Zhang Chi clearly hadn’t expected Zou Feng to act so decisively. Not only that, but his first move was a Mid-air Palm Strike using Inner Qi Release.
Despite his shock, his reaction wasn’t slow. He quickly raised his arms to block, his Protective Qi Force flaring to life.
However, the impact from the exploding Fire Lotus, condensed from Zou Feng’s Inner Qi, was still more than he could bear. He was slammed forcefully against the wall.
’Seventh Grade!?’
Zhang Chi was stunned, looking at Zou Feng in disbelief.
’For Inner Qi Release to have such power... even if he isn’t a true Seventh Grade, he must be just half a step away...’
"Master Zhang, are you all right?"
Zhang Chi hadn’t come alone, of course. He had five subordinates with him, two of whom were Ninth Grade Martial Artists.
"I’m fine!"
Seeing his men about to help him up, Zhang Chi immediately waved them away, about to signal for everyone to attack together.
But he had barely gotten the two words "I’m fine" out when the subordinate who had come to help him wore an expression of terror. "Master Zhang, you... you’re bleeding..."
"What’s so great about bleeding..." Zhang Chi was about to curse irritably, but he finally realized something was wrong.
This wasn’t just any bleeding. Blood was pouring from all seven of his orifices.
This didn’t look like he was "fine" at all.
"WAAAAAH—"
Realizing that blood was streaming from his orifices, Zhang Chi’s body immediately had a corresponding reaction.
It was as if a "Fire Lotus" was also blooming within him, from the inside out.
SPLAT!
Zhang Chi’s body exploded.
The spattering blood truly looked like a "blood flower" in full, violent bloom.
Zhang Chi’s earlier guess had been correct. Although Zou Feng was still a little short of completely purifying and converting his Inner Qi, the combat power he could exert already surpassed that of an ordinary Seventh Grade expert.
He now only needed to continue converting his Inner Qi. At most, it would take about one hour for him to successfully advance.
Zou Feng was quite satisfied with the Poison Fury Fire Lotus Seal he had just executed.
Its power had increased by more than three times compared to before his seclusion.
Even before his seclusion, when he killed those two Eighth Grade members of the Ten Directions Sect, he had done so with overwhelming force in just a few moves.
But back then, he couldn’t have killed an Eighth Grade with just a single Mid-air Palm Strike.
He would have had to finish it in close combat.
Now, however, judging by the fact that Zhang Chi had been able to react in time to block, it was clear he wasn’t weak among Eighth Grade Martial Artists.
And yet, he died from a single palm strike!
Describing the Five Poison Fire Lotus Skill at the Peak Realm as terrifying was no exaggeration at all.
Seeing Zhang Chi "explode" from just one of Zou Feng’s palm strikes, the remaining men were completely stunned.
Such a sight was far beyond their comprehension. Who would dare to fight Zou Feng now?
But Zou Feng had no intention of letting them go.
After all, Zhang Chi’s group had come here, vicious and menacing, to disrupt his seclusion. It was obvious that if threats failed, their plan was to kill someone to make an example of them.
So, while these terrified men were still dazed, Zou Feng used Snake Skin Movement to weave through the five of them and pass out the door.
Only after Zou Feng stepped out of the pharmacy did five consecutive explosions sound from within.
The entire front hall of the pharmacy instantly turned into a living Purgatory.
But Zou Feng no longer felt any discomfort at this. It was just like how he now found even the most hideous poisonous creatures to be rather adorable.
In the front hall, Zhao Tianhu, Liu Chun, and Xiong Datian fought back the urge to gag and vomit as they hurried out after him.
"Hall Master..."
Even though they were with Zou Feng almost every day and knew him inside and out, the aura he currently exuded terrified them.
They felt that Master Zou seemed like a complete stranger at this moment.
Zhao Tianhu’s thoughts went even further.
’Perhaps, ever since our time at the Yang Mansion, Master Zou has actually been hiding his true self...’
"To the kitchen first!"
With that, Zou Feng took the lead and dashed toward the galley of the Dragon Gate Boat.
Seeing that Zou Feng’s first concern at this critical moment was the safety of his master, Luo Yong, Zhao Tianhu couldn’t help but sigh in relief.
’Good. Master Zou probably hasn’t Fallen into Demon from his cultivation. He still has his basic humanity...’
It was no wonder Zhao Tianhu was worried. Zou Feng had just killed an Eighth Grade as easily as killing a chicken. How terrifying was the outcome of his seclusion?
Thus, it was easy to wonder if Zou Feng had paid a heavy price for it.
As he rushed toward the galley, Zou Feng observed his surroundings.
He quickly discovered that the Dragon Gate Boat hadn’t descended into chaos.
This meant that the Vice Gang Leader, Xiang Kang, who had been left to guard the boat, had either already been dealt with or simply didn’t want to get involved in this mess.
Otherwise, as a Seventh Grade Expert, if Xiang Kang had stepped up to command the Black Flood Dragon Gang members still loyal to him, the Dragon Gate Boat would have long since erupted into a chaotic, sprawling battle.
But now, on the massive Dragon Gate Boat, the sounds of small-scale fighting could only be heard from two or three places.
’It’s probably like what just happened to me. Some Black Flood Dragon Gang officers loyal to Bian Yixia were unwilling to submit to the people Song Sixing sent to demand their surrender, so they started fighting.’
Zou Feng was incredibly fast, reaching the galley in just a few leaps.
Although some of Song Sixing’s men tried to stop him along the way, they couldn’t even see how Zou Feng moved before they all bloomed into "Blood-colored Flowers."
And so, in just a short while, Zou Feng had escorted Luo Yong’s family off the Dragon Gate Boat.
"Brother Hu, Chunzi, Datian, take my master and his wife to the Guangfa Gambling House and find Master Wang!"
Wang Xingjian had publicly advanced to Eighth Grade even earlier than Zou Feng, so he had also been promoted to Hall Master.
And after Chen Jingsheng was killed, he had naturally taken over the Guangfa Gambling House.
Based on Zou Feng’s understanding of Wang Xingjian, he was certain that Wang Xingjian hadn’t sided with Song Sixing.
"Hall Master, then... what about you?"
Hearing Zou Feng’s hurried instructions, Zhao Tianhu immediately realized that Zou Feng didn’t plan to go with them.
Zou Feng was already striding eastward. Without turning his head, he replied, "I want to kill some more people!"
Hearing this, Zhao Tianhu paused, wanting to say something but holding back.
He had actually wanted to persuade Zou Feng that since they were now safe, he should stay out of this mess for the time being.
They could wait for the chaos to settle, see which side won, and then decide what to do.
If Bian Yixia won, that would be wonderful. But if Song Sixing won, they could just leave Yuan Guang County at a moment’s notice.
Although it wasn’t the most honorable path, it was the surest way to guarantee their own safety.
But just by looking at the direction Zou Feng was heading, Zhao Tianhu knew he was clearly going to help Bian Yixia.
After all, the location of that highly suspicious duel was at the confluence of the East River and the Jiayue River.
"What’s this about ’wanting to kill some more people’? Can’t you just honestly say you’re going to help the Miss..." Zhao Tianhu shook his head helplessly.
Zou Feng hurried on his way, but he wasn’t in too much of a rush.
Calculating the time, it was just noon. The duel should have only just begun.
He had great confidence in Bian Yixia’s strength, believing that even if the Mountain and River Association had some trick up their sleeve, they wouldn’t be able to easily outwit her.
While traveling, Zou Feng didn’t forget to continue purifying and converting his Inner Qi.
His already blazing killing intent grew even stronger.
Just now, Zhao Tianhu thought he had seen through Zou Feng, but that wasn’t the case.
It was true that he wanted to help Bian Yixia, but at the same time, he was genuinely filled with pent-up rage that needed to be vented through slaughter.
There were many reasons for this accumulated anger.
He had been on the verge of obtaining an Immortal Treasure, only to be forced into a pathetic retreat by two major powers.
Chen Jingsheng’s death made him feel a somber kinship, knowing he could be next.
He could have peacefully advanced to Seventh Grade, but Song Sixing just had to pop up and cause trouble, disturbing his quiet cultivation.
Furthermore, after his Five Poison Fire Lotus Skill reached the Peak of Perfection, it seemed to be subtly influencing him even when he wasn’t actively practicing it, making him crave a bloody, unrestrained slaughter...
With his Inner Qi boosted to a level equivalent to the Seventh Grade, Zou Feng’s speed was incredible. It wasn’t long before he arrived at the duel site.
The scene he expected—either the two sides already locked in a chaotic battle, or Bian Yixia and her people ambushed and struggling to hold on—was not there.
The people from the Mountain and River Association and those Bian Yixia had brought stood at opposite ends of the field, not yet engaged in combat.
And the duel between Bian Yixia and Sun Kai was proceeding normally.
At this moment, because the members of the Black Flood Dragon Gang were all engrossed in watching the duel, it was clear no one knew about the incident on the Dragon Gate Boat.
Seeing Zou Feng’s sudden arrival, they all greeted him as usual.
Zou Feng didn’t explain immediately. Instead, he walked to the very front and watched the two duelists.
Amateurs watch the spectacle, experts see the technique. It only took Zou Feng a few breaths to see that although the battle seemed evenly matched, Bian Yixia’s condition was clearly not normal!
As someone who sparred with Bian Yixia almost daily, Zou Feng was an authority on her true strength.
Therefore, Zou Feng immediately determined that it wouldn’t be long before Bian Yixia was defeated and killed.
"Song Sixing has colluded with the Mountain and River Association and has taken over the Dragon Gate Boat!"
"This duel can be declared void!"
Zou Feng immediately infused his voice with Inner Qi and shouted, ensuring everyone present could hear him.
As soon as he spoke, the Mountain and River Association side showed no reaction, but the Black Flood Dragon Gang side, naturally, was in an uproar. They crowded forward to ask Zou Feng what was going on.
But to Zou Feng’s surprise, although Bian Yixia must have heard him, she didn’t stop the duel and was still gritting her teeth to hold on.
"Miss!?"
Zou Feng called out in confusion, about to just go forward and help her take care of Sun Kai.
However, just as he was about to step forward, one of Bian Yixia’s trusted followers hurriedly grabbed him.
"Master Zou, you can’t!"
Zou Feng turned and frowned at the man.
"The Miss and Sun Kai both just swore a Heart Demon Poison Oath. Once this duel begins, it cannot be stopped for any reason or by anyone’s interference!"
"Anyone who unilaterally stops the duel, or has someone from their own side interfere to help, will have violated the Heart Demon Poison Oath..." the man said urgently.