BOOM—
Fist met palm.
Zhao Hong stumbled back ten steps.
The man, on the other hand, was sent reeling hundreds of steps before he barely managed to steady himself.
And at that moment, everyone could see that a bright red palm print had appeared on his hand.
Everyone knew that in this exchange, Zhao Hong had gained the upper hand.
"Courting death."
Having been pushed back by Zhao Hong, the man's fury only intensified.
With a metallic clang, a long sword materialized in his hand.
It was a half-forged martial weapon of exceptional quality.
The moment the blade was drawn, blue flames of energy surged from the sword's surface and connected with the man's body.
It was as though the sword had always been a part of him.
With the sword energy flowing into his body, the man's combat power soared.
"Lian Xi, you are no match for that girl."
But just as the man was about to strike again, an aged voice drifted out from within the war chariot.
The voice was calm, carrying not a trace of oppressive aura, yet the moment it sounded, every person present felt their hearts tremble.
Chu Feng and Zhao Hong were no exception.
They had not seen the speaker. They had not felt any deliberate suppression. Yet that single utterance alone told everyone what kind of existence they were dealing with.
A being who stood above them all — one who could annihilate every person present.
Even Zhao Hong was utterly insignificant before him.
Shock, unease, fear — such emotions welled up in every heart.
They had already realized the opponent was powerful, but they never imagined it was powerful to this degree.
The newcomers were existences they simply could not contend with.
"There is no need for everyone to be so tense. We harbor no ill intentions in coming here today."
"We are truly grateful to all of you for looking after Zhuanghong for so many years."
"But, ultimately, she does not belong here."
"So please, allow us to take her away."
"This is not only for Zhuanghong's own good, but for yours as well."
The old man's voice echoed from within the war chariot once more.
He was entirely different from the man.
His tone was warm and amiable, as though he were simply making a request.
Yet when he spoke, the fear in people's hearts reached its absolute peak.
The pressure this old man imposed far surpassed that of the man.
"If you wish to take Zhuanghong away, you must provide sufficient reason. At the very least, let us know who you are."
"If you are Zhuanghong's family, and you wish to take her with you, we will naturally not stand in your way."
"But Zhuanghong is my disciple, and I am responsible for her. You may take her, but I need to understand the full story."
"At the very least, I should know why her parents abandoned her all those years ago."
It had taken all of Han Xiu's courage to ask those words.
She had already realized these were people they could not afford to offend.
But because she cared so deeply for Yin Zhuanghong, she still wanted to uncover the truth.
"We traverse this Sacred Light Star River, and wherever we go, ten thousand submit. Why should we need to declare ourselves?"
"The fact that you don't even recognize us only proves your ignorance. You are not worthy of knowing who we are."
As the man who had previously been repelled by Zhao Hong spoke, he strode toward Yin Zhuanghong, intending to forcibly take her away once again.
"Hmph."
Seeing this, Zhao Hong let out a cold snort, fury blazing in her eyes.
Zhao Hong's temperament was fierce and unyielding — she had always feared nothing and no one, and she did not care who the other party was.
Unless they explained themselves clearly, she would absolutely not allow anyone to take Yin Zhuanghong today.
Hummm—
Without warning, heaven and earth began to transform.