Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

The Fire Serpent’s claw loosened, and Lin Hao charged straight in, rushing toward the Fire Serpent’s body, intending to fight it at close range.

The Fire Serpent’s body shot backward as it retracted its claw to block Lin Hao again.

It knew what Lin Hao was planning and shrieked in anger.

The roar shook the Ancient Road.

BOOM!

In the distance, not only did entire mountains shatter, but some Martial Artists’ bodies exploded from the force of the Fire Serpent’s roar.

This was a remnant of the ancient world—its roar could move mountains, rivers, and extinguish those in the Soul Gathering Realm.

"Phew..." As the figures of the Fire Serpent and Lin Hao disappeared from view, the Martial Artists who had decisively dropped to the ground finally stood up. After letting out a breath, all of them wore expressions of utter horror.

The Fire Serpent that had just been hunting them was actually retreating under Lin Hao’s assault, even letting out a wail of pain. If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, how could they possibly believe it?

That was a primordial descendant! A beast that all of them combined could not have stopped.

"Lin Hao... he’s too strong!" a Martial Artist muttered, staring ahead.

Many of the other Martial Artists nodded in deep agreement.

But at that moment, a mocking laugh rang out. "Lin Hao is strong? I wouldn’t say that."

The one who spoke was Yin Tianzheng.

"He’s facing that primordial beast alone and has even managed to injure it. How is that not strong?" a Martial Artist immediately retorted.

"It seems some people were just running for their lives," Meng Ru said, staring at him with a cold smile.

Yin Tianzheng’s expression turned cold. He glared at Meng Ru for a second before smiling and saying arrogantly, "Lin Hao is merely unafraid of the Fire Serpent’s flames. If I could do the same, I could accomplish anything he can."

"Too bad you can’t. Therefore, you can only rely on my Young Master’s efforts to stay alive." The normally composed Meng Qing could no longer maintain her calm when someone slandered Lin Hao.

Her Young Master was risking his life at the front, yet this man was here making snide remarks. Meng Qing despised people like him.

Yin Tianzheng’s mouth twitched, and his face instantly flushed red. He then strode forward.

"Hmph! I, Yin Tianzheng, am no coward who clings to life! Let me show you what I’m truly capable of!" As he walked, Yin Tianzheng’s voice carried back clearly.

Everyone was stunned.

"That guy’s an idiot," a Martial Artist muttered under his breath.

However, the expression on Yin Tianzheng’s face had already changed. The earlier embarrassment and anger were gone, replaced by a smug look.

That’s right, he had done that on purpose.

The Fire Serpent’s retreat proved it wasn’t invincible, and now it was his time to make a move.

Lin Hao’s life, the Fire Serpent’s life, and any treasure—they would all be his.

’Idiots. You’re the real idiots. It’s a disgrace for me, Yin Tianzheng, to be associated with you,’ Yin Tianzheng rejoiced inwardly. ’Just wait. I’ll show you all how powerful I am soon enough.’

The path ahead was now a chasm-filled wasteland from the battle between Lin Hao and the Fire Serpent. Yin Tianzheng stepped through the air, heading toward the place where the two had disappeared.

"Something seems off..." Meng Ru’s delicate brows furrowed. She felt that something was wrong.

"Oh! I remember now! The one who ambushed Brother-in-law earlier... it couldn’t have been that guy, could it?" Lu Diewu exclaimed, a flash of insight striking her.

Meng Ru and Meng Qing’s beautiful eyes widened in unison. Then, with a twist of their bodies, they gave chase.

Lu Diewu, only half a beat behind, followed right after them.

"Damn it!" Marquis Mo cursed under his breath and chased after them as well.

Although he wanted Lin Hao dead, he wasn’t as insane as Yin Tianzheng.

And by comparison, Marquis Mo trusted Lin Hao more.

Yunxi’s figure was already ahead of Marquis Mo.

A few other Martial Artists, after a moment of hesitation, also followed...

Meng Qing was incredibly fast, managing to block Yin Tianzheng’s path.

Meng Ru and Diewu were right behind her.

The three women formed a line, glaring at him with hostile expressions.

Yin Tianzheng’s expression changed. He couldn’t help but frown and demand, "What are you doing? You may be afraid to die, but I’m not. Move!"

Yin Tianzheng delivered the last part with such an air of righteousness that he couldn’t help but applaud himself internally.

"Stay here!" The two words came from the three women in unison.

"You... You’re disregarding the lives of others! Can’t you see? That Fire Serpent is too powerful! It must be killed!" The sound of rushing air came from behind him. Without turning, Yin Tianzheng knew more Martial Artists had arrived.

At this moment, he was in a bind—he couldn’t attack, but he couldn’t just stand here either. He was growing anxious.

A large mountain blocked his line of sight, preventing him from seeing the situation. However, the sounds of collision in the distance were growing more intense, and the mountain ahead was continuously collapsing.

Without a doubt, that was the result of the Fire Serpent’s roars.

’If this is happening, Lin Hao must have the upper hand.’

’If I don’t act now, everything I’m hoping for will vanish like a soap bubble.’

As he thought this, Yin Tianzheng’s face turned cold, and a thick killing intent filled his eyes.

Immediately, a terrifying aura erupted from his body.

"I would advise you not to make a move." Just then, a cool, clear voice spoke up.

Yin Tianzheng’s body stiffened.

It was Yunxi’s voice.

Turning his head, he saw that not only was Yunxi watching him, but Marquis Mo and several other Martial Artists were also staring him down, their gazes menacing.

If he moved, they would surely attack.

Of this, Yin Tianzheng had no doubt.

’Damn it all!’ Yin Tianzheng cursed inwardly, but he didn’t dare to act rashly.

Although he was at the Seventh Layer of the Soul Gathering Realm, he had no confidence he could win against so many people.

However, he still didn’t give up on his last-ditch effort. "I, Yin Tianzheng, can make a Blood Oath that I am going solely to help kill the Fire Serpent!"

’Right, and to kill Lin Hao on the side,’ Yin Tianzheng added in his mind.

He wasn’t technically lying, so he wasn’t afraid to make a Blood Oath.

But Meng Qing and the other two women were unmoved.

Although they couldn’t see their Young Master’s battle with the Fire Serpent, it was obvious he had the upper hand. They absolutely could not allow any mishaps at this critical moment.

As for Yin Tianzheng’s life, they would leave it for their Young Master to take.

"That Fire Serpent is a primordial vicious beast! I bet it still has more powerful moves it hasn’t used. If we delay any longer, I’m afraid Lin Hao will fall!" Yin Tianzheng said, growing frantic.

As if to prove his words, the moment Yin Tianzheng finished speaking, the entire mountain in front of them exploded.

An utterly terrifying aura swept over them like a tidal wave.

Meng Qing and the other two women bore the brunt of the impact.

Lu Diewu was affected the most.

The blood in her body seemed to freeze. Not only was she unable to move, but she also felt as if her very bones and sinews were about to burst.

Meng Qing and Meng Ru felt the same sensation, but only for an instant. The Lifebound True Blood in their Dantians jolted, shaking off the oppressive feeling.

Without another word, the two women grabbed Lu Diewu and flew back.

As for Yin Tianzheng, who had just been vowing to help Lin Hao kill the Fire Serpent, he fled faster than anyone.

The others who had just followed them also reacted quickly, their figures already shooting backward in retreat.

In this retreat, the group fell back several hundred meters before they finally escaped the terrifying aura.

But they didn’t stop, retreating another hundred meters or so before coming to a halt.

"T-Too terrifying!" One Martial Artist collapsed to the ground, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

He had just felt the threat of death. He had no doubt that if he had been a step slower, he would have exploded.

Meng Qing and the other two women stopped and exchanged a look, their beautiful eyes filled with deep worry.

After an aura that powerful... they had no idea how he was doing.