But facing Xiahou Jue's contemptuous gaze, the already-injured Zhao Laoba suddenly broke into a wide grin.
"Hey, hey, hey, brother."
"There's no need for all this, really."
"Truth is, there's no real grudge between us."
"I only know Chu Feng in passing. I wanted to do him a small favor, which is why I made a move against you."
"But there's no reason I should throw my life away over this."
"I'm the patriarch of the Zhao Immortal Clan. Our clan has a long heritage and knows of many secret places in this cultivation world."
"I dare say the opportunity-rich sites our clan knows of are no smaller than this Primordial Graveyard. Since the Netherworld Sect has such strength, why don't we cooperate and excavate together? What do you say?"
Zhao Laoba said.
"You're asking me to let you go?"
Xiahou Jue narrowed his eyes.
He was genuinely surprised — he hadn't expected Zhao Laoba to suddenly pull a move like this.
"No, no, no. I'm hoping you'll let *me* go. I couldn't care less about Chu Feng," Zhao Laoba said.
"I told you — killing everyone who sets foot in this place is what I intend to do."
"Everyone who just entered, I have to kill them all."
"Your Zhao Immortal Clan sent quite a few people. I can't possibly let them all go."
"If you truly want to live and are willing to cooperate, you'll need to make a choice."
"But the Netherworld Sect's power is beyond your imagination. Even without those burdens, it might actually be a good thing. I can recommend you to Lord Void, allowing you to serve under our Netherworld Sect from now on."
Xiahou Jue said.
Though Zhao Laoba was indeed no match for him, he could see that this man was no ordinary person.
The ancient clans were truly unfathomable — their strength might not rival the Netherworld Sect's, but their foundation was still formidable.
If a cooperation could be established, it would certainly benefit the Netherworld Sect.
Moreover, Zhao Laoba himself had a cultivation reaching the Fifth Level of God. Having such combat power submit to the Netherworld Sect would count as a merit for him.
"Just keep the elites," Zhao Laoba said.
"No more than twenty," Xiahou Jue said.
"Twenty isn't needed. Ten," Zhao Laoba said.
Xiahou Jue smiled faintly and agreed without hesitation: "Good."
But the moment he finished speaking, Zhao Laoba transformed into a streak of light and appeared behind Xiahou Jue.
"Good my ass."
The divine weapon in his hand slashed directly at Xiahou Jue's head.
At this moment, the golden aura around Zhao Laoba had undergone a transformation — still sacred, but now surging like raging flames, his combat power had skyrocketed.
Though Xiahou Jue instantly unleashed a secret technique and did his best to dodge, blood sprayed into the air as his arm was severed by Zhao Laoba's strike.
"You dare set me up?!!"
Xiahou Jue pulled back to a safe distance, utterly furious.
"That's exactly what I did."
As Zhao Laoba spoke, several massive golden light blades hurtled toward Xiahou Jue, giving him no chance to catch his breath.
But even as he attacked, he called out to Chu Feng: "Young friend Chu Feng, leave this Netherworld Sect member to me! But if I, Zhao, cannot leave alive today, then Zhuyin is in your hands."
After those words, the aura around Zhao Laoba's body surged even more violently.
His attacks grew fiercer still.
Chu Feng and the others felt the world shake violently, golden ripples visible as far as the eye could see.
"Senior, there's no need to sacrifice your life!" Chu Feng quickly said.
He had already realized that Zhao Laoba was burning his bloodline — a desperate, life-burning technique.
"Ha ha ha! Born as a man, death is inevitable."
"Rather than being trapped in this Primordial Graveyard and dying a humiliating death, I'd rather fight with everything I have and ensure my clansmen's safety."
"Even if I die, at least I'll die a hero."
Zhao Laoba's laughter rang out hearty and bold, without the slightest trace of fear toward death.
"You'd sacrifice yourself to ensure the Zhao Immortal Clan's safety?"
"Then you'll have to kill me first."
"Otherwise, I will make your Zhao Immortal Clan wish for death but be unable to die."
Xiahou Jue had clearly been thoroughly enraged by Zhao Laoba's sneak attack. His killing intent soared to the heavens, and every blow he struck was aimed at taking Zhao Laoba's life.
In an instant, the crimson and golden auras swept through the entire Graveyard World.
Not just the earth — even space was being torn apart, over and over again.
If the Graveyard World itself weren't sturdy enough, the clash between these two would have utterly destroyed it long ago.
"He truly is burning his life," the New King said to Chu Feng.
In truth, their cultivation was far too low to perceive the specifics of the battle — they could only feel its overwhelming power.
Chu Feng said nothing, hesitation surfacing in his eyes.