Chapter 44: Boundless Arrogance, a Forceful Assault

At the foot of the imperial mausoleum of Mount Li.

On a stretch of flat land, the gazes of countless awakened souls were drawn in, yet the atmosphere crackled with tension. Shock was etched upon every face, for the events that had just transpired revealed someone brazenly provoking the Wu Zhou Consortium—an arrogance that bordered on madness. More astonishing still, this individual exhibited not a trace of fear.

Zhou Biqiong stood at the forefront, eyes narrowed in defiance as she stared directly at Lu Yuan. Fury burned in her heart, convinced that his insolence stemmed from mere luck—he had chanced upon some rare spiritual fruit or herb and, by fortune, become an awakened one, yet he knew nothing of the world’s true scale, daring to display such an attitude. Especially with so many witnesses around, she felt compelled to act, to defend the Wu Zhou Consortium—and, more importantly, to protect Brother Yi.

Brother Yi’s bloodline was unique. He was a true descendent of the gods, and none should dare face him with such disrespect.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Biqiong stepped forward, her tone cold and condescending, as if granting mercy: “Apologize now, and I may consider letting this go.”

She remembered that he was, after all, connected to her elder sister. For that reason, she could afford to be magnanimous—for now. It was already a great act of benevolence.

Her words sent all eyes to Lu Yuan, awaiting his response. They were certain he would yield; after all, he was facing the Wu Zhou Consortium. To offend such a power meant a life of hardship in this new era—their influence was vast.

“Apologize?”

At last, Lu Yuan spoke, a smile in his eyes. But in the next instant, he moved so quickly that no one could react. He appeared before Zhou Biqiong, raised his hand without hesitation, and struck.

A crisp, resounding slap echoed. Zhou Biqiong was unable to respond, feeling only a tremendous force on her left cheek. Under its power, she spun once and collapsed to the ground, blood streaming from her lips, her delicate face swollen and reddened.

Of course, he had restrained his strength; had he not, that slap might have been fatal.

“Here’s my apology. What do you think?” Lu Yuan stepped back, dusting off his hands. He glanced at Zhou Biqiong sprawled on the earth, then turned his gaze to Zhou Yunqiong and Yi, his expression indifferent.

He’d never been one to tolerate grievances, preferring direct retribution. He’d intended to ignore the matter, unwilling to be entangled. Yet, in the end, the opposition pressed him, demanding an apology, their tone lofty and deliberative.

Given that, why should Lu Yuan be courteous? With his strength, there was little reason for restraint. If it came to a real confrontation, he would see it through to the end—and then, it would not merely be a slap.

“You… you…” Zhou Biqiong trembled on the ground, rage and shame overwhelming her. She had always been pampered, never having met anyone who dared raise their voice to her. Now, to be slapped in front of so many, and to have those words flung at her—it was humiliation she could not endure. After spitting another mouthful of blood, she screamed, “Kill him! Kill him!”

She issued the order directly: Lu Yuan must be dealt with.

It was over! This man was finished.

The awakened ones nearby saw this and believed Lu Yuan had committed a grave offense. As expected, in the next moment, dozens of Wu Zhou Consortium members, upon receiving the command, sprang forward without hesitation.

All were awakened, their strength surpassing most present; each radiated brilliance. Especially notable was an elderly man among them, who stepped forth and unleashed the techniques of Xingyi Boxing.

His left hand formed a dragon, the right a tiger.

A mighty aura surged, coalescing into the form of dragon and tiger. At this moment, the old man seemed a raging lion, his presence terrifying beyond compare. The surrounding awakened ones found themselves unable to intervene, retreating in pale fright.

“It’s the ultimate secret of Xingyi Boxing—the Form of Dragon and Tiger!”

“I know who he is—Duan Kun, the contemporary inheritor of Xingyi Boxing, deeply versed in its tradition, a master of the Wu Zhou Consortium.”

“By heaven, I heard he was recruited by the Consortium long ago and now stands at the sixth tier of the Initiate Realm.”

Recognition dawned among the crowd, eyes wide with shock. Xingyi Boxing was an ancient martial art of China, a form of visualization practice whose cultivation yielded formidable power. Now, seeing Duan Kun act, the awakened ones believed Lu Yuan had doomed himself to a violent end.

Five or six Wu Zhou Consortium members rushed forward, sealing off all exits and attacking directly.

“Ignorant,” Lu Yuan uttered only two words.

Facing them, he did not even move his feet, merely lifted his hand slightly.

A clear, ringing sword cry erupted, sword intent cascading down. Everyone felt their hair stand on end; even those far removed could not escape, chills flooding their bodies, unable to stop their trembling, as if some dreadful force had locked onto them—their souls frozen, death imminent.

And they saw—

A black flash of lightning appeared at Lu Yuan’s side, shooting toward the Wu Zhou Consortium members and the old man wielding Xingyi Boxing.

In moments, blood blossomed everywhere, staining the earth in vivid splashes.

Next, the black lightning returned to Lu Yuan’s hand, streaked with blood—it was the Da Luo Sword Embryo!

Yet he had not even invoked its full power; otherwise, the scene would have been even more astonishing.

After all—

These opponents were not worthy.

None understood what had happened, but soon every face was stricken with horror, as if witnessing a ghost.

The Wu Zhou Consortium members who had just attacked—including the elderly master—had their chests pierced, standing motionless before collapsing, their breath gone, utterly dead!

A collective gasp swept the crowd.

Pale-faced, trembling, they stared at Lu Yuan.

The Wu Zhou Consortium members were dead—in an instant.

Retreating, they looked upon Lu Yuan as if he were a god of slaughter.

How could this be?

Zhou Yunqiong was stunned, too. She had brought only elites, and now five or six had vanished in the blink of an eye?

“Kill him, kill him!” Zhou Biqiong, having just struggled to her feet, issued another furious order, her voice frenzied with humiliation and the sting of defeat. Yet, within her heart, a sliver of fear crept in.

The man she’d seen as a mere ordinary awakened one had now erupted, displaying overwhelming power.

Zhou Biqiong knew she could not let him live—he must be slain at once.

She raged, determined to make him pay for her humiliation!

“My patience is spent.”

Before she could finish, Lu Yuan spoke, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

He stepped forward, appearing before Zhou Biqiong in a flash, his hand closing around her throat.

At the same time, a chilling murderous intent erupted from him.

“If you won’t accept my apology—then die.”

Lu Yuan’s voice was calm, as if killing were a trivial matter.

He was no gentle soul; since his opponent had revealed murderous intent, he would not hold back.

No one could resist his will.

In that moment, everyone stood frozen.

Including Zhou Yunqiong, all were stunned by the speed of events; no one could have predicted such an outcome.

Arrogant! Too arrogant!

He had struck her, mocked her, and now was about to kill her!

Such were the thoughts of the nearby awakened ones, mouths agape.

“Let go of her!”

Now, the man named Yi stepped forward.

His golden eyes shimmered with light, his aura surging like a volcano erupting within him.

Without hesitation, Yi launched his attack, his body a blur as he appeared before Lu Yuan, his right hand formed into a knife, ready to strike.

“Noisy,” Lu Yuan remarked, not even sparing him a glance.

He lifted his foot and stomped toward Yi’s chest.

Yi did not attempt to evade; instead, a smile appeared on his face, confident in his physique—stronger than steel, even in its natural state.

Yet, upon contact with Lu Yuan’s foot, Yi felt as if struck by a primordial mountain, his organs shuddering, blood pouring from his mouth.

He flew back like a snapped kite, hurtling hundreds of meters before crashing into a mountainside, embedded within it, his fate uncertain.

“I thought you’d be more impressive,” Lu Yuan shook his head. He’d barely used a fraction of his strength; a bit more effort and Yi would have been dead.

Gulp—

The scene unfolded swiftly, but every eye was transfixed.

Now, all felt parched, their limbs cold.

Who was this man, so powerful that he dispatched all opponents in an instant?

They had thought he would die, but the situation had reversed completely—facing several Wu Zhou Consortium masters, not only had he suffered no harm, but had displayed terrifying strength.

Too strong!

Many awakened ones searched their memories for Lu Yuan’s identity, but found nothing.

“Lu Yuan.”

At last, Zhou Yunqiong, who had remained silent, stepped forward.

She looked at the dead, then at her sister clutched by the throat.

Lu Yuan’s actions felt unfamiliar; was he still the same person?

He had once been sensitive, attentive, gentle.

Now?

Wild.

Defiant.

Utterly domineering.

Yet Zhou Yunqiong was not easily shaken. After a deep breath, she quickly composed herself: “Lu Yuan, for my sake, don’t take offense at my sister. Please?”

Her voice grew gentle, pleading, her beauty stirring sympathy in all who witnessed it.

The awakened ones watching felt their hearts soften; in her place, they would not refuse.

“Sorry, you hold no sway with me,” Lu Yuan replied.

His voice was soft, unaffected by her presence, his expression calm.

Then, in the next moment, he looked at Zhou Biqiong and applied pressure.

Crack—

Her neck was crushed.

The recently frenzied, third daughter of the Wu Zhou Consortium was dead.

Easily, simply.

Having finished, Lu Yuan dusted his hands as if he’d done something routine, then turned to Zhou Yunqiong: “So, do you want me to apologize as well?”

(End of chapter)