Chapter 455: Victory, and the Methods Used!
Xiao Diao stepped forward, releasing a powerful aura that instantly countered the pressure from Hao Jiu You. His hands curled slightly, and arcs of sharp violet-black lightning crackled between his fingers.
"Looks like you didn't waste your hundred years, Brother Diao," Hao Jiu You said with a smile. "Back then, you hadn't even reached the Rotation Stage."
"But let's see whose Rotation Stage strength is superior today."
A cold gleam flashed deep within Hao Jiu You's eyes. His figure vanished like a ghost, reappearing around Xiao Diao in a flurry of afterimages. Each shadow thrust forward, fingers curled into claws and surging with a chilling, ruthless energy—striking at Xiao Diao's vital points without mercy.
"This clan's Phantom Shadow Technique, huh? You've really mastered it. Too bad… it won't work on me."
Xiao Diao stared calmly at the barrage of illusions. With a cold snort, violet-black light flickered in his eyes. Then, he thrust out his palm, a surge of yuan power erupting like a blazing sun from his hand.
Bang!
His palm strike smashed into one of the shadows—instantly causing the others to collapse. Hao Jiu You's real body appeared, his twin fingers clashing against Xiao Diao's palm, a surge of powerful yuan energy rippling along his entire arm.
Crack…
The blue stone tiles beneath their feet cracked apart from the sheer force of the impact.
"If you want to beat me, come at me head-on. Tricks like that won't work," Xiao Diao said coldly, glancing at his opponent.
The two exchanged blows with incredible intensity. For a long time, neither gained the upper hand.
But suddenly, Hao Jiu You's strength spiked drastically, and he landed a decisive blow that sent Xiao Diao reeling.
"How is this possible? Just a moment ago, they were evenly matched. How did he suddenly get so strong?" Wu Zhong clenched his fists, face twisting in fury.
Lin Fan spoke calmly, "Hao Jiu You has tapped into Yi Mo power. He's temporarily enhanced his strength."
"Damn it, Brother Lin Fan, we have to report this to the elders!" Wu Zhong said angrily.
Lin Fan shook his head. "We have no proof. Saying anything now will only make it look like we're sore losers trying to smear him."
"Then what can we do?" Wu Zhong muttered, clearly frustrated.
"Let's go back for now," Xiao Diao said with a sigh. "Let's just hope Lin Dong succeeds in waking my father."
"Hehe… they're here," Lin Fan suddenly said with a grin.
"Who's here?" Wu Zhong asked, confused.
But Xiao Diao's eyes lit up. "You mean… Lin Dong brought my father out?!"
"Yeah," Lin Fan nodded.
As the three spoke quietly, two figures suddenly appeared above the ancestral plaza—Lin Dong, and the Patriarch of the Heavenly Marten Clan.
After Lin Dong exposed Hao Jiu You's use of Yi Mo power, two elders who supported Hao Jiu You tried to silence him—but were immediately stopped by the Patriarch.
"Welcome, Clan Leader!"
The crowd of Marten Clan members was overwhelmed with emotion and knelt down in unison, their voices resounding in reverence.
Only Xiao Diao remained standing.
"You unfilial brat… so you're still alive," the Patriarch said, his eyes complex as they landed on Xiao Diao.
Xiao Diao lazily glanced at him. "Old man, what, were you hoping to outlive your own son?"
"Impudent! Show some respect!" the Patriarch barked.
Yet the faint smile on his face betrayed how happy he was to see his long-lost son again.
"Patriarch, you've finally come out of seclusion," Zhu Li, the Grand Elder, stepped forward with visible joy on his face.
But the Patriarch's expression turned cold as he looked at Zhu Li. "Grand Elder, I must say, I'm quite disappointed in you."
"Patriarch?" Zhu Li was stunned. He didn't understand where this criticism was coming from.
The Patriarch's expression remained stern as he recounted everything that had happened within the Heavenly Abyss.
Zhu Li and the other elders paled as cold sweat broke out across their backs. They were horrified.
Then, aided by the Ancestral Stone, Lin Dong forced the two corrupted elders to reveal their demonic aura—exposing themselves as collaborators with the Yi Mo.
Even Hao Jiu You was left with no choice but to admit his identity.
He even confessed to plotting against Xiao Diao a hundred years ago and planting the Eternal Illusory Demon Flower in the Heavenly Abyss.
"Hao Jiu You, I'll personally deal with you!" Zhu Li's voice turned ice cold. "You're not worthy of the bloodline you carry! I'll strip it from you myself!"
With a roar, Zhu Li appeared in front of Hao Jiu You in a flash, unleashing a torrent of power.
"Haha!" Hao Jiu You laughed wildly. As Zhu Li closed in, a wave of black mist with a strange fragrance surged from Hao Jiu You's body.
"Grand Elder, be careful! That's the Eternal Illusory Demon Flower's scent! Inhaling it leads to a spiritual illusion!" Lin Dong warned sharply.
Zhu Li's expression changed. With a wave of his sleeve, a rainbow-like arc of yuan power burst forth and shattered the mist before it could take effect.
"My body is saturated with the fragrance of the Eternal Illusory Demon Flower. If you kill me, my corpse will explode, releasing the scent over the entire Heavenly Marten Clan. Then, everyone… will fall into an illusion. Perhaps your clan will vanish from the world entirely!" Hao Jiu You roared, arms spread wide in fanatic devotion.
But his glee didn't last long.
Lin Dong took out the Ancestral Stone and cleansed the demonic fragrance in its entirety.
Stripped of his last defense, Hao Jiu You was promptly beaten half to death by Zhu Li.
With a vicious gleam in his eyes, Hao Jiu You suddenly formed hand seals. His palms shot toward the two elders who had been previously restrained.
Boom!
Their bodies exploded instantly into clouds of blood mist. Evil demonic energy swirled outward and quickly gathered before Hao Jiu You, forming a massive black vortex.
Eyes filled with madness, Hao Jiu You sliced off his own arm. Blood sprayed from the stump, rushing into the vortex.
"I welcome my king's descent—let the Heavenly Marten Clan be bathed in blood!"
As the blood entered the vortex, Hao Jiu You dropped to his knees, face twisted in fanatical reverence.
"Aaaaaah!"
The black vortex began to spin violently. Countless shrill wails echoed from within, shaking the heavens and stirring the blood of everyone present.
"All clan members, to arms!" Zhu Li roared.
At his command, the sky filled with rushing wind as countless figures soared into the air. Towering auras filled the heavens and earth.
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