“Such… such terrifying power!”
The soldiers felt the might of those hammers, their eyes widening in awe.
“The Demon-Slaying Hands and Thunder Demon Hammers—they’re Commander Wu’s signature moves!”
Some generals familiar with Wu Tong recognized them instantly.
“Can Lord Lin withstand this attack…?”
All eyes were on the battlefield, tension so thick they seemed to forget to breathe.
“I didn’t expect he still had such a powerful trump card!”
Lin Yun watched the hammers, crackling with lightning, hurtling towards him at blinding speed.
“Too bad—I’ve got moves I haven’t used either!”
Facing the onslaught, Lin Yun’s lips curved into a confident smile.
He raised his hand, and the Purple Qiong Sword blazed with dazzling purple light.
“Shadow Sword Art, Fifth Form!”
His sword let out a piercing cry, becoming a blur!
Divine sense, Taixu power, demon bone, profundity fusion—all unleashed.
“Sky-Shaking Hand!”
Lin Yun’s palm changed hue, unleashing a torrent of terrifying energy!
Under countless gazes, their attacks collided fiercely!
Boom!
A crash like a meteor strike erupted before the onlookers!
The clash’s radiance was like a blazing sun, dazzling and brilliant, lighting half of Dongyuan Prefecture like day!
Immense energy burst forth like a volcanic eruption!
“Retreat, retreat, retreat!”
Though far from the battlefield, the soldiers scrambled back in fear. Still, many weaker city guards were flung backward by the shockwave, plunging the scene into chaos.
Rumble!
The manor’s buildings cracked and collapsed!
In the battlefield’s center.
Wu Tong slammed into a structure, reducing it to rubble. He lay in the debris, spitting blood, his aura fading.
As the soldiers steadied themselves and looked again, Lin Yun stood like a pillar, his figure towering and radiant, inspiring awe and reverence.
The lord’s strength was terrifying!
His ability to fight above his realm was unimaginable!
“Commander Wu!”
The thirty-some unyielding generals rushed to the rubble, pulling Wu Tong out.
All eyes focused—Wu Tong was coughing up blood, his aura weak, utterly defeated!
“Wu Tong, got anything left to say?”
Lin Yun fixed him with a gaze sharp as a blade!
“You… you…” Wu Tong’s mouth twitched, speechless.
Lin Yun’s power had thoroughly stunned him.
He’d never dreamed Lin Yun could be this strong!
He’d miscalculated.
“Wu Tong, as a Transcending Tribulation Realm cultivator, you could still serve the human race. I’ll give you a chance—swear by your soul to renounce the Dongguo Party and follow me to contribute to humanity, and I’ll spare your life!” Lin Yun’s voice boomed, like a sovereign holding life and death.
Wu Tong fell to his knees, hands trembling, his convictions shattered.
He’d lost everything!
Suddenly, he looked up, “Recruit me? Dream on! Lin Yun, I’d rather die than surrender!”
A terrifying force erupted from his body.
“He’s going to self-detonate! Retreat, retreat, retreat!”
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out.
Devastating energy surged in all directions with apocalyptic force, obliterating everything in its path!
Rumble!
The world shook as if doomsday had arrived.
“Everyone, block this wave—don’t let it spread!” Lin Yun roared like thunder, channeling all his strength to resist the terrifying surge.
He knew a Seventh Transcending Tribulation Realm self-detonation could level Wu Manor and devastate buildings for dozens of miles, bringing catastrophe to countless citizens.
“Activate the array—defend!”
Huo Zhen shouted, straining to hold back the wave.
“Defend!”
The city guards, hearing Lin Yun and Huo Zhen, snapped out of panic and channeled their energy.
Buzz!
Empowered by hundreds of thousands, a massive golden barrier formed, resisting the relentless surge.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Waves of explosive force battered the barrier, making it tremble, but the guards poured in more energy to reinforce it.
Without Lin Yun’s swift command, the guards wouldn’t have reacted in time to form the array.
Leadership was critical in such moments!
Moments later, the energy dissipated, and calm returned.
The surroundings were reduced to ruins, but most of the force had been contained.
Lin Yun looked at the explosion’s epicenter—Wu Tong was gone, not a trace left, along with the thirty-some unyielding generals, all killed in the blast.
Among them were the Second and Third Battalion commanders and another Transcending Tribulation Realm cultivator.
Lin Yun stared at the site, murmuring, “From now on, there’ll be no Dongguo Party in Dongyuan Prefecture.”
Henceforth, Dongyuan Prefecture would have only Lord Lin Yun!
Undoubtedly, outwitting and defeating Wu Tong had cemented Lin Yun’s authority in Dongyuan Prefecture!
He turned to the city guard soldiers.
“Everyone, the matter’s settled—return and rest,” Lin Yun instructed.
“Sir!”
The guards stood, their response shaking the heavens.
They withdrew in orderly fashion.
Lin Yun turned to the generals who’d joined him, “You lot, go rest as well.”
“Yes, sir!” The generals saluted in unison.
They breathed a sigh of relief, having survived the ordeal.
Had they chosen the wrong side, they’d likely have been crushed!
Lin Yun added, “Rest assured, promotions in Dongyuan Prefecture will henceforth be based solely on ability and merit—no factions, no cliques.”
“Yes, sir!” they replied again.
Then, the generals took their leave.
…
Outside the manor.
Onlookers watched the city guards stream out.
The streets were cracked, many citizens pale, some with blood at their lips, clearly caught in the shockwave.
Had most of the blast not been contained, they’d likely all be dead.
“The commotion inside has stopped, and the guards are leaving—seems the clash of leaders has a victor. But who won?”
They gazed at the manor’s entrance, curiosity and uncertainty swirling.
