Several pitch-black Spirit Boats, like venomous snakes spat from a rift in the void, charged brazenly into Wind-Thunder Valley with a chilling murderous intent.
"Bastards! They actually dared to come!"
Old Ancestor Xuanming roared in fury. Laws surged around him, and he could barely restrain himself from charging forward.
The Alliance Leader and Emperor Jiang Wu stood on either side, their expressions grave, their auras locked firmly onto the Spirit Boats, ready to strike at any moment.
Only Zhou Xuan watched everything calmly, as though these enemies, terrifying enough to make even Longevity Realm experts' scalps prickle, truly were nothing more than actors on a stage.
Ji Chen was very pleased with the Origin Return Alliance's tense reaction. He flicked his sleeve elegantly, amusement filling his peach-blossom eyes.
"Everyone, the show has begun. Why rush to take the stage yourselves?"
He turned toward Zhou Xuan, the curve of his lips growing more mocking.
"A seven-three split, young friend Zhou. Have you considered it? This is a windfall for the taking. Once you pass this village..."
"Heh."
A soft chuckle escaped Zhou Xuan's lips. It was quiet, yet it cut clearly through Ji Chen's words.
There was undisguised mockery in that laugh.
The smile on Ji Chen's face stiffened.
Old Ancestor Xuanming and the others also paused, turning toward Zhou Xuan, puzzled by his laughter.
"A windfall for the taking?"
Zhou Xuan finally shifted his gaze away from the piece of soul-calming wood. He looked up into Ji Chen's peach-blossom eyes and shook his head.
"I'm afraid I might live to collect it, but not to spend it."
He pointed toward the valley behind him, which had activated in an instant, wind and thunder raging in a tremendous display.
"This formation of yours is all show and no substance."
At those