Chapter 1525: Before Arrogance, Then Humility

The Grand Elder pondered for a moment. “There’s some truth to what you said. I only went out yesterday; if I go out again so soon, my lifespan won’t be able to withstand such exertion. I’ll leave this matter to you. However, he is the Regent King after all, so communicate with him properly. At least make him return the Sun-Shooting Bow to the royal family.”

It was indeed somewhat unreasonable for a royal treasure to remain in the hands of a human, but there had been too many shocking events yesterday, so he hadn't attended to that matter.

“Don’t worry, leave it to me. If he dares to refuse, I can 'convince him with virtue,'” Wu Fan said, waving his fist and sneering. He thought that just one Sun-Shooting Bow wouldn't be enough; he also needed to acquire the other divine weapon. Only then would it be worth the lifespan he expended to leave seclusion this time.

As for the possibility of failure, he didn't consider it at all. After all, in his opinion, a mere young man who had just entered the Grandmaster realm, even if he had some secrets and could use the power of a divine weapon to deal with a Great Grandmaster, was still miles away from him. If it weren't for the fact that the other party was the Regent King of the demon race, he would not only seize the divine weapon but also conveniently take his life. Sparing his life now was already an act of great mercy; what more could he be dissatisfied with?

At this point, the Grand Elder added, “Oh, by the way, I also heard him mention the Immortality Elixir before. You might as well ask about that too.” Yesterday, he had indeed asked Zu An about it. The other party told him that the Immortality Elixir had disappeared from the secret realm, and that the other party hadn't seen it with his own eyes, only heard legends about it. Furthermore, even the Demon Emperor hadn't obtained it, so he didn't hold out much hope. This time, Wu Fan would most likely have to use force. It was a good opportunity to see if anything could be forced out of him. Perhaps that young man was hiding something.

“Don’t worry, if he knows anything, I guarantee he’ll spill it all like beans,” Wu Fan smiled confidently, then transformed into a blur and flew away.

Meanwhile, Zu An felt the energy within him surging violently and destructively. To avoid causing damage to the Imperial Palace, he flew all the way to the mountains outside the city. He had originally intended to unleash a sword strike to vent the furious energy within him and to also test the power of the divine Taia Sword. Suddenly, he sensed something. He looked up at a tree several yards away. Faintly, a figure could be seen in the tree's shadow.

“Your alertness is quite good.” At that moment, a slender figure emerged from behind the branches. A meticulously tailored black, form-fitting uniform, edged with leaf-like patterns, combined with handsome features and slightly pointed ears, made the characteristics of a Night Elf very distinct.

“Who are you?” The other party's gaze was fixed on him; it was clear they meant harm.

“I’ve always been merciful. I always make sure those who die by my sword know my name. That way, when they reach the underworld, they won't die in ignorance.” The Night Elf wore an eerie smile. “Remember, my name is Duan Genggou.”

“Duan Genggou?” Zu An was startled. *Are his parents out of their minds to give him such a terrible name?*

To his surprise, the other party replied with considerable pride: “In this dangerous world, no matter how high your cultivation, you must learn to play it safe. Those who don't know how to play it safe often find their grave mounds overgrown with tall grass.”

Zu An found this amusing. “But your recent words don't show any sign of you being cautious at all.”

“Because I have absolute certainty, I naturally don't need to be cautious anymore,” the Night Elf named Duan Genggou slowly drew his slender sword, speaking with an unhurried expression.

“You intend to kill me?” Zu An's expression was indifferent.

“Congratulations, you got it right. Oh, I forgot to introduce him, Duan Tianchou is also my distant cousin.” Duan Genggou spoke with an appreciative tone, but his expression was frighteningly cold.

“You want to avenge Duan Tianchou? Do you know that Duan Tianchou was also defeated by me last night? Could it be that you think your cultivation is higher than his?” Zu An was somewhat surprised. He took the opportunity to probe his background. These Night Elves are quite cunning in their methods.

“That Duan Tianchou's cultivation is indeed good,” Duan Genggou's expression was displeased, as if he had suffered at his hands before. “But he merely relies on being the Night Elf King's younger brother to gain more abundant resources. He's incredibly arrogant. He doesn't understand at all that without those influential resources, he's simply no match for me.”

“From your tone, it seems you're at best on par with Duan Tianchou, and more likely slightly inferior. Who gave you the courage to kill me? Liang Jingru?” Zu An found this rather odd. Night Elves are always cautious and clever. *What's wrong with this guy in front of him?*

“Who is Liang Jingru?” Duan Genggou paused, but paid no mind to the detail. “I've already conducted a detailed investigation into yesterday's events. You merely relied on the power of the divine Sun-Shooting Bow. And at that time, there was also a Great Grandmaster opposing Duan Tianchou, holding him back.” He paused, measuring the distance between them with his eyes. “If it were beyond twenty zhang, I would surely lose; beyond ten zhang, I would also try to avoid conflict with you. But it's your great misfortune that you appeared so close to me. The Sun-Shooting Bow is simply not as fast as my sword.” The reason he spoke so much just now was mainly to close the distance between them further. Night Elves have always excelled at assassination and close-quarters combat. Now that the distance between them was less than one zhang, he had absolute confidence. Within one zhang, life and death were in his hands.

His luck was truly good this time. He had originally just come to wander around the royal court, to see if he could fish in troubled waters. But as soon as he arrived, he heard the news that Duan Tianchou had fallen. And then the culprit who caused Duan Tianchou's downfall just happened to appear so close to him. Wasn't the Sun-Shooting Bow practically delivering itself to him? It was truly a double blessing! Unfortunately, it seemed the aura of a new divine weapon had just erupted within the royal court. He probably wouldn't have a chance to get his hands on it. After all, the royal court was filled with experts, and 'lying low' was the true path.

At that moment, he suddenly found the other party's gaze somewhat unexpected. It seemed to be pity, yet also ferocity. He couldn't help but sneer inwardly. *Such a young man probably hadn't heard of my great name. Duan Genggou had made countless people throughout the world hate him to the core, but what could those people do to him, no matter how much they gnashed their teeth? Then let me show you the despair Duan Genggou brings to people!*

He sneered, and was about to thrust his sword. *In this world, no one's sword is faster than a Night Elf's!*

*Holy cow, what is that?*

Just then, his expression suddenly stiffened. He stopped his movement and looked in another direction. Zu An also sensed something and looked in the same direction. They saw an old man with thick eyebrows and large eyes approaching from a distance. He was clearly far away, yet with just two casual steps, he appeared nearby.

“Shrinking the ground into inches?” Duan Genggou's eyes narrowed. *This guy seems a bit faster than my sword.*

“Are you Zu An?” The old man surveyed both of them, then his gaze settled on Zu An.

Duan Genggou was secretly alarmed. *What did this guy mean by not even glancing at him?* However, he did not act rashly. Those who aren't cautious in this world don't live long. He decided to observe the situation first. This old man gave him a feeling of unfathomable depth.

Zu An nodded. “Yes. Who are you? Do you need something from me?”

The newcomer was naturally Wu Fan from the Elder Council. He was about to speak, but noticed Duan Genggou's starting stance. With his cultivation, he naturally saw that the other party intended to attack. A thought sparked in his mind. Zu An, after all, had been named Regent King. As a renowned figure of the Demon Race's Elder Council, it wouldn't look good if he directly attacked and plundered him. It would be better to use this Night Elf's hand to kill him. This Night Elf also possessed the cultivation of a Great Grandmaster. At such a close distance, Zu An was surely dead. He could then seize the two divine artifacts from the Night Elf and even claim to the public that he had avenged Zu An. *Now that's what you call a sly old fox!*

Thinking this, he strategically leaned back and spoke arrogantly, with his nostrils flared upwards. “You two settle your business first, then I'll find you when you're done.”

Duan Genggou frowned. *This old man was not a good person. He wanted to sit back and watch the tigers fight, then snatch the spoils.* However, he might be miscalculating. He probably didn't realize that Night Elves always aim for a single fatal blow, and the entire process would be unimaginably fast. By then, he would grab Zu An's corpse and leap into a spatial rift. No matter how high the old man's cultivation was, he wouldn't be able to catch him.

“Alright.” Zu An nodded, then looked at Duan Genggou.

Duan Genggou was immediately amused. *Ignorance truly bred fearlessness.* He no longer intended to hold back. He directly raised his hand and thrust his sword forward. *In this world, no one's sword could be faster than a Night Elf's!*

At this moment, Zu An raised his sword. Then a dazzling light shone forth. It was sword qi, sword qi as dazzling as the sun. Wu Fan, who had been arrogant and relaxed moments ago, suddenly saw his pupils contract violently. Duan Genggou was utterly dumbfounded. *Was he dreaming, or did he somehow open the world in the wrong way today? Who the hell could unleash such exaggerated sword qi in this world?* He wanted to dodge, but found his entire body locked down by that terrifying sword intent. He couldn't dodge at all. He could only watch as his sword was dissolved by that sun-like light. Then countless streaks entered his body. The Heaven-tier protective armor he had bought with immense wealth instantly disintegrated. Immediately after, his body also couldn't withstand the impact of that violent force, and completely turned into a bloody mist filling the sky.

*This was the aura of the divine weapon that had just erupted in the city! Damn it, who said this guy used a bow? He clearly uses a sword! Duan Tianchou, that son of a bitch, ruined me!*

The sky-filling sword qi, after passing through Duan Genggou, did not disappear. It continued to extend backward and directly split a large mountain in half, forming a massive canyon.

Zu An only felt the turbulent vital energy within him settle slightly. He looked down at the Taia Sword in his hand. *Is this the power of wielding the very land as a sword?*

Then he suddenly remembered something. He turned back to look at Wu Fan, who was disheveled in the wind. “What were you about to say to me just now?”

Wu Fan's formerly arrogant expression instantly vanished, replaced by a gentle smile. “I heard the Grand Elder say that the demon race now has a young hero as its Regent King. He spoke of your various heroic deeds last night, how you turned the tide. I couldn't help but feel a deep admiration and felt I simply had to come and see such a young hero with my own eyes. Now that I've seen you, it is truly as they say: 'A gentleman like jade on the road, unparalleled in the world!'”