CHAPTER 287: CHAPTER 287: WHO GAVE YOU THE COURAGE? ME!

"Black Dragon King!"

"Salutations to the Black Dragon King!"

Upon seeing the massive black-scaled claw appearing in the sky, the high-ranking members of the Holy Institute gasped once again and bowed respectfully.

Meanwhile, Qin Zi felt his heart grow cold.

With two Beast Race Kings descending, this time, he feared that escape would be impossible, not even Jesus could save him.

"Hmph! Black Dragon King, the Beast God’s Heart has already left the Beast God Mountain, and according to the agreement, it can be taken away."

In the sky, a burly figure appeared. His skin was a blue-black hue, and he bore a hornless bull’s head on his neck, exuding a destructive aura, as if he were a Destruction Demon God.

"That’s not the case. Our agreement was that whoever among your five heirs obtained the Beast God’s Heart, it would belong to them. However, your heirs were disappointing, and instead... this human reaped the benefits."

On the other side, a tall man in a black robe appeared. He was entirely humanoid but had his forehead covered with black scales and bore two ferocious dragon horns, exuding an imposing aura.

"What?!

"A human, he’s actually human!!"

"This... how is this possible!"

Countless people exclaimed, not only the senior ranks of the Holy Institute but even the disciples were astonished.

In the past half year, they had seen Qin Zi many times, yet never noticed he was human.

"Human?"

The Kui Ox King’s eyes widened like copper bells, and after scrutinizing Qin Zi, he revealed a look of realization:

"I thought something looked odd, but now that I take a closer look, he really is a human."

He muttered to himself: "Since he’s human and has such high talent, let’s crush him first."

Having said that, he extended a thick finger, casually aiming it at Qin Zi.

"Boom!"

When that finger descended, it rapidly expanded, resembling a massive obsidian object, thrusting downward with a thunderous roar, an ancient and savage force capable of piercing the sky!

"Block him!"

At this moment, a clear shout echoed from afar, unmistakably the voice of Princess Bai Lu.

The next moment, three gray-robed figures stood protectively in front of Qin Zi, their energies surging, forming an indestructible wall.

They were none other than the three "Wooden Man" Guardians at Princess Bai Lu’s side, unexpectedly high-ranking Martial Emperors!

"Overestimating your strength!"

However, the Kui Ox King sneered dismissively, his finger continued to press down without even increasing its power.

"Bang—"

The next instant, that finger struck the defense, emitting a deafening explosion that nearly tore the Celestial Vault apart.

The defensive wall formed by the three gray-robed elders shattered into pieces, breaking apart like rotten wood!

"Puh, puh, puh!"

The three gray-robed elders suffered severe injuries, spewing blood and being blown back, but even in retreat, they did not forget to take Qin Zi with them—otherwise, Qin Zi would have been torn apart by the shockwave.

"Heh, didn’t die yet, let’s go again."

The Kui Ox King chuckled guilelessly, like a dimwitted fat man wielding a knife at a stray dog, seeing the stray dog writhing in pain from a slash and approaching with a pure smile to finish it off.

He raised his finger once more, pressing it towards Qin Zi, and suddenly, the gigantic finger descended like a mountain again.

"Stop!"

Princess Bai Lu swept in, spreading her hands in front of Qin Zi, raising her head to resolutely face the Kui Ox King.

"Eh, it’s little Bai Lu?"

The Kui Ox King paused, his finger halted, and he gave a gentle smile: "Be a good girl, move aside, let Uncle Ox slaughter this human boy."

"He is my friend, you cannot kill him!"

Bai Lu declared firmly.

"Ah?"

The Kui Ox King hesitated and looked somewhat bewildered, seeking advice from the opposite Black Dragon King.

His reasoning was simple: incredibly cruel to enemies, but extremely tolerant to his own, and when one of his own protected the enemy, he became conflicted.

He considered Princess Bai Lu as one of his own, not so much because of any particular affection, but mainly because he somewhat feared the White Crane King.

The Black Dragon King was clearly aware of the Kui Ox King’s nature, so he coldly turned to Princess Bai Lu and reproached, "Stand down!!"

Princess Bai Lu refused to retreat.

The Black Dragon King furrowed his brows, coldly stating, "Bai Lu, you are the daughter of the White Crane King, yet you conspire with humans to steal our Beast Race’s treasure, committing an unforgivable sin, yet you have the audacity to defend someone else?!"

Princess Bai Lu bit her lip, not speaking.

From the Beast Race’s perspective, she had indeed committed a grave mistake, but at this moment, she could only continue down this path of error!

"Still won’t back down, do you want me to personally suppress you?!"

The Black Dragon King shouted majestically.

Bai Lu remained standing where she was.

Qin Zi looked at the figure standing in front of him, a touched smile appearing on his face, then gently pulled Bai Lu away.

"Sister Bailu, thank you for your kindness, but I do what I must alone, today... I leave life and death to fate!"

He was afraid of death, and he didn’t want to die, but in his heart, this was never a reason to burden others.

He couldn’t watch others risk themselves to protect him while he hid behind saying nothing.

Your protection is a kindness.

Me stepping up is my duty!

"What leaving life and death to fate, if I don’t care for you now, you’re dead!" Princess Bai Lu angrily scolded.

"Thank you!"

Qin Zi shouted loudly, suddenly erupting with scarlet flames, nine Fire Phoenixes spiraled out, radiating brilliant light.

"Boom——"

Enveloped by the nine Fire Phoenixes, Qin Zi transformed into a pillar of flame, instantaneously shooting towards the horizon.

So fast!

Like a laser beam, in an instant, he shot towards the horizon, leaving a long straight line in the sky, spanning across the heavens!

"Emperor’s Artifact!"

The Black Dragon King’s eyes flashed, then he sneered:

"However, thinking you can escape in front of extreme realm powerhouses with just an Emperor’s Artifact is too naive."

Having said that, he reached out with his right hand in that direction.

"Reverse the millennia!"

Along that straight line, time seemed to reverse, the whole world rumbling and trembling with it.

"Buzz buzz buzz!"

Then, the scarlet straight line extending out to the horizon, at a speed visible to the naked eye, retracted back.

It was as if an invisible eraser was continuously erasing that line, and at the end of that line... was Qin Zi.

"How could this happen?!"

Qin Zi, as if driving in reverse, returned to the original place, his face suddenly turned pale, and he cried out in surprise.

"Hmph!"

The Black Dragon King snorted coldly, instantly, a surging force slammed into Qin Zi, causing his clothes to explode on the spot.

"Pfft——"

He flew backward naked, his whole body suffering a devastating attack, his bones and meridians almost completely shattered in an instant, his internal organs damaged, his body surface cracked open with fissures, bleeding profusely.

"Junior Brother Qin!"

Bai Lu’s face lost color, she quickly flew over to catch Qin Zi, who at this point was pale and barely breathing.

"Black Dragon King, being an extreme realm powerhouse, you still attack a junior at Realm Emperor stage, do you have no shame?!"

Bai Lu said angrily.

"Heh heh, do you also know I am an extreme realm powerhouse? So, this is how you speak to an extreme realm powerhouse?"

The Black Dragon King’s expression was indifferent, dignifiedly saying:

"Bai Lu, I originally didn’t want to bother with your nonsense today, but as a member of the Beast Race, not only do you bite the hand that feeds you, but also defy your elders, I am curious... who gave you your courage?!"

Rumble!

In the next moment, a pressure crushed towards Princess Bai Lu, enough to heavily injure her even if not kill her.

"Princess!"

The three gray-robed elders quickly stood in front of Princess Bai Lu, but with a cold snort from the Black Dragon King, they were hit by an invisible force, scattering in all directions.

The pressure continued to crush towards Princess Bai Lu.

"Ah!"

Princess Bai Lu’s face turned ghastly pale, under the aura of the extreme realm powerhouse, her entire body shook instinctively.

"Buzz!"

At this moment, a divine white radiance suddenly enveloped Princess Bai Lu, blocking that pressure outside.

Then, an elegant middle-aged man in white feathered clothing slowly walked out from the radiance, he looked refined yet carried a faint dignity, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, his deep gaze seemed to hold the cosmos and stars.

He stood with his hands behind his back, calmly looking at the Black Dragon King: "My daughter’s courage, naturally I gave it... do you have a problem?"