Bei Kuang's gaze fell upon Lin Xiao, filled with contempt, disdain, and even the cold indifference one would show a dead man.

"Kid, what did you say?" Bei Kuang asked in a deep voice.

"I said," Lin Xiao enunciated each word, "that Zhou Chengding must die today. And I'm the one who says so."

Bei Kuang looked at Lin Xiao with a cold, sinister gaze. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"I'm a person, thank you," Lin Xiao replied, unflustered.

Bei Kuang sneered. "I don't care if you're a person or a beast. Today, I, Bei Kuang, will protect Zhou Chengding. I dare you to lay a finger on him."

The words had barely left his lips when Lin Xiao prepared to strike. At that exact moment, however, a middle-aged man standing before the King of the Southern Town suddenly lunged at Zhou Chengding.

Lin Xiao might not have known the man's name, but he recognized him as one of Xiao Shixiong's personal bodyguards. His cultivation had reached the Martial King realm. While not considered overwhelmingly powerful, this level was far above a Heaven Level Martial Artist. Killing someone like Zhou Chengding would naturally be a simple task.

But then, Bei Kuang moved. His hunched body shot toward Xiao Shixiong's bodyguard like a bolt of lightning. The speed was so incredible that Lin Xiao tensed. Before the Martial King-level Martial Artist could even react, Bei Kuang's palm had already slammed down on his head.

SMACK!

With a crisp crack, the man's head instantly exploded.

Silence fell—so profound you could hear a pin drop.

Xiao Shixiong was stunned, his eyes wide and his mouth agape. Although he knew Bei Kuang was viciously powerful, being one of the ten great experts of the Dragon Alliance after all, he had never anticipated that his strength had reached such a terrifying level. To think he could kill a Martial King-level Martial Artist with a single, effortless slap.

Xiao Shixiong's expression turned terrifyingly grim.

In stark contrast, Zhou Chengding burst into wild laughter. He had been certain of his death today, never expecting such a shocking turn of events. To be honest, the shocked expression on Xiao Shixiong's face when he heard Bei Kuang's name had already given Zhou Chengding an inkling that the old gatekeeper he had taken in twenty years ago might be a top-tier expert. But at that time, he hadn't dared to be complacent, as Xiao Shixiong was surrounded by a legion of experts.

However, when Zhou Chengding saw Bei Kuang effortlessly kill one of Xiao Shixiong's four great protectors, the ecstatic joy in his heart could no longer be contained. He knew that with a top-tier expert like Bei Kuang protecting him, he didn't have to die. Not only would he live, but he might even be able to use Bei Kuang's power to truly dominate Jinling City.

What a rush. Zhou Chengding had never felt so exhilarated. After decades of having to read Xiao Shixiong's moods, he could finally live without constant caution. How could he not be thrilled? Perhaps from now on, Xiao Shixiong would be the one reading *his* expression.

As this thought crossed his mind, Zhou Chengding grew even more excited. He threw off the hands of Xiao Shixiong's men and stood up, his posture arrogant.

Looking at Xiao Shixiong with utter disdain, he sneered, "Xiao Shixiong, I followed you loyally for so many years. And yet, you fucking piece of shit, for the sake of some stinking beggar, you wanted to bury me alive! Good. Very good. Today, I'll let you have a taste of what it's like to have your fate controlled by someone else!"

Xiao Shixiong stared at Zhou Chengding with contempt. Even with Bei Kuang backing him, and even with Bei Kuang's cultivation being shockingly exceptional, it didn't mean Xiao Shixiong was afraid. He looked at Zhou Chengding as if he were a dog.

"Over thirty years ago, you knelt before me and swore to be my dog for life, Zhou Chengding," he said coldly. "Once a dog, always a dog. Do you really think you can escape death today just because Bei Kuang has your back? I'm telling you, dream on!"

The vicious words pierced Zhou Chengding's heart like a sword. An uncontrollable fear flashed in his eyes. Indeed, terror was blooming in Zhou Chengding's heart. After all, the man who had just spoken was the King of the Southern Town, personally enfeoffed by the Human Emperor. His background and power were both terrifyingly formidable.

But just then, Bei Kuang let out a derisive laugh. "A so-called King of the Southern Town thinks he can shake the heavens? When our Dragon Alliance reigned supreme, you were still playing in the mud somewhere. I gave you a chance to leave, but you didn't take it. Since that's how it is, you can't blame me for being ruthless."

Xiao Shixiong snorted. "I address you as a senior out of my admiration for the Dragon Alliance, but that doesn't mean I'm actually afraid of you. True, your cultivation is extraordinary, but my subordinates are no pushovers. Men, attack! I, Xiao Shixiong, will reward whoever kills Bei Kuang today with one hundred million!"

BOOM!

The dozen or so subordinates Xiao Shixiong had brought with him instantly erupted into a frenzy. One hundred million was no small sum. As the saying goes, a hefty reward is sure to find a courageous man. Even though Bei Kuang's display of power had just shocked them to their core, the stimulus of one hundred million instantly drove them mad.

Without another word, every one of them lunged toward Bei Kuang like savage beasts.

Just then, Lin Xiao suddenly shouted, "Everyone, stop!"

This is a joke. These men are Xiao Shixiong's personal guards. I'm sure they're far stronger than ordinary people, but against Bei Kuang, they're just lambs to the slaughter. And Bei Kuang is the butcher's knife. He could obliterate them with ease. Lin Xiao didn't want to see them throw their lives away for nothing.

Xiao Shixiong instantly understood his intentions. "Sir, they are my Imperial Guards. Let them go first. I've already ordered my other three protectors to come as fast as they can!"

"There's no need. Allow me to be the one to test Mr. Bei Kuang's strength today," Lin Xiao said calmly.

Bei Kuang glanced at Lin Xiao disdainfully. "A mere Divine Martial Realm cultivator wants to challenge me? You're really courting death!"

His heart sank. The man can see through my cultivation with a single glance. That alone proves his cultivation level is far beyond my own. But I'm not afraid. Whether I can win is a matter of strength, but whether I dare to fight is a matter of courage. And courage is the one thing I don't lack. After being trained by my seven masters on Kunlun for so long, I am fearless. Besides, I'm the Dragon Lord now. How could I possibly be intimidated by a mere Bei Kuang?

"Is that so?" Lin Xiao said. "And yet, I'd like to see for myself."

Bei Kuang's face twisted into a vicious grin. "Fine, then I'll grant you your wish!"

He hadn't even arrived, yet an overwhelming murderous aura washed over Lin Xiao. In an instant, Bei Kuang was upon him. His iron fist, moving as fast as lightning and carrying world-destroying power, shot toward Lin Xiao's head.

Bei Kuang's smile grew more sinister. He knew that with this punch, the beggar's head before him would explode completely.

But just as his iron fist was about to collide with Lin Xiao's head, a golden light flashed across Lin Xiao's body. Bei Kuang even faintly heard a deep, ancient dragon's roar in his ears. The sound was not loud, but it carried a pressure that compelled him to kneel.

The next second, a world-shaking force flung Bei Kuang backward. The moment he landed, a shocking amount of blood spewed from his mouth.

His eyes, filled with utter shock, stared at Lin Xiao.

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