His pupils constricted, and the spiritual energy in his hand surged. He instantly pulled a bystander into his grasp, using them as a shield.
"Pfft!"
The person used as a shield by Zi Yishan was pierced through the back, blood splashing three feet, and their life extinguished.
"That was close!"
Zi Yishan muttered, a cold sweat beading on his forehead.
If he had hesitated for a fraction of a second longer, that sword would have pierced his shoulder blade.
And if he had been struck, the injured spot would have been identical to Zi Tianhai's.
Zi Yishan knew this was Zi Tianhai's revenge.
Unfortunately, Zi Tianhai was too soft-hearted, only intending to wound him, not take his life.
However, even so, Zi Tianhai had miscalculated because he underestimated Zi Yishan's ruthlessness and depravity.
He could never have imagined that Zi Yishan would use an innocent person's life to block his sure-hit sword.
But Zi Tianhai could no longer see any of this, as he had long since vanished without a trace.
The onlookers were shocked by Zi Yishan's actions.
"Zi Yishan, you're supposed to be a pillar of the cultivation world, yet you used an innocent person as a shield!"
"Zi Yishan, your methods are truly disheartening to your followers!"
"Zi Yishan, you are despicable and shameless, killing innocents indiscriminately!"
...
Many shouted, cursing Zi Yishan, but they underestimated his depravity.
Zi Yishan looked indifferently at the indignant crowd and laughed, "Innocent? Who among you who embarked on the path of cultivation is innocent? Whose hands have not been stained with blood?
Disheartened? Did any of you follow me willingly, expecting no reward? Did any of you not harbor intentions of seeking benefits by latching onto a powerful backer?
As for despicable, shameless, and killing innocents indiscriminately, do these words even befit you?
The sword was shot by Zi Tianhai, and the person died because of me, I admit it.
But at least I am an honest villain, while you? You are a bunch of hypocrites.
You kill people while hiding your actions, refusing to admit it, and now you have the audacity to criticize me?
Ridiculous! The path of cultivation is about contending with heaven, clashing with others, living on the edge of a blade, where it's either you die or I die.
Moreover, ants should be eliminated; only the strong deserve to live.
He could die for me, it was his honor. Do you lot of hypocrites need to stand here acting righteous?"
Zi Yishan's words defined depravity and shamelessness to the extreme.
And it was true.
How could someone who harmed his own brother and nephew still possess a sense of shame?
The shouting crowd's perception of Zi Yishan was once again elevated to a new height.
Killing someone so righteously, harming someone so naturally, was truly unprecedented and unmatched.
"Hmph! Zi Yishan, you're twisting words! While we also kill, we only kill those who deserve to die!"
"Furthermore, we follow the Zi family, not a shameless wretch like you!"
"That's right, right! Zi Yishan, you are no different from a beast, unworthy of being the Zi family head!"
Zi Yishan scoffed at the earlier words, but the phrase "unworthy of being the Zi family head" made his eyes turn cold.
He said menacingly, "I am unworthy of being the Zi family head? Then how about you take over, hmm?"
As his words fell, a sword light followed.
The person who spoke those words did not expect Zi Yishan to act so swiftly. Before they could react, they were cleaved in two by the sword light.
The crowd was stunned into silence.
Zi Yishan's methods were too brutal; he would kill at the slightest disagreement.
"You... how... how could you kill people so casually?"
"Yes, yes! How can you be so heartless! He merely spoke a sentence, and you killed him?"
"What you're doing is no different from a demon! We will announce your actions to the world, and let everyone condemn you!"
...
Zi Yishan sneered, "A demon? Condemn me? Very well! I had intended to deal with my brother first before turning my attention to you.
But since you're already making such a fuss, I'll deal with you first, and then my brother won't be too late to handle!"
As his voice faded, killing intent surged around him.
His divine sense locked onto the few who had been shouting the loudest, and he said coldly, "Very good! You want to announce it to the world, do you? Then I'll give you an opportunity!
In three months, the Zi family will hold a ceremony for the succession of the family head and the establishment of the Cultivator's Alliance. I'll trouble you to inform all cultivating families and factions that they must attend this grand event!
Of course, those who attend will become friends of the Zi family and will undoubtedly receive the Zi family's friendship. As for those who do not attend, hehe, then do not blame Zi Yishan for pointing his sword at you!"
Zi Yishan's words revealed his boundless ambition.
"You... you... this is... this is going to make you an enemy of the world!" one of the individuals targeted by his divine sense stammered, trembling.
"Hmm?"
Zi Yishan's gaze turned cold. Another sword light flashed, and the person's head separated from their body, rolling around.
The others nearby were splattered with his warm blood and retched.
Zi Yishan said coldly, "Making an enemy of the world? That's not quite right! I merely wish for the entire cultivation world to unite. Henceforth, we will share fortunes and face hardships together!"
"Hmph! Unite? You speak in such noble terms, but you merely wish to be the king of the entire cultivation world!"
A mocking voice came from the crowd.
After the person finished speaking, a large area around them instantly cleared.
For Zi Yishan, this madman who killed without batting an eye, these words were undoubtedly a provocation.
The people around him did not want to end up like the previous victim, splattered with blood.
Zi Yishan looked coldly at the place where the person was and said mildly, "You are right! That is indeed my inner thought, but..."
He paused, and the long sword in his hand flashed with light again.
The sword light rose, heads fell, and blood splattered.
Only then did Zi Yishan slowly say, "But you shouldn't have said it so plainly. Therefore, you will not have the chance to witness my magnificence!"
The surrounding people were filled with dread.
If previously, some dared to retort, then after Zi Yishan had killed three people without blinking, they were all rendered speechless.
Who knew which sentence would offend this madman Zi Yishan? Who knew whose body Zi Yishan's sword light would fall upon?
The entire scene fell silent, so quiet that everyone's breathing could be clearly heard.
Zi Yishan looked at his handiwork and laughed to the heavens, "Remember my words. In three months, if any faction or family has not received the message, none of you present today will leave alive! You know, I am not joking!"