The hesitation lasted only an instant before Zhou Luo regained his senses, roaring savagely, "I want you dead!"
Yang Kai sneered, "You want me dead? I don't think you have the capability."
"Braggadocio!" Zhou Luo leaped back two steps, and an Artifact in the form of a trident suddenly appeared in his hand. The moment it was revealed, it erupted with a chilling killing intent.
He infused his True Yuan into it, causing a series of resonant hums to issue from the trident as its power surged. With a casual flick, Zhou Luo hurled the weapon.
The trident pierced through the air, suddenly morphing into a majestic tiger that lunged at Yang Kai with its maw wide open.
He clearly had no interest in wasting words with Yang Kai; his sole focus was on killing him to vent his hatred!
Yang Kai gave a cold snort, his expression rapidly turning icy. Provoked by his opponent's thoughtless attempt to take his life, his own anger was stoked.
His figure blurred, dodging the trident's attack.
All the strength in his body surged inward. In an instant, Yang Kai's aura transformed completely, a presence that sent shivers down Zhou Luo's spine enveloping him.
Centered on Yang Kai, an invisible wave of air rippled outward, whipping up violent gusts of wind.
Yun Xuan stopped crying, staring blankly at Yang Kai with an expression of utter astonishment, shocked by his transformation and briefly forgetting the ordeal she had just endured.
Even Ruan Xinyu couldn't help covering her mouth, stunned silly.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Yang Kai advanced with rapid, thunderous steps, his form like a surging wave, impossible to predict. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance to Zhou Luo, and under his gaping gaze, a violent True Yuan Seal slammed into his chest.
A scream of agony erupted as Zhou Luo, caught completely off guard, was sent flying like a rag doll, spewing blood through the air in a miserable state.
Yang Kai watched coldly, making no move to pursue.
Thud!
Zhou Luo's body crashed heavily to the ground. He scrambled up immediately, wiping the blood from the corner of his lips. A cruel light flickered in his eyes. "Playing the pig to eat the tiger? I knew you weren't a good thing!"
Only now did he clearly realize that Yang Kai's true strength was far simpler than his apparent cultivation level at the seventh layer of the Shenyou Realm.
To be able to injure him, a ninth-layer Shenyou Realm cultivator, in a single blow—this was not something a seventh-layer Shenyou Realm practitioner could do.
"Xinyu. Help me kill him." Having witnessed Yang Kai's strength, Zhou Luo not only didn't back down but instead sought to drag Ruan Xinyu into the fray.
In his mind, if he wasn't a match alone, adding Ruan Xinyu meant they couldn't possibly lose to him, right?
No matter how formidable Yang Kai was, he was still just a Shenyou Realm cultivator.
Zhou Luo was absolutely determined to take Yang Kai's life.
A cold, dangerous glint flashed in Yang Kai's eyes. His earlier restraint—failing to kill Zhou Luo with one blow—had been due to awareness that Zhou Luo was a disciple of the Du Ao Alliance. Yang Kai wasn't eager to invite trouble upon himself yet, but he hadn't expected his mercy to be misinterpreted.
He turned his head, giving Ruan Xinyu a calm glance. The latter was still recovering from her shock, her expression one of dumbfounded disbelief.
If this woman readily agreed to join in, Yang Kai wouldn't hesitate to unleash a massacre here.
"Xinyu!" Zhou Luo bellowed.
Ruan Xinyu finally snapped back to reality, frowning as she snapped back, "Are you crazy? Why should we kill him for no reason?"
Zhou Luo's face turned ashen, looking at Ruan Xinyu with pained intensity. "Even you are taking his side? Did he defile you too while I was unconscious?"
This immediately sent Ruan Xinyu into a fury. She cursed, "Bullshit! Zhou Luo, get a grip and stop causing trouble for no reason."
"Hehe, me causing trouble?" Zhou Luo let out a hysterical laugh, as if this blow had genuinely unsettled his mind.
Just then, Yun Xuan slowly stood up, casting a lingering glance at Yang Kai. She brushed the damp strands of hair from her face and took a deep breath. "Zhou Luo, stop it. If you dare attack him again, don't blame me for being unkind."
Zhou Luo's body stumbled violently. He stared at Yun Xuan in disbelief, shaking his head continuously. "So you really are a cheap slut. After he defiled your body, he's captured your heart too?"
Yun Xuan, a mix of shame and anger coloring her features, said coldly, "One thing at a time. I don't want to discuss this with you now, and my affairs are none of your concern. Worry about yourself."
"Oh, I'll worry about myself, hehe!" Zhou Luo sneered repeatedly, his demeanor bordering on mad.
He had completely lost his mind.
His gaze grew increasingly hostile. Looking at Yun Xuan and Ruan Xinyu, his expression turned to one of pain and disdain. He beckoned, and the trident flew back to his hand. "Since you put it that way, I won't be polite then. Today, I absolutely must kill this brat!"
Yun Xuan shook her head slowly. "You don't have that capability."
"Even you say that!" Zhou Luo exploded with rage. Yang Kai had said something similar just moments ago, and now Yun Xuan's words were almost identical, making him feel utterly humiliated. He ground his teeth. "Then keep your eyes wide open and see whether I, Zhou Luo, truly have that capability!"
As he spoke, his entire body's True Yuan surged violently. Suddenly, one light sphere after another, each the size of a millstone, poured from his body.
"Not good!" Ruan Xinyu blanched. "Zhou Luo has gone mad."
This technique was Zhou Luo's most powerful move, one he would never use in ordinary circumstances. But now, facing Yang Kai, he had unleashed it. It was clear he could no longer distinguish reality from illusory right and wrong, his mind consumed by hatred and humiliation.
Even as she spoke, Ruan Xinyu hastily retreated to avoid being caught in the crossfire. Before leaving, she didn't forget to grab Yun Xuan, pulling her far out of the way.