Chapter 40: Heart Turned to Ashes

But just as he was about to leave the kitchen, a sudden jolt ran through his heart, and an exceptionally good premonition welled up within him. His two brothers had always obeyed his commands without question, and now that his wife’s life depended on medicine, there was no way they would delay such a matter for anything else.

Something must have happened outside.

That floral shirt...

The power within Mo Wenchen’s body was extremely unstable. With the seal loosened, he was at his weakest; handling one opponent like Bill was already a stretch, but now with Xiula joining in, he truly found himself unable to hold out much longer.

Xinye County lies on the eastern bank of the Yu River, at the heart of the Nanxiang Basin, bordered to the north by Wan and Luo, to the south by Jing and Xiang. Since ancient times, it has been a vital hub where north meets south and east meets west, both by land and water. During the Three Kingdoms era, it was the place where Liu Bei raised his troops, stalwartly facing Cao Cao in the north. The burning of Xinye brought devastation to the Wei army—a matter for another time.

“Don’t even mention it!” Xing Dantong managed a bitter smile, her voice hoarse. “Went out for dinner with some friends last night. Must have eaten something bad, because ever since I got back, it’s been nothing but vomiting and diarrhea. I still haven’t recovered!” She coughed a few times as she spoke, mouth open as if about to retch, clearly in great discomfort.

No sooner had she finished speaking than Li Yuanba, still locked in battle, did something that left everyone present utterly speechless.

Suddenly, the protective barrier in the shape of yin-yang twin fish erupted, a surge of energy soaring heavenward, as if to pierce through the snow-laden clouds above. If not for the blinding snow shrouding their vision, this surge of power would surely have been visible for several hundred miles in every direction.

Upon arriving in Jialing County, Liu Rui led his followers straight for the western gate. His camp was to be set up on a hundred-acre expanse to the left of the gate. By now, the streets were deserted; the county magistrate had already ordered all the townsfolk outside the city to welcome the army’s arrival.

“Let—” Li Zichen couldn’t even get the words out. Those nearby, seeing another fight about to break out, all craned their necks to watch, murmuring among themselves, probably wondering why there was never an end to such trouble.

Wu Anfu chuckled to himself, thinking of Su Ningyun—would she be jealous? As for Li Xuan, her image flickered through his mind like a shadow cast by fleeting light, vanishing as quickly as it came.

Wang Tianshun glanced over and realized this old man was, in fact, a powerful master of the Qi Sect. He couldn’t help but be struck by how none of these great families were simple, each possessing incredible depth—sometimes more than one Qi Sect master.

Had it not been for the Marquis of Death’s warning, and if he hadn’t used the Soul-Sealing Pearl to test the waters upon entering the hidden tomb at Xiangling, he might not only have failed to collect the Ancient Battle Soul, but even lost his own life in the process.

“Yes, certainly!” Zou Meiqing replied joyfully, not forgetting to plant a sweet kiss on Mo Mo’s cheek.

Just at that moment, as he made his entrance and boldly displayed his skills, he was sure to captivate the eyes of many in the audience.

When the old man appeared at the dock, the entire wharf erupted into excitement. Everyone clasped their fists in greeting and respect.

“Let’s give it a try, haha! I, Dong Polai, have enough to be proud of already. Imagine—The top expert of the capital resorting to a sneak attack against me. How extraordinary.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the immense flaming bow, towering dozens of yards high, reverted to a blazing inferno and returned to the hands of the crimson figure.

“Sky-Shaking Palm!” Feng Laihen recognized Zhou Zuoyi’s technique in surprise. The Sky-Shaking Palm was a treasured skill of the Zhou family—nothing could withstand a direct hit. That Zhou Zuoyi would use it now showed just how murderous his intent was.

As the golden light faded, an enormous jade skeleton, ten yards tall, materialized out of thin air. The giant skeleton raised its left bony claw, its knife-sharp fingers suddenly slashing through the void.

The second, third, and fourth double-winged golden tigers hurled themselves against the black pillar of light, utterly fearless in their charge.

She gazed at Luo Changfeng, his hair already silver though still youthful, unconscious and unaware. To have turned gray at such a young age—surely life had not gone easy on him, and he must have endured many hardships.