"Don't panic."
Feng Wuque was, after all, born into a prominent family and had an exceptional talent for keeping his composure. Once he steadied himself, the fear in his heart quickly vanished.
Thinking about it the other way, if he could defeat this man now, his reputation in Taiping City would reach its peak. The establishment of the Taiping Martial Alliance would be all but guaranteed, with no one left to stand in its way.
The Feng family's grand plan would succeed!
With that thought, a composed smile gradually appeared on Feng Wuque's face.
He lightly bit down.
His Aura rose swiftly, like a volcano about to erupt, coalescing into a vivid red stream of air, almost tangible.
His power kept climbing!
Seeing this, everyone was astonished. Of the several Third Grade experts present, all but Huan Lei looked utterly stunned.
"This is... a Divine Aperture aura approaching Fourth Grade..."
"Could it be... he's almost Fourth Grade?"
"No... this... something's strange..."
The few of them exchanged glances, unable to make sense of it.
Only Huan Lei's eyes gleamed.
Below the stage.
"Oh... that's the aura of Bitter Flesh Secret Medicine..." Shen Qingchan said in surprise.
"Bitter Flesh Secret Medicine?" Madam Shen was taken aback, her brows knitting together as she murmured, "I remember him saying he had a brother who stole some Bitter Flesh from the Iron Leg Sect..."
The two exchanged a glance.
"This won't be easy now," Shen Qingchan murmured. "Bitter Flesh Secret Medicine is a medicine those sorcerers invented to activate the demonic power hidden inside Bitter Flesh... It can temporarily increase the strength of anyone who cultivates by consuming Bitter Flesh..."
"Bitter Flesh is forbidden food... I can't believe Feng Wuque actually used something like that to cultivate... No wonder he reached Third Grade so quickly."
"Activating the demonic power in Bitter Flesh..." Madam Shen mused. "Then even if it makes him stronger, wouldn't that play right into the Demon Sealer's hands?"
The two seemed to know quite a bit about the subject.
"No. I've heard my master talk about this secret medicine," Shen Qingchan said, recalling what she had learned. "The demonic power in Bitter Flesh is extracted and refined using many different medicines. The higher the quality of the Bitter Flesh, the fewer the side effects. Under normal cultivation, you can't completely absorb the power in Bitter Flesh."
"Some of it remains in the body. That's why eating too much Bitter Flesh makes it easy to become a demon."
"Under the secret medicine's effect, once a person obtains demonic power, not only does their secret martial arts realm rise greatly, they can also temporarily break through numerous Divine Apertures. Once our Divine Apertures combine with the demonic power in Bitter Flesh, we're no longer restricted by the Demon Sealer."
"Because humans aren't true demons."
"In this state... I really wouldn't be his match."
"Feng Wuque intends to go all out..."
Shen Qingchan analyzed, "From what we've seen, he easily dealt with several opponents thanks to his superb combat experience and knowledge of many secret martial arts. He's impressive, but also a little overconfident. Feng Wuque spotted that and wants to turn the tables, unleashing all his strength at once to defeat him."
"If that's the case, things look rather bad."
And yet...
The truth was...
The instant Feng Wuque's Aura changed, the Demon Sealer struck.
He drew the long saber at his waist. Beneath his martial uniform, his body was outlined by the fine Ice Silkworm Silk fabric, scarlet circuits surfacing across it and flashing like neon strips. His long hair whipped wildly as he took a single step and crossed more than ten meters.
His surging blood energy merged with the cold steel saber. His eyes revealed an iron Willpower, as if he had already accepted his own death.
This slash pressed forward without retreat, a strike that meant death for all.
"Sacrificial Slash!"
Before he arrived, the saber had already fallen.
The cold steel saber, wreathed in scarlet blood energy, came down on Feng Wuque with the speed of thunder and the exquisite precision of a jade carving.
At that very moment, the secret medicine's effects had fully taken hold in Feng Wuque.
The timing was perfect.
As the saber came down, Feng Wuque was so terrified that his heart and gall burst. He hadn't yet adjusted to his surging strength, and now it felt as if it had been sealed away, leaving him in agony.
As if... his opponent had known all along.
Boom!
The saber came down, cleaving the quartzite stage apart with its immense force and sending dust and smoke billowing into the sky.
The gale swept over the guests below, forcing them to shield their faces and eyes to avoid the flying stone shards.
When the dust and smoke cleared, they saw Feng Wuque slumped amid the shattered stone. His once pristine white robes were in tatters, and his face was as pale as the robes had been.
The long saber was embedded seven inches into the stone beside his neck, its blade still radiating a cold afterglow.
"You've lost." The Demon Sealer pulled out his saber.
As it came free, the sharp blade cut through the air and left a faint red line on Feng Wuque's neck, as if announcing his victory.
Everyone was utterly shaken by the sight.
"The head of the Taiping Martial Alliance."
The Demon Sealer surveyed those around him. "Does anyone object?"
Everyone remained silent, simply watching this mysterious Demon Sealer.
When had such a Young Hero arrived in Taiping City?
[Achievement unlocked: "Young Hero."]
[Madam Shen's favorability increased to 39/100]
With the help of several servants, Feng Wuque got to his feet.
The other Third Grade experts drew deep breaths, then one after another raised their hands to show their support.
"What in the world is with that man?" Below the stage, Shen Qingchan stared in disbelief. "His moves have no pattern at all. It's like he already knew everything that was going to happen... He even knew Feng Wuque would use secret medicine..."
"Could it have been deliberate? Did he make Feng Wuque think he had that opening, only to strike the instant Feng Wuque bit down on the secret medicine hidden in his tooth? Thinking about it now, that was the perfect moment to attack... How could he have done that without knowing what was coming?"
"This Demon Sealer is incredible..."
At that, Shen Qingchan gave a huff. "He really is impressive, to be Young Hero Mu's big brother... Come to think of it, he didn't use his sword. I've only seen that Innate Sword Qi once... Is he still holding something back?"
"..." Madam Shen.
Madam Shen said nothing. She only watched the Demon Sealer onstage, her eyes filled with shifting clouds.
The banquet slowly came to an end. The Feng family's feast that day would surely remain unforgettable to the many guests in attendance.
A true Young Hero, and the newly established Taiping Martial Alliance...
After most of the guests had left, Feng Wuque, now fully recovered, came to Madam Shen and spoke.
"Madam Shen, I have an important matter to discuss with you. Please stay at Feng Mansion for a while."
"What happened today is over. We're leaving!" Shen Qingchan drew her precious sword. "Hmph. It can't feel good to make someone else's wedding clothes for them, can it?"
Even if she didn't understand much about these power struggles, she knew the Feng family had been plotting to establish the Taiping Martial Alliance for a long time.
Shen Qingchan knew perfectly well that if they were asked to stay, it could only mean trouble.
Madam Shen glanced at him without speaking.
"I hope Madam Shen... no..." Feng Wuque smiled faintly. His voice dropped as he continued, "Your Highness Yun... will give it serious consideration?"
Madam Shen's eyes narrowed abruptly.
After a moment, Madam Shen turned calmly toward the Demon Sealer and stepped closer.
"What do you think?"
[1. Escort Madam Shen to safety (Complete the mission)]
[2. Stay and see what happens.]
"Then we'll stay," the Demon Sealer said.
Before you continue