Thump!
Jiang Xiong's body collapsed onto the ground, his face etched with disbelief. He seemed unable to comprehend that he had died by Su Hao's hand.
Silence descended upon the main hall.
One sword strike!
With a single stroke, Su Hao had eliminated Jiang Yidao, the most formidable expert in Qingyuan County.
Of course, Jiang Yidao did manage to unleash a single slash before succumbing to Su Hao's sword.
Su Hao's expression remained impassive as he slowly sheathed his sword. He fixed his gaze upon County Magistrate Li Nantian and said coldly, "Initially, I hadn't decided how to deal with you. But since you've come here yourself today, I have no choice but to eliminate you."
Outside the hall, Li Nantian's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression grave. Before coming here, he had formed some judgments about Su Hao.
However, after witnessing Su Hao's swift execution of Jiang Xiong, he realized he had underestimated his opponent.
"To think that Third Young Master Su is a swordsmanship expert, this is truly unexpected. But do you believe that with your Earth Realm, First Level cultivation, you can defeat me? I wonder where your confidence stems from."
Li Nantian shook his head as he looked at Su Hao.
Although Su Hao had slain Jiang Xiong with a single blow, he had observed all of Su Hao's movements clearly.
The speed of his draw, the incredible agility of his movements—he had perceived it all. For Su Hao to entertain the notion of defeating him was simply delusional.
"County Magistrate, or should I say, Dugu Fan, I've heard that you possess Earth Realm, Seventh Level cultivation. I'm eager to witness it firsthand."
Su Hao's voice was calm and composed.
Despite his tranquil demeanor, his words sent chills down the spines of everyone present in the hall. Their hearts filled with astonishment and doubt.
The County Magistrate possessed Earth Realm, Seventh Level cultivation? Such power would make him an absolute powerhouse in Qingyuan County, capable of crushing all opposition.
Dugu Fan, the name of the chief of Qingyun寨, but to hear Su Hao's implication that the County Magistrate was Dugu Fan—how could this be possible?
"It seems Steward Fang is in your hands. Hand him over, and I'll grant you a swift death!"
Li Nantian's gaze sharpened, and his Earth Realm, Seventh Level aura erupted, instantly subjecting everyone in the hall to immense pressure.
"As if you could truly kill me."
Su Hao felt the pressure bearing down on him. He immediately circulated his inner energy, combining it with his formidable physique to neutralize the force. He then retorted coldly, "You managed to withstand my pressure, Su family brat. You're quite remarkable. Let your protector come out. I'm curious to see what kind of expert the Su family has dispatched to protect you, making you so arrogant."
Li Nantian said in a deep voice.
He had sought out Jiang Xiong with the intention of having him test Su Hao's strength and uncover his background.
However, he hadn't anticipated that Jiang Xiong would be slain by Su Hao with a single strike.
Nevertheless, he had reached a conclusion: based on Su Hao's performance today, he was no纨绔. There had to be someone secretly protecting him from the Su family.
As he spoke, Dugu Fan began to scan his surroundings.
"Dugu Fan, the Su family hasn't sent anyone to protect me secretly. You can rest assured."
Su Hao shook his head as he observed Dugu Fan's expression.
"If they won't come out, then I'll force them out."
Dugu Fan refused to believe Su Hao's words. With a stomp of his foot, he lunged towards Su Hao, throwing a punch at his chest.
He intended to use Su Hao as bait to draw out the hidden individual.
Su Hao's eyes narrowed at the sight. He tightly gripped the longsword in his hand.
In an instant, his entire being—his spirit, energy, and focus—converged upon the sword in his grasp. It was as if the moment he drew his blade, he would unleash a world-shattering strike.
Dugu Fan's punch was meant to flush out the hidden expert, so he held back a portion of his strength, maintaining a state of vigilance. Consequently, his punch wasn't at full power.
However, the moment Su Hao gripped his sword, his focus intensified. Internal energy surged within him, enveloping his fist in a crimson aura.
Clang!
Just as the fist was about to connect, Su Hao's sword flashed out like a beam of light, striking Dugu Fan's fist.
The crimson aura around Dugu Fan's fist was instantly cleaved open. His initially calm expression froze, replaced by a look of deepening gloom.
A surge of murderous intent emanated from him.
From within his fist, where the aura had been split, streaks of crimson energy shot towards Su Hao.
Boom!
The fist landed where Su Hao had been standing!
However, Dugu Fan's expression shifted in astonishment. His punch had missed its mark. Su Hao had moved.
"You interfered with my perception just now!"
Dugu Fan's face contorted as he turned his gaze upon Su Hao, a look of gravity etched upon his features. His punch should have connected, but something had disrupted it. This Su Hao couldn't be allowed to live.
A hint of a smile played at the corner of Su Hao's lips. "I'm not that easy to kill!"
"Is that so? It seems there's truly no Su family expert by your side. In that case, I won't hold back any longer!"
As Dugu Fan spoke, his pupils abruptly turned scarlet. A wave of scorching heat emanated from his body, a pulsating wave of blood that enveloped him.
"What's happening? Why do I feel like my blood is boiling?"
Lin Meng, Wu Xun, and the others standing close to Dugu Fan suddenly felt an uncontrollable heat surging through their veins. It was as if their blood vessels were on the verge of bursting.
"What is this?"
Panic seized them. They tried to move, to escape Dugu Fan's vicinity, but their feet felt as if they were encased in concrete.
Splat!
Simultaneously, their blood vessels ruptured, and fountains of blood erupted from their bodies.
However, the blood didn't spill onto the ground. Instead, it converged towards Dugu Fan's hand. As the blood gathered, his aura grew stronger, reaching the peak of Earth Realm, Eighth Level.
"This..."
Behind Su Hao, Liu Bin trembled in terror at the horrifying sight.
Thump!
Su Hao kicked Liu Bin into the back room of the main hall, his own gaze fixed intently on Dugu Fan's transformation.
"Earth Realm, Eighth Level, this is Dugu Fan's true strength!"
Su Hao felt the pressure mounting, a sensation of being crushed beneath an immense weight.
"Blood-Draining Palm!"
Dugu Fan sneered at the sight of Su Hao's struggle. Murderous intent radiated from him as he struck out with his palm.
The palm throbbed with heat, resembling a raging inferno.
A wave of scorching energy washed over Su Hao, causing his pupils to contract sharply. He knew he couldn't withstand this attack.
Suddenly, blood-red vines erupted from the ground around Su Hao, lashing out at the approaching blood-red palm.
The vines moved with incredible speed, piercing through the Blood-Draining Palm and attempting to ensnare it. However, the palm's intense heat incinerated many of the vines.
Seizing this opportunity, Su Hao pushed off the ground and retreated.
Dugu Fan's eyes widened in surprise at the appearance of the blood-red vines. However, his expression quickly morphed into one of even greater ferocity.
"Even with such a peculiar treasure, you will still die!"
Just as he finished speaking...
The ground behind him rumbled violently. A monstrous, blood-red worm with a grotesque appearance emerged from the earth.