However, before that "Demon Claw" could grab Yans Ruxue, it was tightly clenched by a hand.

The person who clutched his hand was none other than Wang Xiaoqiang.

The cultivator at the Seventh Transformation of the Immortal was astonished to see Wang Xiaoqiang, a mere Fourth Transformation of the Immortal, daring to make a move against him. He displayed an incredulous expression and sneered contemptuously, "Kid, a piece of trash at the Fourth Transformation? You dare to take action against someone at the Seventh Transformation?"

"I'm not just going to take you on, I'm going to kill you!" Wang Xiaoqiang's eyes flashed coldly with murderous intent. In an instant, he absorbed 100,000 Spirit into his body, and his Spiritual Power surged explosively. In a mere instant, he transformed from a Fourth Transformation of the Immortal to something akin to a Half-Step True Immortal at the Ninth Transformation.

"Ah!!"

The cultivator at the Seventh Transformation and the two at the Fifth Transformation believed their eyes were deceiving them, or perhaps their Divine Sense was malfunctioning when they saw Wang Xiaoqiang's Cultivation Base skyrocket by five levels.

In their confusion, a flash of Sword Light suddenly burst forth before their eyes, and blood splattered everywhere. The cultivator at the Seventh Transformation had his head brutally severed by Wang Xiaoqiang wielding the Penglai Immortal Sword.

Thud!

The head of the Seventh Transformation cultivator fell to the ground, and a gush of blood spurted from the neck cavity like a fountain, creating a horrifying sight.

Those nearby hastily shielded themselves with Spiritual Energy Protective Shields; otherwise, they too would have been drenched in blood.

The two cultivators at the Fifth Transformation saw him coldly kill with a single stroke, decapitating their leading brother, and his ruthlessness exceeded even their own experience. A chill ran down their spines.

If a Seventh Transformation cultivator could be killed in an instant, what chance did they stand at the Fifth Transformation?

At that moment, they were so terrified that they cowered under a table, their eyes filled with immense fear as they pleaded, "Mercy, young hero, mercy! We were wrong, we were wrong!"

With that, they both knelt before Wang Xiaoqiang with a plop and kowtowed incessantly like chickens pecking rice.

"Little Qiang, let it go; they know their mistake and are begging for mercy. Just spare them!" Yans Ruxue tugged at Wang Xiaoqiang.

"If they hadn't knelt to beg for mercy, proving themselves tough men, I might have spared their lives. I didn't expect them to be such cowards. What use is there for such trash in this world besides bullying the weak?!"

As Wang Xiaoqiang spoke, he hesitated no longer. With a couple swishes of the Penglai Immortal Sword, he decapitated the two cultivators at the Fifth Transformation.

At that time, the entire hall was intently focused on Wang Xiaoqiang.

They had seen ferocity, but never to such an extent!

Murder over minor disputes, even the most seasoned cultivators sighed at such extremity.

However, at the sight of such carnage, some retched while others heartily continued their meals... yet no one intervened. Everyone behaved as if it were none of their business.

The proprietor didn't show up, and the servers cowered away.

The Yans Family Sisters and True Person of Taiyi were also stunned; they had not expected Wang Xiaoqiang to act so decisively – to kill just like that!

However, seeing Wang Xiaoqiang stand up for them, the Yans Sisters were touched and grateful.

Wang Xiaoqiang sheathed the Penglai Immortal Sword and, with a thought, made the Patterned Beast emerge from his back. But this time, the Patterned Beast appeared invisibly, thus remaining unseen by anyone in the dining hall.

With one gaping swallow, the Patterned Beast sucked up the three corpses, slurping down the bodies and heads into its massive maw with a single gulp.

After devouring the three corpses, the Patterned Beast had had its fill. It returned to Wang Xiaoqiang's back with his willpower, turning back into a tattoo.

Wang Xiaoqiang waved his hand, releasing a stream of Water Element Spiritual Qi, which cleansed the bloodstains on the ground, leaving behind no trace.

The crowd, witnessing the bodies disappear and the blood being washed away by pure Water Element Spiritual Qi, marveled in secret, wondering how this youth without a Spirit Root could summon such genuine Water Element Spiritual Qi?

As people pondered, the way they looked at Wang Xiaoqiang changed to a mix of awe and apprehension, fearing inadvertently offending him.

But Wang Xiaoqiang acted as if nothing had happened and gestured to a server.

The server approached timidly and stuttered, "Th-this young hero, what would you, you like to eat?"

"Bring me the best food your restaurant has to offer, and another two pitchers of fine wine!" Wang Xiaoqiang ordered.

"Yes, yes, young master, I'll attend to it right away!" The waiter replied with an air of trepidation, scampering off as if he were fleeing.

"Come, the three of you, please sit down. Today, my treat." Wang Xiaoqiang beckoned to the three still in a daze.

Yans Ruxue, her sister, and True Person of Taiyi turned to sit, with Taiyi still not having shaken off the shock from before, his expression slightly dazed. He weakly reminded with a wry smile, "Little, Little Qiang, wasn't what you did just now a bit too much? It could breed enmity..."

Wang Xiaoqiang patted True Person of Taiyi on the shoulder and laughed, "That's how you survive in the Immortal Realm. Otherwise, people would trample all over you..."

True Person of Taiyi nodded, his face still full of confusion.

Ever since arriving in the Immortal Realm, True Person of Taiyi had been staying with the Yans Family, like a flower cultivated in a greenhouse, untested by the elements. Facing a bloody scene for the first time, he was naturally shaken.

However, Wang Xiaoqiang had emerged from constant strife, accustomed to killing as part of daily life, so such events were nothing novel to him.

Soon the food and wine were served.

Nine dishes and one soup, a suitable mix of plain and rich flavors, completed perfectly. The wine, too, was exceptionally mellow.

"Little Qiang, thank you so much for earlier!" Yans Ruxue poured a cup of wine and handed it over, "This cup is to you, to express my gratitude."

Wang Xiaoqiang took it and drank in one gulp, smiling, "Let's not speak of gratitude between us. If anyone's owed thanks, it's you Yans Family for taking in Taiyi."

"True Person of Taiyi has worked tirelessly for our family, managing our domestic affairs. We should be thanking him!" Yans Ruxue sensibly replied.

At this moment, True Person of Taiyi quietly hinted, "Ah, Little Qiang, some people are sneaking peeks at us from outside the door! Could they be cohorts of those three from earlier?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaoqiang glanced over to the door and indeed saw a group of five people staring at him with venomous gazes.

Wang Xiaoqiang swept his Divine Sense over them and saw that their highest cultivation was no more than the Ninth Transformation of the Immortal, so he did not take them seriously.

He flashed the group a provocative smile and turned back, casually saying, "A bunch of nobodies, not worth fearing!"

After a satisfying meal, Yans Ruxue insisted on paying the bill, and Wang Xiaoqiang did not argue. As the four of them left, they noticed the group of five had vanished, presumably aware of their own inferiority and retreated.

By that time, dusk was approaching. The Western Heaven blazed with a vast expanse of red twilight, tremendously resplendent and grand.

The Imperial Palace under the evening glow appeared even more magnificent and imposing.

Dragon City is the Capital City of the Yellow Dragon Empire and where the Imperial Palace stands, stretching over dozens of miles, is exceptionally grand and majestic.

"It's still early; let's take a stroll around the Imperial Palace," Wang Xiaoqiang suggested,since none of the three objected, he led the way.

Crossing the plaza paved with white jade, they arrived at the grand entrance to the Imperial Palace, built from rare stones as hard and smooth as fine jade and roofed with uniformly colored glazed tiles.

Far from appearing garish, it emanated an aura of grandeur.

The Imperial Guards within the palace were all high-ranking experts in the True Immortal Realm.

Runes flickered on the palace walls, indicating that restrictions were in place, prohibiting ordinary people from entry.

At that moment, sounds of bells and tripods resonated from inside the palace, likely indicating that a life of bell and tripod feasting continued within.

Then, the strains of string and woodwind instruments flowed out, interspersed with the plucking of lutes, and the soft singing of women. The crystal-clear voices rendered the songs exceedingly sweet and tender...

"The Jinse produces fifty strings with no rhyme or reason, each string and each post lamenting the fleeting years. The sea carries the moon's bright grief like pearls, and the warm sun over the Bluefield sprouts smoke from jade. This sentiment could wait to become a memory, but even then the moment would have already turned forlorn..."

It was as if a peerless beauty was singing beautifully with deep emotion, prompting endless daydreams in the listener.

While the three were captivated by the sounds and sights within the palace, Wang Xiaoqiang suddenly uttered a phrase that made their hearts tremble, "One day, I too shall build such an imposing palace!"

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for it at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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