Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 578 Wrath of the Crimson Thunder

Instantly, the elders from the Crimson Thunder Palace reacted.

Swish!

A blur of movement later, they were by Yu Longxuan's side, their faces etched with concern as they examined his state.

"He's merely unconscious."

A collective sigh of relief swept through them.

The tension in the air eased, albeit just a little.

However, this moment of respite was fleeting, as their expressions immediately turned grim and icy cold.

Their gazes zeroed in on Nie Fengzhuo, sharp as daggers.

"Nie Fengzhuo!"

One of the elders stepped forward, his voice booming with pure rage.

"How dare you do this?!"

An oppressive aura descended upon them with palpable force.

"You must think you've grown wings to act so recklessly!"

His eyes blazed with indignation.

"To strike the Seventh Prince – do you even comprehend the gravity of your actions?!"

Every word dripped with heavy consequence.

"Can you shoulder the repercussions?"

"Can your entire Nie Clan bear the weight of this?!"

The threat was blatant and unapologetic.

Even though Yu Longxuan had not been killed, the damage was already inflicted.

To be rendered unconscious in a single move, particularly before an entire clan witnessing it, was a severe blow.

His prestige, his authority, had suffered a substantial degradation.

In the treacherous game for the throne, reputation was indeed power.

News of this incident spreading would only lead to others belittling the Seventh Prince, significantly hindering his efforts to garner support.

The very air seemed to vibrate as the elder's immense aura intensified.

Great Ascension Realm!

"I shall show you," he stated icily,

"what it truly means to defy the Imperial Family."

BOOM!

He slammed his foot down, the earth beneath him cracking under the immense force.

A crushing pressure bore down upon Nie Fengzhuo.

Pure, unadulterated killing intent.

Patriarch Xue's countenance shifted dramatically.

"Wait—!"

He lunged forward instinctively, but the overwhelming pressure stopped him in his tracks. A heavy dread settled in his heart.

(<i>This is dire...!</i>)

If this confrontation persisted, Nie Fengzhuo would likely be crippled at best, or killed at worst. Completely disregarding Patriarch Xue, the Crimson Thunder Palace elder advanced.

His power surged like an unstoppable tide.

He had no intention of executing Nie Fengzhuo right there, not with so many witnesses. The aftermath would be too problematic, even for them.

After all, Nie Fengzhuo was recognized as a rising star within the Desolate Heaven Empire, and as an elder, how could he openly slay such a junior?

Such an act would draw widespread condemnation, and other princes and princesses would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to create trouble for the Seventh Prince. But to simply let Nie Fengzhuo go?

Unthinkable!

Inflicting a few broken limbs would serve as a sufficient warning.

"You should consider yourself fortunate," the elder declared coldly, closing the distance, "that I am not

taking your life."

The pressure intensified further.

Yet, Nie Fengzhuo remained remarkably composed, not a flicker of fear betraying his expression.

Whether the elder intended to kill him or merely incapacitate him made little difference.

Both were his adversaries, and he was not one to easily forgive his enemies. However, an expert at the Great Ascension Realm was vastly beyond his current capabilities.

(<i>Master!</i>)

His mental voice echoed urgently.

There was no hesitation; this was not a battle he could win alone.

Rather than enduring the inevitable suffering, it was wiser to reveal his trump card early and secure a swift resolution.

He knew that his Heaven-Rending Breakthrough Technique was insufficient against an opponent in the Great Ascension Realm.

(<i>I know. Prepare yourself!</i>)

Du Changsheng's voice responded with calm assurance.

In the very next instant—

BOOM!!!

An incredible surge of power erupted from Nie Fengzhuo's being.

His aura skyrocketed, rapidly ascending beyond all previous limits.

Soul Formation...

Spirit Severing...

And then—

Great Ascension Realm!

The surrounding atmosphere warped violently under the sudden influx of immense power.

The Xue Clan members, and even the Crimson Thunder elders, looked on with astonishment.

Shock!

Utter disbelief!

"This—?!"

The Crimson Thunder Palace elder, poised to strike, froze for a fraction of a second,

His eyes widened in sheer incredulity.

"How is this possible?!"

A mere junior...

A fledgling junior...

Achieving the Great Ascension Realm in an instant?

Impossible!

It defied all reason.

All comprehension.

But that moment of stunned hesitation was fleeting.

Because no matter how bizarre the situation, he could not afford to halt his assault now.

"Hmph!"

The elder's expression hardened.

"So what if you've employed some forbidden art?"

It wasn't as if he had never encountered such a technique before.

Bai Zihan possessed similar means.

However, he also understood that while such methods could amplify one's strength, they came with significant drawbacks—most notably, their inability to be sustained for extended periods.

He simply needed to prolong the engagement, and the outcome would inevitably be the same.

His voice grew colder.

"It changes nothing!"

With that declaration, he launched his attack.

His palm descended like a colossal mountain plummeting from the heavens.

Nie Fengzhuo did not falter or retreat.

His sword ascended, meeting the elder's immense strike head-on.

BANG!!!

A violent collision of two powers shook the ground. The Xue Clan grounds were filled with a deafening explosion as a fearsome shockwave surged outward, causing disciples to stagger and even some elders to steady themselves.

Dust billowed into the sky. The earth beneath them fractured and sank.

Nie Fengzhuo remained unmoving at the epicenter. His sword was held firm against the elder's extended palm. The elder's countenance barely shifted, showing no hint of panic or disbelief, only an intensified concentration.

After all, Nie Fengzhuo's aura was undeniably at the Great Ascension Realm at this moment. He truly did not believe it would be difficult to block an attack that wasn't even his full strength.

"Hmph..." A cold snort escaped him. "So that's your ultimate move." His eyes narrowed slightly, having already perceived the truth of the situation. The elder did not act rashly; instead, his assaults grew more measured, intending to wear down Nie Fengzhuo before making a decisive blow. Each impact carried substantial force but lacked the earlier urgency. He was prolonging the fight, anticipating the collapse of Nie Fengzhuo's borrowed power.

However, Nie Fengzhuo was fully aware of this strategy. He had seen through the elder's intentions from their very first exchange.

(Stalling?)

A subtle glint flashed within his eyes.

(Do you believe I'll give you such an opportunity?)

The physical strain was immense. Even now, he could feel the pressure threatening to tear his meridians and flesh apart under the surging power. Deep within, Du Changsheng's soul power was being relentlessly drained. This state of affairs could not be sustained indefinitely, necessitating a swift conclusion.

Suddenly, Nie Fengzhuo initiated a change in his approach—not to defend, but to attack. His sword shifted. The defensive stance evaporated instantly, replaced by a sharp, overwhelming intent to kill.

"Hmm?!" The elder's eyes widened. Too swift! Nie Fengzhuo advanced, his form becoming a blur as the sword in his hand descended in a single arc. Within that solitary slash, power surged like a relentless tide.

BOOM!!!

The elder instinctively raised his arm to block. But the instant the blade met his guard, his expression contorted. A terrifying force erupted—not merely equal, but superior! The elder was driven back a step, then another. His robes billowed wildly as he regained his footing, astonishment dawning on his face.

"This...!" He could feel it undeniably. This strike was not something he could easily parry. Not only him, but the other elders of the Crimson Thunder Palace also stiffened, their expressions shifting dramatically. Even Patriarch Xue's eyes widened in disbelief.

The Xue Clan elders standing behind him exchanged bewildered glances. This... this level of power? Previously, they had contemplated an alliance with the Nie Clan primarily due to Nie Fengzhuo's latent potential. Although he hadn't won the Dragon and Phoenix Competition, securing second place spoke volumes. Naturally, like many others, they wished to avoid offending the Bai Clan if possible, leading them to observe and investigate discreetly.

They discovered that despite the outward appearance of discord stemming from the broken engagement, the two clans were not actually hostile. The Bai Clan seemed indifferent to the Nie Clan, and even their associated allies maintained their relationships as usual. This demonstrated the Bai Clan's stance—they were not targeting the Nie Clan. Consequently, forming an alliance did not appear to carry significant risk; at best, it was a strategic investment in a future prodigy.

But now? Gazing upon the young man standing before them, sword in hand, his aura shaking the very heavens—for a fleeting moment, he seemed more formidable than their own strongest cultivator. That realization sent an icy tremor through their hearts. If not for the prevailing circumstances—if not for the fact that he was currently clashing with the Crimson Thunder Palace—this would have presented an unparalleled opportunity for the Xue Clan. However, under the present conditions, it was far from fortunate.

Nie Fengzhuo offered no respite, continuing his relentless advance. The sword in his grasp transformed into a streak of light, slicing through the air with unstoppable momentum. The elder's expression darkened; he could no longer afford a passive stance. The initiative had shifted, and it appeared he was now the one being overwhelmed.

BANG! BANG! BANG!!!

Their rapid exchanges resonated continuously. Each impact unleashed waves of Qi that ravaged the surroundings. The courtyard was already in ruins, with cracks spreading like a spiderweb across the ground. Even the defensive formations of the Xue Clan began to falter under the intense pressure. And at the very heart of this chaotic scene, a young man stood, forcing a Great Ascension Realm elder onto the defensive.

"Time to finish this!" Nie Fengzhuo declared, his gaze fixed on the elder from the Crimson Thunder Palace. "Absolute Severance!"