Chapter 5: Yan Chuan (2)

"The bastard has come out!" Zhao Tiande exclaimed immediately.

Master Ma looked over with a trace of disdain and said, "So what if he comes out? He’s a dead man either way. With my formation surrounding us, the Royal Guard won't notice anything amiss here."

"Wait, he's looking this way!" Zhao Tiande's expression suddenly changed.

"Impossible. How could a mere mortal see through my great formation?" Master Ma replied, unconvinced.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Master Ma was struck by a chilling sensation, as if a venomous serpent had locked its gaze on him. The hairs on his neck stood up, and he looked in disbelief at the youth standing at the bamboo cottage’s entrance.

The youth stared at Master Ma, his fierce and intimidating gaze penetrating the formation with ease.

As their eyes met, Master Ma felt as though a mountain had crashed down upon him.

"What... what kind of eyes are those?" Master Ma cried out in terror.

The youth's eyes widened, and a surge of ruthless, murderous intent shot forth from his gaze.

No one else noticed anything, but Master Ma saw it clearly: within that split second, the world seemed to blaze with light. An overwhelming will charged directly at him.

Willpower—hidden within the soul, expressed through the eyes, unrelated to cultivation, born from the youth’s past experiences and temperament.

A mighty dragon’s roar echoed in Master Ma's mind, so loud and forceful that his spirit trembled, his consciousness suddenly blurred.

In that haze, he saw a colossal golden dragon shoot from the youth’s eyes.

The golden dragon glared fiercely, baring its fangs and claws, thrashing its tail as it roared forward with such force, it was as if the end of the world had arrived, bearing down on Master Ma.

His face twisted in horror as the dragon’s overwhelming presence descended upon him, paralyzing him completely, leaving him helpless as the golden dragon rushed toward him.

With a furious roar, the golden dragon struck Master Ma’s body. In that moment, a faint green light burst from all around him. The light, taking on Master Ma’s shape, would have shocked any cultivator who saw it—for it was none other than Master Ma’s very soul.

A single glance—enough to scatter Master Ma’s soul?

Just how powerful must one’s will be to achieve such a feat? What manner of person was this youth?

Master Ma’s body went limp, consciousness fading.

"Master Ma, what’s wrong?" Zhao Tiande cried out in alarm.

The youth’s gaze was directed solely at Master Ma; no one else felt the tremendous impact of that will, nor could they see the massive golden dragon forged from it.

Master Ma’s soul was shattered beyond repair, dead beyond doubt. The formation he had been maintaining collapsed instantly.

The mist that had once shrouded the bamboo grove dispersed in an instant.

At the bamboo cottage, after unleashing that gaze, the youth’s figure swayed slightly, his face turning pale.

"This body in this life is still too weak," the youth murmured.

"Your Highness, please come with me, quickly!" the middle-aged eunuch urged anxiously.

But the youth shook his head—for the danger had already passed.

"Hurry, enemy attack!"

"Everyone to the bamboo cottage!"

"Protect the prince!"

...

...

Deep in the bamboo forest, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed.

Outside the bamboo cottage, the black-armored troops who had previously held the upper hand all turned pale.

"What’s happening? Are the Royal Guard coming?" one of the black-armored soldiers cried out.

"Brothers, our reinforcements have arrived! Reinforcements!" a silver-armored soldier shouted excitedly.

"Reinforcements? The formation is broken? Wonderful, wonderful!" The middle-aged eunuch exclaimed in relief.

"We’re saved, we’re saved!" The group of servants also regained their composure.