Chapter Twenty-Four: Kill

Life is equal, whether mortal or immortal; if anyone else had spoken these words, Bai Wan would have dismissed them as a joke. But the maxim that strength is supreme holds true everywhere. In the face of Qin Shuang’s formidable power, even if Qin Shuang were to claim that the life of a mortal is more precious than that of an immortal, Bai Wan would have to humbly concede.

“Well then, since you insist on avenging your brother, as the City Lord of Lotus City, I cannot shirk responsibility. If you must kill, start with me…” The situation before him was beyond repair; all he could do now was hope that sacrificing his own life might spare countless others in Lotus City. With a strength surpassing even a sixth-tier Golden Immortal, who could predict how many would die before Qin Shuang’s wrath was sated?

To Bai Wan’s surprise, Qin Shuang suddenly smiled. “You’re a decent city lord. Don’t worry; I won’t kill you, nor will I slaughter many. You can rest assured of that.” With her eyes half-closed, her immortal senses swept across the forest’s edge, where the other immortals waited.

Outside the forest, dozens of immortals from Lotus City had no idea what transpired within; none dared to enter uninvited. Qin Shuang’s furious roar had reached their ears, and though they couldn’t gauge her true strength, every one of them knew that whoever was inside was far beyond their ability to confront.

Suddenly, a body exploded, reduced to dust without even a chance for the nascent soul to flee—it was obliterated with it.

A wave of shock swept through the crowd as they hurriedly flew away, fearing the blast might engulf them. The detonation of a single celestial could easily claim several lives nearby.

Strangely, the explosion harmed no one; the energy never traveled more than half a meter from the body before vanishing without a trace.

“Run!” someone shouted, triggering a frenzied response. The immortals scattered in all directions at full speed.

Yet, one figure halted abruptly as if hitting an invisible wall, followed by the sounds of dozens more colliding—none could escape more than thirty meters before being stopped.

It wasn’t for lack of trying; the entire area was sealed by an imposing restriction. Now, they were like birds trapped in a cage, unable to fly free.

“Three more remain…” Qin Shuang’s calm voice echoed, and she appeared before them.

“Who… who are you?” The celestial nearest to Qin Shuang retreated in terror, his voice trembling.

“Who am I?” Qin Shuang repeated. “You are not worthy to know.”

Sweeping her gaze over the group, she declared, “Three must die. Will you choose among yourselves, or shall I decide?”

Her words caused an uproar; some, forgetting the lesson moments before, rushed toward the perimeter. The restriction was like a fortress: they bounced back without even rippling its surface.

“Senior, please spare us! We only act on behalf of the City Lord and Vice City Lord—we have no choice!” someone pleaded, believing their plight was collateral from the offenses of Bai Wan and Situ Haonan, and hastily shifted all blame onto them.

Before he finished, his body detonated violently, his nascent soul obliterated.

Silence fell upon the clearing of dozens of immortals; in such an atmosphere, even the drop of a pin would be audible.

“Two more remain,” Qin Shuang murmured, her voice low yet clear to every ear.

Two more must die. Who would it be?

No one wished for death, that was certain, yet two must perish. Unlike Bai Wan’s noble spirit, none here would sacrifice themselves for others—it was wishful thinking.

“None willing to step forward?” Qin Shuang scanned their faces, terror etched into each one. Some celestials trembled visibly.

Death itself may not be frightening, but the waiting—anticipating its arrival—was an agony few could bear. Worse still, some among them would survive, others not; hope for life and fear of death clashed violently, the psychological gap stark in every heart.

“So, you do know fear?” Qin Shuang’s eyes fixed on two figures, her immense immortal sense locking onto them.

The two shuddered, rendered immobile, even their voices denied.

“You two have often aided Situ Jian in bullying other cultivators, haven’t you?” Qin Shuang asked coldly.

The abuse of power happens everywhere. Situ Jian, emboldened by his uncle Situ Haonan’s reputation, frequently oppressed cultivators. Some immortals, eager to curry favor, stood behind him as his support.

On one side, celestials; on the other, mere cultivators—the disparity was vast, the oppression blatant.

Before Situ Jian died, Qin Shuang had thoroughly searched his soul and learned many things, including those who had helped him bully others.

The two, trapped by Qin Shuang, struggled in vain to explain, their faces flushed with terror.

Seeing through their intentions, Qin Shuang said, “No need to justify yourselves. My decision is made; no matter what, you must die.”

With a thunderous blast, the two celestials were annihilated, leaving not even dust behind, their deaths as clean and contained as the first.

With a wave of her hand, Qin Shuang lifted the restriction. “You may go now.”

None moved—not because Qin Shuang had imposed a new barrier, but because they were paralyzed with fear, terrified that any action might provoke her deadly wrath.

Qin Shuang chuckled. “Rest assured, all those I intended to kill are dead. I won’t trouble you further.”

As soon as she finished speaking, her figure vanished. In the next instant, she reappeared beside Lei Shan’s corpse in the forest.

“I promised to bring you all back to the Kuya clan. Even if not whole and intact, even as corpses, I will return you.” With a wave, the six bodies disappeared, stored within Qin Shuang’s space ring.

Bai Wan, the city lord, could only stand aside, dumbfounded.