At the edge of the Third-Tier Platform.
A large, well-defined hand, roughened by wind and sand, suddenly gripped the platform's edge. A figure climbed up, looking somewhat bedraggled yet remarkably steady.
The young man had thick brows and fierce eyes. A blood-red Heaven List mark blazed brilliantly on his forehead; clearly, he had reaped rich rewards in the brutal fighting on the preceding tiers.
Panting heavily, he turned to call instructions down below, his voice deep and strong:
"Polu, hold the line with the brothers! Don't let those black-hearted bastards slip through!"
Below, a burly man leaned out, a fresh knife scar on his face. He answered steadily, "Don't worry, Brother Erhu!"
At the words "Brother Erhu," the climbing young man paused. His mouth twitched as he cursed with a laugh, "Damn it, since when did I become 'Erhu'? Call me Brother Wang! 'Erhu' makes me sound like that village idiot walking dogs at the entrance!"
But the next instant, his gaze sharpened abruptly. He swept his eyes over the many figures watching hungrily from the steps below, his voice carrying an iron-blooded killing intent. "Staying alive comes first. You can give up fortune, but every last one of you must live until I return!"
These were none other than the rogue cultivators who had once crossed paths with Yun Qing under his alias "Qing Yun," and had since endured trial after trial of blood and fire on the Nine Heavens Azure Cloud List.
After countless battles to the death, his former ostentatious swagger had long since faded. What now settled between Wang Hu's brows was the resolute steadiness forged through blood and fire. His aura was solid and substantial; he had truly become the rightful leader and backbone of these rogue cultivators.
Adjusting his breathing as he headed toward