The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 265: Who Strikes First Prevails!

Who Strikes First Prevails! . . .

"Praise you, Feng Zhiling. You are asking for death! In fact, you are going to end up begging for death!" Nan Tianxing's voice dripped with venom.

Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but sneer in response, his tone dripping with derision. "Oh yeah? I really have no idea how such a shameless, evil, crazy, and mad bastard could make me beg for death! Are you sure you can do it?"

A sudden burst of laughter echoed from Cha Eun Xiao. "I guess not! At least my bones are tougher than yours! At least deep inside my heart, there is still a place for my country, my home! At the very least, I would never be able to do those dirty animal things like you did!"

Nan Tianxing's anger erupted in a thunderous shout, causing the ground to tremble beneath them.

As the echoes faded, Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but think, [This bastard, indeed he doesn't want to kill me, because I can bring him greater profits alive! However, he is going to break down soon anyway.]

Nan Tianxing's face remained cold and dark, his muscles unyielding, as he continued with a sinister edge. "Feng Monarch, what you are doing now is picking the punishment liquor instead of the friendly liquor!"

"Well, it is still liquor," Cha Eun Xiao replied calmly. "It can also make me drunk! What would your father like to drink?"

Nan Tianxing's patience wore thin, and he snapped, "Don't you dare mention my father!"

Cha Eun Xiao's laughter turned vicious. "Hahahaha… What? Do you feel guilty? Do you want to give me punishment liquor? Fine. I won't mention him. Then, does your son drink liquor? Hmm. I forgot to ask first. Do you have a son? Like you, a bastard. If you have a son, the gods must be too merciful to you!"

Nan Tianxing's restraint crumbled, and he growled, "Don't be glib. The punishment liquor is always not so easy to drink."

With dark determination, Nan Tianxing took a step forward, his face twisted in anger. "Feng Zhiling, you have successfully made me run out of patience."

"Let me tell you what's next. You have two choices now. One, you die. Two, be my slave and make supreme dan beads for me from now on! All the supreme dan beads belong to me alone from now on!"

A dark smile played on his lips, filled with malice. "I was trying to seek cooperation with you. And I even thought about letting you be a free man to a certain extent so that you can still enjoy your life. But you just ruined the opportunity to have a better life."

Cha Eun Xiao's smile turned cold as he sneered, "Oh really? Just by saying something about your bastard old father and your bastard son who may or may not exist? Really? Bastards are unlucky, for the three of you are humiliating all bastards by being a part of them!"

The contempt in his voice fueled the fire of fury deep within Nan Tianxing.

"You are asking for death. Don't blame anybody else then!" Nan Tianxing gritted his teeth, seething with anger.

"What stupid thing is your father? Why can't I talk about him? And your son, I am not sure he would like to have a father like you!" Cha Eun Xiao continued, his tone laced with disdain. "People like you and your father, to be honest, I feel my mouth became smelly just because I talked about you! Why are you so angry? Isn't it a great honor for you and your father to be mentioned by my mouth! Shouldn't you be the happiest about it?"

Nan Tianxing couldn't contain his rage any longer. He lunged forward with a strike, but to his surprise, Cha Eun Xiao had already moved, a glint of cold light flashing.

Both combatants were pushed to their limits, and neither could bear it any longer. A fierce clash was imminent.

The uncontainable flame of anger raged within Cha Eun Xiao's heart, burning brighter and hotter with every passing moment. It had reached a point where it could no longer be suppressed, and he felt a deep, unrelenting urge to end the life of the man before him, a man who epitomized evil and cruelty.

As he observed the man who stood before him, Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but question the twisted morality that allowed such a ruthless act. His thoughts echoed within his mind, [Even though that general may have provoked your father, how could you commit such a heartless atrocity against him while he was defending our country during a critical moment? You slaughtered ten thousand innocent soldiers, brave men who were giving their all to protect their homeland!]

His internal monologue continued, [Nan Tianxing… you are beyond human! How depraved and wicked are you and your father?]

Unable to contain his indignation any longer, Cha Eun Xiao swiftly moved, his hand deftly wielding a needle that he unleashed towards his adversary.

Nan Tianxing, ever the experienced warrior, was prepared to counter the unexpected attack. Though taken by surprise, he remained composed, swiftly sidestepping the needle's trajectory and raising his hand to defend himself. In his mind, he held the assumption that Cha Eun Xiao's fame had been built upon resources provided by the Ling-Bao Hall, and thus, his true combat skills might be lacking. Nan Tianxing believed that the strength derived from external resources was feeble, and he was confident that he could swiftly defeat his youthful opponent.

However, when their attacks collided with a resounding impact, Nan Tianxing was shocked to feel a surge of pain in his palm. He quickly retreated, instinctively utilizing his martial arts to harden his palm like iron steel. This defensive maneuver, he believed, would mitigate the damage from Cha Eun Xiao's unconventional attack.

After that decisive strike, Nan Tianxing ceased his offensive and retreated several dozen meters, his gaze fixed on his palm. There, embedded in his skin, was a slender black needle. It had pierced his flesh and nearly drawn blood.

The needle emitted a sinister, gelid aura, casting an eerie darkness over the immediate vicinity. Its surface seemed to shimmer with the malevolence of the underworld.

"Damn it!" Nan Tianxing's fear was palpable. Goosebumps formed on his skin as he realized the true nature of the needle—it was undoubtedly poisoned and exuded an overwhelming aura of death.

The chilling realization that the venomous needle could have potentially cost him not only his hand but his very life sent a shiver down Nan Tianxing's spine. The threat loomed ominously, and he knew that he had narrowly escaped disaster.

Without hesitation, he released a resounding cry and summoned his inner energy to his hand, intent on breaking the malevolent needle to eliminate the looming danger. Yet, as he focused his energy, a searing itch gripped his palm, sparking a terror deep within him. In a panic, he hurled the needle away with all his might. A closer inspection of his hand revealed a spreading dark stain that extended towards his arm.

Though alarm and fear coursed through him, Nan Tianxing remained a seasoned cultivator. In the blink of an eye, he made a critical decision and drew his sword. With a swift, decisive stroke, he severed the entire piece of flesh tainted by the ominous blackness. His blood gushed forth, initially carrying a putrid stench that gradually transitioned into the familiar, fresh crimson hue.

Amazement and apprehension enveloped him as he found himself drenched in cold sweat.

[What in the world was that needle? How could it possess such terrifying power?

I never bled, and yet it came perilously close to taking my life.]

With gritted teeth, he maneuvered deftly, evading Cha Eun Xiao's relentless attacks and enduring some of the blows. Amid the fierce combat, he tore a strip of fabric from his sleeve to staunch the bleeding. Raising his right hand, he compelled Cha Eun Xiao to step back slightly. His expression turned dark and foreboding as he confronted his adversary.

"What manner of poison is this?" Nan Tianxing's voice carried a tinge of uncertainty, his countenance as overcast as a gathering storm, as if it might release torrents of water at any moment.