Soul Emperor Awakening

With a single punch, he shattered the Spirit Pill Stage expert's shield. The shield couldn't hinder him in the slightest, not even slowing him down, as the fist landed and grievously wounded its target!

His chest was completely caved in, the bones in his body nearly shattered by the force of the single blow. His breathing became extremely difficult, and blood continuously spewed from his mouth. With his eyes rolling back into his head, it was clear he was on the verge of death.

"Too weak!"

Lin Xuan's expression was indifferent. To him, this Spirit Pill Stage expert was nothing but trash. His power was lacking, his energy concentration was poor, and his physical body was even worse. A single, casual punch was enough to break him. Compared to the bodies of the Demon Race, his was far too fragile.

On top of that, the Spirit Pill Stage expert had gravely underestimated him, which was why he was so effortlessly killed in a single move. This was the price of underestimating an opponent. They didn't even stop to think; if the guards by his side had willingly departed, it must have meant they had complete confidence in Lin Xuan.

Of course, they just assumed Lin Xuan was being arrogant and reckless, so they had charged forward without a second thought. The result was that they were easily insta-killed. The other four hadn't even properly started fighting yet, but it was the "weakest" one, Lin Xuan, who was the first to kill a Spirit Pill Stage expert!

"Th-this is impossible!"

Qing Yunfeng sucked in a cold breath, his face turning ashen. In the span of just a dozen breaths, one of his Spirit Pill Stage experts was dead. This speed was far beyond what he could have imagined. Behind Lin Xuan, Zi Yi and the others were completely dumbfounded. Lin Xuan's power was simply tyrannical.

The defense of a Spirit Pill Stage expert's Elemental Power Shield was by no means weak. Even a casually raised shield couldn't be broken by someone at the Essence Pill Stage. Therefore, no matter how many Essence Pill Stage cultivators there were, it was nearly impossible for them to harm a Spirit Pill Stage expert. In other words, there was no advantage in numbers.

Yet Lin Xuan had the strength to shatter the shield with a single, easy punch. This was a testament to how tyrannical his power was—so tyrannical that the shield simply couldn't withstand it! That such a small frame could erupt with such terrifying force was something Qing Yunfeng had never anticipated.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

The four remaining Spirit Pill Stage experts were destroyed by Jin Feng and Jin Shi in just a few exchanges. Using nothing but pure speed and power, they obliterated them with a few punches. Some had their bodies pierced straight through by a single fist—right through the heart, leaving no chance for survival.

It all happened too fast. Five Spirit Pill Stage experts were crushed in a matter of moments, leaving only Qing Yunfeng. He was now a general without an army. With no guards left, he would have to charge into battle himself.

'These two are so strong…' Qing Yunfeng watched them fight, his heart pounding at the sight of their power. He had never seen Cultivators who could achieve such a terrifying level of might through sheer physical strength alone. It was far beyond his imagination!

"Qing Yunfeng, you're the only one left. Any last words?" Lin Xuan sneered. It was just as he'd expected. This was the extent of Qingcheng Mansion's strength—or rather, the extent of the forces Qing Yunfeng could personally mobilize. He couldn't call upon any others.

Of course, Qingcheng Mansion's true strength was far greater than this. There were still many Protectors, and even Supreme Elders. These figures were all terrifyingly powerful, but they never set foot outside Qingcheng Mansion. They would not appear unless the mansion faced a catastrophe that threatened its very existence.

Normally, Qing Yunfeng couldn't mobilize a single one of them. Even his status as Mansion Master was useless in this regard. They would absolutely not appear unless the mansion faced a moment of absolute crisis.

Furthermore, Qing Deyun and the others weren't dead yet. If they were to return, Qing Yunfeng would surely be the first to be killed! Why else would he be secretly dispatching men to hunt for Qing Piaoyun and his group? If they showed up now, it would all be over, and his entire conspiracy would crumble.

If he had succeeded in killing Qing Piaoyun and the others in the first place, he wouldn't be facing this problem now; his position as Mansion Master would have been secure. But now, all the Spirit Pill Stage experts he'd mobilized were dead, and even he was about to be killed. As the two mysterious men closed in, the feeling of impending death surged through him.

"I never thought that in just half a year, you'd find such powerful helpers!" Qing Yunfeng said, looking at Jin Feng and Jin Shi. "I don't know how much you two were paid, but I can offer you ten times the amount. I only ask that you do not interfere in this matter!"

"Idiot. You think you can sway them with some pathetic reward?" Lin Xuan scoffed. "Kill him!"

The order was given without a shred of mercy.

The moment the words left his mouth, Jin Feng and his companion shot toward Qing Yunfeng. They didn't say a word, their Killing Intent flaring. It was clear they intended to swat Qing Yunfeng dead like a fly, without giving the slightest thought to his so-called reward.

Just then, a streak of light shot over from the distance at extreme speed. Seeing this, Qing Yunfeng's heart leaped with joy. 'Reinforcements from the Royal Family!'

The figure landed beside Qing Yunfeng just as Jin Feng and his companion charged forward. He had a pair of Elemental Power Wings on his back, a sign that he was a Late-Stage expert. "Lord Qing, what's the situation here? All our men are dead?" the newcomer demanded, his face ashen. His expression grew grim as he saw the five Spirit Pill Stage experts lying on the ground.

Spirit Pill Stage experts were not a dime a dozen. This was a tremendous loss for the Royal Family.

"Elder Xu, th-they killed them! All of them!" Qing Yunfeng cried, pointing at the charging Jin Feng. "I never imagined the helpers Lin Xuan found would be this strong! Please, kill them and avenge us!"

"You have some nerve! Daring to kill members of the Royal Family! It seems you're tired of living!" Xu Gao snorted. His aura surged as the formidable power of the Core Formation Stage erupted from him. Without another word, he met the charge of Jin Feng and his companion. They had killed his people; he didn't care who they were, he would kill them without hesitation!

Jin Feng and Jin Shi showed not a hint of fear, merely moving closer together.

"Die!"

Xu Gao roared and thrust a palm toward Jin Feng and Jin Shi. The surrounding Power of Heaven and Earth was instantly sucked dry, coalescing into a colossal Palm Seal that descended upon them. In that moment, the world's color changed as day turned to night!

"Break!"

Jin Feng and Jin Shi snarled. A more powerful aura erupted from both of them as two streams of Golden Elemental Power burst from their bodies. The streams instantly fused and, with a powerful swing, they sent the energy forward. The brilliant golden light transformed into a golden Giant Dragon that roared as it charged ahead.

BOOM!

The golden Giant Dragon effortlessly pierced through Xu Gao's Palm Seal and continued on, pouncing at Xu Gao himself. This was completely beyond Xu Gao's expectations. No matter how strong a Spirit Pill Stage expert was, it should have been impossible for them to withstand a strike from him, a Core Formation Stage master. And yet, his attack had been shattered with ease.

BOOM!

Caught by surprise, Xu Gao was sent flying by the blast. He spat a mouthful of blood towards the sky before managing to drift back to the ground and find his footing. But his internal injuries were severe; a surge of Golden Elemental Power was rampaging through his body, destroying it from within.

"Qing Yunfeng, how do you like this grand gift I've sent you? Are you satisfied?" Lin Xuan couldn't help but sneer at the ugly expression on Qing Yunfeng's face. 'So much for absolute power. Before me, it's nothing but bullshit!'