Chapter 152: The Uprising

Lu Chenyuan’s heart stirred at the words, but he only revealed a bitter smile and said, “Master Wei, you flatter me. After Manager Qian’s sudden death, I was entrusted with the management of this inn, already considered a haunted house. I have been overwhelmed from the start, merely hoping to get through each day in peace. To say that the upheaval in the Eastern Sea has anything to do with me is utterly exaggerated.”

Wei Xuanji responded with a faint smile, neither confirming nor denying, “Young Master Lu, there is no need for modesty. Through the accounts of Lin Jianyuan and Wen Tingyu, I have come to understand your involvement with the Dragon King…”

“Damn it! Zhao Gui, you bastard! How dare you stab me with a knife! Are you tired of living?” Without hesitation, Big Face Brother grabbed Zhao Gui and slapped him twice more.

After the information was released, Yu Yajie briefly addressed a few other matters before handing the microphone to Chen Hansheng.

Wei Chimu spent three-tenths of each day practicing breath-holding underwater and another three-tenths standing at the ship’s bow, letting out long, piercing cries. After several days of this regimen, his strength had noticeably increased.

The people of Nanzhao were astonished, while the Tang dynasty’s crowd erupted in cheers and applause. The emperor was greatly pleased, finding Wei Chimu quite impressive. Moved by the man’s external martial prowess, Wei Chimu could not bear to see him perish and hence treated his vital acupuncture points, sparing his life.

This plunged Xu Qingyao into the same torment—what had happened to her? Who were those people? Had she been kidnapped?

At that moment, Su Hao’s palms could instantly transform into Taiji whirlpools, though he had yet to test the full power of the rippling force.

Su Hao was helpless. Despite lowering his presence and slipping away unnoticed, why did these careless fools still insist on courting death?

Yet now, not only did he fail to show even a trace of power, but he also sent Xia Ke flying with a single strike. Good grief, once again he felt his journey as a Yuan driver might be nearing its end.

Suddenly, two emerald pillars of magical energy shot skyward. After Sen Yin and another’s attacks, the reserve force spread from a single tree to all vegetation within a five-hundred-meter radius. Needles, leaves, and blades of grass instantly blanketed the sky, sunlight and air divided into thousands of fragments, and the only sound was the sharp rush of wind.

Xiang Mian instinctively wanted to refuse, but thinking of the painstakingly ironed costume now crumpled, she reluctantly climbed into the carriage.

“Is that all the courage you have?” Ye Qingcheng curled her index finger at Yuan Qi with disdain. Unless provoked, he wouldn’t act on his own. The Taiji moves focused on defense, not offense.

In the end, half of the ten top disciples chose to give up—one, aware of the gap between themselves and the elite disciples of the major sects; two, fully understanding the cruel nature of the path ahead and fearing to take that step. After all, in the King’s Rite, failure meant death.

“What’s wrong?” Chuang Gang turned, only to see Su Fu’s serious, anxious gaze and couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

The azure dragon formed from countless people’s collective will, a force requiring perfect harmony. Even those who practiced over a thousand times might still fail to summon it.

The flamboyantly dressed madam waved her pink handkerchief at the door, beckoning clients. The scent of powder and perfume drifted several miles with the wind.

Just now, Zong Que had told him that the Blood Domain valued strength above all, even more than the Penglai Immortal Island.

The strange doctor had practiced medicine for many years and was no stranger to herbs. Though not immune like Mu Qianxun, his constitution was extraordinary. Within two hours, the medicine had already lost its effect.

Sun Fei’s figure was thrown back—not because of lack of effort, but because he only relied on his physical strength. Compared to Sun Yao, who was empowered by rune energy, the difference was inevitable.

On the afternoon of March first, as dusk approached, the windswept plains north of Baiyin Naoer on the Barin Grassland lay silent except for the carefree blowing wind. A great battle was about to unfold.