Chapter 125: I Am Indeed Not Ruthless Enough

Chapter 125: Chapter 125: I Am Indeed Not Ruthless Enough

"Don’t be so angry. If we’re being honest, it was your Black Feather Dynasty that provoked me first."

Liu Chen skillfully took the Storage Rings from Yu Haoyong and the two Guards. Then, using his superior Spiritual Sense, he directly erased their ownership marks on the rings.

With the ownership marks on their Storage Rings forcibly erased, the three, who were already injured, let out muffled grunts as blood trickled from the corners of their mouths.

"Senior, could you please explain in detail? At least then I’ll know why I’m dying."

Yu Haoyong took a deep breath, trying his best to calm down. This man had casually erased the brand on his Storage Ring, proving his strength was far superior. For Yu Haoyong, already heavily injured, victory was impossible.

"I was in secluded cultivation inside a cave. Then, two Guards from the Black Feather Dynasty chased Nangong Ye all the way to the area..."

Liu Chen glanced at Yu Haoyong. ’Everyone said this guy was all brawn, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.’

"So... my third brother’s death was also connected to you?"

Yu Haoyong could already imagine what had happened. It lined up with the two bodies of the Guards he had found outside that cave.

"I have a bit of a grudge against the Nangong Family, so I didn’t make a move to kill him. I was hoping they would both die, which would save me a lot of trouble. But as I was tailing Yu Haenze, who was looking for Nangong Ye, a Guard from the Black Feather Dynasty appeared within range of my Spiritual Sense..."

Liu Chen didn’t finish his sentence, but Yu Haoyong already understood what came next. That Guard had used the chaos of the battle between his third brother and Nangong Ye to launch a sneak attack, which had allowed Nangong Ye to kill his brother.

’After that, this ’senior’ must have followed that unexpected Guard to my second brother’s hiding place. He killed my second brother and his men, then posed as one of his Guards to trick the Xiao Family.’

"Yu Haoxi disrupted the little play I’d so carefully arranged. So, he died."

Just as Yu Haoyong pieced together the events in his mind, Liu Chen’s voice cut in. He was furious, but all he could do was silently clench his fists.

"You know, my dealings with the Black Feather Dynasty haven’t been all bad. At the very least, the Spiritual Cuisine I traded those two pillars of light for was delicious. So, thank you for that. I won’t be able to use the pillar of light here, though. If I don’t leave soon, I’ll miss my chance."

Liu Chen slowly raised his right hand. Yu Haoyong had no time to ponder the meaning behind those words. He simply closed his eyes, waiting resentfully for death.

The attack Yu Haoyong expected never came. Instead, he heard the sound of something splashing into water from above.

Instinctively, Yu Haoyong looked back. He saw his fifth brother, Yu Haohong, who had been smiling just before. In addition, there were four Guards from the Black Feather Dynasty and some completely unknown Loose Cultivators at the Body Tempering Late Stage.

Yu Haoyong was momentarily stunned. It wasn’t just him; Liu Chen was also a bit baffled. ’When did this place get so crowded?’

But since they were here, Liu Chen certainly wouldn’t turn away new arrivals. He snatched the Storage Rings from all of them, leaving the heavily injured group on the path to await their deaths.

’Watching the Black Feather Dynasty’s fratricide is quite entertaining, but unfortunately, I’m out of time.’

After taking their Storage Rings, Liu Chen flew out of the lava illusion on his sword. Of the people below, Yu Haoyong was in the best condition. If he managed to get back alive, there was a ninety percent chance the hidden pillar of light would end up with Purple Cloud Valley.

And if he didn’t make it back, it would be no problem for Liu Chen to return in a few days with the Token.

"HAHAHA! Schemes and plots? An invincible warrior? In the end, I’m still the one who won!"

Liu Chen had just flown out of the lava when he heard the melodramatic shout. He looked up and saw the Fourth Prince of the Black Feather Dynasty, Yu Haolin, standing at the volcano’s crater, covered in blood and venting his emotions.

Just as Liu Chen noticed Yu Haolin, Yu Haolin—who considered himself the victor—also spotted him. There was no embarrassment on Yu Haolin’s face, only the dawning of a new problem. ’If those people from before aren’t dead, wouldn’t I be in trouble?’

The fact that someone could emerge from the lava meant there was a hidden space within.

At that thought, Yu Haolin leaped down. He paid no mind to Liu Chen, plunging directly into the lava.

’The Black Feather Dynasty’s fratricide is even more spectacular than I imagined.’

Liu Chen landed softly on the edge of the crater and gazed down at the churning lava. Ultimately, he decided against watching the show, slipping into the shadows and making his way back to his room.

While Liu Chen returned to his cultivation, the scene beneath the lava was anything but quiet.

As Yu Haolin landed, he saw that Yu Haoyong, who was in better shape, had already lifted Yu Haohong. With just a little more force, he could have crushed his own brother’s throat.

"’So you are still alive. It’s a good thing I didn’t leave, or this could have been a problem.’"

Yu Haolin, who had just dropped from above, revealed a cruel smile. He charged at Yu Haoyong and struck out with his palm. Right before Yu Haoyong’s eyes, the barely-breathing Yu Haohong exploded, his body scattering into grotesque pieces across the ground.

Blood dripped from Yu Haolin’s hand. Yu Haoyong, who had been hesitating just a moment ago, froze in shock.

The nearby Guards and Loose Cultivators, still reeling from their injuries, were also stunned.

"’Big Brother, do you know the purpose of this trial? It’s not that you aren’t strong enough. It’s that you aren’t ruthless enough. The Black Feather Royal Family fears no other power. Your indecisiveness will only cause the Royal Family to suffer greater losses in the unseen conflicts to come.’"

Yu Haolin flicked the blood from his palm, letting the Cyan Eagle Blood Mark from his fifth brother’s death settle upon him. He gathered Spiritual Power in his hand once more and lunged at Yu Haoyong.

"’You’re right. I’m really not ruthless enough.’"

Yu Haoyong barely managed to block Yu Haolin’s fist with his left hand, his face twisting in pain. Across from him, Yu Haolin just smiled and poured more Spiritual Power into his attack. He knew his big brother had injured that same arm fighting Nangong Ye, and he naturally intended to exploit that weakness.

As pain flared in his left arm, Yu Haoyong’s expression grew grim. In contrast, Yu Haolin’s smile only widened.

A few moments later, Yu Haoyong’s left arm snapped. Yu Haolin charged forward with a cruel smile, only to be met by Yu Haoyong’s right fist, which was now wreathed in crimson Spiritual Power.

Yu Haolin scrambled to defend himself, but the Spiritual Power Shield he hastily threw up was instantly shattered. The massive fist continued its descent, crushing both his arms.

The tables turned in an instant. Lying on the ground, unable to rise, Yu Haolin could only watch helplessly as his big brother lifted him into the air. In those crimson eyes, he saw a flicker of hesitation, but it was overwhelmed by sheer resolve.

Yu Haolin slowly closed his eyes. He accepted the situation. He accepted his death.

Yu Haoyong slowly squeezed his right hand. Yu Haolin’s body exploded violently, just as Yu Haohong’s had.

A new Cyan Eagle Blood Mark formed and merged into Yu Haoyong’s body. At the same time, he actively drew in the other Mark—the one that should have dissipated with Yu Haolin’s death—and absorbed it as well.