Chapter 541 - 231: Annihilation
"The Forging Hall?"
Zhu He’s gaze swept over the brawny man and the disciples behind him, a trace of apprehension flashing in his eyes. Then he looked back at the archer and sneered, "Well, well, if it isn’t Liao Chuan! You old ghost, why aren’t you hiding in that turtle shell of a Black Water Giant City? How dare you run out here and wade into these muddy waters? Aren’t you afraid of being targeted and ending up without even a corpse to show for it?"
The archer, addressed as Liao Chuan, had a gaunt face, but his eyes were sharp.
He didn’t get angry at the words. Instead, he let out a hoarse, low laugh that sounded like the cry of a night owl. "Heh heh... Old Ghost Zhu, it’s been years, and your mouth is as foul as ever. Black Water Giant City is nice, but it gets dreadfully boring after a while. Besides, when an Exotic Treasure falls from the heavens, it belongs to the virtuous. This Luoxing Slope isn’t your Wang Family’s private garden, so why can’t I, Liao Chuan, be here?"
Not far away, Chen Qing, who was concealed in the shadows, felt his heart stir when he heard the words "Black Water Giant City."
Of the eleven giant cities in Yan Country, each was extraordinary, but Black Water Giant City was undoubtedly one of the most unique.
Nominally, it belonged to the Yan Court, but in reality, it was a truly lawless place—a no-man’s land.
Traitors from the Six Great Upper Sects, wanted fugitives and villains, undercover agents from various factions, merchants conducting shady deals... a motley crew of good and bad alike. Order was maintained jointly by a few of the largest underground powers.
It was said that there were even hidden enterprises of thousand-year-old Noble Families and "white gloves" for certain high-ranking officials in the Court.
Many years ago, the Cloud Water Upper Sect had united with other Upper Sects to purge Black Water Giant City over some matter, but the effort ultimately fizzled out due to the tangled web of interests involving various powers.
Since this Liao Chuan hailed from Black Water Giant City, his strength was clearly out of the ordinary.
At this moment, the three factions in the area faced off, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense, with swords drawn and bows bent.
Everyone stared intently at the green Mother of Destruction in the pit, as well as the surrounding Meteorite Fragments.
A fight was now inevitable.
"My Wang Family discovered this Mother of Destruction. Are you really trying to snatch it away?" Zhu He’s gaze was sinister as he scanned Liao Chuan and Ma Tong, attempting to use the Wang Family’s name to pressure them into submission.
"The Mother of Destruction isn’t in your hands yet. This item belongs to the virtuous." The brawny man from the Forging Hall, who was carrying a giant hammer, grinned. His voice boomed like a great bell, showing he clearly had no fear of the Wang Family’s might.
As Ma Tong, the Tiger Gate Deputy Master of the Forging Hall, he had a complex web of powerful connections backing him and was naturally confident.
"Belongs to the virtuous? Who’s virtuous?"
Zhu He scoffed. Before the sound of his voice faded, his figure blurred, transforming into a dark red afterimage as he lunged for the green Mother of Destruction in the pit!
He knew well that words were useless; only striking first would give him the advantage!
"SWOOSH—!"
Just as Zhu He’s fingers were about to touch the Mother of Destruction, a piercing sound tore through the air!
Liao Chuan moved as fast as a phantom. His bowstring vibrated, and an all-black arrow shot toward Zhu He’s back like a venomous snake!
Before the arrow even arrived, the sinister, cold Evil Qi that could corrode True Astral sent a chill down Zhu He’s spine.
Zhu He’s heart clenched. He knew how deadly this Bone-Eroding Poison Arrow was. If he were hit, his True Astral would surely be corroded, and his combat power would plummet.
He snatched the Mother of Destruction, forcefully twisted his body, and hastily dodged the fatal arrow.
"THUD!"
The black arrow plunged into the scorched earth, immediately emitting a "HISSSSSS" sound. The ground was corroded, leaving a bowl-sized pit from which wisps of black smoke rose.
"Trying to run!?"
Ma Tong roared. How could he let Zhu He escape so easily?
He swung his giant hammer, creating a heavy wind pressure like a collapsing mountain, and smashed it down on Zhu He’s path of retreat!
The wind from the hammer howled, forcing back the surrounding Evil Qi and creating a vacuum.
Although Zhu He was powerful, having reached Astral Force Perfection, Ma Tong was also at Late-stage Astral Force. Furthermore, Ma Tong’s True Astral Hammer Technique was domineering, and most importantly, Liao Chuan was providing support from a distance.
In his haste, Zhu He struck out with a backhand palm, his dark red True Astral condensing into a Palm Seal to meet the giant hammer.
"BOOM! BOOM!"
Two massive booms erupted in succession. The shockwave from the collision of True Astral spread out like ripples, causing the ground to tremble slightly.
Zhu He’s figure swayed, and he used the force of the impact to drift backward. But his heart was pounding in shock. ’This Ma Tong’s strength is even more formidable than I expected!’
In the distance, Liao Chuan’s bowstring tightened again. A second Poison Arrow was nocked and ready to be loosed.
Zhu He’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Hmph! You’re going to all this trouble fighting me to the death here. Aren’t you afraid that while the snipe and the clam grapple, the fisherman will reap the rewards?"
"What do you mean?" Ma Tong’s brow furrowed at his words. The assault from his giant hammer slowed slightly as he subconsciously scanned his surroundings with vigilance.
Liao Chuan’s fingers, drawing the arrow, also paused for a moment. His gaze swept through the churning Evil Mist like a hawk’s.
Hidden behind a grotesque rock, Chen Qing cursed inwardly. ’This is bad!’
’That old fox Zhu He really is sharp. He’s already sensed my presence.’
’There’s no point in hiding anymore. I might as well take advantage of the chaos and grab some tangible benefits!’
In a flash of lightning and flint, Chen Qing made a snap decision!
The Formless Technique within him circulated at full power. His Star Essence True Gang erupted, and his figure shot out from his hiding place like an arrow loosed from a bow, his target the dozens of Meteorite Fragments scattered around the crater!
His speed was astonishing. He pushed the Startled Swan Escape Shadow Technique to the Realm of Nonexistence, moving like a phantom skimming across the ground. With a swift wave of his hands, he sent out a surge of Soft Force, sweeping the Meteorite Fragments from the ground and into a leather pouch he had prepared.
"Well, I’ll be! There’s an oriole waiting behind!" Ma Tong’s face darkened when he saw the black-robed figure who had suddenly appeared.
He hadn’t even noticed someone was hiding nearby!
Liao Chuan’s brow also tightened. A cold light flashed in his eyes as he slightly adjusted his bowstring, faintly locking onto Chen Qing.
He prided himself on his keen perception, yet someone had managed to get this close without him noticing. ’This person’s concealment skill is truly remarkable!’
The moment Chen Qing’s True Astral erupted, Zhu He’s expression changed dramatically!