Shang Ziju’s gaze locked onto Zhang Ruochen, his expression turning slightly grim.
Earlier, he’d felt uneasy, a vague sense of foreboding, and now it had come true. Something had indeed gone wrong in Saintbright City.
Even now, he couldn’t fathom what had happened. With the arrangements he’d made in Saintbright City, how could Zhang Ruochen have escaped?
Zhang Ruochen’s immediate demand for Chi Kunlun further stoked Shang Ziju’s anger. It was because of Chi Kunlun that he’d been injured by a Yama Clan powerhouse and lost his top-grade Streamlight Merit Armour. He was already seething.
Other Paradise Faction powerhouses also frowned. Zhang Ruochen’s appearance at Peacock Manor was wholly unexpected.
The blood staining his armour, combined with his demand for Chi Kunlun, confirmed he hadn’t fled Saintbright City but had fought a brutal battle.
Yet, if something had gone awry in Saintbright City, why had they received no messages?
Clearly, the situation there was far more complex than anticipated, with many unforeseen events.
“Who’s Chi Kunlun?” Jin Yu asked curiously.
Having just emerged from the spatial canyon, he was unfamiliar with the outside world, unaware of Chi Kunlun or his connection to Zhang Ruochen.
Instinctively, Jin Yu harboured no fondness for anyone surnamed Chi.
If not for the Chi family, how could their eldest brother have died? Why would they have hidden in the spatial canyon?
Not only Jin Yu but Bao Lie and Luo Chen were also puzzled, unsure why Zhang Ruochen was demanding someone named Chi from Shang Ziju.
Kong Lanyou sighed softly. “Chi Kunlun is cousin’s and Chi Yao’s son.”
“What? How could that be…?”
Jin Yu, Bao Lie, and Luo Chen’s eyes widened in disbelief.
They knew Zhang Ruochen had been killed by Chi Yao eight hundred years ago, and both were young then, unlikely to have crossed such boundaries.
Eight hundred years later, Zhang Ruochen and Chi Yao should be irreconcilable enemies. How could they have a child?
Kong Lanyou shook her head gently. “It’s a complicated matter, not easily explained in a few words. But Chi Kunlun is indeed cousin’s and Chi Yao’s son.”
The truth between Zhang Ruochen and Chi Yao was murky to most, but Kong Lanyou vaguely grasped what had happened, likely the reason Zhang Ruochen had once stormed the Ziwei Imperial Palace in a frenzy.
The three said no more, not wanting to upset Zhang Ruochen and recognising this wasn’t the time, with enemies at hand.
On the warship, Si Han stepped beside Shang Ziju, shouting, “Zhang Ruochen, where’s Senior Brother Feng and the others?”
Zhang Ruochen’s arrival at Peacock Manor, with no sign of Feng Gudao or the others and no news, stirred an ominous feeling in Si Han.
“Si Han, why so nervous? Do you think Zhang Ruochen could match Feng Gudao and the others? They’re likely delayed by something. Nothing’s wrong,” Di Feng said breezily, fanning his jade fan.
Si Han’s worries eased. Feng Gudao, Zi Linglong, Chi Sheng, and Gu Tianyin were top powerhouses, near the pinnacle below the Great Saint Realm. Zhang Ruochen alone couldn’t possibly best them.
Even with unexpected developments, Feng Gudao and the others should be fine.
At their level, even Di Feng or Xing Yuan couldn’t easily defeat them. If overwhelmed, they could still escape.
“Swish.”
Zhang Ruochen produced four Saint-Binding Ropes, each restraining a figure.
Seeing the four bound figures, Di Feng’s eyes narrowed, turning venomous. They were Feng Gudao, Zi Linglong, Chi Sheng, and Gu Tianyin.
He’d just assured Si Han they were fine, only for Zhang Ruochen to reveal them, a blatant slap to his face.
Si Han’s face paled, unable to believe his eyes.
“How…?”
Other Paradise Faction powerhouses also frowned.
This outcome was entirely unexpected.
Zhang Ruochen gripped the ropes tightly, one foot pressing hard on Feng Gudao. “Shang Ziju, hand over Chi Kunlun. I won’t say it a third time.”
Shang Ziju’s mouth twitched, his expression darkening. Where was he supposed to find Chi Kunlun now?
Outwardly, he remained calm. “Want Chi Kunlun? Release them first.”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes flashed coldly. “Shang Ziju, do you take me for a fool? No Chi Kunlun, and all four die.”
“Ziju, give him Chi Kunlun,” Feng Gudao pleaded, looking at Shang Ziju.
He didn’t want to die, especially not so ignominiously.
Shang Ziju appeared composed, but inwardly, he was tumultuous. If Chi Kunlun were still in his hands, he’d trade him for the four.
Each had powerful backing. Their deaths in Kunlun Realm would enrage their factions, causing him significant trouble.
But Chi Kunlun had been taken by a Yama Clan powerhouse, and Shang Ziju was loath to admit such a humiliating loss or yield to Zhang Ruochen.
He’d ordered his powerhouses to keep silent about it.
Seeing Shang Ziju’s inaction, Zhang Ruochen’s gaze grew icier. “It seems you don’t care about their lives. Moyin.”
“Master.”
Moyin emerged from Zhang Ruochen’s spine.
Without instruction, she extended dozens of tendrils, piercing Feng Gudao’s body.
“Argh, save me, save me!” Feng Gudao screamed, terror-stricken, pleading loudly.
He felt death’s approach, his essence, qi, and spirit draining uncontrollably.
“Ziju, what do we do?” Si Han asked, panicked.
Even Da Xi Wang frowned. Feng Gudao, a top Soul Realm powerhouse, dying would be a blow to their realm.
Shang Ziju’s eyes were cold. “Zhang Ruochen, you haven’t grasped the situation. Kill Feng Gudao, and you and everyone in Peacock Manor will die faster.”
“Threaten me? Shang Ziju, you underestimate me. No Chi Kunlun, and not just Feng Gudao but Zi Linglong, Chi Sheng, and Gu Tianyin will all die,” Zhang Ruochen retorted fiercely, unyielding.
Shang Ziju’s eyes flashed with murderous intent, glancing at Feng Gudao’s shrivelling form, hesitating.
“Shang Ziju, is my life worth less than Chi Kunlun’s?” Feng Gudao roared, his face twisted in fury.
He regretted joining Shang Ziju’s venture, only to be abandoned.
Shang Ziju’s gaze hardened. “Chi Kunlun isn’t in my hands. Killing Feng Gudao won’t help.”
“Even now, you lie to me, Shang Ziju. Fine, perhaps you think I won’t kill them.” Zhang Ruochen’s killing intent surged.
Moyin understood instantly, accelerating her absorption of Feng Gudao’s essence.
“Argh, I’m not reconciled, not reconciled! Shang Ziju, you’re ruthless!”
Feng Gudao’s anguished screams carried both unwillingness and deep hatred for Shang Ziju.
He’d seen Chi Kunlun by Shang Ziju’s side, yet now Shang Ziju claimed otherwise, clearly intending to let him die.
Abruptly, Feng Gudao’s screams ceased, his body withered and lifeless.
“Bang.”
Moyin shook her tendrils, and Feng Gudao’s husk shattered, turning to dust.
A top Saint King, nearly rivaling an Immortal Great Saint, perished.
Simultaneously, Moyin’s aura surged, drawing the heaven and earth’s power and rules within two thousand miles toward her.
In Saintbright City, Moyin’s cultivation had reached a threshold. Absorbing Feng Gudao’s essence allowed her to break through from the Dao Domain Realm to the Heaven-Connecting Realm.
As a Saint Devourer, Moyin’s nature was extraordinary, making her far superior to typical Heaven-Connecting Realm powerhouses upon breakthrough.
Most who reach this realm can only manipulate rules within a few hundred miles, or a thousand at its peak.
Moyin, freshly broken through, could command rules within two thousand miles, rivaling weaker Near-Path Realm powerhouses.
With her unique abilities, she could now contend with or even kill weaker Near-Path Realm opponents.
“Finally at the Heaven-Connecting Realm. Master, what about these three?” Moyin’s gaze shifted between the remaining three, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Freshly advanced, consuming more nutrients to stabilise her realm would be ideal.
Zi Linglong, Chi Sheng, and Gu Tianyin were no pushovers, each a ruthless figure, but now they were visibly terrified.
Witnessing Feng Gudao’s devouring would unnerve anyone, especially as top Near-Path Realm powerhouses poised to enter the Great Saint Realm.
With their foundations, they’d surpass ordinary Immortal Great Saints, their future not limited to that realm.
To become fodder for a Saint Devourer would be too tragic.
Seeing Feng Gudao’s death, the Paradise Faction powerhouses’ faces turned grim.
Killing a top Paradise Faction powerhouse before their eyes was unprecedented.
Even with Shang Ziju’s composure and cunning, his fury blazed, his body radiating terrifying killing intent.
