Chapter 411: The Might of Xiao Diao, the Intervention of Ren Yuanzi
Xiao Diao hovered in mid-air, purple-black flames flickering ominously in his hand. The eerie light cast an unsettling glow over his strikingly handsome face, which now radiated a ruthless fierceness that sent shivers down the spines of everyone watching in Yimo City.
Countless onlookers watched, stunned at Xiao Diao's audacity. Just who was this person who dared to show such contempt for Yuan Gate?
"Looking to die, are you?"
Liu You's expression darkened ominously.
"So you're in league with him? Then you'll both be taken down together!" Liu You spat viciously.
With that, Liu You shot forward, his massive reserves of Yuan Power materializing into a mountain of energy that barreled down on Xiao Diao.
"Hmph."
The honest smile vanished from Xiao Yan's face, instantly replaced by an intense, brutal aura, transforming the once-gentle giant into a fearsome god of war.
"I've got this."
However, before Xiao Yan could make a move, Xiao Diao waved him off. Xiao Diao's flame-wreathed hand stretched out toward the descending energy mountain, reaching to crush it mid-air.
Boom!
As Xiao Diao's hand clenched, the air around the mountain twisted, and the energy mass seemed on the brink of shattering under the invisible force.
"Break!"
Xiao Diao's low voice rang out, the distortion in the air peaked, and with a single grip, the energy mountain crumbled to dust.
"Oh, this power… Xiao Diao must be nearing invincibility in the Life and Death realm," Lin Langtian murmured. As the young master of the Sky Demon Marten clan, Xiao Diao's peak strength had once been at the Reincarnation stage; only betrayal from his kin had left him near death. Now, it seemed, his strength was well on its way to recovery.
"That's all you've got, and you dare to challenge me?" Xiao Diao sneered, a chilling smile tugging at his lips as he turned his flame-wreathed hand toward Liu You, who recoiled at the oppressive heat.
"Who are you?" Liu You stammered, rallying his Yuan Power as flames rose around him defensively.
"Too slow."
With terrifying force, Xiao Diao's attack punched through Liu You's defenses, sending him reeling as pain lanced through his scorched skin and blood trickled from his mouth. The entire city collectively held its breath; that dashing young man had nearly incapacitated a Life and Death realm master with one strike!
Boom!
Far above, a powerful clash erupted, and figures were sent flying back, revealing Qi Lei and the others tangled in a bitter fight with Stone Tong and his group.
"Liu You!"
Stone Tong and his four fellow Yuan Gate members turned, faces darkening as they saw Liu You's state.
"This one's no ordinary fighter," Liu You muttered, his face contorted in frustration.
"Then let's take him on together. Yuan Gate's honor is not to be trampled!" Stone Tong commanded, his sleeve flicking in resolve.
Nearby, Qi Lei and the other Dao Sect members exchanged glances of confusion, unsure why Xiao Diao had intervened on their behalf.
"Who is he?" Qi Lei asked, watching Xiao Diao warily.
"He seems to be a friend of Lin Dong," Zhen Chen replied. Though he'd seen Xiao Diao before, his strength was nowhere near this terrifying back then.
"So Lin Dong has connections with such a powerful ally…" Qi Lei and the others looked astonished.
"I'll handle them," Xiao Diao announced calmly, glancing at the Dao Sect leaders before stepping forward. With each step, the purple-black flames behind him flared higher, radiating a presence as if a demon god had descended.
"Come on, all of you at once. Otherwise, you won't get a chance," he taunted, a cold smile spreading across his face, exuding an air of unrivaled dominance.
"Fine! Let's see what you've got!"
With that, Liu You turned a dark look to his comrades, who nodded back.
"Form the Tianyuan Array!"
Liu You's voice rang out, filled with resentment. The other five quickly moved into position, Yuan Power surging through them in a column of light that formed a glowing barrier around the five.
Boom!
Waves of Yuan Power pulsed from the array. It was a formation of six Life and Death realm masters, exuding a formidable power that left many observers trembling.
The power within the light array didn't scatter outward, but concentrated around Liu You, sending his strength skyrocketing as his comrades' energy reserves dwindled.
The immense Yuan Power circled Liu You, who gave a sinister smile as he formed a hand seal.
"Heaven-Sealing Stamp!"
With a thunderous roar, Liu You unleashed a massive energy seal hundreds of feet wide. Ripples spread from the seal, shaking the earth below.
As the light seal solidified, it shot forward without hesitation, a gleaming trail streaking through the sky like a meteor, heading straight for Xiao Diao.
"Not even worth my time."
Xiao Diao looked at the enormous seal barreling toward him and smiled coldly. His slender hands slowly clenched, purple-black flames surging out around him. Then, as those around watched in amazement, the flames formed enormous bat-like wings nearly a thousand feet wide behind him.
The fiery wings flapped lightly, whipping up fierce winds that twisted the air around them.
With a sudden snap of his wings, Xiao Diao sliced through space itself, his wings smashing into the giant light seal as it approached.
Crack!
Under the force of Xiao Diao's fiery wings, cracks began to spread across the surface of the massive light seal. With a final echoing snap, the seal, formed by the combined strength of six Life and Death realm masters, exploded into fragments.
"Hmph!"
As the light seal shattered, Liu You and his five companions each let out a pained grunt, their faces pale and filled with an unexpected fear.
"Yuan Gate's people are as weak as ever."
Xiao Diao looked calmly at the horrified expressions of Liu You and his group, his eyes flashing coldly. His fiery wings, sharp as blades, slashed through the air towards Liu You and the others, clearly intending to finish them off.
"You…!"
Realizing the sudden surge of Xiao Diao's killing intent, the six men's faces filled with terror—they hadn't thought he would actually dare try to kill them.
"Retreat!"
Liu You's panicked shout rang out, but as they attempted to move, their faces turned ashen with the realization that the space around them had been locked, forcing them to watch helplessly as Xiao Diao's fiery wings descended upon them like a flash of lightning.
Lin Langtian watched from a distance, his lips pressing into a slight line.
He'd noticed a sudden distortion in space in front of Liu You and the others, and then a slender, white hand reached out, flicking a finger to release a wave of invisible force, dissipating Xiao Diao's fiery wings midair.
"Who's there?"
Xiao Diao's expression grew serious as his wings were forced back. He looked toward the space in front of Liu You and his group, his voice edged with tension.
"Heh. Since when did my Eastern Xuan Region become part of the Sky Demon Marten's territory? You're not showing much respect for Yuan Gate."
A calm laugh drifted from the twisted space as a figure stepped out. The instant he appeared, the world seemed to dim slightly, and an invisible pressure filled the air, forcing everyone to resist an urge to kneel.
"Ren Yuanzi…"
Recognizing the figure, Lin Langtian murmured, "So it's finally caught the attention of Yuan Gate's leader…"
The figure hovering in the sky wore a regal purple and gold robe, his silver hair gleaming as his eyes reflected a profound wisdom. Despite his baby-soft skin, there was an air of ancient mystery about him.
The entire city fell silent. The most powerful warriors among the spectators stiffened, faces drawn with unease as they stared at the man in the sky.
"Ren Yuanzi."
A hush fell over the crowd, and murmurs began to spread as the recognition set in. Ren Yuanzi was one of the three leaders of Yuan Gate, a name that struck fear across the Eastern Xuan Region and beyond, regarded among the world's top elites.
Even Qi Lei and the other Dao Sect leaders looked troubled, exchanging glances as they realized they were no match for a figure of Ren Yuanzi's stature.
Among the Dao Sect disciples, a wave of unease rippled through. To them, Ren Yuanzi had always been a legend, and seeing him here in person brought a natural fear.
"So, even an old monster like Ren Yuanzi decided to show up…"
Xiao Diao's grin faded as he looked at the silver-haired man in the purple and gold robe.
"Master, we failed to accomplish our task," Stone Tong and the others dropped to their knees in the sky, deeply shaken.
Ren Yuanzi's chuckle was light as he waved his hand. His gaze focused on Xiao Diao, saying, "You're aware of the history between the Sky Demon Marten clan and Yuan Gate. So I must ask, why would you dare kill Yuan Gate members here in the Eastern Xuan Region?"
"If I want to kill them, I'll kill them," Xiao Diao retorted with a sneer. "You're only brave in your own region. Outside of here, we'll see how much power you actually wield."
"True enough," Ren Yuanzi laughed softly. "Even I wouldn't venture to your territory. But here… you'll find things quite different."
A hint of frost flitted through his gaze, an aura so frigid it seemed to freeze the very air.
"You've come to the Eastern Xuan Region. So… don't plan on leaving."
Xiao Diao's eyes narrowed as his body tensed, waves of purple-black flame pouring from him.
"I can see that your strength has yet to fully return, has it?" Ren Yuanzi smiled, observing Xiao Diao. "As you are now, you're not my equal."
Xiao Diao did not argue, knowing it was true; unless he regained his peak power, Ren Yuanzi was indeed beyond his reach.
Ren Yuanzi then turned his attention to Lin Dong, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.
"And you're the one who killed over five hundred of my Yuan Gate disciples, aren't you, Lin Dong?"
Lin Dong's gaze sharpened, meeting Ren Yuanzi's calmly and without fear, his determination clear.
"Such ruthlessness…" Ren Yuanzi's smile was icy. "It's far too excessive. You'll be coming with me back to Yuan Gate, where we'll cleanse you of that murderous intent. Dao Sect's Master Ying Huanzi can come to retrieve you afterward."
Lin Dong's face darkened. "So Yuan Gate intends to ignore the rules agreed upon by the eight super sects?"
"Rules?" Ren Yuanzi shook his head with a quiet laugh. "Rules are made to be changed, once one's strength permits. In my eyes, those so-called rules hold no sway over me. So don't think that mentioning them will protect you."
"Today, you'll be coming with me back to Yuan Gate, and Dao Sect's master can retrieve you there…"
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