C38

What kind of power is this?

The question involuntarily flashed through everyone's minds.

Some struggled to their feet, only to be dumbstruck by the true qi radiating from Lu Yu.

His body was enveloped in a purple aura, the robust Qi exerting a tangible pressure so intense that those nearby couldn't even raise their heads.

Silence enveloped the area. The very people who had been baying for Lu Yu's blood were now frozen in place, too terrified to move an inch.

"This is... the Ninth Level of the Houtian Realm!" a scholar exclaimed, his voice quivering.

The idea of a Ninth Level Houtian Realm expert dispatching them with ease was laughable.

And yet, the prowess Lu Yu, a Ninth Level Houtian, demonstrated was alarmingly formidable.

They had encountered Ninth Level Houtian experts before, but never had they witnessed such power, capable of knocking a crowd off their feet with a mere stomp.

"How has this little wretch become so powerful?"

Princess An Le's eyes were wide with astonishment as she stood rooted to the spot, murmuring to herself.

Then, she caught sight of Lu Yu approaching her.

The purple true qi cloaking him was the mark of a Ninth Level Houtian expert, and she found herself devoid of any will to resist.

"No, you can't kill me! My father is the current Jin King. If you dare, my father will destroy your entire lineage!" Princess An Le shrieked in terror before turning to flee.

"Think you can run?" Lu Yu's gaze turned icy, and in an instant, he was blocking her path.

"Don't kill me—I'm beautiful enough to serve as your maid! You want wealth? The Jin royal household is overflowing with gold, silver, and jewels! I even know a master alchemist from the Hall of Offerings who could concoct pills for you!" In a desperate plea for her life, Princess An Le cried out.

Lu Yu didn't bother with words. With a swift motion, he snapped her neck.

Crack!

As the crowd watched in horror, Princess An Le's lifeless body slumped to the ground.

Beautiful?

As if beauty alone could spare her life.

In his past life, Lu Yu had slain countless saintly maidens and celestial beauties, each more ravishing than Princess An Le by far.

Lu Yu cast a chilling gaze upon the onlookers. "Who else dares to stand in my way?"

No one stepped forward. At this point, to do so would be a death wish.

With a brief glance, Lu Yu strode into a narrow forest path and quickly vanished from sight.

...

Once Lu Yu had departed, the scholars exchanged uneasy glances. They reluctantly gathered Princess An Le's body, deciding to address the matter after the War God's trials concluded.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

After the crowd had scattered, a new group materialized in the area.

Comprising both the old and young, they radiated formidable auras. At their helm was none other than the Crown Prince.

"This young man's power has skyrocketed. Just days ago, he slaughtered the Imperial Army generals I dispatched. And today, he's laid low so many with a single strike!" The Crown Prince's face was a mask of displeasure.

"Your Highness, have no fear. With me in action, capturing him will be effortless. Even if he's ascended to the Upper Sky Realm, he's no match for me," an elder with a stroked beard assured confidently at the Crown Prince's side.

The Crown Prince responded eagerly, "With the Head Reverend's intervention, success is guaranteed. My concern is that if the boy elevates his cultivation level, he might deliberately evade us."

The elder chuckled and shook his head, "The monk might run, but the temple remains. His family is still in Longjing, aren't they? Once we publicize King Wei's demise and imprison his kin, he'll have no choice but to show himself."

"Moreover, the Supreme Celestial's departure is imminent. At that moment, everything of value on the young man will rightfully belong to you, Your Highness."

The mention of Lu Yu's possessions sparked avarice in the Crown Prince's eyes.

He was clueless about the nature of Lu Yu's serendipitous encounter.

Yet, the Crown Prince had witnessed Lu Yu's meteoric ascent.

There had to be something propelling Lu Yu's rapid progression.

That very thing gnawed at his heart incessantly, compelling him to possess it.

"My esteemed attendants, should I come into possession of that which Lu Yu holds, rest assured that upon my entry into the Celestial Gate, I will undoubtedly look after each and every one of you!" The Crown Prince pledged his commitment to all present.