Chapter 532: Mister, You've Broken Your Promise

Chapter 532: Mister, You've Broken Your Promise

In the vast expanse of a desolate blue sky stood a towering figure, his hands clasped behind his back. His hair, meticulously groomed, displayed a mix of dark and silver strands, and he wore a thick fur cloak draped over his broad shoulders, its hues a striking black and white. With a straight back and eyes calm as still waters, only the terrifying speed at which he moved with each step hinted at his pursuit.

The Jade Moon Frost Tigers clan, a formidable force second only to the Dragon Palace in the western Hong region, had among them a well-known figure—their clan leader.

There were few things in the world that could fluster An Tingfeng, and the current situation was one of them.

No matter how bizarre it seemed, as the clan leader, he had forcefully exhausted nearly 70% of his clan's power, sought help from a sect in northern Hong, and finally crafted the Treasured Moon Tomb. Yet, someone had effortlessly breached it.

Even if another Harmonious Dao Realm expert had intervened, the Treasured Moon Soul-Trapping Grand Formation should have held until his arrival. But now, it seemed to have mysteriously failed.

Stranger still, when he arrived, the tomb remained intact.

Of course, these matters were insignificant. Even if all eighteen of the clan's pillars had fallen, he never intended to let these guardian tiger demons leave the Treasured Moon Tomb.

This was a debt the Jade Moon Frost Tigers owed him.

The only thing he cared about was retrieving his daughter.

Whether there was an inside job or some other circumstance, to anyone other than An Tingfeng, the most valuable thing in that tomb was the Treasured Moon Tomb itself.

The price of offending the Jade Moon Frost Tigers was grossly disproportionate to the gains from breaching the tomb.

It seemed they only wanted to negotiate.

A glint of coldness flashed in An Tingfeng's eyes as he thought, "What do they want? As long as it's within my means, I can give it to them... provided they live long enough to enjoy it."

Closing his eyes, he began to track the treasure's aura.

He wondered what means the perpetrator had used to extract the control incantation from his daughter's mouth and why they were persistently hiding their aura to evade his pursuit.

"Bullies, preying on an inexperienced youngster," he muttered, taking another step forward. A chill crept into his voice as he said, "Despicable wretches, you shall be eradicated."

Amidst the azure sea and sky, the colorful cloak billowed in the wind, resembling a descending tiger mountain. The intent to kill rippled through the air, unabashed in its ferocity!

And at that moment—

The vibrant cloak suddenly fell still, devoid of its former dominance.

An Tingfeng's head snapped up, and his tranquil eyes began to tremble, narrowing into slits.

The treasure capable of withstanding a Harmonious Dao Realm assault had somehow been unlocked... not broken, but unlocked!

It was worth noting that he had never taught his daughter the final incantation.

After all, he wanted to preserve her residual soul while he sought a way to revive her, and that could take an indefinite amount of time. Additionally, usurping the secrets of heaven inevitably involved some degree of pain.

Considering her young age and immature personality, she might not be able to withstand that pain and could resort to extreme actions that would grieve her clan.

These despicable wretches had come prepared!

"How dare you?!?" An Tingfeng finally lost his composure, his roar reverberating through the air, scattering the clouds and stirring up thousand-foot-high waves!

It was a clear declaration of his intent to fight to the bitter end.

Like a tiger's roar in the mountains, his fury reverberated in all directions, startling the cultivators and demons of nearby forces.

They wondered what could have provoked the wrath of a Harmonious Dao giant.

Under the waters, Dragon Palace demon soldiers turned back and plunged into the depths, their expressions grave as they reported the incident to their masters.

"Heh—"

An Tingfeng panted heavily. If the intruders had only wanted to negotiate, they had already succeeded.

The apprehension in his eyes intensified, turning into a hint of imperceptible dread.

It seemed they weren't planning to stop there...

What did these madmen want? Speak! Why aren't you responding?!

...

A thunderous boom echoed as Shen Yi landed on a floating island. After the dissipation of the aura that had permeated the area when the stone platform was elevated, he could no longer sense that unnerving gaze on his back.

The presence of a Harmonious Dao Realm-level beast, capable of appearing at any moment, was a heart-pounding thought.

Regulating his breathing, he looked down at the little tiger demon in his hand.

Just then, the sensation of aura flowing through his palm had suddenly vanished.

"It's undone," the little tiger demon said nonchalantly, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Trapped within the tomb, she had nothing else to do but endure the torment of hovering between life and death. During the periods when she regained her senses, she spent her time on a futile task—using the incantations to figure out how to free herself from the treasure's restraints.

Of course, she never imagined that her efforts would prove useful one day.

After all, she truly had nothing valuable enough to offer that would be worth the risk of incurring the wrath of a Harmonious Dao Realm beast and ending her life.

"Thank you, Mister," the little tiger demon said, extending her filthy, malodorous forepaw. In her paw lay a small golden ring.

Shen Yi didn't stand on ceremony; he took the ring and slipped it onto his wrist.

Such a precious treasure was likely unmatched even among the top seven forces in South Hong.

Yulan and Youchang stood silently by, witnessing for the first time, in the little tiger demon's eyes, an expression other than indifference—a hint of anticipation and tension.

Yet, despite this vulnerability, no one in all of West Hong would dare to snap her fragile neck.

"Hu..."

The little tiger demon's face finally changed, but the slightly labored breathing seemed to reflect more concern about Shen Yi going back on his word than fear of death.

She stared at his pale face, and as she felt the surging force from his long fingers without hesitation, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Contentment spread across the little tiger demon's face, and she closed her eyes peacefully, her faint, hoarse voice buzzing like an insect.

"Thank you, Mister, for your trouble."

The next moment, a crisp sound of cracking bones rang out.

To ensure a swift death, Shen Yi even employed the sharpness of the Immortal Sword Body, directly crushing her limbs and shattering all her internal organs.

Youchang raised his eyebrows slightly, wondering if his master was being overly cautious. After all, killing this tiger didn't seem to require such seriousness.

"..."

Yulan stared at Shen Yi's seemingly calm face and sensed something amiss.

It was rare for their master to show any sign of guilt, and even now, if she hadn't been so observant, she wouldn't have caught the fleeting strangeness on his handsome face.

At this moment, it seemed like he was using this focused action to make up for something.

Indeed, there was a resemblance between the two.

Both liked to hide their emotions behind an unperturbed expression.

Yulan had a vague idea about this.

If one couldn't force themselves to become an unfeeling object, it would be incredibly difficult to endure the terrifying years, counted in tens of thousands, when practicing the deduction technique.

Too much emotional fluctuation would more easily lead to madness.

"..."

Shen Yi stood up, extracted the original guardian demon soul from the stone platform, and began to gather the demon essence, infusing it into the little tiger demon's soul.

When one essence was integrated, Shen Yi's eyes glinted with surprise.

[Jade Moon Frost Tiger (Immortal): An Yi]



This was the first time he had seen this new suffix, and it seemed unrelated to his own demon essence. Perhaps it was because this soul had absorbed too many soul-sustaining treasures?

Of course, this wasn't something particularly worth celebrating.

Although there was the 'Immortal' suffix, there was no realm preceding it.

As for only consuming one essence, it was likely because this tiger demon didn't have much of a memorable past.

It seemed to have survived for a hundred thousand years, but in reality, there was no difference from the time of its birth.

Its name was 'An Yi', but it didn't seem to have lived a peaceful life.

However, the real reason for the slight change in Shen Yi's expression was that only one essence was consumed, indicating that the tiger demon likely hadn't endured a long period of essence torture.

This also meant...

Shen Yi reached out and infused the demon soul into the stone platform.

The originally tall and majestic tiger demon stone platform quickly began to shrink, eventually becoming four feet tall.

The ashy-white stone surface gradually gained color, and a petite white horse-faced skirt swayed gently, with two white and tender wrists hanging loosely.

On her lips-red, teeth-white face, a pair of moist eyes slowly opened.

She stared at Shen Yi, pondered for a long time, and finally asked in a childish voice, "Mister... what about the death you promised me?"

Youchang stared in surprise.

This was the first time he had seen a stone platform come to life and not address their master as 'Master' but as 'Mister'.

As a stone platform himself, he was well aware of the power Shen Yi held over them. With just a thought, he could make any demon soul, no matter how powerful, disappear without a trace.

Even if the little tiger demon before them had likely surpassed the level of White Jade Capital, there would be no exception.

"..."

Yulan coughed dryly twice and quickly averted her gaze.

She never questioned her master's decisions, but this was the first time she saw him go back on his word.

Although it was foolish for demons to expect fairness from cultivators, this little tiger demon was somewhat different.

After all, in essence, she hadn't truly been born into this world, and as for enjoying the resources of the Jade Moon Frost Tiger clan, tsk, anyone with a sound mind wouldn't consider being imprisoned in a cold and gloomy tomb, enduring torture akin to lingering death, as 'enjoying'.

Shen Yi stood up, closed his eyes, and placed his fingertip on his brow.

Then, a purple rainbow pierced through the heavens, and after the three grand cities of Longhan, Ch밍, and Shanghuang, the fourth grand city of Kaihuang slowly revealed itself.

He opened his eyes, silently raised his palm, and gestured to the little girl in front of him.

"So that's how it is. I misunderstood you, Mister," An Yi said apologetically, lowering her head before turning and stepping onto the purple rainbow.

The other party hadn't broken their promise; they just hadn't finished yet.

She quietly crossed the rainbow and approached the majestic and grand Kaihuang City.

Watching the city gate open slightly, with purple mist swirling and soon turning into dense golden light, An Yi didn't seem to understand or care. This change, which would strike fear into the hearts of other demon souls and stone platforms, didn't elicit any reaction from her.

She just wanted to quickly finish this journey and put an end to everything.

As the golden light filled her vision, with no trace of the previous purple, An Yi stepped into the city.

Before her stood a steep cliff.

She stood at the edge of the precipice, looking around in confusion.

Then, she sensed a will descending from the sky.

Sky Canopy: "..."

The colors drained from the little girl's body, and her petite figure, standing at the top of the mountain cliff, swiftly turned into a stone statue. From start to finish, her body showed no signs of resistance, even though it contained a terrifying power comparable to the Harmonious Dao Realm. She simply hung her arms by her sides, and her watery eyes gradually lost their luster.

...

Shen Yi's movement to channel the demon's lifespan force quietly stalled.

[Western Palace Master: Jade Moon Frost Tiger, An Yi]



This was probably the most worry-free and life-saving moment out of the total of four tribulations.

"My master."

Youchang suddenly stepped forward, rolling up his sleeves to reveal his arms, which were covered in scales. The muscles on his arms twitched uncontrollably.

"You should leave now."

Yulan reacted a little slower, but she also turned around swiftly and looked towards the empty end of the horizon.

The azure feathers on her long skirt began to flutter without any wind, and the fluttering became more and more exaggerated, as if she were standing in the midst of a storm, making it difficult for her to even maintain her standing position.

At this moment, an invisible ripple quickly spread out.

Then, a deafening tiger roar reverberated through the sky!

"ROAR!!!"

A majestic and colorful tiger, resembling a mountain range, finally revealed itself. Its solid muscles contained unimaginable power, and it crossed the sky to arrive, its fierce countenance swiftly transforming into that of a middle-aged man.

When it stood above the floating island, it had transformed back into the figure cloaked in a thick fur cloak.

"Return her to me! Give her back to this seat!"

Without any preamble, An Tingfeng fixed his cold eyes on the few figures below, quickly locking onto the tall and handsome young man among them.

As the leader of a clan, he only needed a glance to understand who was in charge.

"What do you want? Just say it directly."

An Tingfeng forcibly suppressed his emotions, and only his trembling fingertips betrayed his agitation.

For a being comparable to the Harmonious Dao Realm to be so polite to a few White Jade Capital cultivators was surprising to the point of being unbelievable, and it even made him seem a little humble.

But just a hint of his killing intent...

...caused the hot-tempered Youchang to shudder instinctively. His subtle movement didn't attract An Tingfeng's attention, but the tiny tiger corpse he revealed behind him made the Harmonious Dao Realm beast pause in place.

"......"

An Tingfeng suddenly fell silent.

He looked back at Shen Yi, scrutinizing his pale face, the ink-colored robe he wore, and finally, the ornate golden ring on his wrist.

"Actually... anything can be discussed... as for this kind of thing... I can find you another one..."

An Tingfeng took a deep breath. He didn't understand why this young cultivator remained so calm in the face of his power.

The young man might indeed have a strong background and be a good schemer. After all, it was absurd that they could break open his Treasured Moon Tomb with just a few inferior treasures.

But these despicable beings might have underestimated how much he doted on his daughter.

A complex smile appeared on An Tingfeng's face. Even if the West Dragon King himself were to arrive today, he would never let this person leave.

"I don't ask for mercy."

"Since you like that tomb so much, this seat will take you back there and let you experience what it's like to desire death but not get it."

An Tingfeng had clearly lost his rationality, baring his white teeth and letting out a strange laugh.

Yulan and Youchang exchanged a glance and resolutely took a step forward.

Even if they could only withstand one palm strike each, as the Town Stones, this was something they had to do.

However, their actions, in An Tingfeng's eyes, only made his laughter more grating.

"......"

Shen Yi slowly bent down and, in front of this Harmonious Dao Realm beast, stored the tiger corpse into his storage ring.

Then he straightened up and said calmly, "So, you also know what it's like to desire death but not get it."

Shen Yi didn't really like those who sought death too easily, as he himself was an extreme example of the opposite.

But everything depended on the situation.

After all, one couldn't understand another's pain without experiencing it themselves.

To be able to face death calmly amidst the heavenly tribulation, even he, with his thick skin, would find it hard to persuade such a person otherwise.

Of course, he didn't feel like criticizing this Harmonious Dao Realm beast either, as he had just done something equally shameless himself. It was just a casual remark.

As his words fell, the laughter in the sky abruptly stopped.

An Tingfeng clenched his fists tightly, and the originally dignified eyes now had bloodshot veins running through them. His voice turned hoarse as he said, "You good-for-nothing, if you like to talk, then keep talking. Rest assured, we have all the time in the world. You can keep repeating yourself in that tomb."

Hearing this, Shen Yi retracted his gaze and gently rubbed the golden ring on his wrist.

Then he turned around and said calmly, "Keep it for yourself."

As An Tingfeng clenched his palm, the entire floating island rolled up, turning into a hundred-yard-high wall. With the reinforcement of his aura, even Youchang, with his strong demonic body, found it difficult to shake it with all his might.

"..."

He took in the youth's arrogantly strutting back, his haughtiness reaching new heights.

Even the disciples of the Wuliang Dao Emperor Sect probably wouldn't dare to display such arrogance before him when they were alone.

An Tingfeng's eyebrows twitched, and he turned his head instinctively.

Then his pupils froze.

Above the clouds, a white horse-faced skirt fluttered gently.

The tender young girl lowered her gaze, looking down at the water and land below. She first looked at Shen Yi in confusion, not understanding why, ever since he had snapped her neck, he rarely looked at her directly and often preferred to face her with his back turned.

But soon, her gaze fell on the middle-aged man clad in a thick fur cloak.

A mix of emotions that even An Yi herself couldn't quite comprehend surfaced in her eyes.

In her mind, she seemed to hear the shrill cries that had once echoed within the dark tomb many years ago.

"Father—

I feel so terrible!

Father! Please let me go!"

She didn't know when, but those cries had long since faded away.

"..."

An Tingfeng seemed oblivious to the palpable resentment in his daughter's eyes.

Instead, the madness in his eyes quickly faded, replaced by deep affection as he murmured, "You really do look like her. You're exactly the same."

Indeed, as he had imagined, there existed someone in this world who looked exactly like her.

He had always kept her remains intact, hoping that one day he could bring her back to life and watch her grow.

He had thought today would be a moment of despair, but fortunately, heaven took pity on him and granted his wish.

"Considering all the things I've done for you over the years, I'm not asking you to be grateful, but please listen to me, come back with me, and stay by my side, alright?"

An Tingfeng's tone suddenly softened.

Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on An Yi's face.

The deep affection in the middle-aged man's eyes was not directed at her at all.

"Okay."

An Yi nodded gently, and the horse-faced skirt on her body gradually turned pitch-black, like a drop of ink splashed on a canvas of blue sky.

The next moment, she suddenly disappeared from her original spot.

When she reappeared, her tender hand viciously slammed into An Tingfeng's chest! The overflowing aura swept through the area, the howling wind nearly shattering everything in its path—it was an incredibly rare terrifying scene in all of West Hong.

Although one of the auras was rather immature.

But there was no doubt that these were two powerhouses comparable to the Harmonious Dao Realm clashing!

Caught off guard, An Tingfeng was sent flying. He forcefully stabilized his body and looked down at the gaping wound on his chest, his eyes narrowing as a sinister smile curled his lips.

"Spare the rod and spoil the child."

"Yi'er, you've been too rebellious."

Facing the black-skirted girl's incoming attack, a terrifying tiger face illusion appeared on An Tingfeng's face.

He casually swung his palm, not bothering with any techniques, relying solely on his formidable demonic power, which had already reached a horrifying level.

Facing the palm wind that tore through the waters of West Hong, the girl in the black skirt showed no signs of dodging or evading. Her eyes were fixed only on An Tingfeng's chest wound, her sole intention to tear open that gash and crush the heart within.

Amidst the raging palm wind, her skin cracked, revealing a stone-like appearance.

But the hand that she extended remained steady, unbelievably so.

However, even among those at the Harmonious Dao Realm, there were clear differences in strength.

An Tingfeng's eyes twitched as he hesitated to harm this familiar-looking body, retracting his palm wind and instead reaching for her delicate neck! He intended to capture her first, despite his injuries.

As for An Yi, she didn't seem to care about any of that. Whether it was her stone body shattering or losing her life, none of it mattered as much as the scent of blood emanating from the middle-aged man's heart.

Unfortunately, she didn't have the qualifications to control this Town Stone.

In an instant, her delicate body turned into a streak of light and darted away.

"Heh—"

An Tingfeng stared blankly, subconsciously swinging his palm. He saw the mountains and rivers across the waters being lifted and used to block that streak of light.

But in just the blink of an eye, that streak of light had completely disappeared from sight.

He abruptly looked downwards, only to find that the few small creatures from earlier had already vanished without a trace.

"Come back! Get back here, this seat commands it!"

Sharp roars echoed once more.

The commotion had already attracted the attention of the owner of this place.

As a group of black-backed Flood Dragons appeared, a voluptuous figure emerged from the waves, riding atop them.

"An Tingfeng, what are you trying to do?"

Yu Shan Long Fei, with her delicate eyebrows furrowed, looked towards the direction of the roars.

However, the clan leader of the Jade Moon Frost Tigers completely ignored the goodwill of his benefactor, his eyes fixed forward as he snarled, "I will find you! I will kill you!"

"You despicable thing, just you wait for this seat!"

"..."

Yu Shan Long Fei had no interest in arguing with a Harmonious Dao Realm beast that had clearly gone mad.

As long as he didn't continue causing trouble, that was all that mattered.

She frowned slightly, wondering what could have provoked such rage from this tiger beast.

That hot-tempered young man should rein in his killing intent. Regardless of his grievances, he shouldn't provoke the Jade Moon Frost Tigers at this time.

Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.

She couldn't afford to get involved and help him at this moment.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end