"Is that all you've got? Then you can die!"
The disdainful voice of Red Devil echoed, his red longsword twisting like a spiritual snake. It transformed into a streak of light, piercing directly towards Ye Cangtian's chest.
"Yang!"
However, at this moment, to everyone's surprise, Ye Cangtian uttered another word in mid-air.
Simultaneously, the great saber that had just fallen ominously lifted slightly, then plummeted down with a force far exceeding the previous strike.
What!
What…
In the span of a single move, Xing Yuan's eyes snapped open, filled with disbelief. The other Earth-tier powerhouses also widened their eyes.
Logically, Ye Cangtian should be at his most vulnerable, his previous strength depleted and his new strength not yet unleashed.
How could he launch consecutive attacks, and with even greater power than before?
Furthermore, martial techniques require a certain range for execution.
Yet, Xuan Qi did not. The great saber merely adjusted slightly upwards and erupted with an even more potent attack.
If one hadn't witnessed it firsthand, who would believe it?
Everyone was stunned. Red Devil was also startled, but as a strong practitioner, his reaction was swift.
He instantly retracted the longsword he had just deployed to block, while simultaneously evading rapidly backward.
Clang!
Another crisp sound echoed as the longsword collided with the great saber. The next moment, the longsword flew out of his hand and clattered to the ground.
Red Devil was immediately alarmed and changed direction to dodge again.
However, due to a miscalculation, his evasion was a step too slow, and his clothes were instantly slashed open by the great saber.
This…
Looking at Red Devil's torn attire, all the Xuan-tier deacons' eyes widened.
Although Red Devil had narrowly dodged the attack and remained unharmed, this outcome was completely beyond their expectations.
"Xuan Qi, you court death!"
"Argh!"
Feeling the gazes of everyone, Red Devil's eyes instantly turned bloodshot. His aura became exceptionally violent, and he let out continuous roars.
Following this, he hurled a punch towards Ye Cangtian's head!
He was the strongest among the Earth-tier deacons, and being put in such a sorry state by someone he considered an ant was truly unacceptable to him.
"Stop!"
Just then, a deep voice boomed from the high platform. Xing Yuan, who had been momentarily stunned, finally spoke.
But Red Devil did not cease his attack, clearly consumed by rage.
A cold snort followed, and Xing Yuan brought down a hand-like saber strike. In an instant, a blade energy cleaved down between the two.
This…
Ye Cangtian was dumbfounded. Was this the power of a Heavenly-tier expert?
Such an attack resembled the blade and sword energies of ancient times, though its power seemed somewhat lesser, perhaps due to Xing Yuan not exerting his full strength.
On the other side, seeing the blade energy descend, Red Devil reluctantly withdrew his attack.
If he had persisted, he might have had a chance to crush Xuan Qi's head, but his own arm would undoubtedly be severed.
Trading Xuan Qi's life for his arm was clearly not worth it.
"Lord Xing Yuan, what is the meaning of this?"
"Xuan Qi has shown utter disrespect to his superiors. If he doesn't pay a price, how can the Dark Association be managed in the future!"
Red Devil glared at Xing Yuan, his voice low and grim.
"This is not your concern."
"If I say he cannot be killed, then he cannot be killed!"
"What, do you intend to question my decision?"
Xing Yuan's gaze swept over Red Devil, his eyes gradually sharpening.
Sensing Xing Yuan's gaze, cold sweat broke out on Red Devil's forehead. He quickly clasped his hands and said, "Lord Xing Yuan, please forgive me. I was a bit hasty just now and lost my composure."
"Hmph!"
Xing Yuan snorted coldly and said no more.
Previously, he had remained indifferent because Xuan Qi lacked any notable qualities. If he provoked Red Devil and died, so be it.
However, later, Xuan Qi, with his Xuan-tier peak strength, had nearly injured Red Devil, who was at Earth-tier peak strength. Although Red Devil was careless, this demonstrated Xuan Qi's potential.
Such a person, if eliminated, would be a true loss for the Dark Association.
The next moment, his gaze fell upon Ye Cangtian, and he stated indifferently, "Xuan Qi, while you have given me a great surprise, your insubordination is an undeniable fact!"
"This subordinate is willing to accept any punishment."
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian stepped forward respectfully and said.
He understood that Xing Yuan needed to provide an explanation to everyone, so punishment was unavoidable.
"Very good."
"Considering your past merits, you may retain your Xuan-tier deacon status, but all benefits provided by the Dark Association will be revoked."
"Do you accept this?"
Xing Yuan nodded and said slowly.
He naturally would not heavily punish Xuan Qi, but he couldn't let him off scot-free, especially with so many people present and needing to satisfy Red Devil.
"I accept."
Ye Cangtian replied, knowing what the revoked benefits entailed. It meant the loss of priority in cultivation, meaning resources would no longer be slanted towards him, Orange Sea would cease his tutelage, and even his status would be somewhat diminished.
However, these were inconsequential to him.
After all, with his own strength, he was absolutely confident in breaking through to Earth-tier.
Moreover, he wouldn't be staying in the Dark Association for long, and his identity could be exposed at any moment. Therefore, the so-called resource favoritism meant nothing to him.
At this declaration, Xuan Yi beside him sighed.
Zi Long had asked him to look after Xuan Qi. But barely had Zi Long left, perhaps not even out of the ruins yet, and Xuan Qi was already heavily punished. He truly felt he had failed Lord Zi Long.
Yet, he was powerless to intervene. Whether it was Lord Xing Yuan or Red Devil, he held no sway over either of them.
"Red Devil, do you have any objections?"
On the other side, Xing Yuan's gaze turned to Red Devil.
Red Devil shook his head and replied, "Since Lord Xing Yuan has spoken, I have nothing more to say."
As he spoke, Red Devil cast a fierce glare at Ye Cangtian.
With Xing Yuan present, it was naturally inconvenient for him to act, but if Xing Yuan were absent, that would be a different story.
After all, Xuan Qi was no longer a priority candidate for cultivation, and his status had been considerably reduced. If an opportunity arose to eliminate him in the future, no one would be able to say anything.
Indeed, between a dead Xuan Qi and a living Red Devil, anyone would make the wiser choice.
"Since that is the case, choose your deputies!"
Xing Yuan nodded at this, stating indifferently.
Hearing this, Red Devil said no more. He stepped forward and selected Xuan Yi, followed by two other Xuan-tier deacons, before stepping back.
With the mission participants finalized, Xing Yuan waved his hand, dispersing the crowd, leaving only Orange Sea behind.
After everyone had left, he slowly began, "Orange Sea, I will be departing for a while. The Dark Association will be entrusted to you."
"Ah? Sir, you mean?"
Orange Sea was taken aback. Xing Yuan's departure at this time was likely not a good omen.
Seeing Orange Sea's confusion, Xing Yuan slowly explained, "I have recently felt a loosening in my bottleneck, with a hope for a breakthrough. Therefore, I need to find a quiet place for secluded cultivation. With you managing the Dark Association internally, I am at ease."
Breakthrough?
Upon hearing this, Orange Sea's face lit up with an excited smile. If Xing Yuan succeeded in his breakthrough, the Dark Association's strength would undoubtedly surge.
"Congratulations, Lord Xing Yuan. I wish you a successful breakthrough…"
Hearing this, Xing Yuan smiled and said, "I am at ease leaving the headquarters to you, but there are some matters I hope you will conduct discreetly. Do not turn Ghost City into a mess!"
Uh…
At these words, Orange Sea's old face flushed crimson. He then repeatedly nodded in agreement.
"Alright, you may leave now."
Xing Yuan waved his hand. Orange Sea respectfully bowed, then retreated.
...