To grow up within such a colossal superpower, plus being nurtured by the resources of his grandfather, how could someone like Zhang Shihao even compare?
Although he had never heard of the Heavenly Chicken Sect, just from the name, it was clear it wasn’t anything remarkable.
If they were truly noble guests, they would have stayed directly in the Baili mansion. Only because the Baili mansion was already full were some others assigned to live in the Star-Plucking Tower.
Perhaps it was because of his Celestial Tiger Tyrant Physique, coupled with the Asura mask, that Lin Ruhu’s aura was overflowing with killing intent.
Zhang Shihao’s right hand transformed into an eagle’s claw, his left hand shaped like a tiger’s paw, and with aggressive momentum he lunged at Lin Ruhu.
Lin Ruhu only let out a disdainful cold snort.
He charged forward, his fist smashing toward Zhang Shihao’s head with the intent of cracking it open.
A flicker of surprise flashed through Zhang Shihao’s eyes. Feeling the fierce gale rushing in with the fist, he hurriedly dodged to the side.
But Lin Ruhu was too fast. The spiritforce in his body surged like raging waves, and the roar of a tiger thundered in the air.
His right hand suddenly erupted with a massive tiger imprint, swift as lightning, seizing hold of Zhang Shihao.
Those hands were like iron claws, sinking deep into Zhang Shihao’s flesh.
“Ah…” a miserable scream rang out.
“What are you screaming for? This is only the beginning,” Lin Ruhu coldly said.
With the force of a single punch, Zhang Shihao’s body was sent flying backwards, blood gushing out from his mouth in torrents.
Lin Ruhu clenched his fists with audible cracks, step by step walking toward Zhang Shihao.
His burly figure carried faintly the imposing might of a king of beasts.
“Master, save me!” Zhang Shihao cried out as he spat blood.
Lin Ruhu only grinned savagely, ignoring everything else.
He arrived in front of Zhang Shihao, lifted his right foot, and stomped heavily toward his limbs.
The old man from before had a flash of sharp light in his eyes, his figure quickly rushing toward Lin Ruhu.
But fast as he was, someone was even faster.
Xu Zimo’s figure appeared instantly in front of him, meeting his strike palm to palm.
Xu Zimo stood unmoved, while the old man was forced back more than three steps, the difference in strength was clear.
“If you want to play, I’ll play with you,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.
A flicker of apprehension crossed the old man’s eyes as he replied, “My lord, perhaps this is only a misunderstanding. There’s no need to kill, is there?”
“To kill him? He’s not worth it. Would only dirty my foot,” Lin Ruhu snorted.
Then, with one stomp, he crippled Zhang Shihao’s four limbs. Miserable screams echoed unceasingly.
At this moment Zhang Shihao lay on the ground like a dead dog.
“I’m only killing a chicken to warn the monkeys. Just now when we, the Black and White Asuras, entered, the shopkeeper claimed not to know our names. Today I’ll make sure you all know it. If anyone still can’t remember, feel free to step out and say so.”
Those words were unbearably arrogant. Kill a chicken to warn the monkeys, who was the chicken, and who were the monkeys?
That much was obvious.
Seeing that no one around dared to speak, Lin Ruhu spat in disdain.
“Trash like you even dare come to the Demon-Slaying Assembly? You might as well just hand the Alliance Master position over to my big brother.”
Xu Zimo paid him no mind, his gaze sweeping across the first floor until he spotted a familiar figure.
He walked forward slowly, looked at the woman before him, and smiled. “Miss Jing, what a coincidence.”
Miss Jing’s clothing was different again this time.
She wore a light purple robe, its collar boldly cut wide, revealing a graceful neckline and exquisite collarbones.
Those collarbones were so deep you could practically raise goldfish in them.
Sunlight from a nearby window spilled across her, her skin like jade, her beautiful face glowing softly.
Especially her violet enchanting eyes, carrying a natural aura of charm and cunning brilliance.
No matter where she sat, she was always the one to draw every first glance.
“This isn’t really a coincidence,” Miss Jing said softly. “I came especially for Young Master Xu.”
“For me? What for?” Xu Zimo asked curiously.
“For the Demon-Slaying Assembly of course. Originally I planned to make a move and disrupt this assembly,” Miss Jing covered her mouth, laughing lightly. “But since Young Master Xu has come, there will surely be a good show to watch.”
“I think you’re just here to watch the show yourself,” Xu Zimo replied.
He had issued the battle challenge seven days ago. Naturally, anyone with eyes and ears would know.
“Young Master Xu, after such a long journey, aren’t you thirsty?” Miss Jing lifted her wine cup and handed it to him.
On the rim of the cup, a red lipstick mark remained clearly.
It was obvious she had just drunk from it.
“No need,” Xu Zimo shook his head slightly and sat down at the nearby table.
Miss Jing shook her head with a laugh. “You’re still so clueless about romance.”
Lin Ruhu sat down too, shouting loudly, “Shopkeeper, bring us the best wine and dishes for us brothers!”
The shopkeeper sighed, clearly unwilling to stir up more trouble, and ordered his men to prepare.
……
After the meal, night gradually fell outside.
But the entire city still shone brightly, preparing for tomorrow’s Demon-Slaying Assembly.
The Baili Imperial Clan was surely at its busiest time.
Xu Zimo stood at the very top of the Star-Plucking Tower, overlooking the surroundings.
From this height, one couldn’t see within the city, it was too high, but only the land around Baili City.
Lin Ruhu walked up with a list in hand.
“Brother Zimo, I investigated. This time, there are twelve Imperial Lineages that came to the Baili Imperial Clan,” Lin Ruhu said.
“As for other first-rate and second-rate forces, they’re countless. And these twelve Imperial Lineages aren’t even all of them. Reportedly, many more went to the Middle Continent’s Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground, trying to ally with their Holy Son.”
“It really is a rare grand event in a thousand years,” Xu Zimo smiled.
“Which twelve Imperial Lineages?”
“Our Eastern Continent has four, Blood Nether Sacred Ground, Purgatory Sacred Ground, the Mo Imperial Clan, and the Baili Imperial Clan itself.
From the Northern Continent came five empires: the Ancient Phoenix Kingdom, Sword Spirit Kingdom, Vast Ocean Kingdom, Great Qian Dynasty, and Heavenly Dragon Kingdom.
And from the Western Continent came three Imperial Lineages: the Heavenly Fox Race, Little Bright Sacred Ground, and Bodhisattva Monastery.
As for the Southern and Middle Continents, their Imperial Lineages all seem to be gathering toward the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground instead of coming here.”
Xu Zimo nodded slightly.
The Northern Continent was renowned for its empires. Thirty-six empires ruled that land, each of them equivalent to an Imperial Lineage.
Many of the sects here were unfamiliar to him. He knew the native Eastern Continent sects much better.
“So even the Mo Imperial Clan came,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile.
As the family of the Formation Emperor, his past relations with the Mo Imperial Clan were fairly good. When he traveled to the Middle Continent before, he had borrowed their teleportation formation.
“Hopefully tomorrow they’ll all have a nice surprise,” Xu Zimo murmured, gazing up at the distant starry sky.
……
The night passed in silence.
Finally, the sky brightened.
The entire Baili City was filled with jubilation, drums beating, lions dancing, cheers ringing.
The Demon-Slaying Assembly officially began at the Baili Estate.