Clean Sweep! . . .
Cha Eun Xiao refused to cater to the elder's demand for words of explanation. His response was pointed and unapologetic. He questioned the elder about Bu Jingtian's actions, highlighting the futility of expecting a killer to engage in conversation about their deeds. The elder's veiled threat did not escape Feng Monarch's notice, and he probed for clarification, daring his adversary to escalate the situation.
A cruel smile played on Feng Monarch's lips as he alluded to Bu Jingtian's actions. He appeared unfazed by the confrontation, even suggesting a challenge to the cultivators if they felt their strength warranted it. It was a taunting invitation, daring them to step forward collectively or individually to face his prowess.
The elder found himself in an uncomfortable predicament, fearing that his words might provoke a deadly response from Feng Monarch. The palpable killing intent radiating from Feng Monarch sent shivers down the elder's spine, and he retreated several steps, his face drained of color.
In the sky, Ling Wuxie watched the unfolding spectacle in awe and admiration. He marveled at Feng Monarch's ability to manipulate the situation, to the point where the sixty-three top cultivators in the world were immobilized by fear and uncertainty. It was a feat he considered unparalleled in thousands of years and believed would remain a unique occurrence for the foreseeable future.
Feng Monarch continued to berate the elder, displaying impatience and ruthlessness in his demeanor. With a swift palm strike, he sent Bu Jingtian's lifeless body into the air, causing it to somersault before crashing back to the ground. The sight was undeniably humiliating for the onlookers, as their once-revered leader was tossed around like an inconsequential object.
This act further incited the anger of the sixty-three cultivators, and a sense of determination began to surge within them. They considered taking a stand, preferring to die fighting rather than endure further humiliation. However, their moment of decision was interrupted by a mysterious development.
A deep voice emanated from beneath Bu Jingtian's lifeless body, capturing the attention of the sixty-three individuals. A glimmer of hope flickered in their eyes, an almost desperate desire to witness a miraculous resurrection. Yet, their hopes were dashed as a dark, enveloping smoke emerged from under Bu Jingtian's corpse.
In a matter of moments, the smoky shroud enveloped the entire assembly, shrouding them in eerie darkness and causing their expressions to change from hope to bewilderment and alarm.
The assembly of cultivators was left in awe. They had previously encountered the devastating toxic fog, which had instilled such fear that they had opted to remain in the shadows during the initial clash between forces. The memory of that poison had paralyzed them, and as they appeared on the scene, they maintained considerable distance between one another, strategically positioning themselves to join the battle once the members of Ling-Bao Hall inevitably intervened on behalf of Feng Monarch. Moreover, they remained cautious, haunted by the lingering concern that Feng Monarch might still possess the lethal poison bead that had caused such dread. Despite their careful approach, they remained vigilant throughout.
Their contingency plan was simple and effective: if they witnessed the reemergence of the poison, they would execute a rapid retreat. Given their formidable abilities, evading the poison's reach was a manageable feat. The poison, for all its might, required time to disperse and could only exact its toll within a confined radius. As long as they kept their attention on it, they could make a swift escape.
But to their surprise, the poison never materialized. Feng Monarch had defied their expectations by not deploying it.
Initially, when Feng Monarch challenged Bu Jingtian to a duel, they interpreted it as a sign of surrender, though their wariness remained intact. However, upon witnessing Bu Jingtian's shocking demise, their vigilance waned, giving way to astonishment. They were convinced that Feng Monarch had surpassed the need for such a perilous weapon. His immense power and presence had swayed their beliefs. Feng Zhiling had emerged as an imposing figure, a true hero and monarch in every sense. They were starting to believe that he possessed the strength to confront them fairly, given that he had vanquished Bu Jingtian with a single, awe-inspiring strike. The notion that Feng Monarch would resort to poison seemed improbable now that he had unveiled his true capabilities.