"Interesting."
Zhao Xuan glanced at the seventh-rank energy bomb in his hand, a faint glint flashing through his eyes.
After casually putting it away, he strode toward the gates of Life City.
The instant he stepped through the gate—
His vision darkened.
A powerful spatial force enveloped his entire body.
In the next moment, when his sight returned, Zhao Xuan was already inside the ancient city.
It was a city with unmistakable ancient Eastern architecture.
The streets and buildings closely resembled those of ancient Kyushu.
Judging from his surroundings, Zhao Xuan had been teleported into a residential district.
The entire city was eerily quiet.
Almost unnervingly so.
The moment his vision stabilized, Zhao Xuan unfolded the map.
After examining it carefully, he used a distinctive winehouse in the distance to determine his exact location.
"First, I need to find someone and ask about this Life City."
Right now, Zhao Xuan knew nothing about this ruin.
Originally, his plan had been to reunite with Shi Xuefei's group immediately after entering the city and learn everything from her.
But—
Since the swordsman had already made his stance clear, Zhao Xuan had no interest in pressing his warm face against their cold indifference.
More importantly, judging from Shi Xuefei's expression, the five of them had entered Life City on a mission, one involving the safety of a Kyushu ninth-rank Emperor.
Zhao Xuan might be confident in his strength—
But he knew almost nothing about this ruin.
And he had already offended Hackins and his group.
He had no intention of becoming a liability that caused Shi Xuefei's mission to fail.
From a broader perspective—
This was Zhao Xuan thinking for the greater good.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps echoed from ahead.
Zhao Xuan narrowed his eyes.
Soon, he saw a squad of armored soldiers wielding halberds, marching in perfect formation toward him.
From their armor alone, it was obvious—
These were not outsiders like Zhao Xuan.
They were native entities of the city.
"Sixth rank… a patrol of sixth-rank guards?"
Zhao Xuan's eyes narrowed.
In the next instant, he flashed into a nearby alley.
Though Zhao Xuan appeared reckless and insane when fighting—
In truth, he was extremely cautious.
These guards were only sixth rank.
But judging from their equipment, they were clearly nothing more than ordinary soldiers.
If even foot soldiers were sixth rank—
What about their captains?
Their generals?
Their city lord?
Zhao Xuan was certain—
This ruin contained no shortage of seventh-rank and even eighth-rank guards.
Otherwise, there was no way that over half of the hundred seventh-rank elites sent in every year would die.
Only after the patrol left did Zhao Xuan step back onto the street.
"No, this won't do."
"I know absolutely nothing about this ruin. If I accidentally trigger some taboo, I'll be finished."
"I need to find someone—fast—and get clear information."
With that, Zhao Xuan rushed off again.
He hadn't gone far—
When once more—
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Marching footsteps echoed ahead.
Without hesitation, Zhao Xuan accelerated and slipped into another alley before the patrol arrived.
The moment he entered—
Whoosh.
Another figure rushed in behind him.
It was a blonde, blue-eyed Western woman.
Golden curls cascaded over her shoulders.
Her emerald eyes gleamed like precious gems.
Her chest was full and surging.
Her figure was seductive and perfectly proportioned.
Even someone as straight-laced as Zhao Xuan couldn't help but feel a flicker of amazement.
She was stunning.
Without exaggeration, she was the most beautiful woman Zhao Xuan had ever seen in both his past and present lives.
Face.
Figure.
Both flawless.
More than that—
She exuded a natural, innate charm.
Every movement radiated temptation.
She clearly recognized Zhao Xuan.
At first, she was startled—but she quickly recovered and, like him, pressed herself deep into the alley.
The marching sounds grew closer.
Closer.
Then—
Suddenly—
A tremendous force slammed into Zhao Xuan from the side.
In the next instant—
Stumble!
Completely unprepared, Zhao Xuan staggered and was forcibly shoved out of the alley.
At the same time—
The patrol of ancient guards arrived at the alley entrance.
"Damn it!"
Zhao Xuan's expression changed instantly.
His hazy mind snapped fully awake.
He whipped his head around—
And met the cold gaze of the Western woman.
He had been set up.
Only now did Zhao Xuan realize—
He had completely dropped his guard around her.
And she had been standing just two or three steps away.
That level of negligence meant—
If that seventh-rank woman had launched a full attack earlier, Zhao Xuan would have had no chance to activate his Azure Dragon form in time.
Without the tenfold physique boost—
He would never have endured a seventh-rank prodigy's full-power strike.
He might have been severely injured in a single blow.
Rage erupted within Zhao Xuan.
Seeing his fury, the Western woman's sneer deepened.
"Bitch, you're courting death!"
The moment the words left his mouth—
"ROAR!"
Zhao Xuan transformed into his Dragon-Man form.
With tenfold power amplification—
Boom!
He charged straight at the woman.
"Invader. Kill."
At the same time, the ancient guards spoke in cold, emotionless voices.
Fifteen guards raised their spears and charged.
"Get lost!"
Zhao Xuan swung his palm.
The four guards blocking his path were sent flying, smashing into nearby buildings.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
They were reduced to bloody paste instantly.
One strike.
Instant kill.
Zhao Xuan glanced at the intact wall behind them, eyes narrowing.
Even with only seventy to eighty percent of his strength—
In Dragon-Man form, his forty-thousand physique was terrifying.
Yet the wall hadn't shattered.
That meant—
Its hardness rivaled seventh-rank black stone bricks.
Zhao Xuan inhaled sharply.
Even ordinary residential buildings here used materials of such quality—
Just how extraordinary was Life City's origin?
Without pause, Zhao Xuan rushed the Western woman.
In an instant, he reached her.
His fist—wrapped in Armament Haki and raging lightning—smashed forward.
Target: her head.
She hadn't expected his speed.
BOOM!
His punch landed.
She was sent flying into a wall more than ten meters away.
Blood sprayed from her mouth.
Before she could react—
Whoosh!
Zhao Xuan was already in front of her.
Another punch.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
At the last moment—
Her Devil Fruit activated.
Demonic horns emerged from her head.
A slender tail extended behind her.
Her seductive aura exploded outward.
The moment Zhao Xuan met her gaze—
A wave of infatuation surged through his mind, suppressing his rage and killing intent.
His fist slowed.
Just enough.
She barely dodged.
BOOM!
His punch smashed into the wall instead, blasting a massive hole.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"That's impossible! You're only sixth rank! These are seventh-rank black stone bricks!"
Zhao Xuan answered with another punch.
Her charm surged again.
His mind clouded.
His strength weakened.
A whisper echoed in his head—
Don't hurt her…
His attack missed.
She seized a barbed whip and lashed out.
CRACK!
Blood tore across Zhao Xuan's body.
Pain exploded through him.
And pain—
Woke him up.
"A Mythical Zoan… Succubus Fruit?"
Zhao Xuan frowned.
He charged again.
This time—
As her charm surged—
Zhao Xuan suddenly slammed his free hand into his own abdomen.
Agonizing pain erupted.
His mind cleared instantly.
Power roared back.
BOOM!
His punch crushed her shoulder.
She screamed.
Before she could fall—
Zhao Xuan was already there.
Punch after punch.
No mercy.
No breathing room.
Dozens of blows landed in seconds.
The wall behind her trembled violently.
Just before it collapsed—
Zhao Xuan stopped.
His Observation Haki screamed danger.
If the wall fell—
Something terrifying would descend.
He raised his foot.
She begged.
Cried.
Offered herself.
Zhao Xuan's expression remained cold.
His foot came down.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Bones shattered.
The fourth stomp—
Her heart was crushed.
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