Urban Romantic Divine Doctor Chapter 1701 - 1698: Come Out and Face Me

Xu Wendong's demeanor was indifferent, as if he were looking down upon an insignificant ant. He casually remarked, "Why do you need to know who I am when you're already as good as dead?"

His voice carried a calm that suggested he was merely sharing a trivial piece of information, yet it was laced with a bone-chilling coldness that made one's spine crawl.

As soon as the words left his lips, the aura surrounding him underwent a dramatic shift, akin to a slumbering ancient behemoth abruptly awakening.

In but a moment.

A surging torrent of Soul Force erupted outward, like a demonic entity breaking free from its shackles. It roared forth, a colossal wave engulfing the sky, imbued with a destructive aura that surged and raged menacingly.

Under the crowd's petrified gazes, which likened the scene to the end of days and a heavenly tribulation, this formidable power swept towards Master Wudao and his retinue. It was like a primordial beast with its maw agape.

In mere seconds, Master Wudao and his companions, who had foolishly attempted to obstruct him like overconfident mantises, turned ashen. It was as if their very souls had been ripped from their bodies.

Subsequently, their physical forms appeared to meet a fatal end, each one violently spewing blood. The crimson mist bloomed and then withered like a tragic, beautiful firework display.

Following that, their bodies were flung backward with ruthless abandon, akin to marionettes whose strings had been severed. They traced arcs of despair through the air, utterly beyond their control.

Concurrently, the screams that tore from their throats were akin to the lamentations of malevolent spirits from the Nine Netherworlds, searing the eardrums of all who were nearby.

Their physical forms, much like ice under an intense sun, melted and disintegrated at a pace visible to the naked eye. They vanished utterly between heaven and earth in the blink of an eye.

It was as if they had never existed, leaving behind only lingering ripples of Spiritual Power in the air, tinged with a deathly aura, a testament to the breathtaking devastation that had just transpired.

Xu Wendong remained motionless, his hands clasped behind his back, as if the entire event had been nothing more than a trivial farce. His figure appeared increasingly grand and enigmatic, resembling a divine being transcending the mortal realm, inspiring such awe that direct gazes were impossible.

Standing to the side, Zhang Nian's eyes gleamed with a worship that bordered on fervor. "Master, what exactly is your Cultivation Realm? How can your power be so formidable?"

Xu Wendong inclined his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "You consider this powerful?"

Zhang Nian pouted in response. "An intent alone can turn Nascent Soul Stage Experts into dust. Isn't that considered strong?"

Xu Wendong's lips parted slightly, poised to reply, when his expression abruptly tensed. His brows furrowed minutely, as if he had keenly detected an unusual presence lurking in the shadows.

Then, his gaze, sharp as lightning, suddenly swiveled. His piercing eyes seemed to penetrate the gloom, directly fixing upon a secluded alley nearby. He coldly commanded, "Since you are present, reveal yourself. I detest those who spy from the shadows!"

The icy voice shattered the prevailing silence, resonating with an undeniable authority, like an emperor issuing a decree. The very air seemed to thicken slightly.

The silence was instantaneously broken, and from within the alley, a flurry of hurried footsteps echoed, like startled birds taking flight.

In an instant, a group of cultivators emerged, their faces etched with alarm, quickly jogging forward.

They all appeared panicked, much like young children who had inadvertently stumbled into a dragon's lair, their eyes filled with both awe and apprehension.

Xu Wendong's gaze swept over them, like a searing torch, taking in their entirety with a single, cursory glance.

Counting them carefully, there were over twenty individuals.

Assessing their cultivation levels, the majority were at the Golden Core Stage Initial and Middle stages. Their Spiritual Power fluctuations were akin to faint candlelight, truly insignificant when faced with a formidable expert like himself.

Observing their attire, which consisted of modern clothing in various styles, exuding a worldly aura, it was evident they were Loose Cultivators, venturing alone in this world without the backing of any sect or affiliation.

"Greetings, Senior!"

At this juncture, an elder with white hair and a matching beard stepped forward. His countenance radiated respect, much like that of a devout pilgrim. He led the group in a solemn bow.

His back was bent, his movements exceedingly humble, daring not to exhibit the slightest carelessness. He seemed to fear that a single misstep might provoke the god-like entity before him.

The others followed suit, bowing their heads as soldiers awaiting inspection. The atmosphere grew so silent that one could practically hear their heartbeats.

Xu Wendong inquired, "Why were you lurking in the shadows, spying?"

The elder nervously swallowed, suppressing his fear. "Please calm yourself, Senior. We did not intend to spy. It was merely... the previous battle was exceedingly intense. We sensed Master Wudao's aura, and thus came to investigate!"

Zhang Nian interjected with skepticism, "Are you associated with Master Wudao?"

"No, no, no!" the old man exclaimed, filled with palpable anxiety. "Master Wudao has been our pillar of support; we've always existed under his protective wing."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of curiosity crossed Xu Wendong's face. "If Master Wudao truly was your protector, why did you stand idly by while I was killing him? Why did you simply watch as he met his end by my hand?"

A middle-aged man let out a sigh of helplessness, his gaze darting nervously towards Xu Wendong. "To be perfectly honest, senior, we never truly desired Master Wudao as our protector."

"However, residing in these lands left us with no alternative. If we failed to offer him a portion of our earnings as tribute, even if he offered no protection, we would still face relentless harassment from other formidable figures and could even be ruthlessly put to death!"

The old man at the forefront trembled perceptibly, his eyes conveying deep supplication as he murmured, "Senior, to tell you the truth, we are all Loose Cultivators hailing from the Qingyuan Cultivation Realm."

"In the past, although Master Wudao's methods were undeniably ruthless, as the reigning overlord of this territory, he at least maintained a semblance of peace. By aligning ourselves with him and offering a modest tribute, we could just barely eke out an existence within the Cultivation World."

"But now that Master Wudao has met his demise, his influence has utterly collapsed, and the Qingyuan Cultivation Realm has regrettably spiraled into utter chaos."

"Should the outside world become aware of this situation, it's inevitable they will extend their greedy claws into the Qingyuan City Cultivation World, seeking to carve up the territory and expand their dominion. We Loose Cultivators would then be like mere duckweed tossed about in a violent storm, living in constant peril."

"To have been fortunate enough to witness your divine might today, to understand that your power is transcendent beyond measure, you are truly our last hope, our lifeline."

"Therefore, we implore you, senior, to show mercy, to take us under your wing, and offer us some form of shelter. We are eagerly willing to toil like beasts of burden, to risk our very lives without a shadow of hesitation!"

With these words, the old man promptly knelt upon the ground, his forehead nearly touching the earth. The other cultivators, without exception, followed his lead, all of them exclaiming in unison, "We implore your protection, senior!"

Xu Wendong's eyes narrowed slightly, the unexpected chain reaction triggered by the demise of Master Wudao catching him by surprise.

Beside him, Zhang Nian gently tugged at his sleeve, whispering, "Master, they seem so pitiful. Please, be kind and help them!"

Xu Wendong cast his gaze down at her, perceiving the genuine kindness and profound compassion radiating from her eyes, which stirred something within him.

Looking once more at the assembled group of Loose Cultivators, Xu Wendong finally gave a slow nod. His voice, though still carrying a hint of coldness, now possessed a newfound resolution. "Since this is the situation, I shall agree to this matter today."

"However, let me make one thing unequivocally clear: those who choose to join me must adhere strictly to my rules. Any violators will undoubtedly face severe consequences, with absolutely no leniency shown!"