Ancient Heavenly Dragon Eagle, Earth Ranking Eighth

"Mu Chen, whatever tricks you have left, use them all!"

Ji Xuan let out a cold snort, automatically interpreting his opponent's praise as mockery.

With a wave of his hand, the hundred-plus men, now restored to full vigor and undiminished ferocity, swarmed forward in a chaotic mess to launch another assault.

"Too small, too small, Brother Ji's perspective is far too narrow."

"I am praising you with the utmost sincerity, Brother Ji."

"After all, it is not everyone who can subdue an Ancient Heavenly Dragon Eagle, a Super Heavenly Beast ranked eighth on the Record of Ten Thousand Beasts, while still in the Sensing Realm."

Mu Chen smiled, his words carrying the weight of a bombshell meant to shock the world.

This statement struck like a thunderclap on a clear day, exploding silently in the hearts of everyone present.

"An Ancient Heavenly Dragon Eagle? That is a Super Heavenly Beast ranked eighth on the Record of Ten Thousand Beasts!"

"Hiss, the foundation of King Xuan is truly profound. He is worthy of being a prodigy of the Ji Clan, hailing from a great clan of the Southern Border that possesses Supreme powerhouses and the protection of the strong."

"Half a year ago, an ancient Spirit Treasury emerged in the Western Heavens."

Whispers erupted across the field.

Some marveled at the antiquity of Ji Xuan's clan, while others heaped on excessive flattery.

There were also the sharp-witted, who connected the rumors of today to that ancient Spirit Treasury which had caused such a massive stir upon its recent discovery.

Many kings had fought to the death in its depths, suffering countless casualties in their scramble for fortune.

Legend had it that a strange, piercing cry had echoed from within that Spirit Treasury on that very day.

Could it be that Ji Xuan had seized this heaven-defying opportunity there?

This was a Super Heavenly Beast ranked in the top ten of the Record of Ten Thousand Beasts; many Spirit Soul realm martial artists would never even catch a glimpse of one, let alone refine it into their bodies to gain its myriad divine abilities.

If I could only...

In an instant, many powerhouses who prided themselves on their combat strength began to let their gazes flicker.

The looks they cast toward Ji Xuan became increasingly unpredictable.

At the center of the storm.

Ji Xuan's body was taut, his eyes locked onto Mu Chen—the Hundred Spirits Youth who had exposed his greatest trump card in public—never once looking away.

His eyes burned with fire, his hair stood on end from rage, and his face was ashen.

How is this possible?

Simultaneously, a faint, barely audible gasp echoed from within Ji Xuan's body.

If looks could kill, Mu Chen would have died a thousand times over.

His expression was incredibly complex.

Beneath the fury lay a deep, pervasive terror, and within that terror, a flicker of confusion.

How did Mu Chen know his greatest secret?

To ensure secrecy, Ji Xuan had chosen to kill every witness at the scene, erasing all traces; not even his own clan had received his report yet.

Let alone these followers, who were merely tools to be driven.

Could it be that someone had slipped through the net that day?

Ji Xuan's mind raced, his expression shifting rapidly as he pondered the situation.

Ji Xuan's reaction undoubtedly served to confirm the suspicions and judgments of many geniuses present, and the boldest among them were already stirring.

Not good, I've fallen for his trap again!

Noticing the many dangerous gazes directed at him from behind, Ji Xuan suddenly realized that he seemed to have fallen for the schemes of the scoundrel Mu Chen once more.

When Mu Chen exposed his greatest secret, Ji Xuan should never have remained silent.

Of course, whether he denied it or not, it was already beyond saving.

Once the seed of doubt was sown, the development of events was no longer under the control of either party; furthermore, the matter was true, and Ji Xuan's actions were not without traces.

The elites of the Spirit Road were no fools!

Watching the Ji Clan prodigy being played in the palm of his master's hand, Zhou Yuan nearly laughed out loud. This move—this was a classic strategy of sowing discord.

"Everyone, do not fall for this brat's tricks!"

"With a great battle at hand, there is absolutely no reason to retreat. Besides, even if you all wish to withdraw, Mu Chen will not stop his reckoning with you; instead, you will easily be picked off one by one."

"It is better to finish this in one stroke and root out the evil entirely!"

Ji Xuan shouted aloud, attempting to stabilize the morale of his troops.

The alliance still numbered over one hundred and eighty people; his own core force accounted for nearly a hundred, while the rest were those who had harbored grudges against Mu Chen and Luo Li and had joined upon hearing the news.

As long as he could hold his base, Ji Xuan was confident he could fight once more.

"Indeed, indeed, Brother Ji understands me best."

"I, Mu Chen, have always been one to hold a grudge; I never let a grievance last past the night, usually settling the score by evening."

"If you lot fail to kill me, I will certainly return the favor twofold."

"Even if I have to chase you to the ends of the earth, I will smash every one of your dog heads."

Mu Chen nodded repeatedly, looking as if he agreed entirely.

Ji Xuan: "."

The alliance forces: "."

Is this some kind of reverse psychology?

Are you here to stabilize our morale for us?!

The corners of Ji Xuan's eyes twitched violently, a profound sense of absurdity surging deep within him.

The alliance members all wore strange expressions, calling him a lunatic.

Damn it, if you had just said, "I only seek the ringleader, the rest of you will be spared," wouldn't this whole mess have been resolved?

We would have all saved face, and everyone would have been happy.

Then, we could have retreated, leaving you and Ji Xuan to duel one-on-one.

But you left us no room at all—what, do we not have any dignity?

Pick up your weapons and fight!

With no path of retreat, the alliance members shouted in unison, swearing not to return until the thief Mu Chen was destroyed.

Seeing that the morale was usable, Ji Xuan nodded in approval.

Although Yang Qiu and his companion were shocked by Ji Xuan's heaven-defying luck, they understood the gravity of facing such a formidable enemy. Suppressing their various emotions, they joined the clamor to bolster the momentum.

For a moment, the alliance side appeared united, their morale soaring.

"Kill the thief Mu Chen, seize the divine artifact!"

"Destroy the dog Mu Chen, become a Spirit Body!"

Having learned from his previous failures, Ji Xuan decided not to waste any more words on Mu Chen. He led his forces forward, shouting slogans as they charged.

"Brother Ji, wait a moment."

Mu Chen held a porcelain bottle in his hand, sniffing it leisurely.

"Hmph, out of tricks, are you? Die!"

Ji Xuan waved his hand heroically, refusing to engage in any dialogue with the enemy.

One should pursue the fleeing foe with remaining strength, not act like a reckless conqueror!

"Brother Ji, have you taken any antidotes?"

Mu Chen was not offended, continuing to ask with a gentle smile.

"What if I have? Wait, something's wrong."

Ji Xuan was about to retort, but his expression suddenly shifted, and he turned around abruptly.

Thud, thud, thud—the subordinates who had been full of vigor just moments ago collapsed to the ground, their bodies limp and unable to move.

Some even began to wail and cry on the spot, creating a truly bizarre scene.

In the span of just two breaths, more than half of the hundred-plus men had been struck down, with only a few kings managing to hold on through sheer physical resilience.

"You actually used poison? Despicable!"

Seeing this, Ji Xuan's face turned pale with rage, and he shouted sharply.

He had fallen for it again!

In the Spirit Road plane, all living beings were forbidden from using spiritual energy.

Consequently, the utility of external items was amplified infinitely—things like divine weapons, medicinal pills, mechanisms, hidden projectiles, poisonous powders, and exotic drugs.

Possessing such items was like adding wings to a tiger, and everyone showed off their own unique methods.

Among the hundred thousand youths in the Spirit Road, the use of poison and medicine was countless; some even resorted to throwing lime.

If others can use them, why can't I, Mu Chen?

Hearing Ji Xuan's words, Mu Chen found it utterly ridiculous.

He had never been so speechless!