Chapter 176: Yan Liyuan and Zhu Ge
Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Yan Liyuan and Zhu Ge
Crucially, Zhu Ge didn’t want to cause any more trouble.
All three had powerful forces backing them.
Moreover, just as Yan Liyuan had said, it was best for someone like Su Feibai to go plunder resources in Nanyue Mianhuang.
It would be a shame for him to die fighting Guan Julan.
Otherwise, Zhu Ge could have led the three of them straight to the Fungus God Destruction Array, and all three would have been taken down.
Zhu Ge would certainly get his hands on their loot, but he’d likely be hunted relentlessly by three major powers.
Of course, if Zhu Ge had the power to overwhelm the three of them, he wouldn’t have just sat back and watched them fight over treasure.
The mere mention of Guan Julan’s Elemental Level Spring Eye made Zhu Ge incredibly envious.
If it weren’t for Yan Liyuan, Zhu Ge might have just waited to profit from their conflict.
But now?
He wanted to avoid the fight.
It was just a Spring Eye. He could always go and snatch a new one later if he had to.
Just as Yan Liyuan said, Nanyue Mianhuang was probably teeming with treasures right now.
"You’re just asking for a beating!" Guan Julan snorted coldly and attacked without another word.
Su Feibai also smiled. "Besides the Assassin Organization, who would learn such a sneaky technique? I think you’re just putting up a brave front. Brother Yan, shall we attack together?"
Yan Liyuan nodded slightly but didn’t attack immediately. Instead, he said in a heavy tone, "My friend, if you truly are not a member of the Assassin Organization, then state your name and lineage. I, Yan Liyuan, am not an unreasonable man. Once I’ve verified your story, I will let you go."
Zhu Ge was slightly surprised to hear this.
’This Yan Liyuan wasn’t as impulsive as the other two. At least he was willing to hear someone out.’
’It made sense, though. Those two had just been fighting him, so of course they were angry.’
But before he could speak, Guan Julan scoffed, "Yan Liyuan, why are you wasting your breath on him? For a sneaky bastard like this, you just kill him!"
Before the words even left her lips, Guan Julan’s figure flashed as she took the initiative to attack.
Her Body Technique was incredibly fast, leaving a trail of afterimages in the air. She splayed her fingers, and five sharp, aquamarine lights condensed at their tips, shooting toward Zhu Ge’s throat like daggers.
’Here it comes!’
Zhu Ge’s expression tightened. He brought the Purgatory Star Rod up horizontally in front of him, and its shaft trembled.
"CLANG!!!"
The five aquamarine lights slammed into the rod, letting out the sharp ring of clashing metal.
Zhu Ge felt his arms go numb and the earth beneath his feet shattered, yet he didn’t move an inch.
’Such immense force!’
’Even though Guan Julan is a woman, her strength is astounding.’
"A little interesting," Guan Julan said, raising an eyebrow.
Before she could finish, Su Feibai made his move.
With a flicker, Su Feibai instantly appeared to Zhu Ge’s right. A Jade Long Saber slid from his sleeve, its blade crystalline and glowing with a soft green light.
"Jade Saber Intent: Army Breaker!"
Su Feibai let out a low roar as the long saber slashed down.
’Two against one?’ Zhu Ge’s pupils contracted.
’The power of this strike is even greater than Guan Julan’s attack!’
He had no time to think. His Blood Qi surged, his Martial Arts Heart pounded, and a layer of dark red light erupted from the Purgatory Star Rod as he moved to meet the Jade Long Saber.
"BOOM!"
The saber and rod collided, erupting in a deafening roar.
"Cough—"
A sweet taste rose in Zhu Ge’s throat as a trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth.
’A Second Realm against the Third Realm... one-on-one was already a struggle, let alone one against two?’
Moreover, Su Feibai and Guan Julan weren’t ordinary Third Realm Cultivators. They were renowned prodigies on the Sheji Chart, with combat prowess far exceeding their peers.
"Still won’t admit you’re an assassin?" Su Feibai sneered, giving his Jade Long Saber a flourish.
"Your Stealth Technique is so good that even the three of us could barely detect you. Besides those skulking rats from the Assassin Organization, who else would learn such a despicable art?"
"I told you, I’m not with the Assassin Organization." Zhu Ge took a deep breath. "If you keep pushing me, don’t blame me for what happens next."
"’What happens next’?" Guan Julan repeated as if she’d heard the funniest joke, doubling over with laughter.
Su Feibai also scoffed. "I think we’ve beaten you stupid."
Only Yan Liyuan frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over Zhu Ge.
’He had a feeling there was something unusual about this young man.’
’It wasn’t just his nearly flawless Stealth Technique. There was an indescribable quality to him.’
’It was an aura he had only sensed from true prodigies before.’
’On top of that, Zhu Ge radiated the killing intent of someone who had truly faced life and death in battle.’
"Brother Yan, what are you still hesitating for?" Su Feibai urged. "Let’s attack together and end this quickly. We still need to get to Nanyue Mianhuang."
Yan Liyuan contemplated for a moment before finally nodding.
’Regardless of this young man’s origins, the fact that he was hiding and spying on them was reason enough to die.’
’Besides, these were critical times. There could be no hidden threats within the Human Race.’
"My apologies."
Yan Liyuan clasped his fists in a salute to Zhu Ge, then pulled a ruler from his sleeve.
The ruler was covered in dense, fly-headed script, each character glowing with a faint golden light and imbued with a righteous aura.
"Spring and Autumn Ruler!"
Yan Liyuan let out a low cry. The golden characters on the ruler instantly flew off, transforming into dozens of golden blades of light that surged toward Zhu Ge, blanketing the sky.
Zhu Ge’s face fell as he felt the power of the attack.
’The power of this single move was greater than Su Feibai’s and Guan Julan’s attacks combined!’
’The forty-first rank on the Sheji Chart... his reputation is well-deserved!’
With no time to think, the dark red light on Zhu Ge’s Purgatory Star Rod flared violently.
He held the rod with both hands and stomped his right foot hard on the ground.
Thirty-Six Paths of the Giant Pendulum!
Waist and Horse Skill!
Force of the Ploughing Ox!
"RUMBLE—"
The great earth trembled as a wave of dark red energy radiated outward from Zhu Ge.
Wherever it passed, soil was churned up and plants were reduced to ash.
He then raised his rod, thrusting it upward.
The golden blades of light collided with the dark red shockwave, erupting in a blinding flash.
"BOOM!!!"
Zhu Ge’s gaze was impassive, but the clothes on his chest shredded, revealing scorched flesh beneath.
Meanwhile, Yan Liyuan merely wavered slightly in the sky, his expression unchanged.
’The gap is too wide.’
Zhu Ge flexed his wrists, his vigilance growing.
’The top fifty prodigies on the Sheji Chart are all true monsters. I really can’t contend with them right now.’
"Still not dead?" Guan Julan sounded surprised. "You’re one tough kid."
Su Feibai, however, just shook his head and raised his Jade Long Saber again. "It’s a pity you had to follow the path of the Assassin Organization. We can’t let you live."
Just as the two were about to strike, Yan Liyuan stopped them.
"Wait." Yan Liyuan stared at Zhu Ge, his gaze solemn. "You’re really not from the Assassin Organization?"
"I’ve said it countless times," Zhu Ge said calmly. "If you don’t believe me, what can I do?"
Yan Liyuan glanced at the Purgatory Star Rod in Zhu Ge’s hand, then back at the other two. He said hesitantly,
"Assassins... don’t seem to favor such wide, sweeping martial techniques, do they?"
Su Feibai sneered, saying nothing, and looked ready to attack again.
Guan Julan giggled, her body swaying. "What a moron. Su Feibai and I knew he wasn’t one from the start. Only a fool like you would fall for our act."
"Still, he has to die!"
"In this world, the fewer rivals, the better. Hahaha."