Chapter 332

"Just as this gang of human-demon colluding scoundrels laughed wantonly."

Translation: "Amidst the wanton laughter of this gang of human-demon colluding scoundrels."

"Just as this gang of human-demon colluding scoundrels laughed wantonly."

"In the centre of the hall, a water‑like ripple suddenly appeared without any warning."

Translation: "The space in the center of the hall suddenly rippled with water-like waves without any warning."

We'll produce: "The space at the center of the hall suddenly rippled with water-like waves without any warning."

"Immediately after, a tall, slender figure in a faded blue‑cloth robe appeared out of thin air in the exact centre of the banquet hall."

Translation: "Immediately after, a tall, slender figure in a faded blue cloth robe appeared out of thin air right in the center of the banquet hall."

We'll produce: "Immediately after, a tall, slender figure in a faded blue cloth robe appeared out of thin air right in the center of the banquet hall."

"Without any awe‑inspiring presence, he stumbled into this bloody den like someone who took a wrong turn after dinner."

Translation: "Without any earth-shaking aura, he stumbled in like someone who took a wrong turn after a meal, abruptly intruding into this bloody demon's lair."

We'll produce: "Without any earth-shaking aura, he stumbled in like someone who took a wrong turn after a meal, abruptly intruding into this bloody demon's lair."

"The laughter in the hall came to an abrupt halt."

Translation: "The laughter in the hall came to an abrupt halt."

We'll produce: "The laughter in the hall came to an abrupt halt."

"Everyone's gaze fell on the young man who had suddenly appeared."

Translation: "Everyone's gaze focused on the young man who had suddenly appeared."

We'll produce: "Everyone's gaze focused on the young man who had suddenly appeared."

"County Chief Zhang De froze for a moment, then saw the seventh‑rank bronze seal hanging from Gu Yuan's waist, his face darkened, and he slammed the table, saying:"

Translation: "County Secretary Zhang De stared for a moment, then, upon seeing the seventh-rank bronze seal hanging from Gu Yuan's waist, his face darkened and he slammed the table, rising to his feet:"

We'll produce: "County Secretary Zhang De stared for a moment, then, upon seeing the seventh-rank bronze seal hanging from Gu Yuan's waist, his face darkened and he slammed the table, rising to his feet:"

"\"Bold madman! Are you the newly appointed County Magistrate Gu Ziyuan? You have great nerve! Who allowed you to come in? Have you performed the three invitations and three arrivals ritual? Kneel at once and apologize to the Black Mountain Old Sir! \"

"\"Bold madman! Are you the newly appointed County Magistrate Gu Ziyuan? You have great nerve! Who allowed you to come in? Have you performed the three invitations and three arrivals ritual? Kneel at once and apologize to the Black Mountain Old Sir! \"

"Gu Yuan ignored the shouting Zhang De."

Translation: "Gu Yuan ignored the shouting Zhang De."

We'll produce: "Gu Yuan ignored the shouting Zhang De."

"His gaze swept across the hall, taking in the human hearts and blood wine on the jade platters, then flicked to the black mountain demon on the main seat, exuding a strong foul stench."

Translation: "His gaze swept over the hall, looking at the human hearts and blood wine in the jade platters, then glanced at the Black Mountain Old Demon exuding a strong foul odor on the main seat."

We'll produce: "His gaze swept over the hall, looking at the human hearts and blood wine in the jade platters, then glanced at the Black Mountain Old Demon exuding a strong foul odor on the main seat."

"\"Officials and demons collude, exploiting the people, using human lives to hold this feast. \""

Translation: ""Officials and demons collude, feasting on the people's flesh and blood, using human lives to hold a banquet.""

We'll produce: ""Officials and demons collude, feasting on the people's flesh and blood, using human lives to hold a banquet.""

"Gu Yuan lightly shook his head, his tone devoid of anger, only a cold indifference as if looking at trash."

Translation: "Gu Yuan lightly shook his head, his tone devoid of anger, only a cold indifference like looking at trash,"

We'll produce: "Gu Yuan lightly shook his head, his tone devoid of anger, only a cold indifference like looking at trash,"

"\"This qi‑fortune system of the Great Yin Divine Dynasty is utterly rotten, even more so than I imagined. \""

Translation: ""The Great Yin Divine Dynasty's qi fortune system is rotten to a degree even more thorough than I imagined.""

We'll produce: ""The Great Yin Divine Dynasty's qi fortune system is rotten to a degree even more thorough than I imagined.""

"\"Kid, you're asking for death! \" a Wang‑surname clan head, seeing Gu Yuan dare to ignore them, flared with anger. He slammed the table, pulled out a ninth‑rank deputy seal issued by the county office, and shouted, \"If you won't drink the toast, you'll drink the penalty! Today I'll teach you manners on behalf of the Black Mountain Old Sir! \"

"The Wang clan head frantically stirred his official qi; the ninth‑rank deputy seal burst with blinding red light, forming a phantom tiger several zhang tall that roared and lunged at Gu Yuan."

Translation: "The Wang clan head frantically circulated his official qi; the ninth-rank deputy seal burst with blinding red light, forming a phantom tiger several zhang tall that roared as it lunged at Gu Yuan."

We'll produce: "The Wang clan head frantically circulated his official qi; the ninth-rank deputy seal burst with blinding red light, forming a phantom tiger several zhang tall that roared as it lunged at Gu Yuan."

"This is the standard attack method of the Great Yin Divine Dynasty's official path: shaping official qi into form to suppress any who defy."

Translation: "This is the standard attack method of the Great Yin Divine Dynasty's official way: shaping official qi into form to suppress all dissent."

We'll produce: "This is the standard attack method of the Great Yin Divine Dynasty's official way: shaping official qi into form to suppress all dissent."

"Yet, facing this mighty official‑qi tiger, Gu Yuan didn't even lift an eyelid."

Translation: "Yet, facing this mighty official qi tiger, Gu Yuan didn't even lift an eyelid."

We'll produce: "Yet, facing this mighty official qi tiger, Gu Yuan didn't even lift an eyelid."

"He simply stood where he was and casually uttered a single word:"

Translation: "He simply stood where he was and casually uttered a single word:"

We'll produce: "He simply stood where he was and casually uttered a single word:"

"\"Disperse. \""

Translation: ""Scatter.""

We'll produce: ""Scatter.""

"\"Word becomes law! \"

Translation: "Word becomes law!"

We'll produce: "Word becomes law!"

"Gu Yuan did not use the Great Yin Divine Dynasty's official qi; he tapped into the inner‑world law hidden within him, which surpasses all heavens!"

Translation: "Gu Yuan did not use the Great Yin Divine Dynasty's official qi; he employed the inner-world law hidden within him, surpassing all heavens!"

We'll produce: "Gu Yuan did not use the Great Yin Divine Dynasty's official qi; he employed the inner-world law hidden within him, surpassing all heavens!"

"The instant the word \"disperse\" left his lips, the official‑qi tiger didn't even have time to howl; it vanished mid‑air like a pencil sketch erased by a rubber, disappearing without a trace."

Translation: "The moment the word 'scatter' left his mouth, the official qi tiger didn't even have time to whimper before vanishing in midair like a pencil sketch erased by a rubber, disappearing without a trace."

We'll produce: "The moment the word 'scatter' left his mouth, the official qi tiger didn't even have time to whimper before vanishing in midair like a pencil sketch erased by a rubber, disappearing without a trace."

"Moreover, the backlash of that high‑dimensional law followed the official qi's connection and struck the Wang clan head."

Translation: "Moreover, the backlash of that high-dimensional law traveled along the official qi's connection and struck the Wang clan head."

We'll produce: "Moreover, the backlash of that high-dimensional law traveled along the official qi's connection and struck the Wang clan head."

"\"Bang! \"

Translation: ""Bang!""

We'll produce: ""Bang!""

"The Wang clan head's ninth‑rank deputy seal exploded with a bang; he was struck as if by lightning, his eyes bulged, blood poured from his seven apertures, he didn't even groan before collapsing lifeless to the ground."

Translation: "The ninth-rank deputy seal in the Wang clan head's hand exploded with a bang; he was struck as if by lightning, his eyes bulging, blood pouring from his seven orifices, without even a groan, he collapsed dead on the ground."

We'll produce: "The ninth-rank deputy seal in the Wang clan head's hand exploded with a bang; he was struck as if by lightning, his eyes bulging, blood pouring from his seven orifices, without even a groan, he collapsed dead on the ground."

"Dead silence."

Translation: "Dead silence."

We'll produce: "Dead silence."

"A silence as still as death."

Translation: "A silence as still as death."

We'll produce: "A silence as still as death."

"The previously arrogant county chief, clerk, and three other clan heads were now like ducks with their throats choked—mouths open, yet unable to utter a sound."

Translation: "The County Secretary, Chief Clerk, and three other clan heads who had just been arrogant and domineering now resembled ducks with their throats choked, mouths agape but unable to utter a sound."

We'll produce: "The County Secretary, Chief Clerk, and three other clan heads who had just been arrogant and domineering now resembled ducks with their throats choked, mouths agape but unable to utter a sound."

"\"One word voids the seal! One word kills! \"

Translation: "One word abolishes the seal! One word kills!"

We'll produce: "One word abolishes the seal! One word kills!"

"\"How is this possible?! \""

Translation: "How is this possible?!"

We'll produce: "How is this possible?!"

"He is clearly just a newly appointed seventh‑rank county magistrate who hasn't even produced his official seal—how could he possibly kill in an instant a clan head wielding a ninth‑rank deputy seal?!"

Translation: "He is clearly just a newly appointed seventh-rank county magistrate who hasn't even taken out his official seal—how could he instantly kill a clan head possessing a ninth-rank deputy seal?!"

We'll produce: "He is clearly just a newly appointed seventh-rank county magistrate who hasn't even taken out his official seal—how could he instantly kill a clan head possessing a ninth-rank deputy seal?!"

"Even a third‑rank scholar couldn't achieve this with such effortless ease!"

Translation: "Even a third-rank scholar couldn't accomplish this with such ease!"

We'll produce: "Even a third-rank scholar couldn't accomplish this with such ease!"

"In the murky toad‑like eyes of the black mountain demon on the main seat, a flicker of gravity and wariness finally appeared."

Translation: "In the main seat, the Black Mountain Old Demon's murky toad eyes finally flickered with gravity and vigilance."

We'll produce: "In the main seat, the Black Mountain Old Demon's murky toad eyes finally flickered with gravity and vigilance."

"It has lived for over a thousand years, its sense of danger far surpassing that of ordinary mortals."

Translation: "Having lived over a thousand years, its sense of danger far surpasses that of these mortals."

We'll produce: "Having lived over a thousand years, its sense of danger far surpasses that of these mortals."

"It could detect neither the aura of righteous righteousness nor any ripple of official qi from Gu Yuan."

Translation: "It could smell no trace of righteous aura from Gu Yuan, nor sense any ripple of official qi."

We'll produce: "It could smell no trace of righteous aura from Gu Yuan, nor sense any ripple of official qi."

"This young man standing there was like a bottomless black hole, causing it to feel a tremor rising from the depths of its soul."

Translation: "This young man standing there was like a bottomless black hole, making it feel a tremor rising from the depths of its soul."

We'll produce: "This young man standing there was like a bottomless black hole, making it feel a tremor rising from the depths of its soul."

"\"Goo‑ga… who exactly are you? \""

Translation: ""Goo-gah… just what are you?""

We'll produce: ""Goo-gah… just what are you?""

"The black mountain demon's massive body slowly rose, its black tumors writhing violently as an intensely thick black demonic aura filled the hall in an instant."

Translation: "The Black Mountain Old Demon's massive body slowly rose, its black tumors writhing violently, and an intensely black demonic qi instantly filled the entire hall."

We'll produce: "The Black Mountain Old Demon's massive body slowly rose, its black tumors writhing violently, and an intensely black demonic qi instantly filled the entire hall."

"It attempted to probe Gu Yuan's depths using demonic power capable of matching a fourth‑rank official."

Translation: "It attempted to use its demonic power, capable of matching a fourth-rank official, to probe Gu Yuan's depths."

We'll produce: "It attempted to use its demonic power, capable of matching a fourth-rank official, to probe Gu Yuan's depths."

"\"Who I am is not for you to know. \""

Translation: ""What I am is not for you to know.""

We'll produce: ""What I am is not for you to know.""

"Gu Yuan lifted his head, and a cold killing intent flickered in his deep eyes."

Translation: "Gu Yuan lifted his head, a flash of icy killing intent flickering in his deep eyes."

We'll produce: "Gu Yuan lifted his head, a flash of icy killing intent flickering in his deep eyes."

"He came here not to show off or to chatter with these ants; he was here to \"procure goods. \""

Translation: "He came here not to show off or slap faces, nor to chatter with these ants; he came to 'fetch goods'."

We'll produce: "He came here not to show off or slap faces, nor to chatter with these ants; he came to 'fetch goods'."

"\"Stop playing gods and ghosts! Die, you wretch! \""

Translation: ""Stop your ghostly tricks! Die, you!""

We'll produce: ""Stop your ghostly tricks! Die, you!""

"The black mountain demon roared, could no longer contain its fear, and decided to strike first."

Translation: "The Black Mountain Old Demon roared, could no longer suppress its fear, and decided to strike first."

We'll produce: "The Black Mountain Old Demon roared, could no longer suppress its fear, and decided to strike first."

"It opened its blood‑filled maw and spewed a jet of ink‑black demonic qi."

Translation: "It opened its bloody maw and spewed a jet of ink-black demonic qi."

We'll produce: "It opened its bloody maw and spewed a jet of ink-black demonic qi."

"This jet carried the corrosive power of the extreme yin meridian, making even the air hiss and sputter wherever it passed."

Translation: "This jet contained the corrosive power of the ultimate yin vein, making even the space it passed through hiss and sizzle."

We'll produce: "This jet contained the corrosive power of the ultimate yin vein, making even the space it passed through hiss and sizzle."

"Even a tempered‑steel magical artifact would instantly melt into molten iron if touched by even a trace of it."

Translation: "Even a spirit treasure forged from fine steel would instantly melt into molten iron if touched by even a speck."

We'll produce: "Even a spirit treasure forged from fine steel would instantly melt into molten iron if touched by even a speck."

"Facing this heaven‑shattering, earth‑rending blow, Gu Yuan did not dodge."

Translation: "Facing this heaven- and earth-destroying blow, Gu Yuan did not dodge."

We'll produce: "Facing this heaven- and earth-destroying blow, Gu Yuan did not dodge."

"He slowly raised his right hand, palm facing outward."

Translation: "He slowly raised his right hand, palm outward."

We'll produce: "He slowly raised his right hand, palm outward."

"\"Boom! \"

Translation: ""Boom!""

We'll produce: ""Boom!""

"Deep in Gu Yuan's dantian, the perfect great world whirred to life; a phantom world tree radiating seven‑colored rosy light flashed behind him."

Translation: "Deep in Gu Yuan's dantian, the perfect great world rumbled into motion. A World Tree phantom shimmering with seven-colored rosy light flashed behind him."

We'll produce: "Deep in Gu Yuan's dantian, the perfect great world rumbled into motion. A World Tree phantom shimmering with seven-colored rosy light flashed behind him."

"Immediately, several threads as thick as a thumb, forged from pure chaotic law and primordial creation essence, extended from his palm as the world tree's roots."

Translation: "Next, several threads as thin as a thumb, condensed from pure chaotic law and primordial creation source, extended from Gu Yuan's palm as World Tree roots!"

We'll produce: "Next, several threads as thin as a thumb, condensed from pure chaotic law and primordial creation source, extended from Gu Yuan's palm as World Tree roots!"

"Though these roots seemed frail, the instant they pierced the void, the very heavenly laws of Nine‑Utter County groaned under the strain."

Translation: "Though these roots appeared frail, the moment they pierced the void, the heaven-and-earth laws of Nine Mysteries County cried out in anguish, unable to bear the strain!"

We'll produce: "Though these roots appeared frail, the moment they pierced the void, the heaven-and-earth laws of Nine Mysteries County cried out in anguish, unable to bear the strain!"

"That was the instinctive fear and submission of a low‑dimensional world confronting a higher‑dimensional power."

Translation: "That was the instinctive fear and submission of a lowly world confronting a higher-dimensional power!"

We'll produce: "That was the instinctive fear and submission of a lowly world confronting a higher-dimensional power!"

"The demonic qi jet capable of corroding all things, upon contacting the world tree's roots, was like a drop of water falling into fire—it couldn't last a second before being utterly purified and absorbed."

Translation: "The demonic qi jet capable of corroding myriad things, upon contacting the World Tree roots, was like a water droplet falling into fire—it couldn't last a second before being completely purified and absorbed!"

We'll produce: "The demonic qi jet capable of corroding myriad things, upon contacting the World Tree roots, was like a water droplet falling into fire—it couldn't last a second before being completely purified and absorbed!"

"\"What?! \""

Translation: ""What?!""

We'll produce: ""What?!""

"The black mountain demon panicked, trying to sever its demonic qi to flee, but it was already too late."

Translation: "The Black Mountain Old Demon was horrified; it tried to sever its demonic qi to flee, but it was already too late."

We'll produce: "The Black Mountain Old Demon was horrified; it tried to sever its demonic qi to flee, but it was already too late."

"The world tree's roots shot through the void like lightning, ignoring the demon's proud protective demonic aura, and plunged straight into its massive flesh‑mountain body."

Translation: "The World Tree's roots pierced the void like lightning, ignoring the Black Mountain Old Demon's proud protective demonic aura, and plunged straight into its massive fleshly form!"

We'll produce: "The World Tree's roots pierced the void like lightning, ignoring the Black Mountain Old Demon's proud protective demonic aura, and plunged straight into its massive fleshly form!"

"\"Aaaahhh!! \"

Translation: ""Aaaah—!!!""

We'll produce: ""Aaaah—!!!""

The Black Mountain Old Demon let out its most shrill, most desperate wail of its life.

It felt that within its body, the massive demonic power accumulated over a thousand years, its own life essence, even its own soul, were being frantically sucked away by an irresistible terrifying suction.

Amid the horrified, despairing gazes of the county magistrate, the chief clerk, and the remaining clan heads.

That towering three-zhang tall, arrogant Black Mountain Old Demon, its massive body began to wither and shrink at a speed visible to the naked eye.

In just three breaths.

A soft "Bang".

The Black Mountain Old Demon's massive body turned into a puff of black ash, drifting in the hall.

All of its energy, together with its sinful soul, were completely devoured by the World Tree's roots, transformed into pure nourishment for Gu Yuan's inner world.

However, this was not over yet.

After devouring the Black Mountain Old Demon, the World Tree's roots did not retract.

Following the connection between the Black Mountain Old Demon and the subterranean extreme yin vein, they pierced straight through the manor's floor, driving deep hundreds of li underground!

There lay the source of all evil in Jiuyou County, that extreme yin vein stretching hundreds of li!

"Since we're cleaning up, let's do it thoroughly."

Gu Yuan's gaze was cold, and he clenched his fist.

"Boom—!!!"

The entire Jiuyou County experienced a violent earthquake.

The earth shook violently, and the mountains outside the city collapsed.

The massive extreme yin energy hidden deep underground, accumulated over myriad ages, surged like a breached flood along the World Tree's roots, frenziedly pouring into Gu Yuan's inner world!