Chương 76: Terror Incarnate

Tyrant's phantom muscles flexed as green veins popped up and light hazed upwards. One punch sent the dazed Guan flying. Wang Ren's body blurred for a moment, broke down into light motes in a flash and appeared behind Guan. He threw a spinning kick right on his spine, feeling the satisfying crack of bones under his touch and sending him back faster than he flew. And Tyrant didn't disappoint. It clasped its hands together and hammered the pathetic snake deep into the ground, leaving a human-shaped hole behind.

"And the crowd goes wild!" Wang Ren whistled. He raised both hands, and even threw a provoking look at the frozen girls tightly hugging each other, as though wanting them to cheer. They only shivered once again. Ignoring their reaction, he took a single step and his body once again flashed. The very air gave way to him, the spiritual energy carrying him. He reached into the hole, grabbed Guan by the hair and pulled him up. His golden eyes stared deep into his lilac-colored, vertical pupils.

The Viper trembled in fear.

"Seriously, if you get beaten up all the time, you need to learn how to stop memory transmission. That's the very basics. Though I can't say I don't love it this way." An ugly smile parted Guan's lips as he forced his mouth open.

"I had it, you bastard," he hissed through gnashed teeth, but broke into a violent coughing fit halfway. He spat blood, a lot of blood. Only then could he take a deep breath and continue." Ahh, until you decided having such thing is injustice and stomped my main body with the mark of causality." His tremble worsened, like he was a leaf shaking against the unforgiving autumn winds.

"Oh, so you still remember what happened last time?" Wang Ren asked innocently, his eyes widening in perfect performance. At the same time, his grip tightened.

"Then you know what you should've done—and what you should never, ever touch, right?" Guan grimaced. Still, he tried to nod forcefully, breaking a large amount of hair and causing his scalp to bleed.

"I don't think you would happen to have any complaints about what I am going to do. Am I right?" Wang Ren said. Dragging a struggling breath in, Guan shook his head.

"Nice." An armored fist sank deep into his abdomen, crushed his stomach, and opened inside like a claw, tearing apart his flesh. Guan's face twisted, yet he bit his lips and refused to scream. He also refused to break the eye contact. His violet pupils and the golden eyes remained in a stubborn standoff. Wang Ren clicked his tongue in amusement and grabbed at the place where normally a cultivator's core resided.

Guan's second clone pretending to be a Nascent Soul lashed at him, but a momentarily spark flaring on Cinderborn suppressed it instantly. With each finger coalescing around it, more and more spiritual energy had to flow into the Cinderborn, then into his body. He suddenly yanked his hand free and ripped the small clone out with it. Guan's face instantly paled, blood erupting out of his orifices. Yet even while collapsing into the hole, he kept staring. The light in his eyes faded a moment later.

Wang Ren threw the second clone back into the hole, while Tyrant silently appeared above it.

"Well, well, well. Let's leave this smart guy to the big guy." He shrugged, the blood covering him instantly splashing around. He began moving his armored arm in small, forward motions. He then repeated the same with his other arm, hearing the bones pop. His body was stiff as heck, and his muscles didn't run like the well-maintained engine it had always been. This crybaby needs to ramp up his training. Look how saggy my body turned out. He clicked his tongue before cracking his neck.

A nice, satisfying crack echoed as his lips curled up. The base power had improved, yet the driver's skills had regressed. He didn't like it.

"I guess losing two prime-tier clones, along with gaining nothing other than successfully pissing me off, will hit him hard enough. As for you… I wonder what kind of punishment you deserve?" He waved a finger toward the two women, gesturing to them to pay attention rather than looking blankly into the hole. Eldest of Puppeteers shivered first, but her bean-like eyes glared at him through the gaps between her fingers.

"M-My grandpa wouldn't let you go if… i-if you hurt me!" Wang Ren smiled, not bothering to argue. His gaze turned to the Eldest of Flowing Lineage, a hint of pity creeping into his face.

"Dong Silin… That old hag and her whore husband still haven't kicked the bucket?" he asked, his tone even more disdainful than against Guan.

"Please refrain from using coarse language about our Ancestors, Young Master. They are alive and kicking very well, and we disciples sincerely wish them a long life," Dong Silin answered properly, her voice flat. She didn't look as offended or angry as she was supposed to be. At the same time, a hand finally clenched the hole's corner. Guan's second clone lifted himself up, struggling as though a mountain had been placed on his shoulders. Tyrant stomped on his head, playing whack-the-mole.

"Tch." Wang Ren's eyes narrowed.

"What did I expect from their very pimp… Hey, send my warm-fucking-regards to the one-pump chump and his shit-eater wife. Don't forget to include my advice on keeping their neck clean."

"I'll definitely inform them of your well-wishes, Young Master." Dong Silin smiled sweetly.

"My Ancestors also mentioned they are favoring princesses now. Do you have a candidate in mind? I can certainly help them with introductions." Tyrant continued to methodically send punches and kicks whenever he tried to rise, not giving the Viper a chance to talk and poison the setting.

"Oh? Really?" Rather than getting angry, Wang Ren's smile stretched to its very limits.

"I'll certainly convey your Ancestors' thoughts to Venerable Celestria. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't mind using her old shears for a change." She stared at him blankly, then her eyes slowly widened in horror as she realized who he was talking about.

"N-No! I… I wasn't—""Quiet now." Wang Ren ordered and, ignoring her frustration, raised his head. The golden light in his eyes intensified until his gaze passed through the canopy. There it was, in the sky: a burning ship was moving like a crazed behemoth awakened from its thousand years of sleep. A bunch of annoying flies buzzed around it, constantly creating obstacles and slowing the ship. A fierce pair of crimson eyes met his.

They widened in shock, and Demoness opened her mouth, but Wang Ren put his finger on his lips.

'Shh, I am busy, my dear.' His voice floated over the jubilant spiritual energy honored to carry his words. He didn't forget to flash a faint smile, as well, and then returned to the weirdos.

"Seems like I have to be quick. Hmm… Killing you would create more problems than it deserves. Let's see," he muttered as a scale image flashed behind him. Miniature versions of the five weirdos appeared one by one. The purple dragon slithered its way to the top of the scale. Its eyes gleamed with profound intent as it pulled Man Hong's image into the left scale. The headless corpse lying on the ground trembled. Wang Ren watched the right scale go down and the left go up, even though it was only a few centimeters.

The same scene repeated for the Eldest of Puppeteers and the Flowing Lineage. Both women couldn't help but let out relaxed breaths, hands on their thundering hearts.

"You don't deserve death… yet. But it's not my style to leave you unpunished," he muttered, his eyes slowly turning toward the young man lying on the ground. He rubbed his chin. The dragon suddenly pressed the left scale, the young man's image sinking to the end.

"What?" Dong Silin's face changed. For a split second, even Wang Ren's pupils trembled. His chin stiffened. The golden light in his eyes intensified, as if molten gold were flowing through them.

"It's simple. He deserves a painful death, and I'll make sure he gets that. As for you, I am going to make sure you can't attend the meeting."

"DON'T! DON'T KILL HIM!" Guan shot back to the air, or at least tried to, as the poor bastard got absolutely bashed on the head and smashed onto the ground face-first by Tyrant. Still, he continued, begging for the first time.

"Don't kill him, Wang Ren! Don't! You don't know what it would— agggh! — please! Just— AHH!" And even when he tried to escape the Tyrant's grasp, his ass got yanked out of the sky back into the hole before he could dart away.

"You've lost your single chance, Guan." Wang Ren stared at him coldly, then turned around. However, unlike his expression said, his thoughts weren't solemn. Sorry, big brother, I stole all your face-slapping moments. And now, I'll even do the aura farming. Hopefully, you will forgive me as I'm your precious soul brother. This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Let me break it down for everyone watching with relish. That worm over there," he paused, turning to Guan. The dragon moved at the same time, taking the Viper's image into its five-clawed grasp. The image crumbled to dust.

"He fooled you into thinking you can touch me. Any guesses for why?" He put on a solemn expression when his eyes swept the forest. Presences, almost no different from ants crawling underground, shone like lighthouses in his senses. Their greed sickened him. Especially the one he respected and called 'Senior Brother' with zero hesitation. Sparks flew as their gazes clashed. The impudent man smiled gently.

"Good to see you back, Junior Brother," he said, his tone soft and pleasant. A moment later, his very presence faded from reality. Heh, he is still so careful. Wang Ren couldn't say he wasn't disappointed, but surprised? Nope. For someone carrying the name Unchallenged, every threat had to be nipped in the bud. Tolerating a Terror Incarnate for this long was already unbelievable. Tch, he would have killed me long ago if he could. His eyes swept the others. Some smiled, some scoffed. But none moved.

They were too careful for that. Unlike these idiots who would pounce at every opportunity like feral dogs, of course. Wang Ren knew he had to put on a good show to convince them to leave him alone for a while. Ren couldn't face them, not yet. They would devour him alive and not even spit the bones. Wang Ren took a deep breath.

"Because I sent a few letters." He was getting tired of these creeps watching every step his brother took.

"I asked about the Eldest meeting. I didn't get an answer, just so you know, but this is as good as one. Someone truly doesn't want to see my return. And sent his dogs to piss on my backyard." The air got excited and pushed him up. Heavenpiercer shot from the ground and was caught in a hand as golden light blended with the glow erupting from his eyes. At the same time, he filled his lungs to the brim. Huuuuup— His body went into overdrive, repeatedly going back and forth between gold and red.

From his skin, hot vapor rose up like an overheated steam engine. Tyrant's Art of Slaughter, Killing Intent—"He will be disappointed," he muttered, his words echoing as a force of nature. A chilling presence spread throughout the forest and pierced through its eternal canopy. It wasn't purely majestic as it was expected to be. No, this was the roar of an injured beast cornered and ready to tear anyone in his way apart— reminding everyone who they were messing with.

Birds rose in panic, beasts shrieked in fear, and unlucky humans caught in this mess dropped onto their knees. The Terror Incarnate, who once hurled countless proud sons of heaven down from their thrones above the skies to the mortal soil, announced his return. … Silence and stillness abruptly descended, like the calm before the storm. He lifted his foot, but he didn't move. The edges of his figure trembled, as if the static space around him were disturbed by something.

It was then— The young man finally managed to break the space prison. He stumbled on the spot, forcefully keeping himself afloat as his eyes turned bloodshot. A flame flickered around his body. He was burning his Nascent Soul!

"What are you waiting for, you idiots?! Attack! Kill him!" He shouted, then started to chant something. A flurry of ribbons burst out of the ground, fluttering together and coalescing into faceless humanoid figures resembling mannequins. Ten of them crossed their hands in front, while the rest jumped onto the petite girl and Dong Silin, creating a wall of puppets. Wang Ren didn't spare them a glance. The world flowed slowly in his senses.

The puppets hurled themselves at him, but every movement was clear as a mirror; their movesets already deduced perfectly. He didn't even touch any of them, slippery like an eel, dodging their reaching hands by paper-thin margins. His claw-like grasp found purchase on the petite girl's hair, slamming her into the soft soil and cutting her yelp short. He added a stomp just to make sure, hearing the satisfying crack from her ribs. She fainted instantly, sparing herself from a hell of a painful experience.

The puppets collapsed, too. Her Core Formation prowess was nothing but a 'beat me first' flag planted on her forehead. At the same time, he swung the spear, gripping its butt like a long sword, cleaving Dong Silin in two. She turned into liquid. Neat but useless trick. Golden eyes shone over. The liquid burned faster than it could turn into vapor. A twisted scream erupted, and the unbearable pain forced her to cancel her flowing form. The golden crescent was right in front of her eyes. Slash!

This time, blood burst out like a fountain. Heavenpiercer sank halfway to her head, blinding her. So she missed the follow-up punch burying itself into her guts. She collapsed on her knees, attempting to both breathe and retch whatever she had eaten. She failed in both. Her breath got stuck, her chest heaved but didn't fall, and only a mouthful of yellowish bile came up.

"It's time, come on," Wang Ren whispered, leaning forward to her ear, spearhead resting on his shoulder.

"Don't be shy. Call your beloved." She shivered. The air behind her vibrated, and a man's image manifested. He was sitting cross-legged on a lotus, but no lotus could lend him a dignified cultivator aura when he looked like a mummy, all skin and bones. His pompous expression didn't help either. The literal counterpart of 'old monster.' Wang Ren liked to call them 'old farts clinging to their last breath.' It's more fitting. The old fart opened his hard-to-notice eyes buried beneath the wrinkles and saggy skin.

"Who dares to touch this Ancestor's concubine!?" he started off majestically, his voice thundering.

"You, mere—" And his voice died when his gaze met Wang Ren's amused glare.

"Ahem." The old man coughed quickly, straightening and clasping his hands.

"Ah, dear nephew Wang Ren. I thought some fool dared to strike my precious disciple, and she called me for help. Excuse this old man's terrible manners!"

"That fool would be me," Wang Ren said.

"I thought you were in a life-and-death closed-door training until you stabilize your realm, Ancestor Deng. Looks like you managed it already, congrats! Father will be happy to hear such good news. You will be the role model for all the small sects outta there!" He gave the sunniest smile he could muster. The old man's face changed shades, almost rivaling Guan in proficiency. Then he suddenly started coughing blood. In moments, his robe was fully covered in blood.

"Ughh… suddenly breaking my focus might have caused my energy to riot, dear nephew. This old man needs to return and recuperate. Please send this useless old man's regards and apology to Grand Marshall Wang." The image faded all of a sudden, only leaving a perplexed Dong Silin. Wang Ren clicked his tongue, his smirk couldn't be more glaring. He didn't continue to attack her. He was a gentleman, after all. He turned his head. The young man was still chanting some bullshit.

Glass-like shards began to line up around him with every passing second.

"I agree with you, brother, mages suck," Wang Ren whispered. His grasp on the spear tightened. For a short moment, he missed his trusty sword. The spear wasn't bad, but it wasn't as suave as a sword. It was also too long and too light. He shook his head. His old buddy was still with him. Right at that moment, a pair of eyes snapped open. They frantically searched everywhere until they found him. Wang Ren sent her a reassuring smile, trying to imitate his big brother.

And he had to admit it, such 'teacherly' expressions fit him quite well.

"Iceberg, do you remember what I taught you about the Spellcasters and Artifact-Wielders?" Liuxue slowly nodded despite her confusion overflowing onto her face. She was sitting on the Tyrant's throne, the air around her weirdly twisted like broken glass. Even the young man with space roots hadn't noticed her.

"Watch closely; I'll teach you the exact difference," Wang Ren said. His gaze sharpened. No matter how much he acted as if it wasn't important, he was against a Nascent Soul. Furthermore, Ren had zero spiritual energy in his body. Will you let me use your moonlight energy, little one? A childish, angry babbling rose as soon as he touched the silverish energy. Wang Ren sighed. What had he expected from that coward system? Fine, fine. Give me a hand, buddy. Cinderborn hmmed in consent.

The spiritual energy around him pitter-pattered in pure ecstasy, flowing into his armor. He let go of the Heavenpiercer. It slowly floated in the air and placed itself right behind him. Part of the energy slowly flooded into it, too. However, Wang Ren raised a brow. He noticed that the two crescent blades… began to glow and even spread small specks of gold dust around.

"Oho?" His lips curled up.

"You want to show off, huh? Alright, as you wish." He channeled all the energy into it. As the big brother, Cinderborn didn't protest, happily obliging. Wang Ren raised his hand and pointed with two fingers. In the next instant, the brightly shining Heavenpiercer pierced through the air toward the young man up above.

"Die!" At the same time, the young man opened his eyes and waved his hand. Thousands of space blades rained down. Wang Ren started waving his fingers, acting like a conductor, keeping the choir in tempo. The spear moved as he desired, a deadly dance unleashed in a moment. It slashed, spun, stabbed, and cleaved, moving like a wolf released in a flock of sheep. [Use four ounces to move a thousand pounds. If you master it, nobody can be your rival.] Master's words echoed in his head.

[Tai Chi might seem like a basic martial art, only fit for mortals, brat, but every complex move is born of the simplest act. Complex doesn't mean stronger, and simple doesn't have to be weak. The one who uses the least energy to gain the biggest advantage never loses.] Push. Slide. Absorb. And return. Under the Eldest of Tomes' horrified gaze, Heavenpiercer mowed down everything in its path. Some smashed apart, others deflected into the ground and left bottomless pits.

Hundreds of space blades couldn't even pass a single spear. He quickly made a few hand signs, sweat pouring down his forehead. The space solidified in front of him.

"Heh." Wang Ren stomped, launching himself like a cannonball. He moved later, but arrived faster than his spear, both striking the shield at the same time. It cracked. Then exploded into glass-like shards that pierced through everything in their way. Or to be more exact, almost everything as they repelled before touching Wang Ren's body, the spiritual energy concentrated around him angrily retorting.

"Take this!" Eldest of Tomes roared, slamming his hand on the empty air. The space vibrated under his slap and flipped it like a table, sending a huge wave of pure space energy onto Wang Ren. He shook his head, looking at the young man with pity. His expression practically said, 'What an amateur.' He punched the wave back. Eldest of Tomes' face contorted in terror as he raised both hands and tried to block it. The wave hit him hard, sending him flying.

He tumbled on the ground, blood splashing and painting the soil red. He pushed himself up in panic, yet awkwardly stumbled and fell back into the remaining part of the stream. He really resembled a wet, sewerage rat.

"No… how…" he murmured in a daze.

"H-How could you still be so strong… you are— you are only Foundation Establishment!"

"Mere ambient energy is enough to take care of trash like you." Wang Ren shrugged. Eyes narrowed in amusement, he gave the pathetic man a moment to compose himself and show his ace. He had to have one, after all, right? Eldest of Tomes' glare locked onto Wang Ren. His eyes were spewing fire as he slammed his fist on the soil, spattering water around. The space flickered and the young man disappeared. Wang Ren drew a small circle with his hand, Heavenpiercer instantly moving according to his will.

At the same time, he stomped the ground and shot off into the sky. His senses found the faint stir on the space vector just beneath the canopy. He pulled his armored fist as much as his body allowed without changing his stance. The spiritual energy thrashed around his arm, yet not one seeped in. His eyes flashed as the world turned black and white, his will reaching for those lying behind the first wave. This is… real Judgment! Third Punch— Cinderborn flared to life. It hummed.

Countless lines resembling a spiderweb appeared all over it. Molten fire circled in them, greedily devouring all the spiritual energy that flocked around him and channeling it over his arm, then to his fist— all contained within the armor. And his will finally touched that elusive feeling, plucking a string faintly. The throne accompanied it in this deadly symphony as well, their sounds merging. Tyrant had appeared behind him at some point, mimicking the punch. Its giant fist overlapped with his. Judgment!

The space wave obliterated into nothing, knowing it had no right to stand in the Judgment's way. Next came the Nascent Soul pressure erupting in panic, trying to take control of the ambient energy flowing endlessly into Cinderborn. Yet before it could spread properly, a pair of massive golden eyes fluttered open above. Killing Intent! The phantom pair covering the sky above Wang Ren cast their light below. Then came another pair, this time on Tyrant's featureless face.

A mountain-like pressure washed all the Nascent Soul aura clean. At last, even the rift that opened behind the wave closed instantly, obeying the superior pressure. The young man's figure was left hanging in the empty air, lips trembling.

"St—" He opened his mouth, eyes widened in terror. Yet the punch arrived faster. One dimension after another, space cracks, twisted grids, oceans of spiritual energy packed together— Nothing— nothing —ever escaped causality. And Judgment, being the absolute form of causality, passed through each and every one of the obstacles without being affected in the slightest. Eldest of Tomes' fragile chest put up zero resistance.

The flesh sank inwards, turning into paste while blood couldn't splash before it evaporated into mist. His ribcage followed next, crushed into fine dust and merged into the blood mist along with his innards. At the same time, golden light flashed behind him. Heavenpiercer moved, and a head severed from its body—the trapped Nascent Soul screaming inside.