Those still alive within the Hall of Healing were all reduced to sticks of stark white bones within fifteen minutes. Not a single complete skeleton to be found.
Jiang Chen had been thoroughly provoked this time.
Extermination!
What had happened had absolutely crossed his bottom line. Even if he no longer had relations with the Jiang family, he wouldnât sit idly by and allow such a thing to happen!
The Shangyang Kingdom was indeed one of the premier kingdoms in the sixteen kingdom alliance. Because their backer was the Purple Sun Sect, theyâd inherited the sectâs style and typically acted about in a domineering fashion.
The king of the Shangyang Kingdom, Wu Tan, was an honorary Purple Sun Sect elder and had quite a network within the sect.
King Wu Tan had built quite an impressive kingdom, and his son Wu Hong was equally obsessed by ambition.
Wu Hong had gone for a tour in the Purple Sun Sect half a year ago. Heâd paid much to befriend many sect disciples, and had learned about Jiang Chenâs matters from those whoâd participated in the selection. Heâd gotten the go-ahead for some matters, and all that had caused his ambition to overflow and burst forth.
Jiang Chen was a secular kid whoâd risen from the Eastern Kingdom, but had demonstrated perverse progress from beginning to end, soaring to the top of the selection and then slaughtered the Long Juxue of the innate constitution!
Just what kind of heritage had Jiang Chen received?
There was no one in the Purple Sun Sect who wasnât sparked with curiosity.
It was because of this desire to know and the general publicâs view that he wouldnât be able to exit the Eternal Spirit Mountain that those within the Purple Sun Sect had decided to overturn the entire Jiang family clan. They wanted to see if they could understand what the Jiang family heritage was.
Wu Hong was just a pawn in the whole matter.
But heâd received many promises from the high ranks of the Purple Sun Sect.
The senior echelons of the Jiang family clan were all wheezing on their last breaths in the dungeons of the Shangyang Kingdom. It was apparent that lengthy interrogations had taken them to the limits of their endurance.
One white haired elder in particular was Elder Xi, the most senior person in the Jiang family. Blood continued to ooze out of the corners of his mouth as he muttered curses, âAll of you dog of a robber! Just do away with me in a single slice if youâve the guts to! Donât even think of getting anything out of me!â
A middle aged person next to Elder Xi was Jiang Zheng. He barely resembled a human from all the torture heâd gone through.
Although he was no cultivator, Jiang Zheng was a tough old bird. All sorts of torture and interrogation techniques had been used on him over these days, including everything in the handbook at least once. Yet, heâd still refused to say anything.
âElder Xi, donât be afraid. The young master will come save us when he finds out whatâs happened!â Although Jiang Zheng was a pitiful heap on the floor, he remained steadfast.
âSave you?â A man in a royal uniform laughed coldly. âYouâre still holding out hope even when things have progressed thus far? Jiang Chen is contained in the Eternal Spirit Mountain, and thereâs no one on heaven or earth who can save him!â
âBullshit!â Jiang Zheng cursed loudly. âMy houseâs young master is favored by the gods! He would be able to bear up beneath the heavens collapsing, much less a mountain!â
Jiang Zheng didnât have many advantages to speak of, but when it came to Jiang Chen, he blindly admired the latter and was a typical brainless fan.
The uniformed man smiled slightly and leveled his whip at Jiang Zhengâs chin. He spoke chillingly, âYouâre a rather loyal servant. However, youâre dumbly loyal. As long as you cooperate and tell me about Jiang Chen, I promise you endless riches and glory in the Shangyang Kingdom. Isnât that better off than your tiny place of the Eastern Kingdom?â
âPah!â
Jiang Zheng cursed loudly. âAlthough Iâm not good for much, the Eastern Kingdom is my home! I was born in the Jiang family, and when I die Iâll become a ghost of the Jiang family! Big deal about your screwy Shangyang Kingdom! If you aggravate my houseâs young master, heâll topple your country and destroy your home with a wave of his hand!â
The uniformed man grew irate and waved the whip, viciously cracking it again and again.
âEnough. Heâll die if you keep whipping him.â
A young man whoâd been sitting on the side suddenly spoke up. He wore a robe made of python skin, and was crown prince Wu Hong of the Shangyang Kingdom.
Wu Hong smiled faintly, as if he acknowledged that Elder Xi and Jiang Zheng would be tough nuts to crack.
He walked over to another Jiang family elder. âElderly one, I can see that your position in the Jiang family is middling. As opposed to dying aggrieved like this, why not cooperate? Tell me, what heritage did that Jiang Chen receive? Any clues at all?â
The elder was taken aback, obviously hesitating.
However, he didnât know what to say as to what heritage Jiang Chen had received either. He only knew that this useless fop had suddenly seen the light after being caned on the orders of the Eastern Kingdomâs king. As for what reason, no one amongst the Jiang family members here knew why.
âPrince Wu Hong, itâs not that I donât wish to cooperate, but that Jiang Chen had superficial relations with us to begin with. He didnât let us know anything about him. Apart from Jiang Zheng, none of the others had deep relations with Jiang Chen. Besides, Jiang Chen wasnât close to any of us. Youâve truly captured the wrong people Your Highness! If we were close with Jiang Chen, why wouldnât we have gone to the Skylaurel Kingdom with him? Jiang Feng and Jiang Chen shunned us when they were still at home.â
This person had a rather glib tongue as he tried to escape this particular disaster.
Wu Hong snorted coldly upon hearing this. âSo according to your words, you know nothing about Jiang Chen?â
âIndeed.ââ
âSince you know nothing, then youâre useless trash. Whatâs the point in keeping you?â Wu Hong suddenly unsheathed his sword and beheaded the old man.
Wu Hongâs gaze was cold as he stared fixedly at Jiang Zheng and Elder Xi, saying raspily, âMy patience is limited. Today is the final deadline. If we still do not obtain anything from you, then all of you can accompany the Jiang family ghosts on their way to the underworld!â
Jiang Zheng started laughing in an ugly fashion. âKill us then, why all the talk? My young master will find you sooner or later, and being an enemy of my young master is courting death! The Wu royals should take heed of your predecessors, the Long family!â
The uniformed man was incensed upon seeing Jiang Zheng dare retort the Crown Prince. He raised his whip and was about to step forward for another lashing.
Wu Hong waved his hand and halted the man. âHe wonât shed tears until he sees his coffin. Even though we canât pry open his mouth, those within the sect will have their ways. Itâs about time, those from the sect should be arriving soon.â
A long blare suddenly sounded from the skies above the entire Shangyang Kingdom as Wu Hong was speaking.
This blare rumbled forth like thunder, relentlessly. It possessed an awe inspiring presence as it came roiling forward like a tsunami. In the span of an instant, ominous clouds covered the skies over the Shangyang Kingdom like black clouds descending on a cityâs walls.
âWu Hong, get the hell out here!â
A loud roar pressed down from the skies.
Wu Hong shook all over. Whatâs going on? Who is so bold as to speak my name in Shangyang Kingdom territory?
Within the palace, the king was conquering a beloved concubine in bed. The sounds of their endeavor filled the air within the bed sheets.
Several maids were waiting by the side of the bed. All of them were stunning beauties and standing with their hands trailing by their sides. They seemed to have long since grown used to all this, and judging from their looks, could fill in for the concubine at any time.
This sudden roar shook Wu Tan as though lightning had suddenly struck him and he pushed aside the beauty next to him.
âWhatâs going on?â
All of the guards outside seemed to be facing a tremendous foe as they cried out, âProtect the king, protect the king!â
Wu Tan couldnât continue his pillaging any further as he flipped over, put on his clothes, and walked outside.
âYour Majesty!â
âWho causes this disturbance outside?â Wu Tan was the ruler of a nation after all. He didnât lose his composure.
A guard hurriedly ran in from outside the palace before long to make his report.
âYour Majesty, a circular moat has suddenly appeared around the outskirts of the palace and surrounded the entire structure!â
âYour Majesty, countless numbers of black dots fill the sky. We know not what they are, but theyâve blotted out of the sun and the sky!â
âYour Majesty, the royal experts who bridged the moat for surveillance and have all been killed!â
Wu Tan became more and more alarmed as he listened to all the intelligence fly in. Just who was being so bold to come act in such a wild fashion in the Shangyang Kingdom?
Didnât they know that acting so uncouthly in the Shangyang Kingdom was the equivalent of doing so at the doorstep of the Purple Sun Sect?
âMobilize the royal experts immediately and summon the three great outer branches for protection!â Wu Tan ordered.
Just as there were the Precious Tree Sectâs four great sites in the Skylaurel Kingdom, so had the Purple Sun Sect established three outer branches.
These three were directly beneath the control of the royal family, a detail in contrast to the Skylaurel Kingdom.
Wu Tan didnât panic as he orderly set plans in motion.
âWhere is the Crown Prince?â Wu Tan asked after laying out his plans.
âThe Crown Prince is in the dungeons, interrogating the prisoners.â
Wu Tan spread out his hands. âHave him quickly depart to prevent unexpected complications from developing.â
Wu Tan also understood that those who had come were unfriendly, while those who are friendly had yet to come. In consideration of his sonâs safety, he wasnât at ease in leaving Wu Hong in the dungeons.
Wu Hong quickly ran into the palace to see Wu Tan before long.
âRoyal father, whatâs going on? Iâve heard that the palace has been surrounded?â Wu Hong asked.
âWhat are you panicking about?â Wu Tan laughed coldly. âMy Shangyang Kingdom has dominated the sixteen kingdom alliance for a thousand years. What havenât we seen before? To act like this in front of the Purple Sun Sectâs doors, whoever the opponent is, theyâre courting death!â
Wu Tan had quite an imposing air about him. He was different from the king of the Skylaurel Kingdom. He was an honorary elder of the Purple Sun Sect to begin with. His position was quite high, and his control over his kingdom was far in excess of the Skylaurel kingâs.
The royal experts had all gathered before long.
As the head of the sixteen kingdom alliance, the Shangyang Kingdomâs royal experts were all of the spirit realm. The leaders in particular were all of the earth spirit realm.
Although the Shangyang Kingdom didnât have a spirit king protector like Ye Chonglou, the nation had four champions, Tian Shu, De Qi, Lie Feng, and Cheng Yun. They were all of the sky spirit realm!
These four champions usually stayed in seclusion.
When they heard that the palace had been surrounded however, they naturally couldnât sit idly anymore and revealed themselves.
âYour Majesty, there is no need to worry. We have already contacted the Purple Sun Sect and their aid will be here in a few hours.â The leader of the four, Tian Shu, stepped forward to report.
âYour Majesty, who is this madman to dare disdain the preeminence of my Shangyang Kingdom? We incapable ones are willing to shoulder Your Majestyâs burdens and see what lunatics dare act wildly!â This was De Qi.
âI will go as well.â Lie Feng also stepped forward.
âThen naturally I have to be present as well.â Cheng Yun smiled leisurely.
The voice rang like thunder again in the skies at this moment.
âHark my words, Wu royals! Every wrong has a source and every debt a lender. Hand over Wu Hong in fifteen minutes and there will be room for discussion. If you stubbornly persist in your erroneous ways, the Wu clan will be eradicated without leaving even a chicken or a dog in fifteen minutes!â
Jiang Chenâs towering rage had transformed into a thunderous bellow that crashed down on the Shangyang Kingdom palace!