Chapter 32: The Fort of Beyond the Heavens, the Heavenly Flower Repository

The distance between them was about thirty zhang (approximately 90 meters).

It was still impossible to tell whether the Illusionary Formation had been dispelled or not.

"Head of the Family, I sent gifts and a letter of peace through the escort agency, so why are you so hostile?"

"You seem to want to play with words."

"Hahaha, is that so? You're right. I tried to see how you would react by saying something I didn't mean."

His laughter was cheerful, and there was no sense of tension, which made Ximen Chui frown. Does he have some confidence?

"Let me ask you one thing. Was my son's fate your doing?"

"No."

"Then who did it?"

"Head of the Ximen Family, it's pitiful that you still don't know."

It was pitiful indeed.

For Hou Gong, it was a question that didn't even deserve an answer.

Wasn't it Ximen Chui, the father, who had ruined Ximen Xiong?

Who was avenging whom and seeking retribution from whom?

"You're quite arrogant."

"Far from it. There's no need to be overly confident when dealing with a family like the Ximen. First, let's hear your plan. What will happen to the Heavenly Flower Repository tonight?"

"I won't kill you."

"That's a relief, but why does it feel so unsettling?"

The Grand Duke scratched his ear.

Ximen Chui nodded.

"I promise. You will live a long time. I will pull out your tongue, gouge out your eyes, tear off your limbs, and keep you alive, so you never die."

"Hahaha! Head of the Family, if someone hears you, they might think you're a member of the Evil Sect. I've read that they are that cruel. Anyway, the Heavenly Flower Repository will be destroyed tonight, and your plan is to have the Black Flame Annihilation Corps raid it first, and then the Ximen Family will appear later, pretending to be sorry and take over the repository, right?"

Ximen Chui curled up one corner of his mouth.

"Huh, you're not as stupid as I thought."

Justification can be created.

The reason for the destruction can be decided at will.

It's not too late to think about it after the Heavenly Flower Repository is destroyed.

"You can't escape from the Heavenly Flower Repository just because you're cunning. I'll show you what hell is like."

"Ah, is that so? I'm not sure if it will really happen that way."

At that moment,

"Quack, quack, quack, Head of the Ximen Family. I'm disappointed to see you like this. I've always been curious about your sword, but now I can finally see it."

A middle-aged man appeared with a strange laugh and stood next to the Grand Duke.

Ximen Chui's eyes widened.

The Black Flame Annihilation Corps also showed signs of unease.

There was no mistaking the short, stocky figure with a gleaming sword.

"Master of the Blue Moon Sect... Y, You, how...?"

"Quack, quack. Am I the only one?"

"......What?"

As soon as he spoke, an old man appeared.

"Head of the Ximen Family, I can't believe what I'm seeing. I never thought you would confess like this."

"Y, Master of the Yanhua Pavilion, you too?"

The Master of the Blue Moon Sect and the Master of the Yanhua Pavilion were just the beginning.

Before Ximen Chui's surprise could subside, more people appeared one by one.

"Head of the Ximen Family, how can you be so shameless!"

"Is this really the Head of the Ximen Family I knew? Honestly, I didn't believe it even when the Chief Overseer told me... But what is this I'm seeing now!"

"You're a terrifying person. After destroying the Heavenly Flower Repository, you were going to mourn first and then proceed with the marriage to my niece. You're a monstrous person."

The Master of the Blue Moon Sect, Fan Guang, and the Master of the Yanhua Pavilion, Zhang Yin.

Next, the Master of the Baihua Sect, Miao Yunliao, the Master of the Iron Gold Association, and the Deputy Master of the Continental Battle Association appeared.

An old man appeared beside them, his face dark and only sighing deeply without a word.

However, Ximen Chui was visibly taken aback when he saw the old man.

"How...?"

The old man was Ximen Feng, an elder of the Ximen Family. He had been expelled from the family for exaggerating a trivial matter and was living in a distant place. He never imagined he would meet him here.

The last to appear was Cui Yunkai of the Beggar Sect.

"Haha, Grand Duke! Seeing the Head of the Ximen Family in shock, it seems the people you brought are truly remarkable."

"It's all thanks to the Beggar Sect."

The leaders of the prestigious families in northern Anhui and the branch leaders of the Beggar Sect.

After eating until his stomach was full, Cui Yunkai had spent the whole morning using the power of the Beggar Sect to invite these people to the Heavenly Flower Repository.

It would have been impossible to gather them in just one day without the reputation of the Beggar Sect and the capabilities of the branch leaders. The former leader of the Martial Arts Alliance believed that the Beggar Sect could do it, and Cui Yunkai had lived up to that belief.

Cui Yunkai sneered.

"Head of the Ximen Family, what do you plan to do now? There doesn't seem to be any way out. Wouldn't it be wise to kneel and surrender before things get worse?"

But for some reason, Ximen Chui regained his composure and his complexion stabilized. He curled up one corner of his mouth and sneered.

"Huh, you're all so arrogant. Honestly, I would be lying if I said I wasn't surprised. But that's all. No matter how well you set the trap, what can you do to me? You've all gotten involved in a pointless matter and will end up in hell with the Heavenly Flower Repository."

"Ximen Chui!"

"Vicious and reckless!"

"Truly a despicable person with no conscience!"

The leaders of the prestigious families erupted in anger.

Ximen Chui's smile deepened.

"Despicable people are the losers, the dead. Surely, I didn't come to face the Heavenly Flower Repository empty-handed."

"......?"

"......?"

Confused gazes were fixed on Ximen Chui.

Ximen Chui's command rang out.

"Prepare the True Heaven Thunder!"

"True Heaven Thunder?"

Everyone's eyes widened in shock.

A few people from the back of the Black Flame Annihilation Corps moved forward, carrying two wooden boxes. They were about the size of coffins. If they were filled with True Heaven Thunder, they contained enough explosives to blow up a mountain.

True Heaven Thunder, a type of explosive, was extremely powerful. One alone could turn a few buildings into ashes. No matter how ingenious the formation of the Heavenly Flower Repository, it couldn't withstand True Heaven Thunder.

"Huh, why are you afraid now? The Heavenly Flower Repository is called the Fort of Beyond the Heavens because of its intricate formation. Isn't this the treatment it deserves?"

Everyone was speechless with shock.

However,

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

Slow clapping echoed.

Following the sound, the Grand Duke of the Heavenly Flower Repository was seen clapping. He was smiling broadly and nodding, looking very pleased.

"Head of the Family, I thought you came empty-handed and was secretly disappointed. But True Heaven Thunder, indeed, this is why the Ximen Family is the Ximen Family. You must have a lot and a great explosive power. The Heavenly Flower Repository will gladly accept your gift of True Heaven Thunder."

"Gift?"

Ximen Chui was puzzled.

The leaders of the prestigious families beside him felt the same.

There was no apparent way to respond except to rush to the cliff side, where the formation didn't reach, and fight to take the explosives. Yet, the Grand Duke of the Heavenly Flower Repository seemed completely at ease.

"Head of the Family, let's talk after we fall."

"Haha, you have an interesting story... Huh!"

Ximen Chui's laughter turned to shock.

Boom.

Suddenly, the ground split and collapsed.

"Head of the Family!"

"What, what is this!"

"The, the ground!"

The ground began to collapse from the edge of the cliff, spreading rapidly to the back. Before they could react, Ximen Chui and the Black Flame Annihilation Corps plummeted into the abyss.

"Aaaaaaaaah!"

"Kaaaaaaaah!"

As they fell, the Black Flame Annihilation Corps' screams echoed in all directions.

Some of them collided with protruding rocks on the cliff and were flung away like dolls. One member's head exploded on impact, and another was torn apart after hitting several rocks.

"Kuh!"

"Kaaaaaaah!"

Ximen Chui was bewildered.

'It must be an illusion. How can this be happening...'

It had to be an illusion. The collapse was too sudden. There were no signs, and the ground beneath them collapsed instantly. Moreover, he could see the Grand Duke of the Heavenly Flower Repository floating in the air.

However, his senses were screaming that this was real. His clothes flapped in the strong wind, his hair was whipped back, and his cheeks were pressed and trembling.

Even if he wanted to believe it was an illusion, the illusion had taken over his consciousness.

He decided to accept it for now.

First, he needed to reduce his falling speed.

He spread his body horizontally to maximize air resistance. Even so, the speed was still incredible. *Chang!* He drew his sword and plunged it into the cliff.

*Clank, clank, clank!*

The sword scraped along the cliff, reducing his speed significantly.

*Whoosh, whoosh.*

Meanwhile, a few members of the Black Flame Annihilation Corps fell past him at high speed. Looking up, he saw one of them falling directly above him.

"Head of the Family!"

"Huh!"

Hearing the cry for help, Ximen Chui released a palm force. *Peng!* The member hit by the palm force screamed and died instantly. Fortunately, the direction changed, and he didn't fall on Ximen Chui's head.

However, the recoil caused the sword to be pulled out, and Ximen Chui began to fall rapidly again.

*Flap, flap