Chapter 45: None of You Will Be Spared
"Before, I would have retreated when faced with five individuals at the Spiritual Awakening realm!"
"But now, hmph, every one of you shall perish!"
Jiang Chen gazed at the approaching lethal strikes of the five individuals, not even blinking his eyes, and promptly vibrated his body in place.
Violent Tiger Power!!
Boom!
An immense force burst forth from Jiang Chen's body, akin to a shockwave, instantly striking Cao Junli and the others!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The bodies of the five Spiritual Awakening realm individuals came to an abrupt halt!
"This is!?"
"Half-Step Mysterious Platform realm?"
"He's not merely at the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm; it's an illusion!"
Cao Junli, taken aback and losing his composure, let out an astounded exclamation!
The opponent appeared to be in his twenties, yet he was a Half-Step Mysterious Platform Realm powerhouse—how could this be possible!?
The other four individuals were equally astonished and horrified!
In an instant,
The five of them felt an urge to retreat, and the assaults in their hands involuntarily weakened by a notch!
At that very moment!
Jiang Chen unleashed a terrifying chill that instantly enveloped the five individuals.
Cao Junli, Tian Wendong, and the others felt as though they had plummeted into an incredibly frigid ice cave. The warmth of their bodies was rapidly sapped, causing them to stiffen!
Immediately,
The assaults of the five individuals weakened even more!
Yet, despite the delays, their attacks were finally on the verge of striking Jiang Chen!
Regrettably,
Jiang Chen wouldn't allow them to succeed!
"Clear Sky Flash!"
Through a series of agile steps, Jiang Chen's stationary figure split into five afterimages.
Each of the afterimages independently executed a punch, a palm strike, a hand seal, a finger technique, and a sword skill, abruptly assailing the five adversaries.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Pfft!!
The sounds of four consecutive impacts striking flesh and a blade penetrating flesh resonated simultaneously!
In the following moment,
The weapons of Cao Junli and the other four combatants shattered and flew away, while they themselves contorted in agony, spewing blood as they were flung backward!
The Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivator perished on the spot.
The two Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators lost their mobility and their faces turned deathly pale. Without prompt treatment, they would soon meet their end.
Cao Junli sustained severe injuries and temporarily lost his fighting capabilities!
As for Tian Wendong, he dangled from Jiang Chen's sword, impaled through his chest and protruding from his back, the sword blade as serene as an autumn lake bathed in the blood trickling down!
Yet, he was still alive.
Furthermore, he lowered his head in confusion, gazing at the long sword embedded in his chest.
It was at this precise moment,
Only then did Qiu Liaoxi reach Tian Wendong's back and weakly slap him with a feeble palm.
Ning Xian's burst of energy also struck his back.
Two seemingly gentle attacks caused Tian Wendong to suddenly shudder, followed by an agonizing, pig-like wail!
"Ahhhhh!"
"It hurts so much, I'm in unbearable pain!"
"No, don't kill me, I don't want to die! I am the son of the Illusory Slaying Tower's Lord! Please let me go, aahhh!"
"..."
Tian Wendong's face twisted with terror as he screamed in anguish, appearing as if he wore a mask of torment.
"I've said it before."
"Anyone who dares to harm my friends shall pay with their life!"
Jiang Chen stared coldly at Tian Wendong, as if gazing upon a corpse.
"How dare you!"
"We hail from the Illusory Slaying Tower!"
"Surely you must know that we, the Illusory Slaying Tower, are an assassin organization boasting multiple Mysterious Platform realm cultivators!"
"Should you dare to slay Tian Wendong and us, the Jiang Clan will inevitably face destruction!"
"Jiang Chen, there is still an opportunity to reconsider your actions. If you depart now, we shall pretend this never transpired!"
"..."
Cao Junli mustered the strength to stand, his complexion pallid yet his tone menacing.
The Illusory Slaying Tower's notorious reputation was widely acknowledged.
Upon hearing the words 'Illusory Slaying Tower,' ordinary Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators would be frightened and flee.
However.
Jiang Chen replied through his actions.
His right hand, gripping the sword, suddenly quivered with intensity, and a terrifying force erupted instantaneously from the blade!
Bang!
A crimson mist exploded from Tian Wendong's body, and a potent stench of blood swiftly permeated the Vast Spirit Residence.
"You..."
Tian Wendong gazed at Jiang Chen in disbelief, as if unable to fathom that he truly dared to kill him.
Immediately after.
His terror and astonishment solidified in his eyes, and his entire body hung limp, utterly devoid of life.
"Jiang Chen!!"
Cao Junli stared at Jiang Chen with eyes wide in rage, his entire being teetering on the edge of madness.
The other two individuals stared with lifeless, fish-like eyes, their gazes brimming with terror.
Tian Wendong was dead!
The son of the Illusory Slaying Tower's Lord had perished!
In this manner, even if they managed to return to the Illusory Slaying Tower alive, their fate would be sealed!
An overwhelming sense of despair instantly enveloped Cao Junli and the other two!
Just at that moment.
Thud.
Jiang Chen's long sword descended, and Tian Wendong's body collapsed to the floor.
Immediately after.
Ding!
The sound of the sword tip striking the ground echoed.
However, they observed Jiang Chen, his face ashen, clutching the sword hilt with both hands, using the long sword to steady his slightly trembling frame.
Such a scene.
Everyone in the Vast Spirit Residence was left speechless.
And then, without delay!
"Jiang Chen!"
"Are you alright?"
Ning Xian's beautiful face shifted in concern, and she prepared to dash towards Jiang Chen.
However, Cao Junli was even quicker!
"Hahaha!"
"Who would have thought, young one, that you'd be a mere facade of strength, fragile on the inside!"
"You must have relied on some clandestine pill or a burst-type secret art to exhibit that level of prowess just moments ago!"
"Hmph, once the effects dissipate and the repercussions take hold, death will surely find you!"
"Jiang Chen, you wretch, embrace your demise!"
"..."
Sporting a warped and vicious countenance, Cao Junli charged at Jiang Chen, his right hand forming a tight fist, hurtling towards Jiang Chen like a colossal hammer!
"Hmph!"
Jiang Chen scoffed, lifting his right hand to brandish his long sword, using the flat of the blade to parry the assault.
Bang!
The two figures were hurled apart in opposite directions.
Cao Junli crashed to the ground once more, spewing a mouthful of blood.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chen couldn't halt his retreat until his back collided with the wall, finally coming to a standstill.
He silently channeled his Yuan Power, and his face abruptly flushed as crimson blood seeped from the corners of his mouth.
"Come on!"
"Face me again!"
Propped against the wall, Jiang Chen raised his long sword with a quivering hand, directing it at Cao Junli.
"Die!"
Cao Junli mustered the strength to rise and charged at Jiang Chen once more!
Yet.
As he drew nearer.
Jiang Chen's long sword, which had been drooping weakly in his hand, suddenly thrust forward with ferocity!
Pfft!
The razor-sharp blade viciously penetrated Cao Junli's heart!
"How... could... you still..."
Cao Junli's eyes widened, gazing at Jiang Chen with disbelief. His body then shuddered violently before losing all strength and collapsing to the ground.
And so, this Late-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm expert met his end at the hands of Jiang Chen.
"It's over!"
"I'm utterly doomed!"
"Lord Jiang Chen, I implore you, please spare my life! I'll do anything you ask of me. Just tell me your command, and I'll carry it out!"
"..."
The two remaining Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators, having witnessed Cao Junli's demise, lost all hope of reversing their fate. They trembled and pleaded for mercy.
"I told you, none of you will be spared!"
Jiang Chen's voice was raspy and frigid. He staggered weakly toward the two men, lifting his long sword.
"No!!"
Their cries were cut short, and the scent of blood within the Vast Spirit Residence grew even more potent.