In truth, the barrier Lu Wuming had set up held little significance. For Liu Buli had already purged every single human from the entire city long before the hour was up.
He could feel it, the growing change within his heart as the blood on his hands increased. Just as he had suspected, he seemed to be influenced by the sword, becoming like it, a creature that craved fresh blood with a savage hunger.
He wanted to thoroughly deal with everything he laid his eyes upon.
At first, before falling into this state, Liu Buli had genuinely pondered if this path was viable. But the moment he realized he was on the verge of falling into demonic ways, everything suddenly became clear and accepting.
What if he fell into demonic ways?
He was killing people he already wanted dead, anyway.
As for any other moral considerations, Liu Buli had no intention of dwelling on them. He had always been an unrepentant scoundrel from the start. It was better to solidify that identity. As a villain, he felt no great fault in his actions.
After clearing the city, Liu Buli's white robes had completely transformed into a sea of crimson. The blade of his long sword, as if soaked in blood, emanated a seductive yet terrifying red glow.
He flicked his arm, and Liu Buli, sword in hand, strode towards the city gates. The hour had not yet passed, so according to what he had arranged earlier, Liu Buli was certain that Lu Wuming was still with the city lord.
He wasn't in a hurry to urge Lu Wuming to finish the job.
After all, as he had said, he wanted that person to truly experience what it meant to wish for death.
The feeling of that sword piercing Yun Xiang's heart, along with the final memories, surged into Liu Buli's body. He had always felt Yun Xiang's pain and despair, and to repay such agony with only an hour of torment felt insufficient even to himself.
However, with many enemies still to face, Liu Buli knew they didn't have much time to linger on this.
So, even if it was a mercy, an hour of hellish torment would have to suffice.
With that thought, Liu Buli had reached the city gates.
He glanced up at the barrier set up on the gate, and without any hesitation, he stepped forward and walked through.
His confidence stemmed not from believing his spiritual power surpassed Lu Wuming's by much.
It was because he was certain that no matter how formidable the barrier Lu Wuming had erected, it would absolutely not inflict any harm upon him.
This was an unshakeable trust between the two of them.
And indeed, the reality matched his thoughts. As he passed through the city gate, Liu Buli felt no discomfort whatsoever.
Looking ahead, the situation outside was as he had anticipated. The cultivators of the Vajra Gate were already waiting outside the city gates. However, sensing the immense power of the barrier surrounding the city, they had kept their watch but none dared to enter.
To put it more bluntly, this city had become a discarded pawn in their eyes. No matter what transpired within its walls, they would offer no further assistance.
Liu Buli found their timely pragmatism rather amusing. Gripping his sword, he took a few steps towards them. Before he could get close, a young man emerged from their ranks and hurried towards Liu Buli.
Liu Buli did not alter his pace as the man approached, still advancing with his sword. As he reached the man, he had just raised his long sword when the other party preemptively clasped his fists and apologized, "Sect Master Liu, no matter what you may have heard, please do not harbor any intent to kill. We are not here to obstruct your actions, but merely to offer our apologies. We have no other intentions, and we hope you can calm yourself slightly, as we truly do not wish to be your enemy."
Listening to the man's words, Liu Buli scrutinized him from head to toe. The Vajra Gate was, after all, a renowned sect in the cultivation world, and Liu Buli had met some of their senior management a few times.
However, the person who had stepped forward was not their sect leader, but merely the Grand Elder of the Vajra Gate. He possessed no particularly potent spiritual energy but was eloquent and skilled in diplomacy, much like the Grand Elder of the Pill Sect. His primary role was to manage the sect's affairs or engage in diplomacy with other sects and families.
Seeing him blocking his path, Liu Buli understood that the man had come to negotiate.
He tightened his grip on his long sword, and the coffin he carried on his other arm showed no sign of being set down. After a moment of silence, staring at the man's face, Liu Buli smiled and said, "If you wish to apologize, you should at least offer some sincerity. I have no other objective right now but to reclaim the remains of my disciple and her lover. If I am not mistaken, you have also taken a considerable amount of dragon bones, haven't you? Return them to me as a token of your apology, and I will refrain from taking action against you."
Liu Buli spoke earnestly, appearing to genuinely mean what he said.
However, his request was rather difficult for the people of the Vajra Gate to fulfill.
The smile on the Grand Elder's face stiffened slightly, but he still managed to maintain a friendly demeanor towards Liu Buli. He said, "Sect Master Liu, we indeed hold you in high regard, and we understand that the ice coffin contains your disciple. However, that dragon seems to have no relation to you, does it? You taking the coffin is something we are willing to do, and feel we should do, as an apology. But the dragon bones... since you cannot prove he was your friend, suddenly demanding them from us is inappropriate, don't you agree?"
After all, anything from a dragon was a treasure.
Who knew what Liu Buli's intentions were in snatching them away?
In a way, the Grand Elder of the Vajra Gate was not wrong. However, Liu Buli was extremely agitated at the moment and had no desire to waste more words.
Frowning, he simply raised his long sword. He said with a smile, "Very well, I have no intention of conversing with you. If we cannot resolve this peacefully, we shall do so violently. I will not regret it, and I hope you will not either."