Chapter 101: The Slaughter Begins

"I am the law!"

As soon as Xiao Yu’s words fell, an overwhelming aura erupted forth. In the next instant, a flash of crimson light flickered like lightning behind Zhiqiu Redleaf.

Before Zhiqiu Redleaf could react, muffled groans sounded behind him. He slowly turned to see that in that fleeting moment, every disciple of his sect he had brought with him had collapsed to the ground, each with a slender wound across their necks, dying with their eyes wide open.

In the blink of an eye, not a single one survived save himself.

“Demon. You’re nothing but a demon!” Zhiqiu Redleaf turned back, his entire body trembling, terror etched across his face as he stared at Xiao Yu and exclaimed in horror.

Xiao Yu stood unmoved, his sword gripped tightly in his hand, calmly observing the scene. The simultaneous deaths of so many immediately threw the crowd into panic; the tourists who had come to admire the cherry blossoms fled in all directions in a frenzy. In an instant, the entire sea of cherry blossoms was thrown into chaos.

“The warriors of Sakura Nation are even weaker than I imagined.” Xiao Yu gazed coolly at Zhiqiu Redleaf and spoke indifferently. Then, with a flick of his sword, a scarlet blade of energy shot forth, slicing straight toward Zhiqiu Redleaf’s neck.

A dull sound followed.

Caught completely off guard, Zhiqiu Redleaf was struck by the sword energy. His head parted from his body, rolling to the ground as a column of blood spurted from his neck. His body collapsed slowly to the earth.

“Prepare yourselves. What we’re about to face may be far more formidable than this,” Xiao Yu said without turning back. Sheathing his sword, he and his companions gradually disappeared amidst the brilliant cherry blossom sea.

The news of Xiao Yu’s slaughter of the Flowing Cloud Sect’s master and disciples spread through Sakura Nation’s martial world with the speed of lightning. His actions ignited a wave of fury throughout the martial community, with many sect masters issuing proclamations to hunt him down and kill him.

These reactions from the martial world soon reached the ears of Dongjo and his associates.

In the manor villa, Dongjo listened to a stream of reports from his subordinates, then burst into wild laughter. “Ha! Let chaos reign! If this stirs up the wrath of those old relics, I’d like to see how Xiao Yu manages to leave here alive!”

In the Mirror Moon Sect, Lady Ming stood in a courtyard, hands clasped behind her back, gazing at the sky and murmuring to herself. She was, of course, aware of the events shaking the martial world. Though she had hoped to prevent a massacre, it was clear now that such a possibility was gone.

In her heart, she did not believe the warriors of Sakura Nation could pose any real threat to Xiao Yu and his companions. All Lady Ming could do now was pray that Xiao Yu would restrain his slaughter, leaving Sakura Nation with at least a glimmer of hope for its martial legacy.

After leaving the cherry blossom sea, Xiao Yu and his group returned to Wolf Shadow’s base. Xiao Yu could already guess the current state of affairs in Sakura Nation. Having killed a sect master and over a dozen disciples in broad daylight, word of his deeds must have spread across the entire country.

By now, it was likely that many of Sakura Nation’s warriors were out searching for them. Yet Xiao Yu was unconcerned. He had his own plan: to draw out all the warriors of Sakura Nation and annihilate them in one fell swoop.

If others were to learn of Xiao Yu’s intention, they would think him mad—trying to pit a dozen men against the martial might of an entire nation was no task for a sane man.

Just then, Xiao Yu’s gaze sharpened, and he strode to the floor-to-ceiling window. In that instant, he distinctly sensed several presences speeding toward their location. He hadn’t expected Wolf Shadow’s base to be discovered so easily.

However, the approaching auras were few in number and none particularly strong, which put him at ease. Through the window, he soon spotted several flickering silhouettes in the distance; moments later, four figures landed in the open ground outside.

The four newcomers were identically dressed in white samurai garb, each with a long sword at their waist.

“Xiao Yu, since you know we’re here, why don’t you come out and meet your death?” barked the middle-aged man at the head of the group, locking his gaze onto the window where Xiao Yu was watching.

As his words fell, a figure suddenly appeared before them—it was Liu He, his face cold and expressionless.

Liu He stood still, a jet-black sword slung across his back, his eyes icy as he stared at the four.

“You’re not Xiao Yu! Who are you?” The middle-aged man frowned at the young man before them.

“Twelve Celestials—Liu He,” Liu He replied, slowly unsheathing his sword, his voice frosty. “You are not worthy of making our leader act.”

Infuriated by Liu He’s arrogance, the four men drew their swords without another word and charged at him.

Liu He’s gaze hardened. With a flick of his wrist, his sword flashed into his hand as he rushed forward to meet them. On the roof of the base, Xiao Yu and the others watched the battle below in silence.

Though the Sakura Nation warriors appeared fierce, their strength was lacking. Together, the four put up some resistance at first, but after twenty exchanges, they were forced back again and again by Liu He’s mysterious and unpredictable swordplay, utterly unable to retaliate.

“Heh, it seems Liu He’s skills have improved by leaps and bounds. It won’t be long before he finds his own path and enters the ranks of the Divine List,” Xiao Yu said with satisfaction, watching Liu He’s sweeping attacks.

“Boss, you probably don’t know—Azure Dragon and Fire Phoenix have already touched the barrier of the Domain. By now, both can be considered pseudo-Divine List experts,” Taishui added with a broad grin.

“Oh? I didn’t expect the two of you to reach such heights. This is cause for celebration.” Xiao Yu was genuinely surprised. He knew Azure Dragon’s talent would eventually take him to the Divine List, but he hadn’t expected Fire Phoenix to reach the threshold at the same time.

Boom!

Just then, a violent explosion echoed from the battlefield below, drawing everyone’s attention.