Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Fu Hong Dies
The tension in the air was palpable as Fu Hong unleashed a furious roar, his eyes blazing with determination. With a swift motion, he extended his hand, and a massive wave of energy erupted from his body, surging towards the protectors like a tidal wave. The ground beneath his feet cracked and split as the sheer force of his power rippled outward, causing buildings to shake and windows to shatter.
The sky above darkened as storm clouds gathered, reflecting the immense energy clashing within the city.
"This is your final warning!" Fu Hong's voice boomed, reverberating across the auction site. "Leave my disciple be, or face my wrath!"
Elder Zhong, a seasoned cultivator with a stoic expression, stepped forward, unshaken by the display of power. With a wave of his hand, he activated the Heavenly Convergence Formation, a defensive array that combined the strength of all the protectors. The protectors swiftly took their positions, forming a perfect circle around Elder Zhong, their auras interlinking to create a shimmering barrier.
The barrier glowed with golden light, inscribed with ancient runes that pulsed with energy.
"Heavenly Convergence Formation," Elder Zhong intoned calmly, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "Hold the line. Fu Hong may be powerful, but together, we stand as one."
The wave of energy crashed into the barrier with a deafening explosion, sending shockwaves through the city. The ground trembled violently, and the air was thick with dust and debris. But the protectors stood firm, their barrier absorbing the impact with minimal effort.
The energy dissipated harmlessly against the formation, leaving only a few cracks in the ground to mark the spot where Fu Hong's attack had struck.
"Is this the best you can do, Fu Hong?" Yu Haotian sneered, his sword already drawn. The blade shimmered with a dark, ominous light, as if thirsting for blood. "You may have been a legend once, but now you're just an old man past his prime. Let me show you what real power looks like!"
With that, Yu Haotian lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. He aimed for Fu Hong's heart, hoping to end the fight quickly. But Fu Hong, despite his age, moved with the agility and skill of a seasoned warrior. His own sword, the Dragon's Fang, met Yu Haotian's blade with a resounding clash, sparks flying as the two swords collided.
The air around them crackled with energy as the two exchanged blows, each strike more powerful than the last. Fu Hong's movements were precise and controlled, each attack aimed to exploit a weakness in Yu Haotian's defense. But Yu Haotian was relentless, his strikes fueled by a deadly combination of speed and power.
The ground beneath them cracked and crumbled under the force of their battle, sending chunks of debris flying in all directions.
As Fu Hong continued to fend off Yu Haotian, he launched a barrage of attacks at the protectors, hoping to break through their formation. Dragon's Breath, Heavenly Flame Sword, and Tempest of Blades—each technique was more devastating than the last.
Waves of fire, torrents of wind, and blades of pure energy rained down upon the protectors, but they held their ground, their barrier deflecting each attack with ease.
"Elder Zhong, this is getting tedious," one of the protectors grunted as he deflected a particularly powerful blast. "Should we counterattack?"
"Not yet," Elder Zhong replied, his eyes narrowing as he studied Fu Hong's movements. "We must wear him down first. He cannot maintain this level of power for long."
Aric, standing on the sidelines, watched the battle unfold with a satisfied smirk. "Look at him struggle," he muttered, loud enough for those around him to hear. "The once-great Fu Hong, reduced to this. Pathetic. Perhaps it's time for the Heavenly Dragon Sect to fall."
Fu Hong's anger flared at Aric's taunts, his eyes blazing with fury. "You dare mock me, boy?" he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "I will show you the true power of the Heavenly Dragon Sect!"
With a roar, Fu Hong unleashed his most powerful technique - The Dragon's Wrath. The sky above darkened further as a colossal dragon made of pure energy materialized behind Fu Hong. The dragon roared, its voice shaking the very foundations of the city, before lunging at the protectors with terrifying speed.
But Elder Zhong and the protectors were ready. "Now!" Elder Zhong commanded, and the protectors responded in unison, unleashing their own attack - The Celestial Mirror Strike. The barrier around them pulsed with blinding light before it shattered into countless shards, each shard transforming into a beam of concentrated energy.
The beams converged on the dragon, piercing through its ethereal form and dispersing its energy into the void.
The explosion that followed was cataclysmic. The shockwave tore through the auction site, leveling buildings and scattering the onlookers like leaves in the wind. The ground shook violently, and the sky lit up with a brilliant flash as the two immense forces collided.
When the dust finally settled, the protectors stood unharmed within their formation, while Fu Hong was left staggering, blood dripping from his mouth.
Ye Chen, witnessing the destruction, felt his heart sink. "Master, please! This isn't worth your life! We need to retreat!"
But Fu Hong, despite his injuries, remained resolute. His voice, though strained, was filled with unwavering determination. "I will not abandon you, Ye Chen. I swore to protect you, and I will uphold that vow… even if it costs me my life."
Seeing an opportunity, Yu Haotian struck again, his sword cutting deep into Fu Hong's side. The elder groaned in pain, but still, he refused to fall. His grip on his sword tightened as he launched one final, desperate attack.
"Even if I fall today," Fu Hong roared, "I will take you all with me!"
He gathered the last of his strength and channeled it into a devastating strike, his sword glowing with the power of his Heavenly Dragon's Final Descent. The technique was a forbidden one, meant to sacrifice the user's life in exchange for unleashing a massive burst of destructive energy. The ground beneath him cracked and split as the power surged through his body.
But before he could release the attack, the protectors struck in unison. Their combined might shattered Fu Hong's defenses completely, Elder Zhong's Heavenly Smite piercing through Fu Hong's chest, ending the battle in a single, decisive blow.
Fu Hong gasped, his eyes wide with shock and pain. His grip on his sword loosened, and the glowing energy faded from his blade. He stumbled, then collapsed to the ground, his life force flickering and then fading. The mighty Fu Hong, elder of the Heavenly Dragon Sect, was dead.
Ye Chen's world shattered at that moment. Tears welled up in his eyes as he stared at Fu Hong's lifeless body, disbelief and sorrow overwhelming him.
He thought,"Why everyone who is close to me dies? Am I such a badluck?"
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You gained +10,000 Villain Halo and +100,000 Villain Points for killing an important supporting figure of the protagonist Ye Chen.]
Aric was very happy with the outcome.
Aric stepped forward, his voice cold and mocking. "Ye Chen, your protector is gone. It's time to face the consequences of your actions."
Ye Chen, his heart filled with rage and sorrow, knew that he was trapped. The situation was completely out of his control, and now he was left alone to face the wrath of those who believed him to be a demonic cultivator.
Fu Hong, an elder of the esteemed Heavenly Dragon Sect, lay lifeless on the ground, his death a stark reminder of the immense power struggle unfolding in Dongzhai. The fear of retaliation from the Heavenly Dragon Sect hung thick in the air, with many wondering how this incident would ripple through the region, potentially plunging the entire Dongzhai into chaos.
As Ye Chen was subdued and taken into custody by the protectors, his eyes scanned the crowd, finally landing on Su Ling, who stood close to Aric. The sight of her with Aric, especially the way she seemed to admire him, ignited a burning rage within Ye Chen. His eyes, bloodshot and wild, fixated on Su Ling as he spat venomous words, his voice filled with bitter hatred.
"Su Ling, you filthy whore!" Ye Chen snarled, his voice trembling with malice. "You and this bastard, you deserve each other! But don't think this is over. Once I get out of here, I'll make you pay. I'll defile you right in front of him, and then I'll kill you both! You'll beg for death, but I won't let you have it.
I'll make sure you suffer!"
"You think you're something special? You're nothing in front of me!" he spat, his voice rising in a maniacal pitch. "You wear this mask of kindness, but I see through you! You're rotten to the core, insidious and deceitful. You think hiding behind this bastard will save you? I will rip off that facade of yours and show everyone what a scheming snake you really are!"
His deranged outburst shocked the onlookers, further alienating him from any remaining allies. Su Ling, her eyes narrowing in disgust, turned away from Ye Chen, her feelings toward him now irrevocably tainted by his vile words.
"Enough, Ye Chen," Aric said, his tone carrying a quiet authority that silenced the crowd. "Your filth has no place here. You're nothing but a rabid dog, barking threats and insults because you know you've lost. The only thing left for you is to be put down like the mad beast you've become."
Ye Chen's eyes widened with fury, but Aric's words struck deep, leaving him seething with helpless rage. The protectors tightened their grip on him, ensuring he couldn't lash out any further.
Aric then turned back to Su Ling, his expression softening. "Don't let his words get to you, Su Ling. He's desperate and broken, lashing out because he knows he's finished. You're strong, and you have people who care about you."
Su Ling looked up at Aric, her heart swelling with gratitude. The warmth in his words and the strength in his presence made her feel safe, even in the aftermath of such chaos. She nodded, her resolve strengthening as she drew comfort from his support.
[Su Ling's Favorability: 45 → 55 (Close Friend)]
[Ding! Congratulations Host! You gained +1,000 Villain Halo and +10,000 Villain Points for increasing Su Ling's favorability and making her admire you.]
Ye Chen, seeing the bond between them, let out a bitter laugh, his voice filled with a twisted glee. "Enjoy your little moment, Su Ling. It won't last. I'll make sure of it."
Su Ling's anger and disgust toward Ye Chen were palpable. She couldn't believe that he, who had once been a fellow disciple, could harbor such darkness in his heart. Standing beside Yu Haotian, she felt a sense of security and relief. Despite the chaos that had unfolded, she was thankful for Yu Haotian's strength and the protection he offered.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You gained +2,000 Villain Halo and +20,000 Villain Points for making the daughter of destiny, Su Ling feel disgust towards the protagonist Ye Chen.]
Meanwhile, in the shadows of the crowd, members of the Ning and Shen families observed the situation with keen interest. Their eyes narrowed as they evaluated the unfolding dynamics. Both families had their own grudges against Yu Haotian and Su Ling as they won the thunder law weapon, but the presence of Divine Transformation experts in the area made any immediate action against them too risky.
For now, they would bide their time, waiting for a more opportune moment.
As the tension in the air began to subside, two figures emerged from the crowd—Mia and Ulsa, representing the Lei family. Their presence caused a stir, and all eyes were on them as they approached Yu Haotian. The crowd murmured in surprise; the Lei family was known for its influence and power, and their involvement in this matter hinted at deeper, more complex alliances.
"Yu Haotian greets Lady Mia and Lady Ulsa," Yu Haotian said respectfully, bowing slightly. The two women nodded in acknowledgment, their expressions unreadable.
After the formal greetings, Yu Haotian, Su Ling, Mia, and Ulsa began to leave the auction site together, drawing even more attention. It was clear to all that this was a deliberate move orchestrated by Aric to send a message—anyone who dared interfere with his plans would have to contend with the Lei family as well.
The message was received loud and clear, and those who had been contemplating further action quickly reconsidered.
As they walked, Su Ling couldn't help but glance curiously at the two women from the Lei family. She leaned closer to Yu Haotian and whispered, "Senior brother, why are the ladies of the Lei family traveling with us?"
Yu Haotian, sensing her unease, responded in a calm voice, "It's master's arrangement. She's already made some sort of deal with them to ensure we securely bring the treasure back. That's why they're accompanying us. Don't worry, everything is under control."
Su Ling nodded, feeling slightly reassured by his words. Still, the presence of the Lei family members added an unexpected layer of complexity to the situation, one that Su Ling couldn't quite shake off.