"Jiang Chen of the Donglin Sect, get out here!"
The voice was deep and resounding,
rolling like a tidal wave,
spreading across the skies above Donglin Holy Land.
In an instant,
elders and disciples who were cultivating were all shaken awake. Many froze, doubting their own ears, then cried out in shock:
"Senior Brother?!"
Madness.
Someone had come directly to Donglin Holy Land to call out Senior Brother Jiang by name.
This was no ordinary disciple.
Jiang Chen was not only the face of Donglin Holy Land, but also the eldest son of the Jiang family. With such status and background, provoking him was no different from courting death in the Eastern Territory.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Heavy footsteps echoed.
The figure within the crimson light descended like a demon god, trampling through the air. In just a few steps, he broke into the upper reaches of Donglin Holy Land. Under the overwhelming pressure of the Human Emperor Realm, many disciples felt their blood churn violently, sweetness rising in their throats as they deeply experienced the terror of a Human Emperor.
"Hmph!"
A white-haired old man appeared lightly, blocking Zhao Huangchao's path. He said coldly, "Elders of the Immortal Dao Sect barging into my Donglin Holy Land, don't you find that too presumptuous?"
"Scram!"
Zhao Huangchao's crimson pupils were filled with ferocity.
Anger surged in his chest.
Without hesitation, he swept his sleeve.
A monstrous tornado roared forth. Every strand of wind was like a razor-sharp blade, enough to tear apart a Venerable Realm cultivator. Countless such winds formed the storm, so powerful that even a Human Emperor would be forced to retreat.
"Puff!"
"Puff!"
The immortal-looking old man hurriedly retreated, his robes shredded in several places. Wind blades split his skin, blood flowing freely. Though the injuries were not fatal, it was clear,
Zhao Huangchao had not even gone all out.
"Old Monster Zhao!"
"You've stepped into the Sixth Realm of the Human Emperor!"
"No wonder you dare to come alone!"
The old man's expression darkened.
Donglin Holy Land only had two people above the Sixth Realm of the Human Emperor, one had recently entered seclusion for longevity, and the other was stationed in the forbidden area, unable to move freely. Even when the giant palm appeared on the back mountain earlier, that elder could only send out an avatar to investigate.
Was he supposed to come out now?
For a moment,
the situation turned grim.
"Tsk~"
A mocking smile curled on Zhao Huangchao's lips.
He dared to act so arrogantly precisely because he had calculated everything. Of the five Human Emperors of Donglin Holy Land, three posed no threat, one was in seclusion, and one was immobile.
Only under such circumstances would he barge in without restraint.
He sneered disdainfully,
took another step forward,
and headed straight for the Sutra Pavilion.
Ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.
He wanted to see whether the rumored Human Emperor was truly Chu Xun. If it was him, Zhao Huangchao wouldn't mind seizing this chance to cripple, or even kill him, cutting off Donglin Holy Land's future at the root.
"Arrogant!"
"How dare you!"
In an instant,
several figures radiated killing intent.
Whoosh!
Xiao Rongyu, who had been cultivating in the sect master's hall, suddenly opened her eyes. Cold light filled them as her figure flashed into the sky. At a glance, she saw through Zhao Huangchao's intentions, he was deliberately drawing Chu Xun out.
Her beautiful eyes turned icy.
Did these people really think Donglin Holy Land was weak?
Or did they believe the once-glorious Sword God had truly declined?
"Little girl!"
"You're too weak!"
"Human Emperor Realm, Fourth Level!"
"You're no match for me!"
Zhao Huangchao snorted and casually struck out with a palm, not using a killing move. His goal was simple, force the Human Emperor in the Sutra Pavilion to reveal himself. Killing an elder of Donglin Holy Land openly would mean total war, and even he wouldn't survive the activation of the sect's grand formation.
His recklessness concealed careful calculation.
After living so long,
of course he understood how to act.
Clang!
A brilliant sword qi slashed down like a phoenix spreading its wings across the nine heavens. It instantly tore through the palm imprint and continued toward Zhao Huangchao with undiminished force.
Zhao Huangchao frowned slightly. He hadn't expected this woman's combat strength to be so formidable. A direct clash wouldn't favor him, but his target was never her.
He dodged the sword light and pressed straight toward the Sutra Pavilion.
Inside the Sutra Pavilion,
Jiang Chen's expression turned grim.
The joy on his face vanished completely.
Watching Zhao Huangchao advance unstoppably, he felt as if the world had turned desolate.
He never imagined that his impulsive act would bring such disaster upon his master. That day, he had only thought of robbing Ye Chen, given his status, he assumed the Immortal Dao Sect wouldn't dare to retaliate.
But reality proved otherwise.
"I'm sorry, Master…"
"I've caused you trouble."
Jiang Chen lowered his head in guilt.
The words had barely fallen,
Whoosh!
His figure shot out of the Sutra Pavilion. He stood in midair, staring coldly at Zhao Huangchao. He did not believe this old monster truly dared to kill him. As the eldest son of the Jiang family and senior brother of Donglin Holy Land, a fatal blow would mean an all-out war to the death.
"Hm?"
Zhao Huangchao's eyes flashed with surprise.
He had come to provoke the person in the Sutra Pavilion, but he hadn't expected Jiang Chen to step out himself. Surprised though he was, his smile only widened.
"Little bastard," he said cheerfully, "you robbed the sword my nephew wanted to gift his master. You deserve death. Considering your age, I'll take back the divine sword and only give you one palm."
Bang!
He struck casually.
Jiang Chen's pupils shrank violently.
Fear flooded his eyes.
Shock.
Disbelief.
He never thought Zhao Huangchao would dare to cripple him. This palm wouldn't kill him,
but it would leave him废 crippled. Years of cultivation would be ruined, and by the time he recovered, the world would have long moved on.
He struggled desperately,
But even as a Venerable Realm cultivator,
he couldn't move an inch.
The palm grew closer.
Fear expanded endlessly in his eyes.
Bang!
At the critical moment, an old Daoist figure appeared before him, blocking the strike.
The old man turned around, kindness in his eyes. He gently patted Jiang Chen's head and smiled.
"With your master here," he said softly,
"how could I allow outsiders to hurt you?"