¡¯re more amazing than two years ago? I almost can¡¯t recognize you. But weren¡¯t you a bit harsh on them? Sister Lei and the others worked hard all this time¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, and I am very pleased with their progress. They gave their all and exceeded my expectations!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s smile was no longer cruel.


    Luo Yunchang was even more puzzled now, ¡°Then why did you¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, as leaders, one must mind both gratitude and show of power! I know how grateful you must have been for their hard work, so when I came back I showed them power! How else would they know who is the leader of the Luo clan?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes were deep.


    Luo Yunchang hesitated, ¡°But they are family, going through thick and thin alongside us. Must we be so hard on them?¡±


    ¡°People change with time. If your power does not change, then you must be wary of everyone around you! Today, they may be your most loyal men, and tomorrow, your worst enemies. Just like how the seven houses were subjects to the empire at its founding, now they are a danger to it!¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned with cruelty. Luo Yunchang watched him long and stammered, ¡°Zhuo Fan, you¡¯re truly frightening. Will there also be a day when you¡¯ll become our enemy?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps!¡± Zhuo Fan chuckled.


    ¡°I would rather die at your hand than see you as one!¡± Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes flickered.


    Zhuo Fan trembled and sighed, ¡°Who can tell what the future holds?¡±


    Silence swept the hall, bringing a morbid atmosphere with it.


    It was now that Luo Yunhai rushed in tears to Luo Yunchang, ¡°Sister, that¡¯s not important right now. Big bro Zhuo wants to kill me! Resting for only two hours is impossible¡­¡±


    Startled, Luo Yunchang recalled how her brother was the most hardworking of them all, ¡°Steward Zhuo, don¡¯t you think twenty hours a day is a bit¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say it, young miss, I am doing it for his own good. A bit of sweat now will save a lot of bloodshed later! Or you can just stop him from following the wishes of your father¡­¡±


    ¡°Yunhai, stop complaining and follow Steward Zhuo¡¯s schedule!¡± Luo Yunchang snapped at the child.


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s eyes rolled into his skull and passed out.


    Before Zhuo Fan came, his life was still bearable. Now that he was here, he entered hell.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head¡­


    Meanwhile, at the foot of Blackwind Mountain, four tall and stout figures stood.


    One was in a blue robe and cowl, with a twin mustache, and holding a light sword.


    Another wore a scholar crest and waved a golden fan. His eyes were so calm as if even the world burning wouldn¡¯t affect his tranquility.


    The third man was brash and big, with fiery hair and eyes holding sparks within. One look was enough to tell anyone he was a powder keg primed to blow.


    As for the last, he was unlike the first three. He was twice as broad as a normal man. From his bulging muscles, one would instantly consider him a body cultivator. Yet his narrow eyes were quite delicate. Standing there, he looked no different than a firm mountain.


    The four watched the four guarding arrays and their eyes shined in shock.


    ¡°No wonder godfather sent us thousands of miles here to their rescue! This place already houses an amazing figure!¡± The man in blue turned to his side to ask, ¡°What do you think of these arrays?¡±


    With a snap, the second man opened his fan and spoke calmly, ¡°The intricacies of these arrays are hard to grasp. But as long as a Profound Heaven expert or higher is in control of them, not even the four of us can escape!¡±


    ¡°Blast it! Then we¡¯ve traveled all this way for nothing? They clearly have their defenses up!¡± The red-haired man shouted.


    The man in blue berated, ¡°Third brother, orders are orders. And they were given by the Marshal himself. Whether this place is a volcano, or an impenetrable fortress, we still have to go in. Have you forgotten the taste of the Marshal¡¯s cane when you entered a drunken rave last time?¡±


    The red-haired man stammered but remained silent.


    The man in blue nodded, then cupped his hands towards Blackwind Mountain as he shouted, ¡°The four generals under Marshal Dugu extend their respects to Luo Clan Head!¡±


    His lofty voice traveled for miles, straight into Zhuo Fan¡¯s ear.


    His ears piqued, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyebrow rose, ¡°Why has War God Dugu, second of the Four Pillars, sent his men all the way over here? Could it be¡­¡±

 Chapter 197 - War God’s Advent

    ¡°Young miss, take the kid to his training. I¡¯ll go take a look!¡± Zhuo Fan looked to Luo Yunchang.


    She gave a nod then dragged Luo Yunhai out by the ear. The Marshall of Tianyu may have come, and despite the ever-present shock, Zhuo Fan was here to assuage all her worries.


    Regardless of the magnitude of the coming storm, nothing could last long in the face of Zhuo Fan¡¯s meticulous planning. This belief had evolved into blind faith in the man, a faith deep-rooted in the hearts of all Luo clansmen.


    Dragged away and through glistening eyes, Luo Yunhai¡¯s last cry at Zhuo Fan was, ¡°Big bro Zhuo, you single-handedly ruined my life!¡±


    ¡°You twerp who hasn¡¯t ever grown hair down there, what ruin?¡± Zhuo Fan teased. He turned to look down Blackwind Mountain and took slow steps downhill.


    Hum~


    With a ripple, the Poison Dragon Array¡¯s miasma parted. Zhuo Fan walked before the four as he sized each one of them, ¡°I am Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan. And sirs¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, we are the four generals under Marshal Dugu. Hearing of the Luo clan¡¯s peril, he ordered us to rescue you. Greetings, I am Dugu Feng!¡± The man in blue cupped his hands.


    The man with the fan did as well, ¡°I am Dugu Lin!¡±


    ¡°Dugu Huo!¡± The redhead stout fellow rumbled a reply.


    As for the last and the biggest man, ¡°Dugu Shan!¡±


    ¡°Wind, forest, fire, mountain? The Four Tigers of Tianyu?¡± Zhuo Fan cried as he started making calculations in his mind.


    (Starreader: reference to four phrases from Sun Tzu¡¯s The Art of War: ¡°as swift as the wind, as gentle as a forest, as fierce as fire, as unshakable as a mountain.¡±)


    He had heard his fair share of stories regarding the renowned Four Pillars. Second of the Four Pillars, Dugu Zhantian, was married to his military career. He had no children, but four godsons of great bravery and power. Given their talent, they weren¡¯t the least bit lacking to the geniuses raised inside the seven houses. Perhaps even surpassing them.


    The four had repeatedly rendered great military services that earned the people¡¯s gratitude in the form of the Four Tigers of Tianyu title.


    Dugu Feng, the eldest, was swift as the wind and excelled in surprise attacks ¨C nicknamed Storm Tiger. Dugu Lin, the second, was as gentle as a forest, knowing the art of war by heart. For his calmness of mind, he was known as Crouching Forest Tiger. Dugu Huo, the third, burned like fire, and was just as blazing in temper as well. For his boldness, he was known as Raging Tiger. Dugu Shan, the fourth, was as steadfast as a mountain, hard as stone. Proficient in defense, he was known as Mountain Tiger!


    No endeavor the four had worked on ever failed. They were almost matching the God of War in their renown.


    Many times, the emperor expressed his desire to lift them to the ranks of commanders, and joined Dugu Zhantian in becoming Tianyu¡¯s Five Marshals, only to refuse each time. They would rather stay as Marshal Dugu¡¯s tigers, rather than be alone as Tianyu Empire¡¯s four lion kings!


    They were always inseparable from Dugu Zhantian. If the four of them arrived, then Dugu Zhantian¡­


    Checking his surroundings, Zhuo Fan¡¯s obvious thoughts were easily noticed by Dugu Lin who tapped the fan in his palm, ¡°Steward Zhuo, there¡¯s no need for you to look. We are the only ones here. Our orders carried us thousands of miles to rescue you all. Marshal Dugu and his forces are running a little late, I¡¯m afraid.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so Marshal Dugu is gracing us with his presence!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded and laughed, ¡°I understand. Then I shall inform the young miss and young master post haste. You may return!¡±


    Zhuo Fan waved as he left. The four were startled, even shocked.


    The four of them were hailed as the Four Tigers of Tianyu everywhere in the empire, with even the seven houses bound to showing them some respect. But here, in this backwater Luo clan, not only were they not allowed entry, the door was slammed into their face. To top it all off, he even said he¡¯d inform someone.


    Wasn¡¯t this a little bit too absurd?


    Rage had stirred in the hearts of the four. Dugu Huo, who had a notoriously fiery temper, cursed on the spot, ¡°What kind of steward are you to act so unreasonably? We came all this way to help you yet not only you did not show any appreciation, you even slam the door behind you. That is no way to treat a guest!¡±


    ¡°Guest, you say?¡±


    Zhuo Fan quirked an eyebrow, turning his head to give them a closer eye, ¡°You¡¯re telling me you came to save us and I¡¯m supposed to believe that? We just had a hard battle on our hands not a couple a days ago, with blood and bodies everywhere. Letting you in might drown the Luo clan in flames!¡±


    The four gasped. So the steward wasn¡¯t slighting them, but was overly cautious. That reason was enough to dampen their rage.


    Dugu Feng cupped his hands again, ¡°We are Marshal Dugu¡¯s four generals. He has always been a frank and open person and we are under strict orders. We are not the enemy here. Are you perhaps doubting Marshal Dugu¡¯s integrity?¡±


    ¡°Marshal Dugu is a pillar of our empire, in charge of defense, which my clan admires him greatly. Our young miss and young master burn incense and pray every day for Marshal¡¯s health, to keep our nation safe!¡±


    Zhuo Fan cupped his hands at the heavens, shouting with zeal, just like a true Dugu Zhantian fanboy. His action earned the nods of the four, even approval points.


    [It¡¯s good that the Luo clan holds our godfather in such high regards. It makes our trip worthwhile.]


    Then, Zhuo Fan flipped his tune out of the blue. His face was cold, his eyes accusingly, ¡°And how am I to know you are the real Four Tigers of Tianyu? Have you seen how many copycats have cropped up nowadays?¡±


    ¡°Please look over Marshal Dugu¡¯s token!¡± Dugu Feng quickly offered a copper badge. But Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t even glance at it, only curled his mouth, ¡°Like I said, there are many copycats around these days. If you yourself can¡¯t prove who you are, what good would a token do?¡±


    ¡°Hey, stop messing around, punk. Us Four Tigers of Tianyu have roamed the empire for so many years, but not once has there been a case of someone copying us. You only have your ignorance to blame for not knowing who we are. You won¡¯t let us in, is that it? Wanna see how I make my way through, breaking those arrays of yours?¡±


    Dugu Huo barked, having reached his already short limit of his slight patience. Zhuo Fan staggered back, putting on a perfect fearful face, ¡°See, see?! You now show your true colors and still dare pretend? Marshal Dugu¡¯s army runs under strict orders, bearing the love of the people. How can there be such brash people wanting to barge into someone¡¯s home in his army? You¡¯re no different from bandits!¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Dugu Huo gnashed his teeth.


    Dugu Feng frowned and shouted, ¡°Third brother, stop nagging. Are you going to stain Marshal Dugu¡¯s name by charging into one¡¯s home?¡±


    Dugu Huo glared at Zhuo Fan with burning hatred, but his feet remained in place.


    Dugu Feng bowed, ¡°I apologize for my third brother¡¯s lack of courtesy. Please do not take it to mind, Steward Zhuo. Can you trust us now?¡±


    ¡°Trust? Humph, you almost had me there, but fortunately, I caught on to your game. Is that how Marshal Dugu¡¯s generals behave, playing the good guy bad guy routine?¡±


    Flushing red, the four were left speechless. Even Dugu Huo found it so embarrassing that he forgot to complain.


    Zhuo Fan snorted, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say Marshal Dugu is on his way. We¡¯ll just have to wait for him to prove your identities.¡±


    With that said, Zhuo Fan vanished into the Poison Dragon Array, and the miasma blocked the four¡¯s sight.


    They wanted to shout at him but he was already gone.


    The four were left downcast behind.


    Who¡¯d ever seen it coming? They, who were revered even in the seven houses, were now forced to stand on the doorsteps of some backwater Luo clan.


    And they couldn¡¯t complain either. The clan just went through a hellish battle and their nerves were taught. And best of all, the Luo clan was a die-hard fan of the Marshal. How could the four burst in and ruin their godfather¡¯s image?


    Sighing, Dugu Huo turned to Dugu Feng, ¡°Big brother, what do we do now?¡±


    ¡°What else? Stay in a Windgaze City¡¯s tavern.¡±


    ¡°But how are we going to give a full report to Marshal when we can¡¯t even get in to assess the situation?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll report facts!¡± Dugu Lin shot Dugu Huo a glare, ¡°Luo clan is more than it seems. It¡¯s best we wait for Marshal¡¯s personal intervention!¡±


    The other¡¯s hearts chilled recalling the four 5th-grade arrays and nodded.


    Putting aside this place having such astonishing arrays, the fact the order was sent for the four tigers to come here was proof enough of the real threat that the Luo clan was under.


    Yet, even after going through such a gory battle, it was clear from their steward¡¯s appearance that the clan wasn¡¯t suffering so much. This pointed out that the Luo clan was more than met the eye.


    Being generals themselves, the four could tell of this mysterious clan¡¯s power.


    In another part, Zhuo Fan returned to the hall and convened with the rest. Great changes happened throughout the clan as entire rooms were thrown into chaos.


    He made the four tigers back off just so he could make preparations. Since the Four Pillars were here, there was no way they were gonna miss this chance of leaning on a great mountain.


    Yep, it was all about clinging to power. Although, different tactics were needed depending on the target. Zhuo Fan¡¯s methods weren¡¯t as crude and tasteless as those narrow-minded Cai and Sun clans.


    He wanted Dugu Zhantian to be eternally tied to the Luo clan.


    Luo Yunchang watched the people rush about as they were close to tearing down the whole of Blackwind Mountain. She turned to Zhuo Fan in puzzlement, ¡°What¡­ this¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan said before she could continue, ¡°Young miss, you¡¯re just in time. Tell that kid to switch from cultivation and hit the books for the next few days!¡±


    ¡°Read, what?¡± Luo Yunchang was dazed.


    Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°Just some matters of circumstances, like war books¡­¡±


    Achoo~


    Not a hundred mile out of Windgaze City, a wizen man rode his large horse when a sudden sneeze caught him off guard and a shiver ran through him, ¡°Guard, how long until we reach Windgaze City?¡±


    Everywhere around him was crawling with thousands upon thousands of soldiers. A general close by reported, ¡°Marshal, we will arrive in three days!¡±


    The old man nodded, but the frown never left him, ¡°I have come out of countless battlefields with honors, so why is it that this small Windgaze City is putting me on edge¡­¡±

 Chapter 198 - Welcoming

    Three days later Zhuo Fan was in a small room, checking Luo Yunhai¡¯s progress in reading.


    Suddenly, the earth began to rumble like a huge earthquake. Zhuo Fan raised a brow, focusing his attention outside, only to be shocked at what he saw.


    [What an aura. He is indeed the God of War!]


    Zhuo Fan rose to his feet and shouted, ¡°Everyone to your stations! The Luo clan¡¯s safety for the next few years at stake here!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    The men outside the room replied, having already gotten ready as they scrambled. Zhuo Fan turned to Luo Yunhai with his devious grin, ¡°Kid, you¡¯re up now. You better had learned your part!¡±


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s face sank, ¡°Big bro Zhuo, do I have to?¡±


    ¡°What do you think?¡±


    The room was soon engulfed in Zhuo Fan¡¯s evil cackling¡­


    Outside Windgaze City, the Four Tigers of Tianyu were already waiting for the orderly and impeccable military procession marching towards them. It was like a dark cloud without an end.


    The shaking of the mountains was due to the huge army. On the battlefield, any man, even a Profound Heaven expert would shudder in face of such might.


    Leading the army was a huge man on a horse, his beard swirling in the wind. Despite reigning in his power, his mighty air and unbending nature were hard to conceal.


    He was the second of Tianyu¡¯s Four Pillars, Marshal of Tianyu¡¯s armies, God of War Dugu Zhantian!


    He was in the 6th layer of the Radiant Stage, yet the whole of Tianyu considered him the strongest. His four godsons were also peak Profound Heaven experts.


    Just based on the loyalty of his million men, not even the Regent Estate would dare slight such a man! Despite Regent Estate having experts with higher cultivation than him.


    Once Dugu Zhantian sent an order, his million soldiers were like an unstoppable flood of steel. Even Regent Estate¡¯s Venerables would have a hard time dealing with such a barrage.


    To unite all these weak soldiers, to make them act as one, that was what it mean to be a true God of War!


    For this reason, the seven houses were afraid of the Marshal, the head of the Four Pillars, Zhuge Changfeng!


    Who told them to allow him to amass such power? In this case, drowning one with numbers couldn¡¯t be a more apt description!


    ¡°Generals welcome Marshal!¡± The four gave a deep bow.


    Dugu Zhantian nodded, ¡°What¡¯s the situation? Is the Luo clan safe?¡±


    ¡°The Luo clan is at peace!¡± Dugu Feng spoke heavily.


    Dugu Zhantian nodded a sigh, ¡°It¡¯s good we arrived in time. We did not fail His Majesty. Was there anyone making it hard on them?¡±


    ¡°Uh, before we arrived, it would seem that the Luo clan had suffered a sneak attack!¡± Dugu Feng mumbled.


    Dugu Zhantian raised an eyebrow, his eyes staring back at him, ¡°What? Then how are they? What are their losses? What about the attackers? Any prisoners? What of Luo Clan Head¡­¡±


    Dugu Zhantian shot questions nonstop at the bitter looking four.


    How could they know when the Luo clan had slammed the door in their faces? Dugu Feng braced for reprisal as he reported, ¡°Marshal, we are in the dark¡­¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Dugu Zhantian blew his top, ¡°Then what have you been doing over the past few days, idling? Feng¡¯er, that¡¯s unlike you at all!¡±


    They¡¯ve been stationed at the borders for decades to prevent the Quanrong armies from invading. Yet, the emperor decreed him to go to Windgaze City¡¯s rescue. He knew this matter was of utmost importance.


    So, on his march here, he sent his four most trusted generals ahead to provide timely assistance. Only to find them idling about these past three days, and knowing absolutely nothing!


    And these were Dugu Zhantian¡¯s Four Tigers no less!


    ¡°Humph, you must have let the wine get to your heads and caused a scene. I¡¯ll settle your punishment later!¡± Dugu Zhantian flared, almost wanting to do it now if not for delaying his rescue operation.


    Dugu Lin bowed flustered, ¡°Marshal, please hear us out!¡±


    Having been told the ins and outs of the matter, Dugu Zhantian was staring dumbstruck.


    ¡°There are four 5th-grade arrays in this backwater area?¡± Dugu Zhantian blinked and started scouting ahead with his soul sense. And sure enough, he found four arrays surrounding Blackwind Mountain blocking his search.


    Dugu Zhantian was shocked, ¡°No wonder the emperor told me to come in person. There must be a mighty figure among them.¡±


    Sighing, Dugu Zhantian turned to the four, ¡°Now that you couldn¡¯t enter, I no longer blame you!¡±


    ¡°Marshal, who said we can¡¯t? If not for big brother stopping me, I would¡¯ve torn down those damn arrays long ago!¡± Dugu Huo roared.


    Dugu Zhantian berated, ¡°You¡¯re a disgrace! How dare you charge into people¡¯s homes without an explicit order? If you had dared charged inside, I would¡¯ve had your damn head for defying orders!¡±


    ¡°Uh, Marshal, I was only venting. Don¡¯t take it seriously¡­¡± Dugu Huo ducked his head in shame.


    The other three secretly snickered.


    Dugu Zhantian cut in, ¡°Marshal, the Luo clan¡¯s steward said he will let us in after you arrived. He must mean for you to personally go inside!¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡±


    Dugu Zhantian burst out laughing, ¡°I have come at the order of the emperor to take a look at this Luo clan as well. But since there¡¯s a mighty figure inside, I would also like to meet him!¡±


    He dismounted and strode towards Blackwind Mountain, ¡°Pass my order. The army is not to disturb the people and are to set camp ten miles Southeast of here!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    The entire army roared, while the four rushed to follow him.


    Dugu Zhantian went next to Dugu Zhantian, ¡°Marshal, that steward is extremely cautious. He will ask a ton of questions and will not hold a polite tone. Please do not get angry when you deal with him.¡±


    ¡°Humph, you think my temper is short like you rascals?¡± Dugu Zhantian laughed and Dugu Huo grumbled inside, [Your rage is more explosive than mine!]


    Dugu Lin slapped his fan, ¡°Third brother, that steward didn¡¯t do it out of caution. He wants to see the Marshal in person. As to why, we shall soon find out soon.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Lin¡¯er is the most cool-headed among you, and can see things differently. He is right, the Luo clan must¡¯ve wanted to see me. Then, I will just have to see for myself what¡¯s so great about this clan, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Dugu Zhantian walked with his domineering air, soon arriving at Blackwind Mountain.


    ¡°Tianyu¡¯s Marshal, Dugu Zhantian greets Luo Clan Head!¡± Dugu Zhantian bellowed.


    Hum~


    The Poison Dragon Array¡¯s miasma dissipated and Zhuo Fan came out. But this time he had a look of complete respect.


    He bowed, ¡°I am Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan. Welcome, Marshal Dugu, and the four generals!¡±


    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re that steward? I heard you¡¯re quite cautious, not trusting even my token in the hands of my generals. Why then do you believe who I am at the mere sight of me?¡± Dugu Zhantian grinned, clearly mocking Zhuo Fan¡¯s earlier attitude.


    But Zhuo Fan acted the fool, ¡°Marshal Dugu is the God of War. Who¡¯d dare impersonate you? Even if someone did, none could copy your aura honed after numerous victories, nor the thick killing intent on you for slaughtering countless men.


    ¡°Is there any other true man, a man old but holding strong still, in Tianyu? I could feel and hear from afar the might you possess. Only Marshal Dugu is capable of making my energy surge in my veins. My respect to you is like a flood, an unstoppable river, like a never ending sea, a mighty¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Fine, fine, I get it!¡± Dugu Zhantian cut his rambling short.


    He wanted to test the kid and see his true intentions, but then, he saw him engage in this foolery, going as far as worshiping the ground he stepped on. It was so enrapturing, that even he felt a chill and had to stop it.


    If this went on for any longer, he¡¯d be hurling for days and nights.


    The four were dumbstruck. None saw it coming. Zhuo Fan this time was a thorough ass kisser, blowing their wish of questioning out of their minds.


    Dugu Zhantian had seen his fair share of fawners like Zhuo Fan, but never wasted time with any. Whenever they spoke, it was always followed by a long endless string of adulation.


    Dugu Zhantian took a long look at him, ¡°This backwater town has many experts it seems, even this young steward. I am in awe. Then, little brother, is it possible to see Luo Clan Head?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s eagerly awaiting!¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan bowed and Dugu Zhantian strode forward.


    The Marshal could see this was all arranged by that mighty figure. He could feel getting closer and closer to him. What he didn¡¯t know was that mighty figure was that young steward.


    The four generals followed closely, with Dugu Huo jutting his chin and muttering next to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Humph, now do you believe us?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I was too blind to see your greatness. I beg your pardon!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    Dugu Lin looked at him deeply but shook his head in the end.


    He was Dugu Army¡¯s strategist and knew something was off about Zhuo Fan. But he just couldn¡¯t dare believe all of this was orchestrated by such a young pup.


    Or he would be the second coming of Zhuge Changfeng¡­

 Chapter 199 - My Godfather, My Rock

    ¡°Please, after you, Marshal!¡±


    With Zhuo Fan as guide, they passed through the Poison Dragon Array, reaching the peak of Blackwind Mountain. Instead of a lavish clan dwelling, they were greeted by simple gates of a barracks.


    They could even hear faint cries of kill from beyond.


    Frowning, the five were quite puzzled. [What is the Luo clan up to now?]


    With a smile, Zhuo Fan gestured, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, please don¡¯t take offense, Marshal. We have just recently gone through a bloody attack and are still tense. Our guards especially, training day and night. Will God of War be willing to say a few words to our young blood? The whole clan would be most grateful.¡± Zhuo Fan bowed again.


    Dugu Zhantian nodded slowly. He first wanted to know what the Luo clan was cooking up, and second, to know how deep they hid their assets.


    For the emperor to view them so highly and pull him from the borders in rescuing a nameless clan, he had to see for himself what they really were.


    Following Zhuo Fan through the gates, the five arrived before Luo clan¡¯s manor. What had them all in shock was that there were no buildings around, only tents. They looked akin to an army ready for war.


    That was Zhuo Fan¡¯s ingenious plan was all about. He tore down all buildings for tents to stir Marshal Dugu¡¯s sympathy and make him feel at home.


    With how Dugu Zhantian spent years on end on the battlefields, he¡¯d be more at home in a tent than between four walls.


    This was also a form of flattery, to conform to one¡¯s tastes, covert as it was.


    Sure enough, Dugu Zhantian trembled as he nodded. Zhuo Fan no longer spoke, having a sly grin on his face instead.


    They soon arrived at Luo clan¡¯s training area, where Captain Pang was in the middle of practice with his guards. Most of them were still children, but their every strike was filled with zeal and their eyes burning with power. They look strikingly similar to veterans after decades of war.


    Not even Dugu Zhantian could remain unfeeling seeing such a scene. Just what could those ten-year-olds have possibly seen to harden their gaze?


    As an experienced commander, with decades of war behind him, he knew how to turn a batch of fresh recruits into dauntless warriors.


    But never in his wildest dream did he expect to see this in a backwater clan. The world was filled with marvels!


    He was now burning to know who was this great figure behind the Luo clan.


    Unbeknownst to him, this burning zeal in the eyes of the youths was thanks to the Wraith Art they trained in.


    As for those kids whose spirits were crushed, they lay dead, with bones crushed and bodies mauled. What he was seeing were those that came back from the brink of death, standing at the peak. How could they not be dauntless!


    ¡°Marshal, our third rate clan just went through a disaster and only the surviving few are training now. You must be thinking it¡¯s a sorry sight.¡± Zhuo Fan sighed in feint modesty.


    Dugu Zhantian shook his hand, ¡°No no, hardly. The kids may not have cultivated, but their eyes are those of elites. If these are just your survivors, then your main guard unit that fell must¡¯ve been a monster. How could such a mighty guard ever need rescuing?¡±


    Zhuo Fan blinked and smiled.


    [This Marshal is pragmatic. I see now why he is acclaimed as a God of War. He is an upright and just man.]


    Zhuo Fan nodded secretly, having understood more about the Marshal¡¯s nature.


    ¡°Then Marshal, please feel free to point out some tips.¡±


    ¡°No need! I would not dare show my meager skill before you!¡± Dugu Zhantian laughed, ¡°Steward Zhuo, I only wish to meet with your Clan Head. Such a man has set four 5th-grade arrays, and still trained such young warriors. I¡¯m truly eager to see him!¡±


    The four behind him were shocked.


    Marshal was the God of War, with countless figures wanting to meet him. But now, it was the other way around. It was he who wanted to see someone else.


    Just who was guiding the Luo clan? How could the mere training of some guards move the grand Tianyu¡¯s God of War?


    The four sighed as they turned to look at the guards again. These small few children were indeed far stronger than their own elites, it¡¯s no wonder¡­


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed and grinned, ¡°Since Marshal is so eager, please come with me. Our Clan Head is also waiting.¡±


    Zhuo Fan entered the biggest tent as the others rushed to catch up to him. How could they have known all of this was Zhuo Fan leading them by the nose¡­


    ¡°The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one¡¯s deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field. These are: The Moral Law, Heaven, Earth¡­¡±


    (Starreader: excerpt from Sun Tzu¡¯s Art of War.)


    A bright voice read.


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s faltered his steps, ¡°That¡¯s the Art of War. Who is reading?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I almost forgot. Young master had been training for twenty hours. He needs some rest!¡± Zhuo Fan slapped his forehead and rushed in another direction. He was unconcerned about the others following him, though.


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s group followed either way.


    They arrived at a small yard where a youth held a bowl on his head and in horse stance. His knees and hands also held a bowl, but the surface of the water was unperturbed.


    What laid under his butt was a shining dagger. If his legs slacked for even a second, he¡¯d tear himself a new one. Despite the danger, he was still reciting the Art of War.


    Dugu Zhantian was puzzled, ¡°Steward Zhuo, he¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Luo clan¡¯s young master, Luo Yunhai!¡±


    Zhuo Fan chuckled, ¡°From young to old, all of Luo clan admires Marshal Dugu. All of us adhere to military doctrine. Especially the young master, who is training while studying, hoping to one day to serve under the Marshal!¡±


    Dugu Zhantian blinked, [Why is the Clan Head of this Luo clan with his impressive soldiers wish to be under me? Everything about this clan is mysterious. Just what are they after?]


    Zhuo Fan probed with a smile, ¡°Marshal, will you accept our young master?¡±


    ¡°Uh, of course. If the youth wishes to serve his nation, to enter the battlefield¡­¡±


    ¡°Perfect!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s yell cut him off. He then pulled Luo Yunhai up, ¡°Yunhai, don¡¯t just stand there, Marshal Dugu wants to take you in. Go and pour him tea!¡±


    ¡°Right away!¡±


    Luo Yunhai ran like the wind, like a bird out of its cage. [Finally out of that damn position. I almost couldn¡¯t take it!]


    Dugu Zhantian felt dizzy, [Wait, you¡¯re going to make me accept him here?]


    ¡°Uh, Steward Zhuo, that was¡­¡±


    ¡°Marshal Dugu needn¡¯t say anything. My Clan Head would be immensely pleased to know you showed such care for young master. He will be grateful for all his life. You may not know it, but this was our Clan Head¡¯s cherished dream¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan held Dugu Zhantian¡¯s large hand, with tears in his eyes. Dugu Zhantian wanted to refuse, but now he didn¡¯t have the heart to go through with it.


    [Isn¡¯t it just a soldier? He isn¡¯t half bad either. Perhaps he¡¯ll earn some merits in the future. It¡¯s just taking one extra recruit anyway.] Sighing, he nodded in the end.


    Then a screech came, ¡°Marshal Dugu, it¡¯s actually you?¡±


    Luo Yunchang appeared who knew when and was shaking from excitement.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face was twitching. [Tone it down on the boasting!]


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, she¡­¡±


    ¡°Uh, let me introduce you. She is our young miss, Luo Yunchang!¡± Zhuo Fan brought her before Dugu Zhantian and explained what happened.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes lit up, jumping in joy, completely out of her modest and virtuous character.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth twitched as he whispered, ¡°Alright now, don¡¯t push it!¡±


    Luo Yunchang reigned in her excitement then apologized to Dugu Zhantian, who didn¡¯t seem to mind.


    But the four generals looked particularly close at Luo Yunchang. Especially the third brother, whose eyes were practically burning.


    Zhuo Fan laughed inside.


    [Yep, she is no less than Diaochan. And Luo Yunchang is also a rare beauty.]


    (Starreader: Fictional character in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Diaochan is one of the four beauties of ancient China. She is a maid of Dong Zhuo who charmed Lu Bu into assassinating him in 192. )


    Zhuo Fan turned to Dugu Zhantian, ¡°Marshal Dugu, taking young master in is the greatest joy that ever graced the Luo clan. Why not make it even better by becoming kin?¡±


    Kin?!


    Stunned by those words, the four generals looked at Luo Yunchang with blushes. Dugu Zhantian rubbed his beard and looked expectantly at her, ¡°I don¡¯t know if Clan Head will agree¡­¡±


    ¡°No worries, dad would definitely agree. It is his cherished wish!¡± Luo Yunchang rushed a reply.


    Dugu Zhantian saw his godsons bashful but hardly refusing. Dugu Huo had it worse, like a volcano ready to blow.


    Dugu Zhantian recalled how his godsons had fought by his side for decades and thought it was time for them to start a family. So he nodded, ¡°Since Clan Head agrees, then I¡¯m more than happy to do it!¡±


    The four generals clenched their fists, so excited they were trembling. But who was the one to marry this young miss?


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed and showed a sly smile.


    Luo Yunhai now came with the tea and saw Zhuo Fan nodding. He kneeled as he offered the teacup to Dugu Zhantian.


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s mind was filled with the joy of a wedding, taking the cup in passing.


    But at that moment, Luo Yunhai¡¯s voice slammed into their ears, ¡°Luo Yunhai greets godfather!¡±


    Pff!


    Dugu Zhantian staggered, as he spat out the tea he just drank¡­

 Chapter 200 - I Want A Sister In Law, Not A Brother!

    ¡°W-w-what did you just call me?¡± Dugu Zhantian¡¯s old eyes bulged and pointed a trembling finger at Luo Yunhai with a shocked face. The four generals were dumbstruck as well.


    Marshal only agreed to take him as a soldier. How did it jump from that to being a godson?


    Luo Yunhai had a genial face as he cupped his hands in respect, ¡°Is it wrong of me to call you godfather?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, ol¡¯ Marshal, didn¡¯t you say it yourself that you wanted to be kin? The grand Marshal Dugu is going back on his word over such a trivial matter?¡± Zhuo Fan secretly snickered.


    Dugu Zhantian was bug-eyed. It took a while to get over his shock and turned from Luo Yunchang to Luo Yunhai.


    [True, Steward Zhuo only spoke of being kin, not carrying to elaborate on its type.] For Luo Yunhai to call him godfather, was also a type of kin.


    But since only Luo Yunchang was there at the time, they believed it could only be through marriage.


    And the next thing they noticed was that Luo Yunhai was kneeling there, and offering the teacup. Wasn¡¯t his actions clearly done for a godfather ceremony? [Sigh, how could I be so careless?]


    Dugu Zhantian rested his forehead, and said to Zhuo Fan bitterly, ¡°Steward Zhuo, then what you meant by kin, was in fact¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes. Did Marshal perhaps think otherwise?¡±


    ¡°I thought¡­¡± Looking at Luo Yunchang, then at his four godsons, Dugu Zhantian sighed in resignation, ¡°The same.¡±


    The four generals¡¯ faces crumbled with his last words. Zhuo Fan clapped with joy, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, outstanding. Then young master, hurry and kowtow three times to your godfather.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Luo Yunhai shouted, more than eager in his obeisance.


    Dugu Zhantian sighed bitterly with a shake of his head. He wanted to give his godsons a sister in law, only to end up giving them a younger brother instead.


    He was left with no alternative, since he already accepted. If he were to switch facts now and say he wanted the girl instead, wouldn¡¯t it be the same as robbing the common people¡¯s women?


    He was Dugu Zhantian, who had an illustruous military reputation, a man pursuing honesty and bravery as well as maintaining a strict order in his ranks. Was he just going to throw it all away just like that?


    [Let it be. With his talent and Luo clan¡¯s elite army, in two years of training under me, he ought to turn up as another tiger, no?]


    Dugu Zhantian looked on the bright side. His face then turned serious as he looked at Luo Yunhai, ¡°Yunhai, today, you take me as your godfather, so you must follow the rules of the Dugu house. I am a man that separates private and public matters. Now that you are in the Dugu Army and if I am still in armor, you must address me as Marshal. Disobey any military rule and I will punish you according to the martial law, no exceptions. Your four brothers can attest to that.¡±


    ¡°Yes, godfather. Uh, Marshal!¡± Luo Yunhai cupped his hands in glee.


    Dugu Zhantian nodded pleased, [Clever boy.], ¡°Furthermore, as you are now my godson you are not to shame my name. Or your head shall fall!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Marshal!¡± Luo Yunhai grinned and shouted.


    Zhuo Fan smiled and cupped his hands, ¡°Congratulations, Marshal, for getting another bright godson. I am most certain our young master will not let you down.¡±


    He then turned to the four generals, his smile ever present, ¡°Congratulations, generals, you have now an outstanding brother. Young master shall be indebted to you looking after him, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Turning from the beaming Luo Yunchang, a fairy upon this mortal world, to the grinning Zhuo Fan, the four looked bitter and depressed.


    [Enough blabber! We have enough brothers as it is, millions in fact! We don¡¯t need more, all we wanted was a sister in law!]


    Dugu Huo had it worse, feeling such disappointment that his eyes glistened with tears.


    [Goddamn wretched Luo clan! You ignited our desires without us knowing and you give us a little brother instead?]


    [I feel like crying! I¡¯ve been in the field of battle for decades and now I don¡¯t wanna go back¡­]


    Knowing exactly what they were grumbling about in their minds, Zhuo Fan gave Luo Yunchang a thumbs up as he laughed inside. [Who knew the young miss knew how to work her charms? She got the four of ¡¯em hooked without so much as an eye batting.]


    Luo Yunchang stuck out her head in womanly pride and returned Zhuo Fan an enchanting smile.


    This only worked to fuel the lamentation in the four men¡¯s hearts.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, now that I have Yunhai as godson, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time I see your Clan Head?¡± Dugu Zhantian asked.


    Shuddering, Zhuo Fan sighed a nod, ¡°Indeed, I do believe Clan Head wished he could meet Marshal for a long time.¡±


    Luo Yunhai and Luo Yunchang showed sullen faces.


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s group was startled, following them in silence.


    Not fifteen minutes later, they reached a large tent. Zhuo Fan allowed them to enter first. What they saw left them speechless.


    On the table in the middle of the large tent stood a lonely spirit tablet. It was actually inscribed with Luo Clan Head¡¯s name.


    ¡°Clan Head, your most esteemed and revered Marshal Dugu has come to see you. You must be so happy.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s knees hit the ground, wailing to high heavens.


    Luo Yunhai and Luo Yunchang had tears streaming down their cheeks.


    Unlike Zhuo Fan, theirs was no act, but genuine pain. The loss of their father happened two years ago and this spirit tabled was very much real.


    How could they not feel sorrow when gazing upon the spirit tablet?


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s group was stunned. They never would¡¯ve thought the battle of Windgaze City just now was so disastrous it robbed them of their Clan Head.


    They had come too late.


    Shaking his head, Dugu Zhantian and the generals felt their pain, paying their respects as well by burning incense. Their hearts were bleak thinking the Clan Head died not a few days ago.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, if you don¡¯t mind me asking, are the four 5th-grade arrays outside due to Clan Head?¡± Dugu Zhantian asked after showing his respect.


    Zhuo Fan jumped to his feet and held his head high, ¡°It is indeed so. Clan Head was but a Bone Tempering cultivator, but that didn¡¯t stop him from reading the starry sky and the land¡¯s layout, grasping arrays and alchemy alike. Those arrays were personally placed by the Clan Head.¡±


    ¡°Clan Head was a truly extraordinary man. I see why His Majesty sent me to your rescue!¡± Dugu Zhantian sighed.


    Regarding the intricacies of a 5th-grade array, not even a Radiant Stage expert could claim to understand them fully. But as a mere Bone Tempering cultivator, the Luo Clan Head could set four 5th grade arrays. He had to be the genius of the millennium.


    [A pity that he was only in the Bone Tempering Stage and was too weak to control the arrays fully and repel the stronger invaders.] Dugu Zhantian could even imagine Clan Head¡¯s last moments. He sighed, ¡°A true pity. If only he was still alive, I would¡¯ve asked him to join my army as general. He would¡¯ve been a great help to my army in fighting back the Quanrong.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyebrow flickered and clicked his tongue inwardly. [Thank god I wasn¡¯t stupid enough to say I set them up, or they¡¯d be hauling me to the borders. That would be dreadfully scary!]


    ¡°And who was the filth that dared attack the Luo clan, making you suffer so much, and even kill Clan Head?¡± Dugu Zhantian¡¯s killing intent spiked.


    He was only sent here by the emperor to protect the Luo clan. As for the enemy, he had no idea who it was.


    Zhuo Fan snickered inwardly, [Perfect.] and sobbed, ¡°Marshal does not know how cruel and terrifying they were. We had a hundred thousand people on Blackwind Mountain, now reduced to less than ten thousand.¡±


    The sorrowful siblings jumped in fright, looking at Zhuo Fan with horror.


    Nothing seemed beneath this guy, no act to foul, no ditch too filthy. The siblings thought to themselves. [When were there ever a hundred thousand men on this mountain? Better yet, we couldn¡¯t feed them even if there were!]


    Dugu Zhantian was boiling mad, ¡°Such bastards slaughtering common folk live in my country? Now that I¡¯ve returned to court, I will make sure to uproot this evil from our nation and bring it to peace!¡±


    ¡°Please godfa-, Marshal, bring justice to the Luo clan!¡± Luo Yunhai bowed.


    Luo Yunchang rushed to do the same, ¡°Please Marshal, bring us justice!¡±


    ¡°Be at ease, I do not tolerate such meaningless slaughter. I will have them taste the fist of justice for you.¡± Dugu Zhantian flicked his sleeve and roared.


    Dugu Feng grabbed Luo Yunhai and Luo Yunchang¡¯s arms and helped them to their feet. But his eyes never left Luo Yunchang, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, even if Yunhai wasn¡¯t my brother, The Four Tigers will never let such criminals live.¡±


    The other three were gnashing their teeth in frustration.


    [That¡¯s eldest brother for you. Swift to act. How come we didn¡¯t think of it? But there¡¯s plenty of chance to pursue her, now that Luo Yunhai is our little brother.]


    They then started crowding around her and extended their clutches, justifying it with sympathy. While their eyes glared at Dugu Feng as if to say, ¡®Let the girl go! It¡¯s my turn!¡¯


    But then Zhuo Fan passed through and took Dugu Feng¡¯s wretched hand as well as the three clutches with ardent passion, ¡°We couldn¡¯t thank the four generals enough.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s only proper¡­¡±


    Taking their hands back in annoyance, the four still had a smile, but their hearts were vexed. [We want to cope a feel of that young miss you got over there, so why the hell a rotten steward butts into our business?]


    [Humph, such a killjoy!]


    Watching them with a cold eye, Dugu Zhantian was pondering. [As their godfather, I have the final say in not only the peace on Tianyu, but to what lady fits them as well.]


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, who are they, where do they come from? I will immediately send my troops to flatten them all!¡± Dugu Zhantian bellowed with majestic power.


    Zhuo Fan cupped his hands, ¡°Marshal Dugu is a true God of War, in power and manners. I will be straight with you. One of those fiends was Hell Valley. I am certain that Marshal¡¯s army can uproot every single one of them, raze their nest to the ground, restore peace¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait wait wait, come again?¡± Dugu Zhantian stammered, his scalp numb as cold sweat trickled down.


    Zhuo Fan held his head high and spoke clearly, ¡°It was Hell Valley! Why, is it perhaps difficult, Marshal?¡±


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s face twitched


    [Difficult, he says. That couldn¡¯t even begin to describe it! Since when was it so easy to act against the seven houses?] He was from the Four Pillars, but he couldn¡¯t just up and march on the seven houses! That¡¯d start a civil war!


    Dugu Zhantian held his forehead and sighed.


    [I got too carried away with boasting!] Who¡¯d have thought the reason why the emperor would send him over was to repel the seven houses? It was only natural, since only the Four Pillars could reign in the seven houses of Tianyu.


    [Why didn¡¯t you say anything, Your Majesty? Now I can¡¯t go back on my word after boasting about it!]


    Finding the hopeful gazes of Zhuo Fan, Luo Yunhai, and Luo Yunchang, for the first time ever, Dugu Zhantian flushed in embarrassment, trying to look elsewhere¡­

 Chapter 201 - Foolproo

    ¡°Old Marshal, would it be possible for us to go with your army when you set out? To cheer you on!?¡± Zhuo Fan looked as guileless as a newborn blinking those big eyes of his.


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s face froze, slapping himself with his calloused hand, and stammering to find the right answer. He just had to go and brag about getting justice for Luo clan. Now, he got his just desert. Just what excuse was good enough to get out of this one?


    Dugu Lin felt his godfather predicament and said with a roll of his eyes, ¡°Steward Zhuo, are you sure it¡¯s Hell Valley? Do you have any proof? This is a very serious matter. Attacking the seven houses without a reasonable charge, the whole empire will rise up against us!¡±


    ¡°Right, that¡¯s my concern as well!¡±


    Dugu Zhantian recovered quickly and stared on the steward and the siblings as he asked tense, ¡°Do you have any proof?¡±


    Looking at each other, Zhuo Fan and the siblings frowned. The three houses¡¯ elders and Venerables were wiped out. How would they get evidence now?


    After muttering for a while, Zhuo Fan spoke, ¡°They fled too fast and left nothing behind.¡±


    Dugu Zhantian sighed in relief, then gestured at Dugu Lin in appreciation for lifting that rock off his heart, ¡°Since there¡¯s no proof, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Although¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s interjection got Dugu Zhantian on the edge, ¡°However fast they ran, their spies, the Sun clan and Cai Rong, our former elder, with his son, were left behind and are in our custody. That should be enough proof.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Dugu Zhantian hinted at Dugu Lin for help. Dugu Lin was the wisest and most level-headed among the Four Tigers. It now fell onto him to uphold the reputation of the Dugu Army, to let this matter die.


    Dugu Lin shook his head, ¡°A spy of no importance, that has absolutely no relation with anyone from Hell Valley, can hardly be considered proof.¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡±


    Dugu Zhantian shook his head in dismay, ¡°I¡¯m not trying to avoid this, but my hands are tied without hard evidence. Or I would¡¯ve set out with my army at once, trampling Hell Valley into the ground.¡±


    Roaring with such zeal, Dugu Zhantian sighed at the end, while giving Dugu Lin a thumbs up on the sly.


    Dugu Lin gave a covert nod as well.


    Their ol¡¯ Marshal was a military man, hating evil to the core, but not a hot headed one. He couldn¡¯t just attack the important seven houses on a whim.


    Or it would ruin Tianyu!


    While Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t care less. The world could burn for all he cared, as long as his enemies perished in the fire. Seeing Dugu Zhantian not easily pushed to make an enemy out of Hell Valley, pointing out one lame excuse after another, Zhuo Fan frowned.


    [What to do? How can I make Dugu Zhantian and those bastards get in a conflict? Even a minor skirmish is better than nothing.]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s plan was similar to what he did during the battle in Windgaze City. This time though, the grudge between the Luo clan and the seven houses would shift into the grudge between Four Pillars¡¯ Dugu Zhantian and the seven houses.


    [That¡¯ll keep Luo clan safe and sound for a few years at least.]


    Zhuo Fan saw it was far fetched to get rid of Hell Valley any time soon and didn¡¯t make all these preparations for that. He wanted Dugu Zhantian to be the face of Luo clan and let everyone know they¡¯d have to go through Marshal before getting to them.


    [But this old goat keeps skirting around instead¡­]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes darted around in deep thought.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, our scouts report three floating lights above Windgaze City. What are they?¡± Captain Pang burst into the tent.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and everyone went outside.


    Up above, three light indeed spiraled in the sky. They had erratic movements, as if flies with no way home.


    ¡°That¡¯s a messaging jade slip!¡± Dugu Zhantian was shocked, ¡°Feng¡¯er, grab them and see who sent them.¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡± Dugu Feng cupped his hands.


    But before he acted, a figure flashed in the sky with a rumble. It caught the jade slips and was back in a flash.


    Dugu Zhantian and the four generals were dumbstruck. Zhuo Fan was just a 5th layer of Bone Tempering cultivator yet, could fly as fast as a Profound Heaven expert.


    And his Lightning Wings could turn in mid air, as if alive. It was shocking enough for Clan Head to set up the 5th grade arrays and no one was expecting such a skill from the young steward.


    One had to wonder what faces they¡¯d make when they realized his speed wasn¡¯t limited to match the Profound Heaven Stage, and that he had killed many renowned Profound Heaven experts in Tianyu.


    But since they only now returned from the battlefield, they were still out of the loop as to how dreadful this devoted and fervent servant of the Luo clan was.


    Chuckling at their reactions, Zhuo Fan took the lead to look into the three jade slips then he snickered.


    ¡°Marshal Dugu, weren¡¯t you looking for proof? Here it is, he-he-he¡­¡±


    Dugu Zhantian took the three jade slips skeptical. But when he read them, his face darkened and cursed inwardly.


    [Are these three houses packed with idiots? Couldn¡¯t they have taken these jade slip with them before leaving?]


    These were Hell Valley, Pill King Hall, and Merry Woods¡¯ three house leaders sending their orders to their elders and Venerables.


    When a messaging jade slip arrived, only their respective house elder could retrieve it through a specific gesture. In the case when no one was there to take them, the jade slip would float around for two hours before finally returning to the sender.


    It was a pity that these important elders and Venerables in Windgaze City had long since kicked the bucket. The jade slips floated about idly and Zhuo Fan took them as the much needed irrefutable proof to set Dugu Zhantian into motion.


    ¡°Marshal Dugu, is this enough?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s smiled inside, but his face calm as ever.


    Dugu Zhantian spoke with hatred, ¡°Enough!¡±


    ¡°Is this proof, foolproof?¡±


    ¡°It is!¡±


    ¡°So when can we expect you to charge on Hell Valley?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Dugu Zhantian¡¯s face was solemn, ¡°I will need His Majesty¡¯s approval to move the army. Don¡¯t worry, I will take the proof to court and definitely bring justice to the Luo clan.¡±


    Zhuo Fan beamed, [As long as you do it.], ¡°Marshal, won¡¯t it be convenient to deal with Pill King Hall and Merry Woods as well since you¡¯re at it? Look, the foolproof also involves them as well¡­¡±


    Dugu Zhantian felt a headache coming, [Hell Valley is bad enough, now you want those two dealt with as well? Why not repeat history and jump straight to a full blown war with the seven houses like the one a thousand years ago?]


    Dugu Zhantian smiled dejectedly, ¡°I will report to His Majesty and abide by his ruling!¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s also fine!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded. Then he recalled something, ¡°But Marshal, since you¡¯re returning to the court, mind including one little thing in your report?¡±


    ¡°What, there¡¯s more?¡± Dugu Zhantian was speechless. [Just how many houses did you step on anyway?]


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, ¡°This might be a bit tricky though. We knew they were working behind the scenes, but there¡¯s no solid proof about them. It¡¯s up to Marshal if you wish to mention them.¡±


    ¡°The one behind three houses? Who?¡± Dugu Zhantian¡¯s voice trembled.


    Zhuo Fan smiled and spoke vaguely, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, to Marshal it is no one important. But to us, a small clan, it is a colossus. Only under Marshal¡¯s wing can we survive.¡±


    ¡°Who exactly are they?¡± Dugu Zhantian was growing anxious.


    ¡°Regent Estate!¡±


    Sss~


    Gasping, not just Dugu Zhantian, but even the generals were in complete shock. [Did the Luo clan poke the heavens or something? Not only offending the three houses, but even Regent Estate!]


    Dugu Zhantian may not fear Regent Estate, but his losses would be disastrous.


    His Dugu Army was the defense of the nation, how could it be worn down in civil war?


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Marshal Dugu?¡± Zhuo Fan blinked his large eyes.


    Dugu Zhantian hurriedly walked away with his four godsons for fear Zhuo Fan could read his mood, ¡°You guys sure are awesome, but I can¡¯t make a rash decision in this. I will return to camp and think it through. Oh, why do I suddenly feel so dizzy.¡±


    ¡°Marshal Dugu, if you disregard us, what about the promise you made in front of Clan Head¡¯s spirit tablet to bring us justice?¡± Zhuo Fan shouted as he showed them out.


    Luo Yunhai cried, ¡°Godfa-, Marshal, you promised me¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine fine, I am a man of my word. However, let me wrap my head around it first. My camp is only ten miles from here. With me here, no one will bother you. Let¡¯s leave it at that, goodbye.¡±


    Dugu Zhantian cupped his hand in a rush, then ran away. The Four Tigers of Tianyu gave Luo Yunchang one last look then followed suit.


    They vanished the next second.


    Zhuo Fan grinned seeing them gone in a blink, ¡°This Marshal Dugu may not want to contest with the seven houses, but he did promise us safety at least!¡±


    ¡°Big bro Zhuo,¡± Luo Yunhai said, ¡°Do I really have to join Marshal¡¯s army?¡±


    ¡°Of course. It is your fortune to be trained by Dugu Zhantian, the man who held the frontiers for decades, with Four Tigers under him.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you do it then? Wasn¡¯t he fascinated by your arrays?¡±


    Zhuo Fan snorted, ¡°As the saying goes, a good man doesn¡¯t enlist. Why the hell would I go for?¡±


    (StarReader: points at him being an honest to God, faithful and righteous man who does no evil. Or he¡¯s one hell of a smart guy to avoid enlisting.)


    ¡°Then what about me?¡±


    Shooting him a look, Zhuo Fan spoke coldly, ¡°You either go with Dugu Zhantian, or cultivate twenty hours a day.¡±


    ¡°Army, here I come!¡± Luo Yunhai ran out in fear.


    Luo Yunchang smiled, then muttered, ¡°Zhuo Fan, what if¡­ making him a godson fails? Would you have married me off to make a tie with Four Pillars?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± Zhuo Fan spoke as if it was obvious, ¡°In regards to political marriage, using you to get the Four Pillars on our side is as good a move as any. In fact, we¡¯d be the ones truly winning here. We can even go a step further and get the best out of it by having you marry Dugu Huo. He is so impulsive and easy to use¡­¡±


    ¡°Go to hell!¡± Luo Yunchang glared at him and kicked him off the mountain before leaving in a huff.


    Zhuo Fan ate dirt before he got to crawl to his feet and shouted behind her, ¡°What the hell? Isn¡¯t it all for Luo clan? Besides, what difference does it make who you aren¡¯t even marrying¡­ ¡°


    This only worked to fuel Luo Yunchang¡¯s rage as she stomped faster¡­


    In another place, Dugu Zhantian¡¯s group descended the mountain post haste, in fear Zhuo Fan would go after them with more excessive demands.


    Suddenly, Dugu Lin stopped with a frown, ¡°Marshal, why do I have the odd feeling we¡¯ve been played?¡±


    The others stopped as well, now noticing something was very off about all this. In their trip to Blackwind Mountain, they didn¡¯t get anything cleared up, yet ended up with a godson and a heavy responsibility. At the end of the day, they were now tied with Luo clan.


    To the point they¡¯d be fighting four houses together!


    [What¡¯s going on here?]


    Dugu Zhantian and the tigers scratched their heads in complete loss¡­

 Chapter 202 - Taunt

    A fortnight later, Zhuo Fan was patiently cultivating, taking advantage of the short idle time he rarely could afford.


    He had to handle every little matter in the Luo clan these few days. It was his duty as a steward to make sure everything ran smoothly. Adding to that, he had to look after the guards and shadow corp¡¯s cultivation. Thus, his own training suffered.


    Since Luo Yunhai was now Dugu Zhantian¡¯s godson, he also had to constantly ferry this young master to Dugu Zhantian¡¯s camp and strengthen their relationship.


    Their interactions were rocky at first, with Dugu Zhantian in a bad mood, but the kid was sharp and slowly started to grow on the old guy. Soon, Marshall began treating him like his favorite. Even though he was aware of Luo clan¡¯s intent, he nonetheless agreed to it in a moment of carelessness.


    And they got so close that Luo Yunhai was staying at the Dugu Army camp ten miles out for two or three days sometimes. It was such a relief to Zhuo Fan to hear this.


    [This pair of godson and godfather finally shows results¡­]


    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan opened his eyes and grinned wickedly, ¡°He-he-he, I was beginning to worry I¡¯d have no excuse to get that old man to march on you. But who¡¯d have thought you¡¯d come instead. It doesn¡¯t get any better than this!¡±


    ¡°Old Pang!¡±


    Zhuo Fan got out and shouted. Captain Pang rushed to him and cupped his hands, ¡°Steward Zhuo, what do you need of me?¡±


    ¡°Go to Dugu Army camp and tell the old man, trouble has come to Luo clan!¡±


    ¡°What, enemy attack? Where? Can I go see?¡± Captain Pang was growing anxious in his rush outside.


    Zhuo Fan flicked his forehead with a smile, ¡°Stop using that excuse. Don¡¯t worry about that and just go ask for help!¡±


    Captain Pang scratched his head, puzzled. But since Zhuo Fan said it, he¡¯d have to follow his order. After all, Zhuo Fan¡¯s every move was meticulously made and surely had a good reason for this. As long as they followed his instructions everything would be all right.


    Zhuo Fan smiled as Captain Pang ran like the wind. Then he also flew towards Windgaze City¡¯s gate.


    At the same time, people started appearing nearby the entrance of Windgaze City, people from Veiled Dragon Pavilion, Drifting Flowers Edifice, and Sword Marquise Abode.


    Chu Bijun looked beyond the gates with worry, ¡°I wonder if the attack already started. I hope we¡¯re not too late.¡±


    ¡°If there ever had been an attack, it had to have happened already with how quiet the city is. However¡­¡± Long Yifey muttered, ¡°Windgaze City is forbidden to us from the seven houses. Shouldn¡¯t we scout it first?¡±


    Everyone turned quiet.


    They didn¡¯t know how Hell Valley and the rest infiltrated the city, but one thing was certain, they didn¡¯t just waltz in. If they go in and get discovered, adding to that the possibility of Luo clan being laid in ruins, they would be the ones to ultimately take the fall.


    With the weakened imperial family, they wouldn¡¯t suffer much, but the Regent Estate wasn¡¯t that benevolent. They¡¯d accuse them of rebelling with this excuse. They¡¯d fall right in their trap.


    But they wouldn¡¯t know the situation without going in first, and they also couldn¡¯t just stay here fiddling their thumbs either. It was hard no matter what choice was made!


    Sighing, Chu Bijun tapped her golden dragon head cane, ¡°One must do what he has to do! Let¡¯s go!¡±


    She then led Iris and Peony Overseers to the gates. Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng nodded, not far behind either.


    Grandmother may be known as the Lady of Steel, but these two men were just as bold as her.


    They all disregarded the ban and any traps that may be about, going straight through the front gate into Windgaze City.


    ¡°Chu Bijun, stop!¡± A shout came from above and figures block their path. On a closer look, they were clearly people from Hell Valley, Pill King Hall, and Merry Woods.


    Chu Bijun squinted, ¡°Valley Lord You, what¡¯s the meaning of this?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, we all know why we¡¯re here. Too bad, you¡¯re too late!¡± You Wanshan and Yan Bogong¡¯s group started laughing.


    Chu Bijun frowned, ¡°You mean you already¡­¡±


    ¡°Correct, we knew you¡¯d come to help Luo clan. But no matter how fast you rushed here, could it be faster than the message jade slips? Humph, I will let you in on a little secret. If my calculations are correct, our forces hidden in the Windgaze City had long received our orders and assaulted the Luo clan two weeks ago. By now, the Luo clan should be nothing but a pile of corpses, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Yan Bogong laughed , soon joined by the rest. Chu Bijun and Long Yifey were unsettled.


    It all bore down to imperial family¡¯s response. If they were any more passive, the Regent Estate¡¯s campaign would go unchecked, with these three houses as their very first targets.


    In a blink, Drifting Flowers Edifice, Sword Marquise Abode, and Veiled Dragon Pavilion found themselves in an imminent danger.


    But then, a carefree laughter echoed, ¡°I do hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. It seems we have sorely disappointed you. The Luo clan hasn¡¯t seen blood for over a month, not even a chicken¡¯s.¡±


    They turned in shock to see a youth with an evil grin plastered on his face, leaning on the city gates.


    ¡°Z-Zhuo Fan?¡±


    They all cried in unison. Long Jiu¡¯s group was ecstatic. Since this kid was here, Luo clan¡¯s safety was a done deal. And by contrast, You Wanshan¡¯s group was filled with dread.


    Except for Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder, none of them saw Zhuo Fan before. But having seen the Hell Kill Order, they knew his appearance.


    ¡°W-weren¡¯t you supposed to be killed on your way back? How¡­¡± You Wanshan was overwhelmed.


    Zhuo Fan snickered evilly, ¡°Oh, you mean those dead bags of bones? He-he-he, they all died by my hands, no exceptions.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± You Wanshan¡¯s group screamed, not daring to even believe such grievous news.


    Hell Valley and Merry Woods each sent two elders in the 5th layer of Profound Heaven Stage, the cornerstones of their houses, even Regent Estate supplied with two peak Profound Heaven experts.


    Not even a 9th layer of Profound Heaven cultivator could kill them all off, so how could it be possible for a 5th layer of Bone Tempering Zhuo Fan?


    Zhuo Fan easily saw through them and smiled, ¡°You call a 5th layer Profound Heaven expert and above strong? Ha-ha-ha, they didn¡¯t look like it. From the mental point of you that is!¡±


    Zhuo Fan pointed at his noggin, with disdain, ¡°Let¡¯s take it from the top. Merry Woods¡¯ elders were retards, no question about it. I mean, who the hell closes his eyes when laying an ambush? I had an easy time getting behind them and making sure their eyes forever remained closed. He-he-he, guess that¡¯s where Merry Woods excels at. All the merrying got to their heads till they went crazy! ¡°


    Pff!


    Iris Overseer and Peony Overseer stifled their laughter, while Lin Rufeng was red as a crab.


    Yan Bogong and You Wanshan threw him a condemning look, [Is that the kind of fools you should be sending?]


    ¡°As for Regent Estate, humph, they¡¯re too complacent, always looking down on me. You tell me, am I someone to be underestimated? As for the end of all arrogant elders, I¡¯m sure you gentlemen can easily figure it out.¡± Zhuo Fan flicked his nose.


    They all approved in their hearts. If Regent Estate had a fault, that would be conceit. Although when taking their power into consideration, that wasn¡¯t much of a weakness really.


    But before a freak like Zhuo Fan, they¡¯d be no different than lambs to the slaughter.


    ¡°What of my 3rd and 4th elders?¡± You Wanshan barked.


    Zhuo Fan snickered and dissed him, ¡°Valley Lord You, chill, of course they died too. But you can¡¯t blame me for that. Who told them to be ponces? All I could do was fulfill their cherished wish and send them on their merry way together, to never part even in afterlife, he-he-he¡­ ¡°


    ¡°What?!¡±


    You Wanshan trembled. He already knew this would be the case, but it was hard to accept this fact until Zhuo Fan had to spell it out for him.


    Hell Valley¡¯s 5th elder, was boiling mad. Zhuo Fan already robbed his arm, and now two of his brothers. He was outraged, ¡°Zhuo Fan, it¡¯s either you or me!¡±


    ¡°Tch, that¡¯s my line!¡± Zhuo Fan quipped in mockery.


    Chu Bijun¡¯s group was filled with shock. This was their general reaction ever since they heard two elders from Merry Woods got killed.


    After all, Zhuo Fan killed four and crippled one back in Drifting Flowers City, having long shocked the world.


    But then, they heard how Hell Valley and Regent Estate¡¯s elders suffered the same fate, despite Regent Estate¡¯s elders being far stronger than Diamondback Ape.


    This clearly pointed out the other two houses¡¯ elders were by no means weak.


    And even with all that, he killed all six of them perfectly, coming out of it without so much as a scratch. This was the real reason for their shock.


    Especially to Chu Bijun, who just woke up, finding it hard to cope to a world that changed so greatly so quickly. The revered seven houses were not only taunted but ridiculed to such a degree!


    A storm was brewing one that would shuffle the ranks of the seven houses.


    Chu Bijun¡¯s eyes trembled. Her gaze was fixed on Zhuo Fan, however, as they glinted¡­

 Chapter 203 - Borrowing Power

    ¡°Zhuo Fan, you rotten punk, today I will bury you!¡±


    Wailing like a banshee, You Wanshan glared at Zhuo Fan with bloodshot eyes. Yan Bogong and Lin Rufeng were also releasing their bloodthirst.


    Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng held their guard up. Since Zhuo Fan was safe, of course they¡¯d to jump to his rescue. The same thought ran through Chu Bijun¡¯s mind as well. For Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s benefit, Zhuo Fan had to come out unharmed.


    It all became a stand off in an instant, as six house lords surrounded Zhuo Fan as they were on guard regarding each other¡¯s reaction; each out of their own selfish desire. Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan was peachy, taking but a light jump backward and through the city gates. He then pointed at You Wanshan in taunt, ¡°You old farts, come and get me if you have the guts! You won¡¯t get to touch a single hair of mine regardless of where we¡¯d been. That goes especially here, in my domain. Well, any takers?¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    You Wanshan had long lost his patience with Zhuo Fan¡¯s taunts, roaring as he charged after him with the others.


    With so many Profound Heaven experts burning to eat his heart out, even Zhuo Fan felt somewhat overwhelmed.


    Chu Bijun¡¯s group rushed to block them, but You Wanshan¡¯s team were long since prepared.


    ¡°Rainbow Cloud Palm!¡±


    Yan Bogong was the furthest behind, turning around and spreading his arms. The seven colored mists flew at Chu Bijun and others, making the stop and withdraw in panic.


    ¡°Split up!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, quite clever!¡± Yan Bogong laughed with pride. But seeing the rest of You Wanshan¡¯s group going after Zhuo Fan, the anxiety ramped up in Chu Bijun.


    Regardless how outstanding Zhuo Fan was, or how many Profound Heaven experts he got under his belt, none of them believed it to be from a head on fight, but earned through cunning and subterfuge. This time, You Wanshan¡¯s team was all going after him.


    In this desperate situation, even with Zhuo Fan¡¯s godly skills, his chance at life would be slim at best.


    Yet, for some odd reason, Zhuo Fan¡¯s was as relaxed as ever, even having time to throw them his trademark evil grin.


    This sounded off an alarm in the enraged mind of You Wanshan. As to why, he couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on it.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, with a booming sound, a bluish light landed smack in the center of Windgaze City¡¯s gates. You Wanshan¡¯s team was in mid flight when a wave of bluish power erupted from the light and sending them barreling.


    When they recovered, they looked upon a ten foot long bluish crescent blade, having seven foot long hilt engraved with a blue dragon and a three foot long blade shooting blinding red rays. It spoke of its thirst of tasting the blood of everyone it touched.


    And on the blade was a shimmering silver dragon image.


    You Wanshan¡¯s team cried in fear, ¡°6th-grade spiritual weapon, Dragonslaying Crescent Blade!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, You Wanshan, I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d recognize my trusted battle companion!¡± An aged voice boomed, followed by Dugu Zhantian floating next to the crescent blade.


    Picking it up as if it was nothing, the blade started ringing out dragonic roars.


    The Four Tigers of Tianyu brought Luo Yunhai to Zhuo Fan. They were glaring at You Wanshan¡¯s team, releasing their imposing auras all the while.


    Scalp numb, You Wanshan never considered this scenario. For Tianyu¡¯s great Marshal, God of War Dugu Zhantian, to descend upon Windgaze City, a backwater town.


    Chu Bijun¡¯s group were slackjawed from the sudden turn of events.


    ¡°Marshal, this is between us and the punk. I hope you won¡¯t meddle!¡± You Wanshan¡¯s brow trembled, his mood sinking dangerously low.


    Making a half swing with the blade, Dugu Zhantian roared, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s rich! The Emperor ordered me to defend Windgaze City, and you¡¯re implying your casual words carry more weight than His Majesty¡¯s? Humph, You Wanshan, the seven houses¡¯ prestige must have gotten to your head and forgot your place!¡±


    ¡°What, the Emperor¡¯s edict?¡±


    You Wanshan shuddered, his face white as paper. The hearts of the other house leaders hit rock bottom.


    The whole purpose of Windgaze City operation was to test the imperial family¡¯s bottom line. If the Luo clan fell to ruins and the imperial family gave a cold shoulder, then they¡¯d ramp up their already obnoxious arrogance to swallow whole every other houses while completely disregarding the imperial family.


    But now they met face to face with God of War Dugu Zhantian of the frontier. This was Emperor¡¯s warning to the seven houses, to stay in line.


    This time, they really went and groped a tiger¡¯s butt!


    You Wanshan sighed, filled with grievances. He didn¡¯t want to grope anything, but the Regent Estate made him.


    Now that the tiger left the mountain, Regent Estate would shirk off the blame, falling in the background, while letting them take the fall. The emperor would then make a harsh example of these three houses.


    The three house leaders looked at each other¡¯s eyes, ready to explode in tears.


    Chu Bijun¡¯s group was elated at their misery. For the first time in a century, the imperial family stood their ground. This should curb Regent Estate¡¯s arrogance in the future.


    At the very least, it would greatly delay their plan to swallow the seven houses.


    Grumbling, You Wanshan cupped his hands, ¡°Marshal, knowing that you stand guard at Windgaze City, I shall not cross into it. However, Zhuo Fan killed many of our elders and even crippled my 5th elder¡¯s arm. I ask that you hand him over for us to handle. This great favor will one day be repaid by our three houses.¡±


    Since goin in Windgaze City was out, ripping Zhuo Fan apart wasn¡¯t that bad of a trade off.


    Frowning, Dugu Zhantian turned his incredulous eyes to Zhuo Fan, as if seeing him for the first time, ¡°Is what he said, true?¡±


    The Four Tigers of Tianyu, were also looking at him in amazement.


    At first they were impressed such a youth could hold the position of steward in a clan. It was a rare occurrence indeed.


    But who¡¯d ever stop to think that this kid was so incredible, so outrageous, that he would kill so many of seven houses¡¯ elders.


    Perhaps telling them now that Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t just stop at killing elders and went a step further in slaughtering Regent Estate¡¯s second young master, might perhaps cause their brains to stop working.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan was caught in the middle. So he chose another path, that of pulling Luo Yunhai forward and cursing at You Wanshan, ¡°What are you droning on about? Do you know how close we are with Marshal Dugu, uh? How dare you have such gall as to ask Marshal Dugu to hand me over? That is outrageous!¡±


    All were too dumbstruck to even reply.


    [Dugu Zhantian had lived his life by the blade, fighting day in day out on the border. You have no relation to him, zero! So how damn close could you possibly be?!]


    Then came Zhuo Fan¡¯s laughter in response to their thought. He patted Luo Yunhai¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Humph, bunch of ignorant fools is what you are! Our young master is Luo Yunhai, Marshal Dugu¡¯s fifth godson!¡±


    Say what?!


    The dull and shocked stares creaked towards Dugu Zhantian. The grand and mighty God of War, second of Four Pillars, Dugu Zhantian, just up and took a third rate clan¡¯s young master? Could this relation get any more inappropriate than this?


    Despite being done in a not so honorable way and barely a half a month old, Dugu Zhantian was forced to nod.


    What a shocker!


    For Luo clan to hug such a big tree was like a pheasant turning into a phoenix. Regarding fame, Luo Yunhai would be no less than at the level of the seven houses¡¯ geniuses!


    ¡°Kid, don¡¯t push it!¡± Knowing where Zhuo Fan was going, Dugu Zhantian gave the brat a warning.


    Zhuo Fan chuckled in response, borrowing the man¡¯s power to lay it down even thicker, ¡°You Wanshan, you got any idea who I am? I¡¯m the great Luo clan¡¯s steward, the trusted aid of young miss and young master. Asking for Marshal to hand me over is the same as asking for my young master, the same to having Marshal hand over one of his four generals. Now you tell me, will Marshal ever agree to that? Will young master? Will our million strong Dugu Army?¡±


    That had the expected effect of driving fear into their very bones.


    [Just how did a simple matter got a million warriors in the mix? How? This guy would stoop to anything!]


    ¡°Furthermore, you even dare ask Marshal to hand me over? Humph, how then are your houses going to answer for the slaughtering you did in the Luo clan not a few days ago?¡± Zhuo Fan held his chest with pain in his voice, he cried, and he sniffed, ¡°Oh, my poor hundred thousand unfortunate souls of my clan, how could you maniacs have robbed them from us¡­¡±


    Pff!


    You Wanshan was holding back the blood threatening to come out. The Sun and Cai clans acted as his eyes and ears in Windgaze City, so he at least knew the basic facts about Luo clan.


    [What hundred thousand men?! Your third rate clan never had them! Stop talking rubbish! Not even the Seven Noble Houses has that many people!]


    The cheeks of every one there started twitching and dark clouds loomed over their faces. Even Long Yifey, who was the most friendly with Zhuo Fan, scratched his head dazed.


    [I get you¡¯re framing them, but can¡¯t you be a bit more realistic?]


    Oh, but Zhuo Fan was just getting started, raining charges on the poor blokes, ¡°Outside of the vile and inhuman slaughter you¡¯ve lowered yourselves to, your greatest crime is disobeying Tianyu¡¯s most brilliant, wises, amazing, and sacred holy Emperor. Our holy Emperor had explicitly stated this area banned for the seven houses, but you dare come throwing it in chaos. This is no longer disobedience, but plain insurrection!¡±


    ¡°Marshal Dugu, as the nation most esteemed patriot, how could you ever allow such conduct to take place before your very eyes? You must strike at once, take their heads and make them pay their crimes! The emperor would certainly not punish you for ridding the empire of this foul beasts!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, godfather, I shall go bring the soldiers here to crush Hell Valley and protect the sanctity of our holy Emperor, your patriotic heart, the people¡¯s hope.¡± Striking while the iron was hot, Luo Yunhai cupped his hands and asked Dugu Zhantian for permission to go fetch the million head Dugu Army.


    Dugu Zhantian felt like cursing right now, [How did these two brats¡¯ topic ended with sicking the army on Hell Valley? This isn¡¯t a joke, but the start of civil war!]


    You Wanshan¡¯s team was dumbfounded. Their demand was perfectly reasonable, to settle their grudge with Zhuo Fan. How did it degenerate to making Dugu Zhantian going after them and even sending the million strong army for their heads?


    You Wanshan looked at the rest and saw that everyone was sweating buckets.


    If these kids spurred Dugu Zhantian long enough, those brats would really get to make him send the army to uproot the millennia long foundation of Hell Valley¡­


    Silavin: Damn. I had a good laugh.


    Though, it made me wonder, why on NovelUpdate, this novel is rated so low? Like 3.7? Are we even reading the same novel?


    Well, maybe they were reading the MTL version shared online, which means, they don¡¯t even understand the humour.


    Though, what do you guys think?

 Chapter 204 - The Dispossessed

    ¡°Marshal Dugu, you mustn¡¯t go believing these brats¡¯ nonsense and look at things from another perspective. Civil war, people dying left and right. I¡¯m sure you want to avoid that from happening.¡±


    You Wanshan rushed to cup his hands to Dugu Zhantian and spoke anxiously. The others from his team watched tense for any change in Marshal¡¯s expression.


    If Dugu Zhantian was going to storm Hell Valley, then the next to follow would be their houses.


    The atmosphere suddenly took a heavy tone, making it hard to even breathe.


    Dugu Zhantian stroked his beard, and when Zhuo Fan saw him move his arm dismissively, he jumped in action, ¡°Humph, Valley Lord You, the nerve on you, to dare command Marshal who to attack and who to hand over! You must already be taking those million soldiers as yours!¡±


    You Wanshan sent all his hatred in his glare at Zhuo Fan. He would¡¯ve long since jumped Zhuo Fan and kill this thorn in his side by now if Dugu Zhantian wasn¡¯t there to help it.


    Funny enough, Dugu Zhantian¡¯s mind worked the same. He was clenching his fists wishing he could beat some sense into this egotistical parvenu for using his army. Only emperor¡¯s edict to protect Luo clan stopped him from chocking the life of this damn punk.


    [My army is not Hell Valley¡¯s, and it¡¯s most certainly not yours. You damn steward, who do you think you are to represent my army when trying to show off? You even go as far as threaten the grand Seven Noble Houses! Are you dying to start a civil war?]


    Thank god for Zhuo Fan, You Wanshan and Dugu Zhantian had no clue of the other¡¯s thoughts or they¡¯d be shaking on it while putting an end to the kid¡¯s play.


    You Wanshan took deep breaths to push down the anger and bring out the calm. He chose to relinquish his house lord¡¯s demeanor, and cupped his hands, speaking in a difficult tone, ¡°Marshal Dugu, let us all just take a step back. Since you defend Windgaze City, we won¡¯t dare to intrude. As for Zhuo Fan, we don¡¯t want him. I am willing to do this for you and forget about today. What do you say?¡±


    ¡°Valley Lord, that punk killed¡­¡± 5th elder shouted, but You Wanshan snapped, ¡°Quiet, can¡¯t you see Marshal Dugu is in charge here?¡±


    5th elder turned from Dugu Zhantian to the mocking Zhuo Fan and stormed away outraged.


    Understanding where Hell Valley was going and not wanting to see this spiral further out of control, Dugu Zhantian sighed with a nod.


    While all people there wanted love and peace, there was one who burned to see the two sides like oil and water.


    So he butted in just as Dugu Zhantian was about to conclude this affair with a laugh, ¡°Valley Lord You, you must be dreaming if you think you¡¯re getting away that easy! Have you forgotten the hundred thousand men you killed in my clan, those pitiful lost souls unable to find peace¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up!


    But Dugu Zhantian and You Wanshan snapped at him in unison. Reeling, Zhuo Fan knew when to quit, so he quietly stood there, not making even a peep, like an angel.


    His action made other feel mortified.


    [This kid will stoop to any low, uncaring of appearances, a true parvenu. His talent is a damn waste as a steward.]


    Dugu Zhantian stammered. He saw Zhuo turned from a biting dog into an adorable kitty, as if all that brash talk was not said, and was lost for words. In the end he cupped his hands, ¡°You Wanshan, then we shall let this matter rest here. However, I do feel the need of reminding you, Valley Lord You, this empire is under Yuwen ruling, not your backyard!¡±


    ¡°I shall keep in mind Marshal¡¯s counsel. Farewell!¡± You Wanshan gave one last salute and left with the others. Yet just a few steps after, his eerie tone came, ¡°Marshal, on your way to Windgaze City, have you perhaps met some of my men?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Dugu Zhantian was about to shake his head.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes sparkles like stars and grabbed hold of this golden ticket with a snicker and stepped up, ¡°Valley Lord You, Marshal¡¯s four generals are of immense valor, how could they waste time on nobodies? Ha-ha-ha, I urge you to got back and look after their families, and put a stop to your men¡¯s reckless behavior. Windgaze City isn¡¯t a place where you can come and go as you please.¡±


    Pff!


    You Wanshan spurted blood, his eyes bloodshot.


    [Dugu Zhantian, you are truly vicious. I will remember this debt¡­]


    He only wanted to ask Dugu Zhantian what happened to his men hiding in Windgaze City. But the Marshal had came after the battle and had no clue what transpired.


    Zhuo Fan picked up on his intention and cooked up an ingenious reply.


    To Dugu Zhantian, this line was vague. He thought it was only a warning to You Wanshan to not make trouble when he had four strong godsons by his side.


    However, You Wanshan¡¯s team heard of the implied meaning. The four generals¡¯ valor, of disregarding Hell Valley¡¯s men, were actually hinting at the fact that these four amazing godsons handled their men hiding in the city!


    But the next phrase really took the cake, pointing it out that Dugu Zhantian commanded the execution of all of them.


    The eyes of the three house leaders went bloodshot, their nails biting into their hands. Zhuo Fan predicted that the three men would pointedly shift their anger from Luo clan onto Dugu Zhantian.


    How could any of them ever forget a heavy loss of three elders and three Venerables?


    ¡°Marshal, everything must be done within a limit. But you have grossly crossed it!¡±


    You Wanshan snorted and shot into the sky, leaving his last words of hatred behind, ¡°Dugu Zhantian, I pray we¡¯ll meet again soon. I doubt such a senile fool can be a God of War forever!¡±


    ¡°Hey, did you see, Marshal? You just let them go, and all they give in return is spite!¡± Zhuo Fan honked some more.


    Dugu Zhantian and his generals were lost, not having a clue of being turned into patsies by Zhuo Fan.


    [How odd, why is there a sudden grudge between us?]


    Dugu Zhantian frowned but couldn¡¯t make sense of it and sighed with a shake of his head, ¡°There are no longer men with any integrity around!¡±


    ¡°I knew that teaching them a lesson was better!¡± Dugu Huo roared.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, third brother. How about you lead the army and I accompany you in flattening them!¡±


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough. Yunhai, what did I tell you? Don¡¯t use my banner to show off and pick on the weak!¡± Dugu Zhantian glared at Luo Yunhai then cursed, ¡°Is the Dugu Army that easy to mobilize?¡±


    Luo Yunhai lowered his head not daring to speak again. But that didn¡¯t stop Zhuo Fan¡¯s smile of respect, ¡°Marshal is wrong here. How can the seven houses be considered weak when we are the ones being picked on?¡±


    Dugu Zhantian was startled, [He has a point]. But then he reacted and glared, ¡°And you, Steward Zhuo, it almost settled before you started speaking, always mocking and inciting them. You, the dispossessed, the weak, just angered the strong until they coughed blood!¡±


    This launched everyone in a fit of giggles, especially Iris and Peony Overseers. They hid their smiles as they started recalling the fake Song Yu¡¯s acting in Drifting Flowers City.


    Zhuo Fan shrugged and kept his thoughts to himself, lest he became the target of the ol¡¯ Marshal¡¯s anger.


    Sighing, Dugu Zhantian calmed the rage in his heart, then cupped his hands to Chu Bijun¡¯s group, ¡°I know that you are different then them, coming to resolve the situation and not make it bigger. But I am under imperial order and I can¡¯t let you in Windgaze City.¡±


    ¡°We understand!¡± Chu Bijun returned the gesture.


    Dugu Zhantian nodded and went to his generals, ¡°Return to camp!¡±


    ¡°Hold on, Marshal. There are matters young master needs to tend in the Luo clan. Can he¡­¡±


    Dugu Zhantian nodded to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Alright, the kid got me in a foul mood so I will hand him to you for today. Humph, I don¡¯t want to see him right now!¡±


    Then he vanished. Luo Yunhai¡¯s face sank, ¡°Big brother, does godfather hates me?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, relax fifth brother, Marshal is only putting a tough front but he¡¯s a softy inside. He just favors you too much to stay angry for long. Once his anger passes, it¡¯ll be fine!¡± Dugu Lin smiled in mid-air.


    Luo Yunhai relaxed.


    He had been robbed of his father early in his life and started to consider Marshal a father figure after spending so much time with him¡­


    Ruffling his hair, Zhuo Fan drew him to Long Yifey, Chu Bijun and the rest, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, people, long time no see. You¡¯ve come to help us? You can rest easy now, since everything is fine!¡±


    ¡°With little brother Zhuo taking charge, the Luo clan will be forever safe, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Long Jiu said then introduced, ¡°Brother, let me present to you our Pavilion Lord, Long Yifey. And here is Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s Abode Lord¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan had Luo Yunhai pay respects alongside him as Long Jiu introduced.


    When it was Chu Bijun¡¯s turn, Chu Bijun nodded before Zhuo Fan could bow, ¡°Qingcheng was right about you, Steward Zhuo. A man mighty in pen and sword is worthy of being Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s son in law!¡±


    Ugh!


    Zhuo Fan shook his head bitterly seeing the odd looks in everyone¡¯s eyes¡­

 Chapter 205 - Friend From Afa

    ¡°Grandmother, you can¡¯t be speaking so casually, some people might misunderstand!¡± Squinting, Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone dropped, ¡°My trip to Drifting Flowers City was all for the Bodhi Jade Sap. It had nothing to do with Chu Qingcheng. Please refrain from speaking such falsities in the future.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng was startled. [Drifting Flowers Edifice isn¡¯t some scourge, so why do you insist on keeping your distance? And what¡¯s not to like about Chu Qingcheng? She is a worldly beauty that has countless men treating her like a goddess.]


    Long Yifey and the rest were also puzzled. [You just got a hot wife thrown in your lap so why on earth are you stepping aside? You aren¡¯t fed poison anyway so what¡¯s with that huge reaction?]


    Peony Overseer¡¯s temper flared, cursing him, ¡°Zhuo Fan, Qingcheng¡¯s love is wasted on you. How can you be such a disappointment?¡±


    ¡°Humph, disappointment you say?¡± Zhuo Fan stuck out his chest and bellowed, ¡°I was the one who saved all of Drifting Flowers Edifice, this old crone included. I owe you jack-squat!¡±


    Peony Overseer was now shaking out of rage. His words were right and she had nothing to say despite wanting to.


    Chu Bijun¡¯s face twitched. She had had her fair share of travels in her youth, but never once met someone so brazen to curse her in her face. Especially not by a young pup.


    The Lady of Steel wasn¡¯t one to take that tone lying down even if they were from the seven houses. Letting a snot-nosed brat off without teaching him a lesson would let others believe the Drifting Flowers Edifice was a pushover.


    But Zhuo Fan was different. Since she woke up, all she heard were endless dreaded rumors about this legendary youth. And today she saw him playing Hell Valley and Dugu Zhantian like a fiddle into jumping at each other¡¯s throat.


    Getting on the bad side of such a sly and vicious fellow would end in disaster.


    The wise Chu Bijun knew who was easier to push around and save her prestige and who was better left alone and bear the brunt instead.


    It was crystal clear in what category Zhuo Fan fell into.


    Her only choice was to bear it! Though she was quite curious to know what nerve did this topic struck to irk him into flaring up at any who mentioned it.


    ¡°Humph, heartless rat!¡± All the Peony Overseer could do was curse him. Zhuo Fan ignored her all the same.


    Long Yifey let out a wry chuckle trying to mediate the situation, ¡°We¡¯re all on the same side. Must we get angry over something so minor? We need to focus on the task at hand and remove the danger our four houses face!¡±


    ¡°Pavilion Lord Long is right. Please forgive my rude remarks, Steward Zhuo!¡± Chu Bijun smiled.


    Zhuo Fan glanced at her and secretly nodded.


    No wonder people started calling her Lady of Steel, she was quite amenable. The issue had nothing to do with her, but for Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s sake, she was willing to take one for the team in being first to extend an olive branch.


    Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t unreasonable either, bowing, ¡°Please forgive my rash behavior as well.¡±


    Chu Bijun nodded, with a smile of praise. Although Peony Overseer was still too pissed to look him in the eye.


    ¡°Seeing everyone here today I can only assume you have agreed to join hands!¡± Zhuo Fan suddenly took a sombre tone, ¡°That would imply us four houses¡¯ objectives have aligned. Or more aptly put, we have been pushed into a corner and forced to ally!¡±


    ¡°Precisely!¡±


    Chu Bijun picked up where he left, ¡°Pavilion Lord Long with Abode Lord Xie and myself have participated in the Seven Houses Gathering at Regent Estate. As Steward Zhuo had suspected, they wish to rule over all the houses, with Hell Valley and the others already standing on Regent Estate¡¯s side.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Seven Houses Gathering you say? Do tell me the details.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes glimmered.


    Chu Bijun started recalling the meeting in minute details. Whatever she had missed were supplied by Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng.


    Having understood what transpired, Zhuo Fan paced around with a frown, ¡°I was wondering why Regent Estate didn¡¯t come to Windgaze City. I see it now. Estate Lord sure is a man of character!¡±


    ¡°Humph, what character? Big bro Zhuo, sending Hell Valley and the rest instead paints him for the coward he truly is!¡± Luo Yunhai mocked.


    Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°Rotten brat, guess I have to teach you a harsh lesson, lest you encounter an expert from which you¡¯d suffer dearly!¡±


    ¡°As the saying goes, the cruelest are the regents! I killed one of his sons, yet, he did not fly into rage, only sending experts to kill me in Windgaze City. In this manner, he is rather calm. He did not seek revenge but planned to test the imperial family¡¯s limit. It is clear this man¡¯s ambition is great. This is how a man should act when he wants to look at things from perspective.¡±


    ¡°Kid, you will become Luo Clan Head one day. I won¡¯t say anything about being strong or having a cunning mind, but one thing you must never forget, to give no quarter!¡± Zhuo Fan snickered and patted Luo Yunhai¡¯s head.


    They all felt ashamed. Did anyone guide their young master in such a way in this empire? But one thing was certain, Zhuo Fan¡¯s logic made complete sense. In this cruel and harsh world, things like compassion would only drag one down.


    Chu Bijun took a long look at Zhuo Fan, and nodded, more to herself.


    Zhuo Fan pondered for a bit before saying, ¡°Currently, the imperial family has shown their stance so we should be safe for now. While the Luo clan, having Marshal Dugu on our back, is in an even safer position, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan cackled to the speechless audience who thought, [Just what rotten luck did this guy stumble upon to get Dugu Zhantian¡¯s support?]


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, when did you get so close to Dugu Zhantian? I¡¯ve been in Windgaze City for years and never heard of this.¡± Long Jiu¡¯s curiosity got the better of him.


    ¡°Hmm, how should I put this?¡±


    Zhuo Fan jutted his chin, while Luo Yunhai¡¯s face beamed with pride. He was quite frankly the second coming of Zhuo Fan in this world.


    The other¡¯s faces twitched, [He¡¯s posing again! And there¡¯s two of them now!]


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, we only met Marshal half a month ago. Getting so close in such a short time is evidence in and of itself. That nothing is impossible for me!¡± Zhuo Fan snickered.


    Luo Yunhai added with a creepy laughter, ¡°That is because I am of unmatched talent. It was only a matter of time for one such as I to find myself as godfather¡¯s disciple, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The others felt dark clouds looming overhead, [Zhuo Fan is a bad influence.]


    Be that as it may, the grand God of War had nonetheless joined their fold in but half a month. This was unprecedented.


    Chu Bijun felt the brunt of the news the most. She had ties with every great clan out there but never had she succeeded in turning any of them into a strong friendship. Her impression of Zhuo Fan went up a notch.


    [No wonder he became a steward. He knows the ins and out of everything. He considers everything when making a choice.]


    [Perhaps not even Unwonted Contriver can match his meticulousness.]


    [For a third rate clan to jump in the first rate category through a single connection is unheard of!]


    [With Zhuo Fan as steward, the Luo clan will most definitely rise above the seven houses. A pity he is so set against marrying into Drifting Flowers Edifice!]


    Chu Bijun lamented.


    ¡°Since Luo clan is so outstanding, then should we stop supporting the Luo clan?¡± Having enough of Zhuo Fan being a wise ass, Long Yifey decided to play a practical joke.


    Ugh!


    The snicker froze on Zhuo Fan¡¯s face. He then spoke in all seriousness, ¡°To be completely honest, Luo clan is lacking in resources. What Veiled Dragon Pavilion provided us so far was just a drop in the bucket. In any case, we four are now allies. Will the other two houses be willing to lend a helping hand and get this third rate clan to rise above?¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you taken a year¡¯s worth of income with the ingredients you took the last time you were in Drifting Flowers City? What more do you want?¡± Peony Overseer glared.


    Zhuo Fan smiled wryly, yet not denying, ¡°Those are just ingredients for alchemy. Besides, don¡¯t we deserve at least some thanks for saving your house? How can you call that support?¡±


    ¡°You damn rogue!¡± Peony Overseer huffed.


    Chu Bijun chuckled, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, with all four of us in the same boat, the Luo clan will be our biggest ally. Helping you is helping us. Drifting Flowers Edifice will henceforth settle the Luo clan¡¯s ingredient problem!¡±


    ¡°Grandmother, you are wise beyond your age!¡± Zhuo Fan gave a thumbs up.


    Xie Xiaofeng smoothened his beard, ¡°Sword Marquise Abode is specialized in tool refining and has many ores. Then we shall supply you with the items needed to make spiritual weapons and demonic treasures.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shined and laughed inside.


    Luo clan had many guards, but no weapon or armor to fit them with. He had lately been thinking of who to rob and solve this little snag.


    [Damn that Xie Tianyang. Did it hurt to not tell me this sooner? And you call yourself my brother?] Zhuo Fan cursed.


    Long Yifey twirled his mustache and shrugged, ¡°I guess Veiled Dragon Pavilion will handle the rest?¡±


    ¡°Oh please, who else is there? You¡¯re the best merchant in Tianyu!¡± Zhuo Fan perked the corner of his mouth.


    That sent everyone into a laughing fit.


    With this, they all began to see Luo clan as a dependable ally.


    They were yet unaware what the Luo clan would grow into, but with Dugu Zhantian shading them, it was worth investing in them.


    Luo Yunhai felt the clan would experience a golden age with how many resources were coming over and was laughing at the sky, ¡°It¡¯s good to have friends coming from afar!¡±


    Iris Overseer praised, ¡°He is quite clever, knowing how to gauge a situation!¡±


    While all smiled, Peony Overseer was snorting at Zhuo Fan, ¡°True, he is a clever little child and with proper manners too. Unlike someone else we know!¡±


    She then said to Luo Yunhai, ¡°Tell me, do you know what that means?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Big bro Zhuo had made me study many books these few days to last a lifetime!¡± Luo Yunhai laughed as he explained, ¡°The more brothers that come, the more I can exploit. A true joy-¡°


    Ugh!


    Zhuo Fan covered his mouth before he could finish. The other looked at him with dark faces, boring holes into him.


    ¡°Uh, I am just a steward and not good at teaching¡­¡± Zhuo Fan blinked his large eyes in embarrassment.


    The other¡¯s faces twitched, ¡°On the contrary, you¡¯re too highly qualified¡­¡±


    One thing was certain, this young master was a lost cause having been through Zhuo Fan¡¯s rotten hands¡­

 Chapter 206 - Leadership

    After ironing out a few more details regarding the alliance, Zhuo Fan and the rest parted ways, taking Luo Yunhai back to Blackwind Mountain. When he stepped through the gates, he shouted, ¡°Old Pang!¡±


    Captain Pang just returned and was already rushing to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Brother Zhuo, orders?¡±


    ¡°Call everyone handling clan affairs over. Also¡­¡± Taking a long look at Luo Yunhai, he whispered something in Old Pang¡¯s ear.


    Old Pang nodded and went straight to it, leaving a clueless Luo Yunhai staring at Zhuo Fan.


    Shortly after, Luo Yunchang, Lei Yuntian and the rest clan officials gathered in the meeting hall. Even Li Jingtian and Yan Song, who watched over the two of the four 5th-grade arrays were present.


    Zhuo Fan was in the seat of honor with one leg over the other and sipping tea. They were all baffled. Why would this guy call everyone over? Did something happen?


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s casual disposition clearly pointed to the opposite.


    Snickering, his eyes roamed over everyone present, ¡°I have summoned you all here today to bear witness to the official entitlement of the next Clan Head. It¡¯s been two years since the three clans have joined and Windgaze City ultimately coming under Luo clan¡¯s rule. We, the Luo clan, are destined to enter the seven houses. Now that there¡¯s infighting amongst them, it presents us with the best chance to rise. But a snake cannot live without a head, and today we shall settle this matter! ¡°


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you the snake head? And now you want to make it official, going after a power play here?¡± Lei Yuting rolled her eyes.


    In any clan, this line would¡¯ve earned widespread shock, while in the Luo clan, only a chuckle.


    Even Luo Yunhai and Luo Yunchang found it funny. They had absolutely no worry Zhuo Fan would snatch the Clan Head position all for himself.


    After all, Zhuo Fan was the one who called the shots in Luo clan¡¯s affairs, and even brought two strong elders over.


    If he¡¯d ever wanted the job, he¡¯d have done it when the Luo clan was at its weakest, at its most vulnerable. Why the hell would he wait till now?


    As such, to the Luo siblings, everyone was a potential traitor to the clan, but never Zhuo Fan. Because everything he had been doing was all for them.


    Tapping his teacup, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I don¡¯t fancy myself a Clan Head. I can¡¯t bear the thought of staying cooped up as one for my entire life. So I¡¯ve asked for you to witness this kid¡¯s title as the next head be in effect!¡±


    Zhuo Fan turned to Luo Yunhai, who was staring blankly.


    At this point, Captain Pang brought four men into the hall, the four traitors of Windgaze City. Zhuo Fan had made sure they were kept alive just so Luo Yunhai would be the one to pass judgment.


    ¡°Kneel!¡±


    Captain Pang barked and the four fell, ¡°I never liked any of you since the moment I saw you, but this time you only got yourself to blame!¡±


    Cai Rong and the other three shivered with heads lowered from dread.


    Zhuo Fan waved and a steel essence great saber sank into the stone floor. The four flinched, so scared they almost peed themselves.


    [Is Zhuo Fan planning on executing us?]


    Chuckling, Zhuo Fan turned to Luo Yunhai, ¡°Yunhai, as a future Clan Head, it is your duty to punish these traitors!¡±


    The others jerked. Now they realized what Zhuo Fan was going for. He had Luo Yunhai handle Luo clan¡¯s traitors and show his valor as Clan Head. But was he really going to make a child kill?


    They all felt restless and Luo Yunhai couldn¡¯t stop shaking. He had always stuck to Zhuo Fan, copying his demeanor, showing off all the same, but not once did he stop to think the day would come he¡¯d soak his hands in blood. Not this soon at least.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, you¡¯re too much! He is but a child. How can you make him do such cruel things?¡± Luo Yunchang rushed to hug her baby brother while looking at Zhuo Fan with reproach.


    Captain Pang couldn¡¯t take it either, smiling wryly, ¡°Brother Zhuo, is there a need for young master to handle these pests? Let me do it and spare young master for dirtying his hands.¡±


    ¡°Quiet! Are you the next Clan Head? Cai Rong is a Clan Head himself, and only a Clan Head can settle him!¡± Zhuo Fan glared.


    Captain Pang jerked back and kept to himself.


    Everyone was clear what Zhuo Fan was doing, to establish Luo Yunhai¡¯s authority in the clan and start him on the path of Clan Head. It was high time for everyone to no longer think of him as a helpless child!


    Li Jingtian and Yan Song slightly nodded. Zhuo Fan may be somewhat obstinate, but his every action was for the good of the Luo clan!


    If Luo Yunhai, the nominal Clan Head, would have someone else solve all his problems, he would no longer need to even think and would waste away.


    Zhuo Fan was doing all this so the Luo clan would have a worthy successor!


    All understood how much thought Zhuo Fan put into this. Luo Yunchang¡¯s heart was bleeding but steeled herself, pushing Luo Yunhai towards Zhuo.


    Zhuo Fan eyed him coldly, until the child swallowed dryly and sweated bullets.


    ¡°Big bro Zhuo, don¡¯t joke around. I¡¯m just a kid¡­¡± Luo Yunhai laughed dryly. But Zhuo Fan¡¯s face was unchanging, pitiless, ¡°A child without a parent has long stopped being a child. If you don¡¯t do this, I promise that you will one day go through the massacre you went two years ago. At that time, you will regret not grabbing power!¡±


    Shuddering, Luo Yunhai was brought back to those cruel times of seeing his Luo clansmen murdered around him ¨C the screaming, her sister scrambling for their lives ¨C and his eyes gradually hardened.


    Ding!


    Luo Yunhai lifted the great saber from the floor with a ringing. Seeing him approaching, Cai Rong¡¯s group was scared witless.


    Yan Song¡¯s Yuan Qi had the four rooted on the spot, unable to make use of their own cultivation. They were so powerless even a three year-old could take their lives!


    They watched Luo Yunhai get poisoned by Zhuo Fan¡¯s guile and were filled with dread!


    ¡°Yunhai, listen to me. Don¡¯t you remember Uncle Cai taking care of you? Our clans are longtime friends. I even gave you shelter¡­¡± Cai Rong pleaded, appealing to the child¡¯s innocence.


    Cai Xiaoting bobbed his head, ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t you remember big brother bringing you so many toys when I visit your Luo clan? Don¡¯t do this to us¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, and sister¡­¡± Sun Yufei went with the flow, but no matter how much she racked her brains, nothing came out, only a mournful cry, ¡°Shit, sister never met you. I¡¯m done for¡­¡±


    Sun Clan Head sighed as tears streamed down his face. Never had he imagined their mighty clan in Windgaze City would live to see the day when a snot-nosed brat would cut their line short.


    All the other around them looked on with derision!


    [These bastards have no shame, no morals. They¡¯re willing to stoop to any low as long as it keeps them breathing!]


    Yet, Luo Yunhai was steadfast, bringing the blade behind them. The screeching echoing from the blade being dragged was their requiem, making their hearts shudder with its tempo!


    Ding!


    Finally behind them, Luo Yunhai lifted the great saber way up. They heard the whoosh of the blade and the fours felt a chill crawling down their spine.


    [I¡¯m dead!]


    They knew Luo Yunhai brushed off their words. They could already imagine their heads falling, closing their eyes and gnashing their teeth in preparation!


    Zhuo Fan watched everything coldly as Luo Yunchang turned her head away. The others were about to witness their Clan Head¡¯s first act of exacting punishment to traitors!


    Whoosh!


    A cold glimmer flashed and the four felt a chill, yet no pain at all, nor any blood was spilled. When they opened their eyes, they saw a strand of hair slowly floating from each of them.


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s childish voice sounded with a hint of power, ¡°Luo and Cai clans are friends. My ancestors taught us to be steadfast and righteous. You were never kind to us, but I cannot be cruel to you! I heard how the ancient people cut their hair instead and, with the power invested in me as the Clan Head, I have severed your threads. But henceforth, our clans shall be strangers. And the next time you bring harm to us, your heads will roll!¡±


    ¡°As for the Sun clan, I spared them on account of Cai clan, as you are joined by marriage. So stop treating the Cai clan with such contempt. He was after all an elder of our Luo clan, and I hope not to see them in a bitter state after being driven away! ¡°


    The hall was still grave. All watched Luo Yunhai incredulously. None saw it coming, that a child was capable of such integrity, speaking of justice and benevolence.


    It struck a cord even in Li Jingtian and Yan Song¡¯s hearts.


    His words may have been naive, but were spoken with resolve! But doing it like this was going against Steward Zhuo¡¯s decision!


    The two hadn¡¯t been in the Luo clan for long, but it was obvious at a glance who was the real master here. They turned stiffly to Zhuo Fan to see him gloomy.


    It was unbearable for one to see the new lord he raised to disobey him in the end, especially if you were one with power. And this was Zhuo Fan, a man who was unruly, snatching power as he wished. This act was no different than having his power challenged.


    Li Jingtian and Yan Song looked at Luo Yunhai with a sigh.


    [Even if you¡¯re the future emperor, as a kid, if you don¡¯t mind your tone and butt into the war between officials, you¡¯ll end up dead¡­]

 Chapter 207 - The Velvet Glove And The Iron Hand

    Sensing Zhuo Fan¡¯s unnatural disposition, Luo Yunchang smiled widely as she cajoled, ¡°Zhuo Fan, Yunhai is still just a child. He can¡¯t be¡­¡±


    A light flick of his hand cut her off. Zhuo Fan had his eyes fixed on Luo Yunhai, cold as ice, ¡°Kid, is this your final decision?¡±


    Even a Profound Heaven expert would feel his knees soften and scalp going numb when Zhuo Fan stared at him like a viper. Luo Yunhai was still wet behind his ears and the effect was even worse.


    Despite hesitating, Luo Yunhai¡¯s nod was firm, ¡°Big bro Zhuo can kill them if he wants. But I do not believe they should die by our hands!¡±


    [Humph, naive!]


    Li Jingtian and Yan Song chuckled.


    Zhuo Fan squinted and turned to the traitors. His gaze sent shivers down their spines and made their hearts feel as if it would explode in their chests.


    In the end, Zhuo Fan had the final say. The only good thing about the wimp Luo Yunhai was his title as future Clan Head ¨C emphasis on the ¡®future¡¯.


    But out of everyone¡¯s expectations, Zhuo Fan nodded a sigh, ¡°No choice then. I really wanted to waste them, but since Clan Head spoke, we shall do it as he decided. Elder Yan, release them!¡±


    ¡°En-, come again?¡±


    Yan Song was dumbfounded, ¡°Steward Zhuo, are you sure?¡±


    Getting a nod, Yan Song removed their restrictions and the traitor found themselves free to move.


    They cautiously watched Zhuo Fan while gazing at Luo Yunhai baffled. They were in denial, never believing the ruthless Zhuo Fan would defer to a wimpy kid.


    Their hearts were in chaos, not knowing what to do. So they began kowtowing in thanks for having their lives spared, but no clue as to who to thank!


    They were still baffled. Should they be thanking Zhuo Fan or the kid?


    ¡°Now that Clan Head spared you, take a hike! But Elder Cai, I still feel the need to stress something¡­¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed as his tone dropped, ¡°You will never get the chance to use the Luo clan to rise!¡±


    Shuddering, Cai Rong understood his hidden meaning. He sighed, taking his son and the other two through the door.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s meaning was simple. The Luo clan was strong enough to fend off the seven houses. The Cai clan also had a stake in this powerful clan but, unfortunately, he was blinded by the seven houses¡¯ exaggerated renown and jumped aboard the wrong boat.


    The Luo clan¡¯s future was going to be one of constant development and the seven houses could no longer look down on them. But this no longer concerned this father and son pair. They brought this on themselves!


    Once the four were gone, all eyes were on Zhuo Fan, finding him unlike his usual self today. This was the very first time he relented the decision in favor of another.


    To a kid no less!


    Luo Yunhai was baffled as well. He recalled how every time he ever talked back when they were fleeing for their lives, Zhuo Fan would hit him good.


    Zhuo Fan, a servant, took advantage of his master¡¯s plight and vented. But this time¡­


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, you aren¡¯t yelling at me for going against your decision?¡± Luo Yunhai blinked.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Kid, you are Luo Clan Head and I the steward. Any advice is just that, advice. It is up to you to follow it. There¡¯s no disobedience here at all. Moreover, I said you have to deal with them, not kill them outright. Letting go of a few ants would hardly matter!¡±


    The others exclaimed in realization, while also admiring Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan may be cunning and deceitful, but he always held the benefit of the Luo clan above all else. He could have easily taken control of everything, but he instead worked tirelessly to raise Luo Yunhai into handling the clan¡¯s affairs. This was a clear cut sign he was willing to relinquish his power.


    What man in a powerful position would ever think of giving it all away?


    What the others didn¡¯t know was that Zhuo Fan prepped everything ever since the clan¡¯s misfortune. He didn¡¯t want a puppet but a truly strong clan.


    Otherwise, he would¡¯ve been better off if he had made his own faction instead!


    ¡°Sigh, I am both assured and sad by your decision!¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head and sighed.


    Luo Yunhai asked curiously, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, how can you be both?¡±


    ¡°You may not realize, but I am assured since you gathered up the nerve to stand up to me. As for sadness, that is because you are walking a completely opposite path from mine. All my time teaching you had gone down the drain!¡±


    Luo Yunhai looked to her sister for an answer, but everyone was a s clueless as he was.


    Smiling wryly, Zhuo Fan elaborated, ¡°Every single ruler, be it a king, sect leader, or a mere Clan Head, rises to their position through their own way. There are of course thousands, tens of thousands of ways, but they all can be narrowed down to two. One is ruling the people with a velvet glove, and the other with an iron hand! When I do things, I don¡¯t need a reason. While you, kid, started preaching about righteousness and loyalty. Sigh, our paths are indeed opposite! ¡°


    They all started smiling wryly, with Luo Yunchang teasing, ¡°With the Luo clan always having Steward Zhuo around, everyone started shaking in fear every day. Fearing they¡¯d slip up and get a tongue lashing from you. If Yunhai ends up like you, the clan would be done for!¡±


    They all burst out laughing.


    Li Jingtian and Yan Song nodded instead. One Zhuo Fan had these two experts bending a knee. Despite their elder positions, it mattered not when this guy was around.


    If there were two Zhuo Fan, that would be a disaster! They¡¯d end up as slaves!


    They were immensely gratified that the future Clan Head, Luo Yunhai, would have a different path than the demon Zhuo Fan.


    But not for the Luo clan, it was all in self interest, relishing a better future in the clan.


    However, Zhuo Fan mocked with a shake of his head, ¡°Women aren¡¯t as witty as their long hair suggests! All people respect ruling with a velvet glove, but it is used merely as a front while it¡¯s core is rotten! How many people in this world truly rule with a velvet glove? The large majority rule with an iron hand in a velvet glove! If the Luo clan truly wants to grow into a benevolent clan, humph, I won¡¯t give it two years before it suffers calamity again!¡±


    ¡°What? T-then I¡¯d rather walked the path of the iron hand like you!¡± Luo Yunhai blurted, ¡°Get those four back at once. I won¡¯t be as lenient¡­¡±


    Luo Yunhai spoke with eyes filled with tears. The slaughter two years ago was still very fresh in his mind and his judgment was clouded by it. He absolutely couldn¡¯t let it happen again.


    Zhuo Fan could see the struggle in his heart as well.


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan rubbed the kid¡¯s head, ¡°The world may change, but your decision is final! The reason for today¡¯s affair was to see if you had it in you to be a Clan Head. Ha-ha-ha, and you passed with flying colors. The second reason was to see your path. It is a bit disappointing, but no worries, you have me!¡±


    ¡°What you don¡¯t want to do, I will do it for you. You don¡¯t want to bloodshed, I will erect a bone tower and throne for you to stand on! You rule with a velvet glove, and I will sweep everything with an iron hand. All until there is no one around to defy your word!¡±


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo!¡± Luo Yunhai wailed as he threw himself in his embrace.


    Luo Yunchang bit her lip, tears glistening, ¡°Thank you!¡±


    The others nodded with even more respect.


    The Luo clan may have nothing, but with Zhuo Fan there, it was enough!


    ¡°Old Pang, take the brat to Dugu Army!¡± He patted Luo¡¯s back and smiled, ¡°Had your path been the same as mine, I would¡¯ve guided you in your cultivation. But now I see that that old Dugu is the best suited for the job.¡±


    Captain Pang pulled an unwilling Luo Yunhai away.


    Zhuo Fan turned to the rest, ¡°You may all return to your duties! Elder Yan, Elder Li, you two stay!¡±


    The others left, leaving only Li Jingtian and Yan Song behind.


    Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°Just how is this possible? I¡¯ve taught him for half a month already!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, is Steward Zhuo still not over it? That brat must be like a son to you!¡± Li Jingtian chuckled, but he couldn¡¯t hide the admiration, ¡°But Steward Zhuo, I bow before you in true admiration. If it were me, I¡¯d have long taken power in this wretched and weak clan for myself. I¡¯ve never seen one as devoted as you! The Luo clan is indeed steadfast and righteous. You have my entire respect!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Steward Zhuo may be doing everything with an iron hand, but you are treating the Luo clan with a velvet glove! Such deep emotions and ethical behavior! I wonder what great favor has the Luo Clan Head done to Steward Zhuo to earn such devotion into raising his children?¡± Yan Song cupped his hands in respect.


    Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes. His relation with the former Clan Head was nonexistent. It was all that damned heart demon¡¯s fault! Although his course of action was no longer entirely because of it, as he started to care for the Luo clan. But when it was all said and done, everything was in self interest.


    So when they said he was using a velvet glove, he had to chuckle.


    ¡°You two have roamed the land for many years. Do any notable experts in fire and water attributes come to mind?¡± Zhuo Fan suddenly asked.


    They exchanged a glance and said, ¡°Why do you ask,Steward Zhuo?¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan replied, ¡°Luo clan is currently safe, but trouble will soon come knocking! Of the four arrays, the Poison Dragon Array in the East is handled by Elder Yan, and the Dazzling Gold Array in the West by Elder Li, a body cultivator. I still need two experts to control the Blackflame Array in the South and the Ice Shadows Array in the North! If an attack comes, the four arrays can fend it off and also correlate with each other in not letting anyone out once they enter!¡±


    Frowning, Li Jingtian said, ¡°Two names come to mind now that I know what Steward Zhuo is looking for!¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Zhuo Fan asked anxiously.


    ¡°Raging Ancestor, Qiu Yanhai, and Ice Moon Witch, Xue Qingjian!¡±


    ¡°What, those two old monsters?¡± Vicious Pill King yelled and started shaking his head vehemently, ¡°Absolutely not. Those monsters are stubborn as mules. They refused to leave their seclusion even when Regent Estate invited them. The Regent Estate ended up forcing their way to them only to suffer dearly. None disturbed them since.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and how is their strength?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°5th layer of Radiant Stage!¡± Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes shined, ¡°I once fought with them myself. If the fight was one on one, I would¡¯ve won, but they were working together, water and fire combined. Not even five of me could endure their attacks for long!¡±


    ¡°Oh, they know how to combine fire and water? He-he-he, very good. It¡¯s settled then!¡± Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°We¡¯re off at sunup!¡±


    ¡°But Steward Zhuo, how do we invite them?¡± Yan Song blinked in worry.


    Snorting, Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°What invitation? I have always used an iron hand in everything. Elder Li, do you still have the two Spring Pills?¡±


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s such an amazing pill and can¡¯t bear to throw it. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The three shared a glance and started snickering evilly¡­

 Chapter 208 - Fire And Water Conflict

    At the crack of dawn, Zhuo Fan started on his journey with Li Jingtian to find those two old monsters without so much as a goodbye. He left Yan Song behind.


    Luo Yunchang was mad after she heard Yan Song tell her this. [He¡¯s leaving and going whenever like this place is a tavern!]


    Lei Yuting was just as pissed. Because ever since his return, he has not once ¡®talked¡¯ to her. They only spoke about the affairs of the outside and the Luo Clan; never freely!


    ¡°Humph, that brat must be seeing someone outside!¡± Lei Yuting¡¯s jaw was in a vice, her knuckles white, ready to pounce like a tigress.


    Three days later, Dugu Zhantian had received imperial summons to return. The Dugu Army left swiftly, taking with them Luo Yunhai, since he was his 5th godson.


    At the moment of parting with the Luo clan, Luo Yunhai felt somewhat sad seeing that Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t there to see him off. It was normal for Dugu Zhantian to go off to war for decades, and who knew when the two would see each other again. He started feeling down.


    Luo Yunchang rubbed his head in an attempt to console him, but it proved useless. Zhuo Fan came and went as he pleased, though all knew he always had the Luo clan¡¯s best interest in every move.


    But every time he does this, it leaves everyone with a cold feeling! [You could at least say goodbye to the child!]


    But Zhuo Fan never even considered such trifles. He only had long term returns in mind¡­


    Three months later, two men stood in front of a hundred mile long steep and winding mountain range. Not able to see the end of it caused Zhuo Fan to sigh.


    The mountain before them was called Snowfire Peak. One half was covered in endless snow, while the other in towering flames that made the entire sky shimmer from the heat. It¡¯s scorching blaze burned everything in a ten mile radius.


    What was curious about it, was the middle ground, where the ice and fire met. The transition was jarring, as if someone drew a line. One step you¡¯d be in ice, the next in a furnace.


    People couldn¡¯t help but sigh at the world¡¯s wonders!


    But Zhuo Fan knew this wasn¡¯t made by mother nature but men!


    This used to be a vibrant place full of life, not the Snowfire Peak what was called today! This happened due to two old monsters staying here. They up and started trading blows shaping the mountain range with every exchange into this, a hell of fire and ice!


    ¡°How long did they fight to change the place so damn much?¡± Zhuo Fan sighed. But in his mind, he approved of such actions. Even in the Radiant Stage, such power was impressive for these experts to have. They sure fit the bill for who he was looking for.


    Li Jingtian laughed wryly, ¡°Steward Zhuo, they are a couple that used to fight against Tianyu and caused fear at their mere mention! But their character is strange, to put it mildly. They each cultivate an opposing cultivation method, they are unreasonable and do not answer to anyone! In the end, they settled here and the empire calmed. Though they did ruin this fine place, into this, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, how come Regent Estate couldn¡¯t get them?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    Shaking his head, Li Jingtian sighed, ¡°Steward Zhuo, this pair is bizarre to extreme. You need to look beyond their mere lovers¡¯ spat. Once an enemy comes, they both rise to meet it. Their cooperation is seamless. At the time, ten Radiant Stage experts were forced to withdraw beaten to a pulp and filled with anger!¡±


    [I see. They look to be at odds, but their hearts are together. To protect each other!]


    Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Hum~


    Then, a sudden soul ripple passed over the two. They realized on the spot they¡¯d been spotted.


    ¡°Elder Li, you know what to do, right?¡± Zhuo Fan spoke coldly.


    Snickering, Li Jingtian nodded, ¡°Of course, outsmart our betters, ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Li Jingtian!¡±


    With a whoosh, a man in red came from the burning side of the mountain range, bellowing with such rage that jarred the two¡¯s ears.


    Zhuo Fan eyed him carefully. He was a bald man in his sixties, had vibrant eyes as if they could shoot out flames, and heat seemed to be coming from his body constantly.


    Not thirty meters from him, Zhuo Fan could feel as the scorching heat was evaporating even his sweat. He reckoned that any closer would have him combust!


    [His fire Yuan Qi is so pure!] Zhuo Fan admired.


    Li Jingtian took a step in front of Zhuo Fan to shield him and shouted, ¡°Qiu Yanhai, it¡¯s been ages, but more uncouth than ever, it seems. You even release such pressure in front of a junior!¡±


    ¡°Humph, uncouth? Were you and Regent Estate any different? There were ten of you and only two of us back then!¡± Qiu Yanhai mocked, his eyes staring at Li Jingtian, ¡°Mad Dipper, why are you here? There¡¯s no way you can beat us alone!¡±


    Snickering, Li Jingtian said, ¡°Raging Ancestor, take it easy. I¡¯ve not come as your enemy. It is this young master of ours who has a fire physique and the Imperial Tyrant Body Art isn¡¯t suited to him. I was tasked by the Estate Lord to bring him here so you can take him as a disciple.¡±


    ¡°Disciple?¡±


    Qiu Yanhai frowned, ¡°Your Regent Estate has many cultivation methods. Why must you come for mine specifically?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re absolutely right. Regent Estate has many cultivation methods, but none greater than Imperial Tyrant Body Art. This young master wants to go higher, and has to train in the best fire cultivation method in the empire. Which brings me to you. Everyone knows Raging Ancestor¡¯s Heaven Searing Inferno is second only to the seven houses¡¯ cultivation methods in the profound rank!¡±


    Qiu Yanhai nodded, but the mere mention of Regent Estate stirred a raging fire in him. How could he take a disciple? He snorted, ¡°Li Jingtian, you¡¯ve become more yellow on the inside ever since you joined the Regent Estate. If you wanted to show some goodwill in wanting me to have this kid as a disciple, the Estate Lord should¡¯ve come himself. But seeing you here instead, proves all of Regent Estate is only a den of dogs! ¡°


    Li Jingtian was starting to get angry.


    [Humph, I¡¯m the yellow bellied one? We¡¯ll see who has real guts once you swallow this thrifty little Bloodworm!]


    ¡°Raging Ancestor, enough bullshit. Will you take him, or not?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Qiu Yanhai barked, ¡°You dare ask me to take your young master as a disciple when your ten Venerables had us two surrounded back then? Li Jingtian, you think I¡¯m as gutless as you?¡±


    Li Jingtian gnashed his teeth, his patience wearing dangerously thin. He could only curse, [We¡¯ll see soon enough!]


    But just then, an annoyed voice sounded, ¡°Elder Li, your boasting of Raging Ancestor to high heavens barely convinced me to come take a look. And what do I see now that I¡¯m here? Hardly anything to look at. He¡¯s even worse than our Profound Heaven elders!¡±


    Qiu Yanhai looked to see Zhuo Fan mocking him and snapped, ¡°Cut the crap! I once fought ten of your Venerables and didn¡¯t lose once. How dare you say that?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± Zhuo Fan pointed at the mountain range with childlike fascination, ¡°Look, our Profound Heaven elders scorched a mountain so thorough that it can¡¯t freeze! But you are so weak, with little Yuan Qi, letting half of it freeze back¡­¡±


    Qiu Yanhai was flummoxed. Did the Regent Estate have such an ignorant youth to not even know of the fight between these two great experts?


    To save his own face, Qiu Yanhai was forced to preach to the child, ¡°Kid, I don¡¯t quibble with ignorant youths. But you need to understand something, this wasn¡¯t a mountain set on fire, but the result of the bitter battle between me and my wife!¡±


    ¡°Wow, amazing!¡± Zhuo Fan exclaimed, ¡°You caused all this just from the aftermath of your battles. Not even our Venerables can do that!¡±


    Qiu Yanhai nodded pleased, ¡°Sensible lad!¡±


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s next line had him close to spitting blood, ¡°Old Qiu, your wife is amazing. She almost froze your fire!¡±


    Pff!


    Qiu Yanhai shuddered from rage, ¡°Punk, stop your nonsense! That¡¯s absolutely ridiculous. It is my fire that melted her ice!¡±


    Raging Ancestor, who fought his wife for all this time, hated to be told he was weaker than her. Zhuo Fan knew this and still did it just to spite him.


    Zhuo Fan shared a glance with Li Jingtian and the two were giddy inside.


    But before Zhuo Fan could irk the old man some more, an elegant voice rang, ¡°Little brother is so adorable. Sister could just eat you up! Hear that, you old coot? Even this pup can see you¡¯re weaker, so just admit it!¡±


    A white figure floated before them.


    Zhuo Fan looked to see a seventeen year old delicate girl, with bright eyes and dazzling smile. But Zhuo Fan knew it fully well she was a hundred years old hag.


    And when she started to call herself sister, it sent a chill right down to his core!


    He just couldn¡¯t make sense of something. The higher one cultivated, the long one¡¯s life was and the stronger one got. But this woman fancied wasting some of her cultivation to keep herself young and fit, to look like a fetching lady!


    If this part would¡¯ve been used to improve her strength, she would¡¯ve soared by now. Wouldn¡¯t she have beaten the old guy ages ago?


    Zhuo Fan shook his head. It was simply beyond his understanding.


    But that was normal. A pragmatic and cynical man who only saw gain would never understand why a woman dolled herself for her man¡­

 Chapter 209 - Extreme Fire And Extreme Water

    ¡°You¡¯re so pretty, sister!¡± Zhuo Fan entered kid mode the instant he saw her, raining fake praises on her.


    The woman started pinching Zhuo Fan¡¯s wittle cheeks with a smile of joy, ¡°That¡¯s so sweet, you little rascal! Sister doesn¡¯t much like anyone from Regent Estate, but I¡¯ll make an exception just for you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded with a smile, pointing at Qiu Yanhai, ¡°Sister, are you his granddaughter? You look nothing alike! He¡¯s just so damn ugly. How can that thing ever relate to someone as beautiful as you?¡±


    The woman¡¯s charming laughter made the world seem vibrant. She then pinched Zhuo Fan¡¯s cheeks stronger, ¡°You¡¯re so adorable, you scamp. Hi-hi-hi¡­¡±


    The two spectators broke into a coughing fit.


    Li Jingtian in particular, who was doing his best to signal Zhuo Fan.


    [I say, Steward Zhuo, I won¡¯t judge if you do it without even realizing. But if you are doing it knowingly¡­ sigh, have you no conscience?]


    Qiu Yanhai stared a hole into Zhuo Fan and cursed, ¡°Are your eyes for decoration? That hag is a hundred years old. Even while using some cultivation to keep up appearances, her aura is nothing like that of a young lass. You mean to tell me that in all your time cooped up in Regent Estate you¡¯ve never even seen a girl?¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    The woman replied before Zhuo Fan could, with a biting remark, ¡°Old fart, just where exactly do you see me as a grandma and not a lady? You want to be slapped?¡±


    ¡°Humph, I rest my case. What lady in her right mind would call herself grandma? You¡¯re so old, but ever shameless!¡± Qiu Yanhai mocked.


    The women went red and huffed in anger as she sent a palm attack.


    In a flash of white, even the shimmering heat around them started turning into ice crystals!


    Qiu Yanhai was fully focused on fighting back. With a flick of his sleeve, a blaze erupted, blocking the white light, ¡°Old crone, you want to go at it again?¡±


    ¡°And what if I am? Who told you to run your mouth before this child that this grandma is old?¡±


    ¡°Humph, so what if I call you old? You¡¯re so on in years yet still thinking of raising a cherry boy into your sugar daddy?¡±


    ¡°Shut your mouth, you old fart!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    The two snapped at each other at every chance they got. Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian smiled inside. It was then that Li Jingtian shook his hands vehemently, ¡°People, I came here for this child to get a master, not to see a lovers¡¯ spat. And since brother Qiu is very much against the idea, we¡¯ll be taking our leave!¡±


    ¡°Later, sister!¡± Zhuo Fan waved sadly at the woman.


    The woman¡¯s heart softened and shouted, ¡°Wait, I love this child dearly. I¡¯ll teach him!¡±


    ¡°You can teach shit! He has a fire physique and only my fire cultivation method fits him. Why are you butting in when you¡¯re just a water cultivator?¡± Qiu Yanhai retorted sourly.


    The woman brushed him off as she puffed out her chest, ¡°Grandma fought with you for so long that I figured out your Heaven Searing Inferno and know it like the back of my hand. Why can¡¯t I take this kid in?¡±


    Qiu Yanhai paused for a moment, realizing the truth of it, but still ridiculed, ¡°He-he-he, I am not the best fire expert in Tianyu just from my cultivation method, but also this¡­¡±


    His hand was holding a rumbling scarlet flame.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes widened in shock, ¡°Heaven and earth spirit flame, Earth Erupting Firesea!¡±


    ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve got quite the eyes!¡± Qiu Yanhai raised an eyebrow, then nodded in pride, ¡°Precisely, if you were to be my disciple, beside the Heaven Searing Inferno, you will get a fragment of this Earth Erupting Firesea. That will make you my true successor!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Now he knew why Raging Ancestor was so strong to fend off ten Radiant Stage experts alongside Ice Moon Witch. They were not only in sync, but had the Earth Erupting Firesea as well.


    Despite all being called heaven and earth spirit flame, some were better than others. Vicious Pill King¡¯s Bone Soul Truefire came from the bowels of a corpse deep in the earth, a yin but gentle flame. It was best used in refining, while falling short in combat.


    As for the Earth Erupting Firesea, it came from the heart of a volcano, volatile to extreme. It was a yang and fierce flame that not only helped in refining but also an important asset in battle!


    Zhuo Fan flicked his eyes on Li Jingtian.


    [This guy got the upper hand on Qiu Yanhai back then, even when the other used the Earth Erupting Firesea. It is obvious how strong his body was. And that was only at the 7th stage of Imperial Tyrant Body Art.]


    Now, he not only changed to the Wraith Art, but also had the three matching profound ranked martial arts. Who knew how far he could go? Mad Dipper was a martial fanatic through and through. He has a body of a refining genius. Zhou Fan truly struck gold when he had this old man join his gang.


    Noticing his gaze and easily figuring out what he was thinking, Li Jingtian chuckled with his head thrown back.


    ¡°Uh, sister, he said I can get the heaven and earth spirit flame if I become his disciple. What if¡­¡± Zhuo Fan pointed at Qiu Yanhai with a bright smile.


    Squinting, Ice Moon Witch wasn¡¯t about to back down just like that, ¡°Child, don¡¯t be so hasty. What that old guy has, so do I! ¡°


    [Damn, the guy is a fire expert. Getting a heaven and earth spirit flame was a cinch for him. While you, a water expert, dare say you have one as well? Aren¡¯t you afraid it¡¯s gonna conflict with your cultivation method?]


    But the next thing he knew, Zhuo Fan was staring into the Ice Moon Witch hand. She was holding a flickering and bright bluish fire.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes twitched and shouted, ¡°Holy hell, the Ice Heart Moon Soul?¡±


    Correct. Among the rarest heaven and earth spirit flames, the one to match a water cultivator the most was this Ice Heart Moon Soul!


    This fascinating flame came to be in the core of a ten thousand years old ice that had been bathed by moonlight for another ten thousand years. Its warmth was bliss, its nature one that brought inner peace while also doing wonders to one¡¯s cultivation.


    But its most redeeming quality was that it could freeze any and every single thing in the world. No one could fend it off.


    Taking another look at the two, Zhuo Fan now knew why these monsters could repel Regent Estate¡¯s ten Venerables.


    With Earth Erupting Firesea and Ice Heart Moon Soul working in tandem, their power would explode. They were capable of drawing out the most of their power by joining hands. That was how they beat those ten Radiant Stage experts!


    ¡°Oh my, you sure know a lot, child! It is a rare heaven and earth spirit flame, but not many know of it. How is it you recognized the Ice Heart Moon Soul with just a glance?¡± Xue Qingjian eyed him inquisitively.


    Zhuo Fan laughed wryly, ¡°Something I picked up from an ancient book, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, the kid wants to train in fire. You¡¯re Ice Heart Moon Soul is pretty enough, but doesn¡¯t suit him! I advise you to stop butting in!¡± Seeing Zhuo piqued Xue Qingjian¡¯s interest, Qiu Yanhai shouted.


    Darting his eyes around in thought, Zhuo Fan caught on to something. He grabbed Xue Qingjian¡¯s hand and started waving it around in his best childlike tone, ¡°Sister, I really really want to train with you, but our attributes don¡¯t match. I can¡¯t use the Ice Heart Moon Soul either. Can you make the old man share his Earth Erupting Firesea with me?¡±


    ¡°Hey, punk, hands off the crone!¡± Qiu Yanhai was fuming mad.


    Xue Qingjian raised an eyebrow and laughed, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll help you!¡±


    She turned to Qiu Yanhai, ¡°Old fart, are you up for a bet?¡±


    ¡°What kind?¡±


    ¡°Per usual. If you get even half a move over me, I won¡¯t take the kid as a disciple. If I get the upper hand, then you will give the Earth Erupting Firesea to the kid as a gift to my disciple. What do you say?¡± Xue Qingjian shouted.


    Zhuo Fan hugged Xue Qingjian, ¡°No, sister. I want to stay with you. I want no Earth Erupting Firesea!¡±


    ¡°No worries, child, this old geezer has never beaten me once!¡± Patting his head, Xue Qingjian giggled.


    Qiu Yanhai was pissed off by the taunt, ¡°Damn punk, didn¡¯t I tell you to lay off the crone?¡±


    ¡°No way!¡± Xue Qingjian and Zhuo Fan jutted their chests and replied at the same time. One could almost see steam coming out of Qiu Yanhai¡¯s head. But since he didn¡¯t dare flare at Xue Qingjian, he directed it all on Li Jingtian, ¡°Old freak, you brought this pretty boy. After I finish here, I¡¯ll settle the score with you!¡±


    Li Jingtian shrugged.


    ¡°Fine, it¡¯s a deal!¡± Huffed Qiu Yanhai, ¡°Let¡¯s go to our old place!¡±


    He vanished the instant he finished talking. Xue Qingjian laughed and followed, with Zhuo Fan shouting behind her, ¡°Sister, I don¡¯t care about that fire. Just don¡¯t get hurt¡­¡±


    But when the two were gone, Zhuo Fan flipped back to his calm and calculating face, ¡°Have a pleasant flight, you two~!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo changes faces quite fast. If I didn¡¯t know you any better, that innocent act of yours would¡¯ve taken me in from the start, thinking you¡¯re just a naive kid!¡±


    ¡°Tone down the flattery!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snapped his flickering eyes on Li Jingtian, ¡°You think those monsters are that easily fooled? Humph, they were always on guard!¡±


    ¡°Uh, does that mean our plan is botched? They won¡¯t fight?¡±


    ¡°Hardly!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Oh, they will fight alright, and go all out as well. Because whenever the old hag wants a fight, the old guy will naturally assist her! But they will always be on guard, because of you!¡±


    Li Jingtian frowned.


    Zhuo Fan continued with a chuckle, ¡°While disregarding me completely¡­¡±


    Just then, a massive boom echoed, followed by the sky splitting in half. One side was filled with a raging inferno to burn the world asunder, while the other a fierce blizzard capable of freezing everything.


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°One is extreme fire and the other extreme water, but neither can escape from my palm. I must have these elders¡­¡±

 Chapter 210 - Mad Battle Of Fire And Water

    Boom~


    With shocking explosions that reach the ninth heaven, all the clouds scattered. It felt as if the world was heading to the end and the earth quaking so hard it would crack open.


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian were spectating at the foot of the mountain nonplussed about it all. The battle went for three days. Despite the raging inferno towering on one side, it was unable to thaw the imposing glacier on the other side even a fraction.


    Raging Ancestor and Ice Moon Witch went back to their usual stalemate.


    Half a month later, their battle only escalated. So much so that even Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian could feel in danger. They had to retreat a hundred miles.


    Finally after a long two month raging battle, it showed signs of subsiding. Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°It won¡¯t be long now!¡±


    After a constant three months racket, the place had finally become silent with one final boom. The flames swallowing half the sky retreated and the blizzard stopped.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Elder Li, it¡¯s our turn to join the act. Let¡¯s see your performance!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, ever since I switched to Wraith Art, my power has increased greatly over the months. I won¡¯t let Steward Zhuo down!¡±


    Laughing, Li Jingtian grabbed Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand and flew to Snowfire Peak¡­


    In the place where fire and water met on Snowfire Peak, Xue Qingjian was kneeling on the ice, gasping for breath. Scarlet blood dripped from her mouth yet her dagger stare never left her opponent, ¡°Old fart, you finally went all out?¡±


    ¡°Old hag¡­¡±


    Qiu Yanhai, just as weakened as her, was shying away from looking Xue Qingjian in the eye, ¡°Forgive me, I ended up hurting you¡­¡±


    Xue Qingjian squinted, ¡°Screw your apology. Who knew you¡¯re such a faker to hide your strength. You lied to me all these years! Speak, what is your real aim?¡±


    ¡°Uh, Qingjian, don¡¯t misunderstand, I¡¯ve joined with you so many times in fighting our enemies despite our differences. How can I have a nefarious aim?¡±


    ¡°Why else would you hide your strength for so long? Half a year ago, I still thought we¡¯re still in a tug of war. How come you¡¯re stronger all of a sudden? Humph, you faker!¡± Xue Qingjian flicked her head away.


    Qiu Yanhai was panicking. He scratched his head and then sighed, ¡°Qingjian, we¡¯ve fought for more than a hundred times these past decades. And each time I could have won! You are too brash and quick to anger to accept this outcome, so I kept this from you¡­¡±


    ¡°Show off!¡±


    But Xue Qingjian would have none of it, cutting him off with a glare, ¡°Why stop now then?¡±


    Qiu Yanhai was startled and said in a sad voice, ¡°How could I not? If I lose now you¡¯ll end up taking that pretty boy in. A lone man and a single young-looking woman together, who knows what would happen¡­¡±


    Xue Qingjian saw him all cold on the outside but quite warm and fuzzy on the inside, and burst out laughing. Qiu Yanhai was clueless.


    ¡°You big lug, you thought I didn¡¯t realize you were going easy all these years?¡± Xue Qingjian smiled, then she bore her hateful eyes in him, ¡°Humph, I only used the kid as an excuse to make a bet with you. It was the only way to make you go all out, or you¡¯d still be keeping this charade. I may be quick to anger, but not petty!¡±


    Qiu Yanhai blinked then beamed, ¡°You mean¡­ you didn¡¯t fancy the pretty boy?¡±


    ¡°Uh, well¡­¡± Xue Qingjian showed a teasing smile, ¡°May not necessarily be untrue. I could just eat that kid up from how adorable he is. But that¡¯ll depend on how you behave. If you dare lie to me again, I won¡¯t stop at just one¡­¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t, I won¡¯t. In the rare case we fight again, I¡¯ll make sure to go all out and beat you silly¡­¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Xue Qingjian glared at him.


    Qiu Yanhai shrank back, smiling wryly as he scratched his head. Xue Qingjian couldn¡¯t help but laugh at his antics.


    The pair¡¯s decades long spat had finally experienced closure¡­


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, Li Jingtian brought Zhuo Fan over. Zhuo Fan was shocked to see Xue Qingjian hurt and ran over, ¡°Sister, you¡¯re hurt! Here¡¯s a pill to help you recover!¡±


    ¡°Hey, brat, you¡¯re not allowed to get too close. The old hag lost!¡± Qiu Yanhai saw Zhuo Fan so concerned over her and jealousy won over him again.


    Zhuo Fan took out a vial for her, ¡°Sister, this Spring Pill can heal you and restore your Yuan Qi. Take it.¡±


    Xue Qingjian frowned. She had her guard up even towards this seemingly innocent youth.


    Bam!


    Suddenly, the vial flew from his hand. Zhuo Fan turned to see Li Jingtian watching them coldly, ¡°What are you doing, Elder Li?¡±


    ¡°Young master, they are Regent Estate¡¯s enemies. Now that they¡¯re weak, it¡¯s the best chance to kill them!¡± Li Jingtian spoke with towering bloodthirst shining in his eyes.


    Xue Qingjian and Qiu Yanhai paled, and Zhuo Fan panicked. He spread his arms in front of Xue Qingjian, ¡°Stop, Elder Li! Aren¡¯t you here to help me get a master? Why¡­¡±


    ¡°Humph, that would¡¯ve been perfect. But killing them would be so much better!¡± Snickering, Li Jingtian snorted, ¡°Young master, step aside. I don¡¯t want to hurt you, or worse, kill you. I cannot bear such responsibility!¡±


    ¡°Li Jingtian, how dare you! My dad¡­¡±


    ¡°Not even the Estate Lord can save you. In fact, he may even agree to my actions! Exchanging a kid¡¯s life for two old enemies is totally worth it!¡± Li Jingtian glared at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan reeled two steps back in fear, unable to accept the cruel reality.


    Xue Qingjian and Qiu Yanhai nodded at each other. This was more like Regent Estate¡¯s style!


    ¡°Oh, the pill!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shouted. He started searching frantically for it, ¡°Sister, take the pill and recover¡­¡±


    Li Jingtian squinted and sent a palm attack around where the vial landed.


    But a sudden figure blocked it, Raging Ancestor.


    Xue Qingjian then picked the vial and said, ¡°Little brother, is this pill that good?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled in glee.


    Li Jingtian shuddered, worried she was going to take the pill. He charged at her with another palm attack.


    But Qiu Yanhai was there to block him again, using his Earth Erupting Firesea to launch a sea of flames.


    Boom!


    Earth Erupting Firesea was strong, but Li Jingtian had toughened up since before. And since Qiu Yanhai had fought for three months, he was no longer Li Jingtian¡¯s match.


    Pff!


    Fresh blood spurted from Qiu Yanhai as he flew into the air. Li Jingtian then shot for Xue Qingjian.


    ¡°Fire and water combine, Dragon and Phoenix!¡±


    Xue Qingjian and Qiu Yanhai shouted at the same time. Their hand signs synced and a pair of fire dragon and ice phoenix formed behind them.


    The fire dragon was made from the Earth Erupting Firesea and the phoenix from the Ice Heart Moon Soul!


    The two pointed and the mighty creature fused their powers, charging for Li Jingtian. With the phoenix and dragon working in tandem, their powers were feeding off each other, growing tens of times stronger.


    When they arrived before Li Jingtian, they were a thousand meters large.


    Zhuo Fan clicked his tongue inwardly.


    [This is a fire and water combining art that amplified each element¡¯s power geometrically. Even a 6th layer Radiant Stage expert will receive a heavy wound taking such an attack head-on.]


    But that was regarding your run of the mill Radiant Stage expert. And Li Jingtian was anything but that!


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t notice a snicker creeping on his lips. He was fully confident of Li Jingtian.


    And sure enough, Li Jingtian didn¡¯t lose his calm in front of such an onslaught. With a shout, his entire body was covered in black energy, the Wraith Art!


    Li Jingtian turned into a black diamond and charged the attack as a black dragon image formed behind him, ¡°Wraith Style¡¯s first move, Soaring Demonic Dragon!¡±


    Roar!


    The wail threatened to collapse the skies.


    A black dragon was facing off against a pair of fire dragon and ice phoenix. The impact affected even the Snowfire Peak. Despite being covered in ice and flames, it threatened to crumble in the aftermath.


    Roar!


    With another dragon roar, Li Jingtian saw he was caught in a deadlock and shouted, ¡°Wraith Style¡¯s second move, Ghostly Dragon Claw!¡±


    The fire dragon and ice phoenix were swept by a claw, exploding in wails. The shockwave even stripped the Snowfire Peak¡¯s ice and fire!


    Rumble~


    The rumbling continued as the wave spread across the entire mountain range, removing the ice and fire completely. Xue Qingjian and Qiu Yanhai were thrown back dozens of steps. They were looking in fear at Li Jingtian as if he was a demonic god.


    Even exhausted as they were, they would¡¯ve had no trouble fending off the old Li Jingtian. But it was clear that Li Jingtian wasn¡¯t the one of old. He was a true Mad Dipper now.


    He was unlike his past self, now, he was like a living demonic god. Tens of times stronger than both of their weakened selves¡¯ attacks combined.


    ¡°That¡¯s no Imperial Tyrant Body Art. W-what freaky art are you training in?¡± Qiu Yanhai swallowed in shock.


    Grinning, Li Jingtian was immensely pleased by his progress and also grateful to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Humph, the dead need not know!¡±


    The two jerked, knowing now Li Jingtian was not going to stop until either side was dead.


    The way they were now, they were no match for Li Jingtian. That left them with one choice only¡­


    Xue Qingjian looked at the vial in her hand, at the Spring Pill pill inside.


    Zhuo Fan snickered secretly, [Hook, line and sinker¡­]

 Chapter 211 - Two Spirit Animals

    ¡°Sister, run, I¡¯ll hold him off!¡± Zhuo Fan shouted. He threw himself at Li Jingtian to hold him back.


    Li Jingtian barked, ¡°Young master, what are you doing? Don¡¯t force my hand!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care! You are not allowed to harm sister!¡± Zhuo Fan shouted, his eyes filled with resolve.


    Xue Qingjian and Qiu Yanhai were moved. They looked in each other¡¯s eyes and nodded.


    Xue Qingjian opened the vial and gave a pill to Qiu Yanhai, ¡°I don¡¯t know if the pill will be of much help, but we cannot let the boy¡¯s efforts be in vain!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, old hag, that pretty boy must¡¯ve got under your aged but still pretty skin.¡± Qiu Yanhai grinned.


    Xue Qingjian snapped to hide her blush, ¡°Old fart, you¡¯re still a wise ass despite being an antique. Hurry up and take the pill so we can live through this!¡±


    Xue Qingjian stroked the ring on her finger and muttered, ¡°Sweetie, come out and protect me!¡±


    Shriek~


    With a cry, a twenty meter long white falcon appeared overhead. It flew in circles above, releasing a cold wind that blew to form a barrier around her.


    ¡°5th level spiritual beast, Snow Falcon!¡± Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian cried.


    The shock was far from over, as Qiu Yanhai also shook his hand with a smile.


    A roar echoed in everyones ears as a scarlet tiger with flaming wings came out of his ring.


    The scarlet tiger circled Qiu Yanhai, it¡¯s ten meter long tail flicked at a fifty meter tall cliff, rendering it into rubble. Its fiery eyes staring daggers into Li Jingtian.


    ¡°5th level spiritual beast, Earthcore Flame Tiger!¡±


    Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes trembled, as did his heart. He was in ever more awe of Zhuo Fan. It all went just as he said. This old pair may have fought each other till they went senile, but still had kept a hidden card to deal with him.


    He didn¡¯t see such spirit animals the last time they fought, thus making them the couple¡¯s last card.


    Zhuo Fan was also wide eyed, rather from excitement than fear. The more the old monsters had up their sleeve, the more he felt they were worth the effort.


    ¡°Young master, step aside! I have to settle them here and now!¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Li Jingtian roared, but Zhuo Fan still held him tight. Irritated, Li Jingtian slapped Zhuo Fan, ¡°Then you only have yourself to blame for what comes next!¡±


    Despite the fierce palm attack, Zhuo Fan showed no fear. Xue Qingjian¡¯s eyes jumped but only shouted, ¡°Kid, we will avenge you!¡±


    Xue Qingjian and Qiu Yanhai swallowed a pill each without an ounce of hesitation. They sat cross-legged to absorb it as the two 5th level spiritual beasts stood guard.


    Creak!


    Li Jingtian¡¯s deadly palm grounded to a halt. Zhuo Fan snickered, easily slapping the palm away.


    Pa!


    Zhuo Fan straightened and eyed Li Jingtian with a wicked smile, ¡°All that¡¯s left is for them to absorb the pill!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo truly works in mysterious ways. You¡¯re far more cunning than that Unwonted Contriver. Those two actually took the so-called pills. They used to be so cautious about everything, only to fail in the end!¡± Li Jingtian laughed.


    The two spiritual beasts were stunned. Their masters called them out to stand guard, but why was it that this old guy was taking his sweet time, with not even a measly intention to attack?


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Elder Li, easy on the flattery. There¡¯s nothing mysterious about my skills. I only guided them to this outcome. The more dangerous the moment, the easier it is for a cautious man to let his guard down. If he can see a thread of hope, he will grab it without fail. A bitter pill to swallow is quite the fitting description, don¡¯t you think? All I did was set up the stage for this peril to unfold and make them swallow a pill they had no knowledge off!¡±


    Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes shined in admiration. [He is mighty in the pen and the sword. His methods are convoluted and impossible to see through them. He is the genius of the millennium!]


    ¡°By the way¡­¡± Zhuo Fan eyed Li Jingtian puzzled, ¡°Elder Li, you said Regent Estate wanted to subdue this pair and even sent ten Radiant Stage experts. But didn¡¯t Unwonted Contriver Leng Wuchang pull any tricks?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, of course he did. Only he lacked your Bloodworms. So his only plan was to surround the two with Regent Estate¡¯s forces. But it backfired instead, and the matter was dropped. The Estate Lord at the time wanted to force the pair into submission, but was forced to forget about this when they were just too stubborn and had no way to make them capitulate!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded. It wasn¡¯t Leng Wuchang¡¯s fault for not succeeding, but the lack of means to do it. Without his Bloodworms, even Zhuo Fan would¡¯ve gone home empty handed.


    As they talked, the couple slowly opened their eyes and shot to their feet. But the view left them speechless.


    Where did Li Jingtian¡¯s fierce bloodthirst go? Why was the kid safe and sound?


    They recalled how the last image before closing their eyes was that of Li Jingtian¡¯s devastating palm coming swiftly on the kid¡¯s head!


    Zhuo Fan easily saw through their doubt and bowed, ¡°Seniors, let me reintroduce myself. I am not from Regent Estate, but Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan. I represent our Clan Head when I invite seniors into our clan as elders. Please allow us this boundless honor, seniors!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    The two were shell-shocked as they turned to Li Jingtian. He nodded with a laugh, ¡°As you can guess, I¡¯m no longer Regent Estate¡¯s Venerable, but Luo clan¡¯s elder. I was reminded of your impressive power and since you didn¡¯t belong to any house, we came to extend an invitation!¡±


    The two¡¯s hearts shuddered from shock.


    Who was this Luo clan to win over Li Jingtian, an astounding expert from Regent Estate? It wasn¡¯t just a taunt at Regent Estate, but making a hole in their defenses!


    What¡¯s more, Regent Estate remained passive. Or they wouldn¡¯t have had the time to come here. Just what kind of house was this Luo clan to drive fear even into Regent Estate?


    They may be shocked, but they were still as stubborn as a mule. Xue Qingjian laughed, glaring at Zhuo, ¡°Little brother, I did say I will take you in, but I never mentioned anything about you having me!¡±


    ¡°Quite right, only I can have this crone, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Qiu Yanhai laughed without shame, earning a blush and a glare from Xue Qingjian.


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, ¡°That¡¯s fine as well. My forte is that I do not like to force people. Though I may perhaps have a little loathsome fault. Whatever I set my eyes on, I must have it. And what I can¡¯t have, no one else can!¡±


    Zhuo Fan made a sign before the two could react.


    The air filled with the couple¡¯s wails as Xue Qingjian and Qiu Yanhai¡¯s head bled out along with the accompanying excruciating pain. The spiritual beasts were startled and flew at Zhuo Fan.


    [This brat is the real menace, hiding himself to such extent!]


    Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t the least bit afraid, ¡°You two better sit and behave or all you¡¯ll get is your masters¡¯ corpses.¡±


    Zhuo Fan made a hand sign and the couple spat blood. It then started pouring from every orifice of their head like a fountain.


    The spiritual beasts stopped in panic, freezing in uncertainty. But their pitiful eyes bore into Zhuo Fan, begging for mercy.


    Li Jingtian shook his head. With Zhuo Fan¡¯s mean streak, not even spiritual beasts could escape his grasp, least of all fellow humans.


    Brushing past those two poultry¡¯s begging gazes, Zhuo Fan walked to the couple and flashed his most dastardly grin he could muster, ¡°Seniors, why must you suffer so? As long as you agree to join the Luo clan¡­¡±


    ¡°W-what did you do to us?¡± Qiu Yanhai barked.


    Helpless, Zhuo Fan started explaining to them Bloodworms¡¯ effect with a smile, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t take candy from a stranger, much less a pill. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The demonic cackle sent a chill down to their very core. They, who roamed the land for decades without anyone standing in their way, were played by a snot-nosed brat.


    ¡°This is the last time I¡¯m asking. Will you comply?¡± Zhuo Fan said.


    ¡°Death before dishonor. We will never submit!¡± They both said in unison.


    Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°I¡¯m only asking you to be guarding elders in the Luo clan. There¡¯s no dishonor in it at all. But don¡¯t take my word for it, ask Elder Li.¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo is always courteous and respectful!¡± Li Jingtian shouted, while cursing inside, [With the occasional bouts of cruelty in between!]


    He could recall as if yesterday, when he and Yan Song voiced their complaints, Zhuo Fan flew into a rage. It was only thanks to Luo Yunchang that the two managed to calm his anger just by kneeling.


    Who knew what¡¯d he do to them otherwise?


    Li Jingtian felt an odd sense of kinship with the pair in this regard. Luo clan¡¯s elders were perhaps the most miserable elders in the whole wide world. One¡¯s life didn¡¯t rest solely at Clan Head¡¯s whims, but more so at the steward¡¯s.


    And before you¡¯d even begin to consider Clan Head¡¯s whims, you¡¯d first have to go with the steward¡¯s. [You tell me, is that what you call an elder? Even Regent Estate is better than this steward¡­]

 Chapter 212 - Fire And Water Join The Fold

    ¡°No way in hell are we going to submit!¡± The two were very much thick in the head, shaking their heads at Zhuo Fan¡¯s every attempt to sway them.


    Then the smile faded from Zhuo Fan¡¯s face.


    ¡°Since you are unable to face reality, you¡¯ll only have yourself to blame for what happens next!¡± Zhuo Fan spoke coldly.


    A mere sign for him had the two writhing on the ground in wails of pain. Their limbs contorted and cracking was heard each time a bone shifted.


    Blood pooled beneath them but not from any visible wound. It was akin to twisting a towel to squeeze all the water out.


    This was one pain not even these two old veteran monsters could cope with. It stabbed their very core.


    Li Jingtian rejoiced inwardly. [Thank heavens I switched sides so quickly. Who knows what untold suffering might have awaited me besides this one? This is inhumane!]


    This time, he watched Zhuo Fan in fear.


    The two spirit animals panicked at their masters¡¯ suffering. They once again flew at Zhuo Fan, but Li Jingtian jumped in defense.


    All while Zhuo Fan held an uncaring hand sign.


    A series of pops sounded as the couple¡¯s bodies went off like firecrackers as wounds opened all over them and setting them off into another round of even more heartrending wails.


    Zhuo Fan turned to the two poultries, ¡°Don¡¯t pets know how to obey? I told you to sit down and behave, or they won¡¯t get to live much longer!¡±


    Their charge stopped, reduced to flying in circles from worry. They could neither withdraw nor retreat, forced to watch their masters in tears.


    If they could talk, they¡¯d urge their masters to give in. One should know when he¡¯s beaten!


    But all they could do was cry out in sounds no human could decipher.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Your pets are worried sick. Why must you be so cruel to yourselves?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, punk, don¡¯t look down on us. We may have fallen in your trap, but there¡¯s no way you¡¯ll make us submit. Get it through your thick head!¡± Qiu Yanhai cackled through the pain.


    Xue Qingjian showed a mournful smile, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, old fart, we¡¯ve done whatever we wanted for so long, only to die at the hands of a child. We¡¯ve lost all respect. My only joy is that I can die alongside you!¡±


    ¡°As am I, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Qiu Yanhai nodded, determined to stare death right in the face.


    On the brink of death, these two could still show a smile of joy. Even Zhuo Fan was touched, [These guys are the real deal, so goddamn stubborn!]


    But the more they were like this, the more they tickled Zhuo Fan¡¯s fancy!


    Whenever hearts came to mind, Zhuo Fan was an expert at striking where it hurt the most. Didn¡¯t he turn Li Jingtian and Yan Song on his side the same way? The reason for the couple¡¯s tough character was love. This was both a strength and a weakness.


    Zhuo Fan deadpanned, ¡°I had a fairly short time to know you but I can see how deep you love each other. Are you so set in watching the other die?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, punk, how can a brat like you know what love is?¡± Grinning, Qiu Yanhai looked deeply into Xue Qingjian¡¯s eyes with a gratified smile, ¡°As long as she is with me, I welcome death!¡±


    Xue Qingjian nodded with a beautiful smile.


    Zhuo Fan let out a cruel smile, ¡°I don¡¯t know love, is it? Humph, then let me tell you of the love that I see!¡±


    ¡°First of all, you¡­¡± Pointing at Qiu Yanhai, Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°You fought with this old hag for all your life yet not won once? You both have the same cultivation, the same rare flame, but she used some cultivation to keep herself young. Of course she¡¯s the weaker one. How could you not beat her? It¡¯s clear as day you went soft on her each time!¡±


    Qiu Yanhai only had a prideful smile in reply.


    Zhuo Fan turned to Xue Qingjian, ¡°And you, in this world might make right and you went and wasted some cultivation just on looks. The way I see it, you¡¯re clearly asking for death. It was fine if you were someone going out in public every day, but who will see you when you¡¯re hiding out in a mountain? Humph, of course I know you dolled yourself for your man. How could I not? But the way I see it, it was a complete waste¡­¡±


    ¡°What, Qingjian, you stayed young just for me?¡± Qiu Yanhai ignored Zhuo Fan¡¯s disdain, watching Xue Qingjian in gratitude, ¡°I need to look closer then. I must¡¯ve been blind to not appreciate you all these decades!¡±


    Xue Qingjian blushed and pouted. She took Zhuo Fan¡¯s critique as a compliment.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t mind, since this was his aim. He wanted to spur their love to the highest possible point, only to smash it down to pieces.


    ¡°Humph, you must really think I¡¯m singing you praises, right? Well let me tell you, love is your greatest weakness!¡±


    ¡°Bullshit! Our love is eternal. We live and die together and there¡¯s nothing you can do to stop it!¡± Qiu Yanhai mocked.


    ¡°Oh really?¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan grabbed Xue Qingjian¡¯s fair neck, Qiu Yanhai shouted in fear, ¡°What are you doing? Take it up on me if you¡¯re a man and leave my woman out of it!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t fall for it, old codger. If one dies, the other will soon follow. Nothing he¡¯ll do will make a difference!¡± Xue Qingjian glared.


    Qiu Yanhai nodded and relaxed.


    Zhuo Fan, however, snorted, ¡°You think it¡¯s that easy to die in my hands? Fret not, I won¡¯t kill you, though I have the nagging feeling you¡¯re going to beg me for it later!¡±


    A black energy came from Zhuo Fan and seeped into Xue Qingjian as he began using Demon Transformation Art.


    Xue Qingjian¡¯s Yuan Qi was sucked away and her body started to age, her hair whiting.


    But that wasn¡¯t caused by Demon Transformation Art, but from having the Yuan Qi reserved in keeping appearances stripped away.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, old hag, so this is how you really look. You can no longer keep up your youth. Why don¡¯t you let your old man get a nice long look at you now!¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed, twisting Xue Qingjian¡¯s head towards Qiu Yanhai. He also put a mirror in front of her to see her true face.


    Xue Qingjian shuddered at the aged, grizzled hair old woman. She wailed, ¡°No~, old codger, don¡¯t look¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, nice try, but your body is under my control. Shutting your eyes won¡¯t work. The old guy will now see how old and wrinkly you are!¡± Zhuo Fan cackled.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t look, don¡¯t look¡­¡± Xue Qingjian shook her head as tears flickered in her eyes. Qiu Yanhai consoled, ¡°Qingjian, don¡¯t worry. To me, you are the most beautiful!¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled inside.


    [Women doll up for their men, and this is the men¡¯s attitude? Humph, why would any woman do it if not to attract men? Especially towards the one they love, the woman will want to look at their prettiest.]


    Even if the man spoke of loving her wholly. She never wanted to let him see her ugly side.


    Zhuo Fan saw through it so he raised their love higher. Then made her return to her old and ugly appearance. He wasn¡¯t aiming at the old guy from the start, but the old hag instead.


    First came the bashing of the old hag¡¯s mental walls, and later came the defeat of the old guy.


    Zhuo Fan snickered, hopped on Xue Qingjian and mocked, ¡°He-he-he, sister, you don¡¯t much look like a sister now, do you? More like a granny if you ask me¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say it, please¡­¡± Xue Qingjian cried as she covered her face.


    Qiu Yanhai cursed, ¡°Beast, stop this instant or you¡¯ll be sorry!¡±


    ¡°Sorry? Ha-ha-ha¡­ your lives are in my hands yet you dare take that tone with me?¡± Zhuo Fan snickered as his hand grabbed Xue Qingjian¡¯s sash, ¡°You old pair of farts, do you believe me when I say that I can make this old hag look even more unsightly? Though I have no interest in seeing and let your old goat eyes feast on her alone. But I can¡¯t help but wonder, just how interested are you, old man, in this sister¡¯s fine body?¡±


    Zhuo Fan punctuated by a light pulling.


    ¡°No!¡± Xue Qingjian cried, her eyes already rolling in her skull. Qiu Yanhai was tearing up, sobbing a plea, ¡°S-Steward Zhuo, we submit. Please, just let her go. Don¡¯t shame us any more, I beg you¡­¡±


    Qiu Yanhai, a mighty expert, was crying like a child, earning sympathy from any who would see him. Zhuo Fan turned to Xue Qingjian, to see the old hag nodding through her tears as well.


    Zhuo Fan switched to a cheerful smile on the spot, ¡°Was that so hard? You could¡¯ve done this from the start and spare yourself the suffering. Please rise, elders. Oh~, how can anyone be so cruel to you, elders? I have with me some healing pills. Kindly take them, elders!¡±


    Zhuo Fan suddenly turned bipolar, as if his previous demonic him was a different personality. He helped the two up with the proper respect and gave them a vial.


    The old couple was scared witless. Seeing the vial they suddenly broke out in shivers. They recoiled and shook their heads vehemently. They dreaded any more of Zhuo Fan¡¯s pills.


    But Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and snapped, ¡°You dare refuse my pills?¡±


    Shuddering again, the couple creaked over, and took the pills under Zhuo Fan¡¯s watchful eye.


    Zhuo Fan beamed again. In this way, the Luo clan just got itself another pair of obedient elders.


    Witnessing everything, Li Jingtian¡¯s heart shook to the core. [Steward Zhuo is an abomination to make these powerful experts crumble from his cruel ways in a matter of minutes. He is as demonic as it gets.]


    He was grateful to high heaven for changing sides as fast as he did. Or with Steward Zhuo¡¯s cruel methods, who knew what boundless humiliation he would be showered with.


    At that point he¡¯d have no reputation to speak of, ran thoroughly through the mud¡­

 Chapter 213 - Deterrence

    After six hours, Qiu Yanhai and Xue Qingjian opened their eyes, having mostly healed their injuries. Xue Qingjian returned to her youth, to the beaming Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian at the side.


    Now that the couple got up, Zhuo Fan came to them with a friendly laughter, ¡°I guess congratulations are in order, for your recovery. Now let us all return to the clan.¡±


    Shivering inside, the two staggered backward in fear.


    ¡°Uh, don¡¯t look at me like I¡¯m the enemy here. We¡¯re all on the same side now, no?¡± Zhuo Fan shrugged and smiled at Xue Qingjian, ¡°Sister, did you already forget how close we ¡®siblings¡¯ are?¡±


    Swallowing dryly, Xue Qingjian scampered behind Qiu Yanhai, like a mouse afraid of the cat. But the eyes held an unmistakable hatred overshadowed by immense fear.


    Glaring at him, Xue Qingjian spat, ¡°Who¡¯s your sister? I must¡¯ve been blind to not see you¡¯ve got the demon in you!¡±


    True enough, since she took Zhuo Fan as a naive child who barely opened his eyes to the world. Who¡¯d have thought this pup was in control of the famous Mad Dipper.


    He had no scruples and such vile schemes that had even this famed pair of monsters shiver in fear! How the hell was that a little brother? A demon from hell was more like it.


    Xue Qingjian was regretting having been swept by Zhuo Fan¡¯s sweet smile and sophistry. She was itching to gouge his eyes out and squash them!


    Zhuo Fan was becoming irritated. Qiu Yanhai saw his mood sink and urged, ¡°Steward Zhuo, please calm yourself. My old hag is raving. Don¡¯t mind her!¡±


    ¡°Nevermind then, your lives are in my hands anyway. It¡¯s your choice if you want to get along with me. Now that you¡¯re Luo clan¡¯s elders, it¡¯s time we move!¡±


    Zhuo Fan ignored them and unfolded his Lightning Wings as he took to the skies.


    Seeing the demon take flight, the pair breathed easier, yet looked close to breaking down in tears.


    They who lived free in a mountain, they, who fended off even Regent Estate¡¯s threats, how was it they had fallen so low, in the hands of a twerp?


    They couldn¡¯t make one sense of it all¡­


    Li Jingtian walked to them and mocked, ¡°Didn¡¯t you laugh at me saying I have no guts, old man? Well, where¡¯s yours?¡±


    Smiling dejectedly, Qiu Yanhai shook his head and sighed, ¡°I was at fault before. I didn¡¯t expect you to be so powerful!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, as long as you know!¡± Li Jingtian said, ¡°But I am a man of immense willpower, and not under complete control of the Bloodworm. And the ones I ever followed never were ordinary! Try to look beyond Steward Zhuo¡¯s young looks. He does everything with calm and precision. Fierce tactics are a powerful man¡¯s tools. You won¡¯t lose out by following him!¡±


    The two nodded after a long time.


    ¡°And since we¡¯ll be working together in the future, I¡¯ll let you in on the basics to survive in the Luo clan!¡± Making sure Zhuo Fan was far enough, Li Jingtian whispered.


    The couple had their ears peeled, ¡°Please tell us, brother Li! ¡°


    ¡°Except for Steward Zhuo, anyone in the Luo clan are good people to get close to, especially our young miss. She is a must to win over. Steward Zhuo may be all about power play, looking down on all, but he is always devoted to the Luo clan. He will more often than not listen to young miss. So, if you ever get on his bad side, rush to the young miss and have her plead your case. That gets you off the punishment almost completely!¡± Li Jingtian patted Qiu Yanhai¡¯s shoulder, while giving the two a serious look.


    The two were immensely grateful as they cupped their hands, ¡°Thank you, brother Li!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. We are all in the same boat, you can dispense the courtesy. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Li Jingtian waved.


    Was he actually that caring? Of course not. The two were ignorant of the Luo clan¡¯s matters, but would figure it out easily in the first three days anyway.


    He reminded them earlier since this favor came cheap and saw no reason not to have them owe him one.


    [Just when did I begin turning into such a vicious man?]


    He sighed and suddenly scratched his head, [Guess environment changes the man¡­]


    At the gates of the imperial capital, Marshal Dugu was sitting astride his large horse and entering the city with his five godsons. The million strong army was stationed ten miles out.


    The news of Dugu Zhantian¡¯s return, the second of the Four Pillars to the court, was soon on the lips of every citizen!


    ¡°Your Majesty, Marshal Dugu is seeking an audience!¡±


    ¡°Enter!¡±


    In the golden palace of the imperial capital, the emperor was sitting on a lavish throne. Next to him was the man he often played chess with, Mr. Sima.


    Dugu Zhantian entered with large steps and bowed, ¡°Dugu Zhantian greets Your Majesty. May you have a long and prosperous life!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Marshal Dugu has come from far away. You must be weary, please sit!¡± With a chuckle, the emperor walked to Dugu Zhantian and helped him to a chair.


    Any man would feel immensely grateful and honored. But Dugu Zhantian found it a matter of fact. He was after all a pillar of the empire. Wouldn¡¯t a man like him receive at least this much from the emperor?


    ¡°Marshal Dugu, how is the situation in Windgaze City?¡± Dugu Zhantian just took a seat and the emperor already started inquiring.


    Dugu Zhantian sighed, ¡°The circumstances are poor I¡¯m afraid. I have rushed to the rescue per the imperial edict but I was late. Windgaze City had been under a terrible battle, in which the Luo clan lost a hundred thousand men¡­¡±


    Pff!


    Watching Dugu Zhantian speak in such a grave tone, the emperor¡¯s heart sank. Then he heard him mention Luo clan¡¯s ¡®losses¡¯ and spurted blood.


    ¡°Marshal Dugu, how can a third rate clan like the Luo clan have a hundred thousand men?¡± The emperor exclaimed, then cursed inside, [Even me, who has rarely been outside the palace knows it. How come you have no common sense!], ¡°Marshal, did you see it yourself?¡±


    ¡°Uh, no, actually. But when Luo clan¡¯s steward reported it, I also found it odd..¡±


    ¡°That steward is Zhuo Fan!¡± The emperor¡¯s face twitched. [Of course it¡¯s him again. That brat is nothing but trouble. Speaking of so many casualties as if it¡¯s the order of the day.]


    Dugu Zhantian nodded, ¡°Your Majesty is wise. It is indeed Steward Zhuo who told me of Luo clan¡¯s casualties. I was also skeptical in trusting this man¡¯s careless talk. How can a small clan have so many people? Not even the seven houses have so many. But Luo clan¡¯s losses were indeed great in that battle, with even their Clan Head falling victim!¡±


    The emperor held his head and sighed, ¡°Marshal, Luo Clan Head is dead for almost three years now¡­¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Dugu Zhantian was shocked, then he went beet red. [Damn those wretched brats, they played me! But that¡¯s not the issue here. The problem is they made a fool of me in front of the emperor.]


    [Zhuo Fan, Yunhai, I will get you for this!] Dugu Zhantian gnashed his teeth.


    The emperor shook his head, knowing he¡¯d been had, ¡°Never mind then. Please tell me what you can about the Luo clan, Marshal.¡±


    Dugu Zhantian was startled, then lowered his head in shame.


    From the moment he entered the Luo clan, all he¡¯d heard about it was from Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth, not getting the time to do his own investigation. And when it came to reporting, Zhuo Fan¡¯s words didn¡¯t look as truthful now. He realized he knew next to nothing about the Luo clan!


    Noticing his plight, the emperor didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or cry, [Why did you even go to Windgaze City for? Are you just as sloppy with your enemy¡¯s intelligence as well?]


    ¡°Nevermind then!¡± The emperor sighed, ¡°Are the Luo clan¡¯s Luo Yunhai and Luo Yunchang alright?¡±


    ¡°Uh, they¡¯re completely fine!¡± Dugu Zhantian spoke.


    ¡°Then what of Captain Pang Yi, their elder Lei Yuntian and his goddaughter Lei Yuting¡­¡±


    Dugu Zhantian started answering all the questions the emperor had regarding the Luo clan¡¯s higher ups. In the end the emperor nodded, ¡°Since they are fine, the Luo clan suffered no losses! But this clan sure is capable, to still be standing despite the ever watchful eyes of Regent Estate and Hell Valley!¡±


    ¡°Uh, Your Majesty, outside Blackwind Mountain, where Luo clan is located, there are four 5th-grade arrays placed by the Clan Head. A normal expert would find it hard to infiltrate!¡± Dugu Zhantian added.


    The emperor raised an eyebrow, then sent a shocking glance to Mr. Sima, ¡°This Zhuo Fan kid is more and more impressive. I heard he could set arrays, but never imagined he could set four 5th-grade ones!¡±


    ¡°What, they were done by Zhuo Fan?¡± Dugu Zhantian cried out.


    Sighing, the emperor only glanced at the old man, [Just what have you been up to in Windgaze City? I asked you here to give me a report, but why is it me explaining things to you instead?]


    The emperor continued, ¡°The Luo clan lost everything, even their Clan Head three years ago, leaving only the siblings, steward, and Captain Pang Yi behind. The current Luo clan has been brought about by Zhuo Fan. And it¡¯s this kid¡­¡±


    The emperor began recounting Zhuo Fan¡¯s acts of troublemaking through the empire. Once he finished with the mess he left in Drifting Flowers Edifice, he added, ¡°This kid is a rare talent, but a pity he¡¯s too volatile. He makes me like him and hate him all at the same time. Luo clan¡¯s problems are due to him. But it is also he who made the Luo clan stand tall. I just can¡¯t tell if this bizarre steward is a blessing or calamity for the Luo clan!¡±


    Blinking, Dugu Zhantian was speechless. He never took Zhuo Fan as an array master! As for all the stunts he pulled, Dugu Zhantian couldn¡¯t care less.


    [Hell, what soldier doesn¡¯t pull stunts? Skill is all that matters! I must have him in my camp.]


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s mind was set!


    ¡°By the way, Marshal, is there anything else you¡¯d like to report?¡± The emperor had no expectation at this point, but still asked.


    Dugu Zhantian rushed to say, ¡°Yes, it involves the Hell Valley and two other houses¡¯ evidence of attacking the Luo clan. Please make a decision, Your Majesty. These three houses had tried going into Windgaze City while I was there!¡±


    Dugu Zhantian took the three jade slips out. The emperor¡¯s eyes lit up and laughed, ¡°With this evidence I¡¯ll finally take them down a notch! Did you see Regent Estate there as well?¡±


    Dugu Zhantian shook his head, ¡°Among the seven houses¡¯ house lords¡¯ group I saw in Windgaze City, none were from Regent Estate!¡±


    ¡°I see. That cousin of mine sure likes to hide all traces. He¡¯s sure to plan something insidious!¡± Throwing away the three jade slips, the emperor barked, ¡°Humph, I will use these three houses as a testament to my power. Let all see who is the true ruler of these lands¡­¡±


    Silavin: Hahaha. I can imagine the emperor¡¯s face being like: ¡®WTF bro. You had one job.¡¯

 Chapter 214 - The Dreaded Divine Dragons

    Hell Valley was a place ever shrouded in thick and eerie mist. Today, however, was an exceptionally sunny day and cleared the view somewhat.


    Despite the warm glow of the sun promised joy, the Hell Valley¡¯s denizens¡¯ hearts were in a haze!


    In the meeting hall, You Wanshan sat in his chair with elders on either side. The empty seats among the rows of elders were a dead giveaway to their sombre mood.


    They were grimly reminded of their losses!


    It had been two years since their wisest elder, You Guiqi, was killed. In this time, the valley sent their best in getting revenge for such a heavy blow.


    The irony was, instead of the corpse of their most hated enemy, Zhuo Fan, being brought, even more losses were added to the pile!


    Putting aside their very first elder losses in Windgaze City, because of Zhuo Fan as well, after You Guiqi fell, the headcount slowly included 3rd elder, 4th elder, 6th elder. Even 5th elder didn¡¯t escape unscathed, having his arm ripped out.


    Hell Valley was in a precarious situation, with half of their 12 elders gone and one crippled. All while Zhuo Fan was live and kicking. This was something hard to accept.


    It was utter humiliation!


    None foresaw they would take a blow as they did three centuries ago. Their thousand year old legacy, their seven houses dignity was poked and taunted at every turn.


    Bam!


    You Wanshan slammed the table, and all could hear his grinding teeth. Everyone was filled with the same hatred, especially 5th elder. He touched his wounded shoulder as fire threatens to escape his eyes every time he cursed one name over and over in his mind.


    Zhuo Fan!


    But they were now stuck. They pushed the imperial family too far and the latter summoned Marshal Dugu to drive fear into them. If they made one wrong move, they¡¯d soon be seeing Dugu Zhantian¡¯s million army at their doorstep. And none could bear the brunt of such an aftermath.


    Here they were, all wishing to charge into Windgaze City, to wring Luo clan and Zhuo Fan of their blood, but none had the nerve to do it.


    Their very survival hanged in the balance!


    This was their conundrum.


    The Grand Elder looked around him and sighed. The atmosphere was stifling¡­


    ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore. I have to put that bastard down for good!¡±


    5th elder was the one to break first. Eyes turned to him, but none replied, even though they all felt the same way. Anyone there knew the consequences of such an action.


    Hum~


    A sudden ripple brought with it the faint sound of a flute!


    ¡°Goddammit! Who dares be cheerful at such a wretched time? I¡¯ll rip him apart!¡± 5th elder was at a boil, and the music only helped to spur his anger further.


    But before he could go on the hunt, Grand Elder lifted his hand, fear shaking his very core, ¡°Wait, t-this is Divine Dragon Fang Qiubai¡¯s flute¡­¡±


    ¡°Jade Flute Divine Sword?!¡±


    They were all started, with hearts in their throat. Even the enraged 5th elder slowly calmed down, his mouth hanging open from shock.


    ¡°Damn it all! What is that Jade Flute Divine Sword doing here?¡± 5th elder turned to the rest.


    You Wanshan sighed, filled with bitterness.


    [Humph, why frickin¡¯ else? Isn¡¯t it the emperor who stuck him onto us? Just why has the decades wretched imperial family up and grown a backbone all of a sudden?]


    You Wanshan felt like crying, but he braced for the meeting as he signaled for the elders to follow him outside Hell Valley.


    At the entrance, the figure of the imposing and mighty Divine Dragons Fang Qiubai was playing a melodious tune on his flute!


    When the sound stopped out of the blue, Fang Qiubai fiddled with the flute in his hand as he spoke coldly, ¡°By order of the emperor, Valley Lord You is to immediately attend court!¡±


    You Wanshan was furious.


    The seven houses and imperial family were at an impasse, with both sides handling Tianyu¡¯s affairs. Even when an edict came before to Hell Valley, it had always been presented with respect and courtesy.


    It was clear that this time, the emperor sent the Divine Dragon with his edict. He even played the flute outside their valley to draw them out. It was a show of strength.


    If they showed any fear, wouldn¡¯t the emperor take an even harder stand when he saw him? No matter how sound his reason was, he still had to go. He wanted to have a long talk with the emperor. Shielding Zhuo Fan had many implications. Was the emperor setting himself the seven houses with this?


    You Wanshan was filled with sudden boldness, ¡°Mr. Fang has toiled coming here with the edict. Unfortunately, I have caught a cold and can only attend the court in a few months. Please show compassion!¡±


    [A damn cold? This load of bull can¡¯t get any more obvious than this!]


    [Can a peak Profound Heaven expert even catch a cold? You¡¯re clearly putting the emperor on the spot!]


    The elders gave You Wanshan a nod. [That¡¯s our Valley Lord! He¡¯d use this excuse to tell that old goat we are Hell Valley of the seven houses! We¡¯re not his dogs to order around¡­]


    Boom!


    An explosion jarred the ears of everyone, even as they were in awe of their Valley Lord. It was then followed by a fierce wind that picked up the dust.


    Once the dust settled, everyone gasped.


    The mountain range on Hell Valley¡¯s side had vanished into thin air. In mid air, Fang Qiubai put away the jade flute, ¡°You are to set out at once, Valley Lord You!¡±


    The next second, he vanished, leaving the Hell Valley¡¯s elders and You Wanshan pale from fright. The disappearing mountains struck a chord in everyone!


    [Is this Divine Dragon Fang Qiubai¡¯s power? It¡¯s too damn insane! He has the power to obliterate Hell Valley all by himself!]


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, an aged man in gray robe appeared. You Wanshan lit up at his coming, ¡°Venerable, you arrived. Do you¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course I know. I only dared come after he left!¡± The Venerable sighed, ¡°Valley Lord, we really did it this time. The emperor may be a paper tiger, but his five Divine Dragons are savage beasts by themselves! I¡¯m saying that you¡­ just go to court and apologize. The Emperor can no longer be offended!¡±


    You Wanshan nodded, feeling forlorn and on the verge of tears.


    [What¡¯s wrong with us, Hell Valley? Someone barged in and yet we have to apologize¡­]


    A week later, You Wanshan was punctual in his arrival to the imperial capital. A palace maid took him to a waiting room to await the emperor¡¯s summon. This never ever happened before. How was it that it suddenly turned to them waiting on the emperor now?


    He was helpless. Just who died and put the emperor in charge? He could only sigh, following after the maid.


    And to add insult to injury, You Wanshan found two old friends in there already, Yan Bogong and Lin Rufeng.


    The two smiled wryly at You Wanshan¡¯s appearance.


    The three were like children in detention, sitting there outside the director¡¯s office, waiting for the emperor¡¯s call!


    ¡°House Lord Lin, who came to Merry Woods?¡± With nothing better to do, You Wanshan started chatting.


    Lin Rufeng shook his head and sighed, ¡°Monochrome Chess Sage, Sima Hui!¡±


    ¡°Oh, the old guy plays chess all the time and cultivates his mind. His temper is the mildest among the five Divine Dragons. Jade Flute Divine Sword Fang Qiubai up and flattened the mountains on one of Hell Valley¡¯s sides!¡±


    ¡°Mild my ass!¡±


    Lin Rufeng started ranting with a mournful look, ¡°That old geezer didn¡¯t say a word as he entered Merry Woods and hurled chess pieces. Do you have any idea what that¡¯s like? Every single strike was like a meteor impact. Doing it a few times had leveled half of Merry Woods! Now we only have half a millenia legacy! Then he pulled out the imperial decree, stating his hand slipped just then. So don¡¯t go telling me he¡¯s mild!¡±


    Lin Rufeng felt sour and tearful. You Wanshan never thought there was anyone having it worse than Hell Valley!


    ¡°Ai, you two lucked out compared to Pill King Hall!¡±


    Yan Bogong sighed, as if all his energy left him, ¡°The ones you saw can still be called humans. While my envoy was downright savage. The entire Pill King Hall lays in ruins, with all our pills and ingredients picked clean¡­¡±


    ¡°What, eating all ingredients¡­¡±


    The two cried out in shock, fear shining in their glassy eyes, ¡°Hall Lord Yan, you truly had it worse than any of us. For the emperor to really let out that reckless little freak out means he had reached the limit of his rage¡­¡±


    Yan Bogong nodded, ¡°So painfully true!¡±


    The three looked at each other and the room was filled with laments, puzzling the hell out of the guards outside.


    Weren¡¯t all seven house¡¯s lords filled with brashness and contempt each time they came to the imperial capital? Why was it that this time they were like lambs going to the gallows? All they heard from the tree were wails and sighs¡­

 Chapter 215 - The Tiger Leaves The Mountain

    ¡°House lords, His Majesty is summoning you!¡± After a six hour long wait, a guard finally came to this remote room.


    The three sighed as if going to their funeral and followed the guard without any dissent.


    Soon they came upon the palace¡¯s gates. The guard bowed and gestured for them to enter. With a deep breath, the three slipped into the hall.


    They saw the emperor dignified on his throne, with Sima Hui next to him. At the end of the stairs, in front of the throne, stood the tall and mighty Marshal Dugu.


    The three swallowed dryly, feeling as if their hearts were in a vise when these men¡¯s gazes landed on them.


    ¡°Valley Lord You, Hall Lord Yan, House Lord Lin, greets Your Majesty!¡± They showed utmost respect to the emperor.


    The emperor nodded with a winning smile, ¡°House lords, can you guess why I have summoned thee?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± They all shook their heads, ¡°Your Majesty, we do not.¡±


    Bam!


    With a clang, three jade slips landed in front of them. The emperor tone dropped lower, ¡°Humph, so you don¡¯t know? Then do you at least know these jade slips?¡±


    The three started sweating like pigs as they shivered a nod.


    ¡°In that case, do tell me why are you explicitly defying my edict, going into the area I deemed forbidden? Not even you, the seven houses, founding fathers of the empire have such rights!¡±


    The emperor slapped the armrest of his throne, making the three slump into pleading on the ground in their knees, ¡°Spare us, Your Majesty!¡±


    This was unprecedented. The seven houses, house lords were, for the first time, on their knees before the emperor. The emperor raised an eyebrow, feeling freer than ever. As if returning to the time of his ascension to the throne, when all officials showed him utmost respect.


    As a matter of fact, he was far more moved than before.


    When has there ever been a case in the long history of Tianyu Empire of an emperor getting the seven house lords kneeling before them? It may very be the very first time since this nation came together.


    Such honor lifted him above all other emperors before him.


    However, he couldn¡¯t let it show, or these three blokes would milk him for it!


    So the emperor kept a hardened and cold face, though his tone sounded softer, ¡°Thou are all ministers loyal to our nation. You are unlikely to resort to such disgraceful behavior without rime or reason. Please share with me your motives so I can judge if your actions were indeed unintentional mistakes!¡±


    The three¡¯s eyes lit up. [Is the emperor giving us a way out? All that we¡¯ve been doing is because of that Zhuo Fan! As long as that fool dies, Luo clan and Windgaze City are of no importance.]


    But before they could explain, Dugu Zhantian barked, ¡°Speak, who¡¯s behind you all?¡±


    Shivering, the three choked on their words. They peeked at the emperor, only to see him sporting the same cold and calm face.


    That was tantamount to saying Dugu Zhantian was voicing the emperor¡¯s intentions. Since he couldn¡¯t outright say it, he had Dugu Zhantian play his proxy.


    The meaning was crystal clear. The emperor didn¡¯t care why they went to Windgaze City, only wanting to know by whose orders they marched.


    The emperor was aiming for Regent Estate and they were the means to an end, mere pawns.


    They instantly broke out in cold sweat.


    The emperor, a tiger cooped up in the palace all his life, was ready to go out and maul someone. But the problem was, Regent Estate wasn¡¯t an easy target either, a fierce tiger on its own!


    The three houses were now smack in the middle of the Regent Estate and the imperial family¡¯s power struggle. Their only fate, sacrifices!


    [Curse it to high heavens! How did we end up in this mess? If only we hadn¡¯t listened to Regent Estate and attack Windgaze City. The imperial family would have no excuse to look for us.]


    They now faced the heavy burden of choosing to let the emperor maul them or be used to maul the Regent Estate. But would the Regent Estate ever let them go afterward?


    [Any choice promises death!]


    The three were overwhelmed with regrets. They bit their lips, unsure what to say.


    ¡°Speak, who is behind you?¡± Dugu Zhantian barked and pressured them with his powerful soul.


    If it were any other occasion, the three peak Profound Heaven experts could¡¯ve stood firm, since they were on the verge of advancing to the Radiant Stage. But now, however, they were frightened, their spirit shaken. And this show of force broke through their mental walls, making their clenched jaws relax.


    But then, a loud shout echoed.


    ¡°Regent Estate Lord, Huangpu Tianyuan and Prime Minister Zhuge Changfeng are requesting audience!¡±


    Eyes widening, the emperor and the other two men were shocked.


    For the Estate Lord to burst in at such a crucial time, his intention had to be premeditated. More importantly, why was he coming along with Zhuge Changfeng?


    This spelled trouble.


    The three house lords heard Huangpu Tianyuan was coming and re-tightened their jaws.


    [Thank god Regent Estate was scared of getting involved in this so they came to the rescue. We¡¯d been done for otherwise!]


    You Wanshan breathed in and calmed his heart.


    The emperor narrowed his eyes, ¡°Let them in!¡±


    ¡°This damn tiger can no longer sit on his mountain!¡± Sima Hui muttered. The emperor nodded with a grave expression.


    ¡°Estate Lord Huangpu Tianyuan, Prime Minister Zhuge Changfeng, Regent Estate¡¯s Steward Leng, and Regent Estate¡¯s High Venerable Huangpu Fenglei greets Your Majesty!¡±


    Four people entered the hall. Walking behind Huangpu Tianyuan and Zhuge Changfeng, were two more. One of them was an old yet stout man that made even Divine Dragon Sima Hui¡¯s eyes tremble.


    [What is Regent Estate¡¯s number one expert, High Venerable Huangpu Fenglei doing here?]


    Sima Hui gasped, feeling the peak Radiant Stage power the old man was releasing. His cultivation was not one bit less than the five Divine Dragons¡¯.


    Huangpu Fenglei noticed Sima Hui as well, giving a smile in return, one with mockery and taunt!


    ¡°Oh my, house lords, the seven houses have always been on the same footing as the imperial family. I know you all respect Your Majesty so, but there¡¯s no need for you to kneel! Others might grossly misunderstand and think His Majesty intends to suppress the seven houses, going against ancestor¡¯s rule and bringing him shame. Up up up, come now, you can¡¯t have His Majesty suffer such injustice!¡±


    After bowing to the emperor, Zhuge Changfeng went to help the three house lords with a smile. The emperor clenched his fists and gnashed his teeth.


    The emperor didn¡¯t allow them to rise, but Zhuge Changfeng dared help them out of his own initiative. His intentions couldn¡¯t be clearer. But since Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s reason was very sound, the emperor could do nothing to vent his anger.


    This was how Zhuge Changfeng usurped the emperor¡¯s prestige, while raising the three house lords¡¯ by getting them to their feet. That was because they had the Regent Estate backing them, helping ease their fears.


    At that moment, the emperor group¡¯s pressure exerted on the house lords went up in smoke. Using the same excuse again would no longer work.


    [You¡¯re good, Zhuge Changfeng, I¡¯ll give you that!]


    The emperor cursed inside but didn¡¯t let it show. He turned to Huangpu Tianyuan laughing, ¡°Cousin, you¡¯ve been away from the imperial capital for decades. What could have brought you here today?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, I have come to confess!¡± Huangpu Tianyuan bowed.


    The emperor¡¯s brow shook. Despite not understanding, he added, ¡°Cousin, I do not understand! Regent Estate is kin to the imperial family and always proper, defending the Caged Dragon City in the imperial family¡¯s stead. What possible reason is there for you to confess? What crime?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, your patronizing tone terrifies me so! ¡°


    Huangpu Tianyuan clenched his fists and said humbly, ¡°The seven houses have assisted the imperial family for a thousand years and bring peace to Tianyu. But the three houses dared defy your decree, entering the area Your Majesty deigned forbidden and causing the people to lament. I, Regent Estate, the head of the seven houses, have failed in my duties and deserve to be punished!¡±


    Crack!


    The emperor¡¯s fingers let out a sudden sound, as his face only sank lower.


    Since the founding of the empire, the seven houses and the imperial family had been at peace, but the duty of reining in the seven houses fell to the imperial family. But for Huangpu Tianyuan to dare utter such responsibility, he did no damn crime. He was overreaching in his power play to gain more status.


    But over the millennium, the Regent Estate had been the head of the seven houses, a truth the emperor could not refute. His only choice was to stew in anger!


    ¡°Cousin this is too much of a burden for you. How can I let you take the three houses¡¯ crime onto yourself?¡± The emperor stated.


    ¡°Yeah, Estate Lord Huangpu. Regent Estate may stand at the top of the seven houses and should indeed take responsibility for them. But since lord wishes to take their crimes onto yourself, you¡¯d be placing yourself in peril. Furthermore, the three houses¡¯ crime may not be as heavy for you to take it upon yourself!¡± Zhuge Changfeng revealed a wicked grin as he eyed the emperor.


    Widening his eyes, the emperor smiled coldly, ¡°Is the Prime Minister implying that I am wrong?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of it. Your Majesty is not wrong in the least. Just that this matter is so minor¡­¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s contempt was clear to all. The emperor was enraged, on the verge of blowing a fuse¡­

 Chapter 216 - Exploit

    ¡°So according to you, Zhuge Changfeng, openly defying an imperial edict is a trifle?¡± Dugu Zhantian spoke coldly with a booming voice, ¡°If everyone does it, what would become of the imperial family¡¯s dignity?¡±


    Brushing away his outburst with a smile and a wave, Zhuge Changfeng shook his head, ¡°Marshal, ease your anger. That is not what I meant at all. Defying the imperial edict has and always will be a serious crime. But in the case where the ruler is rash and tyrannical¡­¡±


    ¡°Say that again!?¡± Dugu Zhantian barked.


    Zhuge Changfeng waved his hand with a dismissing smile, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Marshal need not be angry. I wasn¡¯t speaking of His Majesty. His Majesty is an upstanding ruler. Even more than that, right?¡±


    The emperor¡¯s heart shivered, he and Sima Hui both snorting inside.


    The three were putting the squeeze on the three house lords just to avoid this particular mess. Only so they could hold one over the Regent Estate. But now, Zhuge Changfeng had breached this topic and the emperor couldn¡¯t stay silent.


    The emperor gave a curt nod for them to elaborate on the reason behind this mess.


    The three house lords straightened their backs and cupped their hands, ¡°Your Majesty, all that transpired is due to one man, Windgaze City¡¯s Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan.¡±


    You Wanshan then followed with painting Zhuo Fan in a gruesome way and with flourishing detail.


    The emperor simply sat there in his throne. He long knew of Zhuo Fan¡¯s ¡®adventures¡¯ so why tell him again? Yet despite knowing, the emperor let Zhuo Fan cause all the trouble he wanted.


    But now, all he wished was to avoid and bury this topic for good.


    Once You Wanshan finished, Huangpu Tianyuan continued, ¡°Your Majesty, this vile spawn defies the seven houses¡¯ dignity. I beseech Your Majesty to lift the ban on Windgaze City and allow us to exact capital punishment on this wretched beast, to show the nation how upright Your Majesty is! ¡°


    This time the emperor was in a real bind. Instead of having the three houses turn on Regent Estate, the latter got to strike against the Luo clan and ruin his plans!


    Tap, tap!


    The emperor rapped his fingers on the armrest in deep thought, ¡°Due to the havoc the Hell Valley and Veiled Dragon Pavilion had inflicted on the people three years ago in Windgaze City, I have elected to turn it into a forbidden ground. But I see that overlooking one man has caused endless suffering once again. My heart is in pain.¡±


    They all knew where he was going with this, sporting large winning grins.


    And sure enough, the emperor continued with, ¡°I shall not look into your first offense, but you are not to step into Windgaze City again. If you want to catch that beast, you will have to wait for him to come out!¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty¡¯s heart is with the people. The empire rejoices in having you!¡± Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s group cupped their hands in heartfelt admiration, but the sneer on their faces was plain to see.


    This hidden battle between emperor and Regent Estate ended with the former¡¯s complete defeat.


    Not only did he not seize Regent Estate¡¯s weakness, with the three houses getting away scot-free, what was worse, he was unable to defend his chess piece, Windgaze City, almost throwing it to the wolves.


    The emperor¡¯s might faded, earning the ridicule of all!


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡± You Wanshan bowed like the rest and then showed the same respect to Huangpu Tianyuan, ¡°Thank you, Estate Lord Huangpu!¡±


    The emperor felt he was choking on something where neither choice of swallowing or spitting out was any good. He resolved to just stare at them with all the anger his eyes could muster.


    Huangpu Tianyuan simply ignored it and half bowed, ¡°Your Majesty, we are most grateful for your mercy. We shall take our leave.¡±


    He didn¡¯t care if the emperor had other intentions, he simply turned around and left. It was a clear disregard of the emperor¡¯s position. And yet the emperor could only glare with hatred.


    ¡°Hold on!¡±


    The people turned to see Monochrome Chess Sage stomping over, with fire in his eyes, at High Venerable Huangpu Fenglei, ¡°It¡¯s been so long, Sir Huangpu. Would you care for a game of chess?¡±


    Not letting the other respond, Sima Hui directly launched a chess piece at Huangpu Fenglei.


    A great power suddenly pressed on everyone¡¯s shoulders.


    The house lords were all peak Profound Heaven experts but just this meager chess piece had them all feel as if a mountain was bearing down on them. They couldn¡¯t even step back, blood draining from their faces.


    Divine Dragon Sima Hui¡¯s attack was terrifying!


    Yet Huangpu Fenglei simply stepped before them without fear. He extended two fingers and caught the piece as if it was nothing, dispelling the pressure with his gesture.


    Squinting, Sima Hui didn¡¯t expect for Huangpu Fenglei to be so strong as to take his attack so easily!


    With a grin, Huangpu Fenglei spoke, ¡°Mr. Sima¡¯s chess skill is exquisite. How could a martial artist such as I compare with a chess sage such as you? I would only disgrace you by playing!¡±


    Huangpu Fenglei then flicked the chess piece back.


    A pressure far greater than before came down on Sima Hui and the emperor.


    Sima Hui took a rushed step forward to protect the emperor and was going to use two fingers as well. But the power was too great and forced him to take a step back.


    Looking aghast at Huangpu Fenglei, Sima Hui said, ¡°After not seeing each other for so many decades, Mr. Huangpu¡¯s power has greatly increased! I¡¯m afraid I may no longer be your match!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too kind. Mr. Sima is far more talented than I. Only, Mr. Sima indulges in chess while I merely work hard in my training!¡±


    With a mocking laughter, Huangpu Fenglei gave Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s group a look. They all joined his laughter as they left this great symbol of imperial power that was the palace!


    Sima Hui¡¯s brow had faint sweat watching them go. He looked down to see how deep an imprint his foot left when he withdrew.


    Huangpu Fenglei¡¯s power was dreadful to force a Divine Dragon to leave such a mark on the floor!


    Bam!


    The emperor shot to his feet and knocked over a candle stand as he cursed, ¡°These traitorous mongrels have gone too far! They come to my palace, asking for my obedience?¡±


    ¡°Calm down, Your Majesty!¡±


    Sima Hui advised, ¡°With Zhuge Changfeng here, our reasons are moot in front of a man with his oratory skills. That is why I tried going after Huangpu Fenglei to make them cower. But who¡¯d have thought Huangpu Fenglei¡¯s power trumps mine, further diminishing your prestige. It was my miscalculation. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!¡±


    The emperor didn¡¯t speak, his eyes shining with a dark look.


    Dugu Zhantian smoothened his beard and sighed, ¡°This plan was to use the three houses and strike a blow at Regent Estate¡¯s arrogance. Or at least drive a wedge between them. But now, Regent Estate came to their rescue, further making them stand with the Regent Estate. All our hard work was exploited by Regent Estate! Now that the Regent Estate is together with three houses, they will be even harder to deal with¡­¡±


    Sima Hui nodded, while the emperor was pacing in deep thought.


    Then the emperor¡¯s eyes shined, ¡°Mr. Sima, isn¡¯t the Esoteric Debate around the corner?¡±


    ¡°Indeed Your Majesty. It shall take place in five years!¡± Sima Hui nodded, then started, ¡°Your Majesty, you don¡¯t mean¡­¡±


    Smiling, the emperor nodded, ¡°Hasn¡¯t the Regent Estate flaunted being the head of the seven houses since he always took first place in the Esoteric Debate? If he comes short in any way this time, their dignity would take a heavy blow. And the seed of doubt would be planted in the other houses, that its power had declined!¡±


    ¡°But Regent Estate¡¯s every generation has been filled with geniuses. Especially this one, with even some freaks mixed among them! The other houses have their own fair share of talents, but none can compare. There¡¯s even rumors that one among them can break the shackles of Radiant Stage, becoming the peak of power in Tianyu. Just what junior could have such potential¡­¡±


    Sima Hui¡¯s brow was locked, to which the emperor snorted, ¡°Speaking of freaks, is there any little freak more rampant than that guy?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, you mean¡­ Zhuo Fan?¡± Sima Hui and Dugu Zhantian spoke in unison.


    The emperor nodded with a sneaky smile, ¡°It¡¯s time for that brat and the Luo clan to pay back for sheltering them. They need to just cut the Regent Estate down a peg at the Esoteric Debate and I will declare the Luo clan as the eighth noble house to keep Regent Estate in line!¡±


    Sima Hui and Dugu Zhantian were speechless.


    Zhuo Fan had shocked them again and again, but the Luo clan¡¯s foundation was thin. This eighth house would find it hard to stay afloat when it was even weaker than Drifting Flowers Edifice, threatened to be swallowed by the other house. Yet the emperor was hoping to use it to counter Regent Estate.


    None of them knew that Zhuo Fan had already made preparation to strengthen the foundation of this flimsy clan¡­


    In another place, Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s group left the palace with scorn on their faces. Especially the three house lords, who were pushed into a corner by the emperor, were now wild with joy.


    And just like the emperor, they were in complete awe of the Regent Estate and Huangpu Fenglei.


    [Holy molly, how many are there that can push back a Divine Dragon?]


    ¡°Zhuge Changfeng, thank you for making all of this happen!¡± Huangpu Tianyuan cupped his hands.


    Zhuge Changfeng smiled and spoke in the same cold tone, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, there¡¯s no need to thank me. Wasn¡¯t it all planned by your steward, Leng Wuchang?¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng then left with a smile. The Yin and Yang elders caught up to him, having kept their distance so far.


    You Wanshan didn¡¯t quite understand, but Leng Wuchang¡¯s face changed, turning to Huangpu Tianyuan.


    Correct, all was planned by Leng Wuchang, including the three house lords¡¯ detainment by the emperor. It was all done so he could save the three houses at the best moment, and become more reliant on the Regent Estate.


    What was once a scheme privy to only he and Huangpu Tianyuan, it was seen through by Zhuge Changfeng in an instant.


    Watching Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s shrinking figure, Leng Wuchang and Huangpu Tianyuan felt an odd chill. No wonder Zhuge Changfeng was the head of the Four Pillars, he was frightening¡­


    Zhuge Changfeng himself was sporting a mystifying smile.


    ¡°Prime Minister must be glad!¡± The white-haired elder smiled.


    Zhuge Changfeng nodded, ¡°I just saw a bunch of fools getting happy having scored an empty victory! But, ha-ha-ha¡­.¡±


    The elders were puzzled.


    Zhuge Changfeng was quite vague, ¡°But, Yuwen has ruled these lands for a thousand years for a reason! To not even see through a chess player¡¯s unfathomable skill, he still dares to play with cloak and dagger? So this is the extent of Unwonted Contriver, ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°

 Chapter 217 - The Suicidal Life And Death Art

    Four figures fell on Blackwind Mountain, Zhuo Fan and his three elders.


    Qiu Yanhai and Xue Qingjian watched in awe the impressive sight formed by the mighty four 5th-grade arrays.


    [Luo clan is outstanding to this extent that it¡¯s no wonder its steward is so cunning and able. But how come we never heard of it?]


    The two looked at each other puzzled.


    Zhuo Fan knew all too well what dwelled on their mind, but didn¡¯t dispel their doubts, only made a path through the arrays with a sign. He took the lead and the others rushed to follow.


    Once back in the clan, Zhuo Fan called for a general meeting to introduce their newest elders.


    The two elders were presented with the sight of people no stronger than ants. Knowing they could kill these people with their thumb, it instilled a deep sense of disappointment in the old couple.


    Though after having received Zhuo Fan¡¯s cruelty, it curbed their characters so as to not let it show.


    Only when Zhuo Fan introduced Luo Yunchang did their eyes shine. Recalling Li Jingtian¡¯s words, they showed utmost respect for Luo Yunchang. Xue Qingjian even held her shoulder, ¡°Young miss you are the picture of beauty, like an angel from above. I can¡¯t help but rue the day a rotten punk would have you for himself, oho-ho-ho¡­¡±


    Luo Yunchang blushed and shook her head, but her heart was grateful as she sneaked a peek at Zhuo Fan. She also found the two elders quite likable.


    They were Radiant Stage experts yet so calm and mild, unlike the arrogant stereotype everyone knew.


    Though clueless this was all brought about by Zhuo Fan¡¯s thorough and unyielding discipline.


    The man in question was right now frowning. [Why are these two who always snapped back with how great they are in Tianyu suddenly fawning? And why at Luo Yunchang?]


    Turning to Li Jingtian, he caught the latter looking elsewhere entirely. [This has nothing to do with me¡­.]


    ¡°Now that introductions are out of the way, the others may return to their tasks.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s clap left only Luo Yunchang and the four elders behind.


    He turned to the couple, ¡°You two will be watching over the Blackflame Array in the South and the Ice Shadows Array in the North. I will later tell you how to wield them! Working alongside Elder Yan and Elder Li¡¯s arrays, the Luo clan will never know defeat!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡± Qiu Yanhai and Xue Qingjian cupped their hands.


    Luo Yunchang was overjoyed knowing the four experts would turn the mountain into an impenetrable fortress. Not even a seven houses siege could make her worry now.


    ¡°Also¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand flashed and offered a jade slip, ¡°As you are now Luo clan¡¯s elders, I shall treat you as one of us. Here is the secret Life and Death Art. I find it quite suitable to you two!¡±


    Qiu Yanhai took the jade slip, amazed by what it contained.


    Knowing what they were gonna say, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°This is no cultivation method or martial art, but a way to combine your strengths. A limitless improving method!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Brushing off their shock, Zhuo Fan continued, ¡°This Life and Death Art means treading the fine line between life and death on the edge of a knife. At the collision between two opposing forces, world destroying power lies! But once control over it slips, death becomes you. This leads to this art going by a more common name, the Suicidal Secret Art!¡±


    ¡°What are you doing giving it to them for? That¡¯s too dangerous!¡± Luo Yunchang spoke in their defense.


    The couple was almost moved to tears.


    [Li Jingtian didn¡¯t lie. Getting close to the young miss is a must if we want to live!]


    But Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Young miss needn¡¯t fret. If others trained in this art, they¡¯d have a fate worse than death. But I saw how the two elders¡¯ fire and water arts combine, how seamless they work together. They are able to conform to the other on the fly, understanding each other¡¯s hearts. In fact, they may understand the other even better than they do themselves. The two¡¯s attributes may be in conflict, but they are nevertheless able to control the clashing force between fire and water. There¡¯s a 50% chance they¡¯ll succeed!¡±


    ¡°Fifty?!¡±


    The couple was nervous, and Luo Yunchang jumped in fright, ¡°That¡¯s too little!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Nothing ventured, nothing gained. The greater the danger the bigger the return. I¡¯m sure you two know this fully well. After all, you fought Tianyu¡¯s experts off decades ago. I can also guarantee, this method has infinite growth. The greater your control, the more powerful you become. You can one day reach the point when you can face all five Divine Dragons together!¡±


    Widened eyes and gasps of shock were heard all around!


    Imperial family¡¯s Divine Dragons were the strongest in Tianyu. Not even if their cultivation matched could they defeat one, least of all five.


    These were not false promises, as Zhuo Fan never was one for empty talk.


    Li Jingtian snapped his excited eyes on the jade slip, his martial fanatic side rearing its head, ¡°Uh, what if, suppose, I train it?¡±


    ¡°Elder Li, this was given to us by Steward Zhuo. So don¡¯t go against his decision!¡± Qiu Yanhai guarded the jade slip, watching Li Jingtian as if he was an archenemy to the couple.


    The two loved each other, but having been in the martial world for so long, the promise of power could hardly be denied. Hearing the return of the Life and Death Art being so gargantuan, they¡¯d take it even if it was just a third chance of success.


    How could they have ever reached the 5th layer of Radiant Stage if they didn¡¯t have this bit of boldness?


    Though Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes never faltered from the jade slip.


    Zhuo Fan dismissed his fervent greed, ¡°Elder Li, it¡¯s not for you. I¡¯ll be blunt. Train it, and die!¡±


    ¡°What nonsense is that? With my talent, my aptitude, my power, I am better than them in everything!¡± Li Jingtian rebuked.


    Zhuo Fan shrugged and turned to the two.


    The couple was now eagerly combing through the information in the jade slip. Fifteen minutes later, they looked dumbfounded, sporting an extra red face.


    Li Jingtian was startled and impatient, ¡°Well, spit it out, is the art so intricate not even you two can unravel? Give it here, let this old man have a look!¡±


    ¡°Beat it! It won¡¯t do you any good even if you do look!¡± Xue Qingjian glared at him. Qiu Yanhai lowered his head in embarrassment, ¡°He-he-he, Steward Zhuo, just where did you pick a dual cultivation art? You¡¯re putting us on the spot!¡±


    Dual cultivation art?


    Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes bugged out as he stammered.


    Zhuo Fan cracked up, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Life and Death Art needs two people that are closer to each other than their relatives yet of opposite cultivation methods. Only this can bring out its power. If your feelings are true, they will be conveyed and fruit will blossom. If all you have is lust, death follows! Elder Li, you and me are lone wolves, it doesn¡¯t suit us!¡±


    Li Jingtian only smirked. The couple felt quite shy at this point, then blushed harder as they looked at each other.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, we also¡­ can¡¯t cultivate it!¡± Qiu Yanhai twiddled his thumbs, ¡°Uhm, me and Qingjian never actually done¡­ that.¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan asked, ¡°You¡¯ve never done it for decades yet are so in tune with each other? Then what are you waiting for?¡±


    Luo Yunchang clapped, ¡°It¡¯s been ages since we had a wedding in the Luo clan. Please let me arrange it all for the elders on a most auspicious day!¡±


    The couple¡¯s faces went redder, acting like shy teenagers.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes widened and shouted, ¡°What auspicious, what arrangement? That¡¯s so quaint and cliche! Just get it on already and train that art! Blast it, for decades you¡¯ve been around a belle, yet never tapped that fine booty. Shame on you! She even dolled up for decades for you in vain. So get your ass in gear already!¡±


    Bam!


    Zhuo Fan kicked Qiu Yanhai¡¯s ass, but the old geezer wasn¡¯t the least bit angry. He took Xue Qingjian¡¯s hand and left giggling, ¡°Qingjian, it¡¯s Steward Zhuo¡¯s order. I don¡¯t have a choice. For the sake of the clan, we must bear through this hardship, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Pervert!¡± Xue Qingjian rolled her eyes, yet left with her blushing head lowered.


    Luo Yunchang watched the loving couple in envy. She turned to Zhuo Fan with a pout, ¡°You say that, but you are no different!¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at her, oblivious.


    Li Jingtian laughed, ¡°Steward Zhuo, you shouldn¡¯t waste¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes snapped to him before he finished, scaring him from continuing.


    [So you do understand. Young miss, I did my best to help you up to here.] Li Jingtian started looking elsewhere.


    All of a sudden, Yan Song started flattering Zhuo Fan, ¡°¡±Steward Zhuo, please give me an art too. I¡­


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I give you refining skills?¡± Zhuo Fan asked.


    Yan Song scratched his head, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, now that you mention it. But I¡¯m a cultivator first, before an alchemist, one with dreams of greatness¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine fine, I understand perfectly!¡± Zhuo Fan offered a jade slip, ¡°I am not too fond of poisons, but since you¡¯re with me, I will be sure to give you what you deserve. This here is a high profound ranked martial art, Nine Nines Fantasy Palm. It also contains the formula for making the world¡¯s 81 strangest poisons.


    ¡°Beside the myriad of palm attacks, it also wields 81 poisons, each with 81 variations. Each change conforms to any man, to any environment, ever evolving. In short, the poison¡¯s only cure is if you remove it yourself. It is thus named, Lord Over Life and Death. Take it and go!¡±


    Yan Song took the jade slip with trembling hands and fervent gaze, ¡°This is leagues above the Rainbow Cloud Palm. It¡¯s incomparable. He-he-he, Steward Zhuo, you are so amazing and grand. I knew I made the right choice following you!¡±


    ¡°Cut the flattery, just make sure to give your all in your tasks!¡± Zhuo Fan waved him off.


    Li Jingtian stroked his chin. [What is up with today? Steward Zhuo is handing treasures left and right! Forget the odd couple, he¡¯s even given Yan Song something after just one word of pleading.]


    [Should I also get my game on and act as cute as possible to squeeze Steward Zhuo of some goodies?]


    But he shook his head in the end. He knew very well when to stop. It was better to do it after he trained Wraith Art to peak first.


    But then, a sudden shout came from outside Blackwind Mountain, ¡°Brother, I came to visit!¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and shook his head after knowing who it was¡­

 Chapter 218 - Acting Bestowed Elder

    Zhuo Fan ended the meeting with a shake of his hand, sending the elders into obscurity. He had no intention of showing the world Luo clan¡¯s experts.


    He turned to Luo Yunchang with a smile, ¡°Young miss, I would like you to kindly welcome our honored guest.¡±


    Luo Yunchang had no idea who dropped by, but since Zhuo Fan wished her to go, she would gladly do it. And of course, since she was a young miss, she had a role to play.


    Her dainty hand raised, Luo Yunchang softly spoke, ¡°Steward Zhuo, please help me to our guest!¡±


    He rolled his eyes, [She¡¯s no disabled seventy year old hag, what help?]


    Nevertheless, towards this silly request, Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t flare out, as to not receive this pampered miss¡¯ tongue lashing. So he took her outstretched arm.


    It would never ever cross the past Zhuo Fan¡¯s mind to do such a thing. But now, Zhuo Fan found the rough edges of his character had smoothed over, somewhat. Particularly in the case of young miss, where he caved quite easily!


    [Goddammit! How can I still be a Demonic Emperor?] Zhuo Fan cursed but wasn¡¯t that angry, quite happy in fact. As if enjoying the moment.


    Luo Yunchang stole a glance at the forced Zhuo Fan and giggled a sweet laughter.


    The two thus descended, passed the arrays and off the mountain. What greeted them was another mountain, uh, more aptly put, a mountain of a man!


    Luo Yunchang and Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes widened.


    Not from being impressed by the newcomer¡¯s imposing manner, but from recognition. In fact, he was Zhuo Fan¡¯s brother who he liked a lot!


    They were speechless because, [How can any human get so fat?]


    Yes siree, the ¡®man¡¯ before them was the third prince of the empire, his sworn brother, Yuwen Cong. The man looked like a veritable wall blocking the view of the two, hoisted on two thick and trembling legs.


    Today was sunny and warm, but Yuwen Cong¡¯s head was soaked in sweat, and kept on sweating buckets.


    ¡°Brother, you finally came! I almost¡­ couldn¡¯t take it¡­¡± Yuwen Cong gasped, wiping his head again and again with a handkerchief, only to be dripping wet the next second. The servant rushed to replace it.


    On his right was another familiar face to Zhuo Fan, Jade Flute Divine Sword, Fang Qiubai. Having long given up on this bloke of a disciple, Fang Qiubai was watching the four 5th-grade arrays in shock and awe.


    The two were leading twenty yellow dressed elders. Their chests stuck out, their manners filled with power. They looked like no servants of the third prince, more like guards.


    Zhuo Fan found his face twitching seeing the sweat soaked Yuwen Cong and sighed, ¡°Oh please. It¡¯s your fault for running all the way here, fatty! ¡°


    ¡°Can you blame me? I wouldn¡¯t have gone all out if it weren¡¯t for imperial father¡¯s edict!¡± The fatty sighed and started fanning himself with his hand, ¡°Hurry and take me up the mountain. It¡¯s too hot here!¡±


    Right then, around ten people came around him to lift him up after a strenuous effort, taking one toiling step after another.


    And each step left behind a deep mark.


    These servants weren¡¯t experts, just in the Qi Condensation Stage. But seeing how even they were having the worst time of their lives carrying the fatty, Zhuo Fan muttered, ¡°Fatty, you¡¯re goddamn fatter!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say it! Imperial father is in a bad mood. Every time that happens, he takes it out on me and leaves me suffering. I was too stressed to even eat or drink yet the next thing I know I¡¯m up to 400 kg in weight. Oh, the horror!¡±


    He sighed each time he slapped his belly. This act of his made the men below him stagger. Their bent backs were creaking.


    Luo Yunchang couldn¡¯t bear to look a second more. Zhuo Fan was speechless.


    [You don¡¯t eat from stress yet still gained so much weight? How damn fat will you be then if you¡¯re in a perky mood? How much will you eat?]


    ¡°You¡¯re a true marvel!¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head and sighed.


    The fatty snickered, ¡°Thank you, but you¡¯re just the same. We brothers are the marvels of the world! ¡°


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mood sank, [Are you showing off or making yourself look goddamn better than me?]


    So Zhuo Fan switched targets to Fang Qiubai, ¡°Mr. Fang, it¡¯s been a long time. Do you perhaps not care what becomes of this fatty?¡±


    ¡°Not in the least!¡±


    With a lazy wave, Fang Qiubai smiled, ¡°A noble man has noble qualities!¡±


    Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes, [I was wondering what made this fatty so feisty without caring about consequences. It¡¯s all because his master encourages it.]


    [Truly, if the base is crooked, the top is out of whack!]


    ¡°By the way, Zhuo Fan, you¡¯ve been stirring quite the storm lately, throwing the whole Tianyu in chaos!¡± Fang Qiubai eyed him, ¡°But that¡¯s understandable. You can¡¯t survive without going out of line. There may have not been a Luo clan today if it weren¡¯t for you monkeying around!¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan took a long look at him, feeling his words held another meaning.


    But instead of continuing, he laughed, ¡°Let¡¯s talk it out inside!¡±


    Then he started flying up Blackwind Mountain. Finding the fatty way too slow, Fang Qiubai lifted him along with a wave.


    The servants found themselves lighter and fell on the ground in bliss. They cursed, [carrying that damn tub of lard will get us killed!]


    As for the elders in yellow, they followed as well.


    Zhuo Fan and Luo Yunchang took the weary servants too. The servants finally had the leisure to not mind the weight.


    At the peak of Blackwind Mountain, the fatty was working his damndest in wiping the sweat off himself under a pavilion. Fang Qiubai was at the side, with poise and grace.


    Seeing Zhuo Fan coming up with the servants, the fatty beckoned, ¡°Hurry up and fan me!¡±


    The servants shook their heads and started working hard at the fatty¡¯s side.


    Now the fatty was finally feeling like himself, letting the occasional cry of appreciation.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, [This fatty wasn¡¯t like this three years ago. Why is he so sleazy all of a sudden?]


    What had him truly baffled however, [Why aren¡¯t the old guys joining in with the servants?]


    Zhuo Fan pointed, ¡°Fatty, aren¡¯t they yours as well? Why are they standing around idle?¡±


    ¡°How could they be? Do you know what their cultivation is?¡± The fatty eyes widened.


    Zhuo Fan blinked, ¡°Profound Heaven!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Profound Heaven experts. How could I have them do such a thing? It will be too humiliating for them.¡± The fatty spoke upright.


    Zhuo Fan thought so as well. He recalls how he would often insult the Radiant Stage experts when he beckons them but never asked them to pour tea for him. It was simply overkill. He found no point in respecting anyone whose talents were of no use.


    [Am I not one to respect talents and make use of their abilities fully?]


    [Ha-ha-ha, probably not.] Since he always saw others with a cynical eye and never showed any respect. Anyways, who in the mortal domain was worthy of the Demonic Emperor¡¯s respect?


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, [With different statuses there are different attitudes!]


    Just then, fatty struggled to walk to him and smiled, ¡°Brother, to be honest, these Profound Heaven experts aren¡¯t mine, but yours!¡±


    ¡°Mine?¡±


    ¡°Uh, no no no, that¡¯s not right either. You¡¯re just Luo clan¡¯s steward. How can they be yours? I mean to say that they are elders who my imperial father offered to the Luo clan. Your clan just got a gift falling into your lap and it¡¯s rise is just around the corner. Well, are you happy? He-he-he¡­¡± The fatty laughed at Zhuo Fan¡¯s dumbstruck face.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes shined in glee, ¡°They will all be Luo clan¡¯s¡­¡±


    Before she could properly enjoy this gift of twenty Profound Heaven elders, Zhuo Fan spoke dully, ¡°Fatty, even if the Emperor bestows us these Profound Heaven elders, we will first have to see if they are fit for the Luo clan!¡±


    The fatty was totally clueless what he was getting at.


    Luo clan, a third rate clan, had a sudden windfall of twenty Profound Heaven experts and they should be wild with joy! Even a first rate clan would be dancing around and thank the emperor by now.


    So why was this Zhuo Fan so cold, even trying to reject them?


    If he only knew Zhuo Fan had three Radiant Stage experts in the bag, he¡¯d probably take the twenty elders back that instant.


    [Damn, how mortifying! We have Radiant Stage experts, so of course we¡¯d outright refuse some Profound Heaven experts. Not to mention they are¡­]


    Fang Qiubai eyed Zhuo Fan with a deep gaze.


    Zhuo Fan walked before the elders and sized them up. He found they were quite strong, but nothing outstanding, while also detecting a great deal of pride.


    The kind that hinted at, ¡®If I am second, no one dares say they¡¯re first!¡¯


    Zhuo Fan frowned, [What¡¯s there to be cocky about when you¡¯re not even in the Radiant Stage?]


    Pacing around, he spoke, ¡°As of now, you are Luo clan¡¯s elders. I am the steward, Zhuo Fan. You are to listen to every one of my instructions, besides young miss¡­¡±


    ¡°Humph, a puny steward minds me? Luo clan sure is an oddity!¡± One of them complained before Zhuo Fan finished.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face went cold in a flash.


    Luo Yunchang shrugged and turned her head, not in the least interested in their fates.


    There was no cocky elder in the Luo clan, not one! That was because this place housed an even more outrageously conceited steward. You could offend anyone in the Luo clan, but may god help you if you stepped on the steward¡¯s toes. Humph, your funeral!


    [You¡¯re on your own now. Zhuo Fan¡¯s power goes unchallenged here!]


    They were oblivious to this iron rule, but they¡¯d do it anyway even if they knew, since they came by the grand order of the emperor. Though, they were most certainly gambling with their lives at this point¡­

 Chapter 219 - How Is That A Rule?

    ¡°Who said that? Step forward!¡± Zhuo Fan roamed the group with a critical eye.


    A thin elder moved, sneering at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Humph, you snot nosed brat¡­¡±


    Pa!


    Zhuo Fan instantly cuffed the man, making him stumble, ¡°That¡¯s Steward Zhuo for you!¡±


    ¡°Y-you¡­¡± The elder was dumbstruck, too angry to even speak clearly. Forget about him being a Profound Heaven expert, just based on his age alone, receiving a slap from a brat was a downright disgrace!


    The blood rushed to his head and charged Zhuo Fan, ¡°You damn punk, you think you¡¯re great? I will teach you a lesson for daring to raise your hand against an imperial guard!¡±


    But then he groaned and went bug-eyed. His breathing grew fainter and his head forever lowered.


    His chest was now sporting an extra fist hole through his chest. Zhuo Fan glanced at his dripping bloody hand, painting a marvelous work of art!


    Sss~


    Gasping, the other elders watched Zhuo Fan in shock. How was this 5th layer of Bone Tempering kid able to kill one of them so easily??


    Luo Yunchang yelped and covered her eyes. The fatty¡¯s face twitched and said, ¡°Brother, I knew you were awesome, but these were bestowed to you. You can¡¯t just kill them!¡±


    Fang Qiubai¡¯s eyes trembled, watching Zhuo Fan with an even more curious gaze.


    This Divine Dragon had heard rumors aplenty regarding Zhuo Fan, but seeing was believing.


    With Zhuo Fan¡¯s mere cultivation, the feats he pulled against others higher than him left people shocked.


    Zhuo Fan frowned and ignored the other¡¯s unusual gazes as suspicion grew in his mind. [This geezer is clearly in the Profound Heaven Stage yet his speed and power are lackluster.]


    He was planning on making an example out of this one for the rest of them, by leaving him a heavy wound. But it ended with him getting killed instead.


    [It¡¯s as if he¡¯s¡­]


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shined faintly azure, releasing a short range soul scan to scour these acting elders while hiding from Jade Flute Divine Sword¡¯s notice.


    Sure enough, these guys were all posing as Profound Heaven experts, while their power was far below the threshold. Just like Huangpu Qingyun¡¯s four porters in Drifting Flowers City.


    If you¡¯d must define these guy¡¯s power, that¡¯d make them fake Profound Heaven experts.


    But this fake stage was only privy to a Radiant Stage expert, while all others couldn¡¯t tell the difference. [In a nutshell, they¡¯re goddamn props!]


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan barked, ¡°Fatty, you tricked me! These are no Profound Heaven experts! You brought me fakes! Just take them away already!¡±


    Fatty cried, ¡°You know?¡±


    ¡°Cut the act. I am not blind enough to not see a real Profound Heaven expert from a fake.¡± Zhuo Fan glared, ¡°Are you looking to see me loose out when I¡¯ll be facing other houses with these fake Profound Heaven experts that are no more than some Bone Tempering pups?¡±


    The fatty scratched his nose in embarrassment, ¡°Uh, it¡¯s just so you can look the part. When others see these twenty men, they will be intimidated¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Spare me the nonsense, and give it to me straight. Where did you get these weirdos?¡±


    The fatty scratched his face in silence.


    Fang Qiubai chuckled, ¡°Let me explain it. Their talents were meager, imperial guards with slim chances to even enter the Profound Heaven Stage. They couldn¡¯t even take two hits from a real Profound Heaven expert even if they did enter it. So the imperial family had a project to raise many of such people into Profound Heaven experts through pills. But it failed. They have the air of a Profound Heaven expert but not the power to back it up.


    ¡°But as Cong¡¯er said, even these props have use. Two decades ago, Quanrong was about to invade Tianyu. His Majesty was scared of war, losing his subjects and wealth and pushed tens of thousands of fake Profound Heaven experts to the frontlines, scaring away the Quanrong. Ha-ha-ha, you have to admire His Majesty¡¯s wisdom!¡±


    Face twitching, Zhuo Fan watched speechless. [No wonder he¡¯s the weakest in the empire¡¯s thousand long history. He doesn¡¯t do anything, he just poses.]


    Though he had to admit, mixing lies with truth was an ingenious tactic. [But it has no damn use in a war between houses¡­]


    Zhuo Fan threw the fake experts a look, then sighed, ¡°Fatty, when you give something, make sure it has some use, alright? Even ten real Profound Heaven experts would do!¡±


    ¡°What, ten? We got none!¡±


    Crying out, the fatty persuaded like a cheapskate, ¡°Bro, real Profound Heaven experts are the creme de la creme in any clan. How can they be raised so easily? Veiled Dragon Pavilion has nine, and of Hell Valley¡¯s 12, you killed six. Our imperial family is also short on them. Imperial father can¡¯t dispense any!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shrugged, ¡°Then if he wants to bestow something, let him give something real. These fakers are not only cocky, they even start posing in my face. Take them back!¡±


    ¡°Uh, that¡¯s unlikely. How can we go against an imperial edict? If you really do this, I cannot bear the responsibility. Imperial father won¡¯t budge either. Also¡­¡±


    Fatty turned to those fake elders and shouted, ¡°Also, you! If you go back, your heads will fall!¡±


    They instantly fell to their knees, pleading.


    But Zhuo Fan shook his head still, finding it hard to accept, ¡°They have no skills. With you here, of course they¡¯ll beg, but once you leave, they will return to their haughty attitude¡­¡±


    ¡°I see, brother. Don¡¯t worry, leave it to me!¡±


    The fatty cursed at them, ¡°You bunch of good for nothing bastards, you have been bestowed to the Luo clan as elders and must follow its rules to a fault, especially steward¡¯s orders. Also who are you to say no? You¡¯re just a bunch of fakers! Let me tell you, this brother of mine, steward Zhuo Fan, has fought Hell Valley, kicked around Drifting Flowers Edifice, punching and smashing any and all from the seven houses. The number of Profound Heaven elders from the seven houses under his belt exceeds ten!


    ¡°You must be wondering, how is he still alive? Power! If you had his power, of course you¡¯d defy him. If you don¡¯t, then you better goddamn listen or just drop dead!¡±


    The fatty¡¯s ¡®pep¡¯ talk did the trick and the fakes watched Zhuo Fan in shock.


    Not once did they think this brat was such a monster, to openly defy the seven houses.


    No wonder he acted so high and mighty with them, even daring to kill one bestowed by the emperor. The Luo clan¡¯s steward being powerful seemed valid.


    They¡¯d always lived in the palace and knew nothing of Zhuo Fan¡¯s exploits. So they instantly prostrated half into fatty¡¯s howling speech.


    Of course they were nothing compared with such a man of power. What right they had to still act tough? Luo Yunchang was overwhelmed with emotion, but mostly watched Zhuo Fan in joy.


    ¡°What do you think, brother? They¡¯ll listen now!¡±


    ¡°Cough, Cough¡­¡± Ignoring the smiling fatty, Zhuo Fan faked a cough and stuck out his chest as he spoke to the fakes, ¡°As you¡¯ve been bestowed by His Majesty, and seeing how important it is to third prince, I will accept, albeit reluctantly, such fake Profound Heaven experts.¡±


    The fatty was over the moon, as were the rest. Their mission was now complete, and were exempt from the emperor¡¯s punishment.


    ¡°However¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone turned heavy, ¡°You are to abide by Luo clan¡¯s rules if you are to stay! First, the most important of all, only me, steward Zhuo Fan, is allowed to show off! Whoever dares to show off before me will find their life cut short!¡±


    They all turned dumbfounded, [How is that a rule?]


    The fatty¡¯s face darkened and twitched, ¡°Young miss Luo, does the Luo clan really have such a shameless rule?¡±


    Luo Yunchang bobbed her head and held her mouth, yet her stomach hurt from how hard it was to stop from laughing.


    The fatty was speechless.


    ¡°Second, when you are outside the clan, I am the first and foremost who show off, and when it¡¯s your turn to do it, it must by all means be a cut below mine! Failure to comply means death!¡±


    They all held their foreheads. [So this is the Luo clan? Is this how its steward acts? It¡¯s just so hard to fathom! Are these what you call rules?]


    Luo Yunchang was laughing so hard she laid on the table. The fatty patted his fat cheeks helpless and Fang Qiubai watched it all engrossed.


    ¡°Third,¡± Zhuo Fan continued, ¡°You are to obey my every order without question. When I say you kill, you comply. Otherwise, death!¡±


    They shivered when he reached this point and nodded.


    They may have submitted, but Zhuo Fan could see the doubt in their eyes.


    To someone like Zhuo Fan, it was this doubt that spoke of the problems ahead.


    Zhuo Fan cracked jokes with his first two rules just to ease them into a false security. While the third rule was to test them.


    And just as he saw, the third rule was accepted with some hesitation.


    If they were indeed bestowed by the emperor, the latter would¡¯ve ordered them to obey the Luo clan to the letter. So the third rule ought to have been received instantly.


    But they hesitated. This proved they had a different aim being here, and this sudden rule caught them off guard.


    Zhuo Fan showed a crafty smile, ¡°This makes you Luo clan¡¯s elders. Grand Elder will take you now!¡±


    ¡°Elder Lei!¡±


    Lei Yuntian flashed before Zhuo Fan and cupped his hands, ¡°Steward Zhuo, orders?¡±


    ¡°These are elders bestowed by His Majesty. They will be under your care. You have to take good care of them!¡± Zhuo Fan grinned evilly.


    Lei Yuntian was happy so many experts joined. But Zhuo Fan¡¯s ¡®good care¡¯ painted a very clear image as to Zhuo Fan¡¯s intention regarding these fakes. To not let them wander off and to keep his eyes on them.


    Nodding, Lei Yuntian took the elders with a solemn look.


    The elders were sadly mistaken that they were now in the clear, having entered the Luo clan, when in fact they would be under tight surveillance. What was more, neither the fatty nor anyone else there knew this would happen. The fatty then saw Zhuo Fan return to being seated at the pavilion along with him and the rest.


    ¡°Brother, besides the third rule, the first two will have me killed!¡± Fatty patted Zhuo Fan¡¯s shoulder laughingly.


    Zhuo Fan spoke solemnly, ¡°Without these two, how can there be a third rule, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Fatty joined in, thinking the first two rules were to establish Zhuo Fan¡¯s prestige for the third one. But then he looked at Zhuo Fan seriously, ¡°Then let us get to the matter at hand. Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan, receive this edict¡­¡±

 Chapter 220 - Esoteric Debate

    ¡°Long live the Emperor!¡± Luo Yunchang bowed, while Zhuo Fan remained still, ¡°Speak!¡±


    Fatty¡¯s fat face twitched helpless, ¡°Brother, this is the imperial edict. Looking on with such contempt would have you labeled a traitor and your head chopped!¡±


    ¡°Whatever, only we are here anyway. With Mr Fang not looking to be a man indulging in gossip, if you won¡¯t tell it, no one will. Moreover, it won¡¯t matter even if you did. For the Emperor to issue me an imperial edict, that only means he needs me. How could he kill me over such trifles?¡± Zhuo Fan shrugged.


    The fatty was lost for words, [Zhuo Fan is indeed a man who can see through anyone.] The emperor wouldn¡¯t do anything even if this guy lay in bed when receiving the edict.


    But where would the imperial family¡¯s dignity be then?


    The fatty looked bitterly at Fang Qiubai, ¡°Master, how is this guy any good?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, extraordinary people need to be handled extraordinarily. So you don¡¯t need to mind this empty courtesy!¡± Fang Qiubai caressed his beard.


    Sighing, the fatty could only nod.


    Luo Yunchang rushed to her feet and pouted at Zhuo Fan¡¯s side. He noticed with amusement this new side of the always serious young miss, ¡°Young miss, with your temper, you can¡¯t be so frivolous around such an important event as receiving the imperial edict.¡±


    ¡°Humph, what frivolous? What would be the point in kneeling if you don¡¯t? And you¡¯ll be dealing with anything that arises anyway!¡± Luo Yunchang snorted and stuck out her chin.


    Zhuo Fan laughed and praised, ¡°That¡¯s our young miss alright!¡±


    This was the Luo clan Zhuo Fan wanted, the best clan in the world. They had to aim for the heavens themselves as well. How could that come to fruition if they¡¯d buckle just from some yellow paper from some emperor?


    The fatty was almost crying, [Zhuo Fan is ruining the Luo clan!]


    When he came here three years ago, the Luo clan was filled with respect and saw the imperial family with reverence. But now, they were tough and stubborn, with even the ever cautious young miss acting like this. They didn¡¯t yet make the part to face the seven houses but they already started to show the same defect as them.


    [Just how the Clan Head was, so too did the clan act. And just how their steward behaves now, that¡¯s what the clans will turn into.]


    The fatty shook his head, dispensing with the courtesy as well, ¡°Nevermind then, it¡¯s a verbal order anyway. I¡¯ll be straight with you. The Emperor intends to have you participate in the Esoteric Debate and take the Regent Estate down a peg!¡±


    ¡°The Esoteric Debate?¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow. He looked at Luo Yunchang, finding her just as clueless as he was!


    The fatty raised his bloated head and showed a cocky grin.


    [He-he-he, you were so cocky before, so feisty, when you are in fact nothing but boors! It¡¯s now my turn to show off!] The fatty laughed and preened, ¡°Esoteric Debate is held once a century, a gathering of the most elite clans. With the Luo clan not being even a third rate clan, a mere cannon fodder for all these years, it is perfectly normal for you to be ignorant!¡±


    ¡°Is that so? Then why is the Emperor inviting our small clan? Please report to His Majesty, third prince, that after hearing your words, Zhuo Fan feels sorely lacking and ashamed to participate in this grand summit. Tell him to find someone more worthy of his attention.¡± Zhuo Fan flicked the nonexistent dust of his clothes.


    The fatty caught Zhuo Fan¡¯s arm in panic, ¡°Don¡¯t, brother! Imperial father will kill me if I go back like this! It is my fault for trying to show off. Right, I will definitely frame Luo clan¡¯s first rule on my wall to remind myself every day you will be the only one to show off. Please find it in your heart to forgive this foolish brother of yours¡­ ¡°


    The fatty was begging Zhuo Fan in tears, his swag gone like the wind. Luo Yunchang giggled and Fang Qiubai shook his head.


    ¡°Fine, do continue!¡± Zhuo Fan was only playing around with the third prince. He knew when to quit.


    The fatty sighed and no longer dared messed around, ¡°Brother, to tell the truth, the Esoteric Debate is really not some place where elite clans gathered, but where houses bet on their honor to avail themselves. It is a slaughterhouse. A clan can rise to the top in one step, or fall to their ruins in another. Many first rate clans would find themselves worse than even third rate clans! Brother, you must be vigilant if you still want to go!¡±


    ¡°Oh, why do you say that?¡± Zhuo Fan frowned in doubt.


    With a sigh, the fatty¡¯s green and beady eyes shined with a deep gaze, ¡°This goes back to the founding of the empire, of the time when the seven houses were in constant conflict with each other. There was no open war between the seven houses, but none was willing to back down to anyone. To settle the disputes among them, Tianyu¡¯s founding emperor signed an agreement with them. Anyone below thirty years of age was going to compete in order to settle whose house would become the head of the seven houses. These youths would also one day represent their houses in the future. Their power predicted their houses¡¯ power under their rule!


    ¡°The seven houses thus no longer took arms and their ranks divided. This was the inception of the Esoteric Debate. Gradually, more and more outstanding clans who wished for greatness joined. They were chosen by the seven houses and imperial family to participate. This is how the current Esoteric Debate came to be.


    ¡°Yet, no matter how many clans joined, it was still the seven houses that came on top. The others would simply be fighting for the chance to be their vassals. It slowly turned into a bizarre situation. For the sake of their reputation, the seven houses weren¡¯t into this debate to the death, while the vassal clans fought to the bitter end for their masters. The survivors would thus be looked kindly upon by the houses, and also receive their support. While the rest would become mountain of bones for the other to rise on!¡±


    The fatty¡¯s tone contained mockery, pity, but most of all anger.


    The seven houses¡¯ existence robbed the rest of the clans their chance at greatness, reducing them to mere expendable pawns. The Esoteric Debate held each century left Tianyu stagnant, its power never reaching new heights.


    While the seven houses¡¯ power kept on growing.


    To him, the seven houses were Tianyu¡¯s cancer!


    Zhuo Fan sensed his hatred and nodded, ¡°Then what does the Emperor expect of me? Defeat Regent Estate?¡±


    ¡°Uh, that¡¯s hardly feasible for a fresh clan like yours. You¡¯re just too weak!¡± The fatty smiled wryly and dismissed his words, ¡°Regent Estate dares call itself the head of the seven houses and harbors the ambition to swallow the other houses because it never once lost in the Esoteric Debates. Imperial father wishes for you to harass Regent Estate and throw them off their game. Regardless of which other house takes the head title, it would give Regent Estate a severe blow to their prestige!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s brow trembled and shot the fatty a look, ¡°Harass? You want me to lower myself in doing such a trifling matter?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, brother, I know you¡¯re great. But you do not understand them. Even interfering would be a tough problem for many other people.¡±


    Chuckling, fatty gave him a yellow ribbon of silk, ¡°This was the roster for the last Esoteric Debate. See for yourself.¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at the names of the seven houses¡¯ disciples in shock. Especially since there were so many familiar names.


    The fatty pointed out each one, ¡°The seventh name, from Drifting Flowers Edifice, must be quite familiar to you. Grandmother Chu Bijun is renowned among the seven houses. But despite her bravery, she was too weak. Drifting Flowers Edifice was dead last among the houses in the last Esoteric Debate. As if to point out it would in fact become the weakest in this last century among the houses.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded. Watching the names, many issues started making sense. It showed the precise power of every house lord, extrapolated into the probable power each clan had in the near future.


    ¡°The 6th name, Merry Woods!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes skipped it the moment he saw it!


    [Humph, nothing notable about a claptrap spouting opportunist pre-copernican obscurantist with no backbone to speak of!]


    ¡°Fifth name, Sword Marquise Abode, led by Jian Suifeng¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes twitched and frowned. Since Sword Marquise Abode came in fifth, then its power was also in fifth among the houses.


    The next name had him widen his eyes, ¡°Fourth, Veiled Dragon Pavilion with Long Jiu and the other elders. Third, Hell Valley, with You Guiqi participating as well. Second, Pill King Hall¡¯s group led by Vicious Pill King. And first, of course, was Regent Estate..¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart sank.


    All his allies were dead last while the top ranks were held by Regent Estate¡¯s loyal dogs. They were not only weaker than the head, but weaker than everyone else.


    Picking up on his thoughts, the fatty laughed and patted his shoulder, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, there¡¯s no need to fret, brother. Thanks to your evil ways, these houses¡¯ power is no longer what it used to!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shined. He knew he wrecked Hell Valley, but what of Pill King Hall?


    Fatty chuckled, ¡°The ranking of the last Esoteric Debate is like this because of some amazing figures that appeared at the time. Hell Valley¡¯s third spot was all thanks to 5th elder. Diamondback Ape¡¯s power pushed back Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s third elder in accordance with You Guiqi¡¯s master plan. Without these two, Hell Valley would be far weaker than Veiled Dragon Pavilion!


    ¡°Then there¡¯s Pill King Hall in second place. They had Vicious Pill King to thank for that. His poison was so deadly no one dared approach him. Without him, they wouldn¡¯t have gotten ahead of even Merry Woods¡­¡±


    The fatty trailed off, but Zhuo Fan got the picture. Hell Valley and Pill King Hall¡¯s powers were mostly sapped, since their pillars were cruelly and mercilessly killed, or ruined, by Zhuo Fan himself.


    So of course the two no longer were what they used to.


    Fatty grinned, ¡°There were many illustrious names in the last Esoteric Debate. You Guiqi, this mastermind, was publicly acclaimed as the first genius among the twenty Profound Heaven experts of the seven houses joining the debate. Then there was Vicious Pill King, the alchemist of the millennium. Uncle Jiu also showed great prowess as well, known for his Purple Lightning Gold Eye¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, secretly rejoicing.


    It was great that his first Profound Heaven expert kill was You Guiqi, avoiding many future headaches.


    With You Guiqi alive, plotting from the shadows, his head would¡¯ve hurt like hell by now. But wasting You Guiqi was the same as cutting Hell Valley¡¯s power in half.


    Thinking clearly now, his trip to Blue Expanse City was downright ingenious. [As for Vicious Pill King, he-he, I sure scored big¡­]

 Chapter 221 - The Six Dragons And Phoenix

    ¡°Now that you have seen where the seven houses stand, you need to pay a closer look to your strongest opponents in the next Esoteric Debate!¡±


    The fatty handed another yellow silk ribbon on a heavy tone, ¡°These are the widely acclaimed geniuses of today from the seven houses. The Six dragons and One Phoenix!¡±


    ¡°Six Dragons and Phoenix?¡± Zhuo Fan perked an eyebrow. That thin silk caught his interest. He recalled having heard of this title in the Drifting Flowers Edifice, when he shelved that info for later. Only to now realize these were the candidates for top power holders in their houses for the next century!


    Fatty continued, ¡°The Six Dragons and One Phoenix goes back a thousand years. Along the course of history, these seven had always been the strongest talents at each debate. No matter how great the disciples of other sects and clans were, they still couldn¡¯t compare. In fact, they fell dreadfully short. In other words, the future of the seven houses is in their hands, their power reaching higher than their predecessor, and slipping ever so slightly out of the imperial family¡¯s control with every generation. This is why the Regent Estate is in a haste to unify the seven houses now. Any more delays would make this ambition too costly to achieve, if not impossible!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded.


    The seven houses¡¯ growth wasn¡¯t just a plague on the imperial family, but on Regent Estate as well. If this went on, Tianyu would find itself one day split in seven, with the imperial family still there only to keep up appearances. But among the houses, the statuses would change, one no longer being the head of the seven houses. With the empire divided, unification would hardly be achievable again.


    Zhuo Fan watched the silk ribbon in earnest.


    ¡°The phoenix here is represented by Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Edifice Lord, Ascending Ice Phoenix, Chu Qingcheng!¡±The fatty¡¯s finger rested on Drifting Flowers Edifice, ¡°Some say Chu Qingcheng has the beauty to destroy nations and incredible talent as well. She was entrusted with the power of Edifice Lord since young. With her strong character, her aloof disposition gives the impression the men would only dirty her! Nevertheless, her power is very much real, surpassing many of the seven houses¡¯ elders¡­ ¡°


    ¡°You saw her?¡± Zhuo Fan interrupted him with a smile.


    The fatty sighed, ¡°You can say that I have and haven¡¯t. When she was 16, I once went to Drifting Flowers Edifice. That fine figure, the grace, the pose, are all otherworldly. Many years have passed since, but I still recall that view as if from a dream. Ah, such a pity her face was always covered. Despite staying for one short month, she only shot me a glance. She is truly deserving of being called an icy beauty!¡±


    ¡°Is that so? But I¡¯ve seen her!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Fatty nodded out of reflex, then froze and cried, ¡°What, you did? You saw her, even¡­ her face?¡±


    ¡°What else would I be seeing?¡± Zhuo Fan grinned.


    The fatty threw him a look of envy as he rushed to ask, ¡°How does she look? Do the rumors do her justice?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, as if. Regardless if she¡¯s a fairy, an immortal, or even goddess, no amount of words are enough to encompass her visage. Your imaginations could never fathom the extent of her beauty!¡± Zhuo Fan was once again putting on airs as if it was his second nature.


    The fatty swallowed dryly and glared at Zhuo Fan. [Why is it that this punk always gets the good stuff? How many men ever saw Chu Qingcheng¡¯s face? I didn¡¯ get the chance to see it, yet this darn kid could?]


    Luo Yunchang was sulking with puffed out cheeks, ¡°Zhuo Fan, is she that pretty?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely. I have the three days spent with her as testament of how accurate my description is!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded.


    But it only helped fuel Luo Yunchang¡¯s anger while the fatty shouted out of envy, ¡°What, you lived with her for three days? Doesn¡¯t she loathes men?¡±


    ¡°Uh, that¡­ depends on the man. I mean, everyone is different. You can¡¯t go saying because she was cold to you when you met that she¡¯s an icy beauty. Brother, this may possibly be a little harsh, but take it from me. If I were a woman, even I wouldn¡¯t want to be seen with you!¡± Patting the fatty¡¯s shoulder, Zhuo Fan sighed.


    The fatty was sullen, his mouth twitching, [Goddammit, can you not cut me so deep then make a joke out of it¡­]


    ¡°Although,¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes sharpened, ¡°Chu Qingcheng¡¯s talent truly is amazing, but it may not be as monstrous as you¡¯d think. She couldn¡¯t even beat Huangpu Qingyun. If these Six Dragons One Phoenix are the same, I can handle them easily.¡±


    Zhuo Fan was pretty darn egotistical, yet the fatty didn¡¯t jump to criticize him. Since Zhuo Fan kicked a storm in Drifting Flowers Edifice and escaped unharmed still, he was entitled to some bragging rights!


    It was now that the ever silent Fang Qiubai coughed, ¡°Kid, if you really think so, you¡¯d have the shock of your life five years later in the Esoteric Debate!¡±


    ¡°Oh, what makes you say that?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, his eyes snapped on the Divine Dragon.


    Fang Qiubai squinted, ¡°Having been to Drifting Flowers Edifice in person, you must know by now their situation. I¡¯ve met that girl as well. Her talent is outstanding, but the chaos around her had stalled her cultivation, making her fall behind other houses¡¯ disciples. You said that she couldn¡¯t match Huangpu Qingyun, but let me tell you this. When Chu Qingcheng was twenty and fought Huangpu Qingyun, I happened to be the judge. How do you think it ended?¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Huangpu Qingyun suffered a total defeat in one move!¡± Fang Qiubai laughed, ¡°I could see then that this girl¡¯s talent surpassed a Divine Dragon¡¯s. And the other houses¡¯ disciples are no different.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, not daring to slight them again.


    ¡°Furthermore, with Drifting Flowers Edifice having regained Chu Bijun¡¯s support, that girl can now focus on cultivating. I am eager to see how far she can reach in five years time. But the other houses¡¯ disciples will most likely go even higher. I look forward to see this time¡¯s Esoteric Debate, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Fang Qiubai laughed at the sky.


    Zhuo Fan gasped, his gaze unprecedentedly hard.


    [If there¡¯s any truth in Fang Qiubai¡¯s words, then these Six Dragons and One Phoenix will probably exceed my clan¡¯s elders by then.] He was going to face the same level of freak as him.


    Fatty nodded seeing Zhuo Fan¡¯s dead serious face, ¡°Among the six dragons, Merry Woods has the Forest Fleeting Dragon, Lin Xuanfeng. Merry Woods has the most uncanny speed among the houses. And Lin Rufeng¡¯s is even more so. He fleets about the trees like the wind, gone before you even know it¡­¡±


    ¡°From Sword Marquise Abode hiels Golden Armored Sword Dragon, Xie Tianshang. Sword Marquise Abode is an item refining house, also specialized in sword arts. Xie Tianshang is many times stronger than his younger brother, Xie Tianyang ¨C a true sword genius. Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s sole profound ranked martial art, Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms is so intricate that many elders can¡¯t even grasp it fully their entire lives. Then they say that this kid had done it at nine, unconceivable¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan listened engrossed as the fatty got him acquainted with every dragon. When fatty reached Regent Estate, his hands trembled, his gaze hard.


    ¡°Brother, none of them can ever amount to the one I¡¯m about to tell you next. Regent Estate¡¯s eldest young master, Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord, Huangpu Qingtian!¡±


    Taking a deep breath to compose himself, fatty resumed, ¡°His younger brother, Huangpu Qingyun, you¡¯ve met. But if you compare the two, the younger brother looks totally average and the same goes for the five dragons. This is the true genius among geniuses, a freak among freaks.¡±


    ¡°And it is this man we know the least about. But one thing is certain, the five dragons and one phoenix are not his match!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes widened, his heart jumped!


    [Just now you said the five dragons and one phoenix are incredible, making me cautious, but then you go and tell me none of them can hold a candle to the sixth dragon. Just what kind of horror is that guy?]


    The fatty patted Zhuo Fan¡¯s shoulder and sighed, ¡°Now do you get it? Brother, it¡¯s not that easy to interfere with Regent Estate as you may think. Next to these freaks, the so-called demon Zhuo Fan everyone talks about falls short¡­¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan took a deep breath, ¡°No worries. At the next Esoteric Debate five years later, you will see a brand new Zhuo Fan and Luo clan. But first, there are some things that require my immediate attention. I hope the imperial family can keep the Luo clan safe in the meantime!¡±


    Eyes shining, fatty and Fang Qiubai shared a look and smiled a nod.


    ¡°Rest assured, brother. Train in peace and prepare for the Esoteric Debate. Leave the Luo clan¡¯s safety to us. Also, if you stand out enough in the Esoteric Debate, imperial father will use this chance to hail you to the rank of Noble House. Then, Regent Estate will find it much harder to touch you when it has to go through the imperial family first!¡± The fatty just promised any other clan¡¯s most cherished dream, but also entrusting him with a near suicidal mission no clan would ever want.


    Zhuo Fan nodded and sighed.


    [Fortune has always favored the bold. In the thick of danger, opportunity avails itself. And this Esoteric Debate is Luo clan¡¯s best chance to shoot straight for the moon¡­]

 Chapter 222 - Thunder Swarm Mountain

    The two had explained everything thoroughly to Zhuo Fan before leaving.


    Seeing them go, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shined, ¡°Young miss, gather everyone. It is time we go to Windgaze City!¡±


    Luo Yunchang looked at him deeply before nodding.


    Not much later, they all gathered, except the Grand Elder, who was watching over the newcomers.


    Luo Yunchang and Zhuo Fan took the main seats, overlooking them as they explained what fatty said.


    Even though shocked, everyone was sporting a serious face. The imperial family¡¯s task was of monumental proportions. It wanted this fresh clan, not even a decade old, to fight against the seven houses with a thousand year old legacy, each.


    This was a fool¡¯s errand!


    Even Li Jingtian was frowning.


    ¡°Elder Li, you¡¯ve been living in Regent Estate until now. What are, in your opinion, my chances with Huangpu Qingtian?¡± Zhuo Fan asked.


    The others settled down, awaiting his answer.


    Li Jingtian shook his head, ¡°None whatsoever!¡±


    The eyes of others widened, their hearts jumped, and Zhuo Fan frowned. Li Jingtian¡¯s assessment was undoubtedly reliable, giving Zhuo Fan further shock.


    ¡°Old Li, Steward Zhuo isn¡¯t your run of the mill. Wherever in Tianyu have you seen any other Bone Tempering cultivator kill a dozen Profound Heaven experts in Tianyu? You¡¯re saying that twerp Huangpu Qingtian still holds a candle to our great Steward Zhuo?¡± Xue Qingjian giggled a flattery.


    However, Zhuo Fan shot her a glare, ¡°Sister, sucking up has no place here. Please take this matter seriously, or I¡¯ll take what you said as wishing for my demise!¡±


    Xue Qingjian zipped her mouth on the spot. She could feel the coldness in Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone.


    This also made the others tremble. The usual rampant and obnoxious Zhuo Fan actually knew to be cautious at crucial times.


    His act earned their admiration. He wasn¡¯t one influenced by some cheap words of flattery, keeping his cool when it was needed the most.


    Li Jingtian secretly approved, ¡°Steward Zhuo, to be blunt, third prince and Fang Qiubai didn¡¯t see the real him, only speaking based on mere hearsay. But even if they had seen him, they¡¯d have the same impression. Poise of a king and a talent of a freak!¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted, ¡°Go on!¡±


    ¡°As Elder Xue mentioned, Steward Zhuo¡¯s Bone Tempering cultivation is enough to kill Profound Heaven experts. But I feel the need to enlighten everyone here that Steward Zhuo isn¡¯t the first to have done this. Ten years ago, Huangpu Qingtian, in his 2nd layer of Bone Tempering Stage, easily defeated Regent Estate¡¯s Profound Heaven elders. As you all know, their elders are unlike You Guiqi and the others. Every one of them trained in Imperial Tyrant Body Art!¡±


    ¡°How is that possible?!¡±


    Even Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t help but cry out. His victories over Profound Heaven experts were thanks to his Lightning Wings and Diamond Sand body. He never thought it possible for a second method to exist into making another reach such power.


    Li Jingtian read this from his reaction and smiled dejectedly, ¡°They are the freaks roaming this world. It¡¯s as if they were born to trample everyone else under their feet. Before I left, he had always been under the High Venerable¡¯s tutelage and I am unsure of his progress. But no question about it, he is in the Profound Heaven Stage just as Huangpu Qingyun. At least in the 5th layer! His real power is hard to fathom¡­ ¡°


    Up to this point, Zhuo Fan had been in a constant frown. He never once saw it possible for one man¡¯s exceptional talent to reach such an incredible level. Thus, he refused to believe one man¡¯s talent could be so monstrous!


    ¡°Taking into account Old Li¡¯s opinion, does this mean Steward Zhuo has not even a glimmer of hope in beating him?¡± Qiu Yanhai turned to Zhuo Fan in worry.


    He was no longer hating Zhuo Fan for forcing them to join, on the contrary, he was completely grateful. Without Zhuo Fan, he and Xue Qingjian wouldn¡¯t have grown so powerful so quickly.


    Zhuo Fan was their matchmaker and was worried for his safety.


    Chuckling, Li Jingtian said, ¡°That may hardly be the case. What I spoke of was in terms of strength. It just means Steward Zhuo is unable to face him head on. Others are clueless to Steward Zhuo¡¯s tricks, but which elder among us isn¡¯t clear on how he operates? Remember how every one of us joined the Luo clan!¡±


    They all looked at each other and burst out laughing.


    Indeed, the dread of Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t based on power, but a shrewdness similar to You Guiqi¡¯s. It involved schemes hardly anyone could pierce!


    Taking that into account as well, then Zhuo Fan¡¯s chances were through the roof¡­


    Yan Song praised, ¡°This Esoteric Debate may very well be the strongest since its inception. Thank my lucky stars I joined the one last century, or I may as well turn into cannon fodder in this one!¡±


    The others cracked up again, to which Zhuo Fan just smiled. But one name carved itself in his heart, Huangpu Qingtian!


    ¡°Elders, do any of you know of a place with thick thunderclouds in Tianyu?¡±


    One voice spoke, ¡°Why does Steward Zhuo ask?¡±


    With a flash, Zhuo Fan held a flickering egg. He smiled, ¡°This is why!¡±


    ¡°6th level spiritual beast, Thunder Skylark¡¯s egg!¡± They all cried in shock.


    Li Jingtian watched Zhuo Fan in envy, ¡°He-he-he, Steward Zhuo has many hidden treasures, even a 6th level spiritual beast¡¯s egg. If it hatches, we will have a beast that will even give a Radiant Stage a run for his money!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we toiled long and hard, yet only managed to get 5th level spirit animals. Who knew Steward Zhuo would hold a 6th level spiritual beast? This is a rare treasure even for a Radiant Stage. Steward Zhuo¡¯s methods are flawless!¡± Xue Qingjian and Qiu Yanhai admired him.


    With a dismissive wave, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Please, enough with the buttering. I only obtained this egg through chance. And because it was damaged, I had to go to Drifting Flowers Edifice and use Bodhi Jade Sap to restore it. Then various things cropped up and had no time to mind it. Only recently I managed to restore it. But to make it hatch, I must find a place with thick lightning bolts!¡±


    ¡°Easy, just set up a thunder gathering array!¡± Xue Qingjian shrugged.


    Zhuo Fan shot her alternative option on the spot, ¡°The lightning will be too feeble and also costly! I want to incubate it in a natural thundercloud. This is all so its power will reach its peak!¡±


    Li Jingtian and the rest nodded.


    Incubating it with poor lightning bolts would only waste this grand 6th level spiritual beast¡¯s potential.


    They knew what was on Zhuo Fan¡¯s mind. This was another ace up his sleeve in dealing with Huangpu Qingtian. The hatching of this spirit animal was of great import.


    ¡°If we¡¯re speaking of a natural place engulfed in thunderstorm all year round in Tianyu, only one place comes to mind¡­¡± Li Jingtian caressed his beard.


    Xue Qingjian was frantic, ¡°No way! That¡¯s a forbidden area! We already have our hands full with the seven houses. Isn¡¯t that enough trouble as it is?¡±


    ¡°What place are you talking about?¡± Zhuo Fan was quite piqued.


    The elders exchanged a glance and said together, ¡°Thunder Swarm Mountain!¡±


    ¡°Thunder Swarm Mountain? What¡¯s wrong with it?¡±


    ¡°As Steward Zhuo can imagine, it is a place where lightning strikes everyday, all day. It¡¯s skies blanketed with thick thunderclouds. This place had been like this ever since the founding of the empire!¡± Li Jingtian spoke.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shined, ¡°Perfect. I¡¯ll have my egg hatch there!¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t!¡±


    Xue Qingjian cried in panic, ¡°Since sixty years ago, one of the empire¡¯s three guardian sects, Demon Scheming Sect exiled four criminals there to receive thousands of thunder strikes a day. If we go there and release the four by mistake, we¡¯ll be offending the Demon Scheming Sect and suffer their wrath.¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted, ¡°Are you saying the four criminals are being guarded by the Demon Scheming Sect?¡±


    ¡°Uh, not at all! Demon Scheming Sect just left them there and ignored them ever since. They thought none would dare risk offending them and let the four out.¡±


    ¡°What bloody reason is there to fear then? Even if we do let them out by mistake, we just have to haul ass out of there with none the wiser!¡± Zhuo Fan snickered.


    Xue Qingjian was startled, [That¡¯s true. But won¡¯t that be too vile? If Demon Scheming Sect ever finds out, we¡¯re done for.]


    But how could the bold Zhuo Fan be so cowardly? If he¡¯d be panicking over every trifle, how could he have ever risen to be a Demonic Emperor?


    Zhuo Fan slapped his thigh, settling on taking Li Jingtian to Thunder Swarm Mountain.


    This used to be in preparation for Lightning Canyon, but now became a means to deal with Huangpu Qingtian as well.


    But before he set out, he entrusted an unbelievable task to Yan Song and Lei Yuting. This task would decisively affect Luo clan¡¯s place in Tianyu¡­

 Chapter 223 - The Abominable Four Scheming Demons

    Whoosh!


    Two figures flashed among the clouds. They were Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian on their way to Thunder Swarm Mountain.


    ¡°Elder Li, how much longer?¡± Zhuo Fan rubbed his Thunder Ring.


    Li Jingtian calculated, ¡°By my estimates, we should arrive in three days!¡±


    ¡°Good!¡± Zhuo Fan flapped his wings and tripled his speed, ¡°The faster we get there, the better!¡±


    Hu~


    Then, a sudden attack came at them in the form of a shadow. Zhuo Fan had no time to stop, about to smash into it.


    Li Jingtian intervened, however, and grabbed Zhuo Fan¡¯s neck. He then placed Zhuo Fan behind him, but the shadow sped straight for them.


    ¡°Ghostly Dragon Claw!¡± Li Jingtian shouted.


    Bam!


    With a devastating sound, the shadow was sent flying while Li Jingtian stood unphased, tall and proud. Yet he couldn¡¯t stop his red hand from shaking.


    ¡°Elder Li, are you alright?¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked on carefully, while Li Jingtian was frowning, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. That item is a spiritual weapon, most likely a 5th-grade one. If not for being a body cultivator, I might¡¯ve ended up dead.¡±


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan nodded, then breathed easier.


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, you must be someone to have blocked my 5th-grade spiritual weapon, the bone staff with your bare hand. It looks like I caught myself a big fish!¡±


    A creepy snicker accompanied the appearance of a man not hundred meters from the pair, holding a black item in his hands.


    Under a closer look, Zhuo Fan could see that the black item was a two meter long black staff with a human skull at the ends. The wielder however was a hideous pygmy. The evil air wafting from him made one¡¯s nerves tighten!


    ¡°3rd layer of Radiant Stage!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes widened as he and Li Jingtian cried at the same time.


    The pygmy was excited all of a sudden and gesticulated in joy, ¡°Hi-hi-hi, now you know how great I am so be good and surrender and I may be kind enough to spare your miserable lives!¡±


    ¡°Humph, a mere 3rd layer of Radiant Stage expert dares show off before me?¡± Li Jingtian stomped forward and released his mighty power.


    The pygmy was cowered back again and again by the display and gasped, ¡°What, you¡¯re in the 6th layer?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, how the hell did you live so long to reach the 3rd layer of Radiant Stage when you attack without even scouting your opponent first?¡± Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°It¡¯s my turn to ask the questions. Who are you and why did you attack us?¡±


    The pygmy cackled after sparing Zhuo Fan a second glance, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, a puny 5th layer of Bone Tempering cultivator thinks himself worthy of hearing your grandpa¡¯s name?¡±


    ¡°You little shit that is neither human nor monster, dares to call yourself my grandpa?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s face was vicious as he glared, ¡°Elder Li, no more questions. Deal with this midget and let¡¯s be on our way!¡±


    ¡°With pleasure!¡±


    Li Jingtian had long found this pygmy¡¯s attitude annoying. [Zhuo Fan shows off because he is the steward of a clan, and he has both ambition and power within himself. While you, a filthy little shite, too ugly to even look at, and weaker than me to boot, dare do the same?]


    [You have another thing coming!]


    So Li Jingtian eagerly went on the offensive the instant Zhuo Fan gave the order. The pygmy wasn¡¯t scared by Li Jingtian¡¯s charge, however, and started twirling his bone staff.


    Bang~


    Metallic clashes rang all around. Li Jingtian didn¡¯t use a weapon, but as a body cultivator, he honed his body into a weapon in and of itself.


    Every one of his strikes was no lesser than one coming from the bone staff.


    And since the two of them were of different cultivation layers, the pygmy was on the retreat with every blow from Li Jingtian, despite holding the advantage with a spiritual weapon.


    He wielded the black staff with uncanny movements, avoiding all attacks, but when his energy reserves were up, only death would welcome him.


    ¡°Blast it, I really hit a snag this time!¡± The pygmy started cursing from exhaustion. Then, clenching his teeth, he suddenly jumped to gain some distance.


    But Li Jingtian realized his attempt at running aways so he shouted and struck the black staff fiercely with his hands. This time, however, as the the black staff danced, the pygmy was shrouded in black energy, while the bone staff started letting out eerie screeches.


    The next second, the vile energy took the shape of a skeleton as it cackled at the two.


    ¡°This demonic cultivation method is beyond vile!¡± Zhuo Fan frowned. He never thought this weird pygmy would be a sinister demonic cultivator.


    But he wasn¡¯t worried. When it came to sinister demonic methods, the Wraith Style used by Li Jingtian was by far one of the most wicked out there.


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, you didn¡¯t expect this, did you? I am a dreadful demonic cultivator! With this low profound ranked martial art of mine, Demon Shadow Bone Staff, I will swallow your body and soul. Scared now? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡± The pygmy crackled from within the shadowy skeleton. Li Jingtian only grinned, ¡°Moron!¡±


    ¡°What, you still dare take me on? Then die!¡±


    The pygmy sure had a screw loose, though he had quite the sharp pair of ears on him. The mockery in Li Jingtian¡¯s words earned his rage, charging at him with the image of the skeleton.


    But Li Jingtian only smirked without an ounce of fear, just as a black dragon image engulfed him.


    ¡°You blind little shit, let me show you true demonic martial arts. Wraith Style¡¯s first move, Soaring Demonic Dragon!¡±


    Roar!


    With a reverberating roar, Li Jingtian¡¯s power surged and charged at the skeleton image. In a totally anticlimactic way, the skeleton image up and vanished without even a sound.


    Pff!


    The pygmy spurted blood and was sent flying just as his staff snapped in two.


    A 5th-grade spiritual weapon was broken by using brute force alone. The Mad Dipper combined with Wraith Art was a force to be reckoned with.


    Looking at his broken black staff, the pygmy realized the error of his ways. He really kicked a wall this time. His eyes began to show fear.


    ¡°Wait, hold on, I give. Please let me go!¡± The pygmy started wailing and begging for his life.


    Li Jingtian turned to Zhuo Fan for opinions, only to see him looking elsewhere and letting him handle it. So Li Jingtian looked at the pygmy with a cruel grin, ¡°It¡¯s far too late now, you little shit!¡±


    Li Jingtian laughed and slapped his chest. The pygmy wailed, ¡°Brothers, your big brother is about to die. Come save me!¡±


    ¡°Who dares kill my brother¡­.¡±


    An ear-piercing cry resounded and startled Li Jingtian into seeing three shadows flying at him. They were on him in a flash.


    The three launched attacks at the same time, forcing him to jump next to Zhuo Fan.


    But the sight of them had Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian slackjawed. Before there was one and now there were four pygmies. Though there were differences here and there despite how ugly they all were.


    One was sharp, one was wretched, and the last was shy. Now that the three helped the first pygmy up, he regained his brash tone and started cackling, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, so now you¡¯re scared since my brothers are here? Give yourself up and I may be inclined to spare your wretched lives!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face twitched and darkened.


    [He definitely has more than one screw loose. He just had a harsh lesson beaten into him a moment ago but now he¡¯s back to showing off. Guess you can¡¯t teach an old dog new tricks.] It was fine if his backers were stronger, but Zhuo Fan could easily see they were of the same cultivation. Elder Li had no problem with one, so where did this tyke get all that courage from?


    ¡°Elder Li, for the sake of humanity, get rid of these little shits. I can¡¯t bear to watch!¡± Zhuo Fan sighed.


    Li Jingtian however recalled something and turned grave, ¡°Steward Zhuo, we may have hit a snag this time.¡±


    Startled, Zhuo Fan saw Li Jingtian cup his hands, ¡°Are you perhaps the legendary Four Scheming Demons the Demon Scheming Sect placed in Thunder Swarm Mountain?¡±


    Widening his eyes, Zhuo Fan turned to the four.


    [Didn¡¯t the Demon Scheming Sect lock them up? What are they doing up and about?]


    At his mention, the four assumed weird poses and shouted to the world, ¡°Indeed. We are the demonic cultivator hero quartet, known to all as the Abominable Four Scheming Demons!¡±


    The creepy display the four put on and their pygmy appearances was jarring to one¡¯s eyes. Zhuo Fan was even cringing.


    [These four are grade A weirdos, one dumber than the next. I just can¡¯t figure out why in the world Demon Scheming Sect would take them in.]


    ¡°Elder Li, I still believe it¡¯s in humanity¡¯s best interest you deal with them, forthwith. Now I know why the Demon Scheming Sect threw them in the Thunder Swarm Mountain and forgot about them! Humph, not even I would want to spare one moment longer seeing these weirdos!¡±


    But not only Li Jingtian was unmoving, his face only grew heavier, ¡°Steward Zhuo, they are more than their ¡®exotic¡¯ appearance led you to believe. These four threw Tianyu in chaos when they joined hands back in the day!¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted and looked at them again. Since it was so, he was very much eager to see how¡­

 Chapter 224 - Dreadful Unity Tacti

    ¡°Big brother, they look impressive. It¡¯s best we make a run for it!¡± One pygmy hunkered behind the other three and peeked his head out at Zhuo Fan in fear.


    Zhuo Fan was stumped. [The hell, you balked after some hot air?] This never happened before, not once. [What are you doing posing around as our enemy then? Why not just scram in the first place?]


    Another pygmy noticed this contradiction and cuffed the shy one over the head, ¡°Coward, you¡¯re always cramping our style! We won¡¯t take you with us ever again. And our eldest bro was hurt by them. How can we let this slide?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, [That¡¯s more like it.] He was sensible to even neglect that part about their style. [This guy¡¯s reaction is more like it, that¡¯s a proper human response.]


    But that thought didn¡¯t finish forming as the pygmy added another slap, ¡°And even if we don¡¯t get revenge for old bro, how are we going to get compensation for getting his bone staff ruined? They have to pony up!¡±


    The pygmy was then holding the halves of the black staff close to his heart, on the verge of crying.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face twitched and darkened.


    His previous thought was wiped clean off his mind. [I stand corrected, they¡¯re inhuman. You don¡¯t care about your elder bro¡¯s wound and yet you cry over some junk?]


    [Even if it is a 5th grade spiritual weapon, how can Radiant Stage experts bawl over something like this?]


    In the end, the eldest pygmy ignored his moronic brothers¡¯ senseless talk and shouted as he hit their heads, ¡°Goddamn it! I didn¡¯t call you over to squabble, but to fight! I¡¯ll lead and you follow!¡±


    He then charged at Zhuo Fan and Elder Li. But on his second step, his wounds flared and he spat blood. Even so, his eyes were fixed on Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Attack, attack~¡± The last pygmy thought of making an even bigger scene and was now hopping and skipping from the side, egging them on. Though he showed not an ounce of intent to join the bustle.


    Their eyes squinting, the other three turned to this pygmy and started raining kicks and punches on this cheerleader.


    ¡°Blast it all to hell! Every single time you stand aside and cheer but are the last one to help!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, third bro. If you don¡¯t charge first this time, we won¡¯t charge at all¡­¡±


    ¡°Uh, let¡¯s all calm down a bit. Old bro is wounded. It might be best if we make a tactical retreat..¡±


    The cowering pygmy in the back earned a glare from the rest. Then the three started taking it out on him.


    ¡°Fourth bro, you butt in every single time and ruin our morale and make us lose!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we wouldn¡¯t have lost the last time if you¡¯d have charged with us! How else could the Sect Leader manage to banish us in that wretched place to suffer so many lightning attacks otherwise?¡±


    The three were quite springy in giving the fourth a run for his money. Then the fourth thought of something and barked, ¡°What of second bro? If not for him being so damn petty, going after the spiritual weapon the enemy dropped, we wouldn¡¯t have lost!¡±


    In a blink, the three stopped and turned to the pygmy that wanted compensation. Now the fourth joined the squabble and the three ganged on the second bro¡­


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face was having a field day from all that twitching, [What the hell¡¯s wrong with these weirdos? What have they come here for, beat each other up?]


    Their enemy was right across yet they were having the time of their lives smacking themselves instead. Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t make out if they were mocking the two or plain dumb as a rock!


    ¡°Elder Li, are these guys even strong?¡± Zhuo Fan sneered.


    Li Jingtian sweated, ¡°Should be. I only heard rumors about them and never met them myself. They say these four are quadruplets and fit together like a glove. This is why the Demon Scheming Sect recruited them and taught them a unity tactic! They usually win by numbers, despite being weaker.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t look united to me! How do they even fight if all they do is beat each other?¡± Zhuo Fan scratched his nose.


    Li Jingtian laughed wryly, despite the four¡¯s fight getting more traction, and explained, ¡°Steward Zhuo, just as you heard, this must¡¯ve led to their banishment. They may be able to work together flawlessly in battle, but their characters are totally different and hard to reach a consensus!¡±


    ¡°Speaking of the first pygmy, he is the eldest among the Four Scheming Demons. Violent Demon! He is brash, rude, and very much brainless. No matter how strong the opponent he faces, he is the first to charge head first. If his brothers follow or not is another matter entirely. This is also why we didn¡¯t sense any soul ripple to scout our level and instead skipped to throwing the black staff at us!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I am well aware of his stupidity!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Li Jingtian pointed at the pygmy getting a beating, ¡°The one asking for compensation is the second brother, Scrooge Demon! He is the cheapskate of the four, narrow minded, and always forgoes long term profit in favor of short term pocket change. He is a typical case of strain at gnats and swallow camels!¡±


    ¡°That guy deserves to be beaten. He ignores his elder bro and laments the loss of a spiritual weapon. One look at him and it makes me want to smack him too.¡± Zhuo Fan watched him get clobbered without remorse.


    Li Jingtian chuckled, pointing at the cheering, yet the least one to do anything, like a mascot, ¡°That is the third brother, Sly Demon. He is sharp and expert in sneak attacks. Rumor has it that each time the four fight, he always stands at the sideline doing nothing. But every time heads come rolling on the enemy¡¯s sides, it¡¯s all thanks to him. He¡¯s your typical opportunist!¡±


    ¡°This guy has at least a redeeming quality, hoodwinking his enemies. And yet he uses his smarts to steal the credit from right under his brothers¡¯ noses! At least he¡¯s much better than the first two!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Li Jingtian pointed to the cowardly pygmy, ¡°He is the fourth brother, Wimp Demon! In every fight, he stands behind his first bro. But some say, he is the strongest among the four. Many experts despise his nature and slight him, only to fall at his hands in the end.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Elder Li, why don¡¯t you go and mess with them a bit. Force them to show their skills!¡±


    Li Jingtian shook his head vehemently, ¡°Steward Zhuo, don¡¯t joke about this. They may not look like much, but they¡¯re dreadful together. I heard that a century ago, they were only in the 9th layer of Profound Heaven Stage but killed a 2nd layer of Radiant Stage expert.¡±


    ¡°Just think. Any Radiant Stage expert is hard enough to fight, but these four killed one when they were in the Profound Heaven Stage. Now that they¡¯re in the 3rd layer of Radiant Stage, I¡¯m not confident I can come out alive!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with anything? Their eldest bro is wounded and their unity tactic¡¯s effect will fall sharply.¡± With a snicker, Zhuo Fan got Li Jingtian to see things from a different angle.


    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan pointed at Li Jingtian and yelled at the pygmies, ¡°Hey, this old dude said your dad mated with a swine and ended up having you four weirdos!¡±


    The four stopped fighting and turned their vicious eyes on Li Jingtian. Zhuo Fan chuckled and jumped back half a mile, leaving Li Jingtian their sole lone target.


    Li Jingtian paled from fright and wiped the sweat of his brow.


    [Steward Zhuo, you screwed me over!]


    The four got to their feet and walked to Li Jingtian side by side. Their faces lost their dumb looks and eyed him with savagery.


    Wimp Demon was no longer cowardly, Sly Demon no longer dodgy, and Scrooge Demon¡¯s eyes lost their greed. In that instant, the four became just like Violent Demon, releasing their vile power.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s brow shuddered and his eyes shined. All while Li Jingtian¡¯s mood sank and his eyes glittered with tears as he cursed Zhuo Fan in his heart to the ends of the earth.


    [I may be the Luo clan¡¯s elder, but that doesn¡¯t mean you get to screw me over!]


    But the deal was already done, and Li Jingtian had no choice but to face the music, ¡°That¡¯s right. You¡¯re all eyesores, so come on!¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡±


    The four howled and, with bloodshot eyes, jumped at him. The four figures merged in midair and caused this Mad Dipper to gasp as he took three steps back.


    Overwhelmed with shock, Li Jingtian knew this was their unity tactic, but feeling it on his own skin was far more dreadful than hearing about it. The four¡¯s powers combined, but not merely additively, but multiplied.


    Li Jingtian had no time to be careless, releasing his all in his next punch, colliding with their attack.


    Boom!


    With a loud noise, Li Jingtian was thrown a hundred meters into the air, feeling the blood in his heart boiling. Yet the four savage figures didn¡¯t stop for a second.


    ¡°Curses! You want to go head to head? Fine then, bring it!¡±


    Li Jingtian held the four demons in fear, but once the fight started, his martial fanatic self reared its head. He was no longer afraid, but laughing, ¡°Wraith Style¡¯s first move, Soaring Demonic Dragon!¡±


    Roar!


    A draconic roar echoed and Li Jingtian was enveloped by a black dragon¡¯s image. In his unparalleled state, he charged at the Four Scheming Demons.


    This time, Li Jingtian, with the help of his profound ranked martial art, had gained enough power to overwhelm the four¡¯s combined vile energy.


    The four¡¯s eyes widened, not expecting Li Jingtian to be so amazing, ¡°Ah, we¡¯re finished¡­


    Despite saying so, when they were about to collide with Li Jingtian, they snickered, ¡°Hi-hi-hi, that¡¯s enough playing¡­¡±


    In that instant, the strange united attack up and vanished before Li Jingtian, making his attack hit naught but air.


    At the same time, figures appeared around him that escaped the detection of his Discerning Field. Only a creepy snicker reached his ears, as if to prove he was surrounded.


    ¡°This¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes widened from the side and trembled, ¡°Something is definitely off about them¡­.¡±

 Chapter 225 - Necro Dragon’s Screech Shakes The Four Demons

    Hi-hi-hi¡­


    Among the cawing like laughter, Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes darted to the afterimages popping around him with all the seriousness he could muster.


    Hu~


    Then, a sudden wind spelled the arrival of Sly Demon giving him a resounding slap from the front before vanishing into thin air.


    Li Jingtian couldn¡¯t quite make out what just happened, but the reddening cheek bore testament.


    ¡°So fast!¡± Zhuo Fan cried out.


    But it was far from over. It was now Violent Demon¡¯s turn. He gave Li Jingtian a slap from the front again before completing his attack with the same vanishing act. What was even more astonishing was that he hit the same spot.


    It followed with Scrooge Demon and Wimp Demon, slapping him in the same place.


    Li Jingtian¡¯s anger got the better of him as he roared, ¡°You damn little shits, what you think you¡¯re doing hitting the same cheek? Come on, here¡¯s the other!¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, what¡¯s our entertainment got to do with you?¡± A cackle came from all around in waves.


    While Zhuo Fan squinted with a thoughtful gaze, ¡°Curious, Violent Demon was never that fast. How is it that his speed increased even when he is still injured? Yet, his attack got weaker. I wonder¡­¡±


    ¡°Elder Li, let them hit you!¡± Zhuo Fan shouted.


    Li Jingtian was stumped, [Haven¡¯t I been hit enough already as it is?] But thinking about it again, he soon realized Zhuo¡¯s aim and grinned.


    [You little shits, I will pay those slaps back a hundred fold!]


    Taking a deep breath, Li Jingtian roared, ¡°You bunch of mongrels, let¡¯s see if you have the guts to hit my other cheek!¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, no we won¡¯t. We¡¯ll only hit just that one!¡±


    The four¡¯s creepy laughter echoed again, followed by another slap on Li Jingtian¡¯s cheek.


    Pff!


    But before the hand could even tickle Li Jingtian¡¯s face, a large hand clutched it. Li Jingtian snickered at Sly Demon, his eyes sparkling, ¡°Damn bastard, didn¡¯t I tell you to hit me on the other cheek? Now, you¡¯re mine!¡±


    ¡°Curses, we¡¯ve been had!¡±


    Gasping, Sly Demon found that Li Jingtian¡¯s words were all to goad him into slapping again. Now that Li Jingtian knew Sly Demon¡¯s target, regardless of the speed employed, it was easy to catch him when Li Jingtian¡¯s guard was up.


    This was also Zhuo Fan¡¯s plan when he spoke out before.


    Li Jingtian¡¯s grip tightened. There was no way Sly Demon could get out of Li Jingtian¡¯s grip, not when he was three layers weaker. The other demons shifted around at high speed as they panicked, ¡°Damn, we¡¯ve been had¡­¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, time to meet your maker! Your unity tactic is done for!¡± Snickering, Li Jingtian slapped Sly Demon¡¯s head.


    With such power behind it, especially when it came from the 6th layer of Radiant Stage Li Jingtian, it was really a one way ticket to the afterlife!


    Any one of the demons was clear on that.


    The Sly Demon started struggling and crying out, ¡°I¡¯m dead, so dead! For real this time¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh god, oh gods, I¡¯m gonna die¡­¡± But the oddest thing happened. In this critical moment the other three demons didn¡¯t rush to save him, but were crying out in fear.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed, his mind making the right adjustments to his train of thoughts.


    Hu~


    Yet, this mighty palm hit nothing but air in the end. Li Jingtian was shocked, watching Sly Demon¡¯s head sinking into his shoulders to dodge the bullet.


    When the demon¡¯s head popped back out, he sighed relieved.


    ¡°God darn it! You¡¯re in my hand already, so why won¡¯t you just die!¡±


    Li Jingtian was consumed by rage as he launched a flurry of punches. But with incredible shock, Sly Demon, despite having his arm in a vise, twisted around in this limited space he was in, dodging every one of those deadly attacks.


    Li Jingtian was slackjawed. [What the hell is this? What kind of movement is that?]


    But what truly took the cake was the three demons around still crying around in fear, but were not lending Sly Demon any helping hand. Were they abandoning him or confident in their brother¡¯s power?


    In a blink, Li Jingtian was at a complete loss. These Four Scheming Demons were freaks in the truest sense of the word.


    ¡°Elder Li, watch out?¡± Zhuo Fan warned and Li Jingtian saw the other three demons flying at him.


    But their speed was far from fast as before, giving Li Jingtian time to react. As his hand still held onto Sly Demon, his leg swept.


    But what happened next was downright bizarre.


    The three demons actually closed their eyes in fear, then leaned back to dastardly avoid the kick while still going straight for Li Jingtian.


    [What. The. Hell? What just happened? Not only can I not make sense of anything they¡¯re doing, I can¡¯t even anticipate their moves.] One minute they were charging in with all bravado, the next they were flitting all over the place in fear.


    But one thing was certain, they were on the advantage.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    With a cry, Violent Demon grabbed Li Jingtian¡¯s hand that held Sly Demon and chomped.


    Li Jingtian let go from the pain and Sly Demon rejoiced in his newfound freedom.


    The four demons then returned into circling Li Jingtian at high speeds and letting out eerie laughter.


    He may be a martial fanatic, and fearless in face of adversity, but fighting these four demons had him at his wits¡¯ end. He couldn¡¯t make heads or tails when they were weak or strong. It was like hitting frickin¡¯ cotton.


    The four noticed his predicament and laughed as they charged, ¡°Brothers, let¡¯s fleece this guy and shame him thoroughly!¡±


    Oh!


    The other cheered and Li Jingtian turned serious, eyeing the afterimages around him. But then, they up and vanished, appearing instead as hazy images, as if ghosts from the Underworld.


    Li Jingtian punched.


    He hit nothing, of course, while the ghosts wrapped around his body. In a blink, his jacket and storage ring left him soundlessly. As if swallowed by those gray ghosts.


    When the ghosts drew away, they once again let out creepy laughter. Li Jingtian was left in flimsy undergarments, watching his surroundings in shock.


    ¡°I see. So this is their Unity Tactic. As expected from a demonic skill, striking at the heart of things!¡± Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and shouted, ¡°Elder Li, we are not their match. Retreat at once!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was the first to fly away. Li Jingtian gnashed his teeth and snorted in anger before following suit.


    The four figures reappeared as they watched the pair leave with smiles.


    ¡°Humph, that old geezer thinks he can get away after humiliating us? Hi-hi-hi, brothers, charge!¡±


    Oh!


    Under Violent Demon¡¯s order, they all cried in unison and gave chase. They were not in the least bit slower than Li Jingtian, perhaps even faster.


    Li Jingtian threw a look back and paled as he arrived next to Zhuo Fan, ¡°They are clearly in the 3rd layer of Radiant Stage so how are they surpassing my speed? They¡¯ll soon be upon us!¡±


    ¡°No worries, that¡¯s only the third brother¡¯s cultivation method, which focused on speed alone. Even if he does catch up to us, he can¡¯t do jack squat!¡± Snickering Zhuo put on an ambiguous smile.


    Li Jingtian was startled, but clueless nonetheless.


    ¡°Elder Li, once they get close, we¡¯ll finish them off in a blink!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Li Jingtian cried, ¡°How?¡±


    He had tangled with the four at full power to no avail. He couldn¡¯t find any real way of dealing with these weird quadruplets.


    Zhuo Fan said, ¡°They use a unity tactic, so getting rid of one is of course impossible. You need to defeat all four of them at the same time. Going after just one is pointless!¡±


    ¡°Then how¡­¡± Li Jingtian muttered.


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, ¡°Elder Li, do you recall Wraith Style¡¯s third move?¡±


    Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes lit up and nodded, as both of them broke out in laughter.


    ¡°Then¡­ shall we do this together?¡± Li Jingtian asked.


    ¡°Of course. Rather be safe than sorry!¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled and his hand made a sign, with Li Jingtian copying him.


    The four demons were right behind the two when Violent Demon screamed, ¡°You two better give up and I may be inclined to spare your miserable lives!¡±


    ¡°And, and, pay us for the broken bone staff¡­¡± Scrooge Demon added.


    With a snicker, Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian shared a look and nodded. They grounded to a halt and shot straight for the oblivious four, shouting in unison, ¡°Wraith Style¡¯s third move, Necro Dragon¡¯s Screech!¡±


    Roar!


    With two draconic roars, two soul ripples shot straight for Four Scheming Demons.


    They cried in shock, having not expected them to know a sound martial art, the bane of their unity tactic.


    A pity realizing wasn¡¯t the same as escaping it.


    In a blink, the mighty sound waves crashed into the four. They couldn¡¯t even wail their pain as they spat blood and toppled over like logs.


    Even the forest beneath them was affected, turning into a place of death as animal corpses littered the earth. After all, this was the combined attack of two souls! How could the average man handle it?


    These four 3rd layer Radiant Stage experts were no different!


    Peace soon instilled once again, though carrying with it an eerie tune. Zhuo Fan and Elder Li watched the dead eyed four demons on the ground and gave a smug smile.


    Li Jingtian in particular. He snatched back his jacket and storage ring from Scrooge Demon and cursed, ¡°Goddamn it, what are you doing still holding them when you¡¯re out like a light? No wonder he¡¯s Scrooge Demon. Well let me return the favor and make you demons in the truest sense by sending you all to hell!¡±


    ¡°Elder Li, wait!¡±


    Zhuo Fan rushed to stop him, ¡°I still have use for the four. Seal their cultivation for now!¡±


    Li Jingtian nodded after a pause, catching Zhuo Fan¡¯s drift.


    [He-he-he, the four¡¯s hell has only just begun¡­]

 Chapter 226 - Even Sages Are Idiots, Sometimes

    ¡°Uh¡­ what just¡­ why do I feel so woozy¡­¡±


    Violent Demon opened his heavy eyelids but his vision was still foggy. He reached to scratch his head but oddly enough, he couldn¡¯t. Looking down, [Dammit! I¡¯m hogtied.]


    Turning to his sides, his bros were in the same boat, all strapped around a three meter thick tree. He wailed, ¡°Oy, wake up you fools, we¡¯re strapped here!¡±


    The three were roused and slowly getting their wits about them, what little they ever had. When they saw they were in a very tight pinch, and their cultivation sealed, they started wailing, ¡°Oh bloody hell, who¡¯s the bastard that dares tie us four demons, your grandpas? Release us right now, or I¡¯ll give you a fate worse than death¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, these little shits sure are bonkers. Look at them, like lambs to the slaughter yet still so feisty!¡±


    A chuckle announced Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian¡¯s casual entrance in their field of view, one filled with derision. In response, the four rained curses.


    Li Jingtian¡¯s face was dark and was ready to hit them, ¡°You damn mongrels, one more peep out of you and I¡¯ll have your heads!¡±


    The barking halted on the spot, but their beady eyes still glared at the duo.


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian only laughed.


    These four were blokes, but at least knew to read the mood. They balked under the tiniest threat, making it much easier for what Zhuo Fan had in mind next.


    ¡°Cough~, I will now ask you some questions. Be honest, or I¡¯ll make sure you are 6 feet under!¡± Zhuo Fan coughed dryly.


    The four just shook their heads and puffed out their chests, quite brave, or maybe moronic? [Ask away, but I won¡¯t answer one!]


    Zhuo Fan brushed past their rash reaction and asked, ¡°I heard you were sealed in Thunder Swarm Mountain. How come you¡¯re out? Who released you?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know!¡± Violent Demon shouted.


    Zhuo Fan snorted, ¡°Nerves of steel I see! Elder Li, waste him!¡±


    ¡°Wait, I really don¡¯t know!¡± Violent Demon¡¯s courage was deflated on the spot as he pleaded, ¡°I beg you, let us go. We¡¯ve only been out for a few months and hardly played enough. We don¡¯t want to die!¡±


    ¡°Screw you, if you cherish your life so much, what are you doing posing as heroes?¡± Zhuo Fan glared. [These little shits are only good at putting up an act.] But they didn¡¯t know when to stop and almost fooled even him in thinking they were tough as nails.


    Violent Demon heard Zhuo Fan¡¯s demand and nodded, all while his brothers were snickering. But a glare from the eldest brother had them fall in line.


    Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes, [I¡¯ve never seen such top notch weirdos in either of my lives.]


    But the doubts he had were far from cleared, ¡°You¡¯re saying someone let you out and yet you don¡¯t know? You expect me to buy such an obvious lie?¡±


    ¡°Our lives are in your hands. We¡¯d never dare do anything of the sort. We really don¡¯t know!¡± Violent Demon was bitter as he tried to painstakingly remember, ¡°Eight months ago, we were still trapped in the Thunder Swarm Mountain, struck by thousands of lightning daily. Then, a sudden crack opened in the barrier. But when we got out, there was no one there. So we went about doing the usual, killing, burning, pillaging, ruining some cities and clans, you know, the works¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Hold up, why on earth did you start doing that anyway?¡± Zhuo Fan blinked.


    The four looked at each other and sneered, with Violent Demon growing cocky in his creepy laughter, ¡°I can tell with one look you¡¯re a bookworm and narrow minded. We are demonic heroes. What demonic cultivator out there doesn¡¯t pillage? The more we kill, the evilier we are, the further we walk on the demonic path. And our demonic heroes¡¯ life will thus find its glorious meaning!¡±


    ¡°Four lunatics is more like it!¡± Li Jingtian mocked.


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, getting pissed as well.


    [You¡¯re the narrow minded ones! I have studied the demonic path my entire life, even becoming the Demonic Emperor. And then here you are telling me I¡¯m the shallow one when it comes to it?]


    [At the end of it all, the so-called demonic path comes down to one word only, selfishness! Any and all demonic cultivators are cool headed, working only to further their benefits by any means necessary. In fact, pillaging is against our path. For us, this is only a means to an end, not our purpose.]


    But these four blokes turned the method into a purpose. They couldn¡¯t be more wrong. If the demon path goal was this, then the entire world would¡¯ve long turned on them and wiped them out.


    [Just why the hell did the Demon Scheming Sect even take them in?]


    Zhuo Fan held his head, not bothered to waste anymore time with these blokes. But his heart was in doubt, [Just who released them? And why?]


    He thought for a while but found no answer. Zhuo Fan continued, ¡°Why did you attack us then? Who told you to?¡±


    ¡°Uh, dumb luck!¡± Violent Demon mumbled.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Elder Li, waste him!¡±


    ¡°Ah, wait, wait, I¡¯m being honest here!¡±


    Violent Demon looked at Zhuo Fan on the verge of crying, [Why is this lil¡¯ bro so bent on wasting people?] He was even more violent than even himself, ¡°That¡¯s the truth of it. Since our escape from Thunder Swarm Mountain, we laid four cities to ruin and killed around half a million people. We soon found ourselves bored and were about to choose our fifth city to waste when we met an imp at some point and made a bet with him. Who knew we¡¯d lose and had to promise to look for ingredients in his stead. And where were we supposed to find it? Robbing people of course. Especially those in the Profound Heaven Stage or above. Their rings must be loaded with ingredients¡­¡±


    ¡°So, you saw us flying there and just up and threw your black staff at us?¡± Zhuo Fan stared Violent Demon down, looking for lies and forcing him to squeeze a nod, ¡°We thought we¡¯d find plenty of good stuff and complete the bet, but who knew we¡¯d fail right at the start! Such a dumb luck, waah~¡­¡±


    Violent Demon started bawling like a kid which threw the other three into doing the same.


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian were stumped.


    [These little twerps are weirdos, no kidding.] One minute they were savage, the next they played the victim, like wronged children.


    ¡°Fine fine, don¡¯t cry. Whoever cries, I¡¯ll waste him!¡± Zhuo Fan shouted and the tears grounded to a halt. Zhuo Fan shook his head inwardly, [I just can¡¯t tell when they¡¯re being real or just faking it.] But he still had some doubts that needed clarified, ¡°You guys know when to concede having lost a bet?¡±


    ¡°Of course. We are demonic heroes, when have we ever been anything but trustworthy?¡± Violent Demon puffed up his chest and spoke self-righteously, the other brothers followed suit.


    Looking him in the eye, Zhuo Fan walked to him and squinted. The four looked back cautiously, their hearts in their throat.


    Li Jingtian came before Zhuo Fan and said, ¡°Steward Zhuo, can we trust anything that came out of their mouths?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded and said, ¡°Their heads may be screwed on wrong and speaking in tongues, but they are more or less telling the truth. The one who released them wished to incite chaos in Tianyu. They¡¯re not here for us!¡±


    ¡°Then, we can rest easy and continue onward to Thunder Swarm Mountain. I was afraid our tracks were followed and someone laid a trap for us.¡± Li Jingtian sighed.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, but his face was dead serious.


    Like this, the two stood there in silence for a while. Zhuo Fan was mulling over something and Li Jingtian stayed nearby so he wouldn¡¯t disturb.


    As for the four demons, they were watching the duo nervously, worried for their poor lives.


    Finally, Li Jingtian couldn¡¯t help but voice his confusion, ¡°Steward Zhuo, are you thinking about our trip to Thunder Swarm Mountain or how to deal with these guys?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, since these little guys¡¯ interference wasn¡¯t on purpose, then Thunder Swarm Mountain will be safe. As for these weirdos, I¡¯m of a mind to recruit them. It just so happens that I have a unity tactic on me that suits them like a glove!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    Li Jingtian nodded, ¡°I knew Steward Zhuo is lenient and found them appealing. But, Steward Zhuo, don¡¯t you need to think it further? You may offend the Demon Scheming Sect if you take them.¡±


    ¡°Hardly. Since Demon Scheming Sect threw them away and ignored them for sixty years, it won¡¯t matter. Moreover, true great men don¡¯t mind trifles and are unafraid of some petty danger. So stop thinking as if this is a matter of epic importance!¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head.


    ¡°Then Steward Zhuo wants to¡­¡±


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan took out the Bloodworm gourd and frowned, ¡°I no longer have on me cold spiritual beast blood, so how can I place an active Bloodworm egg in the pills and hoodwink the four morons into taking them? Their brains may be slow, but they are Radiant Stage experts still¡­¡±


    Li Jingtian watched him oddly and blinked in awkwardness, ¡°Uh, Steward Zhuo, they are under our complete control. I assume there¡¯s no need to go as far as hoodwinking them into eating the pill as well..¡±


    Shuddering, Zhuo Fan went beet red and face slapped himself.


    [What a fool I am! I deceived Li Jingtian into taking the Bloodworm because he was just too amazing. But against these four little twerps under my control I don¡¯t need to waste so much time. I¡¯ll just give it to them!]


    [Sigh, here I am saying others have screwed up heads, while mine is on the fritz as well.]


    Zhuo Fan blushed hotter, even avoiding Li Jingtian¡¯s gaze, ¡°Elder Li, please forget that just now!¡±


    ¡°Aye!¡±


    Li Jingtian stifled a laughter, watching this treacherous Steward Zhuo, [Who knew he¡¯d be so oblivious today?]


    ¡°Uh, Steward Zhuo, could you give me two of those worms? I want to try stuffing it into others¡¯ mouths as well!¡± Li Jingtian snickered, as he saw Zhuo Fan closing in on the four.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and smiled, ¡°Sure!¡±


    Thus the two, with two worms each, snickered at the four demons. The four were now shaking in fear and wailing, ¡°What are you planning? Haven¡¯t we been honest here? Why are you still¡­¡±


    Bloodworms entered each of their mouths, forever branding them with the Luo clan¡¯s seal¡­

 Chapter 227 - Godly Tactic

    With that settled, Zhuo Fan had Li Jingtian release the four and restore their cultivation.


    The first thing the four did with their newfound freedom was to band together and assume that dumb pose again, ¡°Humph, you got some nerve tying us up and feeding us worms. This shame has to be paid back! Even if you surrender, we will not spare your miserable lives!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we won¡¯t spare your miserable lives, for sure!¡± The other three demons mimicked Violent Demon. Yet Li Jingtian and Zhuo Fan shared a look and sneered.


    The four demons were puzzled.


    [What¡¯s going on? Why aren¡¯t they cowering?]


    Before they could make sense of anything, a blood mark appeared on their heads and threatened to burst their skulls like a balloon.


    The four forwent their haughty attitude in favor of rolling on the ground and holding their heads, all while their eyes threatened to explode from how bloodshot they were.


    Zhuo Fan sauntered over and sneered. Then, explained the deal with the Bloodworms. This seemed to get through to them, that they were at the mercy of a kid.


    ¡°If you want to live, listen closely¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course we will, so stop it already! My head¡¯s about to pop!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re our boss now. Screw that rotten old Violent Demon!¡±


    ¡°You bastard, no sense of loyalty! Haven¡¯t we got the same mother? Daddy, please get rid of these treacherous bastards. I¡¯m more than enough to look after you. They are not worth shit¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face twitched and Li Jingtian¡¯s mood sank.


    [These little shits have no shame at all!] They were the most immoral Radiant Stage expert the two ever saw! Zhuo Fan was still having second thoughts if taking this immoral four under him would only come back to haunt him.


    [Even calling me a damn daddy!? Sigh, god I hope this won¡¯t come back to bite me!]


    Zhuo Fan lamented inside and his hand sign changed, relieving the four of their pain. The four demons went on their knees on the spot and hugged Zhuo Fan¡¯s legs, ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m yours forever and always. Oh please don¡¯t let that bug give your child a tummy ache!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s brows were shuddering and kicked the fool, ¡°Not one damn bone in your back!¡±


    ¡°What? Daddy wants to see us show off our backbone?¡±


    With a shine in their eyes, the four joined together in their retarded pose and shouted, ¡°We are the demonic heroes, the Abominable Four! Our daddy is¡­ uh, daddy, what was your name again?¡±


    Zhuo Fan felt like spitting blood. Li Jingtian was laughing his heart out.


    Who¡¯d ever believe these four weirdos, the Four Scheming Demons, who had him on the ropes before now had no morals whatsoever!


    Zhuo Fan glared at the four, ¡°You are forbidden from calling me that, or I¡¯ll have the worms wreck your body so bad you¡¯d be begging for the sweet release of death!¡±


    ¡°Yes, mommy!¡± The four imps puffed their chests, totally guessing Zhuo Fan¡¯s meaning.


    Zhuo Fan reeled, almost collapsing. He glared at them, [That¡¯s goddamn worse! You¡¯re even changing my gender!]


    ¡°Call me Steward Zhuo!¡± Zhuo Fan emphasized each word as he spat through gnashed teeth.


    The four stood at attention and shouted, ¡°Yes, Steward Zhuo!¡±


    Zhuo Fan finally breathed easier. [No wonder they¡¯re called the Abominable Four Scheming Demons. It¡¯s like fighting with the demons of the Underworld!]


    He finally figured out why Demon Scheming Sect ignored these dunces for sixty years. Spending but a moment around these fools would cut one¡¯s life short from anger.


    Though they had one redeeming quality, they were strong.


    With the Luo clan on the rise, it needed strong experts. Once the clan¡¯s situation stabilized, [The first ones I¡¯ll put down for good will be these four weirdos!]


    Zhuo Fan said, ¡°You are now one of us now, so explain to me this unity tactic.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Violent Demon looked at his brothers and spoke with difficulty, ¡°It is a secret art of Demon Scheming Sect. We can¡¯t reveal it.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, [That¡¯s how a human should act. At least they aren¡¯t complete wastes, knowing when to be loyal.] Even if the Demon Scheming Sect threw them away for sixty years, they were still protecting their secrets.


    But what he heard next filled Zhuo Fan with a sudden and most compelling urge to choke the life out of them.


    ¡°Uh, the thing is, only we four can train it. It¡¯s our secret. If we let it slip, we¡¯ll easily be defeated in the future. That¡¯s too dangerous! How about we tell you of Demon Scheming Sect¡¯s guarding array instead, or where they keep their scriptures, or where Sect Leader¡¯s room is perhaps¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan waved him off, clenching his fists hard. One could even hear the grinding of teeth.


    ¡°You sure like spilling the beans on everything about the Demon Scheming Sect¡­¡± Zhuo Fan laughed from anger, already regretting his decision, ¡°The day might come where you¡¯d even sell me out!¡±


    The four looked at each other but remained silent. Then they each looked elsewhere and started whistling.


    This only worked to fuel Zhuo Fan¡¯s rage as he barked, ¡°Hurry up and fork out that unity tactic or I¡¯ll end you right here, right now!¡±


    The four nodded in panic.


    That was fine, since their lives were in Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands. Not even the unity tactic could save them from this. So they started to string up all the details pertaining to the secret art.


    Li Jingtian listened from the side, now understanding what made the four¡¯s attacks so strange and hard to counter.


    The unity tactic only worked when four people were intrinsically connected on the biological and spiritual level.


    This unity tactic was called Four Hearts Formation, pointing at the four human emotions, happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy.


    Violent Demon trained anger to the point of being berserk. Once he struck, nothing could stand up to him. Scrooge Demon trained sorrow to the point of a grudge. He shifted from real to illusory, throwing the enemy off guard. He was swift like a ghost and impossible to throw off, giving his opponent a very hard time. Sly Demon trained happiness to the point of ecstasy. Swift like the wind, leaving behind only afterimages. Wimp Demon trained joy to the point of being whimsical. And since he was also cowardly by nature, he reached the peak of defensive arts.


    In short, the eldest brother was in charge of power, third bro in charge of speed, second bro and fourth bro in charge of movement arts. But even they were different, with second bro in charge of attacking movements while fourth bro with defensive ones.


    If any four people trained like this, they¡¯d end up as waste.


    With only the eldest bro having enough power to do some damage, the other three couldn¡¯t do anything to their enemy. Yet, in this lay the crux of the Four Hearts Formation. It allowed the four to combine their advantages and become one, effectively multiplying their power.


    This was why the four charged all together at Li Jingtian and gave him a hard time. The four of them turned into the eldest brother, Violent Demon!


    Then the four surrounded Li Jingtian but turned into third brother, Sly Demon!


    And why Li Jingtian could never harm Sly Demon once despite having him in his grip was all thanks to Wimp Demon¡¯s ability. Li Jingtian then ended up half naked because Scrooge Demon bestowed his ability on his brothers.


    This way, one man¡¯s ability was transferred to the four. And since they were of four, their power would multiply. The enemy would be left flabbergast, unable to cope with the situation before meeting his ultimate demise.


    But if this secret was leaked, there was no more reason to fear them. As long as they stopped the four¡¯s change into Violent Demon, they¡¯d be finished.


    Because the other three¡¯s power came nowhere near the first!


    ¡°So this strange formation had me on the ropes!¡± Li Jingtian caressed his bead, ¡°But it does have a weakness. The four of you can¡¯t use all of your abilities at the same time. Otherwise, it would truly be insane!¡±


    ¡°Really? Then I¡¯ll help them reach that point!¡±


    With a sly grin, Zhuo Fan showed a jade slip, ¡°Abominable Four Scheming Demons, since you are now with me, I will make it worth your while. This is also a unity tactic, Four Division Formation. The users would move to the four cardinal points, with the five elements endearing one another, making each one of you use all the other¡¯s abilities. Furthermore, it will also work to boost your personal ability by three layers!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± The four demons cried out and Li Jingtian smacked his lips, ¡°It¡¯s insane enough they can use all the others¡¯ abilities but it can even increase their power by three layers? Ain¡¯t that the same as facing the Four Scheming Demons at the 6th layer of Radiant Stage?¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Correct. With the four divisions amplifying each other, everyone can use anyone¡¯s ability. They will have speed, power, movements, defense, thus becoming true monsters. Not to mention, it complements the Four Hearts Formation. As for raising them three layers, ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s only in the beginning stage of the Four Division Formation. Once they reached the mid stage, the amplification would raise their power by six layers.


    ¡°And if trained to peak, by a whole stage! In other words, the four of them will become as strong as a peak Radiant Stage expert!¡±


    Li Jingtian was slackjawed, watching Zhuo Fan incredulous, ¡°Steward Zhuo, are you perhaps someone who fled a super sect or something? The Four Division Formation is insanely more outrageous than the Four Hearts Formation. Where the hell did you come up with this treasure?¡±


    ¡°Secret!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled mysteriously¡­

 Chapter 228 - Mystery Kid

    The Four Scheming Demons were now thrilled, holding a much stronger unity tactic than the one they used before. But then Scrooge Demon suddenly said, ¡°Uh, Steward Zhuo, if it¡¯s of no trouble, could you perhaps, maybe pay us back for the bone staff?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, no worries!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, [Scrooge Demon is a miser after all. He just got a better unity tactic for free yet still wants compensation for the 5th-grade spiritual weapon.]


    But since they were his men now, Zhuo Fan would naturally listen to their requests.


    Zhuo Fan sent Li Jingtian after the pieces of the black staff. He then added some Diamond Sand and in the azure flame, the staff was instantly restored, even improved upon.


    The Four Scheming Demons were jumping in joy for having their spiritual weapon back.


    Perhaps the excitement got to his head or he was just plain petty, but Scrooge Demon pointed at Li Jingtian without an ounce of shame, ¡°Steward Zhuo, could you also give me that old guy¡¯s ring and clothes?¡±


    ¡°What for?¡± Zhuo Fan asked.


    Chuckling, Scrooge Demon spoke as a matter of factly, ¡°We just lost them because we went unconscious. How else could that old guy take them from me?¡±


    ¡°Blast it, they were mine to begin with, you hear?¡± Li Jingtian flew into a rage, ¡°You little shit, what kind of logic is that? They are yours once they exchange hands?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face sank, ¡°Your twisted characters won¡¯t change, but you are never to use them on my men. Or else¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, Steward Zhuo, I will think better of him from now on!¡± Noticing Zhuo Fan¡¯s displeasure, and in fear of having the bug in his stomach go topsy-turvy, Violent Demon shouted in plea for mercy, ¡°He-he-he, please excuse him. If he doesn¡¯t get to steal what he fancies, he¡¯ll sulk for a few days!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s cheek twitched, [That just means he¡¯s really stingy!]


    ¡°From now on do not touch what isn¡¯t yours!¡±


    Violent Demon saw Scrooge Demon¡¯s eyes still fixed on Li Jingtian, shouting and turning his head forcefully. But that stubborn face had the duo not know how to respond to it.


    [Among these four weirdos, Scrooge Demon is the worst. I¡¯ll have to enforce extra security to stop this damn kleptomaniac¡­]


    Clap~


    Zhuo Fan got their attention, but Scrooge Demon was still very depressed. Zhuo Fan ignored him, ¡°Listen well. We are now going to Thunder Swarm Mountain so you will be leading us since you know the way!¡±


    ¡°Uh, but¡­¡± The four shook their heads hesitantly, ¡°We can¡¯t!¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned, ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, did you forget? We promised a child to get him an ingredient. The Four Scheming Demons are demonic heroes of indomitable spirit, how can we disappoint him?¡±


    Zhuo Fan eyes them deeply and nodded.


    If it were others, he¡¯d be forcing them along. But these four weirdos were hardly honorable. If he left the four the impression he was about to force them out of their promise, without setting a precedent wouldn¡¯t teaching them later be impossible?


    Pausing, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Fine, we will first find the kid, give him the ingredient then go to Thunder Swarm Mountain!¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, you really have it?¡± The four eyes¡¯ shined.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°Of course!¡±


    The four started whispering among each other and let out a strange laughter. Violent Demon even raised his head smug, ¡°You see? I told you flying people had the ingredient on them and I was right in attacking them!¡±


    ¡°Eldest bro is brilliant! Hi-hi-hi¡­¡± The other three gave thumbs up.


    Zhuo Fan felt unwell for some reason. Their behavior raised many flags. But then again, this was their usual manner so he let it slide.


    And so, Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian followed the four demons westward, reaching a tall mountain half a day later.


    In the sunset¡¯s glow, an eight-year-old kid sat on a meter tall rock. He put something in his mouth from time to time and chewed.


    As if noticing the newcomers, the kid¡¯s ears moved, and turned his head, revealing his sparkling eyes.


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart shuddered at the sight. As if a savage beast had set its gaze on him. His feeling that something was off only grew stronger.


    [What¡¯s going on here? Why is a child not even a decade old making me feel such danger?]


    Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes widened and said, ¡°Steward Zhuo, the child is in the 2nd layer of Radiant Stage!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Crying out, Zhuo Fan was incredulous.


    How was a kid such an expert? [Another pygmy?] But taking a closer look, he had quite the delicate features. If an old freak would¡¯ve used his cultivation to keep his youth, it was still impossible to take the same appearance as this child!


    That left him with only one possibility, the child reached the Radiant Stage from a young age!


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian exchanged a glance of shock. Then also turned a vigilant eye to the four demons. [These little shits only said they lost a bet with a kid, but not once mentioned he was a Radiant Stage expert!]


    [Was it on purpose? Why?]


    Zhuo Fan squinted and his fists tightened¡­


    The kid didn¡¯t get up, still sitting on the rock as he spoke, ¡°You four are finally back. If you¡¯d have been any later, I¡¯d assume you ran away and make me go after you!¡±


    The four shook like a leaf, quite afraid of him. Not only Wimp Demon, but even Sly Demon and Scrooge Demon. They all ducked behind Violent Demon who¡¯s legs were quivering, ¡°We would never do that. We ran twice already and don¡¯t dare do it again!¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian were in shock. How were the great four demons holding a kid in such fear? Was this 2nd layer of Radiant Stage expert stronger than them who were a layer higher and using unity tactic?


    ¡°The three days are almost up. Did you bring the ingredient?¡± The kid turned a blind eye to Zhuo Fan and Elder Li and spoke coldly to the demons, like the judge about to hand over his sentence.


    The four shivered a nod and pointed at Zhuo Fan, ¡°They have it. Just search them¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face sank. He knew he just got sold out and was now looking into the kid¡¯s cold eyes.


    ¡°Take it out!¡± The youth extended his hand.


    Zhuo Fan sensed no ill will from him and approached him. He noticed that the kid was holding a 4th grade ingredient, Purple Root!


    The kid bit out of the Purple Root from time to time as he approached, chewing it like a snack.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart was in shock.


    [He¡¯s eating an alchemy ingredient before it¡¯s even refined!] Even a Radiant Stage expert would have his meridians explode doing such a ridiculous thing. Yet the kid was just peachy, as if he could refine the ingredient naturally.


    [Monster!]


    It was Zhuo Fan¡¯s first time using this word on others, having gotten used to others usually using it on him.


    The kid then spoke before Zhuo Fan even took out the ingredient, ¡°Do you have any 5th-grade or higher ingredients? The taste of these 4th-grade ones is so flat. I¡¯m tired of having this thing.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth twitched, [Picky brat!]


    His hand flashed and revealed a snow white mountain ginseng, ¡°This is a 5th-grade ingredient, a ten thousand years old Snow Ginseng. It should fit your tastes!¡±


    The kid¡¯s eyes lit up and snatched it pleased, ¡°It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve tasted such a good ingredient. Curse those damn bastards in yellow. They only feed me slops. I almost died of hunger!¡±


    ¡°Yellow?¡± Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan sank in thought, [Who is he talking about? The only one¡¯s among the seven houses are Regent Estate who wear yellow.]


    But his thought didn¡¯t get far as the kid took a bite of the ginseng then showed an exasperatingly pleased expression, ¡°You four earned three more days of living. Go and search again. If you can¡¯t find anything, your heads will fall!¡±


    The four demons were ecstatic and prostrated!


    ¡°Hold on!¡±


    Zhuo Fan waved them off, ¡°Why do I feel you enslaved them? Wasn¡¯t it a bet and losing it made them search for an ingredient?¡±


    Frowning, the kid was growing angry, ¡°Bet? I loathe gambling! The one time I ever betted, I lost. It forced me to eat wretched ingredients every day. From then on I vowed never to bet again! ¡°


    ¡°Then¡­¡± Zhuo Fan wondered, [Why were the four demons helping him with ingredients?]


    The kid spoke matter of factly, ¡°I caught these four pillaging their fourth city and was about to get rid of them. But they were willing to go around searching for ingredients in my stead, so I let them go for now! Besides, I am missing a few hands and can understand the saying ¡®many hands make light work¡¯.


    ¡°I¡¯d feel ashamed taking their lives after eating their ingredients. But since their crimes are too serious, they are to give me an ingredient every three days. They will keep doing this for as long as my trip outside lasts. This is also a means for them to atone!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was startled, [Why does it feel this kid is no less the weirdo the other four are?]


    [What does giving you ingredients have to do with their pillaging crimes?]


    When he heard the kid spoke of stopping the four demons¡¯ pillaging he thought he was a typical righteous cultivator, helping the poor and all that. When in fact, the kid was the same as these four from the start, enslaving others to do his bidding. Just that he used it under the guise of punishing evil.


    [Shit, four vile people and a hypocrite. None of them are any good!]


    [Then again, it doesn¡¯t seem I¡¯m made of better cloth either!]


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, ¡°He-he-he, how about we make a deal? The four are now under me, so I will give you ten 5th-grade ingredients to let them leave with me. What do you say?¡±


    ¡°Ten?¡± The kid¡¯s eyes lit up and drooled. But then he paused, revealing a sly grin, ¡°Since you have so many ingredients, you¡¯re not going anywhere. You¡¯ll stay right here and search for ingredients just as well!¡±


    Eyes twitching, Zhuo Fan¡¯s face sank, [Why you greedy little piece of¡­]

 Chapter 229 - Tianyu’s Strongest, Invincible Scamp

    Taking slow steps back, Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold eyes stared at the kid, ¡°Little brother, I won¡¯t take you for an ignorant child since you¡¯re a Radiant Stage expert. Are you going to force me into servitude?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, pillagers belong in prison, so it¡¯s only fitting they do some community service for a bit.¡±


    ¡°But that was done by those four. What¡¯s it got to do with me?¡±


    ¡°Birds of a feather flock together! Since you¡¯re on the same side as them, then you¡¯re no better. A little punishment is only natural!¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan eyed that naive smile on the child, and grew angry, ¡°You can¡¯t go back once you started things. I do not like hitting children but if¡­¡±


    ¡°Eh, want to hit me? Ha-ha-ha, good. But let me warn you. I have no wish to kill you so I will give you all ten chances to challenge me! If you can win just once, I¡¯ll let you all go!¡± The kid hooked his finger and beamed.


    Zhuo Fan walked back to Li Jingtian but his eyes were more and more serious as he watched the kid.


    He may be in the 2nd layer of Radiant Stage, but the kid was as calm as ever even in the face of four people one layer stronger and another, four layer stronger. He was confident in his victory.


    And how the Four Scheming Demons were so scared of him, his power couldn¡¯t be judged based on his low cultivation.


    Zhuo Fan whispered to the four demons, ¡°How is his power? Is he strong, weak?¡±


    The four demons looked at each other and Violent Demon said cautiously, ¡°He is very strong, but still not able to beat me. The fact is, this kid is very sharp, picking the weakness of our Four Hearts Formation with one look. How else could he defeat us?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, [I see. How else could the four enter servitude if not having their unity tactic crushed?]


    But to be sure, Zhuo Fan gave Li Jingtian a signal, ¡°Elder Li, you have to go all out on the kid. Hold nothing back. You have to kill him, and with how odd this kid is, the four demons¡¯ words can¡¯t be trusted either. We can¡¯t afford to lose because of them!¡±


    Li Jingtian nodded, bloodthirst setting into his gaze.


    He suddenly roared and released billowing black energy. His immense power made the sky and earth tremble alike.


    The Four Scheming Demons were able to confuse Li Jingtian thanks to their Four Hearts Formation, stopping him from releasing his full might. They now realized how terrifying Li Jingtian was.


    If Li Jingtian had gone all out from the start, Violent Demon would¡¯ve been long dead, in one move even. This would ultimately prevent the four brothers from using Four Hearts Formation.


    The four united could break steel, while scattered were like grass!


    But the kid was still sitting on that rock with arms crossed and unafraid. Not one change in his expression was seen. This made Zhuo Fan frown, [Is he faking it or truly belittling Li Jingtian?]


    If it were the latter, the kid¡¯s power had to be huge.


    ¡°Wraith Style, 1st move, Soaring Demonic Dragon!¡±


    Roar!


    With a dragon roar, Li Jingtian shot at the kid, surrounded by a black dragon image baring its fangs and claws, ready to rip him to pieces.


    Explosions were heard with every step he took, even from the air. It seemed as if the space couldn¡¯t hold his power. The rocks around him were pulverized as well!


    ¡°So strong!¡±


    Even Zhuo Fan admired Li Jingtian. This martial fanatic was a true fit for Wraith Art. Its power was displayed fully in the hands of this man, showing shocking phenomenons.


    But the bad feeling never left Zhuo Fan. The kid was just too calm, not putting Li Jingtian in his eyes.


    [What¡¯s going on? Even a peak Radiant Stage would show some reaction. But the kid¡­]


    Yawning just as Li Jingtian got to him, the kid¡¯s reaction to this expert¡¯s incredible display of power was to extend a hand.


    Pff!


    A groan had everyone watch slackjawed. Li Jingtian¡¯s mighty power was stopped as simple as that, by a boy¡¯s hand.


    The black dragon image threw a fit behind Li Jingtian, wanting to break out of its shackles, but the kid had the dragon powerless under his thin arm.


    Even the world started taking different hues.


    On one side, Li Jingtian¡¯s power was still going strong, causing a veritable storm to blow over, while on the other, there was only peace and serenity behind the boy. Even sunshine warmed the gentle nature. The black dragon¡¯s onslaught held no sway here.


    ¡°How is this¡­ possible?¡± Zhuo Fan watched agape. This may very well be the very first time someone thoroughly shocked him.


    Li Jingtian was sweating buckets, doing his damndest in getting out of this child¡¯s hold.


    It was the same as a crazed bull meeting a hundred meter tall cliff. Regardless of the raw power it had, it couldn¡¯t budge the cliff one inch.


    The kid grinned, ¡°First attempt!¡±


    The kid grabbed Li Jingtian¡¯s arm and just threw him.


    Boom!


    A huge rock was blown to rubble. Zhuo Fan and the four demons were shocked and jumped in the air.


    Once the dust settled, the view made them gasp.


    The huge rock was flattened in an instant, and Li Jingtian struggled to crawl from beneath the rubble. He spat blood and fear crept into his gaze.


    Only he who met the kid head on knew the dread he instilled.


    In front of the weird kid¡¯s eyes, he looked like a baby, easy to kill as if lifting a finger. This was his first time ever Mad Dipper experienced such powerlessness.


    Zhuo Fan and the others were watching bug-eyed in fear and shock. None saw it coming, that a pup had such insane amount of power. Not even in the Sacred Domain Zhuo Fan saw such freaks.


    Li Jingtian was in the 6th layer of Radiant Stage and a body cultivator genius while using a profound ranked martial art. He had enough power to face a peak Radiant Stage expert. But today, before a mere boy in the 2nd layer of Radiant Stage, he was powerless.


    The kid didn¡¯t use any kind of martial art, only the power of his hand to topple and throw Li Jingtian.


    [What kind of freaky power is this?]


    Zhuo Fan paled, watching the air with a blank mind. There, the kid happily sat in mid-air, ¡°With the mountain ruined, I¡¯ll be waiting for you on that peak. Don¡¯t forget, three days. Oh, and your ten ingredients?¡±


    Zhuo Fan wiped his brow, shivering as he took the ingredients for the boy. The kid was delighted as he took them, ¡°You¡¯re not bad, kiddio. The more ingredients you find, the Invincible Scamp, Gu Santong, will reward you heavily!¡±


    Then he vanished into thin air.


    Zhuo Fan bobbed his head on and on, and only after hitting his chest did the shivering stopped. He sighed, ¡°God, that monster is insanely powerful!¡±


    ¡°S-Steward Zhuo, who did he say he was?¡± The wounded Li Jingtian swayed in his flight to Zhuo Fan. His eyes were incredulous.


    Zhuo Fan frowned, ¡°He seemed to have called himself, Invincible Scamp, Gu Santong! What, you know him Elder Li?¡±


    ¡°Holy mother of god! No wonder I lost so miserably! Of all the rotten luck, why did I have to meet that devil? How could I be so blind!¡± Li Jingtian slapped his head, regretting so much he was close to tears.


    Zhuo Fan asked hurriedly, ¡°Just who is this Gu Santong?¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, for Steward Zhuo to not know even the likes of Invincible Scamp Gu Santong, you must be dumber than a rock!¡± A creepy snicker came from behind Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s temple popped a vein, his mouth twitched and glared at the four demons, ¡°You knew who he was and what he was capable of, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Damn right we knew. We are demonic heroes, knowing all the experts in Tianyu! With how renown this devil is, how couldn¡¯t we recognize him? You think everyone¡¯s a bonehead like you?¡± Violent Demon snickered and laughed at the two¡¯s misfortune.


    Zhuo Fan tightened his fists and cooled his anger, ¡°Then, did you make us come here on purpose, and face that devil? Moreover, that bet was fake, right?¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, of course! We are demonic heroes, never done a good thing in our lives. We were so angry when that devil suppressed us and had no way to vent. But got you to join in too, and seeing you suffer brings a tear of joy in my eyes! And have you ever seen a demonic cultivator holding one¡¯s end of a bet? You got served, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The Four Scheming Demons danced in joy and made a mockery out of Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan popped another vein, red from anger. Never thought the clever him, the cunning him, would be had by a bunch of schmucks. [God damn it!]


    Ka!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s finger moved and made a sign. The four were now sporting bloody marks on their forehead, wailing on the ground from pain and begging for mercy.


    But Zhuo Fan held no pity for them. [If I don¡¯t put these little shits in their place, they¡¯ll be the death of me!]


    Li Jingtian watched the four¡¯s pain in silence.


    They were total retards. They knew their lives were in the hands of another yet still dared to fool him. They only had themselves to blame for this. Now that they were also caught in the middle with Invincible Scamp Gu Santong, he knew they were in deep trouble now!


    Li Jingtian frowned and sighed¡­

 Chapter 230 - The Legend Of A Monster

    ¡°Steward Zhuo, we know our wrongs. Spare us!¡± Sly Demon rolled on the ground begging.


    ¡°What Steward Zhuo, it should be Daddy Zhuo. Let us go, we won¡¯t do it again!¡± Scrooge Demon was wailing in pain.


    ¡°What Daddy Zhuo, it should be Grandaddy Zhuo. Please¡­¡± Violent Demon was even crying, but he didn¡¯t get to finish as he glared at Scrooge Demon. Then he punched his face, ¡°Damn it, you dare take advantage of me?¡±


    Scrooge Demon held his purple eye, having no clue what happened. But Wimp Demon couldn¡¯t take the pain and said, ¡°Elder bro, it was the second bro calling him daddy. Then you started calling him granddaddy. Don¡¯t blame him!¡±


    Widening his eyes, Violent Demon cuffed Wimp Demon, ¡°Bastard, silence is frickin¡¯ golden!¡±


    ¡°Why do you hit me when it was all your fault?¡± Scrooge Demon instantly understood having heard Wimp Demon. He charged with a rage filled fist.


    Wimp Demon was glum, and even though he didn¡¯t join the hustle and bustle, he circled behind eldest brother and whacked him with a fist whenever he had the chance.


    Third bro, Sly Demon, who wished for nothing more than to see the chaos blow out of proportions, held his head from the pain while cheering from the side.


    The four thus entered their routine squabble, making it all so lively.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face twitched from all the ruckus, popping a third vein. He never met such hard to deal with weirdos. They even had time to quarrel while being tortured by the Bloodworm!


    ¡°It seems a bit of pain is not up to your standards. Then how about we kick things up a notch!¡± Zhuo Fan made another sign.


    Pff!


    The four demons spurted blood and turned blood red all over as they scrambled from the pain. It was so excruciating they hadn¡¯t had the mind to quarrel anymore.


    Zhuo Fan panted, almost blowing his top at the four. When he calmed down, he said, ¡°Elder Li, who is that Gu Santong? Why is he so dreadful?¡±


    Shaking his head, Li Jingtian sighed, ¡°I am not clear either, but legends say Gu Santong is called Invincible Scamp. Undefeated throughout his life. Three centuries ago, he caused a storm through Tianyu, throwing the empire on the brink of collapse . He later vanished into thin air, never hearing from him since. I never thought we¡¯d meet him here!¡±


    ¡°What, three hundred years ago? How is he looking so young if he¡¯s so old?¡± Zhuo Fan was shocked.


    Li Jingtian was also puzzled, ¡°I am not sure either. I only heard rumors about him. If he truly is the Invincible Scamp, then he is indeed three centuries old! Or perhaps, he is Invincible Scamp¡¯s descendant, carrying his name¡­¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, Invincible Scamp Gu Santong has caused immense waves with his indomitable power at the time, how can someone else have his title? Moreover, you¡¯ve seen his method, if he is not the real Invincible Scamp, how could you have ended up in such a sorry state?¡±


    Violent Demon shouted his mockery, while the other demons¡¯ wailing at the side turned into a creepy combination with snickering in the mix.


    Li Jingtian caressed his beard and nodded. The four little shits¡¯ words were mostly senseless blabber, dumb as wood, but they spoke reason, sometimes. He didn¡¯t believe there was anyone outside this legendary Invincible Scamp that could bring him to such a sorry state.


    Zhuo Fan snapped a glance at the four, ¡°Elder Li doesn¡¯t know about Gu Santong, but you do?¡±


    ¡°Damn right. This geezer may be old, but he knows shit having been born way before the war three hundred years ago!¡± Violent Demon mocked.


    Zhuo Fan scowled, ¡°You¡¯re not much older than Elder Li so how do you know then?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, Steward Zhuo, there¡¯s something you¡¯re missing. When Gu Santong was causing havoc in the empire, he not only shamed the seven houses, but the entire Tianyu Empire. This made his name taboo to the whole empire. Among the seven houses, only house lords know of his endeavors and that only passed through speech from the previous house lords. The elders hardly know a thing about him. And that is because of the shame he represented, hi-hi-hi¡­¡±


    Violent Demon¡¯s creepy laughter seemed to mock the seven houses, ¡°Demon Scheming Sect is different. Even before Tianyu was in uproar, our elders warned us to not get entangled with this monster. I can only blame our rotten luck to have stumbled on him just as we got out of that wretched place. Ah, woe is me¡­¡±


    Having recalled the bitter experience, Violent Demon started crying along with his three demons, who were also wailing on top of things.


    Zhuo Fan had it, ¡°Stop crying and tell the truth for once!¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡± The four demons¡¯ rivers of tears dried up on the spot, ¡°We ask that Steward Zhuo spares us. Let us clear our thoughts¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted and sighed but still made a sign to stop their torture. They then resumed their creepy laughter and jumped in joy.


    Zhuo Fan saw they hadn¡¯t learned their lesson even a fraction and he was fuming mad, ¡°Explain it to me clearly and I¡¯ll forgo your previous transgression. Or else¡­¡±


    His fingers moved, threatening them with more torture and they panicked, ¡°Steward Zhuo, don¡¯t worry, we know when to be serious. We won¡¯t ever dare fool you again!


    Zhuo Fan nodded satisfied.


    The four looked at each other and Violent Demon was the first to start, ¡°As far as we know, Invincible Scamp Gu Santong¡¯s life is an odd one. Simply unheard of!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Zhuo Fan frowned.


    Violent Demon shook his head and said, ¡°It¡¯s so damn baffling that even we don¡¯t know the full extent of this oddity!¡±


    Zhuo Fan almost fell and his eyes started spewing flames of rage as he cursed, ¡°Cut the crap! Carry on to egg me, and I¡¯ll give you a world of pain!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was about to do just that when Sly Demon jumped in, ¡°Wait, Steward Zhuo, eldest bro is serious. Gu Santong is truly baffling that even we know little of him. He just sprung up out of nowhere. With the imperial family, the empire¡¯s three guardian sects, and the seven houses¡¯ power, not even an ant could¡¯ve caused such havoc, least of all a man. But isn¡¯t it bizarre how Gu Santong just popped up from thin air?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand stopped in mid sign.


    The four demons had some screws loose, most of the time, but Sly Demon was speaking some reason. It was baffling how an unknown powerful devil just showed up like that.


    [From the Sacred Domain perhaps?]


    Zhuo Fan spoke, ¡°Go on!¡±


    Violent Demon continued, ¡°The kid always had this appearance, that of an eight year old boy. But he was only in the 5th layer of Profound Heaven Stage at the time. But after three hundred years, he is still as young, yet his cultivation increased to the 2nd layer of Radiant Stage, quite slow I might add. What never changed all this time is him holding the title of Tianyu¡¯s strongest. Before, he was the strongest beneath the Radiant Stage and now he is the strongest in the Radiant Stage!¡±


    ¡°Oh, that baffling?¡± Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan ¡®s heart was filled with suspicions.


    If this kid was an old monster, did he perhaps use cultivation to keep such appearances? That may also explain why his cultivation went so slow.


    But who was dumb enough to keep himself as young as a child? They¡¯d usually stop around 16. This way they could partake in some of the more pleasant aspects of life, he-he-he¡­


    This seemed to have made Zhuo Fan recall a veil-covered face and the demure figure. But Zhuo Fan shook his head at that thought.


    He was aiming to become an overlord on the demonic path, how could he ever let himself get bogged down by kinship?


    [Perhaps the kid¡¯s thinking the same thing.]


    So far, Zhuo Fan could understand him, ¡°Continue!¡±


    ¡°He is really queer. He doesn¡¯t like anything, except eating ingredients. If it was anyone else, he¡¯d be already blown to bits by the potent ingredients. But he is unscathed! Steward Zhuo, I¡¯m sure you can imagine by now, which houses¡¯ ingredients are the most appealing when this freak ever ran out of them!¡±


    ¡°Imperial family and the seven houses?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes widened and suddenly showed a sly grin, ¡°Could it be..¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, Steward Zhuo sure is evil, thinking about plunging the world into chaos. Though it is the truth nonetheless. The kid went to Pill King Hall¡¯s fields and picked them clean of any and all herbs raging from 2nd to 7th grade. He even gobbled those 8th grade ones that took a thousand years to grow! How could Pill King Hall sit still after that? So their elders chased after him. The kid didn¡¯t use any martial art, but his fists are insanely powerful. In just a single move, the elders were wiped out completely! I am sure this old geezer here knows the taste of that fist the best, he-he-he¡­¡±


    Violent Demon mocked Li Jingtian.


    Li Jingtian nodded, breaking out in sweat just thinking about it.


    In their clash, Gu Santong didn¡¯t even punch, only threw him like nothing and already gave him a deep wound. If it were a punch instead, his life would¡¯ve been forfeited.


    [Such outstanding power!]


    Taking a deep breath, Li Jingtian shuddered from the memory and fear crawled into his heart.


    This never happened in all his long years as Mad Dipper!


    Zhuo Fan understood his state of mind and paled as well. He patted Elder Li¡¯s shoulder in comfort, and spoke with seriousness, ¡°And then?¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, then Pill King Hall requested assistance from Regent Estate and they sent their elders on the kid¡¯s trail, only to suffer the same fate. All the while Gu Santong was rampant in robbing ingredients everywhere he went, even attacking the warehouses of the seven houses and leaving them with nothing. Without a choice, the always squabbling seven houses put aside their differences and worked together for the first time. They issued the worst and most cruel order since the empire¡¯s existence, the Demon Purging Decree¡­¡±


    [Say what?!]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes widened in shock. He recalled how everyone spoke of this Demon Purging Decree as the most gruesome thing in existence. And the first use was on Gu Santong. But how was that kid still alive now?


    [Just what kind of power does he have? How could he fight against an entire nation and only as a damn Profound Heaven expert¡­]

 Chapter 231 - The Third Divine Dragon

    ¡°Once the Demon Purging Decree was issued, every place Gu Santong had been was burned to the ground! It reached a point where every man, woman, and child shouted at him to die out of fear. He was treated like a public enemy. It didn¡¯t matter where he went, because the entire empire was against him. Isolated and despised, this mere child began to feel glum. Rumor has it that when the seven houses¡¯ Venerables chased, the kid had no heart to fight and fled. The Demon Purging Decree showed results in the end, at least it cut the little monster¡¯s fighting spirit.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded.


    He was clear on that feeling, as demonic cultivators had often stumbled upon such a situation. Because they killed some righteous people for some reason, the others disregarded the truth and demanded their deaths. All because they were labeled demonic.


    In such a helpless and isolated state, anyone would feel miserable. For this exact reason, his firm belief was that a demonic cultivator had to stand on his own, to cultivate a certain state of mind.


    Even if alone, one needed to have the courage to face the whole world.


    As such, he, the Demonic Emperor, didn¡¯t establish a sect or a cult after his rise, becoming the loneliest of the eight emperors. This was also the nature of demonic cultivators, though when problems arose there would have been no one to rely on.


    Gu Santong may be invincible, but he was still very much like a child. The isolation and hatred had an even greater effect, leaving him with a trauma.


    [Sigh, the Demon Purging Decree is psychological warfare!]


    Zhuo Fan sighed and said to Violent Demon, ¡°Then how did he remove his heart demon to become the current Invincible Scamp?¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, Steward Zhuo sure is smart. You caught on right away he didn¡¯t have that title before!¡± Violent Demon laughed.


    Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°Becoming isolated bores heavy on one¡¯s mind. In this state, even if powerful, it was still far from becoming invincible!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, precisely. When the seven houses¡¯ Venerables went after the kid, he was slowly reaching the end of his rope, on the brink of annihilation. But something happened then, and the kid changed completely. After only three months, when people thought he was on his deathbed and were searching for his corpse, he emerged. But if before he still had an innocent and childish manner, this time, he was devil incarnate. His actions struck fear in not only the seven houses, but the imperial family as well. His style was very much like ours from the demonic path, Hi-hi-hi¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, what did he do?¡± Zhuo Fan grew excited and Li Jingtian eager.


    Breaking out in laughter again, the light in Violent Demon¡¯s eyes danced, ¡°Do unto others as others have done unto you! Once he appeared again, he threatened to destroy the entire empire. ¡®Didn¡¯t you declare Demon Purging Decree on me, burning any place I have been to to isolate me? Fine then, I won¡¯t wait for you to destroy the cities I¡¯m just going to do it myself and save you the trouble. Every place I visit will be wiped out. When I leave this Tianyu, the empire will be an empty one!¡¯¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, Steward Zhuo, Old Li, could you even fathom the kid¡¯s baffling power? Every single punch and kick of his razed cities to the ground. This not only had the seven houses scared, but the entire Tianyu was shaking in their boots. They had to be crying inside at the time, thinking ¡®what did it have to do with them¡¯. ¡®We¡¯re innocent!¡¯ Ha-ha-ha, a bunch of morons if you ask me, the lot of them! ¡°


    The other three demons were also excited, wishing they had been there to stir trouble. Sly Demon even spoke over Violent Demon.


    Violent Demon glared then kicked him, ¡°Damn you, Sly Demon, this is the best part. I¡¯m telling the story!¡±


    Sly Demon smirked and snorted inside but made no comment.


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian were speechless. Li Jingtian asked, ¡°I once heard of the kid¡¯s notoriety, but never knew he was so vicious. He wanted to destroy an empire, by himself?¡±


    But Zhuo Fan shook his head, clapping in admiration, ¡°His guts are commendable. I would¡¯ve done the same thing in his stead.¡±


    ¡°Humph, as for those who called themselves innocent, at the moment of the Demon Purging Decree, there was no one who stood up to the seven houses¡¯ slaughter. In fact, they even pitched in. They were anything but innocent. And since they became enemies, mercy and regrets have no place here!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snickered and nodded, ¡°The little imp is starting to grow on me.¡±


    Li Jingtian looked long at Zhuo Fan and found his impression was not unlike his own.


    In this cruel world, it was kill or be killed. Even innocent killings were the order of the day. And in the case of enemies, there was even less remorse.


    [Steward Zhuo is truly a man who will make countless sacrifices.] Li Jingtian sighed inside.


    ¡°And then?¡± Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian asked in unison.


    Glaring at his three bros to curb their interruption, Violent Demon continued, ¡°He-he-he, what followed next was a prime example of how a true demonic cultivator should act. In but half a year, the kid fulfilled his promise, wiping out every place he went to until his onslaught had covered half the empire. Any and all who heard his coming, sent the people fleeing for their lives. The seven houses¡¯ Venerable joined hands to surround him, to no avail. The kid still went on killing regardless of opposition. He then started to be referred as the All-ravaging Child! To show that everywhere he went, he left ravaged lands behind him!


    ¡°The imperial family could no longer take it, seeing the seven houses in disarray. If it didn¡¯t intervene now, the empire would be done for. So it sent its 50 Divine Dragons¡­¡±


    Violent Demon started sputtering as he spoke from the excitement. As if he was the one laying Tianyu to ruin instead. Zhuo Fan waved him off, ¡°Hold on, How many Divine Dragons was that again?¡±


    Violent Demon raised five fingers, ¡°Fifty, why?¡±


    Sss~


    Gasping, Zhuo Fan was shocked, ¡°There were fifty Divine Dragons then? You mean to say fifty Jade Flute Divine Sword Fang Qiubai at peak Radiant Stage?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, Steward Zhuo, you¡¯ve got it all wrong. The aptitudes of Divine Dragons at the time weren¡¯t as high as the current ones. How could there be fifty Jade Flute Divine Sword?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded and sighed. Fifty Jade Flute Divine Sword was a dreaded sight. More to the point, it would be even more damn frightening if the kid escaped from them as well.


    Before he even had the chance to calm his thoughts, Violent Demon continued, ¡°The imperial family was still going strong at the time, having around twenty experts like Jade Flute Divine Sword. And the other thirty were at least in the 5th layer of Radiant Stage. Three among them were even called Immemorial Sages by the world, stronger than even Jade Flute Divine Sword. Even Invincible Scamp had a hard time dealing with them!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Zhuo Fan cried and looked at Li Jingtian. They two were incredulous the imperial family ever held so much power.


    Easily guessing their thoughts, the Four Scheming Demons started their creepy jeer, ¡°Hi-hi-hi, how ignorant you are. You think Tianyu¡¯s imperial family and the seven houses of now only have this little power after a thousand years? Just three centuries ago, the imperial family had fifty Divine Dragons, the Regent Estate a hundred Radiant Stage experts and the other houses in the tens. This is what kept the houses in a delicate balance.


    ¡°But in the war with Gu Santong, the seven houses¡¯ united force of hundreds of Radiant Stage experts were almost wiped out. Even the imperial family¡¯s fifty Divine Dragons were destroyed, leaving but only the three Immemorial Sages alive. This battle waged for a whole year in a devastating fashion. Two of the sages ultimately succumbed from in this war of attrition, leaving behind the strongest Immemorial Sage to contend with the little monster. But at this time, both of them were nearing their limits, with the end looking to be drawn in mutual destruction¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian were wide eyed.


    [Thank god Invincible Scamp wrecked Tianyu three hundred years ago or the Luo clan would¡¯ve never got to rise above the seven houses not even in a hundred years, not to mention ten!]


    Zhuo Fan wiped his brow, cheering inside!


    ¡°By the way, how did their fight end? With the kid still alive, did the last sage die? If that is so, why then the kid hid himself for the past centuries?¡±


    Nodding, Violent Demon smiled, ¡°Precisely. The last sage was very smart. He knew if both died, the imperial family would be left stranded, and the seven houses ultimately dividing Tianyu! So at the very end, he read the kid¡¯s nature and resorted to shamelessly dupe him into a thousand year agreement. He stated that if he stood his ground after receiving the kid¡¯s ten punches, the kid would replace him in becoming the imperial family¡¯s Divine Dragon and safeguarding the imperial family for a thousand years!


    ¡°If he died, then Gu Santong could do with Tianyu as he pleased, with no one stopping him! Hi-hi-hi, Steward Zhuo, don¡¯t you think this is the most ridiculous joke you¡¯ve ever heard? If the sage died, with all other Divine Dragons laying dead as well, who on earth remained to stop the little monster? This was the most obvious trap if I ever saw one, but the kid was duped just as easily, or perhaps overconfident in his strength. Once the ten punches were struck, the sage was peach perfect and Invincible Scamp had the rotten luck of being in the imperial family¡¯s indentured servant ever since. Hi-hi-hi, what a moron! If it were me, I¡¯d disregard the bet even after the punches, ha-ha-ha¡­


    ¡°I am tens of times wiser than that brat, a genius I tell ya!¡±


    The other demons egged him on with thumbs up, and Violent Demon¡¯s laughter only grew more rampant.


    But Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian were shocked speechless. Never in their wildest dreams had they conceived that Gu Santong was the imperial family¡¯s third Divine Dragon¡­

 Chapter 232 - A Stubborn H

    The five Divine Dragons of the imperial family, the strongest in Tianyu.


    And yet, the highly placed members of the seven houses had limited knowledge about them, limited to Jade Flute Divine Sword Fang Qiubai and Monochrome Chess Sage Sima Hui. The house lords were the only ones entitled to the matters pertaining three centuries ago, that the Invincible Scamp Gu, the devil who pushed Tianyu on the brink of collapse, was now a Divine Dragon.


    But this resolution only brought more problems than solved.


    Zhuo Fan squinted at the four demons, ¡°Since the imperial family is rearing this behemoth, what is it doing getting scared of the seven houses?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, Steward Zhuo, you clearly know nothing. That last Immemorial Sage was the strongest in Tianyu, on the brink of breaking out of the Radiant Stage¡¯s shackles and reaching the Void Consciousness and becoming undying! A pity he met Gu Santong, that little monster. Regardless of how strong he was, he couldn¡¯t stand the kid¡¯s ten punches. But even so, thanks to his consciousness on the brink of becoming void, he endured the kid¡¯s onslaught for a full hour before having his soul scattered.


    ¡°Gu Santong admired his dedication, who was willing to stake his soul in winning the bet. This was how the man protected Tianyu¡¯s imperial family and forced the kid to stick to his promise. But Gu Santong was no fool either. He resigned to only protecting the imperial family and nothing more. Thus, he was the imperial family¡¯s strongest shield, but not their spear, ignoring any orders. Even so, the imperial family still won. Would anyone dare disobey them, when they had him on their side?


    ¡°Of course, his existence was never accepted by the seven houses. If he went berserk again, what would become of the seven houses? So, they went to the emperor again and again for a resolution or they would be leaving the empire! For lack of a better choice, the imperial family could only ask for the kid to make a vow as a Divine Dragon to not attack the seven houses unless provoked. Also, the imperial family will have him under strict supervision. He is not to step one foot outside the Imperial Capital without the Emperor¡¯s explicit approval.


    ¡°With how Tianyu lost its backbone in that war, if the seven houses withdrew, the empire was open to foreign invasions. And the kid had no choice but to agree to this and protect the imperial family through the oath! The seven houses begrudgingly compromised as well, and the imperial family changed his title into Invincible Scamp. As if to mean all that happened was just a kid throwing a tantrum. But now, the Invincible Scamp who¡¯s been locked away for three centuries by the imperial family was set free by the Emperor!¡±


    Violent Demon and the three demons wore their brows in a frown.


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian nodded and sighed. Gu Santong was indeed savage, but also honorable, far more than these little shits.


    Zhuo Fan squinted at the four, and snickered, ¡°Is that all?¡±


    ¡°Uh, pretty much. Now then, Steward Zhuo, you have the boundless honor of listening to the legends of the much greater, much more heroic four demons than even the likes of Invincible Scamp Gu Santong! Correct, those four are without a doubt yours truly, the demonic heroes, Four Scheming¡­¡±


    ¡°Not interested!¡±


    With a sneer and a sign, the four demons started wailing in torment as they tousled the ground.


    Among the screams of pain they voiced their doubts, ¡°Steward Zhuo, what did we do this time? Is this how you repay us?¡±


    ¡°Nothing bad, in fact you did exemplary work. I¡¯m only dishing out premeditated punishment¡­¡± Zhuo Fan snickered and cackled.


    The four¡¯s hearts were in grief as they shouted, ¡°Steward Zhuo, you¡¯re breaking your promise. You said you¡¯ll forget about everything if we told you about Gu Santong!¡±


    ¡°Tch tch tch¡­¡± Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°We¡¯re all demon cultivators here, right? Since when can you believe anything we say? You¡¯re morons to have trusted me in the first place!¡±


    Pff!


    Li Jingtian almost burst out laughing.


    It was the four little shits who duped Zhuo Fan in the first place, and now he was paying them back in spades. [Steward Zhuo isn¡¯t one to take a loss, regardless how small.] The Four Scheming Demons were on the verge of tears.


    Zhuo Fan returned their mocking words right back at them, leaving them speechless.


    Being tricked made them feel anger, sorrow, pain, the works. [My head hurts, my face hurts, my whole body hurts!]


    They could only resort to begging now. But Zhuo Fan turned a deaf ear to their pleading, speaking to Li Jingtian with a smile, ¡°Elder Li, do you know what I¡¯m thinking?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, Steward Zhuo wants Gu Santong?¡± Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes lit up.


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shined with exceptional greed, ¡°I¡¯ve never wanted a subordinate as much as I want him!¡±


    ¡°But if the imperial family finds out you¡¯ve stolen their cornerstone from under their feet¡­¡± Li Jingtian was worried.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°With Gu Santong in the bag, what good will it do to them if they know? They couldn¡¯t handle his power three centuries ago, but can they now?¡±


    Li Jingtian laughed!


    Zhuo Fan launched into the air, flying for Gu Santong¡¯s mountain, ¡°Elder Li, look after them. I¡¯m going to probe the devil. I am going to confirm some suspicions of mine.¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, don¡¯t worry. Leave this to me, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Cupping his hands, Li Jingtian turned to four, their wailing music to his ears¡­


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan landed on the peak. He saw Gu Santong sitting on the edge of a cliff with his dainty feet dangling and enjoying the sunset.


    Seeing him approach, the kid¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re back so fast. Did you already get an ingredient?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, yep!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Gu Santong was caught by surprise and cheered as he jumped to Zhuo Fan, ¡°How are you so fast? Take it out and let me see.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand shined and revealed a purple leaf.


    ¡°Another 5th-grade ingredient!¡± Gu Santong was overjoyed, eager to dig in since the smell was intoxicating.


    Without preamble, he bit into it as he praised Zhuo Fan, ¡°You¡¯re not bad at all. Far better than the others. Those four couldn¡¯t get one in three days, but you found one in an instant! Ha-ha-ha, you did well. I won¡¯t forget it!¡±


    ¡°Oh, and how will you repay me?¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    Gu Santong hesitated, his eyes darting all over before holding out two fingers in all seriousness, ¡°I¡¯ll give you two more attempts. You just have to defeat me once and I¡¯ll let you all go. With the old guy using one, you are left with eleven!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, so this is your reward!¡±


    Zhuo Fan chuckled and shook his head as he cursed the brat in his head.


    [This punk was corrupted by the strongest Immemorial Sage alright, giving fake rewards. Blast it, if I could beat you, what need do I have of you to let me go? We¡¯d be leaving anyway!]


    [But since we can¡¯t, more attempts only means getting beaten by you even more. Are you taking us for fools?]


    [You¡¯ll get yours, oh don¡¯t you worry. In a jiffy, I will put your cheeky ass in place. I¡¯ll show you how it¡¯s really done!]


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Then I¡¯ll be going to get more and more attempts!¡±


    ¡°Go, go! Work hard now!¡± Gu Santong waved him off, as if Zhuo Fan was nothing to him but a precious ingredient dispenser.


    Zhuo Fan left with a smile and returned fifteen minutes later to Li Jingtian. The Four Scheming Demons rushed to beg for mercy, but Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t even spare them a glance, ¡°Elder Li, the kid¡¯s only redeeming feature is his brawn. Easy to handle!¡±


    ¡°Eh, what do you mean?¡± Li Jingtian¡¯s asked eager.


    Zhuo Fan showed two items. One was the Bloodworm gourd, the other, a glowing ingredient more precious than a mere 5th grade.


    Zhuo Fan took a Bloodworm from the gourd and placed it on the ingredient. The worm then disappeared deep inside it.


    Li Jingtian still didn¡¯t understand, but Zhuo Fan explained, ¡°In your fight with the kid, I noticed how he never used Discerning Field despite being in the Radiant Stage. So I tested him again with a 5th grade ingredient. Seeing him gobble it up like candy, we¡¯ll give him this Bloodworm spiked ingredient and then¡­¡±


    The two shared a look and sank into a choreographed evil snicker.


    In the middle of the four¡¯s cries Wimp Demon was about to say something but Violent Demon¡¯s glare cut him short.


    The other two demons along with Violent Demon snickered. But their mockery of the pair didn¡¯t sound much different from their wails making it fall under Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian¡¯s radar¡­


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan went to Gu Santong again.


    Gu Santong was suspicious now, ¡°How are you so fast? Did you get another one?¡±


    ¡°Yep!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Gu Santong was overjoyed, ¡°You¡¯re the very definition of an expert, not like those four snails. Give it here and I¡¯ll give you¡­ ten attempts!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, much obliged!¡±


    Smirking, Zhuo Fan presented the ingredient and Gu Santong cried in joy, ¡°It¡¯s a 6th-grade ingredient. You¡¯re incredible!¡±


    Zhuo Fan only smiled, but he mocked him inside.


    [To make you take the bait and drop your guard, I¡¯m even giving you a 6th-grade ingredient! Curses, I didn¡¯t even get that many off of Drifting Flowers Edifice!]


    [But it¡¯s fine. Using it in exchange for such a powerful expert is bloody worth it!]


    His eyes shining, Zhuo Fan licked his lips, staring closely at Gu Santong. As long as the brat ate it, then he would have the strongest in Tianyu at his fingertips.


    Even Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t control his excitement as his heart hammered in his chest.


    But Gu Santong didn¡¯t eat it and frowned, ¡°Eh, there¡¯s something off about this ingredient!¡±


    Bam!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart hit rock bottom, watching on nervously. [Did the brat find out¡­]

 Chapter 233 - Complete Loss

    ¡°How can a genuine 6th-grade ingredient have problems?¡± Zhuo Fan scratched his nose as worry crept in his heart.


    Scrunching his nose, Gu Santong frowned and split the ingredient in two with his fingers. A red worm was seen wiggling further into the ingredient, but Gu Santong picked it up.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Gu Santong¡¯s set his eyes on Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan was shocked inside, but didn¡¯t show it. If the kid found out, he¡¯d be pulverized with a flick alone!


    Zhuo Fan knew he couldn¡¯t admit it even in death. He had to play innocent, ¡°Strange, how did a worm get inside an ingredient?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, ingredients are worldly treasure so how could this grand 6th-grade ingredient caught a worm?¡± Gu Santong stared Zhuo Fan down. But could only shake his head in the end having not detected any abnormalities. He killed the bug and ate the ingredient, ¡°Whatever, anything is possible in this world! But be more careful next time you go pick ingredients.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, and hightail it out of there with a soaked back.


    How did this kid, without a Discerning Field, find out about the Bloodworm?


    Luckily the kid didn¡¯t doubt him or he¡¯d be a goner!


    Recalling Li Jingtian¡¯s heavy wounds after a mere throw, Zhuo Fan swallowed dryly as he flew away.


    Yet Gu Santong still sat there on the cliff, chewing ingredients with a frown. [How is it that an ingredient caught a worm?]


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan returned like lighting to Li Jingtian. The latter was eager to know the result, ¡°Steward Zhuo, how was it?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you tell from my face?¡± Zhuo Fan spoke glumly.


    Li Jingtian knew Zhuo Fan was depressed, ¡°You mean the kid used the Discerning Field for the first time?¡±


    ¡°As if!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and sighed, his brow in a constant frown, ¡°And this is what worries me. Without using his soul to investigate, how the hell did he find the hidden worm? If I can¡¯t understand this, any future attempts will be pointless!¡±


    Li Jingtian sank in thought as well. The four demons suddenly stopped yelling as they tried muffling their laughter. But the pain got too much and soon resumed their tenor symphony.


    Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t care less, however.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, should we try with eggs?¡± Li Jingtian proposed, ¡°We may not know what trick he used, but not even Discerning Field can find the eggs. I refused to believe he is any different!¡±


    Zhuo Fan slapped his thigh, ¡°We¡¯ll do it like you said Elder Li! But this time it will cost me heavily!¡±


    Gnashing his teeth, Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand revealed a three-foot-long red and white root.


    Li Jingtian shouted in shock, ¡°7th-grade ingredient, Yin Yang Moon Fire Root!¡±


    ¡°Correct. This ingredient is hot on the outside but cold inside. This is one of the few ingredients with yin and yang in harmony. Because of it¡¯s rarity, it is even valued higher than an 8th-grade ingredient.¡±


    Stammering, Zhuo Fan caressed the red hot root yet ice cold whiskers with a bleeding heart, ¡°I got it when I was in Drifting Flowers Edifice and couldn¡¯t bear the thought of using it in the competition. Yet, I am now using it to house some worm eggs. When the kid takes it, it¡¯s the same as eating a Spring Pill, quickening the growth of the worm!¡±


    Seeing him so reluctant, Li Jingtian patted his shoulder, ¡°Steward Zhuo, you know what they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Think about it, a 7th-grade ingredient in exchange for the Invincible Scamp, no matter how you see it, it¡¯s totally worth it. I¡¯m sure you can see it with your cunning mind!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s gaze hardened and nodded, ¡°Yes, this is not just a mere exchange but a great deal!¡±


    Zhuo Fan let a Bloodworm into the ingredient, then soon after put it back in the gourd.


    Now the ingredient was filled with Bloodworm eggs.


    Taking a deep breath, he looked at the ingredient with hope and smiled, ¡°Everything rests on you now!¡±


    ¡°Good luck, Steward Zhuo!¡± Li Jingtian cupped his hands.


    Zhuo Fan nodded and flew to Gu Santong.


    He was there in a flash.


    Startled, Gu Santong turned to Zhuo Fan, ¡°You¡¯re damn quick, you know that? Those four fools have nothing on you! What did you find this time? Take it out¡­¡±


    But he couldn¡¯t finish as the sight of the ingredient in Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands had him wide eyed, ¡°7th-grade ingredient! You actually found a 7th grade ingredient?¡±


    ¡°Just lucky, I guess!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Gu Santong took it and drooled. He was moved to tears, ¡°A 7th-grade ingredient, oh I haven¡¯t had one in three centuries. Those bastards in yellow only know how to starve me with wretched 1st and 2nd grade ingredients. It took me three hundred years to reach the 2nd layer of Radiant Stage¡­¡±


    Gu Santong lamented his grief, while Zhuo Fan nodded inwardly.


    Now he knew who he was talking about. They were the Imperial Capital¡¯s guards. He found another big secret as well. His cultivation didn¡¯t rely on training, or maybe training did very little. Only eating ingredients increased his strength.


    [Curses, if I take him in, I¡¯ll go broke before I get to raise him!]


    On second thought, [I might not need to feed him anyway since he is already invincible. Yeah, no problem.]


    Then, it suddenly occurred to him.


    [The Imperial family definitely has high grade ingredients. Yet, over the last centuries they¡¯ve only been feeding him 1st and 2nd grade.]


    [Was it done on purpose to hold this monster¡¯s growth in check?]


    [So the more power he has the harder it is for the imperial family to control him!]


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan realized Gu Santong was unlike the rumors painted him as the strongest in the empire. At least the imperial family seemed to have a way to keep him in check.


    Otherwise there was no reason to stunt his cultivation for so many years.


    Zhuo Fan took a deep breath. As of yet, he was unsure if this conjecture was real or not, but he couldn¡¯t ignore it either or he¡¯d be suffering at the hands of the imperial family sometime in the future.


    The imperial family still had uses for them and they were relying on the imperial family, but who was to say when all of this could just go belly up?


    [In short, there are no everlasting friends. Anyone can become an enemy!]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed coldly!


    Eh?


    Gu Santong suddenly frowned and cried out. He looked at the ingredient and shook his head, ¡°This one is also fishy. Why are all the ingredients you find so queer?¡±


    His heart drumming in his chest, Zhuo Fan swallowed dryly, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what could possibly be wrong?¡±


    Gu Santong snapped the ingredient in two and pointed, ¡°See that?¡±


    Zhuo Fan saw the core of the ingredient in shock.


    Gu Santong broke it right where the Bloodworm laid its eggs. The middle of this 7th grade ingredient was white as the moon and released a deep chill. But in this whiteness, there were some greyish dots, Bloodworm¡¯s eggs.


    The average man would definitely miss them even with scrutiny. Not even a Radiant Stage expert searching it with his soul could find them ¨C Li Jingtian bore testament to that.


    Yet this little monster actually did it! Not only found them, but even accurately struck their exact spot. Even Zhuo Fan had to admire his prowess!


    [This ain¡¯t the time to gawk!]


    Wiping his brow, Zhuo Fan squinted and faked, ¡°Uh, what are you saying? I can¡¯t see anything!¡±


    Gu Santong pointed his childlike finger, ¡°See these dots, they don¡¯t match the ingredient. They are in fact closely resembling the worm in the last ingredient. They must be its eggs.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart sank and his legs almost gave.


    [He looks like a clueless brat, but his eyesight is spot on. He can even see similarities between the eggs and the Bloodworm!]


    Zhuo Fan was gripped with fear. [If the kid blames me for the worm and the eggs, a single hit from him will reduce me to pulp!]


    But that didn¡¯t happen as Gu Santong waved the eggs off the ingredient and started chewing it.


    He chewed as he smiled, ¡°I can¡¯t blame you for this, just like the ingredient with the worm in it. How can I throw away a 7th grade ingredient? I don¡¯t mind taking it, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Gu Santong laughed brightly, and Zhuo Fan felt his heart bleed.


    [Ahhhhh! Not only I lost a fortune but I couldn¡¯t get the kid either. I lost everything!]


    But as he was mourning the loss, Gu Santong¡¯s words drifted over, ¡°Hey, you¡¯re really good at finding ingredients. So why don¡¯t I shorten the time? One ingredient every two hours, a 7th-grade one!¡±


    Stumbling, Zhuo Fan was close to spurting blood. He had no one to blame but himself!


    Giving the kid so many ingredients ended up with him admitting defeat. And instead of getting him wrapped around Zhou Fan¡¯s fingers, the kid asked a 7th grade ingredient per two hours! [He¡¯s killing me!]


    Not even he had so many on hand¡­

 Chapter 234 - Godlike Nose

    In a place filled with rubble, Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian sat glumly on a big stone. Four were howling in the background, completing the picture with the odd twist and turn as pain stabbed through them!


    Zhuo Fan sighed at the sky and stood, ¡°I need to go give the imp another ingredient! If this keeps up, I¡¯ll lose everything¡­¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, can¡¯t we just flee? Why must we suffer at his hands?¡± Li Jingtian frowned.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Flee? I am not giving up. I already lost six 7th-grade ingredients, but still can¡¯t find that brat¡¯s weakness. If I leave now, all of that will go to waste. Humph, I¡¯ve never once suffered so much in a deal!¡±


    Li Jingtian understood him. Now was time to go all out against this Invincible Scamp Gu Santong. Zhuo Fan refused to believe he couldn¡¯t subdue him, not after wasting so many ingredients on the prick.


    So Li Jingtian only shook his head, unable to figure out what Gu Santong¡¯s trick is to leave even the cunning Zhuo Fan out of options!


    But just then, creepy laughter resounded.


    Zhuo Fan looked back in reflex to see the four demons wrecked with pain yet slipping a sneer among the tortured faces.


    It was an odd sound for sure, the combination of groans and jeers coming out of those twisted faces didn¡¯t seem natural. You couldn¡¯t tell if it was crying or laughing.


    But their eyes spoke enough for Zhuo Fan to pick on their naked mockery!


    ¡°What are you laughing at?¡± Zhuo Fan snapped, ¡°You know, don¡¯t you?¡±


    The creepy laughter grounded to a halt, and the four turned around and wailed in pain once again. Zhuo Fan tightened his fists.


    This was silent protest. Zhuo Fan could bet his ingredients that the four knew something!


    ¡°Speak, and your mistakes shall be crossed out. Or I can promise you will go through such pain you can¡¯t even begin to imagine!¡± Zhuo Fan squinted and spoke with bloodthirst.


    Wimp Demon shuddered, but Violent Demon¡¯s glare stopped him from saying anything, ¡°Damn fourth bro, did you forget how he played us? If you say one word, I will¡­ ah!¡±


    Violent Demon couldn¡¯t finish as Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand sign ramped up the pain. He could only flop around from agony.


    The other demons were startled and Wimp Demon was downright shaking, ¡°Steward Zhuo, Gu Santong¡¯s nose is very sharp. It doesn¡¯t matter what you do to the ingredient, he¡¯ll always find out!¡±


    ¡°Nose?¡±


    His eyes widening, Zhuo Fan turned to Li Jingtian. Then his sign changed and Wimp Demon¡¯s pain up and vanished.


    Wimp Demon moved around in joy.


    Zhuo Fan spoke, ¡°Wimp Demon, tell me all you know!¡±


    Wimp Demon held Zhuo Fan in fear and nodded, ¡°Gu Santong isn¡¯t only outrageously powerful, his nose is more so, godlike even. The last time we gave him an ingredient, we laced it with poison, but he sniffed it out instantly and beat us to a pulp. Then we thought of fleeing, but he could easily sniff us out in a thousand miles, giving us another beating. Then¡­ there is no then. We searched seriously knowing we can¡¯t escape his evil clutches and looked for ingredients for him¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes twitched, but he believed him!


    He was amazing enough to sniff out the poison out of an ingredient. But to track them down in a thousand mile radius, that was godlike.


    Even Radiant Stage¡¯s Discerning Field paled in comparison!


    Now the pair knew why Gu Santong let them go about searching for ingredients without minding them. No matter where they went, he¡¯d find them!


    ¡°He can smell the Bloodworm and its eggs? Is that it?¡± Zhuo Fan was incredulous, ¡°Such an insanely sharp nose. Is he perhaps looking down on Discerning Field?¡±


    Li Jingtian¡¯s face was grave as well, ¡°Steward Zhuo, does that mean escaping is impossible?¡±


    ¡°Uh, I urge you not to flee, or you¡¯ll only suffer instead!¡± Wimp Demon warned.


    Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and nodded. Gu Santong was even more amazing then he thought. Now not only striking back at him was impossible, even fleeing was out.


    Zhuo Fan was glum.


    But he showed a smile to Wimp Demon, patting him, ¡°Wimp Demon, you¡¯re a nice guy. Far better than those idiots. You¡¯ve been tousled by the Bloodworm enough, go take a rest.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Wimp Demon whooped in joy while the other three demons cried in dissent, ¡°No way! Didn¡¯t you say demonic cultivators don¡¯t stick to their word?¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°It¡¯s no promise, but a reward!¡±


    Then he ignored the three. The only thing on their mind was regret, [How could I be so stupid to miss this chance?]


    Wimp Demon puffed his chest, strutting among the three demons crying out in agony. The three demons glared at him with envy and hatred!


    Li Jingtian was speechless, and held Zhuo Fan¡¯s methods in even more admiration.


    These four little shits were immune to soft and hard methods, even their thinking was screwed up. The only way to get them in line was with the carrot and the stick!


    Li Jingtian sighed, ¡°Steward Zhuo, these four little shits had dragged us into a swamp that¡¯s hard to get out of!¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t think it¡¯s such a miserable encounter. At least we now know Gu Santong¡¯s ace!¡± Zhuo Fan grinned, his eyes flashing as he watched the peak Gu Santong stayed on, ¡°In this world, what we fear the most is the unknown. Now that we know what his trick is, we just gotta think hard of how to counter it. No one is invincible, even monsters! ¡°


    Li Jingtian¡¯s heart shuddered and looked at Zhuo Fan with hope.


    [That¡¯s how a true man of ambition is. He can remain calm even in the face of Tianyu¡¯s strongest! A pity such a talent is not a Clan Head¡­]


    Rumble!


    With a sudden loud noise, the sky dimmed.


    Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°It¡¯s about to rain. I¡¯ll hand the ingredient over to the kid then think of a way to deal with his skill. I must have him under me!¡±


    ¡°If Steward Zhuo said it, then it¡¯s as good as done!¡± Li Jingtian caressed his beard. He now had blind faith in Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and set off. From the peak came Gu Santong¡¯s angry voice, ¡°Damn heaven, what lightning? Tone down the noise!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was startled, then frowned in thought.


    He heard a howl as a visible sound wave came from the peak and shot at the sky. In a blink, the thunderclouds scattered and the sky brightened.


    There was no cloud seen for thousands of miles!


    Li Jingtian was shocked, ¡°Gu Santong is amazing! With a mere shout, he unleashed an even stronger ripple than I do with Necro Dragon¡¯s Screech!¡±


    Zhuo Fan scowled, his eyes spacing out in thought, ¡°The kid had always been calm around us, not showing even a bit of anger¡­¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, guess we weren¡¯t worthy to make him angry!¡± Li Jingtian grinned.


    ¡°But, why was he raging at the thunderclouds?¡±


    Li Jingtian shook his head, ¡°Maybe he hates lightning?¡±


    ¡°Or is it fear?¡± Zhuo Fan squinted.


    Li Jingtian shuddered, ¡°Steward Zhuo, you mean¡­¡±


    ¡°Perhaps his weakness is lightning!¡±


    Zhuo Fan made a hand sign and the demons¡¯ torture stopped, letting them catch their breath.


    Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Get ready, we¡¯re going to Thunder Swarm Mountain?¡±


    ¡°But we¡¯re still in the kid¡¯s palm. Whatever for are we going to that damnable place?¡±Violent Demon shouted.


    Zhuo Fan glared and his finger moved, ¡°My word is law, so cut the crap. Or else¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine fine, we¡¯ll listen to Steward Zhuo. We won¡¯t complain again!¡± Violent Demon lifted his hands in defeat.


    Zhuo Fan nodded. He flew to Gu Santong and was soon back again, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡°Uh, what if Gu Santong comes after us?¡± Violent Demon hesitated.


    ¡°I told the kid we¡¯ll be going a bit further for his ingredients and that there¡¯s an 8th-grade ingredient there but we¡¯ll be needing three days. He instantly agreed! By the time he figures out he¡¯d been had, our trap will be ready!¡± Zhuo Fan snickered evilly.


    Four Scheming Demons asked in unison, ¡°Trap?¡±


    ¡°We will lure Tianyu¡¯s strongest, Invincible Scamp Gu Santong into a trap!¡± Zhuo Fan grinned, his eyes burning with resolve¡­

 Chapter 235 - The Thunder Array

    Rumble~


    On top of a tall mountain, from South to North, from West to East, four cliffs stood! These cliffs were eternally shrouded by dark clouds with rumbling thunders striking them at any given moment.


    But the way these bucket-sized lightning bolts slammed into the four cliffs was akin to lightning dragons. They struck them and then returned back to the clouds to begin the cycle anew!


    From afar, it looked like a nest of lightning dragons roaming around the cliffs!


    ¡°Is this Thunder Swarm Mountain?¡± Zhuo Fan asked as he watched the spectacle.


    The Four Scheming Demons nodded with a pained face having vividly recalled the torment they had to endure inside. Violent Demon found it difficult to even speak, ¡°We¡¯ve been stuck in there for sixty-odd years, having lightning pass through us every second of every day! If it weren¡¯t for that dumbass leaving a hole behind, we might still be in there. Those were the worst years ever, waaah¡­¡±


    Violent Demon cried as he pointed at the cliffs. The other demons were also tearing up.


    Li Jingtian¡¯s face twitched. He used to feel sad and bitter as well, but when the four described it, he felt disgusted instead.


    [Didn¡¯t someone just save you? Why aren¡¯t you seeing him in a good light? Do such people even exist, that would even call their rescuer a dumbass?]


    Zhuo Fan stood unflinching in the face of those crocodile tears. His eyes ever shined as he gazed at the cliffs, ¡°He isn¡¯t a dumbass at all. In fact, he didn¡¯t poke a hole in the barrier out of carelessness!¡±


    ¡°Eh? He let them go on purpose?¡± Li Jingtian cried.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°This barrier may be fitting this place, raised on top of this natural array, but it is very intricately and painstakingly placed to leave almost no loopholes. That cliff, for example, is one such hole. Only an erudite could see it! ¡°


    ¡°What, on purpose? Then how come we didn¡¯t see anyone when we got out?¡± The four stopped crying on the spot and looked at each other baffled.


    They looked inwardly for an answer, but there didn¡¯t seem to be anyone on friendly terms with them besides those in the sect. Who could be so kind as to let them out?


    Scratching his nose, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°He must¡¯ve done it for his own reasons. But he never would¡¯ve imagined he helped me instead! Ha-ha-ha¡­ Don¡¯t dwell on it. What¡¯s crucial is that we set up an array and bait Gu Santong inside!¡±


    ¡°This 6th-grade array is slightly damaged. Once I fix it, its power will double!¡± Zhuo Fan pointed at the cliff.


    Li Jingtian nodded and frowned, ¡°Steward Zhuo, are you sure the kid will enter? What if he sees the array and waits for us outside instead? We won¡¯t be able to hold on then!¡±


    ¡°No worries. Others will hesitate while he will jump straight in. Because he is the Invincible Scamp, undefeated throughout his life. He never suffered defeat which makes him cocky. And cockiness leads to neglect! I believe there¡¯s not a best Radiant Stage sucker out there as this Gu Santong!¡± Zhuo Fan cackled with confidence.


    Li Jingtian gave a thumbs up, ¡°Steward Zhuo sees through everyone. My admiration for you knows no bounds!¡±


    ¡°Enough sucking up to me! I am certain he¡¯ll go in, but I can¡¯t gauge his power, making success uncertain. But with this natural 6th-grade array and with us controlling it, success will be ours. Otherwise¡­¡± Zhuo Fan frowned and sighed.


    Four Scheming Demons jumped over and shouted, ¡°What do you need us to do?¡±


    ¡°Your job is to go in the array and distract Gu Santong!¡±


    ¡°No way! We have had enough of this array. Even in the Demon Scheming Sect, everyone was against us controlling arrays! That¡¯s blatant discrimination!¡± The four demons demanded fairness.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face darkened.


    [You damn idiots! Of course no one will let you. They were afraid you¡¯d go messing it all up and you¡¯ll go farther than mere discrimination against them.] His face was solemn, ¡°I¡¯m also discriminating against you. But don¡¯t you dare friggin¡¯ meddle with the array as I work on it. And you¡¯d better listen to every one of my orders when Gu Santong gets inside and give your all while doing it. Or else¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s finger moved, sending the four demons shivering into bobbing their heads.


    Then, they instantly switched to an aggrieved expression and kicked the stones at their feet in dissent. [Why is everyone hell bent against us? We are four demonic heroes, what¡¯s not to like?]


    Li Jingtian laughed wryly at the four¡¯s lonely figures. Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t know if he should laugh or cry at these buffoon¡¯s antics!


    ¡­


    Three days came and went, soon revealing Gu Santong landing at the foot of Thunder Swarm Mountain. But the mountain was different than before, its black clouds gone.


    It was a particularly sunny afternoon, with birds singing on this barren Thunder Swarm Mountain. Only the occasional flickers on the rocks bore testament this place was once flooded with lightning.


    But Gu Santong saw none of that. He only sniffed and shouted, ¡°You bastards have taken advantage of my trust and good nature. Get the hell out right now! I don¡¯t have much time to waste here. If you don¡¯t go out to get me ingredients I¡¯ll be bitter all my life. Who knows when I will get to eat so many good ingredients?


    ¡°Listen up. I know you¡¯re on that mountain. Get out right now! I am pressed for time so I will forgo your transgression! Don¡¯t make me come after you, or you¡¯ll be sorry¡­¡± Gu Santong¡¯s childish voice reverberated for miles.


    But no reply came from the mountain.


    Gu Santong was pissed, ¡°Fine, have it your way. It¡¯s on you! See how I¡¯ll put you in your place once I get my hands on you!¡±


    With a loud sound, Gu Santong charged straight into Thunder Swarm Mountain¡¯s center. But just as he arrived in between the four cliffs and wiggled his nose in search of their location, a fierce gale blew!


    Black clouds started rolling in swiftly, submerging the cliffs in darkness. Then, peals of lightning flashed within the dark clouds, surrounding Gu Santong in the middle.


    Gu Santong¡¯s eyes widened and cried, ¡°An Array?¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian hid in the tallest and shortest cliffs¡¯ caves, controlling the array. They snorted at Gu Santong¡¯s shock again and again.


    [He-he-he, Invincible Scamp, your day has come!]


    Rumble!


    A thunderous sound came from above and a lightning dragon spiraled around the four cliffs, setting up the barrier to seal in even a Radiant Stage expert.


    Gu Santong shuddered and frowned. He covered his ears and cursed, ¡°You bastards, is it not enough you set up an array, but did it have to be a thunder one?¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian cracked up.


    [Ha-ha-ha, only thunder can keep you little freak in check, who is scared of it!]


    ¡°Elder Li, this is just the start. But be careful, the lightning may have a heavy impact on him but I don¡¯t want to kill him. I want him alive!¡± Zhuo Fan transmitted words to Li Jingtian.


    Li Jingtian nodded and laughed, ¡°I got it, Steward Zhuo. We can¡¯t have those ingredients go to waste. I know what to do!¡±


    The two changed hand signs as they laughed.


    Rumble!


    With another loud sound, hundreds of lightning fell from the sky straight for Gu Santong.


    Boom~


    With a cacophony of explosions, Gu Santong¡¯s frail figure slammed into the ground, kicking up dust.


    Zhuo Fan stopped, worried for his safety as he shouted, ¡°Wait, why isn¡¯t he resisting? You¡¯re telling me lightning is fatal for him? That¡¯s bad. I don¡¯t want him dead!¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, should I go take a look?¡± Li Jingtian suggested.


    Zhuo Fan hesitated. When the dust cleared, the two saw something incredulous. A huge hole in which Gu Santong was slammed.


    But the child in question was unscathed, covering his ears and raining curses. His face was filled with loathing but otherwise, not a scratch on him.


    ¡°No way! Lightning should be his weakness!¡± Zhuo Fan was incredulous and shouted, ¡°Abominable Four Scheming Demons, keep him busy and show me how he handles the lightning. Elder Li, raise the power!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    The four shouted and the demons gave a creepy snicker as they shot for Gu Santong in a series of afterimages. Li Jingtian and Zhuo Fan were shifting through the hand signs.


    Hi-hi-hi¡­


    Hearing their jeer, Gu Santong sniffed and looked at the afterimages with loathing, ¡°I knew you were messing around here. I could smell you a mile away! Shut down the array! I hate lightning the most!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, lightning is the little monster¡¯s bane. We won¡¯t stop it so what are you gonna do about it?¡± Violent Demon laughed, his afterimage shifting to Gu Santong to land a punch.


    But Gu Santong still held his ears and stood unmoving, despite his mouth spitting out endless curses.


    Then Violent Demon¡¯s face sank as he held his hand and cussed, ¡°Goddammit! The kid¡¯s hard as a rock. My hand almost got ruined!¡±


    Rumble!


    Just then, thousands of lightning struck Gu Santong¡­

 Chapter 236 - Invincible Fist

    Boom~


    Lightning struck Gu Santong constantly, smashing him into another hole. Even a peak Radiant Stage expert would have a hard time facing such a hit!


    Yet, Zhuo Fan was still unclear if all of this was enough for the likes of Gu Santong. He was Invincible Scamp, the strongest in Tianyu!


    His eyes fixed on the settling dust, Zhuo Fan¡¯s heartbeat quickened. When the dust cleared, his eyes widened and gasped.


    Gu Santong was still covering his ears and standing there, unharmed. But his face took a darker shade, out of anger.


    ¡°Four Scheming Demons, how did he take on the lightning? You should¡¯ve seen it clearly from your angle!¡± Zhuo Fan roared through the transmission.


    Four Scheming Demons turned into gray afterimages around Gu Santong as they reported in fear, ¡°S-Steward Zhuo, this kid didn¡¯t stop one lightning. Each bolt was a direct hit but he is still standing there like nothing happened¡­¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Four Scheming Demons¡¯ report froze Zhuo Fan, ¡°You mean to tell me lightning doesn¡¯t do a damn thing to this kid? Was my assumption wrong?¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, what now? He is just standing here in the array but we can¡¯t do anything to him. Something bad is bound to happen if this goes on. And once he gets out, he¡¯ll want to settle the score! We¡¯ll be finished!¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Elder Li, the lightning isn¡¯t his weakness, but he always shouts profanities at it. I was wrong, he just hates lightning. But this 6th-grade array is built on a natural formation.Let¡¯s use all we have on him. No matter how ridiculously powerful he is, it¡¯ll be worth it if we can wear him out even a little!


    ¡°Alright!¡± Li Jingtian agreed.


    Zhuo Fan sighed.


    Despite saying that, he had a feeling they¡¯d fail from the moment he set up the array. As this was all based on the premise his guess was right, that Gu Santong was weak to lightning. He was now holding the fates of everyone in his hands. He knew there was only a fifty percent chance of success!


    But he wanted to get Gu Santong so badly that he was willing to gamble on that measly fifty percent, using even the lives of others. But even in this case he had a failsafe.


    Just escaping was also fifty-fifty!


    If Gu Santong bore through it as well, they were dead! This was indeed a very risky move from his part, totally opposite for his usual style!


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, I¡¯m ready. How are you?¡± Li Jingtian sent over.


    Zhuo Fan sighed, and his hands moved, ¡°I as well. Begin!¡±


    The two¡¯s signs synced!


    Thunder rolled and lightning flickered. From the deep and rumbling dark clouds, tens of thousands of lightning bolts barreled down. That immense power caused even Thunder Swarm Mountain to shake. It meant that even the 6th-grade array was having a hard time withstanding such might.


    The Four Scheming Demons were slackjawed, crying out in fear as they retreated!


    They no longer dared staying close to Gu Santong. The lightning this time may very well smash them to bits!


    Gu Santong, with his ears covered, looked at the thunder with pure loathing and anger!


    ¡°Gu Santong, if you still stand after this, then you must be my karma coming back to bite me!¡± Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and his hand sign changed.


    Boom!


    Hundreds of thousands of lightning bolts rained down. They twisted around each other and formed a lightning dragon that coiled around each cliff as it roared.


    Such destructive power seemed to wish for the annihilation of the whole world. Zhuo Fan was certain that the lightning dragon would turn this Thunder Swarm Mountain and everything in a hundred miles barren. Only the array controllers would survive.


    He never hoped it would come to this!


    But he was the Demonic Emperor, rising on top of a mountain of bones! If he wanted Invincible Scamp¡¯s power, mercy for some miscellaneous creatures had no place here!


    Roar!


    The entire sky was roaring as it came crashing down!


    Gu Santong felt the sheer brutality aiming at him, forced to squint at the eye-piercing light. His ears rang from the sudden explosions and only now, finally, his hands released them, forming a small fist.


    Then¡­


    A punch soared straight for the lightning dragon¡¯s head, releasing an odd ripple.


    Gu Santong didn¡¯t even put the lightning dragon in his eyes. His face was calm, yet the ripple he released flew like a meteor, pushing back at the lightning dragon.


    Every place the ripple touched, lightning crumbled!


    People would be shocked to see how it began with the lightning dragon¡¯s head, turning it into specks of light. The ripple then shot past the lightning dragon and exploded way up high!


    The rumbling and black thunderclouds were sporting a mile wide hole in their center, allowing for the sun¡¯s warm glow to pass through!


    Pff!


    Groaning, Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian spat blood, thoroughly stupefied.


    Gu Santong struck the picture of a god of war, in the middle of the sun shining down on him from the wide hole in the sky. The two of them were lost for words.


    ¡°Invincible Scamp is crazy strong! No wonder he could face the entire empire and still win!¡± Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°It¡¯s my loss this time! Elder Li, patch up the thunderclouds, it¡¯s time to bolt! Invincible Scamp is out of my league! Or maybe, we¡¯ll just get him on a better occasion!¡±


    This was the first time Li Jingtian saw Zhuo give up. But the image of Gu Santong easily withstanding a 6th-grade array left him shuddering.


    [Only an extraordinary man could control such a freak! Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian are also freaks but they have a long way to go to be monsters!]


    Li Jingtian smiled dejectedly and copied Zhuo Fan¡¯s sign in patching the hole in the sky. They then sent the order for retreat to the four demons.


    They no longer used the array to seize Invincible Scamp, but to buy time. They would never get out of this alive otherwise!


    This may very well be the first time he and Zhuo Fan felt so utterly powerless.


    Especially Zhuo Fan, with his cunning mind and foolproof plans. They all were rendered powerless in the face of that kid!


    Absolute power indeed trumped over any ploy!


    But seeing the looming black clouds gathering, Gu Santong roared, ¡°You six bastards, I told you already that I hate lightning. Yet, you dare continue?¡±


    With a snort, Gu Santong stomped!


    With two steps, Thunder Swarm Mountain¡¯s four cliffs shook ceaselessly. Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian wobbled, shaken to their core.


    But the next thing had them swept by panic.


    Gu Santong tightened his fists at the side, as if focusing his power. Then he struck!


    Hum~


    Another ripple spread everywhere, making everything it touched quake. With Gu Santong at the center, all around him crumbled to dust.


    The ripple looked slow when in fact had incredible speed, leaving nothing but dust in its wake!


    Zhuo Fan cried out, ¡°The kid¡¯s power is insane. He can shake space itself with a punch alone! Run, the 6th-grade array can¡¯t do anything to him. We can¡¯t deal with him! Go underground, there¡¯s no escaping it!¡±


    Li Jingtian paled from shock.


    He knew Gu Santong was godlike, but now it was no longer an exaggerating description. The kid shook off the 6th-grade array as if it was a breeze, an array that held Radiant Stage experts for tens of years prisoners.


    [How is he even human?]


    They didn¡¯t get to make two steps as the ripple passed by them and into the horizon!


    Boom!


    Anything in a hundred miles was pulverized. Once the dust settled, the sight was overwhelming and impossible to fathom.


    As far as the eye could see, in any given direction, down to the last blade of grass, all was just gone! Gu Santong leveled a hundred mile wide circle in a blink.


    As to Thunder Swarm Mountain and the black clouds, it looked as if they never even existed in the first place.


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian crawled from underground, shivering at this sight. The four demons came out as well and stood agape, scared to the core.


    Wimp Demon was holding his head as it shook like a leaf. He wanted to bury his head, anything, so long as it rid that little monster¡¯s image out of his head.


    Gu Santong was an abomination! If not for Steward Zhuo¡¯s timely advice, they¡¯d be nothing but dust by now!


    Violent Demon lamented inside.


    [Invincible Scamp is a real freak. We can¡¯t mess with him ever again no matter how Steward Zhuo tortures us. We must never agree to such a reckless plan ever again!]


    The four vowed to themselves. Though clueless they all were to the fact Gu Santong was standing right behind them with a cold face. Bloodthirst flashed in his eyes as he looked at their dusty backs¡­

 Chapter 237 - Sophistry

    ¡°I got you now, you bastards!¡±


    A chilling voice crept from behind the four. Their body froze and looked back in reflex to see Gu Santong¡¯s furious gaze.


    Scared out of their wits, the four shivered as they lowered their heads, not daring to look him in the eye.


    Gu Santong scratched his nose, sweeping the four with a cold eye and snorting, ¡°Who was it that threw the punch on me? Step forward!¡±


    ¡°He did it!¡±


    The four didn¡¯t even lift their heads as three demons pointed straight at Violent Demon.


    Violent Demon felt like kicking these bunch of ignoble bastards¡¯ arse, but he was weak as a kitten before Gu Santong¡¯s stern gaze. He then showed a miserable and crying smile, ¡°It¡¯s not my fault, I never would¡¯ve done it if I wasn¡¯t compelled!¡±


    ¡°Oh, who forced you then?¡± Furrowing his brow, Gu Santong fists tightened.


    Swallowing dryly, Violent Demon squeaked, ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡±


    Creak!


    Violent Demon shuddered in that instant and his jaw froze open, but could not utter a sound. As if something was shoved down his throat.


    Then, a cheerful cry entered their ears, ¡°Gu Santong, you¡¯re finally here. Thank the heavens, I thought we¡¯d never see you again!¡±


    Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian staggered their wretched bodies over. While Li Jingtian¡¯s face was tense from anxiety, by contrast, Zhuo Fan¡¯s was that of joy, as if guileless. He even went as far as give Gu Santong an old fashioned cozy hug.


    The four demons now knew why Violent Demon was choking on his own voice. Zhuo Fan¡¯s Bloodworm was doing its thing!


    These two had the life of the four demons in their hands. And offending any side now was certain death no matter how they sliced it. So the three demons buried their heads in the dirt to avoid looking at anyone.


    Violent Demon¡¯s face twitched and shivered. He was fearing for his life. Thinking Zhuo Fan would take his life to protect his own.


    Getting out of Zhuo Fan¡¯s hug, Gu Santong stared at him with resentment. Zhuo Fan was startled and faked innocence, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Why did you run? Why did you set up a lightning array here?¡± Gu Santong snapped at him. Li Jingtian swallowed dryly, his whole body frozen, while the four demons shivered.


    Only Zhuo had a downright shocked expression, ¡°What are you talking about? Who set an array?¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t set the lightning array?¡±


    ¡°As if! You think we¡¯d still be trapped with you if we could?¡± Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.


    Gu Santong was speechless, the four demons startled, all while confusion predominated to all present.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying you¡¯ve been trapped in there as well?¡± Gu Santong spoke, his tone still carried anger, albeit subdued.


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Of course, or we¡¯d have long returned with the ingredient!¡±


    ¡°What, you¡¯ve been trapped here just to get an ingredient?¡± Gu Santong cried, now his anger deflated.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, running his mouth, ¡°Gu Santong, do you know why there¡¯s a 6th-grade lightning array here?¡±


    Gu Santong shook his head, a telltale sign he bought into Zhuo Fan¡¯s lie completely.


    ¡°Because there¡¯s a precious 8th-grade ingredient here. Someone used the array to protect it!¡± Zhuo Fan spoke, ¡°To help you get that ingredient, we had to go into the lion¡¯s den, and barely got out alive. But thankfully you got here just in time! But why do you say we ran away? Didn¡¯t I tell you we¡¯ll be going on an ingredient hunt?¡±


    ¡°Uh, that¡¯s¡­¡± Gu Santong blushed, fiddling with his hands, like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Somewhat aggrieved and somewhat guilty.


    They were braving danger for his sake, yet he was here casting blame on them ¨C for shame!


    Zhuo Fan sighed, giving Li Jingtian a look, and the two showed a carefree smile. Gu Santong sure was an abomination, but pure as a child, and more importantly, easy to fool.


    The Four Scheming Demons were struck dumb.


    They had feared the kid for his power. But even after three centuries, he was still but a child, easy to dupe. Why didn¡¯t they think of that?


    But Gu Santong¡¯s shyness only lasted a second as he pointed at Violent Demon with a frown, ¡°Why then were they moving around the array so freely, even giving me a punch? You were clearly against me!¡±


    Shuddering, they all felt shock and fear, with the four demons lowering their heads.


    Li Jingtian¡¯s brow was soaked, his lips dry, and looked anxiously at Zhuo Fan for help. [He may be a child at heart and mind, but everyone knows the chaos he caused Tianyu three hundred years ago!]


    [It¡¯s not that easy to dupe him after all!]


    This was Zhuo Fan¡¯s plan all along. If they couldn¡¯t hold him with the array, then they¡¯ll throw in a play. They¡¯d fake being victims as well, braving the danger of death for the kid¡¯s sake.


    This worked to explain why they were in the array, and also scored sympathy points with the kid. Without any real evidence, even if the kid was dubious, he couldn¡¯t just trash them when they were giving their all in finding him ingredients!


    So, Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian never once showed themselves as the array worked, just so they could enact this play, and give themselves a way out.


    Who¡¯d have thought however, that the Four Scheming Demons Zhuo Fan asked to keep the kid busy went as far as punching him!


    Now this was throwing a wrench in his act¡­


    [Steward Zhuo, how about we throw these little shits to the wolves?]


    Li Jingtian spoke with his eyes.


    Zhuo Fan squinted, as the four demons looked nervously at him. They could feel it in their bones how his next words had the power to save them and condemn them.


    If Zhuo Fan made them scapegoats, they¡¯d have no chance at all, except at a swift death.


    At this very moment, no one moved.


    Gu Santong stared at Zhuo, waiting for his answer. Li Jingtian was also looking at him, waiting for his decision. Four Scheming Demons were begging him with their faces, their miserable and pitiful faces.


    Eveyone¡¯s lives rested on him!


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan finally opened his mouth, and instead of answering, he gave Gu Santong a question, ¡°Do you know arrays?¡±


    ¡°Nope!¡± Gu Santong was blunt


    ¡°I guessed as much! That¡¯s great!¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡± Gu Santong glared at him and Zhuo Fan rushed to say, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, don¡¯t misunderstand. I only want to explain to you clearly so as to not weigh your conscience with innocent killings!¡±


    Zhuo Fan rubbed his chin as he began, ¡°Arrays are graded from one to twelve according to their power. As for their type, they are trapping, killing, and bewildering arrays. That thunder array was of the killing type. But it also had a trapping array hidden. Did you notice?¡±


    Gu Santong nodded. He knew the second he got in the array he¡¯d have to smash his way through if he wanted out.


    ¡°But did you notice the bewildering array as well?¡± Zhuo Fan gave a vague smile.


    Gu Santong shook his head, ¡°You¡¯re saying a bewildering caught me?¡±


    But then he snorted, ¡°No way. I didn¡¯t feel any illusions around me. What I see may be fake, but my nose has never let me down. That guy hit me and I caught him red handed¡­¡±


    Being pointed at, Violent Demon shivered in fear. In that moment, he was more of a wimp than Wimp Demon.


    Everyone looked at him with derision, [This is the first goddamn time I¡¯m hiding behind forth bro!]


    But in the face of all this, Zhuo Fan waved it off, ¡°I didn¡¯t say you were caught in an illusion, but he was. Let me ask you this. Did you four really attack Gu Santong?¡±


    Shuddering, the four reacted to Steward Zhuo¡¯s meaning. He was giving them a way out!


    So they shook their heads and bowed, ¡°We thought you were someone else! Please forgive us!¡±


    ¡°Is that so? Then who was that little monster you kept raving on about?¡± Gu Santong stared them down.


    The four pointed at Zhuo Fan on the spot, ¡°Him!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face twitched and his anger boiled. Wasn¡¯t that saying they wanted to kill him? But this was not the time to bicker with these four morons!


    Gu Santong looked dubious at him, ¡°You¡¯re also a monster?¡±


    ¡°Uh, before meeting you, they indeed called me that!¡± With an awkward chuckle, Zhuo Fan¡¯s fists crunched and Lightning Wings unfolded behind him, ¡°Can anyone do this?¡±


    Gu Santong¡¯s eyes twitched, ¡°I see. I always thought you used a flying demonic treasure when in fact it is tied to your body. You¡¯re indeed monstrous enough!¡±


    That ended that.


    Gu Santong was still dubious, but could find no plausible excuse to beat the crap out of them.


    Everyone else gave Zhuo Fan a big round of thumbs up, in admiration for his sophistry, and putting an end to this deadly situation.


    Zhuo Fan sighed and rejoiced inside. [Thank god we met Gu Santong. If it was anyone else, this blatant lie wouldn¡¯t fly and would¡¯ve got us all killed instead. All because they harbored doubts.]


    Anyone would rather kill a thousand innocents than miss the culprit!


    This was where Gu Santong was different. Zhuo Fan knew he guarded the imperial family for three hundred years all for the sake of a promise. But only after being his prisoner did he fully understand that to this kid, words were gold, and he needed a good reason when handling anyone.


    When he slaughtered half the empire¡¯s cities, that was because others pushed him. He didn¡¯t start it!


    So Zhuo Fan made a heroic, reckless and gutsy gamble. But even this had only a fifty-fifty chance. If Gu Santong was still stubborn they could only resign to their fate and the kid¡¯s temper.


    Thankfully, the kid was quite moral, not swinging around his weight without proper reason!


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan smiled. But then Gu Santong suddenly said, ¡°Hold on, since you all did this for an ingredient, where is it?¡±


    They all froze up again.


    An 8th-grade ingredient was a heavenly treasure. How were they supposed to just find it?


    Gu Santong¡¯s glare once again descended¡­

 Chapter 238 - Lightning Canyon Appears

    ¡°If there¡¯s no 8th-grade ingredient, then all of this is a lie cooked up by all of you!¡± Gu Santong eyed each one with suspicion.


    Violent Demon was frantic, ¡°You fist leveled everything in a hundred miles! That ingredient is dust by now¡­¡±


    ¡°Bullshit!¡±


    Gu Santong cursed, ¡°An 8th-grade ingredient is a worldly treasure, possessing spirituality. If you could think of burrowing underground at a crucial moment, then so could it!¡±


    ¡°T-then it must¡¯ve fled!¡± Wimp Demon whimpered.


    Gu Santong snorted, ¡°More bullshit! My nose can pick up its scent even a thousand meters below. How the hell can it escape my notice?¡±


    ¡°T-t-then¡­¡± It was Sly Demon¡¯s turn to take the stands and patch the growing hole in the lie. But he stuttered so greatly, none of his words made sense, despite how much his eyes showed he wanted to.


    Gu Santong snorted, eyeing them with thick bloodthirst, ¡°Humph, without the 8th-grade ingredient all you¡¯ve said so far was a big fat lie. You are the ones who set up the lightning array!¡±


    They were all nervous now and chilled to the bone.


    ¡°Hold on!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shouted with a pained face, ¡°The 8th-grade ingredient is indeed real. It truly wanted to flee but I managed to grab it just as the lightning array crumbled. You didn¡¯t pick up its scent because I placed it in my ring!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand revealed a glowing ingredient. The sweet smell it released worked to sooth everyone¡¯s weary minds!


    Gu Santong was dumbstruck. The 8th-grade ingredient was real.


    Even if he didn¡¯t believe Zhuo Fan, he now had no choice but to. The proof was incontestable!


    The six¡¯s reason for rushing into the array held strong. What they did in the array, only they knew, and no matter how they explained it, Gu Santong would never find the truth.


    But now, he no longer cared.


    With an 8th-grade ingredient in hand, what¡¯s the big problem being trapped in an array by them? This compensation was enough if he even had to go through a second array.


    Licking his dry lips, Gu Santong scratched his head in embarrassment, ¡°Ops, I¡¯ve been wrong about you, guys. You really gave it all for my sake. Then, is this 8th-grade ingredient mine?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was silent, having to go through great difficulty to squeeze a nod.


    Gu Santong then took it and threw the ingredient into his mouth and started chomping, ¡°In fact, even if you did set the array up, it¡¯s all water under the bridge. If every array has an 8th-grade ingredient, I¡¯d jump in head first, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Rest easy, our efforts weren¡¯t for nothing!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled, but was crying inside. His heart bled with every chomp!


    He got that 8th-grade ingredient from Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Hundred Pill Meeting, and only the one. He was keeping it for a special occasion, alright? Who¡¯d have thought it¡¯d be wasted on Gu Santong to calm his anger? But it was either that or his life!


    This was Zhuo Fan¡¯s first time losing out to such an extent.


    While Gu Santong was gorging himself with the ingredient, Li Jingtian slipped next to him and patted him, ¡°It¡¯s only a worldly possession, Steward Zhuo! Only by being alive will you get to have more of them!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I never knew Steward Zhuo had an 8th-grade ingredient. What¡¯s more, Steward Zhuo loves us so much, he gave it up. We are touched!¡± The Four Scheming Demons sniffed.


    Zhuo Fan glared instead, ¡°Shut it, I¡¯ve made an investment in you and I expect you to pay me back ten fold at the least! We¡¯ll first placate the devil then we¡¯ll think of something later!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± They all nodded obediently. Especially the four demons, who looked at him with just a hint of respect. Unlike before when there was only fear¡­


    Rumble!


    A sudden thunderous noise traveled for thousands of miles.


    Zhuo Fan frowned and looked around, ¡°Isn¡¯t Thunder Swarm Mountain flattened? Where is that noise coming from?¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a real thunderstorm!¡± Li Jingtian scratched his beard.


    But Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Unlikely. The kid¡¯s two fists silenced everything in a hundred miles, even removing clouds. So where¡¯s this lightning coming from without any clouds around?¡±


    Li Jingtian found Zhuo Fan¡¯s explanation to be reasonable.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, look, something¡¯s off with the kid. Did you poison the 8th-grade ingredient?¡± Sly Demon shouted and pointed at Gu Santong.


    Zhuo Fan saw Gu Santong covering his ears and crouching his shivering body. Even his most delicious treat, the 8th-grade ingredient, laid half-eaten on the ground.


    Violent Demon cried in joy, ¡°Steward Zhuo, you¡¯re amazing, of ultimate cunningness to have dealt with the kid. Tell us, how did you poison him? Our plans have always been foiled by that godlike nose¡­¡±


    ¡°Knock it off, I didn¡¯t do anything!¡±


    Zhuo Fan glared at them then turned to Gu Santong, ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like somethings wrong with the kid. So it must be his mental state!¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡±


    Li Jingtian raised an eyebrow, but after a bit of mulling he cried, ¡°It¡¯s fear. How come the great Gu Santong actually knows fear?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Zhuo Fan was startled and Li Jingtian explained, ¡°When I was teaching brats in Regent Estate, I was very strict. So much so, some weak minded ones caved in just at my voice alone, taking the same posture as he is now. I¡¯d usually go on and kick out anyone I¡¯ve seen behaving like this. Without guts, I was not going to waste time on them!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying¡­ he¡¯s scared? But what could drive such fear into this little monster?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart was perturbed as well.


    Rumble!


    The thunder only grew in intensity and Zhuo Fan looked startled at the sky.


    Then a bolt flashed out of the blue and the sky darkened as black as night, as if a huge hand swept over the area. Next, purple lightning began to fall nonstop.


    Each place they hit was turned to dust, wafting everywhere.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes widened, and cried, ¡°Lightning Canyon!¡±


    Correct, this was one of the continent¡¯s three danger zones, Lightning Canyon! It was the place Zhuo Fan had been aiming for all this time, the Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant!


    Long Jiu once told him about it and has been preparing himself since. But having met with one strange and unavoidable event after another, he had to put them on hold.


    And now¡­


    With a flash, the Thunder Skylark¡¯s egg appeared in his hand. His eyes looked at this flickering egg with a bitter face.


    He felt regret, [Why haven¡¯t I hatched this egg the moment I got here? Now that Thunder Swarm Mountain is gone, how do I do it?]


    But even if he had, the chick wouldn¡¯t be of any use in the Lightning Canyon!


    [If only I hatched it sooner. It would¡¯ve matured after a few years.] It was as if fate dictated it was not his time to enter Lightning Canyon!


    Watching the purple lightning falling from the clouds, Zhuo Fan sighed and flew away from them, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    The other five were quick to follow!


    They all heard of the notorious Lightning Canyon¡¯s danger. Going in was suicide! The best way is to get out of here following Zhuo Fan!


    Luckily, Lightning Canyon just showed up and their speed was more than enough to get them in the clear.


    But they flew for a bit and Zhuo Fan looked back all of a sudden, ¡°Where¡¯s the brat, Gu Santong?¡±


    He found that the bold and powerful Invincible Scamp was reacting like any child would in this situation. He was shivering and closing his ears, losing all reason out of fear.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, the kid is afraid of lightning! Where¡¯d all that fierce attitude go?¡± Violent Demon mocked.


    The other demons joined him, but Zhuo Fan was pausing in thought. Then, he exclaimed, ¡°I get it. He isn¡¯t afraid of lightning, but afraid of purple lightning. We were wrong from the start! ¡°


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, Steward Zhuo, you¡¯re kidding. Who on earth isn¡¯t afraid of purple lightning? Even those Sect Leaders of ours would bolt at the sight of it!¡± Violent Demon laughed.


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes were fixed on Gu Santong, ¡°This kid is different. The others had the bravery to run, but the kid is lacking even that. Just what is his connection with Lightning Canyon?¡±


    Zhuo Fan suddenly said, ¡°Elder Li, you and the demons leave. I¡¯m getting him out!¡±


    ¡°No, Steward Zhuo!¡± Li Jingtian was anxious, ¡°Lightning Canyon is about to descend and you¡¯ll be soon crushed to death. You can¡¯t risk it!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Steward Zhuo, let that punk die for all we care! Wasn¡¯t he almighty? Let¡¯s see him handle purple lighting for a change!¡± Violent Demon spat and the demons nodded.


    The four demons had been nothing but trouble so far, but ever since Zhuo Fan saved their lives by paying an 8th-grade ingredient, their view changed. They held Zhuo Fan with favor, albeit slightly.


    Zhuo Fan was gratified but his mind was made, ¡°Elder Li, if anything happens to me, take care of these four. Don¡¯t let them turn the clan upside down!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shot for Gu Santong.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo!¡±


    Li Jingtian shouted, but all he could see was his vanishing figure among the purple lightning.


    Gnashing his teeth, he eyed the demons and flew away, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡°What about Steward Zhuo?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll be back!¡± Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes were firm¡­

 Chapter 239 - Azure Flame Guard

    Whoosh!


    The purple lightning bolts spun a spider¡¯s web as they hammered the skies, it was as if the heavens were becoming fragmented. Then, a lightning bolt fell before Gu Santong.


    Zhuo Fan saw the shivering child among the lightning and cried, ¡°Gu Santong, stop daydreaming and run! Don¡¯t you want to live?¡±


    ¡°S-save¡­¡± Gu Santong shook his head and stuttered.


    ¡°What?¡± Zhuo Fan shouted.


    ¡°Save¡­ me!¡± Gu Santong showed his pitiful face, his eyes filled with tears.


    Zhuo Fan was shocked. Never would¡¯ve thought it possible that the great Gu Santong¡¯s nightmare was purple lightning. He truly became a child gripped by fear.


    Frowning, Zhuo Fan showed a particular grin. Then he grabbed the kid and flew away!


    Wasn¡¯t it obvious he should fulfill his request?


    Zhuo Fan had been going all this time about having the kid under him, but since the kid was a tough nut to crack, how could he succeed?


    Only now. at the kid¡¯s weakest, the best chance presented itself. This was the sole reason why Zhuo Fan braved the danger of rescuing him.


    Otherwise, with his rotten character, he wouldn¡¯t be caught dead saving anyone!


    This was the opportunity of a lifetime, to have the strongest in Tianyu at his behest.


    When the stakes were high, so was the return. And only through this grave risk might he be able to gain an invincible subordinate!


    Zhuo Fan laughed coldly inside, [Gu Santong has been keeping a promise for three hundred years after losing one lousy bet. Now that I save him, won¡¯t he give his all in repaying me?]


    [He-he-he, with Gu Santong behind me, let¡¯s see how those Regent Estate bastards dare lift even a finger against me!]


    Zhuo Fan could already see the future, one in which the seven houses were at his feet!


    Too bad though, what man proposes god disposes. This time, his risk may very well be fatal!


    With a shocking boom, the fragmented sky was now thoroughly wrecked, revealing a huge black hole in the sky.


    Purple lightning fell by the thousand, pulverizing anything it touched. And the storm kicked up by the lightning sent everything in that black abyss.


    Zhuo Fan was flying with all his power when a sudden power gripped him, slowly sucking him into the black hole. Like an invisible hand, it wanted to throw him into that endless abyss.


    Heart in a vise, Zhuo Fan picked up more speed with his wings.


    But he didn¡¯t gain one bit of ground, falling ever deeper among the purple lightning storm.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s anxiety grew and grew and his brow was soaked. The situation took a dire turn for the worst. Thus he turned to the scared Gu Santong, ¡°Gu Santong, we are about to be sucked in. Is there anything you can do?¡±


    Gu Santong had been shivering all this time, with fear robbing him even of his voice.


    But even if this was his normal state, his first reaction was to roll his eyes. [Oh please, you¡¯re the one doing the rescuing, remember? Now you¡¯re asking me for help? You¡¯d think I¡¯d be shivering here doing nothing if I had a way out?]


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan knew the kid was out for the count, scared witless by the purple lightning. He only had himself to rely on.


    But everywhere he looked was purple lightning. Besides lightning, there was only more lightning. And all while the sucking abyss was doing its best to devour them among the tight curtain of lighting. The lightest touch would stop their hearts.


    [Is this how I¡¯ll lose the gamble and my life? In the Lightning Canyon?]


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth, unwilling to give up for a second. He was still working his damndest in getting out of there.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, a purple bolt smashed into his back, forcing him to spit blood. Losing his balance, he drifted deeper into the bottomless pit.


    Wiping his blood, Zhuo Fan rejoiced, ¡°Thankfully, it¡¯s only a 3rd Heaven purple lightning, just like brother Jiu¡¯s, or I¡¯d be a goner!¡±


    But he didn¡¯t finish his words as a second lightning fell. This time his whole body shivered. His Diamond Sand and unbreakable body was sporting cracks, and blood spilled from the force of the lightning!


    ¡°What? A 4th Heaven purple lightning?¡±


    Gasping, Zhuo Fan looked up to see the big hole was getting increasingly closer. And the closer it got, the stronger the lightning.


    If a 6th Heaven lightning struck him, he would be pulverized in body and soul!


    Zhuo Fan was out of his depth this time. He was about to die a second time at a moment¡¯s notice if he didn¡¯t come up with something, and fast.


    It was time to exert the power he gathered all these years!


    But the crucial thing was, Nine Serenities Secret Records¡¯ secret technique could not be used so frequently. Each subsequent use would break the tie between the soul and his consciousness. After all, he was making use of another¡¯s soul.


    There may very well not be a next rebirth. Afterall the type of grievance he needed may have vanished from the world.


    Zhuo Fan was reborn this time, but regarded his life with utmost seriousness. It may very well be his last!


    Taking a deep breath to cool down. Zhuo Fan started thinking about a plan of action. He gnashed his teeth and settled on taking out the Thunder Skylark¡¯s egg.


    His original plan was to use the newborn Thunder Skylark to control the lightning¡¯s power, and let it absorb it. Even if it could only absorb the 6th Heaven it would buy him enough time to get inside this place.


    But now, he only had an egg, that may very well be unable to take a single lightning before crack open like a melon.


    But desperate times called for desperate measures!


    Zhuo Fan held the egg in one hand and Gu Santong in the other, flung straight for the Lightning Canyon¡¯s black hole. He was carefully controlling his flight as he looked for the right approach.


    Boom!


    With a thunderclap, a purple lightning shot straight for Zhuo Fan. His eyes squinted and shouted, ¡°4th Heaven purple lighting!¡±


    He lifted the egg to let it take the brunt.


    Perhaps it was their connection, or it was just plain first in its path, but the purple lightning struck the Thunder Skylark¡¯s egg. It was as if it acted as a beacon.


    But the enormous power having slammed into the egg made it shudder, on the verge of breaking. Zhuo Fan used Demon Transformation Art post haste, taking the rest of the lightning power into him and refined it!


    Perhaps the egg still had some magic left in it as by some miracle, it cushioned the lightning¡¯s power. Zhuo Fan shuddered but he was otherwise unaffected.


    This worked to lift his mood, [This could work!] But what worried him most was the power of the purple lightning. Even with the Demon Transformation Art, he couldn¡¯t refine all of it. Some of its power wasn¡¯t much of a threat to him, but if he let that power roam around his body, it would only get worse!


    [I have to find the right path inside. If lightning doesn¡¯t strike me down first, I¡¯ll die from overexposure!]


    Zhuo Fan felt numb. He sensed the places where the purple lightning traveled inside him and his face grew grave.


    Boom~


    The closer he got to the black hole, the purple lightning struck with greater intensity and frequency. Zhuo Fan pushed through the pain and lasted so far, but more and more unrefined lightning power gathered inside him, wreaking havoc. As the damage on his organs intensified, blood started leaking from his mouth!


    Boom!


    Another purple flash signaled a fast approaching lightning, ¡°5th Heaven purple lightning!¡±


    This was one power that could crush even a Radiant Stage expert!


    Zhuo Fan operated the Demon Transformation Art to the max. Black energy covered the egg, waiting for the moment the lightning struck it to refine it.


    But, the lightning scattered the black energy in an instant. Its power flew unencumbered through the egg and into his body.


    Pff!


    Blood and gore spewed out of his mouth, Zhuo Fan having suffered a heavy blow. He was incapable of refining such powerful lightning in time and was taking its toll on him.


    He was now on the brink of collapse. So weak he couldn¡¯t handle another.


    But when it rained, it poured.


    As if that strike was the curtain¡¯s call, another lightning slammed down. Zhuo Fan was now pale, looking at the incoming attack bitterly. His eyes having lost its last thread of hope, ¡°Blast it, another 5th Heaven purple lightning! I¡¯m finished!¡±


    He looked at the shivering Gu Santong, and patted his head, ¡°Who¡¯d ever knew this would happen, that I would ultimately die saving a kid? I mean, I wouldn¡¯t be suffering so much if I haven¡¯t saved you. Is this my fate, all because of greed?¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and sighed, ¡°But I do not regret it. Few are the chances a man gets at life! I have failed this time, but even if it will be the next time, I¡¯d still choose this path. I only hope¡­ there will be a next time!¡±


    Clenching his eyes shut, Zhuo Fan held Gu Santong close, yet he looked quite at peace.


    He was a man of ambition, but even in the face of death, he would welcome it with open arms!


    Pff!


    Suddenly, an azure flame flitted from his forehead, covering the two of them in its glow. It was then when the purple lightning struck.


    The oddest thing happened. When the lightning touched the flame, it was melted down in a flash. One could see with the naked eye how the purple lightning was rendered useless..

 Chapter 240 - Will To Live

    Slowly opening his eyes, Zhuo Fan found he was still in one piece. But the shock of his life was the azure fire surrounding him. Never had he thought his azure flame outstripped even the might of the terrifying purple lightning!


    That mystery expert in the Allbeast Mountain Range once again popped in his mind.


    He never did figure out why was that person entrusting him with the azure flame. But now, he guessed it was to help him get into the Lightning Canyon!


    But for which reason? Was there something in the Lightning Canyon he wanted but couldn¡¯t get it himself?


    Zhuo Fan was filled with doubts but he shook them away.


    This was not the time for flights of fancy. That was for later, including whatever scheme that man may have in play. After all, his life was on the line right now.


    Zhuo Fan swiftly got his bearings, looking for a way out of this thunder shower. But what he saw gave him goosebumps. The purple lightning was endless, and since he didn¡¯t know how long the azure flame lasted, he had to hurry!


    Boom~


    Lightning fell like rain on the azure flame. From the 5th Heaven all the way to the 8th, the flame was unaffected. Only it¡¯s intensity seemed to have dropped a little.


    Zhuo Fan held Gu Santong and flew deeper into the black abyss. But as far as the eye could see there was only purple lightning and nothing else.


    Zhuo Fan was growing restless from the severe problem he was in!


    Boom!


    Suddenly, another lightning smashed into them. Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t keep his body straight and felt numb. The azure flame as well was greatly diminished.


    ¡°9th Heaven purple lightning!¡±


    Zhuo Fan gasped. This was the one that worried him the most, the 9th Heaven purple lightning. Even the mysterious azure flame couldn¡¯t hold for long under such onslaught.


    If the azure flame guard fell through, they were finished!


    Knowing the greatest threat was here, he scoured the place for a way out. Roaming his eyes everywhere for even the slightest loophole in the curtain of lightning.


    But even he, a Demonic Emperor expert in arrays, couldn¡¯t find one thread of hope. It was clear at a glance that a great expert set this up, to prevent any other intruders.


    This was the Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant after all, one of the three strongest emperors in antiquity. How could this puny Demonic Emperor hold a candle to him?


    Slapping his head to get rid of such thoughts, Zhuo Fan was pushed to the edge, his nerves wound tight as he looked for an exit, to no avail. Facing the endless array the Heavenly Emperor placed personally, he felt utterly powerless.


    Boom!


    Another 9th Heaven purple lightning struck, marking the drop in the azure flame¡¯s intensity. He even started feeling the purple lightning¡¯s power on his skin. His azure guard wouldn¡¯t last long like this.


    Zhuo Fan sighed.


    His early thinking was too naive. It was a pipe dream using Thunder Skylark to resist 6th Heaven purple lightning to explore the Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant. Even with the azure guard protecting him from the 9th Heaven purple lightning, he was deep within the abyss but could not find its entrance.


    The great Heavenly Emperor¡¯s array was not something the Demonic Emperor could just break out of!


    Even the most outstanding Nine Serenities Emperor would need days to figure it out. But he didn¡¯t have days, not even hours!


    There was no way a measly Bone Tempering cultivator ever could pull it off!


    Zhuo Fan slapped his head. His previous act of defying Gu Santong was an act of bravery. But now, it slowly started to resemble suicide.


    Because he was now entering Lightning Canyon in advance, instead of later. If he couldn¡¯t break out of it this time, then he could never do it anytime.


    By coming here now he only hastened his death!


    [Ah, azure flame, you came at such a perfect timing all to say ¡®I told you so¡¯, didn¡¯t you? If it weren¡¯t today with Gu Santong, but later alone, it wouldn¡¯t make a difference still, right?]


    Zhuo Fan lamented, ¡°In the end, I was too conceited. Thinking with the Demon Emperor¡¯s legacy I could rule the world and even looked down on the Heavenly Emperor¡¯s array. I am such a lame joke! At least no one knows me for the Demon Emperor that I was, or I¡¯d be the world¡¯s biggest laughingstock¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, downcast, his eyes losing their light, uncaring of the relentless hammering the purple lightning did.


    Suddenly, a flash of red came from deep within the black abyss.


    Zhuo Fan turned his head to see it and found it very small but it had no purple lightning around it!


    His eyes lit up and Zhuo Fan shouted, ¡°Right, brother Jiu said that he was suddenly swept by this purple thunderstorm and entered by chance. That means Heavenly Emperor¡¯s array isn¡¯t perfect. And this loophole wasn¡¯t left intentionally by the creator but by someone who actually broke a hole into it!¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at the red glow with more attention, filling him with joy.


    Correct, that red light was a loophole and following it would take them in. But if they followed it in, they¡¯d enter the remnant!


    [He-he-he, am I supposed to just flee now that I reached thus far? Of course I¡¯ll go in and make a thorough investigation inside! Who knows when such a god sent chance will be presented to me ? Whether or not I¡¯ll find the loophole again in this huge array is the real question!]


    Zhuo Fan lost his dispirited gaze and turned ecstatic, ¡°What¡¯s so great about Heavenly Emperor? Wasn¡¯t it already broken into by someone? Ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    If only Heavenly Emperor could hear him now, he¡¯d be going blue from anger and spitting back in reply.


    [You damn rotten shameless punk! Why are you getting so smug? You didn¡¯t make the hole, did you?]


    Speaking of the hole¡¯s size, it was far too small to enter.


    Worse yet, the hole even had purple lightning all around it that he didn¡¯t dare touch!


    To enter, he had to enlarge it from afar, and then go in through the red light. This way, the purple lightning would stop bothering him.


    The crux of it all was, how can he proceed? He didn¡¯t think punching and kicking would just up and open a Heavenly Emperor¡¯s array. That¡¯d be ridiculous!


    [Then again¡­], Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes landed on the curled up Gu Santong.


    [Kid, time to pay up!]


    Laughing inside, Zhuo Fan started rattling the kid, ¡°Gu Santong, we are in grave danger, with only one chance at survival. See that red light? That is the exit. Punch it, make it big enough for us to go through!¡±


    ¡°No no no, I¡¯m scared of that lightning!¡± Gu Santong held his ears and jerked his head.


    Zhuo Fan barked, ¡°I¡¯m scared too, but are you more scared of them or death? And even if we are to die, let¡¯s all go out with a bang and no regrets!¡±


    Gu Santong was startled but still shivered.


    Zhuo Fan smiled and tousled his hair, his tone softer, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll hold you close. Even if we die, I¡¯ll go first! I won¡¯t ever let go of you, so you don¡¯t either. When life hangs in the balance we must hold nothing back!¡±


    [Particularly about letting me go, alright? If not for your sake, punch for me. Please?]


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t voice his thought, but he made a great impression on Gu Santong!


    Gu Santong regarded him deeply, his heart warm and fuzzy. His frightened body no longer trembled and looked at the red light and nodded.


    Then, with a shout, he lifted his childish fist and punched!


    Hum~


    A strange ripple came from Gu Santong¡¯s fist, as if a large dragon shot forth. It was so excessive that even the purple lightning was warped in its wake as it shook the very fabric of space.


    Boom!


    The red light grew and turned into a man-sized hole, sending out a red pillar of light this time.


    Where it shined, no purple lightning dared go near it!


    Zhuo Fan was ecstatic and rubbed the kid¡¯s head, ¡°You were brilliant, kid!¡±


    Gu Santong grinned like an innocent child!


    But then, a purple lightning slammed into Zhuo Fan. The azure flame shuddered and up and vanished.


    The remaining lightning power snaked its way into Zhuo Fan and forced him to spat flickering blood. His face paled.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Gu Santong cried.


    Suddenly hugging the kid, Zhuo Fan showed a weak smile, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I told you, I¡¯ll be holding on to you as long as I have a breath in my body. There¡¯s nothing scary about this purple lightning!¡±


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and flew towards the red light. But when he entered the cover of the light, he blacked out. All while his arms still held Gu Santong close.


    The two floated like that among the red light, with only Gu Santong aware, moved seeing Zhuo Fan¡¯s pale face¡­


    Outside of the purple storm, not long after Lightning Canyon came, it vanished again.


    It left behind absolutely nothing. Gu Santong¡¯s two fists at least left dust, but the Lightning Canyon annihilated everything.


    It reshaped the land in its wake, leaving behind a place where not even dust remained. And where the purple lightning struck the earth, it left boiling lava!


    Li Jingtian and the four demons sent a soul ripple to search the area but found no trace of Zhuo Fan and Gu Santong!


    ¡°Steward Zhuo and that devil had to be destroyed body and soul!¡± Sly Demon sighed.


    ¡°Waaah, Steward Zhuo is so pitiful! Why did he have to die with that devil?¡± Wimp Demon sniffed, ¡°Steward Zhuo was so good to us, not abandoning when it mattered most!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, unlike our Sect Leader, who would use us as pastries in a heartbeat!¡± Violent Demon sighed in sorrow as well. But soon he grinned and laughed, ¡°Well, look on the bright side. Aren¡¯t we free again? Ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    The three demons froze then jumped in joy, ¡°Yeah, yeah¡­¡±


    Li Jingtian¡¯s face was glum, his brow twitching as he barked, ¡°Who told you that lie? Now that you¡¯re in the employment of the Luo clan, you won¡¯t get out so easily!¡±


    ¡°Humph, think you can scare us? Who do you think you are, Steward Zhuo?¡± Violent Demon mocked.


    Snorting, Li Jingtian¡¯s fingers moved, ¡°You think only Steward Zhuo can control the Bloodworms? Think about it, why would Steward Zhuo leave you in my care if not for teaching me how to control you?¡±


    Shuddering, the demons watched him vigilant.


    ¡°Humph, you don¡¯t believe me? Want a taste to refresh your memories?¡±


    ¡°Uh, no no no, we believe you!¡± Just as Li Jingtian was about to do it, the demons begged. Then they bowed with lamenting faces, ¡°Elder Li, we will listen to you!¡±


    Nodding smugly, Li Jingtian glared ,¡±That¡¯s better. Now let¡¯s get back to Windgaze City and guard the Luo clan. I still have to ask Young Miss to confer you the rank of elders. Or if you stay in my care I¡¯ll put you on latrine duty!¡±


    ¡°Uh, we will be elders!¡± The four shouted in panic as they flew to Windgaze City.


    Seeing them go, Li Jingtian sighed at the empty space behind, ¡°Steward Zhuo, staying with you for so long, I¡¯ve picked up a few tricks. Don¡¯t worry, no matter where you are, I believe you¡¯re still alive. I¡¯ll look after these clowns and await your return! ¡°


    Li Jingtian then followed after the demons, leaving behind the desolate place¡­

 Chapter 241 - I’ll Be Your Father!

    Boom~


    The crackling of lightning never stopped jarring his ears, rousing the weakened and pale Zhuo Fan.


    Above, all he saw was a dome of blackness, with only a hazy red light shining down on the earth around him.


    Earlier, they jumped inside that hole in the sky after following the curtain of red light, the same one that kept changing positions! Looking further, one could see above the red curtain, the purple lightning raining havoc like dragons all around and towards it.


    But once the lightning touched the red light, it bounced back.


    The red light was a haven, freeing this patch of earth from the lightning¡¯s deadly assault!


    ¡°Is this¡­ Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant?¡± With a faint smile, Zhuo Fan was heavily wounded but that didn¡¯t stop the joy he felt. He was finally here.


    Looking around, all he saw was yellow rocky outcrops everywhere.


    It didn¡¯t look like much, but he wasn¡¯t disappointed in the least. It was the person that made a mountain known, not the hunk of rock itself! Even if the Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant was a wasteland, it still hid treasures!


    Zhuo Fan crawled to his feet, eager to begin searching. He tried getting up but then found something heavy on him.


    Gu Santong was holding on for his dear life, his small face in tranquil sleep.


    Gu Santong was stirred awake and wiped the drool for his face. He opened his hazy eyes and gave an innocent smile, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re awake!¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled a nod.


    But then, another lightning roared nearby and Gu Santong was frightened into burying his head in Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest, his hands holding onto Zhuo Fan for his dear life!


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, never imagining Invincible Scamp would be such a shy kid.[It is understandable if we were outside, but why are you acting all scared here when you know the lightning can¡¯t touch you?]


    ¡°Uh, Gu Santong, we¡¯re safe here. You should let go and let me look around!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t wanna!¡± Gu Santong shook his head, holding him tighter, ¡°I¡¯m scared of purple lightning. Holding you feels safe!¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled dejectedly and shook his head, ¡°Oh please, you¡¯re much stronger than me, so how can you feel safe next to me? It¡¯d make more sense if I was the one holding onto you!¡±


    Gu Santong grumbled and lifted his head, ¡°You kinda remind me of dad, and felt safe holding on to you¡­¡±


    ¡°Dad?¡± Zhuo Fan started, ¡°You have a dad?¡±


    Gu Santong rolled his eyes and Zhuo Fan¡¯s face twitched, [What the hell am I saying? Who doesn¡¯t? It¡¯s not like this kid came out of a rock or something, right?]


    He hurriedly brushed it off with a chuckle, ¡°Uh, that¡¯s not it. I was just surprised. With how strong you are, your dad must be amazing!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve never seen my father for as long as I can remember!¡± Gu Santong said downcast.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow in thought.


    Knowing what he was thinking, Gu Santong added, ¡°The dad I¡¯m talking about is godfather. He is surnamed Gu and had two sons. When I was chased around because of the Demon Purging Decree, it was he who saved and nursed me!¡±


    ¡°Did he give you your name?¡± Zhuo Fan asked.


    Gu Santong nodded and showed a bittersweet smile, ¡°The Gu clan was a clan of scholars, with every generation working as officials. They weren¡¯t very high ranked, neither held important positions, but they had a happy life. After he saved me, he took me as his third son and taught me to read and write. He wished for me to be a sensible man, so he named me Santong.¡±


    (StarReader: san=three tong=communication)


    ¡°Uh, I see. He picked up a precious treasure! With you watching over them, their success was guaranteed. They must¡¯ve been instantly promoted and their clan became a first rate one, right?¡± Zhuo Fan chuckled.


    But Gu Santong sighed in sadness, ¡°No, I harmed them instead. If it weren¡¯t for me, their whole clan wouldn¡¯t have died!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was startled and soon could guess what happened.


    This child was hunted down with the Demon Purging Decree, and even a mere greeting would earn that person death. Reading all those books must¡¯ve gotten to that clan¡¯s head to have welcomed their calamity into their house.


    ¡°Uh, don¡¯t feel bad. That is also fate!¡± Zhuo Fan patted his head, ¡°Is this why you turned into the empire¡¯s enemy?¡±


    Gu Santong nodded, his eyes taking a hint of savagery from the bitterness in his heart, but then sighed at the end, ¡°In the end I was too careless, agreeing to that old fart¡¯s promise. Now I am powerless to fight the seven houses.¡±


    ¡°You could¡¯ve just broke your promise. A child¡¯s words do not hold weight. No one would blame you!¡± Zhuo Fan ruffled his hair, like a devil on his shoulder, pushing him towards malice and destruction.


    But Gu Santong shook his head vehemently, ¡°Dad taught me the value of reading, taught me honor. I won¡¯t disgrace his teaching just because he died!¡±


    ¡°Good child!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, but inwardly sighed, [Such an ambitious sapling got ruined in an instant. Ah, but all bookworms are suckers¡­]


    [But, that¡¯s fine as well. How else could I¡¯ve had such leeway if this kid was immoral?]


    Zhuo Fan felt like extending that Gu scholar a gesture of gratitude. [Thanks for having misled this mighty kid onto the path of a bookworm and off my kill list!]


    Zhuo Fan rejoiced and showed a sneaky grin, ¡°You must always listen to your godfather. He was right!¡±


    Gu Santong nodded, falling for Zhuo Fan¡¯s ploy like a baby.


    ¡°By the way, what did you mean when you said I reminded you of your dad?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes beamed.


    Gu Santong blushed, turning meek as he mumbled, ¡°When you held me as we charged in here and protected me from lightning, remind me of the time when dad protected me and told me to escape¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see!¡±


    Zhuo Fan exclaimed, [The kid took my act as fatherly love.] The difference here though was while that Gu guy loved kids, Zhuo Fan loved himself.


    His ¡®selfless¡¯ act in protecting Gu Santong was all so he could have him under him, that his death would be such a pity. If the scenario was instead a one guaranteed survivor, Zhuo Fan wouldn¡¯t hesitate to throw the kid to the wolves.


    Who knew this act would lead to a huge misunderstanding instead?


    So Zhuo Fan showed a queer smile, ¡°Uh, Santong, how about I¡¯ll be your dad?¡±


    This rotten and shameless punk even had the balls to call the kid by his name to get closer.


    Gu Santong seemed opposed to the idea, feeling quite awkward as well, ¡°Why would I do that? I¡¯m three hundred years old. And how old are you? That¡¯s too queer¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s so queer about it? You may have three centuries over me, but you¡¯re a child at heart and need looking after!¡± Zhuo Fan shouted his righteousness, his tone growing soft, ¡°And we are also here by fate. I was fond of you the moment I saw you!¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Gu Santong was expectant.


    Zhuo Fan nodded. [Damn right I am. Particularly of your insane power. I like that the best! So hurry up and work under me like a good little soldier!]


    Gu Santong rubbed his chin and lifted his head, ¡°What¡¯s in it for me?¡±


    [Why you little prick!]


    Zhuo Fan cursed inside, but he soon accepted the fact, since all kids were pricks, ¡°I can protect you!¡±


    ¡°Do I even need your protection?¡±


    ¡°What was that just now then if not protection?¡± Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Also, you may be unreasonably strong, but far too gullible and easy to dupe. Just think, if you hadn¡¯t readily believed that guy¡¯s lie ending up protecting the imperial family for a millenia, wouldn¡¯t you be exacting revenge on the seven houses by now?¡±


    ¡°Accept me as your godfather and I will safeguard you, as well as show the world who they really are! Bloody bastards, dare to cheat my son? You must be tired of living!¡±


    Zhuo Fan sputtered, talking big words that made Gu Santong laugh, but still couldn¡¯t stop from making the kid feel warm inside, ¡°We, father and son, are the strongest and smartest combination! Did you see that old guy and the four little shits listening to every word I say? They are all stronger than me but aren¡¯t they still hanging on my every word? That is wisdom. The wise controls and so do the powerful¡­¡±


    Gu Santong bobbed his head.


    Zhuo Fan finished off with his biggest sales pitch, ¡°Join me and with my power, no one will pick on you. Above all, you will never have to eat that garbage ingredients again. If I can find an 8th grade, I won¡¯t ever give you a 7th grade!¡±


    Zhuo Fan then showed him 20 7th grade ingredients, ¡°As a token of my sincerity, these are all the 7th grade ingredients from my ring. I also admit all those other ingredients I¡¯ve given you were already in my storage ring. Only the 8th grade ingredient had to be found. I truly had to enter the lightning array and suffer untold hardships for it!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s speech was impeccable, mixing truth and lies flawlessly and hiding his greatest offense in order to gain trust. He knew Gu Santong cared most about other¡¯s intent to hurt him. It was a shadow left in his heart a long time ago. Zhuo Fan must never ever admit to having set the lightning array himself, ever.


    ¡°I know!¡±


    Gu Santong took the ingredient, [He¡¯s hooked!] as he drooled, ¡°I still had my doubts about you trying to harm me, but now I trust you. Since you are forthcoming with the ingredients from your ring, I¡¯m sure there is nothing else hidden.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded and sighed inside. [How can I feel at ease leaving this gullible child all alone in the world? Most of all, letting others use him would be poor judgment from my part. That¡¯ll cause me endless trouble! He¡¯s far more fitting in the care of my adequate and fatherly hands, he-he-he¡­. ]


    ¡°As for you hiding ingredients, I knew it already!¡±


    ¡°You did?¡± Zhuo Fan was shocked. If the kid did know and with his temper, he¡¯d have stolen them by now from Zhuo Fan. But why didn¡¯t he?


    Gu Santong smiled, ¡°To be honest, eating ingredients isn¡¯t important. It¡¯s the wait for them that I find most appealing. Godfather usually went out for weeks even a month sometimes to find me ingredients to eat. He always returned with 1st or 2nd grade ones but the image of him appearing filled with hope at sunset gave me peace¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see. Then give them back and I will return one every one or two weeks!¡± Zhuo Fan licked his lips, still hoping to not waste them like this.


    But Gu Santong held them close, and turned around, ¡°How can you ask back something you¡¯ve already given? What kinda dad are you?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shined and laughed, ¡°Does that mean you will take me as a godfather?¡±


    Gu Santong meekly nodded.


    Zhuo Fan burst out laughing at the heavens!


    [Ha-ha-ha, with this monstrous son, what seven houses, what Regent Estate would ever dare mess with me¡­]

 Chapter 242 - Ancient Sacred Beast, Soaring Qilin

    Pff!


    In the middle of laughing, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes bulged, he shivered and, under a purple lightning¡¯s effect,spat blood.


    When the blood hit the ground, it exploded and left a black mark.


    Gu Santong cried, ¡°Godfather, are you alright?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. This purple lightning is just too powerful!¡± Zhuo Fan wiped the blood, and panted with a grave look in his eyes.


    The purple lightning exceeded his calculations. The part that he failed to refine with Demon Transformation Art roamed around his body just now and caused disaster in its wake.


    But he had no way to stop it either. This was akin to slow acting poison. He knew it ravaged his body, and would one day rob his life, but couldn¡¯t do anything about it!


    Looking further, at the rocks and yellow sand, Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and stood up, his face hard, ¡°Santong, help me search for anything suspicious!¡±


    He knew the purple lightning was one of Heavenly Emperor¡¯s abilities and the emperor must have had to have a way to dispel it. He had no choice but to scour Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant and find that cure.


    Gu Santong nodded genially and helped Zhuo Fan up, ¡°Uh, godfather, you can just call me young Sanzi. That¡¯s how my old dad used to call me. Anyone who was friendly with me called me that!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, smiling weakly, ¡°Alright, young Sanzi. Go scout ahead!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    Gu Santong cupped his hands, and skipped away. Having recognized Zhuo Fan as godfather, and finding someone close to him, did wonders for his ego, even ignoring the ceaseless rumbling above.


    Since Zhuo Fan was right behind him, he had nothing to fear!


    The duo had been wandering this endless stretch of yellow sand for over six hours but still couldn¡¯t reach the end. Zhuo Fan ceased his walk and frowned.


    Gu Santong stopped as well and looked back, ¡°What is it, godfather?¡±


    ¡°Young Sanzi, don¡¯t you feel we¡¯ve been going in circles?¡± Zhuo Fan looked around and his doubts grew, ¡°Damn, it¡¯s a bewildering array!¡±


    Gu Santong¡¯s eyes widened and rushed to him. ¡°What, a bewildering array?¡±


    ¡°How could I¡¯ve been fooled by it¡­¡± Gu Santong pouted. Basing his confidence on his previous shallow experience, he had nothing to fear and smiled, ¡°No worry, godfather. See how I punch through it!¡±


    Gu Santong lifted his small fist and struck!


    Hum~


    But the usual sight of seeing a ripple level a hundred miles of land didn¡¯t appear. The ground just shook a bit then quietened.


    Gu Santong was dispirited, ¡°This can¡¯t be!¡±


    This never happened before, not once.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, having already guessed it.


    This was not your average array, but one set up by Heavenly Emperor, one of the three strongest emperors of ancient times. If a little monster could simply force his way through, then the Heavenly Emperor would¡¯ve been an empty title.


    [If he could break this array so easily, what would then be the point of finding some Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant when I could straight up take this little monster as master instead!?]


    ¡°Young Sanzi, save your energy. Come here!¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head seeing him punch everywhere, ¡°Young Sanzi, I want you to be honest with me. You¡¯ve never been here before?¡±


    Gu Santong shook his head puzzled.


    Zhuo Fan frowned, ¡°Then why are you afraid of purple lightning? Did you see it before?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t!¡± Gu Santong paused then shook his head in the end, ¡°How strange, this is the first time I¡¯m seeing it yet I felt instinctual fear towards it. At it¡¯s thunderclaps, I can¡¯t help but shiver. It¡¯s not like the common lightning, which I hate but am not scared!¡±


    This was odd. According to Zhuo Fan, the kid had to have a connection with Lightning Canyon, but now¡­


    Scratching his nose, Zhuo Fan mulled it over, ¡°Can¡¯t be. No one has instinctual fear against anyone, not to such extent at least. Was it perhaps¡­ ancestral memories?¡±


    Zhuo Fan asked, ¡°Young Sanzi, who is your master to have trained you so powerful?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a master!¡±


    ¡°Then how did you reach the Profound Heaven Stage three centuries ago?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Now that he stopped to think about it, Gu Santong said puzzled, ¡°I don¡¯t know. For as long as I can remember, I¡¯ve been in the Profound Heaven Stage. I had no one to call a friend, looking for ingredients alone!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was shocked as a radical conclusion crawled into his mind.


    [What if¡­ this kid isn¡¯t human?]


    Zhuo Fan licked his dry lips, he himself was scared by that thought.


    The average human became stronger through diligent cultivation and understanding of the Heavenly Dao. But there were some creatures that were naturally strong, like the spiritual beasts. And those that assumed human form, were a cut above mere spiritual beasts¡­


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t dare to finish that thought. If it was true, then wasn¡¯t the Mortal Domain, the place unanimously despised by all experts from the Sacred Domain, a place to be reckoned with?


    Recalling the mysterious expert in the Allbeast Mountain Range only worked to strengthen his hypothesis!


    ¡°Godfather,¡± Gu Santong turned his bright eyes to him, ¡°I¡¯ll use my nose. In the illusory array before, I could see through anything fake with my nose. Nothing can lie my sense of smell. I¡¯ll find us a way out in no time!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head in dismay.


    [It worked outside because there were all kinds of scents coming from outside of the array! But here, beyond all this sand, there¡¯s only more sand.]


    [If this array had such a weakness, Heavenly Emperor would¡¯ve been taken for a fool, locked up and had his cell key thrown away!]


    Before he could say anything, Gu Santong wiggled his nose and said, ¡°I found something, godfather! I smell something familiar!¡±


    What?!


    Zhuo Fan was bug eyed, letting himself be pulled by the child.


    After just a few steps, they stopped. He scrunched his nose again and pointed, ¡°There¡¯s our exit!¡±


    Zhuo Fan found a three inch jutting rock. A kick could send it flying easy. [Is this the core of the illusory array?]


    Before he could make sense of it all, Gu Santong jumped over and picked it up. Then collapsed on the side!


    Whoosh~


    The surroundings suddenly changed. They were walking downward when the change in scenery came and it was hard to react quickly!


    This place was but half a mile wide, with a black still sky, but the soil was no longer sand. Instead it was red earth.


    Zhuo Fan could easily take in the scent of blood. Looking back, he realized they¡¯d been walking in circles not a hundred meters from the edge.


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan rejoiced, [Thank god I have Gu Santong with me, or I¡¯d be caught dead wandering the illusory array alone!]


    Then, some sobbing entered his ears.


    Zhuo Fan looked to Gu Santong leaning on a red pillar and shedding tears. He struck an incredibly sorry figure, with his tear-streaked face.


    ¡°Uh, young Sanzi, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    Shaking his head, Gu Santong was trying to hold in his crying, ¡°I don¡¯t know either. I only picked up its scent and all of a sudden, my heart couldn¡¯t bear the sorrow!¡±


    Startled, Zhuo Fan eyed the red pillar closely.


    That look alone made him jump in fright.


    It was hundreds of meters tall, jutting out of the ground like a mountain. It even passed the black sky! The purple lightning not once stopped striking it, making out a scorched sound yet couldn¡¯t make a single dent on it.


    Zhuo Fan clicked his tongue. [What is this thing? How can it withstand so many purple lightning strikes without so much as a scratch?] The shocker was the stage of the lightning, 12th Heaven!


    The fact this pillar was standing strong even in the face of this, it was bound to be special.


    Zhuo Fan inwardly smiled, [So the Heavenly Emperor is a fool in the end! Letting such a huge pillar with such an obvious scent, of course someone will find it¡­ Wait!]


    Zhuo Fan caught onto something and sized the pillar in greater detail all while his breathing grew ragged.


    [This scent, the spiritual energy is mixed with something wild. It must be from a spiritual beast, no, a sacred beast!]


    Zhuo Fan gasped as a chill crawled up his spine.


    [You¡¯re telling me this pillar isn¡¯t made of metal but from a sacred beast!]


    Zhuo Fan started combing through the Nine Serenities Secret Records in his mind.


    ¡°During the ancient times, five sacred beasts ruled the skies, undefeated. Not even peak Emperor Stage experts could fight them. Their only match were the three strongest emperors. The beasts were¡­¡±


    ¡°And one of the five ancient sacred beasts is the Soaring Qilin!¡± Zhuo Fan cried out in shock.


    None of the ten famous emperors of antiquity ever expected Soaring Qilin would end up here. And by the looks of it, it was clearly dead, with only the Soaring Qilin¡¯s leg still firmly planted in this place!


    Its killer was no secret either, the owner of the 12th Heaven Purple Lightning Gold Eye, Heavenly Emperor!


    [Could this perhaps not be the Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant, but his slaughterhouse instead¡­]

 Chapter 243 - Heavenly Emperor’s Ultimate Art, Divine Void Eye

    Bang~


    The shaking earth pulled Zhuo out of his train of thoughts. He turned to see Gu Santong crying hot tears as he gave his all in shaking the pillar.


    With the shaking of the pillar, so too did the whole space. The bolts of purple lightning hammered the red curtain, wishing to punch through and turn all of this place into smoldering ashes.


    Zhuo Fan cried out, ¡°Young Sanzi, what are you doing? The red curtain of light that keeps us alive comes from this Soaring Qilin leg. If it falls, we¡¯ll die with it!¡±


    ¡°But¡­ I can¡¯t stand it seeing it struck by the purple lightning. I just can¡¯t take the sorrow¡­¡± Gu Santong sniffed.


    Startled, Zhuo Fan turned to the Qilin¡¯s leg in thought.


    [They say blood is thicker than water.] And Gu Santong¡¯s every action proved to him that the kid wasn¡¯t ordinary. At this point in time, the kid was resonating with the Soaring Qilin leg and started crying.


    [Is he perhaps related to one of the five ancient sacred beasts, the Soaring Qilin?]


    Zhuo Fan sighed and ruffled the kid¡¯s hair, ¡°If you do not wish for it to cry from Heaven, stop.¡±


    Gu Santong didn¡¯t understand.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°It is nothing if I die, but if you die, the pillar would also feel sad. No one wants to see his descendants die in vain!¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­ he is my kin?¡± Gu Santong widened his teary eyes in shock.


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan continued, ¡°You feel unbearable sadness the moment you saw the Qilin leg being struck down by lightning. Don¡¯t you think the owner of this leg would feel even sadder it¡¯s leg couldn¡¯t protect you from the purple lightning? ¡°


    Gu Santong looked at him deeply and no longer attacked the pillar.


    Pff!


    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan spat blood that scorched the ground again. Gu Santong cried in panic.


    Zhuo Fan waved his hand bitterly, ¡°The purple lightning keeps ruining my body. I hoped to find the art to dispel it in Heavenly Emperor¡¯s remnant, but¡­ ¡°


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°It looks like I survived the entrance only to die inside!¡±


    ¡°Godfather, you¡¯ll be fine, We just became kin!¡± Gu Santong was anxious.


    He finally found someone who cared for him, only to see him die. Gu Santong was so heartbroken, tears began to fall again.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head in dismay. He was an evil man who rarely did anything good, yet even so, someone was crying on his deathbed. He felt gratified.


    The irony here couldn¡¯t be more obvious. This godson of his who was crying was gained through tricks and ill intentions.


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan sighed and put his storage ring on Gu Santong¡¯s finger, just like a legacy, ¡°This ring has many ingredients. Take it! I hope you will grow up fast. With the natural power in your blood, you will one day get out of here!¡±


    ¡°Godfather¡­¡± Gu Santong¡¯s tears glimmered, touched to the core.


    Zhuo Fan wiped his tears away and took out the Thunder Skylark¡¯s egg, ¡°After my death, you will be lonely. Take this bird to help you brave the times¡­ ¡°


    He didn¡¯t finish as chirping was heard.


    Zhuo Fan was startled, ¡°Are you kiddin¡¯ me? It¡¯s hatching now? How¡­¡±


    Shriek~


    With a loud crack the egg burst and revealed the head of a small chick, with lightning streaking it.


    It looked different from any common Thunder Skylark, it was purple. And the shocking thing was that the flickering lightning was purple as well!


    Gu Santong cowered to the side at its sight, while Zhuo Fan stood agape, ¡°Un-frreaking-believable! It can use the 1st Heaven purple lightning at birth! This Thunder Skylark is a variant¡­ ¡°


    Eek~


    The chick blinked its beady eyes at Zhuo Fan, taking him for its mother. It cried out in joy and flapped its wings as it leaped at him.


    It couldn¡¯t fly yet, having just been born, staggering its frail body over and rubbing its head on him.


    Zhuo Fan was out of it looking at the blinking chick. Then he cursed, ¡°You little poultry, you got the most out of this trip to Lightning Canyon! A normal Thunder Skylark can only reach the 6th level with common lightning. But you little cheeky thing got born with purple lightning. I am looking forward to seeing how high you can reach!¡±


    ¡°Godfather, grab it! Don¡¯t let it come near me!¡± Gu Santong was hiding behind the Qilin leg and shouting in fear.


    Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°Young Sanzi, what are you afraid of? Its purple lightning is only in the 1st Heaven. It can¡¯t hurt even me, let alone you! Once I¡¯m gone, you will only have each other to pass the long lonely days here! Don¡¯t be afraid, alright?


    ¡°Come here. Since I¡¯ve cared for this cheeky thing so much, it can be called my son as well. As the big brother, you should come and greet your little brother!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was being childish. He knew Gu Santong was scared of purple lightning, yet he was now teasing him by making this chick his kin.


    Gu Santong shook while trembling.


    Zhuo Fan laughed, [Ah, I¡¯m not long for this world anyway. Teasing Tianyu¡¯s strongest, the Invincible Scamp, is such a joy.]


    So he put the chick down and pointed it to Gu Santong.


    The chick, gladly accepted his mother¡¯s instruction and wobbled with a chirp to Gu Santong. Like a little bro wanting to play with his big bro. But the crackling purple lightning all over its body drove fear straight into Gu Santong.


    ¡°Beat it, shoo, don¡¯t come any closer!¡±


    Gu Santong threw rocks around the pillar at it. But the chick¡¯s gait was as wobbly as it was springy, dodging as it approached.


    In fact, it thought big bro was playing with it and was skipping over in excitement.


    Gu Santong¡¯s pitiful face was on the verge of tears. It kept throwing rocks at it but always missed. Zhuo Fan laughed from the sidelines. Like a grandpa amused by his grandson¡¯s antics!


    Perhaps from being pushed into a corner seeing the rocks were of no help, Gu Santong looked around and noticed something white sticking out.


    Gu Santong went for it but was shocked to find he couldn¡¯t lift it.


    This was stranger than fiction. With his power, he couldn¡¯t lift a small rock? So he stabbed his hand into the dirt and strained into pulling this odd rock.


    But what came out of the ground was a rock the size of a man, looking funny in the hand of a child like Gu Santong. What¡¯s more, the kid found it heavy even for his strength.


    Zhuo Fan cried out in shock but Gu Santong was in the throes of fear as the chick got ever closer. So he threw it.


    The chick cried out and flapped its wings. Fear was a powerful motivator and actually made it learn how to fly on the spot!


    The large rock shook the earth and left a meter wide hole around it. The chick landed in fright on it, and this time looked at Gu Santong with palpitation.


    [Big bro wasn¡¯t playing around with me, he truly hates me!]


    Zhuo Fan shook his head at Gu Santong¡¯s fuming appearance. He was about to scold him when his eyes snapped to the large rock.


    He inspected it in detail.


    The large rock looked like a huge egg, smooth and shiny enough to see one¡¯s reflection. But on a closer look one could see light spilling from within, and could even make out the shape of a human.


    ¡°Imparting Stone!¡±


    Zhuo Fan cried out in excitement, ¡°This is an amazing treasure!¡±


    The Imparting Stone was exceedingly rare in the Sacred Domain. It is used by Masters to pass down secret arts to their disciples or family members.


    Usually, the Imparting Stone would be passed down from the previous clan leader to the next one. The new leader would smash the stone and thus gain the inheritance.


    The inheriting process also destroys the Imparting Stone. When the leader reaches the end of his life, he would leave all his knowledge into another Imparting Stone for the next leader.


    This way, the legacy of a clan would live on!


    But never did he think this isolated world would house such a treasure.


    [Who¡¯s memories did this Imparting Stone contain?] Was it the Qilin¡¯s or Heavenly Emperor¡¯s? If they were Heavenly Emperor¡¯s, he¡¯d struck gold. It may even contain the way of removing the purple lightning from his body!


    Zhuo Fan was eager to try it, ¡°Young Sanzi, break that rock!¡±


    Gu Santong thought Zhuo Fan was scolding in a roundabout way, ¡°If you¡¯re going to scold me, do it to my face! I know I shouldn¡¯t use such a large rock on a chick. Since you took it as your son, he is my little brother, so I wouldn¡¯t cross the line. But don¡¯t use the rock as an excuse!¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°I am content knowing you own up to your mistakes, but I¡¯m not scolding you here. I only want you to help me break that rock so that I may live!¡±


    Gu Santong¡¯s eyes shined and was in glee knowing he could save Zhuo Fan!


    So with a boom, the Imparting Stone was blown to pieces by Gu Santong¡¯s mighty fist. A multicolored mist drifted out of it!


    Within it, a human shape appeared, around 20 years old but with a dignified expression. Purple flickered on his left eye while his right eye was as deep as the abyss.


    Looking any longer, one would feel sucked in.


    ¡°The leader of the ten ancient emperors, the Heavenly Emperor!¡± Zhuo Fan gasped.


    The person was tranquil, his gaze looked ahead but it gave the impression it overlooked all of creation, ¡°Junior, as you were fortunate enough to open my Imparting Stone, you must be kin. I shall impart to you my ultimate magical art, Divine Eye of the Void. Pay close attention¡­¡±


    ¡°What, the Divine Eye of the Void? I struck the motherlode, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Zhuo Fan shuddered from joy and couldn¡¯t hold back the laughter¡­

 Chapter 244 - First Stage Of Divine Eye Of The Void

    When people spoke of Heavenly Emperor, one of the three strongest ancient emperors, they always mentioned his greatest abilities, the Purple Lightning Gold Eye on his left, and the Divine Eye of the Void on his right! The Divine Eye of the Void was also the first magical ability he comprehended when he entered the Emperor Stage. It held such unbelievable power that not even Purple Lightning Gold Eye could come close.


    Zhuo Fan was stoked. For fear his two brats would interfere, he even gave them a sign to keep quiet, yet his eyes and ears never missed anything the image revealed.


    This was a once in a lifetime chance. Missing a single word would leave him with endless regrets!


    ¡°The Divine Eye of the Void is a supreme ocular magical art. Place your attention on the word void. It is another word for emptiness. Only in emptiness can one have space. And to be one with the emptiness is a virtue. Afterall, all space is emptiness and not emptiness at the same time.¡±


    Heavenly Emperor¡¯s image stood tall as he imparted the art. Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t even blink, afraid of losing even a minute gesture.


    Gu Santong and the chick could feel how important this was to Zhuo Fan and stood quietly at the side.


    For three days and three nights, Zhuo Fan hadn¡¯t moved, hadn¡¯t spoken, hadn¡¯t even blinked for how engrossed he was.


    The Heavenly Emperor ended with, ¡°I have imparted you with the 12 stages of Divine Eye of the Void! You now hold inside you the power to make our clan supreme, all you need to do is will it. Regarding my second magical art, Purple Lightning Gold Eye, it was born out of this Divine Eye of the Void. If your talent is not lacking, it will come to you with time without having the need to train it. If you lack in any way, seek out the other Imparting Stone of mine to help you train it. But if you wish to follow in my footsteps and reach my power, stop here! Take what I¡¯ve given you and use your own abilities to attain comprehension of it¡­¡±


    The mist dissipated and the Heavenly Emperor¡¯s figure faded away, leaving behind the pieces of the Imparting Stone. These pieces had now turned to useless hunks of rocks!


    Zhuo Fan frowned.


    Gu Santong asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, godfather?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, just that the last phrase was odd. As if he didn¡¯t want his descendant to train in the Purple Lightning Gold Eye!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes squinted.


    Gu Santong laughed at the sky and mocked, ¡°What does it matter what he wanted? It all comes down to your decision to train or not.¡±


    ¡°Of course I want to. That¡¯s one of his masterpieces!¡± Zhuo Fan widened his eyes.


    ¡°Then what are we waiting for? I¡¯ll help you search for it!¡± Gu Santong jumped right into scrounge through the rocks on the ground, looking for another Imparting Stone.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head in the end.


    The Heavenly Emperor didn¡¯t want for his descendant to train the Purple Lightning Gold Eye, but deduce it by himself instead of blindingly following the teachings of others. And yet, he was still afraid his descendant was unable to achieve it so he left the training method for the Purple Lightning Gold Eye behind.


    Zhuo Fan, however, was not Heavenly Emperor¡¯s descendant, so there was no point in abiding by Heavenly Emperor¡¯s teachings!


    [Who cares? Waste not want not. It¡¯s here anyway so I might as well use it.] But what struck him as odd, was that the image clearly intended to leave it all for his descendant. So how on earth did it end up being taken advantage of by this down on his luck, rebirthed Demonic Emperor who stumbled his way inside?


    Looking at the jutting Qilin leg, Zhuo Fan was in deep thought.


    [He-he-he, who the hell cares? Since it fell in my lap, if I don¡¯t take it, who will?]


    Zhuo Fan grinned, and scoured the place with Gu Santong. The chick was skipping around at the side, chirping oddly.


    [What is daddy and bro doing? Looking for worms to eat?]


    The chick hopped into the fun!


    An hour later, most of the place was turned upside down but no sign of anything that remotely resembled another Imparting Stone. Zhuo Fan was curious, [Does this place have only the Divine Eye of the Void Imparting Stone?]


    Then he facepalmed and cursed, [I¡¯m such a fool!]


    How could he forget about Long Jiu?


    Long Jiu said he¡¯d been sucked into the purple lightning storm, and punched everywhere. In sheer coincidence he entered through the gap in the array and smashed the Purple Lightning Gold Eye¡¯s Imparting Stone by chance.


    So when he was listening to that strange voice he¡¯d been training Purple Lightning Gold Eye without even realizing. But in his frantic state, he forgot the training method to the art, thus making the art lost.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, [I can¡¯t decide if it was bad luck or dumb luck!]


    His dumb luck was because of the ridiculously low chance of any of those events ever happening to him. Furthermore, in a row too. And bad luck since he was clearly being taught an ultimate skill, yet, he was too much of a chicken to keep it together to remember it!


    Zhuo Fan sighed, then recalled Heavenly Emperor¡¯s words. [It may perhaps be a blessing in disguise.]


    ¡°Young Sanzi, we can stop now. The Purple Lightning Gold Eye isn¡¯t fated for me. Let it go!¡± Zhuo Fan sighed and chuckled.


    Gu Santong said, concerned, ¡°But can you alleviate your wounds with only that Divine Eye of the Void? As the saying goes, whoever started something must also have a way of ending it. The purple lightning is harming you so the Purple Lightning Gold Eye must cure you as well!¡±


    Zhuo Fan shuddered, felt warm and fuzzy inside.


    He only wanted the Purple Lightning Gold Eye to boost his power. But Gu Santong¡¯s main priority was to cure him.


    [I may have cheated him into the fold, but he¡¯s starting to really grow on me.]


    ¡°It¡¯s of no importance. The Divine Eye of the Void is enough to cure me!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled and beckoned his two sons over.


    Gu Santong still felt somewhat repelled by the purple lightning chick, but he was doing his best to accept this little bro of his.


    Zhuo Fan patted their heads and spoke solemnly, ¡°Young Sanzi, and you too little bird, uh I¡¯ll just call you Qiao¡¯er. Your dad is going to set up an array and enter seclusion to heal and train. I do not know when I¡¯ll come out. You will be staying here but don¡¯t wander off outside of the light¡¯s curtain!¡±


    ¡°Worry not, godfather, I won¡¯t!¡± Gu Santong waved, his face showing fear as he looked at the purple lightning outside.


    But Qiao¡¯er, cocked its head, oblivious. Zhuo Fan had no time to explain, handing it over in Gu Santong¡¯s care as he immediately set up an array. He sat cross legged in its center and closed his eyes.


    Months flashed by!


    The next thing he knew when he opened his eyes was that still purple lightning streaked sky. The change he felt inside was the only testament time even passed. With an incredible release of power, his right eye sported a golden ring flashing on and off, with streaks of purple flickering now and then.


    He removed the array with a sweep of the hand and Zhuo Fan stood up.


    ¡°Eh, you¡¯re out?¡± A childish voice came from behind, ¡°Godfather, are you cured now?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled, and turned to Gu Santong, ¡°Not only cured, but new and improved. Now we can leave this place. I will show both of you my power as we fly out of here!¡±


    Face twitching, Gu Santong sighed, ¡°Godfather, when you boast, at least make it reasonable! You took five years to get to the 9th layer of Bone Tempering Stage. How can you fly us out when you¡¯re not even in the Profound Heaven Stage? I actually have more hope on Qiao¡¯er!¡±


    Gu Santong pointed at the sky and shouted, ¡°Qiao¡¯er, dad is out!¡±


    Shriek~


    With a sharp cry, a three meter long purple bird was soaring above the red curtain. The endless booms of purple lightning struck its body but could do nothing to it.


    Zhuo Fan went slackjawed, ¡°I-is that Qiao¡¯er? He¡¯s already a 4th level spiritual beast and can produce 4th Heaven purple lightning! But how is it that the 12th Heaven purple lightning outside has no effect on him?¡±


    ¡°I was also worried at first, but he must be of the same nature as the purple lightning.¡± Gu Santong shrugged, ¡°Those purple lightning never once harmed him. He absorbs them by instinct and then releases it without any consequences!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was blinking in shock.


    [My godson is a monster, and my spiritual beast is also a goddamn freak of nature. Not even a 12th Heaven purple lightning fazes him!]


    [But that¡¯s only obvious. I reckon I have also stepped into the ranks of monsters. I may have been called a ¡®monster¡¯ by others, but now, I¡¯m sure I can even surprise young Sanzi, ha-ha-ha¡­]


    Zhuo Fan turned his smiling face to Gu Santong, ¡°Young Sanzi, did you eat all the ingredients I gave you?¡±


    ¡°Ages ago, and Qiao¡¯er ate half! I haven¡¯t had an ingredient to eat for three years now and couldn¡¯t get out as well. I¡¯m starving here¡­¡± Gu Santong rubbed his stomach dejected.


    Zhuo Fan patted his shoulder, ¡°No worries, dad will take you out now!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, right! A 9th layer Bone Tempering cultivator? Even if you did have to heal first, you¡¯re too slow in advancing.¡± Gu Santong teased, then sighed, ¡°My hopes are all on Qiao¡¯er. He isn¡¯t afraid of purple lightning and once he finds the right way out of here, he¡¯ll bring me plenty of ingredients, he-he-he¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face sank, [How can I let a son look down on his father?]


    So he coughed to get Gu Santong¡¯s attention, ¡°Young Sanzi, how can you be so cruel to your old man? You¡¯re making me look bad! Come, throw me a punch. I will show you what I can do. Cultivation isn¡¯t everything!¡±


    Gu Santong looked at him oddly, ¡°Dad, be serious. Not even a Radiant Stage expert can take my punch!¡±


    ¡°Cut the chatter and bring it on! I said that I¡¯ll show you my power and that¡¯s what I¡¯ll do!¡± Zhuo Fan shouted.


    Gu Santong sighed and extended a finger, [Dad is so stubborn that I have no choice but play with him. Sigh, I just hope I don¡¯t overdo it!]


    Gu Santong simply flicked.


    A ripple shot like an arrow straight for Zhuo Fan.


    Gu Santong had controlled his power to the bare minimum, but Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t even take this lightly. Yet he was standing there unfazed for the attack to approach swiftly.


    ¡°Watch out, godfather!¡± Gu Santong cried in panic, [Why didn¡¯t I hold back more? Even if dad is a body cultivator, his level is just too low and this will leave him a pulp!]


    His shock didn¡¯t end there as Zhuo Fan¡¯s right eye flashed golden and vanished into thin air.


    When he appeared, he was behind Gu Santong!


    ¡°Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 1st stage!¡± Zhuo Fan snickered. Gu Santong was shocked!


    Because the moment Zhuo Fan was gone, he lost all traces of him. Not just sight, but smell and hearing as well, all senses failed to detect him as if he was no longer in this world!


    [This can¡¯t be¡­]

 Chapter 245 - Getting Out

    ¡°Young Sanzi, here comes my punch!¡±


    Before Gu Santong could get his wits about him, Zhuo Fan shouted. Gu Santong mocked in the end, ¡°Dad, dodging is easy, but punching¡­¡±


    Starting with a flicker, a purple lightning shot for him.


    Gu Santong¡¯s eyes widened and instinct screamed at him to dodge behind the pillar with a jump. The lightning crossed space in a flash, striking the pillar with a boom!


    Gu Santong peeked out and saw Zhuo¡¯s fist wrapped in purple lightning, ¡°G-godfather, how can you use purple lightning?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s thanks to Divine Eye of the Void!¡± Zhuo Fan flicked his hand, being smug after seeing young Sanzi¡¯s reaction. He finally got to show off in front of his godlike adopted son of his, ¡°The Divine Eye of the Void pays emphasis on the void part. It¡¯s main use is control over space. The first stage allows me to switch places anywhere in my soul search¡¯s range. And¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s right eye flashed golden and Gu Santong¡¯s ring appeared on his finger, ¡°Allows me complete control over inanimate items, changing their location. Ha-ha-ha, young Sanzi, since you ate all ingredients from it you won¡¯t be needing my storage ring anymore!¡±


    Even Gu Santong couldn¡¯t help but gawk at the explanation and display of such an outstanding art. This was the first time in the life of Invincible Scamp to show such a shocked face.


    ¡°Won¡¯t that make you invincible, since no one can hit you?¡± Gu Santong blinked.


    Scratching his chin, Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°You can say that, but not quite either. If the first stage of Divine Eye of the Void is so invincible what would be the point of the remaining 11 stages? In truth, this is only control over space. If space is sealed, or I¡¯m inside another space, I¡¯m finished!¡±


    ¡°T-then what¡¯s with the purple lightning? How¡­¡± Gu Santong stammered.


    Zhuo Fan grinned and his right eye flashes purple, ¡°After training Divine Eye of the Void to the 1st stage, my right eye can open up a pocket dimension. Those purple lightning remnants that wrecked my body and couldn¡¯t be removed are now stored in that pocket dimension. To use them at my discretion!¡±


    ¡°That is why I said cultivation isn¡¯t everything! I may have used most of my time on healing and comprehending the 1st stage of Divine Eye of the Void, but true power is a whole other matter!¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned, leaving Gu Santong dumbfounded!


    Despite Zhuo Fan not having gone through immense changes in the past five years, training in a remarkable art turned him into a freak nonetheless. If Gu Santong hadn¡¯t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn¡¯t have believed it!


    Going out like this, he¡¯d be like a wolf hiding among sheep, ready to strike at any so called expert out there. Who¡¯d ever suspect a 9th layer of Bone Tempering cultivator to have such an insane trump card!


    ¡°T-then what of the 2nd stage, godfather? Let me see it!¡± Gu Santong was eager to witness even more of Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s power.


    Blushing, Zhuo Fan coughed drilly, ¡°Uh, Divine Eye of the Void is very hard to understand. Even I only learned the first stage after so long¡­¡±


    Gu Santong¡¯s face sank in disappointment before he even finished.


    Zhuo Fan scratched his head, helpless, [The kid¡¯s face changes tune faster than the weather!] But then he said something that brightened Gu Santong¡¯s day, ¡°But since this space has the same origin as my Divine Eye of the Void, we can now leave this place. Young Sanzi, you¡¯ll get to eat more ingredients!¡±


    ¡°Awesome!¡±


    Gu Santong jumped ten feet in joy, already back to his cheerful self. He heard Zhuo Fan say that before but didn¡¯t believe him one bit.


    Now, after Zhuo Fan¡¯s demonstration, he was very much a believer.


    Qiao¡¯er also flew before Zhuo Fan and circled Zhuo Fan in jubilation.


    Zhuo Fan laughed and repeated his explanation before showing his Thunder Ring, ¡°Don¡¯t resist as I place you in my ring. We will then shortly leave this place and get you out!¡±


    Qiao¡¯er flapped its wings in joy. It felt very close to the Thunder Ring since it was refined from its mother and entered it without complaint.


    Gu Santong was hesitating, ¡°Godfather, wait a moment!¡±


    Gu Santong turned to the pillar, fell to his knees and knocked his head on the ground three times, tears streaming down his face, ¡°I do not know who you are, but I know you¡¯re my kin. I don¡¯t know how you died, but I feel heartbroken over your death. I am leaving now, leaving you alone. Take care of yourself!¡±


    Gu Santong wiped his face and went to Zhuo Fan. He didn¡¯t look back, in fear he might not want to ever leave.


    Putting Gu Santong in the ring, Zhuo Fan looked at the pillar and sighed, ¡°Soaring Qilin, I am not a good man, and I do not wish to go between you and the Heavenly Emperor. As a Soaring Qilin, you¡¯re a heaven sent ingredient for me. How could I not want you? But, as this child¡¯s godfather, I still hope I can ease his pain¡­¡±


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eye flashed with light and struck the pillar!


    With a bang, the pillar swayed and fell.


    With its collapse, the red curtain vanished as well. The purple lightning above the black sky rushed to Zhuo Fan like jackals, wishing to tear him limb from limb.


    But Zhuo Fan was calm as ever. He placed the Qilin leg in his ring then his golden eye flashed, right as the purple lightning was about to hit him, vanishing from this world.


    The next thing he knew, he was outside the hole he used to enter into this space. But the lightning didn¡¯t hit him as he vanished again.


    Thus, in the sea of purple lightning, a flash of golden could be seen on and off growing further and further away. And the purple lightning could do nothing to stop it.


    When they reached the edge of the Lightning Canyon, Zhuo Fan¡¯s golden eye flashed one more time.


    Whoosh~


    His last stop was in a thick forest. Looking up, the bright moon hung in the sky bathing this corner of the world in its moonlight.


    ¡°Finally out, but where am I?¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan tasted freedom again. With Lightning Canyon wandering the continent he was hard pressed to pinpoint his exact location.


    [Who cares anyway? It¡¯s fine as long as I¡¯m out.]


    He took Gu Santong and Qiao¡¯er out of his ring and the kid was ecstatic to finally be out again.


    This was Qiao¡¯er¡¯s first time seeing the real world, and cried in joy. It flew everywhere, curious to explore it!


    ¡°Young Sanzi, I have a gift for you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan showed the kid a tender smile. Gu Santong asked ecstatic, ¡°What, did you have more hidden ingredients in your ring?¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°You little twerp, you picked my ring clean of them. Where could I find any? I think you will find this far more attractive!¡±


    Zhuo Fan then showed the Qilin leg that was still flickering with lightning!


    Gu Santong had tears in his eyes as he expressed his gratitude, ¡°You got it out¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course. I know how much you care for it and don¡¯t want it to be hacked by purple lightning. Since I have the power, of course I¡¯ll help you!¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡±


    Gu Santong wiped his tears and bowed deeply. Zhuo Fan was truly the spitting image of his former godfather, bearing the same amount of care for him as well.


    He valued Zhuo Fan far more greatly now, more than even his real parents.


    This perhaps was one of Zhuo Fan¡¯s very rare acts of kindness. He always looked at Gu Santong and thought how to use him. But the kid¡¯s pure heart touched him, making fatherly love blossom in his cruel and dead heart!


    Gu Santong went to the Qilin leg, felt its rough surface and even hugged it, feeling the warmth.


    He then came to Zhuo Fan with a request, ¡°Godfather, will you look after it for a while?¡±


    ¡°Why won¡¯t you¡­¡± Zhuo Fan asked, but saw Gu Santong¡¯s sad face and could easily guess.


    Gu Santong was forced into a promise to defend the Imperial Capital and wasn¡¯t even allowed to eat the ingredients he liked so much. How could he be allowed a storage ring then? It would soon be discovered and confiscated if he took it with him.


    Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°Alright, but you best take care and not be so hard on yourself. If you ever find yourself in mortal danger, forget about that promise. Your life is more important!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Santong smiled brightly.


    Zhuo Fan returned his smile and stashed the Qilin leg away.


    ¡°By the way, godfather. It¡¯s been five years since I was allowed to leave the Imperial Capital. I need to report back, but where will you go?¡± At the moment of their separation, Gu Santong still felt reluctant to leave.


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan put on a diabolical grin, ¡°Since it¡¯s been five years, it¡¯s the right time for the Esoteric Debate to start. I¡¯m going there to liven the mood! Let¡¯s see if those legendary Regent Estate freaks can live up to the expectation, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±

 Chapter 246 - Emergence Of Dragons

    Drifting Flowers City, at the entrance to the stone room behind Drifting Flowers Edifice. Grandmother, with Iris and Peony Overseer, were waiting. Under the warm sunlight, among the refreshing chirping, they were the only ones whose faces showed no change, their eyes fixed on the stone door.


    Rumble!


    With a heavy sound, the heavy stone door opened and four figures emerged. The first wore a silk cover, but her delicate figure and her graceful poise couldn¡¯t be hidden. Her eyes were enough to make anyone in the world flustered and intoxicated by her beauty.


    And behind her were three old women. They looked calm, but clearly excited.


    Chu Bijun¡¯s brow jumped and she sent three silver needles at the woman. But the woman only lifted her delicate hand casually.


    A sudden chill came then and a wall of cold mist formed. The three needles rapidly lost speed and ended up falling on the ground into frozen pieces!


    Grandmother sighed in praise, ¡°Qingcheng, you¡¯ve greatly improved, as if reborn. If not for neglecting cultivation for the past decade, you¡¯d be no weaker than the other houses¡¯ chosen in the Esoteric Debate!¡±


    Indeed, this person who came out after a long five years of seclusion was Chu Qingcheng. She was no longer as weak as she was five years ago. She was like a towering glacier, worthy of the title Ascending Ice Phoenix!


    ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Grandmother! It is all thanks to our three Venerables helping day and night with my training. I am grateful, Venerables!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng slightly bowed at the three old women behind her, and so did Grandmother and the overseers. The Venerables spoke, ¡°It is the least we could do as Drifting Flowers Edifice¡¯s Venerables. Qingcheng¡¯s talent is remarkable, only needing to stimulate her potential. She did the rest!¡±


    The four once again bowed, and the Venerables closed the stone door with a wave. Chu Bijun walked to Chu Qingcheng and looked her up and down.


    ¡°8th layer of Profound Heaven Stage, good good! We will show the world the power of Drifting Flowers Edifice in this Esoteric Debate!¡± Chu Bijun¡¯s eyes shined.


    Iris Overseer smiled, ¡°With Qingcheng, we will show them who Drifting Flowers Edifice is. Let¡¯s see them try to take women lightly again!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, true, but¡­¡± Chu Bijun frowned, ¡°We must also make our standing clear! We must strike at Regent Estate¡¯s arrogance in this Esoteric Debate! Or they will strike back at us many times harder!¡±


    ¡°Yes, that is why, Qingcheng, you must work together with Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Sword Marquise Abode, our two allies. I have talked with them and have reached an agreement!¡± Iris Overseer said, ¡°As four of your opponents, Pill King Hall, Hell Valley, and Merry Woods, they have all sided with Regent Estate. The Seven Noble Houses are now split in two factions! This is why the Esoteric Debate this time will be so much crueler, so much more savage!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng frowned in worry, ¡°Regent Estate¡¯s monster, Huangpu Qingtian, is hard to deal with already. And now that we are three against four¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, don¡¯t worry. It will definitely be four against four. I heard that the Luo clan will be joining in as well. They were but a third rate clan before and must be planning on standing abreast to us by passing the first two rounds of elimination. I wonder though, who¡¯ll they be sending¡­¡± Grandmother considered.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Luo clan will come?¡±


    Already clear on who Chu Qingcheng had her mind on, Grandmother shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s unclear if he will be there as well. He¡¯s been missing for five years already. It is a bad omen. Not even his clansmen know about his whereabouts. So the support we can expect from the Luo clan is minimal!¡±


    ¡°What, he¡¯s gone? How? Why?¡± Chu Qingcheng didn¡¯t care if the Luo clan helped them, and was only worried about Zhuo Fan. Grandmother shook her head.


    [Such deep love is like a poison, making one forget even oneself!]


    Iris Overseer sighed, ¡°I heard he was last sighted where Lightning Canyon appeared five years ago. Then, he vanished. We can only assume¡­¡±


    Chu Qingcheng trembled and shot down that idea, ¡°Impossible, he will be fine!¡±


    Peony Overseer cursed instead, ¡°That foul and ungrateful prick, how does his fate have anything to do with us? He didn¡¯t value your feelings, not one bit!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes grew hazy, her heart in a mess. Grandmother spoke gravely, ¡°Qingcheng, whether he comes or not, I hope you will keep your distance from him. I met him once. His ambition is unhealthy, much greater than we can imagine. Such a man is very attractive, but also one who can easily harm women. In his heart, women are burdens. Beings he finds no value in. For your own sake, don¡¯t get too close!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng was silent, alone with the bitterness in her heart.


    [But I can no longer go back¡­]


    In another part, deep in Sword Marquise Abode, there lay a stone gate on the verge of opening. Two youths came from within, Xie Tianyang and a youth with white temples. His eyes were cold like a blade.


    There was also the on and off flicker in his eyes, but if one looked, he¡¯d feel two sharp swords stabbing him. The pain would be too much to keep one¡¯s eyes focused on him.


    He was none other than Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s leading talent, Xie Tianyang¡¯s elder brother, one of the six dragons, Golden Armored Sword Dragon Xie Tianshang!


    ¡°Tianshang, Tianyang, you¡¯re out!¡± Xie Xiaofeng laughed and patted their shoulders.


    Xie Tianyang snickered, ¡°Dad, I¡¯ve mastered our house¡¯s entire martial art, Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms. I can now marry Ning¡¯er!¡±


    Xie Tianshang gave a curt nod, walking past Xie Xiaofeng and to the training area, ¡°I¡¯m off to practice. Later!¡±


    Xie Xiaofeng felt helpless watching his sons.


    The eldest was a martial fanatic, always thinking about training, never getting close with anyone. While the second was a love-struck fool, the only thing on his mind was marriage. If he hadn¡¯t been smart and tricked him into lifting the sword for her, he probably never would¡¯ve had.


    Xie Xiaofeng sighed, [It¡¯d be great if they were combined into one!]


    Jian Suifeng came from behind, ¡°Abode Lord, don¡¯t worry, Tianyang¡¯s temper will smooth over time. As for Tianshang, he only has one person in mind. He won¡¯t stop until he defeats that person!¡±


    ¡°You mean the Regent Estate¡¯s monster?¡± Xie Xiaofeng sighed, ¡°Forget it, I don¡¯t want my son to tangle with that monster. It will only bring us shame!¡±


    Jian Suifeng nodded and sighed¡­


    In another part, in the rear gardens of Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡­


    A youth in fine green clothes was taking a walk and showed an infatuated look, ¡°Ah, the air is so much better outside. Bliss!¡±


    ¡°Eldest young master!¡± Long Jiu rushed over anxious, ¡°When did you get out? Why wasn¡¯t I informed of this?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, if you had you¡¯d be throwing some congratulatory feast to ruin my mood! It was better to come here and get some peace!¡± The youth¡¯s smile turned odd, ¡°By the way, Uncle Jiu, what of little Kui and little Jie? How come I don¡¯t see them?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, they¡¯re hard at training!¡±


    ¡°Ai, when will they come out?¡± The youth asked.


    With a vague chuckle, Long Jiu said, ¡°Eldest young master, you¡¯ve been in seclusion for a decade. There are many things you have missed! If you¡¯d have witnessed the battle of Drifting Flowers Edifice, you¡¯d have been as stimulated as them!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± The youth rose an eyebrow.


    But Long Jiu only smiled in response, [Kids these days won¡¯t work hard without a well placed stimulus¡­]


    Similar occurrences happened in the other houses as the Six Dragons and One Phoenix came out of seclusion to join the Esoteric Debate. Especially¡­


    In Caged Dragon City, people gathered outside a secret room on the mountain behind Regent Estate. As the stone gate moved, two people were made known to all. One was a calm youth, his every step at ease and firm. His incredible air made even the Profound Heaven elders step back in shock.


    Behind him was High Venerable Huangpu Fenglei with pride in his eyes.


    ¡°High Venerable, any progress?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan asked.


    Huangpu Fenglei caressed his beard with a smile, ¡°I oversaw his training personally. He is the pinnacle in the world, second to none!¡±


    ¡°High Venerable, that is hardly the case!¡±


    The youth¡¯s cold tone came in rebuke, ¡°My current self isn¡¯t taught on, only my nature. And father, your words are pointless!¡±


    Shuddering, everyone watched Huangpu Tianyuan speak with such crass and lack of manners. Yet all nodded, [This is the air of a lord!]


    Taking a deep breath, Huangpu Tianyuan chuckled, ¡°Seeing you so confident, I won¡¯t ask any further. I believe that in the Esoteric Debate you will bring shock on everyone¡¯s faces. Let them see that Regent Estate¡¯s power shrouds the seven houses!¡±


    ¡°Father, you¡¯re wrong again. I am not confident, just my nature! I do not need to amaze them for Regent Estate to shroud the houses. My very arrival turns it into reality! The unification of the seven houses, that impossible matter, will be completed with my ascension!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian was calm and someone rushed to put a golden cape over his shoulder. His natural grace and demeanor looked down on every single being.


    Even Huangpu Tianyuan felt anger inside. The youth was clearly unfilial.


    But this was Regent Estate, and they trained themselves to have lordly flairs. It didn¡¯t matter if the father and son fought over the Estate Lord position, what mattered was the ability to have it! One¡¯s leadership applied to the entire house, even to the Estate Lord.


    Leng Wuchang came to Huangpu Tianyuan and bowed, ¡°Eldest young master, it is good to be confident, but one must also be wary in every taken action, lest you¡¯d meet with utter failure!¡±


    ¡°Oh, and where are you going with this?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan glanced by.


    Smiling Leng Wuchang said, ¡°A fiend had recently appeared in Tianyu, by the name of Zhuo Fan. It pushed back the seven houses and killed dozens of our elders. Even the second young master fell victim. I heard he will be joining in the Esoteric Debate. Please remain cautious, eldest young master!¡±


    ¡°Humph, second brother was worthless. He got what he deserved, killed by a nobody. As for those elders, they are even bigger fools! But for that kid to kill so many and still live, that makes you the biggest fools of all! Are you telling me he¡¯s as invincible as that Gu Santong from three hundred years ago?¡± Huangpu Qingtian snapped coldly.


    Leng Wuchang shook his head, ¡°Gu Santong is a monster seen perhaps once a millennia. But he is not like Gu Santong. Gu Santong may be unbridled, but gullible. While that kid¡¯s treachery runs deep, expert at gathering people to stand by his side. The reason why we¡¯ve failed to get his head is because three houses have formed an alliance with him. He is also relying on one of the Four Pillars, War God Dugu Zhantian and even the imperial family is protecting him. Our hands were tied¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, a schemer you say?¡± Shaking his head, Huangpu Qingtian said, ¡°Fine then, since you¡¯re all so worthless, I will personally end that man in the Esoteric Debate!¡±


    ¡°Eldest young master, please exercise extreme caution. Every single one that has underestimated the kid has died in agony!¡±


    Leng Wuchang bowed, but his words earned a snort from Huangpu Qingtian, ¡°Sir Leng, I admire your talent greatly, but please, do not lump me together with you fools! By the way, once I have that kid¡¯s head, the title of Estate Lord¡­ Oh, father, isn¡¯t it about time for you to step down?¡±


    Trembling, Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s face was a mask of darkness and rage!


    This was his ¡®good¡¯ son, the strongest talent in the seven houses, the head of the six dragons, one that at this crucial time, was only thinking of how to snatch his father¡¯s position, the Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord Huangpu Qingtian¡­

 Chapter 247 - The Biggest Underdog

    Five months later, at the Imperial Capital, the Emperor was reviewing reports in the study.


    Suddenly, a black figure knelt at his side. Hands cupped in respect, black figure spoke ¡°Your Majesty, Dragon Cloud City¡¯s report on the Luo clan has come!¡±


    ¡°Deliver!¡±


    The Emperor spoke, but didn¡¯t spare the man a glance. The man offered the report with both hands.


    The Emperor took one glance at it and threw it back into the man¡¯s face, ¡°Every damn report over the past five years has been either all quiet or all normal! The Luo clan is set to make waves in the Esoteric Debate, but where is that Bone Tempering Stage kid? How the hell are you even getting your intelligence?¡±


    ¡°Please sooth your anger, Your Majesty! I¡¯ve been at fault!¡± The man was on the ground in a blink, shaking like a leaf.


    The Emperor caressed his beard, but the fire in his eyes was like a smoldering volcano. Oddly enough, he soon restored his calm.


    Yet this only worked to instill greater fear in the man¡¯s bones!


    ¡°Is there anything on that Zhuo Fan?¡± The emperor¡¯s tone was cold.


    The man shook his head, ¡°Nothing, Your Majesty!¡±


    ¡°And what of Divine Dragon Gu Santong?¡± The emperor followed.


    The man was on the verge of tears, ¡°Unknown, Your Majesty!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been searching for five years but can¡¯t find anything about Zhuo Fan. That rampant guy Gu Santong must still be stirring trouble somewhere and yet you can¡¯t even find a trace of him! Humph, why am I even raising you worthless mongrels? You can¡¯t do anything!¡± The Emperor¡¯s eyes flashed with bloodthirst.


    The man kowtowed three times, pleading, ¡°Your Majesty, please quell your anger. I am incompetent! Please spare me!¡±


    ¡°Out!¡± The Emperor flicked his sleeve.


    The man kowtowed three more times and bolted, ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you¡­¡±


    The Emperor took a deep breath and lifted his head, ¡°Gu Santong and Zhuo Fan are missing. Can this piece of information even be trusted? Did they perish in the Lightning Canyon?


    ¡°It¡¯s fine if Gu Santong is gone from this world. It might actually be a blessing! But Zhuo Fan? He is yet to fulfill his task. His death would be such a waste! But this boy brings too many surprises. He lifted up a wretched third rate clan to one that is brimming with power! A miracle really! But I just can¡¯t tell if the Luo clan can still complete the task without Zhuo Fan, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The Emperor chuckled quite cheerfully, like a sly rogue.


    Just then, a guard fell to his knees before the emperor, ¡°Your Majesty, Divine Dragon Gu Santong has returned!¡±


    Ugh!


    The laughter came to a grunting stop, and the emperor sighed, ¡°Understood!¡± But his good mood was gone.


    [Ah, the worst trouble is yet to come¡­]


    Meanwhile, before the great gates of a city, a familiar figure appeared. He looked up and read the imposing words on the wall, Dragon Cloud City.


    Rumor had it that the imperial family, Yuwen clan¡¯s efforts to raise an army to found the empire in historic times all began from this place. As such, every single Esoteric Debate was held here.


    ¡°I got held up for too long in the Lightning Canyon. I hope I made it in time. Hope those guys didn¡¯t get themselves wiped out again!¡± Zhuo Fan sighed under his black cloak as he entered the city.


    There were soldiers all around the city, but that did not stop anyone from milling about.


    This city afterall was a gathering place of the empire¡¯s most distinguished houses and clans. Everyone was free to come and go or even join the Esoteric Debate if they wished.


    But the army was tasked with breaking any conflicts among these clans, most of all among the seven houses. Once a fight broke out, it was easy to plunge the entire empire into unrest.


    This made the soldiers stationed here ready to act at a moment¡¯s notice.


    The only one in the whole empire able to shake the seven houses was none other than the second of the Four Pillars and Tianyu¡¯s Marshal, God of War, Dugu Zhantian!


    Though meeting this big man was the last thing on Zhuo Fan¡¯s mind.


    Inside the city, Zhuo Fan was shocked. The place was packed, like a sea of people. It was more packed than Drifting Flowers City at the time of the Hundred Pill Meeting!


    Then again, how many clans did the Hundred Pill Meeting attract? The Esoteric Debate, however, drew in all the clans that hoped for a swift rise to fame and power. The difference was obvious.


    He didn¡¯t have the time to let the sights distract him. His top priority was to get back to the Luo clan and ascertain the situation.


    But only after a few steps, a ruckus entered his ears. ¡°Windgaze City¡¯s Luo clan has landed their 27th win, advancing into the second rate clans¡¯ finals and becoming this Esoteric Debate¡¯s biggest underdog! ¡°


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan looked towards the speaker but only found a small tavern. So he stepped in to learn more.


    The thick smell of wine and clamor struck his face the moment he stepped in. Some guys with bare arms were shouting and waving their fists around, god only knew why.


    There was a betting table in the tavern and a score table on the far wall had the name of every clan on it. People at the table were constantly placing bets.


    Of course, not everyone was betting.


    Zhuo Fan saw that the board had the seven houses¡¯ names on it as well as their representative genius.


    ¡°Ascending Ice Phoenix ¨C Drifting Flowers Edifice, Forest Fleeting Dragon ¨C Merry Woods, Golden Armored Sword Dragon ¨C Sword Marquise Abode¡­¡± Zhuo Fan muttered every word, but then he screamed, ¡°Soaring Demonic Dragon ¨C Blackwind Mountain? Who the hell came up with this?¡±


    The dealer from the table saw Zhuo Fan amazed and smirked, ¡°Hey dummy, what hole did you crawl out of? Haven¡¯t you ever heard of Windgaze City¡¯s Luo clan on Blackwind Mountain? Of their Soaring Demonic Dragon Zhuo Fan?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth was agape. He scratched his head, [When did this Soaring Black Dragon stuff get started?]


    Seeing his puzzlement, the dealer sighed, ¡°You¡¯re really ignorant! When Demon Archon Zhuo Fan wrecked Drifting Flowers City, everyone and their uncles learnt about him! Now that we know he represents the Luo clan in the Esoteric Debate, of course he stands on par with the Six Dragons and One Phoenix. This is why people call him Soaring Demonic Dragon. Apparently, it is the name of the martial art he used!¡±


    ¡°Bullshit!¡±


    A buffed guy started arguing, ¡°Complete and utter bullshit! The Demon Archon Zhuo Fan did use the Soaring Demonic Dragon in Drifting Flowers City to kill Regent Estate¡¯s second young master, but his nickname has a totally different meaning! His Soaring Demonic Dragon title implies that he wants to break through to Heaven, and challenge the seven houses¡¯ thousand year long authority! You know nothing! So don¡¯t go about talking rubbish!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded, finding this second explanation far more plausible.


    [God damn it! Who the hell dares to say that Heaven stands above me? I¡¯ll rip them to pieces! This is more my style. Ha-ha-ha, yours truly likes Soaring Demonic Dragon!]


    But his joy ended as soon as the dealer barked back, ¡°Cut the crap! Demon Archon Zhuo Fan may be great, but do you think he has it in him to contest the seven houses? The seven houses¡¯ status in Tianyu has been unshaken for a thousand years. Haven¡¯t you heard? Luo clan has the Sword Marquise Abode, Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Drifting Flowers Edifice backing them! I reckon that even if the Luo clan climbs high enough to enter the fight between the seven houses, it will only fight as a vassal clan of the three houses!¡±


    Bam!


    Zhuo Fan slapped the table, his face twisted in grimace, ¡°Who the hell told you that Luo clan is their vassal? Get your head straight, Luo clan will become an independent clan, competing on the same level as the seven houses. It will not cower behind some other house for safety! Just wait and watch!¡±


    The two looked at Zhuo Fan puzzled. [What¡¯s his connection with the Luo clan? Why is he so fired up in protecting this underdog?]


    But they didn¡¯t have the time to talk back and curse Zhuo Fan for being a mental case as an aged voice laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, indeed. Luo clan should aim for the best clan and challenge the unwritten rule that has held on for millennia. If not, like every single time, the Esoteric Debate would end with only the seven houses competing. Wouldn¡¯t that be too boring? ¡°


    Shuddering, Zhuo Fan looked back to see three elders. Every one of them was wearing a cloak to hide their features.


    The elder in the middle revealed his piercing eyes and grinned, ¡°Steward Zhuo, I¡¯ve long wished to meet you my soul brother! I am Prime Minister Zhuge Changfeng. Care to join me for a chat?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes widened and he looked at him deeply.


    He never thought that the head of the Four Pillars, Zhuge Changfeng would personally grace him with his presence! Glancing at the two elders on his sides, from their mighty aura, he could tell they were rare experts.


    With a deep breath, Zhuo Fan nodded. Zhuge Changfeng grinned and made a flourish. The two then walked side by side to a table.


    The two elders stood behind Zhuge Changfeng and their eyes flashed, sending an energy to envelop the table. The noise around them slowly ceased and their words were never heard by the people outside.


    Yet to the untrained eye, the four looked like they were having a casual chat. The dealer and the big man looked baffled for a minute and then ignored them.


    Zhuo Fan was shocked and became wary of the two elders. No average Radiant Stage expert could just set up a barrier so casually. Not even a peak one!


    The two must¡¯ve trained in some special cultivation method. They weren¡¯t to be taken lightly.


    Thinking about Zhuge Changfeng, he may only be in the 2nd layer of the Profound Heaven Stage, but he was surrounded by many powerful people. He was a man no one from the seven houses dared underestimate.


    His name as the head of the Four Pillars was well deserved¡­

 Chapter 248 - Wise Men’s Talk

    ¡°Steward Zhuo, you must be wondering why I was looking for you.¡± Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s beard trembled.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, but his only reply was a fixed stare.


    Zhuge Changfeng held him in greater admiration.


    In fact, just by answering, Zhuo Fan would¡¯ve fallen in his trap. Regardless of the content, Zhuo Fan¡¯s reply would¡¯ve given him the rights to lead the conversation and, ultimately, Zhuo Fan by the nose.


    But Zhuo Fan kept silent, thus keeping his right to speak.


    It may be some minor detail, but to a leader of Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s stature, it was very important. Right of speech translated into power. If one¡¯s right to speak was taken away, then that person was at a disadvantage.


    On this aspect, Zhuge Changfeng was an expert, and he admired Zhuo Fan¡¯s response greatly, ¡°Steward Zhuo, your rumors do not do you justice. I am in awe after meeting you!¡±


    ¡°Prime-minister Zhuge is exaggerating. Your illustrious name has given me far more shock!¡± Zhuo Fan laughed.


    Zhuge Changfeng sighed, ¡°Wise men speak plainly. Let us dispense with the tricks. Or we¡¯ll be at it for three days and still not finish.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Prime-minister Zhuge is quite open so I shall do the same!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded cheerfully.


    Zhuge Changfeng went straight to the point, ¡°Steward Zhuo, I fear that someone may have instigated the Luo clan¡¯s participation in the Esoteric Debate.¡±


    ¡°Oh, what makes you say that?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    Zhuge Changfeng replied, ¡°We are both men who look at things from all perspectives. I am certain that with you as its steward, Luo clan¡¯s rise beyond the seven houses would only be a matter of time. But your coming out in the open has been far too soon. With Steward Zhuo¡¯s cunning, I believe you are not a man looking for short term gain. I surmise that you¡¯ve been forced, or perhaps, lured into a choice that you could not refuse!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was impressed.


    [Zhuge Changfeng is amazing, able to understand everything.] Indeed, Luo clan jumping into the Esoteric Debate and starting a fight with the seven houses was far too soon.


    Earlier he was quite pleased with Luo clan¡¯s power, but even he couldn¡¯t be as bold as to declare that this fight was a sure win!


    He chose this situation so he wouldn¡¯t lose the imperial family¡¯s support, or worse, offend them instead.


    Saying that he was lured was accurate. Forced? Also correct. These assumptions were both correct. Above all, Luo clan¡¯s power coming out in the open at this moment allowed Zhuge Changfeng, possibly the only person in the empire, to surmise that Luo clan would one day surpass the seven houses.


    This guess couldn¡¯t be called brazen, but calamitous!


    And Zhuo Fan was hoping to see the day when Luo clan would reach such a level. But now, no one out there would ever believe it, except Zhuge Changfeng.


    Even Zhuo Fan had to admire his foresight. If it were anywhere else, even he wouldn¡¯t make such an absurd guess!


    ¡°Head of the Four Pillars, Prime-minister Zhuge is truly wise. I admire you!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s flattery was sincere.


    Zhuge Changfeng chuckled, ¡°Steward Zhuo is too kind. This old bag of bones has been soaked in this world for far too many years, thus gaining some thoughts about its revolutions. I fall utterly short to young Steward Zhuo wisdom. Carrying on your shoulders, the honor of the entire clan, you¡¯ve earned my respect, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Then Prime Minister Zhuge is saying¡­¡±


    ¡°To watch your back!¡± Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s eyes shined, his voice solemn.


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan looked a little lost.


    Clearly knowing his heart, Zhuge Changfeng chuckled, ¡°I can tell what Steward Zhuo is thinking. Yes, my words are full of suspicion. Who on earth would be so selfless, so caring for their fellow neighbor? And yes, I have a reason. But rest assured, Steward Zhuo, you are not my enemy. In fact, he may very well be yours too!¡±


    ¡°Oh, care to elaborate?¡± Zhuo Fan started.


    Zhuge Changfeng twirled his white mustache, his eyes shining, ¡°I am sure Steward Zhuo is more than familiar with the saying, when two fight the third wins. So will you be among the first two, or the third?¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m sure the wise Steward Zhuo has caught on my meaning by now!¡±


    Scratching his nose, Zhuo Fan looked him in the eye and showed a broad smile.


    Zhuge Changfeng read his intent, and only smiled in reply.


    The two shared a smile full of countless implications, and nodded.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, talking with smart guys is so refreshing and easy! Steward Zhuo, I have said my piece and I¡¯ll be leaving. But before I do, please be kind enough to fulfil this selfish request of mine and explain something to me.¡± Zhuge Changfeng rose to his feet and cupped his hands.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°I don¡¯t see why not.¡±


    ¡°I am the Empire¡¯s Prime Minister, Leng Wuchang is the Regent Estate¡¯s steward, and you sir are Luo clan¡¯s steward. This makes the three of us cut from the same cloth, with each of us scheming and lording over people. Myself and Leng Wuchang are both selfish, and luckily our interests are shared for now, and not set on a colliding path. But considering your talent, why would you pick the Luo clan? I can tell that sir is not doing this out of sympathy, or any kind of feelings. It¡­ escapes my capacity to understand!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes trembled and he took a deep breath, before showing a crafty smile and emphasizing every word, ¡°Because my ambition is far greater than yours!¡±


    The head of the Four Pillars, for the first time, trembled and his fists clenched.


    The Yin Yang elders saw this and for the first time looked at Zhuo Fan with shock and ill intent. The thick bloodthirst they oozed couldn¡¯t be concealed.


    But Zhuo Fan was still composed, only his right eye flashing golden.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    On the brink of war, Zhuge Changfeng put a stop to the hostilities. The elders calmed down and Zhuo Fan relaxed.


    But Zhuge Changfeng was perplexed and said to Zhuo Fan, ¡°I may not know the extent of sir¡¯s ambition, but I nevertheless look forward to that day, and hope that it won¡¯t all come crashing down instead.¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng signaled the two elders and left.


    A good distance from the tavern, one elder snorted, ¡°Prime Minister, why did you stop us? His words were far too rude!¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think that was mere boasting!¡± Zhuge Changfeng furrowed his brow, ¡°However, what is his aim? With his ability, it¡¯s only a matter of time before he becomes an overlord. But instead he chooses to be bogged down by that burden, Luo clan. To what end? Sigh, this kid is the first one I cannot see through!¡±


    The Yin Yang elders shared a glance but didn¡¯t say anything, in fear of disturbing him. But for some reason, Zhuge Changfeng was frowning constantly, leaving the elders at a loss.


    [When were the rash words of some pup ever of any value?]


    In another part of Dragon Cloud City, at the largest fighting stage, thunderous applause resounded!


    On the stage, Luo Yunchang¡¯s tall figure breathed heavily. Her lithe and demure figure, wrapped tightly in clothes, painted a fine picture. Every man there was drooling at her curves!


    Even more so when those beads of sweat worked to emphasize her enticing body lines!


    But her 5th layer of Bone Tempering cultivation cut short any errant and lustful desire. Just now, the young lady had dispatched four 4th layer Bone Tempering experts, while she herself remained unharmed.


    Next to her stood a cold youth of about sixteen and in the 3rd layer of Bone Tempering Stage. Despite his young age, he was famed throughout the empire.


    Marshal Dugu¡¯s fifth godson, Tianyu¡¯s Five Tiger¡¯s youngest, Swooping Dragonic Tiger, Luo Yunhai. Everyone and their uncles had heard of him. Being at Dugu Zhantian¡¯s side and fighting next to his four brothers for more than two years, he had proven himself in battles becoming a real man of valor.


    Circling them were ten people around Luo Yunhai¡¯s age, but their eyes held a far more staunch look. They released constant dark energy and their iron forged bodies glowed.


    They were of similar cultivation, but in a true life or death fight, they could render peak Bone Tempering experts heavily wounded, if not outright dead.


    They were the Luo clan¡¯s guards that Zhuo Fan entrusted Captain Pang with training.


    This was only the tip of the iceberg and even the guards were enough to strike fear in many.


    The thought of seeing these monsters fully grown sent chills down the crowd¡¯s spine. And to avoid people acting in fear and envy, the Luo clan chose to only bring these ten youths.


    If others had known that Luo clan would raise so many freaks and still hide their cards, they¡¯d have long snuffed it in the cradle.


    Regardless of the what ifs, Luo clan had nevertheless caused widespread shock to all who bore witness to this obscure clan.


    Just now, these Luo clan¡¯s 12 fought with a renowned second rate clan¡¯s hundred. Yet none of them was injured heavily even when the opposition had peak Bone Tempering experts among them.


    This forced people to see Luo clan in a different and frightening light.


    Not to mention Luo clan¡¯s strongest had yet to take the stage. That rumored Soaring Demonic Dragon, how outrageous was he?

 Chapter 249 - In Sights

    ¡°The Victory of this second rate clan battle goes to the Luo clan!¡±


    A Profound Heaven stage expert in a robe flew on stage and gestured at Luo clan¡¯s 12.


    The crowd broke out in a thunderous applause.


    ¡°This is Luo clan¡¯s 28th win. I cannot believe they are a third rate clan!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and their best man is yet to appear as well. People say their steward, Zhuo Fan, is on the same level as the Six Dragons and One Phoenix. He is hailed as Tianyu¡¯s seventh dragon, Soaring Demonic Dragon!¡±


    ¡°What? If Luo clan is so strong, why haven¡¯t I heard of it? Why is it stuck being a third rate clan?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    People displayed immense shock in the stands, while many were whispering about the mysterious power behind such a strong underdog.


    Meanwhile, a few familiar faces stood at the highest point in the stands. The veterans of the martial world would instantly recognize these shocking figures.


    Weren¡¯t they the seven houses¡¯ representatives, Six Dragons and One Phoenix?


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what third rate clan? That brat duped us! Even facing a top second rate clan they won cleanly. If this was a third rate clan, who would be a second rate one? Right, Ning¡¯er?¡±


    The woman was none other than Xue Ningxiang, from the newest Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s vassal clan, the Xue clan.


    She wasn¡¯t paying attention to Xie Tianyang however, having eyes fixed on the stage, ¡°Why isn¡¯t big brother Zhuo here? Isn¡¯t he joining?¡±


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, why do you always have to mention him? It hurts!¡± Xie Tianyang¡¯s mood went sour.


    Xie Tianshang sitting next to them, sheathed his cold blade in the scabbard and said, ¡°It seems the rumor is true. The Soaring Demonic Dragon is no longer a part of this world!¡±


    ¡°What rumor?¡± Xue Ningxiang was anxious.


    Xie Tianshang spoke coldly, ¡°Five years ago, they say Zhuo Fan chanced upon Lightning Canyon and is buried there. What a pity, I really hoped to meet such a highly praised man. Now I can no longer see his strength for myself¡­¡±


    ¡°Brother!¡± Xie Tianyang cut him off but it was far too late. The damage was done.


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s tears threatened to burst as she shook her head, ¡°Nonsense, big brother Zhuo can¡¯t be dead¡­¡±


    ¡°Uh, Ning¡¯er, calm down. He¡¯s only missing. No one has found his body yet¡­¡±


    Xie Tianyang was trying to patch things up but Ning¡¯er glared, ¡°Brother Tianyang, why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    Xie Tianyang sighed, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to see you so sad¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, just for that? You should¡¯ve told her sooner rather than prolong the agony! Don¡¯t you know that prolonged longing will only make a woman¡¯s pain deeper?¡±


    The three looked back to see Long Jie and Long Kui along with an exuberant youth walking up to them.


    Squinting, Xie Tianshang¡¯s scabbard crackled in his hand, ¡°Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Abyss Dragon, Long Xingyun! We finally meet.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t. We¡¯re all allies here. Don¡¯t pull your sword at our first meeting!¡± Long Xingyun noticed Xie Tianshang¡¯s thirst for battle and waved frantically.


    Xie Tianshang snorted and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, suppressing his battle lust, ¡°Humph, sorry. I can¡¯t help but want to pit myself against an expert when I meet them. Please disregard my rudeness!¡±


    Long Xingyun was sweating. He had heard of this martial fanatic, but he didn¡¯t think his illness was so serious. [You aren¡¯t going to go after me after chopping the enemy, are you?]


    Sighing, Long Xingyun turned to the Luo clan on stage, ¡°I¡¯ve heard of the Soaring Demonic Dragon Zhuo Fan¡¯s resounding name and hoped to see him. A shame I will never have the chance!¡±


    ¡°Why do you say that? You also believe big brother Zhuo is dead? His body hasn¡¯t been found!¡± Ning¡¯er shouted.


    Shaking his head, Long Xingyun turned solemn, ¡°The lives that Lightning Canyon robs are left without a corpse. If his fortune was the same as Uncle Jiu, surviving that disaster, he would most likely appear here. But after 28 fights, he is still missing. The first 27 fights were nothing, but the last one was only won by using all they had, even if they were unharmed. If he didn¡¯t appear even now when it matters the most, I fear he¡¯s gone from this world!¡±


    Shuddering, Xue Ningxiang was far from just believing this, but her heart knew the truth. With everyone around telling her so, she couldn¡¯t help but think the same as well.


    And this only worked to make the pain worse.


    Xie Tianyang clenched his fists and bit his lip, hating himself for being powerless.


    ¡°By the way, do you guys think that the Luo clan without Zhuo Fan is worth being our ally?¡± Long Xingyun suddenly spoke.


    Xie Tianshang shuddered and spoke, ¡°In my eyes, ally or whatever doesn¡¯t matter. Whether they are worthy of a challenge or not matters!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s a martial fanatic for you!¡± Long Xingyun laughed and admired him.


    Xie Tianyang was glum, ¡°I don¡¯t care what you think. Me and Zhuo Fan are brothers and even if he isn¡¯t here, I hope to see Luo clan leave this place safely!¡±


    ¡°Uh, second young master sure is milder among the two!¡± Long Xingyun smiled, ¡°But Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s ally is Zhuo Fan. Without him around, the agreement is void. Whether the Luo clan can hold on to the agreement, it will rest solely on their performance. I fear, however, that they will never achieve it.¡±


    Long Xingyun gestured to the front, ¡°Look, without the care of that demonic dragon, most of the savage dragons have them in their sights. Second young master, are you capable of stealing the dinner from the claws of those savage dragons?¡±


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s group turned to look in shock.


    Four figures suddenly showed up across from them!


    ¡°Hell Valley¡¯s Specter Dragon, You Yushan!¡± Xie Tianshang¡¯s eyes trembled at the sight of a man in grey.


    ¡°Merry Woods¡¯s Forest Fleeting Dragon, Lin Xuanfeng!¡± Xie Tianyang looked at another gravely.


    ¡°And also Pill King Hall¡¯s Plague Dragon, Yan Bangui!¡± Long Xingyun pointed at a youth with half a face purple, ¡°They say he went insane cultivating his poison and this is the result. And with his poisonous constitution, even without Yan Song or Yan Fu¡¯s achievements in alchemy, his mastery of poisons far exceeds Vicious Pill King¡¯s. He is a fearful man!


    ¡°But, far from the strongest!¡±


    Long Xingyun¡¯s face turned grave and even a hint of fear was present as he gestured at the last man, ¡°The real monster, Regent Estate¡¯s Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord, Huangpu Qingtian, is present as well!¡±


    Ka!


    A sharp sound came from Xie Tianshang¡¯s scabbard, his eyes glinting.


    Long Xingyun smiled dejectedly, [This martial fanatic, does he not know what dreadful existence that man is? How is he so eager to challenge him at first glance?]


    [I just can¡¯t tell if these blockhead allies of mine are a blessing or a calamity!]


    Meanwhile, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s four also glanced their way but were calm as water. Even Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes only spared them a cursory glance.


    ¡°That Zhuo Fan still hasn¡¯t shown himself!¡± Huangpu Qingtian stared at the Luo clan.


    Lin Xuanfeng giggled, ¡°Eldest young master, are you that eager to smash someone?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m only curious why Sir Leng holds him in such high regard!¡± Huangpu Qingtian crossed his arms, ¡°This world is yet to see a man worthy of my attention. I hope that kid would make an exception!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, Eldest young master is truly a hero among heroes. You must really want to fight that kid!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng jumped right in with his ass kissing, only to get a sharp look from Huangpu Qingtian in return, ¡°Lin Xuanfeng, watch your tongue. This world doesn¡¯t have anyone worthy fighting with either. Only some temporary targets need destroying! I only want to see if that man is worthy of killing him myself. If he can¡¯t even amount to that, he will be left to you guys to handle!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng shivered and nodded.


    The other two sneered, [This brat is usually crafty, but this time¡¯s ass kissing only reached the feet! He-he-he¡­]


    Picking up on the two¡¯s mockery, Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s felt rage inside. Then his eyes lit up and proposed, ¡°Eldest young master, why don¡¯t I test the Luo clan. Zhuo Fan is bound to show up then. And if he doesn¡¯t, we¡¯ll simply end them.¡±


    ¡°Do it!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s curt nod cut him off. Then the other laughed as he vanished.


    Xie Tianshang¡¯s group watching from afar was also gone. Huangpu Qingtian paused, ¡°You two go as well. Perhaps the six dragons¡¯ fight will happen earlier!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    The two glanced at each other and were gone, leaving only Huangpu Qingtian standing alone with a sharp gaze.


    This was all in response to Leng Wuchang¡¯s judgment of this time¡¯s Esoteric Debate. It may just be a guess, but was enough to make this man take it seriously.


    Because Leng Wuchang had never said something like this to him ever before.


    That implication of not wanting to see Zhuo Fan was a lie! As a man of great power himself, even if conceited, he had to make things clear. Only by snuffing out the cradle would allow ultimate peace to descend¡­

 Chapter 250 - Picking A Fight

    ¡°Young miss, young master, good work!¡±


    The people began commending the shocking power of the Luo clan¡¯s 12 with a round of applause as they left the stage. Captain Pang rushed over and expressed his thanks as well for the two¡¯s work, watching them with great regret.


    If only he was younger, he would be joining and fighting alongside them as well.


    Luo Yunchang nodded, not able to speak from how weary she was.


    Captain Pang didn¡¯t dally any more and led them to a bench to rest. He then turned to the ten guards with praise, ¡°You¡¯ve done well today. I will surely remember it!¡±


    The ten youths nodded, but their faces showed not a twitch, as if they were frozen in time.


    Luo Yunhai panted and sighed as well, ¡°Captain Pang, just how did you train them? These young guards are even more dauntless than most people I¡¯ve seen in the army.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, young master, there are some things you don¡¯t know. These guys are trained by me according to Steward Zhuo¡¯s training regimen. He said that great soldiers are good when fighting back, but these fellows are men willing to lay down their lives for the Luo clan when it matters the most.¡±


    Captain Pang sputtered with great pride the feats of these kids. But then he froze and looked at the silent Luo Yunchang in distress.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s hand tightened and her eyes glistened in tears.


    Luo Yunhai glared at Captain Pang, ¡°We asked about their training, so why are you talking about sacrifice¡­¡±


    Captain Pang slapped himself till he was red, then cursed, ¡°It¡¯s my rotten mouth to blame for making young miss feel such sorrow again.¡±


    ¡°Captain Pang, I don¡¯t blame you.¡±


    Luo Yunchang stopped him from blaming himself, ¡°Five years without so much as a word. Elder Li did say that he is definitely alive, but from the look on his face, not even he believed those words. If he were still alive, there was bound to be some news at this point, not total silence.¡±


    Tears started trailing down her cheeks.


    Luo Yunhai felt her pain as Captain Pang sighed, not knowing how to reply. The Luo clan didn¡¯t want to accept Zhuo Fan¡¯s death, but they had no choice in the matter.


    At that time, the entire clan was in mourning.


    How did that saying go? Misery loves company. Their so called allies had changed their stance, and their support was waning.


    They were abandoned when the clan needed the most help.


    Many times Luo Yunchang wished to show the world their Radiant Stage experts. Zhuo Fan was gone, but the clan still held strong.


    Luo clan had the power to face the seven houses!


    But Luo Yunchang was reminded every single time of Zhuo Fan¡¯s decisive stance, of keeping their cards hidden even from one¡¯s allies. This made her snuff out that reckless thought.


    She thus burned with even more desire, to prove to them who Luo clan was, in the Esoteric Debate. Especially to their allies, that they are worthy of their constant support.


    No matter what, she had to lead the Luo clan into the final battle.


    Taking a deep breath, Luo Yunchang wiped her tears and steeled her will. She stood up, ¡°Come, Grand Elder is waiting for us!¡±


    Luo Yunhai and Captain Pang looked startled at the leaving delicate figure.


    With Zhuo Fan gone the past half a decade, and Luo Yunhai in the army, all the weight of the clan rested on the young miss¡¯ shoulders. And the talks with their allies were the most taxing.


    She didn¡¯t have Zhuo Fan¡¯s cunning, nor his brashness. But on this path, her weak and fearful self slowly rose to the challenge, meeting the houses head on. Within the fake civility, with all that back and forth, she grew to be an imposing figure.


    But only she knew the taunts, mocking, and misery she had to endure.


    Sighing, Captain Pang and Luo Yunhai followed after her. The three soon arrived with the ten guards at the exit of the fighting stage.


    Lei Yuntian was there waiting for them, along with the Profound Heaven fakes.


    ¡°Yunhai, Yunchang, congratulations! You won 28 times in a row!¡± Lei Yuntian cupped his hands.


    Luo Yunchang raised an eyebrow, ¡°Uncle Lei, you knew we¡¯d won even when you were outside?¡±


    ¡°Of course. With such a resounding applause, how could I not know? I¡¯ve heard it so many times these days that my ears have swollen. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Lei Yuntian was cheerful.


    Luo Yunchang chuckled as well as they walked with him to their accommodations.


    ¡°Uncle Lei, how about we make a different sound tomorrow, since your ears are swollen?¡±


    ¡°No need. I like this one very much, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    They talked with the setting sun behind them, cheerful about tomorrow¡¯s victory. Among the ten young guards behind them there were also the Profound Heaven fakers.


    Their power wasn¡¯t much to talk about. Even one of the young guards could finish them off. But that swag and pose had their intended purpose, to shock and awe the bystanders.


    [Holy hell, the Luo clan is truly an underdog. They raised 20 Profound Heaven experts! They are as strong as the seven houses.]


    Though none realized, looks could be deceiving. These elders were paper tigers, mere toys to scare children. But just as Fang Qiubai said before, showing them off was their strongest suit¡­


    Whoosh~


    Suddenly, a breeze passed by Luo Yunchang¡¯s charming figure. She felt her ear and her face changed!


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Yunchang?¡¯ Lei Yuntian asked.


    Luo Yunchang was confused, ¡°M-my earring¡¯s gone!¡±


    ¡°Sister, did you lose it?¡± Luo Yunhai looked around and shouted, ¡°Everyone, my sister lost her earring. Please help us find it!¡±


    They all started looking around for the young miss¡¯ earring.


    Just then, a funny laughter reached them, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, idiots, here it is!¡±


    Ding~


    A sharp ringing sound was heard and they all looked in the direction of a creepy man in robes holding an earring.


    Luo Yunchang cried, ¡°T-that¡¯s mine!¡±


    ¡°Merry Woods¡¯s Forest Fleeting Dragon, Lin Xuanfeng!¡± Luo Yunchang was quite shocked.


    All eyes were now on that man. Was this one of the strongest disciples in Tianyu, one of Six Dragons and One Phoenix, Forest Fleeting Dragon?


    The cheerful mood had long been replaced with heavy silence. Even those twenty Profound Heaven fakes felt their scalps go numb. These guys were no match for the Six Dragons and One Phoenix. Even if they weren¡¯t fakes.


    Even among Profound Heaven experts, the Six Dragons and One Phoenix were the best.


    Why was this Lin Xuanfeng suddenly approaching them? Was he picking a fight? [What are you doing picking a fight with us? Aren¡¯t you from the seven houses, aren¡¯t you afraid of shaming yourself?]


    This was on everyone¡¯s mind.


    Lin Xuanfeng looked at Luo Yunhai in provocation, ¡°Such a remarkable godson that old guy Dugu Zhantian has gained. You recognized me with just one look?¡±


    ¡°Of course. We may be soldiers, but the godfather has told us about the renowned figures in Tianyu.¡± Luo Yunhai straightened his back and shouted, ¡°And you? What do you think you¡¯re doing? This is Dragon Cloud City and it is time for the Esoteric Debate. The houses and clans are forbidden from making a ruckus. Are you challenging Marshal Dugu¡¯s order and is that why you¡¯re blocking our way?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, stop scaring people with that old guy¡¯s name. I¡¯m not everyone!¡± Lin Xuanfeng mocked, ¡°Kid, do you know why the old man told you about Tianyu¡¯s strongest? It was to warn you that even he can¡¯t offend some people. It was something for you to watch out for. That order is for the average clans only, not for us, the seven houses.¡±


    Luo Yunhai seethed from anger, ¡°You dare to openly go against his order? See when I report to Marshal and he puts you in your place!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you gullible pup. I just told you, that old man won¡¯t interfere!¡±


    Laughing, Lin Xuanfeng flashed right in front of Luo Yunchang in the next blink. He took in her perfume, shook her other earring, and snickered, ¡°Gorgeous, mind spending the night with me?¡±


    Blushing, Luo Yunchang¡¯s face was a mask of anger as she sent a slap, ¡°Pervert!¡±


    Whoosh~


    Lin Xuanfeng was back to his original place before the slap made contact, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, this is all Luo clan amounts to? You could not even find someone good enough to touch my clothes, but you dare showing off in Dragon Cloud City?¡±


    ¡°Men, together!¡± Lei Yuntian snapped.


    His cultivation was now in the 5th layer of the Profound Heaven Stage, reaching Lin Xuanfeng in a blink and striking with his finger.


    As for those Profound Heaven fakes, they had no choice but to join as well.


    In the face of the incoming finger, Lin Xuanfeng only grinned. Then the oddest thing happened.


    He vanished into thin air and the 20 Profound Heaven fakes behind Lei Yuntian were knocked out one at a time.


    Lin Xuanfeng then returned to his spot, but Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s finger still hadn¡¯t arrived. He let out a bored yawn and with a light grip, snuffed out the lightning on the finger, ¡°Too slow, I¡¯ve already finished fighting!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s kick sent Lei Yuntian flying.


    Spurting blood, Lei Yuntian fell before the siblings. Only now did the 20 Profound Heaven fakes collapsed, actually lasting a second more than Lei Yuntian.


    They had long been knocked out!


    Such speed!


    Gasping, Luo Yunhai¡¯s face turned solemn. He knew Lin Xuanfeng was fast, but even he didn¡¯t think it¡¯d be to this extent. It was as if he defied the laws of time and space.


    He didn¡¯t catch any of Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s movements, and it looked as if he had always been standing there. But he knew that Lin Xuanfeng had put everyone out of commission in a flash.


    Without a second thought, Luo Yunhai jumped in front of his sister. Luo Yunchang was solemn as well, glancing at Captain Pang and getting ready to face their great enemy.


    The power of the six dragons wasn¡¯t something they could contend with. They were all wishing from the bottom of their hearts that that person would come. Ironically, this was where the both side¡¯s thoughts aligned, with Lin Xuanfeng hoping for the same thing.

 Chapter 251 - Dragon And Phoenix Battle

    ¡°Is the Soaring Demonic Dragon truly dead? I mean, this would never have happened if he wasn¡¯t. Unless of course he is the biggest coward out there!¡± Giving others a mocking glance, he punctuated with a sneer.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s heart trembled. [He¡¯s after Zhuo Fan!] The guy assumed Zhuo Fan was watching from the shadows around here somewhere and decided to stage this play to draw him out.


    When in fact the reality was much much crueler. Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t even here to begin with.


    The Luo clan wallowed in mourning and Luo Yunchang snapped back in indignation, ¡°Since when did an outsider get the rights to butt into the affairs of our steward?¡±


    ¡°Ha, looks like you hold Zhuo Fan in quite a high regard! Although, would it even make that much of a difference if he were here? A nobody who some no-name clans call Soaring Demonic Dragon, one who can barely stand up to our level, the level of the Six Dragons and One Phoenix, doesn¡¯t deserve my attention!¡±


    With a spark of cruelty in his eyes, Lin Xuanfeng flashed right in front of Luo Yunchang¡¯s face.


    The group jerked back in fright. [He¡¯s so fast! Too fast!] They didn¡¯t even sense him move.


    Especially Lei Yuntian, who sucked in a cold breath. Both were of an equal stage in strength, that of the Profound Heaven. And common knowledge told him a difference in speed could exist but not to the extent of a gulf. Yet Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s brazen display proved that the six dragons were in a league of their own, even if they were only Profound Heaven experts.


    Snickering, Lin Xuanfeng touched the smooth and delicate chin of the frightened Luo Yunchang, ¡°Young miss Luo, if we were to take this somewhere private, wouldn¡¯t that Steward Zhuo end up working under me in the end? Are you willing to come along?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch my sister!¡±


    Luo Yunhai snapped, sending a flying kick at him. Lei Yuntian and Captain Pang joined him by punching.


    Lei Yuntian flickered like lightning while the dark energy around Captain Pang turned him into an unstoppable raging machine.


    ¡°Get your filthy hands off young miss!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng couldn¡¯t care less about their bravado, to the point he even disregarded them completely. With Lei Yuntian leading the charge, Lin Xuanfeng simply swished his wrist and Captain Pang tumbled forward.


    Captain Pang rammed into Lei Yuntian and the two coughed blood in their flight.


    To the mere 3rd layer of Bone Tempering Luo Yunhai, this was even more disdainful. A simple rise of his leg followed by a casual step ended the kid¡¯s attack.


    Ah!


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s wailed out of pain from having his leg bone bend under the guy¡¯s foot. Luo Yunchang rushed over, ¡°Yunhai!¡±


    She didn¡¯t make it however, as Lin Xuanfeng was quick in seizing her wrist and grinning like a demon, ¡°Young miss Luo, will you cooperate now?¡±


    Luo Yunchang bit her lip, her eyes teary as she clenched her fists in hatred.


    Seeing her so stubborn, Lin Xuanfeng snickered as he put more weight on his foot.


    Ah!


    Luo Yunhai made his pain known again. But he cut off his screams abruptly despite the agony. He chose to hold it in, although it was clear from his purple face that it took all he had not to keep screaming.


    He couldn¡¯t scream, or his sister would have no choice but to agree and the Luo clan¡¯s name would go up in flames. His training in the Dugu Army taught him how to shed away the weak young master persona and become a true man of principle.


    ¡°Oh, quite the tough one I see.¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Lin Xuanfeng eyed him viciously, and put more power in his stomp.


    The sound of crushed bone jarred everyone¡¯s ears, but Luo Yunhai only gnashed his teeth as sweat soaked him. No matter how much it hurt, how pale he got, he didn¡¯t make a sound.


    Lei Yuntian and Captain Pang were enraged at this, yet couldn¡¯t even twitch as their bodies were seriously hurt as well. As for those Profound Heaven fakes, they were rooted in place and shivering from pain. They had no intention of showing off anymore. After biting the dust once, they simply closed their eyes shut.


    Even as imperial guards they had never offended the seven houses, least of all now.


    Although the young guards had guts, even they¡¯d think twice after being knocked out cold from just one slap.


    Luo Yunchang felt her brother¡¯s pain, so much so her teeth were threatening to break under the strain of her clenched jaw. She was caught in the middle, whether to choose her clan¡¯s honor or save her younger brother from the torment.


    Lin Xuanfeng roared as he yanked her wrist, ¡°Talk! Are you going to give in and make me Zhuo Fan¡¯s master or not?¡±


    ¡°Humph, are you worthy?¡± Luo Yunchang scoffed back, ¡°Compared to him, you¡¯re nothing but discarded dung, unfit to even carry his shoes!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s eyes twitched and he backhanded her, ¡°Have it your way then, skank!¡±


    Luo Yunchang showed no fear at the incoming blow. The others wanted to help but were unable to even move.


    All they could do was watch him humiliate their young miss.


    Whoosh!


    And right then, a white ribbon shot at Lin Xuanfeng. He was forced to give up on his attack and flickered away. The ribbon passed through the air and went back.


    The source was tens of meters away from the Luo clan¡¯s siblings.


    Lin Xuanfeng spat back as he watched the white ribbon fly away, ¡°Ascending Ice Phoenix Chu Qingcheng, this is none of your damn business. Beat it!¡±


    ¡°Humph, Drifting Flowers City will never allow anyone to harass women!¡±


    A white figure along with Iris and Peony Overseers walked over. Her elegance and her demeanor, both pictured her as a celestial. Not even her veil could mask the outstanding beauty she possessed, to the extent that it left even Luo Yunchang speechless.


    [Is this Chu Qingcheng? She is just like a goddess!]


    Then she noticed the two overseers and her whole face lit up, ¡°Sister Iris, Sister Peony!¡±


    When Zhuo Fan was reported missing, perhaps because they were all women, while meeting with her allies, Luo Yunchang and the two hit it off. The two liked Luo Yunchang as well, treating her like an angel.


    Unlike that devious and devilish Zhuo Fan.


    It was only natural that the three were practically sisters now.


    The overseers rushed to her in worry, ¡°Yunchang, are you alright?¡±


    Luo Yunchang nodded her head with a smile and went to help her brother and Captain Pang. The overseers supplied them with pills to offer relief.


    Chu Qingcheng only stared daggers at Lin Xuanfeng.


    Lin Xuanfeng scratched his nose as he said in good nature, ¡°Chu Qingcheng, this is no Drifting Flowers City, so try to keep your nose out of another¡¯s business.¡±


    ¡°Habit!¡± Chu Qingcheng scoffed and chuckled in mockery.


    Lin Xuanfeng laughed back coldly, ¡°Then you¡¯ll have to forgive me for what I¡¯m about to do.¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng flickered, putting Luo Yunchang and her group on edge.


    Iris and Peony Overseers held her hand to ease her worries.


    Only this time, Chu Qingcheng intervened. A white mist rose between her hands, swiftly spreading around. Wherever the mist passed, a layer of ice formed.


    Lin Xuanfeng slowly became suspicious as the mist coiled around his figure. His speed was clearly affected as everyone had no trouble seeing him anymore.


    Shocked, Lin Xuanfeng got some distance between them. He trembled a bit and the ice sheet on him crumbled off, but the fear in his eyes was more than apparent.


    ¡°Frost Domain! Did your soul reach the Radiant Stage?¡± Lin Xuanfeng cried incredulously.


    He felt how Chu Qingcheng¡¯s frost spread along her Discerning Field and acted as a barrier. Any that stepped foot in it, would find it impossible to escape her notice, regardless of speed.


    It was a sign of imminent breakthrough into the Radiant Stage.


    Once her Frost Domain became an invisible divine sense, that would be when she¡¯d attain the true form of Discerning Field. And, just like Zhuo Fan, she had the prospect of entering the Radiant Stage.


    As for killing with intent, it wasn¡¯t that far away either.


    His face growing colder, Lin Xuanfeng said, ¡°I heard you wasted ten years of your cultivation. Who knew you¡¯d recover so fast. Chu Qingcheng, you are worthy of being among the Six Dragons and One Phoenix, albeit barely. I extend my admiration!¡±


    ¡°Then get lost if you know what¡¯s good for you! I am in no mood of stirring something up before the true battle between the seven houses!¡± Chu Qingcheng glanced over.


    Lin Xuanfeng was pissed and his face was a mask of hatred. Then he broke out into a grin, accompanied by him snickering, ¡°Chu Qingcheng, you¡¯re a bit full of yourself. Not even you are enough to deal with me!¡±


    Whoosh!


    With a boom, Chu Qingcheng felt a wind on her back and felt a slap coming her way.


    The two palms met and Chu Qingcheng put all her power in it to repel the attacker. When she noticed her palm, it was covered in green.


    It was lucky that she had formed a layer of ice beforehand. The ice made from Yuan Qi fell on the ground, sizzling like acid and releasing a foul stench.


    Chu Qingcheng held her nose and jumped back startled, ¡°What dreadful poison!¡±


    Looking up, she noticed the attacker was a man with half his face purple, and said, ¡°Plague Dragon, Yan Bangui!¡±

 Chapter 252 - The Dread Of Huangpu Tianyuan

    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you old poisoner! About time you showed up. Any later and I¡¯d have had to go all out!¡± Lin Xuanfeng roared in laughter walking next to Yan Bangui while raising a taunting look at Chu Qingcheng.


    Yan Bangui was simply silent. The only sign he had that seemed to acknowledge the man was the bloodthirsty cold stare.


    Heart jumping, Chu Qingcheng grew serious. Six Dragons and One Phoenix¡¯s power was the strongest in the Profound Heaven Stage. Besides Huangpu Qingtian, there wasn¡¯t much of a difference in the other six¡¯s power.


    She could deal with Forest Fleeting Dragon, Lin Xuanfeng, but her hands were tied with Yan Bangui in the mix. The others picked up on this and grew nervous.


    Lin Xuanfeng puffed up his chest and laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Ascending Ice Phoenix, now that we are two against one, I reckon what your chances will be?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng tightened her fists in response.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re among the Six Dragons and One Phoenix, yet you have no shame going two against one? What will you say to three against two then?¡±


    The others jerked and saw Long Xingyun and Xie Tianshang¡¯s groups arriving.


    Xue Ningxiang looked at Luo Yunchang. She gathered her courage and showed a bashful smile, ¡°Young miss Luo, are you alright?¡±


    Luo Yunchang chuckled a nod, but was quite perplexed. [Who is this girl? I don¡¯t even know her so why does she care so much about me?]


    But when she noticed the Thunder Ring, she realized that Zhuo Fan wore the same one, ¡°T-that ring¡­¡±


    ¡°This is our engagement ring!¡± Xie Tianyang butted in, showing his own without an ounce of shame.


    It was precisely for this occasion that he had Zhuo Fan make one for him as well.


    Glaring at him, Xue Ningxiang stammered an explanation, ¡°Young miss Luo, don¡¯t misunderstand. This is nothing between us. Brother Zhuo simply gave a token to each of us!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see!¡± Luo Yunchang nodded in disappointment and vexation. [That guy never gave me anything¡­]


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s ears perked up and she whipped her head back, feeling quite down herself.


    [Grandmother said he is heartless, yet he suddenly grew a conscience? Humph, damn philanderer¡­]


    Long Xingyun got next to Chu Qingcheng and stared at their opponents, ¡°I wonder, who among you will spar with me?¡±


    ¡°Humph, stand back and leave them all to me!¡±


    Xie Tianshang stepped in front, his sword sheath moved and his piercing gaze landed on his enemies. Like sharp blades, the two had a very real cold and sharp feeling on their necks!


    Long Xingyun almost facepalmed, [This guy¡¯s martial fanatic obsession is out again. Though this is a very good opportunity to see how reliable he really is!]


    While their side got bolstered, the enemy¡¯s side was tense.


    Now that the tables had turned, they were the ones at a disadvantage.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s three on three in fact!¡±


    A laughter followed when a gray figure popped out before Lin Xuanfeng. Their tension eased.


    Chu Qingcheng frowned and spat, ¡°Specter Dragon, You Yushan!¡±


    ¡°It is I!¡± You Yushan nodded and turned to his own allies, ¡°Eldest young master was right, Six Dragons and One Phoenix were bound to fight earlier.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, in this case, we are even. What¡¯s there to fear?¡± Lin Xuanfeng cackled, having recovered his cockiness.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s side waited solemnly.


    With a metallic sound, Xie Tianshang¡¯s sword left its sheath, ¡°You two, pick someone else. These three are mine!¡±


    ¡°Young master Xie, can you take them on all by yourself?¡± Chu Qingcheng frowned in worry.


    Hardening his gaze, Xie Tianshang made up his mind, ¡°How else can I challenge Huangpu Qingtian?¡±


    ¡°Brother Xie, I don¡¯t care about the other two, but leave You Yushan to me!¡± Long Xingyun stepped up with a hard face, ¡°Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Hell Valley¡¯s grudges can only be settled amongst ourselves!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, perfect. I was thinking the same thing. Let¡¯s see what Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Abyss Dragon is made of! I¡¯ll make sure whether Hell Valley has overestimated you or not!¡±


    You Yushan laughed, with sparks flying as their gazes met.


    The scene was close to a breaking point. It was missing but a spark to devolve in an all out war.


    But then a shout came, ¡°Stop!¡±


    Whoosh!


    Four men appeared between the two sides, eliciting murmurs from the others, ¡°Four Tigers of Tianyu!¡±


    ¡°Seniors, Marshal Dugu forbids any grudge fights in Dragon Cloud City. The seven houses are no exception. Please comply!¡± Dugu Feng cupped his hands at the six, his tone very cold.


    And yet another shout came, ¡°Brother Yunhai¡­¡±


    Dugu Huo noticed Luo Yunhai on the ground and knew at a glance that his leg was broken. His short temper was already burning as he raved, ¡°Who did this?¡±


    ¡°Third brother, it was Lin Xuanfeng!¡± Luo Yunchang spoke in a pleading voice, ¡°Please, elder brother, help us!¡±


    Dugu Huo¡¯s face heated up as he roared like a beast, ¡°Anyone who harms our family is dead! Eldest brother¡­¡±


    ¡°Quiet!¡±


    Dugu Feng cut him off with a glare, then continued, ¡°I hope that we can all let this matter rest! If Marshal were to step in himself, it won¡¯t simply end with words!¡±


    The rest stared at him fixedly, then nodded slowly.


    Dugu Zhantian was the second of the Four Pillars. They had to show him some respect after all.


    ¡°Fine. It¡¯s such a pity though, that I didn¡¯t get to show them my prowess. We¡¯ll just have to wait for the decisive battle of the houses then!¡± Lin Xuanfeng shrugged and mocked. They hadn¡¯t lost in this exchange anyway.


    The rest looked at each other and nodded as well.


    Dugu Feng eased his breath and walked to Luo Yunhai, ¡°Yunhai, please forgive me.¡±


    ¡°No, I understand that the eldest brother had to dissolve the situation!¡± Luo Yunhai¡¯s eyes were firm.


    Past five years in the Dugu Army had him grown accustomed to the meaning of military. In order to reach an objective, sometimes personal honor had to be sacrificed.


    Taking a deep breath, Dugu Feng patted his shoulder, feeling his pain as well.


    His little brother was pushed around and what did the eldest brother do? Nothing! All because of his orders. He was a soldier first and foremost, a Dugu Army¡¯s general!


    The other tigers sighed as well, filled with just as much rage as him.


    ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t the situation over yet?¡± A sudden voice came, lofty as an emperor¡¯s. Carrying might with every word.


    They all turned to see the most dreadful among the six dragons.


    Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord, Huangpu Qingtian!


    ¡°Eldest young master, this is what happened¡­¡± Lin Xuanfeng looked like a dog as he explained in brief.


    Huangpu Qingtian nodded, yet his face was always calm. He stepped forward and said, ¡°Since Zhuo Fan is a no-show, hurry up and kill the Luo clan! If such a crucial event doesn¡¯t warrant his coming, he must be dead for sure!¡±


    The others jerked in fright. Huangpu Qingtian was going to go against Dugu Zhantian¡¯s orders and kill the Luo clan.


    ¡°Young master Huangpu, Marshal is against any grudge fights. Are you¡­ ¡°


    Dugu Feng blocked his path and shouted, but Huangpu Qingtian only had disdain for his attempt, ¡°Grudge fight, war, they all describe armed conflicts between two equally strong sides! But none of you are even worthy of a grudge fight. So erasing someone weak doesn¡¯t violate any order.¡±


    [Such crass!]


    The people were shocked once again by this man¡¯s egotistical behavior.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, a sword light came down from above, straight for Huangpu Qingtian. Xie Tianshang was filled with fighting spirit as he shouted, ¡°Huangpu Qingtian, I¡¯ve waited ten years for this! Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms ¨C Splitting Heaven!¡±


    ¡°Ten years? Then you waited for nothing!¡±


    He walked just like before, and yet in the face of the upcoming sword attack, he only replied with a casual palm attack.


    Boom!


    The sword wave splintered and an almighty power slammed into Xie Tianshang¡¯s chest and sent him flying while coughing blood.


    The way Huangpu Qingtian put away his hand was as if he flicked away a pest, a mosquito ¨C so casual, so dismissive. Not even his gait changed!


    Sss~


    All watched in stunned silence how he dominated Xie Tianshang. Not even Xie Tianyang conceived it possible for his invincible brother to be so easily dealt with by Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord.


    Everyone said Huangpu Qingtian was a monster, but how could there be such discrepancy from the rest of the Six Dragons and One Phoenix? The others couldn¡¯t even put up any resistance.


    The hearts of everyone sank in despair! Huangpu Qingtian was an untameable mountain as he stepped towards them.


    Although slow, his step carried such power that it was as if he was stepping on everyone¡¯s hearts, crushing their spirit and will¡­

 Chapter 253 - Demonic Dragon’s Appearance

    The heavy pressure pressed down on all and they flinched back again and again. Yet Huangpu Qingtian was still strolling forward, like a king on a mission!


    The air was excruciatingly thick, hard to even breathe. The dread on everyone¡¯s face only increased with every sound of Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s steps.


    Monster!


    It was on everyone¡¯s mind, yet none dared say it.


    Lin Xuanfeng, Yan Bangui, and You Yushan observed coldly. The stronger Huangpu Qingtian was, the more at ease they were, and respectful!


    ¡°Huangpu Qingtian, think this through, or you will suffer the consequences!¡± Dugu Feng wiped his brow.


    Among his peers in Tianyu, Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord was the first to scare this leader of tigers.


    Nodding, Huangpu Qingtian never missed a beat, ¡°Relax, I¡¯m not after you, the five tigers¡¯ lives. I still have to show consideration for Marshal Dugu! As long as you come out unharmed, he will not charge into Regent Estate! So taking Luo clan¡¯s young miss¡¯ head with me won¡¯t make that old geezer snap.¡±


    The four tigers felt eerily afraid and worried.


    Huangpu Qingtian was not only high on his horse, but quite astute as well, a schemer and plotter.


    He grasped Dugu Zhantian¡¯s bottom line, and knew when to stop just shy from it, even if he was about to cause a massacre.


    Correct, Dugu Zhantian cared most about his five godsons. He was tough on them, true, but he cherished them dearly as well.


    If anything were to happen to them, the old guy would flip and march his army regardless of consequences. Everyone had a bottom line, and the second of Four Pillars, Marshal of 3rd Army was no exception.


    Even though Luo Yunchang was the dear sister of his fifth godson, not even for her would he go into action. She had nothing to do with him.


    Knowing this, Huangpu Qingtian acted unrestrained and unfeeling to others.


    ¡°Young miss Luo, run! Go find the Marshal. You¡¯ll be safe there. Go while we hold him off!¡± Dugu Lin whispered.


    Luo Yunchang was worried for Luo Yunhai.


    Dugu Lin said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Yunhai is our brother and godfather¡¯s godson. Huangpu Qingtian won¡¯t ever touch him. Go, we won¡¯t be able to hold him for long!¡±


    Luo Yunchang took one last look at her brother and nodded. She was relieved but still hesitant.


    Just then, a soft hand grabbed her into a run. Looking back, it was actually Xue Ningxiang.


    ¡°Sister Luo, brother Zhuo always called me a burden! Let¡¯s see him say that again after I save his clan¡¯s young miss!¡± Xue Ningxiang stuck out her charming and cute nose as she smiled.


    Seeing this cutie, Luo Yunchang¡¯s worries drifted out of her.


    She didn¡¯t know how Zhuo Fan got to meet this girl, but the girl was like an angel, easing her worries¡­


    Lin Xuanfeng snickered from afar, ¡°Running, is it? Did you ask me first?¡±


    ¡°Wait, don¡¯t sour the eldest young master¡¯s mood!¡± You Yushan blocked him with a sneer.


    He now realized that without Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s explicit approval, none could do anything. When the man was on the prowl, only horror would¡¯ve awaited him for meddling with his hunt. Lin Xuanfeng wiped his brow and nodded.


    You Yushan beamed in reply.


    [Thanks, dude. If not for you, I would¡¯ve been a goner!]


    [No thanks necessary. I¡¯m not doing it for you either. With Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s temper, I fear you¡¯ll take me down with you.]


    You Yushan snickered.


    Back to Huangpu Qingtian, he didn¡¯t much care if the two girls broke into a run and shook his head, ¡°A hare always thinks it can outrun its hunter, only to find its efforts go in vain.¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian punctuated with chasing after the two.


    The four tigers rushed to intercept with four palms, ¡°Wind, forest, fire, mountain ¨C Imperial Army!¡±(StarReader: ·çÁÖ»ðɽ£¬Ç§¾üÍòÂí is original. If you have a better suggestion, I¡¯m all ears.)


    Boom!


    As if a dam broke, the power swept everything like a literal army.


    Although it was only four palms, it was as if tens of men joined hands! Not even Huangpu Qingtian could ignore it, feeling the sudden and forceful might boring down on him.


    Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s grinned, ¡°A formation! A pity, it¡¯s too low grade.¡±


    And he punched.


    Without any preamble, just this plain punch contained almost godly power. The boom sent the four tigers flying as they bled from their mouths!


    Now they felt on their own skin why Xie Tianshang was so badly wounded after just one attack. Because Huangpu Qingtian was no human. [How can our peer, in both age and cultivation, have such power?]


    But the crux of it all was, their so called stalling was pointless. Huangpu Qingtian simply barreled through them unimpeded in his chase after Luo Yunchang. It was as if stepping on ants in passing!


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, a whistle announced the incoming claw attack, below Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s belt. It was so devious, so sneaky, it caused everyone to gasp!


    ¡°Veiled Dragon Claw!¡±(StarReader: DZÁúÎðÓÃ. I have no clue if it¡¯s a declaration of an attack or huangpu saying it¡¯s useless.)


    Long Xingyun¡¯s eyes glinted as he arrived in the man¡¯s path. Huangpu Qingtian laughed coldly, ¡°Veiled Dragon Pavilion gets worse by the day. You only got so far through underhanded and crafty methods!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, and? This is what I know best!¡± Long Xingyun snickered, not minding it in the least.


    Huangpu Qingtian disregarded him and was planning on kicking him away.


    It was then he found it odd that his leg didn¡¯t move. A shining ice sheet crept up his legs and rooted him in place.


    He then saw a dainty palm, filled with mist shooting from above. Chu Qingcheng!


    Unable to move, Long Xingyun clawed him from below, and Chu Qingcheng attacked from above. It was the perfect combo to subdue an enemy¡¯s movements while also unleashing a pincer attack!


    Squinting, Huangpu Qingtian snorted fearlessly, ¡°I see. You laid a trap for me with Frost Domain while the four tigers blocked my path! Not bad at all, I will give you that much. But¡­¡±


    Pa, pa!


    Two loud noises echoed as Chu Qingcheng¡¯s palm slammed into his head and Long Xingyun¡¯s claw hit from below. Although despicable, it was a strong attack nonetheless!


    And yet, no one expected what happened next.


    Two peak Profound Heaven experts could do nothing against one with equal cultivation!


    Chu Qingcheng and Long Xingyun stared in shock and sucked a cold breath! [Just how strong is this monster?]


    Huangpu Qingtian curled his lips, ¡°A pity, you are too weak and overestimate your strength!¡±


    Despite his words, his eyes flashed.


    Then, with a boom, his body exploded in a golden light and roared like a dragon. A golden dragon rose from him, sending the pair flying and coughing blood.


    It then circled back into his body.


    ¡°W-what is that thing?¡± Long Xingyun watched Huangpu Qingtian perturbed, as did the rest.


    It was as if his body held a guardian.


    Grinning, Huangpu Qingtian mocked, ¡°It is the heritage of an emperor. You are not worthy to know!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian then chose to ignore him, leaving him sitting on the ground in shock and bleeding at the mouth.


    Whoosh~


    With no one left to block him, Huangpu Qingtian went after the girls. They looked back in shock, to find Chu Qingcheng, Xie Tianshang, and Luo Yunchang, as well as the Four Tigers of Tianyu wounded on the ground and unable to even get up on their feet!


    Despite the intense fight, it only took a second. The gap was so insanely wide that all that effort didn¡¯t stall Huangpu Qingtian for even a fraction of a second!


    [How is there such discrepancy between him and the other Five Dragons and One Phoenix?]


    The two were now panicking from fright! Huangpu Qingtian was like a relentless monster. No one seemed to be able to escape his clutches!


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, watch out!¡±


    Xie Tianyang roared, as he and Long Jie with Long Kui jumped in front. But what could they do when Five Dragons and One Phoenix could do nothing?


    The answer? Nothing.


    With a mere flick, Huangpu Qingtian sent them flying, landing heavily on the ground.


    Snickering, Huangpu Qingtian extended his hand, ¡°Young miss Luo, this palm of mine will splatter the both of you! If Zhuo Fan doesn¡¯t show even now, he is definitely dead, or maybe just a lily-livered good for nothing coward!¡±


    ¡°Rubbish! You¡¯re the real coward! Brother Zhuo is a hero!¡± Ning¡¯er cursed.


    Luo Yunchang was giving her all to run, but still nodded at Ning¡¯er¡¯s words.


    Grinning, Huangpu Qingtian mocked, ¡°I hope so too, but at this point he seems likelier dead than alive.¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian struck with his palm. It looked casual, but the might behind it was that of a mountain.


    The girls were scared to even run, watching the incoming palm with fear.


    Everyone wanted to help them, somehow save them, but no one had the strength.


    ¡°Sister!¡± Luo Yunhai cried and crawled.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er!¡± Xie Tianyang was doing the same with clenched teeth.


    Huangpu Qingtian looked on coldly as his attack approached the girls, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan is really dead after all. A shame you all had to die for nothing. As he defied Regent Estate, I had no choice but to waste my time with this puny Luo clan. You only have Zhuo Fan to blame for your fates. It was he who cut your young lives short!¡±


    Luo Yunchang and Ning¡¯er remained silent.


    Xie Tianyang punched the ground, reminded of how powerless he was back in Blue Expanse City and cursed, ¡°That bastard Zhuo Fan! Why does he always wash his hands off every offense he ever does. Now Ning¡¯er is giving her life away for nothing! Bastard, come out if you have any shred of conscience!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s group found his cursing entertaining, ¡°So Zhuo Fan really is dead. Or this would never have happened!¡±


    ¡°No, Zhuo Fan is not dead!¡± Luo Yunchang shouted back.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s attack was about to hit the girls, ¡°Then call him out! Show me that he¡¯s alive! But it¡¯s too late now. No one can save you from my attack!¡±


    Tears streamed Luo Yunchang¡¯s face, ¡°Zhuo Fan, if you can hear me, please come! At least let me see you one last time!¡±


    She was on the brink of death yet no response came. Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s group laughed harder at her futile attempt and treated her like a fool.


    Ning¡¯er held her close instead, even if her heart had the same feeling.


    ¡°Useless! Die in peace!¡±


    Whoosh~


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s palm attack sped up and the girls felt their breaths caught in their throat, picturing the gory mess they would soon become. Luo Yunchang closed her teary eyes, in pain and sorrow.


    [Why couldn¡¯t I see Zhuo Fan one last time?]


    Ning¡¯er was praying for a miracle, the same miracle that saved her in Blue Expanse City!


    [Will anyone save us?]


    Crack~


    Suddenly, Xie Tianyang and Ning¡¯er¡¯s Thunder Ring flickered and the two cried.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo!¡±


    Boom!


    Too little, too late. Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s palm struck down, destroying even the ground below them!


    Xie Tianyang watched the aftermath in a daze, slumping powerless as tears flowed from his eyes.


    It was now that a carefree voice entered their ears, ¡°Were you looking for me?¡±

 Chapter 254 - Another Monster

    A shiver ran through Huangpu Qingtian and his knuckles turned white. He turned, like the rest, to where the voice came from.


    To see a figure in a billowing black cloak, wielding a sword of unmatched edge, yet sheathed for now. But that could not hide the dread and power it instilled in the hearts of all present!


    Especially when he held two girls in his arms, the same ones Huangpu Qingtian was about to kill.


    [How?]


    The mangled bodies and the torn limbs were nowhere to be seen. How were they still in one piece? [Did this man just do the impossible? Did he save them without even Huangpu Qingtian noticing?]


    [That¡¯s absurd!] Who could ever pull such a feat such as saving someone from right under Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord¡¯s nose, and at the last second too!


    Not even the feeting feet Lin Xuanfeng could pull it off.


    [Who the hell is this guy?]


    Eyes filled with shock and intrigue graced the black figure. Not even Huangpu Qingtian could stop his eye from twitching. It was a rare sight to see him lose his voice.


    Because it had never happened to him, ever¡­


    Once the haze passed, Luo Yunchang was still trying to make sense of everything. One second she was staring death in the face, and the next she was in the arms of a robed man.


    Xue Ningxiang didn¡¯t fare any better, but the familiar flickering forced her eyes on the man¡¯s hand, on the sparkling Thunder Ring, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, you¡¯re alright!¡±


    Her words earned the gasp of the crowd.


    Easing them down, Zhuo Fan smiled and pulled back his cowl to reveal the same familiar face that some cherished, some hated, and some reviled.


    Yes sir, he was the one and only Soaring Demonic Dragon. Who made sure to leave chaos in his wake wherever he went, Zhuo Fan!


    Smiling to Xue Ningxiang, Zhuo Fan showed a rare calmness, ¡°Ning¡¯er, it¡¯s been a while!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang nodded a smile, lowering her bashful face. Xie Tianyang was still crawling and couldn¡¯t for the life of him decide which was better, life or death. He was thrilled that Xue Ningxiang was safe and sound. But the deep gaze Xue Ningxiang gave Zhuo Fan made him feel his life was over!


    [Ning¡¯er, why have you never looked at me like that?]


    Bam!


    Zhuo Fan stumbled forward and held his butt. He snapped back irate, ¡°Young miss, what¡¯s wrong? We haven¡¯t seen¡­¡±


    His words soon stopped though. Because Luo Yunchang was looking at him with teary eyes and a reproachful glare.


    ¡°You are asking me? What about you? Where the hell did you run off to for the past five years? I was worried sick!¡±


    Luo Yunchang raved, but she couldn¡¯t mask the joy bursting from her chest as she forgot where she was and jumped into his arms, her tears falling nonstop.


    She wanted to hold him close to her heart and never let him go.


    Zhuo Fan was caught unprepared, not knowing how to even respond, but ultimately deciding to hug her back.


    Xue Ningxiang felt a stab of pain from deep within her heart. She should be happy to see Zhuo Fan again, so why the pain? But the sight of this young miss holding Zhuo Fan so close seemed to make her heart frantic!


    Chu Qingcheng was no different.


    Zhuo Fan was the husband she recognized back in Drifting Flowers City, and here he was, spreading his love! However reasonable and perfectly natural her brain told her this reunion was, her heart was another matter entirely. The pain was far greater than any wound she had ever received!


    Two women¡¯s love aside, the Four Tigers of Tianyu felt their hearts literally crack!


    [Young miss Luo pined for someone else. That makes the five years we carried a torch for her go down the drain. We even fought among each other over her! This blasted and rotten Steward Zhuo is a clan thief in the truest sense! He even stole young miss¡¯ heart!]


    And yet, worries soon gave way to joy.


    Watching such a touchy reunion, Xie Tianyang¡¯s mouth split into a wide grin! [As long as Zhuo Fan has a woman, Ning¡¯er will be devastated. The perfect time to make my move.]


    [Whether it is Chu Qingcheng or Luo Yunchang, who cares? Ha-ha-ha¡­]


    Xie Tianyang was laughing his heart out, on the inside, totally forgetting the precarious and quite deadly situation they were in seconds ago.


    ¡°For even a 5th layer of Bone Tempering woman to kick your ass, Soaring Demonic Dragon¡¯s reputation is undeserving!¡± A brash and cocky voice burst Luo Yunchang¡¯s bubble of happiness.


    She came crashing down to reality, reminded of the danger they were in. She jumped away from Zhuo Fan, wiped her tears and, like the perfect image of a little girl, dodged behind him, ¡°Steward Zhuo, keep me safe!¡±


    Her coy voice was enough to melt the four tigers¡¯ ice cold hearts, which were now bursting out of their chest in rage and rancor directed at the newly arrived man, Zhuo Fan. [What does young miss Luo sees in that Steward Zhuo? Isn¡¯t he beneath her?]


    Glancing back, Zhuo Fan was puzzled, [Since when did this lass learn to throw a hissy fit? It¡¯s not a bad idea, though.]


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, eldest young master, this guy doesn¡¯t look like much. He¡¯s only in the 9th layer of Bone Tempering Stage. He couldn¡¯t even break through to the Profound Heaven Stage! Fighting him will only harm your image so allow me to do the honors!¡± Lin Xuanfeng laughed.


    Huangpu Qingtian nodded.


    [The brat is right. If this is all Zhuo Fan amounts to, there¡¯s no need for my intervention.] But in case Zhuo Fan was pulling his punches, it might not be so bad to let this dumbass test the waters.


    Huangpu Qingtian smiled, ¡°Suit yourself. I¡¯ll allow it!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, eldest young master!¡± Lin Xuanfeng snickered at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and turned to Luo Yunchang, ¡°Who¡¯re these guys?¡±


    Luo Yunchang gave a rushed explanation. Getting the memo on who was who here, Zhuo Fan realized how powerful Huangpu Qingtian was. He alone dealt with Zhuo Fan¡¯s three allies and the Four Tigers of Tianyu, yet was still so composed.


    [Actually, he¡¯s dreadfully powerful and Zhuo Fan would never have fought him in the past. As for now, he-he¡­]


    Zhuo Fan grinned deviously, his brain already cooking the beginnings of a plan. Luo Yunchang brightened. Being so long in Zhuo Fan¡¯s presence, she knew his tells, and the confidence he showed now was more than a little reassuring.


    So without further ado, she singled Lin Xuanfeng out, ¡°Steward Zhuo, ignore the others and teach this prick a lesson he never forgets!¡±


    Zhuo Fan asked puzzled, ¡°What¡¯s so special about him?¡±


    ¡°H-he had errant intentions about me!¡± Luo Yunchang was wishy-washy, holding his sleeve and acting like a big child. It unleashed a cuteness overload attack on everyone¡¯s heart.


    Zhuo Fan blinked, giving her another look. [Young miss has changed. She finally started to work out her naivety.]


    And since the young miss had spoken, it was a steward¡¯s duty to comply. Whether it request was real or not was besides the point.


    Zhuo Fan switched his tone in the blink of an eye and stared down Lin Xuanfeng, ¡°Forest Fleeting Dragon Lin Xuanfeng, you must be tired of living! You had the nerve to go after my young miss!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, and? It¡¯s not my fault that Luo clan has no men¡­¡±


    Pa!


    He didn¡¯t get to finish his sentence as something knocked him flying! He went through four houses before getting buried under the rubble.


    Zhuo Fan was a whole hundred meters away, his eyes aflame as he lowered his hand, ¡°Bastard, you dare say that with me here? Go to hell!¡±


    The silence was deafening.


    They stared slack jawed at him. Even Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord was stunned!


    [What just happened? They were a hundred meters apart. How did Zhuo Fan slap him away?]


    The one under the rubble was from the Six Dragons and One Phoenix, Lin Xuanfeng! The fastest man in the Profound Heaven Stage! Be it an attack or a hidden weapon, anything thrown at the guy was easily dodged.


    That was all thanks to his speed! As for melee attacks, you couldn¡¯t even touch the man.


    Yet here was Zhuo Fan, flicking his hand and sending this speedster flying. If that wasn¡¯t shocking, what else was?


    But what was really on everyone¡¯s mind was [How did he do it?]


    No one noticed anything. He moved so fast, it went beyond their perception, including Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord¡¯s!


    If a monster like him couldn¡¯t catch what happened, didn¡¯t that make Zhuo Fan a monster himself?


    Their eyes watching Zhuo Fan turned from shock to fearful.


    Xie Tianshang muttered to himself before sighing, ¡°Soaring Demonic Dragon¡¯s reputation precedes him, what an oddity!¡±


    Long Xingyun was dazed, ¡°I now know why father allied with the Luo clan. Why Little Kui and Little Jie were so driven to cultivate! This monster gives too great of a shock. But will only cultivation be enough to catch up to these two monsters?¡±


    Long Xingyun shook his head. Chu Qingcheng watched the imposing figure with a deep gaze. But then recalling his ties with the other girls ruined her mood¡­

 Chapter 255 - Almighty Ability

    Rumble!


    Lin Xuanfeng rose from under the ruins with a bloody mouth and spat what seemed to be blood along with a tooth mixed in it. He looked towards Zhuo Fan, but this time he wasn¡¯t as carefree as before.


    [Soaring Demonic Dragon is a mystery in and of himself.] He didn¡¯t even get a chance to react and was sent flying.


    What¡¯s more, Zhuo Fan did it offhandedly. If he hadn¡¯t pulled his punches, would he even be alive right now? More importantly, the opponent¡¯s speed was creepier than his. The speed he prided himself with turned out to have no use whatsoever!


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s fear of Zhuo Fan only grew stronger.


    You Yushan and Yan Bangui rushed over, while looking at Zhuo Fan distraught. They had heard the rumors about the infamous Zhuo Fan, but seeing was believing, of how demonically dreadful he was.


    [No wonder this guy caused chaos among the seven houses, yet was living nice and happy. His power is even weirder¡­]


    With a dismissive wave, Zhuo Fan acted as if all was natural, and turned to Luo Yunchang, ¡°Young miss, will you be content with such a punishment? Should I give him a kick as well?¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s heart jumped and he shivered a step back. Having gone through that light slap, the Forest Fleeting Dragon of the Six Dragons and One Phoenix was shaking in his boots.


    No one would ever believe it was possible, but the truth was undeniable!


    Huangpu Qingtian scared him into submission with diplomacy and might. Zhuo Fan, on the other hand, did it through brutality! They were at such a level, not even the Six Dragons and One Phoenix could mess with any of them.


    Luo Yunchang now picked up on Zhuo Fan¡¯s words. His display was so frightening that even she was dazed, ¡°Uh, no need. He only lacked manners when speaking with me. A slap is enough!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng eased a breath, grateful even. [Young miss Luo, you¡¯re the best!]


    But Luo Yunchang¡¯s next words had him on the verge of wetting himself from fear.


    ¡°As for the matter regarding Yunhai¡­¡± Luo Yunchang pointed at her brother on the ground and then pleaded Zhuo Fan with big eyes, ¡°Steward Zhuo, they harassed your young master. You can¡¯t let this matter stand!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face hardened, noticing the half grownup Luo Yunhai had his leg broken and his bloodthirst spiked, ¡°Who did this, young master?¡±


    Luo Yunhai shook his head helplessly.


    With Zhuo Fan missing god knows where, his sister had to take over clan matters.


    Her gentle and kind sister had gone through so many negotiations with her allies that it had changed her initially weak standpoint to the unbendable one of today.


    Having negotiated so much, patting down, faking and being stubborn came easy! [She has turned as tough and as unreasonable as brother Zhuo!]


    Especially sharp in using her female attributes to look weak and have others do the work for her, or drive a wedge. [Now that big bro Zhuo¡¯s back, she feels left out, yet still couldn¡¯t hide all the charm she gained from those years of handling the clan¡¯s negotiations.]


    And Zhuo Fan? Everyone here knew Zhuo Fan never took things lying down. He was even more cunning and insidious than Luo Yunchang! Looking at it in a different way, Luo Yunchang¡¯s style was all thanks to Zhuo Fan¡¯s influence!


    Luo Yunhai, having lived in Dugu Army, knew how to gauge a situation and when to stop. He waved, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, brother Zhuo. I¡¯m happy to know you¡¯re alright and that you came back!¡±


    ¡°What nothing? Yunhai, has the army messed with your head? Forget about enduring it like we did before. Brother Zhuo¡¯s back and we¡¯re not about to take this anymore. Right¡­¡± Luo Yunchang turned to see a shocked Zhuo Fan looking back, as if he didn¡¯t recognize her. She blushed and went back to being a meek and cute kid, ¡°Isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    [Young miss, have you lost it?]


    Blinking, Zhuo Fan broke out in sweat. When did the young miss become so shrewd? But that didn¡¯t mean he didn¡¯t like the change.


    In a world where strong prey on the weak, compassion would only get one killed. Regardless of the fact whether it was a good reason to fight back or not, he still had to do it to some extent. That was Zhuo Fan¡¯s creed and style.


    The world wasn¡¯t ruled by reason, but by might!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°Listen to your sister. When I was gone, I couldn¡¯t help even if I wanted to! But since I¡¯m back, there will be no compromises, or I¡¯d be a steward for nothing!¡±


    They all could sense the thick bloodthirst in his voice. Luo Yunhai was silent.


    All men shuddered inside, admiring Zhuo Fan¡¯s flair. While the girls swooned. Even the always ticked off Peony Overseer had to admit he struck a reliable figure with unmatched charm!


    ¡°Never mind. Yunhai must be troubled as well!¡±


    Luo Yunchang sighed and once again changed her style as she clung to Zhuo Fan¡¯s arm and grumbled, ¡°He did it. He broke Yunhai¡¯s leg!¡±


    ¡°Him again?¡± Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan swiveled to Lin Xuanfeng, ¡°It seems a slap was too light for you!¡±


    Swallowing dryly, Lin Xuanfeng reeled two steps back, soaked to the bone in sweat. Yan Bangui and You Yushan were vigilant on either side of him.


    Of this generation, besides Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord, only Zhuo Fan could instill such fear in them!


    Pa!


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s light step put him right in front of Zhuo Fan, ¡°Had enough?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you want to stop me?¡± Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan showed his trademark evil grin.


    Huangpu Qingtian was as calm as ever, not minding Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone the least, ¡°You¡¯re overthinking things. No one has managed to surpass me, and you¡¯re no different!¡±


    The crowd watched all tensed up. [Huangpu Qingtian is on the move!]


    And this was the first time that he acted out of his own initiative to block someone. He didn¡¯t say it, but his stance was clear. He acknowledged Zhuo Fan¡¯s strength!


    Only when facing a true opponent would he stand in front of them!


    His earlier attacks were casual because none of them were worthy of his attention. Zhuo Fan was the exception!


    This only worked to put pressure on the crowd, eagerly watching the two monsters¡¯ first contact.


    Xie Tianshang was bitter and lonesome. All the martial fanatic in him ever wanted was to have a face to face match with Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord.


    A pity he was sorely lacking in power!


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s group breathed easy. [With the boss taking a stand, this kid will no longer threaten us!]


    And yet¡­


    Scratching his head, Zhuo Fan grinned at the casual Huangpu Qingtian, ¡°You think so?¡±


    Whoosh~


    Zhuo Fan vanished!


    Huangpu Qingtian didn¡¯t have time to even appreciate the novelty of the situation as Zhuo Fan¡¯s chuckle came from a hundred meters away. He was right before Lin Xuanfeng!


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, kid, you hurt my young master. Pay up!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng was scared witless. When did he get past Huangpu Qingtian and come here?


    He couldn¡¯t even get one step away as Zhuo Fan¡¯s purple lightning enveloped leg hit him squarely in the gut. He flew for tens of meters.


    The purple lightning was torturing his body until he spat blood. His organs were in a seriously damaged state!


    Sss~


    An all around gasp was heard. His allies, Yan Bangui and You Yushan stood rooted in fear at Zhuo¡¯s display.


    But after Lin Xuanfeng was kicked off, they struck back with a palm.


    Zhuo Fan vanished again, appearing next to the twirling Lin Xuanfeng in the sky and clutched his leg with a demonic smirk, ¡°Kid, you broke my young master¡¯s leg. I think taking away yours sounds pretty fair!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng was panicking inside. He didn¡¯t even get to beg as Zhuo Fan followed through with his threat.


    ¡°Ghostly Dragon Claw!¡±


    Rip!


    Blood spurted like a fountain, followed closely by Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s wail of agony. Zhuo Fan threw away the leg he just tore off.


    Huangpu Qingtian was shocked. This is the first time his face changed and he wanted to help. But then a voice came from behind him, ¡°Young master Huangpu, weren¡¯t you going to stop me? What are you doing showing me your back then?¡±


    Shuddering, Huangpu Qingtian felt a trickle of sweat on his scalp. He turned stiffly to find Zhuo Fan still there, calm and snickering.


    While on the other end, Yan Bangui and You Yushan found that the target of their attack had been switched to each other. They were sent flying and blood spilled from their lips.


    However, that wasn¡¯t as important as the looks Zhuo Fan was getting.


    Zhuo Fan did all that in a breath. It wasn¡¯t a stretch to call it an instant. He came and went three times in that short timespan.


    He kicked Lin Xuanfeng, then ripped his leg off, and finally came back to his original spot. He did all that to those three men! Because it all happened too fast, Huangpu Qingtian had no way of even intercepting.


    It was the same as Zhuo Fan proclaiming [Nothing is out of my reach!]


    The looks of shock were as if they saw an abomination. Even Huangpu Qingtian was doing it. For the first time ever, this man felt powerless¡­

 Chapter 256 - Hindrance

    Wiping his brow by instinct, Huangpu Qingtian seemed calm, but turning to Zhuo Fan, he had lost his casual stance and became grave.


    Although he was a very conceited person, it didn¡¯t stop him from admitting that today he had met his match.


    ¡°It seems I can¡¯t let my guard down around you!¡± Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s tone dropped and he stared at Zhuo Fan like a hunter.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s what you¡¯ve been missing so far? Are your ready now?¡±


    With another creepy grin, Zhuo Fan was gone.


    He popped before Yan Bangui and slapped him while cackling, ¡°Then I¡¯ll go after your sidekick¡¯s head this time!¡±


    Yan Bangui panicked. He never thought Zhuo Fan would pick on him. He got flustered while defending and released his poison!


    Since when could a hastily made plan repel Zhuo Fan¡¯s long ready palm strike? Moreover, his poison hardly worked on the likes of Zhuo Fan who could just use Demon Transformation Art to dispel it!


    But before his attack could land, Zhuo Fan squinted and was gone.


    Boom!


    Huangpu Qingtian was looking at rubble. It was where Zhuo Fan and the two girls had stood but was now littered with dust. Zhuo Fan reappeared a hundred meters away holding the girls while giving Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord the evil eye.


    Huangpu Qingtian snickered back, ¡°Like I said, you can¡¯t get past me!¡±


    Zhuo Fan clenched his jaw and his fists. Huangpu Qingtian was no muscle-brain and quite cunning as well!


    Zhuo Fan wanted to relieve Yan Bangui of his cumbersome head as an affront to this man. But this guy knew he couldn¡¯t give chase and settled for targeting Luo Yunchang and Xue Ningxiang.


    Forced to save them, regardless of how fast one was, he had to abandon his tricks!


    Yan Bangui was scared out of his mind as he watched them. He didn¡¯t want his fate to have such an untimely ending.


    The fright was so intense, he felt he had lost a decade of his lifespan!


    You Yushan was affected as well, seeing the two dragons on the brink of a war and bolted. Only the crippled Lin Xuanfeng was left behind wailing on the ground!


    Not that anyone had a mind to pay him any attention when they were focused on the two monsters. They all wanted to know who was going to be the champion in the Esoteric Debate!


    Anticlimactic as it were, finding the result so early¡­


    Holding a girl in each arm, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes glared with anger at Huangpu Qingtian. If earlier he was just messing around, he was now focused.


    The girls caught onto the situation and ran far away to not disturb their battle.


    Huangpu Qingtian grinned in excitement, sensing the change in Zhuo Fan. Facing an opponent like Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t be more thrilling. Wrapped in a golden light, his power surged and he was putting pressure even on Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group despite how far they were.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s power dominated the scene, just like how a king showed his presence!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s stance paled somewhat, but the faint black energy rolling about, the flickers of purple in his eyes, spoke of a deep power laying hidden, waiting for the emperor to come close so he could wring his neck!


    It gave everyone a feeling of danger never sensed before.


    The onlookers felt their heart in their throats, yet they couldn¡¯t budge an inch.


    ¡°Imperial Tyrant Body Art!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian shouted and nine golden dragons twisted around him before shooting for Zhuo Fan.


    Seen from afar, it was as if the sky was coming down to pulverize the earth. Such mighty power could be felt even by the audience!


    [Is this how much of a freak he has become? Is this the level of Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s profound ranked martial art?]


    All swallowed dryly in shock, waiting nervously for Zhuo Fan¡¯s reaction!


    Laughing, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes had a golden ring with purple lightning streaking in them, and charged as well!


    Roar!


    A draconic roar followed the image of a black dragon growing around Zhuo Fan. But the streaks of purple lightning around it caused the earth to rumble incessantly. It was as if the end of days was coming!


    While others cried in shock, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eye trembled. Because of the power Zhuo Fan displayed.


    This martial art was no weaker than his 9th stage of Imperial Tyrant Body Art!


    As far as the eyes could see the two mighty powers created a stark and conflicting contrast.


    Huangpu Qingtian was bathed in golden glow, like an emperor gracing the world with his presence. Zhuo Fan, however, was in the form of a black dragon wrapped in purple lightning, threatening to tear the world asunder!


    If Huangpu Qingtian was a natural born emperor, Zhuo Fan was his antithesis, a necrotic dragon ready to defy any ruling that was imposed on him!


    ¡°These two are fated enemies!¡± Xie Tianshang sighed.


    The others nodded.


    They were unclear, however, who was it that would come out on top. Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord or Soaring Demonic Dragon?


    They all looked perturbed at this scene. Perhaps the Esoteric Debate would be cut short here and now. Perhaps Regent Estate¡¯s millennium long reign would come to an end!


    The six houses were witnessing history in the making!


    ¡°Soaring Demonic Dragon!¡±


    ¡°Imperial Tyrant Body Art!¡±


    Roar! Roar!


    With two mighty roars, Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s dragons were on a collision course. But, a third roar resonated from between them, followed by a blue glow.


    The two were forced to slow down their attacks!


    Because the blue glow came from none other than the second of Four Pillars, Marshal Dugu Zhantian¡¯s 6th grade spiritual weapon, Dragonslaying Crescent Blade!


    A mighty figure drifted from the sky and landed between the two. He caught the two¡¯s wrists and flung them into the air.


    Bam~


    Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s outrageously powerful martial arts hit nothing and instead each of them were buried in rubble!


    When they crawled out and got their wits about them, the aged and mighty Dugu Zhantian stood in all his majestic form before them!


    ¡°I will have no grudge fights in my Dragon Cloud City! You two bastards take me for air?¡±


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s eyes snapped on Huangpu Qingtian, causing his breath to catch in his throat.


    He was prideful, but no fool! He was overbearing among peers, and even if he skipped stages, he¡¯d only fight the average Radiant Stage expert.


    In the face of Dugu Zhantian, the general who reeked of blood and battle, he was subdued!


    ¡°I won¡¯t ever violate Marshal Dugu¡¯s orders again!¡± Huangpu Qingtian admitted his wrongs. His face was calm however, like a king¡¯s!


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s anger had nowhere to vent since he didn¡¯t want to tangle with Regent Estate. So he turned to Zhuo Fan and barked, ¡°Zhuo Fan, where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    The man in question was skulking away, like a thief in the night. He sighed at having been caught, but putting on a bright smile the next instant, he said, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Marshal Dugu, how¡¯s it going? Please show consideration for my young master. He¡¯s right over there!¡±


    ¡°Cut the crap! I knew you were still alive and have been waiting for this!¡± Dugu Zhantian mocked him the instant he spouted hypocrisies, ¡°But where did you run off to this time, what trouble have you stirred up? When did you arrive? And how is it that you¡¯re already giving me trouble?¡±


    ¡°Uh, today, actually.¡±


    Zhuo Fan scratched his head shyly. But then he squinted and pointed at Luo Yunhai, ¡°Ol¡¯ Marshal, this is totally not my fault! Look at my young master, your godson! Someone broke his leg. I was only doing my duty as the Luo clan¡¯s steward.¡±


    [Say what?!]


    Dugu Zhantian took in the sorry state this place was and found his five godsons on the ground, with Luo Yunhai feeble from the blood loss due to a broken leg.


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s eyes went bloodshot as he roared, ¡°Who did this? I¡¯ll never let you go!¡±


    ¡°They did it, Marshal Dugu! Please give our young master justice!¡± Zhuo Fan pointed fingers instantly, at Huangpu Qingtian, of course. Zhuo Fan was the picture of a good servant having the backing of his faithful master.


    Luo Yunchang added her two cents in the form of a grieving sister, ¡°Please godfather, please give my brother justice!¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Dugu Zhantian¡¯s eyes spat fire as he glared at Huangpu Qingtian¡­

 Chapter 257 - Killing With Intent

    ¡°Huangpu Qingtian, why have you harmed my godsons?¡± Dugu Zhantian barely contained the beast raging inside.


    Huangpu Qingtian was calm, ¡°Because they were in my way!¡±


    ¡°And why were they in your way?¡±


    ¡°They carried out Marshal¡¯s orders to prevent me from having a grudge fight.¡±


    Tightening his fists, Dugu Zhantian¡¯s eyes spat fire, ¡°In other words, they aren¡¯t at fault here!¡±


    ¡°No, they aren¡¯t.¡± Dugu Zhantian was about to blow a gasket. Huangpu Qingtian said coldly, ¡°I also said that they are not fit to enter a grudge fight with me, not when they¡¯re so weak. Therefore it does not fall into defying Marshal¡¯s order! As for my fight with Steward Zhuo, that was indeed a grudge fight. But your five sons were already downed by that point. So it can be said that they weren¡¯t hurt from doing their duty.¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian knew Marshal Dugu was a man of integrity so he used sophistry! Saying that the five tigers had voluntarily, and of their own volition, stepped in his way and he thus inadvertently harmed them while running through them!


    Although pedantic, Dugu Zhantian was no moron to not notice the way he shifted blame. His eyes only grew colder as his knuckles popped, ¡°What you¡¯re saying is that my godsons were wounded without your intention?¡±


    ¡°Precisely so. They ran into me and wounded themselves!¡± Huangpu Qingtian jutted his chin and spoke righteously.


    ¡°And what of my fifth godson? What happened to his leg? And don¡¯t go saying he broke his leg running into you!¡± Dugu Zhantian¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, his voice rumbling and thick with bloodthirst.


    Shaking his head, Huangpu Qingtian said, ¡°That wasn¡¯t me, it was Lin Xuanfeng. Out of respect for you, Marshal, I was extremely lenient on your godsons!¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s that Lin Xuanfeng then? I have a score to settle with him!¡± Dugu Zhantian¡¯s eyes darted around.


    With a slow stretch of the hand, a finger pointed out the gasping Lin Xuanfeng. Huangpu Qingtian said, ¡°Marshal, there¡¯s no need for that now! Steward Zhuo had, in front of everyone, taken matter into his own hands on behalf of his master. Is Marshal still going to continue?¡±


    Ugh!


    Dugu Zhantian spotted the pool of blood in which the pale face of the crippled Lin Xuanfeng lay.


    His anger washed away in an instant!


    The guy was on his last leg, quite literally, given the circumstances. And even if saved, he¡¯d be left a waste. His fate was far worse than his godson¡¯s!


    He suddenly felt awkward, even in the wrong. As if he was the accuser in this case, especially when they were worse off than his side by a dozen times!


    Zhuo Fan, of course, didn¡¯t think so. Availing of Dugu Zhantian¡¯s presence, he was giving his very best in blowing this sky high, ¡°Ol¡¯ Marshal, don¡¯t listen to his lies. You have no idea of the cruelty and harassment he put us through! When I arrived, the four had ganged up on my young master, humiliating and trampling him!


    ¡°My loyalty to my master is unquestionable, coming to his rescue at once. But I was also a victim of their assault. It was impossible for me to fight the four alone, leaving me riddled with wounds. Out of carelessness and sheer coincidence, they made a mistake and lost a leg. But we are the victims here, we were the ones abused! Please give us justice, Marshal!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s voice took a mournful and stuttering tone, filled with pain and agony, ¡°They saw our clan small and weak and decided to harass us. They are low and despicable people!¡±


    Pff!


    Everyone there spurted blood. Even Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s face twitched. Even he, with his upbringing, was finding it hard not to flip out.


    [What¡¯s with this guy? He twists everything!]


    Although cunning, his speech was based on sophistry. Yet never had he seen someone of Zhuo Fan¡¯s ilk, running his mouth and spouting such outrageous lies!


    [You rotten bastard! Look around you! Look at the witnesses! How can you be so despicable?]


    Despite his perfectly reasonable thinking, Luo Yunchang also picked this time to add oil to the fire, ¡°Steward Zhuo downplayed it slightly, out of worry for the Luo clan, but this is indeed the situation. Please help us, Godfather!¡±


    Pff!


    With another round of blood from the crowd, all eyes were on Luo Yunchang, [The hell? What is young miss Luo doing copying Steward Zhuo?]


    [Sigh, another one falls under Zhuo Fan¡¯s bad influence!]


    It was followed by a round of sighs and head shaking, [Oh, you poor poor thing. Coming from an upright clan yet unable to escape this man¡¯s devious corruption!] Luo Yunchang and Zhuo Fan shared a sly grin!


    Face twitching, Dugu Zhantian already had a taste of Zhuo Fan¡¯s grandstanding and wasn¡¯t buying it this time. [Then again, this is the perfect chance to get back at Regent Estate.]


    So, Dugu Zhantian nodded, ¡°I see, Huangpu Qingtian. I have banned grudge fights and yet you all started harassing the weak with numbers. A much viler act than a mere grudge fight. Is this what you thought of my orders? I will take this matter to each of your houses and get a thorough explanation from them!¡±


    ¡°Marshal, you only heard his side¡­¡± Huangpu Qingtian was flustered for the first time.


    Raising an eyebrow, Dugu Zhantian¡¯s eyes gleamed, ¡°Oh, one-sided? Ha-ha-ha, alright then, let¡¯s see what the witnesses say!¡±


    Dugu Zhantian turned to the ones on the ground and asked, ¡°What Zhuo Fan said, is it true?¡±


    They looked at each other, clearly getting his drift. Since Dugu Zhantian was siding with Zhuo Fan, of course they nodded.


    Especially the Five Tigers of Tianyu. These guys were quite frank and upright but not dumb. Of course they¡¯d help their kin!


    Face twitching, Huangpu Qingtian was swept by anger. [They¡¯re clearly aiming for us!]


    ¡°Marshal, I thought you were a righteous man, but now I see¡­¡± Huangpu Qingtian clenched his fists and jaw.


    With a bright smile, Dugu Zhantian mocked, ¡°See what? You heard them. Is there anything you would like to add?¡±


    ¡°Humph, they are clearly siding with Zhuo Fan while on our side Lin Xuanfeng had his leg ripped out!¡± Huangpu Qingtian was finding it hard to restrain his towering anger, evident from his loud voice.


    Dugu Zhantian roared back, ¡°You have one victim while they are all down! So who¡¯s side is the real victim here? Who was it that harassed others with their power? Are you so damn blind?¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes twitched. He had never been so furious in his life.


    Most of all, never ever had he been taken advantage of!


    Yet here, against Zhuo Fan, he could do nothing as the man had spun a trap around him. Even Dugu Zhantian was against him!


    He, who had always seen himself as a king, an emperor, was now reaching the limits of his patience!


    ¡°Soaring Demonic Dragon, your title sure is apt in going after me, Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord. Humph, we¡¯ll just have to see how you will end!¡± Huangpu Qingtian squinted then up and left.


    He knew arguing any longer would be a waste of time.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and pointed at him, ¡°Marshal Dugu, you¡¯re just gonna let him go? He just threatened me! My poor little life is on the line here¡­¡±


    Hum~


    A sudden ripple spread and Dugu Zhantian jumped in front of Zhuo Fan, releasing a ripple of his own.


    A boom reverberated as the space warped visibly.


    Huangpu Qingtian snorted at Zhuo Fan in anger, ¡°Soaring Demonic Dragon, you¡¯re lucky this time. But when the Esoteric Debate starts, when the seven houses battle, hope you¡¯ll have the same amount of luck then!¡±


    And he took his two allies while dragging Lin Xuanfeng with them.


    Dugu Zhantian looked at him in shock, ¡°This kid, he is a peak Profound Heaven expert yet can use killing with intent that only a Radiant Stage expert can use. He truly is the number one talent in Tianyu. His future is limitless!¡±


    The others jerked in fright. Huangpu Qingtian had long surpassed them. He was on a whole different level!


    The next time they meet, they might not even come out alive. Against killing with intent, no amount of speed would help.


    Zhuo Fan only chuckled, ¡°A mere bluff!¡±


    Dugu Zhantian towered behind him and cuffed him, ¡°What damn bluff? That¡¯s power! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? I know you¡¯re a body cultivator and perhaps can win in a brawl against him, but that was a soul attack, killing with intent! You¡¯d never even realize when your life was taken from you!


    ¡°I see no way for you to win against that monster!¡± Dugu Zhantian eyed them and sighed.


    The others frowned and sighed as well. Zhuo Fan had given a thread of hope to all, but now it was all crushed to dust.


    No one beneath a Radiant Stage could survive an intent attack.


    Zhuo Fan had his freaky ability but not even that would save him.


    Yet the man in question hardly cared, he had stopped caring for as long as five years ago¡­

 Chapter 258 - Conscription

    Dugu Zhantian had some soldiers take the wounded to the marshal¡¯s residence for immediate treatment. Yet none of them noticed a spindly figure further away, watching them.


    Upon closer look, one would identify him as Unwonted Contriver Leng Wuchang, Regent Estate¡¯s steward!


    Leng Wuchang twirled his mustache as he kept watching, Zhuo Fan in particular, ¡°This kid is not as heartless as I thought¡­¡±


    It had been six hours since they arrived at the marshal¡¯s temporary residence in Dragon Cloud City. Time in which the wounded were placed in a side wing and administered pills.


    Luo Yunchang and Ning¡¯er, the only ones who came out unharmed from this ordeal were the caretakers. As for Zhuo Fan, he was there as well, expressing his heartfelt thanks to his three paralyzed allies.


    ¡°Thank you all for such hard work. If it weren¡¯t for your help, our clan¡¯s line would¡¯ve been severed!¡± Zhuo Fan held each of their hands.


    Long Jie and Long Kui felt odd seeing the kind and gentle smile on his face.


    They had been arduous in cultivating these past five years, just so they could bridge the gap between them and this monster. And yet he just showed up and instead of getting closer, they had only fallen farther behind.


    Even though this guy was still a shameless Bone Tempering cultivator, how could his power be classified as one?


    As this was Long Xingyun¡¯s first time seeing this freak in the flesh and in action, he was quite moved, ¡°Brother Zhuo, now I see what my father was thinking. Only after seeing you have I realized how much time I¡¯ve been wasting.¡±


    ¡°Sigh, youth is wasted on the young. But even so, you should live your life to the fullest and take some time off to enjoy it. Ha-ha-ha, don¡¯t take it to heart!¡± Zhuo Fan patted his shoulder.


    But the more he paid attention the more Long Xingyun felt it was fake. [Is this your way of consoling me?]


    Xie Tianshang¡¯s eyes were filled with fighting spirit, wishing nothing more than to jump on his legs and have a go with the man, ¡°Zhuo Fan, once I¡¯m healed, how about we have a match?¡±


    Zhuo Fan blinked, completely not getting what he was going for, ¡°We just met and never have I gotten on your bad side, so why do you want to fight me?¡±


    ¡°Ignore him. My elder brother is a martial fanatic. He wants to fight any expert that catches his eye!¡± Xie Tianyang jabbed. Having known Zhuo Fan for so long, he had no qualms whatsoever.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, [Ah, another one. I see, I see. Just like Elder Li. It¡¯s best that I keep my distance.] He wasn¡¯t so idle as to waste time sparring with a martial fanatic every day.


    So Zhuo Fan gave him a wide berth, going over Xie Tianyang.


    ¡°Hey, wait, you didn¡¯t answer me¡­¡±


    Xie Tianshang watched Zhuo Fan with a fervent gaze. He was sorely wishing right now that he could just jump and exchange hundreds of moves with Zhuo Fan. But would Zhuo Fan listen? He treated martial fanatics as basket cases.


    Tangling with him would only net Zhuo Fan a huge waste of time.


    And so, Xie Tianshang¡¯s grumblings were firmly and undoubtedly ignored. Zhuo Fan walked next to his little brother instead, and knocked his head a few times, ¡°Brother Xie, you did a good job today. I must say, you sure gave your all for Ning¡¯er.¡±


    ¡°Zip it. My life belongs to Ning¡¯er!¡± Rolling his eyes, Xie Tianyang was quite frank, making the nearby Xue Ningxiang blush and glare back. She was clearly signaling not to spout such things around Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan laughed carefree.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s eyes turned serious, his voice tinted with worry, ¡°Zhuo Fan, do you always stand out wherever you go? You¡¯ve got my Ning¡¯er to swoon over you every time she sees you. Can¡¯t you tone it down a little so I can have a shot?¡±


    Shuddering, Zhuo Fan remained silent.


    Xie Tianyang seemed to be joking, but how could Zhuo Fan not sense the worry within. If this went on, the three¡¯s relationship would become more complicated or, worse, break apart!


    Zhuo Fan sighed after a moment, ¡°Sorry, that¡¯s how heavens made me. If I don¡¯t show off, who else will? Just focus on getting better!¡±


    Patting his shoulder, Zhuo Fan left with a stiff smile.


    Xie Tianyang laughed dejectedly. He knew Zhuo Fan had yet to make a decision on this and was making a tactical retreat. Or was it an attack? Although he made himself seem ruthless, who could guard against feelings creeping up on oneself?


    He went around spreading thanks to all the clan¡¯s helpers, including but not limited to the four tigers. But the tigers saw him as an enemy, something he couldn¡¯t wrap his head around as to why.


    [I stole no wife of yours, so what the hell is with the glares?]


    But when he reached the final patient, he spun on his leg and walked away.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    The charming voice came from Chu Qingcheng, who was watching him in reproach, ¡°Y-you aren¡¯t going to even talk to me?¡±


    Iris and Peony Overseers were staring daggers. As if accusing him of abandoning his wife!


    ¡°Uh, thank you Drifting Flowers Edifices, for helping our clan in our desperate hour¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not it and you know it!¡± Chu Qingcheng cut him off, ¡°I just want to know why. Why didn¡¯t you see me one last time before leaving Drifting Flowers City?¡±


    Steeling himself, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°I killed and took what I needed. I fulfilled my goal and had no reason to stay.¡±


    ¡°No reason at all?¡± Chu Qingcheng blinked. Her pretty eyes demanded an answer.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t know how to respond. Then a sudden giggle came, ¡°Steward Zhuo, Marshal is calling you. Leave things here to me!¡±


    Luo Yunchang came over with a smile, faking obliviousness. Saved by the bell, Zhuo Fan grabbed the excuse like his lifeline and bobbed his head, ¡°Then I¡¯ll go right now. Young miss, take good care of them!¡±


    And he was gone, despite the doe eyes Chu Qingcheng was giving him.


    Luo Yunchang turned a hard stare at Chu Qingcheng, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, Steward Zhuo is a boor. If he has hurt you with his words or actions, please forgive him. I¡¯ll be taking care of you in his place!¡±


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s words were full of propriety and good nature, but the true meaning was, [He¡¯s mine!]


    Chu Qingcheng had taken care of Drifting Flowers Edifices for so many years since an even younger age than Luo Yunchang. How could she not hear the veiled threat? She laughed coldly, ¡°You¡¯re far too kind. Zhuo Fan¡¯s transgressions are too grave to measure. How could I possibly ask Clan Head to take the blame? I will have Zhuo Fan supply me with the appropriate resolution. But thank you for your offer, young miss.¡±


    I.e. [This is between me and Zhuo Fan. You¡¯ve got no business here, so scram!]


    Sparks were flying off between them soon after.


    The others looked away from the cat fight and lamented.


    [Sigh, this is a woman¡¯s war. It¡¯s best we don¡¯t get caught in between.] But Xue Ningxiang looked on in distress, feeling somewhat excluded¡­


    Going back to the culprit behind all this, Zhuo Fan was speeding towards Marshal¡¯s house across from the wounded ward in jubilation. [Perfect timing!] He was truly caught in the trap back there.


    Who would have thought facing Chu Qingcheng was more exhausting than fighting Huangpu Qingtian! He¡¯d rather go against a hundred Huangpu Qingtians than see Chu Qingcheng again.


    But when he entered Marshal¡¯s home, the old guy laughed heartily, putting him on high alert.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you came, kid. Sit, I have something to tell you!¡± Dugu Zhantian laughed and gestured at the chair nearby.


    Zhuo Fan was on guard as he eased into the chair. Dugu Zhantian¡¯s critical eye from his seat of honor had Zhuo Fan¡¯s hair stand on end.


    ¡°Uh, Ol¡¯ Marshal, you wanted to see me?¡± Zhuo Fan broke the silence.


    Dugu Zhantian grinned, ¡°It¡¯s nothing much, just your conscription!¡±


    ¡°Conscription?¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head vehemently, ¡°No no no. I am not army material. Find someone else!¡±


    Glaring, Dugu Zhantian¡¯s beard trembled as he cursed, ¡°Cut the crap! Who on earth is born a soldier? Even that brat Yunhai got trained into shape by me! With your talents, a year tops, and you¡¯ll be taking my job!¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re so confident, go find someone else. Why do you want me?¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head.


    Dugu Zhantian sighed and his eyes were glazed with worry, ¡°It¡¯s easy to train an army, but it¡¯s so hard to find a good array master! In the field of war, there are many array masters using their skills in the form of formations. We are sorely lacking in array masters and that has made our recent losses disastrous!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me. I¡¯m a meathead. I don¡¯t know anything when it comes to arrays or formations!¡± Zhuo Fan made up a lie.


    But Dugu Zhantian wouldn¡¯t have it. He had looked into the kid before calling him. Such a flimsy lie wouldn¡¯t fly with him, ¡°He-he-he, oh please. I already know everything. Your old Clan Head has long been dead and you are the one running the show. Including the four 5th grade arrays!¡±


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s eyes shined when he reached this point. He was sorely lacking an outstanding array master and wanted to have Zhuo Fan without fail. The latter felt trapped in the old guy¡¯s gaze and didn¡¯t know how to get away.


    He felt like crying.


    This was exactly why he wanted to slink through Dragon Cloud City and never cross paths with the Marshal. He already saw this coming and wanted to avoid it for as long as possible¡­

 Chapter 259 - The God Of War’s Fright

    ¡°Ol¡¯ Marshal, I truly cannot do this. Please find someone else!¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head and rose to leave.


    Whoosh~


    In a flash of blue, the Dragonslaying Crescent Blade was nailed in front of him, followed by, ¡°Why?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was in despair, [Isn¡¯t it obvious? I don¡¯t want to!] Since he was asked for a reason, Zhuo Fan had to oblige. So he stuck out his neck and refused, ¡°They say that a good man doesn¡¯t enlist¡­¡±


    ¡°Bullshit!¡±


    In reply to his most eloquent words, Dugu Zhantian spat in his face, ¡°Those are the words of friggin¡¯ morons. Zhuo Fan, you are a wise man, so how can you lower yourself to a commoner¡¯s thinking? Also, did you not take the helm of the Luo clan after the Clan Head¡¯s death, looking after the siblings? Why then?


    ¡°I only see loyalty. Kid, your actions speak for yourself, of your loyalty and devotion! So what¡¯s the problem with being loyal to one¡¯s nation. Isn¡¯t that the same? It should be the same thing to you! Why do you insist on avoiding enlisting?¡±


    The walls were quite thin here and the wounded next door heard Dugu Zhantian¡¯s raving loud and clear. [Dugu Zhantian wants Zhuo Fan in the army!]


    [But can he rein in this Soaring Demonic Dragon?]


    Luo Yunchang and Chu Qingcheng thought this as well. Even though their glaring never faltered, their ears were idle to pick up on the Marshal¡¯s shouts!


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan gritted his teeth. [This old guy just won¡¯t quit.] And sighed, ¡°Marshal Dugu, we are neither friends nor enemies. Please refrain from dragging me into this hell!¡±


    ¡°How is the army and fighting for your nation, hell?¡± Dugu Zhantian was stunned.


    Zhuo Fan squinted and roared, ¡°As they say, after three years in the army, even an ugly broad would look like a courtesan! This will deal a devastating blow to my standards and ruin my prospects to raise a family!¡±


    Pff!


    The girls in the wounded ward stifled their giggles. While Luo Yunchang and Chu Qingcheng sure had an active imagination, evident by their red cheeks.


    Then their eyes met and jealousy reared its ugly head. [Which one of us is that punk going to take to raise a family?]


    The Four Tigers of Tianyu and Luo Yunhai were awkward, to say the least. They¡¯ve been in the army for five years. Did that mean their standards were out of whack?


    But Dugu Zhantian¡¯s shout came soon after to save their image, ¡°More crap! Where the hell did you hear that nonsense? How could three years lead to such a drastic change?¡±


    The five in the ward nodded. [Well said, Marshal!]


    Dugu Zhantian then followed with, ¡°That only happens after five years! My four godsons need six years, by the looks of them, to see any girl a babe. As for Yunhai, it¡¯s too soon to tell!¡±


    The five wanted to crawl into a corner and die. The feel of the others¡¯ eyes on them only made it worse!


    [Godfather, enlist him if you want to, but why in god¡¯s name are you dragging us into this?]


    [It was fine and all if these old army stories helped but all you are doing is making yourself look bad! Us as well!]


    [What a rotten godfather!]


    The five sighed and buried their heads in the pillows¡­


    Dugu Zhantian was being serious now, ¡°None of that matters. Didn¡¯t I tell you? You¡¯ll be a soldier for one year then be my staff officer. Those things don¡¯t apply to you!¡±


    ¡°Why not make me one from the start?¡± Zhuo Fan scratched his head.


    Dugu Zhantian squinted and snapped, ¡°Impossible! In my army one needs to do military service. One can only be promoted based on merits. How can I just make you one from the start? Everyone will object. But don¡¯t worry, once in the corps, I¡¯ll give you plenty of chances to show your ability and you¡¯ll be promoted in no time!¡±


    Zhuo Fan sighed. Seeing Dugu Zhantian so stubborn, like a hustler, he left Zhuo Fan without a way to deal with him.


    ¡°Fine, fine, but on one condition!¡± Zhuo Fan nodded in the end.


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s eyes sparkled, ¡°Name it! I¡¯ll do my best to accommodate you! ¡°


    ¡°Uh, Ol¡¯ Marshal, would you be so kind as to lend me your status for a short month? I could get used to being a Marshal myself!¡±


    ¡°You think the army is a game?¡± Dugu Zhantian shook his head, but then he eyed Zhuo Fan skeptically, ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°What else? To sweep the land and pacify the empire!¡± Zhuo Fan roared his loyalty.


    Dugu Zhantian said in a rush, ¡°Stop messing around. This army can¡¯t move as you wish!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, it¡¯s fine. Won¡¯t I have the appropriate rank a year later? At that time, I can just kill and smash whoever and whenever.¡± Zhuo Fan giggled.


    Panicking inside, Dugu Zhantian now realized he had only paid attention to Zhuo Fan¡¯s talent and not his many remarkable ¡®feats¡¯.


    [I can¡¯t take the same approach I took with Luo Yunhai when teaching him. Or when he gets the army at his beck and call, he¡¯d leave the nation wide open for attack!] His eyes were swiveling, unclear what choice was best here.


    [No, I can¡¯t have him fly through the ranks. I¡¯ll have to stamp out his rebellious nature in the army!]


    Zhuo Fan had a knowing grin, ¡°He-he-he, I know what you¡¯re planning. But no matter, I¡¯m the best there is when it comes to roping someone to my side! It won¡¯t take me even a year to turn the three million Dugu Army into the Zhuo Army. At that point, being a General or not would hardly make a difference!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t say. I am giving my all here, but who knows when we will have to face Regent Estate on the field of battle. But if you think you can wrest control of one of the Four Pillars, the empire¡¯s army, then be my guest.¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°I have never thought about it like that. But now, Marshal, you have to enlist me! Even if you have your whole army infected with gayness rather than some twisted broads, I¡¯d still go for it!¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    It seems someone had a change of heart. Dugu Zhantian was frantically shaking his hands and sweating buckets!


    [That was close! I almost welcomed the devil with open hands!] Granted he was talented, but if there was one thing he truly excelled at, it was blowing things out of proportion! [In the off chance I can¡¯t tame him, the Dugu Army will be under his thumb and will corrupt the empire¡¯s greatest weapon!]


    [I better reconsider whether to let this guy in!]


    Dugu Zhantian said bashfully, ¡°Uh, Zhuo Fan, since you find enlisting to be such a pain. I won¡¯t force you¡­¡±


    ¡°No, I think it¡¯ll be a blast, Ol¡¯ Marshal¡­¡±


    ¡°No no no, I¡¯ve never forced anyone to do anything in my life. It¡¯s best you stay and look after the Luo clan. Oh right, the three house lords are here as well. I better go see them!¡±


    ¡°What about my enlistment¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan shouted after the scampering Dugu Zhantian.


    Zhuo Fan watched the mighty and awe-inspiring Dugu turn into a scaredy cat with a snicker.


    [Tch, I get far more out of developing the Luo clan than stealing your three million army!]


    [Then again, having Dugu Army by my side is not bad either!] Zhuo Fan mused, his eyes flashing.


    Dugu Zhantian just left the room and turned to the wounded ward.


    It seemed that Sword Marquise Abode, Veiled Dragon Pavilion, and Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯ leaders were also present. They all saluted Dugu Zhantian, ¡°Thank you Marshal for coming to their rescue!¡±


    ¡°No thanks needed. This is my responsibility. Although someone else saved them in the end, while I was only a mediator!¡± Dugu Zhantian waved.


    The leaders chuckled.


    Grandmother then frowned, ¡°Marshal, I was meaning to ask. Are you intent on conscripting Zhuo Fan? Could I ask you to postpone it until after the Esoteric Debate?¡±


    ¡°Of course. As for conscripting, I still need to consider it. there¡¯s no need to fret!¡± Dugu Zhantian stated.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s vision of the army had scared the crap out of him!


    [The kid seems capable of anything! He may very well have a way of turning the Dugu Army into his personal army!]


    And he wasn¡¯t about to give his army away just for one array master! Dugu Zhantian was thankful he came back to his senses and avoided a disaster!


    Zhuo Fan took this moment to enter and greet the house lords.


    The three nodded in reply. They could finally breathe easier seeing him safe and sound.


    To be blunt, there would be no Luo clan without Zhuo Fan, the truest underdog. Luo clan wouldn¡¯t stand a chance in the Esoteric Debate, whether as an ally or enemy.


    But with Zhuo Fan back in town, the clan was in full force.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, the entire Luo clan is injured. We can¡¯t make it to tomorrow¡¯s fight! Will you, as their steward step forth?¡± Grandmother smiled widely, hoping to see the miracle that was Zhuo Fan in action after a five year break.


    Shrugging, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Of course, it is my duty to represent the Luo clan! It is time for the Luo clan to stand abreast with all of you!¡±


    ¡°That will depend on Steward Zhuo¡¯s first battle!¡± Long Yifey raised an eyebrow.


    They all looked at each other and burst out laughing, all eager to see Zhuo Fan put on a good show tomorrow¡­

 Chapter 260 - We Will Kill Zhuo Fan

    The next day, Dragon Cloud City¡¯s fighting stage was enveloped by a roaring crowd shouting their cheers.


    On the stage, two youths stood thrilled and panting, surrounded by either dead or wounded people.


    ¡°The winner of today¡¯s battle hails from Crescent Sword City, the Xue clan! They are advancing to the final battle!¡± A Profound Heaven expert stepped on stage and gestured at the youths.


    The crowd exploded with applause, raising the excitement of the two. They left the stage and walked to their cheering clan.


    ¡°Big brother, second brother, congratulations!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang gave them a hug and a sweet smile.


    The two were Xue Gang and Xue Lin. After the horrors of Blue Expanse City, Xie Tianyang saved them and their clan became Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s vassal.


    It was the only way they could have joined the Esoteric Debate.


    ¡°Gang¡¯er, Lin¡¯er, you¡¯ve done well. You are now ready to join the final battle and help Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s young masters in their fight!¡± Xue Wanlong laughed with pride, ¡°Remember, never let down our clan and protect the two young masters!¡±


    Patriarch Xue Dingtian nodded at the side.


    Thanks to Xie Tianyang, their clan was under Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s wing, cared for and well supplied. But this left them uneasy, and they were going to use this chance to repay their help! This was the reason for joining the Esoteric Debate.


    Xue Gang and Xue Lin nodded, filled with battle spirit.


    Xie Tianyang stood next to Xue Ningxiang, sighing, ¡°Uncle, why did you let the brothers join such a cruel battle? This time¡¯s battle will be far more deadly and vicious than any of the past ones. I fear¡­¡±


    ¡°Second young master, I have made my decision. We cannot go on receiving Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s grace without giving anything back. Please give us this chance to show our gratitude!¡± Xue Wanlong cupped his hands.


    Xie Tianyang sighed.


    The Profound Heaven expert on the stage suddenly said, ¡°The next fight will be between Drifting Flowers City¡¯s Dong clan and Flood City¡¯s Yu clan!¡±


    Two familiar figures walked on stage. Xie Tianyang¡¯s eyes brightened, ¡°Who knew we¡¯d see them here?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t they brother Dong and sister Wan¡¯er? You know them as well?¡± Xue Ningxiang was startled.


    Xie Tianyang looked at her instead, ¡°Ning¡¯er, how do you know them?¡±


    ¡°Drifting Flowers Edifices and Sword Marquise Abode are allies. We met when the two houses gathered for negotiation. Brother Dong is somewhat frivolous, but Wan¡¯er is very nice!¡± Ning¡¯er smiled, ¡°How do you know them? Disciples of the seven houses hardly ever meet with people from second rate clans.¡±


    ¡°Uh, we met in Drifting Flowers City. I hear that Dong Xiaowan and the kid have something going on between them.¡± Xie Tianyang grinned, thinking of having a little payback.


    Xue Ningxiang looked closer at Dong Xiaowan and muttered, ¡°No wonder she never said anything when the topic about who she likes came up¡­¡±


    Correct, the two Dong siblings were those Dongs.


    Because of their ties with Zhuo Fan back in Drifting Flowers City and having gotten familiar with Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯ leaders, the Dong clan had been on a swift rise. They had long outstripped the title of vassal clan and moved to Drifting Flowers City to become their trusted aide.


    The old master of the Dong clan couldn¡¯t be happier and stated that they had to go and see their most treasured benefactor in the flesh.


    Of course, such a thing wasn¡¯t so easy to achieve, not with how busy Zhuo Fan was. If he wasn¡¯t blowing something up, he was beating the life out of someone. The likes of him could hardly squeeze a meeting between his murderous rampage and endless mayhem.


    Thanks to Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯ help, Dong Tianba had entered the Profound Heaven Stage, displaying his majestic air on today¡¯s stage. In but half an hour, he and his sister won over their opponents and arrived next to their clansmen and friends.


    ¡°Young master Xie, uncle xie, sir Xie, brothers Xie, how do you do?¡±


    Dong Tianba cupped his hands in pride. Dong Xiaowan bowed as well with a smile. The others nodded, while Xue Gang had eyes only for Dong Xiaowan and her charming smile.


    Everyone could tell what he was thinking.


    ¡°Brother Xue, how have you been? I never thought our clans would enter the final battle. We will be fighting alongside it seems, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± A portly man came over.


    Dong Tianba and Dong Xiaowan cupped their hands, ¡°Dad!¡±


    Xue clan greeted in kind, but only when he saw Xie Tianyang did the old man greet back.


    He was the Dong Clan Head.


    Dong Clan Head pointed at Xue Gang, ¡°Young master is of great talent. Could I be so bold as to ask if you¡¯re married?¡±


    ¡°Uh, no.¡± Xue Dingtian smiled, his meaning clear.


    Dong Clan Head nodded and smiled at his daughter, ¡°What a fine coincidence, neither is my daughter. I find our clans so friendly that I was wondering¡­¡±


    ¡°Dad!¡± Dong Xiaowan gave him the stink-eye and was sullen.


    Xue Ningxiang could see herself in her and shook her head. The two already had someone and were not going to just change their minds at the drop of the hat.


    Meanwhile, the Profound Heaven expert on the stage said, ¡°The next fight is between Sun Spire City¡¯s Hong clan and Blue Expanse City¡¯s Sun clan!¡±


    Shuddering, the Xue clan turned to the stage. Blue Expanse City used to be their turf while being Hell Valley¡¯s vassal. Since betraying their patron, Blue Expanse City fell under another clan¡¯s jurisdiction.


    Bluntly put, the Sun clan was their replacement, Hell Valley¡¯s brand new lap dog.


    The Sun clan only sent a man and a woman to fight against fifty Bone Tempering experts led by two Profound Heaven cultivators.


    Such power among second rate clans made it a seeded clan, closely approaching the qualifications to be a first rate clan.


    Against such strength, the Sun clan sent merely two, a really odd pair. Their eyes released a bloody glow, and closely resembled monsters rather than humans. Not even their appearances could be distinguished.


    The sight of them standing there sent shivers among many. As if they were demons who sprang out of hell. But upon closer look, they were only peak Bone Tempering cultivators.


    ¡°He-he-he, two peak Bone Tempering cultivators want to mess with fifty experts?¡± The leading youth snickered, ¡°From your demonic look, living must¡¯ve been hard and you¡¯ve come for the sweet release of death, right? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The others laughed as well.


    That demonic man however was wrapped in black energy as it suddenly jumped from him with a roar.


    A veritable fountain of blood bloomed, while the Hong clan youth fell with a perplexed look.


    He was still wondering how a peak Bone Tempering cultivator killed him.


    Sss~


    The others gasped. Hong clan¡¯s laughter died and watched the pair of enemies in shock.


    How could a fresh Profound Heaven expert die in one blow?


    [A sneak attack for sure!]


    With a shout, the fifty men from Hong clan stormed the pair. The two only had a creepy grin as they turned into black mist and roamed among them.


    The slaughter began. Not of the pair, but of those fifty experts as the two crazed monsters were unleashed upon them.


    Wails, sobbing, and horror grated on the audience¡¯s ears. In just fifteen minutes, they were the only ones standing, while the corpses around them had their throats ripped out.


    Blood soaked into the arena and the dead stare of the bodies gave a glimpse into the cruelty they had just suffered.


    Xue Ningxiang had long since covered her eyes. Xie Tianyang¡¯s brow was furrowed, [What made these guys act with such brutality?]


    The girl on stage suddenly snapped her head back and pointed at the Xue clan with a nasty grin, ¡°Traitor of Hell Valley, you will die in the final battle, by our hands. None of you will live. We will cleanse the Hell Valley of its traitors! Your time will soon come, hi-hi-hi¡­¡±


    The Xue clan felt a shiver run down their very core.


    This pair was way too abnormal. Not just the sons, but even the father and patriarch felt their hair stand on end.


    Xie Tianyang stepped up and shielded Xue Ningxiang as he roared, ¡°Stop barking! I would like to see you try and touch the Xue clan!¡±


    ¡°Second young master Xie, our house lord¡¯s son will deal with you and we will deal with the traitorous Xue clan!¡± Snickering, the girl threw her head back.


    The creepy way she talked and her posture only worked to deepen one¡¯s fear.


    The man next to her said, ¡°Don¡¯t forget our main objective, the Luo clan. Xue clan is just a side dish!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re after the Luo clan?¡± Xue Ningxiang was worried.


    On the other hand, Xie Tianyang felt relief. A few days back he would¡¯ve been worried as well, but not now.


    Because the Luo clan had recovered their pillar, the Demon Archon Zhuo Fan.


    With him around, these weirdos looked like imps in comparison. Going after the Luo clan was a death sentence.


    But the man saw Xue Ningxiang¡¯s distress and reveled in it, ¡°Yes, we will find the Luo clan and slaughter them all! Especially that Zhuo Fan. We will tear him limb from limb!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s pure heart was stuck in her throat, vexed over Zhuo Fan¡¯s safety.


    [Brother Zhuo, two bad men are after you!]


    While Xie Tianyang almost burst out laughing, [Dude, have you even seen Zhuo Fan? Have you seen his power? What is your boasting based on, hot air? Not even a moron will believe such a lame joke!]


    But then he saw Xue Ningxiang sick with worry and amended his thoughts with a twitch of his cheek, [Ning¡¯er excluded.]


    She was no moron, just naive¡­

 Chapter 261 - Limelight

    ¡°Look, Hell Valley¡¯s men are here!¡±


    Someone from the crowd shouted and everyone turned their heads to see You Wanshan and his elder detail. He stood on the highest point with a sombre look, flanked by You Ming and the rest of their other disciples participating in the final battle.


    As this place was the fighting grounds for third and second rate clans, with how not even first rate clans would come here to watch, least of all the seven houses, there were no honorary seats for them.


    What stirred the biggest shock was the sudden appearance of Hell Valley, taking seat at the highest position. They could see the whole stage from there, but it was also a strategic position to emphasize the usual disdain the seven houses had for these puny clans.


    But what was up with this sudden arrival? Who had caught their eye?


    Were they going to enjoy the show alongside them, or was there a new star on the rise no one knew about? If it was the latter, who was this person and what was he capable of to garner such ostentatious audience?


    The crowd grew restless with their speculations.


    Sun clan¡¯s creepy guy noticed You Wanshan¡¯s imposing figure and showed a morbid smile, ¡°See? Valley Lord You came to personally watch us crush your clans. This is how much Hell Valley values us!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re not like those Xue traitors. Valley Lord finds us indispensable!¡± Sun clan¡¯s creepy girl showed a morbid smile herself.


    Xue clan only gave the duo a cursory glance, while being concerned about Hell Valley¡¯s real intentions. Hell Valley came to cheer for the Sun clan? How is that even possible, when they have never shown such care for any vassal before?


    Xie Tianyang mocked, ¡°Cocky brats, You Wanshan isn¡¯t so bored as to watch a couple of aberrations.¡±


    ¡°Say that again! What else would Valley Lord You be here for? There¡¯s only us around who is Hell Valley¡¯s vassal!¡± The girl roared.


    Xie Tianyang shrugged.


    The seven houses only ever cared about each other and never about some squirming ants trying to get some praise. [You¡¯re disillusioned if you think he came here to cheer for you!]


    And then another sudden cry of shock came, followed by another unexpected arrival.


    And while Hell Valley¡¯s men were emitting deadly auras, the newcomers were graceful women with thin veils.


    Drifting Flowers Edifices!


    Grandmother was in the lead as Chu Qingcheng was still nursing her wound. Behind her were her entire overseer contingent and the Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯ disciples participating in the final battle.


    Even Xiao Dandan was among them, darting her eyes around and looking for her special someone.


    [He-he-he, here comes another lovesick lass. That punk will be so annoyed], Xie Tianyang snickered. Dong Clan Head puffed up his chest and took on a prideful air, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I didn¡¯t expect Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯ overseers to come support us. Our Dong clan is so cherished. We may be Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯ trusted aide, but to receive such care, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The guy was grinning from ear to ear and making the Xue clan envious.


    His position seemed to be so high that even the Edifice Lord came in person.


    Only Xie Tianyang sighed.


    [It seems narcissism is an inherent trait of these vassals, not just aberrations are susceptible to it but even normal people. What in the hell gave you the idea that the seven houses came to see you specifically?]


    Then came the third cry of the day. Xue clansmen watched overwhelmed with joy.


    Why? Because Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s Xie Xiaofeng was leading Xie Tianshang and his elders over.


    Patriarch Xue Dingtian was touched to the core as he showed off to the Dong Clan Head, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Clan Head, Sword Marquise Abode values us quite a lot as well¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    He didn¡¯t get to finish his haughty words, as Xie Tianyang interrupted him, ¡°Everyone, I know fully well my words may sound crass, but could you cool off for a second and stop with the self-important attitude? Those house lords haven¡¯t even looked at you once, so how can you say they¡¯ve come for you?¡±


    The sudden wake up call made them realize the wisdom in his words.


    [If not for us, then who?] This was a fighting stage for the seven houses¡¯ vassals!


    Xie Tianyang shook his head.


    If there was anything the seven houses paid attention to, besides each other of course, was strength. [Who else but that punk could stir up so many of them to come here?]


    While they were vexed by this conundrum, Pill King Hall appeared with a fourth cry. Yan Bogong led Yan Bangui and Yan Fu with his elders over. They were soon followed by Merry Woods¡¯s House Lord Lin coming with his elders and a bouncing Lin Xuanfeng.


    After a night of healing, Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s wound was closed. Even though he hopped about with a pale face. The audience was amazed, [Is this Forest Fleeting Dragon, one of the Six Dragons and One Phoenix? Why does he have only one leg? How would he fleet through the forest now?]


    Few were aware of the circumstances regarding Forest Fleeting Dragon¡¯s misery. How the vile Soaring Demonic Dragon ripped his leg clean off!


    But the biggest shock of all was what came next.


    The head of the seven houses, Regent Estate!


    Huangpu Tianyuan was leading the group, with Regent Estate¡¯s steward, Leng Wuchang on his left, and his eldest, the head of Six Dragons and One Phoenix, Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord Huangpu Qingtian on his right. Behind them was a team of Profound Heaven elders, thirty in number!


    The frightening display made everyone¡¯s hair stand on end. The other six houses also paused at their entrance.


    Regent Estate¡¯s power was unquestionably the highest among the houses!


    It had the ambition to swallow the others for good reason. It would¡¯ve been a waste of their might if they didn¡¯t aim for at least this much.


    Under the riveting gazes of the crowd, Huangpu Tianyuan made his way forward with a regal air and boundless power that stopped anyone from breathing within three hundred meters.


    Only when Regent Estate took the foremost position did the man slowly withdraw his power, but the damage, or deterrence, was done. In his wake, the people were left shivering and gasping.


    That was enough to rouse up even the narcissistic trio of clans from their arrogance. The presence of all the seven houses had nothing to do with them at all.


    Thinking about what loudmouths they were seconds ago, they started blushing like crazy.


    The Dong, Xue, and even the Sun clan¡¯s aberrations were stiff and awkward.


    This only helped to fuel their curiosity. Why were they all here? For whom?


    Xie Tianyang knew it all along of course.


    The Profound Heaven expert on the stage stood on pins and needles under the stare of all those mighty figures. He shakily took out the roster.


    He was the king of this stage, but not anymore. ¡®Cause now he was a bottom feeder among all these big shots!


    He swallowed down while shaking and shouted, ¡°The next fight will be between Zephyr City¡¯s Wan clan and Windgaze City¡¯s Luo clan!¡±


    Every head turned to the dark entrance of the stage to see the greatest underdog in this Esoteric Debate, Luo clan!


    Even though the Luo clan¡¯s 28 strong men were quite something, the more they advanced the harder it became. Case in point, they left the last battle while supporting each other.


    Their opponent, the Wan clan, was a renowned second rate clan. It even had three Profound Heaven youths.


    The crowd was eagerly awaiting for the Luo clan, but their prospects at winning were slim at best.


    Tap, tap, tap¡­


    A light noise was heard as Luo Yunhai was coming out on crutches, leaning on his sister towards the stage.


    The crowd¡¯s shock passed and was replaced by sighs.


    They all saw Luo Yunhai¡¯s valor and might, fearless as a tiger. And this tiger was an indispensable force in the Luo clan¡¯s team.


    Yet now he had an unexplained wound, which only crippled their chance of victory even more.


    Wan clan¡¯s twenty strong men were already on the stage and were now snickering. [Victory¡¯s ours!]


    But then a plain figure slowly made itself noticed by walking behind the siblings. He caught the attention of all the houses.


    Regent Estate, Hell Valley, and their other two allies bore a deep hatred for Zhuo Fan. They suddenly released a deadly aura that made the audience shiver.


    [It all makes sense now. The seven houses came for him!]


    Playing with his flickering Thunder Ring, Zhuo Fan walked without a care in the world. His deep gaze, his far off look seemed to find everyone beneath him.


    This was how Zhuo Fan followed after Luo Yunchang, with a charming and faint smile.


    The biggest shock was received by those who didn¡¯t know Zhuo Fan.


    [Who is he? Why are the seven houses here for him?]


    Dong Tianba and Dong Xiaowan went slack jawed. They never ever thought they¡¯d meet him here.


    Dong Xiaowan in particular, her gaze was filled with complicated emotions. Joy, sadness, and a hint of relief¡­


    Xue Wanlong and Xue Dingtian were shocked as well. They never thought that the young brat they met in Allbeast Mountain Range would appear here.


    ¡°S-Soaring Demonic Dragon!¡±


    The shout had caused another round of shock among the crowd as their eyes never strayed from Zhuo Fan!


    [He is the Luo clan¡¯s strongest? The same Soaring Demonic Dragon on par with Six Dragons and One Phoenix?]


    The Luo clan¡¯s main force has come out in the open!


    The crowd watched eagerly, thrilled to witness a good show¡­

 Chapter 262 - Cheerleaders/Groupies

    ¡°Old Pang, stay here and look after them.¡± Zhuo Fan spoke behind him to Captain Pang and the young guards before walking on stage alone.


    The crowd wondered, [Alone against Wan clan¡¯s 20 strongest?] But then recalled that he had a title akin to the Six Dragons and One Phoenix and got excited at the prospect.


    This was what everyone wanted to see. The extent of power one man possessed to make the seven houses pay so much attention to.


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, fingers crossed!¡± Xue Ningxiang cheered with an adorable face.


    Staggering for a second there, Zhuo Fan waved back slightly with a smile.


    Dong Xiaowan waved as well, but found him not even noticing her and was peeved, ¡°Ning¡¯er, are you and brother Zhuo close?¡±


    ¡°He saved my clan¡¯s lives!¡± Xue Ningxiang nodded, but then found Dong Xiaowan gloomy and mumbled, ¡°Uh, sister Wan¡¯er, sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. He never even looked at me anyway.¡± Dong Xiaowan shook her head sullen.


    Dong Clan Head gleaned something out of all of this and asked Dong Tianba, ¡°Is that youth who I think it is?¡±


    Dong Tianba nodded and sighed.


    His sister had been lovestruck since back in Drifting Flowers City. Her crush never spared her a glance, while she pined for him every moment.


    [I can¡¯t tell if she is foolish or silly.]


    ¡°Darling, good luck! Crush them all!¡± A cute voice came from Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯ side and slammed into the ears of the audience. Xiao Dandan was practically jumping in her seat, gesticulating wildly to make sure he saw her.


    Zhuo Fan held his head, [What¡¯s this idiot doing here? Is Drifting Flowers Edifices so understaffed? How is she fit to join the seven houses¡¯ final battle with her cultivation? Cannon fodder is more like it!]


    Pulling Xiao Dandan back down, Peony Overseer cursed, ¡°Why can¡¯t you act proper instead of some lovesick maiden?¡±


    ¡°Humph, me and darling have already tied the knot. He¡¯ll come around!¡± Xiao Dandan pouted, still clinging to her hope.


    Sighing, Peony Overseer said. ¡°This girl has lost it.¡±


    On the other hand, Xie Tianyang was laughing his head off, using this chance to gossip with Xue Ningxiang, ¡°Ning¡¯er, see that? This punk is a womanizer. He got another one just like that! And I can attest to having seen them kissing in public myself¡­ ¡°


    Xie Tianyang laughed inside, [Time to cash in on the scheme I cooked back in Drifting Flowers Edifices.]


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s eyes were fixed on Zhuo Fan, having a sinking and uncomfortable feeling in her heart.


    The looks Zhuo Fan got from the audience were odd, to say the least.


    [This kid¡¯s the bomb. He goes around the seven houses, spreading chaos and destruction, while not forgetting to sow the seeds of love!]


    [Lady Killer Demonic Dragon is far more appropriate!]


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, you are a true man of mercy, to show such restraint in your travels!¡± Luo Yunchang towered behind Zhuo Fan with a sweet smile. And yet the killing intent in her eyes made her close to a demon.


    Zhuo Fan shrugged it off, ¡°I only did what I had to. The rest was a force of circumstance, out of my control.¡±


    ¡°Force of circumstance you say?¡± Luo Yunchang teased and held his face.


    Zhuo Fan was caught off guard, ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Force of circumstance.¡± Grinning, Luo Yunchang looked at him longingly and smooched him.


    Zhuo Fan felt her soft lips but didn¡¯t get to relish in the sensation as Luo Yunchang swished her head away blushing. But the look in her eyes, was that of a blissful maiden.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, good luck!¡± Luo Yunchang batted her eyes at him then shot a glance towards Drifting Flowers Edifices.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes were spitting fire right about now. Her teeth crunching so hard even Grandmother could hear.


    Xiao Dandan was having a hard time swallowing down her anger. She was ready to jump at that hussy¡¯s throat. Fortunately, Peony Overseer was there to rein her in.


    ¡°Who is she? How dare she force herself on darling?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s their clan¡¯s matter. It has nothing to do with you.¡± Peony Overseer sighed.


    Xiao Dandan whined, ¡°That¡¯s my darling! Of course it has¡­¡±


    Xie Tianyang found the ever sweet and cheerful Xue Ningxiang wearing a mask of anger and sorrow.


    [This is a cat fight only a man can stir. But why do I get the feeling even my cute and lovely Ning¡¯er wants to join the battlefield as well?]


    The audience was even more shocked, [That¡¯s no Demonic Dragon, that¡¯s a Love Doctor I tell you!] While actually, they felt jealousy and anger, [Being a skirt-chaser is a skill as well.]


    Huangpu Tianyuan twiddled his mustache with a cold eye, ¡°Sir Leng, who among these girls is his Achilles heel?¡±


    ¡°They all have a crush on him, but he ignores them completely. It¡¯s too soon to tell if any of them can be called his weakness. This needs further observation.¡± Leng Wuchang¡¯s eyes flashed.


    Huangpu Tianyuan nodded.


    Zhuo Fan was out of it for a second there, then saw Luo Yunchang¡¯s rosy cheeks and rubbed her head, ¡°Young miss Luo, you¡¯re not getting weird on me, are you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the weird one. Now get on stage!¡± With a glare, Luo Yunchang pushed him forward.


    With that charming and touching look, she made quite a number of hearts skip a beat in the crowd.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and went on.


    Just then, two figures wrapped in black energy popped up in front of him. The Blue Expanse City¡¯s Sun clan duo!


    Looking at the two creepy aberrations, Zhuo Fan was stunned, ¡°You need something?¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, Zhuo Fan, you can¡¯t tell who we are?¡± The man let out an eerie laughter, followed by the girl.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve sinned so much I don¡¯t keep track of how many I¡¯ve wronged. If you¡¯re here for revenge, kindly wait your turn. I¡¯ll be with you in a second to send you to the afterlife!¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, Zhuo Fan you¡¯re as arrogant as ever. But we aren¡¯t the same as before. This time it¡¯s you who dies!¡± The man¡¯s eyes flashed bloody red.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°I get it now. I¡¯ve never seen such ugly freaks in my life. Going through such a nasty makeover, of course I couldn¡¯t recognize the current you!¡±


    The crowd erupted in laughter.


    Even the girls who were glaring at each other giggled, breaking off their cat fight. Only the duo on stage was pissed.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, that¡¯s enough!¡±


    Another shout came and two more figures wrapped in black smoke appeared as they landed in front of Zhuo Fan. They were old men in the 5th layer of Profound Heaven Stage.


    But their faces were as creepy and disturbing as the duo¡¯s.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, you¡¯ve mocked and derided us ever since we met. It¡¯s because of you we look like this. Today, we will take your head as revenge!¡± One of the old men said savagely.


    Luo Yunchang frowned, ¡°You came for revenge but we do not even know how we¡¯ve offended you.¡±


    ¡°Humph, Yunchang, have you forgotten? Destruction of our clan, being cast out, are these not reasons enough?¡± The old man spat.


    Luo Yunchang was still puzzled, but Zhuo Fan caught onto something and mocked, ¡°Oh, so it¡¯s you. Who knew you ended up so pathetic and turned into freaks. Now that you¡¯ve lost all reason to live, you¡¯ve come to me for reincarnation?¡±


    ¡°We came to kill you, or die together!¡± the old man¡¯s mind was set.


    Snickering, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Even if you came to kill me, you ought to get in line. After I deal with the ones on stage, I don¡¯t mind finishing off the lot of you as well.¡±


    The four nodded.


    As the saying went, know thyself and your enemy and you¡¯d be ever-victorious. It payed to know what the other party was capable of.


    So the four cleared a path for Zhuo Fan to go on stage.


    By now, the 20 strong fighters on stage were grave. They had lost the mockery and disdain they had for the Bone Tempering Zhuo Fan.


    They just found out that he can stand tall like Six Dragons and One Phoenix and changed their thinking.


    How were they going to beat such a monster? Heck, not even a first rate clan could do him in!


    But since they were on stage already, the fight was unavoidable.


    They came to Esoteric Debate in hopes of coming under the wing of the seven houses after all.


    This made every fight a chance to show their spirit and worth. A chance they would never miss.


    ¡°Soaring Demonic Dragon, come!¡± Wan clan¡¯s leader cupped his hands, ready for battle. He was sweating buckets, but that didn¡¯t stop him from braving through the fear.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°My Luo clan will definitely enter the final battle and this is too much of a hassle. So in order to move things along, let all clans, from third to first rate step in. If I lose, we walk. If I win, we¡¯ll go straight to the final battle, fighting with the seven houses!¡±


    Sss~


    A round of gasps echoed. He wants to fight every clan, alone? That was just too outrageously cocky!


    His words only sparked anger in every clan present. While only the seven houses looked on calmly.


    They were the only ones who knew all too well of Zhuo Fan¡¯s cunningness and deceit¡­

 Chapter 263 - A Shocking And Devastating Strike

    The clans were outraged at Zhuo Fan¡¯s haughty declaration while also terrified of the one they called Soaring Demonic Dragon.


    The Profound Heaven expert directing the fights said to Zhuo Fan, ¡°This isn¡¯t in the rules!¡±


    ¡°What matters is strength, that¡¯s how one earns their right to participate in the final battle!¡± Grinning, Zhuo Fan stuck out his chin as he turned to the seven houses, ¡°And it¡¯s a perfect time to show them who they¡¯re up against!¡±


    Such ego to consider himself the seven houses¡¯ equal!


    He instantly earned the disdain of the crowd. While those that knew of his exploits with the seven houses thought, [The kid sure is qualified.]


    Huangpu Qingtian stepped forward and watched the stage coldly.


    The appearance of Regent Estate¡¯s eldest young master shocked them all.


    They soon heard a clear and mighty voice ringing in their ears. The words had such impact they almost had a heart attack.


    ¡°Do as per his wishes. But¡­¡± Huangpu Qingtian drew his arm over the crowd, ¡°I declare that anyone who brings me Zhuo Fan¡¯s head, their clan will become Regent Estate¡¯s vassal!¡±


    Sss~


    After a round of gasps, a deathly silence ensued. The clans were so overwhelmed they couldn¡¯t dare believe their ears!


    [This is godsent!]


    One little head was enough to skip the cruel and deadly Esoteric Debate¡¯s last battle and just come under Regent Estate¡¯s wing.


    What they didn¡¯t know however was that this dream was closer to a nightmare than reality.


    But the promise of greatness robbed their minds of what was to come. Their eyes were fixed on Zhuo Fan, wishing they were already holding his head!


    All they were waiting for now was that Profound Heaven expert¡¯s signal and they¡¯d be onto him like wolves.


    No one even stopped to think that this free meal could be too hard to even chew. Was Zhuo Fan¡¯s title of Soaring Demonic Dragon, on par with Six Dragons and One Phoenix, for naught?


    ¡°Young master Huangpu, you¡¯re sending them to their deaths!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was carefree as he showed an evil grin to Huangpu Qingtian.


    Huangpu Qingtian responded with the same smile, ¡°Isn¡¯t this what you wanted?¡±


    Then they laughed.


    Zhuo Fan wanted to cause a sensation alright, to establish Luo clan¡¯s position in the upcoming final battle. So the more people that jumped on his sword the better. While Huangpu Qingtian never once believed these second and third rate clans had any good seeds among them to even harm Zhuo Fan.


    He was using them to see Zhuo Fan¡¯s limit and develop contingencies.


    Each side understood the other¡¯s intent flawlessly, all while using each other.


    It was a win-win scenario. The only losses here would be just your run-of-the-mill rock for brains suicidal morons.


    The seven houses noticed this as well and they were stunned looking at the laughing duo.


    [These two are devious and cruel men of ambition. They gaze far into the horizon!]


    In this Esoteric Debate, the winner would come from one of them.


    But as the world wasn¡¯t big enough for the two of them, they had to settle their score here and now. Or the world would be plunged into chaos at their hands, ripped apart and burned to cinders.


    The house lords watched them with glinting eyes.


    The Esoteric Debate was going to revolve around these two monsters, Huangpu Qingtian and Zhuo Fan. Each leading his own faction of houses, something unheard of in the past Esoteric Debates.


    The battle for unification was underway and nothing or anyone could stop it. All that was left was to see who had the last laugh!


    This was something privy to the seven houses only. Those crickets downstairs only knew how to fight among each other for scraps¡­


    The presiding Profound Heaven expert got his nod of approval and flew up high, soon followed by his clear words.


    ¡°Luo clan¡¯s qualifying fight for the final battle begins!¡±


    Roar!


    The clans flung themselves like mindless beasts at Zhuo Fan. They were all spectators turned opportunists. What used to be innocent bystanders, were now fired up by the smell of blood and glory.


    They were all just one gory head away from becoming the foundation of their clan¡¯s endless fame. Who could fight the temptation? Perhaps they were lucky enough and would even get it.


    And the number who thought so was by no means small.


    As such, the referee¡¯s words were marked by a veritable flood of people storming the stage. It was close to ten thousand people, with plenty of Bone Tempering and Profound Heaven experts joining as well!


    The Wan clan already on stage was overwhelmed.


    Zhuo Fan was their opponent but, as things stood, did they even have a snowball¡¯s chance in hell to rob the guy¡¯s head from the masses?


    Luck was with them in that regard, being so close and all. Yet when they looked deep into Zhuo Fan¡¯s bottomless gaze, the 20 strong men found themselves frozen.


    The incoming tide behind them was oblivious, rushing onwards like clueless children swept by the promise of reward as they launched attacks on Zhuo Fan.


    The thousands of people swallowed Zhuo Fan until he was no longer visible.


    Xue Ningxiang was worried, ¡°Will brother Zhuo be fine?¡±


    ¡°Totally. With that punk¡¯s luck, not even the seven houses can do anything to him, let alone these pests!¡± Xie Tianyang comforted Ning¡¯er but he was nonetheless frowning, ¡°But isn¡¯t thousands of people at once perhaps an overkill? The punk is amazing, sure, but there is also the danger of dying from exhaustion. Why is he waiting them out? Why isn¡¯t he thinning the crowd?¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, no matter how strong, he is all alone against the tide! He is finished!¡± A creepy laughter jarred his ear.


    The audience, or what was left of it, turned to the creepy man to hear him say, ¡°A shame we are already under Hell Valley and cannot throw our lot with Regent Estate. We would¡¯ve been in there cashing our luck otherwise.¡±


    ¡°En, true!¡± Dong Clan Head nodded.


    Wan¡¯er glared at him.


    Dong Clan Head shook his head as he looked at the sea of people on the stage, ¡°These are cruel words, but that is reality. Regent Estate¡¯s bait is too enticing for anyone to resist.  Not even the kid would¡¯ve thought his egotistical words would stir such a reaction.¡±


    ¡°Even if he dies, he only has himself to blame.¡± Dong Clan Head sighed, as did Xue Wanlong and Xue Dingtian.


    Xue Ningxiang and Dong Xiaowan watched on, plagued with worry. Dong Tianba and the Xue clan¡¯s youths were frowning. But only Xie Tianyang had a mocking smile.


    [Egotistical? Of course he is!]


    [But have you ever seen how cautious he is? How could a brash and obnoxious kid ever manage to toy with You Guiqi?]


    Xie Tianyang was not one bit worried for Zhuo Fan¡¯s fate.


    He knew Zhuo Fan showed cockiness on the outside but never actually did something unless he had a plan set in motion.


    Hu~


    An invisible ripple spawned in the center of the stage, swallowing it whole.


    The force of it had Huangpu Tianyuan squinting. He watched as the tide of people on the stage had blank stares before collapsing.


    All the contestants dropped on the ground one at a time, with the crazed and thirsty greed frozen on their faces.


    Those outside the stage stopped in their charge, watching the stage tensely.


    Zhuo Fan touched the buffed guy in front with his finger and let him collapse.


    The ground around him was littered with bodies, not that he cared, stepping over them in his conquering march.


    Like a king, he was stepping on the bodies of his enemies as he took his throne.


    Xue Ningxiang and Dong Xiaowan were overjoyed while Dong Clan Head, Xue Clan Head were shellshocked.


    ¡°What just happened? What¡¯s wrong with them?¡± The shock on everyone¡¯s faces was palpable.


    Zhuo Fan was uncaring, looking over the leftovers, still standing and cocking his finger with a nasty grin, ¡°There¡¯s still a thousand left. Come and take my head if you want it.¡±


    Swallowing dryly, they were now faltering. Their previous high had passed, as did their courage. The sight of an evil and grinning Zhuo Fan in the middle of thousands of bodies tended to do that to a feeble mind.


    ¡°Killing with intent!¡± Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes trembled.


    His quiet voice spread everywhere among the deathly silence.


    In an instant, everyone looked at Zhuo Fan in shock.


    [Isn¡¯t that a Radiant Stage expert¡¯s ability? Why is a Bone Tempering cultivator wielding it?]


    The fear in their eyes couldn¡¯t be more pronounced.


    This was why so many people dropped lifeless without even a chance to fight back. The one that killed them was on par with a Radiant Stage expert¡­

 Chapter 264 - Tyrant

    All the big shots from the seven houses were overwhelmed at Zhuo Fan¡¯s power having exceeded their expectations by a long shot.


    What was considered a freak body cultivator, harder than diamonds, had in a single step crossed over the Profound Heaven Stage and went straight to using Radiant Stage¡¯s abilities, leaving these old fogies eating dust.


    Bluntly put, these seven houses¡¯ big shots were so daft that not even one had touched upon the Radiant Stage.


    And that shame came crashing down, evident by their flushed faces.


    [What is wrong with this generation? One freakier than the last.] If these bags of bones were of Zhuo Fan¡¯s age, they¡¯d be dancing in joy if they had the hope of even entering the Profound Heaven Stage.


    [But now, it only brings us tears!]


    [Out with the old and in with the new, they always say. But the new has kicked us to the curb with this display! Sigh¡­]


    As the old bones watched the imposing and daunting Zhuo Fan on stage, their eyes glistened with tears, feeling as if they had aged a few centuries on the spot.


    Huangpu Qingtian was having a hard time containing himself, evident by the gnashing teeth and clenched fists.


    He showed off killing with intent last night, to flounce his almightiness and scare the living daylights out of Zhuo Fan. But come tomorrow, Zhuo Fan replied with the same coin, making his act anything but of a circus clown.


    Such a display of power would leave anyone wallowing in their refuse from fright. As to what Zhuo Fan did after this display, not only bitchslapped him but threw him from the highest peak into the deepest abyss.


    The more he thought about it, the more he realized that his act yesterday was of foolishness.


    Zhuo Fan picked on his shame and did what he liked doing best, egging Huangpu Qingtian on with an exaggerated middle finger and a quirk of his eyebrows. Words were hardly necessarily at this stage in getting his point across.


    [Dumbass!]


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes were spitting flames at this point, having long crossed the limits of his tolerance.


    But Leng Wuchang held his shoulder, stopping him from acting out.


    By getting rid of these third and second rate clans, Zhuo Fan spoke aplenty. By ¡°killing with intent¡± taken as his weapon of choice, he spat on Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s bravado while also slapping him around for good measure. Could any living being take it?


    And yet he did. He knew this was neither time nor place for such an altercation.


    ¡°Ol¡¯ poisoner, have you ever seen the eldest young master lose his cool?¡± You Yushan walked over to Yan Bangui.


    Shaking his head, Yan Bangui¡¯s face was grave, ¡°Not even once.¡±


    ¡°Same. But the punk sure knows how to push the eldest young master¡¯s buttons.¡± He chuckled for a second before sighing, ¡°By the looks of it, the final battle revolving around Six Dragons and One Phoenix for so many centuries has now turned into Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord versus Soaring Demonic Dragon. All we can do is stay back and cheer, like mere squires. We were so useless yesterday as well¡­¡±


    Yan Bangui recalled how Zhuo Fan had popped up in his face and shuddered from how powerless he felt. He didn¡¯t want to admit it, not with how he scrunched his teeth.


    Since when their prestige as Six Dragons and One Phoenix was seen with mockery?


    Yan Bogong, leader of Pill King Hall, glanced at the two with calm, ¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short. You are very much needed in the plan to get ourselves rid of that little monster.¡±


    Shuddering, the two recovered their fighting spirit.


    ¡°Yeah, we just need a good plan and together we will waste him for good!¡± Yan Fu grinned with hatred.


    While the two were quite, You Yushan mocked him, ¡°We? Ha-ha-ha, what can you possibly do? Since when are you on the same level as us?¡±


    Yan Bangui couldn¡¯t help but smile and Yan Bogong chuckled.


    Yan Fu was furious, but there was nothing he could do.


    Ever since his master, Yan Song, suffered an untimely demise, he lost all support in Pill King Hall. His alchemy was very much well regarded still, but his poison arts paled to the likes of Yan Bangui so he was kicked to the curb.


    It only worked to fuel his hatred for Zhuo Fan to new heights. He lost everything because of him!


    Back on the stage, all those greedy and power hungry clans finally woke up from the allure of fame. They started drawing back, further and further away.


    The referee landed on the corpse filled stage and sighed at Zhuo Fan¡¯s insane power.


    In the millennium that passed, and in all the Esoteric Debates that were held, never had the preliminaries to the final battle yielded so many casualties.


    Although sad, he had no sympathy whatsoever.


    Their greed got them their deaths. They bet their lives for power and fame, but lost in the end.


    They got their just desserts!


    ¡°In this qualification round for the final battle, Luo clan is victorious!¡± The old guy shouted.


    They all heard it but they didn¡¯t applaud. Those that laid at Zhuo Fan¡¯s feet were their brothers, part of the same clans.


    Why would anyone congratulate their enemy for killing their men? Did that even make sense?


    The only thing they felt when looking at the slaughter was pain. Zhuo Fan had stepped on their kin to enter the final battle. Why the hell would they applaud? Their hearts were only capable of unbridled hatred now.


    Not that Zhuo Fan cared. Every general climbed to his rank by stepping over a mountain of corpses. He had no need for eulogies and acclamations, only to be feared and obeyed!


    ¡°Old Pang, make a list with all the dead people¡¯s clans. I will pay a visit to each and every one of them.¡± Zhuo Fan pointed at the corpse filled stage.


    Old Pang got to work immediately.


    The relatives watched disgruntled, and some even had the courage to voice their indignation, ¡°Zhuo Fan, we don¡¯t need your hypocrisy. Don¡¯t think that some poor apology will be enough to atone for this slaughter!¡±


    This earned the nods of the crowd.


    ¡°Apology, atone?¡±


    Quirking an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan felt he had heard the biggest joke ever, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, are you stupid or what? Since when did I start having regrets from killing? And you even went as far as thinking I¡¯d apologize for squashing mere ants?


    ¡°Humph, let me be perfectly clear. When you went after me just now, wishing to get my head, I made sure to burn each one of you in my mind! I only want the list so I can pay a social visit and send you off with the rest of your clan and avoid any meddlesome folks in the future. Apologize? Atone? Unlike all those stories where the guy gets the girl, I will be sure to take her from right under your noses, morons!¡±


    Sss~


    Gasps of fear resounded everywhere.


    [Is this guy human? He slaughtered so many and yet he won¡¯t rest until he has committed genocide?]


    Gone was vengeance from everyone¡¯s minds and instead they shivered in fear worrying if they¡¯d even have a future. [Maybe moving into mountains and avoiding this Demon Archon is for the best.]


    They all paled and forgot everything about revenge.


    Leng Wuchang snickered a praise, ¡°This brat sure is crafty. People seek revenge out of survival. But when that is at risk, all the hatred evaporates. They will most likely run home and cover all of this up, while leaving him a free path to the final battle!¡±


    ¡°But this punk is a tyrant. He does not care for the people!¡± Huangpu Tianyuan said.


    Leng Wuchang shook his head, ¡°A tyrant is called that only in the moment of his fall. That is when others gather their nerves to call him that. If he keeps on winning, he will always be a righteous lord. His actions will have no impact whatsoever as well. As you can see from his choice today, he instilled a powerful image on all present here that getting on Luo clan¡¯s bad sides or on the seven houses¡¯ bad side made no difference. They¡¯ll end up dead either way. So who then will go against the Luo clan besides us?¡±


    Gasping, Huangpu Tianyuan nodded, ¡°He is both ambitious and a ruler material. We need to nip him in the bud!¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan stood up and left.


    Seeing Regent Estate following their Estate Lord, the other six houses glanced one more time at Zhuo Fan before leaving as well. Staying any longer wouldn¡¯t net them any new information anyway.


    They had been introduced already to Zhuo Fan¡¯s other grand ability.


    Zhuo Fan sighed watching them go and went to Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang, ¡°What a coincidence. You are also joining the Esoteric Debate?¡±


    He failed to notice, however, Leng Wuchang pausing and looking back at him with a wide grin.


    ¡°Estate Lord, I may have found this brat¡¯s weakness.¡± Leng Wuchang beamed at Huangpu Tianyuan.


    Huangpu Tianyuan raised an eyebrow, ¡°Sir Leng found out the cause behind his vanishing acts?¡±


    ¡°No, but it is akin to a spacial array. We can only use another array to seal this ability!¡± Leng Wuchang shook his head.


    If only Zhuo Fan was here to hear this, he¡¯d have the shock of his life, and praise Leng Wuchang¡¯s cunning eyes. The Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 1st stage¡¯s weakness was indeed a sealed space.


    ¡°But how do we trap him in an array? He is just too insidious to fall for it!¡± Huangpu Tianyuan frowned.


    Leng Wuchang showed a vague smile, ¡°He is trickier than a fox, proving to be a hard opponent even for me. But even smart people act like an average person sometimes!¡±


    ¡°Hoh, Sir Leng must have a plan ready then.¡± Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s eyes flashed.


    Leng Wuchang nodded and smiled¡­

 Chapter 265 - A Clan Dog’s Burial

    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, congratulations on getting into the final battle!¡± Xue Ningxiang couldn¡¯t stop the sweet smile from gracing her face.


    Xue Dingtian and Dong Clan Head¡¯s hearts jumped from fear, despite knowing fully well that Zhuo Fan had always been on their side.


    It was all because his power was the biggest threat.


    The sight of Zhuo Fan slaughtering thousands of people with intent alone gave them the feeling of ants looking at a giant. He could kill them on a whim if he found them displeasing in any way. Who wouldn¡¯t shake in their boots?


    They had a stiff smile on their faces, but their backs were soaked.


    They were like deer in the headlights. The tiger had them in his sights, and even if his appetite was abated, their fear was very much real.


    Zhuo Fan was oblivious to the fear he evoked, he who had become a dreaded existence just minutes ago, was now smiling and nodding.


    The others nodded stiffly with an awkward smile.


    He puffed up his chest as he looked at Xue Ningxiang, ¡°That was going to happen in due time anyways. It will hardly make a difference when garbage throws itself at me, even if they are in the tens of thousands!¡±


    They all laughed dryly, but sweat poured out harder.


    His tone was haughty, but then the people thought about it from a different angle. Weren¡¯t Dong clan and Xue clan average clans as well, garbage even? What would be their future?


    Wasn¡¯t he clearly mocking them in a convoluted way?


    It wasn¡¯t like the two could complain. Who told him to get strong enough to end their lives with a squeeze?


    [Just smile and nod.]


    Zhuo Fan was minding his own business, and with how often he was around big shots, he had no idea what waves his words were stirring in these two clan head¡¯s minds.


    Xue Ningxiang chuckled innocently. But then she frowned, ¡°Uh, big brother Zhuo, will you really end their clans? They just lost their relatives. On the stage, death is unavoidable, but going so far as to kill their whole clan afterwards is cruel. My clan was also on the verge of being wiped out and I can relate. Please, c-could you just let them go?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned. Xue Dingtian noticed the predicament and chastised, ¡°Ning¡¯er, Steward Zhuo had his reason for doing it. You can¡¯t go and ruin his plans with your playfulness! Moreover, a true man never goes back on his word, even more so for Steward Zhuo, who is a hero, a great¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine, no problem!¡±


    Xue Dingtian didn¡¯t even get to teach his dear granddaughter about manners before Zhuo Fan just shrugged it off, ¡°I only meant to scare them anyway, to dispel any thoughts of going against me. Since I got what I wanted, there¡¯s no need to exterminate them. What do you take me for, a pitiless Demon Archon?¡±


    [Damn right!]


    They all shook their heads but nodded in their minds.


    [If you¡¯re no Demon Archon, what are the thousands of corpses doing on stage?]


    Xue Ningxiang was ecstatic. She felt for those pitiful clans deeply, [Big brother Zhuo doesn¡¯t need to go through a pointless slaughter.]


    Zhuo Fan smiled and ruffled her hair. His savage face showed a rare hint of being content.


    Xue Dingtian was dumbstruck. He was looking to justify Zhuo Fan¡¯s cruel way all this time and even reproached his granddaughter.


    And yet Zhuo Fan actually agreed with his granddaughter¡¯s pleading instead of giving credence to his reasoning. Where would his face go when speaking to his juniors now?


    But seeing that Zhuo Fan had eyes for Ning¡¯er alone, the old man sighed, [My face is useless here. Better leave them alone, lest I become a third wheel.]


    ¡°Hey, hands off! Don¡¯t you know mere acquaintances should never touch?¡±


    Xie Tianyang burst into their corner of the world and flung Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand off Ning¡¯er¡¯s head. His jealousy was already burning strong and seeing Zhuo Fan patting her was the last straw.


    Zhuo Fan saw right through him and sighed.


    Luo Yunchang took this moment to barge in as well, ¡°Yeah, how could any respectable woman be touched so casually?¡±


    Then she said in apology, ¡°Ning¡¯er, please don¡¯t mind it. Steward Zhuo is a boor. I¡¯ll teach him some manners when we get back.¡±


    ¡°Uh, it¡¯s alright. Young miss Luo, don¡¯t blame big brother Zhuo.¡± Xue Ningxiang panicked. The gullible girl thought the young miss had the power to knock some sense into Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan frowned, feeling ticked off for some odd reason.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, here¡¯s the list!¡± Captain Pang came with a paper.


    Zhuo Fan scrunched it up and threw it, ¡°Never mind.¡±


    Captain Pang was stumped, [What¡¯s with Steward Zhuo? Why is he so angry?]


    Zhuo Fan had no clue why, but felt something amiss when Xie Tianyang flung his hand off the girl¡¯s head. It only got worse when Luo Yunchang showed up and her words stung him.


    He was now sulking and had no one to vent on.


    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan shouted, ¡°Wait!¡±


    They all looked around to see where Zhuo Fan was looking. The Sun clan¡¯s four were tip-toeing away.


    They were depressed. They worked so hard on their cultivation the last five years too. They thought with their strength, it was enough to at least take Zhuo Fan to his grave together if not alone.


    But then they saw that monstrous Zhuo Fan turn into an abomination, killing with intent.


    The four of them had no chance whatsoever now. They would be finished in a blink!


    Oh, they still wanted revenge of course, but that didn¡¯t mean becoming cannon fodder was in their plan. Only an idiot would jump right in when there was no chance of victory.


    So they chose to high tail out of there!


    Once Zhuo Fan figured out who they were, he no longer cared about them. But now he needed a good punching bag to blow off some steam and they became the perfect targets.


    Zhuo Fan hardly ever got angry, especially the kind of dubious and inexplicable type of anger he was feeling right now.


    But now that he ran into these guys, he felt like the luckiest man alive.


    Staggering, the old man in front stiffly looked back as he used the same hoarse voice, ¡°You need something?¡±


    Are you serious?


    [You¡¯re asking me? After you had the gall to shout that you¡¯ll kill me?]


    Zhuo Fan smiled in anger, walking towards them while spouting, ¡°Cai Rong, Cai Xiaoting, and the Sun clan¡¯s father and daughter, drop the dumb act!¡±


    The four shuddered as they turned, yet they were too scared to even look him in the eye.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s group jerked. They threw the four out of their clan but who knew they¡¯d end up looking like freaks of nature?


    Zhuo Fan cared not about their flimsy explanations and appeared right in front of the four as he taunted, ¡°Come then. Weren¡¯t you gonna take revenge? I¡¯ll take you all on and even give you two free moves!¡±


    Their faces sank, no longer arrogant as before, but down in the dumps.


    [What good will two moves do when you can kill us with intent alone?]


    ¡°Don¡¯t feel like it?¡±


    That only got Zhuo Fan¡¯s rage to tower higher and roared, ¡°Since you have no guts, kneel. See how I put you in your place!¡±


    Regardless of how unwilling they were, their knees buckled.


    To kneel or not to kneel? That was the question.


    Kneeling was shameful, but most likely a better outcome than ending up a smear on the ground at this savage¡¯s hands.


    [Life is ever precious. Face matters not, especially with our creepy looks.]


    One after the other, they bent their knees and fell on Zhuo Fan¡¯s feet.


    Luo Yunchang cried, ¡°H-how did you all end up like this?¡±


    ¡°How else? The Hell Valley gave them some double-edged demonic method.¡± A Demonic Emperor like Zhuo Fan saw through them in a flash as he cursed, ¡°Just look at yourselves! You¡¯re neither human nor monster and yet you still want to live? Is this the awe inspiring power you all sought? Especially you, instead of staying as an elder in the Luo clan you went ahead and threw your whole lot with the Sun clan! What a fool.¡±


    Zhuo Fan sputtered into Cai Rong¡¯s flushed face.


    Zhuo Fan had hardly had enough and kept on flinging curses, ¡°Do you know why you look like this? It¡¯s what you deserve for being so adamant in becoming someone¡¯s lap dogs. Even as an elder of the Luo clan, you wanted to climb aboard Hell Valley. Now that you did, you¡¯re worth less than even a dog! Idiot, nitwit, dumbass, nimrod¡­ ¡°


    Zhuo Fan was on a roll. He was thorough in cursing out every bit of respect the four ever had.


    They couldn¡¯t even muster a retort.


    Luo Yunchang glanced at Zhuo Fan with complicated thoughts.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, kill us or torture us. But stop with the insults!¡± Cai Rong had had enough it seemed.


    Zhuo Fan squinted, ¡°Kill you? Why would I ever do that?¡±


    The four were startled and echoed, ¡°You won¡¯t kill us?¡±


    ¡°Of course not. I only care about two kinds of people. Friends, to hang out with, and enemies, to kill!¡± Grinning, Zhuo Fan added, ¡°What do you suppose you are?¡±


    ¡°Enemy?¡± Cai Rong tested.


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan snickered.


    ¡°Friends¡­ perhaps?¡± Cai Rong¡¯s heart thumped with hope. Was Zhuo Fan absolving them, was he going to help them?


    Zhuo Fan was cracking up, and mocked them even harder, ¡°Wrong, you are nothing to me! Just a bunch of clowns unworthy to kill and even less to call friends!


    ¡°Beat it! Live on like the dogs you are and have a taste of worldly pain as you reflect on your mistakes. I expect a good show on your part!¡±


    With a grin, Zhuo Fan finally felt at peace, having cursed them and humiliated them so thoroughly¡­

 Chapter 266 - Rage

    Shameless humiliation!


    The faces of the four were aflame, wishing they could go out fighting, and yet they kneeled there without a peep.


    Why were they here anyway? Did they come here only to get humiliated?


    Luo Yunchang sighed and glanced at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan looked crazed in his enjoyment, shouting, ¡°Why are you still here? Get lost already!¡±


    Cai Rong¡¯s group shook their heads and left, but not before they heard Zhuo Fan sinking one last insult, ¡°Do it like dogs! What are you standing around for when you¡¯re not even humans?¡±


    Shuddering, the four bit their lips fiercely. Zhuo Fan was towering over them with his mighty air and arrogance yet all they could do was suffer.


    He was just that strong!


    Cai Rong wept as he crawled away with the other three. Their image in the evening sun struck the picture of degradation, of stray dogs begging for mercy.


    Zhuo Fan barked on and on, trying to dispel that queer rage completely.


    People watched Zhuo Fan being thorough in humiliating these four, leaving them without a shred of dignity. The more they saw, the greater their fear of Zhuo Fan became.


    They said a warrior could be killed but not shamed. And yet when these Clan Heads watched such naked display of abuse and mockery, they felt it was even worse than having their entire clan wiped out.


    Because visiting the Underworld may be cruel and sad, but all clansmen would meet again in the afterlife. While the shamed would have to live on with this disgrace, in this nightmare built by harsh and cruel words, a fate worse than death.


    While Zhuo Fan was raining curses, his every word stung Xue and Dong clan like daggers.


    [Are we dogs or warriors?]


    [The Luo clan had Zhuo Fan as their pillar that even the seven houses regarded with importance and thus they could maintain their integrity.] While to the average clan in this word, not being dogs would end up becoming their destruction. How could one have integrity when his entire existence was threatened?


    Oftentimes they never wished to rise above their station, simply to survive. That was why they had integrity on the surface, while acting like dogs through their actions.


    Just that these two clans were lucky enough to get a good master, Drifting Flowers Edifices and Sword Marquise Abode. Unlike how the cruel Hell Valley treated their vassals.


    So they may be dogs, but could venture in calling themselves dogs with pedigree.


    Taking deep breaths, Xue Clan Head and Dong Clan Head glanced at each other then shook their heads. Zhuo Fan and Luo clan were worlds apart from them¡­


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, calm down. Why are you so angry? It¡¯s not worth stressing yourself over this.¡± Captain Pang came to Zhuo Fan with a smile.


    Zhuo Fan shrugged, his face calm, ¡°I¡¯m fine. I am not one to get angry over the likes of them. They are not worth it. I only abused them since it worked to show off my pretentious style.¡±


    Captain Pang reeled and laughed dryly. [What a reason to curse someone. How freakish!]


    Only Luo Yunchang bit her lip watching Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Oh, sorry everyone, there are matters that I need to deal with. I shall take my leave.¡± Zhuo Fan cupped his hands and left with Luo Yunchang and company.


    The others replied in kind.


    Only Dong Xiaowan watched him grumbling, ¡°He never even looked at me¡­¡±


    Dong Clan Head patted her shoulder and shook his head, ¡°Wan¡¯er, you and him are of different worlds. It¡¯s impossible.¡±


    Dong Xiaowan closed her teary eyes¡­


    In Luo clan¡¯s residence, the ever quiet Luo Yunchang spoke up, ¡°Zhuo Fan, miss Ning¡¯er and you¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Zhuo Fan asked puzzled.


    Luo Yunchang looked at him long, then shook her head, ¡°Nothing.¡±


    Zhuo Fan blinked obliviously.


    Luo clan stayed in a small courtyard in Dragon Cloud City. After coming here, Zhuo Fan called for Lei Yuntian and the twenty Profound Heaven fakes.


    ¡°With Steward Zhuo as our bulwark, we will always achieve absolute victory!¡± Lei Yuntian cupped his hands and laughed.


    Zhuo Fan merely barked at the fakers, ¡°Elder Lei, cane these things a hundred times each, personally!¡±


    Lei Yuntian was startled. [Why is Steward Zhuo angry? Did he lose?]


    [No way!] Whenever Zhuo Fan entered the fray, he only came out winning, not to mention this was an easy matter. The twenty fakers were stumped as well, [What did we do?]


    They¡¯ve been well behaved as of late. [We never showed off either.]


    Zhuo Fan snorted, ¡°You think I forgot about you since I didn¡¯t pay you any attention last couple of days? Luo clan was attacked yesterday and even our allies and outsiders came out with heavy wounds trying to protect our masters. While you just picked a corner to let this play out. You think you¡¯ll get out of this so easily?¡±


    ¡°B-but they were Six Dragons and One Phoenix! We have no hope of defeating them, would¡¯ve only died for nothing!¡± One of the twenty said with fear.


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan¡¯s flick sent him flying as he roared, ¡°You call that a reason? When you were imperial guards, did you run away as well? You are now the Luo clan¡¯s guards and the least you could do is be our shields. We are never to die before all of you. Didn¡¯t Elder Lei and Captain Pang act just the same? You don¡¯t have the Luo clan¡¯s wellbeing as your priority and must be punished.¡±


    Lei Yuntian nodded after a pause. He was right and these guys had to be put in their place.


    ¡°Elder Lei, what are you standing around for? Do it!¡± Zhuo Fan barked.


    The twenty fakers jolted in fear.


    Lei Yuntian was about to execute the order when he froze.


    [Wait, a hundred canes per faker? Won¡¯t my old body give out after two thousand hits? Steward Zhuo, are you punishing them or taking it out on me?]


    But then again, only he was the best person suited for the job since if anyone else did it, it wouldn¡¯t count as punishment.


    [But two thousand canes¡­]


    Lei Yuntian looked at Luo Yunchang bitter, ¡°Yunchang, what happened today? Why is Steward Zhuo so irritated?¡±


    Luo Yunchang shook her head, ¡°Never mind, Uncle Lei. Just give them twenty canes each, but a bit harder.¡±


    They all eased a breath in relief.


    The fakers rejoiced, as did Lei Yuntian. They were blessed to have this young miss above Demon Archon Zhuo. Two thousand canes turning into four hundred was far more manageable¡­


    Back in his room, Zhuo Fan sat down, and emptied the teacup at the side in one gulp and sighed. He was finally calm.


    Luo Yunchang and Captain Pang entered to which Zhuo Fan said, ¡°How is Elder Li and the others? They should be close.¡±


    For Dragon Cloud City to keep the peace, no house was allowed to bring in Radiant Stage experts. So Zhuo Fan guessed Li Jingtian¡¯s group had to be waiting on the outskirts of town.


    Captain Pang shook his head, ¡°Young miss Lei and Elder Yan hadn¡¯t come since you had plans for them.¡±


    ¡°Correct. I indeed told them to move around this time. And the others?¡± Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Captain Pang muttered, ¡°Uh, the others didn¡¯t as well.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Zhuo Fan finally had the time to mind Luo clan¡¯s situation and was stunned by what he heard.


    ¡°It was my idea.¡± Luo Yunchang said, ¡°Dragon Cloud City doesn¡¯t allow Radiant Stage experts in and you said not to expose our cards too soon. So I¡­¡±


    ¡°Fool!¡± Zhuo Fan snapped, enraged again, ¡°The seven houses didn¡¯t bring Radiant Stage experts because of their power, while you have none. If you and Yunhai die here, the Luo clan is finished. What would be the point of all my plans and my efforts to help the clan? To throw it all away in the end?¡±


    Luo Yunchang bit her lip and tears threatened to fall down her cheeks. But instead of succumbing to them she snapped back, ¡°Yes! I am not so astute and failed to see the big picture! And you? After being gone for five years, you instantly scream at anyone you find an eyesore. It¡¯d have been better if you hadn¡¯t bothered coming!¡±


    Luo Yunchang slammed the door as she left.


    Captain Pang was awkward, ¡°Uh, Steward Zhuo, please don¡¯t take it to heart. She didn¡¯t mean it. She missed you day and night¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine fine, I know. This isn¡¯t the first time she has acted like this anyway.¡± Zhuo Fan sighed and squinted, ¡°Old Pang, send a messaging jade slip for Elder Li to provide us support. I have a feeling we will have a falling out with Regent Estate.¡±


    Captain Pang nodded.


    Zhuo Fan was soon left alone with his thoughts.


    He closed his eyes as he considered.


    He knew something was off about him today. Irritated by everything and lashing out at anyone. He was this close to trading blows too. This couldn¡¯t go on.


    If anger got the best of him, he would force his way forward which was not a good thing. He had to control himself at all costs. Or there was a high chance he would do something he would regret.


    But why was he so ticked off all of a sudden?


    Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, he calmed down and started cultivating.


    Suddenly, a shout echoed and Zhuo Fan clutched his right eye as he fell to the ground soaked. The golden ring in his eye flashed on and off as a faint second golden ring appeared.


    [Am I about to achieve Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 2nd stage?]


    Zhuo Fan was excited¡­

 Chapter 267 - Cold

    Rustle~


    With a few flicks of his arms, Zhuo Fan set up a defensive array and sat cross-legged, calmed his mind and readied himself to advance. He felt his right eye burning red hot as the golden ring flashed. Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and focused his entire soul power on his right eye.


    The Divine Eye of the Void had an intrinsic connection with one¡¯s soul. Each advancement would tax one¡¯s soul greatly.


    Three days passed within a blink in this manner, with Zhuo Fan focused on his task and no one disturbing him either. However, the morning of the fourth day Zhuo Fan opened his eyes with a sigh.


    ¡°It still failed. Is it because my soul is weak or because of my restless state of mind?¡± Squinting, Zhuo Fan began regretting. It was such a rare chance to get stronger and he had thoroughly wasted it.


    Recalling his impatience four days ago, Zhuo Fan shook his head. [Why couldn¡¯t I be calm? I need to temper my heart and remove all distractions.]


    Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and closed his eyes. The next time he opened them, they were crystal clear with no ripples across them.


    Zhuo Fan stood up, undid the array and walked out.


    He was met with Luo Yunchang and company. One look was enough to tell him something was up.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Zhuo Fan eyed them.


    Luo Yunchang muttered, ¡°Pavilion Lord Long has sent word that they want to discuss the final battle among the seven houses with you. But you were cultivating these past days and¡­¡±


    ¡°Alright, I got it.¡±


    Zhuo Fan interrupted her and walked away without even looking at them. Like a lone wolf.


    Luo Yunchang looked at his back for a long while and then said, ¡°Captain Pang, did you also notice that he has changed?¡±


    Captain Pang swallowed, ¡°Steward Zhuo didn¡¯t change, he has only returned to how he was eight years ago. He looks the same as back then in Misty Forest.¡±


    Luo Yunchang watched the prideful figure with an aching heart.


    [Is he¡­ leaving again?]


    A demonic cultivator only ever cared about themselves.


    With Zhuo Fan having met so many people over the years, each encounter had a faint influence, each tainting his heart and ultimately rattling his usually peaceful state of mind.


    He was of the belief that this was the sole reason for his failure to advance Divine Eye of the Void to the 2nd stage. After careful consideration, he had cast out every influence, along with the ever growing emotions.


    The strong had no need for dead weights.


    Surveying the white clouds floating about the blue sky, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes were crystal clear. So much so that they looked dead.


    [So much better.]


    Sighing, Zhuo Fan walked with purpose to a courtyard ten times larger than the Luo clan¡¯s.


    This place had high ranking people watching the gate.


    ¡°Brother, the killing with intent you used has opened my eyes!¡± Long Jiu laughed.


    Zhuo Fan nodded unaffected, ¡°Long time no see, brother Jiu!¡±


    Long Jiu paused for a second. [Why is brother so cold today?]


    ¡°Darling, you were so cool!¡± Xiao Dandan skipped over at some point with a rosy face. Peony Overseer held her face and sighed.


    Zhuo Fan glanced at her and said, ¡°Lass, do that again and I¡¯ll make sure it will be your last!¡±


    Reeling, Xiao Dandan watched him like he was some stranger. She had gotten used to Zhuo Fan talking like that, but this time she could see the bloodthirst glinting in his eyes.


    She was certain that if she opened her mouth at this instant, Zhuo Fan would rip it off!


    Peony Overseer saw her disciple being picked on and glared. But before she could spring in defense, Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold, emotionless eyes snapped at her, ¡°And you, deal with your disciple before she meets with misfortune. When that time comes, you¡¯ll only have yourself to blame for not educating her properly!¡±


    Zhuo Fan then walked inside without sparing the women a look.


    Zhuo Fan had long lost his joking mood and was ready to follow up on his threats.


    [What¡¯s wrong with this kid? He¡¯s like another person.]


    While those familiar with Zhuo Fan were stifled, the rest were even more afraid of earning his ire.


    Zhuo Fan was surrounded by a constant air of savagery as if he was standing above all. No one dared to stand closer than three meter around this mighty lord.


    His far away look and his power let them know that the best he ever felt was when he was alone.


    This Zhuo Fan left them all cold and shaken inside.


    Rumble!


    Zhuo Fan walked in through the heavy door, where the three clans sat around a round table. They all smiled at his coming, Chu Qingcheng especially.


    He nodded and smiled in reply, but ignored Chu Qingcheng as he took a chair.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, the qualification round has concluded. Because of your involvement, a large number of clans were eliminated. This makes the final battle planned a month later be moved two days from now.¡± Long Yifey explained.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°So the reason you wanted to see me is¡­¡±


    ¡°Seeing how the Luo clan has never participated in the final battle of the seven houses before, there are some things you have yet to learn.¡± Long Yifey smiled, ¡°Actually, the final battle is held in a different area each time and rules change accordingly. What remains the same is how cruel and brutal it is.¡±


    ¡°So it isn¡¯t held in Dragon Cloud City? Hasn¡¯t it been a tradition for Esoteric Debate to be held here for the past thousand years?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    Long Yifey shook his head, ¡°This is the imperial family¡¯s scheme. Only by constantly changing the environment could they see the true power of the seven houses. And with how powerful the disciples from the seven houses are, so too will the terrain become of a much greater difficulty. This time it is expected to be the worst so far!¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted, still out of the loop.


    Grandmother giggled, ¡°Steward Zhuo needn¡¯t be baffled. The Dragon Cloud City has a large 8th grade Teleportation Array to send us anywhere within the Tianyu Empire. And that is where the final battle will be held. This is also to prevent anyone from setting an ambush.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded. [Imperial family thought of everything. But using such a large Teleportation Array only for Esoteric Debate is such a waste.]


    Zhuo Fan shook his head in the end.


    If the imperial family wanted to waste their coffers, how was that his problem? He was better off focusing on the final battle.


    That was the whole reason why they were gathered here.


    Xie Xiaofeng smiled, ¡°Steward Zhuo, your skills have opened our eyes. But we still wish to ask, how confident are you in facing Huangpu Qingtian?¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°None whatsoever. But you can rest easy knowing that I can hold him down. With how one of the other three is a cripple, can you handle the remaining two?¡±


    ¡°With Steward Zhuo holding off that monster, the other two and a half men will be easily taken care of. The seven houses¡¯ ranking will be in upheaval!¡± Xie Xiaofeng anticipated with joy.


    The others laughed with him.


    They discussed further details then adjourned. Zhuo Fan walked to the door when a graceful figure blocked his view.


    Zhuo Fan eyed Chu Qingcheng.


    ¡°You need something?¡± Zhuo Fan said flatly.


    Chu Qingcheng watched the impassive Zhuo Fan in anger, ¡°Zhuo Fan, I want an answer. Did you have no reason to stay in Drifting Flowers City longer?¡±


    ¡°None!¡± Zhuo Fan was resolute, ¡°I told you, I only did it out of self interest. Since I had achieved my goal and got what I came for, I had no reason to stay.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng gnashed her teeth and clenched her fists, ¡°What about the days spent in that shack¡­¡±


    ¡°You call playing house being real?¡± Mocking, Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°Without sacrificing a few days of my youth, you would¡¯ve never given up Bodhi Jade Sap so willingly¡­¡±


    Pa!


    Chu Qingcheng slapped him before he could finish.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan giggled despite her raging eyes, ¡°Silly girl, you¡¯re so easily duped that I worry how Drifting Flowers Edifices will survive after Grandmother¡¯s gone. Why not give it to me?¡±


    ¡°Bastard, you are dead inside!¡± Chu Qingcheng glared, her fingers dug into her palm drawing blood, trailing her flawless skin.


    Smirking, Zhuo Fan no longer looked at her as he left, but his mockery stung nonetheless, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I am and always will be a demonic cultivator. Even if that time made me feel anything, so what? You think you can hook me in?¡±


    Pff!


    With heart wrenching pain, Chu Qingcheng watched him leave with a face filled with tears. Zhuo Fan paused but never turned around. His face forever cold as he walked away alone.


    Peony Overseer and the rest rushed over, seeing Chu Qingcheng¡¯s state and starting cursing Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan hardly cared about the pesky cawing, leaving with a cold smile on his face.


    He had just left the courtyard and soon noticed some blood seeping from his mouth.


    He wiped it off unfeeling and mechanically.


    To become a Demonic Emperor he had to be cold-blooded and to never allow a trace of emotion to get a hold of him ever again¡­

 Chapter 268 - Prologue Of The Final Battle

    Dragon Cloud City¡¯s westernmost side had a towering mountain going by the name of Transfer Peak.


    Right on top of this huge hunk of rock laid a grand 8th grade Teleportation Array. Some said that even before Tianyu Empire came to be, the Yuwen imperial family used this precise array to send its troops to every corner of the empire.


    But as the chaos made way to peace, it didn¡¯t see much use, serving now just as a means to blow off the seven houses¡¯ ever accumulating rancor through the Esoteric Debate.


    At this particular moment, hundreds of clans were gathering on it en masse. They all looked at the array with nervousness, excitement and awe.


    Anyone would be excited when it came to joining the final battle, knowing their rise was just around the corner, as was their destruction. And they were nervous as well at having qualified for this final battle. Besides the first rate clans still holding their ranks, the third and second rate clans went through a shuffling. Few were those that rose to become first rate, with new and incredible power.


    The final battle, however, wasn¡¯t as cushy as the qualification round. Not that the entry fights were ever easy to begin with, but when taking the final battle into account, its cruelty was way worse than the qualification battles. Thus, it was easy to imagine how nervous these clans were feeling.


    That went farther for a particular underdog, the Luo clan of Windgaze City. With Soaring Demonic Dragon Zhuo Fan on par with Six Dragons and One Phoenix as vanguard, was there anyone capable of pushing them back? What was on the clans¡¯ minds however was whose vassal were they, for whose sake were they fighting for?


    The worry hit many hard.


    ¡°Look, the Luo clan!¡± A shout snapped hundreds of heads in Luo Yunchang¡¯s direction as she led the Luo clan alongside Zhuo Fan.


    Finally healed, Luo Yunhai could now show his heroic aura, and thirst for battle. A youth still, yet the Fifth Tiger of Tianyu would never just be another face in the crowd.


    Their proceedings instilled a certain heavy air around the onlookers.


    The Luo clan was a veritable wolf strutting through a sheep herd. It was so bad that the people made a ten meter wide space for them. Everyone feared getting close to this savage beast.


    And yet, there were always exceptions¡­


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, you¡¯re all here!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang skipped over hyped and waving. The Xue and Dong clans behind her earned not few raised eyebrows.


    What was their connection for these two clans to get so close with this wolf?


    But the appearance of Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s second young master, Xie Tianyang, making his way there as well, cleared all doubts. [So they¡¯re allies!]


    There was no shortage of rumors flying about the Luo clan, especially about its supporters. It so happened that Sword Marquise Abode was among these rumors, and today only validated it.


    This only worked to make the people even more envious of this upstart clan. [So this is why the Luo clan jumped from third to first rate and had a free path to the final battle. They have a house behind them!]


    [What kind of sheer dumb and rotten luck had they stumbled upon to have a house treat them so?]


    Thinking of how mountains of wealth were literally flung at this third rate clan to reach such a position, [If it were us in their stead, we¡¯d have reached the moon by now, tch¡­.]


    People always looked at the surface of things, unaware that the Luo clan of today wasn¡¯t because of the support of some houses. And it was what they were today that had caught the seven houses¡¯ attention.


    It was painfully obvious to see who here was a dog or a man¡­


    Xue Ningxiang gasped as she reached them with a sweet and innocent smile. Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth quirked and he ruffled her hair, ¡°What are you doing here? Haven¡¯t you always hated watching people die?¡±


    Luo Yunchang retorted as she watched him longingly. It was her first time in days that she caught Zhuo Fan show a carefree smile. But why wasn¡¯t it directed at her?


    Luo Yunchang sighed feeling the ache deep within.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, big brother Zhuo. Xue clan is joining as well and I¡¯ll be going too!¡± Xue Ningxiang giggled, brandishing her cute little fists to show her battle spirit.


    Zhuo Fan shouted anxiously, ¡°You can¡¯t, Ning¡¯er! This is a vicious battle, not a game. A girl like you has no place on the battlefield!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care, because I know big brother Zhuo will be there to save me whenever I¡¯m in danger!¡± Xue Ningxiang blinked her bright eyes, watching Zhuo Fan eagerly. She then looked at the Thunder Ring, ¡°Whenever I¡¯m in peril, the Thunder Ring will flicker and you¡¯ll appear. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted, then nodded in defeat, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll look after you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that. You have Huangpu Qingtian to deal with. Ning¡¯er will be in my care!¡± Xie Tianyang stormed next to Xue Ningxiang and held her shoulder, making a claim on her.


    Xue Dingtian only now arrived and smiled awkwardly, ¡°I can¡¯t stop her. This girl is too stubborn. But don¡¯t worry, she will be in her brothers and young master Xie¡¯s care so she won¡¯t be in any trouble.¡±


    On cue, Xue Lin and Xue Gang cupped their hands.


    Startled, Zhuo Fan gave them a once over and nodded, despite the sense of loss taking hold on his heart. He felt that he and Ning¡¯er were only growing apart. With mountains rising between them, they could never return to the blissful times they shared in Allbeast Mountain Range.


    [This is for the best.] He wanted to numb his heart, and severing those memories of their past encounters was for the best.


    With a deep breath, Zhuo Fan regained inner peace, like a stone-cold killer. He said to Xie Tianyang, ¡°Take good care of her and make sure nothing happens!¡±


    ¡°It goes without saying.¡± Xie Tianyang nodded.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, I¡¯m coming as well!¡± Luo Yunchang spoke up.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, ¡°Why, didn¡¯t I say I and Yunhai and ten guards are enough? Why do you want to come all of a sudden? How¡­¡±


    ¡°No reason, you¡¯ll protect me so it¡¯ll be fine!¡± Luo Yunchang batted her eyes.


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°No, too dangerous!¡±


    ¡°Are you worried about me?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not it!¡± Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, ¡°I¡¯ll be in danger if I have to constantly look after you!¡±


    The others chuckled.


    Luo Yunchang glared as she kicked his shin. [You make me a dead weight while you said you¡¯d protect Ning¡¯er? What am I then?]


    Zhuo Fan let her vent on his leg, stiffened for a second as his face went cold. Luo Yunchang kicked him once but the second kick didn¡¯t come, for her heart grew forlorn the more she looked at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan had closed off his heart under lock and key. He was like a prideful hero, wishing to bear everything alone¡­


    ¡°The seven houses are here!¡± The shout got everyone¡¯s attention. With Regent Estate in the lead, the seven houses strutted forth.


    Chu Qingcheng was there as well. She glanced at Zhuo Fan only to see his face ever cold and impassive which made her clench her fists.


    [Grandmother was right. He is dead inside, not worth any woman¡¯s attention.]


    Scoffing, she ignored him and walked behind Grandmother with a frosty gaze.


    ¡°Marshal Dugu has arrived!¡±


    Dugu Zhantian brought ten thousand soldiers to surround this area. He did it as a safety measure to instill order.


    But the thick scent of blood and steel shuddered the nerves of every disciple here, they who had only known life in the clan.


    Laughing, Dugu Zhantian stopped before Zhuo Fan and patted his shoulder, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, kid, I was ready to come out and save you that day, but you have Radiant Stage abilities already. You hid them so well that you even had me worried!¡±


    ¡°Marshal was there as well?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    Dugu Zhantian nodded with a smile, ¡°How could I not? Just the day before Huangpu Qingtian showed off his intent. I had to watch over you. Who knew, who friggin¡¯ knew, you are both made of the same cloth, monsters the lot of you! I was worried for nothing, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Laughing on, Dugu Zhantian turned to Luo Yunhai and gave him some warnings before leaving. The Four Tigers of Tianyu offered their encouragement as they left as well.


    Reaching the forefront, Dugu Zhantian surveyed the crowd of clans, ¡°Please step before the array. The Esoteric Debate¡¯s final battle will begin shortly!¡±


    Starting with Regent Estate, the seven houses took the first line in order of the previous Esoteric Debate¡¯s ranking.


    Next were the clans, never even entertaining the thought of cutting ahead. The clans either stood behind their master or the house they wished to become a vassal of.


    Obviously, Regent Estate had the numerical advantage.


    But typical of Regent Estate, that didn¡¯t mean these clans were going to be accepted. While other clans with modicum of strength settled for standing behind other houses they wished to follow.


    Dong clan went behind Drifting Flowers Edifices, and Xue clan behind Sword Marquise Abode.


    Zhuo Fan glanced at Luo Yunhai and nodded.


    Luo Yunhai strutted under the shocked gaze of the people right abreast the seven houses, next to Drifting Flowers Edifices!


    The rest of the clan¡¯s members puffed up their chests right behind him.


    The shock was understandable. The crowd now realized that the Luo clan was no one¡¯s dog but stood on their own!


    But this was a direct challenge to the seven houses¡¯ authority. Would they be able to handle it?

 Chapter 269 - The Most Enticing Reward

    The seven houses turned their heads but the calm look on their faces said it all. They were expecting this. That only fueled the crowd¡¯s uproar. [The seven houses are accepting the Luo clan¡¯s rise?]


    But how could they allow anyone to stand at their level? The Luo clan did have Soaring Demonic Dragon Zhuo Fan, that insane monster, but the rest of the clan was a whole another matter entirely.


    Huangpu Tianyuan snickered at the narrow minded clans around him. Were they so blind to see it coming ever since Zhuo Fan started having a field day with the seven houses¡¯ elders?


    So even though Luo clan was overstepping its bounds, per usual, none of the houses found it worthy of a reaction.


    ¡°Oh, your ambition for power and status sure is commendable. Ha-ha-ha, in the end you still abided by his wishes and showed up.¡± An aged voice echoed.


    The crowd turned around in shock.


    They found three old men coming over. The leader being the head of Four Pillars, Prime Minister Zhuge Changfeng flanked by his Yin Yang elders. Even from afar, the people could sense the hidden and thick power they exuded, enough to crush this entire area.


    [Why is this geezer here?]


    Dugu Zhantian held his beard with a stern face. Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s side was put off by the presence of Tianyu¡¯s number one mind.


    This old bean had extended You Wanshan and company a hand in wrestling out of the emperor¡¯s grip one time, but it was a known fact that no one could truly unravel the real reason behind his ¡®kindness¡¯.


    His mind was unreadable! Yesterday¡¯s friend could very well turn into today¡¯s enemy. But the worse was the constant anxiety one was in not knowing when that would happen.


    Leng Wuchang eyed the hunched figure then shook his head and sighed. Not even he could read the old man.


    Hailed as Unwonted Contriver, with everyone an open book before his scrutiny, he had no confidence when it came to reading Zhuge Changfeng!


    Zhuge Changfeng sported a vague smile as he walked next to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Have you thought it through? Or are you going to be swept away by the storm?¡±


    Gasps of shock resounded everywhere, [What is the Luo clan and Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s connection?]


    They now understood why Luo clan had risen to challenge the seven houses.


    [Blast it! With two pillars behind you, the young master under a Marshal and the Prime Minister cheering you on, not even the seven houses would dare slight such a clan!]


    [So this¡­ is Luo clan¡¯s true backing!]


    People¡¯s faces twitched and their hearts sank. [Why does this never happen to me? Just what tricks did this Luo clan pull to grab hold of two pillars?]


    Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s side was also stunned. They never saw it coming. Zhuge Changfeng came for Zhuo Fan! With even Zhuge Changfeng helping them, they had no chance to finish off the Luo clan. Ever!


    Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s face sank as his knuckles went white.


    Leng Wuchang dismissed his worries, ¡°Estate Lord, Zhuge Changfeng is different from Dugu Zhantian, a pragmatic. Even if he intended to get close to Luo clan, it will only be because of Zhuo Fan¡¯s skills. Once Zhuo Fan is out of the picture, they will fall like a ton of bricks!¡±


    ¡°It only makes this time¡¯s Esoteric Debate of paramount importance, to stomp that punk dead!¡± Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s eyes flashed with bloodthirst.


    Leng Wuchang nodded, turning to the only one who could achieve this feat, Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord Huangpu Qingtian.


    Yet the man in question was oblivious to their conversation. His eyes showed he was raring to go turn the entire battlefield upside down.


    [Perfect.]


    Leng Wuchang chuckled, finding everyone dancing his tune.


    Going back to Zhuo Fan, the man smiled, ¡°Prime Minister, how do you know if the Luo clan isn¡¯t in the eye of the storm already?¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng raised an eyebrow, ¡°I trust your judgment. It¡¯s fine as long as you aren¡¯t forced into it. I am eager to see the day Steward Zhuo achieves his ambitions.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded and Zhuge Changfeng laughed. He took his Yin Yang elders to Dugu Zhantian, ¡°Old Marshal, please don¡¯t take it hard on me for dropping unannounced.¡±


    ¡°I would never. You are the honorable Prime Minister of our empire. It is only natural to come see the grand Esoteric Debate,¡± Dugu Zhantian¡¯s beard trembled, his tone cold.


    Zhuge Changfeng laughed, ¡°Old Marshal, don¡¯t be so stiff. I¡¯m here by myself out of boredom. Don¡¯t think too much of it.¡±


    [Humph, as if.]


    The crowd cursed inside as well. Since when was Zhuge Changfeng that bored to come here without rime or reason. The game was most definitely afoot.


    The old fox¡¯s schemes aside, Dugu Zhantian had no time to mind him. His orders were to make sure Esoteric Debate ran smoothly.


    Recalling the emperor¡¯s explicit and repeated warnings, a caution the emperor never showed before, led this old general to believe the Esoteric Debate of today had national ramifications.


    Dugu Zhantian barked, ¡°By His Majesty¡¯s grace, the Esoteric Debate will allow clansmen below the age of thirty to participate. No one older is allowed entry or I will personally cut them down! The rules will be explained to you shortly by one of Divine Dragons, Jade Flute Divine Sword Fang Qiubai!¡±


    Whoosh!


    A whistle of white clothes signified the entrance of an old man holding a jade flute and exuding a dominating air, Fang Qiubai.


    Rustle~


    A flick of his hand sent five jades taller than two people around the Teleportation Array. Looking at it, the people saw the stone form five huge gates.


    ¡°8th grade Army Transfer, National Elemental Stones!¡±


    Looking at the red, yellow, green, blue, and brown stones, Zhuge Changfeng and the seven houses took a step back in shock.


    Fang Qiubai nodded, ¡°Correct, this is indeed the array passed down by imperial ancestors!¡±


    Fang Qiubai then made a sign and the stones shone, each reflecting a beautiful scenery, of beasts and birds.


    A 3rd level spiritual beast soon passed by and watched the crowd curiously. Then came a 4th level spiritual beast and howled, but was left to claw away at an invisible barrier, unable to reach them.


    Fang Qiubai¡¯s voice roused them from the shock, ¡°I will now present you all with the rules for this Esoteric Debate. As you have seen for yourselves, the center and the stone arrays are both unidirectional. You will shortly stand in the center array and I will then send you to the location of the final battle. But to return, the only way is through the National Elemental Stones!¡±


    The crowd looked puzzled.


    Fang Qiubai continued, ¡°The five National Elemental Stones are a one way door, but from the final battle location to here! To activate it you will need to find not only these stones but also their key! However, each array has a yin and yang key that must be joined to return. And the order of your arrival will mark your ranking.¡±


    ¡°Simple enough.¡± Huangpu Qingtian smiled. The others nodded, finding it pretty straightforward. It all came down to finding some keys and the way back.


    The greatest danger was merely deadly battles between clans, nothing of importance.


    Fang Qiubai raised an eyebrow, and snickered, ¡°Simple is it? You won¡¯t be saying that after you find out the location.¡±


    The clans stared at him distraught.


    ¡°Beast King Mountain!¡± Fang Qiubai mocked.


    Sss~


    Gasps echoed around and some even felt their knees shaking.


    Beast King Mountain wasn¡¯t as deadly as Allbeast Mountain Range, but high level spiritual beasts were nevertheless present. There were many 5th and 6th level spiritual beast kings roaming, hence the name Beast King Mountain.


    Even Profound Heaven and Radiant Stage experts would have a hard time scouring that place for anything, not to mention the plenty of Bone Tempering cultivators among the clans.


    There was no need to even fight when the spiritual beasts would kill them off before they could even meet.


    The hearts of everyone sank in despair. Why was this time¡¯s battle so cruel and deadly?


    Only Six Dragons, One Phoenix and Zhuo Fan were the picture of calmness.


    Glancing at these monsters left them stomping in indignation. Was this place chosen with these freaks in mind? [If you take away the eight monsters, you¡¯d only have average people! This is ridiculous!]


    Fang Qiubai grinned at their silent protest, ¡°But of course, no danger comes unwarranted. It is slightly dangerous this time around, but the reward is up to the risk. These are five 8th grade pills, Brimming Sacred Pill. It will be up to each one of you to earn it!¡±


    [Say what?!]


    Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian were both affected.


    The Brimming Sacred Pill was of most value to a Radiant Stage expert or those on the brink. Across the whole of Tianyu, this pill was the rarest of all. Not even the seven houses had one.


    Huangpu Qingtian, Huangpu Tianyuan and other peak Profound Heaven experts needed just one little pill and they would jump right into being a Radiant Stage expert with no strings attached.


    While to a Radiant Stage expert, it would boost their soul many times over.


    ¡°Worth it!¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan was moved as he looked at his son. He had been stuck at peak Profound Heaven Stage for decades. This chance was godsent.


    And yet, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s face left him cold.


    [God damn it! If this brat gets it, he¡¯ll eat it on the spot!]


    Zhuge Changfeng frowned as he twirled his mustache, ¡°The old man has come out swinging. He is eager to begin his plan!¡±


    While the second and third rate clans looked on in forlorn depression.


    [This is clearly meant for those monsters! Where among us do you see a Radiant Stage or peak Profound Heaven expert? Taking it will only make us pop like fireworks!]


    It came with great fear and trepidation as to how cruel this event would be for them.


    This stage was practically designed to be the death of them. They were nothing more than cannon fodder! But to climb aboard a house, a timely help would get the attention they desperately yearned. Even if they were cannon fodder, they¡¯d still risk it¡­

 Chapter 270 - Beast King Mountain

    ¡°Alright, youngsters. Time to go!¡±


    Fang Qiubai made a hand sign and pointed at the dark mass in the center of the array.


    In a dazzling fashion, a pillar of light sprung up straight to the sky and forced people to squint.


    Every clan¡¯s younger generation rubbed their eyes and their mouths twitched. But no matter how unwilling, they all walked on.


    [Go! Go! Just go and die!]


    They all cursed. No matter how they thought about it, Fang Qiubai¡¯s ¡®cheering¡¯ felt more like a blatant wish for an untimely death!


    Not like they had a choice in the matter. So on they went, for their clan¡¯s honor, and for their future!


    Whoosh~


    People sank into the pillar of light one after another, gone for good.


    Zhuo Fan glanced at the array and said to Luo Yunhai¡¯s group, ¡°The Teleportation Array is random and will split us up. No matter what happens, you are to search for each other first and foremost!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Steward Zhuo!¡± The ten young guards nodded and Luo Yunhai spoke gravely, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, brother Zhuo, my godfather put me through some scouting lessons and I¡¯ll quickly find you.¡±


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°It was a good thing after all, leaving you in Marshal¡¯s care all those years. I can rest easy now.¡±


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s eyes shined with resolve.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Zhuo Fan took his group through the light pillar. Luo Yunchang¡¯s side looked from afar and prayed for their safety.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, I will make you pay for killing my master!¡± A sudden roar caught Zhuo Fan¡¯s attention. Yan Fu watched him filled with revenge and hatred, more obvious now that the white light separated them.


    Zhuo Fan was stunned, [Damn, forgot about that twerp.]


    [This guy is a coward anyway. He only waited for me to get in the array before barking!]


    [Ah, what a chicken.]


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and sighed. He was gone.


    Yan Fu however was over the moon. He actually managed to provoke the monster. Yan Bangui walked over and mocked, ¡°Spineless brat, try to refrain from being so despicable next time.¡±


    The other houses also snickered.


    [Waiting for your enemy to be unable to do anything to you, if that isn¡¯t cowardice, what is? You¡¯ve gone long on the path of a gutless rat!]


    As they looked at him in ridicule, the rest of the seven houses entered the pillar of light as well. Yan Fu gnashed his teeth, his face flushed as he followed them.


    The bustling place from moments ago soon turned quiet.


    Fang Qiubai found all participants gone and closed the array with another hand sign. Yet beyond his perception, two shadowy figures slipped past just as he finished¡­


    Whoosh!


    The towering light pillar died and Zhuo Fan found himself in the heart of a forest. He didn¡¯t even get to make sense of his surroundings as a roar grated his ears.


    With a rancid smell and whistling wind signaling its arrival, a dozens of meter tall bear rose behind him. With his rock splitting paw, it smashed right for him.


    Even a 9th layer of Bone Tempering cultivator would be hard pressed to face such power.


    Snapping his head back, Zhuo Fan frowned, ¡°4th level spiritual beast, Mountain Crushing Bear?¡±


    The giant paw was right in his face, yet all Zhuo Fan did was have his eye flash azure.


    The fierce bear paw came to a grinding halt and the giant bear was scared out of his mind as he ran with all his power.


    Zhuo Fan watched the disappearing humongous bear with a snicker.


    [The azure flame¡¯s use isn¡¯t limited to Allbeast Mountain Range. All spiritual beasts are under its influence.]


    This would make the trip to Beast King Mountain a breeze. While others had to painstakingly pay attention to any high level spiritual beasts on the prowl, he was out on an evening stroll.


    The Beast King Mountain was his home turf.


    On the other hand, it was a nightmare for the rest of those poor suckers. Particularly those that had yet to enter the Profound Heaven Stage.


    Since he was welcomed by a 4th level spiritual beast, the others ought to be receiving more or less the same honor, no?


    ¡°I have to find Yunhai fast!¡± Frowning, Zhuo Fan¡¯s wings unfolded and he took to the skies.


    Some flying spiritual beasts shot straight for him, but a flash of azure flame from Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes cut their intent clean off.


    Whoosh~


    Flashes of white dazzled the sky for the better part of the next hour yet Zhuo Fan never met another person. He sighed at how ridiculously vast the Beast King Mountain was.


    If he didn¡¯t find the others fast, who knew what might happen?


    ¡°Save me!¡±


    A charming voice entered his ears.


    Zhuo Fan paused. [With how vicious the Beast King Mountain is, no normal person would be stupid enough to come here. This person has to be a contender!]


    Among the many clans that joined, Drifting Flowers Edifices had the most girls!


    [Should I or should I not?]


    Zhuo Fan mulled it over for a second before flying down.


    [I guess it won¡¯t be nice to watch your own ally bite the dust without helping. Since I won¡¯t find Yunhai anytime soon, I better lend a helping hand.]


    Zhuo Fan sent out a soul ripple and locked onto the source of the sound in an instant.


    He saw a huge lake in the distance, wide enough that it was impossible to see the other shore. The place was verdant and lush, framed perfectly by the sun¡¯s rays. But the water of the lake started to roil and billow as huge waves rose all over the place.


    A charming girl slammed into the water in great distress. Across from her was a quarter mile long scarlet venomous serpent. It¡¯s eerie pair of sharp eyes looked at the panicking girl with hunger.


    ¡°6th level spiritual beast, Overpowering Flood Dragon?¡± Zhuo Fan squinted in shock.


    That was no ordinary snake, but a water serpent descended from the mighty Flood Dragon. Such a spiritual beast was a natural king. It was a peak existence even among 6th level spiritual beasts!


    Not even a common 7th level spiritual beast could contend with it.


    Zhuo Fan gasped in awe at the Beast King Mountain hiding such a monster. Even more so to the bad luck this missy had, in landing not just in its turf, but its home waters. In fact, she popped right in its goddamned open maw! It couldn¡¯t get any worse than that¡­


    Sss~


    Flicking its red tongue, the serpent opened its maw ready to swallow the girl whole.


    The girl shuddered and curled up, giving up on herself.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s right eye flashed with a golden ring and he appeared next to her. With another flash, they were gone.


    The savage serpent bit down but got nothing but fresh water. It looked around agape, [Where¡¯d she go?]


    The more it looked around, the more shocked it became.


    Not for a second did the serpent believe that she was fast enough to escape its range. The only plausible answer was, [An illusion?]


    It lifted its huge tail, creating a fifty meter wide splash.


    It rubbed its head with the tip in bewilderment.


    [How come? Am I growing senile and have started seeing things?]


    In another area, the girl closed her eyes and shivered in Zhuo Fan¡¯s embrace, waiting for the jaws of death to rob her life. She waited yet nothing came, not even pain.


    She only felt a bit chilly as the breeze traced her curves.


    The girl cracked her eyes open to see a broad chest and the blue sky.


    Zhuo Fan was paying attention to where he flew with a cold stare. But when he felt her squirming, he said, ¡°You¡¯re alright, ah¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s voice was stuck in his throat and his scalp went numb watching the nubile figure. [The girl¡¯s naked!]


    The girl looked at him and then at her silky smooth and uncovered skin before blushing and wailing, ¡°Ah~, you rogue! Don¡¯t look! Close your eyes!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the damn rogue! What are you doing coming here without clothes? Since when is Drifting Flowers Edifices so deviant?¡±


    ¡°What Drifting Flowers Edifices? I know no Drifting Flowers Edifices. I thought I told you to shut your eyes! Don¡¯t you dare look!¡±


    ¡°Zip it. It¡¯s perfectly normal for a man to look, especially now. Go and wear something if you don¡¯t like it!¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    She glared at him and huffed. Her eyes sparkled, on the verge of tears and her face was growing flushed by the second¡­

 Chapter 271 - Beast Mistress

    Ding~


    In the thick forest, Zhuo Fan was facing away from the bush behind him in silence and focus. He could even hear some clear ringing coming from that bush.


    Zhuo Fan sighed.


    [No good deed goes unpunished.] He went and saved the damsel, only to find her naked. So they made a pit stop at a bush to dress up. But this chick was taking her sweet time doing it. [Can¡¯t you just put on a coat or a robe and be done with it? Look at me!]


    Rustle~


    The grass crunched behind him and Zhuo Fan turned. He was in for the shock of his life.


    He hadn¡¯t gotten a good look at this damsel, with the rescuing and all, but now that he had, she was quite the looker. She had a cute button nose, more than generous curves, and big eyes to reflect complex emotions.


    Considering her clothes, it was a striking difference from the refined and graceful silken robes. They were made with ease of movements in mind. The constant ringing finally drew his attention to her bracelet having a bell attached, completing her wild look.


    [She¡¯s a foreigner!]


    Zhuo Fan watched on speechless. Never had it crossed his mind that in a place filled with his clans¡¯ disciples, he would find a girl not native of Tianyu!


    Noticing the obvious look she was getting, the girl blushed. She was squirming with shyness, but still had the guts to give him a sharp glare, ¡°What are you looking at? See how I¡¯ll poke your eyes out!¡±


    ¡°Tch, not that there¡¯s anything to see. Why are you so feisty?¡± Zhuo Fan jabbed.


    The girl blushed harder and felt disgruntled. She was a pure and single girl and then she stumbled upon this stranger who had got more than an eyeful. How could she face the world now?


    She was mortified, wishing to bury her head in her chest.


    [Go die!]


    All this while Zhuo Fan was walking away cursing, ¡°God friggin¡¯ damn it! I saved the wrong damsel and wasted all this time too¡­¡±


    Glaring, the girl spat, ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this? You regret saving me?¡±


    She skipped in front of him and fixed her piercing eyes on him.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words struck a nerve and she got over her shyness in a jiffy.


    [I¡¯m an exotic beauty, a man¡¯s dream! It was your greatest fortune getting to save me and even getting an eyeful.]


    [What¡¯s with that tone, as if you were the one found naked? I am the one hurting here. You ruined me!]


    [Humph, greedy pig!]


    The girl¡¯s eyes were staring a hole into Zhuo Fan, wishing to tear him a new one.


    And Zhuo Fan¡¯s response? Pushing her aside in mid stride, ¡°Move, I¡¯ve wasted enough pointless time on you as it is.¡±


    The girl eyed the proud Zhuo Fan walking away and blinked.


    [And you call yourself a man?]


    This was a first. All the men she had met so far were quite taken with her, not cold as ice like this one. Then she recalled the desire in his eyes when he got an eyeful in the sky and it was clear that this guy was a man from head to toe. [So why?]


    Then it hit her. What was she doing looking hopeful instead of getting her due for staining a girl¡¯s reputation? [Ah, how mortifying¡­]


    She cupped her blushing cheeks, her mind drawing all kinds of untoward conclusions.


    Not that Zhuo Fan had a mind to care. He ignored this ¡®fated¡¯ encounter and was this close to forgetting her as well. What was the point in remembering every bystander?


    Roar!


    A sudden gust signaled the appearance of a golden panther as it jumped down from a tree up above.


    It stared savagely at Zhuo Fan, bearing its reeking fangs as well.


    ¡°4th level spiritual beast, Mountain Crossing Golden Panther!¡± The girl cried in fear.


    Zhuo Fan only frowned with slight worry.


    With 4th level spiritual beasts being the order of the day on Beast King Mountain, he was plagued by what might happen to Yunhai.


    The girl figured Zhuo Fan was rooted to his spot from sheer terror and rushed to his rescue.


    The spiritual beast started laughing at Zhuo Fan¡¯s outlandish reaction.


    [He-he-he, I scared the kid witless with my entrance. Purrrfect, it has been days since my last feast!]


    Roar!


    The kitty pounced, its maw ready to swallow Zhuo Fan whole.


    Zhuo Fan smiled as his eyes were about to flash the danger away, just as a graceful figure jumped in front and blocked the savage beast.


    Ding~


    The girl¡¯s bracelet rang melodiously as she faced that savage pair of eyes with her charm. The girl then started moving her waist to the ringing, just like a dance.


    All the beast could do was gawk in a trance at the dancing girl.


    Zhuo Fan was stunned. He never knew you could deal with spiritual beasts in such an outlandish way.


    Through dancing and soul power, one charmed their opponent. Humans were hardly affected, but spiritual beasts with their tiny minds gobbled it up on the spot.


    As the girl went along her dancing routine, the spiritual beast¡¯s head was lolling about and its eyes glazed.


    Then the girl clapped.


    The savage beast¡¯s head cocked and slumped. The fear and dizziness in its eyes made a stark contrast with the contentment on its face.


    Left gasping, the girl wiped her brow.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re really something. This world sure is wide and there are many approaches to the same problem.¡±


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t just stand there and comment on my skill from your high horse!¡± Snapping her glare on him, the girl said after a pause, ¡°Looking at you, you¡¯re just a 9th layer Bone Tempering cultivator. No wonder this 4th level spiritual beast scared you silly.¡±


    ¡°Right back at you. Who was it I wonder, that had her bare ass saved from that lake?¡± Zhuo Fan snickered. The girl now had his full attention.


    Blushing, the girl stuck out her head, ¡°How is that the same? That thing in the water was a 6th level spiritual beast¡­ Wait! How are you able to fly as a Bone Tempering cultivator? How did you save me? I am in the 2nd layer of the Profound Heaven Stage myself, but not even I could escape that monster!¡±


    Finally getting her wits about her, she realized the sheer ridiculousness of it all. How was she spared from ending up a 6th level spiritual beast¡¯s lunch?


    Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t about to blurt all his secrets to a total stranger and only showed off his Lightning Wings with a smile, ¡°These things are quite fast, enough to outrun a water serpent.¡±


    The girl blinked for a second and nodded, ¡°I see, a 6th grade flying spiritual weapon.¡±


    The sight of those lightning-streaked wings had the girl musing. Then she said in all seriousness, ¡°Oi, kid, since you saved me and I saved you, we¡¯re even!¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded. Though technically, he could¡¯ve easily dealt with the kitty.


    ¡°But¡­¡± The girl flushed again for some odd reason and was plagued by indecision. Her voice grew fainter to such a degree, even Zhuo Fan would¡¯ve had a hard time hearing if not for his cultivation.


    ¡°You still owe me for seeing me naked¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, that makes sense.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded and chuckled, ¡°I totally understand you. Don¡¯t worry, I am not one to leave a debt unsettled. One moment.¡±


    Zhuo Fan then removed his sash.


    The girl became bug eyed and turned away in embarrassment, ¡°What are you doing, rogue?¡±


    ¡°You said I took advantage of your plight, so I¡¯m only returning the favor. This should make us even. He-he-he, rest easy m¡¯lady, I will definitely won¡¯t ask anything in return, including integrity.¡± Zhuo Fan snickered, sizing the shivering lady with a curious eye.


    The girl was fuming now, ¡°Damn pervert! That¡¯s not what I meant!¡±


    ¡°What else is there? You mean you want more?¡± Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°Fine, my magnanimous self will never be so petty as a certain girl. Go ahead, feel me up as much as you want. Ha-ha-ha, do as you wish with me, I won¡¯t complain. Really, not one peep.¡±


    ¡°Ahh~, rotten pervert! I¡¯ve had it with you!¡± The girl was stomping and pouting, ¡°I-I only want you to help me get some Shaping Spring. I don¡¯t need to see your¡­ your¡­¡±


    ¡°Shaping Spring?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s playful mood was gone, replaced by dead seriousness.


    [This matter¡­ is starting to become interesting¡­]

 Chapter 272 - Shaping Spring

    Shaping Spring was an underground river flowing for millions of years. Subjected to constant heat from the core, it was formed of earth¡¯s essence and it was priceless.


    While Ice Heart Moon Soul of Xue Qingjian was a peak water treasure of yin, the Shaping Spring was a yang water essence.


    Just like Diamond Sand, the Shaping Spring was among the best ingredients, if not the best itself. They said Diamond Sand was the blood of the earth, while Shaping Spring was earth¡¯s blood¡¯s blood. Diamond Sand was a hard ingredient and Shaping Spring a soft one. Diamond Sand made strong spiritual weapons, while Shaping Spring allowed a spiritual weapon to go through endless changes.


    Water had no form, shape or size, and with just a drop of Shaping Spring placed in a spiritual weapon, it would turn into a sacred item, free to change its size at will.


    Big and unstoppable as a hammer of a thousand pounds, or small and sublime like an invisible needle.


    There was one more incredible property the Shaping Spring had the others didn¡¯t know about. It matched with a body refining array. Zhuo Fan grinned as his mind drifted to the tall pillar in his Thunder Ring.


    It not once crossed his mind to take this direction, since he never could. But now he had a chance at getting the Shaping Spring and with it, he could complete that art written in the Nine Serenities Secret Records. He may very well gain the same freakish power Gu Santong exhibited!


    Zhuo Fan was very excited to try.


    If he could get his hands on the same power that made Gu Santong invincible in Tianyu, then the father and son pair¡­ but not even his imagination could fully grasp the extent of such power.


    The danger of achieving such a godly refinement was thousands of times greater than when he refined his body with Diamond Sand.


    Hesitation had him for a second, but he shook his head clear. [There¡¯s no time to delay. That thought comes after I can get it.]


    Then his trademark evil smile graced his face once again, ¡°Miss, what would you have me do?¡±


    The girl eyed him skeptically. [Why is this punk so warm all of a sudden? Odd¡­]


    But taking a look at Zhuo Fan¡¯s cultivation in the Bone Tempering Stage, her worries were put to rest.


    What could a 9th layer of Bone Tempering Stage possibly do when he only had a 6th grade spiritual weapon built for speed?


    The girl smiled in kind, ¡°Come with me. Help me get the Shaping Spring, and what you did to me¡­ uh, it¡¯ll make us square.¡±


    The girl blushed.


    Zhuo Fan nodded with the same hypocritical smile as always.


    He felt like sighing. [Oh, so many people judge me by my cultivation, only to be swallowed whole by me.]


    [This girlie is no different.]


    He followed close behind her with a cold smile.


    For some very odd reason, she shivered from a creepy feeling striking her very core. Yet her response was to cock her head in bewilderment¡­


    Ah, another lady got duped¡­


    The duo soon arrived at the edge of a lake. Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes trembled, [Isn¡¯t this the same lake I saved her from?]


    The girl smiled, ¡°Hey, do you know why I was in danger last time?¡±


    ¡°Do you even need to ask? Bathing in some else¡¯s home is the same as taking a leak in it. If I was that water serpent, I¡¯d swallow you in one gulp too.¡± Zhuo Fan said sagely.


    Blushing, she seethed, ¡°W-what bathing? Who would do that in such a dangerous place? Where do you come up with all these dumb conclusions?¡±


    ¡°What else is there? Weren¡¯t you going all natural when I got you out?¡± Zhuo Fan scratched his nose.


    Yet for some reason, despite his unfazed face, his body was quite honest. Two trails of blood flowed down his nose.


    Zhuo Fan was stunned, ¡°Eh, why am I bleeding?¡±


    The girl was flushed and smacked his head in resentfulness, ¡°Stop having errant thoughts or I¡­ I¡­¡±


    ¡°I what? Make me bathe naked for you to look?¡± Zhuo Fan snorted.


    The girl was stomping in anger, red as a tomato. Why was she so unlucky to meet this creep?


    Then again, only by working together with this creep could she get the Shaping Spring and she sighed. She reigned in her indignation and turned grave, ¡°Do you see that cave across the lake?¡±


    Zhuo Fan followed her fingers to see endless fog surrounding a mountain. There was also a faint image of a man sized cave entrance at its foot, half of it submerged in water. Zhuo Fan nodded, ¡°What of it?¡±


    ¡°That is the serpent¡¯s cave.¡± The girl said.


    Zhuo Fan asked, ¡°How, that thing was five hundred meters long. The cave is too small for¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes jumped. The girl giggled and made good use of this rare chance to mock him, ¡°He-he-he, you¡¯re not as dumb as you look. Yes, that serpent is definitely eating the Shaping Spring. It allows it to change its size and enter that cave.¡±


    ¡°What makes you so sure Shaping Spring is in there? Perhaps the venomous serpent ate it somewhere else, or maybe it¡¯s in the middle of eating¡­¡± Zhuo Fan frowned.


    Whoosh~


    With a flash of light, a golden-tailed carp jumped in front of him, splashing his face with icy cold water.


    Pff!


    The girl giggled, reveling in his misery, content she finally managed to get some retribution. Zhuo Fan wiped his face, uncaring that she did it on purpose, ¡°I see. You have a 1st level water type pet you used to scout the poisonous serpent¡¯s cave while it was away.¡±


    ¡°Clever boy.¡±


    The girl winked and smiled, ¡°I¡¯ve been staking out the strange 6th level spiritual beast since I found it a month ago. Until three days ago, it only kept to the cave. So I used my 1st level spiritual beast, Golden-fin Fish, to find that it really contained Shaping Spring. But that poisonous serpent was truly vicious, coming back just an hour later. So I waited the past three days for it to come out. But since it didn¡¯t, I had no choice but to go in and confront it.¡±


    Seeing the girl¡¯s charming smile, like she had hit the jackpot, Zhuo Fan jabbed, ¡°So you got naked and tried working your wiles on it? Wait, that ain¡¯t right, you¡¯re different species. Even if you forced yourself on that ¡®hunk¡¯, it would only see you as lunch.¡±


    ¡°W-what nonsense are you babbling? Who would ever seduce that beast?¡±


    Blushing, the girl gnashed her teeth in anger, ¡°I-I only intended to use my beast controlling art to tame it. There is nothing obscene about it!¡±


    ¡°Beast taming? What does that have to do with you running around in all your glory?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    The girl¡¯s glare sharpened a notch, ¡°Oy, could you stop with the vulgarities? My clan¡¯s beast controlling art pays special attention to being one with nature. The more in tune one is, the stronger the art. Since I can only tame a 4th level spiritual beast at most, I had to give my body and soul in joining with nature this time around. But I failed anyway because its soul is stronger than average and almost lost my life at its jaws of death.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded. The venomous serpent was related to the Flood Dragon. Dragon blood flowed through its veins. How could it be just a mere 6th level spiritual beast? The girl was in over her head trying to charm the beastie with her skill.


    ¡°Oi, brat, weren¡¯t you quick at flying? Draw the venomous serpent out and let me fetch the Shaping Spring! Do that and I will cross out the crass attitude and disrespect you showed me.¡±


    The girl showed a bewitching smile and batted her big puppy eyes.


    That might have worked on your average hormone riddled male to fire him up in braving any dangers. But Zhuo Fan, however, was a stone cold killer.


    ¡°My thoughts exactly.¡± Zhuo Fan showed his trademark evil smirk.


    The girl¡¯s eyes shined with glee, but Zhuo Fan could easily see a spark of contempt hidden there. One that said, [All men are the same.]


    [Humph, ignorant bint, now that I know where Shaping Spring is, you¡¯ve outlived your usefulness.]


    Snickering to himself, Zhuo Fan flew to the cave. The girl stared at him all the way with an increasingly wider smile.


    She could practically hold the Shaping Spring in her arms.


    Yet something nagged her in the corner of her mind. [Isn¡¯t this perhaps a little too easy? Is this man that much of a fool, so easily taken in by some eye batting and exploited to his literal death?]

 Chapter 273 - Great Haul

    Bang~


    Zhuo Fan pummeled the entrance wall. The gonging sound was eerily similar to someone knocking on a metal door.


    The girl looked on dazed, from a very safe distance. [This punk has nerves of steel, I¡¯ll give him that. Or is he plain indifferent to the 6th level spiritual beast just waiting for him inside.]


    [Speaking of his insensitivity, was he that easily taken in by my charm?]


    The girl looked at him closer, [Something isn¡¯t right here.]


    Splash~


    Then, the sound of water was heard and a meter long water serpent swam out of the cave. It shook as its body expanded.


    It was back to its five hundred meters long size in a blink, which created a huge splash as he hissed at the two humans.


    Hiss!


    The stench licked his cheek and Zhuo Fan clutched his nose as he sized the snake.


    [This guy ate Shaping Spring alright.]


    The girl was waving her hand down yonder in panic. Not out of worry for Zhuo Fan, of course, but his death would mean her venture would abruptly end with a big fat zero haul.


    [Why is this brat just standing there? Is he scared shitless? God damn it, why did I fail when I¡¯m so close?]


    The girl gnashed her teeth in annoyance.


    The venomous serpent thought the same, laughing out loud and looking with contempt.


    [This brat must be so naive to knock at my home. Now that he has basked in my royal glory, he¡¯s scared witless. Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s only natural. Even I am in awe of my glorious self most of the time, ha-ha-ha¡­]


    Glancing at the delusional snake, and its wagging tail, Zhuo Fan could read him like a book. He grinned as he simply flew inside the cave.


    ¡°Guard this place and don¡¯t come in without my say.¡± Zhuo Fan belittled this useless thing and just waltzed in.


    The venomous serpent was out of it from shock. [What did he just say? To watch the door?]


    The serpent was enraged. No one ever ignored it, least of all claim its cave like he owned the place!


    [Oy, punk, do you have any idea whose home this is? Do you have a death wish?]


    Hiss!


    The venomous serpent got closer to Zhuo Fan and hissed in his face. Covering him in drool, it hoped to knock some sense into him with its almighty majesty.


    The girl was soaked from fear. [Run you fool!]


    Yet Zhuo Fan only had disdain in his eyes. He wiped the drool from his face, and glared, ¡°Behave.¡±


    Pff!


    The venomous serpent almost spat blood. It had never met someone so full of themselves to ignore it and even belittle it. It was royally pissed.


    The girl was scared witless.


    [You behave, brat! You¡¯re pissing it off by telling it to watch the door. I get you want to die but could you at least do it down yonder? Some of us still need to get in, you know?]


    [The guy¡¯s brains are on the fritz!]


    She sighed. She could practically see the kid torn into pieces by the angry venomous serpent.


    And that was what the serpent was about to do.


    [Holy friggin¡¯ balls! I¡¯ve seen many dauntless, but none so boneheaded to not even care for their lives. They look for death or, better yet, they deserve death with such an idiotic stance.]


    [You¡¯re dead meat, so cut the act. Humph, as you wish, this king will send you off.]


    Licking its sharp fangs, the venomous serpent hissed and went on to swallow him whole. With how the red mouth was covered in poison, Zhuo Fan would find himself melting the instant he touched it.


    The girl closed her eyes and looked away. She couldn¡¯t bear the horror that followed.


    Yet Zhuo Fan was cool as a cucumber as the azure flame flashed in his eyes.


    Hum~


    A ripple wracked the venomous serpent.


    Scared, the huge serpent froze in its place.


    He was soaked in sweat, even as his maw was right on top of Zhuo Fan, with fangs bared and all. And yet he just didn¡¯t chomp.


    The look in Zhuo Fan¡¯s eye got him so terrified, it started shivering.


    ¡°You¡¯re so feisty to not listen when you¡¯re ordered.¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head as he went in like he owned the place.


    Leaving the venomous serpent behind like a statue, scared and dumbfounded.


    [W-what power was that?]


    The serpent¡¯s heart was frantic.


    Spiritual beasts cared a lot about levels, more than the strength even. A 6th level spiritual beast¡¯s pup was no stronger than a 3rd level spiritual beast but no 4th level spiritual beast would dare attack it.


    It was their inborn majestic aura doing its thing. No low level spiritual beast messed with a higher one, ever. It was etched in their bones, blood, and the like.


    As a 6th level spiritual beast, it was invincible here. A king lording over the masses. It had the right to pick on others, not the other way around!


    But it finally got his due in the form of Zhuo Fan. The guy flexed his power for a blink and scared the living daylights out of the snake.


    It had no clue what level of spiritual beast that power was equivalent to, but its blood told him to surrender and lay down all hostilities against Zhuo Fan.


    [Damn it all to hell! What was that?] He held such power that it made even a 6th level spiritual beast shake in its own skin.


    [What savage beast could have such power? And why is it with a human? Is he perhaps a dreadful beast¡¯s young?]


    The venomous serpent was sweating buckets. It was just like a beggar meeting an emperor, with only obedience in his heart.


    If it was told to guard the door, that was what it¡¯d do. What was so bad about it anyway?


    It went to such an extent that the snake swam out of the cave and didn¡¯t even have the gall to look behind him.


    While the girl who had struck Zhuo Fan off as a dead man, sneaked a peak all this time and was now dumbstruck.


    [What the hell? Since when were vicious venomous serpents so meek? It¡¯s not only not entering the cave, but was even posing as a damn watchdog!]


    [How in bloody hell did a Bone Tempering cultivator do this? Does he also have a secret beast taming art?]


    The girl cocked her head, glancing at Zhuo Fan going further in with amazement and more than a little curiosity.


    [This brat isn¡¯t as dumb as he looks. He may very well not have needed my help with the 4th level spiritual beast as well. Wait, if he¡¯s so strong and all, why is he hiding it? Is he planning to take it all for himself?]


    The girl panicked and stomped in anger. Her wish to go in there herself was curbed by the venomous serpent guard at the door.


    This time she was close to blowing a gasket. She had wasted a month staking out this place, only to let another person reap the reward.


    [I was hustled!]


    She then pouted and slumped on the ground, sulking¡­


    Back to Zhuo Fan, the man in question soon arrived at the end of the cave. The view here shocked him senseless.


    The cave was your average hole in the mountain, opening into a room a thousand square meters in size, but the dazzling scene was breathtaking.


    He came here for Shaping Spring and actually found so many high grade herbs. There were a hundred 8th grade and at least a thousand 7th grade herbs!


    Such haul could contest with the seven houses¡¯ stores.


    If not even imperial family¡¯s!


    [Holy mother of god! True wealth truly comes from nature.] He assumed these were all gathered by the snakey, but why didn¡¯t he eat them? [To last him through the winter?]


    [More for me, I guess! He-he-he¡­]


    Without further ado, and not caring for the beast outside, he pocketed all herbs with a wave. He even went to every corner and made sure he didn¡¯t miss anything.


    Zhuo Fan cackled like mad for such a great haul.


    It echoed along the cave walls and traveled outside.


    Venomous serpent¡¯s heart sank and tears fell from his eyes.


    The girl heard the cackle as well and almost sank into depression. [Those were supposed to be mine!]


    Having already scouted the cave with her pet fish, she knew what a jackpot that cave held. She didn¡¯t tell Zhuo Fan about it in fear he¡¯d want a bite as well.


    And now? He didn¡¯t just take a bite but swallowed it whole.


    The girl was wallowing in misery, tears threatening to burst out of her clear eyes¡­

 Chapter 274 - Divine Eye Of The Void’s 2nd Stage

    Whoosh~


    Zhuo Fan drifted around in the cave, waving his ring in every direction. He could feel joy bubbling out of him with every precious ingredient being tucked away in the safe confines of his ring.


    He just came to Beast King Mountain and had already made a killing. [This is the best goddamn omen of all!]


    Zhuo Fan cackled, his sound chilling the snake and human outside to the bone.


    After he had made sure nothing was left unappropriated, Zhuo Fan began his search for Shaping Spring in earnest. His soul sense spread to every corner.


    Then Zhuo Fan rushed deeper. Standing next to a hot spring, he watched the bottom of the spring in shock.


    An all natural hot spring! It was ten meter wide and had hot water coming out from the wall in front. But what was truly amazing was the thick white layer at the bottom of it.


    Zhuo Fan knew right away that this was Shaping Spring.


    [Isn¡¯t it a bit too much?]


    Not even he had hoped to find so much of the underground miraculous treasure. Just a vial of the stuff could buy you a town!


    He¡¯d be happy with just a bowl. But he didn¡¯t just get a bowl, he instead got a whole tub!


    He could literally bathe in it.


    Zhuo Fan shuddered from excitement. Thinking back on this mountain, he realized that only after billions of years of accumulation could have gathered so much of Shaping Spring.


    There would¡¯ve been even more of it if not for a certain snake sampling it.


    [This is enough as it is. Anyways, one shouldn¡¯t be too greedy. It¡¯s bad for health.]


    Zhuo Fan chuckled at his egotistical thinking. Any who heard him would¡¯ve spat blood. [If you¡¯re not greedy then the people in this world are all altruists.]


    [Humph, greedy pig!]


    Plop!


    With a laugh, Zhuo Fan jumped right in. He sank until the Shaping Spring reached his waist.


    Zhuo Fan quirked his eyebrows in glee.


    [So deep!]


    There was even more of the Shaping Spring than he thought was possible.


    Zhuo Fan went right down to business. Taking out bottles and filling them with the stuff before throwing them into his ring.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face always sported that dumb grin throughout this ¡®ordeal¡¯, smiling from ear to ear.


    [I hit pay dirt coming to this Beast King Mountain. It¡¯s totally worth it even if I don¡¯t get that Brimming Sacred Pill. Ha-ha-ha¡­]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s laughter echoed throughout the cave.


    Bam!


    While he was hauling his booty, he touched upon something. It didn¡¯t sound like a rock, but something hollow.


    He groped around blindly before taking out a blue vial. Zhuo Fan looked at it curiously.


    [Why is there a vial here? Is collecting baubles another one of the serpent¡¯s hobbies?]


    But the writing on it left him stupefied, ¡°My luck can¡¯t be that good, right? Did I actually stumble upon a Brimming Sacred Pill?¡±


    Yes sir, the vial had those exact words on it. The cap even had a seal on it to not leak its fragrance and attract spiritual beasts.


    Zhuo Fan started flipping it.


    Fang Qiubai threw five such pills into Beast King Mountain at the start. This one must¡¯ve flown through an underground river and chanced upon this place, with the snake totally oblivious of it.


    Zhuo Fan sighed, [I¡¯m so lucky even I¡¯m scared.]


    The odds of finding a Brimming Sacred Pill among Shaping Spring was a true close to zero chance.


    But was he one to waste such an opportunity? Hell no! He threw it in his ring and resumed hauling his loot. It took him half a day of ¡®grueling¡¯ work to capture it all, down to the last drop.


    The venomous serpent outside was swimming around, peeved. [Just what are you doing in my home? Couldn¡¯t you at least leave some for me? Waaah~]


    Uncaring and unfeeling for the heartbroken snake outside, Zhuo Fan had no idea about the meaning of restraint. He took one last look at the spotless walls, and nodded in satisfaction that he didn¡¯t miss anything.


    Woe was the poor snake. It was now a millionaire turned pauper, wrung dry by Zhuo Fan.


    If it¡¯d only seen this spotless place, it¡¯d be crying his lungs out.


    Not that the greedy Zhuo Fan ever cared, mind you.


    Zhuo Fan now took his time to inspect the Brimming Sacred Pill. He uncapped it and swallowed it.


    With enemies coming out at every turn in the Esoteric Debate, he was hard pressed to find such leisure again, giving him enough time to refine the pill. It¡¯d be best to stay in here, under the snake¡¯s watch and grow stronger.


    Boom!


    An explosion of soul power happened the instant he swallowed it. As if a sea was unleashed in his head, his mind threatened to burst.


    Zhuo Fan never thought the pill would be so outrageously strong. Finding it painful even for him to absorb such a vast amount.


    Nevertheless, he was happy as he channeled it into his right eye. With his soul at the Radiant Stage, increasing it a few more times would hardly help him in this battle.


    His focus was on reaching the Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 2nd stage with the help of the Brimming Sacred Pill!


    The 1st stage had incredible power and made him practically invincible, but the 2nd stage was even more so, as it covered his deadly weakness.


    His victory in this final battle solely rested on it!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s right eye burned hot as the golden ring in it flickered. Slowly, a second golden halo came into existence beyond the first.


    Even if blood spilled from his eye, even if the pain was excruciating, he braced for it and remained staunch!


    If he hadn¡¯t missed his chance in Dragon Cloud City, it wouldn¡¯t have been such an ordeal. But now, forced by circumstances, he chose to power his way through, multiplying his agony instead.


    He couldn¡¯t even spare the attention to care though. Even as he bled from his eye, even as he was soaked in sweat, he still remained firmly seated on the ground.


    Over the next couple of days, Zhuo Fan was in constant frown and veins bulged on his forehead. He was still suffering through the pain and felt the breaking point drawing ever nearer.


    He reached his limit on the afternoon of the third day. He was teetering on the edge, just as the second halo formed in his right eye.


    An invisible wave shot to the skies the next moment. A simple glare actually made a small hole straight through the whole five hundred meter tall mountain above him like it was nothing!


    The bright sky, the warm sunlight, passed through it and shined upon the gleeful Zhuo Fan. He was spent and weary, but thrilled.


    Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 2nd stage, Void Annihilation!


    The power to break through any space!


    Even trapped in an array or space, he¡¯d now have no problem blowing his way out all thanks to a little help from something called Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 2nd stage.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, awesome! I am truly invincible now!¡± Zhuo Fan cackled, but fell the instant he tried getting up.


    He guessed that he would have to wait as tending to his soul came first. A great deal of his soul power was used on breaking through and it was now time to use the rest to cultivate.


    So he sat cross legged again.


    The next day, his soul spread around and found everything to be far clearer. He realized the range had increased to two miles and flew out of the cave.


    He had struck the motherlode coming to Beast King Mountain!


    Whoosh!


    Shooting out of the cave with a thunderclap, he ignored the snake and took to the skies.


    With his nemesis finally out, the venomous serpent shrank his size and entered the cave.


    The empty and spotless place left him wailing in rage.


    The hoard he grew throughout his life was gone, just like that. Even Shaping Spring was picked clean. He licked the hot spring and found not a drop remaining.


    The snake wailed, [He is worse than a bandit!]


    But then he noticed the bright sky above and almost fainted from anger.


    [Blast it all to hell! Have you no restrain?]


    [You already cleaned me out and now you go as far as punching holes in my home? What did I ever do to you ? Waaah~]

 Chapter 275 - Ruler Of The World

    Whoosh!


    Thunder cracked across the bright sky, announcing Zhuo Fan¡¯s lightning-fast flight, his face pleased as punch.


    What was that saying? One good deed deserves another. [Yeah, that¡¯s the one. I saved that annoying lass and nature replied in kind from her bountiful bosom. I¡¯ll have to rethink my approach and spread kindness from now on, ha-ha-ha¡­]


    Zhuo Fan cackled.


    Then he spotted the same girl not far ahead. She figured he was going to take off and waited for him outside.


    ¡°Oh, miss, do you need something?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    Fuming mad, she said, ¡°Hand it over!¡±


    ¡°Hand what over?¡± Zhuo Fan played dumb.


    The girl barked, ¡°Shaping Spring and those herbs! Think I am so stupid not to realize what you¡¯ve been doing in there? But I am a woman of morals so I won¡¯t bicker. According to the laws of the cultivation world, half belongs to me by right!¡±


    ¡°Bint, no can do.¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°You said giving you half is fair, but why would I ever do that?¡±


    The lady played the kicked puppy card, ¡°B-but I found it!¡±


    ¡°First come first serve!¡±


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for me, you¡¯d never get them! So give me my fair share!¡± The girl panicked.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Did you forget I saved you? To repay me you showed me the treasury. Now we¡¯re even, buh-bye.¡±


    Zhuo Fan left laughing, but the lady blocked him again with a snarl, ¡°You damn bastard! Out of respect for saving me, I wasn¡¯t going to argue with you and split the haul evenly. But you just don¡¯t know when to quit!¡±


    Her 2nd layer of Profound Heaven cultivation exploded, glaring at Zhuo Fan with the clear intent to fight him over it.


    Zhuo Fan yawned, ¡°Missy, power isn¡¯t always limited by cultivation stages. Once we fight, your hopes are dashed.¡±


    ¡°Humph, damn egomaniac, enough bluffing! You may have subdued the 6th level spiritual beast but I¡¯m no spiritual beast. I also know taming arts and they only work on spiritual beasts. Stop trying to scare me, it ain¡¯t going to work.¡±


    She then punched straight for Zhuo Fan¡¯s face. The fierce power of the fist came barreling down towards him, backed by her 2nd layer of Profound Heaven cultivation.


    It had no effect on Zhuo Fan, however, still calm and uncaring as he vanished. The girl was left speechless.


    The next second she found her wrist yanked behind her back.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    She then started crying from pain, ¡°Y-you¡¯re breaking my arm. Let go¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head and let go.


    She jumped ten meters away and looked at him perplexed.


    [How did he do that?] He was clearly in the 9th layer of Bone Tempering Stage yet overpowered a 2nd layer of Profound Heaven cultivator in both power and speed. She felt like a mouse in the claws of a hawk. [This doesn¡¯t make sense!]


    [It¡¯s too damn freaky!]


    Only now did she recall Zhuo Fan¡¯s words.


    [This guy is a bloody monster!]


    The girl gnashed her teeth and a flick of the hand revealed three roaring 4th level spiritual beasts ready to pounce at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow curiously, ¡°You¡¯re not half bad, I¡¯ll give you that. You don¡¯t see that everyday, a lady having three 4th level spirit animals.¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, scared?¡±


    She stuck her chin out in her boasting, ¡°Let me tell you, I have a dozen spirit animals, but these three are my most cherished ones and they even know how to fly. I would have drowned you in my spirit animals if we were on the ground instead!¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at her oddly.


    Most people in Tianyu focused on personal power, with hardly any interest in rearing beasts. That made spirit animals a rarity. You were hard pressed to find even high stage experts having one.


    But this girl here was quite average in cultivation yet had over ten spirit animals. It was Zhuo Fan¡¯s first time meeting someone who specialized in rearing beasts.


    His odd looks however were taken as fear by the lass, who cackled, ¡°It¡¯s too late to be scared now. But if your apology is heartfelt enough and you give me those items, I may be inclined to spare your miserable life. I will even forgive your earlier transgression!¡±


    ¡°Whatever gave you the idea that I¡¯m scared? Did you forget how that 6th level spiritual beast acted in front of me? Just like a kitty. And you think some 4th level spiritual beasts will do? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Zhuo Fan sneered.


    The girl snapped, ¡°C-cut your boasting! Who knows what you really did to that serpent? But it can only be something similar to my own taming art, a soul attack. But these three pets of mine are linked with my soul. Their master¡¯s orders are paramount. It will be impossible for you to tame them!¡±


    ¡°Oh, shall I give it a shot?¡± Zhuo Fan snickered.


    The naked contempt he showed only earned her ire, ¡°Attack! Show him your power!¡±


    Roar!


    The three beasts were extremely loyal, jumping on Zhuo Fan the moment they were given the go signal. Yet nothing could unnerve Zhuo Fan.


    The three were right on top of him, ready to tear him to pieces when his eyes flashed azure.


    And, just like the 6th level spiritual beast before, the three pets froze and starting sweating like pigs.


    [Mommy! Who the hell is this big shot? Why is he so scary?]


    Without further ado, the scared witless beasts bolted with tail between their legs, swift as the wind.


    It took a long time for the truth to worm itself into the girl¡¯s mind, sheer absurdity of it all. She then shouted for her pets to come back.


    But would they listen?


    What master¡¯s orders were paramount? Life was infinitely more precious!


    [Blast it, is the master¡¯s brain on the fritz? Why would we ever face such horror? To die?]


    The girl shouted herself hoarse, but her pets were long gone, infuriating her.


    Then she sobered up and shuddered from fear.


    Zhuo Fan drifted towards her with his mocking smile, ¡°It seems being linked with your pets ain¡¯t all sunshine and rainbows. With the three of them horrified, their master is ought to feel some of that fear herself.¡±


    ¡°W-who the hell are you?¡± The girl froze, watching him in horror.


    Now she knew why the 6th level spiritual beast held this man in such fear, and her pets were no different.


    Because this man didn¡¯t use something as trifling as his soul to subdue them, but instilled a sense of utter dread in their very being, that even robbed them of the thought of fighting back.


    [But how?]


    Why would vicious beasts show such fear towards one simple man? Such a ludicrous story was never heard anywhere in the world.


    But this guy did it with ease! [Just who is he?]


    Zhuo Fan smiled and answered her doubts, ¡°I will one day rule this world!¡±


    With a laugh and flap of his wings, he was gone. He left the girl shivering and staring dumbly in shock.


    This mystery man had tangled with her so many times and left her with a bone deep impression. Those final words were etched in her mind.


    She would scoff if it was anyone else saying them, but for some reason, hearing them from Zhuo Fan made her believe he could do it.


    [How could Tianyu have such a dreadful man?]


    The girl was filled with trepidation.


    Whoosh!


    Two black-robed men flashed in front of her.


    ¡°Lian¡¯er, is something wrong?¡± One asked, while the other followed with, ¡°Young miss, are you alright?¡±


    She only looked at them with fear in her eyes, ¡°Brother, Tianyu isn¡¯t something we can just attack. It¡¯s best that we fall back¡­¡±


    Then her vision blurred and she fell unconscious. The two held her in worry, calling out to her.


    [What did she mean?]

 Chapter 276 - Plight

    ¡°Young chief, young miss is only shaken up. You don¡¯t need to worry.¡±


    The night sky was brightened by the moon¡¯s glow and dazzling stars. In a dusky cave crackled a bonfire, shining its light onto the hundred black-robed figures, all with heads down and in solemn silence.


    A white mustached old man glanced at the girl resting near the fire with a youth at her side.


    The youth asked, ¡°She is in extreme shock, but why?  I¡¯ve known my sister for all my life. She grew among spiritual beasts and is very brash. Just what could have scared her so much?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± The old man frowned, then sighed, ¡°It is different for everyone. I am sorry this old man can¡¯t be of any help.¡±


    The youth sighed and waved the old man away.


    It was now that the resting girl¡¯s eyes fluttered and she said weakly, ¡°B-brother¡­¡±


    ¡°Lian¡¯er, you¡¯re awake!¡± The youth grabbed her wrist in happiness. The other black-robed men rejoiced but did not disturb them.


    ¡°Lian¡¯er, what happened to you? You are strong enough to wander the Beast King Mountain for months. So why did you suddenly black out? That was dangerous!¡± The youth looked at her in concern.


    Lian¡¯er nodded, her eyes glistening as she said anxiously, ¡°Brother, don¡¯t attack Tianyu. It holds our natural enemy and if we attack rashly we will suffer greatly. Our clan will be ruined!¡±


    The youth looked at her puzzled. So she propped her weak body up and began retelling her encounter with Zhuo Fan from start to finish.


    The youth was shocked, ¡°What, Tianyu has such a mystical power to cower spiritual beasts?¡±


    The faces of everyone around them fell.


    This news was a nightmare!


    ¡°Tianyu is a true dragon among men. We can¡¯t underestimate it!¡±


    Taking a deep breath, the youth stood and paced around with a frown, ¡°We, the Quanrong, are experts in rearing beasts, able to sweep the lands with our beast army. Not even that God of War, Dugu Zhantian, dares face us. Only with the help of his arrays and formations can he stand on equal ground to us. But if Tianyu has someone capable of instilling fear into beasts, to the point they¡¯d go against their master¡¯s orders, our beast army will collapse in a heartbeat.¡±


    The others nodded, having reached the same dreadful conclusion. This news broke Quanrong¡¯s strongest advantage, robbing them of any means to attack.


    ¡°Young chief, allow this general to purge this danger from the world!¡± A strapping middle-aged man cupped his hands.


    From the powerful waves he released, this man was clearly a Radiant Stage expert!


    Mulling it over, the youth shook his head in the end, ¡°No. Tianyu is in the middle of its Esoteric Debate. We need to use this chance and inspect the Teleportation Array from the shadows. The slightest mistake on our part will endanger our entire operation.¡±


    ¡°Brother, you still want to do it? But that guy¡­¡± Lian¡¯er spoke in worry.


    The youth came to a decision, ¡°All the more reason. If we can¡¯t conquer Tianyu, we will never get the chance again and will lose every future war!¡±


    They all nodded solemnly.


    Lian¡¯er sighed, ¡°But brother, is that man truly trustworthy? Can we really take Tianyu in one move?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Lian¡¯er and everyone needs to relax. There is no better spy in Tianyu than that man.¡± The youth cackled. As if the world was his oyster¡­


    Back to Zhuo Fan, he was still flying among the clouds in search of Luo Yunhai and the rest.


    Suddenly, his nose twitched and he changed directions.


    Blood!


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan landed near a river soaked in blood and bodies coming from upstream.


    The wounds on the bodies clearly showed they were man made. A great battle must be underway upstream and he rushed to investigate.


    His Discerning Field was strong enough to scout two miles ahead in great detail. He could even see what was behind those two mountains in front.


    Zhuo Fan bypassed them with his senses and saw a great deal of men gathered at the mouth of a valley. From their signatures, he easily identified them as Luo Yunhai, Xue Ningxiang, and other second and third rate clans.


    Outside the valley entrance were the vassals of the Regent Estate¡¯s faction, forcing Yunhai¡¯s group into the valley. He had no clue who they were but their leader couldn¡¯t be more familiar. Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Oh my, now a cripple goes out hunting? You must have a death wish.¡±


    Quite right. The man leading the attack on Luo Yunhai was Forest Fleeting Dragon, Lin Xuanfeng. Albeit a one-legged dragon, but he still had the power to shock everyone.


    His dragon title was shaky now, but to the average Profound Heaven expert, he was undefeated.


    Lin Xuanfeng looked coldly at his enemies and shouted, ¡°Listen up! I only care about the Luo clan to settle a grudge. I don¡¯t have time to waste on extras so get lost. Or you could just follow Luo clan to their grave!¡±


    The men were tense and glanced at Luo Yunhai.


    It was obvious Lin Xuanfeng was taking it out on the Luo clan for having Zhuo Fan rip his leg clean off. Their grudges had nothing to do with these second rate clans.


    Although vassals of Drifting Flowers Edifices, Sword Marquise Abode, and Veiled Dragon Pavilion were allies of Luo clan, they were nonetheless far from willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice in defending them.


    Luo Yunhai knew this as well as he said solemnly, ¡°Our meeting was pure chance, friends. There¡¯s no need to implicate youself as well. If you wish¡­¡±


    ¡°Useless cripple, our fate lies with the Luo clan. You don¡¯t scare us! Why don¡¯t you pick on big brother Zhuo if you have the guts!¡±


    The charming voice cut Luo Yunhai off, with a brash and arrogant tone. Her allies were scared witless.


    [Young miss!]


    [If you want to defend Luo clan and die, go right ahead, we won¡¯t stop you. But could you please not drag us into this as well? And why are you even mentioning that guy¡¯s name, are you trying to piss off Lin Xuanfeng some more?]


    [How are we supposed to face that whirlwind, Lin Xuanfeng?]


    They all felt like crying, having their lifeline cut off without remorse.


    Xue Gang and Xue Lin looked at Xue Ningxiang with a shake of their heads. They knew she liked Zhuo Fan, but going as far as ticking off Lin Xuanfeng was the worst case scenario.


    Luo Yunhai looked at Xue Ningxiang, moved, ¡°Sister Ning¡¯er, thank you¡­¡±


    ¡°What thanks? Without big brother Zhuo around, it falls to me to keep you safe!¡± Xue Ningxiang patted her chest with a prideful face. She was happy as long as she could do anything for Zhuo Fan.


    And yet her brothers were crying inside.


    [Damn brat! How can you look after someone when you¡¯re constantly being looked after? Moreover, Luo Yunhai and his ten guards are stronger than any of us. How can we even protect them?]


    Luo Yunhai scratched his nose, ¡°Uh, I am grateful for sister Ning¡¯er¡¯s good intentions. But it¡¯s best if I take big brother Zhuo¡¯s place and look after you.¡±


    Ning¡¯er patted Luo Yunhai¡¯s head and smiled, ¡°Never mind protecting me, since big brother Zhuo is surely just around a corner, ready to jump in and save me.¡±


    Luo Yunhai was puzzled.


    Ning¡¯er showed her Thunder Ring with a smile, ¡°Each time I¡¯m in danger, the Thunder Ring flashes and that means big brother Zhuo is here!¡±


    Luo Yunhai sighed at how innocent and naive she was, even delusional some might say.


    [It would be best if big brother Zhuo comes in the nick of time. But if you think he¡¯s going to show up each time you¡¯re in danger, won¡¯t you treat your life as a joke?]


    Her brothers knew this as well and tried reasoning with her, but Xue Ningxiang turned a deaf ear.


    A girl¡¯s fairy tail was impossible to dispel!


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s choice of words sure got the obvious reaction out of Lin Xuanfeng. He was pissed and filled with bloodthirst.


    ¡°Young master Lin, we¡­¡± His men glanced at him.


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s eyes were bloodshot as he barked, ¡°Ignorant brat! Just kill them all and be done with them!¡±


    His roar resounded in Luo Yunhai¡¯s group¡¯s ears, scaring them. Only Xue Ningxiang was closely watching Thunder Ring for any signs, waiting for that spark of hope¡­

 Chapter 277 - Breakout

    ¡°Kill!¡±


    The war cry signaled the enemy¡¯s charge into the valley entrance. The thick bloodthirst in the air was that from a stampede of enraged bulls. The pressure was too great even for a Profound Heaven expert to hold on, making it harder to breathe.


    They all turned pale as paper. Not only was the enemy outnumbering them many times over, but they even had the strength advantage. How were they going to come out of this one?


    Even Luo Yunhai, who alongside the four tigers saw charging armies on an almost daily basis, was affected. Their side was at a gross disadvantage.


    Be it in terrain or numbers, none of it worked in their favor. In war tactics, this situation could only be overcome by forcing one¡¯s way through if one wanted to get out alive.


    His jaw set, Luo Yunhai turned to his side teetering on the verge of collapse and shouted, ¡°Everyone, don¡¯t all of you have someone here you wish to protect?¡±


    That caught their attention. Luo Yunhai¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°They may outnumber us but they are rabble! I can help you get your loved ones out safely. They will be in the center while we form a circle around them as we break out of the enemy attack. We will likely lose our lives but our loved ones will have the highest chance at survival!¡±


    The dead eyes of his group finally sparked with a glimmer of hope.


    ¡°Brother, go in the middle, I¡¯ll protect you!¡±


    ¡°Foolish child, I¡¯m the big brother, how can I let you give your life for me? It is my duty to keep you alive!¡±


    ¡°Brother¡­¡± The younger brother¡¯s eyes glistened¡­


    ¡°Sister, stay close to the center and don¡¯t fall behind!¡± Another brother patted his younger sister¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Brother in law, go in the middle. I¡¯ll get you out for sure!¡±


    ¡°Silly boy, how can I live if you died? How will I face your sister?¡± The man said to his wife¡¯s younger brother.


    ¡­


    They soon shed the fear instilled by the enemy¡¯s war cry and their hearts held a deep feeling of warmth, spurring on their will to fight to the death.


    Luo Yunhai nodded, grateful that his plan worked. Next up was the fight!


    Looking back at the savage enemy marching over, Luo Yunhai took a deep breath and like a true Marshal, he took in the entire battlefield to make use of.


    Zhuo Fan would be so proud if he could see this boy having grown up.


    Because Luo Yunhai¡¯s words were the right tactic for a Marshal to use in this critical situation.


    He had to kindle the will to fight in his men.


    If he said something along the lines of ¡®fight alongside me to survive¡¯, the effect would hardly be noticeable.


    Everyone considered their lives as the number one priority and they made sure to treasure it. But how could they overcome their fears in the face of that relentless tide marching towards them?


    Even if he could make them fight for their own sake, it was a flimsy reason bound to crumble at first contact. Death would follow all the same at this point.


    But Luo Yunhai was sharp in figuring out these people had loved ones mixed in this group. He appealed to their humanity, their conscience, their responsibility, and drove them to war.


    Although this meant cutting their effective fighting force in half, the ones doing the protecting would give their absolute best, and more, to make sure their loved ones lived to see tomorrow.


    To instantly turn these random groups of people into a cohesive unit bent on fighting to the death was the sign of a great general Luo Yunhai had the hopes of becoming.


    ¡°Yunhai, stay behind me. Sister will protect you!¡± Xue Ningxiang¡¯s beaming face graced his eyes. She even flexed to back up her claim.


    Luo Yunhai let out an awkward chuckle, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I am grateful for your kindness, but I am the one commanding this charge. It¡¯s more important that I stay in front as well!¡±


    Xue Gang and Xue Lin hoisted the overconfident, and delusional, Xue Ningxiang behind, ¡°Ning¡¯er, don¡¯t be willful. He¡¯s stronger than you. Listen to your brother and stay in the middle. Let your brothers get you to safety!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang pouted, then her eyes sparked, ¡°Then I¡¯ll stay behind Yunhai. That way I can protect him when he needs help!¡±


    Helpless, they had no choice but to agree. Behind Luo Yunhai could also be said to belong to the center of the group, somewhat.


    But Xue Gang and Xue Lin were not leaving her sides. Anything could happen in the spur of the moment, especially on the battlefield. They had to protect her.


    Similar scenes happened all around them as the people were determined to get their loved ones out alive. Luo Yunhai formed them into ranks, and as he stood in front of them, an old man stepped forward.


    ¡°Young master Luo, I¡¯ll be at your side to protect you. If I am to fall, please send my words to Grandmaster Zhuo. My greatest regret is that I wasn¡¯t good enough to have him as my master¡­¡± The old man shook his head.


    Zhuo Fan would have a nice dumbstruck face if he was here. Wasn¡¯t this old guy the same Liu Yizhen, who competed alongside Yan Song in the Hundred Pill Meeting?


    He wanted to be Zhuo Fan¡¯s disciple, but Zhuo Fan wouldn¡¯t hear it.


    But how did he end up here then?


    Luo Yunhai sighed, ¡°Grandmaster Liu is so determined. If not for sir¡¯s guards, we¡¯d have long been mere corpses on the ground. As long as we get out alive, I will think of a way to make big brother Zhuo receive you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, young master Luo!¡± Grandmaster Liu nodded sadly, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about this after we survive. Either way, being able to show my respect to Grandmaster Zhuo by helping him is gratification enough.¡±


    Luo Yunhai nodded, [Grandmaster Liu is so honest and righteous!]


    Kill~!


    The howls of war drew nearer. Luo Yunhai faced the enemy as the leader of his men, waiting. When the enemy was at the hundred meter mark, he led his own charge, ¡°For our loved ones, charge!¡±


    Roar!


    Thunderous shouts echoed his own battle spirit and they rushed on like a tide. The enemy was baffled at the sudden development, even as the sides clashed.


    Boom!


    Their morale sank to half in a blink. As if a spear pierced the great skies and left a massive hole, so did the force go through them like butter.


    The enemy looked dumbstruck, even the enraged Lin Xuanfeng. He was watching speechless as the wedge formation went through his group.


    [They¡¯re a hundred against my thousand. How can we not even block their charge?]


    The wails and miserable cries rang in his ears. He looked in time to see his men flailing their bleeding arms and leg stumps in agony. The enemy was reaping through his men like a dragon. His men couldn¡¯t put up even a token of resistance and it only drove him madder.


    ¡°For goddamn sake! What use do I have for any of you if you can¡¯t even do this much? A bunch of damn wastes is what you all are!¡±


    The man next to him stammered, ¡°Young master Lin, t-this isn¡¯t our fault! They suddenly used military formations. They are only a hundred but we can¡¯t even get close to them! Each time we approach it¡¯s like we¡¯re facing four or five of them! It¡¯s baffling!¡±


    ¡°Humph! Whats baffling? It¡¯s just some army tactic!¡± Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s eyes flashed eerily, ¡°Now that I think about it, that Luo clan¡¯s brat followed Dugu Zhantian for five years. It¡¯d be odd if he didn¡¯t know at least this much. Blast it all to hell! We can¡¯t let Luo clan get any stronger!¡±


    Spatting, Lin Xuanfeng hopped and was gone. Then he flashed in front of the wedge formation.


    ¡°Lin Xuanfeng!¡± Luo Yunhai shouted.


    Snickering, Lin Xuanfeng mocked, ¡°Brat, you think you¡¯re so great now that you¡¯ve been by Dugu Zhantian¡¯s side for a couple of years? You take me for a weakling? Think you can get away alive with just this?


    ¡°He-he-he, first I¡¯ll break your army, then I¡¯ll break your skull!¡± Lin Xuanfeng snickered and was gone again.


    Before anyone could react, he flashed in the middle of their formation and a blue tornado sprung up. It grew until it swallowed them all, careening them into the air and breaking the formation.


    Luo Yunhai looked up from the ground in shock.


    Even after Zhuo Fan ripped his leg off, Lin Xuanfeng had the power to face so many people. He really was one of the Six Dragons and One Phoenix, Forest Fleeting Dragon!


    He broke their formation and flung them scattered among the enemy. They were doomed!


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s heart sank, his final hope leaving him. What was left was to wait and have their lives reaped¡­

 Chapter 278 - Void Annihilation’s Power

    Ah!


    The cries of agony pierced the skies as the enemy began its slaughter. With their formation broken and outnumbered ten to one, their hopes of surviving were dashed. Just like a mouse squeezed around by a mighty dragon.


    Their will to fight had collapsed, replaced by utter despair.


    Luo Yunhai gnashed his teeth and got onto his feet. He wanted to reorganize his ranks. He wasn¡¯t about to give up as long as there was an inkling of hope.


    But as soon as he got to his feet, he was kicked flying, with blood flowing from his lips.


    Coughing blood, Luo Yunhai glared at the cocky and snickering Lin Xuanfeng, ¡°He-he-he, brat, you¡¯re finished! So behave and wait there for me to take your head and present it to Zhuo Fan. I wonder what face he¡¯ll make, ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Humph, let¡¯s see you try! You think the next time he¡¯ll stop at one leg?¡± Luo Yunhai retorted in mockery.


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s mood sank dangerously low.


    His life was smooth sailing, the pride of Merry Woods. No one ever showed any disrespect to someone of his talent. Then he met Zhuo Fan, and everything spiraled out of control, him becoming a laughing stock.


    His leg was ripped off and hence he suffered endless ridicule that had affected his state of mind to such a degree that  it had cast a shadow over him. Not even he wanted to admit such a disgrace happened to him.


    And yet Luo Yunhai went on poking his sore spot, earning his wrath, ¡°Damn punk! You think we can¡¯t deal with that Zhuo Fan? Humph, let me tell you, we¡¯ve long been ready to end him. He¡¯s living on borrowed time. You¡¯re the first to go and the bastard will soon follow you to your grave!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng lifted his Yuan Qi soaked palm,  winding up for the finale.


    Luo Yunhai was worried, his fists clenched, but not over his safety. It was for Zhuo Fan¡¯s.


    He sensed from Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s tone that those words weren¡¯t empty threats. They may very well have grasped Zhuo Fan¡¯s weakness. He had to warn Zhuo Fan before it was too late.


    How was he going to do that though, when he was too powerless to even protect himself?


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s inner conflict left him in a mess.


    Lin Xuanfeng took it as fear, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, here I thought you¡¯d be a man of courage having followed Dugu Zhantian for years, but deep down, you¡¯re just a spineless coward. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll leave your corpse intact, out of respect for Dugu Zhantian.¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng launched his palm attack like a fierce storm.


    ¡°Stop! No one can harm the Luo clan¡¯s young master!¡± An aged voice shouted, just as a red hot flame shot for Lin Xuanfeng.


    Lin Xuanfeng only snickered.


    Liu Yizhen came to the rescue, with his 4th level spiritual beast flame.


    But his flame looked nothing more than a candle to Lin Xuanfeng, ¡°You senile old fool dare mess in my affairs? Get lost!¡±


    Thump!


    A flick of the hand had a blue wind scatter the flimsy flame to nothing. Liu Yizhen spat blood and collapsed, pale.


    Grinning, Lin Xuanfeng turned to Luo Yunhai, ¡°No one¡¯s gonna save you now!¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    It was a delicate voice this time. Xue Ningxiang popped out of nowhere and stood between them, ¡°You¡¯ll have to go through me first!¡±


    ¡°You again!¡±


    Squinting, he clearly recalled Xue Ningxiang shouting cripple left and right, ¡°Humph, don¡¯t you worry. Once I¡¯m through with him, you¡¯re next!¡±


    ¡°Ning¡¯er!¡±


    Xue Gang and Xue Lin rushed over but Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s flick of the hand left them sprawling and heavily wounded.


    With a twisted smile, a promise of cruelty that was to come, Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s Yuan Qi exploded, ¡°And stay down!¡±


    ¡°Humph, we won¡¯t die. Big brother Zhuo will save us!¡± Xue Ningxiang faced him without an ounce of fear.


    Lin Xuanfeng jerked, looking around frantic, ¡°Zhuo Fan, where? Is he close?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, how the mighty have fallen. I knew you¡¯re scared of big brother Zhuo!¡±


    Luo Yunhai shook his head.


    Apparently, Zhuo Fan did more than simply pull a leg. He had also scarred the guy mentally!


    ¡°You damn brat dare to lie to me! Zhuo Fan would never stand still in this situation if he was here!¡± Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s anger flared. Two brats got the best of the grand and mighty Forest Fleeting Dragon. They had scared him just by mentioning Zhuo Fan. He would never hear the end of it if word got out.


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s eyes looked at Xue Ningxiang with bloodthirst, wishing nothing more than to wring her pretty neck, ¡°Blasted bint! You two¡¯ve been a pain in my rear from the moment we met!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s hand was wrapped in a blue wind and slapped at Xue Ningxiang¡¯s chest.


    Luo Yunhai was too hurt to try and stop him. He could only watch the sinister palm inching towards Xue Ningxiang¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang cried, her eyes focussed on the dead Thunder Ring. Then she closed her eyes and prayed for a miracle.


    Luo Yunhai could only sigh. Zhuo Fan was no god. It was impossible for him to watch over her around the clock like a guardian angel.


    Xue Gang and Xue Lin crawled on while bleeding in a desperate attempt to reach her. Why was their foolish sister so zealous in her faith? The last two times were sheer coincidences.


    [Zhuo Fan won¡¯t always watch over you when you need him the most. So why are you so stubborn?]


    Lin Xuanfeng laughed, ¡°Zhuo Fan won¡¯t come brat! Die, ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    Though clueless, their entire drama was laid before Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes two miles out thanks to his soul sense.


    He saw how Xue Ningxiang and Luo Yunhai were together and he also saw Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s strike closing in on them.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s right eye flashed with two golden halos and an invisible beam shot out, passing through any and all obstacles, straight for its target.


    Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 2nd stage, Void Annihilation.


    Whoosh!


    It shot fast as light, passing through everything like they were nothing.


    In the middle of the slaughter, a hum became apparent as a sudden hole appeared on the men in its path without any warning.


    Blood flowed even as the men were oblivious to their doom. It was just too fast, too sudden.


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s hand was inches from Xue Ningxiang when the hum passed, robbing him of his hand. It left behind a bleeding stump.


    Lin Xuanfeng was too dumbstruck to even react.


    [W-what was that? Why is my hand gone?] He didn¡¯t even feel a thing. One moment it was there, and poof, gone the next. It was faster than getting it chopped off.


    Xue Ningxiang and Luo Yunhai were equally baffled.


    Lin Xuanfeng stiffly looked around to see a line of men with oddly missing parts of their bodies, bleeding out.


    Looking further, he saw a hole in the valley¡¯s side, black as night. Zhuo Fan used Void Annihilation from two miles away to rob his hand and anything in its path.


    It was an all powerful ability able to target anyone regardless of distance!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s enemies would never know rest if they knew he possessed such divine might. Or the moment they drop their guard, their chest would sport a sudden extra large hole!


    Not that Lin Xuanfeng knew that. He only looked at the black hole in dread. [This is too freaky! What the hell was that? Who could possibly kill so many men in a blink?]


    It even exceeded Forest Fleeting Dragon¡¯s reaction and robbed him off his hand! What kind of godly skill was that?


    In the middle of their shock and despair, Zhuo Fan used his Yuan Qi to shout, ¡°God damn it, Lin Xuanfeng! You dare touch my people, you bastard? Don¡¯t move a muscle, I¡¯ll be right there to rip your head off myself!¡±


    His yell passed through the black hole and into the valley, so loud it even quaked mountains.


    It was as if the two mountains spoke. Such awe-inspiring power scared everyone present into freezing and paling.


    [Are the mountains threatening us?]


    [Balls! Did our battle wake up a local god?]


    Only Lin Xuanfeng recognized the voice. He shook like a leaf. He would never forget the owner of that voice in his life, the same Soaring Demonic Dragon who ripped off his leg¡­

 Chapter 279 - Godlike

    The silence was deafening.


    The unanimous reaction to this ludicrous situation was one of utter shock and amazement. Then they all started shivering, Lin Xuanfeng included.


    Their eyes turned to the shaking mountains, words stuck in their throat.


    Only Luo Yunhai and Xue Ningxiang were happy.  Ever since the shout came, they knew with utmost certainty that Zhuo Fan had come through for them!


    ¡°Uh, young master Lin¡­¡±


    The man next to Lin Xuanfeng began speaking, wanting to ask for suggestion as to their next course of action, only to notice that the dude had bolted.


    [Rotten useless Lin Xuanfeng! Who was it that shouted the loudest while charging? Who was it that cursed us as good for nothing?] And yet, when it came to running, no one was faster.


    [I spit on you! How can such a yellow-bellied lily-livered rat be in the Six Dragons and One Phoenix?]


    The man looked around to find everyone loosing their will to fight. It was only natural when one stopped and thought about the monster coming to Luo clan¡¯s rescue, the same freak who scared Lin Xuanfeng away.


    [So why should we stay here, to die?]


    Without further ado, he shouted, ¡°Retreat!¡±


    Roused up, the men followed behind Lin Xuanfeng without any complaint.


    The winning side from a moment ago, was now running away miserably. They even forwent their wounded, selfishly holding their lives as the number one priority.


    Luo Yunhai sighed, ¡°Big brother Zhuo is amazing to the extreme. One shout is enough to scare them away. It¡¯s even more effective than our wedge formation.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang nodded cutely, her eyes blazing! She hadn¡¯t even seen his figure, yet Zhuo Fan¡¯s valor and might thoroughly turned her into his number one fan.


    Xue Gang and Xue Lin shook their heads. Zhuo Fan¡¯s timely save was more than welcome, but that sister of theirs sank even deeper into her unhealthy obsession of him.


    No doubt about it, Xue Ningxiang¡¯s belief that Zhuo Fan would be there to save her every single time was now firmly engraved into the very core of her being.


    This delusion was far from healthy.


    Her brothers shook their helpless heads.


    Ning¡¯er hadn¡¯t once listened to their advice so far, and the repeated near saves, courtesy of Zhuo Fan, only worked to make her go against them even more¡­


    Ha~


    The two sighed¡­


    Then they followed up with the usual glee of finding their lease on life extended and looked after the wounded. Fifteen minutes later, a thunderclap signaled the landing of a black figure.


    They were greeted by none other than Soaring Demonic Dragon, Zhuo Fan!


    Surveying the battlefield, Zhuo Fan cursed, ¡°That blasted Lin Xuanfeng ran again! The next time he won¡¯t be so lucky. I¡¯ll make sure to pull his other leg and get him to crawl like a beggar!¡±


    The people were scared, but the reverence was obvious from their expressions.


    Of Tianyu¡¯s youngest generation, only Soaring Demonic Dragon dared challenge Six Dragons and One Phoenix. If it were them, not in a million years would they even conceive such a radical and preposterous idea, not to mention suicidal.


    It only made them see Zhuo Fan in a new light, holding him in complete admiration.


    This was a truly fearless man, a man of courage and endless valor!


    Ignoring these peasants, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes snapped to Xue Ningxiang and Luo Yunhai in glee, ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang shook her head, bashful, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, big brother Zhuo, I¡¯m fine. I knew you¡¯d come and save me!¡±


    She then touched her Thunder Ring.


    Zhuo Fan chuckled and waved, as the Thunder Ring on his own hand glinted.


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, Grandmaster Liu already gave me a healing pill. I¡¯ll soon be back to full health.¡± Luo Yunhai smiled with a pale face.


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan turned to the old man, ¡°Grandmaster Liu?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Grandmaster Zhuo, it¡¯s been a long time!¡± Liu Yizhen bowed.


    Zhuo Fan was puzzled, ¡°What are you doing here? Didn¡¯t Esoteric Debate have the 30 years age ban? Grandmaster Liu, how old are you really?¡±


    ¡°Uh, Grandmaster Zhuo I am not a participant, nor did I know Beast King Mountain was to be the location for the Esoteric Debate¡¯s final battle. It was pure coincidence!¡± Liu Yizhen explained.


    Sizing him up, Zhuo Fan was very much doubtful still, ¡°Really now?¡±


    ¡°Honest to god. It must be fate for me and Grandmaster Zhuo to meet again!¡± Liu Yizhen¡¯s genial response came.


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Oh please, cut the act. What fate could possibly be tying us?¡±


    Liu Yizhen hanged his head.


    Luo Yunhai interjected, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, we were lucky to have Grandmaster Liu here or many more would¡¯ve perished. He is Luo clan¡¯s benefactor. I heard he is very eager to take you as his master, what if¡­¡±


    ¡°Liu Yizhen, it¡¯s been so long yet you¡¯re still dead set on this idea?¡± Zhuo Fan cut him off with a stare on Liu Yizhen.


    Liu Yizhen nodded furiously, ¡°Yes. Grandmaster Zhuo¡¯s alchemy is the pinnacle among all the alchemists I¡¯ve seen. To be your disciple is my lifelong wish!¡±


    ¡°In that case¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted, ¡°Fine. We are short on hands and your timely arrival is most welcome. If you can protect the Luo clan in this Esoteric Debate, I will be inclined to reconsider your request, in favor of your rendered services.¡±


    ¡°I will do my very best and live up to Grandmaster Zhuo¡¯s expectations!¡± Liu Yizhen bowed.


    Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Luo Yunhai was thrilled and cupped his hand to Liu Yizhen, while also gleeful that he managed to sway Zhuo Fan.


    Liu Yizhen replied in kind, grateful to him for making the cold Zhuo Fan as seven years ago give him some attention.


    In this manner, Liu Yizhen joined the Luo clan, looking after the wounded. Since Zhuo Fan had nothing to do, he stood guard at the valley entrance.


    It was because of this man that the men could heal in peace.


    Soaring Demonic Dragon was on par with the Six Dragons and One Phoenix. There was no one out there who could make them feel safer.


    Zhuo Fan stood guard for ten days, waiting for the others to heal¡­


    But while the battle on this side ended, another was on the brink of erupting.


    In a lush part of the forest, a towering jade reaching the hight of two people was standing next to a large tree. Upon a closer look, it bore a striking resemblance to those National Elemental Stones. It was precisely the wood type array to send them back.


    On either side of it were two armed forces.


    On one hand was Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯ Chu Qingcheng, Sword Marquise Abode¡¯ Xie Tianshang and Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Long Xingyun with their people. The other side was led by Regent Estate¡¯s Huangpu Qingtian, Hell Valley¡¯s You Yushan, and Pill King Hall¡¯s Yan Bangui.


    All they needed was a spark to throw this place into the chaos of war.


    Their standoff was clearly visible beyond the wood exit array, as Dragon Cloud City¡¯s every major clan and house watched in trepidation.


    Huangpu Tianyuan snickered, speaking high and mighty yet casually at the same time. ¡°The Brimming Sacred Pill will be ours. No surprise there, ha-ha-ha!¡±


    You Wanshan and Yan Bogong nodded in pride.


    [It feels so good, so overbearing, to stand by Regent Estate!]


    Drifting Flowers Edifices, Veiled Dragon Pavilion, and Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s house leader looked like they were on pensive. They had no choice but to admit the battle was going to be completely one sided. Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s presence alone turned the tide of this battle out of their favor.


    The Brimming Sacred Pill was before the wood exit, and it was Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group who found it first. Yet none realized Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s faction tailing them.


    The fight over the Brimming Sacred Pill was on the brink of igniting, but their faction had no hope of overcoming the other, not with Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord in the mix.


    ¡°Damn monster!¡±


    Grandmother gnashed her teeth, while Huangpu Tianyuan laughed unrestrained.


    Zhuge Changfeng was only twirling his mustache in thought, ¡°Indeed. One side has a freak of nature, while the other¡¯s side own monster has yet to come. Things don¡¯t bode well for them. Surrender is advised.¡±


    That got a rise out of the crowd.


    [Yeah, Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord is there and Zhuo Fan is no where in sight!] From what they heard of the two monster¡¯s first contact, Zhuo Fan could hold his own against Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord.


    But where was their most important piece at this crucial time?


    The people started to regret. [What ally is he if he doesn¡¯t show up when needed?]


    Achoo~!


    Facing the morning sun, Zhuo Fan was struck by an incomprehensible bout of sneezing that sent his whole body shivering.


    ¡°What the hell? Who¡¯s the bastard talking behind my back?¡± Zhuo Fan rubbed his nose in anger¡­

 Chapter 280 - The Power Of One

    Tap~


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s every step instilled dignity and nobility, neither forced nor rushed. Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group was unnerved, taking steps back in contrast.


    The pressure was so big, each of his step made them back away faster.


    Drifting Flowers Edifices, Veiled Dragon Pavilion, and Sword Marquise Abode had thousands of people behind them, yet faced with but a single man, they all shirked further back. A truly laughable and ridiculous scene.


    Yet to the parties involved, humor was the last thing on their minds. When faced with the head of Six Dragons and One Phoenix, Huangpu Qingtian, all they could feel was fear and dread.


    You Yushan and Yan Bangui had thousands behind them as well that just stood there, watching the other faction with contempt.


    In the face of Huangpu Qingtian, anyone would end up a sorry sight.


    If they switched places, You Yushan¡¯s group had no doubt in their mind they would end up the same way.


    As to why the situation devolved in such a way, it all came down to Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group¡¯s rotten luck. Or maybe having known so little about Regent Estate, yet insisting on making an enemy out of them¡­


    ¡°How long are you going to shirk back?¡± Huangpu Qingtian stopped at some point, with a beaming and noble smile, ¡°Hand over the Brimming Sacred Pill and I¡¯ll let you go.¡±


    Frowning, Chu Qingcheng gnashed her teeth in silence. Her allies clenched her fists at the naked scorn.


    Handing over what the three houses found was total humiliation.


    Long Xingyun muled, [It¡¯s best we¡¯re flexible.] And smiled, ¡°Young master Huangpu, is this how Regent Estate¡¯s eldest young master carries himself? You¡¯re no different from a shameless bandit at this point. There are four Brimming Sacred Pill out there so why are you after ours in particular?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Long Xingyun, I knew you¡¯re a smooth talker, preaching sophistry. True, Regent Estate isn¡¯t too keen on robbing you, but did you forget? This here is the Esoteric Debate, where might makes right. Everything belongs to the strongest!¡±


    With a snicker, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes flashed with greed and snatched at the air, ¡°That is why all of them will be mine. You better hand it over now, or¡­¡±


    ¡°Or what, fight?¡±


    Xie Tianshang snapped as he shot in the air, drawing his sword and releasing such shocking energy it reached the skies. The sword energy shuddered all who looked at it, feeling as if ten thousands swords were about to pierce them.


    Even Yan Bangui and You Yushan turned serious, eying him with a sigh.


    [Xie Tianshang is a true sword talent.] It was their first time seeing sword energy reaching such a level.


    Thinking about it, they were no match for him in a straight out fight.


    Long Xingyun looked at the hovering figure stunned. [It had been what, a few days? How did he get so strong?]


    And yet¡­


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s calm demeanor left Long Xingyun sighing.


    [Compared to this monster, Xie Tianshang had a long way to go.]


    But even so, they had to fight regardless.


    Long Xingyun shot his hands forward. Energy hummed off his hands and released a powerful attack.


    There was a dragon roar echo and when the energy was upon Huangpu Qingtian, it shot for the ground.


    The earth beneath Huangpu Qingtian exploded as a dragon opened its maw to swallow him.


    ¡°Profound ranked martial art, Sea Upturning Dragon Palm!¡± Long Xingyun roared.


    He didn¡¯t finish as a loud boom splintered the huge dragon into nothingness. Huangpu Qingtian shined golden as he walked out of the attack, looking down on all creation.


    Pff!


    Long Xingyun coughed blood, having just been injured internally.


    Xie Tianshang clutched his sword and shot for Huangpu Qingtian. The piercing light of his sword tip was as dazzling as the night¡¯s stars.


    It pulverized anything it touched and left only this outstanding light.


    This was Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s profound ranked martial art Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms¡¯ strongest attack, Extinction.


    When this sword flew, everything was erased!


    Abode Lord Xie Xiaofeng watched in awe and pride, his house¡¯s strongest move being unleashed just beyond the wood National Elemental Stone.


    The son had surpassed the father.


    With how much stronger the move was than his own, he was certain his son would become an even more remarkable Abode Lord than himself.


    Huangpu Tianyuan mocked, ¡°Abode Lord Xie, to be so prideful of your son¡¯s meager achievements, aren¡¯t you perhaps thinking so little of him?¡±


    Xie Xiaofeng snorted, ¡°I know of Regent Estate¡¯s eldest young master¡¯s godlike talent, but I¡¯ll have to say that not even he can take this attack without consequence.¡±


    ¡°Oh? We shall see.¡± Grinned Huangpu Tianyuan, and his elders joined him in mocking the man.


    Xie Xiaofeng¡¯s heart seized in fright, turning to see the shocking scene beyond the wood stone.


    As the glaring sword attack came closer, Huangpu Qingtian merely pointed at the dazzling dot of light.


    Boom!


    The space cracked and seemed to have been torn open. A bright golden light met with the sword attack, swallowing it whole.


    The almighty sword attack, crumbled under the finger¡¯s power and forced Xie Tianshang into a bout of spitting blood. He was on his knees, even if having received but a light wound.


    ¡°H-how?¡± Xie Xiaofeng cried.


    Huangpu Tianyuan laughed, ¡°Abode Lord Xie, I told you, my son¡¯s talent is in a league of its own. Speaking of power, he has surpassed his father since five years ago!¡±


    [Say what?!]


    They were still trying to process this development yet now they found Huangpu Qingtian had long since surpassed the current Estate Lord?


    It was a known fact that Regent Estate had the best talents in Tianyu, capable of holding their own if it ever came to face the other six houses. Huangpu Tianyuan was of an even greater talent and a peak Profound Heaven cultivator as well. That made him the strongest Profound Heaven cultivator in Tianyu.


    Yet here he was stating Huangpu Qingtian surpassed him since five years ago. Even more so when that Huangpu Qingtian wasn¡¯t even at peak Profound Heaven Stage.


    Now that he was at peak Profound Heaven Stage and mastered killing with intent, did that mean he could face a Radiant Stage expert?


    [H-how on earth can one beat that?]


    The faces of others sank as they cursed this rotten monster.


    Huangpu Tianyuan looked awfully proud standing there, but his heart was bleeding, cursing his monster of a son as well. It was this monstrous talent that threatened his Estate Lord position.


    It may very well come to be that once the Esoteric Debate was over, his son would be entitled in his demand for him to hand over his throne. That was one outcome he never hoped to see.


    It went so far that he even hoped his son would die at Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands.


    Of course, there was no way he¡¯d be so open as to share his thoughts. Huangpu Qingtian was the hope of all Venerables, if not the entire Regent Estate.


    Any that dared to even show a hint of dissatisfaction with him would be culled on the spot, Estate Lord included. The Venerables would make sure of that.


    Huangpu Qingtian was the apple of Regent Estate, their hope for the future. And they weren¡¯t about to let it be snuffed out!


    Huangpu Tianyuan looked on at the prideful and imperial figure beyond the wood National Elemental Stone with killing intent.


    ¡­


    Huangpu Qingtian put his finger away and laughed at the kneeling Xie Tianshang, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, how amusing. Who knew you could grow so strong in such a short time? You¡¯re way stronger than those two behind me. Pledge yourself to me and you won¡¯t regret it!¡±


    They all looked shocked. This was daylight talent ¡®robbery¡¯!


    ¡°He-he-he, I am from Sword Marquise Abode. It is not my choice who our allies are!¡± Xie Tianshang laughed, happy Huangpu Qingtian was finally giving him some time of day.


    Huangpu Qingtian shook his head, ¡°Stubborn fool! Whether the seven houses or the whole world, it will be ours! Those old geezers will soon find themselves between four walls and six feet under. Why would you care about their decisions? Just agree and the entire Sword Marquise Abode will agree as well. ¡°


    Huangpu Qingtian turned to Chu Qingcheng and Long Xingyun, ¡°You two as well. Swear yourself to me and the Esoteric Debate will end here and now. The seven houses will be eternally one!¡±


    Not just Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group was shocked, but even Dragon Cloud City¡¯s side¡¯s clan elders watched Huangpu Qingtian incredulous.


    It was the leader of a clan that made decisions, not their top disciple.


    Yet this Huangpu Qingtian not only circumvented his Estate Lord, but even spat in the face of the rest of those geezers. This was a gross lack of respect, a power play and disregard for the others above his station.


    This was something no one, not even young masters of other houses, would dare to utter.


    Yet Huangpu Qingtian did this out in the open. He didn¡¯t even care that he was stealing his father¡¯s position.


    They all turned to see Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s face ashen from anger. While the elders couldn¡¯t care less. They even nodded!


    At that point, people realized that this was perhaps the true power of a monarch¡­

 Chapter 281 - Blizzard Dragon Slash

    In front of the National Elemental Stone, the people stared shockingly at Huangpu Qingtian, especially Luo Yunchang. She was sweating and plagued with worry.


    If the three houses¡¯ disciples fell to Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s wild and overreaching ambition, it would be tantamount to throwing Zhuo Fan to the wolves. No matter how strong Zhuo Fan was, he couldn¡¯t face all seven houses¡¯ experts by himself!


    It didn¡¯t take long for Chu Qingcheng, Xie Tianshang and Long Xingyun to reach a conclusion. They unanimously shook their heads, their minds made.


    Raising an eyebrow, Huangpu Qingtian had seen it coming, but was still somewhat in disbelief, ¡°Why make such an unwise and detrimental decision?¡±


    ¡°Humph, if you can scare me with some pretty words, I will never be able to hold my head up high. I will be blaming myself more than anyone else would. That is one future I don¡¯t want to see!¡± Long Xingyun snickered, speaking from the bottom of his heart.


    Huangpu Qingtian shook his head in contempt, ¡°What value could dignity and self-respect have in the face of true power? This is your only chance. Take it, or become my enemies!¡±


    The three saw the determination in each other¡¯s eyes and were resolved to fight alongside each other.


    Huangpu Qingtian snorted, ¡°You asked for it. Don¡¯t come crying later when you¡¯re starting to regret!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian disappeared with a light step. The next thing they knew was his sudden appearance before the trio.


    So fast!


    The three jerked. They knew Huangpu Qingtian was the strongest, but had heard nothing of his speed, which was obviously even higher than Lin Xuanfeng.


    They couldn¡¯t even react as they were already on the ground.


    [How did his cultivation reach such perfection, having both unbridled power and unmatched speed?]


    [Damn monster!]


    The three gnashed their teeth in shock. But they were still Six Dragons and One Phoenix and recovered their calm quickly.


    Chu Qingcheng grabbed her allies and covered them in a cold barrier. The two then attacked.


    Xie Tianshang¡¯s sword flashed and Long Xingyun¡¯s palm held a dragon image. Perhaps Chu Qingcheng¡¯s cold had an influence, as the sword wave and the dragon image fused with the coldness while passing through the barrier. They transformed into a huge attack that slammed towards Huangpu Qingtian.


    This sword attack was tens of times stronger than Xie Tianshang¡¯s previous attack. Even Huangpu Qingtian had to get serious.


    ¡°They know a combination art? How?¡± Yan Bangui and You Yushan cried in shock.


    Those watching the show beyond the National Elemental Stone were slackjawed.


    A combination art needed the users to be in tune at the intrinsic level from a young age. But for three of them to achieve it, not to mention being no more than strangers before the Esoteric Debate, it boggled the minds of all those witnessing such a miracle!


    Only Grandmother knew why.


    This was made possible by Chu Qingcheng! Speaking of monsters, Chu Qingcheng didn¡¯t lack in that department. Just that her monstrous talent went in a different direction.


    ¡°Blizzard Dragon Slash!¡± The three shouted and the sword image howled. It stormed Huangpu Qingtian freezing everything in its wake.


    Even the number one monster, Huangpu Qingtian, had another thing coming if he took this attack with the same carefree attitude as before.


    For the first time ever, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s face showed shock. Who knew these three could combine their power? Who knew they could unleash such an onslaught?


    Gnashing his teeth, Huangpu Qingtian grabbed the slash with his naked hand.


    The worst thing to do in this case.


    It exploded into nine ice dragons, hammering Huangpu Qingtian from all directions.


    Boom!


    A loud noise shook the heavens, but no explosion occurred. Once the cold air scattered, Huangpu Qingtian was encased in ice. He froze in the grasping motion from before, giving the impression that even his soul was frozen.


    ¡°Eldest young master!¡± You Yushan and Yan Bangui panicked and looked at Chu Qingcheng¡¯s trio with shock.


    They could actually handle Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord, Huangpu Qingtian!


    Beyond the National Elemental Stone, the audience couldn¡¯t believe what they were seeing.


    The almighty Huangpu Qingtian was frozen over by a combination art. None saw it coming.


    Only Drifting Flowers Edifices, Sword Marquise Abode, and Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s higher ups grinned in pride. They finally turned things around!


    But the eerie calm Regent Estate held itself in, threw them into worry and doubt.


    [Can it be¡­]


    Grandmother¡¯s heart sank.


    Roar!


    A dragon roar got everyone¡¯s attention. The smiling Chu Qingcheng and her allies had no time to celebrate as they turned to the source.


    Huangpu Qingtian, in the middle of that iceberg, sported scales. They shone golden and then a golden dragon shot from him into the sky.


    The iceberg exploded into pieces, setting the stage for a shiny and golden Huangpu Qingtian to step out of the remains in all his glory. The golden dragon made a circle above him before going back into his body.


    ¡°It¡¯s the same as before, in Dragon Cloud City. What is that thing?¡± Long Xingyun muttered shellshocked at the disappearing golden dragon.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s face was unsightly as he spat, ¡°I have to give you guys credit. There¡¯s hardly anyone in this world who can bring me this close to defeat! Not bad at all! But this is precisely why I have to thoroughly beat some sense into you, so no one would challenge their king!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes flashed with bloodthirst as he shot forth.


    The three jerked and held hands again. But Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s uncanny speed and dreadful might came at them in the form of a palm.


    ¡°Nine Dragons Diamond Body, Dragon Empowered Claw!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes flashed and struck without hesitation.


    Chu Qingcheng covered the trio in a cold barrier, but it crumbled before the attack even arrived. With a loud boom, the earth sank, as if from a meteor strike, leaving a hundred meter wide crater.


    The trio spat blood, feeling the huge pressure bearing on their shoulders, stopping them from even moving.


    This was Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s power.


    And this was the power of but one palm. They banded together and encased him in ice, but even that wasn¡¯t enough to even scratch him.


    This monster appeared, for all intents and purposes, invincible.


    The three sighed and had a defeated look, having finally realized the difference between them.


    Huangpu Qingtian took in their pain, disappointment and despair, with a cold eye.


    ¡°Take out the Brimming Sacred Pill!¡± Huangpu Qingtian said, ¡°Or I will go through each and every one of you here in my search!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s look scared the thousand plus people behind the trio. He treated them like dirt, needing only to pinch them before popping.


    Xie Tianyang wished nothing more than to give his all in fighting him, but when he recalled what his brother had said earlier, he forced it down.


    But the resentment only burned hotter in his heart.


    Chu Qingcheng closed her eyes and her hand held a vial. She held her shaking hand and said, ¡°Just take it and go!¡±


    ¡°Humph, why go through all this trouble when you could¡¯ve spared yourself the suffering by taking it out from the start?¡± Huangpu Qingtian sneered as he left with the vial in hand.


    He was far from done mocking them though, ¡°I¡¯ll let you guys off, this time. But in the off chance you find another Brimming Sacred Pill, do think of me and fetch it over. As you very well know, only the strong are entitled to wealth! You guys are sorely lacking, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The endless humiliation struck the trio hard. But not even their best could harm Huangpu Qingtian.


    The audience beyond the National Elemental Stone sighed. Huangpu Qingtian was of such insane power that not even a combination art between three geniuses could do anything to him.


    As they all had gotten so engrossed in the show, they had failed to notice two shadows hiding in the bushes.


    One of them snickered at Huangpu Qingtian leaving, ¡°He-he-he, this kid ain¡¯t half bad. He¡¯s just as they say, and the one we need. At least we didn¡¯t come to Tianyu for nothing.¡±


    The other shadow looked in another direction however. The first one noticed and found him eyeing Chu Qingcheng.


    ¡°Humph, by the looks of things, that crotchety geezer has found his target as well.¡± He sneered¡­

 Chapter 282 - Challenge

    ¡°Sister Qingcheng, are you alright?¡±


    Xiao Dandan rushed a helping hand to Chu Qingcheng. Xie Tianyang and Long Xingyun were helped by Xie Tianshang and Long Jie with Long Kui.


    All of them watched the triumphant king strut away with bitterness. Even the thousands of vassal disciples lowered their heads in despair.


    Drifting Flowers Edifices, Sword Marquise Abode and Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s morale was thoroughly shattered by Huangpu Qingtian. What could possibly instill a sense of courage in them now, to face the one who looked down upon them with such scorn?


    Yan Bangui and You Yushan, along with the nice doggies left behind, were full of crass and haughty looks. It seemed that following a master had its perks, a perk of showing off.


    By no means did they want to let this slide, but what could they do besides take the humiliation with lowered heads, trying to at least avoid the cocky faces of their oppressors.


    Chu Qingcheng bit her lip until she drew blood. The sigh she gave felt like it sapped all her strength, ¡°We need to find the key to the array now. Let¡¯s go!¡±


    The others turned to her with a sigh and a shake of their heads.


    What was originally a search for the array key, to become first and crowned champion in Dragon Cloud City, had now become an excuse for running away.


    The winner wasn¡¯t the first to return, but the one who snatched all Brimming Sacred Pills.


    Like Huangpu Qingtian said, only the strong could hold on to all of the riches. And they didn¡¯t fit the bill!


    At her words, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s step faltered for a second, but now he sported an even wider smirk of disdain.


    His lackeys were even more obvious in their mockery, laughing it up. Beyond the National Elemental Stone, Regent Estate¡¯s top figures were sporting the same disdain, to the sinking and wretched feelings their opposing faction was wallowing in.


    This battle had seemed to predict the winner. There was no point in fighting any longer. The gap in power was too huge to be even bridged¡­


    Rustle~


    At the sudden sound, Huangpu Qingtian snapped his eyes on the source with a frown, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±


    Whoosh~


    A panicked and bedraggled figure hopped out. He found Huangpu Qingtian and burst in tears of joy, ¡°Eldest young master, I finally found you! Save me!¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you.¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian squinted, ¡°Lin Xuanfeng you look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡±


    How the mighty had fallen. Lin Xuanfeng, of Six Dragons and One Phoenix, used to be a man of culture, of dignity. Now look at him, he was nothing but a bum scared of his own shadow. Although not undeserving, since he was also sporting a missing hand!


    Not just Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s team, but Chu Qingcheng¡¯s side as well jerked. The one legged man may be half-crippled but he still had some fight left in him. He would never look so jittery even if he met some serious danger.


    And yet¡­


    Look at him now. He was like a rabbit scared of his own shadow. What could have driven such fear into a man such as him?


    [And you call yourself Forest Fleeting Dragon?]


    Uncaring and ignorant of the looks he got, Lin Xuanfeng dashed behind Huangpu Qingtian, shivering and pointing at the trees, ¡°Eldest young master, save me! That freak is coming!¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s coming? You mean¡­¡± Then it hit Huangpu Qingtian and his mood turned heavy. Yet all he could sense were some spiritual beasts.


    Pa!


    Backslapping him into the air, Huangpu Qingtian cursed, ¡°What are you raving about? He¡¯s not coming!¡±


    ¡°He isn¡¯t? But I clearly heard him ten days ago how he wants to wring my neck!¡± Lin Xuanfeng didn¡¯t even register his red cheek, looking back from where he came with a bemused look and breathed easily.


    The gratified look, the sheer joy he was expressing of having faced death and escaped, only earned him looks of pity.


    [Just how terrified he must¡¯ve been to show such an expression of joy?]


    Beyond the National Elemental Stone, sympathizers of Chu Qingcheng¡¯s faction found Lin Xuanfeng to be in an even worse state.


    Merry Woods¡¯ House Lord Lin was between red and blue. The anger he felt from being shamed by this brat was barely contained.


    [You friggin¡¯¡­ I didn¡¯t send you to Esoteric Debate to flounce around and shame me, but to make me look good!]


    Oh, the cruel, cruel irony. He was mocking Drifting Flowers Edifices and the others getting stung by Huangpu Qingtian, but now it was his turn to face the music. He saw how his disciple disgraced him so and swished his head back in shame.


    [That¡¯s karma!]


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s team¡¯s eyes held a glimmer of hope.


    Huangpu Qingtian glared at Lin Xuanfeng with a cold face, ¡°You¡¯re saying you saw him ten days ago? But how did you get out alive? He could¡¯ve easily killed you if he wanted to.¡±


    ¡°Um, I, uh, never actually saw him.¡± Lin Xuanfeng jumped in fright, then lowered his head, confused, ¡°But I clearly heard him wanting to wring my neck.¡±


    ¡°What? You¡¯re telling me his voice alone scared you into running around for ten days? Useless!¡±


    Even hearing it himself got Huangpu Qingtian to blow his top, itching to cuff the man, again. Lin Rufeng gnashed his teeth, [God, how mortifying!]


    [You¡¯re a damn Dragon for god¡¯s sake! How in the hell did you get so scared into running for so long? And you didn¡¯t even see his shadow!]


    The rest mocked him on the inside and showed their disdain, even the audience beyond the National Elemental Stone. Some of the jokes were targeted at Lin Rufeng, who wanted nothing more than to bury his head from shame.


    [Even the broads from Drifting Flowers Edifices know to fight back against an impossible enemy, yet you jumped the gun, scared from just his voice!]


    Lin Xuanfeng could practically feel the ridiculous looks boring holes in his back and snapped at his snickering allies next to him, ¡°What are you laughing at? You¡¯d have run with your tail between your legs just the same if it were you instead.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, yeah, that brat sure is a calamity. We admit we¡¯d never face him alone, but even so, none of us would be so quick to lose their heads just from his voice. At the very least, we¡¯d wait to see him, you know? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Yan Bangui and You Yushan laughed it up.


    This only worked to launch the ones behind those two houses into a full blown laughter. Though they did have the modesty to shut up quite fast, in fear of what Merry Woods might do.


    One couldn¡¯t tell what was worse. Stifling their obvious laughter, evident from their red faces, or letting it out.


    Lin Xuanfeng went purple now and barked, ¡°You know nothing! Of how deadly that situation was! The guy didn¡¯t show himself but he took my hand from a thousand miles. You¡¯d have run too if you met with such a creepy situation!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng was still hopping about, his face a mask of anger.


    The laughter stopped and all eyes drew on the smooth stump of his arm. The dread creeped up their spines and robbed them of any jovial mood they ever had.


    [This can¡¯t be¡­]


    Huangpu Qingtian squinted and pulled the arm closer, ¡°You¡¯re saying you never saw the guy, yet he took your hand?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even realize what happened and the next thing I knew my hand was gone. And when he was threatening me, even the mountains quaked, as if a Mountain God awoke. I was scared out of my wits! What else was I supposed to do but flee?¡± Lin Xuanfeng wiped his brow from the foreboding feeling.


    The rest were tongue-tied.


    [Someone can actually do that? Take Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s hand, without his knowledge, from a thousand miles away?]


    Everyone, even the audience back in Dragon Cloud City was horrified. Such creepy ability was beyond the grasp of even a Radiant Stage expert!


    Huangpu Qingtian squinted and shouted at Chu Qingcheng, ¡°Tell that brat that we will be ten miles east of here. If you want the Brimming Sacred Pill back, tell him to look for me. I¡¯d like to see him try taking it from a thousand miles away!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian flicked his hand and left filled with battle spirit.


    The only one capable of stirring his will to fight may very well be Zhuo Fan in the whole of Tianyu.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s gang was stunned, [A challenge! One handed out personally by the glorious Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord, Huangpu Qingtian!] This was the greatest respect any martial fanatic could dream of.


    Xie Tianshang was practically green with envy! If Huangpu Qingtian had given a challenge to him instead, he¡¯d be bouncing and skipping in joy all year long.


    Taking a deep breath, Chu Qingcheng said ¡°The brat is cold and ruthless, but he is our only chance at winning this! Everyone is going to go and find Zhuo Fan!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was their only and last hope¡­

 Chapter 283 - Reversal

    A hundred man team was strolling through a dark and gloomy forest. They talked and laughed as if the deadly Beast King Mountain was a mere side show.


    The youth in the lead looked thoroughly bored, making sure to point it out every other step with a long drawn yawn.


    He was the fear of all Six Dragons and One Phoenix, the one and only Soaring Demonic Dragon, Zhuo Fan.


    Ever since he rescued this lot, he was made leader on the spot and was now taking point as they trekked through the woods.


    These guys were also weak as hell, being from third and second rate clans, hardly fast enough to keep up with him. And so, he had no choice but to put a break on things and slow down.


    The start of the trek was filled with a sombre mood, in fear of what was to come. But after a few encounters with 4-5th level spiritual beasts, each punctuated by Zhuo Fan¡¯s dirty look, it all changed.


    They were enraptured by Zhuo Fan¡¯s power, bringing not just a little sense of security in this hellhole. It got so bad they were treating the final battle as a sightseeing trip. As long as Zhuo Fan was around, their safety was guaranteed. Relaxation was given at this point.


    Zhuo Fan wished nothing more than to dump their sorry asses, but with Luo Yunhai having received Dugu Zhantian¡¯s righteous education, he was forced to bear with these dead weights in their painfully slow search for keys and exits.


    Honestly, Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t looking for Brimming Sacred Pills but for a way out.


    His dearest wish right now was for an exit and keys to get rid of those pests behind him and be home free!


    Bummer he was still stuck in this forest and wasting five days on top of that. Not only he didn¡¯t find a single key, the exits as well seemed bent on eluding him.


    Zhuo Fan sighed for the umpteenth time, twisted his head back at the laughing bunch, and snapped, ¡°Cut the chatter. We¡¯re not on a tour here. Be more serious and keep a close eye out for any exits or keys. Leave no bush unturned. The faster we find them, the faster we leave this place! You¡¯ll be safe then and I¡¯ll be free, got it?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± A shivering response welcomed Zhuo Fan¡¯s prestigious order. But gone three minutes and they were at it again. Without danger breathing down their necks every minute of the hour, anyone would chill out and relax knowing their lives were in safe hands.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mood sank even lower, wishing nothing more than to throw these useless guys to the wolves, or any spiritual beasts for that matter.


    He couldn¡¯t though, not with the genial and kind Xue Ningxiang around.


    [Mercy me, since when was I such a softie?]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s anger was flaring again.


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s charming and sweet smile came just in time and she placed a bright flowery wreath on him, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, for you. Please don¡¯t be angry.¡±


    ¡°How could I possibly be angry?¡± Forcing a smile, Zhuo Fan felt like crying.


    Luo Yunhai almost laughed. He was glad Ning¡¯er was here to curb big brother Zhuo¡¯s mean streak, or the man¡¯d be sorting this chilled and disorganized rabble into shape by now.


    And if one took his cruel methods into account, any shape these guys got into, well that would¡¯ve been closer to hell than anything. But the real question was, how many would¡¯ve gotten out with their lives?


    Luo Yunhai felt a shiver the moment he recalled the survival rate of Luo clan¡¯s guards¡¯ training regime.


    His ten guards were nothing short of freaks, but they all escaped death by the skin of their teeth. At one point in Zhuo Fan¡¯s classic disappearing act, Captain Pang divulged the secret of this cruel and inhumane ¡®training¡¯.


    When one out of a hundred elite youths to survive was a genuine cause for celebration.


    He was scared witless back then. They weren¡¯t shaping up guards, but killing machines at Luo clan¡¯s beck and call.


    He was in Dugu Zhantian¡¯s army for three years by then. Although these young guards had uncanny powers now, stauncher than even a general with decades of wars behind him, the cruelty of their training left him devastated. After careful deliberations with his sister, they put a stop to it.


    Luo clan was no longer welcoming youths to train.


    He hadn¡¯t met with a good opportunity to break this news to Zhuo Fan either. More like he didn¡¯t have it in him. He was scared for his life that Zhuo Fan would flip out and would start cursing him to high heaven.


    It got so bad that he decided there and then to keep this buried for all eternity¡­


    Rustle~


    The sudden movement from a bush earned Zhuo Fan¡¯s interest, ¡°Who¡¯s there? Come out now or stay dead forever!¡±


    ¡°Uh, big brother Zhuo, i-t¡¯s me!¡±


    A shy voice followed the appearance of Dong Xiaowan¡¯s red face followed by a sighing Dong Tianba. Every single time his sister saw Zhuo Fan, she¡¯d swoon and turn bashful, despite the guy never giving her second looks.


    And sure enough, Zhuo Fan turned to Dong Tianba. It was only Xue Ningxiang who rushed over and grabbed the girl¡¯s hands in joy, ¡°Sister Wan¡¯er, you¡¯re alright!¡±


    Dong Xiaowan smiled and sneaked a peek at Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, did you not find any other allies? Then join us, the weak, women and the children team!¡± Zhuo Fan pointed back at the casual rabble.


    Pff!


    Xue Ningxiang and Dong Xiaowan giggled. Xue Ningxiang rolled her eyes, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, where are we weak? We, hundred, even fought back Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s thousand. Though we were routed in the end and suffered a miserable defeat!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang stuck out her chin, while the said hundred nodded with red faces.


    In a dark brooding mood, Zhuo Fan glared back, ¡°You dare admit it when you¡¯re now just a lousy and lazy bunch?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it your fault?¡± Xue Ningxiang smiled, her words were quite sharp, ¡°It¡¯s your fault for being so strong. With you being our bastion of safety, we have no reason to even think about fighting.¡±


    Zhuo Fan felt like crying, [How is that sound logic?]


    But thanks to Xue Ningxiang intervening, Zhuo Fan readily accepted those words. If it were anyone else, he¡¯d kick him to the moon.


    Dong Xiaowan looked at Xue Ningxiang in admiration for being able to poke fun at big brother Zhuo so casually.


    Dong Tianba shook his head at his sister¡¯s infatuation and said in all seriousness, ¡°Brother Zhuo, I¡¯ll be honest. I have been looking for you by the order of Edifice Lord Chu!¡±


    ¡°Chu Qingcheng?¡±


    Zhuo Fan felt uneasy, ¡°Uh, shouldn¡¯t she be out there looking for keys, exits, and Brimming Sacred Pills? What¡¯s she doing going after me for?¡±


    Dong Tianba said, ¡°It¡¯s not quite correct to say it¡¯s Edifice Lord Chu, but Huangpu Qingtian issuing you a challenge! He has a Brimming Sacred Pill with him and heard of you taking Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s hand without even showing yourself. He thus challenged you to try and take the pill from him!¡±


    ¡°So he picked a spot to defend, waiting for me to answer his challenge?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    Dong Tianba nodded, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Then let the sucker wait. I¡¯ll just go get the other three Brimming Sacred Pills, the keys and find the exits. Only then I¡¯ll get the last pill from him and I¡¯ll be the true winner!¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, we now have time in spades and you guys need not worry about meeting Regent Estate. So split up and search, particularly for the Brimming Sacred Pill, and you¡¯ll be rewarded!¡±


    ¡°Ooh~!¡±


    They cheered, infected by Zhuo Fan¡¯s enthusiasm.


    Dong Tianba was stunned, ¡°Wait, brother Zhuo, won¡¯t honoring the challenge make the people call you coward? You¡¯re our ally. Don¡¯t you care about our reputation? We will never be able to lift our heads in their presence, a laughing stock to the world. We are all waiting for you to bring about a reversal!¡±


    ¡°Fool, just say you didn¡¯t find me. It¡¯ll work just as well. Plus, what does some lame thing like honor help me anyway? Once I get everything, I¡¯ll go bitch slap him good. That¡¯s the best way to earn the ultimate victory. So what¡¯s all the need to fuss about reversals and what not?¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned, finally in a perky mood, ¡°I never ever cared about such empty things in my life. What I can feel and use is what truly matters, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The rest laughed as well.


    Soaring Demonic Dragon was unorthodox, that was for sure. Now they saw why he was Regent Estate¡¯s headache over the last decade.


    [You think some measly challenge is enough to force one into showing up? For what, something as ephemeral as honor? While he in fact spits on anything remotely resembling it! He has none to begin with too!]


    [So what are you going to do now, huh?]


    [Soaring Demonic Dragon is not your average cultivator, he is the quintessence of demonic cultivation!]


    None saw Zhuo Fan for a coward, despite how it looked. Instead of thinking he was a disgraceful and honorless bastard, they thought of him as a man of courage and deep cunning. He played his enemies like a fiddle. That was how a true leader should act.


    [Following him, my future is limitless¡­]


    Dong Tianba knew Zhuo Fan¡¯s character and sighed, ¡°I have no choice but to report back to Edifice Lord Chu about your response. But Edifice Lord Chu won¡¯t just stand the humiliation and will one day¡­¡±


    ¡°Hold up, Huangpu Qingtian is challenging me. So if I won¡¯t go, she¡¯d only be shamed to have such an ally. What¡¯s this stand for humiliation anyway?¡± Zhuo Fan bemused.


    Dong Tianba sighed, recounting what happened, to the sombre Zhuo Fan.


    Dong Tianba finished with, ¡°In despair, Edifice Lord Chu told us to look for keys and go home. But Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s challenge brought about a glimmer of hope. And since you refuse to honor it¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Fine fine, I get it.¡±


    Zhuo Fan dismissed him. His eyes were raging, his fists clenched, ¡°Since he started all this, then I will have to finish it!¡±


    Dong Tianba was in glee, but not for long. What Zhuo Fan said next got him shuddering.


    ¡°He will have to pay dearly for messing with my people¡­¡±

 Chapter 284 - Whipped

    Ever since Chu Qingcheng got Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s challenge, her team didn¡¯t move from their spot, standing right next to the wood exit stone in the lush forest. Only the men under them were running to and fro in search of Zhuo Fan.


    But even after nine days, none that returned was bearer of any good news. This only worked to sink their moods even lower, not knowing when they could turn this humiliation around.


    It couldn¡¯t go on for much longer or their morale would collapse. There was no point by then to drag this Esoteric Debate out and going back home would be most advisable.


    Ha~


    Everyone sighed. Who knew the Esoteric Debate would be so cruel to them, to put their entire hopes on just one man?


    The audience beyond the National Elemental Stone were looking quite eager. Be it Drifting Flowers Edifices, or Regent Estate, each hoped to see Huangpu Qingtian and Zhuo Fan duke it out, to see who was the real victor in this final battle.


    ¡°The wood stone exit is up ahead?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Edifice Lord Chu is waiting there with the others.¡±


    A familiar voice entered their ears. Their eyes lit up and were thrilled to see the Dong siblings leading Zhuo Fan over. Even Luo Yunhai, Xue Ningxiang and many others were there as well.


    They were ecstatic as they surrounded them in an instant. Xie Tianyang was thrilled as well in his laughter, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re finally here. It¡¯s good that you are all alright!¡±


    [Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s how brothers that went through hell acts, happy to see each other. I am so happy I didn¡¯t cross thousands of mile in vain. Have no fear. Now that I¡¯m here, I¡¯ll make it all better. See how your brother will show you his power and swag!]


    Zhuo Fan smiled and opened his arms as he walked to Xie Tianyang.


    Only to have his hand flicked away as the guy made a beeline for Xue Ningxiang and her brothers, ¡°Ning¡¯er, ever since we separated from the teleportation, I searched heaven and earth to find you. I was worried sick! I¡¯m so relieved you¡¯re okay¡­¡±


    Xie Tianyang eased a breath that didn¡¯t know he was holding. Zhuo Fan¡¯s face twitched and snapped his cold eyes on the guy, ¡°Xie Tianyang, you didn¡¯t even care what might have happened to your dear brother?¡±


    ¡°You, a monster? I only care about myself, not you!¡± Snorted Xie Tianyang.


    The others laughed at their antics. Zhuo Fan was royally pissed though, wishing nothing more than to kick him where the sun didn¡¯t shine. [The least you can do is fake it, prick. Is this how a brother acts nowadays?]


    [You damn bastard clearly don¡¯t know the meaning of bros before women!]


    Dong Tianba saw Zhuo Fan sulking and was reminded of Song Yu, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, brother Zhuo, do you remember our chat in Drifting Flowers City? This is the kind of animal a man is. You¡¯re just the same so try to understand.¡±


    Glaring at him, Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t speak his irritation, [I¡¯m not some pit pony like you guys. I¡¯m not one to just throw my heart to any woman I see.]


    Dong Tianba laughed, knowing exactly what he was thinking.


    [Sometimes not even you know your true self¡­]


    Dong Tianba turned to Chu Qingcheng and bowed, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, I have found Zhuo Fan.¡±


    Nodding, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes never left Zhuo Fan. She walked over with a cold stare.


    Zhuo Fan felt killing intent smacking into him and saw her approaching with an icy stare. Shivering for some odd reason, Zhuo Fan even felt fear, but he kept his poker face up.


    ¡°Do you know why we looked for you?¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s tone was flat.


    Zhuo Fan nodded stiffly, ¡°Uh, yeah.¡±


    ¡°Then what are you staring at? Go already! It¡¯s high time you did your part as an ally and get to work!¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s pitiless stare bore into him. It was so cold it chilled even him.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t reply and simply took flight. He sighed inside.


    [After what happened in Dragon Cloud City, Chu Qingcheng must be hating my guts. It¡¯s better this way. We are only allies, nothing more.]


    A Demonic Emperor like him was better off casting such burdens off his shoulders as soon as possible.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes snapped into focus, vanishing from their sights as he increased his speed.


    Chu Qingcheng watched him leave with clear anger on her face.


    [He won¡¯t even greet me?]


    Xiao Dandan skipped over and said shyly, ¡°Uh, sister Qingcheng, aren¡¯t you perhaps too hard on darling?¡±


    ¡°What too hard? Nothing good comes out of working with a stone-cold man like him! And you, stop calling him darling left and right. He doesn¡¯t deserve to be called that by any woman!¡± Chu Qingcheng turned her rage on her and glared.


    Xiao Dandan jerked in fright. It was the first time she saw the proud Chu Qingcheng flaring like that.


    Then, a chuckle came.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, you¡¯ve been surrounded by an army of a thousand people, are you hurt anywhere?¡± Xue Ningxiang showed his worry after having heard what happened to her.


    Xue Ningxiang brushed his worry off, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Big brother Zhuo dropped by and saved us. He even ruined Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s hand! With big brother Zhuo around, nothing can touch us!¡±


    The rest of the newcomers nodded.


    They wouldn¡¯t soon forget how safe they were with Zhuo Fan around.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s mood soured, ¡°That prick is awesome and all, but rotten to the core. How can you stand it?¡±


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo is the picture of modesty! Although there are those he has to give a tongue lashing to, but he gets over his anger quite fast. We¡¯ve all been having a wonderful time around him so far!¡± Xue Ningxiang blinked her delusion-filled eyes.


    What was worse, the others nodded as well. They had been having such a nice stroll through Beast King Mountain over the days that even if they met a 6th level spiritual beast, they¡¯d even point it out to their sons to observe. They were so carefree they turned oblivious to the dangers.


    This would most likely be the only time they ever felt like this. Since the next time they¡¯d come here and meet a spiritual beast, they¡¯d end up as its dinner.


    To sum it up, it was all by Zhuo Fan¡¯s grace that they were so carefree.


    Xie Tianyang saw the worship in their eyes, the glitter in Xue Ningxiang¡¯s, and cursed inside, [Isn¡¯t this all on you? With that punk¡¯s lousy temper, he¡¯d never waste time with this bunch.]


    Luo Yunhai smiled, gratified Ning¡¯er was there with them.


    It only stoked Chu Qingcheng¡¯s range though. [How can he smile to others but be so damn cold to me?]


    Dong Tianba noticed and laughed dryly, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, I have something to say, but it may be inappropriate.¡±


    ¡°Get on with it!¡± Chu Qingcheng snapped.


    Dong Tianba said awkwardly, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, you also know of my past dealings. Of wandering from flower to flower, leaving not even the leaves¡­¡± He trailed off.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s glare scared him back on track as he explained, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, don¡¯t misunderstand, that is all in the past. Now I turned a new leaf, becoming a bastion of nobility and dignity.¡±


    ¡°Then why mention it?¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s icy glare bore into Dong Tianba¡¯s confidence.


    Dong Tianba sweated in fear, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, I just want to say that I may not have achievements and I¡¯m still ignorant in many aspects, but when it comes to romance, I am unrivaled! The way I see it, brother Zhuo may be swarmed by lilies, yet only three ever caught his eye. And he isn¡¯t even aware of it!¡±


    ¡°Oh~?¡± Chu Qingcheng perked an eyebrow, ¡°Go on.¡±


    Wiping his brow, Dong Tianba said, ¡°With my uncanny eyes, I noticed them being Luo Yunchang, Xue Ningxiang, and you, Edifice Lord Chu! Other women he never cared about, my sister, begrudgingly, included.¡±


    ¡°Why am I the last?¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s mood shifted on the spot, blaming him.


    Drifting Flowers Edifices sweated harder, [Ah, hell has no fury as a woman scorned¡­] A woman wasn¡¯t even amenable to take this list of names if she wasn¡¯t first. And Edifice Lord Chu was no ordinary woman either, but the leader of Drifting Flowers Edifices!


    But he still smiled, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, t-this is unrelated to your place in his heart. He only has feelings for you three. Please don¡¯t take it the wrong way.¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Chu Qingcheng nodded.


    Swallowing dryly, Dong Tianba turned serious, ¡°Brother Zhuo feels responsible for Luo clan¡¯s miss, showing the consideration of a kin. As for having developed into something more, I¡¯m unsure.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng nodded. Zhuo Fan always carried himself with a cold and indifferent air, but he was always good to the Luo clan. He was indeed taking it upon himself when it came to the clan¡¯s future.


    Dong Tianba then glanced at the cheerful Xue Ningxiang, ¡°As for young miss Xue, she is innocent and naive, a rarity in this world. Brother Zhuo sees her as his little sister, although hard to say if there¡¯s anything more between them.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng looked with a lost gaze as a smile crept her lips. She was such an innocent child that even women like her would pity the lass, not to mention some rotten men!


    Dong Tianba then came to the crux of it all and said fearfully, ¡°While Edifice Lord Chu is a woman of character, lofty and refined, deserving of the title Ascending Ice Phoenix. But brother Zhuo thinks of you as¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Chu Qingcheng asked impatiently.


    Dong Tianba gnashed his teeth, ¡°Henpecking him!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng blushed and a sweet and gooey/sappy happiness infected her heart.


    [Isn¡¯t that being whipped, under the wife¡¯s thumb?]


    [That makes me the closest among the three in his heart¡­]

 Chapter 285 - Demonic Dragon’s Advent

    Achoo~! Achoo~! Achoo~!


    Three outbursts disturbed Zhuo Fan¡¯s smooth sailing. It got so bad that he almost took an unscheduled dive.


    This had gone beyond mere cursing, they wanted to skin him alive. [Who the hell hates me so much? Is it Chu Qingcheng? Has her fury outmatched hell¡¯s?]


    Shuddering to his very core, Zhuo Fan shook the thought away.


    He was oblivious that it was totally unrelated to Chu Qingcheng, but instead the person responsible was his buddy-buddy brother. In fact, his intention was no different than flaying Zhuo Fan.


    Thank god he had no clue what Dong Tianba said, or he¡¯d panic, [This guy barely has any talent, yet makes for quite a love doctor. How is it that you know who my heart longs for before even I do?]


    Though he had to admire him for such skill, even when Dong Tianba only skirted the waters and never actually dipped.


    Zhuo Fan kept on flying in confusion. He soon arrived at his destination and released his Discerning Field.


    Hum~


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes lit up in joy. Huangpu Qingtian, the biggest headache, wasn¡¯t there.


    It couldn¡¯t be better. He¡¯d go in there and remove the pests first. Since if they laid a trap, they would harass him to no end. [That wouldn¡¯t do, wouldn¡¯t do at all!]


    He now recalled Luo Yunhai¡¯s warning. Huangpu Qingtian and company had something special in mind just for him. Lin Xuanfeng let it slip when he lost his cool and Zhuo Fan doubted he was so smart as to make it intentionally misleading.


    Zhuo Fan took it to heart as well. He may have Divine Eye of the Void as his ace in getting out of almost any situation, but he wasn¡¯t about to take unnecessary risks. Triumphant pride precipitates a dizzying fall. Zhuo Fan made sure to never make such an elementary mistake as letting power get to his head!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s figure flashed and thunder struck the earth the next second, picking up dust.


    People turned to look in fright. With only weak third and second rate clan members around, this loud and out of the blue noise had them on edge.


    But when the dust settled, they gasped.


    Soaring Demonic Dragon, Zhuo Fan?


    With a twisted grin, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes glanced over his future victims, ¡°I have come, as requested, for the Brimming Sacred Pill. Where is Huangpu Qingtian?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ eldest young master waited for days so he took young master You and young master Yan in search of the other four. Sir, why not wait for them?¡± An honest to god man, naive perhaps, spoke up fearlessly.


    This set Zhuo Fan¡¯s worries at ease. His grin grew wider, ¡°Am I to understand you stood me up?¡±


    ¡°Uh, no, never. It¡¯s you¡­¡±


    ¡°I am quite angry right now, and the consequences are deadly!¡± Zhuo Fan cut him off with his bloodthirsty gaze, ¡°Now, who do you think I should kill first?¡±


    They all felt like crying. [You clearly had this idea from the start!]


    [But¡­ how does this have anything to do with us!]


    [Huangpu Qingtian issued the challenge, not us. You didn¡¯t just miss the due date, but also saying that we stood you up¡­ that¡¯s clearly bullshit!]


    [We¡¯re just the little guys. Why take it out on us? Think we¡¯re easy targets, is that it?]


    Fear swept their hearts as they had long heard of Zhuo Fan¡¯s power. Be it the taunts he threw at the seven houses by killing their elders, or through the slaughter of thousands on the fighting stage.


    Not even Six Dragons and One Phoenix wanted to mess with him, least of all them!


    But then the demon came anyway. And to make matters worse, he landed just when the big boss was out on a stroll.


    Could they take him on?


    The bitter and resigned faces answered aplenty.


    ¡°Z-young master Zhuo, we are just errand boys! It would be a great dishonor to you sir, if you kill us!¡± Someone spoke up with a calm voice, quite odd when one took in the fearful gazes of the rest.


    The rest bobbed their heads and gave him a secret thumbs up.


    This line was a good deterrence to most big shots. Since it brought a bad taste in their mouth hearing rumors about them picking on the weak.


    The greater the man, the greater the deterrence.


    Take Six Dragons and One Phoenix for instance. As long as one left them be, they wouldn¡¯t go out of their way to be heavy handed on small fries. Not because of their lofty and noble characters, far from it, but because they felt it would become a stain on their pedigree.


    These guys were so puny, so insignificant, they weren¡¯t worth even tying a big shot¡¯s shoes, to say nothing of killing them.


    So, with that educated guess, drawn from Zhuo Fan¡¯s reputation being equal to Six Dragons and One Phoenix, they must be in the clear, probably. A shame they were dead wrong. The likes of Zhuo Fan only had self-interest above all else, not some useless and ephemeral thing like honor and glory.


    To an unscrupulous man such as him, appealing to his honor, or lack thereof, was an exercise in futility! Since in all his lives, he had stomped dead all who had ever tried it¡­


    Grinning from ear to ear, Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold eyes snapped on the man and a ripple swept him.


    His eyes lost their light and he slumped on the ground, dead.


    Killing with intent!


    The rest jumped back in abject fear.


    Despite the rumor mill going strong about Zhuo Fan, only after witnessing the true power of Radiant Stage had a dread set in like no other.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Whenever I kill, I do it on a whim. There¡¯s nothing else to it. As for my reputation and what not, ha-ha-ha, please, I am but a small steward of a poor third rate clan. I am far beneath your illustrious names! There¡¯s no dishonor whatsoever even if I tear you all apart.¡±


    It only worked to make them even more bitter.


    [This punk is a scumbag! Since when could a bloody, rotten and vile third rate clan¡¯s little steward mock the seven houses and get away with it?]


    [What modesty? He¡¯s clearly showing off!]


    Zhuo Fan picked up on their thoughts with a laugh, ¡°Yep, I¡¯m grandstanding, and I¡¯m only killing you to relieve my boredom. The kill count doesn¡¯t matter, what matters is the entertainment. Who told you to make an enemy out of me? Ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    Bang~


    As if thunderstruck, their minds went out of commission. They stood there, frozen and lost, scared to even speak.


    [God dammit all! He is a demon who escaped from hell whose sole purpose is to relieve his boredom! He is a psychopath who has no value for life!]


    Not even those hedonistic disciples from the seven houses were that bent on a murder spree.


    [This guy has lost it, he¡¯s psychotic!]


    The fear was closely working its way up to their tipping point, but Zhuo Fan¡¯s last words remained nonetheless, [Who told you to make an enemy out of me?]


    It couldn¡¯t be a more fitting description. They were all gripped by the fear of ending up another bloody smear on the ground, but in the back of their minds, an obsession was ingrained. None could fight Zhuo Fan, he was out for blood!


    And that was what Zhuo Fan aimed for all along.


    He may not get the respect of everyone, but he would get their fear. Humans clung to life, tooth and nail. As long as they feared him, they¡¯d never dare do anything against him. Regardless of what plot Huangpu Qingtian was cooking, if he got the help of these simps, he¡¯d foil it when Huangpu Qingtian least expected.


    While also gifting these helpers of his a heart demon.


    And to make sure the heart demon wasn¡¯t going away anytime soon, his eyes flashed and three more people collapsed.


    They were positively despairing at this point.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, how amusing. While we wait for Huangpu Qingtian, I¡¯ll take out my boredom on you! Now, who¡¯s next?¡±


    Zhuo Fan broke into his trademark evil grin.


    The targets of his creepy glinting eyes shivered and crumbled from fear. But there was one who shouted, ¡°Run!¡±


    That woke them up somewhat. If they didn¡¯t flee now, they¡¯d be toyed to death at this point.


    They all broke out into a frantic scramble to keep their poor lives intact.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, but didn¡¯t budge. He didn¡¯t really want to kill them, not that many at least. He merely wanted to drive the fear of the devil in them.


    Although, to make this play of his more believable, Zhuo Fan took merely two steps and killed another five Bone Tempering experts.


    The rest thought Zhuo Fan was on the hunt and ran like mad. With so many of them and only one of him, someone was bound to get out alive. Right?


    Each hoped he¡¯d be the lucky winner.


    They prayed for it too, never slowing down for a second.


    Zhuo Fan cackled from behind, instilling the horrors of what was to come into their very souls. He found them almost out of his sight, but all he did was shake his head.


    He wasn¡¯t an addict getting his fix by killing, it was all so he could shroud them in a thick and unshakable shadow so that when the time came, they¡¯d foil Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s big plan from the inside.


    Since he drove his point quite clean through, chasing them had lost its purpose.


    And that guy was right about one thing, Zhuo Fan would never care about some small fries.


    Smirking, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed, waiting for Huangpu Qingtian.


    But then he heard a faint breathing.


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan flipped around and snapped, ¡°Come out!¡±


    Zhuo Fan moved faster than the other person and grabbed at the target¡¯s hiding place. But what he saw left him speechless¡­

 Chapter 286 - I’ll Send You To Hell Together

    ¡°Yan Fu?¡±


    Zhuo Fan shouted.


    Yan Fu was Vicious Pill King¡¯s prized pupil. When he got Yan Song to work under him, among other reasons, he also threatened Yan Fu¡¯s life, ultimately making Yan Song cave.


    It was obvious how much Elder Yan cared about the kid.


    So, as a good steward, Zhuo Fan was looking for the chance to get Yan Fu to switch sides as well, and bring the master and disciple back together in one big happy family. Though a chance never came, until now.


    It wasn¡¯t like he was swamped with work, but more along the lines of he couldn¡¯t find Yan Fu. He lucked out by bumping into him in Dragon Cloud City, but there was no way he could talk to him in front of the seven houses, that was for sure.


    Who¡¯d have ever conceived it possible, the two of them would finally reconnect after many, many years. Though the circumstances were perhaps particularly awkward to explain his way out of.


    It wasn¡¯t either about Huangpu Qingtian finding out he¡¯d be stealing him from right under his nose. What was a little more hatred when there was no love lost between them to begin with.


    Just that it would get this guy in the crossfire, and whittle down his life to nothing. Yan Song would never forgive him for this.


    He never ever owed anybody anything, and the same applied to everyone.


    Yan Fu found his leg in Zhuo Fan¡¯s clutches but realized the demon wasn¡¯t going in for the kill. He looked on oddly and stopped shivering, trying to calm his errant heart as well.


    Scared out of his mind his taunt earlier would earn him a gruesome death, he ducked for cover the instant Zhuo Fan touched down. Only to hear him wanting to have a blast at the expense of others¡¯ lives, driving such horror into his heart he couldn¡¯t even move.


    His only hope was that the demon would leave once he had his fill of killing.


    Who was to know once the dust settled, the demon himself would come after his head? He even found his hidey hole like nothing!


    It terrified him!


    But figuring out Zhuo Fan had no intention of harming him emboldened him, perhaps the death of his master had some part in this as well. Yan Fu stuck out his chin and bellowed at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Humph, you damn demon! I vow to get revenge for killing my master!¡±


    ¡°And how exactly?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    His mood sinking, Yan Fu gnashed his teeth in humiliation, ¡°Yeah, with my power I can never defeat you! And now I¡¯m in your clutches. Kill me if you have the guts. Let me go see my master! I am unworthy of taking revenge, but the least I can do is go serve him in the underworld.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded inside.


    [The kid is a coward and a lecher, but he is filial to his master, I¡¯ll give him that much. I can see why Elder Yan doted on him.]


    ¡°Rest assured, I won¡¯t kill you. As for your master¡­¡± Zhuo Fan was about to explain, but a sudden noise cut him off.


    Whoosh~


    Four figures landed a hundred meters off Zhuo Fan, with Huangpu Qingtian in the lead. The other three were Yan Bangui, You Yushan and Lin Xuanfeng.


    The three looked grave while only Huangpu Qingtian took it easy. But there was no way to hide the raging battle lust in his eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re here.¡± Huangpu Qingtian said.


    Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°How could I possibly refuse young master Huangpu¡¯s invitation?¡±


    Taking in the dozen corpses around, Huangpu Qingtian said, ¡°You¡¯re Soaring Demonic Dragon in name and reality. You won¡¯t spare even the weak!¡±


    ¡°Humph, with your strength, you¡¯re only shaming yourself stooping so low!¡± You Yushan vented his ire.


    Zhuo Fan just shrugged, ¡°I was only playing around. Don¡¯t tell me they¡¯re worth crying over.¡±


    ¡°Of course not, but now that I¡¯m here, if you still want to play, come after me!¡± Huangpu Qingtian shook his head, hardly caring about some low lives.


    He then turned to Yan Fu, ¡°Finish the kid off if you want to. Then I¡¯ll teach you true power!¡±


    Yan Fu shivered from indignation.


    Ever since his master kicked the bucket, he was reduced to being treated like those common third and second rate clansmen. And not just Huangpu Qingtian looked down on him, not even his clan¡¯s Yan Bangui spoke in his defense!


    [Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯m a true pariah now!]


    [It won¡¯t matter now. For us master and disciple to die at Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand is only fitting. At least Zhuo Fan is our enemy. If I would¡¯ve died because of my clansmen, I¡¯d truly die with regrets.]


    Forlorn, Yan Fu sighed and closed his eyes. He may have thought so, but how could he let go so easily after being cast out by his house?


    His hatred now changed from Zhuo Fan to the same house that raised him¡­


    Zhuo Fan nodded inside. He grabbed his neck and hoisted him and spun on his feet. Intentional or not, it just so happened to block Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s vision.


    ¡°Yan Fu, a man of your grief and emotion, letting you live will make the pain so much sweeter! He-he-he, I just love seeing my enemies trudge through life in pain and suffering. I won¡¯t kill you now. but if you still yearn for death, come find me! I¡¯ll send you to hell, to see the ghost of your master.  ¡°


    Zhuo Fans ended on a heavy tone and a slap at Yan Fu¡¯s chest. Out of anyone else¡¯s notice, he also slipped a jade in his clothes.


    Yan Fu¡¯s eyes shot wide open, but then he saw Zhuo Fan¡¯s vague smile, ¡°Remember, if you find life to be too much of a torment, come find me! I¡¯ll surely send you off to hell to your master!¡±


    Zhuo Fan then flung him away.


    Yan Fu was dirty and wretched, but his eyes lit up and clutched his chest.


    Huangpu Qingtian looked skeptical, ¡°Zhuo Fan, I never knew you for your mercy, especially on a waste!¡±


    ¡°What can I say, I¡¯m a saint!¡± Zhuo Fan shrugged.


    Everyone rolled their eyes. [If you¡¯re a saint then the whole world is filled with demons!]


    Squinting, Huangpu Qingtian played around, ¡°Since you don¡¯t want to land the final blow, let me help you!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian struck a palm at Yan Fu.


    Yan Fu was rooted in place from fear as he cried.


    Yan Fu was useless, true, but he was their waste. [Why would the eldest young master kill off one of his own?]


    Yan Fu was close to peeing himself when the almighty strike stopped just an inch off his head. The wind it picked up ruffled his black hair, but also paralyzed him.


    Squinting, Huangpu Qingtian turned to Zhuo Fan who watched the strike in interest, knowing full well what he was doing.


    He also seemed to encourage Huangpu Qingtian to finish the waste off. As if he was eager to see the allies tearing each other up.


    Huangpu Qingtian took back his palm, still staring at Zhuo Fan.


    [Was I mistaken?]


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why stop?¡± Zhuo Fan urged him full of eagerness.


    Huangpu Qingtian said, ¡°He is useless and I want to deal with him as well, but what do you know, I¡¯m also feeling a bit of a saint myself.¡±


    The two burst out laughing.


    While the four witnesses looked on in fear.


    [These two vile tyrants are that damn rotten to call themselves saints?]


    [Humph, degenerates, the both of them!]


    Of course, they kept it to themselves if they knew what was good for them. With Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord and Soaring Demonic Dragon¡¯s tempers, these savage beasts would tear them limb from limb otherwise.


    Case in point, one only had to throw a look at Forest Fleeting Dragon¡¯s sorry state.


    Glancing at the one legged man, the other three knew perfectly well when to keep their mouth shut. Huangpu Qingtian and Zhuo Fan were not ones to take any complaints without dishing out extra punishment.


    Yet they all failed to realize a shadow peering out as they were engrossed in the play.


    ¡°Eh? Is that Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord, Huangpu Qingtian? The same one who doesn¡¯t care about anyone? Ha-ha-ha, how amusing, he isn¡¯t average at all! But compared to him, Zhuo Fan is more along my tastes as a demonic cultivator! Nice power, good skills, but¡­ who is stronger among them? I am not one to pick up trash and take back the loser!¡±


    Snickering, the shadow spoke as if he was fetching livestock.


    ¡°Who knew Tianyu birthed so many wonderful goods? I didn¡¯t waste time coming here, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±

 Chapter 287 - Blindsided

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s get to it. You must be here for the Brimming Sacred Pill I wager. But don¡¯t think for a second it¡¯s going to be that easy to take it from me.¡±


    Having dispensed the probing, Huangpu Qingtian snickered as he flashed the storage ring on his finger, ¡°Come, show me what you¡¯re made of!¡±


    Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and shrugged, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you take me for an idiot? Fighting on your turf and on your own terms is retarded!¡±


    ¡°Yes, exactly so!¡± Huangpu Qingtian nodded as he boasted, ¡°But if not for that, what are you even doing here? And without defeating me, you¡¯ll never get this pill¡­¡±


    Whoosh~


    He didn¡¯t finish as his ring vanished, now in Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s right eye flashed golden as he mocked, ¡°You were saying?¡±


    Everyone watched on in shock.


    They shuddered incredulously at what they just witnessed. Even the ever calm and stalwart Huangpu Qingtian had a reaction.


    [How did he do that?]


    The observer in the shadows also cried out, ¡°What art did this kid use? It¡¯s so weird even I couldn¡¯t sense it!¡±


    Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°I only came for the Brimming Sacred Pill. With that done, buh-bye!¡±


    Zhuo Fan unfolded his wings and shot into the air before vanishing.


    The rest were so out of it they couldn¡¯t even react. They were in complete fear of his mystical art.


    When they finally did snap out of it, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s face twisted. Toyed around like that never happened to him.


    ¡°Eldest young master¡­¡± You Yushan began.


    Huangpu Qingtian dismissed him with a wave and turned to Lin Xuanfeng,  ¡°Give me the ring!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng hopped over with flattery, ¡°He-he-he, eldest young master is amazing, leaving the ring with the pill in my care. Zhuo Fan would be blowing his top when he finds out all he got was nothing, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian was not in the least bit amused of having duped his enemy. He took the ring as he sounded morose, ¡°I only did it to not lose the pill. He¡¯d never realize I¡¯d be willing to leave the pill to a cripple. But never thought it would show its worth so fast.¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan is not easy to deal with!¡± Clenching his fist, Huangpu Qingtian spat.


    Lin Xuanfeng was sullen. Huangpu Qingtian only referred to him as a cripple nowadays. The other two nodded solemnly.


    But then Huangpu Qingtian found an eerie breeze pass by him and when he opened his palm, the ring was gone.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s heart sank as he raved, ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    ¡°Tone it down. What do you want with me anyway?¡± Zhuo Fan grinned victoriously as he came from a bush.


    The three lackeys jumped behind Huangpu Qingtian in fright. [Didn¡¯t he just fly off? What¡¯s he doing back?]


    Huangpu Qingtian glared, ¡°It was you just now!¡±


    ¡°Yep, what was I supposed to do with a fake ring anyway?¡± Zhuo Fan tossed the two rings around, taunting, ¡°Young master Huangpu, who knew even you are scared of something, unwilling to give me the true location of the pill and tried to cheat me out of it instead. Are you perhaps afraid you were gonna lose?¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian trembled as the rage got the best of him, ¡°I never said the pill was on me, just waving my hand around. It¡¯s your fault for jumping to conclusions.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, sophistry!¡± Zhuo Fan put the two rings on his fingers and snickered, ¡°But I got the pill this time, so I¡¯ll be going. For real this time. Later people!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was gone.


    They all watched in shock, coming and going without a sign. Huangpu Qingtian released his soul sense in fear Zhuo Fan might be playing another trick.


    Only after he knew the coast was clear, did Huangpu Qingtian ease his breath.


    His mood dangerously low, Huangpu Qingtian felt horrendous having suffered so much. He had gone and challenged Zhuo Fan in front of so many people¡­


    And what did that get him? Losing the pill faster than he got it. How could he possibly take it at face value?


    You Yushan inched closer to Huangpu Qingtian in worry, ¡°Eldest young master, short term gains aren¡¯t important. Zhuo Fan is too much of a variable with mystical abilities. We need to find a way to deal with his disappearing acts. If we can¡¯t trap him, the day we fight he¡¯ll take us down one by one while we won¡¯t even touch him. We can¡¯t have that!¡±


    The other two nodded. They felt utterly powerless in the face of Zhuo Fan¡¯s shifting around unrestrained.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°Sir Leng already predicted this. Isn¡¯t our earlier plan all to deal with him?¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­¡± You Yushan said, ¡°I see. I¡¯ll gather the scattered people and instruct them harder¡­¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian waved his hand, ¡°Zhuo Fan terrified them. They are obsolete. Just leave them to die on Beast King Mountain. Go after our vassals that are still missing. Have them help instead.¡±


    They were all shocked by Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s cruelty. These people had only been with them for around ten days and were quite hard working. And yet they were cast away like broken toys.


    Huangpu Qingtian could tell what was on their minds, ¡°Do you know the difference between a help and a burden?¡±


    They shook their heads.


    Huangpu Qingtian mocked, ¡°A help assists me in achieving what I want and a burden works against me. It will one day mean the difference between life and death!¡±


    The three blinked, still unconvinced. They knew of this of course, but weren¡¯t getting where he was going with this.


    Huangpu Qingtian snickered, ¡°They would¡¯ve helped me before, in dealing with this spawn. But now, they are terrified of Zhuo Fan and will be an inconvenience to us. Letting them participate regardless will pose a grave danger to us, even death. This is why I threw them away. Or would you rather have Zhuo Fan kill you because of some dead weights?¡±


    They finally understood and looked at him in admiration.


    [Huangpu Qingtian is the eldest young master for a reason. Such insight, such cunning, like a true emperor!] The shadow nodded from afar, pleased by Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s character.


    Glancing at them, Huangpu Qingtian continued, ¡°You Yushan, weren¡¯t you curious why I let Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯ group off? Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯ll tell you. Because they are all Zhuo Fan¡¯s burdens. If they die, Zhuo Fan will be uncontrollable, even to us. But now, with Chu Qingcheng helping us without knowing, we will grasp this chance to deal with him for good!¡±


    The three gave their thumbs up.


    Even lumped together, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s gang was still as weak as if they were alone. While if Zhuo Fan was left alone, he may one day come to reap their lives.


    Using these people to tie Zhuo Fan down was the best bet.


    It was such an obvious trap that even Zhuo Fan had no choice but to jump right in.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes shined, regaining control of the situation.


    Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan was cruising the skies, yet didn¡¯t feel like a winner at all. He already guessed Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s thinking, but he still couldn¡¯t get himself to cast aside all those people.


    And that was the least of his worries. The biggest headache was how easily Huangpu Qingtian could do it while he found it impossible.


    Just now after he let Yan Fu go, Huangpu Qingtian grew suspicious of Yan Fu. His suspicions had no real reason and yet he made the prompt decision to attack Yan Fu.


    If not for Zhuo Fan being an Oscar level actor, Yan Fu would¡¯ve been a smear on the ground.


    He was cruel enough to kill any doubts than let any mistake slip by. He always watched Zhuo Fan even as he attacked, but stopped short of killing to not give Zhuo Fan more reasons to mock him.


    Other than that, Yan Fu would¡¯ve been totally dead!


    In this way one had so many burdens on his shoulders, while the other had nothing tying him down. Zhuo Fan found himself at a disadvantage in this psychological warfare, having to accept everything he was attacked with.


    [Even though I say the demonic path is cruel and pitiless, going to battle with so many burdens will be hard!]


    [I need to get the keys and exits to let them out as soon as possible!]


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth as he shot for Chu Qingcheng like lightning¡­

 Chapter 288 - A Hero’s Return

    Whoosh!


    With a crack of thunder, Zhuo Fan made his entrance before Chu Qingcheng.


    They all whipped their heads towards him, their eyes glinting. Their entire morale rested on whether or not Zhuo Fan could bring back the stolen Brimming Sacred Pill.


    Jitteriness rose as all eyes took in his prideful stance, keeping them in suspense.


    And the audience beyond the wood National Elemental Stone was no different.


    This was the first contact between Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian, the strongest duo in this battle. Losing it would plunge their morale to rock bottom and the only sensible choice would be going home.


    But it didn¡¯t stop there. Their vassals¡¯ trust in the three houses would splinter, weakening their image in the populace¡¯s eye. It was the worst outcome as it affected their growth, especially now when an all out war with the Regent Estate¡¯s faction was just around the corner.


    A trickle of sweat fell down Grandmother, Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng¡¯s cheeks as the tension spiked.


    Zhuo Fan took a deep breath before grinning. He juggled the two storage rings and snickered, ¡°Now which ring holds the Brimming Sacred Pill, you reckon?¡±


    The words still hadn¡¯t sunk in, from their momentary daze. But the next reaction was explosive. Everyone cheered.


    Zhuo Fan obviously got the pill!


    Everyone was moved at that point.


    Thinking back a few days ago, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s overpowering might had plunged them into despair. How were they supposed to even face such a monster?


    But Zhuo Fan came back victorious, recovering the pill from the clutches of that monster. Such a feat worked wonders for their battered hearts from fear and shame, surging in them the will to fight.


    Even the ever composed Grandmother showed a rare trace of joy on her features. She turned to her two allies and burst out laughing.


    Dugu Zhantian eased a breath, nodding at the figure beyond the National Elemental Stone, ¡°The kid is a loose cannon, but he always comes through when it counts. If it were a war, the act of recovering the pill would instill our army greater morale than any won skirmish could ever do.¡±


    Fang Qiubai smiled thinly. This only confirmed he made the right choice when he braved in picking him to face Huangpu Qingtian. He was the only one of the younger generation who could achieve it.


    But then Fang Qiubai caught onto something and brought it to Dugu Zhantian¡¯s attention, ¡°Old Marshal, what is that?¡±


    Dugu Zhantian squinted and cursed inside. [That punk isn¡¯t a pushover in the least. He even dares to go against my orders!]


    In a remote corner, among the three allied houses¡¯ group, Liu Yizhen was seen on and off, cheering.


    Esoteric Debate only allowed those below the age of thirty to participate, the old geezer was clearly out of the question. Dugu Zhantian, himself, even stated he was going to cut down with impunity, any and all cheaters. But wasn¡¯t that guy a man of the Luo clan?


    ¡°Uh, Sir Fang, my eyes must¡¯ve failed me. I can¡¯t see anything amiss.¡± Dugu Zhantian played the fool.


    Fang Qiubai laughed. In any case, both of their priorities were skewed in Luo clan¡¯s favor. But who¡¯d have thought the old marshal, the one immovable and strict man, would cover for Luo clan!


    [Since when did a friggin¡¯ Radiant Stage expert¡¯s eyesight go bad?]


    He must really like that fifth godson of his to be this biased. He¡¯d never do this otherwise, not with how righteous the man was.


    That was for the best, since it was all for His Majesty¡¯s sake. In protecting Luo clan, one had to be flexible and ignore ¡®minor¡¯ hiccups.


    Fang Qiubai was worried this would¡¯ve ruffled Dugu Zhantian¡¯s feathers.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s fine. I just saw an interesting spiritual beast that caught my attention. But since Marshal¡¯s eyesight is poor, nevermind.¡±


    Fang Qiubai rubbed his beard. Dugu Zhantian blushed, knowing fully well he was teased, so he chose to turn a blind eye.


    Plus, he vowed this would be the first and last time he¡¯d ever cross his own word.


    Zhuge Changfeng kept a close eye on Zhuo Fan as a smile played on his lips. Then he gave a long look at Huangpu Tianyuan before chuckling, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Estate Lord Huangpu, it seems in this skirmish, the young master came out at the bottom!¡±


    ¡°Victory and defeat are common in war!¡±


    It was the steward, Unwonted Contriver Leng who deigned a response to Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s provocation.


    The way it came at no surprise to the Regent Estate, he seemed to have foreseen a long time ago that Huangpu Qingtian would lose.


    Zhuge Changfeng squinted, ¡°Oh? Sir Leng was expecting this, I see. I take it you¡¯ve taken ample preparation as well.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re too kind. I made a fool of myself before Prime Minister with my coarse skills. They are merely useful in dealing with pests.¡± Leng Wuchang¡¯s eyes shined.


    Zhuge Changfeng nodded, returning to watch the National Elemental Stone, the cheering bunch therein, and sighed, ¡°These kids are quick to celebrate. It won¡¯t matter if this trifling victory has gotten to the heads of the weak ones, but Steward Zhuo, if even you are taken in by it, I¡¯d be dreadfully disappointed¡­¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng watched him hailed by the crowd as a hero¡­


    The man in question took the Brimming Sacred Pill¡¯s vial from the ring and showed it off to all, ¡°See here? I¡¯ve returned triumphant!¡±


    ¡°We see!¡±


    They all shouted in joy and respect.


    With a wicked grin, Zhuo Fan stashed it into his own ring, weirding out the crowd.


    The 8th grade pill was a treasure in and of itself that not even the seven houses had one. The least he could do was popping the cork to let them catch a glimpse of it.


    Zhuo Fan merely coughed and changed the subject, ¡°Alright, the show is over, break it up. We need to find the other pills and keys. Our goal is to win this Esoteric Debate!¡±


    Ugh!


    They all looked at him with dark faces.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, are you planning on hogging the pill?¡± Xie Tianyang¡¯s face twitched.


    Zhuo Fan put on a pained look as he cursed, ¡°Xie Tianyang, is this how my brother, going through thick and thin, should act? Don¡¯t you trust me? Am I one to just hog it to myself? Am I that selfish?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    The crowd had spoken. Xie Tianyang said coldly, ¡°It¡¯s because of the endless troubles we¡¯ve passed. I know exactly just who you are! Zip it and hand it over. Nothing is safe in your hands, especially that 8th grade pill.¡±


    The others joined in, but only as a joke. With Zhuo Fan as the strongest there, no place was safer than with him.


    Zhuo Fan feigned anger, ¡°Since you don¡¯t trust me, then I¡¯ll eat it right in front of you. Besides, I got it back with my own efforts. Try to take it from me if you want it!¡±


    ¡°Tch!¡±


    They all flicked their hands. Xie Tianyang even went a step further, ¡°See that? I know this friggin¡¯ guy¡¯s character better than I know myself. If hustling is a bust, he just switches to daylight robbery. Not to mention anything that ends up in his hands will never see the light of day!¡±


    The others cracked up. Xue Ningxiang was bursting with joy, not caring at all of the value of that bauble.


    The mood made them seem like one big happy family, laughing their troubles away. They seemed to have returned to the peaceful and safe days of Allbeast Mountain Range a while back.


    This was all thanks to Zhuo Fan. He instilled courage in their hearts while also dispelling the thick dread Huangpu Qingtian cast over them.


    It just came to them that even the almighty Huangpu Qingtian wasn¡¯t infallible. At the very least, Zhuo Fan was there to give them a fighting chance.


    Once the cheerfulness passed, the three houses¡¯ head disciples began discussing serious matters.


    Xie Tianshang began, ¡°Brother Zhuo, you are the strongest here and also brought the Brimming Sacred Pill back. That makes it yours. The stronger you are, the greater our chances!¡±


    The rest nodded.


    They were all quite keen on having it for themselves, but with it being Zhuo Fan¡¯s spoil, it belonged to him by right. Moreover, a boosted Zhuo Fan would give them an edge in getting the other pills out there. This was the best outcome for their alliance.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head though, ¡°I can¡¯t, brother Xie. Did you really think Huangpu Qingtian waited ten days for me with the 8th grade pill instead of eating it? Just so I could steal it?¡±


    Xie Tianshang frowned.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Because he won¡¯t dare!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± came their shocked response while Zhuo Fan explained, ¡°It takes a long time to absorb it completely. If an enemy comes in that time, the slightest distraction would render it wasted, if not incur a heavy wound. So before a clear outcome has come from our conflicts, neither side would be willing to eat it.¡±


    The sudden realization made them look at Zhuo Fan in a new light.


    Thanks to his reminder, they could now curb the irresistible lure of the Brimming Sacred Pill the moment they found it. They were grateful for having avoided death if an enemy found them in such a vulnerable moment.


    They were clearly overthinking things though. Why would Huangpu Qingtian get rid of such delicious bait and help Zhuo Fan instead?


    Not to mention, Huangpu Qingtian was sure to drop by the instant any of them found one, and appropriated it. They¡¯d never get the chance to even swallow it!


    These thoughts left Zhuo Fan sighing, [The sooner I send them home the better¡­]

 Chapter 289 - The Second Pill’s Location

    ¡°Report!¡±


    A shout caught their attention. A man was rushing over sweaty and in ragged garments.


    He fell to one knee before them, ¡°Y-young masters, we have found the second Brimming Sacred Pill¡¯s location.¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡± They all perked up. Zhuo Fan¡¯s advice did the trick but even so, they were still yearning to go out there and get the pill themselves.


    Was it that easy to just let this chance pass by? It held the promise of getting a new Radiant Stage expert in their house and increase their power significantly.


    Then came their united reply, ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°Fifty miles out, Killing Blood Marsh!¡± The man cupped his hands. He truly rendered a service worthy of a reward, ¡°Five days ago, we were tasked with finding young master Zhuo. By happenstance, we stumbled into a vial of Brimming Sacred Pill in that place. Whether a coincidence or not, the pill is now deep in the nest of a 3rd level spiritual beast, Blood Croc. We opted to report rather than risk our lives.¡±


    Blood Croc?


    That put a damp on their joyous moods.


    The Blood Croc was a pack spiritual beast, and very territorial. Despite a mere 3rd level spiritual beast, their numbers deterred even a Radiant Stage expert from approaching.


    The easiest way to establish their strength was to look at how big this nest was.


    Long Xingyun spoke, ¡°How many?¡±


    ¡°Oh, forgive my forgetfulness. It is around thirty thousand heads!¡± The man stammered.


    Sss~


    The shock was easily seen on everyone¡¯s faces.


    Thirty thousand Blood Crocs. Not even ten Radiant Stage experts or a hundred Profound Heaven experts could come out unharmed out of such a scuffle. Least of all their rabble of two-three thousand men.


    The instant they charged, the Blood Crocs would tear them to pieces.


    Thus they all turned their heads to Zhuo Fan to see his take on this.


    The man in question was eerily calm, dissing the trouble with a wave, ¡°Lead the way.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, you can do it?¡± They looked on in hope.


    With a vague smile, Zhuo Fan was playing coy, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, we¡¯ll know when we get there.¡±


    And proceeded to walk southwest. Being all mysterious worked, making the rest follow him in shock.


    No wonder a puny and forgotten Luo clan reached such a height. This guy was overpowered. He always came through despite adversities.


    Luo Yunhai, Xue Ningxiang and the hundred people Zhuo Fan brought followed him the instant he made a move. For the first two it was an obvious choice, as for the hundred people, vassals to different houses,  they went after Zhuo Fan like sheep after a shepherd.


    Besides, what difference would it make if they were behind Luo clan when the houses they were vassals to were all allies? [You should at least go with your master even if so!]


    They couldn¡¯t help it though, not when Zhuo Fan was a beacon of safety, willing to follow him everywhere with unflinching determination.


    Too bad the lucky Luo clan had yet to become a house, or these guys would¡¯ve switched camps on the spot.


    ¡°The kid is taking everyone from us. I can already see how the Esoteric Debate ends. With half of our vassals willing to follow Luo clan.¡± Long Xingyun sighed.


    Xie Tianshang shrugged, ¡°That¡¯s how charisma works. Be it a mighty emperor or just a clan head, they all have to have some amount of personal magnetism. We all do! But in Zhuo Fan¡¯s case, while ours is but a mere glint, his shines like a radiant star!¡±


    Xie Tianshang followed closely as well. Long Xingyun chuckled right behind him. Chu Qingcheng thoughtfully watched the prideful and solitary figure in front before coming too.


    The wood exit was soon barren of people, all going for the Killing Blood Marsh.


    The audience beyond the wood National Elemental Stone found the entertainment waning and returned to the seats Dugu Zhantian provided.


    All while speculating how Zhuo Fan managed to relieve Huangpu Qingtian of the pill.


    It was clear by his appearance that no blows were traded, so how¡­


    The man in question was now taking a stroll. Perhaps the exhaustion of the past few days never left him and only made him grow weary, culminating in this slow pace.


    Yet it only worked to put Long Xingyun¡¯s group on edge. They were itching to get to the Killing Blood Swamp first. It was funny how the Esoteric Debate of this century had been reduced to an 8th grade pill hunt.


    Zhuo Fan was not in the least bit hurried, taking his sweet time. While he was at it, he had the others scout the surroundings as they made their way forward.


    The way he saw it, Brimming Sacred Pill was merely a reward to the winner of this final battle. It made little sense to look for it when the exits and keys held a far greater importance.


    With them on his hands, he had to find a way out, especially for a certain useless bunch. It just so happened to be working fabulously in easing his burden too.


    So he toned down on his speed, using this time to have the rest search for the keys. Long Xingyun¡¯s group found it incomprehensible. They wished nothing more than to charge in and get that 8th grade pill.


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, I found a key!¡± Xue Ningxiang skipped over in glee, presenting a red crystal.


    Zhuo Fan saw the fist sized red crystal. It was cold to the touch, telling him this was the yin key of the fire exit.


    All he had to do now was find the yang fire key and Xue Ningxiang would be home free!


    Leaving him room to go all out to his heart¡¯s content.


    Zhuo Fan brightened and patted her cute head, ¡°Well done, Ning¡¯er!¡±


    Xue Ningxiang giggled, at which Long Xingyun sighed, ¡°Miss Xue, finding a Brimming Sacred Pill would be so much better. You won¡¯t just be doing a great service to us houses, but even hold youself in favor!¡±


    Zhuo Fan merely shook his head. Xue Ningxiang would have none of that, ¡°Humph, I won¡¯t even go for some mystical pill. That¡¯s your delusion. I only care about what big brother Zhuo wants!¡±


    Shuddering, Zhuo Fan looked queerly at her.


    He never said what was on his mind even after being in contact for the past few days, yet Ning¡¯er easily found out what he wanted. While not even his allies could, this genial and harmless lass¡­


    Long Xingyun shook his head, ¡°Miss Ning¡¯er, you¡¯re wrong. With how strong Brother Zhuo is, why would he want a bunch of keys? Only cowards would look for a way out. While a man of virtue like Brother Zhuo must be far more interested in the Brimming Sacred Pill. Am I right?¡±


    Long Xingyun turned to Zhuo Fan, talking as if it was the norm.


    [Damn you, of course I want the keys to dump your sorry asses. Stop mooching off of me! Only Ning¡¯er truly knows what I want.]


    Zhuo Fan cursed inside, but couldn¡¯t refute Long Xingyun¡¯s bright smile.


    [Maybe for my reputation¡¯s sake, or they¡¯d go calling me coward instead. If I explain it, they¡¯ll think I¡¯d be a hindrance and affect our alliance.]


    Zhuo Fan could only nod, ¡°Yes, brother Long makes perfect sense. Brimming Sacred Pill is far more important than some keys. ¡°


    Long Xingyun looked smug and taunted Xue Ningxiang with his eyebrow. She was saddened on the spot, looking at Zhuo like a kicked puppy, ¡°I still think I¡¯m right. Big brother Zhuo wants¡­¡±


    ¡°Uh, Ning¡¯er, don¡¯t feel sad. The thing is this key¡­¡± Zhuo Fan was frantic in his explanation, but then stopped. A yellow light aimed for his face tended to do that.


    Zhuo Fan easily caught it and found it to have the same feel as the red crystal, albeit yellow. Zhuo Fan was overjoyed, ¡°The yin metal key!¡±


    Zhuo Fan turned to look from where the crystal came. [Who did me such great service? Explain!]


    But Zhuo Fan twisted his head away awkwardly soon after.


    Chu Qingcheng bore her cold haze into him, coming over to Xue Ningxiang and taking her somewhere, ¡°Come, let¡¯s go after the other keys!¡±


    ¡°But big brother Zhuo said he doesn¡¯t want them!¡±


    ¡°Stop paying attention to his hypocrisies!¡± Chu Qingcheng snorted.


    Zhuo Fan felt a cold shiver, [There¡¯s two of them now who can understand me!] Long Xingyun was watching the two women perplexed, ¡°That¡¯s odd. It¡¯s normal for a naive girl like Ning¡¯er to mistake Brother Zhuo¡¯s intentions. But Edifice Lord Chu is a refined and ambitious woman, so why is she wasting time looking as well?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re asking me?¡± Zhuo Fan let out a dry laugh, masking the sigh in his heart.


    He was your typical lone wolf, with hardly anyone catching on to his thinking. But now two women showed up at the same time defying all logic.


    [Is this the legendary bosom buddy?]


    A chuckle escaped his lips. He, a cold-stone demonic cultivator, was oblivious to matters of the fairer sex as a close friend and yet, [This feeling ain¡¯t bad. Ain¡¯t bad at all.]


    Zhuo Fan resumed walking for the Killing Blood Marsh, leaving a puzzled Long Xingyun behind.


    What should have taken five days, thanks to Zhuo Fan taking it easy, they arrived after ten. But not for nothing, considering the riches he fetched along the way.  Of the ten total keys, they found four, with the metal key the only complete one. All that was left was to look for the metal exit.


    Be that as it may, the slow march had its downside. Someone beat them to it¡­

 Chapter 290 - Acting Commander

    A sudden red sandy beach spread out for miles and miles. All they could see beyond red, was more red. And what made it worse was the queasy feeling when the smell wafted into their noses.


    This was the lair of the 3rd level spiritual beast, Blood Croc.


    This beast left their lair in packs to hunt, then dragged their quarry back to mangle and feast on their kill. This made for a gory sight as well as the endless gushing blood. This led to their domain soaked in red and made impossible for anything else to grow.


    Hence the name Killing Blood Marsh.


    The group looked amazed, certain this place was the lair of Blood Crocs. What was truly baffling was in fact the lack of Blood Crocs on their way here. Not to mention they took their time.


    With a frown, Long Xingyun voiced his doubt at the scout, ¡°Did you actually see any Blood Croc here, or even the Brimming Sacred Pill?¡±


    ¡°Yes, young master Long. I¡¯d never lie to you. When I got here earlier I saw thousands of Blood Croc and even caught a glimpse of a vial in their midst.¡± The man pointed.


    Long Xingyun believed him and pressed on after a quick look at the others.


    But they soon had to stop again and shudder. Their faces grew grave and their eyes revealed shock.


    [What¡¯s this monster doing here?]


    They were at the edge of a sunken area, with a familiar figure in its center. Despite looking at his back, they had no trouble recognizing him.


    ¡°Too slow. I¡¯ve been waiting here for ages!¡± Huangpu Qingtian made a show out of turning around and directed a snicker Zhuo Fan¡¯s way, ¡°I¡¯ll let you hog the first pill, for now. But the second one is mine, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The faces of everyone sank. [Does that mean the second pill already landed in Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s hands?]


    [How did he find out? He knew our objective and waited us out?]


    [Is there a spy among us?]


    The horror of the situation dawned on them. In this perilous area, any internal conflict would have devastating repercussions.


    With a mole within their midst, the dangers would grow exponentially.


    All of them started looking at their neighbor with a critical eye and became on guard. Any trust they had had gone up in smoke.


    The tri-house alliance was on the verge of crumbling.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°There¡¯s no need to doubt. It was I who told him.¡±


    ¡°You?!¡±


    Xie Tianshang was the first to complain and looked at him with thirst for battle, ¡°Why?¡±


    Rolling his eyes, Xie Tianyang provided the explanation, ¡°Big brother, that¡¯s him talking nonsense. With him being the strongest, if he wanted to be a spy, he¡¯d have done it from the start. Why waste time with this convoluted ploy?¡±


    ¡°Uh, then¡­¡± Xie Tianshang didn¡¯t get it.


    Luo Yunhai chuckled, ¡°Big brother Zhuo is trying to say that doubting each other will be buying into the enemy¡¯s trap and make us weaker. We will talk later about the spy matter. Now it¡¯s time for all of us to unite and fight!¡±


    They all nodded and attached greater importance to Luo clan.


    The sinister and deceitful Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t the only one with a full grasp of the situation. Luo clan¡¯s future Clan Head was also wise. He lived up to his name as the fifth godson of Dugu Zhantian.


    Taking this into account, Luo clan¡¯s rise was imminent!


    The three houses¡¯ top disciples nodded in praise as well. Although the Luo clan had ridiculous growth over the years, so much so they felt scared, they were nonetheless eager to see what would become of this fledgling clan.


    In the eyes of the crowd, the clan head and servant glowed with unprecedented brightness¡­


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, something¡¯s off here!¡± Luo Yunhai glanced at his surroundings as he whispered to Zhuo Fan, ¡°This place is prone to ambushes. We need to be extra cautious.¡±


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan gave the area a once over, ¡°In your eyes, how do you think they¡¯ll do it?¡±


    ¡°A frontal assault with a pincer move, followed by an ambush from behind.¡± Luo Yunhai¡¯s eyes were firm, convinced of seeing through the other¡¯s scheme.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°You¡¯ve learned well from that old geezer. You haven¡¯t let me down. You and your team deal with the back ambush while I will handle the front. ¡°


    Zhuo Fan then shot forth with a calm look.


    Luo Yunhai was startled then nodded.


    He knew the frontal assault was the enemy¡¯s main force. What Zhuo Fan chose was the hardest and most dangerous mission.


    Then again, recalling Zhuo Fan¡¯s dreaded power and mystical abilities, Luo Yunhai set his mind at ease.


    ¡°Where is Zhuo Fan going?¡±


    Xie Tianshang was left clueless, as were many others. He was about to chase when Luo Yunhai stopped him, ¡°I ask of you all to listen to my orders, lest we be routed!¡±


    After the shock subsided, they looked at him in derision.


    They all admired Luo Yunhai, but not to the point they¡¯d be in awe of this young man who lacked the almighty power Zhuo Fan had.


    Which among these future house lords would ever let a runt tell them what to do?


    If there was anyone from Luo clan who they¡¯d ever accept, it would be Zhuo Fan! But letting a tyke boss them around?


    Humph!


    All he got was snorts.


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s face grew grave, knowing there was nothing else he could do. Every aspect of him, be it experience or power, lacked in making these houses¡¯ geniuses trust him, let alone listening to him.


    But it was at this crucial moment a cold, yet charming, voice echoed, ¡°Is it Zhuo Fan¡¯s decision?¡±


    Luo Yunhai looked up startled, to see Chu Qingcheng¡¯s cold and critical eye. He nodded.


    She looked back at the man¡¯s imposing figure walking in front of them and sighed, ¡°Then what is your plan?¡±


    That got a reaction out of the crowd. [The grand Edifice Lord Chu is actually listening to a damn kid?]


    [You may fancy Zhuo Fan and want his favor, but don¡¯t go throwing away Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯ reputation!]


    Surely they all hung on Zhuo Fan¡¯s every word. The mighty Soaring Demonic Dragon could fight toe to toe with Huangpu Qingtian, no? So what reason did they have to treat a brat the same way?


    The other two houses refrained from commenting.


    To Xue Ningxiang, the world¡¯s number one innocent, more like delusional, missus, the intricacies this decision held to the other houses went right over her head as she shouted, ¡°Yunhai, I¡¯ll listen to you! You got us out of that impasse last time. You may not be on big brother Zhuo¡¯s level, but you¡¯re still stronger than these guys, who only know how to lose!¡±


    Restraint was not in Xue Ningxiang¡¯s vocabulary, making Long Xingyun and Xie Tianshang¡¯s faces aflame. Ever since they came to Beast King Mountain they hadn¡¯t won once. Nor lost with dignity.


    And that was the truth of it. All they ever achieved since coming here was a big fat nada.


    They felt ashamed even more now, with Xue Ningxiang there to poke their wounds. It also had something to do with Xie Tianyang being her shadow, safeguarding her every step of the way. If it was any other vassal clan, even with Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s amiable stance, they¡¯d still get a trashing.


    Would any lord allow their vassal to act like so?


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, don¡¯t say that. Leave them with some dignity!¡±


    They were all on the same side after all, practically brothers. Xie Tianyang had to curb Xue Ningxiang¡¯s willfulness. He then turned to Xie Tianshang, ¡°Big brother, all of us house disciples are usually focused on cultivating. Fighting alone is out of the question, but when it comes to joining a team, it¡¯s best we leave it to Yunhai. If I know that punk Zhuo Fan well, he never did things he wasn¡¯t sure of. So let¡¯s go along with his decision.¡±


    Luo Yunhai nodded in gratitude at Chu Qingcheng, Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang. Then turned nervously to Xie Tianshang.


    Xie Tianshang squinted but gave his consent, ¡°What would you have us do?¡±


    Luo Yunhai was overjoyed. He finally had Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s support.


    Long Xingyun saw how two of his allies caved and shrugged, in lack of a better option, ¡°Since Drifting Flowers Edifices and Sword Marquise Abode approve, I will also listen to you.¡±


    Luo Yunhai was excited.


    He had now become the tri-house alliance¡¯s acting commander. He had the power to move thousands of people, that of the thee houses and their vassals.


    As long as Huangpu Qingtian didn¡¯t butt in, he was certain nothing could stand in the way of him and his army.


    Luo Yunhai put on a serious face and spoke, ¡°From my discussion with big brother Zhuo we¡¯ve concluded that we are surrounded. We will have to break through the encirclement. Listen up, everyone, the vassals are to split in three groups, those belonging to each houses.


    ¡°The Drifting Flowers Edifices division will form a column, awaiting my order to attack our behind. The other two will form our flanks as we move in tandem. Keep cool and don¡¯t break formation as you fight. Be mindful of your position in the formation to not let it crumble.¡± Luo Yunhai shouted with confidence.


    He knew full well that Zhuo Fan was the sole reason they listened. But come the aftermath of the battle, he was certain their views will change.


    [My five years in the army weren¡¯t a waste.]


    Luo Yunhai vowed¡­

 Chapter 291 - Charge

    Zhuo Fan went over to Huangpu Qingtian, his gait casual, his tone calm, just like seeing an old pal, ¡°Young master Huangpu, since this is the second round, you should¡¯ve told me. Where¡¯s the pill then?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, please. It¡¯d be the same as dangling the Brimming Sacred Pill in your face. Now that I¡¯ve seen what Steward Zhuo can do, let¡¯s see you try getting it now!¡± Huangpu Qingtian raised a taunting eyebrow.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head. There was no point in doing anything, not when he had no clue of the item¡¯s location.


    ¡°Young master Huangpu, since you won¡¯t tell me, take it as my loss this time. Let¡¯s meet again in round three!¡± Zhuo Fan waved and was about to retreat, as if scared.


    Huangpu Qingtian snickered, ¡°Steward Zhuo, I admit that I have no way of stopping you from leaving. Nor do you have a way of stopping me. But I can¡¯t say the same for them.¡±


    Hinting at Luo Yunhai¡¯s army, Huangpu Qingtian snickered with a light clap.


    Furious roars filled the marsh, storming for the group of allies from both sides. Just as Luo Yunhai predicted.


    The attack was formed of two armies led by Yan Bangui and You Yushan, respectively. There was no sign of Lin Xuanfeng.


    The guy was double the cripple, true, but a Profound Heaven expert regardless. He wasn¡¯t about to miss out on springing an ambush.


    With such an obvious answer, Luo Yunhai easily predicted the guy was waiting for them to retreat in his direction.


    ¡°Nice, you live up to the name of Tianyu¡¯s Fifth Tiger!¡± Xie Tianshang showed his admiration. His opinion of Luo Yunhai grew a notch.


    The same went for the others.


    If not for Luo Yunhai¡¯s tactic, the sudden charge of so many enemies would¡¯ve crushed them where they stood. Some would chose to flee and run into Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s team, sealing any means of escape.


    Luo Yunhai may be weak, but his art of war was leagues above anyone from Six Dragons and One Phoenix!


    Luo Yunhai just shook his hand. The praise didn¡¯t get to his head as he kept his cool in dealing with the sudden dual charge, ¡°Listen up. Only act when I give the signal!¡±


    They all nodded, fully trusting Luo Yunhai.


    Huangpu Qingtian watched it all with a smile, ¡°Steward Zhuo, your allies look positively rooted in fear. They huddle together like lambs, about to break, flooded by my men.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it what you wanted anyway?¡± Zhuo Fan smiled back, completely confident of Luo Yunhai¡¯s abilities.


    Squinting, Huangpu Qingtian felt something amiss.


    His side had ten thousand men doing the charge and even laid down an ambush. While the tri-house alliance numbered three thousand at best, outnumbered five to one!


    With them holding the field and numerical advantage, anyone would think this battle was in the bag. So what did Zhuo Fan based his confidence on?


    Huangpu Qingtian would find out soon enough.


    ¡°Kill!¡±


    With an earth shaking roar, Luo Yunhai pointed behind him and his army followed.


    Yan Bangui and You Yushan¡¯s armies were stunned in bafflement.


    [We haven¡¯t even made contact, so why are they charging behind? The ambush hadn¡¯t sprung yet either!]


    The two were oblivious to its meaning and took it as a good thing. Regardless of what trick they pulled, it would only work to show a hole in their formation. [This will make things easier, killing them down to the last man!]


    The two only grew excited in their charge.


    How could they have known their crass assumption couldn¡¯t be farther from the truth?


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s army did charge, but its flanks did their job in keeping the center shielded. Despite the flanks clashing with the enemy, they showed no weakness in their defense as they also didn¡¯t engage in a heated fight, moving with the center¡¯s charge as well.


    Yan Bangui and Yan Bangui¡¯s armies found themselves in the worst situation. They felt as if each man was facing five people. Just as they attacked the front, a sudden retaliation came from the back.


    The tri-house alliance moved like the sea, crushing the enemy armies in waves. Amidst the turbulent waters, Yan Bangui and You Yushan found their numbers culled.


    As for the lucky survivors, they landed far behind the battle, looking on at the endless strings of corpses left by the alliance¡¯s charge.


    They had the numbers, they had the flanking, but now they had the biggest losses. While Yan Bangui and You Yushan looked positively glum, Huangpu Qingtian gnashed his teeth.


    [You¡¯ve got your ass handed to you even when five to one?! Just what do I keep you idiots for anyway?]


    You Yushan¡¯s back tingled from Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s seething bloodthirst and he gave the signal to Lin Xuanfeng.


    A three-pronged attack ought to save them from a gruesome and cruel death, no?


    But as Lin Xuanfeng eagerly led his five thousand men to beat someone when they were down¡­


    He heard a loud boom and his army was blown away. Luo Yunhai¡¯s vanguard, Drifting Flowers Edifices, was mowing his men like grass.


    His only reaction¡­ slackjawed.


    [What. The. Hell?]


    [Weren¡¯t we supposed to catch a fish in a barrel at this point? Why the hell do I still see them holding strong?]


    [How the hell does a huge fish like this just slip right past you?]


    [Yan Bangui and You Yushan, are you more useless than manure? What are you doing letting a pristine army charge here? How am I supposed to stop them?]


    While he was here cursing his allies, the duo cursed right back.


    [You damn cripple! Is this how you lead an army? Are your men meant as cannon fodder? I don¡¯t expect you to stop them, but you could at least curb their charge somewhat!]


    [You¡¯re 100% garbage is what you are! You got what was coming to you when Soaring Demonic Dragon took an arm and a leg!]


    As the trio cursed each other like no tomorrow, Luo Yunhai had no problem punching his way through the encirclement.


    Zhuo Fan laughed from pride.


    When it came to armies, ambushes were the norm. This couldn¡¯t have been a better test for the fledgling Marshal. The way Luo Yunhai set his army was the typical echelon formation, excelling in counter attacking the pincer attack and allowing high mobility.


    This formation puts a price on speed above all else. Once it was formed and picked enough speed, nothing could stand in its way.


    Zhuo Fan flicked a grin to Huangpu Qingtian, ¡°Young master Huangpu, my guess is that it wouldn¡¯t be so hard for them to get away.¡±


    Face twitching, Huangpu Qingtian looked ahead with a scorching gaze. He wished nothing more than to kill those three wretched allies of his.


    The reason for one¡¯s defeat wasn¡¯t an unbeatable enemy, but wretched allies.


    [Those morons have higher numbers yet were still smacked around. All they managed to do is drag my reputation through the mud. They¡¯re nothing but utter imbeciles!]


    Taking a deep breath to quell the surging anger, Huangpu Qingtian laughed coldly, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo is erudite in pen and sword. You¡¯ve had this planned all along¡­¡±


    ¡°No, no, no, there was no planning. They did it all by themselves. One must give credit where it¡¯s due, and not take it for oneself.¡± Zhuo Fan cut him off with his snide remark.


    Which only got Huangpu Qingtian even more worked up.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s deceitful character was common knowledge, so losing to him was hardly shameful. But those three sods of his lost to the likes of some broads from Drifting Flowers Edifices. To make matters worse, it was the tyke from Luo clan leading them.


    With his allies having lost any semblance of dignity, it was quite sensible for their leader to blow a gasket.


    Grating his teeth and fuming mad, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s face took on a vile tone, ¡°Steward Zhuo, I never wished to drag them into this. You leave me no choice but to¡­¡±


    ¡°What, go and snap their necks yourself? Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯ll have to go through me first.¡± With his trademark evil grin, Zhuo Fan¡¯s urge for battle flared.


    Huangpu Qingtian nodded, ¡°Our fight is foreordained. But first, let¡¯s see if you can save them!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes flashed with cruelty and roared at the sky.


    ¡°Ooh~!¡±


    Shockingly enough, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s mere shout sounded closer to a dragon than a human.


    Zhuo Fan squinted, but his reply was a calm gathering of eerie power in his eyes.


    That dragon roar was a special martial art, just like his Wraith Style. They both originated from dragons!


    But no man could ever release a dragon¡¯s roar, short of being a dragon himself.


    Zhuo Fan shook that thought away, finding it utterly ridiculous. A true dragon had the power of at least Gu Santong.


    Despite being called a monster, his might had yet to shed the realm of mortals. [So why then¡­]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s train of thought was cut off when the earth rumbled with a dreadful sound¡­

 Chapter 292 - Blood Croc Army

    Boom~


    As the rumbling continued, the sound only grew louder. Not even the chaos of battle could drown it.


    Luo clan and Drifting Flowers Edifices stopped their charge. So too did Yan Bangui and You Yushan cease attacking their flanks.


    Ally and enemy alike watched dumbstruck at the source of the noise. What dreaded creature could make such a ¡®riveting¡¯ entrance?


    Roar!


    They got their answer in the form of an endless stampede of blood-red creatures crawling towards them from behind Huangpu Qingtian. Regardless of where one looked, all they saw was a crawling red mass.


    Now that they got a closer look, the creature was a fanged blood crocodile of five meters in length. They were pack animals crawling on the ground, yet that didn¡¯t stop them from having incredible speed and tough bodies like peak Bone Tempering experts.


    ¡°3rd level spiritual beast, Blood Croc!¡±


    Everyone cried out in alarm. Who wouldn¡¯t, when watching ten thousand Blood Crocs marching towards them with relentless force.


    A lucky few Profound Heaven experts would just fly out, while the rest were doomed to be ripped limb from limb in the jaws of a croc.


    Luo Yunhai turned grave, ¡°Godfather told me the Quanrong are expert beast masters, sweeping the battlefield with their beast army. This army can use formations and could hold its own at a numerical disadvantage, but I never imagined Huangpu Qingtian would resort to the likes of this. This is bad!¡±


    ¡°What, Huangpu Qingtian called them?¡± Long Xingyun snapped his head at the smirking figure, just as the Blood Crocs simply bypassed him. Now a believer, his face sank, ¡°This monster is already strong enough, but now he can call upon a beast army as well? We can¡¯t fight them. Our only choice is to run or get trampled!¡±


    The others took one last fearful look at Huangpu Qingtian and nodded. Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s talent had reached a godlike level!


    But was running that easy? Sure, the few flying ones could take some passengers, but what about the other couple thousand?


    They were fated to end up as broken corpses under the Blood Crocs¡¯ stampede.


    Chu Qingcheng frowned and sighed.


    Yan Bangui, You Yushan and Lin Xuanfeng snickered as they flew away with their Profound Heaven experts, uncaring to the fate of the rest.


    Xie Tianyang looked at Zhuo Fan¡¯s broad and straight back, ¡°Our fate now rests solely in his hands.¡±


    Everyone looked at Zhuo Fan in frustration and helplessness.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s abilities were eerie, to say the least, of great power, but could one man stop the flood?


    They held no hope in Zhuo Fan.


    Even Luo Yunhai, always confident of Zhuo Fan¡¯s invincibility, faltered, ¡°I and big brother Zhuo had anticipated the enemy launching a frontal assault. It was our ignorance that led us to assume they¡¯d be men and not thousands of Blood Crocs! Humans are susceptible to fear. A bit of trick here and there from big brother Zhuo would be enough to buy us plenty of time. But when facing a horde of savage spiritual beasts, they won¡¯t falter for anything¡­¡±


    ¡°Damn it! Is there no other way?¡± Xie Tianshang cut him off in anger. His eyes were burning from rage, ¡°Huangpu Qingtian is inhuman!¡±


    The others got what he was saying.


    Yes, he was inhuman. No man was able to subdue a Blood Croc horde and use it for himself. No one would be so cruel to his fellow men, to even throw away his own men¡¯s lives to be ground beneath the marching horde of his beasts.


    Then it dawned on them, [Eh? Isn¡¯t that strikingly similar to Zhuo Fan?]


    They turned to him now. The man was taking a deep breath and looked on heavily. Like a cold-blooded monster, he also possessed power no man could.


    But how much could this monster slow the horde down? [We don¡¯t ask for much, just enough to let us get out alive.]


    They held little hope for Zhuo Fan pulling through for them, but they still did hope!


    His talent was unseen in this world as well, but he was a human like the rest. How could he possibly slow the beast flood down?


    Well, one delusional girl thought this was right up his alley. Xue Ningxiang clenched her fists and said, ¡°No worries. Big brother Zhuo can do it¡­¡±


    She had now crossed the point of no return, becoming an eternal Zhuo Fan¡¯s, uh, fan. She didn¡¯t care about hows or whys, just as long as Zhuo Fan did something, everything would be alright.


    Funnily enough, she was right!


    Luo Yunhai begged to differ however. Zhuo Fan had no problem dealing with a bunch of men charging over, but as for spiritual beasts¡­


    In the face of the ravenous flood, Zhuo Fan looked like a dinghy floating about, ready to tip at any jolt.


    However, this dinghy was quite calm, and smiling, ¡°Young master Huangpu, who knew you can tame beasts.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re too kind. It is but a mere parlor trick.¡± Huangpu Qingtian acted casual but couldn¡¯t hide the conceit in his eyes from Zhuo Fan.


    As Zhuo Fan took pride in his blinking art, Huangpu Qingtian was confident of his beast taming skill.


    It was akin to providence. As if Heaven went out of its way to lay everything at this king¡¯s feet so that no man, or beast, could defy his righteous conquest.


    Zhuo Fan could tell what he was thinking and grinned, ¡°Young master Huangpu, you sure are confident in your ability.¡±


    ¡°Not confidence, but a given!¡± Huangpu Qingtian smiled with his head held high. The Emperor declared, ¡°In this world, be it armies, the ground beneath their feet, the officials, and even these savage beasts, all are fated to bow before their true king!¡±


    [Show off!]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s inner outcry summed it up nicely. While his reply was a snort and shake of the head, ¡°What do you say to a wager then?¡±


    ¡°On what?¡± That got Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s attention. [The kid has time to bet when his life is at stake? What¡¯s he up to?]


    Bang! Zhuo Fan drew a heavy line with his foot, sneering at Huangpu Qingtian, ¡°I wager your beast army won¡¯t cross it. Even if just one of them does, I lose.¡±


    ¡°Pretentious!¡± Huangpu Qingtian only had anger for his haughty boast.


    He knew what Zhuo Fan was capable of, but never once believed the punk had the power to quell the beast tide of tens of thousands! Huangpu Qingtian only managed to do it with that little secret deep within him. As for power alone? Impossible.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s crass words undermined his authority. Was the ability of a regent that easily dispelled?


    Zhuo Fan only mocked him, ¡°Well then, oh young master Huangpu, do you accept? The stakes are the Brimming Sacred Pills we each hold. The winner gets the other¡¯s pill!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian mulled over the trickery Zhuo Fan planned to include in this wager, but still held supreme confidence that nothing the punk did could change anything. As such, for honor and hubris, he nodded, ¡°Show me then your futile attempts to stop tens of thousands of spiritual beasts!¡±


    ¡°My pleasure!¡± With a crafty grin, Zhuo Fan turned to the charging Blood Croc tide.


    Filled with barbaric and unrelenting savagery, these Blood Crocs had only one answer to this suicidal kid, gaping maws filled with teeth and sharp claws.


    Chu Qingcheng, Xue Ningxiang and the rest watched on unnerved. Huangpu Qingtian had a cold smile, calm and uncaring to the lonely man facing a flood.


    Hum~


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes then flashed in a strange light.


    The Blood Crocs were about to tear into him, with one of them even having his head in its maw. It only needed to chomp and that would be the end of Zhuo Fan.


    But the Blood Crocs¡¯ eyes shrank in fear. Under the astonished looks of the bystanders, the beast army began to shiver.


    Roar!


    A mewling cry from somewhere among them signaled the rest of the Blood Crocs to turn tail and scamper from whence they came.


    The wild eyes and stumbling gait only hinted at the horrors these beasts had seen. They were even faster in retreat!


    This spectacle left everyone slackjawed. Chu Qingcheng was dumbstruck, Xie Tianyang was shell shocked, You Yushan was speechless, Lin Xuanfeng jumped out of his skin and, naturally, Huangpu Qingtian was floored.


    He still had a clear picture in mind, of Zhuo Fan being torn apart, only to be replaced with an image of a cowering beast army.


    What made it worse was the unknown element of how he¡¯d done it.


    Huangpu Qingtian stood there like a statue, his eyes lost, mindless of even the fleeing spiritual beasts zipping by¡­

 Chapter 293 - First Contact

    ¡°What¡­ just happened?¡±


    You Yushan was floating about in the air, looking dazed at the scampering blood tide. When he finally managed to return to his senses, he said to his two allies, ¡°Wasn¡¯t that eldest young master¡¯s trump card?¡±


    The two were still out of it by the looks of it.


    Huangpu Qingtian had laid it on pretty thick with his boasting. That once Blood Crocs came into play, the tri-house alliance would be left in mangled pieces. They were so excited to see Zhuo Fan finally falling short in something, getting with the program of suffering like everyone else.


    The boasting got them hyped as well, eager to see Zhuo Fan in tears.


    That wasn¡¯t meant to be however, not when the sure kill method was running away at top speed.


    The three sank into depression, followed closely by the sharp decline in Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s grandeur.


    Even Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord got the same treatment as them. He boasted and flounced, sure, but do that in front of Soaring Demonic Dragon and you¡¯d get bitch slapped.


    [He had met his bane!]


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s side was on the verge of breaking down at the sight of the savage beast tide. They felt the end coming, their future robbed.


    But looking at it now, they knew the earlier panic was quite pointless. There was no need to fear, as long as Zhuo Fan was here!


    The acting commander of the tri-house alliance shook his head at the casual Zhuo Fan, ¡°Sigh, it seems even I don¡¯t know big brother Zhuo well. He shrugged the beast army of tens of thousand like it was nothing.¡±


    ¡°Forgive me, friends. I have made the grievous mistake of doubting big brother Zhuo¡¯s abilities. With how Huangpu Qingtian can do it, it¡¯s quite obvious big brother Zhuo can do it too. It¡¯s a fallacy to think otherwise!¡±


    Luo Yunhai gave a solemn bow to the vexed crowd.


    It made sense though. Having gone through so many events with Zhuo Fan, there was one undeniable truth all of them should¡¯ve figured out by now. Nothing was impossible for him.


    If even he met with an impossible conundrum, then all hope was lost.


    Huangpu Qingtian could control spiritual beasts? Humph, then so could Zhuo Fan. The basis? He was Zhuo Fan, of course.


    In the blink of an eye, Zhuo Fan¡¯s fan club found its ranks greatly bolstered.


    One had to admit that even a fan was right, sometimes. Just look at Xue Ningxiang, bouncing around with unbridled joy, ¡°See that? What did I tell you?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng shook her head. Although her love rival, she still found her innocence pleasing to the eye.


    Xiao Dandan¡¯s eyes had hearts in them, watching Zhuo Fan with an intoxicated leer.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold tone gave her quite the scare back then, but with him striking the alpha male pose, she threw that fear out the window. Dying by his hand would be a dream come true at this point.


    [I¡¯d rather be a ghost by a hero¡¯s side than the wife of a lousy bum!]


    The lust was strong with this one. Xiao Dandan simply wanted to gobble Zhuo Fan up. Dong Xiaowan saw the other¡¯s galls in envy.


    They all fought over Zhuo Fan¡¯s attention, but not her. She was of low status and being unable to follow her heart left her in misery¡­


    ¡°These monsters are capable of anything!¡± Xie Tianyang glanced at Xue Ningxiang¡¯s red face with jealousy.


    The others paused for a second then nodded unanimously.


    One man controlled a beast tide while the other shooed it away with a wink. Could a human being ever do that?


    The two became a beacon of shock and awe to every onlooker.


    Zhuo Fan reigned totally supreme. He did have the upper hand and all¡­


    Rumble~


    Amidst the ever shaking earth from the fleeing Blood Crocs passing him by, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s face twitched. His fists scrunched up and he spat through gnashed teeth, ¡°Stop! I command you all to stop!¡±


    Not one Blood Croc minded his rave. They had bigger things to worry about.


    [You moron of elephantine proportions. You¡¯re merely a king on earth and can command some of us, but that man is an emperor over everyone. You don¡¯t compare!]


    [Go home, wash up, and sleep tight!]


    No Blood Croc who passed him showed any intent of ever stopping, even if he roared himself hoarse.


    Roar!


    Huangpu Qingtian was pissed. He released a dragon roar deep enough to resound even through the deaf Blood Crocs.


    Zhuo Fan looked on with a quizzical look.


    Only now did the Blood Crocs stop and look at him.


    Huangpu Qingtian smiled in joy, having regained some semblance of his regality. But then the Blood Crocs lowered their heads again and scampered off like naughty children.


    The man¡¯s eyes were bloodshot and his anger exploded.


    He was a king and no one defied him. Especially not some mongrels!


    Thump!


    An iron fist lashed out and blood blossomed. The punch blew up the head of a Blood Croc.


    ¡°Stop or die!¡± Huangpu Qingtian wailed with his hand dripping blood.


    Not that it had any effect. The Blood Crocs didn¡¯t give a rat¡¯s ass about his commands.


    In a fit of anger, he blew up five more Blood Crocs but the beasts took it in a stride, running as fast as their legs could carry them.


    As anger gave way to despondency, this king found himself dethroned, standing there in absent shock as the Blood Crocs streamed by¡­


    ¡°Why won¡¯t they listen? I am their king!¡± Huangpu Qingtian muttered under his breath in bewilderment.


    All this while the Blood Crocs ignored him. He didn¡¯t strike a kingly figure anymore, but that of a beggar now that he had lost his throne. He was a nobody!


    The rest of the Six Dragons and One Phoenix, foe and ally alike were watching it all in stunned shock. The day had finally come for the mighty Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord, Huangpu Qingtian, to be lost and despondent.


    The defiance of his orders thwarted by Zhuo Fan¡¯s ability had a far greater impact on this proud and majestic king. It was too much for even him to bear!


    The watchful shadow from the sides sighed, ¡°These two are natural enemies. Yet each is a genius seen once every ten thousand years. The death of even one of them would be such a tragedy. Should I¡­ take them both?¡±


    He threw away that thought with a shake of his head and snickered, ¡°He-he-he, nah. The world isn¡¯t big enough for both of them. Their fight is preordained. It¡¯s only a matter of time. The most sensible choice is to let them go at it and pick the winner, hi-hi-hi¡­¡±


    No one knew such a creepy and uncertain element had snuck its way into the Esoteric Debate.


    Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, feeling quite disappointed in himself, ¡°Uh, Young master Huangpu, don¡¯t be so down. There¡¯s no shortage of people who had and will lose to me. By the looks of it, I seem to be the winner in this little wager of ours. Will you honor our deal?¡±


    With all the Blood Crocs gone, Huangpu Qingtian raised his head to reveal a crazed pair of eyes as he snapped, ¡°Humph, my word is gold. What do you take me for, a welsher?¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian took out a vial from his chest. Zhuo Fan knew it to have the Brimming Sacred Pill.


    Huangpu Qingtian was afraid Zhuo Fan would snatch his ring again so he hid it in his clothes.


    Any cultivator out there had the means to store their things, be it rings or bags. It was arguably the safest place to keep, unlike on your own body.


    But Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s thinking went the other way around. He chose the most important item to hide on himself. The most dangerous place was also the safest. It even caught Zhuo Fan off guard.


    Zhuo Fan would never have found it even if he snatched all the storage rings.


    Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Young master Huangpu is so crafty. I never saw it coming. I was still of a mind you gave it to that cripple for safekeeping! ¡°


    ¡°Humph, you take me for a fool to leave it on him after the first pill?¡± Huangpu Qingtian flicked and the vial flew at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Humph, take it!¡±


    Whoosh!


    The vial shot through the air, leaving eerie sounds as it passed. Even space shimmered.


    Zhuo Fan felt a sudden immense pressure slam into his shoulders just as it neared. It even made the likes of him stagger.


    Startled, Zhuo Fan threw his hand forward to block it.


    Thump!


    The impact had him slide five meters and even found his arm that caught the vial numb.


    He was shocked to find what a mere flick could do. No wonder Chu Qingcheng and the other two lost against Huangpu Qingtian even though they joined hands.


    [This guy is a monster, a monster body cultivator!]


    Besides Gu Santong, he would definitely be the most outstanding talent of the younger generation.


    Zhuo Fan knew that even his Diamond Body was a far cry from Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s physique!


    [Elder Li was right, this guy is a true monster, stronger than me.]


    After this first true contact with Huangpu Qingtian, Zhuo Fan now realized the full extent of the power the head of Six Dragons and One Phoenix wielded¡­

 Chapter 294 - Release The Beasts

    Whoosh!


    A black figure blocked Zhuo Fan.


    He was still staggered from the previous blow when another strike came out of the blue.


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan blocked the strike with his hand.


    Boom!


    The immense power of the strike cracked earth under him, caving it for a hundred meters around. But it hardly mattered compared to the pain coming from his arm. It was on the verge of being broken!


    Astonished, Zhuo Fan found himself face to face with a sinister looking Huangpu Qingtian, his eyes beaming with murderous intent.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, I can¡¯t let you live!¡± Cackling, Huangpu Qingtian spun a kick into Zhuo Fan¡¯s waist, aiming to split him in two, ¡°You¡¯re the first to ever rile my desire to kill!¡±


    His brow shuddering, Zhuo Fan faced the sky splitting leg. Since he couldn¡¯t block, he had his right eye flash golden.


    Instant movement!


    Whoosh!


    Huangpu Qingtian had cut Zhuo Fan in half, only to find it was his afterimage. While the man himself got some much needed distance between them, gasping for breath.


    He didn¡¯t anticipate Huangpu Qingtian would ever resort to sucker punching him. What he did just now must¡¯ve really pushed the guy¡¯s buttons and had now driven him mad with the sole purpose of slaughtering him.


    The onlookers from farther away were astonished.


    This was the third time Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian were at each other¡¯s throats. First in Dragon Cloud City, cut short by Dugu Zhantian¡¯s meddling. Second was pill stealing, though no one was there to witness exactly how it went down. And as the saying went, third time¡¯s the charm. They truly let loose in this round, no holds barred.


    The result? Zhuo Fan¡¯s prospects at winning just hit rock bottom. He was on a total defensive. And if not for that mystical ability of his, he¡¯d be a goner.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s overwhelming dominance crushed Zhuo Fan!


    Not even Zhuo Fan could face this monster.


    Gnashing his teeth, Xie Tianshang was tense. You Yushan, however, was cackling mad. Both side¡¯s leaders had monstrous talent, but when it came to measuring fists, Huangpu Qingtian won by a landslide. Zhuo Fan had no way to fight back!


    The uninvited guest in the shadows nodded, ¡°Huangpu Qingtian has the advantage in body, but Zhuo Fan is far more flexible and crafty. He is better by far. And this is when he isn¡¯t even in the Profound Heaven Stage. If the two were of equal cultivation, this fight would¡¯ve ended a long time ago.  ¡°


    Huangpu Qingtian drew the same conclusion, which only fueled his desire to kill to new heights.


    Zhuo Fan presented himself as a real and tangible threat to him. He never got the same feeling from the other Six Dragons and One Phoenix, and only looked at them with disdain even when forced to deal with their cooperation.


    On the other hand, Zhuo Fan was a great threat to him. Even more so now that he saw Zhuo Fan cower the Blood Croc horde and trampled all over his royal face.


    It was a wake up call. That Zhuo Fan was the same as him, qualified to be king.


    With a cold glint in his eye, Huangpu Qingtian barked, ¡°Zhuo Fan, is your art only good at running away?¡±


    ¡°Yep!¡± Zhuo Fan was blunt as a birch stump, not forgetting his evil grin as he counted on his fingers, ¡°Running, assassination, scouting, spying, and let¡¯s not forget my favorite, ring stealing. It has quite wonderful applications, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    That only pissed Huangpu Qingtian off. He was looking to mock the man into attacking.


    But Zhuo Fan was way too calm, ignoring the cheap taunt and making a kingly comeback. His desire to murder Zhuo Fan on the spot spiked again.


    The shadow nodded. He knew how to appreciate talents.


    Detached from everything and looking at things with cool and critical eyes were the makings of a great arriviste. At the same time, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s image fell a notch in his eyes.


    The shadow slowly began to be partial towards Zhuo Fan, finding him to be the better seed¡­


    Taking a deep breath, Huangpu Qingtian found himself in distress. Zhuo Fan was unlike Chu Qingcheng and the like. He could come and go as he pleased, with no one to stop him. He was the biggest headache there ever was when made an enemy.


    That magical art gave him an insurmountable advantage.


    So Huangpu Qingtian pointed at his allies and barked, ¡°What are you gawking at? Kill them already!¡±


    The trio woke up with a start. Why had they stopped? [We gotta box them in.] Thus they gave the signal.


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s echelon formation was still shaken from the Blood Croc horde and their momentum slacked. They were losing.


    With the enemy surrounding them, the couple thousand army had sunk into despair against the ten thousand enemies. Few were of Chu Qingcheng¡¯s level to escape, while the rest would find their lives driven into the mud.


    Panicking, Luo Yunhai commanded, ¡°Three round formation!¡±


    In an instant the three divisions became rotating barrels, blocking the enemy¡¯s onslaught. You Yushan wasn¡¯t worried though. This formation was a defensive one. They would just have to whittle them down with numbers.


    Grinning, the three looked on coldly.


    Zhuo Fan frowned a bit. As long as his friends were stuck here, he was going nowhere and would sooner or later end up just as dead.


    You Yushan leading the ten thousand army not only entrapped Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group but also bogged down Zhuo Fan ¨C two birds with one stone.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan, see how I trample them!¡± Huangpu Qingtian snickered.


    He was forcing Zhuo Fan to face him.


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan sported a cold smile, ¡°You¡¯d lower yourself to such an extent? Moreover, you¡¯d have done it already if you wanted to.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, indeed. I despise them, but now that you¡¯re here, things have changed. I¡¯ll take great delight in tearing them apart before your very eyes.¡±


    Zhuo Fan tensed and secretly sighed. Just like he thought. Huangpu Qingtian left them alive, just so he could restrain him.


    But the cold smile never changed, ¡°Young master Huangpu, do you really think I¡¯d let them drag me down?¡±


    ¡°Oh? But isn¡¯t your young master with them as well?¡± Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes glinted, having seen through him. He charged for the armies.


    It was also then when a wind whistled straight for him.


    This was what he was waiting for. He blocked the kick with his hand, releasing a metallic sound.


    Looking closer, he found Zhuo Fan eying him coldly.


    ¡°He-he-he, finally decided to attack.¡± Huangpu Qingtian gave a crafty smile from having found Zhuo Fan¡¯s achilles¡¯ heel. He threw a devastating punch.


    The blow had the power of a mountain behind it.


    Zhuo Fan vanished, letting the punch pass him.


    The earth caved in tens of meters over a kilometer as a result of the massive impact.


    It kicked up a cloud of dust and shocked even the clashing armies from the immense power display.


    What power could do this?


    Zhuo Fan was sweating now. Blocking that would¡¯ve earned him a quick trip down under.


    He looked at his friends helplessly, forced to clash this monster head on.


    Huangpu Qingtian cackled at the floating Zhuo Fan, filled with scorn, ¡°I wonder for how long can you stop my advance!¡±


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and charged.


    The effect each time was minimal, barely stalling Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s progress. His teleports saved him from the worst, but there was no way to escape unscathed.


    Huangpu Qingtian was inevitable. He royally took one step at a time towards his target as he unleashed his power.


    The sight of Zhuo Fan being played around like a mouse left the others in despair. Not even their last hope could stop the mighty Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord.


    But only Chu Qingcheng saw through it and said nervously, ¡°It¡¯s for us. Huangpu Qingtian is forcing Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand. We have to get out of here!¡±


    It dawned on them what a disgrace they were. They became Zhuo Fan¡¯s shackles.


    ¡°But how are we supposed to break out when we¡¯re outnumbered? What do we do?¡± Luo Yunhai sighed.


    For even Luo Yunhai to come out empty, it showed how truly desperate a situation they were all in.


    Chu Qingcheng turned to her two allies, ¡°Have you brought your spiritual beasts?¡±


    Their eyes lit up, reminded how their houses provided them with some high level spiritual beasts. They were pressed at every turn all this time that they¡¯d completely forgotten.


    The two nodded.


    Chu Qingcheng smiled and spoke heavily, ¡°Use our trump cards. Release the beasts and clear a path!¡±

 Chapter 295 - Qiao’er’s Appeara

    Shriek~


    A bird cry pierced the sky, heralding the appearance of a snow white beast and plunging the area into a freezer.


    To the shock of everyone, they found a five meter large white eagle looming overhead. It kicked up a snowstorm with each flap of its wings. Biting cold winds pierced the enemies in their charge, slowing them and freezing the hapless.


    ¡°5th level spiritual beast, Nether Wind Falcon!¡± Chu Qingcheng shouted.


    Xie Tianshang and Long Xingyun weren¡¯t slow either.


    Roar!


    The reverberating roar drew one¡¯s attention to a ten meter golden leopard. Its piercing eyes unnerved the staunchest of hearts, ready to pounce on them and maul their flesh.


    ¡°5th level spiritual beast, Golden Cloud Leopard!¡± Xie Tianshang shouted.


    ¡°And mine, 5th level spiritual beast, Heaven-seething Lava Serpent!¡± Long Xingyun pointed at a fifty meter long python covered in rocks. Its eyes shooting flames.


    The descent of three 5th level mighty beasts struck fear in the hearts of the enemy. Each one was equal to a Radiant Stage expert. With three of them unleashed, the tri-house alliance¡¯s power was greatly boosted.


    Roar! Shriek! Sss!


    The only sensible reaction in the face of such a display was to shirk back. The three spiritual beasts started raining havoc within the enemy lines, darting to and fro unhinged. Not even Profound Heaven experts faced them.


    As the cries of agony reached the sky, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s team made a breach, even if that gap was now littered with corpses.


    ¡°Yunhai, use the path to get us out!¡± Chu Qingcheng pointed at the clearing.


    Luo Yunhai was about to do just that but three cold laughs revealed You Yushan and his two allies looking down on them still.


    You Yushan only mocked them, ¡°Chu Qingcheng, aren¡¯t we all from the seven houses? You think you¡¯re the only ones with pets? Don¡¯t take us lightly. Our reserves aren¡¯t the least bit weaker than yours!¡±


    You Yushan snapped his fingers and revealed a blazing falcon thirty meters long, ¡°5th level spiritual beast, Scorching Eagle!¡±


    ¡°Mine as well, 5th level spiritual beast, Hundred Eyes Pestilence Spider!¡±


    Yan Bangui revealed a fifty meter long, black as night tarantula.


    It spewed a thick miasma that cut off the path ahead.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group found themselves back at a standstill.


    Lin Xuanfeng snickered at their grave faces, ¡°It¡¯s time for you to feast your eyes on my 5th level spiritual beast,  Nine-clawed Wind Stoat!¡±


    A sharp wind brushed by and revealed a short one meter long skunk bearing its claws at them.


    The six spiritual beasts started fighting, with no clear winner in sight. The shockwaves blew away any poor soul too slow to react.


    These were the ripples from six Radiant Stage experts¡¯ attacks. Even a Profound Heaven expert would be sent to his death.


    The morale began to sink as fear set in. But the most feared were still the seven houses.


    Only the likes of them could dish out 5th level spiritual beasts that could fight a Radiant Stage expert to a standstill!


    The reveal of the six spiritual beasts only furthered the tug of war. You Yushan¡¯s side stayed back in fear of not being dragged into their battle, but Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group now had no way of breaking out either.


    It now became clear that they were doomed to wait for Huangpu Qingtian to come reap their lives.


    Chu Qingcheng turned to the others, ¡°This stalemate is the worst outcome for us. Does anyone have a 5th level spiritual beast that can help?¡±


    All she got was eye rolls.


    [What do you take us for? You think we¡¯re that well off to raise a 5th level spiritual beast?]


    Chu Qingcheng sighed in sorrow while You Yushan¡¯s side was having a field day at their expense.


    The longer this dragged on the greater the danger.


    Huangpu Qingtian glanced over satisfied, before turning to Zhuo Fan, ¡°I didn¡¯t think they would use their trump cards so soon. A shame it changed nothing.¡±


    Zhuo Fan frowned and his hand trembled.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, worried? Then I will help you feel at ease by not making you waste time on a bunch of soon to be corpses!¡± Grinning, Huangpu Qingtian shouted, ¡°Flaming Lion King, end them!¡±


    Roar!


    The imposing power pierced the hearts of everyone as a flaming winged lion pounced on Chu Qingcheng¡¯s army.


    ¡°6th level spiritual beast, Flaming Lion King!¡±


    They all gasped in fear. None saw it coming, that Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s spirit animal would be a 6th level spiritual beast.


    It was going to throw the stalemate in the enemy¡¯s favor!


    The tri-house alliance¡¯s spiritual beasts shuddered from the lion¡¯s roar. Their power cut down, they were pushed back by the other three spiritual beasts.


    ¡°We¡¯re finished!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s army was filled with despair and frustration as the savage lion unleashed waves of flame in its path.


    Even though they¡¯d die either way. Up till now they at least had the chance to take as many as they could down with them. With even some Profound Heaven experts cherishing the faint hope of survival. But now that the lion king was here, all hope was lost.


    Their lives were now waiting for the flames of war to burn them to cinders.


    You Yushan¡¯s side laughed. Zhuo Fan kept on shuddering. He didn¡¯t get to act as a twisted and maniacally voice grated his ears.


    ¡°If you leave, who¡¯s to hold me back?


    Huangpu Qingtian cackled. He was having a blast seeing Zhuo Fan so conflicted. After suffering at his hand for so many times, he finally had vindication. It felt good.


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan found himself in a bind.


    With two threats on a collision course with Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group, he could only pick one. It was such a nerve wrecking decision that he felt lost regardless of what he picked.


    But then, his Thunder Ring flickered. Zhuo Fan felt the impatience and hatred within.


    Qiao¡¯er?


    He was startled and perplexed at its impatience. But he soon knew why.


    Flaming Lion King was the same beast who had killed his mother. Although a different one, the thirst for revenge remained. Its hatred ran bone deep for what it had done to its mother.


    But how was the young Qiao¡¯er going to fight against the Flaming Lion King? It was only a 4th level spiritual beast.


    The answer was picked for him as Qiao¡¯er had reached its limit and the Thunder Ring flickered stronger.


    [Sigh, it¡¯s not like it will change anything.]


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth, having made a decision, ¡°Young master Huangpu, I may not be able to split myself, but what you have, well so do I!¡±


    With a snicker, Zhuo Fan flourished, ¡°Come, Qiao¡¯er!¡±


    In a flash of purple, a purple lightning shot for Flaming Lion King. Qiao¡¯er only had one thing on its mind, revenge.


    ¡°What is that?¡± You Yushan peered at the lightening glow.


    Yan Bangui said, ¡°It appears to be a Thunder Skylark, a 6th level spiritual beast. But why is it purple?¡±


    ¡°What, 6th level spiritual beast? He has one too?¡± Lin Xuanfeng panicked, ¡°Won¡¯t this end up in a standstill again?¡±


    Yan Bangui took a closer look, before giving a deprecating shake of his head, ¡°Relax, that won¡¯t happen. This Thunder Skylark is only a chick, at the 4th level. It¡¯s no match for an adult Flaming Lion King! Besides, an adult Thunder Skylark would fare no better.¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what¡¯s up with Zhuo Fan then? Is he so fed up with his useless spiritual beast that he wants to give it to the lion king as a snack?¡±


    That set the other two laughing.


    While on Chu Qingcheng¡¯s side, they were hopeful a treacherous man like Zhuo Fan had to have an amazing spirit animal.


    Only to feel their hopes crumble at the sight of a young Thunder Skylark, a mere 4th level spiritual beast, and they resumed despairing.


    Even Zhuo Fan felt how hopeless it was to even let such a meager support out.


    Ha~


    With great hope came an equally great disappointment as they all sighed, resigned to their fates¡­


    Huangpu Qingtian wasn¡¯t about to let this golden chance go and mocked the chick as well, ¡°Zhuo Fan, are you that desperate to even send your useless spiritual beast to its death?¡±


    ¡°What can I say? If it wants to die, I can¡¯t stop it!¡±


    Shrugging, Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t seem to care, but the worry in his eyes was unmistakable. Even he didn¡¯t know of Qiao¡¯er¡¯s power. Common sense dictated that a 4th level spiritual beast wouldn¡¯t be considered even a side dish to a 6th level spiritual beast.


    Qiao¡¯er¡¯s chances were between nil and infinitesimal.


    Catching on to Zhuo Fan¡¯s worry, Huangpu Qingtian capitalized on it to put his own worries to rest. [The punk has no overt scheme in play at all. He is on the ropes.] That last one made his day and he smiled from ear to ear.


    In the meantime, Qiao¡¯er was already behind the Flaming Lion King.


    It had everyone¡¯s full attention. Even their breath was caught in their throat at the imminent clash¡­

 Chapter 296 - Purple Lightning’s Superiority

    Roar!


    Flaming Lion King¡¯s roar grated ears as it showed its dominance. The six 5th level spiritual beasts had long stopped to watch.


    You Yushan¡¯s group¡¯s spiritual beasts bent a knee and bowed their heads before the mighty lion king. While on Chu Qingcheng¡¯s side, their spiritual beasts knew when they were overpowered and shuddered as they inched backward again and again.


    It only worked to further let arrogance get to Flaming Lion King¡¯s head, showing a scornful smile. It escaped his notice or, better yet, it brushed off Qiao¡¯er¡¯s existence entirely.


    And it went the same for the other six spiritual beasts.


    What could a 4th level spiritual beast possibly do in this hopeless situation?


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s side¡¯s spiritual beasts were vexed. [It makes no difference even if you come, fowl. You¡¯re dead anyway.] While the enemy¡¯s beasts looked on with mockery.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s faction was plunged deeper in despair. If the purple Thunder Skylark instilled a trickle of hope earlier, it was now thoroughly squashed.


    A spiritual beast¡¯s senses were accurate. If they looked down on the chick, then it was clearly worthless¡­


    Shriek~


    Not that Qiao¡¯er cared what any of them thought of it. It only had eyes for Flaming Lion King. It cried from behind to call out the lion king with a gaze burning with hatred and thirst for battle.


    Flaming Lion King swished his head back, glaring at Qiao¡¯er, itching to eat it and quench its anger.


    [You dare challenge me?]


    Qiao¡¯er¡¯s plumes flickered and purple sparks traveled all over it. If that wasn¡¯t clear enough, then the thick bloodthirst made it abundantly obvious it wanted the lion king¡¯s head on a platter.


    The lion king was royally pissed when Qiao¡¯er didn¡¯t stop its cries.


    [You wretched and filthy whelp, no Thunder Skylark can match me, but you, a chick, thinks it can? For you to challenge my authority, the punishment is death.]


    Roar!


    With another angry roar, Flaming Lion King started showing its violent side. The frightened six spiritual beasts were already meek, not even squawking. Qiao¡¯er was the only exception, its eyes were fixed on the bronze lion and its screeches never stopped taunting it.


    The fully incensed Flaming Lion King opened its maw and spewed a three meter big fireball.


    Not even a Profound Heaven expert could block such a blow. He¡¯d be turned to ashes.


    Everyone watched on edge, worried for the Thunder Skylark¡¯s fate. Xue Ningxiang was panicking, turning to Xie Tianyang, ¡°Brother Tianyang, big brother Zhuo¡¯s bird looks so pitiful. Please save it!¡±


    Ugh!


    Cold sweat filled the silent Xie Tianyang. He turned to the unbearably naive Xue Ningxiang with an aggrieved look, ¡°Ning¡¯er, if the bird is pitiful, I am even more so! Have you forgotten our time in Allbeast Mountain Range, of the fight between Flaming Lion King and Thunder Skylark? Now you are asking me to save a 4th level spiritual beast when I am nowhere near as strong as a 6th level spiritual beast?¡±


    ¡°But¡­ it¡¯s just so pitiful!¡± Xue Ningxiang was saddened.


    Xie Tianyang shook his head, ¡°Blame Zhuo Fan. He knows it too yet insists on sending it to its death.¡±


    His words got nods from all around him, puzzled as to why Zhuo Fan took this reckless course of action.


    Zhuo Fan himself tightened his fists from worry. [Qiao¡¯er, you are the embodiment of lightning and faster than Flaming Lion King. You must dodge!]


    Huangpu Qingtian snickered, ¡°You must be thinking Flaming Lion King can¡¯t catch up to Thunder Skylark¡¯s speed, right? Ha-ha-ha, have you forgotten whose spirit animal the lion king is?¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian gave Flaming Lion King a look.


    Flaming Lion King nodded and flapped its wings.


    A blazing tornado engulfed tiny Qiao¡¯er, sealing all means of escape. Just as the fireball approached.


    With its biggest advantage sealed, its fate was without a doubt certain death.


    Zhuo Fan panicked inside, [How is the brash and overbearing Flaming Lion King capable of such refined skill?]


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you have a spirit animal and you don¡¯t know? Unlike spiritual beasts, a master can teach and train its pet martial arts according to their attributes. As I and Flaming Lion King are weak in speed, I devised this move to deal with quick enemies.¡± Huangpu Qingtian snickered.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s anger swelled.


    He had always been a lone wolf. And since he never raised spirit animals before, he was oblivious to its implications. Now he didn¡¯t even have the time to regret.


    This was Qiao¡¯er¡¯s decision and all he could do was support it. All consequences were for it to bear.


    This was the demonic path he treaded!


    He hatched Qiao¡¯er from a mere egg and was practically kin. Of course it would walk the same path as him¡­


    Boom!


    The fireball exploded on Qiao¡¯er. It combined with the fire tornado in a tremendous bang, releasing a torrent of flames.


    Xue Ningxiang clutched her ears, ducking behind Xie Tianyang in fear as she observed the flaming explosion in dismay. The others sighed.


    [Here lie the bones of an overconfident creature.]


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth, refraining from looking and clenched his fists further.


    Huangpu Qingtian beamed. He wasn¡¯t in the habit of letting an opponent¡¯s weakness pass by, making sure to drive home as much hurt as he could muster through his condescending, ¡°Zhuo Fan, you truly are empty inside. To even send that young spirit animal to its death¡­¡±


    Boom!


    A thunder cut his mockery short. It came from within the fiery blaze. Purple lightning streaked the skies and pulverized the flames into nothing. Qiao¡¯er was revealed at the center of the purple lightning, its eyes were raging as before, bent on killing the lion king where it stood.


    [How in god¡¯s name is that possible?]


    Shock and awe was prevalent down below. The worst off were the six 5th level spiritual beasts. Not in a million years had they considered it possible for a 4th level spiritual beast to survive the lion king¡¯s head on assault.


    ¡°W-what skill is that?¡± Huangpu Qingtian was no different, ¡°Since when did Thunder Skylark have such a skill?¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at the sky in frown. Only to see Qiao¡¯er wrapped in a purple cocoon of lightning. The errant purple lightning hammered the flames and evaporated at mere touch.


    Zhuo Fan was speechless. He found the purple shield familiar and realized where it came from. It was the same as Lightning Canyon¡¯s protective barrier. [Is it¡­]


    He didn¡¯t complete his thought as Qiao¡¯er was on the move again.


    Shriek~


    Qiao¡¯er called out Flaming Lion King once again. But it wasn¡¯t all talk now, releasing its all in the upcoming clash.


    Purple lightning snaked from its body, twisting space itself. The pressure grew from such a mighty display, to the point it felt as if the end of days was upon them.


    The 5th level spiritual beasts weren¡¯t the only ones terrified of the imminent danger, even humans found Qiao¡¯er dreadful.


    [Why is a 4th level spiritual beast far more dangerous than a 6th level one?]


    Even Flaming Lion King squinted, moving backward with a grave face.


    Who¡¯d have thought the same Thunder Skylark he slighted would unleash such power?


    Long Xingyun¡¯s side was dumbfounded. They were more than a little familiar with Qiao¡¯er¡¯s power.


    ¡°Little Kui, Little Jie, don¡¯t you find that lightning¡­¡± Long Xingyun stared wide-eyed.


    Long Kui nodded, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s Uncle Jiu¡¯s purple lightning. But¡­ far stronger!¡±


    Long Xingyun gasped, shocked to the extreme.


    He had never dreamed he¡¯d ever see the might of Godeye Long Jiu, the power he was famed for, Purple Lightning God Eye, being displayed here, and on a far greater scale and power. On a spiritual beast no less.


    Huangpu Qingtian was completely floored, ¡°Z-Zhuo Fan, t-that¡¯s a Thunder Skylark?¡±


    ¡°In the flesh. The one I reared myself!¡± Zhuo Fan grinned, sponging off another¡¯s achievements without even a twitch. He pointed at the lion and barked, ¡°Qiao¡¯er, put an end to that eyesore!¡±


    Ding!


    Its pair of eyes shone with bloodthirst as Qiao¡¯er¡¯s sharp claws glinted. With a flap of its lightning wings, it zoomed for Flaming Lion King like a thunder god.


    All eyes were on Qiao¡¯er.


    The next moment, the entire sky flashed purple and people¡¯s heart¡¯s seized¡­

 Chapter 297 - Turning The Tide

    Roar!


    This time people found the shout a bit off. One could feel the haughtiness subside and even detect a hint of fear.


    Flaming Lion King¡¯s shaking body kept moving backwards as it stared at incoming purple lightning. Franticness touched its eyes and it started spitting fireballs and flapped its wings to keep the dreaded purple lightning at bay.


    Fireballs dozens of meters big flew out accompanied by blazing tornadoes ¨C anything to stop Qiao¡¯er.


    This power was enough to sunder earth and burn the sky. The six 5th level spiritual beasts had long since cowered away in fear.


    The power of a 6th level spiritual beast!


    However, Qiao¡¯er was relentless. Lightning streaked its body as it slipped through the cracks in the flames, arriving five meters from the Flaming Lion King and coming face to face with a firestorm. Its eyes squinted and whirled. It charged through, with the purple lightning wrapped around it acting as a drill, piercing the flames and rendering them void.


    Boom~


    The struck fireballs exploded in a spectacular fashion. Flaming Lion King was beside itself in fear and the next thing it knew was its reflection in Qiao¡¯er¡¯s cold eyes!


    Pff!


    Qiao¡¯er ran through Flaming Lion King¡¯s chest before he could even think about dodging. Scarlet blood gushed from the hole like a flood. Flaming Lion King was watching its wound paralyzed.


    It, a great 6th level spiritual beast, had actually found its end at the claws of a young Thunder Skylark, a 4th level spiritual beast, in one move!


    Its eyes grew heavy, its body colder, evident from the flickering flames over its body. Flaming Lion King felt itself slipping into the dark abyss. Yet it still wanted to go on.


    However, the hole in his chest was too great and he soon found his sight go black before collapsing¡­


    Sss~


    Gasping, the crowd never saw it coming. A 4th level spiritual beast killing a 6th level spiritual beast? Ridiculous!


    Zhuo Fan was just as shocked.


    Qiao¡¯er had exceeded his expectations. Especially that killing blow. The average Thunder Skylark didn¡¯t have such skills.


    Thunder Skylark was a mild 6th level spiritual beast. It only knew to use its lightning to cover its body in defense, but never to focus it into an attacking skill.


    This was where Qiao¡¯er differed from the norm. It used the 4th Heaven purple lightning and even comprehended two skills, one for defense and another for attack. It was uncontested proof of its sentience.


    Other spirit animals, like Flaming Lion King, were trained in skills by humans, while Qiao¡¯er picked them up by itself. The difference was obvious, like comparing heaven and earth.


    And what did it mean if a spiritual beast gained sentience?


    The chance to evolve into a sacred beast!


    This had never happened among spiritual beasts, nor the appearance of someone like Qiao¡¯er either. A never before seen spiritual beast born from purple lightning!


    Zhuo Fan did not yet know where the purple lightning came from. He was still debating if the Heavenly Emperor created it or obtained it somehow.


    But one thing he did know was, purple lightning wasn¡¯t just sparkles to instill such fear into even the likes of sacred beasts. Qiao¡¯er had bathed in this almighty power and had a high chance of evolving.


    The last thought really got his blood flowing. [Am I going to have a sacred beast spirit animal?!]


    While he was in his own little world, the others were dazed ¨C the six 5th level spiritual beasts included. They all looked wide eyed at the purple figure.


    Who knew a 4th level spiritual beast ever had it in him to kill a 6th level spiritual beast? Surely not them. Not to mention it was overkill how it happened.


    [T-this is insane! Illogical, absurd!] It went beyond human and beast comprehension alike, neither side was capable of staring truth in the face.


    Huangpu Qingtian was the prime example. Seeing his strongest spirit animal killed like nothing, it had messed up the mind of this poor king. [What the hell is that thing?]


    Everyone was so out of it and looking at the slight figure in the air until¡­


    Shriek~


    Qiao¡¯er flapped its wings celebrating its conquest. The cry pierced through the people¡¯s haze but the fear still lingered.


    [The little guy is Zhuo Fan¡¯s equivalent in the spiritual beast world. A monster!]


    [Sigh, like master like pet.]


    The people lamented, watching the purple figure in envy.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shined, ¡°Qiao¡¯er, clear a path for them to break free!¡±


    The crowd was in complete shock.


    While only You Yushan¡¯s side was panicking. [That thing is stronger than a 6th level spiritual beast.] Clearing a path meant going through them.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s side was jubilant and Zhuo Fan¡¯s image grew in their hearts.


    [That¡¯s our Zhuo Fan. He always pulls through for us!]


    Shriek~


    Qiao¡¯er complied with his order and dived. He began by peppering the three 5th level spiritual beasts with purple lightning.


    Boom~


    The lightning smashed down like hail, forcing the spiritual beasts to scatter to and fro in fear.


    [Where did this freak come from? And why is this abnormality set on us?]


    You Yushan¡¯s side was nervous. It wouldn¡¯t be long before their beasts would be bombarded to pieces. All the crying in the world wouldn¡¯t bring them back then!


    Robbed of any choice, in fear and anxiety, You Yushan¡¯s side recalled their spiritual beasts. As long as Qiao¡¯er was looming overhead, no one dared take their spirit animal out ever again.


    Having lost its targets, Qiao¡¯er flew around unhinged, releasing purple lighting like a veritable thunderstorm and killing all in its path.


    Cries of horror pierced the sky and the ears of You Yushan and his two allies as they scattered for cover and their lives. Who the hell had the time to keep Chu Qingcheng in a deadlock?


    Luo Yunhai soon found their path cleared and just strutted out like the enemy wasn¡¯t even there.


    Quite understandable when the same enemy was now screaming and running for their lives.


    The eyes on Qiao¡¯er were that of awe, shock and fear. Looking at it dominating the battlefield with its power and valor left them sighing.


    [If Zhuo Fan¡¯s spirit animal could turn the tides so easily, why didn¡¯t he take it out from the start?]


    How were they supposed to know Zhuo Fan had no clue of Qiao¡¯er¡¯s true might. You¡¯d think he¡¯d keep it stashed away instead of showing off otherwise?


    Xie Tianyang looked lost, his face stiff, ¡°Ning¡¯er, do you still find the bird pitiful?¡±


    With a veritable symphony of screams and wails gracing her ears, Xue Ningxiang went beet red as she said, ¡°Uh, no, but the men facing it sure are.¡±


    ¡°Everything that Zhuo Fan throws out is insane. Not even his pet is normal!¡± Xie Tianyang sighed.


    Just how did he do it? How the hell did he raise such a monstrous spiritual beast?


    ¡°Enough chatter! We need to get out of here first!¡± Chu Qingcheng snapped, then gave a nod to Luo Yunhai who signaled, ¡°Charge!¡±


    With Qiao¡¯er providing cover fire, they breezed through the enemy lines. No one wanted to stop them either, not unless they wanted to be left smoking and sizzling after a bath of purple lightning.


    Huangpu Qingtian stared wide-eyed at the escaping prey and raved, ¡°A bunch of useless mongrels dare foil my plans? You have another thing coming!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what if you include me?¡±


    Whoosh!


    Zhuo Fan popped up before him and kicked his face. Huangpu Qingtian mocked, ¡°Humph, you think you can stop me? The only reason you¡¯ve lived so far is because I was toying with you! You truly believe me to be this weak?¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s punch this time left the impression of a rock fifty meters tall crashing down on Zhou Fan.


    Bam!


    Yet when the two attacks clashed, Zhuo Fan¡¯s leg flickered purple. A boom resounded as Huangpu Qingtian felt an incredible force stagger him.


    Followed closely by Zhuo Fan¡¯s evil grin, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, who wasn¡¯t?¡±


    Boom!


    Huangpu Qingtian was forced back five steps. Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t let him recover and punched this time, his hand wrapped in purple lightning.


    ¡°Young master Huangpu, we¡¯re the same, you and I. None of us will use our aces until the last moment.¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan¡¯s smirk widened and he hammered Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s chest.


    Huangpu Qingtian rushed his hand to defend.


    Boom!


    Another powerful blast revealed purple lightning streaking across the ground, now disintegrated in a thousand meters range. His punch was not one bit less than Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s earlier strike¡­

 Chapter 298 - All’s Within My Grasp

    As dust billowed, the boom traveled a thousand miles.


    You Yushan¡¯s side couldn¡¯t pierce the veil of dust and were beside themselves with shock. Who knew Zhuo Fan was capable of such power? So much so that it almost overwhelmed Huangpu Qingtian!


    The worry was prevalent in all, but none ventured forth to clarify it. They were too afraid to interfere between Soaring Demonic Dragon and Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord¡¯s deathmatch.


    When the dust settled all they saw was a mess. When they double checked the two were nowhere in sight, they scrunched up the little courage they had and investigated the disaster.


    But the sudden explosion scared them back. Looking at the source, they found Huangpu Qingtian shooting from the ground, wretched and dirty.


    He may look unseemingly, but there was no apparent wound on him.


    The shock was palpable at Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s state. Taking into account the force behind that fist yet him coming out unharmed in the least, surged them with joy and admiration.


    ¡°Eldest young master, you¡¯re ok!¡± You Yushan¡¯s gang dashed over.


    Taking a deep breath, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes glinted coldly, but he wasn¡¯t looking at them, ¡°Where¡¯s Zhuo Fan?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    The three were confused, until You Yushan came forth with a bow, ¡°Eldest young master, Zhuo Fan¡¯s punch unleashed a cloud of smoke. Once the dust finally settled we only saw the eldest young master appear. We saw no trace of him. I suspect he has already fled.¡±


    Brow shuddering, Huangpu Qingtian spread his Discerning Field for a more precise investigation. Certain that Zhuo Fan was gone, he said, ¡°And Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group?¡±


    Blushing, the three hanged their heads, ¡°Forgive us, eldest young master! W-we let them escape!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes flashed icily.


    Reeling, the three broke out in sweat.


    They wished for Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s cursing so badly right now. At least it would vent some of his anger. Anything was better than this eerie silence. The fear of not knowing his thinking was only mounting.


    One day Huangpu Qingtian may very well be so angry as to strike them down!


    The three shuddered in horror, trying to scour for a gesture, anything that betrayed his state of mind.


    Huangpu Qingtian kept silent for a long time before finally smiling, ¡°Let them run. It won¡¯t change anything.¡±


    The three were stunned, having never seen Huangpu Qingtian like this and didn¡¯t know how to react.


    [Wait, is this the same cold-blooded eldest young master? Not only did his scheme come apart at the seams, but he also lost a Brimming Sacred Pill and a 6th level spirit animal. No to mention he invested so much effort in this plan too, but even after gaining nothing from it, he isn¡¯t flying into a rage?]


    [Am I dreaming?]


    [Did he flip?]


    Baffled by the sudden turn of events, they looked on at him in bewilderment. Like he was a different man.


    Easily picking up on their thoughts, Huangpu Qingtian showed a vague smile, ¡°Don¡¯t forget our mission in this battle!¡±


    ¡°How can we? It¡¯s the position as head of the seven houses!¡± Lin Xuanfeng let it slip.


    Having nothing but scorn for the man, Huangpu Qingtian shook his head, ¡°Regent Estate has been the head for a thousand years and not because of this child¡¯s play, but by raw power! We don¡¯t need this insipid game to prove anything. Not now, not ever!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian instilled fear in each one of them with his declaration.


    [That¡¯s the Regent Estate we know, unchanged for a thousand years.]


    ¡°Is it for¡­ Brimming Sacred Pills then?¡± You Yushan ventured.


    Grinning, Huangpu Qingtian shook his head again, ¡°Brimming Sacred Pill is a rare 8th grade pill that even the Regent Estate covets. However, that is hardly our goal!¡±


    ¡°Then please enlighten us, eldest young master!¡± Yan Bangui bowed.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes burst with coldness as he clenched his crackling fist, ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    [What?!]


    The crowd was in complete shock.


    Sure, Zhuo Fan was like a disease, but the Esoteric Debate was held once a century to settle the power struggle between the clans. Yet he was saying that Regent Estate only joined because of one man?


    [Aren¡¯t you overthinking things?]


    His cold eyes swept the crowd, lingering longer on his three allies, then Huangpu Qingtian clarified their doubts, ¡°Do you believe Zhuo Fan and Esoteric Debate to be two separate matters?¡±


    Despite everyone avoiding his powerful and steady gaze, there were nods.


    ¡°Humph, ignorants!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian mocked, ¡°Fools! You have that wretched mentality that says he is only a talented cultivator, that you will sooner or later put him down with the power of your houses. What if I tell you that as long as he¡¯s around, Luo clan will stand abreast the seven houses in ten years, surpass us in twenty, and in thirty, it will be the strongest clan in Tianyu that not even all seven houses together can oppose! Will you still think this Esoteric Debate to be nothing but a boring game?¡±


    [This can¡¯t be¡­]


    This was too much to bear. You Yushan was even denying it as he second-guessed Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s words, ¡°Eldest young master, aren¡¯t you exaggerating? The legacy of the seven houses is a thousand years old. He won¡¯t reach our level in a century, not to mention decades!¡±


    ¡°Humph, exaggerate? Ha-ha-ha, if it was me saying that, your reaction would be inexcusable, albeit understandable. However¡­ ¡±


    The crowd was hanging on every one of his words.


    Huangpu Qingtian snickered, ¡°What if it came from Sir Leng? Would you doubt the words of a cunning man with ineffable plans like the Unwonted Contriver?¡±


    ¡°What? Leng Wuchang said that?¡±


    They just got the shock of their lives. For even Leng Wuchang to say that, it meant the prediction had to be true!


    They just couldn¡¯t wrap their head around how Zhuo Fan being a monster gifted with such godlike skills.


    Huangpu Qingtian smiled at their skepticism, ¡°Sir Leng said he is of incredible talent, equal to Zhuge Changfeng. He only needs to grasp power and he will soar beyond anyone¡¯s reach. That is why we need to clip his wings before he can fully spread them. Or the seven houses will soon be no more. Shame Drifting Flowers Edifices, Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Sword Marquise Abode are too blind to see it. They are playing with fire standing behind him and will find one day robbed of everything!


    ¡°But the Luo clan is under the imperial family¡¯s protection, and they have Dugu Zhantian for support. We are without means to strike him down in any other circumstances. The only way to eradicate him is to do it within the bounds of the Esoteric Debate!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian turned his bloodthirsty eyes to them, ¡°That is why our main mission in the Esoteric Debate is to get Zhuo Fan¡¯s head. Everything else is secondary!¡±


    The others turned grave, realizing Huangpu Qingtian had finally revealed Regent Estate¡¯s real objective for the Esoteric Debate.


    But this was nigh impossible to achieve. Harder than gathering the Brimming Sacred Pills and facing spiritual beasts.


    After witnessing Zhuo Fan¡¯s mystical abilities, they came to realize that he was unrivaled beneath the Radiant Stage.


    Even the Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord, the strongest of Six Dragons and One Phoenix, had allegedly barely overpowered him. But when they thought about ignoring him, that was an absolute no.


    [Or Huangpu Qingtian would¡¯ve turned him into a bloody damn smear by now! Why waste so much time explaining it to us?]


    ¡°Uh, eldest young master, how are we to go about purging Zhuo Fan? Our best chance was when we had everyone cornered and Zhuo Fan was forced to stay. But now they will be on guard and make it even harder!¡± You Yushan sighed.


    Grinning, Huangpu Qingtian said, ¡°That was our best chance? Ha-ha-ha, merely bait. The punk has bit on it and all that is left is to wait for the poison to take its effect.¡±


    Everyone was clueless.


    Ignoring them, Huangpu Qingtian turned towards where Chu Qingcheng¡¯s group was last seen, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, they thought they¡¯d escaped when in fact they fell right for it! Not even the cunning Zhuo Fan has hope of breaking out of Sir Leng¡¯s personally designed master plan. Relax, all¡¯s within my grasp¡­ ¡°


    The others shuddered, clueless as to what got into him.


    And since Sir Leng intervened himself, then this should be a done deal. Sir Leng was hailed as the number one schemer, with a zero fail rate.


    The shadow tailing them was startled, [I¡¯ve heard of Tianyu¡¯s Unwonted Contriver, but never imagined he will lower himself to deal with a junior. Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord is talented and powerful, but now he even has Leng Wuchang behind him. Zhuo Fan, you are up against peak experts in both brawn and brains.]


    ¡°If you fail, it¡¯s only fair I discard you. But if you win¡­ you just became a hot commodity, he-he-he¡­¡±

 Chapter 299 - Array Map

    Rustle~


    A shadow streaked the sky, flashing in and out of view every mile.


    When he finally stopped, he had crossed tens of miles, listening to the ruckus a few miles out. He just gave a nod, more to himself, and was gone again.


    The final appearance was in the middle of the group.


    ¡°Who?¡± Xie Tianshang shouted, sword at the ready. He saw everyone look on with joy, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re finally back.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so what are you standing with your weapon drawn for? Put it away, will you.¡± Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.


    Xie Tianshang shook his head as he did just that, ¡°Brother Zhuo is right. I wish to learn a lot from you in a spar, but it doesn¡¯t seem appropriate to do it in the middle of a crisis.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face twitched.


    [That¡¯s a martial fanatic for you. His mind is ever skewed in thinking fighting came first. At least he isn¡¯t a lost cause and a complete battle maniac, yet.]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s return was met with jubilation all around. As if he had become the true winner of that little skirmish back there. Even the vassals forgot about their true masters and they looked up at him in reverence.


    It was only a matter of time. With the three houses now willing to follow Zhuo Fan¡¯s every word, it was obvious who the little clans would choose.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s earlier turning point was the crux. If not for his timely help in clearing a path, they would¡¯ve been mowed down.


    They had witnessed it themselves. It was no wonder he was hailed as a savior. Zhuo Fan¡¯s image soared in their minds¡­


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, are you hurt?¡± Chu Qingcheng came over. She saw the light scratches and spoke softly. Her face was calm, but the eyes spoke volumes of the deep care and worry she had for him.


    Zhuo Fan brushed it off and switched topics, ¡°It¡¯s fine. But Huangpu Qingtian isn¡¯t a pushover¡­ Oh, what of Ning¡¯er and my spirit animal?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng dimmed, knowing he didn¡¯t want to talk about it. She was so aggrieved for not being able to make sense of his thinking.


    Dong Tianba graced her with a thorough analysis of Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart¡¯s ranking, but it was just that, guesswork. In the end, only Zhuo Fan knew what he was thinking.


    And this got Chu Qingcheng vexed the most. Any woman wished to know if the one they love thought about her the most. Then there¡¯s Zhuo Fan, who was always so vague and dodgy that no one could get a single clue what went on in that big brain of his¡­


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, your spirit animal is so fierce none of us dare even approach. What is even stranger, it seems to have taken a particular liking to young miss Xue and second young master Xie. Look for yourself!¡± Long Xingyun smiled and pointed above.


    Zhuo Fan was dumbstruck.


    He saw a purple lightning drifting through the clouds. And on Qiao¡¯er¡¯s back was a man and woman having a blast. Who else but Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang?


    Zhuo Fan felt depressed at their entertainment. [A Thunder Skylark is a high level spiritual beast, so what is it doing getting so attached to strangers?]


    But then it dawned on him.


    Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang wore Thunder Rings he refined from Qiao¡¯er¡¯s mother. They held its mother¡¯s scent.


    Such an outcome was obvious.


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°Fate, I guess.¡±


    That threw the others off. Qiao¡¯er noticed Zhuo Fan and chirped cheerfully. Seeing where they were flying, Xue Ningxiang waved, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, welcome back!¡±


    Only Xie Tianyang¡¯s mood sank. [Here comes the third wheel¡­]


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan gestured for Qiao¡¯er to come next to him. Xue Ningxiang jumped off the bird and skipped over with rosy cheeks and a sweet smile, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, i-is it the same Thunder Skylark young we found in Allbeast Mountain Range?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I got it to hatch.¡± Zhuo Fan ruffled her hair.


    Xue Ningxiang bobbed her head and treated Qiao¡¯er as seeing an old friend, ¡°How adorable, just like its mother!¡±


    Her words set the crowd off in a round of twitching. Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t exempt.


    If there was anyone among them who¡¯d call Qiao¡¯er adorable, then that would be the ever naive Xue Ningxiang. They recalled with dread how Qiao¡¯er flew in a circle once and blasted experts to smithereens. [How in hell is that adorable?]


    They all went silent, having no clue how to break it.


    Shriek~


    Qiao¡¯er¡¯s sharp cry and piercing eyes raised everyone from their stupor to demand, [You dare say I¡¯m not? Go on, make my day¡­]


    Shivering, they all bobbed their heads, completing the image with a bright smile and a soaked back. Having got its wish, Qiao¡¯er chirped and gave Xue Ningxiang a smile.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head at how fast the beast and girl had hit it off. [Is Qiao¡¯er taking Ning¡¯er as its mother?]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s cheeks went ablaze as his mind spun. He was Qiao¡¯er¡¯s dad and Ning¡¯er its mom. Then he and Ning¡¯er¡­


    ¡°Oi, Zhuo Fan, how the hell have you been raising it? It¡¯s no less monster than you are. Mind¡­ giving it to me?¡± Xie Tianyang showed his greedy side.


    That caught Xie Tianshang¡¯s attention, looking at Zhuo Fan expectantly.


    He wasn¡¯t thinking what an asset such a strong spiritual beast would be to Sword Marquise Abode. Oh no, he only saw the spiritual beast as an endless sparring partner to hone his edge.


    Martial fanatic. Did one need to say more?


    Zhuo Fan arched an eyebrow, ¡°What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Uh, no.¡± Xie Tianyang¡¯s face twitched.


    ¡°Then cut the crap.¡± Zhuo Fan glared. [Who in their right mind would give away a potential sacred beast?] He didn¡¯t have a screw loose.


    Xie Tianyang shrugged, ¡°Just saying. Jeez, can¡¯t you take a joke?¡±


    Though the envy had yet to fade from his eyes every time he saw Qiao¡¯er. This spirit animal was just too damn overpowered! Just the fact that Zhuo Fan had such an insane spirit animal was enough to spur Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s desires.


    Xie Tianyang saw Xue Ningxiang cuddling Qiao¡¯er and his heart sank.  Though no one noticed¡­


    Once the pleasantries were over and done with, it was time to return to the grim and bitter reality.


    ¡°Brother Zhuo, what do we do now?¡± Long Xingyun asked.


    Zhuo Fan muttered, ¡°Our main priority is to find the keys and exit stones. To leave this place at once! We¡¯ll just ignore Brimming Sacred Pills, as life is far more precious. I can search for them myself if I have to.¡±


    The words cut deep and they sighed with hanged heads.


    He didn¡¯t need to be so blunt about it for them to understand. They were dead weights, pure and simple. The earlier battle was proof enough. They were the reason for Zhuo Fan¡¯s limited actions. If he was alone he could come and go as he wished.


    They all turned bleak, but knew the truth in Zhuo Fan¡¯s words. In this battle, they had no advantage whatsoever and would sooner or later end up as Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s pawns in this damnable place if they lingered.


    None spoke as they watched Zhuo Fan gloomily.


    Xie Tianshang broke the silence with his sigh, ¡°We still want to fight, but brother Zhuo is right. With how weak we are, it¡¯s better we leave. Long Xingyun, take it out. We and brother Zhuo need to consult on the best way to leave this place.¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at them puzzled. [Do they have a secret weapon?]


    Easing a breath, Long Xingyun revealed a piece of silk, ¡°I am a man living in the present. I do not care as much about the Esoteric Debate as brother Xie does. But going home in such a wretched state is not what I want to see.¡±


    Zhuo Fan unfolded the silk and cried, ¡°Beast King Mountain¡¯s array exit map?¡±


    On the detailed map, five points stood out, the five National Elemental Stones meant to take them home. With the yin-yang metal keys, all they had to do now was get to the metal exit and they¡¯d be home free.


    Zhuo Fan stared at the others, ¡°Can it be trusted?¡±


    Long Xingyun spoke seriously, ¡°That¡¯s what we would like to know by consulting you.¡±


    With a shout, some Profound Heaven experts were hoisting two scared people over. At the sight of them, Zhuo Fan sported an odd look as he said, ¡°You again!¡±


    The two were bitter and shuddered on the ground with lowered heads¡­

 Chapter 300 - Battle Of The Minds

    ¡°Cai Xiaoting, Sun Yufei, didn¡¯t I tell you to beat it home? What are you doing here, and captives again no less?¡± Zhuo Fan mocked them for all their little worth.


    The two kneeled there bitterly and wretched. Not once making eye contact with Zhuo Fan.


    Long Xingyun said startled, ¡°Brother Zhuo, you know them?¡±


    ¡°Meet the Luo clan traitors. His father was an elder in the clan and even close to the old Clan Head. Despite their transgression, Yunhai had a good heart and spared them.¡± Zhuo Fan shrugged, ¡°Oh, and why did you capture them? Don¡¯t you know killing them is far easier?¡±


    Long Xingyun gasped then said solemnly, ¡°To tell you the truth, we stumbled upon them not long after we escaped the Killing Blood Marsh. I wasn¡¯t planning on sparing them, but we found this map on them as well as two keys and a Brimming Sacred Pill¡­¡±


    Ahe-he-hem!


    Long Kui¡¯s signal came a tad too late however. The damage was done.


    Long Xingyun now realized the error of his ways. [Telling him about the map and keys was enough. What was I thinking bringing up the Brimming Sacred Pill?]


    Zhuo Fan perked up at the mention of those three little words and his eyes practically shined, ¡°Brother Long, what of the vial?¡±


    ¡°Uh, we found it.¡±


    ¡°I realize that, but won¡¯t it be safer with me?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s demonic smile came next, followed by a genial smile, ¡°What if it were to fall in Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s hands? That would be awful. We can¡¯t have everyone¡¯s interests be laid to waste because of one man, now do we?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s righteous speech didn¡¯t forget to include the public interest. Long Xingyun lost the moral high ground and handed the pill in defeat.


    He had hoped to enter the Radiant Stage with this pill, but now¡­ That ship had sailed!


    Long Xingyun wished he could tear his running mouth off. How could he be so stupid?


    Xie Tianyang and Long Kui knew Zhuo Fan¡¯s character the best and only had sighs of pity. [Once it¡¯s in Zhuo Fan¡¯s clutches, there¡¯s no getting it back.]


    With a gratified flash of light, Zhuo Fan tucked the pill in the safety of his ring. He looked at the despondent Long Xingyun even more pleased.


    With three Brimming Sacred Pills in the bag, uh, ring, only the last one was left and he¡¯d have milked the Esoteric Debate dry.


    Finding two extra keys on Long Xingyun as well, were the icing on the cake.


    It just so happened that he had a pair of keys as well. He could already open the fire and earth exits now!


    He could now leave this place whenever he wished with his spoils. Victory was at hand! The only problem was punching through Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s blockades.


    Alone, he¡¯d be home by now. But with so many people dragging their feet behind him¡­


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes landed on the kneeling duo, ¡°Brother Long fears the map may be a trap.¡±


    ¡°That is what I assume, yes.¡±


    Long Xingyun brushed past Zhuo Fan¡¯s open appropriation of his wealth and said, ¡°They say as early as two weeks ago, Huangpu Qingtian sent them in search of the keys to have full control of the battlefield. But I still feel this is too much of a coincidence. We just got out of danger yet met with these two who had the map we wanted. The more I think about it the more I suspect it. That is why I had them on a leash until Brother Zhuo returned to discuss it.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded inside. Long Xingyun was sloppy by nature, but he had a good head on his shoulders at least.


    The array map was clearly dubious, but for this fleeing group, it held absolute interest. The odds  for a trap waiting for them was most likely certain.


    Even if he absolutely knew about it being a trap, its value outweighed the risks.


    [This is one bait I can¡¯t refuse.]


    Zhuo Fan squinted at the pair, ¡°You better answer my every question. If I found out you¡¯re lying, I¡¯ll make it so even death would be your most cherished wish!¡±


    The two shuddered but nodded, the fear had them soaked in sweat.


    Zhuo Fan began, ¡°Did Huangpu Qingtian make you wait for us?¡±


    ¡°N-no. Like we said, we stumbled upon you as we searched for the exits. There¡¯s nothing else to it!¡± Cai Xiaoting blurted.


    Zhuo Fan stared him down. The man was frantic, but finding no lies, he continued, ¡°Did you make this map after finding the arrays?¡±


    ¡°No, the arrays are too spread out. It¡¯s impossible for us to find them.¡± Cai Xiaoting shook his head. Fearing Zhuo Fan would find his answer lacking, he rushed with, ¡°There were five teams of us, each with its own area to search. We used a jade slip to keep in touch and made the map.¡±


    ¡°What of the two keys and pill?¡±


    ¡°We found them along the way. We used to have two pills, but a Profound Heaven expert stole one to take the credit and you took the last one¡­¡± Cai Xiaoting was heartbroken, his voice trailing off.


    [How could we be so down on our luck? The two pills were our promise to greatness.]


    But at some point, their other Profound Heaven expert team member took one for himself and when they thought the other was enough to get something good, they ran into these guys.


    [Forget about merits when we¡¯re having enough trouble keeping our heads!]


    The two fell deeper in despair.


    Zhuo Fan saw them squirm and nodded. Long Xingyun added, ¡°Brother Zhuo, what if this is a trap as well¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to say it. They were once part of the Luo clan and understand them enough to know if they lie.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes glinted.


    Long Xingyun and the rest were overjoyed.


    That validated the map as being genuine. They could survive this!


    Zhuo Fan shook his head however, ¡°Don¡¯t be so quick to celebrate. The map could still be fake.¡±


    [What?!]


    The crowd was stunned.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan revealed a deep gaze, ¡°They are truthful, yes, but that doesn¡¯t guarantee Huangpu Qingtian was honest to them as well.¡±


    Now they looked puzzled as to why Zhuo Fan was still smiling.


    [Doesn¡¯t that make this map useless?]


    In another place, Huangpu Qingtian pointed at an identical map Zhuo Fan had, ¡°You Yushan, you will set up an ambush at the metal exit. Yan Bangui, you will stake out the fire exit. Me and Lin Xuanfeng will be watching the earth one. Remember what I said. Others do not matter but one person has to breathe their last at all costs. Make sure they die in excruciating pain and suffering.¡±


    The three felt uneasy.


    ¡°Eldest young master, we understand your wish. But will killing this person have any effect on Zhuo Fan?¡± You Yushan frowned, ¡°With how we handed the exits¡¯ locations along with keys and even a Brimming Sacred Pill, they can now flee without worry. Wouldn¡¯t it have been better to give them a fake map?¡±


    With an evil grin, Huangpu Qingtian mocked, ¡°Imbecile, you think you can fool Zhuo Fan¡¯s cunningness with a fake one?¡±


    ¡°But, isn¡¯t he far too paranoid to believe even the real one?¡± Yan Bangui frowned.


    Huangpu Qingtian smiled, ¡°All the more reason why we gave him everything, to believe. Even the two prisoners are real. The two were purposefully kept in the dark, limiting their knowledge to the array map, keys and pill. It¡¯s all because my men guided them from the shadows. Their words are without a doubt genuine. He will never realize we¡¯d even lie to our men all so we could trap him. No matter how shrewd he is, he will never get one falsity out of those two.¡±


    The others lit up, with Lin Xuanfeng giving a thumbs up in his flattery, ¡°Eldest young master is wise. Versed in pen and sword!¡±


    ¡°Humph, this is part of Sir Leng¡¯s plan. I have nothing to do with it.¡± Huangpu Qingtian shook his head, holding the very last Brimming Sacred Pill vial in his hand.


    You Yushan looked at it with a sigh, ¡°Of our three pills, we only have one.¡±


    ¡°What are you so worried about? With Zhuo Fan¡¯s greedy nature, he won¡¯t be satisfied with just three. He will want the last one as well! We just have to deal with him and the others will be easy pickings!¡± Huangpu Qingtian sneered, ¡°Follow the plan and we will have the three vials as well as his head. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s cackle got everyone excited.


    The operation to eradicate Soaring Demonic Dragon was a go¡­

 Chapter 301 - Mole

    A group of people were resting in the dense forest, while Long Xingyun, Xie Tianshang, Chu Qingcheng and Zhuo Fan inspected a map.


    Long Xingyun was the first to speak, ¡°Brother Zhuo, do you see something wrong with the map to call it a fake?¡±


    ¡°None whatsoever. Be it the captives or the map, they are both beyond reproach.¡± Zhuo Fan shook his head and his gaze hardened, ¡°But there¡¯s no way I¡¯d take it for granted when something so good just comes and falls into my lap. It goes double for something we need the most.¡±


    Silence pervaded for a while, then Chu Qingcheng ventured, ¡°Maybe¡­ we do not need this map. We could go opposite-¡°


    ¡°Who says we don¡¯t need it?¡±


    Zhuo Fan butted in with a smile, ¡°If it¡¯s real, that turns it into a trap. This makes it worth using it. Since they went out of their way to plan against us, we¡¯ll just beat them to the punch!¡±


    The others didn¡¯t know where he was going with this so Zhuo Fan held out the three sending jades. He left a message on them then left one to each of them with a crafty smile, ¡°Wait for five days then read it.¡±


    Zhuo Fan jumped to his feet and barked, ¡°Listen up. We¡¯re moving out. Form three divisions around the three houses and split up for the three exits!¡±


    ¡°Split up?¡±


    Why make them weaker than they already were? Zhuo Fan handed over the exit keys and said, ¡°Yes, split up! With our size, it¡¯s very easy to be spotted. Smaller teams will allow us to move unnoticed. In the case of an enemy encounter it would also be simple to flee and hide among the thick trees. ¡°


    While others nodded, Chu Qingcheng pulled Zhuo Fan to the side, ¡°What if the map is fake and the exits hold nothing but traps?¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t know unless we try. We finally got an exit route as well. Even if we clash a few more times in the Beast King Mountain it will be easy to escape while whittling down their Bone Tempering experts number. It will end with them being reduced to nothing. This is our best bet.¡±


    Zhuo Fan put on a smile and turned to the rest, ¡°Each team will send out three Profound Heaven experts to scout thirty miles ahead, reporting back on the hour.¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡± They all replied and Zhuo Fan said to Chu Qingcheng, ¡°Even if they meet a trap, they can get an early notice.¡±


    Glaring at him, Chu Qingcheng shook her head, [You¡¯re full of tricks.]


    As they all got ready to set off, Luo Yunhai¡¯s team followed behind Drifting Flowers Edifices just as Long Xingyun brought the two prisoners, ¡°What do we do with them?¡±


    ¡°Let them go.¡± Zhuo Fan spoke coldly.


    The others whipped their heads around in shock. Long Xingyun was the most affected, ¡°They¡¯ll betray our plan if they¡¯re found.¡±


    ¡°It will happen regardless. Recall what happened in Killing Blood Marsh? We have a mole among us. These two¡¯s situation has already been reported back. Letting them go or not won¡¯t make a difference.¡± Zhuo Fan sighed.


    What a shocker!


    [How could we forget? We still have a spy unaccounted for.] Everyone looked around suspiciously.


    Zhuo Fan said, ¡°This isn¡¯t the time to draw him out. We¡¯ll do that once we get back to the safety of Dragon Cloud City.¡±


    ¡°But a spy implies great danger.¡± Xie Tianshang¡¯s face hardened.


    Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°What danger? He¡¯ll only rat out our movements. As long as we¡¯re fast enough, any information will be worthless and they won¡¯t be able to act on it. On the contrary, if we suspect each other all the time, it will be a disaster only they will profit from. So get a move on. Reach the three exits on the double!¡±


    The people were startled for a second then their opinion of him grew. They never knew you could deal with a spy like that.


    Ignoring him yet moving faster than he could report would be the same as turning him useless.


    The way Zhuo Fan boldly did things got even the army-experienced Luo Yunhai in a daze.


    Not even Dugu Zhantian led his army with such valor.


    [Big brother Zhuo is a true man of ambition to have so many great figures set their eyes on him.]


    ¡°Set off! Let¡¯s see each other in Dragon Cloud City in five days!¡± Zhuo Fan shouted and the other replied in high spirits as well.


    Only Chu Qingcheng and her two allies knew his true meaning.


    The nearest exit was a week away, while the farthest was ten days. He was speaking for their own benefit, to check the sending jade five days later.


    The three noticed Zhuo Fan¡¯s slight nod and smile.


    The group thus split into three divisions according to Zhuo Fan¡¯s orders. They moved swiftly, curious to see if they or the spy¡¯s leaks were faster.


    The forceful way Zhuo Fan dealt with the spy left the people fired up and eager for battle. Despite being a mere race to defeat the spy, to them it felt like they were battling against their greatest enemy, and winning too.


    They started to get a feeling of holding everything beneath them, of indomitable spirit, just like Zhuo Fan usually was. Everyone was united in their goal and hearts!


    Cai Xiaoting took an ashen Sun Yufei away. As they passed Zhuo Fan, he asked, ¡°W-why let us go?¡±


    ¡°No reason. Maybe I¡¯m showing kindness for taking care of Luo clan in the early days. Or maybe I wish to see your agony for my sick humor. But I will admit to this, when it comes to garbage, killing or throwing it away makes no difference.¡±


    Zhuo Fan left as well, not minding them one bit.


    Cai Xiaoting sighed and muttered, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Then he slowly walked away with Sun Yufei.


    They had lost the hatred they clutched to so dearly and it was now replaced by solitude.


    Recalling their derisory look when Zhuo Fan entered the Cai clan, it all seemed like a poor joke now. He was a true man of ambition and had brushed them off from the very start. It was them who kept having their goals growing higher and higher.


    The man had a clear vision of what he wanted, never changing, all while theirs did.


    He finally realized that eight years ago when Zhuo Fan left Blackwind Mountain, he and his father were in awe of the man¡¯s talent, but never held him in respect. It came to him that even his father belittled Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan had such a talent lesser clansmen like them couldn¡¯t even begin to compare.


    Sighing, they slowly disappeared among the trees¡­


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, you¡¯re not coming with us?¡± Xue Ningxiang ran to him.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°There¡¯s something I must do. You and the Xue clan should go with Sword Marquise Abode. Xie Tianyang may be unreliable, but his brother is there to make it up for him. Few are his match, except Huangpu Qingtian. You¡¯ll be safe.¡±


    ¡°Oi, what are you implying? Who are you calling unreliable? What did I ever do to you to badmouth me to Ning¡¯er?¡± Xie Tianyang was annoyed and grabbed Ning¡¯er¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Ning¡¯er, don¡¯t worry. No one will hurt you with me around.¡±


    But Xue Ningxiang didn¡¯t even register his presence. Her eyes fixed on Zhuo Fan, her voice soft, ¡°When will we see each other again?¡±


    ¡°In five days!¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    ¡°That¡¯s a promise. You have to come see me in five days.¡± Xue Ningxiang held out her Thunder Ring, ¡°You can¡¯t lie to me like you did in the Allbeast Mountain Range.¡±


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan took out his own Thunder Ring and let them touch as sparks flew, ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang smiled brightly, to the rancor and jealousy of Xie Tianyang.


    Xue Ningxiang then dragged a stiff Xie Tianyang back to Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s division. Zhuo Fan shook his head and left in another direction as he heard Xie Tianyang¡¯s incessant begging.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, let our rings touch as well.¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Why? I beg you¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, then turned to the aged man following Luo clan, ¡°Grandmaster Liu, come with me. I need your help.¡±


    Liu Yizhen jerked, but got there on the double.


    The two flitted through the trees and were soon gone. Half a day later, they stood atop a mountain peak.


    Regarding the breathtaking view, Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and felt so free, relaxed and soothed, ¡°Those dead weights are about to leave. I haven¡¯t felt so at ease in ages.¡±


    Liu Yizhen smiled inside as he bowed, ¡°In the Esoteric Debate this century, the three houses¡¯ alliance hardly did anything. They could only hold on because of Grandmaster Zhuo¡¯s support, while they were holding you back.¡±


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t be more right!¡± Zhuo Fan cocked his head with a smile.


    Liu Yizhen probed, ¡°Then, Grandmaster Zhuo, what are your orders?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no orders. I only want to know where Huangpu Qingtian is right now. Doesn¡¯t he have another Brimming Sacred Pill? I should pay him a visit and receive it.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed coldly.


    Liu Yizhen felt a shiver crawl up his spine¡­

 Chapter 302 - Tangled

    ¡°Uh, Grandmaster Zhuo, I do not understand. How can I hope to see into Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s faction¡¯s movements?¡± Swallowing dryly, Liu Yizhen froze, stammering and darting his eyes anywhere but Zhuo Fan.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°My dear Grandmaster Liu, you¡¯re saying that even now? How would you leak our info if you didn¡¯t know his position?¡±


    His heart beating out of his chest, Liu Yizhen panicked as he explained, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo, I don¡¯t understand what you¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. You don¡¯t have to say it. I won¡¯t make it hard on you either. Just deliver a message for me and put that oh-so-great and stuck-up Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord on the spot.¡± Zhuo Fan brushed his panic off.


    Liu Yizhen¡¯s beard shook, his face haunting. Zhuo Fan¡¯s inscrutable smile unnerved him the more he saw it.


    [Is he faking it or omniscient? This is disturbing!]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s laugh came as an answer to his thoughts, ¡°Grandmaster Liu, you should know by now of my character. If not by seeing, at least from rumors. I don¡¯t need to justify myself when I want to kill someone. I just do it. On the other hand, if I want one alive, regardless of how vile and deceitful that person is, I won¡¯t lay a finger on him.


    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ve had my suspicions on you from the start. I could¡¯ve killed you whenever I wanted too. But I think it¡¯s safe to say my actions prove there will be no killing from my part. Coming out clean won¡¯t make much of a difference either at this point. Who doesn¡¯t yearn for glory and power? But didn¡¯t I let Cai Xiaoting walk free?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s daunting eyes stared Liu Yizhen down.


    Liu Yizhen was in a quandary, but nodded in the end, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo is sharp beyond any man. I admit, it was Unwonted Contriver Leng Wuchang who ordered me to get close to Grandmaster Zhuo. I do not know how he knew but he found out you and I were once acquaintances. So he made me spy on you. I refused at first, but then¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine, the reasons are pretty much typical for any spy. If not out of glory and power, then from a threat. I totally get it.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s nonchalant wave cut him off.


    Liu Yizhen hung his head. [Zhuo Fan is incredible. He knows everything!]


    It was one thing to say power, glory or constraint, but how many could escape their clutches?


    Zhuo Fan stared at him, ¡°Now that that¡¯s out of the way. Send a message to Huangpu Qingtian.¡±


    ¡°What message?¡± Liu Yizhen was stunned.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s conduct was baffling. He just got a hold on the enemy¡¯s spy and he wasn¡¯t going to tear him asunder? And instead he was taking a step further, leaving the spy alive to send word to the enemy. It was as if they were on the same side!


    It totally floored the calm alchemist Liu Yizhen.


    Ahe-he-hem!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s straight face revealed a haughty air, ¡°Grandmaster Liu, when you see Huangpu Qingtian, this is how you¡¯ll behave. You¡¯ll curse him. Stupid head Huangpu pup, ignorant and trifling clown, your¡¯s truly has seen through it all. So tone down the drama and your petty tricks! I¡¯ve been playing this game from before you were even born!¡±


    Face twitching, Liu Yizhen sweated buckets. He ventured, ¡°Uh, Grandmaster Zhuo, could you perhaps maybe ease on the rancor? I won¡¯t be able to imitate you.¡±


    Was this a joke? Zhuo Fan was having a blast here cursing and wailing like he owned the place. But when the guy met Huangpu Qingtian face to face, was he going to stick to the real message? Not if he wanted to come out alive.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, fine, as you wish. Just make sure he catches my drift.¡± Zhuo Fan looked uncaring but his face turned deadly the next, ¡°However, this line you must say it word for word!¡±


    His hand flashed and was now holding four Brimming Sacred Pill vials.


    Liu Yizhen was slackjawed. Zhuo Fan easily read his shock and smiled coldly, ¡°Tell him this. Huangpu Qingtian, you call yourself insidious and brilliant, but not even you would¡¯ve imagined the last Brimming Sacred Pill was with me all along. And you even laid out the stage to trap me? That¡¯s rich!¡±


    Liu Yizhen blinked, counting the vials. It was clear as day there were four, but the absurdity of it all made him second-guess it.


    He¡¯d been next to Zhuo Fan all this time yet never knew where the guy got all the Brimming Sacred Pills. So he always assumed Zhuo Fan only had the three, yanked from Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s very hand too. That there never was a fourth.


    [Is this another pill he robbed?]


    Liu Yizhen showed his shock, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo, if you already took Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s last pill, why make me a messenger?¡±


    ¡°Shhh¡­¡± Zhuo Fan put a finger on his lips, ¡°The last pill wasn¡¯t taken, but slipped off of him. He¡¯s still oblivious. He knows what I can do so telling him my message will make him understand. Make sure you get a clear view of his blind rage when he flips out and comes back to me, he-he-he¡­¡±


    Blinking, Liu Yizhen sighed.


    They both knew Huangpu Qingtian was gruesome and yet Zhuo Fan swiped his pill without the slightest indication? Unreal!


    [Zhuo Fan doesn¡¯t look to be lying either. He wants me to shame Huangpu Qingtian further with that message.]


    By all accounts, it didn¡¯t look fake at all. Zhuo Fan actually swiped the oblivious Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s Brimming Sacred Pill from right under his nose.


    Taking a deep breath, Liu Yizhen¡¯s face hardened, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo is incredible. There¡¯s nothing you can¡¯t do. I will pass on Grandmaster Zhuo¡¯s words, although the wording might not be as¡­ taunting.¡±


    ¡°I get it. What matters is the essence. He will surely be pissed when he hears it, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Zhuo Fan chortled.


    Liu Yizhen took two steps away before stopping, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo, could you please clarify something for me?¡±


    ¡°Shoo.¡±


    ¡°Uh, since when have you doubted me?¡± Liu Yizhen asked.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°From the moment I laid my eyes on you in Beast King Mountain.¡±


    ¡°That fast?¡± Liu Yizhen was stunned. He couldn¡¯t for the life of him see what gave him away.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°One, I never believe in coincidences. The Esoteric Debate is held on Beast King Mountain, yet it just so happened for you to be here looking for herbs? Highly unlikely. You must¡¯ve got here thanks to Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s storage ring. Two, when I accepted you as a disciple, all you showed was respect and not joy. It was a complete contrast from how you reacted the first time you asked.¡±


    ¡°I had my suspicions right then. And using apprenticeship as an excuse to help Luo clan, sealed it. All combined made your purpose in getting close to Luo clan obvious.¡±


    Liu Yizhen looked long at Zhuo Fan in shock, ¡°Sigh, I failed as a spy. You saw through me the moment we met. But why didn¡¯t you get rid of me then?¡±


    ¡°To figure out Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s plans of course!¡± Zhuo Fan sneered, ¡°Each time you used the sending jade, I figured it was to leak our numbers, position and members. This gave me an easy time figuring out what Huangpu Qingtian was cooking, that he was aiming for those around me.¡±


    Liu Yizhen¡¯s face twitched in shame.


    He not only failed as a spy, but was an utter disgrace. The info he sent was faulty and went as far as exposing his lord¡¯s master plan.


    Liu Yizhen¡¯s face was scorching, ¡°Grandmaster Zhuo, you truly are cunning. No wonder Leng Wuchang stepped in personally.¡±


    Liu Yizhen flew away, leaving Zhuo Fan in shock. It was his first time hearing it, even considering that the mastermind wasn¡¯t Huangpu Qingtian, but Leng Wuchang!


    In such a case, [I have to hurry up!]


    Zhuo Fan flew after Liu Yizhen, in the shadows.


    A day later, a light flew nearby. Zhuo Fan caught the sending jade, which wrote, ¡°The soldiers return, the dragon king is at peace.¡±


    ¡°Sure enough, the array map is a trap.¡± Grinning, Zhuo Fan shot three sending jades to his three allies.


    He then looked at the one in his hand and praised, ¡°Perfectly done!¡±


    He resumed tailing Liu Yizhen.


    Letting Cai Xiaoting off wasn¡¯t out of the goodness of his heart or, like he put it, out of indifference. But to use them and gauge Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s reaction.


    If Huangpu Qingtian raged, the three exits would be safe. If Huangpu Qingtian didn¡¯t blame the two, then it all went according to the man¡¯s plan and he needed to change the routes of his three allies.


    This was all made possible thanks to the spy he meticulously placed near Huangpu Qingtian.


    Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t beneath Leng Wuchang¡¯s capacity for treachery when it came to covert ops. While the factions looked subdued at a first glance, the darkness revealed a tangled mess¡­

 Chapter 303 - Outplayed

    Whoosh!


    Huangpu Qingtian and Lin Xuanfeng were leading their men to the earth exit when they spotted a light trailing the sky.


    A figure landed with a boom and Huangpu Qingtian frowned, ¡°Liu Yizhen, what are you doing here? I thought I told you to stick to Zhuo Fan! Don¡¯t tell me¡­¡±


    Bitter, Liu Yizhen bowed, ¡°Eldest young master, I was exposed.¡±


    ¡°What? Then how are you still alive?¡± Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s brow pursed, his suspicion raised, ¡°A vile and insidious man like Zhuo Fan actually let go of not just Cai Xiaoting but you as well? He just discovered and released two spies. What the hell is going on in that mind of his?¡±


    Sighing, Liu Yizhen¡¯s heart went cold. He could tell the two held no hopes for his return. They had thrown him away from the start.


    Who told him to climb aboard? He had no choice now but to go with them¡­


    Taking a deep breath, Liu Yizhen bowed, ¡°Eldest young master, Zhuo Fan sent word for you.¡±


    ¡°Speak.¡± Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes were grave.


    Liu Yizhen mulled for a bit before, ¡°Zhuo Fan said your schemes are as clear as day and should not bother yourself with them.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it? With his temper, that doesn¡¯t sound like him.¡± Huangpu Qingtian mocked.


    Bowing again, Liu Yizhen continued, ¡°Eldest young master is right. But as his true words are crass and rude, unfitting for the eldest young master¡¯s ears, I altered their wording. The meaning is the same.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, are you afraid I¡¯ll take my anger out on you?¡± Huangpu Qingtian read him like a book, ¡°It¡¯s fine anyway. I don¡¯t feel like listening either. It¡¯s ironic how he thinks himself all-knowing, surrounded as he is by a thick fog he can¡¯t even see.¡±


    The two next to him were clueless, but Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s overconfidence deterred any questions.


    Then Liu Yizhen turned nervous, bowing again, ¡°Eldest young master, Zhuo Fan has one more thing to say.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear it. It must be some pointless boasting, trying to throw me off my game. Let him sink into his delusions!¡± Huangpu Qingtian brushed him off.


    Liu Yizhen cupped his hands, ¡°Eldest young master, Zhuo Fan does intend to shame eldest young master, but I have to make this report.¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡± Huangpu Qingtian turned grave, ¡°Speak.¡±


    ¡°Eldest young master, the fourth Brimming Sacred Pill you are using to entice him has long since been in his hands. He was mocking you saying how ignorant you were of it all¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Lin Xuanfeng cut in, ¡°Impossible, eldest young master had the fourth pill placed in my care from the start. How can it be with him?¡±


    ¡°Young master Lin, I didn¡¯t believe it either, but then he showed me four vials. I had never seen them the entire time I was with his group. He also said that you all know what he can do¡­¡± Liu Yizhen trailed off¡­


    Huangpu Qingtian squinted, the seed of doubt planted. Lin Xuanfeng was panicking, ¡°Did he steal it with that weird art of his?¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s hand flashed with the Brimming Sacred Pill vial.


    Lin Xuanfeng only then eased a breath, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, the punk is messing with us. We still have it!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian was too deep in thought to care. Then his face changed, ¡°Fool, don¡¯t take it out!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng froze for a second, enough time for the vial to vanish.


    ¡°Z-Zhuo Fan!¡± Lin Xuanfeng stammered.


    Not far off, Zhuo Fan¡¯s cackle came from among the trees, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, thanks a bunch, young master Huangpu. I shall accept your generosity!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng blinked, still frozen on the spot. Liu Yizhen was still out of it from shock, [Zhuo Fan has been behind me all this time?]


    Huangpu Qingtian held his head and sighed, ¡°Morons, the lot of you. This was the plan to draw out Zhuo Fan and he had no idea where I hid the Brimming Sacred Pill. Then you guys just handed it over on a silver platter. What were you expecting?¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s eyes widened and threw his rage on Liu Yizhen, ¡°Traitor! You now collude with Zhuo Fan? I¡¯ll kill you!¡±


    ¡°Young master Lin, I-I am just the messenger. I don¡¯t know anything!¡±


    Liu Yizhen was scared out of his mind. He was under the false impression that Zhuo Fan sent him on a mere errand to make Huangpu Qingtian look bad with his message. Who even conceived it possible that there was a scheme involved? The worst part was that he made the old man a scapegoat.


    With the two before him pissed, since they couldn¡¯t grab Zhuo Fan, who else were they going to take their anger out on? Not even washing in the Underworld River would absolve him!


    He began as a spy for Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s faction, only to end up dying at his hands. He was dubbed a double agent no one would take pity on. Quite fitting for a spy, and ironic.


    He had now witnessed Zhuo Fan¡¯s capacity for savagery and cruelty. There was no getting out scot-free from him. With the double agent blame smacked on his shoulders, the insidiousness of the ploy finally dawned on him.


    Huangpu Qingtian signaled Lin Xuanfeng, ¡°Stop, it¡¯s not his fault. He was also used.¡±


    ¡°Eldest young master is brilliant!¡± Liu Yizhen bowed and wiped his brow.


    Huangpu Qingtian gave him no attention and turned to the forest, ¡°Since you came, why don¡¯t you come over for a talk?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what¡¯s there to talk about? But since you insist, I¡¯ll meet you. I want to see with my own eyes the scowling and miserable face of a loser!¡± Zhuo Fan walked from among the trees with a smile.


    The rest of the men there paled and tensed. Soaring Demonic Dragon was just as notorious as Huangpu Qingtian.


    ¡°Your men¡­ sure look terrified of me.¡± Zhuo Fan mocked.


    Huangpu Qingtian smiled coldly, not angered at all, ¡°Zhuo Fan, there¡¯s a saying which fits you perfectly right now. Stop showing off or you¡¯ll be struck down by lightning.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯ve been doing it since I was born but no lightning has touched me so far. Though it makes me wonder, what would it feel like? It must be quite the thrill!¡± Zhuo Fan laughed.


    Shaking his head, Huangpu Qingtian grinned, ¡°You will soon find out.¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan stared into Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes with unease.


    ¡°By the way, Zhuo Fan, the vial you used to fool the old man must be the one you found at some point but never took it out. So when old Liu saw four vials, he jumped to conclusions. He would never dare lie to me otherwise.¡± Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s lips twisted into a smile.


    Zhuo Fan rose an eyebrow, ¡°Look at you, Young master Huangpu. You¡¯re not as dumb as other muscle brain fools around you.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I am destined to be king. How can I be a fool? But to be entirely honest, it¡¯s not easy to see through it in an instant. I realized the truth because of something that is happening right now.¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian snickered, ¡°Zhuo Fan, don¡¯t you have the two keys for the water exit yet keep them to yourself?  ¡°


    Zhuo Fan cried out, ¡°H-how did you¡­ don¡¯t tell me¡­¡±


    ¡°Correct. I sent my men to place them on your way when you were with Luo Yunhai¡¯s group. I didn¡¯t doubt for a second you¡¯ll miss them. So when Liu Yizhen reported you not mentioning them when you met up with Chu Qingcheng, it made me realize you were planning on using them when it mattered most. You once said we¡¯re both the same, that we won¡¯t show our hands so easily. Ha-ha-ha, a shame I already know of two of your cards! ¡°


    Shuddering, Zhuo Fan showed fear for the first time. His mind put two and two together and his brow was soaked.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s heart burst with joy at his expense, ¡°Sir Leng said the pinnacle of the art of war is to make the most of a situation. Not just get the enemy to fall for your traps, but to control their every move, to guide them where you wanted. Zhuo Fan, from the moment you met with Luo Yunhai, your actions, your objectives, have all gone according to my plan!


    ¡°Including those fights we had. Although your fancy art gives me headaches, letting you win every time was all part of my plan. All so you would become the de-facto leader of the alliance. It was the best way to insure you will follow the road to hell I painstakingly paved for you. What, don¡¯t tell me you haven¡¯t wondered how smooth your journey has been so far.


    ¡°You really think highly of yourself, able to face thousands of men and save everyone from the jaws of death? Humph, you lost, all because of your arrogance. Case in point, the Killing Blood Marsh skirmish. Did you ever think about why I didn¡¯t unleash all my power? You thought I was too cocky, thinking I had you all like fish in a barrel so I was going to take pleasure in toying with you? Ha-ha-ha, I threw the match¡­.¡±


    Zhuo Fan shivered, recoiling three steps then shooting into the air after the three teams.


    [I have completely lost¡­]


    Zhuo Fan shouted in his mind, never had he been so out of control as he was now. Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s side was having a blast however, cackling arrogantly.


    Zhuo Fan was finally beaten back¡­

 Chapter 304 - Deeper Into The Mud

    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s eyes trailed Zhuo Fan as he vanished in the distance, ¡°This is the first time I have seen that punk so out of it. What on earth happened?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, nothing much, just him sending his own friends to an early grave.¡± Huangpu Qingtian had a vague smile. He then turned to pat Liu Yizhen¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Old Liu, well done. Just as I expected.¡±


    ¡°Eldest young master, I don¡¯t deserve it. I¡¯ve been found out since the start, ugh¡­ ¡°


    He didn¡¯t finish as Huangpu Qingtian squeezed his throat with a thin smile, ¡°No, Old Liu, you don¡¯t have to be modest. You did great¡­¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian smiled, but his hand only clutched harder. The smile looked downright sinister at this point, instilling dread in the puzzled old man.


    How had he erred? Why had Huangpu Qingtian stopped Lin Xuanfeng from killing him, yet was now doing it himself?


    Eyes bulging, Liu Yizhen could only let out hoarse sounds. Liu Yizhen was just as perplexed as the victim, ¡°Eldest young master, what¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I stopped you only because Zhuo Fan was nearby. I didn¡¯t want to put on a show for him. But now, this old geezer has outlived his purpose. It wouldn¡¯t do if he fell into Dugu Zhantian¡¯s hands. Killing him here will spare me the trouble.¡± Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes glinted and the vile snicker on his face grew. He put just a touch more force in his grip and the body shuddered for a moment, then Liu Yizhen¡¯s limbs went limp.


    Flinging the corpse away, Huangpu Qingtian clapped. Lin Xuanfeng gasped, his mind overwhelmed.


    [Huangpu Qingtian is a beast to dispose of those he no longer has use of.  He has not a shred of conscience. Will I end up the same?]


    Huangpu Qingtian knew this was coming so he patted his shoulder, making him shiver, ¡°Worry not. Even if a cripple, you¡¯re the next in line to lead Merry Woods. You¡¯re so much more valuable. As long as you are by my side, I will do you no harm.¡±


    Liu Xuanfeng¡¯s face twitched. He gave a hollow laugh while wiping his brow. Looking at Liu Yizhen¡¯s body again, he sighed inside.


    [Who is to say it won¡¯t change?]


    But then Liu Xuanfeng brightened, ¡°Eldest young master, since you could bring Liu Yizhen, why didn¡¯t you do the same for the elders of our houses? Finishing off Zhuo Fan then would¡¯ve been so much easier.¡±


    ¡°Fool, you take Dugu Zhantian in charge of Dragon Cloud City¡¯s defenses for a prop?¡± Huangpu Qingtian snorted, ¡°I only managed to bring him after treating him like a spirit animal, placing him in my storage ring. It is because of his insignificance that he went unnoticed. If it were an elder from the seven houses instead, it would send an alarm to Dugu Zhantian and get us observed. If not for our low numbers keeping it under wraps, our plan would¡¯ve fallen through!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng bobbed his head, accepting the tongue lashing while not forgetting to polish Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s rear with endless flattery.


    Huangpu Qingtian waved him off, ¡°We¡¯re setting out for the earth exit at once!¡±


    ¡°Uh, is there a point going there now that Zhuo Fan knows our plan?¡± Lin Xuanfeng was bewildered.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s snide reply came, ¡°Idiot, we¡¯re going so that he¡¯d walk right into our ambush! All the traps are in place. Despite knowing that, he has no way to foil them. Not when he had a hand in making it possible. That heartrending regret, the gnawing guilt, must be quite the torment, ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    Huangpu Qingtian cackled evilly. Lin Xuanfeng still didn¡¯t get it, but did as was told.


    In another place, Xie Tianshang¡¯s team had been heading for the metal exit for three days now when a sudden light flew over. Xie Tianshang caught it, knowing to be Zhuo Fan¡¯s sending jade that said, ¡°Now you can look at the jade slip.¡±


    Xie Tianshang was quite puzzled.


    [Wasn¡¯t I supposed to do that after five days? Why so early?]


    But since Zhuo Fan said so, he of course obliged. Five simple words entered his eyes, ¡°Head for the water exit!¡±


    Ugh!


    Xie Tianshang was floored, [What does that mean? Change course on the spot? Why? Is the metal exit dangerous?]


    Xie Tianshang shouted without delay, ¡°Hold! We¡¯re changing directions. Follow me!¡±


    Xie Tianyang pulled Xue Ningxiang to the front among the baffled stares, ¡°Brother, what¡¯s up? We¡¯ve been running for three god damned days and you suddenly want to change course? Is it an enemy attack?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Xie Tianshang shook his head, giving him the jade slip, ¡°This is the jade slip Zhuo Fan gave me before we split, saying to inspect it five days later. But I just received word from him to look at it now. And it said¡­¡±


    Xie Tianyang looked at the jade, ¡°Head to the water exit? What the hell?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know either. But since Zhuo Fan said so, he must have his reasons.¡± Xie Tianshang¡¯s eyes were firm.


    Xie Tianyang shook his head, ¡°Brother, since when did you became a fan? What if he¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°How many times was he wrong in the past days he was with us? We hardly ever suffered any setbacks as well. While in a situation I cannot fathom, listening to his judgment is a sound decision.¡± Xie Tianshang¡¯s mind was set.


    Xue Ningxiang spoke first before Xie Tianyang could, ¡°Brother Tianyang, has big brother Zhuo ever been wrong? Listen to him.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you recall the Allbeast Mountain Range? Didn¡¯t he fall for You Guiqi¡¯s ploys time and time again¡­¡±


    ¡°But with no You Guiqi around, big brother Zhuo is the strongest, right?¡± Xue Ningxiang was zealously defending Zhuo Fan¡¯s honor.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s mouth twitched, feeling his heart ache. And since he could do nothing to Ning¡¯er, he could only compromise.


    And so, led by Xie Tianshang, the Sword Marquise Abode team turned towards the water exit. Chu Qingcheng and Long Xingyun¡¯s team received Zhuo Fan¡¯s message as well and were heading in the same direction.


    None knew however of the ten thousand strong army waiting for them there led by Yan Bangui and You Yushan.


    On top of a majestic mountain, You Yushan looked on in the distance but didn¡¯t spot anyone. He took out his jade slip and sighed, ¡°Ol¡¯ poisoner, what¡¯s your take on eldest young master¡¯s action? Giving us a jade slip to open a day later, only to have our course changed to the water exit and set an ambush here. Why didn¡¯t he say so from the start? Why make us waste so much time first going to the fire and metal exits?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, he was afraid of having the info leaked.¡± Yan Bangui¡¯s grim face shuddered in fear.


    You Yushan raised an eyebrow, ¡°Does that mean there¡¯s a spy among us? Ha-ha-ha, you crack me up. Any spies will be on their side. Is there any lesser clan out there willing to offend Regent by becoming a spy? Not to mention the dozens of vassals on their side willing to lean on the Regent Estate, giving us their movements of their own accord!¡±


    ¡°Be that as it may, it never hurts to be on the safe side. Especially at such a crucial moment in our plan.¡± Yan Bangui muttered, ¡°As this is Sir Leng¡¯s ploy, we only need to follow it.¡±


    You Yushan nodded as well.


    The two saw Leng Wuchang¡¯s mind infallible, his plans perfect. All they had to do was just do what he said.


    ¡°Senior brother, young master You, the 3rd grade array below is set!¡± Yan Fu bowed in respect before the two.


    Nodding, Yan Bangui waved him off, ¡°Junior brother, you worked hard. Withdraw.¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Yan Fu bowed and left.


    You Yushan mocked the retreating figure, ¡°The kid has been quite meek as of late. Not even a hint of dissatisfaction on his face either. Well he is a rare genius alchemist Pill King Hall raised after all!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, ever since Zhuo Fan killed Vicious Pill King, he lost all support. He must¡¯ve finally accepted his fate to turn so quiet. Those two only ever looked at others from their high horse!¡±


    ¡°Even you?¡± You Yushan raised an eyebrow.


    They traded a glance then jeered.


    The mockery from above slammed into Yan Fu¡¯s ears. His fists clenched, and his eyes glinted with savagery. [One day you¡¯ll get what you deserve and I¡¯ll be there to watch you die!]


    In the meantime, Zhuo Fan was rushing towards the water exit. With no time to notify the teams, he could only hope he¡¯d make it in time to rescue them.


    His mind kept drifting to the worst case scenarios, making him clench his jaw and plagued him with worry.


    He told them to go for the water exit and was sure they would follow it. This was what made it ever worse, riddled with guilt, and yet in complete awe of the mastermind behind it all.


    To be seen through so thoroughly that even implicated his allies in this trap, he felt toyed, like how a cat did to a mouse.


    The mastermind was no ordinary man to make even the great Zhuo Fan fall for his schemes. This man¡¯s schemes were on a whole another level from You Guiqi¡¯s.


    [Unwonted Contriver, Leng Wuchang!]


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth in rage.


    He had already guessed the true architect behind all this framing. It was not that arrogant prick, Huangpu Qingtian, but Regent Estate¡¯s steward, the second greatest mind of the Tianyu Empire, Leng Wuchang!


    Revenge was out of his sight, for now. All he could do was to try everything in pulling through this desperate situation.


    Then, Zhuo Fan sensed a bone-chilling air as he passed. Looking below, he found a clear pond releasing cold air from its center. A thousand year old Frigid Pond!


    Eyes squinting, Zhuo Fan dived¡­

 Chapter 305 - Ambush

    Before the water National Elemental Stone, on Dragon Cloud City¡¯s side, everyone had gathered close to observe the show as it unfolded.


    Since three days ago, the audience saw Yan Bangui and You Yushan leading ten thousand men over. Some speculated that the two had found the keys to the water exit and were about to return.


    In time, it became clear that they had no such intention. Instead of getting closer, they were setting up an array nearby, clearly an ambush.


    Yet for three days, all was quiet.


    The audience was observing unnerved, especially Grandmother and Long Yifey¡¯s group. All the preparations were clearly meant for Chu Qingcheng and company. But were they going to fall for it that easily?


    Noone knew what was happening on Beast King Mountain, adding to their worries, their frowns never leaving their faces. They prayed with all their heart for their successors to not fall for it.


    Regent Estate¡¯s side was smiling.


    ¡°Estate Lord, eldest young master has entered the final phase of the plan.¡± Leng Wuchang stroked his beard. His eyes shined and his mouth perked up in a proud smile.


    Huangpu Tianyuan nodded, ¡°Sir Leng¡¯s mind is brilliant. I have no doubt you can purge that evil this time. As long as Sir Leng intervenes, not even that demon can escape.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Estate Lord. I may have presented eldest young master with the plan, but it was his remarkable wits that led it to fruition. I do not dare take all the credit.¡± Leng Wuchang faked modesty.


    With an odd smile, Huangpu Tianyuan said, ¡°No, Sir Leng. This is all thanks to you. If it were you leading the operation, it would¡¯ve been finished much sooner. ¡°


    Leng Wuchang looked at him deeply and nodded.


    He knew of Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s dissatisfaction for his son, scared the young master earned enough merit to depose him. So he¡¯d rather let Leng Wuchang take all the credit, all to undermine Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s achievements.


    [Sigh, such is the Regent Estate. Where father and son are fighting tooth and nail in pursuit of power. ]


    Leng Wuchang shook his head as he mocked them.


    ¡°Sir Leng, are you sure ten thousand men are enough to deal with Zhuo Fan?¡± A smiling voice drifted over. Leng Wuchang turned to see Zhuge Changfeng flanked by his elders coming over with a crafty smile.


    Eyes flashing, Leng Wuchang shook his head, ¡°My meager skill is only good for entertainment. I wouldn¡¯t dare boast before the great Prime Minister. As for this ambush, it isn¡¯t to deal with Zhuo Fan.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Zhuge Changfeng raised an eyebrow, but then he said after a moment of pondering, ¡°First deal with the horse then the rider, right?¡±


    ¡°Prime Minister Zhuge is truly wise!¡± Leng Wuchang nodded, ¡°You know the saying, ¡®those whom god wishes to destroy, he first makes them mad¡¯! Zhuo Fan is not only powerful, he has many odd tricks up his sleeve. And let¡¯s not forget his devious mind and penchant for schemes. If we do not rob him of his reason, not even a foolproof plan conceived by us two together would work!¡±


    ¡°By the sound of it Sir Leng has already found his weakness. Or you wouldn¡¯t be so open with your designs.¡± Raising his eyebrows, Zhuge Changfeng smiled, ¡°Who is it then? Luo Yunhai, or¡­¡±


    Leng Wuchang shook his head, his wording vague, ¡°Prime Minister Zhuge, you will know soon enough. I believe not even sir would conceive it possible who his fatal weakness was.¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s reply, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Sir Leng, you¡¯re even holding me in suspense. Very well, I¡¯ll just have to see for myself then, how that demon loses his mind.¡±


    Leng Wuchang smiled back at the water National Elemental Stone¡­


    At this time, a group appeared on the big screen.


    Grandmother and Long Yifey froze at the sight of them. Their hearts tensed and cold sweat filled their fists. They wished nothing more than to shout at them, to warn them of their demise.


    A darn shame the Teleportation Array was one way only. Their warnings would fall on deaf ears.


    While Leng Wuchang and Huangpu Tianyuan showed a snicker, [They¡¯re finally here!]


    Two teams were clearly distinguished, Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s and Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s. They were far quicker than Chu Qingcheng and even met along the way.


    ¡°Just what was Zhuo Fan thinking when sending us here? We¡¯re clearly wasting time wandering all over the place!¡± Xie Tianyang was holding a leaf in his mouth. Brushing away a bush while complaining of boredom.


    Long Xingyun laughed, ¡°Second young master Xie, ever heard of the ¡®lies in truth, and truth in lies¡¯ used in the art of war? To deceive one¡¯s enemy you must deceive your allies. Those three exits were nothing more than a lure for the enemy, while we changed our course midway towards our real purpose!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, brother Tianyang, you need to learn from big brother Zhuo. Even he knows more than you about what¡¯s going on!¡± Xue Ningxiang jumped in, pointing at Long Xingyun while calling out Xie Tianyang¡¯s flaws.


    Xie Tianyang sneered in silence, while his heart bled from anger, [You¡¯re saying as if Zhuo Fan¡¯s every word is the unblemished truth!]


    Long Xingyun nodded first, then his face twitched.


    [The lass sure has a mouth on her. What do you mean by ¡®even he knows¡¯? Are you saying I¡¯m usually an ignorant philistine? Do I look that stupid to you?]


    Then, a cry broke their ceaseless argument.


    Long Kui shouted as she pointed at the shining water crystal, ¡°There¡¯s the water exit. The map is real!¡±


    The others perked up thrilled at the prospect and rushed over.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, the water exit is here. Brother Zhuo was right all along!¡± Long Xingyun laughed, running as well.


    Xie Tianyang mocked though, ¡°Why are you so chipper? We don¡¯t have the key, do we?¡±


    ¡°Dunce, since brother Zhuo told us to come here in particular, he must¡¯ve gotten the keys without even us realizing it!¡± Long Xingyun was over the moon, so much so he forgot who just spoke and cursed back.


    Xie Tianyang was annoyed but didn¡¯t let it show. Xue Ningxiang, the picture of ignorance, fanned the flames, ¡°Yeah, dunce. Do you have rocks for brains? You think big brother Zhuo would have us come here on a whim?¡±


    The speaker was clueless to the damage, while the listener found the words intentional to spite him.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s flames of rage burnt hotter than lava. His fists clenched, his teeth grinded.


    [Why does everyone look up to Zhuo Fan and always take me down a peg?] He didn¡¯t much care about the rest but even Ning¡¯er, the one he cared the most about, did it. He just couldn¡¯t accept it.


    A seed of hatred was planted in his heart, towards his brother who he went though life and death once.


    A change no one there noticed¡­


    Before the water National Elemental Stone, Grandmother¡¯s group was so keyed up, their hearts practically flat lined as they prayed, [Don¡¯t come any closer¡­ It¡¯s a trap¡­]


    The utter powerlessness they felt watching their clansmen walk into the jaws of death was so strong she felt like her heart was being stabbed over and over, one step at a time¡­


    Leng Wuchang and Huangpu Tianyuan watched them getting closer and the grins turned sinister. It soon turned into joy at the expectancy for bloodshed that followed upon noticing a dainty figure among them.


    All around the water exit, Yan Bangui and You Yushan¡¯s forces laid in wait. Once the two noticed the carefree figure among their prey, they signaled, ¡°Our target¡¯s here. Attack!¡±


    They both shouted in unison.


    Then, a glow started rising from beneath everyone¡¯s feet. 36 light pylons shot for the skies, trapping them all.


    At the same time, each of the pylon beams was shown to be housing a person. As the scenery began changing, the water exit vanished, soon replaced by bloody skies, and blood tainted air.


    They seem to have found themselves in another world. Not Beast King Mountain of Tianyu Empire, it was such an odd place they may not even be in the Martial Emperor Continent!


    ¡°A 36-man array!¡± Long Xingyun cried, ¡°Damn it! We¡¯ve been trapped!¡±


    It was clear as day to all. This was not an array controlled by a single man, but by thirty six people. Such a meticulous array needed ample time to be set in motion.


    In other words, this was a well thought out ambush, so much so it began well before they even rushed here!


    But how? Zhuo Fan told them to come here. Why would he lead them into a trap?


    None could accept what was before them and chose to deny reality. But the facts were laid bare for everyone. Zhuo Fan had sent them to hell.


    ¡°Give them no quarter!¡±


    A shout unleashed a flood of ten thousand men coming at them from all directions. They were so panicked they couldn¡¯t tell where the enemy was coming from, thinking of nothing else than of escape.


    But trapped as they were, with all sides painted red, they had no way to distinguish the exit.


    Add to that the constant roars of the enemy, the fear gnawed at any semblance of reason they had left, waiting to be culled¡­

 Chapter 306 - Deadly Miasma

    ¡°What do we do, brother?¡± The frightened Long Kui turned to Long Xingyun.


    Long Xingyun wasn¡¯t fairing any better, his eyes darting everywhere. Noticing the 36 pylons, his face grew grave, ¡°If we want to survive we have to first get out of the array. The 36 lights are tied together, making it impossible to break the array from the inside. We need to find the exit if we want to escape!¡±


    Long Kui and the rest were even more restless. Looking at the flood of enemies charging, their faces were ashen.


    How were they supposed to do that when that army would make sure to keep them trapped here even tighter than the array?


    The array¡¯s only use was to rob them of their chance to escape. It made even Profound Heaven expert¡¯s flying impossible, to the extent that even Six Dragons and One Phoenix were incapable of doing it.


    Everyone hung their heads in despair, having lost their will to fight.


    ¡°Humph, it¡¯s just finding an exit. Is that so hard? We¡¯ll just have to try them one by one!¡± A snort came just as a black figure flashed into the enemy¡¯s ranks.


    Golden light blossomed as it flew in every direction. Wherever it landed, explosions resounded, paving the ground with hundreds of corpses. The blood flew into the air, only to fall right back down, onto the scattered limbs.


    They saw how the twisted smiles of the enemy had now turned into ones of horror at the sight of this man.


    Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s eldest young master, martial fanatic Xie Tianshang!


    Xie Tianshang rested his sword, but his cold eyes glinted like daggers. Any that met his gaze would feel as if stabbed by a thousand swords.


    His dauntless figure stood unchallenged like an unparalleled sword. The enemy was deterred, in fear of what might happen if they got even an inch closer.


    Long Xingyun blinked, then turned ecstatic, ¡°Brother Xie lives up to be a true martial fanatic. How dependable!¡±


    ¡°But of course. My brother has been obsessed with martial arts since young, training day in day out without a rest. If not for those two monsters, my brother would¡¯ve been invincible!¡± Xie Tianyang spoke with pride.


    Everyone else sighed inside.


    [Xie Tianshang is the number one swordsman in Tianyu. Not even Six Dragons and One Phoenix can match his talent.]


    Just that Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord upstaged him, followed closely by that bad apple Zhuo Fan, sealing any chance at showcasing his might.


    With those two out of the picture, the world would finally bear witness to the true might of this martial fanatic!


    Rolling his eyes, Long Xingyun roared, ¡°Brother Xie, clear a path. We¡¯re right behind you!¡±


    Grinning, Xie Tianyang said, ¡°Brother Long is so shrewd in bringing up the rear. When my brother pushes through the array and is too exhausted to carry on, you could just run off!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, brother Tianyang, no need to split hairs. We are allies here. You help me now, and I¡¯ll help you later. We will both benefit!¡± Long Xingyun pointed at Xie Tianshang, ¡°Moreover, don¡¯t you find your brother quite willing to be made use of?¡±


    Sure enough, Xie Tianshang¡¯s eyes lit up at this proposal, as if he was just waiting for it, ¡°Alright!¡±


    Every swing of the sword sent golden light everywhere. Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms were performed to the full extent of their splendor, at the expense of crushed enemies and strewn corpses. It only took seconds for the casualties to reach a thousand.


    As the surroundings glowed bloody, now so too did the earth!


    Xie Tianyang shook his head as his brother was hell bent on mowing through the enemy like they were training dummies.


    [Sigh, the martial fanatic side of my brother is once again rearing its head. Nothing short of exhaustion or defeat could ever stop his blade now.]


    The others found Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s eldest young master¡¯s bursting courage contagious. It reached a point where some even wanted to join the man in his charge.


    But taking a closer look, one saw a bloodshot Xie Tianshang, slaughtering every which way with a manic grin on his face.


    That threw a bucket of cold water on their enthusiasm. [He¡¯ll kill us just the same!]


    Long Xingyun rubbed his chin, nodding at the crazed figure. He guessed there was no pressure in finding the exit. At least with Xie Tianshang on a killing spree, the enemy would swiftly be disposed off.


    At the very least, sans Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian, Xie Tianshang had become the de-facto God of War, killing gods, demons, buddha and what not.


    ¡°Xie Tianshang, don¡¯t be so smug. Face me for a change!¡± A shout revealed a black figure charging Xie Tianshang.


    Xie Tianshang was overjoyed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Yan Bangui, you¡¯re just in time. I grow tired of killing ants. Now I can finally hone my sword on you.¡±


    Xie Tianshang pointed the sword at the sky.


    The sword energy burst with incredible might and sharpness.


    Yan Bangui squinted and leaned out of the way. The sword energy grazed his shoulder, peeling his flesh and making him clench his teeth from pain.


    The sword energy shot for the skies, where it exploded and rattled the 36 pylons. The men inside even had to spit blood.


    It dawned on everyone how mighty Xie Tianshang¡¯s sword truly was, of the danger he represented.


    Yan Bangui couldn¡¯t afford to dodge again, forced to face Xie Tianshang head on. A green miasma drifted from his hand as he made a palm attack for Xie Tianshang¡¯s face.


    Xie Tianshang turned serious and dodged in a rush.


    The miasma struck the earth with a bang, catching others in its path unprepared. It bored into them, eliciting a wail of agony, all while blood flowed like rivers from their twisted visage.


    In mere seconds, all that remained were foul and reeking puddles of blood, good only to make one¡¯s stomach turn.


    Xue Ningxiang hunkered behind Xie Tianyang as horror set in. The rest weren¡¯t faring any better, shocked at Yan Bangui¡¯s capacity for cruelty.


    Xie Tianshang squinted, his face stony, but not a trace of fear.


    Xie Tianshang¡¯s sword danced in his hand as he unleashed the nine forms. Yan Bangui dodged in panic, not for a second was he going to take the brunt of such deadly force. They hammered the array and the 36 men in the light pylons heaved blood for a total of nine times. Even the bloody sky dulled.


    The array was about to break!


    Yan Bangui was soaked in sweat, his heart a mess. If this kept up, he wouldn¡¯t even win, least of all kill the enemy.


    They had worked painstakingly in removing Zhuo Fan from the mix, only to meet another freak, Xie Tianshang.


    It was common knowledge that the Six Dragons and One Phoenix, Huangpu Qingtian excluded, were on the same level, more or less. But this guy¡­


    Yan Bangui¡¯s face sank, [If this operation fails, the plan to end Zhuo Fan will fall through.] Huangpu Qingtian wasn¡¯t going to take his failure lightly, that was for sure.


    Yan Bangui gnashed his teeth and released a seven colored miasma, the signature move of Pill King Hall, Rainbow Cloud Palm!


    The miasma spread, swallowing enemy and friends alike, leaving behind naught but a bloody cesspool of festering pus.


    In the hands of Yan Bangui, with his poisonous body, the Rainbow Cloud Palm was even more devastating!


    It was not without its demerits either. As the poison grew in strength, so too did his agony. Rainbow Cloud Palm was a double-edged sword, each time it was used it gnawed at the user¡¯s body. And because it was him using it, the poison traveled through him far faster than any of his clansmen.


    Yan Bangui¡¯s face visibly darkened, with thick green blood dripping from his mouth. The wound on his shoulder festered as well, looking to turn him into a blood puddle.


    But he bore it, his hands still releasing that devastating miasma.


    He had to complete Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s mission, or he¡¯d be dead either way¡­


    Xie Tianshang stared at the source of the miasma. He flicked his sword a few times, but the thick miasma swallowed them all like nothing.


    Xie Tianshang jumped back in the face of the spreading disease, next to Long Xingyun.


    They watched as hundreds of their enemies died a gruesome death, tormented amidst the drifting pestilence.


    ¡°How vicious. Not even his allies are spared!¡± Xie Tianyang gnashed his teeth.


    Long Xingyun¡¯s face grew hard, ¡°We have no antidote for Pill King Hall¡¯s Rainbow Cloud Palm. He is invincible. Numbers are useless when facing him! Once Rainbow Cloud Palm is in play, his dominance is assured. More so now, in this array. It¡¯s just a matter of time before his poison kills us all.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t there anything we can do?¡± Xie Tianshang trembled.


    Long Xingyun¡¯s eyes glinted, ¡°Of course there is. Break the array and the poison will scatter.¡±


    ¡°Easy for you to say! I struck it ten times but it is still holding strong. I need more time, time we do not have¡­¡± Xie Tianshang sighed at the dull bloody sky.


    The others gnashed their teeth as well, drawing back just as the miasma crept nearer.

 Chapter 307 - Breaking The Array

    The 36 pylons created a sealed space, trapping everyone within its borders and preventing any outsider from looking into it.


    Not even the audience watching the water National Elemental Stone could pierce the veil. All they saw were the beams of light, mounting their unrest. Regent Estate¡¯s side was the calmest of the bunch, going by their broad and sinister smiles.


    Within the bushes just ahead of the pylons, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s team, a late arrival, was looking at the scene in bewilderment.


    They couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of this recent change. Why did Zhuo Fan have them come here?


    ¡°A 3rd grade array?¡± Chu Qingcheng squinted.


    Luo Yunhai nodded, ¡°It also comes with a hidden army. For the ambush to succeed, the easiest would be an array with multiple controllers. Being slow on our way here had worked in our favor. For the trap to be sprung already, someone must¡¯ve fallen for it. ¡°


    ¡°What? Are you saying Zhuo Fan had us walk into a trap?¡± Chu Qingcheng cried in disbelief.


    Luo Yunhai nodded, ¡°Although brother Zhuo¡¯s every scheme has come to fruition and is unlikely to make such a mistake, our pressing matter at this point is to break the array!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng nodded after a pause, then shouted, ¡°Men, on me. We will break the array core and get them out!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡± The men cupped their hands and charged alongside her.


    Grandmother¡¯s side was extremely worried. But Chu Qingcheng¡¯s sudden arrival promised hope. At least the other two teams wouldn¡¯t suffer total defeat.


    Boom~


    Chu Qingcheng struck the glowing pylons several times, until it was shuddering and flickering. But when there were 36 of them, each lending support, stabilizing the weaker link.


    As such, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s powerful Yuan Qi spread evenly among them. They were shaken but far from breaking.


    The rest assaulted the other beams, however pointless it was.


    Grandmother¡¯s side was by themselves with worry. They were in a race against time. The longer they took the heavier the casualties to the ones trapped inside.


    In the trap, Long Xingyun and company were driven into a corner by the encroaching plague. When they ran out of places to retreat, some random subordinates were even pushed in front to make space.


    [You are our vassals. Sacrificing yourself for your lord is downright honorable of you!]


    They understood this logic as well and stepped forward without their master¡¯s urging. They braved the impending miasma, only to end up a festering pool of blood.


    Xue Ningxiang was wrecked with sadness, tears streaming down.


    [Aren¡¯t we all humans? Why must they sacrifice themselves?]


    Therein laid the cruelty. If not them, who? The seven houses? No matter how willing Long Xingyun and the rest were, which they weren¡¯t, the vassals would never accept it either.


    It was easy to guess why. If they escaped this hell by the grace of their master¡¯s sacrifice, what future would their clans have?


    Extermination!


    So while this act looked quite virtuous and dauntless on the surface, at its core it all came down to saving their bloodlines. And who knew if their masters in their infinite mercy, would perhaps look kindly upon their clans.


    The stream of sacrifices was endless, but the miasma forced them into a corner, with no way out.


    Long Xingyun turned glum. He turned to the dozen scattered men with a heavy heart, ¡°Any further sacrifices are pointless. It will hardly give us more room. Will we find our end here?¡±


    His words made others lower their heads in grief.


    The earth, soaked in blood, only added to their sadness.


    Thousands of people came here, only to end up with barely enough to count on two hands. They couldn¡¯t deny their fate, certain to end up another bloody smear on the ground, joining the others. [Oh, the tragedy!]


    Boom!


    The sky shook at the sudden sound and the bloody images around them dimmed some more. In Long Xingyun¡¯s eyes a faint hope blossomed, ¡°Someone is attacking the array!¡±


    ¡°Yes, but what good will it do? By the time the array is broken, we won¡¯t even have bones left!¡± Xie Tianshang looked at the sky, sombre and dejected.


    His words cut at the others¡¯ expectation, at their hope.


    Long Xingyun waved him off, ¡°Don¡¯t say that. They might succeed.¡±


    Long Xingyun patted the shoulder of the man next to him, ¡°Brother, what clan are you? For how long have you served the Veiled Dragon Pavilion?¡±


    ¡°Chen clan from Tenebrous City. 150 years ago, we swore fealty to the Veiled Dragon Pavilion!¡± His sunken face revealed he understood Long Xingyun¡¯s meaning. He bowed, ¡°I wish the eldest young master would look after my clan!¡±


    ¡°You have followed my house for so long and today¡¯s sacrifice won¡¯t be in vain. I, Long Xingyun, will never forget your devotion!¡± Long Xingyun nodded gravely.


    The man¡¯s jaw was set, his eyes firm and he charged at the miasma. Yet he barely touched it and the poison was already gnawing at his flesh. Everyone watched as his blood soaked the ground in a matter of seconds.


    Xue Ningxiang wailed, burying her head in Xie Tianyang¡¯s shoulder.


    Xie Tianyang sighed and patted her hand in consolation. It came as no surprise to him, not how often he saw the seven houses abuse their privilege.


    Long Xingyun stood cheerful in the freshly emptied spot. His calm face begged the question, did he even bother to remember the man¡¯s clan¡¯s name?


    Well, since someone was bashing the array, hope slipped into his heart. A second ago he wasn¡¯t intent on making more senseless sacrifices, not when they were doomed to die together. But now, even if he were to die, he¡¯d make damn sure he was going to be last!


    What if he lived?


    Chu Qingcheng and her men had struck the pylons of light dozens of times now without any result. Each failure mounting their worry. Grandmother was sweating as well, while Xie Xiaofeng and Long Yifey, fearful of their sons¡¯ fate, were devastated.


    No one there was more disturbed than them.


    Dugu Zhantian stood straight like a blade among them, eyes fixed on the image in silent worry.


    Dugu Lin muttered, ¡°Marshal, this 36 Heavenly Stars Array¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop, Yunhai should know a way!¡± Dugu Zhantian waved his hand, his eyes confident.


    The tigers nodded, watching the young man in the National Elemental Stone with a smile.


    Luo Yunhai scrutinized the array and said, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, the 36 Heavenly Stars Array is laid in accordance with the 36 stars of the Big Dipper. If one holds, they all do. If one crumbles, they all collapse. Only by attacking the life gate will we tear the death gate open and break the array!¡±


    ¡°You have a way?¡± Chu Qingcheng asked.


    Luo Yunhai nodded, ¡°This array is commonly used in the army. I¡¯ve followed the godfather for two years to learn about this array and ask Edifice Lord Chu to lend me all authority!¡±


    ¡°Done!¡± Chu Qingcheng agreed on the spot.


    Luo Yunhai turned solemn and shouted, ¡°Listen all of you. Dong Tianba, take three hundred men and attack the life gate in the center west. Xiao Dandan, take three hundred men and attack the second death gate in the east. The rest will be with me in attacking the seal gate!¡±


    The men set off at once.


    Like dragons, the three teams started raining havoc on the 36 pylons of light.


    When Dong Tianba attacked the light pylons at the life gate, he sent a ripple to the other beams. Then Xiao Dandan and Luo Yunhai¡¯s teams attacked their own targets and things changed.


    The other two ripples prevented the first from spreading to the other pylons.


    The three ripples converged onto a single pylon, stopping it from letting the others share the load. Soon, the man inside the pylon cried out and as the pylon vanished, the man blew to pieces.


    The 36 light pylons had lost their balance and they could no longer support each other.


    Dugu Zhantian laughed, ¡°Nice! The kid didn¡¯t waste the two years he was next to me!¡±


    The Four Tigers of Tianyu nodded in pride. They were the ones who brought up this younger brother with them and seeing him make a name for himself in the Esoteric Debate filled them with glee and pride.


    Grandmother¡¯s side nodded, glad as well. Who¡¯d have thought the Luo clan didn¡¯t just have creepy Zhuo Fan worthy of notice, but the young Clan Head as well? Surely not them.


    What surprised them the most were Zhuo Fan¡¯s decisions.


    They all knew who brought Luo Yunhai into the limelight, Zhuo Fan. With Zhuo Fan always taking the lead in schemes and battles, the third rate clan¡¯s kid would hardly show his face, would hardly prove his worth of being under Dugu Zhantian¡¯s care!


    Chu Qingcheng was glad inside. Happy this array that had many of them vexed over popped open with a little effort from Luo Yunhai.


    Luo Yunhai didn¡¯t let this minor success cloud his judgment, ¡°The viewing gate is open. Attack the pain gate!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡± The men responded, filled with zeal.


    Regent Estate¡¯s side turned glum, with only Leng Wuchang ever sporting that faint mystifying smile, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s of no consequence¡­ ¡°

 Chapter 308 - The Real Target Is Her

    Boom~


    Booms sounded everywhere as Luo Yunhai commanded his three teams left and right. The 36 pylons of light were reduced to 26 in a matter of seconds.


    The others were stunned, cheering for the Luo clan. Their young master had grown up at last. [He will make a fine Clan Head!]


    When half of the pylons crumbled, the array formation was constantly shuddering from the strain. 18 pylons were hardly enough to sustain such a large array.


    Luo Yunhai shouted, ¡°Fall back!¡±


    They all rushed away, but some were too slow in their retreat and the exploding array engulfed them.


    Boom!


    The force of the blast smashed into the surroundings, while the unfortunate few who got caught in it were sent everywhere in pieces. Robbed of life before they could utter even a whimper.


    The lucky survivors saw before them a foul thick mist. They drew a breath, rejoiced having come out unscathed, only to be swallowed whole by the towering miasma. They wailed and cried even as their flesh dissolved into blood and pus, soaking the mud.


    Chu Qingcheng cried, ¡°Watch out! It¡¯s Pill King Hall¡¯s Rainbow Cloud Palm!¡±


    A layer of ice appeared on her body as she spoke. She gathered her palms and erected a cold barrier.


    The miasma touched the barrier and let out hissing sounds, eating through it in moments.


    Chu Qingcheng was shocked. Not even Vicious Pill King¡¯s poison was that toxic.


    The saying that no one could defend against Yan Bangui¡¯s Rainbow Cloud Palm, who had a poison body, wasn¡¯t unfounded!


    Gnashing her teeth, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s only option was to retreat. Made painfully aware by the increasing number of victims the miasma swallowed and dissolved.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Edifice Lord Chu, you¡¯re just in time. I¡¯ll never forget this life debt!¡± Following the unbridled laughter, people trapped inside noticed Chu Qingcheng.


    Long Xingyun and Xie Tianshang¡¯s teams were free now. Just that they were reduced to less than ten people. The core of the two houses was safe, while the vassals had gone to the underworld.


    Technically there was one vassal who had pulled through, the Xue clan¡¯s siblings.


    Thanks in no small part to Xie Tianyang and Zhuo Fan¡¯s fame, or who knew when in this ordeal they¡¯d be used as ¡®honorable¡¯ sacrifices.


    Luck was with them at least, with the array giving way just as the miasma was about to devour them. They flew away the instant they could, joining up with Chu Qingcheng.


    Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng saw their sons safe and sound and eased a breath they didn¡¯t know they held. But looking at the sky covered in poison, then at the bloody mud below their feet, the gruesome hellscape left them soaked.


    The Esoteric Debate of this century was far more malicious. Perhaps the fact that the seven houses were officially at war had something to do with it.


    For appearances¡¯ sake, the seven houses abstained from a full out war, letting their vassals be their proxy. But now, the vassals weren¡¯t the only ones turned into rivers of blood, the seven houses were tearing into each other just as savagely.


    It was easy to imagine what would¡¯ve happened if Chu Qingcheng was even a moment slower in her rescue. The Sword Marquise Abode and Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s bloodlines would¡¯ve been cut short at the hands of Yan Bangui.


    The house lords of the two victimized houses sobbed inside. They prayed that the two could come out alive from the most cruel and savage battle that had ever happened over the past millennium.


    Hall Lord Yan Bogong¡¯s face bloomed with the most genial smile conceivable. He even made obvious signs to his allies, as if to say, [See that! That¡¯s the true power of our top art, Rainbow Cloud Palm!]


    [With one hand, the world¡¯s my oyster. No one would dare come closer!]


    Everyone gave him a cursed look. Their disdain for this petty man¡¯s flair for the dramatic was evident. One had to admit though, Rainbow Cloud Palm turned Yan Bangui into a killing machine.


    In case of any one else using it, willpower was capable of pushing the enemy through adversity and come out alive. But replace the user with Yan Bangui and they would dissolve into a bloody stain on the ground before they could even reach him.


    This was the horror, Yan Bangui of Six Dragons and One Phoenix ¨C the Plague Dragon ¨C brought to life!


    Only Regent Estate was shaking their heads, clearly unimpressed by the Rainbow Cloud Palm¡­


    On the other side, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s team was pushed back further and further away from the spreading miasma. It ate through trees and even the toughest rocks, with the first turned to dust, and the second into an acrid liquid.


    The few cultivators too slow to keep up were swallowed by the toxic fumes, with only screams as an indication of what awaited on the other side.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s brow was set in a heavy scowl, ¡°We have to stop him or all our men will die.¡±


    Long Xingyun nodded, ¡°True. Every great clan and house in Tianyu is watching us from beyond the water exit. It would be a stain on our honor to allow Yan Bangui, a single man, push us three back. I have a way, but we need to combine our power. The risk may be high, but are you willing?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng and Xie Tianshang traded looks then nodded, ¡°Speak.¡±


    The two¡¯s eyes lit up and nodded while a grinning Long Xingyun whispered in their ears.


    The three stopped shirking away from the pestilence and charged instead, giving others quite the shock.


    [Are they suicidal? Not even Six Dragons and One Phoenix are exempt from dying from that poison!]


    But what happened next was the true shocker.


    Xie Tianshang took the lead, then slashed. A bright golden and unbridled energy cut into the miasma. The poison was forced to scatter, revealing a clear path ahead.


    The three followed the path, just as the miasma was coming back with a vengeance and trapping the trio.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s prompt response was in the form of a flash of cold. Her hands moved, raising an ice wall around them and keeping them safe from the miasma.


    But the constant hissing bore testament to the poisons¡¯ power, and the short life of the ice wall.


    Then again, it was enough to buy them an instant and that was all they needed. Long Xingyun finally released the attack he had built up all this time in his palm. A dragon image pierced forth, forming a new path the three followed.


    The ice wall gave away under the acidic poison behind them. But the sealed exit didn¡¯t seem to bother them. They had come here with no intent of retreating!


    In such a manner, Xie Tianshang and Long Xingyun showed the way, while Chu Qingcheng kept the miasma at bay. They soon found themselves at the heart of it, the source of the poison.


    Xie Tianshang¡¯s last attack parted the thick poison, revealing Yan Bangui constantly spewing blood.


    Yan Bangui jerked in shock.


    Sustaining the Rainbow Cloud Palm for so long has seeped the poison into his organs, and it was in his worst hour that the trio revealed themselves before him.


    He was too weak to even hold back one, least of all a team of three.


    Panicking, Yan Bangui was ready to bolt, but Long Xingyun had a different plan in mind, appearing next to him.


    [He-he-he, this is a once in a blue moon chance. I am an avid believer of ¡®one man¡¯s pain is another man¡¯s gain.]


    Snickering, Long Xingyun struck.


    Boom!


    The palm attack sent the defenseless Yan Bangui tumbling through the air. He was heavily wounded.


    The moment he flew was also the moment the miasma vanished.


    The three surrounded the wheezing Yan Bangui, noticing the glee in each other¡¯s eyes.


    Hall Lord Yan Bogong raved, ¡°Despicable and shameless bunch!¡±


    All he got from the crowd was contempt. [This is a house war! You call three on one unfair? What about Yan Bangui¡¯s army outnumbering others five to one just moments ago?]


    Yan Bogong noticed his slip of the tongue and went red.


    Grandmother and Long Yifey were ecstatic. But a peek at Regent Estate¡¯s unphased reactions sank their moods.


    [Just what are they up to?]


    Then, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s raging caught their attention.


    ¡°Yan Bangui, you have no respect for human life, not an ounce of mercy to be using such foul art. You deserve death!¡± The earth soaked in blood was testament to the thousands of lives his pestilence had reaped. Chu Qingcheng couldn¡¯t stop herself from cursing the weakened Yan Bangui.


    Long Xingyun waved her off, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Edifice Lord Chu, don¡¯t be upset. Capturing Pill King Hall¡¯s Yan Bangui makes all those thousands of sacrifices worth it. Not to mention that most of the deaths were from his side. This is clearly a worthy victory, ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    Chu Qingcheng and the other women snorted at his laughter.


    [You¡¯re saying that in war, it will all be fine as long as their side has the higher casualties? Do their lives mean nothing? Are all men that cold-blooded?]


    They only dared complain in their hearts, having understood now the cruelty of war¡­


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re not the only winners!¡± With a bang, Xie Tianyang was sent flying.


    His spot was instantly replaced by Hell Valley¡¯s You Yushan.


    ¡°By eldest young master¡¯s orders, the more gruesome this lass¡¯ death is, the better! I was vexed on how to go about achieving this, but now I have figured it out.¡±


    With a dark smile, You Yushan turned to the panicking Xue Ningxiang. Her eyes reflected the claw clutching at her neck. The man exclaimed jubilantly, ¡°Miss, you should be honored. We sacrificed so many people just so we could let him see your twisted and mangled face, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±

 Chapter 309 - Ghost Hand

    ¡°Ning¡¯er!¡±


    Xue Gang and Xue Lin cried out and attacked. The notion of fighting someone way out of their league was lost on them in their frantic worry for their sister.


    You Yushan spared them no glance, only a wave. A gale dealt with the pesky brothers, sent them flying and they were left to fall powerless on the ground.


    But their eyes still brimmed with concern for Xue Ningxiang.


    Xue Ningxiang shouted, ¡°Big brother, second brother!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, easy now. They¡¯re fine. I have no interest in swatting down flies.¡± You Yushan¡¯s malicious grin widened as he had the fragile girl in his grip.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, a sword flashed by. Xie Tianyang had picked himself up at some point and was aiming for the man¡¯s throat, ¡°Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms, Empty Net!¡±


    The space froze and even You Yushan looked slowed as the only moving object was the swift sword attack at his throat.


    Unfazed in the slightest, the man merely pinched the glinting cold blade. The sword stopped dead in its tracks.


    The next thing he knew, Xie Tianyang found You Yushan¡¯s sneer entering his ears, ¡°Humph, I would¡¯ve been a bit worried if the Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms came from your brother, but you¡­ ha-ha-ha, never mind!¡±


    You Yushan shifted and both sword and man were seen shooting through the air.


    Slamming into the earth and spitting blood, he found no energy left in him to get up. All he could do was painfully witness You Yushan¡¯s vile hand squeeze Ning¡¯er¡¯s neck.


    Chu Qingcheng, Xie Tianshang and Long Xingyun rushed over. You Yushan merely displayed a frown and placed Xue Ningxiang towards them as he shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer, or the lady gets it!¡±


    The three halted on the spot. They slowly put down their feet and turned grave.


    The lady was from a trifling second rate clan, no different from a vassal, but her status was a bit special. She had strong ties with Sword Marquise Abode¡¯s Xie Tianyang and Soaring Demonic Dragon Zhuo Fan.


    Whether it was for the ones behind her or for herself, they had to avoid playing a part in her death at any cost. You Yushan¡¯s threat wouldn¡¯t have worked on them otherwise.


    With both sides fully knowledgeable of the delicate balance, You Yushan regarded them with hatred and a twisted grin, ¡°Who¡¯d have seen this coming? High and mighty disciples from three houses are now shaking in their boots in fear of seeing a second rate clan¡¯s miss¡¯ head falling off. What a sight, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    You Yushan turned to the said miss with a raised eyebrow, ¡°See that, my lady? They care for you so much. And the one who made it all possible is that man. Ironic how it includes your current predicament as well. If only he didn¡¯t exist, who among us would waste time to mind a small and insignificant lady?¡±


    Xue Ningxiang gnashed her teeth, knowing fully well who he was talking about.


    The three close by knew it too. The focus behind all this planning and ambushing had been Zhuo Fan all along.


    This proves how dear Xue Ningxiang was to Zhuo Fan, making it obvious why the enemy would throw away all their honor and go after a frail girl. It all came down to dealing with Zhuo Fan.


    All the more reason why the trio couldn¡¯t be hasty, lest they find themselves short of Xue Ningxiang and with an enraged Zhuo Fan breathing down their necks.


    The three gave each other a hidden nod, being overt as they looked for a chance. You Yushan was one of Six Dragons and One Phoenix after all, so how could he leave an opening for the three to exploit?


    The scene turned into a standstill, with neither side moving on the other.


    The audience beyond the water exit were shocked by the sudden development. A mere second rate clan¡¯s miss was Zhuo Fan and the other¡¯s weakness? Go figure.


    Luo Yunchang clenched her fists, worried sick.


    She had long been made aware of Ning¡¯er¡¯s importance to Zhuo Fan. Neither she nor Chu Qingcheng could reach the same place as that girl in Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart.


    She refrained from waking Zhuo Fan to this realization out of worry and fear. Fear that Zhuo Fan would further distance himself from her.


    It had reached such a point where before the final battle, Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart was a mess. He kept flipping out yet never could find the root of the problem, blaming it all on his restless mind.


    Only Luo Yunchang knew this was jealousy over Ning¡¯er and Xie Tianyang seeing each other every day.


    With Zhuo Fan¡¯s one track mind for cultivation alone, his knowledge about love and anything skirting around the subject was a huge void. Without knowing what caused such deep unrest within him, he chose to force himself to be stone-cold.


    His mind had found peace, but all he did was stop the flood by building a dam around it.


    And once that dam cracked, the surging tide would consume him.


    Luo Yunchang could practically see Zhuo Fan¡¯s pained face. She turned to the trapped Xue Ningxiang, praying for her safety.


    [Ning¡¯er, you must survive. Or Zhuo Fan will go mad.]


    Among all viewers, the only ones who truly cared for Xue Ningxiang were her father and grandfather. Seeing their daughter and grandchild in the hands of You Yushan robbed them of their breath. Their hearts were about to break.


    [Why has the kind and cheerful Ning¡¯er met with such disaster?]


    Zhuge Changfeng took everything in with a glint in his eye, ¡°Sir Leng, is this the fatal weakness you¡¯ve been mentioning?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Prime Minister, I have conducted a thorough observation and that girl is Zhuo Fan¡¯s biggest worry. He might not even realize it himself!¡± Leng Wuchang smiled.


    Zhuge Changfeng raised an eyebrow, ¡°How did Sir Leng find out then, if even he doesn¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, simple. A man will always reveal what he yearns for without even realizing it. When Zhuo Fan first came to Dragon Cloud City, he and our eldest young master clashed. That time he saved two women, one was the Luo clan¡¯s young miss, while the other was the Xue girl.¡±


    ¡°That was all it took?¡± Zhuge Changfeng smiled.


    Leng Wuchang shook his head, ¡°It wouldn¡¯t have been that simple, but his eyes naturally drifted to the Xue girl. It begged the question, if he would ignore even the safety of his clan¡¯s young miss, and since he¡¯s only interested in the other girl, what place does she hold in his heart?¡±


    ¡°Also, on the fighting stage, when Zhuo Fan was taken by his awe-inspiring first victory, who was it that he went to first? Ha-ha-ha, when a man shows his heroic side, he wants to share it. Not with his drinking buddies, but with the woman he loves. These are all subconscious actions, but also the ones that betrayed his heart the most.¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng nodded in understanding, ¡°Sir Leng is truly perceptive. From just two encounters you have grasped the kid¡¯s weakness. I have to say that I¡¯m impressed.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re far too kind, I don¡¯t deserve it. The Prime Minister¡¯s wisdom is matchless. I dare not compare. I have never been able to see through the Prime Minister¡¯s thoughts, not one bit.¡± Leng Wuchang gave a half bow, in respect. But the way he was looking at Zhuge Changfeng in the eye, it was more akin to a challenge.


    With a glint in Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s eyes, the old man laughed, ¡°Sir Leng is interested in me as well? Am I to assume I am your next target?¡±


    ¡°How can that be? I¡¯d never dare do that to you, Prime Minister.¡± Leng Wuchang shook his head.


    Zhuge Changfeng gave a cold smile in return, not minding it, ¡°I don¡¯t mind playing a round or two once Sir Leng has dealt with that monkey.¡±


    Shuddering, Leng Wuchang¡¯s eyes shined with battle spirit.


    Of Tianyu¡¯s three great minds, he had always been second to Zhuge Changfeng. He now had the chance to face the man and although he was somewhat uncertain, the excitement prevailed.


    Every man with power would do anything to fight for the title of number one in the world, Unwonted Contriver included¡­


    On the other side, You Yushan saw the trio unmoving and turned to the frightened Xue Ningxiang, ¡°Girl, that ol¡¯ poisoner wanted to dissolve you into a bloody smear on the ground for that kid. But I found such a revenge lackluster and figured out a much better way.¡±


    ¡°You wish! Big brother Zhuo will definitely save me!¡± Xue Ningxiang struggled as she cursed, her hand tracing the Thunder Ring.


    Each time the Thunder Ring flickered, Zhuo Fan was bound to swoop in and carry her from the jaws of danger.


    [Big brother Zhuo!]


    Her heart cried those three little words, absolutely convinced of her delusional fairy tale.


    Xie Tianyang gnashed his teeth, crawling forth to save his love. He didn¡¯t go far, once again taken by weakness. Only his bloodshot eyes never left You Yushan, wishing nothing more than to devour him.


    Shaking his head, You Yushan ignored his surroundings and enjoyed making the lass squirm, ¡°Girl, your man won¡¯t come. While we ambushed you he was going to Huangpu Qingtian to fight over the fourth Brimming Sacred Pill. Ha-ha-ha, now that I recall, weren¡¯t you supposed to be a cauldron for us? Although late by a few years, it¡¯s never too late to receive your fate!¡±


    You Yushan touched her head as it released eerie sounds and gray energy.


    Everyone cried, ¡°Ghost Hand? H-he wants to take Ning¡¯er¡¯s essence!¡±

 Chapter 310 - You’re Too Late

    ¡°Ning¡¯er!¡±


    Xie Tianyang shouted himself hoarse. No matter how much he wanted and tried to save her, he just couldn¡¯t muster the strength to even get up.


    Essence was a soul¡¯s foundation, its core!


    Its role was to condense divine sense and anchor the soul. Once taken away, the soul would scatter while the flesh would keep on living merely as an empty shell.


    Chu Qingcheng jerked. You Yushan wasn¡¯t using her as a bargaining chip, but putting her to death. Her team acted at once.


    Far too late however.


    You Yushan¡¯s gray energy rippled and he lifted the hand placed on Xue Ningxiang¡¯s head. As if pulling something.


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s face grew ashen, sheer terror painted on her face as she spoke faintly, ¡°B-big brother Zhuo¡­ save me¡­¡±


    Hum~


    Then, the top of her head flashed in a blinding light and a pure mote of energy rose above.


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s eyes dulled, having lost the energy to stand, even her cheerful nature dissipated, as she fell to the ground.


    You Yushan was overjoyed at the dazzling light, intoxicated even, ¡°Such pure essence is rarer than rare. What a waste letting her live for so long. Fortunately it has found its use in the end.¡±


    You Yushan placed the essence in a censer, then sealed the lid before putting it away.


    ¡°You Yushan, release Ning¡¯er¡¯s essence!¡± Chu Qingcheng¡¯s delicate voice came, just as her palm was poised to attack.


    You Yushan replied in kind.


    The two attacks met and were both forced back. You Yushan took the recoil to his advantage and flew away in laughter, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, without her essence her soul will last for a few more days, enough for that punk to say his last goodbyes. Pass this along, would you? If he wants revenge, we¡¯ll be waiting at the earth exit!¡±


    Chu Qingcheng glared in hatred at the fleeting You Yushan.


    Just then, Long Xingyun and Xie Tianshang flew in front of him and cut off his retreat.


    ¡°You Yushan, don¡¯t think you can get away from me with murder!¡± Xie Tianshang¡¯s sword flew.


    The bright and thick sword attack crossed the entire sky. Long Xingyun snickered, ¡°He-he-he, now that you¡¯re here, don¡¯t even think about leaving!¡±


    Boom!


    The incredible sword and palm attacks startled You Yushan. With two against one, Six Dragons and One Phoenix at that, he had no hope of escaping.


    In his desperation, he released his spirit animal to take the brunt as he escaped.


    Pa, pa!


    The Scorching Eagle was struck as it was still making sense of its surroundings. The two Profound Heaven experts¡¯ attacks weren¡¯t that threatening, but the eagle still cried in pain.


    It turned its head dumbfounded.


    [Where¡¯s master?] He had let him out but there was no sight of him.


    Xie Tianshang and Long Xingyun were stunned, [He is lower than vermin! To even use a 5th level spiritual beast to cover his ass, he is scum!]


    [But we¡¯d be far worse if we wouldn¡¯t accept this sacrifice!]


    Xie Tianshang and Long Xingyun smiled coldly and attacked the spirit animal.


    The duo released their own beasts to attack You Yushan¡¯s beast and put it down for good.


    The Scorching Eagle was devastated, [What the hell? Can someone please tell me what is going on? Why am I suddenly in a deadly situation?]


    No one cared enough to enlighten the beast. The two beasts and their masters surrounded it. They beat it into submission and tears, turning it into spoils of war.


    The fleeting You Yushan sighed and cried.


    [Sorry partner, everything is for the mission.]¡±


    ¡°Brother You, wait!¡± A panicked cry reached him. You Yushan found Yan Bangui next to him.


    ¡°Ol¡¯ poisoner, how did you escape?¡± You Yushan was stunned.


    Smiling at his fortune, Yan Bangui said, ¡°It¡¯s thanks to you distracting them. I slipped away after taking a pill.¡±


    ¡°If I had known I wouldn¡¯t have used my spirit animal! Oh, and why didn¡¯t you take out your own spirit animal to save me?¡±


    Yan Bangui smirked, ¡°Sure, and what good would three men and three beasts do against one man and two beasts? It would only end up sacrificed like your own in the end.¡±


    Faltering, You Yushan¡¯s face twitched.


    [This is our mission, not mine alone!] He had lost the most in this.


    Yan Bangui was quite hurt as well, yet pleased as punch, ready for his reward. You Yushan¡¯s anger only rose.


    Back to Long Xingyun, the man and beast team clobbered the Scorching Eagle down to its last breath then placed it in his ring. Only then they flew to provide help to Xie Tianyang and others.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s girls helped Xue Ningxiang up, but her dead eyes and fading life force left them in grief.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s eyes teared and placed a hand on her head. Dong Xiaowan cried, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°With lady Ning¡¯er¡¯s essence taken, her mind is in chaos and her soul is about to scatter. The agony is no different from having one¡¯s marrow pierced by a thousand needles. The pain is enough to harm the soul. It¡¯s better to release her from the torment!¡± Chu Qingcheng gnashed her teeth, her heart bleeding at the injustice.


    Dong Xiaowan was stunned. She looked away as tears streamed down.


    The Xue clan and Xie Tianyang weren¡¯t by Ning¡¯er¡¯s side but the words cut them deep still.


    They hoped to save Ning¡¯er, even if it was a flimsy hope. But none wanted to put her through such torment.


    Only Leng Wuchang nodded, ¡°Not a bad way to die. At least better than muddying the ground with blood. You Yushan showed quite the initiative in this mission.¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan smiled¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°Ning¡¯er, please don¡¯t blame me.¡± Looking at Xue Ningxiang¡¯s pale face, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s palm was ready to strike. But then¡­


    Chu Qingcheng looked stunned as Xue Ningxiang¡¯s dainty hand stopped her.


    With barely any strength left in her, even with her eyes dull, she still held on to the last bit of energy, holding back the attack. A deflated and weak smile graced her lips, ¡°Edifice Lord Chu, please¡­ give me more time. I want to see big brother Zhuo one last time¡­¡±


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s words were stuck in her throat.


    She knew the pain of having one¡¯s soul scattered, but nonetheless, Ning¡¯er wished to wait for Zhuo Fan. As a woman, especially a woman who loved the same man she did, Chu Qingcheng¡¯s heart was in such pain that she turned around.


    Xue Ningxiang gave a faint smile, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Once Xue Ningxiang and the Xue brothers recovered enough with the help of pills, they rushed to Xue Ningxiang¡¯s side.


    The pale face and increasingly weakened figure filled them with sorrow.


    Xie Tianyang wanted to go get her essence back, but Xie Tianshang held him back. The other side had Huangpu Qingtian and neither of them were his match.


    Xie Tianshang may be a martial fanatic, but he knew his limits. Before they could do anything else however, they had to wait for Zhuo Fan and discuss it.


    But even after two days, Zhuo Fan was nowhere in sight. Xue Ningxiang only got worse, at the brink of death.


    Xie Tianyang was always by her side, in tears.


    In the afternoon of the third day, Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang saw their Thunder Ring flashing.


    Xue Ningxiang was moments away from passing, but her eyes shined and a smile appeared, ¡°He came¡­¡±


    Boom!


    Lightning crashed and Zhuo Fan landed. He saw less than one thousand men and his heart seized. He asked Chu Qingcheng nervously, ¡°I-is everyone alright?¡±


    Their faces were dull and words had left them.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart skipped a beat, feeling the gravity of the situation.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s bloodshot eyes turned to him, his voice laced with hatred, ¡°You¡¯re too late. Far¡­ too late. ¡°


    Zhuo Fan was taken aback seeing the brother he went through life and death with, show such an expression. But then he noticed something and his lips quivered, ¡°H-how is¡­ Ning¡¯er?¡±


    Xie Tianyang only closed his eyes, but tears never stopped flowing.


    Zhuo Fan grew more nervous as he approached slowly with shaky legs. He didn¡¯t want to accept that because of him, Huangpu Qingtian had moved against Ning¡¯er, a sweet and frail girl¡­


    As the sad and despondent people slowly made way to reveal a delicate figure, Zhuo Fan¡¯s mind was blown away, rooted on the spot¡­

 Chapter 311 - Berserk

    ¡°Brother Zhuo¡­ you¡¯re back?¡± Xue Ningxiang was so weak that her eyes were now dead voids. But she forced herself to show a smile, to ease everyone¡¯s minds. They all knew she wasn¡¯t long for this world.


    Hum~


    Zhuo Fan released his Discerning Field. He shook for a moment and gnashed his teeth.


    ¡°Ning¡¯er¡¯s essence¡­¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands tightened, ¡°How long?¡±


    Chu Qingcheng spoke dully, ¡°Three days¡­¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan closed his eyes. He felt something warm flowing down his face.


    Once essence left the body, it had to be returned in maximum one day for the person to be saved. With three days passing, even if he had the power to return it, he couldn¡¯t save her.


    Xue Ningxiang understood his pain and smiled, like everything would be alright, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, you said you¡¯d come for me five days later. You didn¡¯t lie to me. You came back.¡±


    Xue Ningxiang struggled to raise her hand, the Thunder Ring flickering on her finger, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, you held our promise.¡±


    Listening to her faint and concerned voice, Zhuo Fan still kept his eyes shut. He was afraid that after looking at her, he wouldn¡¯t be able to take it, his heart giving in to the flooding emotions.


    Then Zhuo Fan forced those impulses down, achieving calm. He opened his tranquil eyes, his voice plain, ¡°Ning¡¯er, I was late. I¡­¡±


    ¡°Big brother Zhuo, it¡¯s alright. You weren¡¯t late. To me, today is the fifth day.¡± Xue Ningxiang said to him, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, will you touch your ring to mine and fulfill our promise?¡±


    Zhuo Fan drew closer to the weakened girl, showing his flickering Thunder Ring.


    Xue Ningxiang could not see, but the sound reaching her ears made her show a smile, ¡°Big brother Zhuo, I know you must be feeling guilty, but it wasn¡¯t your fault. I believe you were just as taken by their schemes as we were by their ambush. I do not blame you. They even said they came to kill me for you. I am happy. This proves big brother Zhuo cares about me the most for them to pay attention to a girl like me.¡±


    Tightening his hands, Zhuo Fan fell silent, but his eyes exploded in rage.


    ¡°Brother Tianyang, didn¡¯t you want to touch rings as well? What are you waiting for? I don¡¯t have much time. I still long to hear our three rings flicker.¡± Xue Ningxiang smiled at Xie Tianyang.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s heart was consumed by grief, tears flooding his eyes as he touched his ring to the other two.


    The three Thunder Rings let out a bright light and intense crackling. Xue Ningxiang closed her eyes, at peace, ¡°I wish we could return to those days in the Allbeast Mountain Range¡­¡±


    Pa!


    Xue Ningxiang¡¯s hand slacked. She was gone. But there was no pain or regret on her pale face.


    It was impossible for anyone who died from a scattered soul to show such an expression. Because the agony of having one¡¯s soul ripped to pieces would twist their face into a horrifying visage.


    But not Xue Ningxiang, she only showed content.


    Even Zhuge Changfeng, Leng Wuchang and Dugu Zhantian beyond the National Elemental Stone showed a reaction. They had never seen such a pure and innocent girl.


    It was a true loss for her to suffer such a gruesome death.


    Zhuge Changfeng sighed, ¡°No wonder the kid is so touched by this girl. She is a true rarity.¡±


    ¡°An evil soul will always look for pure souls to lean on for comfort. But once the pure soul leaves, the evil soul would find itself alone and maddened. No one can prevent it.¡± Leng Wuchang caressed his beard. His sigh showed compassion, but the glint in his eyes spoke another truth.


    Zhuge Changfeng eyed him coldly, ¡°Sir Leng, when playing with an angry beast, beware not to get mangled yourself!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s fine Prime Minister. The most feared are the cold and calculating beasts. While rampant ones are mere brutes, easy to handle.¡± Leng Wuchang showed a crafty smile.


    Zhuge Changfeng shook his head and sighed looking at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Kid, how could you fall so easily to their games¡­¡±


    Xue Clan Head and patriarch were paralyzed watching Ning¡¯er leave this world. Luo Yunchang rushed to help them, although just as overwhelmed with grief.


    Xue Gang and Xue Lin wailed by Ning¡¯er¡¯s side.


    Xie Tianyang panted, his eyes red, his sword clenched in his hand, ¡°Zhuo Fan, Huangpu Qingtian is waiting for you at the earth exit. Let¡¯s go together and avenge Ning¡¯er!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s suicide. You¡¯re walking into a trap. Here we have the water exit and we can win the Esoteric Debate as long as we return to Dragon Cloud City.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes never strayed from Xue Ningxiang. He was calm, his eyes an endless abyss.


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s vein popped on his forehead and he glared at him, ¡°Bastard, is that all you have to say? Ning¡¯er died because of you and that¡¯s all you can think of? Are you a cold-blooded animal?


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I am. Haven¡¯t you figured that out yet?¡± Zhuo Fan deadpanned, ¡°My objective is to win the Esoteric Debate. The human cost is irrelevant. Entering Beast King Mountain means you¡¯ve assumed the risk of dying. There is no one you can blame for the choices you make¡­¡±


    ¡°Bastard!¡±


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s swing sent Zhuo Fan flying as he raved, ¡°I don¡¯t care how you treat others, but Ning¡¯er died because of you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan picked himself up, blood trickling from his lips, yet his tone was as flat as before, ¡°As I¡¯ve said, after coming to Beast King Mountain, you have no one else to blame for your fate. But this girl¡­ shouldn¡¯t have come. She was too weak.¡±


    Xie Tianyang was shuddering, his eyes flashing with bloodthirst. Chu Qingcheng and her girls looked at Zhuo Fan with no little reproach and blame.


    [Has this man become dead inside? How can he say such cruel things, now of all times?]


    Long Xingyun was the only one who nodded, ¡°Brother Zhuo is right. The Esoteric Debate is fraught with danger and no one can guarantee one¡¯s survival. The top priority is unchanged, to leave this place as soon as possible. Brother Zhuo, I heard you snatched the fourth Brimming Sacred Pill. Don¡¯t forget your brothers and leave us one as well.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡± Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Whoosh!


    Xie Tianyang had had enough, his killing intent spiked, his eyes bloodshot and his sword pierced for Zhuo Fan, ¡°Bastard! I knew this was all a diversion. You threw us along as bait while you went for the Brimming Sacred Pill. You killed Ning¡¯er!¡±


    ¡°What? That¡¯s¡­ Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms. Stop, Tianyang!¡±


    Xie Tianshang cried for him in panic. For him to use Flowing Space¡¯s Nine Forms on Zhuo Fan, he was fully intent on killing him.


    [They were as close as brothers, so how did it come to this¡­]


    He was too late. Xie Tianyang¡¯s attack shot for Zhuo Fan, who merely laid on the ground.


    When the sword attack was upon him, a mere flash of golden light from his eye blinked it out of existence. He then popped behind Xie Tianyang and struck his neck.


    Boom!


    Xie Tianyang laid in a meter wide hole, out cold.


    The shock was palpable on everyone¡¯s faces.


    They knew of Zhuo Fan¡¯s power, but hearing about it and seeing it for themselves were two different things. The second young master of Sword Marquise Abode was dealt with in one blow.


    Xie Tianshang cupped his hands, ¡°Brother Zhuo, please forgive my reckless brother¡­¡±


    ¡°No need. We¡¯re leaving.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand flashed and two blue crystals sank into the water exit¡¯s groove.


    The water exit then released a light pillar towards the heavens.


    Zhuo Fan pointed, ¡°The array is open, let¡¯s move.¡±


    At Zhuo Fan¡¯s invitation, Xie Tianshang and the others breathed easier. He carried his brother, while Xue Gang took his sister¡¯s body. They passed through the light and arrived in Dragon Cloud City.


    At the familiar sight, they all relaxed as if they had escaped hell.


    Zhuge Changfeng smiled, ¡°Sir Leng, by the looks of it, the savage beast hasn¡¯t gone mad. In fact, he handled everything with exceeding calm.¡±


    Leng Wuchang frowned as his eyes were skeptical, [Was I wrong?]


    Chu Qingcheng came to Zhuo Fan, but didn¡¯t walk through the exit, ¡°Zhuo Fan, I was wrong about you. A cold and ruthless man like you isn¡¯t worthy of a woman¡¯s love.¡±


    Zhuo Fan just stood there.


    ¡°Darling, you¡­¡± Xiao Dandan shook her head in disappointment then went away as well.


    Dong Xiaowan¡¯s group merely sighed before following.


    They were the winners, but nobody felt like one. The prevalent mood was glum and despondent.


    The only one left was Chu Qingcheng. She walked to the array without sparing him a second look. But then she caught sight of the bloodstains on the ground and was stunned.


    Looking closer, Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands were so tightly clenched, his nails had dug into his flesh and blood trailed between his fingers.


    Zhuo Fan had the Diamond Body. Just what kind of power did he wield to even harm himself?


    Chu Qingcheng cried, ¡°Zhuo Fan, you¡­¡±


    But Zhuo Fan pushed her through the pillar and she found herself back in Dragon Cloud City.


    Chu Qingcheng was worried sick now, looking at the water National Elemental Stone. She shouted at the cold Zhuo Fan beyond the veil, ¡°Zhuo Fan, what are you doing?¡±


    A pity the array only worked one way¡­


    No one could make sense of Drifting Flowers Edifice lord¡¯s outburst, why was she so distraught.


    It was soon made clear however.


    Zhuo Fan pulled the keys and threw them away.


    His bloody hands spread, his body shivered, his eyes were bloodshot as lightning crackled. All that was heard was his roar, ¡°Ning¡¯er!¡±


    The rage had been held back long enough and it now consumed his mind¡­

 Chapter 312 - You’re Life Is Mine

    Lightning twisted around him like snakes. It donned him with an armor that flickered purple.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes were bloodshot as he roared at the heavens. His veins popped one by one out of his skin, threatening to burst. With the sharp Lightning Wings stretching a meter in every direction increasing the lightning output, a hundred meters around him was pulverized.


    Zhuo Fan was now the avatar of a demon god, bent on spreading chaos and slaughter. And that horrifying face was twisted to such a degree, even the audience watching beyond the veil felt weak in their knees.


    Even the seven houses¡¯ Profound Heaven experts were shaking at the mighty display.


    Chu Qingcheng struck the National Elemental Stone calling out his name as tears fell from her eyes, evidence of the pain in her heart. They were wrong about him. He was the one hurting the most from Xue Ningxiang¡¯s passing.


    He chose to suppress his grief, to take them all to safety before going to slaughter Huangpu Qingtian.


    Luo Yunchang was choking with emotion seeing Zhuo Fan go mad from the pain of loss. Luo Yunhai was startled, ¡°I have never seen big brother Zhuo lose control like that!¡±


    Captain Pang nodded, his knuckles white.


    Zhuo Fan had always been wise and collected, an indomitable mountain, just like a true leader. Only now he realized their tough and resolved Steward Zhuo had a weaker side.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s howls and twisted features evoked silent cries from the Luo clan. [What pain, what torment must his heart be enduring for him to show such grief?]


    The entire Luo clan turned to Regent Estate.


    For the first time ever, this meager barely ascended second rate clan was looking at the head of the seven houses with a thirst for battle.


    Luo Yunhai¡¯s eyes flashed as they took in Huangpu Tianyuan and Leng Wuchang. They burned with endless rage, wishing nothing more than to purge the two from this world.


    Uncaring of the looks the ants gave him, Leng Wuchang smiled, ¡°Prime Minister, you were saying?¡±


    ¡°A hero always falls for the princess. I never expected for such a cautious kid to get wrapped up in such a cliche. A shame really.¡± Zhuge Changfeng sighed.


    Leng Wuchang laughed, ¡°It¡¯s because of his paranoid nature, of his dead heart, that a man who by all intents and purposes shouldn¡¯t have weaknesses would lose his mind in the simplest fashion. Emotional people have normal reactions when they are excited. While those dead inside, the tiniest spark could set them off and collapse them from within!¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng nodded helplessly.


    [Monkey, you cannot fight an old fox after all¡­]


    ¡°Huangpu Qingtian, your life is mine!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s roar broke everyone out of their reverie and even Chu Qingcheng¡¯s shouts stopped. They saw him shoot for the skies and he was gone the next second.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, don¡¯t go! You know it¡¯s a trap¡­¡± Chu Qingcheng smashed at the National Elemental Stone, crying herself hoarse. But her voice was unable to pierce the veil.


    Zhuo Fan wouldn¡¯t have stopped even if he did hear her.


    He had long passed the point of no return. His emotions were scarring his heart and the madness was the only sign showing what he was going through. He was driven by one thought alone, fueled by his inner turmoil. Nothing mattered more than ripping Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s head from his shoulder in offering to Ning¡¯er¡­


    Chu Qingcheng was crying and shouting long after he was gone.


    Grandmother held her, ¡°Child, he¡¯s doing it for another woman, not you. So why are you¡­¡±


    ¡°Grandmother¡­¡± Chu Qingcheng looked at her through tears, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say he was cold and ruthless? How did he change?¡±


    Ugh!


    Grandmother was lost for words.


    [How should I know? I am not his shadow!]


    She had to admit however that not even she, who had raised three generations of Drifting Flowers Edifices¡¯ elders, noticed Zhuo Fan having such strong affection for someone.


    Sighing, Grandmother shook her head.


    Chu Qingcheng closed her eyes and said, ¡°I knew I had made the right choice back then.¡±


    Startled, Grandmother nodded helplessly, ¡°Perhaps¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you want to save her?¡± An aged voice pierced Chu Qingcheng¡¯s ears.


    Chu Qingcheng turned in the voice¡¯s direction, ¡°You don¡¯t have to speak. If you are intent on saving her, come see me in the forest thirty miles from here. But you better hurry, lest the window closes. She only has two hours left.¡±


    Shuddering, Chu Qingcheng pulled out of Grandmother¡¯s embrace and flew away.


    Grandmother was stunned, but Chu Qingcheng¡¯s impatient voice came next, ¡°Grandmother, I have something to do. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    Grandmother frowned.


    She used to know everything when it came to Drifting Flowers Edifice. [Just what is Chu Qingcheng going to do?]


    But she trusted her enough not to question her motives.


    When the clamor died down and Zhuo Fan left the water exit, everyone turned to the earth National Elemental Stone. Huangpu Qingtian had long been waiting there gathering his men, waiting for his quarry.


    ¡°Eldest young master, are you certain the punk will fall for such a painfully obvious trap? Just now I saw the water exit activating. Wouldn¡¯t it make more sense for them to leave for Dragon Cloud City with the four Brimming Sacred Pills?¡±


    Turning to the ten thousand men¡¯s ambush, You Yushan sighed, ¡°With neither the pills nor winning the Esoteric Debate, we would truly lose this time.¡±


    The other two nodded.


    Huangpu Qingtian mocked them, ¡°Humph, ignorant fools. I¡¯ve already stressed what our main objective is. As long as Zhuo Fan lives, nothing else matters. And above all else, Sir Leng is never wrong. The others may return, but Zhuo Fan won¡¯t. Wait and see.¡±


    The three bowed.


    They had no clue what was happening on Zhuo Fan¡¯s side, but the audience was clear on one thing. Zhuo Fan was on his way over to the earth exit. They were cast reverent gazes onto Leng Wuchang standing among Regent Estate¡¯s clansmen.


    [As expected of Unwonted Contriver¡¯s ploys. Even Demon Archon Zhuo Fan fell for it. He truly is the empire¡¯s sage!]


    Leng Wuchang was basking in the gazes of everyone, straightening his beard in pride.


    He felt like his glory had surpassed even Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s. But the latter didn¡¯t bother, eyes fixed on the National Elemental Stone, contemplating¡­


    A day passed and Huangpu Qingtian was still sitting peacefully before the earth exit.


    The sudden thunderclap scared off the birds in its path. The frantic and erratic power threatened to crush everything.


    Huangpu Qingtian opened his eyes and grinned looking in the distance, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, finally. Yan Bangui, You Yushan, Lin Xuanfeng, get ready. We can¡¯t let him escape!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡± The three cupped their hands, vanishing among the trees.


    With the fall of lighting, it revealed a gruesome face. Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes knew nothing but bloodlust at this point.


    Huangpu Qingtian was thrilled. His presence here proved that the plan had worked, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan, I used to think you had the same royal air as myself. How come you¡¯re riddled with emotion, how could you stoop so low? Now I see that I am the only one worthy to be king here!¡±


    ¡°Huangpu Qingtian, your life is mine!¡±


    Zhuo Fan roared, throwing himself at Huangpu Qingtian.


    Huangpu Qingtian sneered, ¡°Only kings are worthy of my attention.¡±


    Three shouts followed his words and a flood of people came from all directions, more than ten thousand.


    There were even hundreds of Profound Heaven experts leading the charge, wielding 4th grade spiritual weapons with the sole purpose of piercing that Diamond Body of his.


    Zhuo Fan roared, ¡°Get lost, ants!¡±


    His voice powered by his intent spread all around, only to meet another intent along the way.


    With a bang, the two intents canceled each other.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes widened. He didn¡¯t take Zhuo Fan to be capable of outdoing him in the strength of soul. But he made sure to cover it up with mockery, ¡°Humph, you¡¯ll never get to use intent as long as I¡¯m around!¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan was still unfazed. If the easy way failed, he¡¯d just have to kill them the hard way.


    Zhuo Fan sped up and made contact with the ten thousand men¡¯s army.


    Tens of spiritual weapons fell upon Zhuo Fan, akin to being hit by a cannonball each time.


    Even You Yushan and his two allies looked startled at the onslaught.


    Not even a Radiant Stage expert could escape the blows of tens of Profound Heaven experts all coming at once. They¡¯d be picked apart.


    [Zhuo Fan has truly lost it to charge head on!]


    The audience beyond the veil was of the same opinion. They finally realized the horrifying difference between a calculative beast and a mad one.


    Zhuo Fan had now lost all reason, all inhibitions, but regardless of how strong he was even he would fall against an army.


    Luo Yunchang and others were watching in worry.


    What happened next was beyond anything they had ever dreamed of, even Regent Estate was floored.


    ¡°I thought I told you. Get out of my sight, you insects!¡±


    Following his roar, the purple lighting enveloped his body and under the stunned audience¡¯s watch, he moved like a tornado with his wings spread.


    Whoosh~


    The attack hacked through metal and flesh alike. Tens of Profound Heaven experts and their spiritual weapons were bisected before they could make contact.


    The Lightning Wings wrapped in purple lightning were the ultimate killing weapon¡­

 Chapter 313 - Demonic Dragon’s Might

    Utter shock!


    Every single person who was watching went slack jawed, no exception. Leng Wuchang was quite certain a couple dozen Profound Heaven experts wouldn¡¯t do Zhuo Fan in, but he didn¡¯t go as far as to assume they¡¯d die in an instant!


    Not even a Radiant Stage expert with their intent sealed could pull it off.


    And yet¡­


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s gaze grew firm, as did his frown, ¡°I knew the kid was hiding his strength. Now we finally see his limits!¡±


    Xie Tianshang¡¯s eyes shrank, the hand on the hilt tightened.


    Till now he saw Zhuo Fan as a convenient target to challenge and better himself, only to find out that the guy was an even bigger objective than Huangpu Qingtian had ever been!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mad slaughter was that of a tyrant, trampling all that stood in his way. The bloody and gruesome ¡®battle¡¯ had even this martial fanatic¡¯s blood pumping.


    He was totally regretting it now. Why couldn¡¯t he have stayed back in Beast King Mountain? He would¡¯ve been fighting alongside Zhuo Fan right about now, getting his fix of killings.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyebrow moved. Zhuo Fan had defied his projections, with those Lightning Wings of his even capable of cutting through 4th grade spiritual weapons like butter.


    Taking a leap further, it wasn¡¯t that much of a wild guess that those wings could pierce his own hardened body¡­


    ¡°Attack!¡±


    The instant death of dozens of Profound Heaven experts struck fear in the rest, but Huangpu Qingtian was there to make sure they would stop at nothing to kill him.


    For a moment, nobody knew what to do.


    While the others were in a conundrum over their literal existence, Zhuo Fan had no such qualms. He jumped into the fray, waving his wings and fists in every direction.


    Bam~


    Another few dozen Profound Heaven experts bit the dust, cut right down the middle. Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands weren¡¯t idle either, punching the still beating hearts out of the chest of two others.


    He squeezed, sending blood and gore around, while the two ¡®decorations¡¯ on his arms blew apart. His eyes though, were just as brutal and bloodshot as when he started this bloody mess. They were a window into his heart, consumed now by slaughter.


    The legs of the rest wobbled, their hearts gripped in fear. Zhuo Fan was the very personification of a savage beast, killing regardless of who barred his path.


    Some that broke out into a mad run for their lives were swiftly caught up and killed with impunity.


    At this moment, valor pushed through the fear and everyone came to one conclusion. Since they were destined to die either way, they¡¯d rather go down fighting. They fell upon him like a flood, as the thirst for murder in Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes grew and grew.


    Huangpu Qingtian had a satisfied smirk, ¡°I finally understand what Sir Leng was talking about. The collected Zhuo Fan would never engage in senseless slaughter, breeding hatred all around, but go for scare tactics. We may be ten thousand but the ones engaged in fighting only amount to a mere handful. But with his mind consumed by rage, he forced everyone to see no escape from death, lest they kill him. He has completely aroused their self-preservation. Revenge is so deeply ingrained in his mind that he is no longer feared, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Eldest young master is a genius. We won¡¯t even need to intervene now. The punk will sooner or later end up dying, swallowed by our ten thousand men!¡± You Yushan snickered and added a thumbs up.


    Huangpu Qingtian waved him off, ¡°Hardly. Ants are just that, ants. They won¡¯t ever get to wring his life. Their only use is to chip at Zhuo Fan¡¯s stamina and reveal any meddlesome aces he has tucked away. It will be up to me to cull this demon for murder . No one else is worthy, not even you three.¡±


    The trio looked at each other, their hearts filled with dissatisfaction and anger, but none retorted.


    Going back to the slaughter at hand, Zhuo Fan was found to have reaped through hundreds of experts. The trio nodded inwardly.


    [Eldest young master has a point. The monster has gone berserk but we¡¯re still no match for him.]


    ¡°Now then, it is time we added to the challenge. Activate that 36 array!¡± Huangpu Qingtian watched the slaughter with a cold and detached eye.


    Yan Bangui gave a signal to the ones hiding in the forest. The men¡¯s hands weaved through gestures and a bright light enveloped the battlefield.


    Zhuo Fan, who saw only red before his eyes, suddenly stopped and his knees buckled.


    Looking down, he saw a silvery light, Meteor Array!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s instinct told him this was a 1st grade array, putting pressure on him and sealing his movements.


    He could tear through such a low grade array with his Yuan Qi alone. But it was easier said than done when being assaulted from all sides by endless waves of enemies. Those Profound Heaven experts wielding spiritual weapons were waiting for this golden opportunity and stabbed him.


    A dozen of them chose to aim for the Lightning Wings instead.


    With the Lightning Wings nailed to the ground he was like a lamb to the slaughter.


    ¡°He-he-he, Soaring Demonic Dragon¡¯s head is mine!¡± One excited Profound Heaven expert saw endless glory within reach.


    But then a curse came from behind, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare get greedy! Stick to the plan and hold down his wings. Any mistake now will turn the eldest young master¡¯s wrath on you!¡±


    Shuddering, the man woke up from his reverie, moving from Zhuo Fan¡¯s head to the wings.


    The audience beyond the veil were crying out in shock, as Luo Yunchang was sweating buckets with worry.


    They only had to trap Zhuo Fan and when he was meek and helpless, the sea of people would attack and finish the job.


    Huangpu Tianyuan smiled, ¡°Sir Leng, the punk would be worse for wear if not outright killed.¡±


    ¡°Who knows. I reckon his ultimate demise will rest in the eldest young master¡¯s hands.¡± Leng Wuchang shook his head.


    Huangpu Tianyuan snorted, [Won¡¯t that give him all the glory?]


    Whoosh~


    Tens of 4th grade spiritual weapons were coming for Zhuo Fan¡¯s head. Not even Zhuo Fan could take that!


    Yet the man in question had the same bloodthirsty gaze, not registering the meager clowns and their parlor tricks. As the spiritual weapons approached, joy blossomed on the faces of everyone. Just then, Zhuo Fan¡¯s right eye shined with a golden halo.


    Divine Eye of the Void, 1st stage, Shift!


    Whoosh~


    All spiritual weapons vanished without a trace, only to appear a mile away, somewhere in the forest.


    They all froze in shock. They were this close to ending the monster, but their weapons vanished. [How do we kill him now? Won¡¯t we just die?]


    [Thank god the monster is still in the Meteor Array and we can draw back.]


    Their relief was short-lived however, as the purple lightning once again exploded from his body.


    A boom announced the destruction of the array beneath him as well as the bloody pieces of Profound Heaven experts flying everywhere.


    Zhuo Fan made a show of standing up and, without preamble, resumed the slaughterfest.


    Only this time, the purple lightning acted as a shield three meters around him. Those unfortunate enough not to remove themselves from peril, were ejected by force, permanently and in a spectacular fashion of gory shower and blood.


    Even the hidden arrays around him were detonated ahead of their time. The purple lightning tore through anyone and anything without remorse.


    Zhuo Fan was charging all this while. He didn¡¯t need to do much else, with the shield blowing everyone around to pieces. In mere fifteen minutes, the death toll reached four digits, with many of the victims strewn around all over the place!


    The rest shirked back in fear, not willing to face him and test his edge. Now even if Zhuo Fan chased them, they¡¯d still flee.


    The first time they had placed their trust in human wave tactics and held a glimmer of hope at overpowering the savage. While now, that notion was quite literally blown away, evident by the victims getting zapped as they tested the lightning shield, only to die gruesomely before they could even reach him. [How do you fight that?]


    A man¡¯s valor grew when fighting against surmountable opponents. But in Zhuo Fan¡¯s case, the man was indomitable, and fear had soon taken root.


    The battlefield had devolved into Zhuo Fan chasing around fleeing and powerless targets. No one could stop him.


    Yan Bangui was soaked in sweat, now realizing the tragic and deadly extent of Zhuo Fan¡¯s purple lightning. It was worse than his poison!


    Under these circumstances, the tables had turned. They were the ones with the army, and yet they were the ones ending up butchered.


    You Yushan was panicking, ¡°Eldest young master, that thing is a freak of nature! Our ten thousand men¡¯s army will be gone soon if we don¡¯t do something. Not to mention the whole of Dragon Cloud City¡¯s clan and house leaders are watching us. We¡¯ve been plotting and scheming for so long to trap one man and if we still can¡¯t deal with him, we¡¯ll become the butt of the empire¡¯s joke¡­¡±


    ¡°I know. I don¡¯t need you to remind me.¡± Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s snort cut him off. His eyes glinted with cruelty as he stepped forward, ¡°I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d have to step in so soon. I truly am surrounded by trash¡­

 Chapter 314 - Dragons Collid

    People watched the earth National Elemental Stone engrossed, be it from fear or shock. Some were too stunned to even react.


    Zhuo Fan had braved against a thousand men alone and killed them by the score like a true demon god. It was long past the point where the houses¡¯ elders could stay calm.


    Veiled Dragon Pavilion¡¯s Long Jiu was the most affected. Zhuo Fan¡¯s murder weapon was none other than the purple lightning from his eye.


    Though the difference couldn¡¯t be bigger. Zhuo Fan¡¯s purple lightning was so strong he used it as armor and all he had to do was run into the enemy unchallenged. The enemy had no choice but to flee, unable to cope with such destructive force.


    The lofty figure, filled with zeal in his indiscriminate killing made the viewers secretly cry out in excitement.


    One particular crazed martial fanatic felt the opposite. Xie Tianshang had long been shuddering with fervor and fighting spirit.


    Whoosh!


    A light announced Chu Qingcheng¡¯s return, her face filled with grief. Grandmother rushed to her side in worry, ¡°Qingcheng, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Chu Qingcheng shook her head, ¡°How is he?¡±


    Grandmother sighed and turned to the veil, ¡°See for yourself.¡±


    Chu Qingcheng caught Zhuo Fan¡¯s howl as he tore into the ten thousand men army. His face was malevolent among the flying limbs, a picture only achieving completion with the symphony manifested by the agonized victims. The bloodshot eyes seemed to write off anyone they landed on, gone from this world.


    The first thing that came to mind was a death god unleashed upon this world to spread suffering and pain.


    Chu Qingcheng¡¯s heart was twisted up from pain, biting her lip in fear of crying out, even as tears fell from her eyes.


    She knew very well that the crazed Zhuo Fan was in incredible pain and grief.


    ¡°Look, Huangpu Qingtian is joining!¡±


    At the nameless cry, everyone turned to the imposing and mighty figure charging with relentless force towards Zhuo Fan.


    There was not a single person out there who didn¡¯t recognize the conceited Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord!


    This lifted the moods of everyone at the prospect. The two strongest geniuses of Tianyu were duking it out. Who was going to win? Who was going to be the number one clan in this time¡¯s Esoteric Debate. It would soon be made apparent, as dragons collided.


    The rules were very clear though, the first to return to Dragon Cloud City was crowned champion. Though everyone knew, the returnees even more so, that it was merely an escape, cowardice.


    The title of number one clan of Tianyu rested on the shoulders of these two dragons!


    Gulping, every single person was watching the most anticipated battle of the century with hearts in their throat. Xie Tianshang was holding the sword hilt so tight that his hand turned white. His eyes were sparkling while his excitement shot through the roof.


    Those two were the objectives he wanted to desperately surpass, but who was the best and strongest of their generation hanged far more heavily on his mind. This battle would settle who was to be his true goal!


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    Zhuo Fan went nuts in killing anything that moved, going so far under in his bloodlust that he lost focus of his surroundings. It was then that the shout coming from behind pierced his ears. Turning around, he saw Huangpu Qingtian charging and shouted, ¡°Huangpu Qingtian, you will pay with your life!¡±


    Zhuo Fan moved away from those ants and rushed towards Huangpu Qingtian. The purple lightning withdrew into his fist just as he struck.


    Huangpu Qingtian roared as well, shining golden and surrounded by nine golden dragons as he met the punch, ¡°Imperial Tyrant Body Art!¡±


    Bam!


    The staggering power of the punches smashed together.


    A golden light erupted and purple lightning exploded, as the earth caved and sky trembled.


    Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s fists were now in a deadlock. But the power only grew stronger, roaming along their arms and aiming to settle the stalemate.


    Huangpu Qingtian and Zhuo Fan glared at each other, with neither backing out an inch. But the sudden explosion flung both of them backwards for five feet.


    The tremendous pressure swept the battlefield. The rampant golden glow along with the berserk purple lightning tore into any poor devil that crossed its path. The fallout alone robbed the lives of two thousand hapless souls, reduced to mangled flesh and adding to this hellscape.


    Gasping, the survivors fled as fast as they could.


    It went beyond what their feeble minds could possibly comprehend. Just the shock wave reaped through them like death. Not even Profound Heaven experts were spared from such a cruel fate.


    They had finally come to realize, on their own skin, what a gulf in power truly meant.


    The Profound Heaven experts knew the two of them could kill them with just their thumb. How could heaven allow for such monsters to exist? It went against the natural order!


    The ones receiving the full brunt of the shock were in fact Six Dragons and One Phoenix.


    They were aware of how the two were leagues above them, but nobody had imagined it would be such a steep cliff separating them.


    They had a feeling that not even in the Radiant Stage would they be the two¡¯s match.


    Xie Tianshang clenched his fists in frustration, but sighed in the end, ¡°Just how am I to surpass these monsters?¡±


    For the first time ever, this martial fanatic actually complained about one¡¯s strength. Huangpu Qingtian and Zhuo Fan¡¯s display left him utterly powerless.


    ¡­


    ¡°A stand-off!¡±


    While the rest were awed by the power display, only Jade Flute Divine Sword Fang Qiubai¡¯s eyes squinted. They even contained a glint of amazement while looking at Zhuo Fan.


    The emperor¡¯s intent for Zhuo Fan to harass Huangpu Qingtian came from his council. He had gone to great lengths in informing Zhuo Fan of every aspect of Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s traits. That a head on clash was ill-advised and he had to lean on tactics to get the upper hand.


    Nonetheless, it did not lower the danger Zhuo Fan had faced in this mission.


    Yet at the end of it all, the kid took merely five years to reach the level of monstrosity Huangpu Qingtian turned out to be. Something he had failed to foresee. He could go as far as to say Zhuo Fan was the truest monster of the two.


    Just five years ago Zhuo Fan barely defeated Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s younger brother, who was far weaker. And here he was now the other brother¡¯s equal. It was just too hard to wrap his head around how insane it was. What blew his mind however was the two monsters¡¯ one stage gap in cultivation.


    So the two may be equal right now, but Zhuo Fan¡¯s potential was inhumanly above Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s.


    It was hard to fathom what the future held for the man.


    [In five years, no, just three years, Zhuo Fan may very well be able to wipe the floor with Huangpu Qingtian!]


    Such prospects were so ridiculous, even Fang Qiubai had to do a double take.


    [It¡¯s all so obvious now why the kid was so carefree when accepting this mission. He is confident of victory! As long as he comes out alive from this battle, he will grow into the number one overlord of Tianyu. Not even Regent Estate¡¯s thousand year old legacy will be of use then, ha-ha-ha¡­]


    Fang Qiubai sighed.


    Leng Wuchang and Huangpu Tianyuan had reached the same dreaded conclusion. Zhuo Fan had now risen to the level of biggest threat on their list. [He must be stopped at all costs!]


    [The kid can already cause upheavals, throwing the seven houses into turmoil. If allowed to grow for even a second more, no matter how much power the seven houses bring out, it wouldn¡¯t be worth a damn¡­]


    Huangpu Qingtian stopped his skidding, looking at Zhuo Fan in astonishment. He couldn¡¯t believe what just happened. One of his peers actually had the power to fight him?


    Zhuo Fan had so far been a thorn in his side through his cunning and sinister arts. But this clash proved they were equals. A truth he wasn¡¯t ready to accept.


    The majestic and royal Regent Estate¡¯s eldest young master who had been uncontested all his life had now found his nemesis. Perhaps the one to rob him of his birthright to rule. A deep sense of danger had taken root into his heart.


    Something that had never happened before.


    It only worked to fuel his thirst for murder as he roared, ¡°Zhuo Fan, today you must die!¡±


    ¡°Huangpu Qingtian, pay with your life!¡± Zhuo Fan roared back. The lightning crackled as he charged and Huangpu Qingtian did the same.


    Boom~


    The sky exploded in lightning as the earth was scorched. The two forces of nature in the shape of body cultivators clashed blow by blow. Tearing the world asunder and spreading death. The fallout of every clash was like a bomb, which caught the hapless fools from the vassal clans, reaping their lives in the most agonizing way possible.


    [Oi, you two, we aren¡¯t collateral damage here, you know!]


    [You both have a strong arm to take the punishment, but we are normal people. Show some compassion, will you? And leave us out of it!]


    The two were too far gone. Zhuo Fan consumed by vengeance and Huangpu Qingtian consumed by having his status under real threat. They had no time to mind the petty ants, constantly clashing and constantly moving. Two hundred blows later, the two had no scratch on them. Though one couldn¡¯t say the same about the unfortunate souls surrounding them.


    What was supposed to be an ambush, was now culled by the aftermath of these monsters. The number of casualties tallied to five thousand, at the least. It was a total tragedy, genocide.


    You Yushan¡¯s group of three was shaking in their boots and sweating like pigs. They looked into each other¡¯s eyes.


    [Should we¡­ leave?]


    If anyone else heard them, they¡¯d be floored.


    [What the hell, man? If even the Six Dragons and One Phoenix are scared of the two¡¯s fallout, what about us? Are we supposed to sit here and die?]


    As the two¡¯s fight escalated, it had put the lives of even these three in danger.


    The decision was made for them, as the frail balance between the two monsters had slowly tipped.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s golden dragon claw grabbed at Zhuo Fan¡¯s throat. The power behind it made Zhuo Fan flinch and lean away.


    Huangpu Qingtian snickered. His attack changed as he struck down. Zhuo Fan felt an immense pressure burying him a meter into the ground.


    ¡°He-he-he, die!¡± With a sinister and gleeful grin, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s claw shot for his throat, ¡°Nine Dragons Diamond Body, Dragon Empowered Claw!¡±

 Chapter 315 - Seal

    Rip!


    The space itself cracked as the golden dragon claw pierced at Zhuo Fan. The sharp gale cut at one¡¯s face.


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan was shocked inside. The feeling of this power told him that this martial art was at the limit of surpassing profound rank level and entering the earth level.


    The consequences would be dire if it struck.


    The audience beyond the National Elemental Stone were equally shocked. Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s arsenal wasn¡¯t limited to just the Imperial Tyrant Body Art.


    Xie Tianshang and his allies were the only ones who recognized that claw.


    Huangpu Qingtian had used the same claw on them once before, but that time paled compared to the one he showed today. Yet even that weak claw was enough to force them into submission.


    Witnessing Huangpu Qingtian going all out, it dawned on them what a deadly move it was, that it could crush mountains.


    Fang Qiubai watched it all with a critical eye, ¡°Nine Dragons Diamond Body? I never thought I¡¯d see this earth ranked cultivation method appear again.¡±


    ¡°What? Sir Fang¡­ d-did you say earth ranked?¡±


    Gasping, the rest couldn¡¯t believe their ears. Grandmother cried out, ¡°Is this the fabled imperial family¡¯s¡­¡±


    Fang Qiubai nodded, ¡°It is precisely the earth ranked cultivation method the imperial family used at the time they founded Tianyu, Nine Dragons Diamond Body. With the cultivation method being so brutal, the pinnacle of body cultivation, one needed remarkable talent coupled with a staunch body, lest they would die a gruesome death. At the founding of the empire, the imperial family could only train in the first stage, but even that proved to be too much for some. The dragon power ran rampant throughout their body, bursting their vessels and ultimately their bodies. I would¡¯ve never guessed Huangpu would attain Great Ancestor¡¯s power. More so as¡­¡±


    Fang Qiubai squinted at Regent Estate, ¡°His training of the first stage is sublime and is very likely to go beyond it!¡±


    Eyes turned to Regent Estate with horror.


    It was bad enough that Regent Estate was the strongest of the houses, but now their future Estate Lord had the talent to wield an earth ranked cultivation method. Who was there left to face them?


    Regent Estate was clear on this, sticking out their heads in pride. As if to say, [Now you know our power. Be good and wait. See how we deal with anyone who opposes us!]


    Grandmother and her two allies¡¯ moods sank.


    There was always a gap in the seven houses¡¯ power, but that would usually be bridged with their inherited profound ranked martial art. That gave them a fighting chance.


    Yet with Regent Estate using an earth ranked martial art, they had left the other houses far behind, a level they could never reach.


    The three houses began to lament about their future. [Was it perhaps a mistake pitting ourselves against the Regent Estate?]


    Even their greatest hope of this generation, Zhuo Fan, was about to be culled. He only knew profound ranked martial arts. His talent was great, but how was he to rise up to Huangpu Qingtian wielding an earth ranked martial art?


    They turned to the National Elemental Stone with a shake of their heads, assured that the worst outcome was nigh. Only Chu Qingcheng and Luo Yunchang begged to differ. In fact, they weren¡¯t thinking at all, their minds and hearts were filled with worry for Zhuo Fan, trapped there all alone and waiting for Huangpu Qingtian to strike¡­


    ¡°Die, Zhuo Fan!¡± Huangpu Qingtian cackled. Victory was at hand!


    Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t budge, but his eyes flashed golden, ¡°The one to die¡­ is you!¡±


    Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 1st stage, Shift!


    Zhuo Fan vanished into thin air. Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s claw gouged a thousand meter deep hole into the ground.


    Eyes trembling, Huangpu Qingtian wailed. He was about to get up when a relentless force smashed into him. A purple lightning empowered fist rammed into his back.


    The rampant purple lightning rained havoc to his insides, tearing at his heart. No matter how tough Huangpu Qingtian was, he was not invincible. He spat crimson blood and was sent barreling into the hole he had just made, deepening it by another thousand meters.


    Such a radical change happened too fast for anyone to comprehend or react. None saw how Zhuo Fan had dodged, only registering how his fist buried Huangpu Qingtian.


    They were dumbstruck, minds blown.


    Few knew about Zhuo Fan¡¯s new abilities, with only the Six Dragons and One Phoenix having seen him using it. But now everyone had gotten a taste of what he was capable of and all they could do was stare bug-eyed.


    Fang Qiubai shivered, blinking in confusion. Not even this guy, peak Radiant Stage expert and glorious Divine Dragon of Tianyu, had any clue about how Zhuo Fan had pulled it off.


    [What just happened? Is there a martial art in this world that I don¡¯t know of? I know all that came from Tianyu, so how¡­]


    Fang Qiubai shook his head in the end, praising the kid to new levels, [He always liked taking people by surprise.]


    Grandmother and Long Yifey¡¯s eyes lit up. Under the imminent threat of Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s earth ranked martial art, Zhuo Fan escaped unscathed and even retaliated. Their hopes of winning against Regent Estate were rekindled.


    [The kid doesn¡¯t disappoint, ha-ha-ha¡­]


    The trio laughed to themselves¡­


    Huangpu Tianyuan watched it all with a thin smile. He spoke calmly to Leng Wuchang, but every elder heard it too, ¡°Qingtian is no match for the little monster. We can only depend on Sir Leng¡¯s plans if we are to ever defeat him.¡±


    ¡°Worry not, Estate Lord, everything is going according to plan.¡± Knowing the man aimed to curb the elders¡¯ view of the eldest young master, Leng Wuchang merely nodded.


    Huangpu Tianyuan smiled and enjoyed the show.


    From the cloud of dust hovering above the hole, Huangpu Qingtian burst out; quite a sorry sight. He wasn¡¯t able to get his footing straight though as a sharp wind approached from behind.


    Huangpu Qingtian flashed around, face to face with Zhuo Fan¡¯s bloodshot eyes. The sharp Lightning Wings traced his face, leaving a bloody gash.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s heart was wrecked with fear, his body shaking.


    [That was too close!] Thanks to his quick reaction, he had kept his head from being impaled. It was his first time being in actual mortal danger.


    As he grew increasingly cautious, Zhuo Fan¡¯s bloodthirst only rose.


    Zhuo Fan was the only one to pose a threat to his life.


    Huangpu Qingtian grabbed the outstretched wing and punched Zhuo Fan with the other hand.


    The blow shot forth with such might, it aimed to explode his head.


    Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t worried, using the golden halo in his eye to whisk away right before it touched him.


    Huangpu Qingtian once again found himself getting struck from behind. Zhuo Fan used his wing to whip the man¡¯s back and leave a nasty gash. Purple Lightning singed through the skin and forced another cough of blood out of him.


    Zhuo Fan pressed his advantage, following with more blows. Huangpu Qingtian tried to put up resistance but he couldn¡¯t muster the strength.


    Zhuo Fan was an enigma. He couldn¡¯t get a read on his next action and was caught by surprise each time.


    The scene turned odd, to say the least. Zhuo Fan hounded Huangpu Qingtian like a ghost, whipping him from every direction. Every strike left bloody wounds on Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s body, while he was coughing blood, yet not once could he fight back.


    It was more along the lines of him wanting to, but being unable to find his target.


    The man moved around like a ghost, covering his tracks.


    Huangpu Qingtian found himself in his most humiliating moment. As if he was Zhuo Fan¡¯s punching bag and received all the man¡¯s lashing. Fated to take it all but could never lash out himself¡­


    The audience was speechless. [How come the head of the six dragons was reduced to being flogged?]


    By contrast, Zhuo Fan was having the time of his life, consumed by the thrill of revenge.


    Huangpu Qingtian had had enough at this point and roared, ¡°What the hell are you guys gawking at! Activate the array!¡±


    ¡°But eldest young master, didn¡¯t you say we should wait¡­¡± You Yushan mumbled.


    Huangpu Qingtian barked at him, ¡°I can¡¯t wait any longer. Do it!¡±


    You Yushan saw the eldest young master had lost his poise and grace. He knew time was of the essence and signaled the men in the forest.


    The battlefield was then shrouded in a barrier. Zhuo Fan was just about to change places again when he was frozen stiff, unable to control space any more.


    ¡°A sealed space!¡± Zhuo Fan frowned and snorted inside.


    He finally understood what Unwonted Contriver had cooked up. The mastermind saw even through his Divine Eye of the Void¡­

 Chapter 316 - Limit Release

    ¡°It¡¯s too soon to use it!¡±


    Leng Wuchang sighed, ¡°As far as I know, the kid is quite an expert in arrays. The longer the sealed space¡¯s activation is put off, the better, as it would catch him off guard. But¡­¡±


    ¡°But Qingtian can¡¯t hold on till then.¡± Huangpu Tianyuan smiled, ¡°Sir Leng, does the punk have any chance of coming out of the array now that it¡¯s activated?¡±


    Leng Wuchang shook his head, ¡°Even as an array grandmaster, his odds are slim at best.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine then. You¡¯re just worried that with enough time he¡¯d see through the array. Since his chances are mostly nonexistent, what¡¯s there to be afraid of?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan said.


    ¡°No, when I move, I make sure to rob even the most minute chance of victory from my enemy. It goes double for increasingly dangerous opponents.¡± Leng Wuchang¡¯s eyes held a savage glint.


    Huangpu Tianyuan laughed mirthless. [A clash between schemers is far crueler than any cultivator¡¯s fight¡­]


    Microcosmic Orbit Array!


    Zhuo Fan noticed the 365 Profound Heaven experts around him holding their hands in prayer and sitting down where the core of the array was. This was the 6th grade sealing array, Microcosmic Orbit Array!


    Its only function was to seal off space. Set up according to the heavenly directions, a miniature world was formed, trapping anyone within.


    Entering it, one would find himself in another world. The only way to escape was by employing dominating might to crush the heaven and earth of this miniature world. Anything less and it could keep even a Radiant Stage expert sealed inside for as long as the controller wished, no matter how much the victim raved.


    With space sealed up, Zhuo Fan¡¯s Shift was under lock and key. It was the first time since the start of his battle with Huangpu Qingtian that he felt danger.


    This battle was now inevitable and only one outcome was viable, winning or dying. All other choices were now moot¡­


    ¡°Huangpu Qingtian!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s malice was directed at the snickering man. His fists clenched and purple lightning flashed as he charged.


    Huangpu Qingtian did the same. Confident now that his plan was successful in sealing Shift. His eyes glinted sinisterly, meeting his enemy head on.


    The two were at a stalemate again, but Huangpu Qingtian felt at ease. The earlier lashing had been miserable, robbing him of any chance to fight back. But now that he could display his overbearing might, he was filled with utter joy.


    The two clashed for two hundred more rounds, with Huangpu Qingtian becoming increasingly bolder and Zhuo Fan finding himself strained.


    The audience was stunned. [Weren¡¯t they equals? Why is Huangpu Qingtian holding out strong after all this time yet Zhuo Fan looks to be reaching his limit?]


    [Was Huangpu Qingtian holding back from the start?]


    Worry wormed into their hearts. Xie Tianshang sighed, ¡°Huangpu Qingtian is dreadful to hold back even against Zhuo Fan. ¡°


    But then a laughter resounded.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, he hadn¡¯t. Zhuo Fan is the one who used too much stamina and had long surpassed his limit.¡±


    All eyes turned to Fang Qiubai, ¡°Don¡¯t you see? The purple lightning has dimmed and his body is starting to give. He must¡¯ve been relying on the purple lightning to raise his power when clashing with Huangpu Qingtian. But the toll exceeds the limit his body can bear. That strange art of his allowed him to fight back, but now that it is sealed by that array, he is on the ropes.


    ¡°He may seem to be meeting Huangpu Qingtian at every blow, but he¡¯s spent. The outcome is a foregone conclusion by now.¡± Fang Qiubai sighed in regret.


    Being pointed out, the others looked closer and noticed how Zhuo Fan was growing frantic. Wounds riddled his body and his blood was being added to the soaked mud. He couldn¡¯t take much more punishment or his body would break.


    While Huangpu Qingtian was getting more and more savage, his power was unbreakable.


    [Soaring Demonic Dragon has no chance against Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord. This is providence!]


    Everyone shook their heads, yet the one on the receiving end didn¡¯t seem to care. Zhuo Fan still met Huangpu Qingtian head on, driven by the thought of killing his enemy even at the cost of his own life. His effort had earned him the audience¡¯s respect.


    It looked like a typical case of fighting against impossible odds, but everyone took it as the eulogy of a tragic hero¡­


    Regent Estate snickered at Zhuo Fan¡¯s plight. Xie Tianshang held his sword, filled with battle lust. He was itching to fight alongside Zhuo Fan.


    Chu Qingcheng and Luo Yunchang had been crying all this time, their hearts gripped by pain. [Zhuo Fan¡¯s mind is drowned in thoughts of revenge, fighting savagely with total disregard for his own safety¡­]


    After another hundred clashes, the lightning scattered from Zhuo Fan¡¯s body. Huangpu Qingtian availed himself of the enemy¡¯s rare moment of weakness and let out a dragon roar as he smashed an empowered fist into Zhuo Fan¡¯s face.


    ¡°Imperial Tyrant Body Art!¡±


    Boom!


    After an ear splitting explosion, Zhuo Fan was knocked into the ground for the first time. He spat blood as the earth splintered over a thousand meters.


    You Yushan¡¯s side was bewildered. Zhuo Fan had taken those punches before, but this time he actually spat blood, like he had suffered a major wound. [Why now and not earlier?]


    Huangpu Qingtian was the only one who understood, stepping on the powerless Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest as he mocked, ¡°Humph, prick, where¡¯s all your power gone to now? Don¡¯t you have a bag full of tricks? What¡¯s wrong, take them out! He-he-he, you think I couldn¡¯t tell that the purple lightning was giving you power while eating you from the inside? You did this to yourself, not me. You never were my match!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian pressed harder and Zhuo Fan spat blood and gore, yet no sound escaped his clenched teeth.


    Luo Yunchang and the women cried in pain, while the rest sighed how the Soaring Demonic Dragon was on his deathbed¡­


    With his cunning, Huangpu Qingtian would never be his match in a one on one fight based on how many tricks he had.


    A darn shame he lost his mind and now had fallen for Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s ploy.


    Zhuo Fan needed but days and he¡¯d surpass Huangpu Qingtian many times over. But that ship had sailed, and so too would his life¡­


    Huangpu Qingtian squinted at Zhuo Fan¡¯s puny attempts, deriding him, ¡°A pity, really. With your talent, if you had fought for any longer, the true king might have been another. But you moron, lost yourself over a dumb girl. This proves that you are unfit to be king! The only true king in this world is me, Huangpu Qingtian!¡±


    He punctuated with a stomp on Zhuo Fan¡¯s head as he roared his victory speech, ¡°Since you are so consumed by love, I¡¯ll send you off to join that dumb girl. You wanted revenge? Humph, you won¡¯t have it even in your next life. For that wretched girl¡¯s death to drag you down like this, made killing her all the more sweeter, ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    Hu~


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s cackle jarred the ears of everyone. He raised his leg, ready to burst Zhuo Fan¡¯s head, as people¡¯s hearts seized and they looked down. The women¡¯s tears ran in streams.


    But then, a flicker of lightning stopped Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s raised leg.


    Huangpu Qingtian was in shock, finding his leg gripped in an iron vise, with purple lightning streaking over it stronger than ever.


    Heart seized, Huangpu Qingtian realized that he couldn¡¯t stomp no matter how much he tried.


    ¡°Huangpu Qingtian, you will never kill me.¡± The grim and eerie voice sounded like it came from hell. Under Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s shock, the grip flung him into the air.


    He couldn¡¯t do anything to fight it. When he picked himself up, what he saw froze him.


    ¡°How does he still have so much power?¡± Huangpu Qingtian watched the dazzling lighting and gulped.


    The others were dumbstruck.


    In the middle of the lightning storm, Zhuo Fan rose to his feet, his eyes bursting with bloodlust. Although soaked in blood himself and riddled with wounds, the boundless might exploding from him hammered into the hearts of all onlookers.


    Huangpu Qingtian turned grave. [Just how much power is this punk hiding?]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes were dead cold, uncaring of all the wounds all over his body.


    His hatred for Huangpu Qingtian was on full display. It was so thick that even the audience beyond the National Elemental Stone could feel the chill in their bones.


    ¡°Huangpu Qingtian, I will send you to hell even if I have to drag you down with me!¡±


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth, his face twisted, ¡°Divine Eye of the Void, Limit Release!¡±


    An even stronger purple lightning burst from his body. Zhuo Fan had unleashed all the purple lightning he absorbed back in Lightning Canyon¡­

 Chapter 317 - Bashing Of A Regent

    Roar!


    A wail of anger mixed with pain reached the clouds. Zhuo Fan¡¯s power exploded, purple lighting gushing out of him like a flood. His madness increased as well. The overpowering might left others gasping and shivering in fear.


    Huangpu Qingtian recoiled as well, fear obvious in his eyes.


    He had never seen one man capable of unleashing such a raw display of power, until now. What was even more astounding was that the said man didn¡¯t blow up from the strain.


    The viewers beyond the National Elemental Stone weren¡¯t there to feel it, but the sight was shocking enough.


    Fang Qiubai squinted, ¡°The kid was hiding such a move! But can he take it?¡±


    The blood on Zhuo Fan¡¯s body only grew thicker. Just like a dead tree, he was pushing towards collapse.


    Fang Qiubai frowned, worried. Chu Qingcheng and the other women¡¯s hearts went to the man¡¯s suffering, their tears flowed for him.


    It was obvious that Zhuo Fan¡¯s trump card was a life for a life. Zhuo Fan from before would¡¯ve never resorted to such desperate means unless it was a matter of life and death. But now, for the sake of killing Huangpu Qingtian, for revenge, he threw it all away¡­


    Ah!


    With a cry of pain, Zhuo Fan¡¯s surging power had reached a plateau. Purple lightning bathed his body, his wings turned purple as well. They crackled with lightning, releasing waves of power.


    Zhuo Fan panted, his body bloodied from head to toe. The bones of his legs were visible as the tyrannical might of the purple lightning ate through his flesh. The pain was excruciating, but his eyes only grew more sinister.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s heart seized looking at the purple lightning show, but he still found in him one last mockery, ¡°Zhuo Fan, I was wondering what great and all powerful ace had you been keeping all this time, only to find out it is a dumb crippling move to gain the power to beat me. Your body is so wrecked you can barely stand. You may have obtained the power now, but it¡¯s still not enough¡­¡±


    Whoosh!


    The lighting storm flashed in his face in the form of a palm. It flung him a thousand meters away with a bang, burying him deep into a cliff as it collapsed over him.


    Zhuo Fan now took his earlier place, arm outstretched and a cold glint in his eyes.


    Sss~


    Be it the survivors or the viewers, everyone gasped.


    They knew Zhuo Fan had the power, but the sheer speed with which he moved was mind boggling. Not even that monster, Huangpu Qingtian, could see him coming.


    Rumble!


    Huangpu Qingtian pulled himself out of the debris with a bloody nose. He didn¡¯t have the time to care, finding it more important to stare at the cold figure in shock.


    [What was¡­ that was too fast! And what was that power? The punk is clearly on his last leg so why does he have so much power? He¡¯s even stronger than when the battle started!]


    For the first time ever, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s heart was in fear¡¯s grip.


    Huangpu Qingtian shook it away. He was undefeated, conceited into thinking he was heaven¡¯s walking gift on earth, its rightful king. How could such a lofty being ever know fear?


    Gnashing his teeth and forcing himself to remain calm, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes regained their battle spirit as he looked ahead.


    Only to find no one there.


    Huangpu Qingtian had yet to make sense of it as a shocking force slammed into his back, a purple lightning out of the blue.


    Boom!


    The ground caved in for miles on end. Huangpu Qingtian was in the middle coughing up blood and getting the shock of his life.


    [When did he¡­ get behind me¡­]


    He turned his stiff head back only to meet Zhuo Fan¡¯s icy stare and the purple lightning infused fist into his back.


    Humiliation!


    Being bashed around twice now without the slightest chance at retaliation was a clear and naked insult to Huangpu Qingtian. The shame only grew when he realized he was actually the weaker of the two. This was his complete and utter defeat.


    In his 20+ years alive, Huangpu Qingtian had never ever thought it was conceivable. It went without saying but he was in denial now.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s veins popped, anger overriding his heart and the bloodthirst in his eyes grew.


    [Zhuo Fan must die!]


    Roaring his frustration, Huangpu Qingtian bore through the pain and slapped the ground to whip around and break free from Zhuo Fan¡¯s fist pushing down on him to get some altitude. He then clawed at Zhuo Fan¡¯s face, ¡°Nine Dragons Diamond Body, Dragon Empowered Claw!¡±


    Rip!


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s mighty claw made eerie sounds as if it tore into space itself. Nothing could stand in its way.


    Even before it landed, the ground caved a hundred meters. Zhuo Fan merely stood there, taking the pressure like it was nothing.


    You Yushan¡¯s group had been worried for Huangpu Qingtian, but they now cheered.


    ¡°It¡¯s the earth ranked martial art, Nine Dragons Diamond Body! Ha-ha-ha, the punk is dead for sure!¡± You Yushan laughed.


    Yan Bangui¡¯s face split into a grin, ¡°If not for that fancy art he used before, the punk would¡¯ve been dead for ages. Now he is trapped in an array and won¡¯t escape no matter what trick he pulls!¡±


    The rest of the survivors nodded thrilled. They could practically see Zhuo Fan¡¯s head rolling. The dragons¡¯ clash was about to reach its end and everyone was excited to see it happen.


    Chu Qingcheng was more worried than ever. Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s earth ranked martial art wasn¡¯t something one could just take head on. Zhuo Fan had bolstered his power, but in his wounded state, she feared he wouldn¡¯t be able to take it.


    Everyone watched nerve-wrecked for Zhuo Fan¡¯s fate to end.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, die you prat!¡± Huangpu Qingtian cackled, his claw landing on Zhuo Fan¡¯s head.


    The hearts of everyone stopped for a second.


    Only Zhuo Fan stood calm, unaffected by the pressure. But when the claw was on top of him, his fist tightened, purple lightning gathered and struck.


    Bam!


    The fist and claw met, releasing a terrible sound, but just as they touched, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s claw was flung away.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s purple lightning powered fist astonishingly smashed the man¡¯s face.


    Pff!


    Huangpu Qingtian was flung into the sky, blood trailing behind him from his nose. Zhuo Fan was still calmly standing in the same spot, his fist held high.


    The yapping around instantly grew to a halt and the people looked at the imposing figure in fear.


    [Dude, that¡¯s an earth ranked martial art, you know? Personally delivered by Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord. Aren¡¯t you perhaps just a little bit condescending flicking it away with a meager fist?]


    Everyone gulped, unnerved. They wrote Zhuo Fan off at first, thinking the earth ranked martial art had rooted him in place. But now they knew he was looking down on it.


    [Too strong!]


    Xie Tianyang¡¯s blood was boiling with excitement, [Seeing the two dragons fight, my life was worth it¡­]


    Tuning out the senseless chatter, Zhuo Fan looked at the man he had sent flying hovering in the air. His eyes glinted and he jumped.


    In but an instant, he was upon Huangpu Qingtian.


    Huangpu Qingtian was startled. He didn¡¯t get to feel the extent of his wounds as Zhuo Fan came with a kick in the gut.


    The blow was so fierce and brutal that even if he wasn¡¯t heavily injured before, he was now puking his guts and blood from the pain.


    Whoosh!


    A flash of light smashed towards You Yushan and the other two.


    The trio was taken in by Zhuo Fan¡¯s ridiculous power display, but seeing Huangpu Qingtian come crashing down, they panicked, ¡°Take cover!¡±


    Every man for himself. Nobody wanted to get anywhere near this battle.


    Not that they had the time.


    Boom!


    Huangpu Qingtian slammed into the ground, picking up dust and releasing a devastating shockwave. It blew apart four hundred hapless people too slow to get away. The ground was now littered with pieces of them.


    You Yushan¡¯s trio watched from the air and gulped in fear. Why did they get the feeling that this plan to do Zhuo Fan in was in fact digging their own graves?


    [Forget about that fiend, look at us! Our side is about to collapse.] Even their strongest, Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord, was getting his ass handed to him.


    Looking into the distance, Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold and aloof image was that of a thunder god. You Yushan¡¯s trio¡¯s courage faltered, [Damn it all to hell! How do you beat that¡­]

 Chapter 318 - Dragon Vein Soul

    Hu~


    The fierce wind picked up the dust and blocked everyone¡¯s sight.


    When it settled, they witnessed a bloodbath, dismembered bodies and mangled limbs. The four houses¡¯ vassals participating in this ambush numbered ten thousand, yet now less than a tenth remained.


    Even then, the lucky survivors were traumatized, running all over the place in fear, trying anything as long as it got them away from this hell. A shame there was no way out, not unless the 365 Profound Heaven experts opened the Microcosmic Orbit Array.


    With a bang, Huangpu Qingtian jumped out of the rubble, face bloody and enraged. Zhuo Fan was so heavy handed that he had caved in the man¡¯s nose.


    People all around sighed.


    They had never seen the grand Regent Estate¡¯s eldest young master beaten to such an extent, to the point he couldn¡¯t muster an ounce of strength to fight back. It was unprecedented.


    Everyone turned to Zhuo Fan in fear.


    Perhaps only Soaring Demonic Dragon was capable of doing so much damage. Their dread only rose.


    Those geniuses from the seven houses had it worse. Ever since Zhuo Fan showed up, all he ever did was bash these arrogant young masters and misses.


    They accepted Huangpu Qingtian being the strongest, since he was from Regent Estate and all, the head of the houses. He was a monster through and through.


    While Zhuo Fan, well, the guy came from a third rate clan! Yet he was the one who trampled all standards and obstacles with his power. It was the greatest form of ridicule.


    Long Jie and Long Kui were the most bitter.


    The first time they met him, they recognized Zhuo Fan¡¯s talent but looked down on his status. Regardless of how godsent one¡¯s talent was, without a house behind him, he would never surpass them.


    Yet now, Zhuo Fan created miracles wherever he went. His current project involved brutalizing the strongest genius of the seven houses, Huangpu Qingtian. His display gave each of them a resounding slap to the face informing them who was the real hero here!


    Huff~


    Panting, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes steeled. He looked invincible in the eyes of others, but he knew himself best. Releasing all that purple lightning ate away at his body and he was now seriously hurt. It was highly likely that he was going to collapse before he finished Huangpu Qingtian off.


    ¡°Eldest young master!¡±


    You Yushan¡¯s trio went to their master and helped him up. Seeing his disfigured face, they cried, ¡°Eldest young master, the punk¡¯s power is out of this world. We have to fall back. He will kill us all at this rate!¡±


    ¡°Bullshit!¡±


    Flinging his arm to make his way through the trio, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s rage grew stronger, ¡°As long as I¡¯m here, failure is impossible! I¡¯ve never known defeat in my entire life!¡±


    The three felt conflicted and their faces fell. All they could do was shake their heads at the pigheaded Huangpu Qingtian.


    [Dude, take a good look at yourself and don¡¯t force the issue. So what if you always won? You are losing now, when it mattered. What else can you do when even the earth ranked martial art has failed?]


    [That punk is a monster among freakin¡¯ monsters! How is he so powerful?]


    Of course, they knew to keep their thoughts to themselves, lest they poke Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s ego and end up a smear on the ground along with the countless others. One thing was certain though, the man¡¯s imposing air was gone.


    Zhuo Fan was too strong for them to cope with¡­


    Taking a deep breath to calm down somewhat, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes pondered. Then he came to a decision as he muttered, ¡°No choice but to use that.¡±


    ¡°You still have a way, eldest young master?¡± The trio asked in unison.


    Huangpu Qingtian hesitated for a second, but the sight of the proud maniac who had reduced him to such a low state steeled his decision as he spoke defiantly, ¡°I am invincible, no one can beat me. And you are no different!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian released a sound that shook the world. A golden dragon image flew out of his body and circled above him.


    You Yushan¡¯s trio cried out, ¡°W-what is that thing?¡±


    Long Xingyun cried out, ¡°T-this thing again? What is Huangpu Qingtian growing within himself?¡±


    He recalled perfectly how twice they had trapped Huangpu Qingtian, but this damn golden dragon ruined all their attempts.


    They took it for a martial art, but after careful inspection they found it to be something else.


    Fang Qiubai felt it was oddly familiar.


    He saw Huangpu Qingtian use it earlier when dealing with Chu Qingcheng¡¯s trio, but that was in defense and it had only appeared for a brief second. Even he took it for a martial art.


    But seeing it circling above, like a real dragon, he began to pick up on the clues.


    ¡°Damn that bastard! Is he out of his mind bringing it out for everyone to see?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan clenched his fists and raved.


    Regent Estate¡¯s elders were wiping their brows, looking around in fear of being overheard.


    Sighing, Leng Wuchang shook his head, ¡°He won¡¯t be able to kill that freak otherwise. I only hope it¡¯s appearance after a thousand years won¡¯t have anyone here capable of recognizing it.¡±


    The other Regent Estate clansmen nodded and rejoiced inside.


    Not for long though, as Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold voice echoed in everyone¡¯s ears.


    ¡°Dragon Vein Soul?¡± Frowning, Zhuo Fan turned grave.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s face twitched and he cursed inside. [Damn rotten punk, you actually recognize this thousand year old relic?]


    Regent Estate¡¯s elders almost spat blood. They wished nothing more than to get in there and kill him on the spot.


    [Blast it! How did a twerp like you find out about it? This is ridiculous!]


    That was all Fang Qiubai needed as he slapped his head. He and Dugu Zhantian shared a shocked look and barked, ¡°Huangpu Tianyuan, your insolence knows no bounds. The imperial family ordered you to protect Caged Dragon City yet you secretly took out the Dragon Vein Soul from the imperial family¡¯s Dragon Vein. Are you planning on revolting?¡±


    The people panicked. They had never seen Jade Flute Divine Sword so outraged.


    The words Dragon Vein Soul had landed on deaf ears for many small clans, even a few first rate ones.


    As for the leaders of the six houses, they paled and turned to Regent Estate in mute shock.


    Others next to them had no clue how dreadful the Dragon Vein Soul was, but being from the elite houses, they understood its importance. And that was what gave them the biggest shock.


    Regent Estate had the nerve to move a Dragon Vein Soul!


    Sweating buckets, Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s heart was in his throat.


    Dragon Vein Soul was the imperial family¡¯s lifeline. It nurtured and brought prosperity to the Tianyu Empire, it was of national importance. Moving the Dragon Vein would bring about a huge change in the world. Even the third pillar, Parish¡¯s high priests, said those wielding the Dragon Vein held the fate of the land in their hands. This was why the Regent Estate was tasked with defending it.


    First because the Regent Estate and Tianyu¡¯s imperial family were related, worthy of trust. Secondly, only the seven houses had the power to defend it and prevent any riots appearing from vying over it.


    But Huangpu Qingtian took it out before the whole crowd. That was the same as declaring the Regent Estate planned on using it for themselves replacing the imperial family!


    This was a clear act of treason and Divine Dragon Fang Qiubai had the right to destroy them where they stood.


    Regent Estate had yet to unite the seven houses and their power wasn¡¯t yet up to the challenge of facing the imperial family. If a war broke out, the Regent Estate was done for.


    Huangpu Tianyuan gnashed his teeth. [Damn bastard! You¡¯re so blind to see the real picture and yet you want to steal my position? How can you condemn the entire house over your disgrace?]


    [Even if you lost against that freak, that still doesn¡¯t give you the right to release the Dragon Vein Soul!]


    Regent Estate¡¯s elders were on pins and needles. Huangpu Tianyuan took a deep breath and was about to bullshit his way out of this but didn¡¯t get the chance.


    Leng Wuchang spoke calmly, ¡°Sir Fang, you are wrong. The Dragon Vein Soul is the foundation of our nation, but this does not, by any means, prove we wish to rebel. We are only following our duties based on His Majesty¡¯s decree.¡±


    ¡°Did His Majesty tell you to take out the dragon soul for your own selfish use?¡± Fang Qiubai spat, ¡°Humph, Sir Leng, I know your mind is sharp and cunning, but you better give me a damn good reason why I shouldn¡¯t decorate Dragon Cloud City with your heads!¡±


    There was widespread shock, with those in the dark of the importance of Dragon Vein Soul even more so.


    The mighty Divine Dragon was going to slaughter the Regent Estate? Was the emperor going to fight the seven houses and plunge the nation into turmoil?


    Regent Estate¡¯s elders felt weak in their knees. Only Leng Wuchang was the picture of calmness¡­

 Chapter 319 - Demagogue

    Leng Wuchang twirled his beard as his eyes swept the crowd, ultimately stopping at Fang Qiubai, ¡°Sir Fang, do you know what Regent Estate¡¯s duty is at Caged Dragon City?¡±


    ¡°To protect the Dragon Vein!¡± Fang Qiubai gave a flat reply.


    Smiling, Leng Wuchang sneered, ¡°Do you know why we guard it then? Out of fear of being stolen perhaps?¡±


    Fang Qiubai stared back at him in silence.


    Zhuge Changfeng smiled, ¡°Tianyu¡¯s nine dragons Dragon Vein was sealed in Caged Dragon City by the first High Priest himself, for the future of the empire and posterity. But the dragons within the Dragon Vein are a relentless force and once they break the seal they would unleash endless death and destruction. The people would suffer and chaos would thrive. That is why Regent Estate was tasked with defending it. Rather than say it was to guard against greedy people, it was more in line to stop the Dragon Vein¡¯s collapse and ensuing devastation.¡±


    ¡°The Prime Minister is precisely right.¡±


    Leng Wuchang gave Zhuge Changfeng a half bow then turned to Fang Qiubai, ¡°The dragon vein is tyrannical. Only Tianyu¡¯s Great Ancestor could make one of the dragon souls accept him. After the Great Ancestor¡¯s death, none could make them submit, ultimately getting sealed in Caged Dragon City. Over the course of the millennium, there were many lusting for its power, but were devoured instead. Sir Fang stated that we have taken it out for our private use, which is absolutely ludicrous. If we were to give it to Sir Fang, would you accept it? In your capacity as a Divine Dragon, the peak of Tianyu¡¯s power, how confident are you of success? If not even sir dares, how could we?¡±


    Anger rose within Fang Qiubai, but he remained silent.


    The Dragon Vein Soul was a heaven and earth spiritual being that chose its master. Anyone that tried to claim it instead, would find a swift and cruel ending, devoured whole.


    In other words, the Regent Estate had no reason to take it out. And yet¡­


    Glancing at the dragon soul next to Huangpu Qingtian, Fang Qiubai¡¯s eyes glinted, ¡°Then, Sir Leng, explain to me why your dear eldest young master is currently in possession of it.¡±


    Squinting, Leng Wuchang peaked at the National Elemental Stone then smiled, ¡°What¡¯s to explain? The dragon soul has chosen its master. Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Fang Qiubai clenched his fists, boring holes into Leng Wuchang with his glare.


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s smile never faltered, ¡°Regent Estate has always had peaceful and righteous people, facing any difficulties by ourselves, not willing to let the world see our suffering. But since Sir Fang insists on knowing, I will oblige you with explanation as to dispel any further misunderstandings.¡±


    Leng Wuchang let out a pained sigh, ¡°It all began two dozen years ago with Nine Dragon¡¯s insurrection. Our Venerables were unable to stop them, suffering heavy casualties. But we were blessed with an eldest young master that had outstanding talent. The dragon soul chose him as its master, sparing the world of its ire. Later we realized that it was impossible to seal it back again, and since it was calmly staying within the eldest young master, we simply let it be. If we forced it back into the seal, we feared the other eight dragon souls would use this chance to escape as well and that would spell doom for Tianyu.¡±


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s speech was heartrending, subtly shifting the blame on the dragon soul¡¯s escape. He even embellished with the Regent Estate suffering heavy casualties in an attempt to stop it. Thus, in a wonderful and convoluted way, he turned their treason into martyrdom.


    They had ¡®sacrificed¡¯ so much to keep the Dragon Vein sealed, it would do them heavy injustice if the emperor would strike them in response.


    Fang Qiubai gnashed his teeth, [What Dragon Vein insurrection? Am I to take your word for it? Who else but you know what the hell truly happened back then? You can say whatever you like at this point.]


    It was because of this that the Regent Estate stuck to their statement ¡®it¡¯s all the dragon soul¡¯s fault¡¯. That they always only had the empire¡¯s safety at heart, but ended up unable to seal it back. Fang Qiubai couldn¡¯t do shit to them now.


    If the Regent Estate was wiped out regardless, they would incur the wrath of the common people. And no one ever wanted to take responsibility for a possible civil war, now did they?


    Fang Qiubai took a deep breath, ¡°Why weren¡¯t we informed?¡±


    ¡°Informed?¡± Leng Wuchang sneered and sighed, ¡°Sir Fang, as a court official couldn¡¯t you tell? It would invite suspicion and who knew how twisted the truth would become? The circumstances today had forced me to reveal it to Sir Fang. We hoped to have endured this disaster in silence, and only mourn our heavy losses in our hearts. We¡¯d rather brave through the pain and torment than receive suspicion and undue disrespect for what was only expected of us.¡±


    Pff!


    Zhuge Changfeng slipped a giggle and shook his head.


    Leng Wuchang was a true wordsmith. He showed they were ever devoted, bearing through any pain, while also cursing the emperor on the sly for casting suspicion on its loyal subjects.


    Harming them now would make the imperial family the bad guy here and criticized for harming their patriots. It would ultimately end with the imperial family losing the people¡¯s favor.


    And that wasn¡¯t even half of it. Leng Wuchang twisted it all up by saying that the dragon soul broke the seal and accepted Huangpu Qingtian as its master.


    That was the same as saying he truly was godsent as the world¡¯s rightful king.


    With the only man in Tianyu¡¯s history capable of having a dragon soul being none other than Tianyu¡¯s first emperor, that lifted Huangpu Qingtian to the same status. What further proof was needed?


    It also worked to plant the seed in the hearts of the people that the Huangpu clan of Regent Estate would replace Tianyu¡¯s Yuwen clan in ruling the empire.


    But with Leng Wuchang not stating it, Fang Qiubai couldn¡¯t exactly point it out either. His only choice was to seethe in silence.


    Regent Estate elders¡¯ worry was now replaced with full blown conceit, arrogance, being stuck up¡­ the usual.


    ¡°Sir Leng is a true demagogue.¡± Fang Qiubai snorted.


    Leng Wuchang raised his head and waved, ¡°You give me too much credit. I am only stating the facts, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Fang Qiubai faltered and turned to look at the arrogant figure within the National Elemental Stone with killing intent.


    Leng Wuchang may have preached all he wanted, but Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s death was guaranteed in his eyes!


    The third pillar¡¯s prophecy had never been wrong. The one to have the Dao Dragon would have the world. [Since the brat has a dragon soul then he might obtain the whole Dragon Vein. That will spell the end of Tianyu¡¯s imperial family.]


    He noticed how the eyes of the rest changed when they looked at Huangpu Qingtian. They may even be hailing him as their rightful king, a bad sign indeed.


    Only Luo Yunchang and the rest stared at the National Elemental Stone with worry.


    Huangpu Qingtian had the dragon soul¡¯s help, providence as he said, by his side. Zhuo Fan may be stronger, but how was he going to defeat the king handpicked by fate? Huangpu Qingtian was under the dragon soul¡¯s protection.


    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan stared at his opponent, knowing this as well. Just that he didn¡¯t place two cents on some flimsy reason as providence or what not. Moreover, his Blood Infant wasn¡¯t the least bit inferior to the Dragon Vein Soul.


    Much better in fact. As Blood Infant had a far sharper mind. It was the symbol of a true king.


    [With it roaming around Huangpu Qingtian and defending him, it¡¯s going to make things hard.]


    Pff!


    Spitting blood, Zhuo Fan frowned as his heart sank. He had released too much purple lightning and his body couldn¡¯t take it anymore. It was now or never.


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and charged, [All or nothing!]


    ¡°Oh? You dare come at me knowing full well what Dragon Vein Soul can do? Die then!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian saw Zhuo Fan ready for battle and shouted, ¡°Not even father could subdue the dragon soul while I did it in my childhood! Do you know what that means? I am God¡¯s gift to the world! You are not fighting me but fate, heaven itself! The only outcome you¡¯ll have from it is death!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian spoke with such complete confidence, self-conceit and presence as if he was an emperor rebuking a peasant.


    You Yushan¡¯s trio by his side basked in the leftover pride, making full use of their connection. They were destined to be officials!


    Those watching the National Elemental Stone sighed. With the dragon soul taken out, they had written Zhuo Fan off. Who could fight against heaven?


    Zhuo Fan gave a snort instead, ¡°No wonder those Blood Crocs listened to you. So that¡¯s your spiel. Dragon Vein Soul is the lord over the earth that no one dares disobey. A king¡¯s right indeed, providence even. Your point being?¡±


    Purple lightning flickered all over Zhuo Fan as he gathered all his power and shouted, ¡°I am Soaring Demonic Dragon. I will ascend the nine heavens if I have to. Don¡¯t ever think your puny earth dragon king, a crownless dragon, can stand in my way!¡±


    This painted shock on everyone¡¯s faces. Providence declared through its agent, the Dragon Vein Soul, who was king. But Zhuo Fan wasn¡¯t buying it. He would¡¯ve disgraced his Soaring Demonic Dragon title if he did. He feared nothing, not even heaven!


    Huangpu Qingtian shuddered, his eyes bloodshot.


    He could accept the earlier defiance, but now he had displayed the Dragon Vein Soul¡¯s approval and yet this ant still dared to look down on him? Huangpu Qingtian had long passed the limits of his patience.


    From an early age he knew that he was the one destined to have the Dragon Vein, the royal throne offered to him on a silver platter. Every man, including his father, had to bow before him.


    Zhuo Fan knew this and showed not an ounce of respect, enraging him further.


    The one thing his entire pride relied on was looked down at with such scorn that it was a heavy blow to his self esteem. As if to say he was king above all, but always beneath Zhuo Fan!


    His fist tightened and he roared, ¡°Then I shall take heaven¡¯s stead in eradicating the world of an ant daring to defy a king¡¯s authority!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian clawed, ¡°Nine Dragons Diamond Body, Earth Dragon Empowered Claw! ¡°


    As the dragon soul took flight the earth quaked and a surge of incredible might rose up from underground¡­

 Chapter 320 - Heaven

    Roar!


    The dragon roar¡¯s might buckled the world itself, followed shortly by the dragon soul ascending to the ninth heaven, then plunging back into the earth below.


    The ground quaked and beast roars resounded. The terrible power came from the souls and worked its way up into the body of everyone, scaring them in body and mind.


    Then a beast¡¯s head came out of the ground and swallowed them whole.


    Zhuo Fan frowned.


    The Nine Dragons Diamond Body was an earth ranked martial art at its base and the Dragon Vein Soul was a lord of the land as well. With them combined, the martial art had its power doubled, truly capable of ripping the world asunder.


    Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and the roaming purple lightning around him focused, ready for the final strike.


    Rumble!


    The earth literally exploded as the golden dragon three hundred meters long shot from underground, aiming for Zhuo Fan. Its fangs and claws bared, setting itself up to tear into heavens themselves if it had to.


    Roar!


    With another dragon roar, the dragon¡¯s might descended. Reaching Zhuo Fan a thousand meters away. The man was shocked.


    He had a guess it would be strong, but not this much. The dragon held enough power to write off any Radiant Stage expert on the spot.


    Gu Santong and Divine Dragons not included.


    The onlookers gasped, their very core shaking in fear. [How can a pre-Radiant Stage expert hold enough power to destroy everything?]


    You Yushan¡¯s trio were doing a victory dance as they laughed, ¡°Such power! I knew the eldest young master was heaven¡¯s greatest gift on earth! He is invincible beneath heaven! That punk can be all heaven-defying he wants but not even he can match up to the eldest young master!¡±


    ¡°Hear, hear, the punk is done for, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The trio were having the time of their lives with their early celebration. They had invested so much blood and sweat into this, lost so many men and now, it had finally paid off.


    Only Chu Qingcheng and company were shaking at the mighty display. Worry gnawed at their conscience as tears fell down unabated.


    Fang Qiubai¡¯s eyes shrank and he sighed, ¡°The Dragon Vein Soul is a true match for an earth ranked martial art. Such power makes the outcome obvious. Huangpu Qingtian truly is the first in his generation¡­¡±


    The rest nodded as well. They turned in the direction the golden dragon was charging to see a man wrapped in purple lightning standing there with his back straight, his gaze hard. He was dauntless in the face of danger, earning no few sighs.


    Zhuo Fan would¡¯ve beaten Huangpu Qingtian if they were going by talent alone. But the sudden reveal of Dragon Vein Soul, of providence¡¯s machinations, left all taking his demise with pity.


    No mortal could defy heaven¡¯s will¡­


    The people were already lamenting, writing Zhuo Fan off as he was receiving the capital punishment for his transgression. Yet Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes never lost their light, his fighting spirit burned hot against adversity.


    To him, the Dragon Vein Soul was a mere spirit born of this world, albeit a pretty strong one. Yet it had no damn relation with providence and the likes.


    Even if true providence descended, [As long as I am the stronger one, let heaven make you a god in this world but it still won¡¯t save you from me.]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes steeled and his hands made a sign.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan, heaven made me king, the new world order! You dare go against me and you shall die for defying heaven. You shall die just because I wish it. It is the will of heaven, your fate!¡± Huangpu Qingtian cackled, drunk on power and megalomania.


    This nemesis that had defied him for so long would finally meet his end. Who wouldn¡¯t be happy?


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face was cold, his eyes flashing purple, his hands making the signs as he shouted, ¡°Screw you! I alone decide my fate. The one to die is you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan then roared.


    ¡°Wraith Style, 3rd move, Necro Dragon¡¯s Screech!¡±


    Roar!


    An earth shaking dragon roar pierced the clouds and a pulse spread from Zhuo Fan¡¯s mouth.


    Huangpu Qingtian mocked, ¡°A trifling profound ranked sound martial art? How can it stand up to my dragon soul and earth ranked martial art? Humph, I get it, you are on your last leg, the desperate attempt of a hopeless fool!¡±


    ¡°Humph, to deal with the Dragon Vein Soul, a soul based martial art is all I need. Not to mention, this isn¡¯t your average sound martial art. You think you¡¯re the only one who can boost a martial art?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s grin turned sinister.


    Huangpu Qingtian doubled back and before he could react, the damage was done.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s roar moved slowly towards the golden dragon, only to explode a hundred meters from it.


    When the sound dissipated, purple lighting surged in its wake, spreading like wildfire and taking the form of a hundred meter long purple lightning bird.


    The purple lightning crackled in every direction, its power bearing down on the incoming golden dragon.


    Huangpu Qingtian cried, ¡°What is that?¡±


    ¡°Your doom!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face split into a grin as he was reeling, about to collapse. This last move had him spent, but it still couldn¡¯t wipe the savage smirk from his lips, ¡°While you used your Dragon Soul to add to your martial art¡¯s power, what stops me from infusing my entire purple lightning into the sound wave?¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s face twitched, ¡°How can purple lightning ever match my dragon soul? Dragon Vein Soul is a king¡¯s symbol that no being in this world dares defy. Your purple lightning is nothing. It isn¡¯t even conscious. Dragon Vein Soul, shred him!¡±


    Roar!


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s words set the golden dragon into a frenzy, charging for Zhuo Fan. Its vicious face set to tear all who opposed it.


    The earth ranked martial art topped with Dragon Vein Soul actually had a mind of its own, following Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s order.


    Zhuo Fan watched it all with a sneer.


    [Purple lightning is beneath the dragon soul? Humph, ignorant fool!]


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t know where the purple lightning came from, but it had the potential to kill a sacred beast.


    Not to mention, Zhuo Fan had added a little something to it, a trace of azure flame.


    It wasn¡¯t as overbearing as the purple lightning, but it had a spark of intelligence. Each time Zhuo Fan was in dire straits, the azure flame would come out and shield him from harm.


    Zhuo Fan had done this so that the thunderbird would gain the azure flame¡¯s awareness.


    Zhuo Fan pointed, his bloodthirst exploding in his roar, ¡°Kill him earth ranked martial art. Heaven-devouring Thunder Phoenix!¡±


    Correct, an earth ranked martial art. With the purple lightning and a bit of azure flame, the profound ranked martial art was forcefully upgraded to a new rank.


    The thunderbird cried out at his order, shooting forth.


    Golden light erupted as the dragon roared and purple lightning scalded the heavens in an unbridled display of raw power.


    The people below saw a dragon and a thunderbird clash in an apocalyptic explosion, ringing their ears.


    And then it happened.


    Under the thunderbird¡¯s purple lightning explosion, the dragon began to crumble inch by inch as it dissolved into golden specks. With a cry of pain, the golden dragon soul left the huge dragon and fled for Huangpu Qingtian.


    The purple thunder bird had scared the Dragon Vein Soul off!


    [How is this possible?]


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s jaw hit the floor, his eyes bulged out. Others didn¡¯t fare any better.


    [Holy hell! Dragon Vein Soul, you¡¯re supposed to be a lord of the land, its king. What are you doing getting scared of a silly flickering bird? Where has your rampant attitude gone? Your master had even bragged about you being his royal symbol!]


    The scared Dragon Vein Soul¡¯s reply to their thoughts would be a round of abuse.


    [You know shit! I am the king of the land, but that thing is the king of the skies! What else am I to do but run?]


    [Ignorant whelps! Stop spewing crap when you know nothing of the world¡¯s inner workings. I am born of the earth, but that thing is born of the world! We are light years apart.]


    Not that any side knew any of this of course. It was just that their minds were blown away seeing the Dragon Vein Soul running away with its tail between its legs. Their brains went out of commission.


    [Dragon Vein Soul ain¡¯t so tough after all.]


    Fang Qiubai watched it all bleary-eyed. Then he frowned, then he shook his head, and lastly looked at Zhuo Fan astounded.


    Dragon Vein Soul wasn¡¯t weak, not by a long shot, it was the kid using a far deadlier attack.


    Even Fang Qiubai started praising. [Just what are you, kid¡­]


    With the Dragon Vein Soul abandoning ship, the three hundred meter long golden dragon turned into an earth dragon. And an average earth ranked martial art was no match for the purple thunderbird, collapsing in seconds.


    What followed next was obvious. The thunder bird flew at Huangpu Qingtian. Its eyes filled with killing intent just like Zhuo Fan¡¯s.


    How could this be?


    Gnashing his teeth, Huangpu Qingtian was still in denial. The Dragon Vein Soul, the cornerstone of his pride and joy, of his very existence, was scared off by some purple lightning.


    [What is that lightning that is able to scare the king of the land?]


    He didn¡¯t have the time to ponder such philosophical questions though. The thunderbird was coming in for the kill¡­

 Chapter 321 - At Death’s Door

    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes showed fear for the first time. The dreadful aura of the thunderbird posed a definite and tangible threat to his life.


    This hadn¡¯t been brought about before, not even when Zhuo Fan was bashing him around. Because he had a fallback, the Dragon Vein Soul.


    He was destined to rule, heaven¡¯s gift on earth, with no man capable of defeating him. And yet¡­


    ¡°Run!¡±


    You Yushan¡¯s trio knew the tables had turned. The thunderbird was a very real danger to anything in existence. The Six Dragons and One Phoenix were no exception, ending up as nothing more than bone meal. That prediction had them running frantically for their lives.


    Funnily enough, their grand boss was doing the same thing for the first time ever.


    Not that it would do much good at this late an hour. They barely added a hundred meters between them when the thunderbird flapped its crackling wings and was upon Huangpu Qingtian.


    Huangpu Qingtian was traumatized. Facing this world destroyer and its all powerful aura, all he could do was shout, ¡°Transformation, Earth Dragon Claw!¡±


    A flash of golden light shone and his entire right arm was enveloped in light among the dragon roars. It was at this instant that the thunderbird ran into him.


    The berserk purple lightning pulverized anything it touched.


    Boom!


    The sky itself turned purple from the sheer magnitude of the blast. Purple lightning spread like wildfire catching the three slowpokes and sending them sprawling, heavily wounded.


    The array holding Zhuo Fan prisoner began to shake for the first time. The 365 Profound Heaven experts spat blood at the same time, weakened.


    Everyone was shocked at how the Six Dragons and One Phoenix, the peak of power in the Profound Heaven Stage, couldn¡¯t even take on the after blast of the thunder bird. The Microcosmic Orbit Array, said to contain even a Radiant Stage expert, suffered under the tyrannical purple lightning. Every one of the 365 Profound Heaven experts controlling it were left with heavy wounds.


    The power of the thunderbird was obvious.


    They all watched the thick dust, eyes widened. Not even Regent Estate could contain the shock they felt.


    Who could conceive it possible for Zhuo Fan to employ such power to annihilate everyone? What then of Huangpu Qingtian, who took the full blast?


    Everyone watched the screen with bated breath.


    Pff!


    Zhuo Fan spurted blood and the lightning faded from his body. Focusing all the purple lightning into one blow and forcing a profound ranked martial art to go a rank higher had left him teetering on the edge of collapse.


    His body was far too weak to handle an earth ranked martial art, or he¡¯d have already trained in one. But to defeat Huangpu Qingtian, he threw caution to the wind and used every ounce of his strength. This left him on the brink of destruction.


    Zhuo Fan was now weaker than your average Bone Tempering expert. Even after killing Huangpu Qingtian, he would still be in danger on Beast King Mountain.


    Though he wasn¡¯t of a mind to care. As long as Huangpu Qingtian was dead and done, nothing else mattered¡­


    Narrowing his eyes, Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and moved, slowly, towards the cloud of dust. All that purple lightning did a number on his body, with no less than 20 wounds on his body deep enough to show the bone. His staggering walk was that of a demon from hell.


    You Yushan¡¯s trio were shaken to their core. They tried to get away, but any movement only aggravated their injuries. They were going nowhere fast.


    They could only stare at the demon trudging towards them.


    ¡°Damn it! The three hundred people outside, release the damn array and come save us!¡± You Yushan shouted.


    Yan Bangui and Lin Xuanfeng did the same, ¡°Release the array already¡­¡±


    The hellish image had them traumatized and horrified to the point of peeing themselves.


    The viewers watched it all in heavy silence. At the end of it all, the Six Dragons and One Phoenix were mere men, fearing death and clinging to life. All that mettle they had was now gone.


    All of Tianyu held the seven houses in reverence, practically worshiped them. But if there was one thing the Esoteric Debate showed, what Zhuo Fan¡¯s fight showed, was that the grand disciples of these houses were nothing but disgraces.


    The effect was immediate. The surviving clans had their opinion of the seven houses sharply diminished. While towards the Luo clan, they held no little amount of respect.


    In this great battle, the Luo clan rose above the masses through their acts. Their steward even more so, fighting adversity without a hint of fear, his tall and imposing figure facing heaven itself. It got everyone¡¯s blood pumping.


    Everyone dreamt to be a hero at some point. Everyone yearned to fight back the authority breathing down on them. But none had the nerve to do it. Yet Zhuo Fan, a mere third rate clan steward, did it for them, fulfilling their wish, and brutalizing the seven houses¡¯ experts.


    It had gone beyond mere fighting oppression as he went against providence itself, against the heaven made king, Huangpu Qingtian and his kingly symbol, Dragon Vein Soul.


    Not even a destined king was infallible, dead just the same before the third rate clan¡¯s Zhuo Fan.


    Everyone turned to the weakened Zhuo Fan with eyes filled with respect. Even the vassals of other houses had their views changed.


    Leng Wuchang noticed and clenched his beard, even pulled a hair. But he was too engrossed in his scowl to notice.


    Fang Qiubai sported a big smile.


    [By defeating Huangpu Qingtian, Zhuo Fan had cut the seven houses¡¯ prestige in one fell swoop. His Majesty would be ecstatic at the news.]


    The emperor had planned for Zhuo Fan to cut down the Regent Estate¡¯s momentum. But the man had gone leagues beyond his duty. Zhuo Fan had passed his mission with flying colors. Regent Estate¡¯s very reputation was severely affected. It was a great help for when they had to quell the seven houses.


    Fang Qiubai smiled and nodded.


    [Having the Dragon Vein Soul doesn¡¯t mean a thing. Huangpu Qingtian was still dragged through the mud before everyone. He won¡¯t have the gall to be cocky now¡­]


    ¡°I forbid it!¡±


    Fang Qiubai¡¯s bright smile faded. While Leng Wuchang and the rest of the Regent Estate watched their vassals tense up, as a cold voice came from within the dust cloud.


    Rumble!


    Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t fight the shudder. His face darkened as he looked ahead in stunned silence.


    You Yushan¡¯s trio looked as well, with tears of joy welling in their eyes.


    [Eldest young master¡­ lives!]


    [This can¡¯t be!]


    Fang Qiubai was aghast. [He suffered the brunt of all that raw power no Radiant Stage expert could take. How the hell¡­]


    The dust scattered and revealed a bloody and panting Huangpu Qingtian with his entire right arm turned into a dragon claw, like a true monster.


    It was this claw that ruined Zhuo Fan¡¯s mighty blow.


    ¡°Transformation!¡±


    Fang Qiubai and Zhuo Fan cried at the same time and color drained from their faces.


    The act implied changing one¡¯s soul and body. Special cultivation methods could turn one into a merciless beast when trained to perfection. And Huangpu Qingtian who had the Dragon Vein Soul would ultimately turn into a dragon.


    Huangpu Qingtian only had a claw, but it was a true dragon claw, an earth dragon¡¯s claw. Tough beyond imagination, leaps above even a 6th grade spiritual weapon.


    ¡°How? To reach transformation he had to have trained Nine Dragons Diamond Body to perfection, but he¡¯s still in the first level. How did he do it?¡± Fang Qiubai was incredulous, ¡°Not even Tianyu¡¯s founding emperor could do it!¡±


    Leng Wuchang sighed, seeing Huangpu Qingtian safe and smiled at Fang Qiubai, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s a simple matter of talent.¡±


    Fang Qiubai was overwhelmed.


    [Has Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s talent reached such a monstrous level that he could transform before training Nine Dragons Diamond Body to completion?]


    That made him the most dangerous being in existence. When he finished Nine Dragons Diamond Body, not even Gu Santong could face him.


    [It will mark the day when the Regent Estate will become the ruling family¡­]


    Leng Wuchang easily gleaned into his thought process, looking at the National Elemental Stone with a smile, ¡°The true winner has finally been decided¡­¡±


    Whoosh!


    Huangpu Qingtian sprung at Zhuo Fan, clawing at him.


    Zhuo Fan panicked. Try as he might, he was too weak to even dodge.


    But he was still defiant, gnashing his teeth and gathering the last vestige of power, ¡°Wraith Style¡¯s second move, Ghostly Dragon Claw!¡±


    Roar!


    A dragon roar began but was cut off. Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s own claw had a firm grip on the enemy¡¯s claw.


    ¡°Not a chance!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s last act scared him. Huangpu Qingtian no longer looked at Zhuo Fan with the usual haughty attitude, instead he looked at him with fear.


    Zhuo Fan was the first to ever shake him so much. So for the first time, he went all out. He felt Zhuo Fan was at his weakest moment, on his deathbed.


    But against Zhuo Fan he would never feel safe until the very last breath left his body.


    Ah!


    Huangpu Qingtian wailed and ripped Zhuo Fan¡¯s right arm clean off. Blood spurted like a fountain and Luo Yunchang cried in fear.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes bulged out and his features twisted. But he pushed through the pain and pierced at Huangpu Qingtian with his wings, despite how hopeless it was¡­

 Chapter 322 - Fleeing

    Clang!


    A metallic screech was heard as the Lightning Wings struck the claw Huangpu Qingtian easily used to defend.


    Panting, Huangpu Qingtian tightened his claw, staring Zhuo Fan in the eye. Zhuo Fan met his gaze, bewildered. [Why couldn¡¯t the Lightning Wings pierce it?]


    ¡°I told you. You have no chance!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s face twisted with savagery and tore off one of Zhuo Fan¡¯s wings.


    Blood spurted from his back and Zhuo Fan broke out in sweat, falling down. The pain in his back blinded him for a moment, but he gnashed his teeth through the pain.


    Ah!


    Luo Yunchang cried out, tears falling like a river. The other women turned their heads away. They couldn¡¯t bear to watch.


    Yet their eyelids never stopped trembling¡­


    Zhuo Fan shook from the pain. He made a fist wanting to get up with his only arm but Huangpu Qingtian stomped on his other wing. Looking down on him, the savage dragon claw slowly lifted him up.


    ¡°Game over. The punk is done for!¡±


    Leng Wuchang sighed, despite the stunned face he pulled, ¡°That was too close. I didn¡¯t foresee the punk having so much of that strange purple lightning. If not for the eldest young master having that last move, I fear everything would have been in vain. Regent Estate¡¯s glory would¡¯ve hit rock bottom and the vassals would no longer worship us.¡±


    He saw that the others now looked at the crippled Zhuo Fan with worry and lamentation.


    As if to say, fighting Regent Estate was fighting heaven. The only outcome was death.


    Leng Wuchang was pleased. This was exactly what he wanted.


    Zhuge Changfeng looked on with regret, ¡°A pity. With the kid¡¯s power, if he just wasn¡¯t so hot blooded and lost his mind, he would have had an even chance at victory.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Prime Minister, is this how you work? There are no ifs in this world. Failure means annihilation!¡± Leng Wuchang smiled at him.


    Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s eyes glinted, ¡°I only mourn the loss of a talent. A pity for him to go down this way. Naturally, he only has himself to blame for this outcome.¡±


    ¡°The Prime Minister is most right. We, the schemers, fear becoming berserk ourselves and digging our own graves.¡±


    Leng Wuchang and Zhuge Changfeng shared a look, then laughed¡­


    On the battlefield, a shadow watched it all from a corner, finding himself at an impasse.


    Out of Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian, he only wanted the strongest. And although they were equally powerful, Zhuo Fan had the greater potential.


    But now Zhuo Fan had lost and was about to die. Should he go save him?


    [Sigh, everything¡¯s so twisted.]


    A headhunter feared not searching the world for thousands of miles yet to come out empty, but being forced to choose one of two prized horses.


    [It¡¯s too vexing!]


    But soon, the shadow came to a decision.


    He wanted the strongest, that hadn¡¯t changed. Zhuo Fan had the greatest potential but defeat spoke by itself. He didn¡¯t pity him regardless of how great the kid was¡­


    Huff~


    Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian were panting, staring at each other in hatred. They both were spent of Yuan Qi, body riddled with wounds, but it was obvious that Zhuo Fan was far worse for wear.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, your very existence is a threat to me. You must die!¡± Huangpu Qingtian moved a trembling dragon claw and aimed for Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest.


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan¡¯s blood bubbled from his right arm and his back, His face ashen, but the fire in his eyes burnt strong, ¡°Huangpu Qingtian, you will die for touching Ning¡¯er!¡±


    ¡°Oh really? And how are you going to do that from under my heel?¡± Huangpu Qingtian mocked.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s heart seized the next second. He could see Zhuo Fan had no intention of dying, but he looked back like a wild animal ready to tear into him.


    [There¡¯s still some fight left in him!]


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s unease only grew. Even if he dismembered Zhuo Fan, as long as the man¡¯s eyes burned, the threat still existed.


    With a roar, Huangpu Qingtian stabbed his claw at Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart.


    Ah!


    With a cry, Luo Yunchang could no longer bear to watch. Fang Qiubai squinted, overwhelmed by anxiety.


    [Zhuo Fan¡¯s death proclaims the Regent Estate as the winner. It will only make them stronger.]


    [Kid, you must live at all costs!]


    Fang Qiubai shouted inside.


    Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 2nd stage, Void Annihilation!


    As Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s claw inched forward, Zhuo Fan¡¯s right eye flashed with two golden halos and space warped.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s claw would take Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart at this rate, but so too would Void Annihilation punch a hole through the enemy¡¯s chest.


    It truly was a life for a life.


    But Zhuo Fan still had Blood Infant. As long as Blood Infant was in his blood, even without a heart, he wouldn¡¯t die. For him, it was more of a heavy wound in exchange for a life.


    Even though Huangpu Qingtian was oblivious to these subtleties, he still didn¡¯t find it worth it to go down like this.


    Startled by the warped space, Huangpu Qingtian dodged and his claw stabbed the ground next to Zhuo Fan. They both get to live a while longer.


    Yet Void Annihilation brushed past Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s left arm and peeled his flesh. Blood oozed out like water.


    Huangpu Qingtian had no time to react as Void Annihilation continued on its path and smashed into the array.


    Boom!


    Like a hole punched through the sky, the 6th grade array, Microcosmic Orbit Array, shattered. The 365 Profound Heaven experts acting as the core of the array, died on the spot.


    They spurted up blood, their eyes rolled into their heads and they breathed their last.


    [What¡­ just happened?]


    Huangpu Qingtian looked at the wound on his arm, then at the crumbling array, but was left dumbfounded.


    He had no idea what had occurred. All that he knew was that Zhuo Fan landed a sneak attack on him.


    But how could a mere sneak attack be so powerful?


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth in hatred. [He¡¯s still alive!]


    Since he had failed, Zhuo Fan knew Huangpu Qingtian had to be on guard and a second chance wouldn¡¯t come. With his last attempt failing, he was all out of means to catch Huangpu Qingtian unaware.


    [I have no choice but to use my last plan. Humph, Leng Wuchang, I didn¡¯t think it was you in the end who managed to outplay me. You may be the Unwonted Contriver, but not even you could foresee my last resort.]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed and he ignored the pain as he moved, ripping his last wing that Huangpu Qingtian had pinned down.


    Huangpu Qingtian cried inside.


    [He wants to run!]


    And he pierced the dragon claw at Zhuo Fan¡¯s throat, just as Zhuo Fan vanished through the use of Shift.


    With the array gone, Zhuo Fan had regained his freedom and no one could stop him now.


    Void Annihilation overcame the flaw of Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 1st stage by breaking any restrictions. Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t use it all this time because he had no intention of escaping, hellbent on finishing off Huangpu Qingtian.


    The array had him trapped, but so too was Huangpu Qingtian. He could have run away anytime anyway.


    Something that Huangpu Qingtian wasn¡¯t privy to and not even Leng Wuchang predicted this. It was unclear at this point who played who.


    Whoosh~


    Zhuo Fan flashed a thousand meters away and took out Qiao¡¯er from the ring. He had it carry him as it flew away.


    Not a moment too soon as Zhuo Fan blacked out.


    Huangpu Qingtian took a few steps after him and spat blood. He glanced at the flesh gouged from his left arm seeping blood, then at the hellscape around him, littered with broken corpses.


    They had ten thousand men, paid such a heavy price and still couldn¡¯t finish the job. The frustration fueled his raging howl.


    Fang Qiubai eased his breath. Noone expected the kid to break the array. He had them scared.


    Leng Wuchang was stunned and sighed, ¡°The kid is far more treacherous than I gave him credit for.¡±


    ¡°Sir Leng, it seems to me the kid has escaped with his life and your meticulous planning failed. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Zhuge Changfeng laughed.


    Leng Wuchang shook his head. He didn¡¯t look too pleased yet his voice was calm, ¡°Prime Minister, I thank you for your concern. The kid had exceeded my calculations, but I have taken this outcome into account. With him on his deathbed, he is like a fish in a barrel, waiting to be squashed!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get so confident, Sir Leng. The kid is a true miracle worker, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Zhuge Changfeng mocked. Leng Wuchang fell silent. But his eyes were completely focused on the National Elemental Stone, waiting for the next plan to come into play¡­

 Chapter 323 - The Future Is Ours

    Caw~


    In the glow of the twilight sun, cawing entered the ears of the people there, as a murder of crows circled the bloodbath.


    Huangpu Qingtian stared in Zhuo Fan¡¯s last direction, panting and frustrated.


    He had prepared the ambush, put so much effort into it, only to be routed and failing to take Zhuo Fan¡¯s life. Such disgrace lowered his royal prestige in the public¡¯s eye.


    What right did he have now to go vie for his father¡¯s position after such a gruesome slaughter?


    Ah!


    Huangpu Qingtian vented his frustration by wailing. The regret and anger only festered in his core. The crows landing nearby flew away startled.


    You Yushan¡¯s trio was grounded and unable to move. Watching Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s irritation, they knew when to keep to themselves, afraid they¡¯d direct his anger on themselves.


    ¡°Eldest young master?¡±


    A weak voice ventured. Looking over they saw Yan Fu bringing a dozen survivors of vassal clans, fear clearly painted on his face.


    Snapping his eyes on him, Huangpu Qingtian spat, ¡°Humph, such fortune upon you. So many have died, along with hundreds of Profound Heaven experts, but you, Bone Tempering fools and Yan Fu, the ants, still breathe.¡±


    Yan Fu and the others shuddered but he was the first to fall to his knees followed by the rest. Their heads lowered, silent as the grave.


    ¡°Eldest young master, forgive us. That m-monster put fear into us and we escaped before the array was activated. S-so¡­¡±


    ¡°So you lived?¡± Huangpu Qingtian sneered.


    Yan Fu trembled, nodding stiffly.


    Huangpu Qingtian only had contempt for them, but Yan Bangui¡¯s round of abuse cut him off before he could continue, ¡°Yan Fu, you are the stain of Pill King Hall. That monster killed your master and when you had the chance to ambush him what did you do? You chose the path of a sniveling coward!¡±


    ¡°Eldest young master, I failed to teach my junior brother proper manners. If you want to punish him, you may go ahead and even kill this disgrace to avoid shaming us further.¡± Yan Bangui barked.


    Yan Fu gulped, shivering from fear yet hatred growing inside him.


    It wasn¡¯t as much chastising but more for the sake of the audience of Hall Lord Yan Bogong.


    With everyone running away in fear just now, if Huangpu Qingtian were to think of killing them, who was there to stop him? Even if they were killed out in the open, would Pill King Hall seek Regent Estate for justice?


    Absolutely not. That in turn would make the world look down on Pill King Hall.


    And this was where Yan Bangui¡¯s words came into play. By mocking Yan Fu, he saved the face of Pill King Hall, letting Huangpu Qingtian vent while also giving Regent Estate a resounding round of ass kissing, showing his endless devotion towards Regent Estate.


    In the case Huangpu Qingtian killed Yan Fu then and there, he¡¯d be safe, since Pill King Hall now authorized Huangpu Qingtian to deal with the main offender.


    Regardless of the outcome, Pill King Hall¡¯s honor was safeguarded and the two houses would never be closer.


    All at the low price of throwing Yan Fu to the wolf.


    And that wasn¡¯t even the best part. Yan Bogong would definitely reward him for having saved Pill King Hall¡¯s honor.


    Yan Fu¡¯s rage only grew inside him, but he still laid there waiting.


    Huangpu Qingtian glanced at Yan Bangui, aware of his ploy, then smiled, ¡°It¡¯s fine. We have lost too many in this battle and we need all the help we can get. We can¡¯t just have Yan Fu, a rare alchemist, killed. It will be of great help to us now that he¡¯s alive.¡±


    ¡°Eldest young master¡¯s mercy knows no bounds. Let me express a thousand thanks in my junior brother¡¯s stead.¡± Yan Bangui put on the good guy act then berated, ¡°Yan Fu, what are you gawking at? Thank the eldest young master for his mercy. It is all thanks to the eldest young master¡¯s infinite generosity that I don¡¯t have you punished as well!¡±


    Yan Fu groaned, wishing nothing more than to give the man a few slaps.


    [You threw me away, my own clansman, not even pleading for me and now you¡¯re acting the savior? Even going as far as asking me for thanks?]


    [As if Huangpu Qingtian respects you so much that he spared my life.]


    [Humph, just you wait. I¡¯ll be sure to return the favor, don¡¯t you worry.]


    And yet Yan Fu¡¯s face was filled with respect and gratitude, ¡°Thank you eldest young master for your mercy. Thank you senior brother for your care!¡±


    Nodding, the two accepted in glee, putting on the face of chastising naughty children.


    ¡°What are the rest of you standing around for? Look after their injuries!¡± Huangpu Qingtian pointed at You Yushan¡¯s trio.


    Yan Fu nodded, taking first a pill for Huangpu Qingtian, then he and the rest went to nurse the other three.


    Huangpu Qingtian nodded at Yan Fu¡¯s meek figure.


    [The kid has good eyes to know who gets the first pill.]


    But then Huangpu Qingtian sighed over the biggest worry, letting Zhuo Fan escape. It would be hard looking for him in the wide expanse of Beast King Mountain.


    Huangpu Qingtian scowled and took out a jade slip.


    It was the last jade slip Leng Wuchang gave him, warning him repeatedly to never open it unless he ran out of options.


    The state he was in wasn¡¯t just out of options, even with a thousand ways he still wouldn¡¯t have anything remotely good he could use. With Zhuo Fan¡¯s cunning, the same trick wouldn¡¯t work twice.


    Not to mention he had no clue where to even begin the search.


    Sighing, Huangpu Qingtian paused in hesitation then ultimately read the jade slip.


    [Just what could Sir Leng have prepared in this late hour. What ingenious trick could we use?]


    Finished reading the jade slip, his eyes shined and he laughed, ¡°I see it now. Sir Leng is a true mastermind to take even that into account. Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan, no matter how sly you are you shall never escape my grasp!¡±


    ¡°Eh? A Brimming Sacred Pill?¡±


    The faint sound behind him caught his undivided attention.


    Huangpu Qingtian whipped his head to see Yan Fu trembling and facing away from everyone. The excitement got to him as he shouted, ¡°Yan Fu, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Uh, n-nothing.¡± Yan Fu stiffly turned around to show a painful smile while hiding his hand behind him.


    Squinting, Huangpu Qingtian said coldly, ¡°What are you holding? Show it to me!¡±


    Sweating buckets, Yan Fu hesitated for a long time before putting on a smile and presenting a storage ring with both hands, ¡°Congratulations, eldest young master. I found the Brimming Sacred Pills, all four of them!¡±


    ¡°Where?¡± Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes shined as he snatched the rings. Emptying them, he was looking at four vials in his palm, the Brimming Sacred Pills.


    Yan Fu pointed at an arm soaked in blood, ¡°I took it from that arm. I thought¡­¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Zhuo Fan¡¯s arm?¡± Huangpu Qingtian stared Yan Fu down, ¡°You found it quite fast and even knew it was his. Were you perhaps watching our fight, waiting for the right moment to steal our things?¡±


    ¡°Eldest young master, I would never even dream of it!¡± Yan Fu fell to his knees in fear.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it?¡± Huangpu Qingtian had a sinister smile as he eyed the four vials, ¡°Then how do you explain the missing seals from all four of the vials? Did you plan on switching the pills, is that it?¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian used Discerning Field on the spot, only relaxing when he found the genuine goods in the vials.


    Yan Fu was scared to death and pleaded, ¡°Eldest young master, please, I only wanted to confirm they were real. As an alchemist I just couldn¡¯t help but want to see an 8th grade pill.¡±


    The hard stare was making him sweat buckets. Huangpu Qingtian spoke, ¡°Listen here, leave the other¡¯s possessions alone for now. The only items you are ever allowed to use are those I give you. You aren¡¯t even allowed to look, understand?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes, I shall take it to heart, eldest young master!¡± Yan Fu bobbed his head.


    Grinning, Huangpu Qingtian gave a pleased nod. Then he turned to the somewhat recovered trio and showed them the pills, ¡°See that? I told you. All the pills I lost will one day return to me!¡±


    ¡°Brimming Sacred Pill!¡±


    The three perked up.


    Huangpu Tianyuan was moved. He was worried that the rotten bastard would only go after one, but instead he had obtained all four. With such a fortune, he, the Estate Lord, would surely get one as well.


    The smile had yet to reach his eyes as he watched Huangpu Qingtian share the three pills with his allies.


    The three looked at him puzzled.


    Huangpu Qingtian snickered, ¡°Take it and let¡¯s go hunt down Zhuo Fan together!¡±


    [What?!]


    The three were stunned.


    The Brimming Sacred Pill was as rare as it got. Yet Huangpu Qingtian was just going to hand it over? Huangpu Tianyuan went slack jawed.


    [Since when is that brat so generous? You should keep them to yourself when it counts the most. If you ever feel like being generous, do that in your own house, not with some brats!]


    Snorting, Huangpu Qingtian could tell what they were thinking and said, ¡°Remember this well. The future of the world is ultimately ours!¡±

 Chapter 324 - Every Trick In The Book

    [The future is ours!]


    Those simple words had their ambition grow unchecked.


    You Yushan¡¯s trio looked at Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s smile and felt the Brimming Sacred Pill in their hand heavy as Mt. Tai.


    The pill and those words were the perfect sales pitch.


    He said the same thing to all Six Dragons and One Phoenix before the wood exit, that they held the future in their grasp. They would soon surpass their own house lords and their glory.


    And now that they took his offered pill, they agreed to be wholly on Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s side. They would follow him blindly from now on, and the houses¡¯ structure and interests would change as a result.


    This implied that when they became house lords, they would still align with Huangpu Qingtian and listen to his orders.


    This single Brimming Sacred Pill represented not just their allegiance but their houses¡¯ as well, and everything that came along with it; their forces, their wealth, their souls.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s plan of roping in the three future house lords was far more ingenious than how Huangpu Tianyuan earned the current house lords¡¯ favor.


    As long as the three held him in the highest regard, so too would the future three houses. Whether or not the three current house lords would object by writing them off as inheritors, Huangpu Qingtian wasn¡¯t the least bit worried.


    Once these three became his men, they would have Regent Estate behind them. And Regent Estate would do all in its power to get them the house lord position. If those geezer were tired of living, they were most welcome to refuse.


    You Yushan¡¯s trio looked at each other in sorrow, feeling the weight of the pill growing by the second.


    They were over the moon having gotten the Brimming Sacred Pill, albeit at the price of betraying their own house. But if they refused, how would Huangpu Qingtian react?


    The three were pulled from two directions but soon came to a decision and bowed, ¡°We thank the eldest young master for his generosity!¡±


    Today¡¯s decision had sealed the fate and future of their houses in one direction, as vassals. But refusing it would most likely end with them buried on this mountain.


    Tallying up both choices¡¯ ups and downs, the three favored satisfying their own interests.


    So what if they defected their clans in front of everyone? As long as the Regent Estate had their backs, their own house lords and elders wouldn¡¯t even touch them. Not to mention their house lord position was guaranteed.


    It was just about being Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s loyal dog. How bad could it be? Then again, they¡¯d be below one man, but lords over the masses. At that time, a mere hint of accusing them for this decision would earn the offender a quick trip six feet under¡­


    That worked to calm their worries and they showed pure respect. Huangpu Qingtian nodded and laughed¡­


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Twitching, Huangpu Tianyuan watched the wise and powerful son of his, while cackling with a mask of rage.


    Looking at the three house lords, he saw the glum hanging heavy on their faces.


    Huangpu Qingtian not only carried out the Regent Estate¡¯s plan to unify the houses, but spurred the juniors to fight for their elders¡¯ power.


    Even a blind man could see Huangpu Qingtian was strengthening his position for when the time came to take his father¡¯s place.


    Be that as it may, Regent Estate¡¯s plan to unite the houses without conflict was of far greater benefit. Regent Estate¡¯s elders were totally for it, evident by their prideful looks.


    Regent Estate¡¯s house lord status was reserved for the most capable. The father and son could fight all they wanted, as long as the future lord worked for the better of Regent Estate.


    And watching Huangpu Qingtian employ hidden schemes and tricks along with the power invested in him, just like a true emperor, the elders loved him even more. Who would blame him now for calling them geezers?


    [As long as you can make the Regent Estate thrive for thousands of years, you can even call us a bag of bones!]


    Huangpu Tianyuan eyed the prideful elders behind him and sighed dejected.


    [If this keeps up, the brat will soon come back with Zhuo Fan¡¯s head and earn great merit. Higher than anyone.]


    [And what will become of me then?]


    Squinting, Huangpu Tianyuan could no longer bear the stress and frustration and said, ¡°Sir Leng, how sure are you of your plan to finish Zhuo Fan off?¡±


    ¡°If it were anyone else, I¡¯d guarantee it right away. But with how crafty he is, I can only go as far as ninety percent.¡± Leng Wuchang spoke lightly.


    Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s heart froze.


    [Such assurance is insane¡­]


    The man was now worried for Zhuo Fan¡¯s fate and for the first time, resenting Leng Wuchang¡¯s sharp mind.


    [Just what plan do you have to be so certain? Is there anyone out there able to survive you, an ant perhaps?]


    Sighing, Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s mood sank into the pits of despair.


    Leng Wuchang smiled inside. He knew fully well the thoughts this house lord had, but didn¡¯t mind them in the least.


    His genius mind was a rarity in this world. No matter what house lord took office in Regent Estate, it wouldn¡¯t change a thing. He would still be their right-hand man or left-hand man, all because of his strength.


    This was why he did not care what Huangpu Tianyuan thought. Zhuo Fan was the only one on his mind right now. Zhuo Fan was the first ever to have escaped his foolproof plans.


    He found it impossible to gauge Zhuo Fan¡¯s actions and this Unwonted Contriver felt the same threat he felt from Zhuge Changfeng.


    In this, Huangpu Qingtian and his interests were aligned, to end Zhuo Fan.


    ¡­


    ¡°Alright, now that you¡¯ve made your decision, hurry and take it. After you enter the Radiant Stage, we will go hunt that pest down!¡± Huangpu Qingtian smiled at the trio.


    They were all puzzled and You Yushan was the first to inquire, ¡°Eldest young master, we do not know where to start. Do you perhaps know his location? But even so, why don¡¯t we go after him this instant instead of waiting to break through?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan is bedridden and he¡¯ll make sure to hide where no one can find him. Not even me. But Sir Leng knows he will sooner or later appear at one place and that is where we¡¯ll wait for him. With him licking his wounds, we won¡¯t be disturbed for a while. It is our best chance to bolster our power. When everything is set and we ambush him, he will have no room to escape!¡± Huangpu Qingtian laughed.


    The three nodded amazedly, ¡°If Sir Leng said it, it must be so!¡±


    The three placed a simple defensive array around them and ate the Brimming Sacred Pill.


    Huangpu Qingtian smiled, placing Yan Fu and the others as guards. He placed his own defenses around and ate his own pill.


    The four of them were peak Profound Heaven experts, soon to be Radiant Stage experts, courtesy of Brimming Sacred Pill.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s soul¡¯s strength would be multiplied tens of times and not even Zhuo Fan with his Shift would be able to escape his grasp.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s end was nigh¡­


    In another place, a purple lightning bird stood before a dark cave. The crackling lightning was enough deterrence for any approaching spiritual beast.


    A man covered in blood laid in the cave, unmoving.


    With his wings and arm ripped away, it was the first time Zhuo Fan had been in such a dangerous state.


    Qiao¡¯er sometimes looked back in worry. It wanted to get Zhuo Fan some food and water but was worried it would come back to find a spiritual beast gorging on his body.


    So he stood watch.


    Ten days came and went as man and beast monopolized the cave in complete silence. Only on the 15th day, a groan came from Zhuo Fan as he opened his eyes. The blinding sunlight coming from outside made him squint.


    Shriek~


    Qiao¡¯er flapped its wings and cheered.


    With a smile, Zhuo Fan forced himself up and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. As long as Blood Infant is safe, I won¡¯t die.


    ¡°How long was I out, Qiao¡¯er?¡± He asked.


    Shriek~


    Qiao¡¯er flapped its wings and cried out. Zhuo Fan frowned and smiled, ¡°Half a month? Just in time. Come, it¡¯s time for us to settle a debt!¡±


    Shriek~


    Qiao¡¯er barred his way, anxiously flapping its wings. [You¡¯ll die if you go now!]


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan patted its head, ¡°Don¡¯t write off your old man just yet. I¡¯ve got more than just a strong arm. A sharp head on my shoulders! Qiao¡¯er, by my reckoning I won¡¯t even have to lift a finger to kill them all, he-he-he¡­ ¡°


    Qiao¡¯er cocked its head, unable to read between the lines. But seeing the crafty smirk, it dawned on the bird.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t lose my right arm for nothing.¡± Touching the stump, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes glinted¡­

 Chapter 325 - No, You Lost

    A lonely and lazy figure was approaching the water exit in Beast King Mountain. From the empty right sleeve it was clear he only had one arm.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan!¡±


    The people beyond the National Elemental Stone had been waiting for him to show up for twenty days. After the fight back at the earth exit, Zhuo Fan had vanished, only appearing before another exit now.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s coming had them gasping. [He¡¯s still alive!]


    But the pale face and the wobbling gait let them know he was far from healed.


    Being in such a damaged state, it would¡¯ve been common sense to look for a quiet corner somewhere to lay low and lick his wounds. Yet here he was, walking around. It made no sense.


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes moistened, ¡°Why¡­ must you¡­¡±


    Uncaring of the audience commenting on his appearance, Zhuo Fan walked forth. When he was a hundred meters off of the water exit, he stopped. He looked down at the empty ground and sighed.


    Everyone was startled, [What¡¯s he doing?]


    Only Chu Qingcheng and Luo Yunchang knew. Zhuo Fan paid homage to Xue Ningxiang. This was where she died twenty days ago.


    Taking a deep and long breath, Zhuo Fan forced back his sadness and grief, ¡°Ning¡¯er, don¡¯t worry. Big brother Zhuo will soon make everyone follow you for what they did to you. May it bring you peace.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, bold words! How are you going to get revenge with that weak and crippled body? Are you a comedian now?¡± A whistle reached his ears.


    Four people now stood before Zhuo Fan, Huangpu Qingtian and his allies. Then a dozen people walked out of the woods to surround him, Yan Fu and the surviving vassals.


    What was truly shocking was Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s group had entered the Radiant Stage in preparation to deal with Zhuo Fan.


    Everyone knew they got the Brimming Sacred Pill and that they had a good chance of advancing, but seeing it was another matter entirely.


    Seeing the four practically reborn, bolstered in power and speed, the people feared for the worse.


    In the long history of Tianyu, there had never been anyone entering the Radiant Stage before the age of thirty. But now there were four of them, shocking the masses.


    Huangpu Tianyuan was the one suffering the most. If his son had brought just one Brimming Sacred Pill home, the house lord would have achieved his lifelong dream of entering the Radiant Stage as well.


    [But this wretched son of mine would rather leave his old man to die. Damn you!]


    It was because of this he knew that when the four would return, their Radiant Stage cultivation would be a threat to every house lord, ultimately to be replaced.


    The four house lords looked at each other crestfallen.


    Chu Qingcheng was worried sick, choked with emotion. How was Zhuo Fan going to survive being wounded like that and up against four Radiant Stage experts?


    Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian shook their heads, ¡°Fate has caught up to the kid. He has nowhere else to go.¡±


    Leng Wuchang was the only one with a smile on his face, like everything went according to plan¡­


    Zhuo Fan looked at the four, yet people found it odd how laid back he was about this whole trap thing. All he did was mutter, ¡°Ning¡¯er, do you see? Everyone who hurt you is here. Big brother Zhuo will avenge you!¡±


    You Yushan looked puzzled.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, have you lost it? There are four Radiant Stage experts here while you aren¡¯t even healed. There is a huge gulf between us and yet you dare spout things like revenge? Humph, you have lost in all aspects!¡± Lin Xuanfeng shouted.


    Frowning, Zhuo Fan glanced at him then showed a vague smile, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, no, it¡¯s you who has lost everything.¡±


    ¡°Cut the crap you lunatic! Even the blind can see we four are invincible. Wake up and smell the roses!¡± Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s eyes narrowed as he cursed, but Zhuo Fan¡¯s odd mirthless smile unnerved him.


    Huangpu Qingtian felt the same.


    [With how sly he is, what did he plan to remain so calm in front of us?]


    Huangpu Qingtian looked around for clues. But nothing was picked up when he released his soul and his worry only grew.


    [Is he bluffing?]


    Leng Wuchang was also frowning. Zhuo Fan was becoming more and more of an enigma.


    With a mocking smile on his lips, Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°Leng Wuchang sure is something, able to guess I¡¯ll stop by to pay my respects to Ning¡¯er before leaving Beast King Mountain. He even had you set up an ambush. Truly a feat only Unwonted Contriver can pull.¡±


    ¡°What, how can you know everything?¡± Huangpu Qingtian cried.


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s eyes tightened and his aged hand clutched his beard.


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°I know nothing really. But one thing I do know, every move we make is part of Leng Wuchang¡¯s grand design in some way or another. He¡¯d been watching me for too long and I must say, he knows me better than I do myself. Since nothing I do will escape his plans, why not let nature run its course.¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian looked hard at him then sighed as he probed, ¡°Are you giving up?¡±


    ¡°No, didn¡¯t I tell you already? I came for all your lives.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s lips broke out into his trademark evil grin.


    Seizing up, the four were totally oblivious to Zhuo Fan¡¯s meaning.


    [He knows he can¡¯t escape Leng Wuchang¡¯s predictions so why is he playing the winner? Does he have a way to turn it all around?]


    It was easy for Zhuo Fan to guess what was on their minds, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I have indeed fallen for Leng Wuchang¡¯s ploys, but to be fair, Huangpu Qingtian, haven¡¯t you fallen for mine as well? With Leng Wuchang in the background, when it comes to you and me, I come out on top.¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian shuddered, not knowing whether to believe him or not.


    [Is this mere grandstanding, a bluff?]


    Leng Wuchang shot to his feet, his face changing color in seconds. His eyes swirled around, his mind fast at work.


    Then he looked up and cried, ¡°Did the punk know he can¡¯t escape my plans so he went on the offensive to lay a trap for eldest young master? But when did he¡­¡±


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s mind had guessed it, just that he didn¡¯t know the specifics and his face paled.


    Zhuge Changfeng eyed this Unwonted Contriver and grinned, ¡°Avoid a ready enemy and only fight when he is weary. The kid sure is sharp. He knows he can¡¯t beat you in this mind game so he chose to accept everything you did to him and fight your eldest young master. Sir Leng, you are not there by your lord. His scheming mind pales in comparison. Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes sure are vicious, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Words failed Leng Wuchang. All he could do was stew in his anger. [What did this punk do to Huangpu Qingtian to act so confident before four Radiant Stage experts?]


    Not even Zhuge Changfeng could figure it out, least of all him. [Is this young pup able to turn the tables?]


    He didn¡¯t believe it, he didn¡¯t want to believe it.


    Zhuge Changfeng was looking at the National Elemental Stone in anticipation. This Prime Minister wanted to see what godly scheme could he pull off to turn all of it around¡­


    Huangpu Qingtian stared hatefully at him, ¡°Zhuo Fan, stop lying. I don¡¯t believe you. With your weak body, what can your meager attempts possibly do against four Radiant Stage experts to reverse this situation?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re wrong. To be honest, it¡¯s not me who will do it, you will. You will give me victory. In fact, I won the instant you guys entered the Radiant Stage!¡± Zhuo Fan snickered,


    Huangpu Qingtian roared, ¡°Cut the bull! You¡¯re clearly faking it. I will personally turn you to ash and see you mock me then!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian pounced, aiming for Zhuo Fan¡¯s head.


    With how weak Zhuo Fan was, his head would crack like an overripe tomato.


    Luo Yunchang cried out and turned away. Chu Qingcheng was deeply troubled by what was coming, while only Zhuo Fan¡¯s smile never faltered. Like the incoming fist wasn¡¯t even there.


    When the fist was about to touch him, he made a sign.


    Rumble!


    For no apparent reason, Huangpu Qingtian found his body stopping dead in its tracks. He couldn¡¯t control his body.


    Looking up at Zhuo Fan, he found the man¡¯s grin spitting on his face¡­

 Chapter 326 - Zhuo Fan’s Deceit

    ¡°Eldest young master!¡±


    You Yushan and the other two cried out seeing Huangpu Qingtian frozen in place.


    Huangpu Qingtian was sweating buckets, ¡°I-I can¡¯t move. What are you standing around for? Do something!¡±


    He knew Zhuo Fan must¡¯ve done something, though he didn¡¯t know exactly what.


    Never for the life of him did he think it possible for Zhuo Fan, on his deathbed, to be hiding such an eerie trick. The fear of not knowing how he did it only amplified the dread.


    He was now stuck in place, waiting for the axe to fall even as his heart was beating out of his chest.


    His three allies knew time was of the essence and sprung on Zhuo Fan as well.


    The three mighty Radiant Stage powers slammed into Zhuo Fan. He was forced two steps back, but he was not in the least bit panic, going by the wide grin.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Making the same sign, Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°I told you, you already lost.¡±


    Rumble!


    Just like Huangpu Qingtian, the three stopped as well. Bug-eyed, they looked at the grinning Zhuo Fan in fear.


    They couldn¡¯t move as well¡­.


    The viewers cried out in shock and doubt. Zhuge Changfeng and Leng Wuchang were also astounded.


    [What did the punk do to gain control of them?]


    They knew Zhuo Fan had the four in the bag. As for when the bag opened and the four were shoved in, no one knew, not even the two greatest minds of Tianyu.


    The most aware of it all were the victims. Huangpu Qingtian watched Zhuo Fan in shock, ¡°W-what did you do to me?¡±


    Zhuo Fan only giggled and looked around. Once he had the four riled up, and the dozen vassals scared out of their minds, he spoke, ¡°Eldest young master, you are fated to rule, providence made you king. Can it be that your elders never told you when you were a child not to take candy from a stranger?¡±


    ¡°What? W-what did we take?¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian was stunned for a second and then it all came crashing down, ¡°The pills¡­¡±


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan showed the same smile, ¡°We have a winner. The very same 8th grade pill, Brimming Sacred Pill. I left a little something inside it, you see. So when you entered the Radiant Stage, you had already lost.¡±


    [This can¡¯t be!]


    Huangpu Qingtian and the other three felt a chill crawling up their spines. The pills they got that boosted their power were spiked.


    That meant they were now affected by its poison.


    [But Huangpu Qingtian got them by coincidence when he ripped out Zhuo Fan¡¯s right arm. How could Zhuo Fan give it to us on purpose? Don¡¯t tell me¡­]


    Eyes wide as saucers, they looked upon Zhuo Fan in horror.


    [It was his plan all along? To even rip his own arm¡­]


    Zhuo Fan knew fully well what went on in those little heads of theirs, ¡°Looks like you figured it out. I let Huangpu Qingtian take my right arm on purpose.¡±


    The crowd was in complete shock.


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s eyes shuddered. Zhuo Fan¡¯s scheme ran so deep, so ruthless, that it made even Unwonted Contriver shiver.


    Who¡¯d ever see it coming? He gave up an arm to have Huangpu Qingtian at his mercy.


    The people looking at the one-armed and frail Zhuo Fan had long lost their sympathy. Even his pale face was warped into that of a demon in the minds of his enemies.


    This clueless herd of sheep actually dared to surround the wolf!


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, shocking, ain¡¯t it? I knew that I wouldn¡¯t be a match for you so I cooked up a little something and had you all invited for dinner. Victory got to your head and pride lowered your guard. You thought I was breathing my last, that all danger had lifted. Then you took those tampered pills in your greatest moment of weakness!¡±


    Zhuo Fan ginned maliciously.


    Back then, he knew Chu Qingcheng and the others were trapped as he rushed to the water exit. On his way he noticed a cold pond, reminding him of his old plan since god knew when to use Bloodworms on his enemies.


    So he took advantage of the time Huangpu Qingtian believed his mind was in chaos after falling for their ploy and prepared his own scheme.


    Seeing Ning¡¯er dead truly made him go berserk, going after Huangpu Qingtian for revenge. Killing him himself would have been better, but if he did lose, he had this trick in mind ready to turn it all around, just in case.


    Like he said, he accepted all of Leng Wuchang¡¯s machinations, but not without leaving Huangpu Qingtian with a gift of his own.


    Something Leng Wuchang would never consider.


    Seeing how everyone was up to their neck deep in his ploy and couldn¡¯t make sense of anything, Leng Wuchang always assumed they couldn¡¯t spare anything in plotting back. But Zhuo Fan knew he couldn¡¯t avoid it so he accepted it all with open arms, leaving him with the opening needed to plan his own trickery.


    The one to take the win!


    Huangpu Qingtian stared at this demon incarnate horrified. Leng Wuchang was also trembling.


    He¡¯d been a schemer and a plotter all his life, always achieving his projections. But Zhuo Fan managed to twist it around at the final moment. Then again, when taking into account Zhuo Fan¡¯s weird methods, hardly anyone could make feasible projections.


    But nevertheless, a loss was a loss. Leng Wuchang had to man up and admit he failed at the most crucial moment.


    All victories leading up to here were for nothing when he botched the final and most crucial battle.


    Zhuge Changfeng taunted, ¡°Sir Leng, it seems to me that you messed with not just any monkey, but Great Sage the Equal of Heaven, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s face twitched as he stewed in his own anger¡­


    Huangpu Qingtian was floored, ¡°Impossible! If we had never found those pills, your plan would¡¯ve gone up in smoke and you¡¯d lose your hand for nothing. Those pills clearly had Fang Qiubai¡¯s¡­ seal¡­¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s stiff face turned to Yan Fu.


    Grinning, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°What about the seal? Ha-ha-ha, true, you wouldn¡¯t have trusted the vials if you found them without the seals. But what if those seals were somehow removed in front of you, or given the impression that they were?¡±


    ¡°Yan Fu¡­¡± Huangpu Qingtian glared in hatred.


    Under the bewildered gazes of everyone, Yan Fu stepped behind Zhuo Fan.


    They just had the shock of their lives. Yan Fu was one of Zhuo Fan¡¯s!


    Luo Yunchang was stunned. Since when did the Luo clan get to him? Hall Lord Yan Bogong¡¯s eyes were ready to pop from their sockets. [He¡¯s on Zhuo Fan¡¯s side? Since when?]


    It was common knowledge that Zhuo Fan killed his master. There was no one out there who hated Zhuo Fan¡¯s guts more than him. So how¡­


    Ignoring the dumbstruck faces, Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°You guessed it, he¡¯s with me. I made sure to give him a sending jade way earlier too. If you hadn¡¯t found the pills on your own, he was there to make sure you¡¯d correct that little mishap. And to make sure to remove any traces of my meddling of course.


    ¡°For you guys, someone insignificant like him would fall under your radar. But he ultimately sided with me and got you to fall for it, thus turning all this around. He takes all the credit for your defeat!¡±


    Zhuo Fan praised Yan Fu, ¡°You were marvelous. I won¡¯t soon forget it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Steward Zhuo!¡± Yan Fu bowed.


    Yan Bogong¡¯s frail heart cracked. How was it that the pride of Pill King Hall, their genius alchemists hailed within their house, all ended up at Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands?


    And that was right under their nose too. He did it so openly, before every clan and house in Tianyu, that he literally bitch slapped Pill King Hall into the ground!


    Long Jiu and Jian Suifeng sighed in admiration.


    They discussed it back in Drifting Flowers City that Zhuo Fan was unequaled when it came to digging up a party¡¯s cornerstones. But seeing it first hand, they had to take their hat off to him. And he did that with his most hateful enemy.


    Not even Unwonted Contriver saw that coming. The spy Zhuo Fan planted, or converted, was none other than the one who hated him the most, Yan Fu.


    Yan Bangui saw red before his eyes, ¡°Yan Fu! You damn treacherous knave, you actually stooped so low to side with the man who killed your master? You are unworthy to be a Pill King Hall disciple, even less so to walk the earth!¡±


    ¡°Humph, ever since my master left, it only got worse for me living in Pill King Hall. I have nothing to return to. Who cares about being some Pill King Hall disciple? Also¡­¡±


    Squinting, Yan Fu¡¯s hate filled eyes showed a hint of warmth, unaware he clutched at his chest. There laid hidden a green jade slip¡­

 Chapter 327 - Revenge Game

    It was the same jade Zhuo Fan gave him when the man answered Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s challenge. It had a simple sentence, one that touched his heart.


    It was something his master had Zhuo Fan give to him, ¡°If you find your life in Pill King Hall difficult, come with Steward Zhuo to find me!¡±


    He was certain from the soul trace on the jade slip that it was without a doubt his master¡¯s. The familiar feeling was so strong, he barely held back his tears.


    His master lived in the Luo clan. And by the sound of it, quite well.


    He recalled what Zhuo Fan told him at the time, that he¡¯d take him to see his master in hell. It was a clear proof of acceptance.


    From that instant, this youth who hated Zhuo Fan¡¯s guts switched sides at the drop of the hat. He became Zhuo Fan¡¯s spy, feeding him information in secret.


    Yan Fu¡¯s eyes snapped to his clansman and he shouted, ¡°Yan Bangui, listen up. From this very moment, I and Pill King Hall are through. I belong to the Luo clan. A failure like you has no right to judge me.¡±


    Yan Bangui was a keg set to blow, evident from his red face. His chest heaved yet he couldn¡¯t find a word of reply.


    [This son of a bitch finds himself some backing and thinks he can defy me? No matter how big a nerve he had earlier, he still wouldn¡¯t curse back.] But now¡­


    Zhuo Fan was laughing it up at their expense. He praised Yan Fu, ¡°Well said. This is the kind of mettle all youths of the Luo clan should have. These four may be in Six Dragons and One Phoenix, but to me, they aren¡¯t worth a goddamned thing!¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words were lofty and powerful, looking down on all creation.


    Yan Fu was excited. Chest forward, head bobbing, the pride on his face unmistakable. He took on the same attitude he had when traveling with Vicious Pill King.


    Inside he sighed. [Following Zhuo Fan is truly out of this world, freedom and bliss.] All the hatred and bitterness festering in his heart during these years magically went away. [No wonder my master got up and dumped Pill King Hall.]


    His attitude sent a shiver down their spine.


    Scour the world and one would find the Luo clan¡¯s Zhuo Fan the only one to ever look at the seven houses with such loathing. [By the looks of it, this clan was growing in power, its future only bright.]


    People began seeing the Luo clan in a different light.


    But the Luo clan¡¯s people had no time to mind other¡¯s opinion of them, looking at the National Elemental Stone in worry.


    Zhuo Fan was dominating the show, but seeing how wounded he was¡­


    Luo Yunchang couldn¡¯t fight back the pain in her heart seeing the bloody one-armed Zhuo Fan.


    Outsiders got the wrong idea seeing the Luo clan so worried. They thought worry came from Zhuo Fan possibly letting emotions override his judgment and that he might do something he would regret.


    In every Esoteric Debate that had been held in the past thousand years, many people died while the seven houses held each other in professional courtesy, thus coming out unharmed each time.


    This time was no exception. They were split into factions, with heavy casualties on both sides, yet even in the most disastrous Esoteric Debate in history all those that died were vassals.


    None from the seven houses fell, not one from Six Dragons and One Phoenix. This seemed to be the houses¡¯ bottom line.


    However, if Zhuo Fan were to get impulsive and kill these four, it would mark the start of the house war. This will make the Luo clan fodder in this war. And nobody from the Luo clan wanted to see that happen.


    But they were clearly overthinking things.


    They were blissfully unaware that the Luo clan was loyal to Zhuo Fan to a fault, even if fewer in numbers. They would accept any decision Zhuo Fan made, even bringing doom to the Luo clan.


    Of course, with Zhuo Fan¡¯s cunning mind there was no way he¡¯d let that happen. So Luo clan¡¯s people held unshakable trust in Zhuo Fan¡¯s every action.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s decision was Luo clan¡¯s decision¡­


    ¡°What are you gawking at? He¡¯s on his deathbed. Attack together and he will die!¡± Huangpu Qingtian shouted at the rest. The four of them took the Brimming Sacred Pill and couldn¡¯t control themselves, but their vassals hadn¡¯t and could still pose a threat to Zhuo Fan.


    It was the perfect moment to strike, at his most vulnerable. Once he got better, all would be done for.


    You Yushan noticed this as well and shouted along with his allies.


    They didn¡¯t get to move as the dozen Bone Tempering cultivators¡¯ eyes went blank and they collapsed.


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°I may be wounded, but did you forget? My soul is in the Radiant Stage.¡±


    The four gasped.


    They should¡¯ve known that a sleeping tiger was still a tiger. Since when could ants take the Soaring Demonic Dragon¡¯s life?


    The four were wrecked with despair.


    Huangpu Qingtian threatened, ¡°Zhuo Fan, think this through. Killing us will start a war with our houses and the vassal clans. Are you willing to take that chance? Not even the emperor can save you then!¡±


    ¡°War?¡±


    Yan Fu knew the Luo clan was under the imperial family and Dugu Zhantian¡¯s protection, and since he had yet to be filled in to the Luo clan¡¯s true power, he began to worry.


    [Did I enter the Luo clan only to die?]


    Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°Quite true. Killing you will start a war. How scary! But I am never one to write off a revenge. What to do, what to do? ¡°


    Zhuo Fan put on a hypocritical thinking posture. Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s group was even more unnerved by his attitude. They hoped the punk would look at the big picture and get scared of what he saw, sparing them in the meantime.


    It went double for Huangpu Qingtian. Providence had him king and all that. His life was invaluable. How could he just die?


    ¡°I have it!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snapped his fingers, earning a jerk from his victims, ¡°Since I have to get revenge but you are nonetheless valuable and oughtn¡¯t be killed, I can only let heaven decide your fate.¡±


    The four were shocked. But Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand made a sign and the four could move. Though none of them could use their Yuan Qi.


    Their cultivation was sealed.


    Pff!


    Huangpu Qingtian groaned as a thumb-sized hole appeared on his chest. The pain almost made him black out as he looked down.


    He was unbeatable all his life, never even suffering a heavy wound. But this sudden hole exploding from within was heartrending.


    Bam~


    Three more groans and his allies shared his pain.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, w-what are you going to do?¡± Huangpu Qingtian gnashed his teeth, ¡°If you plan on killing us, stop playing and release us from this torment!¡±


    ¡°Release you? Ha-ha-ha, did you release Ning¡¯er?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s smile was that of anger, ¡°Relax, I said that your fate is in heaven¡¯s hand and will give you guys a chance. I am a man of my word.


    ¡°The holes in your chest represent your number.¡± He gestured at the four.


    The four found Huangpu Qingtian having one hole so he ought to be one. You Yushan had two, Yan Bangui had three and Lin Xuanfeng had four.


    They looked at each other bewildered.


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°We will play a game, the great escape! I will give you guys three days to find the keys and leave this place. Getting back to Dragon Cloud City, your lives will be spared. But if I find you before you leave, he-he-he, terribly sorry but that¡¯s providence. Now you can¡¯t blame me for being shortsighted and not giving you a way out.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand flashed and the keys to three exits appeared. He tossed them into the sky and they were soon spread all over Beast King Mountain.


    ¡°Yan Fu, make a sealed box for me holding four lots. Three days later I will be drawing one, my target. As for the rest of you lucky fellows, you¡¯d be spared, for a while. Since I am a bastion of fairness, I will release a signal before my hunt. Your lives are now in heaven¡¯s hands.¡±


    With a wicked grin, Zhuo Fan waved them off, ¡°Come on, off you go. But remember, you better hope I don¡¯t find you~.¡±


    The four exchanged a glance and bolted in four directions.


    They knew Zhuo Fan was playing with them but they had no choice in the matter. All they could do was fight¡­


    Yan Fu gasped and turned to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Uh, Steward Zhuo, are you killing them or letting them go? Why go through all this trouble just to kill them? And if you wanted to let them go¡­¡±


    ¡°Humph, how could I ever let them off.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes glinted and his mood became deadly, ¡°Yan Fu, do you fear death?¡±


    ¡°Uh, yes!¡± Yan Fu nodded after a pause.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°No, you do not fear death, but dying. Ning¡¯er was a pure hearted girl. Although she had a smile upon her face at death, I know it was for our sakes. She knew she was going to die and must¡¯ve felt a terrible dread. This fear tortured her for three days!¡±


    Zhuo Fan clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot as he spat, ¡°So I will make those sons of bitches know the true meaning of fear every waking moment until they¡¯d wish for death.¡±


    Yan Fu shuddered and nodded.


    Zhuo Fan never cared about some big picture, nor intended to let them off. He wanted them to suffer more than Xue Ningxiang did.


    Yan Fu now understood why he did it and went into the forest to carve a box out of a tree. Zhuo Fan stayed behind, closed his eyes and resumed healing.


    Time passed on and the third day was soon up. At the dawn of the fourth, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed open, out for blood.


    By his side, Yan Fu presented the box obscuring its content. This was the item that would decide the four¡¯s fate.


    The hunt was on¡­

 Chapter 328 - Go On Run, One

    ¡°Which one, which one~? I wonder who¡¯s the lucky bastard that gets to go first. The suspense is killing me.¡±


    Sneering, Zhuo Fan snapped his fingers and a wood piece floated out of the box.


    A tiny character was etched on it.


    Four!


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s four.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s face split into a wide and very malicious grin. Then he asked, ¡°Remind me again, who was number four?¡±


    Yan Fu spoke with reverence, ¡°Steward Zhuo, number four is Forest Fleeting Dragon, Lin Xuanfeng.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s that gimp dragon. What rotten luck! Among Six Dragons and One Phoenix, I seem to recall having already taken my ire on him twice so far. Now providence has spoken and has placed him first in my path. Ha-ha-ha, I can¡¯t help but wonder, has his crimes earned him such ill-fate or is he just so down on his luck, so cursed, to suffer hell first?¡±


    Laughing, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Whatever, in his case, he truly must be ill-fated, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan pointed at the sky.


    A flare shot up and exploded into four fireworks bathing the Beast King Mountain in red.


    The frantic Huangpu Qingtian, scurrying in the forest, looked up at the sound, ¡°Four fireworks means number four. Lin Xuanfeng is such an unlucky dog.¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian shook his head, rejoicing inside.


    Zhuo Fan was really playing by the rules and wasn¡¯t targeting him specifically. Or more likely than not, he¡¯d be after him the first chance he got.


    With Lin Xuanfeng playing the first victim, it bought him precious time to find the keys.


    Tightening the red crystal in his hand, Huangpu Qingtian took a deep breath and sped up in the search for its pair.


    He needed yin and yang keys to be home free.


    He had to work even faster now. Who knew how fast Lin Xuanfeng would fall and who¡¯d be the next poor schmuck to follow?


    On the off chance it was him, that would mean death!


    Although he breathed easier for a moment, the anxiety only mounted¡­


    Yan Bangui and You Yushan noticed the flare with their nerves stretched taut. This meant Zhuo Fan¡¯s death game had started.


    But they relaxed soon after, seeing Zhuo Fan going after Lin Xuanfeng. Their safety was assured, for now.


    Though they also knew that once Lin Xuanfeng fell, Zhuo Fan would go after them. And with their cultivation sealed up, Zhuo Fan would pick them like ants.


    And so, their speed mounted, as did their will to live¡­


    The pressure had grown on the three who lucked out but the last one was showing quite a different reaction.


    ¡°Hell yeah! I got the wood exit keys. My luck is off the hook!¡±


    In a particularly glum and dark corner of the forest, Lin Xuanfeng clenched the two green crystals and danced in joy.


    Even with a number of close to thirty thousand people wandering Beast King Mountain¡¯s forest for a month now, the wood exit keys were never found. And here he was catching a lucky break.


    [This luck is godlike!]


    All he had to do was get to the wood exit and he¡¯d be back in the safety of Dragon Cloud City.


    This would make his survival, by Zhuo Fan¡¯s game rules, providence. Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t touch him.


    Zhuo Fan may be a very sore loser, but every elder in Dragon Cloud City, along with Dugu Zhantian and Fang Qiubai keeping the peace, would make sure to prevent any foul play.


    He would be safe!


    Filling his lungs with air, Lin Xuanfeng felt the urge to bow before the mighty power of heaven, to offer his gratitude for actually caring, for once, about his fate. All previous resentments were wiped clean as his luck had finally turned.


    He was looking at the dawning sky with a smile on his face when a sudden flare exploded into four fireworks. The crimson sky reflected perfectly on his equally red face.


    ¡°The heavens are giving me their blessing, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng was still trapped in his fantasy, giggling away. But then his smile froze.


    [How can old heaven get up and burst for no rhyme or reason? That¡¯s man-made.] With the four having their cultivation sealed, it only left Zhuo Fan.


    [Is that the signal starting his death game?]


    [The sky had four fireworks. Doesn¡¯t that paint a target on #4¡­]


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s face twitched, looking rigidly at his chest and the holes in it. There they were, in all their bloody glory, four holes bored into him precisely three days ago.


    [F*ck, I¡¯m that #4!]


    The corners of Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s mouth sank and tears threatened to burst out of his eyes.


    He had a good thing going here, this close to renewing his lease on life. But providence had a different plan in mind, sending Zhuo Fan on a man hunt for the first target, him.


    He plunged from the glorious halls of paradise, into the infernal abyss.


    [My luck has turned, worse than ever!]


    [Old heaven, could you please not tease me?]


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s heart shuddered, his eyes hot from tears, feeling victimized. Not forgetting the fact that he wasn¡¯t even included in the plan to kill the lass. That was all Yan Bangui and You Yushan¡¯s doing, prodded by Huangpu Qingtian from behind.


    [He should be going after those three for revenge!]


    [Why! Why is it that the first one that monster is hunting is me? It¡¯s so unfair!]


    Lin Xuanfeng wailed, asking the heavens with his pitiful eyes, [What do I do now?] At this very moment, he felt like the most miserable and wretched man in this whole wide world.


    Nevermind the leg Zhuo Fan snapped off of him, or the hand Zhuo Fan disintegrated. Zhuo Fan was now hot on his heels for revenge. Yet he, the only one innocent in this whole matter, was the first target.


    Just what magnitude of bad luck was this?


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s eyes opened the floodgates.


    However, he didn¡¯t have time to wallow in self-pity. With two keys in hand, all he had to do was get to the wood exit and he¡¯d be the winner.


    Lin Xuanfeng broke into a mad dash, short of one leg, granted, but not slower than in his prime.


    His title, Forest Fleeting Dragon, was granted for his amazing speed after all.


    But with a flash of golden light, there came Zhuo Fan popping not a hundred yards from the man, ¡°Lin Xuanfeng, you saw the flare I assume. Indeed, you¡¯re my first victim. Be good and stand still, would you.¡±


    [Isn¡¯t it too soon? How did he find me so fast?]


    Lin Xuanfeng whipped his head back and sure enough, Zhuo Fan had a positively killing smile, ¡°Bro, can¡¯t you cut me some slack? Huangpu Qingtian planned on killing the girl. And the other two executed it. I was in the dark when it happened. If you want revenge, go take it out on them. I¡¯m innocent here!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng hopped away in panic, a sniveling mess, as he begged. But the dread only grew and the despair deepened.


    Smiling, Zhuo Fan looked down on the man but never got closer. He always stayed within a hundred meters, ¡°You¡¯re right. Among the four, you can be called innocent. But how is it my fault your number came up? I made this game and will respect its rules. You only have old heaven to blame for your hapless fate, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Face sinking deeper in sorrow, Lin Xuanfeng gave his all in hopping forward, but could never shake Zhuo Fan off.


    [Since it¡¯s fate, I can only resign to it. Why must I suffer so?] The hunter could collect on his life any time he wanted, but wasn¡¯t doing it for his own amusement.


    Since death was certain, a quick one was preferred.


    Lin Xuanfeng sighed and slowed down.


    Zhuo Fan knew what he was thinking from a hundred meters away, ¡°But you are also right in being innocent. Here¡¯s a thought. I see you have the wood exit keys so I will make an exception. If you can reach the wood exit and Dragon Cloud City within a day, you win and I will consider the matter settled.¡±


    ¡°Truly?¡±


    The resigned Lin Xuanfeng found a glimmer of hope and his speed shot up again. Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold tone came from a hundred meters away again, ¡°I¡¯ll be right here, behind you. If your time is up and you¡¯re still here, I¡¯ll make my move.¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng bobbed his head, ¡°You said it, so you better not go back on your word!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I am playing the game by the books and with no regrets.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes glinted.


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s heart burst with joy and he put more power in his leg. At some point, sweat poured down him like rain and his leg seared with pain.


    After hopping for half a day, he found that he still had a lot of ground left to cover. He ignored the pain and pushed through at full speed.


    Zhuo Fan was always behind him, coldly staring and sharpening his bloodthirst.


    [Humph, Forest Fleeting Dragon, did you really think I¡¯ll let you live? I only chose the best way to kill you. Not a single person related to Ning¡¯er¡¯s death will be spared!]


    Zhuo Fan scoffed internally¡­

 Chapter 329 - The Best Way To Die

    ¡°Lin Xuanfeng, half a day has passed!¡± The owner of the cold eyes stalking the beaten up prey spoke.


    Panting, Lin Xuanfeng was soaked but wasn¡¯t slowing down even for a second. He only took deep breaths and gained more speed, not stopping for his life.


    ¡°In ten hours I¡¯m making a move.¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng, with his sealed cultivation, had been at it for 14 hours. His speed had been at its peak all this time and his leg shuddered with every hop. The run had been so intense, the sole of his shoe had worn off.


    He¡¯d been hopping about barefoot through thorns and bushes and was now leaving a blood trail.


    He wished nothing more than to take a breather after such a long and intense fleeing.


    But Zhuo Fan¡¯s constant cold reminder from behind came as a rude awakening. Stopping meant dying, his corpse forever pushing up daisies in the middle of the forest.


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s sole option was to bear through the pain and run.


    ¡°Eight hours left!¡±


    The countdown on his life aroused Lin Xuanfeng from his rambling run and swaying vision, ¡°That¡¯s too soon!¡±


    A glance at the sky would give light into this matter.


    Unless of course a certain face was blocking it, scaring the living daylight out of him.


    ¡°You still have time to stargaze? The clock is ticking. Better hurry up or your head will fall!¡± Zhuo Fan grinned.


    Lin Xuanfeng gasped and forgot about the sky as he sprung forth like mad.


    Zhuo Fan snickered and resumed following from behind. Like a reaper, his voice descended upon the wretched.


    ¡°Six hours left!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s eyes were bloodshot in his mad sprint.


    ¡°Four hours left!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng ran with his life on the line. Faster than even before he got his cultivation sealed!


    ¡°Only¡­ two hours¡­¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s face twisted in a grim smile.


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s face fell. He was soaked in sweat, his face red as blood, but his heart was wrecked from this torment. He closed his eyes and ran head first¡­


    Passing one more bush just like the thousands before it, Lin Xuanfeng saw a green crystal, four meters tall. The wood exit.


    The audience knew Zhuo Fan and the four were playing a deadly game of chase. It looked like he was torturing them. Many believed he pulled a game on them as an excuse to come out of this pickle with his face unmarred.


    Zhuo Fan was the top dog for thousands of miles around and yet still refrained from setting himself against four houses by looking for a reason to let the four go.


    But when Lin Xuanfeng came out from the forest, they were shocked.


    Lin Xuanfeng looked nothing like the proud Forest Fleeting Dragon of before. Passing through pointy vegetation barefoot had made pinpoint incisions each time and now his sole of the foot was stripped of flesh.


    As he crossed the last bush, everyone heard a resounding crack. His knee snapped from the sheer speed, in an open fracture.


    Anyone moving at such blazing speed would know what that meant. But Zhuo Fan¡¯s constant reminder had him scared to death. His mind had been reduced to thinking only about survival and he was unaware what running for his life at such insane speed would do.


    Not even when his last leg broke and his bloody face crunched into the ground did Lin Xuanfeng care. His eyes showed only madness. Watching the wood exit ahead, he cackled. ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯ve finally arrived. I can survive!¡±


    With red eyes and without legs, Lin Xuanfeng crawled his way forward as his lips cracked into a smile. Euphoria descended upon his mind.


    He was going to live!


    This was the chance Zhuo Fan gave him, the chance to survive. Of the four he was the only one innocent, so Zhuo Fan gave him a way out, as long as he could grasp it.


    Lin Xuanfeng elbowed his way faster towards his hope.


    The audience was speechless. Why was he looking so wretched and yet found the time to smile?


    He looked mangled, battered and wretched. Yet had such a crazed look of happiness. [What is going on?]


    Nobody would know that Zhuo Fan had turned Lin Xuanfeng like this, that he had etched a demon in his heart¡­


    ¡°I won! I¡¯m going to live!¡±


    Lin Xuanfeng panted as he crawled before the wood exit. With shaking hands, he placed the keys from his ring into the groves with exultation.


    The audience nodded. The guy looked to be coming out of a torture chamber but he was going home now.


    As the last key approached the slot, a lazy leg stepped on his hand and he dropped the crystal.


    Lin Xuanfeng looked in shock to see Zhuo Fan¡¯s manic grin.


    The audience watched the two with hearts in their throat. Was Zhuo Fan such a demon to kill him right at the very end?


    Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s face didn¡¯t seem to say so. He wasn¡¯t shocked, having known this was coming every two hours.


    ¡°W-why?¡± Blinking his bleary eyes, Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s hoarse voice came out oozing his desperation, ¡°I¡¯m here, I won¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, peering down on him, ¡°Unfortunately, time is up. If only you were a fraction faster you¡¯d have made it. A shame¡­¡±


    Sss~


    Lin Xuanfeng gasped and his face shuddered, changing from fear to sorrow, to denial, and despair. His eyes shrank and his head slumped. The agony in those eyes was so vivid, anyone could see how hopeless, how¡­ dead they were.


    The people were appalled.


    A person suddenly appeared, Yan Fu.


    Yan Fu asked Zhuo Fan, unclear what happened, ¡°Steward Zhuo¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan merely gestured at the bloody man. Yan Fu kneeled and felt his neck, ¡°Steward Zhuo, he¡¯s dead!¡±


    The people were frightened. Why would a perfectly fine man get up and die? Did they miss Zhuo Fan doing something?


    Yan Fu asked, ¡°He has no mortal wound. Steward Zhuo, how did you do it?¡±


    ¡°Through fear, exhaustion and despair.¡± Zhuo Fan smiled coldly.


    Yan Fu was even more puzzled.


    [Is this a joke? Since when can a Radiant Stage expert die from fear, exhaustion and anguish?]


    Zhuo Fan said, ¡°I sealed his cultivation so he could only draw speed from his body. When I came upon him, we were a ways away from here. Running all the way here would take three days at the minimum. But I told him he had one day to escape or I¡¯ll kill him. He gave his all and more in running here with me behind him reminding of the time.


    ¡°Fear had gnawed at his body, making waste more stamina without even realizing it. When he finally did arrive, hope blossomed. After three long days of fear, he saw a ray of hope. His state of mind was already shaken when I came and told him the time was up. Then all that hope turned into anguish. Joy into grief, shock into fear. It all happened so fast that  these emotions attacked his mind and took his life.


    ¡°That is why I said he was scared to death, but also exhausted to death. Even more so, died from anguish.¡± Zhuo Fan smiled.


    Yan Fu¡¯s heart thumped.


    He knew Zhuo Fan was vicious, but not that monstrous. He toyed with a man¡¯s dignity until the man fell to his death.


    Gulping, Yan Fu probed, ¡°Steward Zhuo, did he reach here in one day?¡±


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°The kid had quite the potential. He lived up to his title and was quite fast in getting here with two hours to spare too. But as I was always behind like a reaper, I scared him and stopped him from checking the time until he even forgot about the real time. So when I said he lost, he lost it. Then despair and fear claimed him, ha-ha-ha¡­


    ¡°The grand Forest Fleeting Dragon truly was the fastest. So fast that he ended up breaking his only leg and died from exhaustion. Wasn¡¯t it the best way to die? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan cackled.


    Yan Fu and the audience were sweating bullets and a shiver went down their spines.


    [Demon¡­]

 Chapter 330 - Next Up

    ¡°Bring out the box. Let¡¯s see who¡¯s the next lucky bastard.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s condescending smile turned manic, ¡°The suspense is killing me. I have to get back in the game, hi-hi-hi¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s demonic side was there for all to see, sending shivers and horrors to the fainthearted.


    People thought Zhuo Fan was using an excuse to let them go, for the bigger picture and what not. But they all knew they had grossly overestimated him. Zhuo Fan wanted nothing more than to play a savage game and toy them to death in the process.


    The hatred boiling in Zhuo Fan had driven him mad for a long time now. His ¡®unorthodox¡¯ method at exacting revenge had few appalled, and the rest horrified.


    Only those three knew of Lin Xuanfeng¡¯s true anguish and pain. The rest would be fortunate to seek out suicide than wait for Zhuo Fan to find them.


    Shaking their heads, people sighed. Messing with the seven houses? Fine. Stomping on Regent Estate¡¯s toes? Not bad either. But may god have mercy on any who was ignorant enough to incite the wrath of Demon Archon Zhuo Fan. The end wouldn¡¯t be pretty, that was for sure¡­


    Yan Fu presented the object of interest and Zhuo Fan smiled. He plunged his hand inside and soon came out with the lucky runner up.


    Zhuo Fan looked at the number and smirked, ¡°Humph, enemies meet on a narrow road. So I¡¯ll be hunting down this lackey next.¡±


    Zhuo Fan flipped the wooden piece over toward the wood exit for all to see.


    Two.


    None other than Xue Ningxiang¡¯s killer, You Yushan!


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed and he pointed above.


    Whoosh!


    A flare rose above the clouds, exploding in a brilliant double firework.


    Huangpu Qingtian and Yan Bangui checked nervously, then looked at the holes on their chest, and finally relaxed.


    [Thank god it¡¯s not me!]


    Though they knew this safety was ephemeral.


    With how soon Zhuo Fan let out the second flare, it went without saying that Lin Xuanfeng had bit the dust. With You Yushan as the second victim, who was to know how long he¡¯d last before death would loom over them?


    With nerves stretched tighter than a violin, the wait was mounting the ever present fear. They could literally feel Zhuo Fan¡¯s demon claw squeezing down on their throat.


    Like Zhuo Fan said, death wasn¡¯t terrifying. But dying¡­ was agony.


    Palpable fear was their longtime companion now, Huangpu Qingtian in particular. The guy had been invincible one too many times in his life and had never experienced this side of a battle, almost having a nervous breakdown.


    He had reached such a state that any loud noise was treated as Zhuo Fan sending a signal, doing nothing but pushing him further into the depths of despair.


    Right now, he was angry. Providence had made him king, so how could he be such a coward? He had completely ignored the precarious and erratic state his mind was currently in.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s death game had him running scared, crushing any royal demeanor he ever had¡­


    In another corner of the forest, You Yushan finally had the keys to the metal exit. His cheering was quite premature and disconcerting, at least when the flare exploded in the sky and fear replaced any trace of joy.


    Looking down at his own chest, two holes were there for all to see. Demon Zhuo Fan was on the hunt for him.


    You Yushan¡¯s face fell, his fate suddenly turning on him. It was so appalling that his mind exploded in quite the colorful curses.


    [That damn rotten Lin Xuanfeng! Wasn¡¯t he praised for speed? Why did he let himself get caught so fast? Did he give up? Couldn¡¯t you hang on for at least a few days longer and let your brothers reach safety?]


    [Humph, a gimp is a gimp, alive or dead. Not a single damn use!]


    You Yushan cursed at the dead, but the top priority was still getting out of here and out of Zhuo Fan¡¯s range.


    As luck would have it, he was a short way off the metal exit. He only had to reach it and he¡¯d wallow in safety.


    You Yushan set into a sprint, thinking he still had some time before Zhuo Fan got to him.


    You Yushan dashed like a maniac and the fact that Zhuo Fan hadn¡¯t shown himself yet, eased some of his tense muscles.


    His guess had been spot on. Zhuo Fan would need time to get to him.


    But as we all know, appearances can be deceiving. The golden exit shined its glow before him, like the goddess of victory opening her arms to welcome him. But then his eyes shrank and his body froze in place.


    What awaited him were two very familiar figures.


    Yan Fu, the snitch, and Zhuo Fan, the demon.


    The viewers sighed. [Oh, you poor poor schmuck, these two have been waiting for you for ages and you just had to walk right into their trap.]


    Zhuo Fan looked at the sky and then at the dumbstruck You Yushan, ¡°You came. I¡¯ve been waiting here for an hour now!¡±


    [What are you doing here? How did you know I was coming here? And more importantly, did you come here to stop me?]


    You Yushan¡¯s mind was going a mile a minute, not knowing what to do.


    He just couldn¡¯t tell if Zhuo Fan was now a master diviner or not. How did he get here so fast moments after dealing with Lin Xuanfeng?


    As if a mind reader, Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold smile came in response to his thoughts, ¡°You Yushan, you are Ning¡¯er¡¯s executioner. Now then, what¡¯s the best way to go about killing you?¡±


    Gulping, You Yushan watched Zhuo Fan inch closer towards him. His legs were shaking like noodles and he soon collapsed in fear. He started bawling on his knees for mercy, ¡°Brother, let me go! I am a mere underling. Leng Wuchang is the one who planned to kill her. Huangpu Qingtian was the director and I was merely following orders. Take your revenge on them, I was just a lackey, mere nobody. Please let me go!¡±


    ¡°Tch, what Six Dragons and One Phoenix? Aren¡¯t they all sniveling cowards when death looms?¡± Yan Fu was milking his dread for all he was worth.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s follower felt no little satisfaction seeing the grand Six Dragons and One Phoenix treated with such derision.


    On the viewers¡¯ side, everyone sported disgust at You Yushan¡¯s character.


    Valley Lord You Wanshan¡¯s face was dark and broody. You Yushan was a dragon, which in turn represented the image of Hell Valley.


    Even with his cultivation sealed, meeting Zhuo Fan would merely end up in death. But instead he opted for the coward¡¯s way out, bawling on his knees for his miserable life, while also shaming Hell Valley completely.


    The seven houses of Tianyu were seen as lofty existences, revered and feared. But now, that respect is long gone.


    Even the great disciples of their houses were merely men in the end. [They fear the strong and death just like the next bloke. Even our clans have a few intrepid characters among us.]


    [In this aspect at least, we are stronger than the houses¡­]


    The seven houses were seen as gods in the Tianyu Empire. But taking them down from their cozy throne would make all the reverence vanish.


    Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian nodded with a smile.


    The way they saw it, Zhuo Fan was practically issuing a death sentence to the houses. At the very least, the vassals the seven houses enjoyed seeing fighting over their attention, would thin out.


    It was just another blow at their name, what the emperor only dreamt of achieving. Who¡¯d have thought it would come to fruition at the hands of Zhuo Fan? The seven houses¡¯ image was almost ruined.


    [The emperor would laugh for days if he knew.]


    Long Xingyun and Xie Tianshang sighed at their fortune.


    The fortune of sticking with Zhuo Fan. Otherwise, they would¡¯ve been standing in You Yushan¡¯s place by now. Losing their life was nothing compared to losing their house¡¯s image.


    Zhuo Fan was a Demon Archon, an incontestable existence. It was far better to join him than suffer his wrath.


    Long Xingyun looked at Long Yifey in respect.


    [The old man knows his stuff to see the diamond in the rough. His mind is even sharper to stay close as well.]


    Long Yifey noticed his son¡¯s eyes and held his head high. [Xingyun, see that? That¡¯s how a house lord should be, to have an eye for talent¡­]


    Zhuo Fan smirked at the hapless and disgusting thing, ¡°Did they also tell you to rob Ning¡¯er¡¯s essence?¡±


    ¡°Uhm¡­¡± You Yushan was sweating bullets, not missing a beat in his begging and bowing, ¡°They wanted to see her suffer and all I could do was follow orders. You¡­ uh, here, take the girl¡¯s essence. Please have it and let me go.¡±


    You Yushan took a censer from his ring and presented it.


    Zhuo Fan received it and looked at the pure essence within. Feeling the familiar aura, Zhuo Fan¡¯s hands shook, his heart was in pain and his eyes looked ready to burst, but he pushed the sadness back.


    Even with the essence in his hand, his towering rage blew like a volcano, ¡°You Yushan, since you took it, then you must know how long the body can last before it must be returned!¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ twenty four hours¡­¡± You Yushan trembled, his voice faltering under Zhuo Fan¡¯s rage.


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan barked, ¡°You know it¡¯s useless now, yet you still dare to give it to me? I should smash you to death with it¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan was about to do just that. You Yushan held his head in fear. But as it was Ning¡¯er¡¯s memento, he couldn¡¯t bear to stain her pure essence with this filth.


    Zhuo Fan put the censer away and smiled, ¡°Do you believe taking one¡¯s essence to be the most excruciating pain? Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s because you haven¡¯t seen me do it¡­¡±

 Chapter 331 - Devoured

    ¡°When you¡­ do it¡­¡± You Yushan shuddered in fear.


    Zhuo Fan sported his trademark twisted smile of cruelty. Those words had You Yushan scared to death.


    Rumble!


    You Yushan found himself paralyzed and slumped.


    Zhuo Fan walked up to him and showed an icy gourd, ¡°You Yushan, don¡¯t you find it odd how I¡¯m in control of all your actions? How do I know your precise location? ¡°


    Blinking, You Yushan was filled with doubt but couldn¡¯t even speak. All he could do was watch Zhuo Fan with a chaotic mind.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I don¡¯t mind telling you my little secret. To be quite honest, none of you are poisoned, but have my demonic creature in you as a parasite. These demonic creatures are linked with me. No matter where you go or you wish to go, I¡¯ll know it all.¡±


    Zhuo Fan opened the gourd and a worm wiggled out.


    You Yushan¡¯s heart seized in shock.


    A demonic cultivator had demonic creatures of course, but even he didn¡¯t know of such a devastating demonic creature that could control a Radiant Stage expert.


    At this moment, he realized that they had Zhuo Fan¡¯s parasites within them and even if they did run, they wouldn¡¯t leave Zhuo Fan¡¯s control.


    All of this death game nonsense had been rigged from the start. Zhuo Fan loomed over them like a god and they were his puppets.


    You Yushan groaned in despair.


    Funny how they were filled with hope in finding the keys to get out alive, when everything was set from the beginning. Their fate was sealed.


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°There¡¯s no point in crying over it. You guys still have hope. I won¡¯t be out there looking for my next victim as long as the current one entertains me enough. Make it worth my while, let me forget about everything and the others would have enough time to escape.¡±


    ¡°W-what do you mean by that?¡± You Yushan had a very bad feeling about this.


    Zhuo Fan laughed and said, ¡°Simple really. I¡¯m ready to have some fun with you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan flipped the gourd and Bloodworms spilled out on You Yushan. He was deathly pale but couldn¡¯t move, only panicked, ¡°Zhuo Fan, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, what indeed. Can¡¯t you tell? I¡¯m letting you have a taste of a pain worse than ¡®death by essence extraction¡¯.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes showed his savagery.


    Ah!


    A wail of agony broke the stillness of the forest. Those thousand squirming Bloodworms burrowed into You Yushan¡¯s skin.


    They began feasting on his flesh and blood started pouring from his body.


    His face twisted in pain, veins popping, mouth trembling from wanting to bite his tongue but he was robbed of even that freedom.


    Zhuo Fan watched the convulsing body with eerie calmness, ¡°I¡¯ve fed these thousand Bloodworms my blood essence, but how could my meager blood be enough to quench their hunger? Fighting over a single drop of blood has turned them vicious. But thanks to you showing up, they can finally have their fill, ha-ha-ha¡­


    ¡°And that¡¯s not even half of it. They have tiny jaws but are quite pointy, with a passion for a man¡¯s mind. Over the next few days, you ought to feel it, the pain. It¡¯s likely a hundred times worse than having your essence drawn! The good news is, they are quite the slow eaters and like to keep the taste fresh, you see. So as they work their way deeper, they make sure to keep you from bleeding out. You won¡¯t die anytime soon, let me tell you, just enough for you to enjoy the sweet and blissful pain, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah~, just kill me!¡± You Yushan gnashed his teeth, roaring like a beast.


    Zhuo Fan only mocked him, ¡°That¡¯s not very nice. All the pain you¡¯re feeling will help buy your eldest young master time. Isn¡¯t he your master? Weren¡¯t you obeying his orders? What can a meager sacrifice compare to that?¡±


    ¡°F*ck him and kill me already! Then go and kill him too. Why should I suffer for him?¡± You Yushan¡¯s eyes were popping out of his skull.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes glinted coldly, ¡°Since you don¡¯t consider him your master, why did you listen to his order and let Ning¡¯er suffer? Humph, wake up and smell the roses. A man should own up to his mistakes and bear through the consequences.¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled and sat down to the side to heal. The wails of agony music to his ears.


    Yan Fu shuddered, his back cold as ice. Glancing at the howling figure, then at the calm Zhuo Fan, his awe only grew.


    [Steward Zhuo¡¯s revenge isn¡¯t to be taken lightly. Not even the insufferable brats from the seven houses have such capacity for cruelty.]


    This was a good opportunity to see the vicious side of Soaring Demonic Dragon.


    The viewers listened to the screams with fear in their hearts. Xue clan¡¯s three generations knew Zhuo Fan was doing it for Ning¡¯er, but even they found the cruelty a touch inhumane.


    They found the murderer of their dear Ning¡¯er a sorry sight, having offended Zhuo Fan. They actually felt pity for him.


    If the victims themselves would think so of their tormentor, it went without saying about the rest.


    In the minds of everyone out there, a single thought ruled, [Never ever mess with this Demon Archon!]


    Even as time trickled by, You Yushan¡¯s ravings never stopped.


    A day later, You Yushan¡¯s skin was gnawed away by the Bloodworms, his face unrecognizable. He looked like a dried corpse, red all over yet without a drop of blood on him.


    The Bloodworms made sure not to spill their drink, while You Yushan¡¯s screams were relentless.


    On the second day, all of You Yushan¡¯s tendons were devoured. All that was left was a pile of flesh, having nothing to hold him together.


    But You Yushan¡¯s cries kept on coming.


    On the third day, You Yushan¡¯s flesh was next. Even if he wanted to wail now, he couldn¡¯t. Wailing for two days straight had turned him mute.


    Then came the fourth day and the Bloodworms went to work on his bones.


    ¡­


    Finally, on the 9th day, You Yushan was picked almost completely clean. Whether intentional or not, the Bloodworms left behind his vital organs intact. As if to let him see with his own eyes the gory sight that he was, without flesh and bones.


    At this vile and gruesome sight, Yan Fu¡¯s stomach flipped and emptied.


    The viewers were horrified by the torture, turning away to keep their own sanity.


    You Yushan¡¯s eyes glistened, begging Zhuo Fan for death, the only thing he could do. His throat, neck and tongue had long been devoured.


    All that was left of him were a few arteries and organs barely keeping him from flat-lining. Yet it was a pain worse than death.


    Zhuo Fan glanced at the sufferer, looked at his pleading face, and said, ¡°Want to die?¡±


    You Yushan rolled his eyes frantically. With the eyelids gone as well, he was hardly equipped to convey his meaning.


    Zhuo Fan understood him clearly either way.


    Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Let this be a lesson. You can mess with the king of hell, but never with this steward.¡±


    You Yushan¡¯s eyes moved faster, to convey that he understood. The viewers watched in shock.


    Zhuo Fan was speaking more to them than to the dying You Yushan. His meaning was crystal clear.


    [See that? Be nice and don¡¯t side with that rotten Regent Estate against me. So what if you¡¯re from the seven houses? Your death will be as brutal as I feel like it.]


    Everyone came to the same sensible decision then and there, to be cautious. While for Regent Estate¡¯s vassals, their minds began working as well, although from a different angle.


    To never involve themselves with the Luo clan, even in death.


    [Their steward is a god damned inquisitor!]


    Fang Qiubai rejoiced inside. [The brat is awesome. He made one guy take the fall and scared the rest from ever getting anywhere near Regent Estate.]


    Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s face sank. He felt it loud and clear, how Zhuo Fan had trampled on the Regent Estate¡¯s thousand year long prestige.


    How could they proclaim themselves rulers over Tianyu if everyone gave them a wide berth?


    Everyone from the Regent Estate looked at Zhuo Fan with hatred, and helplessness¡­


    Zhuo Fan signaled the Bloodworms to devour the organs. They moved quickly and You Yushan was gone in moments.


    It was obvious that Zhuo Fan was lying out of his ass when he said that Bloodworms were slow eaters. it was only a means to torture You Yushan more.


    But watching himself being eaten quickly, spared of any further torment, You Yushan¡¯s final gaze was that of relief.


    Yan Fu gasped and rushed with the box over, ¡°Steward Zhuo, please.¡±


    ¡°No need.¡±


    Zhuo Fan waved, his eyes savage, ¡°We¡¯ve wasted too much time here and the criminals are about to escape.¡±


    Zhuo Fan released another flare.


    One firework, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s number was up. [Just you wait. You are the one who will never ever leave this place alive¡­]

 Chapter 332 - Dragon Eater

    Bang!


    A blazing light shined above Beast King Mountain just as Huangpu Qingtian got out from a bush. He saw a single firework and panicked.


    [The demon has finally set his sights on me. However¡­]


    With a sly grin, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes glinted and his hand flickered with two red crystals.


    [He-he-he, too little too late!]


    Huangpu Qingtian took a deep breath and rushed forward filled with excitement.


    He had the fire keys and even the fire exit was just around the corner, needing merely two hours to reach it.


    From the distance of the flare, he noticed that Zhuo Fan was far away and would need a long time to catch up with how damaged he was.


    [Even in this great escape, the true winner shall be me, the rightful king!]


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, You Yushan, well done in keeping the demon occupied for so long. I really have to thank you for helping me live!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s tone turned colder, ¡°Although, that¡¯s providence. Sacrificing yourself for me is the highest form of death! I am a true king for old heaven to pave my way, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Cackling, Huangpu Qingtian sped up as the arrogance returned to his face.


    To him, everything and anything that happened was providence.


    Zhuo Fan could¡¯ve easily broken his neck and be done with, but who knew what came over him to turn it all into a death game. Zhuo Fan had already killed two of them, leaving the first and third free to roam the forest for quite a long time.


    This was clearly heaven bestowing its blessings and allowing the rightful king to make a comeback, to rule the world.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s narcissistic tendencies knew no bounds, ¡°Zhuo Fan, I¡¯ll let you have this one. But I am the true king. One day you will die by my hand, humph¡­¡±


    Bloodthirst entered his eyes as he ran faster.


    ¡­


    Whoosh~


    An hour later, Huangpu Qingtian flashed out of the high grass and appeared before the crimson crystal exit, with no one else around.


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s face lit up.


    [I knew the punk wouldn¡¯t make it. It¡¯s my win.]


    The viewers saw him appear as well and were getting nervous.


    Was Zhuo Fan running late, leaving this guy to win?


    Everyone thought of it as a darn shame. Not just Drifting Flowers Edifice and allies, but Regent Estate¡¯s many vassals hung their heads in defeat.


    It had started with Zhuo Fan having the four of their lives at his fingertips. He had insisted on torturing them one at a time only to finally let the main culprit off the hook.


    It wasn¡¯t out of hate for Huangpu Qingtian, but people felt sorry for Zhuo Fan. If the prey slipped away from one¡¯s fingers, it was the worst feeling anyone could have.


    People started to send their hearts to Zhuo Fan. [This must be the magnetism of the strong¡­]


    Leng Wuchang frowned at everyone¡¯s reaction. As things stood, it was only a matter of time before Zhuo Fan would tarnish Regent Estate¡¯s entire reputation.


    The elders from Regent Estate had no clue about this, only rejoicing at seeing their eldest young master almost out of the woods.


    Huangpu Qingtian was after all a renowned genius that not even the Regent Estate could afford to lose.


    ¡°I just need to put the crystals in and I¡¯m done.¡±


    Panting, Huangpu Qingtian reached the exit and stabbed the crystals in the grooves.


    Hum~


    A red pillar shot for the skies in a dazzling light show.


    Huangpu Qingtian stared at the light with a smile, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan, I won! I¡¯m still alive.¡±


    Regent Estate¡¯s elders were excited as well, watching the National Elemental Stone with red eyes. If only the array wasn¡¯t a one way transfer, they¡¯d be in there dragging him here.


    [Eldest young master, don¡¯t show off and hurry already!]


    But a king wasn¡¯t a king without a bit of swag and hot air. Since he got out of hell, he had to first regain his rightful appearance worthy of his position, being unnecessarily pompous.


    Unhurried in the least, especially when one step got him home, Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s cocky look made the Regent Estate elders gnash their teeth.


    Huangpu Qingtian first began with cleaning up his act and straightening his messy hair. He didn¡¯t forget to recover his usual haughty look after the exhaustion he had suffered all these days running, to regain his poised nobility and to return home triumphant.


    Regent Estate elders¡¯ faces twitched. They wished nothing more than to give him a beating.


    [Eldest young master, prancing aside, you¡¯re still in grave danger. Your life is about to run out yet you actually have the time to stroke your ego?]


    [Humph, you¡¯ll only have yourself to blame if you die now.]


    The Regent Estate¡¯s elders sighed, not realizing their complaints turned out to be curses.


    Huangpu Qingtian, having finally recovered a modicum of royal cockyness, strutted towards the fire exit like the true winner of the Esoteric Debate.


    Then, a thunderous boom came with the fall of lightning.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s lifted leg twisted and exploded in a mist of blood. His body had yet to pass the veil and a heart rending pain stabbed his chest as he collapsed.


    Huangpu Qingtian didn¡¯t need to turn around to know who was behind him.


    Startled, Huangpu Qingtian never would¡¯ve guessed Zhuo Fan would reach him so fast when he was already so hurt. Does this mean he was going to die?


    What about that prancing just now? All that showing off and priming himself made him look like a clown.


    Huangpu Qingtian gnashed his teeth and kicked with his remaining leg before he hit the ground, aiming for the exit.


    His life aside, he had to survive and maintain his regal prestige. He could not allow his royal self to be reduced to a laughing stock. He had to become the final winner, the only champion and receive the people¡¯s worship.


    But a flash of thunder and a black figure slamming into his spine, destroyed any hope of reaching the full height of his glory. Instead, he was now a meter into the ground and spitting blood.


    What made it worse was his finger being a millimeter from victory. So close yet so far.


    ¡°Eldest young master!¡±


    The Regent Estate elders cried. Struggling so hard to make one last push yet failing, filled Huangpu Qingtian with desperation.


    Stepping on Huangpu Qingtian, Zhuo Fan grinned and panted, ¡°Huangpu Qingtian, I finally caught up. You almost had me worried there, that I would lose my chance, he-he-he¡­¡±


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, how did you get here so fast¡­¡± Huangpu Qingtian turned a hateful glare at the man on his spine. But didn¡¯t finish as it all made sense.


    Behind Zhuo Fan was Yan Fu jumping off of a purple bird and rushing to Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Do you get it now? I lost my wings, but I still have a Thunder Skylark. With speed as its focus, it was of great help catching up in time.¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian lamented.


    [How could I forget that punk still had a spiritual beast?] It had gotten to his head that with the punk¡¯s meager speed, he had enough time to prance a bit and tend to his regal good looks.


    He would¡¯ve skipped all that waste of time if he knew and avoided this mess by jumping right in.


    But no, he just had to show off his flashy side and die, becoming the butt of Tianyu¡¯s joke!


    Huangpu Qingtian wailed some more, ¡°Zhuo Fan, kill me then! But I am king decreed by heaven and I ask that you let me go with dignity.¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan snorted, ¡°Humph, dignity is it? Sure. I¡¯ll make sure to pick the most dignified death I can think of.¡±


    Zhuo Fan leaned and bit his ear off.


    Ah!


    Huangpu Qingtian raved in pain, ¡°Z-Zhuo Fan, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Me? Humph, didn¡¯t you want the most dignified death? Wish granted. I¡¯ll bury you all in my belly, far more respectful than having dirt peppered all over you in a hole somewhere.¡± Zhuo Fan grinned with bloodthirsty eyes.


    That came as a shock to all who heard him.


    Soaring Demonic Dragon was planning on eating Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord alive?


    Followed by shivers of fear.


    [That is the cruelest death yet¡­]

 Chapter 333 - Royal Transfer

    Huangpu Qingtian was startled at his words and saw Zhuo Fan spit his ear horrified.


    How come he didn¡¯t see Zhuo Fan coming up with such a gruesome death penalty for him?


    [What dignified? I will even lose my rights as a human being!] What made it worse was being stripped of his kingly aura.


    Far more gruesome than Lin Xuanfeng and You Yushan¡¯s deaths, that was for sure¡­


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, y-you¡¯re a demon. You dare eat me?¡± Huangpu Qingtian squinted, appalled.


    Grinning, with Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s blood marring his lips, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes had a manic glint, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s exactly right. I was thinking about the best way to torture you, for you to feel the most pain. I¡¯ve decided this is the perfect end for you.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be the most painful ¨C You Yushan had it a hundred times worse- nor the most humiliating ¨C Lin Xuanfeng has you beat at that ¨C but for the one sentencing Ning¡¯er to death, I chose this for you. And do you know why? Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s the one that brings me the most joy. Devouring you is the only way to ease this raging maelstrom of hatred inside of me.¡±


    Zhuo Fan bit down again, took off a large chunk from Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s scruff, making his victim howl to the sky and tears flow down his cheeks.


    Yan Fu shuddered and took two discreet steps back. The viewers couldn¡¯t look anymore, feeling bile coming into their throats. Their hearts hammered in their chest, threatening to jump out any second.


    Zhuo Fan was right. Eating him alive wasn¡¯t the most painful, nor the most shameful, but it was the most horrible.


    Everyone had fear in their eyes.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s earlier punishments made him look like a demon, but now he was a demon archon.


    Only Chu Qingcheng was without worry, fear or anxiety, just sadness.


    For Zhuo Fan to have such hatred towards Huangpu Qingtian, it showed the pain he was enduring. A pain so great that only through this savage act could he somewhat appease it¡­


    Ah!


    Zhuo Fan grinned. Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes bulged, his veins popped, his regal face twisted horribly.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, I am the rightful king appointed by providence itself. You will receive heavenly punishment for eating me!¡± Huangpu Qingtian roared.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°He-he-he, heavenly punishment? I¡¯ve been going against heaven all this time so what¡¯s there to fear going a bit further? Your so-called providence is a grand delusion you found yourself in. Even if you had heaven¡¯s protection, it wouldn¡¯t change a thing. I¡¯d still come after you even if I had to pierce the nine heavens!¡±


    Zhuo Fan bit down again, his teeth bloody.


    Roar!


    Incited by Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s words, a dragon roar sounded and his bloody body let out a golden light.


    Zhuo Fan was startled. He had the Bloodworm seal Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s cultivation. [So why is he releasing such a strong power?]


    The answer came soon.


    The golden dragon soul shot from Huangpu Qingtian into the sky before coming back down towards Zhuo Fan.


    Dragon soul¡¯s protection!


    Zhuo Fan frowned and sighed. He had totally forgotten about Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s Dragon Vein Soul coming to save him in dire moments.


    Leng Wuchang and Huangpu Tianyuan snickered at this point. Zhuo Fan was so weak that the Dragon Vein Soul would attack his soul and end him.


    Hu~


    A dragon image flashed by and the dragon soul passed through Zhuo Fan. A searing pain struck his head and he spat blood from how damaged his soul was.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan, you got what was coming for you! If you¡¯d just killed me, none of this would¡¯ve happened. But you, a lesser man, had to dare eat this king. Now you will die being devoured by the dragon soul!¡±


    Huangpu Qingtian cackled. Despite being riddled with bite wounds, he still had the time to laugh, ¡°I am the true rightful king of heaven. I am untouchable, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Fang Qiubai was startled.


    In the most intense moment, the Dragon Vein Soul actually came out to defend him. [Is Huangpu Qingtian truly a son of heaven for the dragon soul to protect him so much?]


    Zhuo Fan only grinned. He saw the dragon soul coming for another pass and said, ¡°Humph, a mere earth spirit dares defy this emperor? Die!¡±


    Then an azure flame flickered from his forehead.


    The azure flame expanded into a firebird. It took to the skies and shot for the petrified dragon soul.


    The dragon soul downright panicked, shuddered, then hightailed it.


    A bit too late for that, unfortunately. The azure bird flashed before it and clawed at its body. It held the dragon like a meager worm as it doubled back.


    The dragon soul only whimpered as the bird flew back to Zhuo Fan.


    Now that got a reaction out of the crowd, or more precisely a lack of reaction. People stared at Zhuo Fan blankly. Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s mind blew away as he couldn¡¯t quite find any words to speak.


    [What the hell? That¡¯s a Dragon Vein Soul! How does a blue bird get to dangle it back just like that?]


    ¡°The kid has his own spirit, far stronger than even Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s Dragon Vein Soul!¡± Fang Qiubai shouted.


    The Dragon Vein Soul was a rarity in the world, the symbol of kings. Who thought it possible then that Zhuo Fan would have something far more deadly?


    [Just who is he? He is from a third rate clan so why is he covered with treasures?]


    Zhuge Changfeng stroked his beard, watching Zhuo Fan with blazing eyes.


    Only Regent Estate¡¯s side was in pain. The stronger Zhuo Fan was, the bigger the threat. And now that the king¡¯s symbol was crushed so easily, this feeling only grew stronger.


    This signified he was the rightful king upon this world, heaven approved.


    Regent Estate¡¯s resentment billowed and their hatred grew. Zhuo Fan, the little demon, no longer just had the potential to be a threat, but a veritable one at their own survival. A monster that defied the heavens.


    ¡°We need to make time and seek the High Priest for answers. Where did he come from? How did he make the Dragon Vein Soul surrender?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan sighed.


    Leng Wuchang nodded as well, his face deep in ponder.


    Man proposed and heaven disposed. Leng Wuchang had flawless plans, but that only accounted for men. Anything he tried with those decreed by heaven would be rendered null. They would be under providence¡¯s care and would come back from death¡¯s door stronger than ever.


    He never wanted to mess with these freaks for the same reason.


    Huangpu Qingtian qualified as one when he got the dragon soul¡¯s approval. All of the Regent Estate, including him, called Huangpu Qingtian as heaven¡¯s chosen. That his arrogance was god given and justified.


    That belief only grew stronger as the third of the Four Pillars, Tianyu¡¯s High Priest gave his vague acknowledgment.


    But at this very moment, this heaven¡¯s chosen was being eaten alive by Zhuo Fan. Even his guardian, dragon soul, could do nothing to stop it.


    [Is this also by providence that the punk has a kingly disposition? Or is it perhaps coming from somewhere beyond heaven?]


    Leng Wuchang saw Zhuo Fan as a fearful enigma.


    Huangpu Qingtian saw his dragon soul coming back in the bird¡¯s claws and cried, ¡°Zhuo Fan, who the hell are you? You just called yourself emperor, then¡­¡±


    ¡°None of your business!¡±


    Zhuo Fan mocked, ¡°All you need to know is this. Messing with me is the worst mistake of your miserable life!¡±


    Zhuo Fan took a bite out of his throat this time, tearing it off.


    Blood poured and Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes dulled, feeling his life drained from him. With that, the golden energy left his body and entered Zhuo Fan.


    The azure bird brought the dragon soul back. Just in time to see the golden energy moving into Zhuo Fan, it released its claws in shock.


    The dragon soul roared in its newfound freedom.


    But it didn¡¯t attack Zhuo Fan this time, and instead circled him twice. It watched the golden energy move then entered Zhuo Fan¡¯s body itself.


    Roar!


    As another dragon roar came, Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t seem to feel any change but then he exploded with light.


    The azure bird nodded and returned into Zhuo Fan as well.


    Huangpu Tianyuan, having witnessed this event, cried, ¡°Royal transfer! The world is about to change!¡±

 Chapter 334 - World Changes

    Roar!


    With one more dragon roar, Zhuo Fan glowed golden as he himself let out a roar of his own.


    Huangpu Qingtian soaked in his own blood, weak and fading. Watching the blinding golden light, he shouted his frustration and agony in his mind.


    [T-that is my right! Zhuo Fan, give it back, give it¡­ back¡­]


    Zhuo Fan had bit his throat clean off and he had no way to speak. He could only express the regret and resentment on his face as he watched his greatest enemy steal his own dragon soul, take his dragon power and for providence to make him king instead.


    [How is this possible? How can providence change? I am Tianyu¡¯s rightful ruler. Return my dragon soul! It¡¯s not you, not you¡­]


    Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s eyes dimmed and he finally slumped his head, losing the last trace of life.


    Only his resentful eyes still spoke of his wretched death¡­


    The viewers couldn¡¯t care less about Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s grievances. They had more important things to mind right now, like watching Zhuo Fan.


    [Dragon Vein¡¯s dragon soul can be transferred? Does that mean Zhuo Fan is the new king decreed by heaven?]


    Rumble!


    With a thunder clap, the sky darkened and lightning brewed. The earth shook so hard no one could stand up straight.


    On Beast King Mountain, all spiritual beasts curled up in the safety of their den. Even the dreaded 6th level spiritual beasts tucked away their heads in fear.


    Only Zhuo Fan roared at the sky, while the golden light grew in intensity.


    ¡°Prime Minister, what¡¯s happening?¡± His two elders asked.


    Zhuge Changfeng saw them baffled and sighed with a grave face as he said, ¡°The High Priest told me once that when the world shakes, heavy changes are upon us. Tianyu is about to change!¡±


    The people turned back to the roaring Zhuo Fan with a pensive expression.


    [Is this change related to that man?]


    In Regent Estate¡¯s home city, Caged Dragon City, the earth shuddered, and the entire city wobbled. High Venerable Huangpu Fenglei woke up from his meditation in shock.


    He came out of his room and shouted, ¡°Guard, what is going on?¡±


    ¡°High Venerable, the Dragon Vein is rebelling!¡± A Profound Heaven expert kneeled.


    Huangpu Fenglei shouted, ¡°Impossible. Regent Estate has defended the Dragon Vein for a thousand years and it has never rebelled once. One of the nine dragon souls even came out from the seal so how can it still rebel?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but the other eight are hammering the seal. The shock waves have killed many Bone Tempering experts. We can¡¯t hold much longer, High Venerable. What do we do?¡±


    Huangpu Fenglei frowned and shouted, ¡°Call all Regent Estate¡¯s Venerables at the seal and suppress the dragon souls. Get the ones in seclusion as well. If they are released, we¡¯ll be the first to suffer their wrath!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡± The man rushed to obey.


    Huangpu Fenglei shot for the seal the next second. He just couldn¡¯t make sense of why the Dragon Vein Souls would suddenly rebel.


    In a dark alley of Caged Dragon City, shadows shifted.


    ¡°Elder Yan, how do we get in with Regent Estate on high alert?¡± A charming voice said. She was Lei Yuting, Luo clan¡¯s shadow corps¡¯ captain.


    The one across from her was Vicious Pill King, in his forties.


    Looking at the strict guard at the gate, just like in the imperial capital, Yan Song sighed, ¡°Even with the Energy Concealing Pill to evade the guards, we¡¯ll be sitting ducks once we set foot inside with the dozens of Venerables and their Discerning Fields. Slipping in now is impossible!¡±


    ¡°We still have to do it. Zhuo Fan said we will one day go to war with the seven houses and an intelligence network is paramount. With the Regent Estate having Leng Wuchang, it is imperative that we get any information as early as possible.¡± Lei Yuting was firm in her decision.


    Yan Song sighed. He caressed his beard, thinking of a way to achieve it.


    A sudden boom shook the ground and the sky and a billowing black cloud launched lightning everywhere in Caged Dragon City.


    Yan Song¡¯s team had no idea what happened. All they saw were men rushing towards a golden light.


    They were a mix of Radiant Stage experts and Profound Heaven experts!


    Vicious Pill King was speechless then burst out, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s providence! Something big must be happening to Regent Estate right now to get all Venerables and their Profound Heaven experts to leave this place. It doesn¡¯t get more deserted than this. Lass, follow me!¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± Lei Yuting perked up and signaled for the other men to follow as they slipped within Regent Estate. Each one of them was carrying a meter large bag with something squirming inside¡­


    In the imperial capital, the emperor was perusing a report, checking the empire¡¯s situation, when the rumbling started. A black cloud thick as night loomed overhead, flickering with lightning.


    The earth was shaking so badly that the ink spilled on the neat parchment.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Tianyu has been enjoying prosperity for a thousand years. How can it suddenly shake so much?¡±


    The emperor swayed as the reports were rolling on the floor, ¡°This isn¡¯t a good sign, something bad is happening. Guard, send for the High Priest!¡±


    ¡°Report!¡±


    What came was a guard bowing and presenting a paper, ¡°Your Majesty, the Parish had sent someone over and asked me to present this paper to Your Majesty. They added that all that concerns Your Majesty is in here. If there are still doubts, they cannot help as heaven does not reveal its secrets.¡±


    Eyes twitching, the emperor said, ¡°Give it here. That old geezer must be a god to pry into heaven¡¯s will and foresee this event.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    The guard presented the paper. The emperor took it and frowned as he read. A short poem was written, but he couldn¡¯t make sense of it.


    ¡°The world shook at the shake of the earth dragon¡¯s tail, then came the celestial dragon to quell the chaos. As both the celestial and earth dragons exist, the land and rivers shall each call their king!¡±


    ¡°What is this supposed to mean? Does the old foggie only know to talk in riddles? Can¡¯t he say anything clearly?¡± The emperor shook his head as he pondered, ¡°The land and rivers shall each call their king¡­ Does it mean Tianyu will split and the empire will be in chaos?¡±


    The emperor¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°NO, I can¡¯t let that happen. My Yuwen clan won¡¯t be divided. Humph, what land, rivers and kings? Tianyu will forever remain whole, under the Yuwen clan!¡±


    The emperor stared at the billowing thunder cloud with intense killing intent.


    [Not even heaven can stop me¡­]


    On Beast King Mountain, Zhuo Fan howled for nine days and nine nights. The shaking soon spread to all of the Tianyu Empire, persisting just as long. It only stopped when Zhuo Fan did.


    The audience watched in shock, knowing full well that the world had changed and that Zhuo Fan was in the center of it all. Was this the world¡¯s way of bestowing royal power?


    Everyone started seeing Zhuo Fan in a different light.


    Fang Qiubai especially. He used to care about Zhuo Fan¡¯s fate, and now could feel Zhuo Fan, with the dragon soul and providence by his side, was the greatest threat to Tianyu¡¯s imperial family.


    It left him pulled in two directions. Should he snuff him in the cradle or report to His Majesty?


    Dugu Zhantian was in the same situation.


    He and the Luo clan were practically family. Luo Yunhai was even his fifth godson. He could never raise his hand against the Luo clan¡¯s steward.


    But Zhuo Fan was now a threat to the imperial family. A loyal marshal like him couldn¡¯t overlook this.


    The two looked at each other and sighed.


    Leng Wuchang saw their dilemma and whispered to Huangpu Tianyuan, ¡°Estate Lord, the kid will arrive any second now. You and the other three house lords are to kill him swiftly and prevent a calamity.¡±


    ¡°How can that be? Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian are Radiant Stage experts. That¡¯s asking for death, attacking right in front of them.¡± Huangpu Tianyuan gasped.


    Leng Wuchang shook his head, ¡°Estate Lord, relax. They would¡¯ve done anything to protect Zhuo Fan earlier, but now things have changed. We aren¡¯t the only ones who want to see the kid dead. Because of grief, you couldn¡¯t hold your hand and killed the kid. Won¡¯t you garner everyone¡¯s sympathy?¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s eyes lit up and he saw reason. He nodded, with a sinister smile¡­

 Chapter 335 - Fanatic Protects

    Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan looked at the faint golden glow around himself and smiled sensing the golden dragon resting in his Dantian.


    He had used Diamond Sand to temper himself and now he had Dragon Vein¡¯s dragon power and a king¡¯s dragon soul. Three great treasures for body cultivation combined in one vessel.


    He simply needed to refine the dragon power and unite with the dragon soul and his body would soar above even Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s.


    Speaking of which, he threw a condescending smile at those resentful eyes, ¡°Weren¡¯t you calling yourself a rightful king, decreed by providence? Humph, I stole everything you had, including your destiny¡­¡±


    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan fell silent and his heart felt uneasy.


    [Is the dragon soul¡¯s shift heaven sent or a disaster?]


    He felt something in the air had changed. As the dragon soul now resided within his body, he sensed the other factions¡¯ attitude shift. Especially the imperial family¡¯s.


    Then again, which emperor out there would allow the one calling himself rightful king take his throne?


    Huangpu Qingtian was so egotistical to spout it left and right because the Regent Estate had his back. For Zhuo Fan to keep his life¡­


    [The time has come for the Luo clan to show its power!]


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan sighed.


    Then, a yellow pillar of light shot into the sky a thousand miles from him. Yan Fu paled, ¡°Yan Bangui got away!¡±


    Zhuo Fan glanced and merely shook his head, ¡°An ant, nothing more.¡±


    Yan Fu stammered, but kept his trap shut despite the resentment.


    ¡°What, you have a bone to pick with him?¡± Zhuo Fan saw right through him.


    Yan Fu only sighed.


    Zhuo Fan patted his shoulder, his eyes glinting mysteriously, ¡°Relax, you are with me now. I will definitely help you deal with it.¡±


    Yan Fu saw Zhuo Fan¡¯s cryptic smile¡­


    Yan Bangui passed through the earth National Elemental Stone flustered, gasping and rejoicing for having escaped that living nightmare.


    Yan Bogong almost broke down crying from joy.


    [My family! I¡¯m finally back. It wasn¡¯t easy escaping that monster.]


    Yan Bogong saw Pill King Hall¡¯s most prized pupil return in tears. Of the six dragons, Zhuo Fan had reaped three, making the last survivor to be treated like a treasure.


    The Pill King Hall rushed to console him and congratulate the safe return of their Plague Dragon.


    After a short moment of joy, Hall Lord Yan Bogong turned to Zhuo Fan being reflected on the fire National Elemental Stone. His face grew dark and he said, ¡°Bangui, we and Estate Lord Huangpu struck a secret deal. When the punk comes back we¡¯ll attack him together. Stay behind me and try to land the killing blow to wash the shame of betrayal. Let the world know of Pill King Hall¡¯s power.¡±


    Yan Bangui jerked, but when he saw Zhuo Fan all he had was deep rooted fear.


    [Spare me, Hall Lord! I escaped that monster by the skin of my teeth and now you want me to die again?]


    Yan Bogong knew what he was thinking and got angry, ¡°Useless prick, are you that horrified after the punk gave you a little fright? Humph, relax. It will be us old fellows going first. You only have to go and collect his head and restore our image. This is an easy merit. What, you don¡¯t even know how to pick up a head?¡±


    Yan Bangui was quite hesitant but nodded at the end.


    Yan Bogong broke out into a smile, ¡°That¡¯s our Pill King Hall¡¯s disciple, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Viewers turned their attention to the fire National Elemental Stone, waiting for Zhuo Fan and Yan Fu¡¯s return.


    ¡°It¡¯s time.¡±


    Zhuo Fan stood before the fire exit, viewers clueless of his meaning as was Yan Fu. But then, he looked at the sky and raised his palm as he muttered.


    Yan Fu asked, ¡°Steward Zhuo, what¡­¡±


    ¡°Yan Fu, weren¡¯t you vexed at letting Yan Bangui off? Ha-ha-ha, as a reward for your great service, and your welcome gift in the Luo clan, I, its steward, shall fulfill your cherished wish.¡±


    Zhuo Fan started to bend one finger at a time as he said, ¡°Five, four¡­¡±


    Everyone was puzzled just like Yan Fu.


    Three, two¡­


    ¡°What is the punk playing at?¡± Yan Bogong looked at his allies.


    Only Leng Wuchang was in constant pondering, then shouted at Yan Bogong, ¡°Hall Lord Yan, get away from the kid!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Yan Bogong was still out of it.


    Just then, everyone heard, ¡°One.¡±


    With the final word, Zhuo Fan made a fist.


    Bang!


    A ringing explosion came out of nowhere as Yan Bangui didn¡¯t even realize as he went boom.


    The devastating power crippled the elders from Pill King Hall. Yan Bangui had just entered the Radiant Stage and his explosion took many elders down with him.


    Even their vassals came out bloodied. Their casualties were in the hundreds.


    While the lucky ones who survived didn¡¯t get to enjoy their fortune as Yan Bangui¡¯s blood landed on them, eating their flesh and bone alike.


    Everything around Pill King Hall was thrown into chaos, with corpses littering the ground. Pill King Hall instantly lost eight elders, a crippling blow.


    Yan Bogong crawled from beneath a pile of corpses and shook at the carnage laid before him. [What happened? Why are Pill King Hall¡¯s experts almost all dead?]


    Looking at the corpse pinning him down, Yan Bogong panicked as he pushed it away, seeing it was eaten by Yan Bangui¡¯s blood, a trait of the poison body. If not for the guy taking the fall for him, he¡¯d be dead right now.


    The other houses saw the horror and fled from Pill King Hall.


    No one could understand why the peach-perfect Yan Bangui just popped.


    But a malicious cackle grated their ears.


    Hi-hi-hi!


    Zhuo Fan held his forehead as he laughed. Noone got the joke and neither did Yan Fu, ¡°Uh¡­ Steward Zhuo, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Oh, nothing, only laughing at a bunch of morons. Did they actually think I¡¯d let him live?¡±


    Yan Fu blinked, to which Zhuo Fan explained, ¡°From the start, I made sure to come prepared. The Bloodworms are connected to me so I made sure to arm them. As long as any of those dumbasses left Beast King Mountain, they were to self-destruct in ten minutes. What a stroke of luck, they always believed they had a way out and they gave their all in reaching the exit. All of it was just a grand act, a joke of epic proportions, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°This entire game was never meant to have a winner!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes glinted.


    Yan Fu¡¯s heart froze. Going by his words, Yan Bangui became a ticking time bomb the moment he stepped in Dragon Cloud City. He must be in pieces by now!


    Zhuo Fan grinned, knowing what was going in that head of his, ¡°You guessed it, the brat is toast, cooked. A Radiant Stage expert¡¯s self-destruct ought to have taken many lives with him as well. As for how many, he-he-he, care to guess?¡±


    Was there even a point? Almost none from Pill King Hall could escape. Yan Bangui was put in the center moments after returning.


    Finding out that the rotten senior brother of his who always mocked him was toyed to death by the demon himself, Yan Fu should be happy. But no joy reached his heart.


    For some odd reason, he felt safe around Zhuo Fan, true, but the fear was up to par by comparison. It was unnerving. Even when his most hated enemy suffered at the hands of the demon, what he felt instead was a bit of sympathy.


    [True to his words. ¡®You can mess with the king of hell, but never with this steward!¡¯]


    Offending the king of hell, at the worst you¡¯d just die. Offend Steward Zhuo, and you¡¯d find that even death would be a luxury.


    In Dragon Cloud City, everyone looked at Zhuo Fan in dread.


    Yan Bangui ran with such zeal thinking he¡¯d escape, but Zhuo Fan cooked a little something for Pill King Hall and sent him off with a package. This creepy method and insidious plot left the survivors shuddering.


    Even Leng Wuchang, a renowned mind in the empire, looked at the snickering figure in fear. Zhuo Fan had long surpassed Zhuge Changfeng and became his biggest enemy.


    ¡°Well, time to head back.¡±


    Zhuo Fan returned to his cool demeanor, but his eyes hid a deep and heavy sorrow as he walked towards the red glow. Yan Fu nodded.


    Whoosh!


    The two stepped through and were back.


    The people treated him like a demon, shaking in fear. Only the girls were happy seeing him alive and went to welcome him.


    Then it happened.


    Explosions sounded as four men attacked the pair. A great pressure fell on the people, making them fall back in panic.


    The four were none other than Huangpu Tianyuan and his allies, all peak Profound Heaven house lords.


    Fang Qiubai was about to block them but stayed his hand. After careful consideration, he picked neutrality.


    Dugu Zhantian watched it all with a cold eye and a lament.


    [Perhaps¡­ it¡¯s for the best.]


    Only Luo Yunchang and Chu Qingcheng were devastated. They wanted to give a helping hand.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, you¡¯ll pay for what you did to my son!¡± Huangpu Tianyuan roared his righteous excuse, punching straight for Zhuo Fan.


    Yan Fu, behind Zhuo Fan, could barely breathe from the power display. The other three house lords unleashed their own might as well.


    Zhuo Fan, heavily wounded, was besieged by four experts on all sides. Escape was not an option.


    Not that he was worried.


    With a twisted grin, he said, ¡°Sorry, but you¡¯re a little late in getting revenge for Huangpu Qingtian.¡±


    An explosion followed as a black figure slammed the four into the air.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes glinted and he smiled, ¡°As I live and breathe, Elder Li¡­¡±

 Chapter 336 - Fanatic Fights Sword God

    Boom!


    The ringing from the boom had yet to stop, forcing the people to cover their ears. The thick dust had Zhuo Fan and Yan Fu obscured within it.


    Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s team of four finally landed while coughing blood. The respective house elders surrounded their house lords and checked their wounds.


    But Huangpu Tianyuan flicked his sleeve, shooing the elder before him aside. His eyes peered into the dust and he spat, ¡°Who the hell dares to interfere in the Regent Estate¡¯s affairs?¡±


    Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian looked towards the commotion with a frown.


    They knew who it was, but they were baffled why that man was on Zhuo Fan¡¯s side.


    The rest of the houses watched intently. They were all dying to know at this point. Who had the nerve to save Zhuo Fan from the clutches of Regent Estate?


    Once the dust settled, somewhat, it revealed an imposing physique. An outstandish old man, poised and his back straight, stood in front of Zhuo Fan. His tyrannical aura bent on crushing everyone in his path hung heavy over everyone¡¯s hearts.


    He was none other than one of the rare top Radiant Stage experts in Tianyu.


    ¡°Mad Dipper, Li Jingtian!¡±


    A Regent Estate elder shouted, ¡°Elder Li, you are a guest Venerable of ours. Where have you been over the past few years? Why are you suddenly siding with that punk? He is the Regent Estate¡¯s greatest enemy!¡±


    Those words set the crowd reeling.


    The mystery expert was Regent Estate¡¯s Venerable, the living legend, Mad Dipper Li Jingtian?


    He truly lived up to his name, respected and feared both.


    Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian were startled as well. Nobody knew of Li Jingtian¡¯s strength before, but the vibes he was sending deterred even the mighty Divine Dragon!


    ¡°Elder Li!¡±


    A cry sounded, making the eyes of everyone land on Luo Yunchang. To everyone¡¯s shock, she ran to Li Jingtian¡¯s side and patted his chest, ¡°Thanks to your timely arrival, Zhuo Fan is safe!¡±


    Twitching, everyone looked puzzled, the seven house lords included.


    [What¡¯s that Lu miss doing being so friendly with that savage fiend?]


    Li Jingtian¡¯s reaction however got a priceless expression out of them all.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, young miss, relax. Nothing will happen to Steward Zhuo, not when he has such a cunning nature.¡± Li Jingtian laughed.


    The people went slack jawed.


    [Say¡­ what? Young miss¡­ Steward Zhuo¡­]


    [Tell me it isn¡¯t true! How, why, when? The Luo clan is just a third rate upstart clan. How in the hell did they manage to entice that old freak Mad Dipper to become their Venerable instead?]


    [That makes the Luo clan practically on par with the seven houses!]


    [Ha-ha-ha, we must be tripping. That Mad Dipper must¡¯ve been conned into helping them just like Zhuo Fan did with Dugu Zhantian. There¡¯s absolutely no way, not in a million years for him to be on their side.]


    [Then again, seeing how the punk¡¯s methods were quite all encompassing, the kid could practically turn everyone into his backers.]


    Sighing, the crowd¡¯s opinion of Zhuo Fan jumped again and again.


    And that went for everyone there, from no name clans, to the seven house lords. Since having a backer and joining them were totally different things.


    A backer was good as a makeshift safeguard, but by joining the clan wholly, the man could both defend and attack in need, turning the clan into a force to be reckoned with.


    Zhuo Fan was great, no doubt, but not even he could pull a peak Radiant Stage expert to his side, to join a third rate clan no less. That was simply ludicrous!


    Long Yifey and the rest shook their heads. [We must be overthinking things.] If Li Jingtian was their Venerable, then the Luo clan was a match for the seven houses¡­


    A truly cruel and delicious irony how everyone was denying the truth staring them dead in their faces. Depending on the viewpoint, of course.


    ¡°Elder Li, what¡¯s the meaning of this? You may be friends with the punk, but clan matters come first. You need to address this with utmost severity. Why are you stopping me from taking revenge for my son?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan raved.


    Squinting, Li Jingtian laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Estate Lord Huangpu, that¡¯s exactly right. I of course take the clan¡¯s interests into heavy consideration. That is why, as Luo clan¡¯s elder, I cannot allow you to touch one hair of our steward.¡±


    Dong!


    A bomb went off in all of their heads. They felt their minds swoon after being smacked with a copper bell right in the noggin. Reeling from shock, they looked at Li Jingtian gobsmacked.


    [The Mad Dipper actually joined the Luo clan! And¡­ and he¡¯s just a friggin¡¯ elder!]


    [As if!]


    [Are you high? Did you just get up and quit the prestigious position of a guest Venerable over at Regent Estate to become a mere elder for a third rate clan?]


    Huangpu Tianyuan stammered all this time. Leng Wuchang twirled his beard and asked, ¡°Elder Li, why?¡±


    ¡°Humph, isn¡¯t it obvious? There was nothing holding me back, no incentive at all. I dumped Regent Estate for the Luo clan because they can give me something you can¡¯t!¡± Li Jingtian smiled with pride.


    Now that definitely got a shocking reaction.


    The grandiose head of houses was dumped over a tiny clan? That had got to be the joke of the century!


    Hearing it from anyone else, it would earn a couple of laughs. But it came directly from the source, Mad Dipper himself.


    A peak Radiant Stage expert abandoned all those benefits and downshifted to become some elder?  Why the hell would he do that if there was nothing in it for him?


    It begged the question though, what could the Luo clan hold to make Mad Dipper wipe his hands off of the Regent Estate?


    All eyes were on Zhuo Fan. Everyone knew that only one man was capable of making the old demon switch camps. He definitely had a hand in this.


    [But even then, getting him to change sides was a godlike move! How did he do it?]


    Long Jiu sighed, [I knew the kid is an expert at stealing other¡¯s foundations. Fortunately, we are a tight knit house or even our experts would¡¯ve fallen for his bewitching promises.]


    Unaware as he was that Zhuo Fan wouldn¡¯t take them even if they were given for free.


    Moving past the standard reaction of shock everyone showed today, Li Jingtian turned to the one-armed Zhuo Fan with a heart broken expression. Taking him into a bear hug, the man spoke solemnly, ¡°Steward Zhuo, what are your orders?¡±


    Zhuo Fan glanced over to the Regent Estate and said, ¡°No one from the Regent Estate leaves this place alive.¡±


    The cold and insipid tone rang into people¡¯s ears.


    [The demon is that cruel to go ahead and wipe out all Regent Estate¡¯s elders?]


    Mad Dipper was no fool. Doing so was declaring war with the head of the houses. This was not a game.


    Zhuo Fan was consumed by his hatred and desire for revenge. With Li Jingtian being Regent Estate¡¯s Venerable once, he should still have some lingering feelings left over for his ex employer. Now that he was a mere elder, he should think about the clan¡¯s needs and not follow the demon steward¡¯s ramblings.


    Li Jingtian simply patted his shoulder and turned to Regent Estate¡¯s men with a look that promised death and agony. He was hellbent on murdering anyone to fulfill Zhuo Fan¡¯s design.


    [He¡¯s nuts! The entire Luo clan is going along with Zhuo Fan¡¯s madness!]


    After a quick sigh of lamentation, everyone scampered off. Noone wanted to be here and suffer a quick death when a Radiant Stage expert went on a murdering spree.


    Long Yifey thought about advising against it. But Zhuo Fan and Li Jingtian¡¯s determined gazes made him falter. All he could do was follow his clansmen in getting away from here.


    It was then that Li Jingtian kicked it off with a bang. The power and the pressure were that of a mountain coming down on you. Huangpu Tianyuan and his thirty-ish elder¡¯s group gasped, but found even breathing hard. They couldn¡¯t even fight back.


    This was the power of a peak Radiant Stage expert. These guys were nothing but ants to Li Jingtian.


    But then, a boom announced the approach of a man in white, facing off Li Jingtian with a palm attack.


    Boom!


    The world felt like it was falling apart as the two palms collided. All anyone could do was duck their heads and cover their ears.


    Long Yifey and the rest of the Profound Heaven experts were feeling horrible just the same. They covered their ears and stood up a bit, but if the flowing sweat was any indication, they had to be feeling just as powerless as their neighbors if they were to face these palms instead.


    Tap~


    The two withdrew five steps. Looking up, the one facing Li Jingtian was none other than Jade Flute Divine Sword, Fang Qiubai.


    Cupping his hands, Fang Qiubai spoke, ¡°Mad Dipper Li Jingtian, your name precedes you.¡±


    ¡°One of the imperial family¡¯s five Divine Dragons, Jade Flute Divine Sword Fang Qiubai. I¡¯ve long since waited for this. One glance is enough to tell me of your uncommon character. But are you certain you want to go head to head with me?¡±


    Li Jingtian smiled, his eyes exploding with bloodthirst. The martial fanatic in him reared its head, fueling his desire to fight¡­.

 Chapter 337 - Stalemate

    Fang Qiubai waved him off, ¡°Brother Li, I would never treat you as an enemy. It is the Emperor¡¯s decree you see, to defend Dragon Cloud City¡¯s public order. I was forced to intervene the moment you attacked Regent Estate. I ask that you be sensible and let this matter rest. It would be for the best of both the Regent Estate and Luo clan, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±


    Li Jingtian¡¯s eye twitched, realizing this opponent of his knew his way with words. If the Luo clan and Regent Estate fought it out now, both sides would end up with a disaster. He was at an impasse, however¡­


    A glance at Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold face and the seething bloodthirst in his eyes made that choice for him.


    Li Jingtian gnashed his teeth and smirked, ¡°Mr Fang, it¡¯s been ages since I met an opponent like yourself. How about we spar a little?¡±


    Fang Qiubai frowned at Li Jingtian¡¯s smile. [I forgot, Mad Dipper is a martial fanatic but he is not an idiot either. So why would he insist on being so reckless?]


    [Killing even a single elder of Regent Estate today will set off Regent Estate on the warpath against the Luo clan¡­]


    The answer was made clear soon enough. Li Jingtian looked back and Zhuo Fan said something to him.


    It was unimaginable to see the great Mad Dipper actually abiding by a pup¡¯s every word. Talking to Li Jingtian now wouldn¡¯t change a damn thing, so he had to switch gears and talk it out with Zhuo Fan.


    Fang Qiubai said, ¡°Steward Zhuo, I understand your anger, but this is not the place to settle your grudges. I ask that you do not forsake your clan over a single loss.¡±


    That had the crowd thrown in a loop. [If he wants to persuade someone, he should do that with Li Jingtian. Who is to stop him if he decides otherwise?]


    Then it dawned on them like the sun¡¯s morning glow.


    [Oh, Li Jingtian is doing it at Zhuo Fan¡¯s orders. Does that mean a word out of him can make Li Jingtian stop? A peak Radiant Stage expert, Mad Dipper in particular, is actually housebroken?]


    The vassals and the seven house lords turned to Zhuo Fan to gawk in shock.


    [That¡¯s a Radiant Stage expert we¡¯re talking about! These guys are Venerables in the seven houses. One would have to beg for any kind of help. Even the house lords need to watch their words around them. And all they could do is make requests, not order them around.]


    [Or the Venerable will simply scoff at anybody pleading to them!]


    But here is one peak Radiant Stage expert who is listening to a kid. [Did Li Jingtian mellow out, or are Zhuo Fan¡¯s methods far more sinister?]


    Then again, Mad Dipper was called as such for a very good reason. That made the first reason moot and the second one highly plausible. Zhuo Fan was versed with so much knowledge that he could even get Mad Dipper to fall in line.


    [So why is he then just an elder and not a Venerable?]


    Venerables, who are on the same status as a patriarch, were above a house lord who could only order elders around. [Zhuo Fan, oh Zhuo Fan, you are just a steward, so how can you tell an elder what to do?]


    Long Yifey and the rest sighed watching him. [This kid might very well be the greatest steward to have ever walked the earth!]


    [It¡¯s hard to tell if I should be happy or sad if I had such a capable steward in my clan¡­]


    ¡­


    Zhuo Fan ignored the chatter and stared back at Fang Qiubai, then turned his head away. [Don¡¯t care.]


    Fang Qiubai faltered. [This punk doesn¡¯t know when to quit.] Li Jingtian laughed it off, filled with thirst for battle, ¡°Mr Fang, it¡¯s hard for me to find such a good opponent like you. I won¡¯t be holding back. Please return in kind. I won¡¯t be blamed for any unforeseen demise on your part.¡±


    ¡°Brother Li, I feel the need to stress this. Per Emperor¡¯s orders, I cannot allow you to rain havoc in Dragon Cloud City!¡± Fang Qiubai saw talking was off the table and the jade flute began to let out sounds.


    Li Jingtian saw Fang Qiubai getting serious and was overjoyed. He gave a belly laugh, then charged with a dragon roar.


    ¡°Wraith Style¡¯s 2nd move, Ghostly Dragon Claw!¡±


    Roar!


    Li Jingtian was covered from head to toe in black energy and a claw sprung out. The power it released was intent on tearing a hole in space itself.


    Fang Qiubai gasped. He let the shock subside and turned serious as well. With the flute in hand, he stabbed at the incoming attack.


    ¡°Profound Heaven Sword Star!¡±


    Hum~


    The jade flute was wrapped in a blue wind and turned into a sword, it¡¯s tip shooting into the sky.


    The black and blue auras collided, shuddering the hearts of onlookers. Then came the shock wave, turning to dust anything in its path.


    Fortunately, the people were wise enough to stay clear from the start, lest they¡¯d be pulverized as well by now.


    Once all settled down, they watched on slack jawed.


    Li Jingtian and Fang Qiubai were staring at each other with grave faces mere five meters away from each other.


    Jade Flute Divine Sword¡¯s hand holding the flute trembled. While Li Jingtian¡¯s brows shook, far more astounded.


    His hand was dripping blood on the ground.


    [Elder Li¡­ lost?]


    Luo Yunchang was filled with worry. Zhuo Fan only shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s no loss, but a stalemate. Neither could overpower the other!¡±


    The next second, a sharp crack announced the crumbling flute falling to the ground from Fang Qiubai¡¯s hand.


    Fang Qiubai sighed at his loss, ¡°Brother Li, this flute has followed me for fifty years. I never thought I¡¯d see it crumble here. Take it as me having lost by a fraction.¡±


    Li Jingtian smiled, lifting his bloody palm and speaking cheerfully, ¡°This iron hand of mine has been with me for 158 years. But today it has come to harm. I have lost in this exchange.¡±


    The two stared for a second before laughing it up, while respecting each other for the hero the other was in their hearts.


    ¡°Mr Fang, should we go at it again and settle this stalemate?¡± Li Jingtian spoke while waving his bloody hand.


    Fang Qiubai looked at the broken flute and nodded, ¡°Since brother Li is so courteous, I shall oblige.¡±


    ¡°Marvelous!¡±


    Li Jingtian laughed and attacked.


    But then Zhuo Fan said, ¡°Elder Li, we¡¯ll leave it here today, out of respect for Mr Fang. We¡¯ll just have to settle our grudges with Regent Estate some other time.¡±


    The people¡¯s faces twitched.


    [That¡¯s a nice way of putting it. What respect for Mr Fang? You should have done that from the start if you had any respect for the man!]


    [Saying it now when you know fighting won¡¯t get you anywhere makes you look like a hypocrite!]


    At least he was far better then those stupid heads knowing only to push ahead regardless. [The kid sure is smart, to know when to retreat.]


    Fang Qiubai smiled, ¡°Then, brother Li, we will spar again another day. Or your steward might get angry!¡±


    Li Jingtian sighed with a nod, ¡°Fine, since Steward Zhuo said so, I don¡¯t have a choice but to fight another day.¡±


    Li Jingtian cupped his hands and walked back to Zhuo Fan.


    While Fang Qiubai stood there with a heavy frown.


    He had just taunted Li Jingtian, to see if he was so resolute in following the little demon¡¯s words.


    Not expecting at all that Li Jingtian hadn¡¯t even entertained the notion of defying Zhuo Fan¡¯s orders, his reply being very calm. As if the grand Mad Dipper listening to a brat was the norm, not to mention he was devoted to a fault.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s qualifications as king had now evolved. It wasn¡¯t as simple as drawing his peers over to his side, but included the power to rally astonishing people like Li Jingtian under his banner.


    It only proved the fact that Zhuo Fan was far more worthy to be king than Huangpu Qingtian. Getting Dragon Vein Soul was a mere coincidence. He had the power to become an emperor already, but now it was also decreed by heaven itself.


    At that moment, Zhuo Fan became the number one threat for the imperial family in Fang Qiubai¡¯s mind¡­


    ¡°Mr Fang!¡±


    Zhuo Fan called with a cryptic smile, ¡°You were very quick in stopping Elder Li. You are a true Divine Dragon. His Majesty made the right choice in sending you to preside over Dragon Cloud City¡¯s order.¡±


    Fang Qiubai¡¯s face flushed a bit.


    No one but him could sense the dripping sarcasm.


    [He¡¯s mocking me for not intervening when Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s team attacked him before, but stepping in when Li Jingtian attacked.] It was a clear sign that Fang Qiubai wanted Zhuo Fan dead.


    Keeping Dragon Cloud City¡¯s order was merely the best excuse at the moment.


    [He has now taken me into account as a potential enemy. When he had Li Jingtian attack Huangpu Tianyuan, it was all to see my stance.]


    [The little demon is too outstanding!]


    Staring at Zhuo¡¯s creepy smile, Fang Qiubai sighed¡­

 Chapter 338 - Declaration Of War

    On the Luo clan¡¯s way back, Zhuo Fan was the picture of calmness. Li Jingtian stuck to him like glue, creating a stifling atmosphere that no one around dared to break and approach.


    Everyone watched them go in shock, even the house lords.


    No one had seen it coming. A mere third rate clan had risen to the ranks of a house the instant Li Jingtian showed up next to them.


    Nobody present knew a house, except Regent Estate of course, that had someone at the height of power as Li Jingtian had reached, a peak Radiant Stage expert.


    Not to mention the said expert could fight Divine Dragon Fang Qiubai to a draw. This fact only gave the Luo Clan even greater importance.


    From now on, Luo clan wasn¡¯t merely at the level of a house, but was right below Regent Estate. Any offense would be met with impunity from Li Jingtian, annihilating their entire clan.


    Such a thing had never been never achieved in the past because of the delicate balance of power. This also did not push the other clans into a corner.


    But now, You Wanshan and the other houses who held a grudge with Zhuo Fan had to reconsider their approach to revenge as the Luo clan had now become the second house under Regent Estate.


    Luo clan was strong, but only because of Li Jingtian alone.


    Yet that man was strong enough to shock everyone.


    Luo clan slowly made their way to their accommodations in Dragon Cloud City. Zhuo Fan had a deathly look on his face that no one disturbed. And in this manner, they walked further and further away¡­


    Suddenly, Zhuo Fan stopped and looked at Leng Wuchang with a sinister smile as he shouted, ¡°Sir Leng, I admit my loss this time. But the games have just begun. Let us have a blast next time, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes exploded with hatred and coupled with his creepy tone, everyone¡¯s hair stood on end.


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s face grew graver than ever. But it only matched Zhuo Fan¡¯s bloodthirsty stare.


    It was Zhuge Changfeng who then said, ¡°Sir Leng, you really kicked the hornet¡¯s nest this time, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng then left with his two elders.


    Leng Wuchang¡¯s beard shuddered in rage.


    The others around him were too scared to make a peep. It was a tangle between big shots, not something they should butt in.


    Messing with the Regent Estate would get one killed, erasing the body and clan. While pissing off Zhuo Fan, who had tormented half of the six dragons, none of the vassals and small clans dared to imagine.


    Not to mention they had a peak Radiant Stage expert as cover, bringing them on the same level as the seven houses.


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two houses had sparks flying when their gazes met.


    ¡°Ahe-he-hem!¡±


    ¡°Uh, people, in all the Esoteric Debates held over the millennium, the grudges aren¡¯t brought back from the competition. If the two houses wish to resolve their hatred, please wait for the next Esoteric Debate.¡± Dugu Zhantian took on an imposing stance and said so.


    Zhuo Fan only smiled. Leng Wuchang¡¯s killing intent never faltered.


    It was clear as day that no one was buying it.


    There were no grudges in the past Esoteric Debates because the seven houses kept appearances. While this time, Regent Estate killed the one Zhuo Fan cared about the most, Xue Ningxiang, and the man toppled their future, along with three other dragons.


    Who the hell would wait a hundred years to settle that kind of a bloody score?


    At least they were wise enough to let the matter slide for now, since Dugu Zhantian said it. Even if there was no verbal confirmation.


    But then a brash voice resounded, ¡°Regent Estate, listen up. From this very moment, the Luo clan and you are now mortal enemies!¡±


    The crowd was in complete shock.


    Luo clan simply got up and broke all pretenses, falling out with the Regent Estate in the open as well as in the dark. What came next was the worst outcome, war. To a clan having only one Radiant Stage expert, it meant death.


    People whipped their heads to see who was the ignorant buffoon spouting such words. What came into view was the face of a dignified youth.


    Luo clan¡¯s young master, Luo Yunhai!


    Long Yifey, Xie Xiaofeng and Grandmother¡¯s eyes shrank, giving desperate signals to Zhuo Fan with their eyes. Luo clan going to war meant dragging them into it as well since they were allies.


    There was no hope for victory at this point.


    It was understandable for Luo Yunhai to be overcome by rage and make such a declaration. He may be the young master, but Zhuo Fan handled everything in the clan. His words represented the Luo clan¡¯s stance.


    So these three pleaded with Zhuo Fan to think of the bigger picture.


    The man in question took a long look at Luo Yunhai, then smirked at the rest, ¡°What¡¯s with those faces? Is there a problem with what our young master said? Humph, the Luo clan has that name for a reason. Young master may not be the official Clan Head yet, but he represents the Luo clan with every word. From now on, we and the Regent Estate are at war!¡±


    As the people went through endless shock, Long Yifey and company were lamenting.


    No one took Luo Yunhai¡¯s words seriously, but all of that changed when Zhuo Fan nailed the matter in.


    [But what¡¯s going on with Zhuo Fan? Did he really lose his mind in revenge over a girl?]


    Huangpu Tianyuan was overjoyed. He feared the imperial family would stick its nose in again and stop them from making moves against the Luo clan.


    But now with the Luo clan declaring war by itself, the imperial family had no grounds to interfere. Windgaze City could no longer save the Luo clan.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, something must be wrong with todays¡¯ kids, they are so brash and cocky. You think that a single peak Radiant Stage expert is enough to protect the Luo clan? Hilarious!¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan laughed, ¡°You may be able to cower the other houses, but you have another thing coming now that you¡¯ve set yourself against us. Just ask the geezer next to you how strong we are if you don¡¯t believe me. You can¡¯t match our thousand year old legacy!¡±


    Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Are you sure? We¡¯ll just have to wait and see.¡±


    Spinning on his heel, he kept on walking. While Li Jingtian left them with some final words, ¡°As a former Venerable of yours, let me give you some friendly advice. Think long and hard before touching the Luo clan.¡±


    Then he turned around and followed after the others.


    But his words had the intended effect, to stun Huangpu Tianyuan and his elders.


    As an ex Regent Estate Venerable, Li Jingtian knew all about its power. Yet even so, he still judged the Luo clan to be a tougher enemy.


    [Does that mean Luo clan is on par with the Regent Estate?]


    [Impossible! How can our thousand year legacy be surmounted just like that?]


    Turning to Leng Wuchang, Huangpu Tianyuan found him silent.


    Luo clan was now wrapped in a thick fog, with no one able to pierce it. This effect had even Regent Estate feel their previous confidence fading.


    The swift rise of this clan had left more and more people unable to comprehend them¡­


    Dugu Zhantian watched Luo Yunhai¡¯s back bitterly. He treated Luo Yunhai as his own son, and the kid always listened to him.


    But he had just spoken and the first one to reproach him was his own godson.


    For the sake of the clan, the godfather and godson had to break ties. He never wished for this to happen, but could never stop it.


    [Why must we serve a different master¡­]


    ¡­


    Six hours later, the Luo clan returned to Dragon Cloud City and Zhuo Fan slammed the door to his room, ¡°Don¡¯t bother me!¡±


    Luo Yunchang saw Zhuo Fan acting odd and was afraid for his sake. She wanted to go to him but Li Jingtian stopped her.


    Luo Yunchang turned to him puzzled.


    Li Jingtian shook his head, ¡°Young miss, sometimes men need to be alone. Let him be.¡±


    Her pure eyes shook as Luo Yunchang watched the door and bit her lip before leaving.


    But then a bestial roar came from beyond Zhuo Fan¡¯s door before she managed to leave.


    ¡°Ahhhh!¡±


    Covering her mouth, Luo Yunchang couldn¡¯t fight the tears.


    She saw Zhuo vent his rage for what was done to Ning¡¯er, but only now could he release some of the pain scarring his heart.


    The wail of agony made her heart bleed. She wanted to comfort him and mend his heart, but Zhuo Fan would rather face it alone.


    He was never one to open up to anyone, choosing to bear the pain by himself, becoming forever a solitary steward.


    The pain in Luo Yunchang only grew as her mind wandered. The others sighed, watching over Zhuo Fan¡¯s door along with their young miss¡­

 Chapter 360 - Best Steward Beneath Heaven

    The man in yellow gown walked slowly towards the throne as the servants on either side followed with deep bows. He looked quite thin, but his bright eyes looked at everyone present, lingering ever so slightly longer on the Luo clan.


    This man was the current emperor of the Tianyu Empire.


    ¡°May Your Majesty live a long and prosperous life!¡± The instant he took his seat, the eight groups bowed.


    The emperor waved, ¡°As everyone knows, I have called you all here today to bear witness and rejoice, by the grace of Tianyu¡¯s ancestors, to the rise of a new house in our empire!


    ¡°Tianyu has survived the past thousand years in no small part due to our seven houses¡¯ assistance, bringing stability and prosperity, safeguarding peace along the ages. In all these years, the imperial family dared not neglect its duty, looking for talents to defend the wellbeing of its people. That is the purpose of the Esoteric Debate, to see a clan rise up and make Tianyu great. I am sad to say that this has never happened!


    ¡°We are fortunate that the heavens finally took pity on us and my rule, and presented us with a new house, working alongside the seven houses in strengthening our foundation. This is a blessing to myself, to the nation, and to everyone else!¡±


    ¡°Congratulations, Your Majesty! The land shall grow even stronger!¡± Everyone bowed.


    Luo clan did the same, with humility, ¡°We dare not accept Your Majesty¡¯s praise!¡±


    Everyone present knew this was just a high class act, and thus was shortly ignored. Even those who had never seen this new house knew that the seven houses never stopped fighting among each other since the empire¡¯s foundation. [What working together? More like stabbing each other¡¯s backs.]


    With the coming of the 8th house, the fights would only grow bitter. A prime example was the two houses duking it out at the ruler¡¯s gates.


    While the emperor was saying all that, the empire was in fact on the verge of collapse, hanging by a thread. He didn¡¯t believe what he himself said and neither did those people who were bowing. It was all make-believe.


    Despite all of this, neither side was about to unravel the white lie. These were appearances and decorum that had to be maintained. Or poking holes in the paper thin charade would lead to Tianyu going up in flames, something no one wanted¡­


    The emperor looked at them one more time and smiled, ¡°Praise heavens!¡±


    The Imperial Palace guards came forward and prepared the incense. The emperor bowed before it and even began reading a prayer.


    It was more or less being thankful to the heavens for the prosperity of Tianyu. While every paper was perused, an hour passed by and the rest rose up along with the emperor.


    He took his rightful place on the throne with traces of sweat on his brow, a clear indication that he was reaching the limit of his life.


    He knew that, yet he would still put on a cheerful face, ¡°Good, after we showed our respects to heaven and earth, we then have the son of heaven, which is myself. Luo Clan¡¯s Head, Luo Yunhai, step forward!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty!¡± Luo Yunhai stepped down on one knee.


    ¡°Young Luo Yunhai, your father has been taken from you at an early age, yet with your bravery and resolve, you have led the clan forward alone. You have followed Marshal Dugu in battle and showed marvelous skill in the Esoteric Debate. You are a true model of Tianyu¡¯s heroes. I bestow upon the Luo clan, the title of the Eighth Noble House. Windgaze City shall be your domain along with the hundred cities around it. You shall be known as Regent of Prosperity, allowed to own a prince¡¯s manor in the imperial capital!¡±


    Raising his head, Luo Yunhai was bug eyed and so were the rest, looking at the emperor in disbelief.


    None of them expected for Luo Yunhai to actually become a nobleman and even have a title!


    Among the seven houses, only Regent Estate had the marquis title because they were related to the imperial family.


    But Luo clan was a run down third rate clan. And it had just jumped in front of everyone with the title of prince!


    Only Zhuge Changfeng, Zhuo Fan and Leng Wuchang understood. The emperor wanted to place the Regent Estate and Luo clan on opposite fronts.


    Since the world couldn¡¯t hold both of them, so too the eight houses could only have one boss. Two kings was one king too many!


    The emperor¡¯s title came with vile intentions!


    Not that Zhuo Fan gave a hoot since his sole plan for Regent Estate was to drag it out. And Regent Estate wasn¡¯t about to sway under the emperor¡¯s taunt. So when the tripartite division took shape, all those titles became empty words.


    On the contrary, the hundred cities offered made Zhuo Fan pleased as a punch.


    What was of greatest importance in the cultivation world? Resources.


    A hundred cities included the mountain range close by and the tens of spirit mines and endless herbs it offered. And all of that was the house¡¯s private property.


    Adding to that a part of the empire as well, Luo clan would soar with so many resources. It would no longer need its allies¡¯ support. It had finally gained independence.


    This was why many clans wanted to curry favor with the houses. Without resources, they¡¯d wither and die.


    And these resources were either the empire¡¯s or the houses¡¯.


    Monopoly on the resources controlled Tianyu¡¯s clans¡¯ development. With Luo clan having a hundred cities to its name, if the clans wanted to join it, they¡¯d have to move to the border.


    Zhuo Fan finally showed a twisted smile.


    Two servants came before Luo Yunhai, offering him a golden cape, embroidered with a majestic dragon. It only missed the four claws, or it¡¯d be just like the princes¡¯.


    This was a symbol that showed the house was equal to the imperial family, not to mention Luo Yunhai was a regent.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡± Luo Yunhai bowed.


    The emperor nodded and turned to his sister, ¡°Young miss Luo, come forward!¡±


    Luo Yunchang was stunned.


    A male would take on the mantle of Clan Head along with titles, so where was he going by calling her?


    Luo Yunchang still kneeled, ¡°May Your Majesty live a long and prosperous life!¡±


    ¡°Luo Yunchang, dignified and virtuous, strong and loyal. After the misfortune that befell your clan, you held strong against all adversity, raising your little brother and guiding the clan. You are a model of virtue to all of Tianyu. I take you as my goddaughter, naming you Princess Yong¡¯an, and expect you to become a good sister with my daughter Yongning in safeguarding Tianyu!¡±


    Luo Yunchang turned to Yongning hiding behind the princes, who stared blankly back at her. Neither expected that from the emperor. They were to be sisters.


    ¡°Uh, Your Majesty, I would never¡­¡±


    ¡°This is an imperial decree!¡± The emperor cut her off with a stern face.


    Luo Yunchang sighed, ¡°Then, I shall accept!¡±


    The emperor beamed and Luo Yunchang withdrew.


    ¡°Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan, step forth!¡±


    When everyone thought the award ceremony was over, the emperor called one more time.


    Zhuo Fan was puzzled. He was just a steward, not the Luo Clan Head. [Why¡¯s he giving me something?] But since the emperor decreed, he could only oblige and gave a half bow, ¡°May Your¡­¡±


    ¡°You dare not bow before His Majesty?¡±


    A sharp cry pierced the ears of everyone.


    Zhuo Fan looked on with a frown, at the servant next to the emperor and his face grew cold, ¡°You¡¯re the one with the nerve calling it to attention when the Emperor said nothing, trying to kiss someone¡¯s ass. Do you think of yourself better than the Emperor?¡±


    ¡°Uh, no no, His Majesty¡­¡±


    The servant panicked. They had always been next to the emperor and basked in second-hand glory, getting used to pushing others around.


    They were proxies dishing out the emperor¡¯s orders, but as long as the emperor didn¡¯t say anything, anything went. Perhaps they were even doing what His Majesty intended.


    While other scared people never dared to refute in fear of the emperor¡¯s anger.


    But Zhuo Fan was a tough nut to crack. Would the grand Demonic Emperor from the Sacred Domain kneel before a no name emperor from the mortal domain?


    The servant was way out of his league messing with him.


    Especially when he knew the emperor needed him and wouldn¡¯t sweat this particular detail.


    The emperor waved and smiled at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Then, Zhuo Fan, why do you not kneel?¡±


    ¡°My knees are wounded. With Your Majesty¡¯s brilliant and wise character, I¡¯m sure you won¡¯t pressure the future house¡¯s steward.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s words were a work of art. Throwing the emperor¡¯s words right back at him.


    [In layman¡¯s terms, you just called us irreplaceable, in order to strengthen the nation¡¯s foundation. So why the hell would you nitpick? Only a poor ruler would do that. Won¡¯t that shame you? Won¡¯t you lose Tianyu¡¯s respect?]


    Those words even contained a hint of threat.


    Luo Yunchang lowered her head, filled with worry and anger at Zhuo Fan¡¯s crass act. [Before the mighty Emperor, you kneel when spoken to! What the hell are you doing looking for an early death?]


    [Offending the imperial family will give us a death sentence!]


    She was unaware that this was a fine balance not even the emperor wished to break. Since he didn¡¯t want to let Regent Estate come out on top?


    Hence Zhuo Fan¡¯s leverage was very much real.


    Giving him a long look, the emperor smiled, ¡°You truly are a worthy steward for the Luo clan, Zhuo Fan. Your reputation precedes you!¡±


    ¡°Then, Zhuo Fan will receive your title!¡±


    The emperor coughed and shouted, ¡°Steward Zhuo Fan of the Luo clan, you are a man of bravery and wisdom, holding your clan together through hard times, loyal and caring, a pillar of the empire! I bestow upon you the title Best Steward Under Heavens, wielding the power of the three armies and the bearer of my authority!¡±


    Sss~


    The people gasped in shock. Even Zhuo Fan¡­

 Chapter 361 - Emperor’s Invite

    What did the best steward under heavens mean? His orders were second to the emperor in court and he was the supreme commander of the three armies. He was literally beneath the emperor and above the world.


    He was the epitome of power, a Prime Minister and Marshal in one, albeit with the emperor standing above him still.


    With how the imperial reign was built on this authority alone, it was no different than capitulating the very ground that was holding his throne!


    Dugu Zhantian¡¯s eyes twitched, looking at the emperor with a dumb look. Zhuge Changfeng was doing the same, albeit with a casual glance.


    [The geezer¡¯s plan is obvious, he wants to give Zhuo Fan a power even above that of the Four Pillars.]


    As a Prime Minister, he had figured out the old schemer on the spot. The emperor wanted to balance the factions. [His reign had been steady all these years because of Dugu Zhantian and me.]


    [But won¡¯t this trouble addict, who goes on withdrawal if he doesn¡¯t cause a mess once every three days, have all this power go to his head and blow everything sky high? Or maybe¡­]


    Zhuge Changfeng squinted, scoffing inside.


    [The old coot can¡¯t take it anymore. He wants to speed up the chaos by getting the monkey added incentive to do just that, and flip the board while he is at it¡­]


    While Leng Wuchang tensed, his heart was resentful.


    He had already guessed what the emperor was up to, but that didn¡¯t mean he liked it. He was Regent Estate¡¯s steward, the one famed across the whole empire as Unwonted Contriver.


    Yet for a neophyte to suddenly call himself best steward under heavens didn¡¯t sit quite right with him, to say the least.


    Though Zhuo Fan¡¯s deceit and shrewdness had him pensive, by right, that title should be his!


    Sunk into depression, Leng Wuchang took a deep breath, twice, to regain his cool. He looked at Zhuo Fan with jealousy and greed¡­


    ¡°Present the violet mantle!¡±


    The emperor had spoken. A servant responded on point, presenting a plate with a purple cape and golden thread.


    The cape was unraveled, presenting a golden dragon with its four claws in the corners, while also a hint of a possible fifth claw, on a visibly empty pattern.


    The imperial family¡¯s robe was characterized by dragon claws, it was a symbol of their rank, authority and power.


    Four made one a prince, while five lifted him to be the son of heaven, an emperor. This cape was proof that Zhuo Fan was just shy of having the entire empire at his feet.


    Such controversy would never have stood. Since it held a strong feeling of outrage and rebellion against the current court.


    Yet the emperor himself bestowed Zhuo Fan with this contradiction. It went on to show that along with the best steward under heavens, Zhuo Fan was truly beneath the emperor, in both name and power. Not even the seven houses, princes, or even crown prince could compare.


    Crown Prince trembled and finally fell to one knee, ¡°Imperial father, this is most unbecoming. Please reconsider!¡±


    The rest followed his example, shouting in unison, ¡°Please reconsider, Your Majesty!¡±


    ¡°I order you to stand down!¡± The emperor¡¯s piercing cold tone sent shivers down their backs. They could not defy him.


    The emperor was the son of heaven, his word was solid gold. No man could sway his mind!


    They were all awakened to this simple yet painful truth, knowing any persuasion would fall on deaf ears.


    Without further ado, Zhuo Fan was entitled as the First Steward Beneath Heaven. His glorious radiance stabbing the eyes of all below, while also pricking no few hearts with discontent.


    Now that Zhuo Fan had both power and right, any defiance would be ill-advised, in a manner of speaking. He could stick the imperial family¡¯s army on anyone¡¯s ass at the drop of a hat!


    Pill King Hall and Merry Woods exchanged a pained glance.


    They never gave Zhuo Fan and Luo clan a second thought up till now, yet against fierce adversity they had become a behemoth. If only they¡¯d known, they¡¯d have it snuffed in its cradle.


    Regent Estate took this news quite well, too well, in fact. That was because they knew something everyone else didn¡¯t, Zhuo Fan¡¯s title was totally void of authority¡­


    The emperor didn¡¯t stop at Zhuo Fan¡¯s cape, showering the other high value members of the Luo clan with a title each, albeit far lesser than the first three. It was all so that the people would recognize who the Luo clan was, to open their beady eyes in the face of greatness and not step on their toes.


    Even still, there was one teeny-tiny matter that had everyone¡¯s dumbstruck faces on full display; while Pill King Hall and Drifting Flowers Edifices were slack jawed.


    Luo clan¡¯s second elder, Pill House elder, was Vicious Pill King Yan Song!


    Even the emperor was taken aback. Didn¡¯t Zhuo Fan waste him? What¡¯s he doing as Luo clan¡¯s elder?


    The emperor gave Zhuo Fan a deep look, ¡°Steward Zhuo, you¡¯ve fooled the entire world for eight years with your devious schemes. Just how many secrets are you hiding?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, please don¡¯t kid Your Majesty. With Your Majesty¡¯s astute mind, how could I possibly hide anything.¡± Zhuo Fan bowed.


    The emperor shook his head.


    He wouldn¡¯t be the emperor if he believed every outright lie. [This kid¡¯s tricks are so twisted even I am getting a headache.]


    With inconceivable matters cropping up one after another, fear crept within the emperor¡¯s heart. Without even realizing it, this pawn he nurtured for so long had outgrown his control.


    [I hope this game will still play out.]


    The emperor sighed inwardly¡­


    After four to six hours of dishing awards and titles, the ceremony came to a close. The emperor had the clans leave the Imperial Palace, but not without a bow from them and a deep respect towards the Luo clan.


    This new house was budding, yet it was very much capable. It had both experts and alchemists, at the top of their fields.


    Even their steward had surpassed the wisest steward of all, Unwonted Contriver, and became known as The Best Steward Beneath Heavens.


    A team such as this, excelling in power and management, was bound to hit it big. There were quite a number of clans entertaining the thought of bending a knee for the Luo clan after the ceremony.


    That went double after seeing their ranks. Of the Luo clan¡¯s elders, Lei Yuntian was the weakest, yet a Grand Elder. Second elder Yan Song was even in front of those Radiant Stage experts. These two were a complete discrepancy for the powerhouses around them.


    That line-up was like a flare to the people. This told everyone that the Luo clan was an honorable clan. First come, first served. Then again, one would always pick a true helper in favor of a poser.


    This had the clans competing to get into the Luo clan¡¯s graces rather than see it played out first. Luo clan had it made, no doubt about it.


    Luo clan was also the only one who made such strong elders work.


    All made possible by the grace and power of their steward, Zhuo Fan. Was there anyone among the elders who dared show discontent for their positions? To another clan, such a huge discrepancy in power would¡¯ve ended up in infightings.


    Didn¡¯t might always make right?


    Yet in the Luo clan, that right was worth shit. Any and all that dared preach such an outdated philosophy were served a huge piece of humble pie on a silver platter¡­


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, walk with me!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was leaving with the Luo clan when an aged voice called him. He turned to meet the emperor¡¯s steel gaze.


    With a deep breath and a nod, as if expecting it, he went with the old man.


    The two arrived at a pavilion in the imperial gardens. The emperor took a seat on a stone chair and invited him to do the same, ¡°This is where I and Mr. Sima play chess. Here, we¡¯re simple people, without rank. Please, make yourself at home.¡±


    With a raised eyebrow, Zhuo Fan plopped his butt on the chair, then took a casual bite out of a fruit he picked from the platter. He really was at home.


    The servant at the side almost blew a gasket.


    [That was His Majesty¡¯s courtesy, not for you to take it literally! Not even Mr. Sima, being friends with His Majesty for ages, would be so crass!]


    Not that the emperor cared, smiling as a grandpa did for his dotted grandson.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, I¡¯ve heard so much about you but this is our first meeting.¡± The emperor smiled.


    Zhuo Fan just nodded.


    The emperor laughed, ¡°I first heard of you from my third son. He said that Luo clan has a clever steward helping them and that I needn¡¯t worry. Thus I supported this new clan. As for your ability, I never gave it a second thought. How strong can a third-rate broken-up clan¡¯s clever steward become? I mean, the scope was just so limited, it was impossible for it to grow. Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±


    The emperor chatted as he looked at Zhuo Fan with a smile.


    Zhuo Fan gave a curt nod again.


    Sure enough, before meeting face to face, all information was about the clan itself. How one¡¯s view changed depended on one¡¯s position. Since no clan had ever come out of a border town like Windgaze City, what scope, what ambition could this one have?


    Even he would jump to the same conclusion given the chance. He¡¯d have the same disinterest in Luo clan and himself upon hearing of them.


    It was this lack of vigilance that made people like him be the ones in control. Or if Hell Valley or any other house focused on his clan, death was certain, unable to grow into what it was today.


    There was no one to blame here. Hell Valley was not some fool to let the Luo clan slip through its fingers, it was Zhuo Fan¡¯s uncanny mind to come up with some of the most insane and mystifying plans¡­

 Chapter 362 - Paving The Way

    ¡°However, killing You Guiqi in Blue Expanse City gave me quite a shock.¡±


    With a deep breath, the emperor looked to the heavens, a faint smile traced across his face, ¡°The only thing on my mind in those days was how could the third mind of Tianyu, Hell Valley¡¯s schemer, die at the hands of a nobody. It was then that I began to take notice of you. I reckon I was among the minority who held you in such high regard.¡±


    Zhuo Fan secretly sighed.


    He planned to keep his head low back then, to build up his strength and avoid unwelcome scrutiny. But then Ning¡¯er showed up and the circumstances forced him to go all out.


    Then Hell Valley followed up with their kill order, harassing him on every step.


    Come to think of it, he wasn¡¯t all that level-headed as he believed, but a mindless savage charging through. [But I liked the charge, so staunch, so invigorating!]


    In reply to his thoughts, the emperor patted his shoulder, ¡°You don¡¯t have to feel sorry, I understand. A patient man like you would never face such strong enemies so early. But as gold can¡¯t dull its radiance, or how a diamond can¡¯t hide among the sand, you too will meet with these events; whether you like it or not. Only, your radiance is perhaps a bit too gaudy. Even I was almost blinded, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The emperor continued, ¡°After my poor heart calmed down at last, months later, you pulled another one. You wrecked Drifting Flowers City and killed three house elders. That scared me. I wanted to build the Luo clan up to strike a balance, but you, the chick I had been raising, almost bit a wolf to death. You were close to ruining everything. I was wondering if renouncing your clan would be the better part of valor.¡±


    ¡°Uhm, many apologies, Your Majesty, I was too reckless and almost wasted Your Majesty¡¯s hard work. I am ashamed of myself.¡± Zhuo Fan bowed slightly and cupped his hands.


    Yet his mind was thinking the opposite.


    [His words feel sincere, but lack any truth. He goes on and on about balance and stuff, but from today¡¯s attitude, he wants anything but. All he wants is chaos!]


    [Actions speak louder than any sweet words.] Zhuo Fan had drilled this lesson into Lei Yuting for years, being a devoted follower of this saying himself.


    Hence, in reply to the emperor¡¯s convoluted speech, his mind was that of a mirror, not so easily pulled under.


    The emperor¡¯s eyes shined with wisdom, then he laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯s fine. It¡¯s all in the past anyway. It was only then that I realized my son was right. You truly are a man of many talents. How else could you have incited so much chaos? And so, I came to a bold and radical decision. Do you know why I sent Marshal Dugu to Windgaze City for rescue?¡±


    ¡°I am moved to tears by Your Majesty¡¯s extreme favor for my Luo clan!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s bow was on point.


    Shaking his head, the emperor gave a vague smile, ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t for the Luo clan, but for you.¡±


    ¡°I am shocked and dare not accept such praise!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, is there anything you won¡¯t dare to do? I wholly appreciate your strength. The next set of events only proved that my decision to send a million soldiers in defense of one man was the right approach. You haven¡¯t let me down!¡± He held Zhuo Fan¡¯s shoulder, showering him in praise.


    Zhuo Fan lowered his head.


    The emperor squinted, watching, scrutinizing, and only now he came back to the main topic, ¡°Zhuo Fan, I have called you here to come to an understanding between us.¡±


    ¡°Command me, Your Majesty!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s bow came again.


    ¡°What do you think of becoming¡­ The Prime Minister?¡±


    Shuddering, Zhuo Fan was stunned inside, but he put on a quizzical face, ¡°Your Majesty, the empire already has Prime Minister Zhuge. Why¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, of the empire¡¯s three great minds, You Guiqi only knew how to manipulate and scheme, a disgrace. Leng Wuchang has the talent, but a petty character that lacks any drive. Prime Minister Zhuge is the best candidate, holding his office for decades, his conduct exemplary. Only¡­ he is just like me, old. Once I¡¯m gone, am I to just leave an old man behind as support, to drag his feet and the nation? It is not something I want to see, and I¡¯m sure my successor would be in agreement as well.¡±


    Quirking an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan got the gist. The emperor wanted to pave the way for his son, the new emperor.


    As with any new emperor who took over the throne, their position will be shaky. With a wily old fox like Zhuge Changfeng around, with a cunning mind and wielder of power, the emperor¡¯s three sons would fall like flies.


    It would be an age of a weak ruler with strong followers. How could the Yuwen clan ever hold on to Tianyu?


    [Ha-ha-ha, it¡¯ll change hands of course!]


    This was where Zhuo Fan came in. He had no basis in the court, so even if a new emperor cropped up, the case would be that of a strong ruler and a weak follower, him ending up as the new emperor¡¯s pawn.


    On the other hand, Zhuo Fan was more than capable of filling the job of handling national affairs. Getting a third-rate clan to become a house in a mere decade tended to give one just enough credibility.


    So when the emperor came up with this proposition, he took everything into account.


    Staring straight at him, the emperor spoke, ¡°Zhuo Fan, I¡¯ve seen the path you¡¯ve taken to reach here. You are no weaker than Zhuge Changfeng, perhaps even better. At your age, he was but an ignorant bookworm. I believe you will surpass him in the future and become an even better leader of the Four Pillars. You becoming a Prime Minister will benefit the whole nation. I have made you the Best Steward Beneath Heavens, all so you could guide Tianyu¡¯s future for me!


    The emperor¡¯s eyes were honest. Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shook. He couldn¡¯t see through him, but one thing he did know. The emperor definitely had something else stored in his mind and it was time to lay it out in the open, ¡°But Your Majesty, as you know, I have a dragon soul. Being in court, won¡¯t I and the imperial family collide?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was quite tactful, yet it held the same meaning as Huangpu Qingtian back then.


    [Providence made me king yet you¡¯re not scared I¡¯d take it all away?]


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The emperor was calm, ¡°Dragon Vein Soul is a creature of the world, my family had it quelled for generations to safeguard Tianyu¡¯s prosperous future. By itself, it means nothing. Why else would we place Regent Estate as a guardian of Caged Dragon City yet be fearless of them taking the dragon souls for themselves and stealing our rule. Remind me again, who was it that killed Huangpu Qingtian, the one calling himself heaven¡¯s gift upon this world, he who had a dragon soul as well?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, destiny has always been in our own two hands. If posterity works hard and loves their nation, Tianyu will thrive, its people will be happy. But if an unruly successor is brash and decadent, how can Tianyu survive? Destiny, heaven, all are empty words. If I advocate such superstition, I wouldn¡¯t have needed to work myself to the bone over its future, now would I?¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded. [This emperor¡¯s words make damn perfect sense.] Even he believed it. As what was cooking in the old head of this emperor, not even he knew.


    In the end, Zhuo Fan cupped his hands, ¡°Your Majesty, give me some time to consider.¡±


    ¡°Sure, take all the time you need. Though I do hope you will serve your country and live up to the title I¡¯ve bestowed upon you!¡± The emperor gave a genial smile.


    Even Zhuo Fan was slightly touched.


    If everything the emperor said today were lies, then he was no emperor but an evil spawn.


    Zhuo Fan took his leave with a bow. The emperor watched him go with a peculiar smile.


    Whoosh!


    Two old men appeared on his sides, Fang Qiubai and Sima Hui.


    After a customary bow, Sima Hui began, ¡°Your Majesty, the princess has returned safely!¡±


    ¡°Yongning only knows how to make me worry. If not for Zhuo Fan, god knows what would¡¯ve happened to her.¡± Sighing, he brightened. He sure was fond of this willful daughter of his.


    Fang Qiubai sighed, ¡°I had never dreamt Zhuo Fan would reach such power in just a few days. I fear he has already surpassed us. What a little monster!¡±


    ¡°Humph, why stop there? He is clearly like the peak Radiant Stage Zhuge Changfeng, versed in pen and the sword!¡± The emperor squinted, then was taken by a coughing fit.


    ¡°Cough~ bring me a quill and paper!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    The servant complied, at once.


    The emperor wrote just a few big words on the paper, his sons¡¯ names. His eyes grew heavy looking at them, but they steeled in the end, ¡°Tell me everything that¡¯s happened, including the three¡¯s reactions.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Fang Qiubai presented the whole affair at the nine gates with intricate detail.


    The emperor grumbled to himself, then picked up a red quill and hovered over the crown prince¡¯s name, ¡°One must be collected, to have a way with words, to adhere to the ancestor¡¯s teachings. These are the qualities of a ruler¡­¡±


    He said as he circled the name three times, yet sighed in the end, ¡°But why do I feel you¡¯re being so stubborn? You will tire the people, sigh¡­¡±


    The emperor then crossed him out once and went to his second son¡¯s name to circle it twice, ¡°You are bold and benevolent, firm and ambitious, yet rude, rash and greedy. One day you will end up being used, humph¡­¡±


    The emperor crossed him three times, his beard trembling in anger, ¡°He is not fit for power!¡±


    Finally coming on to the third name, he hesitated, yet only drew a question mark.


    ¡°Your Majesty, what¡­¡± Fang Qiubai was stunned.


    The emperor spoke, ¡°I know you side with him, but my three sons need to be observed for longer. Especially the third. I fail to comprehend him. Lest the road I¡¯ve paved with so much sweat and blood will lead to the nation¡¯s collapse in the hands of a decadent successor and I will never know rest.¡±


    Sighing, the emperor grew sad.


    He hoped, no, wished there was one among his sons just half as shrewd as Zhuo Fan. He would then pass on his title in peace¡­

 Chapter 363 - Big Cheese

    ¡°Captain Pang, I am from the Jia clan of Westfall City. I¡¯ve heard so much about the great Luo clan and wish to give my respects to the young Regent. Please pass this message along.¡± A youth in lavish clothes stood before a lofty gate as he made a deep bow to Pang Yi.


    He had just finished when a kick smacked his ass way out of bounds. A wretched man spat in contempt, ¡°Humph, another third-rate clan comes out of the woodworks to latch onto the Luo clan? Not on my watch!¡±


    The man switched to an amiable face on the spot as he presented a vial to Pang Yi, ¡°He-he-he, I hail from the Bai clan of Coldedge City. I only wish to have the fortune of serving the Luo clan. Please send my kind regards. This is a 5th grade pill, Heaven Pill. It will assist you in entering the Profound Heaven Stage. I¡¯m sure you must find my meager goodwill laughable¡­¡±


    Pa!


    Not before getting cut off with a resounding slap to the face, which sent him spinning three meters into the air with a swelling face.


    In his place was an upright and icy old man, ¡°Humph, Bai clan? Just some thieves under Hell Valley now wanting to get into the Regent of Prosperity¡¯s good graces. That¡¯s the same as letting a spy in! My humble self comes from Seashore City¡¯s Wang clan. I will never allow such a disgrace to foul my eyes.¡±


    The old man walked forth aloof and self-important, flicking his sleeve, and bearing only respect, ¡°I pledge my life to safeguard the Luo clan. I will make sure no bastard sets foot in¡­¡±


    Pff!


    The old guy¡¯s act was cut short with a groan. He looked behind him to see a rough palm slam his chest.


    Captain Pang eyed him coldly, his smile wicked, ¡°Did I let you in?¡±


    He put more force into his hand and threw the old guy a dozen meters. The old man crawled to his feet and started cursing, ¡°How can you resort to violence so easily? Attacking when you feel like it. I-I even helped you get rid of a spy!¡±


    ¡°You mean that guy?¡±


    Captain Pang mocked, ¡°What spy is he when we haven¡¯t even taken him in yet?¡±


    The old guy was about to yap on, but the flood of people came from behind in waves. The crafty ones even kicked him for good measure, to lessen the competition.


    ¡°Damn geezer, don¡¯t take the high road with me for your own social climbing. Your Wang clan must really want to get in the Luo clan¡¯s graces to have come so early!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so stop blocking the way. We, the Fang clan, pledge ourselves as Luo clan¡¯s errand boys. We call dibs! Oh, Captain Pang, here is my clan¡¯s legacy, a 4th grade spiritual weapon. Please pass this message to the Regent.¡±


    ¡°Pei, you call that a gift? The Luo clan, head of the Eight Noble Houses, uses them for toothpicks! Captain Pang, I present to you a genuine and uncontested 6th grade heavenly treasure. I hope you could put in a few words for us to the young Regent¡­¡±


    ¡­


    In front of the huge building, people were coming from all around in droves, turning the entrance into a flea market. The plaque above the gate had ¡®Regent of Prosperity¡¯s Compound¡¯ written on it in bright gold.


    It was the place that the emperor bestowed upon Luo Yunhai in the imperial capital. By the way, it was also his current address.


    With the Luo clan receiving the greatest honor in the ceremony, not that the power it displayed while sitting on the head of the seven houses had anything to with it, they were, by right, uplifted to the rank of the head of the ¡®eight¡¯ houses. Hence, your run-of-the-mill arriviste clans rushed in like moths to the flame for a chance to serve under the new young Regent, wanting their fame and power to rub off on them too, to bask in second-hand authority, to ride their coattails and to push other people around for a change.


    But with how a literal flood was at their gates and Zhuo Fan had yet to return, Luo Yunchang dropped the headache on Captain Pang to stem the waterworks. Yet these guys didn¡¯t know when to quit, sticking around despite any harsh rebuttal, as if the only way forward was to be on the Luo clan¡¯s side.


    Captain Pang was laughing it up inside.


    He¡¯d be touched if it happened when the Luo clan was in dire straits. But now, [Humph, they¡¯re nothing more than selfish pricks¡­]


    ¡°Uh, this is¡­¡±


    A bewildered voice announced Zhuo Fan¡¯s coming, guided here by an imperial servant. But the horde of people had him blank out for a second there.


    He got the drift the next second though, [Sigh, the world is full of hypocrites.]


    ¡°I-it¡¯s the Best Steward Beneath Heavens, Steward Zhuo!¡±


    Someone noticed Zhuo Fan and shrieked like a fangirl, setting him in the sights of the mob.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, take us in! My clan is eternally loyal to yours!¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, forget about him. Take me! My clan is first-rate, an asset in battle. We¡¯ll charge the enemy alongside and will fulfill your orders to the letter¡­¡±


    ¡­


    On and on it went as the human sea outdid itself in being first. They almost had Zhuo Fan swallowed in the maelstrom. Their fanatic and crazed looks were burning his skin.


    Face twitching, Zhuo Fan¡¯s choice was for his right eye to flash golden and poof out of existence.


    Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 1st stage, Shift!


    Whoosh~


    And wink back into existence next to Captain Pang.


    ¡°Stop them!¡± Zhuo Fan said as he went inside. Captain Pang grinned, ¡°Not to worry. Not a single one will pass me.¡±


    The crazed fan base saw their quarry gone from their sight and were bug-eyed.


    [That¡¯s Steward Zhuo¡¯s power. That¡¯s so awesome!]


    Some girls swooned, ¡°Ah, too cool! Zhuo Fan, I want your babies!¡±


    That gave the start to the second wave upon the Regent compound¡¯s gates. But old faithful Captain Pang barred their way as well. The Wraith Art had toughened him up more than enough to make sure not a single rat snuck in.


    Leaving the crazed mob behind, Zhuo Fan walked towards the gate, while still hearing their frantic calls.


    Luo clan was now the big cheese in town. From big to small, from court to independent officials, everyone looked at it with reverence. It had been his goal all along, and yet he couldn¡¯t stem the worry gnawing his mind.


    He knew the old adage well, after woe came weal, yet the opposite applied just the same.


    They were in vogue across the entire nation, close to being a national role model. But this fame could very well turn bleak very fast. [I bet that old emperor can¡¯t wait for us to fall.]


    Zhuo Fan bore a cold smile.


    [Too bad that the Luo clan has me as their steward. It will never conform to your wishes. You¡¯re not the only player on the national chessboard. I am as well!]


    He stuck out his chest and strutted into the lounge. Besides the Luo siblings, there were some old friends waiting, his three allies.


    ¡°Zhuo Fan, you¡¯re back at last. We¡¯ve been waiting for ages!¡± Luo Yunchang went ahead to welcome him with a sweet smile.


    Zhuo Fan smiled back and greeted everyone with cupped hands, ¡°Forgive my late arrival. That old coot just kept running his mouth, forcing me to make you all wait. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Long Yifey and the others were about to give a courteous reply, but the words got stuck in their throat.


    Across the whole of Tianyu, the only guy who had the balls to call the emperor an old coot would probably be him alone.


    His outstanding peers, Long Xingyun and Xie Tianshang were there as well, but were sharp enough to keep quiet.


    They were still vexed whether Zhuo Fan was still their peer. Sure, the age fits, but what about their levels? [He¡¯s so awesome, going about doing this and that, not putting anyone in his eyes. So why is it that we have to be cautious all the time stuck behind him?]


    Guess the fact that his current achievement was all done with his own two hands had something to do with it. While they had their house behind them, he had to carry himself. Yet had still achieved the impossible. Such a gap couldn¡¯t be bridged.


    The thought had these young heroes fall into depression, [God, all these comparisons are mortifying!]


    Luo Yunchang looked off too. Pinching him with all she had, ¡°Can¡¯t you be more considerate? Do you want to die defaming the emperor all the time?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re afraid of Pavilion Lord Long and the rest ratting on us.¡± Zhuo Fan giggled at them.


    The old guys shook their heads at once, ¡°How could we? Brother Zhuo, please don¡¯t joke.¡±


    Zhuo Fan eyed them, ¡°I am not one to pay attention to my tone, you know? But that doesn¡¯t make me a fool. At least I know how to choose my words. I only said that about the emperor knowing fully well that you won¡¯t snitch. Like I said once, you¡¯ve helped me over the last decade and the Luo clan will become your strongest backer.


    ¡°The ten years have yet to pass, but Luo clan has already become the only house capable of standing against the Regent Estate. If Luo clan falls, what about all of you? We are now roped together in this. There¡¯s no way for you to sell me out so I trust you the most, am I right?¡±


    Zhuo Fan laughed, slowly devolving into a cackle. All while the oldies bobbed their heads.


    They felt quite awkward before this new house.


    Now that Luo clan was far above them, with a whole future ahead of it, they felt insecure, thinking they¡¯d be thrown away like dead weights.


    [This guy has done in ten years what we couldn¡¯t in a thousand! Is there anything he can¡¯t do?]


    All the more reason that these veterans, instead of having the same guts they showed before Regent Estate, made double sure to weigh every word and gesture before letting it out.


    That went double for Zhuo Fan.


    It dawned on them that Zhuo Fan¡¯s ever self-important reaction, his kingly air, was on a whole another level than even Huangpu Tianyuan or Leng Wuchang!


    Reading them like a book, Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°No need to be so tense, we¡¯re all old friends having gone through thick and thin. Luo clan will never forget that. Unlike Regent Estate, you can feel safe with us. We won¡¯t turn on you once we reach the top. Oh, how come I don¡¯t see Edifice Lord Chu?¡±


    To ease the tense mood, Zhuo Fan switched topics.


    Yet this question had Grandmother and the rest sputtering, trying to find the right answer¡­

 Chapter 364 - Sea Phantom Wing

    ¡°Did something happen?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart tightened.


    Grandmother shook her hands with a dry laugh, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo, she¡¯s fine. She¡¯s¡­ just in seclusion!¡±


    ¡°Seclusion? The Esoteric Debate has ended and the strife of the eight houses has begun. What¡¯s she, the house lord, doing goddamn secluding herself?¡± His stare bore into Grandmother¡¯s group, noticing their reactions were off. He knew something was up.


    But his questioning was cut off by the sudden booming voice of Old Pang, ¡°Their Highnesses, the Crown Prince and third prince, have arrived!¡±


    Startled, Long Yifey and the rest looked on curiously.


    ¡°The Crown Prince always abides by his ancestor¡¯s teachings and hardly ever visits the noble houses. Why is this time different, openly disobeying the tradition and coming to the eighth house?¡± Grandmother gave Zhuo Fan a hard look and drew a conclusion, ¡°Either he must feel his position threatened and was forced to intervene, or the Luo clan must be so radiant that even the grand Crown Prince has to bask in its glory.¡±


    Scratching his nose, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°I¡¯ve seen him once and he left me with an impression. He sticks to ethics, treating everyone fair, but he does it all with a clear purpose in mind. He is subtle and sharp, and won¡¯t get himself dragged into the houses¡¯ strife. He¡¯s more of an old fox watching the fire burn from the sidelines. Yet he took the initiative of coming here by himself, to get close to us. He has a clear objective in mind. As to what, we¡¯ll just have to wait and see.¡±


    His allies nodded. Zhuo Fan was cunning to the bone and calm even in this situation, earning their admiration.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, His Highness Crown Prince has come to pay the Luo house a social visit, but he is sure to want to discuss something secret as well. It¡¯s best if we take our leave first.¡± Xie Xiaofeng said.


    Zhuo Fan nodded, having Yan Fu lead them to another room, ¡°Abode Lord Xie, you¡¯re so thoughtful!¡±


    They left not a moment too soon, as in the next moment, someone with a bright and crisp laughter entered, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, imperial brother, imperial sister, your Prosperity Compound is so lively. That crowd you have outside almost had even me blocked.¡±


    Two golden men walked in with their attendants behind them, Crown Prince and Yuwen Cong.


    Zhuo Fan snickered inside at the sight of the first, [He¡¯s good. The emperor just made Luo house¡¯s siblings a regent and princess and grabbing the excuse, he came out of the woodworks in an instant.]


    Thus making the two feel awkward about shooing him away. Though they had no reservations about the second guy.


    Zhuo Fan turned to the ball of fat with a shake of his head.


    Thinking back, didn¡¯t the fatty drag him as well? [These two are indeed related, humph¡­]


    ¡°Please forgive my transgression of not coming out to welcome you, Your Highness!¡± Luo Yunchang pulled her brother to bow before Yuwen Bo. All while Zhuo Fan was standing behind them, looking bored and with nothing particularly important to do.


    Crown Prince ignored this obvious rudeness and instead helped the two up with a smile, ¡°Please, we¡¯re all family now. You don¡¯t have to be so distant. Just call me elder brother.¡±


    Luo Yunchang was startled. The siblings found him kind, amiable and modest. They were overwhelmed with gratitude.


    However, Zhuo Fan¡¯s trained eye saw through the facade. He hadn¡¯t lived two lives for nothing.


    ¡°Oh, Steward Zhuo, you sir have become the Best Steward Beneath Heavens as of today. You are in charge of all of Tianyu¡¯s affairs. Beneath one man and above everyone else. Congratulations on having received such boundless glory. I know it is late, but please accept my acclaim.¡±


    The Crown Prince went to Zhuo Fan and made a solemn and perfect bow, a ninety degrees down angle. If he were any more modest, he¡¯d be on his knees by now.


    Everyone was shocked at his modesty.


    That person bowing there was His Highness Crown Prince. The only ones to receive such respect were either the emperor or the Four Pillars. The seven house lords were clearly exempt.


    Yet here he was giving Zhuo Fan the greatest respect the imperial family could offer. Everyone looking at them felt touched by the gesture.


    All but Zhuo Fan, who wasn¡¯t buying any of that fake modesty, watched on with a cold eye and a curt nod, ¡°Oh, I know. Next time be quicker about it.¡±


    Pff!


    Blood almost spurted in waves as the people keeled over and laughed. It got a crack out of the bowing Crown Prince too. His face twitched and became red as a fireball.


    Yuwen Cong had the least control and cursed, ¡°Brother, how can you step all over him? Elder brother offers you his sincere congratulations and this is how you thank him? To be quicker about it? As if we¡¯re truly in the wrong here¡­¡±


    ¡°He said he came late and asked for forgiveness. What, didn¡¯t I forgive him and now I can¡¯t even chew him out for it? What more do you want?¡± Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.


    Pff!


    Blood was bound to flow if he kept this up. The fatty was so pissed that his lard and everything quaked, ¡°You¡¯re nitpicking! Can¡¯t we ever get a simple polite greeting out of you? Don¡¯t think that I won¡¯t, won¡¯t¡­.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t what, beat me up? Bring it!¡± Zhuo Fan snickered, flipping the fatty off in taunt.


    The fatty had smoke coming out of his ears. Oh, he wanted to put the prick in his place, but he was smart enough to know when he was outmatched, outclassed, though not outweighed. And so, while he looked positively charging, he had one greasy hand, by chance or not, holding Crown Prince¡¯s hand in such a way as if the other guy was pulling him, and then shouted, ¡°Elder brother, don¡¯t stop me. I will put this punk in his place for what he did to you.¡±


    The Crown Prince¡¯s mouth twitched.


    [I see why the old third has become sworn brothers with Zhuo Fan. Look at them! One has a flair for the dramatic, cocky and obnoxious, sticking his nose higher than the heavens even in front of me, The Crown Prince.]


    [The other is no better either. He¡¯s got no power yet still wants to play-pretend, pulling me into his act while he¡¯s at it.]


    [These two are like two peas in a pod. A bromance made in heaven!]


    Contrary to his thoughts, he knew Zhuo Fan had the power to match the attitude. His only choice was to make friends with the guy. Thus he laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo is so fresh and reasonable. I truly admire you. Old third, that was my sincere apology and what Steward Zhuo said was right. You can¡¯t interfere.¡±


    ¡°Humph, consider yourself lucky that the elder brother has let you off. Next time¡­ humph!¡± The fatty flicked his sleeve, speaking that line like second nature, all while being close to having a panic attack inside.


    [Oh, mommy, I¡¯m free at last! If I had fought with that freak, my modest 400 kg fat would¡¯ve been tenderized!]


    Zhuo Fan merely scoffed.


    They all returned to the lounge and sat. The Crown Prince clapped for his men to present his gift. Dozens of 8th grade ingredients and some 6-7th grade materials.


    These materials far outstripped even the Diamond Sand Zhuo Fan once called a genuine treasure. Among them, Sea Phantom Wing stood out, the wings of a 7th level spiritual beast, Abyss Phantom Butterfly!


    The Abyss Phantom Butterfly was exceedingly rare, haunting the black depths of the largest seas. It was ethereal, expert in using illusions and swift in water. Not even a peak Radiant Stage expert could escape this creature¡¯s illusions, offering instead his soul for it to feast on.


    And these wings retained that special trait. These were far better than his former Lightning Wings, both in strength and attack.


    The higher in stage a cultivator progressed, the more he trained his soul, hence soul attacks were more sought after.


    The Sea Phantom Wings were a nightmare for any Radiant Stage expert, or even higher.


    Eyes fixed on the Crown Prince¡¯s gift, Zhuo Fan sighed. [The imperial family must have a sizable treasury amassed over a thousand years for a mere Crown Prince to present such an invaluable gift.]


    The Crown Prince noticed his look and nodded with a smile, ¡°Steward Zhuo, I know you had Lightning Wings, but had come to lose them in the Esoteric Debate. Please kindly accept this gift I¡¯ve prepared for you.¡±


    ¡°Every reward is deserved. What does the Crown Prince wish for me to do in exchange?¡± Zhuo Fan smiled. He was never a believer of free lunches.


    Shaking his head, Crown Prince showed a vague smile, ¡°Steward Zhuo is a national hero, and the Luo clan is a national asset. I only wish for the two of us to work together for the safety of our empire. That is my humble request.¡±


    [Humph, more like having us as your lackeys! Cut the slick act!]


    Zhuo Fan scoffed inside.


    The fatty urged, having long since exhausted what little patience he had, ¡°Just accept the elder brother¡¯s goodwill. What¡¯s there to consider? Won¡¯t it help you strive harder for Tianyu? This is a natural responsibility of the Luo clan, now a crucial part of our nation!¡±


    Glancing at him, Zhuo Fan snickered, but nodded.


    He pegged the fatty as being on the Crown Prince¡¯s side for coming here together, but hearing him now changed his opinion.


    The Crown Prince wanted Luo clan to work with him, for him. As for national safety and such gimmick, that came second. But the fatty¡¯s dumb act, played out in ignorance, changed its content, making Luo clan working for Tianyu and thus accepting the gift fully deserving.


    The way it went, what looked like fatty helping Crown Prince was in fact helping Luo clan escape Crown Prince¡¯s clutches. Striving for Tianyu and siding with the Crown Prince weren¡¯t semantics.


    Thus the Crown Prince¡¯s gift became a waste!


    [The fatty was hiding himself. He is quite the shrewd guy. I wonder if the Crown Prince can read between the lines.]


    [Oh, he would be royally pissed if he could¡­]

 Chapter 365 - Parish

    After a bit more chatting, the Crown Prince stood up and bowed before leaving. Zhuo Fan actually enjoyed sending him off for a change, beaming from ear to ear.


    He was brimming with smugness thinking that Crown Prince had yet to find out that the fatty sold him out.


    Be that as it may, Zhuo Fan thought that taking such a grand gift for nothing was a tad bit awkward.


    Not like it was his fault. It was that tub of lard to blame for ruining his elder brother¡¯s masterful scheme. While Zhuo Fan was off the hook. As for serving Tianyu, it was not a problem. [Who¡¯s to say whom the future Tianyu belongs to?]


    Snickering inside, Zhuo Fan watched the princes leave, then came back inside more refreshed than ever.


    As for those two brothers, they didn¡¯t get more than a stick¡¯s toss away when Crown Prince cupped his hands, ¡°Third brother, thank you for coming with me. Otherwise, it would¡¯ve been impossible to make friends with the prideful Steward Zhuo even if I came as the Crown Prince.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be like that, elder brother. We are close, you and I. Of course I¡¯ll help you out!¡± The fatty slapped his flabby chest, shouting his bromance.


    Yet in the next second, his beady eyes turned shifty, ¡°Elder brother, weren¡¯t you always against us getting close to the houses? Then why¡­¡±


    Crown Prince sighed, ¡°You must think that I am going against the imperial father¡¯s decree by doing this, correct? Only, sigh, the imperial father has been going down on his years and his handling of court falls shorter from one year to the next. With the Luo clan and Regent Estate being like fire and water, it will be dangerously easy for Tianyu to fall into chaos and wreck the imperial father¡¯s poor heart from anxiety. As his son, I must set things right. That is why I wanted to get close to the rising Luo clan so that I may mediate in the most dire moments and bring balance to Tianyu!¡±


    ¡°Oh, elder brother is so considerate towards the people and father. I am in awe!¡± Yuwen Cong cupped his hands, putting on a face of adoration, ¡°Elder brother, just say the word and I will fulfill any request you may have to my full capabilities. This is the only thing I can do to share the load you and father carry.¡±


    Nodding, the Crown Prince patted his shoulder, ¡°Third brother, I thank you for your good intentions. If only our second brother had a fraction of your kindness, I believe we brothers could do it. If we work as one, nothing is impossible. A shame¡­¡±


    ¡°Elder brother, lighten up. Second brother will one day understand your toil!¡± The fatty gripped Crown Prince¡¯s hand, watching him with a heavy gaze.


    Crown Prince had a thin smile, ¡°I can only hope¡­¡±


    ¡°Third brother, I still have documents to handle for father in the Imperial Palace. I¡¯ll be going.¡± Crown Prince glanced at the sky and cupped his hands.


    The fatty replied in kind, ¡°Thank you for your hard work, elder brother. Goodbye.¡±


    Then he took his men and went in another direction.


    Watching the ball of flesh wiggle away in the sun¡¯s glorious rays, the Crown Prince had a smile on his face. But once the pile of meat took a turn, his face sank, his eyes exploding with revulsion and hatred unlike any before.


    ¡°That damn lardass talks too much!¡±


    He took out a spotless hanky and wiped his hand the fatty had grabbed then threw it away.


    Then he left with his own detail, towards the gloom of a dark alley where three people waited.


    ¡°Greetings, Prime Minister Zhuge.¡± Crown Prince bowed.


    They were Prime Minister Zhuge Changfeng and his two elders.


    Zhuge Changfeng smiled, ¡°Your Highness, by your confident gaze, I believe the plan was a success.¡±


    ¡°Of sorts, however Zhuo Fan is a highfalutin, leaving me with anger but nowhere to vent!¡± Crown Prince grimaced.


    Zhuge Changfeng laughed, ¡°Your Highness, please bear it. Zhuo Fan is a prideful youngster who has yet to experience true failure. Even Leng Wuchang suffered at his hands. His pride is warranted. This is just how people with talent are.¡±


    ¡°But will this cocky man one day take your position and become Prime Minister?¡± Crown Prince frowned in disbelief.


    Zhuge Changfeng nodded, ¡°You heard it yourself, how the emperor bestowed him the Best Steward Beneath Heavens title. And what does that mean? Becoming Prime Minister! His Majesty is paving the way, a capable official for the new emperor! Zhuo Fan may be unorthodox and crass in his methods, unlike me, but we are the same in one aspect. We are more than qualified to be the Prime Minister!¡±


    ¡°I understand, Prime Minister Zhuge!¡±


    Crown Prince nodded, but a dark cloud still loomed over his face, ¡°But I just can¡¯t stand Zhuo Fan¡¯s attitude. Just thinking how I¡¯ll tangle with him day after day once I¡¯m crowned, is infuriating! ¡°


    Zhuge Changfeng had a look of ridicule for him, ¡°Your Highness need not worry about this for now. Perhaps¡­ you won¡¯t even get the chance.¡±


    Crown Prince shook like a quiver as he cried, ¡°What are you implying?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Just a guess about His Majesty¡¯s thoughts, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°Every ruler plays favorites, leaving to his successor the people he wants. This goes double for the officials. Some will be demoted, others promoted, all to win the people¡¯s hearts. Yet this time, His Majesty has decided to forgo this and settle on the next Prime Minister candidate. Now why do you think he did that?¡±


    Crown Prince shook his head bewildered.


    Zhuge Changfeng resumed with a hidden gaze of contempt, ¡°If the officials are chosen before the ruler, this can only mean one thing. His Majesty is yet to decide who among you three is to be the successor. Put another way, anyone would do with Zhuo Fan at his side. Your Highness, don¡¯t put too much stock in your Crown Prince status, when it gives no advantage whatsoever in the power struggle. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°H-how can this be¡­¡± Crown Prince shuddered two steps back.


    ¡°Now do you see why I suggested getting close to Zhuo Fan? The official decides the emperor. Since any one of you three will do, it will all come down to who fits this stuck-up future grand chancellor best. This shall decide who among you is destined to be emperor!¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng sneered at the stumped Crown Prince, ¡°In case Your Highness and Zhuo Fan can¡¯t exactly rub shoulders, you might as well give up on the throne. Being a regent isn¡¯t all that bad either¡­¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Crown Prince shouted his defiance, ¡°Prime Minister Zhuge, thank you for telling me. Now I know what I must do.¡±


    He took his men and left in a haze. The sweat had seeped into his back and the golden tunic stuck to him.


    Zhuge Changfeng was mighty pleased watching the staggering figure leave.


    The black haired elder spoke, ¡°Sir, are you really helping him take the throne?¡±


    ¡°Helping? Humph, I¡¯m not so bored as to get his dowry for him!¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng snickered, ¡°I¡¯m only praising the Luo clan so much because of this tripartite stalemate plan, have the tigers tear each other apart while he reaps the benefits. But does he think I¡¯ll just stand by and let him do that? I will entangle the imperial family into this mess and jumble the board so much he won¡¯t be able to tell left from right. Ha-ha-ha, since he wants chaos, I¡¯ll give him a helping hand and raise hell. We¡¯ll just have to wait and see who will be the true reaper in the end!¡±


    The two elders praised, ¡°The Prime Minister is brilliant!¡±


    Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan went back to the lounge, dodging past Long Yifey and company.


    Long Yifey sighed at the gone princes, ¡°Crown Prince, a man of such impeccable conduct, is looking for a faction as well. The imperial capital isn¡¯t as calm as the surface.¡±


    The others nodded.


    These guys all had decades behind them and could sniff out any undercurrent.


    Zhuo Fan agreed as well, but wasn¡¯t worried. With the Luo clan growing day by day and on the initiative, who could reign them in when they were in constant transformation?


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, someone has come with an invitation!¡± Captain Pang ran over.


    Zhuo Fan glanced at it and at the sight of the second prince¡¯s name, he laughed, ¡°I just sent away the Crown Prince, and the second one comes right after!¡±


    ¡°The second prince is filled with wild ambitions, always discussing with the houses in secret. But everyone looked down on him, until recently, when he got tangled with Hell Valley. To vie for the throne, I presume.¡±


    Grandmother urged, ¡°Steward Zhuo, you¡¯d best avoid getting into the imperial family¡¯s affairs, lest you incite trouble.¡±


    ¡°Humph, I fear no trouble. But what does this second prince think he is, that he can just ask me to visit him? Even the Crown Prince paid yours truly a visit!¡±


    Zhuo Fan ripped the invitation in disdain.


    The others flushed with shame. [Steward Zhuo has nerves of steel. Coming to such a decision with such a reasoning.]


    While they were weighing the pros and cons, and how to ease up on refusing the guy, Zhuo Fan, on his high horse as he always was, never failed to look the part of the egotistical boss.


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    Checking the second invitation, Zhuo Fan read, ¡°Parish!¡±


    The third pillar, Demigod Yun Xuanji!


    Narrowing his eyes, Zhuo Fan pondered.


    Now that he thought about it, he had yet to pay this thousand year old mystifying clan a visit. And here it was knocking on his door¡­

 Chapter 366 - Yun Xuanji

    Yun clan, the most secretive clan since the founding of Tianyu.


    It was not like the Seven Noble Houses, guarding the borders, but a clan every emperor had relied heavily on. This clan had mastered an amazing and strange skill. In every generation, there would be one person who knew how to read the heavens, a sacred bloodline that could infer the fate of the nation.


    This bloodline didn¡¯t offer them power, but allowed them to look into a person¡¯s fate, and the empire¡¯s path, with ultimate precision.


    Their eyes saw the world, so to speak. They gleaned fate through signs unperceived by others and presented the emperor with the most accurate conclusion.


    This person was called High Priest in every generation, a title the emperor bestowed.


    Rumor had it that in the Tianyu Empire¡¯s most dire need, the High Priest was the one to recommend Dugu Zhantian for marshal and Zhuge Changfeng for minister to the emperor. This led to the powerful Four Pillars of today, bringing prosperity to the nation.


    The current High Priest was the 7th clan head of the Yun clan, the one they called Demigod Yun Xuanji.


    Zhuo Fan mulled it over, ¡°They say Yun Xuanji doesn¡¯t care about mundane affairs, so how come he knows about me?¡±


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, he is an incredible man. Since he has invited you, he must want to convey something of dire importance. You have to go.¡± Grandmother spoke after seeing the invitation.


    Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan eyed her, then the rest, ¡°You guys are quite respectful of Yun Xuanji. Is he that trustworthy?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely. Yun Xuanji is an anomaly in Tianyu. Be it the emperor, Zhuge Changfeng, Dugu Zhantian, or the seven houses, everyone would knock on his door whenever they faced something beyond their understanding. And he answers each time. I once visited sir myself and his words brought light to my eyes.¡± Long Yifey smiled, recalling the fond memory.


    It only worked to get Zhuo Fan more curious, ¡°How is it that the emperor leaves this threat, a mystic whose words shape the nation and even lead the houses, alive?¡±


    Zhuo Fan was clear on one thing. Chaos bred heroes while peace killed mystics.


    The world was perfect, peaceful and safe. [But your sudden scrying and spouting of the world falling into chaos, with anyone vying for the throne, will shake the empire to its core, no?]


    This led to those mystics raving about some monarch founding a nation to be the first put down after the nation was up and running, to prevent calamity.


    No one wanted for others to use their words and steal their throne.


    One other reason why Zhuo Fan had such disdain for anything related to heaven, providence and the like. Huangpu Qingtian wouldn¡¯t shut up about it. He laughed in his face of course, labeling him as another duped moron in his mind.


    But now, the Yun clan had not only developed this art to perfection, it even had authority. Men, friends and enemies alike, paid social visits for answers to their problems. It was a clear violation to the imperial family, yet the emperor never once snuffed it out but kept it close for a thousand years. This was more than baffling, insane even.


    The house lords burst out laughing at his conundrum.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo, what you don¡¯t know is that the Yun clan has never shied away from the straight and narrow. It treats everyone as guests, yet never holds favorites. It never involves itself in court affairs, taking neutral ground and never crossing the line, the only reason the imperial family¡¯s fears were abated. Unlike any other mystic, Yun clan has an ancestral teaching. The walks of life are numerous, heaven ever changing and humanity¡¯s wisdom boundless!¡± Xie Xiaofeng grinned.


    Zhuo Fan pondered, but shook his head in the end, ¡°Isn¡¯t that the same as saying, at the end of it all you have only yourself to rely on?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just it! His words guide you on your path. As for succeeding, it all comes down to you. This is what makes the Yun clan incredible.¡± Long Yifey laughed.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eye twitched, ¡°Well I think he is a hustler. To juggle so many big shots sure takes skill. I¡¯m looking forward to meeting him. Who knows, I may learn a thing or two on how to use you guys better! ¡°


    ¡°He-he-he, even better. If you can learn anything, we¡¯ll be coming to you for guidance, ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Everyone burst out laughing.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand holding the card shook, but his eyes were focused.


    He called Yun clan a mystic, but he was more than clear that for the emperor and Zhuge Changfeng to show utmost respect towards it, it had to be more than that.


    [I have to visit them!]


    He cupped his hands and took his leave, heading for Parish. It took fifteen minutes to arrive before a huge gate.


    ¡®Parish¡¯ was written above it.


    But unlike its glorious name as a third pillar, it looked downright poor.


    [The Yun clan is truly honest despite the thousand year long fame.]


    Nodding, Zhuo Fan knocked. The heavy gate creaked open and a nine year old kid walked out. Giving Zhuo Fan a once over, he bowed in respect, ¡°May I know who sir is and your purpose?¡±


    ¡°A merchant. I heard of the High Priest¡¯s scrying and wish to consult him.¡± Zhuo Fan found discretion was the better part of valor so he chose to probe the unknown kid.


    The kid frowned and counted on his fingers before bowing in apology, ¡°Forgive me, but Clan Head is tending to an important guest these three days and cant receive you. You may come afterward. Let me make you a reservation.¡±


    Zhuo Fan regarded the kid deeply and nodded inside.


    [Yun clan sure is fair. So lofty yet hearing the people¡¯s needs. Even their kid is polite. At the very least, it knows how to raise their clansmen.] If it were the Luo clan¡¯s guards meeting some nobody wishing to see the great Steward Zhuo, he¡¯d have been slapped silly rather than waste words.


    Yun clan advocated virtue, a stark contrast from your common mystic.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, child, I won¡¯t tease you any more. I have received an invitation. Here.¡± Pinching the cutie¡¯s cheeks, Zhuo Fan laughed.


    The kid lit up and bowed, ¡°Oh, Best Steward Beneath Heavens, forgive me for not recognizing you, Sir Zhuo. Clan Head has long been expecting you.¡±


    The kid led the way, with Zhuo Fan smiling behind.


    They passed many water pavilions and stopped before a large structure. Looking up, Zhuo Fan found it to be a hundred meters tall, at the least.


    ¡°Here is the Parish¡¯s observatory. Clan Head is currently tending to a guest. Please wait here while I inform him!¡± The child bowed again.


    Zhuo Fan nodded and the child left.


    Fifteen minutes later, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes roamed all over the place, bored out of his mind, when he heard angry and rough shouts.


    [Why are they so familiar?]


    Going around the observatory and onward, he arrived at a house. The child from before was now kneeling in front with a lowered head.


    [Did he wait here not wanting to disturb the Clan Head?]


    ¡°Sir Zhuo¡­¡± The child noticed him and cried out. Zhuo Fan only gestured for him to be silent. Then, to the child¡¯s shock, he tiptoed over and peeked through the seams of the door.


    He was dying to know who Yun Xuanji was seeing.


    He got the shock of his life!


    There were three people inside. One was a sitting grizzled old man with closed eyes and impeccable conduct. He was assumed to be High Priest Yun Xuanji.


    As for the other two, Zhuo Fan was more than familiar with them, Huangpu Tianyuan and Leng Wuchang.


    Huangpu Tianyuan was the one raving, ¡°High Priest, your scrying has never failed so why is it this time that it is completely different?¡±


    ¡°Indeed. I can infer human minds, but not heaven¡¯s will. Something I admire the High Priest for!¡± Leng Wuchang cupped his hands, ¡°But this time, I am unable to readily accept the High Priest¡¯s error. Twenty years ago you told us that the eldest young master is fit to rule, that it was a wonderful omen. But now¡­¡±


    Yun Xuanji nodded and sighed, ¡°Indeed, your eldest young master had the rare earth dragon disposition. He needed to pass three tribulations and his future would¡¯ve been limitless!¡±


    ¡°What tribulations?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan spat.


    Yun Xuanji not once opened his eyes, ¡°These three were a part of heaven¡¯s plan I dare not divulge. But since he had come to pass, it no longer applies. They are heaven¡¯s will, father and son, and sin!¡±


    ¡°Which of them was Zhuo Fan?¡± Leng Wuchang asked.


    Yun Xuanji shook his head, ¡°Neither.¡±


    ¡°Then why say there were three? Aren¡¯t they clearly four? It was even one that took his life!¡± Huangpu Tianyuan boomed.


    Yun Xuanji was a bastion of tranquility in the face of a storm, ¡°Heaven is ever changing, though some movements can be tracked. With a human having three thousands paths to choose from, his life can take a myriad of turns. But your dear son¡¯s tragic loss is a true accident¡­¡± ¡°


    Pff!


    Zhuo Fan was holding his mouth for his dear life. He was more and more sure this Yun Xuanji guy was a hustler through and through. [Who the hell would say an expert like Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s death was an oopsie?]


    Huangpu Tianyuan and Leng Wuchang twitched.


    It was a first time hearing such a word from Yun Xuanji. He used to drone on about fate working in mysterious ways, some kind of elegant and convoluted explanation that had them all bow in admiration of the infallible truth it held.


    But this time, he offered no such thing, writing it all off as an accident.


    [Is he trying to give Parish a bad name¡­]

 Chapter 367 - You Should Be Dead

    Face twitching, Huangpu Tianyuan clenched his fists and felt a sudden, totally understandable, urge to deck the old man, ¡°High Priest, haven¡¯t you always preached that no life is by accident? That heaven has decreed everything? Even if a mistake happens, it is only a fork in the road that is fate. Aren¡¯t you the one mistaken then? Why is it that when it comes to Qingtian¡¯s turn, it¡¯s an accident?¡±


    ¡°One¡¯s path is impermanent, heaven ever shifting, and of the world¡¯s myriad creatures, no one can escape their destiny. With how the world has eight gates ¨C opening, torpor, life, harm, impediment, spectacle, shock, death ¨C to enter the gate of life is to be alive; to enter the gate of death is to die; to enter the gate of torpor is to lag in lethargy and be in a slur; to enter the Gate of spectacle is to have a bright future. But in any case, it always revolves around taking one of the eight gates, never outside them. Thus one can¡¯t escape their destiny.¡±


    Yun Xuanji took a deep breath. After speaking of how mysteries had intricacies and intricacies had mysteries, he sighed, ¡°However, as there are myriads of living beings, an anomaly is bound to appear. There comes a time when a singular man stands outside heaven¡¯s control¡­¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan¡¯s eyes twitched, clueless where he was going with this rant. Leng Wuchang, however, did get it, ¡°You mean to say¡­ Zhuo Fan isn¡¯t part of heaven¡¯s schedule?¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan snapped his stunned eyes on Leng Wuchang.


    [What does that mean?]


    Yun Xuanji never elaborated, resuming after a long pregnant pause, ¡°We shall stop here. I have spoken too much already. You are now on your own. Show yourselves out.¡±


    [This coot¡¯s kicking his guests out!]


    Huangpu Tianyuan choked, and a blazing fire scorched his heart. He really wanted to thrash this geezer. Not making a word of sense and now he was giving them the boot? The two¡¯s minds went out of commission for a second there.


    Leng Wuchang was the first to act though, stopping his lord¡¯s assault on the defenseless old man and bowing, ¡°Thank you, High Priest, for your counsel. I understand fully and we shall now take our leave. We shall come again another time.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Sir Leng, understand what? I didn¡¯t get anything out of that rant!¡± Huangpu Tianyuan roared.


    Leng Wuchang waved, ¡°Estate Lord, let¡¯s go. The High Priest has already given us clear advice. Zhuo Fan is an anomaly, neither friend nor foe. He has nothing to do with us.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re calling all that nothing? He has killed so many of our people! And you want to just forget about revenge?¡± Huangpu Tianyuan watched Leng Wuchang in shock.


    [Why is Sir Leng speaking in riddles like this coot?]


    Leng Wuchang merely pulled him outside, ¡°Estate Lord, I will explain everything when we get back¡­¡±


    Rumble!


    Leng Wuchang opened the door only to bump into the peeping tom. He cried, ¡°Zhuo Fan! W-what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°A total coincidence. Ha-ha-ha, just like you came to ask how to deal with me, I¡¯ve also come to High Priest for pointers on what¡¯s the best way to get rid of you guys.¡±


    Zhuo Fan taunted with a snicker, ¡°Though, isn¡¯t it funny how we both visit the same person for our problems?¡±


    ¡°Humph, ignorant whelp, Parish has stood tall for a thousand years, above mundane affairs. And they won¡¯t start doing it now for a measly conflict. They are merely here to point out our path and clarify our purpose.¡±


    Leng Wuchang put on a cold smile, ¡°Besides, now that I fully understand our circumstances, Luo clan may be evolving day by day but it will be at the heart of chaos. Attack us and both our houses will fall, leaving others to reap the benefits. Intellectuals like you and me aren¡¯t dumb enough to chose this path.¡±


    Zhuo Fan gave him a deep look and nodded, ¡°Right on. But understand this, who was it that kept backing off in front of the Imperial Palace?¡±


    Shuddering, Leng Wuchang clenched his fists.


    It was the greatest humiliation of his life to be pushed around by Zhuo Fan.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Sir Leng, you know you can¡¯t beat me, yet you are also scared to face me. It must be¡­¡± Zhuo Fan snickered, his finger pointing at his heart, ¡°Here is where you fall short. You¡­ don¡¯t have my drive, just a mere counselor unable to achieve anything noteworthy, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    The mockery was jarring to Leng Wuchang¡¯s ears. His eyes bloodshot, his fingers digging into his palms, unable to hold himself back from trembling.


    It was a naked taunt and scorn.


    But all he could do was bear with it. They couldn¡¯t face Zhuo Fan as he was now, he was too strong. Besides the fact that he was now one of the big players in the grand scheme of things. They were not about to throw caution into the wind over this little hiccup.


    The kneeling child was stumped.


    Living his whole life in the Parish, all he had ever met were respectful and courteous people, even if hypocritical.


    In other words, this child had only seen the light of the world, and never its black and foul darkness.


    Today was the day when he got exposed to humanity¡¯s most morbid side. Zhuo Fan hardly needed lengthy speeches to poke at Leng Wuchang, those few words contained more than enough unbridled malice that he would appear to be like a hellhound out for blood. And each word shocked the poor child¡¯s naive heart more than the last.


    He was afraid.


    [So this is the corruptive darkness that courses through outsiders¡¯ veins!]


    Yun Xuanji sighed with his eyes closed¡­


    Leng Wuchang took long breaths to calm down somewhat. He refrained from talking back and instead pulled an enraged Huangpu Tianyuan, ¡°Estate Lord, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Zhuo Fan watched them leave with a grin, then turned to the dumbstruck kid, patting his shoulder with a snicker, ¡°Sonny, see that? Look how those guys left bleak and despondent before yours truly. Am I cool or what?¡±


    The child was too shocked to speak.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, please refrain from corrupting my disciple.¡± High Priest finally opened his deep eyes.


    With a casual shrug, Zhuo Fan grinned, pinching the kid¡¯s cheek again before going in.


    After that peeping fiasco, he was rid of all respect he ever had for High Priest, thinking, [Just a hustler.] And since he was a mere peak Profound Heaven expert, he had lost all interest too.


    Sprawling in his seat and drumming the table, Zhuo Fan said, ¡°So, why did the High Priest call me over?¡±


    Looking at him for a long fifteen minutes, Yun Xuanji nodded, ¡°As I suspected, Steward Zhuo is a man among men.¡±


    ¡°Stuff it. If I¡¯d been any more normal, I¡¯d be dead. Now why did you invite me?¡±


    Zhuo Fan slapped the table with a scoff. He shot to his feet, heading for the door, ¡°If you¡¯re all out of shticks to convince me, then see ya. And don¡¯t try that fate stuff with me. It won¡¯t work, nor can I understand it. Do us both a favor and save it.¡±


    Zhuo Fan left with a sneer. Yun Xuanji only spoke as he was about to take the first step outside, ¡°You¡­ should be dead!¡±


    Rumble!


    Zhuo Fan froze with his leg in the air. His eyes filled with shock.


    Yun Xuanji cut into him quickly.


    He did die once already. Be it Luo clan¡¯s servant, Zhuo Fan, or Sacred Domain¡¯s Demonic Emperor, Zhuo Yifan, they had both died.


    Zhuo Fan was the Demonic Emperor¡¯s resentment, borrowing this servant¡¯s body to be reborn. He still had the case of identity disorder. Was he Zhuo Yifan or Zhuo Fan?


    Through the use of Nine Serenities Secret Records, out of two deaths, a life was born.


    This was his greatest secret, so how did the old coot figure him out in a glance?


    Creaking his head back, Zhuo Fan frowned. He now noticed the abyss in the old man¡¯s eyes hiding a faint flicker of light, like the night¡¯s furthest star.


    [Are the rumors true? Yun clan¡¯s Clan Heads have eyes that can pierce one¡¯s fate?]


    [T-this is out of this world!]


    [Not even Sacred Domain¡¯s Emperors can train in such a mystical art!]


    [More importantly, is this world dominated by fate?]


    Zhuo Fan was a stubborn skeptic when it came to anything remotely sounding of fate, but now, he was forced to give it a second thought¡­


    Swallowing dryly, Zhuo Fan looked heavily at him, ¡°Just who are you? Where does the Yun clan come from?¡±


    He refused to believe that the mortal domain housed such an unimaginable clan. [He¡¯s a branch of the Sheng clan. He has to be!]


    Yun Xuanji had a puzzled look, ¡°Steward Zhuo, what are you saying? Yun clan has always lived in seclusion, being weak at fighting. At the founding of Tianyu we were asked to come out of obscurity and have been treated as its Parish ever since. To answer your question of where we come from, I can only reply with Tianyu!¡±


    Zhuo Fan was thrown in a loop now. [Can a clan of such incredible skill have such bland origins? Or have they lived for so long that they forgot about their own history?]


    Zhuo Fan had a faint smile on and shamelessly plopped back in his seat, ¡°High Priest, please don¡¯t mind my previous outburst. So, where were we? Ah, it¡¯s been ages since I had such a refreshing chat with someone, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Yun Xuanji¡¯s face twitched and he laughed to himself, ¡°Steward Zhuo, your reputation precedes you. Flexible, knowing no shame, and quite like myself back in the day.¡±


    ¡°High Priest, are you patronizing me, or mocking yourself?¡± Zhuo Fan felt awkward.


    High Priest shook his head, ¡°We¡¯ve all been young once. But now, at my age, this seat is different from how I saw it then. So I wished to have a talk with Steward Zhuo, giving our all for a better tomorrow¡­¡±

 Chapter 368 - Rediscover

    Zhuo Fan was listening to Yun Xuanji¡¯s every word.


    ¡°People¡¯s fates are ingrained in the world. Although choices are innumerable, anything hardly throws the world out of balance. My belief was firm in this truth and with my ancestor¡¯s eyes, I was able to point out a safer path for the people. But eight years ago, something happened that collapsed my faith.¡±


    Zhuo Fan curled an eyebrow. Seeing Yun Xuanji gasping, he muttered, ¡°High Priest, restrain your grief. Who hasn¡¯t been disappointed in the world?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you think I fell in despair because everything I knew had been turned upside down?¡± Yun Xuanji sighed, ¡°Perhaps, but I was more surprised than anything. I used to think every life is bound to the world¡¯s laws. The more I saw, the duller the world became. That is why the Yun clan has always lived in tranquility and never engaged in power play. But that moment opened my eyes, that not everything was set in stone. Heaven and earth are keeping us prisoners while still presenting us with a way out. All that is left is for us to find it¡­¡±


    Clueless to high heavens, Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, cursing the old man, [What the hell had the old coot been smoking?]


    Yun Xuanji laughed in reply to his thoughts, ¡°Steward Zhuo doesn¡¯t look too keen to delve into the mysteries of fate. Then I shall speak plainly. Eight years ago, you killed You Guiqi in Blue Expanse City. Your act defied fate. His destiny was fraught with dangers but it was not meant to be cut so short.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s heart seized. Eight years ago was his first turning point in Tianyu, the one that made him (in)famous. All the fate defying that came after this event went way over his head.


    [You mean to tell me fate includes killing? What am I supposed to do? Wait for the auspicious day when I want to kill someone since it wasn¡¯t in the stars for him to die earlier?]


    That only meant this Parish ought to change jobs, scrying for an assassin¡¯s target¡¯s due date. Or no matter what the killer tries before the due time, all attempts would be for naught.


    Yun Xuanji knew his thoughts before they had even formed, ¡°Each man¡¯s fate is linked with the world, just like the starry sky. And every one of them touched one another through unseen rules and intricate interactions. Since everyone has their own will, they all take different walks in life. But the path to death never even existed for You Guiqi at that point in time. It only appeared twenty years later, in a time of great national unrest.


    ¡°The news of his death shocked me to the core. I turned to the sky at once and found a dead person still alive. Along with him, the strings of fate were now entangled and he had escaped the ties that bind. Every single action of his changed the fates of everyone he met. The strong become weak, and the weak turn strong. Like a Demon Archon incarnate, he literally flips the world upside down!¡±


    ¡°Uh, High Priest, you don¡¯t mean me when you mention Demon Archon, right?¡± Zhuo Fan pointed at his nose, blinking his big puppy eyes.


    Yun Xuanji smiled, ¡°What do you think? Ha-ha-ha, you know better than anyone. Just how many people¡¯s fate has taken a sudden and unconceivable turn on your path?


    ¡°Luo clan, a washed-up third-rate clan is experiencing a complete rebirth, as the head of the Eight Noble Houses. If not because of you killing You Guiqi, Blue Expanse City¡¯s Xue clan would¡¯ve never served under Sword Marquise Abode; their third miss¡¯ life would¡¯ve run its sordid course. Drifting Flowers Edifices was destined to be Regent Estate¡¯s first victim in their house unification plan, greatly bolstering their power, all leading up to a huge civil war. All it took was one particular man, you, and Drifting Flowers Edifices made a comeback from the brink of death, Regent Estate¡¯s plans were thwarted, and on and on it goes. Need I say more?¡±


    ¡°Uhm, all of this sounds like fate¡¯s plan to me. Maybe I¡¯m just Regent Estate¡¯s nemesis, the one to turn all of it around!¡± Zhuo Fan stuck out his nose as he spoke with sophistry.


    Yun Xuanji nodded with a smile, ¡°Perhaps, but my eyes still fail to see any trace of fate around you. As if you are walking between two worlds, having long since shed the shackles of destiny.¡±


    Heart tense, Zhuo Fan may speak tough but he was already starting to believe it on the mushy inside.


    Although he was allergic to this bullshit called fate, this old coot was right about one thing. He truly was walking between worlds, that of the living and the dead.


    An Ethereal Stage losing his body could live on by possessing others with his soul. But that was no true rebirth, since he didn¡¯t die to begin with.


    While Demonic Emperor Zhuo Yifan had his soul pulverized, annihilated. Luo clan¡¯s servant, Zhuo Fan, of meager cultivation, was also struck down.


    Yet through the mysteries of the Nine Serenities Secret Records, life was born anew from these two strangers housing one body, a life walking the thin line between the living and the dead yet above the laws of this world.


    Separated, they were dead, but together they were at least half-alive!


    ¡°Steward Zhuo, I don¡¯t know how you did it, but please believe me. Your very existence changes everyone¡¯s fate as they know it.¡±


    Yun Xuanji paused for effect, then continued in a heavier tone, ¡°I intended to keep this matter hidden, but in exchange for your trust, I will tell you a secret. The one you killed, Huangpu Qingtian, had all the qualities and fate to be a ruler. He had a high chance of becoming the new emperor.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Zhuo Fan could hardly believe his ears.


    He was always of the belief that Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s rants about providence this, providence that, were just that, rants ¨C and a heavy dose of narcissistic tendencies. But now, even the High Priest vouched for him, making it all the more crazy.


    Yun Xuanji sighed, ¡°I had seen into Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s fate and a single glance told me that he had the disposition of an earth dragon, a prime candidate to be a king on this earth. But fate is a forked path, where there is death, there will always be life, and where there was life, death wasn¡¯t far behind either. At the time, I spoke of three tribulations he had to pass to achieve his destiny.


    ¡°First was heaven. With the king¡¯s advent, the dragon soul shall return. Huangpu Qingtian earned its recognition in his childhood for a reason. This tribulation, he passed.¡±


    Zhuo Fan nodded.


    Dragon Vein Soul was a savage being, with not even a Radiant Stage expert capable of subduing it. Yet Huangpu Qingtian, a pipsqueak, did it, complementing each other and training the Earth Dragon Claw. [It¡¯s gotta be fate. There¡¯s no other explanation.]


    ¡°The second tribulation was of father and son. Estate Lord Huangpu Tianyuan is a decisive and stalwart person. If Huangpu Qingtian wanted to do anything, he had to seize power, to steal his father¡¯s seat. This ultimately broke the ties of father and son beyond repair. All he had to do was to be a savage himself, throw away his clan and steal his position. This would¡¯ve brought him one step closer to being an emperor.¡±


    [Humph, the punk was savage alright, just look at his rotten attitude¡­]


    Zhuo Fan scoffed inside, [It¡¯s obvious that this tribulation was a walk in the park compared to the first.]


    ¡°The final tribulation, the most crucial one, was sin! Huangpu Qingtian is a tyrant in character and actions. With everyone considered dirt, his sins weigh heavy on his shoulders. If he would¡¯ve gone soul searching, reassessing the worth of a person, he would¡¯ve been a prime candidate to become the next emperor. Twenty years later, Regent Estate would be at his beck and call. At the peak of his power, the clash with the imperial family would be nothing more than a skirmish to him. And four decades later, he¡¯d become the ruler of Tianyu and establish his own dynasty!¡±


    ¡°Uhm, that seems highly improbable. With that guy¡¯s obnoxious attitude, the thought of self reflection would¡¯ve never crossed his mind. Looking people right in the eye instead of his nostrils would already be a huge improvement. There¡¯s no way he would¡¯ve passed the third tribulation.¡± Zhuo Fan dissed his words, ¡°But now the Regent Estate can no longer vie for power and has nothing to do with me anymore!¡±


    Yun Xuanji shook his head, ¡°People always change. As I understand, the recent years have been too peaceful. If Huangpu Qingtian had lived, he may very well be able to overcome this tribulation. A pity he stumbled upon you, a man outside fate, and his future was cut short. A grave loss¡­¡±


    Yun Xuanji sighed, while Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, ¡°High Priest, for you to tell me so much, there has to be a reason. Why?¡±


    ¡°For the good of the people!¡±


    Yun Xuanji stood up, giving the flabbergasted Zhuo Fan a deep bow, ¡°I have deep knowledge of fate and it¡¯s inviolable nature. Even if forced to change, it will only make a detour. Slowly but surely returning back on track. Hence I am filled with pain seeing the people suffer yet powerless to help them. Now that I see that Steward Zhuo has the power to change all that, I dearly wish, Steward Zhuo will keep the fighting to a minimum, for the sake of the people¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine, I get it!¡±


    Zhuo Fan waved him off before he went on, ¡°High Priest, I took you for an intelligent man, but now I see that you¡¯re quite senile. One second you call me the Demon Archon incarnate, and the next moment you ask the same Demon Archon to save the world?¡±


    Yun Xuanji held his gaze, ¡°You ¡®were¡¯ a Demon Archon¡­¡±


    ¡°Still am!¡±


    ¡°Then later¡­¡±


    ¡°Still will!¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s tone was firm.


    Yun Xuanji sighed, ¡°You have escaped fate, so why insist on walking the old path? I do not know who you are, but looking at your past exploits that got you here, they¡¯re not at all the actions of an ignorant child, but those of an expert reborn. Going from there, a reborn expert must¡¯ve faced true death once. But have you ever taken a moment to consider that this rebirth ¨C and having escaped fate ¨C is all about rediscovering yourself?¡±


    Zhuo Fan shook from head to toe.


    Not only had he guessed Zhuo Fan¡¯s origins but the heart of this old demonic cultivator.


    Rediscover!


    In less than ten years, unlike his past life which was focused solely on cultivating in the Sacred Domain, he had met countless people, gotten in touch with all kinds of feelings he never knew existed that had given him a whole new look on life.


    These were all events he had never experienced before.


    Maybe this life was heaven¡¯s way of elevating his state of mind through countless events for the next time he became a Demon Emperor!


    That truth freed him of worry and brought peace. His death as Demonic Emperor may very well be a blessing in disguise.


    ¡°What¡¯s in it for me?¡± Zhuo Fan was back to showing his trademark evil smile. He may have accepted Yun Xuanji¡¯s proposal, but on the inside he was still rotten¡­

 Chapter 369 - Holy Maiden Yun Shuang

    Yun Xuanji smiled after persuading Zhuo Fan¡¯s rebuttal into a half-agreement. As for the price, he had that covered, ¡°Steward Zhuo, changing fate benefits the nation. It is the highest form of good you can do. From now on, my clan will follow Steward Zhuo to the ends of the earth. Going against heaven¡¯s plan is the way for the future. We¡¯ll do anything to prevent Steward Zhuo from burning the world and ruining the lives of innocents.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s face lit up, his heart tickled pink.


    The third pillar, Parish, would answer to him alone. It was the best kind of help! With High Priest Yun Xuanji known to all as Demigod, he could peer into heaven¡¯s plan yet not through Zhou Fan.


    Regardless, this way he would have accurate information regarding those sneaky devils that wanted to stab him in the back while he was assaulted by beasts from the front.


    Caught in his reverie, Yun Xuanji was the one to wake him, ¡°Steward Zhuo, my clan has always been neutral. But for the sake of people, I will make an exception just this once. Last night, I peered into the sky and found the Luo clan to be on a constant rise. The only ones strong enough to crush its advance are four powers!¡±


    ¡°Care to elaborate?¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Regent Estate, the earth dragon; imperial family, the crouching dragon; the empire¡¯s Prime Minister, Zhuge Changfeng, the hidden dragon; and¡­¡±


    Yun Xuanji squinted and sighed, having reached this point and gestured to the north, ¡°My greatest worry and greatest menace upon the people, Quanrong Empire, the vile dragon!¡±


    Eyes squinting, Zhuo Fan cried, ¡°The same Quanrong Empire that the imperial capital¡¯s factions have beaten down thousands of miles away from here? What do they have to do with us? Don¡¯t tell me they¡¯ll take this chance to attack? That still doesn¡¯t involve the Luo clan. That will be right up Dugu Zhantian¡¯s alley!¡±


    ¡°I am unclear since I am not part of the court meetings and do not understand politics shrouded in cloak and dagger. I only read the night sky and these four are the ones most likely to level the Luo clan!¡± Yun Xuanji sighed.


    Wheels turning for a while, Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes had a lost gaze in them, not seeing the connection.


    [If I take Yun Xuanji¡¯s word for it, who¡¯s side is Quanrong on then?]


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s mind jumped back to the Esoteric Debate, thinking of the time in Beast King Mountain and the good days he spent with that foreign lass. He found her a little bit queer.


    [Is someone within our empire spying for the Quanrong Empire? How else do you explain another country¡¯s interference in times of Tianyu¡¯s civil war?]


    He then turned to the first three factions. They all had the minimum power to cooperate with each other and this had him grow extra cautious.


    [I was too naive to focus only on the first three factions. Each of them is despicable and vile enough to pull outsiders into this country¡¯s problems.]


    [God damn it, are they that thick in the head to not understand the simple truth of keeping it in the family?]


    First he cursed them and then rejoiced. He thanked his lucky stars that he came by Yun Xuanji today and found out about this important info or this ace would have remained hidden until it would sting him hard.


    With a rushed bow, he spoke, ¡°Thank you elder Yu for your wisdom. I will make arrangements at once. I am not about to let outsiders encroach our lands and put our people in peril!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, for Steward Zhuo to realize this truth, I am more than gratified! But before you go, I have a gift for you.¡±


    Chuckling, Yun Xuanji turned to the kneeling child outside the door, ¡°Xiao Dongzi, go bring Shuang¡¯er!¡±


    ¡°Right away!¡± The child left.


    Zhuo Fan put on a puzzled look for the High Priest. [What treasure is he giving me?] But all he could read from the old guy¡¯s vague smile was nothing.


    Moments later, the child came back with a brisk ringing of bells and a fragrance that assaulted Zhuo Fan¡¯s nose. It soothed his mind and cleared his heart, and then he heard the sweetest voice, ¡°Grandfather, you called?¡±


    Zhuo Fan flicked his head back to meet the clearest eyes and fairest skin, sending Zhuo Fan down memory lane!


    Ning¡¯er!


    They were not, in fact, similar at all. She was prettier than Xue Ningxiang by a long shot, but Zhuo Fan found one trait identical.


    Both of them had that innocent vibe. Like the highest snow on the tallest peak, unmarred by decadence and evil plaguing this world.


    ¡°Shuang¡¯er, come.¡±


    Yun Xuanji had a cooing tone as he gestured her over, ¡°She is my granddaughter, Yun Shuang.¡±


    Zhuo Fan made a curt nod and a silly smile found its way on his face. He felt too similar to when Xue Ningxiang was around and for no particular reason he became chipper, ¡°Hi, I am Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan.¡±


    ¡°Hello.¡±


    Yun Shuang smiled back and bowed, shaking the little bell on her wrist.


    Yun Xuanji approved, then dropped the bomb, ¡°Steward Zhuo, Shuang¡¯er will be your servant, tending to all your needs!¡±


    [What?!]


    Zhuo Fan and Yun Shuang¡¯s eyes were about to pop out.


    ¡°Grandfather¡­¡± Yun Shuang teared up at Yun Xuanji¡¯s inflexible expression.


    Zhuo Fan waved all over the place, ¡°High Priest, your help is more than enough. Why must you make such a repulsive proposal? Do you take me for a lech? One who sits on men and gets fresh with women? To the point that I¡¯d go for my allies¡¯ people?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, this is precisely why. Why else do you think I¡¯d throw my dear granddaughter into the jaws of a tiger?¡±


    Yun Xuanji said, ¡°To be perfectly honest, she is like me and has the same eyes I do. She is to become Yun clan¡¯s eighth Clan Head, Holy Maiden Yun Shuang! I leave her with you to guide you when needed and to stop you from bringing calamity to the people. In the Esoteric Debate, you lost all reasoning, forcing the hidden and opportunistic Luo clan to come out in the open far earlier than necessary. For the Luo clan and for the nation, it was a grave lapse in judgment!¡±


    Flushing red, Zhuo Fan scratched his nose.


    He was clear on what a dumb idea it was being such a hothead when facing Huangpu Qingtian. As they say, hindsight was 20/20.


    But some things were meant to be done even if they were clearly unreasonable. He would do it all over again even if he had to choose again.


    [I¡¯d never rest easy until he died!]


    Yun Xuanji gave Zhuo Fan a shy look, her eyes turning pitch-black with faint glimmers flashing deep within, just like Yun Xuanji.


    She then cried, ¡°Ah! H-he has no fate. Is he the one grandfather always talks about, the anomaly who broke the ties that bind?¡±


    ¡°The same one. Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan!¡±


    With a chuckle, Yun Xuanji who was very fond of Yun Shuang, spoke ¡°Shuang¡¯er, don¡¯t blame me. I don¡¯t have any choice. It¡¯s the only way to save the people, through him, who changes fates. He is a man of cruel methods, not one bit kind. Even capable of tormenting innocents. I can only have you stay by his side, to guide him on the righteous path and save the people¡­¡±


    ¡°Cough~, High Priest, with all due respect, are you by any chance cursing me? Is that wise?¡± Zhuo Fan spoke his two cents.


    Yun Xuanji just shook his hand, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo always sees himself as a cruel man. So how could those words count? Just take them as a praise.¡±


    ¡°High Priest, now I know why you said my shameless character made you nostalgic. You haven¡¯t changed a bit, still hanging on strong. I may be shameless, but not even I am like you, cursing someone in their face.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too kind, really. Steward Zhuo just got Unwonted Contriver so angry he almost spat blood. I am far from your match. As they say, every generation outmatches the last. Kids these days get stronger every day¡­¡±


    Pff!


    Yun Shuang watched the two bicker between the lines and giggled.


    Yun Xuanji patted his dear granddaughter¡¯s head, pushing her over, ¡°Steward Zhuo, Shuang¡¯er is in your care. She will be of help to you. Please don¡¯t abandon her, she isn¡¯t a burden. I can¡¯t always be there to guide you, but she can. She is useful.¡±


    Quirking an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan felt that the old man was hinting at something while emphasizing her ability, but nodded anyway.


    [The coot is right about one thing. Having a scryer by my side is far better than running over here every other day.]


    Thus they came to terms.


    Yun Xuanji saw them out himself. Yun Shuang barely wanted to leave, with tears welling in her eyes, but Zhuo Fan¡¯s forceful pulling got her away in no time at all.


    [This is a treasure right here. Waste not, want not!]


    This scene would instantly slap another infamous rumor on the ever growing list that was Zhuo Fan, that of him being a human trafficker.


    What no one noticed though, was the pair of cold eyes watching them from a dark corner.


    Moments later, a shadow flashed, and words entered his ears. He mumbled and scoffed, ¡°Humph, this suicidal old coot, neutral for a century and now he decides to make an exception¡­¡±


    The figure vanished. And the sky above the Parish darkened swiftly, bringing with it rain and piercing winds.


    The High Priest faltered at this change and his carefree mood turned serious as he sighed, ¡°What matters is not what becomes of my name, but the good of the people! Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    After a weak laughter, his eyes flickered with a staunch resolve¡­

 Chapter 370 - Kidnapping

    ¡°Shuang¡¯er, hope you don¡¯t mind me calling you that.¡±


    On their way to the Luo clan, Zhuo Fan and Yun Shuang were walking abreast. But he always had a vile and sinister smile each time he looked at the lass, like she was a super rare treasure.


    Yun Shuang shivered and tears welled in her eyes. The way she saw Zhuo Fan grinning was like a stranger being handed a candy, and it scared her out of her mind.


    Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, miss Shuang¡¯er, there¡¯s no need to be scared. Your grandfather placed you in my care to help me complete my master plan. In fact, we¡¯re on the same side. Once this is all over, you are free to go home. With how we little know about each other from the past few moments, you can still be sure of my character. Just stick with your¡¯s truly and you¡¯ll be going places. I will make a celebrity out of you. I will take very good care of you, he-he-he¡­¡±


    He didn¡¯t realize that all this boasting might have something to do with how this girl had the same character as Ning¡¯er.


    Yun Shuang broke out in giggles.


    She kept looking at him for a while, before finally scrounging up some courage, ¡°S-Steward Zhuo, grandfather warned me many times that you are a bad man and I am to lead you down the path of righteousness. But you don¡¯t look so wicked to me.¡±


    [Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s why I said you don¡¯t know me!]


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan laughed inside at the gullible lady.


    Then, a sudden wind picked up and covered the two in yellow dust. Zhuo Fan cried, ¡°Poison! Shuang¡¯er, hold your breath!¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, useless. My poison can pierce even a Radiant Stage expert¡¯s defenses!¡±


    The creepy voice stabbed the two¡¯s ears as the yellow dust grew thicker around them.


    Zhuo Fan grimaced as he watched the world spin, [It¡¯s a sedative¡­]


    With a plop, he fell down, out cold.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo!¡±


    Yun Shuang cried just as the yellow poison drifted towards her. She held on for a few seconds before blacking out just like Zhuo Fan.


    Three men flew over. One was an elder with long yellow eyebrows drooping down the sides of his wrinkled face. A flick from him made the yellow dust go back into his sleeve.


    They were mighty pleased with themselves seeing their quarry was out for the count.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, and here I thought the Best Steward Beneath Heavens was something to fear. One move from me and he fell all the same.¡± The yellow eyebrow elder laughed.


    His cronies bowed in praise, ¡°Ancestor Huang Mei, your poison is invincible. Not even Pill King Hall can match you.¡±(StarReader: Huang Mei= literally ¨C yellow eyebrows)


    ¡°Humph, Pill King Hall is nothing compared to me! Thinking back to when Pill King Hall invited me to be their Venerable, we compared poisons but wasn¡¯t it them who fell short each time? All they have for themselves is an empty name.¡±


    The Ancestor mocked, ¡°Second prince only wants Zhuo Fan. What do we do with her?¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, I heard Zhuo Fan always carries himself with pride and indifference and has few people he even cares about. For this girl to be walking next to him, it can only mean that she is one such person. Let¡¯s take her as well. It might be for his Highness¡¯s benefit! ¡°


    One of the men bowed and Ancestor Huang Mei nodded. He wrapped the two bodies on the ground in yellow dust and flew away. The other two rushed to catch up.


    This easy win had gotten to their heads alright, or they would¡¯ve noticed a shivering person not far from here having been witness to all of it.


    A closer look would instantly place her as Princess Yongning¡¯s attendant from the award ceremony.


    ¡°Oh god, this is huge! I have to tell the princess!¡± The child finally regained her wits after a long fifteen minutes, scampering for the Imperial Palace in panic.


    In less than an hour, the panting child presented her badge to the gate guards, ¡°I, I am the princess¡¯ maid, let me in¡­¡±


    Meanwhile, in the princess¡¯ chambers, a fatty was wiping the overflowing sweat on his brow as he panted, ¡°Yongning, come out. I¡¯m dying here¡­¡±


    The fatty shook the ground with his collapse, cursing still, ¡°What the hell is wrong with this place? Why is it so big? For no one but the emperor to move in a palanquin is so unreasonable. That rule is clearly aimed at my poor self¡­¡±


    ¡°Then what are you doing dashing around the Imperial Palace? Why don¡¯t you stick to your manor? Hi-hi-hi¡­ ¡°


    A giggle came from beyond the doors. Princess Yongning came from inside in a cheerful mood. Fatty turned to look at his younger sister, ¡°You think I want to run over to this blasted place? Regardless of its importance, imperial father always sends me on errands. While the elder brother handles files in the Imperial Palace and the second brother tends to the guards, patrolling with them each day. Only I, the accursed big boned, unloved by my father, gets sent outside whenever, wherever. I bet the farther he sends me the better he feels, wishing I won¡¯t get back at all!¡±


    ¡°Sigh, the world can be so cruel to this poor plus sized man. Third brother, you must have lived a long and hard life.¡± Yongning caressed the big lug¡¯s head, but the smile never left her face, on the verge of breaking the facade.


    The fatty¡¯s mouth twitched, flicking her hand away, ¡°Stop patronizing me, sister. I came here on official business. It is father¡¯s punishment for you for sneaking out!¡±


    ¡°He knows?!¡±


    Yongning jerked and her face sank, ¡°Third brother, how did father find out? Did you all tell on me? And you call yourself brothers!¡±


    Rolling his eyes, the tubby sighed, ¡°Yongning, I haven¡¯t said a word. Running around the nation round the clock has me dead on my feet. I don¡¯t even have time for anything else, much less report you. As for the elder brother, he¡¯s toiling hard as well, pushing papers all day every day. When would he get the time off to tell on you? To say nothing of the second brother. You saw him growing up, how his only drive is elder brother. He¡¯s not so bored as to give you trouble.¡±


    ¡°Then who told him my secret?¡± Princess Yongning frowned, ¡°If I ever get my hands on that person, I¡¯ll tear them to pieces!¡±


    Fatty was watching her in a daze, then shook his head, ¡°Yongning, you¡¯re no angel either. Even if we didn¡¯t know a thing, he¡¯d still hear about it. Father is the emperor with countless spies under him. Aren¡¯t you a bit delusional thinking you can hide your actions in the imperial capital?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. Thanks to your reminder, now I know it must be those rumored shadow guards. Creeping about like ghosts, some clingy maggots and pestering pests. Am I right?¡±


    Yongning clapped and vowed, ¡°They¡¯re the ones. Who else could¡¯ve known I sneaked out?¡±


    The fatty gasped, then put on a bitter smile, ¡°Yongning, are you sure you aren¡¯t playing with half a deck? That little sneak of yours outside the gates was out in the open for all the houses to see. Why mention the shadow guards when everyone knew? Besides, the shadow guards are father¡¯s secret force. No one knows who they really are. All that is known is their captain, the fourth pillar, Shadow King! Even the other pillars are cautious around him. Aren¡¯t you perhaps having an overinflated idea of yourself thinking a big shot like him would set his eyes on the little old you?¡±


    ¡°What little old me? Aren¡¯t I a princess?¡± Yongning threw a tantrum.


    Fatty sighed, ¡°Yongning, we¡¯re getting nowhere. Might as well accept father¡¯s punishment. Princess Yongning, receive the edict!¡±


    ¡°Yongning obeys. May His Majesty have a long and prosperous life!¡± Yongning fell to her knees, with utmost respect.


    Fatty turned solemn as well, ¡°By order of the emperor, Yongning has sneaked out of the palace and lost all semblance of propriety. You are hereby confined for one year, subjected to change depending upon your behavior!¡±


    ¡°A year?!¡± Yongning fell to the ground in shock, her face ashen.


    A whole year stuck in the Imperial Palace, that was the heaviest blow she had ever received.


    Fatty regarded the downcast princess in pain and was going to say a few words, but a child rushed over in panic, crying all the time, ¡°Princess, something terrible has happened!¡±


    ¡°What happened? Why are you panicking?¡±


    Yongning sighed, ¡°What could be worse than being grounded for a year? And didn¡¯t I tell you to invite Shuang¡¯er to read me? Where is she?¡±


    Gasping, she blurted, ¡°Didn¡¯t get the chance. Miss Shuang¡¯er and Zhuo Fan were kidnapped.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Yongning and fatty cried.


    ¡°I saw it with my own eyes, princess!¡± Lu Zhu vouched.


    ¡°Who did it?¡± The fatty frowned.


    ¡°I heard them mentioning the second prince!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Fatty and Yongning jerked at once. Fatty¡¯s face was whiter than paper.


    ¡°Second brother has really done it now. A prince engaging in kidnapping? And with the High Priest¡¯s Holy Maiden and a house¡¯ steward no less! Lu Zhu, you come with me. I am going to give him an earful, humph!¡±


    Yongning scoffed, pulling Lu Zhu towards the emperor¡¯s study. Lu Zhu merely bobbed her head and followed. While fatty ran out of the palace aghast.


    ¡°Third brother, where are you going? Shouldn¡¯t we tell father?¡± Yongning shouted.


    ¡°It¡¯s too late for that!¡± Fatty gnashed his teeth.


    ¡°Late?¡± Yongning was bewildered, ¡°Since the second brother had them kidnapped they should be safe for the time being. ¡°


    ¡°How can I rest easy? And I¡¯m not worried for them, but for my second brother. Old second must¡¯ve lost his mind to move against that savage. You can mess with the King of Hell, but god help you if you step on Steward Zhuo¡¯s toes! That line said back in the Esoteric Debate wasn¡¯t just for show!¡±


    Fatty wiped his brow and his face was flushed. His blubberbutt actually moved with uncanny grace for once, gone like the wind.


    Yongning figured the situation was far graver and rushed as well¡­

 Chapter 371 - The Savage Rouses

    Whoosh!


    The image of a perfect blue sky was ruined when a yellow smoke made erratic movements all over it. It landed in a huge yard, revealing the person within.


    It was Ancestor Huang Mei and his cronies. Each was holding a knocked out hostage, Zhuo Fan and Holy Maiden Yun Shuang.


    Throwing the baggage to the ground, the trio cackled.


    Clap~


    With a slow clap, a nice-looking youth came over with a dozen people behind him. It was Yuwen Yong.


    Second prince gave the baggage a curt nod, ¡°Whenever the yellow wind blows nothing can catch him. Ancestor Huang Mei lives up to his reputation. To have even Zhuo Fan, the pain in the rear of all the houses, tied up, I am in awe, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, thank you, Your Highness. I am not like those nobodies, undeserving of their name. I had him captured even before I got to show what I was made of! I feel ashamed sometimes, undeserving of the second prince¡¯s praise.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Ancestor is so modest. I¡¯m sure that it is not Zhuo Fan who is weak, but Ancestor¡¯s skills are out of this world to have achieved such swift success. Ancestor, you will have the ten 8th grade pills, rest assured.¡±


    Second prince clapped and laughed while Ancestor Huang Mei gave out his creepy cackle.


    With that out of the way, the second prince turned to the baggage. He flipped Zhuo Fan over and snickered at his dreamy look, ¡°Is this all the Best Steward Beneath Heavens amounts to? This is what you get for ignoring my invite!¡±


    Then he turned to Yun Shuang in confusion, ¡°Ancestor, who is this?¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, not a clue. Since she was with Zhuo Fan, she has to be someone important to him. I figured the girl would be of some use to Your Highness so I brought her along.¡± Ancestor Huang Mei shrugged.


    Second prince chapped his lips with so many praises, ¡°That¡¯s so nice of you, Ancestor, ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    He flipped her over as well, putting on display all that made her pretty. He was amazed, ¡°Holy Maiden Yun Shuang? Ancestor, how come you¡¯ve kidnapped someone from Parish?¡±


    ¡°You mean I can¡¯t?¡± Ancestor Huang Mei was confused.


    Squinting, the second prince took a deep breath and showed a twisted smile, ¡°No, you are perfect, Ancestor. In fact, I¡¯ll add two more pills as thanks!¡±


    [What?!]


    Ancestor Huang Mei blanked for a second then laughed, ¡°Thank you, Your Highness!¡±


    He thought he had brought along a mere girl but she proved to be of value, earning him a bonus.


    Giving Yun Shuang a good look, second prince said, ¡°Ancestor, could you wake her up. I have some questions.¡±


    ¡°Easy.¡±


    Ancestor Huang Mei nodded and pulled out a vial from his ring. He hovered it under Yun Shuang¡¯s nose and said, ¡°This is my prized narcotic, Thousand Years Dream. Not even a Radiant Stage expert can fight it. Their only chance at waking up is if I help them, he-he-he¡­¡±


    ¡°Ancestor¡¯s skills are amazing. I am in awe.¡±


    Second prince cupped his hands, then waited for Yun Shuang to wake up.


    Fifteen minutes later, with a melodious sound, Yun Shuang stirred. The first thing she saw was the second prince¡¯s warped smile. She cried, ¡°Ah, second prince¡­¡±


    ¡°Miss, there¡¯s no need to fear. You are a valued guest of my manor. You¡¯re safe here. Grinning, second prince made a gesture for silence.¡±


    Yun Shuang looked at him distraught. She shuddered backwards as she took in his accomplices with a heavy heart.


    Her 5th layer of Profound Heaven Stage could hardly count as anything against the 9th layer Profound Heaven experts around, to say nothing of the five Radiant Stage experts.


    The biggest shock was the yellow eyebrow Ancestor, in the 8th layer of Radiant Stage.


    Looking at so many bigshots around her, all she saw was death. Then she glanced at Zhuo Fan having the sweetest dreams imaginable and shook him, ¡°Steward Zhuo, wake up! Wake up!¡±


    No use. Zhuo Fan was sleeping like a baby.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, miss, save your energy. Only my antidote can wake him!¡± Ancestor Huang Mei laughed.


    Yun Shuang bit her lip, growing frantic and fearful of the men around her. She knew Zhuo Fan couldn¡¯t do a damn thing as he was, but she stuck close to him either way. The closer she was the safer she felt.


    Snickering inside, the second prince put on a genial smile, ¡°Miss Shuang¡¯er, I¡¯ve heard of you being a Holy Maiden. But with all of Parish¡¯s rules and other obstacles, I¡¯ve never had the pleasure of paying you a visit. Imagine my surprise when you came to me instead. You honor and humble me with your presence.¡±


    ¡°Humph, what valuable guest, you kidnapped us!¡± Yun Shuang scoffed.


    Second prince laughed, ¡°True, but it¡¯s fine. All that matters is that you are in my home and that makes you a guest. And let me tell you, I do know how to treat my guests. Though there is just one small detail that has been vexing me for a long long time, something that I hope you can clarify for me.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Yun Shuang asked.


    Second prince gave a deep bow, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Miss is the same as the High Priest, with eyes that can read the heavens, able to look into a person¡¯s fate. Would it be possible to glimpse upon mine? Am I¡­¡±


    Second prince was getting excited and shouted, ¡°Fit to rule?¡±


    ¡°Not in your life!¡±


    Yun Shuang was stubborn and shot him down there and then, ¡°By Yun clan¡¯s ancestral teachings, we have always been neutral. We look after the people, not the rulers. Peeking into the empire¡¯s fate is taboo and against the Yun clan¡¯s principles. I cannot help you!¡±


    Second prince¡¯s face fell and he snorted, ¡°I see, ancestral teachings, is it? Why then I heard that twenty years ago, the High Priest had read Huangpu Qingtian¡¯s fate?¡±


    ¡°How is that the same?¡±


    Yun Shuang explained, ¡°Huangpu Qingtian was a child then. His fate was full of twists and turns. He had yet to mature into someone being fit to rule. You, on the other hand, are fully grown and have fewer turning points. If you do have a dragon¡¯s disposition, it will come to pass more often than not. And reading it will mean revealing heaven¡¯s plan, inviting heaven¡¯s wrath and bringing hell upon the masses!¡±


    She shouldn¡¯t have said that. Now the second prince¡¯s heart was thrumming in his chest out of excitement.


    When Huangpu Qingtian died, his fate as an emperor wasn¡¯t certain and even if he had the disposition of a king, he still couldn¡¯t overcome the tribulation called Zhuo Fan. But the second prince was different, his fate was set in stone. Once determined, it would come to pass.


    Summing it up, all Holy Maiden had to do was to say that he had it in him to be an emperor and no one would stop him. He¡¯d have a smooth sailing towards the throne!


    Second prince¡¯s delusion of grandeur grew so much that his eyes were bloodshot, ¡°What are you waiting for then? Bask your eyes on my regal self. Tell me if I have what it takes to reach the top!¡±


    ¡°I told you already. I mustn¡¯t¡­¡±


    Second prince held a 5th grade spiritual sword and poked at Zhuo Fan¡¯s throat in his lunacy, ¡°I heard you two are close. Look already or he dies!¡±


    ¡°Easy, Your Highness. He is after all the one His Majesty bestowed the Best Steward Beneath Heavens title. We will also have to answer if anything happens to him.¡± Someone urged in the second prince¡¯s ear.


    Second prince glared and roared, ¡°Codswallop! Once I take the throne, Best Steward Beneath Heavens isn¡¯t worth shit!¡±


    He now turned to Yun Shuang and threatened, ¡°Look or I will kill him! Didn¡¯t the Yun clan always come to people¡¯s aid? Are you going to let this man suffer?¡±


    Yun Shuang was torn. She couldn¡¯t watch him die nor go against her ancestor¡¯s teachings. She just couldn¡¯t choose.


    She glanced at Zhuo Fan¡¯s dreamy face and recalled her grandfather¡¯s warning.


    Zhuo Fan was an anomaly that changed fates and she was to guide him on the straight and narrow path. Recalling Zhuo Fan¡¯s selfless act of jumping in front of her to meet the poison, she finally made her choice.


    Zhuo Fan had to survive!


    ¡°Fine, I will!¡± Yun Shuang nodded.


    Second prince was jubilant. He took back the sword and straightened his tunic, ¡°Then, Holy Maiden, if you please.¡±


    Yun Shuang closed her eyes and the next time she opened them they turned into a sucking abyss. Just that in that endless darkness faint glimmers shone, like stars.


    After a while, she regained her normal sight and sighed.


    ¡°What is it, Holy Maiden, am I¡­¡± Second prince couldn¡¯t control himself with joy.


    Yun Shuang nodded with a relaxed smile, ¡°How fortunate, you are not fit to rule. I didn¡¯t go against my ancestors. Oh, such a blessing!¡±


    Boom!


    Second prince¡¯s mind exploded. His face twitched as he babbled, ¡°H-Holy Maiden, aren¡¯t you mistaken? Do it again!¡±


    ¡°Grandfather has taught me since I was a child. There¡¯s no mistake.¡± Yun Shuang stated, ¡°You are unfit for the throne. Don¡¯t waste your breath. But I will tell you this, my kindness to you. The path you tread is fraught with danger, towards eternal doom. Turn back and you may live a life of peace. If you don¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°You damn liar! You dare to deceive me? I¡¯ll kill you!¡±


    With a roar, the second prince denied this wretched fate with all his being and even lost his mind. Holding out his sword again, he slashed at Yun Shuang.


    Yun Shuang shrieked and curled.


    The sword failed to cut even a hair from her head as it clanged in the vise of a dragon claw.


    What came next was the cackle of a demon, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you fool, even if you were fit to rule, the instant you grabbed me your fate was doomed¡­¡±

 Chapter 372 - Leveling The Prince’s Home

    Clang!


    With a sharp and faint sound, the second prince¡¯s prized 5th grade spiritual sword snapped in two in that dragon claw¡¯s grip, to everyone¡¯s horror.


    Zhuo Fan stood proud and tall before Yun Shuang, roaming his cold gaze on the guards and stopping on the second prince with a snicker, ¡°He-he-he, simply because of a declined invite you decided to kidnap me? I gotta hand it to you, that takes guts!¡±


    ¡°Z-Z-Z-Zhuo Fan!¡± Second prince babbled, staggering back in fright. Yun Shuang burst in joy at the high and mighty figure, ¡°Steward Zhuo, are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, never been better. Like I said, stick with me and you¡¯ll be going places! Only I can push others around. The others won¡¯t ever get the chance. Stick with me and no one will touch you!¡±


    Zhuo Fan gave a thumbs up and a grin, going back to showing off his swag. Yun Shuang giggled and blushed. His ¡®jokes¡¯ worked wonders in easing her worries.


    Ancestor Huang Mei cried in disbelief, ¡°How?! Only I can wake you from my Thousand Years Dream!¡±


    ¡°If there¡¯s one thing I don¡¯t care about, that¡¯s poison. Be it narcotic, or necrotic, they got nothing on me. I am where I am because neither Regent Estate nor the likes of those seven houses, Pill King Hall included, could cope with me. So what could a rookie like you do? I only faked being asleep, curious as to who had the nerve to pull something like this.¡±


    Squinting, Zhuo Fan kept on mocking, his hand swirling with black energy as he turned to the second prince, ¡°Lo and behold, it was this dumbass! Something¡¯s still bugging me though, how in god¡¯s name did the wise and shrewd Majesty end up with this gung ho fool of a son? Even Miss Shuang¡¯er¡¯s reading proves you are the farthest thing from a ruler. Does that make you¡­ not a prince?!¡±


    Pff!


    Yun Shuang giggled and punched her cute fist on Zhuo Fan¡¯s chest, then rolled her eyes. Second prince¡¯s shock had now turned into full blown rage, his breathing ragged as he glared at Zhuo Fan.


    Zhuo Fan had spat the bastard right in his face. And the all-important prince had only one logical reaction to this, to snap at this naked humiliation.


    ¡°Ancestor Huang Mei, what are you standing around for? Get that miscreant!¡± Second prince roared and pointed at Zhuo Fan.


    Ancestor Huang Mei had had enough as well and shot yellow smoke for Zhuo Fan, ¡°You little scamp, do you think everyone is beneath you? Have a taste of my power, Thousand Years Dream!¡±


    Yun Shuang ducked behind Zhuo Fan, who only smirked in disdain as the black energy covered them.


    Hu~


    The yellow smoke wrapped around the two in seconds. Ancestor Huang Mei stuck his head out in pride at the second prince.


    But an explosion cut his chance at boasting. The yellow smoke went for a spin, and as it did it only got thinner to reveal the black mass in the center.


    [Demon Transformation Art!]


    Zhuo Fan called the blackness back inside, his eyes looking icier by the second.


    ¡°W-what happened to my Thousand Years Dream?¡± Ancestor Huang Mei stammered.


    Zhuo Fan looked at him with a cold stare, his voice dripping with malice, ¡°Ate it.¡±


    Ancestor Huang Mei was sweating buckets. Zhuo Fan was more of a monster than the rumors had him pegged. He had shrugged the narcotic off like it was nothing.


    The Ancestor knew Zhuo Fan was a body cultivator, his greatest weapon were his own two fists. Now that the narcotic was a bust, a poison user like him was a sitting duck, fated to die at the crazed Zhuo Fan.


    That being the case, his best and only choice of action would be to run like hell. Ancestor Huang Mei gave a quick salute to the second prince and said without the slightest hesitation, ¡°Your Highness, may fate allow us to meet again, fare the well. Oh, and don¡¯t forget, Your Highness still owes me 12 pills~.¡±


    Ancestor Huang Mei flicked his sleeve and ran like the yellow wind he was.


    Second prince stomped in anger. [This old coot can¡¯t do a damn thing and still expects me to pay?]


    [I hate his type the most!]


    He didn¡¯t get to curse though as the yellow wind slammed back into the yard, hard.


    Ancestor Huang Mei was sprawled on the ground, blood leaking from his mouth. Next to him was Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold face, his red flashing right hand clutching the old man¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Humph, you mess with me and now you want to run? You think you can just get away with it?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shone with savagery.


    Ancestor Huang Mei cried, ¡°Steward Zhuo, spare me! Second prince made me¡­¡±


    Pa!


    A resounding cuff over the old guy¡¯s face cut his whining short. Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°We both know I¡¯m no fool, so stop stating the obvious. While he is the culprit, you are his lackey. In both cases, no one¡¯s leaving this place alive!¡±


    Sss~


    Gasping, Ancestor Huang Mei was overwhelmed by Zhuo Fan¡¯s capacity for cruelty, going so far as to kill any who wronged him.


    If he had known, he¡¯d never have accepted the job even for 20 pills!


    As the black energy oozed out from Zhuo Fan and he noticed the naked bloodthirst in his eyes, Ancestor Huang Mei turned white as paper, including his eyebrows, as he begged, ¡°Wait, Steward Zhuo, don¡¯t kill me! Let me go and I¡¯ll do anything. Isn¡¯t your Luo clan newly promoted? You must be short on men. I am an 8th layer Radiant Stage expert, I can stand on your side, pledge my life to you!¡±


    The black energy hovered for a second while Zhuo Fan was weighing the proposition. Ancestor Huang Mei¡¯s eyes lit up and he grasped at straws.


    Too late though, as Zhuo Fan shook his head and the black energy shot forth, ¡°Sorry, we already have a poisoner, the Alchemy House¡¯s elder, Vicious Pill King. We don¡¯t need you.¡±


    ¡°Him? He¡¯s just a Profound Heaven cultivator, while I¡¯m in the Radiant Stage!¡± Ancestor Huang Mei cried.


    Zhuo Fan shook his head, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, I¡¯ve hand-picked every elder of the Luo clan myself. None of them will balk in the face of death. This is where you fall short.¡±


    Zhuo Fan punctuated by having the black energy cover swallow Ancestor Huang Mei whole. Funny how he did the same thing Ancestor Huang Mei had done to him.


    The stark contrast was that the black energy was far deadlier.


    Everyone had a front row seat to Ancestor Huang Mei¡¯s miracle diet. He was thinning under the naked eye. Swallowed by the black mass, his face twisted every second. The diet only came to an end when his very being was reduced to absolutely nothing.


    Second prince crumbled to the ground in horror. His Radiant Stage men were all shaking as well. Holding their lord as they made a slow crawl backwards.


    Zhuo Fan was only in the third layer of Profound Heaven yet to everyone present he was nothing short of Tianyu¡¯s number one expert, a freak. With how even Ancestor Huang Mei was dust in the wind, how could they fare any better?


    Yun Shuang pursed her lips, watching the cold stone-killer with fear.


    It was a first for her, to watch a man die through such means.


    Grandfather had told her that he was the vilest person to walk this earth, and she was there to set him straight. But they were chatting and laughing just a little while ago. He even jumped to her defense in her dire need. He looked nothing like an evil spawn.


    Only now did she come face to face with Zhuo Fan¡¯s cruel and insidious nature.


    Clap~


    Zhuo Fan showed an evil grin seeing the empty space in front of him, then turned to the pretty boy and his gang.


    Shaking like a leaf, the second prince turned guileless, acting like a bad boy who had gotten caught and huddling with his guards while waiting for punishment.


    ¡°S-S-Steward Zhuo, I know my mistake. I won¡¯t do it again, honest. Please let me go, just this once?¡± Second prince¡¯s voice quivered.


    Zhuo Fan got before him and snickered, ¡°Next time? If there ever will be a next time, that old fart¡¯s death will look like a joy ride compared to yours! Got that?¡±


    ¡°Y-y-yeah.¡± Second prince¡¯s teeth clattered as he bobbed his head. The guards kept mum, despite the clear humiliation their lord was facing.


    What else could they do? They could fight the monster to their last breath, but would it do any good?


    [Who¡¯d be dumb enough to mess with this savage that not even the seven houses dare to?]


    [Oh, right, the second prince is one¡­]


    They all were wailing inside, though neither criticized their lord out loud.


    Zhuo Fan saw him rooted in place and patted his cheek, warningly, ¡°For your pretty boy face, I¡¯ll leave it at that¡­¡±


    Second prince eased his breath.


    But Zhuo Fan kept on talking¡¯, ¡°Though I won¡¯t go easy on you either. Leaving you with a little homework will do good for your character.¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s right hand flashed red and he smashed the ground.


    The savage¡¯s fist leveled prince¡¯s home¡­

 Chapter 373 - The Worst Evil

    Hum~


    A red wave shot out from the point of impact. The sudden explosion blew the entire area it covered, pulverizing anything within a hundred miles and sending the sand sky high.


    Second prince¡¯s group was too out of it to notice the floating sand that had buried them the next second. All that they knew was gone in a wink.


    That included the eighty-mile-wide residence of the second prince as well as the surrounding buildings.


    In the aftermath of Zhuo Fan¡¯s fist, the entire imperial capital shook, reaching the brink of collapse.


    In the Imperial Palace¡¯s gardens, the emperor was having another round of chess with Sima Hui. Only this time, the emperor wasn¡¯t as peaceful. With all the players coming to the imperial capital, it had gotten even the emperor to worry.


    A large earthquake happened and flipped the chessboard. The emperor shouted, ¡°What is it now?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, we only know that it came from the second prince¡¯s manor!¡± A guard reported.


    The emperor was glum and snapped, ¡°What has the old second done this time? Go find out!¡±


    ¡°Right away!¡± The guard rushed away.


    Sima Hui paused then cupped his hands, ¡°Your Majesty, that wasn¡¯t just a small commotion. May I go check on the second prince? I fear for the worse.¡±


    The emperor waved him off with a sigh.


    Sima Hui bowed and shot to the skies.


    At the Prime Minister¡¯s residence, a man in black was whispering in Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s ear. But the sudden rumbling broke all the pottery. Zhuge Changfeng stared for a moment, then mocked, ¡°Humph, the young sure are bold. That little monster isn¡¯t easy to handle, even for me. Yet that lamebrain kid went and provoked him? Ha-ha-ha, that¡¯s a calf for you, ignorant and foolish. This lesson I reckon ought to be a cruel one.¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng closed his eyes and a faint smile appeared.


    Meanwhile, at Hell Valley¡¯s residence in the imperial capital, You Wanshan and his elders were in a small room when the earth wobbled under their feet, though it never broke their calm.


    ¡°He finally acted¡­ and got crushed at last¡­¡± You Wanshan sighed.


    They knew since long ago that the second prince wanted Zhuo Fan on his side. They weren¡¯t the second prince¡¯s first allied house for nothing. They even gave a stern reminder to that halfwit. Zhuo Fan was one tough customer.


    But they figured, did this obstinate twerp know good advice when he heard one? It would only work to incite him. So, these wise foggies shut the door in his face instead of being under the same heel of that savage as the second prince was right now.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s action was loud and clear for everyone.


    You Wanshan turned to You Ming, ¡°This kid is too rash. Is cooperation still viable?¡±


    ¡°We have no choice, not when all eyes are on Regent Estate. The fodder is always the first to fall and that is what we will become if we stick too close to it. Of all the princes, the eldest prince is too shrewd to side with and the third prince sloppy. Leaving the second prince as the only viable pawn with some use. The choice was made for us!¡± You Ming sighed, ¡°We are at the crossroads.¡±


    Hell Valley¡¯s posse sighed as well, [How could we be so foolish to end up like this¡­]


    The other players also noticed the obvious flagrant disturbance.


    Fatty and Princess Yongning were gunning for the second prince¡¯s home when the earthquake struck, followed by a wave of sand. It pressed so heavy on them, they found it hard to even breathe.


    Once the sand settled, Princess Yongning blew it away with a gale, ¡°Imperial capital is a picturesque landscape. Where did all this sand come from?¡±


    ¡°I bet that brat had something to do with it.¡± Paling, fatty wiped his brow as he sped up while muttering, ¡°I hope we¡¯re not too late. They say the kid is hellbent on toying with others. Hope he hasn¡¯t made his move yet.¡±


    Princess Yongning asked, ¡°Third brother, did you say something?¡±


    ¡°If we are too late, we¡¯ll be seeing the second brother¡¯s corpse. No, there might not even be a corpse left. For god¡¯s sake, what is wrong with the second brother to keep harassing that guy?¡± Fatty facepalmed.


    Princess Yongning was clueless, ¡°Eh? Aren¡¯t we going to save Zhuo Fan and Yun Shuang? Why is the second brother the one in danger?¡±


    ¡°Humph, that freak never needed our help from the beginning. You think the second brother¡¯s thugs can hold him? Who knows what state the second brother will be in after Zhuo Fan¡¯s done with him. I sure hope there¡¯s still a breath left in there somewhere.¡±


    The fatty shook his head and Yongning looked more than a bit puzzled, ¡°You mean to tell me that Zhuo Fan is so amazing that even as a victim, he is the one wrecking second brother¡¯s home? And that he¡¯d go as far as to kill a prince?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Yongning, these matters are beyond what your pretty little head can comprehend. The world is filled with evil. But Zhuo Fan takes the cake, the worst evil of all. It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t step on his toes, but once you do, god help you. There is no low he won¡¯t stoop to!¡±


    The fatty sighed, ¡°Do you know the Regent Estate¡¯s eldest young master? Do you know what a hero he was? Well, even he didn¡¯t get away, ending up being bitten to death by Zhuo Fan. From then on, the saying ¡®you can mess with the King of Hell but never with Zhuo Fan¡¯ spread everywhere.¡±


    Yongning blinked her purty eyes. Yet no matter how gruesome a picture fatty painted, it only worked to incite her to figure Zhuo Fan out.


    [I wonder, just who is this worst evil to make the whole world, even princes and Regent Estate, fear him?]


    Her step quickened, to save second brother, sure, but more so to see with her own eyes the oddity called Zhuo Fan.


    The streets flashed by and the duo arrived in no time at the scene of the crime. But the scenery had them speechless.


    The grand second prince¡¯s mansion was nowhere to be found, replaced by sand and more sand.


    All the people stared around dumbfounded at the desert in the heart of the flourishing imperial capital.


    Two people were noticed in the vast sea of sand, Zhuo Fan and Yun Shuang. The girl was even standing on a tile, as if to not mar her beauty.


    Nevertheless, the sudden change in scenery even had Yun Shuang slack jawed.


    It finally dawned on her. Steward Zhuo was not just evil, but a calamity. One whose very existence was to torment others!


    Yun Shuang¡¯s eyes flashed with resolve as she stared at him.


    Ugh~


    Groans came from the guards as their heads popped out of the sand. They paled at the world of sand around them and shouted, ¡°His Highness! Where is His Highness?¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s first order of business was his trademark evil smile and then strolling before a flat portion of sand. He shoved his hand in and pulled. His harvest, a pale human being.


    And not just any human, but the second prince himself, Yuwen Yong.


    Just that the guy was in torn clothes and a retarded look painted on his face. Without the cocky attitude, he looked more like a refugee, shivering all over.


    ¡°Second prince!¡± The guards shouted, but stopped the instant they saw Zhuo Fan¡¯s cold gaze.


    Zhuo Fan smiled and shook the prince like a rag, ¡°You want the throne, right? Hi-hi-hi, what a wonderful dream. See how I¡¯ll peel the respect off of you, flogging you on the streets of the imperial capital, and subjecting you to all humiliations imaginable. Such a prince can never get the throne, since he has no respect to speak of, unless¡­ he¡¯s the only successor¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted, as if he was teaching. Second prince was shaking like a leaf, his head too, ¡°N-no, I beg you, please don¡¯t do this to me. Or I can never remain a prince¡­¡±


    ¡°Brother, please do me a solid and leave the second brother be.¡±


    A simple laughter echoed. Zhuo Fan knew who he was, pinpointing the incoming wobbling ball of lard, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, fatty, you sure are a worthy brother! I¡¯m sure you know of my temper by now, yet this second brother of yours had the balls to kidnap me!¡±


    Zhuo Fan finished with two resounding slaps on the second prince¡¯s face, so strong that he spat two teeth and blood. Then he resumed in his standard evil tone, ¡°I merely want to tie him up and parade him in the streets. Besides, I¡¯m only trying to help. Who knows what idiotic and retarded idea some other miscreant will come up with next to use against me. I am not a patient man and don¡¯t feel like dealing with each one of them.¡±


    Fatty nodded, ¡°Brother Zhuo, I see. The world is crawling with ignorant and reckless people, but he is my second brother. Please let him go. You already made an example of him, right? Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you turned the second brother into looking like this, and leveled his house. Isn¡¯t that enough revenge?¡± Princess Yongning pouted, glaring at Zhuo Fan yet she couldn¡¯t put her heart in it.


    She was even partial to Zhuo Fan. By speaking of ¡®revenge¡¯ she was justifying Zhuo Fan¡¯s actions.


    The fatty twitched and rolled his eyes.


    He knew Yongning didn¡¯t mean it, but still felt forlorn. [He is your second brother while you¡¯ve only seen Zhuo Fan in passing a few times. What are you doing giving an outsider an excuse to trash your family?]


    [Have you finally got your eyes on someone?]

 Chapter 374 - Fated Marriage

    Looking at the fatty and Yongning, Zhuo Fan laughed, ¡°Alright, I guess I can spare the kid, for your sake. But get this straight, you two owe me one, each. And sooner or later, you¡¯re going to pony up!¡±


    ¡°Uh, brother, we only have one second brother. Let him go and we will owe you a favor of course, but what are you doing asking one from each of us?¡± The fatty¡¯s face darkened.


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyebrow rose as he chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s not my fault that both of you asked me to let him go. That makes it two favors. When the time comes and I need you, you better own up!¡±


    [Damn grubber!]


    That was the unanimous thought on everyone¡¯s mind. But the more they looked at the second prince hanging by a thread in Zhuo Fan¡¯s claw, the more they had to nod.


    Zhuo Fan laughed and threw away his pawn. He went to Yun Shuang and said to fatty, ¡°Let¡¯s stop here. When I need something, I¡¯ll be sure to drop by. See ya!¡±


    And left with Yun Shuang.


    Princess Yongning rushed to hold Yun Shuang back, ¡°I and Shuang¡¯er are practically sisters and wish to get together after not having seen each other for ages. I mean, Shuang¡¯er must be shaking from that terrible fright and as her sister, it is my duty to look after her. Third brother, you go on without me.¡±


    ¡°Yongning, I am not really¡­¡± Yun Shuang explained, but Yongning shot him a look.


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Princess Yongning, Shuang¡¯er is a Profound Heaven expert, while you are far below her. Why would she need you?¡±


    ¡°Humph, how about this then? When a girl suffers a  devastating trauma, it is irrelevant to one¡¯s cultivation. What do you men know?¡± Yongning¡¯s eyebrows kept moving as he taunted Zhuo Fan.


    Fatty frowned, ¡°Yongning, that¡¯s enough. You think I can¡¯t tell what you¡¯re up to? You¡¯re trying to get out of being grounded. Even if you do go with Miss Yun Shuang to Parish, imperial father will have someone drag you back.¡±


    ¡°Oh, fatty, you¡¯re mistaken about something. Miss Yun Shuang is coming to Prosperity Compound, to be with the Luo clan and not returning to Parish.¡±


    [What?!]


    The two jerked in shock, then looked at Yun Shuang.


    She was the Holy Maiden of Parish, the next in line to be its Clan Head. [Then why did the High Priest send her off to someone else?]


    Yun Shuang¡¯s eyes reddened and she nodded, ¡°Grandfather had me become Steward Zhuo¡¯s attendant and tend to his needs¡­¡±


    [Nani? Needs?!]


    Fatty¡¯s eyes burned with a fire not even the second brother¡¯s plight could stir, ¡°Zhuo Fan, you vile beast. I used to think you were only 90% evil, but now I see  that you¡¯re capable of stooping so low as to even force yourself on innocent maidens! Talk, how did you blackmail the High Priest into making such a humiliating decision?¡±


    Princess Yongning glared at Zhuo Fan and stopped in front of Yun Shuang, whispering, ¡°Shuang¡¯er, don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let this vile demon lay his claws on you.¡±


    Zhuo Fan glanced at the two and shrugged.


    Yun Shuang was waving all over the place, beet red, ¡°You¡¯ve got it all wrong. It¡¯s not like that at all. Grandfather found Steward Zhuo too evil and wanted me to guide him. That¡¯s why¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see!¡±


    The two royalties saw the light at long last. Fatty only gave Zhuo Fan a long look and sighed, ¡°Miss Yun Shuang, your clan strives for the betterment of the people, which I admire, but I must stress one important fact. This person, or whatever you want to call him, doesn¡¯t have just evil proclivities, but is pure undiluted evil, a demon. A wretched, revolting, vile spawn that even hell spat¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, hey, wasn¡¯t I only 90% evil? How did I become pure evil? I haven¡¯t forced a lady in my entire life, now have I?¡± Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.


    Fatty mocked, ¡°What does that count? With your infamy, such an act is second nature to you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a point there.¡± Zhuo Fan nodded pensively.


    Pff!


    The girls giggled next to Zhuo Fan. When Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t flip out, he was quite a nice-ish human being. He didn¡¯t bother with the details, nor was pedantic. Quite refreshing compared to some gentlemen.


    One would go as far as to say that he was leagues above those self-righteous officials.


    That, of course, applied to his time off of killing and unleashing mayhem¡­


    ¡°In any case, changing him is like moving mountains. Not getting corrupted yourself along the way is already a miracle!¡± The fatty sighed, ¡°Luo clan¡¯s young miss used to be so kind and polite. But now I hear she¡¯s been broken in, shrewd and cunning!¡±


    ¡°All the more reason I should stay with Shuang¡¯er, to not let her be led astray!¡± Yongning found a good excuse for once.


    Fatty shook his head, ¡°Do what you will. But don¡¯t think I¡¯ll take the blame when the imperial father hears about this.¡±


    Yongning giggled and hugged Shuang¡¯er close. Even kissed her.


    Zhuo Fan didn¡¯t argue either, leaving with a salute to fatty. As for tubby, he had to stay behind to clean up all this mess and calm down the traumatized second prince.


    But the fatty did care for his sister, not forgetting to give Zhuo Fan some stern warnings.


    Zhuo Fan took her with open arms, of course. [Who knows, the apple of the emperor¡¯s eye might hold some use yet.]


    In every moment of every hour, the only thing on Zhuo Fan¡¯s mind was the grand scheme of things. Even while trashing the second prince, he still knew when to stop, as to not yet set the imperial family against him.


    But letting him off easy was out of the question as well.


    Each and every word he spoke to the second prince was beautifully woven in meanings beyond mere rebukes. Second prince knew now that he was not cut out for the throne. And in his moment of despair, Zhuo Fan gave him a good nudge.


    [Kill the rest and you¡¯ll be the true successor!]


    The imperial family was boiling on the inside and all he had to do was to be a patient angler. In the tripartite plan, everyone wanted out of the deadlock, but neither wanted to stick their neck out.


    [That only leaves forcing them to stick out!]


    The emperor uplifted the Luo clan with the same purpose in mind. And Zhuo Fan incited the second prince for the same thing.


    [I¡¯m only curious if fatty figured it all out since he stopped me from giving further ¡®advice¡¯ to the second prince. Not that it made a difference. The seed of a power play has already bloomed in the second prince¡¯s heart.]


    Glancing at the dazed second prince laying on the sand, Zhuo Fan showed a grin then walked away with the girls.


    Fatty turned from Zhuo Fan to his second brother and sighed¡­


    An hour later, Zhuo Fan arrived at the Regent of Prosperity¡¯s Compound. All of the Luo clan was in awe after his short explanation of the facts.


    Zhuo Fan was out on a stroll to Parish, yet returned with not just the great Holy Maiden, but a princess.


    ¡°Young miss, settle them in. I will be in seclusion for three days.¡± Zhuo Fan said to Luo Yunchang and walked out back.


    Luo Yunchang nodded and took the guests to their rooms. On their way, she turned a hopeful gaze to Yun Shuang, ¡°Miss Shuang¡¯er, can you really read fate?¡±


    ¡°En.¡± Yun Shuang nodded, puzzled inside.


    [Where is this young miss going with this? Does she also want to know if the Luo clan is fit for power?]


    She couldn¡¯t be further from the truth. Luo Yunchang blushed as she said, ¡°Uhm, miss Shuang¡¯er, could you perhaps look into my fated marriage? ¡°


    ¡°Ah?¡±


    Yun Shuang was stumped, then sighed. [A girl¡¯s heart sure isn¡¯t like a man¡¯s.] She smiled, ¡°Of course.¡±


    Luo Yunchang laughed, ¡°Please tell me when my wedding will come.¡±


    Yun Shuang nodded and her eyes turned into sucking abysses. Once she returned from her reading, ¡°Odd, your wedding should¡¯ve long passed. It¡¯s not necessarily bad, but I find that it was broken at some point in time. Maybe¡­¡±


    Her eyes shone for a second, then she shook her head, ¡°Forgive me, but I cannot see your wedding.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Luo Yunchang cried.


    Yun Shuang sighed, ¡°Because of Steward Zhuo. Your wedding should¡¯ve been eight years ago. But Steward Zhuo, who is outside fate, changed it, changed your fated marriage. This drove your current fate into chaos and I can no longer see it.¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­ he broke my fated wedding. That makes him responsible, right?¡± Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes shined in glee.


    Yun Shuang was startled, then nodded, ¡°Ostensibly¡­ he is of some fault.¡±


    ¡°Great! Thanks, Miss Yun Shuang!¡± Luo Yunchang had never been happier.


    Yun Shuang was clueless. Yongning at the side, shook her head and said, ¡°Shuang¡¯er, what about mine?¡±


    Meanwhile, in a dark, damp cell, a grizzled and bloody old man was nailed to a pole. His shoulder blades had been run through, he was robbed of his cultivation, and was on his last breath.


    He was the Parish¡¯s High Priest, Yun Xuanji.


    He was surrounded by shadows.


    ¡°High Priest, you crossed the line!¡±


    An aged and familiar voice came from behind the veil. The High Priest gave a weak laugh, ¡°Yun clan has always strived for the people. We¡¯ve never crossed it, unlike¡­ you.¡±


    ¡°Did you talk about it to anyone, including Zhuo Fan?¡± The voice turned cold.


    The High Priest shook his head, ¡°That matter is too dangerous and can¡¯t be spread. I will never harm the common man!¡±


    ¡°Well done!¡±


    Whoosh!


    A chain flew from behind the veil and into the High Priest¡¯s heart. The High Priest shuddered and his head slumped.


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, since he didn¡¯t talk, the game is still on¡­¡±


    The cold and sinister laugh came again¡­

 Chapter 375 - Ill Tidings

    In a hundred-square-meter stone room, Zhuo Fan nodded after looking around.


    Although not as huge as the second prince¡¯s compound, the Regent of Prosperity¡¯s Compound had everything. [Not a bad cultivating room.] He set up a body refinement array on the floor and took out the Abyss Phantom Butterfly¡¯s wings.


    Instead of turning it into a flying demonic treasure, he had gotten so used to having wings that Zhuo Fan found it a better choice to have them stick on his back.


    Tracing his hand over the twenty-meter-long blue wings, Zhuo Fan sighed and grinned. He was mighty pleased when the Crown Prince came bearing this gift.


    Staring at the dazzling light show from below and feeling the coolness from the array, Zhuo Fan¡¯s hand moved through the gestures.


    Along with a flash of lightning, the wings slowly melted into the array. Zhuo Fan trembled.


    Having since refined the Qilin leg, doing the same with a mere 7th level spiritual beast¡¯s wings was a cinch. Even the shattering of his bones got no reaction out of him.


    Zhuo Fan sat in the array for three days, with eyes closed uncaring for the outside matters. All this time the array worked its magic in reconstructing his body in every which way, but it always returned to his original form in the end.


    Zhuo Fan opened his eyes and stood up. His back writhed and spectral wings unfolded, releasing a charming and enrapturing aura.


    With a flap, a gale took the room by the storm. It was then that the shades of blue shone all over and wrapped around Zhuo Fan.


    As if he was walking among blue sunshine.


    Zhuo Fan knew his body best. If there was any expert near him, the glow would¡¯ve sent him to dreamland.


    [It all depends on one¡¯s soul strength, but the least it can do is buy me a moment.]


    Thus, this 3rd layer Profound Heaven Stage cultivator with his new 7th level spiritual beast wings, not only had his speed bolstered but that blue glow around him made for a natural defense. It was a neat trick good in offense and defense, independent of his actions.


    Zhuo Fan laughed in pride. With a twitch of his brows, the wings withdrew and he walked outside.


    His mood soured though, when his right eye stung. With a hum, a blue glare shot from his eye and three golden halos flashed within it.


    Divine Eye of the Void, 3rd stage!


    Zhuo Fan was stunned and then laughed again.


    By sheer luck, his refining actually upgraded his Divine Eye of the Void!


    When he thought about the 3rd stage¡¯s skill, he knew why. It was because of resonance, taking a different path towards the same goal.


    It would¡¯ve taken him far longer otherwise.


    But since he got it already, he wasn¡¯t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He got stronger, didn¡¯t he? He could finally put up a fight against an Ethereal Stage expert.


    That had his blood boiling, briskly walking outside. He was on the lookout for a good sparring partner to test the 3rd stage on.


    Rumbling!


    He creaked the stone door open and the glaring sun¡¯s rays along with the fresh air lightened his mood.


    ¡°Now, who¡¯ll fight me?¡± Zhuo Fan roared.


    Before he got to play hide and seek with Li Jingtian and his other elders, graceful curves approached, nudging him to be quiet, ¡°Steward Zhuo, all evil begins with violence. Please exercise restraint.¡±


    Zhuo Fan was stunned. He turned around to see Yun Shuang there.


    ¡°Uhm, excessive is all I know. And how did you know I was coming out of seclusion?¡± Zhuo Fan frowned, ¡°Did your eyes reveal it to you?¡±


    ¡°Be that as it may, they can¡¯t see you. I¡¯ve been waiting here all this time for you to come out.¡± With a smile, Yun Shuang struck the image of a fairy as she handed him a towel, ¡°Here, freshen up after your toil, and let it brighten your day!¡±


    ¡°Uh, thank¡­ Hold up, what are you up to?¡± Zhuo Fan came to mid-wipe.


    Yun Shuang¡¯s sweet smile came along with her genial tone, ¡°I am your attendant. It¡¯s in my job description. And I do need to guide you towards good. To do that I will have to keep you happy all day, every day. Lest emotions run amok and you¡¯ll turn evil again. I also got you this¡­¡±


    Yun Shuang took out a booklet. Zhuo Fan read the title, Three Character Classic!(StarReader: a text written in the 13th century to help kids learn the language. Made up of three character verses, easy to read and learn i.e. kiddie stuff.)


    ¡°It¡¯s for children¡­¡± Zhuo Fan blinked at Yun Shuang in daze.


    Yun Shuang nodded with a smile, ¡± People at birth are naturally good. It¡¯ll do good for your spirit. Try it!¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t read a god damned word! I¡¯ve roamed the world for too many years to have any use for a bint¡¯s teachings!¡±


    Zhuo Fan slammed the book on the pavement and shoved his finger in her face, ¡°Miss Shuang¡¯er, I didn¡¯t ask you to be a servant, nor a tutor to right my wrong ways. I only need you to read the heavens and tell me the future. All you have to do is tell me what the other players are doing and I can take it from there in figuring out their plans. With your eyes and my smarts, we will have control over everything. That¡¯s your role!¡±


    Yun Shuang gave him a long look. Her smile deflated and she picked up the book in sadness.


    Zhuo Fan shrugged and asked like nothing happened, ¡°Now, what have the factions been up to these days?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t look!¡±


    Yun Shuang pouted, then stomped away, ¡°To save the people, you must have a righteous heart. Until you¡¯re re-educated, I won¡¯t even peek!¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth and spat, ¡°Then what are you still doing here if you aren¡¯t looking? I¡¯m taking you back. We¡¯re going to Yun Xuanji and having him look!¡±


    Zhuo Fan pulled her outside. Yun Shuang was so distressed, tears welled up in her eyes. Dragged around, her feet left deep marks in the ground.


    Luo Yunchang and the princess were chatting merrily when they saw them whiz by and caught up in distress.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Luo Yunchang only had to see Shuang¡¯er in tears to know. Zhuo Fan must¡¯ve shown his evil side again.


    Zhuo Fan did the same thing back then, at the foot of Blackwind Mountain. Though these crass and harsh outbursts had tended to die down over the years of spending time around his clansmen.


    While to outsiders, he had no restraint whatsoever, the vilest of the vile.


    Yun Shuang hadn¡¯t been around him long enough to see this side. Anyone who¡¯d witnessed one of his rage episodes would be just as frightened.


    Shielding Shuang¡¯er, Luo Yunchang glared at Zhuo Fan, ¡°Steward Zhuo, what did Shuang¡¯er do for you to scare her like this?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Shuang¡¯er is so kind, doing everything you ask of her. You must be at fault here to pick on our Shuang¡¯er.¡± Princess Yongning puffed out her chest, hugging Yun Shuang close, ¡°Apologize this instant, or I¡¯m telling imperial father!¡±


    Zhuo Fan looked at the three of them and sighed.


    [It hasn¡¯t been that long and these girls are already a clique?]


    Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan took a long breath to cool his jets, ¡°Princess Yongning, are you going to His Majesty to get me punished? Tell me then, has the second prince¡¯s matter settled?¡±


    ¡°Of course. But that is all because of the third brother asking you to take it as the second brother¡¯s fault. The Imperial father wouldn¡¯t have wasted words with you and would¡¯ve had you!¡± The princess looked mighty pleased.


    Zhuo Fan snickered inside.


    [Fatty¡¯s request was only to save the emperor¡¯s hide.]


    In the current state of things, where all factions were at a stalemate, if the imperial family moved against the Luo clan, Regent Estate would be celebrating.


    It was waiting for the Luo clan and the imperial family to fight so it could deal with them both in one fell swoop. The imperial family wasn¡¯t about to blow all pretense for a mere second prince only to suffer in the end.


    Zhuo Fan was sure of it. Only this ignorant princess was still delusional, thinking that the emperor was the number one in the world.


    Zhuo Fan turned to Yun Shuang, having vented his earlier rage, turned serious, ¡°Miss Shuang¡¯er, when your grandfather put you in my care, he said many things. But one thing he did stress, that you are useful. If you can¡¯t help me, what reason do I have for keeping you? Our clan doesn¡¯t need two bickering matrons.¡±


    Luo Yunchang¡¯s eyes went red and she glared at him, yet positively giddy inside.


    The bickering matron he was referring to just now had to be her.


    Whether unintended by the speaker, or by the listener¡¯s delusions, for Zhuo Fan, who was the steward, to say matron, she took it as if it was more than that.(StarReader: it¡¯s a pun. ¹Ü¼Ò is steward and ¹Ü¼ÒÆÅ lit. means steward¡¯s wife, but also busybody, housekeeper.)


    When Luo Yunchang looked at Zhuo Fan, her gaze drifted and her heart fluttered.


    Zhuo Fan, though, only had eyes for Yun Shuang, waiting for an answer.


    Yun Shuang broke out of the princess¡¯s and Luo Yunchang¡¯s hug, then stormed out of the door. Zhuo Fan sighed.


    [This works out just as well]. With Yun clan neutral, he didn¡¯t fear that Holy Maiden would end up in another faction¡­


    Yun Shuang opened the door and bumped into an eight-year-old child, throwing him to the ground.


    Yun Shuang cried, ¡°Xiao Dongzi, what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Sister Shuang¡¯er!¡± Xiao Dongzi sobbed, ¡°Grandfather is¡­ is dead¡­¡±


    [What?!]


    Yun Shuang seized and paled. The calm Zhuo Fan also froze and then an incredulous look appeared on his face.


    [Someone killed Four Pillars¡¯ High Priest, Demigod Yun Xuanji?]


    [Who dares commit such an outrageous crime in the heart of the empire¡­]

 Chapter 376 - Sealed Capital

    Yun Shuang refused to believe it. She was stiff for a minute and then bolted for Parish.


    ¡°Call the elders! We¡¯re going as well!¡± Zhuo Fan shouted.


    Luo Yunchang nodded and called them. Li Jingtian and the power couple arrived. They were around the young miss and princess, protecting them as they went along to Parish.


    At the parish, Xiao Dongzi took them to where Yun Xuanji received guests.


    But what they saw inside had everyone stunned.


    Yun Xuanji was still in his seat, but covered in blood. He was clearly more than a little roughed up. His eyes gouged and his head slumped.


    ¡°Grandfather!¡±


    Yun Shuang held the body and cried. Luo Yunchang and the princess were taken in by sadness, going to her to soothe her pain.


    Having lost her father as well, Luo Yunchang could relate with Shuang¡¯er¡¯s pain. Her eyes grew red and tears soon fell.


    Zhuo Fan watched it all with a critical eye, turning to Li Jingtian, ¡°What do you guys make of this?¡±


    ¡°The Yun clan has stood for a thousand years in Tianyu. Always neutral and respected. Not to mention it is the third pillar. Just who could¡¯ve done this at such a crucial time?¡± Li Jingtian frowned.


    Qiu Yanhai nodded as well, ¡°He¡¯s been reduced to such a state yet everything around him lies undisturbed and clean. That means he was brought here dead. Moreover, were his eyes scooped up because of their ability to see fate?¡±


    ¡°If it were just for the eyes, Yun clan would¡¯ve long since been kidnapped in the past thousand years. The death of Yun Xuanji is for a different reason. And since he died, the killer took his eyes while he was at it to do a little research.¡±


    Gasping, Zhuo Fan spoke with calm, but his mind replayed his encounter with Yun Xuanji. He found Yun Xuanji¡¯s tone odd at the time.


    The way he gave his granddaughter away, felt less like gaining a helper rather than fulfilling the old man¡¯s will. [Did he see his end coming?]


    Zhuo Fan squinted as his thoughts wandered¡­


    Luo Yunchang said, ¡°You¡¯re all experts. After all this talking, have you found who killed Shuang¡¯er¡¯s grandfather or not?¡±


    Yun Shuang¡¯s sobbing stopped and her ears sharpened. Princess looked interested as well.


    ¡°The imperial capital is in troubled waters right now. Who knows who did it?¡±


    Zhuo Fan shrugged, ¡°What matters now is finding a safe place for the Yun clan. Now I know why Yun Xuanji gave me Shuang¡¯er. It was his final wish, having foreseen his own death¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. With grandfather always doing the reading, I never tried doing it on him. If only I¡¯d been more aware¡­¡± Yun Shuang¡¯s tears resumed from pain.


    The two girls rushed to console her. Zhuo Fan smiled, ¡°Don¡¯t blame yourself. Your grandfather did it with this in mind. For his principles, the High Priest knew he was at his end and chose to go like this. I truly admire his resolve and righteousness. To honor him, I will not only look after you, but your clan as well. Young miss, what do you say?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Luo Yunchang nodded with resolve.


    Yun Shuang wiped her tears, moved by her new sister¡¯s kindness. Then she said to Zhuo Fan, ¡°Forgive me, Steward Zhuo. I always took you for a demon, but you aren¡¯t even a bad man. Thank you¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m quite the baddie sometimes, you know. Ha-ha-ha¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan had a vague smile, ¡°With the imperial capital in unrest and the Yun clan without a leader, it will become the pawn of every player in pursuit for power. I propose that we move the Yun clan to Blackwind Mountain. There, they will be safe. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s great, but¡­ Yun clan has thousands of people. Moving them all will require His Majesty¡¯s approval!¡± Yun Shuang muttered.


    Zhuo Fan gave an evil grin, ¡°Fret not. Have you forgotten who I am? I am the Best Steward Beneath Heavens! Leave it to me.¡±


    He handed Li Jingtian the cape that the emperor gave him, ¡°Elder Li, take this and leave with the Yun clan as quickly as possible. You three will look after them. Once outside the imperial capital, send someone to report what has happened to the Imperial Palace.¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    Li Jingtian nodded and bowed. But used silent transmission when he noticed Zhuo Fan¡¯s look, ¡°Steward Zhuo, when did you become a saint? It¡¯s not your style. Or did you suddenly take a liking to that miss?¡±


    ¡°Stuff it! I¡¯m not that dirty-minded!¡±


    Snorting, Zhuo Fan sent back, ¡°Ignore what happens around you and you¡¯ll soon be knee deep in trouble. Every generation of the Yun clan has had a person that can read fate. With them in dire straits, it is the best chance to use them. You can¡¯t even see something that obvious?¡±


    Li Jingtian got it at last and gave Zhuo Fan a sneaky thumbs up, ¡°Steward Zhuo, you¡¯re stupendous! You¡¯re reaping rewards from the hard work of others¡­¡±


    ¡°Cut the crapola. They¡¯re here to take the heat, while we reap the fields. If the mastermind knew all his effort was in our favor, he¡¯d probably have blown a gasket, or two, he-he-he¡­¡± Zhuo Fan snickered.


    Li Jingtian said, ¡°Steward Zhuo, then you know who¡­¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t say. But this game¡­ sure is fun.¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s eyes shone.


    Li Jingtian nodded and obeyed. With Yun Shuang as the Clan Head successor, she was most important. With her explanation, Yun clan accepted the transition, now marching for the Luo clan¡¯s domain.


    At the city gates, the guards were about to stop the mass of people, but Li Jingtian unfolded the Best Steward Beneath Heavens cape, shutting them up.


    Everyone knew by now that the Luo clan had Zhuo Fan as the Best Steward Beneath Heavens, who was of immense power. He moved the armies and governed the nation¡¯s affairs. A man such as him was not to be stepped on by a bunch of guards.


    Hence, under the three elders¡¯ escort, Yun clan left the imperial capital. Ten miles out, they had someone report to the emperor.


    ¡°High Priest is dead?!¡±


    The emperor slapped the armrest of his throne, then slumped in it as tears flowed, ¡°High Priest, you¡¯ve helped me and the people so much. How¡­ Now that you left, who will help me? Who will show me the way¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Your Majesty, please restrain your grief. The death of the High Priest affects the entire nation. I vow to find the killer and bring him to justice!¡± Dugu Zhantian cupped his hands.


    He was in pain just as well. The High Priest was the one to recommend him to the emperor. But in a time like this, he still kept the attitude of an upright marshal.


    Sima Hui advised, ¡°Your Majesty, Marshal Dugu is right. We need to find the culprit. For the third pillar, High Priest, to die in our own backyard, this is a grave insult to our empire. It must be one of those factions. Your Majesty should summon and reprimand them!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. I have put up with those deceitful scoundrels for too long. They¡¯ve gone too far!¡±


    The emperor shouted, ¡°Dugu Zhantian, seal the city! No one gets in or out. Call for the Eight Noble Houses, Zhuge Changfeng, and Yun clan¡¯s survivors. I will question them personally!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    Dugu Zhantian bowed and rushed outside.


    The imperial capital was abuzz. The army moved like lightning in sealing the gates. The small-time merchants were clueless as to the reason and closed up shop as well.


    Within minutes, there was not a trace of people on the main street. It had turned into a haunted city!


    Zhuo Fan and his people waited in the Yun clan, looking after the body. Hearing the disturbance outside, Zhuo Fan grinned, ¡°Hmm~, music to my ears.¡±


    ¡°Humph, you just want the world to burn!¡± Yongning scoffed.


    Zhuo Fan nodded with a winsome smile, ¡°True, that¡¯s just who I am. How else do you expect me to use my bag full of tricks? And now it¡¯s only rowdy, not a complete stalemate¡­¡±


    Zhuo Fan¡¯s gaze was sharp and deep¡­.


    Meanwhile, on Regent Estate¡¯s side, despite the hubbub outside, Huangpu Tianyuan, Leng Wuchang and the elders sat quite casually in their seats in their hall.


    The door burst open and Dugu Lin in heavy armor stomped over. He cupped his hands, ¡°Estate Lord, by His Majesty¡¯s decree, please come to the Imperial Palace!¡±


    ¡°What is it this time? Why all the commotion?¡± Opening his lazy eyes, Huangpu Tianyuan said.


    Dugu Lin¡¯s reply was cold, ¡°High Priest, Yun Xuanji, was killed. His Majesty is tracking down the culprit!¡±


    ¡°The High Priest is dead?!¡±


    All the calm left Huangpu Tianyuan and even Leng Wuchang found it hard to believe.


    The news spread like wildfire through the clans, everyone beset with the same reaction.


    Among the cries of shock, there were many doubts as well.


    [Who in this land dares to strike down the High Priest¡­]

 Chapter 377 - Court Debacle

    Chapter 377, Court Debacle


    In the expansive palace, the emperor sat on his throne with a hard stare cast below.


    Zhuo Fan, Huangpu Tianyuan and the house lords were on the left side, while Dugu Zhantian, Zhuge Changfeng and other officials were on the right. In the middle of the court lay the body of High Priest Yun Xuanji.


    Next to the body was his charming and sobbing granddaughter, Yun Shuang.


    The eight houses sighed at this loss, along with every official. The emperor eyed every single one of them before snapping, ¡°To lay a hand on Tianyu¡¯s High Priest is to think of oneself above the law, a taunt to the empire! Every one of you here is a person of renown in your respective field, all vying for power. What do all of you make of the High Priest¡¯s death?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, High Priest seldom left his home and lived a dull life. Parish has few guards as well, being a peak Profound Heaven expert himself. The suspect could only be someone extraordinary, since it required power to kill him. And to move in and out without a sound, that would make the suspect someone with great sway within the empire!¡±


    Dugu Zhantian bowed before the emperor and concluded his analysis, making sure to flick a cold gaze towards the left side at the end of his speech.


    Leng Wuchang caught it and snorted, ¡°Marshal Dugu¡¯s vague explanation clearly projects the blame on the eight houses. But have you forgotten? Besides the eight houses, Tianyu has another strong power, the Four Pillars. Especially the first two¡­¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    Dugu Zhantian flared, ¡°Leng Wuchang, are you accusing me of something? Humph, I¡¯ve always been above board, upright and honest. I would never repay the High Priest¡¯s kindness with such a vile act!¡±


    Leng Wuchang flapped his fan open, ¡°Old Marshal, take it easy. I wasn¡¯t talking about you. It was a mere reminder to expand the list of suspects, to include everyone, lest the suspect slips away.¡±


    ¡°Humph, in any case, I had nothing to do with the High Priest¡¯s demise. I vow on my army¡¯s name! Only the culprit knows who he is, but I will be damn sure to wring him out!¡± Dugu Zhantian roared at the heavens.


    Leng Wuchang merely shook his head in disdain.


    [The old guy is good at fighting but he¡¯s dumb as a post when it comes to politics. He¡¯ll never find the killer in his life!]


    [Though this affair has gathered many big players, and has a high potential of breaking the stalemate. It¡¯s as if an unseen hand moved everyone here from the shadows. The feeling is most unsettling.]


    Leng Wuchang frowned in Zhuo Fan¡¯s direction.


    But what he saw was a tranquil and omniscient face.


    The emperor looked at their reaction and said, ¡°Only an extraordinary person could¡¯ve done this, that much is true. However, that does not give enough credence to make everyone here a suspect. Then¡­ Holy Maiden, may I ask, who was the last person to see the High Priest alive?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    Yun Shuang¡¯s eyes drifted to Zhuo Fan and she continued after his nod, ¡°Your Majesty, it was the Luo clan¡¯s steward, Zhuo Fan.¡±


    Sss~


    The hall was filled with gasps and all eyes turned to him.


    The emperor had just named him to be the Best Steward Beneath Heavens and now he was involved in High Priest¡¯s murder. What validated him more as a suspect, was Dugu Zhantian¡¯s analysis!


    [This brash kid has run amok even in the imperial capital?]


    Who hadn¡¯t heard of Zhuo Fan¡¯s handiwork? Wherever he went, he left chaos in his wake. He feared nothing and killed anyone that even looked at him funny; a Demon Archon.


    [Did he kill the High Priest after a dispute?]


    Funnily enough, everyone believed it. [But to go as far as to kill the High Priest, painted a target on his back, making him the public enemy number one.]


    All their gazes turned morose¡­


    The emperor demanded, ¡°Was it you, Zhuo Fan?¡±


    ¡°Was what me?¡±


    Zhuo Fan furrowed an eyebrow and smiled, ¡°If Your Majesty is referring to the last person to visit High Priest, then yes, that would be me, mostly. But if we were to jump to conclusions and state that the High Priest¡¯s killer and his last visitor were the same, that would be ill-advised.¡±


    ¡°And how are you going to prove your innocence?¡± The emperor stared at him.


    With a smirk, Zhuo Fan shrugged, ¡°Easy, I have a rock-solid alibi. Me and the High Priest got along so well together that he saw me out and even gave me miss Shuang¡¯er. Ever since I left the Parish, I was always with miss Shuang¡¯er. She is my first witness. Next would be the second prince, since he kidnapped us. And then he asked miss Shuang¡¯er if he had the right¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine, I get it. You¡¯re absolved.¡±


    With a wave, Zhuo Fan¡¯s voice drifted off and the emperor clenched his jaw in hatred.


    Zhuo Fan was clearly hanging the second prince¡¯s matter over his head. If the emperor let that matter come out, he¡¯d be in even more of a mess.


    Then his thoughts drifted to his second son asking Holy Maiden to ascertain his right to rule and his claim on the throne. But how could he let Zhuo Fan say that? With Zhuo Fan¡¯s cunning nature, he was sure Zhuo Fan would drag his son down with him, dragging the entire imperial family in these muddy waters. They would not only lose initiative but it would be a miracle if they could wash this shame.


    The emperor wished he could snap his second son¡¯s neck, [You just had to do that now?]


    Glaring at Zhuo Fan, the emperor nodded, ¡°Steward Zhuo, wise and brave, honest and upright. It is highly unlikely for you to have done this savage act.¡±


    Zhuo Fan beamed back a calm smile. Zhuge Changfeng and Leng Wuchang snickered inside.


    The two were aware of the second prince¡¯s fiasco alright, although not entirely. But Zhuo Fan, who was involved as a victim, had no qualms in pushing the emperor¡¯s buttons.


    [The emperor is losing what little grip he has on the Luo clan¡­]


    ¡°However, Zhuo Fan, was there anyone else in the Parish before you left?¡± Since Luo clan gave him the slip, the emperor moved to the next best thing, Regent Estate.


    Zhuo Fan nodded. He was quite blunt about it too, ¡°Estate Lord Huangpu Tianyuan and Sir Leng were guests there. And let me tell you, they weren¡¯t very friendly either.¡±


    Huangpu Tianyuan and Leng Wuchang¡¯s faces sank.


    They were clear of their innocence, but feared Zhuo Fan and the emperor would join hands in dragging them in. The emperor lit up, [The scamp finally got on point for once.]


    He didn¡¯t get to enjoy barking at them though, not while Zhuo Fan said, ¡°But after only raising their voices a bit, they left. At the door, they bumped into me, where they raised their voices at me for a time¡­¡±


    ¡°Irrelevant!¡± The emperor dissed him.


    But Zhuge Changfeng had a faint smile, raising his hand, ¡°No, Your Majesty, it is very crucial. Regent Estate is cleared of charges as well.¡±


    ¡°How¡­.¡± The emperor shuddered.


    Zhuge Changfeng continued, ¡°Your Majesty, consider this. The two were furious yet didn¡¯t strike the High Priest even when oblivious to the fact that there was someone outside. To not attack at that time, thinking they¡¯re alone, it goes on to show that they never wanted him dead. They are ruled out! ¡°


    ¡°That¡¯s a fairly good point.¡± Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, putting on the most innocent look he could muster.


    Zhuge Changfeng chuckled at his reaction.


    The emperor¡¯s eyebrows jumped in rage. He was livid.


    Try as he might, he couldn¡¯t find anything in his investigation to tie the rest of the people there to the case. He finished with telling them not to leave town.


    Zhuo Fan was walking outside when Leng Wuchang left Huangpu Tianyuan behind and approached with cupped hands, ¡°Steward Zhuo, we may be enemies, but thank you for that.¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned at his meaning and deadpanned, ¡°We are enemies, yes, but we also need to coexist. Besides, I didn¡¯t do it for you.¡±


    ¡°I know that, but one needs to give thanks when it¡¯s due, Steward Zhuo.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, since when have you two been so close?¡±


    As Leng Wuchang bowed, a cheerful laughter announced the coming of Zhuge Changfeng.


    ¡°Oh, Prime Minister Zhuge, thank you as well.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Steward Zhuo guided me.¡± Zhuge Changfeng smiled, ¡°I picked up on Steward Zhuo¡¯s intention of helping the Regent Estate when he recounted what happened at Parish and thought of lending Luo clan a hand. His Majesty¡¯s plan would¡¯ve worked otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, the emperor is using the High Priest¡¯s death to summon the clans, an excuse to deal with the Luo clan and Regent Estate. Our houses may be strong, but the emperor took this chance to use the power of the court and to eradicate us both. This sudden development could¡¯ve been the end of us.¡±


    Zhuo Fan squinted, ¡°Even with Luo Clan in the clear and the Regent Estate becoming the patsy for murder, the emperor would¡¯ve charged us to annihilate you, pitting us against each other. It drew every bit of power from the Best Steward Beneath Heavens title the emperor bestowed upon me. I can¡¯t just bear the title and shirk responsibility now, can I?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo is sharp as a tack, able to analyze the bigger picture with a glance. I approve.¡± Zhuge Changfeng cupped his hands.


    Leng Wuchang sighed with a nod, ¡°If we three pool our minds, no one could touch us, not even the emperor. What a shame¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to feel sorry about. With how lonely it is at the top, it¡¯d be boring.¡± Zhuo Fan grinned.


    Zhuge Changfeng and Leng Wuchang laughed, lamenting about the ill circumstances they met in.


    Interest made them enemies, but that didn¡¯t stop respect from forming. And now that they had worked together like clockwork to fight off the court, they felt like old friends.


    How often did one find a person after his own heart?


    ¡°What do you guys think? Who killed the High Priest in the end?¡± Zhuge Changfeng asked.


    Zhuo Fan and Leng Wuchang exchanged a smile.


    ¡°Do you need to ask? It all became clear the instant the emperor asked me who else had been at Parish. When everything is said and done, the imperial capital is still in the hands of the imperial family¡­¡±


    The others saw the wisdom in his words and nodded, their hearts clear of all doubts.

 Chapter 378 - Shadows

    ¡°The fourth pillar, shadow guards¡¯ captain Shadow King, answers directly to His Majesty. He may even be around us right now!¡± Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s eyes shone.


    Zhuo Fan and Leng Wuchang nodded.


    Zhuo Fan had heard of this Shadow King. Unlike the first three pillars, the fourth was very secretive and never left a trace.


    Secretive to the point that only the emperor in all of Tianyu knew his face. Coming and leaving like a shade, worthy of being called just that.


    ¡°Steward Zhuo!¡±


    A charming voice caught Zhuo Fan¡¯s attention. Yun Shuang rushed towards him in worry as she pleaded, ¡°Xiao Dongzi and the others are in danger. Please save them!¡±


    Zhuo Fan knew that she was talking about her clan on its way to Blackwind Mountain. [But how did she know they¡¯re in danger?]


    Yun Shuang answered his thoughts, ¡°Intuition!¡±


    ¡°Holy Maiden can read fate, so her intuitions must be true.¡± Zhuge Changfeng nodded.


    Zhuo Fan sighed, ¡°Then I¡¯ll go take a look outside the imperial capital. Gents, please see that Miss Shuang¡¯er arrives at the Luo clan safely.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, nothing to worry about.¡± Leng Wuchang and Zhuge Changfeng smiled.


    Leng Wuchang frowned though, ¡°Is Steward Zhuo going to fight his way out of the sealed imperial capital?¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, you¡¯re quite shrewd. I¡¯m not that stupid to give the emperor an excuse!¡± Laughing, Zhuo Fan¡¯s right eye flashed golden and he poofed out of existence.


    Leng Wuchang praised, ¡°Zhuo Fan is a true freak, with freaky skills to boot. If he wants to leave town, no one will know.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, so true. How else would you have suffered at his tricks?¡± Zhuge Changfeng nodded.


    Leng Wuchang flushed.


    He gave Huangpu Tianyuan a word, then fulfilled his promise of escorting Yun Shuang to the Luo clan with Zhuge Changfeng. While he was at it, he made sure to investigate the Yun clan and Luo clan¡¯s ties.


    He learnt that the High Priest left Yun Shuang in Zhuo Fan¡¯s care, to even assist him.


    Leng Wuchang and Zhuge Changfeng shared a look and realized the High Priest¡¯s cause of death, [He crossed the line!]


    What still eluded them though was why the High Priest was willing to give his life for the Luo clan?


    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re here. Thank you so much for escorting me.¡± Yun Shuang bowed deeply.


    The two returned the gesture, then Leng Wuchang asked, ¡°Miss Yun Shuang, what will you be doing with the High Priest¡¯s body?¡±


    ¡°Oh, as gratitude for His Majesty¡¯s favor, grandfather will be laid to rest in the imperial cemetery!¡± Yun Shuang spoke, subdued.


    Leng Wuchang sighed, ¡°As it should be, although¡­ Will the High Priest ever rest knowing his enemy will pose at his funeral all to look good in front of the people?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Yun Shuang shuddered, ¡°Sir Leng, what did you say?¡±


    ¡°Oh, did I speak out too loud? Ha-ha-ha, sorry. I was only mumbling to myself. Just take it as if it never happened.¡± Leng Wuchang played the fool.


    Yun Shuang frowned, ¡°There¡¯s no way. I clearly heard you say enemy. Do you know who killed my grandfather? Please tell me.¡±


    Yun Shuang looked at him in tears, holding Leng Wuchang¡¯s arm.


    Leng Wuchang gave her a long look, but removed her hands with a sigh, ¡°Forgive me, but I know nothing. It¡¯s best if you ask Steward Zhuo.¡±


    Leng Wuchang turned away, yet glee danced in his and Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s eyes when they met, leaving with one final bow.


    Yun Shuang just stood there dazed, muttering to herself, ¡°Ask Steward Zhuo¡­ Does he know who killed grandfather?¡±


    After Leng Wuchang caught up, Zhuge Changfeng shook his head, ¡°Sir Leng, that wasn¡¯t very nice of you. Zhuo Fan helped you in the court yet now you are leaving him with a headache. With the Yun clan and Luo clan¡¯s close relationship, if Yun clan causes trouble, Luo clan will be dragged into it.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha-ha, oh please, Prime Minister Zhuge. Didn¡¯t Zhuo Fan say we¡¯re only saving our own skin? And we¡¯re still enemies, aren¡¯t we? I¡¯m sure he would¡¯ve done the same thing if he were me. With how everything¡¯s a stalemate, there will be someone who will stir the water, no matter how much neither of us wants to be the one in the limelight. And since someone has stirred up the pot, we all have much to look forward to, don¡¯t we?¡±


    Zhuge Changfeng¡¯s eyes shone with joy as well¡­


    Meanwhile, twenty miles out of the imperial capital. A throng of thousands of people was marching towards Windgaze City. Li Jingtian and the power couple were hovering above, ensuring their safety.


    Among the cooling breeze and the sun glaring through the mountains, this trip felt like a scenic route.


    It was then that the wind came down fast and hard, stirring the birds. The entire sky turned black in seconds.


    Then came the wails, grating at people¡¯s minds.


    ¡°Humph, they¡¯re finally here!¡±


    Li Jingtian snickered and his knuckles cracked, his eyes shining in excitement. A martial fanatic would start feeling moody if he didn¡¯t get his daily dose of brawl.


    Qiu Yanhai and Xue Qingjian showed a wide grin as well. Fire and ice spread as they looked up at the encroaching darkness.


    Wu~


    The howling of ghosts announced the incoming black figures descending in droves.


    They all wore black armor and black helmets that hid their faces. Only the thin slits in those helmets showed heavy gazes, the only sight in this world of black and shuddering cold. They were not human, but closer to asuras from hell.


    With each of them wielding a half-a-meter-long curved blade, the image of demons was further engraved in the hearts of men.


    Swallowing dryly, the mass of people fell back.


    Although they had the numbers, these hundreds of black men released such an icy chill that it crumbled any notion of resistance.


    Li Jingtian frowned, ¡°These Profound Heaven experts aren¡¯t normal. They¡¯re about to act, be careful!¡±


    ¡°Tch, what can some weirdo Profound Heaven experts do? I refuse to believe there is a second freak like Zhuo Fan on this earth!¡±


    Xue Qingjian snickered and shot forth. Qiu Yanhai was right behind her.


    Only Li Jingtian just stood there, affixed on these interlopers¡¯ movements.


    ¡°Look out, it¡¯s the Luo clan¡¯s Ice and Fire Lords!¡± The calm voice turned everyone in black armor serious. They held their curved blades ready, the blue glint on their tips indicating poison.


    On top of being a 4th-grade spiritual weapon, of course.


    Not that Xue Qingjian had a mind to care. With a laugh, she shot a white ray from her hand.


    Bang!


    Dozens of black men were encased in one huge iceberg then and there. And the subsequent explosion made sure only pieces of them were left.


    The black army fell back two steps, making Xue Qingjian laugh harder, ¡°What did I tell you, they¡¯re only Profound Heaven. They¡¯re not worth a single blow!¡±


    Qiu Yanhai laughed as well, sucking up to his bossy lass, ¡°Lady¡¯s gaze is so sharp, seeing their bluff with one look. Unlike that scaredy-cat old Li, less than even a woman!¡±


    He shot a fire dragon, resulting in an explosion that turned another batch of dozen black guys to ashes. Xue Qingjian covered up her sweet and charming giggle.


    Yun clan eased up, knowing their safety was in the hands of three bodyguards. They will safeguard their journey to their new haven.


    Li Jingtian twitched, ticked off by the happy couple, yet he just couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that these black guys were not the pushovers like they looked.


    In confirmation to his suspicions, the black guys watched their own teammates fall like flies, yet all they did was to be on guard.


    As endless crackling commenced, the three elders watched in horror as the bloody pieces of bodies Xue Qingjian blew up shook.


    With a sinister energy signature, the pieces let out a black smoke, each black mass forming a humanoid shadow.


    The shadows re-assembled as each of them picked up their curved blade. And just like when they arrived, they released the same creepy snicker.

 Chapter 379 - Mad Dipper’s Showcase Of Power

    Hi-hi-hi¡­


    ¡°Luo clan¡¯s Ice and Fire Lords are nothing to look at either!¡± The shadows let out ghastly laughter while the other black men looked on from a distance.


    Qiu Yanhai and Xue Qingjian were startled yet being unable to accept the situation, charged at them for another attack.


    It was utterly ridiculous how some Profound Heaven cultivators were mocking two 8th layer Radiant Stage experts.


    Ice and fire surged once more towards the shadows, but it merely phased through them and made a loud bang far behind them.


    Those shadows weren¡¯t even real to begin with.


    The two jerked back, to which the shadows cackled louder and sharper. With the blow of an eerie wind, it was now the shadows¡¯s turn to go on the offensive with their glinting curved blades.


    Boom~


    The duo sent blows all this time, but not even one was of use. They couldn¡¯t lay a finger on them.


    As the shadows drew closer, they shot silver lights at them, forcing the tense couple back. A moment of carelessness was enough for one of the lights to land, dissolving their clothes. It was this close to poisoning their bodies too.


    That only got the two of them even more frightened. And while they were pulling back, the shadows grew cocky with laughter and movements.


    Qiu Yanhai and Xue Qingjian grew grave, unable to block the shadows¡¯ advance. And there were still many more of those black men glaring over as well.


    Li Jingtian watched it all with a cold trembling eye. [Their cultivation method is like those pygmies¡¯ unity tactic, but not quite.]


    The four Scheming Demons¡¯ every move matched flawlessly, in tune with each other, while these guys fought by themselves. There was no mystical art behind it to allow them to phase in and out of reality either.


    [It ought to have the same weakness either way.]


    Li Jingtian¡¯s eyes flashed with resolve.


    The power couple had had enough, by the looks of it. Xue Qingjian cursed back, ¡°Old Li, what are you standing around for? Do something!¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Xue Qingjian cried, getting scared by a curved blade flying at her neck. Qiu Yanhai was distressed, yet he was blocked by six shadows himself. All he could do was watch his dear wife get skewered.


    Li Jingtian roared, ¡°They have no bodies. Use soul attacks!¡±


    The couple woke up to this obvious truth.


    [Of course! We¡¯re Radiant Stage experts while they¡¯re only in the Profound Heaven Stage. Killing with intent may not do them in, on account of their strong souls, but it should give them a pause.]


    Two hums later, a pulse flashed past.


    Bam!


    Like a tidal wave, it flung the black men dozens of meters back.


    The effect perked up the two.


    They were finally getting somewhere with removing these creepy guys. But it also stunned them as to how these Profound Heaven shadows had such strong souls.


    The duo¡¯s powerful souls were unable to even make them pause, and only pushed them back.


    Nevertheless, they could see a solution to their headaches, restoring their calm.


    While they were calm, the enemy was deadly calm as well, not one bit phased about the fact that their weakness had just been found out.


    ¡°Fall in!¡±


    From among the calm black observers, one aged and hoarse voice came. The cackling shadows gathered together.


    As they linked, they formed a giant net, floating in the sky.


    As more of them joined, their soul power surged.


    Squinting, the couple turned grave as they stepped backward. They had felt it too. The shadows¡¯ combined soul power had reached the Radiant Stage.


    ¡°Unity tactic!¡± Li Jingtian gasped.


    The black men laughed in pride, ¡°A soul unity tactic to be exact. One made particularly with Radiant Stage experts in mind. He-he-he, get ready, attack!¡±


    The shadows snickered and released a sound at Qiu Yanhai and Xue Qingjian, who were balking under the pressure.


    As they pulled back, they fought back with their own souls.


    Much good did that do.


    Their soul attacks against the shadow¡¯s combined attack was like a breeze against a wall.


    The two panicked, sweating buckets. [What¡¯s with these guys? They¡¯re way too creepy!]


    No matter what they did, it proved to be pointless.


    [Life and Death Art then?] They had tried it earlier and it didn¡¯t do a damn thing. A stronger attack, but still very much physical.


    That left backing up more and more the only choice, leading to their increased vexation.


    And lead to the growing joy of the black men, cackling like victors.


    Whoosh!


    Li Jingtian flashed in front of the couple, facing the incoming shadows.


    ¡°Elder Li, what are you doing?¡± Qiu Yanhai shouted.


    Grinning, Li Jingtian¡¯s eye shone, ¡°He-he-he, isn¡¯t it obvious? Shutting them up!¡±


    With jumping eyebrows, the couple was still clueless when Li Jingtian made a sign, staring at the shadows, ¡°Humph, ignorant whelps, a Luo clan¡¯s elder isn¡¯t someone you can understand!


    ¡°Wraith Style, 3rd move, Necro Dragon¡¯s Screech!¡±


    Roar!


    Li Jingtian¡¯s roar sent the surroundings rumbling.


    The image of a dragon charged with claws and fangs bared, ready to tear anything to pieces.


    The shadows only noticed when the dragon was upon them.


    Boom!


    The explosion shook the entire mountain range and cracked the land. The shadows¡¯ perfect formation scattered like flies.


    They had no time to make sense of it as they blacked out. Falling to the ground, the shadows scattered.


    A singular strike wiped out a dozen shadows, laid to rest for good this time.


    ¡°It¡¯s a soul martial art, look out!¡±


    The black men moved back, losing their previous cool and watching Li Jingtian with trepidation.


    Unlike the Ice and Fire Lords, Li Jingtian actually posed a threat.


    Sticking his chin out, Li Jingtian laughed full of himself, ¡°Anyone else?¡±


    The black men looked at each other and started to make tactical steps backward.


    Yun clan was overjoyed. Seeing Ice and Fire Lords at a severe disadvantage had them more than a little worried.


    And then came Li Jingtian, in the nick of time, dispersing the shadow net in a single strike, easing their worries.


    All in all, their safety was assured.


    As for the couple, they felt sour looking at Li Jingtian stroking his ego. With so many witnesses, they didn¡¯t look the part of elders, unlike Li Jingtian. It was a humble pie neither of them wanted to taste.


    ¡°Old Li, you¡¯re really something to know even a soul martial art. How come we¡¯ve never seen you using it?¡± Xue Qingjian grumbled, prickled by envy.


    Li Jingtian scratched his nose, ¡°He-he-he, you don¡¯t have to be jealous. When we joined the Luo clan, Steward Zhuo gave each of us a matching art. Each of us has our own strengths. I was also enticed by that Life and Death Art of yours, but can I train in it? Necro Dragon¡¯s Screech is a sound martial art, but it is a body martial art at its core. Since you two train by combining fire and water, this art doesn¡¯t seem to fit you, does it?¡±


    The two paused, [He does make a fairly good point.] They got over it just as fast as they had gotten jealous.


    ¡°Old Li, you deal with them while we bring up the rear!¡± Xue Qingjian looked at the people and said, ¡°Let¡¯s end this quickly!¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡± Li Jingtian laughed and shot up.


    The black men fell back farther in fear of Li Jingtian¡¯s gaze.


    But a cold shout fell from the black cloud above, ¡°Humph, ignorant whelp, you¡¯re awfully confident in your parlor tricks¡­¡±

 Chapter 380 - The Dreadful Black Captain

    Li Jingtian squinted at the sky.


    Something black was coming down swiftly. At a closer look, it appeared to be a pitch-black chain making rumbling sounds like lightning as it shot for Li Jingtian.


    The pressure it released was akin to bearing the full weight of the world on one¡¯s shoulders. Everyone¡¯s breathing faltered, their feet plunging into the dirt, and their waists bent from the mountain-like pressure.


    Even 8th layer of Radiant Stage experts like the odd couple shuddered, the ground cracking beneath their feet in all directions.


    As for Li Jingtian, who felt the brunt of it, had his face shudder and his clothes rustled. The wind snapped at his face as his feet also sank deeper into the earth.


    Shocked, Li Jingtian instantly made the connection that this man was unlike those men in black.


    The men in black were like ants compared to this secretive person. He was the true expert among them.


    The person was yet to show himself, but the power behind his first strike had put Elder Li on guard.


    Gnashing his teeth, he squinted at the incoming black chain and his power erupted. Black energy curled around him, [Ghostly Dragon Claw!]. He chose to face the chain head on.


    ¡°Eh?¡±


    The voice from the cloud clearly stated his surprise in Li Jingtian¡¯s course of action, and praised, ¡°Youngster is quite brave. A pity¡­¡±


    Bam!


    With an ear-piercing explosion, Li Jingtian¡¯s black claw tightened on the chain. Yet the chain kept on going, slamming him into the ground.


    The earth shattered, picking up a huge cloud of dust. Yun clan cried out, frantic in their retreat. Qiu Yanhai and Xue Qingjian moved in front of the people, to fend off the incoming shock wave.


    When the dust settled, everyone gasped in horror.


    The mighty Li Jingtian was planted in a huge hundred-meter-deep hole. Pale and panting, he was even bleeding from his mouth.


    Most shocked was the power couple.


    They were more clear than anyone about Li Jingtian¡¯s power, holding their own against him only by using their combined art. Yet this powerhouse was in a sorry state after just one blow. [What kind of power was that?]


    Looking up at the black cloud, the two picked up a person drifting down while holding the black chain.


    He was nine-foot tall, covered in black armor and a billowing black cape. Just like those men in black, he wore a helmet as well, blocking his features yet not his outrageous aura, instilling fear in all of them, including the elders.


    The first thought that came to mind was the feeling of death¡­


    ¡°Captain¡­¡± The black men saluted. But instead of looking grateful to their boss for lending a hand, they reeked of fear.


    The captain ignored them, ¡°The enemy this time is a sharp thorn. It is not your fault for needing me to step in.¡±


    They all eased a breath, a weight off their shoulders.


    Their captain had outrageous demands off them. He demanded success on every mission they were sent on. Which was pretty much guaranteed when this inhuman power that was their captain joined the fray.


    The captain had a rule, though, to not let the conceit get to their heads. He would never interfere in a mission. If he did, the mission was deemed as failure regardless of the outcome and the men would be subjected to harsh punishment.


    Having experienced that appalling pain once, no one wanted to go through such torment ever again.


    No surprise then that their first reaction on seeing the captain step in was that of lament.


    But with this being a special occasion and all, the captain waived all punishments.


    It was also a form of recognition from the captain¡¯s part. That none of them could finish this powerful enemy.


    Or why else would the captain step in?


    Bang!


    Li Jingtian threw the heavy chain to the ground and wiped the blood off his chest. With a jump, he was next to the power couple.


    The three watched their enemy with heavy silence, their fists shaking. The enemy this time was so strong, it had forced them to join hands, making them feel excited and dreadful.


    With a flick of his wrist, the black captain pulled back the chain and nodded at Li Jingtian, ¡°Junior, not bad at all. You¡¯re still breathing after taking a hit, so you do have some skill after all.¡±


    ¡°Humph, arrogant punk!¡±


    Li Jingtian shouted, ¡°You may be strong, but are not in the Ethereal Stage yet. There¡¯s not a single peak Radiant Stage expert out there who can kill me in one blow.¡±


    His front was tough, but his insides were quaking. That chain almost took his life. The tiniest slip would¡¯ve had the chain run through him.


    The black captain shook his head with a smile, ¡°Whelp, are you that ignorant or in denial? Two people may have the same cultivation, but not the same talent. That alone translates to a huge gap in power between them! Huangpu Qingtian was the prime example and now it¡¯s your steward¡¯s turn.¡±


    ¡°At merely the 3rd layer of Profound Heaven Stage, he took two peak Radiant Stage experts¡¯ all-out blows. It actually reminds me of an old rival of mine. I would feel privileged if I could experience Steward Zhuo¡¯s masterstroke myself!¡±


    The black captain sighed at the sky, strolling down the memory lane.


    The three elders never let him out of sight.


    ¡°Well, this has nothing to do with your Luo clan anyway. If it were up to me, I wouldn¡¯t be facing you so soon either.¡± The black captain waved and said, ¡°Please step aside, elders, I am taking the Yun clan!¡±


    ¡°Get bent! If I just give them to you, I won¡¯t even be able to face the world with shame! ¡°


    Xue Qingjian snapped, shooting for him with Qiu Yanhai fast behind.


    The two were on him in a blink, striking his chest with their combined power.


    ¡°Fire and water fusion, Life and Death Art!¡±


    Boom!


    With a flash of heat, a white jet shot through the black captain¡¯s chest and shot into the distance. It then enlarged into a huge glaring light.


    Everything was burned to a cinder.


    With a bang, the black chain clattered on the ground and with the dying of the light, the power couple started panting. There was no one in front of them.


    The two had finished him off.


    The two smiled and the Yun clan cheered. Li Jingtian grinned as well, but the black men¡¯ gaze made him think twice, [Damn it!]


    Because they were unphased.


    Their confidence was justified as well. While the couple celebrated, a familiar laughter came, ¡°Ha-ha-ha, is this the Luo clan¡¯s martial art? Quite impressive I must say. Today I¡¯ve truly lived and learned. It¡¯s something I have never seen in my life. I see why so many experts got turned on their side.¡±


    ¡°That move might have worked on them, but now¡­¡±


    Sss~


    Black smoke gathered in the form of a person and then a suit of armor. The black captain was back with a smile, ¡°I am neither man nor shade, but in between. The same move won¡¯t work on me!¡±


    The two¡¯s hearts seized.


    They should¡¯ve known this by now. With the black men turning into black smoke to avoid physical attacks, their captain ought to follow the same logic.


    The earlier move was merely a test run to see if it had any effect and indeed it didn¡¯t.


    And with the captain being far stronger than his men, it went without question that he could  phase in and out as well.


    The black men had a hard time becoming real once they turned into shadows. While the black captain could do it at will. He was a true undying monster and a pain to deal with.


    The couple gnashed their teeth and fell back.


    Far too late however.


    The black captain¡¯s wave brought the chain to his hand and then it shot towards the couple. The two went flying with blood trailing from their mouths.


    They hit the ground hard, grievously injured.


    ¡°Humph, I warned you of this outcome. But since you struck first, you only have yourselves to blame.¡± The cold eyes flashed in the darkness as the chain went for the two again.


    Li Jingtian covered himself in black energy and shot to intercept, ¡°Wraith Style¡¯s 1st move, Soaring Demonic Dragon!¡±


    Roar!


    With a black dragon image around him, Li Jingtian clashed with the chain, but it shattered his dragon. Li Jingtian was flung into the air and spat blood.


    Falling to the ground, he looked lifeless.


    At least he had covered for the power couple by sending the chain away from them.


    ¡°You two, cough~¡­ this is as far as I can help you¡­¡± Li Jingtian was panting, blood seeping into the ground around him.


    Qiu Yanhai nodded in gratitude, ¡°Old Li, you¡¯re a true friend!¡±


    Yun clan was in tears, unknown if from fear or from the touching scene.


    Li Jingtian and the Ice and Fire Lords were usually at odds with each other, but when it came to fighting, neither left the other behind.


    The black captain paused, then his tone turned angry for the first time and he snarled, ¡°What camaraderie! Mad Dipper, since you want to save them so badly, you can die first!¡±


    Whoosh!


    The black chain came for Li Jingtian to finish the job. Qiu Yanhai and Xue Qingjian struggled but couldn¡¯t budge at all.


    Li Jingtian sighed at the black chain reflecting in his eyes. [Is this how I, the great Mad Dipper, would meet my end? Without even knowing who killed me?]


    Ice and Fire Lords stared enraged, their fists clenched.


    But in times like these, one particularly familiar voice lifted their spirits, ¡°Yo, spade, were you perhaps left for dead to find the Luo clan¡¯s bromance so revolting?¡±

 Chapter 381 - Divine Eye Of The Void’s 3rd Stage

    Hum~


    With a spacial ripple, an odd red glow shot in front of Li Jingtian before the black chain could land. The chain whistled back with a bang, deflected right back at the black captain.


    Squinting, the black captain heard a buzzing in his ear, and he groaned as he blocked the chain.


    What he didn¡¯t take into account was the monstrous power infused within the chain. His block did nothing to stop the chain from knocking his arm into his chest.


    Like a cliff had been smashed into him, the black captain flung backwards.


    With an explosion, a hill that was a mile out crumbled, filling the sky with dust. The only sign something ever happened was the deep groove in the ground leading to it.


    It took everyone¡¯s breath away.


    Everyone was very clear about black captain¡¯s strength. Not even three great Radiant Stage experts could topple him.


    But for this dreaded man to be blown away, how terrifying would his opponent be?


    All eyes snapped to Li Jingtian. He was still hanging by a thread, but now a cold figure stood before him, his white hair drifting in the wind, right hand flashing an eerie red and eyes cold as ice.


    Luo clan¡¯s steward, Soaring Demonic Dragon Zhuo Fan!


    The black men grew tense as they looked at him, their faces twisting slowly.


    They had all heard of Zhuo Fan¡¯s illustrious name, but seeing him was believing.


    What they had failed to grasp was the demonic dragon¡¯s power to push back their captain. It boggled their minds.


    They knew their captain better than anyone. Yet Zhuo Fan had flung that monster away in one hit? [How is that even possible?]


    The black men turned to the rubble behind them with hope.


    [Captain¡­]


    Sss~


    Black smoke seeped from the rocks, reforming into a shadow. After a few more seconds, the armor took shape as well, returning back to his earlier daunting figure.


    The black chain flew back in his hand with a wave.


    ¡°Just what is that thing?¡± Zhuo Fan¡¯s brow rose.


    Li Jingtian gasped. He saw Zhuo Fan calm but still advised, ¡°Steward Zhuo, watch out, he can phase in and out of reality. Normal martial arts don¡¯t work on him. The only way to fight him is with soul attacks! ¡°


    ¡°There is such a thing? In that case¡­¡±


    His eyes flashed and Zhuo Fan gave him a deep look and laughed all of a sudden, having everything figured out, ¡°Elder Li, you guys rest. I¡¯ll take it from here.¡±


    Zhuo Fan walked on with a thin smile.


    The black captain did the same, dragging the black chain behind, the clanking sound announcing his enemy¡¯s eulogy.


    The audience never left the two out of their sights. Their very lives depended on the one who came on top among these powerhouses.


    [You cannot lose, captain!]


    The black men pumped their fists.


    Yun clan and Luo clan¡¯s elders looked at Zhuo Fan¡¯s back with faith. The elders had complete trust in Zhuo Fan, having been around him for a long time.


    Anyone or anything that stood in this little freak¡¯s path would stop their marching. He had never lost when he was weak, so how could he lose now when he was at the peak of Tianyu¡¯s power?


    No one dared to blink, lest they missed the two¡¯s clash.


    Tap~


    The two stopped thirty meters away from each other.


    Zhuo Fan sized him up and snickered, ¡°The girl¡¯s intuition sure was spot on. The other faction even sent someone like you. I thought Elder Li and the two elders would be more than enough. Ha-ha-ha, how naive of me. You never wanted the Yun clan to fall into someone else¡¯s hands!¡±


    ¡°The future of Yun clan is crucial to all factions. It cannot be left to the Luo clan alone!¡± The black captain gave him a cold look, flicking the chain with a trembling hand, ¡°That punch sure was savage, reminding me of an old rival of mine!¡±


    Zhuo Fan curled an eyebrow, a no-brainer for him to guess who this old rival was. He mocked the black captain, ¡°Did you win or not?¡±


    Shuddering, the black captain flashed with unbridled rage. His fists clenched and he spat, ¡°I lost that day, but don¡¯t think this match will be the same!¡±


    ¡°That remains to be seen!¡±


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Unlike him, I am far more complex, not to mention a headache to deal with. Are you that certain of victory? Ha-ha-ha¡­ ¡°


    The black captain¡¯s hand tightened and he flung the chain towards Zhuo Fan¡¯s left side, ¡°Laddiebuck, see for yourself! ¡°


    The black chain snaked in the air and was at the left side of Zhuo Fan¡¯s face in a blink, sneaky and swift.


    The chain was out of reach of the right hand, fully grasping Zhuo Fan¡¯s weakness in one glance.


    ¡°You old fox!¡±


    Zhuo Fan grinned, being mentally prepared. This guy had only seen him use the right hand once and already knew to stay clear. The attack on his left side spoke volumes of this guy¡¯s experience.


    Facing such a guy half-assed would give you a one-way trip to hell. And thinking that facing him even full-assed would be a pain, Zhuo Fan had to take it seriously.


    In any case, while the black captain knew Zhuo Fan¡¯s right arm was tough, the guy was clueless that his left arm threw a mean punch all the same.


    Pff!


    With a groan, the nimble chain landed in a dragon claw. The black captain cried, ¡°Earth Dragon Claw?¡±


    ¡°He-he, right on!¡±


    Zhuo Fan mocked him and yanked the chain. The black captain went with it, making a half circle in the air before crashing into the ground, hard.


    The bang left another thousand-meter-wide crater.


    Zhuo Fan grinned, the Yun clan was jubilant and the black men panicked, ¡°Captain¡­¡±


    Whoosh!


    They didn¡¯t get to finish as the black smoke shot from the crater straight for Zhuo Fan.


    Li Jingtian¡¯s side was shocked, ¡°Steward Zhuo, look out! Only soul attacks work on that thing!¡±


    ¡°He-he-he, I know.¡±


    Snickering, Zhuo Fan made a sign and roared, ¡°Wraith Style¡¯s 3rd move, Necro Dragon¡¯s Screech, Purple Lightning Flare!¡±


    Roar!


    Unlike Li Jingtian¡¯s dragon image, Zhuo Fan¡¯s dragon was melded with purple lightning.


    The same lightning Zhuo Fan stored in his Divine Eye of the Void. For some odd reason, his purple lightning stock was restored when he cultivated. It was endless.


    How convenient that it happened just in time to deal with this pesky black captain.


    This was Heavenly Emperor¡¯s purple lightning we are talking about. A power above yuan qi, and the same one that had struck a sacred beast dead.


    [It doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s soul or flesh, they¡¯ll both get skewered!]


    With how Zhuo Fan used it in tandem with a sound martial art, this attack had turned into a literal killing move.


    Bam!


    The black smoke was poised to attack Zhuo Fan when the dragon reached him. He had yet to regain his bearings from the previous hit and the purple dragon slammed into him next.


    The purple lightning pierced the black mass, drilling an excruciating pain into the skull of the black captain. Then came the constant rumbling from the impact of lightning on every part of his body, akin to explosions from within.


    All the audience heard was an endless cry of agony, as the black captain rammed himself left and right like a headless chicken.


    By the time it all came to an end, the shadow reformed, but on all fours, panting from exertion.


    The black men were shell-shocked. Not for the life of them could they recall when their captain was in such dire straits.


    Zhuo Fan snickered, ¡°Spade, now do you know the difference between me and him?


    ¡°Hi-hi-hi, everything in this world has a weakness. Don¡¯t think for a second that your phasing body will get me exhausted from using only physical attacks. Humph, I know all too well just what kind of specimen you are. It would¡¯ve been another matter entirely if you were in the Ethereal Stage, but it just wasn¡¯t meant to be. Humph, enough with the theatrics! What can a mere spirit puppet do?¡±


    ¡°Y-you know?!¡± Eyes trembling, the black captain watched Zhuo Fan like a monster, ¡°T-this is a secret art that was lost five centuries ago. How¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just that clever!¡±


    Slanting his head, Zhuo Fan showed a cocky grin, ¡°Soul puppets are special, but not invincible. You may not have a body, but I have my own way to make sure that you¡¯ll stay dead! You showed off in my presence and you beat my men. He-he-he, don¡¯t even think of escaping!¡±


    Zhuo Fan cackled and three golden halos shone in his right eye.


    Divine Eye of the Void¡¯s 3rd stage, Mirage World.