Chapter 128: Transmission of Power

The instant Hu Mo roared those words, the combat power on the entire ceremonial platform fell still for a brief moment.

A moment later, Hu Yihu’s Eleventh Slash and Zhu Wannian’s fifth form of the Fire Dragon World-Annihilation Art struck Duanmu Shenxu simultaneously. With a strange cry, Duanmu Shenxu was blasted more than a dozen miles away. This time, he had truly suffered a humiliating defeat.

After unleashing their attacks, the two men stared at Hu Mo in disbelief, as though they were looking at a monster. With a single glance, Hu Mo saw how terribly weak Hu Yihu had become, as well as the Fire God Army soldiers lying scattered across the ground. He shouted, “Grandfather!” and instantly appeared beside Hu Yihu. Placing one hand against his grandfather’s back, he rapidly poured an incomparably pure force of fire into Hu Yihu’s body.

The moment the combat power entered his body, Hu Mo was secretly alarmed. Hu Yihu’s body was already on the verge of collapse. Had Hu Mo been even a few seconds slower, not even the gods could have saved him.

“Mo’er, it’s wonderful… It’s wonderful that you’re safe…” A faint smile appeared on Hu Yihu’s face. His pallid countenance held not a trace of color. He had been utterly reckless, so reckless that he had not considered the consequences at all.

“Grandfather, don’t speak. Close your eyes and regulate your breathing according to the flow of my combat power.” Hu Mo’s tone was extremely serious. Although the strength he had just gained was somewhat unstable, and forcibly interrupting the absorption had caused the Three Treasures to surge violently and left a slight tear in his meridians, he no longer had the leisure to think about anything else. He only wanted to heal Hu Yihu as quickly as possible. Otherwise, it would have a tremendous effect on his grandfather’s future cultivation.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Hu Mo also imparted the entire essence of the Fire God Transformation to Hu Yihu. He had mentioned it to his grandfather once before, but Hu Yihu had refused outright, perhaps because of his pride. Now, Hu Mo could pass it on to him openly and properly, thereby fulfilling one of his own wishes.

This time, Hu Mo used the Chaos Flame. However, its power was completely restrained, and not the slightest trace escaped. Following Hu Yihu’s meridians, the Chaos Flame flowed along a precise route. Before long, Hu Yihu had recovered fifty to sixty percent of his combat power. The astonishing effect left him deeply shaken. He could hardly believe that such a miraculous battle art existed in the world.

As Hu Mo healed Hu Yihu, he remained focused on the situation atop the ceremonial platform.

After blasting Duanmu Shenxu away, Zhu Wannian had intended to help heal Hu Yihu, but Wang Xu stopped him. The two of them stood there, watching Hu Mo’s every movement.

Before long, Duanmu Shenxu reappeared on the ceremonial platform. He looked utterly wretched. His originally splendid clothes were now torn beyond recognition. As a seventh-level Battle Saint, this was the first time he had ever been reduced to such a state. For the sake of a junior, an old friend who had always addressed him as a brother had actually attacked him. It was simply intolerable!

As the faction responsible for upholding justice, the Heavenly Saint Palace was represented by Wang Xu, who was at the very least his grandson’s master. It was already unreasonable that Wang Xu had failed to help him. Yet he had actually allowed Hu Yihu and Zhu Wannian to treat him so viciously. That was something Duanmu Shenxu absolutely could not endure.

If not for Duanmu Hong, he truly would have fought Zhu Wannian and the others. As one of the continent’s foremost experts, how could he tolerate such humiliation?

“Old Devil Zhu, are you satisfied now? The boy not only survived, but his cultivation has improved so much as well. Surely there is no longer any irreconcilable enmity between us!” Duanmu Shenxu said coldly. His face was dark and gloomy, and his vicious gaze seemed capable of devouring Zhu Wannian and the others alive.

Zhu Wannian frowned slightly, then turned around to face him. “Brother Duanmu, you give me too much credit. I acted only in a moment of anger. If I offended you, please forgive me. However, the fault in this matter lies with you. I assume you have no objection to that.”

Zhu Wannian showed not the slightest intention of reconciliation. His words remained as blunt and cutting as ever, and his anger showed no sign of abating.

“You…” Duanmu Shenxu pointed at Zhu Wannian, his voice trembling slightly.

He suddenly turned around and glared at Zhu Yan. “Your Majesty, since that engagement is now void, and the Blazing Fire Empire is so overbearing, there is nothing left for us to discuss. Farewell!”

With a grim expression, Duanmu Shenxu lifted Duanmu Hong into his arms and vanished from the ceremonial platform in the blink of an eye.

Zhu Yan’s expression became hideous. He had spent so long making plans, hoping to use the engagement between Zhu Xinyue and Duanmu Hong to draw the Blazing Fire Empire and the Divine Wood Empire closer together. Only then could many of his schemes be carried out. Now, after Zhu Wannian and the others had interfered, everything had come to nothing!

Furious, Zhu Yan nevertheless remained a junior in front of Zhu Wannian. Suppressing his rage, he turned away and forcibly restrained the turmoil in his heart. He could clearly feel blood rising into his throat, and he nearly spat it out.

Outside the ceremonial platform, Situ Feng wore a smile from beginning to end. Especially when he saw Duanmu Shenxu storm away, his mood became so excellent that he nearly shouted in celebration.

“If the Zhu family insists on digging its own grave, that saves me a great deal of trouble. Hu Mo, Hu Mo… You have truly helped me more than you know!”

With a faint smile, Situ Feng returned alone to the Situ Residence. After this incident, many of the plans he had previously been unable to implement could now be carried out one by one. How could he not be thrilled?

After Duanmu Shenxu left, Wang Xu also flew after him. After all, Duanmu Hong was his disciple. If he, as the boy’s master, remained so indifferent, it would truly be impossible to justify.

Zhu Wannian stood quietly beside Hu Mo, sensing Hu Yihu’s combat power steadily recovering. His heart was filled with relief. However, as though he had suddenly remembered something important, he instinctively took two steps back and asked in a solemn voice, “Little fellow, you did very well this time. Very well indeed! Take good care of your grandfather. I shall leave first. If you encounter any trouble in the future, come to Fire God Valley and find me. As for your marriage with that girl Xinyue, I will support it without reservation!”

Hu Mo’s heart trembled. He nodded lightly and smiled. “Mo’er understands. Thank you, Great-Grandfather, for granting us your blessing.”

Zhu Wannian had just taken a step when he suddenly stopped. He turned around and asked in a trembling voice, “What… what did you call me?”

Hu Mo paused slightly. He had already withdrawn his hand, leaving Hu Yihu to circulate his power on his own. Standing up, he smiled faintly. “Great-Grandfather. My grandmother is your daughter. According to our family’s seniority, calling you Great-Grandfather is correct.”

Zhu Wannian’s expression shifted slightly. After a long moment, he burst into laughter. “Good, good! You are far better than your grandfather. Hahaha…”

Laughing heartily, Zhu Wannian took a few steps and vanished from the ceremonial platform.

The instant Zhu Wannian disappeared, Hu Mo clearly sensed the slightly chaotic flow of Hu Yihu’s combat power quickly return to normal. It was like the feeling of relief that came after finally relaxing. Hu Mo could not help but smile wryly. He truly had no idea what had happened between his grandfather and great-grandfather.

After the Fire God Army soldiers collapsed from exhaustion, they were carried away one by one. Only Hu Mo and Hu Yihu remained on the ceremonial platform. Hu Mo looked around but could not find Zhu Xinyue anywhere. With a soft sigh, he sat cross-legged on the ground, waiting for Hu Yihu while regulating his own breathing.

When he opened his eyes again, a familiar figure had appeared beside him. Huang Sheng was watching him anxiously and had apparently been there for nearly half an hour. The spectators had already dispersed, leaving behind a vast, empty space.

The soldiers of the Fire God Army stood around the ceremonial platform. Though every one of them was utterly exhausted, they remained standing like statues. That frenzied battle intent still lingered within their bodies, causing a faint crimson hue to surface over them.

Hu Yihu was still sitting cross-legged on the ground. The Fire God Transformation had circulated through his body for nearly one complete cycle. Once that cycle ended, his battle art would be fully transformed. With the Fire God Transformation, Hu Mo was completely certain that Hu Yihu’s cultivation, which had remained stagnant for so long, would finally rise once more.

Seeing the anxiety on Huang Sheng’s face, Hu Mo smiled faintly. “Relax. I’m fine. You could say I have benefited from this disaster. If I had to go through it again, I certainly wouldn’t say no. How are you? Why have you only just arrived? Can Brother Huang Zong get out of bed yet?”

Hearing this, Huang Sheng’s worried heart finally eased. He looked at Hu Mo gratefully and said with a smile, “As long as Big Brother is all right, that’s all that matters. Don’t worry, Big Brother. My elder brother has recovered very well. After you treated him last time, he absorbed all the combat power that had accumulated in his body over so many years. He says he has already reached the first level of Battle Kinghood. It frightened me half to death!”

“Haha, what is there to be surprised about? Brother Huang Zong was exceptionally gifted to begin with. Although he was crippled and confined to his home for all those years, his combat power had not been completely lost. It had merely accumulated within his body. With more than a decade of accumulated strength, it would have been strange if he had not reached the Battle King realm!”

Hu Mo’s mood improved considerably. Huang Zong’s recovery would be an enormous boon to his plans.

Hu Yihu coughed softly and slowly opened his eyes. Huang Sheng’s expression changed slightly. Years of habit nearly made him turn and flee, but Hu Mo had him gripped firmly, and he was unable to escape.

“Grandfather, how do you feel? It should be much better than the Fire Dragon Art,” Hu Mo said with a grin. One hand still clutched Huang Sheng’s clothing tightly, as though he feared the coward might run away.

“Heh heh, I feel much better indeed! If I’m not mistaken, this Fire God Transformation is at least a Heaven-tier battle art. Mo’er, your master truly is extraordinary. Heaven-tier battle arts are incredibly difficult to obtain! Boy from the Huang family, why are you so frightened? I’m not going to eat you. What is there to fear?”

Hu Yihu’s face darkened, and his bell-like eyes glared at Huang Sheng. The latter immediately put on an ingratiating smile, making Hu Mo laugh inwardly.

Huang Sheng instinctively edged closer to Hu Mo and said with a smile, “Marshal Hu, look at what you’re saying. When have I ever been afraid? I merely… merely admire you immensely, Marshal. Every time I see you, I become terribly excited!”

Hu Yihu shook his head lightly and laughed. “You little rascal, you are even more slippery than Mo’er. And like Mo’er, you know how to bide your time. That is a very good quality. Let us return. After what happened today, Flame City will probably be unable to remain peaceful for some time.”

Hu Yihu’s expression was extremely grave, with a faint trace of sorrow in his eyes. When two sides fought, the one who profited was often a third party. If Flame City descended into chaos, the only ones to benefit would likely be the enemy nations.

Hu Mo smiled calmly. “Grandfather, don’t worry. When soldiers come, we will meet them with generals; when floods come, we will block them with earth. If no one provokes us, I naturally will not trouble them. But if anyone dares to lay a hand on us, I will make them shed several pounds of flesh and blood. Once they have been beaten badly enough, they will naturally retreat. And when that time comes, Grandson will kill them all.”

A trace of ruthlessness appeared on Hu Mo’s face. Unwittingly, he was gradually adapting to this world. In a world where the strong prey upon the weak, there was only one law:

Killing.

Endless killing.