Chapter 579: 578. Chapter 573: Dared Not Strike

578. Chapter 573: Dared Not Strike

Mu Congdao wildly stirred his immortal energy and summoned a massive umbrella.

"Boom!" The Dao resonance exploded.

The umbrella emitted a series of creaking sounds but just barely blocked Ding Huan's hundreds of millions of spear rays.

"Crack!"

The guest hall of the Mu Immortal Clan finally could not withstand this violent surge of immortal energy and turned directly to dust.

Mu Congdao staggered back several steps before stabilizing his posture.

He was stunned to discover Ding Huan still seated, sipping tea as if he had not moved at all.

It also seemed he had no intention of striking again.

The entire guest hall of the Mu Immortal Clan was now a ruin: the roof and walls had vanished, and even the seating within had been reduced to dust.

The only place untouched was where Ding Huan and Chang Guafu sat.

The seats where Ding Huan and Chang Guafu sat remained undamaged, and the tea table before Ding Huan showed not a single scratch.

Mu Congfei and Mu Wuhtui stared in terror at Ding Huan.

They understood better than anyone else just how powerful Mu Congdao was.

In the entire Dao Corridor, Mu Congdao's strength ranked among the top ten.

In the Dao Corridor, no one dared disrespect the Mu Immortal Clan precisely because of Mu Congdao.

But just now, during the clash, had Mu Congdao been at a disadvantage?

"Ding Daoshi, what do you mean by this?" Mu Congdao took a deep breath and calmed himself.

He was certain the Drunken Dao Tea had not affected Ding Huan in the slightest—it had merely given him an excuse to strike.

Ding Huan sneered at Mu Congdao: "You're implying I was treated with fine food and drink, yet I attacked first?"

The Drunken Dao Tea isn't bad, but it's useless to me.

As for your halberd, I advise you never to draw it again—if you do, I won't mind erasing the Mu Clan from the Dao Corridor."

Mu Congdao's heart turned cold, and he dared not speak further.

Ding Huan had made the Pu Immortal Clan vanish from Yongzhou Xiancheng, and not a single person from the Pu Clan had escaped that strange flame.

Even now, outsiders still had no idea what had truly happened.

Ding Huan's voice grew colder: "I originally intended to discuss business with you. Since you don't wish to talk, then I won't."

"Ding Daoshi, this is a misunderstanding. Drunken Dao Tea is the finest tea of the Mu Clan—I offered it with no intention of fighting."

As for my haste to leave, it was because someone attacked the Immortal Surveillance Office; as its Director, I naturally must rush to assist."

I, Mu Congdao, hereby apologize to you—here is the Nine-Colored Void Lotus…"

As Mu Congdao spoke, he pulled out a jade box sealed with numerous prohibitions.

Ji Luo's divine sense immediately settled on the jade box; he effortlessly tore through the seals and, upon confirming it was indeed the Nine-Colored Void Lotus, longed to rush forward and seize it.

"This Nine-Colored Void Lotus…"

Before Mu Congdao could finish speaking, Ding Huan's hand swept out, and the Nine-Colored Void Lotus landed in Chang Guafu's hands:

"I know—this Nine-Colored Void Lotus belongs to Chang Daoyou. Now, it is returned to its rightful owner."

Chang Guafu gripped the jade box, trembling all over; what she urgently sought was not the Nine-Colored Void Lotus, but her consort.

Mu Congdao's face turned ashen.

The Nine-Colored Void Lotus was priceless—who said it was to be given to Ding Huan for free?

He had not even stated his demand before Ding Huan took it away.

Yet the sheer strength of the divine sense that had forcibly seized it from his hands deepened his inner wariness.

"Chang Daoyou, if this Nine-Colored Void Lotus is yours, why did you give it to the Mu Immortal Clan?" Ding Huan feigned confusion.

Chang Guafu spat bitterly: "Mu Congfei of the Mu Immortal Clan has no shame—he insulted me and imprisoned my consort."

I gave the Nine-Colored Void Lotus to secure his release, but my consort was never freed."

With that, Chang Guafu handed the Nine-Colored Void Lotus to Ding Huan: "Ding Daoshi, I give you this Nine-Colored Void Lotus—only ask that you speak a fair word for my husband."

"Fine."

Ding Huan unceremoniously took the Nine-Colored Void Lotus, then looked at Mu Congdao: "Where is Chang Daoyou's consort?"

Mu Congdao's face regained its composure: "You mean He Cong? He's imprisoned in the Surveillance Office's dungeon. I'm on my way there now—why not accompany me, Ding Daoshi?"

"No need."

Ding Huan spoke those three words, then raised his hand and reached into empty air.

The nine-level immortal prohibitions of the Mu Immortal Clan shattered completely beneath Ding Huan's hand seal.

The next instant, a disheveled, filthy man was dragged from the dungeon by Ding Huan.

To Ding Huan's surprise, Chang Guafu's consort He Cong had merely had his cultivation sealed—his soul sea, dantian, and meridians were completely unharmed.

Ding Huan raised his hand and shattered the sealing prohibitions within He Cong's body.

"Cong-ge…" Chang Guafu burst into tears and rushed forward.

He Cong's expression changed instantly—he saw Mu Congfei.

For a moment, he did not comprehend—he stared at Mu Congfei and his eyes nearly burst with rage.

Without considering whether his cultivation was still sealed, He Cong charged furiously toward Mu Congfei.

He swung out a fist.

Such hatred was unbearable to anyone—including He Cong.

He had dreamed night and day of smashing Mu Congfei into dust with a single punch—and today, he finally had the chance.

The instant He Cong charged forward, Mu Congfei was filled only with regret.

He regretted forgetting He Cong; if he had remembered this guy, he'd have killed him long ago.

Even if he killed He Cong, Chang Guafu would report him to the Immortal Surveillance Office—he'd be in deep trouble.

But with his older brother as the actual chief of the Immortal Surveillance Office, what was there to fear?

Unfortunately, he had forgotten this very thing—and yet the situation he believed impossible had occurred: He Cong had emerged.

As He Cong charged toward Mu Congfei, he realized the seals on his body had been removed.

Though he hadn't fought in years, his inner rage and suppressed bitterness had long filled his entire being.

Added to that, his strength and cultivation had always surpassed Mu Congfei's—so Mu Congfei was instantly locked down by He Cong's killing intent.

A punch laden with mad killing intent slammed into Mu Congfei, shattering his early Immortal Emperor domain in an instant.

Seeing his younger brother about to suffer, Mu Congdao prepared to act.

But as his domain began to surge, a deathly aura enveloped him.

He looked up and saw Ding Huan's sneer—he clearly knew that if he moved, Ding Huan would strike him.

In desperation, Mu Congfei could only throw out a punch, hoping to block He Cong first.

Crack! Mu Congfei's arm shattered limb by limb.

"Puff!" A jet of blood shot from his mouth.

Mu Congfei had reached Immortal Emperor only because he had a powerful older brother; without Mu Congdao, he wouldn't have even reached Immortal Emperor—being able to cultivate to Immortal Sovereign would've been a miracle.

After ascending to Immortal Emperor, Mu Congfei lived in ease and luxury—why would he ever leave the Grand Dao Corridor to kill demonic insects?

He Cong was different; even as an Immortal Sovereign, he joined the Cultivator Army and spent years exterminating demonic insects.

Because he accumulated so many merit points, he earned a single slot to ascend to Immortal Emperor.

"You dare touch my father…"

Mu Wuhui also summoned her artifact and lunged at He Cong; seeing the clan chief remain still, how could she sit idle?

Chang Guafu, seeing Mu Wuhui attack He Cong, rushed forward and slapped her without hesitation.

Mu Wuhui never regarded her as mother; Chang Guafu likewise despised this daughter.

What cultivation level did Mu Wuhui even have?

Under Chang Guafu's slap, she had no resistance at all—she was instantly flung away.

Dozens of Immortal Sovereigns and Immortal Kings from the Mu Clan had already arrived, but since Mu Congdao hadn't given the order, they stayed outside, daring not to move.

Now that they saw Mu Congfei being crushed by He Cong, how could they remain still?

But as they rushed forward, they immediately felt their Immortal Qi severed as if cut by something—then obscure Dao rhythms filled their entire bodies.

Is this Poison Dao?

After several Immortal Sovereigns and Immortal Kings were poisoned and retreated, no one dared advance further.

"Brother, save me…" Mu Congfei let out a piercing scream.

Mu Congdao watched helplessly as He Cong's fist slammed into Mu Congfei's skull, reducing it to bloody pulp.

Having killed Mu Congfei with his own hands, He Cong stood and let out a long howl.

Then he spat out a jet of black blood.

The rage and resentment long pent up inside him finally eased after smashing Mu Congfei to death.

"Cong-ge…" Chang Guafu rushed forward to shield He Cong.

"Fei Chang, I've failed you," He Cong said, blood tears streaming down his cheeks.

He was powerless—even his own Dao partner he couldn't protect.

If not for the need to kill Mu Congfei for revenge, he would've already ended his own life.

That hatred had made his killing intent grow stronger day by day; now that he'd slain Mu Congfei, the breath of vengeance escaped him, leaving him utterly drained.

"No," Chang Guafu wept like rain.

She knew how much bitterness He Cong had endured these years.

Ding Huan stood up: "Since matters are settled, I'll take my leave."

Ding Huan had no intention of killing Mu Congdao now, and since Mu Congdao hadn't moved either, he had no reason to stay.

Seeing Ding Huan walk out, Chang Guafu quickly led He Cong out after him.

"Ding Daoshi, if not for you, my husband and I would have died without even a grave," Chang Guafu said as soon as they left the Mu Clan, preparing to kneel.

He Cong's mind finally cleared—he remembered Ding Huan had removed his seals and also wanted to thank him.

Ding Huan waved his hand: "Since your affairs are settled, I won't linger."

Seeing Ding Huan leave, Chang Guafu said: "Ding Daoshi, Mu Congdao will never let this go—he likely has more tricks."

Ding Huan didn't care: "Don't worry. Farewell."

Ding Huan naturally wasn't afraid of Mu Congdao's revenge; he hadn't killed him precisely because he wanted Mu Congdao to go confront Zuo Shanwei at the Immortal Surveillance Office soon.

As for what happens after that—let Mu Congdao live long enough to see it.

He had already planted the Bone-Clinging Dao-Eating Poison on Mu Congdao.

With his current late-stage Immortal Sovereign Dao power, once infected, even the Ten Thousand Methods Pool might not remove it.

"Fei Chang, what's this?" He Cong was still dazed.

Chang Guafu told He Cong everything; only then did he fully awaken.

His life had been saved by Ding Huan; today, he could avenge himself only because Ding Huan had kept Mu Congdao from acting…

"Thank you, Ding Daoshi. Your grace is beyond repayment," He Cong knelt toward the direction Ding Huan had departed.