Thinking of the Shen Family’s upheaval, Zhang Chen sighed softly, a sentiment welling up within: the world is ever-changing!
That’s all there is to it!
The great change of the Shen Family was fate, unable to be altered by anyone. The Shen Family became the fish on the chopping block, and everyone wanted to cut a piece off this fish.
Zhang Chen put his hands in his sleeves, lifted his head, and gazed into the distance, a mysterious look in his eyes.
Time seemed to quiet and slow down again, a calm day passing by, as the day gradually darkened, the Golden Crow disappearing from the sky, and a bright moon hanging high, its silver light illuminating the entire world.
Zhang Chen, enveloped in the silver light, walked down the academy, utilizing his Escape Technique to go far away. At nightfall, as Zhang Chen returned to his courtyard, just as he stepped over the threshold, a terrifying Qi Mechanism fluctuation from Heaven and Earth suddenly surged from afar, a golden sun rising in the night sky, illuminating the whole of Jinling City.
In an instant, the entire Jinling became as bright as day, even the bright moon in the sky was overshadowed by that intense light.
Along with the rising of the brilliant divine light, a vast divine might enveloped the entire Jinling City.
"Is it starting?" Zhang Chen was startled, raising his head to look at the ’little sun’ floating in the night sky, which clearly was composed of countless sharp sword beams, formed from the Qi of Geng Metal, a piercing cold light filled with chilling murderous intent.
"That’s Hu Li the Immortal’s aura, Hu Li the Immortal can actually mobilize Geng Metal Power, does that mean his body carries the White Tiger bloodline?" Zhang Chen was filled with shock.
The White Tiger is one of the most powerful Divine Beasts in Heaven and Earth, among Demon Beasts it ranks at the top, even comparable to the Innate Peacock.
As Hu Li the Immortal’s Qi Mechanism rose, there were successively five extremely powerful Qi Mechanisms emerging within Jinling City, belonging to the ancestors of major noble families, all having stepped into the Tenth Tier, yet not having enough Incense Faith to condense a Divine Body.
At this moment, those five Qi Mechanisms stood at five spots around the Shen Family, surrounding them completely.
"Shen Family, you’ve acted with reverse deeds and tyranny, oppressing the people and robbing men and dominating women, the people have long suffered at your hands, today is the time for your comeuppance. Let all the men of the Shen Family end themselves, and the women abolish their bloodline, perhaps a sliver of vitality may be preserved, otherwise the Shen Family will be erased from Heaven and Earth today." Hu Li the Immortal’s voice resounded across Jinling City.
"You all are bullying my Shen Family too much, though my Shen Family be shattered, the whole clan extinguished, we’ll still drag you all to the grave with us. You want to devour my Shen Family, treat us like a piece of fat meat, let’s see if you indeed have the strength, and beware my Shen Family doesn’t knock out all your teeth." There rose a blue pillar of light from the Shen Family, its divine light vast, surpassing that of the other pseudo-Tenth Tier powerhouses, even comparable to Hu Li the Immortal’s Qi Mechanism.
"Heh, since we’re acting, we’re naturally fully confident, the Shen Family’s demise is a foregone conclusion, even if the Human King came, it couldn’t be changed, said by Hu Li the Immortal!" Hu Li the Immortal’s voice brimmed with dominance: "If you’re sensible, end yourself, else I’ll settle for that, we won’t trouble you. If not, don’t blame us for being ruthless, after your death and Dao demise, I’ll extract your soul and refine it to light the celestial lamp, so you shall have no peace even after death." Hu Li the Immortal’s voice carried evil Qi.
"Heh, with your ability, just try to attack my Shen Family, even if we die, we’ll make sure everyone knows the Shen Family isn’t to be messed with. We’ll go out in a blaze of glory, not shaming our ancestors." The Shen Family’s Tenth Tier ancestor’s voice was filled with evil Qi.
"Kill!"
Hu Li the Immortal didn’t waste words, coldly commanding, and the next moment countless men wearing Yellow Turbans suddenly emerged from the streets and alleys, rushing like waves towards the Shen Family.
"Yellow Heaven Dao daringly reckless, actually dares to lay a hand on my Shen Family, all Shen Family disciples listen, if you can escape today’s calamity, be sure to leave no armor unscathed against Yellow Heaven Dao." The Madam Shen, at this time holding a cane, stood in the courtyard, her voice full of authority, a solemn murderous intent spreading through the air: "Shen Family’s sons listen, slay all invaders, let them see we’re not someone any stray dogs or cats can offend at will."
With Madam Shen’s command, numerous houses around the Shen Mansion burst open with Shen Family disciples, each wielding a weapon, charging towards the cultivators of Yellow Heaven Dao.
Thus a great battle erupted!
"Eldest!" Mrs. Zhang looked at the ’little sun’ in the sky, then hearing those thunderous shouts, her face changed, calling out to Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen became serious, telling Mrs. Zhang, "Do not resist!"
The next moment, Zhang Chen pointed at Mrs. Zhang, who transformed into a stream of light, flying into his sleeve.
With the Celestial Measuring Ruler backing him, Zhang Chen found his actions most convenient.
"Chengyu and them have yet to return!" Mrs. Zhang’s voice anxiously cried out, her words passing through the sleeve into Zhang Chen’s ear.
"I know! But don’t worry, I know their position." Zhang Chen sensed the position of the Blood God Child, and the next moment activated his Escape Technique, vanishing from the spot, reappearing beside the carriage of Chengyu’s group.
"Big brother!" The trio poked their heads out of the carriage, and seeing Zhang Chen, cheered with delight.
The street was in chaos, yet no fighting occurred. Most of the turmoil was caused by citizens fleeing in panic after witnessing the supernatural phenomena in the sky.
Zhang Chen stood calmly on the street, watching the frantic crowd, and said to the trio, "Don’t resist, I’ll take you to the academy for shelter."
Zhang Chen then deployed the Celestial Measuring Ruler, shrinking the entire carriage and tucking it into his sleeve.
Then the coachman, who had been possessed by Zhang Chen, transformed into a flash of blood light and vanished, leaving only a human skin slowly drifting to the ground.
Observing the chaos among the populace, Zhang Chen cast an Escape Technique, disappearing from the scene. When he reappeared, he was inside Chongzheng Academy, in the back mountain, releasing the people from his sleeve.
"Boss, what’s happening in Jinling City?" Mrs. Zhang asked urgently upon landing.
"The Shen family is being struck by disaster! I’m afraid this calamity will reduce the entire Shen family to ruins," Zhang Chen remarked with deep emotion.
Mrs. Zhang paled with disbelief in her eyes, "The Shen family is so powerful, who would dare to provoke the Shen family’s wrath?"
"Amid the strong, there are always stronger hands. The world’s experts are as numerous as carp crossing the river; they cannot be judged by common eyes," Zhang Chen responded.
"Big brother, what was that technique of shrinking people and putting them in your sleeve? I want to learn it too!" Zhang Tuowei’s eyes sparkled with eager anticipation as he looked at Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen ruffled Zhang Tuowei’s hair, "That’s my unique skill. It’s not something you can learn."
Seeing this, Zhang Tuowei appeared disappointed. After instructing everyone to ’stay here well,’ Zhang Chen vanished from the back mountain of the academy using the Escape Technique.
No matter the chaos in Jinling City, the academy would remain untouched by the flames of war. Chongzheng Academy was guarded by an eerie being at the Eleventh Tier. Unless people intend never to set foot in Jinling City again, who would dare to offend Chongzheng Academy?
Zhang Chen used the Escape Technique, rushing down the mountain. The chaos in the city had calmed, houses were shut tight as citizens hid inside. A continuous stream of Yellow Heaven Dao soldiers and experts from various noble families surged towards the Shen family without disrupting the populace.
Zhang Chen halted his Escape Technique, revealing his true form, then affixed an Invisibility Rune to himself, leaping onto a tall building to survey the situation in Jinling City. He saw that, centered around the Shen Family Mansion, over ten thousand Shen family disciples occupied several streets, actively engaging Yellow Heaven Dao’s forces.
"Hmm, Yellow Heaven Dao’s forces seem to be losing ground?" Zhang Chen observed the skirmish below with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Most of Yellow Heaven Dao’s soldiers are ordinary people, despite their rugged physiques. Shen family disciples naturally wield Bloodline Power, appearing god-like to Yellow Heaven Dao affiliates. With the Water Control Technique, they were slaughtering Yellow Heaven Dao soldiers, forcing them to retreat step by step.
Even among Yellow Heaven Dao’s soldiers, martial artists trained in Qi Blood couldn’t withstand the innate bloodline talent of the Shen family disciples. Martial Dao Qi Blood posed no threat to innate abilities, meeting an equally unfavorable end.
"Not only Yellow Heaven Dao’s forces are mixed in, but other powers are as well," Zhang Chen’s gaze fixed curiously on soldiers in blue garments.
"That’s the Flood Banner of the White Lotus Sect! The Flood Banner excels in controlling water flow, countering the Shen family’s Water Control Technique," Tushan Qing’s voice suddenly spoke next to Zhang Chen.
Startled, Zhang Chen realized he was invisible. How did Tushan Qing know of his presence?
Following the sound, Zhang Chen noticed shadows on a nearby roof distorting, and Tushan Qing appeared like a pitch-black silhouette stepping forth. As his dark figure twisted, he gradually assumed human form, standing next to Zhang Chen with admiration in his voice, "Zhang, your Invisibility Technique is indeed extraordinary. Otherwise, with my exclusive means, it would be impossible to discern."
Tushan Qing scanned Zhang Chen from head to toe, eyes filled with ’coveting’ gleam, consumed by desire, ’This divine technique is remarkable; I must find a way to wager for it. With it, the entire world would be accessible to me.’
"You’re able to see through my Invisibility Technique, which is quite remarkable," Zhang Chen complimented in return.
Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s praise, Tushan Qing smiled with pride, slowly opening his palm to reveal an eye. Golden halos radiated from the eye, evoking a sense of dizziness.
"This eye is not ordinary; it’s derived from the Ancient Divine Demon’s eye," Tushan Qing explained.