Chapter Sixteen: The Tide Turns, A Formidable Foe Approaches Again
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The Spirit Vessel of the Exquisite Sacred Land hovered high in the sky, radiating golden light, its imposing presence overwhelming, like a blazing sun on the horizon. Countless factions within Lingxiao City held their breath, unable to draw even a single breath.
The Second Holy Son stood with his hands behind his back, looking down from above with a cold and sharp gaze. His voice carried an unquestionable authority that echoed in all directions: “Master Jiang, I’ll give you one last chance. Surrender the inheritance and release the Ninth Holy Son and the elders of the Enforcement Hall, and the conflict can be turned into peace. Otherwise, your Jiang family is nothing but an overreaching mantis trying to stop a chariot, destined to be shattered to pieces!”
The Third Holy Son lightly shook his folded fan, a cold smile playing at the corner of his lips. His voice was soft yet sinister, eyes full of amusement and mockery: “Jiang Cheng, you should know the consequences of opposing the Sacred Land. The disciples have already been ordered: after one incense stick burns out, all Jiang family properties in Lingxiao City will be turned into a purgatory. Are you willing to pay the price for your arrogance?”
A black-robed elder accompanying them was imposing in stature, his aura deep as an abyss, his gaze indifferent as he slowly spoke, “The Jiang family is but a third-rate clan, yet dares to defy the heavenly power of the Sacred Land—truly overestimating themselves!”
Within the profound Yellow Array, Jiang Cheng stood at the core of the formation, his expression stern. His voice, transmitted through the array, roared like thunder, shaking the entire scene: “The Jiang family warns the Exquisite Sacred Land: whoever dares to cross the line will face a thunderous strike from the Jiang family! Don’t just talk about turning our properties into purgatory—you might not even make it to hell! Retreat at once to save your life; don’t say you weren’t warned!”
Standing by his side, Su Ruoxi’s gaze was as cold as frost, her tone resolute: “Husband, no need to get angry. These past few days, with your awakening of my constitution and the elixir you gave me, I can now play several trump cards!”
Jiang Cheng laughed loudly, then turned to look at Su Ruoxi, his eyes softening for a moment as he gently shook his head. Then, he locked his gaze back on the Sacred Land’s Spirit Vessel hanging in the void. His voice turned icy, as if piercing through bone: “You want the inheritance? Fine! But remember, no one without strength has the right to even think about taking anything from me, Jiang Cheng! Today, I will use your so-called ‘Holy Sons’ to show the world that the Jiang family is no pushover!”
As the incense stick burned rapidly, the murderous intent in the Second Holy Son’s eyes surged like tides. Suddenly, he waved his hand and commanded: “Transmit the order—attack! Make an example of them! Capture every member of the Jiang family! Mortal or cultivator, all must be seized!”
The Sacred Land disciples moved at once, transforming into streaks of light that descended from the Spirit Vessel, filled with murderous intent, heading straight for the Jiang family properties guided by the Su family’s traitors.
These properties had just been taken over by the Jiang family from the Su family’s domain, most of which had been converted into civil affairs halls, providing relief for refugees.
At the forefront stood a Nirvana Realm cultivator, sword in hand, his gaze cold and sharp, dripping with blatant disdain: “Mortal ants, daring to control a cultivator faction? Today, you will learn the fate of ants!”
Inside a martial arts hall, the mortal supervisor assigned by the Jiang family trembled with terror, kneeling on the ground: “Honored sirs, this is Jiang family property. If you have any instructions, please speak—let’s talk this through, let’s talk…”
The leading disciple of the Sacred Land sneered coldly, his sword flashing with a chilling light as he pointed at the supervisor, voice filled with murderous intent: “Talk? Use your life to talk!”
The sword, charged with sharp sword qi, rushed toward the mortal supervisor. Just as the blade was about to fall, a dazzling golden light suddenly descended from the sky, like a god descending to the mortal realm, instantly enveloping the entire martial arts hall!
Boom!
The golden light exploded, and overwhelming pressure swept down like a tidal wave.
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The sword of the Sacred Land disciple instantly turned to dust in the golden light, and before he could react, he vanished along with his spirit sword into nothingness.
This was a peak Profound Rune Realm disciple leading the charge, yet in the blink of an eye, he was reduced to ashes. At once, the faces of the other Sacred Land disciples turned pale, filled with terror.
From within the golden light, a strong cultivator of the Refining Void Realm stepped out steadily. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, cold as ice, and his voice carried the awe-inspiring authority to shake heaven and earth:
“By the order of the Dao Master, those who offend the Jiang family shall be executed without mercy!”
The remaining leading disciple’s pupils contracted sharply, his voice trembling as he shouted, “Profound Silence Realm… impossible! How could the Jiang family have a Profound Silence Realm elder?!”
However, before he could finish, another golden light streaked across the sky. The second protector appeared, gathering immense spiritual power in his hand. With a casual gesture, he firmly restrained all the Sacred Land disciples on the spot, leaving them unable to move.
Boom!
The third, fourth, and fifth golden lights descended, five Profound Silence Realm protector elders appearing. They swept cold gazes over everyone, their voices low yet thunderous:
“By the Dao Master’s decree, those who dare defy shall die!”
Within mere moments, none of the Sacred Land disciples escaped— all were bound tightly.
The once arrogant Sacred Land members now looked like dogs without a home, utterly terrified.
Among the various factions watching in Lingxiao City, shock rippled through, especially among the remaining three great powers, each reacting differently.
The Dong family members, however, were overjoyed. The Supreme Elder was truly wise beyond measure—betting on the Jiang family in such a desperate situation. What seemed like a disaster for the clan now looked like the start of the Jiang family’s rise.
As the saying goes, the greater the risk, the greater the reward.
Meanwhile, the onlookers from the Yao family were nearly despairing. How could this be possible?
A second-rate faction under their noses with an ancestral inheritance was understandable, but how could there be five Profound Silence Realm elders pledging allegiance in just a dozen days?
On the Sacred Land Spirit Vessel, the Second Holy Son stared fixedly at the suddenly appearing five Profound Silence Realm elders, with all the Sacred Land disciples subdued behind them.
His face was pale as death.
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His voice trembled with rage and disbelief: “Jiang Cheng… who exactly are you? How does the Jiang family possess such power?”
“Reporting to the Dao Master: the leader of the Jiang family’s Lingxiao Hall Martial Arts Division has been slain, and the rest have all been captured. Please instruct on their fate.” Then he turned and led the others to escort the Sacred Land disciples to the Jiang family formation.
Outside the Jiang family formation, the Sacred Land disciples being brought before the array looked ashen, trembling uncontrollably.
The Second Holy Son’s face was as dark as iron, his eyes locked on the five Profound Silence Realm protectors of Jiang Cheng, his voice icy cold: “Jiang Cheng, you are now completely at odds with the Sacred Land! Do you understand what this means?”
Jiang Cheng stepped out from the core of the formation calmly, his gaze sharp and cold, a faint sneer curling his lips: “Of course I know. It means the path to the Jiang family’s rise will have a few more stepping stones!”
His voice was strong and resonant, echoing through the heavens and earth: “Today, you can either submit or pay the price in blood!”
The golden light of the profound Yellow Array flared again, overwhelming pressure surging like a tidal wave, golden runes like blades stabbing directly at the Sacred Land Spirit Vessel.
Just as both sides stood on the brink of battle, a deafening roar suddenly came from the distant horizon.
Countless streaks of retreating light cut across the sky, rushing straight toward Lingxiao City.
“Jiang Cheng, you have violated the Sacred Land Alliance’s greatest taboo. Haha, it’s over. Your inheritance was once exclusive to the Exquisite Sacred Land, which allowed you some protection. Now, you’ve given other Sacred Lands a chance to intervene,” the Second Holy Son thought bitterly. Seeing other forces about to intervene was unavoidable, as the Jiang family’s strength was beyond imagination.
The Third Holy Son’s eyes suddenly narrowed, murmuring softly, “How humiliating. It seems those Sacred Land factions… have all come!”
Jiang Cheng remained unmoved, his gaze cold as ice, voice sharp as a blade: “Good. Today, I will let the world know how fierce the fury of the Jiang family truly is!”
Su Ruoxi grasped Jiang Cheng’s hand tightly: “Know when to stop. Even with five elders present, it’s impossible to go head-to-head with the Sacred Land. Though Dongzhou is barren, the sect masters of the Sacred Lands are at least Saints who have attained the Harmonious Dao, some even ancient immortals.”
“Honey, with me here, there’s nothing to fear!” Jiang Cheng covertly glanced at the three supreme emperor auras granted by the system, thinking he must maximize their use.