Chapter 68: Chapter 66: Rapid Deterioration

Let’s analyze the source text first:

[Step 1: Contextual Analysis]

Literary genre: This appears to be a Chinese cultivation/martial arts web novel (xianxia/wuxia genre)

Language style: Formal yet accessible narrative with action sequences and dialogue

Tone: Serious, tense, with elements of martial combat and political intrigue

Plot keywords: battle, martial arts, government officials, pursuit, betrayal, cultivation, secret society

Characters:

- Xiao Rong (male) - Minister of Justice, powerful Third Realm martial artist

- Yan Guanhua (male) - A local official or nobleman seeking to curry favor with Xiao Rong

- Yan Zongtai (male) - Related to Yan Guanhua, likely family elder

- Zhan Feng (male) - "Right Protector" of the Heartless Dao organization, very powerful Third Realm martial artist

- Wu Liangchen (male) - Observer of the battle, seems to be at a lower cultivation level

- Yu Changfeng (male) - A martial arts school master involved in the fight

- Lu Fuping (male) - Another martial arts school master

- White Lotus Saintess (female) - High-ranking member of the Heartless Dao, mentioned but not present

- "Incense Masters" - Lower officers in the Heartless Dao organization

This is a tense action scene where government forces and local martial arts schools are working together to defeat members of the Heartless Dao sect. The main focus is on the battle between Xiao Rong and Zhan Feng. Wu Liangchen is observing and learning about the power of Third Realm martial artists.

[Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing]

Now I’ll proceed with the translation, applying all the guidelines:

The passage shows a confrontation between government forces (led by Master Xiao) and the Heartless Dao sect (with Zhan Feng as a key fighter). Wu Liangchen is watching the battle to learn about higher-level martial arts. The scene involves a lot of martial arts combat descriptions and political maneuvering between various factions.

Let me translate it now, ensuring I’m following all the glossary terms and formatting requirements:

As he spoke these last words, a flash of brilliance suddenly appeared in Xiao Rong’s eyes, frighteningly bright.

Yan Guanhua tensed slightly, then lowered his voice and asked, "Is Master Xiao referring to the White Lotus Saintess of the Heartless Dao?"

"Yes!"

"Is that witch truly in Dinghai City now?"

"Absolutely certain!" Xiao Rong affirmed with conviction.

At this, even Yan Guanhua could barely contain himself.

Since the Heartless Dao had clearly become a thorn in Great Yan’s side, the government had placed extremely high bounties on its members, especially those in leadership positions.

For instance, Zhan Feng, who was now surrounded on all sides, ranked fifth on the wanted list.

Above him were only the Right Protector of the Heartless Dao, the White Paper Fan whose true face no one had seen, and this White Lotus Saintess.

Of course, the number one on the wanted list was certainly the Heartless Dao Master who claimed to be Maitreya incarnate.

But the White Lotus Saintess ranking second was enough to indicate her importance.

The fact that such a big fish was now in Dinghai City left Yan Guanhua deeply moved.

"If Master Xiao needs our assistance in any way, please just say the word. We will spare no effort to capture this witch and bring her to justice," Yan Guanhua was the first to declare his position.

For this promising Xiao Rong, who had already become the Minister of the Ministry of Justice in his thirties, Yan Guanhua naturally did everything possible to curry favor.

Especially after this incident, Xiao Rong would surely advance further, possibly even taking over the Ministry of Justice entirely.

Although Great Yan was in decline, the Ministry of Justice, second only to the Ministry of War among the six ministries and equally empowered with authority over life and death, still commanded considerable fear.

So establishing good relations now would greatly benefit his family’s future development.

Not just him, but the Wei family, the Hong family, and several other prestigious families all rushed to express their support.

Xiao Rong laughed heartily at this. "Thank you all. I will certainly need to trouble you when the time comes, but our immediate priority is to eliminate these bandits first."

"Naturally!"

Soon, the major families dispatched additional forces. With the full cooperation of various martial arts schools, the number of refugees began to decrease rapidly, while the corpses on the ground multiplied.

The Heartless Dao members suffered heavy casualties, with the survivors all gathering around Zhan Feng.

By now, Zhan Feng had lost his earlier composure. His hair was disheveled, his body covered in blood, but he exuded a murderous aura, especially his eyes, which were like those of a wild beast, making people afraid to look directly at him.

Just moments ago, he had repelled the combined attack of Yu Changfeng, Lu Fuping, and several other martial arts school masters, seriously wounding two of them.

This demonstrated his prowess as a fully accomplished Third Realm Martial Artist.

But these school masters were also quite powerful, with several of them at the Minor Third Realm. Though not Zhan Feng’s equal, their coordinated attacks made it challenging for him.

Add to that the betrayal from within, which led to their ultimate failure, and the frustration drove Zhan Feng nearly mad, pushing him to the edge of losing control.

Just then, a new wave of attackers arrived.

This assault was even fiercer than the last. In the blink of an eye, more corpses littered the ground, with only the Heartless Dao members barely holding on.

But they couldn’t last much longer. Two more Incense Masters had just fallen, leaving only a handful of people still protecting Zhan Feng.

"Protector, we must retreat now, or we’ll all perish here today," someone urged.

Zhan Feng ignored him, charging toward the attackers like a madman.

Despite the considerable distance, Wu Liangchen could feel an almost tangible wave of bloodthirsty energy.

This energy made Wu Liangchen’s forehead ache, forcing him to look away, secretly alarmed.

So this was the power of a Third Realm Martial Artist?

Wu Liangchen had watched the recent battle very carefully, focusing particularly on Zhan Feng, wanting to gain a deep understanding of just how formidable a Third Realm Martial Artist could be.

The result astonished him.

Although separated by just one realm, the power Zhan Feng displayed far exceeded Wu Liangchen’s imagination.

For example, when faced with the combined attack from Yu Changfeng and the others, Zhan Feng shattered it completely with just one punch.

Such overwhelming force left people speechless.

But what was most impressive wasn’t this, but rather his almost terrifying endurance.

From the beginning of the siege until now, Wu Liangchen noticed that Zhan Feng had barely paused to catch his breath, remaining in intense combat throughout.

This consumed an enormous amount of energy.

Wu Liangchen knew that although his own endurance exceeded that of Martial Artists at the same level due to practicing the Five Animals Fist and various other factors, he was still far inferior to Zhan Feng.

Now as Zhan Feng charged again, his ferocious momentum caused these Martial Artists to take notice. None dared to meet his attack head-on, all stepping aside instead.

"Xiao Rong, come down and fight me!" Zhan Feng roared.

Hearing this from his position on the high building, Xiao Rong’s face showed contempt. "A beast in a cage still dares to howl? What a fool."

Nearby, Yan Zongtai couldn’t help saying, "Master Xiao, there’s no need to rush. This man is already trapped. He’s just putting up a desperate last stand. It won’t be long before he surrenders."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Rong shook his head. "No need. If he wants to play, I’ll play with him!"

With those words, he flew down from the high building and charged toward Zhan Feng at extreme speed.

Zhan Feng let out a great roar and threw a punch.

Xiao Rong didn’t dodge but countered with his own punch.

BOOM!

A tremendous sound erupted as snow scattered in all directions.

The outward-flowing energy swept the snow off the ground in a giant circle, leaving not a flake of snow within it.

Wu Liangchen watched with twitching eyelids.

Clearly, this Xiao Rong was also a Third Realm Martial Artist.

Even if slightly weaker than Zhan Feng, in the current situation, he still had the overwhelming advantage.

THUD THUD THUD.

Zhan Feng stepped back three times, each step leaving a deep footprint. When he finally steadied himself, his face was flushed red, with a trace of blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

As for Xiao Rong, he merely flew back a short distance. Before touching the ground, he planted one foot against a wall and charged forward again.

CRASH!

The wall collapsed with a rumble, and amidst the rising dust, Xiao Rong’s cold voice rang out.

"Take another punch from me!"

BOOM!

This time Zhan Feng couldn’t withstand it. He flew back like a kite with its string cut, vomiting blood in mid-air.

With a THUD, his body hit the ground and lay still.

After landing, Xiao Rong took a slight breath before coldly ordering:

"Collect the body!"

Someone immediately stepped forward to do so, but as they approached, Zhan Feng, who had been lying on the ground, suddenly leapt up and sprinted southward.

"Trying to escape? Not so easy!" Xiao Rong seemed to have anticipated this move, charging forward almost the instant Zhan Feng rose.

But just as the distance between them narrowed, Zhan Feng abruptly turned his head and fired a Crossbow Arrow.

The timing and distance were extremely tricky. Despite Xiao Rong’s quick reflexes, he couldn’t completely evade it.

With no alternative, he let out a low growl and, while still in mid-air, managed to shift three inches to the side, avoiding a fatal hit to his face.

The arrow grazed Xiao Rong’s cheek, leaving a deep wound from which blood gushed forth, filling him with rage.

"You’re dead!"

With that, he drove his fist into Zhan Feng’s back.

SPLURT!

A jet of blood shot from Zhan Feng’s chest, and the light instantly faded from his eyes before he collapsed to the ground.

Xiao Rong landed, immediately took out a handful of medicinal pills and threw them into his mouth, then coldly ordered, "Kill everyone, then seal off the entire Dinghai City. No one enters or leaves!"