As soon as Su Luo spoke, everyone turned their attention to him.
His courage was commendable, but whether he had the ability to withstand Qing Bukuang's sword strike remained to be seen.
Situ Ye was overjoyed inside. Seeing Su Luo in trouble was too delightful, but he couldn't show it. Qing Bukuang was still in a rage, so he couldn't laugh.
Xu Wuliang, on the other hand, looked at Su Luo with some confusion, not understanding why he would provoke Qing Bukuang at this moment. He didn't harbor much resentment toward Su Luo.
Liao Duci, meanwhile, was praying that Su Luo wouldn't die. He was close to developing a new poison and hoped Su Luo would die by his hand.
Shan Gui, though displeased with Su Luo, couldn't help but admire his boldness at this moment.
"Truly, it's you, Su Luo!" Cui Baiquan appeared meek on the surface, but deep down, he wanted to lash out at Qing Bukuang more than anyone.
"Please, go harder. But if you end up in trouble, don't expect me to help. It's none of my business since you refused to cooperate with me."
Qing Bukuang, at this moment, was also surprised that someone dared to question him.
"Good, very good."
"Whether I can or not, it's not your place as a loser to bark here, is it?"
As Qing Bukuang spoke, he had already swung his sword. The strike was so fast that no one could see the movement, but the blade had already reached Su Luo.
However, in the blink of an eye, a sword appeared on the table.
Qing Bukuang was stunned. He thought he had already struck Su Luo and sheathed his sword.
But now, the sword was on the table, and Su Luo was completely unharmed.
The others were also shocked. While Qing Bukuang's speed was fast, the other seven shouldn't have been unable to see it. Otherwise, the gap would have been too large, and that wasn't the case.
But how Qing Bukuang's sword ended up on the table was truly beyond their perception.
Su Luo said nonchalantly, "I was just raising a reasonable question. If you end up losing too, wouldn't we have been scolded by you for nothing?"
"I've wanted to say this for a long time. How can you criticize us in advance when you can't even achieve it yourself?"
"At least show some results and let your strength speak for itself."
Qing Bukuang silently retrieved his sword. It wasn't cheap, after all.
But he was too embarrassed to ask Su Luo how he had done it.
If he couldn't ask, then he'd just try again.
This time, he was faster and more ruthless than before!
"Su Luo, I'll make you pay for your words."
The sword strike was swift and invisible.
Although Qing Bukuang wasn't as confident as the first time, he still felt certain of his success.
Yet, the sword appeared on the table once more.
Qing Bukuang still couldn't comprehend what had happened. He had no idea what Su Luo had done.
"Talk is talk, but resorting to violence is impolite, especially for the second time."
"Indeed, I really dislike you." This time, Qing Bukuang didn't strike again. The situation was too bizarre and incomprehensible.
"Naturally, you're not exactly likable either."
At this moment, Xu Wuliang pointed at the sword on the table and asked, "Su Luo, how did you do that?"
He genuinely didn't understand and had no qualms about asking.
"It's a treasure. Anything you can't understand, you can attribute it to that."
"Relying on treasures isn't that impressive. One day, your treasures will run out," Qing Bukuang said coldly, his killing intent rising.
"That's none of your concern. Maybe your ancestors provided them for me."
Of course, Qing Bukuang's ancestors hadn't provided anything. Su Luo's implication was that Qing Bukuang's family grave had been robbed.
Qing Bukuang was furious but maintained a smile. He signaled the other seven to attack Su Luo together.
"Sit down." With just one sentence, Su Luo made them all freeze.
They couldn't understand why they couldn't move, feeling as if an invisible hand was pressing down on them.
Su Luo continued speaking to Qing Bukuang, "I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush. Go find Lin Xuan instead. I won't fight you, or else if you lose to Lin Xuan, you'll blame it on me for having fought you."
"After I kill Lin Xuan, it'll be your turn," Qing Bukuang said, feeling that Su Luo's treasures were too mysterious. He decided it would be safer to bring stronger allies later to break Su Luo's defenses and then personally teach him a lesson.
Su Luo stood up, chuckling, "I wish you success. Here's a nice parting gift for you."
He tossed a dice onto the table, showing the number 7.
Then, he threw a small flame onto the table.
"It'll explode in thirty seconds. There'll be a beautiful firework, so be careful not to get hurt."
With that, he turned and left.
When Cui Baiquan saw the dice, he immediately sensed trouble.
He had seen this before—Su Luo's techniques would be instantly amplified. So, he quickly pulled Shan Gui away.
Only the original seven remained.
Situ Ye scoffed, "This little flame? An explosion? Who could it possibly hurt? I'll blow it out with a single breath."
Whoosh!
The flame remained unaffected.
Xu Wuliang slammed his palm down, shattering the table, but the flame continued to burn in mid-air.
It was too strange. Liao Duci asked, "Should we dodge?"
The explosion was almost upon them.
Dodge? If they dodged, they'd lose all face.
Qing Bukuang snorted coldly, "We're not dodging. I want to see what this flame can do..."
Before he could finish, the flame rapidly expanded.
Boom!
A pillar of fire shot into the sky, resembling a fiery tornado, followed by a deafening explosion.
"Ahhhh!"
The power was overwhelming. Situ Ye, Xu Wuliang, and Liao Duci couldn't help but scream.
Only Qing Bukuang clenched his teeth tightly, not making a sound, preserving the last shred of his dignity.
Su Luo didn't look back at the explosion, as if it were just a trivial matter.
Cui Baiquan caught up from behind, complaining, "If you still had the dice, why didn't you use it when fighting Lin Xuan?"
"If I used it again, others would be prepared. Isn't this better? Qing Bukuang and the others would never have expected the little flame to suddenly become so powerful."
"You're too reckless! Qing Bukuang won't be in a good mood after this."
Although Cui Baiquan always wanted to oppose Qing Bukuang, timing was crucial.
He couldn't just act recklessly.
Su Luo seemed steady, but his actions were so rash.
"Mood? I don't care about his mood. Besides, he might not even defeat Lin Xuan. He hasn't won yet, and he's already scolding us. What's he thinking?"
"Didn't you hear him? He's almost at the Nascent Soul stage. If he can't win even then, I don't believe it."
"Then go support him."
"That's not what I mean. I'm definitely on your side. So, if you agree to cooperate, I'll go all out and fight Qing Bukuang with you."
Cui Baiquan had made up his mind. Initially, upon hearing that Qing Bukuang was close to breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, Cui Baiquan had planned to lay low for a while.
But it seemed Su Luo had quite a few treasures. It was worth a gamble.
Su Luo still refused, "No, save your energy. When you can slap Qing Bukuang in the face, then come talk to me. Without that kind of courage, I can't trust your sincerity."
Watching Su Luo leave, Cui Baiquan was stunned.
How could Qing Bukuang possibly let Su Luo off after this? This should have been the perfect time to form an alliance.
Yet Su Luo had refused.
Was he that confident? But when Lin Xuan had beaten him into a wretched retreat, it hadn't been like this.
Thinking back to Su Luo's words—slap Qing Bukuang in the face?
Honestly, he felt the urge.
He genuinely wanted to oppose Qing Bukuang.
Would slapping him really lead to cooperation?
Just as Cui Baiquan took a step forward, he came to his senses.
What if Su Luo was just bluffing?
If he didn't keep his word afterward, wouldn't I be in trouble?
That was close. I almost fell for Su Luo's trap.
e vast world of cultivation, where he becomes the master of the Heavenly Ruins Sacred Hall, a dying old man with barely a tenth of his former cultivation remaining. He is immediately confronted with a deadly crisis: his subordinates have rebelled, and his protectors are forcing him to abdicate. At the critical moment, the system descends from the heavens: [Ding! The host has been detected facing a life-or-death crisis. The system is now officially activated!] [As a gift, you have received the Supreme Beginner’s Pack and awakened the ultimate cheat: ten thousand years of pure cultivation essence every second!] Yin Tianjue: “Wait… ten thousand years of cultivation every second? That’s six hundred thousand years a minute, and in one day… I can’t even calculate it. Either way, I’m already invincible!” You’re a peerless prodigy rarely seen in ten thousand years? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re an undying ancestor who has guarded a sacred land for countless ages? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re the strongest chosen one, blessed with heaven-defying destiny? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. From this day forth, I have only one thing to say: “I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. Now, how exactly are you supposed to deal with that?”
s the Eldest Princess, renowned for her cold and aloof detachment, became the most docile of lambs, obeying his every command without question. But when the final move was played on the chessboard, as Gu Chenghan seized everything and ascended on the verge of apotheosis, that very Princess suddenly embraced him from behind, her tone carrying a dependence never heard before: "Wait... you haven't yet... commanded me to love you forever." Gu Chenghan froze abruptly. She... hadn't been hypnotized?! ... [The Eldest Princess's Diary] [When my soul was extracted, becoming the sole spectator outside my own shell] [At first, there was overwhelming fury, until I saw] [How he used my sword to effortlessly shatter my inescapable doom] [How he wielded my authority to eradicate fatal conspiracies I had never even detected] [Like a deity, he rescued me from the deep mire I was trapped in] [If not for those annoying vixens, he and I would be a match made in heaven] [I think I am ill, gravely ill] [My deity should belong to me alone] ... "Hypnosis? Oh, it succeeded, my dear Master." "Only this time, it's my turn to hypnotize you."
ts me of treason?" "Correct. The host must return to the capital and gradually build up influence." "Wait—I have half a million soldiers, and you want me to go back to the capital to 'build influence'?" "Host, you are currently the Northern Garrison General, loyal to the Great Xia Dynasty." "Of course I am loyal to Great Xia! Absolutely loyal!" "But you keep referring to yourself as 'We'..." "Never mind the details! Summon all the regional commanders and military officers! We suspect treacherous officials are manipulating the court! They shall march with Us to the capital and purge the corrupt!" "......"
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
