50: To speak or not to speak?

Deep within the Xuanzhen Sect, a strange scent of sandalwood mixed with the stench of decay filled the air.

The candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows on the hideous murals of gods and demons on the walls, making them look as if they might come to life at any moment.

"Sect Leader, do not hesitate any longer!"

An old man with white hair and beard grabbed Meng Tianzheng's arm, his withered fingers turning white at the knuckles from the force.

"As long as the green hills remain, there will be wood to burn. Quickly, take the Young Miss and leave! Leave this place to us old bones to hold the rear!"

The old man's voice was hoarse, his eyes filled with grim determination.

Meng Tianzheng looked at his daughter, Meng Ya, his heart tightening.

He listened to the indistinct sounds of slaughter outside the main hall, which finally culminated in a heavy sigh.

"Fine, let's go!"

Having made up his mind, he took his daughter Meng Ya and turned, preparing to escape through the secret passage in the rear hall.

But at the very moment he turned.

"Swoosh—!"

A sharp sound of something piercing the air suddenly rang out.

A flash of silver light flickered in the corner of Meng Tianzheng's eye.

"Puchi—!"

A saber belonging to a Xuanzhen Sect Disciple was thrust directly into Meng Ya's back, leaving only a black hilt protruding.

"Xiao Ya!"

Meng Tianzheng's mind went blank, and he let out a heart-wrenching roar.

"Aaaaah—!"

Meng Ya did not respond to his call; instead, she let out a sharp, ghostly shriek that didn't sound human.

The cry pierced his eardrums, filled with endless malice and rage.

"Boom—!"

Surging black ghostly qi erupted from her body. Her skin rapidly turned ashen, her eyes were swallowed by pure darkness, and her nails grew wildly, becoming pitch-black and sharp.

"Bastard! Who's there? Show yourself!"

Meng Tianzheng roared in anger, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at the entrance of the main hall.

A slender figure slowly walked in.

However, before Meng Tianzheng could utter a single threat.

Chen Nian had already flown forward, delivering a lightning-fast flying kick that landed precisely on Meng Tianzheng's chest.

"Bang—!"

"Crack!"

Along with a dull thud, the sound of bones shattering was clearly audible.

Meng Tianzheng's chest caved in deeply at a visible angle.

"Puff—"

A large mouthful of blood mixed with fragments of internal organs sprayed from his mouth.

He flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto a distant altar table and smashing the hard mahogany table into pieces.

"Sect Leader!"

The Elder nearby looked on with eyes nearly bursting, roaring as he lunged at Chen Nian, powerful Spiritual Energy condensing on his withered palms.

Chen Nian didn't even spare him a glance.

He simply waved his hand casually.

"Swish—!"

The Elder's lunging body suddenly froze in mid-air.

A thin line of blood spread from the top of his head down to his crotch.

A second later, his body split open to both sides, hot blood and internal organs splattering across the floor.

A thick scent of blood instantly filled the entire hall.

"Roar—!"

Meng Ya, who had completely transformed into a ghost, let out a furious roar and turned into a black shadow, lunging at Chen Nian with a sharp whistling sound.

Chen Nian's face remained expressionless.

He simply raised his hand and casually slapped down at the black shadow.

"Slap!"

The menacing black shadow was slapped directly from mid-air onto the ground by him.

The hard floor cracked, with spiderweb-like fissures spreading in all directions.

Chen Nian stepped forward, raised his right foot, and stepped heavily onto Meng Ya's back.

"Crack!"

"Aaaaah—!"

Accompanied by the terrifying sound of bones breaking, Meng Ya let out a pained wail. She struggled frantically, black Qi churning as she tried to break free.

However, Chen Nian's eyes were indifferent as the power of the Prison Suppressing Divine Body suddenly surged.

"Boom—!"

Golden energy erupted from beneath his feet, instantly pinning Meng Ya firmly to the ground, unable to move.

"No! Don't!"

Meng Tianzheng struggled to lift his head, and seeing this scene, he was on the verge of a total breakdown.

Ignoring his collapsed chest and the blood at the corner of his mouth, he began to plead incessantly.

"I beg you... please don't hurt my daughter..."

"Let her go... she's just a child!"

A contemptuous curve formed at the corner of Chen Nian's mouth.

"Then answer my questions obediently."

As his voice fell.

The foot he had on Meng Ya's back suddenly exerted force.

"Crack—!"

Another crisp sound of bones breaking.

"Aaaaaah—!"

A ghostly shriek ten times more shrill than before erupted from Meng Ya's mouth, a sound filled with extreme agony.

"Stop! Stop it!"

Meng Tianzheng's eyes were red, tears mixing with blood as they flowed down, his entire body trembling from immense grief.

"I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"

"I beg you! Don't hurt her anymore!"

Chen Nian's foot stopped. He looked down at him from above, his gaze icy.

"What exactly does the Corpse Ghost Cult want to do?"

"What exactly are you trying to summon?"

A flicker of hesitation and fear flashed across Meng Tianzheng's face.

Chen Nian noticed his hesitation.

He didn't ask again.

Instead, he raised his foot and aimed it at Meng Ya's thin shoulder.

Then, he stepped down with force!

"Bang—!"

Accompanied by a terrifying sound of bones bursting, Meng Ya's entire shoulder was crushed to a pulp by his foot!

Black bone and flesh splattered out.

"Aaaaaah—!!"

Meng Ya's wails became sharp and distorted.

Chen Nian raised his foot, aiming it at Meng Ya's other shoulder, and his cold voice rang out again.

"Speak, or not?"