Dragon-Marked War God Chapter 3044: Your Appearance

"That is correct. No reason is required for me to end your life."

Xue Liang let out a scoff. The two warriors moved in perfect synchronization, their retreating and advancing paces fluid. The overwhelming barrage of sword shadows left Xuanyuan Canglan in a desperate position instantly.

"Xuan Yuan Sword Hidden Stance! Initiate escape!"

Xuanyuan Canglan bellowed as he retreated at breakneck speed.

"It is the Blood Escape Technique, an art forbidden to the Xuanyuan family. It severely depletes one's vitality," Lan Luo remarked in a hushed tone. Xuanyuan Canglan was fleeing with frantic desperation. He understood perfectly that lingering to trade blows would result in a crushing defeat. More importantly, Jiang Chen might seal him here permanently. Thus, flight became his only logical option.

"Retreating already? You are delusional! Drop that treasure before you attempt to flee!"

Jiang Chen’s blade struck through the Immortal Execution Battle Armour and the Purple Cloud Feather hovering above the man's head. Xuanyuan Canglan’s eyes burned with a mixture of hatred and rage, yet he continued his frantic escape without looking back.

Xue Liang prepared to pursue, but Jiang Chen extended a hand to stop him, offering a slight shake of his head.

"There is no need to corner him further; besides, you likely cannot catch him now. You have just secured the Inheritance of the Immortal Execution Great Emperor, and he is powerless to reclaim it."

A faint smile etched itself onto Jiang Chen’s face. It was undeniable that Xue Liang had claimed the legacy, yet Jiang Chen intended to master the Great Dao on his own terms. His Dao of Heavenly Domination stood in stark contrast to the Dao of Immortal Execution, and he believed his path was superior. While he currently lacked the Dao Essence, he held firm to the faith that his path would one day command the heavens. The bloodthirsty nature of the Immortal Execution legacy did not align with his personal pursuit of power. Without question, his own path was perfectly suited for him.

Jiang Chen surrendered the Immortal Execution Battle Armour and the Purple Cloud Feather to Xue Liang, devoid of any envy or greed. Since the Immortal Execution Great Emperor had deemed Xue Liang a worthy successor, the items belonged to him.

"These belong to you, and you have earned them. You were clearly intended to be the rightful heir, yet you remained composed even when faced with such a profound inheritance. I suspect you are the only soul who could show such restraint," Xue Liang remarked with a warm grin.

Jiang Chen nodded, carefully securing the armor and feathers. He possessed absolute confidence in his own journey. Refusing the mantle was not an act of arrogance; he simply needed to carve out a unique path where the Great Emperor’s guidance could not reach. His growth would depend solely on his own trial by fire.

His expression hardened as he turned his gaze away. Qian Renji and Bing Yun were currently held captives by Lan Luo.

"The heart of a woman is truly as unpredictable as the tides. I did not anticipate this turn of events."

Jiang Chen sighed.

"Release Bing Yun at once!"

Xue Liang roared, his features icy. Lan Luo wore a subtle, joyous smile, appearing both charming and ethereal.

"Such a simple request. I desire the Immortal Execution Sword. Even a broken remnant will suffice."

"That is an impossibility!"

Xue Liang growled.

"It seems the blade holds higher value than her. How amusing. Do you see now? He does not care for your safety," Lan Luo said with a sultry, mocking tone, shifting seamlessly into the likeness of a seductive spiritual fox.

"Do not yield to her, Brother Bai. Disregard my wellbeing. Promise me you will never surrender that blade!" Bing Yun cried, her teeth pressed firmly together.

Xue Liang’s aura darkened. Jiang Chen placed a soothing hand on his shoulder, urging him to maintain composure. Lan Luo had clearly predicted this exact friction.

"Perhaps we trade your Immortal Execution Battle Armour for her freedom?" Lan Luo met Jiang Chen’s stare with a sophisticated, elegant smile.

"Impossible," Jiang Chen stated bluntly.

"Is that so? One wonders if the lives of these two women are truly less valuable than mere trinkets. Hahaha!" Lan Luo’s expression shifted, her eyes flashing with cold, lethal intent.

"Cease!"

"Fine, take the Immortal Execution Sword!" Xue Liang shouted, his resolve crumbling as he nodded.

"Splendid. I dote on obedient children. And what of you, little brother?"

"Initially, I had no intentions of killing you as you posed zero threat. It seems, however, that you are determined to dig your own grave," Jiang Chen muttered.

Luo Lan narrowed her eyes, radiating disdain. "You are at your wit's end. What could you possibly accomplish now? The girls are in my grasp. Do I look like I fear you?"

"Very well. Take the battle armour yourself," Jiang Chen retorted.

"So, you wish to play with fire? Just toss it here."

"As you wish. Catch it!"

Jiang Chen flung the armor toward her without a moment's hesitation. As Lan Luo reached out to seize the prize, Jiang Chen instantly unleashed the Soul Seizing Divine Art: Roaming Spirit Capture Soul! In a heartbeat, her consciousness experienced a violent shock, her frame convulsing uncontrollably. She slammed to her knees before collapsing entirely. This distraction allowed Qian Renji and Bing Yun to break free from her grasp.

Moments later, Lan Luo lifted her head, her gaze filled with a cocktail of regret, fury, and sheer terror.

"You… you actually possess the soul of a Great Emperor realm expert?"

Lan Luo finally grasped the magnitude of her blunder. She had never imagined her own spirit would suffer such catastrophic damage when confronting Jiang Chen’s hidden technique. Her ambition to scavenge the remains of their battle had led her right into a death trap. This man was truly a monster.

"The reality is far more complex than your limited view allows," Jiang Chen said coldly.

"Will you… please show mercy?" Lan Luo gritted her teeth. She recognized the situation was irreversible. Though she had initially been spared, she had pushed him too far.

"One must always consider the consequences before leaping. The path behind you has been burned away."

Jiang Chen showed no sign of wavering.

"I beg you, forgive me…" Lan Luo’s features softened, her eyes glistening with tears as she gazed at him. The allure within her eyes seemed to pierce his spirit, attempting to transcend lifetimes and reach for his very core.

For a fleeting second, Lan Luo shifted her appearance to match Yan Chengyu. Jiang Chen stood stunned, his consciousness momentarily ensnared by her technique. Fortunately, his soul was far more robust than she had calculated, and he snapped back to reality instantly.

The vision of Xiao Yu haunted his mind. Seeing her face forced the memories of their time together to surge forward, threatening to shatter his focus. Yet, he remained grounded; he knew the entity before him was nothing but a shadow.

"Your Fascination Technique is undeniably impressive."

"Hahaha. You managed to overcome it regardless. Xiao Yu… I have never encountered a woman so ethereal in all my travels." Lan Luo murmured, her smile laced with tragedy. She knew she had lost all leverage.

Jiang Chen watched her, his expression unreadable as her face flickered between her own and Xiao Yu’s. He raised his blade and lowered it, his inner turmoil evident.

"Leave! I do not wish to look upon you again."

Despite the image of Xiao Yu that she presented, Jiang Chen chose to lower his weapon once more.

"Mortals are truly baffling creatures. Hahaha. Since you refuse to strike, I shall take my leave."

Lan Luo offered a chilling, beautiful smile before transforming into a streak of light, vanishing into the horizon.

"Little brother, I shall remember this act of mercy for as long as I live. If our paths cross again, I promise to return the favor. Hahaha."

Jiang Chen inhaled deeply, his eyes heavy with longing and regret. He pondered her location, wondering how long it would be before he could hold Xiao Yu in his arms again.