Immortal Martial Emperor

"There's one more person..."

Wang Meng said, his eyes wide.

The clamoring crowd finally quieted, staring at Wang Meng. "Who else?"

The ones who spoke were all prominent figures in Shishui City, each possessing strength of at least the Earth Soul Realm. Dozens of pairs of eyes were fixed on him, making Wang Meng's heart tremble. He swallowed hard and said, "Th-There's also Hong Yu. Hong Yu is still alive."

"Hong Yu? Who is that?"

"I know. I think he's from a branch family of the Hongs. He distinguished himself in the qualifying matches and was named Ninth Young Master by Elder Hong Tianduan!"

Everyone turned to look at Hong Tianduan.

Hong Tianduan frowned. "That's right. Hong Yu is indeed a disciple from a branch of my Hong Family." He looked back at Wang Meng. "Wang Meng, are you saying everyone besides Hong Yu is dead? Did even people like Lin Hai, Lin Tao, and Hong Hu die?"

"I didn't see Hong Hu, but Lin Tao, Lin Hai, and Chen Hao are truly dead," Wang Meng said.

Hong Tianduan raised an eyebrow and said in a low voice, "How do you know they're all dead? And how do you know Hong Yu is still alive?"

"Because... because..."

Wang Meng was at a loss for words, not knowing how to answer.

Wang Meng had wanted to tell the truth, but the thought of how disgracefully he had fled, terrified by Hong Yu's methods, was too embarrassing. He was caught in a dilemma.

Hong Tianduan seized the opportunity and barked, "Wang Meng, what exactly happened in the Abyssal Mountain Range? Why do you know they're all dead? Why do you mention no one else, but single out Hong Yu?"

"I... I... I..."

Wang Meng wanted to argue, but he didn't know where to begin.

Hong Tianduan snorted coldly and said in a grave voice, "This is just your side of the story. We have no way of knowing if it's true. Wang Meng, you will wait here. When the others return, I will ask them for the truth myself. If what you said is true, then fine. But if you dared to lie and deceive us, then you can just wait for your punishment!"

As the Third Elder of the Hong Family, Hong Tianduan held a high position. Since he had spoken, the restless powerhouses had no choice but to suppress their agitation.

In reality...

Hong Tianduan felt uneasy himself!

Age brings cunning!

How could Hong Tianduan, who was so adept at reading people, not see that Wang Meng wasn't lying? It was likely that Lin Tao and the others were truly all dead. Moreover, judging by the trace of fear and panic in Wang Meng's eyes when he mentioned Hong Yu, it seemed their deaths were somehow connected to him.

This gave Hong Tianduan a major headache. He schemed internally, 'The younger disciples in my faction are all terribly mediocre. I'm already being suppressed by Second Brother and his people to the point of suffocation. This Hong Yu is a vital bargaining chip for us to stand against Second Brother. I must protect him!'

Having made his decision, Hong Tianduan glanced at Hong Tiande out of the corner of his eye.

He was surprised to find that Hong Tiande was also looking toward the Abyssal Mountain Range, his deep, dark eyes glinting with an inscrutable, peculiar light.

Hong Tianduan was instantly puzzled. 'Strange, there's something off about Lao Qi's gaze...'

Involuntarily, he too turned his gaze toward the Abyssal Mountain Range.

As the sun gradually reached its zenith, all the creatures in the Abyssal Mountain Range hid in their caves to escape the heat, casting an eerie silence over the mountains.

Time ticked by...

Only five minutes remained until the end of the final tournament.

The crowd grew more anxious. Although they didn't want to believe it, they had to admit the terrible news Wang Meng had brought back was likely true—the prodigies were probably all dead.

Three minutes...

Two minutes...

One minute...

Hong Tiande glanced impassively at the hourglass, which had little sand left. He gave a light cough, pulling everyone back from their thoughts, and announced indifferently, "Time is up. I hereby declare the final tournament concl—"

Just as he was about to say the word "concluded," a rustling sound came from behind him. A figure rushed over as if flying, shouting, "Seventh Elder, wait! I, Hong Yu, have returned!"

Hong Yu used the Seven-Star Step, kicking up a cloud of dust. Just as he stepped into the camp, the last grain of sand in the hourglass slowly trickled down.

Hong Yu let out a long breath, a relaxed smile gracing his lips. "I made it back just in time!"

"Seventh Elder, this is my Points Jade Order!"

Hong Yu handed over the Jade Order in his hand.

However, Hong Tiande stood with his arms crossed, showing no intention of taking it. He looked down on Hong Yu, his eyes narrowed into slits. His gaze was cold and venomous. The moment he saw Hong Yu, Hong Tiande knew that Hong Qi and Hong Hu had failed. And since neither of them had appeared by now, he could deduce that the two of them had likely met a grim fate.

At this thought, Hong Tiande's gaze grew even colder.

He wished he could just slap Hong Yu to death right now.

He was now completely certain that Hong Luàn had died at Hong Yu's hands. It was also likely that Hong Hu and Hong Qi had been sent to the Yellow Springs. The root of all this was Hong Yu. Hong Tiande took a deep breath, his voice filled with a cold, ruthless tone. "Hong Yu, let me ask you. Wang Meng said you killed Lin Hai and the others. Is this true?"

Hong Yu froze for a moment, sighing to himself. 'I knew it. What's coming has come.'

He didn't deny it, nodding directly. "That's right, I killed them. However..."

Hong Yu was about to explain but was cut off by a wave of Hong Tiande's hand. He said coldly, "Since you admit to being the murderer of these prodigies, then today, I, in my capacity as the Law Enforcer for this tournament, hereby declare... Hong Yu, for his cruel and venomous methods in murdering his competitors to illegitimately obtain points, is sentenced to death!"

"What?"

A look of shock appeared on Hong Yu's face.

He knew Hong Tiande wanted him dead, but he hadn't expected him to be so blatant about it, revealing his killing intent so nakedly.

"Jie jie, Hong Yu, oh, Hong Yu, are you scared now? Hmph, you injured my grandson Hong Lin in the past, and I let it slide out of respect for the Tiger Instructor. Not only were you not grateful, but you went and murdered my grandson Hong Luàn. I don't know how you managed to escape Hong Hu and Hong Qi's pursuit, but none of that matters anymore. Today, I will take your life to console Luàn'er's spirit in heaven. I'd like to see who can save you now!"

Hong Tiande's triumphant voice suddenly exploded in his mind.

Hong Yu's face instantly turned pale as he looked at Hong Tiande.

The latter still wore an impassive expression, as if he were carrying out justice for heaven itself. It was clear that Hong Tiande had just spoken to him using a Secret Transmission.

"Hong Tiande, you..."

Hong Yu gritted his teeth in anger.

"Hmph, how audacious of you, Hong Yu, to call me by my full name! You truly are unrepentant. Die!"

Hong Tiande snorted coldly and pressed down with his palm.

His hand expanded, growing enormous. A palm, a full five zhang in size, descended from the sky, shimmering with a powerful Momentum that could freeze one's blood. This one palm was large enough to crush a small house. If Hong Yu were to be caught by it, he would undoubtedly be crushed to powder.

Hong Yu's eyes flickered with uncertainty.

Just as he was about to use Destruction to counterattack, Hong Tianduan, who was standing to the side, suddenly made a move.

A similarly five-zhang-large palm tore through the air, and the two Mid-stage Earth Soul Realm Powerhouses clashed in the void. A deafening BOOM kicked up a violent whirlwind, and the powerful gusts of wind overturned a swath of tents. Hong Tianduan flashed in front of Hong Yu, glaring at Hong Tiande with cold eyes. "Lao Qi, before the finals began, you said yourself that casualties are inevitable in the assessment. You said no one should be held accountable. Why has the story changed now that it's Hong Yu?"

Hong Tiande snorted coldly. "I am the Law Enforcer this time, not you!"

"That's right, you are indeed the Law Enforcer. But don't you forget..." Hong Tianduan pulled a Token from his robes and sneered, "This is the Grand Elder Order of our Hong Family. Seeing this order is the same as seeing the Grand Elder himself. Lao Qi, I now use the Grand Elder Order to command you to withdraw your judgment against Hong Yu."

"You dare use the Grand Elder Order to suppress me?" Hong Tiande's gaze was like ice as he gritted his teeth.

Hong Tianduan was neither servile nor overbearing. "You are the one who has gone too far."

"Fine, fine, fine!"

Hong Tiande hesitated for a moment, then suddenly forced out the three words through gritted teeth. But before Hong Tianduan could show any sign of relief, he continued, "However, Hong Yu's methods are savage. The death penalty may be spared, but he cannot escape punishment. Today, although you've saved his wretched life, you cannot stop me from expelling him from the Hong Family."

"What? You're going to expel him from the Hong Family?" Hong Tianduan looked at Hong Tiande in disbelief.

Hong Yu was able to kill numerous prodigies; one could only imagine how terrifying his potential and strength were. If such a talent was nurtured, he would surely be no weaker than the Four Kings in the future. The Hong Family would surely enter an unprecedented era of prosperity. But Hong Tiande first wanted to kill him, and now he wanted to expel him from the family. What were his intentions?

"Hmph, merely expelling this brat from the Hong Family is letting him off easy." Hong Tiande seemed to think of something and a sinister, cold smile appeared on his face. He said nonchalantly, "As for that sister of his, she's learning her craft at the Artisan Workshop, which makes her a servant of my Hong Family. Born a Hong, die a Hong ghost, she must remain in the Hong Family. When I return, I'll have her become my personal handmaiden."

As soon as these words were spoken, the air seemed to freeze.

Hong Yu staggered back two steps...

Being expelled from the Hong Family didn't matter to him, but for Hong Tiande to target Yun Mengyao—this was something Hong Yu could not tolerate. His teeth ground together with a K-K-K sound, and his hand quietly gripped the Long Spear that had slaughtered so many prodigies. His young face twisted into a savage expression, his dark pupils flashing with a chilling light. "Hong Tiande, you shameless old dog! Your grandpa here has tolerated you again and again, yet you keep pushing me. It's true that the kind get bullied. It seems your grandpa has been too low-key, letting an old dog like you piss and shit wherever you please without a care in the world!"

"Today, I'm going to blow up your old dog ass and see how you go around spewing crap and biting people then!"

Hong Yu's explosive roar was like a thunderclap, its sound waves rolling through the sky.

Amidst a piercing whistle, Hong Yu brandished his Long Spear.

The dense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi in his Lower Dantian suddenly surged, gathering on the tip of his Long Spear. He struck out with a full-power Destruction. It was a strike fueled by rage, an explosive force of a full fifteen thousand jin, blasting toward Hong Tiande like a furious dragon. Feeling that terrifying power, the indifference on Hong Tiande's face vanished, replaced by solemnity and gloom.

'This kid is actually at the Half-Step Earth Soul Realm? But his power exceeds fifteen thousand jin. What a Demon Fiend! Such a pity...'

Hong Tiande sneered. "Today, you will surely die!"

"Old dog, watch me blow up your old, withered ass!"

"You little bastard, you're courting death!"

Amid the furious curses, a giant, blood-red palm grabbed hold of the Long Spear in Hong Yu's hand.

"BOOM!"

With a roar, the blood-red palm exploded. The momentum of Hong Yu's Long Spear faltered, and it began to break apart inch by inch, starting from the tip. Hong Yu was struck as if by lightning. He spat out several mouthfuls of blood, his face instantly turning pale and his aura weakening. Hong Tiande was also affected, letting out a muffled grunt. A cold light flashed in his eyes. 'This boy's potential is extraordinary. If I let him continue to grow, he will become an endless source of trouble.'

A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Hong Tiande let out a low roar, and as he thrust his hands out, the Power of his Primordial Spirit took on the Illusion Transformation of a ferocious lion.

This Flame Lion's might was heaven-shaking. Everywhere it stepped, the land for ten li around was scorched bare.

An aura of death emanated from it, sweeping toward Hong Yu...

At this moment, Hong Yu's body was injured from the last exchange and his weapon was destroyed. It would be difficult for him to contend with the Flame Lion again. His eyes flickered as he prepared to summon the Profound Celestial Tower for a final, desperate gamble.

However, just as Hong Yu was about to contact Little One, a small, golden object flew in from out of nowhere. With a PFFT, it struck the majestic Flame Lion. The terrifying attack, capable of annihilating a Mid-stage Earth Soul Realm Powerhouse, simply collapsed and vanished into nothing. After destroying the lion, the golden object fell directly to the ground.

Everyone quickly looked over, and were immediately dumbfounded...

It was... a chicken leg?