Chapter Sixty-Three: Kill You!

The power of the Nether Soul surged forth like a flood bursting through a dam, erupting from the sea of consciousness. It was as if ten thousand horses galloped and roared, making Jiang Feng’s entire body emit a terrifying, forceful cry.

Ordinarily, upon reaching this intensity, Jiang Feng would cease the use of his Nether Soul power. After all, the surging vitality within his body had been forcibly suppressed by this force. Yet his chest, his mind, indeed his whole being, were consumed by an inexplicable blaze of fury. To him, Fang Lingtai appeared as nothing but a grotesque demon, and the urge to kill him swelled endlessly within Jiang Feng’s heart.

“What… what kind of power is this?” Fang Lingtai demanded.

Having been nurtured by the Fang family for years, Fang Lingtai’s experience and courage far surpassed those of ordinary youths. In but a moment, he swept away the agitation and terror in his heart. Suddenly, he recalled Uncle Yichen’s Jiangshan Vase. According to the elders, the Jiangshan Vase not only enabled Fang family practitioners of Nether power to wield the grand Nether technique, Forest of Myriad Phenomena, but concealed a far more tantalizing secret—the Diagram of Eight Swords.

It was said that within the Jiangshan Vase resided a razor-sharp sword formation, flawless in its design. Once unleashed, this formation would wreak havoc, and its presence elevated the value of the vase immeasurably.

Could it be that Jiang Feng’s power stems from this sword formation?

“Jiang Feng, I advise you not to recklessly wield the power of the Jiangshan Vase! Beware, lest you suffer a disastrous backlash!” Fang Lingtai threatened, his gaze flickering with greed. “The Jiangshan Vase is the Fang family’s treasured heirloom. For you to seize it by force, then use it before me, is the height of arrogance!”

His attention never wavered from the Jiangshan Vase, that exquisite jade vessel so coveted. With his cultivation, he believed that with proper sacrifice and training, he could unlock the Diagram of Eight Swords. Then, even those among the Fang family who had reached the true Nether realm would not be his equals.

Jiang Feng, initially consumed by wrath, was startled by this threat. In that instant, he realized that this foolish man still believed his Nether Soul force to be the power of the Jiangshan Vase.

Seeing Fang Lingtai’s nervous expression, Jiang Feng’s heart soared with delight. He muttered to himself, “Indeed, this Jiangshan Vase is a formidable Nether artifact. Yet now it is in my hands, and the Fang family will never let me keep it to myself. Hmph, he accuses me of seizing it by force—yet when Yichen took away the Blood Fiend Fruit from me, he showed no shame at all.”

Jiang Feng had long heard of the Fang family’s ways. Fang Lingtai’s behavior was pure sophistry; if this matter spread among the Four Great Families and their elders gave it a little push, it would be all too easy to wrest the treasure away. When it comes to cultivation, how could they let such an item slip through their fingers?

This was the advantage of noble clans: for a single artifact, once they established their claim, they could bicker endlessly. If it were the carefree wanderers or those of the demonic path, whoever possessed the superior Nether technique would simply kill and take the treasure—mutual slaughter was commonplace.

But Fang Lingtai’s attitude only emboldened Jiang Feng further. It was preferable for him to be accused of coveting the Jiangshan Vase than for his Nether Soul power to be recognized.

After Fang Lingtai’s words, Jiang Feng’s rage suddenly abated. He spoke coldly: “Hmph, I understand. Even if that old man Fang Yichen were to confront me, I’d gain no justice. Yet I never expected your Fang family to be a nest of snakes and rats, every one shameless and unreasonable, twisting truth and falsehood. With your meager talent, no matter how strong your Nether power, you’re nothing but a lowly ant. Do you believe that if I strike you with this power, even if your body were forged from gold and water, you could die a thousand deaths?”

“You… how dare you!” Fang Lingtai, stunned by Jiang Feng’s tirade, flushed with anger, abandoning all pretense of refinement. He cursed, “Jiang Feng, do you think that a little Nether power gives you leave to act with impunity? You’re far too lawless! I’ve heard you’re an arrogant good-for-nothing, and now I see it’s true. You’re naive beyond belief. I tell you, today, this Jiangshan Vase will be handed over—willing or not!”

“The Fang family, hmph! You drove the Wang family branch out of Wang Village, and now you dare provoke the Jiang family, claiming the moral high ground. Truly, you invert right and wrong. I’ve no patience for you—first I’ll seal your Nether power, then I’ll plunder everything here and distribute it to the villagers, and lastly, drag you back to the Jiang family!”

Jiang Feng was truly enraged—utterly consumed by fury.

In the midst of his words, Jiang Feng’s Nether Soul power began to operate fully. He summoned it instantly, not even pausing to breathe, and bellowed out eight bold words. In a flash, eight Sound-Killing Dragons appeared, each over fifty yards long—the most formidable manifestation of the Eight Dragon Sound-Kill he had ever produced. Their aura was fierce and unyielding, their power immense, roaring like a rainbow piercing the sun.

Fang Lingtai, though his Nether power had reached the sixth level of the Phantom Nether realm, specialized in life-force killing techniques—gentle and weak, utterly outmatched by Jiang Feng’s Eight Dragon Sound-Kill. Now, with Jiang Feng infusing the dragons with his Nether Soul power, he was poised to overwhelm Fang Lingtai, leaving him worse than dead.

The eight-tailed Sound-Killing Dragons howled forth, their breath arrogant and wild, crashing against Fang Lingtai’s protective Nether force. Then, entwining their bodies, they formed a colossal spiral spike, twisting violently, united in purpose and voice.

Witnessing this, Fang Lingtai was terrified. Yet he knew he could not afford to lose—he had already escalated matters, and defeat would disgrace the entire Fang family, possibly inciting the other three clans to unite against them.

The Jiang family and Liu family were allies, and now Jiang Feng, in defense of the Wang family, had antagonized the Fang family. The likelihood of these three clans forming an alliance was high.

With this realization, Fang Lingtai regretted his actions, but there was no turning back. He grit his teeth and pressed on, drawing from his bosom his Nether artifact—a sight that made Jiang Feng’s eyes gleam. It was a sword shrouded in mist, its blade adorned with intricate, beautiful patterns, seemingly a formation.

Having activated his Nether Soul power, Jiang Feng’s strength and insight far surpassed his cultivation. With a glance, he discerned that the sword was imbued with boundless vitality, elevating it to the ranks of the finest dark-colored treasures.

Was this not the peerless sword from the Jiangshan Vase’s sword formation?

For the first time, Jiang Feng’s eyes showed a glint of greed.

“Tsunami Fivefold!” Fang Lingtai’s gaze was icy. He saw Jiang Feng’s covetous stare at his Wave-Rushing Sword and spoke four words as if to remind Jiang Feng that the sword was his, and could never be taken.

Boom!

From nowhere, waves erupted, shattering the house to pieces. The tsunami swept forth, engulfing the eight-tailed Sound-Killing Dragons and shaking Jiang Feng’s mighty Nether technique.

Thunderous tactics established dominance.

But to expect fear from Jiang Feng was futile—his heart remained calm, without a trace of dread. Fang Lingtai lacked anything to inspire terror in him.

The Nether Soul power contracted, then surged forth again—but this time, it did not strike directly at Fang Lingtai, but at the fivefold tsunami rushing toward him.

“You wish to rescue your eight adorable little dragons? Too bad. My Tsunami Fivefold is an immensely powerful Nether technique. You’re far too weak to contend,” Fang Lingtai sneered, sword energy spraying forth. Supported by his Nether power, the waves transformed into swirling dragons and snakes, confronting Jiang Feng’s force. “In the end, you’ll never shake off the Jiang family’s reputation for uselessness. What a pity, ha ha!”

“Die!” Jiang Feng had been waiting for this moment. In a flash, he shattered the water serpents with Nether Soul power, gathered them, plunged into the waves, and entered the bodies of the eight-tailed Sound-Killing Dragons. In an instant, the dragons roared like erupting volcanoes, burst forth from the tsunami, and transformed again into the spiral spike, piercing straight through Fang Lingtai’s body!

“No!” Fang Lingtai, the most promising young master of the Fang family, screamed in despair. His body shattered abruptly—a spiral spike emerged from his back, tearing him apart, flesh and bone reduced to mud.

Killed in a single blow!

By this time, the thunderous noise had drawn everyone to the scene. As they arrived, they gasped in unison. The house was utterly destroyed, leaving only a young man standing proudly before heaven and earth—Jiang Feng.

All around, the ground was littered with treasures and money, spilled from Fang Lingtai’s exploded body.

Seeing so many treasures, Jiang Feng felt a chill, but steeled himself. Having killed Fang Lingtai, and with his past grievances against Fang Yichen, he was now at odds with the entire Fang family. Hatred intertwined, making reconciliation impossible.

All these treasures would be distributed among the villagers—a good deed for the people of Wang Village.

“Big brother!” From the crowd, a man rushed forward, his face flushed with blood, staring helplessly at the scattered remnants of Fang Lingtai’s clothing. He was Fang Wei, the third son of the Fang family. With only a fifth-level Nether practitioner’s strength, he could not break through Jiang Feng’s barrier.

Clutching his gaze on Jiang Feng, Fang Wei spat blood and collapsed unconscious.

Jiang Feng surveyed the Fang family’s servants and kin. Suddenly, his heart softened. He no longer wished to kill—though he might become a thorn in their flesh, he did not want to slaughter them now. Pausing, he raised his voice: “If you seek vengeance, come for me anytime. But do not target the Jiang family. Anyone who disobeys will die!”

His words thundered, and all were struck with terror!