Chapter One Hundred: The Battle Concludes

After subduing Li Huai, Chen Mu instructed him not to wander about recklessly. Once he dealt with the other two remaining figures, he would have Gu Xingyuan dismantle the deadly formation. Afterwards, he intended to spare Li Huai’s life, sending him back to the Great Xia Imperial family as a messenger.

The message was clear: if the Great Xia imperial court could provide a satisfactory explanation to Star Viewing Valley, they would be allowed to hand over all members involved in the eradication of Star Viewing Valley to the Azure Void Sect. In return, Chen Mu would reconcile with the imperial house, burying all past grievances. However, if the court failed to give a reasonable account, Chen Mu warned that he would soon exterminate all core members of the royal family and enthrone a new emperor.

The two remaining adversaries were Su Yinshan, the sect leader of Qingyun Mountain, and an unfamiliar Nascent Soul realm sect leader from another faction.

Seeing Chen Mu’s arrival, Su Yinshan gave a bitter smile. He had come to punish Star Viewing Valley only under duress. Though resigned to his fate, with his life now in Chen Mu’s hands, he could say nothing.

Originally, Su Yinshan bore no grudge against Chen Mu or Star Viewing Valley. Yet, when Chen Feng was handed over to the Azure Void Sect, his stance slowly shifted. Forced by circumstances, he joined the Dao Alliance and was then ordered to suppress Star Viewing Valley and Chen Mu, thus placing himself in opposition to Chen Mu. It was only natural, then, that Chen Mu’s killing him would be justified.

Sure enough, Chen Mu struck. Approaching Su Yinshan, a single kick left him grievously wounded.

Chen Mu spoke slowly, “To preserve your own sect, you handed over your own disciples to appease others? What a leader you are. This kick is for my elder brother. From now on, he is no longer your disciple of Qingyun Mountain.”

Su Yinshan spat blood, propping himself up with his hands. Bitterly, he acknowledged how much this young man had changed—once a mere Yuan Mai realm cultivator, his power was astonishing enough to defeat higher Nascent Soul opponents. But now, Chen Mu’s single kick had nearly crippled him. Although Chen Mu’s cultivation was just at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, it was still easy for him to annihilate Su Yinshan. Such monstrous power was unimaginable to both Su Yinshan and others.

This was perhaps retribution for handing over Chen Feng. Su Yinshan chose not to resist, closing his eyes, awaiting the fatal blow. He wished his death would earn Chen Mu’s forgiveness and that Chen Mu would spare Qingyun Mountain in the future.

However, no fatal blow came. Instead, Chen Mu’s voice continued calmly.

“I’ve fought alongside Qingyun Mountain’s disciples at the Great Xia Heroes’ Assembly, sharing life and death all the way through the Yellow Springs Pool. Qingyun Mountain also holds friends and comrades of my elder brother. I do not wish to see your sect crumble because of the loss of its leader. I will spare your life on one condition: you must recognize me as yourI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.