Chapter 221: Three Emperors' Strife

The three seemed to have reached some tacit understanding, simultaneously withdrawing their hands.

For a moment, the previously violent heaven and earth suddenly calmed, only a gentle breeze brushed past, stirring everyone's clothes.

Chu Xiong's gaze was sharp as an eagle, tightly fixed on Jiang Shan Hai and Nan Gong Ba Tian, asking word by word: "Jiang Shan Hai, Nan Gong Ba Tian, do you really intend to protect them at all costs?"

His voice was low and icy, as if coming from the Nine Netherworld Hell, carrying a chilling deterrent power.

Jiang Shan Hai's mouth corner slightly rose, revealing a faint smile.

But this smile held not a trace of fear or retreat.

He spoke with an utterly calm expression: "Chu Xiong, our two families have always been sworn enemies; the grudges of so many years cannot be cleared up in a sentence or two."

"Whatever you do, I, Jiang Shan Hai, will not stand idly by; today is no exception."

"So, there's no need for us to say so much nonsense."

"If you want to fight, let's change location, find an open space, and have a hearty showdown."

Jiang Shan Hai's voice, though extremely gentle, nevertheless conveyed an unwavering determination.

As if declaring to Chu Xiong, no matter the cost, he would never abandon protecting the Qingyun Sect.

Chu Xiong, upon hearing these words, felt his anger flare up again.

His eyes instantly turned blood-red, like burning flames, and his aura rose again.

He angrily stared at Jiang Shan Hai and roared: "Do you really think I dare not move against you?"

"Jiang Shan Hai, you're too arrogant! Today I'll see just how capable you really are!"

Jiang Shan Hai gave a goofy grin and said: "Come on, who's afraid of whom!"

Jiang Shan Hai's eyes were filled with contempt and determination.

As if telling Chu Xiong, he utterly had no fear of his threat.

Chu Xiong, suppressing his anger, turned his gaze to the nearby Nan Gong Ba Tian and coldly asked: "And you? Nan Gong Ba Tian, do you also want to wade into this muddy water and become an enemy of my Great Dao Sect?"

His voice carried a hint of threat, as if giving Nan Gong Ba Tian one last chance to choose.

Nan Gong Ba Tian's expression remained calm, a polite smile appearing on his face.

But beneath that smile lay his unwavering determination.

He spoke slowly and unhurriedly: "I'll decide based on the situation."

"If the Jiang Sect Master can defeat you, I'll just stand aside and watch the show, after all this is your grudge."

"But if the Jiang Sect Master cannot defeat you."

"Hmph, then I'll join him to deal with you."

"That's all there is to it."

Nan Gong Ba Tian's words were concise and clear, seemingly indifferent, yet filled with unquestionable determination.

His eyes flickered with the light of wisdom.

As if telling Chu Xiong, he had already weighed the pros and cons; whatever choice he made was the result of careful consideration.

These words, though appearing neutral, actually hid hidden machinations.

In this moment of shifting winds and clouds, with the situation on the verge of eruption.

Nan Gong Ba Tian's declaration was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up thousands of waves.

The reactions of all parties were starkly different.

The Qingyun Sect members, upon hearing, first felt tense, but after savoring it, it was as if they had taken a calming pill.

They understood that, no matter how this struggle unfolds, the Phantom Moon Sect Sect Master Nan Gong Ba Tian, a powerful figure renowned in Zhongzhou, would never stand by and watch them fall into desperation.

Even in the worst scenario, Nan Gong Ba Tian would step forward, fight side by side with them, and protect them completely.

This intangible promise caused the Qingyun Sect members' hearts to surge with a warm current.

The unease originally arising from facing the mighty Chu Xiong, Sect Master of the Great Dao Sect, also eased somewhat.

They looked at each other, their eyes conveying determination and trust.

As if saying, with Nan Gong Ba Tian's support, they might not lose this battle.

However.

These words, upon entering Chu Xiong's ears, were like a sharp dagger stabbing straight at his self-esteem.

His heart burned with anger, yet his face remained stern, and he silently cursed inside.

"This Nan Gong Ba Tian, usually appearing steady and restrained, unexpectedly at a critical moment is so sinister, full of dirty tricks, clearly favoring the Qingyun Sect and Jiang Shan Hai, yet speaking so righteously."

"Hmph, if today I don't give him a taste of his own medicine, how will my Great Dao Sect ever establish itself in Zhongzhou thereafter!"

Chu Xiong clenched his fists tightly, joints whitening from force, his whole body's aura grew increasingly icy, as if the surrounding air were frozen by this chill.

"Since you refuse a toast and choose to drink a penalty, then don't blame me for being impolite!"

Chu Xiong spoke in a cold voice, his voice as if coming from the Nine Netherworld Hell, carrying a chilling deterrent power.

At this moment, his hatred was like a blazing fire, gradually consuming his reason.

The killing of the Asura and the betrayal of Meng Po—both are inseparable from the Qingyun Sect.

What made him unable to swallow this anger even more was that his beloved daughter Chu Yue, was actually bullied by Lin Yang of the Qingyun Sect in the Three Provinces.

As a father, this sea-of-blood deep hatred, how could he not seek revenge?

That was his most beloved daughter, whom he usually held in his palm fearing she'd fall, kept in his mouth fearing she'd melt.

Now having suffered this great humiliation, this anger and pain made him wish to immediately tear the Qingyun Sect members into countless pieces.

Furthermore.

Behind him stands a mysterious expert backing him up.

That person's goal is to secretly aid the Great Dao Sect in unifying Zhongzhou and dominating the entire Xuanhuang Continent.

Moreover, that expert's strength is unfathomable, his methods even more mysterious and strange, so he naturally fears nothing.

Now the God-Sovereign Sect and Phantom Moon Sect are asking for death, actively stepping forward to oppose him; then don't blame him for being ruthless and vicious.

In his view, this is merely a minor obstacle on the road to achieving his grand ambition.

Once he gets past it, the Great Dao Sect will be one step closer to its goal of domination.

Boom!

A powerful surge of Qi shot straight into the clouds.

Chu Xiong's terrifying Qi field spread across the heavens and earth; wherever it reached, sand and stones flew, and the momentum was terrifying.

The surrounding space seemed unable to withstand this immense pressure, emitting a 'hissing' sound.

As if it could be torn apart at any moment.

The stones on the ground were lifted by this force, colliding in midair and producing crisp cracking sounds, then turning to powder that drifted in the air.

Even the trees in the distance were not spared; their thick trunks were snapped at the waist, branches and leaves flying everywhere, leaving a scene of utter chaos.