Chapter 9: The Soaring Manifestation Progress and the Mittel Family

Countless emerald fire butterflies filled the sky, making Jia Xingtian’s scalp tingle. He could sense the terrifying energy contained within each butterfly’s body—not to mention their overwhelming numbers.

“This is the ‘Netherworld Bone-Eroding Butterfly.’ Although it’s only at ten percent power, it’s more than enough for you,” Su Yun said.

A faint, almost imperceptible sweat appeared on Su Yun’s face but was quickly evaporated by his Dou Qi.

Of course, there was no such thing as the ‘Netherworld Bone-Eroding Butterfly’; it was entirely a Dou Technique he had imagined.

The immense spectacle was created solely by squeezing the power from the Netherworld Poison Fire and spending half his Dou Qi—purely a matter of stacking numbers without any intricate mechanism.

Perhaps its power did not surpass that of a true Earth-Rank Dou Technique, but its special effects were maximized.

“Sir...” Jia Xingtian’s voice trembled.

“If you can survive this attack, I will relinquish this Imperial Capital,” Su Yun said calmly.

“Fine!” Jia Xingtian gritted his teeth, gathering all his remaining Dou Qi, restoring his imposing aura.

“Xuan Rock Heavy Armor!”

A layer of hard rocky armor appeared on his body, covering him completely, impenetrable and solid as a mountain, unmoving from all directions.

“Come!”

“Go!”

Su Yun’s expression grew icy as countless emerald fire butterflies, like moths drawn to flame, crashed toward Jia Xingtian.

“Boom! Boom! Boom—!”

Continuous explosions suddenly rang out. At first, Jia Xingtian’s Xuan Rock armor barely withstood the blasts, but as time passed, it quickly grew overwhelmed.

“Crack!”

One butterfly exploded a breach in the rocky armor. Sensing danger, Jia Xingtian raised his Dou Qi to repair it, but more butterflies relentlessly surged forward, enlarging the breach until the entire armor shattered.

“Ah!”

With a mournful scream, Jia Xingtian was engulfed by the swarm of fire butterflies.

“Great-grandfather!”

Yaoye’s expression was filled with sorrow.

The sky was painted pale green by the sea of flames, and the people of the Imperial Capital watched anxiously for the final outcome.

“Cough… cough cough…”

Jia Xingtian was covered in blood, his once luxurious robe torn to shreds. His earth-colored Dou Qi wings flickered weakly behind him—he had very little Dou Qi left to fly.

“I... am not dead yet!”

Blood dribbled from the corner of Jia Xingtian’s mouth, staining his graying beard red. He shakily raised his scarred hand but then dropped it powerless.

“His demeanor is commendable, but his strength is lacking. Forget it. Your offense against my sect is hereby forgiven,” Su Yun said, waving his hand dismissively.

“Thank you, sir... for your mercy...” A smile finally appeared on Jia Xingtian’s face, as if these words drained his last ounce of strength. His body tumbled uncontrollably downward.

“Swish!”

“Old monster!”

Fama spread his Dou Qi wings and soared up, catching Jia Xingtian.

“Oh, another Dou Huang-level expert,” Su Yun said, lifting his gaze. His purple-gray pupils showed no emotion as the Netherworld Poison Fire danced in his palm.

A chill rose from Fama’s tailbone upward, freezing him to the bone.

Su Yun turned his eyes away, and only then did Fama dare to retreat into the Alchemist Guild with Jia Xingtian, rushing to treat his wounds.

Yun Yun’s palm was icy as she sighed, “Such a terrifying assault at just ten percent power... How formidable must his cultivation and Dou Techniques truly be?”

Yun Yun prided herself that although the Yunlan Sect had declined, its heritage was still among the best in the northwest continent. But compared to this man, the difference was vast.

The people of the Imperial Capital shared Yun Yun’s curiosity and suspicion, exactly the reaction Su Yun desired.

[Notification!]

[Your deception has convinced Jia Xingtian, Fama, Yun Yun, and the citizens of the Imperial Capital to believe it true. Your falsification has been recognized, earning 10,000 Reality Points.]

[Remaining Reality Points: 110,704]

[‘Netherworld Poison Codex’ materializing: 10% complete...]

[‘Jade Miasma Phantom Sword’ materializing: 15% complete...]

[‘Poisonous Nine Heavenly Steel’ materializing: 15% complete...]

[‘Netherworld Bone-Eroding Butterfly’ materializing: 30% complete...]

The rapid progress lifted Su Yun’s spirits. His elaborate scheme had been well worth it—a grand performance in the Imperial Capital.

At this moment, the major powers of the city were uneasy. Rarely seen, the three great families’ Dou Wang-level experts gathered together.

Nalan Jie worried aloud, “Elder Jia is gravely injured and unconscious. What will the white-clad Dou Huang do next? Will he leave the Imperial Capital, or...?”

Mu Chen said, “That white-robed Dou Huang said he would forget the matter. He probably won’t stay long.”

Miter Tengshan’s eyes flickered. “If he remains in the city, it might actually be a good thing for us.”

“...”

Every move Su Yun made tugged at the city’s collective heart.

Yet Su Yun was unaware of this. He moved silently and swiftly to stand before Yun Yun.

“That old man is from the royal family of the Kama Empire. And you—who are you? Are you here to oppose our sect?” Su Yun asked with a faintly questioning expression.

Yun Yun was startled. She had not sensed Su Yun’s approach at all. By the time she realized it, he was right in front of her!

Suppressing her shock, she said, “You misunderstand. I am Yun Yun, head of the Yunlan Sect. I came merely to witness the ceremony!”

“You are the head of the Yunlan Sect?” Su Yun’s interest was piqued. “A thousand years ago, my sect once witnessed the founding ceremony of the Yunlan Sect. I have never forgotten the presence of the Venerated Cloud Breaker that day.

“Now, everything has changed. Across the northwest continent, perhaps only the Yunlan Sect remains a force my sect is familiar with.

“I am a man without a home. Might the Yunlan Sect shelter this lonely old man for a time?”

Yun Yun smiled wryly. “You jest. Looking across the Kama Empire, how many forces would refuse such a request?”

“Very well, I shall not force the matter.”

Yun Yun’s tension eased. “The Yunlan Sect welcomes you anytime—but the sect is currently facing some difficulties, so it is inconvenient at the moment.”

She spoke a clumsy lie, and Su Yun did not expose it. His purpose here was fulfilled; the conversation with Yun Yun was merely on a whim.

Su Yun returned to the head of the Amethyst Winged Lion King and sat cross-legged.

“Master, where shall we go now?”

“Land and stay here in the Imperial Capital. I do not covet this city, but I do need to remain here for a while.”

As for what Jia Xingtian, Yun Yun, and the others thought, that was no concern of Su Yun’s.

“Understood.”

The Amethyst Winged Lion King descended outside the city walls. It was too large to enter the city itself.

“Let’s go.”

Su Yun asked Little Medic Fairy to carry the small Amethyst Winged Lion into the city.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King dared not protest. It was unrealistic to expect Su Yun to trust it completely at this moment.

The Imperial Capital was bustling, the streets crowded and noisy. Along the broad main road paved with bluestone stood a variety of vendors.

Little Medic Fairy was like a girl entering a great city for the first time, fascinated by everything.

Su Yun was much the same, though he wore a calm expression.

The two were strolling peacefully when a middle-aged man blocked their path.

“Respected Dou Huang, greetings.”

Su Yun lifted his gaze slightly, scanning the man. An invisible pressure settled on the middle-aged man’s heart.

“Name.”

“I am Miter Tengshan.”