C27 Attack!

"He's too arrogant."

"He's lost his mind!"

These thoughts repeatedly surfaced in the mind of Zheng Huai, the Patriarch of the Zheng family.

A lunatic bold enough to claim he wasn't afraid of the Shrine of Astral Radiance. If he wasn't insane, what else could he be?

Then, witnessing Zhou Jibo slay the Zheng family Elder with a single sword strike, a shiver of dread crept through Zheng Huai.

Just over ten days ago, Zhou Jibo was merely a fifth-layer Acquired talent with some potential. What transformation had he undergone in such a short span?

He had issued a letter of divorce to Zheng Xunqin. He had astonished the crowd at the Icefair auction. He had slain Zhou Qian and Zheng Kang, swiftly settling the strife within the Zhou family.

Zheng Huai had harbored doubts that Zhou Qian and Zheng Kang's deaths were a collective effort by the Zhou family. Now, seeing Zhou Jibo's prowess, he was convinced that it was Zhou Jibo himself who had personally dispatched the two ninth-layer Acquired Warriors.

At what level was Zhou Jibo's cultivation now?

Without hesitation, Zhou Jibo brandished his sword once more.

The Zheng family elders and the Zhou family Elder, some enraged, some terrified, charged forward with roars. Their cultivation ranged from the seventh to the ninth layer of the Acquired Realm.

They were met with a series of chilling, icy sword glows.

The youth in the moon-white robe executed his swordplay, his attacks imbued with an enigmatic depth they couldn't decipher. He murmured softly.

"Cool Breeze Blowing."

The breeze was gentle, invisible.

"Moon."

The moon dipped into the water, its reflection shimmering.

Finally, the Blood Stripe Sword claimed the last two guards.

"I."

I witness the breeze, I witness the moon.

Zhou Jibo calmly rested his sword on the quivering shoulder of Zheng Huai. The surrounding Zheng family elders and guards lay scattered, lifeless. Only Zheng Huai remained alive before Zhou Jibo.

A mist of pale white frost swirled endlessly around them.

"What sword technique is this?" Zheng Huai's voice quivered as he inquired, "How can there be such a fearsome sword technique?"

"I can answer that question for you," Zhou Jibo stated. "Thanks to the Zheng family's treachery, I was fortunate to acquire this sword technique. It's a top-grade Profound Rank martial skill called the Cool Breeze Bright Moon Sword Technique."

"A top-grade Profound Rank martial skill?" Zheng Huai gasped in shock, unable to utter anything beyond his astonishment. Such a divine technique was beyond his wildest dreams! Even with the Zheng family's allegiance to the Shrine of Astral Radiance and their status as a vassal, he never imagined witnessing such a formidable skill.

"Surprised?" Zhou Jibo asked, eyeing him with a steady gaze. "Is it typical for the Zheng family to be so heartless? Many of your elders have perished, yet the others are scrambling to flee. You don't seem to be concerned about them at all. What about your daughter, Zheng Xunqin? Does she not care for you either?"

Zheng Huai snapped out of his daze, his face ashen as cries of agony and mercy filled the air. Was the Zheng family facing annihilation today?

"Zhou Jibo," he pleaded, attempting to persuade the Zhou family to cease their assault. But Zhou Jibo's icy stare extinguished any hope of that possibility. How could they possibly relent? Surely, they would seek complete vengeance.

Despair took hold as he realized the futility of his situation. He yelled defiantly, "You won't find Xunqin. You can't kill her. As long as she lives, the Zheng family will endure. You, the Zhou family, have provoked the Shrine of Astral Radiance—you're doomed."

"The Zhou family will suffer a fate far grimmer than ours."

His words were cut short by a furious bellow from outside: "Zhou family, restrain yourselves! Do you really think you can massacre another family within Icefair City without consequence? Am I just for show?"

Following the outcry, a figure was hurled through the Zheng family's main entrance, crashing to the ground, spewing blood, and losing consciousness. It was Zhou Zhenbo, the Third Elder of the Zhou family.

Almost immediately, another voice laced with amusement rang out: "The Zhou family is not only reckless, but they've also got some nerve. The Zheng family is under the Shrine of Astral Radiance, and yet the Zhous dare to strike. They must have a death wish."

As the voice echoed, a pained cry from outside followed. Clearly, another Zhou family warrior had been wounded.

Overhearing the voices, Zheng Huai was ecstatic. Disregarding the Blood Stripe Sword at his throat, he called out, "Lord Lang! Goodman Yu! You must defend our Zheng family! Zhou Jibo and his people are out to annihilate us!"

Accompanied by dozens of warriors, two figures entered the courtyard. The leader was none other than Lang Shen, the Castellan of Icefair.

The man beside him, marked by a red mole and looking to be in his fifties, was Goodman Yu.

Both were Innate Stage masters within Icefair. Their arrival, clearly forewarned of the Zheng family's new status, was to aid them against the Zhou family.

Witnessing the scene, Zhou Jibo grasped the situation at last.

The Zheng family had been busy, spreading word of their allegiance to the Holy Land. Icefair's powers now rallied around the Zhengs as their nucleus.

It was evident that if the Zhou family continued to bide their time, they would face a siege from all of Icefair's forces!

Leveraging the Holy Land's influence, the Zhengs could easily obliterate the Zhous without lifting a finger.

It appeared his timing was impeccable. If he didn't take down the Zheng family now, he'd soon be at odds with the entire city. Fearless though he was, for the Zhou family's sake, it was imperative to avoid such a confrontation.

"Zhou Jibo?"

Castellan Lang Shen approached swiftly, eyeing Zhou Jibo and the Blood Stripe Sword he wielded. His gaze greedily swept over the sword before he rebuked, "I'm here now. Do you still dare to be so brazen? Release the Zheng patriarch immediately and kneel to confess your wrongdoing."

The Yu family patriarch, an Innate master himself, couldn't help but smile as he spoke. "I must admit, Zhou Jibo, your talent is truly enviable. Both the superb martial skill and the weapon have come into your possession. Had I not learned of the Zheng family's situation a few days ago, I would have been tempted to send you a gift, currying favor with a future expert of the Soul Separation Stage."

"Regrettably, the Zhou family has made an enemy of the Shrine of Astral Radiance."

"In the presence of myself and Lord Lang, don't even entertain the thought of resistance. Kneel and await your fate!"

Zhou Jibo regarded them, his lips curving into an unexpected smile. "Do you really think I'm out of options?"

Did Zhou Jibo have any other choice?

Lord Lang regarded him with contempt, but Goodman Yu of the Yu family was taken aback. His eyes scanned the surrounding pale white fog, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.

"And what if I insist on refusing?" Zhou Jibo inquired, the smile still playing on his lips.