Chapter 571 - 553: A Fit of Rage for a Beauty

Hu Jing stared intently at Chi Ying. "I have no interest in anything you’ve said. Power isn’t what I seek, and neither is survival. Perhaps something wonderful will happen if I die."

Hu Jing’s smile was so serene. Chi Ying faltered for a moment, surprised that her long speech had failed to sway the other woman in the slightest.

"Chi Ying, I’ll say it plainly: you will never take Burning Castle. Make your move!"

Chi Ying sighed. "Tu Gu, Tu Xin. I want her alive."

"Yes, Master!"

The Demonic Qi of Tu Gu and Tu Xin flared, surging skyward. Both were among the Ten Great Demon Generals. Even in a one-on-one fight, Hu Jing would have a hard time. With both of them attacking together, it was clear they were determined to capture her alive.

In the last two years, a new generation of masters had risen. After the likes of Wang Meng, Mingren, Lin Jinghao, Jii Wanli, and Linglong, the next in line were Zhang Xiaojiang, Bu Qingyun, Hu Jing, and their peers.

The Holy Hall Beings had grown with astonishing speed in the fight against the Demon Race. They seemed better suited to this brutal method of growth, whereas the disciples of some of the major Sects struggled to adapt to this kind of warfare.

The two Demon Generals shot into the sky, lunging for Hu Jing.

Tu Gu made the first move. He was the most hot-tempered of the two. A great Demon General had nearly had his ear bitten off by a small fry from the Holy Hall. If word of that got out, how could he maintain his reputation? He had to reclaim his honor.

Tu Xin stood guard to prevent Hu Jing from escaping, while Tu Gu’s bone whip lashed out.

Hu Jing unleashed a sky full of Talismans. In her hands, the Ice-Fire Combination Talismans were now incredibly domineering.

Tu Gu’s whip, suffused with Demonic Qi, swept through the air, setting off a series of explosions.

Amidst the violent exchange, Hu Jing didn’t try to flee. Chi Ying had yet to act. The Demon Race’s power came from their bloodline; though Chi Ying appeared delicate, she was undoubtedly the strongest. In today’s situation, her only option was to fight to the death and take as many down with her as she could.

’Unfortunately, Chi Ying is a terrifying Demon, and I have no way to suppress her.’

The Demon Race was studying the Star Alliance, and naturally, Hu Jing and the others had studied the Demon Race, especially the Five Great Demon Kings. The one with the greatest martial strength was Chi Huang, but the most frightening was definitely Chi Ying. She had even managed to suppress the Dragon Race, the strongest power in the Star Alliance.

The best weapon for killing was definitely not a blade.

’I just didn’t expect Chi Ying to come here.’ Hu Jing had never cared about life or death. The crucial reason she had Zhao Lingxuan escape was to tell Wang Meng that their opponent was Chi Ying.

With that message sent, what did Hu Jing have to fear from death?

The colossal Array of Heaven and Earth Against Demons materialized. Three hundred sixty-five Talismans blotted out the sky. Having reached the Great Perfection realm, Hu Jing could borrow the power of heaven and earth to maximize her own strength. Weaker Demons were instantly obliterated by the shockwave.

Chi Ying waved her hand, and the Demons all fell back, clearing a huge space. Only Chi Ying remained, along with the giant beasts carrying her palanquin, which were panting heavily but showed no fear of the Anti-Demon Array.

These were top-tier Demons from the Abyss—Guillotine Demons. Their bodies were like steel, impervious to any Elemental Power or Demonic Qi attacks. With violent tempers and terrifying strength, even other members of the Demon Race would give them a wide berth. They were the Small Thousand Realm’s equivalent of Divine Beasts. Yet, Chi Ying had managed to tame two of them, much to the envy of the other Demon Kings.

In the war against the Demon Race, Talisman Cultivators had also been adapting, modifying their Magic to better counter Demons. Hu Jing was undoubtedly the fastest to change.

Once the Anti-Demon Array was deployed, the Demonic Qi was suppressed, preventing it from eroding one’s Heart Spirit during battle. But Tu Gu was truly formidable. His Whip Shadow-Following Form was incredibly fast and ferocious, and the Ice-Fire Combination Talismans had little effect on him.

Here on Demon territory, the dense Demonic Qi bolstered the power of the Demon Race. Conversely, the power of heaven and earth that Hu Jing could borrow was suppressed by the same Demonic Qi.

Hu Jing’s attacks were mainly defensive. A prolonged battle was not to her advantage. She would only have one chance.

Hu Jing’s Dawn Goddess Holy Statue was accumulating power. Tu Gu attacked relentlessly, but Talisman Cultivators were the most troublesome of the Human Cultivators to deal with. The various obstructions and defenses prevented Tu Gu from landing a fatal blow despite his immense power.

However, Hu Jing also had to watch out for Tu Xin, who was waiting on the sidelines. He could strike at any moment. In fact, Tu Xin’s power was already at its peak, awaiting only Chi Ying’s command.

Chi Ying watched the battle in the sky quietly. "Sister, why put up such a futile resistance? Even if your Holy Statue is fully charged, do you really think you can kill us? If the Demon Race were that fragile, why would we have emerged at all?"

Chi Ying’s words were meant to break Hu Jing’s resolve, but Hu Jing was unaffected. Even if her plan was seen through, whether the Demon Race could block the Holy Statue’s power was a matter of their own ability.

"Sister, I, Chi Ying, swear on the Demon God, if you surrender to me, I will treat you like my own flesh and blood."

Hu Jing snorted. "Isn’t Chi Qing the one you want to kill the most?"

Chi Ying’s pupils contracted. "Sister, you truly have spurned my sincerity. Very well. Tu Xin, attack."

Tu Xin, who had long been ready, let out an earth-shattering roar. A black cloud materialized in front of Hu Jing, and a giant black claw descended upon her.

But at that exact moment, a Talisman suddenly exploded in Hu Jing’s hand, and her figure vanished into thin air.

In a flash, Hu Jing reappeared—right in front of Chi Ying.

Holy Statue Burst—the Goddess’s Punishment!

This was an attack Hu Jing made by burning all of her power. Not only was the Goddess burning, but Hu Jing herself was also burning.

This was mutual destruction!

Hu Jing knew she would never leave this place alive. If she was going to die, she would take someone with her. Fodder like a Demon General would just be replaced, but if she could kill—or even severely wound—Chi Ying, her death would be worth it!

’A spatial-shift Scroll plus the Holy Statue Kill... I have to try!’

They were inches apart. The power of the Annihilation Burst, fueled by Hu Jing’s burning life force, was several times stronger than usual. Against an opponent like Chi Ying, Hu Jing knew that her full power wasn’t enough. She had to bet her very life!

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE...

The world lost all color, swallowed by a white light. Hu Jing felt her body disappearing. It was finally her time to go.

Time seemed to rewind. Her, Wang Meng, and that Little Fatty who was always trying to sneak a peek at her... everything was so wonderful. She knew Zhang Xiaopang liked her, but she couldn’t accept him.

’If we hadn’t come to the Holy Hall, maybe the three of us would have lived a different life in the mortal world. What would that have been like?’

In truth, Yang Ying was never an obstacle. She was the one who understood Wang Meng best. His body was in the Small Thousand Realm, but his soul gazed toward a distant place, as if he could leave at any moment. He needed someone to accompany him quietly, not someone who would be a burden.

But she could no longer be the one to accompany him.

Her vision blurred, and her consciousness faded.

In the final moments of her life, she still didn’t say the words, but Hu Jing smiled. She had no regrets.

At that same moment, Zhang Xiaojiang was excitedly giving a speech after repelling another wave of returning Demons.

But suddenly, Zhang Xiaojiang froze as if turned to stone. His heart clenched, and the hair on his body stood on end, as if the most terrifying thing imaginable had just happened.

The surrounding Cultivators stared blankly at Zhang Xiaojiang, but he didn’t even look back as he charged into the Teleportation Array.

His expression was crazed.

’Heavens, if you fucking dare to let anything happen to Hu Jing, I’ll never be done with you!’

Zhang Xiaojiang was going insane.

「Snow Moon City.」

Wang Meng was stock-still. Zhao Lingxuan and the Nine Heavens Fire Simurgh had returned, bringing Hu Jing’s message: Chi Ying had arrived, and the Demon Race army was massing.

CRASH! The door shattered, and Zhang Xiaojiang burst in.

"Boss, where’s Jingjing? Is she back?!"

"Senior Brother, it was a trap set by Chi Ying! First Senior Sister saved us, but she... she..." Zhao Lingxuan looked like she could die.

Not long after, Fan Hong rushed in. "There was an Annihilation Burst at the outpost... only by burning one’s life force..."

The entire hall fell silent.

Zhang Xiaojiang’s expression was utterly savage. "Chi Ying, you and I cannot exist under the same sky!"

As he spoke, Zhang Xiaojiang tried to charge out, but everyone scrambled to hold him back. To go out now was simply suicide.

"Let me go! Damn it, whoever tries to stop me is no brother of mine!"

Zhang Xiaojiang roared.

Wang Meng was like a statue, as if this news were some kind of sick joke. Hu Jing’s presence had been like the air he breathed, and suddenly, that air was gone. Wang Meng felt like he was suffocating.

"Martial Uncle, my condolences. We will definitely avenge this, but you must remain calm," Xie Tianhua said.

Song Yifan and the others didn’t know what to say. At a time like this, anger couldn’t solve anything.

But the Holy Hall Beings present said nothing, their eyes all fixed on Wang Meng.

Wang Meng opened his eyes. No one had ever seen such an expression on his face. "From this moment on, Xie Tianhua, you are the supreme commander of Burning Castle!"

Xie Tianhua was startled. "Martial Uncle... I can’t."

No one could compare to Wang Meng. His authority at Burning Castle wasn’t built on the lingering glory of the battle at the Other Shore, but forged bit by bit over three years of fighting. The pride of the Holy Hall Disciples was not something just anyone could command.

But there was logic in Wang Meng’s decision. In a situation like this, only Xie Tianhua could remain level-headed.

"Boss, think this through!" Fan Hong didn’t know how to persuade him, but if Wang Meng acted rashly, it would be a disaster.

Wang Meng and Zhang Xiaojiang left. The three of them had come to the Cultivation Realm together, to live and die together.

Wang Meng had indeed matured a lot over the years, but deep down, he was still Wang Meng.

’In this life, one doesn’t seek immortality, but a spectacular existence. Hu Jing’s death must be avenged!’

Wang Meng and Zhang Xiaojiang left the city. He, Little Fatty, and Hu Jing had come together, so they would leave together. As for everything else, what did it matter at a time like this?

Outside the city, Wang Meng and Zhang Xiaojiang looked at each other. "We’ll kill until we’re dead!"

Hu Jing was dead. Zhang Xiaojiang’s world had collapsed. His only purpose in life was now revenge—to slaughter the Demon Race until he himself was dead!

The two brothers charged out. Both were at the Great Perfection realm. The power of heaven and earth poured into their Blast Bows, and Zhang Xiaojiang’s Blast Arrows filled the sky.

The pair charged toward the center of the encircling Demon army. Atop the walls of Snow Moon City, Xie Tianhua and the others could only watch helplessly. The calmest of them all had suddenly become the most reckless.

Xie Tianhua’s worst fear had come to pass. Just as the Shadow Demon King had said, the strongest link was also the weakest. The Holy Hall valued brotherhood too much. Once a sensitive point was touched, they could easily collapse.

Suo Ming, as well as Yang Ying and others who arrived later, could no longer hold back their emotions. But facing the vast Demon army outside, with unknown traps lying in wait, charging out now was clearly irrational.

’Rationality.’ Xie Tianhua’s mind was filled with it. ’But is rationality of any use right now?’

Suo Ming went down without a word. The Teleportation Array flashed continuously. The news that Wang Meng and Zhang Xiaojiang had charged out to fight quickly spread throughout the Holy Hall. Hu Jing’s death struck like a bolt from the blue, and countless Holy Hall Disciples began heading to Snow Moon City from all over.

Chi Ying’s thinking had been correct, but she had still underestimated the strength of the Holy Hall. There were some people you should never, ever provoke.

When they were irrational, they were far more terrifying than when they were rational.