Chapter 174: When Did I Ever Say

"Phew, that's better..."

Gazing at the half-collapsed peak beneath Lei Shen's finger, Xu Jingming exhaled deeply, a satisfied expression on his resolute face.

The first time he used Lei Shen's Finger, Chen Lin had neutralized it—he never got to finish.

This second use, in Lei Ji Tai, finally made up for that regret.

"Captain Cai, the alloy gate's breached—I'm going in first."

Xu Jingming grinned freely, then pulled out his recording device from his space ring:

"Eva, activate combat follow mode."

"Eva received."

The recording device shifted into drone form, soaring into the sky and trailing behind Xu Jingming.

Next, Xu Jingming slightly bent his knees, gathering furious lightning beneath his feet, then slammed down with all his strength!

Boom!

The ground cratered beneath him; with the recoil, he shot forward like a cannonball!

"Our base... gone?!"

On the ground, the Tianming Jiao guards who had just fled stood frozen.

Before they could pull out their radios to report the attack,

A golden lightning sphere zipped past their heads with a hiss.

In an instant, lightning flashed—and they were reduced to two charred corpses!

"Leave ten men outside to prevent Tianming Jiao escapees. The rest—follow me!"

Cai Ju knew this was the critical moment and decisively activated his ability.

His body sprouted leopard-like beast traits; gripping his greatsword, he dashed forward like a phantom.

Zhang Tong was wreathed in crimson flames, following closely behind Cai Ju.

The remaining second-rank ability users also activated their powers and charged!

"Attack! Attack!"

"Everyone, stay calm! Grab your weapons and fight!"

"Blessed by Heaven, the Divine Endures! The Divine will grant us strength!"

"..."

In truth, no one outside needed to report—the collapse of the peak made it obvious to everyone inside that they were under attack!

Some Tianming Jiao disciples near the epicenter of Lei Shen's Finger were instantly vaporized into ash by the wild golden lightning.

Those farther away fared slightly better, but still bore blackened, lightning-scorched marks across their bodies.

Others, unlucky enough, were crushed by falling rocks.

In short, the entire peak was in chaos.

Yet some high-rank ability users were organizing the defense.

"It's Master Wang!"

"Master Wang's still alive! Don't panic—follow him!"

When a middle-aged man in black Blood Moon robes emerged from deep within the peak,

The panicked disciples suddenly found their anchor—and calmed instantly.

"Comrades, Master Leng, who was supposed to return with Lord Zhao, has not yet come back."

He likely perished. And outside, these are almost certainly the Security Bureau's lackeys!"

"The Security Bureau's dogs are at most third-rank."

"We have a powerful third-rank peak Master, and noble Fourth-Rank Divine Blood Messengers!"

"Don't panic! Grab your weapons—prepare to welcome our massacre!"

Master Wang wore a smile of total control.

Those who joined Tianming Jiao were either fanatical anti-human ability users,

Or fugitives already on the Security Bureau's wanted list.

Coupled with years of brainwashing, they were no longer normal ability users.

Thus, under Master Wang's incitement,

The once-panicked disciples picked up their weapons again, their faces slowly twisting into bloodthirsty cruelty.

"Excellent! That's it! Let the Security Bureau's dogs see the true might of Tianming Jiao!"

"One comes, we kill one! Two come, we kill two!"

"Blessed by Heaven! The Divine Endures!"

Master Wang's expression grew manic; the disciples activated their abilities, growling with excitement.

Only blood could soothe their frenzied minds.

Yet just then,

With a deafening thunderclap, a golden spherical lightning bolt crashed down from the collapsed peak above!

Boom!!

The sphere, radiating terrifying energy, struck Master Wang directly.

Infinite golden lightning consumed him instantly—the once-maniacal, arrogant master,

Reduced to a charred corpse in an instant.

Then, the golden lightning receded, revealing a towering, iron-like figure.

A young man with brilliant golden dragon-like vertical pupils.

Golden lightning arcs danced across his black battle suit.

At two meters two, he loomed over everyone present.

The overwhelming aura radiating from him plunged the entire scene into silence.

"Sorry to interrupt your pre-battle rally. Does anyone know where your Divine Blood Messenger is?"

Xu Jingming lifted his right foot slightly, his black combat boot pressing down on the charred corpse's thigh.

Like stepping on a potato chip, it cracked sharply—and the entire thigh vanished into black residue.

Xu Jingming relished this sensation.

Like his past self, who couldn't resist popping the bubbles in bubble wrap—it brought a strange, perverse pleasure.

"Security Bureau's dog!"

"Just a low third-rank—what are you so proud of?"

"Don't be afraid! Attack together—we can kill him!"

"..."

After a brief silence, the crowd erupted into furious curses.

Immediately, over half of the eighty-plus ability users launched simultaneous attacks on Xu Jingming!

Enhancement users drew weapons and charged forward; elemental users hurled fireballs and wind blades recklessly.

Some even swallowed Blood Surge Pills on the spot.

"Foolish!"

Xu Jingming sneered.

The Doushen Thunder formed a golden lightning net around his body, repelling all elemental attacks.

Then he swept his hand—wild Doushen Thunder exploded outward, instantly creating a lightning storm zone!

Crackling~~~

Zzzzz~~~

Golden lightning rained down relentlessly; electric arcs surged everywhere.

Every Tianming Jiao disciple who entered within fifty meters of Xu Jingming was reduced to a charred corpse.

Weaker first-rank ability users were vaporized into ash.

In an instant, the number of Tianming Jiao disciples dropped from over eighty to under thirty.

The remaining under thirty, staring at the circle of charred corpses around Xu Jingming,

Turned pale, eyes filled with terror.

"I... I surrender! Don't kill me!"

Under Xu Jingming's overwhelming aura, one disciple broke first, collapsing to his knees.

"Good. Tell me—where is your Divine Blood Messenger?"

Xu Jingming looked at him expectantly.

"The Divine Blood Messenger is in the blood pool at the deepest part of the peak!"

As if clutching a lifeline, the disciple answered frantically.

"Blood pool? I understand." Xu Jingming nodded.

Lightning flashed—he vanished from his spot, crossing fifty meters in an instant to appear before him.

Then, a black-blue spear thrust forward, piercing straight through the disciple's skull!

Pthshh—

The spear withdrew, dripping blood and white matter.

The corpse collapsed—his mangled face still held the fleeting joy of having escaped death.

Why kill him after he surrendered?!

The remaining members of the Sect of Heavenly Fate instantly showed expressions of terror.

When did I ever say surrender means you won't be killed?

Xu Jingming shook his spear, and under immense force, the still-liquid blood on the spear tip was flung off completely.

On his resolute face lingered a cruel killing intent.

Within his golden dragon eyes, wreathed in thunder, a bloodthirsty frenzy subtly surged.

The Sect of Heavenly Fate, which worships ferocious beasts as divine beings, is an anti-human cult, and its followers are mostly fugitives wanted by the Public Security Bureau.

Do not entertain any notion of reforming such a religious organization.

Only by rooting them out completely will suffice.

Moreover, it serves as a warning to deter other similar monsters and demons from taking root on Xia Lan soil.