"Xiao Feng... is that you?" The one speaking was Situ Hao, the Si Family head, who had just arrived.
The first time he saw Xiao Feng drenched in blood, he hardly dared recognize him! When had he ever seen Xiao Feng in such a miserable state? If he had not repeatedly confirmed his aura, he would not have believed this was Xiao Feng! That was why he had called out to confirm it...
Many members of the family followed behind him... Their shock upon discovering that the City Defense Array had activated was no less than Xiao Feng's.
The City Defense Array's sudden activation had caught everyone completely off guard, and even now, they remained dazed.
The reason they had come to Xiao Feng's location was because they discovered that the City Defense Array was actually shrinking inward! Its center was precisely where Xiao Feng's Medical Clinic stood...
At that moment, they had an extremely strange feeling, as though they were prey being watched by a hunter. Yet in their ignorant confusion, their chances of survival were being erased bit by bit... completely erased!
"Run... quickly..." Under Qi Qingyun's treatment, Xiao Feng was finally able to speak with difficulty.
"Uncle Situ, Ximen Qing has used the divine source to raise his strength to a level comparable to the God Master Realm. He is simply not someone we can contend with. We need to escape now!" Qi Qingyun felt no joy at Situ Hao's arrival, only urgency...
"Brother Feng!" The moment Situ Yao saw Xiao Feng covered in blood, she rushed over. Standing beside him and looking at his blood-soaked body, she did not even know where to place her hands. After staring blankly for a moment, she choked out, "Waa... Dad... hurry and save Brother Feng..."
Suddenly, Ximen Qing saw Situ Yao standing beside Xiao Feng, and a teasing smile appeared at the corner of his lips. No one knew what he was thinking...
"What did you say!?" Situ Hao was instantly dumbfounded upon hearing Qi Qingyun's words. He hurriedly looked toward Ximen Qing, whose profound energy was raging all around him... With just one glance, Situ Hao felt a heavy pressure descend upon his body.
He had already seen Ximen Qing when he first arrived. Although Ximen Qing's aura had been unusual, the sight of Xiao Feng covered in blood had driven it from his mind...
No wonder he had found Ximen Qing's profound energy fluctuations impossible to see through... Such a crushing aura meant that Ximen Qing could only be at the God Master Realm or even higher! But... just days ago, he had still been a Spirit God. How had he crossed such an enormous realm gap today? It was simply inconceivable!
"Hahaha... Family Head Situ, it has been a long time. Have you been well lately?" Ximen Qing spoke as though he had not heard them at all.
"Nephew Ximen... what exactly has happened to you?" Situ Hao asked cautiously.
He was still deeply shocked. The sudden activation of the City Defense Array, Ximen Qing's cultivation that overturned all common sense, Xiao Feng covered in blood... Everything was too dreamlike. Just days ago, everything had still been so peaceful...
Yet Ximen Qing alone wore a calm expression, as though everything was under his control.
And that terrifying pressure of profound energy made Situ Hao unconsciously ask Ximen Qing for an explanation...
"Family Head Situ, if an unparalleled genius were to emerge in our Flowing Wind City, what should we do?" Ximen Qing asked instead of answering.
"If they truly are an unparalleled genius, then naturally we should use the strength of the entire city to nurture them. We cannot allow such talent to be buried in Flowing Wind City..."
"Then, if this person were to gain glory and honors that astonished the world, our Flowing Wind City would also bask in that radiance..." Situ Hao answered naturally.
"Clap clap clap... Well said. Family Head Situ is wise." Ximen Qing applauded and nodded. "To be honest, I joined the Creation God Sect long ago. I have waited a long time for this day..."
"When I become a True God in the future, all of Flowing Wind City will be bathed in my divine light... But for now, I need everyone in Flowing Wind City to help lay my foundation..."
"The... Creation God Sect!" Situ Hao's face was full of disbelief. "That is an evil cult. Why would you join such an evil cult?"
Although he had never seen the Creation God Sect, the Wind Cloud Empire's imperial family had long since defined it as such...
"An evil cult? No, no, no... Family Head Situ, you are mistaken." Ximen Qing shook his head and murmured. His expression carried fanatical worship. "The Creation God Sect is a true divine sect! Look at my current cultivation. If I buried myself in bitter cultivation, who knew how many years it would take to reach my current level. But... Family Head Situ... do you know how long it took me to reach this realm?"
"Less than a single day!" Ximen Qing revealed a number that left the Si Family members dumbfounded. "Now that I have earned the sect leader's trust, I am responsible for extracting the divine source here. I have already fused with a great amount of divine source. My path of cultivation will surely shine with boundless promise!"
"So that is how it is..." Situ Hao nodded to show that he understood, though he did not truly understand much...
He asked Ximen Qing uncertainly, "Then it seems this array was also activated by you, for the purpose of extracting the divine source?"
"Correct!" Ximen Qing nodded.
"Then has Nephew Ximen finished? The City Defense Array is active now, and the people in the city are panicking. If you are done, the array should be shut down as soon as possible to calm their fears..." Situ Hao discussed it with Ximen Qing. In a world where profound energy reigned supreme, profound energy was authority...
"Not yet. I still need everyone in Flowing Wind City to help me finish." Ximen Qing spoke leisurely.
"Just say the word," Situ Hao said. "Nephew Ximen is Flowing Wind City's genius. Since your plan is for the sake of seeking a breakthrough, we will naturally give it our all..."
"I need you to die..." Ximen Qing spoke those vicious words in a plain, calm tone, yet they still sent chills through everyone's hearts!
"Haha... Nephew Ximen, surely you jest..." Situ Hao laughed awkwardly upon hearing this.
"Oh... Do you think I am joking?" Ximen Qing asked in confusion.
At those words, the smile on Situ Hao's face completely vanished. He slowly stepped back and shielded Situ Yao behind him...
Seeing Situ Hao's actions, Ximen Qing did nothing. Instead, he revealed a scornful smile. "I know you cannot accept this, but it does not matter. Once glory adorns me in the future, you will understand how correct my choice today was. As for now, I am merely informing you. I will choose for you!"
He took a light step forward, and Situ Hao unconsciously took a step back... Ximen Qing stopped and spoke leisurely. "Do not be in such a hurry. Not everyone has arrived yet... Wouldn't this grand show be terribly dull without an audience?" After saying that, he gave Xiao Feng a meaningful look.
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