Chapter 306
Chapter 306: The Power of the Crimson Moon
Nan Zhi sighed softly and asked, “What do you want?”
“That’s my question,” Wang Jie retorted. “You used the club channels to send your message, used me to draw the Crimson Moon here. What are you planning?”
Nan Zhi frowned slightly and replied, “This place belongs to my family. Shouldn’t I return?”
“You should, but you’ve manipulated everyone.”
“So, you wish to judge me morally?”
“Of course,” Wang Jie said sharply, “I can’t control your using others, but you used me as well. Since receiving news of the Crimson Moon until now, how many life-and-death trials have I faced? Do you think your simple right to return can erase all that?”
Nan Zhi clenched her fists and asked, “Then what do you want?”
“Whatever you’ve gained, I should gain as well.”
“How much do you want?”
“The complete Crimson Moon technique.”
Nan Zhi’s eyes widened, “The Crimson Moon is the foundation of the Nan family. You’re too greedy.”
Wang Jie shook his head, “No, the Four Seasons technique is your family’s foundation. You’ve already shown me part of the Crimson Moon—why not share it entirely?”
Nan Zhi nodded slowly, her voice turning icy, “Fine. You want it? I’ll give it to you.” Raising her arms, star force surged skyward, streams of qi rising like delicate threads before merging above her head into a blazing—Crimson Moon.
Wang Jie stared intently at the Crimson Moon.
[So this is the complete Crimson Moon technique. But observing the qi alone isn’t enough to grasp it.]
Nan Zhi stood beneath the Crimson Moon, bathed in eerie scarlet moonlight, her entire figure wrapped in ghostly allure. Her voice was coldly mocking as she said: “Wang Jie, didn’t you desire the Crimson Moon? Then I’ll teach you personally. Watch carefully.” At that moment, her right arm rose and then slammed downward.
Wang Jie instantly released the thunder pattern, holding it overhead. Yet the dark-red moonlight became an infinite surge of killing intent, coalescing like countless swords to shatter the thunder pattern.
From all directions, scarlet moonlight swept toward him.
This was Nan Zhi’s true strength. Previously, she had merely used techniques learned from Sincere One Dao, which were enough to rival a Six Dao Wanderer.
Wang Jie swiftly used the Armor Eight Steps, dodging from his original spot, but the moment he raised his head, his face paled.
Everywhere the Crimson Moon shone was a place of death, unavoidable and inevitable.
A fierce howl filled the air.
Wang Jie felt as though the void itself was crushing him, razor-sharp intent enveloping his body. Without hesitation, he gathered his qi and extended one finger toward Nan Zhi.
Nan Zhi fixed her gaze upon the Starry Finger technique. Scarlet light condensed in front of her like a blazing lantern, blocking the shadow of the Starry Finger completely.
“How could my Nan Family’s Crimson Moon be resisted by your star method? The Crimson Moon is a cultivation technique, a combat art, and—also—a star method.” Even as she spoke, Nan Zhi casually waved her hand, sending a wave of crimson light horizontally slicing toward Wang Jie.
This crimson light nearly tore apart the void.
Staring at the approaching crimson blade, Wang Jie swiftly took out his boat and slammed it vertically down beside him.
The scarlet beam struck violently against the boat, the shockwave pushing Wang Jie forcibly away from the area.
Nan Zhi was shocked. [He blocked that?]
A moment later, Wang Jie returned, gripping the boat in one hand, while countless swords appeared behind him, surging forward—the Sword Form Technique: Single Line to Heaven.
Nan Zhi hadn’t anticipated Wang Jie withstanding her previous strike.
The Crimson Moon had dimmed significantly after their fierce exchange. With an ugly expression, she bit open her fingertip and smeared blood upon the Crimson Moon. Countless swords shot toward her, yet the Crimson Moon suddenly blazed, suppressing them instantly. Scarlet moonlight ignited like fire, enveloping everything around them.
Wang Jie held the small boat tightly, but now the moonlight wasn’t just sharp—it burned.
This burning was unlike ordinary flame, causing him unbearable pain, as though his very mind was aflame.
Nan Zhi stepped forward and pressed down with her palm.
Within her palm, the Crimson Moon appeared.
Hurriedly, Wang Jie lifted the boat to block. Her palm slammed powerfully into it, the boat withstood the strike, but the Crimson Moon from her palm passed through, pressing directly into Wang Jie’s forehead.
Wang Jie’s pupils constricted, but before he could react, a character emerged on his forehead—Illusion.
This character had been bestowed upon him by Gu Xun Yi, meant for crossing deadly lands to deliver a message.
Wang Jie had completely forgotten about this character. Unexpectedly, it activated now.
The “Illusion” character pushed back the Crimson Moon’s phantom, instantly flashing past. Nan Zhi suddenly felt a fierce tremor run through her body. She spat out a mouthful of blood, stumbling backward repeatedly. Above her head, the Crimson Moon cracked and vanished instantly.
Collapsing to the ground, her vision blurred, and she nearly fainted.
Wang Jie touched his forehead, astonished. [It was used up like this? That character was given by Gu Xun Yi. How could it be wasted on this woman? She’s undeserving. At the very least, it should have blocked an attack from a Hundred Star Realm expert. Truly a pity.]
He put away the boat.
Looking at Nan Zhi, unconscious on the ground, he admitted inwardly that the Crimson Moon truly deserved its reputation as the Nan Family’s supreme cultivation and battle technique. He’d barely endured its full power.
If not for that character, he might now be lying defeated in her place.
[I’ll have to find anothTwo Chance to ask Gu Xun Yi for a replacement character later. Injury to a place like my forehead is too dangerous.]
Wang Jie sat down, swallowed a Revive Pill, and began recovering.
Nan Zhi had completely fainted.
It was two full days before she finally awoke.
Opening her eyes slowly, Nan Zhi felt weak and dizzy, her spirit utterly drained. It took a long while for her to regain clarity.
When she lifted her head, she saw Wang Jie.
Wang Jie stood before her, watching with cool eyes that sparkled with a hint of laughter.
Nan Zhi gazed blankly for a moment before memories flooded back to her. She stared at Wang Jie, astonished, and asked, “What was that power?”
Wang Jie smiled faintly, amused, and replied, “Do you really think I’d tell you?”
Nan Zhi rubbed her head, struggling to sit upright, speaking weakly, “As expected of a Star Path Master’s disciple—you are extraordinary.”
Wang Jie tossed her a Revive Pill, asking, “How long will this formation dao last?”
“If no one interferes, it can stand for a hundred years.”
“That long?”
Nan Zhi looked around, a complex emotion crossing her eyes. “The ancestor of the Nan Clan laid this formation himself. Even someone in the Star Refining Realm would find it nearly impossible to escape.”
Wang Jie sighed softly, “The Nan Clan indeed spared no effort to preserve their legacy. I’m curious though, who could have wiped out such a clan?”
Nan Zhi shook her head. “That’s exactly why I returned. I also want to find out who destroyed my family. Very few have such power.”
“But even if you find out, it would be useless. You can’t take revenge alone. You’re all that’s left of the Nan Clan. Do you really think you alone can surpass your entire family?”
“I can cultivate,” she paused deeply, “and I can also recruit a husband into the family.”
“Recruit a husband?” Wang Jie laughed lightly.
Nan Zhi’s gaze turned profound as she explained, “I could find someone of extraordinary talent and bring him into my family. Using my clan’s resources, perhaps he could one day surpass even my ancestor and avenge the Nan Clan.”
Wang Jie smiled mockingly. “If that day ever comes, would the man you chose still obey you? Would the Nan Clan still truly be the Nan Clan?”
Nan Zhi did not answer.
She was the only one left of her clan now, powerless to turn the tides of fate.
Such tragedies were far too common in the cultivation world.
Wang Jie felt no pity for her. The Nan Clan had been mighty, ruling over the Third Nebula and surpassing even Black White Heaven. Looking at the Third Nebula’s arrangement, it was clear the Nan Clan had been preparing for war. Power was transient—it could rise and it could fall. There was nothing to lament.
The number of clans destroyed by the Nan Clan itself was surely countless.
“Now your plans have all fallen apart. You have only one choice,” Wang Jie stared directly into Nan Zhi’s eyes. “Give me something valuable enough to keep your secret, and you may survive to carry on your family’s bloodline. Perhaps your lineage might endure. Otherwise, you’ll die here.”
Nan Zhi gazed back sharply at Wang Jie, her voice cool and enticing, “Don’t you want all the Nan Clan’s resources?”
The corner of Wang Jie’s lips curled upward, “Enough tricks. Would you really consider someone like me, a Lock Force cultivator? No matter what strength I show now, my future is limited.”
“But you’re a Star Path Master—”
“Cut the nonsense,” Wang Jie interrupted coldly. “Either give me what I want, or die here. Choose quickly.”
Nan Zhi’s eyes darkened. Indeed, she looked down on him. Her earlier suggestion of recruiting a husband was merely to deceive him, hoping to temporarily stabilize the situation. But this person was unmoved.
Now she only sought a chance to kill him.
Since leaving Blue Star, Wang Jie had learned clearly how the outer world despised Lock Force cultivators. He also understood how cunning outsiders were.
Only the intelligent survived among cultivators.
He could never guarantee being free from deception, but he could at least ensure he remained vigilant, not blinded by greed. This Nan Zhi had already manipulated countless people from the Four Great Pillars, shaking the cultivation world single-handedly. She was clever—every word had its purpose.
Facing someone like her, Wang Jie must always hold absolute control.
Nan Zhi recovered slowly over several days. Her complexion improved, though full recovery would not happen anytime soon.
Wang Jie would not allow her to recover fully.
“Let’s go,” Wang Jie commanded.
Nan Zhi stood up silently and began leading the way. She had no other option now.
Wang Jie had even embedded sword-threads within her to ensure compliance.
They crossed one formation point after another, Nan Zhi pausing frequently to search for the next correct path.
“Not that way, avoid it,” Wang Jie reminded her calmly.
Nan Zhi changed direction obediently.
She could pinpoint the main path to exit the formation dao, while Wang Jie sensed if others were nearby. Working seamlessly together, they avoided everyone and steadily approached their destination.
After traveling further, Wang Jie suddenly made Nan Zhi stop, eyes locked onto the Star Disk in his hand.
This aura—Senior Sister Mo?
It should be her.
But whose aura was that much stronger one beside her? From their positions, the two were together, yet Mo Wan Yin’s aura kept weakening rapidly. [Not good, Senior Sister Mo is in danger.]
“This way,” Wang Jie commanded urgently.
Nan Zhi frowned, “That’s not the direction we’re headed.”
“Help me save someone,” he ordered directly.
“Who?”
“No questions. Just save them. Move.”
After swiftly crossing three territories, Wang Jie reached the location where Mo Wan Yin was struggling.
He arrived just in time to see Mo Wan Yin encased in ice. Immediately he stepped forward using Armor Eight Steps, pressing his palm to her back. His Lock Force combined with her Star Force to fight off the freezing cold.
Nan Zhi threw out the Wheel of Burning World in another direction.
There, Shen Yan was caught off guard by Wang Jie and Nan Zhi’s sudden appearance. Seeing the Wheel of Burning World hurtling toward him, he drew his sword horizontally. Where the star artifact passed, even the void froze solid. The flames of the wheel weakened rapidly, unable to penetrate further.
Nan Zhi’s expression changed instantly. [He is strong.]
“Senior Sister Mo,” Wang Jie said, withdrawing his palm from her back.
Mo Wan Yin trembled slightly, ice falling from her body as she turned around in astonishment, “Junior Brother Wang? Why are you here?”
Seeing Mo Wan Yin unharmed, Wang Jie finally relaxed a little, “I saw you in danger and rushed here. How did you end up confronting Shen Yan?”
Mo Wan Yin glanced warily at Shen Yan, whispering softly, “I ran into him by accident, but I never imagined the gap between us would be so huge. Find a way to escape.”
Shen Yan glanced at Nan Zhi, then at Wang Jie and Mo Wan Yin, looking puzzled, “Why would someone from the Dao Yi Club help you two? Someone explain.”
“I’ll explain it to you,” Wang Jie said fiercely, sending out a powerful punch. Tremendous force rippled outward, surging through the frozen void toward Shen Yan.