? So What If You're a Monster? Die!

Rumble!

Dark clouds churned above Chaos Peak, accompanied by the crackle of lightning and the roar of thunder.

Just moments ago, the sky had been clear for ten thousand miles. Yet, with the appearance of those figures striding through the air, even the celestial phenomena warped in response.

Chu Chen narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowing slightly as he watched the intruders forcibly breach Chaos Peak.

These cultivators either rode upon flying swords, steered soaring Dharma Treasures, or wore Daoist robes woven with flight arrays-each of them radiating a majestic and domineering aura.

The leading man, clad in a cyan-brown Daoist robe, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze looking down upon all creation.

Auspicious clouds and mists shrouded his form, radiating ten thousand rays of brilliant light.

Listening closely, one could even hear the faint strains of ethereal celestial music-dreamlike and illusory, as if a true immortal had descended to the mortal realm.

This was the number one figure among the younger generation of Red King Palace, Zhao Kongyang!

Li Long, the Second Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, had been instigated by this very man to assassinate Chu Chen, only to be slain instead.

But to Zhao Kongyang, Li Long's death held far greater value. From the moment he was chosen as a pawn, Li Long was destined to die.

If Li Long had successfully assassinated Chu Chen, Zhao Kongyang would have stepped in to execute Li Long, thereby giving Qi Lao'er a proper explanation.

If Li Long was counter-killed by Chu Chen, Zhao Kongyang would use Li Long's corpse to charge Chu Chen with murdering a fellow disciple, giving him the perfect excuse to strike Chu Chen down personally.

No matter the outcome between Chu Chen and Li Long, Zhao Kongyang would emerge as the ultimate victor.

Such was the sorrow of being a mere pawn!

Chu Chen rose from his grand armchair. Clasping his hands behind his back, he showed no fear of the terrifying Pressure. He simply raised his head and met Zhao Kongyang's gaze head-on.

Their eyes locked-a silent, absolute provocation.

In an instant, the spiritual energy surrounding the entirety of Chaos Peak erupted into violent turmoil.

Without even needing to strike, the sheer Pressure released by his Spirit Communication Realm cultivation was enough to let him run rampant and control everything within Red King Palace.

If this Pressure were fully unleashed, it would easily crush the thousands of guards and servants on Chaos Peak into bloody mist.

Chu Chen was merely at the tenth level of the Qi Gathering realm. How could he...

Resist?

How could he compare?

How could he...

Possibly fight back?!

This was the true strength of Qi Lao'er's beloved disciple.

This was the strength of a Pro-disciple of the Divine Flame Emperor Palace.

This was the strength of the number one figure among the younger generation of Red King Palace.

......

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!!

Unable to withstand the terrifying Pressure of the Spirit Communication Realm, the thousands of guards and servants on Chaos Peak-including Yu Youwei by Chu Chen's side-were forced to their knees.

Yu Youwei fared slightly better, but the other guards and servants trembled in abject terror, their faces as pale as paper.

They had assumed that with Chu Chen as their new master, their lives and status within the Divine Flame Emperor Palace would drastically improve.

They never imagined that before they could enjoy a single day of peace, Chaos Peak would already be facing the threat of total annihilation.

Chu Chen was not having an easy time either. Under the oppressive Pressure of the Spirit Communication Realm, his body felt as though it bore a burden of a thousand jin. Crisp cracking sounds echoed from his bones and flesh.

But he possessed the Chaos God Physique. Even though his divine physique had been shattered, the Chaos Qi had long since fused with his flesh and blood, granting him a physical defense that far surpassed his peers.

Furthermore, having absorbed Empress Lin Shuwang's God Phoenix Feather, his current physical toughness was something even ordinary Spirit Communication Realm cultivators could not match.

Did Zhao Kongyang really think that mere Pressure could force Chu Chen to his knees in submission?

He was underestimating the Chaos God Physique and the God Phoenix Feather far too much!!

"So you are Chu Chen? I heard that during the outer disciple trial, you tested positive for a Top Grade Five-Element Full Spiritual Root!"

The fact that Chu Chen did not kneel and submit under the Pressure alone greatly surprised Zhao Kongyang.

But he quickly let out a sneer. His gaze toward Chu Chen was full of mockery, like a cat toying with a mouse:

"Yet you, a mere Qi Gathering realm ant, dare to stand without bowing when you see me, Zhao Kongyang? You have quite the nerve!"

As Zhao Kongyang's words fell, dozens of formation flags erupted with blinding beams of spiritual power.

These beams interconnected, weaving into a massive Formation that completely enveloped and sealed off the entirety of Chaos Peak.

Not even a bird could pass through!

This was the [Locking Heaven Formation]. Let alone the mortals on Chaos Peak, even a fellow Spirit Communication Realm cultivator would find it nearly impossible to break free once trapped within.

Zhao Kongyang's goal was crystal clear: today, he would eliminate Chu Chen right here on Chaos Peak.

"That's right! You, a mere Qi Gathering realm disciple, should immediately kneel and bow when you see Senior Brother Zhao!"

"Believe me, Senior Brother Zhao doesn't even need to lift a finger. I, Zhang Ke, can break both your legs with a single move!"

"I'll ask you one more time: will you kneel yourself, or will we force you down?"

......

The hundreds of disciples following behind Zhao Kongyang pointed at Chu Chen, shouting their arrogant demands one after another.

Their posturing made it seem as though crushing Chu Chen would be easier than squashing an ant.

"Zhao Kongyang, the number one figure among the younger generation of Red King Palace."

"A Pro-disciple of the Divine Flame Emperor Palace, and the personal disciple of the Palace Lord."

Chu Chen paid no heed to the clamoring disciples. From beginning to end, his eyes remained fixed on the leader, Zhao Kongyang:

"By that logic, our status and position are entirely equal. Since that is the case, why should I kneel?"

As he spoke, Chu Chen snorted coldly. He pointed at the hundreds of disciples behind Zhao Kongyang and sharply rebuked:

"On the contrary, it is you who should kneel! I, Chu Chen, am also a Pro-disciple of the Divine Flame Emperor Palace, and also the Palace Lord's beloved disciple. You see me and refuse to kneel, yet you dare to bark at me here?!"

"According to the rules of the Divine Flame Emperor Palace, those who disrespect their superiors and commit insubordination shall be executed!!"

Among the younger generation of Red King Palace, aside from Zhao Kongyang-the sole Pro-disciple-the rest were merely outer disciples, inner disciples, and true disciples.

These lackeys of Zhao Kongyang naturally possessed high cultivation, but no matter how strong they were, they were still only true disciples.

Although Chu Chen was only at the tenth level of the Qi Gathering realm, his status as a Pro-disciple was absolute. Failing to bow upon seeing him was a grave disrespect!

"Every single one of you here today-it seems you no longer wish to live!"

Whoosh-

At these words, the hundreds of disciples behind Zhao Kongyang exchanged nervous glances, their expressions changing drastically.

The more timid among them even began to tremble, instinctively preparing to bow to Chu Chen.

Regardless of his cultivation, Chu Chen's status as a Pro-disciple was genuine. He was the beloved disciple of the Palace Lord, Qi Lao'er-a fact that had long been announced to the entire Divine Flame Emperor Palace.

If two Pro-disciples went to war, small fry like them could easily be caught in the crossfire and...

"Hmph! Junior Brothers, what are you panicking about?!"

Just as many disciples were preparing to submit to Chu Chen, Zhao Kongyang snorted coldly. With a wave of his hand, a surge of vigorous spiritual energy forcibly lifted the bodies of those who were about to kneel.

"It is true that Chu Chen is a Pro-disciple, but he has murdered a fellow disciple. According to the rules of our Divine Flame Emperor Palace, he must be executed!"

"He is a condemned criminal! Why should we bow to a sinner?!"

Zhao Kongyang's voice rang out like a great bell, churning the clouds and mists around Chaos Peak into turbulent waves.

With another wave of his hand, the corpses of Li Long and his accomplices fell from the sky, crashing heavily onto the bluestone slabs as the thick stench of blood spread.

"Chu Chen, oh Chu Chen. Not only do you murder your fellow disciples, but you are even this brutal to the steward of your own residence."

Zhao Kongyang glanced at the old steward Qian Bao, who was nailed to the cliff wall, his heart burning with rage.

This Qian Bao was a pawn he had planted in Chaos Peak early on, intended as a backup plan. If Chu Chen had chosen to endure rather than kill Li Long and the others, Qian Bao would have played a crucial role...

Unfortunately, Chu Chen was far more direct, decisive, and ruthless than he had anticipated. In less than a day since taking over Chaos Peak, he had already uprooted this hidden nail.

Both were Pro-disciples of the Divine Flame Emperor Palace.

Both were disciples of Qi Lao'er, the Palace Lord of Red King Palace.

Zhao Kongyang surpassed Chu Chen in both cultivation and seniority. Yet...

He was forced to cultivate alongside a group of true disciples. He didn't even have an independent Dao Field, let alone the supreme privilege of claiming an entire mountain peak as his own.

Chu Chen, oh Chu Chen. You have only just entered the Divine Flame Emperor Palace, yet you already receive such honor.

Given enough time, where would that leave Zhao Kongyang?

The cultivation resources that rightfully belonged to him would eventually be encroached upon and seized by Chu Chen, bit by bit!

Zhao Kongyang never accepted fate, and he never admitted defeat.

Since that was the case, he would strike first to gain the advantage. To hesitate was to invite disaster.

Besides...

The Palace Lord, Qi Lao'er, was not in Red King Palace right now. Killing Chu Chen now would carry no immediate consequences.

By the time the Palace Lord returned, Chu Chen would already be dead. Even if Zhao Kongyang couldn't avoid punishment, so what?

In a few months, the Divine Flame Emperor Palace's Sect Grand Competition would begin. With Chu Chen dead, Zhao Kongyang would be the only Pro-disciple left in the entire Red King Palace. Qi Lao'er wouldn't actually kill him over a dead genius!

"It is true that I killed Li Long and the others. He who seeks to kill must be prepared to be killed!"

Looking at the corpses of Li Long and the others, Chu Chen surprisingly offered no defense. Instead, he admitted it openly:

"They were instigated by you to assassinate me. They were outmatched, so being killed serves them right!"

"Seeing someone with greater talent than yourself, you feared being surpassed in the future and losing your position. That is why you resort to such despicable means!"

"Zhao Kongyang, you have wasted your entire mind on these petty schemes and plots, constantly calculating against others!"

Chu Chen kept his hands clasped behind his back, looking at Zhao Kongyang with an expression full of sorrow and pity, as if looking at a pathetic insect whose path forward had already been severed.

The valley wind whipped Chu Chen's robes around him. He spoke each word with absolute precision, every syllable a knife stabbing directly into Zhao Kongyang's heart:

"So narrow-minded! With such a flawed Dao Heart, you will never ignite the Divine Flame in your lifetime. You will never break through to the Divine Fire Realm."

"Zhao Kongyang, how truly pitiful you are!"

"Li Long deserved to die, but you, Zhao Kongyang, deserve death even more!"

Boom!!

Every word was a lethal strike to the heart!

At these words, Zhao Kongyang-who had been so confident and arrogant just moments before-could no longer maintain his composure.

His rather handsome face twisted into a hideous scowl. He was infuriated!

He released the full Pressure of the Spirit Communication Realm. Surging spiritual energy poured out from his body, whipping up a fierce gale at the mountain peak as dark clouds churned violently above.

"Chu Chen, oh Chu Chen. Even if everything you say is true, so what?"

"In this world, martial might ultimately reigns supreme! Strength is absolute!"

Seeing his schemes exposed, Zhao Kongyang no longer bothered to hide his killing intent. He reached out, and a long spear materialized in his grasp.

"You are merely at the Qi Gathering realm, while I am at the second level of the Spirit Communication Realm. The difference between us is like clouds and mud."

"I have already activated the protective palace Formation of Red King Mountain, and your Chaos Peak is locked down by my [Locking Heaven Formation]. The Palace Lord has gone to the Heavenly Demon Gorge to seek treasures and has not yet returned. Today, Chu Chen, you are doomed! Absolutely doomed!!"

As he spoke, Zhao Kongyang channeled the surging gold-type spiritual energy within him, frantically pouring it into the long spear. Aiming directly at Chu Chen's heart, he hurled it with explosive force!

Rumble!!

The full-force strike of a Spirit Communication Realm powerhouse sent a terrifying storm sweeping in all directions, possessing the might to make rivers flow backward and mountains crumble.

Wherever the spear passed, everything was reduced to dust.

Even more terrifying was that the [Locking Heaven Formation] not only sealed off the entirety of Chaos Peak, but it also projected beams of spiritual power that converged around Chu Chen's body. The suppression made his limbs feel as heavy as lead, rendering him unable to move a single inch.

"So what if you're a genius? So what if you're a monster? Die!!"

As the spear tore through the air, Zhao Kongyang let out a manic laugh. He could already picture the miserable sight of Chu Chen being nailed to the bluestone slabs by his strike.

But from beginning to end, Chu Chen simply stood with his hands clasped behind his back, facing the howling wind.

His deep, profound eyes were as calm as still water. Not only was there no panic, but the look he gave Zhao Kongyang was filled with...

Pity!!

Whoosh!

Just as the spear was about to pierce him, Chu Chen reached out. A jade pendant had somehow appeared in his palm.

Without a shred of hesitation, the moment the jade pendant appeared, Chu Chen crushed it.

Bang!!

The heavens and earth trembled.

......