Long Chen’s gaze grew more intense and resolute. His desire to become stronger was intensifying. Only when one’s strength reached a certain Realm could many problems be easily resolved. To achieve that, he still had much more to do.
While everyone was still speculating about Xia Duoduo’s background, she stared down at the members of the Sword Ancestor from her commanding position. "Are you involved with the World King Palace?" she asked indifferently.
Upon hearing her words, the hearts of the Sword Ancestor members trembled. This woman just killed people from the World King Palace... Is she now going to cause trouble for our sect too?
Ma Cheng wore a worried expression, his back already soaked with cold sweat. The image of Li Sheng and the others dying moments ago was seared into his mind, leaving a deep psychological scar. He prayed desperately that Xia Duoduo wouldn’t notice him.
Faced with her question, An Zhun and the others were at a loss for words. If they denied it, the Sword Ancestor would not only be cutting ties completely but would also almost certainly offend the World King Palace. Yet if they admitted to their connection, they had no idea how they would deal with Xia Duoduo. For a moment, they were caught in a dilemma, unsure how to respond.
"Are you all mute?" Xia Duoduo demanded coldly.
Her voice sent a jolt of fear through An Zhun and the others. A powerful pressure enveloped them, causing cold sweat to bead on their foreheads.
If we offend this person, Li Sheng’s fate will be our own! After all, she showed no regard for the World King Palace, let alone our Sword Ancestor. Distant water can’t put out a nearby fire. They knew this principle all too well.
Li Man and Feng Xin also turned to look at An Zhun, their gazes urging him to say something.
Caving to Xia Duoduo’s pressure, An Zhun had no choice but to bite the bullet. "Like the Martial Ancestor," he said, "we merely follow the arrangements of the World King Palace."
It was a well-rounded response. He hadn’t revealed the true connection between the Sword Ancestor and the World King Palace, and he had even managed to drag the Martial Ancestor into it.
Xia Duoduo just chuckled. "Is that so?"
"Of course it is!" An Zhun replied without the slightest hesitation. "It’s the absolute truth! There’s not a single lie in my words!"
Without another word, Xia Duoduo made her move.
Seeing her attack, the faces of An Zhun and the others twisted in terror, their hearts nearly leaping out of their chests. They scrambled to defend themselves.
With a loud BANG, Xia Duoduo shattered their defenses. Two red flashes streaked past in the blink of an eye.
SCHLICK! SCHLICK!
Accompanied by two dull thuds, two corpses fell to the ground, their lives extinguished on the spot.
The two were none other than Zhang Ming and Zhang Tianpeng, the very men who had severely injured Long Chen in Huanggu Mountain.
Xia Duoduo’s eyes were sharp as knives. "If the Sword Ancestor dares to cause trouble again, I will exterminate your entire sect."
"Yes! We wouldn’t dare!" An Zhun and the others nodded repeatedly.
Their hearts were still pounding with fear, but at the same time, they were secretly relieved. Thank goodness she spared us.
Only after Xia Duoduo had left did the crowd finally breathe a sigh of relief. No one wanted to be targeted by that she-devil.
"Brother An, you’d better hurry back and change your pants. From the looks of it, you nearly pissed yourself," Chu Zhentian said with an amused smile. His expression then turned serious. "Now that the man from the World King Palace is dead, we should proceed according to the rules of the Demon Pursuit Conference. The one with the highest point ranking is the champion. I presume you have no objections this time?"
"Don’t get too cocky!" An Zhun retorted. "A man from the World King Palace died here, and that she-devil is clearly protecting the Martial Ancestor. When the World King Palace finds out, they will undoubtedly come for you. Just you wait for your doom!"
With that parting shot, An Zhun led the disciples of the Sword Ancestor away.
As he was leaving, Ma Cheng turned his head slightly to glare at Long Chen, his eyes filled with resentment and defiance.
Long Chen raised his head and met Ma Cheng’s gaze directly. He said nothing, but his eyes sent a clear message: Not convinced? Come and try me.