Chapter 278: Breakthrough!
Zhao Dong held the small jar, his mind filled with questions. What was the origin of this drop of essence blood? He had grown up in this old residence, yet he had never heard his grandfather or adoptive parents mention anything like it.
How many secrets does this old house hide? A flicker of determination crossed his face as he muttered to himself, "Regardless, I'm the one who found this essence blood, so it's my opportunity. I must discover its origins."
He sat down cross-legged and began trying to absorb the drop of essence blood. From the very start, he felt a powerful resistance, as if the blood contained a formidable energy that refused to be absorbed. Zhao Dong gritted his teeth and persisted.
Gradually, a warm current began to flow through him, and the formidable power slowly started to merge with his body. Just then, he thought he heard a dragon's roar—a deafening, soul-shaking sound.
Zhao Dong's heart pounded in his chest, his face a mask of shock. A dragon's roar? Did I hear that correctly? Could this essence blood... be related to True Dragon Blood? He vaguely recalled reading about ancient beasts like true dragons in the Mystic Sky Technique. Pushing the thought aside, he continued to refine and absorb the energy.
Finally, with a pained groan, Zhao Dong's eyes shot open.
Did I... break through? He tried circulating the Mystic Sky Technique, and a terrifying amount of Spiritual Energy surged through him. First Layer of Foundation Establishment!
My heart is racing... I can't believe this drop of essence blood is so potent! It brought me to the First Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm in an instant?
Zhao Dong stood up, his heart pounding as he felt the immense power coursing through his body. Now that I'm at the First Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, dealing with a Fifth-Layer Great Grandmaster will be no problem at all!
Just then, a commotion erupted outside. Frowning, Zhao Dong walked out of the room. The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he saw two cultivators dressed in black.
Zhao Dong's gaze turned icy. "Who are you?"
One of them, a man as gaunt as a skeleton with shifty, triangular eyes, chuckled maliciously. "Zhao Dong, you didn't see this coming, did you?"
Zhao Dong's brow furrowed. "You're Hong Wu's men?"
"Obviously. Did you really think you could escape by hiding here?"
Zhao Dong scoffed. "You fools. He only sent you here to die."
"To die? Hahaha!" the other man roared with laughter. "Zhao Dong, you're a little too confident, aren't you? You're only in the Grandmaster Realm. You think you're a match for us?"
The words had barely left his lips when the man shot Zhao Dong a cold smirk. His figure blurred into an afterimage as he clenched his fist and lunged, aiming a punch at Zhao Dong's throat.
A cold smirk touched Zhao Dong's lips. "You old dogs really think you're something special, don't you? You're not worthy of killing me." His eyes turned glacial as he met the attack with a simple punch of his own.
"You insolent ant, you're courting death! I'm a Second-Layer Great Grandmaster! Killing you will be as easy as crushing an insect!" the man sneered, completely dismissing Zhao Dong's counterattack.
The next second, their fists met.
SPLAT!
The man's fist instantly exploded. He let out a heart-wrenching scream that was abruptly cut short as Zhao Dong seized his throat.
CRACK!
With a simple squeeze, Zhao Dong crushed his windpipe. The man's legs kicked out once, and he went still.
Dropping the corpse, Zhao Dong turned his cold gaze to the remaining man. The survivor's face went white with terror. "How... how is that possible? Zhao Dong, aren't you supposed to be in the Grandmaster Realm?"
"Idiot. Go to hell!"
Zhao Dong threw another punch. The man, terrified, tried to flee, but it was too late. Following him like a shadow, Zhao Dong slammed his fist into the man's back. His chest instantly exploded outward, and he died with his eyes wide in disbelief. Just like that, two Second-Layer Great Grandmasters had been slain.
Zhao Dong stood in the courtyard, silently savoring the feeling of the Spiritual Energy within him. This power... feels incredible! Now I can face a Fifth-Layer Great Grandmaster head-on. Even Kou Hongmin himself is no longer a threat!
Suddenly, a phone rang in the courtyard—it belonged to one of the dead men. Zhao Dong walked over, picked it up from the ground, and answered. Hong Wu's voice came through the speaker. "Is it done?"
Zhao Dong sneered. "Hong Wu, your men have gone to meet King Yan. Don't worry, your turn is coming soon."
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by an enraged roar. "Zhao Dong! You son of a bitch, you're still alive?"
"I'm not so easy to kill. Just you wait, you old dog. Your death is coming!"
Hearing this clearly, Hong Wu's face turned ashen. He gritted his teeth and snarled, "Zhao Dong! I'll tear you to pieces!" The call ended. Hong Wu turned to Kou Hongmin, his teeth still clenched in fury. "Master Kou, it seems I have no choice but to ask you to handle this personally."
Kou Hongmin's eyes were cold. "Two Second-Layer Great Grandmasters weren't a match for Zhao Dong? How did that kid get so strong all of a sudden?"
Hong Wu's voice was grim. "No matter. You are a Sixth-Layer Great Grandmaster. You can definitely crush that animal!"
A cold light flashed in Kou Hongmin's eyes as he said ominously, "It seems I have no other choice..."
「Meanwhile, Zhao Dong left the old residence and headed for the Jiang Family estate.」
Now that his strength had increased so dramatically, there was no longer a need to hide. If Kou Hongmin came for him, he would simply have to fight to the death.
At that moment, the Jiang Family estate was decorated with festive lanterns and bustling with activity. They were welcoming visitors from the Yun Family, a hidden clan from the East Sea. Yun Keqing's brother, Yun Kefeng, had also just arrived.
In the main hall, Jiang Tianhai, the patriarch of the Jiang Family, greeted him with a broad smile. "Young Master Yun, your presence brings great honor to the Jiang Family!"
Yun Kefeng offered a slight smile. "Patriarch Jiang, you're too kind. I've come today to discuss a matter of engagement with your family." His gaze then shifted to Jiang Nianyu. "I am quite fond of your Nianyu, so I've come to ask for your consent to our marriage."
Sitting beside her father, Jiang Nianyu's expression changed drastically. She shot to her feet. "I refuse!"
The entire hall fell silent as all eyes turned to her. Yun Kefeng's expression shifted as well.
Jiang Nianyu took a deep breath. "Young Master Yun, please have some self-respect. I already have someone I love. I will not marry you."
"Oh? Is that so?" Yun Kefeng raised an eyebrow. "May I ask who this person Miss Nianyu is so fond of is? Perhaps he could step forward so we can all meet him?"
Standing in the center of the room, Jiang Nianyu felt trapped by the sea of stares. Young Master Yun Kefeng's question left her with no escape, but how could she possibly explain her feelings for Zhao Dong? It was a secret between the two of them, something she had never revealed to a single soul.
Seeing her silence, Yun Kefeng felt a surge of triumph. He knew that at this seemingly polite engagement banquet, he held all the power. Maintaining a graceful and magnanimous facade, he addressed the crowd loudly. "It's natural for Miss Jiang to be shy; girls are often easily embarrassed. However, if she truly has someone else in her heart, then I, Yun Kefeng, am not an unreasonable man. I would certainly respect her wishes and allow her to be with the one she loves."
He swept his gaze across the room, a hint of provocation in his eyes. "If anyone here opposes this marriage, now is your chance to speak." His words were heavy with the weight of his family's influence, a clear attempt to intimidate. Cowed by the Yun Family's power, no one dared to speak up. Though the Jiang Family was prominent in the East Sea, they were still a step below a hidden clan like the Yun Family.
A storm of conflicting emotions raged within Jiang Nianyu. She couldn't bear to betray her heart by agreeing to the proposal, but she also didn't dare refuse openly and bring trouble upon her family. Caught between a rock and a hard place, her gaze drifted involuntarily toward the courtyard entrance. How I wish Zhao Dong would appear right now and save me from this... But he was nowhere to be seen. A wave of disappointment and helplessness washed over her, though she knew she had to be strong and face this alone. She took a deep breath, preparing to speak.
Just then, a voice rang out from the courtyard. "I oppose this marriage!"
Every head in the hall whipped toward the entrance.