The Right Protector Flees to Dandi City

"This is... the Right Protector?"

"What happened?"

"That sounds like the Hall Master’s voice. Did the Hall Master attack the Right Protector?"

"This..."

The Blood Butcher Army exchanged bewildered glances. No one had expected an internal conflict to erupt at such a critical moment—right as they were about to lay siege to Alchemy Emperor City and engage in a decisive battle.

And of all people, it was the Hall Master and the Right Protector who had clashed?

The Right Protector, Fan Yi, was equally stunned. He had never imagined that Leng Tu, the Blood Butcher Emperor, would actually strike against him.

After years of loyal service, pouring his heart and soul into assisting Leng Tu, was this how he was repaid? Just a few words, and now violence?

"Leng Tu!"

"I’ve stood by your side, devoted myself to supporting you all these years."

"And now, over a few words, you dare raise your hand against me?" Fan Yi demanded coldly.

His words darkened Leng Tu’s expression. To dare address him so directly by name?

Such audacity!

In a flash, Leng Tu appeared before Fan Yi.

"Fan Yi, you’ve grown far too bold."

"Do you truly believe that reaching the Emperor Realm makes you untouchable?"

"Let me make this clear—you’re still not qualified to challenge me."

"Don’t force me to kill you," Leng Tu said, his gaze icy.

"Kill me?"

"You actually want to kill me?"

"Do you honestly think the Blood Butcher Hall reached its current heights solely because of you?"

"Yes, you’re strong, you’re powerful—but you lack wisdom."

"Without me managing affairs behind the scenes, would the Blood Butcher Hall even exist today?"

"This time, it’s obvious someone is deliberately provoking us, orchestrating this entire situation."

"Do you really think their target is Alchemy Emperor City? Chen Chang’an is overwhelmingly powerful. The true prey in this scheme is you—it’s the Blood Butcher Hall!"

"I’m only trying to stop you from leading these brothers to their deaths!"

"And yet, you repay my loyalty with ingratitude?"

"Are you so eager to drag them all down with you?"

Fan Yi’s heart burned with fury. This was a hopeless battle—why was Leng Tu so stubborn? Did he truly believe himself invincible?

Though Fan Yi didn’t understand why someone would scheme against the Blood Butcher Hall, sending them here to die, one glance at Chen Chang’an had made it clear: to attack Alchemy Emperor City, they’d have to get past him first.

If reasoning wouldn’t work, then perhaps harsh words would.

Fan Yi hoped to shock Leng Tu into awareness, but he had overestimated his own importance in Leng Tu’s eyes—and vastly overestimated Leng Tu’s intelligence.

Leng Tu’s expression turned glacial. To disrespect him so openly before the entire Blood Butcher Army?

"Outrageous!"

"Fan Yi, you’ve crossed the line. The Hall Master’s decisions are not yours to question."

"Speaking such treasonous words before everyone—what are your true intentions?"

Before Leng Tu could act, the Left Protector struck first, lunging at Fan Yi.

Seeing the attack, Fan Yi abandoned restraint.

The two soared into the sky, their battle erupting in a storm of power.

The commotion drew the attention of those inside Alchemy Emperor City.

"Oh? Infighting?"

"How amusing."

Chen Chang’an stood atop the city walls, watching the distant clash with interest.

Inside the city, whispers spread like wildfire. Many speculated whether this was the work of an ally of the Undying Alchemy Emperor, striking at the Blood Butcher Hall from within.

"Why are you all here?"

Chen Chang’an glanced at Yao Niming and the others who had joined him on the wall.

"This isn’t your fight alone. Did you think we’d hide while you faced them by yourself?"

"Though it seems the Blood Butcher Hall isn’t faring too well either," Yao Niming remarked with a faint smile.

"Two Emperors fighting?"

"The Left and Right Protectors of the Blood Butcher Hall?" Lie Zhankuang frowned.

"Most likely."

"Fascinating. Who do you think will win?" Da Huang grinned.

"The Right Protector will lose," Chen Chang’an said calmly.

Lose?

Da Huang studied the two combatants. From their auras, the Right Protector seemed slightly stronger.

"Which one’s the Right Protector?" Lie Zhankuang asked.

"That one."

"That one? He’s clearly superior. How could he lose?"

"Because his opponent was never just one person."

Not one person?

Before they could grasp Chen Chang’an’s meaning, another figure shot toward the battling pair.

Leng Tu surged into the air, striking with lethal intent.

BOOM!

A deafening impact sent Fan Yi flying, severely wounded but not yet dead.

"You... you ruthless bastard!"

"Leng Tu, have you no shred of mercy left?"

Fan Yi saw it clearly—Leng Tu had aimed to kill. Only his recent breakthrough to the Emperor Realm had saved him.

Had this happened before, he’d already be a corpse.

"Hmph!"

"And why shouldn’t you die?"

"On the eve of battle, you sow discord among my forces!"

"What is your true purpose?"

"If anyone is scheming here, it’s you!" Leng Tu roared.

Scheming?

Fan Yi burst into bitter laughter.

"HAHAHA!"

"To think I, Fan Yi, prided myself on my wisdom. What blind fool I was to ever believe serving you was the right choice!"

"Leng Tu, you’re digging your own grave!"

"I’ve said all I needed to—and more than I should have."

"I owe you nothing. It’s you—you and the Blood Butcher Hall—who owe me."

"From this moment on, our ties are severed."

Owe you?

What a joke.

Leng Tu sneered. "You served me?"

"Everything you’ve achieved, you owe to the Blood Butcher Hall’s nurturing!"

"Back then, you were just a weakling in the Void Comprehension Realm. Without my guidance, would you ever have reached the Emperor Realm?"

"Everything you have, I gave you. And now you think you can leave?"

"Pathetic!"

"The only way out of the Blood Butcher Hall is death!"

From the moment he struck, Leng Tu had no intention of letting Fan Yi walk away alive.

Though this outcome wasn’t what he’d wanted, Fan Yi’s words and actions today were unforgivable.

Fan Yi knew Leng Tu wouldn’t let him live. His only chance now...

He glanced toward Alchemy Emperor City, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

If he fled there, wouldn’t it confirm suspicions of collusion?

But if he didn’t...

"Damn it all! At this point, what’s left to lose?"

Fan Yi cursed under his breath. Between suspicion and survival, he chose life.

"Hall Master! He’s trying to escape!"

Fan Yi's little scheme was noticed by the Left Protector, who had been observing him closely. But by the time the Left Protector spoke up to warn him, Fan Yi had already flown toward Alchemy Emperor City.

After all, he was a Great Emperor-level powerhouse—such a short distance was nothing more than the blink of an eye before he entered Alchemy Emperor City.

"Damn it!"

"So he really is colluding with the people of Alchemy Emperor City."

"Hmph!"

"Did he really think he could fool me?"

Seeing Fan Yi's actions, Leng Tu confirmed the Left Protector's earlier suspicions.

Yet, he still shot an unhappy glance at the Left Protector.

"Back at the camp, you chose to strike without hesitation."

"Why did you only warn me just now instead of stopping him from leaving?" Leng Tu questioned the Left Protector with suspicion in his eyes.

Fan Yi had gone to Alchemy Emperor City and gotten involved with its people—but the Left Protector had also been there before. Could he also be hiding something?

"My lord, forgive me! I... I was careless for a moment."

"But I swear my loyalty to you is absolute—I harbor no disloyal thoughts!" the Left Protector hurriedly replied.

"Hmph, I’d like to see you dare."

"Did he really think escaping to Alchemy Emperor City would keep him safe?"

"Pass down my orders—we attack Alchemy Emperor City directly!"

"As you command!"