Chapter 79: Jiangnan's Strength

Bang!

A muffled thud sounded, and Goutou was flung backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.

Who?

Goutou clutched his chest, staring at the newcomer in terror.

Jiangnan!

Xu Mao shouted, his voice full of surprise.

Mu Tong opened his eyes, looking at the figure blocking him, a flash of complex emotion passing through his gaze.

The newcomer was indeed Jiangnan.

Goutou felt excruciating pain in his chest, as if a boulder were crushing him.

He struggled to rise, blood spilling from his mouth, his eyes fixed stubbornly on the suddenly appearing Jiangnan.

You... how are you here?

Goutou's voice trembled, laced with unmistakable terror, as if he had seen the world's most dreadful monster.

Where are my elder brother and second brother? Where are they?

His voice echoed through the empty ruins, sounding even more mournful.

Jiangnan walked forward slowly, each step feeling like it stepped on Goutou's heart, making it hard for him to breathe.

He looked down at Goutou from a height, his gaze cold as ice, as if watching a dying, struggling ant.

Dead.

Jiangnan spoke, his voice calm, yet like a death sentence.

All dead.

He repeated it, his tone tinged with contempt, as if the slain were merely insignificant insects.

Impossible!

Goutou's eyes widened, blood vessels covering his eyeballs, as if they would leap out of his sockets.

This can't be!

He roared, his voice hoarse, like a wounded beast.

My elder brother is a Grandmaster! A Grandmaster!

Goutou went berserk, clutching his head with both hands, tearing at his own hair.

How could you have killed him? How could you possibly...

He could not accept the fact; the Grandmaster was a being atop the Martial Arts Peak, a goal countless cultivators looked up to.

How could he die?

And die at the hands of an obscure youngster?

It's sheer fantasy!

Grandmaster?

Jiangnan's mouth curled into a mocking smile.

Impressive, huh?

He replied lightly, as if the Grandmaster was no more than that in his eyes.

Goutou snapped his head up, staring intently at Jiangnan, his gaze filled with venomous hatred and madness.

You... who exactly are you?

He gritted his teeth, asking each word with a pause.

At that moment, he finally realized how terrifying a being he had provoked.

Jiangnan gave no answer, merely watching him quietly, his gaze full of pity.

It was like watching an ant about to be crushed, neither compassionate nor delighted.

Ah!

Goutou let out a mournful scream, lunging at Jiangnan.

He knew he had no way out, so he threw himself into a desperate gamble.

I will kill you!

He roared, his eyes blood‑red, like a maddened demon.

Yet his attack before Jiangnan was so feeble and pale.

Jiangnan simply waved his hand lightly, and an invisible force hurled Goutou away.

Bang!

Goutou slammed heavily into the wall, a muffled thud sounding, then he slid onto the ground like a puddle of sludge.

He struggled to get up, only to find his bones felt as if they were disassembled, unable to exert any strength.

You... you...

Goutou lay on the ground, his gaze vacant, blood constantly spewing from his mouth.

He tried to speak, but nothing came out.

Jiangnan slowly approached Goutou, crouching down, looking at his twisted face.

"Next life, remember not to be a bad person."

Jiangnan whispered, his voice revealing no emotion.

Then, he extended his hand, gently pressing it onto Goutou's forehead.

Goutou's body jolted sharply, then completely lost its life.

His eyes remained open, but his gaze had utterly dimmed, as if all light had been drained.

……

Having dealt with Goutou, Jiangnan turned his body, his gaze directly ignored Zhou Cong and Xu Mao, and fell upon Mu Tong.

His voice was deep and powerful, bearing unquestionable authority.

"Hurry out, I don't have much time."

Mu Tong's body trembled slightly; she could feel the urgency embedded in Jiangnan's words.

She bit her lip tightly, her eyes full of gratitude.

"Thank you, Jiangnan, thank you for saving me."

Her voice choked, tears swirling in her eyes.

Xu Mao also struggled to stand, clutching his chest, his face pale.

"Jiangnan, thank you."

He was sincerely grateful; had Jiangnan not appeared in time, he and Mu Tong would likely have met their doom.

Zhou Cong, however, looked at Jiangnan with a sullen expression, his eyes flickering with complex emotions.

He endured the excruciating pain in his body and spoke coldly:

"Hmph, you only show up now; don't you think it's late? No more nonsense, heal me quickly."

His tone was full of command and contempt, as if Jiangnan were merely a tool.

Jiangnan gave Zhou Cong a cold glance, his eyes filled with disgust.

He ignored Zhou Cong and turned his gaze toward Mu Tong.

"Quickly, leave; this place is dangerous."

Mu Tong nodded; she knew staying here would only make her a burden to Jiangnan.

She pulled Xu Mao up, and the two supported each other, stumbling toward the exit.

Zhou Cong watched Jiangnan's back, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes.

"You… you actually dare ignore me?"

He roared angrily, his voice echoing through the Museum.

Jiangnan did not look back; he closed his eyes, circulating his internal true qi to the limit.

He could sense a familiar aura nearby.

It was Yin Teng's aura.

Jiangnan inhaled deeply, then slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze became razor‑sharp, like a sword drawn from its sheath.

He stepped forward, heading toward the direction where Yin Teng stood.

……

In the dim, damp basement, the air was filled with a nauseating scent of blood and decay.

On the walls, strange runes flickered with dim light, like an eye lurking in the darkness, watching everything.

On the floor, a massive circular formation was nearing completion, dark red liquid flowing slowly within it, exuding an evil and powerful aura.

Yin Teng stood at the center of the formation, his withered face showing a morbid excitement.

He formed hand seals, muttering incantations, as if performing an ancient, evil ritual.

"Lord Wuse, the great array is about to be completed."

Yin Teng's voice was hoarse and sharp, like fingernails scraping glass, sending a chill down one's spine.

He looked up, gazing at Wuse before him.

"Very good, Yin Teng, you have done well."

Wuse's voice was deep, yet he could not suppress his ecstatic joy.

"Once the array is complete, I can take a single step forward and enter the Golden Core Realm!"

His face was written with fanaticism; he was already eager to break through the realm.

At that moment, the Stone Door in the basement suddenly emitted a deafening roar.

"Boom—!"

The sturdy Stone Door was kicked away as if it were paper, shards of stone scattering, dust filling the air.

A figure appeared at the doorway, backlit, face indistinct, yet exuding an indescribable pressure.

This person was Jiangnan.