The pearl was swept up and immediately landed in Jiang Chen's hands.
Next moment, the entire underground world seemed to have its soul ripped away. All the massive stone pillars instantly crumbled like they were made of paper, collapsing one after another.
Jiang Chen cursed inwardly and immediately called out to the Gold-Munching Mouse King: "Old Gold, let's move."
The Gold-Munching Mouse King wasn't the least bit afraid of the collapse. Instead, he said leisurely, "Don't panic, Chen Shao. Even if the sky falls, with me, Old Gold, around, I can get you out."
The Gold-Munching Mouse feared all manner of danger, but a collapsing landscape? Not at all. The greatest advantage of the Gold-Munching Mouse clan was their ability to dig tunnels. No matter how deep they were buried, the Gold-Munching Mouse clan could always carve out a passage.
However, Jiang Chen didn't dare be careless. The collapse itself didn't worry him. But this underground world was filled with strangeness, and it was a stronghold of the Demon Race. What if it alerted that Demon Emperor? That would be catastrophic.
Jiang Chen charged up to the next level in a single breath. The level above was also collapsing madly.
From Prince Zhao's side, screams of agony kept erupting. Those people had been thoroughly corroded by the mist sea, with zero resistance remaining.
The terrifying massive boulders kept crashing down, crushing person after person into bloody pulp.
When they saw Jiang Chen rush up, they all looked like they'd spotted a savior, crying out one after another: "Help, help! Friend, save me! I'm willing to pay thirty million Ling Shi — just get me out!"
"Sir, there's no life-or-death grudge between us. Save us and we'll pay you handsomely."
Prince Zhao gave a cold snort. He was unwilling to beg for help. Besides, he didn't think this person would save him — after all, he had just ordered his people to hunt Jiang Chen down.
That grudge had long since been settled. And now he expected the man to show mercy?
Elder Zhang, however, called out: "Friend, I'll make the decision — if you get us out of here, I'm willing to promise you ten billion Ling Shi on behalf of the Imperial Family, as our gratitude."
Ten billion Ling Shi. For the Red Cauldron Central Domain, that was absolutely a staggering fortune. But no matter how vast the fortune, when weighed against one's life, it became irrelevant.
Prince Zhao not only didn't blame Elder Zhang for acting on his own authority — he secretly wished Zhang had quoted twenty billion, thirty billion. Why stop at ten?
Prince Zhao himself was too proud to beg for mercy, but he had no objections to others doing so. Deep down, he still wanted to live. As for wealth — did the Yan Imperial Family ever lack money?
Jiang Chen gave a cold snort. Of everyone present, the only person he had a shred of goodwill for was Elder Zhang. As for the rest — why would Jiang Chen show any mercy?
He walked over with a smile on his face. "Weren't you people the mighty figures of the Red Cauldron Central Domain? How come you're scared now? How come you've gone all cowardly?"
Jiang Chen's tone dripped with mockery.
Elder Zhang couldn't help but say, "Friend, now is not the time for stubbornness. We were in the wrong — on top of the ten billion, the Imperial Family is willing to pay you another ten billion as our apology."
Prince Zhao inwardly praised Elder Zhang's quick wit. Unfortunately, Jiang Chen was completely unmoved. "Ten billion, twenty billion — today you all have only one fate ahead of you, and that is death!"
Without another word, Jiang Chen unleashed the Exploding Star Finger, thrusting out one strike after another as if popping balloons. Each strike claimed a life.
Jiang Chen's attacks were devastatingly ruthless, leaving absolutely no quarter. Each strike reduced the target to nothing — not even dust remained.
This was the most terrifying aspect of the Exploding Star Finger. Once struck, the victim was like an exploding star — completely annihilated into the void.
Seeing Jiang Chen strike with devastating speed, wiping out more than half of them in the blink of an eye, Elder Zhang was stunned. "You… have you also joined the Demon Race?"
Jiang Chen smiled indifferently. "Elder Zhang, you were the one who let me in. When Prince Zhao ordered his people to attack me earlier, you at least tried to intervene. I can make an exception and spare your life. As for the others — they all must die!"
As he spoke, his hand never stopped. Strike after strike landed, and in the blink of an eye, the Red Cauldron Central Domain's powerhouses had been reduced to a mere handful.
Prince Zhao watched Jiang Chen kill people as easily as slaughtering chickens, without a trace of hesitation in his eyes, and realized that today he was beyond salvation.
"Brat, the Red Cauldron Central Domain won't let you get away with this!"
Deathbed threats were always the feeblest, the most powerless.
Jiang Chen smiled coldly. "Rest assured — the Red Cauldron Central Domain, every last one of you, I won't let any of them off either. I may not go after your women the way the Cuihua Pavilion Master did. But as for any powerhouse from the Red Cauldron Central Domain — one day, I will send every last one of them on their way."
"You—" Prince Zhao was completely dumbstruck. He had no idea who this person was, or why he harbored such deep hatred toward the Red Cauldron Central Domain.
Jiang Chen directly summoned the Gold-Munching Mouse King. "Old Gold, take Elder Zhang away first."
The Gold-Munching Mouse King said nothing, immediately carrying Elder Zhang and departing.
Prince Zhao's face was ashen. He glared at Jiang Chen. "I can understand why the Cuihua Pavilion Master bears such enmity toward my Yan family. But who are you? What grudge does the Red Cauldron Central Domain have with you?"
"The Cuihua Pavilion Master's hatred is nothing compared to mine. Back when your Red Cauldron Central Domain invaded my Myriad Domains, I'm sure the killing was far more gleeful and direct than what I'm doing now." Jiang Chen's tone dripped with mockery.
"What?" Prince Zhao's voice caught. His eyes filled with disbelief. "You… you're a survivor from the Myriad Domains? Who… who exactly are you?"