Attacks rained down like a storm, burying Chen Xiao in a maelstrom of force. Thunder and earth clashed; blazing flames burst like a phoenix spreading its wings. The ground woke like a sleeping beast — countless razor earth-spikes erupted from every direction, all aimed at him.
"Bang bang bang—" "Boom—"
The onslaught howled, but Chen Xiao only sneered.
"That all you got?"
You send physical cultivators at me? Fine — the Black Goat bloodline answers you.
"Eight Directions!"
"Annihilation!"
"Puchi—"
In an instant the Magic Vanguard Team was wiped clean. They evaporated under the pressure, collapse absolute and final. Zhang Ying's face drained of color; he turned and ran for the city gates.
"Is it too late to run now?" Chen Xiao's voice fell like a death knell. Zhang Ying's legs betrayed him. "I'm not even a real Zhang — spare me, please—"
"Puchi!"
The blade cut through the air; Zhang Ying's body was cleaved and tossed aside. He hit the ground, screaming, one half of him gone at the waist. Blood sprayed. He should have died — yet he clung to life on sheer stubbornness.
Before Chen Xiao could finish it, a new voice thundered across the plaza.
"Hold your blade! I am Pei Tianyuan — First Executive of the Military Region!"
A middle-aged man in a crisp uniform stepped forward. His expression was iron-clad; his presence carried the weight of the entire garrison. Pei Tianyuan's rank put him above even the three family heads — a living lever of power.
Chen Xiao smiled faintly. "The Zhangs must fall. Even the Underworld's Horse-Face can't stop me."
"Puchi!"
The other half of Zhang Ying's body was split with finality. He was beyond saving.
"Chen Xiao, you've gone too far."
Pei Tianyuan sighed. "Do you understand what the fall of the top three families would do to this city's defense?"
Chen Xiao shrugged. "What business of mine is the capital's future?"
Pei's voice tightened. "The top three families keep a balance here. They're... part of the city's fate." He stepped closer, calm as a man delivering an ultimatum. "I want to cooperate with you — for the good of China."
Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow. "For China? That phrase slips easily off people's tongues."
Pei didn't flinch. "Call it what you will. Cooperate with us, and you'll get the strongest evolution opportunity."
Chen Xiao's interest prickled. The "strongest evolution opportunity." The words landed like bait. He'd survived for a month and grown with every fight, but the fifth Blood Moon was incoming; Horse-Face would be on the board soon. He needed every edge he could get.
"Talk after I finish the Zhang family," Chen Xiao said. He listened — evolution was worth listening to.
Pei Tianyuan smiled wryly, then gestured. A thousand-strong force of awakeners materialized behind him — soldiers and gifted fighters, a wall of teeth.
Chen Xiao activated Dragon Breath and watched. Pei Tianyuan's smile deepened. "Do you know about evolution opportunities?" he asked again.
Chen Xiao narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"
Pei's answer was measured. "You must've experienced evolution already, or I couldn't explain your strength. I offer you cooperation — and the strongest evolution chance in the capital."
Chen Xiao considered it. The third Blood Moon was near; the Horse-Face threat was imminent. Getting stronger wasn't negotiable.
They sat in the Zhang family's reception hall to talk — Chen Xiao cross-legged and casual, snacking as if this were tea-time. The Bee Woman lay unconscious in the cellar; the thousand awakeners waited outside like a cordon.
"You didn't bring so many just to keep watch?" Chen Xiao asked, idly sipping tea.
Pei Tianyuan leaned forward. "Of course I have reasons."
Chen Xiao smirked, then vanished. The room convulsed as his fist materialized inches from Pei's brow — a test. The gust that screamed off that punch could kill most awakeners outright.
As Chen expected, the man behind Pei moved — not just any bodyguard. He matched force for force. Two titanic blows collided, sending energy rolling like an earthquake across the wooden table. Chen Xiao used Invisibility to slip back into his seat; the moment blinked like it never happened.
Pei Tianyuan gave a small nod. "Do you have your answers?"
Chen Xiao smiled. "The military hides talents everywhere. I don't trust that enough to cut a deal."
Pei's face tightened, half-amused, half-exasperated. "Your reputation precedes you. They call you bloodthirsty, a butcher." He lowered his voice. "They call you the 'Mad Ghost Butcher.'"
Chen Xiao nearly spat out his tea. "Mad Ghost Butcher? Whoever coined that can taste a hundred deaths."
Pei pointed to the man behind him. "The thousand I brought aren't for spectacle. They're for him." He nodded to the middle-aged fighter: "SSS-rank talent — Wolf King. The more people we have, the stronger he becomes."
Chen Xiao's eyes darkened. The offer — and the threat — made the room feel smaller. The chessboard had shifted.