Chapter 183
Chapter 183: Murderous Intent
Golden whirlpools spun fiercely again within Murong Xiao Ya’s eyes. In the next instant, she struck upwards toward the cave’s ceiling with her palm.
A massive hand, formed from blazing golden flames and immense martial Qi, erupted from her body. It surged upward, blasting through layers of earth, piercing straight from the cavern depths to the surface above.
On the ground, the ruins of buildings exploded into the sky, thrown by the terrifying heat wave into midair.
As shadows of wings withdrew and vanished, Murong Xiao Ya rose from beneath the earth. Trails of blazing gold flames streamed behind her, piercing through the darkness as she ascended rapidly. In an instant, she hovered high above what had once been Murong Manor, now a scene of ruin.
Her slender form hung in midair, eyes shining with burning gold, like a dazzling sun illuminating the darkened night sky.
With a simple gesture toward the ruins below, an invisible shadow of Qi grasped a black robe, lifting it upward. At the same moment, the scarlet-golden flames encircling her vanished swiftly, and she wrapped the robe around her previously bare body.
Having completed this, Murong Xiao Ya stared down expressionlessly at the destroyed Murong Manor beneath her. Murderous intent overflowed from her slender frame.
The next instant, she vanished without a trace from the night sky.
…
At the same time, Hu Rui An and his companions, already a good distance away after losing track of Murong Xiao Ya, suddenly turned back toward the ruined manor.
Shock filled their faces simultaneously.
“What is this terrifying aura and murderous intent? Who could it be?”
Hu Rui An’s brow furrowed deeply. The fierce presence emanating from Murong Manor’s direction was enough to make even him tremble, his heart uneasy as if sharp blades pressed against his back.
Around him, Cao Gao Shan, Shen An Ran, and the others felt the same. Their martial dao cultivation was weaker than Hu Rui An’s, and even at this distance, they were shaken and frightened by the oppressive murderous energy.
Exchanging puzzled glances, everyone turned their gaze toward the carriage where Li Mu Sheng sat.
At this moment, Li Mu Sheng raised the curtain slightly, peering toward Murong Manor thoughtfully.
“That aura belongs to Young Lady Murong. But now, I doubt she’s the same Young Lady Murong we once knew.”
Upon hearing this, Hu Rui An and the others froze, their expressions baffled.
“Your Highness, Young Lady Murong was clearly only at Grandmaster martial dao cultivation before. But just now, that aura felt even stronger than Murong Hong’s by far,” Hu Rui An said in disbelief.
So little time had passed. Even if she’d swallowed martial dao divine pills or received training from a top master, such a dramatic transformation was impossible.
Li Mu Sheng glanced at Hu Rui An, raising his brows slightly.
“You ask me, yet even I don’t know. But indeed, Young Lady Murong is no longer who she once was.”
Li Mu Sheng’s gaze lingered on Murong Manor’s ruins, and he sighed softly.
The battles within Martial World factions were no less tragic than outright warfare. Truthfully, this was his first experience witnessing such cruelty firsthand. It left him feeling that the world was terribly chaotic, and human lives were as worthless as blades of grass.
Upon hearing Li Mu Sheng’s words, everyone’s expressions grew even stranger, their shock deepening. They knew Li Mu Sheng wouldn’t deceive them, but accepting Murong Xiao Ya’s sudden strength felt impossible, surpassing what their minds could grasp.
Then, Li Mu Sheng stroked his chin thoughtfully, gazing toward Murong Manor once more.
“No ordinary means could achieve such rapid advancement. Young Lady Murong surely holds a great secret. Moreover, her aura somehow feels strangely familiar to me…”
Hearing this, Hu Rui An hesitated briefly before asking, “Your Highness, should I continue following Young Lady Murong?”
Li Mu Sheng glanced at him, raising an eyebrow.
“Lord Hu, her current strength far surpasses yours. Do you think following her still serves any purpose? Of course, if you insist, I won’t stop you.”
Reflecting briefly, Hu Rui An realized this was indeed true. He glanced once more toward Murong Manor and fell silent.
Li Mu Sheng then sighed lightly, turning to Hu Rui An.
“Clearly, Murong Manor is no longer habitable. Tonight, I’ll accompany you to the Heavenly Brocade Guard branch to stay temporarily and see what’s behind this haunting matter.”
Plans had changed unexpectedly. Initially, Li Mu Sheng had no intention of getting involved with the mysterious hauntings, but now they had nowhere else to go. Thus, he decided to visit the Heavenly Brocade Guard’s branch.
Though Li Mu Sheng wasn’t afraid of ghosts, he felt uncomfortable being bothered by something so inexplicable.
Hu Rui An and Wu Shang immediately brightened upon hearing this. Although the ghostly presence hadn’t appeared today, having Li Mu Sheng by their side meant there was nothing to fear. Yet, Li Mu Sheng’s willingness to personally solve the issue and remove this hidden threat completely lifted their spirits greatly, filling them with deep gratitude.
Without delay, they drove the carriage toward the Heavenly Brocade Guard branch.
…
Meanwhile, upon Murong Manor’s ruins, an elder dressed in an embroidered robe led several disciples from the Four Great Families, carefully searching every corner. They aimed to ensure not a single person from Murong Manor survived to pose future threats.
“Senior, we’ve thoroughly searched Murong Manor. We can confirm there aren’t any survivors left. Everyone who needed finishing off has been dealt with, except…”
A young disciple from Zhu Clan paused mid-sentence, hesitantly looking up at the elder.
But the elder waved his hand unconcernedly.
“I’m fully aware Murong Hong’s daughter remains alive. I’ll personally inform the patriarch, so you needn’t wor—”
Before the elder could finish, his eyes suddenly narrowed sharply. He whipped his gaze toward a figure emerging abruptly from the ruins ahead.
Murong Xiao Ya, dressed in her black robe, stepped forth. Charred beams splintered beneath her feet, sparks ignited anew as her hem brushed past smoldering embers, stirring ash and smoke around her.
The elder instantly checked their surroundings. Confirming Hu Rui An and the others weren’t with her, his aged face darkened with murderous intent as he spoke coldly.
“Young Miss Murong, you could’ve hidden quietly. Yet here you appear, openly courting death.”
As he spoke, the elder swiftly launched an attack, gathering Qi into a powerful palm that slammed downward toward Murong Xiao Ya through the empty air.