Chapter 473: Wounding a Samsara Expert, Zhou Tong Returns!
"Samsara Stage!"
Upon sensing Ren Yuanzi's terrifying aura, Grand Elder Zhu Li and the others turned pale, worry flooding their faces as they prepared to assist Lin Fan.
But Lin Fan raised a hand to stop them.
His hands clenched—space before him twisted violently, and in an instant, a massive silver spatial blade materialized. Without a sound, it slashed toward Ren Yuanzi.
Shhhk!
The slash made no thunderous boom, yet Ren Yuanzi's pupils shrank sharply. A deep sense of dread washed over him.
SLASH!
The silver blade silently sliced through space, striking Ren Yuanzi's outstretched hand. Even the profound samsara fluctuations on his palm were split open by the slash. The blade tore into his flesh—blood splattered!
"AAARGH!"
Ren Yuanzi let out a pained scream and was forced to retreat rapidly. His figure blurred, warping space around him as he tried to escape into the depths of Yuan Gate.
Shhhk!
But behind him, a shadow appeared.
The black figure held a long, pitch-black blade. Without hesitation, it slashed directly at Ren Yuanzi's back!
"Watch out!"
Tian Yuanzi and Di Yuanzi saw the sudden attack, their eyes contracting as they shouted in warning.
But they were too far.
Ren Yuanzi, mid-retreat, had no time to dodge. He shifted slightly, avoiding a fatal blow—but still, the black blade tore into his back, leaving a bloody gash filled with terrifying devouring energy.
"AAAHH!"
Ren Yuanzi screamed again, thick black mist exploding from his body as he retreated into Yuan Gate, landing beside his two fellow masters.
"This brat came prepared…" Di Yuanzi said coldly, staring at the shadowy attacker.
"Prepared indeed," Tian Yuanzi smiled faintly. "Then let us return the favor with a surprise of our own."
With a wave of his sleeve, the space around him warped violently. Amid swirling black mist, a faint figure slowly stepped forward from the void.
The strange movement drew everyone's attention—including Lin Fan's group. All eyes turned toward the distortion.
Shhhk, shhhk…
A foot stepped through the twisting space. The figure was thin, cloaked in black mist, his body shrouded in shadow.
"Heh… So many Dao Sect people gathered today. I suppose it's time to reunite with old friends."
Tian Yuanzi smiled eerily as the figure took shape.
Zhu Li and the others were filled with suspicion. But Lin Fan immediately knew the truth.
That figure…
Zhou Tong.
As expected.
A pale hand reached from the cloak and slowly pulled the hood back.
Under everyone's gaze, a young, handsome—but ghostly pale—face emerged.
"Zhou Tong?!"
The name exploded like thunder.
Dao Sect disciples stirred restlessly. Ying Xuanzi's face turned pale as his finger trembled, pointing at the figure in disbelief.
"You… Zhou Tong… you're still alive?! How is that possible?!"
Zhou Tong.
A legendary name in Dao Sect—though not every disciple knew him.
Upon hearing Ying Xuanzi's shout, younger disciples grew restless, disbelief written across their faces. It was as if a part of their faith had collapsed.
"What's going on?!"
Ying Xiaoxiao cried out, clenching her fists. "Senior Zhou Tong clearly died a hundred years ago at Yuan Gate! How can he still be alive?!"
Beside her, Ying Xuanzi trembled violently. His rapidly shifting expression betrayed deep inner turmoil. What he saw shook him to his very core.
Zhou Tong's return sent Dao Sect into chaos. Even the previously high morale dropped into silence. The disciples who had been brimming with fighting spirit now stood in stunned disbelief.
Even Ying Huanhuan's cold blue eyes were now fixed on Zhou Tong, complicated emotions flickering within them.
"Zhou Tong… you're alive?"
Ying Xuanzi's voice trembled as he locked eyes with the familiar figure.
"Heh… quite a touching scene, isn't it?"
Tian Yuanzi chuckled. "Ying Xuanzi, your most gifted disciple—Dao Sect's former legend—now stands with Yuan Gate. How does that feel?"
"Why?!"
Ying Xuanzi roared, his voice shaking with rage and disbelief.
Zhou Tong opened his mouth… but said nothing.
"You… You traitor!!"
Ying Xuanzi suddenly looked much older. Ying Xiaoxiao rushed to support him, her expression full of pain.
The morale across Dao Sect plummeted. Shock, confusion, betrayal—all of it blanketed their hearts.
Ying Huanhuan bit her lip, her gaze still fixed on Zhou Tong.
"…There's something wrong with him."
Lin Fan stepped forward. "He's not in control of himself. Yuan Gate must've used some kind of method on him. Didn't anyone notice? He hasn't even spoken properly."
Zhou Tong's body tensed slightly.
His gaze turned toward Lin Fan—but remained silent. And yet, deep in his eyes, there was a faint flicker… of clarity.
"Senior Zhou Tong…"
Lin Fan stared straight at him.
"No matter what they've done to you, we'll never forget the man who stormed Yuan Gate alone for Dao Sect!"
"The sins of Yuan Gate… will be paid in blood!"
Zhou Tong's gaze locked with Lin Fan's. That flicker of clarity deepened. Tears fell silently down his pale cheeks.
His body trembled uncontrollably.
And then, in a voice hoarse and broken, he uttered one word—
"...Master…"
The single syllable—fragile and desperate—broke Ying Xuanzi's composure completely.
He stared at his once-proud disciple, his body trembling.
"You… What did you do to him?!"
He turned, fury blazing in his eyes as he roared at Tian Yuanzi.
Tian Yuanzi simply sneered. He glanced at Zhou Tong and gave a cold snort. With a flick of his sleeve, Zhou Tong's struggling body suddenly stilled. The flicker of emotion on his face vanished—as if he had become an empty shell.
"Heh. We didn't do much," Tian Yuanzi said lazily.
"We just… replaced his loyalty to Dao Sect with loyalty to Yuan Gate."
Ying Xuanzi's eyes blazed with hatred, his face twisted in fury.
"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
With a furious roar, Ying Xuanzi exploded with power, launching a lightning-fast attack toward Tian Yuanzi!
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