Hunter Liu made up his mind. Once he left Changhong Inn safely, he would find a secure place to train until he broke through to the Meridian Opening stage before coming out again.
Shu Sheng fixed his gaze on Zhou Longqi and asked, "Zhou Longqi, are you certain you want to overthrow me? If you take your people and leave Poyang City now and never cause trouble here again, I'll forgive what you've said."
Shu Sheng's words weren't spoken out of weakness but for another reason. Though he knew Zhou Longqi's arrogance stemmed from the backing of the Guiyuan Sect, Shu Sheng was not particularly fearful of the sect. If he were to bring forth the forces behind him, the Guiyuan Sect would be of little consequence.
However, if things progressed in that direction, Poyang City would descend into chaos, with countless factions flooding in, and the once-peaceful landscape would become a mire. Shu Sheng would not permit that to happen.
Zhou Longqi laughed loudly, as if he had heard an amusing joke. "Shu Sheng, did I hear you right? It seems I hold the upper hand now. Even if I don't call upon the Guiyuan Sect, you're still not my match. There are three of us here."
With Zhou Longqi's words, Liu Hongyan, the leader of the Flying Swallow Gang, and Yun Haisheng, the head of the Yunhai Gang, each took a step forward, standing beside him with their weapons ready for a fierce battle.
"Very well," Shu Sheng's laughter was icy. He turned his gaze to Liu Hongyan and Yun Haisheng, a sharp gleam in his eyes. "Liu Hongyan, Yun Haisheng, let me ask you this: are you truly intent on siding with Zhou Longqi against me? If you back down now, I'll pretend none of this happened, and you'll still be free to develop your factions in Poyang City."
Fear flashed in the eyes of both Liu Hongyan and Yun Haisheng; just a look from Shu Sheng filled them with an overwhelming sense of dread. They both realized that even if they gave their all, they couldn't possibly contend with him.
They both knew that Shu Sheng's strength far exceeded their own, and even together with Zhou Longqi, they were unlikely to be his match.
Moreover, the brief display of Shu Sheng's power was merely a warning. If they continued down this path, Shu Sheng would unleash his full might upon them, a force sure to overwhelm them.
A hint of hesitation flickered on their faces.
"Have you forgotten Young Master Wu's words?" Zhou Longqi's voice cut through the air, laced with threat. "Don't you want to break through to the Star Absorption stage? Remember, Young Master Wu doesn't take kindly to those who defy him."
"Star Absorption…" A steely resolve reignited in their eyes as they turned to Shu Sheng. Liu Hongyan spoke up, "City Lord, we've made our decision. We believe Zhou Longqi is better suited to lead Poyang City. We ask you to step down."
"So, they're going to fight?" Hunter Liu glanced at Liu Hongyan and Yun Haisheng with a hint of disdain, then looked toward Shu Sheng. For some reason, he felt an eager anticipation, hoping Shu Sheng would reveal his true strength and unleash his full power.
Hunter Liu was confident that if Shu Sheng fully unleashed his strength, he would be a formidable force beyond compare.
Hearing Liu Hongyan and Yun Haisheng's response, a glint of disappointment flickered in Shu Sheng's eyes. Turning his gaze back to Zhou Longqi, he said, "If that's the case, then let me show you that my position in Poyang City is unshakable. You're nothing more than pawns, being used for someone else's gains."
With that, a dazzling light radiated from Shu Sheng's body, illuminating the surroundings like a blaze, filling the space with endless light that seemed to connect heaven and earth.
All the star power in the universe surged toward him like a great tide, flowing from one realm into another.
The energy within Shu Sheng erupted with a force like a volcano. The suppressed power released in a fiery display, his aura expanding outward, instantly silencing and shocking everyone present.
The Star Absorption stage—absorbing the heavens' stars, channeling limitless star power.