Book One: Young Lord of the Demon God Chapter 39: You Have Shattered My Heart of the Dao!

After leaving the Ye residence, Zhang Wendian led Qi Yu and Liu Rouxue to a secluded little courtyard.

Zhang Wendian pushed open the door, and a cloud of dust billowed out to greet them. "This was once the Sect Master's residence, but it hasn't been inhabited for a long time. With less than two months until the Grand Tournament, we shall stay here for the time being."

The courtyard contained exactly three rooms, each furnished simply with only a table, chairs, and a wooden bed.

Once Qi Yu and Liu Rouxue finished cleaning, they left the courtyard to purchase supplies in the Royal City. They first visited an auction house to sell two beast cores, then bought some daily necessities. While shopping, Qi Yu overheard people discussing the Zhen family.

"Have you heard? The Zhen family is hosting an elder from the Lingyun Sect at the Purple Gold Pavilion tonight!"

"That’s hardly surprising. The Zhen family has a genius disciple cultivating at the Lingyun Sect, and word is that this elder has already taken him on as his chief disciple!"

"The Zhen family truly is blessed with talent; they’ve produced two geniuses in this generation alone."

"Shh... I heard the Zhen family's direct grandson challenged someone to a life-and-death duel at the Tiangang Sword Sect and was killed... slain with a single strike!"

"What? Tell me more..."

Qi Yu’s mouth curled into a slow smile. "Genius, huh? I love killing geniuses!"

As the group moved away, Qi Yu and Liu Rouxue finished their errands and returned to the courtyard. After dinner, the three retired to their respective rooms. Qi Yu sat on his bed, intending to meditate, but he found himself unable to settle his mind.

He suddenly opened his eyes and stood up. "Damn it, that accursed Zhen family, Zhen Huai! You’ve disturbed my cultivation!"

Yaoyao immediately spoke in his mind: "Qi Yu, are you planning to seek revenge on the Zhen family?"

Qi Yu nodded. "If the Zhen family isn't eradicated, they will continue to trouble me and the Ye family!"

Yaoyao said in a deep voice, "Qi Yu, you are no match for the Zhen family right now. Do not be reckless!"

Qi Yu reached out, and the Cold Cicada Sword appeared in his hand. "My intent to kill has been ignited; there is no turning back now!"

*Whoosh!*

Qi Yu opened the door and flew off on his sword in the direction of the Purple Gold Pavilion. He had learned from their shopping trip that the pavilion was located atop a peak outside the Royal City, a place frequently used by noble families to host important guests.

Seeing Qi Yu’s resolve, Yaoyao realized this was no impulsive act—it was a long-planned scheme.

The interior of the Purple Gold Pavilion was extremely opulent. The floors were paved with jade, and the walls were inlaid with night-luminescent pearls, casting a glow that made the entire hall as bright as day.

In the darkness, Qi Yu approached the entrance, but a guard stepped forward. "Halt! The Zhen family is holding a private banquet tonight; outsiders are not allowed!"

Qi Yu thought for a moment and retrieved the pitch-black token given to him by Huo Guanyang. To his surprise, the guard didn't even glance at it, instead snapping, "What kind of piece of junk is this? Get lost!"

Qi Yu frowned slightly; it seemed the items given by City Lord Huo weren't very effective. He asked, "Are you a guard of the Zhen family?"

The guard, with an arrogant expression, nodded and urged him again, "Get back where you came from!"

"That makes things simple!"

Qi Yu stowed the token and gathered spiritual energy in his palm. *Smack!* With a single blow, he sent the arrogant guard flying. The guard crashed into the entrance, swinging the gates of the Purple Gold Pavilion wide open.

Instantly, dozens of guards rushed out from within, surrounding Qi Yu.

"Where did this brat come from? How dare he run wild at the Purple Gold Pavilion!" a middle-aged man in a brocade robe shouted harshly as he emerged.

Qi Yu said coldly, "I am here for the head of the Zhen family, Zhen Huai. This has nothing to do with you; get out of my way if you don't want to die!"

The middle-aged man sneered, "Boastful fool! Break his legs!"

As the man waved his hand, the guards sneered and moved toward Qi Yu.

Suddenly!

*Swish!*

A flash of sword light streaked through the air. Before anyone could react, the head of one of the guards soared into the air, and blood sprayed forth! Qi Yu flicked his wrist, and the Cold Cicada Sword returned to his side. Everyone froze, staring in shock as the headless corpse slowly collapsed.

"Get out!" Qi Yu’s tone was frigid.

Only then did everyone realize Qi Yu was not joking. These guards, who usually only bullied the weak, were not true cultivators but merely hired muscle. Facing a lethal force, they turned deathly pale and scattered in a panic.

"He killed someone!"

"Don't run! Come back!" the once-arrogant middle-aged man shouted in terror, but the guards were already long gone.

Qi Yu slowly pressed toward the man, who tripped and fell while backing away. "This is a Zhen family banquet! The whole family is inside! If you kill me, they won't let you off!" the man stammered, gritting his teeth.

"They're all inside?" Qi Yu narrowed his eyes. "Then I suppose I'll just wipe them all out at once."

Just then, another group emerged from within. Leading them was a handsome young man in green armor, holding a paper fan and looking at Qi Yu with cold indifference.

"I am hosting my master today, so I do not wish to fight. End your own life."

Qi Yu sneered, "You must be that genius of the Zhen family, Zhen Feng?"

Zhen Feng raised his eyes slowly. "You know me?"

"You're exactly who I'm looking for!"

*Swish!*

Qi Yu pointed his arm at Zhen Feng!

*Hiss!*

The Cold Cicada Sword, whistling through the air, transformed into a streak of light and struck straight at Zhen Feng!

Zhen Feng’s mouth curled into a faint smile as he pointed his paper fan at the tip of the incoming blade.

*Boom!*

A powerful shockwave erupted, shattering the luxurious furniture in the hall. The Cold Cicada Sword flew back to Qi Yu’s hand. *Xuanwu Realm!* Qi Yu instantly deduced Zhen Feng’s cultivation level.

"I gave you a chance to end it yourself," Zhen Feng said calmly, as two figures in black robes stepped out from behind him. "Sever his limbs, put him in a jar, and make him wish he were dead. As for his friends and family, force him to watch the women be humiliated, and turn the men into human swine just like him!"

Zhen Feng's eyes burned with cold malice. As he spoke, the two black-robed figures struck simultaneously, their palms aimed directly at Qi Yu!

Qi Yu’s expression remained icy as he swung his sword in a horizontal arc!

*Hiss!*

Gold light shimmered on the blade, entwined with strands of seductive crimson energy!

*Swish!*

A scream rang out as one of the black-robed men was sliced in two, his upper body sent flying! The other man stood stunned for a split second before Qi Yu moved with ghostly speed, appearing behind him. A silver arc flashed, and the man’s head was severed.

Qi Yu held the sword in his left hand, his sword intent surging forth like a tornado toward Zhen Feng.

*Hum!*

*Clang!*

The Cold Cicada Sword vibrated violently, emitting a piercing, metallic cry! The guards following Zhen Feng clutched their ears in agony, blood leaking from between their fingers. Even the indifferent Zhen Feng frowned, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease.

"Die!"

Qi Yu raised the Cold Cicada Sword, spiritual energy overflowing. It tore through the air, stabbing directly at Zhen Feng! The crimson sword intent coiled around the edge, gold light flashing—a terrifying strike that pierced the void and chilled the soul!

*Hiss!*

Zhen Feng’s pupils contracted. The strike was too overwhelming, and he immediately unleashed his strongest martial art to defend.

"Thousand-Force Fist!"

This was the strongest Earth-grade intermediate martial art Zhen Feng had cultivated. As a body cultivator, his physique was exceptionally formidable.

*Boom!*

The blade struck the fist, and a gale-force shockwave swept in all directions. Zhen Feng was blasted backward, crashing into the ground and creating a deep crater. Before him lay a sword mark ten feet long and several inches deep!

Zhen Feng gritted his teeth, his face twitching in agony. Had the green armor he wore not absorbed most of the impact, that strike would have killed him. The armor was now completely shattered, pieces of green scale falling to the ground as he stood up.

"Damn you!" Zhen Feng spat blood, glaring at the youth holding the sword in his left hand.

"It’s over!" the youth said with chilling detachment.

*Swish!*

Another flash of sword light! The youth, who had been dozens of feet away just a moment ago, was now standing right before him!

A single strike, severing the world!

*Shhh!*

The blade pierced straight through Zhen Feng’s chest. Qi Yu appeared behind him, while Zhen Feng slowly collapsed to the ground, his life extinguished.

"Feng'er, have you not dealt with that troublemaker yet?"

Just then, a booming voice echoed from upstairs. Qi Yu instantly recognized it as the voice of Zhen Huai. Zhen Huai walked at the front, accompanied by an old man with a deep, powerful aura, followed by a crowd of Zhen family elders.

"Feng'er?"

"Feng'er!"

Seeing Zhen Feng lying in the crater, covered in blood, Zhen Huai cried out in horror.