Defeating a Stronger Foe; the Elders Prepare to Descend

"Roar..."

The Netherworld Evil Tiger let out a thunderous roar,

opened its gaping jaws, and crushed Zhu Xiaolie's claws.

"Ah..."

Zhu Xiaolie poured out Soul Power with all his might,

but he found Fang Fan's attack terrifyingly powerful.

Fang Fan's Soul Power invaded his own and tore it apart.

Boom! The charging Netherworld Evil Tiger swallowed Zhu Xiaolie whole.

"Aah!"

With a scream, Zhu Xiaolie was blasted away like a cannonball.

Crash, crash!

He knocked down a tree, then slammed into a wall. Dirt flew, and cracks spread across the wall like a spiderweb.

He fell to the ground, leaving a human-shaped dent in the wall.

He spat out a mouthful of blood and lay there like a dead dog.

"Roar..."

Fang Fan appeared before Zhu Xiaolie with the Netherworld Evil Tiger, its massive paw pressed against his neck.

"See that?

My disciple may be only fifteen years old and level fifty-three,

but he can still defeat a level sixty-three Soul Emperor in a single blow!"

As Bibi Dong spoke, she held her chest high, pride ringing in her voice.

She was telling the elders that this was the disciple she had trained.

How handsome, how gifted, how powerful he was.

"Yes, yes! Your Holiness is the greatest teacher alive! We were blind not to see it!"

"Your Holiness has an eye for talent and the skill to nurture an unparalleled genius like Fang Fan!"

"Your Holiness is the strongest and most knowledgeable teacher in heaven and earth!"

The elders started flattering her again.

But Fang Fan's strength and talent truly had stunned them.

The Netherworld Evil Tiger Martial Soul was powerful,

but Fang Fan himself was the greater force.

He was so young and already so formidable. Before long, he would surpass every one of them.

The thought alone made their scalps tingle.

Bibi Dong was thoroughly pleased. She straightened her back even more, making her chest look all the more impressive.

"Should we show ourselves now?"

"Not yet. Wait for my command!"

Bibi Dong's voice rang with authority.

"Yes!"

The elders fell quiet and waited.

"You wouldn't dare!"

A woman's voice came from the side.

She had one hand around Xiao Hong's neck. Behind her stood two level sixty-one Soul Emperors and several Soul Kings.

"Let my husband go, or I'll kill Zhu Zhuqing's maid!"

"Xiao Hong!"

Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth and rushed to Fang Fan's side, calling out in worry.

She had never expected Second Aunt to sink so low as to seize Xiao Hong, who had grown up with her.

She turned to the young man and pleaded,

"Thank you for helping me. Could you trade him for Xiao Hong?"

"Of course!"

Fang Fan raised his eyes to the middle-aged woman. "Let's make the exchange!"

"Fine!" The woman flung Xiao Hong toward them with one hand.

Fang Fan kicked Zhu Xiaolie over to her.

"You..." The woman glared at Fang Fan, hatred filling her eyes. She threw herself at her husband and held him close.

A man beside her flicked his hand, sending seven or eight daggers flying. Two shot toward Xiao Hong, two toward Zhu Zhuqing, and three toward Fang Fan.

His aim was simple: kill Xiao Hong. Zhu Zhuqing and the young man would probably dodge theirs.

Xiao Hong's death would devastate Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing was about to catch Xiao Hong when the daggers came hurtling toward them.

At the sight of so many blades, fury filled her, and her gaze turned cold enough to freeze everything around her.

Xiao Hong was a maid, but she had come to the Zhu Family as a child. Only three years older than Zhu Zhuqing, she had always looked after her.

They had grown up together and were closer than sisters.

Zhu Zhuqing had thought Xiao Hong would be safe if she escaped,

but she had been wrong. She had never imagined Second Aunt and Second Uncle could be so heartless.

If she tried to save Xiao Hong, she would die. If she did nothing, Xiao Hong would die.

She could not bear to let Xiao Hong die.

Fang Fan was beside her. Perhaps he could help.

Without another thought, she charged forward.

Clang, clang! Fang Fan knocked several daggers away, then struck down the ones flying toward Zhu Zhuqing.

With Martial Soul Possession active, Zhu Zhuqing moved so fast she left afterimages behind. She reached Xiao Hong and was about to catch her when

Xiao Hong suddenly reached out and pushed her away. "Miss... I don't want to be a burden to you!"

Somehow, Xiao Hong found the strength to send Zhu Zhuqing stumbling back several steps.

"No..."

Zhu Zhuqing let out a heart-rending cry.

The daggers pierced Xiao Hong's body.

"Huh?"

Fang Fan froze. With Zhu Zhuqing's speed and reflexes, she could have saved Xiao Hong.

He had not expected Xiao Hong to push her away rather than risk dragging her down.

Life was full of cruel surprises.

Zhu Zhuqing rushed forward again and caught Xiao Hong as she fell like a kite with its string cut.

"Xiao Hong!"

Zhu Zhuqing cried out in grief and rage. Looking down at Xiao Hong in her arms, she wept uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheeks and onto the pale skin above her collar.

"Miss... take care of yourself. Xiao Hong can't stay with you anymore..."

Xiao Hong forced out the words in broken breaths, then died.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Xiao Hong's lifeless body. Killing intent blazed in her eyes as she slowly stood and stared coldly at the people opposite her.

If looks could kill, they would have died millions of times over.

Several more Soul Kings and Soul Emperors arrived behind Zhu Xiaolie.

"You're dead, brat! You dared hurt me? None of you will escape today!"

Zhu Xiaolie spat the words viciously.

His men helped his son up and took him away.

"Heh... You didn't expect this, did you, little Zhuqing? I'm afraid you won't escape today!" the woman said coldly, as though everything were under her control.

Soul Rings rose beneath her people's feet one after another.

She could already picture Zhu Zhuqing and that prodigious young man being subdued.

"Thank you. I still don't know your name. I'm Zhu Zhuqing! I'll repay you in my next life. Please, run!"

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Fang Fan gratefully, then stepped in front of him.

"My name is Fang Fan. Why would I run? They're the ones who should run!"

Fang Fan stepped in front of Zhu Zhuqing. She was crying so hard she looked utterly helpless, yet she still worried about his safety. He had not expected her to be so considerate.

"That damned Zhu Xiaolie and his wife! How can they be so arrogant and cruel?" Zhu Dashuai gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

It was the first time he had seen Qing'er cry.

Xiao Hong had been with Qing'er since childhood. They were very close.

He had never imagined Xiao Hong would die for Qing'er.

That, too, had caught him by surprise.

Only Zhu Zhuqing knew the depth of their bond.

Though Zhu Zhuqing was the mistress and Xiao Hong her maid,

they played together whenever there was fun to be had and shared whatever good food they found.

Xiao Hong was three years older and had cared for her every day. She was closer to Zhu Zhuqing than her own parents were.

And because Zhu Zhuqing cared for Xiao Hong sincerely, Xiao Hong had been willing to die for her.

Zhu Dashuai was done hiding. He prepared to step in and save Zhu Zhuqing,

even if it meant offending Dai Weisi.

"The Zhu Family has no sense of restraint!"

Elder Ling Yuan was furious. She had wanted to save Xiao Hong, but the Pope had given no order, so she had held back.

"Your Holiness, it's time. There are too many of them. Xiao Fan can't handle them all!"

The other elders could no longer sit still either. They all looked to Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong stood with her arms folded, watching everything calmly.

Only when the elders spoke did she come back to herself.

She decided the time had come and waved a hand. "Descend!"

"Yes!"

"Good!"

"Your Holiness is wise!"

The five elders moved at once.