Crack, crack, crack...
The sound of something shattering echoed through the air. Under the combined pressure of Yue He, Yang Kai, and Lotus Falls, the great protective formation shrouding Blood Nether Continent split apart into web-like cracks in less time than it took an incense stick to burn.
Though Yun Xinghua desperately surged his own power to drive the formation's might, it was nothing more than a futile struggle.
Until, at a certain moment, accompanied by a violent fluctuation of energy, the great formation suddenly collapsed. Yun Xinghua coughed up a mouthful of blood as if struck by lightning, his face draining of color in an instant.
An invisible oppressive might surged outward, blanketing all of Blood Nether Continent. The weight of that pressure was so immense it felt as if a thousand universes were pressing down on everyone's heads, leaving them unable to breathe, hearts filled with despair.
This was the pressure of a Sixth-rank Open Heaven!
Every Open Heaven cultivator in Blood Nether Continent, without exception, trembled like quails without nests in the dead of winter, shivering and gazing up in terror at the enchantingly beautiful woman in the sky. Not a single one dared harbor the slightest thought of resistance, let alone the courage to fight her.
Yang Kai appeared before Yun Xinghua in a flash, kicked him to the ground, planted a heavy boot on his chest, and pressed the tip of the Azure Dragon Spear against his forehead. His voice was cold as ice: "Speak. How do you want to die?"
Yun Xinghua raised his eyes to stare at Yang Kai, his mouth full of the taste of blood and humiliation.
With his Fourth-rank Open Heaven strength, he was confident that if he launched a sudden attack, killing this Emperor Sovereign Realm cultivator before him would not be difficult. But he didn't dare make the slightest move, because that woman's aura had him firmly locked in place, her beautiful eyes gleaming with cold light.
If he so much as twitched, he would surely face a storm of devastating blows. He might well be killed on the spot before he could even strike.
And so, despite the suffocating frustration in his heart, Yun Xinghua suppressed his unwillingness and surrendered: "True Lord, spare my life! Blood Nether Continent is willing to offer compensation and an apology!"
"What good are compensation and an apology?" Yang Kai's expression was cold. "I have come today to seek justice for the people of my Void Land, so that every corner of these Three Thousand Worlds knows that no one may bully the people of my Void Land. Choose your method of death quickly, and I might leave your corpse intact!"
Yun Xinghua's heart sank. He never expected Yang Kai to be so resolute, granting not even the slightest courtesy.
Just then, Yue He suddenly spoke up: "Young Master, Commander Guo has awakened."
"Oh?" Yang Kai looked up toward Lotus Falls and extended his divine sense. Sure enough, he sensed that Guo Ziyan had regained consciousness.
At that moment, supported by Guo Miao, Guo Ziyan walked out of Lotus Falls step by step. He looked around and was stunned to see Yun Xinghua pinned under Yang Kai's foot, unable to move, while the numerous Open Heaven cultivators of Blood Nether Continent stood frozen with panic-stricken faces, as if someone had cast an immobilization spell on them. Many Blood Nether Continent disciples lay unconscious on the ground nearby.
He understood immediately—their lord had come to Blood Nether Continent to settle accounts!
What a domineering move! And judging by the situation, Blood Nether Continent appeared utterly powerless to resist. That was only to be expected—with Yue He, a Sixth-rank Open Heaven, how could a mere third-rate force like Blood Nether Continent possibly stand against them?
"Commander Guo, your injuries haven't healed yet. You should be resting. Why have you come out?" Yang Kai asked, looking at him.
Guo Ziyan caught his breath and said: "Thank you for your concern, my lord. My injuries are nothing—a few days of rest and I'll be fine. It's my daughter... she has a favor to ask of you."
Yang Kai looked at Guo Miao with a warm, gentle expression and nodded slightly: "Your father has served under my command. Though it has not been long, his loyalty to me has been unwavering, and he has rendered outstanding service. You are his only child—the person he values most in this life, the one he would give his life to protect. Whatever you wish to ask, speak freely. If it is within my power to grant, I will not refuse!"
Upon hearing this, Guo Miao quickly bowed: "This disciple thanks you in advance, my lord. I... I have no other request. I only ask that you show mercy—spare the chief and the elders, and let Blood Nether Continent go."
These words not only startled Yang Kai but also shocked every Open Heaven cultivator of Blood Nether Continent. Even Yun Xinghua, pinned under Yang Kai's foot and not daring to move a muscle, had a gleam of light flash through his eyes.
Guo Ziyan seemed to have known his daughter would say this and showed no surprise. He simply sighed softly.
"Are you certain?" Yang Kai gazed straight into Guo Miao's eyes, as if trying to see deep into her heart. "Gu Zhixin seized your resources, forced you to condense Second-rank power, destroyed your future, and then led men to hunt down you and your father, nearly sending both your souls into the void. If I hadn't arrived in time, where would you two be now? And this Yun Xinghua—as the chief of Blood Nether Continent, rather than protecting and caring for you as his disciple, he not only condoned Gu Zhixin's deliberate cruelty but also put on a pretense when I came to demand accountability. Such a petty man, such a filthy place—are you certain you want me to show mercy?"
Guo Miao lowered her head: "Gu... Gu Zhixin seized my resources and ruined my future. Naturally, I hate him, and his death would not be enough to atone. I won't hide it from you, my lord—countless times before this, I dreamed of the day I would have my revenge and see him die horribly. But when that day finally came, for some reason I felt... uneasy. My heart was unhappy." As she spoke, Guo Miao's eyes reddened, and tears slid from the corners of her eyes.
Guo Ziyan gently patted her shoulder and pulled her into his arms.