103: Chapter 103 The Attack of Burning Heaven Valley

"This... this is..." Yan Xiaoyao was so frightened she hid behind Lin Yueru.

Lin Yueru's heart was also pounding with shock!

He never intended to spare these people!

Ignoring the sisters behind him, Chu Xiao skillfully plucked the hundreds of golden fragrant fruits from the tree, carefully placing them into jade boxes and storing them all away.

Only after finishing this did he turn around!

The two sisters felt their hearts tighten under his gaze, instinctively taking a step back.

"Th-thank you, Senior Brother Chu."

But soon, Lin Yueru steadied herself and quickly bowed in salute.

"The transaction is complete. We owe each other nothing."

Chu Xiao said indifferently, as if he wanted no further connection with them.

Immediately, Chu Xiao's gaze passed over the valley.

Looking towards the deepest part of Liyang Cave Heaven, in the direction where the Ancient Tomb of the God King stood.

The Ancient Tomb of the God King was the key objective of this journey.

He didn't want to waste any more time here.

"Senior Brother Chu!"

Lin Yueru looked at his retreating back.

Finally mustering her courage, she called out to stop him.

Chu Xiao's steps did not pause, but he turned his head slightly, glancing at her.

"Thank you for saving us, Senior Brother. This kindness and virtue, Lin Yueru will never forget."

She took a deep breath and bowed deeply towards his back: "If there is ever anything you need in the future, just say the word. My Yunshan Sect will spare no effort, even at the cost of our lives."

Her words were spoken with utmost solemnity.

However, Chu Xiao merely responded with a faint, "Unnecessary. It was merely a transaction."

This coldness made Lin Yueru's heart constrict.

The second half of the sentence she had prepared got stuck in her throat, impossible to voice.

She had intended to warn Chu Xiao that Fantian Valley was looking for him, that Liyang Cave Heaven was filled with danger, and that he must be careful.

But seeing his current demeanor, she suddenly felt her warning would likely be useless.

Indeed, even Xu Chenglong at the Peak of the Nascent Soul stage couldn't withstand a single move from him.

What right did she have to offer him a warning?

Yan Xiaoyao, standing beside her, wasn't thinking so much. Her bright, sparkling eyes were filled with undisguised admiration.

She ran a few steps to Chu Xiao's side, tilting her mud-smeared little face up to him, her eyes full of anticipation as she asked, "Senior Brother Chu, where are you going next? To that biggest Ancient Tomb? Can we... can we go with you? My Senior Sister is very capable too, we definitely won't hold you back!"

"No."

Chu Xiao's reply was simple and direct, leaving no room for negotiation.

He didn't even glance at Yan Xiaoyao. After speaking, he lifted his foot to leave.

The smile on Yan Xiaoyao's face instantly froze, her little mouth puckering.

A layer of mist instantly veiled her eyes, brimming with grievance.

Lin Yueru quickly pulled her back, giving the back of her head a light tap and scolding in a low voice, "Xiaoyao, don't be silly! Senior Brother Chu has his own matters to attend to. We must not disturb him."

She sighed inwardly.

They and Chu Xiao were ultimately not from the same world.

They were strangers who met by chance. That he had saved them and even shared two golden fragrant fruits was already an immense kindness.

How could she possibly ask for more?

At that moment, Chu Xiao's footsteps suddenly halted.

He raised his head, his gaze sharp as lightning, looking towards the entrance of the valley.

Almost simultaneously, Lin Yueru also sensed something, her expression abruptly changing.

"Not good! Someone's coming! Such powerful auras, and many of them!"

Before her words faded, dozens of golden streaks of light, like meteors tearing across the sky, shot towards them at incredible speed from the distant horizon.

In just a few breaths, those streaks of light had already arrived above the valley, then came to a synchronized stop.

The light dissipated, revealing over thirty Cultivators dressed in identical golden robes.

Each of them had a steady, imposing aura, sharp eyes, and carried an air of arrogance born from long-standing authority.

Leading them was a young man with a cold, stern face. He stood tall and straight, a golden longsword strapped to his back. His hawk-like eyes were coldly surveying the valley below.

His cultivation was shockingly at the ninth level of the Nascent Soul realm!

Just one step away from the Soul Transformation stage!

When they saw the now-bare golden fragrant fruit tree in the valley, and the dozen or so corpses on the ground in gruesome states, everyone's brows furrowed slightly.

And when the leading young man's gaze swept over Chu Xiao...

Finally settling on his iconic white robes...

His pupils abruptly contracted.

Immediately after, a flash of greed passed through the depths of his eyes.

"It's him! Chu Xiao!"

"Hahahaha! We searched high and low without success, and here he is delivered to us without any effort!"

The cold-faced young man let out a burst of wild laughter.

He moved, descending directly from mid-air.

Landing steadily several dozen zhang away from Chu Xiao.

The thirty-plus Fantian Valley Disciples behind him followed closely, quickly fanning out, vaguely forming an encirclement that completely sealed Chu Xiao and the Lin sisters within the valley.

"People from Fantian Valley!"

Lin Yueru recognized the newcomers' attire, and her heart instantly sank to the depths of despair!

The Black Fiend Alliance was just a ragtag group.

But the people before her were the elite Disciples of Fantian Valley, a true top-tier Sect of the Eastern Region!

The aura of their leader was several times more formidable than that of Xu Chenglong from earlier!

It's over!

This time, it's truly over!

Yan Xiaoyao was also trembling with fear at this display.

She clutched tightly at her Senior Sister's sleeve, not daring to even breathe heavily.

"So you are Chu Xiao?"

The leading cold-faced young man was none other than the head Disciple of Fantian Valley, Qin Wuyan!

He looked Chu Xiao up and down, his eyes filled with Killing Intent.

"Elder Chongguang has issued an order: the primary task for all Fantian Valley Disciples upon entering the cave heaven is to take your head!"

Qin Wuyan's voice was icy: "Whoever kills you will earn the qualification to inherit the Sect's secret technique, the 'Brahma Sacred Body'."

"Chu Xiao, you killed our Sect's Prodigy, the Savage Ape. Your crime deserves ten thousand deaths. Today, you have no escape!"

Lin Yueru and Yan Xiaoyao listened, their hearts pounding with fear.

Anxiety surged within Lin Yueru. Looking at Qin Wuyan, she hurriedly spoke up, "Fellow Daoist Qin, we..."

However, before she could finish, Qin Wuyan impatiently cut her off.

"Silence!"

Qin Wuyan cast a cold glance at her, his eyes full of disdain: "A mere ant from a third-rate Sect, what right do you have to speak here?"

"Since you're with him, it means you're accomplices. After we kill this Chu fellow, the two of you will be captured and taken back to serve as Cauldrons. Consider it making use of waste."

Lin Yueru trembled with anger, yet she had no strength to refute.

In the eyes of these Disciples from top-tier Sects, the lives of Cultivators from small Sects like theirs were indeed no different from weeds.

"Noisy."

Chu Xiao, spoke.

He raised a hand, somewhat impatiently digging at his ear.

"Are you finished?"

Chu Xiao lifted his eyelids, his calm gaze finally settling on Qin Wuyan.

"If you're finished, you may proceed on your journey."

As these words fell, silence enveloped the entire scene.

The arrogance on Qin Wuyan's face instantly froze. The Fantian Valley Disciples behind him also wore expressions of astonishment one by one.

They could hardly believe their ears.

This kid, surrounded by over thirty Nascent Soul stage powerhouses, with a ninth-level Nascent Soul head Disciple presiding, not only didn't kneel and beg for mercy, but actually dared to utter such arrogant words?

What gave him the right?

Where did his confidence come from?

After a brief, deathly silence, Qin Wuyan laughed in extreme fury.

"Fine, fine, fine! Truly arrogant beyond measure! Let's see what skills you have to dare speak such words!"

"All Disciples, heed my command!"

Qin Wuyan suddenly waved his hand, shouting sharply.

"Deploy the Fantian Dragon-Locking Formation! Today, we shall ensure this brat's Divine Soul is extinguished and his bones ground to dust!"

"Yes, Head Disciple!"

The thirty-plus Fantian Valley Disciples responded in unison, their voices shaking the surroundings.

Without the slightest hesitation, they instantly formed hand seals, the magical power within their bodies surging forth without reservation!

*Hummm—*

Beams of golden magical power shot into the sky, intertwining in mid-air!

Then rapidly sketched out a colossal golden net that blotted out the sky!

Upon that net, runes flowed, the golden light dazzling, emitting a terrifying aura that seemed to suppress all things and seal the Void Realm!

The Fantian Dragon-Locking Formation!

This was one of Fantian Valley's secret treasured Formations!

Although it was only a simplified version, when jointly executed by over thirty Nascent Soul Cultivators, its power was sufficient to trap and kill ordinary Soul Transformation stage experts!

Once the great Formation took shape, the space within the entire valley seemed to solidify.

Lin Yueru and Yan Xiaoyao only felt a heavy pressure descend upon them!

It was as if they were carrying an invisible mountain. Even breathing became difficult, and the circulation of spiritual power within their bodies became incredibly sluggish.

"Senior Brother Chu, be careful! This is Fantian Valley's killing Formation!"

Lin Yueru used all her strength to anxiously warn him.

However, Chu Xiao showed no emotional fluctuation.

He looked up at the slowly descending golden net above, and in his eyes, there was not a trace of fear, but instead a flicker of... disappointment.

"Is this it?"

He shook his head, as if finding it somewhat boring.

Then, under the astonished gazes of everyone, he slowly raised his right hand.

And then, towards the sky, he threw a punch.

Seeing this, a cold smile appeared at the corner of Qin Wuyan's mouth.

"Overestimating yourself! At death's door, and still so presumptuous! Suppress and kill him!"

He activated the hand seal. The speed of the golden net's descent increased severalfold, carrying a momentum to crush everything as it descended upon Chu Xiao.

He could already envision the scene of Chu Xiao being crushed into paste by the great Formation.

However, the next moment...

A scene he would never forget for the rest of his life occurred.

*BOOM!!!!*

A deafening, earth-shaking explosion erupted between heaven and earth!

It was seen that the moment Chu Xiao's seemingly ordinary fist made contact with the golden net...

A terrifying force erupted violently!

Space, under this fist, shattered like a mirror, fragmenting inch by inch!

That Fantian Dragon-Locking Formation, jointly laid by over thirty Nascent Soul Cultivators, was as fragile as a sheet of thin paper before that fist!

*Crack—!*

A crisp sound rang out.

Starting from the point of contact with the fist, a crack appeared on the golden Formation net.

Immediately, that crack spread like a spider's web...

At an inconceivable speed, instantly spread across the entire great Formation!

*Pfft!*

*Pfft!*

*Pfft!*

...

The thirty-plus Fantian Valley Disciples maintaining the Formation were struck as if by lightning, simultaneously spitting out a large mouthful of blood.

The color instantly drained from their faces, their eyes filled with disbelief and terror.

[part:gemini-3.0-flash]

Their Formation... is actually going to break?

To be blown apart by the opponent with just a single punch?!

This thought had just flashed through their minds.

"Rumble—!"

The golden net that blotted out the sun could no longer hold on.

With an earth-shattering explosion, it shattered completely!

It turned into a sky full of golden light specks, as brilliant as fireworks, before fading into nothingness.

The Formation was broken.

For a moment, a deathly silence filled the valley.

The brilliant golden light specks drifted down slowly, like fireflies on a midsummer night!

But in the eyes of Qin Wuyan and all the Fantian Valley Disciples, it was nothing short of a scene from Hell.

The Formation was broken.

Their proud Fantian Dragon-Locking Formation, which over thirty Nascent Soul Cultivators had spent their magic power on, was blown apart by the opponent’s casual punch.

"Pfft—"

Qin Wuyan staggered, nearly falling from mid-air.

The Fantian Valley Disciples behind him were in even worse shape; their faces were pale, their auras withered, and their eyes were filled with terror.

Damn it!

Is this really a power that can be possessed by the Nascent Soul realm?

Lin Yueru and the sisters, Yan Xiaoyao, were similarly shocked into silence by this cognition-shattering scene.

They stood with their mouths agape, staring blankly at the figure who had just retracted his fist.

The white-clad figure still stood with his hands behind his back.

From beginning to end, his expression hadn't changed in the slightest!

It was as if he had only done something insignificant.

In the valley, there was only the sound of the wind.

Chu Xiao lifted his eyelids and scanned the group of Fantian Valley Disciples who were as quiet as cicadas in winter!

There was a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

"Too weak."

He shook his head, seemingly bored by this battle that didn't even count as a warm-up.

"I will give you one more chance."

"Now, get out of my sight. Otherwise, all of you can stay here forever."

These words carried no Killing Intent, yet they were more chilling than any malicious threat.

Hearing this, the Fantian Valley Disciples trembled, and a glimmer of hope for survival instantly erupted in their eyes.

Get out?

They wished they could get out immediately! The further, the better!

Facing such a monster, Sect missions and the "Brahma Sacred Body" were all damn nonsense!

Life was what mattered most!

However, just as several Disciples couldn't help but want to turn and flee, Qin Wuyan's voice rang out.

"Don't you dare leave!"

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stared fixedly at Chu Xiao.

His originally handsome face was now twisted and hideous.

"Don't be afraid! No matter how strong he is, he's only one person! We still have over thirty people! Breaking the Formation just now must have cost him a huge amount of energy; he's definitely hollow inside right now!"

He couldn't retreat!

He was the Eldest Senior Brother of Fantian Valley! He was the leader of this operation!

If he led his people away in disgrace like this, not only would the Legacy of the Brahma Sacred Body be lost to him, but he would also become the laughingstock of the entire Eastern Region upon returning to the Sect!

The wrath of Immortal Master Zhongguang was something he could not afford to bear!

Therefore, Chu Xiao had to die!

"For the glory of the Sect! For the Brahma Sacred Body! Everyone, charge! Form the Myriad Swords Returning to Origin Formation and kill him!!"

Qin Wuyan roared, and with a flash of light, the golden longsword on his back was unsheathed, pointing straight at Chu Xiao.

However, the scene he anticipated, where everyone responded in unison with shared hatred for the enemy, did not occur.

The remaining Fantian Valley Disciples looked at each other, but their feet seemed to be nailed to the ground; no one dared to be the first to step forward.

Are you kidding me?

Form another Formation?

Don't you have any idea how the Fantian Dragon-Locking Formation was just broken?

Hollow inside?

Does he look like someone who has exhausted a huge amount of energy?

At this moment, everyone felt a strong sense of resentment toward their Eldest Senior Brother, Qin Wuyan.

If you want to die, don't drag us down with you!

Seeing his subordinates cowering like this.

Qin Wuyan was so angry he almost spat out another mouthful of blood.

And Chu Xiao, watching this clumsy display, had completely lost his patience.

"Noisy."

Killing the chicken to warn the monkeys—it seems this chicken isn't big enough.

He moved.

In the next instant, he took a step forward.

This step was like Shrinking the Earth to an Inch!

Crossing a distance of dozens of yards, he appeared before Qin Wuyan like a ghost.

"You..."

Qin Wuyan's pupils suddenly contracted.

He only had time to utter a single word before he saw a fair, slender hand with distinct knuckles enlarging in his field of vision.

Too fast!

So fast that he couldn't react at all!

He wanted to raise his sword to parry, he wanted to retreat and dodge, he wanted to activate his protective Magic Treasure...

But all those thoughts became an impossible dream at this moment.

Chu Xiao's right hand had already lightly pressed against his face.

Then, his five fingers slightly closed.

"Bang!"

A muffled thud rang out.

Qin Wuyan's entire head exploded!

Red and white matter, mixed with golden Nascent Soul fragments, splattered in all directions.

Due to inertia, the headless corpse still maintained its sword-wielding charge!

It rushed forward for over a dozen yards before falling powerlessly to the ground!

After twitching twice, it fell completely silent.

The Eldest Senior Brother of Fantian Valley, a Ninth Level Nascent Soul Prodigy, Qin Wuyan.

Dead.

The valley was deathly silent.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

All the Fantian Valley Disciples seemed to have been petrified.

Frozen in place, their minds were a complete blank.

They watched with their own eyes as their Eldest Senior Brother, who was incredibly powerful in their eyes—

The Qin Wuyan who was only one step away from Soul Transformation!

Was swatted to death like a fly with a casual palm strike.

That nonchalant posture, that utterly casual movement!

It simply shattered their worldview!

"Ah—!"

Finally, someone was the first to break under the pressure and let out a scream.

They had completely collapsed.

He turned and ran, using every bit of strength he had, turning into a streak of light as he fled frantically toward the outside of the valley.

With the first, there was a second, a third...

In an instant, the psychological defenses of all the Fantian Valley Disciples completely crumbled.

They could no longer care about fellow Disciple camaraderie!

They could no longer care about Sect glory!

Each of them was like a stray dog, scattering in all directions like startled birds and beasts, fleeing madly.

However, Chu Xiao had already given them a chance.

"Wanting to leave now? It's too late."

Chu Xiao's eyes showed no emotion; he didn't even bother to give chase.

He just impatiently raised his hand and flicked his fingers at the fleeing figures.

"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"

Streaks of Sword Qi, like Yama's judgment, whistled through the air.

The Sword Qi was extremely fast, quickly catching up to every fleeing figure.

"Puff!"

"Puff!"

"Puff!"

...

In mid-air, blood blossoms bloomed one after another.

Those overbearing Fantian Valley Disciples, whether they were in the Early Stage Nascent Soul or the Late Stage Nascent Soul, made no difference before Chu Xiao's Sword Qi.

Their protective spiritual light was like paper, easily pierced through.

The center of their brows, their hearts, their Dantians...

Every streak of Sword Qi accurately hit a vital point.

In just two or three breaths of time!

Over thirty Fantian Valley Disciples fell from the air one after another, like dumplings being dropped into a pot.

Corpses littered the entire valley.

The scent of blood, mixed with the smell of soil, permeated the air.

The entire world finally became completely quiet.

Chu Xiao stood amidst the mountain of corpses and sea of blood, his white clothes still as white as snow, immaculate.

In a corner of the valley, the two sisters, Lin Yueru and Yan Xiaoyao, huddled together, shivering.

Their faces were pale, and as they looked at the corpses everywhere, their stomachs churned.

Especially Lin Yueru; besides fear, she felt a profound sense of powerlessness.

Is this the world of top Prodigies?

Massacring everyone over a single disagreement.

Viewing human life as worthless weeds and rules as nothing.

She suddenly felt that her previous so-called trials!

Her so-called life-and-death struggles!

Were like children playing house compared to the scene before her.

Just then, a line of pale gold text slowly appeared in Chu Xiao's vision.

[Ding! Detected that the host has intercepted the pre-conditions for the Son of Heavens Destiny Jiang Bai's "Nine Sorrows of the Yellow Springs" Opportunity, changing the plot direction of the Small World, and successfully plundering his Luck!]

[Obtained Destiny Return for this action! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: 100,000 golden fragrant fruits!]

"One hundred thousand golden fragrant fruits?"

Chu Xiao's eyebrow raised slightly, and his mood finally improved a little.

Although the process was a bit boring, the result was quite good.

He turned around and looked at the two girls in the corner who were nearly scared witless.

Seeing them looking as pitiful as quailing quails, Chu Xiao's heart stirred.

He gave a casual wave of his hand.

Clatter—

Two piles of golden fragrant fruits, as crystal clear as rubies and emitting an enticing fragrance, appeared out of thin air before the sisters.

Each pile consisted of exactly one hundred fruits.

The rich fruit fragrance instantly diluted the scent of blood in the valley.

"These are yours."

Chu Xiao said indifferently.

Lin Yueru and Yan Xiaoyao were completely stunned.

They looked at the mountain of spiritual fruits emitting precious light before them, unable to react for a moment.

One hundred fruits?

This was the 7th-Grade Spirit Medicine golden fragrant fruit!

In the outside world, even a single one was enough to cause a bloody storm!

And now, Chu Xiao had casually given them one hundred each?

"Wow—!"

After a brief daze, Yan Xiaoyao was the first to react.

Her large eyes were instantly filled with light from surprise and admiration.

Her previous fear of Chu Xiao had long since been cast beyond the highest heavens.

She lunged toward the pile of golden fragrant fruits, carefully picked one up, sniffed it with her nose, and then started laughing foolishly.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Chu! Thank you, Senior Brother Chu! You are truly too kind! You are the most generous and powerful person I have ever met!"

The young girl's praise came from the bottom of her heart, without any Impurities.

Looking at her carefree Junior Sister, Lin Yueru was both exasperated and amused!

But more than that, she felt heartfelt shock and gratitude.