Xi Qiu, Dong Huo, Lao Ba.
Beneath the Qi Mu of Tian Dang Mountain, these three were the strongest, bound by tens of thousands of years of camaraderie.
Each had their supporters, and Dong Huo and Lao Ba always regarded Xi Qiu as their elder brother.
However, when it came to choosing their future path, disagreements arose.
Dong Huo was familiar with Xi Qiu, and Xi Qiu was equally familiar with Dong Huo.
A flicker of thought in Dong Huo’s mind would let Xi Qiu know what he was thinking and what he intended to say.
Thus, he acted…
"Bang."
With a kick, Dong Huo was sent flying.
A superficial explanation failed to convince Dong Huo.
Xi Qiu’s gaze was cold as he looked at Dong Huo and said sternly, "You'd best shut your mouth, or I won't hesitate to kill you right here."
"You..."
Dong Huo's face flushed.
They were all commanders, yet Xi Qiu's action was akin to slapping his face.
"Boom."
Dong Huo was enraged.
He had guessed Xi Qiu's intentions and his aura immediately erupted.
If you want to be a lackey, go be one. I refuse to.
"Dong Huo..."
Lao Ba suddenly stepped forward. The robust, bearded man grabbed the enraged Dong Huo, "Don't be rash."
"Rash?"
Dong Huo was furious. "If he wants to be a lackey, let him be one. I don't want to. I'm leaving now, and let's see who dares to stop me!"
He was seething.
He did not wish to be beholden to others any longer.
Leaving the Mad Realm, only to enter another's domain.
He craved freedom, to journey alone to the Immortal Realm, to have freedom even if it meant only a sliver of hope.
His voice echoed.
Dong Huo's words spoke the hearts of many.
Xi Qiu secretly glanced at the City Lord above. Seeing that the City Lord's eyes were closed, he seemed not to have heard Dong Huo's disrespectful words.
Perhaps he heard, perhaps he didn't care.
But Xi Qiu sensed a faint, elusive killing intent.
It was so palpable.
Xi Qiu looked at Dong Huo and said grimly, "Are you sure you want to make this choice?"
"Of course."
Dong Huo was still angry and suddenly roared, "Brothers who want to leave, follow me! I refuse to believe there isn't another way out of the Mad Realm."
Among the many outsiders who had entered, Chen Fan was not the only one who had a choice.
In an instant, several hundred people indeed stood with Dong Huo.
"City Lord."
Dong Huo was still quite polite.
Before leaving, he cupped his fists and said, "I am grateful for your life-saving grace, City Lord. We have received your benevolence and just gained a great opportunity. Dong Huo will remember this, and if there is a chance in the future, I will repay it a hundredfold.
However, since you are an outsider, City Lord, and I am a native of the Mad Realm, I cannot agree with your philosophy. We are not of the same path.
Today, Dong Huo has wronged you. Dong Huo is willing to lead these people away. Farewell."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Swish."
In the void, Chen Fan opened his eyes.
Those pupils seemed to contain no emotion whatsoever.
Only calmness and depth.
"Heh heh."
Chen Fan smiled. "Everyone has their own choices. I, for one, never like to force anyone."
As he spoke, Xiao Wu felt a prickling sensation on his skin.
This feeling had not occurred for a long time.
The last time it happened was when he faced the gaze of the White Emperor.
He had felt an inexorable will to kill.
At this moment, he finally understood something.
He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Xiao Wu of the White Emperor Palace wishes to abandon darkness and embrace light, and integrate into the City Lord's realm."
Chen Fan did not yet have his own realm; he only had the River of Rules.
But that was unimportant now; it was time to declare allegiance.
The few behind Xiao Wu were stunned.
A cultivator from the Emperor Palace looked displeased. "Xiao Wu, you dare to betray us..."
"Shut up."
Xiao Wu snapped, "If you want to live, follow what I say."
"Hmm?"
The White Emperor Palace cultivator was confused.
As he hesitated, Chen Fan's voice rang out again.
"I, you see, never like to force others to do anything."
His voice was light and unperturbed. "But there's one thing: if you receive my favor, you must do my bidding."
"Don't talk to me about repaying me a hundredfold later. I don't believe that."
"Therefore, those willing to merge with my rules may stand on the left. Those who are unwilling... well, they can stand with Dong Huo and the others."
"Swish."
As if they had conspired, Xi Qiu and Xiao Wu were the first to step to the left.
Seeing this, most others followed.
A few who were wavering were momentarily unsure how to choose.
Two paths.
"Hmm."
He glanced at those willing to integrate. Not many, around two thousand.
That was acceptable.
Chen Fan could accept this outcome.
He then said, "You are unwilling to merge with my realm, that's fine. However, I will take back the benefits you have gained from me. I believe... you all have no objections, right?"
They had objections, strong objections.
Dong Huo said grimly, "How will the City Lord take them back?"
"I have my ways."
Dong Huo: "..."
"Is the City Lord's action perhaps a bit overbearing?" he asked.
Chen Fan smiled. "I am taking back what belongs to me. Is there something wrong with that?"
"No."
"Oh? Let's hear it..."
"That soul power, it was originally from the Burial Ground. Although the City Lord killed them, once the soul power dispersed, it became ownerless. For us to take it, it is naturally justifiable."
Chen Fan pondered, "Indeed..."
"Then, City Lord..."
"But I am a person who dislikes others taking small advantages from me."
His voice remained devoid of inflection. "After all, I killed the person. The dispersal of souls was my spoils of war. Since you have taken my spoils but do not wish to pay, then I apologize, I do not agree..."
Dong Huo: "..."
"Therefore..."
He no longer wished to waste words. The previously expressionless pupils slowly revealed a hint of killing intent. "I will personally reclaim what is mine. Everyone, be ready..."
"Boom."
As soon as the words fell, the River of Rules descended.
Streams of the power of rules transformed into great dragons that swept across the heavens.
In the world, dozens of immense rule blockades sealed all directions.
"Explode."
His voice was cold and merciless.
Did you think you could leave after taking my benefits?
Within the Demigod Domain, no one was Chen Fan's match.
"Bang bang bang."
Heads shattered and exploded.
At this moment, boundless killing intent surged.
Dong Huo felt his hairs stand on end. He blasted open a path of rules with a punch and shouted, "City Lord, you are going too far! I have already said that I will repay this kindness a hundredfold in the future. Why must you be so aggressive?"
"Heh heh."
A cold laugh echoed. "Do you truly think that having gained the opportunity of a Demigod, you can speak to this City Lord in such a manner?"
Dong Huo, after absorbing the soul from the Burial Ground, had seen the opportunity to ascend to the Demigod realm.
As long as he left, it would not take long for him to reach the Demigod stage.
At that time, the world would be his to traverse.
Alas, Chen Fan had seen through all his calculations.
"Therefore, please depart."
Bang.
Dong Huo's head exploded with a thunderous sound.