C9 The Crown Prince Was Fierce

The unexpected arrival of Crown Prince Lee Cann at his doorstep caught the middle-aged man with a beard off guard, yet he remained unfazed.

As a fourth-rank Martial Master, he commanded three first-rank Martial Masters and a host of Martial Disciples.

Lee Cann, a mere first-rank Martial Master, could only hope to reach the combat strength of a second-rank Martial Master with the formidable Dragon Emperor Divine Art.

In comparison to his own fourth-rank prowess, Lee Cann was significantly outmatched.

"Lord Fang, I've cleaned up this mess for you. When you return, make sure to caution the Second Prince to exercise greater caution. His recklessness could jeopardize the Sect Master's grand plans. Remember, even if he ascends to the throne of the Southern Tang, his fate remains but a mere thought away for our Sect Master," the middle-aged bearded man said with a commanding tone to Fang Wenshan.

Fang Wenshan's brows furrowed in displeasure, yet he bowed respectfully, "Rest assured, Vice Sect Master Zhou, I will relay your message to the Second Prince."

The middle-aged bearded man nodded with approval and drew his long saber, its blade a deep crimson as though soaked in blood, emitting a dense aura of bloodthirst.

"The Southern Tang royal lineage is rumored to carry the blood of divine dragons. Blood Drinker, does that excite you?" he murmured to his weapon.

The Blood Drinker Saber in his grasp vibrated with anticipation.

"Prepare to meet your end, boy!" he declared, the full force of a fourth-rank Martial Master emanating from him.

His powerful Genuine Qi burst forth, the ensuing pressure causing those nearby to retreat several steps.

The young, rotund Sect Master bellowed, "Everyone else, seize that beauty! Bring her to me, and you'll be handsomely rewarded tonight!"

Mu Wan'er seethed with anger at the audacious attempt of this vile sect member to target her.

Lee Cann, concerned that Mu Wan'er might act rashly against the three first-rank Martial Masters, advised, "Wan'er, use the dash talisman to engage them. Once I've dispatched this Vice Sect Master, I'll slice up that little tyrant to alleviate your fury!"

Mu Wan'er was moved, "Understood, Young Master."

Buzz!

The Dragon Cry Sword was drawn from its sheath.

"So you're Vice Sect Master Zhou? Impressive. You're the only one who's managed to put some pressure on me since I began my journey. But let's be clear—it's just a bit of pressure!"

Lee Cann chuckled heartily, his body twisting as he leapt into the air. The Dragon Emperor Genuine Qi burst forth, and the Dragon Cry Sword resonated with echoing dragon roars.

System, convert experience, 100,000!

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for advancing to a second-rank Martial Master!"

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for ascending to a third-rank Martial Master!"

Boom!

The formidable presence of a third-rank Martial Master exploded forth, leaving everyone in the front courtyard dumbstruck.

At that moment, the Dragon Emperor Genuine Qi swirling around Lee Cann took on a tangible form, resembling a golden divine dragon entwining his figure.

"A third-rank Martial Master? The Crown Prince, once deemed worthless, is actually a third-rank Martial Master. Heh, we've been thoroughly deceived!"

Fang Wen Shan gazed at Lee Cann, who appeared to be enveloped by a golden divine dragon, completely astonished.

"Such a strong and cunning Crown Prince—there's no way the Second Prince can compete!"

His eyes shifted to the bearded middle-aged man, whose aura of bloodthirst had grown even more overwhelming, surpassing even Lee Cann's in intensity.

"I hope Vice Sect Master Zhou can overcome the Crown Prince; otherwise, we're all doomed. Alas, had I known of the Crown Prince's cunning and courage, why would I have betrayed my conscience to side with the Second Prince?"

A surge of bitter regret filled Fang Wen Shan's heart, yet he knew there was no turning back.

"Well done, lad. You've concealed your true strength well, but you're still no match for me!"

"Take this—my Bloodthirsty Blade of the Underworld!"

Vice Sect Master Zhou also soared into the sky, his bloodthirsty aura coalescing on his blade, forming a shadowy bloodthirsty blade some twenty to thirty meters in length.

Wuwu!

It was a mirror of the earlier Bloodthirsty Palm.

A chilling wind arose, accompanied by the wails of ghosts, its force several times greater than that of the Bloodthirsty Palm.

Lee Cann had evolved beyond his former status as a first-rank Martial Master.

"The Dragon Emperor emerges!"

With a thunderous roar, Lee Cann drained nearly forty percent of his Dragon Emperor Genuine Qi in an instant.

The potent energy surged into the Dragon Cry Sword, causing it to dissolve into nothingness.

A majestic golden dragon, spanning over ten meters, materialized.

"Ao!"

The dragon let out a heaven-piercing cry, scattering the ominous winds and silencing the wails of ghosts!

Boom!

With a swift motion, the dragon's claw latched onto the blood-soaked blade shadow.

Locked in a fierce stalemate, the clash of their energies whipped up fierce winds that sent those of weaker cultivation tumbling in disarray.

"Hahaha, truly worthy of the Dragon Emperor Divine Art, to withstand my most formidable Dark Asura Bloodthirsty Blade. Elder Xia's demise is imminent."

"However, if you have no other tricks up your sleeve, this battle is as good as over!"

Vice Sect Master Zhou revealed three sinister-looking nails in his grasp.

The Little Fatty Young Sect Master chuckled at the sight. "Soul Devouring Nails. Vice Sect Master Zhou has played his final hand. Renowned for their speed and deception, these nails capture the soul of anyone they pierce, turning it into their sustenance. The Crown Prince, entangled by Vice Sect Master Zhou's Bloodthirsty Blade, stands no chance of evasion. His fate is sealed!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Wan'er's body shook. She was nearly seized by the encircling Martial Disciples, but her dash talisman granted her swift escape.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince..."

Anxiety gripped Mu Wan'er's heart.

Fang Wenshan's fists were clenched, his eyes blazing with insanity: "Kill, kill, kill him now!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Vice Sect Master Zhou launched the three Soul Devouring Nails.

Their speed was unparalleled, their trajectories unpredictable, and their presence hauntingly eerie.

Lee Cann watched Vice Sect Master Zhou, smug with the anticipation of victory, and the corners of his mouth began to lift in an enigmatic smile.

Four dash talismans adhered to his body in an instant.

The Dragon Emperor Genuine Qi surged to its full potential.

Suddenly, the talismans ignited into flames!

Lee Cann perceived the world around him decelerating dramatically, the three elusive soul-snatching nails now clearly visible.

He relinquished control over the Dragon Cry Sword.

Deprived of Lee Cann's Genuine Qi, the golden dragon began to falter under the Bloodthirsty Saber's dominance, signs of disintegration emerging.

Lee Cann advanced towards Vice Sect Master Zhou, deftly sidestepping the soul-snatching nails.

Behind him, the golden dragon fragmented, emitting a mournful cry before reverting to the Dragon Cry Sword and plummeting to the ground.

The Bloodthirsty Saber descended with a thunderous crash, its formidable presence toppling numerous structures.

Lee Cann paid no heed to the destruction.

The sensation of the world's time dilating due to his incredible velocity intrigued him.

He stood before Vice Sect Master Zhou, lifting his hand to deliver a palm strike to his chest.

Lee Cann witnessed the terror in Vice Sect Master Zhou's eyes, but escape was futile.

His body couldn't match the speed.

Boom!

The dash talismans exhausted their energy, and time's pace restored itself.

Vice Sect Master Zhou expelled a mouthful of blood and collapsed with a resounding thud, his face etched with bewilderment, his eyes devoid of spirit.

In that moment, his vitality was severed.

Silence enveloped the scene, save for the pleasing chime that resonated in Lee Cann's ears.

"Ding! You have slain the Deputy Sect Master of the Fiend Sect, a great sinner, earning 50,000 exchange points."

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving the gratitude of 6,342 wronged souls. With the system's aid, they shall transcend the cycle of rebirth. Congratulations to the host for securing a special reward of 250,000 exchange points."