Rupture (continued)

Si Ming's expression changed slightly. "This chaotic aura is very similar to that devouring monster on the island. Could it be that you are also...?"

Upon hearing this, Yuezheng Qiong explained, "Don't misunderstand, I don't eat people. At most, I've cultivated a kind of evil technique that can absorb other people's Internal Cultivation. That monster is an extension of that technique, a crazy idea from someone."

Si Ming clutched his chest, half-bent over, feigning a severely injured and powerless appearance. In reality, he was using the Bodhi Golden Body technique to quickly heal his internal injuries and regulate his internal energy, while also trying to stall for time.

"Sister Qiong, since you're willing to offer an explanation, it proves you still have principles and moral bottom lines. Turn back now; it's not too late. Is becoming a rat everyone hates, unable to show your Zhenmian or walk openly on the streets, really the future you want?"

Yuezheng Qiong fell silent, appearing somewhat hesitant. This made Si Ming realize that the other party's stance didn't seem so firm, and there was still room for negotiation.

He was about to speak again to persuade her when he saw Yuezheng Qiong give a wry smile and say, "Sorry, it's too late."

A figure flashed through the air, the shadow of the evil god roared, and a dark blade of light covered half the sky. The astonishing blade struck the Divine Pillar fiercely, causing the sky to collapse and the earth to split, and the Divine Pillar to shatter.

The earth shook violently, and the fragments of the Divine Pillar tilted downwards, causing those who had approached out of curiosity to scream in alarm. However, they soon discovered that these pillars were illusory, seemingly not existing in this world, and would not touch them; they would also disappear quickly.

After the ruins of the Divine Pillar disappeared, the surrounding scenery was no different from before, as if what they had just seen was an illusion. The survivors were initially relieved that they had just had a false alarm, and then they began to curse and condemn the culprit who had given them such a fright.

However, this was only the feeling of ordinary people. They did not perceive the change in the world, as if nothing had happened. Only martial artists at the Spirit Transformation level could feel that the ceiling above their heads seemed to have become higher, and their souls felt inexplicably relaxed.

"As expected, severing only one Divine Pillar won't have much of an impact," Yuezheng Qiong remarked. Then, she said to Si Ming, "I'm truly sorry for using you. As an apology, I can tell you some news: there's only one of the Four Heavenly Divine Pillars within the Su State, so we may never see each other again." With that, she turned to leave.

Si Ming was anxious, but his internal injuries had not yet healed to the point where he could fight back. He was not confident that he could stop the person. Fortunately, Yuezheng Yao took the initiative and blocked Yuezheng Qiong's path.

"Sister, did you persuade me to move the Lineage to the Su State back then, just for this very reason?"

"No, at that time I hadn't decided whether to join the Heaven-Defying Society. Perhaps I still had some lingering thoughts, but that wasn't the main reason."

"So, you were genuinely looking out for me back then, so why are you doing this now...?"

Yuezheng Qiong sighed and said in a disappointed tone, "As expected, Yao, you will never understand. You can get what you want so easily. As a chosen one of heaven, you Faming my feelings."

Yuezheng Yao bit her lip and said, "Sister, you know perfectly well that I've also put in a lot of effort to achieve what I have today, especially during those turbulent years in the Lineage. I cultivated diligently day and night, and I fainted from exhaustion several times. Only those ignorant outsiders can see my outward success and don't understand the sweat and toil I've shed behind the scenes..."

"Success is possible as long as you work hard; that's what makes someone a chosen one!"

Yuezheng Qiong shouted excitedly, "You would never understand the feeling of someone who can't reach the finish line no matter how hard they try!"

Effort is just the most basic thing; what's there to brag about? Only successful people boast about how hard they work. What about the losers? Who cares that the losers also put in the same effort?

This isn't about who's faster; it's about how, from the moment you stand on the starting line, some people are destined never to reach the finish line!

This was the first time Yuezheng Yao had seen her older sister so angry, and the first time she had been scolded by her. She was somewhat at a loss and stammered, "Sister, whatever you want, I'll give you anything..."

"Don't you understand? I hate this kind of attitude the most!"

Yuezheng Qiong suddenly waved his hand, the overflowing energy causing half of the mountain wall beside him to collapse, venting his long-suppressed anger. "Do you think I made the decision to betray the Lineage because I am inferior to you? Everyone has different talents, and unfairness is destined from the moment of birth. Do you think I don't understand such a simple truth? This is not what I care about at all!"

Since you are stronger than me, you rightfully deserve everything. I am willing to be your assistant, to help you become the head of the family, and I am also willing to be your shadow, performing on your behalf. However, you shouldn't pity me, much less give me things as if it were charity—

I'm your older sister!

Yuezheng Yao stood there, stunned, tears welling in her eyes, and said in a daze, "I... I never intended to give you charity, sister..."

"But that's exactly what you did! Rather than be pitied by you, I'd rather take it from you with my own strength. Even if I can't reach the finish line, I'll crawl! Even if I fall and get covered in mud and look completely disfigured, I will never let you stop to help me up!"

Yuezheng Qiong removed the Vermilion Bird mask from her face, crushed it, and then put on the Peacock mask.

"From this day forward, there will be no more Yuezheng Qiong in this world, only Xinxi of the Heaven-Defying Society, codenamed 'Sound Princess'."

Suddenly, the energy exploded, and the unparalleled divine power blasted towards Yuezheng Qiong. Her eyes narrowed, and ripples spread out in front of her, like an invisible wall of energy, dissolving the impact layer by layer. At the same time, she retreated rapidly backward.

However, the power of this punch exceeded the limit of the No-Void Sound Barrier and could not be completely neutralized. The residual power penetrated the defense and struck Yuezheng Qiong, sending her crashing into the mountainside.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your sisterly chat, but you might not be able to leave today."

Having recovered most of his injuries using the Bodhi Golden Body, Si Ming waved his arm, calculating in his mind that even with the combined Vajra Demon-Subduing Power and Asura Divine Power, he could at most break through the No-Void Sound Barrier. The remaining power would not be able to harm Yuezheng Qiong. This protective aura was quite effective against pure physical attacks. To pose a real threat, it seemed he would have to use the Solar Prominence Eruption or the Divine Sight Illusory Observation Art.

At the same time, the members of the Second Martial Arts Club also arrived. However, after seeing the imposing presence displayed by Yuezheng Qiong, they realized that they were not qualified to intervene in the battle, so they all stopped on the periphery and did not rashly join the fight, lest they become hostages instead of helping.

Among them, the strongest, Murong Qing, was only barely at the edge of this level. She might be able to withstand one or two moves, but it wouldn't be of much use. Hongdou's cultivation was sufficient, but without Si Jingyu's Primordial Spirit to support her, she would only be a hindrance.

After looking around, Yuezheng Qiong realized this and said, "I can't beat you, but you can't keep me either."

Is it worth betraying your Lineage like this?

"Perhaps to you this is just a trivial matter, not worth fussing over, something you can easily let go of with a smile, but to others, it's something they would risk their lives to protect."

"Even if it involves family, clan, and friends, you're willing to sacrifice everything? I don't think you, Sister Qiong, are such a selfish and heartless person. The conflict between you and your sister can be resolved through communication. Why push yourself to the brink?"

"One wrong step leads to another, and now we can only continue down this wrong path. As for the Yuezheng Lineage, don't worry, they'll be fine. We should be thankful that Su State isn't a feudal dynasty like Li State, where everything must be done according to the law. Moreover," Yuezheng Qiong paused, then added with a hint of amusement, "I used to think that the Heaven-Defying Society's methods were mysterious and unpredictable, that they could actually place people in the upper echelons of a country. Now I realize I was wrong; the truth should be the other way around."

Si Ming didn't immediately understand what the other party meant by "the other way around," but since the other party had repeatedly revealed the secrets of the Heaven-Defying Society to him, it was clear that he had no loyalty to the organization, so there was still room for redemption.

He turned to the distraught Yuezheng Yao and said, "Don't be in a daze. The most important thing right now is to keep your sister here. As long as she's with you, you'll eventually gain her forgiveness. Once she gets away, you'll never see her again, and it will be incredibly difficult to mend the rift between you later."

Yuezheng Yao is also a master at the Spirit Transformation level. Although her actual combat strength is unknown and may not be as good as Fifth Uncle, as long as she is careful to avoid being "instantly killed", it is not difficult for her to restrain him from the side.

Yuezheng Yao snapped out of her daze, mustered her inner energy, calmed her mind, took a deep breath, and said to Yuezheng Qiong, "Sister, you can punish me however you like in the future, but today I'm determined to keep you here."

"If only you could have made that decision sooner," Yuezheng Qiong sighed, then shook her head. "You know, the legend of the God-Sealing Platform isn't just a rumor. Long ago, someone did indeed defeat a demon god here and, with the power of the Four Heavenly Divine Pillars, suppressed it underground. Now that the Divine Pillar are destroyed, what do you think will happen?"

Si Ming's expression changed drastically. He turned to the others and said, "Get out of here quickly, escape as far as you can!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the ground shook violently, and cracks appeared in the mountain walls, just like a magnitude 7 earthquake. Fallen rocks crashed down from the heights, and the mountain peaks on both sides were on the verge of collapse, causing the crowd below to scream in terror.

Even if an ordinary person has martial arts skills, being hit by a rock is almost certainly fatal. Moreover, with the crowd pushing and shoving each other, a trampling accident has already occurred. Once someone falls to the ground, it is truly a death sentence. Only those who hid far away when they saw the Divine Pillar escaped the calamity by chance, speechless at the human tragedy in the canyon.

However, this tremor was just the prelude. What followed was an even more intense roar. The earth dragon turned over, and the ground of the God-Sealing Platform suddenly rose up, as if something enormous was about to burst out.