Outrage

Outrage...

Chu had seen its fair share of visiting powerhouses, but their interests lay far from the petty squabbles between the Emperor Star Academy and the Royal Academy. Such a clash hardly piqued their curiosity.

The arrival of the Azure Emperor Palace, however, sent shockwaves through the land. They combed through Chu like a whirlwind, leaving nothing untouched. Despite their promise to the Emperor Star Academy not to involve the students, their search was far from courteous. Precious innate techniques within the Heavenly Star Pavilion were tossed about like forgotten relics. The 7th level, the entrance to the Spirit Beasts Testing Grounds, was uncovered. The 8th and 9th levels, their inner sanctums demolished. These levels held only run-of-the-mill techniques, nothing of real value.

Infuriatingly, the Azure Emperor Palace had the audacity to lay claim to potent innate techniques wherever they found them.

But the last straw was their intention to tear down the Emperor Star Monuments, the academy's historical foundation. The students gathered in front of these ancient tablets, along with Ren Qianxing, Old Gu, many elders, and even the old guardian from the Heavenly Star Pavilion's 7th Level.

As the Azure Emperor Palace group approached the monuments, the old guardian spoke out, "This place is the heart and soul of the Azure Emperor and the repository of our Emperor Star Academy's history. I beseech you to show mercy."

"You must be the current headmaster of the Emperor Star Academy, a descendant of the Azure Emperor, Diyi, am I right?" Yue Hanshan scrutinized the old guardian, a hint of sharpness in his eyes.

"Indeed," the old man replied calmly, stunning the majority of the academy members into silence. This seemingly ordinary, unassuming guardian was, in fact, the current headmaster of the Emperor Star Academy. It raised questions about all the previous headmasters. Were they all descended from the bloodline of the Azure Emperor? Had they silently safeguarded the academy from the shadows?

"Diyi, you should already understand the purpose of my visit and why we must destroy the Emperor Star Monuments," Yue Hanshan declared with an unyielding expression concealed behind his serene demeanor.

"How heartless," muttered the students of the academy, incensed yet too fearful to utter a word.

"The Azure Emperor Palace shares its roots with the Emperor Star Academy, how can you be so domineering?" Mo Qingcheng's voice cut through the tension, her displeasure evident as her brows furrowed. She was thoroughly infuriated by the Palace's high-handedness.

"Miss Mo, the Emperor Star Academy has no influence over the Azure Emperor Palace's decisions. After all, the two parties are not on the same level," Yue Qingfeng replied, gazing at Mo Qingcheng with a warm smile that hinted at deeper feelings. Every time he saw her, his heart stirred.

Seeing the infatuated expression on Yue Qingfeng's face, Mo Qingcheng clenched her fist in frustration. It was clear that the Azure Emperor Palace was prepared to abandon all pretenses of civility.

"What do you think about accompanying me to the Palace? This place is rather small. Your talents would truly shine in an environment like ours," Yue Qingfeng suggested playfully, though the underlying meaning of his words was crystal clear. He was taking liberties with Mo Qingcheng.

"You're incredibly audacious," Qin Wentian interjected, his eyes burning with anger. Yue Qingfeng turned his icy gaze toward him, and with a cold laugh, he retorted, "Does Brother Qin still believe we're inside the Spirit Beasts Testing Grounds?"

Before the echoes of his voice faded, Yue Qingfeng transformed into a blur of shadows, releasing a terrifying pressure aimed at Qin Wentian. Striking without warning within the Emperor Star Academy's grounds was a clear sign of his disdain for the place.

Yue Qingfeng believed his strength would easily overpower Qin Wentian. They had already assessed each other's abilities during their alliance in the Spirit Beasts Testing Grounds.

Yue Qingfeng's palm strike carried an unfathomable ferocity, as if it could conquer anything in its path. Qin Wentian found himself frozen in place but swiftly executed the Falling Mountain Palms. The two palm strikes collided with a deafening boom, and onlookers watched as Qin Wentian was forcefully pushed back, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth. Worry washed over the crowd as Yue Qingfeng had indeed proven to be a formidable opponent, injuring Qin Wentian with a single exchange of blows.

The Azure Emperor Palace's members watched the scene with disinterest, as if this outcome was nothing more than a foregone conclusion. After all, the aura Qin Wentian emitted was merely at the 8th level of Arterial Circulation. Considering Yue Qingfeng's power, he could have killed Qin Wentian as easily as snapping his fingers.

However, Mo Qingcheng's beautiful eyes sparkled as she stole a glance at Qin Wentian. This guy was finally getting clever.

She was well aware that Qin Wentian had already reached the 9th level of Arterial Circulation. He had deliberately suppressed his cultivation during their earlier exchange. If not for that, she doubted that Yue Qingfeng could have bested him in combat.

"Destroy it," Yue Qingfeng commanded with a cold voice. The members of the Azure Emperor Palace simultaneously launched palm attacks, resulting in a thunderous explosion that shattered the Emperor Star Monuments. Fragments from the destroyed tablets scattered in all directions.

"No..." Luo Huan watched as the Mountain stone tablet was reduced to rubble, her eyes turning red with anger. She was truly infuriated.

The members of the Palace searched through the fragments but found nothing hidden within. They snorted disdainfully and departed.

"Qingcheng, if you have the time, let's go out together," Yue Qingfeng said with a smile before leaving. When he looked at her beautiful face, his heart swelled with desire. Even if he couldn't make her his wife, as long as he could have her body, wouldn't that be just as thrilling?

The thought ignited a fire within him. He swept his gaze over Mo Qingcheng's figure, and his smile grew wider.

Mo Qingcheng could only bite her lip until it bled, enduring the humiliation in silence. She understood all too well what Yue Qingfeng's smile implied.

Luo Huan walked forward and knelt amidst the fragments of the now-destroyed Emperor Star Monuments. She seemed absent-minded, as if drained of all spirit. Her face was several shades paler, and her heart was heavy with a sense of loss.

The members of the Academy could only stand there in silence, bearing the humiliation and anger in their hearts. No one dared to speak out.

Qin Wentian witnessed everything. His hands clenched into fists, and a chilling intent flickered in his eyes as he watched Yue Qingfeng's departing figure. It was unmistakable, that was the look of a killer.

Qin Wentian reached out and took Mo Qingcheng's delicate hand. She tensed for a moment but soon relaxed. When she turned her gaze toward him, a sweet smile graced her face, causing ripples in Qin Wentian's heart.

"Let's go," Qin Wentian said, holding Mo Qingcheng's hand as they left the area.

In the heart of the Spirit Beasts Testing Grounds, Qin Wentian resumed his relentless slaughter of demonic beasts. Even those creatures ranked among the top ten couldn't withstand the sheer power he wielded.

As he ascended a mountain's peak, Qin Wentian halted and gazed out at the majestic mountain range spread before him. His eyes fixed on an unusually bizarre-looking demonic beast in the distance. This creature had the head of a dragon, the body of a lion, the wings of a garuda, the scales of a Xuanwu, the tail of a python, and the claws of a Kirin. Its demeanor exuded malevolence, and its appearance was a grotesque medley of various fearsome creatures.

"That's the Demon Sovereign," Qin Wentian murmured to himself. It held the top position in the Warbeast Index, with a description of its appearance but no records of its abilities.

With a single glance, Qin Wentian recognized the beast. It was indeed a Demon Sovereign.

A cold, sinister light emanated from the depths of the Demon Sovereign's eyes. The eerie radiance seemed capable of ensnaring souls, hinting at the possibility that this demonic beast could influence the mental states of others.

Brandishing his ancient halberd, Qin Wentian transformed into a blur of motion and charged towards the Demon Sovereign. His purpose for entering the Spirit Beasts Testing Grounds was to hunt the highest-ranked beasts listed in the Warbeast Index. Fate had now granted him a meeting with the #1 demonic beast, an opportunity too golden to pass up.

A burst of eye-piercing Astral Light radiated from him, and the void trembled as space itself seemed to tear apart. Several other demonic beasts appeared beside the Demon Sovereign. Their collective howls of rage created a terrifying cacophony that struck fear into the hearts of those who heard it.

Qin Wentian's expression shifted to one of shock. "It's a Summoning-type Demonic Beast. The #1 ranked demonic beast of the Warbeast Index, the Demon Sovereign, is actually a Summoning-type Beast." His heart raced with excitement. This was a beast spirit that anyone would yearn for, even in their wildest dreams. However, he quickly refocused as he saw several demonic beasts charging toward him.

In a flash, a raging gust of wind billowed around him. Qin Wentian moved so swiftly that he seemed to transform into an actual Garuda. With the ancient halberd in hand, he unleashed the Azure Dragon Stance of the Berserker Beasts Halberd Art, shattering a demonic beast in his path. He didn't pause for a moment, following up with the Vermilion Bird Stance, sweeping the ancient halberd in a horizontal arc amidst the cacophonous roars and howls of the demonic beasts.

Two days had passed since Qin Wentian's spirit body emerged from the Spirit Beasts Testing Grounds. He felt utterly drained, with his spiritual consciousness severely wounded and teetering on the verge of dissipating after defeating the Demon Sovereign. Covered in wounds and utilizing every skill and innate technique he possessed, he had narrowly overcome the formidable beast and absorbed its spirit. Despite his exhaustion, the reward left him brimming with excitement.

As he made his way back to his residence within the Emperor Star Academy, a voice called out to him. Qin Wentian turned to see Mo Qingcheng approaching, her previously icy demeanor now replaced by a warm smile. However, trailing behind her at a distance was Yue Qingfeng, who had been relentlessly pursuing her for the past two days.

Standing beside Mo Qingcheng, Qin Wentian whispered, "Has he been bothering you?"

Mo Qingcheng nodded, her face reflecting her displeasure.

"Let's take a walk," Qin Wentian suggested, pulling Mo Qingcheng along with a smile. She agreed, and they hurried in the direction of the academy's exit.

Observing their closeness, the onlookers couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy. Despite that, they couldn't deny that Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng made a perfect couple, and they hoped for a bright future for the two of them.

Yue Qingfeng's eyes narrowed, a cold light flickering as he watched Qin Wentian leading Mo Qingcheng away. The members of the Azure Emperor Palace had become increasingly insolent. Despite causing chaos throughout the academy, they still hadn't found what they were searching for.

Feeling somewhat bored, Yue Qingfeng decided to wander around the Emperor Star Academy with some fellow youths from the Azure Emperor Palace. However, today, they encountered a group of individuals who dared to confront them, leading to a confrontation between the two parties. Additionally, the academy's cultivators included those at the Yuanfu level, easily overpowering the Arterial Circulation cultivators from the Palace. These prideful young cultivators couldn't tolerate such an affront.

Coming from a transcendent power, they were incredulous that anyone in a small place like Chu would dare to oppose them. They were truly inviting their own demise.

Amidst the escalating conflict, the members of the Azure Emperor Palace decided to intercept their opponents and urged Yue Qingfeng to fetch reinforcements. Without hesitation, he departed for assistance. However, just as he was passing a secluded area, a figure dressed in black materialized, blocking his path.

The mysterious figure cloaked in black lowered their head, wielding a long spear with grim determination.

"Who are you?" Yue Qingfeng demanded, his steps grinding to a halt as he spoke with an icy edge. He had never fathomed that someone would dare to launch an assassination attempt on him in broad daylight.

Yue Qingfeng may not have been naive, but he could unmistakably sense the lingering vendetta radiating from this assailant.

"You are facing your executioner," came the chilling retort, resonating ominously through the air. The cloaked figure moved like a phantom, unleashing threads of spear-light that pierced the atmosphere. A sinister demonic energy saturated the surroundings as the long spear quivered, forming menacing spirals at its tip, each carrying an aura of boundless power.

Yue Qingfeng raised his head, locking eyes with the approaching shadow. His heart involuntarily convulsed upon recognizing the identity of his attacker.

"It's you?" Yue Qingfeng's arms shot out in a desperate counterattack, his mighty palms clashing directly with the oncoming long spear. A high-pitched, ear-piercing noise rang out as the spear effortlessly pierced through his hands and continued its trajectory, mercilessly impaling his throat. His life ebbed away swiftly, leaving Yue Qingfeng with a lingering, unfulfilled regret. In his wildest imaginings, he would never have envisioned meeting his end in a place as insignificant as Chu.