Chapter 4: Extortion (Part 1)

Guo Shieru shouted, “Someone come out… I have something to say!” He felt a bit like he was bullying others by using his power. In truth, they themselves had no fear of Qi Wu Zhen at all, but they couldn’t escape her and could only maintain good relations with her.

Hanfeng Fort had two layers of defensive shields, making it a medium-sized defense array. Larger defense arrays usually had three layers—for example, Daqian Fort had three layers of defense. Many cities only had small defense arrays, consisting of just one layer of shield.

If it were a single layer of small-scale defense, Guo Shieru might be able to break through it, of course only without any interference. Against two layers of defense, it was almost impossible for him to do anything, even though he had already reached the third-tier altar level and was considered a minor expert among altar-level fighters.

The professional experts from the Guji Family were puzzled. The other side wanted someone to come out for a talk—weren’t they here to attack Hanfeng Fort? They discussed it quietly, and one professional at the third-tier altar level flew out. However, he didn’t dare get too close to the defensive shields, ready to retreat quickly if things went wrong.

The newcomer, like Guo Shieru, was also at the third-tier solid altar level. He didn’t dare approach and stopped his altar about 200 meters outside the defensive shields, hovering in the air. He said, “Guji Family, Ji Changyan.” He was also a patriarch-level figure in the Guji Family.

Qi Wu Zhen smiled and said, “Does he think being close to the defensive shields makes him safe? I can destroy him in an instant. It won’t help him even if he hides behind the shields. What an idiot.” She didn’t hide her voice, so Ji Changyan heard her clearly, and his expression immediately changed.

Guo Shieru said, “Ji Changyan, send someone from your family who has the authority to make decisions. You don’t seem qualified!” He spotted Ji Yuntian at once and felt annoyed. That guy had led a group of altar-level experts and made them suffer greatly. Now, he wanted to give that guy a taste of his own medicine.

Ji Changyan snapped angrily, “I am the patriarch of the family! Of course, I can decide many things!”

Guo Shieru replied calmly, “There are many types of family patriarchs—guest patriarchs, branch patriarchs, and main family patriarchs. Which category do you belong to? Even if you’re a main family patriarch, there are still different ranks. Are you the highest-ranking one?”

Ji Changyan wanted to say, “The highest-ranking patriarch has already been killed by you,” but instead he snapped, “What… what do you actually want?”

Guo Shieru couldn’t help but laugh and said, “We need some things in exchange for a promise.”

Ji Changyan was instantly stunned. Some things? In exchange for what kind of promise? He shouted, “What do you mean?” He was completely confused—this was supposed to be a fight, not a verbal battle. What did they want to do?

Guo Shier looked at him disdainfully and said, “Can’t understand? Then find someone else to listen!”

Ji Changyan went mad with anger. His sacrificial treasure suddenly appeared—a cold-type ice crystal long sword. In the Guji family, the vast majority of altar-level experts used ice crystal long swords as their sacrificial treasures. It was a tradition of the Guji family, the best tradition at that. That’s why many children in the family chose long swords as soon as they entered the profession.

Guo Shier said coldly, “If you attack, you’ll definitely regret it!”

Inside the defense shield, Ji Yuntian shouted loudly, “Changyan, come back!” His voice sounded anxious. Ji Changyan froze for a moment before quickly realizing what was happening, breaking out in cold sweat. He wasn’t afraid of Guo Shier, but of Qi Wu Zhen, who was hovering not far away. It was that woman who was truly terrifying.

Ji Changyan retreated without hesitation. He knew he had been a bit impulsive earlier.

Ji Yuntian flew out. He no longer intended to fight to the death. Ever since his elder brother died, he had given up any hope of defeating Qi Wu Zhen. He had enough self-awareness for that. A professional isn’t afraid of arrogance or weakness; what they fear most is failing to face reality properly, being impulsive. Once a professional becomes impulsive, death is not far away.

Guo Shier hovered steadily in the air. He didn’t sit on the altar but kept it above his head. Whether a professional sat on the altar or held it above their head, it was still the same method of use, with similar effects. The only difference was that sitting on the altar made one more composed, while holding it above the head offered greater flexibility.

Ji Yuntian wasn’t as timid as Ji Changyan. He flew right in front of Guo Shier. It was then he realized that Guo Shier had advanced. When he first met him, he had been surprised that this man could withstand his own sacrificial treasure. At that time, he was only a professional with a two-layer solid altar. In such a short time, Guo Shier had advanced to a three-layer solid altar. What kind of advancement rate was that?

Although Ji Yuntian hated him deeply, he was still a professional with a five-layer altar. His experience and wisdom were far beyond those of ordinary professionals. In this world, madmen were still in the minority. He said solemnly, “Please speak. What kind of exchange? And… what kind of promise?”

Guo Shier smiled and said, “It’s a simple exchange. We need some materials, of course, and those materials must come from your family…” Before Guo Shier could finish, Ji Yuntian exploded in anger. No matter how calm, graceful, or patient he was, he couldn’t tolerate such words. After killing so many elders, clan leaders, and master-level experts from the Guji family, they still dared to ask for materials. It was the first time he had encountered such unreasonable people.
Ji Yuntian roared, “Why should we?”
Guo Shier replied nonchalantly, “Because of a promise.”
Ji Yuntian grew curious. Though furious, he still wanted to hear what this ridiculous promise was. Gasping for breath, he demanded, “What promise?” The words came out through gritted teeth as his nostrils flared wide.
Guo Shier said, “The promise is… not to destroy your Guji family.” With that, he elegantly snapped his fingers.
Qi Wu Zhen held back his laughter, waved his hand to send out a burst of sparks, and said calmly, “Fire sacrifice!” This time, the target of the fire sacrifice wasn’t a person but the defense shield of Hanfeng Fort.
The poor defense shield of Hanfeng Fort instantly caught fire. In an instant, flames shot into the sky as the shield emitted a hissing sound. Ji Yuntian exclaimed in horror, “You… you guys… what do you want to do…?”
Guo Shier smiled and said, “Do? Do!”
Eagle Demon sighed, “It’s annoying to be bullied, but it feels great to bully others… I like it!”
Luo Zhan shook his head and said, “Actually, there’s nothing great about it. We’re just onlookers. Whether it feels good or not… has nothing to do with us.”
Eagle Demon was optimistic. He said, “Anyway, we’re the winners. That’s better than being the losers.”
The first layer of defense was destroyed in less than ten seconds. The second layer held on a little longer but collapsed completely after about twenty seconds. In other words, Hanfeng Fort had lost all its protection.
Such strength terrified all the experts from the Guji family. Thinking of Qi Wu Zhen killing so many altar-level experts in an instant, they had to admit that the promise made by the opponent was very compelling.
Ji Yuntian also calmed down. He had no choice but to calm down—the strength displayed by the opponent could indeed destroy the Guji family, so the promise wasn’t unfounded.
Gritting his teeth, he said, “This is extortion!”
Guo Shier praised, “You’re really smart. I like talking to smart people.”

Ji Yuntian felt dizzy. Even when his eldest brother was killed, he hadn’t been this angry, because his eldest brother wasn’t his biological brother. He really wanted to say, “You’re dreaming!” But the words wouldn’t come out; he knew the consequences of speaking them. Once that woman took action, his family would cease to exist.
In this world, family was extremely important. Ji Yuntian understood well that without the support of a family, survival would become incredibly harsh. Just like the Gushui family, only some elders were barely holding things together, and once those elders passed away, their family would soon disappear.
He said angrily, “I’ll go back and discuss this.”
Guo Shier was magnanimous and said, “Go ahead. But I hope it happens quickly. Also, I expect your family members to restrain themselves. I don’t like to be provoked.”
Ji Yuntian didn’t say a word and turned to leave, flying back to their group. Seven or eight ancestral-level figures were gathered together, discussing matters with worried expressions.
Qi Wuzhen flew over to Guo Shier and boasted, “How’s my fire sacrifice? Hehe.” She looked like a little girl asking for candy as a reward. Guo Shier had already gotten used to it; no matter what strange thing Qi Wuzhen did, he wouldn’t find it odd. Of course, that didn’t mean he could ignore it. He smiled and said, “Impressive!”