C655 The Blood Lotus Venerable

The black-robed man in front of him was referred to by Lee Minglang as the Blood Lotus Patron. The previous black-robed man's techniques, with their blood-red vines and mist, were clearly related to blood as well. It was obvious that man was his senior.

"Yes, back then, the Blood Vine Elder took an interest in this kid. But who would've thought the kid's companion, Uncle Fu, was also a formidable Shape Gathering Stage master, with skills surpassing even the Blood Vine Elder. It's best if the Blood Vine Elder..."

"I don't need you to remind me how my senior died. You're just worried I'll want to take on a student, right? Don't worry, the value on this kid is far greater than that of a disciple!"

"So, the black-robed man who appeared that time was connected to your Lee family!" Woo Zhengyang suddenly interjected.

Zhengyang had always thought that the previous conflict involved the Lau and Yuwen families, with the Lee family staying out of it. He never expected that the seemingly uninvolved Lee family was the main culprit behind Uncle Fu's downfall!

"Does knowing this help you now? Kid, I won't kill you, but I can't ignore avenging my senior either," the black-robed man chuckled darkly, sending shivers down Zhengyang's spine.

"Sir, my Yuwen family doesn't want to get involved in this anymore. I hope you'll let me go, and my family will surely reward you handsomely!"

"A handsome reward? Heh... You seem to understand the situation. Although I serve the Lee family, I wouldn't mind serving the Yuwen family too. Then I wouldn't have to meddle in your families' affairs at all."

Upon hearing the black-robed man's words, Lee Minglang's face turned somber. He opened his mouth to speak but then thought better of it. He knew the methods of the person before him and understood that defying him would not end well.

Yuwen Qianyuan, on the other hand, felt a sense of relief, though he was well aware that his family would soon face significant expenses. Having a powerful ally wasn't something that came cheap. The black-robed man had the power to destroy his entire family but chose to spare him, demanding the Yuwen family's loyalty in return. From now on, most of the family's income would no longer belong to them.

"Then I'll take my leave for now, ready to welcome you at any time," Yuwen Qianyuan said respectfully. At this moment, he had no other choice.

"Alright, go ahead."

"Wait a moment..."

Two voices suddenly rang out simultaneously. Besides the black-robed man, it was Woo Zhengyang who spoke up.

Woo Zhengyang had been observing the tense exchanges, startled by the power plays at hand. Now, hearing Yuwen Qianyuan about to leave, he felt compelled to intervene.

Everyone was taken aback when Woo Zhengyang suddenly spoke, especially since he was stopping Yuwen Qianyuan from leaving. Was this guy out of his mind? Yuwen Qianyuan's sword was still at his throat!

Glancing around, Woo Zhengyang smiled slightly and said, "No one else is left, right?"

"Kid, what do you mean by that?"

Everyone was bewildered by Woo Zhengyang's actions.

"Well, since there's no one left, let's settle the score! I remember telling you that those who try to kill me don't end up well!" Woo Zhengyang declared, his body flickering for a moment.

The crowd blinked, suddenly seeing what seemed like a golden dragon appear before them. When they looked again, Woo Zhengyang was behind Yuwen Qianyuan, and somehow, Yuwen Qianyuan's long sword was now in Woo Zhengyang's hand.

"How is that possible?"

"What kind of technique is this?"

"You're not poisoned!"

Their shocked voices overlapped...

"Thud..."

The sound that answered them was Yuwen Qianyuan's body hitting the ground with a thud. It was only then that everyone noticed that while Woo Zhengyang held the sword's hilt, the blade had already pierced Yuwen Qianyuan's back!

In less than a heartbeat, he had moved, dodged the blade, and killed in one seamless motion. The astonishment on their faces had turned to terror—he was too fast!

"Kid, you're not at the Reality Condensing Stage—what's your true level?" the black-robed man asked, his voice wavering.

Woo Zhengyang's power was well-known. However, to the outside world, his greatest strength was thought to be his magical artifact and the four stunning women by his side. As for Woo Zhengyang's own abilities, while extraordinary, they weren't considered his strongest asset.

The path of cultivation is a step-by-step journey. Even after several months, Woo Zhengyang's progress wouldn't have been that significant. Seeing that the four women weren't with him, the black-robed man and Lee Minglang decided to make their move, cautiously ensuring Woo Zhengyang was poisoned before they acted. But who would have thought that Woo Zhengyang wasn't poisoned at all?

Even without the poison, he was just a martial artist at the Reality Condensing Stage, likely just entering it. After a few months, he might have reached the mid-stage at best. Even if we imagine him being extraordinarily talented, reaching the late stage or even the peak, he couldn't possibly break through to the Shape Gathering Stage!

Since he's not at the Shape Gathering Stage and doesn't have those four extraordinary women with him, they thought there was nothing to worry about. But Woo Zhengyang's current performance is beyond their expectations! Not to mention a Reality Condensing Stage martial artist, even a master at the Shape Gathering Stage couldn't possibly achieve such speed!

"I'm at the Reality Condensing Stage, but did you forget that I practice both energy cultivation and body tempering?" Woo Zhengyang said, pulling the long knife from Yuwen Qianyuan. He didn't even need to use the No Life Sword against them these past few days!

"Impossible! Even if you practice both, the body tempering techniques are incomplete. Your body tempering skills shouldn't be more than that of a martial artist!" the black-robed man insisted, still in disbelief.

"Really? Just give it a try and see if it's possible!" Woo Zhengyang said as he took the first step of the Dragon Countering Nine Steps.

In an instant, the illusion that had just faded reappeared, even clearer this time. Everyone felt a moment of disorientation as if Woo Zhengyang had vanished, replaced by a majestic golden dragon roaring across the sky!

"This..." The black-robed man still couldn't believe it, but the scene before him was terrifying enough to make him consider fleeing. However, Woo Zhengyang's speed was too fast; in the blink of an eye, he was right in front of him.

He realized that with his own speed, escape was impossible. With no way out, he had to fight to the death!

"Boom..."

A layer of blood-red mist spread around him. Suddenly, the entire hall was filled with a heavy scent of blood. The mist quickly condensed into a giant lotus shape, descending upon Woo Zhengyang!

The attack from an expert at the Shape Gathering Stage was indeed impressive. Woo Zhengyang's dragon form seemed like an illusion, and when everyone snapped back to reality, he was still just a man. However, the black-robed man's attack was no illusion; the blood-red lotus was tangible, and the overwhelming scent of blood was truly intimidating!

Yet, facing such a terrifying strike, Woo Zhengyang didn't draw his sword to slash it. Instead, he charged straight into it...