"That's a good question, but unfortunately..."
Xu Chong shook his head with some regret and slowly pulled out his right hand, "You don't have time to listen to my explanation."
Lin Yaori fell to the ground.
There was a thud, not a loud muffled sound, but it was like a giant hammer that shook the world, hitting everyone's heart hard.
Everyone's thoughts came to a brief halt.
What followed was confusion.
The head of the Lin family, one of the three ancient clans, Lin Yaori, who is at the seventh level of the Dharma Realm...
Dead?!
Just died like that?!
After a moment of confusion, incomparable fear broke out, quickly overwhelming their minds.
Whether it is the Lin family or the Zheng family, the elders who are resisting the phantom attack, or the side branches watching the battle outside the battle circle.
At this moment, the only thing they could think of was to escape.
The farther you run, the better!
Unfortunately, Xu Chong did not intend to let them leave.
The mind moves slightly.
The number of phantoms, which originally far exceeded the total number of people from the two families, suddenly increased tenfold!
This time, except for Nan Ruyi, everyone was caught in a situation where one was against ten or even a hundred.
escape?
How to escape?
There were human figures everywhere, in the sky and on the ground.
Although he only has the strength of the ninth level of body cleansing, and it will dissipate after suffering a certain degree of damage, once one is dissipated, more will be replenished immediately.
Endless.
This is the reason why they say that ants can kill elephants.
Of course, after all, he was born in two ancient clans and was an elder of the clan, so he had some quick minds.
After realizing the reality that they could not escape, an elder of the Zheng family quickly came up with a solution and said loudly: "Everyone hold on! As long as we hold on, we have hope of survival!"
"Zheng Jinshan, if you have to fart, just let it out now!"
The elder of the Lin family shouted anxiously.
"This attack method should be some kind of side technique we have never seen before!"
While fending off the attack, Zheng Jinshan quickly analyzed the situation, "But the side skills directly consume one's own strength, and cannot communicate the power of heaven and earth with the Tao Seed to achieve infinity like the Dharma-Image Skills."
"This person is indeed very strong , but no matter how strong he is, after killing two great Dao Three Realms in succession, how much strength will he have left?"
"In addition, he chose to continue using this method to deal with us instead of taking action himself. It is very likely because he himself has been injured!"
"So, as long as we hold on until his energy is exhausted, the crisis will be resolved immediately, and even..."
Zheng Jinlong paused and glanced at Xu Chong threateningly, "A desperate counterattack!"
I have to say that Zheng Jinlong's analysis makes a lot of sense.
Everyone's eyes gradually lit up as they heard these words, and they began to think of ways to save as much energy as possible... Some took drugs, some used Taoist tools, in the hope of lasting longer.
Xu Chong was not moved at all by this. He used his magical power to retract another magical power clone, and then walked towards the place where Zheng Jinlong disappeared as if no one was around.
There, on the ground, lay a small bamboo leaf quietly.
“Is this the Pure Heaven?”
Xu Chong picked up the bamboo leaves with scrutiny.
It is smaller than normal bamboo leaves, emerald green in color, and slightly cool to the touch.
It looked like it would shatter if twisted, but Xu Chong tried it and found that even if he exerted all his strength, he could not damage it at all.
"It's a small world after all."
Xu Chong was not surprised. He put away the bamboo leaves and began to look at the battlefield calmly.
It has to be said that his attitude really increased everyone's psychological pressure.
Fortunately, Zheng Jinlong’s previous words were very consistent with their understanding, so they suppressed their emotions and gritted their teeth to hold on.
In a blink of an eye, two sticks of incense had passed, and finally someone couldn't stand this high-intensity confrontation anymore and collapsed completely.
"Please spare my life, sir! Please spare my life! I won't run away! Please spare my life, sir!"
A member of the Lin family's branch fell to his knees with a thud, crying and ignoring the attack from the phantom.
It’s not that he doesn’t want to care, but his Huangting and physical body are all exhausted, and he can’t squeeze out a drop of strength.
At this moment, he was equivalent to a ninth-level body-washing cultivator who had lost all his strength. If he was hit by the phantom body, he would die instantly.
Fortunately, the phantom's attack stopped abruptly just before it was about to hit.
"You can try to gather your strength and then try to escape, but I won't hold back when that happens."
Xu Chong's phantom said something lightly and turned to attack others.
Looking at the member of the Lin family branch again, he had collapsed with a pale face, and there was only despair in his pupils .
It was not until this moment that he realized that this thing that was like an illusion and would come back even if he was killed could actually speak...
So strange, so powerful, I can't escape, and I can even fight back?
Haha, impossible.
There are many people who share the same idea as him.
Especially the members of the two families' side branches, they didn't insist any more and knelt down to beg for mercy one after another.
Xu Chong didn't care whether these people had any other intentions or not, he just let them go as long as they asked for mercy.
In a blink of an eye, everyone knelt down in the field, and only a dozen elders from the two families were still resisting.
I have to say that the endurance of the third level of Zhongdao is still very long-lasting.
After three full hours, these people finally gave up hope and, like the members of the side branches, knelt on the ground and begged for mercy.
They had no choice but to beg for mercy.
After more than three hours of high-intensity confrontation, even an expert at the third level of the Tao could not hold on any longer.
On the other hand, the number of illusions did not decrease at all, and the offensive did not weaken at all.
They see no hope.
Although kneeling was the first time in their lives, they believed that submitting to a stronger person was natural and they did not have any psychological burden.
The only thing that makes them uneasy is that they don't know what will happen to them.
But soon, they found out.
Xu Chong retracted his phantom body, made a stroke with his hand, and said lightly: "Come here."
A pretty woman walked out.
It was Dou Zi, one of Dou Tianyuan’s last disciples.
"Dou Zi pays respect to the Regent."
Dou Zi ignored the situation on the field and clasped his fists respectfully.
To be honest, Xu Chong was a little uncomfortable with it.
On the one hand, Dou Zi could be considered his senior sister in name.
On the other hand, he admired Dou Zi's previous style of doing things.
However, Xu Chong also understood that when power and status reached a certain level, it would be impossible to completely avoid this situation.
So Xu Chong just nodded: "No need to be polite."
Dou Zi stood up straight, then bowed again and clasped his fists: "May I ask, sir, how should we deal with these people?"
"The three courts will hold an open trial and punish the criminals according to Qing law."
Xu Chong replied, thought for a moment and added: "If he has not committed any crime and has a good heart, he will be assigned to the Ministry of Works as a craftsman."
Hearing this, Dou Zi's eyes lit up, but he continued to maintain a serious expression and began to summon people from the other end.
The craftsmen in the Ministry of Works are not registered craftsmen. They refer to the laborers in the Ministry of Works who are responsible for making various martial arts objects, and their ranks range from the ninth rank to the fourth rank.
This is a position that is only held by people who have ability but no background or who have offended the powerful, and there are always a large number of vacancies all year round.
If there are any clean ones among these elders and branches of the clan, they would be just right to be added in.
And with interrogation instruments such as the Questioning Heart Rock, there is no need to worry about these people erasing their past crimes and trying to pass themselves off as genuine.
Not long after, teams of Blood-Clothed Guards walked out from the void wearing forbidden shackles and took the captives away one by one.
When one of them was being escorted and was about to walk into the passage, Xu Chong suddenly said, "Leave this person here, I still have use for him."
"yes."
The Blood-Clothed Guard responded respectfully, then undid the handcuffs and went to escort others.
The prisoner was none other than Zheng Wu, who had collaborated with Xu Chong in the assassination of Xie Changqing.
"I……"
Zheng Wu opened his mouth, his face looked a little pale, but he also understood.
After all, in the battle just now, he was the only one who did not beg for mercy.
The reason he was able to survive was because he had completely exhausted all his strength and was forced to collapse, and then was let go by the phantom.
"You may not recognize my face now, but you should still remember Xie Changqing's death, right?"
Xu Chong said with a smile, raising his hand and pinching it.
A ray of light broke through the air and then shot out at an even faster speed.
This is a downgraded application of "One Hand Breaks the Sky", "Star-Picking Hand".
"Your Mightiness?!"
Zheng Wu thought of the person whom he still admired until now, and his pupils shrank suddenly.
The death of Xie Changqing and the Star-Picking Hand, these two things combined made it hard for him not to think of that person.
"My name is Xu Chong."
Xu Chong smiled and nodded, "What you saw at first was the appearance I transformed into with the Formless Robe. This is my true appearance now."
Zheng Wu was confused.
The name Xu Chong was not unfamiliar to him.
For example, the descendants of Taizu and Dou Tianyuan’s last disciple, who were known a long time ago.
There was also news that came back from the capital of Daqing not long ago.
The new clan leader, and...
Regent!
"No wonder, no wonder you are so strong, no wonder I was able to survive without begging for mercy..."
Zheng Wu's expression changed continuously. Suddenly, he gritted his teeth and knelt down with a plop.
Boom, boom, boom…
The sound of kowtows was heard frequently.
Zheng Wu kowtowed as he spoke.
"I have been saved by you, my Lord. My life in exchange for yours is not enough. I should not have such delusions again, but..."
"But the Zheng family gave birth to me and raised me, which is also a great favor."
"If you can show some mercy, I will be your slave for the rest of my life and never betray you!"
"Please, sir, give the Zheng family a chance to live!"
"grown ups!"
In just a few words, Zheng Wu knocked a small hole in the ground.
Don't underestimate this pit.
This piece of ground has been bombarded by many Dharma Realm masters for half an hour.
It is equivalent to solidifying it countless times, and it is almost as strong as a Taoist weapon.
If Zheng Wu was not in the Iron Bone Realm, he would have died from his head cracking after these few blows.
Xu Chong did not stop him, but just sighed softly: "If I really wanted to kill everyone, no one would survive today, including the head of your Zheng family."
This is not a lie.
From the moment Zheng Jinlong and Lin Yaori appeared, he had countless opportunities to kill them instantly.
Not to mention others.
As for those who are still hiding in the cave, once the cave master dies and the key emerges, those inside will be trapped.
For example, in the Lin Family Cave, when Xu Chong withdrew his hand, he had already obtained the key from Lin Yaori.
The reason why he didn't do so was, on the one hand, in the spirit of recycling, and on the other hand, because of Zheng Wu and Lin Kuang.
One had a pleasant cooperation with him, and the other was a great favor to him.
If possible, he wouldn't mind leaving a trace of incense for both families.
However, Zheng Wu obviously did not understand what Xu Chong meant and looked stunned.
"Go ahead."
Xu Chong waved his hand and said, "Think about it carefully. If you are willing to help me persuade the Zheng family to surrender, come to Taiping Palace to find me."
After saying this, Xu Chong no longer paid attention to Lin Kuang and stepped into the space.
"Persuade to surrender..."
Zheng Wu remained kneeling on the ground, lost in thought for a long time.
He saw the scene where Xu Chong took away the bamboo leaves .
Although I have never seen it, since it is valued by such a powerful person, it must be the Zheng family's cave paradise without a doubt.
So, even though he was facing death and did not beg for mercy, after seeing hope, he knelt down without hesitation... for the entire Zheng family.
However, he was just a small branch, and his position was just an external steward who could barely communicate with the main branch. Those high-ranking clan members...
Will you listen to advice?
After a long time, Zheng Wu's eyes showed determination and he staggered to his feet.
…
…
Taiping Palace.
In a courtyard, Xu Chong sat in a pavilion, brewing tea leisurely.
Opposite him was Nan Ruyi, who was sitting restlessly and looking anxious.
To be honest, until now, the shock in Nan Ruyi's heart still shows no signs of subsiding.
Some are due to Xu Chong’s identity, and some are due to Xu Chong’s strength.
"Granny Ruyi should be happy, not horrified, to have an old friend as powerful as me."
Xu Chong said half-jokingly as he poured tea for Nan Ruyi.
"Forehead……"
Nan Ruyi gave a bitter smile and didn't dare to respond.
Although the forces belonging to the Taiping Dao had long been highly assimilated into Daqing, the lack of legal constraints made their core fundamentally different.
That's the law of the jungle.
Heaven, Earth, Emperor, Parents and Teachers, here they become Heaven, Earth, Strong Parents and Teachers.
Obedience to the strong has long been a deep-rooted idea in the hearts of every Taiping Taoist.
Even though Xu Chong showed a kind attitude, Nan Ruyi did not dare to act rashly.
Just sitting down opposite Xu Chong was enough to make her nervous.
Xu Chong did not force it and said, "Li Xiangxue is the son of an old friend of mine. The Nan family should not get involved in the fight for the Taoist master."
"It should be so, it should be so..."
Nan Ruyi smiled and nodded repeatedly, "The Nan family will definitely obey Taoist Li and follow his lead."
The battle for the Taoist master?
It's a joke.
With Xu Chong around, why would there be any conflict?
Didn’t you see what happened to Zheng and Lin’s families?
Even if the Nan family had the guts to do anything, they would not dare to have any unreasonable thoughts.
But the name Li Xiangxue...
It seems to be Ji Qingzhi’s disciple?
I don't know what I like or dislike...
"Don't be too nervous."
Xu Chong waved his hand, "As long as you don't mess around, with Xiangxue's character, I will never embarrass the Nan family. As for me... I will not get involved in the affairs of Taiping Dao."
"I understand."
Nan Ruyi nodded seriously, stood up and said, "If you have no other instructions, I will go back to the ship and ask my family to prepare a gift for the new Taoist master."
"Go ahead."
Xu Chong nodded.
Nan Ruyi bowed slightly and left the pavilion, then walked away.
"It's over now."
Xu Chong took a sip of hot tea and opened the panel to take a quick look.
In fact, not only the Zheng and Lin families who participated in the war, but even Xu Chong himself was curious about why he was so powerful.
It’s so powerful that it feels like it’s beyond the world’s limit.