I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 219 Dead End (Silver Sprout 9)

At this moment, there were over ten thousand onlookers, but not a single one was kicking Xue Xiang when he was down or mocking him. Instead, cries of injustice and grievances rose and fell.

Wang Baxian had thought he could humiliate Xue Xiang in front of everyone, but unexpectedly, he helped Xue Xiang gain momentum instead. More and more people gathered, and even many daughters of officials and ladies of wealthy families came to watch by carriage.

As the embroidered curtain was lifted, her eyes shimmered with tears, and she sighed repeatedly.

There was also a beautiful young woman, dressed in silver, with a fragrant gait, leading several other beauties to block the street corner.

Her eyes sparkled, and her voice was gentle: "This humble woman dares not ask about the crime, but we have always admired the talent of Young Master Xue."

The land of Canglan, with its thousand years of history and elegance, all culminates in the life of Xue Langjun. The sisters, who earn their living by singing Xue family poems, now hear of their lord's imprisonment and dare not refuse this humble bowl of wine.

Having said that, she stepped forward with a cup in hand, her red sleeves fluttering gently, releasing the aroma of wine into the air.

The street suddenly filled with voices.

Wang Baxian's face darkened, and he shouted sternly, "Step back! How dare you approach someone imprisoned by the court!"

The beauty smiled without fading, tears welling in her eyes: "We are just ordinary women, ignorant of the law, but we know that those with talent and virtue deserve respect."

If Lord Xue is truly guilty, why not announce it to the public and let the world judge?

Upon hearing this, silence fell, followed by an uproar.

"Yes! Do you dare to announce the charges!"

"The Imperial Observatory manages celestial phenomena but neglects human affairs. Now they're arresting me, the talented Canglan Scholar. How laughable and pathetic!"

"Young Master Xue alone has inspired us young men to strive for excellence. How could such a man be captured? It is truly a case of petty men ruling the country!"

Wang Baxian's face turned pale, and he was about to shout to stop him when he saw the messenger, Lord Liu, glance sideways, his eyes as dark as ink.

Lord Liu was already annoyed.

This was supposed to be a routine escort of suspects, but now it's turning into a scandal.

"Baxian, that's about enough."

Lord Liu said coldly.

Wang Baxian was taken aback and was about to return the greeting when the beauty took two steps forward amidst the chaos, holding a cup close to Xue Xiang. She whispered, "My lord, drink a sip of this turbid wine to soothe your weariness from your journey."

Xue Xiang smiled slightly, his fingertips lightly touching the wine cup, and leaned down to whisper: "Go find Xue Antai of Jiangzuo and protect my family."

This beauty was none other than Su Danqing, Zhao Huanhuan's confidante.

She was discussing business in the city when she heard the news and rushed over, disguising herself as a prostitute and getting close to the person.

Xue Xiang was trapped by the Nebula Lock, his spiritual power was bound, and even his ability to transmit his voice was restricted.

At this moment, his biggest worry is that a chain reaction will occur, leading to someone targeting his family.

Although family members provided protection, their limited protective capabilities were of little use in this cataclysmic situation.

The only person Xue Xiang could think of who could guarantee absolute safety was Xue Antai.

Sudan Qing calmly took the wine glass and stepped aside.

Xue Xiangchong bowed to the crowd, saying, "This student is unworthy of your kindness, elders."

The students are devoted to serving their country, and even if they are wronged, their resolve will not change.

"My lord has been wronged; how can there be no poem?"

Someone shouted loudly.

How can there be no poetry?

The whole street joined in the shouting.

More than 90% of the viewers may not truly empathize with Xue Xiang's injustice.

But since it's such a rare occasion, I still have to join in the fun.

Xue Xiang has always accepted all kinds of "stages" with a smile.

Even if he were buried underground, he would still sing a few lines if he heard ghosts crying.

Then he heard him recite aloud, "

He was obsessed with carrying stones, and felt sorrow for the vast ocean.

I fly alone, never tiring, ashamed to chase after seagulls.

The vibrant colors of flowers and violets reveal the difficulty of rendering them.

He was in his prime, and recognized the bloodstains on his face.

He sang generously in the Yan market, and calmly became a prisoner of Chu.

To draw the knife and die a swift death is a fitting end to one's youthful aspirations.

My soul remains, though my body is reduced to ashes.

The phosphorescent light never fades, illuminating the Swallow Terrace night after night.

boom!
"Truly, every export is a tapestry of splendor."

"What a fine line: to draw the sword and die a quick death, to live up to the ideals of youth."

"Young Master Xue is innocent!"

After the poem was recited, half the city was in an uproar.

The line "To draw the sword and die a quick death, to live up to my youthful ideals" has moved countless beautiful women to tears.

In an instant, half the city was crying out for justice.

Lord Liu's face turned ugly, and he suddenly turned around and glared at Wang Baxian.

Wang Baxian was already filled with regret, completely forgetting that the guy in front of him was the kind of person who would dare to take advantage of anyone who gave him a little face.

With this outrageous move, that scoundrel is probably going to earn a lot of talent again.

What use is talent when you're about to die?

"Move forward!"

Lord Liu gave a sharp shout.

The yamen runners cracked their whips to clear the way, and the flag bearers raised their commands.

The crowd did not disperse; instead, they followed behind.

Shop owners along both sides of the street sprinkled water and swept the ground as a sign of respect.

The old woman at the incense shop knelt and bowed, the old scholar took off his hat and wept, and even the boy selling tofu pudding raised his copper ladle high, shouting, "Young Master Xue is innocent!"

Xue Xiang returned the greeting with a cupped hand, deeply moved.

Suddenly, a young man's voice rose from the roof tiles: "Young Master Xue reads the books of sages and establishes a heart for heaven and earth, and a destiny for the people. How can such a person be defiled!"

The crowd responded in unison, their voices echoing through the streets.

Wang Baxian was about to draw his sword, but was stopped by a cold glance from Lord Liu.

"Let's go, get out of the east gate quickly."

The group moved forward quickly, but the further they went, the more people there were.

People gathered at the city gate, turning the long street into a river.

………………

The morning bell at Canglan Academy has just ceased to tolling.

After reading the official document, Ni Quanwen slammed his fist on the table, the gold trim on his sleeve causing the scrolls on the table to scatter. His face was ashen, and he was barely able to contain his anger. "Nonsense! Utter nonsense!"

Wei Fan stood to one side, his face equally grim. "The news is confirmed. Xue Xiang was taken away by the Qintian Palace on charges of 'reincarnation of an evil spirit and bewitching the heavens.'"

The news spread throughout the city that Wang Baxian was leading his men in a ostentatious procession.

The entire academy was outraged, but the central government…did not utter a single reply.

Ni Quanwen closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and his chest heaved. "I have just sent three urgent documents, first to the Temple of Literature, then to the central government."

Logically, Tongque should have made a move by now, but this time, there's been no news from either side.

Wei Fan sneered: "It seems this is not the work of one faction, but why would a mere Xue Xiang alarm the Imperial Palace?"

The atmosphere inside the hall grew increasingly stagnant.

The sound of pines outside the eaves is low and deep, while rain falls on the green tiles under the eaves.

Ni Quanwen paced back and forth, his beard and hair trembling slightly.

“Although Xue Xiang is a sharp-tongued young man, he is ultimately an honor to our Canglan Academy. If he is really taken to the Qintian Palace…” He paused, his voice slightly hoarse, “I’m afraid he will never return.”

Wei Fan stepped forward and lowered his voice: "Brother Ni, there is no other way at the moment. It seems that we can only ask the Lord of Mingde Cave to intervene."

He is universally acknowledged as a saintly figure, and the central government must respond to his concerns.

Ni Quanwen nodded, "That's the only way." He said, "We'll split into two groups. You go to the Bohai Bay, and I'll personally send people to protect his family."

I'd like to see who dares to stir up trouble in Canglan.

A wind rises outside the palace, causing the flags to flutter in the wind.

Wei Fan turned and left. Half an hour later, the Canglan Academy Guard Battalion mobilized all its troops and marched towards Yunmeng City.

Night was falling, clouds pressed down over the city walls, and the academy bell rang again. Ni Quanwen stood under the eaves, gazing at the dim light on the horizon, and whispered, "Boy, can you hold on?"

…………

The Xue family ancestral home in Jiangzuo is built on the banks of the Yangtze River, surrounded by water and mountains, and has a magnificent presence.

Vermilion gates stand tall, and pavilions are connected one after another.

The ten-mile-long street outside the gate was all his residence, with carriages and horses coming and going in droves, and guards and servants in rows.

The entire mansion was resplendent with gold and jade, exuding an air of high-ranking officials.

The council chamber was packed with people.

On the main seat, Xue Yuanling, the head of the Xue family, sat upright, his hair and beard graying, his expression solemn.

To his left are the family elders of the next generation.

The right column consists of key figures in the clan.

The younger generation of key personnel were seated in the back seats.

The atmosphere in the hall was somber.

Xue Yuanling slowly said, "Tell me about Xue Xiang being taken away by the Qintian Palace."

"Xue Yuanshan cut himself off from his family, so his son is no longer considered a member of the Xue family. What does he have to do with us?"

"You can't say it like that. You can say it's okay, but the whole world knows he comes from the Xue family of Jiangzuo."

"Xue Xiangwen's fame has already astonished the world, and all the academies regard his poetry and prose as their model. Should our Xue family refuse to admit such a person?"

Xue Shizhao snorted coldly, stood up and cupped his hands: "Elders, please forgive me. I have dealt with Xue Xiang before. He is a deep and cunning man with a hawk-like gaze and no sense of clan loyalty."

He flaunts his fame outside, but only uses his ancestral surname as a pretext; he may not truly acknowledge the Xue family in his heart. It's a good thing he's brought trouble upon himself now, preventing him from becoming a future threat.

He had never suffered such a great loss in his life, so naturally he couldn't forget it.

Now that he had the chance to stab Xue Xiang in the chest, he certainly wouldn't let it go.

Xue Yuanling frowned: "You scoundrel, you suffered a loss at Xue Xiang's hands, and now you're spouting nonsense and slandering others. Is this your family's tradition?"

As Xue Shizhao's father, Xue Yuanling was very dissatisfied with his son's magnanimity and cunning.

Xue Shizhao was about to argue further when Xue Yuanling glared at him fiercely, and he dared not speak.

Xue Yuanliang from the third branch interjected, "Shi Zhao's words, though biased, are not entirely without reason. Although Xue Xiang is renowned, his actions in recent years have been sharp, making enemies everywhere. If we act rashly, we will be making enemies of all the powerful families in the world."

Xue Anbei sneered, "Everything has its rules and its permissives. Xue Xiang is exceptionally talented and has a high level of cultivation; his chances of becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) are extremely high."

Although my Xue family boasts the reputation of having nine members who passed the imperial examinations, which sounds like an honor, in the eyes of truly high-ranking families, it is no different from a joke.

What kind of honor is it to fail to become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) even after nine attempts at the provincial

Now, the opportunity to change our family's fortunes is right before us. Will you give up so easily at the slightest sign of trouble?

As an elder of the Xue family, Xue Anbei held immense influence.

When he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

Just then, a servant rushed in, knelt down and reported: "Reporting to the patriarch—the Sixth Patriarch has emerged from seclusion!"

The entire hall was astonished.

The Sixth Ancestor, whose full name was Xue Antai, was the only member of the Xue family to have reached the Divine Transformation Realm and was also the ancestor who suppressed the entire Xue family's fortune.

His movements constantly weighed on the minds of the Xue family.

Do you know where they went?

Xue Yuanling asked urgently.

The attendant reported, "The Sixth Patriarch left a letter with only the two characters 'Yunmeng' written on it."

Xue Yuanling slumped back into his armchair and murmured, "Sixth Uncle visited Xue Xiang a few days ago, but didn't talk to me in detail."

Now that he has been disturbed again, his attitude towards Xue Xiang is self-evident.

His attitude is the attitude of the Xue family.

"Issue my order: the entire family must gather all forces and be ready to be deployed at any time."

"promise!"

The crowd scattered in a great uproar.

A family with a history spanning over a thousand years may have moments of indecision, but once it makes a decision, it has the power to strike with overwhelming force.

In an instant, only Xue Yuanling and Xue Shizhao remained in the huge council hall.

Xue Shizhao's expression was twisted, his fists clenched, and he muttered in a low voice, "Why... why is he worthy of the Sixth Patriarch leaving seclusion twice?"

Xue Yuanling sighed, "Someone come here!"

"promise."

Two men in black drifted inside.

Xue Yuanling gazed at the sky and said, "Take the young master to the Cliff of Repentance, and do not let him return for ten years."

"promise."

"No, Father, no..."

Xue Shizhao panicked, "Father, what did I do wrong?"

"If you still don't know where you went wrong, then you truly have no reason to be wronged."

Xue Yuanling waved his hand gently.

Two men in black, one on each side, flanked Xue Shizhao and drifted away.

………………

In the secret realm of bones, atop Bone Mountain, a blood-red palace suddenly glowed with an eerie light. The palace doors swung open, and three skeleton statues simultaneously opened their eyes.

The Palace Master, Kuangfeng Xuehuo, stood in the center, his gaze as cold as embers, and said calmly, "Xue Xiang has been taken away by the Qintian Palace?"

A priest in a blood-red robe bowed deeply: "The news is confirmed; the escort team has left Canglan." A glint flashed in Kuangfeng Xuehuo's eyes as if he were pondering something. After a moment, he laughed, his laughter chilling: "New and old grudges, let's settle them all at once. It's time to let Beiming and Zhan'er avenge their humiliation."

The priest in the blood-red robe said, "Xue Xiang is no ordinary person; we must be wary of him."

Kuang Fengxue's face was as cold as iron. "If they can't accomplish anything by possessing the holy relics, then there's no need for them to come back."

"promise."

The blood-robed priest vanished into the miasma.

Meanwhile, incense smoke filled the Wang Family Ancestral Hall.

The patriarch, Wang Hongyue, sat upright on the high platform, his face ashen, surrounded by several elders.

"Ba Xian's reckless actions have caused quite a stir."

Someone whispered.

Wang Hongyue snorted coldly, "That scoundrel Xue Xiang ruined Ba Xian's opportunity, which is tantamount to damaging the reputation of my Wang family."

Now that the Imperial Observatory has taken action, the situation is absolutely foolproof.

Ba Xian played a crucial role in this situation, and once things are accomplished, all the powerful families will surely remember his kindness.

With such a sure-win situation, why should we back down?

A middle-aged scholar hesitated and said, "It is said that Xue Antai, the sixth ancestor of the Xue family, has emerged from seclusion."

Wang Hongyue's gaze suddenly turned cold: "So what? He's a cripple whose cultivation has fallen. If he dares to reach out this time, I'll kill him too."

Besides, it might not even be our turn to take action.

Xue, the traitor, acted with impunity in Canaan, believing he had eradicated the four great families.

Little did they know that these aristocratic families had connections throughout the entire country.

If we don't move, others will.

…………

Almost simultaneously, the most prominent families, the Shen, Gu, and Lu families, also convened secret meetings.

"Xue Xiangwen's reputation is too great. If we act rashly, it may affect the scholars of the world."

"Scholarly circles? Without aristocratic families, where would a scholarly circle come from? If there are aristocratic families, shouldn't Xue Xiang be dead?"

"That being said, if we cannot substantiate their guilt, things could escalate drastically..."

"No matter what, we must let Xue Xiang die first."

Every word was like the wind sweeping through dry grass, sparking a glimmer of fire.

Under the cover of night, within the capital city, secret letters and messages from various noble families flew in and out like scraps of paper.

………………

The wind came from the north, blowing the wolf grass on the open field flat and rolling into waves.

Eagles circled in the distance, their shadows falling on the tips of the grass, which were like scattered gold, before being blown away by the wind.

On a precipitous cliff, Kuang Beiming and Kuang Zhan stood side by side, their cloaks billowing behind them, their bone-patterned armor reflecting a faint silver light in the sunlight.

Kuangzhan, brandishing his longsword, said with a murderous aura, "Brother, don't make a move later. Watch me perform. I heard that the clan even asked you to bring out the Sacred Bone. That's completely unnecessary and gives that Xue fellow too much face. He's trapped by the Nebula Lock now, his spiritual power sealed. What else can he do but wait to die?"

His voice was rough and harsh, filled with a strong sense of bloodlust.

Kuang Beiming smiled slightly and looked into the distance: "It's a real pity that I can't fight Xue Xiang. That guy is quite an oddball."

Kuang Zhan snorted and was about to speak again when Kuang Beiming suddenly pointed ahead: "I'm afraid it won't be your turn to make a move later."

Kuangzhan froze, looking in the direction his brother was pointing. He saw a dense, shadowy forest in the distance, with the wind whistling through the trees without making a sound.

Kuang Beiming said in a low voice, "There, the birds are not startled, and the insects are not chirping. Clearly, there is hidden killing intent."

He squinted and continued, "That Xue fellow has offended too many people. Besides you and me, there are probably others who want him dead."

The Berserker's expression immediately changed, and the Holy Bone Blade in his hand emitted a slight hum. He gritted his teeth and said, "No! That Xue fellow can only die by my hand."

Kuang Beiming turned to the side, his voice calm and unhurried: "I know you're eyeing the immortal talisman on him, but don't even think about it."

"A high-ranking official at the central level has already requested it."

"Central hub?"

Berserker's brow twitched.

Kuang Beiming sneered: "Yes. That kid's resume has been thoroughly exposed. A poor kid with no connections and no influence has risen to this level in just two years, even mending the cracks on the Wendao Stele."

Everyone wanted to know what secret he was hiding.

"Don't you think that magical talisman is incredibly tempting?"

"So, that kid's immortal talisman has already been stripped away?" Kuangzhan asked.

Kuang Beiming shook his head, "He is now a criminal awaiting punishment, not a criminal. The Immortal Talisman was bestowed by the imperial court. He is not a criminal, so who would dare to take it away?"
But not daring to deprive someone of their rights doesn't mean... not daring to kill or steal them.

The wind whistled between the two, stirring up dust and sand from the ground.

Berserker gripped the hilt of his sword, his eyes cold: "Damn it, why don't those old men just die? They want all the benefits but never step forward, hiding in the background waving their little fans."

Even the man surnamed Xue wasn't as repulsive as them.

Kuang Beiming did not answer, but simply gazed at the desolate forest.

"Brother, how many groups do you think will be involved when the fight breaks out later?"

Berserker is a warmonger, with a burning passion in his heart.

Kuang Beiming pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "It's hard to say, but it's not a small number. Although the Xue family has risen rapidly in their careers, they have offended too many people."

The various powerful families, the secret realm of white bones, the Imperial Palace, the royal family, a certain lord in the central government, the old demon coveting his secret treasure… who wouldn't want to take his head?

Kuangzhan grunted, "Brother, do you think these idiots will start fighting amongst themselves? If it turns into a chaotic battle and that Xue guy takes the opportunity to escape, that wouldn't be good."

Kuang Beiming shook his head slightly, gazing at the distant shallows. "It's already a dead end, it has nothing to do with whether we run or not."

Berserker frowned: "What do you mean?"

Kuang Beiming said, "He is currently only suspended from his duties pending investigation, and has no real crime. If he really fights his way out, or is picked up by someone, those people who want to get rid of him will immediately finalize the case and label him as a fugitive from justice."

That would be a clear-cut crime, and once the wheels of the system were fully rolled over, Xue Xiang would be nothing but ashes.

Therefore, I say that Xue Xiang is going to die whether he lives or dies.

Kuang Zhan was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "They say that when a thousand people point fingers at you, you die without illness. This Xue fellow is truly destined to die."

I want to see what a pathetic face this bastard will have as he dies.

"I also want to see."

Kuang Beiming's voice was as cold as ice.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar, and dust swirled up, like a long, winding dragon galloping from the depths of the grassland.

That was the escort team.

Banners fluttered, and armor clanged. At the very front, a rider in a snow-white robe stood—it was Wang Baxian.

He straddled his horse, his gaze sweeping coldly over the shallows ahead.

In the middle, a prison cart was pulled by four dragon horses, and a figure sat quietly inside under the heavy iron bars.

The sunlight shone obliquely, revealing a person sitting cross-legged, calm and composed. Who else could it be but Xue Xiang?

Chains encircled his wrists, their star-like patterns shimmering beneath his skin.

Mad Warrior stared at the prison cart, grinned, and muttered, "The renowned Autumn Sorrower, once imprisoned, is nothing more than a stray dog."

Suddenly, the earth trembled slightly. Immediately afterwards, a buzzing sound with flowing light came from all directions.

Kuang Beiming looked up, a cold glint in his eyes: "It's the 'White Bone Locking Heaven Formation'."

Suddenly, the wind around the grassland froze, and bone pillars emerged from the ground, their surfaces shimmering with light, as if countless dead were whispering.

The array patterns covered the sky and earth, like a giant spider web closing in from all directions.

"Once this formation is activated, the energy of heaven and earth will be locked, and outsiders will not be able to enter."

A burst of spiritual light appeared beneath Kuang Beiming's feet. "Quick, get into the formation, or we'll just be watching the show. I wonder which family is so afraid that Xue Xiang will escape that they're going to spend so much money."

With a light touch of his toes, his figure transformed into a gust of wind as he rushed down the mound.

With a loud shout, Kuang Zhan moved in unison, and the two figures disappeared into the light almost simultaneously.

At that very moment, dozens of dark figures suddenly emerged from the depths of the forest, appearing from all directions.

The first few people were wearing cloaks and were thin, with talismans flashing behind them; more than ten masked men rushed out from the other side, holding strange weapons.

There was also a group of assassins dressed entirely in black, armed with short crossbows, their masks adorned with blood-red runes.

"Character archer."

Kuang Beiming's brow twitched.

Those people arrived with great speed, rushing into the encirclement before all sides could coordinate their attacks.

The edges of the bone array flickered more violently, and the light threads connecting the bone pillars crackled as if they were about to close at any moment.

Everyone transformed into streaks of light and flashed inside.

Just as the great formation closed, several more figures appeared like smoke bubbles.

Thus, the ancient road through the vast grasslands has been transformed into a battlefield of carnage.

"The Imperial Observatory is handling cases; who dares to act recklessly! Anyone who dares to act privately will be punished for treason!"

On his tall dragon-horse, Lord Liu remained calm in the face of the unexpected turn of events, shouted sternly, and revealed the token of the Imperial Palace.

He really broadened his horizons today.

The imperial decrees were widely obeyed, and few dared to defy the law, let alone intercept a procession of officials on official business in the central government.

In the past, his shouts like this had already intimidated the situation.

But right now, his words have faded away.

The entire audience was frozen in place, each person expressionless, not even blinking.

A cold wind swept by, causing the leaves of the armor to tremble slightly, but no one answered.

Lord Liu frowned and roared again: "Do you really dare to defy the law? Once the central government issues an order, you will all be reduced to dust."

The entire place remained silent.

"Master Liu."

Xue Xiang raised his head slightly, "If I were you, I would run away immediately. And stay far away from Wang Baxian."

Lord Liu was taken aback and turned to look at Wang Baxian.

Sure enough, Wang Baxian sat upright on his horse, his expression unusually calm.

"You audacious tyrant!"

Lord Liu roared, "Could it be that you summoned these thieves? I know you have a grudge against Xue Xiang and lost face at his hands. I only allowed you to accompany him to vent your anger because you, sir, spoke up for you. I never expected you to be so audacious as to set up such a murder trap!"

He raised the token in his hand, its golden light shining brightly. "Although Xue Xiang is imprisoned, he is merely awaiting punishment. Wang Baxian, you colluded with thieves to intercept government officials. If this causes trouble, it will be a crime punishable by the extermination of your entire clan!"

His voice grew louder and louder, almost breaking the wind, "I now order you to make these people leave immediately!"

Wang Baxian still did not respond, but lowered his head and slowly stroked the gold thread on the reins with his thumb.

Finally, he raised his eyebrows and said, "Lord Liu, you have misunderstood. No matter how bold I am, I would never dare to collude with thieves and kill government officials without authorization."

These people don't look like they belong together, which only shows that Xue Xiang has committed too many sins and has enemies all over the world.

They wanted Xue Xiang dead, and there was nothing I could do about it.

"you you……"

Lord Liu was furious and was about to give another order when suddenly there was a whooshing sound like a snake's tongue flashing.

"Om-"

With a gentle twang of the bowstring, an arrow bearing crimson runes shot out like a shooting star, arriving before Lord Liu in the blink of an eye.

He reacted extremely quickly, and the seal in his palm transformed into a halo of light. A circular protective barrier instantly unfolded in front of him, floating with golden characters and lightning.

The talisman arrow struck the protective barrier, sparks flying, the runes clashing and producing a tearing hiss.

In the blink of an eye, the second arrow arrived.

This time, the arrow light split into three strands, swirling around each other, with runes trailing like flowing fire, carrying extremely strong penetrating power.

Lord Liu gave a low shout, formed a hand seal, and the secret patterns of the Qintian Palace appeared on his body to protect him. A layer of silvery-white mist spread from his back to his whole body, turning into a semi-transparent light armor.

"boom!"

A talisman arrow struck him squarely in the chest.

The silver armor trembled violently, light and shadow exploded, and runes wrapped around the protective patterns and spread wildly, like flames drilling into ice.

The next instant, a muffled groan came from Lord Liu's throat, and a charred hole was blasted into his chest. Blood and qi burst out with his aura and shot straight into the sky.

He wanted to speak, but all he could do was gasp for breath.

The next arrow has arrived.

This time, the talisman arrow, trailing a ghostly blue flame, pierced directly through Lord Liu's brow.

boom!
Lord Liu's eyes widened, his body trembled slightly, a low, cracking sound came from his throat, and then he fell straight to the ground.

Before the officials could react, the fourth arrow, the fifth arrow... flew in one after another.

Each arrow carried a different magical power: some exploded with lightning, while others stirred up waves of heat.

The officials and constables desperately tried to hold up the defenses, but they crumbled one after another like paper.

Blood splattered everywhere, and screams were swallowed by the wind.

In the blink of an eye, the entire escort team was swept away by the talismanic light, and blood rained down across the grassland.

Lord Liu's body was still warm, the bloodstains were not yet dry, and the surrounding area was eerily quiet.

Almost simultaneously, everyone's gaze fell upon the prison van.

Wang Baxian and the Kuang brothers also kept their eyes on Xue Xiang; their purpose in coming here was to take Xue Xiang's life.

Xue Xiang was already doomed, and his death was a foregone conclusion.

But seeing Xue Xiang die is not enough.

They had been humiliated by Xue Xiang, defeated by him, and had their glory stolen by him.

Now, they wanted to witness Xue Xiang's fear, to see his face contorted, to hear him beg for mercy, to hear him cry out.

Only in that way can old shame be washed away and true satisfaction achieved.

However, the man in the prison van remained seated.

Even with chains binding her wrists, she remained calm.

"You're really good at pretending! Where's your arrogance? Where's your domineering attitude? I really want to skin you alive."

The berserker, carrying a large sword, had eyes full of bloodlust.

(End of this chapter)