169. The Blood-Red Angel (Second update, seeking subscriptions)

Chen Fengyun's divine consciousness had transformed into a physical avatar, sitting cross-legged within his Niwan Palace. Beneath it rested a lotus formed from spiritual energy, while nine sources of spiritual energy surged endlessly around it, continuously replenishing spiritual power.

At this moment, the divine avatar was examining an object. It was something that had fallen from the Ghost King of Yanluo after its death—the red magical artifact that had previously pierced straight into its brain.

Only after destroying the Ghost King of Yanluo did Chen Fengyun realize that this was a red, petite arrow merely a few inches long. It was far from an ordinary magical artifact; rather, it was a spirit tool, and a remarkably rare spiritual-type spirit tool at that, designed specifically to assault divine consciousness.

Although Chen Fengyun did not yet know its name, the moment he refined this spirit tool, it automatically flew into his Niwan Palace and settled into the hands of his divine consciousness avatar. With the avatar controlling it, the weapon's might would become even greater and more terrifying.

Simultaneously, Chen Fengyun discovered on his Cultivation System interface that this spirit tool was called the God-Slaying Arrow. True to its name and function, it was a spirit tool dedicated to attacking divine consciousness, and its grade had reached the peak of the Mysterious Tier.

Hitherto, although Chen Fengyun possessed the Flying Sword and the Dark Yin Mirror, he had always felt that his offensive magical artifacts were too few. Now, having obtained the God-Slaying Arrow, his future offensive power would increase dramatically, and his means of combat would become much more versatile.

After helping out for some twenty days, Chen Fengyun asked for leave just before Christmas and returned to school. He had already agreed to spend Christmas with Ma Dangdang, and with New Year's Day approaching fast, they needed to discuss their next course of action.

Yet, on the very eve of Christmas, a group of Western powerhouses arrived aggressively in China's Northeast. The two leading figures made no effort to conceal their auras; astonishingly, they were both peak Grandmasters.

However, the Northeast of China was also home to numerous formidable cultivators. The Exorcist Dragon Clan's Ma family alone boasted two Grandmasters: Ma Dangdang's aunt, Marina Ma, who was an junior Grandmaster, and Ma Dangdang's other aunt, Ma Xiaoling, who was a peak Grandmaster.

Furthermore, the Northern School also had a junior Grandmaster named Wan Huafeng, the father of Wan Jianlin. In addition, there were two martial arts Grandmasters from the Northern School, alongside five or six more martial arts Grandmasters from various other sects and factions.

Before the Western powerhouses had even crossed into China, Ma Xiaoling of the Ma family sensed their auras. She immediately notified the martial arts factions and families throughout the Northeast while simultaneously broadcasting the alert to the entire Chinese martial arts world.

"This old man, Wu Xie, is currently touring Dalian and can lend a hand." To everyone's surprise, the very first to respond was the Southern School's Thirteenth Uncle, and his strength had already recovered to that of a martial arts Grandmaster.

Although the Southern and Northern Schools had historically been somewhat like fire and water, in the eyes of these powerhouses, those petty conflicts were trivial. Upholding the dignity of the Chinese nation was paramount.

At the same time, more than a dozen martial arts Grandmasters stationed relatively close to the Northeast responded one after another and rushed over. Although the Northeast lacked two peak martial arts Grandmasters on its own side, it now possessed four martial arts Grandmasters in total. Coupled with numerous ordinary martial arts Grandmasters, this combined strength far surpassed that of any single Western nation.

"My aunt just called to say that a group of Western martial arts powerhouses has brazenly forced their way into China's Northeast with an extremely arrogant attitude. Among them are two peak martial arts Grandmasters. Although the Southern School's Thirteenth Uncle has rushed over to help, we are still at a disadvantage when it comes to peak-tier powerhouses."

As the two of them strolled down the shopping street, Ma Dangdang suddenly received a phone call from her aunt. Only members of the Ma family knew her true strength, though even they believed her to be merely a peak martial arts Grandmaster, remaining entirely unaware that she was already an Innate Martial Sage.

"Do you know which faction they belong to? To dare intrude into Chinese territory—they certainly are acting too arrogant. But why would the Southern School's Thirteenth Uncle go over there? Aren't your Southern and Northern Schools at odds with each other?" Chen Fengyun asked with some curiosity.

"I heard that Thirteenth Uncle was vacationing in Dalian. Upon receiving the news, he took the initiative to contact my aunt; they are people of the same generation. As for the invaders, they might be connected to you. It seems they are powerhouses from the Western Angels Mercenary Corps and the Crimson Assassins Guild. Do you think they could be here because of Angelic Mercenary Gregory and Dark Blood Assassin Wilson, who died in the Changbai Underground Palace?" Ma Dangdang suggested.

"It is entirely possible. In that case, let's make a trip there as well. Otherwise, I'm afraid Chinese cultivators might suffer losses," Chen Fengyun said instantly.

"Alright then, carry me with you while you fly. Your speed is much faster," Ma Dangdang said with a sweet smile. In truth, the speed of her magical treasure, the Phoenix Hairpin, was not slow at all; she simply relished the feeling of flying on a sword together with Chen Fengyun.

"Very well."

Chen Fengyun found a deserted spot and summoned his flying sword. In an instant, it expanded to two meters in length and one meter in width, steady enough for two people to stand upon. Even so, he wrapped an arm around Ma Dangdang's waist while she linked her arm through his, their bodies pressed closely together. Moments later, they soared straight up into the azure sky.

While they were speeding like lightning toward the Northeast on their flying sword, seven or eight Western powerhouses with blond hair, blue eyes, and hooked noses menacingly entered China's Northeast, marching directly toward the group of Chinese powerhouses who were likewise making no effort to conceal their auras.

"Lord Nirom, why don't we go on a killing spree today and eliminate all these Chinese powerhouses?" However, the Chinese cultivators were unaware that the true leader of this group was not either of the two peak martial arts Grandmasters flying in front, but rather a lean, short-statured elderly man walking in the center.

"Play it by ear. If no Chinese Martial Sage powerhouses show up, then proceed as you discussed. If there is a Chinese Martial Sage lurking in the shadows, I will notify you. Maintain a bit of restraint with your attitudes."

The aura emanating from Nirom was exceptionally faint, making him feel like an ordinary martial arts Grandmaster. Ordinary people had no way of knowing that he was actually an Innate Martial Sage powerhouse from the West who had enjoyed renown for over a century.

"Dragu, Wilson from your Crimson Assassins Guild is dead as well. This time, we must make the Chinese pay the price," a blond-haired man said to the brown-haired man beside him.

"That goes without saying. Clive, Gregory the Angelic Mercenary from your Angels Mercenary Corps also died in China. Should we demand that they hand over the culprit?" Dragu asked, nodding.

"At present, we only know they died in an underground palace in China, not the specific circumstances. If we can force the Chinese to hand over the killer, that would be ideal; otherwise, we will make them pay a heavy toll," Clive said with lingering resentment.

The reason for their immense confidence was not sheer ignorance of the immensity of heaven and earth, but absolute certainty in their backing. Both the Crimson Assassins Guild and the Angels Mercenary Corps possessed powerful patrons. This time, they even had an Innate Martial Sage traveling alongside them, so they had no fear of the Chinese being prepared.

The headquarters of the Crimson Assassins Guild was located in England. Rumor had it that they possessed a long-standing heritage, with even the legendary Kindred lurking behind the scenes. Consequently, members of the Crimson Assassins Guild had practiced Kindred cultivation techniques, granting them bizarre and uncanny abilities—just like the Dark Blood Assassin Wilson, who could transform into a mist of blood or even escape as a streak of crimson light.

Meanwhile, the origins of the Angels Mercenary Corps were equally ancient, backed by the Western Holy See. They belonged to the peripheral forces of the Holy See, always shrouded in absolute mystery, boasting countless powerhouses, and habitually acting in an overbearing and arrogant manner.