The Cuihua Pavilion Master had dispelled the formation so he could watch these people's death throes in greater detail. One had to admit — the Cuihua Pavilion Master harbored a deep well of resentment. He loathed the royal family, loathed everyone in the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain. And of course,
Such a fine batch of prey had fallen into his hands. If he didn't toy with them properly, how could he justify all the scheming that had gone into this?
The Cuihua Pavilion Master had spent years preparing this trap. After waiting so long, the day had finally arrived. How could he not savor this moment of harvest to the fullest?
Now that the formation was gone, the Cuihua Pavilion Master wore a mocking sneer as he walked toward Prince Zhao first. He planted his foot on Prince Zhao's face and ground it down hard, pressing twice.
"So you're Prince Zhao, are you? Weren't you awfully cocky? What happened? Why are you lying here like a dead dog? How does it feel? Enjoying yourself?"
Prince Zhao had been proud his entire life. He never imagined he would end up like this. Even in a fury of humiliation, there was nothing he could do.
"You surnamed Cui — if you've got the guts, then kill me! My royal brother, my ancestor — they will avenge me! You've thrown in your lot with the Demon Race and are doomed to become the enemy of all humanity! Even if I die today, don't you dare expect me to bow my head and grovel before you!"
Prince Zhao knew that begging for mercy was pointless now, so he dispensed with it entirely.
"Kill you? You're far too naive." The Cuihua Pavilion Master burst into laughter. "Even if you wanted to die now, that's not happening. Didn't that brat tell you to kill yourselves earlier? I have to say, his suggestion, while rather underhanded, would have been the smartest choice for all of you. From this moment on, you can neither live nor die. Just wait obediently for the Demon Emperor to devour you! Hahaha — that sensation is sure to be exquisite!"
Prince Zhao roared: "You surnamed Cui, what are you so smug about? No matter how smug you are, your precious sister and your precious daughters are all playthings of the royal family! Every one of those women you once fancied — which one wasn't enjoyed by someone from my royal family? Hahaha — even if I die today, it was worth it! Even if you kill us all, Cui, can you wash away that shame?"
The Cuihua Pavilion Master's face darkened. "You're trying to provoke me into killing you? Don't even dream of it! Remember — the humiliation you dealt me, I will repay a hundredfold, a thousandfold. The day I return to the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain, I will first slaughter your Yan ancestor, then your Yan emperor. And then I will take every woman of the Yan family, one by one. When I've had my fill, I'll hand them out for others to enjoy as well. And after that, I'll throw them all onto the streets and let every beggar in the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain have their turn. Let them screw themselves to death!"
What an enormous reservoir of resentment it must have taken for the Cuihua Pavilion Master to utter words so twisted.
Prince Zhao's face was ashen. He knew — if this man truly had the power to replace the Yan family, he would do exactly as he said.
Seeing Prince Zhao's deathly pallor, unable to muster any more defiance, the Cuihua Pavilion Master laughed with satisfaction and moved on to the others.
When he reached Elder Zhang, the Cuihua Pavilion Master wore a half-smile. "Elder Zhang, my apologies — I actually figured out long ago that you were one of the royal family's people. Asking you to serve as a guardian was simply luring you into the jar. If you must blame someone, blame yourself for being so old and yet so naive."
Elder Zhang's expression was calm. "The victor writes the history. You've won, so you can say whatever you like. It's just a pity that Prince Zhao wouldn't heed my warnings. Otherwise, the final winner might not have been you."
The Cuihua Pavilion Master laughed proudly. "People of the Yan family — always so full of themselves. It's their fatal weakness."
Elder Zhang had nothing to say to that. He let out a soft sigh and shook his head in silence.
The cultivators from the three third-rank sects turned their faces away as the Cuihua Pavilion Master approached, refusing to acknowledge him.
The Cuihua Pavilion Master had no intention of letting them off. He taunted: "Third-rank sects — aren't you usually so lofty and above everyone else? Why the silence now?"
"Aren't you all members of third-rank sects? Weren't your noses always in the air? How about now?"
Their expressions were ugly, but not one could form a reply. They knew that nothing they said now would make the slightest difference.
Then, from among the fourth-rank sect cultivators, someone wailed: "Pavilion Master Cui, don't kill me — I surrender! I've always admired the Demon Race. Might I ask if you could introduce me? I'd like to serve under the Demon Emperor as well!"
"So do I! Pavilion Master Cui, please make the introduction. We are willing to serve you like loyal dogs."
The Cuihua Pavilion Master smiled faintly. "I could actually use more hands right now. But you fence-sitters? This Pavilion Master has no use for you."
He had even less interest in the fourth-rank sect cultivators.
His next target was
He walked toward
"Hahaha — the strong rule and the weak serve. Right now, you're the weak and I'm the strong. What reason does this Pavilion Master have not to be smug? Demon Race, Human Race — does it even matter? In the world of martial cultivation, the victor is king!"
"So you think you've already won, then?" A faint trace of mockery curled at the corner of
"Isn't that obvious?" The Cuihua Pavilion Master sneered back.
In that instant,
The moment the disc fired, the Nethergloom Seven Kill Formation erupted and enveloped the Cuihua Pavilion Master within it.
The sudden turn of events drained the color from the Cuihua Pavilion Master's face. He never imagined that this man — stripped of all combat ability — could suddenly unleash such terrifying power.
As the formation activated, the dragon Little Xuan upon
And
In the span of a single breath,