Chapter 1616

Immediately after, a slender figure appeared beside Ximen Wudi—it was Zhao Chen.

"Thank you."

Ximen Wudi nodded, then turned to leave.

"Brother Xiao, wait."

But Zhao Chen reached out and grabbed Ximen Wudi's arm, pointing toward the outskirts of Heimu City, his gaze sharp: "Look who that is."

Following Zhao Chen's gaze, Ximen Wudi looked up, his pupils contracting sharply, a faint smile curling at his lips.

On the city wall, Lin Yue, the lord of Heimu City, had a face as pale as paper, his hands trembling as he held up a stone tablet, a bitter smile clinging to his lips.

The tablet stood about ten zhang tall, entirely gray-white, its surface inscribed with complex, eerie patterns emitting a faint blue glow.

"This is…"

Ximen Wudi narrowed his eyes, studying the runes on the tablet intently.

Chiiii—

Suddenly, the rune patterns flared to life, releasing brilliant blue light that illuminated the entire city, a terrifying ripple spreading outward, engulfing thousands of meters, causing Ximen Wudi and Zhao Chen to turn pale.

Aowuuu—

At that very moment, a piercing, chilling scream echoed from deep within Heimu City, sending shivers down the spine.

"Hah! That's my father's mount—a Level Three peak Soul-Devouring Skull King. With it here, you won't leave Heimu City alive today."

On the city tower, Lin Yue sneered, clearly confident in the Soul-Devouring Skull King his father had summoned.

"Brother Xiao, this time you're truly trapped." Zhao Chen whispered.

Ximen Wudi shook his head, his gaze cold as he fixed on Lin Yue: "You think summoning such a beast is enough to defeat me?"

"Hmph! I know you're strong, but my father is a Grade Three Alchemist—he brews Soul-Devouring Pills even Grade Two Alchemists can't resist!"

Lin Yue sneered: "Right now, you still have a chance—surrender, hand over your Storage Ring, and maybe you'll keep your life."

Huuuu…

Almost simultaneously, the Skull King flashed forward, surging with waves of corpse qi as it lunged at Ximen Wudi.

Ximen Wudi's expression remained calm; he slowly drew the long sword on his back, then stomped the ground hard, launching himself skyward.

Dang!

A jet-black longsword clashed instantly with a withered skull claw, ringing out with a metallic clang.

Crack!

In that instant, the withered skull claw shattered piece by piece.

Bang!

Ximen Wudi twisted his wrist, the black sword slicing through the air in an arc, striking the Skull King with full force.

Chiiii!

The Skull King's ribs were severed clean through; its massive body collapsed with a thunderous crash.

"How is this possible? How can this country bumpkin be so strong?"

Lin Yue's eyes widened in utter disbelief.

Sou!

Ximen Wudi moved again; in the blink of an eye, he appeared near Chengmenkou.

"Zhao Chen, get out of here quickly."

He tossed out the words and walked toward Lin Yue.

"Hmph!"

Lin Yue sneered, leaping into the air as he charged at Ximen Wudi.

Hong!

The moment they clashed, Ximen Wudi unleashed Long Huang Fist—a spectral dragon, forged from pure dragon energy, spiraled from his back, snarling as it lunged at Lin Yue.

"Child's play."

Lin Yue sneered, swinging his right arm to launch a crimson flame that directly struck the dragon shadow, exploding it into fragments.

But in that brief moment, Ximen Wudi had closed the distance, driving a fist straight at Lin Yue's face.

Lin Yue hastily raised his sword to block, but the blade was knocked off course; Ximen Wudi's fist slammed hard into Lin Yue's shoulder.

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack…

Ximen Wudi followed up with rapid strikes; Lin Yue's clothes shredded completely, his body covered in blood and wounds, a gruesome sight.

Pu—

A violent force surged into Lin Yue's body, shredding his internal organs, causing him to spit a mouthful of blood and collapse helplessly.

Sou!

Ximen Wudi tossed Lin Yue into his Storage Artifact.

"Holy shit, you're going to break heaven!"

Far away, Zhao Chen cried out: "This is the real Heavenly Prodigy—compared to you, all of us so-called geniuses are nothing but trash!"

Ximen Wudi glanced coldly at Zhao Chen, said nothing, and walked toward the city gate.

"Brother Xiao, are you really this powerful?" Zhao Chen hurried after him, asking.

"Do I look like I'm showing off?" Ximen Wudi countered.

"Uh… not really." Zhao Chen chuckled awkwardly.

"Good!"

Ximen Wudi nodded, then immediately quickened his pace.

Although Zhao Chen did not believe in Ximen Wudi's combat ability, since Ximen Wudi had already agreed to help him build the academy, he naturally hoped this matter would be concluded as soon as possible.

As Ximen Wudi pressed forward, he saw quite a few cultivators within the city, all of whom kept well away, wearing looks of awe.

Half an hour later, when Ximen Wudi reached the southeast side of that giant city, he discovered that countless black-armored cavalry were surrounding them from every direction.

These black-armored cavalry numbered over five thousand riders, each clad in black armor, gripping black long spears in hand, mounted on black steeds.

Every black steed stood two chi tall, its entire body black as ink, its four limbs thick and powerful, sharp tusks growing from its neck, and purple flames burning at its four hooves.

All five thousand cavalry were ninth-rank demon beasts, each possessing strength comparable to nine tribulations; such a display was enough to shatter the courage of ordinary cultivators.

The black-armored cavalry were the Black Demon Nation's nation-guarding army corps; the forces under their command were also called the Black Demon Army.

"Greetings, Crown Prince!"

"Greetings, Crown Prince!"

"Greetings, Crown Prince!"

The five thousand black-armored cavalry reined in their horses to a halt, dropped to one knee, and shouted in unison.

Zhao Chen sat astride his Blazing Flame Steed, standing proud amid Wan Army, looking incomparably imposing.

At the very front of these five thousand black-armored cavalry stood three more people, all wearing black armor, with long blades at their waists and bows on their backs.

"Are you Ximen Wudi?"

Zhao Chen looked down at Ximen Wudi and demanded in a deep voice.

"It's me!" Ximen Wudi nodded and said.

"How dare you kill the Black Eagle King?" Zhao Chen roared in anger.

"That old fellow tried to seize the precious materials on me; him getting slaughtered by me was nothing less than he deserved."

Ximen Wudi said lightly, showing no fear because of this—after all, his cultivation realm was right there; a mere Nirvana-stage cultivator amounted to nothing before him.

"Hmph! Don't think that just because you have some skill, you can act arrogant and domineering. If you dare kill my Black Demon Nation's Crown Prince, I will make you unable to live and unable to die."

Zhao Chen gnashed his teeth and bellowed viciously.

"Heh!"

Ximen Wudi smiled contemptuously and said, "If I were truly afraid, would I have come to trouble you, much less waited here for you, this waste?"

Zhao Chen was so angry his face flushed red, the hand gripping his sword trembling ceaselessly, wishing he could charge up right now and cut Ximen Wudi down.

Still, this fellow ultimately did not lose his reason; he was clear that Ximen Wudi could absolutely instant-kill him, and could even easily annihilate him.