âGrand Patriarch,â Ji Ruobing frowned slightly and said.
âAs the saintess, you should have been the leader of the younger generation, setting an example.â Grand Patriarch said indifferently, âNow you actually fight duels in the Sacred Groundâs Immortal City over some trivial matters. What kind of conduct is this? Where is even a trace of the saintessâs demeanor?â
This Grand Patriarch wore a gray robe, holding a string of prayer beads, sitting cross-legged. Behind his head a golden wheel flashed, and an extremely powerful aura surged. It could be seen that although his true body had not descended, even just this remnant shadow already exerted an invisible pressure on many present.
Hearing Grand Patriarchâs words, Ji Ruobing had not yet had time to reply. Suddenly a laugh came from the side.
âPatriarch, you overstate it. Itâs just conflicts between juniors, why make such a big deal of it?â
Everyone turned their heads again. They saw the void beside Grand Patriarch begin to shift. An elder in an ancient robe, with the bearing of an immortal, walked out of the void.
âClear Wind Paragon,â seeing the newcomer, Grand Patriarch frowned slightly, calling out.
âYou donât even know the whole situation yet, Brother Grand. Why make a conclusion with one word?â Clear Wind Paragon said with a smile.
âGreetings, Patriarch,â Ji Ruobing looked at Clear Wind Paragon and greeted with a smile.
It was not hard to see that the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground was divided into two factions. This Grand Patriarch should belong to the Holy Sonâs side, while Clear Wind Paragon belonged to Ji Ruobingâs line.
âBingâer, what exactly happened? You can speak of it now,â Clear Wind Paragon said with a smile.
âThis Immortal City is one of the main cities of our Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground. As the Sacred Groundâs saintess, I think I have the authority to manage the city, donât I?â Ji Ruobing replied. âI just happened to learn that this Hundred Pill Hall was originally an ordinary shop in the city. But some people within the Sacred Ground relied on their authority and tried to take it by force. Naturally, in order to maintain the Sacred Groundâs reputation, I intervened. I didnât expect that someone had already become so lawless. When the conspiracy failed, he simply came openly to kill.â
While speaking, Ji Ruobing had been looking at Lu Changhen, and her meaning was already obvious.
âLu Changhen, is that the truth?â Clear Wind Paragon looked at Lu Changhen, his tone faintly carrying pressure, and asked.
âSo what if it is?â Lu Changhen raised his head, looking straight at Clear Wind Paragon, and replied. âDoes Paragon intend to punish me for the sake of outsiders?â
âThe Sacred Ground has its own rules. Whatever the punishment, I will report truthfully to the Sacred Lord,â Clear Wind Paragon said indifferently.
âIn that case, then Iâll just kill them all,â Lu Changhen raised his hand, pointing his sword toward Xu Zimo and the others on the side.
He said, âAfter theyâre dead, Paragon can then report to the Sacred Lord. Any punishment, Iâll accept and bear myself.â
Lu Changhenâs words were very straightforward, and also very arrogant. I know the Sacred Ground will punish me, but I will still kill them. It could also be understood that Lu Changhen simply didnât care about the Sacred Groundâs punishment.
This was understandable. He, Lu Changhen, was a core disciple of the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground, and also the Holy Sonâs younger brother. As for Fan Luoyu and the others, they were nothing but insignificant ants. The Sacred Ground would never make him pay with his life for theirs.
Hearing Lu Changhenâs words, Clear Wind Paragon frowned slightly.
âYou can protect them for a while, but can you protect them for a lifetime?â Lu Changhen looked at Ji Ruobing, smiling with disdain. âIf you really have that resolve, I donât mind either.â
âIf you kill us, then you can forget about ever getting the Slaughter Emperorâs Imperial Mark,â Fan Luoyu looked at Lu Changhen, eyes filled with hatred as she said.
She knew, the man before her was the true culprit who had killed her father.
âOh? So if I spare you, I can get the Imperial Mark?â Lu Changhen asked back.
Hearing Lu Changhenâs words, Fan Luoyu fell slightly silent.
âClear Wind Paragon,â Grand Patriarch on the side looked at Clear Wind Paragon with a smile.
âPatriarch Grand, please speak,â Clear Wind Paragon replied.
âThat Imperial Mark is extremely important to Changhen. And after all, Changhen is one of our Immortal Extinction Sacred Groundâs people,â Grand Patriarch said with a smile. âIt wouldnât be right to make things difficult for our Sacred Groundâs disciple over outsiders. If this Hundred Pill Hall is willing to hand over the Imperial Mark, then we let bygones be bygones. How about it?â
âThe Imperial Mark belongs to others. Whatever is done must accord with the rules of the Immortal City,â Clear Wind Paragon said directly without even thinking. âAnd that Imperial Mark seems to be the Slaughter Emperorâs, doesnât it?
You and I both know what kind of person the Slaughter Emperor was. If Lu Changhen walks the slaughter path to the end, in the end recognizing no kin, do you think the Sacred Ground still has any reason to nurture such a person?â
For Clear Wind Paragon or Ji Ruobingâs faction, needless to say about letting Lu Changhen obtain the Imperial Mark. They would rather he die as soon as possible. That way, the Holy Sonâs side would lose much strength.
âClear Wind Paragon, how about this,â Grand Patriarch looked at Clear Wind Paragon and continued. âThis matter is Changhenâs personal affair. Our Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground must not interfere. You, I, and the Saintess all step back. Our Sacred Ground will no longer intervene. Let him resolve it himself, how about that?â
Hearing Grand Patriarchâs words, Clear Wind Paragon frowned slightly. This indeed left him with no grounds to refute. As long as Lu Changhen did not violate the rules, he could not say much.
Ji Ruobing originally wanted to object, but she glanced at Xu Zimo behind her. The corner of her mouth curved into a slight smile, and she nodded.
âI have already done all I could,â Ji Ruobing looked at Xu Zimo and said. âIf you want to help Miss Fan, then the rest is up to you. This matter, our Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground will not intervene. Even if you kill Lu Changhen, it wonât matter.â
As she spoke, Ji Ruobing looked at Grand Patriarch and smiled. âRight, Patriarch?â
âThat can be understood,â Grand Patriarch glanced at Lu Changhen, then nodded.
...
As Ji Ruobingâs figure retreated, Lu Changhen stepped forward toward the group.
âI donât want to repeat myself too many times,â Lu Changhen looked at Fan Luoyu and said. âThe last time: where is the Imperial Mark?â
âYou wonât get it,â Fan Luoyu replied calmly.
Though her voice was calm, Xu Zimo could still sense it. Her right hand was trembling slightly.
Fear was a reaction anyone would have. This was nothing strange, especially when death approached.
Hearing Fan Luoyuâs answer, Lu Changhen did not hesitate at all, directly slashing his sword at her head.
Under this immense pressure, Fan Luoyu couldnât even move, let alone dodge.
With a âpuff,â the sound rang out.
Everyoneâs eyes focused. They saw Xu Zimo slowly extend his right hand, grabbing hold of the long sword that was about to strike.
âWhy so violent?â Xu Zimo chuckled.
His right hand flicked lightly, and with a buzzing sound, the long sword began to shake.
Lu Changhen only felt a great force surge from the sword, his whole body sent flying backward.