CHAPTER 373: CHAPTER 373: SHE IS... THE HEAVENLY DESTINY

The just-relaxed atmosphere instantly turned tense and confrontational again. Shangguan Yi, seated at the head, narrowed his eyes, a fierce cold light flashing in his pupils, sweeping around like a hawk.

"Who is speaking?! Step forward!"

"Do you think I’ll step forward just because you ask? I won’t!"

The mocking words echoed among the crowd, instantly making everyone realize something was amiss.

This disdainful tone didn’t seem like something a participant could say.

Being at the main altar of the Demon Sect’s Heavenly Summit, even the most arrogant black-market tycoons had to show respect to Shangguan Yi, let alone those disciples of low status on the outskirts.

And the voice came from the outskirts of the crowd!

Everyone’s gaze swept around like radar, but they couldn’t pinpoint the elusive source of the voice.

"Where’s the scoundrel, hiding his head and showing only his tail?"

With a cold laugh, Shangguan Yi raised an eyebrow, and behind him appeared the ghostly image of a blue-faced, tusked Heavenly Demon engulfed in dark flames.

The invisible sense of oppression instantly shrouded the entire summit of the Heavenly Summit. Under this omnipresent energy coverage, Shangguan Yi immediately captured a trace of anomaly.

Buzz~

His substantial gaze cast towards a corner, and the Heavenly Demon shadow behind him simultaneously glared with anger. Wherever it looked, everyone was so frightened that they scattered, leaving behind an abrupt figure.

"Tsk, utterly useless, scared to wits just from a glare..."

"So cowardly and still want to kill Duke Yu?"

"Spiritual Point, don’t lose points!"

Watching the black-clad youth holding a little girl as he looked around, mocking with indifference, everyone on stage couldn’t help but frown.

Shangguan Yi’s martial arts realm had reached perfection. His Heavenly Demon Dharma Form, condensed from his spirit, wielded overwhelming might. Even a grandmaster of the first grade couldn’t maintain composure under his oppression, let alone deliver such lighthearted sarcasm.

"Who are you?!"

Faced with the question, the black-clad youth tapped his toe, drawing a beautiful arc in mid-air and landing gracefully in the center of the crowd, ignoring all their fierce gazes, smiling leisurely.

"I am Duke Yu, Li Lin. I heard you were discussing how to deal with me, so I came to offer some suggestions."

As these words fell, everyone’s faces drastically changed, and a dozen terrifying auras surged into the sky.

Without any hesitation, over a dozen first-grade grandmasters attacked in unison, their devastating offensive instantly falling onto Zhu Haomiao.

Amid the destructive energy surge, a previously invisible ancient giant cauldron shadow manifested, enclosing the youth within one foot, effortlessly repelling all attacks.

Boom!

With even greater speed than when attacked, they were repelled backward, compelled by the inexorable backlash. All spat fresh blood, disbelief and despair rising in their eyes.

From the brief contact just now, they felt a majestic and infinite majesty.

It felt as if they weren’t attacking a real [person], but were assaulting [all beings of heaven and earth].

This was not a level reachable by [man]!

Realizing this, everyone looked at the gradually vanishing cauldron-shadow around the black-clad youth, biting their lips with bitter despair.

"National Guardian Divine Tripod... Heavenly Destiny Person..."

"So this is the reason he triumphs over strength with weakness..."

Possessing the National Guardian Divine Artifact, he represented the country’s will. Attacking him was equivalent to attacking the entire country, utterly unfair!

Yet, ignoring their grieving gazes, Zhu Haomiao scanned the surroundings, chuckling lightly.

"I gave you a chance, but you were useless."

Facing the black-clad youth’s taunt, someone couldn’t help but roar.

"What kind of hero relies on the power of a divine artifact? If you’re manly, fight us with real swords and guns!"

"Tsk tsk, a group of first-grade grandmasters ganging up on a junior, and you feel proud?"

These words caused everyone’s expressions to freeze as they realized they were standing before a mere sixteen-year-old boy. However, due to his terrifying reputation, they had instinctively overlooked his age.

Looking at the speechless crowd, Zhu Haomiao sneered, stepping up to the foremost position and placing the little girl in his arms onto the seat Shangguan Yi had occupied.

"However, I am kind-hearted and will give you a chance today..."

Turning around, a Profound Black Eight-sided Han Sword materialized from the void, slowly condensing by the boy’s side, floating lightly.

Swish~

With a thought, immense True Qi surged into the [Luo Hou Sword], instantly splitting into dozens of indistinguishable sword-shaped gang qis.

"Open!"

Boom!

The black-clad youth’s figure uncontrollably floated upward, myriad sword gangs swirling around him, transforming into a dragon-like attack toward everyone present.

"No!"

Over a dozen first-grade grandmasters’ eyes widened. Those with the privilege of being brought along were core disciples of their sects. Yet, Li Lin seemed determined to annihilate them all.

Clang, clang, clang~

Various weapons clashed with the sword gangs, emitting the crisp sound of metal striking metal, igniting a shower of sparks across the sky.

But to everyone’s surprise, Li Lin’s Qi Force did not dissipate upon contact but instead acted as a solid, rebounding after being struck and launching another assault toward the crowd.

"Run!"

Faced with the overwhelming shadows of swords, the dozen grandmasters joined forces to hold them at bay, watching the floating black-clad youth like facing a formidable enemy.

The high and mighty youth carried a mocking, contemptuous smile, as if looking down on a group of ants struggling in vain, instantly igniting everyone’s anger.

"You brat! Arrogant!"

Using attack as defense, they worked in tandem to encircle and kill. One even cast a vicious glance toward the tense and excited little girl.

From their closeness earlier, this young girl must be an important relative of Li Lin!

If they could capture her, perhaps they could force his compliance!

Although puzzled why Li Lin casually placed her aside, out of protection, yet seeing the enemy’s weakness, the person transformed into a ghostly shadow, sneak attacking the little girl without honor.

With no reaction, Zhao Nuo’s entire focus was on Zhu Haomiao, completely unaware of the danger.

But just as the claw-like fingers approached her neck, the delicate small cauldron in her arms trembled slightly, an invisible cauldron shadow enveloping her.

Crunch~

Fearing that Li Lin had something in reserve, the attacker held nothing back, colliding solidly with the cauldron shadow.

Like hitting a steel wall at hundreds of kilometers per hour, the irresistible backlash transmitted through the hand, the previously firm five fingers twisted into a pretzel with a crunch.

Boom!

Repelled backward with greater speed than when approaching, blood gushed from his mouth like a fountain.

The attacker turned into a straight black silhouette, crashing into a palace dozens of meters away, plowing a deep trench across the floor before finally halting against a thick wall.

"No... no, she’s the... Heavenly Destiny..."

Only now did the person realize the one wielding the National Guardian Divine Artifact wasn’t Li Lin but the seemingly harmless little girl in his arms.