Chapter 248

Wu Tie was stunned.

Jin Mancang was stunned.

Fengming and Longxiang were stunned.

Both Phoenix Guards and both Dragon Guards were stunned.

Several spoiled young masters from the great families, who were peeking from behind, were stunned.

Everyone present was stunned.

As for Feng Hua's death, to be honest, no one really took it to heart; even if he died in a somewhat strange way, after all he was merely a collateral branch of the Phoenix clan. Even if a Phoenix clan Elder doted on him, a collateral branch is still a collateral branch.

Xuan Zhu is different.

She isn't even a collateral branch; she is merely the adopted daughter of Huayan, the current clan head of the Udumbara clan.

The term 'adopted daughter' is loaded with special meaning; anyone native to Sanlian City understands it implicitly.

And Mu Tuo is an even more special-status figure of the Bodhi clan; what Mu Tuo represents is not only a small faction within the Bodhi clan, but also a radical, enterprising elite within the twelve ruling families.

Such a Mu Tuo struck that Xuan Zhu.

Mu Tuo struck with extreme speed, no one could stop him; Mu Tuo struck with extreme force, everyone saw that as Xuan Zhu spun and flew through the air, half of her cheek caved in, her cheekbone and tooth socket shattered.

At least a dozen teeth were shattered, spraying blood from the corner of her mouth.

Xuan Zhu shrieked; when Mu Tuo's slap sent her flying, intense pain struck, her vision went black, she almost fainted.

But her body was somewhat miraculous; enduring the pain, still spinning in midair, Xuan Zhu's damaged cheek flashed with a dim blue cold light, her cheek instantly healed, leaving no trace after a snap of the fingers.

She wiped her sleeve across the corner of her mouth, cleaning off the blood.

Xuan Zhu landed lightly, her fair little face clean, showing no sign that she had just taken Mu Tuo's slap and been sent flying.

"Young Master Fengming, Young Master Longxiang, she hit me!" Xuan Zhu gritted her teeth, two pink divine lights flared in her eyes, she recklessly activated this mysterious power, wave after wave of powerful and terrifying soul undulations engulfed Fengming and Longxiang.

Fengming and Longxiang had just been tossing and turning with Xuan Zhu in the adjacent lounge for over two hours, already bewitched to the point of delirium.

At this moment they were also fully corroded by evil force; their minds were never very steadfast.

The playboys of the twelve ruling families have excessive desires; a slight provocation ignites a raging fire. Each of their mental states is poorly cultivated, their mental fortitude utterly unable to keep up with their actual cultivation.

Fengming's and Longxiang's eyes suddenly turned blood-red.

Fengming roared hoarsely: "Feng Hua, you killed him!"

A clear, ringing, sacred phoenix cry came from within Fengming; his whole body ignited in crimson flames, both sleeves moved simultaneously, two blazing sword-lights shot forth, one after another transforming into two large firebirds that swooped toward Mu Tuo.

Longxiang also had incessant dragon chants within; streaks of piercing silver lightning spewed from inside him, his whole body wrapped in thunderous electric light.

The two sword-lights of intertwined electricity turned into two flood dragons, likewise spewing from his sleeves, thrusting straight at Mu Tuo's heart.

Mu Tuo snorted coldly; green light blazed in her eyes, a column of green light shot up from her head tens of meters high, within the green light a lush bodhi tree rapidly sprouted, its branches stretching out vigorously.

The two firebirds and two flood dragons collided with the green light; the bodhi tree's phantom swayed lightly, leaves continually falling.

These bodhi leaves swirled around Mu Tuo, their dance speeding up, gradually turning into streaks of green light several zhang long that emitted sharp tearing sounds.

After a few breaths, Fengming's and Longxiang's sword-lights could not break through Mu Tuo's protective green light; Mu Tuo pushed forward with both hands, and at least thousands of green light streaks formed from bodhi leaves howled out like a rainstorm sweeping half the field.

The two Phoenix Guards and the two Dragon Guards sighed lightly, lining up side by side to block in front of Fengming and Longxiang.

Before the Phoenix Guards, flames rose; two round shields bearing phoenix patterns spun rapidly, blocking all the green light.

The two Dragon Guards were even more straightforward: silvery bright dragon scales protruded from beneath their skin, they transformed into a unique half-dragon, half-human form, their bodies rising to about six meters high, like a wall, blocking all the green light flying toward Longxiang.

Ear-piercing impact sounds rang continuously; the Phoenix and Dragon Guards' bodies trembled slightly; after blocking most of the green light, the immense impact contained in the green light forced them to lose balance, the Phoenix Guards retreated seven steps, the Dragon Guards retreated two steps.

It is obvious that in physical strength and power, the Dragon Guards surpass the Phoenix Guards.

But in terms of divine abilities, secret arts, and magical transformations, the Phoenix Guards are undoubtedly stronger than the Dragon Guards.

Even so, as the finest secret guards of the Phoenix and Dragon clans, the four of them together are still no match for Mu Tuo alone.

Fengming's and Longxiang's sword-lights continued to swirl around Mu Tuo, hacking and stabbing wildly; the four sword-lights' main bodies shone brilliantly, countless fine runes spun and dazzled, blindingly bright. This is obviously four top-grade ancient divine weapons, but the two seem unable to fully unleash their power.

Suddenly, Mu Tuo reached out with both hands; threads of green light sprayed from her fingers, like two hands carved of green jade firmly gripping the four sword-lights.

With a few 'ding-ding' sounds, large patches of green runes shot from Mu Tuo's fingertips, turning into fine chains that entwined the four sword-lights.

The four sword-lights instantly lost their flames, the lightning retracted, becoming four oddly shaped longswords that violently trembled in Mu Tuo's palms, yet could not escape her finger-lock.

She casually tossed the four longswords to the ground, where they stuck; Mu Tuo looked at the grim-faced Fengming and Longxiang and said coldly: "You two are still lacking compared to your elder brothers... they could last three rounds in my hands, you..."

Shaking her head, Mu Tuo sneered: "If it weren't that they don't know which reckless fools kidnapped them, you wouldn't even be qualified to be assigned Phoenix Guards and Dragon Guards."

"Status and position are hard-won; if you stay out of trouble and they die, you have a good chance to become the heads of your respective clans."

"So, the more critical the moment, the more you must be cautious, avoid others' schemes, and not invite disaster for no reason."

Mu Tuo's words sound harsh, but they are sincere advice for Fengming and Longxiang, a kind of admonition.

If Fengming and Longxiang were in normal condition, they could actually take in a few sentences.

But under these circumstances, they are unable to control themselves.

Xuan Zhu coquettishly called out from the side, lightly stamping her feet, her silver teeth lightly biting her rosy lips, posing as a bewitching femme fatale.

Fengming and Longxiang glanced at her, especially seeing the two pink divine lights in her eyes, their last shred of reason completely shattered.

"Kill Mu Tuo!" Longxiang roared violently: "I will bear all consequences... this damned woman, she ruined our clan's twenty thousand elites, and still has the nerve to show her face?"

"Kill her!" Fengming shouted hoarsely, not to be outdone: "Get moving, beat her to death... best if we capture her alive, hehe, Miss Mu Tuo, I have long admired you."

Jin Mancang desperately signaled Wu Tie with his eyes.

Wu Tie glanced at Xuan Zhu, then at Fengming and Longxiang.

Jin Mancang didn't want to get too involved; he had his 'big business' to worry about, those direct descendants of the twelve ruling families were still unconscious in his secret lair, and he was busy dealing with them.

So, Jin Mancang felt this place was fraught with danger and they couldn't linger.

Wu Tie was looking at Grey Master.

Above Grey Master's head, the semi-transparent phantom of the black widow lingered faintly; several ferocious haired spider legs, some piercing his chest, some his skull.

Such a vicious and malicious restriction made Wu Tie feel a bit apprehensive.

He did not dare to try to break it.

If it were someone else, it would be fine; if one made a mistake and died, then so be it.

But this is Grey Master, the Grey Master who grew up with him since childhood; Wu Tie could not let him come to harm no matter what.

Taking a deep breath, Wu Tie drew the long sword at his back, strode forward two steps, and stood beside Mu Xu: "Young Master Feng Hua, you have always admired Miss Mu Xu; this time you have raised a huge sum of money for some other purpose, and being able to help Miss Mu Xu, I imagine you are pleased."

Young Master Feng Hua, he cannot just be killed for no reason.

If he had died at the hands of an outside enemy, that would be acceptable, but he was killed by his own clansmen…… I cannot accept this.

With a shake of the sword, a "whoosh" sounded, and flames also spurted from Wu Tie's long sword.

Unlike the special-natured, power‑containing phoenix flames on Feng Ming's sword light, the flames on Wu Tie's sword have only one trait: extremely high temperature and extreme purity.

The cyan‑white flames rose more than a meter high, and the temperature in the spacious courtyard rose in a straight line.

Feng Ming stared at Wu Tie in astonishment: "Are you from Feng Hua? What are you even? Do you have the right to speak here?"

Wu Tie said coldly: "I am the newly hired guard captain of Young Master Feng Hua…… I am nothing, I truly have no qualification to speak here…… but killing people does not depend on qualification."

Feng Ming sneered: "Who do you want to kill?"

Wu Tie said coldly: "Whoever killed Young Master Feng Hua, I will kill them."

Feng Ming's face turned extremely ugly, and he sneered: "Hey, he wants to kill me; give him a lesson."

A Phoenix Guard let out a deep, long howl; a long metal chain flew from his sleeve, and the crimson phoenix flames ignited with a "whoosh"; the tens‑of‑meters‑long metal chain trailed a sheet of fire, whipping down at Wu Tie like a long lash.

Mu Xu turned her head slightly to glance at Wu Tie: "You want to avenge Feng Hua? Can you do it?"

Wu Tie remained silent; he merely raised his right hand.

Pa!

The burning metal chain lashed heavily onto Wu Tie's hand, his palm emitting a puff of blue‑green smoke from scorched flesh; he clenched the chain tightly with his five fingers, then violently pulled and jerked.

That Phoenix Guard was startled and moved.

The tremendous force transmitted through the metal chain actually made him lose his footing!

He is a proper Life Pool Realm expert, a secret guard of the Phoenix Clan nurtured from childhood with vast resources.

Although the Phoenix Clan's cultivation method is inferior in physical strength to the Heavenly Dragon Clan, he is a master of the Life Pool Realm—how could he not withstand Wu Tie's light pull?

The Phoenix Guard slightly bent his waist and shoved his feet hard into the ground.

The huge force surged; the Phoenix Guard lost his footing, was violently yanked into the air, and flew toward Wu Tie with a strange cry.

The Phoenix Guard loosened his grip, threw away the metal chain, and was about to unleash another divine ability on Wu Tie when Wu Tie gave a soft shout; one hundred and eight immobilization spells shot out like a sudden storm, striking the Phoenix Guard.

The Phoenix Guard's body suddenly stiffened.

He hurriedly circulated his mana, and crimson flames blazed over his whole body, quickly shaking off the rigidity and numbness from the immobilization spell.

But in that brief moment of stiffness, he had already flown to Wu Tie's front.

In that instant his internal mana froze, Wu Tie's sword sliced his neck, and with one stroke severed his head.

The large head flew up, and fresh blood burning with crimson flames spurted from the neck.

On the Phoenix Guard's face appeared an incredulous, strange expression; his brow burst open, a mass of fire wrapped in Blood Light sprayed out, the fire shot up into the sky, and the Life Pool containing his tiny phoenix‑shaped natal soul was about to escape.

Mu Xu exclaimed in admiration, "Marvelous."

A green light coiled from her head, a branch of the Bodhi tree whipped down hard, entangled the fleeing Life Pool, and forcibly dragged it into the range encompassed by the Bodhi tree's branches.

Wu Tie held aloft his flaming‑rising long sword, looked at the stunned Feng Ming and the remaining Phoenix Guard, and said lightly: "Killing needs no qualification, only strength…… and I happen to have enough strength."

Xuan Zhu stared at Wu Tie from the side, her eyes flashing with strange light, wildly guessing his identity.

Wu Tie restrained his aura and changed his appearance; Xuan Zhu could not discern his identity from his aura.

Previously, when Wu Tie had met her several times, he had used only pure, brutal physical strength; but in slaying this Phoenix Guard he displayed not only strength, but also exquisite divine techniques and peerless swordsmanship.

In Xuan Zhu's memory, Wu Tie wielded a spear, not a sword.

Xuan Zhu glared at Wu Tie, a little annoyed.

Could it be that she is not looking for him, but that Feng Hua has actually recruited a monster capable of challenging above his rank?

Wu Tie raised his sword, point aimed at Xuan Zhu: "Miss, Miss Mu Xu is the person our young master admires; this werewolf now belongs to Miss Mu Xu. Release the seal on him, and we can part peacefully; otherwise……

Xuan Zhu gave Wu Tie a bewitching smile, her body twisting as she walked toward him.

Otherwise, what would happen? You, would you dare to kill me?" Xuan Zhu thrust her chest forward, colliding her bosom with Wu Tie's sword: "You, would you dare to kill me?"

Xuan Zhu had already suffered two major losses from this move at the hands of Hua Guang and Wu Tie.

But she firmly believed that the guard captain recruited by Feng Hua could not possibly resist her charm.

Besides her own charm, as Wu Tie had suspected, she also employed other hidden powers.

She firmly believed that under the control of this power, no one could bear to harm her.

Whether man or woman.

Wu Tie gazed coldly at Xuan Zhu, and thrust his sword forward without hesitation.

Xuan Zhu stared blankly at Wu Tie, she looked at him in a daze, she looked at him in disbelief.

The flame‑wreathed long sword sank half a foot into her chest.