Chapter 267: Annihilate
Chapter 267: Annihilate
"Dead..."
"A master of the Gale Wind Rankings..."
The entire city district fell into a deafening silence.
Officials from various sects and clans in Jade Prefecture, along with disciples and officials, all turned their attention towards the direction where Chen Mu and Situ Shu were located. They could all sense that the Winter Chill intent in that area dissipated instantly, along with Situ Shu's life force.
Numerous officials and disciples stared at each other in shock, their eyes filled with astonishment.
Situ Shu!
A master of the Gale Wind Rankings, a formidable figure who had dominated the Cold North Path for decades!
This was no ordinary Six Bowels Realm expert that one could find everywhere. Even when facing Martial Dao Grandmasters, they would have some self-preservation abilities. Situ Shu was a prominent figure who could traverse several states with impunity. Yet, he had just met his end on the spot!
Chen Mu was indeed ruthless and audacious. The Grandmaster of the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion had already revealed himself, but Chen Mu still dared to confront him, disregarding the other Grandmaster's existence. He had killed Situ Shu under the Heaven and Earth Wheel Seal, completely ignoring the authority of a Grandmaster.
It was common knowledge that masters of the Gale Wind Rankings could roam freely, unafraid of ordinary Grandmasters. However, aside from the top few, they only had the ability to protect themselves against Grandmasters. Even the top ten figures of the rankings could only claim victory over weaker Grandmasters, but in reality, there was no such thing as a weak Grandmaster. They were merely at the initial stages of the Bone Refining Realm, where they had just begun to condense their martial bodies.
The vast majority of Grandmasters were not weak. When the top ten of the Gale Wind Rankings encountered them, they often found it challenging to match their might, only having a slim chance of self-preservation.
"..."
Feng Jingyuan, a Mystic Mechanism Pavilion Elder clad in a black robe, stood at the corner of a building, his gaze fixed on the spot where Situ Shu had perished. His expression was one of difficulty.
If it had been an ordinary Six Bowels Realm Guardian, Chen Mu's actions would have been understandable, but Situ Shu was a master of the Gale Wind Rankings, possessing strength approaching that of a Grandmaster, capable of retreating from the hands of a Grandmaster. Such figures were rare in the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion, with only two others holding such prowess, both of high status, second only to the Elders.
Yet, Chen Mu had mercilessly taken Situ Shu's life in the blink of an eye!
In the arena.
Chen Mu, having eliminated Situ Shu, paid no heed to Feng Jingyuan's chilling gaze. He strode forward with a cold demeanor, approaching the pit where Situ Shu had perished. With a casual gesture, he reached out, and the Frost Soul Spirit Blade flew from the ground into his hand. With a gentle flick, the flesh and blood on the blade scattered, restoring it to a pristine state.
"Not bad."
Chen Mu briefly weighed the Frost Soul Spirit Blade in his hand, inspecting it with a glance.
His previous weapon, the Peach Suppressing Thunder Spear, had shattered, but this Frost Soul Spirit Blade was a temporary replacement. Through his cursory observation, he found the blade's quality slightly inferior to the Evil Suppressing Thunder Spear, but better than the Peach Sword. It was undoubtedly an excellent Spirit Weapon.
Spirit Weapons did not have explicit classifications like superior or inferior grades. The power gap between different Spirit Weapons was a smooth gradient, not a step-like fluctuation. For instance, the Spirit Weapon used by Chu Jingshu was of average power, the Peach Sword slightly stronger, the Frost Soul Spirit Blade a notch above, the Evil Suppressing Thunder Spear even stronger, and above that, the Mystic Heaven Sword Scroll.
Chen Mu casually weighed the Frost Soul Spirit Blade in his hand, then turned his attention away from the two Grandmasters facing off in midair. Instead, he directed his gaze towards the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion's Du Mu Chun and the other Guardians who were engaged with Yan Jingqing.
With a single stride, Chen Mu vanished.
Chen Mu, unaffected, charged forward. In an instant, he burst into the standoff between Yan Jingqing and Du Mu Chun. The Frost Soul Spirit Blade rose, and with a single slash, he aimed at the Guardians behind Du Mu Chun.
"Not good!"
The Guardians of the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion, sensing a terrifying pressure, acted as one. Without explicit commands, they collectively restrained their intent and Essence Aura, merging their might.
In a flash, the power of Heaven and Earth surged and flowed. Brilliant auras burst forth from their bodies, forming a radiant Time Sword. Its four seasons revolved, and its power surged towards Chen Mu's blade.
Boom!!!
The Frost Soul Spirit Blade in Chen Mu's hand, born of the Heaven and Earth Wheel Seal, crushed a segment of the Time Sword, and a grand blade aura erupted, slicing towards the Guardians below.
Fu Jingyuan, upon witnessing the scene, wore a grim expression as he took a step forward, ready to sweep away the sword lights with his sleeves. But before he could act, a figure blocked his path—none other than Elder Feng Hongsheng of Qi Xuanzong.
"Elder Feng, you've crossed the line with Qi Xuanzong!"
As Fu Jingyuan moved to stop him, the sword aura around Chen Mu surged, causing the various Hufa of Qi Xuan Ge to be enveloped in a shower of blood, their faces turning grim as they faced the figure before them.
Elder Feng spoke coldly, "You from Qi Xuan Ge, using despicable means against our junior, think you can escape without shedding blood? Or perhaps... you want me to personally deal with your junior?"
When news of Chen Mu's predicament reached Qi Xuanzong, it caused an uproar among the elders and peak masters.
Although Qi Xuanzong wasn't a unified whole, with various elders and peak masters having their own interests, Chen Mu was still a prominent figure among the younger generation of Qi Xuanzong, a face of the sect.
The malicious scheme of Qi Xuan Ge, the persecution, and the dim prospects of the Zhun Qian Yingxiang path—Elder Feng, despite his ordinary relationship with Qin Mengjun, was furious. Qi Xuan Ge wanted to retreat unscathed, but how could they let this slide without bloodshed?
"Walking the jianghu isn't child's play. Are you from Qi Xuan Ge, and do you want to engage with the Hufa of Xueyin Lou in direct combat? Moreover, I've never heard of anyone on the Fengyunbang standing against a junior!"
Fu Jingyuan spoke coldly, his gaze fixed on Elder Feng.
Duanmuchun's plan, known to him beforehand, was ultimately acknowledged. On one hand, if the threat of Chen Mu could be eliminated, it was worth a try. On the other hand, the current Chen Mu wasn't considered a junior of the younger generation, and with his status on the Fengyunbang, how could he be treated as a mere junior?
In the jianghu, where ambushes, treacherous assassinations, and deceitful raids were common, getting caught was a sign of one's inadequacy. The only acknowledged rule was not to bully the weak, but the Zhun Qian Fa of Qi Xueyin Lou's Hufa didn't engage, and with Chen Mu's current status and position, even a Zhun Qian Fa personally intervening wouldn't be considered bullying.
"Your actions have crossed the line, involving even family members. You've gone too far."
Elder Feng spoke calmly, "Since you've acknowledged it, then this defeat should be accepted. Apart from ordinary disciples, anyone involved will repay with blood, or Qi Xuanzong won't hesitate to engage with you."
Qi Xuanzong could retreat, could yield, and could avoid getting entangled in trouble, but some bottom lines must not be crossed. Today, Qi Xuan Ge used family members to plot against Chen Mu, and tomorrow they might plot against other elders and Hufa. In Qi Xuanzong, which elder didn't have family or friends to rely on? In these chaotic times, even the most basic rules were being trampled.
In the end, Qi Xuanzong was a major sect occupying a state, not something Qi Xuan Ge could casually manipulate. They weren't the type to silently endure!
Fu Jingyuan looked at Elder Feng coldly, then glanced at the distant Chen Mu, and finally hummed, not engaging further with Elder Feng. He took a step back and quietly disappeared from his original spot.
Qi Xuanzong had drawn a line, changing their usual stance of tolerance and retreat. They weren't prepared to engage in an all-out war with Qi Xuan Ge, who didn't have plans to initiate a battle with Qi Xuanzong.
However...
A Fengyunbang 23rd rank Hufa died.
Additionally, Duanmuchun and the other Hufa and Zhishi were also caught, which made Fu Jingyuan feel the pain, as most of these individuals were under his command.
But considering Duanmuchun's actions, in the end, had an effect, causing Chen Mu to be invaded by demonic qi, blocking his Zhiqian Yingxiang path. Was it a loss or a gain? Such matters couldn't be measured.
Fu Jingyuan knew that with Qi Xuanzong's firm stance, Qi Xuan Ge could only yield this time.
After all, it wasn't reasonable, nor was it the right time to engage Qi Xuanzong. Mainly, they hadn't considered Chen Mu's strength to be so formidable, even Situshu couldn't withstand it. Without a Zhun Qian Fa's intervention, this defeat could only be acknowledged.
Crack! Crack!!!
A sound like shattering ice echoed.
In the span of a few sword moves, Chen Mu swiftly eliminated the Qi Xuan Ge Hufa behind Duanmuchun, losing the aid of the Four Seasons Cycle. Yan Jingqing's pressure lessened, and the Fengshui Domain unleashed its full might, forcing cracks of heavenly power to appear in Duanmuchun's domain, visible to the naked eye. Duanmuchun's face turned increasingly pale, and finally, with a boom, his entire domain collapsed!
Countless wind blades swept in, about to shred Duanmuchun into a thousand cuts. Yet, before they reached him, they dissipated one by one, and the water mist enveloping the sky quickly faded, revealing Yan Jingqing's figure once more.
In the 16th year of the 9th month, 1st day, a flawless version!
The Feng Shui Realm was gathered.
Yan Jingqing looked towards Chen Mu, who was not far away, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.
Just a few years ago, Chen Mu was merely taking his first steps into the Bone Forging Realm, a minor celebrity in the remote Yu Prefecture. He was noticed and guided by the Inspection Bureau, and after a few years, Chen Mu was able to defeat the powerful Han Po Ling Dao master, Situ Shu, and even slay him on the spot!
Even though he was young, he was hailed as a once-in-a-generation genius. Although he wasn't a direct disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect, he was no less than their direct disciples. But at this moment, he couldn't help but sigh, as there was indeed a gap between geniuses. At the very least, the talent Chen Mu displayed was something he couldn't have imagined in his youth.
Just...
Chen Mu, with his extraordinary talent, was poisoned by the Mystic Pavilion's malicious scheme, his body invaded by demonic qi, which was indeed lamentable.
"Pfft!"
Du Mu Chun's face turned deathly pale, his realm forcibly crushed. It backfired on his body, causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood mist. He surveyed his surroundings, and wherever his gaze landed, there were only ruins and corpses.
Nearby was Yan Jingqing and Chen Mu, while in the distance, Feng Hongsheng from the Seven Mysteries Sect watched indifferently. The Mystic Pavilion's master, Fu Jingyuan, had already retreated, conceding this battle.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Du Mu Chun coughed up two mouthfuls of blood, knowing he was already at his limit. But his eyes held no fear, instead, he looked towards Chen Mu, sighed, and said, "If I had known it would come to this, I should've taken action myself back then. I could've resolved it for you and prevented this trouble. Who would've thought that in just a few years, so many lives would be lost, and your martial path would be obstructed. This deal was indeed too much of a loss..."
Hiss!
Chen Mu swung his sword indifferently, having no interest in listening to more nonsense.
He had heard such nonsense more than once before, many years ago at He Jia, he had already heard enough.
Along with the splatter of blood, Du Mu Chun's head flew high, but his lips curled slightly, his gaze fixed on Chen Mu. He managed a twisted smile, and his headless body fell to the ground.
Until here.
The Mystic Pavilion's guardians were all annihilated!
"Yan, you've worked hard."
Chen Mu sheathed his Frost Spirit Blade and looked towards Yan Jingqing.
Yan Jingqing shook his head slightly, saying, "The Mystic Pavilion has been causing chaos in Yu Prefecture for many years. I've long wanted to eradicate them. What hardship? This time, I had your assistance, or else, I alone couldn't have achieved this.
Without Chen Mu's involvement, first, it would've been difficult to eradicate the Mystic Pavilion's power, and second, even after defeating Du Mu Chun and the others, the Mystic Pavilion wouldn't easily surrender.
This time, the Mystic Pavilion took the initiative to cross the line, and in the end, they were annihilated. In the absence of a grandmaster's intervention, the Seven Mysteries Sect stood firm, and this battle was lost.
Situ Shu, Du Mu Chun, and the various guardians of the Mystic Pavilion perished, signifying that the Mystic Pavilion's influence in Yu Prefecture over the years would be thoroughly uprooted.
In the future, the Mystic Pavilion will definitely return to Yu Prefecture, but to re-establish their presence, they'll have to start anew.
"It's over."
The distant Sky Sword Sect and Lin Hai Pavilion's forces watched from afar, finally calming their minds. They exchanged glances, gradually soothing their hearts, and silently acknowledged each other.
Since the sect's arrival in Yu Prefecture, this was the most intense conflict in the prefecture over the years, and it ended with the Mystic Pavilion's complete defeat. In the following days, the Mystic Pavilion's influence will likely be swept away!
Additionally, with Chen Mu, the only one listed alongside the Gale Wind Rankings, after ascending Cloud Veil Peak, descended the mountain again after half a year, and with a single strike, he slew the Frost Soul Blade ranked 23rd on the Gale Wind Rankings!
Without a doubt, in a few days, the news will spread throughout the Cold North, and various factions in the twelve provinces will be stirred once more.
(End of Chapter)
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