Not far from where Jian Wushuan was about to lose control, on the balcony of a teahouse, Gu Tianzhu and Xuan Tian sat together, sipping hot tea and watching the show playing out between ICEB and the Alliance across the street.
Gu Tianzhu poured hot tea for Xuan Tian, who was watching Jian Wushuan intently.
"Han Shengzun was correct about this Jian Wushuan. I'm staring straight at him, and he doesn't feel it. He's too busy being angry at Han Shengzun. Jian Wushuan is not a powerful Saint."
Gu Tianzhu chuckled at Xuan Tian's comment. Only Xuan Tian Shengzun could make a comment like that.
Xuan Tian's gaze turned to Gu Tianzhu when he heard the chuckle. "You don't agree?"
Gu Tianzhu's chuckle became a light laugh. "Shengzun, Jian Wushuan is said to be one of the strongest Saints in Wusheng. He's definitely stronger than me. Only you could make that kind of comment."
Before Xuan Tian could reply, they felt a burst of aura from across the street. Both their heads snapped toward it.
"Here we go," Gu Tianzhu murmured.
Here we go, indeed. Jian Wushuan's self-control snapped when he saw Han Zhaofeng's smirk. Blinded by anger, Jian Wushuan unleashed all his spirit energy in a single, reckless attack—so fast and wild, anyone below Saint stage couldn't even see it coming.
A sword appeared in Jian Wushuan's hand and he thrust it at Han Zhaofeng's chest. The aim was perfect.
Even Xuan Tian had to admit that Jian Wushuan was fast. But not powerful. Only fast. He's not a strong Saint.
Gu Tianzhu inhaled sharply. He hadn't even seen Jian Wushuan attack—he couldn't tell when it started or how it struck. Xuan Tian was one of the few who could make a comment like that. To Immortals in the Human Realm, Jian Wushuan's attack would be seen as powerful, precise, and deadly.
Han Zhaofeng was no different—he too was caught off guard by Jian Wushuan's sword attack. Fortunately, Xuan Tian had given him a protection talisman to shield his organs. But he was still pushed back by the attack. His wheelchair was broken into splinters. Han Zhaofeng fell to the ground, unable to defend himself. He coughed out blood.
Jian Wushuan didn't stop there. His sword followed Han Zhaofeng, intent on killing him then and there. But his sword was deflected. Jian Wushuan staggered back, seeing a small spirit energy barrier in front of Han Zhaofeng's chest shatter into pieces.
Moments later, Han Zhaofeng started coughing and choking, as if he couldn't breathe.
The Enforcers were shouting, "Han Shengzun!" And rushed to where Han Zhaofeng was, weapons in hands, ready to defend. When Lingxu disciples noticed, they too brandished their weapons, ready to clash for the second time.
Luo Heng reached Han Zhaofeng first. His face was pale. He was very anxious and scared for Han Zhaofeng's life. He knew Han Zhaofeng was still in recovery from two qi deviation and wounded legs. He wasn't aware of the plan.
Wu Zhenhai and a few severely wounded Enforcers could only look with horror and despair in their eyes. They were sure that Han Zhaofeng would die from a powerful attack like that.
Han Zhaofeng didn't stop coughing and choking. His face turned red, as if he was out of breath. His hands went to his neck, as if trying to force something out. He was wheezing, struggling to breathe. It was a pitiful sight. His legs didn't move, so Han Zhaofeng could only lie there at the gate, writhing and wheezing in agony in front of everyone.
Jian Wushuan stopped his attack. Watching Han Zhaofeng in a sorry state like that soothed his ego. A slow smirk spread across his lips, sword still in hand. He lifted his chin, looking down in clear mockery.
Suddenly, Han Zhaofeng vomited something—black, palm-sized, worm-shaped, and reeking.
Everyone froze as they watched the unknown thing writhe for a moment before it stopped completely.
Xuan Tian and Gu Tianzhu's gazes were glued to the scene. This was a pivotal moment. If Jian Wushuan believed he had accidentally killed the Black Worm, Han Zhaofeng was safe. If he didn't, Jing Xue was nearby—Xuan Tian had ordered him to save Han Zhaofeng.
Jian Wushuan was thinking. He recognized the black thing—it was the worm Xu Ming had given him, meant for controlling the Crown Prince. Xu Ming wanted a puppet Emperor. But Jian Wushuan had defied Xu Ming's order and set a trap for Han Zhaofeng, believing that if he controlled Han and ICEB, it wouldn't matter who sat on the throne.
Now, he saw the worm had died—he had killed it. He paled, already imagining what would happen when Xu Ming found out.
A sliver of uncertainty flickered in Jian Wushuan's eyes. Something given by Xu Ming shouldn't have died so easily.
Xu Ming had said the worm was hard to procure. Jian Wushuan knew little about it, only that it could corrupt Immortals and make them controllable. Cultivation level didn't matter; in fact, if allowed, the worm would always seek the strongest host.
Jian Wushuan could hardly believe Xu Ming possessed something so dangerous. Jian himself was cruel, but he would never have gone that far. He preferred raw power—he only wanted to be the strongest.
Han Zhaofeng, watching Jian Wushuan's expression closely, noticed a slight glint of disbelief. Before Jian Wushuan could think further, Han Zhaofeng started to cough again and took several big breaths.
"What—what is that?" Han Zhaofeng panted, struggling with his crippled legs until he ended up on his stomach.
He scrunched his nose in disgust. "What an awful smell! Did that…come out of me?"
No one spoke. No one knew what it was—except Jian Wushuan. Even Han Zhaofeng had never seen a black worm before.
Han Zhaofeng took a few more big breaths before bowing and saluting to Jian Wushuan. "I can't believe it! Jian Wushuan Shengzun! You have saved my life!"
Jian Wushuan's attention turned to Han Zhaofeng. Seeing his effort succeed, Han Zhaofeng continued, "I may not know what it is, but with that kind of smell, it can't be good."
He saluted again. "You have saved my life, Jian Wushuan Shengzun. For that, I am forever grateful."
Jian Wushuan was stunned. He couldn't have imagined, in a million years, that Han Zhaofeng would bow and thank him so vigorously.
Yan Shujin approached his Shizun, he looked at the Black Worm with interest. He whispered, "Shizun, is that…?"
"Shut your mouth!" Jian Wushuan barked. He wasn't happy being interrupted at his daydreaming, especially by Yan Shujin's question.
He raised his voice, "It is nothing, Han Shengzun. Even though ICEB and the Alliance never see eye to eye, I wouldn't want anything bad happen to you." His expression was smug.
The Enforcers couldn't believe their ears. Yan Shujin looked disbelievingly at his Shizun as if he'd gone mad.
Gu Tianzhu nearly choked on his tea. He coughed lightly and looked at Xuan Tian, who closed his eyes and shook his head.