Chapter 33: Sixth Layer of Spirit Sea Realm, One Palm to Annihilate
The third-floor grand private dining hall in the Hero Gathering Pavilion.
This was the usual place the Second Prince dined. On ordinary days, unless there was an important celebration, it was reserved just for him.
At this moment, five people sat around the table in the private hall, yet not one had started eating.
“Everyone, who the hell’s so impressive, making us wait here like this?” growled a man with a thick beard—one of the Second Prince’s retainers.
He was a free cultivator at the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm, known as Whirlwind Blade Qi Niu.
“Heh, tell me about it. But this time it might actually be real skill—didn’t Your Highness personally go fetch the person?” another retainer sneered.
That remark made everyone even more uneasy; such treatment was unheard of.
“Heh, I don’t believe any real expert would choose to follow the Second Prince. We’ve known each other for longer than a day or two. If I’m speaking bluntly, isn’t everyone here just scraping by? If this really turns into a fight against disciples of the Five Major Righteous Sects, count me out!”
“Hahaha, exactly. Who with genuine skill would follow the Second Prince? Why not go to the Crown Prince’s mansion—doesn’t that sound better? We’ve only got enough ability to butter up the Second Prince.”
As they laughed among themselves, only one frowned and voiced concern:
“Don’t be too complacent. I heard the Second Prince specifically went to invite the recently infamous Demonic Twin Stars!”
At that, the bearded Qi Niu scowled with contempt, spitting and laughing:
“What ‘Demonic Twin Stars’? They’re just a couple of clueless brats! They killed a few righteous sect disciples on the road, and now they’re being glorified!”
“Exactly! Their name might be loud, but they could be all bluster. Only the Second Prince believes it, rushing to recruit them.”
“Any real talent would’ve been scooped up by the other princes already.”
Just then, a server entered:
“Sirs, His Highness has arrived. Be cautious in your words and deeds.”
They all glanced at each other, cold smirks forming as they fell silent.
Shortly after, Zhou Rong walked in with Gu Fan and Lin Yi.
“Gentlemen, allow me to introduce. These two are Gu Fan and Lin Yi, disciples of the Heavenly Evil Sect, known as the Demonic Twin Stars!” he announced, seating them.
Qi Niu snorted in derision.
“So it’s the famed Demonic Twin Stars. No wonder His Highness personally came to greet you, and kept us waiting so long.”
Zhou Rong frowned, about to speak—but Lin Yi interrupted sharply:
“And you are?”
“I’m Whirlwind Blade Qi Niu, Sixth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm!”
“Never heard of you.”
Lin Yi lost interest. An unknown had no desire to provoke him.
“Gu Fan, have you heard of him?”
“Huh? You haven’t heard? How would I know? I suppose the others are as worthless—no point even asking.”
Their exchange offended everyone present.
Qi Niu slammed his fist on the table, rising to attack!
At that moment, Zhou Rong intervened.
“That’s enough! Gentlemen, you are all esteemed guests I personally invited. Do you not wish to show me respect?”
Gu Fan smiled and said nothing in rebuttal—after all, the payer was master; no need to embarrass them now.
He would remember this slight.
Once they entered the autumn-wild hunting event, every one of these retainers would meet their end.
“These gentlemen are speaking for your sake, Sire. They fear that if you let just anyone attach themselves, and later if they prove useless—or worse, a liability—it will harm the entire mission.”
At these words, Zhou Rong sneered. Did they truly think he was unworthy of struggle?
He already knew exactly what kind of scum they were.
If he hadn’t been starved for talent until now, he would have dismissed them long ago.
Now, with two great lieutenants at his disposal, his tolerance was quickly wearing thin.
“I’ll say it again—these two are honored guests I personally invited!”
“Honored guests deserve matching talent. Your Highness, don’t worry. Let me test them for you!”
As Qi Niu spoke, he turned to Gu Fan.
“Kid, the so-called Demonic Twin Stars, huh? Let me see if you really—”
“Annoying.”
Before he could finish, Gu Fan frowned in displeasure and casually slapped out a palm.
Crack!
A crisp sound echoed. No one even saw the movement clearly.
Qi Niu’s head spun several times in an instant.
In the end, it drooped limply over his shoulder.
From the looks of it, all his bones had been shattered. If not for the skin barely holding it together, his head would’ve dropped straight to the floor!
Hiss—
Everyone on the scene gasped in horror.
A Sixth Layer Spirit Sea Realm cultivator, killed with one palm!
Lin Yi stood to the side, gazing at Gu Fan with some thought.
“Why do I feel like you’ve gotten even stronger?”
“Hehe, that’s why I keep telling you—try harder. Otherwise, the so-called Twin Stars will soon just be me shining alone.”
“Mm…”
Lin Yi didn’t reply. Then, as if trying to prove his own strength, he suddenly slapped out at another man who had just taunted them earlier.
Bang!
With a squelching sound, the man’s head was slapped clean off, leaving behind only a headless corpse!
“Ah… couldn’t control my strength…”
“Come on, can’t you be a little more refined? It’s so bloody—how’s anyone supposed to eat?”
Saying that, Gu Fan apologized to Zhou Rong.
“Sorry, Your Highness.”
How could Zhou Rong possibly be angry? He was overjoyed!
With strength like this, it didn’t matter if his other useless subordinates died!
“No worries, no worries!”
Gu Fan smiled.
“Many thanks, Your Highness. Then shall we eat first?”
At those words, the remaining three, now thoroughly terrified, immediately lowered their heads and began eating.
They didn’t dare say another word.
“Ha! Are you serious? We tell you to eat and you actually eat? All those bad things you just said—we and His Highness heard them loud and clear outside!”
The three paled instantly and were just about to react when they felt a chill around their necks.
Then, their vision rapidly receded, and they saw three headless corpses slumped over where they had just been sitting.
Wait… weren’t those their own bodies?
With that final thought, all three slipped into endless darkness.
Having dealt with the five of them,
Gu Fan wiped his hands.
“Your Highness, scum like them only drags us down. Don’t worry, with the two of us, it’s enough.”
Lin Yi then slowly sheathed his sword. The three had just been slain in a single slash by him.
“Indeed. Brother Gu and I are sufficient.”
Zhou Rong didn’t show a hint of anger. On the contrary, he burst out laughing.
“That puts my mind even more at ease. Since those wastes are now dead, the burden on your shoulders has grown heavier—and so has the effort required.”
He raised his wine cup as he spoke.
“In that case, their compensation will now be yours!”
Gu Fan silently praised him.
A prince was indeed a prince—his mindset was truly exceptional!
He even found a reason to give them a raise!
“Your Highness is so forthright. We shall definitely help you succeed!”
“Haha, good! Cheers!”
After that, the Second Prince Zhou Rong arranged for them to move to another private dining room.
The three of them continued drinking and chatting for a while.
A short time later, Zhou Rong finally got to the main reason for their meeting.
“You two, Father has already decreed the method for selecting the Crown Prince. It’s time I asked for your help.”
Gu Fan set down his wine cup.
He hadn’t expected it to come so soon.
But that was fine—the sooner it ended, the sooner he got paid!
“Please speak, Your Highness.”
“The competition for Crown Prince has been set. It will begin tomorrow. The event is our royal family’s annual Autumn Wild Hunt!”
“Autumn Wild Hunt?”
The two exchanged a glance, repeating the phrase in low voices.