Watching Ying Xiaoxiao lying motionless in a pool of blood, observing Xiao Muzi’s shattered body, and beholding the blood mist that blossomed from Bieli’s self-detonation, coupled with the memory of Ye Longyi’s unknown departure, Ye Jingyu felt as if his heart had been violently pierced. Two streams of bloody tears instantly sprang from his eyes.

These were the earliest subordinates who followed him, these were the brothers who entrusted their entire lives to him, and now they were dead, every single one of them gone.

Their faces still flickered in his mind; he remembered vividly the first time he saw them on the arena stage, but now all that had become nothing more than smoke in the wind.

Was this fate? Why, even after rushing back at full speed, could he not save them?

Why? Why was this happening? He had long sworn to protect those beside him, but why would Heaven deny him such an opportunity?

The murderous intent in his heart was unleashed without reservation. His blood-red eyes locked fiercely onto Xuanyuan Ruoxing, who stood not far away. It was he who had killed Ling’er, and now so many more lives had been lost by his hands. If he did not slay Xuanyuan Ruoxing today, Ye Jingyu swore he would not be a man.

Luo Ruofeng and Crown Prince Luo Lixuan were momentarily stunned by Ye Jingyu’s sudden appearance out of thin air, immediately followed by a wave of intense relief.

“Jingyu (Master)…” The two called out almost simultaneously, their voices thick with heavy longing and an indescribable, ineffable emotion. With Ye Jingyu here, they felt as if they had swallowed a calming pill, fearless of anything else.

“Your Majesty, rest assured. With me here, no one can harm you!” Ye Jingyu spoke calmly, but the veins on his body were starting to bulge, indicating that the fury within him had reached its absolute zenith.

Hearing Ye Jingyu’s words, Luo Ruofeng and his son finally let go of all their anxieties. Luo Ruofeng retracted the golden-yellow dagger and gripped his own long sword once more.

Xuanyuan Ruoxing naturally noticed Ye Jingyu’s arrival. Looking at the white-haired man, there was no trace of worry or fear on Xuanyuan Ruoxing’s face. He was currently at the Immortal Realm, holding an ancient divine treasure; he was the foremost person under heaven—whom should he fear?

“Hahahaha, so it’s you, the fellow who only survives by relying on women! You were lucky to escape last time, but now you’ve walked right into my trap. You truly repay Princess Ling’er’s good intentions poorly!” Xuanyuan Ruoxing roared with laughter, his words brimming with smugness.

If he hadn't mentioned it, it might have been better, but the moment Luo Ling’er was brought up, Ye Jingyu’s eyes burned even brighter crimson, his internal rage intensifying. Meanwhile, Luo Ruofeng, standing nearby, also saw his expression shift slightly upon hearing that sentence. Had something happened to Ling’er?

When Zhuge Yi Shi and the other returned, they hadn't told him anything about Ling’er, but under the current circumstances, it was not a good time to inquire further.

“Release them, and we fight fairly…” Ye Jingyu forcibly suppressed the fury consuming him and spoke softly.

“Release them? Fight fairly? Hahahaha, do you think you are worthy of a fair fight with me? Kill them for me…” Xuanyuan Ruoxing burst into laughter again, issuing the command to attack. The soldiers, who had paused due to Ye Jingyu’s sudden appearance, once again raised their weapons and charged toward Ye Jingyu.

So what if this man was powerful? He was only one person; how could he possibly contend against so many of us?

This was the thought process of everyone present, so they felt no fear. Especially when they considered that merely killing Luo Ruofeng would earn them the title of a vassal king—such glory and wealth was something ordinary men could not easily refuse.

A full contingent of several thousand men surged toward Ye Jingyu and the others like an incoming tide. Beneath this black current, Ye Jingyu and the two others seemed like a solitary skiff on the vast ocean, moments away from being overwhelmed. Yet, whether it was Luo Ruofeng or Luo Lixuan, their hearts were utterly steady, their worries completely gone.

“Why must you bring about their deaths for nothing?” Ye Jingyu looked upon the swarming soldiers with pity, then gently uttered a single word from his lips: “Shatter…”

Shatter…

A simple word, yet it descended like the Grim Reaper’s curse. As soon as it landed, the heads of the dozens of men at the forefront exploded completely. This phenomenon then spread through the entire formation with lightning speed. The heads and bodies of thousands shattered before the eyes, looking as if they were gas-filled balloons punctured by a needle.

It took merely the span of a single breath. All several thousand military personnel who had intended to take Luo Ruofeng’s life—generals, soldiers, ordinary warriors, and even Grandmasters—had their bodies disintegrated. Not a single one was spared.

A thick, pervasive scent of blood permeated the air, shrouding the area for several miles in a bloody mist. Such terrifying power caused the watching soldiers far in the distance to reel in shock. What kind of strength was this? This was the power of a demon god! Was he truly a devil? Thousands dead in such a short time, without a single escapee—was this still the power of a human?

Those who had been regretting that they were positioned too far back to claim merit now suddenly felt incredibly fortunate. That white-haired man was nothing less than a demon summoned from hell, someone utterly beyond the scope of human resistance. Sending more men would only result in more death.

Perhaps only their Great Emperor could stand against him.

Let alone the soldiers, even Luo Ruofeng and Luo Lixuan were deeply horrified when they witnessed Ye Jingyu annihilate thousands with just a soft utterance. The scene of those soldiers exploding instantly shook them to their core; if their minds were not already firm, they might have fainted from sheer terror.

However, seeing Ye Jingyu exhibit such might only rooted their confidence more firmly.

Yao Rao, Zhuge Siyu, and even Yi Ruoshui were also momentarily astonished upon witnessing Ye Jingyu’s formidable power, but the tension that had been gripping their hearts had long since dissipated. With this man having arrived, what was there left to worry about?

“Now, do you think I’m qualified?” Ye Jingyu’s voice had turned icily cold.

“Heh heh, why the haste? If you truly desire a fight, I have already arranged an opponent for you. Buyue, kill him for me!” Xuanyuan Ruoxing laughed heartily, showing absolutely no deference to Ye Jingyu.

As Xuanyuan Ruoxing finished speaking, Huangfu Buyue, who had been guarding Nangong Shang nearby, stepped forward to stand before Ye Jingyu. His gaze toward Ye Jingyu was profoundly unfamiliar, as if the two had never met. Now, his intent to kill Ye Jingyu was merely following Xuanyuan Ruoxing’s command.