An invincible King Wu, being directly repelled by an unknown Master Wu, is such an absurd and unbelievable sight. A Master Wu, who is but an ant before a King Wu, being able to challenge such power is unimaginable. But they witnessed it with their own eyes.
The spectators were so shocked that they couldn’t close their mouths. Elder Qiu, who was bounced back by the golden light, showed no anger. Instead, her deep eyes flashed with unprecedented brilliance. For a mere ant to confront her, one can only imagine the extraordinary power of the Dao Fa Copper.
Han Zhiyuan’s eyes were fixed on Elder Qiu, while his peripheral vision constantly monitored those around him. The people from the Four Symbols Holy Land instinctively surrounded Hei Dan, while the other three holy lands watched coldly from a distance. Hei Dan was resisting the second lightning tribulation. Han Zhiyuan was secretly anxious when he caught sight of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye and suddenly had an idea.
“Hmph, I didn’t expect the Loshui Holy Land to be so hypocritical,” Han Zhiyuan sneered, blood at the corner of his mouth but his tone filled with contempt and defiance. “It’s bad enough to bully the weak with numbers, but a centuries-old hag fighting a twenty-year-old young man? Have you no shame?”
While he outwardly mocked, he secretly communicated urgently with the old patchwork Taoist, betting everything on this one chance.
As soon as Han Zhiyuan finished speaking, Elder Qiu’s face turned livid, and a cold gleam shot from her deep eyes, filled with killing intent. “Verbal tricks!”
Han Zhiyuan raised the palm-sized piece of copper in his hand and sneered, “Isn’t this supposed to be a human treasure? Am I not human? Are they not human?” He scanned the three holy lands watching from a distance and sarcastically added, “Or does the Loshui Holy Land want it all for themselves?”
“Hmph!” Elder Qiu, having lived for centuries, wouldn’t be provoked so easily. “Boy, stop your scheming. This is the Loshui Holy Land. As guests, hand over the item, and I can spare your life,” she said arrogantly.
“Oh, really?” Han Zhiyuan continued to sneer. He noticed that Hei Dan had withstood the second heavenly lightning strike, standing firm despite some bloodstains. Feeling slightly relieved, he shouted loudly, “Elder Qiu, are you sure? If I give you the Dao Fa Copper, will you let us leave?” He emphasized “give you” heavily.
Sure enough, Elder Qiu frowned slightly. Not many knew about the Dao Fa Copper. Even those who had witnessed it back then were few. Most of the participants in this holy land tournament were the younger generation, with only a few leaders knowing the truth. Han Zhiyuan was deliberately suggesting that the Loshui Holy Land wanted to keep the treasure for themselves.
Although the Loshui Holy Land, being nearest, intended to act first and take the treasure, they couldn’t withstand the combined opposition of the other three holy lands. If Han Zhiyuan continued his provocation, Loshui would gain a reputation for bullying others, something they couldn’t afford despite their strength.
At this moment, the patchwork Taoist high above shouted, “Why isn’t Elder Qiu acting? Has this boy hit a sore spot? The Loshui Holy Land can’t bully us Clear Void Holy Land folks!”
“Yes, yes,” others from the three holy lands chimed in, eager but wary of the Loshui Holy Land’s dominance.
Elder Qiu’s face grew darker. Han Zhiyuan silently gave a thumbs-up to the patchwork Taoist. The lure of a saint-level treasure was irresistible.
“What do you want?” Elder Qiu’s voice was icy, filled with suppressed killing intent.
“I’ll give you the Dao Fa Copper,” Han Zhiyuan raised the copper piece. “You can divide it as you like, but you must guarantee our safe departure. Otherwise, I’ll destroy it!” He brandished a sharp dagger, pointing at the copper piece.
The crowd saw that the dagger was finely crafted, with a peacock feather at the hilt, clearly capable of destroying the already lightning-struck copper piece.
“Fine,” the patchwork Taoist hurriedly agreed before Elder Qiu could speak. “We Clear Void Holy Land folks agree. Let them leave safely. Don’t act rashly, young friend,” he said, moving toward Han Zhiyuan.
Seeing this, the other three holy land leaders also moved closer, unwilling to miss out.
At this moment, Han Zhiyuan suddenly spat out blood and fell. Elder Qiu rushed toward him, aiming for the Dao Fa Copper. At the same time, a lightning bolt struck down from the sky where Hei Dan was standing.
Just as Elder Qiu was about to reach Han Zhiyuan, he suddenly stood up and retreated, shouting, “Hei Dan, come here!”
The lightning’s target was Hei Dan. As Hei Dan moved, the lightning followed.
The next moment, a gray shadow streaked past, and the lightning moved to Han Zhiyuan’s new position. The crowd, rushing toward him, stopped abruptly, especially the patchwork Taoist who had retreated earlier.
Unfortunately, Elder Qiu wasn’t so lucky. She was too close and was struck by the lightning, while the Dao Fa Copper’s golden light protected Han Zhiyuan and Hei Dan, bouncing her away.
With a loud crash, the lightning struck, leaving a scorched pit in the ground, followed by a blood-curdling scream.
Han Zhiyuan spat out more blood, this time not intentionally. He felt as if his body wasn’t his own, taken over by pain.
In the sky, Feng Yu, worried, almost dove down but was attacked by Liu Jing, forcing her back.
With a cry, a huge white peacock appeared in the sky, its feathers gleaming, looking down coldly at Liu Jing.
In the next moment, its beautiful tail spread out, emitting a powerful divine light that pushed Liu Jing back.
Seeing the perfect execution of their plan, Han Zhiyuan smiled weakly at Hei Dan, thinking they had finally worked well together.
He collapsed, but then felt warmth beneath him as Hei Dan carried him into the air. After advancing to the eighth rank, Hei Dan’s speed had increased, now comparable to Feng Yu’s.
“Well done, Hei Dan,” Han Zhiyuan managed to say, noting Hei Dan’s larger, more majestic form.
As they flew up, the other holy land leaders pursued but couldn’t keep up.
Looking at the cracked copper piece, Han Zhiyuan decided and whispered to Hei Dan, “Fly to your mother.”
Hei Dan shuddered and then soared higher. Han Zhiyuan, bracing himself, saw Feng Yu being attacked and shouted, “Feng Yu!” before throwing the copper piece.
Feng Yu caught it and unleashed a powerful light, forcing Liu Jing back.
As they fell, a white peacock caught them, its tail dazzling against the moonlit sky.
Despite their escape, Liu Jing’s face was dark, and she swore vengeance against the Peacock King.
Suddenly, a panicked fairy ran up, shouting that their celestial herb garden was empty, shocking everyone.
“Peacock King!” Liu Jing growled, vowing to fight to the end. The patchwork Taoist, despite the pressure, admired Han Zhiyuan’s cleverness.
