Chapter 368: Cleaning Up the Mess
The moment the silver-red Taiyi Fire Luo Seal appeared, Yi Chen, shrouded in blood mist, charged forward with murderous intent. His handsome face twisted into a vicious grin, his palm—coated in thick, dark-red energy—hurtled toward Tang Huo'er.
"Die!"
With a roar, Yi Chen struck downward. The surrounding space cracked apart, long black fissures spiderwebbing through the air as blood mist surged.
The sickening stench of blood rushed forth. Seeing Yi Chen's ferocious expression, a chill passed through Tang Huo'er's eyes. She flicked her palm gently, and the silver-red seal silently sliced through the air—meeting Yi Chen's blood-drenched hand.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion ripped through the sky. The twenty-meter-wide stone stage was shattered into countless fragments. A shockwave of terrifying force surged outward. Just before reaching the crowd, it was diffused by an invisible gentle force, though some close spectators were still blasted back, coughing blood.
For a brief moment, the square was thrown into chaos. Then all eyes turned toward the center of the stage, now buried in swirling dust.
THUD!
A heavy crash rang out. A figure shot from the center like a kite with a severed string, smashing into the ground and skidding dozens of meters before halting.
The crowd watched in stunned silence. The man's body was covered in blood that had congealed in the heat, forming dark-red crusted scabs. He looked utterly defeated.
Yi the Asura… had lost. And he lost badly.
As the dust settled, Tang Huo'er emerged. Her red robes were still immaculate, as though she hadn't fought at all.
"With that level of strength, you dare pick a fight with Xiao Yuan? When I return, I'll be sure to inform my father of today's events. Don't think just because the world classifies your Heavenly Underworld Sect as one of the Two Sects and ours as one of the Three Valleys, that we fear you."
Her voice was cold and commanding. Many turned their heads to look at her in awe.
PFFT!
Yi Chen finally coughed up a mouthful of blood. His pride was completely shattered.
As he glared at Tang Huo'er, she calmly held a crimson storage ring in her hand—the very one she had ripped from his finger during the clash. She had no intention of escalating things to war, but a prize was a prize.
"Give it back!"
Yi Chen growled, his eyes bloodshot like a cornered beast.
"Come take it, if you think it's worth your life. But if I kill you, it's still mine." Tang Huo'er chuckled coldly. "This was a duel. You lost. Leave."
Yi Chen's face twitched. His eyes burned with murderous intent, but he knew he was no match.
Chen Tiannan, watching from the side, also looked grave. He had underestimated Tang Huo'er. Even Yi Chen had fallen—at this rate, she could rise to the very top of the younger generation in Central Plains.
And if she were given more time... even he might not be her match.
"She can't be allowed to live."
That thought flashed through Chen Tiannan's mind. In a burst of killing intent, he stepped forward and appeared a few meters before Tang Huo'er. His shout thundered across the square:
"Such insolence! You rob someone in a duel? Did Tang Zhen never teach you basic manners?"
As he shouted, his hand pierced through space, aiming to crush Tang Huo'er's skull like a watermelon.
"Chen Tiannan!"
Outside the stage, Qiu Ling's face changed drastically. He roared in fury.
Chen Tiannan ignored him. His killing intent had reached its peak. He had to eliminate Tang Huo'er before she became a threat to the Heavenly Underworld Sect.
But just as his hand was about to strike, a massive object bathed in multicolored light appeared above him.
CLANG!
Forced to switch tactics mid-attack, Chen Tiannan crossed his arms to block—and was blasted several steps backward. He looked up with a dark face.
Before him, the swirling rainbow light cleared, revealing a voluptuous, enchantingly beautiful woman: Cai Lin.
"Sister Cai Lin! I knew you'd be nearby!"
Tang Huo'er beamed, hugging Cai Lin's arm.
Chen Tiannan's face darkened further as he felt the pain in his arm. "Such brute strength… you're a magical beast, aren't you?"
Before Cai Lin could respond, a tiny white fist, wreathed in purple light, suddenly smashed into Chen Tiannan's face.
"So what if she is?"
The childish voice rang out as Chen Tiannan was blasted away.
BOOM!
The impact shook the air, reducing the shattered stage to dust.
A small figure stepped from a tear in space.
"Sister Cai Lin, I'm here to help!" said Zi Yan, hands on her hips, grinning with confidence.
"Shing shing!"
Seeing Chen Tiannan thrown back, the rest of the Heavenly Underworld Sect's warriors drew their weapons, eyes burning with fury.
But then…
WHOOSH!
Another figure stepped out from the void. A cold gaze swept across the entire field. Explosive aura radiated from him like a volcano.
The overwhelming pressure made the enemies' legs go weak.
"An eight-star Dou Zun?!"
Chen Tiannan turned pale as he recognized the aura of Venerable Tianhuo.
He was now among the strongest in the Central Plains—equal to or above any of the Heavenly Underworld Sect's top elders.
"Xiao Yuan is surrounded by so many powerhouses… even without the Pill Tower, we can't touch him."
Chen Tiannan's lips twitched. After assessing the situation, he realized—he had brought a group doomed to be crushed.
Even the women were too strong to handle—never mind Venerable Tianhuo.
Beside him, Yi Chen's face changed as well. Despite his arrogance, he knew the difference between peak Dou Zong and true Dou Zun.
Three Dou Zuns stood before him now. This confrontation had no future.
"Chen Sect Master, you've made your scene. If you push further, even the Three Pill Tower Leaders may take action."
Qiu Ling's voice was dark and heavy. Chen Tiannan had insulted the Pill Tower on their doorstep.
Tang Huo'er, thankfully, had resolved the situation elegantly—while delivering a harsh slap to the Heavenly Underworld Sect's face.
Chen Tiannan's expression shifted. Yi Chen's eyes narrowed.
"You think the Heavenly Underworld Sect will let this go?"
"Try and take it back." Tang Huo'er sneered.
"Hmph."
Chen Tiannan growled, about to reply—when a searing hand suddenly pressed against his back.
A voice rang cold and clear:
"I don't care if you're from the Heavenly Underworld Sect or wherever. If you came to trouble Xiao Yuan, I'll take care of you."
With that, a surge of violent heat erupted—obliterating Chen Tiannan's meridians in an instant.
Everyone stared in horror as Chen Tiannan's body shuddered and then burned to ash without so much as a scream.
SNAP!
With a crisp snap of the fingers, Venerable Tianhuo ignited the rest of the invaders.
Even Yi Chen found his body blazing from within—and in seconds, he too was nothing but a fireball.
When it was over, not a trace remained—save for a few scattered rings.
"Senior Tianhuo, congratulations on your improved strength."
Tang Huo'er smiled as she approached.
"Heh, I owe that to Xiao Yuan."
Venerable Tianhuo waved modestly—but the smile on his face betrayed his pride.
The fire seeds Xiao Yuan had implanted weren't true Heavenly Flames—but they were still far superior to most fire arts or beast flames.
What surprised him most was how they also refined his cultivation. With his experience, nurturing the fire seeds was effortless.
And thanks to the Pill Domain's abundance of rare herbs and fire seeds, his power had improved again in Xiao Yuan's absence.
As for killing the Heavenly Underworld Sect's men?
No big deal.
He had long seen through it—the Three Pill Tower Leaders were no ordinary Dou Zun peak experts. They were likely all in the Nine-Revolution stage—at least Fifth Revolution or higher.
Such power didn't fear the Heavenly Underworld Sect.
Previously, they were held back by the Three Thousand Burning Flame. But now that it was locked in a stalemate with Xiao Yan, it was only a matter of time before it was subdued.
With that burden gone, the Pill Tower would soon unleash its full might.
As for himself—he wasn't bound by diplomacy like Tang Huo'er or the Tower Leaders.
He knew Xiao Yuan well by now.
If you can't win, lay low. If you can win, leave no survivors.
These enemies came knocking—how could he let them walk away?
Don't like it? Then die.
"Alright, everyone head back. No idea how that brat's doing, but I still have questions for him."
With a wave of his hand, Venerable Tianhuo vanished.
"Grand Elder, sorry to leave the cleanup to you. We'll be going now."
Tang Huo'er smiled and cupped her hands to Qiu Ling.
"Very well. You three head back—I'll take care of things here."
Qiu Ling smiled and nodded.
Cai Lin, though usually cold and aloof, gave Qiu Ling a slight nod of acknowledgment before pulling the playful Zi Yan and Tang Huo'er into the void.
"Tch… that brat really is blessed. Even his girls are this powerful."
Watching the three women vanish, Qiu Ling couldn't help but shake his head and mutter in admiration.
(END CHAPTER)
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