Chapter 119: Temuqiu’s Strength

“Good, very good. You actually dared to cripple my grandson’s energy core. Do you think you can simply walk away?”

Under the bewildered gazes of the crowd, Tie Mu Qiu finished examining the energy core of Tie Mu Qing, who lay unconscious on the ground, covered in blood. After having his attendants carry the young man away, Tie Mu Qiu’s aged face darkened to an alarming degree. Terrifying waves of vital energy spread from his body.

“Good. Very good indeed. He is my grandson, yet you dared to shatter his energy core right before my eyes. You have destroyed his martial future. At such a young age, you already possess such a vicious heart.”

Tie Mu Qiu slowly raised his head, his face grim. His eyes, poisonous as a viper’s, fixed themselves upon Ye Cheng, who was about to leave the arena. His voice carried a faint trace of fury.

Tie Mu Qing was the greatest genius of the Tie Mu clan. In several decades, he would certainly become a powerhouse of the Ancient Core Realm, just as Tie Mu Qiu had, and his future cultivation might even surpass that of his grandfather. For this reason, Tie Mu Qing had always been the descendant Tie Mu Qiu valued most. The moment the young man returned alive from the army, Tie Mu Qiu had already chosen him in his heart as his successor—to take charge of the Blood Fiend Gang and lead it toward an even greater peak.

In short, Tie Mu Qing had always borne the weight of his grandfather’s highest hopes.

Yet Ye Cheng’s spear had now shattered Tie Mu Qing’s energy core outright, severing the martial path that might have led him into the Origin Realm, to say nothing of the Ancient Core Realm. Unless Tie Mu Qing could repair his energy core, he would likely remain at the peak of the Blood Qi Realm for the rest of his life, never advancing another step.

After all, the energy core was the vessel in which the human body stored vital energy. Once that vessel was broken, vital energy could scarcely remain within the body. Only some rare heavenly treasure might be capable of repairing a damaged core.

“I was merely fighting with all my strength. I never intended to destroy your grandson’s energy core. In a martial contest, injuries and death are difficult to predict. Since his energy core was shattered, how can you blame me? Besides, given the aggressive manner in which he attacked me just now, if I had not fought with everything I had, the one lying on the ground would probably be me. If you must blame someone, blame him for being inferior.”

Ye Cheng answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, completely unmoved by Tie Mu Qiu’s terrifying aura.

“Ha! Inferior?”

Tie Mu Qiu threw back his head and laughed several times. Then, without warning, he swept his palm through the air. A streak of vital energy, radiating a terrifying force, shot toward Ye Cheng with a roar. Even the surrounding space twisted beneath its power.

“Then I would like to see just how capable you really are, boy. Who knows where you came from?”

This child’s talent is far too frightening, Tie Mu Qiu thought. If I cannot make use of him, then I can only destroy him.

He secretly exerted seventy percent of his strength, intending to kill Ye Cheng. In his estimation, seventy percent of his power was enough to kill a peak Origin Realm expert, let alone a mere youngster who had not even reached the Origin Realm.

Tie Mu Qiu’s attack instantly drove Ye Cheng’s spirit, essence, and energy to full alert. Just as he was about to respond, a figure suddenly appeared before him.

With bare hands, the newcomer intercepted the streak of vital energy. His five fingers spread wide and blocked it head-on. Yet even so, the immense force changed the man’s expression and drove him several steps backward before he finally stabilized himself. His fingers then clenched, crushing the streak into glittering points of light that scattered into the air.

The person who had appeared so suddenly was Nangong Hao, who had been watching from the side. The instant Ye Cheng’s spear shattered Tie Mu Qing’s energy core, he had realized that the situation was turning dangerous. With Tie Mu Qiu’s notorious tendency to protect his own, there was no way the old man would let Ye Cheng go so easily.

Tie Mu Qiu’s strength has advanced this much? Even I nearly failed to block that attack. And from the look of him, he was still holding something back. Could he have broken through to the Greater Ancient Core Realm?

Nangong Hao suppressed the shock stirred by this suspicion. Facing Tie Mu Qiu, he spoke calmly:

“Gang Leader Tie, with your current cultivation, it is hardly honorable to attack a junior. The contest has already ended, and your grandson’s injuries were sustained within the rules. Young Master Ye did not violate them. I suggest we let this matter end here. What do you say?”

Nangong Hao was wary of his opponent’s strength and deliberately offered a concession, unwilling to provoke further trouble. If Nangong Xiong had been present, his cultivation at the Greater Ancient Core Realm would have left him unafraid of Tie Mu Qiu.

“Old Tie Mu, have you no shame? Attacking a junior—aren’t you embarrassed?”

Xie Cang spoke in his usual blunt manner. He had never been one to keep his thoughts hidden, and he always acted according to his nature. Although he had clearly been at a disadvantage during Nangong Hao’s earlier exchange with Tie Mu Qiu, and had noticed it himself, that did nothing to stop him from saying what he wished.

“Old Xie!”

Nangong Hao hurriedly shouted, cutting him off.

Xie Cang snorted, turned his face away, and said nothing more.

Tie Mu Qiu looked at Nangong Hao and gave a cold laugh.

“Since Steward Nangong has put it that way, I, Tie Mu Qiu, am not an unreasonable man. However, this boy has ruined my grandson’s martial future. I can spare his life—but only on the condition that he destroy his own energy core.”

“Let the boy destroy his own energy core.”

Tie Mu Qiu’s words rang throughout the entire martial arena, provoking a wave of uproar among the watching crowd below.

“That Tie Mu Qiu is truly vicious. Making a martial artist destroy his own energy core—isn’t that the same as forcing him to commit suicide?” one martial artist murmured, not daring to speak loudly for fear of being implicated.

“Exactly. Once the energy core is shattered, the martial path is forcibly severed. One can spend the rest of one’s life trapped within the Blood Qi Realm. Further advancement becomes impossible.”

Nangong Hao and the others wore equally grim expressions.

“Gang Leader Tie, your demand is excessive. Brother Ye is a distinguished guest whom our Nangong family invited. How can we allow you to do with him as you please?”

“Damn you, old Tie Mu! Do not assume that our Nangong family fears you. If you dare lay a finger on Brother Ye, I will fight you to the death!”

Xie Cang could no longer restrain himself and cursed openly.

Ye Cheng was also furious upon hearing Tie Mu Qiu’s demand. So the old bastard was determined to cripple his cultivation.

He shot Tie Mu Qiu a cold glance, then leaped through the air and landed beside Nangong Hao. A powerhouse of the Ancient Core Realm was still beyond his ability to handle. If Tie Mu Qiu struck him casually, Ye Cheng might well escape with his life—but only after paying a grievous price.

Ye Cheng was not arrogant. At present, the only way to ensure his safety was to stand with the Nangong family.

When Tie Mu Qiu saw him land beside Nangong Hao, a trace of disdain appeared in the corner of his eye. He stared coldly at Ye Cheng and smiled.

“Boy, do you think you will be safe simply because you are standing there? I might as well tell you now: when I, Tie Mu Qiu, decide to do something, even Nangong Xiong could only offer a little resistance. As for Steward Nangong, I am afraid he cannot protect you.”

Chapter ID: 11228966

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Author’s note

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