Daoist Competition
Chapter 105 - 17: The Heavens Unleash a Killing Aura, Slaughtering Throughout the Building (Part 2)

Chapter 105: Chapter 17: The Heavens Unleash a Killing Aura, Slaughtering Throughout the Building (Part 2)

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The bright moon hung high in the sky, its radiance pure and luminous as though freshly washed, spilling down like cascading water. Zhang Yan felt his chest’s "Moonlight Heart Jue" tremble lightly, and sensed that his Qi Mechanism Operation had nearly doubled in speed compared to usual. He couldn’t help but think, "The heavens are aiding me!"

"When the heavens give rise to killing intent, stars shift and constellations change; when the earth gives rise to killing intent, dragons and serpents emerge onto the land; when humans give rise to killing intent, heaven and earth are thrown into chaos!"

Standing by the railing, Zhang Yan stroked the Ruyi Divine Shuttle in his hand. He flicked his finger, eliciting a crisp "dang" sound. His eyes were sharp like cold lightning as he declared, "Tonight, you shall taste the blood you crave."

The three Sea-Stepping Warriors guarding the staircase watched him intently, yet did not catch his words. They only saw Zhang Yan turn slightly toward them, his robe sleeve swishing outward. A streak of shimmering green light swept toward them, spiraled once, and before they could react, their heads were severed and toppled to the ground. The green light whirled again in mid-air, shattering the three’s Primordial Spirits, and then flew toward another staircase entrance. By the time it returned to Zhang Yan’s hand, there was no sound of breath left in that direction.

Zhang Yan adjusted the hem of his robe sleeve and walked unhurriedly toward a nearby room.

This area housed the residence of Pill Masters, all eleven of them former confidants of Dou Ming.

After Opening Meridians, Pill Masters require decades of arduous cultivation in the "Three Apertures Skill." Their bodies are void of any Qiankun Qi, making them easier targets when sleeping. Zhang Yan broke into each room, pointed a finger to kill one, then casually dispersed their Primordial Spirits.

When he arrived at the final room, he had just pushed the door open when a figure abruptly flipped up from the bed. Without uttering a word, the man thrust a longsword straight toward him. Zhang Yan coldly snorted, and a stream of White Qi shot out from his nose, striking the man squarely in the face. The man let out an anguished cry as though being struck by a hammer, flew backward, and landed heavily on the bed behind him with a "bang."

Zhang Yan strode forward a couple of steps and gazed down at him from above. His eyes saw through the night as if it were daylight, needing no candlelight to recognize that this was Dou Ming. The man covered his bleeding eyes, retreating in fear as he pleaded, "Zhang Yan, if you’re heading to the Water Country, you’ll still need us Pill Masters. I... I still have value to you..."

Zhang Yan sighed and said, "Your harm outweighs your value." He stepped forward and slapped down with his palm, killing Dou Ming instantly. Then he exhaled, scattering his Primordial Spirit.

Walking out of the room, he headed slowly toward the fifth layer.

From below, he sensed jumbled and chaotic Qi Mechanisms, indicating the presence of twenty or more people. Some seemed to have already noticed the commotion upstairs. A Sea-Stepping Warrior rushed up the stairs but suddenly halted when blocked. Raising his head sharply, he saw a figure standing directly in his path. In a panic, he exclaimed, "You—!"

Zhang Yan spat out a mouthful of turbid Qi with a "ha," and with a "squish" sound, it pierced the man’s forehead, creating a neat circular hole. Then he stomped a foot against the man’s chest, sending the corpse rolling noisily down the stairs.

A burst of commotion erupted below.

"Who’s there?"

"Boss Ding has been killed!"

"Zhao Er, pull the alarm now!"

"What’s that? Damn it!"

The fifth layer housed twenty-three River-Flipping Warriors, whose abilities were slightly inferior to the Sea-Stepping Warriors. None of them had been informed in advance about Zhang Yan’s plan. When the emerald light streaked through the air, severing all the alarm ropes, the situation descended into chaos. With their leader already slain by Zhang Yan, the group erupted in confusion.

Seeing Zhang Yan descend slowly, they froze on the spot, their expressions blank with bewilderment. Some misinterpreted the situation, thinking that this cultivator had merely acted impulsively because of dissatisfaction toward Ding Wu.

Zhang Yan ignored them entirely. With a single wave of his hand, the Ruyi Divine Shuttle swept through the room. By the time he descended to the sixth layer, heads had rolled across the fifth layer, and even their Primordial Spirits were completely obliterated.

On the sixth layer, a cultivator originally seated on a cushion abruptly opened his eyes and his body shifted, blocking Zhang Yan’s path.

This cultivator was a Second Realm Ming Qi cultivator. Yet, he did not attack hastily and instead said, "Zhang Yan? I’ve heard Master Feng mention you repeatedly. Today, I shall witness just how capable you truly are."

Zhang Yan raised an eyebrow and said, "Feng Ji? Where is he?"

"Junior Feng is just below, but do you think you’ll live long enough to meet him?" The cultivator sneered and continued, "I’ve cultivated for 23 years, mastering the Water and Wood Profound Skill. My chest holds 24 threads of Clear and Turbid Energy, far surpassing the average person’s 16 threads. You are definitely no match for me. I advise you to surrender peacefully!"

With two swift movements, two cultivators—both Ming Qi First Realm—appeared to his left and right, reinforcing the man. Seeing this, the Second Realm cultivator grew emboldened. In truth, he was inwardly nervous after witnessing Zhang Yan take out an entire layer of Sea-Stepping Warriors so swiftly. He resorted to intimidation tactics to buy time for his allies to prepare themselves, and to his relief, his gambit appeared successful.