Chapter 143: Zhang Yuxi’s Breakthrough

“You must be Bai Qing’s father. How did you find out I was looking for information about the Wolf Clan?” Chu Han coldly snorted, firmly shielding Zhang Yuxi behind him as he asked with icy resolve.

“Ha! You came from the capital of Great Chu. Given my position, it’s not difficult to investigate your background. Besides, you’re quite famous in the capital of Great Chu; it’s almost impossible not to know about you. Enough talk—here are your choices: either you cripple your own true energy, or I break your limbs. The choice is yours.” Bai Mu laughed heartily. Ever since Bai Qing returned to the Bai family, he had begun investigating Chu Han. After all, Bai Qing was their only son, and to have him crippled by Chu Han was something Bai Mu could never swallow.

Yet, investigating Chu Han was much easier than expected. Chu Han was well-known both in the Eastern Wilderness and the imperial capital. A little inquiry was enough to learn about him, so Bai Mu devised this plan to lure Chu Han over.

What surprised him was that Chu Han, having just crippled Bai Qing yesterday, was already leaving the Taiyi Sect today. This man clearly held no regard for the Bai family. If Chu Han had remained within the Taiyi Sect, Bai Mu might have had some options, but once he stepped outside, it was no longer within his control.

“Heh, no need to choose then. You think these few useless lackeys can deal with me? You truly underestimate me.” Chu Han snorted coldly, blue lightning crackling around his body. He then formed a lightning barrier around Zhang Yuxi, warning her sternly not to step outside it. Only after she agreed did he nod with satisfaction.

“Refuse a toast and you’ll get a penalty drink instead. Attack! Seize him!” Bai Mu sneered and waved his hand; immediately, those around surged forward.

Chu Han was not about to be outdone. He decided to strike first, rushing into the crowd. Powerful lightning descended from the sky—the Hundred Thunder Flash—but it proved ineffective against the opponents.

Their weapons were peculiar: one-meter-long wooden sticks topped with a sickle-like blade, strange and unlike anything Chu Han had seen before.

The dozen or so adversaries took positions at various points, their bodies enveloped in an earthy yellow true energy aura, their strength betraying their cultivation at the peak of the Dao Palace.

As expected of the central city, the Bai family was just an obscure minor clan, yet they could muster so many Dao Palace peak experts—an impressive force not to be underestimated.

At that moment, a massive net descended from the sky, startling Chu Han. It was too late to evade; he was ensnared within it just as the enemies launched their assault.

Their weapons glowed with the same earthy yellow light. The ground beneath Chu Han trembled violently as countless stone spikes erupted, piercing his body. Bound by the net, he could only watch helplessly as the spikes struck.

But as the spikes pierced his skin, Chu Han’s flesh turned blood-red—a power unlocked after entering the fifth palace of the Dao Palace: the Infernal Golden Body. His blood-colored skin instantly enhanced his defense.

Indeed, as the blood-red skin manifested, all the stone spikes shattering against his flesh, Chu Han’s body remained unscathed, as if untouched by the attack.

He snorted coldly. To everyone’s astonishment, he tore the net apart with sheer strength, grabbed the nearest attacker, broke his weapon with a punch, and then clutched the man’s neck, snapping it brutally.

Chu Han was truly angered now. Bai Mu had clearly prepared many countermeasures to ensure victory, but Chu Han was determined not to let them succeed.

Witnessing Chu Han’s counterattack despite his predicament, the attackers were shocked and quickly shifted formation, aiming to deliver a fatal blow.

Yet Chu Han would not allow them to strike again. Raising his right fist to the sky, he shouted, “Qilin!”

Lightning energy gathered above, while the enemies launched a massive stone projectile at him.

At the critical moment, the lightning coalesced into the shape of a colossal Qilin, its blood-red eyes blazing as it let out a silent roar. With a mighty claw, it shattered the stone into fragments, which rained down upon the attackers, knocking many to the ground.

The Qilin charged into the crowd, its overwhelming electric power causing the enemies to tremble and freeze in place.

Bai Mu, watching from the side, was stunned. He had long known these men were no match for Chu Han, but the appearance of the mighty Qilin made it clear that defeating Chu Han would be nearly impossible.

As he pondered his next move, Bai Mu noticed Zhang Yuxi hiding within the barrier. He realized how important she was to Chu Han and a cruel idea formed in his mind.

While Chu Han was focused on the fight, Bai Mu charged forward and struck the barrier with a palm. His strength was insufficient to break it, only causing it to shake. Surprised, he struck again.

Chu Han saw this and his eyes burned with fury. “Old bastard, you’re despicable!”

He rushed toward them, but it was too late—the barrier shattered. Bai Mu glared coldly at the trembling Zhang Yuxi, raising his hand once more. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at him, uncertain and frozen in place.

As Bai Mu’s palm was about to fall, a figure suddenly appeared before Zhang Yuxi, absorbing the blow. The figure staggered and spat blood.

At that moment, with the Qilin dissipated, the surrounding enemies rose, gathering their energy once more. A massive stone pillar appeared in the air, crashing down mercilessly on Chu Han’s back.

Chu Han screamed in agony and collapsed. Zhang Yuxi burst into tears. “Brother Chu, are you okay? It’s all Yuxi’s fault—I caused you to get hurt.”

Before she finished speaking, Bai Mu grabbed her by the collar and lifted her effortlessly; at about 1.6 meters tall, she was easy to hoist.

“Old bastard, if you harm her, the Bai family will cease to exist. I swear I’ll annihilate your entire clan—no dog in your family will be allowed to live.”

Despite his severe wounds, Chu Han stood up with a roar, his eyes blazing as he saw Zhang Yuxi’s fearful expression.

“Heh, since you care so much for her, I won’t hold back. I’ll let you taste what it’s like to lose your most precious person.”

Bai Mu laughed cruelly and raised his hand to strike Zhang Yuxi. Chu Han tried to intervene but was too late; the palm was nearly upon her.

Zhang Yuxi stared blankly at the incoming blow. Suddenly, her eyes emitted black light, and she screamed as a dark aura radiated outward.

Anyone who touched this black energy immediately perished. Bai Mu, closest to her, suffered the worst fate.