Chapter Sixty-Three: Divine Power, Mastery Over Space?

Cang Ling’s words always drove Hu Mo to the brink of madness, yet under the weight of reason, that frenzy would quickly fade. He knew well that this was simply her nature—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted.

When she surged out from within Hu Mo, her first act was to rescue Zhu Xinyue in a most uncanny manner. This sudden twist left everyone wide-eyed in shock, and their brief distraction almost broke their formation, relieving much of the pressure on Hu Mo.

“Young master, something’s wrong. That person is powerful!” Azure Dragon shouted, standing at the head of the formation, its very source. Instinct warned him that a pair of eyes were fixed on him, and an inexplicable attack could come at any moment.

“Forget him! Let’s hurry and kill this brat—quick!” Dongfang Jun barked, his face dark as if wrung of moisture, a sense of foreboding clawing at his heart, leaving him restless and ill at ease.

Ten miles away, in a small village, the figures of Cang Ling and Zhu Xinyue appeared with a strange suddenness, stirring the villagers into a frenzy. These remote, impoverished folk had never witnessed such a spectacle, and they fell to their knees, worshipping the newcomers as if they were divine.

But Zhu Xinyue had no mind for such reverence. With a cry, she rushed toward Hu Mo’s direction, driven by a single thought: she must save him.

“Stop! Do you intend to rush to your death?” Cang Ling called out, her eyes tinged with confusion and perplexity.

Zhu Xinyue halted abruptly, her lovely face streaked with tears. “Whether it’s death or not doesn’t matter. I only know what I must do to avoid regret.”

She had been uncertain about the feelings stirring in her heart—the pain she felt at Cang Ling’s words, the ache Hu Mo’s affirmation brought her, all inexplicable. Only when she saw Hu Mo in danger did she come to realize her own foolish affection for him, no matter how bewildering it seemed.

“Stay here. If you go, you’ll only add another life to the tally, utterly useless. Wait for us to return,” Cang Ling said, suddenly smiling.

She patted Zhu Xinyue’s shoulder gently. Instantly, Zhu Xinyue’s body stiffened, sensation faded, and she slipped into unconsciousness, supported by Cang Ling and handed over to an elderly village woman.

Cang Ling knew Zhu Xinyue’s temperament well; if she didn’t knock her out, the girl would surely follow.

“Hmph! That brat playing hero to save the damsel? He’s just trying to protect himself. I’m still too softhearted—came out too soon; he hasn’t suffered enough!” Had Hu Mo heard this, he would have trembled with rage. Hadn’t he already endured enough hardship and adversity?

While Cang Ling spoke, Hu Mo was enduring the agony of exhaustion and relentless enemy assault.

He knew Cang Ling would return after sending Zhu Xinyue away. If he now chose to dispel the King of Green Wood’s restraint and fight them head-on, it would be sheer folly.

The five attackers pressed Hu Mo with all their might, never daring to let up for a moment. Their assaults poured forth like water, relentless and fierce, as if fueled by some secret elixir.

Just as Hu Mo was about to collapse, a bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, striking the massive Black Tortoise squarely on its back.

With muffled groans, Dongfang Jun and his four retainers were sent flying, faces pale as gold leaf, breaths ragged and disordered.

“Well? Dead yet?” Cang Ling slapped Hu Mo’s shoulder, snapping him back to normal.

He gasped for breath, shooting her an annoyed glare. “You finally decided to show yourself. If I’m not mistaken, you’ve been watching the show from the sidelines all along.”

“Oh? How did you know? Wait, that’s impossible—you couldn’t sense my presence,” Cang Ling asked, feigning earnestness, her adorable pout leaving Hu Mo momentarily stunned.

“Of course I knew. You’re the ever-changing sorceress, and I could hardly miss that aura. But enough about that—those guys are all yours, I really can’t hold out any longer.” Hu Mo exhaled deeply, his face utterly bloodless, legs trembling from the immense drain.

Cang Ling glanced at him and snorted softly, shifting her gaze to Dongfang Jun and his companions. Hu Mo failed to notice the murderous intent blazing in her eyes, as if she bore a deep-seated grudge against those before her.

Dongfang Jun and his four guardians shrank under her gaze, instinctively sensing her terrifying power.

“You shouldn’t have been so eager to appear here. You’re only courting death,” Cang Ling sneered, her delicate hand brushing the air. Instantly, the once tranquil space began to distort.

“Divine power—control of space? Young master, we must flee!” Azure Dragon roared, snatching Dongfang Jun and soaring away. The other three, eyes wide with terror, followed in desperate flight.

“You think you can escape so easily? How disrespectful,” Cang Ling smiled coldly, raising her palm and slamming it down. The five were crushed by a formidable force, driven deep into the earth.

Hu Mo was dumbstruck. Only now did he realize Cang Ling’s true strength; their previous skirmishes were mere child’s play. This power, this might, once again expanded his understanding of strength—divine power, was this truly the level of the gods?

“What are you gaping at? Never seen a beauty before?” Cang Ling shot him a look, her tone mocking.

Hu Mo couldn’t find a retort—wasn’t this how he usually spoke? Cang Ling seemed even more fluent in his style.

Dongfang Jun and his four companions burst from the ground, the violent impact forcing blood from their mouths, their energy waning. Their faces were etched with bitter smiles, resignation, and a fierce resolve not to die in vain. They knew their ordeal today could not be avoided.

“Which true god do you serve? May I know your name, so we may die with understanding?” Dongfang Jun asked calmly.

“Oh? Do you think knowing my name will help your people avenge you? How naive. There are few in your clan who could even spar with me. Remember your status—you’re nothing in my eyes!” Cang Ling’s laughter was cold, her words laced with ridicule.

Dongfang Jun’s face turned darker, the wounds to his body matched only by the sting in his heart.

With a bitter smile, he replied, “You’re right, victory or defeat are predestined. The elder Tianjizi said I would face calamity on this journey, and it seems he was correct. I regret only that my guardians must share my fate…”

“Young master!” Azure Dragon cried, dropping to his knees. The others wept, voices hoarse and choked.

“Divine envoy, please kill us and spare the young master!” Azure Dragon pleaded, bowing his head furiously. Ruthless by nature, he had never bowed to anyone but his lord. Now, for Dongfang Jun’s sake, he knelt before a woman.

Hu Mo felt a pang of sympathy, but remembering their earlier attempt to kill him, his anger would not subside. Great men should not be soft-hearted—vengeance is only natural. He would not let pity sway him.

“What loyalty between master and servant! Are you counting on me not to kill you, so you stage this performance before me?” Cang Ling smiled faintly, striding up to Dongfang Jun without hesitation. Her chest swayed visibly beneath her cloak, drawing attention despite the cover.

Hu Mo was bewildered by her words. Was she not going to kill them? That seemed out of character.

Dongfang Jun’s expression shifted. As he opened his mouth, he felt his throat constrict, as if invisible hands were throttling him, making every breath a struggle.

“Divine envoy, you…”

“No nonsense! Each of you, sever an arm and crawl back! Next time I sense your presence, you won’t be so lucky! What are you staring at? Will you do it yourselves, or must I?” Cang Ling seemed to be forcing down her anger, though murderous intent radiated from her.

The five were stunned, faces clouded with reluctant acceptance. Though she spared their lives, the demand that each lose an arm was merciless.

As Dongfang Jun sighed and raised his hand to strike, Azure Dragon grabbed him, shaking his head. “Young master, you mustn’t. Without an arm, you’re truly finished. When I am gone, please care for the Azure Dragon guardians.”

No sooner had he spoken than, without waiting for a response, he seized his own heart. At the same instant, a brilliant green light erupted from him, as if a green sun burst from the earth.

“Get back—these madmen really mean it!” Cang Ling shouted, grabbing Hu Mo by the collar and flying away. Behind them, that green sun exploded, a thunderous dragon’s roar soaring to the heavens.

“Azure Dragon’s Defiance!”