The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

The Weiwu General knew perfectly well—he'd passed the point of no return.

Whether he surrendered or resisted, the result would be the same: death.

Since that was the case, he might as well bet everything on one final gamble.

If he could somehow intimidate Great Qian into backing off, then he would become the new Divine Emperor of Great Xia—ruler of a hegemonic force, standing at the summit of Cangzhou.

Such glory, such status—how could anyone resist the temptation?

With that thought in mind, he stepped forward. A crushing pressure burst from his body like a tidal wave, roaring toward Fang Luo's group.

"Boom!!"

The Weiwu General was a Great Saint-realm cultivator. His oppressive aura was enough to make even the Hidden Dragon Guards, Fang Kong, and Ji Yuying struggle to endure.

A single misstep could mean serious injury—or death.

But Fang Luo raised a hand casually.

"Buzz!!"

Before everyone, a rift-like chasm appeared, blocking the Weiwu General's pressure entirely.

The general's pupils narrowed. He hadn't expected Fang Luo to deflect his might so easily.

Since the probe failed—then it was time to go all in.

"Die!"

With a shout, the Weiwu General raised a massive black halberd—its surface carved with the image of a fierce, snarling flood dragon. Its aura was terrifying.

"Boom!"

As the black halberd swept forward, the world seemed to change. Thunderous roars shook the air, echoing for thousands of miles.

Ripples formed in the sky. The space itself showed signs of collapse.

That halberd looked like a collapsing heavenly pillar as it crashed down toward Fang Luo and company.

One strike—enough to level the rebuilt palace.

"Stubborn fool."

Fang Luo snorted coldly and stepped forward, throwing a simple punch.

No frills, no techniques—a punch that embodied the essence of return to simplicity.

Yet within that punch, traces of Emperor-level law shimmered faintly.

Despite still being in the Great Saint realm, Fang Luo could already touch upon Emperor Path laws—a testament to his monstrous strength.

"BOOM!!"

The shockwave reverberated across the entire capital. Panic erupted among the residents. Some even considered fleeing the city.

Many powerful factions who had already submitted now hid in the shadows, wanting to observe the outcome.

If the Fang Clan was all bark and no bite, they'd rise up again and claim power.

But if they saw the Fang Clan crush the Weiwu General with overwhelming force, they'd know they chose wisely—and would keep their heads down.

These forces now watched intently from the dark.

When they saw Fang Luo clash with the Weiwu General—they were shocked beyond words.

"Who is he? Doesn't look like one of the Great Ancient Kingdoms' ancestral patriarchs. Could he be... a Fang Clan prodigy?"

"I remember now! That's Fang Luo! He was on the Heaven's Chosen List!"

"No way! Back then he was only at the Celestial Palace realm. How is he already a Great Saint?!"

"Hiss... Fang Clan's geniuses are growing far faster than we imagined!"

"At this rate, their rise will reshape the future of Cangzhou..."

The last time anyone saw Fang Luo fight was at the artifact-refining sect ruins—when he was only at the Fusion realm.

Now, just 50 years later, while normal Saint cultivators would barely manage a single breakthrough, he was already a Great Saint—and going toe to toe with the legendary Weiwu General.

Such growth and power stunned all the observing forces, who now secretly rejoiced that they had submitted early.

The Weiwu General, being the one facing Fang Luo directly, was even more astounded.

"So this is the true might of the Fang Clan's Heaven's Chosen...!"

His strongest strike was effortlessly blocked.

A trace of regret stirred in his heart.

But he quickly buried it.

"There's no going back. I have to win!"

His face turned cold. Vital energy surged within him. All around, the laws of heaven and earth twisted.

"Flood Dragon Slays Heaven!!"

His halberd transformed into a giant black flood dragon, thousands of feet long, surging through thunderclouds.

The dragon exuded an aura of prehistoric savagery—as if it were a true ancient beast reborn.

"ROAR!!"

It howled again and again, its voice as intense as an elite army charging in unison—blasting toward Fang Luo with unstoppable momentum.

Fang Luo drew a green longsword.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Countless sword shadows flew out like a torrential downpour, blotting out the sky.

The sword intent stretched for miles—so potent that even among the soldiers and Hidden Dragon Guards, all those wearing swords found their blades trembling and ringing.

"BOOM!"

"BOOM!"

Wave after wave of sword shadows, laced with destructive power, flew into the flood dragon.

The dragon roared and thrashed, the battlefield filled with clashing howls and flying scales.

Soon, the air itself was saturated with sword light and fragments of dragon scales.

"Aaoo..."

The flood dragon's howls turned to screams. Its scales fell like rain. Its aura rapidly weakened.

"Pfft!!"

The Weiwu General spat blood and staggered back, barely able to stay upright.

Even though they were of the same realm, he was no match for Fang Luo.

Even at full power, he couldn't shake Fang Luo in the slightest.

Seeing this, Ji Yuying finally relaxed.

She had grown up hearing of the Weiwu General's legendary deeds. He had left a deep impression on her.

She feared Fang Luo wouldn't be his match.

But now she realized—her worry had been needless.

Fang Kong and the Hidden Dragon Guards weren't surprised at all.

Especially the Hidden Dragon Guards—their earliest members had all followed Fang Luo in pirate-hunting campaigns. Among the Fang Clan's youth, the ones they admired most were Fang Luo and Fang Mu Ge.

Seeing the Weiwu General injured, the Saint-realm cultivators hiding in the shadows were left speechless.

Just moments ago, they thought Fang Luo had only barely held his own.

Now, they realized the general wasn't even close to a match.

And this wasn't even the Fang Clan's most talented youth.

It was now painfully clear just how terrifying the Fang Clan's current power—and future potential—really was.

These factions no longer felt merely relieved. Now they were scrambling to find ways to curry favor.

Since Great Xia's merger into Great Qian was a certainty, if they wanted to thrive under the new order, they'd better start building ties with the Fang Clan.

The Weiwu General's face turned dark with fury and humiliation.

He gritted his teeth and growled:

"What are you all waiting for?! Attack already!!"