Chapter Twenty-Three: Killing Elder Zhang

"Boss, I've already assigned your tent," Xu Meng said as he stepped inside while Chu Jie and Duan Kun were talking. Realizing he was interrupting, Xu Meng blushed, shifting awkwardly. "Sorry... I didn’t know you were discussing something important."

Chu Jie smiled. "I really don’t get how you ended up with a name like Xu Meng. You act more like a girl, all shy and delicate."

Xu Meng flushed even deeper. "I’m not a girl!"

"Haha! This kid is quite amusing," Duan Kun laughed heartily.

Chu Jie patted Xu Meng's shoulder and walked out of the tent. Xu Meng had already arranged the tents and, in that short span, had mapped out several distinct areas.

Chu Jie glanced at Xu Meng in surprise. "I didn’t expect you to be so capable."

Xu Meng straightened his thin frame, basking in the praise. "Of course."

"Don’t let a little compliment get to your head. From now on, you’re in charge of logistics," Chu Jie said.

Duan Kun nodded in agreement. "Exactly. All logistics, even distribution of spirit herbs, you manage it."

Xu Meng was a bit taken aback. "Really?"

Chu Jie ruffled his hair. "Of course!"

Duan Kun looked at Xu Meng with satisfaction, then gathered the crew and moved aside. The elder from the Luo family would arrive soon; one misstep could mean annihilation.

Chu Jie instructed Xu Meng to organize the brothers and then fetched a map of the Spirit Cloud District. There had originally been seven bosses, each ruling a territory. Fortunately, Zhang Shen’s area was the most remote, with only two roads leading to the main camp.

Both paths were secluded, perfect for an ambush.

Chu Jie had never fought a fifth-tier Spirit Convergence cultivator and couldn’t gauge his odds. However, if Elder Zhang came alone, he and Duan Kun together had an eighty percent chance to kill him.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Elder Zhang had yet to arrive, but Chu Jie could sense the Luo family’s search intensifying. Even Duan Kun was summoned once by the outer city guards and ordered to investigate Chu Jie.

For some reason, the entire Spirit Cloud District had been unusually quiet these three days. But this calm felt too absolute, like the oppressive hush before a storm—so stifling it was suffocating.

The looming threat made the brothers feel as if thorns pricked their backs, and they trained desperately day and night.

Xu Meng, meanwhile, impressed Chu Jie further. Like an impeccable steward, he managed everything with order and even drafted several regulations—peculiar rules that everyone followed.

When Chu Jie asked Xu Meng the reason, he simply replied, "Clear rewards and punishments."

That struck right at the heart of it. Why was the Dark City so dark? Because it lacked absolute order; without order, chaos reigned.

Lost in thought, Chu Jie was interrupted by Xu Meng rushing into the tent. "Something’s happening up ahead!"

Chu Jie sprang to his feet. "Alright, keep the brothers steady. I’ll go."

He grabbed his longsword and burst out, a streak of light. His aura surged, spirit energy erupting around him, his momentum mounting with each stride. His long hair streamed in the wind—he looked like some ancient, malevolent deity gazing down on the world.

This battle could only be won, not lost, so Chu Jie unleashed every ounce of his strength. The "Reincarnation Scroll" within his dantian spun furiously, streams of energy swirling over his skin, every step covering dozens of meters.

In a matter of seconds, Chu Jie had pushed his aura to its absolute peak.

A hundred meters ahead, Duan Kun was already locked in combat with Elder Zhang. Waves of spiritual energy radiated outward, Duan Kun wielding a broad sword, sweeping forward with wild, dragon-like blows.

Streams of energy exploded between them, sword force ripping through the ground, gouging deep trenches.

Chu Jie, furious, charged forward, appearing like a miniature sun.

His sword flashed out, dazzling and relentless.

His eyes shone with a fierce light, his aura reaching its zenith.

He struck—no turning back.

Blood or nothing.

That blow unleashed all the spirit energy in his body, sword radiance slicing through the void, its ringing nearly splitting ears.

Like a meteor, his sword hurtled for Elder Zhang’s neck.

Elder Zhang, a fifth-tier Spirit Convergence master, was encircled by a faint aura. He moved with wild, dragon-like power, loose robes billowing, eyes shining with authority. With a sweep of his hands, waves of spiritual energy crashed forth.

Sensing Chu Jie’s sword coming from behind, Elder Zhang slammed a palm into Duan Kun’s chest, spiritual energy coalescing into armor around him.

Clang!

Sword radiance clashed with spirit armor. Chu Jie’s sword shattered, fragments spraying everywhere, the blade grazing Elder Zhang’s face and leaving a bloody groove.

Elder Zhang’s eyes narrowed in fury, his white hair flaring with spirit energy.

His voice was cold as ice. "Who are you? Why do you block my way?"

"The one who wants your life!" Chu Jie shouted.

Discarding his broken sword, Chu Jie’s palm glowed with fierce brilliance. "Great Sun Heavenly Flame Fist!"

This technique, drawn from the "Reincarnation Scroll" within him, was especially violent and dominant in Chu Jie’s hands.

His aura twisted madly as he crashed toward Elder Zhang’s chest.

"Interesting," Elder Zhang nodded, unleashing a dragon from his palm. The dragon distorted the nearby energy, roaring toward Chu Jie.

Chu Jie licked his lips, his essence and spirit aligning, spiritual energy flooding into him. He struck again, a powerful burst of energy.

Boom!

Chu Jie’s iron fist met Elder Zhang’s spiritual dragon. Chu Jie staggered back two steps; Elder Zhang retreated one.

"You old bastard! Die!" Duan Kun charged in from behind, his broad sword glowing, sword force crashing down like a rainbow.

Chu Jie timed it perfectly, punching at Elder Zhang again.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Duan Kun’s sword energy poured over Elder Zhang like a waterfall, detonating wildly.

Elder Zhang flickered back, dodging Chu Jie’s blow.

His eyes were icy. "Who are you? Aren’t you afraid of angering my Luo family?"

Chu Jie’s voice was cold as death. "The one who will kill you!"

"Heh, I wonder if you really have the ability," Elder Zhang sneered, eyes narrowed.

He waved his palm, summoning a giant tiger that lunged at Chu Jie.

"Tiger Devours the World!" Elder Zhang roared, the tiger pounced.

Chu Jie’s eyes sharpened. He knew this was a lethal technique and retreated a step.

Spirit energy in his dantian compressed into his fist, his gaze blazing. The Qiankun Treasure Wheel enveloped his hand, and he struck forward.

Boom!

A muffled crash rang through the heavens. Chu Jie’s fist landed squarely on the tiger’s massive head.

Crack! Crack!

Like fine glass, the tiger shattered outward.

Chu Jie’s sleeve ripped apart, cloth flying like willow fluff. He staggered back, spitting several mouthfuls of blood.

Duan Kun nearby was also torn, coughing up blood.

"Just you two? Overestimating yourselves," Elder Zhang said viciously.

"Can you hold him for a few breaths?" Chu Jie shouted to Duan Kun.

Duan Kun nodded, his aura exploding outward, waves of energy unfurling like blood-red vines.

His crimson hair lifted, his eyes blazing.

"Dominator’s Heaven and Earth!"

Buzz! Buzz!

It was like a tremor from the soul. Blood-red sigils unfurled around Duan Kun, finally cocooning Elder Zhang.

Elder Zhang’s expression chilled. "Do you really think this can kill me? Such naivety!"

"I can only hold for five breaths!" Duan Kun spat blood, his voice desperate.

Bang!

On the first breath, streams of light on Elder Zhang’s body shattered halfway.

Every tier of Spirit Convergence doubled power; the fifth tier was still barely within reach for Duan Kun and Chu Jie.

Chu Jie roared, his aura surging, extending his hand—a beam of light burst forth!

Qiankun Treasure Wheel!

Bang!

The treasure wheel trembled. Four thumb-sized swords on its surface flashed out!

In a blink, they pierced Elder Zhang’s body.

"Qiankun Treasure Wheel... You are... Chu Jie!" Elder Zhang spat blood.

"Hmph! Knowing won’t save you," Chu Jie’s mind moved, and the treasure wheel sliced off Elder Zhang’s head.

The wheel spun back to Chu Jie, transforming into a steel gauntlet on his hand. Having used the four swords, Chu Jie felt drained.

"Elder Zhang! Elder Zhang... is dead!!..." At the end of the road, a servant appeared, saw Chu Jie slay Elder Zhang, and fled in panic.