Ye Qiu had been prepared. The moment Wu Qinghao seized his wrist, Ye Qiu’s hand slipped free like a slippery loach.
“Hm?”
Wu Qinghao’s brow arched. He clearly had not expected Ye Qiu to break his grip.
“What is the meaning of this?” Ye Qiu asked, staring at Wu Qinghao.
Wu Qinghao gave a sinister laugh. “Brother Long, with your cultivation, you stand no chance of claiming the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance anyway. Why not stay by my side? I can still protect you.”
“Protect me? Since when were you so kind?” Ye Qiu sneered coldly. “I think you simply want to take me hostage.”
With the truth laid bare, Wu Qinghao dropped all pretence.
He smiled and said, “If Brother Long is in my hands, and should Qi Tian obtain the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance, I can use you as leverage to force Qi Tian to surrender it to me.”
So that was his plan, to seize me as a hostage.
Ye Qiu replied, “Whether Qi Tian obtains the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance remains uncertain.”
“Even if he does, threatening him with me would be useless. Even if you captured the Wuji Heavenly Venerable himself, he would never hand it over to you.”
“Moreover, if you dare use me to coerce Qi Tian, you will die a wretched death.”
Wu Qinghao remained unfazed. “As long as I obtain the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance, I care not what methods I employ.”
“Your master and disciple share a deep bond, witnessed by all earlier. I do not believe Qi Tian would stand idly by while you perish.”
“Besides, with you in my grasp, Qi Tian would not dare act rashly.”
At this, Wu Qinghao glanced at Ye Qiu and smiled darkly. “Of course, if Qi Tian refuses to save you, Brother Long, your position will become exceedingly perilous.”
“I have no use for worthless individuals at my side.”
“You intend to kill me?” Ye Qiu laughed rather than rage. “I fear you lack the ability.”
“Hahaha…” Wu Qinghao burst into laughter. “I stand at the peak of the Divine Connection realm. Killing you would be as easy as turning my hand.”
“Dragon Bodhisattva, I advise you to surrender obediently.”
“Otherwise, prepare to suffer.”
Ye Qiu’s expression remained calm as he met Wu Qinghao’s gaze directly. “Do you know why I entered this cave?”
“Why?” Wu Qinghao asked, then added, “I care not why you entered. In any case, you will soon be in my custody.”
Though his words were arrogant, Wu Qinghao acted with great caution. As he spoke, he swiftly deployed an array formation, sealing the entire area.
Now Ye Qiu, the Long-browed Real Person, Wu Qinghao, and the disciples of the Chaos Holy Land were all trapped within it.
Wu Qinghao smiled. “Dragon Bodhisattva, the array is set. Even with wings, you cannot escape. If you know what is good for you, surrender at once and spare yourself physical torment.”
Yet to his surprise, Ye Qiu showed no trace of fear. Instead, a radiant smile spread across his face.
“He has no escape left. How can he still smile?”
Wu Qinghao found it peculiar, but he paid it little heed. In his view, no matter what tricks Ye Qiu possessed, escape from his palm was impossible.
“I will tell you why I entered the cave after all,” Ye Qiu said. “I had two purposes. One of them was to eliminate you.”
At these words, before Wu Qinghao could respond, the disciples of the Chaos Holy Land erupted in fury.
“Insolence!”
“Daring to boast before the divine son. You will not even know how you die.”
“Who would have thought the Wuji Heavenly Venerable’s new disciple would be such an arrogant fool.”
“Dragon Bodhisattva, why not relieve yourself and gaze upon your reflection? Trash like you, even after another thousand years of cultivation, would remain no match for the divine son.”
“…”
Ye Qiu swept his gaze over them, his face full of disdain. “No more wasting time. Come at me together. I will send you all on your way.”
“Damn it. Even now, still so insolent. Truly begging for a beating.” One Chaos Holy Land disciple said to Wu Qinghao, “Divine son, this boy dares utter such wild words before you. No need to trouble yourself. Allow me to teach him a proper lesson.”
With that, the disciple strode towards Ye Qiu.
Wu Qinghao instructed, “Go easy. Do not kill him. This divine son still has use for his life.”
“Rest assured, divine son. I know my limits.” The disciple advanced a few steps, then fixed Ye Qiu with a dark smile. “Boy, I care not if you act arrogantly before others, but daring to do so before the divine son demands I discipline you on his behalf.”
Slap!
The disciple struck with a palm. Instantly, the air turned frigid as frost, overwhelming power bearing down.
It must be said, even the minor figures who entered the Dragon Burial Lair possessed formidable strength.
Any one of them was at least Nascent Soul realm.
Ye Qiu had yet to undergo tribulation, his cultivation at the extreme of the Cave Heaven realm. To outsiders, he appeared merely at the peak of Cave Heaven, so none took him seriously.
“A mere early Nascent Soul. What gives you the confidence to boast of disciplining me?”
As Ye Qiu spoke, he threw a direct punch, striking the disciple’s palm.
“Pfft!”
The instant fist met palm, the disciple’s hand exploded into blood mist.
His arm followed suit.
In less than three seconds, the disciple’s entire body turned to blood mist.
Obliterated by Ye Qiu’s single punch.
“This…”
The remaining Chaos Holy Land disciples all wore expressions of shock.
Clearly, they had not expected Ye Qiu to possess the power to slay across realms.
“Killing a disciple of our Chaos Holy Land before this divine son. You court death.” Wu Qinghao’s face darkened, killing intent flaring in his eyes.
Ye Qiu looked at Wu Qinghao. “Why not come yourself? These trash are no match for me.”
“Do not be insolent.” Wu Qinghao ordered the disciples, “All of you attack together. Remember, keep him alive, but beat him as brutally as possible.”
“Yes!” The disciples had been itching to strike the moment their companion turned to blood mist.
Now, at Wu Qinghao’s command, they charged from all directions towards Ye Qiu.
“That is more like it. No more wasting time.”
Far from alarmed, Ye Qiu was delighted. He spread his arms, and a scorching aura radiated from his body.
Instantly, Wu Qinghao sensed grave danger.
“Stop!”
Wu Qinghao roared at Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu was no fool. Why would he obey? His purpose in entering the Dragon Burial Lair was to kill and seize treasures. Moreover, in this world, no rules applied. The hardest fist ruled.
Thus, Ye Qiu showed no mercy.
“Boom!”
Suddenly, towering flames erupted from Ye Qiu’s arms. In an instant, the dozens of Chaos Holy Land disciples were incinerated to ashes on the spot.
