A massive palm imprint slammed down from the sky, crushing the void and producing layers of explosive sounds.
No one had expected Yang Kai to be this crazy—charging alone into the heart of the enemy formation was reckless enough, but to actually launch an attack of his own accord?
The Sword Pavilion Disciples' sword formation hadn't yet taken shape, the Thunder Radiance Disciples' minds were shaken, and in the panicked chaos, they hastily unleashed a flurry of secret arts and Artifact attacks while scrambling to scatter in all directions.
The enormous palm imprint was riddled with countless holes from the barrage, yet it still pressed onward through the air.
Screams rang out one after another. Blooms of blood mist exploded in midair like the most bewitching crimson roses, unfurling their gory petals before the eyes of thousands—gorgeous, savage, soaked in blood.
By the time the strike finally lost its force, exactly thirty-three blood blossoms had bloomed in the sky. Not one more, not one less.
Gasps of horror rose from every corner of the Star Market as countless onlookers stared in disbelief at the figure standing tall in the void. Zhong Fan and the others were practically breathing fire, their gazes so furious they could have incinerated the air itself.
Guo Ziyan had lost thirty-three men in battle, and Yang Kai had just publicly slain thirty-three Disciples from Sword Pavilion and Thunder Radiance in return—an exact tally. Was this not vengeance for the fallen?
And this brazen display was nothing less than a resounding slap across the faces of Sword Pavilion and Thunder Radiance. It stung Zhong Fan and his companions to the bone. If they couldn't kill Yang Kai right here and now, how could Sword Pavilion and Thunder Radiance ever hold their ground in the Grand Ruins Heaven again?
Zhong Fan's longsword trembled faintly in his grip, sword light flickering uncertainly. Rage brimmed in his eyes—he longed to rush forward and tear Yang Kai to shreds on the spot. But with Lu Xue clutched in Yang Kai's grasp, he was like a man forced to hold back for fear of breaking the jar. He wouldn't dare act rashly.
Yang Kai abruptly whipped his head around, glaring at Zhong Fan, and bellowed, "I almost forgot—it wasn't thirty-three! You just killed another one!"
The moment those words left his mouth, every single Thunder Radiance and Sword Pavilion Disciple's face drained of color. They all retreated in unison, pulling as much distance as they could from Yang Kai. Though they far outnumbered him, not one of them wanted to be the next poor soul to die for nothing!
In the blink of an eye, with Yang Kai at the center, a hundred-zhang radius lay completely empty—save for Zhong Fan and a few other Open Heaven realm powerhouses glaring at him from nearby.
Such was the terror of a single man's might!
"What do you want?" Zhong Fan said coldly.
"You invited me to watch a show—now I'll invite you to watch one!" As he spoke, Yang Kai turned the three-inch purple sword belonging to Lu Xue between his fingers and plunged it directly into her chest. Then with a single palm strike, he hammered the little blade deep into her body!
Lu Xue let out a muffled groan. She had already been pouring everything into resisting the scorching of the Golden Crow True Fire, and now, wounded by Yang Kai on top of it all, sweat poured down her like rain. A bright crimson bloodstain bloomed instantly on her pristine white robes, her entire body flushed red, steam rising from the top of her head, and a pained moan escaped her throat.
"You're asking for death!" Luo Qingyun's eyes turned bloodshot in an instant, and he snarled through gritted teeth.
Zhong Fan's face darkened immediately.
Though Yang Kai's palm strike that had obliterated thirty-three people moments ago had infuriated him, those were just rank-and-file Disciples—replaceable, hardly a significant loss. But Lu Xue was different. She was one of Sword Pavilion's leaders, and to see her humiliated like this by Yang Kai forced him to reconsider just how far this madman was willing to go.
Guo Ziyan and the thirty-odd captive Crimson Star Disciples had all looked utterly dejected before, but after witnessing Yang Kai's relentless string of shocking moves, their spirits surged anew!
This Sixth Master was truly ruthless and terrifying—he hadn't hesitated to lay hands on a delicate beauty like Lu Xue. If they were in his shoes, they might not have had the heart to do the same. But they had to admit, watching this unfold filled them with fierce satisfaction, their blood boiling, warmth spreading from the inside out. An irrepressible urge welled up in their hearts—to follow this Sixth Master through life and death! Even if they perished right here, they would have no regrets!
"One more word out of you, and I'll twist her head off," Yang Kai said, turning to fix Luo Qingyun with a cold, sharp gaze.
Sword intent surged from Luo Qingyun's body. Watching Lu Xue suffer before his very eyes, how could he not want to rescue her? In truth, he had been searching for an opening this entire time, but Yang Kai's spiritual sense swept in all directions, leaving not the slightest gap. He was utterly helpless. Now meeting Yang Kai's glacial eyes, a jolt of shock ran through him—he realized this man wasn't bluffing. He really would do it.
Rage burned in his chest like a volcano on the verge of eruption, but he didn't dare utter another word, terrified that Yang Kai might actually tear Lu Xue's head from her shoulders.
"Hmph!" Yang Kai let out a contemptuous laugh, then called out in a deep voice, "Guo Ziyan!"
Guo Ziyan's expression turned solemn. "Your subordinate is here!"
"Are you afraid to die?" Yang Kai turned to look at him.
Guo Ziyan's lips moved—he wanted to say he wasn't afraid, to bolster Yang Kai's display of dominance. But who wouldn't fear death? Empty words would only ring hollow. So he smiled openly instead. "I am!" Then he added, "But I believe that if we die, you will avenge us without fail!"
He had no doubt about this whatsoever. Yang Kai had just proven it with the lives of thirty-three men.
Yang Kai nodded gently. "You're a fine one."
Guo Ziyan said gravely, "You needn't worry about us, sir. Do whatever you must. Even if we die here, none of us will be a burden to you. Brothers—isn't that right?"
"By your command, sir!" thirty-odd voices roared in unison, the sound shaking the heavens, their faces alight with the willingness to face death head-on.
Countless onlookers were visibly moved. Countless faces showed respect. Whether their words came from the heart or were born of circumstance, the fact that Yang Kai had won such loyalty from Guo Ziyan and his men at a time like this spoke volumes about the man's charisma.