Stellar Transformation-Chapter 92: Season 4, Episode 22, Death of Wood

Qin Yu and Little Black flew side by side through the sky.

"Wujiang, over two thousand meters long, meandering and winding, is the largest river within Ba Chu County, running through dozens of cities in the county. The place where the Overlord of Western Chu died in battle is not far from the Capital," Qin Yu and Little Black communicated through Spiritual Communication.

"Big Brother, Wujiang is so long, you and Xiang Yang just agreed to fight above Wujiang, but who knows where on Wujiang? You haven’t clarified the location of the fight with Xiang Yang yet," Little Black said, puzzled. He had been confused just before, but both Xiang Yang and Qin Yu were not careless people. Little Black guessed that they must have understood each other, so he didn’t ask. Now he finally brought it up.

Qin Yu smiled, "Remember what I said to him just now?"

Recalling Qin Yu’s words, Little Black thought carefully and then understood, "Haha, Big Brother, you really are cunning. No wonder Xiang Yang’s face changed when he heard that sentence." Little Black was also highly intelligent and naturally understood after careful consideration.

Qin Yu’s previous words to Xiang Yang were sudden and mentioned, ’Xiang Yang, your father, the Overlord of Western Chu, died above Wujiang,’ and then proposed a duel to Xiang Yang. Xiang Yang, being who he was, of course understood that their battleground was to be where the Overlord of Western Chu had died.

The implication from Qin Yu was clear: your father, the Overlord of Western Chu, died here, and this time, I want you to die here as well.

"Hmph, a thousand years ago, an Upper Immortal from the Qin Family killed Xiang Yu, who was at the Golden Core Stage, above Wujiang. A thousand years later, we two brothers will kill the even more formidable Xiang Yang in the same place," Qin Yu said with a smile.

Little Black communicated with a cold laugh through Spiritual Communication, "Letting father and son die together, Xiang Yang should be satisfied with that."

Little Black, when it came to outsiders other than Qin Yu, wasn’t inclined to bother with them. Even with people from the Qin Family, at most, he would be a little friendlier because of Qin Yu, but he really didn’t care about ordinary people. As for the people of the Xiang Family, because of Qin Yu, Little Black was very hostile towards them.

"Little Black, tonight, there is still one more thing I need to do. Can you guess what it is?" Qin Yu said with a smile.

"Another thing?" Little Black pondered for a moment, "Big Brother, you’ve already explained things to the family, so by all rights, you should have no worries. Oh, I know." Little Black’s sharp Eagle Eye shone, "Wood, right?"

"Smart. Tomorrow night’s full moon, above Wujiang, our battle with Xiang Yang cannot afford the slightest mistake. It’s not only our lives at stake, but also those of the Qin Family. So... I can’t fight at ease with this Wood, a late-stage Golden Core expert, alive," Qin Yu communicated through Spiritual Communication.

Qin Yu’s meaning was clear.

If Qin Yu and Little Black were fighting Xiang Yang and, at a critical moment, Wood launched a sneak attack, the outcome of the battle could change. That was one possibility. Another possibility was that if they perished along with Xiang Yang, leaving behind Wood, who bore a grudge against the Qin Family, it would be a threat to them.

In any case, Wood had to be taken care of first.

"Alright, Wood, his disciple almost killed Big Brother; let me incinerate that bastard myself," Little Black said with hatred.

"Little Black, no need for you to act. I will send both disciples of the same master on their way myself," Qin Yu’s eyes revealed a hint of chill. He had already killed Wu Xing, so it was a fight to the death with Wood now. Although Qin Yu was sincere toward people, he showed no mercy to his enemies.

Little Black agreed, "Okay, Big Brother, then let me see how formidable you are."

"Tonight, within the Capital, will be the place where Wood meets his end. Little Black, let’s find a place to rest first. We’ll take action later tonight." Following that, Qin Yu and Little Black dived directly downward, casually finding a mountain peak to rest quietly on the summit.

******

Capital, which was once the center of the Chu Dynasty, lights up every evening with countless homes, rightfully called a city that never sleeps, bustling and extraordinarily noisy with refugees everywhere. However, ever since the Qin Family started the war, the extravagant and decadent lifestyle within the Capital had begun to decrease.

Following the Upper Immortal’s challenge during the day, which resounded throughout the Capital, tonight the Capital even went under military curfew. Nobody dared to wander the streets at midnight.

In a quiet estate, there was a stone table with only two stone stools beside it. These stools used to be occupied by Mr. Wood and Wu Xing, but since Wu Xing’s death, one of the stools had remained empty.

Within the house, on a jade bed, there was a tea table in the middle. To the left of the tea table, Mr. Wood sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his long hair draping over his shoulders.

"Sigh... " Mr. Wood opened his eyes and looked to the right side of the jade bed. The tea table used to divide the bed into two parts, where he and Wu Xing each took a side, quietly cultivating. Being together for nearly a thousand years, Mr. Wood couldn’t help but feel unaccustomed to Wu Xing’s absence.

"Little brother, don’t worry. That Xiang Yang will soon trouble the Qin Family, and when that time comes, I will certainly join in and exterminate their Qin Family to avenge you," said Mr. Wood, his eyes flashing with a cold light, not forgetting his disciple’s vendetta for a moment.

Suddenly, the door of the house opened automatically, and the cold night wind howled straight into the room. Mr. Wood’s long hair fluttered wildly, but his eyes narrowed, and his whole demeanor began to turn fierce.

"Who?" Mr. Wood had just spoken when his face suddenly changed.

"Boom!"

The stone wall behind Mr. Wood’s jade bed directly shattered, as if exploding, sending debris flying in all directions. A fist shot out from the center of the broken stones like a streak of lightning, resembling a meteoric hammer.

Mr. Wood retreated like a fading shadow, but the fist was even faster!

"Bang!"

The fist struck directly at Mr. Wood’s back, and a dazzling green light flared behind him. Simultaneously, Mr. Wood’s entire body accelerated once more, shooting out of the house like an arrow, while a figure appeared in the house.

Mr. Wood stood outside, staring into the house, with a trace of fresh blood already at the corner of his mouth.

"Who? Come out!" Mr. Wood called out coldly.

However, cold sweat was seeping out of Mr. Wood’s forehead. During their first exchange, he had felt the opponent’s incredible speed. Although he had detected the killer intent in advance, he was still struck on the back with a punch. The force of the opponent’s fist had penetrated his protective True Essence Power and injured him.

An expert!

Mr. Wood’s True Essence Power was now fully activated, his eyes completely fixed on the shadow in the house.

The figure walked out of the house, and Mr. Wood’s face changed dramatically.

"It’s you!" Mr. Wood looked incredulous, "How is this possible? Weren’t you dead? I saw it with my own eyes, you and my disciple perished together. How can you be alive again? Impossible, absolutely impossible."

The person in front of him was none other than the former ’Mr. Liu Xing’, also known as Qin Yu.

"Why wouldn’t it be possible? Am I not standing right in front of you, Mr. Wood?" Qin Yu said with a smile.

Mr. Wood’s expression shifted several times before becoming hauntingly dark as he stared at Qin Yu, "Qin Yu, no matter why you didn’t die... do you think you can confront me with your strength? If I remember correctly, you haven’t crossed the Tribulation last time. At most, you’re at the early stage of the Golden Core. You’re no match for me."

Mr. Wood spoke with absolute certainty, perhaps trying to convince himself.

From just that one punch, Mr. Wood had already realized the formidable prowess of his opponent.

"Mr. Wood, your life... has only five seconds left," Qin Yu said, without discussing anything else. Instead, he smiled while stretching his muscles and bones, his body crackling with the motion. Qin Yu murmured, "5, 4, 3..."

As he counted down, his body moved with relaxed ease.

"Keep dreaming," Mr. Wood scolded coldly. He didn’t believe it for a second, but his heart had gone completely tense. All of his True Essence Power was on the surface of his body, and his Flying Sword also floated above his head, ready to strike at any moment.

A faint smile played on Qin Yu’s lips: "1."

No sooner had he finished saying ’1’ than Qin Yu became enveloped in a mesmerizing pale silver Star Power. In an instant, he surged toward Mr. Wood like a streak of light, covering the distance of more than ten meters between them with an Instantaneous Movement right in front of Mr. Wood.

Mr. Wood’s eyes widened suddenly, his Flying Sword moved with his will, shooting straight at Qin Yu.

"Boom!"

Qin Yu threw a punch with explosive force, the Flame Burning Gloves emitting a dark golden light. In almost an instant, the Flying Sword shattered to pieces, and without pause, Qin Yu continued his assault.

"Puff!"

As the Flying Sword shattered, Mr. Wood couldn’t help but spit out a mouthful of blood. Qin Yu, embodying a deadly aura, had already launched his next attack with both hands.

Star Domain!

Qin Yu seemingly multiplied, surrounding Mr. Wood completely. He assaulted Mr. Wood from all sides. Each copy attacked differently, with finger thrusts like sword strikes, or hands forming into ripping claws, or fists hard as iron, or palm edges like blades... In a moment, a flurry of claws, fists, palms, finger swords, and fist strikes impacted Mr. Wood.

Mr. Wood’s expression froze as the True Essence Power drumming at the surface of his body weakened and faded.

"0!"

The various figures merged back into one, Qin Yu said with a light smile, and then walked towards the sky. At the same time—with a loud "bang"—the motionless body of Mr. Wood exploded like a self-detonation, blood raining down.

With his back turned to the shattered remains of Mr. Wood, Qin Yu casually beckoned with his right hand. A pale silver strand of Star Power, like a blue ribbon, twirled through the air and wrapped itself around a Golden Core, bringing it back with ease.

"Big Brother, that was quite decisive, using the Star Domain right from the start," Little Black, who was fluttering in the sky, said to Qin Yu.

Qin Yu shook his head and chuckled, "Not decisive enough, I let him live an extra four seconds."

Although Qin Yu had said five seconds, the real attack had taken only one second. Despite narratively slow, Qin Yu’s speed reached an ultimate level. He unleashed the Star Domain, shattered the Flying Sword, and killed Mr. Wood all in just a second.

"This Mr. Wood, he doesn’t even measure up to the Black Wind Leopard," Little Black said contemptuously.

Qin Yu smiled and responded, "No, their strengths were close, but back when I killed the Black Wind Leopard, I was only at the early stage of the Star Nebula. Now, I am at the middle stage. Naturally, my attack power has increased several times over, making it much easier to kill experts of the same level."

"Alright, Little Black, let’s go and meditate in peace. On the night of the full moon tomorrow, we’ll go to Wujiang and have our battle with Xiang Yang," Qin Yu said calmly, his heart serene.

Having killed Mr. Wood, his only target now was Xiang Yang.

The morning sun generously spread its warm rays; the Capital remained bustling and busy in the morning as usual.

A middle-aged man in blue clothes walked through the streets of the Capital. This man was Qin De, who had traveled nearly a whole day from Xiyang Town to the Capital of Ba Chu County. Aware that he mustn’t reveal his identity, he had used shape-shifting to alter his appearance.

Qin De entered a teahouse. Once seated, he casually tossed a silver to the server and asked, "Young man, did anything unusual happen in the Capital yesterday?"

The server’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the silver. He eagerly pocketed it and replied, "Esteemed guest, a major event occurred in the Capital yesterday. An Upper Immortal shouted for someone named Xiang Yang from midair. Although the Upper Immortal left, he said something at the end that everyone in the Capital heard."

A sense of relief washed over Qin De; clearly, Qin Yu hadn’t yet had his grand battle with Xiang Yang.

"What was it?"

Qin De pressed immediately.

"Tomorrow night, on the full moon, above Wujiang... Xiang Yang, it’s up to you whether you dare to come... Esteemed guest, that immortal’s voice was so loud, heard from sky to ground, known by everyone in the Capital. Since yesterday, many powerful experts, including Innate Experts, have rushed toward Wujiang. Some say that it must be the place where the Overlord of Western Chu died in battle." The server said with conviction.

Qin De smiled, nodding silently to himself.

Above Wujiang?

Wujiang River is so long, how would anyone know the exact place? If one part of Wujiang had any notoriety, it would likely be the place where the Overlord of Western Chu perished. Combining this with the mention of ’Xiang Yang’, his conclusion was made firmer still.

After drinking his tea, Qin De left the Capital directly for Wujiang.

...

Weiyang Palace.

The grand doors of Weiyang Palace opened automatically as Xiang Yang, clad in a black robe, emerged. The decisive battle was set for tonight, and although it was still daylight, Xiang Yang decided to head to the battleground in advance. He wasn’t reckless.

Before the battle, he would first scope out the area. If his opponent had set up any Array Formation Restrictions and he didn’t notice them early, it could spell trouble during the fight.

"Master, it’s not good, Mr. Wood is dead," Lan Xue Mou rushed over from a distance and immediately informed Xiang Yang upon seeing him.

Xiang Yang’s brow lifted: "I know." He didn’t say more, but inside, he sneered, "Hmph, are you trying to intimidate me with a man and an eagle? But... Mr. Wood at the Golden Core Stage is negligible to me."

With a swish of his robe, Xiang Yang soared into the sky, flying in the direction of the Wujiang battle site.