Chương 95: The Threat

"Insolent brat, how dare you!" A roar of thunderous indignation erupted from the direction of the Qingyan Sect, accompanied by a crushing, monstrous pressure that surged like a tidal wave, threatening to drown Reyn in its wake. Dan Chenzi let out a cold snort, his figure flickering like a ghost as he interposed himself between Reyn and the oncoming storm. With a casual wave of his sleeve, he neutralized the oppressive aura, his expression darkening.

"Daoist Ming Diao, what is the meaning of this? Do you truly intend to bully a junior and lay hands upon my disciple in my presence?" As he spoke, a chilling glint flickered in his eyes, and his own Golden Core cultivation erupted without restraint. The air trembled as he made it clear that he was prepared to trade blows should the other party persist. In Dan Chenzi's heart, Reyn was now the undisputed successor to his mantle.

For such a peerless talent, he would not hesitate to risk his life against Ming Diao Ancestor if the old man harbored even a shred of ill intent. Ming Diao Ancestor's face was as grim as a stagnant pool, his gaze sweeping over Reyn like a jagged blade. Deep within, he burned with the desire to strike the youth down, grinding him into nothingness to sate his burgeoning hatred.

"If you dare to harm even a single finger of his again, I, this Ancestor, swear to the heavens that I will make you pay a price you cannot afford!" Ming Diao Ancestor's voice was devoid of warmth, his words dripping with a cold, murderous intent that chilled the marrow of those listening. Dan Chenzi's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly countered with a mocking sneer.

"If anything happens to Reyn, I guarantee that your descendant will never leave the Xuanxiao Sect alive." The two Golden Core masters stood locked in a silent, lethal confrontation. Under the suffocating weight of their combined spiritual pressure, the surrounding cultivators turned pale, retreating in a frantic scramble. They knew all too well that even the stray ripples of a battle between Golden Core experts would be enough to annihilate them where they stood.

"Ancestor, I ask that you do not interfere in today's matter." From within the confines of the azure spectral hand, Ming Diao Zhanchen suddenly spoke. His voice was unnervingly calm, possessing a chilling quality that made the listeners shudder.

"Everything I endure today, I shall reclaim from this man—with interest—in the days to come." The sheer confidence and cruelty embedded in his tone sent a shiver down the spines of the spectators.

"Zhan'er..." Ming Diao Ancestor's face twitched, and he opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted.

"Junior Brother Ming Diao, return to your seat. Zhan'er has his reasons for this choice." Tiandaozi's face was equally unsightly. With Ming Diao Zhanchen's defeat, the Qingyan Sect's prospects in this Grand Tournament were looking increasingly bleak, and certain plans would inevitably be delayed. His expression darkened further as he said solemnly, "Let him suffer a bit today; it shall serve as a whetstone for his future cultivation."

"Hmph!" Ming Diao Ancestor's expression flickered between rage and hesitation. After a long moment, he flicked his sleeve with a sharp crack, vanishing in a streak of light to return to his seat beside Tiandaozi, where he sat in brooding silence. Seeing this, Dan Chenzi felt a slight wave of relief. He sent a secret transmission to Reyn: "Disciple, this Ming Diao Zhanchen is the direct descendant of that old ghost Ming Diao. His talent is exceptional. You may teach him a lesson, but remember—do not take his life.

If that old man truly goes mad, the consequences will be catastrophic." With that, he turned and resumed his seat next to Qingxiaozi. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work! Reyn's eyes flickered with a sharp light. He suddenly barked out, "Which other brothers were injured? Report their wounds immediately!"

"Senior Brother Xiong Bai: thirteen fractured bones, nine damaged meridians, and displaced internal organs!"

"Senior Brother Huang Ming: fifteen shattered bones and eight damaged meridians!"

"Junior Brother Liu Xiaoyun: nine shattered bones and seventeen ruptured meridians!" As each disciple called out the injuries sustained, Reyn's face grew increasingly stern. With every report, he tightened his grip, and the sickening sound of snapping bone echoed from within Ming Diao Zhanchen's body. By the time the seventeenth disciple had finished, most of Ming Diao Zhanchen's skeletal structure and meridians had been systematically pulverized or torn by Reyn's spiritual force.

Yet, the man proved to be a vicious soul; despite his face being sallow with agony and sweat pouring from his brow, he did not utter a single cry. His eyes, however, grew increasingly bloodshot, as if they were pooling with actual gore as he kept his gaze locked onto Reyn. That look alone was enough to make others' hearts skip a beat. It was clear to everyone present that Ming Diao Zhanchen now harbored a hatred for Reyn that would only end in death. Reyn remained unmoved.

Under that crimson, hateful gaze, he showed not a hint of trepidation, meeting the stare head-on.

"Are there any more?" he asked coldly.

"One last one... Senior Brother Peng Dahai: nine fractured bones and twelve damaged meridians." The disciple who spoke looked at Reyn with a mixture of profound admiration and lingering fear.

"Good!" Reyn nodded. He clenched his hand one final time, resulting in a cacophony of cracking bone.

"Ming Diao Zhanchen, you harmed eighteen of my Xuanxiao Sect brothers. Today, I reclaim what is owed on their behalf. If you are unsatisfied, you are welcome to seek me out for revenge in the future. I, shall be waiting!" Reyn finished speaking and waved his hand, causing the azure spectral palm to dissipate instantly. Ming Diao Zhanchen collapsed onto the ground like a puppet with its strings cut. His meridians and bones were almost entirely destroyed, his limbs twisted at grotesque, unnatural angles.

With blood leaking from his seven orifices, he looked wretched beyond description. Had he been a mere mortal, such injuries would have been fatal. However, for a cultivator, as long as their internal energy remained, these wounds could be mended with time and high-grade spiritual medicines. Ming Diao Zhanchen circulated his remaining power, managing to hover slightly above the ground. His blood-red eyes stared at Reyn, and a manic, high-pitched giggle escaped his lips.

"Haha! Come on! Why stop now? Keep going!" he hissed, his voice trembling with madness.

"No matter how many bones you crush or meridians you tear, do you actually dare to snap my throat? Do you dare to shatter my skull? Hehe... you don't. You don't have the guts to kill me. And since I'm alive, these injuries are nothing but a temporary setback. A few pills and some rest, and I will be whole again."

"Reyn! Reyn! You are truly something. Since I began my path to immortality, I have never suffered such humiliation. I will remember you. Hehe... the world is vast and the rivers of fate are long. I believe we shall meet again, and when we do, I will return everything I suffered today a thousandfold!" Reyn shifted his leg slightly and flicked a speck of dust from his green robe, offering a faint, indifferent smile.

"If we meet again, I will simply beat you into this state once more."

"You!" The crimson light in Ming Diao Zhanchen's eyes flared, but he forced himself into a terrifying calm. A cold sneer curled his lips as he whispered, "Reyn of the Lei Clan from Thunder Abyss City... Hehe, even if I cannot settle the score with you immediately, it will be quite easy to collect some interest from them first." Hearing this, Reyn's face instantly darkened. A lethal chill flashed in his eyes, and a surge of killing intent erupted from his soul.

He narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping to a glacial whisper.

"What did you say?"

"Hehe, what's this? Are you afraid? Hahahaha!" Seeing Reyn's reaction, Ming Diao Zhanchen felt a surge of twisted pleasure and burst into a fit of wild laughter.

"Don't worry. The Xuanxiao Sect has promised your Lei Clan a millennium of protection. I will wait until my wounds are fully healed and the heat has died down before I go. I won't leave a single shred of evidence for them to find! Wahahahaha!"