Su Chen approached Xia Liyan, his gaze landing on the white fox kneeling on the ground. Dong Zhang, indifferent to who was right or wrong, said coldly, "Kneel down and kowtow to apologize to Sister Xia. If she doesn't forgive you, I will hand you over to the City Guard. You can find out for yourself what the consequences will be."
A naked threat.
Yet, everyone present knew clearly that Dong Zhang had the capital to make such a threat; after all, the Dong family held immense power in Tiangu City.
Apologize? Kowtow? Admit fault?
What had he done wrong to be forced to apologize to the young woman before him?
Su Chen’s expression gradually turned icy. He did not wish to invite trouble, but he did not fear it either. If someone were to humiliate him without rhyme or reason—in two words: dream on!
By now, Su Chen had more or less guessed why the white fox was kneeling. Strictly speaking, the white fox was not kneeling to him, but bowing to the purple fox in his arms. It seemed the purple fox was of a very high rank, causing the white fox to bow instinctively.
He offered no explanation. Had they spoken nicely, he would have clarified the reason, but attempting to use the power behind them to suppress him into kneeling and apologizing was absolutely out of the question.
Seeing the young man ignore him, Dong Zhang assumed he had been frightened into stupidity, which pleased him greatly. Moreover, he wanted to impress Xia Liyan. He had been pursuing her, and how could he pass up such a golden opportunity to show off?
"Kid, kneel and apologize. I’ll give you a chance to become a dog at my feet."
Su Chen nodded, walked up to Dong Zhang, and said, "You are not worthy."
No sooner had the words left his lips than Su Chen moved. Only afterimages remained in his wake. Unleashing the Rock-Crushing Fist, a barrage of power enveloped Dong Zhang.
Dong Zhang was only at the Level 3 Foundation Establishment Realm—a full five stages lower than Su Chen.
Blow after blow rained down on Dong Zhang. Accompanied by wretched screams, Dong Zhang was kicked violently to the ground, and Su Chen stepped directly onto his left foot.
"Kid, I come from the Dong family! You dare touch me? You’re finished! Just wait, I will make you regret this!"
The onlookers were completely dumbfounded, gasping in disbelief. The man’s arrogance and dominance shocked them. After all, Dong Zhang’s status was clear, and with the Dong family as his backing, who in Tiangu City dared to provoke them?
"Are you threatening me?"
"Whether it’s a threat or not, you know in your heart. I advise you: don't do something you'll regret." Dong Zhang’s pale face was covered in beads of sweat as he endured the waves of pain. In his view, this was Tiangu City, the Dong family’s territory; even if his opponent was stronger, he was still just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He did not believe the man dared to continue.
"Look! The City Guard is here!"
Dozens of armored City Guards approached. Seeing the scene before them, it was clear that regardless of right or wrong, they would favor the Dong family—that was beyond question. On one side was an unknown youth; on the other, an established family of Tiangu City. How could they choose otherwise?
"Fighting is forbidden in Tiangu City! Take them both to the City Lord’s Mansion."
It was just for show. They assumed that once Dong Zhang was taken in, he would be out in a heartbeat, while the youth would likely not be so lucky. In Tiangu City, the City Guard made the rules; if they said you were right, you were right; if they said you were wrong, you were wrong.
*Crack!*
To everyone’s shock, Dong Zhang’s foot was crushed right there. In their horror-filled eyes was written pure disbelief. No one had expected that with the City Guard already arrived, this man would still be so brazen as to crush Dong Zhang’s leg—it was a blatant provocation to the City Guard.
Offending both the City Guard and the Dong family meant he clearly had no intention of surviving in Tiangu City.
"Insolent!"
"Audacious! How dare you be so rampant! Seize him!"
Su Chen could see plainly that these so-called City Guards would clearly side with the Dong family. If he followed them to the City Lord’s Mansion, he would never come out alive. Matters had reached this point; he had no retreat. Offending the Dong family and offending the City Lord’s Mansion made no difference now.
To surrender was to die. To fight was to have a chance to kill his way out. Su Chen understood his situation was dire, but he felt no regret. As a man, he could die, but he could not be humiliated.
"Hurry and notify the Dong family! Tell them to come save me!"
"Go! Now!"
***
A shrill, fearful scream had already made it clear that Dong Zhang was truly terrified. He never imagined that this man wouldn't even place the City Guard in his eyes. He was deathly afraid of being killed; even if his family took revenge later, what good would that do him? He would already be dead.
There was no need to go looking. This was Tiangu City, and the Dong family, already alerted, had arrived along with the City Lord’s forces. Seeing Dong Zhang crushed underfoot, they were all consumed by rage.
Dong family head Dong Xi, suppressing his fury, said with a gloomy face, "Release Dong Zhang, and we can discuss this matter calmly."
"Dad! Help me kill him!"
Xia Liyan, standing to the side, was somewhat dazed. She had not expected things to devolve to this point, and seeing her father arrive and stand beside her, she didn't know what to do.
"What is happening?"
Daring not to withhold anything, Xia Liyan told her father the whole story. Xia Quan sighed deeply; the matter had been sparked by Liyan, and they had to give the Dong family an answer, or the two families would be completely severed. To offend the Dong family for the sake of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was certainly not a wise move.
Su Chen nodded, stepping on Dong Zhang without a hint of fear, and said indifferently, "As long as you swear an oath not to take action against me, I will let him go."
Negotiating with him? Dong Xi’s rage had reached its limit. Had he not been concerned for his son’s life, he would have struck already.
"Ah!"
Before Dong Xi could speak, a pig-like shriek echoed through the surroundings. Dong Zhang’s other leg had been crushed, the bones clearly visible—a horrifying sight.
Hundreds of warriors from the City Lord’s Mansion and the Dong family had surrounded Su Chen tightly. City Lord Qi Shang’s face was equally grim; for someone to cause trouble in Tiangu City was to show no respect for the City Lord’s Mansion. He was a bit too wild and arrogant; he had to be captured to serve as an example.
"You dare!"
A furious Dong Xi took a step forward, the murderous intent erupting from him like a tidal wave, yet it failed to intimidate Su Chen.
Without further chatter, Su Chen understood the situation was highly disadvantageous and knew he had to leave Tiangu City.
"Just relying on numbers, are we?"
Such naked contempt and mockery—everyone present knew the youth was only at the Foundation Establishment Realm; how could he possibly contend with the Xia family, the Dong family, and the City Lord’s Mansion?
Dong Xi laughed, mocking, "It seems you are quite confident in your strength. In that case, I will give you a chance. My Dong family has six Peak Void Core Realm warriors. If you can defeat these six, I will let today’s matter go."
"Fine."
The moment the words were spoken, the crowd erupted in an uproar! No one had expected the youth to actually agree. To face six opponents, all from the Dong family and all at the Void Core Realm—how could he possibly win? The gap between them was far too vast.
Su Chen kicked Dong Zhang away. What he wanted was a safe exit, not a momentary release of frustration. Killing him now would truly enrage them, and if hundreds of warriors swarmed him, it would be a very troublesome affair.
"Kill him!"
Cold murderous intent burned in Dong Xi's eyes. He had absolute confidence that his family's six Void Core Realm warriors, working together, could surely suppress a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Was it against martial arts rules? Was that even a concern?
"Trash! Today, I alone am enough to smash you into ten thousand pieces!"
A burly man, looking like a black bear, leaped out from behind Dong Xi. His large, heavy frame was unexpectedly agile. His fists, like two iron balls, smashed toward Su Chen. He didn't even bother to release his Blood Wheel; in his eyes, killing a Foundation Establishment cultivator was beneath him, and using his Blood Wheel would only be a loss of face.
Dragon-Elephant Seal—derived from the Nine Dragons Nine Elephants Art—was being used by Su Chen for the first time. He quickly formed seals with his hands; the overbearing palm print, infused with the roars of dragons and elephants, stacked layer upon layer as he struck back.
*Boom!*
Their attacks collided mid-air, and the terrifying shockwaves spread. Everyone thought that the man from the Dong family, even if only at the first level of the Void Core Realm, should have no problem killing a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
But the result?
The fist force was swallowed instantly by the Dragon-Elephant Seal. The moment the cold, domineering roar of the Dragon-Elephant engulfed the burly man, the force concentrated into a single point and smashed into his forehead.
*Bang!*
His entire head shattered, blood mist spraying out. The pungent smell of blood spread, causing many to retreat in fear. Their eyes were filled with shock and horror; no one expected a dignified Void Core Realm warrior to be killed in a single strike.
How formidable was this?
"Next."
The word was authoritative enough. Silence descended; everyone stared at the youth. No wonder he was so arrogant—he had something to rely on. But the man had only been at the first level of the Void Core Realm, and there were five more from the Dong family who hadn't moved.
Looking at the headless corpse on the ground, Dong Xi’s expression could not have been uglier.
"How did he do it? He didn't even release a Blood Wheel and managed to kill a Void Core Realm warrior in one blow. This guy is a monster."
"True, he’s impressive. But Dong Xi has five more, including one at the Peak Void Core Realm. It won't be so easy for him to kill his way out of Tiangu City."
"Dong Zhang had it coming. Relying on the Dong family, he was used to acting like a tyrant. Now that he’s run into a hard nut to crack, he has only himself to blame."
"Shh! Do you want to die? If the Dong family hears you, you’ll be in trouble."
"Almost forgot."
Su Chen knew he had succeeded in the instant kill only because of the man’s carelessness. No one would have believed he could kill a Void Core Realm warrior that easily.
"Everyone, go together!"
He didn't fight them one by one. Su Chen’s instant kill had shocked the Dong family. A furious and startled Dong Xi no longer cared about face; he ordered the five Void Core Realm warriors to attack together. At all costs, they had to kill him.
History is always written by the victors; he believed this would be forgotten soon enough. The Dong family was already a major power in Tiangu City.
The five Void Core Realm warriors stepped out from behind Dong Xi, staring coldly at their prey. Provoking the Dong family and bringing them such shame was something they could not accept.
"Kid, you’re strong. But in front of our Dong family, you won't leave alive. I advise you: surrender, and you might save your life."
"Too much chatter."
"You’re courting death!"
Enraged, the five no longer wasted words. With so many watching, they had to recover the Dong family's honor. They had already lost one warrior; the remaining five had to ensure a total execution.
***
Their ferocious faces were twisted with murderous intent as the five Void Core Realm warriors rushed toward their target like leopards. Before they arrived, the terrifying murderous intent reached him first.
They immediately unleashed their Blood Wheels. They no longer cared about dignity; their only objective was to kill him. Above each of their heads, a Blood Wheel manifested, the terrifying energies weaving together like a spiderweb.
*A roar of a dragon. A roar of an elephant.*
With the Dragon-Elephant Blood Wheel manifesting above him, Su Chen immediately utilized the Nine Dragons Nine Elephants Art. He didn't dare be careless; he had to finish this quickly. He could not afford any hesitation.
Su Chen’s speed surged to its limit. Afterimages flashed as the Nine Dragons Nine Elephants illusions roared wildly, their massive, spectral forms charging to swallow the four.
"What a domineering Blood Wheel!"
City Lord Qi Shang’s eyes were equally icy. "He must be killed."
The five did not scatter but focused on a single point, hoping to use the overlay of their five Blood Wheels to suppress him.
The moment Su Chen made contact with the five, another Blood Wheel began to emerge from within the Dragon-Elephant Blood Wheel—the Devouring Blood Wheel. But because it was covered by the massive Dragon-Elephant, no one noticed. Su Chen did not want anyone to know he possessed the Devouring Blood Wheel.
A black mist, like a vine, instantly crawled onto one of them, binding him tightly as the cold, devouring aura eroded his body.
"What is this!"
Feeling the cold aura, the man shivered involuntarily. His eyes were wide with terror. Before he could even react, the black mist forcibly invaded his mind and devoured his soul instantly.
Watching the Void Core Realm warrior topple over, everyone, including the City Lord and Dong Xi, was stunned. What was happening? How did he do it? The Dong family warrior had been slaughtered without any sign or warning. If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, no one would have believed it.
It was too shocking!
Su Chen’s dominance intimidated everyone. Was this the strength a Foundation Establishment cultivator should possess?
Seeing their companion slaughtered, the remaining four were terrified. They had joined forces and attacked with everything they had, ignoring their pride, yet they still couldn't stop him. To say they weren't afraid would be a lie.
The next second, all four felt a cold aura invade their minds. They realized their companion had fallen because of this exact invasion.
Realizing this, the four dared not be careless. They funneled all their strength into their Blood Wheels, trying to frantically counter the invading devouring aura.
The chance had come.
With the Dragon-Elephant Blood Wheel suppressing and the Devouring Blood Wheel invading, Su Chen’s third Blood Wheel condensed beneath the cover of the Dragon-Elephant. Utilizing the Nine Tribulations Sword Technique, cold and overbearing sword energy gathered into a storm, slashing at the four. One sword strike after another, each faster than the last.
The four were being suppressed?
Dong Xi could not accept the fact. Regardless of whether he believed it, the scene before his eyes told him that the remaining four Void Core Realm warriors combined might not be enough to kill this man.
As they struggled to expel the power invading their minds, the four unleashed their own martial techniques, attacking from all four directions. Their cold, overbearing attacks completely engulfed Su Chen.
Densely packed sword energy locked onto one person to break them one by one. Su Chen was calm and rational; fighting four at once took too much time.
With their souls suppressed by the Devouring Blood Wheel and their bodies crushed by the relentless sword energy, the Dong family warrior’s body was pierced through. Blood stained the ground red.
Another one dead.
The remaining three revealed looks of terror, but there was no turning back now. They gritted their teeth and continued to press the attack.
*Boom, boom, boom!*
The collision of their forces caused the ground to crack. The onlookers retreated, their eyes filled with horror. Su Chen’s insanity shocked them all, for they noticed something: the youth only attacked and never defended. Under these conditions, the three were forced into a desperate retreat.
A trace of blood appeared at the corner of Su Chen’s mouth. To say he wasn't injured while fighting six would be a lie, but such minor wounds meant nothing to him. His offensive became stronger and wilder, like a mad tiger. The three were suppressed to the point of being unable to even fight back.
This was the power of the three Blood Wheels combined. To this moment, no one had realized the youth possessed three distinct Blood Wheels.
*Puff!*
The three could no longer resist. They were suppressed by Su Chen, unable to move a muscle. Su Chen gasped for air; after all, he was only at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Being able to defeat and suppress six Void Core Realm warriors relied entirely on his three Blood Wheels and his heaven-defying sword technique.
"Release them!"
"Kid, you dare!"
The Dong family had suffered heavy losses—three Void Core Realm warriors were already dead; the remaining three could not be lost.
"Kid, if you dare touch them, my Dong family will tear you into ten thousand pieces!"
"Are you threatening me?"
There was not a hint of fear on his face. Before Dong Xi could continue his rambling, Su Chen stomped down hard. The heads of the three Dong family warriors shattered one by one, staining the ground with blood.
Killing three or killing six made no difference. Matters had reached this point; he knew the Dong family would not let it rest. Su Chen understood that whether or not he slaughtered the remaining three, they would not let him go. Since that was the case, he might as well kill a few more.
Watching as all six Void Core Realm warriors were slaughtered, a furious Dong Xi could not accept the reality. If his opponent had been a Void Core Realm warrior, it would be one thing, but the fact remained that this person was only at the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Everyone looked on in horror, staring at the youth. No one had imagined that a Foundation Establishment cultivator could kill six Void Core Realm warriors of the Dong family. It was beyond legendary.
"The Dong family has suffered a massive loss."
"Dong Xi promised that if this man defeated the six, the matter would be wiped clean. This guy is a monster, but I truly admire him."
"It won't be that simple. This is Tiangu City. Even if the Dong family honors the promise, don't forget the City Lord’s Mansion is here. Look at the City Lord’s face."
"Does that mean the City Lord will strike?"
Su Chen’s face held a cold sneer. Although he was slightly injured after killing the six, it had been a narrow victory. According to his agreement with the Dong family, the matter should end here, and he could leave Tiangu City.
Without another word, Su Chen turned and prepared to leave. Under the circumstances, there was no reason for him to linger.