Chapter 768: Kill the Chicken to Warn the Monkey

Standing atop the statue, Shen Haoran’s gaze fixed on the Illusionary Saint Son and Guiyuan Saint Child below as he roared, “Disciples of the Yao Sect, where are you!”

Hearing Shen Haoran’s shout, everyone below was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter again. ‘Yao Sect? What’s that? Since when did the Five Elements Sect have disciples from a Yao Sect? Is this guy a comedian?’ But just as their mockery began, a deafening roar echoed from all around the Central Square.

“We are here!” The powerful sound wave of their reply reverberated across the entire Central Square. An incredibly domineering aura erupted from the square’s perimeter, soaring to the heavens before descending upon the crowd.

Sensing the incredibly domineering aura, the leaders of the factions in the square were alarmed and immediately looked around. Several hundred disciples of the Five Elements Sect had appeared out of nowhere on the Central Square. On the chest of each disciple’s robes was embroidered a “Yao” character. Their faces were filled with a fanatical fervor. Although their individual strength was not great, their auras had now bizarrely merged into one. As a result, even these powerful faction leaders felt a sense of pressure.

A cold smile tugged at the corners of Shen Haoran’s lips as he watched the shocked faction leaders. His expression then darkened, and he asked in a low voice, “Disciples of the Yao Sect, someone has insulted our Yao Sect. What is the penalty?”

“Death without pardon!” Hearing Shen Haoran’s words, the fanatical fervor on the faces of the Yao Sect disciples intensified. They bellowed, their faces flushed with exertion. Their combined roar shook the heavens, and it seemed to the onlookers that the very air was trembling.

“Someone has injured our Yao Sect disciples. What is the penalty?” Shen Haoran’s gaze fell upon the Illusionary Saint Son and the Guiyuan Saint Child as he asked again.

“Death without pardon!” This time, the disciples’ roar was even greater, and their collective aura instantly surged to new heights. The entire Central Square quaked. The disciples of the Yao Sect had now been driven into a frenzy. Shen Haoran was a legend in the Five Elements Sect, and most of the disciples had joined the Yao Sect because of his reputation. However, they had never met him in person. They only knew of the rules he had left behind—rules aimed not at members of the Yao Sect, but at those who dared to disrespect it. Now, led by Shen Haoran himself, the disciples’ cries ignited the blood in their veins.

At that moment, the composure of the faction leaders on the square finally broke. They were utterly stunned by the aura of the Yao Sect disciples. Originally, they believed the Five Elements Sect was merely clinging to life. Furthermore, everything they had seen on their way here, including the Sect’s own demeanor, had only confirmed how far it had fallen. But they never imagined that even in such a state, the Five Elements Sect was hiding an army of tigers and wolves!

A sect’s strength isn’t just determined by its foundation or the number of its experts, though those are important. More crucial are the disciples within the sect. The quantity and quality of these disciples decide a sect’s future. Faced with the disciples of the Yao Sect, these faction leaders felt a sense of inadequacy. They sensed a unique aura from them—an aura that could only be forged in the crucible of life and death. Clearly, this group had faced death and survived. And with disciples like these, even if the Five Elements Sect was currently in decline, they would undoubtedly become a force to be reckoned with once they matured. At this thought, the faction leaders cast aside their contempt for the Five Elements Sect.

Seeing the contempt vanish from the faces of the faction leaders, an imperceptible smile touched Shen Haoran’s lips. His purpose for inviting these factions was obvious: to showcase the Five Elements Sect’s strength. He wanted to show them that even though the Sect was a shadow of its former self, it was not a prize for any petty opportunist to covet. And now, it was clear he had achieved his desired effect.

‘But it’s still not enough.’ Shen Haoran’s gaze lingered on the Illusionary Saint Son and the Guiyuan Saint Child. ‘The sects they hail from are both super-powers. If I want to truly intimidate these factions, I need to give them a taste of some strong medicine. The Guiyuan Saint Child and the Illusionary Saint Son have walked right into the line of fire. It would be a waste not to use such perfect pawns.’

At this thought, Shen Haoran leaped down from the statue. He walked slowly toward the Guiyuan Saint Child and the Illusionary Saint Son, gradually unleashing the aura of a Tier One Spirit Emperor.

“A Tier One Spirit Emperor! He’s actually reached the Spirit Emperor Tier! Isn’t he just an Outer Disciple of the Five Elements Sect?” Sensing the aura radiating from Shen Haoran, the crowd in the square once again broke into an uproar. From the looks of it, Shen Haoran was even younger than the Illusionary Saint Son and his companion. For a Tier One Spirit Emperor to be so young… how heaven-defying must his Talent be? ‘And the Five Elements Sect was hiding a genius like this?’ However, Shen Haoran paid the faction leaders no mind, continuing his slow advance on the Illusionary Saint Son and the Guiyuan Saint Child.

“You two injured disciples of my Yao Sect and insulted me, its Sect Leader. Therefore…” As he spoke, a tangible killing intent flared in his eyes, making both the Illusionary Saint Son and the Guiyuan Saint Child tremble involuntarily.

But they recovered in an instant. ‘We are the favored sons of super-powers, after all. The Five Elements Sect is just a decrepit Sect now. Even if it has an army of tigers and wolves, that army still needs time to mature. And this brat dares to threaten us? He’s just a Tier One Spirit Emperor. Who the hell does he think he is?’

“Hmph. What, are you actually going to attack us?” the Guiyuan Saint Child scoffed. ‘He couldn’t believe Shen Haoran would risk his own life to attack him.’

Seeing the disdain on the Guiyuan Saint Child’s face, Shen Haoran gave a cold smirk. The next moment, he vanished. When he reappeared, he was standing directly in front of the Guiyuan Saint Child.

“I said that those who insult the Yao Sect will be killed without mercy. That applies to everyone, no matter who they are!” Shen Haoran’s icy voice whispered in the Guiyuan Saint Child’s ear. The next moment, a scorching fist hurtled toward his face.

BAM—

A muffled thud echoed. The Guiyuan Saint Child reacted quickly, throwing up his arms to block the instant before Shen Haoran’s fist connected. However, the terrifying force behind the punch sent him flying like a cannonball. He only stopped when he slammed into one of the stone pillars at the square’s edge. The residual Powerful Qi from the impact shattered the pillar to pieces. It was hard to believe such power could be unleashed by a Tier One Spirit Emperor.

“Saint Son, there’s something strange about this guy! Help me!” the Guiyuan Saint Child shouted to the not-so-distant Illusionary Saint Son, his arms trembling uncontrollably and his face grim. Hearing his cry, the Illusionary Saint Son wasted no time, launching his own attack on Shen Haoran. The two great prodigies were actually teaming up against Shen Haoran…