The heavy pressure pressed down on all and they flinched back again and again. Yet Huangpu Qingtian was still strolling forward, like a king on a mission!
The air was excruciatingly thick, hard to even breathe. The dread on everyone’s face only increased with every sound of Huangpu Qingtian’s steps.
Monster!
It was on everyone’s mind, yet none dared say it.
Lin Xuanfeng, Yan Bangui, and You Yushan observed coldly. The stronger Huangpu Qingtian was, the more at ease they were, and respectful!
“Huangpu Qingtian, think this through, or you will suffer the consequences!” Dugu Feng wiped his brow.
Among his peers in Tianyu, Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord was the first to scare this leader of tigers.
Nodding, Huangpu Qingtian never missed a beat, “Relax, I’m not after you, the five tigers’ lives. I still have to show consideration for Marshal Dugu! As long as you come out unharmed, he will not charge into Regent Estate! So taking Luo clan’s young miss’ head with me won’t make that old geezer snap.”
The four tigers felt eerily afraid and worried.
Huangpu Qingtian was not only high on his horse, but quite astute as well, a schemer and plotter.
He grasped Dugu Zhantian’s bottom line, and knew when to stop just shy from it, even if he was about to cause a massacre.
Correct, Dugu Zhantian cared most about his five godsons. He was tough on them, true, but he cherished them dearly as well.
If anything were to happen to them, the old guy would flip and march his army regardless of consequences. Everyone had a bottom line, and the second of Four Pillars, Marshal of 3rd Army was no exception.
Even though Luo Yunchang was the dear sister of his fifth godson, not even for her would he go into action. She had nothing to do with him.
Knowing this, Huangpu Qingtian acted unrestrained and unfeeling to others.
“Young miss Luo, run! Go find the Marshal. You’ll be safe there. Go while we hold him off!” Dugu Lin whispered.
Luo Yunchang was worried for Luo Yunhai.
Dugu Lin said, “Don’t worry, Yunhai is our brother and godfather’s godson. Huangpu Qingtian won’t ever touch him. Go, we won’t be able to hold him for long!”
Luo Yunchang took one last look at her brother and nodded. She was relieved but still hesitant.
Just then, a soft hand grabbed her into a run. Looking back, it was actually Xue Ningxiang.
“Sister Luo, brother Zhuo always called me a burden! Let’s see him say that again after I save his clan’s young miss!” Xue Ningxiang stuck out her charming and cute nose as she smiled.
Seeing this cutie, Luo Yunchang’s worries drifted out of her.
She didn’t know how Zhuo Fan got to meet this girl, but the girl was like an angel, easing her worries…
Lin Xuanfeng snickered from afar, “Running, is it? Did you ask me first?”
“Wait, don’t sour the eldest young master’s mood!” You Yushan blocked him with a sneer.
He now realized that without Huangpu Qingtian’s explicit approval, none could do anything. When the man was on the prowl, only horror would’ve awaited him for meddling with his hunt. Lin Xuanfeng wiped his brow and nodded.
You Yushan beamed in reply.
[Thanks, dude. If not for you, I would’ve been a goner!]
[No thanks necessary. I’m not doing it for you either. With Huangpu Qingtian’s temper, I fear you’ll take me down with you.]
You Yushan snickered.
Back to Huangpu Qingtian, he didn’t much care if the two girls broke into a run and shook his head, “A hare always thinks it can outrun its hunter, only to find its efforts go in vain.”
Huangpu Qingtian punctuated with chasing after the two.
The four tigers rushed to intercept with four palms, “Wind, forest, fire, mountain – Imperial Army!”(StarReader: 风林火山，千军万马 is original. If you have a better suggestion, I’m all ears.)
Boom!
As if a dam broke, the power swept everything like a literal army.
Although it was only four palms, it was as if tens of men joined hands! Not even Huangpu Qingtian could ignore it, feeling the sudden and forceful might boring down on him.
Huangpu Tianyuan’s grinned, “A formation! A pity, it’s too low grade.”
And he punched.
Without any preamble, just this plain punch contained almost godly power. The boom sent the four tigers flying as they bled from their mouths!
Now they felt on their own skin why Xie Tianshang was so badly wounded after just one attack. Because Huangpu Qingtian was no human. [How can our peer, in both age and cultivation, have such power?]
But the crux of it all was, their so called stalling was pointless. Huangpu Qingtian simply barreled through them unimpeded in his chase after Luo Yunchang. It was as if stepping on ants in passing!
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a whistle announced the incoming claw attack, below Huangpu Qingtian’s belt. It was so devious, so sneaky, it caused everyone to gasp!
“Veiled Dragon Claw!”(StarReader: 潜龙勿用. I have no clue if it’s a declaration of an attack or huangpu saying it’s useless.)
Long Xingyun’s eyes glinted as he arrived in the man’s path. Huangpu Qingtian laughed coldly, “Veiled Dragon Pavilion gets worse by the day. You only got so far through underhanded and crafty methods!”
“He-he-he, and? This is what I know best!” Long Xingyun snickered, not minding it in the least.
Huangpu Qingtian disregarded him and was planning on kicking him away.
It was then he found it odd that his leg didn’t move. A shining ice sheet crept up his legs and rooted him in place.
He then saw a dainty palm, filled with mist shooting from above. Chu Qingcheng!
Unable to move, Long Xingyun clawed him from below, and Chu Qingcheng attacked from above. It was the perfect combo to subdue an enemy’s movements while also unleashing a pincer attack!
Squinting, Huangpu Qingtian snorted fearlessly, “I see. You laid a trap for me with Frost Domain while the four tigers blocked my path! Not bad at all, I will give you that much. But…”
Pa, pa!
Two loud noises echoed as Chu Qingcheng’s palm slammed into his head and Long Xingyun’s claw hit from below. Although despicable, it was a strong attack nonetheless!
And yet, no one expected what happened next.
Two peak Profound Heaven experts could do nothing against one with equal cultivation!
Chu Qingcheng and Long Xingyun stared in shock and sucked a cold breath! [Just how strong is this monster?]
Huangpu Qingtian curled his lips, “A pity, you are too weak and overestimate your strength!”
Despite his words, his eyes flashed.
Then, with a boom, his body exploded in a golden light and roared like a dragon. A golden dragon rose from him, sending the pair flying and coughing blood.
It then circled back into his body.
“W-what is that thing?” Long Xingyun watched Huangpu Qingtian perturbed, as did the rest.
It was as if his body held a guardian.
Grinning, Huangpu Qingtian mocked, “It is the heritage of an emperor. You are not worthy to know!”
Huangpu Qingtian then chose to ignore him, leaving him sitting on the ground in shock and bleeding at the mouth.
Whoosh~
With no one left to block him, Huangpu Qingtian went after the girls. They looked back in shock, to find Chu Qingcheng, Xie Tianshang, and Luo Yunchang, as well as the Four Tigers of Tianyu wounded on the ground and unable to even get up on their feet!
Despite the intense fight, it only took a second. The gap was so insanely wide that all that effort didn’t stall Huangpu Qingtian for even a fraction of a second!
[How is there such discrepancy between him and the other Five Dragons and One Phoenix?]
The two were now panicking from fright! Huangpu Qingtian was like a relentless monster. No one seemed to be able to escape his clutches!
“Ning’er, watch out!”
Xie Tianyang roared, as he and Long Jie with Long Kui jumped in front. But what could they do when Five Dragons and One Phoenix could do nothing?
The answer? Nothing.
With a mere flick, Huangpu Qingtian sent them flying, landing heavily on the ground.
Snickering, Huangpu Qingtian extended his hand, “Young miss Luo, this palm of mine will splatter the both of you! If Zhuo Fan doesn’t show even now, he is definitely dead, or maybe just a lily-livered good for nothing coward!”
“Rubbish! You’re the real coward! Brother Zhuo is a hero!” Ning’er cursed.
Luo Yunchang was giving her all to run, but still nodded at Ning’er’s words.
Grinning, Huangpu Qingtian mocked, “I hope so too, but at this point he seems likelier dead than alive.”
Huangpu Qingtian struck with his palm. It looked casual, but the might behind it was that of a mountain.
The girls were scared to even run, watching the incoming palm with fear.
Everyone wanted to help them, somehow save them, but no one had the strength.
“Sister!” Luo Yunhai cried and crawled.
“Ning’er!” Xie Tianyang was doing the same with clenched teeth.
Huangpu Qingtian looked on coldly as his attack approached the girls, “Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan is really dead after all. A shame you all had to die for nothing. As he defied Regent Estate, I had no choice but to waste my time with this puny Luo clan. You only have Zhuo Fan to blame for your fates. It was he who cut your young lives short!”
Luo Yunchang and Ning’er remained silent.
Xie Tianyang punched the ground, reminded of how powerless he was back in Blue Expanse City and cursed, “That bastard Zhuo Fan! Why does he always wash his hands off every offense he ever does. Now Ning’er is giving her life away for nothing! Bastard, come out if you have any shred of conscience!”
Lin Xuanfeng’s group found his cursing entertaining, “So Zhuo Fan really is dead. Or this would never have happened!”
“No, Zhuo Fan is not dead!” Luo Yunchang shouted back.
Huangpu Qingtian’s attack was about to hit the girls, “Then call him out! Show me that he’s alive! But it’s too late now. No one can save you from my attack!”
Tears streamed Luo Yunchang’s face, “Zhuo Fan, if you can hear me, please come! At least let me see you one last time!”
She was on the brink of death yet no response came. Lin Xuanfeng’s group laughed harder at her futile attempt and treated her like a fool.
Ning’er held her close instead, even if her heart had the same feeling.
“Useless! Die in peace!”
Whoosh~
Huangpu Qingtian’s palm attack sped up and the girls felt their breaths caught in their throat, picturing the gory mess they would soon become. Luo Yunchang closed her teary eyes, in pain and sorrow.
[Why couldn’t I see Zhuo Fan one last time?]
Ning’er was praying for a miracle, the same miracle that saved her in Blue Expanse City!
[Will anyone save us?]
Crack~
Suddenly, Xie Tianyang and Ning’er’s Thunder Ring flickered and the two cried.
“Zhuo Fan!”
“Big brother Zhuo!”
Boom!
Too little, too late. Huangpu Qingtian’s palm struck down, destroying even the ground below them!
Xie Tianyang watched the aftermath in a daze, slumping powerless as tears flowed from his eyes.
It was now that a carefree voice entered their ears, “Were you looking for me?”