In contrast, Xiang Kang had also been secretly supporting a number of formidable experts.
So this wasn’t a simple Seventh Grade versus Seventh Grade fight. It meant she and Zou Feng would have to face all the top fighters on the entire Dragon Gate Boat.
Ultimately, Bian Yixia realized she had been far too naive.
For the past few days, while they had been preparing, Deng Guangxin and Xiang Kang had been preparing as well.
The only reason they hadn’t struck earlier was that Deng Guangxin was still making preparations to better absorb them, his own apprentices...
But what truly drove Bian Yixia to tears was being ruthlessly abandoned by two people she considered family.
She had long expected Deng Guangxin to make a move.
But Bian Yixia never imagined that Xiang Kang, who had always been so kind and amiable, would use that same gentle tone just moments ago to say, "Be a good girl, Xiaoxia. Listen to your adoptive father!"
In the end, all she could do was request to see Zou Feng one last time...
Escape was impossible. Not only did Deng Guangxin have a way to locate his apprentices, but the entire Dragon Gate Boat was actually a large Magical Artifact under his control...
"You should go. My adoptive father actually gave me one chance. He’s letting me fight him."
"If I lose, you know what’ll happen. But if I win, I can absorb him instead, and my power will soar!"
Bian Yixia gradually calmed down. "But there’s no need for you to stay. Your presence will only make my adoptive father cancel the duel and order everyone on the Dragon Gate Boat to attack at full force!"
Zou Feng fell silent for a moment. "In your current condition, do you really think you have a chance against him?"
"That’s none of your business!"
Bian Yixia said, her face devoid of emotion, "I can’t drag you down with me to die, knowing this is a hopeless fight!"
"I’ve said it before. We both started from nothing. It wasn’t easy for us to achieve what we have today."
At this, Bian Yixia could no longer keep her composure. She forced a smile uglier than tears. "If you still acknowledge me as your Miss, then I’ll give you one last order!"
"Go!"
"You still have a chance to see the view from the High Grade Realm. So... see it for me!"
With that, Bian Yixia picked up the Double Hammer beside her and strode out of the Practice Room without a single glance back.
Zou Feng didn’t just stand there stunned. He followed her out.
But Bian Yixia was too fast; she had already disappeared from sight.
At the same time, Zou Feng could clearly sense numerous people lying in ambush. The moment he made a suspicious move, they would all strike.
A gentle breeze drifted by, carrying the distinct, muddy scent of the Jiayue River.
The familiar smell stirred a mix of emotions in Zou Feng.
Of course, Zou Feng knew that listening to Bian Yixia and leaving at once was his best option.
After all, Xiang Kang and his men were wary of his strength. If he decided to leave, they would certainly not stop him.
’He could leave, find a new place, seek out a few more high-ranking patrons, and continue his Cultivation in peace. Before long, he could break through to the Gang Qi Realm, or perhaps an even higher Realm.’
’Once I’m strong enough, I can just come back, get revenge for Bian Yixia, and unleash all this pent-up frustration?’
’That’s right. I’m an Evil Cultivator. Why should I care about things like honor and friendship? There’s nothing wrong with choosing the safest path.’
’Too bad...’
’Even knowing that, I just can’t suppress the killing intent rushing to my head.’
’If my will is obstructed, then nothing else matters!’
The next moment, Zou Feng turned and walked toward the apothecary.
The men lying in wait saw that he wasn’t heading for the site of the duel between Bian Yixia and Deng Guangxin, so they didn’t stop him.
Back in the apothecary, Zou Feng poured a large quantity of Evil Eye Wine directly into a Beast Hide Wine Flask.
He then went back outside, tilted his head back, and took a large swig.
After finishing his drink, he declared loudly, "Brothers, I, your Hall Master, am now going to take Deng Guangxin’s head!"
"If you still see me as a brother, don’t come out and try to fight me. You will die!"
Before his voice had faded, his other hand began to repeatedly perform the Shaking Flower Hand technique.
Illusory images of lotuses bloomed in the air, filling the surroundings with an intensely ominous aura.
Then, Zou Feng swaggered toward the Gathering Hall.
Just from the direction Bian Yixia had gone, he knew this foregone duel would most likely be held in the Dragon Gate Boat’s Gathering Hall.
As he made his way there, no one dared to come out and stop him for a time.
Such was the intimidating power of a Poison Cultivator, capable of nullifying more than half of an enemy’s numerical advantage.
But eventually, some Entering Grade Martial Artists who didn’t fear death, along with others wielding ranged weapons, defiantly began to test him with attacks from a distance.
In response, Zou Feng snorted, formed a Sealing Technique with one hand, and conjured a Fire Lotus.
The moment it formed, the Fire Lotus bloomed violently.
"Lotus Seeds" burst from it, unerringly striking those who had just dared to attack him.
"AHHH—"
"ARGH—"
Amid several agonizing screams, those struck by the "Lotus Seeds" died from the poison in less than a breath. Veins bulged across their bodies in a gruesome display.
Those who had yet to attack immediately scrambled back, their eyes filled with overwhelming terror.
"Don’t push me!"
"Deng Guangxin and Xiang Kang will die today. Do you really want to die with them?"
After all, just moments ago, they were all brothers in the same sect. Otherwise, Zou Feng wouldn’t have wasted his breath; he would have simply started a massacre.
This time, no one dared to make a move.
In truth, many people present were only there because they were intimidated by Deng Guangxin’s tyrannical power; they had only shown up to fill the ranks out of duress.
Otherwise, who would want to make an enemy of an unfathomable Poison Cultivator like Zou Feng?
Now, seeing that Zou Feng was even more formidable than they had anticipated, the men exchanged glances and wisely cleared a path for him.
’Deng Guangxin will probably punish us for this later, but... what if Zou Feng can actually do what he says he’ll do?’
Unobstructed, Zou Feng reached the entrance of the Gathering Hall.
"Master... Master Zou!"
Someone suddenly called out to him from the side—and it was more than just one person.
Zou Feng turned and saw a group of people he recognized. They were all Bian Yixia’s trusted confidants.
A group of members who had thrived under the protection of the ever-loyal Bian Yixia.
"We... were useless!"
"Please, save the Miss!"
The confidants looked at Zou Feng, their bloodshot eyes pleading.
Zou Feng turned and continued on his way. "She will... *cough, cough*... She can win!"