Chapter 566: Breakup!?

While the players were fighting hard against the Five Elders of the Demon Sect, inside Hero Manor, Shi Zhixuan, Zhu Yuyan, Wang Chongyang, and Zhang Sanfeng were engaged in fierce battles. The intense collisions sent shockwaves everywhere, destroying all the buildings near the Dragon and Tiger Arena. The central area was plunged into darkness, with no light from the sun or moon.

At the same time, the masters of various sects also faced counterattacks from other high-level fighters of the Demon Sect, such as Hou Xibai, the heir of the Flower Sect, Wanwan from the Yin Gui Sect, as well as Bian Bufu and Cao Gonggong. The masters of these sects suffered heavy losses, rendering all their efforts before the Martial Arts Conference in vain. Happy and the others didn’t dare stay longer—they eliminated the Five Elders of the Demon Sect at the city gates and successfully broke out of Hero Manor!

Boom!

The suspension bridge dropped…

Led by Zhang Wuji, a group of top experts at the Life and Death Realm broke through the blockade of hundreds of Demon Sect fighters outside the city with overwhelming force.

Outside the city, the ground roared! The sound of hooves echoed, and thick smoke billowed—seemingly countless cavalry were rushing toward them!

Zhang Wuji’s expression changed. He turned around and said solemnly, “Things have come to this. Hero Manor is likely beyond saving! Fellow martial artists, you should evacuate first. I’ll go back to assist the masters of various sects and tell them to leave.”

“Master Zhang, I’ll go with you.”

Many people spoke up:

“Let’s fight our way back!” With so many top experts in Hero Manor, any mission would be a good one. No one wanted to miss such a rare opportunity.

“No,” Zhang Wuji said firmly. “The Grand Patriarch ordered that we must get you out of Hero Manor. How can I let you take further risks? Besides, the situation here is now beyond your control. Leave immediately with the disciples of various sects.”

Miss Murong nodded and turned to Happy, saying, “The matters of the Martial Arts Conference are surely the concern of the master of Hero Manor and the leaders of various sects. I believe they won’t engage head-on with the Demon Sect this time. Let’s go back for now. I’m sure we’ll receive Master Wang’s invitation soon.”

“That’s right.”

The disciples of the eight great families and various sects agreed, “Although the Demon Sect is fierce, it will be hard to keep all the heroes in the world. Let’s go back for now and not become a burden to Master Wang, Master Zhang, and the others.”

“Let’s go!”

Although the players were somewhat reluctant and disappointed, the system prompt had already sounded—the Martial Arts Conference was over, and points would be calculated. They had no choice but to follow the call and head back to the Central Plains.

Happy achieved his goal, coming first among the young disciples at this martial arts tournament with an impressive score of 9 points. The system indicated that upon returning to the Murong family estate, the reward would be delivered there. As for the highly contested second and third places… Hao Tian originally thought that after securing the last place from the demon sect elder, he would surely win second place with 5 points. Unexpectedly, “The Emperor” completed one more task, also earning 5 points. What made Hao Tian even more frustrated was that although “The Emperor” had the same number of points, he had previously defeated him, so the system naturally ranked him third, preventing Hao Tian from getting second place and thus ruining his plans to obtain a “Life and Death Dream Pill.” However… Achieving third place in this martial arts tournament was still quite good; it was enough to make his name famous and earn the favor of numerous factions—even though Hao Tian seemed to have already made his choice. “The Emperor” was likely the more disappointed one, but… Being able to turn the situation around and regain second place, as well as mastering the sixth sword on the arena, was no small achievement. Happy stepped back and bid farewell to Zhang Wuji. His gaze then shifted to Zhou Zhiruo, the leader of the Emei Sect. She had appeared at the foot of the city wall during the escape, looking cold and resentful as she watched Zhang Wuji leave without hesitation, remaining motionless for a long time. “Zhiruo.” Happy’s call brought Zhou Zhiruo back to reality. She quickly regained her composure and looked at him coldly: “Young Hero Happy, do you need something?” Judging from her distant attitude, it seemed she knew that he had orchestrated the situation to drive Song Qingshu away, preventing him from appearing in the Dragon and Tiger Arena and thus ruining her plans against Zhang Wuji. It was the first time Zhou Zhiruo had responded indirectly. Happy felt slightly disappointed and changed his tone: “Leader Zhou, I heard from Chen Youliang that you and Young Hero Song are going to get married. I thought it was just a rumor at first. It seems you’re angry because of Young Hero Song… I was rude.” “…” Zhou Zhiruo frowned slightly but didn’t deny it. “In that case, I should thank Young Hero Happy for protecting my reputation,” she said, with a hint of sarcasm in her voice as she grew colder: “But Song Qingshu from Wudang is a descendant of Hero Song Yuanqiao! Hero Song himself once mentioned marriage to my master. If we were to marry, it might not be a perfect match, but it could strengthen the relationship between Emei and Wudang, especially in this chaotic martial world, giving Emei at least a foothold.”

“Then Song Qingshu is likely to disappoint you. Though both are descendants of Wudang, in terms of talent and vision, Zhang Wuji is by no means comparable to Song Qingshu.” Kai Xin said with an unchanged expression, “He’s even inferior to me. Master Zhou had better find another suitable partner instead of ruining the Emei Sect due to blind jealousy.”
“That’s a matter of the Emei Sect; there’s no need for Young Master Kai Xin to worry about it,” Zhou Zhiruo said even colderly.
Kai Xin sighed softly. “Indeed. Back then, your master asked me to assist Master Zhou because he was alone and weak. Things are different now… Your skills are on par with your master’s; you no longer need my help…”
Zhou Zhiruo’s icy expression gradually softened, giving way to a hint of tenderness as she recalled how Kai Xin had helped her search for the Yuan soldiers for days after the six major sects were captured. She remembered how excited Kai Xin was when he risked his life to sneak into Wanan Temple and find her and her master. She also remembered her utter despair when her master died, with the entire Emei Sect left without support, and how Kai Xin rushed thousands of miles to Emei to ease her sorrow.
In the end, he even turned against Zhang Wuji and Xie Xun for her sake, seizing the Sword of Heaven and the Dragon Slaying Knife!
It could be said that Kai Xin was the greatest contributor and friend in helping her fully take control of the Emei Sect…
“Kai Xin.”
Zhou Zhiruo’s tone showed signs of softening.
But Kai Xin didn’t give her a chance to speak:
“From now on, I won’t interfere in Master Zhou’s affairs anymore. I sincerely hope that Master Zhou will carry on the legacy of Master Miejue and promote the Emei Sect! As for your wedding with Song Qingshu, I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend to congratulate you. But I will sincerely wish Master Zhou and Young Master Song a lifetime of happiness.”
He said the last sentence slowly and resolutely, then left without giving Zhou Zhiruo a chance to reply.
Seeing this, not only did Zhou Zhiruo’s expression change, but the masters from the other major sects also turned pale and stopped in their tracks, surprised that Kai Xin, who had always had a good relationship with Zhou Zhiruo, would say such decisive words.
The players were even more confused—why would Kai Xin give up Zhou Zhiruo’s goodwill for no reason…