Was this human nature?

The young man looked slightly surprised at the youthful voice ringing out from the room.

Immediately afterward, the old man who had threatened him earlier slowly backed out.

Then a young figure walked out slowly, carrying another old man in one hand, a youthful, fair-skinned palm clamped around his neck.

Everyone looked shocked.

After all, this old man was a Nine-Star Great Dou Master!

Yet now, a young man who looked under twenty had subdued him with ease?

Liang Lei stared in horror at the young man holding him aloft. Although being caught off guard was part of the reason he had been subdued, the moment the young man's hand locked around his throat, he had discovered to his terror that the Dou Qi surging through his body had instantly frozen. All the strength within him seemed to no longer belong to him.

By now, however foolish Liang Lei might have been, he understood that he had underestimated the alchemist in the room.

Judging by this rather terrifying display, the young man's strength was at least far more than two ranks above his own.

He had to be a Dou Wang expert!

Heavens, such a young Dou Wang? And this fellow has clearly reached the level of Dou Qi Transformation Wings, so why would he ride a flying beast that isn't even particularly fast?

Wailing miserably inwardly, Liang Lei worked his throat with difficulty and said hoarsely, "Sir-we meant no offense. We only wanted to ensure our own safety-"

Xiao Chen glanced at him indifferently and raised his right hand slightly. A jade bottle appeared in it.

Through the slightly translucent bottle, a blood-colored pill the size of a longan could be faintly seen rolling about playfully.

"This is what you want, isn't it?" Xiao Chen asked with a faint smile, lifting the jade bottle in his hand.

Seeing Liang Lei subdued so easily by Xiao Chen, without the slightest ability to fight back, Jing Yun and the other three middle-aged men also looked horrified and retreated several steps in fear.

At that moment, they instantly regained their senses.

Of course. Anyone who dared refine a Fifth-grade Pill aboard this flying Magic Beast had to have absolute confidence in his own strength, with no fear whatsoever of blind fools trying to murder him for his treasures.

And the five of them were clearly those very fools, their eyes blinded by greed!

Unease began to stir within them as greed gradually drained from their minds.

"Heh-haha, you must be joking, sir. How would we dare target you? If we hadn't feared that the earlier energy fluctuations might interfere with the flight path, we certainly wouldn't have disturbed you," Liang Lei said with a dry laugh, swallowing as his eyes shifted.

Jing Yun hurriedly voiced his agreement.

"That wasn't what you said earlier-" The young man walked over beside his door, leaned against the wooden wall, and cast a sidelong glance at Jing Yuan as he teased him.

"Haha-earlier, earlier I was joking." Jing Yuan glanced at the young man and explained with a dry laugh.

Liang Lei smiled bitterly and lowered his head slightly, a glint of venom flashing through his eyes.

His sleeve drooped slightly, and a small packet of dark green powder slipped from it into his palm.

"A different flying Magic Beast, different passengers, yet the same scene plays out. Is this human nature?" Just as Liang Lei was about to scatter the powder in his hand, Xiao Chen sighed softly and shook his head. A cold smile touched his lips, and golden flames suddenly surged from the hand gripping Liang Lei's neck.

"Aah!"

The instant the golden flames touched Liang Lei's skin, the intense pain made his eyes fly wide.

With a shrill scream, his entire body was swallowed by the golden flames.

"Hiss-"

Seeing Liang Lei reduced to a pile of blackened ashes almost instantly, everyone present involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air.

"Those are-Heavenly Flames?!"

"Could they be the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame or the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Flame?"

Watching the scene in shock, the young man felt towering waves surge through his heart.

Such power-tsk, tsk, it's simply too tempting. Sighing and shaking his head, the young man had to admit that, after witnessing the power of Heavenly Flames, his desire to obtain them had grown even stronger.

Xiao Chen glanced indifferently at the ashes on the floor and flicked his sleeve. A light breeze swept past, blowing them away without a trace.

Then he glanced at the remaining four.

"Since you had the resolve to steal a pill and commit murder, you naturally knew what price you should pay if you failed."

Xiao Chen turned his palm over, and golden flames blazed up once more. "Will you jump down yourselves?"

At Xiao Chen's calm words, all four shuddered.

Their faces filled with terror as they lowered their heads to look at the ground at least a thousand meters below, their heels trembling incessantly.

With his arms folded, the young man coldly watched the four sink into fear and despair, feeling little sympathy.

He knew that if their positions were reversed, these men would absolutely kill him without mercy!

Without raising his head to look at their frightened expressions, Xiao Chen slowly flexed his fingers. Wisps of golden flame rose and dissipated ceaselessly in his palm-

Inside the room, Little Gold watched this display of showing off with considerable displeasure.

Using my flames to throw your weight around?

Just what I'd expect from you!

The oppressive atmosphere persisted for a short while.

Jing Yuan's expression suddenly turned crazed. With a stifled roar, Dou Qi swiftly enveloped his body, and he charged at the young man, his face full of murderous intent.

In his view, if this young man had not spoken up to stop them, their plan to seize the pill might have succeeded!

Even if he died, he would drag this man down with him!

The young man immediately braced himself as though facing a formidable enemy, the Dou Qi within him circulating rapidly.

Yet Xiao Chen merely shook his head helplessly and flicked a finger. A wisp of golden flame shot from his palm and pierced Jing Yuan's body like an arrow with lightning speed.

It instantly burned him to ashes.

The young man breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, a faint, muffled sound drew both his and Xiao Chen's attention.

The Three-Star Dou Shi named Ying Ming shuddered, and a mouthful of crimson blood sprayed from his mouth.

He slowly lowered his head. A length of cold, bloodied sword protruded from his chest, stained with glaring blood.

"Senior brother-you-"

Turning his head back with difficulty, Ying Ming stared fixedly at his senior brother, his face filled with disbelief.

Then he rasped venomously, "You-will die here too. You'll never-escape. He won't spare you!"

At those words, You Kang, his face somewhat crazed, drove his longsword deeper once more before wrenching it out. Blood spurted out, splashing all over him.

Watching Ying Ming's body slowly crumple, You Kang drew a deep, ragged breath. Suddenly, he turned toward Xiao Chen and shouted, "Sir, I'm willing to follow you! I only beg you to spare my life!"

The young man watched silently. After a long while, he sighed softly.

Even fellow disciples would slaughter one another to stay alive.

Was this the sinister nature of humanity?