259: extraordinary background

“Then what do you want?” Your steps paused slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible smile still playing on your lips—

For some reason, an inexplicable sense of excitement filled your heart.

Jiang Hao said no more, flipping his palm to reveal the Magic Treasure, “illusion annihilation pupils.” Purple light swirled within it, captivating and unsettling.

“This treasure has never been tested since its refinement. Since Your Excellency claims an extraordinary background...” A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. “Then let me, Jiang, test your depth!”

Before his words finished, his Golden Core power surged into the illusion annihilation pupils.

In an instant, the pupil's light flared, and an invisible, intangible Spiritual Pressure that struck directly at the Divine Soul, mixed with a solid, condensed Golden Core Protective Aura, assailed you simultaneously!

The next moment—

You only felt a gentle breeze brush your face.

Whether it was the pupil's light targeting the Divine Soul or the Golden Core Protective Aura capable of shattering stone, both vanished without a trace three feet before you, like a clay ox entering the sea.

It was as if a drop of water had fallen into a deep pool, not even stirring a ripple.

Silence filled the room.

Everyone exchanged bewildered and astonished glances—they couldn't discern what method you had used.

Prince Ji Kang’s initially calm expression suddenly changed. He frowned deeply, watching you thoughtfully.

Ji Yao’s wine cup hung suspended in mid-air, her round eyes wide with shock.

Venerable Zhiyuan's eyelids twitched, lost in thought.

The dancing girls also stood frozen, their heads buzzing.

Especially Jiang Hao, who was startled and didn't react for a moment—could it be that his Magic Treasure, the illusion annihilation pupils, hadn't been successfully refined?

“Could it be... he is wearing some kind of protective supreme treasure?” True Man Yangming murmured, stroking his beard, his brows tightly furrowed.

At these words, everyone nodded in agreement.

Indeed, if not for possessing an extraordinary treasure, how could he so effortlessly neutralize a dual attack on both Divine Soul and Golden Core?

Anyone capable of carrying such a supreme treasure must have an unimaginably extraordinary background, far beyond what they could easily offend.

Jiang Hao’s face was a mixture of green and pale, Prince Ji Kang’s eyes were deep, Ji Yao showed surprise, Venerable Zhiyuan’s aura subtly condensed, Ji Hui was thoughtful, and Granny Xie had quietly stepped back half a pace.

Within the private room, undercurrents stirred silently.

Qin Han, in your arms, was also startled awake by this “breeze.” It opened its hazy eyes, scanned the room, and its voice broke the quiet of the private room.

“Daddy, you’re in this broken place again?”

It was common for Spirit Beasts to speak human languages; all major factions had Spirit Beasts they raised, so no one found it strange.

You smiled and stroked Qin Han’s furry head: “It’s nothing, just bored and here to pass the time.”

You had anticipated the illusion annihilation pupils’ attack, so your heart remained undisturbed.

Even if you removed all your defenses, a Golden Core Cultivator’s Golden Core power probably couldn't harm you in the slightest.

After Soul Transformation, the level of life had already undergone an essential leap.

You deeply understood—if a Golden Core Cultivator exerted their full strength, they might still have a chance to harm a stationary Nascent Soul Cultivator; but to injure a Soul Transformation expert with Golden Core power was like an ant trying to shake a tree, utterly impossible.

These few individuals, in your perception, were as faint as candles in the wind.

You even felt that a single casual breath from you could blow them into oblivion.

Although you had no interest in these few people, since Jiang Hao dared to attack you, he deserved a lesson.

So you calmly looked at Jiang Hao: “I don’t need to teach you what to do, do I?”

Your voice was calm and unruffled, yet it caused the atmosphere in the entire room to solidify abruptly.

This composure and indifference, like an invisible cold current, swept through the private room, sending shivers down everyone's spines.

They involuntarily had the illusion that in front of you, they were like ants looking up at a mountain.

Jiang Hao’s eyebrows twitched uncontrollably a few times, and a hint of regret welled up in his heart—perhaps he shouldn't have rashly probed you just now.

From the way you effortlessly dissolved his attack, he had concluded that you possessed an extraordinary treasure.

Anyone capable of carrying such a valuable treasure must have an extraordinary background.

That being said, he wasn't yet in a state of panic.

After all, this Shattered Star Continent was ultimately the territory that their Jiang Family, Ji family, and Langgan Pavilion had managed for many years.

He forced himself to calm down, a slightly stiff smile on his face: “Then... what does Your Excellency wish?”

“This Seat is in a good mood today, so I won’t take your life.” Your tone was as calm as water. “Kneel, kowtow, and apologize.”

“You... don’t go too far!” A fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

Before his words finished—

Bang!

A muffled thud, as if an invisible giant hammer had struck him in the chest!

Jiang Hao was swept up by a colossal Primordial Spirit force and slammed violently against the wall behind him.

The wall groaned under the strain, cracks spreading like a spiderweb.

“Cough... cough cough!”

He collapsed to his knees, his face ashen, coughing up a mouthful of fresh blood.

When he looked up again, his gaze was like poisoned ice shards, fixed intently on you.

You remained perfectly still, making it impossible to tell if you had acted, your voice calm and indifferent:

“You have three breaths to consider.”

Your voice was calm and unwavering, yet it swept like a cold wind across everyone's spines, eliciting a subtle shiver.

“Kneel... or... die.”

You stood with your hands behind your back, your eyelids slightly lowered, your gaze quietly resting on Jiang Hao’s face through narrow slits.

Qin Han, taking advantage of the situation, bared its fangs and glared fiercely at Jiang Hao, its childish voice raging: “You beast, how dare you bully my daddy? I’ll eat you!”

Qin Han’s words made Jiang Hao’s body tremble—he usually enjoyed watching the Spirit Beasts raised in his home devour living people; it was one of his hobbies.

Thinking of the scene of being eaten piece by piece by a Spirit Beast, he couldn't help but feel fear, his body trembling slightly.

The next second—

Qin Han coldly called out: “One.”

The moment Qin Han’s voice fell, Jiang Hao’s heart tightened abruptly.

“Two.”

Qin Han called out again.

The room was utterly silent.

Everyone felt an invisible, terrifying killing intent permeate the air, as if their very breaths were being choked by an unseen hand.

What chilled them to the bone most was that from beginning to end, they never saw you move a single finger.

Especially that terrifying power that had just suppressed Jiang Hao, making him cough blood and fly back, it came without a trace and left without a sound.

A chilling thought, unspoken, emerged in everyone’s minds—

A great power was secretly protecting you.